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The story of Final Fantasy XV follows Prince Noctis and his friends as he embarks on a journey to reclaim his kingdom that has been invaded by the empire of Niflheim. He discovers he is on a quest to combat the powers of darkness with the powers of light only the Lucian lineage of kings can wield.

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ardyn acts as a prequel to the story. The prologue to the game is told in Final Fantasy XV Prologue Parting Ways. The movie Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV and the anime series Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV happen concurrently with Final Fantasy XV, as do the character DLC episodes: Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus, Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis and Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto.

Story[]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ardyn[]

Two thousand years ago, Ardyn was the firstborn son of his family. He had the power to heal others by transferring their ailment into his own body, believing it a blessing from the Astrals, the gods of Eos. The Starscourge he had absorbed as a healer had rendered Ardyn immortal, but led to him being rejected as tainted by his own family as well as the gods. His ascension to the throne of Lucis denied, he was chained up in Angelgard while virtually all traces of him were erased from history.

In M.E. 734 Ardyn arrives in Insomnia under the guise of Mars Sapientia, an Insomnian border patrol officer whom he presumably daemonified to take on his appearance. As Ardyn arrives in the metropolis, he thinks back on what set him on this quest.

After 2,000 years of captivity, in M.E. 721, Ardyn was freed by Verstael Besithia of Niflheim. As he was escorted out of his prison he was attacked by the Lucian Royal Guard, and amid defending himself discovered that he could daemonify others while experiencing their memories.

Seven months later Ardyn came to at the imperial lab Verstael had brought him to, having lost all concept of passage of time. Verstael informed him of everything that had transpired, including the results of the various tests he had performed on Ardyn. Ardyn had no interest in aiding Niflheim in its war against Lucis, but learned about the extent of the empire's influence in Eos along with its research on daemons, monstrous life forms the Starscourge eventually transforms the afflicted. Verstael showed Ardyn the frozen body of the treacherous God of Fire, Ifrit, deep in slumber at the lab after Niflheim had salvaged him from the Rock of Ravatogh. Ardyn was horrified when Besithia asked him to daemonify the deity, alluring him with Ifrit's memories. The lab was attacked by the Royal Guard, whom Ardyn destroyed when his hallucinations made him see its members as Somnus Lucis Caelum, his brother who had demonized him and taken the throne in his stead.

Ardyn daemon in FFXV Episode Ardyn

Ardyn declaring war on the Lucis bloodline.

When the enraged Ifrit awakened, Ardyn subdued and daemonified the deity who was stunned to see a member of the Caelum line present. Glimpsing the Infernian's memories, Ardyn saw how he was meant to be the king before experiencing an intrusive flashback to Aera Mirus Fleuret's last moments, the first Oracle and Ardyn's beloved. The Aera of Ardyn's memories revealed she had told Somnus that the gods had chosen Ardyn as king, blaming herself for her unintentional role in Somnus's usurpation, and begged Ardyn to punish her. While Ardyn could not bring himself to harm her, he ended up being forced to watch her die by his memory of Somnus.*(If the player fails the quick time event when Somnus and Ardyn struggle, Ardyn will be forced to stab Aera. If the player succeeds, Ardyn casts the knife aside, but Somnus strikes her down with his Armiger.)[1] Consumed by hatred for his brother, Ardyn submitted himself to the Starscourge and decided to craft a path of darkness to satiate his revenge, not caring if it defied the gods.

Now going by "Ardyn Izunia" and an imperial citizen, Ardyn allowed the Starscourge to spread and the imperial lands were ravaged by a "vanishing disease", Ardyn using the epidemic to absorb the memories of the infected to learn as much of Lucis as he could. However, doing so warped him into a shadow of his original self, no longer able to separate the memories of those he daemonified from his own.[1]

Ardyn arrives in Insomnia, the Crown City of Lucis, at M.E. 734 during the Founder King's Day festivities. Posing as an MIA border patrol guard named Mars Sapientia (whom he presumably daemonified), Ardyn infiltrates the city and summons Ifrit to cause carnage before disabling the Wall amplifiers. The Wall is a magical barrier upheld by the currently reigning monarch to protect the Crown City from imperial aggression.

Episode-Ardyn-Armiger

Ardyn confronting Regis.

Ardyn defies Besithia's withdrawal orders to go after King Regis, intent on forcing him to summon the Old Wall to settle the score with Somnus. After Ardyn nearly kills Regis, the king's Ring of the Lucii summons Somnus's Lucii form, as the magical ring given by the gods the past kings' souls are collected inside the ring rather than "passing on". While trading blows, Somnus gradually admits his regret for what he did to Ardyn and confesses that he was jealous for being outshined. After losing to his brother, Somnus tries to explain himself, but Ardyn is outraged at his brother's audacity in asking to be understood after taking everything from him. Somnus wishes Ardyn will find peace as his spirit disappears.

The still-furious Ardyn is about to kill the unconscious Regis when the Astral Bahamut intervenes and pulls Ardyn into another dimension where he reveals the Astrals' new purpose for him: to cover the world in darkness and be killed by the True King as a sacrificial lamb, allowing him to find peace in death while also satisfying his revenge. Ardyn can either reluctantly submit, or defy his fate. If he submits Ardyn demands to know if Aera and Somnus knew of his fate. He receives no response and screams in anguish over the betrayal. If he rejects that fate he is tortured into accepting it by Bahamut and Aera.

Once back on the mortal plane, Ardyn finds himself in Angelgard. He laments that nothing matters anymore and accepts the role he is to play in plunging the world into darkness, his plan to kill the True King once he comes. He envisions himself murdering the cooperating Aera and Somnus.

Insomnia's Waking Nightmare[]

In a time unknown, only a prophecy keeps hope alive in people's hearts: "When darkness veils the world, the King of Light shall come." Now, four brave warriors begin their journey, prepared to fight. What awaits the four, however, they do not know.

Beginning of Final Fantasy XV
FINAL FANTASY XV Ifrit

A demonic figure in the ruins of a city.

In the city of Insomnia, a young king and his comrades are struggling to fell a mysterious being which has brought ruin to the city who overwhelms the group with its fiery attacks. After shielding themselves from its barrage of flames, the group readies their next attack and charge forward...

In the present Noctis Lucis Caelum is given the blessing of his father King Regis to his safe trip to Altissia. As they leave, Regis tells Noctis's retinue—Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis Scientia, and Prompto Argentum—to always stay beside his son on his journey. Regis reminds Noctis to be well-mannered to his fiancée Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. As a final sendoff, Regis tells Noctis that once he leaves, he cannot return, and that the line of Lucis flows through his blood. Though Noctis playfully dismisses this, Regis tells his son to walk tall.

Chapter 1 - Departure[]

Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum sets forth from his homeland with his three-man retinue in tow. His destination is Altissia, the capital of Accordo, where he will formalize the union of states through his marriage to Lady Lunafreya of the imperial province of Tenebrae.

The group is on its way to Altissia for Noctis to marry his estranged childhood friend Lady Lunafreya in a political union. Noctis's kingdom of Lucis, to which he is the heir apparent, has been at war with the empire of Niflheim for a long time. His marriage to Lunafreya is one of the terms of the peace-treaty that is soon to be signed.

Hammerhead

The party takes the car to Hammerhead and meet Cid.

King Regis's car they are using, the Regalia, breaks down in the middle of the Leide region. After failed attempts in calling for help, they push the car to the nearest service station: Hammerhead. They meet mechanic Cindy Aurum and her grandfather Cid Sophiar, who is acquainted with Noctis's father and calls him "Reggie".

After the car is repaired, the group heads toward Galdin Quay from where they plan to take a ferry to Altissia. Midway, they stop at Longwythe Rest Area where Noctis finds Umbra, one of Lunafreya's dogs, carrying a notebook with sylleblossoms, the blue flowers native to Lunafreya's homeland of Tenebrae. Noctis writes a message back to Lunafreya, and Umbra returns to her with it. Even if Lunafreya and Noctis have not seen each other in person since childhood, they have kept in secret correspondence over the years, and both are eager to be reunited.

In Galdin Quay they meet a suspicious stranger who informs them that the boats haven't arrived yet. He alludes to the impending attacks in Lucis before departing. A reporter named Dino Ghiranze reveals the next boats won't arrive until the next day, and the group stays the night at the hotel. The next morning Noctis is shocked to learn that Niflheim has attacked Insomnia, and King Regis, Prince Noctis and Lady Lunafreya have all been announced to have perished. Noctis decides to return to the city.

FFXV Airships

Noctis talks to Cor as imperial airships soar overhead.

The border has been barred off by the imperial military. On a hill overlooking Insomnia, Noctis calls Marshal Cor Leonis of the Crownsguard, a loyal follower to the king, who confirms that Regis died in the invasion. Cor tells Noctis to meet him at Hammerhead.

Elsewhere, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret meets up with Pryna and Umbra, and expresses relief upon seeing the notebook on the latter, confirming Noctis has survived. She meets up with Gentiana, and somberly shows the Ring of the Lucii to her, with Gentiana silently telling her to safeguard it.

Chapter 2 - No Turning Back[]

In a single night, the promise of peace has been broken, the Crown City along with it. Putting their home behind them, the four friends set forth to find answers in Hammerhead.

When the group returns to Hammerhead, they learn that the Niflheim's peace talks with the Crown City were merely a ruse to acquire the city's Crystal and the Ring of the Lucii, a royal heirloom only wielded by the king. Cid knew that Regis would give his life for the cause and leaves them a message from Cor, telling them to meet him in the Tomb of the Wise in Keycatrich ruins.

Getting King's Weapon FFXV

Noctis inherits a weapon of his forebears.

They seek Cor out at the tomb, who tells Noctis that as king, he must inherit the souls of past kings that inhabit one of many royal tombs of Eos to gain the power he needs to reclaim the throne. The kings are to use their special power to protect the Crystal, a magical stone that emits the power of light. In ancient times the Crystal is said to have been given to the kings' protection along with the Ring of the Lucii whose wielder gains the power of past Lucian kings. Using the ring drains the wielder's own life-force, and Regis's fate had been to age prematurely as he had used the ring to uphold the Wall around Insomnia.

Noctis is upset his father had lied to him about the true reason he had been sent away from Insomnia, and angers over the burden he must inherit. Cor tells him that Regis wanted Noctis to remember him not as a king, but as a father, and that he believed in his son to protect his people. After Noctis is granted the power of a royal arms at the tomb, Cor leads the group to the next nearest tomb, and tells Noctis there are thirteen souls scattered across Eos, though only a few are known. The royal arms are weapons of Noctis's forebears that only he can wield. Due to his birthright as the Crystal's protector, Noctis can summon weapons to his hand from thin air, and those accompanying him can partake in his magic as well. To wield the full powers of his forebears Noctis would need the Ring of the Lucii, which is now being held by Lunafreya, to whom the king had entrusted it before his death.

Cor-Leonis-FFXV

Cor at the Niflheim base.

Heading for Keycatrich Trench, Cor directs the team to the entrance, and gives them a key to unlock their way through. Cor leaves to see what the Niflheim forces are doing nearby. After acquiring another royal arm, Cor informs Noctis that the empire is blocking all travel to the Duscae region. Rendezvousing with the group, Cor helps them take out the army within the Norduscaen Blockade, and defeat Loqi Tummelt of the Niflheim military. Afterwards, Cor departs, confident that the future king can reclaim his throne. Noctis is doubtful of his duty, but is relieved and reassured of the friends that travel with him, and they continue their journey.

Chapter 3 - The Open World[]

The empire is a powerful foe, and Noctis has far to travel before he can hope to reclaim the Crystal. He sets out across new lands.

Iris Amicitia XV

Iris Amicitia.

The group reaches the Duscae region and heads towards Lestallum to meet Gladiolus's younger sister Iris Amicitia. Along their way they have a chance to visit the Disc of Cauthess, an ancient crater where a meteorite is said to have fallen eons ago. Legends tell of the Astral god Titan still holding up the meteorite on his back. Astrals, also known as the Six, are legendary beings the people of Eos view as gods, but no one has seen one for a long time. When the group tries to visit the crater, they find the area blockaded by Niflheim.

The group seeks Iris out at Lestallum. She had been in Insomnia when Niflheim attacked, but escaped with help from the Amicitia family butler, Jared Hester, and has taken refuge in Lestallum with him and his grandson, Talcott. Iris tells the group that Lunafreya made it out of Insomnia safely, and had visited them recently. Noctis experiences a headache-inducing vision of the Disc of Cauthess, and decides to take a rest. The next day Iris takes Noctis to see the local sights, but the mysterious headaches continue.

Ardyn-FFXV

Ardyn in Lestallum.

Talcott tells Noctis of the legend of an ancient sword lying behind a waterfall. Suspecting it to be a lost tomb, the group investigates and Noctis acquires another royal arm. Returning to Lestallum, the group decides to investigate the Disc of Cauthess. On the Lestallum outlook they encounter the stranger they had run into in Galdin Quay, who introduces himself as "Ardyn". Ardyn informs them through poetry that the Astral Titan is calling to Noctis, and until he heeds the call he suffers severe headaches as a result. He claims to be able to take them to the Disc. The four decide to take Ardyn's word, but be cautious of the offer.

Chapter 4 - Living Legend[]

As the land is rocked by tremors; Noctis is wracked with headaches. The self-styled 'Man of No Consequence' advises the would be King to go and heed the Archaean's call. Though loath to believe a suspicious stranger, the four friends nevertheless find themselves with no recourse but to follow Ardyn to the Disc of Cauthess, where Titan is said to slumber.

Titan the Archaean is an Astral said to have caught the meteorite that fell to Eos and to still be holding up its active remains at the center of the impact site. This tale has become a legend, and the tremors that sometimes emanate from the Disc of Cauthess are said to be the work of Titan himself. The shards of the ancient meteorite still glow and parts near Lestallum are used by its energy plant for producing electricity. Legends say that the Astrals forge covenants with the kings of Lucis.

Ardyn opens the imperial gates to let Noctis's party into the Disc of Cauthess, but will not accompany them. Noctis comes face-to-face with the Archaean Titan that rises from underneath the glowing meteorite. Noctis cannot understand what Titan wants until he has a vision of Lady Lunafreya communing with the Astral, realizing that she wants to rouse the Six to help Noctis's cause. Titan's awakening sends tremors in the region and Noctis and his bodyguard Gladiolus are separated from the rest of the party as they fall into the pit under the meteorite.

Titan-Covenant-FFXV

Titan forges a covenant with Noctis.

Noctis and Gladiolus make their way to Titan through the burning rock. Gladiolus protects Noctis and grows frustrated, asking the latter to reaffirm his conviction to be the king of Lucis. Niflheim arrives to the site and attacks Titan, and Noctis and his party are caught in the crossfire. Titan engages Noctis who must parry the giant's attacks until his friends arrive to blast Titan's arm off with blizzard spells. Forging a covenant with Noctis, Titan disappears from the Disc. As the crater crumbles Ardyn appears and reveals himself to be the chancellor of Niflheim before offering them safe passage on his airship. Though unsure why an enemy official is helping him, Noctis accepts the offer. During the chaos the party loses their car.

News spread that the tremors at the Disc of Cauthess have died down, but that Titan has disappeared. Many worry for what the awakening of the Astrals means for the world.

Chapter 5 - Dark Clouds[]

As Cauthess crumbles, the imperial chancellor swoops in to usher the four friends to safety, but their reprieve is only temporary, as Duscae's skies tell of trouble on the horizon. With the Regalia missing and the roads closed, the find themselves stranded.

The empire closes off the Duscae region and roadblocks are erected to all major roads. Regalia has gone missing. Cindy is looking for it, though the party assumes it was taken by Niflheim. Noctis receives a message from Lunafreya via Umbra, in which she lends her support for Noctis's mission. She is seeking to rouse the Six to help him, and Noctis decides to follow with the plan, emboldened by the idea that the gods themselves are on his side.

FFXV TGS Young Noctis and Gentiana

Noctis meeting Gentiana as a child.

Duscae is trapped in a perpetual storm as Ramuh is calling for Noctis to forge a covenant with him. Noctis reminisces of the time he spent with Lunafreya when he was eight years old and learned about the Crystal and his mission from her, although he didn't understand what was asked of him then. Lunafreya had told him that the Crystal's calling is to crown the King of Light who will save the world, and Noctis had promised to do it. Gentiana's voice guides him through Ramuh's trials, the Messenger of the gods whose job is to impart the deities' message to mankind. Gentiana is usually with Lunafreya, but her following of Noctis is made apparent when a ghostly image of her begins to appear in the background of photos taken by Prompto.

After Noctis passes Ramuh's trial, the storm clears and he gains the means to summon the Astral. They receive word from Cindy that the Regalia has been taken to Aracheole Stronghold, a nearby imperial base. The party decides to infiltrate the base to retrieve the Regalia, as the empire has been unable to move it due to the storm.

FFXV TGS ravus with patry

The party is confronted by Ravus.

They storm the base under the cover of night and find the Regalia, demolishing the troops stationed at the base by summoning Ramuh. As they try to leave with the Regalia they are accosted by Ravus Nox Fleuret, Lunafreya's elder brother. Ravus was the former prince of Tenebrae before it was annexed by the empire, but now works as the high commander of the imperial army; thus, Noctis considers him the enemy. Ravus claims Noctis is making a pact with the Astrals without understanding the true meaning of his actions. As Ravus overpowers Gladiolus and threatens Noctis, Ardyn intervenes and lets the party leave the base with the Regalia. As the party drives to Lestallum now that the roadblocks have been lifted, they ponder why Lunafreya's brother is working with the empire, and what Ardyn's gambit for helping them out could be, Noctis loathing both. Ravus has an artificial arm, having lost a limb during the battle in Insomnia, but regardless appears to wield superhuman strength.

In Lestallum they discover that Jared has been killed by Niflheim soldiers during their search for Noctis. Imperial airships patrol the skies of Lestallum and imperial flags have been posted around the city. Iris is determined to flee the town to the rural port of Caem. Even if the ships from Galdin Quay don't run due to an imperial blockade, Caem has a secret harbor they could use. Noctis is determined to continue on his journey, and overnight dreams of chasing Lunafreya's white dog Pryna through various terrors.

Chapter 6 - A Way Forward[]

Beneath the Cape Caem Light in the south of Cleigne lies an underground harbor. It has long served the Lucian royalty, and even now, a vessel once owned by King Regis lies at anchor there. Following in his father's footsteps, Noctis heads for the ship.

Noctis VS Aranea Highwind

Aranea attacks Noctis.

Together with Iris, the party heads for Caem. Along the way they spot another active imperial base, and decide to destroy its magitek generator to avenge Jared. Leaving Iris behind at Old Lestallum, the party makes its way to the base, where they shadow the base commander responsible for killing Jared: Caligo Ulldor. They did take him captive, but he escapes while Noctis and his friends are laying waste to the garrison. Noctis is attacked by a Lv. 26 Imperial Commodore Aranea Highwind. Upon defeat she leaves, claiming it is time to clock out for she doesn't work overtime without pay. The next morning news of the raid have spread to the local area and Noctis and his friends continue to Caem.

Iris decides to stay at an old house at Caem with Talcott. An interactable memorial is erected for Jared. Cindy and Cid have come over to repair King Regis's boat that Noctis hopes to use at the secret harbor to escape the continent.

Chapter 7 - Party of Three[]

To repair King Regis's old ship, Noctis and company require that rarest of ores—mythril. With only a vague clue to guide them, they head for empire-held ruins situated in the north of Cleigne.

At Caem, Cid reports she needs mythril for the repairs. Following a tip conveyed via Talcott from the late Jared, the party heads to Vesperpool, a lake north of Cleigne. Gladiolus opts out without giving a reason, and so Noctis, Ignis and Prompto go without him.

Quetzalcoatl-FFXV

Noctis fells a monster with Aranea's help while looking for mythril.

They find the blockades gone and wonder if they have been deliberately let through. They run into Ardyn, who explains that while he may be chancellor, he isn't in charge of the army. Tipping the party off to the mythril's location in nearby Steyliff Grove underground ruins, Ardyn departs. This type of ruins open only at night. One of the guards at the entrance function as a shop. The party is accompanied by Aranea Highwind who is increasingly skeptical of the empire's goals, as the imperials are hunting for daemons in the area.

Daemons are magical creatures of the dark that spawn during the darkest hours of the day. Insomnia had always been safe from them due to the light of the Crystal and the Wall, but the daemons are growing fiercer and more numerous. Throughout the ruins, Aranea explains the empire is hunting for daemons to make magitek troops. She is considering leaving the army and returning to being a mercenary.

They recover the mythril from the depths of the ruins and hitch a ride back to Lestallum on an imperial airship with Aranea's aid. She wishes Noctis well, advising him to choose his own path in life.

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus[]

Having been overpowered by Ravus at Aracheole Stronghold, Gladiolus worries that he is not strong enough to protect Noctis. While the rest of the party searches for mythril to repair the boat, Gladiolus leaves to train and prove that he is worthy of protecting the Chosen King.

Episode-Gladiolus-Battle-DLC-FFXV

Gladiolus and Cor at the ruins.

Thirty years ago ancient ruins were discovered in Lucis. In their deepest recesses awaits the Blademaster, Gilgamesh, who once held Gladiolus's role as Shield of the Founder King, and his soul has remained to challenge those who seek him for 2,000 years. Many attempts had been made to explore the ruins, but every expedition ended in failure and the deaths of everyone involved except for one man: Cor Leonis, earning him his title of Immortal. Gladiolus meets with Cor and tells him that he wishes to undertake the trial of Gilgamesh. Cor supports Gladiolus through the Tempering Grounds ruins, but the former must take on the trials alone.

Gladiolus wins against Gilgamesh who recognizes Gladiolus as being worthy of being the Shield of the True King, seeing Gladiolus's only fear is that he should be too weak to protect Noctis. Gilgamesh reveals he had lost his arm to Cor, and yields Cor's katana, the Genji Blade, to Gladiolus. Gladiolus and Cor leave the ruins with Gladiolus indirectly passing on the praise Gilgamesh had said about Cor. Gladiolus returns to the others and shows off his battle spoils at the campsite.

Chapter 8 - Seaworthy[]

With the help of Imperial Commodore Aranea Highwind, the makeshift miners hit pay dirt—only to learn raw ore won't suffice. Cindy refers them to Holly, an engineer in Lestallum who knows how to treat Mythril.

Iris-Talcott-Caem-Harbor-Goodbye-FFXV

Iris and Talcott wave Noctis's party goodbye.

Cindy's friend, Holly, can treat the mythril for their use, but they find the Lestallum power plant swarming with daemons. Noctis helps expel them, rendezvousing with Gladiolus in the process. Though he doesn't explain where he has been, he has a fresh scar on his face. They decide to deliver the now usable mythril to Cid so they can depart for Altissia.

At Caem, Noctis gets a message from Lunafreya via Umbra. Cid reminds Noctis that his companions are more than just bodyguards, and that Noctis should always depend upon them as they depend upon him. Cor apologizes for having been unable to protect Regis, but Noctis doesn't blame him. As they set sail Talcott calls after him, asking him to come back soon as Lucis needs a king.

Chapter 9 - Callings[]

Noctis receives a warm send-off as he sets sail for Altissia in high spirits. The prince goes forth ostensibly to seek the blessings of the Hydraean, which will enable him to challenge the empire's might, but his true heart's desire is to find Lunafreya, his betrothed.

Noctis and his friends cross the Cygillan Ocean with the royal vessel to Altissia. During the trip they discuss Ravus being the high commander of the imperial army, and him holding King Regis's sword, although he cannot brandish it as he is not of the Lucian line. Noctis feels ambivalent, but believes he'll be able to reclaim the sword from Ravus.

Noctis hopes to make a covenant with Leviathan, the Hydraean. Lunafreya is being sheltered by the Altissian government, which has some autonomy, but the empire is demanding for them to release her to them. Noctis discusses the matter with Altissia's first secretary, Camelia Claustra, and gains her alliance. While in Altissia the group has a chance to see Lunafreya's wedding dress ,which she was to wear to wed Noctis.

FINAL FANTASY XV Luna Healer

Lunafreya uses her powers as the Oracle to heal a man.

Lunafreya is an Oracle charged with maintaining the stability of Eos by cleansing the world and communing with its gods. Oracles inherit their abilities through their bloodline, and use them to halt the Starscourge, a plague on the world that lengthens nights. Legend has it the Astral Bahamut descended from the stars and picked the first Oracle from the land of Tenebrae. He bestowed the Oracle's powers upon her and gave her his trident. As the youngest Oracle in history, Lunafreya is revered and people travel long distances to be seen by her, as she has he power to heal the plagues of darkness.

Lunafreya makes her first public appearance after the invasion of Insomnia by addressing the masses. Noctis is among the audience when she reveals she is going to awaken the sea goddess, and though the powers of the dark are encroaching upon the world, she is sworn to fight their influence. As Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto are helping evacuate the citizens, Lunafreya begins to communicate with Leviathan to have her give her power to the rightful king: Noctis. Leviathan refuses, and imperials under Ravus's command arrive to destroy Leviathan.

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Lunafreya passes on the Ring as her spirit departs.

Leviathan destroys the imperials while Ardyn makes his way to Lunafreya and stabs her while Noctis is powerless to help her. With her last strength, Lunafreya invokes the souls of past kings to empower Noctis so he can fight Leviathan, as only by defeating her will she accept the covenant. Noctis defeats her with the help of Titan and passes out. A dying Lunafreya crawls over to him and heals him. Noctis meets her in a dream vision where she passes the Ring of the Lucii to him before her spirit departs from the world. Noctis awakens several days later to discover Lunafreya has died and that Ignis was wounded during the evacuation and lost his eyesight.

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis[]

Titan-Fights-Nflheim-Episode-Ignis-FFXV

Altissia in chaos.

As the city of Altissia is being devastated by the rampaging Leviathan, Ignis worries for the safety of Prince Noctis. Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto are on evacuation duty, but Ignis becomes separated from the others. He makes his way toward the Altar of the Tidemother being pursued by Brigadier General Caligo Ulldor, and defeats his magitek armor. He teams up with Ravus who has given up his allegiance to the empire, but only teams up with Ignis as a means to get to Lunafreya, emphasizing this doesn't mean he supports Noctis's bid for the throne of the True King.

Once they get to the altar, Ignis finds Lunafreya's dog Pryna dying. Pryna is a Messenger of the gods who delivers a vision of Noctis fulfilling the prophecy of the True King to Ignis, who learns Noctis must die to save the world.

Ignis and Ravus find Noctis unconscious and Lunafreya dying. Ravus flies into a rage, blaming Noctis for his sister's death, but Ignis quells him. Ravus mourns how Lunafreya never got to live a normal life, and how even in death her spirit will not rest until the prophecy is fulfilled. Ardyn disguised as Gladiolus arrives, but Ravus sees through the ruse and protects Noctis and Ignis from him. The Ring of the Lucii falls from Noctis's unconscious grasp, and Ignis takes it.

Ignis-Loses-Vision-Episode-Ignis-FFXV

Ignis loses his vision.

After Ardyn blasts Ravus away with his magic, he asks Ignis to either join him or be killed. If Ignis refuses to join Ardyn, he puts on the Ring of the Lucii and unexpectedly and temporarily gains the power of kings at the cost of his vision. Ignis defeats Ardyn, gains Ravus's respect, and his eyesight is permanently damaged.

When Noctis awakes days after his battle with Leviathan, he finds Ignis watching over him. Knowing Noctis's fate from the vision he had seen, Ignis asks Noctis to stop the journey. Noctis refuses, saying giving up would make all the sacrifices others had made for him meaningless. Ignis accepts Noctis's answer, and promises to always support him.

Chapter 10 - The Heart of a King[]

Across the water and onto the rails, the royal retinue makes for Gralea, the imperial capital. Their objective; reclaiming the Crystal, that they might reclaim their homeland. However, the ring's weight proves too much for Noctis to bear.

FFXV TGS Noctis and Gladio argue

Gladiolus and Noctis argue in the train.

Several weeks later, Noctis's group travels on a train towards Gralea, the capital of Niflheim where the Crystal has been been taken. Lunafreya's death has hit Noctis hard, and he refuses to wield the Ring of the Lucii now in his possession. This angers Gladiolus, who deems Noctis's inability to deal with the grief as a sign he is not ready for the task they have at hand. He is also concerned about Ignis's condition: although his wounds have healed, his eyesight hasn't returned.

The train makes a stop at an abandoned mining town where Cor claims one of the royal tombs lies. The group finds the weapon at the depths of Fodina Caestino, and afterward Ignis speaks up to heal the rift that has formed between Noctis and Gladiolus. Noctis's resolve is restored, and he decides to continue onward and stop at Tenebrae along the way. Ignis is determined to continue with them despite his disability. After vowing to back Ignis all the way, the retinue boards the train, unaware a chuckling Ardyn is following them.

Chapter 11 - In the Dark[]

Ignis's resolve forces a reconciliation between Noctis and Gladiolus and restores harmony to the group. With renewed vigor, the four friends reboard the train and head for Tenebrae, home of the late Lady Lunafreya.

Noctis talks with Ignis, who theorizes about the longer nights. For some time now days have been getting shorter and the nights longer, which also means more daemons. After Lunafreya's death the situation has worsened, and daylight is disappearing from the world. They believe the Crystal has the power to fight the darkness as it had always protected Insomnia from daemons.

Ardyn-Prompto-Train-FFXV

Ardyn about to shoot Prompto, but Noctis sees them as reversed.

The train is attacked by the imperial army in Eusciello. Ardyn seemingly taunts Noctis, who is unable to attack him as he disappears every time he is close to striking. Noctis and Prompto defend the train from the imperial forces while Gladiolus and Ignis get the train running again. As Noctis and Prompto board the train after fending off an imperial aerial assault, Noctis spots Ardyn holding Prompto at gunpoint. Noctis charges in and shoves Ardyn, but to his horror sees Prompto falling off the train instead; Ardyn had used his supernatural powers to switch appearances with Prompto. Gloating over his deception, Ardyn knocks Noctis out and departs.

Chapter 12 - End of Days[]

Ardyn uses a stitch in time to switch appearances with Prompto, and tricks Noct into hurting his closest friend. Nevertheless, a king pushes ever onward, accepting the consequences, and never looking back.

They are unable to stop the train to look for Prompto, and assume he has been captured by the imperials. They stop at Tenebrae and find the Fenestala Manor aflame as revenge by the empire; Ravus is reported to have been executed for high treason, being blamed for the Leviathan incident, and thus the bloodline of the Oracles has ended. Without Lunafreya holding back the darkness, sunlight has almost vanished from the world and daemons are now spawning even during the daylight hours. As they speculate that the Crystal has the power to repel the daemons, Noctis is even more desperate to seek it out.

Aranea has quit the army and is helping the victims of the empire's attacks with Biggs and Wedge, her subordinates. As the passage to imperial territory is dangerous, Noctis, Gladiolus and Ignis decide to head to Gralea without the other passengers with Biggs and Wedge operating the train. While in Tenebrae, Noctis learns Ravus had always been on Lunafreya's side even though he had been affiliated with the empire. Ravus had been skeptical of Noctis, doubting his status as the True King. Ravus had demanded Lunafreya to stop helping Noctis at the cost of her own health, as facilitating the covenants with Noctis was slowly killing her. However, Lunafreya had been determined to continue even if she had doubted her strength and asked for Ravus to pass on the Ring of the Lucii to Noctis. Ravus had told her to be strong and that passing on the ring was her duty. Noctis learns Lunafreya had been looking forward to their marriage.

FINAL FANTASY XV Gentiana on train

Noctis forges a covenant with Shiva.

They continue to pass though Ghorovas Rift covered in a blizzard. As daemons spawn to halt the train at Shiva's corpse, Noctis meets Ardyn again. Noctis demands to know what Ardyn's gambit is, but the latter is frozen by Gentiana who reveals her true identity as the Astral goddess Shiva. Noctis forges a covenant with her, and learns Ardyn is immortal and all their attacks on him are ineffective. Noctis ponders what Ardyn's true nature is, as he appears to draw power from the darkness itself.

Shiva bequeaths the Trident of the Oracle to Noctis, one of the royal arms, and tells him about the War of the Astrals and Ifrit and the ancient civilization of Solheim's downfall. She conveys the message of Lunafreya's love to Noctis who vows they will be together one day. The party continues onward to Gralea with the knowledge that Prompto is held captive there along with the Crystal.

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto[]

Several days after falling off the train, Prompto traverses the snowfields of the Niflheim outlands alone. He succumbs to the cold and is found by magitek troopers, who bring him to a local magitek research facility. He meets Ardyn who gives Prompto back his handgun and urges him to meet with his father, telling him he was born here. Prompto initially refuses to believe it, and sets out to escape the facility. He finds various firearms around the complex and uses them to destroy the MTs swarming around the place. By reading the research notes and listening to audio logs from Verstael Besithia, the leading imperial magitek researcher, he learns how the empire produces MTs from daemonified human clones. As he finds dormant clones in their tubes, he finds they look like him, and have the same bar code tattooed on their wrists Prompto himself has.

Prompto-Kills-Verstael-DLC-Episode-FFXV

Prompto kills Verstael.

Prompto confronts Verstael at the facility, who is turning into a daemon. Ardyn mockingly describes it as a "heartfelt father-son-reunion", as Verstael uses his own genetic material to create the clones to have enough infants for an army. Verstael is afflicted by the Starscourge and believes daemons are the superior life form that he can enhance even further with his magiteknology. He is seeking to fuse his own soul to a magitek creature he has created, which he refers to as his greatest weapon. As Verstael tries to inflict Prompto with the Starscourge, Prompto shoots him at point-blank range, killing him.

Aranea has infiltrated the magitek production facility to find the truth behind Verstael's magitek project. She gives Prompto a snowmobile to escape the facility. Prompto rides until he is clear of imperial pursuit and camps out by a thawed lake. Aranea joins him later and urges him to return to his friends, but Prompto hesitates because of what he has just learned: he is a clone to be made into a magitek trooper before being kidnapped by Lucis and raised in the Crown City. He doesn't think Noctis and the others would accept him. Aranea insists his origins don't matter, and that Prompto must decide what he wants out of life for himself, before leaving.

Young-Prompto-and-Pryna-DLC-FFXV

Prompto remembers Lunafreya's Messenger dog from when he was a child.

The next day Prompto explores the wilderness alone and finds MTs lying in the snow and is briefly trapped in illusions of himself as an MT being hunted by Noctis. He remembers being young and living in Lucis with a secret, hiding the weird tattoo on him, never having friends. He had befriended Lady Lunafreya through her messenger dog, Pryna. She had sent him a letter asking him to be friends with Noctis and support him. He realizes what Aranea said about deciding his own path in life was true and meets up with her again to help her take down Verstael's newest monsters. Together they infiltrate another magitek facility and destroy Barbarus, Verstael's experiment to fuse magitek with a mammal, and Immortalis, a colossal magitek monster that now houses Verstael's soul. Afterward Prompto heads to Gralea to meet up with Noctis and the others to tell them the truth about himself.

However, Prompto is captured and imprisoned in Zegnautus Keep so Ardyn can lure and torment Noctis.

Chapter 13 - Redemption[]

Having stolen Noctis's country, Crystal, and cherished companions, Ardyn waits implacably in Gralea.

FFXV Afrojack Trailer Regalia

The Regalia is destroyed.

Noctis, Ignis and Gladiolus enter Gralea by train, but fall under attack and have to abandon the train with the belief that Biggs and Wedge can look after themselves. Noctis drives the Regalia into the city, but the car is destroyed and he becomes separated from his friends. He continues alone, but finds he cannot summon his weapons to his side as his powers have been sealed. With Ardyn's taunting voice in his ears, Noctis decides to wield the Ring of the Lucii and blasts the daemons and magitek troops that spawn around him with magic.

The imperial city is devoid of human life and swarming with daemons. The magitek troops at the lab the Crystal is said to be kept in have gone rogue. Noctis discovers the empire has been manufacturing daemons, that magitek troops are made out of their experiments with daemons and clones at the lab, and that a "vanishing disease" has ravaged the empire that has its citizens turn into daemons the empire cannot control. Noctis finds Ravus dead and recovers his father's sword. Letters Ravus had sent to Lunafreya are scattered about his body, and through them Noctis learns Ravus had always supported her despite disagreeing with her conviction to help Noctis become the king. Ravus had helped Lunafreya flee Lucis, and had promised to safekeep Regis's sword for Noctis should he prove his worth by obtaining Leviathan's blessing.

Gladiolus-Ignis-Ch13-FFXV

Gladiolus and Ignis.

Meanwhile, Gladiolus and Ignis stay together and try to find Noctis and Prompto. Ardyn returns them their weapons before directing them to Zegnautus Keep. They find security footage of Ravus confronting Emperor Aldercapt, declaring that Noctis is the True King and the rightful bearer of the Ring of the Lucii. The emperor had summoned daemons to expel Ravus from the throne room, injuring him. The footage shows Ardyn disguised as Noctis approaching Ravus, who had tried to bequeath the Sword of the Father to him. Ardyn killed Ravus and scattered his letters about his body for Noctis to find. Gladiolus and Ignis continue to follow Ardyn's directions through the Keep, and encounter a Foras, a daemon that can speak and who thirsts for the Crystal. After it disappears, Gladiolus and Ignis find a control panel that unlocks the seal on the Crystal. They catch up with Noctis before the latter is killed by a trap.

Noctis, Gladiolus and Ignis find Prompto who had been brought to the Keep by Ardyn. After discovering Prompto was born at a lab to be made an MT, they can use him to open the sealed areas of Keep. They find the emperor's throne room with his robes left on the seat, as he has also vanished and become a daemon. After turning off the device that seals his powers, they are attacked by a daemonic Ravus who begs them to kill him. After killing Ravus Noctis and his friends are ambushed by a horde of daemons and his friends urge him to go to the Crystal alone to use it to banish the daemons.

Ffxv crystal

Noctis finds the Crystal.

Noctis leaves his friends behind with a heavy heart and makes it to the Crystal. He is absorbed inside it while being taunted by Ardyn who reveals his true name as Ardyn Lucis Caelum. Ardyn is Noctis's ancestor who was to become the Chosen King until he was rejected by the Crystal for his affinity with the darkness. Ardyn had been a healer similar to the work Lunafreya had done until recently, but the daemons had corrupted his soul. Unable to die, Ardyn will always return and thus has been plotting for the demise of the Caelum family line and the Crystal. He explains to Noctis he would take scant satisfaction in killing Noctis as a mortal, and asks him to take the Crystal's power and become the True King.

The Crystal holds inside it the planet's soul. In this otherworldly dimension Noctis meets the Astral god Bahamut and is made aware of his destiny as the True King. The True King is born once all of the Crystal's power is passed onto the Ring of the Lucii. The True King can banish the darkness from the world at the cost of his own life.

Final Fantasy XV: Comrades[]

As the long night begins the remaining Glaives—remnants of the royal guard who could wield King Regis's magic—migrate to Lestallum to lend their aid to protecting the world in wait for the coming of the True King. The light of the past kings of Lucis returned to the Glaives when Lunafreya unlocked the power of the royal tombs during Leviathan's Revelation, and they can once again wield magic. The Glaives help defend the people and Lestallum as mankind's final stronghold.

Bahamut-FFXV-Comrades

Bahamut confronts the Glaives.

Bahamut tests the Glaives' worthiness. After the Glaives prevail in a battle against him, Bahamut forgives their previous betrayal of the crown during the treaty-signing, when many Glaives had turned on Regis for having seemingly abandoned the outlands of Lucis. Gentiana explains Angelgard must be safeguarded for Noctis to eventually awaken from his long sleep inside the Crystal.

The Glaives return to Lucis to fight daemons and wait for the prophesied time. During this time, they also briefly confront Ifrit after Ardyn, knowing of the Glaives' revived status, sicced the Astral on them. The Glaives force the god to retreat, impressing Ardyn. Eventually, each major outpost falls back as the daemons grow stronger. The sky turns red and giant daemons begin to circle the skies, as the world plunges further into darkness. Nearly a decade later when Noctis awakens, the Glaives witness his return, but Noctis returns to the abandoned Galdin Quay alone.

Chapter 14 - Homecoming[]

Noctis leaves his prison to find himself on Angelgard. His father's ship is moored at shore, none the worse for wear. It now carries him back to Galdin Quay—back to his kingdom.

Noctis after 10 years

Noctis awakens.

Noctis awakens on the remote island of Angelgard, having absorbed the Crystal's powers. He meets Umbra who delivers him a message: his friends are waiting for him at Hammerhead. Noctis takes King Regis's ship back to Galdin Quay. The world is shrouded in darkness and Galdin Quay is in ruin and swarming with daemons. Noctis is picked up by an adult Talcott, and he discovers he has been gone for ten years. The sun has set permanently and the world has been overtaken by the forces of the dark. Lestallum still draws power from the ancient meteorite crystal, and is the only place with light and thus where most people left live. Noctis's old friends have become daemon hunters, and Ignis has become used to being blind and no longer needs a cane to walk. They had been trained by Cor to one day accompany Noctis upon his return to reclaim his throne and return light to the world.

After a final meal at camp, the four friends enter the ruins of Insomnia to where Ardyn has taken the Crystal. They battle through the daemons that now inhabit it and find the Kingsglaive Base Camp where the remaining Glaives have their hope for the future renewed by Noctis's return. Noctis meets Cor, who now leads the Glaives, and speaks to Iris and Cindy over the phone. Ardyn summons meteorites to set the Crown City ablaze and cloaks the Citadel building with Wall magic of his own making, tainted with daemonic energy.

Noctis and his retinue fight their way to the Citadel, which they find guarded by Cerberus. After dispatching Ardyn's daemonic guard dog, Lunafreya's spirit appears to summon the Astrals to break the Wall around the Citadel building. At the steps of the Citadel, Ardyn ushers Ifrit to attack them. Ifrit is one the Six and is known as the Betrayer, for he loathes mankind and 2,000 years ago turned against Solheim, ready to annihilate the world itself. Ifrit was slain in the War of the Astrals that led to Solheim's downfall alongside the newly-appeared Starscourge plague, but he has been resurrected by Ardyn with the power of the scourge. The other Astrals answer to Noctis's call to fight Ifrit, until Shiva freezes him with her kiss, shattering his body.

Inside the palace the party marvels at the paintings of the prophecy of the coming of the Chosen King. They meet the corrupted spirits of three kings of yore, and battle through their trials on their way to the throne room. The last of the Lucii, Ardyn's brother Somnus, asks for Noctis to free his brother from the thrall of darkness. Before entering, Noctis asks one of the photos Prompto had taken on their journey to take with him.

FFXV Noctis and Ardyn Clash

Noctis fights Ardyn.

Noctis finds Ardyn sitting on the throne below the Crystal with the bodies of his father, his betrothed, Emperor Aldercapt and a Kingsglaive member Nyx Ulric hanging from the ceiling. Ardyn incapacitates Noctis's friends, telling him the final battle is a battle between kings. The two duel both wielding the power of kings, but Noctis emerges victorious. As Ardyn dies, he tells Noctis to see him "on the other side". Noctis sends his friends away in the manner Regis had sent their group away ten years ago, telling them to "walk tall".

As daemons surround the palace Noctis sits on the throne and calls upon the past kings. As the spirit of Regis watches on, the past kings of Lucis attack Noctis one by one as he grips onto his father's sword. His soul departs and is taken by the Ring of the Lucii. Now wielding the full powers of the light, Noctis's departing spirit finds Ardyn in the limbo and erases the Starscourge from his soul with the help of the past Lucian kings, including Regis, as well as Lunafreya and the memories of his friends. The Ring of the Lucii breaks, and with the prophecy fulfilled, the sun finally rises.

At their final campsite, Noctis had struggled expressing himself to his comrades who had always stayed by his side. He had made his peace with the sacrifice he would have to make, and thanked his friends with the words: "What can I say...you guys are the best."

FFXV Luna Noctis Throne

Lunafreya and Noctis sleep on the throne.

Noctis and Lunafreya share the throne labeled "Noctis Lucis Caelum CXIV". She is wearing her wedding dress when Regis's voice pronounces them husband and wife. The two close their eyes as soul crystals glimmer in the air.

Chapter 15 - End of the Road[]

Call Umbra and tour the world at your leisure. You might even find some new treasures buried right under your nose...

Beginning from a point outside the Citadel in Insomnia, Noctis can return to the past Lucis by calling Umbra. Cindy can upgrade the Regalia into the Regalia Type-F and Noctis can explore new dungeons and battle new monsters.

Alternate endings[]

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis[]

If Ignis decides to follow Ardyn after facing him in Altissia in Episode Ignis, the latter takes him to Zegnautus Keep where the empire has imprisoned the Crystal. A mysterious voice guides Ignis to the Crystal, telling him how only the True King fulfilling the prophecy can save the world.

Ardyn-Daemon-FFXV

Ardyn's daemonic form.

When Ignis finds the Crystal, he is apprehended by Ardyn, who reveals he lured Ignis there as bait for Noctis, whom he wants to inherit the Crystal's power. Ardyn reveals his true identity as Ardyn Lucis Caelum, who in ancient times was to become the king of Lucis, but considers the title stolen from him by his brother Somnus, the Founder King. His soul rendered immortal by the Starscourge, Ardyn has lived for two millennia, awaiting the time he can get his revenge on the Crystal that had discarded him. Ignis knows Noctis will die if Ardyn's plan succeeds, and declares that the world means nothing to him if it means losing his friend.

Ignis puts on the Ring of the Lucii and gains its power for the price of his own life. He defeats Ardyn who yet returns, as he is immortal. The dying Ignis is found by Noctis, Gladiolus and Prompto, who had been brought to the Keep by Ravus. Noctis grieves how incapable he is to protect those close to him, and asks for the Crystal's power to save Ignis. He takes the ring and walks into the Crystal, and while he sleeps in its core for ten years, the others return to Lucis. Ignis meets with their various friends and they scout the royal tombs while awaiting for Noctis's return.

Long-Live-the-King-Verse2-FFXV

Noctis reigns as king.

When Noctis returns him and his retinue head to Insomnia where Ravus bequeaths Noctis the Sword of the Father, and joins them in facing Ardyn in the throne room. They appear to have succeeded in killing Ardyn, as light returns to the world. Yet, Noctis doesn't die, continuing to rule Lucis from the Citadel where Ignis goes to see him. Whether this means the prophecy of the True King has been fulfilled, or if Ardyn's immortal soul still lingers and the Starscourge can yet return, is unknown. Final Fantasy XV: Official Works posits that Ignis devised a "secret plan" to destroy the immortal Ardyn and drive out the darkness, and managed to surpass even the intent of the gods to bring forth another future.[2]

Final Fantasy XV -The Dawn of the Future-[]

The game was planned to have a second season of DLC that would lead to an alternate ending to the saga. However, the tetralogy of DLC was cancelled, and the story was released in a novel adaptation instead.

After entering the Crystal in Zegnautus Keep, Noctis sleeps in its heart for ten years while receiving various memories from the Crystal. He learns of Ardyn's plight as the rejected healer from 2,000 years ago, of Lunafreya's journey to help him and how acting as his go-between with the Astrals was slowly killing her, explaining Ravus's hostility toward him. He learns how Ignis had protected him when he was unconscious following Leviathan's Trial, and how Regis had learned of his fate as the True King yet striven to give him a happy childhood. Noctis becomes filled with regret on how he didn't know to appreciate the sacrifices everyone had made for him, and though he doesn't want to die, he wants to honor the way everyone had supported him, especially Lunafreya's sacrifice. He is visited by the spirit of his father who encourages him to always push onward, accept the consequences of his actions, and not look back.

Unknown to Noctis, Ardyn has accumulated power too great for the True King to purge with the Ring of the Lucii, and Bahamut has decided to go forth with his original plan of destroying Eos. Ten years after her death Bahamut revives Lunafreya with a new power—to absorb daemons—and sends her to destroy Ardyn and take on his darkness. Lunafreya meets a girl named Sol who begins to help her get back to Lucis from the imperial lands where she was revived. Sol is skeptical of the gods and inspires Lunafreya to doubt her calling as well and to consider what she personally wants out of life, but she feels following her god-given destiny is the only path available for her.

She learns that Noctis will die if he follows his calling, and communes with the Astrals in her dreams, but Bahamut prevents her from talking to Gentiana. Using her newfound powers is slowly turning her into a daemon, her Oracle powers only barely allowing her to withstand it, but she keeps doing it so they can keep moving in a hostile world clad in perpetual darkness and void of people. Lunafreya writes her thoughts and experiences in a notebook for Noctis to one day read, though Umbra is unable to reach him for the time being.

When Lunafreya learns that Sol descends from the Aldercapt dynasty, she doesn't care. Sol was once saved by Aranea Highwind and was raised by her, and when they learn Aranea is trapped in Solheimian ruins surrounded by daemons, Lunafreya decides to aid in a rescue attempt, not because it is her "calling", but because she wants to help. Inside the ruins she receives visions from a statue of Aera Mirus Fleuret, the first Oracle who was once Ardyn's betrothed. Aera asks Lunafreya to save Ardyn, and Lunafreya learns her new power is the same Ardyn had used 2,000 years ago to heal people of the Scourge by taking it into his own body, but this had led to his downfall and rejection of the gods.

They destroy an imperial magitek weapon called the Sapphire Weapon that was hidden in the ruins, and Lunafreya reverts a daemonified Aranea. The toll of the battle against the Weapon and absorbing Aranea's Starscourge act as a catalyst to turn Lunafreya into a daemon. She yet retains her sentience, and Sol protects her from being killed by Aranea. Lunafreya is captured and brought to Lestallum, mankind's final safe haven, where the Hunters and Kingsglaive ponder what to do with her.

Gentiana manages to impart to Lunafreya the truth about Bahamut, but is interrupted when he notices what she is doing. The now-daemonic Lunafreya is freed by Solara and Aranea, and she is taken to Insomnia by the former so she can speak with Ardyn: not to fulfill her new "calling", but to defy the gods and save Noctis. Before leaving, she sends Umbra with a final message for Noctis: to meet her at Insomnia's Citadel.

She plans to trick Bahamut into unleashing Tera Flare so the other Astrals can block it and thus exhaust him, forcing Bahamut into slumber. Ardyn is unconvinced and summons Ifrit when Lunafreya tells him of Aera's message. Lunafreya absorbs the Scourge from Ifrit and makes a Covenant with him, but this final effort fully turns her.

When Noctis awakens at Angelgard he meets Umbra with a notebook from Lunafreya. Noctis learns she is still alive and meets her friend Sol who takes him to Hammerhead. Noctis learns from Sol that Lunafreya was revived by Bahamut and sent to Insomnia to kill Ardyn. This shocks him, as this was supposed to be his mission, and he is the one with the ring. Rather than wait for his friends at Hammerhead, Noctis heads to the Citadel alone to save his beloved despite believing the gods won't help him do this.

On his way Noctis encounters the Mystic as a spirit of the Old Wall, now enslaved by Ardyn. Noctis defeats the king of yore and cracks his face plate, realizing the man underneath—the Founder King and Ardyn's brother—looks a lot like him. Released from the thrall of the dark, the Mystic asks Noctis to save Ardyn. When Noctis arrives at the throne room, he finds Ardyn with a daemonic Lunafreya who attacks Noctis. Noctis begs for her to recognize him and blames Ardyn for her transformation, but he explains she had absorbed the Scourge from Ifrit on her own volition, which fully turned her.

Bahamut arrives, saying the king's role has ended as humans' continuing foolish actions mean the world's fate is destruction. Bahamut commands Lunafreya to release her power, and it destroys the throne room. Bahamut raises the Citadel into the air to take the Crystal and the throne out of reach, but Ardyn warps up to it, knowing Noctis will follow to save Lunafreya.

Lunafreya floats above the Citadel, singing to summon Teraflare to destroy the world. Noctis tries to warp up to the flying building, but an army of smaller Bahamuts stops him. His retinue arrives to aid him along with Sol, Aranea, Biggs and Wedge in their airship, telling everyone to get on. A Bahamut attacks the airship and it crashlands on the Citadel plaza. Sol, Aranea, Biggs and Wedge stay to repair the airship, while Noctis, Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto continue on.

They run into Ardyn who explains Lunafreya's plan was to take his darkness so Bahamut will use Teraflare, which will be blocked by the other Astrals, exhausting Bahamut and sending him to a long rest. Since Bahamut exists both in the physical realm and in the beyond, he can't be killed, similar to Ardyn's own immortality. Ardyn asks for the Ring of the Lucii, and Noctis realizes his plan is to enter the beyond with the power of the kings of yore and destroy Bahamut there.

Noctis gives Ardyn the "battle of kings" he so desires, defeating him with the Sword of the Father, but to Ardyn's shock refrains from killing him. Noctis explains he would kill Ardyn if it saved the world, but now that Bahamut is going to kill everyone, there is no longer any point, and he is done with needless sacrifices. He asks if Ardyn defeating Bahamut in the beyond would save humanity. Ardyn thinks it might, but doesn't care about being a savior: he only wants vengeance. Even if Noctis cannot forgive Ardyn, he views his nemesis a part of the world that he swore to protect, and recalls how the Mystic had asked him to save him.

Ardyn admits Noctis is worthy of the title of True King, much to his irritation. Noctis summons the past kings from the Ring of the Lucii and beseeches they permit Ardyn to use their power to save the world. The Mystic assents. On the roof of the Citadel Bahamut readies to annihilate humanity, but the other Astrals protect Eos and block his Teraflare. Drained of her darkness, Lunafreya falls and Noctis catches her.

On the otherworldly sylleblossom field where the dying Lunafreya previously passed the Ring of the Lucii onto Noctis, the two meet again as children. She had lived only to fulfill her calling as Oracle, but after meeting Sol, had realized she wants more out of life. They transform into adults, and though Lunafreya thinks this may be the last time they are together, she declares her wish to live with him. As she begins to sink into the abyss Noctis calls out to her to stay with him. This time she can hear him, and feels something touch her hand as everything fades. Noctis awakens with Lunafreya in his arms. Noctis entrusts the still-alive Lunafreya to his retinue and warps off to fight Bahamut while Ardyn sits on the throne and summons the kings of yore, the Mystic dealing the killing blow.

Even if Bahamut consumed the darkness to power his Teraflare, the sun doesn't rise. Either Teraflare was incomplete, or the darkness is simply too vast. Bahamut scolds Noctis for opposing a supreme god as a weak human, but Noctis thinks that even if Bahamut created the Ring of the Lucii, its power derives from the generations of kings. The other Astrals help Noctis defeat Bahamut while Ardyn and the Lucii destroy Bahamut in the beyond even if this will destroy all gods as well as the Crystal. The darkness begins to wane, Noctis strikes Bahamut down, and the Citadel begins to fall from the sky. Titan catches it and the Crystal sucks in the remaining darkness before shattering.

As her final act Shiva heals Lunafreya so she can live a happy life with Noctis. Noctis and Lunafreya embrace, and Lunafreya says a final tearful goodbye to Gentiana as the sun rises. Noctis and Lunafreya marry while being watched over by the spirits of their loved ones. The world is slowly rebuilt; Altissia and Tenebrae are restored, Lestallum remains a central community, and the thawing of Shiva's ice allows the Niflheim continent become fertile once more.

Spoilers end here.

References[]

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