"We are just asking to get soaked even more wandering around in this rain." Noctis muttered as they walked back to the outpost.
"We better get a move on then," Ignis said as they approached Wiz to rent the chocobos.
The group hurried their way to Wiz's and rented their chocobos again. Once they had their mounts again, they started toward where the rain and lightning seemed to be heavier.
As they headed into the more open fields, Noctis heard Geniana's voice float through his mind, "Finite is the Oracle's strength, and great is the toll of the covenant. Without the King, it will be too much to bear."
Prompto gasped and quickly turned to look at Noctis. "Noct? Did you hear that?"
"You heard it too?" Noctis replied quietly. "I thought it was just me."
"I suppose it must be your connection again," Ignis commented. "After all, you shared the headache from Titan."
Noctis looked over at Ignis. "Do you. . . has this ever happened before?" He asked curiously.
"A Messenger speaking to you in thought or the level of the bond you and Prompto share?"
"The level of the bond we share."
"I am unsure," Ignis replied. "I tried to research it when I first learned of it, but there wasn't much to go on. I believe this is new to all of us."
With a little huff of breath, Noctis nodded. "Alright, then making up the rules as we go continues to be the way we work."
"But uh so about what Gentiana said... what did she mean, Noct?" Prompto asked as they kept moving forward.
The hands holding the reigns tightened for a moment. "Luna is waking up the Astrals for me, so I can make the covenants. The longer it takes to make them, the more of... well, her, she's offering up."
"You mean it's like draining her?" Prompto asked.
Noctis sighed a little. "From what little I understand of everything, yes. Helping you make the covenants isn't easy, and she's helping form a lot. I don't... I hope Luna makes it out okay."
"Yeah I hope so too," Prompto sighed. "I still want to meet her in person."
"We'll make sure you get a chance to meet her. I bet she'll be excited to see you finally."
"Totally! Then I can play with her precious little doggos all day!"
"You'll make Ziggy jealous." Noctis teased.
"Well I would say we could bring Ziggy for a doggy playdate but I think until we deal with everything it'll have to wait," Prompto sighed.
"That day will come, I promise. One day we can relax and have dog play dates."
"Yeah," Prompto nodded. "When we get through all of this, which we will, we can just relax."
"I just hope it'll be sooner than later."
"The sooner the better," Gladio said as his chocobo caught up to the other two. "Now we need to keep moving towards the center of this storm."
Noctis nodded and trusted that the center was where the lighting was striking more frequently than in other places. As they pushed forward, the rain started to come down harder, til they were in the middle of sheets of rain and their hair was nearly on end.
Then he saw the gnarled tree hit by lightning. With a sense of calm, Noctis slid off his chocobo to walk toward the tree with his hand stretched out. The moment his hand touched the tree, he felt the crack of air as he felt the first part of Ramuh's blessing come over him.
Prompto only felt a power flow over him, but Noctis seemed to be lost in deep thought. When the glow faded from Noctis's eyes, Prompto approached him. "Hey, everything good?"
Shaking his head some, Noctis looked over at Prompto. "Sorry, I heard Gentiana again. And, I just had an old memory come back," he said. "Come on, let's keep going."
"Huh guess you and her wanted some private chat time?" Prompto snickered as he lightly elbowed Noctis.
Noctis let out a little laugh at that. "I guess so. I just want to find a dry spot to sleep and then go find the next one."
They continued onwards to the next rune. It wasn't as hard as they thought it would be and when Noctis touched it he had yet another vision and wisdom from Gentiana. Now that the second rune had been touched there was one more location that they had to go to. Informed by Gentiana, Noctis told the group that they would be headed to Fociaugh Hollow. That would be where the final rune would be.
They rode all the way there, reaching the entrance to the dungeon in record time. Prompto jumped off of his bird and gave it a gentle pet. "Aw sorry buddy, can't come into the cave with us. I guess we really do need to go inside?" he asked as he looked at the guys.
At the entrance to the cave, Noctis reached out to take Prompto's hand and give it a small squeeze. They all made sure they had their flashlights on as soon as they breached the entrance. Noctis hated it when the bat swarm came out at them, making them stumble backwards to avoid getting teeth or claws in the face as the creatures flew away.
As much as Noctis tried his best to remain close to Prompto to assure him it would be alright, the small, tight corridors kept it hard to manage the fights for everyone. So he just squeezed Prompto's hand each free moment he got, trying to fight off that feeling of claustrophobia that was sinking deep into his soul from Prompto.
Soon enough they were staring down one of the tightest squeezes in the cave, and Prompto's breath caught, and Noctis knew just what Prompto was beginning to think.
"Wait! You're not going to tell me we actually have to squeeze through that! That is like, even more narrow than anything else we've gone through!" Prompto exclaimed.
"This is the only possible route forward through the cave." Ignis explained. "I believe only Gladio should have any issue with the gap, but I believe he should manage alright if he stops some."
"It just looks too narrow! And we don't even know how long it goes on for!"
"What do you suggest we do Prompto? The runestone is somewhere further inside the cave, and we've found no other leads."
"M-Maybe I'll just wait outside? Back with the chocobos?" Prompto said, his voice cracking slightly.
Noctis couldn't take it anymore and went over to Prompto to pull him into a hug. "Are you sure? Do you really want to just wait outside for. . . who knows how long?" He asked quietly.
"You can always text me if you think you guys will be there awhile. I think I'd rather not take the chance of getting stuck and panicking like an idiot. I mean I'm already panicking, b-but you know…"
Noctis pulled Prompto in close to give him a quick kiss. "Make sure to keep a gun on you, okay? Be safe. And text if you need an update."
They had separated for different hunts and such, but this was the first time they had parted during one of these dungeons. And he couldn't help but feel he was failing as a husband somehow by not being as comforting as he could to let Prompto see this to the end.
"I promise I'll keep my guard up," Prompto reassured him. "I can handle it, plus time alone with the chocobos."
Noctis pressed one last kiss to Prompto's lips. "Alright, we'll be back soon, promise. Walk tall." He said softly.
"I always will," Prompto whispered back as he headed toward the entrance of the cave.
Once Prompto had gone back toward the entrance, Noctis allowed himself to take a deep breath to steady his nerves. He convinced his two retainers to go through the crack in the cave to see what led in front of them.
Fortunately, both of them were right. The break in the cave was the path forward, but it was long and narrowed so much that Gladio had a moment to worry he couldn't make it through the gap. Still, the trio made it. And they were able to defeat the daemons in front of them. The naga was a terrible creature to try and fight. He had never faced down a creature who could speak human words and had to kill them, but he focused on his path forward.
His efforts were rewarded with the last runestone and the blessings of Ramuh surging through him. He took a deep breath as he pulled away from the large stone and the bright purple light surrounding him. The knowledge of Prompto sitting alone forced him to get his friends to go through the narrow passages of the cave to return to the surface as soon as possible.
He was so glad that the daemons seemed to know what sort of power now flooded through Noctis's veins. He was so glad to see the sunlight once more after untold days inside a cave system.
Only, he saw their chocobos asleep but no Prompto.
Instead, he saw a small parcel tucked into the saddle of the only yellow chocobo in the camp. He pulled out the letter, which only dumped two small items into his hand.
Two black crystal skull cufflinks.
At that moment, Noctis's mind went blank.
"Noct!" either Ignis or Gladio shouted. "Noct! Focus!"
For a moment, Noctis didn't breathe. He couldn't even think. He just stared at those cufflinks and the lack of Prompto at his side and in his mind.
Then, the static in his mind broke so he could hear his friends, and he could move like a robot over to either Ignis or Gladio. "They took him. They stole him away." He said softly, offering the cufflinks weakly.
"What the hell are you talking about? Who took him?" Gladio asked gruffly.
"Noct, are those..." Ignis trailed off as he looked at the cufflinks in Noctis's hand.
"They're the cufflinks I gave him at the gala." Noctis said with full certainty. "I don't know who could have found them, but I know them no matter what."
"Well it certainly can't be Drusus. He's still locked up along with all of his followers," Ignis stated.
Noctis tightened his hand around the cufflinks as he tried to not cry at the lack of anything from Prompto. "Could it be the Empire? Could they have found him alone and subdued him?" He asked quietly
"Let's not assume the worst yet," Gladio said.
"Then what do you think might have happened to him?" Noctis snapped.
"We don't know Noct. But let us reconvene back at the chocobo post to see what we can find."
The lack of panic, the lack of worry was the only reason Noctis was able to nod to his retainers. "Okay, Then, then, let's head back to Wiz's Outpost. See if he might be there. Otherwise, we put out a call for him missing."
"We shall call and text him as soon as we get back," Ignis replied as he mounted his chocobo. "But let us make haste."
Noctis quickly mounted his chocobo and grabbed Prompto's chocobo's reins to help guide him back to the outpost. Due to the daylight, they made it in record time. Unfortunately, the lack of blond among the people there made Noctis utterly melt and just hold the cufflinks close to his chest.
Gladio came closer to Noctis, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Pull it together, Noct. We haven't even tried calling him yet."
"Gladio, I can't feel him." Noctis said softly. "There's nothing. it's not like he's lost and trying to find us in a panic. or just taking photos. There's. . . nothing."
"Now hold on there. How do you know there's nothing?" Gladio asked. "Let's say on the off chance something did happen to him and he was captured. If he was unconscious would you still be feeling what he feels?"
Noctis paused and held onto Gladiolus for stability. "I don't know. Let me try. We're too used to just passing information to each other." he confessed.
He took a deep breath while using the strength of his friends nearby to dive into the bond and forget his own body. In doing so, he knew his body was sagging, but he understood the deep and unnatural sleep Prompto was in at the moment until he was able to pull himself away with a struggle.
"Whoa, careful!" Gladio said as he grabbed hold of Noctis. "I'm guessing you almost passing out has something to do with the bond?"
"They drugged him, and they drugged him hard." He slurred, though he tried to push past the artificial drunkenness in his body.
Gladio pulled Noctis into a hug. He was not the most affectionate of the group, but when it came down to things concerning his siblings, that was where everything was different. "We'll find him. Don't worry about it, Noct."
Noctis fell into his Shield and let out a soft sob. "I promised. I promised he would be safe. I would protect him." He whispered.
"I know... I know you did," Gladio said, speaking in his rare soft tone. "But Blondie can also take care of himself. He's going to be okay and we're going to get him the fuck back from wherever he's at."
"What do we do now?" Noctis asked softly. "I don't know where we go now."
"First," Ignis said as he approached. "We retrieve the Regalia. I just received a call from Cindy on a lead. Once we have the car we will return to Lestallum to gather anything we left behind since being stuck here. And then..." he glanced down to his phone. "We might as well make our way to Altissia."
He held up his phone revealing an article that wasn't even an hour old.
Empire announces heir to the throne will be in Altissia for ceremony
"No, they didn't." He breathed. "Let's go then. They can't get away with this."
"We will get there as soon as we can. We must get the car first," Ignis suggested. "We will keep track of the news as we go to see if there are any developments."
"Okay, thank you. I'm glad I have you two to keep me going." Noctis confessed.
"We wouldn't leave you. We're here for our kings," Gladio replied.
Thanks to Ignis talking to Cindy, the trio took the evening to dry off and try to get some rest. Noctis struggled to sleep that night despite the long time in the cave. In the morning they took the chocobos toward one of the Imperial strongholds to take it out. Finally, in the middle of the stronghold, they managed to find the Regalia, and Ardyn standing next to it.
"Ah, so good to see you again. I was worried you wouldn't want to make your way to meet up with your dear husband in Altissia." The Chancellor said with a small smirk.
Gladio and Ignis had to grab onto Noctis, holding him back from lunging at the chancellor.
"Noct!" Ignis scolded. "Please refrain yourself!"
Noctis struggled a little bit before he let his friends pull him back. "I said to keep quiet! If you've hurt him at all, I will end you." He hissed.
"Dear Noctis, why would we wish to hurt our future Emperor? I assure you he is in perfect care. After all, he's on his way home." Ardyn replied.
"Then why go out of your way to capture him against his will?" Ignis asked.
"That unfortunately was out of my control. The soldiers only do what they are told and they were told to retrieve the heir as safely as they could," Ardyn explained.
"He doesn't want to go with you." Noctis snapped, lunging forward and managing to break his arm out of Ignis's hold to summon one of his weapons.
Ardyn stayed perfectly still, unphased by the oncoming attack. Just before Noctis could get close, Ravus appeared just as quick. Their blades clashed and Ravus glared deeply at him.
Gritting his teeth, Noctis was happy to have someone to properly take out his frustration as he started to fight with Ravus. Soon enough Ignis and Gladio joined him until the battle settled down to a stalemate.
"Cease this nonsense, Noctis," Ravus scowled.
"Bring back Prompto. He doesn't want to be your Emperor." Noctis snapped. "What is the point of all of this?"
"Niflheim needs an heir, and he is just that. But you Lucians rudely stole him away before he could be formally announced," Ardyn answered.
Noctis shook his head at that. "We go to Altissia, and we can see Prompto again?" He asked, though his body was still nearly vibrating from the tension in his body.
"Yes, that would be ideal. Even if there is still tension, the empire wishes to complete the ceremony that had been intended for the young Prompto."
"Fine, we'll go to Altissia." Noctis stormed toward the car, ready to get away from the people taunting him.
"We'll be glad to see you arrive," Ardyn purred, his voice lowered as he chuckled. "I'm sure your husband will appreciate it."
"Get us out of here Specs." Noctis said softly. He did his best to ignore Ardyn as they got into the Regalia.
"Very well," Ignis said as he sat down in the driver's seat and started up the car.
As soon as they were out of the base, Noctis curled up in the back seat. "I hate them so much."
"I think we can all agree that we have a distaste for the Empire. It is quite unfortunate that Ravus works for him," Ignis said.
"I don't understand how he can stand it. Maybe he'll decide to leave one day."
"Hmph, well he better have a good reason for working with them," Gladio grumbled.
Noctis sighed and thought about that. "Probably to protect his sister."
"The lengths some will go..." Gladio sighed.
"I don't know, I'm feeling pretty fucking reckless to get Prom back. It's like- it's like Drusus all over again." Noctis confessed.
"This isn't as severe thankfully. They are not holding him for ransom, but instead taking him back. As ugly as it is, Prompto is of Niflheim origins and for whatever reason he was raised in Insomnia," Ignis said as he drove along the road.
Noctis sighed as he watched the scenery pass by. "We know why he was raised in Insomnia." He said softly.
"And that would be?" Gladio asked.
"He was found as part of a Magitek manufacturing facility as a baby."
"And do we know why the hell the supposed heir of Niflheim was there?" Gladio huffed angrily. "Sure, apparently his dad is some crazy scientist but why would he be here?"
"He wasn't just... There, he was part of the experiments. He has- he has a barcode on his wrist."
"And how long have you known?" Ignis asked lightly, not wanting to upset Noctis further.
"Dad told us about this, and the Prophecy at the same time. That was... a really terrible meeting."
"Ahh... I'm sorry," Ignis sighed, trying to keep his composure straight. He wished he could hold Noctis tightly if he hadn't been driving.
Noctis gave a little shrug at that. "He did what he thought best."
"Well now the reason Prompto was raised here is a little more clear. But I suppose where he was born doesn't matter."
"Of course it doesn't matter where he was born. He's Prompto." Noctis said confidently. "I've already assured him I'm not letting him go, and I'm going to be true to my word."
"Then let us do what we can to make haste. The blockages around the region have lifted at least so making our way around has become easier again," Ignis said.
Soon enough they pulled back into Lestallum and parked the car. When they got to the Leville they saw Iris waiting for them.
"What's wrong?" Gladio said, seeing the look on his sister's face.
Iris lowered her head. "I let you down. I never made it to Caem. The empire came while you were gone."
"Are you okay?" Noctis asked as he came up to Iris. "Did they try anything with you?"
"Let's head upstairs first... I'll tell you guys in the room."
Nodding, Noctis followed them up to Iris up to her room to see what else the Empire had destroyed. Seeing Talcott cry made him go over to the younger boy and pull him in close for a hug. He held Talcott tightly, reassuring the child that he did all that he could. It hurt to see a young boy so distraught, but Noctis wasn't going to stand by and let it happen.
But then Talcott had to ask something else. "Where's Prompto?"
The question made his loss ache even more. "The- the Empire took him." He said softly. "He's in Altissia."
"Th-They took him?" Talcott asked, his eyes watering.
"They took him. I'm so sorry Talcott. I didn't mean to let them do that."
Talcott buried his face into Noctis's shirt, letting out his sobs. "Y-You gotta get him back."
"I will, I promise. I'm not gonna let them keep him." He said as he clung onto Talcott harder.
"We will do all that we can to bring him home," Ignis added.
Noctis let Talcott finish crying before he moved them over to sit on the bed together. "What did you have to tell us, Iris?"
Iris lowered her head as she sat down. "The Empire came... we didn't tell them about Noct, but I don't think they were looking for him. Then... then Jared..."
"What do you mean? What did they do to Jared?" Gladio asked.
Finally Iris started crying. "There was nothing we could do! Jared did what he could b-but..."
"I- I tried but I couldn't do anything." Talcott cried.
Noctis held him closer and rubbed his back. "I won't let the Empire get away with this."
"We'll get back at them for everything," Gladio said. "We can't let this slide. None of this."
Talcott pulled away to look at Noctis and Gladio. "I believe in you." He got off the bed to head back to his room.
"Now what are you guys going to do?"
"We need a way to get to Altissia... but first I say we need to get some proper rest."
"Get some rest, and we can start making plans in the morning. We can't stay here much longer." Iris replied.
Noctis nodded and got up so they could get their own room. He just felt like he wanted to shut down for a few days.
Just before Noctis was ready to drift off, Ignis came into the room, sitting on the edge of the bed. "In a few days we are going to take Iris and Talcott to Cape Caem. Do you think you will be able to go by then?"
"'Course. I'll do whatever we have to." Noctis replied, though he didn't roll over to face Ignis as he spoke.
Ignis reached over, placing his hand on Noctis's back. He tried to gently rub in hopes it could sooth Noctis a little. "Please take care of yourself, Noct. Prompto wouldn't want you to worry like this."
Noctis let out a long sigh. "I'll try Iggy. We haven't been apart like this since high school."
"I know. It probably is hard, but I promise we are going to get him back safely in your arms before you know it."
"Thank you. I'm glad I still have you and Gladio."
"We'll always be here for you."
"Thanks Specs." He said softly before pulling the blanket over his head to try and get some sleep.