Family (Final Fantasy XV Fanfiction)

Chapter 4

"Noct?" Ignis gasped the name out when he saw who was before him. Among the deserted streets leading towards the Citadel stood Noctis. The Prince... Was alive.

Ignis's one fervent wish had come true. The man could not help the smile of pure relief and joy that stretched across his face despite the situation around him. He felt his eyes water at the sight of his dear friend.

Noctis was alive!

"Oh, hey Iggy. What's up?" Noctis asked casually, wearing the same clothing he had the day he'd gone missing. His tone was light, not at all serious. As if everything was alright. As if all of Insomnia had not been evacuated because of the Daemons that had seemingly erupted out of nowhere and attacked everyone in sight. As if the Wall that once protected Insomnia had not disappeared. As if they had not glimpsed hide nor hair of one another for months.

Ignis was stunned into silence by that simple response.

"Where have you been lately? I don't think I've seen you all day. Dad and Somnus haven't been on my case today so we have some time to kill if you want to hang out," Noctis again spoke casually.

"Your father... And Sommus?" Ignis questioned, still in shock. He was unsure who this Somnus was but he was glad to hear the King also lived. Yet...

'All day'? Ignis hadn't seen Noctis in over almost three months. Not since he and Gladio dropped him off at the Citadel to see his father. Something strange had occurred that day. He'd been called away from Noctis by his Uncle, only to be attacked by Daemons. His Uncle had disappeared during the struggle and Ignis had yet to find him. The man still felt his loss keenly. He'd been the only family he had left.

Gladio had something similar happen to him though he'd been able to find his father. The Shield of the King had been found lying unconscious outside the Royal Hall. A Daemon had been dragging him off, likely to be devoured, but both Gladio and Ignis had managed to rescue him once they'd been reunited. Once Clarus awoke, he could not recall what had happened to him. He did not remember asking Gladio to follow him just before the attack.

They'd ended up fleeing the Citadel when they could not locate their Prince or King. Thousands of Daemons had erupted across Insomnia. As much as Ignis wished to stay and search for Noctis it would have only resulted in his own death. With a heavy heart he'd fled, praying the Prince had managed to escape already. He vowed to return if that was not the case.

But that had been the case. Neither Regis nor Noctis made it out of Insomnia. Everyone had been so sick with worry these few months. No one knew what became of the Royal Family. Most assumed them dead. And now here the Prince stood and all he could say was that he wished to 'hang out'?

The Prince's Advisor could not help the wave of indignation that surfaced. Insomnia was deserted, the world was in peril. This was not the time and place for such frivolities. Thankfully none had followed Ignis to the Citadel but Daemons lurked in every corner of their former home.

Ignis had been separated from Cor, Prompto, Gladio and Clarus. The five of them had braved Insomnia in the hopes of reaching the Citadel. They'd done it often but this was the first time one of them had made it this far. Not wanting to retreat and despite being alone, Ignis continued on. He'd needed so badly to know what happened to Noctis.

The Advisor snapped out of his thoughts when His Highness responded to him.

"Yeah. They've been nagging me about royal protocol more than you normally do," Noctis laughed softly. "Do you, I don't know, wanna head out to the arcade or something before dark? We can call Gladio and Prompto on the way."