Rosalith Castle was overrun with nobles and important people from across the realm for the Remembrance Ceremony. Joshua Rosfield, second son of Archduke Elwin, had inherited the power of the Phoenix. The lavish ceremony was impeccably planned and catered and, to the delight of Joshua's mother, Annabella, everything had gone according to plan. Both his mother and father were too busy speaking with the Emperor of Sanbreque to notice Joshua had been looking for an escape since the ceremony began. Luckily, his moment arrived when the Archduke's brother got into a rather loud argument in the throne room with a man from the Dhalmekian Republic. Everyone was too focused on them to notice Joshua had slipped out the door and up the stairs.

Joshua found the door to his favorite balcony and threw the doors open. To his surprise, he was not the only one looking to find peace here.

Leaning on the balcony, head on his arms watching the world below, was Prince Dion Lesage- Son of the Emperor and Dominant of Bahamut. Joshua had only seen him from a distance. He was no less intimidating up close.

"Oh. Prince Dion!" Joshua said, surprised. "Sorry."

Dion looked up at him. "For what?"

Joshua wasn't really sure. "Um. Intruding I suppose."

Dion turned and looked down at the courtyard below. A host of Sanbreqouis workers, noblemen and women, soldiers, and attendants were scurrying about. "It would seem we are the intruders. Perhaps I should apologize to you?" He looked back at Joshua, a small smile on his face.

The sting of embarrassment he had felt when he first came upon the young prince faded away after that.

"There's no need for apologies, Your Highness."

Dion scoffed.

Joshua was confused. "Is that not correct? 'Your Highness'?" The embarrassment began to build again.

"It's correct." Dion replied. "My 'highness' is just… rather new still."

Joshua stepped closer. "But you're the dominant of Bahamut! The Light of Sanbreque! And a Prince besides! How can that be?"

Dion looked back to the crowded courtyard below. "Let's just say, for most of my life, many believed I belonged with them down there than with you up here."

Joshua made a face. "I don't understand."

"That's ok. Neither did I at the time." Dion had a seriousness that reminded Joshua of his brother, Clive. "I do not think I have to tell you that awakening as a Dominant changes many things. Congratulations, by the way. May the Phoenix give you strength."

"Thank you," Joshua replied reality of him being the one to inherit the power of the Phoenix was still a daunting one. "So why are you out here, Prince Dion?"

Dion sighed. "The same as you, I think. It can all be a bit much, yes? I've never been comfortable amongst large crowds. Especially ones full of nobility."

"I just find it all rather boring."

Dion laughed. "True enough." The boy's smile fell away as he said, "I shall return once it's time for my father to trot me about to show the realm he has a Dominant of his own. Do not worry."

Joshua was silent for a moment. "Do you ever wish it had been someone else? That someone else should wield this power?"

"Sometimes." Dion looked out into the night sky. "My life would be quite different without Bahamut's strength. Half the responsibilities, not nearly the same expectations." His eyes fell to his hands as he clasped them.

"Does he?," Joshua asked, hesitantly.

Dion looked over at him. "What?"

"Does Bahamut give you strength?"

Dion thought for a moment. "He gives me purpose. Which I suppose, in a way, is strength. I must be strong to protect my people. As you must be to protect your's."

Joshua nodded. He held up his hand and a small spark of flame illuminated the now darkening balcony as the sun began to set far off beyond the sea. "What if I can't?" he asked as the spark flickered and went out. "What if I'm never going to be good enough?"

Dion rested a hand on the young boy's shoulder. "It is our duty to make ourselves good enough." He gestured out to the people below, laughing and drinking, making jokes and telling each other stories of battles long ago. "They place their trust in us. That we might draw strength from it to keep them safe. To do the impossible."

Joshua looked at the boy in front of him. A head taller, though not much older, yet much wiser beyond his age. "How did you learn all of this?"

Dion removed his hand and went back to leaning on the balcony. "Back home, I have a friend. The first one I ever made- before Bahamut. His name is Terence." A smile spread across the Prince's face. "I harbored the same doubts, the same fears. He helped me see that I need not be consumed by them. That true strength comes not from us alone, but from those we love. So I will do what I must to keep them safe. Do you have anyone like that?"

"My brother! He is to become my shield."

Dion nodded. "That is good news, indeed."

A quiet fell between them. After a moment, Joshua said, "I think it's time I returned. I don't want to be missed."

"Ok" Dion said, not unkindly.

Joshua turned and headed for the door leading back to the castle. "Wait," he said suddenly. He reached up and took the ruby red earrings he had been given that morning from his ears. He turned and walked back over to Dion, hand outstretched. "I want you to have these."

Dion looked confused. "Whatever for?"

"When you feel like you're not enough, I want you to look at these and know that someone out there knows how you feel." Joshua smiled a big smile. "And take strength from it."

Dion smiled back as he took the earrings from Joshua's hand. "A kind and thoughtful gift, Phoenix." He carefully placed them inside a small pouch around his waist. "A gift I would return to you in kind." Around his waist was a belt made of turquoise jewels proudly worn by the nobles of Sanbreque. He untied it and handed it to Joshua. "You are capable of much and more, Phoenix. You need only remember it."

Joshua took the belt and tied it around his waist. "I'm very glad to have met you Dion."

"And I you, Joshua."