Chapter 23: Reign

{Citadel: March 12th 2006, 6:03am}

"Ahh…"

Noctis curled up tighter into a ball beneath his covers as he felt a sharp pain race through his body, his entire frame shaking, and broken out in a cold sweat as he took in a series of weak breaths, trying to get himself to where he could try and move; however, his body kept refusing to do so. Cari sat next to him, casting Ruby-Light to help with whatever ailed him, but it seemed to do very little as each time she did cast the healing spell on him, it merely shattered as if it wasn't going to help regardless of how strong it was. The Carbuncle chirped in dismay as Noctis let out another pained gasp and felt his body give out, relaxing as he looked around the room in a slightly disoriented state.

Since turning fourteen, Noctis had noticed these strange aches and pains that had begun to develop throughout his body, and while he had been told they were normal growing pains that every teenager had: some of them weren't normal. The excruciating pain that he went through just seconds ago attested to the same kind of agony he had endured for days off and on despite him fighting against them to the point that he exhausted himself, and then dealt with the aftershocks that typically consisted of blaring headaches and unnaturally cold chills that would race up his spine before spreading through him before he would become so tired that he could barely move.

"Maybe it's just the magic settling into your system," Cari suggested.

"Y-Yea….maybe…" the boy curled up tighter into his blankets, feeling another cold chill overtake him.

"Noct? Are you gonna be okay?" the boy nodded.

"Yea, just gonna sleep…." He closed his eyes, finally drifting off into a deep slumber while Cari watched over him in concern.

"At least it's a weekend," Cari muttered.

It was a few hours later that Noctis finally found himself able to wake up and get prepared for the rest of the day; however, Noctis also had to deal with the slight aches that were left over. Cari had watched him constantly as he got ready for the day and considered what they were facing as she looked at the boy that she had been contracted to for the past five years now. He was growing up quickly, and while she was happy, she also knew that the older he got the more things about him would begin to change and soon the shy, timid, sweet child she had known would be replaced with the powerful, bold, snarky teenager she had met in the Dreamscape.

Already, Noctis was growing into the person she had met and Cari found herself glad to see him progressing and developing into a capable warrior and an even more capable leader; however, the pains and behavioral changes were concerning to her. There was an underlying aggression to the boy that somewhat scared her even though she knew it was natural, and that it would come with him growing up and into the person he was supposed to be. Cari sighed as she looked at the fourteen-year-old as he laced up his boots and grabbed the cuff that Luna had given him before latching it as she jumped off the bed and followed the boy out the door as he started towards the kitchens where he was hoping to pilfer something off of Ignis while avoiding another cooking lesson.

Cari would be the first to admit that Noctis was a good cook; however, Ignis was still better and Noctis could do with a few more lessons. If he was hoping to avoid Ignis completely while within the blonde-haired teenager's domain: he had another thing coming. Cari chirped to Noctis who shushed her as he looked around and started towards the kitchen once again while she sighed, knowing that Noctis was going to have too surrender to the facts of his situation eventually.

"The stick beating days are coming…." The boy looked to her.

"What are you talking about now Cari?" he asked. The Carbuncle looked him over, dressed in a pair of black jeans, boots, a deep blue t-shirt with a V-neck cut, and a black-short-sleeved-jacket with a hood the boy looked like most typical teenagers; however, he pulled off the messy-haired rebel look better than most did and it suited his ivory skin, deep-blue eyes, and slightly deeper, and coarser voice that still carried a faintly soft undertone that he possessed as a younger child was most certainly becoming attractive that even while Noctis might not have noticed the stares: Cari did.

"Have ya looked in the mirror lately Noct? You're becoming quite the looker, and girls love the rebel with a heart of gold types like you…." Noctis shot her a glare.

"I'm not a rebel or anything like that. I've always worn blacks and dark colors…." He mentioned as she tisked a bit.

"But the messy hair, the deep, baby-blue eyes, the pale skin, that smile, the laugh you have, and your oh, so appealing voice will have them thinking differently. Plus, you play piano, and violin, you're a skilled fighter, and you can cook…what's not to like?" the boy gave the wall a dull look.

"You're starting to make me wish I'd left you in the room…." The Carbuncle fluffed out her tail.

"Oh no you don't kid….shall we recant the last time you did that?"

"You and Iris's make-up decided to have a few words, right?" he asked.

"Well, do you want a repeat….or maybe I should do it again: you could use a little color to your cheeks…." Noctis frowned.

"You're not putting make-up on me," he muttered.

"Noct…I'm serious…you're a bit on the sallow side….is your anemia acting up again?" the boy shook his head as they started walking closer to the kitchen.

"No, it's not…besides, I…" a hand grasped the back of his shirt as he was dragged into the kitchen and Cari followed him, seeing the sight of her Master being held in place by Ignis.

"Talking to one's self is the first sign of insanity Noctis," stated Ignis as he looked at the fourteen-year-old.

"But I need to talk to myself, sometimes I need expert advice…." The blonde-haired sixteen-year-old shook his head.

"Certainly not the greatest expertise if one were to ask me. Now, are you ready for today's lesson?" he inquired.

"I guess…but I kind of need to eat first…" Ignis looked at the boy and frowned as he sat him down and turned him to face him.

"Busted, Ignis is so gonna make you eat all those leafy greens you love so much…" Noctis shot Cari a glare.

"Put a sock in it okay? My little pony reject…"

"I'll have you know that I'm far cuter than those things….besides, if he doesn't do that he'll do something worse…" Cari's tail flicked back and forth.

"What could be worse than vegetables?"

"Telling your father…" Noctis's eyes grew wide.

"Shit…"

"Noctis? Have you been eating properly?" Ignis inquired as he looked at the boy's pallor and slightly tired expression.

"Define, properly?" the blonde sighed.

"I would insist on you eating some vegetables; however, I know better. You're anemic in a mild fashion, true, but you need more iron and amino acids in your body to help balance it. Not to mention Doctor Acrux informed you to eat better, more high proteins and light starches mixed in with some mineral foods like vegetables, and dairy products for calcium. What are you going to do if your immune system weakens? We cannot have an ill-taken Prince," Ignis stated, reading him the same riot act he had heard a million times.

"I know, okay? I just….lately…I've not been feeling very well…" he swayed a bit, startling his attendant.

"Noct?" the boy felt his vision swim as he balanced himself with the table.

"I-I'm fine….I just need to eat is all, really…" the boy felt a sharp ache develop in his head as Ignis looked him over in concern.

"Are you sure? You don't look well," he said as Noctis nodded.

"Yea, I was stupid and stayed up to late last night and got up and went about the day anyways…" Ignis frowned.

"Eat and rest for today. We'll double up next time," he stated as he pulled out a plate from the warmer near the oven.

"Ignis, when did..." the teenager fixed his glasses.

"I am your attendant, and as such, I must always be prepared when it comes to your needs. Now, eat up and go back to bed Noctis: that is my order from attendant to Prince," he said.

"Yes sir!" the boy said in a lazy tone that showed Ignis how his voice was changing as he saluted the teenager and started picking at his plate.

"Seems hard to believe that he's grown so fast…he's becoming a remarkably interesting young man, I can grant him that much indeed."

Ignis was not a reflective person; however, when it came to the Prince of Lucis, he had an obligation as his attendant to consider his past in order to better his present. Noctis was always the oddest thing he had ever laid eyes upon, and yet, the boy was unique in the best of ways, and still everything that he could see a great King becoming and so much more. The child before him had already shown himself to become a powerful warrior, a kind human being, and a potentially skilled leader in the future. Still, Ignis did ponder what Noctis would endure along the road to becoming the King of Lucis, but for now, he suspected just being with his friend and future ruler was enough: it did make for quite a few comedic stances between himself and Gladiolus after all.

{Citadel: March 15th 2006, 12:15pm}

"Noctis? Are you eating?" asked Marshal Leonis as the boy picked at the plate before him.

"Hmm? I-I'm not really hungry…" Ignis and Gladiolus gave the boy a confused expression.

"Not hungry? Are you getting sick?" Ignis inquired. The black-haired boy shook his head a bit before glancing towards him.

"No….I'm just not hungry…" the boy pushed the plate of chicken, rice, and diced tomatoes aside, having not even touched it.

"Are you sure he's not just being picky?" asked Gladiolus as he watched the boy and Ignis frowned as he came over to the boy and sat down beside him, feeling of the child's pulse as he did so.

"Your pulse is a little elevated…." Marshal Leonis watched as Ignis went to check the boy's temperature.

"Fever?" he questioned as the teenager nodded.

"Slight, but it is there….have you been having body aches? Dizziness? Headaches?" he inquired this of the black-haired boy who slowly nodded.

"Kinda….I don't know what's going on…" the boy rested his head upon his folded arms that were lying upon the table as he started to close his eyes a bit.

"Perhaps some rest would be well advised," Ignis suggested this as the boy hummed a bit in thought.

"No, I'm fine….just not feeling well…" the fourteen year old glanced to Ignis before sighing.

"Noctis, is it the anemia and the iron deficiency?" Marshal Leonis probed.

"No….it's not….at least…I don't think so….this feels different, and I don't get it," he muttered.

"Is there something you want to try and eat?" the boy glanced to him.

"Don't know….not this….no clue…" the boy folded his arms over his head, making a faint noise of pain as he did so. The three people looked to one another before the child hummed in pain, his body shaking a bit while Marshal Leonis looked at to the child in concern as Ignis stood and looked to the boy.

"I'll try and fix him something he can eat," Ignis stated as Noctis kept his gaze down while the blonde looked to Gladiolus.

"You and Gladio go on, I'll stay with him…" Marshal Leonis sent the two away as he moved to sit next to the young Prince while Noctis remained as he was with his head upon the table.

Ignis went back into the kitchen with Gladio who went to stand against the prep table in consideration of the space Ignis required to cook. The sixteen-year-old had always been a friend of Gladiolus's and had always been known as a bit of a perfectionist; however, it was his sophisticated behavior in addition to his wit that made him enjoyable company. Gladio sighed as he watched his friend look around in the fridge for something that could assist in getting the Prince to eat something while the kitchen remained silent, and unsure of what to make of the situation regarding the boy in the dining area of the Crownsguard quarters. Ignis hummed for a moment as if he was considering something while Gladio remained where he was, arms folded across his chest as he waited.

While Gladio tried to piece together the odd feeling that had developed from seeing the young Lucian Prince acting so out of character, Ignis set to trying to pinpoint what could help him get the child to eat. There was no questioning that the boy wasn't eating right – if he was eating at all – and his sallow complexion, lack of energy, and easily agitated behavior attested to his lack of proper nutrition and sleep. The blonde-haired attendant prided himself in being able to read people clearly; however, Noctis did confuse him to some degree when it came to average behavior. Still, Ignis did suppose that the boy was at the age where he would change his attitude and eating habits and this strange situation regarding pain and a lack of wanting to eat would eventually die down. Sighing, the young royal attendant looked at the items in the fridge and settled upon a few pieces of steak that he had chopped and prepared for another meal.

"Are you really gonna cook him something else?" Gladio asked.

"I need to….you have seen how he looks right? He's not eating…" the taller teenager sighed.

"He's not sleeping either. Normally that kid has quite a bit of energy to burn, but for some reason he's lacking it a lot recently," he stated.

"Noctis is going through something that's making his behavior and habits change."
"He's fourteen, his body is changing so it's not that weird that he's gonna get a little different," he said.

"No, however….the pains, lack of appetite, and narcolepsy aren't exactly normal either…" Gladio sighed as he glanced at his friend before he heard a few pans moving as Ignis started cooking the strips of meat.

"Just don't make yourself into an old man worrying over some punk kid," Gladio stated.

"Wasn't planning on it; however, he is my liege and I am his attendant as you will be his shield. Such is the onuses of the Amicitia and Scientia households…" Gladio sighed, pulling out a chair from the table nearby as he watched the other work away.

"What are you fixing him anyhow?" the blonde shrugged.

"Just some basic meat and a mild side of rice with some butter. We'll start off with this and see how he's doing. Noctis needs to eat and this will keep him full for the time being and let us know what he can stomach," he explained.

"I hope so…"

Ignis came out of the kitchen with Gladio some fifteen minutes later to find Marshal Leonis rubbing the boy's back as he remained with his head rested upon the table. The blonde-haired attendant took over for the Marshal at that point, trying to convince the boy to eat something as Ignis sat the plate down and the boy took in a tired breath as he looked at the food before him. It was medium-cooked red-meat with a side of plain white rice with salt and butter on it; which compared to everything else, seemed rather appetizing right now with nothing in his stomach for the last forty-eight hours. Reaching for the fork nearby, Noctis jabbed a piece of the chopped meat and took a bite, chewing slowly as he considered whether or not his stomach would let him eat it. After swallowing finally, he found that the sickening prickle that came with everything else didn't come and he took a bite of the rice, finding it something he could eat as well.

Relief silently flooded the three older people as they watched the boy eat something in what they knew could have been several days. Noctis remained silent, taking his time as he ate, making sure not to rush even though his body pleaded for the nutrition as quick as possible. For now though, he would just make sure that he stuck to this exact meal until his body decided it could handle more. Ignis gave him a smile, seeming to read his thoughts as he waited by him while Marshal Leonis excused himself and left Gladio and Ignis in charge of making sure Noctis was taken care of and got back to his room for the evening.

{Streets of Insomnia: April 14th 2005, 4:30pm}

"Man, school is too crazy after spring break. It's like someone pressed the fast-forward button," stated Prompto as he stretched, his backpack hanging slightly off his fingers as he started walking back towards the Citadel.

"Yea…." Noctis's response was slightly hollow and tired sounding, causing the blonde to look at his friend.

"Hey, are you okay Noct? You don't look so good," he said as he watched his friend for a moment.

"I think so…"

Noctis winced internally while Prompto kept his gaze upon him. Since that morning, Noctis had been feeling strange, pulsing aches across his body in addition to a strange lack of appetite that hadn't gone unnoticed by his attendant Ignis, Gladio, Marshal Leonis, or even by this point: Prompto. The blonde-haired boy seemed remarkably concerned for him even though he had elected to ignore the pains, the headaches that were developing, the fact that once again, not even a month after getting to where he could actually eat normal foods again, and now he was back to square one with the strange aches and consistent pains with a heavy aversion to just about any type of food other than red meats. Once again, Ignis had been resorting to the meals he'd fixed a month back, but nothing seemed to be helping the pain in his body.

"Noct?" midnight-blue eyes glanced up towards blue-green ones.

"Y-Yea Prompto, I heard you…" he muttered.

"Are you sure you're okay? You're really pale man…" Noctis took in a deep breath, feeling a sharp ache developing in his head and chest.

"I guess so…." He nodded slowly and then a moment later his vision swam.

"Noct?!" his body slumped forward a bit and Prompto caught him, bracing him with an arm around his waist and the other draped across his back, resting his hand upon his shoulder.

"Just…give me a minute…please…" Noctis felt his sight begin to weaken, his body slumping forward just a fraction as his friend kept him balanced.

"Noct, you aren't okay. Come on, we'll go back to my place and you can rest there for a bit or…" the boy was cut off when Noctis felt his vision go black and his body fell forward.

Prompto felt fear crawl its way into his system as he worked quickly to lift his friend up onto his back – being thankful that Noctis was smaller than him – as he started down the street while trying to pinpoint where he was supposed to go with the Prince of Lucis on his back unconscious and judging by his breathing, running a high fever and in less than good health. Prompto knew that Noctis hadn't been feeling well lately; however, he hadn't figured it was bad enough for the boy to collapse, breathing heavily, and burning a high temperature. Now, Prompto only wished to get his friend to help as quickly as possible as he started running down the street and towards the only place he could go: the Citadel.

Noctis had never invited Prompto into the Citadel only because the boy knew that he would gawk at the encompassing style and structure of the building; however, he now only cared about getting his friend back to the Citadel and into the care of someone who would see to Noctis. Prompto continued running, feeling a slight ache in his body, the blonde pushed himself despite the throb in his legs from running so fast with the added weight of another person on him. Prompto persisted though, rushing as swift as he could all the way through the area until he finally rounded the corner and was able to locate the street that lead directly up to the gates of the Citadel.

"Hold on buddy, we're almost there," Prompto said as he rushed down the street and up the stairs.

The guards attempted to stop him; however, the moment that they laid eyes upon Noctis the guards opened the gates and he raced into the main entrance of the Citadel, rushing up an enormous flight of stairs, and into a black door with gold metal-over work in it. Prompto kicked the door in and Noctis made a noise of pain as the blonde started rushing down the hallways, working swiftly as he tried to find someone as he took in a series of rough breaths, hoping and praying that he could find someone quick enough when finally, he saw three people round a corner.

"Help! Someone help!" he yelled for them and the three instantly turned towards him and started down the hall, rushing as he came to a halt.

"What happened?" asked one man with short-brown hair and gray eyes. The other two were teenagers a year or so older than himself: one was a brunette with amber-brown eyes, and the other a blonde with green eyes.

"We were walking home from school, and Noct just passed out all of the sudden. Please, he's running a fever and in a lot of pain…" the man nodded and looked at the two with him.

"Go with him to the medical ward where Doctor Acrux is; I'll go and inform King Regis, young man…." He cut the man off.

"Prompto Argentum, that's my name sir," he stated.

"Very well, I leave him in your hands." Prompto nodded as the man rushed away and he turned to the other two.

"Shall we?" asked the blonde.

"Okay…."

It was five more minutes of running through the halls and up a few flights of stairs that found Prompto lying Noctis down onto a bed with the order of Dr. Acrux to do as he directed while the man set to checking the boy's pulse and breathing before rushing the three of them out into the hallway whilst he set to work on tending to the boy. Prompto paced the hall, anxious for reasons he couldn't quite place as the two others watched him and observed his appearance as if something was bothering them that he couldn't quite place. It was ten more minutes that passed before King Regis arrived with the man who had left them.

In those minutes, all of them waited in the hall, clustered about thinking through a series of different thoughts while Prompto continued to pace until finally the door opened and the doctor allowed them to go into the room. Before anyone else could move, Prompto was in the room, checking to see Noctis watching him with tired eyes as he remained tucked under the blankets as the doctor read over a few charts while the rest of the people entered, King Regis coming to stand next to the doctor while Prompto smiled to his friend, happy to see him responding.

"Hey buddy, you hangin' in there?" he asked.

"I'm just tired…." Dr. Acrux sighed.

"When was the last time you ate? Let alone slept?" he inquired.

"I've just been feeling ill recently so…." King Regis glanced towards the doctor.

"Would it be wise for him to rest for a few days?" asked the King as he looked to him.

"Perhaps, but he's also needs to maintain his training regimen…" Prompto looked between the people and the King, feeling as though he was suffocating with them in the room while his friend listened to them discuss what should be done.

"No wonder he hates the political stuff that comes with being the son of the King….it feels like I'm drowning in it all…"

"I know, but his health is a great concern for me," King Regis stated as Noctis sighed.

"Dad, just let me rest for a day or two. I'll be fine in no time…" he sat up at this and gave his father a pointed stare while the King merely looked at his son in questioning.

"Are you certain?" he probed.

"Yea, no big deal…." Prompto fidgeted in his seat a bit, causing the King of Lucis to look towards him.

"And whom might you be?" King Regis inquired of the blonde who looked to him.

"Oh, I apologize Your Majesty…I'm Prompto Argentum, I'm one of Noct's…I mean Prince Noctis's friends from school…" the Prince sitting next to him gave him a glower.

"Don't call me by some stupid title! Prompto, you're a friend: you can just call me by my name….how many times have we gone over this?" he asked in frustration.

"Don't get yourself riled up…" Noctis looked to the doctor and King Regis looked to the blonde boy.

"Mr. Argentum, I want to personally thank you for getting my son here safely. I would be grateful if you would keep him company while he's recovering. Someone with a cheerful disposition could help him heal better, and it is clear that the two of you are quite good friends. Noctis, I will see you later once the good doctor has released you," King Regis stated as he left the room and Prompto turned to the others in the room.

"So…um….who are you guys? If I can ask?" the doctor smiled.

"I am Doctor Antonio Acrux, the Royal family's physician. Thank you for bringing Prince Noctis to us," he said.
"Ah, no problem. I'm used to getting this kid out of trouble…" Noctis socked him in the arm for that one.

"I get you out of just as much trouble Prompto!" he told him with a frown.

"Awh, come on man, give me some credit…" the older gentleman nearest to the two teenagers laughed a bit.

"Seems that someone can finally match his Highness's temperament. I am Marshal Cor Leonis, it is good to meet you Prompto," he said as he held out his hand and the blonde shook it.

"I'm guessin' that by your name you're also the same Marshal known as Cor the Immortal?" the man smiled.

"That would be me," he answered.

"This is so cool! I've heard stories about you in battle, it's great to meet you." Prompto dropped his hand and looked to the other two.

"I'm Gladiolus Amicitia, the midget Highness's future shield," the taller teenager answered. The second he'd finished talking a bottle of water was slammed into his head by Noctis's surprisingly good aim.

"Call me a midget one more time Gladiolus and I will kick your ass, got it?" Noctis narrowed his eyes.

"Fine kid," Gladiolus stated as Prompto smiled.

"Nice to meet you Gladio…." The blonde with glasses.

"Pleasure to meet the friend of our future King. I am the attendant of Prince Noctis, Ignis Scientia," he said.

"Nice to meet you too Ignis…" the blonde shook the glasses-wearing attendant's hand and Noctis smirked.

"We call him Specks…or Iggy," Noctis stated as he continued to smirk at Ignis who fixed his glasses.

"Humor has always been one of your strong suits Noct…" Prompto smiled at the others.

"All your friends are pretty cool Noct. I'm glad I finally got to meet them," he said as he looked at the boy.

"Yea, they'll be members of my team on the Crownsguard in a couple of years…" Prompto laughed just a fraction, smiling as he did.

"That's gonna be great, I'm sure you guys will work well together," he stated. Noctis rose a fine eyebrow, an idea forming within his mind.

"Yea, I think we will…"

{….}

Calls you home, Calls you home…

{…}

Author's Note: Uh-oh, Noctis has an idea. So this chapter was just Noctis dealing with something that will connect into the events that will arise later: promise. Just like with the games and things associated with Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts: everything happens for a reason. So don't worry, there will be answers given eventually.

Have a good day and/or night!

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.