Chapter Text
A badly repressed snort of laughter woke Prompto up, who found he and Noct were practically tangled up together while sleeping. He pulled away, waking the prince in the process, a smile of relief at the sleepy mumbling. Finally looking to the source of the sound, he found Gladio was watching over them while organising their items, and Ignis sat at on the opposite bed, an undeniable smirk plastered on his face.
“You could’ve woken us up if we’re heading off soon,” Prompto mumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked between the two of them as he sat on the edge of the bunkbed.
“You two looked so peaceful, we wanted to let you sleep some more,” Gladio responded, turning back to his task, an amused smile still on his face. He jerked his thumb in Noctis’ direction. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen His Highness so clingy before. Good job getting him to sleep.” Prompto smiled again, looking back at Noct. He was awake, the gunner could tell, just having a hard time with the whole ‘being awake’ thing. An irritated mumble came from the prince’s mouth as his hair got ruffled playfully.
“Who knows what’s ahead,” Prompto said quietly, not taking his eyes from his friend. “You really think we’re ready as we are?”
“We have little choice, I’m afraid,” Ignis said grimly. “Time is running short, we’ve been able to afford this time to rest, but now we must make haste.”
“Yeah…” Prompto gently nudged Noct’s shoulder. “Come on, buddy. I know sleep is great, but we’ve got work to do, right?” He didn’t want to outright mention the machine blocking Noct’s weapons around the others, just in case it got shot down before they’d even looked.
“I’m up, I’m up…” Noctis said with a whine, pushing himself into a sitting position and squinting around. His almost constant headache had mostly dulled, and besides the dull throb that emanated from the ring, he felt a lot more alert in body and mind. Even then, it took him a moment to fully realise he wasn’t all alone in the lifeless dormitory. Seeing his friends before him gave him a warmth he hadn’t felt in weeks.
“Everyone all set?” Gladio checked, already stood at the open door. Ignis got to his feet, as did Prompto and Noct. The two younger members stretched as they walked, a dreaded feeling looming over each of them that that had been the last proper sleep they got until it was all over.
As they walked down the corridor, Ignis suddenly halted. Prompto, who had taken place once more by his side, turned to him, confused. “What’s up, Iggy?”
“Do you hear that?” he asked quietly, ears training in on a slight hum in the air. After a few seconds silence, he nodded his head. “I feel as if I’ve heard it before.”
“It almost sounds like machinery,” Noct said, casting a glance at Prompto. His friend nodded in reply. “Come on, it might be a generator or something we can bust up.” They headed in the direction of the sound, finally arriving in the middle of a large circular walkway with a tower sealed in the centre. “So, this is the thing?” Ignis let out an affirming hum as they got closer.
A few agitated attempts to pry the door open later, Noctis sighed. “It’s locked tight.”
“The sound’s coming from within. Is there no way through?” Ignis asked. A pause filled the air as they considered their options, before Prompto stepped forward.
“There’s a way.” His tone was almost fearful as he walked up to the door, arm raised, the entry scanner giving him clearance as the doors slid open. Everyone stood in stunned silence as the gunner nervously avoided their eye contact. “So, those MTs. They’ve got these code prints. Just like I do.”
Noct tilted his head, confused. “They do? I can’t say I noticed.”
“Yeah...So, turns out I’m one of them. Not exactly something I could tell people growing up in Lucis.” He finally set his eyes on the prince. “Guess you could say I’m someone of ‘impure origin’, right?” Noct’s heart sank at those words as everything clicked into place. The Kings weren’t punishing him for wanting to save his friend, but for wanting to save an MT. His stomach turned at the thought of the Kings associating Prompto with those inhuman soldiers.
“Prompto...”
“I wasn’t worth making the Kings mad at you, Noct,” he said, blinking back the tears that began to form. “I’m sorry. I just...hope we can still be friends, even after all this.” Noct took a step towards him, expression unreadable.
“I wouldn’t have abandoned you, Prompto. Ever,” he said seriously. “And if you got taken again, I’d still pick you over the Kings and the Crystal. I’d always pick you guys over them. Who cares where you’re from?” Prompto looked stunned.
“B-but I lied to you all! The Kings punished you because of who I am! What I am!”
“That was Noct’s decision to make. He can fix his own mess,” Gladio stepped behind the gunner, clapping a hand on his back. There was a light edge to his voice, unlike his usual chastising tone. “And you’re not in a hurry to betray us, right? You’ve more than shown your worth as an ally.”
“It’s true. I don’t see you turning against us. Not now, not ever. ‘Impure origin’ or not, as you so put it,” Ignis added, an honest smile on his face. Noct cast a reassuring smirk at the gunner, Gladio keeping his hand on the blond for support. Prompto couldn’t understand, why weren’t they angry? His eyes darted between them, to find the right words to make them understand his confusion. After a few seconds, his frustration couldn’t help but melt away as he saw the tired but heartfelt smile Noct gave him. Prompto knew they’d all meant every word.
“So, are we good to go, crown citizen?” The gunner couldn’t help but smile at the warmness in the prince’s voice as he paced over and lightly nudged his friend.
They entered what appeared to be a throne room of sorts. Noct took notice of the MT remains that lay on the floor, then cast a confused glance at the clothes that were strewn over the throne; he’d noticed quite a few cases of unseen Niflheim personnel shedding their clothing. How strange.
“Noct, over here! I think this is it!” He turned his head towards the hopeful voice, walking closer as Prompto examined the machine. He turned to Gladio and Ignis, anticipating their confusion. “There's a chance the Kings didn't seal away Noct’s weapons,” he explained. “It might be this machine, but we need a way to disable it. Wait, Noct--! ” He ducked out of the way as Noct rushed forward and began to bludgeon the device with one of the fallen MT’s severed arms.
Prompto watched on, stunned and almost amused as Gladio joined in, kicking at the console, sparks bursting from it with each strike. The gunner stepped back to stand by Ignis, who’s mouth was twisted into a position of utmost distaste against the sound of clashing metal. It took a few attacks, but finally the whirring stopped and the lights glimmering across the machine died down. Noctis looked to his friend briefly, and Prompto saw both hope and fear in his eyes.
“There’s only one way to find out, right?” he said, anticipating the prince’s question as optimistically as he could muster. Noctis took a few steps away from them, his deep breaths trembling as he psyched himself up, hand stretched before him.
The brilliant flash of blue caught him completely off guard. He stumbled back slightly as the Engine Blade formed within his grasp. It wasn’t just the glow of the weapon; Prompto could see the his friend’s eyes light up with new vigour as he summoned and cast away each of his weapons, gazing at each one with childlike joy.
“Magic…I feel it...”
Noct kept his weapon drawn as he glanced around. “What...was that?” Prompto asked timidly at the distorted voice that echoed around.
“The ring...shall be mine!”
The group jumped back as a daemon ferociously crashed through the entrance of the room, diving towards Noctis. Gladio stepped to block the attack with his shield without a moment’s hesitation, growling as he forced the enemy back. The prince rushed forward to slice at it. He recognised this daemon - it had pursued him on a couple of occasions. Had it spoken before? He couldn’t remember in the heat of battle.
“For the glory of the Empire...relinquish the ring!”
Something fell into place for Ignis. “Could it be…the Emperor?”
“ What ?” Noct gasped as he blocked another of the creature’s clawed attacks, casting his eyes back quickly at the pile of clothes that lay on the throne. Were those his robes? That explained a few things. The daemon emperor vanished into the ground in a matter of seconds. The prince caught sight of Prompto moving his way protectively beside Ignis, and Gladio pacing around for any sign of where the creature had gone. A roar and a sharp cry caught Gladio’s attention, racing over as Noct was bowled to the ground by the Emperor, barely managing to keep him away with a holy spell, the protective barrier growing harder to maintain with each strike.
“Yeeessss...give me that power…”
Multiple gunshots hit the daemon’s back, followed by Gladio’s greatsword practically cleaving it in two. Noct got to his feet, gasping for breath as the fallen emperor began to dissolve away into an all-too familiar black ooze.
“The empire shall span...all the lands…
By the Crystal’s Light...we shall flourish…
I shall arise...as ruler...of the world!”
An awkward silence followed, Prompto walking over to Noct, who was swaying tiredly on his feet, placing an arm around his shoulder and smiling. “You okay?” he asked, finding his vision focusing on the burns that ran up his friend’s arm and face.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Noctis replied quietly, fidgeting himself free and taking a few steps forward. “We all good to go?”
“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Gladio replied, placing a hand on Ignis’ back to guide him out of the room.
The path to the hangar was more of the same; full of daemons and rogue MTs. Except now the four of them had access to their weapons, making their fights a lot more clean cut. It seemed to be mutually agreed between Prompto, Gladio and Ignis that Noctis was to use the ring’s power as little as possible; any moment of weakness shown in the prince was covered by his companions in an instant. Noct was more grateful to them than he could even say, hoping his thankful smile whenever pulled out of a tricky situation would be enough to let them know.
“So, the central elevator’s through here,” Noct said as they approached the hangar. They found themselves in a wide open area. Noct glanced around, something didn’t feel right.
‘Your Majesty, your precious Crystal awaits you.’
Shit . Not Ardyn again. It was so nice not hearing him over the speakers.
‘To liven things up, I thought I’d take you on a stroll down memory lane. Of course, memories decay with time.’
The loading bay doors opened, revealing the repulsive sight of a half-daemonized Ravus, dripping with black ooze as he stumbled forward, letting out a distorted gut-wrenching cry.
‘Kill me...end it…’
The words hit hard; he was still human enough to know what he had become. Noct daren’t speak the Tenebraean prince’s name, he couldn’t will himself to acknowledge the poor soul’s fate.
“Is that Ravus?” Gladio’s words confirmed it.
“Or what’s left of him…”
“Damnit!” Noct scowled as Prompto inadvertently drove home the situation. They’d have to finish the job and put him out of his misery. As each called forth their weapons, they took a wary stance. If Ravus was already more than a force to be reckoned with back at the Aracheole Stronghold, there was no telling what he was capable off now.
Gladio hung back to stayed close to Ignis as Noct and Prompto moved swiftly around the open space, drawing Ravus’ attention as they gauged his strength in this mutated form.
He was fast - much faster than thought possible. As Noct managed to connect his blade into the daemon’s shoulder, he was soon across the arena from them, shooting up a horrid pillar of black ooze from the ground, enveloping the prince. He wanted to scream at the ice that swept through him, but found he couldn’t. He was frozen in place, barely hearing his friend’s voices calling out to him. Was it a few seconds or hours when whatever had petrified him had released his hold, leaving him crumpled on the floor, choking back air before hauling himself upright once more. Prompto had rushed over to meet with him, firing off a few defensive shots to keep the danger away from him.
It was hard to evade his attacks, especially the long range ones. Gladio could barely manage to parry an attack from Ravus’ sword, while Noctis opted to dodging and attacking from behind when he wasn’t using holy to keep the strikes away from him. He missed his warp skills more than ever, glancing around and spotting all the high areas he could so easily gain advantage from. If he could only reach them.
The petrification Ravus could cast was far worse than the physical assaults launched at them. Each time one of them was struck by it, it took more and more energy out of them, wondering how many more times they would be able to recover from it.
Too many potions later, the party stood battered as Ravus fell, a distorted gurgle rising from his throat as he melted away to nothing. Gladio spoke words of tribute to the fallen High Commander as they gazed sorrowfully at the sight. So many thoughts ran through Noctis’ head; from the last time he’d seen Ravus when Tenebrae had fallen, to the notes that he’d found that showed a side to the man Noct had long hoped still remained. The poor man had died once, why couldn’t he have been allowed his rest? His fists clenched as he thought of the twisted things Ardyn was capable of.
“Something’s not right.” Ignis’ words broke Noct out of his thoughts as he glanced around, waiting for whatever his advisor had sensed to reveal itself.
“Look alive - company!” Gladio confirmed Ignis’ warning as daemons rose out of the ground, surrounding them. They weren’t too powerful between them, but in large numbers and with their team still reeling from the precious battle, it was a challenge.
They weren’t letting up, however. No matter how many they defeated, more waves took their place. “They just keep on coming!” Prompto cried, sending a lone Snaga flying backwards with a fire of his gun. Noctis willed his Armiger to come back more than anything. Even with his weapons back, he felt so powerless to help his friends, to stop the ceaseless threats that plagued them. He growled when, as expected, he could not call the power forth.
“Noct, you must go on alone.” Ignis’ voice was raised but firm. Noctis froze and turned to face him.
“ What ?”
“If you can obtain the Crystal’s power, we may yet be able to turn the tide. Elsewise, we are all like to perish here.” Noct didn’t want to believe what he was hearing. Of course, it was the most rational course of action - this was Ignis , logic lay at the centre of his being - but the last thing he wanted to do was leave.
“Iggy’s right. It’s our only chance,” Gladio agreed. Shit, this really was bad if they were willing to play the distraction while he got away.
“But what about you?” he gasped out, dodging an incoming attack.
“We’ll manage somehow! Just get moving!” Hearing those words from Prompto while he was forcing back a handful of daemons while pinned in a corner twisted Noct’s stomach. There wasn’t much he could do, but surely the four of them could win together!
‘You could still get to the Crystal...if you went on your own. Your friends will have to stay behind.’
So Ardyn was planning this all along; that his friends risk their lives against the daemon hordes while he fled. The Chancellor’s slimy voice sent a shiver down his spine. Everything they’d sought to achieve in this damned Keep just played into the twisted man’s hands. Casting a glance over at the sudden clash of metal, he saw the elevator opening up.
Inviting him and only him.
Noct sucked in a harsh breath. He couldn’t believe he was doing this. Couldn’t believe he was going to willingly abandoning his friends.
He sprinted to the elevator, not daring to turn his back as the doors closed behind him.
It felt like an eternity as the elevator finally stopped on the lower floor. Noctis didn’t have time to just stand there, frustratedly forcing the doors open and squeezing through them at the first chance. A tannoy message sounded overhead, echoing throughout the expansive room.
‘Hangar gate closing. Please stand clear.’
Time was even shorter than he’d imagined. As his eyes darted to spy any shortcuts, another, more obnoxiously familiar voice rang over the speakers.
‘You’d better think fast. I don’t envy you your decision.’
“Shit!” Noct hissed under his breath. Daemons were swarming around him, ready to block his path. He sliced and dodged his way past the creatures, wincing as their attacks grazed him, brushing them aside as he made his way through the confined walkways.
‘Betraying your friends for the greater good - the mark of a monarch! Step forth, Your Majesty!’
He grit his teeth as he tried to ignore the words. Betrayal was the last thing on his mind, he was doing this to save them!
A scream halted him instantly. He didn’t need to turn around to know that Prompto had been hit hard. His blood chilled as he heard Gladio calling for him, a clang of metal and an all-too audible growl of pain rang through the air from his shield. If those two were in trouble, then Ignis…
‘If you wish to obtain the Crystal’s power, you must be prepared to lose all else.’
Noct’s breath caught in his throat. The Crystal could rid them of the daemons, could give his friends a chance to all get out alive...but at the rate things were going, they wouldn’t even last that long. He sucked in a deep shaky breath, eyes scrunched tight as he turned to face the makeshift arena he had left barely moments before.
For the second time, he chose his companions over the Crystal.
And with the countdown hanging over his head, the Kings were furious.
Barely a few rushed steps back towards the elevator and a feeling of fear washed over him - excruciating heat burst from his arm and the prince collapsed to his knees. He watched, wide-eyed and gasping for air, as flames began to surround his hand and edged their way up his arm.
“W- wait !” he choked out, barely hearing Ardyn’s snide chuckle echoing across the area. “I just...I have to--” He cried out as the pain somehow got worse. The daemons that had emerged around him grew ever closer as he fell to the floor on his side, breath hitching as constant waves of pain exploded around his smoldering arm and throughout his entire body. Eyes tightly shut, he mentally willed everything to stop, to make the Kings understand. The sounds of battle around him were fading to nothing as he could feel his consciousness fade away, yet he could still hear his friends’ desperate cries as they fought for their lives. He had doomed them all. “ Damnit… ” he said in barely a whisper.
“Time and again you have chosen to betray both your ancestors and the Crystal. You would dare speak with us to justify yourself?”
Noct forced his eyes open and attempted to haul himself at least somewhat upright with his left arm. His right arm now felt like a dead weight, twitching from shots of pain that fired up it, the burning he felt still too far too strong. Everything seemed to have stopped, just like before. That meant the voice he heard was…
“Do you truly have nothing to say?”
His eyes narrowed at the sight of the old Kings who once more loomed over him, judging his very existence. After a long moment of looking between the foreboding figures, then to the frozen scene of his friends in danger, he spoke as calmly as he could muster. “I have go back. I have to save them.”
He never expected to hear the Kings laugh . It was loud and it hurt. He winced, head pounding as the dying laughter left a ringing in his ears.
“You would bring the world to ruin for two who were born to die for you, and one who was born of corrupted means?”
Noct’s jaw clenched at the words. To hear his friends, his brothers , spoken of so lowly made his blood boil. He sucked in a sharp intake of air as he fought for the words, cut short of his response as he glanced up at the familiar suit of armour that stepped in front of him.
“Dad…” he said with a shaky breath. The prince closed his eyes and shook his head. “Stand down.” Regis turned to face his son. There was no expression to be found there, but Noct knew what he would have seen, had it been his father’s face staring back at him. He staggered to his feet, to meet his gaze with the Kings. “You don’t have to protect me anymore.” A weak but reassuring smile passed his lips. “I’ll be fine. I can do this. I promise.”
His left hand edged towards the deceased king, lingering with hesitation before dropping back to his side. Words would be enough. They had to be enough. “Thanks, dad. For everything.” It was so hard not give into the tears that threatened to spill as Regis stepped to the side, nodding his head slowly towards the prince. A sense of pride filled him, seeping through from his father’s spirit, as he turned to focus on the Kings once more.
“Kings of Lucis,” he began, mustering as much regal authority in his voice as he could manage. “As I said before - I have to save my friends. I’m going to save them.” He barely managed to mask the pained grimace on his face as the heat around his arm began to intensify once more.
“Insolent child. You stand before us to betray your kingdom.”
A strained laugh left him before he’d even realised. “I don’t betray my kingdom.” He motioned to his companions, still in their frozen state. “They are my kingdom. Insomnia - all of Lucis - is no kingdom worth protecting if they aren't standing by my side.” He couldn’t hold back a cry this time as the flames seared harder. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he held the Kings’ gaze, shifting his attention between them. “So what are you going to do, then? Destroy me?” he demanded, holding his burning arm as he stumbled on his feet.
The Kings gave no answer.
“The line of Lucis goes with me. No chosen, no one to use the ring, no one to rule the kingdom you failed to protect in the first place!” He could have sworn he saw the spirits tense at his accusation. Damnit, if he was going to die right here, with the world hanging in the balance, he may as well go out in a literal blaze of glory.
Their silence and the dulling flames around his arm told him they were on the ropes. It was time to talk terms.
“I still mean every word I said,” he began. “I’ve found the Royal Arms, and I’m here for the Crystal. Nothing has changed. I’m still pushing forward on the sacrifices made for me.” A sharp breath, glancing to his companions. “But not them. I’ll never let them become sacrifices on my behalf. I’ll find the Crystal, I’ll do whatever’s needed of me, no matter what. But they live .” The look he gave the Kings could only be described as ferocious. “And you’re going to give me the power to allow that.”
The silence was long and piercing, but Noctis stood firm, eyes locked on the Kings before him, his focus and resolve unwavering.
“And what powers would you request?”
Their tone was almost cautious, a severe departure from their usual demeanor.
“All of them. Everything you took from me. Give me your trust and I will not fail you. You have my word as the King of Lucis.”
“And if you should fail--”
“Then do with me what you must.” The words were heavy. He knew very well that one slip up could cost him, his brothers, the entire world , more than he could possibly imagine. A few more agonising seconds of nothing, until he felt something stir within him, like a candle that had long been extinguished finally reigniting. While the fires of the Ring of the Lucii had only caused pain, this fire drove deep within his spirit, filling him with an energy he thought lost forever.
A weary look over to his father’s spirit caused a hitch in his breath. He could almost see the image of the late king smiling upon him, eyes glistening with unshed tears. A subtle nod was passed between them, with a warm smile on Noct’s face. “I’m ready,” he finally spoke to the Kings.
The spirits faded and time resumed, but things were much different this time. An explosion of light burst from Noctis, the Royal Arms of his ancestors whirling protectively around him as the daemons recoiled from its glow. He raised his right arm to direct the weapons, the burns on his arm now forgotten, tearing through the beasts that threatened his friends.
Gladio and Prompto shielded their eyes, looking to the brilliant flash that emerged. As he looked away, the gunner finished downing one of the few remaining potions, letting out a gasp as he felt the effects of the curative stronger than before.
“No way…”
Gladio’s voice had him looking back in the direction of the light, his heart skipping a beat as he saw Noctis stood there, the Armiger Arsenal once more at his command. Gladio couldn’t take his eyes off the prince-- no, the king , even as the looming daemons were ripped apart by the Royal Arms.
Ignis could sense the sheer power in the air, making his way towards the other two’s voices. “Is that…?”
“Yeah,” Prompto replied, his voice shaking in awe. “I knew he could do it.”
The daemons slain, Noct kept his focus on his friends. A smile from ear to ear crossed his face, yet his eyes betrayed sadness. Keeping his arm raised, a force field surrounded his companions. “Be safe. I beg you.” His voice cracked, just the smallest amount, as he ran off to the doors as the countdown continued.
Prompto pressed his hands against the barrier, watching as his friend sped away. The daemons were reforming once again, but couldn’t lay a tooth or claw on them. Not while Noctis was around. It was an agonising wait for their friend. They didn’t even know how long it had been, and tensions were high as they feared the magical shield might dissolve at any minute, either by the might of the daemons or…
It vanished suddenly. There was no time to question it as they fought off the daemons and made their way to the hangar gate. Prompto doubted whether his barcode would have clearance on such an important mechanism, but stumbled back in surprise as he saw the door open before them. A race up the elevator and along the walkway only met them with a figure they had hoped never to see again. As Ardyn Izunia stood before them, they knew it was too late.
“Your friend is having a little ‘alone time’ with the Crystal, I’m afraid,” he said nonchalantly, with a casual wave of his hand as he walked by them. A shot to his back and a sword cleaving through him was the best response they had, only to find him immediately rise and leave them in the lonely chamber, wondering with fear and rage what had happened to their king.
As Noctis learnt of his fate, he sank deeper into the Crystal’s depths, gaining the power he would need to fulfil his word to the old Kings of Lucis, to the Crystal, and to the world. And as these memories, fears and longing all welled up within him, the Ring of the Lucii’s light gently thrummed alongside the beating of his heart and his chest’s uncertain rise and fall.