They arrived at the gate. To their surprise no one was there. But the bike was still where it was left. Cloud climbed down to check it over. The bike was surprisingly intact, save for a few cosmetic fixes that needs work. Cloud pulled it back a few feet to make her stand.
He set the kickstand so he could assess the damage on the side that skidded on the road. Just scrape marks. Cloud tested the storage compartments. Only one side opened, so the one shut tight needed a better look at. Cautiously he turned the engine on. Fenrir 2.0 roared to life and the engine sounded fine.
"Looks like she's durable enough to ride." Cloud turned the engine off.
"Damn, she's a tank!"
"It might be a little too far to take her to the shop if anything unseen is damaged enough you crash." Ignis pointed out.
"Lestallum?" Gladio suggested.
"It would be ideal. But who knows when the next time this gate will be unmanned for us to destroy and continue on. There is a settlement beyond close to the mountain, but I'm not sure if it's equipped to fix vehicles."
"Or one of us could help Cloud find the way to Lestallum and the rest of us venture forward? Then meet up later."
"Actually, isn't there a towing company that would take the bike to the shop?"
"Yeah, good thinking buddy. So does that mean you wanna explore with us?"
"But if Sephiroth targets me then - "
"Hold that thought. He involved us the moment he decided to fight us. Well, technically, we involved ourselves when we tried to track you down and Sephiroth took control of you. But, he showed an interest in Noctis. If we stick together then we got your back if he tries to control you again." Gladio reasoned.
"And we would need your input whether he's really allying himself with someone or if he's alone. You're the only one who knows him. And, you have more experience fighting him in his real body. We've only fought him while he had control over yours." Ignis added his perspective.
"Remember you shouldn't carry your burden alone. We got your backs, just like you had mine when I entered your nightmare on accident." Noctis reminded, and Cloud nodded.
"Okay. If you'll have me, then I'll venture with you guys."
After taking care of the huge beast that made a nest on the top of a dormant volcano, Cloud was taking in the views. He wasn't the only one. It was amazing and made them realize just how small everything was in comparison.
"If only we could have eyes in the skies then we would be able to track Sephiroth." Prompto had a thought.
"We could also put the word out of a silver haired man is wanted. We do have a connection to a magazine in Lestallum." Ignis suggested, turning the idea into a more realistic one.
"Wouldn't it be better if we had a picture, though?" Cloud pointed out.
"Wait, wait! Hold on." Prompto brought out his camera, searching. "Found it! Take a look."
They all peered at the photo in question. It was the celebration party. In the background stood a figure in black and silver hair glaring menacingly at the camera. He was close enough that his features would be recognizable if the photo cut out the main focus.
"I was going through last night and came across this detail. I forgot about mentioning it until now. So oopsies?" The blonde laughed nervously.
"No, actually this is a good one." Cloud was amazed Sephiroth would have been caught in a photo while he was ghosting.
"Then we should make our way to Lestallum as our next objective."
"What should we say that he's wanted for? We can't exactly say he's the destroyer of another planet." Cloud raised an eyebrow.
"No, but he is the one responsible for nearly destroying the entire swamp."
"That's good enough of an incentive."
xXx
"I might have to make myself scarce from the public eye." Sephiroth informed that same afternoon.
"What are they trying to do?" Ardyn raised a brow.
"Publish my picture from when I photo bombed Cloud's celebration party and say I'm the culprit of nearly destroying a whole swamp."
Ardyn threw his head back and laughed. He started clapping his hands at the novelty of those boys.
"It wouldn't do them any good anyhow. We're not even on the same continent as them."
"So then tell me more about your plan here for Altissa." Sephiroth was intrigued about this endeavor.
"Sweet sweet revenge served so cold Noct's heart will be broken beyond repair." Ardyn smiled. For a moment his eyes burned gold, before switching back to their normal color.