Here's another story for the Chronicles of Eos series. Just like Chronicles of the Two Kings, which will be on hold for a bit, this will be very family-focused, but the plot that started to develop in the original story will be further expanded on in this.
As usual, all characters and locations belong to their respective properties.
-miano53
Chronicles One: Illness
April 20th, Year 783 M.E., Crown City of Insomnia…
"Good morning, Noct. Noct? Noct, are you awake? You must eat, Noct."
Noctis Lucis Caelum, aged 48, opened his eyes groggily and he felt terrible. He said nothing as he could hear one of his retainers and best friends, Ignis, outside his door. The 50-year-old Hand of the King sounded irate as Noctis hadn't gotten up for the day. After a few shakes, the man saw his friend holding a tray.
It had a few breakfast items on it, but Noctis didn't feel hungry. He hadn't eaten well in months as whenever he did, his stomach wouldn't hold food down. It all started after a near-fatal incident in Ravatough's Pitioss Ruins and got worse when Luna…
A migraine and Noctis shook his head to rid himself of it. Ignis sensed it and said, "I know that you aren't feeling up to it, but the physicians said that you must try to eat something. Soups are fine, but you need to eat more than that. You do want to be there for the triplet's secondary school graduation, right?"
Noctis said nothing and Ignis placed the tray on the nightstand next to the bed. He then did a small bow and left. The older man sat up, revealing the black, long-sleeved pajama shirt, and stared at the tray. Ignis was trying to get him to eat a tomato and egg stir-fry. Ignis was still the "mom" of the Citadel, his personality not changing much since their adventures a few decades ago.
Reaching for the tray, the scent of the tomatoes got to his nostrils and he started feeling sick all over again. Turning away, Noctis wanted to toss the tray out of the window, but seeing food fly out of the sovereign's bedroom wasn't a good look. Heck, him being nearly bedbound for the past several months wasn't a good look. But it wasn't his fault at all. He was just trying to protect Luna…
Wincing as another headache plagued him, Noctis groaned, unable to figure out why he would get headaches whenever he thought about Luna. She tried to find a way to heal him, as she still had her powers, which oddly were available even after the events with them fighting Bahamut, the crystal shattering into pieces, and the Astrals disappearing from the mortal realm. Unlike Luna, Noct's powers disappeared, as if the crystal's shattering took them. And then there were the triplets, Regina, Cato, and Stellamaria, or Stella. Each had their own powers and they felt nothing like the abilities granted by the old crystal.
Falling back into bed and putting an arm over his eyes, the man wanted to go back to sleep. But the dreams he had lately were far too vivid and strange. One dream he had was of the events of nearly 20 years ago, with the Dragon/War God, Bahamut, being defeated by the combined efforts of his ancestor which included Ardyn, his friends, Lunafreya, and himself. The biggest difference was that Ravus was there, but the man had died before Noctis could get to him in Gralea.
Then, there were the triplets. Instead of being Regina, Cato, and Stella, the triplets were named Aurelius, Regina, and Ventus, so two boys and a girl instead of two girls and a boy. And they weren't the only set of multiples, with Cato and Stella arriving later and Luna losing one. Then there was the girl, Luca, who was adopted in the dream. In reality, she was the daughter of Lucina Suarez, the pediatrician who helped with the triplets until they were about five years old. The triplets and Luca became friends and continued their friendship into their teen years.
Another dream he had was of someone who looked like a younger version of him but was in a wheelchair and pretty much a normal kid. Lucis didn't exist and instead was called the Gestahlian Empire. Which was odd as several dreams had him speaking with the emperor of said place as the King of Lucis. The child of those dreams played a game called "baseball" and went fishing whenever his father wanted to leave the lands of Leide.
A third set of dreams he had were far more disturbing. A white-haired, old man who looked as if he could pass for Mors Lucis Caelum, went from place to place, destroying everything in the line of sight of him. Gladiolus, Prompto, Ignis, and others would fight him but were usually driven back as the man was more monster than anything. And whoever was killed by him ended up in a zombie-like condition and attacked the monstrous man's enemies.
The triplets weren't even triplets in those dreams. Instead, Regina was the eldest, and Cato and Stella were the twins, younger than her by five years. The man in that dream…stabbed Regina, blaming her for the death of Lunafreya. And whenever Noctis had those dreams, he would wake up screaming.
The last set of dreams was of him and his entourage figuring out how to defeat Ardyn and the Scourge without having to sacrifice himself. In those dreams, he couldn't save Luna in time, so she wasn't present to help. But Ravus was there. The last of the Oracle's line healed Noctis after he was attacked by his ancestors to gain the power to erase the darkness. But that caught the attention of the Draconian.
The War God attacked, like in previous dreams, as they dared to deviate from his plans. After a terrible battle, the five defeated the War God and liberated Eos from his machinations and the Scourge. Noctis never married and allowed for the throne to pass to the Nox Fleuret line upon his demise.
All of his recent dreams were odd and Noctis wondered why. Usually, dreams are connected to the subconscious. But it didn't feel that way. He had no wish to adopt Luca, as her mother was still alive. He had already defeated Bahamut with the help of his friends. He barely knew about his grandfather, Mors, and only knew what he looked like from a few portraits. And having more children by Luna…well that wasn't going to happen.
Footsteps and Noct's attention were turned to the sound. The door opened and he heard, "You're not up yet, Dad? It's like 2 PM!"
That was Cato. The blonde was rather…oblivious to people's physical and mental state. He tried to understand but he was a bit different in the mind department.
Looking at the just-turned-15-years-old-two-days-ago teen in glasses and dressed in red, Noctis wondered why he looked like an anime character. Cato insisted that looking like his favorite character, Vash the Terrible, was cool. To Noctis, it really wasn't. The teen grinned and went to the bed. He looked at the bowl of uneaten eggy stir fry and asked, "You're still not eating? Seriously, you're getting really skinny, Dad."
"Says the one who's all skin and bones," Noctis said, glowering.
He soon gave up, knowing Cato wasn't being mean. The teen helped him sit up and said, "You want me to get some soup?"
Noctis shook his head. Cato then asked, "Uh, what about Cup Noodles?"
Another headshake from his father and the teen said, "C'mon! You gotta eat something. Sure, Regi said some mean stuff yesterday, but I'm sure she didn't mean it. So, please, c'mon. Eat or at least try to."
Noctis remembered how Regina and Stella had gotten into a very bitter argument about the state Noctis had fallen into. Stella wanted to find a cure while Regina thought it hopeless. Stella then accused Regina of wanting their father to die so she could take over Lucis. Regina denied it and thought the idea was stupid, as Lucis didn't need a "do-nothing royal family anymore". Cato tried to stop the argument but to no avail. So, Noctis stepped in despite his weakened condition.
He asked Regina why she thought that way and she responded very harshly. She blamed him for sending Lunafreya on a wild goose chase that cost her life and that he should've been the one to die. Cato and Stella gasped, shocked at what she said. Noctis said nothing, slightly believing it. If he hadn't protected Luna in those ruins…
Another wince from a third headache and Cato asked, "Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine. Wh-Where's your sisters?" Noctis replied.
Cato scratched the back of his head and said, "Well…Stel's over at Miss Iris' and Regi…Um…I think she's with Robin or something. She's not answering the phone. I called Luca and she said she hadn't seen her either. And I texted Robin a few minutes ago, so…"
Figures, Noctis thought. Regina had a habit of not answering her phone whenever she was angry. And if she was with Robin, then who knows what she was up to. A buzz on Cato's phone and Noctis was surprised he could hear it. The teen answered and said, "Robin? Hey, have you seen Regi? No? You haven't? Then where's…?"
Robin's voice, faint but Noct could hear just about everything, told Cato that he was at the Parliament Building for an assignment. His mother brought him there and they were going to cast a vote on whether or not the king needed a regent. Which could only mean that the kingdom had lost faith in his getting better. Which also meant that his country was going to be most likely ruled by someone who didn't have his best interest. This also meant that the promise he made to Prompto to unite the world would be broken. Everything was falling apart and it was terrible.
"Um…can't Lady Edelgard hold off on the vote?" Cato asked.
"Uh…I don't know. She looked like she wasn't too happy that they were trying to vote…without Ignis or Minister Lukahn there. That Etro Calais lady brought it up about a week ago. Seriously, why are they going so fast? The King's still okay, right? Right?" Robin said.
Etro Calais. Her name popped up in a few of Noct's dreams. He didn't know much about her as she had been elected to her position as the representative of the Cape Shawe Region. The elections happened when he was in a two-week-long coma after the Pitioss Incident and he found out about two months after that. She seemed like she was a pretty ambitious person, willing to hold elections on whether or not the king needed a regent. If Luna was still there, Noctis was certain that he wouldn't need one. And his father didn't have one, despite sustaining the Wall that used to repel invaders for 30 years. So why…?
"Oh no…Um…I'll call you back…" Robin told Cato, hanging up.
Cato's face paled and Noctis said, "I heard."
"What? How? My phone's volume is low. There's no way you could've heard that," Cato said.
There's no way that was true, Noctis thought. He heard Robin's voice rather clearly. So, the phone must be louder than that. Cato, as if sensing what he was thinking, showed Noctis the volume levels and…he was right. The volume wasn't up high at all. And a message from Regina popped up.
Cato noticed and said, "Finally. It only took about six hours."
He called his sister and she answered, sounding rather annoyed. Cato then asked, "Where are you, Regi? Dad's looking for you."
"He should be more worried about what's going on than me. I'm fine. I'll be home in a few. So, stop making so many incessant calls, Cato," Regina told him, the teen hanging up quickly.
Cato was about to say something when Noctis said, "Yeah, I heard that too…"
"You're not going to ask where she's been?" Cato asked.
Noctis thought to do so, but the girl would only deflect and not answer. Her behavior had gotten worse since Luna's demise and…it was all his fault. A shake on his shoulder and Cato said, "No, no, no! She's just being a jerk. Mom didn't die because of what happened in those ruins and you guys had to help those people out. If you didn't, then they wouldn't be around today and I'm sure the Citadel would've been surrounded by really angry people with pitchforks and a 'Madame Guillotine'."
"Uh, what?" Noctis asked, wondering where Cato's imagination took him.
"Y'know. 'Madame Guillotine'! Like in those books about that king and queen who got their heads chopped off!" Cato said.
"Clovis XVI?" Noctis asked.
"Yeah, that's the guy!" Cato said.
Lucis had never done that to their monarchs and Noctis was sure that they wouldn't as they were in an age without such devices. And that was more in the regions in the west, like Ulwaat and Cartanica, before the Niflheim Empire. Disturbed, Noctis said, "We…won't be taken out by a guillotine."
"You don't know that! You don't know that!" Cato yelled.
Noctis covered his ears, the boy not realizing how loud he was…again. With a sigh, Noctis said, "Okay, okay. Just, stop yelling."
Stepping into her father's office, 15-year-old Regina and her friends, the ash-blonde and dressed in black Robin Solis and the dwarven teen in pink Luca Suarez readied themselves for an audience with the king. They came to confront the man after he imprisoned Luca's mother, Lucina, for "defying" him. All the woman did was give a rosary of the Six to a few patients in the hopes that they would remember the old prayers to the gods. As they went through the Citadel to reach his office, Regina found the place was far too quiet. Almost as if there was about to be an ambush as no one was in any part of the building.
Before they opened the doors, Robin said, "You ready for this?"
"Ready for what? We're just gonna get him to let Luca's mom go. I'm sure he'll listen to reason," the dressed-like-a-Gothic-Lolita Lucian Crown Princess told him.
Luca wasn't too sure, saying, "Um, your dad's been a little…crazy lately."
"No, those are just those MPs that keep pushing for war. He's still sane…I'm sure of it. That Etro lady doesn't have him completely wrapped around her finger…" Regina said, in denial.
Robin sighed, saying, "I hope you're right as my mom told me that the guys supporting him…don't even look human. Like every time they would meet in Parliament, she'd notice that they would look much paler in skin tone than everyone else."
"So, you think that a group of zombies are running the show here?" Regina asked.
"Wouldn't be too farfetched. My mom told me, before they put her in prison, that the Niffs were controlled by daemons. So…" Luca said.
"Come in."
The rather gruff voice came from the other side of the door and the trio entered the office. It was darker than usual, despite the lights being on. Noctis was at the other side of the desk, looking over some papers and a few maps. He seemed frazzled, his greying hair, usually combed out and neat, was disheveled.
Regina could've sworn she saw what looked like grey scales marring his oddly pale skin. He didn't look like that months ago and she wondered if it was because he hadn't eaten much after Lunafreya and the twins' passing. Uncle Iggy tried to get him to eat, but every time he did, the food would be returned uneaten. Gladio also noted that Noctis wouldn't really speak to him much anymore, despite being the King's Shield and captain of the Crownsguard. Then Prompto would call and text to check up on his buddy while away on assignments for Meteor Publishing, but Noctis would refuse to answer.
Even Regina had trouble getting in contact with her father, rarely able to see him, especially without the presence of those weird MPs or Lady Etro Calais, her new governess. That made their already fragile relationship worse and she would avoid Noctis or even summons from him most days. After Lady Etro's overbearing behavior showed more so than usual, Regina left the Citadel and started staying with the Suarez family. But after Luca's mother was arrested, Regina decided to intervene and finally confront him.
"Um…h-hey Dad…" Regina said.
Noctis ignored her, scribbling things onto the map. He muttered several things under his breath, including several curses. Luca nudged Regina and Robin whispered, "We're behind you 100%."
With a sigh, Regina asked, "Dad, why did you arrest Luca's mom?"
"What?" he asked, not looking up and continuing to write on the papers and maps.
His scribblings became irate, with Regina making out the words, "Traitors", "Target", "Meteorshards", "Pitioss" and "Find Her". She asked again, "Why did you arrest Luca's mom? She was only trying to help her patients."
"Yeah! She didn't do anything wrong!" Luca yelled.
Robin shushed her as Noctis looked up and glowered at them. Regina had never seen him look like that before as if he had become…a wild beast. But the three of them had come too far to give up now.
Noctis jolted awake and quickly regretted it. He had another vivid dream, the one where Regina confronted the man who attacked her after trying to find out what happened to Luca's mother. This time, he finally got a name. It was his. He…attacked Regina and nearly…
"No, no…That…That wasn't…" Noctis thought aloud.
He painfully sat up in bed, realizing that it was still dark out. Before he went to bed, Stella returned home and was worried as he hadn't tried eating all day. She then forced him to eat some soup, which she nearly had him choke as she tried to spoon-feed him like a baby. It was rather humiliating, but he wasn't hungry at the time and she practically rammed a spoon down his throat. Why was that girl so violent, he thought?
The blonde had told him that she wanted to be a nurse, not a princess. But her bedside manner was terrible, force-feeding people like that. And if anything happened to her older siblings, she would have to carry the torch of Lucis. And possibly the Oracle's line if Tenebrae's newly reformed Temples of the Cosmogony needed someone from Luna's family to lead.
Then Regina returned with a look of disgust on her face. She ignored him when he asked about her day and immediately went to her room. She shut out everyone and didn't go to dinner according to Ignis. What would he have to do to get through to her, Noctis thought? If anything happened to him, then she would have to lead as Queen of Lucis.
The thought of that made him sad and he remembered another set of dreams where…he wasn't there. Regina was all alone as Cato and Stella didn't exist. Luna and he sacrificed themselves for Bahamut's plans to eradicate the Scourge. That version of her was angry all the time and…did terrible things to the people of Lucis.
If he could, Noctis thought, he would ensure that she would never feel that way. But how when he was practically dying from the injuries he still didn't heal from? And Regina didn't trust him anymore. So, how could he…?
Pain in his chest and Noctis clutched his heart. It was the same pain he felt whenever he would have those nightmares and they would subside after a few moments. Luna left the Citadel to return to Tenebrae to find any cures for Noct's condition and his heart trouble was the reason that spurred her to leave. But then…
The pain finally left and was replaced by another headache. What was going on with him, Noctis wondered. Unable to go back to sleep, as he didn't want to have another nightmare, the man thought to leave his room. But he was practically immobile, especially since it was dark and he couldn't see well. Also, most of his staff was either asleep or had gone home for the day. So, leaving wasn't an option.
The door opened a bright light came from it. A voice and it was Regina's. With a small "hey", she entered the room and sat on the bed.
"Um…" Noctis started.
Regina then warned him to close his eyes. With a click, the bedroom lights turned on. Slowly opening his eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness, Noctis could see Regina, the only dark-haired triplet. She was dressed in her pajamas of a red top and black pants. She wasn't wearing her usual Gothic makeup, to which Noctis was relieved. She looked quite…scary when dressed like that and he wondered why. Sure, the family's colors were mostly black and gold, but to dress like a Gothic doll like the artist Manakumi, he didn't get why.
The girl looked terrified and he said nothing, opting to let her speak. Several minutes passed and she said, "Um…I apologize for what I said yesterday…"
That…was different. She never did such things as she was a bit prideful. Staying silent and simply listening, Noctis heard her say, "I…I just…After you came out of your coma and Mom started for Tenebrae to find help…I…I didn't want…"
Regina looked ready to cry and she said, "I didn't want to think about losing you too. So, I thought distancing myself and keeping you away would help…with the hurt and the possibility of not having you around…It didn't work. The hurt got worse and then that dream I had and…"
Noctis continued to stay silent and Regina explained. Her dream was just as disturbing as the one he recently had. She dreamt that she tried to confront him for imprisoning Luca's mom over something petty and he attacked her. He then…stabbed her with the Ultima Blade and blamed her for her mother's death. When she said that, Noctis realized they had the same nightmare. But…he would never do such a thing. He loved the trio so much and vowed never to harm them or put them in harm's way. He would rather die than do that.
"I ran over here to make sure that you were you. And…I see that you're fine. I…I'm sorry," Regina said.
"Why wouldn't I be me?" Noctis asked.
"Um…well…that dream…" Regina said, twiddling her thumbs as she seemed nervous.
"I'm me. I won't ever hurt you. You know that. If anything, it's the other way around," Noctis said.
"I said I was sorry. Can't you let it go?" Regina told him.
Noctis shook his head, wanting to see her reaction, and Regina pleaded with him. Another head shake and Regina said, "Fine. If you won't let it go, then I'll tell Uncle Iggy to put broccoli mash in your soups."
"You wouldn't dare…" Noctis said, mockingly gasping.
Regina gave a small grin and said, "I would. And on top of that, it's my turn to feed you breakfast tomorrow. So…broccoli and kale soup for breakfast. Beetroot soup for lunch and Eos pea soup for dinner to help ease your unwillingness to forgive."
Noctis made a piteous praying gesture, mockingly begging, "Oh please, great goddess of sun fire, Gothic rocker fashion, and spicy foodstuffs, have mercy on a very sick soul…"
"No mercy for those who give none," Regina declared.
"Please, Crown Princess Regina Lucis Caelum. No veggies, I beg of you," Noctis "pleaded".
"I hear nothing. Just the wind," Regina said, turning her face away, her grin wider.
The door opened and two blondes peeked from behind the door. One was Cato and the other was his sister, Stellamaria. Stella, with her hair up in a bun and dressed in white and grey, used Eosian Sign Language, asking, "Er, is it safe to come in?"
Noctis nodded and Cato asked, "So, you're not gonna act like a jerk face to everyone anymore?"
"Can't promise that. But I won't to you guys," Regina said.
"Well, I would believe that if a certain someone could renege on her decision for the menu tomorrow," Noctis said.
"Not until you forgive me," Regina retorted.
"Okay, fine, oh goddess of sun fire, foodstuff, and Gothic rock fashions. You're forgiven," Noctis said, still mockingly.
Regina grinned and asked, "See? Was that so hard?"
The man nodded, a smirk on his face. After so many months, he was able to get the girl to smile again. Even if she threatened to put vegetables in his soups. Seriously, why didn't he ban vegetables from Lucis again? They were truly the Infernian and Draconian's work.
And there's chapter one. A much sadder opening than in Chronicles of Eos I. And there's a reason for that and it'll soon be answered. But why is Noctis so ill? What exactly happened in Pitioss Ruins? And how did Lunafreya die? We'll find out soon.
Until then, please leave a review why don't ya?
-miano53