Chapter 2

Ardyn

"Noct... could you stop pacing? You're actually somehow making the tension worse."

Gladio had watched his charge wear almost a hole into the tiled floor of the clinic waiting room for an hour while Ignis was in another room being reviewed.

King Regis by now knew they are back in the city and hadn't given any indication of whether they should return to the Citadel or if he would visit them.

Not that Noctis cared. His focus was on his friend being looked over. Ignis had always just been there. Ever since they'd first met, Noctis had come to rely on him more than any of the others.

Oh sure, he would laugh with Prompto and be shielded by Gladio when he wasn't teasing him. But Ignis... Ignis was his confidante. Whatever was said to Ignis never went anywhere. In Noctis's world, Ignis was the stalwart. The pillar holding it all up and now he was...

The prince stopped and finally listened to his sworn shield, sinking down on a seat to wait for the answer from the medical staff.

"You're fine. Physically at least."

The old consultant with wispy grey hair and stubble peered at the scans of Ignis's brain and pointed to various sections.

"You have some structurally anomalies here," he added with a flourishing gesture towards part of Ignis's brain, "but nothing that should cause what you described as happening."

The doctor turned his piercing on Ignis. "Young man... are you on any medication? Prescribed or otherwise?"

Ignis paled with indignation. "No."

"I see here that your uncle had you seeing a psychiatrist from a young age."

"That is unrelated to the situation at hand."

"I don't believe it is."

Ignis slipped off the medical trolley and adjusted his clothes. "Are we done?"

The older doctor sighed. "I can't hold you."

Ignis gave a polite nod and gave his thanks, keeping his burning anger at the doctor's insinuation internal. It would not do to cause a scene.

"Ignis!"

Ignis had just enough time to adjust his glasses when he was bombarded by his companions. They all looked so... worried.

"The physician has cleared me. We should consider our next steps."

"Yo!" Prompto barked. "You don't get out of it that easily! What happened?"

"There was nothing on the scan. He could only release me from his charge."

Gladio glared at him, seeing clearly that Ignis was hiding something. "Well," he finally rumbled. "You best take it easy. No point going back on the road this late. Let's head back to the King."

"Good idea. I should talk to my dad," Noctis added before he grabbed Ignis's arm and gave it a squeeze. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Thank you, Noct. Let us set out. I'm certain your father would wish to see you as soon as possible."

Ardyn wandered the grove in silence.

He hadn't been back here in quite a long while but it was an unchanged as the great city it sat within along with its sole inhabitant.

Her voice had called to him after two decades of nothing and he wished eagerly to relay to her all that he had accomplished in the years apart. She would not approve, that he knew already.

"I am here, sweet Sigrün. It's been too long since you last let me come to your side. There's so much I must tell you. My plan, the one I spoke of so often, is nearly complete!"

He heard the clanking chains, the drag of them across a distant floor, the slow flutter of wings...

"Ardyn... my dear friend."

He couldn't stop the smile as he heard her call him by name.

"I would have wished you peace and happiness. But instead you surge forward to your doom. I had hoped that we could talk and you would see the righteousness of my words on this matter."

Ardyn laughed. "I fear it's too late. The Astrals have set their pawn on his path as I have planned."

He could just about see her now, the figure slowly coming towards him from a darkened corridor with chains dragging after.

"I... I know the task ahead of you. Your revenge on your brother's family will be complete. But they... they will live on. False gods to a world left blind. The scourge will not stop. You and I know this. Ardyn... you were a hero once. You are still in your heart. Etro remains silent on her dead throne with heart removed. Her Lord husband is returning from his wanderings. When he does, his anger will consume the world."

Ardyn stepped forward, catching the now closer Sigrün as she stumbled from weakness.

"You are still so beautiful. As you were when you saved me centuries ago," he mumbled.

Sigrün's deep blue eyes were weary and her back hunched under the weight of her chains. Her wings, once the colour of alabaster, were dusty and grimed at the edges. But Ardyn could still see the strength in her soul.

"These chains are too heavy for you," he added quietly. "It's my fault."

"No. I took them on willingly. The same as the task my King had given me long before you. If I had not, the Astrals would have slaughtered you and for what crime? For doing as they bid? Etro is waiting for you, Ardyn. Only she can stop the scourge. Only she can give you peace. This revenge of yours will not make things better."

Ardyn helped Sigrün sit on the ground before he took the spot beside her. "I've disappointed you."

Sigrün laughed softly. "No, Ardyn. I merely pray to the Gods that our sins will be forgiven. I've... been dreaming of him once more."

"Really?"

"The first time in so long. I know what it means. The All-Father is returning and he is calling for his covenant to be upheld."

Ardyn blinked. "Your people are dead, Sigrün."

"My people are lost. There's a difference. Odin the wanderer is coming home to a dead wife and the Aesir he loved dearly gone. The twin thrones stand empty. The Sun has become a dragon and the Moon and Stars lost to us. I fear he will end this world."

Ardyn sighed heavily. "And what would you have me do, my dear friend? My only friend left in this world?"

Sigrün rested her head gently on his arm. "Bring me Etros's heart. Let me at least have that. When Odin arrives, I will bid him welcome in the customs of old and make a plea that he is honor-bound to listen to."

Ardyn pondered her words carefully. "There's to be a party in Insomnia which I must attend. The Emperor believes himself in control. It's pitiful."

He turned and gently pressed a kiss on Sigrün's forehead. "For our long friendship, I will bring it to you as you asked. But I will not be discouraged from my revenge. Not now when I am so close."

"I know. I merely wish that I didn't have to lose all those I hold dear in my heart."