Chapter 20

It had been a month, and the daemons were still spawning anywhere you could set foot on. Recovering from the dark burns, however they still showed their marks on his skin, Velle wasn't feeling the burning pain on his body anymore. Thanks to setting the A/C to cold in the RV, and putting cold wet towels on his burns, he recovered. Now recovered, he was sitting outside, watching the daemons walk by, seeing them pay no attention to them.

Iris walked to his side. "Hey, how do you feel?" Iris asked, having this temptation to hug him from behind, but not just yet. Not with everybody, Gladiolus including, being around.

Velle looked at Iris, looking at his darkened arm. "I've been better, but it doesn't hurt anymore, thanks to you."

"Well, why wouldn't I do it?" She said, smiling.

Velle thought about her smile, the same one he'd see, despite these hard times. Maybe, it was something about him that gave her the feeling to smile and mean it. Velle then saw Cindy walking about, with her phone, seeing her walk towards where they were. She put her phone away, and looked at Velle. "Talcott says he found his highness. He'll be arriving with him soon."

Velle and Iris had surprised expressions on their faces. Finally, he was coming back. Velle's surprised face grew to a smile. "That's great hear. Thank you, Cindy."

"Don't thank me, thank Talcott when he brings him.." Cindy said, then walking back to her garage. "Tell the others the news."

Velle nodded and looked at Iris. "Go tell your brother. I'll go tell the others." Velle said.

Iris nodded, as she walked off to find Gladiolus, Velle going to find Ignis and Prompto.

As everyone was told about Noctis' return, they all waited outside for him to arrive. A few minutes passed, and they saw a truck coming towards them, and watched as a much older Noctis stepped out, having hair around his jaw. Noctis walked to them, smiling. "Hey."

"Hey? After ten years that's all you have to say?" Gladiolus said.

Noctis looked down for a second. He then looked at them one at a time, seeing how they've all changed in 10 years. "It's good to see you guys again." Noctis said. "Where's Iris?"

Velle looked around, to see she wasn't there. He guessed she was shy, or it was something she was scared about. "Hold on." Velle said, thinking she went to hide in the RV. He checked, to find her in the bedroom. "Iris? Is something wrong?"

Iris looked at him, and looked down. "Nothing..."

"Iris. If nothing was wrong, you would have went to see him by now." Velle pointed out, not believing her.

Iris sighed and stood up. "I'm... just a little to see him. To him him so... different."

"Don't worry, he's okay." Velle said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "He wants to see you."

Iris blushed a bit, as she looked down, but had a smile. "Okay." She was about to walk out the door, but she looked at him. "Thanks Velle. When this is over... I have something I want to ask you." She said, then walked out.

To Noctis' surprise, he saw complete change in Iris. The outfit, her height. It was almost as if she was a different person. "Iris... you've grown so much." He commented.

Iris smiled, standing next to her brother. "Thank you... Noct. Welcome back." She said, putting her hands together.

Prompto, Ignis and Gladiolus nodded. Velle stood in the middle of them. "So... I guess this might be the last time we'll see each other, right? At least for a while." Velle said.

Noctis nodded sadly.

"I say we should catch up. One last camp fire. Together." Velle said, with a smile.

Noctis nodded again. "Yeah. Sounds great." He said, the six then had their final rest.

At that moment, Velle all sorts of emotions, something he was unfamiliar with, feeling all of them at once. Happiness, to see Noctis. Sadness, to see him go so soon. Anger, knowing all of this was because of Ardyn. Proud, for helping Iris become what she was, seeing how far they've gone. And love, for Iris, now really knowing he was.

They talked the whole time, as they had a meal, personally prepared by Iris. But the meal was everybody's favourite foods. Gladiolus had cup noodles, as odd that was. Prompto had soup, as he was very fond of soup. Ignis had Kenny crow's original recipe, it being an omelet of sorts. Noctis had a meal known as "Mother and Child Rice." It had a chicken leg in it, or chickatrice leg, egg in it, and rice. Velle had spicy skewers, something simple. And Iris just had cup noodles as well.

They first talked about Iris' growing throughout the years. How she learned to fight, who taught her, what she taught herself throughout her years of combat, what she's done, and how she earned the name, Iris the daemon slayer. Iris was enjoying the attention, and felt proud, knowing that everybody was proud of her, and happy with what she done these years.

Then it changed to the subject of Noctis, and what he had to do. He had to go back to Insomnia, face Ardyn, and reclaim his throne. He did say that after a while, they could see each other again, but it would be a while until then.

To Velle, this was such a great moment, that he would never forget it. To be together again, after 10 whole years. And the fact that he and Iris survived it all together.

It was then officially time for Noctis, Ignis Gladiolus and Prompto to go. To face Ardyn and end this nightmare.

They had a special outfit prepared for this moment, know as, "The King's Regiments,' each having one. As they put them on, they stood at the exit of the place, looking at Iris and Velle. Sadly, they couldn't go. One, is was their battle, and two, the people there would need them there. To protect them for a little longer. "Well, we'll see you guys later on."

Velle smiled and nodded. He walked to them. "Good luck guys. Show Ardyn what happens when you mess with The King." Velle said, with a grin.

"Yeah, we will." Noctis said. "And, thanks Velle. For watching over everybody while we were gone."

"Who knows where they would have been without you or Iris." Gladiolus commented, smiling.

Getting praise from them was a nice feeling. To actually be thanked for it. He smiled and nodded. "It was only the right thing to do." Velle sighed, but in a happy tone. "See you guys soon."

"Velle... Iris... Walk tall." Noctis said, as farewell. They then left, to take back home.