A New Journey Begins.
Things were about to change. Gladio has rejoined the group and shared an interesting story of how he got his new scar and sword. He and Asuka took sometime catching up with a little spar, where Gladio showed just how much stronger he had become since last time they saw him. But now, it was time to move on. They had done everything they needed to do, and they needed to continue their journey... It eas time to make their way to Altissia, where they hoped Luna would be waiting for them, and this whole ordeal could finally end. They arrived back Cape Caem, where the boat that would take them to Altissia was waiting for them.
"Well, looks like we won't be seeing this place for a while" Asuka said.
"Nervous to visit a new place?" Gladio asked.
"Honestly? Yes. Got a tickling feeling in my stomach. Strange, after all places we've already seen, this somehow makes me a little nervous" Asuka admitted.
"It's perfectly normal to feel a little nervous about going to a foreign land. Give it time and you will be fine" Ignis assured.
"Yeah you're right. Besides, would be really pathetic of me if I wimped out now" Asuka said.
"Babe, you are many things, but no one would ever dare to call you a wimp" Prompto said.
Asuka chuckled "I would break their faces if they did. Alright let's do this".
They headed up to the light house but heard meowing. Asuka gasped and ran around and saw a cat laying on a crate. But not just any cat.
"Snowball!" Asuka called out happily. Snowball was the cat they saw in Galdin, who would've thought he would come all the way here? Regardless, the white cat ran over to Asuka who picked him up "It is you! Did you come all the way here from Galdin?" Snowball meows "Ahh, you must be both tired and starving, poor little guy, let's get some food in your belly".
"Well well, looks like your old friend missed you" Notcis said as Asuka walked up with Snowball in her arms.
"He walked all the way here from Galdin. He must be hungry. Anyone who knows if there is cat food around here?" Asuka asked.
"Why don't you try asking Monica?" Gladio suggested.
"She mentioned have kept several cats back home" Ignis remembered.
"Wow, and she never gave off a crazy cat lady vibe! I hope we don't have to go all the way back to Galdin" Prompto said.
"'Specially after the cat came all the way to Caem" Gladio added.
Noct scratched Snowball behind the ear, causing the white cat to purr "What drew him here anyway?".
"His dear friend, Auska, of course" Ignis answered.
Asuka smiled before they headed to see Monica "Excuse me Monica, was wondering if you could whip up some food to this little guy here".
Monica looked at Snowball and smiled "He is adorable. I can prepare something provided I have the ingredients, but I'm afraid we're all out at the moment".
"If you need fish, I can go catch one" Noctis said.
"I would be most appreciative. I am loath to admit fishing has never come very naturally to me" Monica admitted.
"Lucky for you, I'm a pro" Noctis said in pride.
Monica nods "Fortunate, indeed. Should the tide prove too troublesome, you might also stop by the stand. I recall seeing some cat food on sale".
"Why give him something like that we he can have a delicious fish? Come on Noct, time to put your fishing skills to good use" Asuka said.
"Understood, operation feed the cat is underway" Noctis said, half joking, half serious.
Luckily getting a fish wasn't to difficult. Noctis managed to catch a dark Allural sea bass, a real beauty and is said to be very delicious. Making it perfect for Snowball. Once the catch was made they headed back to Monica.
"Excellent catch, Prince Noctis. I'll start cooking straight away" Sh said as she took the fish and began to prepare it.
"Thanks for the help" Noctis said.
Monica smiled "It's no trouble at all. I love cats. I used to keep three back in the Crown City".
Noctis looked surprised "Wow, that's a lot of cats".
"Yes, I enjoyed many fond memories with them. Making this food reminds me of the time we spent together" Monica said as she finished preparing the fish "Sorry to keep you waiting. I hope your furry friend finds this to his liking".
"Let's find out" Asuka said as they put the plate on the floor and Snowball quickly began eating "Yup, he is loving it".
Monica smiles at that "Good to see I still got it. So are you planing on keeping him?".
Asuka sighed "Wish I could, but with all the traveling we're doing, there is no way I could bring him along for the ride. An adventure like ours is not for any cat. Not even one as brave as Snowball".
"Snowball, a fitting name. Well if you want we can look after him for you until your journey is over and you will finally be able to settle down" Monica offered.
Asuka smiled at that "You know, that does sound like a good idea. What do you think, Prompto?".
Prompto smiled "Hey, I am all for having a nice pet. So no complaints from me".
"Then it's settled. Once this is all over, I will officially adopt Snowball" Asuka declared.
Everyone smiled. Asuka as a cat owner would be something worth seeing. They headed back to the lighthouse to take the elevator down. Umbra comes running up the lighthouse steps to Noctis; after patting the dog's head, Noct checks the notebook he carries to find a message from Lunafreya saying "Waiting for you in Altissia". Noctis writes back "Be there as fast as I can". After writing his reply in the book and patting the dog's head again, Noct puts the book back in Umbra's bag; the group then take the lighthouse elevator down to a basement area in a seaside cave; there's a hidden harbor here and a makeshift living room area; this is where the boat they intend to use to reach Altissia is docked; Talcott, Iris, Cid and Cor are there.
"Look, Prince Noctis! Even the marshal came to say goodbye!" Talcott said.
At the bottom of the stairs Cor was standing silent before he finally spoke "Something I gotta get off my chest".
"What's that?" Noctis asked.
"I'm sorry. Sorry I wasn't there for your father. I swore an oath to protect the king, but I wasn't strong enough to uphold it" Cor answered, causing the whole room to go silent.
But then Cid walked up "Ain't nothin' nobody could've done to stop what happened".
"Yeah, I realize that" Noctis said.
Cid took a seat on the couch "But you need to realize just what you mean to the boys and girl by your side".
"I do" Noctis assured.
"Even if they can't solve your problems, you can't hide what's goin' on from 'em. It hurts like hell. Remember those ain't your bodyguards, they're your brothers and sister. Trust in 'em. Always" Cid said.
Asuka thought for a moment "Hey, since this will be goodbye for now. Why don't we take a group picture together?".
"Great idea! What do you guys say?" Prompto asked.
Everyone liked the idea, so with that, they all gathered for a group photo. They even got Monica to be part of it. Prompto prepared the camera and set it on a short timer to give him time to get in to position. Everyone got ready and waited and the picture was taken. It looked perfect, and would work well to keep them motivated. But now it was time to leave. Everyone made sure they had everything they would need for the trip. And of course, they made sure to say goodbye to everyone else.
"You can never have too many tools. Here learn to wield not only weapons, but magic as well" Cor said as he hands over a Magick Flask to Noctis "Just remember: it's a destructive force that doesn't discriminate. I suggest putting someone in charge of it".
"Right, thank you Cor. For everything" Noctis said. While that was happening, Asuka and her family were making sure nothing was left unsaid.
"So, you're leaving now" Iris said, sounding sad.
Asuka put her hands on Iris' shoulders "We will see each other again before you know it, sis. Until then, look afte Snowball for me".
Iris smiled "I will, I promise".
"Iris, regardless of what happens. I love you, and I am proud that I could become a part of this family. And I am proud to have you as my sister" Asuka said.
Iris got tears in her eyes "I love you too, big sister".
They gave each other a strong hug, and stayed like that for about a minute before pulling back, allowing Gladio to say goodbye to his sister "Take care of yourself, Iris".
"Right back at ya, Glady. And take good care of the others" Iris said.
"You got it" Gladio said before giving Iris a gentle hug, which she returned.
"Waitin' for an invitation? Get your asses on board!" Cid called out.
Everyone quickly got on board the boat. As the boat pulls away from the dock, Talcott and Iris are watching the boat was it, once they leave, they won't see each other for a long time.
Talcott suddenly shouts out to Noctis "Hey! Your Majesty!".
"What's up?" Noctis called back.
"Please come back soon! We need our king!" Talcott shouted.
"Yeah. Count on it" Noctis shouted back.
Talcott and Iris wave goodbye; Noctis waves back. Asuka waves too, before wiping a tear away from her eye. She really hoped everything would go right for a change. Either way, a brand new adventure had begun.
At Yureil Plaza, Altissia, Ravus stands in the rain staring at the church here; Ardyn approaches him from behind holding an umbrella, which he holds out to cover Ravus.
"The wedding day arrives, but alas, without the bride" He said in his annoyingly calm tone. Ravus says nothing, and turns to walk away; Ardyn walks along a few steps behind him "Of course, we've come for the Hydraean, and you've gone to such lengths to prepare".
Ravus stops, as does Ardyn "Merely my duty".
"Ah, but for an outsider to lead the imperial army must be a battle in and of itself" Ardyn said before he noticed someone arriving "Oh, Sir Dragunov, a pleasure as always. Anything we need to discuss?" Dragunov said nothing as he hands over a picture. Ardyn takes it and looks at it for a moment "Oh I see, so our mysterious daemon friend is still on the move. And he keeps killing and destroying everyone and everything we send to capture him. Such a tragedy. But nothing of concern I trust?".
Dragunov shakes his head before looking a Ravus, his cold eyes making it clear he does not trust Ravus at all. A feeling that was mutual, Ravus and Dragunov never got along. And Dragunov's horrifying reputation wasn't helping much.
"Well I will leave the search to your very capable hands, Sir Dragunov" Ardyn said and Dragunov nods before leaving. Ravus begins to walk away again "I held of from asking because I didn't want Dragunov to get the wrong idea. You've spoken to Lady Lunafreya?".
Ravus stops once more, then slowly turns to face Ardyn "No".
Ardyn takes a few steps whimsically "That obstinate secretary, standing in the way. While you rush off to slay the Hydraean for your poor sister's sake. All while having to avoid the watchful eye of Sergei Dragunov, as he will kill anyone who he believes to be a traitor, such lack of trust. I mean what does he understand about family?" Ardyn stops, lowers the umbrella to cover his face, then slowly raises it to look at Ravus knowingly "But I know. And I know the price of the covenant".
Ravus said nothing. He wasn't worried about Dragunov, as he was sure he could handle him. But he did indeed have his own personal mission he wanted to complete... and death to anyone who stands in his way.
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Tell me what you think.
