A hearty breakfast waited for them next morning, curtesy of Cor and Navalus with some help from Ignis. Noctis ate absentmindedly, thinking over the strange and yet overly vivid dream he had overnight. ''Are you alright Noct?'' Whispered Ignis as he refilled the coffee cup in front of the young king, resting a hand in concern on his shoulder.
Noct leaned into the touch, ''More or less, I think I figured out what Carbuncle's blessing was, or at least part of it.'' Prompto jerked up with interest, ''Really? What is it?'' Noct hummed, ''I wandered into Crowe's nightmare and had a chat with her. She told me that Luna got poisoned by Niflheim and they were attacked by the Nif escort.''
The sound of forks being put down suddenly filled the caravan and everyone starred at Noctis. ''Poisoned?'' Exclaimed Iris, bringing her hands up to her lips. Noct nodded, ''It's not fatal from what Crowe said but she's been sick for the last few days, and Nyx and Libertus are trying to find the antidote. I told them we'd be waiting for them in Lestallum.''
Cor cleared his throat, ''About that, it might be harder than expected to get to Lestallum.'' The stares shifted from Noct to Cor, who half bowed in apology. ''We received news from the hunters last night. Niflheim have set up several bases on Lucian soil including one not far from here. From the locations we've been given it's clear that they plan to have a strangle hold on Lucis as soon as possible to prevent any resistance from happening.'' Navalus nodded and added, ''They already have a blockade in place through most of the major roads within Lucis.''
Gladio swore, ''They aren't messing around now!'' Cor nodded, ''Our best bet would be to destroy this new base before it gets fully operational. Doing so should break the blockade they have in place in Duscae and allow you safer travel to Lestallum.'' Ignis sat down beside Noctis, still keeping a hand on him.
Prompto leaned back, ''So on one hand we got Noct's new cool power that told us Luna is alive but sick and on the other with have the Niflheim army moving in quickly and making things difficult. What's the plan?'' Cor took a bite of his pancake before proposing, ''Most of the Crownguard are on the other side of the blockade and won't be able to help us. I suggest we split up in two teams and take down the base as quickly and quietly as possible.''
Ignis hummed, taking a sip of his own coffee before acknowledging the plan, ''That seems wise. I suggest we split up as follows. Gladio, myself and Iris and then Marshall would go with Prompto and Noctis.'' Cor nooded, finishing his plate before getting up, ''I have no problem with that. I shall go and make preparations. Let us meet in an hour. '' He waited for the nods of the boys and Iris before heading off.
Once the door closes on Cor, Gladio turned to Iris with some worry, ''You going to be okay fighting?'' Iris glared at her brother around a mouthful of pancake, swallowing rapidly to remind him, ''I'm an Amicitia just like you Gladdy!'' Navalus smiled and added, ''She is indeed and has proven her worth in Insomnia.'' Iris nodded, crossing her arms and looking serious as she glared at Gladio.
Gladio was quick to backtrack and muttered an apology between his bites to the amusement of Ignis and Noct who were still watching silently. Ignis turned to Noct, asking, ''Are you well? With the news of Lady Lunafreya I mean.'' Noctis had a faraway look in his eyes for a moment before he sighed, ''I am worried but Crowe was clear about Niflheim wanting Luna alive and I trust them. They'll get Luna to Lestallum no matter what. We just have to be there when they do.'' Ignis smiled and tangle his hand with Noct's, giving a gentle squeeze before returning to their breakfast.
An hour later Ignis was putting away the last of their new restorative stock and closing the trunk of the Regalia, Navalus had left to keep an eye on Insomnia with Cid a while back and they were simply waiting on Cor showing up. The Marshall did so with a high whine as he drove a sleek looking motorcycle up to stop beside their small group.
Iris grinned and shrieked as she moved to examine the bike, ''You have a motorcycle? Since when?'' She demanded. Cor chuckled, ''Yes I do, it was a gift from King Regis when I got my licence. Cid was doing some modifications before the Treaty. Thankfully for me, I never got around ot coming and picking it up.'' He looked over the four men looking slightly tense as they waited for his directions.
Cor nodded to Noctis then asked, ''If you're all ready then we might as well get going. We'll park away from the base then split up.'' Ignis finished his Ebony, throwing his can in the recycling bin before he motioned for everyone to get in the Regalia, ''Then I shall be following your lead.'' Noctis opened the door to allow Iris in before slipping in the back seat with Gladio going to the other side.
Prompto didn't get into the car right away, looking worried as he looked at Cor, there was something off with his uncle. ''Hey Uncle!'' Cor turned around with a grunt, ''Are you alright?'' Prompto asked. Cor tensed up and looked surprised, he looked down at his bike before he answered, ''I will be. Thanks for worrying but you're going to need to focus once we get started.'' Prompto nodded, not quite convinced but he trusts his uncle to take care of himself.
The drive is short, maybe half an hour, before Cor pulls off to the side of the road followed closely by the Regalia. The base and the blockade are visible in the distance, standing stark grey and foreboding among the green trees and plants of Duscae. Noctis could feel anger stirring from where he had pushed it aside to simmer until he needed it.
''What's the plan Marshall?'' Asked Gladio as he came to stand beside Cor, looking at the steel and cement walls of the base. Cor took a deep breath before he gave his orders, ''Gladiolus, Ignis, Iris; you will serve as a distraction for us. Attack the front gate but be careful! Your goal is simply to distract them.'' The three named nodded in understanding and Cor turned to Prompto and Noctis.
''As for us, we'll go around to the northern side of the base, there is a passage we'll use to get inside the base. From within we shall take down the forces stationed there while heading to the gate to open it once and for all. Questions?'' Cor told them. Prompto and Noctis shook their heads, each doing a check of the curatives they had on them.
Gladio looked over at his sister and asked, ''Iris, do you have a sword?'' The girl nodded with a grin, then turned to Cor expectantly, ''Cor has it!'' Cor chuckled and quickly took out the sword Iris had scavenged from the Citadel. It was a longsword almost as long as she was tall but Iris took it with ease and swung it a few times just to prove it to Gladio.
With Iris armed and the rest of the curatives properly shared by Ignis, they split up and each group headed towards their objective. Noctis, Prompto and Cor moved around the edge of the road until they reached the base's northern wall at which point they left the road and walked through the hills until the Niflheim base loomed over them.
It didn't take long to find the small passage between two cliffs that allowed the three men to sneak into the base. Prompto shuffled sideways following Noct and chuckled, ''Good thing Gladio didn't come. I don't think he could have fit.'' He whispered when Noctis looked at him with a question in his gaze. Noct grinned and nodded as he tried to imagine the sight of his massive Shield wriggling through the small opening.
Cor glared at the still young boys and they both ducked their head in embarrassment, ''Sorry.'' Whispered Prompto. Cor nodded and turned to look at the area around him, he could hear several soldiers moving around. Prompto summoned his sword and whispered, ''I hear 15 MTs.'' Noctis brought out his own sword and both boys looked at each other with a confident grin.
Cor sighed and warned, ''Be careful. Overconfidence will be your downfall.'' The warning went mostly unheeded as Noctis warped away from them the moment the MTs came into view. Noct grinned as he found himself face to face with his targeted MT, Engine Blade deep in its chest. The king yanked the blade out and kicked out towards the MT on his left.
Gunshots blasted through the air as Prompto took out the Mt on Noct's immediate right. Cor sighed and ran forward, drawing his katana as he targeted the MTs further away from Noctis, those would have time to react before Noctis or Prompto could get to them. His katana cut through the armor like it was paper.
The best thing about fighting MTs, the only real thing in Cor mind, was how they dissipated into smoke, scourge mist, when exposed to light or sufficiently damaged. It meant less chances of getting trips over by a body while fighting. Cor sliced horizontally, cutting through chest armor and forcing two MT back several steps and gave Prompto a clear shot.
Prompto stayed back, only moving up when he needed to in order to get a clean shot at an MT drawing too close to comfort. He aims for the head and joints as much as possible. Prompto grinned as he takes a selfie, aiming his gun behind him with the help of his camera screen before taking the shot, both of them.
Noctis flitted from one side of the fight to the other, leaving behind shadows of crystal blue as he warped. Warp strike, slice down then sideways. Let the sword disappear and bring out the lance. Swipe across and behind to push the MTs away then strike! Dagger flew through the air, points to warp at with a vengeance. As dust settled across the area, Noctis glanced at Prompto, no injury, and Cor, no visible injury but… ''Cor? Are you hurt?''
The Marshall's body was tense and hunched over even as the man kept watch for any reinforcements. At Noct's call, Cor turned to stare blankly at the king for a long moment before he seemed to recognize what was in front of him, ''My apologies, your majesty. I am fine merely tired, more so then expected.'' Cor gave a half bow to Noctis with a sigh.
Noctis frowned, moving closer to Cor quickly and seeing Prompto do the same. ''Are you certain you are unharmed Cor?'' The man nodded then winced, sighed and told the two men, ''I'm fine, really. It's simply been a few days since I've been able to sleep properly.'' Prompto came to stop in front of Cor with his arms crossed and offered, ''You could go back if you need to rest? I'm sure Noct and I can handle this together. You don't look so good…'' His uncle looked paler then he had been when they had arrived.
Cor shook his head, ''I'm fine, Prompto. You boys concentrate on keeping yourselves safe and I'll worry about me. Got it?'' He didn't wait for an answer before moving off, ''Come on, the faster we get the gate open the better. For all of us.'' Noct and Prompto shared a worried glance and wordless promise; they would both keep an eye on Cor while fighting.
They walked down some stairs and Cor quickly motioned for them to hide against the rock walls with a sharp gesture, he whispered, ''Snipers on the railing. Noct take them out. Prompto you're with me, we'll take down the axemen.'' Noct shifted forward until he could see the three snipers patrolling the overhead walk way and nodded. Prompto replenished his ammo and patted his uncle on the back to indicate he too was ready.
Noctis struck first as was his habit, warp striking and thus killing the first of his three targets. The MTs turned in unison towards him, lifting their rifles and pointing it at the king without hesitation. Twin shots rumbled through the air towards Noctis and he allowed the magic of the Crystal to warp the dimension around his body, letting the bullets pass harmlessly through him. Taking them down was easy, a lance strike from above and a quick switch to his sword to finish the third one within the space of a single breath.
As Noctis warped away, Prompto stepped out into the open and shoot twice in rapid succession, his bullets slammed against the thick armor plating of the axemen and made it stumble backwards. Cor moved quickly, following the younger men's lead and he felt the surge of energy that came from fighting fill his body and he jumped forward the last few steps. He drew his katana midair and aimed the sharp edge straight for the neck joint.
Cor landed lightly on his feet, seeing the severed head bounce on the ground beside him before he turned toward his next target with a grin that fade as he stumbled forward when a sharp wave of pain stabbed into his head. Prompto saw his uncle stumbled and shouted, ''Uncle!'' quickly firing one last time into the now-shattering head of an axeman before sprinting to his side.
Cor gritted his teeth and used his stumble to roll under the axe of the MT, he barely got to his feet again before another wave of pain blinded him. Prompto didn't hesitate, seeing the three remaining axemen all head straight for Cor and he aimed at their legs as he slid on the ground. Prompto didn't stop firing until his gun ran dry, the bullets slamming and, thankfully, destroying the extremities of the MTs and sending them to the ground. Prompto scrambled back to his feet and put himself squarely between the still moving MTs and his staggered Uncle.
Noctis heard Prompto shout and saw his destructive slide across the open area to finish beside Cor. The axemen were still crawling towards them and Noct growled. He called up the Sword of the Wise and found himself dropping on top of the moving MTs with sure strikes to their vulnerable backs. As soon as the last axeman dissipated into smoke, Noctis grabbed a potion, turned and handed it to Cor with a harsh, ''Use it. Now.''
Cor's hand was trembling as grabbed the extended potion and it took two tries before he managed to crush the fragile glass bottle. The potion worked quickly, soothing the headache and releasing the tension from his exhausted body. He looked ashamed when he finally managed to straighten from his hunched position and looked up at his nephew and the young king. ''Thank you.''
Noctis glared at Cor for a moment, carefully checking for any leftover tension or pain Cor might be trying to hide from him, he couldn't see any though it did not mean it was gone only better hidden than before. Noct relaxed and asked gently, ''What happened and are you alright to continue?''
Prompto hovered beside his uncle, worried as kept watch over the two men as they talked. Cor glanced at Prompto, noting how watchful he was and he sighed, ''I'm sorry for worrying both of you, I guess I over did things and didn't get enough rest. I'm fine for now, we've cleared most of the base out already.'' Noctis raised an eyebrow in disbelief and Cor offered a bow in apology. Noct sighed and decided, ''Alright but you're letting us do most of the work from here on out. Keep a watch for any reinforcements we missed but don't fight unless you absolutely have too. Understood?''
Cor grimaced but nodded, ''Yes your Majesty.'' And followed Noctis and Prompto as they moved towards the heavy gates of the base. Noctis was right as there was only 2 MTs left in the base and they were easily taken down without needing Cor to fight.
-with the other group—
As they watched Cor lead Noctis and Prompto away, Ignis, Gladio and Iris started planning their attack. From their location, Ignis could make out three of the bipedal Magitek Armor standing guard at the front gate and the blockade. There are at least two dozen MTs patrolling around and half a dozen human soldiers as well, as all which would need to be dealt as they created the requested distraction.
Iris stayed behind the two older men as they headed closer to the base, she listened carefully as Ignis and Gladio discussed the best way of creating a large distraction while keeping the risks at a minimum for everyone. ''I say we take out the Magitek's first and then use the explosions from the machines to keep the soldiers attention on us.'' Proposed Gladio.
Ignis frowned and shook his head, ''That's too dangerous, we could easily get caught in the explosion or in the cross fire from the soldiers. The Magitek are dangerous but slow, I am more worried about the MTs and soldiers, there are too many of them to take all at once.'' Iris kept listening to them but her eyes were on the gate and the way that one Magitek Armor was patrolling its designated area.
It kept moving just out of sight from the rest of the forces for almost exactly 45 seconds with every round it did. 45 seconds was plenty of time for her to pull off a takeover but only if she could get to that boulder without being seen. Glancing back at Ignis and Gladio, whose attention were not on her right now, Iris made up her mind and slipped away.
She followed the trail of brushes that ran across the field every few hundred meters, running from cover to cover every time the patrolling MTs looked away (it happened every 15 seconds like clockwork, they were mostly machine after all). Iris grinned and plastered herself against the boulder, out of sight from everyone and counted, if she was right then… Right on time!
The lone Magitek Armor lumbered around the side of the boulder, Iris waited until every part of the bipedal machine was clear around the boulder before she moved. She jumped unto the joint of the leg as it landed near her, using it as a jumping point to clamber all the way to the domed control seat. Iris grinned, looking through the silvered glass toward the pilot and smashed the hilt of her sword doing. Once, twice and then third time's the charm as the glass broke. 40 seconds left.
The pilot flinched away from the falling glass, a shocked expression plastered as he watched the young teenage girl lean in without care, gripping his shirt and straight up lifting the grown man out of the pilot seat. Iris grinned as she strained to bring up the Nif soldier out of the domed area and then threw him over her shoulder and towards the ground. For split second, the throw put her off balanced and she grabbed the ledge of the broken glass with her free hand, wincing as it cut into her palm.
Iris glanced down once she was stable, the Nif was motionless on the ground, and she grinned pleased with herself as she slid into the seat carefully. She had less than 10 seconds to figure out the controls before the soldiers might start noticing the missing machine. Iris stared at the board, growling as she noticed that everything was written in Niflheim. ''Note to self, thank Prompto for teaching me start and stop in Nif.'' She muttered before taking her first unsteady step with the machine.
Gladio sighed and then nodded, ''Fine, we'll go with your plan. Iris, stay behind me understood?'' There was no answer and both Ignis and Gladio turned to look at the empty area around them. ''What the hell?'' Gladio grumbled, worry and panic starting to creep on him as he twisted and turned in hopes of seeing his sister somewhere.
Ignis frowned as they noticed Iris had disappeared, he wasn't too worried as the young Amicitia had proven her mettle escaping from Insomnia and Cor had not said anything against her presence. Ignis turned to look back at the base, then noticed a small shadow disappearing behind a boulder near the gate. ''Gladio.'' Ignis whispered, pointing at the boulder, ''She's over there.'' There was a hint of worry in his voice.
Gladio followed the direction Ignis was pointing in and swore, there was a Magitek Armor approaching the boulder. ''We have to go help her!'' He hissed, already summoning his greatsword and moving towards the boulder.
Ignis quickly took a hold of the man and yanked him back, causing Gladio to stumble. ''We are too far away to get to her in time and I doubt she would have gone there without a plan. We must believe in her, Gladio, and start our distraction as planned.'' He didn't wait for an answer before he started running towards the small group of MTs patrolling on the opposite side from the boulder.
Gladio growled but Ignis was right even if he ran now he would not be able to get to Iris in time to help. Gladio cast one last look at the boulder and the now invisible Magitek, before following Ignis while sending a quick prayer to the Astrals to keep Iris safe. They were right behind their targets when the Magitek Armor walked back out from behind the boulder with a broken glass dome and opened fire at the gate.
''By the Six, did she really manage to pilfer the Magitek for her own use?'' Ignis exclaimed even as he threw his daggers at the closest MT. Gladio felt a burning pride burning in his chest and exclaimed, ''That's Iris for you!'' He laughed, bringing his sword down to cleave another MT. There were only 4 MTs and they were quickly dealt with between them.
Within the few seconds it had taken them to take down 4 MTs, Iris had managed to mow down 90% of the soldiers at the front gate, leaving only a single, half-destroyed Magitek Armor and about another 6 MTs, all of which were scrambling out of the way of Iris' unsteady and wobbling aim. Gladio shared an incredulous look with Ignis before both of them heading to help the young girl out.
Ignis focused on taking out the MTs, striking from behind with his lance while Gladio went to finish off the Magitek Armor. Gladio roared as he jumped up to get more power into his downward strike, aiming for the precariously attached gun arm, taking it off and causing the machine to stumble sideways off balance. A missile flew past him, aimed straight at the center mass of the Magitek and Gladio had to turn away from the explosion.
Gladio grinned in the silence that followed, looking towards the slow moving mech then checked on Ignis. As he turned, Gladio's eyes were drawn upwards and he swore. ''Reinforcements!'' He shouted in warning. The 2 airships stopped right above them and MTs started dropping down to land around them. Gladio heard Iris swearing from within the machine and was startled to see her jump out of her mech and land beside him with a roll.
Ignis moved to stand beside Gladio, his lance secure in hand and pointed the circling MTs. He gritted his teeth as he took in the sheer numbers of MTs and then swore out loud when Iris jumped out of the Magitek . ''What is it Iris?'' He asked loudly.
Iris growled, ''The controls jammed! I couldn't get it to do anything at all.'' She took up a defensive stance beside her brother, looking uneasily around them. Gladio shifted slightly, enough so he was in front of Iris without completely masking her sight. ''Stay beside me Iris.'' He ordered gruffly.
Iris just nodded and waited, Ignis tense behind her and Gladio ready to pounce at the slightest sign of an attack. It came from their right, the MTs there lifting their guns in unison and unleashing a barrage of bullets. Ignis dropped to the ground, glancing behind to see Iris being pressed down by Gladio.
Ignis was about to risk running forwards towards the shooters when the slam of wind washed over the area and caused most of the Mts to fall down. Not wanting to risk wasting the opportunity, Ignis dashed back to his feet then towards the closest MT to spear then as they struggled to get back on their feet.
Gladio recognized the technique, and moved back to his feet, dragging Iris with him. He picked his target, an Mt that hadn't fallen, throwing himself at it with his greatsword leading the charge. It went down easily and Gladio turned to his right. The blade flashed against the sun as it plunged downwards and cut down several kneeling MTs in one swing.
Iris felt herself be pushed down on the ground, the steady and heavy weight of her brother over her only to be dragged back to her feet moments later. Disoriented, she stumbled until she could get her footing again before looking between Gladio and Ignis. Both seemed to be doing fine and she saw Prompto aim from the top of the base's wall in order to support Gladio so she went to help Ignis.
Iris and Ignis fought back to back, surrounded by MTs as they both seemed to dance among the Nif soldiers. Iris could feel the shifts in Ignis' stance that told her when to jump above him or duck around a thrust while Ignis was quick enough to keep track of her movements and incorporate them into his own.
Noctis warped ahead, leaving Cor to guard Prompto on the wall after the Marshall had unleashed his famous Lion's Roar from the battlement to save their friends. He jumped right into the fray, keeping a careful eye out for anyone moving too close to Gladio or Iris or Ignis but thankfully Cor's attack had left most MTs unable to fight back while they destroyed them.
As the last MT fired wide away from Gladio while the Shield cleaved it in two, Ignis handed Iris a potion to deal with any injuries while checking on his friends simultaneously. ''Is everyone alright?'' The adviser asked as they regrouped at the now open gate. He was answered with nods from everyone even Gladio who sported a wide cut from were a bullets had scrapped passed him. Ignis glared at the man before handing him a potion.
Prompto and Cor were walking down to join Noctis and the others when the familiar whine of an airship was heard once again. Noctis swore, ''What now?'' looking wildly around to spot the offending source. It was easy to find, a single lone airship making its way towards them with a booming voice projected from its speaker system.
''Stay right where you are!'' Declared an arrogant voice, ''Well well, if it isnt Cor the Immortal! So you survived the Citadel and the injury General Glauca gave you! Don't worry, you won't survive what I have in store. It's past time your legend came to an end.'' The airship came to hover a few meters from the ground and the hangar opened to allow a bigger than average Magitek Armor to drop down in front of them.
A/N: Does anyone remember that drabble in Ten years of adventure where Sylva talks about the side-effects from the Cure? Well if not I suggest you go and reread it before the next chapter, things are going to get very interesting : ) its chapter 15 : The Cure.