Stars in the Night Sky [NOCTIS X READER]

CHAPTER 23 - HOMECOMING

"The Light waxes full. Go forth to the Kingdom, where the Usurper awaits. Reclaim the throne, and fulfil the calling of the True King."

Consciousness returned to Noctis gradually.

He felt groggy and weak as he blinked several times in rapid succession. On his finger, the Ring of the Lucii settled from a bright, white glow into going dormant once more. He stared at it, confused for a moment as he tried to pull his memories from the depths of his still-slumbering consciousness. It took him a moment, but he remembered. He remembered Ignis having put on the ring, pulling from the Crystal's limitless energy to heal him and make sure Ignis got to escape the ordeal with his life. Realizing what the gods wanted of him as the True King and feeling desperate because he still had so much he still wanted to say, wanted to do. He remembered trying to confess to you.

His heart stuttered in his chest at that particular memory.

Beautiful? Really? He couldn't think of anything else to tell you?

He'd have to rectify that.

Unsteadily, he stood on his feet. His sense of duty was finally kicking in as he braced a palm against the side of the small prison cell he'd awoken in. Bahamut was right. He had a calling to fulfill, even though he didn't like what it would force him to do. He was a king first and could think of everything else later.

Awkwardly, he shambled out down the narrow staircase onto solid ground. He expected to be blinded almost immediately, but was surprised at just how dark everything around him was. Was it nighttime and he'd just woken up at a very inopportune time?

Glancing around, a flash of black fur below him caught his eye and Noctis glanced down to see what it was. A familiar dog was sitting at his feet. A small note was crammed into his mouth.

Noctis knelt to gently pry the note free and unfolded it. It was wet with dog slobber (ew) but the handwriting on it was legible enough. Noctis recognized it instantly--it was Ignis's.

"Be waiting," he read out loud, "in Hammerhead."

The admission sent warmth blossoming through him.

Guess he'd better meet them, there, huh?

Awkwardly, Noctis shuffled his way down a flight of stairs and a path all the way down to the docks. A familiar boat was moored there, with a team of four collapsed nearby it. They looked exhausted and were breathing heavily, but Noctis recognized the insignia on their uniforms. Members of the Kingsglaive. He blinked in surprise.

"Your Majesty," one said as soon as they saw him approach, staggering and shuffling to stand on their feet.

Noctis regarded them with a somewhat awkward smile, scanning the group. They all looked exhausted and were supporting some nasty-looking wounds. Noctis realized that they must have been there for a long time, probably fighting off daemons during the night (unless something had gone seriously wrong in the world since he'd stepped into the Crystal and was sucked into the Beyond). From the looks of things, the world was a lot different now than when he'd left.

"You..." Noctis licked his lips, unsure of what to say. The boat bobbed in the water, and it struck Noctis how hard it must have been to reclaim if after they'd left it docked in Niflheim. "You did all this for me?"

"All this for the King of Kings," appearing from behind a rock, Gentiana made her way gracefully over to Noctis, easing a supporting hand on the back of a Glaive that was swaying back and forth. "He must make haste for the Seat of the Stone and ascend as its rightful heir. The Swords will accompany him as far as they are able."