Book Three: The Children of Fate

XVII - {EDITED}

After what felt like hours, as well as many stops to stretch, the retinue arrived in Cape Caem, a small outpost that overlooked the sea, a massive lighthouse towering over the outpost. The sun had already set, and the rotation of drivers had circled around to the lost queen.

Upon arriving at Port Caem, Sera parked the car and turned the car off. The retinue got out of the car, grabbed their luggage, and headed for the seaside vacation house, left to them from Jared and Talcott. It had been quite a long time since the four had been in Caem altogether. It felt more alive compared to the dull and barren sands that it had been over a decade ago.

The house was silent, except for the shuffling of feet coming from the royals, their shield and their advisor. Exhausted, Sera took her things to the one room, changed into her night clothes, before laying in one of the beds, drifting into the world of dreams. Her eyelids created projections, masking the real world with images of peace and tranquility, unaware of the talking and laughing coming from Prompto and Gladio, followed by the scolding from Ignis as he reminded them that Sera was sleeping.

~The Next Morning~

Sera awoke from a sound sleep, a rancid taste in the mouth and a burning sensation running up the back of her neck. With little hesitation, she made her way to the bathroom, where the contents of her stomach from dinner the night before had been expelled from her body. Ignis, who had awakened with the sun, stopped at the door to check on her, unaware of her very important secret.

"Are you alright, Sera?" The spectacled advisor asked, remaining at the door until the ill queen said otherwise.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just a case of morning sickness, that's all," Sera responded weakly, causing Ignis to look at the door with wide eyes, before Sera came out, her face looking a ghostly green color.

"Does Prompto know about this?"

"He does. And before you ask, I'm two months along. I was pregnant before I entered the Crystal. And the three years I was there, both the baby and myself were in a suspended animation of sorts." She placed her hand on her stomach, her gaze following. "Gladio mustn't know about this. He'll attempt to prevent me from continuing on with my journey."

"Depends on the situation," Gladiolus responded, quiet enough to keep from waking the blonde cameraman, who had yet to awaken from his peaceful slumber, like the others had.

"It's nothing. Just a bit of food poisoning from something I made for myself last night," Sera stated, finding it difficult to lie to the behemoth she called her shield. "I should be fine to keep going." She looked back at Prompto before looking back at Ignis and Gladiolus. "When he wakes, we're hopping on the boat and heading to Altissia to catch the train to Tenebrae. For now, relax. I'll be at the lighthouse, should you need me of any sorts."

And with that, Sera made her way to the lighthouse, taking a seat on the catwalk that created the outlook around the top of the lighthouse. The gentle, cool breeze drifted through her hair, the sun shining as its rays stretched out to reach the shores of the beach below. She admired the scenery and all its beauty, a true picture perfect moment.

Suddenly, a back interrupted the silence, distracting Sera from the sounds of the ocean waves crashing together like swords clashing together in war.

"Umbra?" she asked, turning her attention to the sable dog. "What are you doing here?"

Another bark came from the dog, causing Sera's eyes to widen, as if knowing what her companion was thinking. She grabbed the notebook she and Lunafreya shared, opening it to the last note Lunafreya left for her. It read:

When you feel lost in the future, take a step into the past. You shall find your answers there. I shall await you in past Altissia until then.

Lunafreya