AN: Hiyoo! How's everyone been? I've had an awesome week - fiance and I held a joined birthday party last weekend, with laser tag and escape room and all the jazz, and these past few days I've been just exhilarated. I hope you guys are doing good, too.

However, I have less nice, news, too I'm afraid. Some of you might have noticed it before, but I'm now officially announcing that I'm planning on ditching FFnet. I've grown sick and tired of the site's content regulations (frankly, a few of my smut fics would be enough to have me banned so I'm just waiting to be kicked, really) and the constant bugs FFnet has.

I don't want anyone to feel like Im not appreciating you guys, I do. I really do. I will keep posting Fin here, too, and any other WIP I have started. Just, I've deemed Ao3 to function so much better. You're welcome to follow my Ao3 or Tumblr if you feel like you don't wanna miss out on anything. My Ao3 nickname is the same, and a link to my Tumblr can be found from my profile. Sorry about this, but I'm about done with this site. FFnet will remain as a backup, and I'm not deleting anything I already have here, but I'm not promising I'll keep this as updated, either.

Sorry about this, guys! I really love it that you're enjoying my work so much, but I'm getting tired of this platform. As soon as FFnet gets its s*** together, we have no problem anymore.

Now! Onto the chapter. In which Ignis is a little damsel in distress.

Beta read by Elillierose, as usual.

Chapter 9 - Out of the City

The solitary man lets out a deep sigh. He allows his head to tilt further back against the brick as his eyes slide close. Sitting both knees drawn to his chest, Ignis wraps his arms around his legs.

It's cold. As the night has deepened, the lowering temperature has crept into the stones, nesting there like a spider waiting for its chance to surprise him when he would let his guard down. Shivers run along his back in endless strings. His teeth chatter lightly.

He's exhausted, but his mind remains crystal-clear, ignoring the fatigue and the aches of his body as all he can think of is: he has failed.

He has failed Noct, and he has failed himself. He has failed his king, his comrades, his uncle. In a lot of ways, he has even failed that blasted damn man Dino, but out of all his regrets, that one bothers him the least.

And yet, that despicable grin, that false camaraderie the man had offered, all of it stands as the culmination of his blunder, curse him! Without Dino, Ignis would have next to no chance of ever knowing peace as the unknownness of what happened to Noct would haunt him forever. The thought of what happens to him now -exiled, probably to die in the wild- seems insignificant in comparison.

His right arm still throbs with the ebbing pains, the forever reminder of his treason fresh on both his mind and his flesh. The ugly V-shaped marring where the white-hot kiss of the iron dishonored him. "V". For verecundia, Old Solheimean for 'shame'. The evidence of his shame, his punishment for acting out of his place.

The king wasn't to be blamed for his suffering, though. His Majesty was simply cleaning the trash out of his sight so that he wouldn't have to look at it anymore.

Ignis would never be able to look at himself.

He lets out a mix of a sob and a sigh, and rests his forehead against a knee. Alone and cold, Ignis sends out a silent prayer. For Noct to be alright, and that he would find his way back home.

And that he would forgive him.

For not being there to see him return. For not being able to get him back sooner.

Suddenly, there is a loud echo of a crash and shuffles; Ignis gasps in surprise. There are sounds of a struggle. The guards fighting perhaps? Ignis is well aware of the gambling and drinking problem amongst the soldiers; perhaps a dispute? Hoping dearly that the intoxicated men wouldn't decide to take their anger out on their ward, Ignis presses his back tighter against the cold stone, ignoring the bite of it, and a small grunt slips out at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Bracing himself, Ignis stands up. If they expect him to lay down and simply allow them to beat him, they would be sadly mistaken. He would face them with what pride he has left, at least. As the steps reach his cell, Ignis' shoulders tense.

"Iggy?" A sharp hiss, gravelly and low. Ignis gasps at the recognition.

"Gladio?"

The man steps out of the shadows to stand before his cell, and pulls back the large hood to reveal the features. Gladiolus Amicitia, and Ignis doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He hadn't expected Gladio to care enough to come to say goodbye.

Ignis' shoulders drop with a broken sigh. "What are you doing here, Gladio?"

The shield doesn't answer him, not immediately. He folds his arms over his chest and just looks at him, his expression one of disbelief and regret, and Ignis finds himself feeling uncomfortable under that intense stare.

"So. Here we are," Gladio sighs, shaking his head as his eyes drop to the ground.

It's an odd thing to say; Gladio has been well aware of his intention from the start, after all. "Yes. I suppose so," Ignis half-asks, expecting the man to elaborate.

"I didn't think you'd really do this, Iggy. Dumb doesn't suit ya."

The adviser raises an offended eyebrow. "I don't think my intelligence has anything to do with it, Gladio."

"I know. Just, seeing the ever-uptight you actually going out of your way to steal that stone…"

Ignis' eyes slide closed as if in shame; he turns away. "I have done what I had to. You know this." Subconsciously, his fingers feel for the burnmark, and he twitches but manages to stop the pained sound in his throat in the nick of time.

It hasn't deceived the eyes of the shield, however, who has noticed the motion; the amber lingers on the mark before it returns to look at his face. "You really believe this guy then." A statement, not a question, and one so obvious a mere look from Ignis is enough to convey that he isn't going to voice something as apparent, after everything.

"I'm afraid it matters no more what I believe, Gladio," Ignis sighs sadly.

"Actually," the shield starts, and something about that demands Ignis' attention, and he turns back to him, "I think it's all that matters anymore." And Gladio reaches into the folds of his cloak, and pulls out a large, orange-hued gemstone.

Ignis chokes on his gasp. "Gladio! That is-" is all he manages; then, "Why? Now, you, too..."

"Yeah. I know," Gladio confirms, the large fingers closing around the stone. "Tch. Must say, I didn't think it would come to this," he chuckles humorlessly.

Ignis says nothing. Stunned by his shock, his silence demands Gladio to explain.

The shield shakes his head. "To be honest, Iggy...I think this hunch of yours might be the best chance we have. And not just us. I think it's the best chance Lucis has."

"Meaning?"

Gladiolus fixes him with a long look, and something about it makes Ignis want to hide. "Lucis is going to war, Iggy. My sister will be a sitting duck in a defenceless city when the men sail away. And with all due respect-" he rolls his eyes at someone who isn't there, "it's a suicide mission."

"Even if we managed to take Accordo by surprise, we simply don't have enough men to overthrow the city," the shield deadpans. "In any case, the war would end with Lucian defeat, and the way I see it, if I'm going to die for my country, I reckon I might as well try to save it while I'm at it."

"Gladio…"

"What's that they say? Desperate times call for desperate measures." Then, seriousness returns to his features, "The king thinks he's going to avenge his son. Bringing Noct back is the only way to stop this, Iggy. If this guy is real...if there's a chance…"

"...that Noct's still alive and he's back to change His Majesty's mind…!" the gears spin wildly in the young adviser's head.

"Exactly. Worth a try, at least," the shield nods. "Let's face it, Iggy. Like you, I'd be offering my life anyway. Either for the war, or with you, trying to stop it. And the way it looks to me, hnh, Altissia's only going to go one way. We can't win this war."

"Agreed. There simply aren't enough mobilizable men for a successful conquest."

"That's right. So, rather than sailing out there, only to get myself killed…"

"I see…"

"I'd rather not see my sister end up an orphan prize of war and Insomnia turn to ashes under some bandit raids," Gladio says grimly. "Just, lemme ask you one thing."

"You know my answer," Ignis insist.

"Do you really think there's a chance?"

Ignis straightens his posture before answering him. His expression calm and collected again, he tells him, "I'm certain of it."

Gladiolus studies his expression for a moment. The firmness of the jaw, the determined look in the forest-bed eyes. He's looking for any indication of doubt. He isn't seeing any. "In that case," he nods, please audible in his tone as a small smirk curls his lips up at the edge, "let's go."

Metal jingles together when Gladio digs out the set of keys. Ignis can't help a snort. "It wasn't each other the guards were fighting then," he notes with a hint of amusement.

Gladio just shrugs, his grin spreading. "Five more minutes, and it would have been. One of them was clearly cheating."

The cell door opens with a low creak, and Ignis steps out, a quiet breath of relief leaving him. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Not yet, at least. We still gotta get out of here," the shield is already pushing passed him, back towards the exit from the prison ward.

"Indeed." Ignis hurries after him. "But how are we going to-" His sentence is interrupted as the sight of the beat-up men, splayed on the floor and damaged furniture, is displayed before him. "Splendid, Gladio. A fine example of exercising excess force on an inferior opponent," he notes with displease, although there is mischief in his eyes.

Gladio doesn't bother with his attempt at humor. "Let's go. Let's head for the winery. There's a boat that'll take us out of the citadel."

"We'll need a hideout."

"Already got that covered. One Glaive owes me one. She's waiting for us at the Lambrican mill."

Ignis' steps slow down to a near halt; he shoots the other an impressed (surprised) look. "You've been busy."

"Believe me, many are less than eager to go to war again. Most just try to keep quiet about it." He turns around to urge the other, "Let's go."

"Gladiolus."

Ignis has come to stand completely still. His eyes on the floor and posture tense, the slight rise and fall of his chest and shoulders the only movement about him. Then, he looks up, and Gladio is sure that the sun has risen at the look of gratitude shining in Ignis' eyes.

"Thank you."

Gladio ogles him for a moment, dumbstruck. Then, that savage grin is back. "What're you sayin', Iggy? That I'd let you keep all the fun for yourself?" The grin is returned, and the shield cocks his head. "You done then? 'Cause we've got a boat to catch."

"How many did you take out?!" Ignis exclaims as they pass another group of blissfully oblivious soldiers, most of whom looked a bit worse for wear than the men at his cell block.

"Enough to be in serious trouble with the Marshall," Gladio grunts, not slowing down as they pass the unconscious men.

"As if we wouldn't be in enough trouble as is," the strategist mutters. "You do realize you have committed multiple felonies tonight, my friend?"

"Yeah, and a few more to come, so forgive me if I'm not counting."

The prison ward is located in the south-eastern corner of the citadel. Gladio peers into the deep night as they reach the entrance. "Let's move. By the wall, quickly."

As quickly as they can, without making too much noise and never leaving the shadowy protection of the perimeter wall, Gladio leads them along. Ignis' heart hammers in his throat, loud enough that he wishes he could reach in and strangle it to stop it from making so much noise. He is sure the beating is loud enough to give them away.

Gladio shouldn't have come. He has made a mistake helping him, Ignis is sure of that. And if they would be caught together, Gladio would...Gladio, too…

He doesn't have time to finish that thought. In front of him, Gladio stops dead on his tracks with a low, sharp hiss, and raises a balled fist. 'Stop.' Ignis freezes; there's an arm across his chest, sternly guiding him to stand behind the shield. 'Quiet.'

The circle of light washes over their faces as the night guard passes them. Pressed against the crevices of the stone wall, the men don't dare to even breathe as a young archer stomps by them, whistling a light tune to himself as he goes. The torch illuminates them, for an eternal moment they stand there in bare sight.

It must be the guidance of the Six that the archer doesn't happen to glance behind him as he continues across the courtyard. As the light retreats, the danger passes them, Ignis, for the first time, dares to let his breath go.

'Let's go,' Gladio whispers, and the brunet only nods, his heart still shaking at the close call. Silently, like shadows, the men make their way towards the citadel kitchens, and the moldy staircase that leads to the winery.

Winery.

Ignis' eyes widen.

"Gladio!"

"Yeah?" the man hisses back, a bit irritably.

"What about the portcullis?!"

The underground port of the winery, where the boats would load and unload the cargo, was sealed by a portcullis. And the mechanism was on another floor. One of them would have to stay behind to operate it.

Perhaps that hadn't occurred to Gladio since the man cussed lowly. "Alright. We'll bust it somehow. We'll figure it out once we're there. Now we just-"

In the distance, a low horn sounds, then bellows again. Lights light up somewhere on the other side of the yard, where they had come from. Gladiolus' face falls.

"Run!"

Still keeping to the shadows the best they could, the men rush towards the winery. It is only a matter of time before the alarm would alert the entire citadel. If they were still there… From behind them, they hear the indistinguishable shouts of orders being given, the commotion of the guards as the men gather at the courtyard. Salt and smoke sting Ignis' eyes.

He almost trips on his feet when Gladio suddenly shoves him to run ahead of him. They can see the winery already. The commotion on the courtyard is spreading rapidly, there are lights on multiple windows across the citadel. The shouts seem to be closer already.

"Keep goin', Iggy," Gladio grunts. "Get the oar, I'll open the gate. No matter what happens, don't wait for me!"

"But Gladi-!"

"Just do it! Get on the boat and get going. I'll catch up by swimming. Get the Eye, and go!"

One look at the unyielding expression on the bodyguard's face, and Ignis swallows all his protests, and takes the offered fabric bundle that holds the stone. One of them has to operate the gate. Gladio would have a better chance at combat than him should one arise. Seeing no other option, reluctantly Ignis just nods.

"Good. Just remember, Lambrican mill. If I'll...fall behind...for any reason, Iggy, head there. Crowe will help you."

"Crowe…?"

"Yeah, her. She'll be there until sunrise. Make it there."

"But what about-"

"Don't worry about me, okey? I'm right behind you!"

It's not an answer Ignis could accept. But nothing else would be offered for him. As they near the building, the strategist quenches the apprehension in his heart. This isn't the time. He needs the clarity.

The kitchen house is dark, the cooks and the maids still blissfully unaware of the approaching storm as the men dash through the courtyard. The side door leading down to the wine cellar is right there…

Then…

"There! By the kitchens!"

"Shit! Iggy, run!"

They crash through the door, nearly throwing it off the hinges. The second they're through, Gladio slams it shut.

"Gimme me a hand with this!" Together, they slide the two-by-four plank onto its place to bar the door. "That should give us a minute or two. Let's go."

Stealth and silence now all but forgotten, the men rush down to the basement. And Ignis' heart soars as there, in the small loading port, a boat is waiting.

"Let her off the shore!" Gladio grunts as he disappears to the second floor. He doesn't look back, and Ignis cannot linger. If anything happens to Gladio...well, he would blame himself for it later.

Hopping onto the boat, Ignis grabs the oar and pushes the boat off the loading deck. The portcullis is already rising in front of him - no Gladio, though, and Ignis' heart races at the thumping sounds coming from above. Then there is the first sound of splintering as the soldiers break through.

"Gladio! Come on!"

He doesn't catch the reply. Muffled by the stone, he can only keep hoping. The portcullis is up, they need to go. They need to go now! There is another loud crash, and he can hear shouts.

"Gladio!" He pushes the boat away from the port - Gladio told him to go. He would catch up. He said he would catch up…

Right?

'Gladio, please!' Upstairs, the door gives its final lament as it yields with a heavy creak.

"Gladio! Come on!" The boat is through the portcullis.

Gladio dashes down the stairs, pulling his cloak over his head and tossing it aside mid-step. He dives into the water, and swims.

The soldiers flood the basement, some are setting arrows onto the strings, pulling them tight. "Halt! Close the portcullis!"

"Gladio!" He sees panic flashing on the shield's face. The shield kicks harder, more desperately. He is so close. As if in a dream Ignis sees how the portcullis begins to fall. The last he sees of Gladio are his legs as the man dives.

The wooden spikes hit the water. Gladiolus slides under the closing portcullis a mere blink before the spikes sink into the muddy sand of the riverbed.

For a moment, Ignis can't breathe. Where is he?! He didn't...under that, did he? No. No, he couldn't, it'd be… Ignis' mouth has run dry, parched lips formulating words but nothing coming out-

Gladio breaks the water's surface with a loud cough, and immediately dives again to swim under water. The name catches in the adviser's throat, Ignis' heart beats double-time as he watches how the shield emerges from the murky water. In the ears, the enraged shouts of the soldiers, a few arrows fly at them, missing their mark but not by much.

With the last few kicks, Gladio reaches the boat and grabs the outstretched hand. With an exhausted groan, the shield hauls himself into the boat."Go!" Ignis gives the man a quick once over, but as soon as he determines Gladio to be alright, he grabs the oar, and slowly, much slowlier than he would like, the small boat fades into the darkness.