Chapter 2
Insistent pain woke Noctis. He was getting tired of this routine.
The Prince let out a groan as he shifted, trying uselessly to get comfortable enough to get back to sleep. It was when his pillow shifted beneath him that he became confused.
He was leaning against something warm and firm- oh.
Noctis sat up abruptly as he realized what he'd done, a poorly muffled cry escaped him at the abrupt motion.
A large hand supported him easily, he looked over to find Gladio watching him with a guarded expression on his face.
Prompto and Ignis sat rigidly in the front of the car – it was obvious that they were making a point not to look or comment on their Princes' poorly concealed discomfort.
Noctis met his Shield's gaze, chin held high, daring the larger man to comment. Gladio just cocked an eyebrow and shook his head before turning his attention back to his book.
Noctis turned to examine landscape as it whizzed by outside. The rain had passed and the dry heat of the desert had returned with a vengeance. The air conditioning in The Regalia was cranked up to maximum to take the edge off the scorching desert hear, the temperature in the vehicle cool. Noctis absently rubbed his knee which still throbbed painfully, a hereditary gift from his Father. He missed Gladio and Ignis' exchanged glance in the rear-view mirror as he propped his head on his hand gazing out at the desert.
Prompto toyed with the radio, trying to find a song whilst avoiding the news, eventually, he turned it off and started trying to chat chatting. The gunman fell silent when his fifth query went unanswered, the blonde slumped dejectedly in his seat and began fiddling with his camera.
The blonde glanced back at Noctis. Their eyes met, Prompto opened his mouth only to abruptly shut it again, Noctis could see his friend battling to find something to say, his usually bright blue eyes were tinged with worry. Noctis just sighed, turning away to ponder the view, he knew deep down that would hurt Prompto but he just couldn't find it in himself to care right now.
Reaching the Prairie Outpost, the group headed North towards The Tomb of the Wise to meet Cor. They encountered a flock of Daggerquill and Noctis felt a fierce grin lift his face The Prince ran on ahead to fight them ignoring the overlapping shouts of warning and concern from his Crownsguard.
Noctis summoned his twin daggers with a crystalline flash and warped, disappearing in a fizz of crackling blue. He had the advantage over the others being able to warp up to meet the foes in the air. The adrenaline hit him and Noctis just let it take over. Totally gave into his rage and frustration until they were all dead. Noctis knew he would regret it later from the way his muscles strained but it felt so good in the moment to just let the fury take over.
That was until he reached stasis and was unable to warp-out.
He vaguely heard Ignis, Prompto, and Gladio shouting for him but he was too busy trying (and failing) to warp. Noctis met the ground hard, his bad knee took the brunt of the fall. After a moment on his hands and knees panting in the dust, he righted himself and charged on, completely ignoring Ignis worrying over him.
He could feel his frustration and anger building back up when they met Cor and entered The Tomb of the Wise.
The dusty smell of the dark tomb was strong and he felt the dim light press in around him, a bit of his frustration leaked out against The Marshall's speech.
'King of what?' He bit back.
He felt all eyes snap to him and he could make out his friends' surprised expressions out of the corner of his eye. The burning had returned to his throat. He was angry, how could they do this? Everyone seemed to know his fate and his life – except him.
'Why didn't he tell me that!? Why did he stand there smiling as we left?!'
He found himself braced against the edge of the tomb barely holding back the sobs he sniffled against the tide of emotion, Prompto had to turn away from him – probably totally disgusted by his pathetic state.
'Why did he lie to me?'
His head throbbed along with his knee and his scars. He felt the emotion swell with Cor's final statement.
'Because in the time that he had left he wanted to be your Father.'
That hit Noctis hard. All he could think of was his Fathers' face, smiling at him before they left. His eyes had met his unflinchingly and he had tried to warn him, hadn't he? Asking Noctis if he was ready to leave home behind.
He took a deep breath thinking of his father's last words. 'Walk tall my son.'
Noctis straightened, taking a steadying breath and he rose to his full height and squared his shoulders.
'I guess he left me no choice.'
He absorbed the weapon, he noticed Gladio take a sharp step forward when the ethereal blade stabbed his charge. The weapon itself was fine, it ghosted through him and he felt a surge of power but that seemed to flare up his wounds. A groan of pain escaped him and Noctis only realized he had stumbled when his hands once again met the edge of his ancestor's tomb. He held himself up with shaking arms and wobbling legs and was immediately surrounded, supported by many hands. To his embarrassment, his eyes were once again stinging with tears and he braced himself against the stone, the waves of pain were steadily increasing and he could only hang on and try to ride it out.
Gladio stepped forward to grab onto Noctis the moment he staggered, Ignis was immediately on The Prince's other side, they shared a brief glance of worry but their focus was their friend. Prompto seemed to be torn between hanging back and rushing forward to Noctis also.
Cor stepped forwards, quickly rounding the ornate casket and slipped in front of Gladio. He took hold of Noctis' arm and turned Noctis to face him the movement was gentle
enough but also firm and demanding.
Noctis looked up after a moment at that meeting Cor's steady gaze.
'What's going on?' Cor demanded. There was no room for an argument in his tone.
Noctis was too busy dealing with the waves of pain to answer properly. A sharp burning was radiating from his old wounds, scars from the Mariliths attack in his childhood.
The Prince tried to pull away but Cor only grabbed his other arm, looking to the others imploringly he continued.
'What's wrong with him?'
The trio of friends shared a nervous moment before Ignis cleared his throat and filled The Marshall in on the Prince's last few hours.
Noctis regained control of himself in the middle of Ignis talking and attempted to shake off Cor's grip on him but The Marshal held on tightly his brow creased making his already stern features sharpen.
Noctis tried to shoot a glare at Ignis to shut him up but the sudden movement caused his head to throb and with a wince he quickly returned to examining his boots.
'Noctis.' Cor started 'Look at me.'
Noctis slowly met his eyes expecting a scolding but all he saw was compassion and understanding which surprised him.
'Regis wouldn't want you to push yourself so hard. Your Crownsguard doesn't want you to suffer and beyond that, how are you going to be able to lead your Kingdom and show strength in the coming days if you refuse to look after yourself?'
Noctis felt the heat rising in his cheeks.
'I know that you are frustrated, I know that this is a trying time but I also know that you are your Father's Son. Regis always had faith in you, he always knew that when it counted you would step up to the role and fulfill your duty.'
Noctis couldn't hold back the tears which escaped him. Cor didn't scold him for being weak. Didn't move away in disgust at the show of emotion and when Noctis eventually met his eyes again he was surprised to see The Marshall's eyes were glassy.
'I'm not the only one who has lost their family or their home.' The Prince finally stated quietly.
Cor nodded understandingly.
'That does not make your grief or your pain any less. It just means that you should take what comfort you can know that you are not suffering alone.'
Noctis realized that The Marshall had lost his home, his King and his friends also, the sense of shared loss and grief was an odd comfort. The Marshall's hold on him changed, both hands on Noctis' shoulders and he squeezed gently keeping eye contact with Noctis.
'So Noctis, I ask again, what is wrong?'
Noctis felt a reassuring hand on his back, Ignis moved to stand beside him, Gladio stood behind Cor and into Noctis' line of sight and Prompto filled in the gap on The Marshall'sother side.
Noctis hesitated for a moment, feeling under pressure from the attention. He snorted internally, what kind of a Prince shrinks under pressure? Then, meeting Cor's eyes he spoke, barely more than a whisper.
'It hurts.'
'What hurts?' The Marshall Prompted.
'Everything. It's like all my old wounds are painful again. My knee, my wrist, and… the scars on my back and legs from the attack – but that was years ago! They've been fine I've never needed crutches or a cane or anything!'
An edge of panic crept into the Prince's voice and a trickle of fear ran down Noctis' spine as he finally admitted the issues the fears which accompanied them became more real. He didn't want to be bound to a wheelchair again, that had been one of the worst times in his life.
Cor continued to support, leading the group out of the tomb and he helped The Prince to sit on the grass. Noctis immediately felt the relief of the weight being taken off his legs and slumped down with a sigh.
'Please lie on your stomach.'
Noctis looked up at Cor silhouetted against the sun, squinting, Noctis tried to make out The Marshall's expression.
Ignis was beside him then, physically guiding him onto his stomach. Noctis felt his face flush fresh as he felt Cor's larger hands pull up his black shirt in one smooth motion. No hesitation, just a general inspecting one of his soldiers.
He heard Prompto make a small noise behind them, Gladio immediately shushed him.
'I and Prompto are gonna' take a walk.' The Shield stated quickly and Noctis then heard the larger man quietly ushering the blonde away. Ignis let out a sigh and Cor's hand moved, touching and prodding the old wound Noctis bucked sharply against a particularly painful spot being touched and Cor pulled his hand back.
'Did you say that you have further scarring on your legs?'
'That's correct.' Ignis answered before Noctis could open his mouth. Noctis felt his cargos being rolled up and Cor went through the same procedure and Noctis once again pulled away sharply from his old scar being touched the burning pain was strong.
'Okay, you can sit back up – unless there's any more scarring anywhere?'
'No.' Noctis and Ignis answered together.
'The wounds appear how I would expect them to after a week or so of healing, not after so many years. It's almost as if they have been irritated somehow.'
'I cannot think what could have caused this. We were standing in the rain for some time yesterday but they have not had this reaction before. Perhaps his immune system is taking a blow from Noctis' emotional turmoil?'
'It must be Dad.'
Ignis and Cor both looked at the smaller man between them. Neither of them said anything, waiting for him to continue.
'I think it was Dad. I know when I was young and I was in the coma he helped with the healing. He would always help with my scars and my pain… I guess since he's g-gone, the crystal has been taken and the ring is also missing that it's something to do with his magic and our connection to the crystal?'
Cor and Ignis continued to stare at Noctis incredulously.
'I do have a brain you know.' The raven-haired man mumbled.
'I think that must be it.' Cor agreed.
'So what do we do?' Ignis asked.
'I'm not sure there's much we can do right now.' Cor sighed.
Noctis slumped into himself.
Ignis placed a reassuring hand on Noctis' shoulder. 'Highness, we will figure this out together. All I ask is that if you are in pain that you do not hide it from us. We cannot care for you correctly if you do not communicate with us.'
Noct Nodded, resolutely studying the grass beneath them.
'Majesty, please let your Crownsguard look after you. We can't lose another King.' Cor advised.
Ignis and Cor stood then they both made to assist Noctis. He grabbed a hand from each and allowed them to haul him up.
The sudden movement caused white-hot pain to blaze to life in his scars. He felt himself sway dangerously and was vaguely aware of Cor speaking to him urgently as he fell into darkness.
AN: I hope that you are still enjoying this as much as I am. Please R&R - I love hearing from you! :)
