You’ll reach up and you’ll rise again // Private

[Leafwing12]

(Alright)

It was the next day, around noon. Noctis was waiting in the meeting room, pacing back and forth slightly. Gladio, Prompto and Ignis were in there. Noct really wanted Ignis to stay home and rest, but that man never took no for an answer, so he just didn't even bother trying to argue with him. Noctis glanced at them before glancing towards the door when it opened. And two men walked in. Noctis frowned, eyeing them. He knew who they were. The chancellor of Nephlhiem and the second in command of their army. He knew the second well. He had known him since they were children. Hadn't seen each other since the attack on Tenebrae. He's hated Noctis since.

"Ravus." Noctis greeted, watching him. Ravus watched him, frowning.

"Noctis." He muttered, watching him. Noct frowned before looking at the chancellor.

"I thought we agreed it would be only you. Why have you taken him with?" Noctis asked.

"Oh don't worry your highness. I can assure you our friend Ravus here means no harm to you. I told the empire that I was to be seen alone, but they forced me to take him along." The male said, smiling. "Oh, where are my manners? My name is Ardyn Izunia. A pleasure to meet you, your highness." Ardyn said, bowing a bit. Noctis blinked, watching him. Ardyn then stood up straight again.

[dannychan]

he frowned. “no extras. get rid of the man and then we talk.” he demanded, not leaving any room for arguement. despite the fact that he could hardly breath, he still had that ‘ive killed before and i’ll do it again’ kind of look. prompto frowned and nodded.

[Leafwing12]

Ardyn hummed. "Very well. Ravus, leave us be for a bit. And do be on your best behavior." He said. Ravus blinked, frowning.

"It's not me they need to worry about." Ravus muttered. However he turned, leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Noct watched him leave before looking at Ardyn.

"So, Nephlhiem is finally considering peace now?" Noctis asked.

"Ah yes we are. There are just a few simple...Loose ends our leader wants finished up." Ardyn said, looking at Noctis. Noct blinked, frowning.

"And what is that?" Noct asked. Ardyn hummed.

"You know its quite surprising to see how much you take on from your father. You don't mess around, just like him. Straight to the point. I liked that about him. A shame about what happened to him, hmm your highness?" Ardyn asked. Noctis was silent for a minute, before nodding.

"Yes. But we aren't here to discuss my father or how he ruled." Noctis muttered.

"Perhaps not. But, there's one thing I am curious about. Your father was willing to risk everything to protect the people here and his family. Are you willing to do the same?" Ardyn asked. Noctis nodded without hesitation.

"Yes. I would willingly give up my life to keep the people here safe." Noctis said. Ardyn blinked.

"Good." Ardyn said, glancing him over. Noctis seemed to tense up a bit. "Well, our leader wants you dead. Plain and simple. You see, he has had a grudge against your father and wants to see you dead as well. This whole war really is just to get to you. If you'd just willingly sacrifce yourself, all this can be put behind us. No more fighting. The people would be safe. Your family-" Ardyn's eyes shifted to the other three, "Would be safe from any harm. we would leave them be. All you need to do is just give up your life. I mean...You're dying anyway, aren't you, highness?" Ardyn asked, watching him.

Noctis frowned, watching Ardyn. He then took a step forward, watching him. Ardyn blinked, looking at Gladio who looked shocked. "Oh? You never told them? Well, I'll inform them then. Noctis's life is draining away. And he's well aware of it. That is the burden of being king. That's the burden of keeping that shield up around the city to prevent anyone from attacking this city. Should the shield fail, this place would be vulnerable. So it requires the king's life force to keep up." Ardyn said. He then looked at Noctis. "I'm just surprised he never told you guys sooner." He said. Noct froze a bit.

[dannychan]

wait i’m confused what’s going on?? i can’t comprehend shit

[Leafwing12]

(Just...Long story short Nephlhiem wants Noct dead and in return they'll stop the war and leave the others alone.)

[dannychan]

o h
well then ima ask to skip again bc i’m really tired

[Leafwing12]

(Well then go to bed silly XD)

Noctis had ended up dying. And like Nephlhiem promised, they had stopped the war. All seemed peaceful, except for with the three  boys. They had been taking Noct's death rather hard. Gladio had remianed strong for Prompto and Ignis's sake. It had been around two months since they lost Noctis.

However, Noctis had been resurrected. The gods had brought him back. Noct still felt weak and a bit unsteady on his feet, but he was alive. His body still seemed to be adjusting to being used again though, so he seemed slow and sluggish But Noct soon managed to find out where the three were living. Noctis then moved over, hesitating for a moment before knocking on the door.

[dannychan]

out of all three, iggy was the worst off. he hardly left bed. he didn’t cook, hardly slept.. he was constantly dehydrated from crying so much. Gladi has to force him to eat and drink or get up to shower and such. prompto has been.. alright. better than iggy, at least. he knew noct would want him to move on, be happy.. so he was trying. he had picked up fishing, so he was out at a nearby lake at the moment.

[Leafwing12]

Gladio had been sitting on the cocuh, watching some tv with Ignis. Well, he guessed ignis wasn’t really watching it, mostly just staring at nothing. Gladio sighed, resting a hand on Ignis’s back, rubbing it slowly. He looked over though when he heard a knock. He got to his feet, heading over and opening the door.

At first, he thought he was just imaging things. Gladio froze a bit, looking Noctis over. “...Noct?” Gladio asked quietly. Noctis offered a weak, soft smile.

“Hey Gladio.” Noctis whisoered. He then took a step forward, hugging the male. Gladio gross, his eyes wide. However, he quickly hugged Noctis back, seeming a bit lost for words.

“How...How are you back?” Gladio asked quietly.

“...The gods played a part in bringing me back. It’s a long story.” Noctis whispered. After a minute, Gladio and Noctis pulled away. Noct glanced over, spotting Ignis on the couch. Noct blinked, taking a few steps over to him.

[dannychan]

Ignis, at this point, had just shut down. he didn’t pay attention to anything, just stared ahead. he looked exhausted, like all energy had been drained from him.