ＰＹＲＥＢＵＲＮＥＲ.

Even at the sight of the blade Ignis’s glare kept. No, he was not looking to die this day but his life was nothing next to Noct’s. If he were to die keeping this man away from him so be it. “My name is Ignis Scientia. And if it is my king you seek to harm-” He summoned his daggers back to him, grip tight and this time ready for a strike “-I will not lead you to him.”

​┘ℑ┌  Ignis Scientia the name itself he knew the meaning to the moment it was spoken, that explained why he was immune to the fire that he sent the man's way whereas any normal being would have roasted alive. Fire Knowledge in Latian this man was one of the chosen emissaries of the Astrals, more importantly, his, in particular, that was the only reason Ifrit could not kill with fire. With this sword, he very well could, but this was quite the rare opportunity that arose... 

Recovering from his shock he looked toward the other man when he spoke. His temper quickly flared and he stood dusting himself off while giving the iciest glare he was capable of. “I really don’t think I’m at liberty to give such information to the man that attacked me unprovoked.” Ignis usually left the growling to Gladio but his anger burned with the intensity of the fire that had slammed into him and he couldn’t stop it from coming out.

Those words shot shock through Ignis’s entire body. What?! How on did he know about Noctis? He didn’t have time to figure it out before the dragon made of fire came at him. Unable to really move the blonde stepped back and tripped over a stone behind him. The fumble of his feet and the force of the dragon plowing into him had him on the ground and on his back. His daggers bounced out of his hands and out of reach. He expected immense pain and burning all over…but there was nothing. Just pain in his back from the fall. Not realizing he’d closed his eyes he opened them again and looked down at himself. He was…untouched by the flames. Yes, he could feel the warmth but there was no pain. He wasn’t even uncomfortable from this heat. Shocked and confused, Ignis sat up to examine himself further and…nothing was different.

​┘ℑ┌  ... Unharmed? Shocking considering the amount of force he put behind that attack with the full intent to kill, yet it only appears to have made the other's skin warm with some flames flittering about likely remaining from the attack. There was no way it would have done nothing even if it didn't kill the man before him, so then how was he able to negate all damage, not even a fire charm would have prevented something so deadly. 

That stare made Ignis involuntarily swallow. He really, really felt the need to run but where could he go? Camp was not an option at this point and the only option was running further into the woods to avoid him. Though, that risked him getting lost. “I am, yes.” He repeated himself to answer. He found himself praying that his voice didn’t hold his nervousness. The growing heat in the air only heightened his nerves. Without the mist for cover he might not be able to get away as easily.

Something in the way this man said the word ‘companions’ had Ignis taking a step back. It just didn’t sit well in his mind. Almost as if he knew who Ignis was talking about. “I am, yes…” He wanted to go back to Noct and the others, tell them they needed to shift location to avoid this man but doing so may well lead the stranger to them. Ignis wasn’t about to let that happen. Instinctively, his grip on his daggers adjusted, now holding them in a way that would make throwing them easy. Still he didn’t move to attack, unsure if he really needed to.

The smile on the other man’s face made the Strategist nervous. More nervous than he’d like to admit. And it reminded him vaguely of someone… He didn’t dwell on that thought long, wanting to stay focused on the man before him. “Merely looking for firewood. Easier for me to spot suitable wood in this damp than my companions.” Yes, he was being vague on purpose. He traveled with the King of Lucis after all. Not everyone would prove to be friendly toward them.

His grip tightened on his weapons significantly when the other man appeared out of thin air. However he didn’t lift them to attack. Something inside him told him that it would be a very bad idea to do so, especially alone. There was something about this stranger that screamed power and a lot of it. “One must always be on guard. Even more so while alone.” He retorted. The blonde was now noticing that the air was warm. Odd considering the mist that had settled on the wood.

@convoquer

It was misty again in the Nebulawood but that was normal for this area. At least it wasn’t near as dense as the time they had taken on that Behemoth, Deadeye. That had been some time ago now and it felt much safer to be in the wood with the beat gone. And yet…the Strategist felt himself on edge for a reason he couldn’t place. He was out, alone, on the hunt for some suitable firewood. He couldn’t help the constant scanning of the area around him. Ignis felt someone or something there but wasn’t able to put a finger on it. He stepped into a clearer, though still wooded, area and stopped. Instinct had his daggers appearing in hand as a precaution. There was someone here and being alone Ignis wasn’t going to take any risks.

┘ℑ┌  It seems a mortal has chosen the less than perfect time to wander through this otherwise people less forest, once home to a horrible beast before it was done away with Ifrit visited it often. Yet, to see that someone was here was surprising to say the least, especially considering it was one of those boys Ardyn messed with. The other appeared more on edge than someone not being cautious in a forest, did he feel the fallen Astral's presence even though he was invisible? ... Amusing, through no grin crossed the Infernian's features as he glanced over his shoulder at the other allowing himself to finally be seen. 

┘ℑ┌  Golden optics narrowed upon gazing upon the stranger standing before him in careful observation, the crown was certainly something he recognized but those cracks were an entirely different story... The question presented almost seemed to go unnoticed by the Infernian's silence, something dark must have happened for such an occurrence to show itself now, how..., interesting. 

     Was it really that obvious? He must not be as good as he thought at hiding it. “Yes. I know it must sound rather pathetic but my whole life is centered around him, it leaves me clueless as to what to do when he’s not present. Even if he leaves me something to do, I end up finishing long before he returns.” The more he listened to himself say it out loud the more pathetic it seemed to him. Yes it showed his loyalty, but was he, obsessive? He really needed to find a hobby…

┘ℑ┌  The expression resting upon the Astral's features turned out to be rather difficult to read, it almost appeared as if he wasn't going to even comment on the matter. Before a low-bearing breath of air passed through pale lips for a fire god, he was rather pale due to spending thousands of years locked within that boring prison. With no one around he did not have the same luxury as Gilgamesh did, able to do something for someone when they were gone or waiting for them to get back ... Funny how lonely it was down there in the black abyss with barely any light to show, though he had to wonder if waiting on someones every beck and call was any decent way to live there was very little freedom involved with such a life. 

❛Thou art find a means to keep thyself preoccupied.❜ 

Some underlying fear of fire, one Ravus never realized he had, reared its ugly head the moment Ifrit made contact with him. Memories of Tenebrae swallowed by flame flooded him and phantom pains coursed their way up his Magitech arm. Searing pain shot through him but he refused to let go. To keep himself silent Ravus grit his teeth and looked away as the object in his hand heated up and seemed to embed into his palm.

Feeling himself released, the High Commander looked back at Ifrit then down at his palm. The sight of the gem made him blink. Even with the burnt skin and lingering fire on the gem it was still beautiful. His gaze settled back on the Astral, hearing his words. A breath he didn’t know he was holding left him. He was sure the burns would heal in time. If Luna had- Luna…. He was certain she might get angry with him over this. He shook his head to get rid of the thought. Ravus gave Ifrit a nod and lowered his hand once the fire went out completely. “Let’s get you out of here then…”

Curious, Ravus kept his eyes on Ifrit as he searched his jacket. He didn’t see what was grabbed and he lifted an eyebrow when Ifrit offered his hand. The Commander was hesitant at first but he stepped closer to the Infernian. With his normal hand he did what was silently asked of him and offered it. He hoped this really said a lot to prove to the god that he wasn’t backing down from whatever was about to happen.

┘ℑ┌  Once the hand was offered to the Infernian he stared at it for but a moment, before he started to move his own hand rather slowly at first. Before outright gripping Ravus hand as the fire around his body suddenly made itself known, spilling out over the exposed skin of the other’s hand the object he was playing in question began to 'burn' like hot iron. Without letting go it was as if Ifrit awaited some cue before releasing the other man's hand, it appeared a rather colorful gem was left in the wake of noticeable burns and a flame still dancing off it. 

Casting a sheen of red about the room they stood within, one might even call it beautiful if not for the pain the rite brought about. Most would cower away knowing some intense pain would be involved of having a gem shard 'embedded' within their hand, thus the lack of warning the Astral gave. 

Oh he knew what that meant and it hit him pretty hard. “Me?” He didn’t understand it. The only one he cared to help was his sister, not the rest of the world. Then the rest of the world is what hurt and betrayed Ifrit. He cast his dual colored gaze to the side, clearly in thought. His military trained instincts told him if this didn’t go well he wouldn’t be leaving in one piece. Well. Two pieces. The blue and violet went back to Ifrit. “Very well. I accept.”

┘ℑ┌  ❛Doth thou see no other here?❜ A very monotone esque question, coupled with quite the stare at that too. Within this plane of darkness, no other form of life could be found besides those currently inside, many have tried to transverse this place. Only to vanish from this world due to the magic rejecting their presence, only those who this horrible prison deemed worthy may enter albeit not effortlessly. 

Hearing Ifrit’s declaration the High Commander’s features shifted to show confusion. He wouldn’t go with Noctis? Well with what he had said he really shouldn’t have been surprised. But what other option was there? Lunafreya could only call to them for that brat of a Prince. “If not him then who? It’s not as if there’s another choice on whom to serve.” Then maybe the Astral just intended to wander and use his freedom in his own ways instead of someone else’s. Ravus couldn’t really blame him for that one.

     The God was right, even though they were certain of things, only time would tell if everything came to play in their favour. Feeling the other’s eyes focus back on him, he seemed to be pulled back out of his thoughts in time to fully hear the question. “For the moment. He wished to go do more to ‘help’ the boys.” While it bothered Gilgamesh he couldn’t accompany him, he knew practically nothing would be able to hurt the man. Still, it left him without anything to do in any case. Frankly he was rather bored.

     “Well put. Either way, in time they will come to realize how powerless they truly are.” Part of him wanted to be there when they finally figured it out, but with how determined they seemed, it could very well take a little while. He would have to ask Ardyn about that. Perhaps it’d even be possible to capture the image of such faces. He doubted they’d last for long. It would make quite the picture to look back at once they won. The Blademaster knew his King would enjoy it as well.

Had he been in the presence of Shiva he was sure a glare that icy would have frozen him solid. “Actually, as one carrying the blood of the Oracle and Prince of Tenabrae I do know.” He corrected the Astral. Maybe not the best idea but his aggravation probably matched that of the god and he really couldn’t care less. “What was done to you was wrong and honestly? I don’t think we deserve your help in the slightest. This brat named to be the King of Light has no idea what it even means, let alone what he’s doing. Had it not been for the fact that if I didn’t do this my sister would have and likely have died in the process. I don’t want to see her dead. As far as I am concerned I am down here for her and her alone. If you don’t want out, fine. I understand. I will return to her and lie, saying the stories we were told were wrong.”