Book Two: The Journey of the Lucians

IX - Grieving and Weddings

Past her tears, she heard two sets of footsteps rushing up behind her, drawing her attention to them. She turned to see Ravus and Ignis rushing toward Lunafreya and Noctis, with worry in their eyes.

"Noct!" Ignis shouted, causing Sera to rise to her feet.

"Lunafreya!" Ravus shouted, halting to see that Lunafreya was gone, her body laid beside Noctis. Sera could see the immediate pain on the high commander's face before holding her head in pain as Bahamut's voice rang in her mind, Ignis kneeling before Pryna, Lunafreya's celestial companion who had been holding out far longer than her owner to give anyone the knowledge of the future before she past.

"A power greater than even that of the Six, purifying all by the Light of the Crystal and the glaives of rulers past. Only at the throne can the Chosen receive it, and only at the cost of a life: his own," Bahamut said, only Ignis and Sera hearing his words. "The King of Kings shall be granted the power to banish the darkness, but the blood price must be paid. To cast out the Usurper and usher in dawn's light will cost the life of the Chosen. Many sacrifices all for the King; so must the King sacrifice himself for all. Now enter into Reflection, that the Light of Providence shine within."

"What... did I just see? A vision of what's to come?" Ignis asked, unable to make of what he had seen. Suddenly, the golden light that had been connecting Lunafreya with Noctis had gone out, the Oracle having passed at last. Ravus had tried to make an attempt to kill Noctis before Ignis caught it. "Noct!" Before Sera could react, Ignis had prevented the High Commander from drawing his blade.

"No..." Ravus said in disbelief, wanting to end the life of the prince. "First, the Lucians stole from me my mother... and now they make a sacrifice of my sister!" Sera stood in the way, holding the blade of his aunt's in her hand to protect the two. "Get out of my way, Serafina!" Sera refused to move, knowing the outcome.

"What are you doing!?"

"What I should have done long ago; ridding us of this menace! Stand in my way and both of you, too, shall meet the same fate: death!"

"Come to your senses, man! I understand the pain you must be feeling, but Noct isn't the one who did this to her!"

"Oh, yes, he is!" Ravus and Ignis began fighting, leaving Sera to hold her brother and Lunafreya in her arms, her only way to protect them. After some time of battling each other, Ravus ended the fight, walking over to the right side of the altar overlooking the sea.

"Ravus..." Sera said softly, hoping that he had finally come to his senses.

"I always knew..." Ravus began, looking out onto the sea, speaking as if he were speaking to Lunafreya. "...that you would face your fate without fear, fulfill your duty without regret. But... part of me always hoped... that I might see you happy one day. Your burdens lifted, free to live and love as you please. You would have made a beautiful bride." From where they all stood, a specter of Lunafreya floated a few inches above the water's surface, radiating a gold glow that she was known for. She held a smile to see the brother she had missed over their years of entrapment in Tenebrae. She looked as if she hadn't seen a battle in her lifetime, her dress was cleaned up, her hair up and flowing once again. "Even in death, the Oracle does not rest. Only once the darkness is dispelled is her calling truly fulfilled. And, as in life, I know she will confront that challenge with a smile on her face." Before long, the specter started to vanish with a small motion that signaled to Ravus that everything was going to be alright now. "Oh, Sister... Please don't go. Please don't leave me..." When Lunafreya had vanished, so had Pryna, leaving Noctis to lay there unconscious, Ignis moving to check on the siblings.

"Iggy!" Gladiolus's voice called out from behind them, causing Ignis to stop and head to the behemoth.

"Gladio! Are you alright? Where's Prompto?" Ignis asked, the sight of Prompto not being there drawing suspicion from the Lucian Oracle, it quickly hitting her and she let her brother lay easily, warping between the advisor and the false shield.