Disclaimer: Still not mine
So I have 2 different possible endings for this and am not sure which way to take it. Should I write both when the time comes or just pick one? In one they win and Ardyn dies, the other, he lives and wins.
Chapter 4
Gladio jogged along the path, breathing easily. He had a lot to think about and running helped. He wished they could spend more time in Lestallum, Iris was there, and he missed his sister, but none of them like the extreme heat there. Then there were Noct's headaches corresponding with the earthquakes and even visions, they were very worrying. Then there was Noctis and Prompto…he didn't know when it had started but these days they were always touching in some way, slipping away for time alone. The wedding was off, and they had no idea where Lady Lunafreya was even if it wasn't. Insomnia was in enemy hands….what did it matter if Noctis was seeing his male best friend? It wasn't illegal, although it would have been frowned on, especially by the Council, who were mostly dead now, so they didn't matter anyway. So long as he produced an heir at some point then there was no reason for anyone to try to object.
There was a problem though and that was him. He hated himself for it but…he was attracted to Prompto. He was such a bundle of sunshine and definitely not hard on the eyes. They'd never been all that close but over the time of their travels he'd been drawn more and more towards the sharpshooter. He would never dream of trying to come between them though. Waking curled around Prompto the other morning had felt so good, so right. He didn't know why Prompto and Noctis had been naked, didn't really care, even if Ignis, pressed against Noctis' back, had coloured slightly when he had realised he had his arm around a very naked waist. It had felt so good waking up like that. He shook his head clear of those thoughts as he spotted the camp up ahead.
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Ignis let his head drop forward with a soft moan of pleasure as sure, strong fingers dug into tense muscles, releasing the pressure. It felt so good and he ignored Noct's chuckle from the seat over. He could feel the heat of Prompto's body seeping through the cloth of his camping chair as the younger man massaged his neck. His hands moved up to massage his scalp and Ignis hear noises coming from him that would normally have him very embarrassed but at the moment he didn't care.
They all started as Ignis' phone suddenly rang, and he fumbled with it, muscles lax form the massage but he managed to get it and answer the call. "Hello?"
"Scientia," a familiar voice answered.
Ignis blinked, still feeling sluggish. "Marshall. How can I help you?"
"Have you found any tombs?"
"Mmm…behind a waterfall near Lestallum. Noctis said it was the Tomb of the Wanderer." He spotted Prompto giving Noctis a massage now, humming softly as he worked on tight muscles, Noctis having moved to sprawl on his stomach before the fire. He smiled softly as he listened to the soft tune.
"We have word of two more in the area," Cor told him but Ignis was barely listening, slowly falling under the power of Prompto's humming. Cor called him several times but received no answer, worrying him. He'd had word of the earthquakes and rumour that the Oracle had passed through, had she woken Titan? "IGNIS!" he all but screamed into the phone.
Ignis jerked, blinking. "Yes?"
"I've been calling your name. what is wrong? Are you injured?"
"Everything's fine….more tombs?"
That got Prompto's attention and he looked over, no longer humming but still working on Noct's back.
Ignis blinked, straightening some in his chair. "Do you know which ones and exactly where they are?"
Cor listened as Ignis appeared more alert, perhaps the boys were not sleeping enough? that could be dangerous on a hunt or even against MT's. "The Tomb of the Tall is meant to be in southern Duscae while the Tomb of the Just, west of the Disc of Cauthess."
"Thank you for the information Marshall, we shall investigate immediately."
"Sounds like you need more sleep first Scientia," he chided.
"Perhaps, we have been doing a lot of hunts. Looking for Tombs will be a good break," he admitted.
"Very well, look after yourselves," with that Cor hung up.
"Tombs?" Noct asked from where he lay limp on the ground.
"Two possibilities, the Tall and the Just," Ignis answered as Gladio re-joined them.
"What'd I miss?" he sat in his own chair with a bottle of water, the sun setting behind him.
"Cor called with info on two tombs," Noctis answered sleepily, pressing up into Prompto's hands.
"Any idea which we should try first?" the youngest asked as he focused on Noctis.
"We're closer to the area where the Tall should be thanks to that ingredient harvesting we did," Ignis replied.
"Sounds good," Gladio agreed as he tossed his empty bottle back to the kitchen area, stretching out. "Noct?"
"Mmmm….yeah….whatever…" he mumbled sleepily, earning chuckles from the older two.
Ignis shifted in his chair, feeling unsettled, something was missing…and then he sighed and relaxed as the soft sound reached him. He watched Prompto as he worked, he was so beautiful….his thoughts slowed, half closed eyes staring through Prompto, phone falling from lax fingers to land on the stone, but no one reacted to the noise.
All three men were lost in the music as Prompto looked up at them, seeing the way they were and in the back of his head a voice screamed at him to stop, that this was wrong, but it was a quiet voice, easily ignored as he crawled over to Gladio, a hand reaching out to slide into thick black hair, fingers massaging his scalp lightly and Gladio whined softly, unable to do anything else. He pulled him closer and kissed him hungrily, Gladio responding lethargically. Prompto moved back and then went to Ignis, looking up at him even as Ignis began to stir in the silence. He was coming back to awareness as warm lips claimed his and Ignis surrendered, a hand clutching at Prompto's vest. When he broke the kiss Prompto began singing softly and Ignis slumped again, the sound dragging him back under with no resistance, mind craving the song, becoming addicted to it.
Prompto moved back to where an insensate Noctis lay, gently pulling the limp body into his arms. He nuzzled Noct's throat, teeth grazing the scar from his teeth and Noct whined high in his throat as it burned pleasantly. His head lolled, face expressionless, half lidded eyes fixed ahead, mind blank. Prompto gently caressed warm skin with the hand not holding Noctis against him. He stood and carried Noctis into the tent, stripping them both off, eyes roving over Noctis' bared skin. He leant down and began nuzzling, licking and nipping at the expanse of warm skin, exploring with mouth and hands. Soft, breathy noises of pleasure slipped from Noctis, body reacting instinctively to the stimulation even as his muscles remained too relaxed to allow him to do anything in return. Neither paid any attention when the other two stumbled into the tent, hands fumbling with clothing until they too were naked before the crumpled onto the sleeping bags, bodies reacting to the noises coming from Prompto and Noctis. Clumsy, floppy limbs moved, Gladio pulling Ignis against his own body, both making soft needy noises.
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Ignis woke slowly, feeling warm and safe, usually sharp mind slow as his eyes slowly opened. He blinked sleepily, taking in an expense of naked, scared skin…Noct…he yawned, snuggling into the warmth around him. A warm hand moved over his hip and he distantly realised he was naked as well, but it didn't feel all that important. Teeth nibbled the shell of his ear and he groaned, the hand on his hip slipping lower.
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Noctis woke up slowly, in no pain which was nice and helping to keep him from waking fully. He could hear noises behind him, noises of pleasure but he didn't have the energy to roll over and see. There were arms around him, holding him close, and they made him feel utterly safe, protected. He slowly opened his eyes, to find he was tucked under someone's chin, chest to chest. He rubbed his cheek against them, the noises causing his body to respond, and he whined in need. He felt the body shift, grip tightening around him. Then they loosened and rolled him over so that his back was to the chest of the other and he blinked, trying to focus.
It was…Specs….Iggy….writhing against Gladio, glasses missing, hair lying flat, green eyes open wide as he moaned, head back. Gladio's hand was wrapped around him, moving and then Noctis gasped, thoughts scattering as a hand wrapped around him as well. Prom…had to be Prompto…he was soon in the same condition as Ignis and then Ignis reached out, pulling his head in, kissing him, claiming his mouth roughly and Noctis let him do as he pleased. Something was missing….he needed….and then he heard it, a soft hum against his skin and he cried out in pleasure, panting for air as his body relaxed again even as Ignis screamed, jerking in Gladio's arms, before slowly calming down.
The humming was nice…calm…..he yawned and gently drifted back to sleep along with Ignis and Gladio. Prompto hummed for a bit longer before going to sleep as well.
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They walked through the trees, sunlight streaming down around them, spread out in order to search better.
"Here!" Gladio called and they converged on him, seeing the white building in the clearing.
"No cave?" Prompto asked, grinning, happy this tomb wasn't in a creepy cave or worse.
"Something doesn't feel right," Noctis admitted, moving closer. It was soon obvious what that was, the doors were wide open. They entered slowly only to find no weapon.
"It's been trashed," Prompto offered as they looked around.
"Indeed, daemons by the look of this damage. Let us hope the other tomb has not been looted." Ignis glanced around, wary. With nothing else to see they left the tomb and headed back to the Regalia.
"Imperials above us!" Prompto called, hearing the engine first and they ran for the heavier tree cover, hoping to remain unseen but it was too late and the MT's dropped from the ship. Weapons appeared in their hands as they went to work. He hated facing the Magitek soldiers, knowing he could have been among them, would have been if not for whoever saved him. He took aim at the snipers first, leaving the axemen to the others. He was shocked when one turned to him and a voice came from the helmet. The words made no sense, if they were words, but his gun fell from suddenly slack fingers, vanishing back to the armiger as he stood, frozen in place. Staring into red eyes and expressionless helmet, there was nothing he could do as two more moved towards him, reaching for him.
"PROM!" Noct screamed and then he was there, sword buried in the chest of the one that had spoken.
Prompto stumbled and shook his head, calling his gun back and turning to shoot. Was his hand shaking? He tried to ignore it and finally the MT"s were all gone.
"Prompto, are you okay? What happened?" Noctis demanded, hands running over him to check for wounds.
"I…I don't know, I couldn't move."
"A spell?" Ignis asked and he shrugged.
"It sounded…like it spoke, and I couldn't move," he whispered.
"I suggest we leave, now," Ignis said, looking around and Noct nodded. Gladio moved to Prompto's side, helping the shaken man along.
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Ardyn smirked as the data came back before the units were destroyed. It was annoying that they had been interrupted, but that was alright. The boys would be spooked now, how would they react when more MT"s came and only the clone was affected? They probably assumed it was some sort of spell, but a spell would affect anyone. The implanted mental controls were still present within his mind and why wouldn't they be? They were imprinted in every clone from birth whenever they slept. There was no way to detect them or remove them as they were imprinted in the subconscious. Once they became a true MT it didn't matter that they were gone.
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The closer they got to the disc the more frequently the headaches came. Noctis leant against Gladio in the backseat, head throbbing, as Ignis drove. The plan was to get past the area as quickly as possible. Unfortunately they ran into a blockade, obviously meant to block of the disc but it was keeping them from heading west.
"Hello there! Do you need some help?" a voice called and Noctis looked over to see the man they'd run into at Galdin Quay. How could he wear so much clothing in this heat. "Finally come to make a covenant with the Archaean? I am sure Lestallum will thank you when the quakes stop."
That they hadn't known. Noctis glanced at the others, that wasn't why they had come at all. And then he groaned as the ground shook, pressing hands to his head.
"Aren't nursery rhymes curious things? Like this one: 'From the deep, the Archaean calls…" "… Yet on deaf ears, the gods' tongue falls, The King made to kneel, in pain, he crawls'."
"So how do we keep him on his feet?" Prompto asked warily, glancing back at the pained Noctis, instinct screaming to protect him.
"You need only heed the call. Visit the Archaean and hear his plea. I can take you."
They exchanged looks but at this point, what else could they do? The stranger leant in and whispered in Prompto's ear, none of the others noticing as blue eyes went blank briefly before Prompto shook his head.
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Ardyn led them through the barricade, quite pleased with himself. The clone was progressing nicely, he could see the difference in him since their first meeting. His body was changing but not deforming which was a very good sign and no he had implanted the command to go to the sea which the boy would obey. He did wonder what the group would think when the blonde vanished into the water but in the end it didn't matter.
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They were very glad to leave the man behind at the blockade, driving as close as they could before getting out to walk.
"These ruins…" Ignis looked around as they got close to the ledge at the end of the path.
"Is that what I think it is?" Prompto asked with wide eyes.
"Didn't expect to find a royal tomb here," Ignis agreed.
"Would be a shame not to grab that power, eh, Highness?" Gladio smirked at Noctis who nodded.
"Let's grab it and go," Noctis entered the half destroyed Tomb and the sarcophagus near the ledge, holding out his hand over it. They watched as the Royal Arm rose up and then plunged into Noctis' chest.
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Ignis steadied Prompto as he stumbled, frowning in concern. Prompto was red, sweat soaking his clothes, lips parched. Ignis pulled a water bottle from the armiger and forced him to drink the contents, reviving him somewhat. He did not like how badly the younger male was taking the heat at all. Prompto had always burned easily, but so did all of them other than Gladio, the downside to fair skin. This was far beyond that kind of reaction though. "We're almost there," he assured him, hoping it was true. Prompto should have stayed with the car.
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Noctis swung his sword down into the arm of the Titan, shattering it all the way up to the elbow; Titan then collapsed. "Hey, we all still here?" he called to the others, worried.
"Yep, still here."
"If a little battered," Ignis adjusted his glasses and moved to where Prompto was leaning against a rock, panting.
"Does this mean it's over?" he asked dazedly before having more water forced on him. What wouldn't he give for the ocean right then?
The tremors suddenly resumed in intensity, making them stumbled. "What—what is it now?" Noctis snapped, having seen Prompto and worried for him.
"What is he doing?" Ignis called, having fallen behind a large outcropping but he staggered up again to take a look.
"He's winding up!" Prompto yelled, fear evident in his voice.
"For the big one!" Gladio agreed.
Titan roared; golden lights began to emanate from his body, some of which coalesced around Noct, showing him Titan's memory of Luna standing before the god.
"That was… …Luna. You spoke with her. That's why…" he shook his head, trying to clear it.
Titan and the Meteor suddenly became incorporeal in a powerful flash that sent all the imperial ships in the vicinity crashing to the ground; lava spewed from the earth as the Disc of Cauthess crumbled around Noctis and his retinue.
"Doesn't get much worse than this," Gladio growled, pulling Noctis up and away from the spewing lava. The four find themselves trapped by the flowing lava, Ignis having to hold Prompto up as he gasped for air, skin deathly pale where it wasn't red.
Prompto weakly pointed up and they followed his hand to see an imperial drop ship descending towards them.
"The empire! Now?" Ignis spat in disbelief.
The drop ship's door lowered; revealing the stranger. "Fancy meeting you here!" that got him stunned stares. "It occurs to me I never formally introduced myself. Izunia. Ardyn Izunia."
"Imperial Chancellor Izunia?" Ignis demanded and the man bowed theatrically.
"At your service. And more importantly, to your aid," he waved at the ship, but they stayed where they were, uncertain. "I guarantee your safe passage. Though you're always welcome to take your chances down there." They still didn't move, obviously not wanting to accept his help now they knew who he was. "Buried among the rubble, is it?"
"Dying here is not an option. We have no choice, Noct. Prompto can't take this heat much longer," Ignis offered and Noctis glanced at his best friend, seeing how out of it he was.
"I know," he moved forward, and they followed him into the ship which ascended as soon as they were aboard.
"Oh, thank the gods I found you boys," Ardyn smirked as they stood in the hold.
Ignis moved to stand facing Ardyn while the others sat, hunched on the floor. Noctis pressed a wet towel to Prompto's face while Gladio helped him drink. "And what will you do with us now?" The Adviser demanded.
"Why, grant you safe passage—just as I said."
"Pretty generous offer for an imperial," Prompto slurred.
"Come now. Is it fair to begrudge a man the circumstances of his birth?" Ardyn smirked and Prompto would have flinched if he had the energy.
Ardyn left and Ignis moved to crouch beside them. "So what do we do after he drops us off?" Gladio asked as Prompto slowly sat up.
"Go get the car."
"Can't leave her unattended for long," Ignis agreed with his Prince.
They spent several hours in the hold, Prompto slowly recovering from the heat exposure, Noctis running his fingers through soft blonde hair. Finally the ship descended, and the ramp lowered.
Ardyn reappeared with a smile. "I do hope you boys find your car soon. Good luck!" He waved them off, smirking as the smell of salt air wafted in, seeing the blonde beginning to truly perk up at the smell.
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They made it to a Haven just as the daemons began appearing, settling in to camp, glad most of their camping gear was stored in the armiger rather than the car. Prompto sat, head back, enjoying the sea breeze. It was calling to him, whispering secrets of the deep, he almost stood but then Noctis was at his side and he smiled, nuzzling hit throat. Noctis tipped his head, offering the scar and Prompto pulled him into his lap, licking and nipping at the mark before biting down, hard. Noctis screamed, eyes rolling back as he writhed in Prompto's arms as Prompto reaffirmed his claim, something he'd been fighting the urge to do since facing Titan. He held tightly to Noctis, teeth buried in his throat, hot blood in his mouth and he swallowed it down, feeling hunger surge but he would not hurt him. He let go of his throat, licking the wound to close it and then tugged Noct's head up, seeing blue eyes darkened to black, utterly lust filled, unfocused and it no longer bothered him at all to see Noctis like that, it felt good to know he could make him feel so good, to break his 'cool' attitude and turn him into a needy, lust driven instinctive being.
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Ignis forced himself to look away from the fireside, focus on making food. That was….well…he glanced over to see Gladio still watching and tossed an onion at him to make him look away.
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Hearing that the Regalia was at the nearest garage was a relief and they set out early the next morning, walking along the road as it followed the cliffs. They would have to camp again that night, but they would reach the car the next day, so long as there weren't too many interruptions.
TBC…
