Rating: Teen/PG-13 Characters: Luche Lazarus, Tredd Furia, Nyx Ulric, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, Libertus Ostium, Axis Arra, Sonitus Bellum Summary: The Kingsglaive have been betrayed at every turn. First, by the city that took them in and immediately spurned them. Second, by a king who broke faith with them. Third, by the Empire they allied with in desperation. Fourth, by their own captain. Now Luche Lazarus is on a mission to deliver the Ring of the Lucii to Noctis, but there's one small problem: he no longer has it. His search takes him all over Lucis, in the wake of Nyx Ulric, Libertus Ostium, and the Oracle herself, and nets him the curious sympathy of the Imperial Chancellor....

behind it all (there's a price to be paid)

.i libertus ostium

It takes three hours to get from the new checkpoint to the Hammerhead garage in Leide. The Oracle— Lady Lunafreya— sleeps curled in Libertus’ lap, her head on his shoulder.

He’s surprisingly comfortable with royalty cradled against his chest. Maybe their desperate battle against the cap— Glauca, Glauca, General fucking Glauca— eroded whatever barrier might exist between two Galahdan refugees and the light of hope for the world, as the radio broadcasts call her.

Radio broadcasts.

He reaches over and flicks the radio on.

"...terms have been suspended in light of recent developments," the announcer says. "Moreover, in the wake of the news of King Regis' death, we've now received word that Crown Prince Noctis and the Oracle Lunafreya have also been pronounced dead."

Libertus exchanges a look with Nyx, then looks down at the Oracle asleep in his lap. "Guess the Niffs don't know his Highness left the City," he says.

"They know," Nyx says darkly. "Don't forget who's been feeding them info all this time."

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