Night Light {FFXV/OT4}

Monsters

Chapter Twenty: Monsters

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Prompto was pressed as close to the air holes as he could get. The light that shone through the little holes was blocked off every few seconds, and the rhythmic metal footsteps told him it by the squadron of Magitek Troopers marching past. He felt a bitter pang of jealousy twist in his gut because he knew that they would get to visit the outside. That was something he'd never seen, and he envied the Troopers. They got to go there, even if they didn't have the souls to appreciate it.

He'd asked Ardyn before, what the Magitek Troopers did when they were outside. He also questioned why he always saw them leave, but never saw any coming back. The man had just laughed, telling him that maybe he'd find out for himself one day. Prompto hadn't really liked that answer but he'd known better than to question it. Just asking in the first place had been risky enough.

Soon the Troopers had all passed and once again there was nothing but silence. Prompto retreated, shuffling away from the small air holes. The few rays of light that could reach through the holes hit his eyes uncomfortably. He huddled up into a corner, pressed back against the cool metal walls, drawing his knees up to his chest as he waited.

The familiar humming of far off machinery helped to soothe him as he waited for Ardyn's arrival. He was in trouble, he knew that full well. That was the only reason he'd be locked away in this cold metal box. It was a punishment in itself, but he knew that more punishment would follow.

He'd only been in here for a few hours but the wait was killing him. He had no idea what Ardyn would do when he arrived. Whatever it was, Prompto was certain the man would not forgive him. Ardyn was not known for being merciful.

Prompto had ran away. Tried to, at least. He'd gotten surprisingly far actually, all the way to the facilitie's exit. He'd been able to see the bright light that he knew must have been the outside world, taunting him from through the windows. He'd seen the very door that would lead him to that light and he'd lunged for it. His legs had already been burning from hours of running, but the promise of seeing the world, of being free.. that had given him new energy. His fingers had just brushed the door handle when he'd been grabbed, yanked back by cruel hands that dragged him off to the dark fate that awaited him.

Ardyn had been alerted. The Chancellor would arrive soon, he was told. He belonged to Ardyn so it was up to the crimson haired man to decide what was to be done to him now. Prompto already knew what would happen; Ardyn would waltz in all theatrics and drama, before suddenly striking. The man's words could be just as deadly as any sword or poison.

It was always jarring, how Ardyn could switch from jovial to cold and heartless in a split second.

What was perhaps even more jarring was when that didn't happen.

Ardyn was furious. Prompto had never seen the man this angry before and it terrified him, far more than all the melodrama ever could. The sound of a key turning in a lock was the only warning he was allowed before the door was kicked open with all the force of a stampeding Dualhorn. Then Ardyn was there, grabbing him by his shirt and dragging him out of the isolation box, slamming him into the nearest wall and holding him there.

"Were you really so foolish as to think you could escape me? Escape the Empire?"

Prompto winced as he felt flecks of spit land on his face, Ardyn's burning amber eyes only inches from his own. He knew these were the kind of questions he wasn't supposed to answer so he stayed silent, hoping it might appease the Chancellor's anger.

He watched in horror as black ooze begun dripping down Ardyn's face, leaking from the man's eyes and nose. He tried to pull away but the man only tightened his grip on Prompto's shirt in response. Then he started yelling again, pulling Prompto forwards only to slam him hard against the wall with each sentence.