Far Too Long

Ch. 1 - New World

Two millennia passed since Ardyn Lucis Caelum was imprisoned and erased from existence. His brother, Somnus Lucis Caelum, took his place as founder king and continued life with another Oracle chosen by Bahamut; the draconian. It was the same time Aera Mirus Fleuret was slain by Somnus and death took her in.

Time has passed and everyone took in the that Somnus became the founder king and that his decedents lives to this day. Ending with Noctis right now.

With the engine of the Regalia echoing down the road, Noctis drove the car while Prompto sat in the passenger seat while Gladio and Ignis sat in the back. It was approaching night time and Ignis suggested to pull to a nearby caravan or make camp as the daemons were coming out soon. Waving his hand in agreement, Noctis immediately slammed the breaks of the Regalia as he sent the Bros forward.
Groaning, Gladio fixed himself as he rose his voice to Noctis "mind giving us a warning next time? The hell was that for?" Without an answer from Noctis, the prince hushed him as he pointed out a figure at a distance. A lady wearing a while dress and had beautiful golden locks, similar to Lunafreya's but a bit darker "could that be a daemon?" Ignis asked as he adjusted his glasses to the lady.
Prompto scratched the back of his head and squinted his eyes, trying to make sure it was a daemon "I don't think it is. We have the lights on, and it looks pretty calm" Noctis finally spoke as he looked at his friends "we're going to check it out. Who knows, maybe this person is lost," Ignis shook his head to the remark, but sighed as Noctis unbuckled his seatbelt, hopped out of the drivers seat and with his flashlight on, ran towards the lady figure.

Noctis slowed down as he caught up with the lady. The lady blinked as she seen light illuminating from behind her and she turned around "hello there." She said softly. Though she kept her arms crossed as she felt cold "are you here to help me back home?" Noctis rose a brow as he shook his head "Uh no...I'd like to help you out of the road. Don't you know it's dangerous out on your own? There's daemons everywhere and you're lucky that I'm here on time." The blond laughed softly as she bowed "my apologies. I just don't know my way here and...might I ask, may you take me to a resting area? Everything is so new to me and I don't know where to start." Noctis gritted his teeth as he nodded a bit, taking off his jacket, he wrapped it around her smaller shoulder "fine. But only for tonight. Come, we're just heading to a nearby motel anyway"

Once arriving to the motel, Noctis pulled towards the parking lot and Ignis got out along with the blond lady "you can stay here for the night." Noctis said as he even paid for a room for her. Ignis and Gladio found it suspicious and asked the prince, only response he gave was that he had a gut feeling that he seen her before. She resembled Lunafreya. But it's not her. He feels as he seen her before.

With the next morning, Prompto was the first to knock on the lady's door. She opened the door and she smiled softly at him "good morning." Prompto smiled back and motioned her to follow him "want to join us? I think Iggy is making us breakfast, we can't let our new friend starve now." The lady chuckled softly as she nodded. Upon entering their motel room, Ignis was just serving breakfast to the Bros and had a plate fixed for the lady. Thanking the advisor, she sat down on a couch and quietly prayed and began to eat. The eggs and toast Ignis made was heavenly. It was delicious on how he made it. While eating, Ignis stood by the kitchen with a cup of coffee and had his focus on the lady "might I ask you something, milady?"
Her soft blue eyes looked up at him, with her mouth clear, she nodded "yes?" Ignis nodded as he began "might I ask why were you on your own last night? There were daemons coming about and it shocked us that you weren't attacked." The blond looked at him for a moment "I can't say for certain. I felt a charm protecting me. But...I woke near that area and everything is different from my time." Noctis furrowed his brows as he looked at her "your time?" With her nodding, she spoke back "yes. An ancient time. But it grew strange for me that," she looked at Noctis "you ran into me. I'm sorry to ask, but are you familiar with Somnus Lucis Caelum?" Ignis rose a brow "The Founder King?" Noctis looked confused and shrugged "I guess. Why? Is he important to me or something?" The blond frowned a bit as she kept her focus on the boy "well...you do look like him." Ignis spoke and asked, having to wonder "do forgive me if I may ask; what is your name?"

The blond smiled softly and placed a hand upon her chest "Aera. Aera Mirus Fleuret." That sent shivers down their spines A Fleuret?! Prompto looked at Aera and looked confused "so you're related to Luna in some way??" Aera tilted her head a bit "'Luna?'" Ignis defended her "If I recall, Aera was once the Oracle. The first one if I recall, and your king was Somnus, I presume?" Aera shook her head softly, "no. I know Somnus isn't my King. He fought my King, the healer, for the throne. Are you all familiar with him?" Ignis rose a brow "who?" Aera smiled softly as she remembered him. Her eternal promise to him "Ardyn Lucis Caelum."

Noctis and Prompto nearly choked as they both looked at her as if she was crazy "Ardyn? As in Ardyn Izunia?!" Aera frowned as she looked at him "that's not his name. When did he change it to Izunia? His name is Lucis Caelum. Is he...Is he still around?" Ignis frowned as she asked "If you know him by such a name, then yes, he is still around. He is the Imperial Chancellor of the Niflheim Empire." Aera frowned a bit, but Prompto asked "how do you know Ardyn? Yeah, you say he was a healer of some kind, but how do you tie in with him?" Aera paused as she feared they wouldn't believe her "he....Ardyn is my fiancé." Her love for him still strong, it pained her to know that he took a different role or didn't say 'hi' to her. Maybe he forgot about her?

Aera paused and looked at the prince "please. Can you help me look for him?" Noctis looked at his advisor then nodded to her "fine. I don't know how he was in your time, but in our time, Ardyn is kind of a massive creep and don't let his creepy charming persona get to you." Aera smiled as she nodded her head "I don't think he'll do harm to us."

Meeting with the Imperial Chancellor is the least they all wanted. But they're doing it for Aera. To think how everything would go...Noctis and the others would only have to wait and see.