Okay, I'm gonna do a bit of an opinion poll. Those of you reading this story, what do you want to see between now and the Leviathan rite? Would you like to see Aria and Caedus go on more hunts? Or would you rather I keep the bridging chapters to a minimum and get to Leviathan as quickly as possible?

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The morning came too soon. Breakfast was a casual affair, everyone talking about how beautiful Altissia was supposed to be, and their hopes that the rite with Leviathan would go smoothly. Sitting next to Ignis, Aria couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. She'd almost forgotten that the whole point of going to Altissia was to awaken the sea goddess.

Cid left first, to do one last check on the boat. Cor left with him, talking quietly about something or other. Dustin and Monica worked to clean up as Talcott went outside with Iris to look after the garden.

Aria got to her feet as Gladiolus was goading Noctis for one last spar before they left. She felt Ignis' eyes on her as she crossed the dining room and exited the house. Breathing the sea air in deeply, she let her feet take her up to the lighthouse and circled around it to get a proper view of the ocean beyond.

Ignis was beside her quickly enough that he must have followed her the whole way. As he stepped to her side, she felt his fingers brush hers. "Did you want to be alone?"

"No. Just... wanted to think." She took his hand in hers, squeezed gently as she looked at him. "What's the endgame for all this? Lady Lunafreya awakens the gods, who give Noctis their blessing... and then what? How is all this supposed to save Lucis?"

A little sigh escaped him, and he turned from her to look out over the water. "I admit, I've wondered that myself. The crystal, the prophecy, the King of Light... it all seems larger than life, larger than us." He smiled, then. "But I believe in Noct, and I'll do all I can to help him. If the stars themselves say he's meant to save the world, who am I to argue?"

"That's a lot to expect of one guy." She felt his thumb brush over the back of her hand, and squeezed his in response. "But I guess that's why he has you."

He nodded. "Yes, and Prompto and Gladio as well." He released her hand and turned to enfold her in his arms. "When things are too much, we have each other... and I have you."

She smiled, reached up to touch the side of his face before standing tall to kiss him. "Right. Just make sure I still have you at the end of all this. Leviathan is not known for being the gentlest of the gods."

The kiss seemed to not be enough for him, as he bowed his head to claim her lips once more, one hand sliding up to her neck beneath her braid. When they parted, he rested his forehead against hers. "Perhaps not, but I don't fear the anger of the sea."

When all the final checks were done and the last goodbyes were said, Aria stood with Iris and Talcott on the docks. As they ran to the edge, she stood and waved from the main section until the boat was out of sight.

Talcott lowered his arms, looking back at Iris and Aria. "They're gonna be okay, right?"

Iris put her hands on his shoulders. "Of course they will."

Aria said nothing, crossing her arms over her chest even as Cor and Caedus came to stand with them. The marshal was frowning out at the disappearing wake of the boat. "As long as they're together, they should be just fine."

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Ssssshort chapter! Let me know your opinions in the reviews!