Chapter 3

Regis

The king stared at him.

Ignis in return avoided direct eye contact, unsure as to why he was being so intently scrutinized.

Oh he knew intellectually it was likely due to the seizure he had while taking Noctis from the city and the cause of their return to Insomnia. Perhaps he pondered on Ignis's continued suitability for the role Regis had given him. That was the logical answer he mentally noted but still... it seemed so much more.

"I see," Regis finally replied to Noctis's hurried explanation of what had happened. "You may stay for the night and leave first thing in the morning. A day's delay should not be too much trouble. You will have plenty of time to reach Altissa."

"My lord," Ignis interrupted, blurting it without any control. "I believe we should remain for a few days more. Or at least, I should remain."

His fellow Crownguards and Noctis himself was stumped at Ignis's unusually forward behavior in front of Regis.

"Oh? And why so?" Regis replied, his voice booming in the throne room.

"Gladio and Prompto are more than capable of protecting Prince Noctis. However I fear further attacks of the nature that stopped us from progressing. I am a liability to them until the origin of my malady is discovered."

Regis stood up awkwardly from his throne, waving away the concerns of his Councillors at his weakened state, and slowly walked down to the steps to stand before the small group.

"I agree," Regis finally said resolutely. "You were always an unknown in this, Ignis Scientia. One I fear is now becoming all too clear."

Ignis blinked, confusion written across his face. "My lord?"

"Noctis, you will depart immediately in the morning. Ignis... you will remain with me at my side. Return to the Citadel in the morning for your assignment. You are all dismissed."

"What are you thinking, Iggy?!" Gladio snarled once the vast doors of the throne room sealed behind them.

"Merely admitting the truth. Something is very wrong with me," Ignis replied in a rare moment of fragility with his friends who in turn were stunned. "I just know that I have to stay here. For Noctis's protection."

"What did my dad mean, Ignis? That you are an unknown?"

Ignis turned his attention down to the shorter Noctis. "I don't know. I'm as confused by this as you are. I hope my extended time in Insomnia will allow me to query King Regis."

Noctis's face was unusually scrunched up in a frown and it took several minutes before Ignis realized why. He was worried.

"Fear not, Prince Noctis. I'm-"

Ignis suddenly stopped, his brain erupting in pain followed shortly by his right arm feeling like it was on fire from his shoulder to the wrist.

The voice roared in his mind once more as his physical body hit the floor writhing in pain in front of his stunned friends.

"Moon and Stars... the heart... her heart. Thieves! They stole it from her. It's so close now... Return it from whence it came. Fulfill your oath to me or all will know my wrath upon my return."

Ignis, his brain feeling as though it was melting, screamed out, "When?!"

"When the light wanes and the star fades from sight," was the reply. "When the thieves rouse themselves from slumber to find only my sword where safety had beckoned. Wake up, Moon-and-Stars. Wake up!"

The pain he felt was forgotten as Iggy's mind was suddenly enveloped fully. He slipped onto his back with eyes fully dilated and yet unseeing. Ignis became frighteningly still, breathing low and steady while his eyes twitched at something only he could see.

"Iggy! Come on! Answer me!" Noctis shouted as they all attempted to both wake him up and also get him onto his feet. But their friend was unresponsive.
He started to mumble in a tongue they did not understand, words and syllables that rolled out of his mouth effortless but fell on ears that were deaf to their meaning.

Gladio attempted to wake him again, violently shaking the prone Ignis as they all became aware they were gaining a small crowd that milled around them as those nearby came to see if they could help. The ruckus was loud enough that even King Regis emerged from the throne room with his Councillors.

"What is he saying?" Prompto muttered, trying to be inconspicuous in the presence of the Councillors.

"I know."

The trio looked up at the new arrivals to the Citadel, fresh from the road too it appeared after they glanced at their weary faces.

"Luna..." Noctis whispered reverently as the Oracle quickly left the safety of her protectors and joined them.

"Lady Lunafreya, what is he saying?" Gladio ventured after she had listened intently to Ignis's ramblings while Regis quickly took a firm hand on Noctis and gently pulled him back from where Iggy lay.

"He's speaking their tongue."

"Whose?"

"The Six. He's... he's calling out for someone. He's so sad. Heartbroken even. He's calling for her to find him. To come back to him."

Noctis, finally freeing himself of his father's grasp, went to Luna's side eagerly. "Who? Who is he calling?"

Luna looked at Noctis with eyes of the brightest blue he had ever seen. For a moment he couldn't breathe at the sight of her knelt before him with gaze firmly locked on his face.

"Sigrün. He's calling for someone called Sigrün"

Ignis didn't wake. The rambling words faded, his wide unseeing eyes closed, and Ignis Scientia fell into a deep slumber.
They had quickly taken him to the nearest medical facility, rushing past even the arriving Imperial party with barely even a glance. The only brief stall had been Noctis who'd been caught between leaving Luna after only just meeting her again and Ignis. He'd quickly told her that he'd be back as soon as possible before bolting after the others.

"I'm really worried, Noct," Prompto mumbled as they sat in the small hallway outside the medical ward. "I don't think we should go tomorrow. Not with Iggy... well, like this."

"Don't worry. We're not going anywhere. Luna's here. We've got time now."

Gladio gently shoved the prince forward. "Speaking of Lady Lunafreya, you better go find her. I'm gonna stay here for a bit and find out about Iggy. I'll ring you once I know."

"I'm not leaving-" Noctis started to reply when Gladio shoved him again.

"I said go and find your bride. Don't think that you've fooled me, kid. I saw how you looked at her."

"But... Iggy..."

"Will be fine. Get outta here."