Author's note at the beginning today. Next chapter or two may be out pretty quick, but I still have the none of the ending written up. This chapter may have actually been out earlier, but I ended up working on my FFXV fic for Halloween. I have a question about what I should rate that as too, it has gore and one dismemberment scene, as well as an f-bomb. Should it be rated T or M? Let me know your thoughts on this as well as this chapter!

I'm not quite satisfied with this chapter, but it needs to come out anyway. No beta, so please let me know if you see an error! Thanks for reading and leaving a review!


Those Who Stand Beside Him II

Ignis awakes to the sound of rustling ice.

Outside, a displeased Gladio is digging around in the ice chest. He's holding a hand over his nose as it profusely bleeds.

"Noct plays dirty when he gets older."

Noctis, to his benefit, looks mildly apologetic.

"Hey, I could have used the Royal Arms on you."

Gladio turns around with an ice-pack clamped firmly against his face. Ignis interrupts before the man can rebuttal.

"Gladio, may I remind you who it was who challenged the King of Lucis to a brawl in the forest in the midst of a drunken haze?"

"I wasn't drunk."

"It matters not, most of your actions have the same results, sober or not."

Gladio's lower lip puckers out, but he says nothing in return.

"Seeing as I'm up, would either of you like to help me make breakfast?"

"I'll help." Noctis steps forward.

Gladio looks up at the nighttime sky and then to the tent.

"Nah, I think I'll hit the hay for a few hours. Wake me up when you guys are done." He tosses a wave behind him as he crawls into their tent.

"Thank you for joining me Your Majesty." Ignis turns to Noct. "There is this new recipe I would like to try, but I find myself lacking an essential herb for the dish."

He turns back around to look in the direction they had come before making camp. "However, on our way here I saw it growing wild. I know you just got back, but would you care to join me in a hike so that we may gather it?"

Noctis smiles down at Ignis. "I don't mind. Let's do this."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Noctis gently pats him on the back and they head away from camp. "No worries, Iggy."

His eyes crinkle in delight at Ignis's sigh.

Ignis looks at him as if asking silent permission to speak his mind, but says whatever was on his thoughts anyway.

"Sometimes... It appears that your appearance is the only thing that's kingly." He throws a wry smile at Noct. "You still talk and carry on like you're twenty."

Noctis throws a hand over his heart in mock hurt. "Ouch, and to hear that from my own adviser?!"

Ignis huffs what might have been a laugh, and they continue in content silence, enjoying the moonlit forest.

Eventually, they come across a flowering bush. Ignis leans over and inspects the deep green leaves.

"This herb here, while too bitter to eat, has a fragrance that helps pique one's appetite. The deep green color also compliments the dish and makes the meal more vibrant."

"So you're saying we hiked all this way for aesthetics?"

Sputtering, Ignis straightens up and turns his face away. "Well, when you put it that way..."

Noct chuckles. "Well, lets grab some and go make breakfast."

Ignis composes himself and smiles gently, "Thank you, Noctis."

He bends back over, picking through the leaves to choose only the best.

Noctis crouches down next to him and does the same. Under the flashlight, the leaves all have the same bladed shape and waxy sheen. His eyes trail over to Ignis to get an idea of the quality of leaves he should get, but he notices Ignis slowing.

After picking enough leaves for their breakfast, Noctis turns to head back to camp. Instead, Ignis pauses.

"We may be able to find some more that way." Ignis points into a bushier part of the forest. Noctis doesn't complain and the duo walk that way, letting their flashlights illuminate the overgrown forest floor.

Noctis pulls back a branch and Ignis gladly passes by, emerging into a small alcove housing a thicket of their desired herb. They stop by several of the bushes, delicately choosing which of the leaves Ignis deems fit.

"With this many leaves, you guys should be set for breakfast for the entire trip." Noctis quips.

Ignis hums in response, but continues their search.

He lets Ignis lead him in silence for a while longer before he notices the other slowing down.

"Ignis."

It's quiet but for the empty ringing in their ears.

Noctis slows his pace before stopping, with Ignis stopping a few feet ahead of him. Both become as still as the frozen time around them. In front of him, Ignis holds his breath and Noctis suddenly feels so very, very weary.

"You're dead, aren't you?"

Of course Ignis would know. Ignis swallows his fear and turned slightly to look at Noctis.

Should he even answer that? What would Ignis do when he actually confirmed it? There was a difference between knowing and actually knowing.

If he were to tell him, then that knowledge would hang over Ignis's head for what little time he and his younger self still had together. Their remaining time together would be plagued by the feeling of impermanence - that their time together was rapidly running out.

That there was no going back, the best times they had together were in the past.

That this journey was their last. Because afterwards, Noctis would be dead and there would be nothing.

Nothing but the bright star their planet revolved around.

In the end, Noctis figured he had no right to keep such knowledge from Ignis. If he could tell him, he should. When Noct got no sign that he would be struck down by an Astral, he confirmed solemnly.

"This is my final duty before moving on." His voice held steady, but his very core shook at hearing his own words. It was as if his breath was taken away by his own statement. There was a certain finality in having finally admit it out loud.

He was dead.

Noctis swallowed his own fear before observing Ignis.

Ignis quickly turned his head and removed his glasses before wiping a sleeve across his eyes.

He hears Ignis clear his throat before trying to speak.

"I-"

Ignis's voice cracks and he falls silent, his breaths heavy.

Noctis tried to get an idea of how difficult it must be. Ignis's brilliant mind, capable of strategy upon strategy - and not one that can change Noct's fate.

Oh how that brilliant mind fails Ignis now.

He replaced his glasses and turned back to Noct, and if Noct had not known better then he would have assumed Ignis to be as composed as always. No sign of his internal grief made an appearance in his features. He had likely steeled himself for this outcome.

"Duty, huh?" The shudder in Ignis's sigh was barely noticeable. Noctis felt pity for Ignis, he too looked like he had all the world weighing upon his shoulders.

"I suppose we did not win then?"

"You three won your battles."

"Did you?"

"I fulfilled my calling."

Ignis turned to him at that. He looked to be on the verge of asking something impossible.

"But the line of Lucis was never meant to win."

And just like that, Ignis deflated. "How much time do we really have?"

Noctis felt like the grim reaper holding a scythe above the younger group's neck, and he hated it.

"Far shorter than you think."

The pause that hung in the air was like a death toll. Ignis would not be able to save Noctis. That was an undeniable truth.

However, if their group handled things right, they may be able to have more time together. He doubted that they would be able to avoid the ten years of darkness, but who was he to deny them a chance? He chose his words carefully, fearful of the Astrals should he say the wrong thing.

"It is a trap. One I wasn't able to avoid, but maybe you can. You will know when the time comes. In Accordo, stay together."

Ignis hung off his every word like his life depended on it, and in a sense, Noctis was Ignis's life.

Noctis lowered his eyes and Ignis took a deep, shuddering breath.

Ignis, ever so proud, ever so loyal, would be able to make some change in their ever so damned fate.

Before the futility could set in he stepped closer to Ignis, gripping his shoulder lightly. "...and Ignis?"

Ignis grimaced and hunched in on himself, unable to meet Noct's somber gaze.

"After the end, do not live for me."

He hoped with everything he had that he wasn't asking the impossible.

"Live for yourself."

Noctis had never seen Ignis break under the pressure, so he closed his eyes to let it remain that way.