After Noctis had entered the ring, he awoke in somewhere new. The stars were around him, the blue space as a daunting figure hovered in front of him.

It seemed to have a a dragon's head as a mask, the dragon's mouth open as he could see the figure's face. It's wings were made of many swords and the figure was carrying a great blade in his hands.

It was the God of War, the Draconian, the Bladekeeper.

Bahamut.

Bahamut: Gather strength, O Chosen.

Noctis then drifts down slowly. being caught by Bahamut's giant hand.

Bahamut: The fate of this world falls to the King of Kings, His Providence consecrated in the divine Light of the Crystal. So it is ordained--the revelation of Bahamut.

Noctis: What is this place?

Bahamut: The heart of the Crystal, wherein lies the soul of the star, and it is in this place that the King will gain the power to fulfill his calling.

Noctis: What about my friends?

Bahamut: They stand against the darkness and abide in hope, sustained by faith unfaltering that their King shall arise and bring deliverance. By the covenants awakened, the Six have seen the coming of the prophesied hour--a time when the Crystal shall have shed the entirety of it's Light unto the ring. Only then, the sacred ring is replete, can the True King complete his ascension. And only by the True King's hand can the immortal Accursed be banished and the Light restored to this world.

Noctis: What is "the Accursed"?

Bahamut: A man cursed with life eternal, whose immortality stems from the selfsame scourge that wrought the daemons. One so impure of body and soul was deemed unworthy of the Crystal's light, and forbidden to ascend. His mind twisted by spite and bent on revenge, the Usurper came to bring darkness down upon our world. Only the True King, chosen by the Crystal and guarded by his forebears, can end the Accursed's madness.

Noctis: What is the "Providence"?

Bahamut: It is the sole means to ending the immortal Accursed. A power greater that even that of the Six, purifying all by the Light of the Crystal and the glaives of rulers past. Only at the throne can the Chosen receive it, and only at the cost of a life: his own.

Noctis face changes to one of distraught, now knowing of his fate.

Bahamut: The King of Kings shall be granted the power to banish the darkness, but the blood price must be paid. To cast out the Usurper and usher in dawn's light will cost the life of the Chosen. Many sacrificed all for the King; so must the King sacrifice himself for all. 

The Draconian then let's Noctis go, the Chosen King drifting downward to bask in the Light.

Bahamut: Now enter into Reflection, that the Light of Providence shine within.

The Chosen King now drifts along the astral plane, waiting for ten years to pass. And during that time, he remembers the fond memories.

Pushing the Regalia to Hammerhead, their first arrival in Galdin Quay, the first campsite, Ignis driving the five of them down the road. His ring starts to glow as he remembers more. His time with Lunafreya in Tenebrae, her speech in Altissia, her death. Then he remembers his father, who had sent him off with a smile on that day.

The Ring of the Lucii's power shines bright as he begins to feel strengthened.

Bahamut: The Light waxes full. Go forth to the kingdom, where the Usurper awaits. Reclaim the throne, and fulfill the calling of the True King.

Timeskip-10 Years

The Crown Prince had now awakened, having obtained the Mark of the Draconian. He was now on the island that was off the coast of Galdin Quay, Angelgard.

He could hear barking outside his stone prison. Getting up from his seat, he sees Umbra was waiting for him with a piece of paper in his mouth. 

Noctis: Umbra...

Kneeling down to his level, Noctis takes the piece of paper and begins reading it.

Noctis: "Be waiting...in Hammerhead."

The Chosen King's Calling

Noctis felt the wind on his roughed features. Having grown a small beard, his hair a mess, he puts the note in his pocket and makes his way down to the royal vessel that awaited him.

He glances up at the sky, eternal darkness had washed over. Driving the royal vessel to Galdin Quay, he sees it's been destroyed.

Noctis: Man...how long was I out?

Docking the boat on the docks, he gazes at Galdin's ruins, Umbra at his side.

Noctis: Where'd everybody go?

He begins walking along the dock, but pauses as soon as he sees daemons all over the area. He was now cautious.

Noctis: Daemons everywhere. The hell happened?

The daemons then spot him, the Goblins growling as they made their way to him. Conjuring the Sword of the Father, Noctis begins to fight his way through the area, using the royal arms at his disposal.

Dodging from the left, he summons the Bow of the Clever, sniping two goblins that sat in the back. He then summons the Sword of the Tall, swiping the giant blade as he eliminates his foes.

Noctis: Last man standing.

As he made up to the Mother of Pearl, more daemons appear. More of the stronger ones.

Warping out of the way, he starts to use the Swords of the Wanderer, stabbing left and right with them. Quickly switching to the Blade of the Mystic, he parries a strike from a Tonberry daemon, slamming the greatsword down as he eliminates two Tonberry daemons.

The last daemon being a Necromancer, Noctis chains his warp-strikes together, using the Sword of the Wise as it was stronger with the warp-strikes.

Finishing the fight, he takes in his surroundings. Back when he first came here with his retinue, this area was brimming with lights and people. The person who ran the kitchen, Coctura, had made a dish for him, in honor of his wedding with Lunafreya.

Gaining a determined look, he begins to run out of Galdin at full speed.

Noctis: Hope everyone's okay.

Umbra kept up with pace with him as he ran out of Galdin, heading up the hill as he had no car for transportation.

As he got to the top, Umbra starts to bark.

Noctis: What is it, boy?

Glancing to where Umbra was barking, he sees bright lights heading for him. A car.

Noctis: (squints) Something's coming. A truck?

The car stops next to him and Noctis looks into the window to see the driver. He couldn't believe his eyes.

???: Uh...

Noctis: Yeah?

Talcott: It's me, Talcott. My grandpa served the Amicitia family, remember?

He couldn't believe his eyes. Talcott was just a young boy back then, but Noctis could see that Talcott had grown into a fine young man. He looked at the clothes Talcott was wearing. He was a Hunter.

Noctis smiles at the now grown boy.

Noctis: Talcott?

Talcott: (nods) Yeah.

Noctis: No way.

Talcott: (nods and smiles) Yes way. Welcome back, Your Majesty.

Getting inside the truck, Talcott pulls out his phone as he was receiving a call.

Talcott: Yes, sir, that's right. Hm? Just a second. Said he wants to have a word with you.

Noctis: He can have it in person.

Talcott: He said you can have it in person. Okay. We should be there shortly, sir.

Ending the call, Talcott starts up the car engine and begins to drive towards Hammerhead.

Talcott: Wow. I can't tell how good it is to see you again.

Noctis: Yeah. You sure look different, though.

Talcott: You think so? Guess I've grown some these ten years.

Noctis: Ten years?

Talcott: (chuckles) The guys must be pinching themselves right now.

Noctis: Where are they anyway?

Talcott: Lestallum, more often than not, but they take a lot of trips to Hammerhead.

Noctis: For...? 

Talcott: For Miss Cindy--y'know, back at the garage. Well, except Y/N. He's been busy and had been hunting daemons with Aranea. But Miss Cindy's a tough one, but when she needs a little extra muscle out on the road, she gives 'em a call.

Noctis: Huh. What has Y/N been doing the past years?

Talcott: After your trip from Gralea, he was the only one who went back to Insomnia for three years. Said he was making a new weapon. Ah--speaking of which, the guys said they're near Hammerhead right now, so we'll be meeting them there. Y'know, ever since you disappeared, Your Majesty, it's been nothing but nighttime nonstop. Lestallum still has light--thanks to the power plant--so just about everybody's taken refuge there.

Noctis: Only there?

Talcott: Everywhere else's been abandoned. Daemons moved in, forcing the people to move out. People still swing by the garage at Hammerhead from time to time, but it usually isn't for repairs. These days it's less of a service station and more of a "slayer station"--a base of operations for daemon-hunting. The garage's still open, though...one of the few places that is.

Noctis: So, um...Cid. Is he still alive and kicking?

Talcott: (chuckles) He's still kicking alright, just not as hard as before. He hasn't really been himself lately. At least, not since he moved out to Lestallum. Someone suggested he move the garage there, too...but old man Cid wasn't having it. He called it "a big, fat chocobo turd of an idea." Said it wouldn't be the same anywhere else.

Noctis: (chuckles slightly) Sounds like Cid alright.

Talcott: Miss Cindy said she didn't mind either way, so the garage will probably stay put for a while. And without any tinkering to do, Ignis's gourmet seafood is all Cid has left to look forward to. With all the daemons prowling around, more folk were getting hurt...or worse. So Iris talked the marshal into taking out the daemons themselves. "Iris the Daemon Slayer," they call her.

Talcott: Gladio and the others, they lend 'em a hand whenever they can. But, Y/N mostly travels with Aranea. Prompto spends most of his time hunting around Hammerhead. He tries to impress Miss Cindy...but she's already married to her work.

Noctis: And Ignis?

Talcott: He hunts, too. We tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen. He said, if anything, he's more used to the darkness than we are.

Noctis: Never got his vision back...

Talcott: I'm afraid not. But that being said, he gets by pretty well on his own. He sometimes travels with Y/N and Aranea. Gladio and Prompto usually hunt on their own as well. It isn't often you see the four of them together nowadays. They still work as a team every once in a while, but each has his own set of tasks to keep him busy.

Noctis: Is that so?

Soon enough, the lights from Hammerhead could be seen in the distance. Making a turn, it was only a short few seconds to enter the compound.

Talcott: We've arrived, Your Majesty. Everyone'll be so happy to see you. Don't worry--I won't be going anywhere. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

The now grown boy pulls into Hammerhead, Talcott looking to Noctis, who nods. Noctis gets out of the car door, stepping out as he now faces the people coming to him.

Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto walk up to their liege. But someone was missing.

Noctis: Hey.

Gladiolus: "Hey"? That's all you have to say for yourself--after all this time?

The Shield playfully shoves Noctis, the prince chuckling as a result. He then looks to his advisor and best friend, who were both filled with happiness.

Prompto: Noct, it's you! It's really you!

Noctis: Is it? I hadn't realized.

Ignis: Well, well. You kept us waiting.

Noctis: (puts a hand on Ignis's shoulder) Not like I wanted to. We've got catching up to do. (looks around) Where's Y/N?

Prompto: Oh, he should be here in about 3...2...1.

They look up to see a red ship descending down. As soon as it lands, the drop ship door opens and out comes a little girl with silver-grey hair with red eyes. As soon as she spots the four, she runs up to the four, excited.

Little Girl: Uncle Gladio! Uncle Iggy! Uncle Prompto! 

Prompto: Hey there, kiddo!

Prompto kneels down to her level and the little girl hugs the blonde gunslinger, the girl hugging him tightly. Noctis looked confused and walked up to her.

Noctis: Who's this little one?

Prompto: Oh, Noct. This is--

Eydis: It's nice to meet you, Prince Noctis! Daddy and mommy told me a lot about you!

Noctis: Oh, really? Who's your parents?

Eydis: Oh, they're--

???: Eydis, don't go running off! I know how excited you are to see them again.

Eydis: Sorry, daddy.

The Chosen King looks up, gasping a little as he sees the last member of his Crownsguard. The red haired male walks up this four friends. While he had no facial hair, his hair had grown a little longer, the same black headband still on his head, but well weathered, having seen better days.

Y/N: Hey.

Noctis: Hey. (looks to Eydis) So she's your daughter, huh? If I'm correct, then--

???: Well, well, well. If it isn't His Highness's "kingly" ass.

Y/N: (clears throat) Not in front of her.

Aranea: (giggles) Right.

The dragoon had come from behind, wrapping her arms around Y/N's neck as she pecks his cheek.

Noctis: (chuckles) Good to see you doing well, Mrs. Highwind. Or is it Mrs. L/N.

Aranea: The last one. (looks to Y/N) We'll be inside. Come, Eydis. Your father and uncles will join us later.

Eydis: Okay. (looks to other five) Bye daddy! Bye uncles!

They watch as Aranea and Eydis head inside Takka's restaurant, the little girl bouncing up and down with excitement as Aranea holds her daughter's hand.

Noctis: Told you I could see it.

Y/N: (scoffs) Shut up.

Noctis: (sees Y/N's new sword) I see you've got a new sword.

Y/N: Yeah. I can't make it disappear and conjure it so I have to keep it sheathed with me. But, it's done a pretty good job.

Noctis: It's good to see you all again. C'mon, let's catch up.

Ignis: Let's head inside.

The five of them begin walking to Takka's restaurant, Eydis happily waving from the window.

As they sat in the restaurant, Noctis learned that Prompto had a steady going relationship with Cindy, but not as much as Y/N and Aranea, who were married. He spotted Y/N's grandparents rings on their hands. Not only that, Noctis had a fun time spending with Eydis, which the little girl was happy to hear their stories from his point of view, despite hearing most of it from her father.

Soon enough, it was time for them to depart. The other four waited at the gates as Y/N had gone back to Aranea's ship to tuck his daughter in.

Reuniting with them, the five start to head towards Insomnia, Aranea waving goodbye at her husband and his friends.

The final battle was about to commence.

Gladiolus: Well, fellas, we're homeward bound at last. Time to suit up.

Prompto: Finally get to rock these threads.

Ignis: Wear them with pride.

Y/N: This is it.

Noctis: Yeah, just hope they still fit.

In Insomnia

After a short rest at a campsite, the five of them were walking the ruined streets of Insomnia, wearing new uniforms.

Noctis having accepted the role of king, he now dons a suit similar to his father, the Kingly Raiment. Gladiolus, Prompto, Ignis, and Y/N were now walking by him with their new uniforms. No longer part of the Crownsguard, they were now apart of the Kingsglaive.

Gladiolus: Hmph. Home sweet, home.

Prompto: Yeah, at long last.

Y/N: Ten years since we were last here together.

Ignis: What we've been waiting for...

Prompto: Sure is.

Once more, Noctis begins to remember when his father had sent him off with a smile. Taking out the Ring of the Lucii, he slips it on, feeling it's power.

He turns around, determined.

Noctis: Are you with me?

Ignis: Of course.

Prompto: You bet.

Y/N: Count on it.

Gladiolus: Until the very end.

Smiling at his friend's responses, he turns back around and faces the Citadel that was in the distance.

Noctis: It's time to finish this, once and for all.