A bright light. Blinding.

Ears ringing… then silence.

A limitless white void.

Then slowly…

An ethereal glow molding into a familiar environment.

The interior of a lavishly decorated home, a fireplace crackling and the sound of laughter.

“Could it be?” Nathan thinks.

A younger boy chasing an older one, running around their already crowded house.

A familiar woman shaking her head but smiling as she watches the boys with pride and care.

“Mom?” Nathan asks, incredulous.

She turns towards him, smiling, “Hello, dear. It’s so good to see you again.”

“Am I in heaven?”

His mother laughs kindheartedly before answering, “Something like that... but only temporarily.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Astrals have granted us this opportunity to meet but we better hurry… I don’t think we have much time left.”

“Mom, I’m so confused right now… you were the Governor General of Galahd?”

She sighs before taking a seat on a red sofa. Nathan follows suit and looks expectantly at his mother.

“He finally told you, didn’t he? Yes, dear, I was… I tried to hide it and I guess I did it successfully.”

“But why? Why did you try to hide it?”

“I was afraid it would put you and your brother in danger, I mean look what happened to me…” She explains, beginning to laugh before she sees the look on her son’s face.

“Sorry… you probably aren’t really over my death.”

“You don’t say, mom… I still miss you every day and I honestly can’t believe I’m talking to you right now.”

“Listen, Nathan. Even though I’m not able to be with you physically, I am always watching you. Always. I will always look out for you and your brother. I know that what’s being forced onto you is not what you expected but remember what we went through? We escaped the Imperials from Tenebrae and made it all the way to Lucis. We were almost caught multiple times, we survived days without food and shelter, we survived a journey over the Sathersea, and we managed to steal Imperial plans to bring to Lucis that stopped an invasion. What I’m trying to say is… we’ve been through the craziest of situations and probably the harshest of conditions. I’m more than certain when I say that you are the leader Galahd needs right now.”

“I mean, you did almost all those things, mom. Charlie and I were basically dead weight.”

"Nathaniel Sodalis Ashwolf! You know that was not the point I was trying to make."

"Uh... right, thanks, mom."

“That's more like it.”

They sit in silence, watching the snow fall outside as bells ring in the distance. As still seconds pass, they are both interrupted by the voice of a teenage boy, “Uh, mom, who’s that?”

Turning towards him, Nathan sees a fourteen-year-old version of himself. A feeling of nostalgia overcomes him. He quickly looks away, trying to hold back tears.

“This is the young man that will be helping me… in the future,” his mother responds.

“Oh. Well, it’s nice to meet you, sir.” his past self says, blushing.

“Nice to meet you too, Nathan.”

“You know my name?”

“Yes, I do. Don’t you think you should go back to playing with Charlie?”

“Charlie…? Oh, you mean my brother Charles. Good idea!”

Nathan sees his younger self scurry off in search of his sibling. His mother smiles and gently pats his shoulder, “The Astrals asked what I wanted to experience after I passed. I chose my last Winter Festival in Lucis of course.”

He turns towards his mother and notices a tear on her cheek. Not knowing what else to do, he decides to hug her as she begins sobbing in his arms. He soon joins in, their sobs creating a discordant cacophony.

A few minutes pass before she regains her composure. After wiping the tears on her face, Aurelia wipes away her son's tears. “You have to go, Nathan. Your friends, your nation… no, Eos needs you. Make me proud, dear. Oh if your father saw you today… I’m sure he’s looking out for us somewhere. You'll have to handle a lot of crazy situations soon but remember what your father taught you: take them on one by one. Tell your brother I love him and tell my future son-in-law Jordan to treat you right or else he’ll suffer the might of the Astrals!” She laughs loudly until tears threaten to fall out of her eyes once more.

“Wait! You know about Jordan?!” Nathan asks, desperately trying to stay. But it is of no use. The environment around him fades into white again as he loses consciousness.