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Noctiss Awakening

  Again two months ago, in Eclipse City inside Selemare's temple. A young temple hand was wiping the prayer hall alone. He held a rag and bucket and knelt on the floor wiping the stone clean. For hours he scrubbed the prayer hall never once stopping or complaining.

  The boy's name was Noctis, he was an orphan left at Selemare's temple as a baby. He wore a calm, serene expression seemingly at peace. The sun's rays shone through the temple's stained glass windows painting a serene picture.

  Guests began filling the prayer hall, each taking their seats before Selemare's statue. One particular lady had her eyes locked on Noctis, her eyes filled with desire. Her name was Madame Lestra, she was a local noble lady with peculiar tastes. Recently she had become infatuated with Noctis, coming to the temple several times a week just to watch him.

  Her obsession with her 'moon prince', as she called him, was reaching dangerous levels. She licked her lips in anticipation, she had plotted to kidnap Noctis. Hiring a mercenary to break into Selemare's temple tonight.

  Her gaze held a barely restrained lust that threatened to consume the poor temple hand. Noctis noticed her gaze after a few minutes of her staring, a chill running down his back. Turning toward her, he frowned a little then turned away from the large woman.

  He returned to his duties as the sermon began. By the time it was over, Lestra had already left the temple bored to death. Noctis returned to his quarters for the day after once again cleaning the prayer hall. He shared a room with four other temple hands, some as young as him others much older.

  That night Noctis couldn't sleep, he couldn't help but have a bad feeling that wouldn't go away. In the end he decided to clear his mind outside, turning to leave his quarters. Stepping outside, he saw the waning moon in the sky. It's silver light coming down on him.

  Noctis paused in the middle of a courtyard, staring up at the moon. Suddenly he felt a presence beyond the courtyard's walls. Before he could even think about it, he had jumoed to the side. Landing where he had just been standing was a masked man.

  "Who are you? How dare you intrude on Selemare's temple?"

  Noctis wore a frown on his face, more angry at the man for intruding into the temple rather than his attack on him.

  The man laughed at his question, not interested in talking.

  "You don't need to worry about who I am. Just shut up and don't resist."

  The second his words fell he was already shooting toward Noctis. In seconds the man had subdued Noctis, putting a rag over his mouth. A couple seconds later Noctis fell unconscious, the man hoisted him up to his shoulder andcarried the boy away.

  He left the temple behind, running towards a carriage parked a few blocks away. Stepping into the carriage he threw Noctis on a seat, and took the opposite one. The carriage began moving as soon as they got on. It wasn't long before they were at Lestra's mansion.

  The masked mercenary carried Noctis up to the madam's room. Stepping inside, a faint smoke filled her bedroom. The smell indicated it was some sort of drug, it's contents unknown to the man. He put a hand to his nose and tossed Noctis on fhe floor.

  "Here's your boy. Now give me the money Lestra."

  Lestra's eyes were glued to Noctis, disregarding the obvious disrespect. She reached for a bag of couns and tossed it ag the masked man.

  "Here, now leave at once. I have private matters to attend to."

  The man rolled his eyes and sarcastically bowed.

  "Of course Madam. I'll be on my way."

  Stepping outside he opened the bag to find a strong golden glow. A smirk creeped up on his lips, and he closed the bag. Hurrying out of the mansion he looked back.

  'Gotta feel bad for that kid. Gods know what 'private matters' she has planned for him.'

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Back in the smoke filled room, Noctis was stirring awake. Looking up he was stunned to see Lestra sitting there, a pipe in her hand and a lecherous smile on her face. Quickly he backed away but soon he hit the wall. Lestra's smile only widened at his attempt to run.

  "Noctis, my moon prince, you're awake. Don't worry, I would never hurt you. You are safe here."

  She stood up starting to walk towards the sitting Noctis. He also stood up, looking around the room frantically. Not too far from him was a fire place, a steel poker sticking out of it. Without hesitation he reached for it and pointed the sharp end at the incoming noble lady.

  "Back away. I don't care what you want with me, I am leaving. Let me out of here so I can go back to the temple, I won't hesitate to kill you if you don't."

  Noctis spoke in a cold voice, his eyes cold. Silver light sparked in his eyes, his hair turning completely silver too. Lestra looked on as this change happened, her expression becoming even more deranged.

  "I knew it! You were my moon prince! I'll take care you Noctis! You have to stay here forever!"

  Her voice rose and rose, becoming deranged screaming as she went on. Noctis looked visibly disgusted watching her break down. He stepped into the moonlight pouring through the window.

  Raising the steel poker, he rushed forward. Although he had never fought before, someone of Lestra's size was easy to strike. The steel poker stabbed into her abdomen, a pained expression appearing on her face.

  She backed away a little, putting a hand to her bleeding wound. Looking at the blood she became enraged.

  "How dare you?! You're trash! Not worthy of me! I was going to help you! And you stab me?!"

  Lestra went over toher nightstand, opening the drawer she pulled out a flintlock pistol. It's quality was bad, clearly a prototype or a knock off. She waved the gun around threateningly.

  "I'll kill you! You're going to regret this disrespect!"

  Noctis watched as she pointed her weapon at him, not entirely sure what if was. Suddenly she squeezed the trigger, a loud boom echoed in the smoke filled room. Noctis's eyes widened and as moonlight engulfed him, tume began to slow down.

  His Divinity called out to him, and a serene calm overtook him. He drew out his Divinity's power and as the bullet apprached reached his hand out. With an elegant motion, in the blink of an eye he not only parried but redirected the bullet with his bare hand, shooting it back at Lestra.

  Her neck sprayed with blood and she fell to the floor the next second. Noctis's hands trembled as he watched the woman die, he had never taken a life before. He had no time to process what had happened before armored men barged into the room.

  They were paladins of Selemare, the guard of the temple. Looking at the silver haired boy, their eyes widened and they hurriedly took him back to the temple. A few paladins were left behind to investigate the room. Noctis tried asking what was going on but the only reply he got was "You'll know when we reach the temple".

  After a short carriage ride back Noctis was at the temple like nothing had ever happened. Only it had happened, and the people at the temple were treating him differently than before.

  The paladins led him straight to the prayer hall. Noctis was confused and about to start cleaning as usual when a voice interrupted him.

  "What are you doing Noctis? You must pray, go ahead kneel before Selemare."

  The man was Selemare's High Priest, a man that commanded great respect. As a former paladin, his body was well built but hiseyes were kind and gentle. Salt and pepper hair covered his head and a sleek beard covered his face.

  Noctis wore a confused expression, his head tilted as he asked.

  "... You want me to pray?"

  Everyone in the room nodded at the exact same time.

  "Alright, sure."

  Turning towards Selemare's statue, he walked forward to kneel just before its feet. A whispered prayer escaped his lips.

  "Selemare. Goddess of The Moon, Keeper of The Night and Weaver of Dreams. Noctis, your humble servant, prays to you for answers. Strange things have happened tonight, your Divine guidance is my salvation."

  As his whispers echoed through the hall the moonlight visibly brightened. It engulfed the silver haired Noctis, and the next thing he knew he found himself in a white palace floating inside a void.

  A beautiful woman stood in front of him, a smile visible on Her face. She wore a dark dress and had the same silver hair as Noctis.

  "Noctis, my son. Come closer, I haven't seen you since your birth. Let your mother take a look at your face."

  Noctis stood dumbfounded but followed Her direction. Stepping closer to Selemare he was weapped in a hug. A warmth that he had never felt before filled his body and a question escaped his lips.

  "...Mother?"

  Selemare stepped back and nodded with a smile.

  "Yes, I am your mother. I'm sorry I had to leave you behind, but mortals cannot be in Divine presence directly. I hope you didn't suffer much in my temple. I thought it the best place for you."

  Noctis stood silent, absorbing fhe information. He didn't speak for a while before looking up at his mother.

  "I didn't suffer. My life was blissfull under your temple. I never went hungry, and I had a roof over my head. What is there to complain about?"

  Selemare nodded, a sigh of relief escaping Her lips.

  "Good, I have a lot to tell you. But we don't have much time so I'll say this. The world is dangerous Noctis, harden yourself and learn to fight well. It won't be long before conflicts begin to spread, you must be prepared."

  Noctis nodded at her words, hardening his resolve. It was then that the palace vanished from his view and he found himself back in the temple. Looking around people were kneeling before him, from paladins to priests and even the High Priest.

  "Noctis, Son of Selemare. We are at your service."

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