Exeuntes, a Story Based on Final Fantasy XV

Chapter XX: Defenseless

An Introductory Note:

We're very close to the end of this story...

Song for this chapter:

31. Departure by Yoko Shimomura

Pictured:

Commodore Aranea Highwind's Magitek airship/engine (also known as an "assault craft")

September 28th, 2020 - So I kind of added 3000-ish words to this... good luck.

November 4th, 2020 - Changed it around again. It's less than it was after the edit. There's going to be another chapter after this with the remaining portions (plus some edits to that as well).

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The three of them step out of the elevator cautiously, expecting more danger. Thankfully, nothing else attacks them as they move closer to a train in the palace station's underwater link.

"This train will lead you to the port. Board it. Once you are there, make for Lucis. Safety awaits you there," King Regis instructs, his voice barely above a whisper due to his injuries.

Cor pulls out a bandage from one of his pockets and tends to the king, "Your Majesty..."

"You also knew this was coming-" Ravus starts.

"Yes. But it was the only way to draw their wrath away from Lucis," the king interrupts.

The Tenebraean prince looks displeased, "Is that the way of a king? Sacrifice another country to save his own?"

"Nay. To save the world," Regis replies. He looks into the prince's eyes, "I have left something of great importance to you. See that you safely get to Lucis. Once there, head for my private study in the Citadel."

Ravus looks at him incredulously as the king turns to the Marshal, "Please see Prince Ravus safely to Insomnia. This is not an order from a king to his soldier. This is a plea from one man to another. Please, Cor Leonis, keep him safe. For the future of all."

Just then, they hear the sound of rumbling from above, causing the entire station to shake. They all look up before Regis turns back to Cor, noticing the Ring of the Lucii in his hand, "Keep it. It is time it passed to another's keeping."

The Marshal looks at his king solemnly, before nodding and storing the ring in a pocket. As they step onto the train, the king abruptly stops. Instead of entering the train with them, he pushes a button that closes its doors.

"No, stop!" Ravus pleads, suddenly understanding what the king is about to do. Cor steps forward, "Get back!" he shouts, trying to prevent the prince from breaking the glass doors.

"Don't leave us," he adds, realizing that he would probably be the last person to see him alive.

"I know your mother would wish the same as me. That you and your sister live happily. All those years captive because I failed you... not again. Once you are safe, locked doors will seal your fate no longer."

"King Regis..." is all the prince can say before a loud rumble from inside the elevator shaft signals General Glauca's imminent arrival.

The king turns to the elevator before turning back to face the two men, "Our hope goes with you both now. Godspeed."

The train's electric engines begin to start up as General Glauca jumps out of the elevator shaft. Regis turns to face him, his expression neutral.