**SPOILERS**

Warning! Spoilers ahead giving away ending of Chapter 13.

Growing Darkness

Deep in Zegnautus Keep, Prompto, Gladios and Ignis raced across the length of the iron walk way that was suspended levels above the ground. They pushed forward, whipped from fighting off all the daemons that were between them to the crystal chamber. Nonetheless, Ignis hurried along as fast as he was able despite his blindness. Gladios helped him along making sure he didn't accidentally fall to his death. Suddenly a bright light shown throughout the chamber from up ahead of them.

"Guys... That light..." Prompto turned to face the two behind them.

"We're close. Go Prompto!" Gladios started to help Ignis along faster as Prompto raced ahead.

They arrived to the center of the large room. Before them was their long lost crystal, pikes of steel embedded causing it to look drastically different from its former glory. Gladios and Prompto look around quickly and saw that Noctis is not there. No, instead Ardyn stood there gazing up at the crystal. He turned swiftly, and gestured to the crystal behind him. "Your treasure." And began his stroll past them.

"Where is he?" Gladios swung his great sword and slashed Ardyn's face open; black mist spraying out from the wound. It did nothing for he retained his footing and simply held his hat down covering his face. He then stepped onward continuing on his away.

"You're not going anywhere, Ardyn." Prompto pulled out his gun quickly and shot him square in the back. The blast caused him to fall forward flat in front of Ignis. Gladios and Prompto apprehensively walked up behind Ardyn's body, suspicious of the black mist that started curling up from his body. They stepped back perplexed as he brought himself back up to his feet before placing his hat on his head before leaving the chamber once and for all.

"Is Noct not here?" Ignis asked he felt his way forward after sensing Ardyn had walked past him. Prompto paced around nervously and peeked around the massive crystal.

"No..." Gladios looked down as his emotions stirred within him. He was fatigued, he felt frustrated and powerless that he let his king, his friend, his brother down. He felt devastated. He couldn't even take Ardyn down with a blow to his face.

"You don't think… He fell do you?" Prompto leaned over the railing to look down and saw nothing beyond the mist below that laid a few hundred feet below them. "Would he even survive that?"

"It is Ardyn we are dealing with. He has shown us already what he is capable of." Ignis turned around and felt his way back down the walkway. "Although why he would throw Noctis over and not us is beyond me; unless he's not done toying with us."

Gladios rushed to Ignis's side and helped him along. "I'm going to pummel that bastard into the ground when I see him again."

"Where you two going?" Prompto also felt his emotions stirring inside of himself causing him to feel overwhelmed. Noctis was the one true friend he had in the world, who had accepted him for who he was. Even now after they found out he was an MT.

"Down below. If he fell, we'll find him. We all found each other in this wretch of a place, granted it was because of Ardyn." Ignis sounded more frustrated than before as Gladios assisted him down the structures path.

"And what about the crystal? We'll come back for it right?" He jogged hastily down the ramp to catch up to them.

"I am afraid the crystal is of no use to us without Noct." Ignis stopped briefly for a moment before continuing on."

Prompto hesitated. He turned back briefly with pain in his eyes, looking upon the disheveled crystal. He couldn't quite place the feeling, but it felt wrong for him to walk away from it. "All this way… And to turn back…"

What must have felt like days passed since the coming of the starscourge. The night had become eternal and darkness devoured what light there was. Daemons roamed about and the group had learned about the experiments the Empire were contending with that lead to their demise. They found no sign of Noctis, yet they believed he was alive. If he was dead, they wouldn't have been able to summon their weapons. Reluctantly they had come to the terms that he was taken by Ardyn somehow and found it best to go back and regroup. On the journey back they passed devastated Regalia. Back in the tunnel Biggs and Wedge had survived the daemon hoards and were shockingly awaiting their return. They left Gralea, the city of daemons behind them, and started their way back to Tenebrae.

Upon their arrival to Tenebrae, they realized what little survivors remained. Few had turned into daemons as others were helpless and could only watch in terror. Others were attacked by more daemons that were reportedly overflowing from the dungeons below. They spoke to Aranea and found it best to leave at once to save the remaining refugees. They assisted in evacuating the people onto the Imperial airships.

Maria approached Iginis, remembering him being with Noctis when he had first arrived. "Pardon me, where is Prince Noctis?"

Ignis, taken off guard, turns slightly to face her direction. He fumbles his words before taking a deep sigh recomposing himself. "I am sorry… I am afraid he is missing."

Startled, Maria finds herself at a loss of words as she begun to emotionally break down. "Oh dear… Oh dear Prince…" Prompto shows up after seeing that she was speaking to Ignis. He sees tears streaming down her aged face and begins his best to comfort elder woman.

"It'll be alright ma'am." And "Don't worry about Noct, he can take care of himself." He led her onto the airship, guiding her as she wept.

"Hey, Gladios was it?" Aranea called out to Gladios as he ushered the last remaining few survivors onto another airship.

"Yeah? What do you need?" He turned to her and was ready for any set of orders she was going to give. Since they had arrived she had been calling the shots and orchestrating the evacuation.

"I spoke to my men and we decided we are going to take two airships to Altissa. Who knows what hell they're going through. Just weeks ago the city took a substantial amount of damage from the leviathan." She motioned to the empty airships behind her with her thumb. "Could use some extra muscle if one of you guys wanted to come along and help out."

Gladios put his hands on his hips. "Sure thing. I'll join ya."

"Great. We head out once the evacuated leave. Until then." She walked back to a few of her men to carry over orders on where to take the evacuees.

Prompto joined Ignis once more his eyes heavy as his heart. "All set. Everyone is on board and ready to go."

"Same here." Gladios joined the two.

"What now?" Ignis asked looking in Gladios direction.

"Aranea is going to take the two remaining ships and men to evacuate anyone still in Altissa. I'll be joining her as "extra muscle"."

"You be careful. I doubt anyone would be safe there." Ignis shuffled his footing before adjusting his canes strap around his wrist.

"Yeah. I'm sure they don't have enough boats for everyone being surrounded by water. It must be a nightmare there..."

"Enough bickering. Get yourselves onto the airship before they leave you two here. Make sure Iris and everyone are okay till I get back."

Prompto smiled weakly nodding his head in agreement.

"Very well. Come Prompto, the sooner we leave the better. Everyone here is anxious." Prompto Prompto smiled weakly nodding his head in agreement before helping guide Ignis aboard the aircraft and turned to wave back at Gladios before the doors shut for their take off.

"Gods speed…" Gladios turned and boarded onto the aircraft with Aranea.

"Welcome aboard." Gladios looked to his right and saw Biggs and Wedge among a few of Aranea's other men.

"You two again?"

"What? Thought we were going to sit out on all the fun?" Biggs quipped.

"I don't think so." Wedge added.

"They are few of my best men." Aranea stepped in on the conversation. "Wouldn't go anywhere without them."

"You're too kind ma'am." Biggs bowed slightly to show his gratitude as Wedge grunted in agreement.

She smiled knowing he had their undying loyalty. "Hope you're ready. We're pushing off." The doors the aircrafts closed and they ascended into the jet back sky charting a course towards Altissa.

A Few Days Ago

Back at Cape Caem, daemons are sighted on the roads down a little ways. The sun vanished without a sunset leaving the world in darkness. Talcott, Iris, Monica and Dustin crowded around the radio listening intently to what they were hearing. It was becoming increasingly dangerous as more daemons were appearing. Hunters were doing all they could to assist any citizens and curb their growing numbers. Iris held Talcott close feeling the young boys' racing heart. Dustin treaded nervously around the house, uncertain of how long they'd be safe. Monica also showed uneasiness as she held onto her newest feline friend and brushed her hair. Cor stood outside keeping watch in the meantime.

"We'll be okay right?" Talcott looked up at Iris. She simply smiled back down to him.

"Of course we'll be okay. Besides, we all have each other's backs." She ran her fingers over his hair to straighten them out, and to comfort him as well.

They sat there a while longer as they listened to the radio. Outside it seemed to only get darker and darker. Monica had put her cat into a small crate she had recently purchased. Dustin was now out keeping a watchful eye for any daemons that got near. Cor sat off to the side now listening intently to the radio. Talcott had fallen asleep in Iris' arms. She had urged him to go sleep in his bed but he had refused stating he wanted to stay and listen to the radio. Not long after, she herself passed out.

"IRIS! TALCOTT! WAKE UP!" They jolted themselves awake to see Cor in front of them.

"Wha- what's going on?" She rubbed her eyes still dazed, about to stretch before Cor grabbed her arms and pulled her up to her feet.

"We need to leave. NOW!" Cor grabbed the radio and handed it to Talcott to hold. "Don't drop it and don't turn it off." The boy nodded, knowing this was his mission.

Iris saw Monica quickly stuffing as much food as she could from the kitchen into a backpack.

"Marshal. They're getting closer." Dustin opened the front door and peeked around to tell him this, his face told Iris all she needed to know. Monica quickly zipped up the backpack and strapped it on before grabbing the cat crate and making sure Talcott was at her side.

"Ready or not, make for the truck near the road. We're heading for Lestallum before it gets worse." Cor stood at the door looking at everyone making sure they knew where they needed to go. "Stay together." Once Dustin opened the door for them to head out, it almost seemed as if the darkness outside tried to flood its way into the house. It was hard to see anything at first, though after their eyes adjusted to the darkness they saw the daemons that were starting to flood in. There was more than they had seen before. They hurried along as Cor and Dustin carved a path when daemons got to close. Iris saw Talcott in front of her look back behind them, his eyes watering. His grandfather's grave was far behind them. The garden Noctis had planted was behind them. They hurried to the truck and loaded in. Talcott and Iris jumped up into the seats of the truck as Monica hopped in the drivers' seat handing the crate to Iris to hold. Dustin and Cor loaded into the bed of the truck. "Go now!" Cor smacked the side of the truck signaling they were set to go.

Monica turned the key and pushed on the gas. "Hang on!" The truck burned out briefly in the dirt before jolting forward onto the road. They headed west down the road making their trek to Lestellum. It was hard to see in front of the truck. The darkness did not allow the headlights to penetrate forward. It was as if it was a thick mist of darkness. Behind them they heard the ominous metal creaking noise of iron and red giants surfacing behind them as they raced on ahead. The road winded around in the dark. Monica was careful not to hit anything in the road or to drive off it either. She floored it going through the tunnels as it was a spot were daemons spawned even in daytime. They did stop on several occasions to rescue the few they were lucky enough to pass. They saw others were not as lucky as they passed further on. While getting closer to Old Lestallum they stopped the truck to battle a few bombs that had blocked the road ahead. Monica did not feel safe driving through them as they could have imploded as she passed taking the vehicle with them. Passing Old Lestallum they battled more daemons that were proving an issue to several other still trapped in grouped the remaining citizens and had them follow close behind, creating a caravan of sorts of refugees. Finally they they saw the light from Lestallum. Once they reached the city, Monica parked parked the truck way down the street infront of the gas station. The other cars behind them drove passed them wanting to be in the light rather than park at the edge.

"It looks so crowded." Iris handed the cat crate back to Monica which seemed to ease her after the hectic driving they had done. They all spilled out of the truck and started to walk towards the city. They heard someone making announcements over the loud chatter, no doubt it was to calm everyone and arrange what everyone must do and were to stay.

"Monica. I need the keys." Cor held his hand out.

"Ah, sure. Here." She handed the keys to the truck over.

"Thanks. I'll be back after a few days." Cor turned around to start walking back to the truck.

"Wait." Iris pulled on his arm to stop him. "Where are you going? It's dangerous out there."

"Yes, which is why I must go." He turned to face Iris and the others. "I may have failed my duty to protect my King when he needed me. That is something I know I will live with for the rest of my life. But I am unwilling to stand by when I could be helping those in need. I need to make sure others out on the roads are safe, those stuck in their homes get out safely."

"Marshal…" Iris let go of his arm and stepped back. "Let us help you."

"No. You are not ready. Stay here, and wait for my return." He turned away and hopped into the truck starting the ignition. He turned the truck around heading back south of Lestallum. Talcott walked up and held onto Iris' hand. She looked at him and sighed. He looked helpless and inferior. She knew it was going to be tough on him to stay here with the daemons and with the memories of his grandfather's death. This was the last place she'd want to take him back to.

Iris, Talcott and the others join the masses of others. Iris holds Talcott close as the crowd proves to be problematic. They work their way to source of the speaker. Holly one of the reactor workers was giving out instructions as some of her fellow workers stood by her side. She was noticeably trying to keep herself calm as her face looked pale. She tries to speak over the babbling people but finds it to no use. One of the women next to her motions to speak next. She quickly tell everyone to shut it, which astonishingly works. She then goes on to direct instructions to them stating that all the cars must be moved to allow more room in the city and for any others entering the city. She goes on how everyone will have a job, women will work in the reactor so that there will be around the clock work. She goes on how tents will be set up and food rationed.

After more refugees showed up they cleared the roads and parking spots of all vehicles. Instead they lined up along the road to one side, this way hunters coming and going could easily come and go. Tents were propped up as accordingly along the streets and allyways. The outlook was the most crowded as that is where most of the refugees spilled out to.

"Hey. You're Sania. The renowned Professor of Ecology." Vyv approached the young black woman. Sania stood at a corner she had made her spot with a small tent and her specimens at her side.

"Why, yes I am." She turned to the overweight man. "But who are you is the real question here."

"Name's Vyv, I run Meteor publishing."

"Ah. Yes. Meteor Publishing. You've published much of my work. Thank you." She smiled sincerely expressing her thanks.

"No problem ma'am. It was a pleasure. Our readers loved your articles. Actually…" He paused for a moment. "Say… Think you'd like to work with Meteor again? I am sure people would need your insight more than ever right now till everything gets better."

"Why sure darling. I'd love to. Let's get started and waste no time. Though I am sure this may last longer than you may think."

"Huh?" Vyv looked puzzled as Sania pulled out her papers of her research and finding to get started.