✤ One. (voice;)

[kingslight]

[The Network. As useful as it may be, Regis is quite hesitant to use it. Why? Well, there's plenty of reasons 'why' but none any better than the fact there's depraved criminals lurking about. How depraved? Those twisted enough to devour the corpse of their victims for all to behold. His brief conversation with one of these killers completely stamped out all of Regis' desire to converse with others in his realm.

That is until now.

After speaking with Faith regarding this sinful realm and the deities who rule it, Regis decided now was the time to seek an audience with the alleged "Gods". Though, how is he to speak with them? It's not as if they broadcast themselves on here often. Since Regis has arrived, these so-called deities been silent, oddly so. Still quite anxious about using this Network as a means of contacting these False Gods, Regis eventually does speak after a moment of deep contemplation.]

I humbly beseech any and all who knows of the "Gods" to speak plain and true.

[His voice is quiet but not without certainty. He's a king after all. Hesitation isn't permitted even in strange matters such as this.]

The last several weeks have been quite daunting to plenty and many who've endured great hardships. Bonds have been broken and friendships lead askew by murderous endeavors of those who perverted the good image of many. With this known to all of us here, I think now would be the time for the Gods to speak.

Is it in hubris alone that 'Fear' and 'Hope' would steal others away from their rightful worlds for the sake of this war of attrition? If so, there's much to discuss and I'm willing to do so in private if the public channels ill-suits any who speaks.

[He ends the recording with that for now. It seems as good a place to end it. Now the wait begins...]

Comments

[kingslight]

Hold off? [The suggestion doesn't entirely catch Regis off guard but the slight worry in his son's tone does. That's why he stares at Noctis for a moment looking a tad befuddled. It's almost been a full month since they've arrived and Noctis had yet to stray from his side. While he welcomes his son always with open arms, Regis is worried.

He's very worried for the dishelved young Caelum before him. Like any father, Regis is fretting over his son even though he's a man fully grown.]

Perhaps I could wait upon a later date but we're still in need of answers about this oddity of a city.

[kittycaterer]

So let me handle it.

[ His response is rapid, almost defensive. But he tries to maintain that laid back sort of attitude he's tried so hard to keep. It's a combination of stress over his father's condition and the threat of him going back to Eos to just disappear to nothing. ]

I know we need answers. Nothing new. But we won't benefit from you getting hurt either.

[kingslight]

[Quite alarmed by his sons quick words, Regis finds himself staring in worry. Noctis is on edge. The young man looks ready to argue and yet unwilling at the same time.

Is the young man afraid? For him? Certainly feels like it.]

Yet, I hesitate to see you injured on my account.

[kittycaterer]

[ Noctis swallows thickly, looking back to his father with a renewed sense of control. The sensitivity is there, the need to push and to press his point. But he's set in his opinion, though he becomes tense. ]

It's not on your account if it's my decision.

[kingslight]

[The reply stuns Regis to silence.

His decision. This is Noctis' decision. As much as Regis may coddle the prince, he knows when to let go. He doesn't like the idea of risking his son's wellbeing but Regis won't kid himself and pretend as if he can handle the challenges that loom ahead on his own, especially not with his frail form.

The Crystal nearly stolen his life sooner than Aldercapt could claim it. Regis knew he was near the end of his life long before Niflheim would invade. While some of his strength has returned to him, Regis still feels the adverse effects of the Crystal. He's weak, woefully so.]

If this is truly your final decision, then I shan't sway it.

[While his words are agreeable, Regis is clearly tense. Every word, every syllable is sharply pronounced. Regis is ill at ease here but he trusts in Noctis.]

Go in my stead and seek an audience with Hope. Tell them that you'll offer whatever aid he needs to defeat his rival as long as they ensure our safety in Hadriel. If he doesn't answer here, then search for a means to contact them directly.

This is your task.

[kittycaterer]

[ The tension in his father has not gone unnoticed. While Noctis hates to see his father uncomfortable in the slightest, his expression remains placid and calm as ever. While Noctis is not much of a fan of his destiny, knowing it will likely end in a grim fashion, he hasn't tried to run away from it. While that was never quite an option to begin with, he accepts what is expected of him. Even with King Regis alive and well in the world of Hadriel, Noctis is still King of Lucis. ]

[ He's... Torn. Truthfully. Part of him is desperate to ignore the request and simply pretend he had and received a firm "No". That he could pretend they were stuck, ignore the situation, and just remain as close to a healthy family as they could. But another part of him knows that it isn't a realistic outlook to have. Their time here is unknown, undetermined, and he can't leave his father hanging in a state of unease. At the end of the day, there is still a kingdom waiting for him that his father died for. ]

[ So as King Regis makes his request in respect of Noctis' decision, the prince nods. ]

And I accept it.

[ His posture isn't poised or as regal as it should be yet. Noctis is still very much the wayward, hasty young man that Regis knows well. But there's a manner in which Noctis bows his head that shows there's been growth. Acceptance for his station back home. But his throat tightens and burns knowing that fulfilling such a task brings him one step closer to losing his father and beloved Lunafreya again. He holds a selfishness that makes his chest twist and fray at the ends, but he keeps himself resolved when his head rises again. ]

Just worry about keeping safe. This... All of this is on me now. Not you.

[kingslight]

[Regis could feel the tears stinging his eyes now. Since when did his son become all grown up? When did the Prince become a King? Has he been blind to this truth that his son has grown into a fine young man? Maybe. Regis knows someday they'll must part but until then, he'll cherish everyday like they're his last. Maybe he'll find a way to make Hadriel, this ugly cave-like den, into a functioning city for the damned, dead and lost. Either way, Regis will step back and allow his son to become the King he's meant to be---

Even if it wounds him.]

Honor our ancestors well. Do the Line of Lucis justice and bring back the Light.

[A quiet sigh escapes the old king.]

I shan't impede on your path, my son. Walk tall.

[kittycaterer]

[ Walk tall. Something he hasn't heard since he left Insomnia. Words that are so small, but carry so much. Noctis swallows thickly as his gut begins to twist with that very same pain he's dealt with since his arrival. But he keeps himself held as high as possible, nodding. ]

Mm.

[ There's a long, pregnant silence as he stares at his feet. Knowing that this task will end in losing his father and beloved again, it puts a weight on his shoulders that he isn't quite prepared to carry. But he doesn't have much of a choice. ]

Can... I ask you a question?

[kingslight]

[The long pause unnerves Regis quite a bit and the inquiry that comes after has him wrecked with worry.]

Of course, Noct. Ask.

[kittycaterer]

[ He knows what following through with this means. Should he be successful, this brings them one step closer to being brought back to Eos. To both Lunafreya and Regis back to the afterlife, or... Wherever it is that they go. And it makes him sick and pained. Noctis' hands clench and loosen, desperate to alleviate the tension that plagues him. ]

[ When he finally looks to his father, it's with eyes that seem to gleam the way they once had as a scared, young boy. The same look he'd given his father at the age of 8, terribly ill and so very much convinced that he wouldn't make it. Those eyes are masked in the face of a young man who's struggled for so long to appear calm and collected all this time. An attempt that failed long ago. ]

You...

You're there. With me, right? Not physically, but--

[ Noctis' throat tightens, pained with a lump that forms in time with the burning in his eyes. He can't look at Regis that way, and so he turns his attention away quickly. ]

Please tell me you know what I'm getting at.

[kingslight]

[Regis could feel his heart constrict once he sees those fearful blue eyes. That look brought back decades worth of memories that all rushed through Regis' mind in just a single prolific flash. It ruins his heart and shortens his breath some. He knows the fear that claims Noctis well. He knows it so well that the very same fear that haunts Noctis, also haunts him. Likened to an illness, Regis has tasted that fear on a number of occasions and often has he defeated it with hope.

This is no different.

Instead of succumbing to the awful shadow of fear, Regis allows Eos' grace to claim him instead. The Light of the Dawn is missing from this dark and damp cave but Regis carries it with him always within his very soul in the form of hope. That's why when those wise peridot eyes gaze upon Noctis, they're so warm and serene.

The king reaches forward and claims Noctis' hands within his own. His hands are warm and strong, protective even. Noctis could feel his father's pulse through his palms as evident of his beating heart.]

I am with you always, Noctis.

[His grip tightens some out of emphasis.]

The same blood that courses through my veins flows through yours. I'm always there with you and even when the end draws near; I shall remain by your side now and forever. Father and son will not part. I am with you, my soul forever linked with yours because of that sacred bond. Not even the Lucii would dare deface such as bond even after my death.