Chapter 4
Over the next few months, Amy's bond with the boys became stronger. While searching for the tombs of the kings Amy quickly learned how to fight the daemons that attacked them. The need for training with Gladio became less and less as their experience went on. After all, she learned better on the field.
"You're turning out to be a real warrior." Noctis said during dinner one day.
"I did say I wanted to repay the favor." She smiled. "That behemoth was intense. I never knew how hard it was to stalk a huge beast like that. The fight was nothing compared to that part."
Gladio chuckled. "No denying that!"
"Yea, at least we get to ride chocobos now!" Prompto exclaimed petting his bird as he ate his meal. Amy smiled and pet her own. She always wanted to know what it was like to ride a chocobo. It was a lot like riding a horse, except with feathers and that adorable "kweh."
Along their travels, they decided it was best to have a separate tent for Amy since it was a bit crowded in the big tent. Kyoko never left her side as she slept in silence every night. The erotic dream that she had never came back. She hoped that it meant that she scared her subconscious into realizing the reality of the situation.
The most rewarding part of this journey was when Cor complimented her on her skill with the katana. She knew she wasn't nearly as good as he was. He fought Gilgamesh and lived. It made her proud nonetheless to impress a man at such high esteem like Cor Lionus.
The gang finally made it to Lestallum. Amy was smiling widely at the scenery. It was so much more beautiful in person. The buildings, the view… everything. She looked over at the outlook and her heart skipped a beat. He's coming here soon… she thought with a slight blush.
"Hey, ya comin'?" Noct asked getting her out of her thoughts.
"Yep!" she exclaimed as she followed the boys.
"I told Iris about you. She said you can sleep in her room while we stay in Lestallum."
"Finally! Another girl to hang out with!" She smirked.
"Tired of all the guy talk already?" he asked patting her on the shoulder.
This time it was rougher than he did the first time. She could tell he was beginning to see her as a little sister. Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. Iris was lucky to have an elder brother like him. The man who originally took her under her wing at the Kendo dojo was a man name Joel. He was only two years older than her but she saw him as an elder brother since she had no siblings growing up. He encouraged her to learn more and more martial arts. As she got older, they became such good friends that he took her to hang out at the diner after her lessons. About the time she started her Senior year of high school, he moved away and never made contact her again. It broke her heart but at the same time it taught her that she should cherish the time she has with people. Close friends move away never to be heard from again so many times and that was just part of life. It had been about four years since then.
Her thoughts of the past were shaken (literally) when the earthquake began. She looked over at Noctis who seemed to be having a headache. Ever so closer she thought with a frown.
"Woah, did you feel that?" Prompto asked freaking out.
"Do you mean the earthquake?" Gladio asked.
"What's wrong?" Ignis asked concerned looking at Noctis.
"My head just started throbbing."
"You alright?" the blonde asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He reassured them.
They entered the hotel and looked around. Amy loved every minute of this. She savored it because she knew it would all go to Hell real fast.
"Gladdy!" Iris said running down the stairs. "Look at you guys, holding your own out there."
"What can I say? You look good." Prompto laughed. Amy giggled at how happy he was to see her. She knew he deserved someone she just didn't feel as if she was the right girl. After constant asking, Amy unfortunately had the displeasure of telling him. She told him that she felt like she wouldn't be compatible. She knew this wasn't true but if she was going to go back to her world at some point she didn't want to get attached.
"All things considered. You guys are staying here, right?"
"That's the plan." Ignis agreed.
"When you have time, we have catching up to do." Gladio said.
"Sure," she said going up to Amy with a smile. "So, this is Amy?"
"Yea, that's me. I heard a lot about you Iris. It's great to finally meet you. Glad to have another girl around for a change." She smirked.
Gladio rolled his eyes.
"Yea I know, Gladdy can be a real pain sometimes can't he?" she giggled.
"Hey, watch who you're talking about." He said giving her a noogie.
Amy shook her head and followed them to the room. Her heart sank once more when her eyes met the old man and his grandson. She stayed silent as Iris recalled the events that happened in the city. After hours of catching up and Iris getting to know Amy, the girls went their separate ways and slept in a separate bedroom. The next day, Amy went with the others earlier for the tour and obviously left Noctis to go on his "date" with Iris.
Amy made sure to go on the new dungeon mission and took plenty of warm clothes with her. She never liked the cold and this dungeon was way too much for her. When they finally got through and made their way back to Lestallum after camping for the night nearby, the pit in her stomach returned. Ardyn. She knew what was to happen next. Ardyn, the Archaeon…
"You ok?" Gladio asked noticing the pained expression.
"Uh…yea." She lied.
"You don't look ok." Ignis noted through the rearview mirror.
"I don't know, carsick maybe? I rarely get sick but maybe it's from the cold dungeon. I always hated the cold."
"Yea I hated it too." Promto nodded. Amy breathed out steadily realizing the irony of that statement…
They finally got back and touched base with Iris and the others. She hesitated slightly as they began to approach the outlook. She felt the heat take over her face as she saw the older man's figure once more.
"What a coincidence." Ardyn's light hearted voice said noticing their presence.
"I'm not so sure it is." Gladio huffed.
Ardyn looked at Amy with his gold eyes again. He knew something was up. She knew he did. It was a look that said, 'you don't belong here.' She gripped her katana even though she knew it would be no use if they were to fight.
"Aren't nursery rhymes curious things?" he asked choosing to finally ignore Amy once more. "Like this one. 'From the deep, the Archaeon calls, yet on deaf ears, the gods' tongue falls. The King made to kneel, in pain, he crawls.'" Damn him and his smooth voice…
"So, how do we keep him on his feet?" Prompto asked a little too eager.
"You need only heed the call. Visit the Archaeon and hear his plea. I can take you."
Gods damn it… I am not a fangirl. I refuse to listen to my heart rather than my mind. Amy kept trying to tell herself this as the two-thousand-year man spoke in that charming tone of voice. It was as if his words were a spell that she refused to listen to. She would not get attached. He would sooner kill her anyway. Calm yourself down Amy. It's just that ridiculous dream you had. Don't forget to think logically.
"We in?" Gladio asked.
Noct sighed. "I don't know."
"We take a ride…" Prompto began
"But watch our backs." Gladdy finished.
"What about you? The Archaeon is not just some daemon. He is a god." Ignis asked her.
"I…I'm still with you. No matter what." Amy nodded. She kept glancing at Ardyn who was staring intently on her and obviously intrigued.
"Fair Enough," Gladio sighed.
"Let's do it." Noctis agreed.
When they looked to Ardyn he had that smile. That damn smile that made every fan of his melt.
"I'm not one to stand on ceremony, but such an occasion calls for an introduction. Call me Ardyn." Amy walked hesitantly with Prompto following him. "Come with me to the car park, that's where I left my automobile." As he walked in his graceful manner, Amy could not help but notice he kept glancing at her. What did he know? He had to know something. "She's a dear old thing. Pales next to your Regalia, but she's never let me down. So, we take two vehicles. A convoy of sorts, shall we?"
"Allow me to do the honor of assigning your driver… I chose you." He said to Noctis.
"Can't I ride with you?"
"You might find the cab fare to be more than you bargained for. You drive your car, and I'll drive mine. However, there is one minor detail I will add to this game. She will ride with me."
Amy blinked. What…is he up to?
"I'm not allowed but you want her to go with you?"
"The ride is a bit long. No doubt you don't have much room in the back seat for three of you. I'm simply offering a cozier ride."
"Are you alright with this?" Ignis asked Amy.
Amy was silent and gripping Kyoko. Ride with Ardyn. He had to have some sort of ulterior motive but it was so hard to tell what it was. "I…I'd like to give Gladio a break. I know he likes the leg room…"
"That's perfect! Now, let us be off." Amy gulped as she got into the passenger side of Ardyn's car. They drove in silence until they arrived where the chase would begin. Once they were away from earshot, Ardyn broke the silence. "Why would a lovely young woman such as yourself be riding around with four men such as them?"
"W…well…it's a long story."
"It's a long car ride."
"Um… would you believe me if…I said I came from another world?"
A mysterious smile came upon his lips. "Yes, I would. It just so happens I know someone from another world as well. Best not tell them, but he works for the Empire."
Her eyes widened as she looked out at the scenery. Could this man be the one who killed Coctura.
"Did you want to meet him? I'm sure you'd have many things to talk about. He's a very good swordsman. Are you any good with that, or is it just for show?"
"Y…yes. I've known how to wield one since I was a child."
"What a coincidence. He has too. He seems to be a few years your senior as well."
"R…Right."
The car was silent once more. All that could be heard was the soft hum of the car and the breeze that flew through their hair.
"So, why is it your face flushes every time you look at me?"
Amy almost jumped at the sudden question. "I… um… oh look a rest stop." She said changing the subject as they pulled in. She heard him do a low chuckle as they got in the car and walked over to the Regalia.
"What's say we call it a day here?" he asked.
"'What say we continue on to Cauthess?" Gladio huffed rudely.
"The Archaeon's not going anywhere."
"Neither are we, under your stewardship." Ignis spat.
"So, we make camp with Ardyn." Prompto added.
"Hell no." Gladio sighed. "Might as well get the tent up."
"Oh, I'm afraid I've never really been one of the outdoors." Ardyn said looking at the ground thoughtfully. Such a royal snob. Why am I attracted to him again? Amy thought as Ardyn continued. "I shall foot the bill, So, let us stay at the caravan over yonder. Now this feels like a road trip."
"Yeah, go figure." Prompto said sarcastically.
They talked for a while after Ignis made them dinner. The caravan only had three double beds, so that meant… Ardyn and Amy had to share a bed.
"Do not worry, I am a gentleman after all," he said with a small bow. Amy flushed once more but said nothing. Gladio got a bit annoyed and protective but in the end had to make due. After the four friends went to bed Amy was about to run inside when Ardyn grabbed her arm. "We didn't get to finish that conversation in the car."
"I…I thought we'd finish tomorrow… in the car." She tried to break free, but he held his grip. His rough…strong grip. The grip she dreamed had pinned her to that bed…
"I wish to finish it now. You got me curious. You're giving that same look once again after all. If that, it's gotten worse."
Amy's heart began to palpitate. She didn't know what he knew. If this other person was from her world than how did she know that he was keeping it a secret from Ardyn or not. If he knew the storyline of the game, Ardyn Lucis Caelum would not approve of his plan to destroy and control the remnants of this world.
"I…I kind of… I'm attracted to older men…" she told him. It wasn't completely a lie but it wasn't completely the truth either. She was terrified of him but she could not help her female hormones.
"I see, so you are attracted to me?" he asked not letting go of her arm with an eyebrow raised. He had to make it worse, didn't he? I have to keep my cool… If this is a trick I don't want a broken heart.
"You know, the Archaeon is a god. Not a simple beast or daemon. Why don't you come off with me after we arrive? I can take you to meet this mysterious man that came from another world same as you."
Amy fell silent once again. She looked into the window where they were sleeping. He was right. That Titan was too strong for her. If this man was the one who was trying to destroy this world she had to take this lead. It was her only chance she had of saving Eos. She sighed. "Ok. I will go with you. But… now I'm tired."
"Yes, let us go in and sleep until morning." He went to the door and opened standing aside like a gentleman. "Ladies' first."
She simply nodded and got into her assigned bed for the night. She faced the wall totally surprised at what was going on. She wanted to be able to know what was in Ardyn's mind. Did he know? Why was he being so calm about some young girl saying they fancied him? He was too old to think of such things… right?