#area mirus fleuret

[happy-orc]

Justa lil picture of Ardyn and Aera in the modern day, chillin in a forest. It was my piece for the @ffxvreversebang2024 and @ladykittenfair wrote a beautiful story to go with it! https://archiveofourown.org/works/54212782/chapters/137278342

[ladykf-writes]

Ardyn’s Kingship and Somnus’ Rulership: an Exploration of FFXV Lore and Etymology

This was not the meta I expected to be dishing out today but here we are. Buckle in folks, this might not be what canon intended, but it is indeed what just exploded from my brain.

(If it’s not clear or you have questions, please come ask me!)

FACT: Aera tells Somnus that Ardyn was to be king

FACT: Ifrit provides the same information to Ardyn

FACT: The Crystal rejects Ardyn as the one who is to be the Founder King of Lucis

Bad storytelling, or is there something more here? A common theory -one I’ve worked with myself- is that the Six are not in fact omniscient and chose Ardyn as their king without consulting the Spirit of Eos, represented by the Crystal, which either chose Somnus from the start or rejected Ardyn because of his corruption by the Starscourge and then chose Somnus as the next best thing. I tend to believe it chose Somnus from the start, because Ardyn gained that taint doing what he was supposed to be doing - curing people.

So, it could be that simple, Ardyn was the Astral’s Chosen, Somnus was Eos’ - but I would like to propose something different, and it hinges around three more facts.

FACT: Aera and Ardyn were engaged to be wed

FACT: Ardyn is Somnus’ older brother

FACT: The word “King” has some very interesting etymology

Let’s get nerdy, folks.

The word “King” comes from a contraction of the Old English word cyning meaning “king or ruler” - the source for all this is HERE if you’re interested, but I’ll be hitting the high points - so far, this isn’t a surprise. But here’s where it gets interesting because cyning doesn’t actually have clear origins. But the best guess currently is that it  is at least related to cynn - another Old English word meaning “family or race” that, as you might’ve guessed, led to the modern word kin.

Now, assuming they’re related this means one of two things might be true - that “king” was either "a leader of the people" or "of noble birth.”

The second of those, we’re going to discard. One, because there was no King in the area prior to Somnus founding Lucis and so it would have been... difficult for Ardyn and Somnus to be of noble birth. The first one though... a king as a leader of the people... could that be?

There’s a lot of Ancient Roman vibes in what little we see of Ardyn and Somnus’ era, but enough that it feels reasonable to build from that. While not of noble birth as we think of it (though likely privileged) Ardyn was the older brother. Whatever their family did have, he was set to inherit and Somnus likely would have struck out on his own.

To be more clear here: Ardyn was the next leader of House Caelum. He was born to lead the family, and Somnus was to go out and establish, not only his own lineage, but a kingdom. This would not conflict with Ardyn, however, because Ardyn was also set to marry Aera Mirus Fleuret of Tenebrae which  would have gone one of two ways: either the Fleurets were established as matriarchal even then, making him the Prince Consort to her Queen - or whatever equivalent terms they had in Tenebrae for “male married to the female ruler” - Or. Or he would have been King, which... well, I do have theories that suggest he could have been back then. If he was King of Tenebrae, though, that would certainly put him more as Somnus’ peer than necessarily competition.

Regardless, Ardyn remains the father of a very important lineage, and not just because they are the rulers of Tenebrae. Remember, there were two tasks given by the gods: 1) create a new nation 2) cleanse the world of Starscourge.

Establishing a nation seemed to go smoothly enough for Somnus to have succeeded - how much moreso without strained relations with Tenebrae at the start? But curing a WORLD of Starscourge? Two people even in a lifetime cannot possibly manage.

But if two people of exceptional magic, capable of passing it down through blood, had children.... say they had two. And their two children had two children. Etc etc. You’d have had over a thousand in the eighth generation, assuming no one had more than two at a time. And that’s not accumulative - the eighth generation alone would have over a thousand people capable of healing Starscourge, a solid 500 and some change in their parents in addition. Things weren’t dire until Noctis’ time as the one hundred and fourteenth.

They could have done it. Not without cost, no, but together, Ardyn and Aera’s family could have healed the world.

To make brief acknowledgment of the attempted Biblical themes in FFXV, I think it would be closer to the truth to say that he wasn’t meant to be Eos’ Jesus: he was meant to be Abraham, the father of a nation, the father of a race of healers whose descendant(s) would save mankind.

Ultimately the point is this: Ardyn Lucis Caelum was NOT the King of Lucis. He was never intended to be except possibly by misinformed Astrals. He WAS “King” as in the head of House Caelum, his right as firstborn. He was also “king” as a leader of people, his family first and foremost but likely a whole school of mages if things had gone on this more favorable route.

Ardyn was supposed to be a king, Aera had that right. But not of the nation of Lucis.

Unfortunately, no one told Somnus that, so we’re unlikely to ever see it play out.

....I might have to write this.

[oraclespoken]

ffvii? ffvii

Age: 24+ Birthdate: September 4th, 1983 Affiliation: Shinra Profession: Scientist 

Though many don’t know their name, countless lives are helped and saved by creations of the Fleuret family. They are the unsung heroes who discovered and crafted the first Potion now widely sold by Shinra Inc. From humble origins, the family once knew a home in the small town of Mideel where their healing remedies were a miracle only known to the local populace. 

Secrets are hardly kept from the all-seeing Shinra Electric Power Company who have always sought to gain control of everything within their grasp. Thus, they offered Aera Mirus Fleuret a deal too good to be true: gil and the tools to help further their research to new heights. As if it were a deal with Hades himself, Aera accepted knowing that the company had much to gain from their abilities. Still, she knew that with their reach, she could help so many more in need. With that, the Fleurets relocated to Midgar into the accommodations provided to them by Shinra.

Throughout the years, they produced a number of poultices that were attributed to Shinra Inc’s ingenuity. To this day, they still work under the company’s funding despite having a strong distaste for how their practices. 

A freak accident stole the lives of Sylva Via Fleuret and her husband Mathias. Flames engulfed the Fleuret home one evening. In an act of desperation, Sylva pushed her children out of the second floor window just as the ceiling collapsed around her. Trapping both her and Mathias within the house. Though the news later reported the fire was caused by an electrical failure, the Fleuret siblings knew better. 

It was a designated hit to take them out. To steal their family’s life work. Tensions have been growing between Sylva and President Winston Shinra over the company’s ethics forcing its way into her work. The Fleurets have established their boundaries in their research: no human experimentation. Tempers flared but Sylva stood her ground and perhaps that had been the final straw.

Survived by her children Ravus and Lunafreya, they sought to continue where their parents left off. Already known to be an astute girl, Lunafreya worked even harder at her schooling and skipped grades. She graduated college at 16: youngest in her family. She then went onto study further to take back her family's life work. 

As for Ravus, he knew the dangers of the Shinra Company and sought to remain close to his sister. He joined the Shinra Public Security Division and excelled through the ranks with his outstanding combat abilities. Though he hates working under Heidegger he bites his tongue and continues in order to keep Lunafreya safe. As of late, the Shinra's executives have been getting tired of her pushing for a more eco-friendly production/shipping measures. 

Though more than her brother’s protection, it is Lunafreya’s new discoveries and work that keeps her safe. On the verge of a new breakthrough for an improved Elixir, it’s hardly ideal to get rid of her now. 

A chance encounter.

While storming the Shinra building, Cloud takes a different set of stairs in the labyrinth-like structure. They are attacked by a ranking member of the Shinra Public Security force whose aim is to keep the group away from these labs. Midway through the combat, a young woman in a white coat steps out to halt them. 

Lunafreya introduces herself and demands to know who disrupts her work. Once she gleans the gist of their intentions, she comes up with an idea. Like Shinra did to her family many decades ago, she offers them a deal. Be her guinea pig and try out new concoctions and in return, they’ll get these for free. 

Miraculous poultices that temporary boosts one’s strengths or magical abilities for a time. Regeneration of both physical and mental health. Unheard of products yet to be released onto the market. 

In exchange they procure her ingredients to further her research. 

After their meeting, a mysterious dog seems to be found in various areas around Gaia. Upon approaching the canine, one will see a notebook attached with written correspondences from Lunafreya herself who introduces the dog as ‘Umbra’. Umbra will sell concoctions Cloud has already unlocked in limited supplies---though oddly, the dog seems to restock quite frequently. 

At times the notebook will have a task for Cloud which usually entails bringing some ingredients back to Umbra. 

When the Geostigma disease spreads throughout, Lunafreya works to find a cure and help as many people she can. Though she can only treat the symptoms, she does her best to save those in need. As tragedy would have it, she contracts the disease and spends her last days still working. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interaction Point: Luna can sometimes be found in the lower sectors helping those in need with her medicines. Or looking to the back alley vendors to procure ingredients that are harder to come by. Though she never gives out her name and usually dresses down.

[autumnstwilight]

Dawn of the Future summary-Noctis (Part 1 of 2)

time to see what our boy has apparently been up to in the crystal

-The section opens with Noctis fighting shadows outside the Citadel building, feeling there is something strange. He’s alone, and the scenery is colorless. Ghostly figures in golden armor appear and begin shooting at him, they don’t resemble Niflheim soldiers. He suddenly realizes that Ignis, Gladio and Prompto should be there but aren’t. -He enters the Citadel, but feels that it isn’t the Citadel he knows. The throne is illuminated in blue and he sits. He hears a voice saying This isn’t mine, yet it belongs to no one else, and senses an inhuman presence. Noctis realizes he is dreaming, and Bahamut speaks. “You are within the Crystal, where the soul of the Star dwells. A place for you to gain your power to become the True King. Receive the memories engraved in the Crystal, and fulfill your calling” -Noctis recalls the events in Gralea and Zegnautus Keep, leaving his friends behind to run for the Crystal, being sucked in, and Ardyn introducing himself. He sees a vision of the Crystal being brought to Eos and the skies becoming blue and the land turning green. A hall being built to hold the Crystal, and the population increasing. Ardyn and Somnus’ parents giving them the paired Rakshasa and Yaksha blades in the hope that they would rule together, then the brother’s conflict after their parents death… all of the memories in the Crystal from the beginning. -He sees the memories of Ardyn with Aera, and feels some sympathy, but also that Ardyn’s murder of Luna, for the sake of hurting him, is still unforgivable no matter what good things he did in the past. He then wonders if he is also unforgivable, as forming covenants with the Gods for his sake would have killed her shortly anyway, and sacrificing people for the sake of the kingdom is Somnus’ way of thinking. -He sees Ardyn’s imprisonment, and also Somnus’ establishment of the kingdom and the many kings who came after him, some even crueler, and some too kind. He also sees the establishment of Tenebrae, Niflheim and Accordo, and realizes people are all the same. Ardyn is released by Niflheim, Regis is chosen as one of the Kings of Yore and receives the prophecy, holding a young Noctis in his arms. -Noctis thinks that if Ardyn had not been released around that time, he would have been just another in the line of Lucis. He wouldn’t have been attacked by a daemon, or gone to Tenebrae and met Luna. His relationship with Gladio and Ignis would have been different. Verstael wouldn’t have succeeded with the MTs and thus Prompto wouldn’t exist. Fenestala Manor wouldn’t have been attacked, and Luna and Ravus would have remained there with their mother. And yet, fate is decided by the Gods and there is no other path. -He sees Ignis and Ravus arriving at the altar, Ravus saying that the Oracle’s duty continues after death, and her body vanishing as it does in Episode Ignis. He also sees the memory of Luna forming her first covenant with Shiva, and her escape from Insomnia with the Ring. -He realizes what Luna was going through while he was traveling with his friends enjoying the outside world for the first time - “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t know…” He understands Ravus’ anger now, and feels he was immature and ignorant, not even paying attention to the people who were reaching out to him and supporting him, self-pitying. He recalls Cor and Gladio when they told him to shape up. -He sees Ignis’ sacrifice in Altissia, and realizes Ignis never told him to avoid causing him more pain. He realizes to what extent he was a child, kept safe by everyone, and wonders if he can ever pay it back. -He sees his own future battle with Ardyn, his sacrifice on the throne and his passage into the Beyond, where he disappears. The reality that he must die to save the planet from being consumed by darkness. He grapples with his fate, knowing that it is inescapable, yet being frightened of it, not wanting to lose everything, whether to darkness or to death, wanting to live. -He looks up and sees his father, realizing that his father raised him while knowing his fate, and thus tried to let him live happily, thus sent him off with a smile, and apologizes. Regis says that parents should worry about their children, but children should not have to worry about their parents. “That said, you are not a child anymore…” “A king cannot lead by standing still. A king pushes forward, always, accepting the consequences and never looking back.” -He hands Noctis his sword, saying it is to protect the people and things that he loves, then vanishes when Noctis accepts. -Noctis thinks of the people and things he loves, the people and places he encountered during his journey. More than anything, he doesn’t want to waste Luna’s sacrifice. He wanted to save her more than anything, but if that isn’t possible, he at least wants to preserve proof that she lived. He sits down on the throne, and tells himself to think and choose. He then awakens in Ardyn’s cell in Angelgard. -He meets with Umbra and receives the notebook in which Luna wrote, “I’m safe”, followed by her diary of her travels. He realizes that ten years have passed, and that the Crystal only showed him its memories of up until the day he entered the Crystal. He vows not to lose anyone again like he lost Luna, and tells Umbra that he’ll return the notebook to Luna himself. Her last message says “I’ll wait for you in the Citadel.” -He takes the boat to Galdin, where he meets Sol, who has been checking the area a few times a day for his return. He already knows about her from Luna’s notebook, and says he trusts her. Umbra vanishes, as Sol is there to lead him. Sol receives a call, tells the person she’s with the King, and asks if they want to talk to him, then sighs and hangs up. -The caller was Gladio, who can’t talk because he has a guest [Wait what why did he call then???] But he said to meet in Hammerhead. Noctis asks if the three of them are okay, particularly worried about Ignis, who is still blind, and Prompto, who might have difficulty fighting and aiming in such darkness. Sol tells him that Prompto helps Cindy transport goods, and Ignis says that no one can see much in the dark anyway. Sol says that everyone will be happy to see him. -Sol talks a bit about meeting Luna and how she threw the supplies out of the sidecar of the motorcycle when they first met. She says Luna is bad at card games but incredibly good at five finger fillet (the stab-between-your-own-fingers knife game). Noctis recalls that he used to practice it while Ignis made very unimpressed faces at him. Also Noct started because he saw Ravus doing it. -[they’re all idiots oh my god] -Anyway then Sol says the thing that surprised her most about Luna was her “calling” to fight Ardyn and Noctis is like “WAIT WHAT” -Luna mentioned in the notebook that she was going to the Citadel to talk to Ardyn (which is indeed her current plan), but she never told Noctis that Bahamut had asked her to kill Ardyn. Noctis wonders why Bahamut would have given her such a mission when he has the Ring, which is supposedly the only way to kill Ardyn. He asks Sol, and learns that Luna’s new power is absorbing daemons. Given what he knows about Ardyn’s past, this is concerning. -Sol admits that Luna has become a daemon, and that it’s her fault for asking her to save Aranea. Noctis reassures her that Luna would have helped because it’s the kind of person she is. Noctis tells her to contact Gladio and tell him that he’s going directly to the Citadel to try and save Luna. He realizes that the Gods never grant enough power to save everyone, and if he wants to do that, he’ll have to do it himself. -Meanwhile Luna is not having much success convincing Ardyn to cooperate, he mocks her for thinking he’d work with a puppet of the gods who is supposed to kill him. She says that Bahamut is planning to destroy everything on Eos, and Ardyn says that sounds good to him. He then asks her to leave, since he’s waiting on a different guest. Luna says that Aera Mirus Fleuret asked her to save him, at which Ardyn angrily tells her to shut up. When she pushes the matter, he summons Ifrit. -Noctis drops Sol off at Hammerhead and heads straight for the Citadel [SERIOUSLY? He was right there and didn’t grab the bros first???] He encounters a daemonified King of Yore, who he fights alone, feeling painfully the absence of his friends [who he couldn’t wait two seconds at Hammerhead for, apparently]. He cracks the King’s mask and finds Somnus underneath. -Noctis notices his resemblance to Somnus and how that must make Ardyn feel. Somnus expresses sorrow for his brother, and asks Noctis to save him. Noctis agrees and Somnus thanks him. Noctis questions why the Gods never gave powers like Ardyn’s to Somnus, or anyone else, for that matter. And also why they gave those powers to Luna now. -Meanwhile, Luna is attempting to absorb the Starscourge out of Ifrit, while still arguing with Ardyn. Ardyn maintains that he’s absolutely fine with the world being destroyed, though it would be “perfect” if he could kill Bahamut too. Luna tries to convince him that Bahamut cannot be killed as long as he still exists in the Beyond, and they need to work together, but she is overcome by the pain of fighting Ifrit. -However, she succeeds in freeing the god from the Starscourge and Ifrit turns to attack Ardyn. Luna doesn’t want that fight to happen, so she quickly asks Ifrit to form a covenant with her. At length, Ifrit agrees. -Ardyn claps and says that was an entertaining show. Luna loses consciousness. -Noctis arrives in the Citadel and Ardyn says, “I’m afraid you’re out of luck. You were just a little too late.” Luna has fully transformed into a monster. Noctis demands to know what Ardyn did to her, but Ardyn says that she decided to remove the Infernian’s Starscourge of her own free will. Luna attacks Noctis with her spear while Noctis begs her to recognize him. -A giant sword falls from the sky, and Bahamut voice says that the King’s role has ended. Bahamut granted humans powers to end the Scourge, but they repeated foolish acts and thus he will no longer protect them. Instead, he intends to end life on Eos. That is the new fate that must be accepted. He commands Luna to release her power as queen of the daemons. Luna ascends into mid-air, and releases a blast of energy, destroying the throne room. -Ardyn awakens from being knocked out to see Luna surrounded by what appear to be smaller copies of Bahamut. He realizes Bahamut is readying Teraflare, and also that his existence in both Eos and the Beyond means that he can’t be killed or inflicted with Starscourge. However, if he uses Teraflare and fails, he might be forced back into hibernation (the same way the Gods had to rest after the Great Astral War). -Bahamut raises the Citadel building into the air so that humans can’t reach the Crystal. Ardyn warps up to it, knowing Noctis will also head toward Luna.