Chapter Text
Noctis closed his eyes on a world bathed once more in light, a restless feeling shaking his soul. He had made peace with his own sacrifice, in his crystal sleep those long ten years. He had even made peace with Luna's, although he could never stop mourning her. But his friends' sacrifice was one he had not been prepared for. He readily accepted their help when they appeared before Ardyn to destroy the last remnants of him from the world to heal the darkness. But as light engulfed them, he wished that they could see the world heal, that they could be there to continue to help guide, as those closest to the last of the Lucis line. It wasn't fair, after so long. It was his sacrifice to make, and he did it for them even more than for the rest of the world, wanting his companions to experience peace at last.
"AND SO IT WILL BE, CHOSEN KING," a voice boomed in his mind, and he opened his eyes to see Bahamut and Gentiana before him.
"You can do that? Bring them back?" Noctis asked in wonder and earnest, clinging dearly onto hope.
Bahamut nodded, bowing his head to show great respect. Gentiana took a step forward and opened her eyes as she smiled. But not to him, she was looking beyond, and as he curiously turned, he heard an excited bark. His eyes widened and his chest tightened, Luna standing before him with Pryna at her side. She stepped up to stand beside him, bowing low to Bahamut. The great Dragon King bowed his head in return before disappearing, shattered glimmering crystals left to slowly float away.
"Luna...," Noctis started, not even sure what to say, not after all of this time.
"Noctis," she returned with a warm smile, happy to just be there beside him, to be able to see him once more. It was all she ever wanted. Just one more moment.
Before either of them could come up with any further words, Gentiana took a step forward and bowed to them, her voice ringing melodic in their minds as well as on their ears, "And so the Chosen King and the Oracle have fulfilled all of their promises and made their sacrifices. The world is saved and will know peace longer than you even thought."
"Longer?" Noctis choked out in confusion, looking to Luna to see if she had any idea, though she shook her head and seemed just as lost as he was.
"Yes, and as will the two of you. Though you've brought back the Light and purged the Darkness entirely, the world will still have need of your wisdom and compassion."
She paused to let things sink in, and as they realized what she was saying, they felt resolve well up once more, though tinged it was with confusion and questions. It was just that realization and resolve that she was waiting for, however, and Gentiana continued on without needing further prompting.
"The stars preserved the body of the Oracle when their power consumed her, and now they wish to return her to the world so that she can once again bring to its denizens peace of mind and comfort. And the Crystal, it preserved the moment in time that you reached out and called on its strength. Now, the healing of the Starscourge shall merge with that moment and purge the darkness before the decade of unending night."
Noctis nodded slowly, glancing down when he felt fur under his hand, to find Umbra had arrived to settle between him and Luna. Petting the beloved animal, long his only connection to Luna, he returned his attention to Gentiana. "I hate to push my luck, but you said it was the both of us who would return. I understand the world needing Luna, but why me?"
"You understand the world needing the Oracle, though the time of the Starscourge and the involvement of the Astrals is over. But you do not understand the world needing you, the last of the royal line of the most intact of the remaining nations?"
Noctis shifted uncomfortably, recognizing the words and the coy smile on the Astral's face as her teasing him for admiring the woman beside him as much as he did. "When you put it like that, I suppose some support efforts for the world are in order... And who else from Lucis would have personal reason to lend aid to Accordo and Tenebrae."
"I see you do understand. That is well, as there will be much work ahead of you. See to it that the pair of you do it together. Meet on the hills of Tenebrae, where the flowers still bloom. It is where she will be restored, with Pryna and Umbra to watch over her."
Noctis turned to Luna and took up her hands, realizing this moment was about to come to an end. They each looked at one another with urgency and desperation, trying to figure out what to say in this last moment before they would be separated once more. Though for a much shorter time, it seemed, but nothing could ever be taken for granted again.
"Luna, I'll come find you."
"And I'll be waiting to see you again, Noctis."
"I look forward to it. Try not to get up to too much work before I arrive. I'd like to get a moment with you, at last."
She smiled brightly at that, tears welling up in her eyes and matching his own now steadily falling, "Of course. It's been too long. I'll have time for you."
"Luna. I," he was interrupted from saying any more by her finger pressing against his lips, warm and slowly dissolving into crystal light, as was his own.
"Anything else, we'll say in person."
"In person, then."
Everything grew even brighter for a moment, and then became so dim it was hard for him to see. For a brief moment he panicked, wondering if the darkness was not gone after all. Then he felt a chill just under his skin and his eyes which burned from the light were eased and he could see once more. Gentiana's voice was an echo in his mind, a cold wind that felt comforting beyond the cozy warmth of a hearth, "You will find the Crystal has returned to where it rightfully belongs, though the light will no longer answer your call."
He blinked and looked up to where the Crystal had once been, raising his hand and taking note of the ring that no longer felt so heavy on his hand. Smiling in spite of himself, he looked down and realized he was wearing his royal outfit, the one he had fought Ardyn in, though it no longer showed signs of wear and war. The only thing that would show that more than just what was on the surface had happened when he bound to the Crystal. It was a symbol, he supposed, a reminder that he was allowed his life and to return to lead his people. He thought a bit darkly that it was perhaps also a promise, a quiet threat, that this was the only reason he was allowed to return, and that he better get it right or the Astrals may decide to take back their pound of flesh.
At that thought, he felt an icy laugh, and shook his head, "Gentiana..."
Still though, he smiled. It was a threat that meant little to him. All he had to do was what was right, to help lead the people further into the light, to a time of peace and compassion. He would do that whether or not it meant his survival. Head held high, Noctis strode out of the room and took the central elevator back down, just to have it open on his friends excitedly waiting for it. They hesitated a moment, and then Prompto jumped inside to wrap an arm around him.
"Noct! You did it, man! All of sudden they were just gone! Not even a poof of dark specks in the air, they were just gone! And the sun came out! Look, see, the sun's out!"
"It feels warm...," Ignis spoke wistfully, his excitement far more subdued than Prompto's, though it was clear he was happy to feel the sun once more, even if he couldn't see it.
"Fancy threads, Your Majesty," Gladio spoke, only a hint of teasing in his voice. It was hard not to consider Noctis fully the King of Lucis now, after witnessing the return of daylight.
Noctis smiled, relieved to see them, to see that they retained their youth, that things really did seem to be just as he was told. Not that he doubted the word of the Astrals, but there was an enormous comfort to be found in actually experiencing it. And if this was real as well, then...
He pulled Ignis inside the elevator, swiping the card and hitting the button to bring them back to the bottom. He stared at the door with a determined grin, "The world is waiting for us to return..."
Gladio frowned thoughtfully, shrugging as he looked at the others, and it was Ignis who spoke up to try to coax an explanation for the words that hadn't seemed spoken at them, "Surely it awaits you, Noct. Not all of us."
Noctis was taken aback for a moment, then he laughed, crossing his arms, "Huh? You think the world won't be interested in the heroes that fought beside me and helped me reach the Crystal? I couldn't have done it alone."
The three chuckled gratefully at that, and Ignis adjusted his sunglasses as he felt them slipping down his nose, "Of course. But it wasn't us you had meant before, was it?"
Closing his eyes with a soft laugh, Noctis shrugged, looking up when the elevator came to a stop. Doors opening, he took a few confident steps out, his shoes making for a distinguished tone as he crossed ruined concrete. "She's waiting for me, in Tenebrae, so we can work together, and restore health to this world now that the darkness is gone."
"Lady Lunafreya?" Prompto asked in awe, glancing at the others to see if they were thinking the same, and spotting a worried expression on Ignis's face before he covered it.
"Yeah. Luna is."
"But how?"
"How else? The Gods played a part, of course."
"Of course."
"Mighty convenient, those gods...," Prompto spoke, though as sarcastic as his choice of words was, his tone was filled with reverence.
"Come on. Let's get out of here."
"You're going the wrong way, Majesty," Gladio smirked, pointing off in a different direction.
Not even one bit flustered, Noctis just grinned, unwilling to explain the decade that had passed in a blink of an eye, at least not yet. There was too much to look forward to, and they didn't need to know any of that tragedy if they didn't remember it. "Then why don't you lead the way, Crownsguard?" he teased back, "Letting your king take point is a bit counterintuitive to protecting him, don't you think?"
"Says the guy who runs first into battle without consulting us half the time..."
He grinned, though he saw still some concern on their faces at his apparent missing sense of direction, and he waved it off, "Don't give me that look, guys. You'd be turned around too after talking with the Crystal."
"Ah. Was it difficult, then?"
"But it all happened so fast."
"Maybe, but it took a lot outta me."
Though there was clearly more to talk about, for the moment, they dropped it, still on edge in enemy territory, though the MTs seemed completely out of commission and there were no daemons to be heard from. Beyond that, it was a creepy place to walk through, and Prompto couldn't help but to ask, "Where did all the people go, though? It makes no sense."
"Daemons."
"I mean, I get that, but there'd be a mess, wouldn't there?"
Noctis pressed his lips together in a frown and shook his head, "They turned into daemons. Nearly all of them, at one point, were human, then overcome by the Starscourge and consumed by darkness, they became daemons."
It was an uncomfortable silence that settled on them then, as they each thought over what this new information meant to them. Trying to get over it, Prompto forced a smile and pushed a happier seeming discussion, "So, the Gods said Lady Lunafreya is back?"
"Prompto...," Gladio muttered, unhappy that the topic was brought back up, when he and Ignis worried deeply for Noct if it turned out to be false.
Especially with that smile that lit up his face after, they didn't want to risk him experiencing that crushing disappointment once more. "It's what they said. That she would be restored on the hills of Tenebrae, guarded by Pryna and Umbra and awaiting my return."
"Ah! Pryna, too? I thought she died after Lady Lunafreya did!"
"She did, but this is what we were told."
"Who told you, anyways?"
"Gentiana, after Bahamut."
"You talked to Bahamut!?"
Noct explained to them the parts of what happened that didn't touch on their deaths or the decade of night, seeing Ignis and Gladio settle somewhat at the explanation while Prompto ate up every epic moment, amazed to have been involved in the building of such a legend as these events would surely be. The other two were more skeptical, but after everything they had been through, there was no reason not to believe it. They simply worried for their friend, and Noct was far too optimistic in spite of so much tragedy.
Getting out of the gates was a bit more difficult of a task, but when at last they returned to the rails, they were heartened to find Biggs and Wedge still there, barracaded within the train for safety, and somehow left untouched by the daemons. They must have turned their attention completely on the royal entourage and ignored anything else, which was just as well as it gave them an easy way back to Tenebrae.
Sitting on the train and looking out the window, Noctis was alone in a booth in the dining car, sipping gross coffee. Ignis tried to prepare something better for them with Prompto's guidance. Noct had smiled when at first they started, wondering if Prompto had been a large help in Ignis' progress during that forgotten decade.
Now though, his mind was on other things, and he tuned out their quiet but constant conversation to lose himself in his thoughts. He was of course no stranger to being let down, and there was a pragmatic voice within him telling him not to hope for too much, that everything he had experienced could have been some horrible fever dream. But then, there was also a part of him that couldn't let go of an odd thought that perhaps this was his afterlife, and the world was truly going on without them, but that he was allowed this peace of experiencing things.
Except for Shiva and Bahamut's involvment, and her chill following him, watching him, likely judging him to be sure he was worthy of this gift of life he had been granted once more.
The presence of that chill, and the wave of comfort that blanketed him like fluffy snow on a playful child in just that moment, reassured him that things were in fact real. He would do his best, and that was what he needed to focus on. He wanted, of course, still, to marry Luna. But she was of Tenebrae, her capital fallen, the Empire which had governed her people was completely destroyed. Her people would need their leader, or so he figured.
But perhaps they could get on without her, he realized with a strike of inspiration. The people of Tenebrae were more of a refugee type of people, who would need to rebuild their home. For that, royalty, politics, they were far less of help. Luna was a healer of the people and a compassionate ruler, but they needed disaster support, to rebuild from scratch. Tapping his jaw, he thought to propose to her to allow someone with a different background to lead the people. Someone with strong survival skills and an ability to furnish an independence in a vulnerable people.
Perhaps Aranea Highwind may make a good leader, in this moment in Tenebrae's history. Especially if she would agree to a provisional government appointed by himself and Luna, with her of course getting first and final say in who would make it up. Perhaps consider it a vassal state of Lucis simply for aid reasons, an expiration date on such an agreement, to allow them to rebuild with the comfort of knowing they were protected still by their Oracle but to be ruled by someone who would be better able to help them in such a time.
He hoped there was someone Luna could entrust such a duty to. If what Gentiana had said was true, then the Oracle was just another Queen now, in terms of power. No more Starscourge for her to heal, and the Astrals were apparently done meddling directly with the humans now, except to keep tabs on him and make sure he didn't abuse this gift. It would depend, he supposed, on if she still had powers remaining. If Pryna and Umbra were still around, then it stood to reason she did.
He let out a frustrated sigh as every possible solution seemed to turn up more problems, though that was hardly uncommon in these things. And of course, everything would depend on what she thought. Though he supposed, if they were fortunate enough, to have a son to carry on the Lucis line, though his connection to the crystal was cut, it perhaps remained in their blood. And though he could no longer wield arcana, he still had access to the rest of his powers. A son, then, to rule Lucis, as was their tradition due to how their powers transferred. And a daughter with the power of the Oracle, to return to Tenebrae.
Thinking on the differences in how they ruled, he hummed thoughtfully, tapping his finger on the cold metal windowsill that his arm rested heavy against. In that time after setting out from Insomnia, his friends had helped out quite a bit around his country, a lot more hands on than the Kings of Lucis generally were. It was more like the Oracle of Tenebrae, going around the country and helping the people firsthand.
That was a good thing to continue.
Daemons were gone but they still shared the world with plenty of dangerous animals. He would have to be sure that the extra safety wouldn't lead to an explosion in population that would damage the lands. Post war had a tendency to do such a thing, and after the ages long war against the darkness as well as the hundred year war against the empire, a population explosion was very likely to occur. Recalling that biologist, he made a mental note to have her found and consulted on settlement and reservation locations, not wanting his land to be ruined in the excitement of discovery. For that matter, he didn't want any land ruined by such a thing, and he would have to make sure that Accordo and Tenebrae also took such things under consideration.
So lost in thought he was, going over every problem that popped up in his head, he didn't notice that Ignis and Prompto had sat in front of him and had given him a plate of hot food. Gladio was behind him and chewing loudly, still not enough to break him out of his thoughts.
It was only Ignis' solemn voice with honest concern that pulled him back. "Is the food not to your liking, Noct? It will take some time, I'm afraid, before I can-"
"Ah! No, sorry, I was thinking, Ignis. I haven't even tried it yet." He didn't even take a breath after speaking before he shoved a forkful in his mouth. While it wasn't his usual quality, Noct remembered how far Ignis had been able to come and knew what it would once more be. Smiling at that bit of comfort from that memory of the forgotten future, he answered simply and honestly, "Not bad. You'll get there again. Still better than anything I can make."
"I see," Ignis spoke with a small smile, clearly relieved. It was blunt and perhaps not the kindest way of putting things, but Noct always had that aloof hint to even his compliments. "I'll keep trying, then. At least, it doesn't seem to be a lost cause."
"Even if it was terrible, I'd still say it wasn't a lost cause."
"Ho, what's this? His Majesty is being awfully generous right now."
"You gotta say something about everything?" he muttered, though he wasn't truly annoyed as he turned and shoved Glad's shoulder with his elbow.
Gladio just smirked and nudged back, "Just gotta make sure it's really you. When you act all nice, it's worrisome."
"Geez, you make it sound like I'm a tyrant."
"Not a tyrant," Ignis and Gladio quickly and firmly corrected, not wanting to risk there was even a speck of seriousness in the complaint. Gladio continued on, "You're just usually more sarcastic. Want to be sure everything's alright over there. You were lost in thought for a long time."
"Mm. I'll have a lot of problems to solve."
"Thinking of Lucis?"
"And Accordo and Tenebrae. What the options are regarding Tenebrae, if Luna still wishes to wed, the distance between our two nations..."
"It's very far, and Tenebrae needs a leader."
"But right now, it doesn't need an Oracle," he offered up, indirectly asking for Ignis' input on the situation.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much for the moment, as he was told only, "To that, we will have to go to the people, and see what they think about it."
"I guess that's true..." Sighing heavily, Noct rested cheek in hand, leaning heavy into his arm and looking out the window once more at the passing scenery. It was hardly idyllic, ravaged by daemons and darkness that had harmed the wildlife, reminding him of the long work ahead.
Gladio smirked and gave him another nudge, knocking him out of his thoughts again, "There's the prince I remember. Pouting because he didn't immediately get encouraged."
"I'm not pouting."
"He's pouting!" Prompto laughed, and out came the camera, much to Noct's indignation.
"Am not!"
It was Noctis and Prompto left to clean up the food fight that carried on after so much teasing, a much needed reprieve from everything being so heavy and serious. Pouting for real at having to deal with the menial task, he tossed another used up rag and wiped his hands. Prompto was still wiping down the last booth and looked up at the sigh, "All done?"
"Yeah. Gonna grab a shower and a nap before we get to Tenebrae."
"Gotta look your best for Lady Lunafreya!"
"Yeah...," he smiled, looking forward to seeing her again, clinging tightly to the hope that things truly would be as promised from here on.
The awkward announcement that they were arriving in Tenebrae woke him up, and Noctis yawned and stretched. Staring up at the rungs holding the cot above him, he rubbed his eyes and after a moment he smiled to find he had slept and things still seemed to be where he had left them off. It may well be some time, he thought, before he would be able to wake without that confusion and anxiety.
Standing up, he stifled a yawn as he left the sleeping car and ruffled his hair, making his way to the dining car to rejoin his friends as they rolled into the station. The refugees were still camped all around the station, though things looked a bit more set up than before, and Noctis was heartened to find Aranea at the center of things, directing the people and getting them looked after and learning how to care for themselves. She would be a good choice indeed, if only as a temporary leader. She didn't seem to have much of an ego, not the type to get attached to power, and so a temporary position was unlikely to be argued by her and might even make her far more amenable to the idea as well.
She called out to them, glad to see that they had Prompto again, and she thanked them for the light as they continued through the camp. It took awhile to cross through, as people came up frequently, those that recognized him and knew he was responsible for the return of the light. When finally they made it through the camp, Ignis spoke up, "It doesn't seem she's here, or someone would have said something..."
"She's in the hills, closer to the capital."
"So, we've got a hike ahead of us, huh?" Prompto said wearily, and at that, Noctis paused and turned to his friends.
Smiling to them, he waited until they realized he wanted to speak, and he had their full attention. "Why don't you guys stay here?"
"And let you go out alone? Just cause it's day and there don't seem to be anymore daemons, it's still not safe to let you go alone."
"Alright. Prompto, Ignis, the two of you stay here. Rest. Ask Aranea how you can help if you want. Gladio, you come with me to find her."
They looked relieved that he didn't fight the idea of an escort, and he knew they wanted someone with him to be sure if she was nowhere to be found, that he'd care for himself. He wasn't so foolish or naive to not have those heavy thoughts, he simply refused to pay them any mind, trusting in Bahamut more than he could ever explain. Splitting up, Noct and Gladio continued on to cross the hills, Noct having a particular destination in mind.
It was a long walk, and the sky grew red as the natural night approached. They each became more alert, hard to break a life of knowing what lived in the dark, even if daemons weren't supposed to exist anymore. The proof would be in whether or not they were attacked when the sun at last went down, and they hoped to reach their destination before that happened. Gladio was considering asking if they were getting close when a not too distant bark caught his attention.
"Pryna!" Noct ran off after the sound, making his guard curse and chase after him, grumbling about how it was impossible to know what dog had barked. But these dogs were different, and perhaps it was because of who he was that Noctis was more sensitive to it, just as Luna was, always able to know which of the dogs it was at any time.
Amidst the flowers blooming in the dusk light lay Luna, looking up at the sky and idly petting Umbra who lay curled up tight to her side. Noctis stopped to take in the sight, smiling warmly and grateful that Luna gave him this moment to simply accept that she really was there as promised.
"I'll be damned...," Gladio whispered under his breath. Then he took a few steps back to give the pair their privacy, Pryna moving to give Noctis room beside Luna.
He knelt down, and when Luna lifted her hand, he took it without hesitation, cupping it between his and feeling the warmth against his palms. "Luna..."
"Noctis. I'm so glad. You're really here..."
"And so are you...," he whispered, unable to stop himself from tearing up, overwhelmed by everything. "You're really, here, right? It's really you...?"
She smiled to him, feeling pain for his pain, and she faintly squeezed his hand, her body weak though she had divine assurance that she would heal with time. "It is... And with him over there, I have to say, this must be real... I would have met you alone, were it a dream."
"Right?" Noctis laughed, the sound rough and choked as emotion gripped his throat tight. "Who brings a chaperone to a dream?"
The pair laughed at themselves, and after wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, he reached down to gently brush away her tears with gentle brushes of his thumb. "It's been so long..."
"I know...," she whispered, and reached out to him. He leaned in to make it easier for her, his face softening as she touched his cheek. "I know," she repeated again, a solemn note in her voice telling him that she knew of that decade, she knew his entire journey. She knew it all and it was a burden she would share with him, the memories of all the sacrifices made to get to where things were. She was likely the only one who could ever truly know, and she offered herself instantly and with no reservation to be his sole support for that pain he didn't want to lay on the shoulders of his friends.
That was always how she was, not just for him, but for everyone. An endless font of compassion, and one he would desperately need to heal, he realized suddenly at the twisting ache in his chest. He leaned down to touch his forehead to hers, closing his eyes and taking in a shuddering breath. "Thank you...," he whispered, for only her to hear. And in those words, she could feel how deeply he meant it, everything he was trying to say but couldn't just yet, and she lightly squeezed his fingers once more.
The trio camped out where they were, and Gladio grinned proudly when he pulled out Cup O'Noodles from his bag. Luna looked horrified by the enthusiasm Noct shared about their dinner. At least she did, until she saw how happy he was as he ate, and she tried it for herself. She wouldn't eat it often, but it was far more delicious than she expected, and she laughed at how silly it was for them to be so excited about such a thing. Realizing it was moments like this that must have given Noctis his strength to keep going through everything, she knew there was even more depth to the gratitude she owed to Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto.
Gladio offered to keep watch out for daemons in case they still existed, and ornery wildlife that might be about. Umbra lay on one side of Luna, Pryna the other, and Noctis beside Pryna. The pair laid on their sides, looking at each other from over the dog's head, each of them resting their hand on her, pinkies barely touching.
"There's so much to talk about...," she whispered, "I don't even know where to begin."
"I have a start," he replied, just as soft spoken as she was, their voices unable to carry past the crackling fire to Gladio's ears. She looked at him curiously, and he smiled, lifting his pinky to cover hers, "Will you still marry me, even without the treatise being needed anymore?"
"Nothing would make me happier," she smiled, visibly relieved that he still thought such things. "But what could I offer to you?"
"That's a silly question, don't you think?" he teased, and she laughed softly, her face brightening. "Luna, you've always made me better. I need you, to be the best that I can, for everyone."
"Gentiana did say, we need to do this together."
"She did. But I want you to know, Tenebrae has Lucis' aid no matter what. You don't have to marry me for that."
"I know, but thank you, for saying it. Noctis. If you would have me, I would marry you, even without promises of aid."
"I love you, Luna...," he whispered suddenly, overcome with the emotion and wanting her to know it. His eyes were bright and his lips trembled as he smiled, wishing oddly that they had more privacy so that he might be able to break down completely with her. And he could see a similar desire on her face, the two of them having gone through so much more than anyone else could possibly know or understand. They were the only ones who could ever know how much they had suffered, and they were beyond grateful that they had each other to lean against.
She nodded, her throat too tight for her to respond right away. "I love you, Noctis. I always have."
"I wonder if they managed to save your wedding dress..."
She laughed at the sudden thought he voiced, a hint of hysteria to it, prompting Umbra to nudge and lick her shoulder. "Wouldn't that be something?"
"When we were in Altissia, so many people were talking about it. It was a symbol of hope... If you can wear that very same dress..."
"It would be a powerful message for the people of the world... Yes. I do hope it was saved, if it can do so much for the people..."
"And...,"
"And?"
He glanced aside, nervously scratching Pryna's side, not that the dog complained, thoroughly enjoying it. Flustered, it was difficult for her to understand him as he mumbled, "It... was beautiful... I really... wanted to see... it on you..."
Flushed with happiness, she smiled and nodded, her cheeks hot, "Then even more than before, I hope they have it, or that it at least could be recreated..."
"Yeah... Luna?"
"Yes?"
"I'm really glad, that you want to marry me. Not for political reasons. But for personal ones..."
"Me too," she whispered, covering his hand. "That you would want me at your side, makes me so happy."
"No need to be so humble," he grumbled uncomfortably, and she looked at him with confusion. "You're a lot greater than I could ever be. Just ask Gladio and Ignis, they can tell you how much of a brat I can be. Prompto, too, though it tends to amuse more than frustrate him... And I never could have gotten anywhere without you, Luna. In every way, you're so much more than me."
She had giggled as he talked about what his friends might say of him, and grew serious as he continued on. Smiling after a moment, she realized she had been downplaying her role in comparison to him. She had always known his fate, what he would face, and had always admired what would come. Now that he had done it, that awe was all the more powerful, but she had never really considered the significance of her own role. It was simply something to be done. And with the way he talked, she supposed, he felt the same about his end of things, and as highly about hers.
"That's why, we're best to work together. Yes?"
He smirked at her, reaching out to gently brush back a piece of hair that had just slipped across her face. Tucking it gently and securely behind her ear, he nodded. "That's right. Together."
"Together..."