Forced to separate from the party, Noctis finally reaches the Crystal. Upon touching it, he is transported to the spirit realm, where he learns the full truth from the Astral Bahamut: Noctis is prophesized to become the True King who will purge Eos of the Starscourge, and that "Ardyn Izunia" is in fact Ardyn Lucis Caelum, a former healer from Lucis who was chosen by the Crystal two thousand years ago. Ardyn had saved Eos by absorbing the Daemons into himself, only to be denied ascension by the Astrals and demonized by Noctis's ancestora king who would take Ardyn's place as the Crystal's chosen. Rendered immortal by the Daemons' power, Ardyn has since sought revenge on the royal bloodline and the Crystal, waiting for the True King to appear so he could destroy them both