Chapter Text
This world was nothing like he remembered at all. When he awoke in Angelgard it was to darkness; alone except for Umbra waiting for him. He wasn't sure how there was a boat waiting for him, but after spending so long floating in nothingness, completely alone, he wasn't going to question anything that returned him to civilization. But there was no civilization to return to. He had noticed it immediately; the silence that surrounded him as he approached the dock at Galdin Quay.
If anything Bahamut had told him was true, then Eos had been plagued with darkness for a while now, and the demons prowling around were completely free to roam. The moment his feet landed on the dock, they were turning their beady eyes on him. There were so many of them, descending on him like a pack of hungry Voretooth. He ran, as fast as his stiff legs would take him and despite the ache in his knee. He ducked between demons up the stairs, through the diner and across the walkway; he took to the road.
He didn't make it far before more demons were on top of him. He summoned his sword, trying to fight them off as best as he could. His limbs were stiff, aching and tired. He shouted when he fell to the ground, throwing his right hand up and calling on the power of the Ring to deal with the goblins that had swarmed him. They seemed to never end; one replacing another after he dispelled them.
There were two left, one at his back and the other at his front, growling and snarling at him like rabid dogs. He was tired and needed somewhere to hide. He needed to find safety.
When the first gunshot rang out, Noctis ducked down low just in time for the second shot to fire. Both demons fizzled away into nothing, and Noctis spun on his heel to thank his helper. He stopped short, the words dying in his throat.
"See Iggy, I told ya. I'd know that shout anywhere"
"Indeed, right on the mark as always, dear"
"Welcome back buddy!" Noctis stared, frozen with shock. His friends... they had changed, but it was them. Prompto shifted uncomfortably. "Umm... Noct? Dunno what's goin' on in your head bu- ah!" His words were interrupted by the arms that flung around his neck, and Prompto only just managed to stay on his feet thanks to Ignis' firm hands at his back. He chuckled fondly, patting Noctis on the back. "Yeah... we've missed you too"
"I thought you were all dead... I thought I was too late. I was so sure..." Noctis muttered, one hand reaching out to drag Ignis into the firm embrace too, which his advisor returned with a soft pet to his hair.
"Come now, we can explain it all to you... but we ought to move before more demons spawn. The car is just down the road" Ignis said, carefully prying them all apart. Getting Noctis to let go of them took a little urging, but eventually he complied, rubbing his arm over his eyes to rid himself of the moisture that had gathered.
"Yeah... let's go"
Ignis had been quick to usher them towards the car; Noctis had been both stunned and relieved to see the restored Regalia. Last he had seen her, she'd been destroyed. He took up his usual seat, as did Ignis and Prompto, and as soon as the headlights were on, Ignis was taking them back onto the road.
"That was... pretty badass back there Prom. Gotta say I'm pretty relieved to see you guys, but where is Gladio?" Noctis asked.
"I sent him a quick message, and he's going to be meeting us at Hammerhead" Ignis assured.
"Okay... next question, what is that on your head Prom?" Prompto lifted a hand to tap at the headphones; heavily modified with what looked like little speakers on the top.
"These bad boys are a little creation of mine. Cindy helped of course, but it was all my idea. They let out sound waves that can't be heard by human ears, but there's a chip in the headphones that relays the frequency back to me like a faint humming. The sound waves bounce off stuff and the headphones pick up on it for me... kinda like a bat" He explained with a shrug.
"I dare say he's faster to react than the rest of us. His accuracy is impressive"
"Well, I've had ten years to practice" Prompto chuckled, but Noctis quickly leaned forward in his seat.
"Ten years? I've been gone for ten years?" He asked, looking between the two in front. Ignis' grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"Yes. A lot has changed in your absence. I believe we're due a proper catch up when we rejoin with Gladio"
"C'mon Ig, lighten up a little! We're gunna have the whole squad back together again! Today's a good day" Prompto said, stretching his arms up over his head. "So have you changed too, Noct? Or does crystal-time not work like real time?" He asked, turning in his seat to better face Noctis.
"Uh..." Noctis took a moment to run his hand through his hair; longer, and more of a dull charcoal compared to his previous black. "I guess I have... I certainly feel older. Everything's stiff" He muttered, rubbing a hand over the hair growing across his jaw. It felt itchy, but he didn't know how it looked. No doubt Ignis would neaten him up later. "So I guess we're... thirty now?"
"Yeah, gotta admit I didn't think we'd ever get this old"
"I beg your pardon?" Ignis muttered.
"Ah! Not old, just... older?" Ignis huffed, reaching over to playfully tug Prompto's headphones down his face, earning himself a squeak from the blonde.
"I see how it is. We get Noct back and suddenly we're all old. You have no mercy, dear" Ignis said as Prompto fixed his headphones back into place. Noctis gave a hearty chuckle. It was nice to see some playful banter in such a dark world.
"Hey Prom, what's with the chin fluff? That the best you could do in ten years?" Noctis teased. Prompto gasped in fake offense.
"Noct, I thought you of all people would appreciate the manliness of my goatee"
"You wish, That's nothing compared to what I've got going on over here"
"Rather unkempt for a young King" Ignis teased.
"Ouch, that one almost hurt Ignis" Noctis said. He shifted up in his seat a little more when he finally saw the bright lights of Hammerhead. It was nothing like he really remembered; now fortified to keep out demons. At the sight of the Regalia, the gates were pulled open and Ignis easily slid the car into its usual space.
As they stepped out of the car Noctis looked around better. The garage looked like it was still running, but the store was closed and the diner was mostly boarded up and full of supplies. Everyone around here wore dog tags, so he figured this must be a Hunter base.
"What, am I invisible or somethin' now?" Came a gruff voice to his left. He turned to face his Shield properly.
"I dunno, you're a bit late to the party Gladio" Noctis shrugged. Gladio laughed, slapping a hand hard across his back and almost sending him tumbling.
"You're one to talk your majesty" He teased, giving Noctis' hair a ruffle. "C'mon inside... got lots ta tell ya"
When they sat around the campfire, ready to face the final leg of their cursed journey, not many words were being said. Noctis sat forward, elbows resting on his knees and his hands firmly clasped together as he observed the others. Gladio was in a similar position, letting his own hands hang limp between his knees, watching the fire. Prompto was sat across Ignis' lap, one arm hooked around his shoulders while Ignis had an arm around Prompto's back, his other hand rubbing up and down Prompto's leg slowly.
"You guys..." Noctis started, drawing their attention to him. He took in a shaking breath. "You know that... that I'm not... coming back with you..." He muttered, tearing his eyes down to the fire. "When this is all over... I'm..."
"Noct... we know" Ignis said quietly, lightly tightening his hold on Prompto. Noctis forced himself to look up at his advisor.
"You... know?"
"I've spent the last ten years researching the prophecy Noct. We understand very well what is going to happen tomorrow"
"We've had an awful long time to think about it" Prompto muttered, turning his head in Noctis' direction. "I think we know it by heart now"
"Many sacrificed all for the King..." Ignis muttered.
"So the King must sacrifice himself for all" Gladio ground out bitterly. Noctis turned to him, meeting his amber eyes across the camp, and feeling nothing but empathy. "Don't look at me like that. I get it. My role here has pretty much become obsolete... But until you face that son of a bitch, I'll shield you the whole way" He assured.
"I'll hold you to that... Gunna need all the help I can get" Noctis muttered. Gladio lightly slapped his hands on his knees, before he stood himself up.
"What you need is to get your ass in the tent. Even the King of Kings needs a rest before saving the world"
"Never thought I'd see the day where Gladio is telling me to sleep" Noctis chuckled, though he stood up anyway. Prompto shifted his feet to the ground and stood up with Ignis too. Noctis spared a moment to look between the three of them. "You guys... when this is all over, you have so much still to do. Gladio, don't think you're allowed to let the Amicitia line die out, just because there's no Lucis Caelum's to drive you crazy... Insomnia will need new Glaives, so you better train them hard"
Gladio barked out a laugh. "Wouldn't dream of it... I'll drive some fresh recruits to greatness for ya"
"Ignis, the people going to need you to figure out how to rebuild. To lead them back to what was once their home... Make sure to tell Cor that he can have my job. I think he's earned it after all these years. He's dedicated himself to Insomnia longer than anyone else... he'll need you to be there as his Advisor"
Ignis gave a nod, swallowing thickly for a moment. "I will do my best" He muttered.
"Prompto..." Noctis paused, reaching out to gently grasp his friend's shoulder. "You gotta take care of these workaholics, okay? Especially Ignis... you know how he gets" He said, his voice heavy with suppressed emotion. Prompto in turn lifted his hand to grasp Noctis' shoulder too. "I'm sorry... I never got to... to make it up to you, for what happened. But I will... I'll bring back the dawn. You'll live in peace, I swear it... I want you to hold your head high Prom. To be there as a living example to show people that anyone can achieve great things with determination and spirit, no matter where they started... to be the morale boost you've always been"
Prompto gave a small nod, letting the tears fall from his right eye. "I know you can do it buddy... I can't wait to feel the warmth of the sun again... we're gunna make Insomnia the heart of Lucis again, I promise" He assured, giving Noctis' shoulder a squeeze before he let go. Gladio stepped in to ushered Noctis to the tent, claiming yet again that they all needed to sleep.
When only the two of them remained, Ignis stepped forward to wrap his arms around Prompto’s waist, resting his chin on Prompto’s shoulder. Prompto wrapped his arms around Ignis’ at his waist, leaning back into his chest.
“So... after all these years... I guess this is it, huh?” Prompto muttered quietly. The whole situation left a bad taste in his mouth. He felt Ignis’ arms squeeze around him a little tighter.
“We've known this for a long time, love. There’s nothing we can do to change what will happen” Ignis said softly, loosening his hold on Prompto to gently turn him around to face him. “But the sun will rise again, Prompto”
“But I still can’t understand why Iggy. Why is it worth Noct’s life? Why doesn’t he get to see the sun too? Do the Astrals really care so little for his life, after all he’s going to do? It just isn't fair”
“I know, love... I know. But we just... we have to do as Noct wishes for us. And we will. We will rebuild our home, and return it to its people. And when the sun rises again, and the demons are no more... we can finally find our own place to settle. No more moving from place to place and scavenging for food” Ignis assured, brushing his fingers through Prompto’s hair.
“We... we can have a family one day too, right?” Prompto asked. They had both grown up with little family, starved for something bigger; Ignis only had his Uncle and Prompto rarely saw his adoptive parents.
“When the sun has risen, I’m going to give you everything, Prompto. I promise. A family, a home... a new name” Ignis leaned forward to press their foreheads together. “It will be difficult... but we can enjoy life again soon” He promised, pressing a gentle kiss to Prompto’s lips. “I love you, dear heart”
“I love you too, Iggy”
Letting Noctis take his first steps up the grand stairs of the Citadel where their journey had begun hurt. But there was no time to dwell on what was to happen inside. Prompto was the first to turn at the familiar bubbling and screeching sound that could only be two Red Giants pulling themselves from the ground.
"Looks like we're not done here yet" Gladio grunted, hoisting his sword up onto his shoulder. "How about it then boys... ready for one last rumble?" Ignis gave a scoff, summoning his daggers to his hands while Prompto tapped his gun against his shoulder with a shrug.
"Them or us. I for one didn't come this far to give in now" Ignis said, making Gladio chuckle.
"We have promises to keep" Prompto said, somehow managing to keep his tone positive. The others give small noises to confirm, but then they're all rushed into battle.
In theory, Red Giants were easier to fight than they first seemed. They were large and slow; easy targets even for Prompto. He could aim high to avoid hitting Gladio or Ignis, staying out of reach of the giant swords. The problem was, two of them at once was difficult. They barely had time to attack one before the other was upon them, with a speed that none of the boys had known before.
It was almost like they knew their time was limited.
Ignis was the first to take a hit, a large hand swatting him away like a bug and slamming him into the nearest pile of rubble with a sharp cry of pain. Prompto was already moving that way, doing what he could to provide cover fire while Ignis crushed a hi-potion, broken bones fixing back into place and deep scrapes knitting together until he could pull himself back to his feet, gently patting Prompto's shoulder to let him know he was okay.
Gladio took a hard swipe from a sword, shattering his shield and tearing his chest open like he was made of paper. Ignis shouted his name; he couldn't get around both giants to get to the fallen shield. They almost lost him. Prompto skidded across the ground, relying on the thundering vibrations of the giant's movements to narrowly duck under a swing aimed his way. He practically threw himself at Gladio, pressing a phoenix down into his shoulder before he could succumb to his wounds.
"Prompto!" Ignis shouted desperately. The blonde turned, but he wasn't quick enough to move out of the way. He gasped when a large hand tightened around his body, pinning his arms to his side and hoisting him off the ground. He panicked, trying to wriggle at least his right arm free so he could attack; do anything to stop the tightening grip from crushing every organ in his body. He could hear Gladio and Ignis shouting just before his ears started ringing painfully, gasping for breaths that weren't filling his tightening lungs at all.
He fell suddenly, his ankle rolling out from underneath him when his feet hit the ground and only just managing to spare his face with his arms. He coughed, choking on the rush of air that finally filled his lungs and made him ache all over. He felt hands on him, pushing him to roll over; a bottle pressed into his hand and his fingers forced to curl around it until it shattered. The relief was immediate, his chest no longer feeling like it had caved in; air flowing steady.
"Prompto, dear Astrals say something!" Ignis pleaded, and he came to realise that it was Ignis holding onto him like his life depended on it. For a moment there, it probably had.
"I'm... I'm okay" Prompto assured, shifting to sit up with Ignis' help. "What happened?"
"They just... vanished... they roared and disappeared" Ignis explained in bewilderment.
"Then... does that mean...?" He didn't want to finish; he didn't need to. If the demons were gone, then Noctis was successful.
The fight was won.
Noctis looked around at the empty void that surrounded him. Gone were the Kings of Lucis; gone was his father and Luna; gone were his friends, and the Ring. Gone was Ardyn, finally reduced to ashes after all these years.
So why was he still standing in nothingness?
The blue air around him shifted and changed, and he became very aware that he was floating. He looked down at the throne room he had been in just moments ago; his body was still pinned to the throne by his father's sword.
"What...?" He muttered. Why was he above this? What he some sort of... ghost? He turned his head at the sound of the doors being pushed open. "No... please..." He begged, unable to do anything but watch his friends run into the room, soaked to the bone and covered in blood. Gladio and Ignis halted at the sight of him, and Ignis grabbed Prompto before he could advance any further. He could see the pain in their eyes. "I don't want to see this..."
Gladio moved first, taking the shallow steps three at a time until he reached the top, stopping at Noctis' side. Ignis was next, telling Prompto to wait as he rushed up after Gladio. Ignis' braced his hands against Noctis' shoulders, and it was almost like he could feel the shaking touch even in this ghostly state. Gladio gripped the sword tightly, bracing a foot against the throne before he yanked the sword free. He expected a rush of blood; there was nothing more than a thin trickle. Ignis eased his body to the ground.
Prompto could clearly hear the scraping of the sword as it was pulled free because he ignored Ignis' warning to stay and raced forward. He tripped on the first step in his desperate haste, but caught himself on his hands and rushed the rest of the way up to drop at Noctis' side.
"Don't... please, it's pointless!" Noctis begged, breath catching in his throat. Ignis fingers brushed tenderly through his hair and he could feel it. Gladio was knelt at his feet, hands pressed into his face but Prompto... Prompto.
The blonde produced a phoenix down, pushing it into Noctis' chest. The fire washed over his body, sealing the wound to his chest. But nothing happened. Nothing changed. He was still floating there, forced to watch as his shield broke down, shoulders trembling. Forced to watch Ignis lean down to press their foreheads together. Forced to watch Prompto desperately try to resuscitate him with compressions, tears streaming from his right eye and pleas falling from his lips.
"You have come far, Chosen King" Noctis forced his head to turn to his right.
"Gentiana... Shiva..."
"Your friends admire you, Noctis Lucis Caelum. It is a shame to see them suffering so"
"Then why? Why can't you just let me go? Why do I have to see this?!" He shouted, waving his hand over his friends, broken and crying and sobbing over his dead body. Prompto had given up, face pressed into Noctis' chest and his entire body convulsing with every broken, wrecked sob.
"Sometimes we must see the things we hold dear in a different light. Your story is not yet done, King of Light. Remember this moment, and do not forget the sacrifices made for you to achieve your calling. Those sacrifices are the reason you may return to your brothers"
Noctis looked back down for a moment, before glancing back to Gentiana. "I can... go back...? I can live?"
"If you so choose" She confirmed with a gentle nod. "You need only to want it"
His world shifted again, enveloping into darkness before he even knew what the hell was happening to him. But he felt warm. He could feel heavy pressure setting into his chest and his head. He gave a small groan, and suddenly the pressure was gone. There was shouting in muffled voices. He forced his tired eyes to open.
Everything was a blur of blonde, dark brown and sandy brown. It took a moment to realise that he was seeing his friends again; this time from below them. As his vision cleared he could see the utter desperation in their faces; cheeks flushed and eyes all puffy red. He took in a deep breath, much to their shared relief.
"Let's... n-never... do that... again..." He gasped. Prompto was the first to react; diving into Noctis' chest and crying for a whole different reason. Ignis cautiously pried the boy off him while Gladio moved behind him to sit him up and hold him steady since he couldn't move himself.
Noctis managed to tip his head back, looking out of the giant hole in the Citadel ceiling as the first shades of red were cast across the sky. Gladio and Ignis followed his gaze up, both feeling so much tension ease out of their bodies. Prompto was demanding to know what the hell was going on because no one was talking and this was amazing!
He went silent the moment the first warm rays were cast across his face. He too turned his face in the direction of the rapidly rising sun, light spreading across the lands faster than it ever had before. Ignis' fingers laced with his own, squeezing lightly as they all marvelled at the light they had so desperately missed for so many years.
"Yeah... You did it buddy" Prompto muttered. "It's... It's finally over"