#somnus-lucis-caelum

[holyguardian]

Aerith looked from their hands directly to him. There was... a comforting feeling taking root, was it too much, too soon? She already felt like she could open up to Somnus. That he could be trusted even if she thought others might tease her for some of her different thoughts.

Her lips pressed into her own little smile and she gave a nod of understanding. A vineyard. The detailing around the lip of the urn could be like that of the vines they tended, detailed with grapes. She would put her all into the task.

Though as he continued to explain, her head lightly tilted. Carrying him... no, she had to ask the question. This was vital information. "Roran won't be able to see him? He can't..." the way Nikolaos looked in death, it was a lot to face, but for Roran it would bring too many memories to the surface. "Will Nikolaos be wrapped?" She couldn't imagine his family seeing him as he looked in his final moments, though she didn't know. Perhaps the Lucis kingdom confronted their dead no matter what.

Her head dipped again in a nod of understanding at Somnus' reply. Aerith eased one of her hands to briefly place on top of his, and... if they weren't in the middle of a room full of her family, she would have embraced him. It was an odd realisation. To have the sudden urge to give a hug was leaps and bounds from the type of affection she should be showing. Right?...

Rising to her feet, hands gently folding in front of herself, she approached her parents with a small clearing of her throat. "May I walk to the vineyards? I wish to help paint Nikolaos' urn. His family own a vineyard and I want to do it justice." Her face practically begged the question, 'please?'

Aerith knew what to do. Somnus was relieved that he had actually guessed right and Aerith agreed on having her handle such a situation first. Slowly, he felt like he was beginning to understand the dynamics of this family. Even if it still was such a strange thought… to imagine that maybe in just a few weeks… or days, he would move with them and then belong to their house.

Would he ever feel at ease of voicing his own ideas like this again?

Would he always just feel safer with Aerith being so close?

As much as he needed her for such tense situations, it seemed that she needed him in return. The ritual would be something special. Surely it was unlike what the farmlands did, though Somnus was curious to learn more about their customs. Had Aerith not mentioned that the Cetra didn’t… fear death? That all just went back to the Lifestream… that was a comforting thought, too. Similar to their Beyond. Maybe those places were the same after all.

 Watching her hands for a moment, Somnus then closed his own around hers again. It was easy by then. He had done it before and it helped to calm her once more, hopefully. The smile he gifted her upon that was as gentle as one could be at this topic.

“I think Nikolaos’ family would like that. They own a vineyard, they take great pride in that.”

It was a sweet gesture. Nikolaos would get all the honours and laudations from having been a soldier. The entire army would be there.

“He will be cremated come sunset. We will walk up to the hill at the coast and carry him there. My father will say something. His family, too, if they wish. And the pyre will be lit by everyone who lays down a piece of wood and flowers with their prayers for him to send him on his way to teh Beyond.”

[rebelichor]

@somnus-lucis-caelum | X

It wasn't often that Ariadne inspired such an expressive reaction from her godfather and mentor. Somnus turned on her and tasted the word in his mouth, reacting as if the 'no' was an audacious flavour.

Ariadne crossed her arms over her chest and held his gaze, long and steady. Of course she deeply respected him. Enough for her to give pause and listen to his explanation of the situation at hand as if it meant anything. But it didn't. Not one bit.

In fact, it was altogether a waste of time, and an exhausting one at that where Enok and his stubborn pride were concerned.

"No." she repeated, fingertips of her dominant hand subtly tapping at her elbow as she held her arms-crossed stance. They were all the signs laid out bare for him. She was defensive. On edge. Embarrassed to admit it to him.

"I already took care of him." The scene was plucked from her mouth and no doubt inserted directly into her godfather's racing mind. It wasn't a plucky no that he had to worry about. Oh no. Boy trouble was upon his doorstep.

[rikavirkow]

@somnus-lucis-caelum | Small Starter

Lestallum had been her big chance. There was no Galahd to return to, and living inside the walls of Insomnia as a refugee had never been the life for her. Yamachang learned of her big move and paid her triple in her last paycheck — good thing she never shoved it back to his face, because the beginning had been rough.

But once she set up proper? Her stall ran like a dream. Even got a proper name too.

MAHASRA’S BOUNTY.

The sign was a little worse for wear now. It hung crooked, and the days of fresh seafood and Galahd spice were long gone. Now it was only good for ration packs and gossip.

A dull electric hum of the lights overhead meant they were safe for another day. Or night. The long dark made time blur together into one neverending loop.

So, when the dark-haired hunter approached and waited a polite distance for a word, she had half a mind to curse him out and demand he come babysit the vegetable mush if he was going to keep appearing like clockwork. Last time he stopped by for gossip the bottom of the pot nearly burned — and they couldn’t afford waste.

“Uncle, you got this? Ta. — Hey, fancy man.” Rika stopped short of him with her hands on her hips. “Well spit it out. If I stand here lookin’ pretty all night it’ll get to my head, what do y’ need?”

[wondrous-eos]

Spirit Birds I This was supposed to be a serious artistic endeavor but that intention flew out of the window once Ardyn got involved. Anyway, I present to you ffxv characters with their spirit birds. Part II 🚫 Do not repost. ⬇️4K wallpapers here.

[holyguardian]

The Lucian King had helped guide her hand to betrayal, and yet he was blameless. All he had done and all he had said was proof that Ariadne and Vergil had a sanctuary in this gods forsaken land. He spoke of them as missing members of his family — not as objects, not as their power, but as the children that they were.

She had lived within the castle too. Had witnessed and experienced first hand what life under Jacob Seed meant. He was a stone wall and the children were desperately huddled for safety. He had the same emotional range as a stone wall too. Call her sensitive, but it hurt to witness him offer some mimicry of affection, only to take it away and withhold it. That was no way to teach a child. Ariadne seemed to grow colder, angrier, while Vergil shrank more into himself.

How many times had she herself been barred from them? She coddled them, or she fussed too much, whatever excuse suited the mood of the day. What Jacob could never put a stop to was their fascinating power, the one most tucked away, where they visited upon the minds of others. In the end that was what guided her hand that fateful day. Guided her to pen the ultimate betrayal, tuck it away into the folds of her sleeve and deliver it into the hand of a child. All because Vergil had whispered a secret to her mind. 'I'm scared. When can we see you again?' Ariadne might not have believed her words or her thoughts. But that incriminating parchment spoke the loudest message, it carried a heavy consequence with it, one that a child shouldn't understand. And yet she did.

The fact that Vergil was afraid in the very place he was supposed to feel safe, the fact that Ariadne knew the weight of a penned message? Aerith could comfort herself, that her betrayal had been the right choice, for the right people.

Her brow furrowed when he spoke of his power in passing... she knew nothing of it. Or far too little. He could manipulate a blue crystal, or through crystals he was able to manipulate weapons? Magic? There was a gaping hole in her knowledge, and far too little time to fill in the blanks. "I won't pretend to understand what you are capable of. I fear the time for questions isn't now, but if you would permit me just one. Please tell me that they are far away?" she uttered. That he sent them into hiding, with the people he trusts the most in this world, and that they weren't within the walls of his own castle like sitting ducklings. He was smarter than that. He had to be. If he failed, Jacob would search high and low, and his kingdom would be the first to burn. Followed by her parents, she suspected.

Aerith's eyes widened a fraction when Somnus continued to explain. He asked for something... terrifying. She understood his reasoning, understood that Jacob's chosen could track her down for the fun of it more than any challenge, but still she found herself swallowing back her own fear. "I have been bathed in his ash once, I won't wilt away..." the horrors she had glimpsed in the streets on that weary march out of the city. "Just know if he sets me afire where I stand and I burn to my death on this day, my spirit is going to haunt you from here unto eternity."

She accepted. That was... all he could have asked off of her. He knew that this was a leap of faith for her. And her life had proven that such could be fatal most of the times. Or land her in worse situations at best. But he had no ill intention towards her. She had been the key in getting Ariadne and Vergil back to safety. A feat he had not mastered in years.

Watching the gentle glow of her green blessing, Somnus could feel the tickle of her magic. It felt so... clean, pure and warm. Healing. Like a warm summer wind caressing his skin.

It was almost too good for him. Him and his powers.

An opposite again. Her powers were so much more like those of his brother had been... and for a moment Somnus felt a strange mixture of guilt and fear. And envy. But this was not the place nor the time.

"Thank you.", he replied, his other hand coming forth to cove rover one of hers. This was a pact now.

There was slight shake of his head following.

"I know it's only me between them and him. That is why I will not lose. I can not. And you gave me the ability to use my powers here... formerly I did not dare to. I feared for the children being in harms way. I would not put it beyond Jacob to use them as shields."

And I could never forgive myself, if I hurt them. Even by accident. Even if I just lose control.

No, his powers did not allow for any accidents or collaterals.

"There is also something you need to understand... you will have to stay at my side in this. My men are strewn outside the forts walls in the forest and undergrowth. They can divert attention. But I will face Jacob... and I can't afford to lose sight of you. I can only ensure your safety when you stay with me. This means you will also have to stand across from him. Can you handle that? Can you stand in that ash and be sullied by it too?"

[noctglaive]

For ‘Bish’ 🖤

[naidleen]

Ardyn Izunia & Aera Fleuret (Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ardyn)

[happy-orc]

[he6o]

My two full art contributions to Caelum zine - a zine celebrating the kings of Lucis.

I was fortunate enough to take on the role of art mod/cover artist, and later distribution mod, plus filling in a last minute artwork for a missing king 👑 It’s been a fun ride, and we’ll be launching leftovers this month so keep a lookout on the zine’s Twitter for updates (@ ffxvcaelum) if you want to pick up books/merch, including my Noctis print and washi tape 🥰.

I’ll probably drop posts to spread the word on other platforms too when it goes live. Incredibly proud of all our artists and writers, and I hope you guys check out their works as they post their contributions going forward! ❤️❤️❤️

[verseleth]

When you are much shorter but much more evil.

Somnus mod

[holyguardian]

@somnus-lucis-caelum | X

Aerith openly smiled.

It was the second time meeting with the recluse King — after all, his was a secular kingdom built upon the knowledge of scholars. Most others decried his lack of a religion as a weakness, others claimed that he was a mystic who worshipped a savage god.

The rumours mattered little. Upon meeting him for herself, she found him to be thoughtful and well-mannered. Rare traits among the nobility.

"Ah, and here I thought my face an unwelcome one." Her own head tilted the opposite to his. "After all, I was recently one-half of your unruly neighbouring kingdom. My words did little to sway my husband."

Most thought the former wife of King Emmanuel must have been likeminded. That she should suffer for the sins of her former husband through association. It was only King Jacob who promised sanctuary for herself and for her daughter, blood of the mad King.

"What exactly is it that you are hoping to achieve? I must admit I am curious why King Jacob is so bothered by your presence, you are remarkably level-headed. Not at all the brutish type that I was braced for."

[rebelichor]

‘Hush now, Ariadne, Vergil. Be quiet. And be brave. Soon you will be home again. But the king can’t know. You have to play hide and seek. And you have to win. I will find you. But he must not.’

It was an echo of thoughts inbetween all the others. But this voice stood out to the little silver twins. It was their godfather’s voice. They still remembered. And he was close. He wasn’t alone, either. One by one more minds filtered into their perception. Calm ones, quiet. Lucian soldiers infiltrating the Dragonlord’s castle. They all had one goal: secure the twins. Save them. 

The children were a product of their age. Rather than subtle hints, Ariadne visibly looked around with turns of her head while Vergil perked up with his shoulders raised. Something had their attention. It could have been the shouts of men as King Jacob's chosen soldiers mobilised against a breach of the castle walls.

But it was likely something else.

Ariande and Vergil looked at each other in unison. Their conversation was in silence but their eyes told a tale of bravery trying to win against being frightened.

They both decided that they couldn't hide in their room. It was bold and incredibly naughty of them as they forced open their locked door with splintering force — and that was the climax of their show of power.

Towering at the end of that hall was the King himself. He had ran the length of the spiralling staircase to check on his wards, and there they were, breaking down the door.

"We have to run for the trees!" It was Vergil's voice. The quiet boy spoke up, cutting through the tension of the moment. He was intelligent even at their small age. Intelligent, with a healthy fear for the man that stood between them and a promised home. It was a fear that faded a little when his sisters hand found his with a squeeze.

The old dragon King eyed them both a moment longer. Then he made a motion with his head. "Come."

Hand-in-hand, the twins hurried to his call. They knew better than to challenge him. At least out loud.

'He already found us.' Ariadne's little voice carried to a familiar mind. 'Save yourself.'

[sol-lyann]

@ignoctgiftexchange for @twistmyleg 💜🖤

@twistmyleg , hello , I hope you like the gift I prepared for you 😊

Specific Prompt :

Noctis is king, but he can not sleep (nightmares, overworking as king to make up for ten years, etc.) and pushes away from the idea of rest. Ignis aims to fix that.

I also came up with a short story about this :

Somnus , as the god of sleep , is torturing Noctis. Noctis who used to enjoy sleepying , now he can't close his eyes peacefully. Every time he tries to sleep , he experiences nightmares about losing his loved ones. He has no idea about the meaning behind them. Ignis tries his best to find an answer to Noctis's unusual problem. After reading ancient texts , he randomly comes up with a theory that Noctis is actually seeing visions of what the Founder King went through. He reads in the ancient texts that the Founder King once had a beautiful lover. He deeply loved her. But after the Founder King sealed away the Adagium , the king's mysterious lover left him for some reason, and it broke his heart. Knowing that Somnus is the god of sleep , Ignis assumes that Somnus is envying Noctis that Noctis is living happily after the prophecy is fulfilled, and that's why he's making Noctis suffer. How is Ignis supposed to fix that ?? He looks for any information about Somnus's lover. It turns out that her descendants still live to this time. Surprisingly , Ignis is one of them. He makes a promise to the Mystic that he will never leave Noctis. Ignis will always stay with Noctis, and they'll be a happier version of Somnus & his lover. Somnus slowly starts to come to his senses and let Noctis rest. Whenever Ignis holds Noctis in his arms , Somnus calms down and lets Noctis know peace.

[devilhacker]

Somnus living RENT FREE in Ardyn's head for 2000 years.

[writermich18]

FFXV AU Idea

Somebody once told Regis he looked exactly like his father and the next day Regis came to work with his hair dyed blue-black.

Somebody once told Regis he acted like his father and suddenly the work was assigned to different officers and nobody was getting micromanaged. He went from hands on to observing.

And then those same trusted officers stole from the Galahdians, the Tenebreans, all the refugees, and now here everyone sits in the open arena reserved for Judgement, getting the full force of Regis's aura baring down on them. The older generation who survived Regis's purging are reminded of Mors.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Regis's finger taps the throne. It sounds throughout the open area.

The 29-year-old stares down at them all, eyes glowing blue and gold with slitted pupils. A low, rumbling growl rolls, reverberating throughout everyone's bones.

"You know. I really didn't want to do this. I dyed my hair to avoid my looks being compared to my father. I stopped managing and focusing on everyone, trusting you would do your jobs properly without me interfering, because I wanted to avoid being compared to my father in that I was exactly like him. I wanted to be different, I really did," Regis mutters.

He rolls his eyes as a noble starts stammering, protesting his words. "Shut up." He waves a hand, cutting through the air and the noble finds themself no longer able to talk.

Regis's eyes flick to the Kingsglaive standing to attention behind the gathered nobles.

"My Kingsglaive, I can only ask for your forgiveness. Once we are finished here, you may go home to help your families and friends sort through the returned artifacts which had been stolen from you," Regis states. The Kingslaives twitch, shock barely suppressed due to their training.

Regis focuses back on the nobles, his aura forcing all of them to prostrate themselves.

"Kneel before your King and heed my command," the full force of the Lucii and Regis's power echoes and reverberates through his voice, through the Citadel, and the city. Even into the country. Everything stops, frozen with the need to do as their King commands. Even those who have nothing to do with the King's fury kneel. His voice echoes ten-fold, hundred-fold, with the voices of hundreds of kings. "I hearby strip every last one of you of your noble titles. I strip you of your territory, your businesses and side hustles, your estates, and your identity. Never shall you earn any job. Never shall any acknowledge or know of your existence. May you and yours never be recognized or honored for any deed or action from this day onward. May you work and labor as those you once scorned had and never see a penny of it. May you die in the very same ditch you once condemned our soldiers to."

The condemned nobles wept, silent and frozen, as their hands are forced out in front of them.

"From each of you, I shall give ten-fold the punishment you gave my people for the crime of existing." The Royal Arms burst to life. Noctis, 5 years old, coldly watches from his Prince's throne as his father strikes at the offending nobles. His hands shake as blood spills on the arena's floor once again for the first time in 15 years, since Regis took the throne.

Regis gently takes Noctis's hand and holds it, rubbing his thumb on his hand comfortingly. Noctis watches as one noble gets his hands pinned to the floor by the Knight's twin daggers. Another gets shot in the back in non-vital areas by the Wanderer's bow (I forgot whose weapons are whose, whoever takes this prompt can fix it). Another loses an arm, one loses their leg. One loses an arm and a leg. Another gets the words LIAR carved in their abdomen. Another gets their legs and hands pinned to the floor. One noble gets their foot pinned to the floor by a large nail. Another gets thirty lashes.. Various punishments, consequences of their actions which his people suffered instead of these cruel nobles, these nobles had taken upon Regis's people for years, he deals upon them.

It's completely silent, none of the traitors able to scream or move as Regis lets go of his son's hand and stands. "Clarus, take Noctis away. He doesn't need to see the last part. Remember, my son, for nobles like these fools, Ruthlessness is Mercy, but only upon those who have proven deserving of it." Noctis nods, glaring at the nobles as he hops off his throne. His own eyes burn in purple and red, slitted like his father's. Clarus nods and picks up Noctis, gesturing to his own son and Ignis to follow. Regis waits until the door closes behind them.

Regis walks down the throne and stops before the first person in the first row, kneeling in the middle. He stares coldly down at the last noble who didn't get touched, his Royal Arms circling lazily through the room. That noble is of the older generation, one who managed to slip through the cracks and been a thorn in Regis's side for years since he was a child. Now he had proof. Evidence of what this particular cruel man had done. The ringmaster finally tumbling down. Duke Kendrickson, xenophobic misogynistic asshole, the kind of person whose so skilled at speaking it takes you several days to realize you just got insulted and several more to realize he scammed you. This asshole has been destabilizing and trying to undermine Regis's rule from the get go.

"Kendrickson. The ringmaster. I'm sure you're thinking you're getting away with only your title and possessions taken. Oh no. I wanted to hurt you personally. Believe me, my Ancestors are itching to get their hands on you, the Mystic especially." Regis crouches down, grabbing him by the chin. He forces his head up. "Since it was your voice that started this mess, it's only fair I strip you of your voice." Kendrickson's eyes widen, face paling rapidly, as Regis squeezes his cheeks. His mouth is forced open. Kendrickson can't resist the magic pinning him in place as a servant hands Regis pliers. Regis uses the pliers to grab the ex-Duke's tongue and pull it forth. He lets go of his jaw to pull out his hidden dagger. "I would make this painful as possible but I don't want to look at your ugly mug longer than I have to so..."

Regis slices his tongue off. It takes two hits due to Regis half-heartedly slicing his tongue and not putting his whole force into it. Kendrickson screams, dropping to the floor as Regis's magic releases the nobles. A hand covers his mouth as blood spills out. Regis stands up, dropping the tongue onto a bowl and pliers onto a towel that servants hold out to him, smiling in thanks to them.

Screams echo through the room as the nobles whither on the ground.

"I don't know why you all are complaining. After all, I am my father's son." For a moment, as the Kingslaive watch the nobles' suffering indifferently, Lt. Nyx Ulric could have sworn he saw a figure wearing ancient clothes in a blue cloak standing behind Regis, hands settled on his shoulders. The figure stares down at the nobles with white fury, green tears streaming down his face, iris gone, a dark and ferocious look with sharp canines bared. Regis grins as he comments about being his father's son, sharp canines exposed for all to see. For a moment, the light flickers in the setting sun, and Regis and the figure's hair shine red. When the light stops shining in Nyx's eyes, the figure is gone. What was that?

Crownsguard come forward at Regis's gesture and drag the nobles away, to prison most likely. The Royal Arms have disappeared.

Regis turns to the Kingslaive, walking to them, ignoring the blood. To their shock, he bows to them. "My deepest apologies to you for failing to realize what was happening to you and yours behind my back. I am sorry. I am so sorry. I have broken my promise to you and your fellow refugees. I will do what I can to fix this. I can only hope some day you can find it inside yourself to forgive me and my country for our failure."

...

The refugees, with the Kingsglaive's help, get the right to take from the ex-nobles' estates anything they want in retaliation for what the nobles took from them.

[somnus-lucis-caelum]

Somnus Sketch