Absolute

Chapter ten - Part two

Promise me you won't do anything stupid, don't ask why, I just want you to swear.

It was a promise Ignis couldn't keep. Back then, things had been considerably simpler. Back then, he hadn't the faintest idea of the impending danger they were to face, nor the reckless decisions he himself would make. Reckless, perhaps, would be an understatement, a grave but necessary mistake in judgement.

Once, long ago, Ignis made a vow to protect Noctis, to stand by him not as a servant but as a brother. What kind of brother would he be if he were to stand by in Noct's time of need? The need to protect his charge caused an imbalance in his judgement, the fierce and unwavering loyalty to those close to him pushed whatever remained of his clear mind out of the way. Which explains how the strategist ended up in Gralea, confused and disoriented.

I must ask, for all of you to forgive me.

It was an impulse that led him to play along with Ardyn, after being plagued with a vision of what's to come, Ignis would do anything to ensure Noct could see the dawn. Anything. Gladio would have laid down his life for his King, Ignis would do the same without hesitation.

Gralea was just like the stories and reports, lifeless and mechanical, scarcely a living being in sight, if any actually. MT's were created here, daemons experimented on, it's no wonder Aranea seemed to be keen on leaving. Whether it was always this deserted was of no immediate concern, right now, Ignis needed to find out why Ardyn gave him this choice in the first place. It's doubtful it was out of the kindness of his heart, the man did nothing that wouldn't benefit him in some inadvertent way, that'd been made clear from Pryna's recurring visions.

It'd be a lie if he said he wasn't afraid, with no clue as to what he may face or if he may return to Noct, Prompto and... Gladio, in one breathing piece. The path laid before him was pretty clear, save for a few daemons, with only the route made clear Ignis had no choice but to follow blindly, Ardyn's voice taunting in his head and practically leading him by the hand. It wouldn't be the first time he'd done such a thing, the four of them had to follow similarly to the Disc of Cauthess.

Eventually Ignis knew where he was being taken, the single walkway led to one destination, in turn leading to the idea that if this was indeed what he hoped it was, he wouldn't be walking out of here alive. If this was the real Crystal at the end of the walkway, Ardyn most certainly wasn't going to allow him to live to tell the others. Unless, it's what he counted on all along.

The room in which the Crystal had been stored was soon enveloped in darkness, leaving just enough light for Ignis to see Ardyn approach, smiling at him grotesquely, black liquid streaked across grey skin from his eyes- now daemonic looking- and mouth.

"Just what are you after Noct for?" He questioned, fists clenched at his sides, ready to defend if needs be.

Ardyn's grin widened, quickly turning sinister. "Revenge in a sense. The boys just happens to be a means to an end." As he spoke, the darkness dispersed and his face returned to normal. "Dear me, I never properly introduced myself. My name is: Ardyn Lucis Caelum." Ignis remained weary as he slowly raised his arms, utterly gobsmacked as an armiger resembling Noct's appeared, though where Noct's was blue, Ardyn's was red.

His words spun around Ignis rattled mind for a moment, until things started to click into place. "The Founder King?"

"Oh! No. That would be my dear brother, who snatched the throne and cast me aside into exile. You know... I've never been called 'Your Majesty' before. Would you do me the honour?" He jested, a cocky smile on his face.

"No. My allegiance lies with the True King, and him alone!" Ignis spat, changing his entire stance to defend, if Ardyn had revealed himself and had his weapons on display, he had to be prepared.