I went ahead and added this now because the prologue is so short. And now enjoy 3K words of Noct angst that has nothing to do with the Crystal :D

The Shadows Growing Tall
chapter one

"Finally!" Noctis groans as he flops face-down onto one of the beds of their newly booked motel room, burying his head into one of the pillows. It's not as soft as his old bed back in the Citadel, or even the one in his apartment, but it sure beats the hard ground they've been camping on for the last few days.

It's been four days since Insomnia's fallen to the Niflheim Empire, and this is the first time the four of them have been able to truly stop going and just rest. The first day had admittedly been a bit of a blur to Noct, after learning the truth of the attack, but he remembers meeting up with Cor and being taken to a Royal Tomb. He can't recall all of his words, but he remembers some of the anger he'd felt at his dad leaking through his tightly held control. He'd nearly broken down then, but instead he'd reached out a hand, taking the Royal Arm within him. That's the only part of the day he remembers with perfect clarity—the oddly painless stabbing feeling as the sword flew through his body, circling around him before disappearing into the Armiger, and then the unsettling sensation of new power flowing through him, the shadow of the Crystal shifting, assessing him, deeming him worthy with an indistinct murmur as it lit his chest with a brief glow.

He'd been emotionally drained afterwards, and he thinks they'd headed back over to the outpost then, to plan and prepare for what came next. He knows they'd spent the next two days going through that Six-forsaken cave in the ruins of Keycatrich Trench, trying to find the Royal Tomb that Cor had hinted was there. It had been a nightmare. They were all on edge still, worrying about their homes, about who was alive or dead, about what would come after. Crawling through a dark, damp, daemon-filled cave was not a good way to calm down. Especially with Prompto freaking out over every unusual noise. Noctis loves his best friend, and he knows Prompto still mostly has the mindset of a civilian despite Cor's training, but he really needs Prompto to adjust soon, or at least learn how to keep his panic internal.

And then they'd barely left that cave when Cor had been calling him with yet another task. They'd managed to grab a couple of hours rest back at the outpost, but then they were up and heading out to meet Cor, and taking down an Imperial Base. Noctis had thought they'd finally have a break after that, but Ignis had insisted on heading straight out for Lestallum, and then Prompto had wanted to see the chocobo ranch before they left the area, and because Noctis has a hard time saying no to him, they'd found themselves tracking and fighting a giant Behemoth a few hours later. They'd been so exhausted afterwards that they'd wound up camping at a nearby haven, rather than deal with the hour long trek back through the woods to reach the ranch again.

That had been yesterday. Today, they had been on the road most of the day. They would have been in Lestallum right now, except that Prompto had read the map wrong, so now they're somehow at a motel in Taelpar. Ignis had been quietly aggravated when he'd realised they were going the wrong way, but Noct can't really be all that mad, if he's honest with himself. He's not sure he's ready to meet up with Iris and hear first-hand about the attack on Insomnia.

"Who's up for some greasy diner food?" Prompto asks cheerfully from the other bed, breaking into Noct's musing.

"I could go for a burger right about now," Gladio admits, somewhat gruffly. Noct can tell his irritation with Prompto hasn't completely faded, but he seems to be willing to try and let it go. Noct's glad—he's been irritable enough for all of them the past few days.

"Iggy? Noct?" Prompto asks, when neither of them seem inclined to say anything.

Ignis sighs, sounding rather put-upon. "I suppose we can afford a burger just this once."

Noctis groans again, even as Prompto jumps up, pumping an excited fist in the air. "Just bring me something back." Now that he's laying down, the thought of getting back up, even for food, just seems like too much effort.

Ignis looks at him in sudden concern, adjusting his glasses. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Noct slowly shakes his head, and hopes that it comes off lazy rather than exhausted. "Nah. Just tired. You guys go ahead, I'll rest."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, Mom, I'll be fine," he says, waving his hand at the other man.

"Very well," Ignis says, though he still sounds reluctant. "We'll have our phones, text one of us if you have need of us."

Gladio rolls his eyes, grabbing Ignis' arm and pulling him towards the door. "Listen to the kid, he'll be fine."

"I'll bring you back a burger, Noct," Prompto says happily.

Noct lifts a hand to acknowledge Prompto, and sighs once they're gone, snuggling deeper into the bed. He thinks about pulling his shoes off and climbing under the covers, but ultimately decides it's more effort than he's got in him at the moment. He doesn't understand why he's feeling this worn out. He loves sleep, he'll be the first to admit that, but he's never before been so tired that he'll actually choose it over food, especially greasy diner food that Ignis rarely ever lets him have.

But then, living in Insomnia, the roughest days he's ever had were just a few hours worth of training with Gladio. Fighting in actual battles is turning out to be very different, so it makes sense that he's not used to that high level of physical activity yet. Plus they've all been running on adrenaline and urgency the past few days... his is just catching up to him now. He just needs to get some sleep, and then he'll be fine in the morning. He'll get used to the battles soon enough. He's sure of it.

x x x

They decide to take the next day to rest. Ignis and Gladio huddle in the chairs in the corner of the room, going through their supplies and counting out gil and mumbling to each other every now and then as they make plans. Prompto sits on the end of the bed Noct's laying on, tapping at his phone every now and then. The cheerful background tune is that of King's Knight, and would normally have Noctis pulling out his own phone, but for once he's not in the mood.

It feels unusual, to be spending the day lazing about the motel after so many days of non-stop running around. Noctis isn't ungrateful, exactly—he still feels worn out—but it doesn't seem right, to be relaxing like this with everything going on. They should be pushing onward, heading to Lestallum, so that they can meet up with Iris. He knows Gladio's been anxious about her, to see her with his own eyes and reassure himself that she's truly okay. And it would be good to have possible word of who else managed to survive the attack. They don't have any word on Clarus, or Ignis' uncle (who Noct has always just called Mr. Scienta, the rare times he's seen him, because he can never remember the man's name), though Noct isn't very hopeful for either of them, as much as the thought pains him. Mr. Scienta is the only family Ignis has left, and Clarus... Clarus has been rather like an uncle to Noctis. It feels just as alien to think about Clarus being dead as it does his dad.

He feels his throat tighten, and rolls over in the bed, putting his back to the others. He still can't wrap his mind around everything that's happened. It's not hard to guess that this was Niflheim's plan all along, a way for them to finally steal the Crystal away to their own kingdom, but... it still hurts. He'd truly believed they were finally going to have peace, and be left alone. To know that it was all just a sham...

And his dad had known. That's what hurts Noct the most. His dad had known those Nif bastards had no intention of signing the peace treaty, and had likely suspected he wouldn't survive, and he hadn't said one word to Noct. Had sent him away, instead, just so that he could live. Why? Why hadn't he done something else—tried to fight, rejected the peace treaty, hid the Crystal, come with Noct?

He feels tears stinging at his eyes, and blinks rapidly, doing his best to will them away. He doesn't want to cry where the others can hear. All of them have heard him cry before, at one time or another, but it still leaves him feeling embarrassed and weak. Even if he has good reason this time, he doesn't want them to see him this way. He can feel the pressure building in his chest though, the intense ache of grief as his mind ruminates on all the could-have-beens. Noct rolls back over and stands up, the movement sudden. He's got to get out of here, before he breaks down. He quickly throws on his boots and jacket, ignoring the curious looks of his friends.

"Going for a walk," he manages to say around the lump in his throat, not daring to look at them.

"You want company, dude?" Prompto asks, idly tapping away at his phone still.

He shakes his head, pulling open the door. "No."

Noctis doesn't have any destination in mind, but after spotting a door at the end of the hall that's ajar and following the stairs up, he soon finds himself on the roof of the motel. He heads toward an edge and sits down, letting his legs dangle off the building as he stares out absently over the small town. His thoughts are still stuck on his dad. Logically, he understands why his dad wouldn't flee with him—a king can't just abandon his people, or his lands. At least, a good king wouldn't. And his dad had always strove to be the best king he could be. He cared for the people of Insomnia dearly, Noct has known that from a young age. It had been frustrating at times, as Noct had grown up, to watch his dad put his people before himself time and time again. He used to constantly wish that his dad would be a little more selfish.

But now, knowing that his dad has acted selfish for once, in saving Noct and Noct's closest friends... it doesn't feel at all good. It just hurts. He doesn't stop the tears this time, letting them flow freely down his cheeks, uncomfortably dampening his face and neck. He can feel sobs gathering and tries to suppress them, but when one finally claws its way out of his throat, he gives up and lets them come. He's so angry at his dad, but more than that, he just misses him. He's had to spend years watching the Crystal slowly drain away at his dad's life force, knowing that one day it would eventually kill his dad and he'd have to become king, but he'd always imagined his dad dying in his sleep, had imagined that he'd know when it was going to happen, and have time to come to terms with it. He's never once imagined waking up one morning and finding that his dad is just suddenly gone, no goodbye, no warning. Even if he can somehow manage to go back to Insomnia and reclaim the throne in the name of Lucis Caelum, he'll never get to see his dad again. There is always going to be this hollow void in his chest that his dad's presence once filled.

He thinks back to the morning he'd left Insomnia, to the impatience he'd felt when he'd started descending the steps to the Citadel and heard Drautos' call behind him. All he could think to say when he'd seen his dad coming out was, what now? He'd barely had time to listen to his dad's words, ready to just get on the road and get closer to getting his wedding over with. He'd rushed, knowing Cor was waiting on them. More sobs tear out of him. He wishes now that he could go back in time, do it all over again, not be in such a hurry to leave. He'd say more to his dad, tell him how much his dad means to him...

Once you set forth, you cannot turn back. I need only know that you are ready to leave home behind. His dad had said that to him, that morning on the steps. Noctis couldn't have known then, what he'd really meant. But he knows now, and he desperately wants to transfer the knowledge to his past self, to have picked up on what his dad was saying, to somehow change the outcome of what happened.

He hears footsteps behind him and tenses, knowing it has to be one of the others. He hurriedly wipes at his face, though it's a futile effort, as fresh tears simply replace the old ones. Someone settles down to his right, and a glance from the corner of his eye tells him it's Prompto. Figures. His best friend rarely ever lets him wallow alone in his sadness.

Prompto's quiet for awhile, not saying anything, and the only sound to be heard is Noct's harsh sobs. He feels ashamed that Prompto's hearing them, but doesn't try to stifle them. He hadn't known how much he'd needed to cry until now. Eventually, however, they lessen on their own, as Noctis grows weary from his display of sorrow. Only when his breathing turns into shuddering, shaky sighs does Prompto lean into him, tipping his head against the hollow of Noct's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," Prompto murmurs. There's nothing but empathy in his voice, and it's almost enough to make Noct come undone again. He reaches his hand out, seeking, and Prompto meets him, curling his fingers into Noct's, giving what comfort he can.

"I miss him," he admits hoarsely, leaning his own head against Prompto's. "I still can't believe he's... It doesn't feel real."

"That's not surprising," Prompto says softly. His voice is serious, lacking the usual humour and cheerfulness he often employs. "It was a shock, to all of us, and we've hardly had time to stop and process everything. It probably won't feel real for awhile."

Noct closes his eyes briefly, struggling against renewed tears. "I just... why couldn't he have told me? He knew what was going to happen."

"Noct... would you have left, if he had?"

He wants to say yes. Wants to tell Prompto that of course he'd still leave, that he'd trust in his dad's judgement. But he was just thinking of all the things his dad could have done other than stay behind and be slaughtered while sending Noct away to safety, and he knows he can't lie. "No," he says honestly.

Prompto sighs, his hand tightening on Noct's. "Dude... I know it bothered you that your dad was always busy doing king stuff, and couldn't always have time for you, but even though I never got to meet him much, I know your dad loved you. And when he sent you away to Altissia, to safety, he wasn't being a king, Noct. He was being a dad. A dad that was protecting his son the best way he could think of."

He can't help it—hearing Prompto's words make the fresh tears spill over. And he doesn't miss the slight bit of yearning in his best friend's tone either, and that makes him feel even more terrible. Prompto doesn't even know if his parents are alive or not, or if they'd care enough to let him know they were okay. Noct's dad may be gone, but at least he's not in the dark, left wondering with no way to know.

He lets go of Prompto's hand abruptly, and twists his body sideways, flinging his arms around Prompto in a tight hug. Prompto squeaks, caught off guard, but he doesn't hesitate to turn and hug Noctis back. It's strange, somewhat—there's been a few times where Prompto has hugged Noct in excitement, but they've all been brief, a fleeting flurry of arms squeezing him before disappearing. Noct has never initiated a hug, and they've certainly never had one to last this long.

It's nice, though. The weight of Prompto against him is reassuring, and though one hug isn't a cure for his grief, it helps soothe it, just a little. He pulls away, swiping a hand across his eyes and ignoring the blush he can feel creeping up his neck. "Sorry," he mutters, glancing at his best friend in apology.

Prompto smiles sadly at him. "Don't be," is all he says.

They fall silent, and Noctis looks out over the town again, paying more attention to it this time. Even though it's somewhere between two and three on a Friday afternoon, the town is mostly still. There's been one car to drive through the main road, and two women that have walked from the motel across the street to the diner, but there's been no other movement. There's not even a hint of wind in the air, and the heat from the sun hangs about them, heavy and stifling. The sky is startlingly blue, a few fluffy white clouds dotting the expanse here and there. It's so different from Insomnia, and it makes him homesick.

Suddenly he doesn't want to be outside anymore. He gets to his feet, offering a hand to Prompto, who takes it without question. "Let's go back in," he says, and Prompto nods agreeably.