⛦Final Fantasy XV⛦The Divine Necromancer

Chapter XLII - Battle of Kings

The door of the throne room open and closed. Their echo went through the long and tall room, followed by the gasp that left Hecate and Noctis's lips. Their eyes started towards the throne, but they were not locked of the red haired man with devil within his eyes or the glowing Crystal that was sat above the throne; they were set of five bodies that hung on the chains from the ceilings.

One was Iedolas Aldercapt, late Emperor of Niflheim who died by the hand of Ardyn; by being turning into a mindless Daemon. Then there was King Regis Lucis Caelum, late King of Lucis Kingdom who died in the Imperial Invasion of Insomnia. There by King's side hung Astrid Lumen, once a leader of nomadic cult of people that still worshiped Necromancers and died when Niflheim attacked them. By Astrid hung Lady Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, Oracle of Eos, killed by the hand of Ardyn. And last was Nyx Ulric, a hero as many called him; he died for a better future and for the King.

All of them had something in common in their appearance. They had black shallow eyes of daemons and their skin was covered in paleness and dark veins. Another thing they all had in common: their deaths were all orchestrate by Ardyn Izunia.

Glare stood inside Hecate and Noctis's eyes as they approached Ardyn who sat on the throne that didn't belong to him. King and Death no longer held their hands. They were prepared for whatever will follow next. Ardyn looked down at the two that approached him and a grin filled with evilness spread across his lips.

"I'm afraid you're out of luck." Ardyn spoke, leaning casually in the seat. "The throne brings you here? It seats only one."

"Of my chair, jester. The king sits there." Noctis spoke with determination, glaring at the man that amusingly stared at him before his eyes shifted towards Hecate.

"Death has come knocking on my door, hasn't it?" He questioned with a chuckle exiting his lips.

"Yes." With Hecate's answer, the bodies on hanging above them disappeared in purple smoke and Ardyn raised from the throne.

"Noctis...battle of the Kings awaits us. Don't disappoint."

With grin appearing on his lips, Ardyn turned on his right and stepped towards the opening where the wall of the throne room has fallen and created an obstacle on the stairs left of the throne. Ardyn glanced one more times at Noctis before summoning his sword and wrapping somewhere outside of the castle.

Noctis stared at the red sparkle that was left by Ardyn before he turned to face Hecate. Her eyes were already set on him with sadness with them. Noctis tried to smile, but the smile didn't linger on his lips. He stepped towards her and her hands cupped his cheeks, gently rubbing his cheek bones with her thumbs.

"Ardyn won't go down without a good fight." Hecate spoke, her voice just above the whisper.

"I know."

Hecate gently smiled and leaned into to press her lips onto his. What she thought would be just a gentle kiss, turning into a passionate kiss. Noctis placed his hands onto her waist and brought her close to his body. There was barely any space for air between them and there was suddenly none when Hecate wrapped her arms around his neck. And as much as they wanted to shut out the world around them, they were well aware they couldn't until the finish what has to be finished.

Noctis pulled away and gently rubbed her back, making small circles with his fingers. He opened his eyes and looked at her, smiling softly down at the woman he has fallen so deeply in love. She looked matured, but she was still the same woman with same features he found himself loving more than anything.

"When this is all over, I want you to say that what you whispered to me the last time we saw each other."

At first, Hecate was confused while she tried to remember what she actually whispered to him. She remembered being Zegnautus Keep, and fighting those Daemons while Noctis went towards the Crystal; that's the last time she saw him. But she then remembered what she mouthed when he went into that elevator.