Friendly Fire
Chapter 1
The Three Valleys
The iron giant swung its colossal blade-just barely missing Ignis Scientia. He managed to roll out of the way and draw his daggers in time to absorb one powerful swing. During the 5 years since Noctis' disappearance into the crystal, Ignis had learned to fight despite his now obviously permanent blindness. It was a long and difficult struggle to achieve this feat, but he now felt confident fighting alone. This time, however, he was not alone.
Iris lined up a clean shot targeting the giant's sword arm. Ignis was holding his own, but it was obvious he wouldn't be able to sustain many more direct hits. She fired and the impact instantly caused a break. The giant's relentless assault ceased-for a moment. Ignis took a few steps back.
"Now is the perfect time to finish him with elemancy," Ignis advised. Iris had gradually become quite the fighter in her own right, but she frequently went on hunts with Ignis to hone her tactical skills and learn more about combat from an expert. The two had become close friends and made quite an effective fighting team. Things did not always work out as planned, however.
"Thunder or blizzard?" Iris asked as she reached for a flask in her jacket pocket. Iris was very wary of elemancy (a couple of friendly fire accidents had made her skittish), but she was determined to improve her skills.
"Surprise me," he said playfully. Ignis had instructed her in basic facts about enemy strengths and weaknesses. She was a good student, but had a tendency to doubt herself. A trait he was trying hard to suppress. Iris chose blizzard. Ignis moved towards the iron giant which was beginning to stir. He drew his daggers and held them in a defensive posture: "Now's the time."
Iris moved forward to toss the flask directly at the creature, but she hesitated. The giant was up and moving again. "Iris, now," Ignis instructed. It started to rush towards them. Iggy backed up a bit. "Iris!" The giant raised its blade, but before it could lower it, she threw the flask. It exploded in a snowy maelstrom. Instantly, she knew she had thrown it too close. The shockwave pushed her flat to the ground. Ignis instinctively rushed towards her and covered her body with his; shielding her from the incoming ice, debris and shrapnel. Once the initial blast had cleared, it was obvious the giant was down.
"That was a little more trouble than expected," Ignis said as he slowly got up.
"Iggy, I'm so sorry. I just froze up." Iris said as he helped her to her feet.
"A pun? I don't think I've ever been so proud of you." The two smiled—genuinely just happy to be alive. But then she noticed something.
"You're bleeding!" Iris gasped.