4. Just Like a Training Montage

Noctis was a little worried when they returned to the motel room to find Prompto gone, but thanks to some quick thinking from Ignis, who sent a text to their wayward friend, they soon found out he stepped outside for some fresh air. Noctis made a half-hearted excuse to go out as well, and didn't wait for Ignis or Gladio to respond before setting off to find Prompto.

It wasn't hard to figure out where he'd gone, considering they didn't see him on their way in.

Noctis made his way up to the roof, where he found Prompto sitting on the edge, deep in thought. He scuffed his feet against the rooftop as he approached to give his friend a warning that he was no longer alone.

Prompto glanced back at him, relaxing once he saw that it was only Noctis. "So, Rhyos showed up while you guys were out."

"Sorry I missed that," Noctis said as he joined his friend on the edge. He tried not to grunt in pain. It was far from the most comfortable place to sit and he hoped Prompto didn't want to stay there for long. "Did he tell you what he wants?"

Prompto scowled and shook his head. "Nope. I asked too, and he was just all 'maybe next time'. I'm going to go crazy before he actually gets around to telling me what he wants."

Noctis didn't know what to tell him. The Astrals were a mystery and sometimes he doubted even Luna knew what they truly wanted. Rhyos seemed to be odder than most, which complicated matters, and Noctis wished he'd been there to meet him, if only to get a sense of what the Astral was like for himself.

"He told me some other stuff though," Prompto continued. "Like, that place I fell in, it's some kind of Solheim temple. He says he sealed it off before the start of the War of the Astrals. And, uh, that crown that I showed you? That's the source of that light I used against the Iron Giant. Rhyos suggested I ask you for training, since you already know how to use magic. I figured he had a good point, yunno? I don't even know where I'd start."

Noctis hummed, trying to think of how his own training had started. He must have been really young; magic was in his blood and always had been. For him, using magic was instinctive and it was directing and controlling that magic that was the tricky part.

Not for the first time, he found himself wishing Luna was traveling with them. He knew she had her reasons for going ahead and didn't blame her for following her calling, but things would be so much easier with her physically by his side. Not only would it alleviate the worst of his worries, she was also a far better person to help Prompto with what he was going through.

But she wasn't there.

She was waiting in Altissia to awaken Leviathan so he could form another covenant.

He was the only person who could help Prompto.

Noctis reached up and ran a hand through his hair, before tipping his head back to stare at the stars. "I wish I knew where to start, but I'll try. I guess the first thing to do is figure out what your magic feels like when you use it."

Prompto thought about it for a moment. "It feels... warm, I guess. Or at least the crown does."

Which meant it was the opposite of the Lucis Caelum magic, which always gave a cooler feeling, like the breeze of a late autumn day.

"Hey, Noct? Are you going to tell Ignis and Gladio about this?"

"Told you I wouldn't, didn't I?" Noctis replied, wishing he hadn't made that agreement. Having to keep their training hidden from their friends was going to make things way more difficult than they needed to be and he bet that they would have some good advice.

Still, he was starting to come up with a plan that could work. Meditation played a critical role in learning to control his own magic, so that was where he would have Prompto start. His friend would hate it, probably more than he did, but it was necessary and would be the easiest step to keep secret.

"Okay, here's what you need to do," Noctis said, quickly explaining his idea.

Prompto made a disgruntled expression at his half-assed idea, clearly expecting more from someone whose entire family was known for their magic and connection to the Astrals.

(It wasn't like Bahamut left them with a handbook on that sort of thing!)

"Great. Meditation. Got it," Prompto grumbled, pulling his legs up against his chest.

Noctis felt back that he didn't have a better idea for how to help, but he wasn't going to let Prompto treat his idea like the garbage that it was. It would help in the long run and was infinitely better than running around and fighting daemons, hoping to replicate what happened that night down at Cape Caem. (Also, it would buy time for Noctis to figure out a better idea.)

"The tricky part will be keeping this from Ignis and Gladio, but if you meditate while we're on the road and work on channeling energy in the tent before they come to bed, then we might be able to pull this off," Noctis said.

Prompto was quiet for a few minutes. "Do you really think I can do this?"

"Prompto, I know you can do this. I bet you'll be even better at it than I am, too," Noctis said. "Look, I know it sounds lame and you probably think magical training should be something that's exciting and fun, but it isn't. I spent a lot of time when I was younger on meditation and understanding the flow of energy in my body. It made things easier later on. Well, some things." His back twinged in discomfort, a sign that he'd been sitting on a hard surface for far too long. "You've already got a head start, since you know how to summon things from the armiger."

Noctis stood up, gently stretching to avoid further aggravating his old injury. "We should get back to our room before Ignis and Gladio come find us."

"So where are we off to tomorrow, anyway? Did you guys decide?" Prompto asked as he stood as well.

Noctis groaned, remembering what happened on their way over from the Crow's Nest. "You're not going to believe this, but we bumped into Sania and she asked for another favor."

"More frogs?" Prompto asked, dread seeping into his voice. "Noct, buddy, you gotta learn to say no."

"It's worse than that. She needs a vial of slimy oil from a gigantoad, and the best place to find one is back at Malmalam Thicket," Noctis told him. He appreciated the way his friend immediately began whining about going back to that place. He wasn't pleased to go back either, but Gladio had given him such a Look that it was clear that it was in the best interest of his health to fulfill her request.

"...whole day getting soaked in the rain again, and I just got over being sick!" Prompto paused for a moment. "Do you think that would work as an excuse and I could stay here? You'll be coming back through to give Sania the toad slime anyway."

"You'd really abandon me like that? I'm hurt," Noctis joked, placing his hand over his heart.

"I would ask if you could stay too, but then it'd be obvious what we're up to. Guess you'll have to take one for the team and go hunting without me," Prompto teased right back. "Hey, at least you won't be gone too long. A few hours to get there, some time running around in the rain, and then a few hours to drive back. You can manage that without me."

Noctis snorted. "Like Ignis would let you. Face it, you'll be out there, just as miserable as the rest of us."

"We'll see," Prompto said with a wink.

It wasn't going to work.

Ignis was too good at seeing through their bullshit and Noctis was certain that he had already caught onto their being something off with Prompto. Which meant there was zero chance of Ignis letting either of them out of his sight for very long.

No, they would all be in the Regalia, heading back to Malmalam Thicket once the sun rose.

.

.

If Ignis thought he was sulking over being forced to go with them on Sania's quest, then for once, Prompto was glad. It gave him a reason for his sudden desire to sit quietly and maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't be questioned as he started on the first part of his training.

Meditation.

He guessed it made sense as the first step, but that didn't stop him from feeling that it was all wrong for him. He had a hard time sitting still and keeping his mind from wandering to things he found more interesting.

Still, he tried.

"...and if you wish to help your prince and save him and many others from what Fate awaits them..."

Rhyos's words echoed in his mind, serving as a reminder of why it was important that he learned to control his powers. He did want to help Noctis. He would do whatever it took to be able to stand by his side and help him down his chosen path, and if magic was the way to do that, he'd master it.

He did wish he had more time, however. Or at least better instructions.

Prompto shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable. He should have asked Noctis for more instruction rather than going off his own sparse knowledge of how meditation was supposed to work. (Learned from movies and video games – hardly a proper source of information.)

He breathed in deeply and then slowly out, doing his best to relax and tune out the world around him. Noctis said something about searching within, right? Imagining the flow of energy?

What would that look like, he wondered.

Maybe it was just light covering his entire body. It could also follow along major veins, flowing out from the chest and then circulating back. There were also chakra points to consider, though Prompto couldn't remember how many there were or where they were located.

Or none of that was right and he was missing something vital. What else had Noct mentioned? The armiger?

Yeah, he said something about knowing how to use the armiger gave him an advantage, because it was a form of magic he already knew how to use. Except there hadn't been any training when it came to using that, because when he was accepted by Noct's magic, it passed along the knowledge of how it worked.

Prompto slumped back and opened his eyes, thankful that the dreary rain meant the top was up and he wasn't immediately blinded by sunlight.

"Is everything alright, Prompto?" Ignis asked, glancing over at him for a brief second.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm good. Just looking forward to getting out and stretching my legs, y'know," Prompto lied, flashing Ignis a grin.

Ignis didn't look away from the road for a second time, instead nodding his head slightly. "I see." He reached down for his can of ebony and took a few sips before placing it back in the cup holder. "If there is anything bothering you, you can tell us. We are all here to help one another."

Prompto turned his head to look out the window. "Yeah, I know."

He should just tell them. Noctis was right, it was silly to keep it from them.

"Hey, Ignis?"

"Yes, Prompto?"

Prompto swallowed. "I, uh... I just wanted to tell you..."

He couldn't do it. It was too hard. He wasn't ready.

"I just wanted to say that I really appreciate everything you do. So thanks, you know, for watching out for me. I know you don't have to, but you do anyway. And... yeah," Prompto shrugged, his voice quieting at the end. "I'm glad we're friends."

Ignis kept his eyes on the road ahead, but his gaze softened somewhat. "I am glad as well."

Prompto relaxed in his seat, done with talking for the moment. Ignis wasn't one for idle chatter anyway, especially not while the roads were slick with rain, and it didn't sound like Gladio or Noctis were up for it either, judging by the quiet sound of Noct's breathing and the occasional turn of a page from Gladio.

No talking.

No King's Knight.

It was the perfect time for him to meditate, and yet he still couldn't do it.

He looked over at Ignis as a tiny thought sparked in his mind. Maybe he couldn't bring himself to tell Ignis everything that was going on, but that didn't mean he couldn't ask for advice.

"Hey, Ignis, do you know much about meditation?" Prompto asked before he could worry himself into remaining silent.

"Not a lot, I'm afraid," Ignis responded. "I understand the theory behind it, as well as the many benefits of taking the time to do so, but time is something I do not have an excess of. Gladio would know more than I do, as it was part of his training."

"Really? I figured – I mean, I know you're always busy, but it seemed like something you'd be into," Prompto said.

Ignis's lips quirked up into a smile. "It is difficult to find time when you're the adviser to our prince. I have found, however, that I can clear my mind by doing simple tasks, such as cooking. It gives my mind a break from thinking about everything, while still allowing me to fulfill my duties." He paused to take another sip of ebony. "As I said, Gladio would be the better person to ask."

Prompto nodded. He didn't think he'd need to – Ignis had given better advice than he expected – but he'd keep it in mind. Since he couldn't sit still and tune everything else out, maybe he could try Ignis's method of focusing on something simple. First, he'd have to figure out what that was.

Not photography. There was always so much to consider, between the lighting, angles, distance, shutter speed – he could go on all day! Taking pictures required all of his concentration.

There was one other thing he was pretty good at, and that was running.

It would be perfect! He could go out early in the morning, take a different path from Gladio, and see if he could work with that. There was nothing like a early morning run to clear his mind.

.

.

"Noct! Psst, Noct!"

Noctis groaned and tried to pull his sleeping bag over his head.

Prompto laughed, grabbing onto the edge so he couldn't hide. "Nuh uh, not today! Get up, I wanna show you something before Iggy comes in because you're taking too long!"

Noctis glared at him. "You are way too cheerful this morning."

"Just watch!" Prompto said, giddily holding out his hands. The last thing he saw before closing his eyes was Noctis raising an eyebrow, but he ignored that. His friend was just grumpy from being woken up.

His adrenaline was still pumping from his morning run and he hoped it was enough. He honestly had no idea how he managed it the first time; he was just so exciting to see his effort pay off that he rushed back to the tent immediately.

But what if he was wrong?

What if he imagined it? What he thought he saw could easily have been the glint of sunlight catching in the perfect way.

Prompto's heart sank the longer he knelt in front of Noctis and nothing happened. After a few minutes he opened his eyes and dropped his hands into his lap. "I... I thought..."

The fabric of the sleeping bag made a weird shuffling sound as Noctis sat up. "Did something happen?"

Prompto shrugged hopelessly. "I dunno. I mean, I thought I felt something, but..."

"You're being too hard on yourself. Or you're thinking too much." Noctis sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He glanced at the entry to the tent, listening for a few seconds and then nodding as he came to a decision. "Alright, lets try this again. Just... do whatever it was you were doing earlier. Walk me through it."

"I was running then," Prompto pointed out.

Noctis grimaced. "Think you can do it without running?"

Well, his heart was still beating fast enough for it to possibly work, if adrenaline had anything to do with it. (Which, thinking about it, was entirely possible. After all, his first manifestation was an adrenaline reaction to the Iron Giant trying to hurt Noctis.) But wasn't the whole point to clear his mind? That would be impossible if he was also describing his steps.

He would try anyway.

Prompto moved into a more comfortable position and held out his hands, palms up, and then closed his eyes again, but Noctis cleared his throat.

"Eyes open, Prompto."

He reluctantly followed the advice and stared down at his hands instead. He needed to recapture what he felt while he was running, the way his magic seemed to pulse along with the beat of his heart, flowing through him like the current of a river. The warmth it created as it spread and grew outward from his chest, filling him with a sense of peace.

Prompto envisioned it gathering in the center of his palms, swirling together until it rose in a vortex and began to form a sphere.

And that was when his hands began to glow.

"Noct," he breathed out in surprise.

"It's okay. Keep going," Noctis said. "Tell me what you're doing."

"I'm picturing the way it flows through me," Prompto quickly explained, staring down in awe. (He was really doing it! That was his magic!) "This is so cool. I'm really glad Gladio didn't go running with me today, because there would be so many questions. Oh, um, so I'm imagining the light going to my hands and forming a ball? I mean, that seems like a good start, right? A ball of energy?"

Noctis leaned forward, watching carefully as the glow expanded and then abruptly condensed, forming a shimmering orb of magic.

Prompto lifted his gaze and was struck breathless by how beautiful Noctis looked, illuminated by the soft light. He wanted to reach for his camera and snap a picture so he could cherish the image for the rest of his days, but knew the moment he tried, he would lose his tentative grasp on his magic and the picture he wished to capture along with it.

The orb wavered for a moment and he turned his attention back to what he was doing.

"Remember how this feels. The easier it is for you to get to this point, the faster we can move on to the fun stuff," Noctis said.

"The fun stuff?" Prompto echoed. "What, like warping?"

That sounded kind of awful.

He remembered how exciting it sounded the very first time he saw Noctis warp to the other side of the room, but after hearing his friend complain about how difficult it was to get used to, it no longer sounded fun. Prompto would rather avoid getting so nauseous that he couldn't see straight. (Or was it the lack of ability to see straight that caused the nausea?)

Noctis shrugged. "I guess we'll find out."

They were basically the blind leading the blind, Prompto thought as the energy sank back into his skin. Still, he was making progress despite not knowing what he was doing, so that was good, right?

The flaps to the tent shifted and Ignis appeared, looking surprised to see Noctis awake and sitting up. He quickly recovered. "Come out and eat breakfast. I'd like to get to Coernix Station before noon, so that we may get a good start on our drive back to Cape Caem before nigh sets in. The sooner we deliver those parts to Cid, the sooner we can leave for Altissia," he reminded them.

"Coming!" Prompto said, eagerly crawling toward the exit.

Ignis gave Noctis a pointed look and then moved aside.

Two days before, they had successfully obtained a vial of slimy oil from a gigantoad and delivered it to Sania, before moving on further north. Prompto wasn't sure what their destination was – perhaps Lestallum? - but it didn't matter, as they received a call from Cid, telling them they needed to stop and pick up a few parts to finish fixing the Royal Vessel. He had a contact in the area, but they wouldn't travel further than the Alstor Coernix Station, which was why they were headed over that way.

There had been some grumbling (mostly from Gladio) about having to circle back through the Cleigne-Duscae area again, but off they went anyway. Repairs were their top priority, and if Cid said he needed those parts, then they would get him those parts.

Prompto was just glad that it wasn't going to be like their run through the incredibly creepy Steyliff Grove in search of mythril, courtesy of the even creepier Niflheim chancellor.

A rush of unease caught Prompto off guard and he had to stop to catch his breath, his magic roiling in protest just beneath his skin.

Ignis grasped his shoulder, stabilizing him. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Prompto choked out. He cleared his throat and breathed a little more successfully than before. "Yeah, I'm good. Dunno what that was about."

"Perhaps you should sit and get something to eat," Ignis advised.

Prompto thought sitting sounded like the best idea he'd heard all morning. As did food. His stomach growled loudly enough for Gladio to hear on the other side of the haven, and he blushed and pulled away from Ignis's hand before hurrying over to where his plate waited for him. He sat down in one of the camp chairs and dug in, not bothering to wait for Noctis like he normally would.

After a few minutes, Ignis ducked into the tent to hurry Noctis along, and Prompto had to stifle his laughter at the exasperating "oh, come on, specs," from Noctis, who emerged a moment later, trying to fix his hair and casting wary looks at his adviser.

When Ignis didn't go chasing after him with a brush, he dropped down in the chair next to Prompto with his own plate and began scarfing down his food as fast as he was able.

"You'll get indigestion," Ignis idly warned as he began taking down the tent.

Noctis speared an entire egg and shoved it into his mouth in response.

.

.

Luckily, Noctis's iron stomach spared them any bellyaching over their five-hour drive. As usual, he spent a good portion of the ride napping, waking now and again to challenge Prompto to a round of King's Knight or just to talk.

Prompto didn't dwell any more on his magic's weird reaction to thinking about Ardyn and instead took some time to check over his camera, saving his favorite pictures and ensuring there was enough memory left for more.

"So, you do still have it," Gladio remarked.

Prompto twisted around so he could better talk to him. "'course I do. Could you imagine what would happen if I lost it? Think of all of the embarrassing photo's of Noct I have!"

"Would that be all of them?"

Noctis rolled his eyes. "Oh, ha ha."

Prompto grinned at the sarcastic response. "Hey, that reminds me, I've been snapping pics of whatever catches my eye, but what do you want to see, Noct?"

"How about some shots of yourself?" Noctis said with a half shrug. "You take so many pictures of us, but you're hardly in any. This is your trip too."

Prompto hadn't expected that as an answer. "You mean like a selfie? I guess I could do that..."

There were so many more interesting subjects to take pictures of, but if that was really what Noctis wanted, then he'd make sure to get a few.

He turned back around so no one would see the faint blush spreading across his cheeks. Noctis wanted pictures of him, and it wasn't like he was joking around the way he did the last time Prompto asked. He would never forget the hasty backpedal Noctis did when he agreed to snap some shots of the best model of their four-man team – who was Noctis himself.

("I was joking!" Noctis protested, when Prompto happily agreed.)

They had so much fun that day. He directed Noctis into a number of increasingly ridiculous poses until they both were falling over from laughter. Perhaps he could do something similar with his selfies. They could definitely use a little extra fun.

Prompto leaned over to Ignis. "Soooo, I was thinking..."

"Care to share your thoughts before you get carried away with whatever your planning?" Ignis asked.

"The chocobo post is on our way back south, right? Think we could stop by for a while and say 'hi' to Wiz and the chocobo's?" Prompto asked.

Ignis was quiet for a moment as he thought it over. "I suppose we could spare a few hours, provided we keep our stop at Coernix Station a short one. It also wouldn't be amiss for us to check in and make sure no other Behemoth's have moved into Deadeye's territory to cause trouble."

"Yes!" Prompto pumped a fist in excitement and settled properly in his seat for approximately two seconds before twisting around to face the backseat again. "Did you hear that, Noct? Chocobo's!"

Noctis looked amused by his excitement. "I heard."

"It'll be good to stock up on some chocobo feed. Always makes me feel bad when we don't have any treats for the little guys," Gladio admitted. He stretched his arms out over his head with a grunt. "And just think, you'll be able to get pictures with your feathery brethren."

"Are you making fun of my hair again?" Prompto asked, narrowing his eyes. "Because it so does not look like a chocobo butt!"

There was some laughter and more teasing before they all quieted down. Gladio leaned back for a catnap of his own, while Prompto held up his phone, cheering inside when his alert gave a soft 'ping' to tell him Noctis was logged on.

The drives were long and taxing, but at least there were ways to pass the time.