Final Fantasy XV-2
Dawn
Chapter Two
Heritage
Arms restraint, on his knees, eyes searching for anything in the darkness. Yet no matter how he struggled, how hard he tugged on his chains or against his captors, Ignis could do nothing but glare at his captor.
'My, you still don't know when to call it quits', Ardyn taunted smugly, walking around him. The red haired man gave the advisor a smug smile as he plucked his glasses from his coat pocket, a pair of glasses that turned Ignis' skin white.
'Isn't it ironic? You lose your sight, but in exchange, you save your king', he mused. He turned to Ignis, delivering a sinister grin. 'But now you have your sight back…but at what cost?'. Slowly he gestured behind him, before the advisor. Standing in the darkness, Fulgur's hands were out searching, his small frame shook with fear. When he turned around, Ignis let a horrified gasp.
Upon his son's face were the exact same scars he bore once, eyes closed as he blindly searched for anything. 'Father!? Father where are you!?', he cried, his voice so close to crying. Ignis screamed his name, desperate to help his son but nothing came from his mouth. He was completely mute, Ardyn's magic closed his vocal cords entirely. He glared at the man, who placed a finger to his lip in a taunting manner.
'FATHER!', the boy cried, hands searching madly for anything to grab or support himself. Ignis trashed and struggled for freedom, his eyes never leaving his panicking son's form, his own eyes grew moist with each passing second. Not again, he thought desperately. 'A shame really, he had such a bright future ahead', Ardyn commented nonchalantly. 'Unlike you, who had the education and will to push yourself, he won't even be able to tie his shoes'.
Ignis roared and shouted his son's name silently, desperately trying to break through the curse that stole his voice from him. 'But fear not, Iggy', Ardyn commented. His eyes widened in terror when he saw the false king brandish a dagger, the exact same dagger Ignis once carried for Noct. 'I'll do you a kindness, and put this poor thing out of his misery', he said, so joyously and kindly it was sickening. With a saunter, he approached Fulgur, Ignis screaming his son's name in vain.
Ardyn reached him and raised the dagger… and plunge it into the boy's heart-
'FULGUR!'.
Shooting up from bed with a roar, dagger in hand and green eyes a lit with rage, Ignis searched the room for the red head monster. He panted in cold sweat, breathing heavily as the tension left his body when his mind reminded him he was in his own home and bed. He dropped the dagger to his side and placed his head in his hands with a heavy gasp.
Ignis hasn't had a nightmare this bad since he first went blind, but this was a hundred times worse. Shaking, the former advisor switched on his lamp and plucked his glasses up, putting them on after another few minutes to collect himself and clear his mind. Looking at the alarm clock, he could see it was four am, much earlier than he had intended to get up at. He needed to, he had to see…
Silently the man entered his son's room, carefully approaching the boy's sleeping form. He smiled softly when he spotted the green nightlight was still alit, although it was hidden by the dresser. It appeared the boy still needed the little light Ignis mused, not that he disapproved of the choice. He wouldn't admit it, but it took him to the age of nine for him to finally break that little fear of his, and he was in no rush to get Fulgur to do the same.
Gently he brushed his hand against his son's sleeping form, the boy let out a small sigh of comfort in his sleep. He was safe he mused to himself, Ardyn is dead and far from his son, his sight was still intact, he was safe. Yet the father's heart still felt the twinge of fear, like the nightmare loomed over his shoulder. Ignis did promise to tell his son, like Gladio and Prompto, especially after today and realistically, it would be easier the sooner he told him.
Leaving his son's room, after taking one last glance at the boy, he exited and closed the door quietly. Sleeping was no longer an option for him, apprehension of another nightmare occurring quickly stopped him from even going back into his bedroom, so he decided he was up for the day. Going into the kitchen, which was a combination of the former and living room, he brewed himself an ebony and figured he could finish the book Gladio gave him weeks ago.
Yet when he pulled the book from the shelf, another fell from it. Sighing, Ignis reached down to pick it up but it was opened up. It was actually an album Prompto gave him, dubbed on the cover "The Best of Iggy and Noct". Hesitantly, the dagger wielding man picked it up and with the novel forgotten. He sat down on the couch with his ebony left on the glass table before him, his green eyes scanned each of the photos with nostalgia and sadness.
One photo he would've frowned back then, was one where Noct was wearing his glasses for a prank, but lo and behold like most of the former king's pranks, it backfired. He fell out of the haven and broke his arm, and damaged the glasses in the process. He chuckled at this, a kid to the end.
Next photo brought a warm smile to his face. The picture showed himself and Noct cooking together, unaware of Prompto's photo taking. Ignis remembered the prince just asked if he could help him out, and even ventured into unknown waters that was how to do a casserole. His first dinner he ever made, and for Iggy, it was the most delicious meal he ever had.
Another one that made him chuckle was showing Ignis with the rod and a rather large fish held by himself and Noct. A day at the Quay, Noct actually invited him to do some fishing for a change, and wouldn't he know it, Ignis actually caught a whopper of a fish after the first two hours of waiting. Prompto managed to capture a good smile, but Ignis would never forget that smile on the king's face when he managed to catch a fish, it was so bright and warm, like he was proud of Ignis.
Scrolling through the photos brought smiles, laughter and sighs of nostalgia for him, until he reached the last one.
It was the first major group photo they took, when the Regalia was repaired by Cindy. The smiles on the group, the brilliant shine of the car from the sun. Ignis placed a hand on the photo, eyes growing wet from looking at the photo. It was all innocent at first he remembered, the journey they took completely unaware of what was about to occur, the loss of their home, the journey they took. The loss of his brother…
He shuddered as he took a breath, pinching the bridge of his nose, by the gods. So much had happened, so many things he had planned with Noct. He was so proud of the man he became, no matter what, but he was so heartbroken.
'Father?'.
Ignis turned behind to see Fulgur, shyly approaching him. His green eyes softened with worry when he saw the tears in his father's eyes. 'What's wrong?', he asked. Ignis bit his inner cheek before he gestured his son to join him on the couch. Fulgur did so as Ignis showed him the photos, remembering Fulgur never did see these before. He just was curious sure but Ignis had taught him well not to snoop into his father's things without his consent or watch.
When he saw the photo, the boy's eyes showed interest and wonder, looking between his father and the photo. 'Is that you?', he asked. Ignis chuckled at the innocent question, he himself was surprised by how much younger he looked back then. 'Indeed, when we first left Insomnia', he said. 'That was Gladio and Prompto', he explained. Fulgur smiled at the image but then he giggled. 'Uncle Prompto looks so skinny', he said.
Ignis chuckled as well, Prompto had truly changed from the past, fifteen years and here he was, buff and confident. But Fulgur's brows furrowed when he saw Noct, Ignis felt a lump in throat. The moment of truth. 'Who's that? He looks…familiar…', the young boy said.
'…He was my best friend and brother…and for a while, my king', Ignis explained. Fulgur looked at his father, who gave his son his full attention. 'His name is…was, Noctis Lucis Caelum, king of Insomnia…and Aurora's father'. Fulgur turned to his father with wide eyes, disbelief written upon his small face yet he could see the boy putting the similarities together. 'B-But, where is he?', he asked.
'Noctis…Fulgur, do you remember when there was no sun or light?', he asked. 'Uh huh?', he answered. 'Well, you see…'.
Ignis told him the story of the Destiny of the Chosen, and how Aurora was born as gift from the Six, and he even told him about Iris' role and Lunafreya. Ignis worried he was overloading the boy's mind with all this information, but Fulgur's face held no confusion or horror, rather the more Ignis told him, the more sad and concerned his face looked. Once he finished the tale of Aurora's adoption, Fulgur looked at the photo of Noct.
'…And Aura doesn't know?', he whispered. 'No, we couldn't tell her now. Not until she was ready', Ignis answered truthfully. '…But why were you with him?', Fulgur asked. 'I was a member of the Crownsguard and the Kingsglaive, my duty was to protect and stay with Noctis. I was as they say, his "Right Hand man". And because he was my brother', he told him.
Fulgur remained silent, eyes still fixed on the photo of his father's friends, a look that Ignis couldn't decipher. It was at times where Ignis lamented Fulgur took a lot of his traits, the one where he couldn't be read was a mixed blessing. Then, the boy looked at him. 'Will Aura be the queen one day?', he asked. 'I…cannot say for certain, as Insomnia is still being rebuilt and…we're still keeping her heritage a secret from most people', he explained. 'But is there a chance? Yes'.
'…so you had to look after Noctis?', he asked. Not exactly what Ignis' position meant per say, but he certainly took up the role for his brother. He gave his son a nod.
Then, when his son faced him again, there was a look of sheer determination.
'Then, I'll do the same'.
Ignis blinked at this, but before he could ask for clarification, Fulgur spoke first. 'Teach me, so I can help Aura like you did for Noctis!', he said. Ignis opened his mouth, denying the boy but when he stared into his eyes…
He could see himself staring down Ardyn with those eyes, the day he gave up his sight for his king…It was like staring into a mirror. Fulgur…taking his place. The nightmare still haunted him but…
'…Fulgur, the requirements will be…difficult to say the least. You do-
'You did it! And uncle Gladio told me how you lost your eyes before!', he said.
Of course he did Ignis thought, biting back a groan. 'He said you gave your eyes for someone, to help them! If it was Noctis, why shouldn't I help Aura?', he stated with the conviction rivalling Ignis. The man looked at his son, before he slowly placed a hand on him, and nodding. 'I will teach you everything I know, so that you can protect her, and surpass me'.
*Next Day, Gladio's home*
Grunting with effort with each push, Gladio kept his eyes closed as he mentally counted the pushes he did. With eyes closed it was easier to do, since everything in his "man cave" ,as his wife kindly teases him about, would distract him or admittedly make him decide to go work on something else. Namely the treadmill or weights, much easier to do for a man as active as him.
That…and he could not look at his kids glaring at him.
No doubt, he mused, the two little trouble makers he loves are still sitting on the bench looking at him with Clavam's glare and Forex's pout. He chuckled at them with eyes still shut, their attempts to make him uncomfortable worked as well as encouraging Prompto to ask a girl out back in the day. But Gladio would give them credit, stubbornness and determination went hand in hand with those two, they've been glaring at him for almost an hour without relent.
Normally on a Saturday morning Clavam would be helping Yuria with baking and Forex would be doing the "sickest of tricks" on her skateboard as she would state. But nope, ever since Aurora's magical discovery, the two had been adamant in their father telling them what's going on with their best friend. The former shield had been very split in telling them about Noctis and their exploits, regardless of what Ignis said.
Of course he understood why they should tell them and if he wasn't a parent he'd be the first to get Ignis or Prompto to fess up. Yet every time he mustered up the courage, all it took was to look at his kids and suddenly keeping them in the dark became less and less unappealing. Part of him did feel shame that he was this much of a coward, he could only imagine how his father would react if he was dancing around the subject.
Granted Gladio didn't start his Crownsguard training until he was thirteen and only joined them when he turned eighteen, but that didn't encourage him to tell the kids. If he knew them as well as his wife, he'd know they'd jump the wagon to Crownsguard Aurora in a heartbeat. It was at times like this Gladio felt a surge of pride for them, and great terror.
'Papa', whined Forex.
The large man smirked at her whines, their patience nearing the end it seems. He opened his eyes to see Clavam, still glaring, and Forex now on her stomach watching him. 'Giving up already Rox? Thought I taught ya better than that', he teased. The younger sibling's pout grew more comical as Clavam still retained her "fierce" glare. He eventually got back to his feet, clapping his hands with a satisfied grunt. Gladio turned around and headed for the tread mail but his two kids, having grown weary of just sitting there.
They both stood before the giant, eyes glowering at him stubbornly as they bared his path. Gladio chuckled as he ruffled both their hairs and walked around them. They'll have to do better than that…
'GO FOR THE LEGS!', Clavam ordered.
Gladio grunted and stumbled a bit. Looking down he spotted his kids wrapped around his legs, still glaring at their father with sheer determination still glowing in their eyes. "Stubborn little brats…" the giant thought to himself, smirking at them both. He awkwardly strode onwards though, regardless of the extra weight on his legs.
'Its not working!', Forex stated.
'I KNOW!', Clavam replied.
The older sister climbed up to her father's waist, grunting with effort as she climbed. Once she reached his shoulders, climbing trees had nothing on Gladio, she then glared at him with renewed intensity. 'Tell me!', she ordered.
Gladio rolled his eyes, before he ceased his walks and easily pried them both off him. 'Look…what happened yesterday, its…', he started but he faltered, words failing him. He bit back a chuckle, if only Noctis could see him now. The man who would damn protocol and speak to the king in any manner, heck he even grabbed him by the collar of his jacket once. Yet here he is, unable to explain to his kids that Aurora is actually a princess.
He let out a sigh and ran a hand through the hairs on the back of his head, swallowing that worrisome pill. 'Come on', he said.
Gladio led the two of them to another door within the cave, locked by a specific key made by Cindy. Unlocking it and after putting in the numbered password he had her installed, he led them inside what he called the armoury. Adorned the walls were old great swords and shields he used during the journey with Noct, the old crownsguard flag hanging on the wall with several books nesting in a shelf.
His kids looked at the weapons with awe, namely Clavam in particular. The dark haired girl looked at the same weapon Gladio used during the final assault on the citadel, the blade still glowed dimly from the remnants of Noct's old magic. Gladio pulled out a book from his shelf, the old Amicitia crest upon the body, faded but still recognizable. He turned to his kids and sat down on the bench with them. Opening his book, he showed the line of Amicitias all the way to himself and his father.
'The Amicitia family had been the sworn shield to the Kings of Lucis, for centuries we guard the king from anything and anyone', he explained. '…This was your grandfather, he served his majesty King Regis Lucis Caelum'. He showed Clarus Amicitia to his kids, both looking at him with curiosity, Forex looking more confused while Clavam looked intently at the picture. 'But, I was assigned to guard this man', he explained further, showing a page, or rather a photo, of himself and Noct.
'This here was Noctis, his son and my prince turned king', he said. He gave a nostalgic smile. 'He was a royal pain in the ass, lazy and smart assed kid I've ever met…and trust me when I say I wish I had more time to spend with him'. Clavam and Ferox looked at Noct with genuine curiosity, both of them looking back and forth between their father and the photo. 'You were his shield? Did mean you were a bodyguard?', Clavam asked.
'Yeah basically', Gladio mused. He showed them another photo of the old group, standing by the Quay docks, Angelgard island behind them. 'Aurora is his kid, given to us by the Astrals as a gift for us doing our job', he said. The kids looked at him with shock and surprise, he ruffled their hairs and explained the backstory to them. Never had he seen the kids look so mesmerized by the tale, he spent two hours total telling of their road trip, the bounties, the trials they endured. He did leave out his fight with Gilgamesh though, believing that was a story for another day.
Once he explained to them why Noct was dead and how Aurora came to be, he explained the rest of the Amicitia and their role with the Lucis bloodline. However, once he finished, he could see them yawning and eyes droopy. 'Looks like story time is over', he mused. With a chuckle, he scooped them both up into his arms, impressed by how they still weighed so little for him. Carrying them into their bedrooms, he tucked them both each into their beds, kissing their foreheads and whispering "goodnight" to them.
Once he left the room though…
'Sis…you awake?', Clavam asked.
'Yeah…dad really liked Noct, huh?'.
Clavam rolled onto her side to look at her, her bed being across from her own, seeing Ferox looking at her. 'He said the Amicitias always, shielded the Lucis family right?', she asked.
'Yeah…he said that', Clavam reminded.
'…And I'm gonna do it'.
Ferox looked at her sister, who gave her a determined look. 'Dad said the Amicitia family always guarded them, and now it's my turn', she said. 'Aurora is gonna be princess…or queen, one day. She'll need a good shield'.
Ferox nodded, grinning. 'Then we'll be her shields!', she said.
With determination burning in their hearts and a promise made, the two slept, big things tomorrow.
*Prompto's Home, Nightfall*
It was quiet at Hammerhead, save for the gentle breeze and occasional howling of the wild beasts that stalked the desert. Vitae was laying upon the rooftop of the garage, looking up at the stars in thought. His favourite place to be when he was thinking, as his mother used to say, and he found himself coming up here more and more lately.
A set of footsteps stopped his thoughts along with a small sigh. 'You do know you can move a chair up here, right?', Prompto asked, joining his son. Vitae gave his dad a smirk, his father just resting against the ventilation box, looking up at the stars too. They both just stared up in silence, enjoying the quiet and the time they spend together. These were moments both father and son enjoyed, just spending time together in silence.
Until…
'Look…about what happened with Aurora…', Prompto started. Vitae looked at his dad, he showed what looked to be a much older looking camera than today's sets. Vitae could see the colour was worn, several scratches covered it and he saw the straps were withered and tattered. His father though looked at this old device with a fond look of nostalgia. 'This little thing had been with me since I was a kid, plenty of memories in here', he explained.
Vitae sat closer to him and looked at the screen, showing several photos. The boy could honestly say if Prompto's greatest talent wasn't being a dad, he certainly would make an amazing photographer. The boy couldn't count the amount of amazing photos his dad took, he made the most mundane things look like places only in dreams. Prompto showed his son several photos of himself and his uncles along with another man.
'Hey…is that you?', he asked, pointing at a much younger looking Prompto. 'Heh, yeah. That scrawny dork is me'. 'So…not much changed?'. Prompto ruffled his son's hair with a laugh, Vitae giggling at his gesture. 'Ya little smarty pants!'. He kept showing him photos of his past, but stopped at one featuring himself and Noctis, a selfie photo. 'This guy here? This was my best friend', he explained. Vitae looked at the former king, seeing the mirth and light heartened looks in both their eyes.
'His name was Noctis Lucis Caelum, King of Insomnia', he continued. 'Insomnia…? You mean that old city back there?', Vitae asked, gesturing the Crown City with his thumb in the distance. 'The very same, but back then it was our home. Before the Niflheim empire attacked it', he said. 'That started our big road trip turned into saving our home'.
He showed him another photo of himself and Noct, this time it showing the king doing a pose while there was a large catoblepas slowly approaching behind him. Vitae laughed at the panicked look his father's friend had, no doubt he was just itching to start running for his life. 'Oh man he was furious with me that day. Said if I ever get him do something that risky he was gonna sell my camera for scrap metal', Prompto said with a chuckle.
Vitae smiled up at his dad as he showed a different pic. 'But how did you know the king?', Vitae asked. 'Heh, funny story. See, we went to the same school together, and well…after I worked up the courage to even say "hi" I approached him and said "Hey there, Prince Noctis". He gave him a smile. 'So that's how we ended being best friends. And after several months, I met Ignis and Gladio, then finally got my place in the Crownsguard'.
'Crownsguard?', Vitae asked.
'Basically guardians to the prince', Prompto explained. 'Spent pretty much what time I had learning the ropes and fighting'. 'Like Gladio?', Vitae asked. 'HA! Nope! Never had the talent for swords…or the muscle. I stuck with guns', he said. Vitae gave his dad a look of disbelief, his father is a klutz most of the time, even his mom would agree. Seeing his son's look however, Prompto smirked and stood up.
Materializing his old gun, Prompto turned and emptied the six rounds of the revolver into the old billboard with keen precision, hitting the large circle with perfect accuracy. All six bullets in one hole. Vitae's jaw dropped to the ground in awe as Prompto spun his gun in hand and made it disappear with a smug grin. 'Believe your old man's got skills now?', he asked. Vitae nodded dumbly.
'But yeah, back then I was like a fish out of the water', Prompto admitted. 'I felt like I didn't belong with them, but Noct he…he kept assuring me and reminding me I was worth a damn, all the way to the very end'.
He sat down and sighed. 'See, before you were born, our world was suffering from the Starscourge. A darkness that never let up, and light was practically non-existent. Only Noct could give back the light', he explained. 'But where is he now?', Vitae asked. '…He had to sacrifice himself to bring the light back…', Prompto answered.
The rubbed his eyes with his knuckle, holding back a sob. 'But see…this messenger from the Astrals, she gave us a baby'. He turned to him. 'The child of the King and the Oracle, and do you wanna know who she is?'. Vitae's eyes widened. 'Aurora…', he mused.
'Yup…daughter of King Noctis and Lady Lunafreya', Prompto finished.
Vitae blinked before he looked at his hands. 'So, that thing she did? That magic thingy?'. 'Yeah, her old man did the same thing', Prompto answered. 'But how come she doesn't know?', he asked. '…Its, to protect her. We made a promise to let her have a normal childhood before we tell her she's the future queen'.
He placed both hands on his son. 'The only thing I want you to do, is be her friend', he said. 'The most important thing anyone can have, royalty or commoner, is a loyal friend', Prompto assured.
Vitae gave his father an understanding nod, as he rested his head into his father's chest, being wrapped into a hug.
So now the children knew of their father's past…will they continue their legacy or surpass them?
A/N:
THIS. WAS. MEANT. TO. BE, DONE. WEEKS AGO!
I apologize for procrastination, lack of motive and just overall walls. I hope you enjoyed this "ok" chapter. Next time…we'll see what happens.
Stay awesome but most importantly stay safe!
