#off_the_moon

Javier rides through the Frontera with a heavy heart. Once a thriving area with green plain of hills as far as they eye could see. Now it is nothing but brown grass and mud.

Despite it being late spring, everything is dead. Torn apart by waves of monsters from the wilds. The land Slowly becoming part of the uninhabitable stretch between the two countries that border it. All of the houses buildings he passes are burnt to the ground. Nothing remains except the ghosts of the past.

Javier pulls his travel cloak hood further down his armored face. Trying to keep the cold spring rain from dripping into his armor. Knowing it would be a bitch if it did. Weighing him down until he dried his under layers out. Though admittedly it would not weigh heavy enough to impede him. Not as the heavy as the weight which already saturated his chest. That familiar feeling of grief; which threatens to fill his lungs each time he returns to the dead Fontera Estate. A heaviness like lead, but in liquid form. A quicksilver. Wlowly poisoning him from the inside out.

Javier makes it into what used to be the village proper. The buildings him are either collapsed or burnt to the ground. He passes the city well, and the sign he himself had posted the last time he had passed through town. Warning people that the water was contaminated. The last of the remaining population having been finished off by a plague a year ago. Which was the reason for all of the fire damage. It was just easier to burn the bodies in the houses then bury them all. Their ghosts haunt Javier even when he is awake. Their fingers pressing and dragging along his skin. Begging him to join them.

Javier leads his horse up to the front of the Fontera Manor. A place he had once called home in another life. Back when he could taste something other than bitter blood and caustic sweat. When the country wasn't steeped in chaos. When he wasn't the only thing between the citizens and monsters threatening their lands.

He unlocks the manor doors. The one building still left standing within the vilage. The entry way is bare. Stripped of anything valuable long ago by the debt collectors. He leads his horse into the foyer, out of the rain. Letting it do as it pleased in the shelter.

Javier takes off his cloak and hangs it up to dry along the manor's banister. He looks up the stairs towards the rooms. Which he once knew intimately, but now is a stranger too.

He goes down to the kitchen, and lights the hearth there. Warming up and divulging his armor. Cooking some rations, but carefully using only water he either brought with him, or collects from the rain outside.

Javier then settles in for the night. A singular pin point of warmth and light burning in the dark misery of the Estate. Not laying down, but instead sitting in a dusty chair. Starring into the fire. Waiting for the dawn to break, and the rain to stop.

Javier is here to kill a monster. King Storma, a local myth in the area when he was growing up. A great beast who claimed ownership of Lake Kapua. The damn thing has expanded its territory, with no one around to challenge it. Effecting the waterways to the south. Threatening what little remaining villages there with drought.

Javier recalls all of the stories of the beast. How when he had been a child he had dreamed of facing off against the thing. Now, as a master swords man, Javier wonders if the battle will even be worth it. It has been a long time since fighting has given him any sense of reward. These days it is just... exhausting. It's survival at this point. Javier knows for certain though, that if he were not such a great swords man he would have died a long time ago.

Just like all of the other inhabitants of his old home.

-

"Good morning." Javier greets the grave. He unscrews a flask he had been saving, and pours it out onto the dirt. "Sorry it's been a while. I got this from the elves. They don't harm plants on principle, but apparently, they are alright with fermenting mushrooms into alcohol? Apparently they aren't plants? I don't know how it works." Javier admits.

A ghost of a smile grows on Javier's face, but it is as weak as the sun struggling behind the heavy rain clouds. It's Lloyd's grave of course. The last person to receive a proper burial in Fontera, apparently. As no new tombstones had been erected since. Javier stops pouring the liquid and sighs. Considering the grave yard as a whole. He had already paid respect to the Barron and Baroness. As he did every time he came through. However they did not have proper head stones. Having committed suicide, they were not allowed to be buried inside the grave yard properly. According to some asinine religious reason Javier was certain no one cared about then- and especially not now. He looks over to their tree. Which he had planted himself and encouraged to grow with mana. It was the one green thing still growing despite all odds. Javier finished pouring the rest of his flask out onto Lloyd's grave. Tucking it away for later. He always kept an eye out for something to share the next time he came through.

There is no love lost between him and the Young Master. Javier has few fond memories of the man. However there is something to say about knowing someone. Who they are to their very core. Being able to look them in the eye and feel their soul humming back at you like a silver tuning fork. Javier has met a good many more men since leaving the Estate. Most of them with more common decency than Lloyd Fontera had ever had. None of them had his conviction though. The man had been born into the world cursing, spitting, and filled to the brim with hate. But if he said he was going to do something it sure as fire got done.

In those ways, Javier missed Lloyd.

Javier could often still hear the last words the man had ever spoken to him. Despite all the years. Don't you dare try to save me, you bastard. There are some people in this world who just aren't worth it. Understand? Don't swear yourself to anyone or anything, unless you know the bastard will actually pull through. You hear?

The rain started to pick up again. Javier looked up, wiping the stray drop off his cheek. Then he pulled up his hood and turned from the grave. His horse was waiting for him just outside the grave yard. He saddled up and began his ascent towards Lake Kapua.

The path of the mountain was over grown and unattended. There used to be a coal mine out this way, or an attempt at one at least. Lost to time like so many other things. Javier carefully navigated his way through the trees. Winding up the mountain side. Soon he was rewarded with an overlook view of the remains of the village.

Javier gave it one last look before entering the mountains properly. Following a deer trail on the opposite face. Javier looking over the mountains and navigating his way through the familiar terrain. The mountain became steeper the further into the range he got. Though the slope was nothing a hoofed animal would have issue with. His horse snorted at some goats who were grazing idly as they passed. Javier not moving any faster than a walking pace, the goat deemed they were not a threat and paid them no mind. Continuing to graze even though there was more mud than grass at this point.

Soon they came to the lower edge of Lake Kapua. A large embankment, which sloped up to the rim of the lake itself. Almost like a fortress wall. Though this was not man made, it was simply too big to be a construction to be so. Also, it was nothing but stone and packed earth. Javier paused, judging the best way to approach the near vertical climb. Then began to follow a trail that the goats seemed to favor. Switching back and forth up the mountain he was currently on. Even though it looked like it might be a tad dangerous.

Javier held out a hand from under his cloak. The rain wasn't too bad, just a constant light drizzle. Not something he was looking forward to fighting in, but that was just the season for you. He pressed onwards. Figuring he could make the mountain top by night, and camp overnight without waking or disturbing the beast.

This decision was what doomed him in the end. The weather was only a drizzle, but it had been raining for days. The earth was saturated with water, and it was losing the friction which usually held such precarious mountain sides together. Javier only had the warning of his horse suddenly panicking. Before the mountain under them sloughed off in one huge section. Javier had never seen the earth suddenly decide to move, even though he was familiar with the concept of a mountain slide.

His horse lost its footing, and began to topple with the momentum of the falling dirt. Javier cursed, and jumped off the thing. Using a technique he had seen the elves use in order to gain some more height, but with minimal footing.

Javier jumped into the air, as his horse was dragged down below the surface of the mudslide. Javier grieved it for a moment. Then took in his surroundings. Which is when, with dawning fear, Javier realized that he too had nowhere to go. No safe ground to reach in spite of all of his mastery over swords and mana.

Lake Kapua had a singular outlet. Which topped over the mountain edge and trickled down the strange flat surface of its edge. Into what famously the locals called 'the drain'. A steep river valley, where two mountain faces met. Which descended rapidly for a few meters. Before falling into the maw of a large cavern. A black pit which swallowed all the water which cascaded into it.

Javier, his horse, and the mudslide were on a downward path straight into said cavern entrance. Javier managed to keep himself from being buried alive. Thanks to elven jumping techniques and his own skill. However, he lost elevation constantly. Having to move downward with the momentum, with there was no visible way for him to climb back up.

In a desperate bid to at least not fall past the cavern itself, he jumped as far as he could past its rim. Trying to make it to the other side. There was a cliff edge there. If he could just make it- Javier stretched his arms out as far as they could go.

Javier made the jump- barley. His chest plate slammed into the cliff ledge. Both his arms flailing out onto the surface. His feet dangling in mid air. Javier scrambled to find purchase. However the surface of the ledge was slippery with rain water, and a thin layer of lichen. His armored arms threatened to slide right off. Javier struggled to find a hand hold. His foot kicked out, and hit a stalagmite on the lower rim of the ledge, and he felt it snap like brittle bone. Then the whole ledge cracked dangerously under his weight. Then began to crumble under his fingers.

"Nonono- No!" Javier called out to no one, as he broke away from the cliff face, with no way to get back up.

The cavern engulfed him. Like the maw of a giant monster. They sky became a circle of flat gray above him. There was nothing around him save for the oncoming darkness.

Javier's leg collided with something. Hard. He felt the bone twist, and break with the impact. Javier yelped with pain. As he began spinning. Tumbling in an uncontrolled manner into the dark.

Plummeting down,

down,

down.

Then he hit the water, and it was merciless.

Javier wished in that moment that he had a weaker constitution. That he could have blacked out and no longer been in pain. Instead he feels the impact blister his skin. His magic activating in stages across his nervous system to absorb the shock. Everything about him was on fire, and the water engulfing him was freezing. His leg crackled with the pain of electricity.

Javier curled into himself. He covered his mouth with his gloved hands and tried not to scream. Conserving what breath he had still. He was too stunned and in pain to start swimming just yet. Especially since he did not know what way up even was. His dive, combined with the weight of his armor meant that he was deep under the surface.

Javier was floating in a dark abyss. His white hair forming a halo around him.

He floated like that for a long time. Then, something in the darkness stirred. Javier opened his eyes, and looked around. Not able to see anything, but his knight senses picked up on movement. Javier reached for his sword. Still at his side. Prepared himself for an attack.

However what approached him was not a monster. Instead it was a voice. "Well that was quite the fall."

The voice drifted out of the dark. As clear as if Javier was on land. A slight ring to them. Like the scrape of metal through dirt. Pinging off a rock with surprise. "You still alive?" The voice drifted closer, as if getting a better look at him.

Javier's eyes widened, even though he could not see anything visually. As his senses picked up the shape of something. A fish. Large, almost as large as himself. However it's head was all wrong. Not wrong. Human. A human torso with no legs?

A mermaid? What in the world was a mermaid doing here? Wait. This was fresh water. How in the world was a mermaid here? Javier had never heard of fresh water merfolk before.

"You look like you got the shit kicked out of you." The voice laughed, almost teasingly. "Come here. I can give you air."

Javier couldn't see anything, but he felt a web hand reach out to him. His lungs were screaming, having been reminded of their need to function. He accepted the help begrudgingly. It wasn't like he had much of a choice

The mermaid cupped his face. With surprisingly calloused, webbed fingers. Guiding him by the jaw. Javier felt something dance along his lips, just a tease. Before pressure.

Javier was suddenly very glad for the few brief relationships he had experimented with over the years. Awkward, fumbling encounters which usually ended up with him embarrassing himself in some way. Moments of weakness. When Javier was lonely, and was so desperately tired of everything around him dying.

Because it would have been incredibly embarrassing; for his first kiss to have been with a mermaid trying to save his life.

Javier had heard of the 'drowning kiss' before. Something few lucky sailors got to experience. When saved by one of the mermaids out at see. A kiss that let them exchange air for those in desperate need of it.

Though nothing felt romantic about the exchange in Javier's opinion. The mermaid's lips, warm despite the cold water around that pressed down on all sides of them. Javier coughed when he opened his mouth. Directly into the other's mouth, and nearly breaking the seal. Which he would definitely apologize for once he was able to. Because gross.

Keeping his mouth just open though. Javier tentatively drew in a breath. Then exhaled. The Mermaid's hands cupping his face, keeping it still and the seal intact. The air tasted like wet earth. Mud, and the kind of air one breathed in in a cave. Javier reached forward tentatively. Placing his hands on the mermaid's shoulders. Needing some sort of anchor to balance onto. The mermaid didn't seem to mind. Javier found their shoulders surprisingly wide, and strong. Suspended properly in the water now, Javier inhaled and exhaled a few times more. Until the shock of nearly downing left him, and his body acclimatized to being under water.

Drifting in this dark abyss with this singular life line.

Javier tapped the shoulder of the mermaid twice when he was done. The mermaid pulled away. Javier opened his eyes. Finding nothing in front of him. It was too dark to make out any features of the creature before him. His knight's senses to hazed by the water around him to make out any distinguishing features. He just knew that the mermaid was there, and that was about it.

"This way." A hand like the sound of a shovel digging into the ear. Webbed hands wrapped around Javier's wrists, and began pulling him along. Javier tried to aid in swimming motion but his injured leg protested greatly against the motion. So he allowed himself to be dragged along.

It was an easy enough feat for the mermaid. Helped by the buoyancy of water. They intertwined their forearms, and hauled him along beneath them. Like a bird of prey might carry it's victim. Javier could not see, but he could feel how much power was in the fish-like tail. As it cut through the water above him. Almost twice as long as he was tall, streamlined and efficient.

"Your armor is not nearly as heavy as it should be." The Mermaid remarked. "What is this material?" They tapped his helmet curiously. "If it were Iron. We would be sinking much further."

Then, after a pause. "I saw the mudslide you came down in with. Made a fucking mess. Going to have to be cleaning up the operation for days, probably. Maybe we should see if we can get up above the cavern. Stabilize the ground or something. That's two years in a row now this has happened."

The mermaid trailed off once more, then began speaking again. Telling him about the first slide, which had set them back by nearly a month of work. Clearly his savior was a chatter box. Who seemed to think out-loud constantly. It was kind of enduring.

"I'm sad to say but I don't think your horse survived. I found the poor thing before I located you. I'm sorry. I'll make sure it gets properly buried." The mermaid said a bit sadly. The topic having come about concerning injuries caused by the mud slides.

"We're coming up on the bottom, watch your self." The mermaid announced.

Javier sensed what the mermaid was warning him of. The ground of the lake was coming up before him. Javier reached out with his good leg, and caught it just on the lip of a ledge. It was not a flat muddy bottom. Rather a steep rocky incline. Javier stretched his senses out behind him. Feeling how far the area below them stretched. It was far. Several meters far. Whatever lake or water body they were in was incredibly deep.

"Squeeze my hand twice when you need air." The Mermaid advised him. "We're still a ways off. I know you're probably in pain as well. But don't worry. We have a Doctor, who will be able to help. We're going to skip along the bottom, I think that should be the safest way to do this."

Javier could appreciate how practical his new companion was. He pushed off slightly from the ground, and was carried up and up. Javier having touching down, then kicking off with his good leg in order to aid with the upward momentum. Though the majority of his weight was always held aloft by the Mermaid. Making Javier feel weightless, in the dark void. The two of them bouncing up along a rocky slope. Climbing terrain which was not dissimilar to the mountain Javier had climbed to get here. Finally they reached some sort of end of the slope. A channel. Javier felt the pull of water around his hair. Some sort of river?

"Ready for some air?" The mermaid paused before continuing onwards.

Javier shook his head.

"Don't be stubborn." The mermaid set him down, and encircled Javier like a snake. Lifting up his chin with both hands. Bringing their faces in close once again.

Javier didn't really need to breathe, but he relented. He figured a normal human would have been screaming for air at that point. Meanwhile Javier was trained, and had manna to support him.

They kissed again, slowly exchanging air which tasted like a mine shaft to Javier.

They took off again after that, and the mermaid navigated him through what at first he though was an under ground cave river. Until his boot hit wood, and his senses picked up on... walls? He was reminded of a mine shaft. With how the walls were supported and covered. They passed by an oddity in the wall, something which seemed to be a vent. Then in a few meters there was another. Both featuring triangular flaps of some kind. Which seemed to keep the current from becoming too strong.

What sort of place was this? Javier had so many questions.

"Hold on for just a while longer." The mermaid grunted. Still carrying the majority of Javier's weight. "We're not that far off now."

Javier looked ahead of them with his senses. Heart beat picking up when realized he could actually start to make out something ahead of him. Light reflecting off the wooden supports of their tunnel. There was light coming from some distant source. Javier felt his heart pick up its pace. You never realized how much they missed visual sight, until it was lost. The strange underwater mine shaft opened up ahead of him.

There was a steep, almost vertical entrance to the mine shaft. Which the mermaid pulled him up. Then they were coming out of a cave entrance situated at the bottom of what looked to be a river. The gray sky above them was a white, rippling foggy. Far, far above him. Everything was still muddled, since he was underwater. But he was starting to be able to make out details. Such as the gray rocks, and what looked to be some tools and equipment nearby. Javier looked up, and caught his first glimpse at his savior.

He felt the trapped air in his lungs nearly escaping. They were very attractive.

Javier was struck by the thought, like one might strike a drum. Picking up a steady beat some where in his chest. Of course Javier had expected a mermaid to be pretty. They had reputations for a reason after all. However the kind of 'pretty' Javier would have expected from a mermaid was the kind he expected from the noble women who fawned over him constantly. Whom Javier never really saw the appeal of. Certainly he could recognize people as beautiful, however that was where it ended. Sometimes he thought something was wrong with him. Because people seemed lured in by beautiful people. Meanwhile Javier rarely felt desire towards anyone at all.

The mermaid carrying him was a rare exception, probably a first; and their appearance was far from the conventional norms of attractiveness. The had no curves in their frame. Their skin looked hard from years of work instead of soft. Their tail was plain. All business with no frills. Far from sleek, it was massive. A hammer, not a sword.

Javier could feel the power of this mermaid's muscles carrying them through the water. Which picked up that drum beat inside of him.

The water was too foggy to make out details, but her coloration reminded Javier of a carp. A dark black on the back side fading to a tan belly. Their fins a redish amber color. A cloud of black ink lingered around their face. Their hair being about as long as Javier's own, but a stark reverse in color.

Funnily enough, Javier noticed all the details. But failed to notice one major observation about his the chest of his new crush. Which at that time was only, mere centimeters away from his face. Something which would lead to several misunderstandings and incredible embarrassment on his part down the line.

In the moment, Javier was just enchanted by how easy it was for the mermaid to pull him through the water. The flex of the maid's arms carrying him along. The core muscles tightening, right above where scales formed a happy trail down their abdomen. Their fins were auburn membranes, occasionally twitching as they contributed to their forward momentum.

"What in the world?!" A voice to the right rang out under the water. The sound of coins hitting a table. "Is that a human?!"

"Goddess! his leg!" Another voice called out. Then another. "Someone warn the doctor! He's injured"

Mermaids of all kinds swarmed Javier. All manner of white, red, and even gold. Humans with fish tails. Some with more elaborate fins than others. All so vibrant, especially compared to his savior. Javier was reminded of the noble girls who used to flock to him at parties. This was what he had expected mermaids to look like. A sea of slim waist and long hair. Javier found the lot of them somewhat annoying with how they hovered over him. Much less interesting than the mermaid still carrying him.

"Move aside!" A voice called out. As firm as a hammer hitting steal. A mermaid with a red tail, and with white splotches swam forward. Pulling behind her a skirt of yellow fins, and golden hair. The other mermaids made way for her, and Javier got the impression that she was a leader of some kind.

She came to stand in the water before Javier. Examining him from head to foot. "I am going to lift you by your chest." The woman told him, then positioned to do so. Javier was repositioned between the two mermaids. The two carrying him up towards the surface. The new arrival lifting him from below, and his original companion steering them forward.

They broke the surface, and Javier gasped for air, and then immediately began to drown. There was a torrential rain falling from the sky. The sound difference between below the water and above was near deafening. The blonde mermaid yelled something. Javier was turned around. Then wrapped in two strong, but warm arms wrap around his waist. Javier was now laying on his back, perpendicular across his savior. Being held out of the water. The blonde mermaid grabbed onto both of them, and began pulling them along. Using her companion like a life raft.

Javier coughed, inhaled, and coughed some more. Trying to breath, but it felt like he had inhaled some kind of spice, and the heavy rain did not make anything easier. A hand came up, and gently scooped Javier's hair out of his face, where his helmet visor opened up. Then the arm draped over him face. The rain became less of an issue, as the darker mermaid using their arm fin to shield his face from the rain. Javier got an intimate look at how the fin faded into flesh. Accompanied by a spattering of black and dark brown scales.

The two mermaids pulled him over to what he would later learn was a dock. Javier was dead exhausted. Being above the surface of the water, he felt eight times heavier than he actually was. His leg was screaming with pain, and he could feel his magic spinning around trying to figure out what to do about it. The rain falling down on them was freezing. Contrasting to the hot body he was laying against.

The other mermaids followed, schooling just below the surface with concern. A few others gathered above the water on the dock. Braving the rain to see what a drowned master level knight looked like. One of these figures on the dock jumped into the water. Standing in the shallows. Javier winced at the splash, and then found himself starring up at a giant, full blooded orc. "Do not worry! Oink!" The orc flexed. "I am here to take you to the Doctor! Oink!"

The Orc then scooped Javier up out of the water. Like he was a small child, and not a fully grown man wearing full armor- which was probably fifty pounds heavier because it was soaked through.

"I will get you to the doctor immediately! Oink!" The Orc announced, and then jumped back up onto the land.

"Wait- hold on-" Javier croaked. He had never gotten a chance to thank the mermaid. He tried to look over the Orc's shoulder as they turned. He caught a glimpse of the mermaid with the black tail. Pulling themselves up to sit onto the floating wooden dock. Black hair dripping to make a V on their back. Between a strong, square set of shoulders.

With a flash the sky above the Citadel illuminated. A bright blue-white mass of light rising up from the Citadel like a fire work. A beacon of light, in a city being assaulted on all sides by darkness.

Noctis? Gladio was struck by awe. He held up a hand to shield from the bright light. Recognizing the magic as that of his Prince. FEELING how much power Noctis was channeling through their Armiger connection.

Noctis as the 'Chosen King of Light' or whatever- was the only person capable of summoning pure light. That was what Queen Silvia had said at least, when she had a vision and proclaimed him as such. The first time Noctis had ever produced light had been that same week, when Gladio had jump scared him when they were toddlers- and Gladio had gotten blinded for his troubles. As their Prince matured, Noctis got a better handle on his powers. These days they only saw Noctis' light when he gathered large amounts of magic power, or specifically summoned the light. Something he always said was rather tricky to do.

This gigantic light show was a combination of both, however. Noctis summoning an extraordinary amount of magic, and radiating it out as light. It was nothing like what Gladio had ever seen Noctis do before. Both in this life time, and their last ones. Noctis was wielding so much energy. It was easily MORE power than he used when summoning the Gods themselves for aid. Noctis becoming a miniature sun, hovering in the sky over the Citadel.

Through the connection Gladio felt Noctis twisted off a small bead of this power, and charge it with just a touch of electrical element. Just like he would do when enchanting a flask. Instead of storing the energy though, Noctis let it loose immediatly. The magic thundered across the sky. Noctis using the storm his emotions had been gathering all day as a medium for the light to arc through. The light took the form of sky-blue lightning. which rolled across the dark cloudy sky, illuminating the city below the storm.

The streaks and sparks lingering for an unnaturally long time. Like a picture whose lens had been kept open. Gladio inhaled sharply. Noctis was literally casting bolts of lightning. Something only Gods were said to be able to do.

Gladio was enraptured by the sight. He felt a tingling sensation press on his skin. Like he was standing shirtless- well he was shirtless; in the middle of summer- and it kind of might have been the start of summer; in the full light of the sun.

It was not midday. It was night time.

Noctis pinched off another bead of power, and lightning traced above their part of the city- and Gladio fell to his knees as that tingling became a sharp burning sensation. The city being was being illuminating by the magical lightning- and that light was clearly meant to cast demons out. A demon which Gladio now was.

Gladio yelled out in pain, and so too did hundreds of demons around them. Ones that the Imperial Dragon had been keeping back from their fight, and harassing citizens around them. Lower level demons were killed immediately. Only the higher level ones had a chance to run for safety. Crashing into buildings and scrambling for dark shadows. Gladio fell to his knees in the street and couldn't move. Feeling almost pinned by Noctis' power.

"Gladio!" Ignis called out and began running in his direction with panic. Gladio was no longer human. He was a demon. A demon burning in his Prince's own cleansing light.

"Ignis!" Prompto commanded, not far behind Ignis as they ran over to him, "Summon some blankets! From the Armiger!"

Ignis reached Gladio first. Summoning a blanket with a crash of magical glass. He threw it over Gladio, and then summoned a second. Prompto arrived and started to smother him using the blanket. Almost as if he were trying to put out a fire.

The cover helped, but it wasn't enough. Ignis summoned more blankets, and Prompto helped Gladio pull in his wings. Which were starting to turn brown and dry out from the light exposure. Threatening to burst into flames like dry tender.

"Does that help?" Ignis asked, once Gladio was completely swamped in blankets. The others were fighting Drautos still- Gladio had seen Cor had move forward to engage Drautos. Gladio bared his teeth, wanting to help. He was useless here, on the ground- and what was worse he was taking up Prompto and Ignis' capabilities as well.

"I- I don't think it's enough." Gladio was no longer burning as badly- but he could still feel that pressure on his skin. Like his skin was absorbing too much sunlight and he needed to reapply sunscreen. The burning had been considerably slowed by the blankets- but it wasn't stopping entirely. Gladio was going to disappear in the light. Just like all demons did. Gladio looked down at his palm, where black particles were trailing upwards. Well, they were more gold than black. He frowned at this. Gold scourge? He had never seen such a thing.

"Shit. Okay!" Prompto fell to his knees, and clapped his hands on the ground in front of Gladio. Gladio didn't know what Prompto was trying to acheive- but then the ground started to MOVE. On it's own as if being controlled by telekinesis or something.

"The fuck?! -is this Magic?!" Gladio thought out loud with surprise. Prompto did not answer him, to busy concentrating. Gladio looked at Prompto then the earth Prompto was moving. The concrete was falling apart as if it were sand- and then reforming itself. Revealing the cavity of the drainage gutter underneath the road, Which Prompto quickly used to his advantage. Earth dived down, and then swirled before hardening again. Building a circular cavity with a small entrance, and a thick ceiling. A dark sanctuary for Gladio to crawl into.

"There, get in." Prompto commanded, rising up to his knees and shaking his hands out.

"How did you-" Ignis was just as surprised by the sudden use of magic as Gladio was.

"Does it matter? Gladio, get in the hole!" Prompto pulled him towards the entrance by the shoulder. Somewhat panicked. "Please! I don't want you to burn to death!"

Gladio couldn't argue with Prompto's desperate tone. He shifted forward- and then slid into the hollow space, hands first. Folding his wings tight against his ribs so that they would come through with him. The entrance wasn't that big- but the round hollow space Prompto had created had enough room for Gladio and his wings to fit into. The darkness of the underground space soothed his skin immediately. It felt like he was dipping into cold water on a hot day.

Gladio sighed with immediate relief. He left most of the blankets behind and curled into the space like the giant beast he now was. The bottom of the hollowed out space dug into the earth just a little bit, and that grounded him. The walls to either side of the drainage were closed off. Keeping whatever litter, or water there was in the pipe from getting to him.

Inside the constructed burrow, Gladio felt the pressure of Noctis' light leave his skin. Gladio sighed with relief, and dug his fingers into the dirt. His demonic magic came back to him through the shadows. Gladio felt his wings start to come back to life, the leaves opening back up.

There was a flash of light, and then a loud crashing noise outside. Gladio- no longer worried about combusting into dust- looked back outwards. "What was that?" He asked Ignis and Prompto critically.

"Titian's Shit Man!" Prompto exclaimed to someone Gladio could not see, he raised his hands up to either side of his head "That was a whole ass building!!! TWO buildings!!"

The Marshal cursed. "Fuck. I hope I didn't just kill anyone." Prompto walked away, and Gladio assumed that he was going to talk to Cor.

"Drautos and that woman just teleported away with the crystal." Ignis was the only one to answer Gladio's question, "Cor was trying to prevent that." He grimaced, "Those building owners are not going to be happy."

Gladio blinked twice. He did not think anyone was focusing on the more important aspect here. "They took the crystal?!" Ignis looked upwards, "Yes. With some kind of magical transportation spell. I have never seen anything like it." "Fuck." Gladio slammed his fist into the wall of his small haven. They had failed. HE had failed. "Now there's no need for that." Ignis berated Gladio. Well aware of his tendency to jump into self-hatred. "We all failed and while it is... disappointing. I do not think we are without a back ups." "Without the crystal- the Lucian wall falls, Ignis." Gladio pointed out, "We loose Insomnia again." "Not necessarily." Ignis said with consideration, "The Niflheim Government are the ones writing the peace treaty. The fact that they have been here for over a week and are hammering out logistics means that they want the war to end just as much as we do- and do you think that Prompto would allow for the total destruction of an entire city?" Gladio considered the question, and his shoulders fell, "... no." "Then all we have to worry about are the demons." Ignis fixed his glasses, "The rest of the world gets along just fine without a magical wall to protect them. People will have to adapt, but Insomnia has not fallen yet." "The crystal has been taken before. We can get it back." Ignis resolved. Gladio found some solace in Ignis' words. Thunder rumbled overhead. Noctis letting off another bolt of light-infused-lightning, "Yeah. You're right. We do still have options."

"Marshal!!! Wait!!! He's a friend!" Prompto's panicked calling out drew both their attention.

Gladio rose up to his knees and placed a hand on the edge of the hollow, wincing as Noctis' light just grazed his finger tips. Making him have to pull back again. Through the entrance to his little hollow he could see Prompto however. Standing in front of Cor, arms spread out wide. Cor still had his sword summoned, and was looking at the Dragon with a critical eye.

There was a dark looming shape, making its way into the intersection. Something with wings and scales- and apparently not as affected by Noctis' lightning as Gladio was. A clawed foot stepped off the elevated rail-way track, like a cat testing whether a surface was stable enough. Gladio, who was beneath the street felt the ground shake with the weight.

"I-is that a dragon??" Ignis asked with understandable fear. Backing away and starting to get his feet under him.

Prompto was talking to Cor frantically, looking back at the dragon, then back at the Marshal. Who had summoned his sword for battle. Nyx ran by an warped UP to the dragon standing on it's face with a hand on its giant horn. Yelling directions at it. The Imperial soldiers and last Glaive joined Prompto. Speaking over one another and trying to get the Marshal not to attack the beast. Cor just looked confused, but he slowly lowered his sword.

The Dragon was much too big to be on the street they were on. The red beast pulled it's foot back, and stood on the elevated rail line. Wings tucked up into the side. Clearly making an effort to not touch or destroy any of the buildings. The beast was Kaiju sized. When it turned its head it almost did so in slow motion. It followed Nyx's pointed arm began to make it's way down the train line to a wider road. Shaking the ground and rails with each step. Gladio heard frightened screams the next block over. As it rounded the corner.

Prompto winced and then stepped away from the Marshal. "Ignis! you stay here with Gladio!" He called out, then started jogging down the block to where the Dragon had gone. Cor followed him, and so did the others.

"Well. That is going to be a complete shit show." Gladio grunted, and pulled back from the entrance to his burrow. He fell against the back wall, and with a sign. Slidding down to sit. The exhaustion starting to hit him, now that the fight was over.

"Where even did that Dragon come from?" Ignis asked, then turned, "Are you alright by the way?" Ignis asked with concern. Thunder rumbled overhead, and the light above them flashed to a higher intensity. "The light is not getting to you?"

"I'm not burning anymore. It feels a lot better in here." Gladio admitted. He looked down at his arms. The burns he had gotten from his brief exposure to light were mostly healed, being scabbed over now. With that same strange golden-scourge like material. He looked at his arms curiously, and then his claws. Which were also tinted with the same color. "I just don't think those blankets were thick enough to do the job."

Ignis looked at the discarded blankets and fixed his glasses. "Well, it seems we have some time." He scooted across the ground and dropped into the hollow. Joining Gladio in the darkness.

Ignis, who always complained about things getting dirty. Who fought a constant battle to keep all their clothes smudge free. Despite Gladio's hobby of hiking through sandy bluffs, and Noctis wading into muddy fishponds to pull out lures or free snagged lines. It was quite a testimate of love. Witnessing Ignis Scientia, willingly climbing into a slightly damp, earthy hollow to be with him.

"Iggs." Gladio exhaled. As Ignis settled in his lap. The only other alternative being to squeeze in between Gladio and the dirt wall. The hollow was quite tiny. Gladio always took up a lot of room with his wide shoulders, three times as much now, with his wings.

"Is this alright?" Ignis asked, shifting his weight to balance properly. He was straddling one of Gladio's thighs comfortably. As if it was where he was always meant to be.

"Yeah." Gladio reached forward and placed a hand over each of Ignis' hips. Helping him balance. Gladio VERY much appreciated Ignis joining him like this. There wasn't anything else Gladio wanted. Except maybe two others to be present. He would take what he was offered though.

Gladio shifted his wings up and around them. Encircling Ignis. Creating a leaf and flower curtain around them. Ignis looked at the new arrangement. Then down at him. Eyes widening slightly. "Gladio." Ignis placed a hand on Gladio's sternum in warning. "This is not the time- nor the place-"

"Hey, I'm not the one crawling into people's laps," Gladio teased. Ignis looked a little embarrassed at being called out. Gladio leaned forward, "Just a kiss?" he requested sweetly.

Ignis looked up and away, his ears turning slightly red, after holding his breath for a second, he sighed and lowered his shoulders. Gladio grinned, knowing that he had won. He reached up and cupped Ignis' face, gently. Turning Ignis to look at him. Ignis didn't seem to be a fan of his new claws, judging by how he winced. So Gladio made sure not to use too much pressure. Gently pulling Ignis closer while leaning in as well.

Their lips met, and when Gladio lapped at Ignis' lower lip with his tongue, Ignis made a noise in the back of his throat- and then hesitantly let him in. Gladio Ignis tasted like coffee, of course, and everything else that was good in Gladio's life. Things he probably didn't deserve; but would gladly take.

Gladio felt a rumble rise in his chest as he drank from Ignis's mouth. A dark, inhuman desire. He wanted to turn Ignis over and lay on top of his partner. Bury him in the earth. Keep him safe there. Seed him. Ignis would grow into a lovely garden of flowers. Something purple. Lavendar? Maybe? Or Tulips? Lilacs, Gladio could feel the answer come to him, as he ran his tongue along the length of Ignis' Purple Lilacs were for true love- and Ignis loves people unlike anyone else in the world. Even someone like me.

The kiss ended before Gladio wanted it too, when Ignis leaned back. Breaking for air. His whole face and neck were flushed now, and Gladio could tell that his partner had enjoyed the kiss, despite Ignis claiming he had not wanted one. Ignis looked gorgeous, straddling Gladio's leg, and curtained by his wings. New flowers were blooming along some of the vines. Light purple lilacs which hung heavily in the air around them.

"That." Ignis used the back of his hand to wipe off his mouth. "is a very different experience now that you have teeth."

"I had teeth before." Gladio pointed out with a chuckle. He wrapped a hand around Ignis' upper thigh. Pressing the pad of his thumb into one of Ignis' weak spots. Sometimes the man just melted when you pressed into the corner where his hips and leg met.

Ignis closed his eyes, too flustered to make sense the first time around. "Fangs I mean. Astrals- Gladio." Ignis made a noise as Gladio started making circles with his thumb. "You are making this very hard." Ignis accused.

Gladio chuckled darkly, he leaned in and nuzzled past Ignis' hand. "I think that's the point, is it not?"

Ignis was the one to kiss him this time. Leaning forward and pressing their mouths together. He didn't deepen the kiss. Though Gladio could certainly feel a part of Ignis that might have wanted too.

"I'm so glad you're okay." Ignis whispered as he ran his hands up from Gladio's shoulders and to the side of his face. Fingers running through Gladio's clipped hair. "I thought I had lost you."

"I'm not going anywhere." Gladio promised again, and leaned his forward. They kissed again, this time with a little less tounge, not quite fully making out.

Gladio showed a lot of restraint by pulling away after a while. He moved his lips from Ignis' mouth to his cheek. Then touched their noses. Intending to press his forehead against his partner's.

Gladio made contact with Ignis sooner than he expected though, and Ignis leaned away with a hiss, bringing both hands up to his forehead. "Ow."

"Sorry." Gladio jolted back wards. Not having any intention of hurting his partner.

"It's fine. Just..." Ignis rubbed his forehead, looking at the top of Gladio's head, "Your horns."

Gladio blinked, then raised his eyebrows. "I have horns?" That was news to him. Gladio had not seen his demon form in a mirror, or anything like that. Reflective surfaces were not the easiest thing to find in the wild scrub lands north of Hammerhead. Where he had set up base in his past life.

"Yeah. They're..." Ignis reached up and touched one of the horns. Two long, slender points that rose out of Gladio's temples and directly upwards. Similar to an Anak's might. Gladio could feel pressure, but not much more than that. It seemed they were not sensitive. Ignis' finger tracing out the length of one of the protrusions. "Golden."

"Gold?" Gladio raised his free hand, to show Ignis his hands, "So are my claws."

"Your fangs as well." Ignis sat back, and ran a finger along one of Gladio's teeth. Pulling back the gums slightly. Which Gladio couldn't tell was Ignis being scientific, or weirdly flirtatious. Because damn if it wasn't doing something for Gladio.

"I guess it has something to do with keratine?" Ignis theorized, "But then you have these flecks here on your skin." Ignis's hand moved to Gladio's forearms, which had the same pigmentation.

Ignis frowned as he felt the scabby nature of those gold flecks. "Wait are these burns?" He asked with concern.

"Oh, yeah." Gladio recalled "The miasma coming off me was a weird gold color too, I think."

Ignis frowned and shook his head. He summoned a basic level potion. Cracking the flask he tried to push the magic over Gladio's burns. Only for the magic to wash away. Like water over an oily surface.

"What?" Ignis asked with confusion. As the magic bounced back and cured him instead.

"I'm... I'm not human anymore Iggs." Gladio reminded him warily.

"What on Eos happened to you?" Ignis asked, "How did this," He gestured to all of Gladio, then rested his hands on Gladio's shoulders, "Even happen?"

Gladio ran his tongue along the roof of his mouth. Thinking about how best to explain it. "You know when I said I died when we all had to fight a really nasty demon?"

"... Yes." Ignis looked him in the eyes, searching for answers.

Gladio couldn't quite meet Ignis' emerald green gaze. "I was the demon."

"Oh." Ignis sounded like he had just been punched. He leaned back, as he processed Gladio's words.

"It happened not too long after you died." Gladio shifted, sitting up. Pulling his wings back, using them as something to lean on other than just the dirt and stone wall. It was rather comfy, kind of like a nest. "I killed... almost all of Lestuallum. Even the power plant."

"What?!" Ignis pulled away from him. A horrified look on his face.

"I was angry at what they did to you," Gladio rubbed a hand down his face, closing his eyes as he confessed the truth, "And I didn't care. I was so hurt... that I put the last nail in the coffin for everyone."

Ignis didn't have anything to say to that. He unseated himself from Gladio's lap. A connection that made Gladio immediately feel cold, and alone. Ignis sat down opposite of Gladio. Starring at the ground. Collecting himself.

Gladio shifted his own legs, to give Ignis some more room. Pulling them up to his chest, and hugging them. He continued his tale, "After that everything was chaos. We buried you and Monica at the Disk... and then went to Hammerhead."

"They let you in?" Ignis' brow pinched, "Even though you were-"

"I wasn't a demon then, physically." Gladio interrupted him. He laughed self-depricatingly, realizing the irony now. "But that's the kicker. Don't you see? I've always been a demon."

"Gladio." Ignis sucked in a breath, "That is far from the truth."

"I KNOW the truth though." Gladio insisted, "After what I did in Lestallum. After how I treated Noctis on the train. Even how I treated you guys before then." Gladio could think of countless examples.

"I've always been a bully." He accused himself, "Angry. Selfish. Rash."

Ignis' turned, and placed a hand on Gladio's knee, "No. No you aren't ANY of those things."

"I am though." Gladio pushed Ignis' hand away. "I mean LOOK at me." He gestured to himself, "Even back in the before. When I was a demon. I still had control of myself Ignis. Not full clarity but- this demon inside of me? It's not anything new. It's just everything I've always been afraid to accept about myself. Don't you see? There's not magic, no science behind this. At my core- I've always been a demon- and thats why I haven't lost my ability to think or speak-"

"You are NOT." Ignis snapped. Taking his hand back. He shifted to stand on his knees. Not quite over Gladio, but enough. Looking at him angrily through gathering tears, "I will not allow you to think of yourself this way. You are NOT a demon! Gladio!"

Foot steps quickly approached their small shelter. Gladio shifted his wings, making himself look bigger and more threatening. Ready to summon a shield if need be. Meanwhile Ignis wiped his cheeks off, and fixed his glasses.

The someone who arrived was Prompto. Who lit up the dark hole they were in with a bright smile. "Hey guys. Is this shelter holding up?" He asked, "Gladio you alright?"

"Oh. Yeah. Uh, thanks." Gladio lowered his wings back down. He raised his arms, showing Prompto both sides. "No more burning."

"That's good." Prompto nodded, "Hold out here for just a bit longer. Reno and Rude are getting me a reflective tarp, and then we can fashion you a sun-proof cloak or something." Prompto looked off to the side as someone called his name. He disappeared for just a second, and shouted a reply.

Who the fuck were Reno and Rude? Gladio thought to himself, then shook his head.

Prompto leaned back down to tell them something, but Gladio spoke first. "Hey, Prompto. I can see you're busy," a sentence Gladio had never thought he would say. "But can you... join us? Just for a second?"

Prompto's smile dimmed, as he took in Ignis' dower expression. Then Gladio's tone. "Uh. Yeah, sure." Prompto sat himself down on the ground, and lowered himself into the hollow. Feet first. There really wasn't any room left for him to sit. Other than at the entrance itself. The small space started to grow warm with their combined body heats, stuffy even. As if Prompto had brought a warm summer's breeze with him.

"What's wrong?" Prompto asked quietly. Joining them both in the darkness of the earth.

Gladio rubbed a hand along his arm self consciously. "I was explaining to Ignis how I turned." Gladio admitted.

"Oh." Prompto leaned back against the wall and exhaled.

"I was... could you tell him what it was like from your perspective?" Gladio requested, "Please?"

Ignis pushed his glasses up further, and sniffed. Taking out a hanky from somewhere, and wiping of his nose.

Prompto looked at Ignis, then looked back at Gladio. He wasn't dumb. He could tell they had just been arguing. He was quiet for a notable time, then reminded Gladio, "You told me earlier, that you wanted to speak about this in private first."

"I know." Gladio agreed, "but the cat is kind of out of the bag." He gestured to himself, "Or bird, I guess. Plant?" He wondered what exactly he what he was supposed to be demon wise. Not that there was any sort of reason to what people became when they turned into demons. Honestly Gladio had NEVER seen a demon that looked like him. Mostly still human, with just a collection of demonic characteristics.

Prompto turned back to Ignis, "And what about you? Do you want to hear this?" he asked.

Ignis turned his hanker chief over in his hand. "I would... also like to hear your judgment on the events." Ignis requested, looking at Gladio "An impartial perspective."

Prompto shook his head. "That's a bit hard for me to give you, Ignis." Prompto admitted, "I am anything BUT impartial."

"Lestallum was destroyed after you died. Gladio killed most of mob that killed you, and then there were riots. People turned against each other. Humanity, turned against itself." Prompto looked at Gladio. The hollow they were in got noticeably hotter. The air dryer. Like they were in an oven or kiln. "And then Gladio got it in his head to leave for Insomnia."

Gladio nodded agreeing with this time line of events, "I wanted to defeat Ardyn myself."

"I BEGGED you." Prompto leaned forward, holding himself up on one hand, "Not to go. I was on my knees, Gladio." Prompto recounted with a good measure of controlled anger.

Gladio had never seen Prompto get so angry- and it was HIS fault. No one else's. Gladio bowed his head, "I know. I'm sorry."

Prompto closed his eyes, looking like he was having to mentally hold himself back. "If you ever do something like that again." Prompto threatened. "Fuck Gladio. I don't even know. Losing two friends was enough. Watching the last one commit suicide..." Prompto's voice strained with pain.

Prompto shook his head once more. "Fuck. I don't know." Foot steps approached the hollow again, and two metal imperial boots , "Hey Chief, I found what you was asking for." A man said. With an accent that reminded Gladio immediately of Dino spoke. "Thanks!" Prompto called out , and put a hand on the entrance, "Sorry guys, I'll be back in a second." he excused himself. Putting a hand on the entrance and lifting himself up to sit on the ledge, before getting to his feet. Prompto dusted himself off once, and then walked with the Imperial solider, their boots clicking on the pavement.

"Do you see what I mean now?" Gladio asked, his voice hazy with self hatred, "I'm the worst Ignis."

Ignis was looking at him with a horrified look, "You.... committed suicide?!"

"What? No!" Gladio started, not understanding how Ignis had misunderstood Prompto. "I was dumb! and took off more than I could chew. Then I got corrupted. I didn't do it to kill myself- I just refused to listen anyone! Any of the people I loved or cared about. I died when Prompto and everyone had to come fight me. They had to put me down like a rabid dog. it was bad. But it was NOT trying to kill myself." Gladio made sure that much was clear.

"Oh my god." Ignis backed away from Gladio, as much as he could in the small face, "Prompto. Did you make Prompto kill you?!"

Gladio felt a sickness rising up in his throat, he couldn't look his Partner in the eye. "Not quite... Iris landed the final blow."

"Your baby sister?!" Ignis asked with an even more disbelieving tone. "You made your sister kill you?!"

"I didn't make anyone do anything!" Gladio raised his voice, not liking how Ignis seemed to only be focusing on certain details, and not the whole picture.

"It sounds to me like you had plenty of choice in the matter!" Ignis looked like he wanted to stand up, but they didn't have enough room too. Prompto was upset- and now Ignis was angry at him.

"I didn't have YOU," Gladio gestured to his partner, "You weren't there to tell me how stupid I was being. And Noctis, Noctis was not there to order me not too." He explained, "I was alone and-"

"No! You had PROMPTO!" Ignis pointed out to where Prompto had gone, rather angrily, "And your sister! and I believe the Marshal as well! You had plenty of people- you just didn't want to listen to any of them! Because you're so bull headed! Gladio!"

Ignis pushed his hair back from his face. It was totally undone by this point, giving him that messy boy-band look Gladio loved so much. "This is exactly what me and Noctis are always getting onto you about- that just because you have an idea in your head- It does mean you are CORRECT."

Gladio lowered his gaze once more, "I know." He held up a hand, "See this is exactly what I mean by me being a Demon-"

"No!" Ignis stopped him, picking up a "That bullheadedness does not make you a demon! Making mistakes does not make you a demon! You're and arsehole Gladio! The same as every other arsehole on this planet! You aren't any different from anyone else!"

Gladio scowled and held up his arms, "Well something's clearly different!"

"This is not something we are making jokes about." Ignis snapped at him. Giving him a very serious look.

"I'm being serious! Look at me!" Gladio gestured down at his body, "How do you explain this other wise?! There's no magic here Ignis! No trick! I turned into a demon and I'm still just- ME!" Gladio gestured at himself.

"I don't know!" Ignis placed his hands on his temples. "I don't always know everything, Gladio! and there's a lot going on!"

The two of them ran out of hot air. Stewing in the thick air of the small hollow.

Gladio wanted to leave and get some fresh air- but the light storm Noctis was summoning was still rumbling overheard. Gladio realized with a sinking feeling- that this was his life now. He was never going to be able to stand in the sunlight again. He was restricted to the shadows and the night. Like a vampire from one of his fictional stories. Gladio couldn't just walk away from this conversation. He was trapped in it, so long as Ignis remained in here with him. Ignis had never been one to walk away either.

"Whatever is going on with you." Ignis said quietly, and with a less angry tone, he wiped off his forehead with the back of his hand, grimacing at the sweat accumulated there. The hollow was no longer a cool reprieve now. It was more like a mini sauna. "It probably has to do with us living our second lives. Or the time skip or whatever we are deciding to call it."

Gladio needed to talk to Ardyn then. Though, he probably should anyway. Ardyn was the Demon King- right? The source of all the monsters. He was also a super powerful magic user. If anyone would know, it would be him.

"I hate to say this- but Ardyn is probably the only one who can give you a clear answer," Ignis was on the same train of thought as him. Ignis shifted how he was sitting, clearly uncomfortable in the hot space, "I don't want to even consider asking him for help though. He puts on a friendly face, but he's nothing but a filthy liar."

This just came up as I was writting and its hilarious to me.

Verstael in the middle of adopting nine clone children. Finally getting the hang of it as they go from being toddlers to children he gets to teach! And! They are smart! Yay!

Then one day Ardyn hires a sassy teenager to babysit the boys when the go out of town. Ardyn then later hires this seemingly orphan girl to do strange work every now an then. Usually as some kind of bounty hunter or something.

Verstael drinking dry wine as he realizes watches Areana (15) in pjs, bullying one of his sons (5) for the TV remote on a saturday morning.

"great now we have a lesbian daughter (i guess)."

An alert was sent out over Insomnia's emergency alert system. Requesting that all Citizens stay where they are or seek interior shelter. To avoid low lit areas where demons were more likely to spawn. This message was delivered mostly via phone. Though several TVs flickered on across the City, blaring an alarm and having text scroll along the bottom of the screen in bright blue.

Of course just because the Citizens were requested to do as such- didn't mean they obeyed. People still lingered in the street or peered out windows. Many of them were already trying to get back to their homes, or wherever they perceived to be safest. Nearly everyone was on their phones. Calling or talking to loved ones. Looking up at the sky, where Noctis' light storm was keeping the horrors of night back. There was a heavy crowd of onlookers- and as they arrived so did a news crew. A van pulling up to the curb and people pilling out. A woman in a blue pants suit, and a man with a shoulder camera. The woman immediately getting out to discuss the arrival of a dragon, as well as zoom in on the buildings Cor had damaged.

To Ignis the message being sent out was a good sign. It meant that the Citadel was operating to some degree. When the came to the wider boulevard, Ignis glanced towards the heart of the the City. Taking note that the building seemed to have gained power once more. Though not all of it's lights were on. The building was usually powered by the crystal. In its absence, they were having to rely on whatever back up power their ancestors had sought to install. Ignis assumes there were some generators in the basement; assumes because he wasn't quite sure.

"Took your time, didn't you?" The Marshal called out to them as they arrived. Crossing the congested traffic and ignoring the traffic cones. Most of the emergency services had moved on to more important business, but a few still lingered around to direct traffic around the giant dragon sitting on one side of the road. The Marshal stood with his arms crossed, feet apart. As stoic and intimidating as usual.

"Only as much as I needed." Prompto answered with the easy sort of confidence he would speak to Noctis, Gladio or himself with.

A smirk twitched at the corner of Cor's mouth. "Well next time take less." Cor advised. It felt like the Marshal and Prompto were sharing an inside joke of some sorts. Ignis had to be imagining it though. He looked between Prompto and Cor with great confusion. Wondering when and how the two of them had become close.

Cor turns to Gladio without giving anyone time to remark on the interaction. "Gladio. You holding together under there?"

"Still in control. Not burning to death, thanks to this," Gladio remarks, indicating to his new wardrobe piece. An overly large, black tarp Prompto had fabricated into a cloak. Something which was not exactly his style; but as Gladio stated it was keeping him from turning into a cloud of scourge.

It is not hard to see Gladio's shoulders sink, despite the overly large fabric. "Sorry I couldn't help out earlier. I was useless- and Drautos got away."

"You being incapacitated by light is not something you could control. What's done is done." Cor assured Gladio, with the fatherly tone he often used when teaching them. Cor looked up and over towards the two heavily damaged buildings which were being evacuated. Tapping a finger on his forearm. "If only I had swung earlier- I could have broken through that barrier. Stopped them from leaving."

"Yeah," Gladio agreed, but Ignis could still tell he was considering himself responsible for their loss. As was the Marshal. Were guilt complexes a requirement for following the path of a warrior? So far it seemed that way to Ignis.

Thunder rumbles above them, and everyone looks up to the sky. As a new bolt of lighting traces above their portion of the city. Illuminating the streets and city. Ignis feels his ears pop. As something akin to air pressure changed around them. It wasn't just air though. It was magic. Noctis was lighting up the city and infusing the air with large amounts of magic. Ignis could feel it tingling across his skin like static. Behind him, Gladio pulled his cloak tighter, and hunched his head between his shoulders. As if he were trying to make himself a smaller target.

"Is that Noctis?" Cor asks shielding his eyes, and then turned to Prompto for an answer.

"It seems to be." Prompto places his hands on his hips. Taking in the phenomena.

"That is Six damned terrifying." Cor grunts with a flat tone. Giving the impression that he was not. The Marshal then turns to look over his shoulder. Towards everyone waiting on them. Namely a very large dragon. "We should go back to the Citadel, and regroup."

Ignis agrees whole heartedly, "Yes, I think that should be our next move as well."

Cor looked back over at the buildings he had damaged one last time. "I am not looking forward to reading the reports about this." Cor sighed ruefully.

"No worries Marshal. I will help you with an official apology" Ignis offered, knowing that Cor did not like making official statements, or being the center of media attention. "It is a long walk back- and traffic is bad enough that calling a car is impractical. I don't think the trains are running. The tunnels are not well lit enough, I would think." A major oversight now that Ignis thought of it.

None of Insomnia's more modern infrastructure was built with demons in mind. The entire city was littered with dark alleys and tunnels. The Deep Market especially was going to be an issue. That part of the city was was built into deep cravat. The lower class citizens having build tiers of interconnected levels and buildings over the years. It was one of the darkest slums in the city, and also the world. Literally and figuratively. On most days, the sunlight never reached the bottom. Anywhere else in the world such a place would have been considered uninhabitable. Demons spawning constantly- it was essentially a natural dungeon. Of course behind the safety of the Lucian wall no one needed to worry about anything spawning in the dark.

Most cities outside the walls had requirements for all of their street lights to have demon repelling bulbs, and regularly be maintained. This was not the case in Insomnia though. Those kinds of resources were expensive; and why invest in them when you had a magic wall?

We didn't have to worry about demons; and we got careless in thinking we were safe. Ignis thought to himself. He had heard King Regis mention something similar once or twice in council meetings.

"So back to the Citadel?" Gladio remarked, "What are we standing around for? Better start walking."

"Why walk? We have Loqi." Prompto reminded, and then raised up his arms. Walking towards his red dragon. "Hey big guy. How do you feel?" Prompto asked. Having to raise his voice to be heard.

The dragon, lowered his gigantic head. Exhaling a puff of hot air onto Prompto. Which cause his hair to blow back, and his white robes to flair out wildly. The wind hit Ignis and his eye watered at the smell of brim stone and sulfur. He tried not to gag.

Prompto laughed with amusement reaching up to fix his hair, "This is so cool! You're like, super amazing BTW. Look at how big you are! Let me take a picture?" The dragon raised up it's head and struck a vain pose. Consenting to the picture. Prompto laughed, and took out his camera. Prompto took a few pictures, and the Dragon posed dramatically for each of them.

Everyone watched the two take pictures and do dramatic poses. The two of them acting like a couple of teenagers with only one brain cell. Ignis fixed his glasses watching the two. He sighed tiredly. He didn't have enough energy to tell Prompto to stop. Especially when he looked to be having a good amount of it.

Cor watched them, specifically Prompto. He seemed amused. "Well you can give someone new clothes- but they're still just themselves." He remarked to them.

Gladio agreed with some amusement. "I'll say. Hey, Prom! Let's focus for a second?"

"Oh! Right!" Prompto took one last picture. Then put his camera away, "Loqi. Do you think you can take us back to the Citadel?" Prompto requested.

The dragon made a rumbling noise which was easily interpreted as a confirmation. The dragon then shifted it's weight, and went from sitting to laying down, tucking it's legs underneath itself. The dragon then stretched out it's long neck, within the cones the traffic cops had laid out. Giving them only a somewhere to get atop the beast.

"Alright! Everyone all aboard!" Prompto waved their hand. The Niflheim Guards followed him. Then so did Cor and Gladio. The Glaives jumped down from their vantage point atop the railway line nearby. Nyx teleported to the top of the Dragon's neck and helped pull people up. Though given the large size of the thickness of the dragon's scales, it was not hard to use them as hand holds to climb up. The Imperial Guards were able to get up without issue with Nyx's help. Despite wearing their full plate armor. Walking carefully up to the safety of the Dragon's back, where they could ride more comfortably.

Lightning rolled overhead. Ignis lingered behind as everyone moved forward.

He looked up at the very large dragon, standing beside Gladio. "What do we do if we fall off?" He asked quietly. This did not seem like the safest form or transportation. Ignis was starting to get this bad feeling in the back of his mind.

Gladio looked over the dragon, then back to him, "I'll catch you." He promised.

"If you summon your wings you'll burn." Ignis pointed out.

"Better then you hitting the pavement." Gladio shrugged.

"You're the Prince's advisor right? Just warp before you hit the ground." Nyx overheard and remarked on the conversation. Crowe beside him was helping Prompto climb up atop of Loqi. Meanwhile, Cor was more than happy to freehand and just scramble up the scales.

"I am... not the most reliable warper." Ignis admitted, he could warp. But not in the traditional method. He could only use people as anchors, not weapons or objects. "I am better at pulling people towards me."

Nyx's eyebrows raised up. "That's a handy ability. If someone else falls, try and bring them back. But if you fall I will catch you." Nyx promised with a wink, and then extended his hand. "Can't let the Prince's boyfriend slip through my fingers after all."

Ignis didn't want to take the dragon. The feeling in his gut told him that walking back would be safer. He dismissed his fears though. Knowing that he would just annoy everyone with his insistence. Ignis reached up and took Nyx's hand. Climbing aboard.

There was a cluster of dark spines sticking out the dragon's back, which offered hand holds. Ignis situated himself against one. Gladio joined him, arms gripping onto the spine around Ignis' shoulders. Offering him more sense of security.

Once everyone was aboard, Nyx warped up to the Dragon's head, where Cor was also sitting. Going to let him know they were ready. There was a brief conversation, then the Dragon gingerly rose up. Picking up it's head.

The Dragon Loqi stood up slowly. Almost as if conscious of the fact that he had people riding him. It reminded Ignis of a dog when given a carrying bag or back pack. The way they moved so self consciously.

This was comforting; that the creature knew they were unsaddled and in a precarious spot. However it was still rather frightening when it unfurled his wings. The limbs that extended so far they blocked out the buildings on either side of Ignis with a ruby canvas. When the beast stood up Ignis' entire, world shifted. Pitching forward and then back. Suddenly holding onto the dragon was not his only priority- but also holding onto his stomach contents.

It was immediately apparent that the Dragon did not have room in-between the buildings. He could barley open his wings, much less extend them fully. The Dragon stretched, and then snorted. Folding up it's wings to their side tightly. Loqi shifted around. Turning in the small space that the traffic cops had laid out for him. Careful with each movement to not step on any of the cars under his foot, or whip his tail into the buildings.

The great dragon turned, and then ever so carefully pulled itself up onto the train line. A brick and concrete rail line which cut through this part of town, and allowed for the transportation of goods and people.

The dragon had accessed the side road from the rail earlier, and used it again now. There was more clearance on either side of the rail. More than the road had at least. Loqi stalked his way through Insomnia, like a giant cat. Looking down roads and peering through gaps of buildings. As if looking for something.

Loqi's presence frightened many of the citizens who had not yet received word that a Dragon was about. People and Citizens screamed every time he looked around a building, or became visible from the road. They passed by an apartment building. With balconies facing the rail way. People simultaneously dove off the balcony in order to escape the sight of the dragon, or opened their blinds to watch him lumber by. A young child ran out from behind their mother to the railing, pointing excitedly. She screamed and grabbed them. Pulling them back to safety.

Finally Loqi seemed to find what he was looking for. It was a break in between the tall buildings of Insomnia's famously dense skyline. Next to the rail line was a stop on the line. As well as a low, wide building with an intricately tiled green roof. Shallow pools of water visible on either side of the building. Decorative fountains. Ignis realized with a sinking feeling was the southern section's history museum. A place filled with countless antiques and pieces of art.

Loqi raising himself up and then down like a Cat. Judging a jump distance. Ignis couldn't watch. He closed his eyes. If a single artifact in the museum was destroyed- much less the whole building. He would be drowning in paperwork for months- possibly even years. As Prompto's companion Loqi destroying any building or infrastructure would be considered an attack on Insomnia's cultural heritage by the Imperials... which as Noctis' 'friend' would mean it was Ignis's mess to clean up. The public would be pissed and not want to listen to him... it would be Lestallum all over again.

All of the muscles in the dragon coil. Winding tight like springs. His giant wings flare out to either side. Stretching as tall as the buildings behind him. Ignis held his breath. With a mighty leap Loqi pushed off the rail way- and with the strength only a giant could muster, caught the air. One flap, two flaps, and then a building much taller than the museum whizzes past them as they rose up towards the sky.

Ignis lets out a noise that is relief and stress and disbelief all at once. Something he can't even describe as anything but a sob.

"You're fine." Gladio assures him. Tightening his arms and hugging Ignis from behind. Practically pulling him into the cloak Prompto had made for him.

"I'm really not." Ignis wants to fall to his knees. He just really REALLY wished this day would be over with. So much was happening and there was so much to process. Ignis just needed a minute- or eight. That was not something he was going to get, unfortunately. The entire back of the dragon ripples with each beat of its wings though. Creating a sickening rolling motion. Ignis has to adjust his center of gravity constantly.

One of the Imperial Soldiers whooped, holding onto his dragon's back spine with one hand. Looking like they were having fun. The man was clearly insane. Then someone moves- and of course it's Prompto with his camera. Taking pictures of everyone flying on the dragon. He snaps a picture of Gladio holding Ignis in place, and Ignis knows that he looks like he's about to be sick in the shot.

Another building rushes past them- one of the taller sky scrapers and Ignis only then realizes that they are flying. Truly in the air. From their new perspective the lightning Noctis has been suspending in the sky has dimension to it. Lines of electric blue weaving in and out of each other.

It's almost beautiful. Too bad it doesn't last long.

The attack comes at them like lighting. Mostly because it IS lightning. One moment they are flying- then there is nothing but light. An ear shattering noise- and MAGIC laced with high doses of electricity. Ignis recognizes the magic immediately. Noctis has thrown his spell too close to their group one too many times for him not too.

The spell doesn't hit them- it hits Loqi square in the face. Then it traces down his spine, and jumps to them. Rolling with a deafening crackle.

Ignis is lucky. He is connected to Noctis- so while the magic hits him- it doesn't hurt him. much. The part of Noctis inside of Ignis, and the part of Ignis inside of Noctis resonate with each other. Noctis' magic therefore holds back its punch. However that punch still lands to some degree- and it HURTs. He cries out and throws himself forward against the spine. Ignis manages to stand on his feet. hissing through the lingering static such spells tend to leave behind.

Gladio cries out as well. Bucking against Ignis' back. As the lightning spell flashes them with Noctis' pure light through their armiger connection. Searing the darkness that had corrupted Gladio's form.

Loqi roars with surprise and pain. His wings loosing rythm- and not responding. Twitching with electric energy. They begin to fall, and Ignis feels his heart rise up into his throat. The Dragon cries out. It's still conscious, but it's falling. Adjusting it's wings and trying to control their decent. The ground is coming up fast, and Loqi manages to catch himself- but the damage is already done.

Ignis watches with horror as Prompto- far away from any sort of hand holds- gets shocks and falls to his knees. Then falls upwards- away from Loqi as the dragon pitches downwards at a faster pace. The two Imperial guards in metal armor are knocked unconscious immediately. Dressed in conductive materials they receive twice as much damage as everyone else. They slide off in different directions. Like dead weights. Crowe pushes through her pain and runs to warp for one of them- and they both go over the edge.

"Damn it!" Ignis curses. As he and Gladio also begin to rise from Loqi's back as well.

Ignis closes his eyes and expands his magic as much as he can. Not seeing where everyone is, but feeling it instead. He can only account for the people on the Dragon's back, unfortunately. Nyx and Cor- who were sitting on the Dragon's head are beyond his reach.

"REGROUP!" Ignis shouts out, and he pulls everyone too him. Usually when he uses this spell it's like a hand hold. He reaches out, they reach out, and then Ignis can use their magic to make the transition smoother. This time Ignis has to put three times as much power into the spell. Grabbing unconscious people and yanking them against the physical space in between them. Prompto recognizes the spell and volunteers himself. He arrives first. His hair is sticking up in off directions and he looks singed. Gladio grunts and grabs onto his upper arm, and then wraps an arm around Ignis' waist. Locking them both together with a death grip. Crowe appears next, with the bigger of the unconscious guards. Prompto reaches out and grabs onto said guard.

They are missing one imperial guard though- and Ignis can sense him falling. Plummeting beneath them. Before it can get out of his range he concentrates as much magic as he can and then pulls. Warping the unconscious Guard to him without his consent. The man in armor literally appearing in his arms. Ignis scrambles to catch him. Crowe manages to link one of her arms around under his armpit.

All of them together they are now meters above Loqi's back. They all hold onto each other desperately. Crowe sucks in a breath and a protection shield flickers around them. A honeycomb of magic to break their fall.

Loqi beneath them has little control over his decent, but he manages to catch himself without falling flat. The dragon lands ON the wall of the Citadel. Stone crumbles under his weight. Solid concrete and steel collapsing as the Dragon stumbles into the front parade entrance. Falling into the lower pit at the entrance of the building. It would have been dramatically cinematic- had not Ignis been in the middle of fearing for his life.

Everyone, arms still linked together inside of Crowe's protection spell breaks as they hit the dragon's back. Taking out most of their momentum. They hit the lower part of Loqi's shoulder. Where the wing and back connect. Crowe's spell breaking into a million pieces with the sound of shattering glass. As a tangled group of legs and arms, they slide down across the Dragon's back.

"Noooooo! Nonononono!" Ignis cries out- it's the natural reaction to falling from such a great height. Trying to find purchase on the scales to keep them from sliding off the dragon. It's useless however. The texture of Loqi's wing is smooth and leathery. He has just enough time to think I knew flying in on Loqi was a bad idea before they fall once more into the open air.

Crowe summons a protect spell again- but this one is weaker. Flickering. Her mana must be reaching the ends of its rope. Something dark and twisted stretches around them. Meeting her spell halfway. Ignis recognizes them- Gladio has summoned his wings. Entrapping all of them and keeping them together. Ignis doesn't know if it's enough. Gladio's wings start to smoke like dry tinder- and Crowe's spell flickers. The pavement is far below them- and fast approaching. Until a giant red clawed hand reaches out and stops their decent. Branches break and glass crashes. Both layers of protection break on impact. Gladio cries out in pain- like he has broken a limb.

The clawed hand moves and then tilts. Like the strange floating dungeon platforms Ignis had experienced in another life. Ignis finds them being deposited as gently as Loqi can onto the ground. The dragon crouches and looms over them. Ignis, dizzy looks up and meets slitted yellow eyes. The giant beast is looking at them, and Ignis realizes- making sure they are okay.

Another lightning bolt strikes towards them- and this time it misses Loqi by only a meter. The dragon ducking down to shelter them. It brings is tail, and wings sweep around. Picking up debris and then dust. Ignis closes his eyes and then coughs. When he opens his eyes again- their group is tightly enclosed in crimson. Prompto's dragon nesting on top of them like a clutch of fragile eggs. Front legs, tail and wings encasing them as much as he can.

Loqi growls a warning at whatever is attacking them. That 'whatever' being NOCTIS. Ignis realizes. As he can see a floating bright-white light through Loqi's wing. The same way that one can see through skin hand when a strong flashlight is pressed up against it.

Ignis unlinks himself from everyone and stumbles up to his feet. Wincing as the shoulder he landed on complains. He is the only one to stand up. The Imperial Guards are out. Crowe appears to have lost unconscious. Prompto coughs and pulls himself out from underneath Gladio's weight. GLADIO is out as well. There's broken tinder all around them. His back looks like a bush that has been pruned much too short and singed. Ignis is still not used to Gladio's new form- but it's a horrid sight.

Prompto pulls himself out from under Gladio and looks up at Ignis dazed. Then at Gladio. He gasps and reaches for the area. Like it's a wound which needs pressure to be applied.

The two of them are the only ones still standing.

Ignis makes a split second decision. He accesses the Armiger and summons all of their curatives. Everything Ignis has stocked up on since learning they were going to take this trip- and the ones he and Gladio had purchased at the pharmacy when they picked up his medication last night. Ignis and Gladio both knowing how hard it was to fund such a stock when the only money to be had was hunting down creatures that constantly were attacking them.

Ignis threw the curatives at Prompto. A dozen phoenix downs- potions of various strengths- and even a hand full of elixirs. "Do what you can!" Ignis orders. Shoving the bottles into Prompto's hands. He stumbles away from the group. If I can just get to Noctis... he thinks. Jogging away.

"Ignis! WAIT!" Prompto calls out after him.

Ignis is already running though. Single minded in his mission. He summons his pole arm, and uses it to vault up Loqi's paw, and then over his tail. Bouncing like a flee on the Giant beast. He can hear shouting from outside Loqi's circle of protection- the guards at the Citadel responding to a giant dragon bursting through the wall. They are surrounded by their own allies who don't realize that Loqi is a companion of Prompto's.

Ignis sweats as he extends out his senses once more. He feels everyone behind him, and Loqi above him. One person is above them. Still atop of Loqi- it feels like the Nyx. Ignis gathers his magic and tightens the grip on his spear. He has never been good at this- but he HAS done it before. Ignis gathers his magic and WARPS.

TO Nyx. Without a line of sight. Without any sort of physical anchor. Technically through Loqi. Though it has no effect on the dragon because technically Ignis never touches him. Ignis blinks out of reality. Then reappears several meters away. Transitioning through a dark space that strangely only seems to be composed of light. Something which reminds him of when he put on the ring and spoke to the Lucii in his past life. Something Ignis does not really have time to dwell on, just like the other eighty things he had been handed that day.

Nyx is apparently just now recovering from his fall. Climbing up from the collar bone of Loqi, which he caught himself on. The Man is uninjured but is confident in his footing. Just coming over the curve of Loqi's shoulder. Sweating, Nyx is judging how best to throw his sword and warp to a better position. When magic crashes loudly around him. Ignis appearing suddenly and without warning.

Ignis lands on the slope of Loqi's collar, and nearly falls off. Catching himself by digging his spear into the Dragon's scales. Which thankfully doesn't seem to hurt the dragon at all. With a bit of scrambling, and some upper arm strength, Ignis pulls himself up. Making the climb Nyx was about to do.

"Pft- fuck- the hell?!" Nyx shouts with surprise. "Where did you come from?!" He looks around with confusion. Warping is done by throwing an anchor after all. The man should have seen Ignis' weapon impact Loqi before he appeared. That was very much not the case however. What was more weapons had to be thrown- and you could only warp within line of sight- and there was nothing around them but air and dragon. Nothing the experienced Glaive had just seen adds up- and he knows this very well.

"Thank you!" Ignis shouts. Not really answering Nyx. Already scrambling up Loqi's shoulder and neck. Weaving in between the spines which stand along the dragon's neck.

Ignis squints upwards. Noctis is hovering in the air above Loqi. A brilliant, bright light which is bleaching all the color out of everything.

Ignis extends his senses once more. Noctis is not close enough. Ignis needs to get higher. He feels sweat drip down his back as he runs. Air burning in his lungs. Exhaustion pulling at his muscles. Fighting Drautos had not been a small task- and Ignis body was already at it's limit. Ignis only had one shot at this. He can feel the hard wall of Stasis approaching him fast.

Loqi rumbles threateningly beneath Ignis' feet. Hunkering down over his allies. Protecting them. There are people on the main level of the plaza. Shouting, pointing at the dragon. Firing at him with guns. Loqi isn't paying any of them mind. The bullets apparently not even strong enough to damage him. His thick tail does coil tighter around everyone below. Forming a thick barrier between. The Dragon making a circle of safety as the Citadel guards respond to his sudden appearance.

Noctis hasn't fired anymore lightning. He seems to be assessing the situation- and hopefully realizing that the Dragon is not acting like most wild beasts do. Loqi hasn't attacked anyone or retaliated- yet. Ignis can tell that the Dragon is highly intelligent- but to what degree he isn't certain. Surely it was only a matter of time before it snapped at someone. No beast had THAT much self-control.

Ignis runs up the top of the dragon's head, and pushes off with a mighty leap. Jumping from the skull to one of Loqi's horn then up even more. Ignis uses his staff push off an up. Launching himself into the air as if he were going to do an attack. Ignis looks up towards the light, reaching with his magic. Blessedly, Ignis feels when Noctis comes into his range. He's bright and brilliant. Magic pushing of him in waves. As if his power is endless. An impossibility.

Ignis reaches out. Locking onto Noctis' position. Using the last of his magic to pull himself towards that presence. Disappearing once more from reality. Then reappearing.

"NOOOOCT!" Ignis shouts, as he materializes with the crashing broken glass. Directly in front of Noctis. Prepared for this, Ignis grips his spear with two hands, and hooks it around his Prince's shoulders. Latching onto him.

"IGNIS?!?!" Noctis shouts with surprise. Leaning backwards with surprise. Ignis hooks onto him; and they start to fall. Spinning wildly. Ignis's stomach does a flip, and he swallows the urge to vomit. Both from their momentum and the warp.

Noctis was also holding a two handed weapon. He holds it around Ignis's back- both now hugging each other. Something happens with Noctis' magic. Their fall stabilizes somewhat- but Noctis apparently can't keep both of them up. He forms a protection shield just like Crowe did- but instead of one layer there are multiple. The shields of magic protection surround them- just in time. They crash into the ground. Landing like the meteor. The entire Citadel grounds would probably have to be reworked at this rate. Between Gladio and Drautos' fight, and now this one.

Ignis groans in pain. Both physical and mental. That was going to be so much paperwork to fix.

The protective shields Noctis summoned held, and they disappear around them. "Ignis!" Noctis gasps his name, as he pulls himself up, "What the fuck?! How did you just do that?!" he asks.

Ignis winces, exhausted and in stasis now. Noctis' spell took most of the impact, but Noctis had also landed atop of him, winding him. "You need to stop. " He wheezes, slowly picking himself up. "You're attacking us."

Noctis jerks backwards as if slapped, "What?!"

Ignis laying on the ground looks up at Noctis, and then points past him. "That Dragon is Prompto's companion" Ignis winces, and lifts himself up. Leaning on one arm. Ignis' entire back is on fire, and so are his limbs. Every muscle in his body is screaming at him. He HATES stasis. "We were returning to the Citadel. Not attacking it." Noctis turns to look up at the Dragon. The way he moves Ignis can tell that his Prince is also injured. He's holding his stomach and is slightly curled in on himself. Noctis has yet to stop glowing though. Noctis is radiating light. It frames him in an outline, and his hair is white like fiber-optics. His eyes a bright purple.

"SHIT! I didn't know. Did I hurt anyone?!" Noctis asks with genuine, glowing, concern. He struggles to sit up. Like he is going to go check.

"Don't!" Ignis reaches out and grabs the bottom of Noctis' jacket. Keeping him from possibly warping away. Noctis yanks Ignis forward, and Ignis falls onto the ground. The arm holding him up giving out, but the one gripping Noctis staying firm and determined.

"Ignis? Whoah, hey!" Noctis falls back to sitting next to him. Placing his hands on Ignis' shoulders. "You alright?" Noctis holds up a hand, trying to summon something but falling short. "Where are all the curatives?! You just bought like a whole bunch-"

"I gave them to Prompto." Ignis states, and then pulls himself up again, something his back does not appreciate. He is covered in bruises. Ignis winces. Sitting up once more. "I'm fine. Listen. If you go over there- you're going to KILL Gladio." Ignis tells Noctis as clearly as he can.

Noctis's eye became pinpoints. Looking utterly frightened by this statement. "I'm sorry????"

"Gladio has turned- and your light is going burning him," Ignis explains, groaning as he sits up. "You need to stay away from him. DO NOT go over there."

Noctis stares at him, and then over at the dragon. Then at his staff. "But I need to keep the demons at bay-"

"Yes, and Gladio IS one of those demons now." Ignis reaches forward, and cups Noctis' face, "So whatever you do- DO NOT go over there. Please Noctis- just stay away from him for now- we can figure something out for later."

"Your Highness! Are you alright?!" A platoon of Crowns guards run up. They set up a defensive barrier In between the dragon and them. Forming a line with shields and rifles. As ineffective as that is. Loqi is watching them critically- if he wanted too he could have most certainly melted them all with fire.

"I'm- I'm fine!" Noctis is taken back by Ignis' words, the sudden arrival of the army, and everything else going on. "Tell everyone to stand down. The Dragon is apparently with the Imperial Prince!"

"What?!" the Platoon leader blinks at him in confusion, then turns to look at the giant beast.

"I didn't know it was friendly when I attacked it! Tell everyone to stand down!" Noctis clarified.

There is a large explosion on the upper platform of the parade grounds. Everyone turns. Including Loqi. A dust cloud can be seen from their angle- and just for a moment the gunfire ceases.

"I SAID EVERYONE STAND DOWN!" A voice booms across the area. Unmistakable as Cor Leonis. Who seems to have acquired a megaphone from somewhere. He appears out of the rubble, sword in one hand, the other holding the device. "THE DRAGON IS NOT AN ENEMY. IF YOU FIGHT THIS DRAGON YOU DISOBEY DIRECT ORDERS!!! UNDERSTAND?!?! STANDDOWN!!!" He raises his sword threateningly with his other hand.

One of the guards in front of Noctis whispered to another or perhaps just themselves. "It's a Niff beast though. It's GOING to attack."

"Hey." Noctis snaps his fingers. Pointing up at the Guard. "You heard him. And you know what happens if you disobey Cor the Immortal's orders."

The guard swallowed, and shrunk a third of his height. "Yes, your Highness. Of course."

Cor repeated his message once more. Yelling firmly into the megaphone he was carrying. Thanks to his efforts the soldiers stood down not that they had been doing anything more than harassing Loqi.

Loqi made a noise that sounded like an amused chuckle. Something that was deep enough to make the ground vibrate. A lot of soldiers flinched, but when he didn't attack they backed away nervously. The dragon slowly turned to look at Noctis. Blinking with a secondary eyelid. Watching them to see if he was still going to be a threat.

Noctis looked up at the dragon, and then sighed. "Fuck. This is a mess." Noctis used his weapon to pick himself up fully. The bottom dug itself into the tiles next to Ignis, and he got a good look at it. At first Ignis had just thought it was a spear, but there wasn't a point. Then he then thought it was a pole arm, but it was way to clunky to be that either. Not fat enough to be a club, either.

Begging the question as to what it was. The upper portion looked mechanical. Kind of like the weapons Cid modified for them. However, the gears didn't connect into anything that Ignis could see. The top of the weapon was a round glass ball. Like one of Noctis' magical flasks. There was blue cloth wrapped around the staff head as well. Connecting the glass with the metal. There was a yellow tuft of something sticking out the side. Something Ignis narrowed in on immediately. That was Noctis' favorite fishing lure. Hooked into the cloth, like it was a ball cap or something. The handle where Noctis' hand rested looked familiar as well- it looked like the handle to Noctis' favorite fishing rod. Sans reel, of course.

The weapon was solid, not crystalline. So it certainly was not an armament from the past... which made sense if it was created from Noctis' personal belongings. Ignis looked over the weapon once more with confusion. Not knowing what it could be. Then it dawned on him.

That's a magic staff. Ignis wondered. He had not known they were an actual thing. Outside of Rahmu- and fictional sorcerers of old. Noctis usually enchanted flasks, storing spells and then unleashing them later. Ignis had thought that things like staffs or wands were just a misconception. Not actually real, viable things.

Yet here Noctis was wielding one. With the same easy sort of confidence that Regis carried his walking stick. As if Noctis had carried the thing around for quite some time. "I'm going to address everyone." Noctis rested his weight on his staff, and offered a hand to help Ignis up. "If I can't go check on everyone- can you? Please? I don't want anyone to be hurt..." Noctis said with a guilty look.

"Yes. Of course." Ignis reached out and took Noctis' hand. Wincing as he got up to his feet once more. Ignis pushed through the pain however. His Prince had requested something of him- now was not the time for Ignis to be lying around.

"Hey. You guys." Noctis turned to the soldiers. He gestured with his staff as he spoke. "Follow Sir Ignis' instructions. There are people hurt, and he is going to tend to them. DO NOT attack anyone or thing- unless he directs you too." Noctis commanded very strictly, and clearly. Placing his staff on the ground for more emphasis.

All of the soldiers bowed to his word. Noctis gave them a second then nodded with satisfaction. He stepped away bringing his staff around. To hold it with both hands.

"Alright. I'll be back in just a few minutes." Noctis informed them.

Magic swirled around him. The light around him grew brighter- but then instead of radiation outwards it concentrated itself. Focusing. Noctis rose up off the ground like a comic book hero. With a twisting motion shot up into the air. Almost like he was jumping, but once he turned back to face the bulk of the soldiers- he stayed in the air. Hair and jacket floating.

"Everyone!" Noctis called out over the plaza. People quieting down to listen to what their Prince had to say. "I thought initially this dragon might have been meaning to attack the Citadel. However, I have been mistaken. This beast is a companion of the Niflheim Prince- and was transporting his Imperial Highness and some others."

Loqi snorted. As if to say his intentions had been obvious from the start.

Noctis looked to the Dragon. "My apologies for attacking. I thank all of my men who saw me act- and moved to act with me! I apologize for for any confusion I have caused. My hand, Lord Scientia is going to check and tend to some people I might have wounded. Everyone. Please stand by."

Noctis lowered himself back down with grace. Onto the upper level of the parade grounds. Cor jogged over to him. The two beginning to speak and talk with one another. Above them a lightning bolt rolled over head. Reaching out to linger over part of the city. Noctis apparently not needing to be in the sky to do that particular trick.

Ignis got to work. He winced as he took his first step, and then holding his bruised side as he walked over towards the dragon. The Lucian soldiers with him followed.

"Captain, please send for a healer." Ignis requested as he walked, "You lot wait here. If I shout for help please back me up." he requested. Then cupped his hands to his face.

"Loqi!" He called upwards. The Dragon turned to look down at him. "Let me in, please?" Ignis requested. The Dragon shifted slightly, and raised up a wing slightly. Ignis ducked under the large appendage, and then was able to stand on his toes and look over the thick mass of the dragon's wrist.

Inside the dragon's protection was the group of individuals he had left behind. Ignis sighed with some relief. Seeing that more people were conscious then when he had left.

The Imperial Guards were alive and sitting up. They both looked singed to hell. There was black ash covering their faces and armor. Which was heavily damaged. Scorch marks traced down their arms and legs, and in some places, they had broken metal rivets or plates. Both men were helping each other out of their armor. Wincing in pain, and moving slowly. Clearly exhausted.

The Glaive Crowe was awake, but not much better. She was sitting on a piece of rubble, and had her head in between her legs. A puddle of vomit lay nearby. Which someone had kicked dust and rubble into in an effort to contain the mess.

Gladio was still unconscious. Prompto had rolled him over and placed him in the recovery position. There were several potions lined up beside him- and Prompto was kneeling over Gladio. Though Ignis could not see what he was doing, from this angle.

"Prompto!" Ignis called out. Clambering over Loqi's wrist. Which was as thick as he was tall. He landed in the space and walked over to the others, nodding to acknowledge them.

"Prompto, how is Gladio?" he asked, sliding down and landing with a jog. "I have healers on the way."

Prompto didn't respond. Ignis slowed his approached as he reached everyone. He circled around with confusion. Prompto was kneeling over Gladio. Hands in front of him. Like he was praying over their friend. Cupped in between his hands was an object though. A pocket mirror that looked rather ornate. Prompto had his eyes open, and was starring into the reflective surface with intense concentration. He didn't seem to be aware of his surroundings. Lost in whatever the reflection showed him.

"Potions aren't working on your demon friend." One of the Imperials informed Ignis. It was the larger of the two. Who apparently had a shaved head and a meticulously groomed goatee. As he spoke he peeled off one of his leg bracers. Which came off in more pieces than it was probably supposed too. "His Imperial Highness said he needed some other option- and then started to ."

"Praying?" Ignis looked at Prompto with surprise. He had never really known Prompto to be religious... unless it was fawning over a certain Grease Monkey Goddess. Ignis didn't really think this was the same thing though. Instead of bowing dramatically or singing out praise; Prompto was kneeling and seemed incredibly focused.

"He's asking Ifrit what to do for your friend." Crowe informed him. She gave Prompto the strangest look, which Ignis did not know how to interpret. "Before being the God of Betrayl; Ifrit was the God of Wisdom. People would look to him for guidance on all sorts of matters." "I see." Ignis understood, "Let us hope that the Astral's wisdom extends beyond just vanquishing demons then." Ignis looked down at Prompto. Prompto continued to stare into the mirror. Not giving him any sort of answer or response. He didn't look to be aware of his surroundings at all. Lost in the depths of the mirror.

Ignis turned to the others, "And how are you all fairing?"

"Exhausted. But alive." The second Niflheim solider sighed. Throwing a piece of armor into the pile he was making. He had a heavy accent. One which reminded Ignis of Dino. An unlikely companion from their last life. "Your Lucian potions sure are something. I knew there were rumors that your magic could bring you back from the dead- but I didn't think they could LITTERALLY bring people back." The man looked over to the potions which had not been used Pushing his bangs back from his face. This solider had the brightest red hair Ignis had ever seen. As well as eyes as green as emeralds. A combination Ignis had only heard about in Gladio's fantasy novels. Almost everyone in Insomnia had black hair, and a range of blue to brown eyes. It was just the genetics common to the region. Most people in Galahd looked similar, though brown hair like Crowe's was more common to them. Honestly Ignis and Prompto usually stood out like sore thumbs. People could tell they were foreign, or had mixed blood from a kilometer away. Something that often placed a target on their backs.

Ignis had never met anyone with naturally red hair. It was fascinating to see. Though this man's was so vibrant, it made Ignis wonder if it was artificially dyed. Which was uncommon in Insomnia as well. Dying one's hair was seen as extremely unprofessional. Even just a simple extension or a highlight could expect someone to be expelled from schools or work- or even refused services.

"See something you like?" The red haired man asked with amusement. Ignis realized he had been staring- as the man had unhooked and removed his chest plate.

"Apologies." Ignis turned and fixed his glasses, "I was just noting the damage to your armor." He quickly came up with an excuse, "As Prince Noctis is responsible for the damage done to it- we should probably fully reimburse the costs for your equipment." Ignis remarked.

"That would be appreciated. This stuff isn't cheap you know." The man remarked, tossing a metal plate which was now mostly scrap into the pile at his feet. "I'm Reno by the way. My companion here is Rude. Both in name and in attitude." He said, giving his friend a wink.

Rude gave Reno an unamused sideways look. Then looked to Ignis. "Just in name." He clarified.

"I see. Nice to meet you both. My name is Ignis Scientia." Ignis greeted formally. Even though they were all bruised, battered and at the end of their ropes. "I am Prince Noctis' Advisor. I act as his Hand." He fixed his glasses, "On that note, Prince Noctis apologizes for attacking us all." He informed everyone, "The Prince will formally apologize in person; but he just told me that he did not know that we were a friendly target."

"I mean figured as much." Crowe groaned, "It makes sense in hindsight. That big as bird took the crystal- and then this dragon appears out of nowhere. Flying at the Citadel." She shook he head. "Of course they would attack us."

"We should have taken the time to communicate our arrival." Rude agreed. He also had an accent, but it was more subtle than Reno's. Rude removed the last portion of his armor. A chain mail shift which had broken apart in a spider web-like pattern, rendering it completely unwearable. Underneath his metal armor, Rude was wearing a maroon-almost-black gambeson. Quilted armor which had long sleeves and came down to his upper thigh. Rude tightened the leather belt which had been laying over his armor across his waist, and started putting back on his heavy leather gloves. Punching a fist into an open hand.

Reno had a similar under garment, and a white shirt underneath that. He unbuttoned both and kept opening them up- until Ignis felt for sure he was going to expose a nipple if he stretched in any sort of manner. The point of him wearing any sort of chest armor becoming quite pointless with how open his shirt was. Though protection from physical attacks didn't seem to be Reno's main concern. The man exhaled loudly, and picked up a piece of his broken armor. Fanning himself and opening his shirt even more. "Fire. It's so HOT. How the hell do you Insomnians walk around in black suits all the time?!"

Ignis tried not to look at Reno's exposed chest. Worried he might be caught starring once again. "We are just acclimated to it. Consider it our home field advantage." Ignis surmised, "I am fairly certain I would be quite miserable in the cold of Graela."

Reno shrugged "I mean- so long as you wear the right layers you'll be fine." He remarked and used a piece of armor to fan himself, "When it's hot you can only take off so many clothes off."

"That's a myth." Crowe informed Reno. He seemed confused by her statement. "Taking off all your clothes is just going to give you a sun burn. The trick is to layer properly; for the heat."

Crowe began explaining wearing under layers this to Reno. Ignis listened for all of two seconds. Then moved to sit down beside Prompto. He reached down and ran a hand through Gladio's short hair. He was breathing, visibly. With a pained furrow to his brow. Hands clenched. Like he was having a nightmare. Ignis checked for a pulse and found one, surprisingly. So perhaps Gladio wasn't completely demonic.

It took a lot to take someone like Gladio out. Ignis placed a hand on Gladio's back. Where the branches of his broken wings twisted out of his back. Similar to the wings of his tattoo, but more twisted. Clearly having them break the fall had caused their friend a lot of damage.

Thunder rumbled across the night sky. Lingering unnaturally long, like a slowed down video. Bright blue light illuminating the city, and chasing off demons. Keeping the citizens of Insomnia safe.

Noctis hovered anxiously over the front of the Citadel's parade grounds. High enough that he could cast off lightning when he needed too- but low enough that he could still make out what was going on beneath him. A lot of the Crowns Guard had moved on. Cor was deploying the bulk of the soldiers to parts of the city which were still reporting demon attacks. Such as the underground subways, and the slums. Which were built in a deep crevasse that rarely saw sunlight, much less would be reached by his lightning.

Most of the military still around were setting up to protect the Citadel, in case it got attacked. They had put up rows of sand bags around the entrance, and set up portable turrets. To late to keep anyone from taking the crystal, mind you. Noctis looked up to the center of the Citadel. Where once a purple light rose up into the sky and cast the wall . Keeping them all safe from the dark. Now there was an echoing emptiness.

A sight Noctis was a bit too familiar with. He tightened his grip on his staff and turned away from the Citadel. Choosing instead to look over the city of lights. A city which was ALIVE. Unlike the last timeline.

I'm going to make sure everyone lives this time around. Noctis resolved, and cast out another lightning bolt through his storm.

Loqi, Prompto's Dragon, looked up and watched the magical light trace across the sky. Light blue light reflecting off his scales. The dragon sat in the debris of said broken wall. Looking like a brooding chocobo. Crouched and kneeling where it had initially crash-landed, right after Noctis had taken it out of the sky. An attack that Noctis was paying dearly for. Having one of the loves of his life, and several others get caught in the cross fire.

Down below him, Ignis helped a medical team walk beneath the dragon to tend to Gladio. Noctis wanted more than anything to go down there with them. However, he wasn't allowed to see Gladio. Who was injured and dying because of him. Apparently turned into a demon according to Ignis- who had not really had time to elaborate further. Cor had confirmed this was the case though. That Gladio was in fact a demon now- and it would be best if Noctis kept his distance for a bit. Given the fact that Noctis was radiating and conjuring light specifically meant to destroy demons.

Noctis drifted, circling around the Citadel. Unhappy. He had thought he had done the right thing. There had been a giant. Now in his haste, there Playing the waiting game. A game he had never liked. Or been good at.

Nothing could ever just be simple. Noctis inhaled, and then exhaled. Hands trembling on his staff. He could still feel Gladio connected to him through their Armiger. So he was still alive. If that connection failed though... if Noctis felt his Shield die... honestly he didn't know what he would do. Ask Ardyn turn back time again? If the guy even could...

Noctis's emotions were a tumoltuous as the storm he was conjuring overhead. He had always had a deep seated fear. That he, or someone he loved would be taken away again. It had started with Noctis crying anytime his father left the room, even just to get something from the next room over. To Noctis insisting that Ignis and Gladio should move into his room when he was 4- because he hated it so much when they left. Noctis had struggled with these emotions so much that he had been going to therapy. Having someone teach him how to cope and manage with his fear.

A fear that was no longer unfounded. Noctis HAD been taken away from everyone he loved. He had been alone. For ten years. Floating in a void. Disconnected from everyone. Not even fully existing. Then when he had come back- it had been too late. Everyone he loved had been dead.

Noctis, still floating, looked up towards the sky. The clouds above the Citadel were parted in a circle. The central eye of the storm he had summoned for Insomnia. From here he could see up to the night sky. Which was filled with stars. Noctis thought about how long he had spent alone in the light. Then in the darkness, with Ardyn. Noctis had only suffered ten years. He could not begin to imagine what Ardyn's 2,000 had been like.

The Dragon Loqi shifted- and 2 people came out from underneath his little nest. Noctis leaned back and floated to get a better view, eyeing up the area. Prompto had appeared. His Niflheim white robes, with his red vestments making him immediately identifiable. Cor was at his side, and the two were talking. It was strange seeing them both side by side. Especially since the two of them seemed somewhat? Close...?

I have to be imagining this. Noctis thought to himself. Seeing Prompto reach out and tap the back of his hand against Cor's arm. As if he were punctuating one of his sentences. Cor, whom Noctis had known in BOTH life times as a strict but fair Uncle figure- smiled. It was only for a second- but Noctis witnessed it first hand. Cor smiling. Like he was holding back laughter. A reaction Noctis had rarely ever seen- and usually something only Regis could get out of the stoic Marshal.

Then there was Prompto. His shy and socially awkward Prompto. Who was always scared around new people and strangers. Often hiding behind Noctis, Ignis or Gladio. Letting them do the talking. Prompto, who in their last lives took several years just to build up the confidence to speak with Noctis. Now talking and joking with Cor Leonis. The scariest person Noctis had ever known. In both lifetimes.

The moment ended in less than a heart beat. Cor quickened a few steps, and jumped up to the upper level of the parade grounds with little to no effort. Prompt similarly took a running start, but instead of jumping he ran up the wall like a parkour expert. Or one of the assassins from their favorite game series. Propelling himself up with what little hand holds could be found, and reaching the top where Cor was waiting for him patiently, a hand on his hip. Almost as if Cor had no doubt Prompto could get up without his help, he just knew that he would take a bit more time.

The two exchanged more words. Prompto fixed his hair. Pulling his hair up in a twisting motion. Cor turned to look up at Noctis, and waved. Calling him down. Noctis lowered himself magically. Touching down one foot at a time. Two hands holding onto his magic staff.

Cor seemed ambivalent to his arrival. Prompto was smiling from ear to ear, standing on the toes of his feet. "Dude! You're so bright!"

"You think?" Noctis couldn't help smile, something he could always count on Prompto for. Prompto was the best. Noctis had missed him so much... it was strange. Knowing Prompto- but not having known him only hours ago.

"You're literally GLOWING." Prompto bounced forward and reached out with both hands. Prompto cupped his face with two hands. For a moment, Noctis thought that Prompto was going to pull him in and kiss him. Memories of the night they had shared together traced across his mind. Noctis leaned forward, but Prompto didn't reciprocate.

Instead of having a romantic remeeting- Prompto mushed his cheeks and held Noctis at an arms distance. Looking him over like Noctis might a fish he had just caught. "Strange. I thought you would have been hot."

"I'm summoning light. Not fire." Noctis pouted, a bit put out for not getting a kiss. Cor coughed pointedly. Just as he always did when Noctis got handsy with Ignis or Gladio in public. His Uncle was such a buzz kill.

"Yeah, but it's a LOT of energy. So it has to go somewhere." Prompto was more speaking to himself. He pulled back his hands and pinched his chin thoughtfully. "Usually excess energy generates heat- and you're emitting so much of it."

"I'm dispelling the excess energy as light." Noctis pointed out. He leaned back. Shifting his weight onto his staff. "It actually takes a lot of energy to produce it, if I was putting this much energy out as just fire- I would probably self-combust."

Prompto seemed to take something away from this information. Hand splayed across the lower half of his face. He looked Noctis over with deep consideration. There was something behind Prompto's new purple eyes. Something which was calculating possibilities.

Noctis' fingers twitched on his staff. He wanted to reach out and pull Prompto close again. Unlike Noctis, Prompto's hands WERE warm. In a comforting sort of way- but also temperature wise. Noctis had not realized how cold the desert night was until now. Prompto was running as hot as a camp fire though. Unnaturally so. Noctis wanted him close again- and he wanted his friend to stay.

Unfortunately they did not have all the time in the world. "How's Gladio?" Noctis asked with worry.

Prompto gave him a grim and straight forward answer. "Not good. His wings broke."

"Wings?" Noctis asked with surprise, confusion, and worry.

"Gladio's demon form has wings," Prompto explained, "but he's not a bird creature. More like a plant creature."

"Oh... okay?" Noctis didn't understand. He thought of all the plant monsters they had fought over the course of their adventures. The Mandrakes and the Malboro came to mind. He couldn't imagine Gladio being anything like them. Gladio in his mind was big, and strong. A solid wall that he could lean and depend on.

"He looks a bit like an angel." Prompto seemed to pick up on his confusion. "Human body, then wings." he made vague gestures with his arms to demonstrate a shape.

"Oh! That's... that's not too bad then." Noctis had thought that him turning into a demon would have elicited a lot more of a change, "Form-wise I mean. His wings being broken can't be good."

"I talked to my Father." Prompto informed him-

Noctis' brow pinched at the word 'father' with confusion. Countless memories of Prompto complaining about absent parents rising up to the surface. Oh. Right. Noctis then remember that Prompto HAD a family in this lifetime. Ardyn was Prompto's father. He had brothers as well-

"He had the best understanding of demon biology and what might help Gladio." Prompto explained, looking back towards Loqi. The Dragon was watching them. Even though it was sitting in the bottom part of the parade grounds, the Dragon was still looming over them. A giant by every definition. "Gladio is mostly stable, but out of mana. We need to fix that as soon as possible. We do that by taking him out back of the Citadel, and burying him in his field of flowers there."

Noctis blinked three times, "What? Bury him? Why?"

"Demons absorb mana through their surroundings-" Prompto explained to Noctis like he was teaching a lesson, "Gladio would pull power from the earth." Prompto explained, "But he's also what my Father calls an area specialist. Think of it like an Arachne that has a nest. They're hell to fight inside the nest, because they have more power there. That's why you have to lure them out to fight them."

"So if we bury Gladio in his field, he should be able to recover his mana faster." Cor added in, "Just like an Arachne heals faster in their nest."

"Exactly." Prompto turned and nodded at Cor.

. "Right." Noctis felt like he understood enough of what Prompto was saying, "What do you need me to do?"

"We're going to move him under a heavy tarp, and some other protective elements." Prompto explained, "What I need from you for now, is to just stay up, and away."

Noctis felt his heart crushing at this command. All this power- Noctis could literally summon storms and change the weather- but he still couldn't help those he loved when it mattered.

"Also, please try not to produce too much light as we transport him?" Prompto placed his hands together, begging him, "He started burning when you first cast lightning over us. Any direct exposure to your light could seriously just like, one shot him right now.." Gladio was THAT bad? Noctis felt the bottom of his stomach start to spiral. As he realized that in saving the city, he had nearly killed off one of his dearest life partners. "Oh. Okay."

"Right. Cool. So. Lets do this?" Prompto snapped his fingers and gave him two finger guns. Then turned. Already ready to go.

Noctis watched Prompto go. He kind of needed a second or two to process everything going on. Honestly. A feeling of despair and uncertainty in his chest. Noctis was used to waiting for other people to get his approval before moving forward. People giving him time to deliberate. Noctis was the prince, people moved at his pace.

Prompto was not waiting for him though. Already springing into action. Noctis watched as Prompto threw out his arms as he bounced over to the ledge of the parade grounds. Calling out to his Dragon and speaking to them. Noctis watched, and realized that he did not like the feeling of being left behind.

Cor crossed his arms, and shifted to stand next to Noctis. Both of them watching Noctis. "Yeah. He doesn't give you much time to think. Does he?" His Uncle remarked, "Unlike you and Regis- he just blazes ahead."

Noctis tightened the grip on his staff, and looked up at his Uncle. "Since when are you two friends?" Noctis asked critically. Words he regretted immediately. Noctis pressed a hand to his forehead, "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap." He apologized.

Cor gave him the weirdest look. However he let the improper tone slide. "I got my memories back." Cor pointed to his temple, "When we were in the throne room. It was impossible not too. With him being there." Cor turned to look at Prompto, recrossing his arms.

"Your memories..." Noctis had not considered that Cor would remember anything- or that he could. He supposed the Marshal was 'the Immortal' and had probably lived for quite a long time, even without the sun.

"We ARE close," Cor informed him, "because we spent the last eight years together as close partners."

Noctis choked on air, pressing a hand to his chest. "I'm sorry. WHAT?" Noctis looked at his UNCLE, then to Prompto, "You two were together?! Excuse me?"

"What? No. Not like that. Gross." Cor looked at Noctis judging him for even thinking the idea. Even though Cor was the one who had put the idea into the world. "Partners as in colleges. People who you can count on to back you up in a fight." He clarified, much to Noctis's gratitude. That was an age difference he didn't even want to start to consider.

"Prompto was the one who took charge of the group after Lestallum fell." Cor looked back over towards their friend, "He kept us all together."

"Prompto? did?" Noctis looked over at the blonde. Who was currently leaning fearlessly over the drop to the lower level. Arms out, bracing himself on the bridge of his Dragon's nose. Talking excitedly to Loqi. "You didn't step in?"

"Didn't feel like my place to do so." Cor admitted, "Not after what happened with Gladio. Prompto really stepped up as a leader when push came to shove." Cor gave him a sideways look, "You should be proud of him. Look at how much he's grown."

Noctis did feel a feeling settle in his stomach. He did not think that it was pride, however. More like a weary regret. If only I had come back sooner. Noctis thought. Not for the first time. He pressed his thumb against the hook of the fishing rod handle on his staff. Where the bottom of a reel was supposed to lock into place. The familiar cork grip offered him something to ground himself on.

The Dragon moved suddenly. Both Cor and Noctis tensed on instinct. Which was not surprising, considering its size and their proximity. Loqi lifted their head up. Bringing Prompto with them. Who was laughing, laying on the bridge of the Dragon's nose.

Noctis watched, magical staff at the ready. ready to fly up and catch Prompto if necessary. Prompto popped to his feet once Loqi's head stopped moving though. Moving up to the top of the beast's head. Noctis watched, mouth dry. The dragon was huge- and intimidating. Which was exactly the reason Noctis had not thought twice about hitting it with lightning when he saw it approaching the Citadel.

Loqi moved slowly though, almost self consciously. Like a great eagle stepping around it's eggs. Once Prompto was on it's crown Loqi slowly stood up, and revealed what he had been protecting all this time. A cluster of people. Who had been safe within a decently sized circle beneath him. Noctis recognized Ignis immediately, as well as Crowe. There were two Imperial Guards as well- the ones who had been escorting Prompto that morning. Noctis recognized the one with red hair, at least. Their armor was laying around in burnt scraps.

Everyone was holding a thick black tarp, over a stretcher. Two people wearing the medical uniform gave some sort of cue, and the group all started moving together. Escorting the gurney like some sort of grim funeral procession. Out from underneath Loqi.

Noctis wanted to watch, but he was literally popped up into the air. As Loqi's foot planted solidly on the ground beside him and Cor. Cor landed and caught himself with cool confidence, but Noctis remained up in the air. Holding onto his staff with both hands. Activating his ability to float out of sheer reflex.

They both watched as the Dragon circled up onto the upper platform of the parade grounds. Causing a small earth quake with each step. Even though the dragon moved around the people and safety barriers with great caution. The dragon was huge, easily several stories tall. Noctis looked up as the dragon stepped over him with both dread and awe.

Once atop the upper parade ground, the dragon shook itself like a dog. As if shaking off the feeling of being idle for so long. When it's wings stretched out they blotted out the stormy sky Noctis had been keeping illuminated. Loqi stretched his wings out, then raised up their head. Opening its mouth and letting out a deafening roar. The noise was incredibly loud. Almost having a physical presence to it. Noctis covered his ears and winced. The dragon rose up on it's back legs as it roared, and then lowered itself down. Breaking the pavement as it did so. Many of the crows guard fell to their feet. How Cor remained standing was beyond him.

The fierce Dragon stood in front of the Citadel. Looking over all the rather frightened Crowns guards with satisfaction. He folded his wings back up. Then snorted.

Loqi circled into an unoccupied spot, and then sat down. Prompto, just a white dot from this distance slid down it's face like he was on a child's ride. Returning to the bridge of the dragon's nose. With what had to be practiced ease, based on how natural the movement seemed for him.

Prompto pressed his forehead to the center of the dragons- and there was a moment of stillness. Where the Dragon closed its eyes. Noctis felt a massive amount of magic gather- pulling towards the Dragon. A yellow circle formed between Prompto's forehead and Loqi's. Some sort of spell medium Noctis wasn't familiar with. The magic released in a huge flash of light- accompanied by a large gust of wind.

So he DOES have magic. Noctis thought with amazement. Having suspected as much during their meeting in the throne room. Noctis had felt something gathering. Prompto radiating out some kind of energy. I don't remember him having magic. Noctis's mind raced. Watching Prompto with fascination. Prompto's magic was different from Noctis' own. It was different from Luna's as well. It was something hot, something new, something alive in a way Noctis had never seen before. He took a step towards it. Drawn in by Prompto's brilliance.

Magic sparked in the air as Prompto's collided with Noctis' own. Embers of yellow, like flakes from a fire danced through the air. As Noctis' magic sparked with blue electricity. The spell Prompto was casting went through. There was a release of light was like a camera flash. There and then gone. Wind pushed out around the two of them. As if to compensate for the displacement of the large size of the dragon. It was hot and dry, like an exhale from a great furnace. It kicked up dust and debris from the ground, tossed people's hair upwards, and then circled up towards the sky.

Noctis held up his staff in front of him, bracing against the wind. He watched as Loqi's entire form turned yellow in a flash, and shrunk down. Suddenly there was no longer a giant dragon occupying the center of the court yard. Rather two humans, who dropped from some height, Foreheads pressed together. The magic cushioned most of their fall. The two landing on their feet. One of the two people's legs gave out, and pulled the other down on top of them.

Laughter split the silence of the parade ground. It was Prompto's. Bright and cheerful. Warm, just like his magic. Noctis felt his heart beating in his throat. Whatever power Prompto had picked up, it suited him incredibly well.

Noctis watched his friend roll over. Untangling himself from Loqi, a dragon turned human. Who leaned back and grinned triumphantly. The man said something with boisterous humor which Noctis did not register. He shook his hair out of his face. Short and gray, and his face looked familiar-

Noctis realized at once that he recognized the man. From both of his life times. The first was as Brigadier General Loqi. The soldier from their last lives who had set up the Norduscaen Blockade. A man they though died when his mecha exploded. Only to return later when Lestallum held their Assassins Festival. A loud man with a whole lot of pride, and stubbornness. The second place Noctis recognized Loqi was from this week. Loqi had been at Prompto's Crowns Guard trial; and present this morning when Prompto had been picked up. Both times acting as a personal guard. Prompto had actually spoken to the man about becoming the head of said personal guard.

Noctis tried to process the duality of the different time lines in his mind. The fact that the dragon Loqi was the same human Loqi- By the six. Does that mean Prompto turned him into a dragon? Noctis asked himself.

He watched Loqi reach out, supporting Prompto by the upper waist. Not at all minding that Prompto was sitting in his lap. The two of them joking with an easy, friendly, casualness. The sort of thing Prompto usually only shared with NOCTIS. The two of them just goofy kids. Smiling at each other an having fun.

Something rolled in Nocti's mind at the sight of the two. Like a giant transformer switch being pulled in his mind. Something about the sight of Prompto... his Prompto. Sitting in the lap of another man. Joking. Laughing. Electricity traced through Noctis' veins. Powering something inside of his chest. A feeling that had never been activated before. It was a furnace. Firey red hot, burning. Dark. It was a feeling of passion- but not one of love. Rather one of pure, raw fury.

Noctis floated over to the two. Prompto was laughing as Noctis arrived, staff in hand. Loqi saw him coming, met his eyes, and the softness in his face hardened. His grip on Prompto becoming firmer. As if he were ready to move Prompto out of the way if need be. Not that Noctis wanted to do such a thing. In his mind it was Loqi who needed to move.

Noctis landed next to the two of them. His feet touching solid ground with a firm clack of his red soled shoes. "What are you doing?" Noctis snapped, uncharacteristically. As thunder rumbled over head.

Prompto's laughter died. His bright smile dimmed. He looked up at Noctis with a confused look. "-What?"

"You're in public." Noctis hissed. He reached forward, grabbed Prompto's arm, and yanked him out of Loqi's lap. Up to his feet, "You two can't be rolling around like - like lovesick puppies."

"Oh. Come on man, it was just a bit of fun." Prompto complained. Finding his feet he frowned at Noctis, and the grip he had on his arm still. "What's your deal?"

Noctis looked Prompto over. His mind working a mile a minute. The wind around them began to pick up. Several people around the court yard shivered. The temperature dropping noticeably as the stormy weather Noctis had summoned seemed to pull in closer. "Crowns and Imperial Heirs can't be seen playing about in public." Noctis told Prompto firmly. Years and years of similar scoldings coming to his mind. Reminders from both adults, and Ignis, and even his father. Noctis searched and grabbed the first reason for separating the two that he could. "You have an image to uphold."

"And you-" Noctis rounded on Loqi. Who was also now standing. Looking at him the same way he had when in dragon form. "You should know better than to touch royalty so casually." Noctis scolded him firmly. He pulled Prompto closer to him. Protectively. (possessively.)

Loqi gave him a considering look, and for a second Noctis wished the man would argue with him. Just so he would have some justification to make the earth swallow him whole. Loqi instead took a step back, and folded his hands politely, "Yes of course. My apologies."

Prompto twisted his arm, and took it back. Pulling out of Noctis' grip. "Noctis. Dude. Stop being weird."

Noctis turned to his best friend, trying to get him to see reason. "Prompto I'm just- I am trying to keep you out of trouble."

Prompto looked Noctis dead in the eye. Dark purple clashing against dark blue. "No. You're being an ASS." Prompto declared openly and firmly. Something Noctis had never seen Prompto do before. Only he HAD. When Ignis had pushed Prompto into threatening his advisor into backing off.

Was this what Specs felt like? Noctis wondered. Trying to make sense of the feelings swirling inside of him. Everything he knew about Prompto from the past conflicting against the Prompto right before him. He felt like he was going crazy. Thinking one thing. Two things. Then feeling them fight inside of his mind.

Prompto gave him a weird look, and then turned to the side. "Come on Loqi. We should go help Gladio." Prompto instructed. Loqi followed him without a word. Stiff and at a parade rest. Prompto glanced behind as the two of them left. Giving him a disgruntled look. Rotating the arm Noctis had grabbed him by.

Noctis watched Prompto's retreating form. Leaving Noctis behind once again. That burning feeling in his blood got darker. Hotter.

Cor stepped up tentatively, looking at him with icey blue eyes. "Prince Noctis?" he asked with concern.

"I'm fine." Noctis lied. He took off. Flying up into the air where no one could reach him. Where he was free. Where... where he could see Prompto and Loqi rejoining Ignis and the others. The lot of them rejoining, and then making their way quickly around to the back of the Citadel.

Noctis felt his heart pounding in his throat. Which his stomach threatened to vomit out. As he watched them from afar. Like some kind of inhuman being. Prompto jogged to catch up to everyone, and greeted the Niflheim solider with red hair just like Prompto might have greeted Noctis, Ignis or Gladio. Goofy over the top and enthusiastic.

Noctis felt the storm he had conjured over Insomnia shift. Rain start to fall around the city. I'm no longer his only friend. Noctis realized. He had to turn away from Prompto to process this thought. Drifting up and higher. With a twist he landed on the sky walk of the Citadel. Alone. Save for the burning feeling inside of his chest and blood.

Rain fell like tears across the city. They hit the ground at his feet, and bounced unnaturally. Gathering as a small drop of sparks of light, and lingering. Before joined by a second, and then a third. The whole city soon looked like the night sky when a rare meteor shower occurred. Drops of pure light falling from the sky and tracing down. Where it pooled into glowing puddles, or drained into dark storm drains. Light reaching in to the darker crevices and cracks that his lightning had not been able to reach.

Noctis inhaled, and then exhaled placing both hand against his face. Shoulders shaking. He didn't understand. Why he couldn't stop crying. Why Prompto just having other friends- other people in his life- Noctis so overwhelmed with emotions. He was angry, and he was sad, he knew he should have been happy- but his entire mind revolted at the image in his brain. Prompto sitting so casually in Loqi's lap. The two of them laughing with joy.

"Jealously is such an ugly thing." A gentle voice sighed behind him.

Noctis turned in surprise. Having not sensed anyone on the sky walk. There had certainly not been anyone there when he had

An old man sat on the edge of the side walk. His feet hanging off the edge, as if it were not a 50 story drop down to the ground below.

Noctis stared at the man. The man turned to look at him. He had a long beard. Long enough for it to cascade into his lap. Where it became fluffy and started to blur in with the wispy bottom of the cloak he was wearing. Said cloak was a dark green, with high collars. The fabric draped down over his shoulders it became lighter and eventually faded into the same wispy white as his beard- which Noctis realized was clouds which shifted and rolled gently. As the man contemplated Noctis.

Noctis looked down. Across the man's lap laid a magical staff. One topped with a Mesmenir piece. A staff Noctis had seen more than a dozen times. Though usually it was the size of a pylon tower.

"Oh my gods-" Noctis felt like he was going to fall through the floor, "R-ramuh?"

Noctis felt like he was going to fall through the platform as he recognized the God. How could he not? How many times had the Astral of Storms come to save him in his last life? Striking down judgment on creatures or people they were fighting. There was a literal GOD. Standing before him. Well. Sitting before him. Appearing before him?

Noctis' mind swirled, his jaw hanging open.

The Astral turned from Noctis to look across the city. Where raindrops fell like meteors. His eyes were unnatural. Just pinpricks of red. Though there was no anger to his expression. Noctis had never noticed that the man had long ears. Like an elf might have. They turned red towards the tips. The color of blood. It was such a strange detail. Everything about Ramuh seemed etherial. But this part... it made himseem almost like once upon a time, in some way. He had just existed as a normal person.

"An impressive storm you have conjured up today." Ramuh remarked. Then set his staff down on the side of the sky walk. It sparked as he did so. The God rose up, drifting into the open air. Turning to look at Noctis. His entire lower half just a cloud he stood upon. beard, robes and legs all combining into one storm.

Noctis continued to stare at the God with surprise. Until he realized that he was being rude. That Gods demanded respect. "Great Storm Shepard." Noctis managed to breath. Somehow, "What brings you here?"

Ramuh looked down at Noctis. Even though they were standing on the same level, the man was tall. Taller than Ardyn. He was a giant, compared to normal men. "I came to see who was encroaching on my domain." He informed Noctis. Then gestured his arm across the city. Indicating to the storm of light falling around them.

Noctis looked up at the storm he had conjured, and then at the God. Eyes widening, "I didn't mean to." He told the God quickly, "I mean- I had to. It was the only way-"

"I know you didn't mean to offend." Ramuh smiled. Like a grandfather might smile, "It is an impressive feat you have achieved here. King of Light." Ramuh said his title, and Noctis felt like. "You have always had great potential as a Storm Shepard. Such a shame that you were chosen for greater things. It had been too long since any of your family have had any affinity for my domain."

Noctis had no idea what half of what any of that meant. He licked his lips. "Thank you." He decided to say. "Your generosity is appreciated."

Ramuh turned. He opened up and then closed his arms. Adjusting the sleeve of his robes. He floated back over the platform. Moving to standing beside Noctis, "But you need balance, my boy." Ramuh whispered quietly. He pointed with his staff, telling Noctis to look towards the North. "Rain from clouds does not come from nowhere. The world must obey order, you see. All this water falling on a desert."

Ramuh circled around his back like a cloud, moving from pointing from one horizon, to the next. North and then to the South. "You are pulling this water from the ocean winds. Winds that become future storms."

The God looked Noctis in the sky and for warned him. "For one night of light in Insomnia. Duscae will suffer a drought for the next three summers. The worst in at least six hundred years."

Noctis felt his mouth go dry. He looked across the city. Not having realized.

"There is nothing we can do now to stop this," Ramuh judged morosely, stroking his beard. Looking at something in the distance that Noctis could not perceive. "but I will show you how to make sure their crops see enough rain." Ramuh turned to him, and nodded. "Yes. That would be best. Next spring when the winds change, you will come learn from me. I will teach you how to balance worlds."

Noctis tightened the grip on his staff, "but- is there even going to be a next year?" Noctis asked the God. Fear blooming in his heart. The memories of him alone in the dark, giving up still heavy in his memory.

Ramuh looked to Noctis, and raised two incredibly bushy eye brows- which were also clouds. Noctis realized. "I hope there too be." Ramuh, "Do you not?"

Noctis raised his own eyebrows. Meeting Ramuh's beady red eyes. He felt something stir inside of him. Noctis looked over the city. The glowing rain falling over the city. "There will if I have anything to say about it." He said with conviction.

Ramuh smiled with pride, "That is good to hear." The God floated back and upwards, starting to disappear. Just as clouds did when picked up by the wind. "I will see you again Noctis, when you come for your pilgrimage." The God told him, "And then next spring, you and I will work together, balancing out this disorder you have caused." The God instructed him.

"Wait." Noctis rose up, floating over towards Ramuh. "I-I don't know what I'm doing." Noctis admitted, "If I can't keep summoning storms- how am I supposed to keep everyone in Insomnia safe from the demons?"

"You are the King of Light, are you not?" The Ramuh asked Noctis critically, "Figure out how to bring light- without rain." The God suggested. Gesturing with his staff up towards the sky. "You have proven yourself very resourceful in the past. I have no doubt you will find a way to keep your people safe."

The God seemed to consider something else, as he continued to disappear, "I advice you, to also considering apologizing to the Prometheus."

Noctis blinked, "Prometheus?" He had never heard the word before, "You mean Prompto?" The words sounded similar. Perhaps Ramuh just didn't know his name? It wasn't like they had ever spoken to the Storm Shepard before.

"No one likes a jealous lover." Ramuh advised him coyly, and then faded away. Becoming a blurry mist, and then nothing.

Noctis watched the God go, and then adjusted his staff. He turned to look towards the back of the Citadel. The pavement leading into the car park had been torn to shreds. Dark green plants spilled over one of the fountains and grew out of the ground. From this high up he could make out a pinprick of white. Prompto. Kneeling down next to a black tarp, and some sort of earthen dome. Others were gathered around, helping him and watching closely.

"Jealous." Noctis ran a hand, through his hair. Thinking over the word. The mixture of emotions that had brought him up here. Noctis closed his eyes. A lightning bolt traced across the sky behind him.