Noct, Ignis and Gladio start taking books off, trying to pull, push or slide the bookcase out the way.
"Hold on." Ignis says noticing the marks on the floor, how it curves. Ignis moves Gladio away. Then reaches forward to to figure out where the handle to open it is. He pulls out the books lining the edge and in the middle he finds a book he can't pull. He pushes it in, doesn't budge. He tries to pull it out but it doesn't move. He moves the book besides it to see there's an indent on the book. The book is the door handle. Ignis finally opens it.
All three look to see it opens to a dark staircase. Noct pulls out his phone and turns the flash light on, then rushes forward. Ignis and Gladio pull out their clip on flashlights, clipping it to their chest. Once on they go forward, following the prince down the staircase. It leads to a basement full of antique things, Noct has pushed his way through and made his way to the other side of the room.
When they catch up they see him summoning his sword. Before either can say anything to him Noct slashes down, cutting the metal door in awkward halves. Noct struggled as he cut it. He kicks both side open. One of the halves falling to the floor. He takes his phone out and pauses at the horrible smell. It smelled like death which made his stomach drop. His heart beat so fast against his chest it could pop out, then there's the blood rushing to his head. Especially to his ears.
Gladio and Ignis' light help illuminate the room. The sight almost causes his heart to stop. The room is made to look like a normal bed room. Nice light blue wallpaper. Large bed in the middle, with nightstands on either side. A small couch at the foot of the bed. A carpet. A makeup vanity against the wall, a wardrobe against another wall. Small picture frames on the wall.
Noct didn't pay attention to any of that as he rush forward, ignoring the scent as he made his way to the side of the bed where the smaller of two figures lay. Noct stood staring for a second. Ardyn lay facing towards Prompto. Dead with his eyes open. Prompto lay on her back, half twisted to face him, one arm rest on the pillow next to her head, the other chained to the corner of the bed. The same thing with her legs, one chained while the other loose.
"P-Prom?" Noctis stutters her name, calling her. Calling for her. He let's go of his sword, then places his phone down on the bed. He reaches forward. He shivers when he places his hands on her shoulders, she's ice cold. She's Shivas level cold. "P-Prompto." he stutters again shaking her this time. She must be asleep, she has to be, she can't be... no Noct won't believe it. She can't be. "Prompto wake up, please." he pleads shaking her but it's not working. He starts to cry not caring Gladio and Ignis are watching him. Doesn't care how he looks still trying to shake her awake as he brokenly call her name. "Please." he says crying as he leans over her, resting his head to her chest. Doesn't care that the other two are looking at him with pity. He should have fought harder for her. Should have confessed sooner. He doesn't want to go home without Prom smiling and laughing.
"She's alive." Noct hears someone whisper. A woman's voice. Noct looks up to see a glowing blonde in white standing over Ardyn. She sort of looked like Prom but the air around her screamed oracle. "She's alive." she whispers again, Noct flicks his eyes to the two staring at him worried but confused. Do they not see her too? Noct sees her open her mouth and before she can say anything he moves his fingers to her throat trying to find a pulse.
Noct tries again and again, maybe he doesn't have his fingers in the right spot. Then he feels it. "She's got a pulse!" he shouts standing straight to take off his winter coat. Ignis and Gladio move to get the blonde out of the chains. Once both chains are off Noct carries Prom off the bed. Ignis and Gladio helping make him move forward without tripping over. He turned to see the woman move over to where Prom was laying. She lay on her side, resting her hand on Ardyn's dead cheek lovingly. Doesn't know what's that about but, "thanks" Noct whispers back. She looks at him, gives him a smile then lays back down. She scoots forward to Ardyn and Noct doesn't know what happens next as he walks out the room.
Once they make it out the basement and back to the main floor Noct can't believe his eyes. Since the lighting wasn't good they couldn't see the cuts and bruising the blonde has. The bastard beat her while she was chained and couldn't stand up for herself. The asshole. If he wasn't already dead then Noct would be the one to end his life. No that would be letting him of to easy. He should have been tortured or something as horrible. Why would he do this to Prom?
Pryna is gone but they see Aranea who looks relieved they found the blonde but worried she's lifeless in the princes arms.
"Hurry to the capital. Luna should still be there with Solara." Aranea tells them as she follows them to the car. Ignis helps Noct get the blonde into the back as Gladio hops into the driver's seat. Getting the car ready to drive and warm.
"Be careful. Give Prompto some potions, not all at once but every thirty minutes or so." Ignis tells Noct, the prince looks at his adviser stunned.
"You're not coming with? You know healing magic better than either of us." Noct says really thinking Ignis would be back here with him healing Prom.
"I'll stay with Aranea. There may be more answers here. Ardyn killed himself and maybe the reason why is here. Also the artifacts stolen from the museum are still missing. From the painting we know Ardyn has some if not all." Ignis points out. Noctis nods.
"Fine." Noct answers, Ignis would be good at this. Plus with the lifted weight of finding Prom he can work with a clear head.
"Ardyn killed himself?" Aranea questions. Ignis nods as he closes the back door.
"Here." Gladio says handing his large black fur lined coat to Noct to cover the freezing blonde. Noct wraps her up. Making sure she's warm. Gladio shoots forward, going straight to the highest speed. Noct summons a potion. "Have her drink it." Gladio says. Noct looks at the back of his head like he's crazy.
"You don't drink potion." Noctis says. Gladio nods.
"You don't if you want a quick and easy heal. But we don't know what happened to sunshine, having it go through her blood would be better than her body absorbing it. Have her drink it." Gladio explains. Noct tilts her head and carefully feeds it to her. She drinks it slowly.
"Where'd you learn this?" Noct wonders as he continue to slowly pour the potion down the blondes throat.
"When I was getting my physical therapy degree." Gladio answers. "Ignis was helping me. We were curious about how well potions healed so we did a lot of test on ourselves." Gladio adds.
Noct doesn't have much to add. He just wants it to work.
Noct watches the digital click in the car thirty minutes to go by, realizing he left his phone in the basement.
He just makes sure to follow Ignis' instructions to a T.