Spoilers for: Chapter 13, Redemption
Disclaimer: Don't own Final Fantasy XV
Prologue
"That son of a bitch!"
Gladiolus threw his arm out to the side, banishing his broadsword.
"Gladio-"
"We can't even kill him!"
Ignis cleared his throat and tapped his cane on the metal grating of the walkway.
Gladiolus took a deep breath. His hands curled into fists at his sides, but he said nothing more.
After a moment, Ignis continued.
"We must return to Lucis and await Noct's return."
"However long that's gonna take," Gladiolus grumbled.
Ignis rolled his shoulders back. "However long it takes, we need to be ready. Noctis needs to ascend to the throne. The throne is in Lucis. Ergo, we need to be in Lucis."
Gladiolus scowled, but gave an affirmative grunt.
He barged passed Prompto and Ignis and made his way down the walkway, away from the Crystal – away from Noctis.
They were about halfway across the walkway when it happened:
A loud clang on the metal.
Gladiolus turned. Ignis was a few feet behind him, his grip tight on his cane, and Prompto…
Prompto was on the floor.
Gladiolus thundered back down the walkway, and knelt by Prompto's side. Prompto groaned and winced, and his dull eyes opened.
Ignis joined them a few seconds later.
"What happened?"
"Prompto passed out," Gladiolus answered.
Ignis pursed his lips.
"'M fine," Prompto mumbled. He pushed himself to shaky hands and knees.
Gladiolus shook his head. "You went down like a sack of potatoes. You were unconscious."
Ignis hummed. "He has been at the mercy of Ardyn for the past week and we have barely stopped fighting since we entered the Keep. Perhaps we should find another dormitory before deciding how we are to proceed."
Gladiolus took one look at Prompto and hummed in agreement.
He stood and wrapped an arm around Prompto's waist and hauled him to his feet. Prompto swayed, but Gladiolus held on tight.
"I got you. Just take it easy."
Prompto nodded. "Yeah."
Within half an hour, they had found their way back to one of the dormitories. Gladiolus deposited Prompto on the bottom bunk of a bed while Ignis found a chair and took a seat next to him.
Gladiolus straightened himself up and rolled his shoulders back. "I'm gonna check out the corridors, make sure it's safe for us to move out when Prompto's up to it."
Ignis nodded. "Very well."
Gladiolus turned his back on the other two and left. The door opened with a sound akin to a piece of paper being ripped in half, and closed with much the same.
The corridors of the Keep were eerily quiet. Gone were the MTs and the daemons, and once Gladiolus had checked the entire floor it would seem that the three of them comprised the entire population of Zegnautus Keep. He swept the corridors twice, checking every nook and cranny, but the evidence only supported his original conclusion.
He returned to the dormitory, and blinked. Ignis had taken a place in the bed with Prompto, and had him wrapped up tight in his arms.
Gladiolus paused.
"Iggy? What's going on?"
Ignis paused. "Ah."
Gladiolus raised an eyebrow. "Are you two…"
Ignis cleared his throat, but said nothing.
"When did this happen?"
Ignis paused. "During your time with the Marshal. I can explain, if you wish."
"Uh…" Gladiolus ran a hand over his hair. "Maybe that's not such a bad idea."