Aranea didn't even wait for the hatch to open completely before launching herself from the dropship. Her lance striking the ground creating a shockwave that had the Red Giants stumbling backward.

Prompto curled protectively around Noctis shielding him from the blowback of Aranea's assault. He glanced over as several armed men landed on the ground after her charging into the fray.

"How screwed are we?" Noctis asked between ragged breaths.

"I don't….know." Prompto admitted watching as Aranea and her team began to make short work of the massive deamons. He assumed they had parted amicably with her back in Lucis, but if she had orders to drag their corpses back to Gralea, she might just do it.

Noctis pulled away from Prompto inclining his head towards the sound of battle frowning. "We're going to have to work on this whole providing me with information thing."

"Uh, right. Sorry!" Prompto flinched as one of the giants let out a defeated roar as it was finished off. "It's Aranea and I guess her subordinates." He looked up squinting trying to see if there were any other ships in the air.

Noctis' frown deepened as he appeared to be working out the same possibilities of this as Prompto had. "So, how much do you think we're worth?" He asked struggling to get back to his feet.

"More like how much are you worth." Prompto muttered figuring their enemies cared very little whether or not he lived or died.

"Might as well get captured." Noctis replied reaching down and attempting to pull Prompto to his feet as well.

Prompto winced as he was pulled to his feet stumbling for a moment leaning heavily against Noctis. "Are you serious?"

Noctis shifted a bit pulling one of Prompto's arms over his shoulder to keep him steady. "Well, I mean, if you think you can take her out," His tone was teasing, but his facial expression betrayed him. This wasn't a decision he was taking lightly.

"Noct?"

"It's the best chance we have at getting to Gladio and Ignis now." Noctis realized they didn't have much another choice. Dying here wasn't an option though he loathed how much it felt like they had been relying on aid from the Imperial army over the course of their journey.

As the second Red Giant met with its defeat, Aranea turned to one of the subordinates on her right. "Drop the ship now. I want us out of here before more decide to show up." After receiving a quick nod and assurance the order would be carried out, she headed over to Noctis and Prompto.

"Well, fancy meeting you here."

"I guess we have you to thank for this?" Noctis asked squaring his shoulders and trying his best to come off as defiant.

"What you mean saving your asses? Then—Wait. What the hell happened to your eyes?" Aranea asked staring closely at Noctis.

Noctis flinched leaning back thrown off by the concern that laced her voice. "Things didn't go as well as planned in Altissia." He muttered awkwardly in response.

"Can you see?"

"No."

"That sucks," She paused giving Prompto a once over. "Pretty nasty gash you've got there." She noted waving a hand for them to follow as the dropship made it's landing. "My crew and I are headed for Tenebrae you're welcome to come along unless you'd rather hang out with the deamons. We can get you fixed up on the way."

"The hell is the Imperial Army doing in Tenebrae?"

"Being petty, mostly."

Noctis scoffed. "They're your bosses."

"Former bosses." Aranea corrected. "We're heading there with supplies as part of a relief effort. I'm in the search and rescue business now."

Relief washed over Noctis as he let out a shaky breath and relaxed his shoulders. The plan had already been to go with her, but Noctis felt much better about going with Aranea the mercenary over Aranea the Imperial Captain. "Okay," He said giving Prompto a bit of a nudge to lead the way forward. "Let's get going."

Fatigue was quickly overtaking Noctis as he and Prompto slumped down in the corner of the ship. He brought his head to rest against Prompto's shoulder taking a brief moment to close his eyes and relax.

Aranea knelt down in front of them slapping Noctis none too gently on the cheek. "Drink this first." She said offering them both an elixir.

Prompto made a face staring down at his. "Can't stand this stuff."

Aranea stood back up and shrugged. "Fine, you can just let the deamon energies slowly eat away at your leg stealing your health bit by bit."

Without further complaint, Prompto uncorked his and downed the entire thing gagging a bit as he finished. The look of disgust was still plain on his face as he offered the vial back to Aranea.

Noctis finished off his setting it carefully next to him. An electric sensation coursed through his veins as the elixir worked it's magic prompting his wounds to close and mend at a rapid pace. The feeling always made Noctis want to crawl out of his own skin. "How far are we from Tenebrae?" He asked trying to place his focus elsewhere.

"If we could take the straight shot it would be about two hours. Our routes got us taking closer to six."

Noctis frown deepened. "Why?"

"Not really interested in fighting an Imperials. Especially with the reports of their MTs going haywire." Aranea crossed her arms. "We're taking a long way around to avoid their detection."

Prompto began bouncing his fist against his leg. "What do you mean they're going haywire." Beside him, Noctis stilled and then quietly lifted a hand placing it on Prompto's arm stopping his agitated movements.

If Aranea found the interaction curious she didn't mention it. "Malfunctioning from the sound of it. Reports of them attacking citizens."

Prompto just nodded in response letting his head fall against Noctis.

"You know you don't have to sleep in the cargo hold, right?" Aranea walked over to one of the doors inputting an access code in the keypad. "This isn't just some MT transport ship. We've got a full dormitory and washroom back here," She gestured to the now open door. "You got six hours might as well get cleaned up and rest."

Noctis perked up at the notion. The idea of a shower and a nap sounded like the best thing in the world right now. Prompto stood up first pulling Noctis to his feet leading him on as Aranea directed them to the living quarters.

Noctis buried his face into the pillow letting out a deep sigh his hair still damp from his shower. He was told the accommodations weren't much just a room with a few bunk beds attached to a washroom, but after recent events a mattress alone felt like heaven.

"Hey, Noct?" Prompto's voice came from the bunk above him.

He didn't bother lifting his head from the pillow just muttering a sleep-slurred response into it. "Yeah?"

"Do you think I'm going to malfunction too?"

Noctis stiffened rolling over on his back. He thought that the news disturbed Prompto earlier, but he hoped he was wrong. "No." He said putting as much certainty he could into his voice.

"How do you know?" Prompto's voice broke at the end wrenching Noctis' heart in two.

"Because you're Prompto." Noctis offered knowing it wasn't much of a response, but he hoped his intent with it would at least be clear.

Prompto gave a small laugh. "I don't think that's how this works."

Noctis pushed up on Prompto's mattress with his foot earning a surprised cry from his friend. "Do you even know how it works?"

Prompto tried to shove his mattress back down against Noctis' push. "No." He admitted a bit glumly.

"Aren't you already malfunctioning by just being you anyway?" Noctis added giving another firm push.

Prompto threw his weight down slamming the mattress back into place. He paused thinking over Noctis' words. "I-I guess." He settled back down into his bed not sounding convinced.

Noctis reached a hand up feeling for the top of the bed above him before hoisting himself up. Sensing that his friend might a pep talk more than he needed a nap. "Move over doofus."

Prompto scooted over making room for Noctis on the bed frowning he looked down at his hands. "What if start attacking you-."

"Then I probably deserved it."

Prompto leaned back letting his head gently bump the wall behind him. "I just want things to go back to the way they were, but I can't change what I am."

Noctis moved his leg giving Prompto a nudge the corner of his mouth turning into a lopsided grin. "That's cool. I wouldn't want you to change anyway."

Prompto responded with a small smile. "Thanks." He picked at the corner of the pillow behind him. There was still an unsettling feeling gnawing away at his gut, but he shoved it back down for the time being. If Noctis believed he would be okay, then Prompto would try his hardest to make sure of that.

Minutes passed by as the two sat in silence. Prompto glanced over at Noctis almost positive the other had fallen asleep only to find him staring forward seemingly lost in thought. "You holding up okay there, buddy?"

"N—Yeah." Noctis was quick to correct himself before sighing and rubbing his forehead. "Just don't know what to expect when we get to Tenebrae."

"Do you think Ignis and Gladio will be there?" Prompto asked he tried to keep his voice as hopeful as possible, but he wasn't naïve. A happy reunion in Tenebrae seemed unlikely.

Noctis drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. It felt like too much to hope that Gladio and Ignis had defeated Ardyn and were waiting for them. There more likely scenario was the two were in Imperial custody and carefully laid trap was being set for him. "I don't know."

Prompto moved closer to one side of the bed to make more room for Noctis. "Probably should get some sleep, so we can figure it out where we get there."

Noctis only nodded curling up on his side. He was asleep within minutes.

Noctis tapped out an unsteady beat against the supply crate he was sitting on. A few moments ago Aranea had head off towards the train platforms to check on the current situation. She hadn't been gone that long, but it already felt like an eternity to Noctis.

Each second that ticked by he imagined more horrible scenarios for what had happened. The fact that the Fleuret manor was smoldering in the distance behind him had not been on his list of things to expect when they arrived.

He reached into his jacket it pocket pausing only a moment before shaking fingers pulled out the notebook he shared with Luna. If they were here, he might as well go along with his original desire for coming here. "Hey Prompto," He called out to his friend quickly clearing his throat to regain control of his voice. "Come here a second."

"What's up?" Prompto asked voice laced with concern.

Noctis felt his mouth dry up almost instantly regretting calling his friend over. He wasn't sure how to word what he wanted to ask. "I—here…just," A shallow breath. "Dammit," Noctis muttered feeling his throat tighten up.

Prompto stood quietly waiting for his friend to compose himself.

He shut his eyes tight tears clinging to the ends of his lashes. "Who wrote the last thing in there. Her or me?"

Prompto's chewed on the corner of his lip as he flipped the notebook over. Starting from the back, he stopped when he found the last entry recognizing the delicate cursive from his own cherished letter. "She did."

Noctis managed a sad smile. That's what he had expected.

Prompto shifted his weight from foot to foot. "Did you want me to read it?" He asked. He hadn't yet, of course. Just a quick glance to determine the author and he had shut the book. Feeling too much like he was intruding on something private between the two of them. Though if there was something that Luna had left from Noctis, Prompto thought it a shame that he'd never see it.

Noctis swallowed. He could barely hear Prompto over the pounding in his own ears. Was he ready for whatever might be written there? He doubted it, but if he was going to do this Tenebrae would be the place to do it.

And truth be told if he couldn't see the message himself, Prompto would be the one he'd be most comfortable with delivering it.

"Y-Yeah," Noctis answered shakily as he reached out for Prompto seeking some help getting off the crate. "But not right here. Can we go somewhere private?"

Prompto hummed looking around the area. "Yeah, I can find somewhere."

Prompto stopped at the steps leading up to a path to the manor. It seemed close enough that no one would approach with the estate in ruins, but still far enough that there wouldn't be any smoke.

Noctis settled himself down on the bottom step. Fingers working along the edges of the rails tracing along the carvings in the banisters. He frowned after a moment dropping his hand back into his lap. Prompto sat down beside him the notebook propped in his lap. "So I just….read it, I guess?"

The nervousness in Prompto's voice didn't go undetected by Noctis. Slowly, he drew his knees to his chest and rest his chin on them. "You don't have to if you don't want to."

"No, I got it." He flipped open the notebook again finding Luna's last message. "You ready?"

Noctis only made a small humming sound nodding his head.

Prompto watched his friend for a moment noting the quiet and closed off way he had curled in on himself waiting for Prompto to continue. He placed a hand on Noctis' shoulder feeling him tense up but immediately relax. "Thanks." Noctis voice was hoarse, but gratitude was evident.

"My dearest Noctis," Prompto began after a deep breath. "I regret that my time with you will soon end. Know that I have cherished every moment I have spent with you. I only regret that we were not able to spend more time in each other's company." He could hear his own voice shaking as he noticed a few words on the pages were smeared made barely legible by what he could only assume were tears. "Be strong. Do not despair in my passing, for whenever you need me I shall be with you always."

Noctis wiped his own tears and took a deep breath. "It's so hard." He whispered. "Guess it was hard for you too. I'm sorry I could be there for you."

After a few minutes passed and Noctis' breathing evened out he stood. "Come on we should probably head back."

Prompto handed the notebook back to Noctis as they started back. "You know," Noctis said with a small smile. "I think that's the only time I've ever heard you use my whole name."

"You should have heard me when I was practicing talking to you. Mr. Noctis. Sir Noctis."

"Please tell me you didn't actually practice."

"Fine, I won't tell you."

"Dweeb."

Prompto glanced back over at him. "So, you and Luna passed notes to each other in that thing?"

Noctis stilled for a moment but then continued walking. "Yeah."

"Anything about me in there?"

A tiny smile pulled at the corners of Noctis' mouth. "Dear Luna, that weird kid who keeps stalking me finally talked to me today."

"Oh come you didn't seriously-."

"He's pretty cool. I'm glad he said something. Wish he'd have talked to me sooner."

Prompto pulled Noctis' arm stopping him from stumbling into a rock. "Okay, I guess you're forgiven then."

Noctis steadied himself. "There was definitely more about you in there. I just remember that one for sure." He paused. "She wanted to meet you."

"Yeah, I wanted to meet her too."

"She'd probably have ended up liking you better than me."

Prompto laughed. "Well yeah, of course, why wouldn't she? But then Gladio would swoop in and-." He stopped himself. The absence of their companions hitting them hard.

"We should get back and see what Aranea's found out."

"It's a mess up there," Aranea gestured back towards the train platform. "From what I could gather though it sounds like your buddies got everyone off the train here and then proceeded to the capital with some other guy."

"Ardyn." Noctis clenched his fist at his side.

"Ugh, that creep? Why would they go with him?"

"It's a long story."

"Do you think they were still being tricked?" Prompto asked.

"I don't know." Noctis mulled it over a moment. "If they think I jumped out of a train with Ardyn then wouldn't they double back once getting here to find me?"

"But they wouldn't waste time if they thought he had you. They'd assume he'd taken you to Gralea, right?"

"They might assume I'm dead."

Prompto shook his head fiercely refusing to even consider that. "They wouldn't. They wouldn't just give up like that."

"You're right," Noctis admitted. "Still, by now they're probably no longer there willingly."

"What do you think he wants with them anyway?"

"Bait, I guess?" Noctis had no real way of knowing at this point if his jump from the train played into Ardyn's plans or just rearranged them. Not that it mattered. No matter what Ardyn always seemed confident things were going his way. Noctis found it unsettling.

"We were heading there anyway for the crystal though! He didn't have to lure us there with Ignis and Gladio."

"Yeah, but you four are probably a hell of a lot easier to deal with separated than together," Aranea spoke up. "Either way sounds like you two need a ride to Gralea."

"You offering another ride on your dropship?" Noctis asked sounding skeptical.

Aranea scoffed. "No, doubt the Empire would be too happy about a defector flying right back in. What I am offering is a couple of engineers and some supplies."

Noctis was surprised by her unsolicited offer. "Why are you being so helpful?" There had to be a catch.

"Figured it was high time I walked my own path." Aranea motioned over two men standing nearby. "Meet your two engineers. Biggs and Wedge."

"What's all this then?" Biggs asked as they approached.

"Driving a train to Gralea."

"Oh, that all?"

"Who else would you have me ask?"

"Guess you got us there." He turned his attention to Noctis. "Believe one of the retainers of house Fleuret was looking for you. Might wanna meet up with her before shoving off."

"For me?" Noctis frowned a bit. How did anyone even know he was here? "I guess I should go find them then. Do you know-." He trailed off.

"Older woman she was over there by the clearing where we was dropping off the rations. Said she'd wait for you a bit there."

"Right," Noctis let out a shaky breath wondering what anyone from the manor would have to say to him. "Prompto?" He called out unsure of where his friend was at the moment.

"I'm here." Prompto ceased his drumming on the supply crate and came back over to stand beside Noctis. "You wanna find that lady?"

"Yeah, I guess I should."

Prompto pressed a hand to his friend's back urging him forward. "Do you want me to stick around or do you wanna talk to her alone?"

"I—Stick around I guess." Noctis could feel his stomach twisting into knots. He imagined whoever it was would be asking about Altissia. It had been hard enough to recount the events to Ignis. He wasn't ready to get into it again. Not here. Not while it still felt so fresh.

"Prince Noctis," A voice called out as they approached an older woman rushed to meet them. "Thank the stars you're unharmed."

Noctis quickly bit back any sarcastic answer he might have had to that statement allowing the woman to continue.

"I'm Maria, though I'm sure you don't remember me."

He felt a sharp pang of guilt. The name wasn't ringing any bells. "Uh, no sorry can't say that I do."

"Well, who I am is of little importance. The ring of the Lucii, did Lady Lunafreya deliver it to you?"

Noctis could hear the hopeful tone in her voice, but the thought of the ring deep in his pocket only filled him with dread. "Uh yeah, she did."

"Oh, wonderful!" Maria exclaimed breathing a sigh of relief. "Lord Ravus will be pleased as well."

"Ravus?" Prompto blurted out in shock earning a startled look from Maria. "Ah, sorry. It's just uh-." He stopped himself figuring it best not to mention how their previous run in with the Supreme Commander had gone.

Maria didn't seem deterred. "Yes. Lord Ravus had hoped that the ring would be delivered to you. He had been holding King Regis' glaive in his safe keeping. It was his wish to return it to you. Though I'm afraid it will probably be difficult for the two of you to meet up now."

Noctis' brow furrowed in confusion. They had been made to believe that Ravus had been keeping the sword as a trophy, and if he were being honest, that seemed far more likely than what Maria was telling him now. "I'll get it from him somehow."

"Yes, of course." She reached out taking Noctis' hands in her own. "I pray it will be so. You're heading to the Imperial capital now, are you not?"

"Right." Noctis was trying to keep his tone as hopeful as possible in spite of how he was feeling. "We're on our way there now."

"Well do not let me keep you." She said releasing his hands. "I merely wanted to be sure that her ladyship succeeded in her task."

"She did." Noctis muttered quietly as they were sent on their way.

Prompto began tucking away the few elixirs and potions that Aranea was handing him pausing when she gave him two feathers wrapped separately in tissue paper. "What are these?"

"I take it none of you have ever died before then?" Aranea looked between Noctis and Prompto doing very little to hold back the fact that she was surprised by this news. "It's a phoenix down."

"We have a few of those, well Ignis kept them we've just never had to use them," Noctis told Prompto. "They can bring someone back from the dead."

"There's only a limited window after death to use it," Aranea added noting the confused look on Prompto's face. "Wait too long, and it's game over."

That answered that. Prompto was wondering why the wouldn't have used such a thing on King Regis or even Luna. He turned one over carefully in his hand before sticking it with the rest of the supplies Aranea was providing them. "You ever have to use one?"

"Nope. Seen one used on someone before. Didn't look too pleasant. Guy said it was like his whole body was on fire. Inside and out."

"Kind of makes the whole death part sounds like something to look forward too." Noctis muttered carefully placing on of the feathers into his jacket pocket.

"Biggs and Wedge are ready to leave as soon as you are," Aranea told them both snapping the lid shut on her supply crate. "Just let them know when you're ready. And send them back to me in one piece."

"Where do we even go when we get to Gralea?" Prompto asked

"Your best bet is to head for Zegnautus Keep," Aranea offered. "Your crystal is probably still locked away there."

"Locked away?" Noctis turned his attention back to Aranea not instead of trying to piece together a plan for when they arrived.

"They don't exactly let anyone near the thing the Emperor himself never even got close to it." She frowned a bit. "There was actually a theory floating around that the crystal posed some kind of threat to the deamons. They say that's the reason the Chancellor had the Emperor go after it in the first place."

Noctis gave a thoughtful hum. "So the Chancellor is the one who suggested taking the crystal."

"Far as I know," Aranea responded. "But the theory holds water in my book. Explains why the Kings have always guarded the crystal and how they kept the deamons at bay."

"We'll keep that in mind." Noctis said as Prompto made his way over to his side to lead them to the train.

"Just remember we're stuck in this mess until you take back what's yours."

"Got it." Noctis gave a wave. "Thanks, Aranea."

"Don't worry about the civilians here. They're in my good hands." She paused. "Wish I could say the same for you. Watch yourselves in the capital."

"You watch yourself too, we'll see you around," Noctis said and then paused. "Well, Prompto will."

"What do you think about what she said about the crystal?" Prompto asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

"I guess it makes sense," Noctis frowned. He found the information off putting, but unable to put his finger on exactly why. "Shouldn't I have known that though? If it's true."

Prompto's frown deepened. "Yeah, I guess. Seems like that would be King's Duties 101."

"Could be one of the things Ignis tried to get me to look over that I ignored." Noctis offered weakly. He doubted it, but still it was a possibility. "We have to find Gladio and Ignis first we'll figure out the crystal after."

Prompto appeared enthused by the notion. "Yeah, we'll figure it out together."

It was starting to sink in with Noctis that there were a lot of hopes pinned on him and a crystal he knew next to nothing about. It left a heavy weight on his shoulders.

As the two boarded their train for departure, snowflakes began to fall around Tenebrae.