King Regis sat waiting. Besides him stood Clarus. Who they were waiting on was someone Regis hadn't seen in ten years. Not since she last had Volcanis, her third son, and that was only because he had been able to still visit her. Now, if she wanted to spend time with him, she was the one having to make the trip now that he had become King. It was only now that she was able to make any trip outside of the kingdom as Niflheim had been making it harder for any Stelluxian to travel between the kingdoms. Clarus leaned closer to Regis. "When was the last time we saw your elder sister?"

"It's been a long ten years, Clarus." Regis answered knowing his oldest friend still harbored a gentle feeling for his sister. "In her last letter she said she had something to tell me once she arrived. Said it needed to be done in person that could not be said through letters." Clarus raised a brow at that. "Think it might be one of her sons finally marrying? The twins are at the age of twenty-one." Regis let a soft hum out at thinking of his nephews wondering how grown they have gotten. "Between Infernas and Lavis, who knows. It might be about Flaris. My sister-in-law hasn't seemed to think to settle down yet even as she is my age."

This time Clarus snorted thinking back to the tall, thin, and master at hand-to-hand fighting heathen of a woman he's had the displeasure of ever meeting. "That woman doesn't know the words, settling down." Regis could only turn to him with a slight smirk before looking back down to the doors that opened.

Coming forth was one of his Crownsguard, Cor. He gave a firm bow of his head before stepping to the side to introduce their guests. The one that held his gaze was the one that held the same eye and hair color as he did. "May I welcome High Priest Sol and Spiras Fenix. Their children Volcanis, Infernas, and Lavis Fenix to Insomnia."

"No need for introductions. I once lived here or were you too little of a boy to remember." Spiras stated in jest moving forwards to pass the grumbling man hearing the mumble of 'you were married by the time I got here'. Her gaze never left that of her younger brother, who had stood up to make his way down to her, both meeting halfway on the steps both giving soft smiles to the other. Her hands went up to cup his chin feeling the stubble scratch at her palms. Her lips never lost their softness as she smiled up at him, Regis doing the same. "It has been too long, Regis. Too long" Concern filling her eyes as she took in his aging face due to maintaining the Wall and so she whispered to him. "I can always ask Sol to part with a feather. It would help you so much and he has offered it once before."

Regis tilted his head a little as a hand went up to gently grip her thin wrists returning his answer in a whisper as well. "I know, Spiras, but I will be fine. I still have many years before the stress of maintaining the Wall gets to me." Her lips pinched a little in her worry as Regis slowly pulled her hands away so that they could continue with the welcoming. "How is your boy, Noctis, doing?" she asked taking the hint to change the subject as they made their way down the stairs with Clarus following. "He's doing well for only being three." Spiras smiled at Regis' answer before glancing up at Clarus in greeting. "And your boy, Clarus?"

Clarus smiled. Spiras had always been the one in their group to make sure everyone was included. It didn't matter if one was royal or if one was a simple janitor, she would make it her job to include all near her. "Gladiolus is doing fine. Bit of a hellion at times." Spiras chuckled glancing towards her two eldest sons. "I know what you mean. It gets worse as they get older." She warned him, earning a groan from the man. A cry of humoring outrage of 'Mom' and 'That is not true' came from her two eldest as she threw them a smirk in return.

Once on the leveled floor Regis went up to Sol with a shake of his hand. The man was tall nearing the height of six feet, eleven inches meaning he towered over the two Lucis siblings. His physique was muscled but not enough to hinder him with their bulk. What made him stand out was the wings that lay against his back with long dark orange feathers closely brushing the ground. Like many before Sol, it was the mark of being the ruler of Stella Lux and her people. The other tell was the slight glow held within his piercing amber eyes.

"It is good to see you again, as well, Sol." Regis stated before turning to his three nephews. The twins took much after their father in the way they stood tall by a few inches over Regis. The only telling difference between the two was in their physique. One held more muscle bulk while the other was more lean in muscle, both having dark brown hair that was shades darker than Sol's lighter brown. Lavis and Infernas in that order. While they held many of Sol's features they held the Lucis blue eyes. Volcanis at ten years now was much like his mother in gaining many of the Lucis looks of the black hair and blue eyes but had the sharper cheek and jaw lines of Sol that would slowly show as he grew older losing the baby fat that still clung to him. "Boys, I hope you are behaving well for your parents."

Lavis grinned at his Uncle not even hiding the slow drawl of his answer. "Of cooouuurse, Uncle. You doubt us so."

Infernas smirked with a tilt of his head letting the mess of short hair stick up some. "Have faith Uncle. We are com-plete angles."

Regis raised a brow at this returning the smirks as all heard the snort that left Spiras. "That is good. And you Volcanis?" He turned to glance at the youngest who only gave a shrug. Humor showed in Regis' eyes as he glanced at his sister at her youngest's lackluster answer. She rolled her eyes mouthing 'He wanted to stay with his Aunt.' Regis gave an 'Ah' in return. Yes, Flaris was a favorite with all three of the children as she was the one in charge of the Stelluxian army. That meant she was also in charge of training her nephews, which meant Volcanis thought he was missing out on so many 'cool' teachings by being here. "Cheer up, Volcanis, I can see if Cor has anyone of the Crownsguard free to help with training."

Volcanis perked up at that glancing at both his parents to see if they okay'd it before grinning at his Uncle and diving to give a quick hug. "Really?! Thanks!" Cor only gave a sigh at this before nodding to his King in the unsaid order. Spiras grabbed Regis and gave a squeeze in thanks.

Clarus cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention as he put his hands behind him. "Sorry to interrupt the greetings but we should show them to the guest rooms. Travel from the Stelluxian kingdom is long and it is late."

"Ah, yes, thank you Clarus. Come I will show you the rooms." Regis said keeping his sister's hand in his as he led them out of the throne room. "If you are not too tired I will be having dinner soon." Spiras patted the back of his hand that was still in hers giving a soft smile. "We would be glad to join you and Noctis."

Later that night

Spiras knocked on the door, then entered at the reply from within. It was only half an hour after dinner that had been full of talk and laughter and just being a family. Glancing around the room she took in the lit fire that casts light and shadows in an eternal lazy dance while a small desk lamp lit the area around Regis in a steady light. The office of her brother was tidy but hints of his late wife decorating the space in small ways from a vase in a corner or a painting of woods to even small shelving of knickknacks that set a

theme. At his desk several frames sat facing him, letting Spiras know who was held in those frames, as those of family or close friends.

Regis glanced up from the paper he had been reading gaining a confused raise of his brow to his sister. "Thought you would have already gone to bed." He watched her take a seat in one of the chairs that were placed around a small table before his desk. Putting the paper down he stood up moving around his desk to take a seat on the opposite side of her. On the table between them held a teapot that was still hot and he poured the two of them some.

Taking the cup she gave him a smile smelling the flavor that hasn't been tasted by her in so long. "I miss this tea. With the higher restrictions into my kingdom, getting this tea is much harder...along with many other things."

Regis nodded in grim understanding. "I have heard reports of Niflheim pushing more around Crowpoint."

Spiras' eyes turned grim with his tone. "Yes, what navy we have is being used to protect Crowpoint, but it will not last long. It is the only town outside of the mountain barrier and we can only protect it so much as it is the only point for our kingdom to trade. We can survive from the farmers within if it came to that point, but we would lose a lot of things that have been good for my people."

"I could send a few of my me-"

"No."

"Spira-"

"No, Regis." She returned sternly that only a mother could give.

"What else can I do to help? Your marriage alone to Sol is for this purpose of Lucis giving aid to their allies." Regis stated farrowing his brow. Even if he forced them to accept his aid, Regis knew it would be hard to get the troops into Crowpoint with the barricade around the area. It would be pointless to even try and it made him feel helpless that he couldn't do anything to help his sister.

"Regis, it's too late." Spiras replied once more in a soft tone, understanding all that had been going through her brother's mind.

"What do you mean?"

Spiras looks deeply into his concerned eyes letting out an exhausted sigh as her thumb smooths over a part of the cup in her hand. "Niflheim sent an emissary a few weeks back." Regis sucked in a breath at this news. "It was the main reason for making this trip. They somehow found out about my condition."

"What condition?" Regis asked concern bleeding into his voice.

She gave him a sad smile. "I am to have another child." His eyes fell to her stomach seeing the way it was extended, now that he was looking for that sign, and sent a question to her with his eyes. "I will be nearing the five month mark." she answered with a wan smile. "It is to be a girl this time and do not worry, this time, I have had it easy this time even with my age."

Regis nodded remembering back, he nearly lost Spiras to her time carrying Volcanis. "What did Niflheim want?" Even if he wanted to ask more about his only niece he knew this was a time of talking about what was happening in their kingdom.

A shadow fell over her eyes as she glanced away her voice taking on a strain. "They would give up the assaults and barricade to the kingdom if they were given the right to raise my unborn child."

"They want to raise her in their ways but still have that link to the Stella Lux kingdom through blood rights. Being only those of the Fenix bloodline are the ones gifted the Wings of Seraphim." Regis said as his thoughts clicked on why they would demand such things. "As they are the symbol for the Stelluxian people of who their ruler is."

"They can't take Volcanis for his is too old to try and brainwash. He would remember us too much and that of our ways. With this one, she could be molded from the very start like a blank canvas to a painter. Seeing as none of my sons have been gifted the wings, many are speculating that this child will be the next to rule." She stated tiredly.

"Does Volcanis still have a few years before being brought upon the Seraphim?" Regis asked, watching as she turned back to him. "He was sent early before the Goddess after the emissary left. Like many born of the Fenix bloodline my sons hold the power of her Flames that only show up in their later teen years. Volcanis had yet to awaken his being the age of eleven, so it was a shock when the Egg awakened his so early, but was given no wings."

Regis hummed in understanding. Niflheim was playing the long game with the Stelluxian kingdom just as it was with his own. With none of his nephews gaining such a prominent symbol of the kingdom many were looking to this child being the next ruler even before her birth. Even with Sol having many decades of life before him, their people wanted to know that a ruler would be in line if something were to happen to him. These dark times made many weary of what would happen in the future.

Spiras took a long drink from her cup before setting it down as she stared at the flames within the fireplace. "Until her birth, Niflheim has stopped attacking the fleets but has not backed off completely. It has made trade difficult and pricey with others. Honestly, Regis, it was only with their grace that we were able to take this trip. And because of Flaris taking over to handle the guarding of the Egg that allowed Sol to even leave the continent with me."

"What are your plans?" Regis asked.

She was silent for a moment as her gaze glazed over. "I do not know." her answer came out barely higher than a whisper. "I am scared. They want to take her from me, Regis. I cannot allow that, but I do not know how to stop them. We can defend our people but many of them do not hold the Flame of the Goddess. So few hold the blood to be granted the use of her Flames and many are not even warriors as her gift is used for life. It is only with the help of Runes on weapons that grant the burn of those flames. The Crystal grants you as King the ability to give others your born power, my people do not have that. Only a hint of a bloodline from generations past that sometimes does not even awaken within them. Even us, who are of a drop of Fenix blood from eons ago, have not even held those awakened flames."

Regis understood where she was coming from as the Lucis ancestor, Somnus, had been born to a Fenix mother. It was the same reason why Spiras had the ability to warp her weapons, as he did, but didn't have the other magic that is granted by the Crystal in the Lucis line. "Know that you will have a place within Insomnia. Your people are also welcomed should they need somewhere to go."

She nodded. "Somehow...I feel it may come to that. I cannot give them my child, Regis, I can't." Her arms moving to wrap around her middle. Regis could see how frightened she was just at the thought of her

child leaving her arms. Without another thought he stood up and moved to her to bring her up into his arms to hug her tightly. "I will always be there for you and your family. No matter what." He said his voice became firm towards the end.