The Last Verse
CHAPTER 17:
Last King of Lucis (Part 2)
Entering the Citadel, Noctis arrive at the main hall where a lot of paintings scattered hanging around the wall, telling the stories of Astrals. The moment Noctis and friends want to enter the throne room, Noctis ask Prompto about photos that they have taken during the journey…
Gladio:
“The throne room…. waits behind that door”
Prompto:
“Yeah… and so does Ardyn”
Gladio:
“Acting like he owns the place”
Ignis:
“It’s time to take it all back”
Noctis:
“It ends here. Tonight”
Ignis:
“Well, shall we, Noct?”
Noctis:
“Yeah, but… Hold on a sec. Prompto, can I see your photos?”
Prompto:
“Um… yeah”
Noctis:
“I just need one… to take with me”
Prompto:
“Oh… Yeah. I get it. you can take whichever you like”
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Noctis will browse through all the photos that have been taken so far… and ended up choosing the one photo taken at Altisia with Lady Lunafreya and friends all together…
Gladiolus:
“Now can’t beat that… A shot of all four us together… with Lady Lunafreya”
Prompto:
“Then it’s settled. That’s the one? No backsies?”
Noctis:
“Yeah”
Noctis then open the door to the throne room and find Ardyn sits on the throne with some dead bodies of those who precious to Noctis hanging on the roof. The dead bodies consist of King Regis, Lady Lunafreya, Nyx Ulrich and Ravus Fleuret.
Ardyn:
“I’m afraid you are out of luck. The throne brings you here? It seats only one”
Noctis:
“Off my chair, jester. The king sits there”
Ardyn: (standing up with one of his foot on the chair)
“Oh, Noct… How I have waited for this. Longer than you could ever know. Tonight the dreams of the blood royal… come to and end”
Gladio:
“Spite’s all that’s kept him going”
Prompto:
“Talk about a grudge”
Ignis:
“Ardyn sits the throne?”
Noctis:
“Not for long. This is my ascension”
Ardyn:
“Then shall we have the duel between the kings?”
Noctis:
“Stay here everyone. I’ll kick his ass on my own”
Gladio:
“What?! Are you sure?”
Prompto:
“You can’t trust this guy!”
Ignis:
“It could be a trap”
Noctis:
“It’s okay… I could handle this”
Ardyn:
“Ahh you guys should have put more trust into your king. Afterall, he is proven can take care of himself this past 10 years”
Gladio:
“If you play just one trick… we’re all going in”
Ardyn: (asking Noctis to step outside)
“Come, Noctis!”
Noctis:
“It ends now!”
<<< Gladiolus, Ignis, Prompto left the party
Both Noctis and Ardyn crossing sword in the middle of plaza outside the Citadel and being push back instantly to the buildings behind them.
Ardyn:
“Let the games…. begin”
Noctis:
“No. Now they end”
After a series of sword clashing into each other, both Ardyn managed to choke Noctis to the ground…
Ardyn:
“My revenge is soon at hand… How long have I waited?”
Noctis:
“Keep waiting…. It’s far from over”
Ardyn:
“Well let’s have it then…. you and your crystal… against all I have become”
Noctis:
“Power of… Light!”
Ardyn:
“Aa a king at last!”
Both Noctis and Ardyn flying and unleash their armiger power to each other. In this battle Noctis seems to be winning, at his final moment, Noctis delivers all of his armiger toward Ardyn but all of sudden, Ardyn unleash a dark matter protecting him from Noctis blow and another black matter to hold Noctis and prevent him to move (similar to the dark matter surrounding the underworld when Ifrit saving Eos back then). A giant black hooded figure with wings also coming from behind Ardyn, revealing that it was the Grim Reaper with the power from underworld that able to unleash dark matter that is currently holding Noctis. By the time Ardyn move forward to stab Noctis, a giant sword clashing from the sky, cutting loose Noctis from the dark matter that holding him and separating both Noctis and Ardyn away. It was Bahamut coming to the rescue since Ardyn suddenly call forth the underworld astrals. Bahamut then slashing the Grim Reaper out of the battle. Bahamut then colaborated with Noctis to lay a strike to Ardyn being protected by the Grim Reaper, resulting both Bahamut and the Grim Reaper out of the battle. Gladio, Prompto, Ignis also came to aid Noctis in the battle…
>>> Gladiolus, Ignis, Prompto join the party
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Gladio:
“Calling forth underworld demons for help, that is so low!”
Prompto:
“See… I told you we can’t trust him”
Ignis:
“What other tricks you have in your sleeves?”
Noctis:
“Ardyn…. now I see why you are not fit to be king of Lucis back then…. and probably you’ll never will!”
Ardyn: (smirking)
“You have no idea what have I become”
Unleashing his underworld power, Ardyn starting to transform himself into creepy flying demon. His body is levitating surrounded by the dark souls, his eyes glows yellow covered in black blood, on his back emerges a giant black wing, his hand wielding a sword and the other hand glowing a purple flame.
Ardyn:
“I’LL TAKE YOU ALL TO THE UNDERWORLD!!!”
The final battle begins…. In the battle, Noctis can call forth all the summons, including the latest addition, Ifrit the Infernian to bring down the monstrous Ardyn.
After a long and tiring battle, Noctis once again use his armiger power to deliver the final blow. Ardyn fall over to the ground and transforming back to his immortal body.
At this moment, Noctis exhausted but the figures of the old kings have appear surrounding the Citadel, witnessing both Noctis and Ardyn battle
Ardyn:
“The Kings of Yore are on hand. Calling you forth… to oblivion”
Noctis: (in his exhaustion)
“Stay here guys…. I’ll finish this”
Ardyn:
“So… the war of attrition then”
Both of Noctis and Ardyn are exhausted but still continue to duel…
Ardyn:
“Yet when your father died… you were off playing with your friends! When your beloved died… you lay watching, powerless to stop it! You think ten years is a long time?! It is nothing to me! I have lived in darkness for ages!”
At this last power, Noctis delivers a series of devastating blow with all royal arm…
Ardyn:
“So, that is how you would end it”
Editor’s Note
The last part of the game, the battle with Ardyn lies ahead. Players can chose the only one photo that include Lady Lunafreya during Altisia reunion. In the game, Noctis ended the game by having a total solo fight with Ardyn. I felt the brotherhood theme suddenly gone, and it doesn't feel like Final Fantasy game. So in my version, it is true that Noctis will have a duel of kings between Ardyn at the start but ended with Ardyn showing his true character for being an asshole by summoning astral for help during the duel, resulting Bahamut to intervene the duel to aid Noctis.
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Wouldn't be a Final Fantasy game if there is no epic last boss that need a band of heroes to take it down. Ardyn last form will be the last battle that need to beaten by Noctis and friends. Would be nice, even for a short moment, if we can summon all the astrals including Ifrit for a more epic battle!
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The last scene of the battle will follow just the way it is in the game, a continuation of the duel of the kings. To me, after the additional stories, second part open world, more epic battles and scenes, this game should be "The Best Final Fantasy Game Series" to date after Final Fantasy 6 and Final Fantasy 7 (which are my favourites).