Episode Ignis: Search for Ignis.
Home sweet home...
The boys leap in sync on solid ground, examining their surroundings. No guards, snipers, MT or...well actually no one. Sky turn upside down, dusk of everlasting. Daemons soar across, shrieking in terror.
Dear Astrals, rubbles, ashes of remains, echo of dead silence... not a soul in sight. Darkness in every corner, what was left of people clothing, in which case they turned into daemons, how unfortunate tragic or punishment they go. Crates and broken glass shattered, what a mess, probably fleeing in a hurry.
It's a case of their Emperor fell, what Ravus had inform.
"Lights up."
Prompto shook his head to snap out of his thought. "Oh, right." click his switch on, illuminating as they scurry deep within.
Noctis was leading, well he got no clue but it was the only path, to the metal stairs up a wide open metal door. Better hustle before those flying daemons swipe them off their feet.
Prompto sighed faintly so the others wouldn't hear it. This place, gifting him the shivers of reminder where he-
I'm a Lucian...
Not from here.
The place was dim, flickering lights, defective LED, but cannot avert the daemons resurface from dust into living creature created by plasmaodium malariae. Apparently multiple Imps hissed at humans and positioned to attack the incoming beings.
"Outta my way!" Noctis snarled and warp strike the first attack. First strike. No hesitation, pretty much a race against time in his grasp.
Gladio followed behind, "Stop being reckless!" he snapped while slam his claymore to the ground, causing to grow a huge crack, eliminated two in progress.
"Noct, chill!" Prompto agreed, these Imps are more than an obstacle to them, recoil his revolver as he sidestep to avoid being hit by Imp's claw attack. Shot one. These Imps are slippery and...skinny and gross.
Noctis, not a slightest word came to him as he slash the Imps, every last of them, dwindle into nothingness. That taken care of...goodness he wanted to attempt homicide. Taking heavy breath, he scowl to himself and notice another path - on the other side of massive gap of void.
The King's Shield approach, dismiss his claymore and clutch Noctis shoulder, unceremoniously gaze and eyed at his "If you're going to send yourself into the grave, then get your head out of your asshole and get a grip!"
"We need to get there, or it'll be too late. I don't have time for this!" Noctis deflected, shrugging his hand off his left shoulder.
"You have a calling to fulfill, and yet you run. People risk their life for your Highness and you're not completing your duty! The Crystal is important before the scourge engulfed our world!" Amicitia force Noctis a few steps behind.
Noct didn't appreciate his tone. He step forward, resting his palm on his bicep, expression look irate and scowled "Calling? I don't give a damn about it, fate or not! Ignis is in danger!"
Gladio snorted "So you want to perish and everyone you cared into daemons?! We are in our enemy fortress with no blueprints or knowledge and you're charging to a dead end! So-called King we worship."
Gladio knew Noct was stressing. He need to understand this is the first step. Unfortunately. Let's see if he can test if he manage to carry the load.
"Hey enough you gu-" Prompto tried to diffuse the situation but Gladio harshly push him, nearly losing his balance. His strength is unbelievably inhuman, but for his safety, he didn't of course. Just a tad warning, it was between them.
"I get it!" Noct snapped, but he's right. They are in new territory, usually Ignis decipher the area well by posts and checkpoint. With him, the guys execute their mission successfully. With burden on his shoulder, losing Luna is one trigger aggressiveness, he have to save Ignis... The Crystal too. He need to remind himself that his friends are here for him. Even Gladio was getting to his sense of reality.
Especially Gladiolus trying to adjust his goal as a King. Life or death, people sacrifice their life for the King and pay his life for others... is what destiny foretold. And so prestige to new dawn of his heroic salvation.
"I get it..." he repeated lowly. He cursed to himself low as inaudible.
"Hmph." Curt replied.
Took a deep breath and exhale "Save Iggy, get the ring from him, then I'll find the Crystal by myself. I will be as King, no matter what lies the road ahead of me." he complied.
Gladio shook his head, breathe out and tense his body "Hell no, we go together. Whether you like it or not."
Talk like a True King.
"And yes," Gladio resumes "we need to prevent Iggy harvest the ring power. I want to beat Iggy's ass as much as you do."
In conclusion, in his heart he adore his friends. Not into sappy or feeling expressed, remain vigilant and stern, that's his strength. Yet, he is a gentle giant. It's crucial, Noct have to fulfill his calling and...cost of his own. Friends since childhood, working with Ignis was a pleasure and meeting Prompto along the way.
You better be standing when we get there Iggy.
"...Yeah, I... thanks for being here... both of you." Caelum lower his head, dubious at certain wording. It was definitely not his thing on gooey but he said it. His retainers - friends, even brothers to him. Thanks to Amicitia, boosted his spirit.
That made Gladio let out a faint smile.
Prompto stood silently, irrelevant lecture to the king, well at least they made amends, surprised, his buddy admit that he enjoyed their hospitality. Of course they promise King Regis to be there for him. As the two settled, Prompto decide to analyze the area in slow pace, who knows if the floor collapse under his feet.
Yet Prompto felt sadness in his heart. Noct is going to sacrifice his life for the stars. Is this how he wanted to witness the farewell with ranting on another companion? Plus this place weighing down his spirit - the worst room of all. The heart of destruction and war. The creation of Magitek and...
The blond sighed quietly, focus on the objective, mental note is why they're here. Avert his friends growling at each other, urge to be relevant and - oh, how fortunate he saw a glimpse of radio resting on top of the shelf.
"Hey uh... I found a radio. Maybe we find out what happen to this place."
The two glance to Prompto direction, information and clues can help. Put aside their difference and headed to Prompto position.
Click.
'This is the Imperial Security Bureau: A situation has arisen in several research sectors. All civilians must relocate to their designated refuge station immediately. Failure to evacuate will result in incarceration or other appropriate disciplinary procedure.' The radio repeat.
"Wonder what happened," Noctis added, becoming persistent, waiting, great.
"Experiment gone wrong?" Gladio tentatively answered, glancing a storage room, wait, there's a passage. A good lead, assumed.
"Whatever it is, I don't like the sound of it." Argentum concurred with the guys.
Yeah... another of failure experiment... created here.
No, no, no. I'm not one of them.
Prompto sighed faintly so his friends won't hear. No, not that it matters, one day he will share his true feelings, but while it last for Noct, the Crystal is calling him.
...This is probably the last time sided with Noct, pleading unveiling his secret of origin.
Certain this would be quite bad timing but one shot. Maybe one day, he will share the load to him and the others. Whatever happen to his friends, he hoped to walk tall with them, alive.
One day.
Save Iggy first.
"You alright?" Noct interrupted his blondie friend ponder, walking towards him with gentle rest on his shoulder.
Argentum nod once to reply. Mental note, Let's talk another time, vowed to himself. A soft sigh escaping his lips once more. Get his endgame going, there is a friend who need of help.
Noctis peered the room, staring across the debris. There's a building, he can warp there but cannot abort his friends. Prompto turn off the radio, had enough with recurrent broadcast. Gladio, on the other hand...
"Hey, this could be a way. If there's storage, an entrance to the building." He pointed out, echo fill his monotone voice.
Noctis took the lead, wavering ahead through lighting hallway while his friends tailing him. The boys got to hurry, who knows if Ignis was even alive. Narrow hallway, not appealing decor, crates and hallways.
More. Hallways.
Definitely something missing here.
Arriving to probably 5 layer sheet of metal door with bars. Seems a way to across but it was locked from the inside. No way to pry, even heavy arsenal.
"Another dead end eh?" Gladio tried to pull using his strength, didn't budge or centimeters at slightest.
"I'm open for suggestion,"
"I'd say we blast our way through a wall with Armiger." Noctis suggested, rested his palm on the wall, rubbing slightly. Grew impatient by the minute.
"Nope, should be another through than by force, Noct. These people knew how to get in and out." Prompto explained, leaning on the wall, engraved white paint of number Five. He detect a slight breeze through the edge. The wall was out of ordinary, a hidden passage? Rest gently his ear and detect a movement and strange occurrence brought him anxious to peek.
"Hey Gladio can you break this one?" Argentum asked for assistance, lift his index finger, pinpointing the surface.
Noct was either impatient or huge assumptions to bring up vandalizing - oh wait. This is enemy's Keep and vast emptiness so called Ghost Town. King's Shield raised an eyebrow, stroll and summon the magic tied to the Prince, his claymore appeared and-
Oh-
Flat surface shattered in pieces, no commentary... a ruthless brute destroying concrete wall. Right on cue he evade rubble incoming and use his arms to shield against what was left of it. Noctis mimic his buddy too.
Well, well, well... a secret entrance.
The two blinked.
Well OK, least give them a warning.
"Well, Noct's right, eheh... 'precciate it big guy." Prompto complimented, awkward smile added.
"Don't sweat it," Gladio replied, just when he about to dismiss his weapon, there are six Magitek welding axe, swaying its direction to the guys in black. But... those things look bugged or busted. Charging towards them, grazing the floor while dragging their melee weapon.
"Company!"
Magitek Axemen.
Noctis summon his Engine Blade and hurled at one rushing towards Gladio, disable immediately despite raise his shield in instant.
Prompto called his revolver and shoot from the distance. One was down and another circling around Gladiolus, there was an opening.
"Hey Prompto,"
"On it, oh hello, opening!" Pressure the revolver trigger, release a heavy bullet to its head, Noctis warp strike, following his attack. Nice synergy, it'll never get old.
"Impressive!"
"No biggie," the blondie gloat and whistle.
Gladiolus flattened the trio that was in front and perform Maelstrom attacks. Noctis unite with Gladio and knock them off their feet and a gush of swing to slice their body in half. But one dash, rushing toward Prompto.
It latched itself on to Prompto, collapse to meet the dirty floor due to its weight and begin to short circuit. Argentum yelped, stunned for brief as it is trying to detonate itself. Right arm was pinned but free one tried to shove it off before a nasty hit.
"Prompto!" Noctis yelled in dismay. If he throw his weapon to warp, he might harm him. But he'll get hurt when it explode.
In result, he warp strike. Gladio was occupied, didn't detect behind until Noct summon his friend name. But it was too late. Prompto scream in pain, electrocuted and burns. He was force his body upward few inches and winced.
"I got you," Noctis was on his side, pulling out a potion and crush in his grasp immediately. Thanks to Fleuret offer curative, was a huge help.
"...Thanks Noct." Argentum stuttered but thankful of his help, slowly propelling himself. Noctis offer his hand, Prompto grinned slightly, accepting a lift.
Gladio hustle towards the guys and nod once. Good, Prompto is in great condition. Nominal status, nothing major. Just worried if anything happen to his nuisance blond companion.
"Don't die on me now,"
"Right, sorry." Prompto apologized, adjusting his shoulders, examine his arms and bandana. Noct was there for him. It really warmth his heart. Friends.
My friends.
I am one of them of course. Just...stop overthinking.
Pursue to their quest, into the depth, the boys sustain deeper. Discover lies beneath the darkness, flash of blood red colored eyes shot a glare, defective Axemen. Though, a walk to Eos field, quite simple sweep up. No daemons emerge, so far. Appease the guys to spare their sweat.
A dread stillness, no encounter so far as they journey within. Silence eating the room, their footsteps vibrating, hinder their presence obvious in opponent fortress. Well...Everyone perish, clothing of their remains... condolences who haven't fled to evacuation or execute protocol. They proceed to control room, multiple display screens of entire Niflheim, that's a promising sight.
"Hey, maybe the cameras might help us find Iggy and the Crystal!" Prompto cheerfully said, racing immediately, eyes glitter in delight.
Noctis eyes lit, a curve elevated on his lips.
Finally!
Hmm, complex buttons.
LIVE cameras.
Panels that said DO NOT TOUCH.
Yeah, let's not curiosity get to them.
"Any bright ideas?" Gladio look confused, not fond with technology. If Ignis was here, he would endeavor and instruct the guys. Be a great benefit for his presence and ideals to assist - no, this is on them. The boys surveillance each monitor lead to corridor, dorm, cargo bay, control room, staff meeting, laboratory, courtyard, outside walls...
No signs of Ignis, Ardyn nor the Crystal.
Empty rooms and Rogue MT drag itself across hallways, patrol apparently despite their conditions. Certain feed has daemons roaming, Iron Giants, Red Giants, Reapers, Necromancer, Lich, Ariadne, army of Goblins, a fleet of numerous daemons...
A Monster House.
Pray they won't encounter any these vile creatures of the dark.
Where are you Ignis?
Noctis thought, skip each monitor while the guys search each display simultaneously, one at a time.
No time left.
Although, a white noise seem red sirens to the boys. That camera was out of order due to circumstances. Better than nothing, at least clues to begin with.
Prompto began investigating, decipher the patterns and established stations. Four monitors dismantled, something or someone terminate. Based on order, number on top right, from first floor to highest, outside viewpoint, what missing was basement.
"This camera located to lower level. This could be it, maybe if we reach to Cargo Bay, the Crystal was shipped here from Insomnia." Prompto said, rubbing his chin with his free hand, glancing to his comrades.
Clever boy.
"So whatever came from the ship-"
"Has transferred through Cargo Bay. So that's where Iggy began." Noctis finish Gladio sentence, itching in determination - moments to find the Advisor.
"Right," the three agreed in unison.
"Wait," the blond halt his friends from proceeding. He spotted a rewind control on feed basement. Marvelous. "there's a recording took place 7 minutes ago on lost footage, a basement."
Click.
Click.
Force its way to seven minute ago prior was a Crystal on platter, illuminating the room, whom approaching was no other than the person they been searching for upon arrival.
"Ignis!" Noct yelled at the monitor, thinking he can hear him.
The three study the footage, although the sound and conversation is inaudible, camera was far. Scientia arrive, just when he witness scourge covert above. A sudden eerie sense, he's not alone, appear out of nowhere was The Accursed.
Prompto switch to another camera for better angle and adjust volume. Magnificent view and audio detected. Scourge? The plague glow around Ardyn and reveal his terrifying sneer, seeping of malice. Cause Ignis to cringe, even Noct agreed with the Advisor behind the screen. Prompto regret getting a transparent view up close because it startled the blondie.
"What the..." Gladio baffled, how did Ardyn appear out of thin air? Disgusting feature, horrific face.
Look like he's from a horror movie.
Who the hell are you?
Astrals, Noct suddenly felt churn in his stomach, not good. Not good at all! So this entire travel, chaos, the fall of Insomnia, this Chancellor whom speaking, also lend an aid in certain event was...him.
Destruction to his home, cause suffering for all his friends, the burdens of True King's shoulder of destiny callings, enduring loss death of his father Regis and Luna...
The Adagium.
Everything.
No, Impossible!
If he lose his childhood friends, any of them, Prompto, Gladiolus, and now Ignis, he'll lose it. Otherwise, reveal his emotion of no one ever witness.
Then it happened.
"-so allow me to introduce myself, Ardyn Lucis Caelum." Ardyn announced, slow and steady his name introduction, Royal Arms appear, rising his arms.
Noct felt ill. The sheer cold crush his soul, dear Shiva, this cannot be true. Implausible, a relative?! From the old ancients - the beginning of Caelum. Older brother of The Mystic.
"Did you just see what I see?!" Prompto gasped, eyes widen because "Dude he was using Royal Arms!"
Caelum was uncertain how to reply Prompto. A descendant, who cause agony to people he cared. Exactly what are these games? Thought Bahamut was supposed to guide him from the stars to solve-
Ardyn
Lucis
Caelum.
A damn descendant.
His true title. Noct gritted his teeth, crushing his palm.
The record kept playing.
"The Founder King?" Ignis inquiry his true identity, the Chancellor or... was meant to be a chosen King. Stand firmly on ground in case if Ardyn decide to pull a trick up his garb.
The trio remain silent, watching the entire episode.
Ardyn Iz-, no, Lucis Caelum advocates the Advisor his Majesty, the Prince knew Iggy well that he would never kneel to this fowl monster. Of course Ignis opposes, his allegiance to his True King, which Noct show a petite smile.
But his smile faded as The Accursed Influence his Royal Arms to destroy the area, Ignis tried to shield himself as much as he can but it was unbearable and overthrown. Witnessing Ignis was knocked out by an Royal Arm impact to his face. The last scene was The Mystic sword flew to the camera, cutting off and fuzzy screen appeared that said-
Communication Error. End of Recording.
"Noo!" Noct slammed the control panels in anger.
Okay good, he did not accidentally hit the DO NOT TOUCH button. Enticing not gonna lie. Where's the label or manual exactly?
But in seriousness, Ignis is no match for him... Gladio rage at beginning for Spec to dare himself harness the Ring's power out of idiocy, resolve his yield. The messager foreshadowed beforehand, he ponder his purpose to defend himself or laid a plan for future reference. Again, not enough information.
First get to Iggy.
Then he'll beat the shit out of him later for making them worried sick.
"Damn you Ardyn! This son of a bitch been leading us all along!" Gladio hissed, clenching both fists, muscle was stiff with hatred. Oh he wanted to punch the screen of Ardyn face directly. The temptation in his veins want to eradicate him likely.
It hurts, did an amazing job to conceal his emotions, but it ache. Ignis going to kill himself. A blood price. An anchor weigh his soul. Gladio turn his back on the monitors, refuse to look again. He is a King's Shield yet, comrades giving their life for the King, is what their job. But his companions he travel with on Eos, why does his heart ache so much?
Prompto did not invite himself in, frightened Iggy willing to risk his life? Speechless as he is, it was impulse choice...If he hadn't play along or obey Ardyn, this wouldn't have happened. No, Prompto acknowledged Iggy has a plan, he always do. A secret plan, protecting people he cared, he thought of Noct. His best friend - so he persuade himself to go this beyond?
What was he thinking?
Prompto took a deep breath and exhale, have be there ASAP. He can imagine if Ignis use the Ring to fend off Ardyn himself. Ignis is his brother, his companions is family to his eyes. Processing a new path, scrutinize the buttons and tap an elevator door shaft from Control Room automatically open, quickly turn their head on the noise.
"We go this way, lead to Cargo Bay."
Noct and Gladio bolted right away, they need to get there, pronto. Argentum trailed them behind, did his talent, last glance back to the monitor then resume, men hustle to one direction. Their friend is on jeopardy - his life in peril.
This is not the end of their journey. Or Ignis Scientia.
Hang in there Ignis!
Please...
Author's Note- Bear with me on bad grammar. Hope you enjoy. May be slow, Kirby game.
