actiones secundum fidei

Deadeye's breath fogs the air around them, and this close Noctis can feel the moisture on his skin.

From the other side of the tunnel, Gladio keeps his arm extended, gesturing to Noct to stay down. The tension in the other's jaw and the squint of his eyes indicate how stressed Gladio is to have the gaping maw of the behemoth between them.

Its roar is like thunder, and he resists the temptation to cover his ears and make as little motion as possible.

For the behemoth knew they were there, it just didn't know where.

Deadeye pulls its face free from the tunnel, content in thinking that whatever threat there was had been scared off.

The group take a moment to breathe, and Noctis waits for Prompto and Ignis to crawl closer.

Gladio pulls at him to get him to follow, and together they exit the tunnel. Noctis pats at his pants, disgruntled that the wet grass had soaked into the clothes at his knees.

The mist provides them cover as they track Deadeye, following him around corners and maintaining a safe distance. Soon enough, the beast leads them to its own lair.

Noctis had prepared Fire spells beforehand, handing them out to his friends. After their battle with Loqi, Noctis was planning to be better prepared.

That had been just over a week ago, and although both Ignis and Prompto had been back to normal by the second night, Noctis wasn't willing to rush into any major battles anytime soon.

So, he would have his friends target the explosive barrels he knew littered the behemoth's lair.

The mist continues to hang heavy over them as they work their way to where Deadeye rests. Ignis catches sight of the red gas tank at the entrance.

"Noct," Ignis taps against his shoulder, "we may be able to make use of that."

Noct watches Ignis scan the rest of the environment, noticing how his eyes linger on the oil drums beneath the perch Deadeye was sleeping on.

"Those as well. If we ignite them with the Fire spells you lent us, we may be able to considerably weaken the beast."

Noctis nods, "Good thinking."

Ignis calls Gladio and Prompto over, relaying to each of them their role. Once done, he turns to Noctis.

"Are you sure you will be okay?"

Noctis waves off Ignis's concern, turning to creep towards the sleeping behemoth and softly tossing over his shoulder, "Trust me."

He winds his way down to the base of Deadeye's perch, summoning his sword and looking up at the beast when he arrives. Noctis frowns and winds back his arm to hurl the Ultima into the base of Deadeye's one remaining horn. He warps into it to drive the blade deeper, a cracking noise indicating he had loosened the horn.

Deadeye howls and rears up, Noctis warping to a nearby tower just as its claws came down on the spot he had just been standing in.

Noctis drops to the ground, noticing how the red glow of the Ultima's engine was likely a beacon to others through the mist. He switches the blade for the Sword of the Wise and waits for the behemoth to come closer to him, closer to an oil drum.

Deadeye roars at him, his teeth and claws adding to his imposing figure as he paces forward.

He pauses over the oil drum, and Noctis takes the chance to ignite it.

It explodes, the fire licking up Deadeye's body causing him to shriek. He rears up, his scalding flesh igniting his fury further.

When he comes back down, claws landing in the flames, teeth bared, and eyes glowing, Noctis can imagine him as one of Ifrit's own hellhounds. The fire does nothing but fuel his rage.

Noctis freezes for a second, only warping to where his friends hide as Deadeye takes a step forward.

The behemoth charges, not daring to lose Noct after the pain he had dealt. It slides around the corner, leaping towards Noct and the gas tank.

Gladio springs out, sweeping his sword upwards and driving the behemoth closer to the tank. Prompto takes his chance to fire.

The explosion reverberates off the ruins around them, causing far more damage to Deadeye than the oil drum ever could. It completely knocks his horn off and sends him sprawling onto the ground.

The smell of burning flesh causes Noct to toss a hand over his nose and mouth. The behemoth staggers, and Noctis jumps on the opportunity to warp to its back and drive his blade into the base of its neck.

Deadeye falls, but Noctis knows it is not down for the count, so he drives his blade in again before jumping back and away.

Wheezes pierce the air as Deadeye pulls himself to his feet, blood trickling out his mouth and over his face. Gladio and Ignis come to stand beside him as the behemoth struggles to stand, and he can hear Prompto ready his machinery behind him.

Noctis exhales slowly, "You guys ready?"

"Mhmm."

"Yes."

"Yup."

He meets the predator's hateful stare down with a steely gaze of his own. They were fighting for their lives as much as Deadeye was his own.

"Let's get this over with." Gladio says for him and charges.

Ignis jumps in as well with his lance, and together they aim for his legs. Deadeye seems to instinctually understand that if he gets knocked back over, he would not be getting back up. He swipes his tail around trying to knock the group away and gain some distance.

Noctis leaves the others to do their own work and warps back to the behemoth's face, trying to blind his good eye. Deadeye rams at him, unaware his missing horns couldn't skewer Noct alive.

Noctis phases to the side, slicing down and along Deadeye's neck as he descends to the ground. The beast turns to face him just as Prompto jumps in front of him, machinery whirring with overloaded energy.

It explodes in Deadeye's face, sending him stumbling backwards. Noct catches Prompto to keep him from stumbling too, and watches as Ignis an Gladio move in to attack Deadeye's back legs.

The combined attack prevents the behemoth from staying on his legs, so he falls with a heavy thud and a cry.

Noctis is quick to end his suffering, carving deep through Deadeye's throat. The beast exhales one last time before going still.

The deep breaths of his friends remind him that the battle is over, and he releases the tension he had been holding from the battle. He listens as Prompto laughs in relief and turns around to watch him high-five Gladio.

Ignis checks them over for injuries, and when he finds none they collectively relax.

"Think we'll have enough time to make it to Lestallum tonight?" Gladio asks.

Ignis pulls out his phone to check the time, "It would be pushing it. What do you say, Highness?"

"We should rent the caravan, start back up in the morning. Lestallum can wait a day."

Prompto makes a noise somewhere between a squeal and a giggle, "Time to ride the chocobos!"

...

"Rain Calling" plays loudly through the Regalia's speakers as Ignis drives them through the hills of Cleigne.

Ignis reaches over to turn the volume down, ignoring how it ruins Prompto's tapping to the beat.

"Lestallum shouldn't be much further away." Ignis says over the rushing wind.

Sure enough, the trees break away to reveal a long bridge connecting to the tunnel that opened into the city.

"Great!" Prompto quips. Ignis glances at him and reaches to turn the volume ever so slightly back up.

With a toothy grin, Prompto starts tapping to the beat of the song again.

Lestallum almost seems hotter than the deserts of Leide as they pull in. The group get out and stretch, having only left the car twice since the chocobo ranch for gas and a picture stop.

Sweat already starts to accumulate on Noct from the heat, and despite wanting to complain he keeps his mouth shut.

He didn't need to hear Gladio tell him to take his shirt off and then insult his 'scrawny body' ever again.

So instead he listens to the others as they complain.

"Any chance of sleeping in a nice room tonight?" Prompto asks as he fans himself.

Ignis smirks, "Yes. I'm certain we can secure... suitable accommodations nearby."

Noctis was sure that if Ignis was any less dignified, then he would be laughing like a snarky rich man who had gotten away with using an expired coupon.

Instead, Ignis stands there hiding a snort and looking overly proud. He quirks an eyebrow at Noct, but Noct refuses to humor him with any sort of laughter.

The group make their way to some nearby food stands when Gladio gets a call from his sister.

"Iris is at the Leville. Let's go." Gladio tucks his phone away, and Noctis doesn't comment on how it sounded like he had hung up on her.

Iris calls out to them as they arrive at the hotel, and her enthusiasm at seeing them makes Noct realize just how glad he is that she was able to survive.

Gladio wraps an arm around her, pulling her close and reaching out to tussle her hair. She turns her head just in time to avoid it and tosses her arms around him instead.

Jared and Talcott meet them as she leads them to their room.

"Jared and Talcott! Is it good to see you!" Gladio smiles as he sees them and Talcott jumps forward.

"Prince Noctis!" His childish joy has Noctis smiling fondly at him, "Iris is safe with me!"

It was unfair, Noctis thinks, how cruel the events played out for both Iris and Talcott last time. He watches Jared lean down and excuse Talcott for his behavior.

Talcott was good, and having his grandfather snatched away by the Empire would bring him lifelong pain.

Noctis wouldn't stand for it.

He bids them goodnight as they leave the room, and smiles as Talcott enthusiastically returns it. Iris closes the door behind the two, and they settle down into the room's chairs.

Noctis braces himself for the conversation he knew was coming, the uncomfortable idea causing him to shift in his seat. It's Gladio that eventually starts it.

"I'm glad you made it out of the city." He says, crossing his arms. Iris nods and Prompto leans forward.

"What... was it like?"

Iris bites at her lip, looking at Noctis as if he were the one to ask.

"It wasn't pretty. The Citadel was hit pretty hard, but I think the outlying neighborhoods came out in one piece."

Her brows furrow, "But you were there, weren't you Noct? I saw him."

Noctis straightens up as her eyes meet his, "The Draconian."

His eyes wander away and he nods, "Yea."

She leans forward, reaching out slightly with her hand, "You know if there is anything you need, just ask me."

The sincerity in her voice pulls at Noct, and he hides a grimace with a nod.

"Thanks, Iris."

Iris looks at the other three before settling her eyes back on Noct.

"And, uhm, about Lady Lunafreya. She was in town until yesterday."

"Yesterday?" Noctis exclaims, eyes widening.

Iris nods, "Yeah, although I didn't get to see her, others did."

They had been so close to catching up with her, and hadn't even realized it. Last time, it had seemed she was always a few steps ahead of him - always just out of reach. To hear that she had been in town up until yesterday gave him hope of catching her before Altissia.

Mind wandering, Noctis sinks back into his seat.

Would there even be a point in reuniting with her?

His breath quickens and his heart beats out of control.

"I can't." He breathes.

"What?" Ignis asks. All eyes on him, Noctis pulls his hand away from his chest, unaware of when it got there.

"Was she alright? Was there anyone with her?" He asks Iris.

"From what I heard she was alright. I don't know if there was anyone with her though."

Noctis sighs, "Thank you, Iris."

She smiles and stands, "Yeah, well. Get a good night's rest."

With that, she makes her way towards the door, tossing them one last wave before she leaves.

"Noct?" Ignis turns to face him.

"Mhmm, it' nothing. We should probably go ahead and get to bed."

An awkward tour of the city and a day later find the four catching their breath as they leave an ice-encased cave - Swords of the Wanderer on hand.

The waterfall roars before them, nearly drowning out Prompto's, "Woohoo! We're alive!"

"Don't get too excited yet. The daemons will be out any second." Gladio says as he looks up at the first few stars in the sky.

"What? Are you kidding? We've been fighting them all day! Now we gotta fight more?" Prompto cries out.

Noctis doesn't blame him for being upset - they were all tired and hurting. The cold had done nothing but peak their stress.

But still, it had been nowhere near as bad as it had been last time. Noctis hadn't gotten them lost this time, after all.

He sighs deeply, wiping the mist from the waterfall off his face.

The ground rumbles beneath them, pausing his actions. For a moment, he expects the splitting headache that tended to come with Titan's earthquakes and he braces for it. When there is no sign of any painful visions, he breathes a sigh of relief.

The other's watch the ground as if expecting aftershock waves, but mention nothing of it. Noctis decides to continue their conversation.

"Remember there is a rest stop nearby, we can just hurry there and stay at the caravan overnight."

"Sweet!" Prompto fist pumps as Noctis whistles for the chocobos, "Hey Noct, up for a round of King's Knight?"

"Ehh..."

"C'mon man, you never play anymore! Please?" Prompto pleads as their birds arrive.

"We'll see when we get to the caravan. Aren't you tired?" Noctis says as they mount their chocobos and take off.

Ignis joins in, "Why not, Noct? It will waste some time while I cook dinner."

"I guess one round couldn't hurt." He relents. Prompto cries out in delight, causing his bird to leap.

The chocobos seem to fly through the brush, outrunning anything that would wish them harm. They soon make it to the caravan without encountering any daemons, and Noctis immediately sinks into one of the chairs.

"Noct~" Prompto coos, elbowing him insistently in the side. Noctis grumbles and pulls out his phone, turning on King's Knight.

It's only after Ignis serves dinner that Noctis realizes he was actually getting absorbed into the game by playing with Prompto. It didn't hurt that he new all the boss weaknesses either.

"Dude! When did you get so good?" Prompto whines, tossing his hands up and nearly causing Ignis to drop the food he was about to place. Prompto gives him a sheepish look and apologizes.

Noct shrugs and offers no comment, ready to eat dinner and go to bed.

"But seriously, you had to have looked up a guide or something!" Noctis huffs through his nose at the accusation, "Either that or you belong to a family of royal psychics!"

Noctis fumbles slightly with his fork at Prompto's joke, but the other takes no notice as he continues to rant.

"Dude, we were supposed to do this together! No spoilers or guides! You're a cheater!" He points an accusing finger at Noct before finally noticing his own food was there. It serves as a big enough distraction for Prompto to drop the subject.

"Back to Lestallum tomorrow then, Noct?" Ignis asks later as they clean up their plates.

"Yeah, gotta let Talcott know he was right about the Royal Arm being there." Noctis nods and together they finish the dishes.

...

Noctis lets his head rest in his palm as he leans over the balcony at the Leville. The night air, while still humid, was far more welcoming than the heat of the day. And with the gentle breeze, Noctis felt far more compelled to stay outside.

He stared off into the distance, in the direction he knew the Disc of Cauthess would be. As if sensing his gaze, the earth vibrates gently.

Titan was calling him.

Noctis knew if he didn't answer soon, the Astral would start being more forceful with his calls. He had been grateful so far for the lack of crippling visions.

"Thinking about running off by yourself again?"

Noctis turns to find Gladio leaning against the doorway. Behind him the room is dark save for the desk lamp to aid Ignis while he reads before bed. Prompto has long since fallen asleep, sprawled out over a bed meant for two.

Noctis sighs, mourning the loss of the calm silence he had just been enjoying.

Ardyn would be arriving in the morning, that is if he wasn't already there. Noctis had planned to leave before that happened.

Of course, the lack of Regalia in the parking lot would be a clear sign to Ardyn that Noct wasn't there.

So, Noctis had planned to leave it and travel alone, sneaking into the Disc and meeting Titan before anyone became the wiser.

Gladio puts an end to all of that.

"Let me join you."

Or maybe not.

Noctis starts, glancing at Ignis before whispering to Gladio.

"What? Are you serious." Noctis nearly gasps out.

Gladio turns to look at Ignis too before leaning closer to Noct and lowering his voice.

"Dead serious. I can't stop you from doing whatever the hell you think you need to do, and I don't exactly approve of this, but it is better than you going alone."

Gladio rubs at his arms as if the air has suddenly gone cold and looks in the direction Noct had been just a few moments ago.

"It's the Disc, right? They say Titan lies there." Gladio looks down at him, and it's such a lonely look that Noctis is caught off guard, "Is there anything I can say that would make you reconsider?"

Noctis opens his mouth to reply, pausing to look at each of his friends.

"No." He says and looks away, ashamed of his own actions.

Gladio breathes out slowly, "It won't stop me from coming with you. I could spend an eternity saying how foolish this is, how much I want you to rely on us - your friends and team - but I know it won't matter to you."

Gladio says it like he wants it to hurt, like he wanted to say it with anger. The words are sad and broken instead.

Noctis can't stand to meet his face - what a coward he was.

He doesn't say it out loud, but he does apologize.

"I'm sorry."

Gladio doesn't look like he believes it, and Noctis realizes how many times he has apologized since coming back. The steely gaze the other had developed as a result of Noct's apology fades away, and Gladio just looks tired again.

"No, I guess it's my fault too. I don't know what is going through your head to make you act like this."

Noctis gulps, and Gladio continues, "But if we're gonna do this, we need to trust each other."

He nods, and Gladio turns to look at their hotel room, "And wait for Iggy to go to sleep."

Gladio faces him, smile gracing his features. Noctis unsteadily smiles back.

...

"Maybe they just went out boozing last night?" Prompto carefully tosses out. Ignis looks ready to pull his own hair out.

"In the middle of the night, without telling us?" Ignis asks, trying to keep his voice level. The idea, while infuriating, is not that far-fetched.

"I mean, that's the most likely. There's tons of women here, maybe they just hooked up with a few?" Prompto looks like he regrets saying that the instant the words leave his lips.

Ignis nearly shrieks at the idea of Prince Noctis hooking up with some random woman, irrational ideas of his liege pulling some hooker off the streets to fornicate with and any drastic side effects of those actions threaten to drive him mad.

He knows Noctis is not that type of person, and Gladio would never allow that even if he were. Ignis tries to reason with himself, but the fact that they had both left without a word drives his stress.

Prompto pulls him off the busy streets and into an alley before he can make a scene. The shade does little to cool their heads.

"Think, there are plenty of places here we said we wanted to visit! We still haven't checked half of those!" Prompto pleads, halfway to Ignis and halfway to himself.

Just because they weren't answering their phones didn't mean anything.

"Mhmm, right." Ignis works on composing himself and turns to Prompto, "We can check the theater next. If we still can't find them we may have to split up. Let's just hope Noctis is being responsible."

Prompto nods, but halts before they can leave the alley. A sudden, strong gust of wind howls as it works its way between the buildings.

"My, my!" drawls Ardyn, "That wayward prince of yours is certainly hard to find."

Thank you very much for reading!

Please let me know you comments/concrits or if you see any errors!

Specially errors, lately I have been feeling that my writing is coming out kinda rushed. I want to apologize if it is. I may end up coming back after I complete this fic to rewrite some of it, but at this point it is up in the air.

Fortunately some of my favorite chapters are coming up, so I am super excited to get started on writing those. At least until Royal Edition comes out and completely invalidates everything in my plot lol.

Hurt!Noct week is just around the corner, expect a few things from me. ;) For now, I'll see you then!

Thank you again for reading, I really appreciate it! You guys are awesome!