"Why are you being so stubborn!?"
Cloud couldn't find the words to explain. The pain and shock was still too fresh on his mind. He couldn't exactly wrap his head around it still.
"Found it!" Ignis had inadvertently stepped on the handle in the water.
Gathering his strength Cloud made his way over. He pulled it out of the water and continued to help them dispose of this monster. As Ignis perfected his new abilities and switched the element to fire, the monster was soon dealt without anymore issues.
Cloud didn't join the group high five. He slowly placed First Tsurugi on his back, mulling over the memory.
"What's wrong? Why do you keep refusing my offer?" Noctis noticed.
"I remember now what happened to my planet. It was me. I let him become me. With his power I destroyed Gaia. I can't serve you as a knight now that I know the truth."
"You sure it's not a fake memory?"
"The memory came to me without his help during that fight just now. It's not fake."
"Then why the hell didn't you remember all of this sooner? You're not just influenced, you've accepted the darkness within you!" Gladio snapped. Cloud took a step back.
"Now there's a simple reason for this, we shouldn't panic over this detail." Ignis tried to keep the peace.
"He's done nothing but good." Prompto added.
"And if he's faking all of this?"
Cloud felt his heart sink. He watched Noctis. His expression turned sour. He had been angry earlier for being rejected. Now he was mad and hurt. The blonde swordsman felt all of this was his responsibility.
Come to me, Cloud.
He blinked. Gladio was ready to have at him no matter what Ignis said. The tattooed warrior glanced at Noctis for any indication to proceed or back off.
They are fighting amongst themselves. They would be better off without you.
The prince's hands turned into fists. The pain was subsiding into the anger boiling over. Cloud felt the presence of Sephiroth nearby. He wasn't the only one to notice, but Cloud already turned and ran.
"No, wait! Don't listen to him!" Ignis tried to follow after.
Gladio took the incentive to give chase and sped past the sandy blonde. The other two looked at each other before running full speed. They didn't understand what was happening but something had to be stopped.
That's it. Our reunion is long past due.
Twists and turns of the path up ahead that lead to the top of a hill. Cloud leaped his way up of each one. Just before reaching the top he slipped and he had to grab a hold of the edge.
"Noct! Use your warp! Stop him from reaching Sephiroth!" Ignis knew the enemy was close by.
Catching onto what's happening Noctis threw his sword. It landed next to Cloud just as he used his own sword to swing upwards and over the edge. The prince warped one second too late to grab him. But he pulled himself over. Just as he made it halfway he caught sight of them.
Cloud had run out of breath, leaning on his knees to stay on his feet. Standing in front of him was Sephiroth. Panic spreading Noctis made it over the edge and warped a few more times to catch up.
"Cloud!" He shouted as his sword was aimed at Sephiroth's side for one more warp.
The blonde straightened and took the outstretched hand. Sephiroth smirked at the prince as a black wing covered both of them and then disappeared into a whisp of dissipating darkness and a few feathers floating down. Noctis' final warp had met with air and he stood where Cloud was seconds before.
When the others caught up Noctis turned to punch Gladio, eyes tearing up. Ignis and Prompto caught him and held him from starting a fight.
"You did this! If you weren't a complete asshole and thought for one second about his mind state then he wouldn't have run to him!"
"Calm down, calm. Keep calm." Ignis instructed, his words had no effect.
"He's destroyed his own planet!" The glaive defended.
"I should renounce you!" Noctis heard the gasps from his words. They all stiffened, suddenly waiting for something to happen.
The hand that belonged to Ignis tightened a little. He was silently pleasing Noctis to not go through with this threat. It was unfair even though the action could be warranted, it would leave them with a pain immesurable to keep up the spirits to fight.
Gladio didn't know what to say. His expression was full of pain and panic. Was he really going to do this? They all knew Noctis was reacting with his feelings. What he said next proved otherwise.
"I should. But I won't." Noctis shook his head, eyes on the verge of tears. "Because you have to face the consequences for whatever happens the next time we see them. And if we have to take him down, then you're suffering with me. With all of us."
At first no one could respond. Too shocked to fully process what he just said. Slowly Prompto and Ignis removed themselves away from Noctis. They avoided eye contact with Gladio. Growing impatient Noctis glared.
"Do you understand me?"
"... Yes, Your Highness." Gladio nods.
When they left Altissa, they left with a prince. Now standing before them was a king.