Prompto The Oracle

[chocobosnap]

 The Empire came for Tenebrae with a ferocity far exceeding their expectations. 

For better, or worse, they decided that surrender was the best course of action and the people of Tenebrae were rounded up and subjugated according to Emperor Aldercapt's will. 

One reason for taking Tenebrae was to capture the oracle, one young Prompto who took his escort in stride as he was taken from his home and moved deep into Niflheim. 

From that moment, he lost his connection to Lucis, and his life completely changed. 

Noctis had been staying with them back then, when the attack came, but he was gone now, presumably back to Insomnia. 

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M.E. 755

[warpstriking]

They were just resting at Hammerhead, one of the few places they knew would be safe, when Cindy had knocked on the camper door and ushered them into the diner. Cid had already moved the Regalia into the repair garage and closed up shop by the time Cor called and told them to stay put.

He wanted to argue.

He wanted to drive to the city and see it for himself, when a loud roar shook the diner to its foundation. Ignis had peeked through the now-lowered blinds to see the imperial airships up above, heading for the Crown City. It was the day he'd dreaded to hear, didn't want to hear, and yet...

Lunafreya held him back and close as they both cried as the radio kept the news on loop.

It was three days later the fall of Insomnia that the shift occurred. Having never stopped in Lestallum, they instead utilized stealth as a means to pass the imperial blockade. It took some maneuvering, and a lot of exhaustion on Noctis' part, but he still managed to earn Titan's favor. They stop in Lestallum in midst of their search for the royal arms (and needing to let the young protector rest), when Umbra catches up with them.

When Prompto gets the notebook back, there are dried spots where tears once were not on his last reply.

Prompto,

I know. But, I think my dad knew. He agreed to let me go far too fast.

I received the Archean's blessing. Thank you, and, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Noct?



They said you were dead.

He doesn't sign his name, but there's a black chocobo curled up and hurt, surrounded by the white, tan, and brown; all seeming to try and protect and reach the hourglass. A shovel tries to hold back the sand from falling on the yellow as if by magic.

A second sketch of a large, black cat lies beneath it. Eyes closed as it's ears lay flat against its head and head held low beside what looks to be a tomb.

This time, Umbra carried more than just ethers. There were a few elixirs in his pouch, as well as some provisions Ignis prepared. The fanciest thing would be two of his now perfected memory lane pastries, with actual ulwatt berries. Otherwise, they did not have the time.

M.E. 755

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It took time, it always took time. Prompto had to ask Libertus to get him to a shrine which was more dangerous than it sounded. The shrine of Ramuh, and hopefully remain unseen and out of the clutches of the Empire.

He had sent Gentiana with Noctis' directions and instructions that he would know when the time was near.

There would be a change in the weather.

Even as Prompto got closer, climbing and weaving through the rock to the final shrine, he leaned against the trident, standing there with his arms raised, and spoke the words of prayer.

He hadn't had time to get on with the notebook again, but Gentiana had to be the next best thing. He stood, rain dripping on his head as he prayed and did the ritual as he always did, testifying that Noctis was the one true king.

The only indication that he was inside was Libertus, who had the politeness to stand leaning against the entrance.

Everything would be alright, as long as Ramuh believed him, but Prompto believed it so he must have. There was lightning crackling across the sky, thunder and electricity in the air, enough that Prompto's hair was standing up.

Still, he prayed.

He would get word to Noctis when this ritual was over.

M.E. 755

[warpstriking]

In Lestallum, there were rumors of mysterious fires, that the Assassins had returned and were enacting vengeance for the crimes inflicted upon the citizenry. It couldn't be further from the truth, or could it?

One thing was certain, though: the Empire came.

Someone had tipped them off that a couple with a striking resemblance to the thought-dead prince and his bride were seen in the late king's car. Tried to capture them at the risk of countless civilians and refugees in Lestallum. They did not expect the protector to perform his role. Even with as few Arms as he held in the Armiger, or in his weakened state. Umbra had left just in time.

It wasn't long that they finally returned to Duscae, on chocoboback, because their car was stolen. The two royals and their retinue couldn't endanger their people more than necessary when they had to venture into civilization in order to resupply.

They had stopped at a haven north of the Disc, when Gentiana approached them.

King of the Stone. The Oracle awaits in the Eye of the Storm. To the King alone is this voice heard. To follow the path is the chosen way.

They journeyed to the first shrine, the others remaining behind as he lifted his hand to its surface. A lightning bolt struck, and in its glow, he recalled his time in Tenebrae with even more clarity. Meeting Gentiana for the first time, admitting he couldn't read most of the words on the pages of the Cosmogony...

Foreign hordes fear the true king's ascension and seek to block the path.

Thanks for the warning, Gentiana. Could do without the divine migraine, though.

They made their way westward to the second, leaving a path of destruction in their wake when they could not utilize stealth to avoid confrontation, and Noctis repeated the same he did with the first. Another lightning bolt, and another divine headache with the High Messenger telling him to go into Fociaugh Hollow.

Imagine his surprise when he saw not only the two divine dogs, but a former Glaive as well. "Libertus?"

M.E. 755

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"Oh hey, uh, your Majesty!" He raised a hand and offered a little smile before pushing off the wall and bowing. "You got here faster than we expected, I think. I think he was intending on being finished before you arrived. I don't really know how these things go, if Ramuh is being difficult or not."

Umbra and Pryna got up from where they were waiting and padded over to Noctis, pushing their heads under his hands for attention.

There was another bolt of lightning, streaking across the sky, and the sound of rolling thunder.

Noctis was likely to get licked by at least one of the dogs, messengers or not.

While they were distracting him, there was the a soft thump, and a little scrape that preceded footsteps.

Prompto himself emerged from the entrance, looking tired, leaning against the trident to hold himself up. He would need rest, he expected to be able to rest after forging an agreement with Ramuh.

What he was not expecting, was to cross paths with Noctis.

His eyes got wide.

"Noct."

M.E. 755

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Noctis nodded to him, gesturing for him to stand. "Yeah, can't say I blame him. There were some very persistent admirers in Lestallum-" he started to explain, when suddenly wet noses under his palms. He let Ignis take control of the situation and explain, as Noctis knelt down to pet and then hug the sibling Messengers. A smile on his face that hasn't been present since the day the news came of the invasion when they both licked his face. He just can't seem to stay upset with Umbra or Pryna around, let alone both of them.

He was also quite experienced in drowning out Ignis' voice by now when it came to these two dogs, but it was his wife's hand on his shoulder that got his attention. Noctis looked up to her, and then to the source of the footsteps.

Many things changed in the years since the last time they saw one another in person. Yet Noctis' unruly hair remained a constant. Almost as though it was permanently suffering from an excess of static when it was not gelled and sprayed into spiky submission. Stormy eyes kind, but tired as ever, lit up at the sight of the other man. There is a smudge of dirt on his face, one Umbra attempted to clean off with his tongue, but it was to be expected with all the rain and fighting in the mud they had to do in order to get here.

"Prompto," he replied, ignoring the slight ache in his left knee as he stood. Instead, he made his way to cover the remaining distance, and wrap his arms around his longtime friend.

Luna bowed her head slightly, both as a polite gesture... and to hide the fact she was trying not to laugh at her husband's immediate reaction.

M.E. 755

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Prompto's expression had been one of surprise. His eyes were very soft, very kind, despite whatever indignities he'd been made to suffer. He'd been carrying his weight on the trident, but he straightened when Noctis came to him.

He was shorter than the king. He wrapped his free arm around him, keeping the trident balanced. His clothes were just as soaked through as Noctis' and now thanks to the embrace, the white was streaked with mud.

He didn't mind, he could clean up later.

He smiled brightly, squeezing him. "Hi. I wasn't expecting you. It's so good to see you."

Better, than words could express really, and he looked around over Noct's shoulder at was essentially his family and just smiled a little. He was glad to see he had such support.

"I wasn't expecting to see you until Altissia."

M.E. 755

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Noctis held on tightly, almost as though he subconsciously fears that if he let go, Prompto would disappear in the cavern breeze.

"I think you mean 'great'." It's a very gentle correction, a faint and friendly tease. One punctuated by the slight squeeze. This was actually happening. Even though the loss of his father and his home weighed heavily on the young king's shoulders, he couldn't help but be happy in this moment.

He tried not to laugh at the honest confession.

"Apparently Gentiana had different plans," he replied, loosening his grip just enough so that he could look his friend in the eye but still support him. "She caught us just as we were setting up camp."

And yet the sheer amount of relief is palpable in his voice, in his smile, as he turned to introduce everyone. "Prompto, meet Gladiolus Amicitia, my Shield. I think you met Ignis briefly, and-" he held out his left hand, keeping his right around Prompto. He seemed a little shaky on his feet (understatement). "This, is Lunafreya Lucis Caelum."

Lunafreya stepped forward slightly, taking Noctis' now-free hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Lord Prompto. Noct has only said good things about you."

"Likewise," Gladio said, smiling before his gaze fell on Libertus. "The Storm's gotten the Niffs on edge. If they didn't know Noct's alive before, they know now."

M.E. 755

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"It's a pleasure, Lord Argentum." Ignis answered with a bit of a bow, showing him the respect he was owed.

"The pleasure is mine." Prompto offered politely with a smile. "Highness." He knew the least about Lunafreya but that was alright, just that she was married to Noctis.

Libertus glanced at the sky. "He sure is causing a ruckus."

Prompto let go of Noctis to wrap both hands around the Trident of the Oracle to steady himself. "He is rather temperamental, but that's how he's always been." He offered a small smile.

"He's expecting you Noct, you shouldn't keep him waiting." He thought they made a good couple. They looked good together. He didn't know what to think about the confession Noct had given him not that long ago, but he didn't think anything would come of it.

His story was almost finished, wasn't it?

Libertus nodded and made like he was going to move to Prompto. "We should get you back into hiding before the Empire finds you, Prompto."

M.E. 755

[warpstriking]

"Wait," Noctis kept a hand on Prompto's back for a moment, looking between Oracle and his Shield. "Why don't you both join us? There's safety in numbers, and... you look beat."

Ever the casual one, but there was an underlying reason as well. Ever had it been his family's place to be the protectors of their people. The Oracle line was no exception, and he was honor-bound as the last living of his line to uphold it. Even if his father had failed to. He hated thinking like that, but it was true. Though not the main reason.

They'd only just gotten to see each other again. He wasn't prepared to part ways.

M.E. 755

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He certainly hadn't wanted to go so soon before they could have the chance to talk and catch up properly, considering how little he'd actually told Noct over the years.

Libertus looked between them and shrugged. "I guess if nothing else, you four are probably the safest place for him to be. It probably won't do any harm to spend the night."

"Thank you kindly, Libertus." Prompto offered a small smile in his direction.

"Then, we will impose on your hospitality a little longer, thank you." He always had to speak with impeccable manners, just like anyone else.

Prompto pat Noctis' shoulder. "I am tired, some rest would do me good."

M.E. 755

[warpstriking]

There was a lot to catch up on. So much neither of them had said, and now that they were free from their political yokes (and Prompto his maybe even literal chains) for the most part... Now might be the only time.

He nods once to the former Glaive, but gave him a look as though he would need to speak with him later.

"We'll talk later," he said to both of them, really. After all, it wouldn't be good to keep a god waiting. "Gladio."

"Right," Gladio replied, nodding to Libertus. "We got a tent set up in the nearby haven. It's not much, but it's dry." He'd lead them to it while Ignis stayed behind to keep an eye on the two royals. The two were capable, but Ignis knew their shortcomings in defense as well as he did.

Plus, he's a human space heater. He'd be able to help keep a certain someone warm until they could dry off. The other three wouldn't be far behind. Especially since Noctis already let go and headed deeper in to the final shrine.

M.E. 755

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"Dry sounds perfect right about now." Libertus commented with a smile. He moved to Prompto's side, pulling his arm over his shoulders to help keep him on his feet.

"I'll see you later, Noct." Prompto called behind him as they left towards the haven. His steps were slow and unsteady, but at least it wasn't far.

Libertus had a bag of things for Prompto, so when they got in to the haven, he'd be able to change.

"Have you gotten to see much?" Prompto asked Gladio politely.

Ignis stepped forward after they left and gestured at Lunafreya. "Highness, if you would." She could lead the way, just in case there were monsters lingering about, but Prompto would have warned him, wouldn't he?

"I wonder if he knows how to fight." He mused thoughtfully.

M.E. 755

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"See you," Noctis said with a wave. Even if it was unseen. He knew Prompto would be in good hands with his Shield and Libertus. There were few others he trusted as much, though part of him wondered just what happened to Nyx.

"Of course," Luna replied with a nod, moving to stand beside her husband. her hand always ready to summon her rapier if needed, but if the Oracle made it through unscathed, she doubted there would be any troubles.

"Considering how long he's been forced to be the Empire's PR? Doubt it." Noctis mutters darkly. After all, why would they teach their puppet to fight? It leaves a sour taste in his mouth, but he forces himself not to think on it. After all, he has to face the Fulgarian soon.

Meanwhile, Gladio stayed close. With Libertus helping support Prompto, there would be little the former Glaive could do to defend them should the Niffs drop in. "Yeah. The Marshal sent Noct on a mission of his own, locating the royal tombs." He answered just as politely. A bit gruff, but somehow gentle despite remaining on alert. Though, not enough to smirk in amusement. "Still wanna pick the brain of whoever thought it was a good idea to stick a tomb in a volcano of all things."

M.E. 755

[chocobosnap]

Ignis walked behind them, keeping his eyes peeled, but there didn't seem to be any daemons around, nor any other creatures, so he didn't feel the need to draw his weapons either. It was still raining, and hopefully once they calmed Ramuh down, it would stop.

"It was just a thought, I suppose not if he has been protected all this time." If one could consider being protected as part of being a prisoner, Ignis supposed.

Prompto laughed slightly. "Ah, the royal tombs. That makes sense, although I wouldn't have picked a volcano myself." He smiled.

Libertus can thankfully, handle it when Prompto stumbles a little bit. "We're almost there, I think, Oracle." He said kindly. He could carry him if he needed to."