As the silver circle of the full moon reached the highest point in the sky, a sudden movement tore through the darkness of the night. In the clamor of drums and human voices, an armada of wooden ships flew forward, each vessel illuminated by the orange flame of lanterns. Some had red sails, and some had white. In the scarlet moonlight, all of them looked soaked in blood. In the distance, the miniature sun that sealed the Conqueror hung. It wasn't bright enough to illuminate the night, but it's scarlet light was reflected by the moon nonetheless.
The ships rushed forward, seeming like a river of lights. On their decks, human figures moved, feverishly preparing for battle. The soldiers were drawing their weapons and nocking arrows on the strings of their bows, while the captains stared at the radiant moon, their faces tense and grim.
…Soon, a lonesome black dot appeared on the surface of the scarlet disk, and then slowly grew as it drew closer. A single ship, this one much larger and more graceful than the rest of them, was fearlessly flying to meet the luminous armada. There was a beautiful tree growing around its mast, and a man with pale skin and raven black hair standing at the oar, guiding the vessel forward. His eyes were grey and clear, shining with the reflected red light of the moon.
They had chosen the time of the attack to catch the armies of the Chain Lords unprepared. Most of the soldiers were still on march to the Ivory City, their formation broken and in disarray. It was not easy to unite two large forces, and Noctis had chosen the precise moment when the chaos was at its worse to stage his assault.
And yet, there was still a considerable force ready to defend the city. At least a hundred ships rose into the air to intercept and destroy them, each carrying dozens of warriors — some of them Awakened, and some even Ascended… but all the absolute elite the warring factions had to offer.
And somewhere out there, two immortal Transcendents were waiting to take their turn.
That is what Noctis and the cohort were up against.
Sunny lingered for a moment, and then glanced past the approaching river of lights, at the distant shapes of the Ivory City. It was as beautiful during the night as it was during the day… the graceful arches of the tall aqueducts, the aerial bridges that connected the islands, the buildings made of white stone...
The streets of the city were empty, but he could feel thousands of frightened souls trembling behind the walls that they had considered solid and safe. Not knowing what calamity he, and his friends, were bringing to their doorstep.
The armada was already close enough to make out the distant shapes of humans rushing on the decks. A gust of wind brought with it a chorus of voices. Sunny shuddered, recognizing the familiar chant.
…Glory! Glory! Glory!
He opened his lightless eyes, all doubt and remorse disappearing from them. Leaving behind only the cold will to kill.
Somewhere behind him, Noctis suddenly grinned, and then whispered in a hoarse voice:
"Now… witness us, gods..."
A moment later, the massive siege engine standing at the bow of the ship suddenly rang, sending a heavy bolt flying through the darkness. As it pierced the sky, a weave of ancient runes shone on its surface, and the winds howled, cut by its sharp blades.
Streaking toward the distant armada like a falling star, the bolt struck the hull of the forward vessel… and crushed straight through it, pulverizing a large part of the bow. It tore through the innards of the enemy ship, and then, an explosion of pale light suddenly illuminated the vessel from within for a split second, leaving behind nothing but a cloud of bloody debris.
The whole ship was destroyed in an instant.
Noctis laughed madly, and as he did, the Sailor Dolls were already rushing to reload the engine. While they were busy with it, the sorcerer moved one of the oars, throwing his own ship into a turn to let its left bort, and the loaded ballistae situated there, face the rushing enemy fleet.
…And, just like that, the battle that was meant to change the course of history forever started.
***
On the opposite side of the Ivory City, the civilians were retreating across one of the heavenly chains. A long stream of refugees hoping to escape the incoming battle hurriedly rushed with expressions of fear, distraught, and despair. Their were harsh whispers, booming shouts, and the clamor of footsteps…
Among the onslaught of noise, the voice of a nervous young boy reached the ears of a young woman. She turned, her pupils honing in like that of a wolf's as the sleeves of her embroidered butterfly-themed half-dress was tugged.
"Miss… aren't you going to go help fight against those… those villains?"
The woman rolled her azure eyes.
"And who would protect the rest of you lot? You're not too bright, are you?"
All nervousness drained from the child's face as it twisted in indignation.
"Wha— Of course I'm smart! Definitely smarter than you…"
The young woman sneered, her sharp features creasing as she sent the boy a glare.
"…I've been to soft on you lately, huh? You little…"
Before she could strangle the cheeky brat, someone leaped on her back, looking over her shoulder as if they were some kind of caveman. A wide grin stretched on their face, passively annoying the young woman.
"Let's not get into fights with kids, Seele. It's about time for us to leave, anyways."
Seele clicked her tongue, turning back to the child to send him one last glare. She recieved a raspberry in return.
Looking over the rest of the orphans, she sighed:
"Stick with the group."
Those were the last words she left behind as she disappeared in a flash of butterflies, dissipating into ether after a few moments.
With Sparkle hitching a ride on her back, Seele easily slipped between, over, under, and even through the refugees as she rushed to the Ivory City at breakneck speeds. Butterflies… or rather, moths, trailed in their wake as she sped off in the opposite direction of the refugees.
By the time they got back to the Ivory City, Seele's Essence was beginning to run low. As Sparkle hopped off her back, the two of them simultaneously bit into their thumbs, using the blood to carve messy runes onto their arms.
"Where to?"
Sparkle shrugged, her obsidian eyes glancing towards the battle between the flying ships in the sky. Sounds of bombardment reached their ears.
"Everyone is on the same ship we used in the future. Gotta wait for a good chance to get on… and steal it."
Seele sent a long look towards the ship arriving from the moon's direction. She nodded, the two of them leisurely walking ahead.
Multiple guards and soldiers had passed them, not even sparing them a glance. To them, it must have looked as if the pair were lingering right outside of their perception…
Sparkle craned her neck to look up at the moon, her ornate headdress jingling as she moved.
"Woah…"
The moon…
The moon was disappearing.