Chapter Summary: The boys show the marshal what they're made of.
Elemancy was dangerous, Noctis knew. The raw power of the natural elements never quite lost their untamed edge, even when channeled through the Crystal's chosen conduits. And it had the nasty tendency of snaking back around on the caster, either in the form of numbing feedback or thin, veining scars that branched out like roots burrowing into skin, when not handled with the specialized flasks meant for crafting the chaotic energy into neat little bombs of explosive magic that he'd always been instructed to use when Ignis was out of pocket.
Reaching out and syncing his magic with Iggy's was dangerous too – even after all their years of honing the technique in the Citadel training halls – but it never failed to spike his pulse with that volatile rush of adrenaline distilled with the primal thrill of tapping into vast reserves no human could have been able to contain alone. He felt invincible.
Together they unleashed a flurry of flames that burned longer and hotter than anything Noctis had ever managed on his own. 'Course, serving up some well-deserved payback to the Niffs probably had something to do with it too. The anger was still close to the surface, just simmering beneath his skin. He had gotten a bit better about not letting it get to him after the first few days of knowing about the Fall for a couple of reasons. Suffering the countless concerned looks the guys would be sending his way was one thing; knowingly drowning Ignis in his own outrage was another. Not that Ignis wasn't upset too. Noctis could feel that much through their connection, even if Iggy had always been much better at compartmentalizing that crap. Last thing they needed was to make him lose it and go off and burn down a village, or whatever it was dragons did to let off steam when there was no redundant paperwork handy to make disappear. But on top of that there was the added bonus of proving to Cor they could be trusted with jobs dealing with the imperials. Because despite all appearances, Noctis had no intention of moving on and forgetting what had been done to his home – how his father was killed in cold blood. As if in response to the turmoil within, the vortex of bright red embers spun wild from their open palms, nearly melting the thick plating right off the magitek armor's lower half and the metal quaked in distress under their combined assault.
"Don't get too flashy, you two," Cor barked from where he was busy slicing his katana through one of the MTs trying to circle around and surround them, most likely worried about the Niffs getting too suspicious of a couple of Insomnian fugitives capable of the kinda magical output that normally required at least five mage class glaives to pull off. Noctis' identity may have been a lost cause but Iggy's wasn't.
"Apologies," Ignis answered somewhat sincerely when all Noctis managed was an acknowledging grunt, ever one to try and take the rap for the both of them.
But Noctis really wasn't in a sharing mood today. "Yeah, you'll have to forgive us for getting a bit heated with the guys who rained hell down on Insomnia." He punctuated the statement by warping up to the machine's cockpit and driving a lance down through the protective glass. He was pretty sure he heard the imperial inside shriek like a little girl as the blade pierced his console.
"Just keep it in check," Cor scolded, already busy shredding the next MT.
"I suppose it would be rather remiss of us to lose our heads now." Ignis flung his daggers with more force than should've been strictly possible, practically annihilating the magitek armor's ankle joint and nearly toppling the whole thing.
"Just make sure you save some for the rest of us," Gladio roared as he swung his greatsword into the other leg. They had it now. Noctis would have liked to of finished off the pompous general in the tin suit himself, but after phasing through the third bullet in just as many minutes, he decided to shift his focus over to the snipers stationed at the tops of the shipping containers.
The first soldier flinched so hard he nearly fell when Noctis' sword stabbed into the metal at his feet and Noctis couldn't help but wonder if this particular squadron had ever been sent to face the glaives. The others yelled and turned their guns on him but Noctis was already moving. He cut through one shooter and then the next, working his way through their ranks.
Helping out Cor with the Norduscaen Blockade had been almost comically simple, right up until the nutjob in the MA-X Cuirass armor showed up. The imperial went by Loqi and seemed to have an unnatural obsession with bringing down Cor, having declared the Legend of the Immortal was coming to an end. "No more fun and games, surrender yourselves and I will make your suffering quick."
"And this is your last chance to flee before we cleave your little toy in two." It was only their second time working with Cor since the Fall, but Noctis got the distinct impression that he wasn't particularly bothered by the threats on his life. He and the guys all pulled back as the imperial shouted angrily before lighting up the ground with some kind of electric shock field.
It was hard to believe that only a few days ago they'd all been dungeon crawling for ancient ghost weapons with a penchant for hovering in the air and flying right into his chest. That last part had been kinda weird, even if it hadn't exactly hurt. Noctis could still feel the phantom swell of power that was both exhilarating and exhausting in the same breath. The Sword of the Wise and the Axe of the Conqueror didn't exist in the same ethereal non-space as the rest of the weapons and supplies they collected. Calling on them wasn't quite like reaching out to Ignis either, but when he summoned their strength it was almost as if there was an answering tug.
"Uh, guys, he's about to send out more of those missals!" Prompto called as he reloaded his pistol from behind the scrap of cover he'd ducked behind that really should've been a more reasonable distance from the giant robot fight.
"Gladio!" Ignis turned to the shield.
"Right, going up!" Gladio held his sword out parallel with the ground, offering Ignis the perfect perch to hop on for a little boost. Between Gladio's strength and Iggy's own gravity defying leap, Ignis gained more than enough altitude to come down hard on the magitek missile launcher.
By the time Noctis dropped the last sniper the others were just getting clear of the resulting explosion. Magitek armors always did go out with a bang. It was too bad they had one more survivor than necessary.
Bruised, battered and singed, Loqi snarled from Monica's hold, "No! No! This cannot be happening! I will see all of your heads roll for this indignity!"
"I think all you'll be seeing is the inside of a cell for a while." Cor jerked his head toward the gates of the blockade. "Monica, you know what to do."
Loqi sputtered as Cor turned his back, steam practically blowing from the man's ears. "Heed my words, there will be nowhere left on Eos for you to hide. The Empire will smoke you all out like the pathetic vermin you are. No mythic beasts nor even the Astrals themselves will be able to protect you."
Cor frowned as the imperial was led away before he turned and addressed them, "A bit rough around the edges, but seeing you in action puts my mind at ease." And Noctis thought there might've even been a little pride hidden somewhere in Cor's usually impassive voice as he said it.
"Yeah, well, we're just getting started." Noctis didn't have to look behind him to know the others felt the same. Even Prompto, who certainly didn't have to be out here risking his neck, had already shown his resolve to stick with them.
"We've much to do to set things right," Ignis agreed at his side.
Cor nodded in acceptance. "True enough, the borders of Duscae are just beyond this blockade and much greater challenges and perils lie ahead. Watch your backs, it seems the Niffs are more well informed than we believed. I'll return to keeping an eye on them. Till next time, take care."
Noctis felt the subtle ripple of apprehension work its way through Ignis paired with a greater echo of his own curiosity and excitement. Their world just got a little bigger – a little more dangerous. But that was alright. After all, they had plenty of experience with dangerous.
Gralea, Niflheim
"So the prince eludes death. And what of his absent beast and the elusive ring?" Emperor Adlercapt's voice was light and reedy, seemingly blown this way and that by the whims of his childlike ambition. Surely all present could sense it – his powerlust and reliance on the darkness had already proven his undoing. It was only a matter of time until the scythe of fate dropped.
It should have presented a warning, an omen to all who sought to follow in his footsteps and invite the daemons close, but one glance around at the hungry looks that stalked the throne room only confirmed what Ravus already knew: there would be quite the bloodbath amidst the Imperial leadership once the feeble minded emperor commanded his last.
He remained at attention, subtly clenching his fists and being mindful of his new prosthetic. Its weight was not yet a familiar one – a small wonder that the contraption was able to be assembled and installed under such short notice. He'd best be wary that the Empire's boon did not prove his own end as well. "The dragon did not oppose us at the Wall. It was likely removed from the city before the signing. We have suspicions it may be in the hands of the fugitives." In truth, the empire had yet to witness such a creature on any front and had only the word of spies once stationed within the Citadel to verify its existence.
"As for the ring," Ravus continued. "Lunafreya has absconded with it."
"Find and kill her. The dragon and the ring are all I require," The emperor ordered without thought or concern for Ravus' familial connection to the oracle. But not all present were so oblivious.
"We may do well to take her alive as well. The Six wield power beyond our imagination. The oracle and dragon hold the keys for the king. Between them we could unlock many secrets, nay high commander?" Besithia aimed his crooked teeth at Ravus. "Lord Ravus, the imperial army is now at your disposal."
"A moot point while the fugitives remain at large." Ravus moved to face Besithia, wiping the siliceous smirk right off his wrinkled visage. The fool was more asinine than he'd believed if he dared consider Ravus susceptible to his influence. Ravus addressed the emperor, "My men and I will continue our search."
The emperor did not reply. Instead, he watched the air above their heads, following delusions only he could fathom. "So glorious my Crystal…"
Such a waste. Ravus clenched his metal fist again, just to feel the strain of the gears despite not being able to actually feel anything. He was already intimately aware the ring could not be swayed from the blood of Lucis, nor could his sister be brought to her senses. But the dragon, perhaps that strength might still be put to proper use once wrenched away from the coward's spawn. He would just have to flesh the beast out and see for himself.
Hmm, what are you planning Ravus?