Chapter 11—A Way Forward

Noctis stood out on the balcony of the Leville lost in thought. Eden and Cor had left earlier that morning. Jared, Talcott, and Iris were still in the hotel but after a conversation with Gladio, it was decided that Iris was going to travel with Noctis and the others for the trip to Cape Caem.

Ignis approached him, "Shall we head out then?"

Gladio also approached, "Don't want to keep Cid and Cindy waiting. They're working on the boat as we speak."

Ignis nodded, "We ought to thank them."

Noctis nodded, "we can thank everyone, once we get there." With that, the prince and his retinue headed out of the hotel and made their way towards the Coernix Station where Iris was waiting. Upon arriving there Iris greeted them, "Filled her up for ya."

Gladio grinned at his sister in gratitude, "thanks."

Iris grinned back, "let's get this show on the road." Everyone climbed into the Regalia; Noctis, Iris, and Gladio in the back. They two were used to the cramped space due to having Eden usually riding with them. Conversation flowed easily as they buckled in for the long drive. Bantering about Noctis' and Prompto's driving skills, the area around them, what's happening once they reach their destination; Iris even brought up Cor's and Eden's trip, wondering what the duo could be doing about now.

After about an hour of driving, Prompto caught sight of something, "Uh...got some bad news guys."

Gladio rolled his eyes in annoyance, "oh, great. Another flying fortress."

"Let's pull over and have a look," Ignis suggested. They all agreed and Ignis pulled over towards the motel in Old Lestallum. They climbed out of the car and with Iris remaining in Old Lestallum, the rest of them set out to scout the nearby base. The last thing they needed was more Imperial trouble as they headed to Caem.

Upon reaching a lookout tower, Ignis devised a plan. Gladio and Prompto will make a diversion, while Noctis and Ignis sought out the base commander and questioned him. Once night has fallen Noctis and Ignis made their way into the base and found their target.

"That's our target, we'll follow him until we have a moment to grab him," Ignis instructed, "Stay out of sight."

Noctis nodded and sticking to the shadows they trailed their target. Noctis used his warp ability to his advantage crossing from catwalk to catwalk as he stayed out of sight. After a while, his opportunity came and warping, Noctis quickly subdued the commander.

Ignis caught up with him just as a large explosion ripped through the base. "Sounds like the others, why don't you meet up with them and I'll escort the commander off base?"

"Guess it's time to let loose," Noctis muttered with a grin as he headed towards the Magitek Generator. Taking out some troops as he moved, Noctis soon regrouped with Gladio and Prompto. A noise distracted him as an Armour made its presence known. The three were quick to take it down and moved to disarm the generator next. Once the area was secured, Noctis spotted Ignis making his way towards them, but the adviser had a disgruntled expression on his face, "glad to see you lot were successful."

Noctis frowned, "does that mean you weren't?"

Ignis nodded, "I placed our captive into Hunter's custody, but I've just been informed he's fled. He lives to die another day." With that said, the group quickly made for the exit, only for Noctis to abruptly stop as a shadow quickly made its way towards him. Noct quickly brought out his sword to block the attack, as the shadow revealed itself to be a woman dressed in black armor. She made to attack again and once again Noctis blocked the attack, he could see her smirk behind the spiky face gear she wore, "Hey, pretty boy," she greeted, backing off and bringing her spear around into a fighting position, "let's see what you can do."

She attacked then, moving swiftly as the others moved into defensive positions around the prince. Noctis warped in, but the dragoon used her spear to vault over the attack and into the air. Noctis frowned keeping an eye on her as Gladio stopped at his side. Looking over to his shield he commented dryly, "It like sparring with Eden. She's so agile and fast."

The shield nodded, "Yeah, except Eden isn't out to kill you when you spar."

Nodding Noctis turned his attention back to the fight, just in time to parry a blow from the dragoon's spear. They exchanged blows, occasionally taking out the troopers that showed up until the dragoon jumped on top of a nearby building. "Awe, is it that time already?"

Noctis frowned, confused, "What time?"

She smirked, "quitin' time. This girl doesn't work after hours. I could but there wouldn't be a single gil in it for me. We should play again sometime, pretty boy." And with that she vanished, jumping off the building.

Noctis watched her leave, "Who the hell was she?"

Gladio turned to him then, "We shouldn't keep Iris waiting."

Noctis nodded, putting the encounter with the unknown dragoon out of his mind. They quickly made their way out and the base and back towards Old Lestallum.

Iris greeted them with a grin, "You're back! Did you kick their asses?"

Noctis grinned, "oh, yeah."

Gladio nodded in agreement, "all in a days work." They made their way towards the hotel to wash up and call it a night, they planned on continuing the drive to Caem first thing in the morning.

Morning dawned bright and warm as Noctis and the others made their way towards the car. Noctis looked over to Gladio as Ignis pulled out to the parking spot, "hey, heard from Eden?"

Gladio nodded, "yeah, got a call from her early this morning. Sounds like the Marshal is keeping her busy with magic training. They also managed to locate a couple more of the royal tombs, as well." Gladio frowned then, "though one of them seems to be missing."

Noctis frowned, "What do you mean missing?"

Gladio shook his head, "She said the tomb was empty. Thinks daemons managed to get to it first and hide it somewhere."

Ignis spoke up then, "do they have an idea of where it might be?"

Gladio nodded, "Cor thinks it might be located inside Costlemark Tower."

Prompto frowned, "Costlemark Tower? What's that?"

Ignis frowned, before explaining, "An underground labyrinth dating back before the War of the Astrals."

Prompto's frown deepened, "and there's a royal arm inside? That means we have to go and get it, right?"

Noctis nodded, "yeah, eventually. But the dungeon is dangerous, too dangerous for us at the moment, we'll have to go there later."

Ignis nodded in agreement, "We'll have to take it on before we leave for Altissia."

Noctis nodded, "Once we meet up with Eden again, we'll look for the rest of the arms." Silence descended upon the group as the drive to the coast continued. It was broken as Gladio commented on the recent battle with the dragoon. "I could have gone another round."

While conversation moved from the battle to the upcoming boat ride and what to expect upon reaching Cape Caem, Noctis thought about the rest of the royal arms and on Eden's trip with her father.

They haven't been separated from her for this long before, even though Gladio seemed to be doing okay. The talk this morning with her must have helped him deal with the separation. The bond between them usually wouldn't allow for such a long period of no contact, but the phone calls may be enough till his shield and mage were reunited.

The drive continued in silence until Prompto spotted a rough road off to the side. "is it me or is this place begging to be explored?"

Noctis nodded in agreement, "Never been one to turn down an invitation."

Ignis looked thoughtful, "if what they say about the Malmalam Thicket is true..."

Gladio finished his train of thought, "Then we might just find what we're looking for here."

Upon everyone's agreement, Ignis turned off the main road and onto the dirt road leading deeper into the surrounding woods. Pulling off the road into a parking spot by the river they group spotted a bridge ahead.

Using the Chocobo whistle, much to Iris' delight, Noctis called the birds to take them across the bridge and up the waiting path. Taking care to avoid the beasts by the water, they instead headed up the hill and deeper into the surrounding woods. Continuing up the path the group came across a small dirt trail off the main path. The trail ended up leading them to a little shack with an old woman selling home remedies.

After stalking up on potions and other useful items, Noctis and the others headed for the deepest part of the Thicket. "Be on your guard, we don't know what creatures lurk about," Ignis advised.

Nodding the group moved forwards, only for Iris to call out in shock as one of the plants took a swing at her. Gladio was there a few moments later to take down the plant, but the damage was done as Iris took a swing at her brother, her expression fearful.

Gladio ducked out of the way and immediately put his sword away, holding up his now empty hands. "Hey, now..."

"What's wrong?" Noctis called, making his way over. Upon seeing the look on Iris' face and Gladio's raised arms, Noctis immediately reached for a jar of smelling salts. Carefully handing the jar over to his shield, Gladio took it and made his way slowly closer to his confused sister. When he was close enough he wrapped an arm around her and put the jar under her nose.

Iris' eyes fluttered as she slowly came out of her confusion. "w-what happened?"

"The toxins from the Mandrake must have got to you," Noctis explained as Gladio looked her over, carefully.

Iris shook her head, "it looked like a purple flower until it moved and attacked me."

"Camouflage," Ignis explained, "its means of defense and surprise attacks. We'll have to tread a lot more carefully, watch where you step," he cautioned.

Nodding the group carefully made there way deeper into the foggy forest. Noctis paused as he spotted a small alcove with mushrooms. "Ignis!" he called.

Ignis made his way over and spotted the mushrooms, "that's it!"

Gladio grinned, "What's up Iggy?"

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

"I could taste test for ya," Gladio offered, as Ignis grabbed a handful of the Malmashrooms and stored them away for later. Noctis shook his head, expression bemused, before he continued up the trail. Never a dull moment, he thought.

Though he paused as he caught the sound of running water, Prompto too heard it as he questioned, "is that a brook I hear babbling?"

Gladio frowned, "Sounds like a regular river to me."

Noctis grinned, "Think I have time to cast a line?"

Prompto shook his head, "sorry, bud. Need you to reel yourself in this time."

They made a quick work of the Wasps and Crabs, before spotting the welcome sight of a haven.

"Hey, I know those runes," the gunman chirped.

Gladio grinned, "It a sign. Let's set up camp."

Noctis shook his head amused, "you a fortune-teller now?"

Ignis spoke up then, "we could rest up or move on. Your choice, Noct."

Noctis paused to take in the stock of the suns position, "Might as well rest up, the sun's looking pretty low."

Ignis nodded, "I'll start on supper."

Iris chimed in then, "Oh, let me help." Ignis nodded thankful for the help and went to work setting up his cooking supplies; while Noctis, Prompto, and Gladio set up the tents and chairs.

After a dinner consisting of a stew with the newly gathered mushrooms, the boys played on their phones, Prompto showing Iris the game.

The next morning dawned foggy and cold as the group continued on through the Thicket towards the inner sanctum. Crossing the river, with both Noctis and Prompto complaining about the cold water, and up a small waterfall, to some very dense trees opening up to reveal the Royal Tomb and a sleeping beast in front of it. Prompto gaped at the size of it, from head to toe it was covered in spikes, "what the heck is that?"

"A Bandersnatch, I think," Ignis answered. "Though no one's been this close to it before now."

Prompto nodded, "I can see why."

Noctis looked grim as he studied the beast, "As long as we're careful, we should be able to take it down."

Ignis nodded, "Keep an eye on that tail, don't want it hitting you and knocking you off a cliff."

Nodding, they split off and carefully surrounding the beast as it moved to attack, Jumping over the tail Noctis grabbed a pole-arm from his Armiger and struck the beast in its side, causing the Bandersnatch to stagger. Prompto moved in from the other side using the machinery that Noctis had found earlier to do some heavy damage. While Ignis and Gladio battered at with their chosen weapons. Iris stayed out of reach keeping a close eye on the boys and distracting the creature when one of them looked to be in danger. Little by little they damaged the creature until with one final blow, it collapsed dead at last. Ignis and Iris moved among the group after the battle tending to the various wounds they managed to acquire before Noctis moved to acquire the Royal Arm. The weapon inside turned out to be a scepter. Noctis moved towards the arm and read the inscription on the tomb, "A king ruled the realm according to divine law and worked hand in hand with the Oracle. This was his staff. It smites foes with a blade of light."

Reaching out Noctis called the arm two him and in a flash of blue, it joined the rest of his arsenal. Once it was acquired, they made their way back towards the car and headed for the main road to continue on their way towards Cape Caem. They occasionally made pit stops allowing them to stretch their legs and Ignis to take a break from driving. Their final pit stop was at a haven and fishing spot, where they spent the night after Noctis caught them a Dark Allural Sea Bass to have for dinner.

The next morning dawned bright and warm as they drove the last half an hour to their destination. The first thing they noticed up reaching the Cape was the lighthouse atop the hill.

"Whoa, that's a pretty impressive lighthouse," Gladio commented, admiringly.

Prompto agreed, "What say we head on up?"

"Ought to be a nice view, if a bit blustery," was Ignis' opinion. A little further up the hill was Cindy, who had been waiting for their arrival.

"Knew it was Y'all. Recognized the purr of that engine anywhere," she greeted.

Prompto grinned and said, "whew, you know your stuff."

Iris walked closer to Cindy, commenting as she moved, "Thanks for the ride. It was fun."

They parted ways and headed up towards a nearby house where a familiar form waited on the front porch. Gladio was the first to spot her and immediately headed in that direction, calling out as he walked, "Eden."

Eden grinned and waved at them, "hey, long time no see." Her voice brought out the rest of the house's occupants as Cor and Talcott came to greet them. She moved off the porch and walked straight into her boyfriend's arms. Cindy approached then, after telling Ignis and the others about the parts that they needed to acquire to finish the repairs on the boat.

"Trouble is we're having trouble findin' a certain somethin' by the name of 'Mythril'. Apparently the stuff hard to come by in these parts, according to the little fella from the city."

Prompto blinked in shock, "Talcott?"

Cindy nodded with a grin, "you betcha'. Sharp as a tack that one, Probably tell ya more about the stuff that I could."

Talcott grinned as they approached the house, "I was reading my grandpa's journals with him and there are some ruins by a lake that's said to have Mythril inside."

Iris spoke up then, "I'm pretty sure you're talking about the Vesperpool."

Eden frowned, "That's gonna be a tricky one."

Noctis frowned and looked at the Glaive, "how come?"

"Rumor has it that you can only enter the ruins at night, just like Costlemark Tower. And the road there is under Imperial lockdown, you gotta be prepared for anything."

Gladio was the one that answered, "Yeah, just give us a second."

Cor approached the group then, "Seems like both Gladio and Eden will be going with me for a while. Think you can handle this without them for a bit?"

Noctis looked at his three remaining companions before answering, "Yeah, we'll be able to handle it. You three do what you need to."

"Alright," Gladio nodded, "We'll be meeting up again sooner than you think."

Nodding, the group once again split up getting ready to go their separate ways for a while.