Ryella stood outside of the first secretary's estate. There were guards everywhere, both Altissian and imperial. But she had agreed to accompany Lunafreya, and that's exactly what she was going to do. The military had been notified of the Oracle's Guardian companion, and surprisingly, they allowed it. Ryella was certain Camelia had something to do with that. After a few moments, Luna exited the iron gates of the estate with several imperial soldiers following her. Though she paid them no mind and smiled lightly at the brunette waiting for her.

"So glad you could join me for the address and the rite," she said. "It'll be much like our days back in Tenebrae."

Ryella nodded in agreement, smiling kindly. "Happy to be here. I'm overjoyed to spend this time by your side..." She hung her head down a bit. "Even if it might the last."

"Don't think of that," Luna said. "The two of us have a calling to fulfill. You cannot distract yourself thinking of possible outcomes. What will happen is up to fate, and we must accept that." Ryella met her gaze, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Now, let us go. We have somewhere to be."

The two young women walked the streets with a small band of soldiers behind them. Fortunately, they proceeded with fewer guards once they reached a gondola. They were taken to the church at Yureil Plaza, where the address would be made. It only took about an hour for the plaza to be packed with people eager to see and hear the Oracle. Lunafreya's appearance caused everyone to clap and cheer. She approached the podium that was set up in front of the church. She glanced over at Ryella, who stood back a little, but still close to her side. The Guardian looked quite sophisticated in her apparel. Clutching her hands, the girl flashed Luna a quick smile. Luna clasped her hands together and closed her eyes briefly, giving a quick prayer before her speech.

"Dear friends," she said, her voice carrying over the crowd. People quieted in response. "I stand before you today with little hope the words I speak...shall reach beyond these walls." Ryella noticed Noctis amidst the people, his eyes glued to Lunafreya. "For slowly, but surely, the Light fades from our world. And as it does, the shadows shall loom ever longer until all succumbs to the darkness. Darkness that evokes terror, hatred, and sorrow in the hearts of men. The ashes of Lucis... A dream of peace twisted into a nightmare of death and destruction, claiming innumerable lives and leaving myriad souls to suffer."

The prince's eyes were filled with sadness at her words. "Luna..."

"Yet I beg you, do not surrender to despair. Have faith, for our gods watch over us. By their blessings, by the Stars that light the heavens above, our world will be delivered from the perils of the dark. I stand before you here, in Altissia, to call upon Leviathan, Goddess of the Seas, spirit of the deep." Quiet murmurs erupted from a few people. "By the sacred rite, I will commune with the Hydraean. But first, I offer you my solemn vow. On my honor as Oracle, I will not rest until the darkness is banished from our world and the Light is restored." Everyone applauded as she gave a bow, in which Ryella copied her and did the same. "Bless you all."

Luna's gaze met Noctis's. She smiled and nodded lightly to him, in which he returned the gesture. Ryella's keen eyes spied the distant imperial ships in the sky, slowly closing in. But she knew there was nothing she could do for the moment. It would be up to the others to deal with them. Instead, the brunette followed Luna, leaving the podium. With the address finished, citizens were immediately beginning to evacuate. It didn't take long for the plaza to become barren. Ryella shed her clothes and took on her dragon form for the rite. With the alter open to them, they went straight there. The pair found themselves before a massive, circular pool of water. Ryella hung back before the steps, watching Luna at the alter. The Oracle, with her trident in hand, sang an eerie melody. Ryella listened, all while observing the imperial dreadnoughts looming in the skies above.

A loud, monstrous voice resonated around the area. Ryella couldn't understand the gods' tongue, but Luna responded without a problem. "It is I, Lunafreya, blood of the Oracle! Goddess of the Seas, I beseech you: enter into this covenant that the King might reclaim the Stone!"

A titanic, serpentine creature burst forth from the water. She was humongous, far bigger in size than even Titan. She hovered over Luna, flapping her fins and angrily roaring at the young woman. Leviathan spoke in her unfamiliar language once more. The Oracle responded with a simple "I do". The goddess tilted her head, glancing up at the ships around the alter. She then spoke some more before swooping her head down, her snout breaking the top portion of the stone columns on either side of Luna. A piece of stone scratched the woman's cheek as it flew past her face. But her feet stayed planted to the ground.

"I know what you must know---that the King of Kings is to drive the darkness from our Star."

Enraged, Leviathan formed a small, water copy of herself and shot it at the Oracle. It ripped through her, knocking her to her knees while ripping her dress and bruising her body. Leviathan said something afterwards, and she watched as Luna choked on some of the water and used the trident to get back on her feet. It was difficult for Ryella to simply stand by and watch when Luna was in such a bind, but she was forbidden from interfering with any form of covenant or trial between a god and one of royal blood.

"It is in recieving mercy that men offer praise, and in shedding grace that the gods solicit worship."

The Astral seemed to argue at that. She suddenly launched forward, clamping her jaws down on the alter. Ryella's eyes widened, and she gave a small roar of surprise. She froze, noticing a golden light erupting from the sea goddess's mouth.

"Leviathan!" Luna's voice snapped. The light formed a column that caused the goddess to recoil with a small roar. "I vow the King will prove himself worthy!"

Leviathan responded harshly to that. She then began chanting, and walls of water rose up all around the area, enclosing all in the vicinity within it. The goddess's water copies were already doing a number on the imperial ships, but she decided to recruit an extra puppet for herself. Ryella shrunk back upon noticing Leviathan's gaze on her. Luna looked back at her, concern etched on her face. With a demanding tone, the goddess spoke to the dragon. The voice, which was incoherent to Ryella, invaded her mind. The Guardian whined, shaking her head as a mental battle began. Ryella fought to stay in control, but Leviathan was too strong to resist. All emotion left the dragon's eyes as her mind grew fuzzy, as if she were unconscious and in a dream. Water copies coiled around Ryella, changing shape and forming a watery armor that covered most of her body. With a simple flick of Leviathan's head, Ryella took off, flying toward the ships in the sky.

With all the chaos that had ensued, Noctis wasn't too surprised to see Ryella had been taken over by the goddess. He and his best friend were flying by on an imperial machine Prompto had gotten his hands on when they saw her. With armor made from water covering her body and her savage onslaught on the Niff ships, it was obvious that she was aiding Leviathan.

"What happened to her?" Prompto questioned, devastated.

Noctis clenched his jaw. "Leviathan---she's controlling Ryella."

It was hard for Prompto not to steer toward her, but he pushed onward, knowing he needed to get Noctis in close to Leviathan. As they were flying away though, they were shocked to see Ryella soaring by their side. Her focus was not on them though, but on a ship ahead of them. Prompto stared at her, his expression softening. He looked into her emerald eye, hoping for her to give him a sign of sorts. But her eyes held no emotion, she didn't even glance at them. The gunman eased their ride closer to her head, and steadily reached out to her.

"Ryella," he softly called.

The dragon's constricted pupil finally shifted to him. Ryella gave a menacing snarl, causing the boy to pull his hand back. The Guardian's focus went back to her target, and she sped away, leaving them behind.

"Dont bother, Prompto," the prince said. "Unless Leviathan releases her, I don't think there's anything we can do."

Prompto glanced at his girlfriend one last time. "Yeah... Okay."

"Hey! Heads up!"

Prompto and Noctis both cried out in fear as they realized Leviathan was moving toward them. They barely missed being caught within her jaws. Now within reach, Noctis warped onto the goddess's face, right by her eye. From there, everything spiraled out of control. The entire vicinity became washed away in the waves, leaving behind rubble and broken buildings. Ryella was still in the sky, ruthlessly destroying as many ships as she could. A lot transpired far below her without her knowing about it. It wasn't until Noctis became empowered by his ancestors and cut open the serpentine Astral that Leviathan's hold on Ryella loosened. The water armor fell from her body, and she shook her head, regaining her focus.

What happened? she mentally questioned, looking around as she hovered in midair. What's going on? She saw what was currently happening down below. Leviathan was spewing water from her sliced body. Noctis fell from where he'd been flying about in his battle against the sea goddess, his power gently floating him down to the alter. And that was where Lunafreya currently was. She looked injured, and crawled to the prince's side, holding him in her arms as Leviathan inched closer, furious and still willing to fight. Knowing they needed her, Ryella dove down, landing over them protectively. She growled and roared at Leviathan.

Out of nowhere, Titan emerged in front of them, facing the water deity. He punched his fist down into the water, causing large columns of rock to rise up out of the water around him. Leviathan's wall of water began to fall, and the stone made by the Archaean crumbled bit by bit. Ryella did her best to shield Luna and Noctis from the sweeping tide, crouching over them and folding her wings down to cover them. Faced with another Astral, Leviathan disappeared, taking the cyclones of water with her. But with so many imperial ships trying to reach the alter, Titan stood firm, fighting them off. He let out a roar that caught Ryella's attention.

It was just like what happened back in Lucis---Titan was calling for her help. With Noctis and Luna's lives at stake, she knew she had to do something. She spread her wings, glancing down at the two under her. They both lay unconscious, side by side, with a faint, golden glow emitting from the Oracle's hand, which rested on the prince's shoulder. Ryella turned her gaze up to the hoard of ships. She flapped her wings, flying up to face them alongside Titan. The Archaean was doing a great job batting ships out of the air, but Ryella could do equally as well by latching onto a ship and destrying its engine or other vital components that kept it aloft.

Of course the empire didn't sit idly by and let her attack them, many of the ships began shooting at her. She managed to get by with only scrapes, bruises, and small puncture wounds from some of the weaponry. But once Titan disappeared, Ryella was on her own. Needless to say, she was quickly shot down by the many ships. The harpoon-type weaponry used against the gods was used against her. She wound up with her right wing being pierced through, the weapon lodged in her skin, and one slicing through the edge of her lower back. With the weapon sticking through her wing though, she could no longer fly, and plummeted. She managed to right herself enough to land at the alter.

She slumped onto her stomach, breathing heavily. She was in pain and exhausted. With dark clouds now hovering overhead, it began to rain. The dragon's fur became drenched, and her bleeding wounds stung. She was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open.

"Noooct!" Two people came into her view. Ignis and Ravus hurried over, finding the trio lying together. Ignis's gaze locked onto hers for a moment. "Ryella..."

The Guardian inwardly smiled. Now that they'd been found, she knew everything should be alright. Unable to resist the weariness any longer, she closed her eyes, falling unconscious. She heard distant, familiar voices yelling, and the sounds of metal clashing. But she couldn't find it in herself to awaken, she didn't have the strength. But in her unconscious state, she somehow saw a golden light in her mind, and felt a warm, comforting hand on her snout. A few tears slipped from her eyes as she sensed Lunafreya's presence fading. She knew that it was a sign that the Oracle was no more. But she had no time to grieve, because it wasn't long before a dark, ominous sensation overtook her and she was pulled back from the deep sleep her body longed for.

"Ardyn!" Ravus growled with anger.

Hearing that name was all that was needed for Ryella to finally force herself to awaken. Her eyes snapped open and her lips peeled back in an aggressive snarl. There were imperial soldiers all around. Ravus was on his knees while Ignis was on the ground, both restrained. The dragon's gaze went to Ardyn, ignoring the soldiers now aiming at her. She struggled to her feet as best she could, but Ardyn only chuckled. A sudden weight fell on her, shoving her back down onto her stomach. Hearing a familiar growl above her, she wriggled about, turning her head enough to see Nero. His crimson eyes bore into her as he placed a hand over the back of her neck, pinning her in place. Now that she was restrained as well, Ardyn went over to Noctis, kneeling by him with a knife in hand. He placed a hand on the sleeping boy's shoulder.

"Unhand him!" Ignis demanded.

"Oh, what good is a world that only ever lets you down? Why not end it all right here?"

"No..." Ignis protested. "You can't..." Ardyn raised the knife high, ready to plunge it down on the prince. "Noooct!"

Ryella tried fighting back, but Nero simply put more pressure down on the nape of her neck, keeping her still. It was actually Ravus who managed to break free of the soldiers' hold. He yanked free Ignis's dagger embedded in his metal arm, and slung it at the chancellor. The blade caught Ardyn's fedora, knocking it off his head. With slight surprise, the man turned his attention to Ravus.

"My, you two certainly have become fast friends." He shoved Noctis aside and stood, approaching Ravus. He summoned dark energy in his palm and blasted Ravus with it, sending him flying back into the already broken stairs. The chancellor then looked between Ryella and Ignis, his usual, mocking smile back on his lips. "Permit me to make a suggestion: rather than follow this flotsam and float away to a watery grave, why not come with me? What do you say?"

He looked to Ryella first. She only snarled and snapped her jaws in response. He then looked to Ignis for an answer. The advisor mustered all his strength and broke free of his captors. He rose to his feet, grunting and groaning. Ardyn smirked, more energy forming in his palm.

"I'll take that as a 'no' from the both of you."

"I swore an oath to stand with Noct and keep him safe." Ardyn's smirk turned down as he saw what Ignis held in his hand---the Ring of the Lucii. He dismissed his dark energy. "Whatever it takes, I will protect him!" Ignis slid the ring onto his finger, immediately emanating a purple glow as he cried out in pain.

Ardyn chuckled. "Ah-ah-ahhh! I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Ryella stared, wide-eyed. She couldn't believe what Ignis was doing. She knew what would happen if anyone other than Noct's bloodline were to try to harness its power. For most, it meant death, but there were a small few who lived to fear the ring. Ravus was one such soul. He'd foolishly attempted to obtain the ring's power, and in return, lost his arm. Ryella was fearful of the fate that may befall Ignis for his action. Even Nero watched in shock, wanting to see what would happen.

Ignis grunted and groaned, refusing to give in. "I may not be of royal blood, but if a Glaive can harness its power, then so can I! Kings of Lucis, lend me your strength!"

He wailed in pain, clutching his face as his skin was seemingly burned. But after only a few seconds, his eyes glowed a pinky-purple and a flame emitted from his left eye. He stood tall, ready to face Ardyn. He suddenly warped backwards to the open area that lead to the alter.

Ardyn smirked. "Well," he said, warping over to stand face-to-face with Ignis, "they've shown you their favor after all."

From there, an intense battle ensued. Ardyn used all manner of warping and weapon-summoning abilities. Ryella was confused, only ever seeing Noctis pulling off those types of things. But fortunately, with the powers of the ring, Ignis held his own against the chancellor. But it didn't last long enough. The strength gifted to Ignis was temporary, and once it wore off, he was rendered powerless.

"Whew! Wasn't that exhilarating?" Ardyn mocked. "I think that's enough for one day. Nero!"

At his call, the black dragon flew off of Ryella. He swooped down, picking up Ardyn and flying away. Ryella lifted her head, sitting up a bit. Ravus finally managed to straighten himself up from the crumpled heap he previously was. He placed a comforting hand on the side of Ryella's face, signalling for her to stay calm and not move. They both watched Ignis stumble over and collapse next to Noctis, dropping the ring onto the ground. Ravus approached him, crouching at his side. He realized just how bad the scarring really was, and that his eyes didn't look to be in good shape.

"That was rather reckless," he told him.

"Where's Noct?" the advisor asked, unable to see for himself. He turned his head toward Ravus. "Is he... Is he...alright?"

Ravus glanced at the prince. "More or less---all thanks to you."

"Thank goodne-" Ignis was cut off by strained coughs that tore from his throat.

"Iggy!" A familiar shield's voice called. "Where are you?!"

Prompto could also be heard yelling, "Noct! Iggy! Ryella!"

Ravus leaned over Ignis. "Be still. Conserve your strength. You've a calling to fulfill." The distant calls of their friends grew closer, and the man stood. "As do Ryella and I." He glanced at the dragon. "May fortune favor us." He looked over his shoulder at the prince---no, the king. "And you as well, Noctis."

With that, Ravus walked away. Gladio and Prompto arrived right at that moment. The shield paused, watching Ravus pass by him, but then he quickly joined Prompto in checking on their friends. The blond was on his knees between Noctis and Ryella. He rubbed the dragon's nose before examining Noctis. As for Gladio, he kneeled by Ignis, placing a couple fingers on his neck to check his pulse. Ignis coughed a bit more, turning his head toward Noctis.

"Please...forgive me..."

Those were his last words before falling unconscious. Ryella stood, pushing past the pain in her body. Prompto tried to stop her, but she ignored him. She carefully grabbed Noctis by the collar, lifting him up and twisting around, laying him across her back. Gladio easily picked up Ignis himself, not wanting Ryella to push herself. The dragon got moving, dragging her pierced wing as she walked behind Gladio and Prompto.

~~~~~

Ryella sat up from her bed, looking over at Ignis, her eyes wet with tears. After using a potion and resting a bit, the girl was awake and fully aware of the situation. Having recovered her clothes from the church, she had something to wear at least. Ignis was still unconscious, as was Noctis. Prompto sat in a chair between both Ryella and Ignis's beds. When he saw his girlfriend awaken, he went to her side, sitting on the edge of the bed. The girl immediately hugged him, her tears falling freely.

"I-I'm sorry..." she muttered. "I'm really sorry... I should've done more..."

Prompto wrapped her in a comforting embrace. "You did all you could. I know you tried your best. You and Ignis went beyond your capabilities for Noct. You risked your lives."

"But it wasn't enough..." she sobbed.

"Yes, it was. Ryella, you came out alive, after all of that. I was so worried about you, and Noct and Iggy. But all three of you made it, and that alone is enough for me." He kissed her head.

"But Luna is..."

"I know. She gave her life for Noct. She would be happy to know you two are alright. Now please, stop crying. I hate it when you cry."

His words sank in, causing her to smile weakly to herself. She dried her eyes as best she could, and nestled into his warmth. The one thing that still bothered her was what Ignis had done. He actually wielded the ring of the Lucii, even if only for a short time. But the price he paid was heavy. The scarring across his face and eyes were proof that he sacrificed something precious in order to protect his king. And even Luna used the last of her strength to save Noctis. The girl was miserable knowing that one of her closest friends as a child was gone. It was a hard thing to accept, and would take a little time for her to recover. Ryella had to wonder though, after all the sacrifices that were made, how would they carry on from there? But no matter what they chose to do, Ryella would remain with them.