Chapter 10—Dark Clouds

Part Two

Upon reaching the exit of the cave they first thing Noctis and the others noticed was the lack of rain. Prompto stated the obvious, "Hey, it stopped raining."

Gladio smirked, "Guess Ramuh finally got sick of showers." A sudden rumbling noise caught the groups attention as looking up they saw a large flying craft move overhead, "Up there—its huge," Gladio called out.

Prompto agreed, "Way bigger than the last one we saw." They watched the large aircraft disappear through the trees, their thoughts though were interrupted by the ringing of Noctis' phone.

"Yeah," he answered, swiping they answering button.

"Hey Highness, about your car..." Cindy's hesitant voice came over through the other line. "Well, I found her, but she's at a base."

Noctis groaned in annoyance at that, "Ugh..."

"Now I can handle garage folk no problem, but sweet-talking the empire? That'll take some doing."

Noctis reassured her, "Don't worry about. We'll figure it out."

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah. Thanks for the heads up. Later," with that, he hung up the phone and turned towards the others. "The Regalia's at an Imperial base."

Eden frowned, "Guess that just leaves one question:"

Ignis finished her thought, "When do we retrieve her?"

"I'd say 'now'," the prince answered.

"I think that ship was meant to arrive far earlier," Ignis mused aloud.

Gladio turned to him, "The storm must have held it up."

Ignis nodded in agreement, "There's a chance they might want to transport the Regalia back to Niflheim."

Eden nodded, "We oughta thank Ramuh for buying us some time." She turned towards Noctis then. "We need to get a look at that base, then we can find a way to get the Regalia back."

The prince nodded, "Yeah, let's make our way there then."

They made their way towards the fortress stopping at the entrance to have a look. Eden stopped her Chocobo next to Noctis and remarked, "Best to use the cover of nightfall to our advantage."

Ignis agreed, "Infiltration would be our best option. In and out before the sun rises without letting our enemy know we were there."

Noctis nodded, "Best make camp and plan out our moves there."

The rest agreed and made their way towards the nearest haven. Once their the retinue devised a strategy to infiltrate the base and moved to begin the operation once night fell. The mission was easy with Noctis being able to take out the few sentries with a warp-kill. But once they spotted the Regalia, things changed. On their way towards the car, Ignis took note of a magitek generator but the Regalia took precedence over the generator.

It wasn't until they were within an arms reach of the Regalia that one of the Magitek Armor activated. "We need to clear away for the Regalia," Ignis instructed.

Eden grinned, "On it!" She crafted and Ice spell and tossed it at the gathering troops. The Blizzara spell whipped through the area freezing the troops solid and leaving only the Armor left. "We need to take out that generator, Ignis," Eden called.

The advisor nodded, "Noct, focus your attacks there, we'll handle whatever gets in your way."

The prince nodded and made his way towards the large machine. The others followed taking out any troopers and Armor that appeared. Noctis used his broadsword in the generator while Gladio and the others focused their attacks on the large Armor that had been waiting for them. All of a sudden the sky darkened and Eden turned to find Noctis holding his head as Ramuh made his appearance. The astral picked the prince up in his hand, before raising his staff up high. Suddenly a massive bolt of lightning left the staff and struck the ground they stood on striking all of the Imperial troopers and Armor in sight.

Once the area was clear again, nothing was standing. Noctis and his retinue were left in awe of the true power of the Six. Shaking off his stupor Noctis turned to his friends, "let's get the Regalia and head out."

The friends bantered on their way back towards the car, but upon reaching it the sound of footsteps made them turn around, and they're heading towards them with Ravus Nox Floret, Lunafreya's older brother.

"Long has it been, Noctis," the high commander said striding towards them with purposeful steps. His mismatched eyes briefly met Edens before that cold gaze returned to the prince.

"Ravus," Noctis greeted as his retinue moved to stand around him.

"You received the Storms blessing," Ravus remarked, scanning Noctis' form. "And yet, you know nothing of the consequences," his anger was apparent when he raised the tip of his sword and held it to the stunned prince's throat.

"Watch it," Gladio growled, moving forward, the blade was quick to follow, moving towards his throat as Ravus turned his attention to the shield. Eden moved to intercept, but Ravus raised a hand, "Be still. All of you."

Ravus turned his attention again on Noctis, "heir to a crown befitting no other," he muttered raising his armored arm, "Witness his splendor and glory. All hail the Chosen King."

Noctis' temper started to get the best of him as he remarked, "Awful high and mighty for and Imperial rat, serving the enemy to hunt down Luna!"

Ravus lost his temper at that grabbing Noctis around the throat and tossing him back. "I do not serve! I command!"

Gladio moved then, shoving the sword aside to get in between the two once more.

Ravus moved his attention to him then, "The king's sworn shield," he mocked.

Gladio growled at that, "You better believe it."

Ravus smirked, "A weak shield protects naught." He raised his blade and brought it down to strike Gladio. But Gladio raised his broadsword in response, blocking the blow. The shield grunted with effort as Ravus' strength drove him to his knees. Eden moved closer then, placing herself close to Gladio and in front of Noctis. Ravus turned her attention towards her, withdrawing his blade. "So this is the path you would walk?"

The mage nodded, "This has always been my path."

Something flickered in his mismatched eyes that Eden couldn't catch, but before he could comment another voice interrupted, "I'd say that's far enough."

Everyone's eyes move towards Ardyn as he leisurely walked forwards. He smirked, "A hand highness? I'm here to help."

Ignis spoke up then as Eden moved closer to the downed shield. "And how is that?"

Ardyn's smirk widened, "By taking the army away." He gestured towards Ravus, who had turned away at his approach, "When next we meet it will be across the seas. I just so happens we have a business of our own with the tutelary deity. Don't we?" Ravus didn't answer, just looked at him. "Fare thee well, Your Majesty, and safe travels." And with that Ardyn left, taking a sullen Ravus with him.

Prompto's voice broke the silence that had fallen over the group, "You guys know that guy?"

Eden was the one who answered, "Ravus Nox Floret, first son of Tenebrae and Lady Lunafreya's older brother."

Gladio turned towards her in question, "So how'd you meet him?"

"Went to Tenebrae a few times with my father to visit my mother and their mother," she answered. "We've talked a few times on my visits, but I spent most of my time with my mom. And this was before the empire attacked."

Upon leaving the now empty base, the group headed for Lestallum to meet up with Iris. A radio broadcast of the news let them know that the blockades were brought down and all roads were now open.

Making their way to Lestallum was easy though the trip was long. Once there the group headed for the Leville to find both Iris and Cor waiting for them.

"Marshal," Noctis greeted, "wasn't expecting to meet you here."

Cor nodded, "There's been a change of plans. I sent Dustin, Jared, Talcott, and Monica ahead to Cape Caem." Noctis nodded, then Cor turned to his daughter. "I want you to travel with me for a while. There are some things we need to take care of." Eden nodded in agreement. "Turning once again to Noctis, "we'll meet you in Caem when we are done. Let me know if something comes up."

"Sure thing," Noctis nodded and then turned towards the mage, "I guess we'll see you when you get to Cape Caem."

"Yeah," she agreed, "Take care." Noctis nodded and Eden turned her attention towards Gladio. "See you soon."

Gladio nodded, pulling her into a quick embrace before letting her go to where her father was waiting for her. "See you soon."