"If you could come with me please," said a voice. Ignis stood up and tried to brush his clothes clean and smooth the wrinkles away, although after spending several days locked up, it was pretty futile. The cell door was opened, and he stepped forward blindly, one arm extended in case he ran into anything. Someone carefully took hold of his shoulder. He heard a familiar tapping sound as they guided him forward, and he guessed it was a faun. Other creatures paced beside them; aside from the occasional pad of soft steps on stone or a particularly loud exhale, they were almost completely silent.
They kept a steady pace, turning down a few hallways and passing through a couple of doors. "There's a flight of stairs in front of us," said his escort. As they walked, Ignis counted his steps and tried to map the area in his head. He wasn't going to try to fight or flee without help, but if the opportunity presented itself, he wanted to be as prepared as possible. The escort knocked on a door, and a deep voice inside bade them enter.
"Ignis!" Ignis had an instant to turn towards his King's voice before a warm body embraced him.
"Noct," sighed Ignis, fumbling in his perpetual blackness to place a hand against his friend's face, feeling his tousled hair as someone that had to be Gladio clapped him on the back. His escort let go of him and stepped away as the familiar click of Prompto's shoes bounded forward.
"Y'alright, buddy?" Prompto asked.
"I'm fine," Ignis said, squeezing the blond's hand as his fingers were scooped up and held tightly.
"Thank you," said Noctis, pulling away for a moment.
"Of course," said the deep voice from before.
"Ignis, this is High King Peter and King Edmund and Queen Lucy of Narnia," said Gladio.
"We've met," said the queen as Ignis gave a formal bow.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," agreed the blind man.
"Thank you for letting us see him," repeated Noctis.
"It was the least we could do, particularly in circumstances such as these," said one of the kings. "Our royal sister Queen Susan will be returning tonight from her journeys, so we must wait to sit in judgement until tomorrow."
"I had an idea," said Ignis. "Your Majesties, I had more flasks of ice on my person when I was arrested. I thought perhaps that one could be used in a demonstration to show that anyone could wield the elemancy and that I bear no allegiance to your witch."
"Can I do it?" asked Queen Lucy eagerly.
"That's a great idea, Specs," said Noctis. "If Her Majesty is willing to participate in a demonstration, so am I."
"Absolutely not," interrupted Gladio rudely. "I'll do it."
"It's my power, Gladio," said Noctis.
"Yeah, but it's my duty to be your shield. She can throw it at me."
"Fair enough," said Noctis. "Do you want to do it now, or would you rather wait for tomorrow?"
"Let us wait until Queen Susan is present," said the queen mischievously. "I'd hate for her to miss it."
"Lu..." muttered the first king.
"Is it dangerous?" asked the other king.
"Not really," said Prompto. "Definitely not to the person throwing it, as long as you throw it far enough. And we've all been caught splash damage before; it's nothing too serious."
"Hey, it could be serious if I wanted it to be," protested Noctis. "I just didn't have enough ice when I was crafting them last."
"And a good thing too," murmured Ignis, summoning his courage. He wasn't ready for this conversation, but it had to be done. "Noct, may I speak privately with you for a moment?"
"Not until after the trial, Specs," said the prince, a note of regret in his voice.
"Of course," said Ignis automatically, an odd mixture of disappointment and relief churning in his stomach.
The visit was short; Ignis was grateful for every second, but all too soon there was a knock at the door, and the Narnian royalty dismissed them: his friends to various rooms, and him back to his cell. They weren't terribly awful conditions, particularly since his restraints had been removed, but it was difficult to bid his friends farewell. The blind man sat on the floor of his prison, mentally rehearsing the arguments that he would make the following day. He tried to sleep (unsuccessfully). He even tried to do some stretches and exercises in the limited space available-anything to keep his mind occupied through the long evening and night.
Regardless of what happened at the trial, he had to tell Noctis about his vision in Altissia. He had to tell him about the sacrifice that would be required to purge the starscourge from all of Eos. Why does it have to be Noctis!? he raged silently, glancing blindly up towards the sky as he prayed to the Six. Why does Noctis have to pay the price!? It's not fair! It's not just!
The gods were silent.
Lord Bahamut, Draconian, I beg you. Please! Help us against our enemies. Niflheim and the scourge will destroy all of Eos. The sun no longer shines brightly on our planet. The days are dim, and the nights grow long. How will we live if no food grows? The demons are only held at bay because of the light; if they don't have to disperse every morning, they will grow stronger and stronger until all life is destroyed. The Lucii are still faithful to you. Noctis is your chosen king. Please help us!
Astrals, Kings above, if you require a life, take mine. I offer you my life in exchange for Noctis'. My service was deemed worthy before. You allowed me to wield the ring and took only my sight. Allow me once again to channel your power. I give my all, my life, my heart, my mind. Please!
The gods were silent.
I hate you. Ignis' hands shook, and he very deliberately unclenched them and placed them flat on the stone floor. You're Astrals! You created mankind. Why won't you help us? Why have you allowed the starscourge to spread? You have unimaginable power. Why not use it? Save us!
How do I tell him? he prayed. What do I say? How do I tell my friend, my king, that he's not going to have a future? How do I look my brother in the eye and ask him to die for me, to sacrifice his life for the world? But how can I not? If the sun is blotted out by the scourge, if the light is gone, we can't survive. We will all die anyway, just slower.
What do I say?
The gods were silent.