On the Shoulders of Giants

Rhythmic thumping of their chocobos' feet and the occasional 'kweh' become the only noise between Noctis and Gladio.

The moon is the only light guiding them, and at this point in time, it is enough to prevent them from being swarmed by daemons. Noct's heart races the few and far between times he sees glowing eyes or bubbling ground, but his chocobo is too swift for them to be caught.

Gladio is stewing from his saddle as he rides alongside Noct, and Noct wisely remains quiet.

There's a long way to go until they reach the Disc of Cauthess.

On the way to Lestallum, Ignis had asked to visit the Disc and Noctis couldn't refuse him after agreeing to Prompto's request of seeing the chocobo farm. Noctis drove them close enough to see the Imperial blockade, but not close enough to engage a fight.

Noctis had planned to warp unnoticed passed the blockade, but now that Gladio was with him he would have to change his plans. Gladio knew this.

The blue glow of a haven makes itself apparent and Gladio has them stop at it to let their birds rest.

The pair of chocobos sit and preen, taking sips of the water Gladio laid out for them. Noctis goes to sit by the edge of the haven.

A daemon - goblin - stands at the treeline in the distance, and Noctis watches it. It watches him back.

A chill creeps its way down his back - that had been a human once. With Noctis out of reach, the daemon shows no sign of aggression. It's simply curious, but Noctis knows if he were to step foot outside of the haven the goblin would not be able to resist its temptation to attack.

"Creepy as hell." Gladio mumbles as he comes to sit by Noct.

He offers an energy drink, chugging it when Noct waves it away. Gladio's eyes focus on the same spot Noct's are locked on.

He looks like he wants to throw a stone at it, lips curled in disgust.

Noctis had felt similar once, but that feeling had quickly become pity once he learned of their origins.

Sure, not every daemon originated from humans - some came from beasts like the bloodhorn they had slain. Others came from the utmost of darkness, born purely from the blackest of shadows.

But it was easy to tell which had come from humans.

Noctis rests his chin in his hand as he watches another goblin come up to chatter with the first. What had once been nonsensible garbles now sounded like rudimentary language now that Noctis actually knew to look for it.

But even before, there had been daemons who could still speak. He could only count two who were still able to speak comprehensibly - the one who had kidnapped Prompto and then the Emperor after he turned. The remaining few - very few - would mutter a random word here and there. The last one he had encountered who had spoken was on the docks of Galdin Quay, after he arrived from his ten-year slumber.

He doesn't know if it was a trick of the wind or his own worn mind, but the daemon had spoken something eerily close to his name with its dying breath.

The thought sits like poison in his stomach, so he pushes it away and focuses on the warmth beside him.

The pair of goblins have seemed to distract Gladio from his anger with Noct, and they sit there quietly together. Like this, Noct realizes he is glad that Gladio had forced himself along.

The two goblins eventually retreat further into the treeline, too dark for Noct and Gladio to see but they are wise enough to know that they still lurk nearby.

Gladio stands up and cracks his back.

"So, think of a way we can sneak in?"

Noct huffs through his nose and looks up at him, "Sure, but you're not going to like it."

Gladio puts is hands on his hips, "Oh?"

"I was planning on just warping over the crater wall. You're just going to have to climb it."

Gladio furrows his brow, "Nuh-uh, you're not leaving me behind."

Noct tosses his hand up, "I didn't say that. I'll just wait for you."

"Are you serious?" Gladio, to his credit, doesn't look like he wants to completely throttle Noct.

"I know you can do it, big guy." Noct stands up to join him, raising a brow but keeping his face neutral other than that.

With a sigh, Gladio relents, "It's going to take us until morning."

"Why do you think I left so early?"

...

Prompto and Ignis straighten as Ardyn prowls leisurely closer. He slows to a stop before them, taking his hat and fanning himself as if he were actually hot.

His multiple layers of clothes would make one think otherwise.

Maybe the man sun burns easily, Ignis muses.

"Don't tell me -" Ardyn in all his false charm bears a wolfish grin, "you've lost that prince of yours?"

People continue to bustle back and forth passed the alley, but no noise makes it in. The silence is unnatural.

Ignis steps forward.

"Why are you looking for Noct?"

Quirking a brow, Ardyn asks back, "Why is the Chancellor of Niflheim looking for the enemy prince?"

Ignis tenses, and he feels Prompto do the same beside him.

Ardyn rolls his eyes and blows some hair out of his face.

"No, I was simply planning on escorting him to the Disc of Cauthess. After all, I assumed it was your prince's goal."

"The Disc?" Ignis asks, dawning realization pulling at his features. He quickly steels himself, hoping the Chancellor hadn't seen his moment of insecurity.

Of course Noct would go to the Disc. But why leave him and Prompto behind?

Looking preoccupied, Ardyn 'hmms' before acknowledging them again.

"Did dear Noct not tell you?" He asks and Ignis's skin crawls at the way he says Noct's name.

"That doesn't mean he left us!" Prompto speaks up.

Ardyn tosses him a belittling smile, "Then why are you searching high and low for him?"

He steps forward and continues, "It's almost like he doesn't care enough to keep you from worrying. The boy is obviously hiding something, I just thought he trusted his friends enough to confide in them."

Ignis takes a bold step closer, his fingers tingle with magic as it begs him to summon a weapon.

"Noctis trusts in us."

Something in his voice must falter, because he can instantly tell the change in Ardyn. The man had looked at them - hadn't acknowledged them - but had seen them as something to be of use. Whatever he had said seemed to have taken them off the menu.

"Clearly, you're not as important to him as you think you are."

Ardyn sighs, waving them away and pulling out his phone. When he disappears around the corner, the world seems to unfreeze.

When Prompto sighs, it's shaky and Ignis is glad he was not the only one feeling disturbed.

Ardyn's cold words had left them reeling - it was too harsh of a reality to believe. Of course Noctis cherished them.

But Ardyn was right in that he didn't trust them.

It hurt like hell.

He taps against Prompto to see how he is holding up and the blond quickly looks up at him, smile in place to hide his own distress.

"Was it just me, or was that whole situation super creepy?" Prompto asks, nerves shaking his voice.

"No, it was definitely disturbing." Ignis looks in the direction Ardyn left, "He is likely heading towards Noct. We must get to the Disc first."

Prompto straightens up, nodding. Ignis glances over him.

"Don't fret too much. That man is a true deuterostome, through and through."

Prompto quirks a brow, lips parting slightly in confusion. Ignis smirks as he leads them out of the alley.

"An asshole from the beginning."

...

Tingles from collecting the Blade of the Mystic still run through Noct as he begins to second guess himself.

Gladio is huffing slightly from exertion, his climb over the crater taking long into the morning.

So much for getting back before Prompto and Ignis knew.

Gladio's fatigue does worry him though, if they were about to go head-to-head with Titan, and with two men down, then Gladio should have been at his finest.

It's too little too late as the ground rumbles beneath them, the whole tomb threatening to fall to the depths at Titan's feet.

Gladio comes to steady him when they are suddenly bathed in darkness.

The meteor rises far into the sky, the Archean supporting it. His unearthly eyes pierce into Noctis and Gladio.

All is still for a heart-stopping moment.

Noctis swallows his fear, stepping closer to the edge of the tomb.

"Oh Chosen King."

Titan's words bellow around them, echoing for miles. Noctis winces at the loud voice, Gladio tossing a hand over his ear.

"What the hell, what he say?" He shouts out.

"The King's goal is the throne. You have remembered thy sins?"

"I have." Noct says, eyes unwavering.

"Then you also remember my trial."

Titan leans closer, the heat of the meteor scalding them. Noctis doesn't flinch.

"The covenant was formed from time past. My mark is yours."

Noctis gasps, taking a bold step forward. Gladio grips his bicep, uttering a hushed, "You can understand what he's saying?"

Noctis ignores him, eyes focused desperately on Titan.

"Already formed? Then what about Luna?" He shouts.

"The price of the covenant has been paid. The Oracle has a different purpose now."

"Different purpose? What?" He cries. Titan leans back away, and Noctis can tell he is done talking.

It doesn't matter, tears spill from his eyes and a watery laugh escapes him in relief.

Luna wouldn't have to pay the price. Luna could live.

Unless he failed.

Unless that different purpose was also death sentence.

The ground rumbles violently, nearly sending both Noct and Gladio to the ground. Titan starts to glimmer gold, and Noctis can feel his mark joining Bahamut's as the Astral disappears.

The tomb shudders, and they run back to stable ground just as it plummets.

"C'mon, we got to get out of here." Noct says, catching sight of a fleet of airships heading their way.

Lava bubbles up from the crater, not reaching them but still far too close for comfort. Gladio looks up at the wall he had to climb, sweat dripping down his face.

He grimaces, the wall is too high for Gladio to escape in time. He can see the same doubt crossing the other's face.

With growl of exertion, Noctis activates his Armiger and grabs Gladio.

In the past, his friends had learned to use the residual magic from Noct's Armiger Chain to perform warps themselves - nothing like what Noct himself could do, but it was enough.

They didn't have that luxury this time. Noctis would have to carry Gladio through his warp.

The Royal Arms he has collected this time around spin around him, strong and visible. In the haze of the meteor's heat, he can't even see the past weapons - those he had yet to collect.

He pulls on his connection to the Crystal, and pulls himself and Gladio through a warp. He hears Gladio gasp and lurch as they appear at the crest of the meteor and knows he is about to be sick.

Noctis aims for the ground but Gladio instinctively tries to resist, sending them rolling as they hit the ground outside the crater.

Noctis rolls himself onto his hands and knees, shaking dust out of his eyes.

That had been way easier than he expected. He had gone into the Disc expecting a fight with the Astral, but instead he had not only received the mark but had also learned that Luna had not been required to pay the price.

Sucking in a breath, he doesn't dare let himself hope things will turn out for the better.

He pushes himself up, walking over to where Gladio remains on his back catching his breath.

Noctis stands over him, extending his hand to Gladio.

"What don't I know." Gladio breathes.

Noctis pulls back. Gladio wasn't expecting an answer, but he shouldn't have felt let down when Noct doesn't give him one.

Gladio pushes himself up with some effort, leaving Noct squirming with guilt.

They stand there for an awkward moment, the dying rumbles from inside the crater only driving them to act again.

"Call the chocobos. We need to get back to the others. I'm sure they are worried sick." Gladio grimaces, and Noct fumbles for the whistle.

"I'll call them on the way back. Let them know we are okay."

...

The wind pulls at Prompto's hair as he hands Ignis an Ebony.

They had just received a call from Noct, and after a stress-induced lecture, courtesy of Ignis, they had agreed to meet up at a rest stop halfway between Cauthess and Lestallum.

Prompto plays with his lip, trying to focus on the sound of the Regalia's tires as they travel over the pavement to lull his increasing anxiety.

"You don't think..." He starts.

Ignis keeps his eyes on the road, but when Prompto doesn't continue he quirks a brow.

"Hmm?" Ignis tries to prompt him further.

Prompto sighs and shrugs, rubbing the back of his head before continuing.

"You don't think he left us because we're weak, do you?"

"No." Ignis says, hands tightening against the steering wheel.

Regretting that he voiced his fears, Prompto changes the topic.

"I don't think we should be too mad with him, y'know? He hasn't been the same since we lost the city."

Ignis collects his thoughts, shifting an arm against the door and resting his head against it. He considers pulling the top up as the wind threatens to mess up his hair.

"Noctis... has never been one to cope easily." Ignis voices, "The fact that he has been so withdrawn is a clear sign he has not recovered."

It's the only explanation Ignis can think of. With the whole world breathing down his back, Ignis can't blame Noctis for struggling.

It didn't matter if Noct was not able to fully rely on them - and the thought settled like lead in his stomach - Ignis had full faith that Noctis would regain what they had lost.

He would be king, and Ignis was so very, very proud to be able to serve him.

A nagging thought keeps reminding him if Noctis kept him around that is.

He shakes it from his mind - their encounter with Ardyn had only led the man to plant seeds of doubt in their faith in Noct. Noctis would risk his life to keep his friends safe and to keep them by his side - and that was a scarier thought than him just leaving them behind.

"We need to make sure he knows we are there for him. So that way situations like this won't arise in the future." Ignis concludes as he pulls into the rest stop.

He shuts the engine off, already mourning the loss of the A/C as the sun beats down on them. The pair sit quietly, listening to the engine tick as it cools down.

Ignis watches as Prompto continues to fiddle, clearly still hung up about something.

"You're not weak, Prompto. Don't forget you saved His Highness's life."

Prompto fists the material of his shirt, "But that's the thing. I don't think he actually needed my help - I'm not sure if his life was really ever at stake!"

He pulls his hands away from his bunched-up shirt and raises them up to furiously scratch at his head in frustration.

"And then earlier, you were able to stand up to the Chancellor of Niflheim while I was barely able to keep my cool. I'm nothing but a paper man compared to the rest of you guys..." Prompto lets his head drop.

Ignis is taken aback, surprised by Prompto's show of insecurity. Ignis settles further into his seat, a rueful laugh slipping passed his lips.

"You must be blind if you couldn't see me shaking in my boots. We may have Noct's magic to aid us, but something about that man screamed 'sinister'."

Whipping his head up, Prompto's wide eyes search out Ignis's expression.

"And you're wrong. Noct's life has always been at risk - from the moment he was born. The threat of death comes with the royal blood line - be it from enemies or the very ring he was destined to bear. Even if it may seem fruitless, every move we make ensures that Noct can live to the fullest."

Prompto opens his mouth, words unable to form. Ignis adds with a smile, "From challenging him to King's Knight or covering his back in battle - everything we do matters, Prompto."

The words instantly relieve most of Prompto's fears, and he smiles in relief.

"Haha," he wipes a thumb across his nose, "of course you're always right."

"Mhmm. Speak to Noctis about it. I'm sure he will be able to assuage your fears more than I."

"Speak to - yeah, even if he doesn't confide in us, he will always lend an ear to our troubles." Prompto huffs, "We'll make it better. We'll show him that he can always rely on us - even for the littlest things."

Ignis nods with a smile, "Now that's the confidence I like to see."

Their waiting pays off, Noctis and Gladio crest the hill and Prompto and Ignis catch sight of them.

They stand up and wave, happier than they care to admit at seeing them safe.

Thank you so much for reading!

I appreciate everyone new & old, all of you are awesome!

Deuterostome - in embryonic development where the anus is the first opening to develop. All humans are deuterostomes.

I'm sure after 10 years, at least one person who knew Noct would have become a daemon. I'm sure there are plenty of daemons out there who know his name.

I hope you guys are having/had a good spring break! Unfortunately, I will be super busy after it ends - my thesis proposal is due and I need to focus more time in studying for one of my more difficult classes. That means it may be another good while before I can update - and I am incredibly sorry for that and want to thank you guys so much for your patience!

Thank you guys again for reading!

Have a good spring break! :D