Final Fantasy XV - The Light Of Dawn

Chapter 9: Birth Of The Key

Many years have passed since the day of Noctis' birth and the death of Queen Aulea. Lunafreya, the Oracle, was putting a young girl to bed.

"Now remember sweetheart, you must remain in bed alright? you don't want Niflheim attacking you, do you?" She asked as she sat on the bed, holding the little girls hand as she snuggled under the covers.

This little Girl was named Phoebe Lucis Caelum. A young and fragile little girl. She was born to Lunafreya when she was really young, around 12 in fact, and Noctis who was 8 at the time. The two, being very curious kids at the time, ended up having unprotected sex, leaving the young girl pregnant unintentionally. Phoebe's birth was not preordained by the gods and this of course, this came as a shock to even them. Lunafreya made it her responsibility to ensure Phoebe's safety, trying to keep her daughter close to her at all times, but of course as kids to, Phoebe tended to wander off and this resulted in some brutal beatings from the empire. This caused Phoebe's dislike of fighting and the need to get out of Tenebrae, sick of being in the iron grip of the Niflheim army.

"No.." Phoebe whimpered, bruises covering her fragile frame.

"I know, honey, I know. You don't like them."

"Why are they like this, Mommy? What do they have against Lucis?" Phoebe couldn't grasp why the Empire used brute force.

"Ah..I guess you're old enough to understand so..I'll explain to you now." Lunafreya began. She sat beside her daughters bed in the chair as she started telling the story of the crystal and the history of their lands. "For centuries, the sacred magic of the divine crystal blessed our world and it's people. But in time, the promise of it's power brought war to our lands. Lucis, a peaceful city of great magic was kept safe by the power of the crystal. And Niflheim, A military empire of vast machinery, made strong by the might of it's magitek, as you know. Long has war raged between the two."

Phoebe nodded. "They suck." She stated bluntly as she snuggled down to listen to the story.

Lunafreya chuckled at her daughters matter of fact statement. "Yes, dear. That they do. Anyway, as the years passed, Niflheim marched on nations, driven by it's unsurpassed technology. To defend itself, Lucis has raised a magical wall, the strength of which comes from the crystal itself." Phoebe was in awe as her mother continued. "Insomnia alone, the crown city and last bastion of Lucian defence has remained beyond Niflheim reach for many years. Amid the escalating war, your father: Prince Noctis of Lucis had come to Tenebrae to seek healing for a grievous injury. During this time, I had taught him all I could about our world, the gods, the messengers as well as the crystal and our callings. We had also spent some quality time together alone, which is where you had come from. He took everything in with pride." She smiled at her precious daughter.

"Is dad as cool as your story makes him sound, Mommy?" Phoebe asked, never actually meeting her father before.

"He is dear, probably more so now than when we were children." She smiled as she continued on with her story. "Anyway, Noctis made the long journey together with his father. Your grandfather: king Regis. My Mother, Brother and I, the royalty of Tenebrae had all welcomed their visit. But only after a few months of being here, the fires came. Everywhere and all at once, in a mere instant, the whole of Tenebrae was ablaze." Lunafreya sighed, recalling the tragic events.

Phoebe's Face formed a worried expression as she continued to listen in awe, fascinated by her mothers story.

"Your grandmother had protected your uncle: Ravus from the flames, only to be cut down by the imperial general. King Regis was slashed across the shoulder by the very same general but he recognised him as General Glauca. He fought back but the fact remained; the Niflheim attack was an attempt on the lives of the visiting Lucian royalty. Your grandfather the came back for us, picking up your father and grabbing my hand, leading me away from the chaos but..I heard Ravus calling out to the king for help. I couldn't do anything but look back so I let go of his hand, staying behind. Had I gone with King Regis, The Empire would have relentlessly pursued King Regis and Prince Noctis. I also had you to think about. I heard him call out for me and reaching for me as I stopped running. The King also had called out for me as well, but to see your father in such distress broke my heart. as for you Phoebe, You were safer with me here in Tenebrae, where you can enjoy some semblance of peace. Noctis had other duties to worry about and wouldn't have been able to raise you as well as grow up normally without worry. From that day until this day, Tenebrae has been gripped in the iron fist of Niflheim, a sworn enemy of Lucis."