Hi everyone! Updates have been a little slow lately, but here's a short chapter- like it says in the summary- of a moment's respite that everyone gets before a long trek through a long dungeon (I kid you not Costlemark took me a good two hours to get through in real time...sigh. Also, the Pitioss dungeon sucks). I also took a couple of days out to write up a new FFXV/LuNoct oneshot, so if you haven't seen that yet, you are more than welcome to go check that out! There's another plot bunny that's been bouncing around my head featuring the chocobros and a Noctis who can't back down from a challenge ;) it'll be a...cute bonding moment for them, so be on the lookout for that. Thank you all for your support, and I'll see you soon with a longer, action-packed chapter!
Big thank-yous to LimJJ, MsGuemja, and Wolf Strife :)
Summary: Back in Leide, the group takes a moment to break the news to Cid and Cindy, and for a small reprieve before setting out to claim the last Lucian royal arm in Duscae.
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy XV
"Well, howdy, y'all!" Cindy's warm, accented voice greeted them when the Regalia pulled into the station at Hammerhead just as the sun was setting into the western horizon. Prompto was, not surprisingly, the first to jump out to talk to her. Gladio couldn't fight the grin that broke out at the blond's antics, Luna the same as she read all the visual cues she needed to know about the situation from Prompto's actions and body language. Ignis and Cor were both silent at the exchange; the marshal walked in the direction of the main garage without a word.
"I'll be! First the Prince, now Lady Lunafreya. "The mechanic swept into a short, respectful bow. "You boys are always full of surprises. It's an honor to meet you, my Lady."
"Just Luna," Luna replied, briefly wondering how many times she would have to repeat that phrase. She wondered whether she should keep a tally somewhere before she forced herself to pay attention.
"Well then, Luna," Cindy said as she winked conspiratorially; the Oracle immediately warmed up to her, a smile of appreciation forming on her lips. "Paw Paw's been waitin' for y'all. I can get to workin' on the ol' girl and tune 'er up real nice while y'all have a chat."
"Actually, Cindy," Gladio spoke up, looking at his three companions briefly for confirmation; when they all quickly bowed their heads, he continued. "There's something we need to discuss with you and Cid."
The blonde's eyes furrowed, but led them to where her grandfather and Cor were conversing in hushed tones. When the party approached, Cid stood, dipping the front of his cap at Luna, with Cindy quickly getting in the first word.
"Paw paw, this here is Luna," she gestured to the Oracle, who lowered her head respectfully at the elder.
"Master Cid," Luna started.
Cor stepped in, albeit a little rudely, knowing that the group was pressed for time. "Now that we're all here, we need to discuss the next immediate steps. We have-"
"Where's the Prince?" Cid's gravelly voice sounded, cutting him off. After having known Cor so many years and traveled alongside him, he knew when the marshal was trying to avoid something, like he was doing now. Was it because Noctis' location wasn't relevant to the task at hand, or had something happened? The younger man was too straightforward, too stoic in his personality to give half-baked clues; no, it had to be asked out loud.
"The King…" he paused uncharacteristically, taking a deep breath. "Has passed."
Cindy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, green eyes wide with shock. Her grandfather, hands behind his back, only looked to the floor, shaking his head. However, like Cor, he knew they had no time to lose; the situation was more dire than he previously thought. Mourning would have to wait until later.
"That's the end of the line of Lucis, then," Cid sighed, fixing his cap. "Ol' Reggie. Playin' the losin' hand he was dealt the best he could, and even then."
There was a moment of silence, and then Luna couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Please, don't despair," she said. She wasn't sure if she had crossed a line; Gladio, Prompto, and Ignis haven't yet uttered a single word this whole time, and she didn't know if it was rude to interrupt the moment. Too late to stop now, she pressed on. "Noctis- he gave me his power. I am not of Lucis, but I will do what I can to carry out his destiny."
The old mechanic peered into her eyes then. "The Prince made you Queen, did he?" he asked gently.
Luna nodded. "I am now Lunafreya Nox Caelum, with both the powers of the Oracle and the Kings of Lucis."
Another few minutes passed, no one daring to break the silence this time. The air was tense, vibrating with the pressure of uncertainty and heartbreak and confusion all wrapped into one. Cid then nodded, mumbling something to himself as he walked over to his workstation and pulled out an object, putting it into Luna's hands before she could register what was happening.
"That was the King's," Cor murmured. "Given to him on his eighteenth birthday by his father."
The blonde's right hand was curled around a long black sword hilt, framed by two mechanical extensions that led down to two circular gears, coming together in the center at the base of the hilt where they were joined by a larger gear. It looked as if a small engine had been assembled, connecting the hilt to the blade. Like all the other swords Luna had seen in her brief glimpse at the arsenal, the side of the blade facing her was dull, allowing for two-handed defensive and offensive maneuvers. A thin, black metal overlay came from the bottom of the engine hilt down the length of the otherwise silver blade and curving upwards at the end, an outlandish design engraved onto the steel.
"It's been upgraded," Cid explained. "This baby's been souped up. From what I could see, this blade can absorb elemental energy from monsters. So, I tuned up the engine on that hilt, and reinforced the sword with a glass gemstone. Them gemstones are hard to find 'round these parts, but the kid found one. It's yours now."
"Thank you," Luna breathed, still looking at the blade in awe. This was Regis' gift to Noctis, the sword which had accompanied the Prince- King- on his journey. Thank you.
Too soon though, Cor cleared his throat, and she dismissed the sword. "According to the note that was given to them in Altissia, the place the royal arm was taken to is sealed during the day." He gestured to the sunset outside of the garage. "We have an hour to prepare, and then we will head out to the Fallgrove."
"The Fallgrove?" Cid thoughtfully stroked his beard with one hand, the other behind his back. "Costlemark Tower?"
The marshal nodded his head, and the mechanic let out a slow, "Hmmm. Yes. There's been talk about these parts, an ol' tower in the woods. Lotsa dangerous monsters though. Best y'all be careful."
FinalFantasyXV
While Ignis and Gladio went to get supplies from the store, Luna was pulled into a conversation with Cindy. It wasn't long before Prompto joined in, the gunner and mechanic comparing notes on a piece of equipment that Luna politely excused herself to see if there was anything she could help with. Gladio asked her to check with the diner for any new information, telling her that the owner was a friend of theirs. The harsh fluorescents inside the circular diner momentarily blinded the blonde as she walked inside, approaching the counter where a bald man stood in a white apron with the words 'Takka's Pit Stop' printed on the front.
"What can I get cha?" he asked. She opened her mouth to reply, but Prompto chose that exact moment to appear through the doorway, enthusiastically greeting the man.
"Takka! We're back!" he called cheerily. The smile was instantaneous on Takka's face.
"What have you boys been up ta?"
Prompto turned to his right to see Luna looking amused at their exchange. "We had to stop by and talk to Cid and Cindy about something," he told him, eyes crinkling at the edges. Takka let out a long sigh.
"Cid just came by and told me the news," he said, grabbing a mug and steeping some tea inside. He slid it in front of Luna, who looked up at him, surprised. "Awfully sorry, Lady Luna. I know y'all were meant ta get hitched."
The Oracle swallowed, slowly forming words as she grasped the steaming mug with both hands. "Thank you," she murmured, breathing in the tea's scent. It was a calming brew of lemon balm, one she was grateful for before what she realized was her first official fight with her new companions.
"Y'all take care out there."
