And this is when the story diverges from the main plot. Yes I really am including Etro into this story!
Lucis's Reborn
Chapter 6: Etro
Renae stood in front of her full body mirror; the day of her engagement had finally arrived. She wore the most beautiful gown she had ever seen, made by the Vivienne Westwood from Altissia. The black tulle a-line dress had a bateau neckline, with a golden applique trim at the neck around the shoulders to the back, in the form of a golden bird with the head in the middle of her chest and the wings spreading out to her shoulders. The puff sleeves were long and ended at the wrist with more gold applique of feathers which gathered the tulle material together. Around her waist was a golden belt with an intricate lace design of flowers and blue stitching to resemble Sylleblossoms; a smart nod towards the engagement between Lucis and Tenebrae.
The Princess's hair was styled in a braided half up half down style, with the Sylleblossoms Ravus got her, placed in her hair, which was at her request. She wore gold tear drop earrings with two additional gold huggies earrings on her lobe and a gold short necklace with a ruby princess cut pendant. On her fingers was the late Queen Sylva's wedding ring and her mother's ring. The Princess went for a simple look; concealer, a natural rose blusher, thin cat winged eyeliner, mascara, and mid toned nude rose lipstick.
The young woman heard a knock on the door and turned to it. "Come in." The door opened and in came her father. He closed the door carefully behind him and then when he turned to see his daughter, he felt his heart stop beating and his eyes were filled with tears. He gulped and had the most loving and beautiful smile on his face she had ever seen. It was the same smile he had when she first called him 'dada.' It was the same smile he had when she took her first steps. It was a proud and radiant smile like no other. The young Princess smiled at him back, feeling her eyes sting with tears as her heart felt heavy.
"Renae, you look…" The King walked towards her and took her hands in his. "…I've never seen someone so beautiful in my life." The sides of her lips perked out in a grin.
"Dad…thank you."
"If your mother could see you now," His voice croaked, and she squeezed onto his hands. It took all her might to keep her tears back. "Let us sit down." She walked him to the bed and they both sat down. "How are you feeling, little Princess?"
"Like my heart is going to beat out of my chest any minute now." Renae laughed. "I drank 3 cups of lavender tea today, but nothing is helping."
"My girl, you will be fine. The moment you see him, your fears will disappear."
Her cheeks turned numerous shades of red from thinking of her fiancé. After that chat with Noctis yesterday, which lasted 2 hours, she had realised that she was in love with her childhood friend. An awkward conversation with her brother was all it took to confirm those feelings for him. And she was beyond grateful for his help.
The young woman felt her father squeeze her hand tight and she turned her attention to Regis. The gaze in his eyes was serious with a hint of anxiety within them. There was something wrong, she knew it. Her smile dropped and eyes widened with curiosity and worry.
"I think I may be paranoid, but I want you to hang onto these." He took out something else from his inner blazer pockets; they were a pair of 12-inch sharp silver daggers with golden handles. He also took out some sheath harnesses. "Keep these on your legs under your dress so no one can see and be offended."
"Dad…" He didn't let her finish.
"Please Renae, just in case you are in danger if something happens." She understood this and lifted her dress up. The young woman wrapped the sheath harnesses around both her thighs and placed the daggers into their sheaths.
"If they think of harming a single hair on your head or anything, I won't stand back and watch." She stated with determination, but he shook his head.
"No, daughter of mine. If something goes wrong, I want you to stay with Cor or Clarus. If you can't find them, run away. Leave the city, there's an underground passageway leading out of Insomnia. There are no daemons down there so it should be alright. Once you're out of there run towards Hammerhead and find your brother. Promise me." Her eyes sparkled with tears as her bottom lip quivered and she looked down; she knew she could fight, she wanted to defend her father with all her strength. But if this was what he so desperately wanted, she had to accept it. "No matter what happens, you must stay strong. You are of the Lucis Caelum bloodline, you are my daughter which means strength runs through your veins."
"I can fight, though." Her voice came out in a squeak. Her father's hands cupped her face, and he made her look at him. She saw a proud gaze and a bright smile.
"I know you can fight. I've seen you train with Cor. I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I understand." She murmured.
"Shall we go outside? I think we both need some fresh air." He stood up and held out his hand.
The young woman smiled at him, taking his hand, and walked onto the balcony. Her father sat down on the sofa, but she continued walking towards the bird cages.
"What are you doing, little Princess?"
The young woman opened the doors of the cages and smiled at her feathered companions. "I want them to be free from now on. To spread their wings and fly around Insomnia." The birds all turned their heads to the side looking confused. "You're free now. Fly to your hearts content." They all started tweeting, flying towards her and pecked her cheeks lightly before flying away. Ciaran on the other hand just flew up immediately, most likely to see Ravus because he had just arrived.
"And what of your beloved Ciaran?"
"I want him to stay with me." Renae replied as she walked over and sat opposite her father. "He's going to come with me."
"At least he won't be lonely." Regis replied. "My girl, could I speak to you about something?" Once again, her smile dropped, and her eyebrows knotted together.
"Of course, what is it?"
"I had the most unusual dream." He replied. "A woman's voice telling me that my children would save the world. That not just my son, but my daughter would rid the world of darkness and evil to return her back into the world."
"Me?" The Prophecy only spoke of the True King, which everyone assumed would be Noctis. But there was nothing about anyone else saving the world from the Starscourge. It was confusing, why did her father dream of such a thing? "Return who into the world?"
"I assume it was the woman who spoke; since she said, 'return me into the world of Eos'." He replied. "It wasn't a dream sent by Bahamut, that was for sure. I thought about going to commune with the Crystal, seeing if that may explain things."
"Did you?"
"I visited the Crystal, and I felt this aura coming off from it. Something I hadn't felt before. It was a warm feeling, filled with love which was welcoming. Then I heard that woman's voice again."
"What did she say?"
"She told me Eos would not only be saved by one, but by two warriors of the Lucis Caelum bloodline: by both of my children. She told me, I had to let you free, to open the door, so that you could spread your wings and fly. Only then would you be able to become stronger."
The young woman wondered who spoke to her father. He stated that it was a woman's voice, and the only two Astrals who she assumed it could be was Shiva and Leviathan. But why would they speak via The Crystal? The Crystal had stayed silent and waiting since their ancestors found it. Also, the fact that this voice debunked the prophecy of the One True King, to predict two warriors. But what was more shocking was that she prophesised that SHE would be the one to save the world too! She couldn't believe it!
"What if it was Phoenix filling my head with lies?" The King asked. "To distract me from what is real so that we could go down the wrong path."
Phoenix, according to the Cosmogony, was said to be an Astral, sister to Ifrit. She was branded as a traitor to Bahamut and the other Astrals for collaborating with her brother to destroy humanity before the Astral War. When the humans betrayed the Astrals, she and her brother were enraged and worked together to end mankind for their selfishness. After the war, all the Astrals laid in slumber, whilst Ifrit was chained up to lay dormant forever. The whereabouts of his sister however was unknown. Regardless of the fact that the majority of Eos viewed her as a traitor to the Astrals, there were still many who believed in her and prayed for her return; believing that she was what Eos needed, to push back the Starscourge.
She was surprised to hear her father speak this way about Phoenix. He once viewed her as evil and traitorous before meeting Queen Aulea, who believed that Phoenix was purely misunderstood, and that everyone should be grateful for her blessings as no one would be alive without her. Many people of Eos was against Regis marrying Aulea for that very reason. But the King still loved and married her, and changed his mind set on the life giving Astral. He always defended Phoenix but today was the first time Renae heard such a thing from her father.
"Dad?" She asked surprised. "Why would you say something like that about Phoenix?" Her father looked up at her shocked as if just realising what he had just said. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed deeply whilst leaning back on the chair. "Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, it was as if I heard a voice whisper that into my ear." Her eyebrows furrowed together, another voice.
"A woman's voice? That same voice you heard from the Crystal?"
"No, a deep voice…it seemed so familiar."
"Bahamut?" Renae asked.
"But why?"
Renae heard a notification from her phone and looked door.
Everyone's ready, we're waiting outside your room,
"We should get going. They're waiting for us." Renae stated.
The Princess linked arms with her father and they both exited the balcony. The young woman changed from her flip flops into a pair of comfortable block heels. They both walked through the main corridor and met up with both Cor and Clarus at the end of it. They were both dressed in matching black formal suits. Both the young Princess absolutely aback took men. Clarus's eyebrows rose, and Cor just smiled proudly of his cub.
"Cor, take a picture of Renae and me on her phone so she can send it to her brother." Regis suggested and the Princess took out her phone from her black clutch bag. She gave it to Cor, and he took a picture of them both as well as one with just herself. He gave the phone back to her and she sent those two pictures to her brother. They took the elevator up to the roof of the Citadel where the celebrations were being held.
It was the first time she was meeting people from Niflheim as well as the rest of the Kingsglaive. Nervous and worried was the least she felt. She was not a people person to those she had never met so her heart was pounding like a drum in her chest. Her breathing was heavy, and the trio of men could tell she wasn't comfortable.
"Breathe slowly, everything will be alright." Cor stated and she nodded.
"If anyone lays a finger on you or makes you feel uncomfortable come to me or Cor." Clarus added.
"You are strong. The three of us know this just as you do." Regis reminded her.
"Thank you." She smiled at them.
The doors opened and all the people invited to the festivities turned around. Many of their eyes fell on the Princess who stood there awkwardly. Throughout the day she was deciding what she would do when she was faced with all these people. She had come to a conclusion that she would place her hand on her chest and bow down in a respectful manner, thanking them for attending such a joyous occasion. But here she was, frozen like the great corpse of Shiva, unable to move and so scared to breathe. Those eyes staring at her as if piercing into her very body. All of those voices whispering, and murmuring made her feel even more anxious. However, all it took was a reassuring hand of Cor's on her shoulder and it was as if she was alright again. The four of them got out of the elevator and everyone continued to stare. Renae placed her hand on her chest, and she could feel her heart beating so fast. She lowered her head down with her hair falling down her shoulders gracefully. She didn't say a word but everyone else decided to bow down respectfully to her and her father. They all continued doing whatever they did before the King and Princess had arrived and the young woman stood up straight. She turned to her father and smiled at him. Her father may have been proud of his daughter's very existence, but he knew his daughter wouldn't do well under so much pressure if he had just announced her arrival.
"I'm going to speak with the Emperor. Would you like to join me so you can stay by my side?" Her father asked with a warm and kind smile. Her smile dropped and she huffed whilst furrowing her eyebrows together as her face twisted with disgust.
"Hell no." His gentle smile dropped.
"Renae." The King sounded disappointed.
"But I don't want to see him." She whined with a pout. "Besides, there is someone else I'd like to see first." The Princess averted her gaze shyly as her cheeks turned pink. Regis couldn't help but grin at this and chuckled.
"That's fine. He should be around. I'll see you later." He kissed her cheek and left.
Cor had other business to address but before he left, he asked the Princess if she would be alright on her own. She said she would, and he had gone downstairs. As she walked by herself, she couldn't help but notice someone with familiar traits. The dark-haired woman turned to another who was dressed in a white and silver gown. Her hair was blond and long tied up in a ponytail with a double braid across the crown of her head. The Princess approached the young woman and tilted her head to the side.
"Lady…Lunafreya?" The woman turned around and she was met with a pair of crystal blue eyes. The younger woman's eyes widened, and her eyebrows rose.
"Princess Renae." She did a curtsey and so did the Princess. "It has been so long since I have seen you last. You look absolutely stunning. You've grown into a beautiful young woman." Renae stood up and grinned.
"You look so beautiful Luna; can I call you Luna?"
"Of course, you can, may I call you Renae?" The younger Princess nodded. "I wanted to thank you for ending the betrothal to Prince Noctis."
"You don't have to thank me, Luna."
"How was your date with my brother?" Lunafreya smiled smugly. "He seemed very happy when he returned to the hotel suite." Renae flustered at this comment as she felt her heartbeat faster. The blonde noticed the girl's change in behaviour and nodded with understanding. "I understand that it may be daunting to move to another Kingdom after marriage, if you need any moral support I'm here." She felt her heart swell and smiled at her future sister-in-law.
"Thank you Luna. I really appreciate it." She grinned. "And if you ever need anything, anything at all. Let me know."
Something on the walls caught the Princesses' attention and they turned their attention to a painting. It looked to be incredibly old. But it seemed to have been kept in incredible condition, since the painting was framed in a protective and sturdy frame. It was of a fair skinned woman wearing blueish-grey garments which hid her arms, on her head was a heavy golden crown and her golden wavy hair was sprawled out like sun beams. She had a pair of large golden wings which spread out. The woman was incredibly beautiful and looked to be in deep sleep; she looked so peaceful in slumber.
"The Empire bought this as a gift to Lucis,. It's a relic from the Solheim Empire." Luna stated.
"Who do you think the lady is? A past ruler?"
"No, I read somewhere that royalty wore red and gold in that era." The Oracle replied. "I don't know if you feel it. But when I stare at the painting, my heart feels at peace."
"I do too, that painting gives off a gentle and warm aura."
"You're a well-read person, Renae. Do you know anything about Etro?" The young Princess crossed her arms as she continued to stare at the painting.
"I've read an excerpt from a book on the Civilisation of Solheim. Etro was said to be a goddess they worshipped. They believed that she provided the material from her body from which humans were created." She explained with wonder. "There's not much information about her available, but I do wonder what she was like."
"Do you think she really existed?"
"To be honest there's barely any evidence which suggests she existed. But…" She sighed deeply and decided to open up her heart. "I'd like to believe that she did exist, maybe it was a long time ago, before Solheim existed. There's a part of me that wants to find out more about her."
"Renae…" The young woman turned to the Oracle who took a step towards her. She had her hands clasped together with her gaze averted to the ground. Renae could tell she seemed nervous and gently held her hand with reassurance. Lunafreya looked up at her whilst squeezing onto hers. "Can I be honest with you?"
"What is it, Luna?"
"Since I was anointed as Oracle at 14, I've always prayed for a way to push back the Starscourge. There have been times where I would pray all night long or go without food for a couple of hours whilst praying. Every time I do, I hear a woman's voice." Renae's eyebrows furrowed together. "She kept telling me to believe in myself and my abilities as an Oracle. The woman told me not to lose myself to darkness nor lose sight of my goals; to not be blinded by malicious lies disguised as noble truths. At first I thought it was Gentiana's, but it wasn't. What if," Luna turned to the painting. "...the woman who was speaking to me all this time; was Etro?"