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Rain pelted down from the sky above, soaking Noctis’ raiment as he stood on the steps leading back up to the Citadel. It was almost as if the weather itself was reflecting his grief; crying the tears he couldn’t bring himself to shed now that he was faced with the end. He’d made his peace with his decision but now that this moment was here, the weight of his impending death weighed heavy on his heart as he faced his brothers one last time.
Ignis’ sightless gaze was piercing, meeting Noctis’ own with precision as he said, “So this is farewell.”
“Yeah, here we are,” Noctis confirmed.
“It’s all you,” Gladio said simply, the same way he used to give Noctis encouragement during training.
Noctis gave a tight nod in acknowledgement, turned his back to his friends, and began to climb the stairs.
Prompto’s voice cracked on a forced back sob as he said, “No turning back now.”
The pain in Prompto’s voice was so acute that Noctis had to pause in his stride. As much as his best friend had grown, he still wore his heart on his sleeve. It was a comfort in a way. To know at least Prompto didn’t need to let the rain cry for him.
So Noctis turned back to face his friends—his family, one final time. Every moment he lingered, every second he delayed, was another moment without the sun… but he couldn’t leave them like this. Time and time again, his brothers had given him everything they had to give. Now it was Noctis’ turn to return the favor—to prove his own devotion to them.
With his sacrifice, Noctis was going to give his friends a better world, but they were the ones who would be left behind to build it. They needed him to be strong now, so that they would be strong. To let their last memory of him on this star be what would sustain them as they carried on.
“Prompto. Gladio. Ignis.”
As he met his brother’s gazes one by one, Noctis remembered standing on these stairs in what felt like an eternity ago. Recalled the final words his father spoke to him… words he didn’t understand the weight of until it was far too late. How his father had handed over and entrusted the care of their kingdom to him. Now, it was Noctis’ turn to pass the torch of leadership.
“I leave it to you. Walk tall, my friends.”
“Godspeed,” Ignis said firmly before his tone softened affectionately, “And take care, Majesty.”
Ignis and Gladio raised their left hand to their chest and bowed to Noctis in unison. Prompto followed their lead, a few seconds behind, but he held the bow the longest. Behind his brothers, a new wave of daemons began to rise from the depths, and Noctis knew he could delay no longer.
“The time has come,” Noctis said firmly as he returned the gesture, saluting them back with his right hand clenched in a fist over his heart.
Swiftly, Noctis turned and straightened his shoulders. The rain continued to fall heavily from above, but Noctis walked tall, one step at a time, to his destiny—and most importantly, to ensure a brighter future for the people he loved.