Ignis seemed relieved, somehow, that Noctis had survived. That only made him even more suspect that something was wrong. Ignis bowed in acknowledgement of his sacrifice, and Caius didn’t know what to think or do except to bow in return. It was Ignis that had paved the way to their victory, after all. Caius didn’t understand all the specifics about it, he hadn’t been in a position to. He only knew that Scienta had been instrumental to ending the scourge the way they had.

But what came next made Caius quickly wish he’d never spoken up. For the second time in the last 24 hours, Caius soon wished he could have taken it all back and continued to live in blessed ignorance. Because…

“NO!” suddenly and spontaneously spilled out without even a thought, but Caius quickly covered his own mouth before he could alert Yuna and those in her clinic.

Hearing him scream would draw every able-bodied person into this room, and Caius didn’t want that. Not to mention Ignis had been relying more on his hearing since losing his sight, he didn’t want to bring him harm. But in the seconds that followed, Caius’ mind raced as he tried to process just what he had heard.

The gods had intended for Noctis to die.

“My apologies, I didn’t mean-That’s… But that’s…”

Perhaps it would sound strange, hearing him react like this when he had just told Ignis that the Noctis in his world had conquered this grim fate. But while Caius’ information had given Ignis peace, what Ignis had provided in return only served to torment the troubled kingsglaive. Caius’ hands fell to his sides, clenching into fists and shaking uncontrollably as Caius began making noises that sounded something between a deep, angry seethe, and sobbing.

“Bastards…” Caius breathed out in a whisper, his anger towards the gods and kings beginning to resurface anew. He had thought himself having managed to get his emotions under control, thanks to Noctis. But hearing what the gods had intended pushed him off an edge that even Caius wasn’t sure if he could come back from. Tears streaked down the kingsglaive’s face, and he tried, he really tried, to stop the rapid flowing of emotion and tears. Ignis didn’t deserve to have to deal with this, but he hadn’t even had enough time to amply process the first revelation from yesterday, much less handle this one on top of it.

“They really did intend to wipe all of us out, like it was all a game to them” came out in a hiss, as Caius began pacing frantically across the room. His chest began compressing, and it hurt, and his breathing grew heavier as all the pain he had experienced because of the Kings of Yore began to flood right back. He couldn’t stop it, he couldn’t stop this pain, the tears, his anger, none of it. He felt trapped, like a horrible nightmare that he couldn’t wake up from, no matter what he did.

“My family died for that stupid prophecy, and they still intended to take Noctis as well? Why?” Caius blurted out, no rational thought being able to save him from slowly, unintentionally revealing his parentage to a likely confused Ignis right then and there. He was stuck in a loop of heavy-set panic that he couldn’t get out of. He was aware of and grateful that Noctis had survived, yes, but…

“And the kings, they knew, didn’t they? They knew Noctis was supposed to die! They refused to help us, and would only help when the “appointed time” came – what, was that only supposed to be when they carried him to his frickin’ DEATH?!” was blurted out in Caius’ escalating spiral of rage, tears and grief, not even seeming to remember Ignis was there anymore.

He was healing well, apparently anyway. Caius doubted he felt like he was healing much, considering the likely permanent loss of his eyesight. If only he had kept a better eye on Ignis all that time ago, maybe this could have been prevented. Maybe there had still been time to save his sight... Or perhaps not. Noctis and Prompto hadn't been surprised about their friend's blindness, after all... Something Caius had been meaning to bring up with Noctis, given time. He almost had, during their meeting. But the possibility that their futures could be drastically different was not something Caius was ready to accept. Ignis being blinded before even coming to Zephon lifted any matter of security he held in how things were supposed to go.

Caius would just have to find some solace in the smaller victories, then. Ignis was healing, albeit slower than he'd like. But he was healing, which was more than they could ask for considering how difficult it had been to bring him here. Hopefully it would speed up in time, and Ignis would be able to rejoin his companions in whatever travels -- and trials -- awaited them here. Ignis expressed comfort that at least one world had been saved, and Caius nodded slowly. Hopefully the same would be true for the others too. That's how it should go, right? He had seen the future, lived it. It had been a hard trip to get there, but they had gotten there.

Then came a question with a tone which sounded a bit odd to Caius. He told himself that Ignis was just worried about Noctis, as should be normal for someone like Ignis. But the way he said it... Caius had nowhere near the comprehension ability of Ignis, but there almost seemed to be a hint of desperation in his voice. Caius took a breath.

“He is. He had ruled for two years now, when I left Eos. I… Died, in ensuring that remained the case, that's how I ended up here," Caius spoke softly. "Don’t regret it, though. My… Duty, was fulfilled.”

Despite everything he had learned, Caius could not find himself able to regret giving up his life for Noctis'. While he felt pain when it came to the Lucis royal lineage, it was Noctis as a person that Caius remained loyal to. Whom he considered a friend... And still had been someone in his time that had given him a second chance in life. Caius had repaid that debt, he couldn't find it in himself to regret that.

“Is… There reason he shouldn’t be? The prophecy came to pass as it should. He rose up as the Chosen King and purged our star of its scourge… Just as ordained," he had to ask, shifting uncomfortably. Something about the way Ignis had asked it just bothered him, and maybe he was being paranoid, but he couldn't stomach the idea something was wrong. Though he couldn't help a bit of distaste in saying it was how things were ordained, either. But that's how it was. The Chosen King takes the throne... As the last King. The last of the Lucian line. A prophecy his family died for. Caius closed his eyes and lowered his head a bit.

“… Even if the cost was great.”

"I suppose I wouldn't be a fan of the smell, no," was spoken far too calm, considering the implication. And Caius wasn't talking about his own entrails either. Despite Genesis setting the manor aflame, Caius still had some confidence in his own abilities. And he was scarcely ever in danger of being without a weapon. Even if he was? It wouldn't be the first time. Caius closed his eyes, though didn't lower his guard. As he relaxed a bit and felt out to the wind caressing his face, he could still hear the movement of Genesis' wing. If it came to it, he'd know.

Degrade, that had been the word that had set him off. Caius opened his eyes again when he said it, glancing at Genesis with a raised brow and a squint. That was a very strange trigger word, and it came with the implication he had been talking to someone that Genesis hadn't wanted him to be talking to. "Would you be willing to elaborate on why that word?" he asked, figuring he might as well try to learn as much as he could. It could be important, or at the least distract Genesis from trying to cause trouble.

Genesis agreed with the Sonora comparison, and Caius nodded to that... Only to let out a sigh as Genesis broached the possibility of "dismantling" it all. "My compatriots wouldn't approve of this line of thinking, but... It's not like I haven't thought about it," Caius admitted quietly. "Tearing down their hierarchy of power through force. Taking out those who shouldn't hold dominance over the people, yet exert it regardless. Making life better for Sonora's people, and ending their cycle of pain and suffering. It sounds wonderful... But I don't think I can."

Caius chewed the inside of his cheek. "There are those who would be unfairly dragged into that war if I started it. I have a responsibility to them, and the mission we swore to."

And he hated that it meant Sonora's people would suffer. He detested the very thought, it made him sick to his stomach to think of those people suffering. "One day, I'll find a way. I don't have the capacity to stand idly by forever. But no, I suppose I wouldn't be mad if others stepped up. So long as they remember that the civilians aren't their enemy. I've heard rumors of resistance groups popping up, but they always seem to lose sight of what they're fighting for."

They always seemed to be overtaken by bloodlust. Unable to discern between those in front of them.

After Cloud had finished with the receptionist, Tomoe, he would arrive in the midst of the battle. The coordination of the men had improved, giving Caius a bit more of a challenge. This motivated Caius to utilize a bit more of his power, phasing past blows as though he weren't even tangible, before delivering quick shots with the blunt of a blade, an elbow or a foot. His movements grew more aggressive as he further pressured the men, rewarding their improvements by pushing them more. It was one thing to be coordinated, it was another to maintain that coordination in the face of a strong adversary.

Eventually, the men fell at his feet. Caius de-summoned his weapon and clasped his hands together. "That's enough. You've improved nicely," Caius praised the men, who had been grumbling about how all that of that had been for nothing at the time. While they had still lost, they had progressed, and Caius wanted to ensure they understood that. To motivate them to keep growing. "As your own abilities grow, don't lose sight of how to best work together with your allies. You are stronger together, and as your teamwork improves, the stronger the threats you can take on. If you want to keep Zephon safe -- or whichever motivation has brought you here today -- don't forget that. This job isn't easy, our reputation can bring plenty of jobs and gil... But they come with expectations, too. Keep at it, and I know you'll rise to meet them."

At some point in the battle, Caius had glimpsed the sight of an unknown combatant with a massive sword from the corner of his eye. He had decided to allow the lesson to finish first before greeting them, but he hadn't forgotten them either. As the hopefuls filed out to lick their wounds, Caius turned to face them. That weapon of his was fascinating... But hadn't he seen it before?

"What's your name, sir? How can I help you?"