Chapter 15 - The Final Fantasy
"Why can't I go with you?" pleaded Alora.
"Because it's too dangerous, love," said Ignis kneeling before his daughter.
"But why do they get to go?" she asked anxiously. Ignis looked back at Gladio, Prompto, and Noctis.
"Because your Uncles have trained for this their entire lives," Ignis continued.
"But I can protect you," she tried to persuade. Ignis froze at those words remembering what Ardyn said to him ten years ago before beating him down with a giant mallet when he was pregnant with …
"No," he said dismissively.
"But."
"NO."
Alora looked like she was about to cry.
"Alora, I know you mean well … but … I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to you," said Ignis lovingly.
"I need you to stay here and look after the people of Hammerhead. Do you understand? I will be back for you," he said kissing her on the forehead.
A King Emerges
Noctis watched from afar as Ignis gave his daughter a pep talk. He couldn't help but feel sad and jealous, yet he was relieved that she was staying here.
"We ready to go?" said Gladio.
"Yeah, just give Iggy a minute," said Noctis. Prompto stood beside Noctis waiting for Ignis.
"He really loves her," said Prompto admiring his friend. "She's a really great kid, even if she has those crazy powers, she's very passionate," he continued.
"Just like her father," said Noctis. Ignis finished speaking with his daughter and joined his friends.
"Alright, let's go," said Gladio rearing to go. Ignis had a scowl on his face.
"You don't look happy," noted Noctis.
"I just told my daughter goodbye without explaining to her what we are doing. Of course I'm not bloody happy," snapped Ignis.
"Ignis," Noctis said with kingly authority. They all stopped. "I understand that she is your daughter, but this is the end of our journey," a wave of remorse came over Ignis, "I need you focused if we are to defeat Ardyn, because if you aren't, there isn't going to be a future for her," King Noctis finished. They all looked surprised.
"Understood, your Majesty," said Ignis Scientia looking directly at his king. Noctis's blue eyes pierced Ignis's green.
"While we are on the subject, are you going to tell her?" Noctis asked directly.
"Tell her?" Ignis asked afraid.
"Where she came from Ignis," Noctis said directly. Ignis brutally realized that his friend had truly become a king.
"I will tell her, when she is ready," Ignis said firmly.
"Good, so long as you tell her," Noctis concluded.
They finally arrived at the entrance of their fallen home of Insomnia.
"Home sweet home," said Gladio.
"At long last," said Prompto.
"What we have been waiting for," said Ignis.
"Yeah," said Noctis as he slipped on the Ring of Lucis. Their home was a worn down wreck that use to be filled with people. Now it was filled with deamons. They fought their way through. Gladio sliced with his heavy battle axe, Prompto shot through with his pistols, and Ignis snapped his fingers while slashing with his daggers any chance he got.
"We haven't fought like this in ages," noted Gladio.
"Really takes you back doesn't it," replied Noctis.
They arrived at the front gates of the citadel.
"It's all lit up," said Prompto.
"Guess he's expecting company," noted Gladio
"He wants this as bad as we do," said Noctis.
"He is really taking us by the hand," said Ignis suspiciously.
They went inside the building and headed for the elevator.
"The throne room … waits outside," said Gladio.
"Yeah and so does Ardyn," said Prompto cautiously.
"You're acting like he owns the place," said Gladio.
"Its time take it back," stated Ignis.
They entered the thrown room. Ardyn sat carelessly in the seat. "I'm afraid your out of luck," said Ardyn, "The throne brings you here. It seats only one," he laughed.
"Off my chair jester. The king sits there," declared Noctis.
Ardyn slammed his foot on the seat
"Oh, Noct how I have waited for this longer than you could ever know. Tonight the dreams of the blood royal, come to an end," announced Ardyn.
"This is my ascension," declared Noctis.
"Yours? Not mine? Or hers?" teased Ardyn.
"What are you talking about?" demanded Noctis.
"That little light bearer of yours, or his rather," Ardyn said pointing to Ignis,"You sure it's not hers?"
"What?!" exclaimed Ignis.
"Don't listen to him Iggy," said Noctis.
"You sure? Oh you might want to hear this. Why would the gods who made this very prophecy, intervene?" said Ardyn coyly.
"Don't. Listen," Noctis reiterated.
"But you might want to Prince Noctis," said Ardyn addressing him. Noctis looked up.
"The king of kings is said to become as powerful as the gods in order to sacrifice himself for all, but what happens if an already demi-god is thrown into the mix? She's not a part of your linage and certainly not mine, so why would the glacian herself make a deal with one of your best friends?" proposed Ardyn. Noctis thought about what Ardyn was saying but he didn't trust a word. "Additionally, how do you now that she is still at your little compound?" added Ardyn. Ignis inhaled sharply and grit his teeth. "Because in case you didn't know, she's not. I believe that's called bad parenting," Ardyn said to Ignis, "Shame on you." Ignis's green eyes started to turn red. Gladio had seen this phenomenon before.
"Iggy, don't," said Gladio.
"Iggy, do" taunted Ardyn. Ignis had not forgotten what Ardyn did to him before Alora was born.
"What do you want with her?" said Prompto sternly, remembering what Ardyn, did to him in Graela.
"Oh, it's not what I want with her, it's what her mother wants. Well, what her actual mother wants," baited Ardyn. The green in Ignis's eyes was completely replaced by red.
"Ignis, this isn't about her," Noctis reassured him.
"Are you sure" probed Ardyn.
"I'm sure," said Noctis confidently. Ardyn shot a dark purple substance at his friends, causing them to all fall like flies to the ground.
"What did you do," said Noctis with a growl in his voice.
"They have no place in this, the battle of kings, come Noctis," said Ardyn warping just outside the palace. Noctis warped after him.
A Battle of Royals
"The once helpless and hapless prince, is he now ready to claim his crown? Don't, let us down," taunted Ardyn.
Noctis warp charged at Ardyn, but he evaded. Noctis struck again, and Ardyn parried.
"So you are the chose king, but you are a second choice at best," taunted Ardyn as they struggled. Noctis overcame the his parry and threw him off balance. Ardyn counter attacked. "Can't you do anything better than that, ten years and nothing to show for it," he prodded. He slashed Noctis hard. Noctis stumbled backward to warp slice back into Ardyn. "Did I forget to mention that I'm immortal?" said Ardyn darkly. Noctis attacked again, but Ardyn parred, throwing him off guard. "Oh my revenge is soon in hand how long have I waited," Ardyn taunted while pinning Noctis to the ground. "Don't worry, it's far from over," said Noctis. Noctis twisted Ardyn's ankle to throw him off. "Well lets have it then, you and your crystal against all that I have become," said Ardyn recovering. Ardyn summoned his weapons of red light as Noctis summoned his of blue. Ardyn launched his red weapons at Noctis. Just as Noctis was about to counter strike, a white orb dropped around him blocking Ardyn's attack.
His heart dropped. His eyes rapidly scanned the area to find the source. Ardyn rolled his eyes. "So what do you think Noct, still think I'm wrong?" he teased. A coldness frosted their battle field. Gentiana, the glacian, appeared but she wasn't alone. Alora stood beside her. 'NO, not the child!' he thought frantically. Alora eyes glowed a bright white so that no iris nor pupil could be seen. She stepped fourth with arms out, palms up. Two white spheres hovered. It was at this moment Noct realized what Gladio meant back at the campfire. She threw the orbs, and they exploded simultaneously on impact with precision. "My god … " mouthed Noctis.
Alora made another sphere underneath her. She hovered above it allowing the sphere to move her quickly. When she came close to Ardyn, she backflipped off and kicked it into him. It shot at him with great power and speed. Star scourge leaked from him. "Why you little brat. Oh I never did like children," he spat. "HEY, ARDYN!" bellowed Noct. "Don't you EVER talk to my niece that way," he commanded with a look of piercing authority. He glowed blue with fiercely lit purple eyes. Noct shot a round house attack of royal arms at Ardyn.
He wasn't floating anymore. He was lying on a cold, hard, royal ground. Gladio and Prompto laid next to him incapacitated, and he wasn't dreaming. Struggling to move his arms, he could feel a heat igniting in his chest. His eyes burned a bright red. The muscles in his face struggled in a grimace. His arm moved slowly until it came to a push up position, and then the other one. His legs trembled. He yelled breaking Ardyn spell and stood tall. Ignis stumbled to the wall to catch his breath. Heat filled his eyes. He scanned the outside for Noctis and Ardyn, but he saw three heat signals and one blue instead. "No!" Ignis exclaimed.
While Ardyn was down, Noct warped to Alora. He looked at her with a smirk on his face and one hand up pretending to snap.
"Ready Alora?" Noct said slyly. She smiled back and copied his gesture. "Oh my mark," he said while loading some weapons behind him. Ignis heard the words as he came down the steps. Noct stood next to Alora. "3, 2, 1 … NOW," he instructed just like Ignis did. They snapped. Ignis came down the steps. A fire ball whip lashed out at Ardyn followed by Noct's arsenal of swords. Alora had two more orbs at the ready. Ignis stood in awe and terror and anger. Gentiana went to his side. Ignis turned to her with fiery eyes. "We need to talk," he said to her through his teeth. Alora fired another orb after Noctis fired a few more swords. Gentiana raised her hand so an ice storm raged and masked the battlefield. Ignis grew more frustrated and angry.
"Stay back!" Noctis ordered Alora. Alora ran to Gentiana.
"Did you just use me?! Did you give me his powers so that I may replace him?!" Ignis said igniting a raised hand before Alora reached them. "I don't care what you want anymore! You will NOT use Alora like this?!" he said nearly about to explode. Gentiana calmed him with a cold, icy kiss. Their eyes closed. The flames in his hand died out as did the fire in his chest.
"Mother? Father?" called Alora. Noctis reacted to her voice only to be distracted by the snowy, icy scene of Gentiana's lips on Ignis's. Ardyn attempted to take advantage, but Noctis fired weapon after weapon after weapon. 'There has to be an end to this, there HAS to be,' thought Noctis giving it his all. He pulled out father's glaive, his final weapon and stabbed Ardyn in the heart. Black star scourge poured from him.
"So that is how you would end it," said Ardyn finally falling to the ground. Ardyn laid on the ground still seeping star scourge. Noctis knelt beside him.
"Now it is over, majesty, what will you do?" Ardyn asked quietly as he slowly disappeared.
"What does Alora have to do with this?" Noctis interjected.
"Banish the demons and bring peace?" Ardyn continued unphased.
"Why were they here?" Noctis continued to demand.
"Erase me from history once more?" Ardyn finished. Noctis took a deep breath.
"This time you, you can rest in peace. Close your eyes forevermore," he said bitterly.
"I will await you, in the beyond … maybe … you'll find your answers there," Ardyn said finally disappearing from this world into the realm of the crystal. Rain replaced the ice and snow. Noctis could hear Prompto and Gladio coming down the steps. Ignis opened his eyes to find Gentiana and Alora gone. His eyes were still red and the heat returned. Noctis saw him tighten his fist and deeply furrow his brow. He looked like a daemon ready to claw someone's eyes out.
"Ignis," said Noct.
"Don't!" Ignis barked. Gladio and Prompto joined them.
"Is it over?" asked Prompto.
"Almost," said Noctis.
"Ignis?" asked Gladio. His back was to him. He didn't react. Noctis stood up.
"Gentiana and Alora were here," Noctis told them. Ignis clenched his jaw. Gladio could sense the tension.
"Why?" said Gladio.
"I don't know," said Noct. Daemon hoards were sprouting up all around them. Ignis yelled while ripping a loud snap, destroying an entire row of them. He breathed heavy. Noctis took him in his hands. Ignis shut his eyes tight.
"Ignis, this is it. I understand that you are upset and you have every right to be, but I don't want to leave like this," said Noctis calmly. Ignis sighed and took a deep breath.
"We'll find her Iggy," said Prompto determined.
"Yeah, we'll get her back," Gladio confirmed. Ignis opened his eyes. They were more relaxed but still red. They took a moment.
"So … this is farewell," said Ignis sadly. His chest still felt like it was on fire.
"Yeah here we are," said Noctis releasing him.
"It's all you," said Gladio.
"No turning back now," said Prompto. Noctis began walking up the stairs toward his ascension when he stopped.
"Prompto, Gladio, Ignis, I leave it to you … Walk tall, my friends," said Noctis.
"Majesty," They said collectively and bowed before their king.
Ascension
Noctis approached the throne.
"I'm home, I walk tall … and though it took me a while, I'm ready now," said Noctis placing himself in the seat.
"I love you all … Luna, Alora, Guys … Dad," he said. The ring of Lucis activated. His father's spirit hovered beside him. He drew his father's glaive. "Kings of Lucis, Come to me!" said Noctis placing the sword in front of him. The kings of past appeared before him in their glowing armor. They launched themselves into Noctis with their weapons unique weapon. He nearly passed out from the pain. Only his father remained. The ring glowed brighter.
"Dad … father … trust in me," said Noct. His father faced him. His amor appeared. He took his sword from Noctis and with it delivered the final blow. The ring's light over loaded.
He was back there standing tall in the blue prism of the Gods. Ardyn and all of his star scourge stood across him. Noctis reached out his hand. The ring ignited. The Kings of Lucis were at his side. Noctis could feel the ring taking his very life. He gave the order and they launched a final assault into Ardyn. Ardyn ceased to exist.
'Finally, It's over' he thought. The ring slipped off his finger and decomposed to ash. His body began to disintegrate. He could die at last, and no one else has to suffer. Alora was safe. I'll see you again, soon, Luna he thought.
He closed his eyes accepting his fate. A warmth took over his body. He opened his eyes to find light peering out from the cracks in his disappearing body. A large shining orb captured all three of them.
What? he thought. Gentiana stood there with Alora. Her little hand stretched out towards him.
"The price has been paid, a life for a life, it is enough" she said putting a hand on her daughter's shoulder, "Let there be light once more." 'Was this a joke?! A final fantasy?' he thought. Noctis watched as Alora closed her little fist, consuming them in light.
They transitioned outside the palace. He planted his feet on the ground with the bright white orb around him. It discouraged the daemons Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto were fighting. Ignis was still ignited. Flames came off him, burning his royal garb and eyes. Every daemon in his line of super vision was snapped into oblivion. Prompto got the leftovers. Gladio noticed the light behind him.
"What?!" said he astounded. Noctis stood before him surrounded by a bright white orb with Gentiana and Alora.
"Ignis!" cried Gladio. Ignis spun around quickly ready to strike, eyes ablaze. He froze tensely when he saw Noct, Gentiana, and his daughter. "Gentiana!" he bellowed furiously. He didn't want his daughter to see him in his beast mode. The shield faded away. Ignis dropped his guard and the flames dissipated. He panted heavily from the fight. With closed eyes, Gentiana nodded to her daughter. Alora ran towards Ignis who scooped her up in his arms. His green eyes pushed out the red. "Thank you," he breathed. She smiled, and opened her dark eyes before fading away. He looked toward Noctis who was still alive. Prompto and Gladio rushed over to join them.
After ten years, the dawn rose.
"Your Majesty," Ignis said brimming with joy. Noctis stood before his kingdom alive, examining his very existence.
"Alora is … really, something else," he said. Ignis's eyes got glassy again. He smiled strongly and hugged his daughter tight before putting her down.
"Uncle Noct," said Alora. Her voice stunned him. She walked over to him and grabbed his hand. Her touch reminded him of Luna's. He kneeled to face her. "Why were you so sad before?" she asked curiously. Noctis harden his expression. He didn't know how to be a parent or an uncle for that matter.
"I … um … I didn't know if I was going to get see you again," he said with a smile and watery eyes. He brushed her soft cheek in his hand lovingly.
"And, the king was going to die, for me? For his friends?" she said. Noctis froze. Alora was definitely the child of a god. Ignis got scared. "Yes," he answered. He dropped his hand from her face. She put a hand on his chest. "I won't let you die Uncle Noct, because then, we can't be friends, and you can't be king," she said plainly smiling. Noct's eyes got glassy, and he hugged her close. Ignis was filled with pride. She was his kid alright.
"Thank you, Alora," said Noct. "We made a good team today, didn't we?" He said to her. He looked up at Ignis.
"So, this is what happens when you make a deal with a god," said Noct.
Epilogue
Another campfire was granted that night. Ignis and Noct shared a moment alone. Ignis hadn't said much since they left the battle ground. He sat watching the flames of the campfire dance. Noctis joined him.
"Hey," he said. Ignis laughed a little.
"Hello," said Ignis glad to still hear his voice.
"So, what do you make of today?" said Noctis. Ignis shrugged still looking at the fire dance. He appeared defeated.
"I am glad, that we get to have more campfires together," he said looking lovingly at his friend. Noctis smiled.
"Me too," said Noctis. Silence revisited them. "And Gentiana," Noctis started. Ignis was taken back out his head. "Where does that leave you and her, and Alora?" Noctis asked.
"You saw?" asked Ignis. Noct nodded. Ignis sighed and shook his head.
"I don't know. I don't know, if I can trust her," said Ignis.
"And you were never one for ambiguity," noted Noctis.
"No," Ignis confirmed. The fire crackled.
"But, for all of her mystery, she hasn't been wrong," Noctis continued. Igni's curious was peaked.
"Oh, how so?" he pried. The wood popped.
"She was right about the prophecy. She was right about me and Luna. And, she was right about you and Alora," said Noctis. Ignis blinked. "She kept all of her promises, mysterious as they were. Maybe, there's not so much ambiguity. Maybe, you just need faith," Noctis finished. Ignis thought for a moment.
"You have a point, but does that mean she did what she did to save you or … " said Ignis.
"Well, she definitely saved me," said Noctis sarcastically. Ignis chuckled, but his face returned solemn.
"I confronted her before she left. I asked her if she just used me. If she, gave me these powers to replace Ifrit … and well, you saw the answer," said Ignis.
"Maybe she did give you his powers. It sure seems like she gave Alora some of Luna's," noted Noct. Ignis tensed. Noct stood up from his chair. "Maybe it's her wave of grieving, who knows. She lost loved ones too, and now, she has a new one. Maybe two. Don't be afraid of the unknown so much, Ignis. Hell, I went into all this today not knowing what to expect accept that I probably wasn't coming out of it. Ambiguity is all around us, and you might not know what you get, but just be sure to walk tall when you do get it," said Noctis with a kingly smile on his face. Ignis was in awe of his friend.
"I'm going to retire for the night, you coming?" Noct concluded.
"In a moment," said Ignis still pondering what Noct just said.
"Alright, don't think too hard Specs, I mean, Vision," Noct joked before leaving. Ignis laughed. Then he continued to watch the fire dance.
A coldness contrasted the warmth from the fire. Ignis looked to see it's origins. Gentiana stood before him, eyes closed. Ignis's eyes went wide.
"Gentiana," he said standing up from his chair.
"Tales of the past and hopes for the future are manifest in the King of Kings. The Frostbearer's blessing shall be his," she said as the messenger of the gods. Ignis stood unsure. "The frost bearer once scorned the mortals, yet the Pyreburner admired their strength of will. For their reverence, he granted unto them his flame, and the world of man flourished. His benevolence warmed the heart of the frozen frost bearer. The mortals earned her respect, and he, her love and admiration," she said. Ignis listened. "It is not long however before some among those men ascend to new heights of hubris, and my love sought revenge … now, he rests forevermore." Ignis was overwhelmed. "Forgive me," she continued. She opened her eyes to look at him. "You admire your king's strength of will as do you have one of you're own. And you are mortal," she said taking his face in her cold hands. "Will you melt this cold heart once more?" she asked him in all sincerity. He had never seen her look more human. He brought his hands to hold her, and answered her with a warm kiss.
FIN.