[There will likely be plenty of time for that, too. If he wakes up with them instead of when and where he was before suddenly becoming aware just by the shoreline. He feels that brief hesitation and gently squeezes a quiet reassurance. It's alright. He will bear the burden he'd once been too paralyzed with grief to do so before. Even with knowing what it fully means; he won't run from it.

So, he better not have tried putting it on again (even though he only has a hunch and a certain Ring wraith could not say it because it likely hurt too much).

He follows the gentle physical pull just as he had the magical one of Regroup.] Yeah.

[He'd been prepared to act as a pseudo-prodding cane, but a few steps in and he realizes it isn't needed nearly as much as he last recalls and instead falls into an easy pace alongside him. As much flack as Gladio had given him while they searched for the royal tomb in Cartanica, he'd had his head pulled far enough out of his own thoughts enough to keep an eye on him, even as he led from ahead a little ways.

Noctis had trusted Prompto to be there for their friend when Ignis stumbled and he wasn't. Still, a faint smile crosses his lips at seeing how far Ignis has come in...fifteen months? Damn. that's gonna take some time for him to wrap his head around, along with everything else he says in the same tone he'd deliver facts in when summarizing his already summarized reports from all the council meetings he elected not to attend.

His feet pause and drag slightly at the name mentioned last, takes a slightly sharper breath in than the usual, then breathes out as he resumes the pace Ignis set. It shouldn't hit him this hard. Academically, he knows he's going to be away from them for who knows how long while the ring absorbs the Crystal's light. Yet to hear two "versions" of him have come and gone yet he remembers none of that? And that Ardyn is here?

Ignis can't possibly get the visual clue, but he's glaring down at the sand as they keep moving forward, about ten paces ahead of them. Still somewhere between anger and bitter acceptance. There's more information to take in for that, and so he focuses on that instead.]

Last I remember's the same as the first, but I don't remember any of that. [He admits after a few seconds of trying to get his voice to obey him. Also to try and not focus on how long he'd possibly been asleep.] How many of us are here? You, Prompto...?

[Dare he ask if Gladio's also there? Or any of their other friends and relatives? ...Ha. Relatives.]

You mentioned Ardyn, so. [w h y t h i s ?]