A/N: Here it is! There was interest, so here is the beginning of the sequel for Return. I hope you enjoy it!

Prologue

His fingers ran along the cold, smooth stone. He traced the letters engraved like a madman. It was like a drug to him. After a few minutes, he would rise from his kneeling position, take a step or two to the right, and kneel down in front of a stone with different letters to start the same process with this one. After the first time tracing the letters, they would start to lose shape. They became faces and memories.

It was a cloudy day, or maybe it wasn't. The days looked the same to Noctis now. The garden had no beautiful flowers or mingling fragrances. Only the scent of her blood lingered in the air, reminding Noctis of his failure. Now, everything was dark, as if the sun no longer existed. Why should it? Noctis mused. What purpose would it serve now?

Six months had passed since Noctis had returned to the living world with Gladiolus, Ignis, and Serah. Every time Noctis even thought of her name, he felt a wave of rage wash over him, pulling him into an endless ocean of hatred and guilt. He was drowning within his own mind.

The past six months had been torturous to Noctis. Serah would wear the dresses he tried to convince Light to wear so long ago. She looked stunning while draped in the silky fabrics that hugged her body. She was have her hair done up and accessorized in elegant curls. The jewels that adorned her pulled everything together. In Noctis's eyes, she looked like a goddess. She even wore the engagement ring still. Before he knew it, his arms would be wrapped around her and he would feel her lips against his. Then, he was reminded that Light was gone. He'd push away Serah and see her small smirk. She was doing it on purpose. She knew that this was tormenting Noctis in a manner that nothing else could.

It was Ignis's idea to have these put in the garden. No matter what he called them, Noctis knew what they were truly meant to be: graves. Two graves without bodies standing next to each other, one for Lightning and one for Prompto.

Prompto had chased after Little Light when she ran from the throne room. After Noctis had returned to the living world, Prompto was no where to be seen. There was only Ignis, Gladiolus, himself, and…Serah. Noctis had trouble even thinking her name without sneering. He assumed that Prompto had been trapped in Serah's hell since he was so far away when they escaped. The past six months have been devoid of the bubbly, silly attitude and loyal friendship of the blonde man. Noctis remembered Prompto's words during breakfast that one morning so long ago.

Prompto had just had his latest story proved as a bluff. Like any other time, he was upset by it. "Fine!" he said, arms crossed. "Then, I just won't tell you guys anymore stories. Then, the day will come when you're begging for my entertainment!"

At the time, Gladiolus had dismissed the blonde's words with a simple "Just keep telling yourself that".

Now, Noctis couldn't believe that his words were true. He would give up almost anything for Prompto and Light to return home. Noctis traced Prompto's engraving once more. Sacrificed everything to help a friend.

He turned his attention once more to Light's grave. With so many things to say about one woman, he had trouble deciding what to have engraved for her. Ignis found the perfect quote for her from an ancient book. Lightning: it flashes bright, then fades away.

She has faded away, but not from his memories. When he had asked if she found anything about her past, she replied with "I hope not". Now Noctis knew what that meant. How many times had she been within his reach, only to be taken away again while he could do nothing? Noctis clenched his hands into fists. I'll find you again. Both of you.

Normally, Noctis would have to fight a lump in his throat. However, his tears had long since dried up. All that was left was hatred, guilt, and sometimes, if he was lucky, numbness. His father, King Caelum, had asked many times if something was wrong. He also asked where Prompto has been. Noctis brushed off the questions and in time, they were no longer asked. Even the servants rarely talked to him anymore. He didn't mind this, as he wouldn't have replied anyway.

Many days, Noctis awoke with the intention to drive Serah from this world, but he couldn't do it. No matter who she was, it would be no different than killing Light. She knew he couldn't, and she used it to her advantage. Acting as much like Light as she could, she tortured Noctis day and night. Knowing that she was always within reach while being unreachable crushed Noctis's soul. He imagined that he would no longer have a soul soon.

Wind rustled Noctis's dark hair and tickled his sky. "Noctis…" he could hear it whisper. It was always her voice too. No matter where he was, he could hear her calling his name so very faintly. At first, he would look around desperately searching for her. But now, he would only flinch or look in the direction the sound came from, longing to see her there, but knowing she would never be there. She would always be in his dreams, though. A sigh escaped his lips.

Noctis forced himself to stand on the gardens stone path, merely feet some the two graves. He couldn't remove his eyes from the unmoving stones. He saw a pink haired woman leaning against a tree nearby the graves. Her arms were crossed and she wore her white vest with her brown skirt. Even though her head was tilted down, Noctis could see the small smile he loved so much. Next to her, a man stood with a gun propped up on his shoulder. He wore jeans, a white shirt, and a blue open vest. With a grin on his face, he gave Noctis a thumbs-up.

Another breeze blew through the garden. Noctis heard heavy breathing and looked to his left. Running through the garden in a tattered, white dress, stained with more red than before, and with hands and feet coated in dried blood, was Little Light. When she was in front of Noctis she looked at him. For that moment, time seemed to stop. Noctis saw the terror in her wide eyes and her hair flowing behind her, down her cheeks, streamed black tears that left a trail of darkness on her face. She faded away. Noctis looked up to the tree and saw that Lightning and Prompto had faded away as well. "As if they were ever there," mumbled Noctis.

With a heavy heart, Noctis turned to face the castle. Taking a deep breath, he started down the stone path into reality once again. No matter how much he wanted to stay at the graves, there was business for him to attend to. No matter how much he wanted to run off and search for Light and Prompto, he wouldn't be able to without knowing where to start. No matter how long it takes, thought Noctis, looking at the castle's doorway with determination. I will find both of you and bring you back home. Stepping through the threshold, Noctis returned back into the darkness of reality, leaving the garden behind. However, one voice still echoed through his consciousness.

"Noctis…"

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please review!