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a-world-in-grey · 1 year

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Sola/Blood of My Blood - Coming of Age V

@secret-engima finally got this polished up. Half from Sola's POV and half from Bahamut's!

Sola freezes.

The Storm Father is here. Why is the Storm Father here and how in Ifrit's Pyre has no one noticed the Astral just sitting there for who knows how many hours-

No one's looking at him. Black suit and golden yellow shirt, thunderstorms and coeurls masterfully embroidered in blue and purple and gold and copper, and no one is looking at him? Even though the eye-catching riot of colors against black should grab everyone's attention if not the blatant violation of protocol that is wearing black in the first place. But no. No one who glances in that direction seems to register the man, the man whose long white beard is braided with the elaborate braids Sola's only ever seen depicted in Galahdian art, braids that should have every Galahdian present staring.

The Astrals are supposed to be sleeping. Why is Ramuh here?

Magic curls around her, an echo of sun-fire-fury underneath the we've-got-you-you're-safe-our-cub-is-safe- "Treasure?" Libertus asks.

Sola blinks. She's sitting on one of the benches lining the walls, water glass in hand, well away from the rest of the crowd. Libertus is next to her, arm around her shoulders and tucking her into his side, wrapping magic around her in an effort to soothe the way her own is bristling under her skin, shocked and wary and hissing like a territorial coeurl.

Axis and Tredd are standing, blocking Sola from view of the rest of the hall from the angles Libertus' bulk doesn't cover. They're scanning the hallway, magic alert and wary of what might have set Sola off. Beyond them, Sola can see Nyx and Luche working the crowd closes to them to keep attention away from Sola.

ola focuses on sipping her way through hers and calm down. "The Elder with the children. See him?" Sola murmurs in Galahdian once she's half-way through the glass and has a grasp on her words once more.

Axis doesn't look away from the crowd, so it's only Libertus and Tredd that freeze, magic spiking in shock and recognition.

So she isn't hallucinating. Sola isn't sure she should be glad or not.

She stares at her empty glass and wishes she could get drunk right now. "Do we want to know why one of the Six is here?" It can't be for the Galahdians. Ramuh can't walk among them anymore, he's an Exile. Further proved by the fact Ramuh's in Lucian attire. Oh, the embroidery and the colors and the braids are as Galahdian as they come, but that's a Lucian-style suit. Unlike Sola and her Retinue, who are dressed in Galahdian formalwear but conforming to Lucian protocol.

(The dissonance is not helping Sola wrap her head around what she's seeing.)

"Two." Axis says abruptly. "The Tide-mother's dancing with His Highness." Sola's neck cracks as she whips her attention back to the ballroom floor, and to the woman dressed in water-silk dyed in the blues and greys of an ocean storm, pearls shining from her elaborately braided hair.

Humans don't move like that.

Dread prickles down her spine. The Storm Father, Sola can see gate-crashing her brother's party on a whim. Leviathan? The Tide-mother doesn't like humans.

Yet here she is, and no one's screaming.

A graceful spin, Noctis' wide-eyed expression visible for a brief second, and Sola follows his gaze towards one of the tables.

There's a man, dark skinned with golden tattoos curling over his bald head. Dark grey suit with summer green shirt and wheat-gold tie. Nearby, another man in a black suit, black hair cut at his chin and eyes visibly silver even at this distance and the unmistakable bearing of a soldier. No decorations on him, but in the moment before Sola blinks, she swears she can see silver armor and bladed wings.

Titan. Bahamut. That's four, so where are-

A flash of white-blue silk, and Sola finds her gaze back on the dance floor. To the woman in a dress that sparkls like sunlight on ice, and her partner in a suit that shifts like flickering flames, the dark-skinned man sporting hair as red as fire.

Ifrit and Shiva make six. A chill slips down her spine. The Astrals are awake, and all of them are here.

This is important.

Sola doesn't need her magic to know Noctis is probably six seconds from a panic attack. Pyre-curse it all, he was doing so well. Noctis does not need this on top of all the other shit he's dealing with.

She grits her teeth against her anger. "Axis, have Nyx get Prompto to Noctis. You and Luche help Gladio and Ignis enforce some space. Extract if necessary - it's late enough a strategic retreat won't raise eyebrows."

Axis disappears from her side, ghosting through the crowd to where Nyx and Luche are. Tredd grins at Sola, his magic sharp with anticipation. "What about us, Spitfire?"

Sola's smile is distinctly unfriendly. "We're getting some answers."

Libertus warily eyes Sola's target. "Sola, love, are you sure?"

"Yes." She can understand the hesitation. Ramuh, at least, is disinclined to smite one of his children. But she can't ask Ramuh -he's an Exile- Galahd's patron or not.

Bahamut is the Lucis Caelums' patron and the Astral supposedly in charge. Sola wants to know what the fuck is going on, and so help her she's getting her answers however she has to.

He knows the humans' approach before they near him. They cannot sneak up on him - not that they try - not when he can feel the touch of his Blessing upon every soul in the city. Especially not the soul more akin to his own than her mortal kin.

"Ardent." He greets when she reaches him.

Blue eyes burn with the magic that cannot escape her skin. Just as they once burned in that other time, when she'd stepped between his judgement and the oathbreakers and regarded him not as patron but as threat.

"Bladekeeper." The old Galahdian title falls from lips curled to show a flash of fang. A warning. A challenge, as she demands, "What brings the Six to these halls, instead of the Oracle or your Messengers?"

Bahamut is proud of this fierce dragon-child of his, even as he regards her with a calm expression. He is proud of her mate, the pillar of support in this timeline and the last, and of her Sword, the ever dutiful son of Ramuh.

(He may not approve of her choice of Shield, Heart, and Hand, but Bahamut knows better than to pass judgement on those the Ardent has Claimed. Dragons do no tolerate threats to Them and Theirs, not even from other dragons. The Ardent would not hesitate to cross steel with him, to attempt to slay him should she deem him too great a threat to those she shelters under her wings.)

"We are here to witness the coming of age of the Chosen King." Bahamut tells her. The Ardent does not know the truth of the prophecy. The Father has kept it from her, fearing her reaction. Rightfully so - in his mind, Bahamut sees endless futures where the Ardent learns of the truth. Futures where she takes the Chosen's place, futures where she cannot and strives to shatter the duty the Chosen is bound to.

In all but a few, the Star is lost to Darkness as the Ardent succumbs to Fire and Fury.

But all fires need fuel to feed the flames. Without her King, the Ardent will burn out, a mere ember of herself.

At the mention of her King, the Ardent bristles. "And this couldn't be done with the courtesy of forewarning your presence?"

Bahamut snorts. As if the Ardent is truly concerned with propriety. No, she is displeased of the shock they have done to her King. "Your King is not so fragile. He has prevailed through greater trials than this." Trials greater than the Ardent will ever know.

The Ardent smiles, a full baring of fangs and the implicit threat of using them. "That does not mean my King needs to face another."

"There will always be another trial." He tells her gravely. Such is the nature of his Blessing. Such is the nature of his Blessed, they will always fight, for his Blessing is Light and War. "Not all Wars are fought on the battlefield with claw and fang. There is more to the Chosen King's Sword than your Glaive."

The Ardent hesitates, magic churning with uncertainty. She glances towards where her King is retreating with his bonded Retinue, and in the moment of her distraction, Bahamut and his kin vanish from the room.

#ffxv #Shadow of Heaven's Light #fusion #Blood of My Blood verse #Sola Lucis Caelum #Bahamut #Libertus Ostium #Axis Arra #Tredd Furia #Leviathan #Ramuh #Ifrit #Shiva #Titan #Bahamut may not approve of some of Sola's actions #he is the astral of prophecy after all #but he'll be damned if he isn't proud of his dragon-child regardless

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xxkhxndlelitexx · 9 months

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One True King PROLOGUE Part 4/4

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Warning: None fr canon fighting and added astral for effect pookies

Word Count: 4.7k this one ran a lil long too

I apologize for any spelling and grammar mistakes

Happy readings

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“He killed her Clodestine!” Bahamut growled lowly, from his position at the head of the table.

“The humans have become irresponsible. Even our oracle.” Ramuh huffed, lighting sparking between his fingers.

“I believe they sshould fall asss Sssolheim did.” Leviathan rolled her eyes.

“Have mercy on them.” Shiva sighed, touching the table, it slowly began icing over.

“Kill them!” Titan banged his fist on the table.

“You sssound like Ifirit!” Leviathan hissed.

“Do not compare me to that rancid ball of fi-” Titan started.

“I will not let you all smother Ifirit’s name like this!” Shiva yelled.

The table went silent.

“It makes no difference.” Ramuh said rubbing his beard.

“Ramuh is right.” Bahamut sighed, whipping his tail back and forth, the gold barb at the end of his scales raking against the floor.

The five Astals looked at each other.

“What do you think sister?” Bahamut asked the woman behind him.

Compared to the other gods she was massive, her six angelic wings fluttered. Her amber eyes scanned the Astrals, her black hair rolling down her back in thick waves. An almost exact copy of her incarnation.

“Give them another chance.” She sighed.

“Faturi!” Titan interjected. “The world of man has proved themselves incapable of following instructions on more occasions than not.”

“And who’s idea was to create humans?” Her head didn’t turn but her amber gaze was on him.

“Forgive Titan, sister.” Bahamut sighed. “I make plans for the true king to ascend the throne of man.”

“Oh?” Faturi raised an eyebrow. “Who is this?”

“He will be of the royal line of Lucis, but so true to his people, so honorable, he will ascend as a god.”

“I see.” Faturi nodded. “Leave the world of man be for now.”

“I ssshould’ve known your wayss would be sswayed by the likes of a child.” Leviathan spat at Bahamut.

“My sister is just as much a god as the rest of you.” Bahamut removed his draconic helmet. “I will not have you disrespecting her, especially since she is your queen.”

“I hold no objection to Faturi’s plan.” Ramuh said and stood.

“Of course, you don’t! You old geezer!” Titan stood and cast his chair to the floor.

“Titan-” Shiva started.

“Titan isss right!” Leviathan slithered from her seat in Titan’s defense.

“But the humans were his idea!” Shiva shouted.

“Enough!” Faturi yelled and the table vanished, the Astrals looked up at her. “This is not a matter of whether or not humans will continue to exist. Ardyn is already immortal. Even if we wiped out the world of man, I see a distant future plagued by darkness.”

“Faturi.” Bahamut looked at his younger sister. “They killed your incarnation on earth, they killed our oracle.”

“I set fate as a story to tale of your future. I use the happens of your ancestors.” Faturi sighed and sat in a huge throne. “Brother, if I held a grudge against humanity, what kind of goddess would I be?”

It was then they realized. This is why she was their queen. Ifirit had taken his rage out on man as they forgot of him after he gave the Burning Wisdom, Shiva took her sadness out on man after Ifirit was imprisoned, Ramuh constantly was on the world of man in his storms and raging winds, Leviathan swallowed entire cities beneath the sea for disrespecting her. And Bahamut, he started wars and watched the men kill themselves.

Faturi had a short temper, but she never did anything. After Bahamut created Ardyn with the intentions of making him the king of man, Faturi had created the Star scourge to keep man from becoming too powerful. Perhaps it was her young mind that kept her from being cruel. She had only been created from the explosion of a star a little less than a millennia ago.

“Let it be so.” Faturi leaned back in her chair. “When the One True King of man is created, my incarnation will become one with the world of man.”

The gods bowed their heads and to the sea hid Leviathan. Titan went on his way to roam Eos. Ramuh went in hiding near Angelgard. Shiva vanished into winter winds once more and Bahamut remained in the stars with Faturi, the astrals finally at rest.

~.~.~.~

I woke to the sound of a drill and the glare of a light in my eyes.

“He’s here...” A voice said.

“Coulda broken out ages ago.” Another muttered, “These chains are ancient.”

“Don’t say that,” said a female voice. “This guy gives me the creeps.”

Someone grabbed my face and lifted my head up, I saw the light and started opening my eyes. “He’s not a bad face,” said the woman who held my face.

I made a small sound. I could see a small smirk on her face.

“He ain’t dead either.” She released me. “Load him up, I’ll inform Besithia.”

I fell forward as my chains were removed. A soldier caught me and with the help of another, started dragging me out of the cave.

Clomoria... Aera... Somnus... Are you still king little brother? How long have I been in here?

“With this guy we can really teach Lucis something.” One of the guards said with a low chuckle.

“That little prince Regis and his daddy Mors won’t stop us.” The other said excitedly.

Regis? Mors? Who?

I shifted slightly and the guard that held my arm cursed slightly.

“Man’s a living husk!” He let me fall. “You sure he’s a holy healer.”

“That’s what the legends say.”

I stood and wobbled. “Where am I?”

The soldiers got into position as if scared of me.

There was a sight of blue crystals twinkling away. I jumped slightly as soldiers with long curved blades lunged for the soldiers who had freed me.

I stumbled back as one slit the throat of the guard who had mentioned legends. I watched as two other soldiers held the other guard in a chokehold.

“Stop!” I could barely speak. My voice hoarse. “Why are you-”

“You must remain contained by the order of King Mors!” The soldier who had killed the guard lunged at me, I jumped back and stumbled.

I plan to get married; I FIGHT! I’m imprisoned; I FIGHT! I’m freed; I FIGHT! MUST THE ASTRALS BE SO CRUEL TO ME!

The soldier swung his sword at me, and I barely dodged it, I hadn’t expected him to swing it back around and my hand came up in my defense, I grabbed the blade and cursed as my palm was cut.

The soldier's eyes went wide behind his mask, and I used my other hand to punch him before twisting the blade out of his hand. I managed to get the sword against his neck.

“For hearth and home-” He said. And I slit his throat.

The other soldiers stood there with scared expressions. I rushed at the one that held the guard, he must be dead. Gods forgive me, I grabbed the limp guard as I rushed at the soldiers, they swung their swords at me and I was forced to use the man’s dead body in my defense before I stabbed one soldier and grabbed the other.

“Where am I?” I panted.

The soldier trembled in fear. “I-”

“Where am I?!” I yelled.

“Angelgard...” He whispered.

“Where is the king?” I shook him slightly.

“I’ll never tell you! You harbinger of death!” He yelled.

“I am a healer!”

“Liar!” He grabbed his sword and tried to stab my neck.

I grabbed his wrist and pinned it down before pressing my palm to his chest. I’d heal this man and prove a point. The purple and black flames that came from his body made my eyes widen.

“No...” I stumbled back. “That wasn’t supposed to-”

I stumbled and fell. Star scourge... he’s demonified, what is this?

“Ardyn Lucis Caelum...” A voice said and I looked up at a man with short cropped blond hair. “I will love working with you.”

I stared at the man, in him I saw so much of... a memory of the tax collector’s son ran through my mind.

I fell back struggling to keep my eyes open.

“Don’t strain yourself, we need you at peak performance.”

And with that, I passed out.

~.~.~.~

When I started working with Ardyn Lucis Caelum and Ifirit, I never thought I’d be in such a situation. Drawing blood for testing for the millionth time, but now pressed against the wall in fear, Ardyn had woken up with quite the start. Going on a mad rant about a woman named Clomoria and Somnus the first king of Lucis.

“Please calm dow-” I started from my little corner.

“Calm down?” Ardyn looked at me, his amber eyes surveying me carefully. “Who are you?”

I swallowed “Sora Lestan.”

“Sora.” he said softly as if committing my name to memory. “Tell me, Sora, where am I?”

“You are in a Nifleheim testing sight.” I said clearing my throat, “I’ve already sent for Besithia.”

“And who is that?” he asked.

“The great scientist who saved you.” I smiled.

“Who saved me?” He furrowed his brows as if trying to remember.

Over the speakers overhead came the voice of my boss and mentor, Verstael Besithia, “Sora, escort Ardyn to the conference room.”

I turn to the tall red-haired man who now seemed infatuated with the florescent ceiling lights. As we began walking to the conference room he asked me the day.

“It’s September 7th.” I answered as we exited the testing room, I pressed my card to the scanner and the door unlocked before I entered a password to actually push it open.

“And the year?” He asked.

“Um...” I glanced up at him. “It's 722.”

He froze. “What?!”

“Ardyn, sir.” I looked up at him. “You’ve been imprisoned for 2000, since roughly 1278 BME(Before Modern Era)”

“What...” he took several shaky breaths. “You must be playing jokes on me, right?”

“No.” I motioned to the lights and continued walking, forcing him to follow, “Do you see torches? Do you see horses and carts? Look at how I dress.” I get to the conference room and press my keycard to the scanner and this time without the passcode, I open it.

“Sora! Ardyn!” My boss said with a big smile. “Take a seat, take a seat. Make yourself comfortable.”

Verstael was a calm man to the face of anyone who wasn’t around him 24/7, unlucky for me, I was around the mad scientist 24/7. It wasn’t that I didn’t like him, I held him in quite high regard in terms of respect, but in all honesty, Verstael was overbearing, especially went it came to tampering with the hands of gods. I remember how scared I had been when we had recovered Ifirit from the Rock of Ravatogh, the fire deity could’ve killed me, if not he was frozen once again in the knick of time. Verstael had congratulated me on putting science before my life.

This wasn’t science though; this was my life. I was scared I would die working with a man to such I held so much adoration for. But as I was directed to leave Ardyn and Verstael to talk amongst themselves, I knew my life was about to be put in much more danger.

~.~.~.~

I stared at myself in the mirror, I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t be the king my father once was, or the king his forefathers were. I took a shaky breath and turned to walk out of my room, but hearing the gathering people of Insomnia, I turned back to the mirror and started hyperventilating again.

“Reggie?” A soft voice said behind me.

I turned to look at the blonde-haired woman, she was my angel, my support with her lovely blue eyes, button nose and full heart shaped lips, my everything. Aulea...

“Dear?” She said, tilting her head. “Are you too lost in thought to hear me?”

I sighed and hugged her, burying my face in her shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, giggling slightly.

“I can’t do it.” I mumbled into her shoulder.

“Why?” she asked, hugging me back.

“I’m going to mess up as king, I'm going to fail my people.” I felt the tears coming to my eyes.

“Regis.” she said softly. “You won’t fail us. You’re an amazing king,” She pulled away and smiled up at me. “I’m right here to help you.”

I relaxed and as I leaned into kiss her, I winced as she kicked my shin “What was that for!?!” I grimaced.

“You’ll be an awful king if you think like this Regis!” She flicked my forehead. “Whether we’re young and naive or not! You cannot, and I will NOT allow you to think poorly of yourself and your capabilities as king.” She put her hands on her hips. “If you do, I'll kick it into you.”

I felt the heat rushing to my cheeks. She was arrogant, passionate, persistent, and a bit violent at times, but this was my wife, my queen. I hugged her again and muttered against her neck. “I love you so much...”

Her demeanor softened and she hugged me back, “I love you too, Reggie. Now, let’s go enjoy Founder Day.”

~.~.~

I did not need the clothes of a Lucian, I’d given up who I was long ago, I would hold no ties to a nation once mine.

I stepped out of the car and watched as the confetti fell around me. The sounds of a bustling modern city filled my ears as I walked, I took a deep breath. The land that had once smelled of crops and trees and horse dung, fresh air and the lavender that grew in the fields, now reeked of car fuel, expensive perfume and cologne, random goods from shops and-

Magic... I felt it all around me.

Pulsating and protecting and flowing. There was magic, there was life, there was power all over Insomnia... It hadn’t been this way long ago when I was imprisoned, there hadn’t been the protective barrier around the city. I took a deep breath; they were worshipping a man who never should’ve been king... and I let them.

“Home sweet home at last.” I sighed, before starting up the street towards the sounds of directive speakers. Something about Founder’s Day... a holiday for my idiot brother. I strolled up the street to the center of town.

This... This was where our tree once was...

I looked up and a flash of memory crossed my mind. A tree with big leafy branches and that dark haired woman smiling down at me. My vision focused once more, my sights locked on a hideous statue of my brother... The plaque attached to the base of the statue read:

Somnus Lucis Caelum

First king and founder of Lucis

I wanted to destroy it, I wanted to crush it in my hands, I wanted to kill Somnus, kill him for killing Aera, for killing Clomoria. The last time I’d heard from my brother long before this age of time, he had asked for my forgiveness, his new queen was unable to have child... Rumor from the constant visits from guards said the Forgotten Goddess of Fate, Faturi Clodestine, had stripped the young queen of her womb for a crime unknown to the kingdom of Lucis.

Looking up at his statue now, all I could see was that wicked grin he gave me as he sentenced me to eternal hell on Angelgard. My dear brother... I remembered how long I’d spent crying wishing he’d come back for me, but he came for forgiveness, never releasing me...

“If you continue up the street, you’ll see a memorial of the Founder’s First Love, Clomoria Flor Decebal.” The directive speakers said, “The mural called The Fallen Angel is repainted every year to preserve the woman’s beauty.”

I walked towards the mural and my eyes widened, it was her, in the tree... smiling down at not me, but Somnus.

I felt my anger boil over then.

How dare he! He stole my throne, he killed my lover, he killed our best friend...

The directive speaker’s voice came loud and clear. “The parade is about to begin! Please prepare yourself for the arrival of King Regis and Queen Aulea!”

I turned, a calculated grin on my face as I headed up the street, there was an intersection. Perfect.

“Let the fireworks begin!” I shouted.

I got a few strange looks. Where is Ifirit... I looked around for the fire deity before hearing a scream and whipping around as a car flipped over. “That works.” I grinned.

I drew a sword from thin air and with a big smile continued up the street to the sounds of festive music. I saw it then, an entourage of guards and at the center was a carriage.

I wonder what’s in there? I smirked and approached the group, a man with a helme with wings at the wings raised his blade.

“State your purpose. The parade has not began...” He said, I could see his eyes narrowing through the visor of his helmet.

“I think...” I stepped closer and smiled as Ifirit rounded the corner with a roar of anger setting fire to the grass and scorching the street in his wake. “The people in that carriage have something of mine.”

“Crownsguard!” The man shouted and the guards raised their swords. “Charge.”

I pointed my sword forward and smirked as the guards began to warp. So that’s where the magic is... It’s in the people. “Boom.” I smirked.

Ifirit rushed at the carriage and kicked the guards in his way.

A shriek came from the carriage as a man with a long regal looking robe swept a blonde-haired woman off her feet and began to run.

“Young, naïve king and queen.” I smiled devilishly and warped towards the duo. I raised my sword and was met in shock as the woman swung a short blade knicking my face and scaring me enough to force me back.

She disappeared into a flurry of crystals.

“Be safe, Aulea.” said the man before turning to face me slowly. “Who are you to intrude on my kingdom during Founder’s Day?”

This boy. He looked just like Somnus, with a beard and a bit taller. There was a silent rage in his eyes, so passive aggressive...

“I am your ancestor.” I smiled, putting my arms out with a smile. “I’d like to play a ga-”

My eyes widened as a flurry of blue crystalline weapons flew at me, the one heading straight for my face belonged to... Somnus... I barely dodged, raising my sword at the last moment to clash against the boy’s.

“And you dare harm my queen?” He said calmly, swinging his sword again.

“As your FOUNDER did to my lover!” I raised my hand and a flurry of red crystalline weapons were launched at him.

He looked stunned, jumping back and gasping as my sword grazed his throat, drawing a sliver of blood from the wound. I gasped as the earth shook beneath me, something was interfering, my vision blurred, and I saw her, Clomoria’s big smile, and a grey-green looking man, he was huge...

I raised my sword and lunged for the boy, his sword clashed with mine and I smiled, weak... I parried and he stumbled back. I got back into position and smirked, “Hit me, nephew.”

The boy growled lowly. “My name is Regis, to you it’s your highness.” He rushed at me, sword in hand, and the swings began the sound of clashing swords filling the air as well as the roar of Ifirit and the screams of the guards.

I honed in on his movements, swinging my sword faster than before, my teeth grit in a vengeful determination before I hit him his sword hard with my own. The boy stumbled and before he could collect himself, I hit him in the chest with the butt of my sword and then reared my hand back in a fist, punching his face.

Regis fell, gasping. I pointed my sword at his throat and smiled wickedly. “I’m just here to take what was once mine.” I pulled my sword back ready to kill the young king.

“Brother!” A force knocked me onto my back.

I lay there stunned. I hadn’t heard that properly. “Somnus...” I sat up slowly and there it was a giant spirit, clad in armor, it had the voice of my brother. I’d heard stories of this defender of Lucis, it was called The Old Wall for it protected Insomnia as the crystal’s barrier did now.

I got to my feet and stared at the spirit. I swallowed, biting back bitter tears of sadness and rage. “Somnus!” I bellowed. “This is the kingdom you’ve built?”

I stared at Regis, who after everything, had fallen unconscious.

“A boy king?!” I stepped around, gripping my sword tightly. “A city hidden behind a wall?” I turned to face him. “A false throne?!”

“Ardyn...” Somnus’s voice rang out. “If I could prove to you, how much I regret my decisions, I would.”

“Liar.” I spat. “You killed her! You made a mural out of my lover! You told a lie to the people!”

Somnus looked down at me, his spirit giving a sigh filled with sadness and regret. “Then leave my children be.”

“You- Your children. Your children?!” I turned. “What child could you ever have with your queen? Begging for the gods forgiveness to bless you with one child!”

Somnus’s voice lost its remorse. “You dare to bring up-”

“You lose everything!” I shouted. “It never belonged to you, so I am taking it back.”

The giant sword swung across the street and Somnus voice boomed. “I will not tolerate you destroying my kingdom!”

I rolled away before the sword hit me and charged at this mimic of Somnus, this couldn’t be my brother. I wanted to fight him as he was, I would destroy his soul, I would kill my brother over and over again until I felt that she was satisfied. I slashed at the huge spirits legs.

It fell to its knees and from within it, fell a smaller spirit as the big armor vanished into a flurry of crystals. I watched as Somnus touched ground and collapsed weakly.

“Brother... What I did... I regret but I did it for our people...” Somnus said as he looked up at me.

“You... killed her for our people?” I put on a tight grin. “Is that something you tell yourself, so you feel noble? Did you think about how she felt-”

“I was doing what the gods commanded. I was protecting our people. Fulfilling the prophecy.” Somnus said.

“Here I thought I was blessed. But it was you brother, wasn’t it?” I gritted my teeth and looked at the ground. “It was fated right?”

“I won’t ask your forgiveness; I don’t deserve it... But I beg for your understanding.” Somnus looked down as well, the distance between us grown far to large.

“You took everything... EVERYTHING! And you want my forgiveness?” I scowled at him.

“I pray your soul find repose, brother.” Somnus stood and with a saddened expression, he walked back as he faded into crystals.

I huff through my nose like an enraged bull and turn back to the unconscious Regis. “This ends here!” I summoned my sword and raised it high above the boy.

As I brought it down, I was stopped once more, this time, by a voice that boomed over the entirety of the world. “ARDYN LUCIS CAELUM! I command thee to halt and kneel before me.”

I looked up as a tower near me was struck by a beam of light. Ifirit roared as from the heavens several swords fell and forced the demonified Astral to vanish once more. A great thing drifted from the clouds, it looked man, it looked beast, it looked holy. “I, Bladekeeper Bahamut, shall not allow you be tarnished as the slayer of kings.”

There was a flash of light and suddenly I was in a blue landscape, Bahamut was there huge and intimidating.

I gasped and looked around, there was the silhouette of someone huge, bigger than Bahamut, sitting on a chair.

“What did I do for you to interfere in my revenge plot?” I snapped.

“By choice of one forgotten, your path has changed.” Bahamut answered.

“I-” I wanted to protest.

“Spreading darkness to all four corners of the of our world is what you were born to do.” He explained.

My eyes widened. “Darkness?”

“In time, the True King will be born. Again, the incarnation of one forgotten will be too born. They will vanquish the darkness. Because of this, you are to be sacrificed by the two and your sou-”

“Why must I always lose?” I shouted. “What have I done so wrong in the eyes of the gods!? Have I not suffered enough?”

“When the True King reaches the peak of his power, you shall be released from your eternal suffering.”

“That...” I gritted my teeth. “Clomoria died to those fools and you think my suffering is brought by living?”

“Clomoria awaits you.” the voice was so overpowering, so condescending...

“You say... I am not the savior of man but the sacrifice...” I looked up at Bahamut. “And my dead lover just never has her peace?”

“She is at peac-” Bahamut started.

“I WILL KNOW WHEN SHE IS SATISTFIED!” I yelled, what did this foolish god know.. “When they are DEAD, when they rot in their own destruction and ruin, when she can breathe in the afterlife free of the falsified chains Somnus confined her in!”

“It is written in the books of fate. It is what you must do.” Bahamut said.

I sat there thinking for a moment. I never asked for this, I never asked for the power I had, I never asked for the throne, I never asked for Clomoria to die. Time and time again, the Astrals gave me what I never wanted, WHAT I NEVER NEEDED. Sacrifice... again... no... never.

“Not once have I asked for anything of you.” I glared up at the god. “Not ever will I bow to you or your foolish will.”

“The minds of man never cease to amaze me.” Bahamut said lowly.

“I am no man, I am a monster born by you and your fellow gods negligen-”

I gasp as suddenly I was chained. A wisp came into view, the silhouette of the person on the throne vanishing a woman with dark hair and golden eyes appearing before me. My eyes widened. She looked so fitting here, white robes and golden chains.

“CLOMOR-” she placed a finger on my lips.

“Silence is your greatest skill.” She said softly. “Holding a grudge was never like you,” She pulled away and summoned a spear, silver in color with a ruby at the bade of bladed end. “Patience is what you must learn.”

“I-” I was cut off as she stabbed my chest with the spear, it was so painful.

“This... This is where we will meet in time. Patience will be your greatest virtue.”

I gasped as she ripped the spear out. I couldn't stop bleeding. I struggled to breathe as she took my face in her hands and I saw the huge wings behind her.

“The lives of man, born and dead has been preordained. Not even you can defy that.” The wings spread in a flurry of white feathers, a single feather falling into my jacket. “Not one thing exists without the Astrals.”

“Please...” I muttered. I could see it in her golden eyes. The pain of seeing me like this...

“I’m waiting for you...” She whispered into my ear. “Resist if you wish.”

And as she released my face I collapsed to the floor, falling, falling, falling onto stone far from Lucis. I looked up and saw my cave on Angelgard.

“So, you wait for me...” I muttered. “Do I even live...” I shake my head, “Doesn’t matter.” I stood and walked from my tomb out into the open air, seeing tall grass for miles. I saw Somnus and Aera in the distance talking under the three.

Finally, my sense of peace is in my reach.

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