Our Freedom

"You cannot be serious…", chastised Ignis as he stared at his pacing king. "Damn right I am!", replied Noctis, turning to his sitting friend, "This is a freaking golden opportunity for us, and we're not going to let it slip from our hands!". Ignis rubbed his temples and heaves a deep sigh while the shield of the king leaned against the door just in case of eavesdroppers and imperial spies looming outside. Near the window sitting on the bench, Prompto looked jumpy and extremely nervous about the discussion between the four.

"Noct, please for once take heed of the potential fall out of this act", begged Ignis, "This goes above breaking "rules". You are potentially inciting a civil crime". Noctis crossed his arms as he paces more feverishly and his face contorting into angry and tensed glares. Frustration in his steps, teeth gritting and loosening whenever he turns to repeat his walk, uncrossing and then crossing his arms again as his fists clenched tightly.

"Iggy, she's literally next door from us", argued Noctis, "You're seriously telling me we can't pull this off?". Ignis pinched the bridge of his nose, sharply inhaling through it while at the same time struggling to decide whether his king has finally lost his mind. Any other time he'd be on his side and of course in their current situation along with this possible turn of fortune on their end at long last. Only a few hours had passed since their meeting with Camelia, they returned to the hotel to rest up and prepare for the rite and all the hells that the empire will bring.

Before they could go to their room, they were caught by the messenger of the gods Gentiana. She had come with a message for Noctis, delivered by Umbra. It wasn't their usual journal, but when he read the letter within it, he was given the news of something so great and almost impossible to believe it had been delivered to him. A true victory over the empire for all they had done to his people and home, a ray of hope that pierced the dark clouds that loomed over their heads for far too long, and a dream he had been nursing was close to coming true.

Lunafreya's location within Altissia.

"Pulling this off isn't, worryingly, the issue Noct!", Ignis stresses, "You are talking about kidnapping the Oracle". "We aren't kidnapping Luna! We're rescuing her!", replied Noctis strongly and angrily. "And you honestly think the empire would let this happen? You know how much sway they have over the media here, and all it takes is to paint you in one bad light and every support you'll have from the people will vanish!". He hated to remind his brother about his position and while he was all for rescuing that woman from those monsters, slandering the king is the last thing they needed to add on their already growing piles of trouble.

"Iggy, this is probably our best shot at finally saving Luna!", Noctis argued, "Why else would Gentiana just bring us that notebook?". "That is also something we need to discuss, you said that wasn't Luna's, correct?", Ignis challenged, "For all you know it could be a trap". Prompto raised his hand and shyly says: "I…don't think so. I mean, Umbra and Gentiana would only do what Luna says, right? And if it were somebody from the empire, why would she try and get Noct killed or captured?".

"Blondie's got a point", Gladiolus says, "Far as we know they only listen to her". He pushed himself off the door and says: "Having said that, I'm kinda siding with Ignis on this. I want to save her too, but you know we're already on thin ice with that secretary. We do this and any support we get from her is thrown out the window".

"Which is why, as much as I loathe to say it, this is too risky to do, Noct", Ignis argues softly. Noctis opens his mouth, then hisses in anger and runs his hand through his hair. "Iggy…you can't ask me to not take this chance to save her", he begged. Ignis looks at his feet and clasped his hands and heaves a worrying sigh of contemplation. "But hey, maybe Luna could, ya know, spin a story for us?", suggested Prompto, "I mean, who do you think the people would side with? The jerks over at the empire or the angel of a woman?".

"And the king of Insomnia rescuing her from the empire? Especially after what's happened at the Crown City?", hummed Gladiolus while crossing his arms, "Sounds like it could work". Ignis turns on his turncoat of a brother with a scowl, but the shield doesn't wane at the glare nor does he show any sign of hesitance. His last sensible wall to help stay his king's recklessness aside had fallen to the enemy's side.

"Iggy come on…we've got this…and it could be our last chance to help her", Noctis pleads, nearly on his knees. Ignis looked to his king, eyes showing the desperation within them and the courage that was refined and strengthened by steel and will he had nurtured throughout his journey. Looking back at his hands, Ignis' will crumbles under the knowledge of their advantages against the empire. With the Oracle speaking for them who could easily sway the people to their side, not even the empire could fight against them.

And of course the location of the Oracle was not only close by to them, but the man had already thought up of every possibility and chances that could happen along with three escapes routes. With Noctis, rescuing the princess of the conquered land could be possible. Everything could go swimmingly for them, but what about the outcome from all this? Would the Oracle even allow him to save her? Forsake the Rite for the sake of her freedom?

Worst of all, would she reject Noctis' offer to be free?

All their efforts of risking their lives and losing the faith the people for the Oracle to refuse the offer to escape the oppressive thumb of the empire, and the ramifications they'll face from the secretary. He inhales through his nose and looked to Noctis as he exhales from the nose. "Noct…if we are considering this…are you prepared to face the consequences that come with this?", he asks, "There is no turning back from it…".

Much to the ire of the advisor, he sees neither fear nor hesitation within the king's eyes and only the sheer will power within those blue eyes. He could feel the regret piling up in his stomach and holds back that sigh of submission, knowing if he attempts to argue with his king or hell, persist in this debate on saving Lunafreya, he'd be meeting that resolution in his king. He leans back into his chair and throws caution to the wind.

"Then…here is what we'll have to do".

*Nightfall*

Biting his inner cheek in anticipation while his nerves run wild within him, Prompto keeps peeking through the binoculars every few seconds for the patrols that might bet taking over the former. He and Ignis were currently stationed atop of a building that was overshadowing the estate holding the Oracle within, acting as the eyes of the plan while Ignis was feeding information to the other half of their band. "Your clear on the left side, head up the stairs and make a turn to the right, patrol is light and shouldn't be covered for a few minutes", Ignis explains as he is crouched down and surveying the field.

"Once you reach the main gates, Noct, warp up to the second window and then to the rooftop. There is an entrance atop of the building that should be steep, use that to enter", he says, "Gladio, there's a gondola docked just a few steps from the main gates. Secure it and I'll guide you to the exit". He hears the others agree to the plan and soon enough in the darkened world, he sees the two men approaching the gate, seeing the collapsed bodies of the imperial guards. Courtesy of Prompto's rifle he snagged from the imperial base a while back.

They quickly threw the MTs into the ocean of Altissia was quietly as they could, Noctis and Gladiolus split up to fulfil their respected tasks. Once Gladiolus was by the gondola and Noctis warps to the rooftop of Lunafreya's building and then disappears below the glass panels, Prompto relaxed when Ignis pats his back to confirm he could lower his rifle. He slumps against the railing of the rooftop and takes a shaky breath while Ignis keeps an eye out for any stragglers or worse, another patrol.

"Ya know…when we started this road trip? I really didn't think we'd be rescuing/kidnapping the Oracle", Prompto remarked as he stares up to the skies. Ignis couldn't help but smile wryly at that comment, thinking on the same lines. "It's never easy for us, huh?", asks the blonde gunner rhetorically. "Not since we swore to be by Noct's side, no", Ignis says with a low chuckle, "But gods forbid today we break our streak of bad luck".

*Estate*

Landing on both feet just as he warps, Noctis raised his head to peer around in case he spooked a poor maid or worker here, but as his advisor predicts there was nary a soul within this building. He slowly stood up and looks around to find himself in the foyer. Straining his ears to hear out for the imperial bucket heads or anyone else, he slowly walks around to find her room, listening quietly as the cool temperature of the room enwraps his body.

She was here, he felt her presence within his heart. So close to him, for the first time in over a decade of separation she was so close. He climbs the stairs to the second floor, all the while wondering why of all a sudden Gentiana would deliver such intel to him. Of all the times, when the rite is so close to be commenced, where the empire was practically prowling around the city and with only one more god's favour to obtain, why would she now give him the location of the woman who had unknowingly claimed his heart?

He held faith that this was no trap, Gentiana wouldn't do anything to bring harm to the Oracle or her heart. Plus as the messenger of the gods, why would she jeopardize their plan for him? It made no sense as to her plotting against them, though he still wondered why she would tell them where Lunafreya was being held. Logic dictated that perhaps because they were always so far apart, the fates decreed that because they were together or within close range of each other, maybe now was the time to unite the king and Oracle.

He really hoped it was time…

Reaching a corridor where the moonlight shined through the windows, he stopped at one door and placed his ear against it, hearing shuffling. "What the?", he asked quietly and leaned against the door tyring to distinguish the sounds from inside. Something scratching the door, along with small whimpers from behind it and sounds of light footsteps. But then suddenly, Noctis falls through the opening door with a yell of surprise.

He tumbled into the room and lands on his stomach with a groan. When he looked up he is suddenly pounced upon by two bundles of fluff and is having his face licked. He sputters and laughed when he sees these two bundles of fluff were Pryna and Umbra, deliriously slobbering him with affection long overdue.

"Noctis?", a voice whispered.

He looks up to see the woman of his heart standing above him with a vase in hand and eyes wide with surprise and even relief. He gave her a sheepish smile and wave, greeting her. Lunafreya quickly shuts the door behind him and immediately shoos her pups aside to check on him, allowing him to lean against the door. "What are you doing here? How did you find me?", she questions, whispering like they were under surveillance by the empire, "I was certain no one but the secretary knew of my location".

"Yeah…but guess she didn't count on your pups and Gentiana", he says, pulling out the journal from his back pocket and shows her the item. Handing her the notebook, he watched patiently as the woman flipped the pages to the letter to him and when she finds the page, she quietly reads it to herself twice before she turned back to the future king. "W-Who wrote this?", she asked, showing him the handwriting. Frowning, Noctis says he believed Gentiana was the one who wrote it for him. "That cannot be…", she says with a shake of her head.

"What the hell? Why not?", he asked.

For the first time since he met her, Noctis was surprised to see the woman give him a very deadpanned look that was screaming "are you serious". "Noctis…Gentiana is blind".

"…oh…right…", Noctis muttered with a blush on his face. Then with a shake of his head, he claps his hands over hers and holds them up. "Okay but who cares? I've finally found you!", he says. Her deadpan look evaporates swiftly as it came, a wonderous smile and warming glow in her eyes shines as she gripped his hands tightly. "You have…with some help", she says with light tease in her voice. Noctis rolled his eyes and helped her stand up, then envelops her into a long-awaited hug between them. The Oracle nuzzles her face into his chest as he holds her close, thanking the Astrals for this moment at long last.

"Luna-

Before words could be formed from him, the door is suddenly opened quickly. Both members of royalty yelped in surprise before Noctis pulled her behind him protectively and almost draws a weapon upon their intruder.

"You took your time", growled Ravus, before he turns to the hallway. Quick glances left and right, over his shoulder he says: "Sister, gather what you need. Is your shield in position?". The two younger members of royalty blinked, glanced at each other, confused. "Brother, what is the meaning of this?", she inquired. "There's little time to argue, get what you need and come with us", he orders, "Tell your brothers to head to the shield and be ready". Looking back at Noctis, Lunafreya silently proceeds to gather what she needs.

Noctis approached Ravus and glared at him accusingly, but before he spoke up, the mis-matched eye prince faced him. "The gondola has a map of the city's undersection. Follow it and it will lead you outside of Altissia", he instructed. Noctis looked at him with more questions on his mind but seeing the deadest focused look within his eyes, he reluctantly places his fingers to the earpiece they were using to communicate with each other.

"Iggy, go to the gondola with Prompto, we'll meet you there", he says. The advisor questions him but Noctis insists that they may have a way out of this whole ordeal without potentially being caught by either the empire or the Altissia guards. Though reluctant, Ignis agrees to the plan and swears they will be waiting for the king and Oracle. Once that was confirmed, Noctis turns to Ravus while his fiancé was gathering her things.

"What the hell is going on here? How'd you know I'd be here?", he asked. Ravus scoffed. "Who else did you think wrote the letter?", he inquires. Now the king was even more confused by this confession and feels the hairs on the back of his neck rise in trepidation. He nearly stepped back from him and almost drew his weapon but when the woman of his heart comes out with a relatively small suitcase and her dogs by her side, he decided against it. Ravus turns to his sister and hands her a bag containing clothes. "Put these on sister", he requests.

She nods and quickly dresses herself in nothing but black, a black jacket with black pants and even some combat shoes. "Throw on the hood, make sure you cover anything that can identify you". Doing so, the Oracle looks to her fiancé and brother before Ravus walks off, commanding them to follow suit.

"Brother why are you doing this?", she asked as they make their way down the hallway and entered the foyer. "The rite is tomorrow, and I need to-

"You will not be performing it", he says adamantly. This makes the woman stop in her walk and stare down her brother, who shares the same defiant look in his eyes with Noctis caught in the middle. "Brother…", she starts but Ravus immediately cuts her off. "Not another word about it, sister. You wanted to reunite with him, but you will find another way to save our star", he says. "And without killing yourself".

This gains Noctis' full attention and he turned to the Oracle with a questioning look. She grows small under his gaze, and it was only when he sees her face does Noctis take note of how frail and weak so looked. He understood from Gentiana that her own trials to awaken the slumbering Astrals, and if his own pain and trials were any indication, the hells she must have crawled through couldn't be any less, if not more, horrible to endure. Was this rite going to hurt her any more or do far worse to her than all the previous ones?

The Tidemother was not a Astral of mercy, her wrath like a horrible tsunami that threatened to swallow the world in her furious waves. Noctis looked back to Ravus and asked: "So you're asking me to take her out of Altissia?". He nodded. "Better in your hands than the empire or the secretary", he comments, walking to the doors. "Brother, please see reason!", pleads the Oracle, marching to him, "Noctis must receive her blessing in order to-

"No!", Ravus admonishes, "I will not let you throw your life away to fulfil a prophecy as foolish as this!". Before the fight could escalate, Noctis stepped in and says: "Maybe there is another way". Both Fleurets looked to the king who folds his arms and says: "Maybe the crystal in the Gralea can give us an idea? And with the Crownsguard remaining with Luna, we could pull off something". Lunafreya shows contemplation on her face and even Noctis could see she was seriously considering it. "There it is, sister, you have a plan to fulfil", Ravus says, "If this fails, then I will personally escort you to the Tidemother".

"But after we give this a shot, okay?", Noctis says, siding with Ravus. Under their hopeful gazes, Lunafreya reluctantly accepts their offer. Her duties to the Gods will have to take a back seat, but if this plan could work then perhaps the future she desperately wants to see…may come to pass.

Rendezvousing with the other members of Noctis' band, gathering Lunafreya's things and dogs onto the gondola, Ravus gives Ignis the map, and after some explanation, the Oracle bids her brother a teary farewell as Gladiolus begins to row the gondola.

Watching his sister fade away into the distance, Ravus looked at his journal before he holds it against his heart. "Astrals…I beg you…grant my sister peace…".

A/N:

Merry Christmas to Rydwall, and happy Holidays to everyone!