This first chapter is relatively short given it's basically a retelling of the game in a way, and just to get things rolling.
The silence that had settled around them was almost beyond uncomfortable. Just about anything would have been better, perhaps even a little bit of arguing. Not that they wanted there to be fighting or anything, but the bitter quiet was just too much to bear. Of course, after certain events, the mood was bound to be a bit on the downward side of things; it was understandable, but they didn't expect the tense gloom to carry on for as long as it did. For a while, they only listened to the sounds of the train as it went on, listening to the occasional which and complaint from the wheels grinding along the rails.
After a while of that, the silence became too much, something, or someone had to break it in order for them all to keep their sanity, "So, we're gonna roll by Tenebrae." Prompto said, lacking his usual perky and upbeat tone. He honestly wasn't sure if the others would have appreciated his casual cheerfulness, so he chose not to force it.
"Not before visiting the royal tomb in Cartanica." Ignis spoke up from next to him, keeping his normal authoritative vibe about him, despite their current situation.
Prompto glanced away for a moment, unsure if he should ask or not, but decided to do so anyway, "Uh, you-you're sure you're up to that?" His voice cracked slightly as he still didn't look over to the other.
There was a brief moment where nothing was spoken, then with a sigh, Ignis replied, "The wounds have mended. Eyesight's a matter of time." The words hung in the air, all of them knowing it was wishful thinking. Knowing that the chances of that coming back were very slim. Soon those lingering thoughts were chased away by Gladio's heavy footsteps as they clanked across the floor of the cart.
They both heard them cease as he stopped next to them, "The hell is wrong with you?" He asked, voice void of patience, yet filled with annoyance. He stood there, staring down at Noctis as he sat there, waiting for a response.
"What?" The prince asked, slowly looking up at the towering man. His own irritation could be heard, but buried under that was clear grief.
"We're not stopping in Tenebrae." He replied, eyes still cast down at the other. "You need to grow up and get over it." His words weren't harsh, but they held some demand to them.
Already hearing enough of this, Noctis really wasn't in the mood to hear of his lectures. "I am over it. I'm here, aren't I." His voice was borderline monotone, picking up a bit of volume towards to end as he pushed himself up, standing to face Gladio.
"Maybe when you're not too busy moping, you can look around and give a shit about someone worse off than you." He reached out to grab the front of Noctis' shirt, pulling him a little closer as he spoke. The while, Ignis sat in relative silence, Prompto next to him, fidgeting as the scene was talking place.
"Let go of me." Noctis spoke quietly, eyes fixated on the man hovering above him.
Of course, Gladio didn't respond to that, and instead continued to push his buttons, "How's that ring fit ya? You'd rather carry it around than wear it?" Noctis' face visibly scrunched at that, taking in a sharp intake of breath, "She gave her life so you could do your duty, not so you could sit around feeling sorry for yourself."
"You don't think I know that!?" He replied with no hesitation, his anger only flaring up more easily with the memory of losing Luna still fresh in his mind.
"You don't!" Gladio yelled back, his temper getting the better of him now, but Noctis needed to hear the truth to get it through to him, "Ignis took one for you too, and for what!?"
"Enough, Gladio!" Ignis finally spoke up, tired himself of hearing this tedious and pointless quarrel, it was doing no one any good, and as far as he was concerned, was only making matters worse and more stressful than they already were.
The shield paused only for a moment, brushing the warning off, "You think you're a king, but you're a coward."
Noctis had had enough of this, he was tired of being talked down to all the time. Talked to like he was a child that didn't know what he was doing. Which he knew, he knew he didn't have all the answers, but what gave Gladio the right to go about it the way he did, "Shut up!" He yelled, as he tried to shove the larger man away, anything to widen the gap between them.
Out of instincts, and without thinking, the blond hopped up out of his seat, "Don't do this-!" He tried to break them up. And he wasn't sure if it was the heat of the moment, or if it was reflexes, but he was painfully aware of a solid mass crashing against the left side of his face. At first it didn't feel like much, but his adrenaline was still running high. After the fact, Gladio realized what he did, and immediately felt regret, but that didn't matter now, his anger was still running strong.
"I get it, alright!?" Noctis continued, "I get it!" He shoved Gladio back one last time.
Gladio let him be pushed back this time, forcing himself to back up a little before things got too out of hand. Or more so than it already was. "Then get a grip! Pull your head outta your ass already!" He ignored the various murmurs and looks they were receiving.
With an annoyed breath, Noctis spun around and began storming off, anything to get away from the other man at this point. Honestly not caring where he went, he just started off down the corridor. "Noct!" He heard Prompto call after him. He pushed him off from against the seat to pursue him, but Gladio stopped him.
"Leave him." He still sounded angered, but it wasn't directed at the blond. Prompto stood there for a moment, slowly turning around as he watched Gladio head in the other direction. Unsure of what to do, he carefully made his way back over to Ignis, stepping lightly as if any loud noises would set them off again and sat back down.
He let out a sigh, "You think they'll be alright?" He asked, wincing slightly as the movement from speaking caused his face to sting slightly. Tenderly, he reached up to prod the area, positive there would be a bruise there before too long. Even though it wasn't on purpose it still hurt knowing that Gladio had just punched him. He knew it was an accident, but for some reason, he didn't feel any better about it.
Ignis didn't answer right away, he wasn't too sure himself how the other two would fare given the circumstances, "Perhaps given enough space and time." He finally spoke, vacant gaze fixed off towards the window next to them.
"Yeah." Prompto replied, not knowing what else to say or think about the whole thing. He stood back up to move to the other window, placing his face against the glass and let the coolness of it help ease the throbbing. He almost hated to admit it, but moments like this, he was glad Ignis couldn't see. At least he wouldn't be questioning the very obvious mark on his face now. Sure the others would see it, but for now he could enjoy the peace of no one saying anything about it.
They sat in silence, a silence that was somehow worse than the earlier one they were enduring, and in a way, they kind of missed that one. At least then things weren't quite as tense as they were now. Eventually the whining of the train increased in volume and with a few jerks they realized it was coming to a stop. Looking out, Prompto noticed where they were. Standing up, he offered a hand to Ignis, but quickly pulled it back, remembering, "Uh, want some help...I mean..." He trailed off.
"I can handle this much, thank you." Ignis replied, his stubbornness strong as ever as he pushed himself up and walked past the blond, who in turn made sure to stay close behind just to be safe. As they made their way through the train, Prompto's eye blurred slightly, so he found himself rubbing it trying to clear it. With a quick gasp, he pulled his hand away, seeing as that only made it throb more. Not to mention it did nothing to clear anything.
"Everything alright back there?" Ignis asked, lifting his a head a bit as he asked.
"Hmm?" Prompto asked, cursing himself, "Y-yeah, everything's fine." He brushed off. He felt kind of bad for even thinking about complaining, especially when Ignis was so much far off. He was blind after all, and the only thing he had to complain about was some minor and stupid bruise. He couldn't help but feel a little ashamed ad guilty about it. "The exit is just up ahead." He reminded, not sure if Ignis remembered where it was or not. With his hand, and much to the adviser's chagrin, he helped guide him a small amount until he was safely off the train and standing out in the open.
While Ignis stood there, Prompto took a quick look around, spotting Noctis not too far away. Out of habit, he raised an arm to wave him down with his normal splendor, but catching the expression on his face, he quickly threw that out the window and slowly lowered his limb before the other saw. "Ready, to get goin'?" He asked Ignis instead, gripping his upper arm to try and subtly turn him to walk in the right direction.
"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose." He nodded his thanks to the other, not oblivious to the small helpful touches and gestures the other was giving him. Reaching him, Ignis faced Noctis, or at least he hoped he was facing him, "Ready to head out?" He asked, sounding as he would any other time.
"Are you sure you're up for it?" Noctis asked, pretty sure that bringing Ignis along was far from a good idea.
"I'll manage somehow." Ignis replied, nodding, "Do not fret over me."
"Alright, if you say so." Noctis reluctantly agreed, eyes scanning passed Ignis and onto Prompto, and he didn't miss the now purplish blemish that lied upon his left cheek bone. "Wha?" He started, then saw Gladio strolling up, and instead grit his teeth and turned to enter the elevator. He still felt sour about what happened earlier.
The blond glanced back as the larger man approached, looking over his left shoulder to try and keep his left side out of view. It was bad enough that it had happened, no need to make the other feel even worse about it. Though, he was still conscious of what he did, he didn't need to see to know that he left a mark. Being heavy handed, and with the heat of the moment, he knew it had to hurt. But like Prompto, he also knew there were more important things to worry about at the time. There would be plenty of opportunities to work it out later.
Prompto and Ignis stepped in next, the former keeping a hand hovering near the other should he stumble. Gladio stepped in last, standing a bit apart from the others, throwing quick glances over every now and then, but never truly facing any of them. With a deep sigh, Noctis pressed the switch to close the gate and take them down. He folded his arms as they descended, waiting for them to hurry up and reach the bottom so that they could get what they needed and move along. The sooner they could get out of this place and move on, the better.