Chapter Text
“So, are you just gonna keep dragging your heels or are you gonna try leading for once?” Noctis growled at Gladio’s sharp words. The further they delved deeper into the Fodina Caestino Mine, the more abrasive and contradictory his sniping got. He'd already been told off for going on ahead, even when he was clearing the area of any threat.
“Maybe,” he responded, his words spoken slowly and deliberately. “I'm hanging back to help Ignis like you keep saying, so can you get off my back and stop whining already?” Ignis let out an irritated sigh; it was like the two enjoyed using his current state to win points in this useless ongoing argument.
“Guys, can we not--?” Prompto tried to say, getting cut off with a glare from Gladio as the man stopped walking. Noct passed right by and continued on wordlessly.
“Can it, Prompto,” he growled. “I’m much more interested in what His Majesty has to say. About me ‘whining’, was it?”
“Yeah, whining. So if we can just get on with things--”
“‘Cause you’re doing such a good job with that so far.”
“Piss off.”
Gladio sped up and grabbed Noctis by the collar of his jacket, pulling him back into a glare. “So when are you gonna get your act together and start behaving like a king, then? If you’re so good at ‘getting on with things’.”
“Then I guess it’s not good enough that I’m here, trying to get this over with.”
“Saving your own damn kingdom isn’t something you can just get over with like a test you didn’t study for, Noct.” His gripped tightened on the prince’s jacket. “Did your father see dying for the sake of a self-centered brat like you as ‘getting it over with’? Did my father? Or Jared, or Luna, or everyone else who had the ridiculous idea that you were actually something special?”
“Gladio!” Ignis’ tone was sharp. No civilised debate would solve any of this until they’d both cooled down. It just needed to stop. Gladio let go of Noct’s jacket and took a few steps back.
“Tell me what they died for, Noct,” he said firmly. “So you could pocket that ring and treat every chance they gave you with contempt?”
Noctis’ head was low, not daring to look away from the taller man. So many answers screamed in his head, too muddled to truly make sense off. His bitterness bubbling to the surface, he turned away.
“Maybe they were wrong to die for me,” he finally said. “They shouldn’t have bothered.” The atmosphere grew tenser, even more so than the stifling air around them. Gladio took in a deep breath, watching Noct’s back.
“A whiny little shit like you ain't no king.”
“ Fine by me. ”
A final sharp glare at Gladio and Noctis had stormed off further into mine. Ignis let out a low groan at the mess that had unravelled before him, pinching the bridge of his nose. Prompto glanced between the prince and the shield, a panicked look in his eyes, as he took a few steps towards following Noctis.
“Prompto, just leave him.” It sounded like an order as he placed his hand on Ignis’ shoulder to guide him back to the mine entrance.
“But I--” Prompto stammered in response, before backing down and meekly following the larger man.
The creatures in Noctis’ way didn't stand a chance, with the foul mood he was in. He cut them down easily and carried on his way, with no real thought to his destination. Anywhere, really. The argument flashed through his mind to the point where his heart raced and his head was pounding. He felt the weight of the Ring of the Lucii deep within his pocket more than ever, pulling at him unbearably. Its presence weighed constantly in the back of his mind, a ceaseless reminder of what he had lost and what he was yet to lose.
Absentmindedly, he dug his hand into his pocket, fingers feeling the design of the ring, before grasping it tightly in his palm and pulling it out. He couldn’t even bear to look at it without everything that was lost bubbling from his stomach up to his throat, seeing the raw power exude from it into his very core, making it hard to breathe. Willing himself to open his fist, he let out a frustrated cry and simply let it hang to his side. This stupid ring, this cursed ring, this ring that stole the life from his father, soon to steal his too. The ring that so many he loved had died for, mocking him for his lack of strength to save them with its very presence. The regret of his words as he left hung over him, as heavy as the ring he held, and he forced his mind blank. He didn’t even feel like he was part of his own body when his fist loosened, the ring dropping to the ground as he walked away.
The pressure he’d felt lifted within seconds, sweet relief flowing through him, and it was soon out of his mind, like it had never even happened. After a while of squelching through slippery mud and boggy water silently, something unusual caught his eye. It looked like...balloons? No, that wasn't right. All else forgotten, he went to take a closer look.
“They're...eggs?” he wondered aloud as he peered at and around the strange objects, before landing his sights on something much more important; a very familiar looking door. “The Royal Tomb? It's here ?” A pause as he considered his position. “I guess if I come back with this, it’s one less thing for Gladio to bitch at me over.” His mind briefly thought back to the ring, which would also be a point of contention, but was soon brushed aside once more with a shrug. “I’ll pick it up on the way back.” He tried to squeeze his way through the eggs, before deciding on cutting them down. He didn't have time for this. What he also didn't have time for the monstrous roar and crashing water that assaulted his ears from behind. He spun around, Engine Blade materialising in his hand as the horrendous flailing visage of a Malboro loomed before him, tentacles flailing and numerous teeth on show. “...Shit.”
Clearly it was mad that Noctis had threatened its eggs, but Noctis was just as mad that its eggs were covering up the doorway that contained a very valuable treasure. Thrusting forward to stab into the creature, he was forced away as its tentacles flailed towards him. Warping out of the way to gain some distance, the Malboro gave chase, spewing out noxious gas as it closed the distance between them. Covering his mouth to escape the worst of it, the effects were still fast and harsh. He doubled over, hacking and coughing, grip tightening around the hilt of his blade as he straightened up to face his foe once more, his head feeling lighter as the the toxic fumes dispersed.
“You want some?!” His voice choked up as he yelled but he didn’t care; he lunged towards the damned creature once more, opting for his great sword for heavier damage. It worked somewhat better as heavy metal sliced clean through, more gas pouring from the monstrous plant’s mouth in retaliation. Noct warped away again, staggering a little as he inhaled more of the toxins. Was it just the oppressive haze in the air or was the makeshift arena beginning to spin? Blinking hard and readjusting his grip, he went in for a warp strike, darting away again before another slew of gas arrived.
He couldn't keep this strategy up, there was only so long he could warp before he needed rest. His throat began to burn as he coughed to expel whatever fumes he could from his lungs. It was too little too late; there were lingering traces of it everywhere, no evading it. The Malboro was already hot on his trail again, and Noct’ stomach dropped when he realised what was also rising from the water - its children .
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” he growled as he ran for quieter ground to weigh up his options. He groaned. His head, once feeling so light, was now heavy and foggy, but from what he could gather, escape would be impossible; the enemies were fast, disturbingly fast, and he needed that Royal Arm. There was no way he was giving Gladio the chance to roast him again.
Only one thing for it. Energy surged through him as he called forth the power of his birthright, the Armiger Arsenal. The familiar glowing blue weapons began to circle him as all the Arms he’d claimed so far came to his aid. Taking in a deep breath and steadying himself, he raised his arm and prepared to strike.
He wasn’t prepared for the Armiger Arsenal disappearing before his eyes.
“ What-- ” he gasped out, no time to react as a sharp pain coursed through his left leg. One of the little bastards had latched onto him in his confusion. Landing a fire spell right on it, it screeched and let go, leaving him wincing in pain as he stumbled to get away before more could gather. To say they were babies was a bit of a stretch; they were large enough to land a bite directly up his leg and into his thigh.
The pain in his leg and his woozy head were the least of his worry though - why had the Armiger failed him ? Panic crept into his mind as he once more remembered the ring and cursed out loud. Slamming his sword down into another Malboro Sprout, he cast fire at his main target as it continued to loom over him, still spewing poison into the air. Choking again and trying hard to stay focused, Noct cried out as he was struck from the side by one of the huge creature’s tentacles, smacking hard into the water. Tiredness washed over him but the aches in his body kept him grounded and alert enough. Staggering back to his feet, he warped away, stumbling at the weight he placed on his leg as he landed.
“Please... come back! ” he whispered harshly to himself, willing the Armiger to return. He hadn’t needed the ring before, surely it made no difference. Right? His lungs were burning and the world was spinning around him, but the Royal Arms did not come to his aid. Why? Why?! “Fine, I can leave this tomb to rot then!” His words were bitter and careless. Right now he just needed to try and get help. Somehow. He cursed himself for not trying to call someone sooner, grabbing his phone and making a hobbled dash to temporary safety.
Trying not to trip on the roots and branches hidden in the waters, he clumsily scrambled on top of some high climbing tree roots and dialled Prompto, willing his friend to pick up. Breathing fast and panicked as the phone began to ring, another bout of the Malboro’s fumes hit him, taking his balance as he crashed down to the ground retching, his phone smashing against yet another Malboro Sprout as it flew out of his hand. The baby indignantly eyed the offending item before biting down on it hard. An unfocused but powerful bout of fire destroyed the sprout, and more regrettably, his phone.
Prompto jumped a little as he felt the sudden sensation of his phone vibrating. He, Gladio and Ignis were slowly rising to higher ground on the lift, nearly at the top. By the time Prompto pulled his phone out, the vibration had stopped. He knew who had called, though. Noct probably didn’t want to speak to Gladio right now, not that he could blame his friend. The larger man was in too sour a mood to notice Prompto dialling Noct’s number, and the concerned look that followed when the line was dead.
“Hey, um, guys?” he said timidly, hoping to get their attention. Ignis looked in the direction of his voice.
“Is something wrong?” he queried. Prompto shuffled awkwardly as he tried to find the words. The lift doors opening caught his attention; Gladio was the first to move, moving to guide Ignis out alongside him.
“I’m...I’m going to find Noct,” he finally said, flinching a little as Gladio turned around to look at him. After a moment of silence, the older man let out an unenthusiastic laugh.
“I knew you would,” he said blankly. Prompto stood silently, waiting for the backlash to his suggestion. “Just go already.” The young man sighed with relief.
“Take care,” Ignis said, wishing he could be more help than his current condition would allow. “Do you have curatives with you? Just in case?”
“Yeah,” Prompto nodded to himself. “I’ll be as quick as I can.” On those words, the doors closed once more and he descended into the mine once more.