Chapter Text
Something had changed with Noctis.
Surrounded by the Havokfangs they’d been sent to hunt at Alstor Slough, Prompto realised he wasn’t needed in this battle. Actually, neither were Gladio or Ignis. Noctis had it covered with the most controlled use of magic Prompto had ever seen from him. He took out the four monsters without breaking a sweat. And once he’d finished, Noctis practically bounced away from the fight. Not even the rain seemed to be getting him down.
“This is unexpected,” Ignis said.
“Unexpected?” Gladio sputtered. “Why can’t he always be this good?”
“Dude, that was amazing!” Prompto said. “I’ve never seen your magic like this before.”
“I know, right?” Noctis said. He had a goofy grin on his face. “It’s just working. Like it’s supposed to.” He put his hands on his hips. “Feels pretty good.”
Prompto couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing. “You’re buzzed!”
“A little bit,” Noctis said. He stepped away, footsteps dancing to a beat no one else heard. “Don’t you guys feel it?”
“Feel what?” Gladio asked. Prompto saw the fond look on his face. If he didn’t seem worried, maybe Prompto didn’t need to worry either.
“Like there’s something in the air.” His fingertips danced the way they did when he played the piano. “Everything feels stronger.”
Ignis frowned. “Noct –”
“Ignis,” Gladio admonished. “Let the guy have some fun.”
A roar from nearby interrupted them. Looking over his shoulder, Prompto saw a huge figure moving nearby. “Guys, we’ve got a problem!”
A Catoblepas lumbered towards them, its huge body creating massive waves in the water. Everything in its path fled, desperate to escape the oncoming tide. They normally ran when these things came at them, but it was already too late. It was on them, its gargantuan head and neck swinging at them. Prompto laughed before he could cry. He pulled out his camera. Might as well take a photo so someone might learn what had been the end of them. “We are so screwed.”
“Get ready!” Ignis said, his spear appearing in his hand.
“Nah, don’t worry. I’ve got this.” Noctis stepped forwards, hand held out.
He cast Flare. Just like that.
And Prompto captured the moment with a perfect shot. “Whoa, Noct.”
The Catoblepas fell seconds later, cooked to a crisp.
Noctis turned back to his friends. “Lunch?”
Prompto was relieved to see Ignis and Gladio looked as shocked as he did because… because… “Dude!”
“Since when could you do that?” Gladio demanded.
“Since today,” Noctis said like it was no big deal.
“You’re not even exhausted?” Ignis asked.
Noctis shrugged. “I could do it again if I had to.”
Prompto stared at him. How could he sound so chill when he’d just cast one of the most powerful spells without putting it in a Flask first? It wasn’t like Noctis to be so adept at magic.
“This is most unusual,” Ignis said. “You must admit this is not something you’ve been able to do normally.”
“Actually, that’s always what he’s like without the Flasks,” Gladio said. “Explosive. Remember?”
“Explosive, yes. Controlled, no,” Ignis said. “Noct –”
“I’m not deaf,” Noctis said. He started for the path back to the car. “Seriously, lunch. I could eat a Catoblepas myself,” he shouted over his shoulder.
Torn, Prompto looked from Noctis to Ignis to Gladio. “Um…”
“Go on,” Ignis said. “Let’s just keep an eye on him.”
“You think something’s wrong?” Prompto asked.
“Still not deaf!” Noctis called out over the pouring rain.
“No, but apparently you’ve developed super hearing,” Gladio muttered.
“Seems like it,” Noctis said.
Prompto ran to catch up with him. He couldn’t help noticing the bounce Noctis still had in his step. He seemed lighter. Maybe even happier. Prompto couldn’t help smiling. Had he ever seen Noctis so relaxed? Hmmm, he didn’t think so.
Reaching Noctis’ side, Prompto slapped him on the soggy shoulder. “Seriously though, what’s with you?”
“I told you, I can just feel it.”
“What’s ‘it’?” Prompto asked.
“Magic,” Noctis said. “Stronger than ever. It’s just right there.” He looked over at Prompto. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Tired?” Noctis asked.
“A little.” They’d been up early to hunt down the Havokfangs.
Noctis held out a hand. “Here.”
A Curaga spell washed over Prompto, erasing his exhaustion and the lingering aches from a few hard days of fighting. Looking over his shoulder, Noctis cast the same spell over Ignis and Gladio.
“Wish it was like this all the time,” Noctis said.
“Huh?” Prompto stared at him. “What do you mean?”
“Magic,” Noctis said. He held up his hand, cupping a strong flame. “It’s never worked so easily. Things get lost inside me. It’s why I use the Flasks. I’m usually no good at this. I can’t control it.”
“But you can warp and all that other stuff,” Prompto said.
“You ever see the Kingsglaive fight?” Noctis asked.
“Yeah, sometimes. When I was training with Cor.”
“You see them use magic?”
Prompto had. “It was different to yours though. They borrowed it from your dad, right? It’s not the same for them as it is for you so – ”
“That’s because I couldn’t use magic the way my dad could,” Noctis said.
“You can’t?” Prompto asked.
“I can’t control it the way I’m supposed to,” Noctis said. “It was always too much. I couldn’t refine it. I couldn’t shape it the way Dad did, the way the Kingsglaive did.” He closed is fist around the flames, killing them. “That accident I had. When I was little. It damaged my connection to the Crystal. Before that, it was different. It felt like this… although I didn’t have any training so it’s not like I could use it. But that was then. I had to find a different way. It’s why I have to put spells into the Flasks or create potions out of sports drinks. It’s the only way I can make any of this work.”
“So? There’s nothing wrong with that,” Prompto said. “You don’t have to do everything the same way your dad did.”
“Maybe not. I can share it with you guys and it’s not like you have to rely on me because the flasks and potions are ready for you to use whenever,” Noctis said. “But this feels really nice.” He smirked. “Wish I could shove it in all those councillors’ faces.”
“Councillors?” Prompto asked.
“Yeah, the ones who told me to my face what a disappointment I was to the people of Lucis. A King should not have to scrabble to control his power the way you do. And the way you share it with others! Do you think this is a democracy, boy? What an embarrassment you are, Prince Noctis. How does your father bear the shame?” He kicked a rock. “Like I asked to be almost cut in half and infected with the Scourge.”
“Any idea why you can do it now?” Prompto asked, scrambling to keep up with Noctis’ unexpected outburst. His friend was never this chatty.
“Not really,” Noctis said. “I –”
“Oi, Noct! Imperials, overhead!” Gladio shouted from behind.
Looking up, Prompto saw the MTs dropping down, banners and weapons at the ready.
“Ugh, what a pain,” Noctis muttered. Hand outstretched, this time it was a burst of lightning leaping forward, frying the robotic soldiers before they could take a single step. As they collapsed with their rasping cries, Noctis walked on. He didn’t even slouch. He actually held his head high, a bright smile lighting up his features. Prompto barely recognised his friend. Noctis hadn’t ever been carefree. Ever.
He’d never shared his thoughts so openly either. If Prompto didn’t know better, he would’ve said Noctis had had too much to drink. Except Noctis barely drank, and they hadn’t been near any alcohol in days.
“I’m serious about lunch,” Noctis called back. “I’m gonna order one of everything.”
Prompto stood motionless as Noctis climbed the rest of the way alone. Ignis and Gladio came to stand with him. “Do we need to worry?” Prompto asked.
“I honestly don’t know,” Ignis said.
At the nearby diner, Noctis made good on his promise and ate one of everything. His vegetables still wound up on Ignis’ plate, but he practically inhaled everything else.
“You got hollow legs?” Gladio muttered.
“Perhaps using magic this way causes your appetite to increase,” Ignis said.
“Looks like it,” Noctis said. He leaned back in the booth, patting his stomach. “I could eat that again.”
“This hasn’t happened before?” Prompto asked.
“Not to me,” Noctis said. He belched, pressing a hand to his mouth to muffle the sound. “We should probably clear through some hunts while it lasts. Earn all that cash while we can.”
“Works for me,” Gladio said.
“I’d rather we find out the cause first,” Ignis said.
Noctis slid out of the booth. “Let’s figure out while we earn.”
Prompto sighed. He was ready for a post lunch nap. “Fine, but you’re doing the heavy lifting.”
Noctis grinned at him. “With pleasure.”