BOOK 2: THE TALE OF THE CHOSEN KING

CHAPTER 14 – REUNION

"Rise and shine, Prince Charming. We're here."

Aranea's voice woke him up. It was nowhere near sunrise, but she informed them they had reached Lestallum. The assault craft's doors opened. They were at the entrance of the power plant.

"Sounds like a spot of trouble's popped up at the power plant," the Commodore sighed dramatically. "Wish I could help, but I'm powerless to do anything I'm not ordered to. I'll leave the keeping of the peace to you."

"Of course," said Ignis, already preparing his daggers.

"We got this," Prompto sighed in resignation.

"Good luck, boys," she wished them sincerely.

There was, indeed, a source of trouble at the plant. Somehow, there had been a daemon outbreak which threatened the security of the entire complex. All personnel had been evacuated, and they had called for the Meldacio League for help. However, fireproof suits were scarce and they only had one to spare. They decided that Noctis was the best suited for that task.

"Lovin' that outfit, Noct!" Prompto catcalled as the prince adjusted his helmet.

"Why don't you wear one?"

"Well," said Ignis. "That's the only one. And if anyone stands a fighting chance in there, it's you. Forget about fashion and go."

It was good that they couldn't see his face inside the helmet. The special crystal was a perfect mirror to the outside viewer, but it let the wearer see the outside world without an issue.

"Testing!" Holly's voiced sounded through the radio. "Do you read me? Just wanted to thank you for offering to clear out those daemons! That'll give me time to treat this mythril for you. There's a hunter who went in right ahead of you. I imagine there're too many for one to handle… but the two of you should be fine. And a little heads-up: we're getting some unstable readings from the generators inside. Too much power and the whole place could blow, so be quick!"

Great: A race against the clock. As if he needed more pressure.

There was a figure by the power plant's main access, clad in the same special suit, but much taller than him.

"So, you my backup?" the hunter asked with a gruff voice.

"I thought we were partners."

"Anyway, place is crawling with daemons."

"Wait a sec. You sound familiar."

"Save the talk," the man cut him. "We got hunting to do. Now, if we're done with the introductions, follow me."

The inside of the power plant was a vast space, but what caught Noctis attention was the blast of heat he felt, even with the protection from the fireproof suit. He heard the cackling and chattering of small, humanoid daemons and knew what the trouble was about.

Goblins were weak, but they had an infuriating ability to sabotage installations and means of transport. There had been many a derailed train because of those monsters, and many a city deprived of power after they destroyed some high-voltage towers.

"There they are," said the hunter, hefting his greatsword. "You ready to rumble?"

"Oh yeah," Noctis readied his own weapon and grinned. That was one greatsword he could recognize anywhere.

Noctis could feel the beads of sweat rolling down his face as he fought. Lesser daemons were nothing but a nuisance, but in big numbers they could fell a seasoned warrior.

"Some pretty fancy moves you've got there," said the hunter. "Reminds me of a certain King I know."

"Fancy that," Noctis huffed, cutting down a monster. "Not too shabby yourself. You'd make a good sparring partner."

"You think so?"

His radio crackled and Holly's urgent voice came through.

"Red alert, you two! We're detecting a major power surge! She's gonna blow! Abort the mission and get outta there!"

"I ain't one to leave unfinished business," the hunter grunted. "Can't speak for him, though."

"Then allow me: I've got this," Noctis bragged.

"Well how 'bout you prove it?"

"Gladdy!"

As Holly said, the heat was rising dangerously. The hunter cleaved his way through the monsters, but it was Noctis the one to finish off the straggled ones. It wasn't until they stopped hearing the chattering that they stood still, listening.

"That all of them?" Noctis murmured.

"Think so."

"Nice job," the prince said, unsummoning his blade. "You didn't disappoint."

"When have I ever?" the hunter asked, unsummoning his own weapon.

Noctis chuckled.

"Keep it up."

"Will do. Now let's scram."

When they got out of the facility the sun was already out. Gladiolus took out the helmet, flashing one of his trademark grins.

"Great work in there!" Holly congratulated them. "As promised, here's your mythril. And thank you for your hard work."

"Sure," said Gladio, tossing the fireproof boots in the box Holly had pointed them to.

The woman had stored the treated ore in a security box. Transport would be faster, and Cid would have an easier time working with it.

"Hey, big guy!" Prompto greeted the Shield.

"So the hunter who went ahead…"

"The one and only. How ya been fellas?"

"Not bad. Woah…" the gunslinger exclaimed, finally noticing the new scars. "Someone did a number on you, though."

"You should see the other guy," he said, puffing out his chest. "Anyway, I'm back and better than ever."

They hung out at the power plant for a while, waiting for Dustin and Iris to take the ore ahead to Cape Caem. The first one to arrive was Iris, who ran straight to her brother and gave him a hug.

"Noct? Gladdy! I can't believe it!"

"Hey," the Shield resisted Iris' tackle and hugged her back. "Thanks for looking after her, Dustin."

The older man smiled, nodding.

"So, Gladdy," Iris chimed in, releasing his brother. "Did you apologize to Noct for storming off like that?"

"He made it up to me in there," said the prince, pointing back to the power plant.

They gave the mythril to Iris and Dustin, and the two of them went away, not without the young girl warning Gladio to never do that to Noctis ever again.

"Anything happen while I was gone?" the Shield asked as they made their way to the Regalia.

"Yeah," said Noctis. "The car got roomier."

"Smart-ass…"

The group had enough free time until Cid had the boat ready, and that meant they could go hunting and visiting more of the lost tombs the Meldacio League had discovered. The nearest would be a tomb sitting on the Vesperpool

On their way to the Vesperpool, they decided to make camp where, as a welcome party of shorts, Ignis cooked the Shield's favorite meal. Later, sitting around the bonfire with a cup of coffee, it was time for the stories.

"I'm stuffed," Gladio said, trying not to burp. "My compliments to the chef,"

"My pleasure. Did you enjoy your time with the marshal?"

Gladio nodded, stealing a glance towards the katana propped against his chair.

"So, uh," Prompto started. "What's that thing on your face?"

"This?" Gladio pointed to the new scar on his forehead with a smile.

"Yeah…" said Noctis while he played on his cellphone. "X marks the spot."

"Just a scratch. The other guy got off a lot worse."

"Worse than looking like some kind of thug?" Noctis joked, his eyes still glued to the screen.

"Speaking of which, who was this other guy?" Ignis asked.

Gladiolus started his tale of Gilgamesh, the Tempering Grounds, and all the things he and Cor found there. Ignis listened in respectful silence, but Prompto flinched at every dangerous and scary part. Gladio made sure the resurrected warriors sounded more terrifying than they really were.

"So that's how you got it," the gunslinger marveled when Gladio finished his tale.

"Waddaya think?" he asked, leaning forward so they could see it better in the firelight.

"Very perpendicular," said Prompto. "Really complements the one you got when you saved Noct from that bully."

"Yeah. Only difference is, this time, I ended up taking a pretty bad beating, too."

"Not unlike the licking the marshal received back when he was a lad," Ignis pointed out.

"Musta have a lotta guts to go up against Gilgamesh back then," Prompto mused.

"Yeah, Dad said he used to be a real firecracker."

"The more you know…"

"If the Blademaster sequestered himself during the Founder King's reign," Ignis pondered. "Then he's haunted those halls for some two millennia."

"That's a long time," Noctis sighed.

"All those years waiting for the chose King to arise," Gladio chuckled. "You sure know how to take your sweet old time."

"What can I say? I'm worth that wait."

"Gimme a break," Prompto wailed.

"And I, as well," Ignis pleaded.

"Just because you've got a Shield to protect you now doesn't mean you get to slack off," Gladio warned Noctis, but then he chuckled. "But if you do," he said, looking at the katana. "I'll be ready."