Final Fantasy XV - The Light Of Dawn

Chapter 22: Fathers

During the drive to the crown city, the sky opened up with rain.

"Rain..sets the mood." Noctis sighed.

"I hope everyone's okay." Prompto tried to remain strong for his royal friend in the back seat but his shaky voice betrayed him.

"A lot of good hoping is gonna do." The prince growled.

"We mustn't loose faith." Ignis reminded the prince, trying to ensure he kept his own faith up as well.

"Really? Can faith stop a fleet of Imperial Dreadnaughts?"

"Give it a rest." Gladiolus complained, growing sick of Noctis' constant whining.

"My old man had plenty of faith! Faith in me, in the kingdom we loved!"

"Enough."

Prompto gripped his fists as he spoke. "The empire lied. They betrayed us!"

"You're surprised? It's in their nature." Noctis responded.

"Even so, they killed thousands..what for?"

"Don't know.."

Eventually the group made it to the gates only to find it blocked so they took a detour. MT after MT came after them, each one meeting an end like it's predecessor. Eventually the 4 reached the top of the hill as they saw smoke rising from beyond the city walls. Prompto pulled out his phone and listened to the Lucian News channel.

"as the ceasefire discussions between the two nations, all provisional terms have been suspended in light of recent developments. moreover, in the wake of the news of King Regis's death, we have now received word that crown prince Noctis, the oracle Lunafreya and young princess Phoebe Lucis Caelum, have also been pronounced dead." The radio spoke, sending Noctis into shock, not just because Phoebe had been a secret for so long only to be uncovered and revealed by the news during a tragedy but also because he refused to believe any of it.

"No..that can't be..it has to be wrong..it just has to be.." Noctis took a shaky breath.

Prompto jumped as Gladiolus shouted to him to keep the news channel on which resulted in him dropping his phone. Seeing him reach down to pick it up, Noctis yelled to him with a commanding "Don't bother!" and proceeded to get out his own phone, dialing Cor's number and as a result the follow conversation went like this;

"Hello? Cor?" Noctis spoke as the other line picked up.

"So, You made it." Cor responded, relief clear in his voice.

"The hell is going on?"

"Where are you?"

"Outside the city, with no way back in."

"Makes sense."

"Makes sense? Are you serious?! what about ANY of this makes sense?!" Noctis screamed, gripping his fist as he continued to rant. "The news just told me I'm dead, along with my father, daughter and Luna!"

"Listen, I'm heading out to hammerhead." A growl from the crown prince escaped his lips, letting Cor know not to test him right now and as a result..Cor told him everything but in his own way. "About the king..It's true." With a gasp in reaction to Cor's words, Noctis turned to his smoking home in shock. "If you're looking for the truth, you know where to find me. Get moving."

"R-Right.." With that Noctis hung up and put his phone back into his pocket. "Lets go.."

Following his lead, Ignis spoke up. "What did the marshal have to say?"

"Said he'd be in Hammerhead."

"And the king?" Gladiolus spoke up next, wanting to know the truth as much as everyone else.