The group then descends into the mine , Ignis was forced to use a walking stick because of his bad eyesight while Prompto feels a bit unsettled. Ignis then speaks up " we are a foreign species in this environment take care we do not become prey " Ignis then trips on uneven ground and was caught by Serah and Prompto walking near him. Serah continues to watch him with concern , but they press on.
Serah eyes the ground for uneven footing , while Noctis scouts ahead " do not stray too far now brother " she tells him.
Ounce they reach the bottom Noctis takes note that there were some Daemons on the prowl. He immediately conjures a crystal sword and uses warp-strike targeting a nearby creature that looks like a overgrown crocodile. There were at least five of them.
By the time he finished one off , another one of those things had creeped up on him knocking Noctis down pinning him
" Damm it " he thought out loud.
" brother cannot fight them all off alone " thought Serah out loud she then rushes in conjuring a sword followed by the three remaining boys. Drawing the holy energy from her ring she focuses on a spell and releases it " Cure. "
Though she cannot use the warp-strike ability like her brother can. Instead her ring grants her the power to use white magic a power granted by the crystal. Noctis with renewed vigor he then breaks free of the monster's hold and kills it then warping away giving him sanctuary surveying the battlefield.
The constant use of magic drains Serah but she continues keeping an eye out on her teammates she then falls to the ground tired. Knowing the rest of the group will not last any longer and 3 of them still remain. At this point he summons a barrier of collected Royal Arms to surround him , and confers onto him a state of super speed , high mobility , heightened endurance to weaker enemy attacks , and levitation extended to as if he was flying. Noctis then releases the weapons sending them flying into the remaining 3 daemons killing them before landing on the ground and the Royal Arms then fade.
" Whew " Serah thought and looks around at her companions " everyone still in one piece ? "
" Yes all thanks to Noctis for finishing off those daemons " said one of the boys.
Moveing deeper into the mine they found their way blocked by a crane. The group predicts the tomb is below them and that there should be a way to get the machine moving.
They then look around for the control panel and attempt to activate it but the machine breaks down , next to it was a note that says 'in case this breaks down use back up generators , also indicating that a key used to do it is in a work shed.'
By now it was getting dark Gladiolus suggest they find a place to rest , Noctis agrees and finds a suitable area where they can be safe and set up camp. Sitting around a fire while Ignis cooks up something to eat. All the party had was some cold canned food and cup noodles. Prompto wanted to share some pictures he taken with Noctis but he still seemed in a bad mood and declined it responding in a disinterested tone " not really ".
They then set out early the next day , still with concerns of Ignis joining them. But he still responds the same saying that he is ok and can manage. The group soon finds the key to the generators and activates them while pushing through more daemons. Noctis wishes he can do more , but at this point staying alive is enough. Serah was the only family he had left , when this war had taken everything away from him.
Noctis begins acting irrationally and wanting to get this over quickly running off ahead of the party. A single Daemon was prowling around in front of the backup generator. He again conjures a sword using warp-strike leaping into the fray without much thought as he did the day before. He group then catches up with him just as he finishes the monster. Gladiolus talks to Noctis again " hey Noct , stop keep running off like that. "
" Alright , alright " he responds and goes to activate the backup generator , with Gladiolus telling him to be careful so he does not blow it up.
" Does it work ? " Prompto then asks then when the light turns green he cheers " alright , one more to go. "
They then activate the second generator and proceed to the main controls again finding the area swarming with those croc like daemons. Ignis then uses ice Elemancy chilling the area and slowing the creatures down for the others to make quick work out of. Ounce the area is clear Noctis proceeds to activate the machine , and the roadblock is then cleared.
Proceeding deeper into the mine Gladiolus stops Noctis again. " Hold up. You sure you are ready for this ? You got what it takes ? "
" To do what ? "
" to talk to your ancestors and convince them to lend you their strength.
Got a long road ahead. Can you see this through to the end ? "
Noctis is frustrated and looks away , some how his struggles had also gotten Serah involved more not knowing that she also has a part to play , on top of Lunafreya's death despite Serah's intervention with the goddess of the tides weeks ago.
" I do not know how I feel about it, I just want to run away from this but I cannot I got a duty to fulfill no matter if I like it or not it feels I am being shackled to fate. "
He then walks on but is again stopped by Gladiolus conjuring his greatsword and throws it into Noctis' path. Noctis turns and faces his friend " hey what was that for ? "
Gladiolus then grabs Noctis by the collar of his shirt and shoves him to the ground sick of his self-doubt and in hope of returning some sense to Noctis who had been acting irrationally since they left Altissia. Serah attempts to go to her brother but was stopped by Ignis and Prompto. Who reminds Serah of her brother's birthright a destiny that they both share to reclaim Lucis.
" This must be done " they tell her. Gladiolus summons back his blade and challenges Noctis to a duel.
