Chapter 7—Open World

Part Two

The next morning found Eden, Gladio, Ignis and Prompto taking a tour of the city, after the mage coaxed Ignis into letting Noctis sleep in a little longer. Talcott, went with them, having gotten to know the city a little better. The group planned to catch up with Noctis back at the hotel a little later.

When they got back at the hotel, Noctis was only a few minutes behind him. "Hey look who's back," Prompto greeted, he turned to Talcott who was standing nearby, "Talcott, go on an tell 'em what you told me."

"You got it!" the boy agreed.

Jared shook his head ruefully, "Come now, show some respect."

Prompto shook his head, "Whoa, no need to respect me—I'm not royalty."

"So there's this legend about a sword. And the swords supposed to be behind a waterfall nearby." Talcott explained.

Ignis took over after that, "it may well be one of the lost tombs."

"Check it out?" Gladio asked.

Noctis nodded, "For sure. Thanks for the tip Talcott."

Talcott grinned, "You're welcome!"

"Might be a good idea to stalk up on supplies, before we head out," Eden suggested.

Ignis nodded in agreement, "yes, plus I'd like to see what the market offers in way of provisions."

"Sure, we'll head there first." Noctis agreed.

They made their way towards the market. When they reached it, the group split up Noctis, Eden and Gladio went towards one area, with Eden leading. There was a food merchant that specialized in her favorite foods that she wanted to talk too, meanwhile, Ignis and Prompto went to explore the various food merchant stalls.

"Looking for anything in particular?" Noctis asked as they made their way to the market.

"Mm," Eden hummed, "there's a stall that I want to show you." She was distracted as she searched the area, "it sells what Nyx would call a Galahdian Special."

Noctis frowned, "Galahdian Special? What's that?"

Eden gave him a grin, "pure home cooked food and drink. Its got the full flavor of Galahd." She tried to explain, "hmm...I'm not good at explaining it. Galahdian food is different, its a taste for both your senses and mouth..," she trailed off with a frown.

Gladio picked up the explanation from there, "the aroma, if its cooked right, is heady and rich. Sometimes it's spicy, sometimes is full flavored. It all depends on who cooks it and the spices used."

Eden nodded, "exactly." She turned back to Noctis, "Most food is made by precise measurements, right?" At his nod, she continued, "not this kind. Its made by knowledge and taste. The more flavor the food has, the better the experience."

"huh," Noctis frowned, "Iggy wouldn't be good at that kind of cooking then."

Eden shook her head with a laugh, "Nope."

Noctis' frown deepened, "Why don't you ever cook at camp?" At Eden's questioning look, he continued, "I know you can cook, so how come you've never helped Iggy or done it yourself?"

Eden frowned, considering, "mainly because the way I cook is different than what everyone else is used too."

Gladio frowned at that, "How so?"

"Um..." she hummed thoughtfully, "you guys were raised on a Lucian style of cooking. So was I for a few years, until I met the other Glaives." She started, "When Nyx and Libs welcomed me into the fold, they started teaching me about Galahd. The culture, area, language, etc. But it wasn't until I went to the first gathering that I started learning about the food. What they sell at the stalls in the lower part of the city are nothing compared to the food cooked old school." She paused to catch her breath, "My first meal was the skewers. Well, that was more of an entrée. The main course was the Galahdian Special; flavorful roast, thick sauces, crusty bread, and a cold brew."

"I was never able to cook Lucian food right. No matter what my father always said." she laughed here. "but, when Nyx and Libs taught me to cook their way, it just came to me. I'm a natural, they said." Another laugh, "said I was Galahdian at heart. That I belonged more in their world, my father agreed." She shrugged at the end there, it didn't matter to her.

"huh," the prince muttered thoughtfully, "you think if I talk to Iggy, you might cook at least once?"

Eden laughed, "You're going to be stubborn about this, huh?"

The prince grinned, "you know me so well."

She shook her head with another laugh, "Fine. I'll cook one of these nights, okay?"

That answer got a cheer, "Yes!"

Gladio laughed at Noctis' enthusiasm, turning to his girl, he said, "That just made his day."He walked closer to her, "so you think when we get back to the city, once we find your brothers, we can all get together for a meal?' She turned to him questioningly, "Like you used to do with your father, and have a full-fledged Galahdian meal?"

Eden's smile turned wistful at that, "yea, sounds like fun." A few minutes later they found the stall that they were looking for.

"Welcome," the merchant called. "What can I get for you today?"

"I heard from my brother, that you make a Galahdian Special. A real one." Eden said as she approached, "is that true?"

"Galahdian, are we?" The merchant laughed, "Yes, I do. So shall I bring out three orders?"

"That would be much appreciated. I haven't had a good meal from home since we left."

"Coming right up." The merchant headed off to get the food. Meanwhile, Eden and the other two took a seat at one of the scattered tabled nearby. They made small talk until their food and drink arrived. "Here you go One Galahdian Special."

Noctis looked at the food stunned, by the smell wafting up. "Oh man, this looks great."

Eden grinned as she popped the top on her bottled drink. "Enjoy, my treat." With that, she took a drink, as the rest of them ate their food. Once the food was gone and the bill paid, the three friends headed back over to meet up with Prompto and Ignis.

The prince stretched as he walked up to his best friend and adviser, "ready for more?"

Prompto nodded, "you bet!"

"Then let's head for that waterfall." With that, the group made their way back towards the car. Pulling out of Lestallum, Ignis headed towards the Burbost Souvenir Emporium Outpost. Once they arrived they exited the car and headed over the overpass towards some stairs that lead towards the waterfront. Avoiding the large and deadly snake at the bottom of the hill, the party made their way down the rocky path, following the river.

They did occasionally run into some Shield-shears by the water, but they were easy to deal with. After dealing with the overgrown crabs, Ignis exclaimed, "That's it!"

Gladio smirked and asked, "What's up, Iggy?" He knew exactly where this conversation was going.

Ignis smirked back, "I've come up with a new recipe."

Eden grinned at that, "I can taste test for you."

After that, they continued along the path, until they reached a rocky hill that led up to the waterfall that they were looking for.

"The legend says to look behind the waterfall," Prompto reminded everyone.

"What does the waterfall say?" Ignis inquired.

"I think it says, 'Come in'." Moving further along the path, they headed behind the waterfall, "Wouldn't you know—an entrance."

"Looks like the legend checks out." Gladio took a look and round before commenting, "Now I see why it's called Glacier Grotto."

"Double back for our coats?" Prompto questioned eagerly.

"What's the point? The cold won't kill ya."

"You're not even cold are you?"
Gladio grinned, "I've got a immunity to Ice, thanks to Eden."

Prompto frowned, "now that's just not fair."

Eden chuckled, "perks to being the soulmate to a demigoddess."

Noctis shook his head, "not completely true, I don't have Gladio's immunity, but Ice doesn't bother me as much either."

"Huh?" Prompto turned to Noctis in shock, "how does that work?"

Noctis frowned, "Think its cause her magic is bound to mine."

Eden nodded, "Probably. I mean it would kinda suck if your own mage could hurt you with their magic. Especially since its meant to protect you."

Noctis nodded, "Makes sense." Making their way through the icy cavern the group soon ran into their first battle, Flans. The creatures were impervious to physical attacks, so Noctis was the one who had to craft the spells to deal with them. It was soon learned, that these particular creatures were weak to Fire magic.

"Just great," Eden muttered, "They're weak to Fire magic. The one element, I have no ability with and am incredibly weak to myself." Shaking her head, she instead sent her daggers away, and pulled out her katana, instead.

They finished the battle and continued on through the cavern, being careful of where to walk, as the ground was very slippery. Moving on, they soon came to an icy slope.

Eden peered over the edge, "Kinda looks like fun."

Prompto gave her a look, "really?"

"Ice mage, immune to the cold," she deadpanned.

"So not fair," the gunman whined. This time both Gladio and Noctis held their tongue. He was already suffering enough. Ignis just shook his head, not commenting.

Not giving any of the others a chance to object, Eden sat down and pushed off the edge of the slope. Both Gladio and Noctis hollered after her, before following her down the slope.

Once again on solid ground, she waited for the rest of them to join her. First was her shield, followed by her prince. "That was reckless," Gladio growled as he approached her. Eden didn't comment he was right, after all. Sighing the shield looked around the current area as they waited for Ignis and Prompto to join them. But his attention was drawn to some moving shadows, that revealed themselves to be a horde of Imps. The battle was fairly easy, Imps weren't that difficult of a daemon to fight. What they lacked in strength though, they made up for in numbers.

The path they were on lead them uphill. "Really hope we didn't come here for nothing," Prompto commented, as they continued the climb.

"I'm sure there's something if we look," Gladio remarked, only to frown when they came upon another slope. When Eden moved to go down first again, the shield held her back, "Not this time," he replied, when she gave him a questioning look. When she backed off, Gladio made his way down the slope first. Once his feet were on solid ground, he spun around just as another horde of Imps appeared. Eden arrived a few moments later, leaping into the fight with her daggers. Soon the party was all there, and the Imps were taken care of.

But the fight wasn't over and two more creatures made their appearance; an Arachne and a Ronin. Eden once again reached for her katana as she and Noctis faced off against the Ronin. The rest of the group had their hands full with the Arachne and her lightning spells.

Eden quickly moved in front of the prince to block a nasty sword strike with her own blade, while Noctis went behind the daemon to try and catch it off guard. Together the two set up a rhythm, Eden would distract it with a duel, while Noctis dealt damaging strikes against its unprotected back. Their teamwork paid off as with one last strike the Ronin faded into black sludge.

Turning to see how the others are doing, Noctis watched as they finished their fight, as well. "Let's keep moving," the prince called.

Nodding, they once again headed deeper into the cavern. Noctis paused as he came to a ledge, looking around for a way to go, he spotted a narrow edge that went all the way across. Frowning the prince took a closer look, it was passable, as long as he was careful. Placing his back flush against the icy wall, Noct moved carefully along the narrow edge.

"Watch your step," Gladio called with a frown. He turned and motioned Eden to go ahead of him, "you go next, then Prompto, then Iggy." The mage nodded and followed after the prince, Prompto quickly moving after her. Remembering that the gunner was afraid of heights, she made sure to keep his focus on her and not the ledge that they were on. Once across the group took a breather to regain their focus, before continuing on through the dungeon. Crossing another narrow edge they soon found themselves standing in front of a royal tomb, but before they could approach the doors a group of Imps and three Mindflayer made their appearance. Eden frowned, before gathering her magic and quickly crafting an Ice spell. Seeing what she was doing, Prompto was quick to shout out a warning, "Incoming!"

The group scattered as the Ice spell detonated freezing the Mindflayer solid. With a powerful swing of his sword, Gladio finished the creatures off, before turning his attention to the remaining Flans. Moving out of the way of the incoming Fire spell, the shield made his way towards his girlfriend. He quickly checked her over for injuries, before turning his attention to the rest of the group. Finding them battered and tired, but otherwise fine, the shield sighed in relief.

Noctis made his way over to the doors of the tomb and pulled out the key Cor gave him. Unlocking the tomb he made his way inside, and there in the center of the crypt was the final resting place of one of his ancestors. "Swords of the Wanderer," Eden said, as she read the inscription. "A king was quick like the wind and went where no man had gone before. These were his blades."

She moved away from the tomb as Noctis approached and held his hand over the dual swords, adding them to his growing collection. Upon exiting the tomb the mage noticed a path leading away from the cavern's exit. Curious she followed it with Noctis right behind her.

"Umm...what's this?" Prompto questioned, as they approached a large sealed door.

"Whats what?" Gladio called, hurrying down the path and stopping at the metal door.

"Is this supposed to keep us out?"

"More like to keep something in," the mage muttered.

Noctis turned to her, "what do you mean?"

"There are eight sealed doors located around the Lucian Frontier, and behind each one slumbers a ferocious fiend that attacked the realm in ancient times," she quoted.

"Where did you learn that?"

"Read it in a book," She frowned, "I think I was reading about legends or the Astrals when I found that one."

"A ferocious fiend, huh?" Gladio mummered, coming up to stand beside her and the prince. She nodded but didn't elaborate. Gladio nodded as well, before turning back towards the prince, "We should probably make our way back towards the car."

"Yea, let's head on out of here." Noctis nodded before they turned and headed for the exit of the cave.

- - - Line Break - - - -

The moment they were out of the cave, Noctis hit his knees as a fierce headache hit him. Images flashed through the princes head; Titan...the meteor...

"Noct, you okay?" Prompto asked hurrying over to his best friends side.

Gladio and the others also quickly rushed over, "What did I...Where was that?" The prince questioned the pain started to fade.

"What is it?" the shield asked.

"A hole in the ground...something burning...The Meteor?"

"You saw the Disc of Cauthess?"

As Noctis nodded to Ignis' question, Eden suggested, "Let's make our way for Lestallum."

Prompto agreed, "Yeah, gotta report to Talcott." Nodding the party made their way back towards where they parked the car. Once their Ignis turned onto the road and headed towards Lestallum.

After some time on the road, the arrived at the parking spot at the outlook. Exiting the car they made their way towards the Leville, but Eden stayed behind at the outlook. "I'll catch up in a few," the mage called, as Gladio paused when she didn't immediately join them. He gave her a questioning look but followed by the others.

Eden made her way towards the outlook and spotted Chancellor Ardyn Izunia there looking through one of the telescopes at the Meteor.

He turned around when she neared, "well, well, if it isn't the mage that travels with the prince." She could hear the venom in his voice when he talked about Noctis.

"Cut the pleasantries, I know its just an act," Eden answered, "what are you doing here?"

Something flashed across his face for a second, before he answered, "Just enjoying the view, of course." He said nothing more as Eden walked closer and leaned against the wall of the outlook. The mage crossed her arms and gave him a dubious look. "I really do mean no harm...not yet anyway," he admitted.

"mmm..." she hummed, "and that is what worries me." She looked towards the Meteor, then back at him again. "You know what's going to happen once he reaches the Meteor, right?"

"Of course," Ardyn answered, "but first he has to get there."

"Let me guess, that's where you come in, right?"

"But of course," Ardyn looked closely at her, "but what I really want to know is, why are you here and not with your prince and shield?"

Eden frowned, "many reasons."

"Like?" he encouraged, smiling at her.

"I know what's about to happen, I know what it takes to cure the Scourge," she paused, "What I don't know is why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you doing this? What exactly are you after? It is really something so simple as vengeance that drives you?"

"When had vengeance ever been simple?" He asked instead, "My reasons are my own and something you wouldn't understand."

Eden cocked her head, "try me."

Ardyn frowned, he hadn't expected that. Then again she wasn't at all what he had expected. For some reason, he couldn't read her as easily as he could others, plus there was something strangely familiar about her. Like he'd seen her before, maybe in his past? Ardyn shook his head but didn't answer her question, "My past is not for your ears. Besides, your shield and prince approach."

Eden looked towards the main stairs into to town and found him to be right. There were Gladio and Noctis, they along with the others are headed her way. She turned back to him and said, "Maybe some other time then," before pushing away from the wall and heading towards her boyfriend.

Ardyn watched her leave, before turning once again towards where Titan waited for the young prince of Lucis. He greeted them when they approached, "What a coincidence."

Gladio frowned, "I'm not so sure it is."

Ardyn smirked and walked closer saying, "aren't nursery rhymes curious things?" He looked to Eden then, "Like this one: From the deep, the Archaean calls...Yet on deaf ears, the gods' tongue falls. The King made to kneel, in pain, he crawls..."

Prompto moved forwards eagerly asking, "So how do we keep him on his feet?"

Eden didn't say a word, she just watched the conversation, on the outskirts of the group. She knew this had to happen. The Chancellor was playing a game, and for now, they had to go along with it.

Ardyn met her gaze before he answered, "You need only heed the call. Visit the Archaean and hear his plea." He moved his gaze to Noctis then, "I can take you."

Gladio approached Noctis with a frown, "we in?"

Noctis frowned, his gaze going to Eden, "I don't know. Eden, what do you think?"

"I say we take a ride but watch our backs. Friendly as he may act, he's still a Niff." The mage answered walking closer, Noctis nodded agreeing with her.

Just as Ardyn was about to introduce himself formally, Eden cut him off, "They already know." She met his gaze, letting him know indeed, she had told them who he was.

There was another flash of nameless emotion in his eyes as he walked past her. "Come with me to the car park. That's where I left my automobile. She's a dear old thing. Pales next to your Regalia, but she's never let me down."

"So," he continued, "we take two vehicles—a convoy of sorts. Shall we?"

A few minutes later they arrived at where the cars were located. "Allow me to the honor of assigning your driver...I choose you," Ardyn said, pointing towards Noctis, he then turned towards Eden, "and to make sure nothing goes wrong, why don't you accompany me?"

That got a frown from both the shield and the prince, "Why?" Noctis asked, "do you not plan on keeping your word?"

Ardyn shook his head, " it's not that at all. I just thought you might feel better if you had someone you trust to ride with me."

Eden stepped forwards then, "he has a point."

Gladio shook his head, taking her hand to stop her, "Are you sure about this?"

Eden looked into his worried amber eyes and assured, "yes, nothing is going to happen."

"Splendid, you drive your car and I drive mine. Let us be off then." They each climbed into their appointed vehicles and headed in the direction of the Meteor.