ex ante

The crystalline world feels like placid water as Noctis drifts through it, the rippling effect he creates bouncing harmlessly off of the imposing figure of the Draconian before him.

Bahamut gazes down upon him coolly, and despite having been the target of that gaze before, the hair on the back of Noct's neck stands on end.

"Why did you bring me back? Is there really anything I can change by coming back to this time?" He meets Bahamut's steely gaze with one of his own.

"Through strife and reflection, the Chosen has earned the right to decide for himself. By fulfilling your destiny in your last life, you have already changed the outcomes of this one."

"What? What all can be changed? The prophecy still has to come to completion, the starscourge is still out there - Ardyn is still out there." Noctis looks away, eyes unable to focus on anything in the endlessly-swirling void they resided in.

"I still have to die." Noctis admits to himself.

Bahamut pauses for a moment, his voice rumbling out smoothly after he chooses his words.

"The gods have no hand in your destiny. Your fate is yours alone."

Noctis looks back up, Bahamut's eye were surprisingly gentle behind the fearsome visage he wore. He exhales a shuddering breath, and can tell Bahamut already knows what he is about to ask.

"Why give me another chance? Was it not enough?" Noctis simply asks.

"If you wish to seek further atonement, then that is your choice alone."

They pause again, and this time it lingers. Echoes of the magic from this realm tingle against his bare arms but it does not join with his own - he already spent ten years collecting all the light he needed.

Bahamut waits patiently for Noctis to reply.

"...What if I chose to return to Insomnia?"

"If the Chosen King so desires, then the aid of the Astrals would be for him to call."

Noctis toys with the idea, neither trusting himself nor what would happen to the timeline if he were to return.

"However, if you are to gain the Ring of your ancestors, know that it cannot heed you until the current bearer dies."

Noctis turns his head away, wiping quickly at his eyes. No matter the timeline, his father would always die.

"Bahamut, how did my father know to send me away?" Noctis asks, and for what feels like the first time, Bahamut truly takes him in. The soft eyes of the Draconian seem to read him, and guilt has Noctis ducking his head away.

"Ah, I see..." Noctis says solemnly. Exhaustion suddenly pulls at him, and he can feel himself falling into sleep. Bahamut blinks down at him one last time.

"Although the decisions you make are yours alone, remember that there are others who seek to support you. Noctis, the Light is yours."

...

When Noctis next wakes, it's to the rumble of Gladio's snores. He sits up, the night air of the desert cool compared to the sweltering heat of day.

The soft rustle of the sleeping bag is the only sound Noctis makes as he slides out of it and steps out of the tent. This far from civilization the stars glow brilliantly in the night sky, the crisp air waking Noct up entirely.

He makes his way to the very edge of the haven and sits, letting his legs dangle over the side. Noctis pulls out his phone and dims the screen so he doesn't blind himself. He stares at it, for a long time.

Noctis turns it over in his hands and looks out at the wilderness, the stars and moon lighting up every spire and valley. There are no daemons in sight.

A weary sigh escapes him, and he taps his phone awake and dials a number.

It rings for a while, and Noctis resigns himself to giving up soon. Only he was awake this late at night.

Just as he is about to pull the phone away the line picks up.

"Noctis?" Regis's voice is muffled with sleep.

"Dad? Sorry, I know you were asleep, I just felt like we needed to talk..."

"No, no... it's okay. I wasn't sleeping very well anyway. Is everything alright?" He hears concern in his father's voice and is quick to try and ease it.

"Everything's alright, don't worry!" Noctis keeps his voice to a quiet murmur, fearing that the still night air would allow his voice to carry for ages. This talk was for them alone.

"Yeah... I just figured we won't be able to talk much with the treaty coming up. I figured now would be the best time." His voice hitches, but his dad doesn't seem to notice.

"Ahh, you are probably right... How was your first day out?" And his ears don't deceive him when his father sounds just as worn as he does.

Noctis huffs, "You wouldn't believe it, Dad. The Regalia broke down."

At that his father wakes up a little more.

"What? But I just had her tuned up before you left." He hears his father pout.

"Yeah, we had to push it all the way to Hammerhead. I met Cid, by the way." Noctis can hear his father pause on the other end of the line. A gentle breeze brushes through his hair, and he decides to continue.

"You should call him."

His father sighs slowly, and Noct can hear him shift around in the bed from his side of the phone.

"Maybe you're right..." Regis sounds so resigned, and Noctis knows it is because he is faced with the fact that no one would be able to hear from him again after tomorrow.

He would be dead.

Noctis thinks his dad must have felt the same way he did, when it was his last night alive. He is not surprised that sleep eluded his father.

"I'll call him, first thing in the morning. How does that sound?" He asks Noct, and Noctis knows his father is hanging onto every word he says just as much as he hangs onto his father's.

"Does Cid even wake up as early as you?" Noct asks lightly. He smiles and the action causes his vision to blur. Noct wipes an arm across his eyes.

"When you get as old as me, you'll learn that all old men get up before the crack of dawn." He ignores the hitch in his father's voice. They both know that Noctis will never get that old. The sentence has him humoring his father with a snort of a laugh regardless.

"Dad...thanks. Thank you for everything."

"Always." They linger into a pause, and Noctis memorizes the sound of his father breathing. He listens to him living.

Regis takes a shaky breath, and Noctis thinks his father may have figured out that he knows that he is going to die tomorrow.

"Goodbye, Noctis." He can hear the tears in his father's voice, and hides his face in his hand as his own start to swell up, "I love you."

"I love you too," Noctis gasps out.

"Goodbye, Dad."

...

Hands push at him and he can hear the alarm of a phone in the background when he wakes up. Dried tears leave the skin around his eyes feeling tight, and he rubs at them.

"Noct, wakey-wakey." Prompto calls and gently shakes his shoulder back and forth.

Noctis rolls back over, pulling the sleeping bag back over his head. Ignis peeks his head into the tent, amusement at the prince's action pulling at his eyes.

That amusement wouldn't last long on this trip, but Ignis didn't know that yet.

"Your Highness, if we are to arrive at Galdin Quay within the day, then you may want to consider getting dressed soon. Breakfast is waiting."

Noctis exhales slowly through his nose and sits up, Prompto reaching over to turn the alarm off. He sluggishly gets up and dressed, taking the plate Ignis hands to him when he exits the tent.

"Well, look who's up early. Feeling alright, Princess?" Gladio greets him. Noctis brushes off the 'princess' comment and replies.

"I just want to get the Regalia back and head to Galdin Quay as soon as possible."

The group finish their breakfast and store the camping supplies in the Armiger's arsenal. Noctis works hard not to drag his feet as they hike back to Hammerhead and pay for the repair of the Regalia.

Ignis relents the wheel to him, and Noctis decides to drive all the way to Galdin Quay - only making a short stop to deliver a package for Cindy and meet with Umbra.

It's as they are passing through the rock walls that lead to the ocean that Noct remembers something and pulls over.

"I see a haven up ahead, why don't we stop for abit to eat lunch and stretch our legs?" His true goal being the garnet gem that Dino would essentially blackmail him over.

"Getting cold feet?" Prompto probes, but eagerly jumps out of the car to stretch.

Ignis starts to dig through the ice chest for ingredients, and Noctis looks up the naturally-formed ramp that would lead him to the mineral deposit.

"Hey, I'm going to check out that way for a moment. I bet you can see the ocean from up there." He says casually.

"Ohh, no you don't." Gladio grabs him and settles him down with the rest of them, "If you wanna go off anywhere we are going to do it together. We're not in the city anymore, don't go off alone."

"Got it." Noct replies, feeling more than a little dejected.

They finish through lunch and Noctis has them hurry up the ramp.

"So, what are we coming up here for?" Prompto asks.

"I want to see if we can get a picture of the ocean from here, I think Luna will like it." Noct plans on sending her one now that he thinks about it.

They cross an arch that transitions into a short tunnel. Noctis comes around its bend and is met with a familiar sight.

Silky black feathers block his view.

Zu sleeps peacefully before them, and despite its fearsome appearance Noctis doesn't feel frightened. During the several encounters of the last timeline, the bird hadn't actually attacked their group unprovoked. It was only when they had been caught bumbling around its nest did the giant bird take any aggressive action against them. As it had not been a malicious beast, Noctis - and even the other three - had felt mild guilt at slaying it.

He's learned by now that his actions have consequences, and plans to tread more carefully this time.

Noctis steps forward out of the tunnel and Ignis grabs him, pulling him back.

"Noctis!" He whispers as forcefully as possible.

"Buddy, there's no way we're gonna get past that thing!" Prompto quietly chimes in from where he crouches.

"Then we just gotta move it." Noctis leans over and picks up a rock. He throws it at Zu an instant before Gladio reaches out to stop him. Noctis thinks he might be crushed beneath the force of both Ignis and Gladio tackling him back into the tunnel, but the rock hits its mark and startles the bird awake.

When Zu unfurls its massive wings, Noctis feels like his breath is swept away as the dark feathers blot out the sun.

It is just as impressive the second time he sees it as it was the first.

Noctis pushes himself up and steps back out the tunnel as Zu starts to take off, its cry so loud it shakes the earth. Prompto rushes out beside him and starts taking as many photos as possible.

Ignis comes to stand beside them as they watching it fly off and into the distance, fixing his glasses from the unexpected gusts of wind the bird conjured.

"Brilliant." A statement they could all agree on.

"Dumbass. Don't ever do anything like that again." Gladio snorts and taps him upside the head, "Well, now that that's out of the way, let's get what we came for."

"Whoa! Look at those!" The garnet deposit draws Prompto's eye first. "We could totally sell a few of these for pocket change! How's that sound?"

Noctis jogs up beside him and pockets a few, saving the most gem-quality one for Dino.

"That sounds crystal-clear." Ignis snorts as he comes up behind them.

Prompto gags and Gladio chuckles. Noct sighs deeply but ignores him for the most part.

"Alright, Prompto, time to take some shots."

"You got it!" Prompto takes a close-up of Noct's disgruntled expression and runs off to take a few of the scenery.

"So, Noct, are you ready to head off to Altissia?" Ignis asks him.

Noctis makes a noncommittal noise and shrugs. In reality, he was dreading their arrival in Galdin Quay.

Ardyn was likely waiting to greet him there.

Sure enough, when the group pulls into Galdin Quay Noctis can see the stir that the man has caused. With every step closer, Noct feels less and less of the world around him. All but the sound of his feet against the wooden walkway leave him as he focuses on where he would meet Ardyn.

"I'm afraid you're out of luck."

Ardyn on his throne. Bodies strung from the ceiling.

Noctis meets him eye to eye and acknowledges the wicked man for what he is.

"The boats bring you here? Well, they'll not take you forth." Ardyn says, his false charm something Noctis had been able to see through the first time around.

"And what's your story?" Gladio asks, clearly distrustful.

"I'm an impatient traveler, ready to turn ship." Ardyn replies as he parts through their group effortlessly. "The ceasefire is getting us nowhere."

Noct catches the coin Ardyn tosses him and his steely blue eyes meet amber.

Ardyn was someone he would never forgive, but the hatred Noctis thought he would feel was gone. The rage and grief - and really, any strong emotion for that matter - had been siphoned out of him during the ten long years in the Crystal.

After Reflection, Noctis had felt nothing but empty.

It didn't mean Noct would let him get away with what he was planning.

Ardyn was bound for judgment.

Noctis tosses the coin back at Ardyn, who catches it with a toothy grin.

"Next time we meet, drop the falsities." Noctis says, voice unwavering.

Ardyn's grin grows wider as he truly acknowledges Noct's presence. He ignores the comment and gestures goodbye with a chuckle.

"Farewell, Prince Noctis."

With that, Ardyn leaves and Noctis lets out the breath he was holding.

"That was creepy." Prompto states as they make their way further into the Mother of Pearl restaurant.

"Rather strange..." Ignis comments and glances over to Noct, "Did you know that man?"

Noct swallows down any alarm and replies.

"That was Ardyn Izunia, Chancellor of Niflheim."

Prompto stumbles and Gladio whips around to him.

"Are you kidding? What's a man like that doing here?"

"Wouldn't know, probably nothing good." Noct scoffs.

"I was wondering why he looked familiar... I am surprised you recognized him, Noct."

"Eh, wish I hadn't." Noct offhandedly replies as the near the docks. The instant they step on the pier he can feel Dino's eyes on him.

"Damn, looks like that guy was right." Gladio comments as he checks the board.

"According to my sources, the empire, giving strict orders not to let any vessels leave the docks of Altissia. Real shame if you were late to your own wedding - Right, Prince Noctis?" His own name grates on his nerves with the way Dino manages to say it.

"Name's Dino by the way. Pleasure."

"Pleasure." Noct crosses his arms and looks down at the reporter. "I don't suppose you know anyway of hitching a ride?"

Dino shrugs, reminding him of how intolerable their relationship had been at the beginning.

"Maybe, for the right price." Dino leans forward and flashes him a pearly smile. "But for now, let's just call it a favor. This reporter's got integrity after all. Lemme see your map."

He points to a spot on the map and looks back up at Noctis.

"See, I'm trying to get into the jeweler business, but I got no supplier. If you can grab me a garnet mineral, I'll grab you a boat."

"Deal. As it just so happens, we were up there collecting earlier today."

Dino's brows shoot up.

"No kidding! You find anything good?"

Noctis pulls out a few of the gem-quality garnets and presents them to Dino.

"Take your pick."

Dino leans over to inspect, "Haha, Prince Noctis, you're not such a bad guy."

Noct shrugs as Dino picks out one of the crystals.

"I'll take this one if you don't mind." Dino pockets the crystal and looks back at Noct.

"Deal's a deal, let me know when you want that boat."

"As soon as possible." Noct replies.

"How does tomorrow morning sound then? I'll even throw in a night's stay here at the hotel!"

He agrees and Dino checks them into the hotel. Noctis watches as the others unpack and steps over to Ignis.

"Why don't you guys unpack and check out this place? I'm going to go fishing."

Ignis looks at him like he is about to reject, but relents.

"Be back by dinner."

Noct nods, "Got it."

Ignis watches him leave and Prompto peeks up from his place by the bed.

"Noct's fishing? Does he want company?"

Ignis looks back to the door where Noct left and shakes his head.

"No... He's seemed rather out of it since we left. I think he would prefer some time to himself."

"I just think he's getting cold feet." Gladio responds, "Must be hard to marry someone you haven't seen since you were a kid. But he needs to grow up anyway and get a sense of duty."

Ignis frowns and turns to Gladio.

"Gladio, give him time."

They finish unpacking their belongings and step outside to explore Galdin Quay. Prompto goes off on his own to take some coastal pictures, and later Gladio leaves to check the dinner menu.

Ignis spends his time checking through their travel list at one of the plastic tables by the beach. A radio sits by his table, but when he reaches over to turn it on only static greets him. He thinks nothing of it and resorts to spending his time in silence, with only the waves acting as background noise.

Soon enough, the sun dips below the horizon and the first few stars make their appearance. Ignis gathers his belongings and makes his way back to the Mother of Pearl to find Noct and eat dinner with the rest.

The fishing pier is empty when he looks over to make sure Noct did indeed remember to come back, the light of Galdin Quay and the moon enlightening it enough for him to see clearly.

When he finds Noct, the other is sitting on the walkway, a cream-colored cat curled up against him and a plate of fish bones beside it.

"Cat calling the locals, are we?"

Noctis gives him a look but says nothing. Ignis sits down beside him and reaches over to brush the cat.

"How are you holding up, Noct?" Ignis asks. Noct had been uncharacteristically quiet yesterday, and even more so today, and it had not gone unnoticed by the adviser. For a moment, they sit in the nighttime silence. Ignis thinks he won't get an answer.

Noct is looking out across the dark blue sea, towards Angelgard Island, when he replies.

"I'm never ready." Noctis admits to him. The statement is strange to Ignis, but he thinks he knows what Noct means.

"That may be true... but I will be with you, every step of the way."

His brings a slightly somber smile to Noct, and Ignis feels a glimmer of hope that he has reassured him somehow with that statement alone.

"I know, Specs." Noct looks down and pauses, giving the cat a last stroke before standing up and helping Ignis to his feet.

"Let's go try some over-priced and mediocre food now. I'm looking forward to getting back to your cooking."

"Please, Noct, I made lunch for you. Flattery won't work with whatever you are wanting to try." Ignis eyes him and Noct looks away sheepishly.

They meet up with Gladio and Prompto, who were already halfway through their meal. Ignis scowls at them as he knows all the money lies with him and Noct. The group finish their dinner and head to their hotel room. Ignis crawls under his covers, quick to fall asleep.

He doesn't wake up when Noctis sneaks out of their room.

Thank you for reading!

And super thank you to those who favorited and commented last chapter! I really, super appreciate your feedback!

Please let me know your thoughts/comments/concrit!

What are transitions? I wasn't expecting them to be this tedious for a timetravel fic, but I guess I'll have to figure it out. Also I wrote half of this with some nasty food poisoning and I think it shows. I'm really sorry about that.

Next chapter we get some action scenes, so I looking forward to writing it. My fic is gonna be somewhat different from the normal timetravel fic tropes, so there may be a few points from this chapter onwards that you may not understand now, but will later on. I don't want to give too much away and spoil it though.

Thank you again for reading!

Until nextime! :)