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year 5, quarter 3
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Ardyn's having a great day. As always, feel free to have any hits land on him. He won't dodge them.
I'm an impatient traveler ready to turn ship.
[attr="class","itsover"] It was a warm, sunny day. Delightful, but then so many days were. Ardyn didn't care much for the chattering of the market crowds or for the warmth of sunlight on his cheeks. They were impermanent, unnecessary, and elements he had seen so many, many times before. Instead, he idled against an uneven stone wall, considering the sky above him -- blue and dotted with the white fluff of clouds. There was no endless green haze across an eerie half-moon. The cries of strangled abominations did not echo from the shadows on ragged breaths. The living spoke in amiable shouts rather than whispers. This was a pure world untainted by darkness and the twisted wrath of gods.
What a pity.
Ardyn sighed and let his head fall to his shoulder. It had been weeks since his resurrection, and still he had learned very little of the situation. He was alive, certainly, and so was that amnesiac girl. Iris Amicitia. He remembered her full name now and with it, her heritage. She was one of a military bloodline, bound by honor to serve the Lucian kings. He could still recall her face as her eyes half-closed and her lips trembled in bloody streaks. He had acted rashly though he hardly regretted his choice. She would act as the groundwork for his vengeance against the gods. He could only infect so many personally, after all.
He started walking before his thoughts had caught up to him. His mind filled with heavy thoughts that required movement and an inquisitive eye. Thoughts of mortality. Thoughts of time. It had been such a long time since he'd been left in the dark that he'd forgotten the feeling of it. Confused. Aimless. A tad helpless, if he was being honest with himself. This was not the Eos he remembered, nor did it seem like any Eos of the future. The girl had confirmed that. But if it was not a time that he remembered and it was certainly no time of the future, then where did that leave him?
Was this death?
The thought almost gave him pause. Perhaps a slight hesitation in his step as his eyes flashed darkly towards a frightened mother before he continued on his way. Ardyn knew death better than anyone, and this was most certainly not that. And if it was, then why should it matter? This was not the end that had been promised him. He still could not rest.
He might have brooded then on the reaches of death and the cruelty of the gods. He might have ambled on his way, lost in dark thought until he took to himself once again and quietly awaited the passage of time. He might have lost himself to it until his heart burned and his thoughts twisted if a pair of familiar faces had not met him as he rounded a corner into the public square.
Recognition struck him like the dull side of a broadsword. A man build like a mountain with oiled-back hair and ridges of scars. His slender companion with eyes shaded in glasses and ruined by trauma. For a moment, Ardyn could only stare at them -- floored at the development before him. Then his eyes lit in a slow anticipation.
Perhaps the gods had not dealt him such a cruel hand after all.
"My, but what an odd twist of fate! Of all the cities in all the world -- to be led together like this..." He trailed off into a quiet chuckle as he sauntered forward. His hands moved in dramatic gestures. His head rolled carelessly to the side as he glanced between them. They were the age he remembered, at least. One grizzled and one blinded. His lips crept into a smirk. "Not that this is much of a world, is it?"
He stopped a few feet away from them. His eyes darted again between the two guards before they widened suddenly. He touched a mocking hand to his mouth. "But you're all alone! Where is the Lucian prince? You haven't lost your charge, have you?"
His eyes burned with amusement. His mouth widened in a devilish grin as he lowered his hand. "Oh, what a tragedy! How does it feel to have him stolen away from you again? If he's alive that is..."
He took a few careless steps forward, rounding slightly to their side. His head tilted upwards as he raised a hand to the sky. "Such a noble sacrifice! Truly he was the Chosen King! Too bad it was all for naught." Ardyn stopped abruptly. He let his expression darken before clearing it and tossing his head towards them, eyes glittering with malice.
"As you can see," he said, smirk widening. "I'm still here."
Ignis scowled in his direction, and Gladio could feel the smirk on his face deepen. It had been a while since they’d had such a causal interaction, but it seemed like time couldn’t change some things no matter how hard it tried. They’d had a lot stolen from them over the years, but other things were apparently etched in stone and could never weather away. He felt Iggy’s elbow dig into his ribs in a quick jab, and Gladio released his friend from his hold, only raising his eyebrow and snorting as he was dubbed acceptable fodder.
The jokes were immediately on his tongue, but he held them back. As crude and dense as he typically was, even Gladiolus could manage to hold his tongue in the presence of a lady who really didn’t need to hear about such things.
Even if she was an amnesiac who didn’t remember them.
Luna returned her attention to him, and Gladiolus gave a warm smile in return. It was still odd, to look at her and have to pretend he didn’t really know who or what she was. It seemed she, too, might have been struggling; there was some look of apology on her face, though she’d done nothing wrong. Luna had always had a penchant for wearing her heart on her sleeve, something Gladio was familiar with despite not knowing her overly well. Lunafreya’s care and adoration for all people was well known throughout Insomnia and beyond, so it was no surprise that emotions passed easily on her face.
However, the moment passed, and a warm smile returned to her radiant face. She excused herself to go and sit by the fountain, teasing that, despite its simplicity, she truly enjoyed it. “Nothing silly about enjoying a little peace,” Gladio commented, softness hidden somewhere in his deep, gruff voice, “I look forward to it too, Luna.”
The former Oracle made her way to the other side of the fountain, taking a seat at the stone edge. Gladio watched her for a moment, the smile on his face falling into a thoughtful frown once more. He pressed a hand to Ignis’ back again, leading him slightly further away from the fountain, so they could speak freely without worrying Luna with any of the strange things they may or may not say. She was likely struggling with enough as it was, and there was no need to confuse her further.
For a moment, Gladio was reminded of tiptoeing around Iris, trying to keep her from hearing about the potential dangerous things their father was up to, and eventually, what he himself was up to. Trying not to worry or confuse his little sister, because she deserved to live her own life without having to constantly think about her older brother throwing himself at blades turned against the King. Keeping Luna from having to worry would be another weight on his shoulders, but again, it was something he could bear.
There was nothing he couldn’t carry.
The warm sun beating down on his head, the carefree nature of the crowd around them, and even having a old, trusted friend at his side was pulling Gladiolus back to a time he hadn’t experienced in a decade. It was more unsettling than it was nice, yet still, it seemed even more wrong that he would ignore all the normalcy around him. The shield was on edge, always and forever, it seemed.
“So, what’s our next move?” Gladio grumbled to Iggy, crossing his arms as glanced around the area, his hazel eyes finding no immediate worries on either side, “Noct and Prompto could be anywhere.”
If they’re here at all.
"My--,”
In a fraction of a second, Gladiolus spun on his heel, eyes frantically searching. Having been deep in thought, distracted, he’d almost missed it -- but there was no denying that familiar voice, strange, slight accent, constant snark and always laced with bright sarcasm. It was like nails on a chalkboard, flooding his body with adrenaline as pure, animal instinct cried to fly rather than fight. It took a mere second for Gladio to spot Ardyn among the crowd, a smug smirk on the man’s face, passerbys hardly giving him a second glance.
“--but what an odd twist of fate! Of all the cities in all the world -- to be led together like this..."
Odd twist of fate his ass. Fate had always been a bitch who loved to torture them, and she’d found a way to strike harder than she had before; by giving Ardyn another fucking chance.
The rage was a slow build, as Gladio’s heart beat faster. On instinct he moved in front of Ignis, an arm out to keep the man from stepping too far forward. He didn’t have to bark and order or a warning; there would be no need. Noctis wasn’t here to protect, but he had others to think of in his place -- for the moment. Ignis and Lunafreya. He wouldn’t let Ardyn touch either of them.
Especially not Luna. She and Noctis had a real chance of actually having a future here.
Ardyn continued on, mocking the two of them, presenting his usual flair for dramatic that, ten years ago, simply just made him a strange person. How sickeningly innocent it had seemed all that time ago, when he was extending a helping hand that had been loaded with dynamite.
Gladio turned with Ardyn as the man began to circle them, never taking his eyes off of the danger. His slow burning anger was being doused with fuel with each word Ardyn spoke, and only the wisdom of age kept Gladiolus from simply summoning his weapon and flying headfirst to stop the danger. He could feel it, the magic warm and reassuring in his hand, ready to bring forth a weapon to dispatch Ardyn best he could and make a run for it. That lesson had already been learned; he couldn’t stop Ardyn. The best he could do is maybe slow him down.
But all the people -- collateral damage. If he were to suddenly charge forward and attack, it would look like he was attacking some innocent man. Authorities would be called. More people would be at risk.
Everything was a risk, but which was heavier, which was worth taking? Trying to make a split decision that everything was riding on was making him even more upset, and Ardyn’s jabs weren’t helping.
"As you can see, I'm still here."
“Not for long,” Gladiolus growled, fire in his eyes and heart as he stood his ground. He truly wanted nothing more than to grab his sword and take a swing, just to let loose some of his righteous fury. The passing years had calmed Gladio, if only a little, and with Ignis at his side, his head was on a little straighter than it normally would be. His only duties right now were to keep Iggy and Luna safe -- and now, he had to figure out a way to get them all out of there while causing the least amount of damage as possible.
What could he do? He couldn’t risk a horde of innocent people’s lives, and he couldn’t afford to have them chased out of the city.
And Ardyn hadn’t spotted Lunafreya. They had to keep her being alive a secret for as long as they could, right?
Dammit, the hell am I supposed to do here?
Iggy would have to do the talking. Gladio knew, if he were to open his mouth, nothing but a raging battle-cry would come out.
And it would likely ruin everything.
Don't lose your way In the night We have to fight as one
It was pleasant to have familiar friends at his side once more, even if their circumstances were less than ideal. Gladiolus was a solid shield at his side, he could nearly feel the warmth from him with their close proximity. The man had always burned like the fiercest of suns. Lady Lunafreya was smaller and slender but by no mean weak. Her resolve was unmistakable even with her memories faded. She was a comfort and a light to his darkened soul. There was hope for them and she made Ignis feel as if perhaps it was alright to believe in it once more.
[break][break] Frowning Ignis felt Luna pass by as she politely excused herself. He was concerned but kept quiet. Perhaps she needed a moment to herself, that he could understand. The weight of his time in this world weighed heavy enough on himself and he had his memories intact.
[break][break] Ignis quickly surveyed their surroundings just in case a small fry dared to try and harass the Lady. He would make certain that none got close enough to dare to try anything. The wind picked up momentarily and something stirred in his gut. It was his instincts telling him something was out of place but he couldn't pinpoint a source. He opened his mouth to speak his concern but Gladio had a question of his own.
[break][break] “So, what’s our next move? Noct and Prompto could be anywhere.”
[break][break] It was an interesting question. One that Ignis had pondered multiple times himself. Thankfully he'd reached several conclusions and had a plan in place. "Major cities are an excellent-"
[break][break] Shivers. Up and down his spine. An icy hand plunged into his chest and twisted his heart ruthlessly, and all because of that dulcet accent and sweet words. Ardyn. Ignis' greatest fear had been realized. He hadn't been foolish enough to assume the beast was well and truly gone forever. Not only because of the fact Luna had survived her ordeal but well... Immortal meant forever in one way or another. [break][break] Unlike the shield at his side, Ignis' first reaction wasn't that of anger and rage. Yes he was upset and frustrated but that did nothing but fuel Ardyn's amusement. Sighing, the tactician slowly turned around and faced the rough direction Ardyn's voice had come from. He didn't particularly care if he was spot on, the other hardly deserved any sort of proper manners and he was the one man Ignis was willing to drop them for.
[break][break] Ardyn went on and on, jabbing at every single soft spot he knew would be there. It hurt and stung and there were words on the tip of his tongue, but that was what the chancellor wanted. At the very least Ignis knew Noctis was alive and well, not that he had told or would tell anyone. He'd sworn an oath of silence on the matter and it would be detrimental if Ardyn found out before they could recover their King. Just as it would be unfortunate if Luna came to join them. Certainly her very life would be in danger in that moment in the face of Ardyn's anger.
[break][break] "As you can see, I'm still here." [break][break]
"How unfortunate." Ignis muttered lowly. He reached up to firmly grasp Gladio's shoulder. The man was nearly burning up with his anger. Hopefully the gesture would be soothing enough to avoid any explosions, though Gladio had shown exemplary self control so far. They were limited in their responses. An all out assault would only result in the local government branding them as murderers and criminals. Violence would have to wait until they were in a less civilized setting no matter how bad Ignis wanted to kick a dagger through the man's face.
[break][break] Words would have to suffice for the time being. If... he was able to control himself without letting his own anger lose. "It has been some time. You're looking well as ever. I assume." Ignis adjusted his glasses with disinterest, "I was hoping Zephon would've purged itself of trash if given the opportunity but that doesn't appear to be the case." [break][break]
Sorry for the monologuing. I figured he'd kind of lead the conversation for a bit
I'm an impatient traveler ready to turn ship.
[attr="class","itsover"] Their panic was palpable. The bigger one -- the King's shield -- watched as though Ardyn were a prowling tiger, pacing with bright eyes and sheathed claws. He kept an arm in front of the blind one who stood tense and ready. They both knew it was useless. Had Ardyn wanted them dead, they would have been and there wasn't a thing that these men could do to stop him. Still, it seemed a natural reflex for the guard. He was the type to throw himself in front of a speeding bus if it meant dying just a few seconds sooner than his friends. But of course, Ardyn was as much a bus as he was a tiger, and he didn't want them dead. No, instead he wanted...
What did he want, exactly? He wasn't entirely sure.
"Not for long," the bigger one said at the same time that the blind one chided, "How unfortunate." Ardyn gave a long and dreadful sigh. If he hadn't known better, he would have thought they weren't at all happy to see him.
The blind one reached out to touch cautiously at his companion's shoulder. It was a sign of warning. He had always seemed the more intelligent of the two.
"It has been some time. You're looking well as ever. I assume." He said it almost casually, but with a dry taste that Ardyn hardly missed. The man adjusted his dark glasses before adding, "I was hoping Zephon would've purged itself of trash if given the opportunity, but that doesn't appear to be the case."
Ardyn gave a soft laugh tinged as much with whimsy as it was with malice. He had enjoyed countless condemnations in his time, but that one earned points for execution alone.
"Now, there's no need for hostility. I know we've had something of a...checkered history, but I do hope we can move past that." Ardyn shook his head and turned on his heel towards them. He glanced between them before tilting his head and offering them his best smile. "What do you say? Friends?" He waited several seconds before clicking his tongue. "No. Perhaps not..."
"We'll have to settle for reluctant allies then," Ardyn said, glancing up thoughtfully. After a moment, he returned his gaze to the shield, smirking bitterly. "Very reluctant."
With that, he turned his back to them. It was an insult as much as it was a show of dramatic flair. 'Attack me if you will,' he thought to say, 'See how much good it will do you.'
He took several quiet steps away from them.
The city was as busy as it was oblivious. Hustling men and women that glanced at him cautiously, but hardly spared him a second glance. The square was alive with chatter and the subtle slosh of water from a nearby fountain. He'd heard mutterings of some kind of disaster across the continent -- of razed cities and dragons of all things. 'Thank god it hadn't spread,' they all said, 'I'm so glad we live somewhere safe.'
Ardyn let his eyes wander upwards to sinking sun and a flawless sky. He could almost taste it on the air. The calm before the storm.
"I think it's time for a reunion," he said as though to himself or no one at all. He glanced back at the two, careful to meet the shield's eye. "I happened to cross paths with someone who I think might interest you. Oh, who was it again? I find it so hard to remember."
Ardyn's eyebrows furrowed in mock frustration before they suddenly brightened. "Ah, yes. If I'm not mistaken. I do believe it might have been..." He took his time, relishing the words as they rolled off his tongue. "Your sister."
With each passing moment that Ardyn remained in front of them, the fire in Gladio’s veins grew hotter, flowing up and down his body. His legs screamed for him to move forward toward the enemy, his arms begged to swing, to rip, to smash the threat. His empty hands burned with the desire to summon forth a weapon, a familiar, comforting weight in his palms, something to defend with, something to fight with.
Yet, despite how hard his heart beat in his chest, no matter the rush of fight or flight adrenaline pumping through his body, Gladiolus remained still. Ignis’ grip on his shoulder had been enough to keep him from pushing his boots off of the hard ground and rushing to defend the world from, what he knew was, an extremely dangerous enemy. The sound of his friend’s words, measured and calculated, laced with hints of frustration, kept him grounded for the moment.
If only for the moment, as Ardyn had the audacity to look amused, maliced laughter dropping from his throat.
Gladio mentally urged himself to keep a level head, taking in a deep breath, trying to relax his tensed muscles. His face settled into an unpleasant glare, eyes narrowed and nose scrunched, shoulders stiff. Like a prodded and whipped bull, stuck in the cage, glaring down the rider on the other side of the gate. Waiting for the latch to be flipped so he could rush forward without a second thought and act on instinct alone.
Ardyn quickly slipped into his routine of familiar theatrics; speaking to them as if he were some sort of long lost friend or ally, smiling as he walked around them. To those on the outside of the situation, it likely appeared as a normal conversation -- perhaps one-sided on terms of friendliness, since Gladio appeared so upset. However, the king’s shield was very familiar with the feeling he got from Ardyn’s pacing, his toying words.
It felt like a behemoth was stalking around them, sizing them up, waiting to strike.
Keep it together. He wants you to attack him. It’ll make you look like the bad guy.
As Ardyn alluded to them being reluctant allies, Gladiolus was quick to scoff. It was the most reaction he’d be able to give, not one for battling with words. Ignis was the one with the sharpened vocabulary, and Gladio was the muscle. And boy, was it hard not to use that muscle as Ardyn turned their back to them.
He was insanely confident, and not without reason. But, that only seemed to burn Gladio up even more.
"I think it's time for a reunion."
As Ardyn turned back to them, Gladio couldn’t help but noticed the man sought his gaze. The shield could hardly stand to blink, hazel eyes following his enemy’s every movement, breath caught in his throat. What was Ardyn talking about? Crossing paths with someone who would interest them? That could be … just about anyone, and anyone who had crossed paths with Ardyn hadn’t likely met a kind fate. Had he found Noctis before them? No, no, he’d be rubbing that in much more. Was it Prompto? It obviously wasn’t Luna -- they’d been fortunate enough to save her from that fate, for now.
Who was it? Ardyn mentioned it for a reason. He did everything for a reason.
"Ah, yes. If I'm not mistaken. I do believe it might have been… Your sister."
For a moment, everything around Gladio fell silent. He stared forward, his eyes locked with Ardyn’s knowingly mischievous gaze, eyes slowly widening as realization dawned upon him. His expression fell, from moderately annoyed and cautious, slowly dropping to surprise and confusion as he mentally jumped from one conclusion to the next.
Ardyn had crossed paths with Iris.
His throat felt tight, he could barely breathe.
Ardyn had come in contact with Iris.
Confusion and surprise bled from his face, eyes slowly filling with rage -- a bull seeing red.
Ardyn had done something to Iris.
Gladio grit his teeth, the anger and fury burning so hot in his chest he felt he might burst if he didn’t act. The comforting warmth of power in his hand bloomed, a sword summoned into his grip. The crowd around them had likely reacted with shocked and surprised gasps, but Gladiolus couldn’t see them. He couldn’t hear them. The only thing flooding his vision was Ardyn’s smirking face, taunting him.
A frustrated and angry cry escaped his throat, ready to throw himself forward and tear Ardyn apart, piece by piece, for daring to step foot near Iris. Vaguely, he felt Iggy’s hands on him, heard Iggy’s words, and it was barely enough to still him. His vision still swam red, his face contorted in rage, the blade shaking in his grip. Slowly, the rest of the world began to creep back into focus. There were eyes on him, people pointing, whispering.
Yet, Gladio couldn’t drop his weapon. He couldn’t.
Iris -- despite how much she’d grown, how she’d become a fearsome warrior in her own right, how she’d become one of the most respected daemon slayers the world had to offer --
She was still his baby sister.
“The hell did you do to Iris?” Gladio growled, the words dripping with hate and unbridled rage. His hands were still shaking even as he lowered his weapon, keeping it by his side. Ardyn wouldn’t have mentioned it so casually if he’d simply spied Iris from a distance. No, he’d targeted Gladio on purpose with this information, because he’d done something. Everything Ardyn did had a purpose, an overall goal.
Ardyn would use them all as pawns. And Gladio was playing right into his hand, he knew he was, but what else could he do? Would he do? Aside from Noctis, Iggy, and Prompto -- his brothers in arms and his King -- Iris was all he had left of his family. Her happiness and well-being meant the world to him.
He had to find her. He had to cleave Ardyn in two and leave and find Iris -- before things got any worse than they already had.
Don't lose your way In the night We have to fight as one
If Ignis were a lesser man he would've sneered at Adryn's back. The scuff and clack of his shoes were enough to tell the man that they had all more or less been dared to do something that they wouldn't and shouldn't. Well Gladio didn't have the same level of self control as he did but Ignis continued to trust him to keep his temper. Until Ardyn went right for one of their soft spots. [break][break] At the mention of Iris, Ignis bristled and grit his teeth. Ardyn was smart, with immense power at his finger tips. The evil he was capable of knew no bounds. The things he could've done to Iris... No, no. He needn't think of such things. One of them, at the very least, had to keep their head and it wasn't going to be Gladio. It riled and irritated Ignis as he felt helpless to vent his anger with his blades buried deep in Ardyn's chest, but that wouldn't help anyone but himself right now. [break][break] The familiar crackle of Gladio summoning his blade filled Ignis' ears and instinctively tightened his grip on the other man's shoulder. It was meant to be calming but he doubted such a small gesture would work now. People were whispering and a few were louder in their worry. Those that kept the peace and enforced the law would soon be summoned if the situation wasn't diffused. Would anything he had to say truly help? [break][break] "I'm pleased to see you parted ways." Ignis' tone was level and calculated. It was tempting to ask just where Iris had been discovered but he had little doubt Ardyn would see right through it. She had to be close though, for all of Ardyn's smoke and mirrors he couldn't teleport. Iris had to be within a day or two of travel so there was a chance they could do something. There was the slim chance they were merely being toyed with, but Ardyn's voice was teasing and strong. It was difficult to tell when the man was lying but in Ignis' experience this sounded true. [break][break] Time was of the essence, to both escape any trouble caused by their confrontation and to find Iris. His trained ears picked up the soft scuff of shoes barely loud enough to be heard above the sound of the fountain and low murmur of voices. Luna. In one moment Ignis' stress doubled. He couldn't allow her to be seen. They needed to leave and now. [break][break] "It was unfortunate that our paths crossed again but fortunately our time has come to an end. Please excuse us." Ignis let his control slip ever so slightly and it was likely that the others would hear the hate and venom laced among his words but he didn't have time to care. Tightening his grip to a near painful level he pulled back on Gladio's shoulder while using his feet to hopefully throw off the giant's balance and spin him around. With the target out of sight hopefully he would calm down... or Ignis would end up in an accidental sparring session in the town plaza. "It's time to go. Now." His tone was absolute and one he was familiar with. During their younger years it had snapped the rest of the group into proper order, hopefully the conditioning was still there.
Ugh. Terrible Ardyn post is terrible but at least it's done.
I'm an impatient traveler ready to turn ship.
[attr="class","itsover"] It took a moment for Gladiolus Amicitia to register what he'd said.
It took a very, very long moment.
And in that moment, Ardyn observed the entire range of human emotion. From tense irritation to surprise to horror and finally to blinding rage. Ardyn's eyes flashed with amusement as the hulking guard grit his teeth, the tendons of his shoulders straining against the sudden burst of emotion that spurned him forward. There was a flash and a hulking greatsword fell into his hand. Ardyn's eyes widened in mock horror. All around, the people burst into gasps and shrieks of warning, and Ardyn even took several steps back to further sell the act.
"Oh my!" he cried, "I do believe he's trying to kill me!"
There were running footsteps. Calls for aid. The guard was still struggling with his own impulses. Eyes sharp. Murderous. It was funny what a few well-placed words could do. Ardyn smirked back at him. For all of his theatrics, his eyes had never left the man's face. Taunting. Daring him.
Do it. You know it won't do any good. Bring the wrath of this world upon you. It will do nothing to save your sister.
The blind one placed a hand on his shoulder, and the behemoth paused, sword still raised and ready to strike. Ardyn glanced between them, more curious than cautious. Had Gladiolus desired it, he could have thrown off the blind one without any real issue, and yet he didn't. His eyes still raged. His muscles still tensed with longing and bottled bloodshed. And still, he stayed his hand.
Ignis had always been the smartest of the bunch, and now Ardyn couldn't help but wonder as to his influence on the hulking monstrosity before him. The bond between them must have truly been the thing of legends. It was almost enough to move his corrupted heart.
“The hell did you do to Iris?”
Gladiolus growled the words between bared teeth. His hands were shaking as he slowly, finally lowered his sword. Ardyn blinked back innocently.
"What did I do to her? My, but you must be mistaken! What have I ever done but helped?"
The fountain square was filling. Those who had initially fled the scene of Gladiolus' wrath now lingered at the edges of brick and cobblestone. Witnesses to his rash deeds. Even blind, Ignis must have noticed the commotion because his grip on the raging guard had tightened.
"It was unfortunate that our paths crossed again," he said, "But fortunately our time has come to an end. Please excuse us." The man's voice was tense, and yet he hadn't lost his natural dignity. He gave a heavy tug at the giant's arm as though to throw him off balance before giving him the hard look of an overburdened mother. "It's time to go. Now."
Even as uninvolved as he was, that tone nearly sent a shudder of dread down Ardyn's neck. Gladiolus would almost certainly listen -- particularly with his sister's life on the line -- and their time would come to an abrupt end. Ardyn gave a heavy sigh.
"Oh, so soon? And our paths had only just crossed. But alas! Such is the way of the world." He turned sharply on his heel so that his coat billowed out behind him before tilting his head back to glance at them again. "Well, I'm certain you have business to attend to, and I'd hardly want to keep you." He raised a half-gloved hand and waggled his fingers at them in a kind of eccentric wave. "Farewell! And may fortune treat you kindly." He lowered his hand and shook his head, laughing softly as he took his first few steps into the streets beyond.
"Or at least kinder than it's treated our dear young Iris."
