I have two duties.

The first, to inherit the mantle of Oracle; a physic for the body, a minister for the spirit, the people's voice to the Six: the Calmer of Gods.

The second, to support and uplift the Six's Chosen, the one who would safeguard the Crystal's Light, the heavens' boon against the darkness: the King of Kings.

Alone, I felt overwhelmed. A piece to be moved back and forth in the game of Gods and Men, a solitary carrier chocobo trotting across the wilderness of decorum and ceremony.

And then I met him- a young boy, four summers younger than me, awkward and as shy as I was.

Still, from the moment I saw him, I knew we shared that same loneliness, and that same loneliness allowed us to form a bond stronger than Adamantite.

We kept each other's company often, as much as Mother and King Regis would allow. Much of the time he would come to Tenebrae, and we would sneak out to play in the forests below the palace after our days with the tutors.

We did the same when I came to visit Insomnia, losing ourselves in the Citadel's vast gardens, much to the chagrin and frustration of the King and the Crownsguard- presumably why Noctis preferred to visit Tenebrae.

He kept me, and I kept him.

There are only fond memories of that time. Only laughter and joy. We were so young, yet unknowing of the trials that waited for us, of the fate that would take us both.

I wonder every day, what our lives would have been if we were just ordinary: but then I remind myself that there is no point in wondering. Our paths have been laid out, and to fail its course would mean to doom Eos to darkness eternal.

…I have two duties.

-an excerpt from the Oracle Lunafreya's journal, dated November 14th, 756

Chapter 1: Blessings and Curses

It was early April; the day was finally here.

The itinerary was simple: leave Cape Caem in the morning to arrive in time for a daytime welcoming ceremony leading directly to a meeting with the First Secretary of the Accordo Protectorate, speak on behalf of the King of Lucis to the people, offer a prayer at the Altar of the Tidemother, and then finally, finally, finally, meet Luna privately at a yet undisclosed location at sundown. Three days later, after several rehearsals and final tweaks and touches, the wedding itself would take place.

The last thought made his stomach turn inside out. Butterflies. He could hear his heart pounding. He chastised himself mentally for it.

"Noct, are you alright? Getting cold feet? We can turn this around, leave the good Lady at the altar?"

"Shut up, Gladio," Noctis snapped.

"Now, now," Ignis said, "I'm sure His Highness is just thinking on how to greet his betrothed. It has been some years since they've last met, no?"

"Noct, listen to me. It's simple. Just walk right up to her, grab her by the waist and kiss her right on the mouth."

The mental image made the young Prince flush. "Gladio, I swear, I will kick you off this boat."

The muscle-bound man laughed uproariously, clearly amused by the young Prince's inexperience.

Noctis sighed. "I'm heading up to get some air."

"Oh, he's gonna hurl!" Gladio shouted as he jogged up the stairs.

Climbing through the hatch onto the open-air deck of the ship, the sea air was refreshing, if sudden. Off the port side, he could see the yacht was now moving alongside the steep cliffs that marked the terrestrial borders of the Accordo Protectorate; which meant that they weren't far away from Altissia. Maybe another thirty minutes or so.

Noctis went over to the starboard side overlooking the ocean, and leant on the rail, taking deep breaths.

"Hey, are you alright?" came Prompto's voice from behind.

"No, not really."

"Nervous?"

"Doesn't even come close to describing what I'm feeling right now."

To an extent, he was embarrassed. 20 years old and feeling like a lovesick boy going on his first date? But in a way, it really was his first date… and marriage, all in one.

"It's been 12 years since I've seen her, Prompto. I wonder what she's doing. I wonder how she's been. I wonder if she's been thinking about me."

Prompto came to lean his back against the rail. "I think I know what you mean," he said. "My opinion? She never forgot about you. From all the things that you've told me, I don't think she'd forget someone like you."

"Someone like me, huh?"

That was then.

Would she still appreciate who he was, even now, after all this time?

Ignis' voice joined in on the conversation. "There's no point in thinking about it, Noct. You can't read her mind, especially from far away. Just wait until you see her. Until then, try to relax. You have a long day ahead of you and you must be focused for the tasks ahead. All are important for securing peace in Lucis."

"Yeah, come on up, everyone," Noctis sighed.

…But Ignis was right.

Beyond his reunion with Luna, their marriage was not just so the two of them could be together again. This was a political act, uniting both the Niflheim Empire and the Kingdom of Lucis in a marriage of state.

After a decade-long war of attrition, The Empire was the first to come offer a ceasefire to discuss terms of peace, suffering intense financial and martial strain against the magical defenses of Lucis; although the ceasefire could not come at a better time, as the King's strength was nearly spent.

The treaty-table was laid at the Citadel, where after a week of deliberation, The Treaty of Insomnia was struck. Fast forward a few weeks of steady drawdowns and withdrawals from both sides, their wedding was to be the cherry on top.

Still, there was a wariness on both sides. Noctis' own escort consisted of his own Crownsguard, two Glaive regiments, five escort boats and three airships. Even Cor, the Marshal of the Crownsguard, had come along to make sure that everything went as planned.

In time, Gladio came up as well, and they all shared the deck of the King's yacht to Altissia.

The sheer cliffs eventually broke to reveal a way within- the Tidegate. Twin statues marked the entrance to the city. Both were angelic figures, cast in white marble, each carrying a lantern to light the way.

Gladio whistled down. "You don't see that very often in Lucis…"

The yacht continued forth from the Tidegate at quarter speed, with the escort ships falling into single file behind it.

Cor came onto deck before long, speaking into his earpiece about tightening security here and there or wherever. Glaives on the deck took up positions around the Prince.

"Now, Noct, just like we discussed- Once you pass the archway, all eyes will be on you. Stand up tall, keep your abdomen taut. You represent Lucis." Ignis lightly slapped his lower back to make him stand straight up.

Noctis frowned for a moment before assuming a more solemn, kingly face.

Ignis had been a bit more forceful lately with his comments and corrections, but it was simply because he wanted this to go well. Lucis was his home too, after all- And Gladio, for all his jokes, was just trying to lighten the mood. Prompto just wanted his friend to do and be well. He had to calm himself. From herein, he was Noctis Lucis Caelum, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Lucis and the harbinger of a long-awaited peace. Despite the countless sessions of practice with Ignis and his tutors, he could not help but feel awkward and displaced.

An apology was in order for his foul behavior.

Beyond was the Tidegate was the long, elevated water bridge that crossed over the bottom layer of a series of terraced waterfalls, which sat about 100 feet below.

"Don't look down," Noctis said quietly to himself.

The bridge barely held the width of the yacht, forcing the Ensign to continue forth even slower, or risk tumbling off into the waters below. Ahead was an enormous archway that served as both a decorative and defensive structure, guarding the only sea-worthy access to the city. The portcullises were locked in their raised position, with Accordan regulars in full dress attire stood at attention with their sabers drawn on the inside of the archway.

"So this is the City Upon The Water," mused Ignis, as they passed under the archway. "Quite beautiful."

And beautiful it was. The inside of the arch was covered with a large carved mural depicting the majesty and strength of the Tidemother, Leviathan. The Hydraean herself was gilded and decorated with gold and silver, her eyes represented by carved and shaped aquamarines. The metal and jewels twinkled in the reflected light from the water.

From within, Noctis could hear the festive music rising from the city, a grand symphony of drums and horns in the midst of song.

The other side of the archway approached quickly.

"Am I looking right?" he asked Ignis.

"Good, good. Remember-"

"Smile and wave," Noctis repeated.

A deep breath later and they were back in the sun, and the roar of what seemed to be a hundred million people cut through the air like thunder. It was so loud, it crowded out all other sounds around him.

The port was completely filled with people, almost threatening to spill over into the water. It was there that he saw the most people, so he started the routine. Smile and wave. It seemed so strange. All these people, people who had never met him, were here to cheer for him. Or perhaps it was the coming peace that he partially represented?

The Ensign picked up its speed and arrived at an open dock quickly. Glaives tossed lines to others on the dock, which slowly reeled the ship in close. Behind them, hundreds of Altissian police strained against the burgeoning mass of the people, excited to greet him.

Cor came up right next to Noctis and shouted into his ear. "IT'S NOT SAFE, THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THE HARBOR. WE NEED TO MOVE YOU UP QUICKLY INTO THE REGALIA. NO STOPS UNTIL THE CAPITAL."

His voice was barely audible against the cheering, but Noctis nodded softly in acknowledgement. Cor turned away and disappeared behind him, shouting orders all the way.

When the Ensign docked, the Kingsglaives moved ahead to secure the area before Noctis and his Crownsguard went down the ramp to the Regalia.

"Maintain the visage at least until we get to the car," Ignis warned.

Noctis did his best to keep himself in order as he walked. Somehow, the cheering became even louder- it took him considerable conscious effort to not reflexively cover his ears with his hands.

The Regalia sat in the middle of a Lucian convoy of similarly darkly-patterned vehicles, surrounded by Glaives, ready to move at a moment's notice.

He was ushered into the Regalia quickly and the convoy began moving as soon as he and his friends were aboard. The roof of the car was closed, thankfully, giving the four some reprieve against the noise outside.

"Alright, Noct. You do remember how to greet the First Secretary, yes?" Ignis said from the driver's seat.

"Yes," Noctis said assuredly. "Trust me."

Silent tension collected and grew in the car.

They traveled for nearly ten minutes through the city. Under normal circumstances, he would be looking out the window, taking in the beauty of the city, but he was too concentrated on trying not sound like a buffoon.

He prayed silently to each of the Six. "Please. Don't let me fuck this up."

The convoy weaved in and out through buildings and into crowds of cheering people for nearly ten minutes before coming up on the dome-and-spired capital building of Altissia.

Ignis came out and opened Noctis' door. The cheering was a bit more distant, but near-deafening nonetheless. A band somewhere began a fanfare as he stepped onto the red carpet. Glaives lined the carpet to the left, Imperial Knights to the right. At the end of the carpet, waiting at the base of the stairs, was Secretary Camelia. Next to her were the mounted flags of the Niflheim Empire to the right and the Kingdom of Lucis to the left.

The First Secretary was an older woman, but beneath the wrinkles and her shorter stature belied a sharpness and acuity that he was not keen to cross. He measured his steps and made sure to stride forth with an air of graceful confidence.

"Madam Secretary," Noctis greeted.

"Your Highness," Camelia replied with a bow. "Welcome to Altissia."

"It's an honor to be here in your magnificent city."

"It is our honor to host the war's end. Please, this way."

Noctis swallowed, and walked with the First Secretary side-by-side into the capital building, the sound of the people fading away as they progressed.

"You're doing good, Noct," Ignis encouraged quietly.

Noctis nodded.

They continued on through the heavy oaken doors- by this point, the cheering had become a dull, low noise in the background, hardly noticeable against the profound quiet of the capital. He could hear their footsteps click, clack and clunk against the marble floor of the atrium.

"Unfortunately," Camelia began, "we will have to move some of the items on the schedule. Your address before the Accordan nation has been canceled- it has been discussed with the Emperor and the King that a combined address would be much more suitable sometime during or after the wedding. However, the offering and blessing at the Altar of the Tidemother is very much necessary. No doubt Leviathan feels your royal presence within her domain now."

That was strange. Such a dramatic change in the schedule would've been announced far in advance. Noctis wanted to look back towards Ignis for his input, but he resisted.

"Why were we not notified of the change?"

"My apologies, Your Highness, but the decision was made mere minutes before you arrived at the Tidegate. We have moved quickly and advised all the relevant parties, I assure you."

"Then I suppose we are headed to the Altar at this time?"

"That is correct."

They walked straight through the building to the other side, where a great, cerulean bay awaited them. Ahead was what could only be the Altar of the Tidemother, this tiny, insignificant stone platform overlooking this vast body of water within Altissia- perhaps representative of the place of man versus a god.

Here, the cheering was gone, like he had entered some bubble. The only noticeable sound was the waterfalls feeding into what could only be the Tidemother's nest.

"This is as far as we can go," Camelia said, holding back his Crownsguard. "The Oracle waits ahead."

There she was, at the platform, just like he had seen her on the TV, in the newspapers. The white dress blowing in the wind, the blonde hair up in that braided bun… Her eyes- He wanted to see those blue eyes.

His heart beat even quicker. He'd been expecting this. He had to make it through this. They were here to ask for the gods' blessing, to bestow upon them and Eos an enduring peace. The questions burrowed into the forefront of his thoughts, but this was not the time. He dug his thumbnail into his index finger and continued onwards across the platform, alone.

The slightest jog came into his stride, but he slowed himself down again.

Eternity came and went, and he found himself standing only a few feet away from her. She was tall and slender. Unblemished, softly sun-kissed skin. Hands clasped in front of her.

"Princess Lunafreya," he said, bowing at the waist. He could only make her out from the knees down, but she turned and curtsied.

"Prince Noctis," she said.

He swallowed, and they slowly raised their heads together to look evenly into each other's eyes. Lunafreya's eyes were calm, sharp, and steady. Her lips were pressed slightly flat… and otherwise unenthused to having met him. It was like they were strangers, meeting for the first time. Was there even some hostility in those eyes?

He tried to explore them further, but she interrupted. "Let us begin our offering to the Tidemother," Luna said, turning back to the water.

She summoned her Trident, the badge of office that had been passed down since antiquity from Oracle to Oracle.

Noctis took his place by her side, summoning his father's sword, blade down towards the stone.

They were not foolish enough to actually summon the wrathful Tidemother from her slumber. The act itself was purely symbolic. Or perhaps Leviathan was watching them now, from deep under the surface.

Luna spoke. "Oh great Tidemother, grant upon us your blessing this day, that our union may be mark the beginning of a lasting era of peace amongst men." Her voice carried a tone of longing, beseeching, nearly begging.

Both of them bowed to the water.

And then, there was a great rumble.

In a language and voice he could not comprehend or escape, what was surely the Leviathan herself spoke from beneath the seas. A string of words came, and unless Noctis was mistaken, they were filled with anger.

Luna's eyes widened slightly.

This was not on the itinerary.