Chapter 4
"Your wrist," the guard said, motioning for the young blonde to bring his wrist forward.
He'd been branded as a child, freedom taken the moment he was abandoned by parents he never knew, his body given in order to be experimented on, to be used however Nifilhiem would find use for him.
"Your hand," the guard asked again.
When the small boy refused to give up his hand the guard yanked it, using a device to scan the already tattooed and branded wrist. The use of the machine sent shivers up Prompto's spine.
"He's inadequate, useless as a soldier," he heard a scientist who stepped out of the shadows say.
"He's not even worth keeping alive," he heard now from a new source, the area around him disappearing, the people around him shifting away from his sight.
As if instantly Prompto was now glued to a metal table. His hands were strapped down and his clothing was replaced by a blue gown. "No," he mumbled, as he watch doctors walk beside him. His eyes were filled with tears.
"Well even the useless can still offer themselves in some capacity, if not for further experiments."
Prompto wanted to run away, wanted to break free, but the brand on his wrist kept him in place, the restraints holding him down. Prompto could only watch as multiple hands reached down to tame him, to relinquish his soul.
XvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvXvX
Prompto awoke with a start, his heart beating faster than normal.
A dream, it'd only been a dream, that's all it had been, and all it'd ever be.
Prompto felt the pulse of his wrist, the brand hidden under the green wristband. The reason he stayed so far away from people, at arms-length so he wouldn't cause unnecessary harm.
Prompto noticed his head wasn't resting on concrete anymore, and instead he was lying on something softer. A jacket?
Prompto looked up, spotting Noctis at the side. Prompto prompted himself up, his head still aching to an alarming degree.
Noctis heard the ruffle of Prompto moving, and quickly moved over to him.
"Hey, easy now, you've been out for a few hours."
Prompto blushed at his own incompetence to the injury.
"Sorry," he muttered.
Noctis frowned. "Not it's fine, I just want to get you out of here soon— and to a doctor. I think you have a concussion; you were unresponsive when I tried to wake you up. I got really worried there."
Prompto took a deep breath through his nose. "No, sorry that I got hurt like that." Prompto could feel the pulsing of his heart beat, the pain in his head still a dull ache.
Noctis handed Prompto a glass of water. "Here, they brought some bread and water well you were out."
Prompto took the water glass, nodding his head in thanks.
"And stop apologizing," Noctis added in, going to lean on the wall.
"Sorry," Prompto muttered, the tendency coming naturally.
Prompto took a sip of the liquid, the water feeling nice down his throat. Prompto stopped when the glass was half empty.
"Don't worry it's not poisonous, there's no point in keeping us alive if there just going to kill us by poisoning the food," Noctis said, taking a bite of some bread sitting on a plate next to him. "Still I'm wondering what they want with me. They're probably demanding something from my father, using me as a hostage to get it." Noctis scratched his forehead. "I hope he doesn't give into their demands though."
Noctis flexed out his hand, concentrating Prompto could tell he was trying to summon something. Like the kingsglaive, he was trying to use magic. Could he not use it?
"Are you not able to summon a weapon?" Prompto asked.
Noctis frowned. "Well I can, and I've been training for a while, it's just," Noctis sighed, "I don't know, this past month I haven't been practicing regularly, and it's easier for me to summon when Gladio's around or when I feel the need." Noctis sighed again. "I'm not sure why I can't summon it now. If there was ever a greater need."
Prompto bit his lip, sliding the water over to Noctis.
Prompto knew that they were probably using Prince Noctis as a hostage, him on the other hand, he was expendable. Prompto heard the accent from the crimson haired man who took them, he'd been from Nifilihiem, that in itself should grant Prompto the audience he needed, and in that time it would allow Noctis the advantage he needed to escape.
"Hey listen Noctis," Prompto said, feeling a bit weird calling the prince by his first name. But his highness didn't feel like the right word in this situation.
Noctis turned his attention to Prompto, sliding closer along the wall.
"We need to get you out of here," Prompto said, looking around the cell they were in as if to spot someone watching them. "And I think I know how to at least get you a chance to escape."
Noctis frowned. "You sound like you're saying the only one who can get away is me."
"Listen, your life matters more than mine," Prompto said trying to convince the prince. "Besides they want you and not me, you're in more danger. If your father gives into whatever their demands are the whole city of Insomnia could burn. Me, if I'm stuck here the worst thing that could happen outside these walls is Insomnia could lose another refugee citizen."
Noctis eyes go a bit wider at the word refugee, but he doesn't say anything in concern of that.
"I won't abandon a friend who got caught up in my problems," Noctis said.
Prompto rolled his eyes, plastering a smile on his face. "Then don't abandon me Prince Noctis." Prompto bumped Noctis in the shoulder. "You'll get to safety and send people from the glaive to come rescue me."
Noctis didn't look content with Prompto's wording, or with idea, but alas he nodded his head, unsure what else he was to do in the moment. "What's the plan?" Noctis asked.
Prompto bent down, whispering the plan in Noct's ear.
Sorry for the short chapter, but realized I haven't updated in a while. This will be a shorter fan-fic, so like four or five chapters left guys. Let me know if you have suggestions for the story overall. Reviews are a great motivator to if you want the next chapter sooner XD
