✨I like dinos✨

I whipped around to attack the familiar voice, Ravus was shot back with dark magic and Ignis was pinned down by soldiers. I quickly shielded Noctis the best I could, I couldn't even summon my scepter, my magic was already so low. "Don't you dare Ardyn! All this violence will bring you no peace!"

"Katerina!" Ignis struggled against the soldiers' grip.

Ardyn chuckled, "what do you know, dear princess?" He grabbed and pulled my hair and lifted me. I winced and whined with pain as I gripped his hand to try and get him off. "You know NOTHING" he held his blade to my neck.

"UNHAND HER!!!" He growled. "Take me instead!"

"Ignis...I'll be fine!" I looked at him with pleading eyes. I saw nothing but determination in his gaze.

"No! I'm not letting you take them away!" Ignis shouted.

Ignis held up the ring and he shed a tear, "I swore to stand by Noct and keep him safe but I WILL NOT tolerate you threatening the one I love! Whatever it takes I will protect them!" He shoved the ring onto his finger and screamed out in pain.

"IGNIS!!!" I cried out.

Right before my eyes I saw Ignis transformed by the ring. His eyes engulfed by purple flames, his hair entirely down and damp from the rain. He soon teleported backwards and Ardyn teleported with me forwards.

"Guess the Gods favor you after all" Ardyn growled in a smooth low tone. He threw me to the side as I hit broken columns.

I was trying to keep conscious while they fought. I heard blade against blade clanging against each other. Regular blood and black blood scattered the wet stone floor of the altar. Diluting as the fight went on. I had to stop this before Ignis got killed. I closed my eyes, digging into the memories that made my heart ache. A sharp warm pulse coursed through my veins as a familiar name rose to the front of my mind.

“What would Aera think?! Layanna?!” I squeaked out across the small battlefield. Ardyn stopped in his tracks midswing. Ignis stopped as well.

“You dare speak their names…” his voice was low and coarse like sandpaper. His eyes locked onto mine with malice and black blood dripping down.

“I have every right! And you have every right to be mad at them and the Gods for playing games! Bahamut has betrayed us all, including my family! My Uncle died knowing this truth and passed it onto me!”

Ardyn raises his blade with a shaking hand. I stood tall with my hand on my heart. “My job is to heal and guide people to their true selves. If you strike me down then you’ll never find peace”

“No! Katerina, what are you saying…” Ignis exhaled steam from his panting breath.

“Ardyn Lucis Caelum…” I spoke like it rolled off the tongue like water. Ardyn’s eyes widened at the statement. “Make your choice”

Ardyn clicked his tongue and flicked the blade he used to kill Luna. His eyes were shaded by his hair and hat as he turned away. “When the time comes, you shall know what I have seen.”

The statement left a chill down my spine as his malice whisked him away from the battle. I felt my legs give way and collapse to the ground. “Holy Shit that was scary….” My eyes burst into tears as I looked up to Ignis’ exhausted body covered in ashen scars. He lowered himself to my level and hugged me with all his might. His body shaking with soft sobs and his fingers digging into my sweatshirt. I returned the hug, digging my hands into his shoulders and back. My tears stained his soaked shirt and pushed my glasses onto my hairline. I cried into his neck all my fears, slowly melting away with his scent. 

“I’m so sorry Ignis! I wasn’t thinking straight!” I hiccuped into his neck as he lifted my chin to match his gaze. His eyes were glossy yet so blank from the sacrifice he made.

“No more talking Dove…” His lips locked onto mine. I gasped internally from the sudden movement. My worries melted away as I returned the kiss. His lips were soft and full of fear I would fade away like nothing. 

We pulled away and he collapsed into my embrace. I held him close as I leaned on the big pillar next to Noctis. I grabbed the ring off Ignis’ finger and put it in my pocket. 

“Why did you confront the Chancellor like that?” Ignis coughed.

“Because…you and him were worth fighting for.” I sighed deeply. “I want to fight for peace as much as Noctis but no more bloodshed from the hands of the gods…no more…”

I laid my hand on Ignis’ cheek and started to heal his scars, though his eyes were touch and go.

I heard more voices in the distance and let out a high whistle. My brothers, Felix and Gavin, came running with Prompto and Gladio.

“Sis! You ok?” Felix checked me over.

“I’m fine Felix, go help Noctis…” I slowly blinked my eyes. I slowly lost consciousness as Gavin helped Gladio with Ignis.

★★★★★

I woke up to the sound of footsteps. Then a thud as a weight creaked my bed. My eyes fluttered open to the view of Ignis using a walking stick. My heart broke at the sight. 

“Ignis?” I called out.

His posture jumped as he turned to my voice, his eyes were closed and scarred over but more healed thanks to my last bit of magic. “Katerina, you’re awake.”

“Yes I am, how are you feeling?”

“I can see shadows and faint light thanks to your quick thinking but not enough to fight on my own. Noctis wanted to continue on even with all that has happened.” Ignis tightened his grip on the cane. 

“I agree with him, besides my home is near the borders of Niflheim and Tenebrae, I would be able to heal you and others of the blight. I promised Luna I would protect the people and the ones I love.” I placed a hand on his and scooted closer, “Including you most of all, Ignis.”

“As you wish…it worries me so…” Ignis sighed before his face was embraced by my hands gently. I raised his glasses off his face and kissed his scars and calloused eyelids. An aura surrounded us as a soft glow enveloped us. Our crystals synced to our hearts and glowed to the love between us.

“Don’t be, I am here, My love.” I whispered to him as I wiped tears from his cheeks. “I will fight for all the lights, even the ones in darkness.” Ignis blushed at my sign of affection and gave a sincere smile.

“I know you will, and I will for our future.” Ignis felt my soft cheek before placing a soft kiss on my lip. I smiled into the kiss and savored the moment. The future will be bright and difficult to achieve but I have a wish that all will be okay in the end.