Zegnautus Keep; Gralea, Niflheim, Eos. Wednesday, 07/13, 756 ET [06/27 FT].

Well. Despite what Prompto said, things were not entirely alright. After all, there was little time for them to dwell on this reunion, and still a long ways to go. Mind racing, body sore from the elaborate device they had strung him up on to wait for Noct to come and find him like some sort of booby trap, and the general weight of the last few days in captivity finally lifting off his shoulders, Prompto followed them through the stations and hallways, until Ignis' voice stopped them all again.

"Noct," he said firmly, and then quieted with his question. "Do you hear that?"

( Hear what? )

"Unless you'd rather not be," said Ignis, smiling as he regarded Prompto in passing. Not really looking at him, obviously, but still seeing him all the same.

And Prompto, ducking his head with one more soft smile, followed them into the chamber.

[[ at least the last parts are relatively short ones as this mess of a chapter ties up what it needs to before we can move on! Part 4 of 6 of Final Fantasy XV Chapter 13 "Redemption", where I had to alter a loooooot because half the dialogue in this scene wouldn't have even made sense for FH!Prompto, but that's not reason to not try to squeeze in just a little bit more clone drama while I can! ]]

Zegnautus Keep; Gralea, Niflheim, Eos. Wednesday, 07/13, 756 ET [06/27 FT].

Once the daemons started to dissipate, Ignis, Gladio, and Prompto were able to make their way to the elevator as well. How much time had passed, since Noct made his departure? It was almost impossible to tell, but it didn't matter, as they hurried forward down his path, hoping to catch up with him before it was too late.

But when they finally made their way to the Crystal, glowing and pulsating with its odd bluish-purple light, they found no sign of Noctis, and all that stood there was the familiar, imposing figure of Ardyn Izunia.

He turned toward them, with a sweep of his arm toward the Crystal to explain that they were too late, but his explanation didn't get much further than that before Gladio charged forward with a mighty slash of his broadsword. It hit with a force that sent his shoulder knocked back with a release of black smoke, but he kept moving forward, past them. Prompto leveled his gun at Ardyn, pulling the trigger, sending a shot into his other shoulder. Ardyn pitched forward, more black smoke issuing from the wound, but he kept staggering forward. Ignis stood firm, barring the way forward, but it would seem he didn't need to, as a second shot went smashing through Ardyn's back and the man finally crumpled forward in a heap, as his hat tumbled forward from his head and rolled until it settled, still and motionless, at Ignis' feet.

For the brief moment before Ardyn picked himself back up again and snatched it back up, settling it on his head firmly where it belonged, grinning at them all. He gave his hand a grand, sweeping gesture of goodbye, and, in their stunned silence, made his calm, cool exit once more, and left them standing there, with their Crystal, but without their King.


[[ and thus concludes Chapter 13, as well as my constant Final Fantasy XV spamming for...at least a few months while Noctis takes a decade long dirt nap! This and previous parts are obviously NFB, NFI, open to OOC, of course, while I enjoy a well-deserved break. why do I do this to myself? x_x ]]