Star fades...

Part 1

Stella ran through crowd of evacuating citizens, as she tried to reach Leviathan and the altar, where Noctis and Luna had been, hoping she wasn't too late.

The Rite turned into disaster. Hydraean raged, destroying Altissia. Niflheim attacked Leviathan, making her angrier than she already was.

The Chancellor was also here. He was planning something and was heading to the altar when Stella noticed him while fighting MT.

And that's why she tried to reach the altar and Tidemother before Ardyn. She couldn't let him hurt her sister, who was weak from scourge, and the man she loved.

She made it barely just in time as Ardyn was ready to stab Luna in stomach. Without second thought, Stella shielded her sister and knife entered her stomach instead, making Stella gasp and wince in pain.

Luna and Noctis' eyes widened in horror, while Ardyn merely raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"What an interesting twist, "he hummed as he took out the knife and Stella coughed, falling to her side, feeling blood dripping from wound, and her strength leaving her. Meanwhile, Ardyn continued to speak. "I was planning to kill the Oracle but this works in my favor even more." He stood up and called out to Noctis in mocking tone, knowing Prince couldn't do anything, but watch. "Oh, Prince! Your beloved awaits your rescue!"

Noctis gritted his teeth, not able to move and help Stella.

Stella spoke.

"Luna will pass the ring... to the rightful king... and... when the prophecy is fulfilled, all thrall in darkness shall know peace," she said, recalling the prophecy and thus showing the Accused in front of her, her faith in Noctis and what Ardyn wouldn't stop him.

Unreadable expression crossed Chancellor's face, before it disappeared and he tipped his hat and made an inviting gesture to Nox Fleuret sisters, prompting to save the Prince and prove their words. "How sweet... But please, Lady Stella, you and your sister first."

And with these words he left.

Lunafreya crawled to grab her Trident, and then to her sister, who couldn't support herself anymore and just laid on ground, breathing heavily.

"Blessed stars of life and..." Luna was about to heal Stella, when she stopped her.

"Don't," she said her voice weak. "Save your strength. Help Noctis. He must receive Hydrean's blessing. He won't succeed without your help, Luna."

"But you are hurt, "Luna argued. Meanwhile Leviathan was ready to hurt Noctis.

Stella noticed it.

"We don't have time to argue, Luna! Noctis is in danger!"

Oracle noticed it as well. She looked at her sister, hesitantly. Stella smiled at Luna.

"Don't worry. I'll be fine," Stella tried not to wince – not what she had strength left to do so - at lie in her voice, hoping what Luna wouldn't notice.

She knew she wouldn't be fine.

Stella only hoped that Luna and Noctis would forgive her for lying.

Luna nodded and crawled to help Noctis.

The light beam from Trident was the last thing she saw, before Stella closed her eyes for the last time.

***

"Noctis," Prince opened his eyes, as his consciousness slowly came back and he heard Stella's voice, calling his name. His vision cleared and he saw that he was laying in field of sylleblossoms – one he, Luna and Stella, sometimes Ravus – visited and played in sometimes, when he was in Tenebrae twelve years ago.