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Chapter 13

Noctis blinked, feeling sluggish. "Sire?" he mumbled.

"It's okay Noct, we're alone," Prompto told him and Noctis remembered, someone had been approaching the camp, he'd looked at Prompto and then everything had slipped away.

"Where?" he stayed with his head in Prompto's lap, enjoying the feel of his fingers in his hair.

"On our way to the Rock of Ravatogh. We were found by a hunter, Dave Auburnbrie, he's in the truck up ahead. Apparently there is an accepting community there were we will be able to stay while you're 'adjusting'," Prompto explained. "Figured you'd like to be here for the drive since he can't see you."

"Thanks," he turned his head, seeing Gladio and Iggy up front. He enjoyed the drive until night began to fall and Dave signalled he was pulling in. He squeezed Prompto's hand, offering a smile as he felt the world fade away from him.

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Dave watched the four emerge from their vehicle, Prompto carrying the sleeping Prince. It was safer for everyone if the new vampire slept through the car travel but seeing the Prince lying as if dead was not a comforting sight. They set up camp for the night and then Prompto gently roused the Prince who woke confused and hungry, thankfully accepting the packaged blood happily.

He'd seen images of the Prince over the years, who hadn't, but looking at him now it was hard to see the Prince in the new vampire before him. He seemed to lack all sense of identity, like an innocent child. His expression was completely open unlike the closed off, aloof, look the Prince was known for. "How much control are you having to exert?" he asked softly as the Prince curled up against Prompto, seeking affection.

"Very little, all he wants is attention and affection." Prompto smiled, running his fingers through black hair, his Childe all but purring in response. There was nothing false about it that Dave could detect. The Prince had apparently been very lucky in who his Sire was.

"Unfortunately, two things not always easily given when he was a child, could that be why he wants them now?" Ignis asked.

"I've heard less valid theories on why new vampires act the way they do," Dave shrugged. "Can he understand us?"

"We've got him responding to Noct, but it took a lot of repetition and I don't think he realises it's his name," Prompto offered, the Prince looking up at him curiously when he said Noct.

Dave had never seen such a placid new vampire unless their Sire was using the bond to control them but that didn't appear to be the case at all. It would make their acceptance a lot easier.

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Iggy followed Dave off the main highway and down a side road until they came out into a gathering of buildings, a small town really. Dave parked and got out, waving to a few people, so he parked next to his truck and glanced at his Master before getting out and looking around. He felt the soothing presence in his mind, calming him. No one here could suspect they were bound to him; it was too dangerous. Dave went into a building and came out a minute later with another man who was eying them, assessing.

"You boys are looking for a place to stay?"

"Yes sir, we just need somewhere safe for a time," Ignis answered politely.

"Name's Antony, I'm the closest to being in charge of this place. You keep the peace, keep your heads down, and you can stay. How're they feeding?"

"From us and bagged," Gladio answered, arms crossed. "That a problem?"

Antony chuckled. "Hardly. You four want to share a place?"

"Of course," Ignis answered firmly. He glanced back into the car and Prompto got out, watching Antony warily but without attempting to make eye contact.

"You old enough to turn someone?" he asked in disbelief and scorn, causing Prompto to stiffen.

"I'm old enough," he answered firmly and Antony grinned.

"Good, you can keep your temper under control."

"You're testing us," Gladio glowered.

"Of course, you're all unknowns to us. We can't risk taking in someone with no control over themselves, especially someone with a Childe. A lot of people here have nowhere else to go if we're discovered by those who would take exception to them living, or un-living."

"All we want is somewhere to stay until Noct gets passed these early stages."

"How far is he?" Antony asked, shifting close enough to see him lying on the seat. "Has he even woken yet?"

"He has, I've kept him asleep in the car to keep him from getting stressed. He's not violent but he's not self-aware yet. We've managed to get him reacting to a nickname but it doesn't mean anything to him yet," Prompto explained.

Iggy thought it was going okay, it was understandable for a leader to test newcomers, he was responsible for the safety of everyone there and they could be a threat to that. They were especially dangerous to shelter, there would be people on all sides of the war willing to hunt and kill or capture them.

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Antony stared at the four boys, that's what they all were, at least physically, though he had the feeling the vampire wasn't much older than he looked. Taking them in, even temporarily was a huge risk. The Empire would love to get their hands on them, especially with the Prince now turned. There would be those in Lucis who would rather the Prince be dead than a vampire as well. They'd heard about the change of laws in Insomnia, would this mean an end to those changes or would it lead to more? Too many questions and not enough answers. But he had to make a choice now. He nodded, "I'll show you where you can stay." He just hoped it was the right choice.

"Thank you," Scientia nodded to him.

The vampire reached into the car, lifting the unmoving Prince into his arms while the other two grabbed their things and then they followed him to a building at the edge of the town.

"We keep this place for the newly turned and infected. It's reinforced and insulated to keep them from being overwhelmed by suddenly enhanced senses. No one living here would turn you in, but we do get those who just stop for supplies or are passing through, you'll be able to keep outta sight better here." He unlocked the door and passed the key to Scientia, leading them inside. "It's not what you're used to…"

"It's perfectly fine, thank you. We've been camping ever since…"

"There's nothing wrong with camping." Amicitia argued and it sounded like an old argument.

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Prompto lay Noctis down on the couch, withdrawing the command to sleep, allowing him to wake naturally when he wanted to. He ran his fingers through fine black hair and Noctis moved slightly, pressing into his hair. He looked up at the two human men. "Thank you."

Dave nodded. "I'll be in the area for the next week, Antony can get a hold of me if needed. Good luck, you boys will probably need it."

"I'll leave ya to settle in, powers on. If you don't need anything this evening, I'll come back in the morning to make sure you know where to go for supplies."

"We'll be fine tonight, thank you," Iggy told him.

"Alright then, good night," he left and Ignis went to store their perishables, including the blood, in the kitchen.

Prompto focused on the slowly waking Noct, he wanted to bring him out of it but it was too risky, they could be under surveillance or anything. Innocent blue eyes blinked up at him sleepily and then Noct was smiling at him, reaching for him and Prompto smiled back, pulling him into his arms where Noct curled against his chest, looking around in confusion. "We'll be staying here now Noct," he explained softly. He would be so happy when he could stop suppressing so much, Noct had gone through this stage very quickly after all. He figured it was the magic which meant there was no reason to hide how fast he would begin to recover.

"I'll see what the bed situation is," Gladio said at a mental nudge.

"That would be good, thank you," Ignis called form where he was putting together a light meal for the two of them.

Gladio soon returned and accepted his plate before sitting. "Two bedrooms. Figure Iggy and I'll take one and you two the other."

"Yeah," Prompto agreed, that worked out really well for their cover. No way would he ever let a newly turned vampire share a room with a human, too dangerous. He looked down as Noct whined softly, nuzzling at his throat and Prompto chuckled. "Hungry huh?" he settled Noct on the couch and went to warm some blood for both of them. It was nice having a way to warm it rather than drinking it cold. Once they were done they split up into the bedrooms to get some sleep.

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Regis slumped down in a chair, wincing as the muscles in his leg spasmed in complaint. He felt every year of his age plus more. In the end he had commanded the Council's silence, backed by magic, due to their opinions on what should be done about Noctis' turning. They wanted both boys hunted down and executed before word spread and then for him to provide a new heir. They were lucky Clarus had stopped him or else a lot of the old families would be without their heads.

They did not know the truth of who Noctis was, that he was the Chosen King, but even if they did, would they still try and demand his death? It was a good thing he had already stripped their power from them. He knew sooner or later, one of them would find a way around his gag order to try and get the people to agree with them.

He would have to address the public before then, tell them what had happened to his son. Dave had sent more news, including information on the public story of how Noctis had been turned. It was a good story, very believable to any who had been beyond the Wall.

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Antony showed Ignis and Prompto around, leaving them both impressed with the town. It was well laid out, the buildings a mish mash of construction but the people seemed happy.

Prompto spotted several other vampires sticking to the shade as they went about their day and from the smell some of those who appeared human were actually werewolves. Everyone glanced at them, the other vampires eyeing him warily but Prompto was careful to do nothing that could be taken badly, he hoped. Not like he had experience with his kind in normal circumstances so he would do his best to keep his head down, last thing they needed was trouble.

"How do you fund all of this?" Ignis asked curiously.

"Residents take hunts from the Verinas Mart outpost, they know we're out here somewhere but not exactly where. It's a lot easier callin' us in than Hunters. Things are run pretty communal here, everyone helps out and gets what they need. Most of us humans donate either directly or to be bagged," Antony explained.

"Is there any electronics equipment? Our phones were damaged in the fight and while Mr Auburnbrie sent word to the King, it would be best if we could contact him ourselves to explain."

"Just replace them?"

"They are Crownsguard issue and therefore carry special encryptions," Ignis explained and Antony frowned before nodding.

"Old Nick should be able to help," he pointed out the old man and Ignis nodded in thanks, moving off to speak with the man. "When people find out you turned the Prince they won't be happy with you."

"I know," Prompto told him. "I couldn't just let him die. He was so brave and…"Prompto shrugged slightly. "I turned him, he's my responsibility and I will do whatever I have to, to keep him safe and help him adjust. I won't put him through what I did."

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Antony glanced at the young vampire, surprised by his words. While those who lived with them just wanted to live their lives, he was well aware that many vampire revelled in what they were, had fun playing with their food, turning who they pleased and then using them how they wished. Sounded like Prompto had the bad luck to be turned by one of them, which meant he was older than Antony had thought, otherwise he would still be tightly bound to his own Sire.

"He's dead," Prompto said and Antony glanced at him again. "My Sire, he died a year ago, least I assume he's dead from the way I felt the bond snap."

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He hated having to lie so much but it was better to distance himself as much as possible from any possible links back to the Empire. No one needed to know he had been made to turn Noctis.

This town was proof that the various peoples could live together in peace. If the same could be done in larger settlements then it would help them be accepted in Lucis. Staying for a while would be good, it would give Noct the chance to get used to being around other people who weren't as good as family. It would be harder to combat his thirst around stranger so better he learn here where they were used to such things, than in somewhere like Lestallum or worse, Insomnia.

"This is amazing," he offered genuinely.

"Thank you, it's taken a lot of work," a new voice spoke up and Prompto shifted slightly, wary, as he realised the approaching man was another vampire. "Corrin Morse."

"Prompto Argentum," he gave his own name.

"Your Childe?"

"Is fine with Gladio, he has a kid sister so he's used to keeping children occupied."

"He's really that relaxed?" Corrin asked, obviously not believing but Prompto nodded.

"I think he somehow recognises them, knows they're safe and that he loves them, even if he doesn't consciously remember anything yet," Prompto explained.

"I've never heard of anything like that before. Can I see him?" Corrin asked and Prompto stiffened, unable to help the surge of protectiveness but he took a deep breath.

"He doesn't like strangers," he warned and glanced over to Ignis still talking to the man so he headed back to the house and opened the door, walking in and grinning when he saw Noctis sitting cross legged on the floor in front of Gladio, laughing, as Gladio tossed a crumpled piece of paper to him and then Noct tossed it back. Prompto glanced back to see the shock on Corrin's face and then Noct turned, blue eyes widening when he saw strangers, scrambling back towards Gladio who wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him closer.

"Easy Noct, it's okay," Gladio murmured. "I've got you, you're safe. Prompto won't let anyone hurt you either."

"Easy Noct," Prompto called, seeing his eyes darkening. He walked over and Noctis threw himself into his arms. He gently ran his fingers through his hair, his other hand rubbing his back to calm him down. "It's okay," he whispered, kissing his forehead, relieved to see his eyes lightening back to the normal dark blue. "Corrin, this is Noct," he turned Noct a bit so he could see the other vampire, hearing the soft whine from his Childe.

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"Hello Noct," Corrin whispered softly, obviously not sure how much control he had of his senses yet. He'd seen many vampires in his long life, but never anyone quite like 'Noct', most were utterly controlled by their new instincts, by the need for blood. There was something utterly childlike about him though, innocent. The care Prompto showed towards him was genuine, every sense he had said it was. At four hundred he was very good at detecting deception and he was seeing none in how the two vampires reacted to each other.

Noct stared at him, fear and curiosity waring with each other in his expression. He then looked at his Sire and whined, hiding his face against his shoulder.

"Has he eaten?" Prompto asked and Gladio shook his head.

"Offered a bag earlier, he didn't want it."

"Fussy today?" Prompto asked gently. "Too much change huh?"

"My turn to open a vein?" Gladio asked, surprising Corrin, did the two humans actually allow their Prince to feed directly from them?

"Sure?" Prompto asked and Gladio nodded, going to sit on the couch. He looked up at Corrin who moved to lean against the wall, he was not leaving unless told to, he wanted to see this. "Come on Noct, lunch time." He got Noct down onto the couch and Gladio leant back, tipping his head to the side in offering. Noct glanced up at Prompto who smiled at him. "Gently Noct, you don't want to hurt him." he guided him in, petting his hair as Noct bit down.

Corrin watched as Gladio grimaced at the sensation but didn't make a sound or even flinch. He knew the name, the human was the Prince's Shield, trained from childhood, he'd have a pretty high pain threshold and was raised to be totally loyal to him, no wonder he'd volunteer. The human sat still as the young vampire fed, sucking harder than was necessary but that was something he could learn, his hands kneading at Gladio's chest like a kitten.

"Easy Noct, not so hard," Prompto murmured, stroking his jaw to get him to relax his grip a bit. "That's it, nice and gentle."

"S'okay Noct," Gladio murmured.

To Corrin's surprise, Noct pulled back without being told to, licking the blood from his lips. Prompto leant in quickly to seal the wound and stop the bleeding.

"N…nnn…." They all stared at Noct at the noise, shocked.

"How long ago was a he turned?" Corrin asked.

"About a week," Prompto answered, pulling Noctis into his arms.

A week! He had never heard of such a swift recovery, granted he hadn't actually spoken but the sound of the letter had been recognisable.

"Nnn…No….Nnnoo….Nnnoct."

And now he had actually said his own name. it was incredible.

"That's right, you're Noct," Prompto smiled at him. "That was so good," he praised and Noct smiled shyly.

"Noct," he parroted and Corrin didn't know what to think. How was it possible?

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Ignis accepted the tools and returned to the house they were staying in, finding a strange vampire watching, shock clear on his face. The other three were on the couch, Noctis in Prompto's lap, Gladio beside them, a little pale so he had likely just donated. "What is it?" he asked in concern.

"Noct!"

Ignis stared at Noctis and then smiled at him. "Noct?" he asked but there was no real recognition in his eyes. "I thought you said it could take months for him to begin recovering?"

"It usually does," the stranger offered. "I've never heard of a new vampire gaining any sense of awareness this soon."

"Perhaps it is because of who Noct is?" Ignis suggested, moving to set the tools down.

"The Crystal?" Gladio offered and Ignis nodded.

"We are still linked to Noctis; therefore the Crystal has not rejected him. Something that has never happened before when a member of the Royal family has been turned. Who knows what affect the Crystal may be having on him."

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Regis accepted his phone from Cor and stared at the photo that had been sent to him. It was a picture of Noctis and Gladio sitting together on a couch, Noctis smiling innocently at his Shield who was tickling him.

"Your Majesty?" Drautos asked and Regis placed the phone down on the table, revealing the photo to those gathered around the table. His sons condition was obvious to anyone who had seen a vampire before. Obviously the photo had not been taken by the phone that had sent it.

"That is Ignis' number," Regis informed them.

"So it is true, the Prince is dead."

That got a glare from Regis, Clarus, and Cor, making Titus almost flinch back, no one else at the meeting saying a word, all too shocked and horrified to react yet.

"My son may be a vampire now, but he is not dead. The Crystal still recognises him as heir to the Throne, something it has never done before," Regis stated firmly and the Kingsglaive leader bowed his head in apology.

"We'll have to arrange a press conference soon. They are obviously staying somewhere which means they'll be seen sooner or later. Better we announce it than to have someone else leak it," Clarus spoke up and Regis nodded.

"Call the conference."

TBC…