The Kingdom of Lucis, a proud and long standing kingdom established in ancient times by the legendary Caelum bloodline. They were quite famous among the populace on Eos.

Most specifically because they were in the midst of a heated war between another one of the worldly powers, Niflheim. Having been at war with them for many centuries now, the kingdom of Lucis had sought to quickly eliminate the opposition and protect their countrymen, however, their efforts in doing so hadn't been fruitful. This was mostly due to Niflheim's achievement into more advanced technology and weaponry, namely the magitek inventions, developing some of the most terrifying weapons of destruction known to man at the time.

Not only that, they utilize some rather deadly and dangerous experiments to achieve this, stemming from the unknown creatures known as the Daemons. The daemons had been around since before the kingdom's founding, perhaps since Eos's inception. Those infected with the disease suffer a pain unimaginable, their skin turning as black as night, slowly losing their minds and form and turning into a black sludge-like miasma, eventually turning into varying creatures that would come out at night. These creatures, these daemons, have haunted Eos since, but became even more fearsome and terrifying once Niflheim began harnessing their power. 

Because of this superior power in technology, Lucis began to be beaten, time and time again. The magical barrier that had been erected around its kingdom, powered by the Crystal the royal family had been protecting for many many years, had been reduced to the walls of Insomnia, the royal capital of Lucis. This decision was made by Mors Lucis Caelum in the year M.E. 725, before the current king, his son and heir, Regis Lucis Caelum, was made patriarchy of the kingdom. This action caused many to disdain him, many of the outlands outside Lucis had already fallen under Niflheim's control. Eventually, every country aside from Lucis was under Niflheim territory, with certain powers like the city floating on the water, Accordo, and the territory of Tenebrae, which housed the prized bloodline of house Fleuret, producing many Oracles, the only individuals that could communicate with the gods.

With the pressure of the Niflheim Empire on the outskirts of Lucis, Regis felt obligated to do something about it. The longer he sat on the problem in wait, the sooner would danger come to his homeland.

---

M.E. 734

The low hum of a black taxi's engine was present in the car. The driver made no small talk to his passenger in the back, not even making eye contact with him. Not that it mattered, anyway.

The passenger in the back had a quaint smile on his face, tapping his hand along his thigh as he listened to the radio in the front. It was telling the current news. A member of Lucis' border patrol had recently gone missing. The passenger grinned rather deviously, rubbing at the ID badge that hung on his chest, a hint of a blood splatter on it.

While the driver didn't notice it, it was very clear that this man was behind the border patrol member's disappearance, but prudence was urged within his mind. If anything was clear, the Lucian guard would boast keen ears should he be prattling about his achievement.

Soon enough, the car exited a dark tunnel it was in, the passenger looking away from the window to hide some of his figure. It wasn't because he disliked the sun. It was rather more of a...condition he suffered from.

In the distance, looking out the window, he could see it. The majestic, beautiful city known as Insomnia. Or the Crown City as some people called it.

"What about you?" The driver's voice suddenly speaks up. It took a moment for the passenger to register his words. "Shouldn't you be looking for your buddy?"

The passenger kept his grin. "Oh, no. I'm on a special assignment."

The driver merely nodded at the response. The man only grinned even wider, taking a joy out of the driver's stupidity. Despite the blood speck on the ID badge, the name was still clear to see. It was the same name of the missing guard, Mars Sapientia. 

With the taxi cruising on down through the city, the passenger's eyes marveled at the city sights. He had never set foot in here before, only hearing bits and pieces of information from the Insomnian "informants". And it was ironic. He knew more about the ins and outs of what was going on inside the castle than its own residents. Barely any of the border guards had set foot inside it, let alone get granted an audience with King Mors himself.

Well, King Mors was dead, actually. Five years ago. The one who sits upon the throne is his son and heir, Regis Lucis Caelum. How very ironic that the passenger knew more about the city's ongoings than the citizenry.

Cruising down through downtown Insomnia, the passenger beckons for the taxi driver to stop at the nearby curb. Once done, he got out of the car and gave a quaint little bow, turning around and plunging himself into the depths of the Crown City. Bustling as ever, trader markets all around, commerce going from ear to ear and walking passerbys going about their daily lives. The man only grinned to himself even more.

Oh, how stupid these people are. Unaware of the fact that a rather devious plot was beginning to stir and burst out.

But even still, he lamented a little. This bustling city was once his homeland. A landscape filled with skyscrapers and towering buildings was once a large field of golden wheat, stretched across the land as far as the eye could see. A myriad of birdsongs filling the air as the endless happy chirping that accompanied the smell of fresh tilled soil, a gentle breeze blowing in here and there. It was a happier time. However, that was far too long ago. The once joyous sun he so enjoyed in the past was now but a mere pest to him, the skin on his face letting out a small hiss.

"So this is the city Somnus built," the man mused to himself. He eyed the people in slight disgust, celebrating the founding day of the kingdom. "Built on the back of his own flesh and blood."

A truth only known to very few. And it was a truth that this man deeply despised because it was him that was used to build this city. His very own suffering.

Oh, how delightful would it be if he were to destroy it all. The obliviousness on the peoples' eyes as they went about their day, celebrating the founder, Somnus Lucis Caelum, on this day, unknown to the fact that he had built this city on the suffering of his dear older brother. The very man that stood here.

Ardyn Lucis Caelum. Or Ardyn Izunia, as he is called now.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he began to inquire into his own thoughts, walking along through the city and into the deep crowds.

'Just look at them, free of care and unaware of the war beyond their Wall. What need is there to worry when brick and mortar blind them to the suffering outside?' His amber-colored eyes would dart to the people in disgust, that ever growing smirk on his face persisting with joy. 'Trapped within these walls, they cannot even see how wide the world truly is.'

What he was saying is true. The world outside was vast and beautiful to an extent. But today, he was about to share everything he had experienced.

The coldness, the loneliness, the hunger he felt. Every single thing. Just the mere thought of it made him giggle with delight.

"What a dismal existence." He finished his thought by spatting on this very city his brother created.

Though the chatter and laughter stopped, not because of his insult, but because of a loudspeaker ringing throughout the city.

"Welcome to the Founder's Day Festival. In a moment, the parade will begin making its way through the city."

Ardyn smiled widely, "Now let the fireworks begin!"

With a snap of his fingers, right hand now raised to the air, a summon was brought forth. It all happened in a flash. The people celebrating with smiles on their faces about the Founder's Day Festival soon ended. Instead of cheering for the parade, cries echoed throughout the city.

A wave of flames washed over them completely, incinerating them into ash. Ardyn then howled with laughter. Every man, woman, and child that were here.

It was time to celebrate the downfall of Insomnia together.

---

Quick and panting breaths echoed throughout the corridors of the Citadel, the castle of Insomnia. Her attire an all black suit, loafers clicking in a repetitive manner as she shoved servants and other members aside. They watched her with wonderment, curious as to why she was looking panicked. That wasn't until they heard the distant booming, turning to look out the clear paned windows, seeing smoke and fires coming from downtown Insomnia.

What the hell was going on? A question they asked themselves repeatedly.

The woman soon burst through an office door, her long green hair tied into a ponytail and cascaded down her back, her bright verdant eyes looking at the sullied looking man in front of her. His orangy-red hair was slightly disheveled, his blue eyes tired and a clear black marking undering both of them, showing that he had been lacking sleep.

Lazily, he looked up at the woman. "Lyn...? What are you..." His voice in a slur, exhausted as he had been staying up for several nights doing paperwork and other important things.

"Eliwood!" The woman, Lyn, was distressed. "A daemon was suddenly spotted in broad daylight!"

At this, his eyes shot wide open. "What!?"

"In downtown Insomnia! It happened all of a sudden that we've suffered many citizen casualties!"

Eliwood bit his lip, gripping his desk tightly before shooting up. Grabbing his battle garb coat off the coat rack, he goes past Lyn and begins to walk down the corridor in a quickened manner.

"Inform Clarus! Now! Mobilize the Crownsguard!"

"Already done. Clarus was the first to hear the news. And what of His Majesty?"

"Ensure that he stays in the throne room for now," he said, a hint of worryness in his voice. "His Majesty has already done a lot by maintaining the barrier. The Wall cannot fall now, lest we want Niflheim to invade us while we're vulnerable."

"Understood. Anything else?"

He nodded. "Yes. Lyn, I know you wish to go out there, but Ninian, please—"

"I understand," Lyn said, smiling. "I will handle it. I will send Cor in my place."

"Thank you," Eliwood says, smiling appreciatively. "Now, go!"

Time was of the essence. With a daemon suddenly spotted in broad daylight, something unnatural and unheard of, the Crownsguard panicked. With the ambush delaying their mobilization of their forces and military, if they were to fall now and the king left unprotected, the Wall would fall. And once the Wall fell, Niflheim would be free to invade and do as they pleased.

They couldn't allow that to happen. Eliwood and Lyn boarded the elevator and went down to the lowest floor possible. Darting out the front gates of the Citadel, Lyn made a beeline down to the various manors outside the castle walls to head for Eliwood's home. Eliwood called upon his most trusted warriors and fighters, one of them being a young man named Cor Leonis.

Noticing the worried expression on the tired man's face, Cor only gained a resolute expression and saluted with pride and obedience toward his superior.

"Your orders, sir."

The group began walking for the gate, Eliwood issuing commands, "With a daemon having appeared in broad daylight and interrupting the festival, we have to act now if we wish to prevent more casualties. Our mission is to subjugate the daemon as fast as possible whilst also protecting the citizens. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" They replied dutifully.

"Sons of Lucis! Give your hearts!"

With a battlecry, Eliwood led his squad out of the castle gates and began heading down the main street of Insomnia. In the distance, they could see the daemon wreaking havoc and causing as much destruction as possible, wielding a large flaming blade, swinging it around like it was nothing. Eliwood first kept a safe distance, analyzing and observing the foe of its behaviors and attack patterns. But it soon clicked in his mind as he realized who the daemonic beast was.

The daemon was very much a giant humanoid. While it's skin was a dusty grey, he could very well tell that the previous color was once a shiny bronze, bits and small areas of the skin haven't completely been turned to the grey color it is now. No eyebrows at all, fiery orange eyes that displayed the embers of anger, horn-like hair protruding out of the back of its head, and the black sludge-like miasma that were sharp fingernails on one hand. In fact, the scourge wrapped around and traveled up the body like it was an infection, giving off an almost slimy yet scaly appearance to the skin. But that visage was all too recognizable. Especially the easy to notice golden crown with a distinct ruby jewel that sat on its mantlepiece.

The daemon was none other than the Infernian, one of the legendary Six, or the Astrals as some call them. Ifrit. 

---

Ardyn let out a joyful laugh at the display. The fear, the havoc, the destruction the former Astral was laying upon the many Lucians below. It was a breathtaking sight to see.

He watched as the panicked citizens scrambled about for their lives, the Crownsguard having been sloppily scrambling around the area to try and subjugate the Infernian before it could cause any more damage to the city. But they feared it was too late, Ifrit having nearly wiped out almost all of downtown at this point.

"Do enjoy yourself, my infernal friend," Ardyn said, giving the daemonified Astral a cordial wave. "You seem to have everything well in hand here, so I'll go on ahead to prepare."

With that, he left.

Thanks to the power of the Starscourge, Ardyn had gained a bountiful power of utilizing the daemonic energy. He quite literally was a vessel hoarding that power he had absorbed for years on end.

Doing phantasmal leaps across buildings, he arrived at a high vantage point that could continue to see the destruction below. Even still, he had to marvel at the sight of the Infernian causing this much havoc on the city. Such a mesmerizing sight. But he couldn't stand idly about. There was still work to be done.

Having previously daemonified a Lucian technician outside the city, daemonifying others granting him the power to access memories and learning how to do certain processes in the blink of an eye, he quickly got to work at hijacking the broadcast signal. And with many giant screens being mounted all across the Crown City, Ardyn found it easy to broadcast himself onto the big screens. But his eyes went toward them, seeing the female newscaster on it looking rather nervous, eyes darting everywhere as her lips seemed to be tight, quivering as she delivered her report.

"Attention, all citizens. An enormous, unidentified lifeform has appeared near the Citadel. The creature has begun emitting flames, turning the area around the Citadel to a sea of fire. All citizens must evacuate immediately. I repeat: Attention all citizens—"

Her voice was cut off, the broadcast signal being taken over, the giant screens flickering to a blank screen. Soon, another voice spoke up, a deep, booming one.

"Testing, one, two, three. Is this thing on?" The screen flickered to show Ardyn atop a high-rise, still disguised as Officer Mars Sapientia, displaying him all throughout the city. "Greetings, people of the Kingdom of Lucis! Do forgive me for interrupting the festivities, but I must tell you this day of rapturous revelry will be your last." He watched as citizens watched to listen, taken aback by the sudden news. But he had to hold back his laughter as those stupid people were soon engulfed by a wave of flames. He then cleared his throat, "Call it 'divine retribution'," he continued. "False kings and fraudulent nations are fated to perish."

To say Ardyn was psychotic was a mere understatement. The man was laughing joyously as the Infernian cut through another building with ease. The rubble and debris fell catastrophically, crushing and ending the lives below as Ardyn only bellowed with laughter, even heaving over slightly from all the joy he was feeling. In fact, this was the most amount of joy he's ever felt in a long time.

"Sins of the past must not go unpunished! The time of reckoning is at hand!"

By now the smell of scorched earth, debris, and the smoldering smell of burning flesh made its way up to him. Upon his high perch, Ardyn took one big whiff of the smell and exhaled in utter beauty, prancing around on the rooftop like some figure of divinity as the carnage and destruction ensued. In his mind, today would mark the final day of the history of Lucis, the first day of retribution upon the entire world.

It was simply too much fun. Snapping his fingers, he looked elsewhere in the city. The other areas that hadn't been touched by the destruction.

"Well, time to set to work. I beg you, good king and people: do struggle," he cackled. "It will make this far more satisfying to me."

Disconnecting the broadcast signal, the screen flickered once more to the female newscaster. Her face filled with nothing but astonishment and bewilderment at the man's declaration. However, as she was giving out issues of order, code reds and the like, the people couldn't listen. Panic had evidently overtaken them and they were simply scrambling and running away to save their lives. The brave soldiers of Lucis were running about, directing those poor souls to safety with others trying to take on the daemonified Infernian.

But it was all for naught, Ifrit simply waving his blade around and flames emitted off of him in great big waves that the Crownsguard members were eliminated by the sword, reduced to a red paste on the concrete, or left to suffer being burned alive. They writhed in pain, some trying to roll around on the ground in order to put out the fires on them. But they could do nothing. It had already spelled the end for them.

Ardyn sat on the edge of the building he was on, a walkie-talkie in his hand as he fiddled with it to match the Crownsguard's radio frequencies. He looked at it in admiration.

"Every word, clear as day. The wonders of technology!"

The radio then chirped, a bit of static in it, but a gruff voice could be heard. "Clarus here. Have you identified the creature?"

The former Caelum's eyes perked up. Clarus? Where has he heard that name before?

Ah, that's right. Among the myriad of stolen memories he had absorbed from his victims, he identified Clarus as the famed Clarus Amicitia. One of the two leaders of the Crownsguard, the royal Lucian guard. He recalled the other co-leader went by the name of Eliwood. Yet he couldn't seem to remember the man's last name.

'Oh, well,' Ardyn shrugged, not caring about it. 'What do they have to say?'

A subordinate replied on the radio, "Not yet, but we believe it to be daemonic in nature."

"A daemon!?" Clarus exclaimed, completely alarmed. "But how could it possibly withstand the daylight? Why is it here now?"

'Why? Because I summoned it.' Ardyn had to stifle a laugh.

"This is Eliwood speaking," a new voice came onto the radio. "Clarus, I recognize that visage anywhere."

"You do? Who is it?" Clarus spoke in an alarmed curiosity. Even Ardyn was curious about the man's deduction of the daemon.

"It shouldn't be possible, but the creature matches exactly from the history books. One of the Six, the Infernian. Ifrit."

"An Astral!?" Clarus was very surprised.

Ardyn mused, keeping himself mute on the walkie-talkie. "Oh? It seems there are smart ones among the Lucians."

"Correct. Also, it seems that one of our own is controlling the Infernian," Eliwood continued. "As of right now, we can't get an ID on him."

"What!?" Clarus roared in pure anger. "Find out who he is at once!"

"Already on it," Eliwood confirmed. "Have the Crownsguard continue handling the Infernian, the rest of the police should be handling citizen evacuation. Everyone... Good luck."

Ardyn merely chortled. How bold of them to think that they'd be able to get out of this alive today. Honestly, he had to commend them. Even if it was just for a little.

Leaping down onto the floor, dodging Ifrit, the daemonic Infernian swinging his blade and destroying the building he was on. Once down there, he noticed a couple of Insomnian soldiers heading toward him. Considering they now know what he looks like (albeit as his disguised form) Ardyn didn't necessarily need to remain in the shadows no longer. Having already exposed himself on the broadcast screen, and the fact that he literally came here to wreak havoc, there wasn't any reason for him to hold back at all. They may be the descendants of the people he once governed, but they betrayed him. All of them.

They had to suffer.

With a wide grin, an almost crazed look on his face, he lunged forward and grabbed the face of the first Insomnian guard. Surprised by the sudden speed, the other one dropped to the floor in fear, watching as his companion struggled in vain, gripping at Ardyn's grip before he went limp. Then his body morphed and turned into that same gooey black miasma often associated with the transformation of a daemon. That same miasma then being absorbed into Ardyn's body, the man relishing in the feel as the dark veins on his skin rose up to his neck, chuckling in delight, turning his amber-eyed gaze toward the last Insomnian guard.

He shrieked, scared out of his mind as he tried to scamper to his feet. Only for the power of miasma to hold him in place, Ardyn marched forward in a menacing manner and stomped on his head, turning it into a bloody mess and pulp. To add more insult to injury (even though he's dead), Ardyn grinded his loafer on the asphalt ground.

"And to think I wished to savor their struggle," the man sighed. As much as he would love to do so, time is of the essence. He still had someone to see. "Oh, well. I suppose I can't expect a legacy such as my brother's to produce the greatest minds of the day."

Oh, right. He considered a lot of these Lucians stupid, rightfully so considering that not all of them were the brightest of minds. The taxi driver didn't even realize the missing person was technically in his car, even if that missing person was being masqueraded as someone else.

Another Insomnian guard had spotted him and attempted to take him down, only for him to be pummeled into the ground by Ardyn. Running a hand through his hair, the man pondered on what he should do next. While the battle was far from over, there was still much to be done. Should he annihilate the entirety of the Crownsguard? Or should he let them carry out the evacuation; eliminate the entirety of the Lucian population in one single spot? Choices to be made, but an underwhelming start to the carnage so far. He really hadn't done much work aside from taking a few guards down and summoning the Infernian.

Tapping his finger on his chin, he perked up when he heard another transmission come through the walkie-talkie.

"There seems to be some kind of disturbance. What's going on?"

He checked it. Silent. Nothing. He then looked in his back pocket, noticing it was something else. It was the Imperial Transceiver he received from Verstael Besithia, the mad scientist in charge of Niflheim's magitek research.

Also being part of the Imperial military, Verstael and many other men of Imperial forces were just waiting outside Insomnia's barrier. Verstael, however, was a bit of an enigmatic man, to say the least. More of a scientist rather than a military commander. A mad scientist, you could say. The one who had broken Ardyn from his prison, prospected the idea of gaining revenge on the Caelum bloodline, and the one who is heading magitek research by involving the use of daemons. It was his tactical and intelligent mind that brought forth Niflheim's military might to be as it is today, with Ardyn's knowledge and own cunning brain serving more to develop their exploits. But Ardyn was more so working with him to accomplish his own goals. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ardyn smiled as he responded to the device. "Why, whatever do you mean?"

"Fine, I will not ask," Verstael said, sighing. "Now, I need you to locate and destroy the devices amplifying the Wall."

"As you wish. Just sit back and enjoy the show."

If they were able to bring down the Wall, Ardyn could leave it all to the Imperial army to slaughter the remaining citizens. He couldn't argue with the efficiency behind that method. As much as he would like to kill them all himself, he does have a job to do.

One that took far more priority, but for now, he had to settle with playing soldier for a bit.

"Now, where in the world might those dastardly devices be...?" He thought aloud.

"I've marked the location of all the devices they're using to amplify the Wall." Verstael seemed to have thought the question was directed toward him. Soon, an aerial view of the city was displayed on the device Ardyn was holding, bright blinking red dots indicating the objectives. "They seem to be positioned on rooftops around the city. Find them and destroy them."

"With pleasure. I'll be sure to keep you abreast of my progress." Ardyn then mutes the transceiver. "No rest for the wicked."

---

Eliwood was anguished, angry at all the bloodshed that had been spilled today. Not just the lives of Lucian sons, faithfully serving the Crown, but the innocent lives that had their lives taken by the daemonic Infernian.

He cursed at the traitor controlling the fallen Astral. As soon as he would get his hands on him, he would strangle the life out of him first before plunging his blade through his chest. But he couldn't focus on that now. Eliwood used that burning passion and vigor to help assist the Crownsguard of the evacuation, leading them into the tunnels underneath the city, heading toward the subways that would lead to the underground shopping mall. It would be the safest area to get away from the ensuing chaos that was happening on the above ground right now.

"This way, everyone! Quickly! Down the stairs!" The bright red-haired man announced, waving his hand in quickened motions down toward the stairs. "Women and children are a priority! Single file line, everyone!"

While they were doing their best to usher in everyone safely, with the onslaught of people trying to rush toward the underground entrances, it was a chaotic rush hour. It was barely even able to be controlled. Far too much because of the death dealer in the distance, ever slowly making its way closer.

Eliwood grinding his teeth in agony, nearly drawing blood from the inside of his mouth. His heart was pounding, only hoping that they could reduce the casualties from here on out. Looking to a Lucian guard, nodding for him to take his place, he pulled out a walkie-talkie, placing it up to his ear.

"Clarus," he breathed through the device, "what's the situation?"

"Not good, I'm afraid," the man responded on the other side, a grave tone in his voice. "One of the Wall amplifiers has been destroyed. I'm beginning to think this is a Niff attack."

"Is that so..." Eliwood furrowed his brow, heading into an alleyway to take a short cut closer to the Citadel. "If this is a Niflheim attack, it's been coordinated well. I still find it baffling to believe that one of our own has turned traitor."

"I, as well. Turned one of our own to do their dirty work to lower our defenses. If this continues on, our final line of defense will be deployed. His Majesty won't have a choice."

"The Old Wall?" Eliwood questioned. The silence was his answer, serving it as Clarus' yes.

The Old Wall was a special line of defense for Lucis. Many towering statues of the Old Kings of Yore stood atop, as if they were watching over the entire kingdom.

That in itself was true. Inside those statues resided the very souls of the kings themselves. Should the Wall fall and the threat to Lucis be eternally great, they would be awakened from their shackles and the statues would come to life, the Old Kings of Yore returning to their land to defend it in the time of impending crisis of doom.

A very staunch system of defense, to say the least. But Clarus and Eliwood hoped it wouldn't come to that. Not now, not ever.

"Where are you headed now?" Clarus asked.

"Back to the Citadel," Eliwood responded. "Something worries me about the traitor. I feel that His Majesty may be in danger."

"I see... His Majesty isn't weak, but you aren't wrong to worry about him. I'm headed back too. What's the status of the evacuation?"

"If it truly is a Niff attack, we can most likely expect them to be outside our walls. And if that is the case, we decided to move the people into the underground shopping mall."

Clarus hummed on the other end. "...Not a bad call. Better for them to be there than on the streets."

"Indeed. I've left Cor and the others in charge of the evacuation."

"And Lyndis?"

Eliwood hurried up some steps, avoiding the oncoming debris being flung into the air by Ifrit, "With Ninian. I know she's in a safe place right now, but—"

"I understand. She's always had a frail body. In any case, I should be back at the Citadel in fifteen minutes. How about you?"

"At this rate, maybe ten or less. But the Infernian is making it harder to do so." The red-haired man grunted, seeking cover by a corner. A loud crash erupted near him, some more debris hitting a nearby building, causing a majority of the wall and floor to collapse onto the ground.

"Indeed. That Astral persisting is a major problem right now. Until we can take down that traitor, that Astral will continue to keep causing havoc and destruction."

"And if my suspicion is correct, the traitor having an ulterior motive, there's a chance that we can eliminate two birds with one stone. If he is indeed headed for His Majesty, then we have a chance to stop both him and the Astral."

"I don't doubt either of yours and His Majesty's strength, but let's hope that he never achieves his goal in the first place."

"On that, we agree, old friend."

Putting away his walkie-talkie, Eliwood hurries along the beaten and ruined sidewalk. Carefully avoiding the fires and obstructions, he continued his way toward the Citadel.

---

Ardyn hummed himself a pleasant tune, sitting upon a rooftop as he swung his finger around like was jingling a bell or something like that. He had recently destroyed another Wall amplifier device, weakening the barrier ever more so, noticing that the Imperial army outside just oozing eagerness to destroy Lucis once and for all.

However, Ardyn was much more interested in activating the Old Wall. Oh, how he wished to see that dear younger brother of his. Loathing to even speak to him, but that taste of sweet revenge dangled on the tip of his tongue.

Once the Old Wall was activated, this is the chance to get what he truly wanted. If his brother's soul was called forth, he could very well crush it. Kill it, even. With these very hands, he could outright kill Somnus!

The very thought of it pleased him so much. So much so that a newfound strength and glee began to surge him profoundly.

Continuing to leap from rooftop to rooftop, destroying another Wall amplifier in the process, he was slowly bringing the kingdom down to its collapse. Each destruction of the amplifiers was bringing him one step closer to his goal. Using the transceiver to call Verstael again, he counted his fingers to remember how much of the devices he had vanquished thus far.

"Are you there? Can you hear me?" Ardyn asked on the transceiver. "Almost done. How does it look?"

"Quite promising," Verstael said, a pleased tone in his voice. "We should be able to break through the barrier with a well-timed assault. You ought to evacuate, lest you get caught in the crossfire."

A rumbling noise was heard. Ardyn's grin widened immensely. In the distance, many large statues of the Kings of Yore awakened, letting out powerful roars as they rushed toward the Infernian. It was time.

"Yes, but there's something I must attend to first." His face contorted into a crazed expression, a grin of pure wickedness. "I've got a king to kill."

Verstael let out a shrilly yell. "What!? That wasn't part of the plan!"

"I've finished my work; now it's time to play."

"But we—"

He silenced the transmission and tossed the device. He had no need for it. The Imperial infantry could handle the rest of the destruction. Ardyn himself had a new priority. One he so desperately needed to accomplish.

"Yes," he said, crooning to himself. "It's time to play."

Doing a powerful leap, tentacles of miasma assisting him in the process, Ardyn soared across parts of the city. A pleased hum as he went, ripping banners, destroying flagpoles, and outright demolishing any loudspeakers that were in the way. All of it, trash. Rubbish. Garbage. You name it.

His earlier time was spent thinning the Crownsguard's numbers, but right now, there was hardly a single soul in sight. Aside from the ones fighting, a majority of the royal guard had escorted the citizenry down into the underground shopping mall. Though that may be all for naught once Niflheim's army broke through. He doubted the royal guard could handle those soulless machine soldiers. They themselves already had a terrifying visage to them.

"Such a mess," he said, laughing with a glee. "Whoever is going to clean it up?" 'No one.'

From this day forth, Insomnia would be nothing but a ghost town. Nothing at all to be left maintained or even support. The idea sounded so amusing in his head that he couldn't help but lick his lips in delight. Ah, how excited he was to finally see Somnus groveling onto his knees.

---

"Oh, my. What big walls you have!" Ardyn exclaimed in a cheery attitude, an almost toothy grin on his face. "All the better to look down upon his enslaved subjects from."

Ardyn had arrived at the Citadel's gates. Pushing the big iron gates, he strode through with bravado, a large ego on his head as he took a gander at the circular courtyard that also served as a cul-de-sac-like driveway. But he couldn't deny the beauty of the large walls, the intricacies of the design of the large tower that served as the castle, the many indents and engraves of gold decorations, the different designs and choices made by the architects.

Elegant slopes on the sides of the straight led down to a barren, but eloquently decorated driveway area that led down to another lower level to a lavish underground garage. But even still, it was a little disheartening to see that there was no one here. He wanted someone to eliminate before he went toe-to-toe with the king. Oh, well.

"Priorities, priorities." he said with a chuckle. "This is what you get when the men you command can't even stop to think for themselves."

He walked along the courtyard and made way to the bottom of the long steps that led up to the large double doors to the Citadel.

"Time to call in a favor with the king and have him summon my beloved brother," he sang.

Just as he was about to prance his way up the steps, he stopped. Someone had emerged through the doors, standing at the top of the steps. Regis Lucis Caelum.

Hair slicked back, a bit of a mustache and stubble that coveted his sharp features, a handsome face to accompany it. Dressed in a nice suit, an armored pauldron on his right shoulder, connected with a collared raiment, attached by a large button on his upper torso with a grey strap around his body. It was an attire fit for a young king. It truly showed off his regalness, his coveted and gentle aura as a respected king.

Ardyn had to acknowledge that. Maintaining his disguise, he tried to play it off that he was but a simple soldier on duty, hiding the fact that he had a different approach planned out for the young king.

"Something wrong, officer?" Regis asked, his tone sharp, as was his stare.

"Ah, you must be His Majesty." Ardyn bowed.

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."

But Ardyn understood Regis' implication. His tone was clear about it. I don't know, and I don't trust you.

Now that he was this close to him, Ardyn couldn't deny the cutting gaze Regis had, a powerful aura surrounding about him. The king was ready to do away with any opponent that threatened the safety of his kingdom.

"Why are you here?" The king demanded.

Even though he didn't show it, Ardyn's blood began to boil. Regis was the 113th monarch of the line of Lucis, very much evident that Somnus' blood flowed within his veins. That reason alone, being related to Somnus, was a good enough one for him to die.

"Why, for you!" Ardyn declared, discarding the disguise and showing his true form. A heavy trench coat, his crimson red hair and amber eyes illuminating evilly, translucent crimson red arms flickered around him and launched straight to Regis.

Regis' eyes flickered with anger, his own apparitional arsenal coming to light, the bright blue, see-through weapons of his Armiger appearing as they clashed with the opposing man. Although it was subtle, Regis could sense that they shared a blood heritage. Ardyn considered this a proper means to end Somnus' line. But still, he couldn't believe that this man had this ability as well.

"The Royal Arms! Who are you!?"

"You ought to know," Ardyn taunted with a cheshire grin, "being a man of royal blood yourself."

Regis's eyes widened in anger once more, "Adagium!"

To be faced with his own power, one that had been bestowed to his bloodline by the gods, was unnerving. This special power, the Armiger, created spectral weapons for his bloodline, House Caelum, to control alone. Weapons with special properties and powers that could only be controlled by himself, and trusted individuals that the king was able to impart a portion of their power to.

From what was a common soldier, now revealed to be the man known as Adagium, controlling and wielding the Arms of Kings. It was sickening to a degree. That an interloper was able to wield such a power.

But of course, Somnus had concealed the truth. Somnus had branded his own brother, Ardyn, as a monster, an unsightly being. While House Caelum was somewhat aware of the ancient truth that lies within their household line, the ancient truth had been carefully wrapped away in lies. Warped and contorted by the ego and greed of Somnus Lucis Caelum.

Ardyn's grin only widened, seeing Regis' understood expression, having drawn from the history books and memories of a monster that was once entombed on the island of Angelgard. There was nothing in the kingdom that knew the name of "Ardyn Lucis Caelum," but the name of "Adagium" was widely known throughout the royal family and those close to him. Ardyn found it ironic that Niflheim was far more closer to the truth of the ancient era than Lucis itself.

Though whether or not all of Lucis was aware of the truth, they would share and suffer the fate all the same. The idea itself brought Ardyn great satisfaction and pleasure once they understood that their end had come.

"In the flesh. Here to bring the bloodline of Lucis to an end!" He cackled.

Regis grunted, skidding back against the pavement as he steeled himself. "Hear me, Adagium! On my honor as king, I will vanquish you!"

"Oh dear. What an awful thing to say to your own flesh and blood," Ardyn said, feigning pain in his heart.

Either side of their respective Royal Arms floated by their sides, colors of red and blue beginning to fly around as the ethereal weapons clashed. Sparks of red and blue flew, distinct noises of metal clanging throughout the air, the weapons continuing to rush each other down and deflect off one another. Like a display of fireworks. Though that would soon end, both grasping swords within their hands as they responded to each other with equal strength and speed. So much so that Ardyn was deeply reminded of Somnus' own footwork and swordplay. The two of them often spared many times, to see it mirroring in Regis's moves made his blood run cold in anger ever more.

But he could see why Regis was so respected by his people in the first place. In the memories he had stolen, he could see through the soldiers' eyes of how Regis fought with valor on the battlefield, fighting alongside his soldiers on the frontlines. It's because of this kingly quality of loyalty to his subjects that he excelled more than Somnus. On that regard, he could find a more honorable end to Regis' life than his brother's.

"Such power...!" Regis gasped. He was surprised by how powerful Ardyn was, having more of a grasp to the Armiger's power than himself.

"Yes, I'm afraid that trait seems to have skipped a generation or two," Ardyn casually said.

When fighting the Royal Guard, the Crownsguard, it was nothing but a boring endeavor. It was fun and games when squashing bugs with his foot, the Crownsguard foot soldiers definitely that caliber compared to him, but even that can grow tiresome. To have a real foe, someone like Regis, was far more exciting to get his corrupted blood pumping. This fight was still exhilarating to say the least, but Ardyn had to admit, his affliction did take a bit of the danger out of it.

He could feel pain, that much was certain. But no longer was he of mortal flesh, the Starscourge having quelled that trait from him a long time ago. Now made an immortal being, the ways of killing mortal men had no effect on him. It had to be the power of a king. A king and no one else.

Regis was tenacious, but he was still a mortal. A mortal beyond compare to any other regular warrior, but he was still a mortal man compared to someone like Ardyn. His movements were lagging, Ardyn having gained the upper hand throughout their bout, he needed to grasp breath and a moment of recollection. Things weren't looking good for him so far. Should he fall, the only and final defense of the kingdom would be the Old Wall.

"This monster must be contained... He's too dangerous. He must be stopped!" He grunted.

"Must I? Really? By whom, may I ask?"

While Ardyn said that a king would be the only one to stop him, that too, was a lie. Because his body was immortal, the only damage the Royal Arms could do to him was physical. Nothing fatal at all. He could bleed all the blood that was contained within his body, that wouldn't kill him. The only thing that could kill him were the gods. But the odds for the gods to intervene in this battle was highly unlikely. And besides, it didn't matter if physical wounds were inflicted upon him. He had self-regeneration, alongside his clothes. Should the fabric be torn apart, they would quickly knit together, as do the skin cells on his flesh. Made smooth once more, whole and naked. As if a blade had never pierced or tore through the skin at all.

The same couldn't be said for Regis. Unlike Ardyn, who possessed a blessing (more so a curse out of battle), he could not regenerate. The more his flesh was nicked and cut, his strength would be sapped. Each blow and slash to his body would slow him down, leading for him to falter and stumble, his mortal body slowly reaching its limits before it would evidently collapse. And soon enough, he would die.

"What's the matter?" Ardyn taunted with a wide smile. "Can't keep up?"

The crimson red-haired man whirled around, a circle of miasma beginning to form behind the former Lucian. Whirling onto a single point on his hand, once he had lurched it forward, it would be over for the Lucian king, the power of the scourge would flow through his royal blood and he would be corrupted. Once one sure grasp was placed onto him. The thought of turning Regis into a daemon excited Ardyn.

But Regis was quicker, dodging out of the way as Ardyn only touched air. The man clicked his tongue in annoyance, the Lucian king being a more cunning man than he had thought. Conjuring a blade into his hand, he thrusts, this time, not missing. While he didn't hit a vital point, the scourge-filled man created a large gash in Regis' side, the fight being one-sided and over as Regis crashed to the ground.

"No..." Regis moaned in pain, leaning onto a sword for support as he tried to bring himself up. "I swore to protect my people..."

His other hand lay upon the fresh wound that dripped down his garb, stained with that prolific color red. Dripping onto the asphalt, Regis stared up at Ardyn with defiance, who merely chuckled in amusement. An almost pitiful display for the king to be kneeling at his feet.

"Done already? But the fun's just begun." The scourge-filled man stared up at the air, 'Do you hear, dear brother? The king of Lucis groans in agony. Do you see? Your scion is a wretch, brought to his knees in disgrace.'

Walking up to the downed king, a satisfying click to his ears as he walked, he knelt down to Regis's ear.

"Summon the Old Wall."

Regis shoots Ardyn a look of disbelief. He couldn't possibly do that. What was Ardyn planning?

Ardyn, however, was dissatisfied with Regis' resistance to the matter. He kicks the downed man in his side, not a single ounce of honor left within his bones, watching in delight as Regis's bloodied body tumbled across the courtyard. The man shouted in pain, lying face up, face contorted with strain as he tried to get himself back onto his feet to face the monster before him.

"How...do you know that?" Regis asks in a strained voice.

"I've heard the souls of kings reside within those statues," Ardyn said. "Of course, that's only hearsay. Why not summon the Wall so we can see for ourselves?"

Regis curled his hand into a fist, trying to lift himself up, only for his hand to fall limp. He had tried to summon the Armiger to stab Adagium in the back. But could not. Ardyn laughed at the man's pitiful attempt, kicking him in the side once more as he danced to Regis's groans.

"What I wouldn't give for a chance to speak with the Founder King himself!" Adagium cheered, kicking Regis in his side again. "Come out, Somnus! The longer you wait, the longer he'll suffer!"

He goes to kick at the downed king again. But a blade was flung at him, just narrowly missing his cheek. Ardyn gasped, grunted as he watched as a streak of blue light followed it, a man appearing at the steps, having warped from where the blade once was. A familiar visage of fiery red hair, angered blue eyes turning toward him as he rushed down at him.

"You! How dare you strike at His Majesty!" Eliwood cried. Ardyn grinned.

"Impressive of you to get the drop on me like that!"

"Quiet, interloper! I will strike you down!"

"Then have at thee!"

Summoning his own blade, Ardyn rushed down at Eliwood, engaging with the co-leader of the Crownsguard. Unlike Regis, who's footwork and swordplay was like a refined dance, Eliwood's swordplay was similar to that of a seasoned mercenary. Similar to a warrior of old he once fought alongside with, actually. While still proper and followed an adherent style and technique, there was a hint of brutish strength that was conveyed through each strike. It was very familiar.

He parried and blocked another quick thrust from Eliwood's longsword, the fiery red-haired man swinging his sword with vigor. Flames tickled the edges of the sharp blade, the seamed edges of Ardyn's coat nearly catching fire. Ardyn laughed, conjuring another Royal Arm from behind and flinging it in Eliwood's direction. But the man displayed a sense of vigilance and alertness, deflecting the glaive away as he leapt into the air. Fire had now engulfed his blade completely, swinging it down with sure might as he struck the ground. Adagium dodged and avoided the strike, but felt a wave of heat wash over him as a great fiery explosion emanated from the tip of Eliwood's sword, a glowing orange hue to the metal blade. There was no doubt about it.

"You... You are Roland's descendant, aren't you?"

"What!? How do you know that name!?" Eliwood's eyes widened in shock.

While people knew that House L/N and House Amicitia were ancient bloodlines that were always in service to the king, just like House Scientia, it was believed that the hero known as The Champion, Roland, had disappeared from record. Almost no trace of him was found in many of Lucis' history books and documentaries, despite House L/N existing in the flesh. Roland was a mystery, both to history and those that knew him personally.

But if there was one thing that those knew. He was a great warrior. And a proud servant of Lucis that was ready to give up his own life to protect it.

Ardyn only laughed in amusement. "You could say that we were...close friends."

"Damn you..."

Despite Eliwood being an accomplished warrior in his own right, he was no match for Adagium. Quickly, and surely, he was overwhelmed and knocked to the floor, rendered unconscious as he fought the best he could. Ardyn sighed, scraping his loafers along the asphalt as he stared up at the sky with anguish.

"Come, Somnus! You know better than to keep me waiting!"

Soon, a blinding light erupted and consumed them. Ardyn had to shield his eyes, the light burning his skin a little as he stared at the object that sat upon the unconscious king's left ring finger. The light then traced a silhouette of a man, which then turned into a human shape.

His prayers answered, a triumphant grin on Adagium's face, the Old Wall had been summoned. A towering giant clad in armor soon appeared in front of the man, a greatsword in hand, stared down at Ardyn.

The giant's voice boomed loudly, "Brother!"

"Somnus! Haven't seen you for years," Ardyn replied, his excited tone sarcastic and false. "Two thousand, in fact."

The giant said nothing. Ardyn's cheshire grin only grew.

"What's wrong, 'dear brother'? Too afraid to put down your expensive toy and face me yourself?" Ardyn sneered. Just as he did when he was alive, Somnus was acting the same way in death. No fair fights, never using his own strength. "I won't let you forget what you did to me."

"You were tainted," the giant replied, his voice continuing to boom loudly. "Unfit to sit the throne. That is why the Crystal rejected you."

Ardyn scoffed. "The Crystal. Is that who exiled me as a monster and erased me from the face of history?"

"Please, Brother. Return to the darkness from whence you came from."

"Now? But I'm having so much fun! To think I'd get the pleasure of killing you myself!"

Nothing else to say, Ardyn called upon his Armiger and fired it upon Somnus's apparition. If this was the far distant past, the parallels to the present of now were evident. Having once drawn his blade in anger before, but before then, Ardyn would have failed to kill his brother then. He would stay his hand, a mistake that would land him on being imprisoned in Angelgard in the first place.

But now, he wouldn't make that same mistake. Letting out all the pent up anger he had, Ardyn attacked the great stone legs of Somnus's apparition, then warping upward slashing at the giant's would-be armored helmet. While he wished it was flesh he was cutting, continuing to fight until his hands were numb and could go on no longer, he didn't have that luxury. He would have to settle with attacking the great stone giant instead, continuing to feed his relentless attacks of lust-filled hatred. The pain and the suffering that he had to accumulate, being launched into despair. He wanted his brother to experience the same thing.

The giant was knocked back by Ardyn's power. "This is preposterous... How could one so impure possess such power!?"

'Power from impurity?' Ardyn mused at his brother's statement. 'This strength was born of hatred. What you feel is two thousand years of longing to see you dead by my own two hands.'

"I was right to have sealed you away. You truly are a monster, Brother."

"Yes. A monster indeed."

When he was a mortal, he would have adhered to the gods' commands, willing to give up everything for the sake of his people. Yet he was betrayed. And what were the fruits of his devotion repaid with?

Inhuman power and an immortal body, bound to the feelings of hatred and spite. In a way, he had to thank his brother for granting him these tools. It is what kept him going, to live this long to fulfill and foresee his goals. But that itself wouldn't be enough, Adagium summoning the Infernian's flames, the ever powerful might of an Astral now whirring around the stone giant's lower body.

Somnus's statue cracked and groaned from the sudden heat, as if Somnus himself could feel the heat from the Infernian's strength. The Founder King couldn't do much, the combined might of the Infernian and his brother's hatred made him fall onto his knees, a charged broadsword being filled up with the miasma of darkness from the Scourge, Ardyn charged forward. Striking true at his brother's chest, the entire statue collapsed, destroyed as it was reduced to rubble.

Ardyn's laughter erupted, one of pure ecstasy as he let out everything, watching as his brother's ethereal form came out from the rubble and kneel before him. The figure was the very same appearance he last saw his brother, the one he had known two thousand years ago. Ardyn was going to salivate and enjoy this sight till the very end, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.

"At long last, 'dear brother,' vengeance is mine."

"The gods blessed you as their chosen," the ethereal Somnus spoke. "The people adored you as their savior. I was neither powerful nor popular...just envious, perhaps. I yearned desperately to be special, yet I had nothing to set me apart. Nothing at all!"

"Until you stole it from me." The hateful sneer was ever so present on Ardyn's face.

Somnus only lowered his head, "What I did to you was unforgivable, but I did it for the future of our kingdom—of our people. Our line has done everything in our power to protect our people, just as the gods bade. I was merely fulfilling my calling."

'"Our line"? I think you meant yours. You and the one hundred and twelve kings who followed,' Ardyn hatefully spat in his mind. 'I suppose you think you've done a wonderful job carrying out the gods' bidding.'

The former Caelum man remembered his lover's words. Your devotion shall not go unnoticed. The gods will doubtless be watching over you. It was he and his lover, Aera, to abide by the will of the gods. Never Somnus.

"And here I thought I was the blessed one," Ardyn spats once more, "but it was you all along."

Somnus's lips quivered, daring not to face his brother, the shame that engulfs him so. "I dare not ask for your forgiveness, but I do ask for your understanding."

Ardyn's fury then skyrockets, "What!?!?" He was angered, rightfully so. To think Somnus could apologize in order to erase the past, change everything. Pitiful. Shameful. "You took everything from me—everything—and you ask for my understanding!?"

He found it an insult. Somnus was now feeling the remorse of his past actions? To hell with him!

Ardyn attempted to grab his brother, but he only grabbed the air. His hands would phase through his brother's visage, the ethereal figure beginning to wane and dissipate. Soon enough, the spirit disappeared, as did the statue.

"I pray your soul finds repose, Brother."

'Repose? Repose!? How dare he proffer such garbage!' Ardyn angrily thought. 'He was the one to cause all this!'

But after all said and done, Ardyn felt nothing but an empty void within his chest. He had fallen onto his knees, unsure of what to do now.

The death of Somnus, the death of his brother... That was supposed to be his answer. The answer to all the craving he had felt all those centuries he spent in solitude. Even after toppling over him, destroying the stone puppet he had inhabited, Ardyn didn't feel a hint of joy.

The only thing left was an unbearable emptiness in his heart. He looked up at the sky.

'Why? This wasn't the ending I imagined to my tale of vengeance.'

[Prologue] | Adagium