The next morning, Ignis was the first awake as per usual. He wandered down to the lobby and joined (Y/n), enjoying a cup of her homemade coffee before heading back to the room and waking the others. Gladio and Prompto were easy to wake while Noctis proved to be more of a challenge.

Eventually, the four were ready and rendezvoused with Pestilence before leaving the Leville. They traversed the waterways of Altissia in a gondola as they discussed their plan.

"During the rite, we must see to it the empire does not harass Leviathan," Ignis stated.

"Gonna be tough to pull off, before the king receives her power," Gladio commented.

"And with four of us on evacuation detail," Prompto sighed.

"Indeed. The best we can realistically do is to help the Hydraean help herself," the bespectacled boy replied.

Gladio arched a brow in curiosity. "What kind of help you talkin' about?"

"Just like Titan, the empire will seek to immobilize Leviathan."

"Ah, with the harpoon things?" The marksman inquired.

"If we can dislodge them from the goddess, she will have a fighting chance," the tactician claimed.

"Death, Famine, and War will be assisting us," (Y/n) stated. "They'll be helping citizens and protecting the Tidemother from the empire."

"At least it won't be just the five of us..." Noctis sighed in relief.

"Sounds good in theory, but don't push it. It's pointless unless you can get that blessing," the shield said.

"Stay flexible, stay alert," the advisor warned the raven-haired boy.

Noctis nodded. "Alright, will do."

After disembarking the gondola, the group went their separate ways as citizens of Altissia shuffled through the streets toward Yureil Plaza to listen to Lady Lunafreya's address. As they passed many pedestrians, Pestilence could sense her sisters' presences and searched the crowd. She located them a few yards away as they went in opposite directions.

While Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis contacted Noctis, (Y/n) weaves through the crowd and toward a radio a group of people were gathered around. She tuned in and realized the Oracle had begun delivering her speech. The Horseman listened to Lady Lunafreya, hanging onto each word.

Once the speech was over and she heard cheering, her attention was drawn to the sky when the sound of buzzing engines reached her ears. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted myriads of imperial airships soaring in the sky above. They were still a good distance away from the altar, but she could already hear the panicking of the citizens around her.

Out of the blue, (Y/n) sensed a powerful surge of energy. She heard a cry in the distance, recognizing it as Leviathan's. She could feel the ground shaking, puzzled as to what the Tidemother was doing to create such powerful tremors.

Splitting up from Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis, (Y/n) quickly escorted people to the docks where the boats were being loaded. The fright of the empire looming in the sky and Leviathan's presence made it easy to evacuate people. No one argued as the Horseman commanded them where to go. They ran to the docks, passing the girl without question. When she discovered a few older people struggling to make it to the docks, she called upon Erra and demanded the horse to help. The steed bobbed his head up and down in understanding as an elderly couple mounted his back before storming off in the direction of the docks.

Once the area was cleared of civilians, (Y/n) ran through the now abandoned streets of Altissia in search of the others. She wondered how Noctis was doing as she ran as fast as she could, no longer being able to sense Leviathan's presence. As she was running, she sensed another powerful presence. She was puzzled at the mana signature as another tremor shook the ground. She kept herself from falling by leaning against a building. Once the ground ceased shaking, she moved forward and found herself standing at the entrance of a bridge. While contemplating whether to cross or head in another direction, she heard her name being called and looked at a figure crossing the bridge. It was Ignis.

The Horseman met him halfway. Prompto and Gladio were close behind as they lost their balance for a split second as another tremor threatened to knock them off their feet. The advisor pressed his finger against his earpiece and tried to contact Noctis once the tremor ceased. "Noct, do you read me?"

"Do you know if he's okay?" Prompto asked, worried about his best friend.

"The trial should be over by now, right?" Gladio inquired.

Ignis spun on his heels to face his companions. "I can't tell a bloody thing from here. Let's make for the altar."
(Y/n) suddenly felt a familiar bloodthirsty presence and gasped. With both hands, she shoved Ignis out of the way and cried out as the draugr used its body to bulldoze through the stone and pierce her flesh with its rusted blade before pulverizing through the other side of the bridge. An eerie, maniacal chuckle came from the monster as she heard Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis shout her name. She glanced back up at the bridge, noticing the portion that was taken out of it before her body plunged into the water.

Underneath the water, Pestilence yanked the blade out of her abdomen before teleporting to a random point in the city. She coughed up some water as her wound healed before looking around and spotting the bridge the others were on. Before she could call out to them, she looked up to the sky and saw an imperial ship lose control and plummet toward the bridge. She watched in horror as the aircraft smashed into the bridge and shattered it into pieces. She desperately wanted to know if the others were safe, but she wasn't able to think before the draugr reappeared. She glared at the monster as water dripped from its decaying flesh. "You've terrible timing."

Summoning her staff, Pestilence tapped it against the ground. "You're not going to make this easy." Black tendrils erupted from her back as the draugr swung its blade at her. The tendrils easily blocked each and every swing the monster delivered while two snake-like appendages turned into blades and slashed at it. The undead warrior dodged the shadow blades, backing away from the Horseman.

When (Y/n) believes she had the upper hand, the draugr grinned as two more arms sprouted from its torso. Her eyes widen in horror. "Th-That's not possible...!"

The monster lowered its sword as its other three hands yanked weapons imbedded in its flesh before closing the distance between it and Pestilence. The tendrils had difficultly blocking all four blades. Seeing how outmatched she was, the Horseman knew she had to rethink her strategy.

The moment the draugr left itself open, (Y/n) manipulated the tendrils and used them to bound the monster. She twisted one appendage tightly around its bottom left arm and managed to snap it off. The tendrils tossed the arm aside before it slowly melted into a puddle of black muck.

The draugr broke free, swinging its three remaining swords wildly. The Horseman backed away, the tendrils vanishing as she used another shadow spell to create wings. She took the the sky, knowing the assailant would follow her. She didn't make it far before the monster leapt after her and tackled her body. She cried out in pain as she and the draugr smashed into one of the crumbling buildings. Her sable wings vanished as her back slammed into the ground, creating a crater in the pavement. She cracked open her eyes and stared up into its foggy ones.

Before (Y/n) could trade her staff for her chakrams, the draugr pierced one blade through her chest and the other two through her wrists. A bloodcurdling scream escaped the girl as the blades plunged into her body, successfully pinning her body to the ground. Her scream echoed throughout the destroyed city as she was forced into a world of excruciating pain.

The monster chuckled darkly, satisfied by its performance. It leapt away from the Horseman, admiring its work before vanishing.

(Y/n) felt blood oozing from her chest and wrists. While her throat became raw from screaming, the tears of agony never ceased. She stared up at the sky, feeling completely helpless. Her body was immobilized and she couldn't summon her staff or chakrams.

After seconds turned into minutes, the Horsemen stared up at the sky with dull eyes. She helplessly watched as imperial ships flew above and headed for the altar. When she felt her heart rate decreasing from the amount of blood she was losing, she closed her eyes and welcomed death with open arms. It wouldn't be her first time dying and she knew she would regain consciousness in a few hours. She just prayed to the Astrals someone would find her and remove the blades so her body could heal properly. If she remained as she was, she would only be able to focus on resurrecting once the blades were removed from her body.

As (Y/n)'s consciousness began to fade, she heard a familiar voice call out to her and the sound of shoes scuffling across the pavement. Feeling a familiar warmth when someone touched her cheek, her eyes fluttered open. "I-Ignis..." She shakily spoke the advisor's name.

Without saying anything, Ignis used his strength to remove the swords from her chest and wrists. He tossed the weapons aside as he kneeled beside her. When he noticed the wounds weren't healing as fast as they usually wound, he placed one of his gloved hands against her cheek and wiped away the tears. "(Y/n)," he called out to her.

"M-My wounds..." The Horseman managed to say. "They're not...mending properly..."

"Is there anything I can do to help the process?" He inquired.

She slowly shook her head. "No... Potions don't work...on me..." She inhaled a shaky breath. "Th-The draugr... It's more powerful than before. Something's...changed..."

"No more speaking," Ignis commanded. He glanced at her wounds and noticed their delayed healing. "For now, we must make haste to the altar."

(Y/n) whimpered as he hauled her to her feet. "N-No, Ignis. I'll only...slow you down..." She leaned against him when he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Leave me..."

"Nonsense," he spat, carefully grabbing her arm and hooking it around his neck. He was careful and wrapped his hand around the area above where her injury was on her left wrist. "I refuse to leave you behind."

"Why...do you have to be...so obstinate?" Pestilence murmured feebly. "I will only...get in your way..."

"No more prattling," Ignis argued, tightening his arm around her waist. He dragged her weakened body toward the east bridge. Seeing it was destroyed, he stood at the edge and glanced across. He saw a perfect spot to use his hookshot and made sure his right arm was wound tightly around (Y/n)'s waist. "I know you are in a delicate state, but I must ask you hold on tight."

"What're you...planning, Ignis?" She questioned through labored breaths.

"To cross this bridge."

The tactician fires his hookshot and within seconds, he and the Horseman reached the other side of the bridge and entered the Tigiano District. As Ignis was about to head further into the district, he saw imperial ships hovering nearby and two figures walking toward one of the aircrafts. He quickly hid himself and (Y/n) behind one of the bridge's intact pillars. He listened closely as Ravus and Caligo conversed.

"Have you located the Ring yet, Commander? And what of Lunafreya?" Ravus inquired.

"Both, High Commander, but our forces are unable to extract either at present," Caligo responded. "We've no way of approaching the altar so long as the Archaean stands in our way."

Ravus scowled as his eyes landed on the Astral in the distance. "Even the gods are on his side..." He turned his gaze away from Titan and peered over his shoulder at Caligo. "Neither the King nor the Oracle will escape with their lives if this fighting continues. Order a full retreat. I'm going in alone."

The brigadier general gaped in shock. "B-But, Sir-!"

"I assume you are already familiar with how I got this arm?" The high commander questioned, interrupting the older man.

Caligo held back his retort and replied, "Yes, Sir."

"Then you must also know the Ring is worthless without one who can wield it."

"Very well, Sir." He bowed his head as Ravus sauntered off. Once the high commander was out of sight, he muttered, "How dare he address me with such impudence. Has he forgotten his place entirely? Or is he too concerned about his sister to care?" He lifted his head and boarded the airship behind him. With the brigadier general safely inside the aircraft, the hatch sealed and it took off toward the altar.

Once Caligo was gone, Ignis gently lowered (Y/n) to the ground and leaned her back against the pillar. He kneeled down in front of her, noticing her eyes were closed and her chest was rising and falling rapidly. He examined the ripped open flesh on her wrists and chest and saw how her wrists were almost healed. Unfortunately, the wound in her chest was still bleeding and the skin was having difficulty mending. He combed aside a snowy strand and placed it behind her ear before leaning forward and pressing his forehead against hers. "I will come back for you." With those final words, Ignis left the Horseman and headed deeper into the Tigiano District.

<---------<<<<<

By the time (Y/n) regained consciousness, her wrists and chest were healed. Blood drenched her clothes, but she wasn't bothered by it as she pushed herself off the ground. She was unsteady on her feet from the blood loss as she summoned her staff, using it as a cane to support her weight and help her walk. She searched the Tigiano District for Ignis, using her connection to the summoning orb to locate him. Locating the artifact, she trudged through the destroyed district before arriving in the Deutato Residential District.

No enemies were in sight as she pushed forward and ignored the small tinges of pain in her chest from where the draugr stabbed her. She continued following the orb until she felt it come to a sudden halt. From where she stood, she spotted the docks and a group of people waiting to be rescued alongside the commander.

Scanning the docks, she saw one boat and one person on it. Recognizing the spiky locks and the tall, slender form from behind, Pestilence pushed herself to move forward and headed to the docks. She tried to run, but her body was still weak and trying to replenish the blood she lost. Biting her bottom lip, she fought through the weakness and pain to reach the docks.

Arriving at the docks, (Y/n) called out to Ignis but it was too late. He started the boat and took off, leaving her behind.