The Regalia , and the party's second car has been taken to Aracheole Stronghold, a nearby imperial base. Noctis then calls the chocobos and they ride , Prompto wonders about the recent events.

" what is the king's calling exactly ? "
" well become best buds with the gods maybe ? "
" Legend has it that the king one stood alongside the six in the battle to banish the darkness "
" darkness seems awfully vague "

The group approaches the base to find a fortress.
" entry will not be easy " Ignis then remarks.

They then head to a nearby camp to come up with a plan. Sora , Donald and Goofy sit on the floor.
" so any bright ideas , Ignis ? "
" a dark one , as it were a frontal assault will leave us exposed. But if we move under the cover of night we may be able to infiltrate the base unnoticed. Until then we learn about the base design and try to narrow down to where they are keeping our cars. I will try to find us a way in. "
" sounds good "
" alright we will get our wheels back " Prompto then chirped.

" Our goal is getting our cars back. The last thing we want is to engage an entire garrison. Avoid detection at all costs. "
" in and out before it gets light then "
" Indeed , even if it means leaving the task unfinished. We withdraw before we overstay our welcome. "

" together on my signal , till then hold position. "
" three ,
two ,
one ,
Now... "

Noctis then throws his sword into the back of a soldier , instantly killing it and the second one that is also nearby. Getting inside Ignis pulls Noctis back into the shadows.
" searchlights " gesturing to wait before moving on and sticking to the darkness and telling the group to follow.

Inside they find a magitek armor looking around.
" don't want to mess with one of those "
" we should not have to if we keep to the shadows "
" Right "

Finding three targets in the next area Sora and Goofy join in with Noctis.
" target their blind spot , one hit , one kill "

Noctis kills his target with a warp-strike while Sora and Goofy bonk them on their heads with their weapons. The sticking to the darkness strategy worked will Donald made a mistake and left them exposed.
" you can kick yourself later , now we kick some imperial butt " Gladiolus then responds. The rest of the group then summons their weapons , clearing the immediate area they then find a magitek generator.

" this explains why the resistance in this area is strong. "
" I say we wreck it , spare us the sneaking around "
" The risk is too great , finding our cars comes first "

The party then finds the two cars in a central area still in good condition. They then focus on the generator believing it will weaken the MTs.
" our cover is blown , destroy the generator " Ignis then commands. " the entire base is fair game , hold nothing back. The havoc will keep the enemy off balance. "

Focusing on a distant target Donald calls " thunder " a bolt of yellow lightning its the target frying it to a crisp. Goofy spins his shield and knocks it into groups of MT troopers. Sora brings his keyblade hard on another's head. While Noctis' party fights using close teamwork aiding one another and linking their attacks.
Noctis soon hears a call in his head , the voice of an Astral.

A hand then grabs him and lifts him up midair the hand of the god of thunder Ramuh. With its help the party demolish the base. The group then moves to reclaim their cars. Prompto then turns and calls out the others.
" Guys "

Turning around they see someone approach a young male with silver hair wearing white frock with black lining with a large collar that has a purple trim, and armored boots. Black downward-pointing sword symbols are found on the hem and sleeves of his coat, as well as a large crest with a unicorn of what is assumed to be the crest of either Tenebrae or House Fleuret. In place of his left arm was a prosthetic.
The male looks like he means business... His saber was drawn and held at his side as he walked to the group.
" Long has it been , Noctis "
" Ravus "
" you receive the storm's blessing , yet you know nothing of its consequences. "

Ravus points his saber at Noctis.
" watch it "

Ravus then turns his saber at Gladiolus when he steps in.
" Be still all of you. Heir to a crown befitting none other. Witness his spender and glory , all hail the chosen king. "
" Awful high and mighty for an imperial rat , serving the enemy to hunt down Luna "
" I do not serve I command "

Ravus responds as he then throws Noctis back with his other arm. Gladiolus takes this time to cover.
" the king's sworn shield "
" you better believe it "
" a weak shield protects naught "

Ravus responds as he brought his blade down then disarming Gladiolus and slamming him into into the Regalia behind him.
" you want to go , lets do it " Noctis then summons the armiger
" should the chosen fall , that too is fate "

Ardyn intervenes and lets the party leave the base with the two cars. As the party drives to Lestallum now that the roadblocks have been lifted, they ponder why Lunafreya's brother is working with the empire, and what Ardyn's gambit for helping them out could be, Noctis loathing both.
Ravus has an artificial arm, having lost a limb during the battle in Insomnia, but regardless appears to wield superhuman strength.

In Lestallum they discover that Jared has been killed by Niflheim soldiers during their search for Noctis. Imperial airships patrol the skies of Lestallum and imperial flags have been posted around the city. Iris is determined to flee the town to the rural port of Caem. Even if the ships from Galdin Quay don't run due to an imperial blockade, Caem has a secret harbor they could use. Noctis is determined to continue on his journey, and overnight dreams of chasing Lunafreya's white dog Pryna through various terrors.