The sounds of thunder rumbling in the sky and rain pittering against their tent woke Ignis from his slumber thanks to the thunder which had him sit up with a jolt. Looking around and blinking sleepily Ignis realizes that today probably isn't the best day to head out early. He looks towards Gladiolus noticing that the large man hadn't been woken up by the storm.
Figuring that they would go out to get breakfast Ignis settles back down and snuggles close to Gladiolus relishing in the warmth of the other. Ignis presses closer and closes his eyes 'Fifteen minutes more. When I wake up again I'll prepare breakfast, I doubt the storm will last that long.'
Though Ignis knew that the storms were unpredictable and could last anywhere from a few minutes to weeks on end. That didn't stop him from wishing that the storm wouldn't go away to fast. He enjoyed showers for that meant extra sleep and no cooking, it was like a mini vacation for him and who complains about a vacation.
Ignis yawns and focuses on the sound of the falling rain and soft rumbles which lulls him back asleep.
When Gladiolus wakes up its about two hours from when Ignis first woke up. The first thing he realizes is that Ignis is snuggled up against him. He can feel Ignis' warm breath against his neck making the hair there tickle him. The second thing he noticed was that it was raining.
Gladiolus always loved waking to and falling asleep to the sound of rain, to him it was relaxing and comfortable. Not to mention if you asked him he would also tell you that it was the best way to wake up and go to bed.
So this was a treat for him.
The thunder rumbles overhead and Gladiolus smiles thinking that he could either go back to bed or read a bit. The latter was most likely but the first was feeling very tempting it wasn't often he got to sleep in for once he wakes up he couldn't fall back asleep. Unconsciously, Gladiolus' eyes slip close and relishes in the quiet.
At that same instant one of the phones go off.
Ignis groans as he reaches behind him without opening his eyes and blindly feels around until his hand bumps against the silver device. Picking it up and swiping the screen without checking the ID Ignis answers with 'Hello' as he yawns.
'Sorry, did I wake you boys up?'
It was Dave.
"No...no we were already in the process of waking." lies Ignis as he tries and fails to swallow down another yawn "How can we help you?" Ignis adds rubbing sleep from his eyes as he sits up.
'Well, you see my dog has gone missing along with a couple other hounds we have. We called out to em and blew our whistles yet we ain't seen no hide nor hair of them dogs. We were hopin' you boys and your voretooth could help sniff them out.'
Ignis bites his lip nodding "Sure, however Demyx won't be joining us. For he too has passed...of a broken heart."
'Oh. I didn't know.'
"Its alright. We knew it was bound to happen. He and Prompto were very close."
A small pause.
"But rest assured we'll find the dogs."
'Much obliged.'
Ignis and Dave exchange good byes before the tactician hangs up.
"So Dave and his crew lost their hounds?" Gladiolus asks looking at Ignis.
"It seems that way."
"I thought they just had that one." Gladiolus responds sounding thoughtful as he tries to recall if he ever saw more than one dog.
"Well we'll be the judges of that once we find them all." Ignis says as he pulls on his trouser and buckles his belt "Let us eat first and then we'll head up that way." Ignis adds as he pulls on the shirt he had the previous night. His hand goes to space above his pillow only to find that his glasses weren't there making him frown.
"They're in your duffel bag. Remember we packed our junk yesterday, you must've put them in there."
"Right." Ignis says as he goes to open the tent door.
"Hey, Iggy." Gladiolus says stopping the other and getting him to look at him "Yes?"
"I just wanted to say that you look better. And you're starting to sound like yourself again."
Ignis didn't really notice a difference in himself, he still felt weighed down and he honestly felt like going back to bed but seeing how he had already promised Dave that they will locate the lost dogs he had to get up. But he also wanted to acknowledge Gladiolus' statement, because after all it's those around you who can also tell if they see a clear change on you when you can't.
So perhaps there's something that Gladiolus can see that he can't.
"I have you to thank for that. If you hadn't been there for me...if I had been alone I think I would have been to far gone. Perhaps even-...I thank the fact that you helped my nightmares go away. I'm able to sleep through the night and not wake up in fear. I hope that I am able to repay for it." Ignis murmurs.
Laying a hand on Ignis' back Galdiolus smiles "You don't gotta do anything for me. I hated seeing you like that and if there was something I could do to help you then you know I would get it for you. Just sorry it took so long to get here."
Ignis gives a small smile "What matter the most is that I have them now, thank you." Gladiolus smiles back as he watches as Ignis opens the tent door and was about to crawl out when the scent of rain hits him along with raindrops splashing against his face making him sneeze against the chill. Sitting back on his knees Ignis wipes at his face "It's still raining!?" He questions.
"Still?"
"Was it raining earlier?"
"Indeed. I had woken up around five but it was raining..." Ignis looks quizzical as he listens to the sounds of the storm outside "However it sounds like it had gotten worst...perhaps camping was a bad idea." Ignis adds sounding unsure.
"Well, it's not our fault. To be fair the app did say it wasn't going to rain." Gladiolus says stretching as Ignis looks over at Noctis. He goes to shake him awake but his hand hovers over him as he bites his lip before shaking his head and lowers his hand into his lap.
Seeing this Gladiolus looks over at him "You want me to wake him up?"
"No. I got this...could you get the Regalia running?" Ignis asks as he hands Gladiolus the keys. "Yeah." Gladiolus says as he pulls on his shoes and heads out of the tent.
Ignis shakes Noctis' shoulder bracing himself for insults and punches. However much to his surprise he was met with Noctis rolling over and blinking up at him. In the youngest brother's eyes he could see tears and he is trembling.
"Noct?" Ignis questions feeling his heart tighten at the sight "What's the matter?" He asks softly.
"Ignis...I'm-..." Noctis pauses his eyes searching for the answers he could not see leaving him to let out a huff of annoyance. He hated that convey his apologies to Ignis, he hated that he couldn't show him that he was sorry and that he acted out of anger.
He could only think to do one thing to show this to Ignis.
Without warning Noctis lifts his arm causing Ignis to track his hand fear settling in the pit of his stomach. And when Noctis brings his hand closer and closer to Ignis he flinches and cowers bracing for any form of pain that the king may inflict on him.
However much to his surprise he finds himself in a hug. Blinking in confusion Ignis immediately stiffens under Noctis' touch, feeling this the king tightens the hug making Ignis quake violently.
"I am so..so sorry Ignis. I never meant-...I just..." Noctis bites his lip shaking his head "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He repeats over and over again "I let my anger get the best of me" Noctis' voice was trembling and raw with emotion "I shouldn't have taken it out on you." He says near sobbing. He was sorry, but he never understood why he couldn't grasp just how much he was hurting Ignis until now.
'Why did it take me having a nightmare to finally understand, his pain?'
Noctis closes his eyes shaking at the memory. He could still feel the flames, smell the smoke, hear the screams of his friends. He could still see those piercing yellow eyes that seem to glow and see right through him. Those eyes that belonged to a figure shrouded in darkness.
"I'm sorry."
Ignis could feel his eyes stinging causing him to blink in an attempt to fight off the tears he feels brimming in his eyes. He takes a deep breath and begins to speak.
"Noct, take me not for a fool. I know that you are hurting just as much as I. Know that I understand your pain for we all loved and cherished Prompto just as much as you. Know that no matter what, I will always love you my brother." Ignis says hugging Noctis tightly. He feels his King tighten the embrace as much as he could without hurting Ignis.
Their hug was cut short due to hearing the blaring horn of the Regalia causing them to separate "Right, we gotta go." Noctis says as he picks up his shoes and Ignis nods as he tugs on his shoes. Despite having apologized and begin told he was forgiven, Noctis picks up on just how uncomfortably awkward the atmosphere was in the tent.
Making him hurry out of the tent and into the storm just so he could breathe a bit more comfortably without feeling smothered. The chilling rain splashes onto his face as he turns his head to the sky allowing it to wake him up. Closing his eyes Noctis relishes in the feeling until he feels something dropped onto his face making his hands go to the object where he finds that it was his jacket.
Pulling from his face Noctis met with the sight of Ignis standing at the edge of the haven tugging his jacket over his head as makeshift umbrella "It'll be wise to keep as dry as possible. Come along now, let's make haste for the car. The sooner we reach her the sooner we can get breakfast." Ignis says as he steps off the haven.
Perhaps he was imagining it but to Noctis it seemed like it was taking Ignis a huge amount of effort to talk to him. It also felt like he was being being forced into getting along with him. Maybe it could just be his imagination but he feared that he was seeing Ignis' true nature for the first time. Perhaps Ignis was show him how he truly feels towards him.
Though Noctis wasn't going to blame him. He knows that he can be difficult and with how he has been treating those two he wouldn't blame Ignis for acting a bit cold towards him.
Noctis doesn't say anything as he steps off the haven and follows after Ignis to the Regalia. The inside the regal car was incredibly warm making Noctis sigh happily "About time slowpokes." Gladiolus grumbles.
"Apologies."
"Yeah."
Ignis clears his throat "Right, we should get ourselves some breakfast and check the map. We'll need to think of the possible locations that the dogs could've gotten to." Ignis says taking off his glasses and dries them on his shirt.
"So the Crow's Nest then?" Gladiolus asks looking up at the advisor via the rearview mirror.
"I was thinking more like a small café or other kind of eatery...I am not really in the mood to see that crow this morning." Ignis says running a hand through his hair.
Noctis bites his lip wanting to joke about his brother's fear of mascots but thought against it quickly seeing how Ignis seemed upset with him.
"So I guess stop at whatever we hit first." Noctis suggests earning a curt nod from the Shield who puts the car in motion. As they drive in silence Noctis looks out the window with his chin in his hand watching the scenery pass by in a blurr of dark green, gray, and brown. The rain making the sky and world around them appear unfriendly and dead.
However, amongst the dreary land Noctis spots something odd looking that looked out of place. Sitting up straighter Noctis squints and rubs away the fog that clouded the window, he could see a scrawny black dog wandering the field sniffing the rain soaked grass. He opens his mouth to announce that he sees a dog, one that could belong to the hunters but in that same second it was gone.
The brothers pull into a small mom and pop diner that they would've missed hadn't it been for a massive statue of a cactuar wrapped in blinking holiday lights, wearing a cowboy hat, and holding up a sign with the diners' name on it.
The diner had a few cars dotting its lot. The regal black car looks out of place amongst the other cars, whose colors are faded, peeling or bright.
The inside of the diner was quite nice with home like feel to it. The friends were sitting down enjoying their lunch when Ignis excuses himself making his way to the restroom.
Watching the second oldest leave, Noctis turns his attention to Gladiolus "Is Ignis mad at me?" Noctis asks fear dripping into his voice.
"Mad? What makes you think that?" Gladiolus asks as he lifts his glass and sips at his lemonade.
"Well its the tone he has when he talks to me. Its like he's trying not to yell at me, you hear him. He has that calm monotonous voice the same one he has used on us many times when he is furious." Noctis explains.
"Wouldn't be surprised if he is."
"So is he?"
"Well what do you think? Think back to this pass however long. How back when we first told him he wasn't to blame, then back when we first camped and all those following days afterward you said that you blamed him. You weren't the nicest to him, you hadn't spoken to him like you are now. This has to be confusing to him." Gladiolus explains.
The Shield sips more of his drink as a brief silence falls over them before a snort of amusement leaves him making Noctis look at him curiously "Hmph, or maybe its the medicine he's on. Sania did say the medication that help his mood may also make him irritable. You may just be seeing the side effects."
Noctis sighs as he shakes his head "I know I haven't been the nicest to him...I let my grief get the best of me...but I also feel like that-..." the king sighs shaking his head "Do you think you two can forgive me?"
Gladiolus nods a bit "I can, its what we do. But Ignis, I can't speak for him." Gladiolus says as he stands "You can just ask him yourself for reassurance." He adds gesturing to Ignis as he makes his way to get a refill. Noctis looks over to Ignis as he rejoins him at the table picking up his knife and fork and proceeds to cut into quiche. Noctis frowns as he looks away from his advisor.
"Something the matter Noct?"
Noctis looks back up at Ignis his words stick in his throat making he utter a squeak before shaking his head his eyes going to his plate of what remains of his chicken fried steak.
"Playing coy?"
A pause.
"Worry not...I know what you are thinking, and no...I'm not mad at you." Ignis pauses and a small sigh leaves him. When he continues his voice is soft and full of heartbreak "I just feel...lost. Betrayed. Hurt." Another pause and he sets down his utensils "I feel so many things that simply thinking about it makes my-..." Ignis looks at Noctis with a glimmer of please understand in his eyes before shaking his head and shovels a bit of quiche into his mouth chewing it. Ignis couldn't bring himself to fully forgive the king not yet at least. Swallowing Ignis closes his eyes only to open them when he hears Gladiolus sit down "What no new recipe?" He jokes realizing that Ignis hadn't pulled out his notebook.
Ignis shakes his head "I haven't been in the mood to cook or create anything." Ignis says as he shoves his plate away allowing the space to be used for his arms which he crosses over the table and lays his head down.
"Shouldn't we figure out where the dogs are?" Noctis questions earning a soft sigh of annoyance from Ignis which is drowned out by thunder rumbling.
"Right..."
Ignis sits up and removes the map from his inner breast pocket and spreads it on the table. Taking a deep breath he speaks "Dave says that there are thirteen dogs in total counting his own. We have; Jojo a doberman, Russ a beagle, Sparky a springer spaniel, Ike a rottweiler, Sumo a saint bernard, Lil Mac a boxer, Icarus a retriever, Frosti a Husky, Pogo a great dane, Knight a shiba, Hank a wolfhound, Cloud a pyrenees, and then Tonberry the pit bull." Ignis says scrolling through his phone showing his friends the missing dogs.
"In my opinion I wouldn't mind keeping Tonberry for myself." Ignis ays admiring the chocolate pit bull. "Perhaps I should get one whenever we finish this journey."
"Well, based on their headquarters location it's best to assume that the dogs headed somewhere in that general vicinity and travelled together in a pack." Ignis says looking thoughtful as he taps his chin "But the question is where could have a pack of dogs gone in one night. It couldn't have been too far." Ignis says looking at the map.
Gladiolus looks over at the map before taking Ignis' phone and scrolls through the pictures of the dogs "The real question I have is this, where were all the Hunters when the dogs booked it. You tellin' me that there wasn't a single Hunter outside watching these dogs or happen to be outside when they vanished. And the dogs didn't bark or make noise during the event? Something just seems off to me." Gladiolus says leaning back as he gives back the phone when he sees Ignis gesture for it.
"We can only ask around for further information." Ignis says pocketing his phone and the map.
"So I guess we head on up the HQ and check around there." Noctis suggests earning a nod from Ignis "And we may need to investigate the location where we first met up with Monica." Ignis adds.
"That spot near the Imperial scrap yard?" Gladiolus questions.
"Yes. The Hunters also take their dogs there could be a possibility that they escaped there we'll just need to investigate further." Ignis says as he stands and pulls out his wallet "Well need to search both areas and ask around." He adds as he sets down enough gil to pay for their meal and a little extra as a tip.
"Shall we be off?"
"Yeah"
"Hmm."
With that the group heads to the Regalia.
The regal car pulls up near the fueling station leaving the young men who are sitting inside to frown at the idea of having to get out and walk in the rain which was still coming down with no signs of stopping. Noctis sighs hating the idea that they will get drenched by the storm. "Any sign of this stopping soon?" He asks looking towards the sky from his window.
Ignis inhales deeply before letting it out slowly "I haven't checked." Ignis admits as he runs his hands over his face "Shall I check?"
"Don't bother, not like haven't done quests and hunts in the rain before." Gladiolus says as he places his bookmark at the start of chapter thirty. "Let's head on out and get this started. I doubt waiting around hoping this will pass soon. Let's just go." Gladiolus says as he gets out of the car.
"Might as well." Noctis says as he powers off the car and climbs out too.
Ignis says nothing as he follows after his friends quietly. The group walks up to Dave who was making his way up into the shop unaware that the boys had arrived.
"Dave!" Noctis calls out getting the Hunter to turn around. His expression was that of relief upon seeing them. With a nod he walks up to the three "There you boys are thanks for taking the time out to come up here."
"Well we couldn't turn a blind eye to dogs who may be in danger." Ignis says "They are man's best friend, and you'll do anything for your friend."
"Ain't that right." Dave says nodding.
"So do you know which way they could've gone, or perhaps tell us what happen before they vanished." Ignis inquires. This makes Dave frown as he motions for the King, Shield, and Advisor to follow him. He leads the friends to the camper where he unlocks the door allowing them inside.
Once they're all settled in and the door is locked Dave addresses the King and his retainers "Well the thing is that no one really knows what we saw that night, all that we know is somethin' dun stirred up our hounds making them leave." Dave explains.
"Like a daemon?" Noctis questions.
"Not sure, but I'm leaning towards that." Dave pauses "But if you ask all the other Hunters they will tell you the same thing." He frowns as a visible shudder goes through the older man.
"What is it?" Gladiolus asks curiously.
Dave shakes his head "I couldn't tell you boys what I heard all that night, but I just know that that sound was one I ain't wishin' to hear again."
Noctis, Gladiolus, and Ignis all look at each other before turning their attention back to the Hunter.
"I guess we should start by asking the other Hunters what they had heard and last saw." Ignis says as he pulls out his phone "We'll write down their testimonies and from there we'll see if we can recreate the sound." He explains.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Well it sounds like you boys got everything under control, I'll leave it to you then." Dave moves towards the door and opens it allowing the friends to step out first "Just promise me you'll get our hounds back."
"We will." Gladiolus says crossing his arms.
Dave nods "I trust you boys." He says with a sigh before heading into the store. Gladiolus watches him disappear into the shop before turning his attention to his friends as he runs his hand through his rain slicked hair to the longer locks out of his face. He squints blinking against the rain making out the shapes of Noctis talking to the tipster looking behind him he sees Ignis talking to the arms dealer. Nodding Gladiolus heads across the dirt path meeting up with Sania who he sees stationed under a tent sitting at a small wooden table working on something that she found deep interest in.
Deciding to speak with her for he knows she must've seen something or know what could've sparked the dogs to flee.
"Sup." He says giving her a smile.
"Hi there. Why what can I do for you today- oh is it your friend?" Sania asks curiously looking up at Gladiolus who shakes his head "Nah, Iggy is doing better thanks to you. He's over there" he says nodding to the black vehicle bearing swords and shields "he's actually sleeping now." Gladiolus adds.
Sania lifts her eyebrows smiling "Is he now? That makes me happy to hear." She says "Well if that's not it then, what can I do for you today?" She asks making Gladiolus reach for his phone "We gotten word from Dave that the dogs that live here vanished." He says as he opens the text that Ignis had sent him and Noctis containing the pictures of the dogs which he shows Sania "Dave said something about there being a sound that scared the dogs or something like that. I was wondering if you heard or saw something." Gladiolus asks as he sets down the phone.
Sania tilts her head to the left as she taps her chin thoughtfully "Well I might've. But to be honest I wasn't entirely sure what I thought it was that I saw." She says before snapping her fingers and scuttling over the second table that she had set up. She picks up a cardboard box and sets it on the table and rummages through it and pulls out a small go pro camera.
She hurries back to her station and plugs in the camera into the computer "I just remembered that I had something that may help you boys in this." She says opening the file and clicking on the video "Here, take a look at this." She says waving Gladiolus over.
Gladiolus stands beside her and watches the screen as Sania presses play on the video.
In the video its shows a field that Gladiolus couldn't really pinpoint. Sania skips a bit in the video "This is where it gets interesting." She says smiling before hitting play once again.
This time Gladiolus sees a thick fog appear over the grass. The Shield raises an eyebrow he was about to say something when he sees something emerging out of the fog. At first the figure was lacking any real shape or form but the more Gladiolus watches he sees that the shape is that of a dog.
The dark form of the dog turns it head facing the direction of the camera with glowing gold eyes for what feels like an eternity before the video ends.
"That's not the only thing. I got this too." Sania says opening another file "I had gotten several sound samples made based on the testimonies that the Hunters claimed they heard." She explains.
This makes Gladiolus snort out of amusement and Sania smiles "Here we go." She says as she hits the play button.
The sound that the massive man hears chills him to his core.
The howl, if you can call it that sounded unearthly. The best Gladiolus could describe it was like half Behemoth, half Iron or Red Giant, and half human scream. Now Gladiolus was a brave man but if you asked he would rather not mess with anything that sounded like that. Swallowing nervously Gladiolus pushes his phone forward "Could you put that sound on my phone so I could show the guys?" He asks hoping he didn't sound shaken up.
"Sure thing hun. One second..." she hits a few clicks on the keyboard before sending over a copy "Would you like me to send over the other sound files?" She asks sounding a little to eager for the Shield's liking "No, this one is good enough. Thanks."
"Well, if you boys need the others you can come get them."
Gladiolus nods "Will do. Thanks again." He says as he heads toward where Ignis was standing and talking with a Hunter and tapping down notes on his phone "Yeah, the sound was like something out of a nightmare." The Hunter explains as he shakes his head sounding spooked.
"And what exactly did it sound like?" Ignis inquires.
"Well kinda like-"
Gladiolus plays his copy of the roar causing the Hunter to jump looking up at the Shield pointing "Like that!" He says near frantic getting Ignis to look over his shoulder "What on earth makes a sound like that!?" Ignis asks as he steps towards his friend "Whatever makes that sound we can probably bet that the dogs are dead. Something that makes sounds like that most likely eat meat." Gladiolus says earning him a look of heartbreak from the Hunter
"Well, we can't just assume that. Rest assured we'll look further into this and hopefully we can return them all home." Ignis says as he motions for Gladiolus to follow him over to where Noctis was sitting. The prince had his own notes that was stumping him. The Hunter he had talked to claimed it was a creature resembling a goblin but walked on all fours.
Which didn't really click for the dark haired boy. He knows what the goblins look like and how they move yet the didn't walk on all fours.
What else could it have?
Maybe he saw something that wasn't daemonic.
"Everything all right Noct?"
Noctis looks up only to see Ignis and Gladiolus sitting down at the table with him.
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean?" Ignis asks.
"The Hunter I talked to said that he saw a goblin walking on all fours...but goblins don't do that." Noctis says.
"Maybe they do..." Gladiolus says with a glance to his king.
"Or perhaps this is a new daemon. One we haven't seen before, like the dread behemoth we encountered. And that could explain all the mixed answers we have gotten and will explain the audio that Gladio has gotten. Its not a sound we ever heard." Ignis explains.
"Audio file?"
"Yeah, Sania gave it to me." Gladiolus explains as he opens the recording on his phone passing it to Noctis who presses play to hear the sound.
What he hears makes his brows furrow "What the actual heck is that!?"
"Our goblin."
"So, I think its best if we wait for nightfall, but we'll also need to set a trap." Ignis says tapping his fingers against the table "Seeing how it goes after dogs we'll need a dog as bait to lure out our dogsnatcher." Ignis explains.
"But where are we going to find a-..." Noctis stops realizing who Ignis was hinting at "I mean I can call him but I don't know if he'll cooperate."
"He'll have to do. We haven't any other dog that's available to us." Ignis says as he stands up "Not to mention he's also able to aid us in battle."
"Right. I'll call him..." Noctis sighs as he closes his eyes focusing his energy and magic as he pictures the black dog.
Umbra.
A small bark follows along with the scuffle of paws in the gravel.
"Hey boy." Gladiolus says softly as Noctis opens his eyes to the Shield roughly patting the black dog.
"Excellent. Listen here Umbra, you'll be helping us today with a special task. Are you up for this task?" Ignis states looking a the deity.
Umbra flicks his ear with a bark.
"Then its settled. When night falls we'll station Umbra in one of the pins that the dogs were in the night of the attack."
It was dark as pitch where the boys were stationed. The Hunters having led them to a small spot off the road near the entrance of the Vesperpool. Several cage like dog houses dotted the spot but none of them held any damage.
"Surprised they weren't whisked earlier than this." Gladiolus says sounding a bit amused.
"Why are they so far away from the base?" Noctis questions.
"A mystery we shall never know the answer to." Ignis says as he opens the Regalia's door and lets out Umbra.
"Well who ever the genius was that decided this was asking for something like this to happen to their dogs. Sticking them out here where the daemons spawn like crazy." Gladiolus grumbles as he rubs his upper arms.
"Well on the contrary. Daemons don't mess with animals, well not all daemons." Ignis says.
"Like?"
"Tonberry. They love the taste of cats and dogs...well any animal really."
"Bet you'd be a Tonberry." Noctis jokes but Ignis didn't laugh. He simply glances at his friend but nothing more birthing an awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere.
Umbra whines as he looks up towards Ignis and then towards Noctis. The king looks like he's tempted to say something but he shakes his head looking away from the other. When something in him snaps he was irritated.
Turning his attention back to Ignis who he glares at "What's wrong with you!? I'm trying to be nice!" Noctis growls.
"I didn't say anything." Ignis says flatly.
"Exactly! I was joking with you but you treated it like you didn't even hear me." Snaps the King.
"Perhaps its because it wasn't funny to begin with." Ignis says as he crosses his arms and leans against the Regalia.
"Well why were you treating me like I'm some kind of nuisance?" Noctis asks almost weakly "I thought we forgave each other."
"Indeed, I forgave you. But I hadn't forgotten how you treated me so callously and ignored me and my feelings when I needed you most. So in all honestly please forgive me for finding you to be a nuisance." Ignis says bitterly as he looks towards the ground biting his bottom lip. Ignis hates that he feels this way towards the one person who he loves the most he hopes that Noctis will understand his hurt and the betrayal he feels deep within his gut, like fiery claws clutching at him and squeezing him tighter and tighter as if to remind him that he has been wronged.
"Well. If you truly feel that way then why don't you quit! I don't need you anymore and I can get my freedom that I always wanted! I can't wait to get rid of you, no more of you breathing down my back literally and metaphorically!"
"You're freedom!?" Ignis laughs "That has to be by far the funniest thing you ever said! You're freedom!?" Ignis was laughing sounding near mad "You never had your childhood stripped from you. The moment I was able to walk and talk I had been forced into the teachings to prepare me for this moment!" Cries Ignis. His eyes narrow as he begins to shake "You know how unfair that was..." Ignis can feel his eyes starting to sting "To be five or six years old and to be told I was to old to play with toys, that I shouldn't be selfish and give what will make the prince happy. When in reality I was still allowed to be selfish, to play with stuffed animals...ever wonder why I kept Barkley hidden from you until you had gotten a similar toy or why I still have have him?"
Noctis doesn't say anything.
"Because I didn't want the one toy I had taken from me...I wanted something that reminded me that I was a child and allowed to have fun. To have something that wasn't a book." Ignis pauses swallowing a bit only to learn that his throat felt tight "I recall being nine or ten and I had been ordered to deliver paper to the King's room...on my way there I saw you and his Majesty...he was like this" Ignis does the gesture of holding a child in his arms "the two of you looked so happy. I had brought up the matter to my uncle. A simple request of wanting to be held like that...he told me no. I tried and tried and begged...but I was told I was to old to be held. That have a job to do." Ignis feels his breath hitching.
"I never got to be a child. I was never allowed to be- I never got a choice in what I wanted to be!" Ignis says his voice cracking.
"Like I got that choice too! I never wanted to be a king! It was just thrown at me." Noctis fires back "And what about Gladio, you think he wanted to be a Shield!? You think you're the only that was forced into something or not allowed to do something!?" The king roars.
"You had a childhood!" Screams Ignis his face was red with frustration and anger "You were allowed to live like a normal child...you- you..." Ignis stops and turns his back to the others as he bends his back and sinks to rest his elbows on the Regalia as he covers his face with his hands.
"Like I said, I made peace with who I am. Unlike Ignis I didn't train all my life to be your Shield. This is still a learning a learning process for me as it is for him." Gladiolus explains to the youngest.
"Yeah but that still doesn't give-" Noctis starts which triggers Ignis to aggressively hit the hood of the car.
I that same second a deep rumble like that of thunder can be heard as the smell of sulfur and rotting eggs fills the space around them causing the boys to cover their noses "Ah man, that stinks." Noctis complains as he coughs.
Several feet in front of them the ground bubbles like it does when Iron and Red Giants emerge.
"I hate those steel ba-huh?"
"Gladio, what's wrong?"
Ignis looks over to where the large man was looking only to see what looks like a dog standing on the path ahead. Umbra barks, his tail still as a deep guttural growl leaves him. The other dog shows no fear as it strides forward causing Umbra to bark louder and with a much more harsher tone as he steps forward but the closer the new dog got the more nervous Umbra became. The messenger whines and lowers his head as the dogs was now standing side by side.
Up close the brothers could see that it was in fact a dog but one that they haven't seen before, well except for Noctis.
"Hey wait I seen this dog!"
"You have?"
"Yeah, it was on the road when we were going to the café. It was just sitting there." Noctis explains as he looks into the deep orange eyes of the nearly hairless dog. "And I seen it once before in a nightmare...I don't think this dog is a good sign." The king says nervously.
"You think? Its taking dogs and sounds like a monster. I think we all can agree that this thing is evil." Gladiolus grumbles.
The dog drops to crouch.
"Everyone stay alert! Its getting ready to strike." Shouts Ignis.
The dog with black skin lifts its head and howls. The sound that Sania had given them was close but nothing like it at the same time. The noise was loud bringing the brothers to their knees as they cover their eyes.
The howl was nothing more than a distraction, for the ground began to shake slightly as a black and red blob bubbled up onto the surface as a massive arm shot up and out slamming its palm onto the grass.
With its minions appearing the beast stops howling causing the three boys to pant out as they stand back up only to see that there are more monsters. "Ah, of course it ain't gonna be easy." Gladiolus grumbles as he watches the daemons climb up.
Once the Red Giant fully emerged the brothers are able to began their hunt. The Red Giant, Iron Giant, and a small swarm of goblins that had appeared upon hearing the cry point and snicker at the boys.
"Let's get this over with. Ignis, instructions!" Noctis shouts out as he summons his sword.
Ignis, summons his daggers and races forward throwing the knives marking each and every last daemon.
"Now Noct!"
Noctis jumps up and warps into the mass of bodies, slashing at the daemons as he continues to warp pass each of them, he lands near "Gladio, go!" Noctis orders.
Gladiolus lifts his greatsword and with a hefty swing of his arm he obliterates a small cluster of goblins "Nice one Gladio." Noctis says with a nod as he switches to his own greatsword before warp striking into the Red Giant who roars out as it tries to grab him. Ignis seeing the opposing hand reaching for the king. Not hesitating Ignis rushes forward and shoves the other out of the way only to be grabbed in his place, the massive hand holding onto his leg and squeezes the limb as it lifts Ignis high into the air roaring. Ignis cries out in agony as the Giant proceeds to snap his leg like a toothpick.
"Ignis!" Gladiolus screams out as he rushes forward with his sword raised and slices into the monster's legs cutting it down causing it to release Ignis who is caught by Gladiolus.
Gladiolus carries him to the Regalia and opens the door laying him down in the backseat. "Here Iggy." Gladiolus says as he summons a Hi-Elixir and touches it to Ignis' broken leg mending it.
"Can you stand?" Gladiolus asks seeing the look of relief decorate Ignis' face as he takes a deep breath "I can try." Ignis says as he scoots forward and places both feet on the ground. Ever so carefully Ignis eases himself up to his feet, the leg that had just been healed stings painfully but Ignis didn't want to complain and slow the others down especially with how they had something to fight and couldn't just abandon the fight.
"Does it hurt?"
"No...I'll be okay." He says as he limps away summoning his lance.
The goblins and Iron Giant were now gone leaving only the dog and Red Giant.
"Noct, you and Ignis take care of the dog. I'll take this guy." Gladiolus says summoning the sword he had gotten from the Blademaster. As Gladiolus rushes in striking the Giant with his Maelstrom attack, Noctis and Ignis are face to face with the daemon dog.
"You got any ideas on how to take this thing down?" Noctis asks as he looks towards the dog who was growling.
"One but I am unsure of how will it will work."
"Well it's a place to start. Let's hear it."
"Just attack with all you got. We're bound to hit it or wound it in some form or fashion."
Noctis switches to Prompto's Circular Saw making the dog look at him with interest "Not a bad plan." He says as Ignis summons his lance back "Hmmm...let's just hope it works." Ignis says with a sigh. Stepping forward, Ignis pushes up his glasses and leaps up high into the air with the means to come crashing down on the dog, however the dog rolls away making Ignis miss his mark. The ash blonde lands with the pointed tip buried on the ground causing him to curse "Noct you give it a go."
Noctis nods as he turns his attention to the daemon dog who narrows its eyes at him with teeth bared. It growls at him as it steps forward ear twitching in aggression as it slowly circles the King. Noctis circles the dog as well bracing for the attack that will sure to come. The dog opens it mouth expelling a green gas "Don't breathe it in! Its poison." Ignis shouts as he throws a blizzara spell in the dogs direction. The space around them is blanketed in a thick fog as snow and ice form on the ground whilst frigid wind whips at the beast.
Yet when the spell fades the dog emerges unscathed, it digs its paws into the dirt it curves it back before letting out a bark that resonates through the air that resembles the sound of gunshots. Noctis wasn't sure exactly what that was supposed to do besides making his ears ring. Smirking, Noctis summons his greatsword and steps forward when a whitehot pain explodes through his chest bringing him to his knees.
"Noct!" Cries Ignis as he races up to his brothers side, despite having said he thought Noctis was a nuisance he couldn't bring himself to ignore him or not worry about his sibling.
Noctis didn't say anything, instead coughs up blood as more blooms at the center of his stomach making the dark fabric slick with blood "I-I think I was shot. But...I didn't feel a bullet..." Noctis grimace as Ignis checks him over. Whatever it was that shot the dark haired prince made a clean exit. Nodding, Ignis gently lowers Noctis to the ground as he summons a potion "You'll be okay, what ever it had been exited your body." Ignis says as he stands up summoning his lance.
"I can't allow you to hurt my friend...I can't lose someone else I care deeply about." Ignis says as he summons his daggers as he steps forward sending flames to erupt over the blades, rushing forward Ignis uses his Sagefire on the beast striking and slashing wildly on the rough almost leather like skin of the animal.
Ignis spins around with a flick of his wrists the flames diminish. "That should do the trick." Ignis says with a pant as he sends his weapons away watching the smoke bellowing up from the grass where the embers had fallen.
"What did I miss?" Gladiolus asks as he rejoins the group having slain the giant.
"Nothing much, just that this dog won't die!" Complains Noctis "Nothing seems to be working."
Gladiolus swings his sword over his head bringing it to rest on his shoulders "Lemme give it a shot. Maybe what you guys are missing is a little bit of muscle." Gladiolus roars as he swings his blade at the daemon using Maelstrom once more.
Yet the second the blade touches the animal it shatters in the same shimmering blue and white pieces like it was trying to materialize.
"What!?"
"That's it!" Noctis growls as he storms forward summoning his Ragnarok blade and attempts to cut down the daemon but the dog only gives off a short yet blinding light, a flash with a wag of it's tail nodding some. The flash was enough to blind Noctis causing him to rub at his eyes "The heck." He complains before attempting another attack this time hitting the monster only to send the blade in the same state as the Shield's.
The dog shakes it head briefly causing it's left ear to twitch as it slowly approaches the three, lips drawn into a snarl the brothers could see every sharp yellow tooth in the dog's mouth.
They were trapped the beast was too strong. Every attack, every spell failed to do damage and the fire ones only seemed to make it stronger, their weapons couldn't cut it, and the glaive art seemed to only entertain the beast.
So here they are waiting for some kind of miracle.
"What's up with this thing?"
"I say we retreat while we still have our heads."
The beast was much closer now, it lowers itself preparing to pounce. Only for it to be pounced first by Umbra who flashes his fangs with a deep growl leaving his lips as he presses his paw against the nearly furless dog's throat. The evil dog simply curls its lips back in a crooked smile showing a small bit of fang as if showing that it doesn't fear Umbra.
Umbra was shaking slightly with a whine leaving him. He didn't like the energy coming off of the dog, but at the same time he couldn't let it hurt Noctis and the others. Seeing this the evil dog stares up at Umbra almost as if he was waiting to see what the other was going to do next.
"Woof woof!"
The dark dog stopped it's eyes turning toward the newcomer, it was Pryna, the dogs meet eyes getting the furless beast to look over at the white animal. Pryna simply stares back her blue eyes holding sadness making the devil dog whine a bit as it's own eyes turn a deep blue. It sneezes a bit shaking it's head before kicking off the black messenger and getting up to it's paws.
The dog looks towards the brothers it's eyes narrowing with a growl leaving it's lips. Fearing it'll do something more Pryna barks at it getting the dog to stop and look at her before looking back at the brother.
Pryna suddenly appears in front of skinny dog her eyes narrowing as a huff leaves her. The other simply gives her a pleading look one that makes her shuffle her paws before drooping her tail she steps aside and watches the other dog as it continues forward.
The dark dog stops directly in front of the King and his men and howls summoning a bright ball of light which soars into the sky causing the boys to close their eyes.
The light lasts for several seconds longer before fading to nothing allowing the brothers to lower their arms and blink trying to adjust their vision. The first thing they noticed was that their surroundings were different, they were no longer at the Vesperpool but that small cliff face at Cape Caem.
Everything was an eerie black, gray, and white.
The group looks around unsure of what they were doing there. "Where did that thing send us here?" Noctis questions.
They all knew he was just talking but the question was one they all were all thinking.
Ignis scans the area when his eyes stop at the center of the field.
"It can't be..." he says weakly his voice was soft and nearly inaudible.
"It can't be what?" Noctis asks looking to where Ignis was only to have his voice fail him and a look of hurt and disbelief decorate his features.
There in the middle of the field where their battle and the difficult decision took place stood a sight they weren't sure was real. Gladiolus, Igins, and Noctis stared with bated breaths.
There standing with their back to them was Prompto.
