Noctis

Noctis shivered, alone in the dark. As he proceeded down the tunnel in which he had found himself, he felt the air grow colder and damper. Gladio was always teasing him about his jacket, but he was glad now that he'd worn it today. He wondered where Prompto was and hoped his friend was somewhere warmer, since he always went around sleeveless. Gladio probably didn't care; he was tougher than a little chilly air. And Ignis had his jacket.

Even a tent would be nice right now, Noctis reflected as he stumbled along. The pain in his ankle was traveling up his leg now, in aggravating little bursts. He thought it was just a bad sprain, but if he kept walking on it, it could get worse. What choice did he have, though? There was still something behind him, stalking him, breathing, hissing, moving.

On occasion, the ground shuddered, and Noctis tensed, half expecting the cave to fall apart around him. He stayed close to the wall, as if that might help, although the wall had turned suddenly smooth, with no handholds.

It was strange, this sudden smoothness, and he aimed his flashlight further up the wall to see carvings twenty feet off the floor, patterns and marks that were clearly put there by human hands. Had someone lived in this cave? Or been buried in it?

Noctis shivered again. He stopped walking for a moment. He had to. He couldn't take another step. He leaned, panting and clammy, against the wall, taking all the weight off his right leg and laughing hysterically at his sudden freedom from pain. His laughter bounced off the walls, and he clamped a hand over his mouth to keep himself from making any more noise.

But all was not silent.

There was a rumbling and hissing from behind him… further back than before, but still there.

And ahead of him, he thought he heard the sound of water.

Gladio had taught him about following rivers and streams. He knew that much about survival in the wilderness, thanks to his shield.

Noctis gathered his courage, steeled himself, and stepped forward, locking a cry of agony behind his teeth, dragging himself along the wall toward the water, and hopefully, toward his friends.

Ignis

They stopped to rest after what seemed like hours of walking and probably wasn't. Ignis checked the wound on Gladio's head-a large, bruised bump-and checked his pupils, which seemed fine. Perhaps he had a concussion, but it was a minor one. Prompto was tired and cold and hungry, still shaky from his encounter with the above-ground wasps.

As Gladio drank from the stream and Prompto sat with his eyes closed, Ignis slid down against a large stalagmite and reached into his pocket for his last clean handkerchief. He slid it surreptitiously through the tear in his shirt and pressed it to the gash across his stomach, clenching his teeth against the pain. The wound wasn't terribly deep, but it bled rather copiously. His shirt was sticky with blood.

"You okay, Iggy?" Prompto called, sounding frightfully weary.

"Just resting," Ignis called back. He felt along his elbow. That bleeding had stopped, thank goodness, and there seemed to be no further damage to the arm. His shoulder and ribs on the left side were bruised quite badly, but not seriously injured. But the cut… That would need a potion-or two-to stop the bleeding, and he'd probably still wind up with a scar.

And it hurt, and he was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep, couldn't stop. Prompto and Gladio might need him. Noctis needed him, wherever his royal highness might be.

Let him be safe. Please let him be safe.

After a few brief moments of rest, Prompto grew bored and started splashing water at Gladio, who splashed back harder, leading to a water fight. Ignis staggered up to remind his friends that they were dignified members of the Crownsguard and earned himself a good splashing which utterly ruined his hair, beaded his glasses with water, and felt deliciously refreshing-until a chilly breeze wafted through the tunnel.

"Gentlemen, would you prefer to die of pneumonia here or perhaps back at camp having enjoyed a nice warm meal?" Ignis asked, wiping his glasses on the sleeve of his none-too-clean shirt.

"Good point," Gladio grunted, crossing his arms. "Guess it's time to move on."

"I'll lead the way!" Prompto volunteered, and they were off again.

Ignis forced himself to keep up with Prompto and Gladio, but it was difficult. Blood loss steadily drained his strength, and his knees felt weak. Falling behind was not an option, however, so he pushed himself forward. He motivated himself with thoughts of happier times on the road with Noct, Prompto, and Gladio. He thought about finding and cooking a dish Noctis actually liked. He remembered Prompto proudly showing him his favorite photographs of their journey. He considered a conversation he'd had with Gladio about a book they'd both read.

"Iggy."

Gladio's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"Stop." Gladio had stopped walking. He turned and pushed Ignis back.

The force of the push shoved Ignis's arm hard into his stomach, and the strategist failed in a desperate attempt to hide a flinch and a groan.

Gladio frowned. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Ignis managed through clenched teeth. "Why are we stopping?"

"Prompto heard something up ahead. Looks like the tunnel opens up into some sort of chamber. He's scouting it out now." The shield continued to frown. "How bad are you hurt, man?"

"Badly enough," Ignis admitted. He shifted his arm against his midriff, a pained breath hissing between his teeth. "Nothing deadly if tended properly, which can't be done in the here and now, but since we're going to find our way out, it doesn't matter."

"It does matter. You're hurting." Concern and frustration mingled on Gladio's face. "You should have told us."

"Prompto's already scared," Ignis said quietly. "He's had a rather trying day."

"And me?" Gladio's eyes narrowed.

"I didn't want to burden you." Ignis winced and glanced down at himself. He was a mess. There was little chance of hiding all the blood now. "Perhaps we should seek shelter in a hotel tonight. I'd like a nice warm bath and a clean shirt."

"How deep is it?"

Ignis shook his head. "Not very. Bloody, though."

"I can see that." Gladio worked his jaw. "Anything else you're hiding?"

"A few bruises perhaps. Nothing serious."

Gladio sighed. "Try not to die on me."

Ignis smiled crookedly. "I'll do my best."

"Noct!" Prompto's happy shout came echoing back down the tunnel.

Ignis and Gladio shared a quick expression of delight before hurrying ahead, Ignis ignoring his wounds. If they'd truly found Noctis, everything would be alright. They would all be together again, and they'd find their way out and make it back to camp in tolerable condition.

The tunnel opened up into a vast chamber, clearly manmade, ringed in stone staircases, ornate pillars, and archways high and low. The river branch flowed right through the middle of it, filling a deep, circular pool before rushing out through another dark archway.

Prompto stood near the middle of the room, by the pool, pointing excitedly. Ignis followed the beam of Prompto's light and the direction of his pointing to see Noctis standing halfway up to the high ceiling, on the edge of a stone balcony.

"Noct!" Gladio hollered, and Ignis waved to their charge, nearly collapsing with relief.

Noct waved back and started down the stairs that descended from his balcony. He was limping, and Ignis winced in sympathy at each halting step.

"We have to move!" Noctis called. "There's something coming-something big! Get moving! Go!"

"What!?" Prompto yelled back.

"Follow the river! Go! Now!" Noctis hollered, stumbling down the last few steps.

Above him, the archway exploded as something huge burst into the chamber. The balcony began to collapse between its massive weight.

Noctis staggered to his hands and knees, dodging falling chunks of stone.

Ignis rushed forward instinctively, with Gladio right beside him. They raced past Prompto as the blond took a stance and fired at the creature that had barrelled its way into the room.

It was some sort of reptile, long and thin, similar to a midgardsormr in size and general build, except with legs-six of them, all ending in sharp claws. Its tongue flickered down, toward Noctis.

"Nooooct!" Ignis bellowed.

Noctis scrambled forward, rolling out of the way of the long, red tongue.

Ignis and Gladio reached him, flanked him. Ignis reached down to touch the prince's shoulder as Gladio swung his sword at the monster's tongue.

The creature hissed in anger, lurching back, then shrieking in pain as one of Prompto's bullets struck its side. Its baleful eyes glowed blue, and it reared back its head.

"Prompto! Look out!" Ignis shouted.

Prompto jumped out of the way just as the creature expelled jagged spears of ice from its mouth. The ice spears shattered against the wall on the far side of the cavern with an ear-splitting clamor.

"That one's new," Gladio muttered, taking a defensive stance in front of Noctis and Ignis.

Noctis struggled to his feet, leveraging himself up with Ignis's arm. "I can't-I can't warp," he panted apologetically. "I'm sorry. I'm too worn out. If I could rest a little-"

"We'll give you time," Ignis assured him. He raised his voice. "We need to regroup!"

The four men gathered together in the middle of the chamber, by the pool, as the ice-spitting lizard creature slithered down the wall.

"Do you think that thing caused the earthquake?" Prompto wondered.

"Possibly." Ignis narrowed his eyes on the enemy. "If it's that powerful, we need to end this fast."

"I'll handle it," Gladio declared, shouldering his sword and stepping forward.

"Wait!" Ignis grabbed the larger man's shoulder. "I have a plan!"

"Better be quick," Gladio muttered.

The creature was tasting the air, head thrown back, blue eyes glowing. It tilted its head toward them and started to move, creeping low along the ground.

"Gladio, attack it head on," Ignis ordered.

"I like this plan." Gladio grinned.

"Prompto, before it can strike him, see if you can take out its eyes. Find high ground where it can't reach you with its teeth or claws, and watch for its projectiles," Ignis continued quickly.

"Alright!" Prompto saluted.

"What about us?" Noctis asked, standing straighter.

"I'll give you time to recharge your batteries," Ignis told him. "I'll get around behind it and hit it with my daggers. Perhaps I can stun it or find a weak spot. While we're battering it from three sides, find a vantage point and warp strike as soon as you've recovered your strength."

"Got it." Noctis nodded.

"We'd better move. Now!" Gladio shouted.

The monster shot forward at the four men, and three of them scattered-Prompto toward the nearest stairway, Noctis toward the back of the room, and Ignis toward the water to his left. Gladio stood his ground and blocked a blow from the creature's tongue.

"Prompto, hurry!" the big man yelled, dodging a bite from the monster and slicing at its front legs.

"I'm movin'!" Prompto called in reply. He darted up the stairs, dropped to one knee, aimed, and fired.

The monster howled and thrashed, shrinking back, its left eye a bloody mess.

"Good shot!" Noctis called from somewhere behind Ignis.

The advisor could see that the creature's thrashing would cause problems. It whipped its tail up and down, and when the long, powerful appendage struck the floor, cracks appeared and bits of stone and tile went flying. He thought that answered Prompto's question about the cause of the earthquake. The thing must have been burrowing into the old ruins just beneath them, destroying the floor and scattering them throughout the lower tunnels.

Gladio struck again at the creature's face, turning its attention toward him, away from Ignis, and Ignis took advantage, hurrying around and behind the monster. He dodged its swatting tail, waited until it was fully preoccupied with Gladio, then slung his daggers-one toward the back of its head, one toward the base of one of its legs.

The creature shrieked, hissed, and stumbled. Gladio pressed the advantage, slicing a chunk of scaly flesh out of the side of its neck. Prompto fired again, raking a bloody line along the monster's middle shoulders, and Ignis struck again with his daggers, wounding two more legs.

The monster wailed, and the horrible sound echoed through the cavern, shaking the ground. Ignis groaned and clasped his hands to his head. He could see Gladio and Prompto doing the same thing. Noctis… Where was Noctis?

Gladio dropped to one knee, holding his head in his hands.

"Gladio, get back!" Ignis shouted.

"Ugh, my head!" Gladio moaned.

Ignis leaped over the creature's swishing tail, lunged toward Gladio, but he knew he wouldn't make it in time. The lizard's jaw was opened wide, its mouth descending toward the kneeling man-

There was a flash of pale blue light, and Noctis was there, standing between Gladio and the monster, his sword thrust through the creature's neck. The monster gasped and gurgled, convulsing as it backed away from its enemies, blood bubbling from the hole in its neck.

"Woohoo! Go, Noct!" Prompto whooped, hurrying down the stairs.

Noctis heaved a weary sigh and leaned forward, one hand on his knee, the other reaching to pat Gladio's shoulder.

"Finish it, Iggy," he ordered breathlessly.

"It will be my pleasure." Ignis moved between his friends and the creature, daggers at the ready.

"Look out!" Prompto cried.

The monster's remaining eye glowed bright blue. Gurgling, hissing, moaning, it reared back its head. Ignis reached back, pressing a restraining hand against Noct's chest, holding his ground.

Prompto ran toward the enemy, firing. One bullet went wide, the other sliced the creature's flicking tongue clean in two.

But the eye was still glowing, the mouth opening.

"We have to move!" Gladio shouted, staggering to his feet, grabbing the back of Noct's jacket.

Sharp points of ice glistened in the creature's gaping maw.

Gladio moved first, somehow, dizzy though he must be, dragging Noct with him toward the water, yelling, "Iggy! Move!"

Ice spears flew toward him, and Iggy leaped out of the way, leapt backward in a move that was usually easy for him, second nature. This time, he felt as if his body would tear in two, the gash on his stomach exploding with fresh agony, his ribs aching. He landed smoothly, however, which took almost every bit of energy he had left. His knees buckled.

A hand caught his elbow and steadied him, kept him on his feet.

"Thank you, Prompto."

"Don't mention it!" The little sharpshooter moved in front of him, firing into the monster's face.

The creature opened its mouth just as the bullets struck, shattering one of its fangs and one of the ice spears that shot from its throat.

Ignis and Prompto grabbed each other's arms, each intending to shove the other man out of danger. They dropped to the ground together, and the ice spears flew over them- so close, Ignis felt chilled.

Prompto scrambled to his feet and reached to help Ignis. Even with help, Ignis struggled, swaying, pressing a hand to his stomach, feeling blood leak between his fingers. He looked to see Gladio and Noctis engaging the beast with their swords. Though wounded mortally, the creature fought hard, spewing blood, slashing with its mighty tail, coughing up bloody spears of ice.

"Stay down," Prompto urged. "I'll go help them."

Ignis swallowed hard, shook his head. "No. We'll do this together."

Prompto took off running toward the creature, firing his revolver, and Ignis followed, slower, unsteady.

Noctis warped again, a streak of blue fire striking the monster's side and knocking it off its feet and onto its back.

Gladio attacked in a mighty leap, swinging his sword down at the creature's already damaged neck.

Prompto fired into the lizard's belly as it clawed at the air.

Ignis slung his daggers, relieving the beast of its remaining eye.

Noct dealt the final blow, driving his sword down into the creature's skull. The beast shuddered violently, throwing Noctis to the ground. Gladio rushed forward and grabbed the prince by the back of his jacket, dragging him back from the dying monster. Even as it was dying, the creature was not ready to let them go. In its death throes, it rolled with surprising speed toward the four men, the floor vibrating and splitting beneath the pounding of its tail.

Gladio staggered backward, trying to drag Noctis, who had lost his footing when a crack opened up in the floor right under his feet. Prompto and Ignis rushed forward to help.

They were safe, Ignis thought as Prompto and Gladio dragged Noctis away from the lizard monster. He moved between the others and their enemy, just as a precaution. They were finally safe, after all. The horrid beast's death throes were slowing. Its blood was everywhere, all over the floor, dripping into the water. They were safe.

Then the creature's body jerked in one last, terrible convulsion, its tail whipping violently. Instinctively, Ignis held his ground; he knew his place-between Noctis and any danger-his sacred and solemn duty. The tail caught him at the waist and batted him across the room. He sailed over the rushing water and landed hard on his left side by the edge of the pool. All the breath was forced out of him in an agonizing rush.

"Iggy!" he heard Noctis shout.

He heard their footsteps running toward him. Good. That was good. They were moving away from the creature, which was a dangerous beast even as it was dying.

"Iggy!" Prompto cried.

He couldn't breathe, which was frustrating and painful and terrifying. He was trying so hard, mouth opened and gasping, but no air would come. His whole body hurt, aching for air, aching for half a dozen other reasons. He drew up his legs toward the hurt, curling up on his right side, the side that hurt the least.

"Iggy, can you hear me?" Gladio demanded, and his big hand was suddenly on Ignis's shoulder.

Ignis could hear him, but he couldn't get enough breath to respond. He tried nodding and was able to jerk his head up and down a couple of times.

"Just breathe, buddy," Gladio said with surprising gentleness.

Can't you see I'm trying? Ignis wanted to demand.

"What can we do?" Noctis sounded frightened. "What do we do?"

Just let me get my breath back, and I'll tell you.

"Oh, man. Oh, man," Prompto moaned.

Ignis shuddered, fists clenching, one of them pressed hard to his middle, sticky with blood. Finally, finally, thank the gods, there was air. He managed to wrangle it into his lungs with a hoarse, painful gasp, then another, then another.

"There you go. Easy, Iggy." Gladio squeezed his shoulder.

"Is it…" Ignis coughed, and that hurt. Of course it did. Everything hurt. "Is-" Another ridiculously painful cough.

"It's dead," Prompto confirmed. "It's suuuper dead."

"Yeah, we did good," Gladio agreed.

Noctis was quiet. Probably blaming himself. Ignis wanted to tell him not to, wanted to advise him to bask in the celebration of victory, but his limited air supply prevented him from giving the needful advice.

"Do you think there are more of them?" Prompto asked anxiously.

"Could be. We'd better move," Gladio said. He squeezed Ignis's shoulder again. "Can you stand?"

Ignis managed a deeper breath, with great effort that seemed to shake his entire body. "I'll do anything to get out of this terrible place."

That brought a small smile to Noct's face, so the effort was worth it.