—
"This is as far as I can take you. Make haste and follow the road – there's a Haven only a few miles from here." Ignis gestured with the blade of his lance before flipping it around and returning it to the sheath that sat diagonally across his back. He was doing his best to disguise his accent, but he wasn't sure that was even necessary with how gruff his voice had become from lack of use again. Even someone who directly knew him probably wouldn't make the connection. They probably wouldn't recognize him by sight either, given his beard, somewhat unkept hair, and darkened goggles he'd taken to wearing.
And that was the plan. He was no longer clean shaven, he wasn't using his natural accent when he spoke to people, his hair style was different, he wasn't using his primary weapon, and his eyes weren't showing… The more differences the better. That way if the people he was helping made it back to Lestallum and spread word of him, his description now would rouse no suspicions.
He was just another rogue survivor, helping out where he could.
He wished he could help more, but the farther he stayed from the city the better, and he had other tasks to attend to.
"Thank you so much for your help, sir!" the father of the group stepped forwards, taking Ignis' hand and shaking it firmly. "We never would have made it this far. Bless you!"
Ignis didn't linger after bidding him and his two adult sons farewell. They were all in fairly good shape, considering everything. They had a good chance of making it to Lestallum, even if it was still a bit of a journey.
At least it wasn't as much of a journey as Ignis still had to go himself. His daemonic genetics granted him the extra stamina he needed to keep going, but his mental exhaustion was higher than ever.
So long he'd been out here… Almost a full year now. And still he was no closer to saving Noct.
His next lead, though… This one was a bit different. He hadn't finished checking all of the tombs yet, but this particular lead was closer than the next one of those. And far more dangerous.
More dangerous than the daemon filled world he roamed… Now that truly put things into perspective.
Ignis adjusted his bag on his shoulder, giving the family he'd helped one last look to make certain they were set before he headed off to his next destination.
The air was always cold outside of Lestallum, but there was a particular chill of foreboding that crept up Ignis' spine as he neared the entrance of the cave ahead of him.
His instincts were telling him not to enter. They were telling him to turn and flee as far as he could.
Interesting. He wondered if the others had felt this or if it was just his circumstances causing it. Either way, he was going to ignore those instincts.
He sheathed his lance but made certain he could access it easily.
He wasn't here to fight, but he wasn't going to walk willingly into death either if things went wrong.
Ignis stepped forwards into the shrouded entrance.
He'd expected the tunnels to be dark – for him to have to rely on his enhanced sight and to possibly have to take off his recently acquired goggles.
That was not the case.
Blue flames lit the path before him as they burned magically upon the walls.
Ominous. But helpful, at least.
…Especially with the sudden fog around his feet.
Ignis glanced at the ground beneath his boots cautiously. There were bodies ahead.
"Another challenger, so soon?"
Ignis tensed, gaze flitting around in search for the voice's source. He couldn't find one.
A different voice laughed, the sound seeming to come from everywhere at once in a way that raised the hairs on the back of Ignis' neck. "Your life is forfeit before you have even begun, challenger. The Chosen's true Shield has already graced these halls. You lust for power has led you to ruin."
It was at those words that the bodies on the ground began to twitch and rise like puppets being picked up by their strings.
How obnoxiously presumptuous.
"It is not the Blademaster's power I seek." Ignis lowered himself to one knee, resting one arm atop it. "Merely his knowledge of a time long since passed."
"Knowledge. Power. What are they but two sides of the same coin? Both are something to be earned. Neither should be given at a mere request. Especially not to one who holds so much darkness within."
…Blast. His condition could be sensed?
The resurrected bodies drew nearer, now all armed with weapons they'd plucked from beside where they'd lain.
"That darkness lies within my blood, not my heart," Ignis protested, his heart rate kicking up as the crowd continued to advance on him. Still, he did not move. "My desire is to save a life, not to gain something here that would be put to ill use. Will the Blademaster not even lend an ear to my query?"
"Perhaps he will… Should you reach him."
The voice's last words were punctuated by the closest fighter swinging its sword at him.
Ignis twisted out of the way at the last second, returning to his feet and whipping out his lance in one smooth motion. "So be it. If I must undertake the trials to be granted an audience, then that is what I will do."
If Gladio had succeeded, then so could he.
…Providing that he didn't have to fight the Blademaster himself. Gladio might have won there as well, but Cor had not. That made Ignis extremely wary.
But he didn't want the Blademaster's power or blessing. Gladio was perfectly welcome to keep that to himself even.
…Gladio, however, had held a few advantages that Ignis very much did not. One, Cor had been with him for part of the time, helping him via advice and with his blade. And two… Gladio had held full access to the armiger.
Despite having been without that for almost a year now, Ignis still found himself bemoaning the absence of it.
Another laugh echoed around him as he sprang into action with his lance.
"He possesses the King's power, yet he wastes it."
"Is the challenger to ashamed of what he is to accept the King's aid?"
"Not shame," Ignis corrected, striking down the first of the fighters. "Only strategy."
"Then let us see where your strategy gets you."
The answer was far enough.
Ignis stood panting, exhausted, and a bit bloodied before the third trial chamber, but he was still very much alive.
For the moment, at least.
The havens around had been welcome, but they didn't grant any true relief since he couldn't use any curatives or waist his supplies on a fire for such a short span of time, but the bits of rest had helped at least a small amount.
He envied Gladio's journey through here. He'd gotten boosted after every trial – something the voices took great glee in mocking Ignis about since he "didn't want power and therefore wouldn't miss them."
Ignis took a breath as he stepped into the next chamber.
One of the voices cackled again, and Ignis finally decided that the one that kept doing that was his least favorite of the many of them.
"He grows weary."
"Of your inane prattling? I do indeed," Ignis shot back, answering them in kind for the first time.
A chuckle from one of the tamer voices. "So his lance isn't the only thing that's sharp…"
If more was said by them after that, Ignis didn't hear it. He was too busy being overcome with dread at the sound of a giant spawning.
A small giant.
…A small giant. How ironic.
Bloody hell did he miss his magic more than ever.
What the giant lacked in size when compared to its brethren it more than made up for with its superior speed.
Ignis hated quick enemies. He doubly hated enemies that were quick and large.
Thankfully, Ignis still held the advantage of agility by a solid amount, and he slowly whittled away at the beast's strength.
Astrals was this exhausting, though It was only a matter of time before he slipped up.
…And he did.
It wasn't by much, but it was enough that he was likely to be carrying a small burn scar between his neck and left shoulder from now on. And he needed a new shirt that didn't have a singed hole in it. Lovely.
Dear Astrals he hoped Gilgamesh wouldn't challenge him personally. He was bloody dead if that happened.
But waiting would change nothing, and so he continued forwards.
No more enemies. No blockades – Gladio had already cleared those, evidently.
Nothing but silence and swords – the swords of countless that had clearly fallen before Gladio's arrival. They stood upright in the ground, framing a long, narrow walkway that led to the Blademaster.
"Welcome, Advisor to the new world's King."
Gilgamesh turned, eyes more bright and jarring than Ignis had ever found his own.
—
