Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or concepts of Final Fantasy XV. This story will be mainly told from Ravus' point-of-view. Although I like Gladnis aesthetically and Ignoct emotionally, since playing Episode Ignis, I cannot get these two out of my head! As there's not as many stories focusing on this pairing, I figured I'd play around with them a bit :-P
Rated as Teen for now, but there will be smut eventually. I will change the rating when that time comes.
Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome. This is the first fanfic I have written in many years, none since 2006, so I am a bit rusty... the contents of this story are subject to change at any time. Thanks for reading. :-)
Chapter 1 - The Branch of Fate
"Permit me to make a suggestion. Rather than follow this flotsam and float away to a watery grave, why not come with me?" Ardyn probed with a smirk, extending his hand toward the subdued Ignis. "What do you say?"
"I… I…" Ignis stammered, glancing helplessly between Ardyn and Noctis.
Ravus, rendered incapacitated by the pain inflicted by impact of Ardyn's dark, daemonic powers, watched in intrigue as the young strategist struggled to make a decision. What decision will he make to protect his King? Ravus wondered in empathy, remembering having to make similar decisions to protect his sister from the empire's clutches. If only I could help and make Ardyn pay for all the suffering he has caused!
Ardyn turned to look toward Ravus, who feigned unconsciousness. Ravus watched in suppressed awe as Ignis grabbed the Ring of the Lucii.
"I… will go with you," Ignis finally said in exasperation before passing out in exhaustion.
Hmm, a reckless plan indeed, Ravus thought to himself. He had an idea of what Ignis planned, and he hoped with all his might that the Ring would not disfigure Ignis as it had him. He could not bear the thought of it after having fought by his side and witnessing firsthand the unwavering devotion that he held toward Noctis… and the fact that Ravus was starting to feel a peculiar fondness toward the younger strategist.
"Ah yes, everything is going according to my plan," Ardyn stated. "With his beloved retainer in my possession in Gralea, the Chosen King will have no choice but to come and face his destiny. Then, I can finally have my revenge against the Lucis Caelem bloodline and the Crystal." Turning to the magitek soldiers, he commanded them, "Bring the retainer to my ship. We will depart for Zegnautus Keep at once!"
Ravus waited until Ardyn and the magitek soldiers were out of his sight before struggling to get up. Using his sword and his magitek arm, Ravus pushed himself up. Searing hot pain radiated from his back, causing him to stop and gasp. Finally on his feet, he walked slowly toward Noctis.
"Noct! Iggy!" Ravus heard a deep voice yell, remembering it belonging to the Shield of the King.
"Where are you guys?" he heard Noctis' other friend call out.
Ravus knelt beside Noctis, yelling out to his friends, "The King lies here."
Noct's friends came running, surprised to see Ravus kneeling beside Noct and even more surprised to hear him call Noct the King.
"Heh, where did this sudden change of heart come from?" the Shield asked Ravus.
"No time to explain. Forgive me, I do not recall your names. However, we must hurry at once to my airship. Ignis is in grave danger. Ardyn has taken him to Zegnautus Keep in Gralea. Ignis has the Ring of the Lucii in his possession and I have an idea of what he is planning," Ravus said hurriedly, gazing at his magitek arm. "If my suspicions are correct, at best, your friend will be severely injured and disfigured. At worst, he will die."
"Oh no, this is bad!" the blonde friend wailed.
"What the hell is he thinking?!" the Shield cried out. He slung the unconscious Noct over his shoulder and exclaimed, "Lead the way, Ravus. I've got him."
"Keep up, don't get left behind. I will not wait for you," Ravus said and began to run toward the ruined Altissia.
As they ran through the city, the Shield said, "I'm Gladiolus, or Gladio for short. He's Prompto."
"Or you can also call him Big Guy," Prompto said jokingly. "Hey, thanks for helping us! What can we call you for short? Rav or Ravi?"
"I think not," Ravus stated curtly, "You may call me Ravus. If you must call me anything else, my former soldiers and my enemies refer to me as 'The White Wolf'." He flashed his teeth at them in a harsh smirk, knowing that he earned that name not only for the white wolf insignia on his magitek arm but also for his strength, agility and wild ferocity in battle.
"Jeez, okay then, Raaavus," Prompto sighed in exasperation.
"Shut it, Prompto. Let's just be thankful that Ravus is actually helping us out, although I don't know why," Gladio said.
As the trio ran through the ruined streets of Altissia and passed by the decimated remains of countless magitek soldiers, coeurls and MA Pisces, Ravus could not help but reminisce about Ignis. How the two had complimented each other so well in battle, spinning around each other to cover each others' backs or working together to bring down massive magitek bots. How Ignis gracefully pirouetted and spun around his enemies like an acrobat or ballet dancer yet fought with a ferocity that matched that of the White Wolf. How Ignis' elegance and refinement in taking down his enemies strategically with his elemental spell daggers helped offset the White Wolf's aggressive yet authoritative and dominant fighting style. How, when he lashed out at Noctis in anger at losing the only thing left worth living for, his beloved sister Luna, Ignis loyally fought him off without any fear in his gorgeous emerald eyes, despite being physically weaker than him. Yes, he thought of Ignis' lithe, supple form, athletically dodging just about every blow, slash and lightning bolt he threw at him. Like a cunning fox, Ravus thought to himself.
Although many have pursued Ravus in the past, the White Wolf never pursued anyone in turn, not finding any of his former lovers worthy of the hunt for a long-term mate. Among his would-be suitors were numerous dignitaries, high-ranking officers, soldiers, common folk, even members of the Kingsglaive, both male and female. He would use them for pleasure, never committing to a long-term committed relationship. Although he would always state up front that he was only for looking for sex and not a relationship, he still could not avoid leaving many broken hearts in his wake.
This fondness and admiration he felt for Ignis was unlike anything he had ever felt before. He was too proud to tell Gladio and Prompto the true reason why he changed his mind about Noctis: that the loyalty and devotion Ignis displayed toward Noctis was what convinced him to accept Noctis as the One True King. He also did not want to tell them that he was not really helping them out as much as he wanted to save Ignis, so that he could perhaps receive some of that same devotion and loyalty from Ignis that he showed toward Noctis. Perhaps I have finally found myself one worthy of the hunt. My little cunning fox…, Ravus thought to himself.
Realizing how long he had been daydreaming, he looked back at Gladio and Prompto with a start, who were still following him. Thank the Gods they did not notice his aloofness or his flushing face.
"Ah, here we are. I'm impressed you were able to keep up after all," Ravus said coolly, pushing Ignis out of his mind for the time being. "Come aboard, there is a bed inside you can lay Noctis down on."
Pushing a button on a remote at his hip, the door to his airship, The Phoenix, opened. The trio boarded and prepared to set off toward Gralea.