Book Three: The Children of Fate

XVIII - {EDITED}

The boat trip took a while, but Sera didn't mind. The breeze was calming to her, as if Garuda could sense the tension in the Oracle. This journey was very important to her.

"What's the plan once we get to Tenebrae?" Prompto asked, standing beside his sable-haired wife.

"We set out for Ralmuell. We shouldn't encounter any monsters that could potentially ambush us," Sera answered, her eyes set on the horizon. "Once I find out exactly who I am, we head to the Niflheim capital to sign the peace treaty. So we don't have another war like before."

"How can we do that? The empire doesn't have any heirs to the throne, at least that we know of."

"There is one known heir. Iedolas had a son, although, unfortunately, he has been dead for over a few decades. But he did have a daughter before dying. To whom, I know personally; Solara Aldercapt Antiquum." Prompto's eyes widened as he looked at her.

"You mean Sol? She's next in line?" Sera gave a nod.

"Yes, Solara is to be an empress. That is, if she's accepting of the title, 'empress.'"

Before long, the boat arrived in the beautiful city on the sea known as Altissia. Once the boat was docked, everyone grabbed their luggage and headed for the train station.

When they boarded the train, they headed to their cabins, placing their luggage on the beds before heading to the other cars. Just as before, Sera found a seat near the window, where she could watch the sunset. Her necklace glowed and before long, Rena, Lunafreya and Noctis each appeared before her, each sitting in a seat across or beside her.

Her eyes widened as she saw her mother, cousin, and brother. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her father always told her that she looked a lot like her mother, but she always assumed he meant Aulea.

"Mother?" Ser asked, her eyes shifting back and forth between Rena and Lunafreya, causing Noctis to look at her shocked.

"Princess Rena is your mom?" Noctis asked in disbelief.

"She is, Noctis," Lunafreya stated. "Which is why we could only love each other as family." Sera and Rena both nodded as they looked at the former king.

"Lunafreya was never supposed to marry into House Caelum," Sera said as she looked at her brother. "Because she and Ravus were my cousins." Noctis found it unbelievable as he tried to wrap his head around it. Sera looked at her mother with curiosity and the need for answers. "How come you never showed yourself to me sooner?"

"Regis had me swear to only come to you in dire emergencies or when you had knowledge of the truth," Rena explained, though from the look on her eyes, it pained her to hide for so long. "I wanted to appear before you when every Oracle learned of your gift as the sacred healer."

"It was more of a curse than a gift. It drained me of my sanity and my life. I do owe the Draconian for giving me another chance at life. I now have a wonderful husband, and hopefully, a precious angel of a child in seven months." As she spoke, Sera's hand rubbed her stomach, her gaze shifting to the scenery outside. Noctis looked at her once more, in shock. Although he was a mere spirit, he was still going to be an uncle nevertheless. Rena smiled warmly as she looked at her daughter. "And not to worry. This child doesn't have a significant prophecy to come with. Not like Noctis and I."

"That's great news, Sera," Noctis added before turning his attention to the shield, who was fuming upon hearing the news of his queen's pregnancy. The three spirits took the opportunity to vanish before Gladiolus lost his temper entirely.

"What's so important about this trip of yours that it puts you and the baby at risk?!" Gladiolus asked, furious with Sera's decisions.

"As your Queen, I order to not put stress on my baby," Sera demanded, her gaze narrowing. "And if you must know. The other day, I learned that the former queen of Lucis, Aulea, wasn't even my mother. After Lunafreya was born, her aunt traveled to Lucis, in hopes to escape from Queen Sylva's forces. During that time, the escaped princess, Princess Rena Via Fleuret, had conceived a set of twin children, to whom one day would rule over Lucis and Tenebrae, if both rulers were of late. The eldest would one day be known as the Oracle of Night, the youngest to be crowned King of Tenebrae soon after the death of Ravus, children born to King Regis Lucis Caelum and Princess Rena Via Fleuret. The eldest... is me, and the youngest is my twin brother, Sebastian." Gladio only stared at her, unable to process it all. "By going to Ralmuell, the sacred temple of the Oracle lineage in Tenebrae, I can only hope to have even the slightest chance to finally understand my full bloodline. Not just that of House Caelum, but that of House Fleuret as well." When Sera was finished speaking, everyone fell silent as they stared at the queen and her shield. Hushed whispers filled the car, having never known about her father's secret affair. Suddenly, an unknown man came up to the queen and the shield, a hooded cloak concealing his facial features.

"I heard the late King Regis had a daughter who had been crowned queen three years ago but I didn't know he had a private affair with Her Majesty's younger sister," the man said, removing his hood, revealing features that resemble that of Tenebraen royalty. "For sixteen years, I've been searching for the one the Gods spoke of, whose title of Oracle of Night would live on long after she would, who I grew up with since the fall of Tenebrae." Sera's gaze hinted at confusion and curiosity as she surveyed the mysterious man's appearances. This man looked familiar to her, but she couldn't place how or why.

"Might you be so kind as to tell me who you are?" Sera asked, showing no emotion except the usual stoic expression she used when meeting possible allies.

"Has the daughter of Lucis forgotten my face so easily in the time that we've been apart? Lunafreya would be so disappointed in you, Sera. But if you need a reminder, I suppose I can do just that. My name is Sebastian Nox Fleuret. As I understand it, my mother was Rena Via Fleuret, but I was raised by my aunt." Sebastian bowed his head as he spoke, causing Sera to be stunned for a moment. "My father -"

"Was King Regis."

"I can't say for sure, Ravus always told me he had died, long before the treaty. But Aunt Sylva told me that the Oracle of Night is my twin sister, so I'd have to assume that the late King Regis is my father." Although Sera and Sebastian looked similar, many would believe that they were just brother and sister, rather than twins. Sera was still in shock but past the shock, she rushed to him, her arms wrapping around him, pulling him into a close hug, not wanting to let go of her beloved twin brother.

"Where have you been this whole time?" Her voice was hinting at sorrow, tears in her eyes as she spoke.

"I've spent sixteen years looking for you. Of course, the Niflheim empire kept me from traveling to Lucis without soldiers following my every move, much like how Lunafreya traveled in her time awakening the Archaean, the Fulgarian and the Hydraean." Taken aback by his twin sister's actions, he slowly and hesitantly returned her hug.

"I'm so happy to see you're safe, Sebastian." She pulled away from the hug, tears of joy in her eyes. "Every time I saw you in Tenebrae, I was always told you were a son of Tenebrae but never of both nations." She smiled softly before looking down at the ground with a saddened expression. "There's something you should know and I pray that it doesn't change how you see me. The day that Lunafreya died in Altissia, she didn't die by the covenants killing her... I killed her, but against my own will. Ardyn, he forcefully placed his dagger into my hand and made me kill her. I was in too much of a state of shock to realize what had happened until I saw Lunafreya slump forward with an abdominal wound." Sebastian lowered his head, grieved by her information. He was saddened to hear she was part of the reason Lunafreya had died that day. "I did everything I could to keep her from going to the Rite, for her safety and it kills me knowing I couldn't have done more to keep her alive long enough to reunite with Noctis. It kills me more knowing that I was partially responsible for her death."

After what seemed like hours of chatting, the train stopped in Tenebrae, the wheels screaming to a halt on the tracks. The retinue got off the train, stepping onto the granite platform adorned with large pillars that held greenery at the top. Unlike when Noctis was on his way to Zegnautus Keep, after Lunafreya's death, the platform was busy with people awaiting someone's arrival, but the retinue could only guess as to who.

"This is where we must part ways, my friends and brother," Sera said, looking at each of them, as if addressing them separately. "Gladio, Ignis, I ask that you look after Sebastian and Prompto while I'm away at the temple. It shouldn't take me long, I assure you."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Ignis responded, bowing his head.

"Stay safe, Sera," Prompto said, somewhat unsure whether to follow her or stay with his bodyguards.

"I plan on it. Don't you worry," Sera stayed with a soft smile before bowing her head and turning to head in the direction of Ralmuell, the Trident of the Oracle in hand. When she reached the temple, her gaze met the stony gaze of Aera Mirus Fleuret, who stood guard outside. Sera gently placed her hand on the base of the statue, closing her eyes as she connected her energy with the Oracles of late.

"Oracles of Tenebrae, grant me passage into these sacred grounds I have grown to know in my lifetime," she said as both her and the statue glowed a golden color. When she opened her eyes, the first Oracle stood before her, features resembling those that belonged to her late cousin. "Lady Aera, first Oracle of Tenebrae, I beseech you. I wish to undergo the Trials of Ralmuell." Sera held the Trident tight, fearful, not sure if Aera would allow her to go forward in her journey.