When I was playing the game and started the second part of the story. I was like, now the focus will be on the bros! But because of how they rushed things, they skipped details that I believe will make the game much better. So, I decided to write a story that focus on three main arcs - Ignis and his vision, Prompto and the whole MT thing and finally something for Gladio because he needs more love.
The story will be different from the game because I wanted something new but still there will be aspects/dialog taken from the game.
Chapter 1
Everything that happened in Altissia was a mess.
After the ordeal of awakening the Leviathan, Prompto who was struggling with carrying his best friend and Gladio who carried Ignis in his strong arms hurried to a place that was arranged to them in advance by Altissia's secretary. She was of the type who would think of all the possible outcomes.
It was a small place, nothing much, two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. Gladio and Prompto decided to leave the injured rest in the bedrooms. It didn't take time until a doctor came to check their condition.
Gladio and Prompto were in the living room. Gladio head hung down, his fists were clenched while Prompto was praying for their safety. When the doctor finished his work, he told them that their king only needed rest to restore his strength. But for Ignis, he closed his eyes and told them the horrific truth. That he lost his vision permanently.
Prompto eyes went wide. Gladio went to the nearest wall. He clenched his fist and hit the wall, yelling "Dammit". The atmosphere was heavy and tense. Both of them reminded silent for a while until Gladio broke it. In a broken voice he said "He was not far, if only I turned that time and noticed. He…he wouldn't"
Prompto stood, there was tears in his eyes and in anger said "STOP IT!" he noticed how his voice was loud from the look on Gladio face. He calmed himself "it is no one fault. Don't think like this."
Gladio chuckled "This is the first time I see you angry." He sighed "You are right, I'm sorry. Let's call it a day, we need rest."
Prompto nodded, noticing how tired they were. It was a long day for everyone.
XX
At some point they needed to return back to Lucis. With everything that happened, Accordo was in mess, thanks to the empire. So, with the help of the Cid they travelled back using their previous king boat. Once they arrived, Cor gave them a new place, hidden within a forest, to prevent the imperial from finding them. It wasn't that much different from what the Secretary gave them.
Both Noctis and Ignis were unconscious for few days. The first to wake was Ignis. He turned his head to notice that Gladio was beside his bed reading the usual book he always carries.
Not much conversation happened even when Gladio told him about his condition. He remained silence, his face doesn't show anything but Gladio knows. He knows that he was devastated and probably thinking of what would happen to him.
Gladio didn't press on the matter, and left him alone.
Before he leaves the room, Gladio instructed him to stay in bed for a while. His injuries were severe, not a something a potion or anything can fix. Despite that, out of worry, sometimes he would go to the king room, stay there and wait for his wake.
It wasn't much until Noctis woke up and heard the loss of Luna; He shut himself in his room. No one said anything about his behaviour. Knowing that so much had happened to him lately and they were not good. He needed some time alone. Only, Ignis asked Prompto to deliver the food to Noctis as he feared that he may not come out at all. What bothered him was that sudden absence of the big guy, wondering what he was up to.
Everything felt awkward.
XX
For a week, nothing has changed. Gladio presence was few, Noctis stayed in his room, Prompto hands were full as he was responsible for nursing them as well as cooking and Ignis would be in his bed coping with his darkness alone.
For today, Ignis was sitting on the food table in the living room. He started to feel that the more he stays in his room the more he has negative feeling. To clear his mind, he wanted come out and chat with Prompto.
He heard a sound of door closed, in a direction of what he assumed Noctis room followed by a big sigh coming from Prompto. "What's wrong?" Ignis asked. He could hear the sound of the blonde's movement and placing the plate on the kitchen counter. "He only eats little food." Prompto sounded defeated.
"Well, it is expected that he would lose his appetite…After everything happened" He clenched his fist remembering.
"I understand but at this rate, he may collapse." Prompto voice was full of concern "You too Iggy! You only eat a little more than Noct."
Ignis also lost his appetite. He knows that he must eat for his injures to heal but he couldn't "Don't worry; we will be fine as long as we eat something". He heard Prompto coming to the table where he gripped a chair and sat next to him. "Or the real reason you two won't eat is because my food taste horrible?"
The advisor gave him a small smile "No, I assure you. Your food is…" He was searching for the right word. Prompto cooking was neither good nor bad. It was plain.
"Eatable."
Prompto shrugged his shoulder "If you say so" then he gave Ignis a quick look "So, how are your wounds?" Ignis responded in his usual composed voice "I can say that most of them have mended."
Prompto chuckled "Cool, that mean you will make full recovery soon! We can continue our journey again." Ignis nodded at him. Yes, sooner or later. They have to move, it was a miracle that empire hadn't found them yet.
"Ah, um," he could he a hesitated voice coming from the gunner "you …you sure you are up to that?" Prompto voice turned to be full of guilt; he knows that this kind of questions would hurt Ignis feeling. But for Ignis, he expected it from the day he lost his vision. The only thing he didn't expected is to be asked from Prompto.
He would lie if he says yes. He had difficulty in doing simple daily activity and had needed help from the blonde many times. This whole week, doubt was the only feeling he had. He kept asking himself questions, is he prepared for journey without his vision? Will he be a burden to his friends? Or this will mark his end?
But still he wouldn't give up, he have to try. Ignis was afraid of being left alone, even if it was for his own good. The advisor nodded to Prompto question. The blonde rubbed the back of his head and said "Ok, but know this Iggy, I'll be there for you."
Ignis gave him a smile "Thank you Prompto." He paused for a minute "Do you know what Gladio is doing?" Prompto shook his head "Nah, he only said that waiting doesn't suit him. So he probably is killing time by doing quest or hunts."
Ignis knows that Prompto is wrong but still he responded "I see". He wouldn't do such things at times like this. Maybe he was preparing for their next move.
XX
- Week Later –
Gladio has returned to their place with a map in his hands, marked with big red circles. Prompto was curious of the map. Before he could ask, Gladio asked him to bring the king out from his room. He said he has something to discuss with everyone.
Prompto nodded and went to Noctis room. When he entered in, he noticed that his friend was looking from the window. Ever since he awakens, he would always look through the window. "Noct, come on out, Glodio want to discuss something with us." Noctis didn't respond and only looked at him. He came toward Prompto direction. Together they headed to the living room.
When they arrived, Ignis was already sitting in the chair. Gladio was standing in front of table, waiting to them to sit. He folded the map in the table and said "During your recovery, I had worked with Cor. We were trying to find the location of other Royal tombs" He crossed his arms in front of his chest and said in a proud "we managed to discover most of them."
Prompto stood, hands on the table. Sounded surprise "wow big guy! Thought you'd been slacking off. Leaving me doing all this nursing work alone!" Glodio waved his hand "Nah, I'm not that cruel, wanted to help on my way."
Ignis hunch was correct, Gladio was preparing for their next step "Impressive. You really did help us from wasting time on searching."
Noct, in a voice that sounded dead asked "So where are headed?" Glodio pointed at the map "This one." Prompto looked at the map "Isn't this a little far away from here?"
The two of them has totally forgotten that Ignis needed to hear the location. In the past, in similar situation, they left such task mostly to him. He would inspect all their options and offer his opinion. But because of the incident, they no longer…
He shook his head; don't let the negative feeling get to you. Don't exaggerate it. Ignis repeated those words in his mind.
Prompto suggested and pointed at another circle "This one much closer." When Gladio looked at what Prompto was pointing at, he immediately said "No, this one is no good" For Prompto, it didn't make sense "Huh? Why?"
"Um…" there was silence for seconds "right, yeah, we saw MTs near the tomb. Lots of them, we shouldn't go now."
Ignis picked Gladio change of tone. Then, he remembered. Back when they were in Insomnia. He had heard this change few times. When he would lie. He held his chin, thinking, why would he lie? Why he is insisting on going to the one that is far? The only reasoning he came up with was that road to the tomb isn't dangerous. Gloadio still think of Ignis and Noct condition.
Noct interrupt his chain of thinking "and when we will leave? Ignis still..."
"Tomorrow morning" The answer came from Ignis himself. He felt that they are looking at him "Never mind me, I'm good"
They looked at each other. Then, Prompto suggested "Why are we rushing, we still can wait. It is safe here."
"It is not. Last night, midnight, while you were sleeping, I have heard the sound of imperial airship. Flying above us." All of them were surprised. None of them had noticed. "They know where we are. But they don't where we are exactly." He moved his head toward Gladio voice. "Let me guess, this place… is it hidden within a forest?"
"Yeah, you are right."
"That explain why they couldn't find us. It is just a matter of times before they decide to explore the forest on foot." Gladio sighed, seeing valid point from Ignis "Then, tomorrow it is"