Time passed by, all feeling like one big blur. Noctis had no idea if only hours had passed, or possibly even days. And in all that time Noctis hadn't made any progress in trying to break free from the chains that held him. He had tried at first, pulling and yanking against them, but it all proved to be frivolous. Without access to his armiger, he couldn't summon any weapons or a flask to try and help himself.

He couldn't even will himself to grab the ring out of his pocket. The chains didn't restrict him that much, but no matter how much he knew it could help him, he wasn't able to force himself into doing it.

Part of his mind told him he needed to snap out of this funk, Prompto was gods who knows where, and Ignis and Gladio were still probably looking for the two of them.

"Prompto wouldn't want me to give up. He's gotta be still alive… He has to be."

Noctis shuddered, feeling cold air brush up against his skin. He started to shiver, wishing that Ardyn hadn't taken away his snowgear. He didn't even want to think about the fact that Ardyn had taken the gear before chaining him up.

With a shivering breath, he closed his eyes, visualizing Prompto in his mind. He thought maybe the idea of seeing his smile could warm him, but the cold persisted, and it was only getting worse.

When Noctis opened his eyes he was astounded at the fact that ice and frost was starting to encase the cell. A rush of cold wind surrounded him, forcing him to shield his eyes as it relentlessly kept coming. There was no way that Ardyn was the one behind this. He may have had dark powers, but Noctis was sure that making a snow storm indoors wasn't one of them.

As he tried shielding his eyes, he could see someone in the distance, towards the end of the hallway. He squinted, trying to see past the endless cascade of flurries, but his vision had already started to blur.

"W-who's there?" he asked as loudly as he could.

The figure approached just as Noctis wrapped his arms around himself, trying to keep some bit of warmth. He looked up slowly, blinking past the snow in his eyes to see that Gentiana was standing before him.

As Noctis stared at Gentiana who now stood across the gate, he had only three conclusions come to mind. One was the fact this was Gentiana and now he had a chance of being saved, the second was that Ardyn was playing another convincing illusion, or three he was only imagining this as he slowly went insane from being imprisoned.

The third one was probably a bit of a stretch, considering he hadn't been there long, but he wasn't going to rule anything out just yet.

As the bars of the cell iced over, Gentiana raised her hand, causing them to instantly shatter into small shards of ice. She stepped closer until she was only a couple feet in front of Noctis, seemingly unaffected by the wintry winds rushing around.

"The Chosen King is found once more. Let it now be done… as promised to the Oracle."

Genitalia rose off of the floor, her body shimmering as bright as the snow itself. In a blinding display of glittering light, her body transformed, and everything clicked into place for Noctis.

"Gentiana… It's you. You're the Glacian," he stated.

With her body now in the form of the Glacian, she nodded. "O Kings of Kings, restore Light unto the world."

Floating above her hands was Luna's trident. The Oracle's trident. Noctis's chest ached at the sight of it, the memories of Altissia still raw in his mind.

But he found himself reaching out to grab it. The weapon vanished as soon as his fingers tried wrapping around it, and he could feel its magic hidden within him. It was now locked away in his armiger just like everything else, still rendering him completely weaponless.

"Genti-uh… Mighty Glacian? Help me," he whispered as he held up his chained arms. "I need to get out of here and find Prompto and the others. So please, can you help?"

Shiva looked at him, her expression unchanging for a moment. She closed her eyes a moment later and the slightest smile could be seen crossing her lips. "For this once, I shall grant this request. In doing so it shall help the King of Light may reunite with his other half."

Noctis blushed. How the hell Shiva ever could have figured out about his recent relationship development he didn't know nor did he want to know. He was thankful however that she would be willing to help him.

He watched as she encased the chains in ice, sending numerous shivers up and down his spine. Once he saw they were completely encased, he yanked as quickly as he could and he watched as they shattered into icy little bits, much like how Shiva had dealt with the cell gate.

Standing up, Noctis bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you."

Shiva bowed back to him. "Go forth, find your other half. Then may the time come for you to restore light."

"I'll do my best," Noctis said as he nodded.

In one last flash of snow, Shiva disappeared along with all the evidence that she had even been there.

Now that Noctis was free, he walked out of his cell and began to look around. Even if he couldn't see it, he was sure the place he was in was crawling with either MTs, daemons or most likely both.

With no other choice, he pulled the ring out of his pocket, holding it in the palm of his hand. Like before, he could feel the magic that surged within it, begging to be worn. He hated that it gave off such a tempting feeling, knowing it was the cause of his father's decline in health.

Still, if he wanted a chance in a fight, he needed this. He had to prove it to everyone that he could take the right steps in being a king, and that included making tough choices like this.

With a steady deep breath, he slipped the ring onto his middle right finger.

Instantly he felt power unlike anything else surging through every inch of his body. The power pulsed heavily from his finger, almost making him feel like he was drowning in it. When the pain settled, he could hear the faint echoing of voices, snarky older vices seemingly judging.

"The Kings and Queens of Lucii…" Noctis thought to himself, hoping that the spirits weren't so invasive that they could hear his thoughts.

Trying to ignore their prattling and judgment, Noctis ran down the hallway, trying to figure out just where he was, and where he could find Prompto.

"Ah, so it seems the Glacian has helped you out of your predicament," Ardyn's voice echoed from the speakers above. "The Astrals must have gotten desperate to intervene. Or perhaps they've simply taken pity on a pitiful king."

"Shut up!" Noctis shouted. "Either tell me where the hell you are keeping Prompto or back off!"

"Still only thinking of your little blond are we? Even when your other friends could be so close?"

Noctis's heart hesitated. He knew Ardyn was very good at lying, but at the same time he loved to taunt to rile Noctis up. If he was telling the truth, it meant that Ignis and Gladio would be somewhere nearby.

After wandering for a while, he found out that the place he was in was the Zegnautus Keep. He wandered down many hallways, wishing that he had a map. The entire place felt like a huge maze, and every turn just seemed to make him more lost than before.

The entire place was full of plenty of MTs and daemons, devoid of all other signs of life.

At least until Noctis came to the lower levels of the Keep, finding Ravus's body in a rather unceremonious state. Noctis had to hold back the unease that formed in his stomach. He knew Ravus had been a bit of a pain, but he knew that the Tenebraen prince didn't deserve such a fate.

While his body laid still, his magitek arm clung to an all too familiar sword that was impaled into the floor. Slowly, Noctis went to pick up the sword, watching as the metal arm fell as soon as he was able to dislodge the weapon from the ground. Thankfully, this sword did not vanish into his armiger like the rest, this one stayed out and tightly gripped in his hand.

He bowed his head to Ravus's body before he finally headed onward, now with both his father's sword and ring to take on whatever he would face next.

From daemons, to poisonous gas, to Ardyn's annoying commentary, things only got more messed up the further he explored around the Keep. There were many dark secrets hidden in the place, many of which Noctis was wishing he hadn't come across. But there was no way to forget what he had seen… the horrors that had been left behind.

Thankfully, before he even realized it, he found himself reunited with Gladio and Ignis.

Once he was able to get over to them, his legs started to feel shaky. His heart hammered as he approached his Advisor and Shield. The very people who were supposed to protect him were also the same exact people he had abandoned when he went after Prompto.

Noctis was about to open his mouth to ask how they had gotten there, Gladio spoke first.

"What the hell were you thinking, Noct!?"

Noctis flinched, but didn't cast his gaze away. "Sorry."

"That's all you have to say for yourself?" Gladio scoffed.

"I know I made a stupid decision… but I couldn't leave Prompto behind. After Ardyn tricked me into pushing him off the train … I couldn't think straight. If I hadn't gone after him, Prompto could have…" Noctis shook his head, refusing to even say it. "Ardyn separated us. I need to get him back."

"And we'll help get him back into our arms safely," Ignis replied.

"Don't get me wrong, I want to help find the kid too, but come on Iggy, aren't you a little pissed at Noct's reckless ass?"

Noctis frowned. "I'm right here, you know."

"While I can't say I agree with the recklessness, Noctis is safe and well, and that is what matters for now."

"Thanks Iggy."

"But we will talk later about your rash decision, even if you did it to save Prompto," Ignis quickly added.

Noctis rolled his eyes. He could never escape Ignis's lectures. "Yeah, fine. But come on, we need to find Prompto. This way."

The three started down another hallway, doing their best to ignore Ardyn's over dramatic taunts.

"So you're finally wearing the ring, huh?" Gladio asked.

"Yup," Noctis replied quietly.

"And how are you faring?"

Noctis sighed, not wanting to think about how the ring felt like it was burning his arm every time he used it. "I'm fine. Don't need to worry for me. Come on, I think I see something at the end of the hall!"

At the end of the dreary hallway, Noctis came up to a cell where he found Prompto hung up on a strange t-shaped machine. Immediately he swung the gate open and ran up to the love of his life.

"Prompto!?" He shouted frantically, noticing that Prompto's arms were covered in bruises and scrapes. He mentally made a note to add another wave of anger that he would unleash on Ardyn. That man was going to pay for so much and Noctis was ready to tear him apart.

Prompto let out a soft moan before lifting his head. "Noct…?"

Noctis turned back to face Gladio, who had just explained the situation to Ignis. "Gladio, can you help me get him off this thing?"

Gladio firmly nodded and came over to investigate the device. It took a little fiddling, but they were able to release Prompto from the restraints and helped guide him to the floor.

Noctis knelt down beside him, wrapping an arm around him. "Hey, I'm here," he whispered softly.

"You alright?" Gladio asked.

"Are you hurt? Do you need help?"

Prompto shook his head. "I'm fine." He then turned to look at Noctis, and as soon as their eyes met, Noctis found Prompto clinging to him.

"Noct!"

"Prompto," Noctis replied, throwing his arms around him.

"I… I didn't know what happened after A-Ardyn… I woke up in that t-thing and…"

"Shh, it's okay. You're safe now," Noctis whispered.

"I know. Still, I was scared Ardyn had done something to you. You're okay, right?" he asked, looking at Noctis again.

"Course I am. You know me, I'm not that easy to defeat. Now come on, there's a place we can rest a little ways back I think. All of us could use a good rest."

"It sounds like a reasonable thing," Ignis agreed. "Prompto, do you require any assistance?"

"Nah, I'll be good. I got Noct here to help anyway," Prompto replied.

Noctis stood back up, pulling Prompto alongside him. Together they headed out of the room first, with Noctis wrapping an arm gently around Prompto's waist. From the way the machine had looked, Noctis could only assume there were bruises and damage other places than just his wrists. It still made him feel heavy waves of guilt and nausea, knowing that Ardyn probably did this just to torment him further.

"He already has enough reasons for me to hate him, yet he keeps going further. But no more. Tonight, we'll end this."

When they reached one of the dormitories, Noctis sat Prompto down on one of the beds, with Gladio and Ignis sitting down at one of the others.

"We'll rest here," Noctis stared firmly. "Then we'll continue to find the crystal."

"Sounds good to me, could use a moment to take a load off," Gladio replied.

Prompto nodded. "And rest does sound nice."

"Then let us try and get what we can," Ignis added.

With everyone in agreement, Noctis turned to face Prompto, pulling him into a tight embrace. Both of them sat there silently, listening to each other's breathing as they basked in the warmth of the other.

"Prompto… I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For failing to stop Ardyn. For letting him put you in that thing… I couldn't get to you soon enough."

Prompto hummed, adjusting himself so his head rested gently against Noctis's chest. "Not your fault."

"But you're hurt."

"Nothing too severe."

Noctis sighed, knowing Prompto would continue to pass off his injuries as nothing. He moved a hand to Prompto's hair, slowly weaving his fingers in it. "You can tell me the truth, Prom. You know you don't have to hide anything from me."

"I know…" Prompto said. "It was a bit scary if I'm honest. Waking up in that contraption, not knowing where I was or where you were, it terrified me."

Noctis held Prompto tighter, wanting to wash away all the pain and trauma Prompto had endured. He wanted to cure Prompto of all of his injuries, still hating to see that beautiful face have bruises and a scrap going across his nose. Without a potion readily available, things like the scraps would likely fade overtime, but that didn't do much to ease Noctis's heart.

"I'm still sorry. I didn't get out of the cell I was in soon enough."

"You still came for me. That's all I care about," Prompto replied.

Noctis nodded, adjusting himself so his chin rested on top of Prompto's head. "Yeah…"

He closed his eyes, trying to let his mind relax. Prompto was back safely in his arms, and it finally gave him a chance to think. While getting to the crystal was an urgent matter, having a moment to sit and think again did good for him. He started to mull over a small idea that he had ever since he finally expressed his feelings to Prompto.

"You know what?" he asked after gathering his thoughts together.

"What?"

"I was thinking… once this is all over. I… I want to tell the world about us."

"U-us? Are you sure? Like, what if people don't agree or stuff?"

Noctis shook his head. "I don't care what the people think. I just want them to know that you… that me… That we're together. I want to break down the borders, and come together as one nation."

He felt Prompto chuckling against his chest. "Never thought I'd say this, but you really sounded pretty kingly there, y'know."

Shrugging a little, Noctis nudged Prompto back slightly so he could look him right in the eyes. "Better late than never, right? After all of this crap, I want to make the world a better place, and I want you by my side for it. So… you with me?"

Prompto smiled at him, his usual warm brightness shining again. "You know it. Like I told you before, I'm ever at your side."

Across the room, Gladio gave a soft hum as he watched the two younger boys on the bed.

"Something the matter?" Ignis asked.

"Nothing, just that we apparently missed a lot."

"Noctis and Prompto?" Ignis inquired. "It is true, the way they speak to each other seems different than when we last saw them."

Gladio chuckled lightly. "And you know how Noct's isn't the most affectionate or touchy feel kind of guy?"

Ignis raised an eyebrow. "Yes? What is it that they are doing?"

"Noctis is clinging to Prompto like there's no tomorrow. Oh, and they're smiling at each other like idiots."

Slowly, Ignis started to smile as well. "Ah, yes. That is quite a difference from before. Perhaps, despite the circumstances that separated us from Noct, this has improved his relationship with Prompto."

"Could only imagine what those idiots must have gotten up to that would lead to that."

"Let's just leave them be, Gladio. It sounds like they need their time together."