Noctis was lying on the ground, exhausted by the terror and fatigue. His heart had made him clutch Luna's diary to his chest, protecting it with all he had. Unfortunately, as soon as the sun rose again the demons retreated and the predatory beasts of the territory sneaked up to the defenseless figure. Noctis was soon surrounded by creatures fighting to divide his carcass, snapping claws and fangs…
BANG
-YA-HA-HOOOOOOOO !
Preceded by violent gunshots, three chocobos, mounted three young and virtuous individuals, threw themselves against the creatures. The largest of the three knights jumped from the saddle, making an immense sword appear in his hand, right in the midst of the creatures.
-BOOOYAAHHH!- he exclaimed, raising his fist as a sign of victory, while the second rider dismounted with a skillful pirouette.
-YES! I love it when we do this! - he said, shooting in the direction of the beasts, that run away as fast as they could.
-In your face you far-fetched vultures!
-Those weren't voltures- pointed out the third man -And now stop screaming like savages, you will attract far more terrible beasts.
They looked like the three Musketeers: the first was a big man with tattooed arms and medium length dark hair tied in a ponytail; the second, the gunslinger, was thinner and more cheerful, and wore blond hair raised over his forehead; finally the third was a polished individual, professional and elegant (with even a pair of eyeglasses ) in spite of the patchy clothes, and when he fought he used a pair of daggers.
-That came out well! Today seems like an ideal day for some exercise!- replied the big man, starting to jump on his feet while punching in the air like a boxer -I feel so fit that I could deal with a Catoblepas alone.
The gunslinger could not stop himself from the mimicking his gestures in a more grotesque way.
-When you have finished playing the clowns- the third called back, noticing the abandoned body of Noctis -Here is someone passed out.
-Eh?- said the swordsman, stopping and moving his gaze where his friend was pointing -Wow Ignis, what an eye.
-And what ears! I would never have heard it- echoed the gunslinger.
Ignis just shook his head, resigned.
-Poor guy. I wonder how he managed to reduce himself like this- commented the big guy, approaching Noctis - Or how he got here without a car.
-I have reason to believe that all your questions will be answered once we will discover his name- Ignis explained, getting down from his mount to monitor more closely.
-Okay, alright- the skinny stepped forward, pushing the others aside to get closer to the fainted figure. He turned the guy on his back to see his face
-Let's see who we have here… AH!- he exclaimed, recognizing the face of the unconscious young man . He jumped back and crawled awkwardly to the big man, climbing onto his shoulders without asking permission.
-Guys, that's the prince of LUCIS! Let's get away before Niflheim finds us!
-Eh?
-Noctis Lucis Caelum, I see- Ignis said, bending down beside the helpless young man to examine him better -It looks like he ran a good distance.
-Ignis! Don't waste time rummaging in their pockets! We must leave immediately!- continued the gunslinger , terrified.
-Come on Prompto! Don't have a little heart? Just look at him: poor thing, all alone. Hey Ignis!- exclaimed the first, ignoring the colleague on his shoulders -Can we keep him?
The respondent, who was just about to take Luna's diary, stopped in the middle of the gesture.
-You would adopt him?- he asked, as much surprised as sarcastic.
-Gladio are you crazy!?- Prompto yelled in his ears -We're talking about the most wanted man in Niflheim! They'll be on us in no time!
-Stop it! It has yet to be seen a stormtrooper that can take me- Gladio replied, brushing off.
-It seems that we have come to a standstill- Ignis observed, getting back on his feet -But maybe another pair of hands could come in handy.
-Not you too! - Prompto protested, slipping his hands through his hair and starting to pull.
-The king of Lucis possesses immense powers. With him at our side, we could easily oppose the army of Niflheim- explained the man with glasses -Gladio, let's take him to the shelter near the river. Once he has recovered, he will decide whether to stay or not.
-Ah, okay- Prompto gave up, as everyone headed for their chocobos -I insist on saying it's a bad idea though.
-Who is the one that uses his brain around here?- Ignis asked.
-Ah…
-Exactly. Come on guys, to the river.
Noctis recovered after a while, protected from the sun's rays and with a wet compress on his forehead.
-Stay still- Ignis told him, changing the compress on his front -You had a bad time.
-W-where are they?- Noctis stammered faintly, trying to sit up.
-You are in a safe place, prince- Gladiolus intervened -Here Niflheim and his henchmen will never find you.
-Niflheim is not looking for me- he replied, weakly. He saw the diary even with his senses dulled, and immediately reached for it.
-Ah, what luck!- Prompto exclaimed, taking a reaproaching look from his two companions -I mean, uh... so where are you going?
-Nowhere- the boy murmured, looking down. Ignis motioned for the other two to retreat to the opposite corner of the hut, giving Noctis some privacy.
-Guys, it's really dark- Prompto commented.
-I don't think so. It's just the clothes- Gladio replied.
-No no no I mean it's so down that it blends in with its shadow- the blond insisted.
-I don't think that approaching him in these situations is advisable…- Ignis suggested, but Gladio just pished him aside and went to talk with the prince.
-So- he said, sitting on the bed to look Noctis in the eyes -What is bothering you?
-It's none of your business- he replied, pushing aside the covers and getting up.
-Where do you think you're going?- Ignis asked, blocking his path.
-Nowhere- Noctis replied, walking around him, when Prompto grabbed her by the shoulder.
-What's wrong?- he asked.
-I don't want to talk about it- the boy replied dryly, pushing him aside and leaving the building.
But taking a few steps outside, he stopped, sighing.
-Will you stop following me?- he turned, annoyed.
-Sorry, we took a lot of trouble to save you, we would like at least to know what you are doing here and why you go around so much- Gladio replied.
-I don't want to talk about it!- Noctis repeated.
-You keep saying it, but it doesn't seem to solve anything- Ignis intervened, adjusting the glasses on his nose.
-Are you sure we can't do anything? - Prompto asked, approaching.
-No, unless you know how to rewind time.
-Ah, I understand- Gladio said -You are not running away from the imperials, you are running away from yourself.
-What do you mean?!
-Mate, listen to someone who's already been there: just because you did something wrong- he took him by the shoulders -It doesn't mean that there is no way to remedy it.
-What I did can't be fixed.
-Then it doesn't matter. Don't think about it- Prompto went on, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder - f there is nothing to do, why suffer when you can just turn your back on it and think about the present time?
-Exactly- Gladio added, crossing his arms on his chest, before turning to his friend and asking -What?
Prompto, busy imitating the giant's frown, stared at the air, and did not perceive the question.
-Just let me do it- Ignis intervened, bringing himself in front of the prince -Okay your highness. Looks like you have a housing problem.
-I know how to get by myself- Noctis replied, tired of those absurd speeches -Why do you care so much?
-Well, my friends and I are not the type of people to turn our back on someone in need. We would be honored if you were to decide to stay at our humble home.
Ignis finished it all off with a bow, pointing to the hut they had just come out of. Noctis stared at him, impassive, blinking his eyes from time to time.
-What are you, the butler?- the prince said with a note of contempt, breaking his contemplative silence -I had butlers in my house, I couldn't stand them. All slicked, straight, hypocrites, capable of also lie in defiance of the obvious only because the etiquette imposed it. What do you think you're offering me, a smile a day and a life of charms waiting to stab me in the back?
Ignis had no reaction except to adjust the glasses on his nose with a trembling hand. Then, with measured steps, he went back to his friends, and whispering he said -He's all yours.
Needless to say, the two stood staring in shock.
-Come and tell me how did you made him shut up- exclaimed Prompto, standing in front of the Prince with his eyes widened.
-It's a secret.
-Oh come on- Gladio intervened -You will never be liked by anyone if you can't even be grateful for being saved from certain death.
-I do not need the sympathy of others- Noctis replied dryly, trying to push the other away from his path but without being able to move him.
-Okay then, your majesty, let me show you the reasons why you should consider joining us, apart of course the waste of space- the big man insisted, grabbing the prince and lifting him in the air.
-Leave me alone, I have enough problems without the three of you!- Noctis exclaimed, kicking wildly. At least until Gladio threw his skull so hard that the boy's head almost came off his neck.
-So, lesson number one- continued the big man, letting him go -Never try to win a showdown with me.
Noctis staggered helplessly for a few seconds until he crashed soundly to the ground.
-Lesson number two: as my dear friend Ignis always says, you have to leave the past in your backside.
-No no no no no. Gladio, please, let do the talking- Ignis intervened, gently pushing the big man aside.
-So boy- he resumed, leaving no time for the prince to recover -The lesson is that you have to learn is "You must always leave the past behind". Bad things happen, and we can't do anything about it, true?
-True- muttered Noctis, rubbing his head as he got to his feet. Ignis gave him a slap and the boy groaned again in pain.
-Wrong! Repeat with me: "When the world turns its back on you, all you have to do is turn your back on it."
-That's not what they taught me.
-Then we should do it all over again!- Prompto intervened, roughly pushing Ignis aside.
-Repeat with me! A-er, Hakuna Matata! he said, nearly ticking a finger in Noctis's eye.
-What!?- exclaimed the prince.
-Hakuna Matata- Gladio repeated, more slowly -It means no worries.
-Hakuna Matata- Prompto began, starting to sing - What a wonderful phrase
-Guys don't sing, please - Ignis said, running a hand over his face.
- Hakuna Matata- Gladio went on in a thunderous voice -Ain't no passing craze!
-It means no worries, for the rest of your day!- Prompto took the prince's hands and pulled him fearlessly along, straight into the center of their unusual existence, as the other two followed along both with their steps and the song.