Chapter 19: Invasion

{Fenestala Manor: June 20th 2002, 9:00am}

Queen Sylva was sitting in her study writing a few letters to those requesting the Oracle's presense for several events or for several cases of the blight from the starscourge. As she set there, working away her door opened and she looked up to see her mother present with a smile upon her face. Since the Prince of Lucis had come to Tenebrae, Lunafreya had been wearing a near constant smile; the two children inseparable by only sleep. Both of them were always with one another, smiling and cheerful no matter what time of day. The Princess started towards her and she set down her inkwell pin.

"Is something wrong Luna?" she asked.

"I was wondering if Noctis and I could go to Cynda tomorrow…" the woman smiled as she looked at the child.

"There's no reason why you shouldn't go. It's safe there and I'm sure that we can come with you if you want," Queen Sylva stated.

"Please?! Can you, dad, and King Regis come?" the woman smiled.

"I'll ask, now…have you asked Prince Noctis if that's something he wants to do?" the Queen of Tenebrae asked this of her daughter and she shook her head.

"No, it's a surprise. I was telling him about the different areas in Tenebrae yesterday and he said he wished he could see one of the villages and see how different it was to Insomnia." The blonde-haired woman stood and headed towards her daughter, crouching slightly before she ran her fingers through her silken hair.

"I think it's a brilliant idea, I'm sure Prince Noctis will love it," Queen Sylva stated while Lunafreya frowned a bit.

"Mother, Noctis doesn't like it when people call him by a title…" she smiled as she wrapped her arms around her daughter and then looked to her.

"Well, then I'll just call him Noctis when he gives me permission to do so. You know Lunafreya, the reason that he lets you call him by just his name is because he trusts you," she explained.

"Do you think that's a good thing? Do you think it's important?" Queen Sylva nodded, smiling as she did so.

"Yes, I do. Earning the trust of the future King of Lucis is very important….it means that our comradery will be forged in the friendship of our Princess and Lucis's Prince," Queen Sylva stated before Lunafreya looked down.

"Ravus said that you and father want me to marry Noctis….is that true?" the Queen of Tenebrae took in a steady breath.

"We're hoping that the two of you will fall in love in your own time. If you don't wish to marry him I don't know how things will work with Lucis without that bond with us, but…." Lunafreya shook her head, smiling to her mother.

"No, I like Noctis a lot. If we could get married when we're older….I would like that," she said. Queen Sylva could only smile as she looked at her beautiful daughter in all her wisdom beyond her years.

"You're such an incredible girl…" the Oracle of Eos received a smile upon her daughter's face.

"I love you momma," she said, hugging her.

"I love you too dearest…"

{Prince Noctis's Room: 4:40pm}

After a piano lesson, a singular set of lectures, and a few gardening sessions Lunafreya was free to spend time with Noctis. The agreement was that she would attend the classes she normally had once a week, and now that it was over, Luna was rushing up the stairwell and into the hallway where her and Noctis's rooms were located. She had just finished cleaning up, but her normal cotton button up dress in a pale beige color still had a few randomized dirt smudges much like her cheeks did. The girl kicked off her shoes just outside the door before she flung it open and the boy's deep blue eyes looked towards her with a slightly startled expression.

He was sitting on his bed playing with Cari who had a small ball with a bell inside it. As she shut the door, Lunafreya started towards him before she flopped unladylike upon the bed and took in a deep breath as she let her muscles relax after the last two hours in the garden. Almost instantly she was met with midnight-blue eyes that seemed to glow in the slightly dim light of the room. Luna looked over his features, making note of his somewhat delicate features and bright eyes. Noctis was a boy that Luna would almost consider beautiful due to his complexion and the palette that he had in his skin tone, his messy, raven colored hair, and his sharp, but brilliant blue eyes. Lunafreya smiled as he sighed and leaned back, lying on the opposite side of the bed while Cari curled up next to them, their heads lying next to one another as they looked at the canopy of deep blues that reflected the color of the sky outside at high noon with crystal ribbons lying above it.

"Hey, Noctis? How early can you get up tomorrow?" she asked.

"Um….why ask?" she shrugged.

"Because, I kind of….wanted to show you something," Lunafreya stated.

"I guess I can get up early enough. Besides, I think that if you're coming up with it then it must be pretty fun…"she nodded.

"It is! You'll love it," she said as she looked to him.

"I bet so….wait….where were you all day?" the girl sighed.

"My mom and I had an agreement that once a week I'd do my normal lessons of the day…sorry, I guess they gave me a bit of grace because I've been helping you since you arrived," Lunafreya told him this while he sighed.

"It was soo booriinng…"

The Princess of Tenebrae laughed at the humorless expression on the young Prince's face as she listened to the tone he had used in his statement. There was a great deal about Noctis that struck Lunafreya as comedic: most of it stemming from his tendencies to become easily bored, distracted, or ending up falling asleep. The boy was something else that much she was certain of; however, she also knew that Noctis had some of the most adorably awkward quirks about him, not to mention he was shy, stuttered, and tended to be comically anxious about things that most would find simplistic.

"You're quite a funny person, Noctis," she said as he smiled, watching her as he did.

"Glad you think I'm so funny…." Luna giggled just a bit.

"I think you'll like what I've got planned for tomorrow," she stated as she sat up and the boy glanced towards her.

"What are you doing?" the Princess of Tenebrae smiled once more as she stretched slightly and looked to him.

"I'm going to get cleaned up and then I'll be back to get you for dinner. Alright? Noct?" she inquired this of him and he nodded.

"Okay, see you soon Luna…." The Princess nodded to the Prince and soon left the room, leaving Noctis and Cari alone.

"I like Luna….she makes you happy." Cari's words caused a small smile to appear upon the black-haired boy's features.

"Yea…I like her too…" Cari chirped and came towards him before nuzzling his cheek with her nose.

"The two of you are good for one another. I noticed that Luna seems happier with you here, and you're not as tense when she's with you," Cari stated this as Noctis nodded slowly, eyes starting to close.

"It's good….right? To have someone like that?" the Carbuncle nodded, curling up beside her Master.

"It is…"

{Cynda Village: June 21st 2002, 8:45am}

Noctis looked around the colorful old world village that they were in. Cynda was a trading town that was closest to Fenestala Manor, and had been the reason that he and Lunafreya had gotten dressed this morning before the sun was up and had headed into the town with Maria, Luna's attendant. It was cold in the early mornings in Tenebrae, causing Luna to bundle up in a white cloak and gray gloves while Noctis was in a black coat and gloves with knee high boots – his father refusing to let him out of the house until he was dressed for the chilled weather – but despite the cold weather, the village was beautiful and fully of incredibly different things. Noctis had been fortunate enough to be able to walk through the market place with Luna while Maria tended to the annoying contraption that was the wheelchair. Noctis did feel a bit of guilt by leaving it with her, but she had already informed him that she didn't mind one bit and to tell her when he started feeling weak or tired.

However, right then, he felt nothing akin to weakness or pain only because Luna was holding his hand. The girl seemed excited to have him with her as they explored the market place and she continued to look through the objects put up for sale. As they looked though, Luna stated she had seen something and told him to wait by one of the stalls and that she would return shortly. He had agreed, nodding before letting go of her hand while Cari remained standing beside him as his gaze wandered around the stalls while Maria watched the two children in good consciousness.

As he continued to browse though, he spotted a silver necklace with two circled stars and a crescent moon upon the fine chain. On a whim, Noctis picked it up and inspected it slightly while the seller watched him, taking in his appearance before a smile came to her features as he glanced her way and she laughed ever so slightly as he started to ask about it but was stopped by the woman who looked him over.

"That's a mythril and moonstone necklace. It's very durable, will never fade and has the purity and healing properties associated with the moonstone, a gem blessed by the Oracle," the woman stated.

"Oh, that's really neat…" she smiled.

"You're the Prince of Lucis aren't you? Noctis Lucis Caelum, correct?" she inquired as the boy tensed just a bit.

"I-I am…." She nodded.

"I assumed so. You don't look like anyone in Tenebrae…" she explained as he glanced to the side.

"Um…I guess not…" the woman looked him over.

"I noticed that you were with Princess Lunafreya, would that necklace be for her?" the boy felt warmth rise to his cheeks.

"Y-Yes….she's been very helpful to me so I wanted to….get her something as a thank you gift," he answered her in a faintly sheepish manner, causing the woman to laugh a bit.

"Well, you are most certainly an adorable young man. I think that Princess Lunafreya would love the gift if it came from someone who seems to bring her so much joy." Noctis glanced down a bit, preparing to ask how much the gift would cost.

"I think so too…how much would…." She shook her head.

"No, if it's a gift from the Prince of Lucis to the Princess of Tenebrae then I cannot ask for any payment. Consider it as a gift from myself for you and the Princess; besides, I believe that the two of you will make a fine pair in the future." Noctis flushed at the statement.

"T-Thank you, but I couldn't just…" he reached into his pocket and sat down a small pouch that Cari had dragged along with her – how she had gotten it, he wasn't certain – and sat it on the table.

"Are you certain that you should do this?" he nodded.

"Whatever the cost is of the necklace you can take it out of that and give the rest back. Its fine…" the woman slowly took the pouch and grabbed a small number of coins and handed it back to him.

"This is all I need…thank you Prince Noctis, have a blessed day," she said with a smile upon her features. The boy nodded, thanking her as well before walking over to where Lunafreya was, anxious as he considered what she may think of a gift like the one he had for her.

"That woman thinks Luna and I are getting married or something…."
"Is that such a bad idea?" Cari's thoughts came to him and he shrugged.

"Guess not…I just kind of…I don't know…"

"You're still too young to understand it. Don't worry Noct, when you get older you'll see why this would be really good for the two of you." He sighed.

"I hope so…"

"Luna?" the flaxen-haired Princess turned to look at him.

"Oh, N-Noctis….um…." she clutched something in her hands.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine….I just….there was something I wanted to…." He smiled a bit.

"What'cha got there?" he questioned as he looked at her hands.

"T-This is….something for…." He rose an eyebrow.

"Tell ya what…..you don't gotta show me right now. How about we look around some more….don't we have to be back for lunch at the manor?" he asked.

"Y-Yes! We agreed on that with our parents….hahhha….we better not waste any time!" she took his hand with a nervous laugh, shoving the object into her pocket while he slipped the necklace into his own as she started walking with him.

Noctis smiled as he tightened his grasp upon her gloved hand while Maria stayed close behind them, the two exploring the market place. Luna had convinced him to get a special pen that wouldn't run out of ink so that they could write to each other in her notebook and pass on messages to one another while she too bought one. Noctis did it on a whim, knowing that Luna would be excited about them getting to shared letters with one another when they got the chance only because they weren't sure of how long they would get to be with one another in Insomnia. King Regis had accepted the idea instantly as had Luna's parents; however, Noctis thought it would be best to prepare just to be safe. Still, the notion of not getting to see Luna almost every day caused a strange ache to develop in his chest that he couldn't quite figure out.

Not seeing Lunafreya often made him fill sick, as though something important was being removed from his life: as if it was something vital to his continuation; even though he didn't know it right then at his age. Cari watched the two of them, and she realized a great deal about their connection; she saw that the two children were falling in love, and that they had created a bond between one another that nothing would ever break.

A faint smile came to her features as she followed them as Noctis and Luna finished their walk through the market and soon, they were headed back up to the manor – Noctis having to settle back into the wheelchair once they reached the end of the market – as noon had finally rolled around and it was time to come back for the day. Cari chirped as she jumped up into Noctis's lap and curled up before closing her eyes, content with how things were despite the cold air as Cari purred a bit while Noctis started petting her slowly, Maria walking behind the two children as Luna pushed the wheelchair, talking with the boy who replied in considerate tones.

"I wish everything could stay how it is now…"

{Fenestala Manor: 1:15pm}

After lunch time was over, Noctis and Luna returned to his room where the boy talked to her about the differences in the towns in Lucis and the districts of Insomnia compared to the old-world villages of Tenebrae. Luna listened with rapt attention as he continued to talk until finally Cari chirped, reminding the boy of something as he looked to her and Luna quickly tended to the flowers in the vases. He had noticed them on his first day here, and ever since then they were always put into his room: Lucian roses, Sylleblossoms, and a flower he hadn't seen before. The girl standing there sighed as she fixed a few out of place flowers before the boy reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace he had gotten her as she continued her work with the flowers, putting fresh water into the vases before the boy took in a deep breath as he stood and moved closer towards her, causing Luna too turn to him as he smiled towards her.

"Luna, I um…" he found himself losing confidence as he stood before her.

"Noctis? Is something wrong?" she asked him this and he shook his head.

"No! I just….wanted to…thank you for helping me…" the girl looked him over in questioning.

His form was tense, eyes a bit anxious looking, and a deep blush marred his normally ivory skin. He seemed as though he wanted to tell her something, but couldn't quite grasp the words as much as he wished he could. The boy took in a deep breath, swallowing thickly as he did so before reaching out to grasp Lunafreya's hand as she stared onward at him in confusion before he placed his closed hand atop her opened palm and laid something down upon it. Lavender-blue eyes looked into his beautiful midnight-blue ones, as she looked at the beautiful necklace he had placed into her hand: the silver chain gleaming in the sunlight, displaying the two stars on either side of the chain leading down to a beautiful crescent moon with moonstone embedded into it. A smile came to the Princess's face as she looked at the trinket and then at the boy before her as she felt intense warmth flood her.

"It's beautiful, thank you Noctis," she said.

"Y-Your welcome….Luna…" He stammered a bit, his blush remaining evident as she smiled to him.

"Can you help me put it on?" she inquired.

"O-Oh….s-sure…" she handed him back the necklace, letting him unclasp it before she turned her back to him and pulled her hair out of the way before he placed it around her neck and clasped it again, letting it fall upon her long-sleeved white dress as he stepped back and Luna turned to him, smiling.

"I love it, thank you….I'll cherish it always," Luna stated as she moved towards him and he flushed as the girl leaned in and placed a gentle kiss upon his cheek.

Noctis felt the warmth in his cheeks darken as Lunafreya placed the kiss to his cheek, her soft lips gracing the skin of his face as he felt his heart leap into his throat. Every part of him seemed to tremble with discomfort before he looked to the girl who smiled, blushing as well as she pulled him into a tight embrace and he swiftly returned it as the two children remained in one another's arms for a moment longer before Luna stepped back smiling to him as she held onto his hands once more.

"You're welcome Luna…"

{Fenestala Manor: June 22nd 2002, 9:15am}

"King Regis, did you hear about what your son and Lunafreya were up to yesterday?" asked King Acheron as he sat across from the King of Lucis while his wife settled next to him, stirring a bit of honey into her tea.

"No, did something happen?" Queen Sylva smiled, laughing a bit as she did so.

"Noctis gave Lunafreya a necklace, she gave him a kiss on the cheek for it as a thank you," she explained, stumping the Lucian King.

"Well, thank the Six...they've seemed to have grown quite attached to one another." King Regis looked at the cup of coffee before him and King Acheron smiled to the man.

"This is boding well for Tenebrae and Lucis…the two of them will be a remarkable ruling King and Queen," stated King Acheron as he watched his longtime friend.

"And are you certain that it is well for Lunafreya to come with us to Insomnia?" the two nodded, Queen Sylva smiling.

"Naturally, it would be good for Lunafreya to see the place she will be living in someday," Queen Sylva stated.

"Agreed. Now, what is it that you wanted to ask for myself and Noctis to do?" the Oracle of Eos smiled.

"We wanted yourself and Noctis to come and visit the town to the west of us, Acrylia. I think the six of us attending there would show good fortune towards both Tenebrae and Lucis," she stated.

"Yes, you have a point. So, what time should we depart?" Queen Sylva smiled as she looked to him and took in a steady breath as she sipped her tea.

"Immediately, there's no reason for us to waste any time. Don't you think so? Regis?" she probed.

"Right, we should go as soon as we're done with breakfast."

"Naturally, Maria has already gotten Lunafreya and Noctis up; I believe that they're preparing seeing as its quite chilly today," she stated.

"Yes, where are we meeting the children?" King Acheron looked to his friend.

"We'll be meeting them in the courtyard at the front. Ravus is already heading that way. Shall we go?" the Lucian King nodded.

"Of course," King Regis stated as the three rulers stood and headed towards the courtyard.

As they walked, Queen Sylva took into account of the strangest feeling she received as they started towards the courtyard. Her deep blue dress dragging the ground behind her, the crystal crown weighing slightly heavy upon her head as she tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, eyes forward as she felt the chill nip at her finger tips while her husband and King Regis struck up a conversation. While she walked though, her mind continued on through the strange feeling she had gotten this morning when she'd awoken and proceeded through her early morning routine of dressing and praying, recanting a song of the stars as she went as she considered the future of her children and their Kingdom.

Ravus would do well as King of Tenebrae and the Princess betrothed to him was a good match, and as for Lunafreya, she had never been so certain that her daughter would be in capable and safe hands. Prince Noctis would take care of her daughter and the two of them would make Lucis anew; the chosen King and the future Oracle working together to remove Nifilheim from power, and restoring the order of Eos to its people. The Tenebraenian Queen said a silent prayer as they finally arrived in the courtyard and Ravus joined them before they could see Noctis and Lunafreya approaching.

The two children's morning had gone rather normal; they'd eaten something and gone for a walk through the forest trails, Noctis finding enough strength in his legs to do so whilst Luna held his hand. It was as they came back from their walk that he found himself a bit tired and she had reset to pushing him along the walk way back towards the courtyard where Maria had requested they go to meet their parents so that the six of them could head to Acrylia, the town to the west known for its blooms and crystal sculptures. Lunafreya had regaled Noctis with stories of how beautiful the sprawling village of Acrylia shown like a diamond in the sun and that in the evening the crystals would capture the sunset and cast the colors throughout the village, painting everything in warm oranges, purples, reds, and golds. He was looking forward to seeing it, but he was more excited about spending the day with Luna outside of Fenestala Manor.

However, as they approached the three adults and Ravus, Noctis felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach, an ache developing in his chest as they drew closer, Queen Sylva smiling to him as did King Acheron and Ravus nodded his head while his father started towards them, glad to see the two of them on such a beautiful, clear morning. It was then that the sound of a roaring engine broke the peaceful silence of the day. Midnight-blue eyes looked up to the sky, seeing the unnaturally terrifying shadow of a aircraft as his heart nearly stilled in it's beating.

"The Empire?" Luna's words sent a chill down his spine.

"Cari!"

"I know, I'm right here, if something happens I'll protect you and Luna no matter what."

The next few events happened so swiftly that he barely caught recognition of it. The doors of the carrier opened, the magitec soldiers fell from the sky with a person adorned in thick, silver-toned armor wielding a broadsword and fire lit the courtyard. King Acheron cast a sharp spell at the people, guarding his family as Lunafreya called out to her father while King Regis rushed forward, Queen Sylva blocking her son from the attacks as the King of Lucis came to Noctis and Luna, pulling his son into his arms and grasping the Princess's hand as they ran while King Acheron ordered his friend to escape with them.

"Get them out of here Regis! Don't turn back!" he yelled to him as the man nodded.

"Luna, go!" lavender-blue eyes met their match as the Oracle of Eos tried to let her daughter escape. In a matter of seconds though everything came to a terrifying halt.

Noctis's midnight-blue eyes stared onward as the giant man in armor cut down the King and knocked Ravus aside, his body falling across the ground as he ran Queen Sylva through, the woman falling to the ground as Ravus called out to Noctis's father and then his eyes fell to Luna who watched her family die before she turned to look at him, tears in her beautiful eyes as he reached out for her and he grasped her hand as she did the same while King Regis threw back at the Magitech soldiers, casting them aside with his weapons while Luna gave the Lucian Prince a soft smile.

"Noctis…." The boy felt his eyes grow wide.

"No! Come with us….Luna! Please!" King Regis moved as Luna shook her head.

"I can't…"

"Luna! Don't….please…you can't just stay here….come back with me, please…don't go…" the Princess of Tenebrae smiled slowly.

"I will always be with you, no matter how far you go there will never be a distance that I cannot reach you…" she released his hand and King Regis's as the King moved only to turn back as Noctis reached out for Luna once more, but it was too late.

"LUNA!"

"Farewell, dear Noctis…."

In the next second, everything went black, and the only thing that remained within his mind was the sight of Luna's face and her words as they hung in the empty air.

{…}

That's when something wild calls you home, home….

{….}

Author's Note: Dagger to the heart….just being honest. Anyways, we're officially out of the Tenebrae Arc. There are some time skips ahead, just a warning that Noctis is going to drastically change as well.

Have a good day and night!

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.