Chapter 4

Crystalline Shards

"It has been a long day."

Prompto sat stunned on his knees, his heart already dropping to his stomach as he watched Noct writhe in pain on the ground, screaming himself hoarse. He looked like he was hurting so much, like he was dying, and when he finally stopped letting out those harrowing noises, Prompto panicked at the sight of his still body.

He yelled Noct's name, apologizing incoherently, tears escaping his eyes as he pulled Noct into his shaking arms.

"Noct! Noct, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry… please… please be alright…"

He held Noct tightly, cursing himself. He'd done it again. He'd hurt Noct again.

"Pwamphuh…" came a weakened, almost inaudible voice from the folds of his arms.

Prompto looked down at Noct through his tears. Noct lay limp in his hold, his breathing shallow and ragged like the air was too thin, his body still twitching slightly, but thank all the gods, he was conscious.

"Noct… a-are you okay?" Prompto whispered in between sobs.

It was a stupid thing to ask. Even through his teary eyes, he knew Noct was not okay. He looked like he'd gone to hell and back; his face was so pale he almost looked like the dead.

"Umph... phinmh…" Noct mumbled, trying to stay conscious.

"No, you're not fine! Look at you, dammit… look at you…" Prompto held Noct tighter, his voice breaking trying and failing to hold back the tears. "I— I did this to you…"

"Prompto, perhaps it's better to give His Highness a moment to recover," Ignis said softly as he knelt by Noct's side. There was a tremble in his voice that nobody missed. He went on to check Noct's breathing and pulse, unable to keep the worry from showing on his face. "There, there," he said soothingly, wiping away the sweat and tears on Noct's face and smoothing his hair.

Gladio came up to them and sat behind Noct, gingerly lifting and settling him against his chest like he did before, letting Noct rest his listless body against his.

"You okay, Noct?" he asked. Noct let out a little whimper and nodded slightly. He could barely keep his eyes opened as Gladio placed a hand on his forehead. "Shit. You're burning up."

"Hwa…pherr…" Noct said.

"What's that?"

"He wants water," Ignis said as if Noct had said that as clear as day.

Noct merely nodded and let Gladio adjust his body so it would be easier for him to drink.

Prompto watched silently as Ignis twisted open a fresh bottle of water and poured trickles into Noct's slacking mouth. Noct was like a ragdoll; slowly sliding to the side, unable to hold his own body upright from the pain and exhaustion. Gladio had his hands on either side of him, steadying him as Noct tried very hard to get the water down his throat. It was painful to watch him choking more than he was getting water into him.

Prompto refused to look away. He didn't want to see Noct suffering like this but he didn't want to let him suffer alone, either. He balled his hands in frustration, his nails digging into his palms.

"Maybe we should stop," he said quietly when Noct was done drinking and colour had returned to his face. "Maybe we should just—"

Noct made a sudden growling sound. He fixed Prompto with a watery but determined stare, shaking his head weakly.

"Nomph…"

"I don't want to see you hurt, Noct. None of us do," Prompto said. He looked at him sitting slumped against Gladio, deathly pale, weakened and helpless, unable to even say anything.

This was all his fault. If he hadn't left Noct alone at the pier that morning, none of this would have happened. He should have just stayed with him. He shouldn't have gone taking pictures of stupid birds and flowers further down the lake. He shouldn't have wasted his time traversing the damn rocky ridges and being stupidly amazed by a bunch of monsters fighting. He should've been guarding Noct. He was a Crownsguard but he had left his prince, his king, just so he could snap some uninspiring pictures. He was so stupid.

You're useless, Prompto. You're such a useless piece of shit. You don't deserve to—

"Pwamphuh… nomph…"

Prompto looked up to see Noct shaking his head again. He was looking at him with a look that immediately told Prompto what Noct was saying; Don't blame yourself.

Prompto stared, feeling the frustrations inside of him growing.

"Noct…" he started softly. "Noct, you're so hurt already. You—"

"Umph phimph..."

Prompto stared at him even longer, already knowing he wouldn't win this argument even with Noct gagged like that.

You're not fine, dammit.

He rubbed his face with trembling hands, wiping away at his wet eyes. He hated this. He hated that he was causing Noct pain, that he couldn't do anything to help, that he was feeling as helpless as Noct was.

Fuck this.

"Fine," he said finally with a resigned sigh. Sometimes he wished Noct wasn't such a hardheaded person.

"You sure you wanna go on?" Gladio asked Noct, sounding like he didn't think that was a good idea.

Noct was looking better than he did a few minutes ago but he still looked like death had come knocking a moment too soon. He had enough strength to shoot Gladio a glare, though, and making a demanding noise with some weak struggling.

Gladio harrumphed but he was already pushing Noct to sit up straighter. "I guess you really want this over as soon as possible, huh? Gotta agree with you there," he said. "Can't just sit around doing nothing and hope for things to get better, right?"

"I do think a little more rest would be advisable before we carry on with this," Ignis said concernedly only for Noct to make another impatient sound as he shifted his glare towards him.

"Nomph hwess," Noct said, shaking his head.

"No rest?" Ignis repeated. He just stared at him before looking away with a quiet sigh. "I see that you are determined to continue with this game, Your Highness."

"Stubborn as always," Gladio grumbled. He was silent for a while, looking conflicted. "You might get hurt again, Noct. You sure about this?" he asked again.

"Mm-hm."

Gladio sighed loudly in exasperation. "Alright, then. I guess you should ready yourself," he said, his hands warily touching the bands. He took his time deciding, and his hands finally rested on the band encircling Noct's torso.

He looked up, holding Noct's gaze for a long moment before nodding grimly. It was obvious he didn't want to do this, to potentially hurt Noct. But like he'd just said, nothing good would come either if they didn't do anything.

Prompto closed his eyes right before Gladio pressed the button on the band, his hands clutched tightly to his chest as he prayed to the gods. He didn't want to see Noct trashing in pain again. He didn't want to hear him screaming.

He opened his eyes with a dreadful feeling when there was a startling noise coming out of Noct, his hands already moving up to cover his ears. But to his amazement, the band that was secured around Noct's torso a second ago was now coiled up neatly on the ground.

"That's a relief," Gladio muttered, looking amazed that Noct wasn't screaming right now. He smiled a little, patting Noct gladly on the shoulder. "Another six bands to go."

Prompto blinked, hardly believing what had just happened. But seeing Noct sitting there quietly, stunned but not screaming, not being shocked, it was enough to convince him. "Thank gods…" he whispered, running his hands through his hair and letting out the breath he'd been holding.

Ignis shuffled closer towards Noct, looking at the remaining bands with a slight frown. Unlike Gladio, his hands stayed firmly at his sides as he contemplated which band to undo.

"Which one—"

Before Prompto could even finish asking, Ignis had already pressed the button on the band wrapped above Noct's knees, the very same band that Prompto had tried to undo earlier that had led to Noct being shocked.

Prompto stared in horror, his heart beating wildly, a pained whine escaping him as he braced for another round of screaming and writhing.

But it was the band that was writhing instead, twisting a little before it cut itself near the button, releasing its hold on Noct and dropping to the ground with a thud.

"Huh? What—"

Prompto stared at Noct, who looked as amazed as he was. "Ignis! Give a guy a warning, dude! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Apologies, Prompto. I didn't want to make Noct too anxious by contemplating for too long."

Prompto realized Ignis had chosen to go for the safer option. They now knew the band above Noct's knees was not the nexus as it didn't send Noct into a coma when it had shocked him earlier. Ignis was just opting to undo the band with the most minimum risk. He didn't want to risk undoing the nexus in the wrong order.

"Are you alright, Noct?" Ignis asked.

Noct made some noises to show he was fine, but Prompto thought he looked like he was about to pass out from the way he was breathing heavily and the amount of sweat pouring out of him.

Ignis turned to Prompto. "What about you, Prompto? Are you alright? It is your turn next."

Prompto felt weak. He'd been hoping for either Gladio or Ignis to miraculously undo the nexus in the correct order and everything would come to an end. But of course, that didn't happen.

He didn't want to play this stupid game anymore. He didn't want to push buttons and make Noct scream in agony. He'd already shocked him twice, for gods' sakes. He couldn't even bear the thought of being the reason for Noct to start screaming again.

"I…"

He couldn't. He didn't think he could push anymore fucking buttons. But he knew that was not an option. They would all be stuck here in this shitty situation if he didn't continue playing this game.

He could try undoing the gag again seeing that, like the band above Noct's knees, it was not the nexus. But that was no guarantee that it wouldn't shock Noct. He might get the order wrong. But that was his best option. Pressing the button on the gag would either undo it or shock Noct. A fifty percent chance of Noct being able to speak properly again. But if he got the order wrong…

Fuck, this game is stupid and infuriating!

Prompto didn't think he could do it. He couldn't bear seeing Noct in pain again.

"I can't…" he whispered, hanging his head low.

"Mmnh. Umph phuwsh ha bwanph, huwh mweph ha bwupphunh."

Prompto stared at Noct in confusion. He had absolutely no idea what he had just said.

"Uh… I beg your pardon?"

"Umph phuwsh ha bwanph, huwh mweph ha bwupphunh. Hawaph?"

Noct was saying whatever he was saying a lot slower than before, trying to make out the words as clearly as possible, but Prompto still had no clue what he was trying to tell him.

"I think he is saying, 'I choose the band, you press the button.' Is that right, Your Highness?" Ignis said with a little smile. Noct nodded vigorously, grateful that at least Ignis understood him.

"Oh."

Prompto knew what Noct was trying to do. He was trying to spare him the feeling of guilt. If Noct was the one who had told him which band to undo, and if that band turned out to shock him, then technically Prompto wasn't the one to blame. He was just carrying out an order by the Prince of Lucis. But Prompto knew that wouldn't stop him from feeling guilty. In fact, it would only make him feel even worse.

He snapped out of his thoughts when Noct made a sharp hissing sound and went a little limp suddenly, almost sliding out of Gladio's hold. Noct pressed his temple against Gladio, trying to brace his head, a look of pain on his face. He was visibly shivering even in the dim glow of the campfire, as if chills were running through him.

"Hey, you okay?" Gladio asked, a slight panic in his voice. "What hurts, Noct? Is it your head?"

Noct nodded, eyes squeezed shut.

"A break, then," Ignis said. "Noct, you're getting paler by the minute. It is best that you rest for a while. Let's get you back to the tent—"

"Nomph…" Noct shook his head and opened his eyes, shooting Ignis a defiant look.

"Do you want to stay out here instead? Alright. I'll go fetch some blankets and other necessities so that you could rest a little more comfortably. Gladio, Prompto, try getting Noct to drink a bit more." Ignis's steady stream of words left no room for Noct to sound a protest, all he could do was watch Ignis head for the tent.

Noct was no longer grimacing from the pain after Gladio and Prompto managed to get him to drink half a bottle of water, but he still looked like he could pass out at any minute. He flinched when Gladio reached up a hand to his neck, a fearful look passing his face. He tried to inch away.

"Relax. I'm just checking your pulse. You look like you're gonna drop de…" Gladio didn't finish his words. He stayed his hand on the side of Noct's neck and after a short while, patted him lightly on the shoulder. "Seriously, I hate seeing you like this, Noct. Iggy's right. You should get some rest." He gestured to Prompto to hold on to Noct and got up. "Keep an eye on him, okay?"

"Where're you going?" Prompto asked.

"Nowhere far."

Prompto watched Gladio's back disappear into the darkness as he walked to the very edge of the camping ground and beyond it.

He didn't show it but it was apparent that Gladio was angry at himself and was as frustrated as Prompto was at not being able to help. As Noct's Shield, Gladio probably blamed himself more than anyone for not being there at Noct's side when it mattered. Prompto suspected Gladio was going to lash out at some poor creatures out there in the dark to vent his frustration.

"Pwamphuh…" Noct called out from beside him in a small voice. He was watching him with tired eyes.

Prompto forced himself to smile and let Noct lean himself against him, his head comfortably cradled on Prompto's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Noct…" he said softly, not really knowing why he said that. He was just so sorry. Sorry for what Noct had to go through. Sorry for not being able to do anything. He was sorry for everything that had happened. The feeling of guilt inside of him was steadily building, growing, piling on top of the worry and anxiety, and it was messing with him so much.

Prompto looked up at the night sky, almost wishing for any of the gods to appear and offer them help. He chuckled mirthlessly at the thought.

Like they give a damn.

There was no moon tonight but the stars were as brilliant as ever, scattered all over the sky like little diamonds on a black piece of velvet. He would've marveled at it, would've attempted to take pictures that probably wouldn't do the night sky's beauty justice had it been one of their ordinary nights camping out in the wilderness. But it wasn't an ordinary night, and it didn't feel right for the starlit sky to be this beautiful while they were here stuck in this terrible situation.

"This sucks, man," Prompto said, his eyes still on the stars. "This is all my fault. Me and my stupid pictures. I should have stayed with you at the pier. I'm such a shitty person. I said I'd come back to you but I didn't. I couldn't even keep a simple promise. What kind of friend am I, what kind of Crownsguard, leaving you all alone like that?"

He had expected for Noct to make some noise with the kind of things he was saying, but Noct was suspiciously quiet and still at his side. Prompto peered at his face and was pleasantly surprised to see he had actually dozed off.

"Asleep, huh?" Prompto stared at Noct's sleeping face, pale but peaceful. "I guess it's better like this, you sleeping instead of screaming in pain."

He wiped away the sweat on Noct's forehead, noting how hot his skin was. Sure enough, Noct had developed a fever and it would only get worse the longer he stayed in his current condition.

Noct started to snuggle against him like a cat as he slept, making Prompto laugh a little.

"Comfortable, aren't you?" he said fondly. "Get as much rest as you can, Noct. It has been a long day."

As Prompto's words left his mouth, the night was suddenly filled with the sound he never wanted to hear again.

A second ago Noct was sleeping peacefully, and now he was screaming again as much as he did before. He was trashing on the ground once more, his whole body arching in pain.

"Wha—"

It was no mistaking it. Noct was being shocked again. But Prompto didn't understand. How? How was Noct shocked when he didn't push any button? His hands weren't even anywhere near the bands.

Like a déjà vu, Prompto could only watch Noct screaming in excruciating pain, cursing himself for not being able to stop Noct from being hurt again.

"Noct! Prompto! What's going on?" Ignis was running to them from the tent, the blankets dropping away from his arms.

"I don't know! I didn't do anything, I swear! But Noct— he was sleeping and then suddenly he got shocked but I don't know why!"

Noct whimpered weakly when Ignis pulled him up and held him in his arms, the shocks leaving him limp and breathless. He wasn't making anymore noises but Prompto could see the questioning look on his tortured face.

"I don't know what happened, Noct. I didn't try to undo the bands, but you were suddenly screaming…"

Noct was blacking out, his head lolling to one side.

"Noct, are you with me? Open your eyes," Ignis said, cupping his face. Noct blinked tiredly up at him.

"What's happening?"

A breathless Gladio had appeared from the darkness, a deep frown etched in between his eyebrows, a murderous look on his sweat-covered face.

"I don't kno—"

"I believe rule number six has taken place," Ignis said grimly.

"Huh?"

"According to rule number six, if we failed to release Noct after a certain amount of time, he will be given a penalty." Ignis looked at Noct who was slumped against him. "I believe there is a trigger that will activate the bands if Noct remains in his restraints past the unspecified allocated time."

"A trigger?" Gladio asked. "Like what?"

"I cannot say for sure, but seeing how this so-called game is actually designed to torture Noct, it must be something that would allow him respite. Like sleep."

"What? That's— You sure about that? That can't be true. Not letting Noct sleep is just too cruel," Prompto said, not wanting to believe Ignis's theory.

"What, you wanna experiment first? Let him sleep and see if he'd get shocked again or not?" Gladio snapped before he could stop himself. He suddenly looked ashamed and shifted his gaze away.

"Let's not take risks. For now, it is best to keep Noct awake," Ignis said.

They all stared at Noct, who was on the verge of drifting into unconsciousness again when his eyes suddenly widened at Ignis's words.

"Umph… hamph hreeph?"

"I'm sorry, Noct. I know you are exhausted but please refrain from falling asleep."

Noct was shaking his head, making protesting noises and trying to struggle out of Ignis's hold. That look of fear was back on his face.

"Please, Noct. You will only tire yourself more if you keep this up," Ignis said gently.

"We gotta do something, Iggy. We can't expect him to not pass out at this rate. He's hurt, he's tired and dehydrated. He's running a fever and he can't do shit to make himself feel better with those fucking bands wrapped around him. We can't continue playing along with whatever ridiculous game this is. We can't risk having him shocked again," Gladio said in a fume. He grabbed his hair in a fist. "I don't know what to do, though. I… I'm gonna give Dave a call. I don't know if any information he might've found would be useful to us, but anything is better than nothing now."

"I hope he's caught whoever did this so we can force them to free Noct," Prompto said. He almost wanted to laugh at his own childishly hopeful words. Dave would've contacted them already if he'd caught the culprit.

Gladio just grunted, running his hand through his hair in frustration as he dialed Dave's number. He strode away into the darkness again where he was probably going to punch a tree or two while he talked on the phone.

"I'll make a call to the Marshal as well," Ignis said, already pulling out his phone.

"You're calling Cor the Immortal? You think he can help us?"

"I don't know, but he has served the royal line for quite a long time. Perhaps he has seen something like this inflicted towards King Regis or even King Mors over the years. He might know a way to help Noct."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense," Prompto said, reaching out to hold Noct steady when Ignis stood up and walked a little away from the campfire to make his call to Cor.

Under his hands, Prompto could feel Noct's body shivering. He picked up the blankets Ignis had dropped earlier and draped them around Noct's shoulders.

"Feel better?"

Noct didn't give him an answer. He didn't look like he was feeling better, though. Honestly, Prompto thought his condition was spiraling fast the past hour, and after that surprise shock just now, Noct just looked so haggard; the way his eyes were watering constantly from the pain and exhaustion, his body shaking, his skin gradually getting hotter as sweat ran down his whole body.

Prompto watched him carefully, hardly missing the way his eyes were glazing and losing focus.

"Hey, you wanna drink some more?" Prompto asked when Noct remained that way for a while, still as a statue as if in a trance. Noct just shook his head once, his eyes never leaving the campfire in front of him.

Prompto continued to watch him nervously for the next few minutes. Noct was acting kind of strange, and it was worrying him. Lightly, he placed his arm around Noct's shoulders, but he didn't react to it, like he wasn't even aware of Prompto's presence at his side.

He can't be sleeping with his eyes open, can he?

Prompto didn't think so. Noct could fall asleep almost anywhere, but he'd never seen him fall asleep with his eyes open before.

He joined Noct staring into the fire in silence and was surprised to find himself a little captivated by it. He could almost make out shifting shapes and figures in the dancing flames and burning logs, forming an incoherent but mesmerizing story in his head. It was pulling him into a trance.

Prompto tore his mind out of the fire to sneak a glance at Noct. What he saw caused alarm bells to start blaring in his head as Noct's eyelids slid close, his head nodding drowsily.

"Noct!" he cried in panic, shaking him almost too harshly, making Noct's sleepy head snap in surprise. "Noct, you can't fall asleep. You'll get zapped."

Noct frowned at him in a burst of anger and confusion, but a moment later he seemed to understand what was happening when his eyes widened with realization.

"Noct, please. Stay awake."

Noct silently looked away, his gaze returning to the campfire. Prompto wished he wasn't looking like that; so miserable and dejected. He couldn't stand watching Noct in this state.

He decided to start talking. Maybe a conversation would lift Noct's spirit a little and would keep him from falling asleep.

"You think Cor knows how to get you out of this?" he asked as he watched Ignis's silhouette talking on the phone on the other side of the camping ground.

Noct didn't say anything to that. Prompto glanced at him to check if he had fallen asleep again, but he was apparently awake.

He's clearly not in a good mood. Heh, who would be?

Maybe he should talk about something they could look forward to instead.

"So, after you got out of this, maybe we could go celebrate, have fun a little, you know, for the victory against whoever got us into this mess. What do you wanna do, Noct?"

"Hwreep aph ha hwerphilph imph hwrestarrphm hwoph hwaymph…"

Prompto stared. He wasn't really expecting for Noct to give him an answer, let alone a long one.

"Sorry, dude. I really don't have any idea what you just said."

"Hmph."

Then why ask? was what Noct was trying to say with that indignant huff. That much, at least, Prompto could tell. It was making him feel even guiltier.

"Um, my bad," he said barely above whisper, his gaze falling onto the despicable gag.

Already there were red bruises and angry lacerations around the corners of Noct's mouth and chapped lips, with trickles of blood mingling in with his spittle that had been steadily streaming down his chin. They looked painful. Prompto really wanted to rip the damn gag out.

Instead, he instinctively undid the kerchief he had always kept tied around his right upper arm and started dabbing at Noct's mouth as gently as he could. He didn't want to hurt Noct anymore than he already was.

Noct let him move his face this way and that, watching him silently, his somewhat empty gaze unnerving Prompto a little. He repeatedly pressed Noct's jaw with his thumbs lightly, knowing that would make him feel a little better, and a small smile spread across his face when Noct started making appreciative noises. But he abruptly pulled his hands away when he realized Noct's eyes were lazily dropping close.

Noct whined softly in protest, opening his sleepy eyes again but Prompto ignored his pleading look and just sat silently beside him, not really knowing what to say or do anymore. He wished this was over already. He wished this was all a damn nightmare. He really couldn't handle feeling so guilty and useless like this.

Prompto sat up straight when he felt Noct's head quietly pressing against his shoulder, already halfway to sleep. He pushed aside the temptation to just let him sleep for a minute or two, to let him have some rest, but that was just too risky. He knew he couldn't let Noct stay in his current position.

"Hey, Noct," he said, once again shaking him awake from his half-asleep state. "I think it's better for you to stand up, buddy. You're less likely to fall asleep like that. C'mon."

Noct grunted and whimpered as Prompto forced him to stand and stay on his feet. He swayed, losing his balance but Prompto held him firmly to stop him from toppling over.

"Pwamphuh…"

Everytime Noct said his name like that, which was essentially a tired breath of desperation, Prompto felt his heart ache.

Noct was begging him. A prince, begging a commoner.

He didn't want to do this to Noct; taking away the only thing that could comfort him in his wearied state. But if sleeping would lead him to being shocked again, Prompto could never let Noct get comfortable enough to fall asleep.

"Pwamphuh… Umph highhed…"

"I'm sorry, Noct. I know you're tired—"

"Phweassh…"

Prompto looked at him for a long time, his face crumpling in sympathy as he stared into Noct's watery eyes, his weak, tired moans breaking his resolve to not give in to Noct's pleadings.

And he finally pulled him into a hug.

This was so hard, watching Noct falling apart like this. Prompto could tell he wasn't thinking rationally. Noct knew he'd get hurt if he slept, but he was in no condition to resist sleep. He was so weakened mentally and physically and he seemed to want to shut down, to have something put him out of his misery for a short while, but Prompto had to deny him that.

"I'm sorry, Noct, but you can't sleep. Not yet. Once this is all over, you can sleep as long as you want. I promise," Prompto said softly, squeezing Noct a little.

Noct let out noises that were muffled against Prompto's shoulder, his ragged breaths felt too hot on Prompto's skin even through the layer of his shirt.

And then Noct started sobbing in earnest.

"Aww, Noct... It's okay, everything's gonna be okay…"

Prompto made a series of soothing sounds, rocking his poor friend back and forth gently like he was a little kid.

Noct must have been at his limit.

All those years of friendship, Prompto had never once seen him crying openly like this. Sure, he'd seen him being teary-eyed about things that frustrated him or matters that involved the late King Regis, but never like this; his breath catching in his throat, his shoulders shaking as he let out shuddering sobs, his eyes dripping out enough tears to wet a spot on Prompto's shirt.

Prompto was glad Gladio wasn't around to witness Noct like this. He would've been even angrier at himself if he saw Noct reduced to a blubbering child and there was nothing he could do to make him feel better.

From the corner of his eye, Prompto noticed that Ignis, who unsurprisingly was still on the phone, had gone a little further away from the campfire, giving them space apparently, obviously trying not to look over in their direction as to spare Noct the embarrassment of being caught crying during his moment of weakness.

After a while, Noct fell silent, his breathing turning deep and steady. He had finally calmed down.

Prompto continued to hold him, still rocking softly as he gazed up at the night sky. He wondered if everything would really turn out okay like he had repeatedly told Noct as he cried just now. He hoped Ignis would end his call with Cor soon and come back to them with good news.

He started humming a tune absentmindedly, the warm and solid feel of Noct in his arms putting him at ease, but then he realized what was happening. He was aware of how Noct was heavily leaning against him, and that he was actually supporting most of Noct's weight. Prompto quickly pushed him away, shaking his shoulders vehemently.

"Stay awake!" he half-yelled.

Noct jerked, his eyes only opening slightly before they started to drop close again.

"Noct, please!" Prompto grabbed Noct's face in a desperate attempt to keep him awake.

Noct grimaced from being grabbed so hard, but at least he was awake, looking a little more lucid now as his eyes focused on Prompto.

"Please, Noct. I don't want to hear you screaming again…"

"Hwet meph gowph…"

"What?"

"Pwamphuh… hwet meph gowph…" Noct whimpered, sounding so weary. And scared.

"Wha— Let me go? Is that what you're saying?"

Prompto's eyes widened as his rattled brain slowly registered the words. He wasn't aware of his hand still tightly clutching Noct's face. He quickly let go and was horrified to see red marks on Noct's pale skin where he had grabbed him.

What are you doing? You're hurting him even more!

Prompto backed away instinctively, stuttering an apology. He made to steady Noct again when he swayed a little on his tied up feet, but stopped short when Noct flinched at his hand that was trying to reach for him.

"Noct, I'm not gonna hurt you," Prompto said and immediately realized he was a liar because he had already hurt Noct just seconds ago.

Prompto stepped closer slowly. He couldn't help noticing the way Noct was warily watching him, like he was expecting Prompto to do something to him. His eyes were still glazed and watery but the sleepiness was gone, replaced with something else that made Prompto hesitate. Something like anger. Or even fear.

"Umwho ha pwhowhar," Noct said.

"Huh?"

Noct tilted his head back far enough to expose the band wrapped around his neck.

"What? Noct, I don't—"

"Pwamphuh, umwho ha hamn pwhowhar."

"What… Undo the collar? You want me to undo the collar?"

Noct nodded, his gaze still steadily trained on Prompto.

"Dude… no. No way. That's— What if it's the nexus? I mean, if it is the nexus and it's supposed to be the next one to go, then great! You'll be free. But what if it's the nexus but the order is not right? You'll be in a coma, if not dead!"

Noct didn't back off. He kept on insisting for Prompto to undo the collar, the desperation in his voice growing with every insistent groan.

Prompto studied him, not really knowing what to do. Noct was acting strange. There was a wild, mad gleam in his eyes that wasn't there before.

Shit. He's not thinking straight, is he? He's delirious.

"Noct, you need to calm down, man. Here, sit down for a sec," Prompto carefully reached out to him and helped him sit on the ground. "I'll go grab some water. You'll feel better after you drink a little," he said and went to take a bottled water from the camping table.

But when he turned around, all he saw was a soft-edged silhouette of Noct in electric-blue against the dark of the night, crystalline shards shattering about in the air.

"Noct?"

Noct had warped away into the night, and Prompto had no idea where he had gone.

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Final chapter:

Burning Dawn

"You just never know."