Chapter Text
“The day has come.”
Ignis’s voice from the doorway got Noctis’s attention. He turned around on his heels in front of a tall, silver framed mirror, fumbling with the fastening of the dark Greatcoat which hung heavily on his shoulders.
“Yeah, but the day I would finally learn how to get this thing on properly hasn’t,” Noctis muttered, frustrated.
“That’s why you have me,” Ignis said simply, stepping inside and within a few seconds the tricky fastening had been tamed by his hands. “Though I must say, this still look a bit too big on your shoulders,” Ignis noted when the cloak was in its place, a small tone of humor in his voice.
“What can I say? I haven’t gained much character these years,” Noctis shrugged nonchalantly, and the gesture made the Greatcoat look even bigger on him. “By the way, I take it that it’s that time already?”
“We’ll leave in thirty minutes,” was Ignis’s reply.
Noctis’s eyebrows furrowed together.
“Gladio and Prompto aren’t here yet…” he said but Ignis only smiled lightly.
“I saw Prompto in the main hall, fussing about the big day like it was about him. Can’t blame him though. This day excites me, too.”
“It does?” Noctis asked, his eyebrow cocking lazily, eyes focusing on Ignis’s completely calm face.
Ignis cleared his throat.
“I assure you it does,” he said, adjusting his glasses better on the bridge of his fine nose. “I have made sure the banquet afterwards will be the best ever served. That has given me some extra excitement.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen you hurrying around a lot lately. Thanks for the help. I look forward to all your tasty creations. And Gladio?”
“Gladio is still retrieving Iris, but he said he would make it in time, even if it would mean violating the speed limits.”
“As long as he doesn’t wreck the car. Father will be upset if he does,” Noctis mumbled.
“Are we talking about His Highness or Your Highness now?” Ignis sounded amused.
Noctis wasn’t humored.
“Anyway, go pick up Prompto. It’s not a good idea to leave him alone for a long time with that state of mind. Call Gladio and say they can slip in with Iris if they are late. I don’t mind,” he simply said, taking a look at himself in the mirror. His rather lithe frame was almost drowned under the dark Greatcoat, and his face looked very pale with such enormous amount of black fabric surrounding him.
With a small nod, Ignis left the roomleaving Noctis alone with his thoughts on how to get rid of the too heavy Greatcoat shiftily. It didn’t help his discomfort that the high collar of his black woolen uniform was too tight around his neck, and it was hot as hell with the matching pants. Noctis really didn’t like the cloak but rules were rules and traditions were traditions. If you wanted to participate in your initiation day to become the rightful heir to the Lucis throne, the heavy, annoying black cloak with the suffocating woolen uniform were a must and there was no way squirming out of it. Whether to be king or queen, the same traditional outfit was required for this big event – and to many other boring royal events. Especially the cloak.
The room’s door opened again and Prompto’s smiling face peeked in.
“Hi, Noct. Looking good,” he greeted Noctis with a timid smirk, clearly nervous about this big day.
“This outfit is icky and heavy and too hot and it’s strangling me,” Noct whined, earning a chuckle from Prompto.
“Of course it strangles you. You’ve got the collar buttoned wrong. Come on, even I know how to do it right,” he laughed at Noctis, his fingers reaching to his collar and undoing the buttons.
“Are you my mom now, too? I thought Ignis was enough,” Noctis asked, embarrassed.
“Nope! I’m your best friend, arriving to save the prince when he’s in trouble,” Prompto basically chirped, finishing the fixing of the collar. “I can’t believe you got the buttons all wrong and Ignis – by the Astrals – didn’t tell you about it.”
“I had issues with this stupid cloak”, Noctis simply explained.
“Anyway, I heard from Iris just a moment ago. Boy, they surely need to put the pedal to the metal to get in here before the ceremony!”
“I bet Iris was screaming at Gladio to slow down.”
Prompto laughed, his head falling backwards.
“Quite the opposite. She was screaming that she would beat Gladdy up if he didn’t make it in time.”
“Talk about siblings…” Noct shrugged. Then his attention turned back to Prompto. “How are you? Ignis said you had some butterflies.”
“Butterflies? I’ve got a herd of madly jumping confused frogs in my tummy!” Prompto whined, spreading his arms to his sides dramatically.
“I don’t understand why you are so nervous. It’s going to be fine and besides, your job is just to stand there and take some photos. I’m the one who should be nervous.”
“But what if I cause some trouble? I don’t know all the etiquette rules. This isn’t some royal dinner, Noct, this is about your future! Your destiny! Oh god, I think I’m going to get an upset stomach if I stress about this any longer,” Prompto honestly looked ill as he rubbed his slender arms hastily, jumping from one foot to another.
Noctis’s palms landed on Prompto’s shoulders, stopping him from fidgeting.
“It’s going to be fine. Take it as an adventure. Besides, you are a good photographer. You know how to read the atmosphere. That’s what good photographers do so there’s no way you will cause any trouble. I trust you,” Noctis assured his friend with a soft smile.
Prompto’s eyes lightened up immediately.
“Thank you, Noct! I won’t let you down.” He beamed.
“That’s the spirit. Now, go change into the official uniform. The ceremony is about to start.”
“Do I need to fix my hair?” Prompto asked, hastily brushing the pointed tips of his blond hair upwards.
Noctis only shook his head.
“You look fine.”
----------------------------
The great Astral Church located inside the Lucis’s gigantic manor was swirling with people all around the region. Royalty, nobles, politicians, all the prominent figures of the society had gathered there by the invitation of the Lucis family. The private churches had served the Lucis family for centuries on the important day of the heir of the throne turning 20 years old. A week after their birthday, the heir would be taken to the Astral Ceremony, led by an Oracle, to hear their initiation mission given by the Astrals. Only by clearing the Divine Mission would the heir be accepted by the Astrals and be then officially recognized as the true heir of Lucis.
And today, on the 6th day of September, when the moon was lingering between the dark sky scrapers of Insomnia, it was Noctis’s turn to step in front of the royal Oracle to receive his Divine Mission. During the Astral Ceremony, Noctis would also learn who of the six divine beings would be his closest Astral to whom he might turn to in need of help. The Astrals didn’t send the heir to their mission without some help from their part, but the heir themselves would need to do the majority of the work. The Astral assigned would simply just nudge them a bit in the right direction.
It would have been a total understatement to say Noctis was nervous. Inside he was freaked to death, though he tried to keep his face as straight and calm as possible. This day had arrived a lot faster than he had anticipated despite he had grown up knowing the path to the throne wouldn’t be just a straight line. He needed to deserve it. While standing in front of the tall painting in the front of the church’s altars, waiting for the ceremony to start properly, Noctis scanned the room to see his royal guardians. There was his father, in a bit of weak health due the ring’s power. His face was calm and content despite the fact that a cane was now his loyal companion whenever the king needed to walk. On king Regis’s right side sat Gladio with a slightly sweat covered face, as he had just barely made it in time with Iris, running from the front yard all the way to the church. Noctis couldn’t see Iris, as she wasn’t allowed in the front row due to etiquette reasons, but he assumed she was also catching her breath somewhere in the back. Ignis had his eyes on Noctis when he found him from the left side of the church’s front benches. He gave Noctis a small encouraging nod, which Noct returned back. Prompto had found himself a spot near a tall marble pillar close to the front row. As a photographer, he had been given special permission to roam free inside the church during the ceremony, as long as he didn’t disturb anyone. Otherwise his place would have been somewhere in the back row with Iris, despite being Noctic’s best – and only – friend. A normal friend, not part of Noctis’s life because his position as prince. Prompto was just Prompto.
When the church bell rang with a hollow tone, Noctis took a deep breath, readying himself for this big event. He had stayed up almost the whole night thinking what kind of a mission the Astrals would bestow upon him. Would it be something very dangerous? Or difficult? Would it take a short or long time to clear? Would he need to travel far away with his guardians or would the Astrals ban any outside help from him? As Noctis took a step to the altar, invited there by their Oracle Lunafreya – his childhood friend and a political bride to be - he mentally crossed his fingers to get a mission which was just slaying some beast and getting back here.
“Noctis Lucis Caelum,” Lunafreya’s voice echoed beautifully, “The Astrals are calling you to fulfill your destiny as the next heir of Lucis’s throne and to have their blessing. Are you ready to receive your Personal Astral and Their Divine Mission?”
“Yes, I am,” Noctis replied like he was supposed to, as firmly as possible.
Lunafreya spread her arms, her oracle’s trident in right hand, and drew a circle in the air with her hands, bringing the trident in front of her. She tapped its end against the floor three times, and a strong white light shot out from the trident, lighting the altar like a small, cold sun. Noctis could feel an Astral approaching. He kept his eyes fixed on Lunafreya’s face as she summoned the divine being to speak out loud. A foreign language spoken by a female filled the air, the voice bright and full of wisdom, which Noctis could tell even though he didn’t understand any of the words.
“Shiva, the Goddess of Ice and Clarity, has blessed you with her guidance,” Lunafreya opened her eyes softly when the Astral had stopped talking. “Will you, Noctis Lucis Caelum, the heir of Lucis’s throne, accept this Astral as your divine guide?”
“I do.”
With a warm smile, Lunafreya nodded at Noctis approvingly and closed her eyes again. It was Shiva’s turn to speak and as her unearthly voice played inside the church, chantingly filling the air, Noctis’s heart was about to burst out from his chest from the sheer anxiousness. She was telling him his Divine Mission.
“Noctis Lucis Caelum, the heir of Lucis’s throne and the rightful king of Lucis. You are being asked to go forth and find your rightful partner, who will rule the Lucis’s with you,” Lunafreya spoke with a loud, clear voice, her eyes still shut.
The whole audience in the church gasped and surprised mumbling started to echo quietly from the seats behind Noctis after Lunafreya’s statement. Noctis’s eyes widened, lips parting.
“What?” he whispered, confused. “But I have a partner already, a wife to be” he defended himself, gesturing towards Lunafreya.
She shook her head, letting the Astral speak again before translating her words.
“I, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, am not your rightful partner, for the Astrals have blessed you with someone else. This I have already known as an Oracle, but kept as a secret until the Astrals would give me permission to speak out loud of it, and that time has come now,” Lunafreya spoke warmly, her eyes lovingly on Noctis. “You must go, out to the world, and find your rightful partner, for this is what the Astrals have decided for you.”
The muttering and surprised mumbling rose louder inside the building. Hastily, Noctis turned to look at his father for some help. He hadn’t expected this kind of a mission. No one had. He could see surprise also in king Regis’s eyes, but quickly the old king composed himself and simply nodded, encouraging Noctis to continue the ceremony.
“Will you, Noctis Lucis Caelum, accept this Divine Mission to gain access to the throne? If you decline your mission or if you fail in it, the throne will be given to someone else, for this is the law of Lucis.”
“I’ll do it!” Nostic whipped his head back towards Lunafreya, losing a bit of his composure which he was supposed to keep during the formal ceremony.
“As to every heir, you are also given three free questions for your personal Astral regarding your Divine Mission. Do you want to use one of those questions now?” Lunafreya asked, her gaze landing softly on Noctis.
In all honestly, Noctis had no idea what to even think about this mission. Him, going out to hunt himself a wife? Not to kill any beasts or save a nation or fight for suppressed people? But to go and get himself involved in some love story? This had to be… He wanted to think it was a joke but he couldn’t.
“Yes, I want to use one of the questions now,” he answered, clearing his throat. “I wish to know why am I given this specific Divine Mission?”
There was a small silence, until Shiva’s voice was heard again. Her words sounded thoughtful and motherly, and Noctis waited nervously for the answer. Finally, Shiva finished and Lunafreya opened her eyes, lifting her chin up.
“A good king needs a good partner he can trust while ruling the lands. Love is important and there’s much you need to learn about love, young prince. Without love you can’t rule your nation. Without love you can’t understand your people and mend their needs. As with all Divine Missions, clearing this will help you in your destiny as a king of Lucis.”
Noctis would have wanted to argue back that what Shiva had just said was simply stupid. He wouldn’t need to go out to find a wife in a Divine Mission. He could be married to someone who helped him to be stronger and rule his nation in the future anyway, without any Divine Mission. The Divine Missions were extremely important quests and right now Noctis failed to see or understand how this type of a mission would benefit him. He swallowed his arguments down.
“You are allowed to travel with your friends and roam the lands freely in your quest. You may seek any assistance and help you want during your Divine Mission. The Astrals wish you well. Go now, young prince, the heir of Lucis.”
With that, Shiva’s presence left the room, leaving Noctis as well as the audience baffled. Lunafreya finished the Astral Meeting with a small traditional prayer and sent Noctis down from the altar. Walking towards the exist of the church, Noctis could feel everyone’s stares drilling into him as the guests kept whispering and muttering to each other.
He knew what they were thinking and it hurt his pride.
As soon as he got out to the long hallway, he hastened his steps and headed towards his room. He didn’t care about the banquet that was taking a place after this. His father could handle it. Right now Noctis wanted to be left alone. He was disappointed and angry. He ignored Prompto’s call after him and hurried up the steps, making his way with a determined look towards his own room. When he finally got in, he tore the cloak off from his shoulders with an angry yank and tossed the fabric on his bed.
Of course, Ignis was there in a second, his face worried.
“Noctis,” he began, but Noctis stopped him.
“I can’t believe this!” he was unbuttoning the wool jacket with a frustrated face. “Did you hear that, Ignis? What a stupid mission!”
“Noctis, please, this isn’t what we expected, but you have to calm down. There’s always a good reason why an Astral gives a certain type of mission,” Ignis tried to placate Noctis down.
“A good reason!” Noctis almost shrieked. “She basically hinted that I’m incapable of ruling without a wife! Why is she such a big deal anyway?! I’ve got you guys and other experts and authorities helping me out. The political marriage with Luna would have done just fine with me. Actually, from what I know, it would have been perfect, for we have grown up together and she’s an Oracle.” He tossed the jacket down on the floor.
“I agree that would have been a wise choice, but clearly the Astrals are somehow against it. Besides, you heard Lunafreya. She knew this was supposed to happen. You must act upon your position and think also of Lunafreya’s feelings,” Ignis talked soothingly, picking the jacket up and placing it on the chair’s backrest.
Prompto dashed inside the room, Gladio on his heels.
“Noct, are you alright?” Gladio asked, closing the door behind him.
“Noct…” Prompto whined sadly.
“…Fine. I’m fine. Just… really pissed off,” Noctis took a deep breath, flopping to sit on his bed side. “Honestly, I was expecting some manly mission but now I’m… Gah, I don’t even want to talk about that.”
Gladio crossed his arms, frowning.
“I get what you mean. The whole audience was mumbling how the Astrals are probably seeing you as not fitting to rule the region alone. This does affect your image as the next king.”
“Exactly the same thing I was telling Ignis,” Noctis pointed at Ignis with a frustrated huff. Ignis shifted his weight to another leg.
“I’m also surprised. I’d understand the Astral’s wish to get yourself a wife if the king was either retiring next year or dead, as at the age of 20 you are definitely still too young and inexperienced to rule without a partner. In that sense, Shiva’s Divine Mission is logical.”
“But as far as we know, the king is still doing well and there shouldn’t be any reason for him to retire or die any time soon, despite the Wall sucking out his power,” Gladio agreed.
“Do… Do you think something bad will happen and Noct does need a wife soon?” Prompto’s whimpering turned everyone’s attention to him.
A silence fell in the room.
“That is always possible,” Ignis finally admitted.
“Everything is always possible in life. You honestly never know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Gladio sighed, looking down at Noctis, who was leaning his head against his palms, looking more or less devastated. “However, that’s not something we should fret about. Let’s just get this mission over with. Then we will be wiser and see what this is all about.”
“And before that, let’s get this evening over with,” Ignis pointed out. “Noctis, I know you really aren’t up to it after what we just learned, but we need to join the banquet. Your disappearance like this isn’t going to help the bad rumors.”
“I agree. Besides Iris is worried about you, too. You should go say hi to her,” Gladio said.
“Yeah. Come on, Noct. We have been through more horrible things than finding a wife,” Prompto said, shaking Noctis from his shoulders. “Who knows, maybe it turns out to be a very fun trip! Maybe she’s a real babe!”
“Careful, Prompto, we’re not looking for a girlfriend for you,” Gladio nudged Prompto’s shoulder with his forearm.
“And if she doesn’t end up being a babe or any good choice, there’s always a divorce; though it’s always a bit questionable with a king, especially when the spouse has been found via Divine Mission” Ignis said, his voice rather mischievous despite his words.
“Ooh, I like the way you think!” Prompto caught the drill immediately, turning his head towards Noctis. “Don’t worry, Noct. With our help you will find a really good partner in no time!” Then his face darkened, lips pressing together into a thin line. “Though it’s a shame Miss Luna isn’t the bride. I already pictured her beside Noct as the queen.”
“There must be a good reason why the gods have decided against your mental image,” Ignis sighed.
Noctis remained silent, sitting on his bed. Prompto sat next to him when he didn’t react at all.
“Noct, I think we should go to the banquet, like Ignis suggested,” he said softly, his palm on Noctis’s back.
The young prince straightened himself with a groan.
“Fine,” was his short reply as he stood up and fixed his shirt’s hem. “I just don’t understand why Luna wouldn’t do.”
Ignis was already handing the uniform jacket towards Noctis. He stood in silence for a second, but then accepted the jacket with a small sigh, letting Ignis help him into it.
“I’m also upset it’s not Luna,” Gladio agreed. “But we can’t think that now. This day needs to be finished first and you, young man, have a role you need to pull through, whether you like it or not.”
“Don’t young man me, you’re only a few years older,” Noctis mumbled.
“You can always talk with Luna at the banquet, or after it,” Prompto pointed out. “I’m sure she’ll gladly tell you all she knows, as the Oracle’s job is to help the king – and the future king, too.”
“Yeah, that’s something I should do. Knowing Luna she’s known about this for a long time already. Must have been hard for her,” Noctis muttered, reaching for the Greatcoat lying on the bed. He tossed it on his shoulders but failed again to fasten it. Ignis had to help him out.
“Whatever mumbling we might hear at the banquet or afterwards, right now we need to act indifferent to it. We are as clueless as everyone else about why the Astrals are sending you out for this mission, and we can’t let our minds be filled with doubts. Otherwise, we’re nothing but participating in the bad vibes,” Ignis lectured Noctis brotherly.
“The best way to kill the rumors it to prove them wrong,” Gladio walked next to Noctis and slammed his big hand on his upper back. “So, let’s go kill some of them. Keep your head up high, shoulders back and eyes focused on ahead. “
“I’ll see what can I do. Thanks,” Noctis nodded, returning the pat on Gladio’s upper arm.
As they finally reached the first floor’s enormous ball room, which had been turned into a royal buffet of dishes organized by Ignis, everyone’s attention drew to Noctis. The guests greeted him with bows, their bodies bending forward in unison as Noctis walked further in, searching for Lunafreya with his gaze. He found her in one of the corners, talking with a high priest, her brother Ravus standing next to her. He was the one to notice Noctis, his face turning sour. Noctis ignored this and slid next to Lunafreya.
“We need to talk”, he whispered into her ear, trying to look composed despite feeling the intense stares of everyone on his body.
Lunafreya smiled in return with her eyes, and turned her attention to the high priest.
“It was a pleasure, Father,” she curtseyed, then asking Ravus to wait for her. She accepted Noctis’s outstretched crook of an arm with an amused, small smirk.
“Let’s find a place where we can talk in peace, but first, you need to meet some of the most important guests – including your father. His eyes have been worried since you rushed out from the church like that,” she spoke to him with a low tone, just barely above a whisper.
“I’m sorry for what I did,” Noctis replied, face heading forward as they walked through the ball room. “And I’m sorry.”
Lunafreya shook her head slightly.
“No need for that. My mission, like yours, is to follow the will of the Astrals. This I will do gladly, without hesitation.” She leaned closer to him, “I’d like to have a word with your father as well as with your guardians, and that friend of yours. I think you all need some clarification. Isn’t that why you came for me?”
“I also wanted to see if you were alright,” he replied in all honestly, earning a chuckle from Lunafreya.
“You are still the same sweet boy despite the build of a young man, Noctis.”
He blushed but said nothing.