[When the wall had fallen and his father's strength had began to fail. All of Insomnia believed, foolishly, that such a fate could never befall them. They were protected. Kept safe behind thick walls made of stone and impenetrable shields formed by magic. Guarded by the Kingsglaive. Watched over by the Crownsguard. There was an heir. Another to wear the ring and pick up where the father had left off. Who would willingly give of their life force until it too was depleted.
His father had tried to end a war in which there was only ever going to be one outcome. And it wasn't in their favor. Even if they somehow managed to find the crystal, to bring it back. Even if they retook their home, opened the walls and tried to unite Lucis. The Empire would always be a threat. Crawling around like roaches who they would never quite be entirely rid of.
Noctis had never wanted to be king. Perhaps that made him selfish, never looking past his own failings and weaknesses to realize that there was a bigger picture. Those who had given and sacrificed everything just for a chance to see him upon that throne. He hadn't wanted that either.
There's no need for a shield here in this place. Protecting him is no longer worth anything, a task he can complete on his own. Doesn't need a glaive to stand by him. Honestly, the words sick and tired come to mind when he thinks about just how many people are in his life because they were paid to be there and not because they chose to be. Because that decision had been made for them long ago.
But Nyx speaks again and it catches his attention. Has him glancing up, taking in the pitiful sight of the uniform he wears. Torn and tattered and covered in ash, like the battered and singed skin that lays beneath. It's a choice that's being made. One powered by free will.]
I wasn't given a choice. [His father had just sent him on his merry way. On some road trip with his friends. Off to set sail for his wedding. No one had ever asked him if that was what he wanted. To leave his father and his home behind. To marry Luna.
To not be there when his father needed him most.
Was there even anything he could have done? Or would he have died along side everyone else? It was a choice that he hadn't been allowed to make. All because he apparently had some higher purpose.]
I never wanted this. For anyone to die for me. My dad. Ignis and Luna. Even you. King of kings, and I still couldn't protect anyone.
[No. No he never, ever tells anyone these things. Because even if he tried, he knows the exact thing that would happen. Gladio would tell him to get over it. That he was king now and this wasn't what kings did. Ignis would tell him that he should share his burdens with them, that he didn't have to carry them alone. But wasn't that exactly what he was trying to do? Prompto would try and make him feel better. Make him smile. And he would, just because he couldn't stand to see the look on his friends face when he didn't.]
Guess you took my offer seriously. [To be his new shield. Not that he entirely minds. Nyx had already earned his respect.
But he shifts, just a little bit closer. Like he's going to attempt healing those wounds again but hesitates.] I don't have a lot of magic here. But my armiger still works. If you want it.
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His father had tried to end a war in which there was only ever going to be one outcome. And it wasn't in their favor. Even if they somehow managed to find the crystal, to bring it back. Even if they retook their home, opened the walls and tried to unite Lucis. The Empire would always be a threat. Crawling around like roaches who they would never quite be entirely rid of.
Noctis had never wanted to be king. Perhaps that made him selfish, never looking past his own failings and weaknesses to realize that there was a bigger picture. Those who had given and sacrificed everything just for a chance to see him upon that throne. He hadn't wanted that either.
There's no need for a shield here in this place. Protecting him is no longer worth anything, a task he can complete on his own. Doesn't need a glaive to stand by him. Honestly, the words sick and tired come to mind when he thinks about just how many people are in his life because they were paid to be there and not because they chose to be. Because that decision had been made for them long ago.
But Nyx speaks again and it catches his attention. Has him glancing up, taking in the pitiful sight of the uniform he wears. Torn and tattered and covered in ash, like the battered and singed skin that lays beneath. It's a choice that's being made. One powered by free will.]
I wasn't given a choice. [His father had just sent him on his merry way. On some road trip with his friends. Off to set sail for his wedding. No one had ever asked him if that was what he wanted. To leave his father and his home behind. To marry Luna.
To not be there when his father needed him most.
Was there even anything he could have done? Or would he have died along side everyone else? It was a choice that he hadn't been allowed to make. All because he apparently had some higher purpose.]
I never wanted this. For anyone to die for me. My dad. Ignis and Luna. Even you. King of kings, and I still couldn't protect anyone.
[No. No he never, ever tells anyone these things. Because even if he tried, he knows the exact thing that would happen. Gladio would tell him to get over it. That he was king now and this wasn't what kings did. Ignis would tell him that he should share his burdens with them, that he didn't have to carry them alone. But wasn't that exactly what he was trying to do? Prompto would try and make him feel better. Make him smile. And he would, just because he couldn't stand to see the look on his friends face when he didn't.]
Guess you took my offer seriously. [To be his new shield. Not that he entirely minds. Nyx had already earned his respect.
But he shifts, just a little bit closer. Like he's going to attempt healing those wounds again but hesitates.] I don't have a lot of magic here. But my armiger still works. If you want it.