Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy XV or any of its characters. I also don't make any profit from this piece of fanfiction. If I did I would have a lot more time to write more chapters instead of going to work…
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Gladio glared hard at Ignis, and then glanced over his shoulder. Prompto was visibly trembling, almost scared to touch Noct's lifeless body. His head had lolled to the side, his hand draped down the chair and resting on the floor of the car. Gladio looked back at Ignis, about to ask why he's just sitting there. Why isn't he doing anything? Why isn't he helping Noct?
But the look on his face answered all those questions before Gladio could ask them. They had failed. Not just in their Royal Duty, but in their duty to their friend. They had failed Noct and in doing so failed their nation and the people within it. They had failed Lady Lunafreya. Tasked with the duty of delivered her betrothed to her, they had let him die and therefore doomed the attempt at unity that she and the prince were bound to.
Gladio kept driving, not saying a word and not able to look at Ignis any longer. He looked more distraught than any of them. Having been responsible for the young prince since he was three years old, he was the most bound to his duty. He had lived and breathed for the royal family and for Noctis his whole life. His sole purpose in life had just died in the back seat before his very eyes. He just stared at Noctis, unable to tear his gaze away, but clearly finding it difficult to watch his ward's body void of all life.
They continued their journey in silence. Prompto had started to cry. To himself and almost without sound, he had begun to weep with his hands over his face. Ignis' instinctual urge to comfort him was easily overpowered by grief and he remained where he was, his body not reacting to any signals or instructions.
When they arrived at the Healing Temple nobody moved. Not for a good minute or so. Until Prompto swiftly swung the door open and slipped out from beneath Noctis, falling to the ground and scrambling a few feet away. He could still feel death on him, on his clothes and his skin and creeping into his lungs. He felt choked by it and turned over onto his hands and knees, facing away from the car and his fallen friend.
Healers came pouring out of the temple, hearing their arrival. Draped in white garbs with purple cords and golden jewellery, the Healers scurried towards the car.
"Are you all right, child?" A woman with warm mahogany skin knelt beside Prompto and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "Are you hurt?"
He shook his head, "No," he forced out the words, "It's my friend," he said, unable to hold back a sob that exploded out of him.
The woman stayed with him while the others rushed to the car.
"What happened?" A healer asked, standing over Noctis.
Gladio dropped his head, unable to admit their failure.
"He was poisoned." Ignis said, "He has succumbed."
The healer looked between the two of them before leaning down to study the prince.
Another healer peered over her shoulder. "Is that the prince?"
Murmurs erupted all around them as the group began to discuss until the first healer raised her arm and silence fell. Ignis deduced that she was the leader. "We will bring him in." She placed her hands at either side of his face and closed her eyes. "His soul lingers. He is not yet lost."
Two woman burst through the crowd with a stretcher and together the healers lifted Noctis onto it and rushed him into the temple. Suddenly the three were left alone with just the Regalia and their prayers.
The men eventually made their way into the Temple together. The high ceilings and empty halls made them feel small and alone, helpless and vulnerable. They huddled together and looked around, trying to work out which way the women took Noctis.
"Who are these broads?"
"These broads are The Women of Garn," Ignis explained, "a group of healers sworn to protect and serve those in need no matter colour, creed or religion. They are widely unheard of because they are self-sufficient and rarely venture out or away from the Temple."
"How did they get here?" Prompto asked, studying the artwork on the walls.
"The Temple of Garn has been here for thousands of years. The women are all here because they wanted to join and serve the common purpose."
"Like a cult?" Gladio grunted.
"Like a hospital. They are healers, they are here to heal."
"So what about the men?" Prompto asked.
"What men?"
"Well, surely some of the women want to…have children?"
"While serving as a Woman of Garn the women are sworn to celibacy. If they wish to leave and have children they are free to do so, but if they wish to return they must swear to the same oath."
"So…no men then?"
"Men are not permitted to join the Temple." Ignis confirmed.
"That's a little sexist." Gladio grunted.
"It is a rule agreed by all who serve here and it's worked for centuries."
Prompto stopped in front of a painting of a mostly nude woman, shrouded in purple with wrists and ankles glistening gold. Her skin was a deep golden brown, her eyes closed and her lips curved in a soft smile.
"That is Lady Unianne Garneria, the founder of the Temple of Garn." Ignis answered the question Prompto didn't ask.
There was a plaque at the bottom of the painting and Prompto read it out loud, "Lady Garneria was burned at the stake by those she once served, accused and charged of being a Red Mage, a class forbidden in the country at that time. Now she lingers in the lifestream, watching over the temple and those who worship her."
"Legend says that she offers her healing powers to those who pray to her in times of need." Ignis offered.
"If this temple is so unknown, how do you know so much about it?" Gladio folded his arms across his chest.
Ignis raised an eyebrow at him, pushing his glasses up his nose.
Suddenly a door swung open and banged against a wall. A healer scurried out and ran quickly down the hall and into another door. A few moments later she burst back out into the hall and returned to the room she came from with a copper basin full of what looked like gasoline.
They watched the door as it closed behind her and shared a look between them.