EVENT LOG: GRAVES

[inthenightmods]

EVENT LOG:
GRAVES

characters: everyone.
location: Bonfire Square.
date/time: July 12-19.
content: mysterious shrines appear and bring visions of death.
warnings: likely violence and potentially gore.

time to pay your respects.

It happens when no one is looking, when most of the town is asleep and the rest are inside. A makeshift cemetery has come to Beacon, taking up residence in the middle of Bonfire Square. Each monument, shrine, and altar is dedicated to someone who now resides here, a memorial of their previous life.

Some may be drawn by curiosity, others by fear, and some may simply have to pass through this strange graveyard to get to the Bonfire itself. Whenever a person gets near, the altars beckon with a mysterious urge— an urge to approach, and an urge to leave something behind. They will feel compelled to make offerings at the various shrines, but doing so has a curious effect; it causes one to experience the death of the person whose grave they've honored.

Whether you resist the compulsion or give in willingly (or something in between), you'll also have to wrestle with the fact that a grave exists for you. Will you let your death be known, or try your best to keep it secret? Destroying it sure won't work, as it will return— with a duplicate somewhere else in town.

However you choose to deal with this, one thing is hard to ignore— this a tangible reminder of your death, and the fact that it's probably permanent.

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Ignis Scientia || Final Fantasy XV

[reigniter]

The Grave

---

[They appeared, well, over night, no pun intended. Ignis has been watching them with rapt attention from afar, wary to come closer. But when the others started fumbling around visiting their own shrines, Ignis moved to see if... he had his own. With the way he died, he suspected there was one. Unless Gladiolus took care of it made something himself? Ignis wouldn't blame him if he didn't- amidst the chaos, Ignis is glad that he's not here as well.

He finds his altar faster than he expected. Perhaps that pull inside of him led him to it. The writing on it is in simple, elegant cursive and there was a picture of his daggers carved underneath it-]
Scientia, Ignis
Royal Advisor and Retainer to the Chosen King of Lucis
February 7, 734 M.E. - July, 756 M.E

The Death (warning: spoilers for Ignis DLC and ffxv Ending)

---

[To anyone that makes the offering- the vision starts simply enough. Four men decided to split- Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto to go handle the civilians, Noctis to go and meet with the Leviathan. The three would join him the moment others are secured. Handling the civilians was easy. Reaching Noctis who was mid-battle with Astral was not. The serpent raged over Altissia, even more so now that the Empire decided to step in as well. To kill the Astral before Noctis gets his blessing. 'I should have gone with him' runs through Ignis' mind before the bridge he was crossing gets blown up and Ignis himself gets thrown off to the river's current.

He's not sure how he survived that. But he did. Ignis reaches the shore and the battle begins. One after the other, magitek infantry come and Ignis pushes his way through them- slicing them up as they came. Many, too many of them, but Ignis didn't stop; he just uses a potion, switches up his elements and blows up the place. The fights become a blur; more often than not Ignis catches himself staring at the tall beacon of light coming from the Altar; constantly he catches himself repeating in his head 'be safe' as his daggers make another magitek soldier implode. A man joins him on the journey- tall with white hair. Ravus, brother of the Oracle. The scene of them talking blur into a battle between them on the altar- Ravus full of rage and grief while The Oracle and the King lay still in the back. The scene blurs again and the tall man mourns his sister and the heaven's rain cover up his tears.

Then comes the Usurper- the robotic soldiers easily overpower him and knock him down. The offer to join him or float away with the rest of them. His answer is obvious. With a cruel laugh, Usurper crouching down and picking his King by the collar and lifting him, ready to slice his throat.

The Ring falls from Noctis' hand and rolls Ignis' way. Usurper doesn't notice because Ravus throws a dagger at him. There isn't even a second of hesitation in Ignis as he grabs it. It feels like he can hear the whispers of the Old Kings coming from it. A final warning that Ignis doesn't heed. And proceeds to put the Ring on.

There was silence; like a standstill in time. The Old Kings judging whether Ignis should even be granted powers in the first place. But soon enough, A King vouches his loyalty and verdict is passed. And it's then that the pain begins. Searing, seeping through flesh burning away at him from the inside out, replacing such basic thing as blood with power. It burns- it burns so much. Ignis feels like he will die on the spot, without a chance to fight the Usurper. But he doesn't- the Ring keeps him alive, eats at his vision until it completely burns away, along with the last sight of Noctis, lying on the cold stone. But- it feels he doesn't have to see more than this; all of his senses are focused on his enemy.

The fight is long and tenacious. Every move Ignis makes seems to rip at his muscles and flesh yet his power doesn't wane. He draws it from the Ring, more and more, until he completely repels Usurper. Until the guy leaves and lets Ignis walk over to his King and fall at his side. He can still feel his body burn, overheated from the power he received, but it doesn't hurt anymore. His vision is black, and he knows what comes next.

Slowly, he pulls the ring off from his ashen finger and lets it roll over, hand falling inches away from Noctis'-]

Forgive me...

[-are his last words, before everything fades into darkness.]

The Thank You

---

[It's needless to say that Ignis visited several shrines of people he met here. And having made the offerings and experiencing their deaths, he feels guilty to anyone that felt compelled to leave anything at his shrine. His death was... incredibly painful. Not something anyone should experience.

So he keeps an eye on the visitors of his shrine. Not because he wants to see who remembers him, but out of fear they might feel weak, tired and overall exhausted. And whenever a person seems to stumble away in a daze from his shrine, Ignis will walk over to steady them on their feet and help them sit down.]

Here, this should help... [Ignis says quietly, putting a warm mug with tea in their hands, his voice laced with guilt.]

Wildcard

---

[ooc: If there's anything specific you want to play from the vision (e.g. the Prophecy Ignis witnessed (I had to cut it out because the death scene is long enough)), hit me up. Or for anything else, really! If you wanna plot, add me WindsongWitch ]

[carriedbylight]

( The little paper butterfly has been deposited upon the shrine, gifting Kairi with the violent experience of Ignis' death. It's painful. So incredibly painful. That any one person should be forced to endure something like that...and yet, he chose to. She stumbles away from the shrine, choking back a sob. Yes, Kairi feels exhausted from the experience, but she just feels so incredibly bad for the man who had to endure something like that. Only to end up dying at his friend's side.

The sound of his voice startles her a bit, prompting her to turn his direction and wipe at her eyes, drying any of the tears that might have been falling down her cheeks. )

Oh, thank you.

( Kairi moves her hands from her face and takes the mug from him, dipping her head in thanks. But after a moment, she looks to him, studying his face thoughtfully. )

...I'm sorry that you died that way.

Kairi no D8

[reigniter]

[She is so young- to both die and witness something like that. There is a saying that 'rough love' makes people tough but there is a limit to it too. The death she witnessed was way beyond that limit. He was too late in preventing her to make and offering too but- wouldn't that also be rude?

He takes a seat next to her, not knowing how to handle this and the guilt he feels.]

It's alright. I chose it, that was all on me. [His gaze falls down on his hands.]

I'm sorry you had to witness it... [With her state, it definitively wasn't even remotely pleasant.] But, thank you, for the offering.

But it hurts so good....

[carriedbylight]

( He says it's alright. That he chose his end. But it still doesn't make it any easier, does it? After all, everyone is just human. No one wants to die. They all want to stay to be there for the important people to them. She may be young, but she knows that he's saying this for her sake. She shakes her head softly at him and reaches over to lightly touch his hand, an action meant to be comforting. It only occurs to her after she's already done it that he might not want to be touched. Whoops. )

No, you did what you had to. But that doesn't make it any easier, does it?

( Her smaller hand leaves his finally and settles back around the cup of tea. She takes a moment to gather her thoughts, lifting the cup to her mouth and sipping some of it's contents. It's good. Pleasantly warm, which is nice in this land of no sun. It reminds her of a time that was hazy to her, back when she had a grandmother to comfort her and tell her stories. It reminds her of home.

She looks back to him, lowering the cup to rest on her palm. )

No, don't apologize. I think it's good to be able to learn more about one another while we're here.

( A pause. The corners of her lips lift in a small, but genuine smile. )

My name is Kairi. it's nice to meet you.

;o;

[reigniter]

[Ignis is silent for a moment. No, it definitively didn't make it easier. At least, now. Back then, in the heat of the moment, he didn't give it a second thought. Forfeiting his life for his King and friend is something he would do again. And as a retainer and protector, there was no greater honor for him, really. The only problem is that it makes his friend sad and feel guilty about it, even though there's no reason for it.]

In that moment, I didn't think much of it. I ended up choosing my end, for something I believed in, [he sighs and pushes his glasses up,] and not many people can say they had the same chance.

[It was comforting, however, to have someone acknowledge it. He did what he had to do; most would just call him reckless. And he was. In that moment, he was.]

That is correct. I just wish it wasn't in such... violent way.

[Kairi. It has a really nice ring to it. Ignis returns the smile and nods back at his shrine that's nearby.]

Ignis. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kairi.

[carriedbylight]

( Really, Kairi can understand the sentiment. Being ready to give up a person's own life for the sake of a friend is something that seems to be repeated throughout time, over and over again. It's touching, in a way, but also tragic. After all, no one really wants to die. Not to mention what those left behind have to deal with.

His comment makes a small smile tug on the corners of her lips, though, the amusement doesn't seem to reach her eyes. Ignis is right. He's fortunate in that he was able to choose his end for the sake of what he believed in. Kairi was simply caught off guard when fighting, no doubt used to provoke her friends into action. )

Well...I hope we'll find a way back. Though, I don't know what it would mean for everything that happened...

( Messing with timelines isn't exactly her specialty. But in an effort to lighten the conversation even a small bit, she changes the subject. )

So! Where are you from? What's it like there?

the thank u. sorry about the weird.

[voktys]

⟪ When she had seen him standing at her shrine, she had left him to what she thought might have been a prayer of sorts, and instead made her way to the grave she knew to be Ignis' own. What she left him was simple, a prayer written on a paper and then folded to look like flame, and a small wreath of herbs, the kind meant to be burned ––

and then she's fighting. It's an experience, the whole thing of it as beyond Melisandre as anything could ever be, until he puts on the ring and she feels the familiar burn of power.

She does walk from it in a daze, her lantern dimmed, but her eyes red-bright and glazed and alight with something beyond most people's understanding. Almost, she walks into him – but straightens out quickly enough. ⟫

It is alright. ⟪ Her hands touch his, feverishly hot, holding them as he holds the mug. ⟫ It is I who has to thank you. In my lands, yours would count as the purest death – to feel one like it is a greater gift than I would ever dare ask for.

I love it tbh 8D

[reigniter]

[He has to admit that he's a bit confused from her reaction. Purest death? He can grasp neither the head nor the tail of that statement. Her tired appearance from the experience she just went through doesn't really match the words that leave her. She seems... exalted, dare he say.

It's weird to put all of this into words so he doesn't even try it- there are too many questions that might appear rude dare he voice them. He was ready to apologize for how violent the experience was, but she calls it a gift and Ignis is left completely confused.

She must be still in some kind of shock.]

Please, take a seat. You look weak on your feet. [He's worried she might fall over. And the light in her lantern is dimmed too. He slips one of his hands from her grasp to place it over hers so that she can take a grip on the mug.]

[voktys]

⟪ She holds onto the mug, feeling the heat of it, remembering a different heat, and still, her eyes are just a bit too bright to be comfortable. At his behest, she does sit though – rather, she kneels, her legs folded beneath her in her red gown, looking to him as if he's seen the miracle of the Lord himself. Her lantern she keeps close by her side. ⟫

Thank you. ⟪ Again, that, but for the tea this time, and his concern. ⟫ You have no reason to worry, this exhaustion is nothing.

[reigniter]

[He can tell that the vision had affected her in a way, but Ignis still can't pinpoint how or why. It's too violent to enjoy it at all, too stressful, he can see from how her body is shaking. But perhaps, maybe she found some revelation in it? That way, something good might come out of this entire ordeal.]

I've dealt with exhaustion before, it's not to be ignored. [Her lantern is dim, after all.]

You can still die all over again in this place too. [Just a subtle reminder about that bulletin board announcement.]

[voktys]

This... isn't usual for me.

⟪ Usually, her body is far more durable than two weeks of intermitted failure to take care of the need for food, drink, and sleep. She takes a sip of the tea, hands still shaking. ⟫

Normally the visions I receive are... less clear.

[broplaints]

[He tried to go when Ignis wasn't there.

Tried to simply leave the tiny paper fish behind and go. The dark, royal purple would stand out against the lighter wood, and he already knew Ignis would know exactly who it had come from. There was no need to stick around and have himself be discovered, mourning over the loss of someone who was still at his side.

But the vision came before he could slip away.

It was horrifying. And he wants to scream - tries to, actually, that he's already gone. That Ignis should just save himself. Shouldn't be so reckless over someone who's not even there anymore. But no matter how hard he tries, nothing comes out. Everything continues, keeps going on and on and on.

Everything in him rebels against the sight of the ring, against what Ignis is doing. Because he knows the price - only those of the line of Lucis may use the ring. Those who try are burned into ash where they stand. And it feels like he's going to turn into nothing more than a pile of ashes. It doesn't, because a king - his father steps forward and convinces the others to allow this.

Terrible, awful, searing pain comes next and it feels like his heart is dying. Part of him - all of him desperately wants Ignis to win this battle. To do what he isn't strong enough to and defeat Ardyn for good. But it's only for now. Only ever for now.

Just when he thinks it's finally over, when the ring is finally gone and the black metal of it clatters onto the ground, just when he believes maybe he can breath again. Only no air comes into his lungs, despite how they feel like they're burning, collapsing upon themselves. Because Ignis speaks, so close to where he lies and yet so far away. Reaching out for him like he wants to touch him one final time before the world fades away and death over takes him. It's almost cruel, those few inches of space between them, the way the ring lays there, almost mocking them.

He speaks and Noctis isn't sure he'll ever be able to recover from those two words.

Forgive me. Like there had ever been anything to forgive.

How many times had he already broken down over this? Honestly, he'd lost count. Tried to do it alone where no one could see the overwhelming guilt that ate away at him for not being strong enough. For allowing any of this to happen.

His fault. It was all his fault.

In the end he ends up on the ground, down on his knees in the dirt, cheeks tear stained. He doesn't even notice that there may be other's around, because he just keeps hearing Ignis' voice within his mind.

Forgive me. How could he when couldn't even forgive himself?]

[reigniter]

[Had he seen Noctis approach his shrine, Ignis would definitively get him away from it. The offering will always be dear to his heart, but it is not worth going through all of that, all over again. However, Ignis spots him way too late. Noctis is already on his knees when Ignis reaches him in a few long strides, pain and worry clearly written over his face.

Crouching next to him, he instantly brings both of his hands around Noct's shoulders.]

Noct. Noct, are you alright?

[A pointless question because clearly, Noctis isn't alright. But it leaves Ignis' mouth faster than the man can think about it. What should he do? What can he do? Noct looks so distraught and he's crying and Ignis doesn't know how to make it better.

Maybe because there is no way to make it better. All he can do is offer him comfort.]

Noct...

[broplaints]

[Somewhere off in the distance he can hear his name being spoken. Words floating towards him on the wind. But they're nothing more than a soft whisper against the voices that play within his mind, over and over again.

This is your fault.

Some king you are.

Look what you did. What you caused.

Maybe if he cried long enough he would go back to being numb. The voices of guilt would die back down and he would be able to ignore them. To pretend like they weren't there. Like this wasn't all of his fault. Maybe if he paid enough penance in the form of tears and heartache it would leave him alone.

But Ignis' arms come around him, lift him up out of the dirt and stop this insane, desperate ritual in some bid to find peace. Ignis speaks and he opens his eyes, half expecting to wake up and find that this has all been a dream.

It isn't. Because he can see the faint outline of the scars present upon Ignis' face, and it hurts all over again. Will it always hurt this much? Will he ever find someway to dull the pain?

What he wants to say is 'I'm sorry, Iggy. I'm so sorry.' But it's like his voice won't work, even though he opens his mouth to speak. All that comes out is another sob and he hangs his head. Because he's always so weak, and it was his weakness that had cost them all so much.]

[reigniter]

[Ignis wishes he caught Noctis before he left the offering at the shrine. He should've known better, he should've paid more attention, especially after he found out what the shrines do. But he is late (it's becoming a thing he should fix) and now Noct is suffering because of the memories. Because of Ignis' own decisions.

He knows that nothing he says will make Noct's pain go away. His King always held himself accountable for everyone's misfortune. So good at heart that he'd take everyone else's pain onto himself, in an attempt to spare them a keep them safe.

Noctis doesn't have to apologize to Ignis, for anything. It is not his fault it happened. But right now, there doesn't seem to be a way to reassure him from it, so the only thing Ignis can do is hold him, hands wrapped tightly around his shoulders.

How he wishes he could take away this pain from him...]

It's okay, Noct...

i forgot how messed up that death was lmf

[evulsed]

[ The first one had been accidental, and Vanitas has been fortunate that the shrines he's visited have been cleanly cut down the middle: good versus evil, something he understands, nothing he has need to question. It isn't just curiousity that keeps luring him in, but the rush of the horror of death. There is so much pain that comes with it, so much despair. He recognizes the name on this grave because he's heard it spoken by his neighbours, even if he hasn't gone out of his way to interact with them.

His offering isn't special, because that part doesn't matter to him. The stone he tosses to the base of the shrine is more than enough to give him what he's looking for—

and when he comes out of it, he does so with a gasp. The anguish is palpable, it lingers, he can taste the ashen burn in his mouth and it makes him feel alive. Shaking with adrenaline, as his feet two Floods rise up out of the shadows, born from the surge of such a great deal of negative emotion. ]

oh yeah it's a real ride~

[reigniter]

[Ignis doesn't really care much about the offerings. What he's worried about are all these people, even a, what seems to be, another child, that left it. He wanted to warn him not to do it, but by the time Ignis turned around, the stone had hit the inner side of the shrine and "gifted" a vision.

He gives the boy a worried look when the vision ends. Should he apologize for it? Ignis is really at his wits ends here, not knowing what to do or say. Slowly, he places a hand on the boy's shoulder, head tilted slightly with a light, concerned frown.]

Are... are you alright?

[evulsed]

[ The touch doesn't shake him out of it, exactly, but it slams Vanitas back into his body and out of that anguished high. He's still shaking, and when Vanitas looks down at his hands to see it, he folds them into fists and gives a manic little laugh.

This person is much taller than him, but there's something wild in Vanitas' face when he turns his eyes up on the man. Staring up through his dark eyelashes, the blow of his pupils turns the yellow into little eclipses in his face. It's an eerie expression, for someone who seems rather young. He raises one hand and points at the shrine. ]

Is it yours?

[reigniter]

[Why does it feel like the boy enojoyed what he saw?

It really is an unsettling look and Ignis takes a cautious step to the side, to take a better look at him. If he's going to be honest with himself, he's never met someone like this before. The stare is bordering on creepy, but Ignis is experienced enough to not let it show in his expression.]

It is, [he answers quietly and carefully. For the first time, he doesn't know how a person will react. This is uncommon.]

[paletteswap]

[What's unsettling about Ignis' death isn't the pain, Kuai has experienced unbearable agony multiple times in his life, it's the surge of power and the almost loss of control. That is more than familiar. The way that his veins surged with the intensity of it, the single-minded focus on his goal.

Kuai remains kneeling by the grave, staring at it and the cup of tea he'd left as an offering as Ignis approaches.]

Do you know what happened? Did you save him?

[reigniter]

[The power didn't belong to Ignis. It was something that was protected for the royal line of Lucis, for Noctis. The price for using it is heavy- depending on how much you use it, the consequences follow- if the Kings of Old that reside in the Ring even find you worthy to get a sliver of the power.

Ignis stands silently next to Kuai, eyes refusing to remain still and on the kneeling figure that is paying him respects.]

...No. It wasn't enough.

[He wanted to fight everyone, anything that would threaten Noctis. But fate didn't let him. Some things are beyond him, a mere advisor and retainer.]

He's here...

[paletteswap]

That's unfortunate.

[To try so hard to protect something, or someone, and to have it be meaningless in the end. He can think of no greater torment.]

I am truly sorry.

It is bittersweet is it not? To see those you care about here, but knowing what it means back in the worlds we left.

[reigniter]

[Ignis only nods. There's nothing else he could say. He had failed, as a protector, and it is his burden to bear. He wishes he wasn't so insignificant to Astrals to be able to bargain for Noctis' life.]

Indeed, it is.

And... what of you? [What of your death, Kuai?] If you do not mind me prying. [He'll step back if he's told so.]

Thank you

[spitefullight]

[ Elden had left his offering at the shrine and in return he suffered what this man suffered. Felt the despair, pain and loss all in one as it flashed through his mind and in his heart. He can't help but feel a bit bitter after the experience, that someone who would so selflessly put themselves in harms way just to save their friend? Died like that and that their friend was dead here with them.

He frowns at the stone, looking over the title and then the years. ]

Hm. You were pretty young too...

[ Twenty two...only a seven year difference but it's still enough to think it's a waste. He is surprised though when he feels a cup of tea slide into his fingers, clearly having spaced out from everything around him.

He looks up to the visitor and and he purses his lips. He recognizes the voice from the vision from the tombstone and well... ]

Sorry. I didn't mean to pry.

[reigniter]

[Ignis nods-]

It's quite alright. [Ignis doesn't hide the facts of who he is, what he did in the past (and what he's probably ready to do in the future if needed), so he doesn't mind the "prying" aspect of this. He's just worried that all of that was a bit too much to take on all at once.]

I'm more worried about you. Do you need to sit down?

[Few people that already saw this had quite a backlash from it. He doesn't want the boy to fall over if the vision exhausted him.]