Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Time was a strange thing to an Astral. Even for him, who kept regular contact with mortals, it was hard to keep the passage of time in mind. For mortals, it moved only in one direction. For him, time was more malleable and he could visit whenever he wanted. So when one of his children came to him with a request to travel through time, Ramuh thought it would be interesting.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes."

"Very well then. May you accomplish your goal, Nyx Ulric."

Ramuh lifted his staff and struck the air below him, sending a wave of power through space and time. That wave swept the boy along with it, making him disappear from the Beyond and to the desired point in time.

More or less.

Nyx swore as he raced through the burning streets of his town, Libertus by his side. Niflheim had attacked all of a sudden, raining bombs on their little town like a summer storm. He'd been at their bar when the attack had started and couldn't get in touch with Selena or his mom. Libertus was the same, unable to contact his own family as the town was invaded by Niflheim soldiers.

Even running as fast as they could, it took them a while to get home as several streets were blocked by rubble, fire, or soldiers. But get home they did. The dwellings were untouched by the bombs or fires for now. Nyx glanced over at Libertus before plunging into his home shouting, "Selena! Mom!"

No one answered.

Had they been at the market? Or checking up on a patient? They had to be somewhere close by!

Nyx took just enough time to grab his dad's kukris before booking it back outside. He dropped by Libertus' house - they were safely together- to warn him he was heading back out, just in case his mom and sister came back.

Storm clouds were gathering above the airships, promising to drop heavy rain and lightning soon. It would help with the fires but not with the soldiers. Not unless Ramuh interfered and sent the lightning after them.

Nyx ignored the warning signs of a massive storm in favour of tracking down his family. He didn't know where Selena and Mom could be but he had to start somewhere! The market plaza had been hit pretty hard in the initial attack so they probably wouldn't be there. He couldn't remember them talking about visiting anyone so where could they be?

Lightning suddenly struck close by, filling the air with its thunderous roar.

The temple!

It was at the edge of the town, reasonably fortified and it was a regular emergency meeting spot. They had to be there! With a destination in mind, Nyx started making his way there.

While the fires and destroyed streets made him backtrack every so often, it was the soldiers who presented the biggest issue. They prowled the streets in large groups, firing on anything that moved. As much as Nyx wanted to attack them, he couldn't take down such big groups on his own.

Maybe once the Hunters were back, they would be able to fight back.

For now, Nyx hid in abandoned houses and on rooftops whenever he heard them approaching. Then he realized that he was coming across more and more soldiers the closer he got to the temple. Were they planning on attacking it?

Worried, Nyx decided to take a risk and scurried up to the rooftops once more. It would be faster to jump from house to house than to continue on the streets. It would leave him exposed and vulnerable to the airships but it was a risk he was willing to take.

More lightning struck within the town limits, some of them destroying a few airships. It seemed Ramuh was pissed off at Niflheim, he thought with a grin. The rain was definitely helping with the fires as he saw less and less of it on his way to the temple.

The temple wasn't much farther and Nyx could see a ring of Niflheim soldiers around it. Shit! He'd have to find a way in...

What in Ramuh's beard was going on?!?

Someone was fighting the soldiers. Alone. And winning.

Nyx lowered himself and crept closer, his eyes never drifting away from the fight. The person was moving quickly from one side to another. Blue crystals, ones that reminded him of his childhood saviour, flashed into existence when they did. Weapons spun around them in a mesmerizing dance of light. Soldiers fell in droves wherever they moved.

Finally he was close enough to see details. 

The person fighting was a man, hair cropped short on the sides but full of lengthy braids towards the back. The weapons around him ranged from simple swords to a shield and even a huge shuriken!

That wasn't all either! As Nyx watched, the man appeared right in front of the temple doors in a shower of crystals. He extended a hand, palm facing the thinned number of soldiers, and a flash of light filled the area!

Boom !

Almost immediately, the roar of thunder deafened Nyx as he flattened himself on the rooftop. Had the man just used magic? Lightning magic at that? But he wasn't King Regis? And the man was much too old to be the prince.

So who was it?

Nyx's vision came back and he returned his gaze to the fight. Or what was left of it in any case. The magical attack had left only a handful of soldiers standing.

There were a few of them right below him too. He tightened his grip on his kukris. Took a deep breath. Then dropped, kukris burying themselves deep into white armor.

He yanked them out and threw himself on the next one before it could start to turn. He buried a kukris in its neck. Ducked under it as one finally reacted. An axe headed straight for his head.

Nyx brought up his other kukris to deflect the blow, grunting at the force it held. He couldn't sit still as the soldiers around him moved to attack. He ducked under the next attack, using his movement to strike at the soldier's arm as he did.

Nyx didn't wait to see how badly injured the soldier was as he used his momentum to jump on the last soldier. His kukris bit deep into its breastplate. He yanked them back out and turned back to face the last standing soldier.

Only to find it had been turned into a weapon pincushion.

"Your mother and sister are fine inside the temple." The man who had been fighting said as he approached.

Nyx stared at him. What in Ramuh's beard was going on? This close, Nyx could make out his features. Features that, despite the scar cutting through his face across the bridge of his nose, was eerily familiar.

Nyx Ulric faced an older version of himself and asked, "Who the fuck are you?"

Chapter Text

Nyx stared at the other Nyx's braids as he tried to process what he'd just learned. The other him -one from the future!- had more of them than he did. Braids showing he was a soldier. Braids of mourning. But the ones that caught his attention the most were the two -two!!- family braids.

"Which ones are you curious about?" The other Nyx asked him.

Nyx startled and scratched his neck. "The family ones."

"Ah." Other Nyx shrugged. "One for the Ulrics and one for the Lucis Caelum."

"Wait! Nyx married outside of Galahd?!?" Selena exclaimed.

Other Nyx shifted backwards as his head jerked towards her. "What? No!"

"Then explain properly!" Selena demanded, crossing her arms.

Other Nyx frowned, "I'm also a Lucis Caelum?" 

"That doesn't explain anything!"

Other Nyx looked over at his mom with questioning eyes. She raised a brow, clearly not knowing what he was talking about.

"Shit. Did Ramuh mess up?" He muttered under his breath. He stayed silent for a bit more before he sighed and said plainly. "My father is Regis Lucis Caelum. That's why I can use magic like they can."

Triple exclamations of "What?" Filled their home. Nyx's head snapped to his mom. She didn't know? But his future self didn't seem to be lying! Was he just mistaken? But he could use the same magic Nyx had seen the King use years ago.

His mom scowled, "I first saw Lucis' king when he saved Nyx! He can't be his father!"

Future Nyx scratched his neck -it was so weird to see something he did be copied like that- as he answered. "That means I'm not in my past then. Because Mom definitely knew and told me as much way before I made my bar with Libertus."

Nyx Ulric, son of Regis Lucis Caelum, was not sure what had happened. He was supposed to be in his past, about a decade or so. Yet this was clearly not his past.

He looked at this version of himself and knew they were irrevocably different. It wasn't just the braids, he'd acquired a lot of them after this point in time, but also the lack of magic in his eyes. That slight sparkle that was clearly there for those who knew to look for it.

He found none in this Nyx's eyes.

What now? This was a different timeline than he knew. What did that mean for his plans? Was there still anything he could do? That he should do?

He took a deep breath and made his choice. One thing at a time, and right now he needed information. "That changes things for me but it can wait. Do any of you need anything for tonight?"

-his mo...- Altivia Ulric raised a brow. "Planning on going anywhere?"

Nyx blinked. "... To find a place to stay for the night? There should be a haven not too far from the town I can stay at."

Altivia shook her head firmly. "None of that. You helped save not just my life and that of my daughter, but also that of half of the town. You are staying here for the night, Mister."

Nyx wanted to decline but... Part of why he'd come back had been to save Selena. He hadn't spent time with his sister in years. If he stayed, he'd be able to help when they went back to check on the injured.

There had been a lot less than he remembered, for obvious reasons since the temple was never breached, but he had also acted as bait for the Niflheim soldiers. They had not been left to destroy as much of the town as they had in his timeline.

But what about tomorrow? Or next week?

He'd come back to help Regis and protect Noctis. But if this was not his timeline then was there a prophecy to begin with? What about Drautos? Did he exist here? Would he be the same traitor as before or someone completely different?

He needed to find the answer to his questions.

"Here. You can sleep here for as long as you're in town." Altivia declared after guiding him to their spare bedroom.

"Thank you for your hos..." 

"None of that." Altivia reached out and gently tugged on his Ulric braid. She was smiling. "So long as you wear these, you are an Ulric and welcomed in my home."

Nyx's chest warmed at the clear acceptance from this version of his mother. He had missed her so much over the years. This, at least, was proof that he could change things.

Yes. Once things had settled down here, he'd head to Tenebrae. If there were any prophecies floating around, he'd learn about it there.

Chapter Text

Or maybe Nyx would just be summoned to Ramuh's temple by its priestess the next day. "How may I be of assistance?" He asked, bowing politely towards her.

The priestess, Felina Furia, bowed back, a wide smile welcoming him in. "Welcome to this little temple, oh traveler of time. Lord Ramuh has requested I pass along a message to you."

Nyx tilted his head slightly but nodded for her to continue.

" Your arrival here was no mere accident. This world is in need of a hero. One who can fulfill the prophecy in the stead of the young prince. Once this has been fulfilled then you will have the power to reach your original destination. "

"Thus ends Lord Ramuh's message." The priestess said, bowing again towards Nyx. 

Nyx bowed back, his mind whirling with thoughts. "Thank you for your help." The message was straight forward enough. He'd arrived in a world that still had the prophecy but Ramuh wanted him to fulfill it instead of Noctis.

Why?... Then again, it was one of the reasons he'd asked Ramuh to send him back in the first place. Nyx mentally shrugged and decided not to worry about it for now.

At least he knew that the prophecy existed here too, and was likely the same one as the one he knew. Which meant he already had part of the prophecy fulfilled since he'd already collected several royal arms. The next part was about what again?

Something something True King of Light... Something something Glaives of the Kings... Something about the Crystal and finally, the Ring of the Lucii.

It looked like he'd have to go to Insomnia either way. Fine by him. Though he'd have to find a way to get the Ring of Lucii and get to the Crystal.

Introducing himself as a relative might work to get him close but Regis wouldn't simply let him take the ring no matter what. Oh well, he'd figure it out once he was there.

Chapter Text

So sneaking into the Citadel had been a lot easier than he'd been expecting. It helped that he knew the emergency secret passages that were no longer in use. So here he was, hiding behind the fake wall that opened into the King's bedroom, covered in spiderweb and dust, and waiting for his dad to fall asleep before he could enter.

Time passed slowly for Nyx as he waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, Regis had been in bed for a few hours and likely deeply asleep. He slipped out of the passageway and approached his dad. He looked younger than the last time he'd seen him.

Nyx watched him sleep just a little longer before he moved. First, he cast sleep on Regis just as a precaution, then he removed the blankets on his left hand. He'd have to move quickly to move the ring from his dad's hand to his own so the Wall doesn't break down. 

He took a deep breath then moved. Slipping the ring off the finger was harder than he expected but it did fit fine on his own. The world froze in deep tones of grey as the spirits of the past rulers of Lucis emerged to judge him.

They were stunned and confused by his presence. "How could this be? There is but one King of Light!" One of them said.

Nyx shrugged, "It's a long story that involves time-travelling-turned-world-jumping. All you need to know is that I am the eldest child of Regis Lucis Caelum and I am claiming my birthright."

"He speaks the truth. Somehow, he is a Lucis Caelum. His claim is righteous." Said another of the spirits.

"So let's get this moving forward." Nyx declared with a sigh. "I still have to get to the Crystal and do the whole King of Light schtick."

The world gained colour once more and Nyx felt the weight of the Wall crash against him. He took a few shuddering breaths before he managed to straighten back up. Now to get to the Crystal before his sleeping spell wore off.

He slipped back into the mostly forgotten passages as he made his way downwards into the bowels of the Citadel. The further down he went, the passages grew older and more dusty. By the time he slipped out of them, he was utterly covered in dust.

Still, he ignored the overwhelming desire for a shower in order to focus on his mission. Nyx watched the guards for a bit before he made his move. There were four guards to deal with. He warped to the first one and struck the back of their neck.

He didn't wait to confirm the hit was correct, he could feel it in his arm, before he moved. Twirling on his right foot, he kicked out against the closest guard. His feet connected with the guard's stomach, preventing them from screaming out. He let his momentum bring him closer to the guard and drove the hilt of his kukris into the exposed neck.

Down they went as the two other guards started to move to confront the intruder. Nyx grinned as he twisted to face the new threat. He didn't want to kill them so it limited his actions. He waited for a beat for them to move.

One of the guards turned tail and headed towards the alarm button. Nope! Not happening. Nyx warped after them, using their open back to knock them clean out. It left only one guard to deal with. Easy.

Once the last guard was down, Nyx took a moment to breathe through the weight of the Wall and its draw on his magic, before he opened the doors to the Crystal room. As the heavy doors opened, magic streamed past him in a burst of cold air. The inside of the room practically buzzed with magic.

Nyx took a deep breath then entered the room, his eyes fixed on the large crystal sitting on a pedestal in the center of the room. He could hear a murmur just out of his reach, beckoning. The air felt almost oppressive the closer he got to the Crystal. Finally, after what felt like a life-time, he arrived before it.

"Now what?" He muttered. Did he just touch it? He might as well.

He did.

The world turned white as magic enveloped him. It burned. It stung like a thousand electric hits from a coeurl. It was both hot and cold at once.

It was overwhelming.

Then it stopped for the briefest of moments, just long enough for him to summon his armiger. He felt them surround him before pain filled him as one by one, his summoned weapons pierced through his magic. When the pain stopped, he found himself in a familiar place.

The Beyond surrounded him. He turned around. The Chancellor of Niflheim was standing there, looking confused. "Huh. Guess I'm supposed to kill you this time." He said. He and Noctis had fought Ardyn together but only Noctis had been able to kill him.

Now he knew what exactly had happened in the throne room after that fight.

"And who might you be?" Ardyn asked.

Nyx shrugged, "The one who will let you die." He flicked his wrist and found himself surrounded by the armiger once more. Each weapon shone with power as they floated beside him. Then they surged forwards and pierced Ardyn one by one.

Nyx watched it happen, feeling a bit of pity for the scourge tainted man. At least now he would be able to rest in peace. With that done, Nyx turned his attention to his own issue. He had done what Ramuh wanted so it was time for him to leave this world and go back to what he'd been doing before this.