It was no wonder Somalia had to leave the room for this clip.
The screen, featuring Prompto crucified in the metallic contraption burst to life when Gladio hit "Play". By "burst" it was more like the video erupted into the deafening cries of the man trapped within metal binds. The body pounded through its confines in a desperate attempt to escape the surge of electricity that no doubt coursed through his flesh until it was ragged.
Gladio had to pause the video within the first two seconds. Not just for Ignis, but for himself. If he had to watch another second of this, he might just end up smashing every damn thing in this room. He suspected something like this could've happened, but to throw it at his face like this? If Noct saw this video, he would definitely charge straight for Ardyn. And Gladio would have been more than happy to follow.
"…We can't change what's been done," Ignis offered after a moment of silence. "But we can find answers. I feel the same way, but the chancellor is cryptic. His appearances always have something to do with the crystal… especially when his appearances concern us."
Gladio didn't respond.
"I would mute and fast forward to the instances where Ardyn speaks," Ignis continued. "You're the only one who can do this. …I'm sorry."
"Don't be." With a grunt, Gladio hesitatingly did as he was asked.
Whenever the chancellor spoke, he always rambled on about illusion and reality. In his coddling voice, he would jab at Prompto's every insecurity, but a recurring theme was how Prompto's life was a lie. They always seemed to leave him more convinced and conflicted all at once.
At every word of protest, he'd be subject to another blast of Thunder. Every time his body was pushed to the limit, it would be Cure.
They didn't understand until Ardyn explained the science behind controlling MTs.
"MTs always act so robotic, even though they're living beings. Sure, the artificial magic of magitek can sustain their life, but they need rest just like you and me. I'm sure you've given it some thought. Despite being daemons in suits of armor, they're rather obedient. Doing exactly what they're told. That's because MTs have a machine in them riiiiiiiight here—"
Ardyn tapped at the back of Prompto's head, which hung lifelessly.
"—that programs their every action. Just like the video games, am I right? Well, Prompto. Do you think you'd be able to tell if you were programmed or not? If your thoughts were truly yours, I mean. …Want to put it to the test?"
Prompto finally reacted, his head just slightly lifting to meet Ardyn's, eyes wide with fear.
"Oh, I'm simply teasing. You don't have to act so shocked," Ardyn smiled a little at his own joke. "Well, I suppose all this electricity is unhealthy. I mean, you always do see some sparks go before MTs explode, don't you? Do try not blow up on me."
Ardyn pinched his cheeks endearingly.
End of clip.
The silence that followed lasted for an eternity. They sat, not even wanting to think of the possibility, but not quite sure of what to do with this information either. If this was the reason why Soma had been so guarded when they first met, then..?
"What do you think of her?" Ignis finally asked. He was certain that Gladiolus had the same questions he was thinking of.
"…Somalia Argentum?" Gladio grunted. "I'm not going to easily accept help that's a little too convenient at enemy headquarters. It's not like we have a choice though, but Ardyn's involved. That's what bothers me."
"Agreed," Ignis replied. "Judging by the timing that this video was sent, meeting her was set up by the chancellor himself. It would be safe to assume Mr. Argentum's assistance was set up by him as well."
"We don't really know these people," Gladio muttered. "Guess we'll have to wait for Prompto to wake up."
"That's assuming he knows his missing-in-action parents any better than we do."
The two found Soma in one of the rooms on the third floor, sitting next to the bedside of her son. There were other beds in the room, with a bottle of water and a potion on each. It was probably one of Soma's thoughtful considerations.
"We couldn't go through it all," Gladio said, as they entered the room.
"…I couldn't even start the video." Soma said. "I had one of the others watch instead. They summarized the clip."
"By showing us that clip, do you mean to imply that Prompto has been…?" Ignis trailed off.
"The possibility exists." Soma replied with the slightest nod. "There was no mistake that it was Prompto in the video; Chancellor Izunia used his phone to send the video directly. I guess Cadaley got it as well. I rushed to the scene as fast as I could, but I wasn't sure if…"
Damn. So that really was the case. Gladio tightened his fist. He did think that there were too many wires attached to a simple mechanism meant to tie someone up. But he didn't even want consider the possibility that Prompto could even be turned into one of those... those things.
"So what you're saying is, he's a time bomb, and Ardyn might have just set him up to explode." Glad said wryly.
"Yes." Soma looked away. "If he had already lost himself, the only thing I could've done was put him out of his misery."
"But he's normal, right? I haven't noticed anything different about him this whole time." Gladio stated. "Well… other than the fact that he's been upset, but that's understandable considering everything that's happened."
Soma simply smiled at that. Not a knowing smile, but the kind of smile that meant to say thank you for your concern. It disappeared as quickly as it had donned her lips.
"…What do you think of your son's associations with the Prince?" Ignis asked, feeling the need to draw the topic elsewhere when the silence lingered for too long.
"Oh, yes. I must confess, out of all the people in Insomnia, Prince Noctis was the last person I wanted my son to associate himself with. It would only bring trouble, I thought." She cast her gaze downwards as if in shame, but lifted them after a moment. A soft smile seemed to play upon her lips, which she vainly tried to hide with a curled finger. "But it seems that he made some very good friends as a result. I'm glad. He was always a little scared of people as a child."
Soma brushed a hair out of his face lovingly. "Maybe fear can be passed down to children."
"Miss Soma…"
"But to think my only son would be taken away from me one day by a magical prince charming~" She grinned in a flushed sort of excitement, having an obvious fangirl moment. "My, my, I've only seen the Prince in pictures, but I never would've imagined Prom to make such attractive friends! I can't wait to see all the photos he's taken!"
"I take back what I said earlier, this is exactly what I expected from Prompto's mother."
"…Indeed."
Author's Note: I meant to submit this sooner, but I had a rough time imagining Gladio/Ignis' reactions to that kind of video. Also, I'm trying to add in as much canon elements as I can (Yes, sleeping MTs are canon. Check the infiltration mission of the fort north of Hammerhead) I will say this now: If future DLCs tell us "Aranea picked them up with her transport the end" I'll be salty bc it doesn't solve any of the Niflheim plot holes. :(
Anyways, thank you for the comments! I'm lazy by nature and they really do motivate me.