Chapter Text
This is it, the end of the beginning.
His mind was both racing and silent as he stared at the crystal. This is what Noctis had to do to save the Eos, to save his people from the daemons, and to gain the power he needs to fulfil his prophecy. He didn’t know what was ahead of him, but he was ready.
Noctis took a deep breath and raised his hand to the crystal. “Please, help me stop the daemons.”
The crystal began to shine and seemed to grab ahold of him, slowly pulling him closer.
This wasn't supposed to happen, what was going on?! Noctis struggled against the pull, trying to yank his arm from its grasp, but his hand was already inside the crystal. “Why?!” He yelled in panic as he continued to struggle to free himself. The more he struggled, the more it seemed to pull him in.
“Unharmed by the light. The Chosen King indeed.” A voice said behind him. “Allow me to regale you a tale.” The voice said as it walked closer. Noct turned his head around to try and see who it was. His stomach dropped. Ardyn, why now?!
“In an age long past, an incurable scourge ravaged mankind. A tiny menace that twisted men into monsters, the likes of which you've seen.” Ardyn said, stopping a few feet away from the struggling prince.
“In Lucis lived a saviour that could cure the afflicted. His body would come to host myriad daemons, that countless lives be spared.” He said and turned to the side as he continued.
“But, a jealous king, one not yet chosen by the crystal, ostracized and demonized this healer of the people. Making a true monster of him. I gave you my name earlier, but you should know that it was not the name given to me at birth.”
Ardyn turned to Noctis again, a grin plastered on his face. “Ardyn Lucis Caelum is my proper name. You’ll never guess whose name Izunia was.”
Before Ardyn could continue talking, there was a sound of shoes hitting against the metal flooring, running to them and shouting. At this point, almost his entire body had gotten pulled into the crystal, only his chest, head and arm remained.
“Noct! What's happening?!” He heard Prompto yell to him. A flash of relief came over him, his friends could help him. He looked at the blonde as panic filled him once more.
“Prompto! I don't know what's going on, this wasn't supposed to happen.” He said with fear in his voice. “It won't let me go, help me please, I'm going to disappear soon!” He said with tears welling in his eyes.
“I got you, buddy!” Prom said as he rushed to Nocts side, taking ahold of Nocts free hand, trying to pull him free.
Ardyn laughed behind them. “You are fighting a losing battle. Noctis is to go to the Astral realm, claim the crystal’s power and arise as its champion, such is the prophecy. There is no use in stopping fate.”
Prompto ignored his words and kept trying to pull Noct out, even putting his feet up on the crystal’s edge for leverage. “It's okay, you’ll be okay, I'm going to get you out of here.” He said with panic filling him, but with how Noctis seemed to keep going into the crystal, neither of them seemed to believe it.
“Prom, you need to let go, I have to do this alone, I don't know what’s going to happen when I go through, but it’ll be okay, you have to let go of me.” He said, trying to shake his arm from Prompto’s grasp. Only Nocts head and arm were sticking out now
“No way! I can’t let you go alone! I can’t protect you in there!” Prompto said as he held on tighter. “It's going to be okay! I'll figure something out, gods, wheres Ignis and Gladio when you need them.” He already knew there was no point in trying to pull the prince out. Could he even follow the prince into the crystal? What would happen if he did follow?
However, hearing Noctis cry out his name before his head got pulled in solidified the idea in his mind. He was going to follow him, no matter where they went and no matter what would happen. He took a vow to stand by him and he was going to keep it. “It's okay, I'm coming buddy!” Prompto called before holding onto Nocts hand tightly and following him into the crystal.
Ardyn watched as the crystal's light dimmed after Prompto disappeared inside. A smirk formed on his lips when he heard the sound of running behind him. “Pathetic, is it not? A puppy running after its master.” He said and turned. “It appears the prince and his pet have gone into the crystal, I do wonder what may become of them.” He said before walking past the two. He couldn't make it far before Gladio swung his broadsword into his back, making him stumble before landing another strike. Ardyn collapsed to the ground, his hat rolling away.
“Gladio, what was he talking about? What does he mean Noctis went into the crystal?! Where is Prompto?!” Ignis said in a panic, he couldn't see what was happening due to the blindness he received when he used the Ring of Lucii.
“I don't know, I guess when Noctis came to gain the power from the crystal it pulled him in. and from what I gather, Prompto followed him in,” Gladio said with a sigh as he sent his broadsword back into the armiger.
“What?!” Ignis yelled. “That was not a part of the plan! Especially Prompto following him in!” He was awfully close to a panic attack. Gladio put a hand on his back and rubbed his shoulders reassuringly.
“They have each other in there, I'm sure they can handle it,” Gladio reassured.
“Yes perhaps, but we never know what the gods will have in store, they can be quite cruel.” Ardyn then stood up and put his hat back on. “No use in waiting for them to return, I'm sure it will be a long while until they're back,” Ardyn said from behind them. The whites of his eyes were now black and a black substance ran down his face. He gave them a sly grin before turning away and beginning to walk away.
“Oh and do be careful, I have a feeling the daemons may become more troubling very soon,” Ardyn called to them over his shoulder before disappearing down the hall.
Noctis’s eyes slid open after who knows how long, the sun warming his skin, sounds of gentle wind blowing through the grass and leaves on nearby trees. Even some birds chirping somewhere. Wait, Sun?! Wind?! Birds?! He sat up quickly and looked around him. A field surrounded them, though in the distance he could spot what seemed to be a town. What is this place? Is this the Astral realm Ardyn had mentioned when Prompto tried to save him?
Oh shit, Prompto!
He followed him in, didn't he? He stood up and gave a better look around to try and find the blonde. His eyes widened when he found his friend unconscious a few metres away.
“Prompto!” Noctis yelled and rushed to his side, grabbing ahold of his shoulders and shook him. “Prom, wake up!” He said with a few more shakes. Thankfully a few moments later, the other began to stir awake.
Promptos eyes slid open, only for him to groan and shield his eyes from the sun with his hand. “Noct? Where are we? Are you okay?” He asked as he sat up, stretching his arms above his head.
“Yeah, yeah I'm okay, I have no idea where we are. Ardyn mentioned I was supposed to go to some astral realm, but I don't think this is it. There's a town over there in the distance, hopefully they can help us.” Noctis said as he stood up, offering his hand to Prompto.
Prompto took his hand and stood up, dusting himself off as he took a look around. “Man, wherever this place is, it sure is beautiful.” Prompto glanced over at Noctis before turning to him. “Why did you put on the whole miqo’te outfit?” He asked, he didn't think now was the best time to be changing outfits with being in a completely new place.
“Huh?” Noctis said before his hands moved to touch the top of his head. “Wait, you have ears and a tail too??” Now he was just confused, because he didn't notice their appearance changes until Prompto said something, and to why Prompto had ears and a tail.
“I do?!” Prom then touched his head and the base of his spin. “Okay, I really think we need someone to tell us what this place is, like right now dude. Cat ears and tail look great on you, but I don't think I can pull it off as well.” Prompto frowned.
“Dude you look fine, I think there are some bigger things we need to worry about, so yeah, we need to hurry and see if we can find somewhere for the night as well, c’mon,” Noctis said as he grabbed ahold of Promptos arm, tugging him in the direction of the town.