week 7; letter (milla)

Milla,

If Umbra is bringing you this, it means my death has come to pass. I'm sorry I couldn't make it... really, I am.

I don't think I need to tell you to keep your head up. I know that you'll keep moving forward to the end, and I know you'll do your best to keep the others afloat, too. If anything... I'm counting on you to be able to do this, more than anyone else who remains. If anyone can do that, I know it's you.

But like before, it's not all I can say. Thank you. For listening to what I had to say and letting me be bold that first time. I know it's not very much like me, but what can I say? I really meant it when I said you're the type of person who makes me want to do better. It would have been fleeting, because we both have our duties to return to, but... I don't have any regrets. And I hope you won't, either.

The memento you gave me, I was keeping it in my pocket. I hope you'll be able to get it back, because I don't want something so important to you to be lost because I didn't survive.

I have no idea if we'll meet again. Though... I hope we do. I'd like to see you one last time, and maybe do a few of those things we did before we'd really have to part ways. If we can't, then at least, I hope you won't forget me and what happened when it's all over. Even if the time we had together was short, I won't forget it. Fight hard, you have humans and spirits you need to get home to, in order to protect. I'll watch you from this side—and if you find who is responsible for my death, please make sure nobody goes after them for vengeance. I don't want that; not when I know it is probably someone near to us both.

Yours,

Noctis



[but that's not all! because there's a second envelope that umbra is foisting on her, though this one doesn't seem to be addressed to anyone in particular.]



Luna,

I know there's no way to get a letter like this to you, but I guess I hope that somehow you'll see it anyway. In this place, in this awful place... you're watching, right? I have a hard time believing these people ended up in the same place I did without any other reason. Because... you'd find a way, wouldn't you? To guide people to me that would ground me and keep my head on straight.

That would do what everyone back home would do, to make sure that I could fulfill my duty.

People like Percy, Jason and Shinnsouke—the kind of friends that will have your back no matter how much you bicker. People like Barnham, who guide others with a sense of justice and a duty to protect. People like Milla... who are strong and never stop, no matter what kind of obstacles they face.

They're the kind of people I like to be around. If it weren't for them, I'm not sure how I would have made it this long without losing my mind. They're... really great, Luna. I know nothing could be the same as back home, but I treasure all of them more than I thought I could in just a few weeks. And I guess if you're watching, you probably know what happened with Milla too. But, you're happy for me, right? That I could find someone else who made me want to live up to that title, and someone I wanted to see smile too. I felt bad for a while, but I just can't picture it making you mad, either. You'd have loved her, if you could have met her. I bet you'd have been great friends.

Not many people know what I want better than you. Twelve years will do that, even if we were apart for most of it. And I guess now that my time may be over, I'm...

Kind of sentimental. I'm sorry to you too. I know you never held it against me that I couldn't protect you, because you protected me to the end. I'm sorry that it seems to soon for me to turn to anyone else that way. And I'm sorry... if I failed here too, even with those guiding lights. I'm sorry that Umbra is going to have to keep carrying on without either of us, and without Pryna, too.

Will I see you again, Luna? I hope somehow, we can. I didn't get to Altissia fast enough but...

You know I still miss you too.

Wherever I go from here, please. Keep watching over me. That's all I can ask of you.

--Noctis

week 7; letter (percy)

Percy,

I don't think I have to tell you why Umbra is bringing you this letter. I think if anyone knows the truth, it's probably you.

Seriously, man. You should probably try to work on being more subtle, because even I couldn't shake knowing something bad was coming. I have no idea if it's you or someone else, but I'm pretty sure it's someone I trust. Guess I'll know by the time you see this, but it's not like I can tell you.Doesn't matter. I'm not holding it against you or anyone else. I have a couple of favors though, and because you were so weird and cagey, you need to follow through.

The first one is to go to the general store, make some Cup Noodles... and bring them to Milla. That probably sounds weird. But just do it and tell her it's from me, and that I'm sorry. Do this ASAP, because she needs it and none of us know what's going to happen next.

The second is to make sure everyone keeps their cool. I don't know how much you know anymore, and I don't know if the others have been thinking what I'm thinking. Whatever it is... don't let them panic. No revenge killing, it's not worth it.

Not gonna lie, I'm kind of annoyed you didn't tell me whatever it is you knew. I could handle it, I've been ready. But even though it's like this—you know you were my best friend here, right? You're kind of like a little bro, kind of not. You've been through hell, but I need to you keep carrying on. Whatever it takes, don't let it beat you, even if the worst solution is the last resort. You may not have a "role" officially, but you have a lot at your disposal, use it.

And...

The last time I saw my dad, he said something to me that I think you should hear too.

"Walk tall." Keep your head high, keep going. Don't let anything stop you, got it? Don't make me kick your ass if we meet again.

The last thing is that I'm glad I could call you a friend. Thanks for looking out for me, thanks for trusting me, and thanks for being someone I could trust in this mess too. I know everyone feels the same. Don't take it for granted.

--Noctis



[but that's not all! because there's a second envelope that umbra is foisting on him, though this one doesn't seem to be addressed to anyone in particular.]



Gladio, Ignis, Prompto,

I hope somehow, this gets to you. Prompto, I'm tasking you with reading this out loud. Take a minute to read it through, do your best impression of me, okay? I'm counting on you.

I don't think I can explain the hell of these last few weeks. But if Umbra gets to you and you read this, it's because I'm not coming back. Because I can't come back. I can't say if someone took my life or I willingly gave it up to help others. Whatever it is, I know... I'm letting you all down. Your country is without a king, because I failed what I needed to do in this crappy place. The details would make it worse, but just know it' bad, and I did my best to try and save others and get back there.

I don't know what will happen with the Crystal, or to Lucis. Keep going, though. Get to Gralea, get it back. Kick Ardyn's ass into another solar system if that's what it takes, because that bastard deserves it.

I'm sorry.

I'm so, so sorry.

Gladio: You were always right. When I couldn't suck it up... I was making it worse. I know why you were so mad, I get it. There were times here when I had to walk in your shoes, and it was hard. You're the best shield I could ever ask for, no matter how much shit you give me. Finish there, and when you get back to Lucis, get more of those flowers that Iris likes. Give them to her and tell her I'm sorry too. See if you can find the last of the Cactuar figurines to give to Talcott, too. I couldn't do anything for them as a king, but as a friend, they deserve it.

Ignis: I'm glad you didn't give up. Even when everyone wanted you to turn back, I'm glad you wanted to see it though. I don't even doubt that somehow, you'll get through it just fine. It wouldn't be the same if you weren't there, anyway. The four of us, that's how it's supposed to be. I guess it's just he three of you now. But man... do you know how much I've missed your cooking? The only person who should live on this much Cup Noodles is Gladio, and I don't know how he does it. The others are going to need you most. You're our voice of reason when things really go to crap, don't forget that. I know it'll be tough but you guys can make it without me, I know it.

Prompto: Nobody could replace you. Don't forget, I never just let you tag along—you're part of this group, even if you're "just a commoner." You're not common, you're one of us. Who else would take pictures of Gladio eating shit in a daemon knock-back, or sneak shots of every little thing? It's not mood-making, it's memory making. Keep taking pictures, even when I'm gone. Of the guys, of the world, of whatever you see. Just. You know, don't try to take any weird creeper shots of Cindy or something. Make sure you save all the ones you already took, too.

You guys...

You're the ones I miss the most. No matter how great some of the people I've met with have been, nothing can replace any of you. All these years and all these memories, I'm taking them with me. I cherish all of them, from when we were kids until the last moments I saw you. Sparring, playing video games and reading comics, seeing the world...

Think about the first time we saw Galdin, or got out of the Regalia in Lestallum, or our approach to Altissia. The good memories, not the bad ones. I've made peace with the fact that this is out of my hands, so don't despair. Keep fighting. You guys are the absolute best. Even if I'm not there, I'm with you.

I'm starting to sound like my dad, right? I've written so many letters lately, and all of them...

Well, I guess it's probably too late to start acting like a king.

But you know I have to say it, right?

Walk tall, my friends. I love you all.

Noct