A Behemoth Of A Problem, And A Family Reunion.

After taking down an enemy outpost, and even defeating one of their brigadier generals for and his unique magitek armor. Sure they had some help from Cor, but this still marked a satisfying victory against Niflheim. And with the outpost taken care of, they were finally able to move around more freely, and they could now continue on with the journey to find more Royal Tombs. But first thing first, they needed to find Iris. After learning she had made it out of the city safely, both Asuka and Gladio were more than eager to see her again. So the gang drives into the Cleigne region.

"Look out world, here we come!" Prompto called out in excitement.

"We can finally leave this dust bowl behind" Gladio said.

"The lands beyond are vast by comparison to Leide" Ignis informed.

"Bigger's better! More stuff to see and do" Prompto said.

Asuka smiled "Despite all the stuff we wen't through, we still haven't even scratched the surface of what's waiting for us out here. Sure does sound fun".

"First comes Duscae, a region known for its wetlands" Ignis said.

"Really? Wetlands?" Noctis asked.

"There's also a chocobo forest" Ignis added.

Prompto's face lit up "Now we're talking!".

"Further west lies the Cleigne region, wherein we'll find the town of Lestallum" Ignis said.

"Oh. Isn't that where Iris is headed?" Prompto asked.

"Barring delays, she should've arrived by now. Maybe even had herself a look at the Meteor" Gladio answered.

"Knowing her, she has likely seen the entire town by now. Still happy she made it out" Asuka said, earning a nod of agreement from her brother.

"The Meteor of the Six?" Noctis asked.

Ignis nods "The same. Its heat is harnessed to power Lestallum".

"Whoa. That sounds way cool" Prompto said.

"I'm actually looking forward to this" Gladio admitted.

"Well, let's add checking out the meteor to our list of things to do once we arrive" Asuka said.

Soon thereafter, they begin drawing near the Alstor Coernix Station; Ignis slows down "It will be a long drive. Best fill up the tank before we set out" He pulls the car over at the station "I believe we have a solid lay of the land now. The driver's seat is yours, Noct, if you so desire it".

Noctis smiled at the idea of being able to drive whenever he wants. After everyone gets out of the car at the Alstor Coernix Station Noctis's phone rings.

"Who could this be?" He wondered as he answers "Hello?".

"Um, Noct?" Came an very familiar voice.

"Iris?" Noctis said in surprise.

"It's really you! So good to hear your voice! Everything's fine over here. We managed to make it to Lestallum. We just settled into our new digs. So, yeah. Let me know when you're coming so we can meet up" Iris said.

"Yeah, will do" Noctis said.

"You better!" Iris said, but suddenly Noct's phone was snatched out of his hand by Asuka.

"Iris! Is that really you!?" She asked.

"Asuka? Yes! I knew you and Gladio were safe!" Iris said happily.

"Iris, you have no idea how relieved I am to hear your voice again. When I learned about the attack, I feared the worst" Asuka said.

"It's ok, Asuka, I made it out safely. But we still have a lot to talk about. And I'd prefer we catch up in person" Iris said softly.

Asuka smiled "Agreed, unless anything happens we should be there by nightfal".

"Great! See ya soon, big sis" Iris said before both hung up.

Asuka handed Noctis' phone back to him "Sorry about that, I really needed to hear her voice again".

"Don't worry about it Asuka, I understand. Given how worried you were, least I could do was allow you to have some words with your sister" Noctis assured.

"Hmph. Iris can't even call her own siblings first" Gladio said.

"In all fairness, yours wasn't the obituary broadcast all over Lucis" Ignis said.

"Besides, we know why she would call Noct" Asuka said with a small wink, and Gladio chuckled a little at that.

Knowing Iris was safe, Prompto taps Noctis on his shoulder "Did you see that sign? Chocobos! …CHOCOBOS!".

"No time for that. Need to get to Lestallum" Gladio reminded.

"It's still ages away. C'mon, just a quick visit?" Prompto begged.

Asuka think, she really wanted to see her sister as soon as possible, but she wasn't cruel enough to say no to Prompto's eager face "Iris told us she would be there until we arrive. Just a quick detour to ride some Chocobos can't hurt".

"Yes! I knew I could count on you babe! So what do you say Noct?" Prompto said in hope.

Noct thinks for a moment before he smiles "Sure. Let's check it out".

Prompto jumped in delight "Yes! Gonna be awesome!".

Asuka giggled in amusment "Save your energy until you actually ride one, Chocohead".

With that, they got in the car and drives to the Chocobo Post in the Malacchi Hills, where the finest chocobos are bred and trained. Once they arrived, something wasn't right. It didn't look like any Chocobos were around and the people working there seemed to be on edge. Something wasn't right about this whole thing, but Prompto was still excited for a nice ride.

They walked up to one of the workers named Wiz and Prompto was the first to speak "'Scuse me. We'd like to ride the chocobos".

Wiz looked at him with a apologetic face "The chocobos, huh? I hate to break this to y'all, but we can't permit our birds to leave the post. Not while Deadeye's still about. He's an uncommonly ferocious behemoth that's taken to prowlin' these parts of late. His scent makes our birds nervous, an' to prevent accidents an' tragedies, we have no choice but to suspend rentals. But hold on, now—ain't you lads the hunters that've been makin' a mark? You reckon you could handle the likes of Deadeye? If you could bring the beast down, there'd be a reward in it for ya. But knowin' the danger, I wouldn't blame ya for sayin' no".

Prompto looked at the others "Well?".

"Hunting a Behemoth just to ride some Chocobos isn't that smart. And it would take time" Gladio said.

"Well then try to think about it like this. A Behemoth walking around unchecked is a danger to more than just the Chocobos. I say we take it out, if only to make sure the people here are safe" Asuka said.

Ignis thinks about it "Yes, I can see the logic in that. Such a dangerous creature shouldn't be allowed to walk around freely".

"Alright, let's hunt" Noctis said, signaling the end of the discussion. And the hunt began.

As they begin making their way into the Nebulawood in search of Deadeye, they hear a vicious growl, making them all stop in their tracks and look around.

"The hell?" Gladio wondered.

Looking up, they see first one tree, then a second collapsing among the hills in the distance. It was clear as day that something big was out there. And it could be what they are hunting for. Asuka could feel her hear raise a little. She could feel that the creature is strong.

"Something's amiss" Ignis said.

"What gave you that idea...?" Asuka asked, but she didn't need an answer.

"C'mon" Gladio instructed.

They cautiously head on inside; a number of trees in the area have been snapped; as the five friends make their way, they continue to hear creaking wood and occasionally see falling timber; they soon come into a clearing where they're met by a pack of voretooth fleeing from the other direction.

"Whoa! Look at 'em go!" Prompto said.

"For something to scare them, we must be getting close" Asuka said.

Continuing to make their way through the wood, the area becomes blanketed with mist; eventually, they make their way to an abandoned stone structure with an opening and passage through which they can crouch; Noctis begins to lead the way in when they hear growling again.

"Noct!" Gladio grabs Noctis and gently pulls the prince back before stepping forward, turning back and holding out his hand to indicate that Gladio will instead take point himself and they make their way in.

Gladio slowly and quietly makes his way forward a few feet, then turns back to motion for the others to follow; occasional growls continue; after the group has made their way in about a dozen feet, Gladio turns and stops them

"Hold up!" He whispered.

Still growling, the large behemoth Deadeye comes into view through holes in the structure. It began to munch down on something and it's clear that the behemoth is blind in its right eye due to some past wound. It seems that it's able to smell the group's presence, but due to its blind spot on its right side, it overlooks them when it should have been able to see them. It continues to munch down on whatever it's eating.

Gladio looks at his friends and sister, holds up a finger, closes his right eye and taps his closed eye with his finger "Deadeye, the name says it all" After a few more seconds of observing the massive animal, Gladio motions for the others to follow him "Let's move".

The group continue making their way forward, but after about ten more feet, Deadeye suddenly seems to know where they are; the friends press themselves against the ground to avoid Deadeye's snout as it's shoved down into the narrow passageway through which they've been crouching. After a few seconds, Deadeye gives up, he raises his head, roars, turns and stomps away; the five friends continue making their way through the passage and soon come to the exit.

"Here we go" Gladio said, as they make their way through the wood once more "It's weak on the right, no eye, no horn".

"We'll stay in range until we can exploit its blind spot" Ignis instructed as they continued on, they crouch to pass under a fallen tree blocking their path, and proceed "Exercise due caution".

Before going much further, they come to a fence they're able to jump over, then enter a mist-filled clearing of the wood where Deadeye has its blind side to them. Man he was big. Even through the mist it was easy to tell he was a dangerous monster. And as much as Asuka hated to admit it, she could never beat that monster alone.

"We've got the beast in our sights" Gladio said.

"But no plan of attack. The behemoth should be headed back to its lair, where we can catch it fully off guard" Ignis said.

"Yeah, as long as we stay on guard ourselves" Noctis added..

They began to follow Deadeye through the mist, being careful to avoid detection. If they tried to fight him here, it wouldn't go well. Still they had to remain close enough to not lose track of him in the dense fog. Asuka carefully followed the beast, but due to the fog she didn't see a wet stone and ended up slipping on it. The resulting noise stopped Deadeye in his tracks. Asuka cursed under her breath before quickly dashing behind a boulder, just as Deadeye turned around to look in her direction.

But Deadeye growled and walked towards the boulder, sniffing the air as he did. The foggy air made it harder for his snout to pick up anything, but that didn't stop him from checking it out. Asuka pressed her back against the boulder as she could hear Deadeye getting closer. Soon she could hear him right next to her hiding spot. Asuka noticed Deadeye starting to walk around the boulder, and she qucikly moved to the side along the boulder to keep herself out of sight. Deadeye's head was now right next to her and he could smell her.

'Oh come on, I am not even wearing any perfume!' Asuka thought in her head. Deadeye's tongue almost touched her leg, had she not moved it away.

Deadeye finally gave up, deciding that searching through the fog like this was a waste of time, and walked away. Once they were sure he wouldn't come back, the rest of the group hurried up to Asuka to make sure she was alright.

"You alright?" Gladio asked.

Asuka let out a breath before taking several more "I think my heart stopped for a moment! Gods that was terrifying!".

"You were lucky he didn't see you. That blind eye of his will be a useful exploit" Ignis said.

"Ready to continue, Asuka?" Noctis asked.

Asuka nodded "Yes. Let's go kill that thing".

They successfully followed Deadeye to the gutted and burned-out building in the wilderness that serves as his lair. In a more open area, fighting him should be more manageable. But the fight wouldn't be easy, and it would take everything they have to bring that beast down.

"All in a day's work" Gladio said.

As they round the corner of the destroyed building, Deadeye is visible through the mist on a small cliff a few hundred feet away; Ignis grabs Noctis's hand and pulls him to the ground; the rest join their huddle as they began discussing a strategy to bring Deadeye down.

"Alright, listen. See those Oil Drums? If we detonate them near Deadeye, the resulting explosion should cause enough damage to weaken him" Ignis instructed.

"Hmm, that sounds like a good idea. Alright, let's do this" Noctis ordered.

They go out of hiding and Deadeye spotted them right away. He growls before jumping down. He lets out a roar before charging them. He got close to a Oil Drum, and Noctis used some fire magic on it, causing it to explode and making Deadeye stumble back in surpris. Using this chance, the team charged the Behemoth. Using his warp ability, Noctis struck Deadeye on his blind side and Gladio stuck one of his front legs. Deadeye roars before rising up on its back legs and brought his large paws down with enough force that is caused a shockwave, which sent the group back.

Deadeye charges at them and Prompto fires at his face. But this only angered the beast and made it focus on the chocobo lover. Asuka charged in to help her boyfriend and punched Deadeye in the side of the face. It hurt but Deadeye smacked her away. Sliding across the ground, Asuka then sat up while rubbing her face. She noticed another Oil Drum next to her and got and idea.

She grabbed it before standing up "Hey you oversized dog-cat! Over here! Come and get me!".

Deadeye looked at her and began charging at her. She even taunted him by shaking her butt at him.

"That's right, nice and tasty!" Asuka said as she waited for Deadeye to get closer. Once He was close enough, Asuka jumped and landed on his head. He tried to shake her of but she held on to his horn before forcing the Oil Drum in to his mouth "SHOOT IT, PROMPTO!".

Seeing her plan now, Prompto aimed his gun and fired just as Asuka jumped of. The shot hit the Oil Drumer, causing it to explode inside Deadeye's mouth. The large Behemoth roars in pain as it began coughing out some blood. But now he was more enraged than ever and attacked again, but he was injured, allowing the group to get several hits on him. But Deadeye proved to be one stubborn beast, so they needed more fire power.

Ignis then noticed a large oil-tanker and got an idea "Noct! Lure him towards the tanker, and keep him busy!".

Realizing what Ignis was planing, Noct nodded and warped around Deadeye, strike him several times to keep him focused on him. While Noctis did that, the rest ran up to higher grounds where they would be safe. Seeing this, Noctis used his warp ability to join them. With everyone out of harms way, this gave Prompto the perfect chance to shoot the oil-tanker, causing a massive explosion that engulfed Deadeye in fire. The Behemoth roared in agony before he looked ready to collapse. He was not dead yet, but he was very weak.

Asuka walked up to him "Remember me? Not so scary now, are ya?".

Deadeye growls and weakly tried to attack Asuka. But she charged up her gauntlet with some fire magic and punched Deadeye in the face, stunning him and allowing Prompto to shoot out his one good eye. Being completely blind, Deadeye was helpless as his neck was sliced open by Noct, Gladio, and Ignis. Finally, the Behemoth fell down, dead.

"Man. Talk about our hardest hunt yet" Asuka commented.

"Photo op!" Prompto declared and everyone gathered in front of the dead Behemoth before taking a picture to remember their victory.

With that they headed back.


When Wiz saw them he smiled "You boys did it, you took down Deadeye! The area's safe again, an' we owe it all to you. On behalf of the locals, I give you my heartfelt thanks".

"So, about the chocobos…" Promto said eagerly.

"Our birds're at your disposal. You can rent them any time you like" Wiz said.

"Well we didn't do all that for nothing. Up for a quick ride?" Asuka asked.

Everyone nodded and rented some Chocobos and rode them around for about an hour or two. Prompto was having the time of his life and even Asuka was cheering like a little girl. Once they were done, they returned the Chocobos and began heading back to the car.

"Can't we stop to watch a Chocobo race?" Prompto asked.

"Prompto, we hunted a Behemoth so you could get the chance to ride a Chocobo. It's time to head over to Iris now. If we don't leave now we won't make it before it gets dark" Asuka said.

Prompto pouts "Alright. Still we need to come back here one day".

"I can agree to that" Noctis said as they reached their car and got it.

"Ah sweet Chocobos. You always set my soul at ease" Prompto said in satisfaction.

"I never knew you were so in to chocobos" Noctis noted.

"I'm tottaly in to chocobos. Don't take that the wrong way" Prompto said.

Noctis smiled "There is no wrong way to love a chocobo".

"Well, Prompto, if you love them so much. Maybe I should put on a chocobo costume" Asuka suggested, and Prompto almost fainted at the thought of Asuka in a chocobo costume, there is no telling how cute she would look. Asuka only chuckled at his reaction.

They drove for a while until they entered a large tunnel that was leading into Lestallum.

"It's like we're warping into another dimension!" Prompto said.

"Wonder where we'll end up" Noctis said.

Upon reaching the other side of the tunnel the city finally came in to view. And boy was it a beauty. Not as nice as Insomnia, but still something.

Prompto sat up "Wow!".

"Nice" Gladio agreed.

"This place is pretty big" Noctis noted.

"Haven't enjoyed the city life in a while" Gladio said.

"They've even got a cable car!" Prompto pointed out.

Ignis looked at it "I'd like to see where it leads".

"Another thing to our to do list" Asuka noted as they arrived at the central plaza of Lestallum.

"One hell of a crowd" Prompto noted.

"This must be the main thoroughfare" Ignis said.

Gladio's phone rings and he answers "Iris?".

"Gladdy!" Came Iris happy voice.

"We just rolled into town. Where are you?" Gladio asked.

"At the Leville. It's a hotel by the—" Iris began.

"'Kay, thanks. Bye" Gladio interrupted.

"Hey!" Iris said, but Gladio hung up.

Gladio puts his phone away "She's at the Leville. Let's go".

"Was that payback for not calling you?" Asuka asked.

"Maybe" Gladio said with a smirk.

Asuka shook her head and they continued on. They reach the courtyard outside the Leville Hotel in Lestallum, the ground begins shaking.

"Whoa, do you feel that?" Noctis asked.

"You mean the earthquake?" Gladio asked before Noct grabs his head and winces "What's wrong?".

"My head just started throbbing" Noctis answered.

"Headache?" Asuka asked.

"You alright?" Prompto added.

"Yeah, I'm fine" Noctis assured.

They continued on until they arrived at the Leville Hotel in Lestallum. While they stand in the lobby, Iris comes down the stairs.

"Gladdy! Asuka!" She called out happily.

Gladio smiled "Iris".

Asuka walked up as Iris skipped down the stairs before jumping in to her older sister's arms. Asuka spun her through the air before putting her down but still held on to her.

"You have no idea how good it is to see you safe, Iris" Asuka said, almost looking ready to cry.

Iris smiled at her "Same to you, Asuka. Look at you guys, holding your own out there".

"What can I say? You look good" Prompto said, earning a warning look from Asuka.

"All things considered. You guys are staying here, right?" Iris asked hopefully.

Ignis nods "That's the plan".

"When you have time, we have catching up to do" Gladio said.

"Sure" Iris said.

Later everyone is in a hotel room upstairs; an old man and a young boy are also with them there. Two people Gladio and Asuka knew well.

"Jared and Talcott! Is it good to see you" Gladio said with a smile.

"Prince Noctis! Iris is safe with me!" Talcott said, earning a giggle from Iris.

"Please excuse my grandson. He has yet to learn his manners" Jared said.

Noctis only smiled "I like it".

"Your Highness is very kind, but we shan't impose. A very good night to you, Your Highness" Jared and Talcott leave. Iris closes the door then everyone take a seat.

"So Iris, what was it like inside the Crown City?" Noctis asked.

"Not pretty. The Citadel took a beating. But a lot of outlying neighborhoods made it through in one piece" Iris explained.

"The empire had tactical targets in mind" Ignis noted.

"You know if there's anything else, you can ask me" Iris said, putting a hand on her chest.

"Yeah, uh, thanks" Notcis said.

"So…about Lady Lunafreya. I keep hearing she was in town. Apparently she left right away, but at least it means she's okay" Iris said.

Noct let out a huge sigh of relief "Good to hear. Thanks".

"Iris... did you hear about..." Asuka began but struggled to find the words.

"About dad? Yes... I was told..." Iris finished for her. The three siblings closed their eyes to pay a silent respect to the deceased father. Iris sighed before standing up "Well, get a good night's rest. Asuka, you can share room with me".

Asuka nods and stands up "Thank you sis. Don't get to lonely without me, Prompto".

"I always do" Prompto said with a smile.

Asuka smiled back and kissed his cheek before leaving the room with Iris. Later that night, Asuka and Iris were sleeping together in the same bed. Both holding each other close, with Iris face pressing against Asuka's chest, while Asuka held a protective hand on Iris' head. Neither of the minded this.

After everything that happened, they needed this.

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Tell me what you think.