Ignis lay on the ground, a Niflheim soldier pinning him down. To his side his shattered glasses lay, having been knocked off his face by Ardyn. In front of him stood the aforementioned man, smarmy as ever. In that moment Ignis felt an intense, burning, hatred for Ardyn, unlike any he had felt his entire life. Ignis just wanted to tear the usurper's face off, tear off that damn irritating cocky grin!

Ignis knew that he wasn't thinking rationally, that he was letting his emotions get the better of him, but at this point he didn't care. Ardyn smirked and extended his hand towards Ignis in allegiance, proposing that Ignis join him.

Ignis's eyes darted towards the royal Ring of Lucii that had fallen off of Noctis's finger and rolled towards him. If he could just get ahold of it… Ignis made up his mind. Betraying Noctis was never a plan, not from the very beginning!

Ignis mustered up all his strength and broke free of the Niflheim soldier's grasp. Gasping and panting, Ignis stood up and roared with rage in a way so uncharacteristic of him that, had he been in his right mind at the moment, he probably would have felt extremely embarrassed of. But, he wasn't, and so Ignis did not care and gave another guttural yell, a cry so primal, so visceral.

Ardyn grinned and his eyes lit up, observing Ignis like a child observes a new toy, "I'll take that as a 'no'." He raised his glowing arm towards Ignis to dispatch him.

"I… swore an oath… to stand by Noctis and protect him…" Ignis panted, slowly raising his right hand.

Ardyn saw the look in Ignis's eyes and that he was holding something shiny. The red-haired man lowered his arm, his usual arrogant expression briefly replaced with one of seriousness and surprise. He wasn't expecting this. What trick did Ignis have up his sleeve? Or, perhaps more accurately, in his hand?

Ignis continued, now holding up the Ring of Lucii, "And whatever it takes, I will protect him!" He thrust the ring onto his finger.

With a brilliant glow signifying the ring's activation, Ignis felt an agonizing pain shoot from his finger through his arm. He could not help but double over and cry out. The feeling was an unimaginable heat, a searing sensation that felt like his whole arm had just been submerged in lava. The pain and heat spread from Ignis's arm to the other parts of his body, showing no signs of slowing or decreasing. If anything, it only got worse.

Now Ardyn's usual smile returned, "Ah-ah-ah, I wouldn't do that if I were you." He chuckled to himself as Ignis continued to cry out and struggle.

This was what Ardyn loved, unpredictability, desperation. The whole thing greatly amused him. Ignis gripped his right arm tightly, on the verge of tears. Still, somehow, in the midst of all this pain Ignis was able to speak.

"I may not be of royal blood, but if a Glaive can harness its power, then so… can… I…!" Ignis looked to the sky, voice cracking as he yelled, "Guuh! Kings of Lucis, lend me your strength!"

In the next moment Ignis suddenly felt another jolt of excruciating pain, and to be honest he was shocked that it could get any worse. This time the origin of his pain was in his head, specifically behind his eyes. He felt a great pressure around his cranium and behind his eyeballs, as though his head were caught in a gigantic vice. His eyes burned as though they were on fire, and the poor retainer could do nothing but jerk about and scream involuntarily. He instinctively raised his hands to his face as though that would quell the pain.

The only thing Ignis could hear now was the sound of his own racing heartbeat. He extended a hand towards the unconscious Noctis, desperately wanting to save him, still praying in his mind for the gods to help him! As Ignis did this, his sight gradually began to fade away. Purple flames ate at the center of his vision, dissolving it into black, and slowly spread to overtake the edges of his sight as well, like a piece of burning parchment . Was this the end? Was this what dying felt like? No, it couldn't be! He couldn't expire just yet, he had to protect Prince Noctis! He could die after but now he had to protect the prince!

The last thing Ignis ever saw was Noctis's peacefully sleeping face, such a contrast to the battle that was going on around the prince for his life. Ignis would have laughed if he weren't in such pain and the situation not so dire.

"Maaaaaaaaa!" Ignis gave one last loud scream, and then there was only silence.

The heat and the pain dissipated. Ignis felt a newfound power rising up inside of him; he did not have to see to understand what it was. Eyes literally aflame, Ignis decided to test it out and willed himself a few feet away. He felt as his body actually teleported the same way he'd seen Noctis do a million times. It felt vaguely like being yanked backwards on a string, it was a little frightening and yet exhilarating and it made Ignis feel lighter than air. With renewed resolve, he glared at the red-haired man behind all of their suffering and prepared for battle.

"Well… it seems they've shown you their favor after all," Ardyn chuckled with just a hint of bitterness in his voice. Teleporting a few inches from Ignis's face, "Well, if you're so keen on keeping him safe, I'd like to see you try!"

Thus the two began to spar, Ignis somehow knowing exactly where Ardyn was at all times despite his newly acquired blindness. Perhaps it had something to do with the Ring of Lucii and the blessing that the kings bestowed upon him? A blessing that gave Ignis a temporary third eye, and allowed him to visualize the battlefield before him in a way so keen and precise you'd think Ignis had not lost his sight at all. Despite Ignis's newly discovered power though, Ardyn still proved a tough foe.

The fight drew on for what felt like an eternity. At last, however, Ignis managed to get Ardyn down on one knee, but before he could deliver the killing blow Ignis felt the effects of the ring's enchantment wear off. Suddenly all that incredible strength and energy had left his body. It was all Ignis could do not to collapse on the spot, bereft of the ring's power that was previously sustaining him.

"Whew! Wasn't that exhilarating?" Ardyn laughed, somewhat out of breath himself. "I think that's enough for one day."

In the next moment Ardyn was gone, along with the Niflheim soldiers. The temporary third eye the ring had provided Ignis faded now, too. Breathing heavily, barely finding the strength to stand, let alone move, Ignis turned and began making his way towards where he assumed Noctis's body lay. He had to make sure that Noctis was okay. He had to protect him from Ardyn. Ignis did not know that Ardyn and the soldiers had left, for he could no longer see.

"Noct…" Ignis said breathlessly, shambling over towards the sleeping prince.

Once he got within a few feet of the prince however, Ignis's legs finally gave out and Ignis crumpled to the floor. The adrenaline rush finally wore off. The ring rolled off his finger and stopped between him and Noctis. Ignis now laid on his back, huffing and puffing, feeling like his heart might leap out of his chest. Would he survive this? Nyx died when he put on the ring, so why was he still alive? Ignis could not help but ponder this as he gasped for air.

A familiar voice called out from somewhere behind the pair, and Ignis could sense someone kneel down directly behind his head.

"That was reckless," Ravus said in his usual, slightly irritated, tone.

Ignis grunted as he turned his head, managing only a weak, "Where's... Noct?"

The exhausted man shuddered, trying desperately to keep it together.

"Is he… hah… hah…" Ignis panted. "Is he alright?" Ignis said a bit louder, forcing his vocal cords to work.

"More or less- all thanks to you," Ravus replied.

Ignis breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank goodne-"

But before Ignis could finish, a violent coughing fit overtook him. Gods, his throat was so dry and scratchy. Everything hurt. It hurt to move. It even hurt to breathe.

"Iggy! Where are you?" Ignis instantly recognized the sound of Gladio's voice calling out for him.

Prompto echoed Gladiolus, "Noct! Iggy!"

Ignis tried desperately to get up, to let his friends know that he was over here and he was alright and to attend to Prince Noctis. Ignis tried to call out to them.

"N-nrgh…! Guh- Gahhh! Mmph…!" Ignis groaned as he tried in vain to lift himself up off the ground. It was no use, his whole body felt heavy as lead.

"Be still!" Ravus commanded in a soft but firm voice. Despite his stern tone, Ignis thought he could detect a note of compassion in Ravus' voice.

Then, speaking a bit more quietly, "Conserve your strength. You've a calling to fulfill." Ravus gazed down at the royal adviser with a look of both contempt and concern on his face, not that Ignis could tell though.

Ignis winced in pain, shutting his eyes tight and clenching his teeth. Once more came the sound of Gladio and Prompto's voices.

"Noct!"

"Iggyyyyy!"

Ravus stood up, walking away, "...As do I. May fortune favor us both."

Ravus paused briefly and awkwardly tilted his head downwards towards the unconscious Lucian prince, "...And you, as well, Noctis..."

With this the silver-haired man finally sauntered away, but not before passing right by Gladio and nearly brushing shoulders with him. The shield stopped and glared after, debating whether or not he should stop Ravus and whether Ravus was the one responsible for doing this to Noctis and Ignis. But a couple seconds earlier, when Gladio spotted him from far away, Ravus was merely kneeling down next to Ignis and his lips were moving, he did not seem to be trying to hurt him. Just talk. So then… what had happened? Meanwhile, Prompto wasted no time in dashing over to Noctis's side, checking his body for a pulse.

"Gladio, what are you doing?" Prompto chided. "Forget about Ravus, we've got to help Iggy and Noct!"

Prompto's voice snapped Gladio back to his senses, "Uh… um, yeah... right!" The shield ran over to Ignis's side, feeling slightly guilty for stopping to gawk at Ravus.

As he did he got a better look at Ignis' face.

The bespectacled man's spectacles were gone, and in their place was a huge silvery scar. Gladio was tempted to touch it, but stopped himself just in time. He didn't want to risk infection or hurting Ignis more.

"Dammit, Iggy, what happened to you? Are you okay?!"

Ignis could not find the strength to reply, his eyes closed shut and his teeth were clenched in pain, "I… I…" he whispered.

Tentatively, Gladio put his fingers on Ignis's neck and checked his pulse. His heart was racing kinda fast and his pulse felt a little weak, his body felt a little cold. Was Ignis going into shock?! He definitely needed medical attention, stat! Gladio gently placed a hand on Ignis's chest to keep him from moving too much and to check his heartbeat. Not like Ignis could, even if he wanted to.

Gladio and Prompto's voices sounded very far away, Ignis could hardly hear them now. Struggling to remain conscious, Ignis turned his head towards Noctis, almost blacking out in the process, "Please…... forgive me..."

Gladio and Prompto did not understand what Ignis was apologizing for, all they knew was that he needed help. Ignis knew why though, he had used up all of the ring's enchantment. It would take some time for it to regain its magical energy. In the meantime, Noctis would not be able to use the ring and he'd essentially be powerless. Even though using the ring cost Ignis his sight and caused him a tremendous amount of pain, even though he only did it to protect Noctis and probably saved his life, Ignis still felt guilty about taking the ring without Noctis's permission and using up all its energy. Or… so he thought was the reason for his guilt. But perhaps it wasn't just the ring Ignis was feeling guilty about, perhaps somewhere in the back of his mind Ignis knew what putting on the ring and fighting Ardyn meant. He had chosen the path seen in his visions, the one that would ultimately lead to Noctis's death… How can he ever forgive himself for this? He failed in his duty.

No… no… nothing's set in stone. Noctis… he can't die! I vowed to protect him! I cannot be the cause of his death!

Ignis wrestled with these thoughts and tried desperately to deny them. What other course of action could he have possibly taken? What would have prevented Noctis's death? Should he have chosen to go with Ardyn? Unfortunately, there was no way of knowing for certain what consequences his actions would have. Thanks to Pryna, he could catch glimpses of the future, but not how that future may arrive nor how he might change it. All Ignis could do now was trust in the abilities of his friends as well as his own skills, and pray to the gods Noctis wouldn't have to sacrifice himself.

Ignis wanted to follow this current train of thought further, but right now what his body needed was rest. From the moment the battle ended up until now, Ignis had been running on fumes. Even he was shocked at his ability to remain conscious.

His hearing faded completely and even the soreness and exhaustion didn't bother him now. Ignis was having trouble staying awake, and his thoughts gradually became more and more incoherent and muddled as Ignis desperately tried to focus. He felt himself drifting, his body felt like it was floating. Not even Gladio's panicked shouts to 'stay with him' as he saw his friend's eyes closing could reach Ignis now. It was… strangely peaceful. Almost like being inside his own little bubble, all noises now seemed to vanish and even the discomfort of the hard stone pressing against his head and back no longer troubled him. He could resist it no longer, Ignis's eyelids fluttered and his head fell to one side as he lost consciousness.


Not long later, Ignis briefly awoke again to find himself being carried in the strong arms of Gladio. He could tell it was him by the scent of the cologne Gladiolus always wore. Ordinarily Ignis would have protested and insisted on being put down so he could walk, but right now he was too exhausted to even argue. Eyes still closed, Ignis allowed himself to be carried to… wherever it was that they were going. He wondered if Noctis was okay...

Gladio began speaking softly to the semi-conscious Ignis. Ignis was not sure if he was are that he was awake or not.

"Hang in there, buddy. Don't you dare die on us now!" Gladio whispered. "Tch, dammit Iggy, why don't you ever think about yourself for once?"

Ignis felt himself being lowered gently down onto a bed, and Ignis instantly knew that they probably were in some sort of hotel room. The bed was nice and soft compared to the hard ground, and Ignis felt very sleepy... Sadly, some of the pain seems to have returned, preventing Ignis from relaxing completely. Still, it felt really nice… Ignis never thought he could feel this happy just from sleeping on a proper bed. It truly is the little things that you appreciate in times like these.

He could hear Gladio's voice barking at Prompto, "Go get the medical supplies from our kit! I'll wait here with Iggy!"

"Right!" with this the blond-haired man ran off to retrieve their supply of curatives.

"Hang in there Iggy…" Gladio said quietly, gazing down at his friend. For a moment his expression softened, revealing a man who cared deeply about his comrades and whom secretly worried for them. "Noctis is safe now, thanks to you. Now you just focus on getting better yourself."

Ignis's lips parted as he tried to thank him but still his throat was still too raw for him to really say anything.

Instead, Ignis just tried to concentrate on the more pleasant sensations and ignore the pain, like the feel of the bed sheets against his skin. He tried to distract himself so he wouldn't panic, knowing that he would never again see the world crystal clear… or at all, for that matter. It helped to hear that Noctis was okay though, that did make Ignis feel slightly better. Without realizing it, Ignis was soon asleep.