~Zodia's POV~

As my vision cleared and felt a wave of pain pass through my body, I heard the sound of my outfit being ripped at the hips and chest. I quickly reacted and held my clothes tightly to my body, my cheeks growing red with embarrassment. "C-Can I get a new change of clothes?"

"I'll be right back!" Prompto shouts, running out of the garage.

"Welcome back, shortcake," Gladio snickers.

"I may haven't been able to speak or move, but I was able to see and hear. I accept your apology, Gladio. And Iggy-" I glance at my fiancé. "Don't chastise yourself ever again. You've done nothing wrong. Ever since I met you, you've protected me and haven't failed once."

I watched as a wave of relief washed through his body. In the next second, he had closed the distance between us and brought me into a tight embrace. Luckily, his body shielded mine the moment my clothes fell from my body. Completely embarrassed, I latched onto Ignis and buried my face into his lean chest. "I-Iggy, do not move."

He picked up on my meek tone and knew exactly what I was referring to. He pulled me flush against his body, stroking my midnight locks and tugging lightly at the snowy strands I still adorned. "I had no intention of letting go."

"Good, because the moment you move, I'll be only in my under garments."

"That, I cannot allow," he chuckles lightly.

Just then, Prompto ran in with a new outfit in his hands. "Cindy said Iris left this behind. It should fit you."

"Thank you, Prompto."

The blonde handed the clothes to Ignis, which signaled the others to leave. Leo vanished back into the charm as Gladio exited the garage. Turning his head away, the tactician pulled away and handed me the clothes. Keeping his back to me, I discarded my ripped clothes and changed into the new outfit.

"Much better," I sigh joyously as I finished changing. Ignis turned back around and took my hand in his, guiding me out of the garage and to the others. Inside Takka's, the four were waiting for us. "Ten long years, huh?"

"Sorry for the wait, Sis," Noctis apologizes.

Shaking my head, I deny his words. "No need for apologies. You're here now. That's all that matters." Then my gaze fell onto Talcott, the boy smiling with a few tears in his eyes. "I enjoyed being taller than at least one person I knew. Now, I'm the shortest again." The boy gave me a hug, his form now looming over me.

"You saw everything?" Gladio asked.

"Yes, and heard every word."

"I've been wanting to ask this question for years: how did you know where I was and that I was hurt?" Prompto ponders.

"Ah, that. When I saw you leave the charms behind, I wanted to yell at you for being so careless. I was able to use a small incantation that allowed me to astral project for awhile. I followed you to the Vesperpool and watched as you tried to take on a horde of mindflayers by yourself. When I intervened, you had already been hurt. I was only able to use a minor healing spell on your wounds, which sealed them. Sadly, you had lost a lot of blood and lost consciousness."

"And you found us so we could help him," Gladio adds.

"Yes, it was coincidental that you and Ignis were in the same area. Never expected I'd have to save you both, as well."

"You are the vindication of our survival," Ignis states.

"I thought my heart would stop when I saw how close that Naga was." I placed a hand over my heart, remembering how frightened I was.

"Killed 'em all with a single spell, ya show off," Gladio chuckles.

"Quick and efficient. That's how I work." I sat on a wooden crate with my legs crossed. Noctis sat next to me while Ignis stood to my left, his hands resting on the crate behind him.

"Hey, Zodia, Your birthday's in two days. Remember our promise?" Talcott asked.

"How could I forget? I hope we have some ingredients for a cake."

We continued talking and the boys had plenty of questions. I gladly answered each one and explained how my body was able to catch up with my age thanks to the zodiac blood. After another hour of chatting, Talcott had to head to Lestallum. "I'm gonna tell Iris and Lady Lunafreya of Noctis' and Zodia's return."

"Could you thank Luna for me? She always brought lovely flowers for me," I said.

"She'll be more than grateful. I'll see you all soon!" Talcott waves farewell with a smile.

After the boy was gone, I smiled at Noctis. "I can't believe you remembered my birthday after being trapped inside the Crystal for ten years."

He shrugs. "You need to thank Talcott. I had no clue what year or day it was."

"We've got more important things to do than celebrate my birthday. You, my dearest brother, have a throne to reclaim." I poke Noctis on the nose lightly.

"We shall rest for now," Ignis said.

"Yeah, we're gonna need our strength. Who knows what will be inside the city," Prompto states.

"We'll depart for the Crown City once all is dealt with," Ignis announces. Prompto and Gladio nod, leaving the diner to head to the caravan to get some rest. Noctis exited the diner not far behind, following his shield and best friend. Now, it was only me and Ignis. We moved to a nearby booth and sat next to each other. "When all of this is over, Noctis is going to need you more than ever, Ignis."

The strategists must've heard my sorrowful tone. I couldn't meet his gaze as my eyes were downcast. "Why such a sorrowful thought, my dear?"

"I... I know he will need a shoulder to cry on once the light returns."

"You reverberate as if you will evaporate from this world."

"Promise me, Ignis... Promise me you'll watch over him."

His emerald eyes bore into my heterochromia ones. After a long pause, he gently took my hand and entwined our fingers. "I will."

I leaned against his shoulder, closing my eyes and letting slumber clutch me in its grasp.

~3rd Person POV~

A couple of hours later-Noctis, Prompto, and Gladio woke up and headed back to the diner in search of Ignis and Zodia. Entering the building, they found the couple had fallen asleep while still holding hands. Zodia's head rested on Ignis' shoulder while his own head rested upon hers. The trio smiled at the sight, Prompto wishing he had his camera.

"Should we wake 'em?" Gladio asked in a whisper.

"No, not yet. Let's go change and then we will," Noctis responds.

Prompto and Gladio change into their Kingsglaive garbs while Noctis exchanges his Prince's fatigues for his Kingly Raiment. Adjusting to their new looks, Gladio decided to rouse the royal advisor and princess from their slumber. The two woke up easily and saw everyone was changed. "Once you're finished changing, Iggy, we'll be departing," Gladio informs.

Ignis nods and releases Zodia's hand to go change. The princess gets up from the booth and stretches her arms and legs. "I'm kinda jealous," she giggles.

"You still look amazing, Zo," Prompto comments.

She smiles softly. "Thank you, Prom."

Ignis returns to the group and they head to the gates. Zodia gazes out into the darkness with determination. "Let's go get our home back."

-Insomnia-

Walking into the city of ruins, the five stop in their tracks. "Home, sweet home," Gladio comments.

"Yeah, at long last," Prompto sighs.

"What we've been waiting for..." Ignis breathes deeply.

"Sure is."

"Next stop: the Citadel," the shield said.

Noctis nods. "Yeah." He walked over to Zodia with the Ring of the Lucii in his hand. The princess was bewildered at his actions as he placed the ring in her palm. "Do you think you can use the ring one last time?"

"You... You want me to call upon the zodiac blood?"

Noctis stares into his sister's eyes. "For the sake of our home."

Zodia stares down at the ring and clutches it tightly. "I will, Noctis." He smiles gingerly and thanks his sister.

On the streets of Insomnia, the group runs into countless of daemons. Their first biggest obstacle was a behemoth prowling the streets as if it were a guard dog. "This is it-give it your all, guys!" Noctis shouts, summoning his father's blade.

"Yeah." Gladio swung his greatsword around with precision.

"You got it!" Prompto chants.

"With pleasure," Ignis beams.

"Nothing will stop us." Zodia casted a powerful spell, blinding the behemoth. The creature fell on its side, allowing them to attack it in its vulnerable state. The boys' attacks were enhanced as the princess casted another incantation. Slaying the beast, the royal retinue was able to relax. "We haven't fought together like this in ages," Gladio comments with a smile.

"Really takes you back, doesn't it?" Noctis smiles.

"We may have struggled before, but now nothing can stand in our way!" Prompto cheers.

When entering the courtyard in front of the Citadel, Ardyn grinned maliciously at the band of Lucians. "Ifrit, the Infernian. He doesn't share the Glacian's fondness for mankind. But you can expect a... warm welcome. I shall await you... above." The chancellor vanished as Ifrit appeared before the group and stopped them in their tracks.

Noctis summoned Bahamut to aid him. As the Draconian targeted the corrupted Astral, the prince turned to face his sister. "Zodia, the ring!"

The princess takes the Ring of the Lucii and slides it onto her finger. Drowned in a brilliant light, Ifrit was stunned for a few seconds, allowing Bahamut to strike. As the light evaporated, Zodia's cladded in the Armor of Andromeda and wielding the Blade of Orion.

Noctis, Prompto, and Gladio were stunned at the sight. Ignis, on the other hand, had already witnessed her transformation in Altissia. Zodia's hair was now snowy white as her eyes were now tinted with a gleaming gold. She raised the blade, standing beside her brother as they waited. As the Draconian assisted them, it wasn't enough to slay Ifrit alone. "So even that wasn't enough?" Gladio groans in annoyance.

"It's taken a turn for the worse," Ignis states, taking a stand next to his fiancée.

"Out of the frying pan, dot, dot, dot?" Prompto murmurs.

"We need to put this thing out!" Noctis declares.

"While I keep Ifrit busy, you'll need to summon Shiva, Noctis. She'll be more helpful than any other Astral at this moment," Zodia informs her brother. Then, she faces the others. "Do not call upon the zodiacs. They will be needing all their strength later to assist you."

"You talk like you know what's gonna happen," Gladio points out. Without another word, the princess left no room for argument as she charged at the Infernian. The men watched as she was able to push the Astral back and away from them so they wouldn't be in danger. Ifrit tried to swat her away like a fly but failed as she dodged his hands easily. Giving his full attention to Zodia, Ifrit had failed in remembering the others. Noctis took the chance and summoned the Glacian to help aid him, his friends, and sister in this endeavor.

Zodia lodged the Blade of Orion into the Infernian's chest, causing the Astral to crash to his knees. She jumped back and away from the god as a bone chilling coldness consumed her surroundings. Shiva appeared next to her, placing a frigid hand on her armor cladded shoulder before sending her a smile and directing her attention to Ifrit.

The princess rejoined the group as the Glacian dealt the final blow to the Infernian. With the Astral no longer an obstacle obscuring their path, Noctis took a few steps away from the group as Shiva went to his side. "O Chosen King of the Stone, restore the Light to this world." With those final words, the Glacian vanished.

Noctis returned to his friends and sister, the blonde questioning him. "What did she say?"

"Told me to bring back the Light."

"That's our next stop," Gladio said.

"And our final one to get our home back," Zodia adds.

Ignis nods in agreement. "On we go."