[ The punch lands, and Noctis is hard-pressed to believe that he doesn't deserve it. He does, and then some -- the tip of the iceberg for failing Ignis, for letting him fall into Ardyn's hands, for not being able to save him before he became... whatever this is. His jaw clenches as he engages, every move quick but defensive, never raising a hand against him to strike. He can't, he won't; this is Ignis he's fighting and it's breaking his heart every moment this drags on.

He's seeing it more clearly now, the depths of which the poison went, and his head snaps up when he hears it now, that guttural issued command that seems to surge through invisible strings that keep his lover tethered to Ardyn.

No. ] No. [ He breathes, because he can see it now, the glimpse of Ignis, a shimmer of the man he loves, the man he had been before all this had come crashing down, and Noctis' heart tightens so very painfully in his chest. Oh, my love, what have they done to you? ]

I won't fight you, Iggy. [ Noctis' words are thick, rough, but firm as he moves towards him, barely ducking that reckless arc. His words, becoming just a touch more plaintive, more desperate and urgent as he holds his hands up. He knows Ignis can't quite see it, but he can sense it, can't he? Noctis doesn't want to fight him. ]

I love you. And you -- you loved me, too. Please! Please, you have to remember. You have to fight back. Ardyn, he stole your life, he stole who you were -- this is not what you are. You know it, don't you? You know whose magic flows better in your veins!

[ Do it. Draw from Noctis again. ] Fight back, Iggy! Come back to me, please. Come home.