Aslan was bigger than the cerberi, standing as tall as a building as He bounded forward to once again swipe at their enemies, His claws faced no resistance as they tore through the cerberi and demons still clustered nearby. He roared again, and the tinier demons fled in terror, something Ignis had never seen.
When the street was empty, which took much less time than Ignis could have ever imagined, the Great Lion turned and strode towards them, His mane still shining in the darkness, illuminating the street but yet no longer painful to look at. With each step, He shrank, until He was merely as tall as a man. For a brief instant, Ignis worried that the survivors behind him would attack, but the moment he met Aslan's gaze, he knew that was a foolish fear.
"Thank you," he murmured. The Lion nodded in acknowledgement.
"Well done, children of Eos," Aslan said, His voice echoing through the silence. "You have fought valiantly."
"Is Noct alright?" asked Gladio urgently. "Did he defeat Ardyn? Does he need our help?"
"Ardyn Lucis Caelum has been defeated, and Noctis has gone to face him in the realm of the Astrals," said Aslan gently. "You have done enough, sworn shield of the king. It is finished." As he spoke those words, a beam of purplish light pierced the sky from the top of the citadel, burning away the thick clouds of scourge that smothered the land. It widened, and then in a blinding flash, it spread across the land like a wave, crashing over everything and everyone in a stinging, piercing, sharp flash. Warmth rested on them, and when Ignis opened his eyes, he realized that with the sky-darkening miasma destroyed, nothing was preventing the sunlight from shining down on them. It was mid-afternoon. The soldiers and hunters began to cheer and celebrate.
"Noct," whispered Prompto. He, Gladio, and Ignis ran to the gate, the remaining hunters and soldiers moving aside to give them a path forward. The barrier had fallen, so there was nothing blocking them as they stumbled exhaustedly up the Citadel steps. It was surreal, climbing into an elevator and waiting for it to deliver them to the 20th floor. The throne room was only a few steps away; Prompto reached it first and practically fell through the doors in his haste.
"Oh, Noctis," groaned Ignis as he saw his King sitting on the throne, King Regis' sword stabbed through his heart, pinning him in place, Ignis' vision, his nightmare, made flesh. Prompto dropped to his knees and sobbed unabashedly. Gladio slammed his hand into the marble door frame, turning away so he wouldn't have to look at his friend. Ignis had seen it every time he'd closed his eyes since Altissia, blind or not, so he carefully made his way up the stairs until he reached his brother.
"I'm so sorry," he wept. The sword was plunged through his king, through the upholstery, and deep into the wooden back behind it, so it was hard to withdraw, but he eventually managed it, dropping it to the ground in favor of catching Noctis as he slumped forward. The body was still warm, heavy with death. The ring of the Lucii sat dully on Noctis' finger, its magical light spent.
"Bring him down to me." Aslan had entered the room unnoticed and stood beside Prompto, who leaned against His leg and buried his face in the Lion's fur. Gladio hurried up to help Ignis. Their king was still tiny in the larger man's arms. Noctis had never reached his twenty-first birthday, after all.
"Can you...?" asked Ignis, a kernel of hope taking root in his heart.
"Alas, child," said Aslan. A tear of sorrow dripped down His face. "I cannot undo the cost that was paid without undoing the sacrifice won. Such is the law decreed by the Emperor-Across-The-Sea, ruler of all worlds, and even I am bound by it." Gladio laid Noctis at the feet of the Great Lion and remained kneeling by his friend, fists clenched.
"Come forth, Noctis," ordered Aslan, bending forward to breathe on the body. As He leaned back, a ghostly form emerged from Noctis' body, first one skinny arm, and then the next. As the figure pushed himself up, a lock of transparent hair fell over his face, and he brushed it aside as Ignis, Prompto and Gladio gaped at him.
"Hey," he said.
"That's all you've got? Hey?" choked Gladio, staring up at the translucent face of his King.
"I'm sorry I had to leave you guys," said Noctis earnestly.
"Thank you for everything, your Majesty," said Ignis, bowing deeply.
"Hey, Specs, no, you're fine," protested Noctis, reaching for his friend with insubstantial hands before he dropped his hands in an awkward, half-aborted gesture. "I don't regret it. You would've done the same for me."
"Are you okay?" asked Prompto in a small voice.
"Yeah, Prompto, I'm alright," said Noctis. He smiled gently, reminding Ignis of the child he was before the demon attack that damaged his spine. "It sucks that this is what it took, but I'm glad you guys are okay. I did this for you, and Luna, and Dad, and Iris and Talcott and everyone else, so it makes me happy to see you made it.
"Besides, I'm counting on you guys," he continued. "I'm counting on you to help Eos rebuild. Lucis will need a lot of help, and the other nations aren't in much better shape. Ignis, Gladio, Prompto-I leave it to you," Noctis said solemnly.
"We won't let you down," Ignis swore.
"What now?" Noctis asked Aslan.
"You cannot remain here," said Aslan. "I will bring you to my country, where all who are true and good go after their lives have ended. Your friends, if they remain faithful, shall see you again there when their time on Eos is finished." Noctis placed one hand on the Great Lion's mane.
"I love you guys," he said. "Thank you." Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis smiled through their sorrow at their king, and bowed formally one last time. Ignis felt the most profound gratitude fill him. They and their entire world had a future because of their king's love and sacrifice, and they would do everything to repay that debt.
Aslan turned and nudged Noctis towards the door to the throne room. Unlike their return from Narnia, Ignis couldn't see anything different or portal-like to transport the deity and the spirit to wherever they were going, but Noctis' face lit up and he hurried, practically running through the door. As he and Aslan stepped through the opening, they faded away, and a warm breeze swept through the room, carrying the echo of a woman's musical laugh and smelling of sweet, fresh sylleblossoms.
~~~~~The End~~~~~
A/N: Thank you for joining me on my journey with Noctis, Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto. Though this bears minimal resemblance to my original dream, I am grateful to have been able to bring it to completion. Perhaps I shall someday publish something else and see you all again. Merry Christmas!