~Zodia's POV~

When I asked Ignis how long we've been in Costlemark Tower, he told me four hours. I groaned in disbelief at the amount of time we've been here and how deep we've traveled.

The shadows grew more sinister as we descended a spiral walkway into a large room with strange rock formations near intricately designed cubes. The first observation I made of the strange structures was the number of columns.

"Guess we should go in order," I said.

Noctis eyes the stone square once we stand atop it. "I don't like this..."

"I don't think any of us like this," I correct. Kneeling near the center of the cube, I spot what seems to be a tiny switch within one of the grooves carved into the cube's surface. When I flipped it, the cube started to descend into the ground.

Prompto stood next to me, peering over my shoulder. "What'd you do?"

I got to my feet and met his gaze. "Just pulled a small switch."

When the cube ceased moving, Noctis pulled the same switch. The device clicked once again, moving us further underground. The process of flipping the switch became a habit as we carved a path through the labyrinth. Daemons appeared after clearing the first puzzle as we entered an vast, open room. Though a Red Giant was present among the Gelatins and Ereshkigals, it proved to be no major feat in the long run. Moving to another cube, the strange structure carried us to the room we started in.

"Now, for the second one," Ignis comments. We head over to the next cube and repeat the same task until we end up in the same room again with two Red Giants and the normal smaller daemons. "You've got to be kiddin' me..." Gladio groans.

"My magic doesn't deal much damage on them. I'll concentrate on healing and attack the smaller daemons. Noct, the royal arms are the most effective on Red Giants. Use them, but do not wear yourself out. You know your limits. Do not push them."

"Understood, Sis."

Ignis agreed with my strategy, helping Noctis and Gladio with the Red Giants. Prompto stood back with me and assisted in killing the lesser daemons. I casted a spell on Prompto, allowing him to use elemental bullets. He fired a lightning one, frying the Gelatin to a singe in one hit. "So cool~! You should use that spell more often!" He chants.

I smile with laughter at him. "I'll keep that in mind."

With the daemons finally vanquished, we headed back to the upper floor to descend with the third cube. This time, we had to choose either to go straight or diverge to the right. Noctis was about to touch the right switch, but I nimbly grabbed him and pushed the switch to go straight.

"What was that for?" Noctis asked in bewilderment.

"You didn't hear the Naga?" I answer his question with one of my own. He shook his head and so did Prompto and Gladio.

"You're the only one who heard it, Princess," Gladio replied.

I glared at him for the use of the nickname before proceeding forward. "It was crying. I heard it and a few Red Giants. If we would've gone that way, I'm positive we would've ended up in that horrid room again with not only Red Giants, but a Naga as well."

Ignis stood next to me, trying to hear if I was correct. After a few minutes of silence, he glances at me. "It is, indeed, a Naga."

I praised the gods that I hadn't gone crazy and started hearing things inside my head. Prompto wiped away a bead of sweat at Ignis' words. "Glad we didn't go down that way. I hate those things!"

With another choice behind us, our path was a straight shot. Instead of ending up in the same room, we were guided to a new area. When a room with light leaking from the doorway caught or eyes, so did the growl of a monster. I froze in my tracks, recognizing the deep growl. "Jabberwock."

"Great..." Noctis gripes.

"Which means..." Gladio started.

"That the royal arm is nearby and the ruins!" Prompto finished.

"Be cautious. This is a foe we have yet to face," Ignis warns.

"The beast is weak to ice spells, polearms, and machinery. And..." Turning to face Noctis, I continued. "Watch out when close to its mouth. Jabberwocks have the ability to petrify any thing or one."

"Why're you looking at me like that?"

"Because you're the most careless one here. Remember when-"

"Yeah, yeah. I understand. No need to bring up the past," Noctis mumbles. I pat him on the shoulder with a smile before sneaking into the room with the others. We hid behind what seemed to be test tubes. The room resembled an abandoned lab of sorts. I fiddled with my charms until I skimmed over Pisces'. "I'll summon Pisces to aide us. He's bound to know a few ice spells much powerful than my own."

"We will need all the help we can convene," Ignis whispered.

I call upon the twelfth zodiac in a hushed voice.

"Pisces, are you able to use ice magic?" I ask quietly.

"Yes. How may I aide you?"

"A Jabberwock. We'll be needing your ice magic to help weaken it."

Pisces bows, summons his trident, and waits for our assault on the beast. At our ready, I signaled the zodiac and Pisces was able to use a powerful ice spell to freeze the Jabberwock. As the battle dragged on, I realized Noctis and Ignis had taken my strategy to heart. The tactician was using his javelin while my brother used the royal arms.

The Jabberwock let out a deafening roar, charging at me and Prompto. I grabbed the blonde and yanked him towards me. Casting a protective barrier around us, I watch as the monster collides into the forcefield and falls onto its side. Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis take the advantage while Pisces delivers another powerful ice spell. Dispelling the barrier, I allow Prompto to use elemental bullets like earlier, but he kept using the ice ones because of what I had said.

The Jabberwock broke from its frozen prison and swept its tail at us. We all dodged the attack but lost our footing from the powerful gust that accompanied it. Pisces was able to stand his ground without moving an inch. He aimed his trident at one of the monster's back legs. A strong current of water sharp as a blade cuts through the Jabberwock's appendage, causing the limb to fall off. Now, being unable to stand, the beast crashes to the ground with a loud cry of pain before we rain heavy attacks on it.

Due to blood loss from a missing leg and our heavy strikes, the Jabberwock is finally slain. Once its body vanishes, the royal arm we've been searching for lays upon the floor before us. As Noctis claimed its power, I turned to Pisces and thanked him. He smiled in return and told me to search behind the farthest test tube from the entrance. Running to where he told me, I peered behind the glass tube to spot the entrance of the ruins.

A green light greeted me when I opened the stone door. The only other zodiac I have yet to visit who's element is earth is Virgo. This must be where she resides. Reaching the inner chamber, I place my hand on the pulsating orb to awaken Virgo. Seconds flew by and the orb vanishes to be replaced with Virgo herself.

"You are as beautiful as the other zodiacs have described you to be," She smiles warmly.

"I do not compare to your own beauty, Virgo."

She giggles lightly before folding her wings behind her back. "Zodia, you are much more beautiful in spirit and appearance than I will ever be. Pisces was right. Your heart is pure and brimming with love. I'm envious of you."

"Thank you. But, I wouldn't be here without the blood of the zodiacs. You all are the reason why I'm able to love and live my life."

"I heard from Libra of your capture. It broke my heart to know such a thing happened to you. Now that it is in the past, how may I aide you?"

"I'm hoping you will aide me in my brother's ascension."

Virgo gently took my hands in hers before kissing me on the forehead. "In any way I can."

I smile up at the sixth zodiac and thank her. She giggles once more before she leaves me with her charm.

It was home with my other charms and I left the ruins. Back in the strange lab, I noticed Pisces was gone and the others were waiting for me.

"Ready to depart?" Ignis asked me. I nod with a closed-eye smile.

Everyone was more than happy to leave Costlemark Tower behind. It took us another few hours to backtrack to the entrance, but we ran into one problem-it was blocked off.

I glance at Ignis in hopes this wasn't true. "Don't tell me it's morning."

Noctis pulls out his phone, sighing when he sees what time it is. "It's twelve... in the afternoon."

"We have to wait until nighttime?!" Prompto shouts in disbelief. Ignis nods reluctantly as Gladio mumbles incoherently to himself. I leaned against a nearby wall and slid to my knees in incredulity. We would have to spend eight more hours in this hellish place until nighttime. I lean my head back, resting it against the stone wall. Noctis and Prompto were pacing like caged animals as Gladio tried to calm them down. Ignis, on the other hand, was completely calm and collected. He sat next to me, taking one of my hands in his and stroking my knuckles with his thumb.

Suddenly, I felt something trickling from my nose. I wipe away what the substance was and saw it was blood. I felt my body instantly grow weak. With a feeble voice, I call out to the man beside. "Ignis..." Just as his name escapes my lips, I felt his arms around me and the world around me was engulfed in darkness.

<-----<<<<<

When I was able to open my eyes, I gasped at seeing my surroundings.

The scenery was breathtaking and radiating with life. Though unfamiliar, I felt as if I was being wrapped in a warm and familiar embrace. Looking towards the sky, I realized where I was when I spotted Eos in the distance with myriads of stars dancing in the twilight sky.

"The Celestial Court. I've never been to this part." I dipped a hand into the sapphire river, the water flowing through my fingers with a cold and refreshing sensation.

"Ah, there you are."

I turn when I hear someone behind me. Virgo stood only a few feet away. She smiled sweetly before explaining why I am here. "I apologize for the sudden summons, especially after we have just met."

"No, don't apologize. It must be important if you needed me after only meeting a few hours ago."

"The situation is, indeed, dire. Please, I will take you somewhere more comfortable."

Virgo leads me away from the beautiful waterfall and river to take me deeper into the Celestial Court. We said no words to each other as we came upon a stone bridge leading to a gleaming palace.

Entering the grand palace, I recognize the other zodiacs I have awoken. Even though Libra and Aries had helmets over their head and blocking their expressions, I could tell the two were smiling along with the others.

"As beautiful as ever, Daughter," Libra greets.

I smile with a faint blush before mumbling a small "thank you" to the seventh zodiac. Pisces took a step forward with a serious expression as he greeted me. "I am deeply sorry for summoning you after a weary battle, but I must warn you of the troubles ahead, waiting for you in Altissia."

"Altissia? We were planning on leaving next week on my father's boat at Cape Caem. What's to unfold in the city that needed dire attention on my part?" I ask.

Capricorn took a few steps forward to stand beside Pisces. "It involves the Oracle and... your lover."

My eyes widen at the answer I received. "What will happen?"

"The Oracle will not survive the Tidemother's hellish rampage. A man by the name of 'Ardyn' will intervene and kill the young woman. As with your lover, you must keep him away from the Ring of Lucii. He will use it to protect you and the chosen King of Lucis. We ask of you to take the ring the moment it is presented to keep it away from him. Put it on, and you will be able to access the Celestial Armor. With our blood flowing through your veins, you will be able to wield the Blade of Orion and wear the Armor of Andromeda."

"If Ignis were to use the ring, what would happen?"

Virgo flew in front of me before sadly glancing at me. "The extent of damage the Ring of Lucii can cause on a person who is not of the Lucis bloodline could result in a fatal injury or damage that is irreversible."

"Keep Ignis away from the ring, save Lunafreya, and use the ring so I have access to the power of the Celestial Armor. That... sounds like a lot to accomplish."

Pisces chuckles lightly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Remember, you will not be alone. Also, with the help of the ring, astral projection will become much easier."

"So, that's what it's called when I leave my body."

"Yes, astral projection is an out-of-body experience, which is what you are having as we speak. Now, we must send you back. The others have become frantic and weary of your sudden departure," Aries said. Taurus and Libra nod in agreement and I say my farewells to each zodiac. With a blinding light, I left the Celestial Court.