The final chapter here we go woo!
The two raced as fast as they could to where Kipih was. When they reached her she informed them that an airship was ready to take the two of them to where Garuda was. As soon as they were brought near, they could see the winds howling violently. The airship couldn't get right off to the center of the issues, having to drop them off outside of it, but Noctis and Prom wasted no time after getting off the ship.
They ran as fast as they could, seeing Ixal coming towards them the closer they got to the center of the storm. Prom was ready to pull out his bow to attack, but before he could he heard the Ixal screeching.
"Squaaaaakkk! Run! Run for your lives!" one of them said.
"Like our goddess, it is… yet our goddess, it is not!" the other shouted.
"Nay, something else, that thing is! Flee this place, we must!"
Prom and Noctis came to a stop just as the Ixal ran past them. They watched as the two ran off into the distance. From above the storm's center glowed and something started to bolt down from it. When it came closer to the ground it stopped and unraveled its wings.
Clamorous creatures… Why have they summoned me? And what strange land is this? Garuda asked as she looked down to see Prom and Noctis and then specifically Noctis. Ahhh, the Chosen King, Noctis. So that is the way of it. Yours was the presence that drew me hither. Very well. Take up your weapon, Chosen King, and face me. We shall see if you are worthy of my power.
A cyclone of wind spun around her and Prom finally drew his bow. "Get ready!"
"Now remember what I said about warping. Just try what you can and let's see if you can get it down!"
Prom worked as hard as he could to strike and attack Garuda. Around him he could see Noctis warping in and performing several consecutive hits. He saw how quickly Noctis could warp in and out of the range of Garuda. Knowing that he now had that power, he could feel that magic tingling within him.
He still had no idea if it was going to work, but he had to take a chance. When the wind started to pick up around Garuda, Prompto turned and readied to fire an arrow towards the opposing rock. He put all of this thought and concentration into it, trying to remember what Noctis had said to do. He could actually feel the magic trying to pull him closer.
With a deep breath he shot the arrow and focused on that magical pull. He felt his entire body move within an insult and the world seemed to blur around him. Within seconds he was by the rock he had fired at, standing right in front of the arrow now lodged into the rock.
"Great job Prom!" Noctis said as he warped over to him. "Now get ready! We warp in to strike together!"
"Right. On your word," Prom replied.
Noctis watched for a moment as he raised his sword. He breathed in a few times before he readied himself. "Now!"
Together they warped and together they hit Garuda, each on one side. Noctis smiled as he jumped back out of range of her next attack. "Yeah! Now that's what I call teamwork! Keep it up, Prom!"
After that they kept working on striking and fighting from different angles, all while keeping clear of any windy blasts. Garuda was still rather relentless, but the two were able to keep a steady pace. Though further along Garuda's attacks became harder and fiercer.
As Prom went to go for another shot when suddenly she blasted him back and surrounded him in a cyclone. Prom barely had a moment to catch his breath before he was forced into the sky, wind whisking around him, making him feel like the air was being sucked right out of him.
He swore he could hear Noctis shout something, but with the howling of the wind, it was too hard to make out. Prom knew he couldn't let Noctis get sucked in here. If they were both stuck then there would be nothing more that either of them could do.
Prom slowly turned his head slowly, trying to see Garuda through the spirals of wind. He gripped his bow and pulled an arrow back. With all the strength that he had, he managed to fire it right at Gardua's face. She howled in pain as Prom managed to pull the arrow out and fired it off to a rock to warp too.
"I'll take it from here, Prom!" Noctis shouted loudly.
He performed several magic attacks before performing a warp strike right to the chest. While Garuda was stunned, Prom took another opportunity to get in one last hit. Garuda screeched and the winds finally started to die down, and the two finally got the chance to catch their breaths.
"You really know how to put in a good fight, Prom. I'm impressed," Noctis said.
"I do what I can," Prom replied happily.
From above Garuda flew back down, hovering above them. The Crystal has chosen well indeed. I acknowledge your strength Noctis. Yours and your companion's both.
Noctis shook his head. "Man, what is it with gods and trails? Do you always have to be so skeptical?"
So it is decreed. At the world's peril do we grant our power unto the untested.
Noctis rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms. Prom couldn't help but chuckle softly before they both heard a distant sound coming closer. They turned and saw that it was Noctis's vehicle being driven by Cid, with Kipih in the seat next to him. He pulled all the way up to them before stopping, with both of them getting out of the car, walking towards the duo.
"Apologies for the delay!" Cid said as he approached. "She's unlike anything I've seen before, so it took me a while to get acquainted but the Regalia is as good as new."
Noctis looked a little surprised, but he smiled. "Seriously? I own you big time!"
Noctis Gardua spoke from above, interrupting the moment. There is much you have left undone on Eos. Your presence here is an anchor, allowing me to link the two worlds. For you, I shall open the way.
With a bit of her magic, a green glowing portal formed behind her. Garuda explained that the gate could not stay open for long, implying they wouldn't have much time to say their goodbyes. Prom couldn't help but feel a little saddened by it. He had just met Noctis, and in such a short amount of time he had gone through so many different feelings and emotions.
Noctis was not his N'oct, but he had felt he had some form of connection, something special that brought them together. From all of this, Prom felt like, in a way, talking to Noctis and going on this adventure with him gave him some form of relief over the grief that had plagued him for so long.
With Garuda vanished, Noctis approached Prom, drawing him away from his thoughts. If now was the last time he would ever see him, he needed to focus. He breathed it and stood up tall as the otherworld man stood right before him.
"Thanks for the company, Prom," Noctis said with a smile. "You know, it was nice going around seeing your world. And you know, learning about it and you too."
"I had fun. Let's do it again sometime," Prom said, though he knew deep down it would probably never be true. "And I liked hearing about your world too."
"Yeah, it's been fun. We gotta hang out again."
"It would be nice…" Prom said, taking a step closer.
"Prom?" Noctis asked as he stared up at him.
Without even giving a chance to say anything, he wrapped his arms around him.
"P-Prom?"
"Just… Let me have this moment. A moment I felt I may never get again."
"Oh. Sure no problem. Do what you need," Noctis replied as he placed his hands lightly on Prom's back.
For a moment, they stayed quiet, and Prom soaked it all in. He closed his eyes and could imagine N'oct. He felt like he could see his friend smiling at him. For just his own imagination, it felt so real, but the smile of N'oct was vibrant in his mind. He nodded at him before his image faded and the vision went to black, causing Prompto to open his eyes.
"May I offer something, Noctis?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Please let your Prompto know how much your friendship means. Let him know how deep your bonds and feelings lie. Don't let too many things go unsaid like I did, and now I can never say. I don't wish for anything to happen to either of you… but if there was… ah well if ever came a moment…"
"I think I know what you're getting at. I'll be sure to let him know," Noctis said. "And I may even use that idea you two had. You know, the exchange of two items? If you don't mind me copying it."
Prompto laughed. "I would be honored if you did."
"Then it's settled. I'll do that with Prompto, and even the other guys too. And thanks, Prom again."
He finally let go of Noctis, and stepped away. He wiped at his eyes, feeling a few tears that had formed. "No, thank you, Noctis. I cannot explain how I feel, but I think I know how I can move on."
Noctis gave him a small smile. "I'm glad to hear it. Glad I could help with that. But seriously, once I finish what I have to do back home, I'll find a way back here. We'll definitely hang out again, okay? I promise you that."
"Okay, then it is a promise."
"Oh hey, speaking of the item thing, I want you to have this," Noctis said as he pulled something out from the armiger.
He placed it into Prom's hand and he saw that it was a little fishing lure that was designed to look like a chocobo. Prom ran his fingers over it, admiring how well detailed the small item was.
"I could not take such a beautiful thing. Besides, I wouldn't know what to give you in return."
Noctis shrugged. "Hey, I got the photo of us. I think that should count for something."
Prom started to shake his head. "No, I should give you something. That is how we made it work."
Prom thought for a moment, thinking about every item that he had on him. He then pulled off one of the rings he had on, one that had a pretty red gem in the center of it. "Take this as my gift to you. It was one of my most recent goldsmith creations."
Noctis took the ring and looked down at it, a slow smile started to spread across his face. "Alright. It's a deal then."
With a smile, Prom looked down at the lure one last time before placing it into his pocket. "I know that it will bring me good fortune when I fish again."
"Good to hear it! Catch all those fish for me, okay?" Noctis said as he stretched his arms and faced the car. "Well, I better get moving. Don't know how much longer that portal is going to stay open."
Noctis seated himself in the Regalia and started up the engine, and Prom watched curiously to see what would happen next. He breathed slowly as he watched Noctis drive the Regalia all the way up and into the glowing portal of light. Within an instant it flashed and everything was gone. No signs of Noctis or Garuda were anywhere to be seen now.
It was over, and the adventure had come to a close.
"I hope one day we can see each other again." Prom said as he looked up to the stars. "No matter where you are and where I am, I believe you. I will keep hope that we may reunite one day more."