Chapter 8
" This must be the outpost the Cid mentioned." Ignis said as he turned off the car and opened his door and got out of the car. Scarlet started to stretch her body for how long they were in the car for, which felt like two hours but it wasn't it.
The rain had stopped once they arrived at the outpost and the sun came peaking out of the clouds, which made everything feel a little better, well almost a little bit.
Once Scarlet was out of the car she went over to Noct who had his map out trying to find where they were. As she looked over the map she immediately knew where they were. They were at Praire Outpost, which was were all the hunters hanged out at after a mission.
" It looks like a hub for hunters." Gladio said as he was looking around the area.
" Maybe they know something." Prompto said hopefully as he turned to look at the others.
As they headed towards one of the old house in hopes that they would find or see the Marshal around there, but when they looked around he wasn't there.
" Your highness." A female voice and they turned their heads towards where they heard the voice come from to see a woman running over to them. As soon she got over to them, she goes down on one knee with her hand over her heart, " I'm glad to know that you are safe." She said as she looked up at Noct with a smile on her face and also relief.
" Monica!" Gladio said as he uncrossed his tattooed arms in a worried manner, " Where are all of the others?" He asked as he looked at her.
" Most of the Crownsguard didn't make it. It was all we could do to escort Lady Iris out of the city." Monica answered Gladio immediately, from the corner of Scarlet's eye she saw a wave of relief on his face.
" Dustin is with her as we speak, seeing her the rest of the way to Lestallum." Monica said as she looked at Gladio with kindness in her eyes.
" I owe you guys big time." Gladio said as he was able to relax more then he was after what happened to the Crown City.
Monica nodded her head to him and she looks over to Noct till she noticed Scarlet standing right next to him, " Who is this young lady?" She asked as she looks at the others and then went back to Scarlet. Scarlet started to feel a little nerves as she was looking way from Monica's eyes.
Ignis noticed how nerves she was so he stepped in , " This is Miss Scarlet Ross. We found her out in the middle of no where and we didn't want her to be alone and to face any daemon's on her own. So she is staying with us, so we could keep her safe." Ignis said as she placed his hand on her back which started to make her relax under his touch.
" It's nice to meet you." Scarlet said in a calm voice as she offers her hand towards Monica, which she placed her hand in Scarlet's and shook it while give her a kind smile.
" It is very nice to meet you, Scarlet. I hope that these boys are taking care of you?" Monica asked Scarlet as she looks at her.
" Yes they are, I'm very glad that they found me when they did. They are very nice." Scarlet said as she bowed her head towards Monica which made the guys look at her in shock at what she did. Monica started to giggle at what Scarlet which made Scarlet straighten up and she started to blush and she looked down to the ground. Which made Prompto start to laugh at how Scarlet was right now that he pulled out his camera and after the picture she hid behind Ignis to hide behind to hide her face.
Monica giggled again and everyone started to laugh at well but once everyone started to calm down and Monica looks over at Noct, " Head for the royal tomb. The Marshal awaits." Monica says as she bows to him.
" Thank you, Monica." Noct said as she nods her head to him with a smile on her face. Then they started to head up the path that was behind the building. Scarlet was following right behind them and she walked a little faster to where she was walking along side with Ignis. She looked up him, " Thank you, Ignis."
" No problem, Miss Scarlet." Ignis said as he focused on the road that was in front of him.
" Ignis, I'm going to tell you this okay. You don't have call me miss. Okay. Just Scarlet." Scarlet said as she looks up at him and then he nodded his head towards her.
" Of course, Scarlet. My apologize." Ignis said as he looked over at her and she blushed a little as they continue to walk down the road.
" Can't keep up with this guy." Gladio said with a sigh as he looked towards the others.
" First the Crown City, then Hammerhead, then the royal tomb?" Prompto exclaimed as he turned to look at his friends.
" His nickname should have been ' Cor the Restless.' Ignis said with a smirk on his face, which made Scarlet smile.
" Somehow not as catchy as ' Cor the Immortal.' " Gladio said as he started to smile as well when he saw the smile on Scarlet's face.
" Making out of Insomnia only adds to his legend." Prompto said as he was taking pictures.
" Well, fortune favors the bold." Noct said as he had a smirk as he stopped walking and turned to his friends and crossed his arms.
" Huh?!" Prompto question as he stopped taking pictures to look over at Noct with a confused look on his face.
" The wise make their own luck." Ignis said as he crossed his arms when he looked over at Noct.
" I have no idea what's going on right now." Scarlet said to herself as she started to giggle as she looked over at Noct with the look on his face. Which was funny to her.
" Don't worry about it, okay." Noct said as they continued on their way. They saw a sigh that says, ' Keep your distance of Die.' and when Scarlet saw the sign and that didn't even make her feel any better about where they were going. And she noticed that she was being left behind so she ran after them.
" You think it's a coincidence he's made it out of all those battles alive?" Gladio asked as they walked past some fortifications.
Noctis lead the way with Gladio right behind him with Ignis and Prompto and Scarlet right behind. Then Noct took a left turn and they found a themselves a narrow path with rocks on each side. Some plants were on the ground, but some of them was dying because of dehydration, " Wonder what drew him to the royal tomb." Gladio said even though it sounded more like a question rather than a statement.
" A morbid curiosity for the late Kings of Lucis?" Ignis suggested as he looks towards the others.
" I just hope that we find out what's going on." Scarlet said as she looks towards Noct who continued to lead the way up the path the tomb.
They continued to walk forward a few more minutes before they finally spotted a rocky building not to far from where they was standing at. As they walked closer to it, Scarlet knew what was going to happen next as she continued to look at Noct from behind, ' I feel so bad for him. I wish I could just take the pain away that I could feel from him right now.' Scarlet thought as she stopped looking at him and looked down on the ground.
" We're here." Ignis stated as the group started to slow down to see the tomb right in front of them, Scarlet's eyes wondered around as she was looking at the tomb and it was beautiful then from what she saw in the game when she played.
" A tomb fir for royalty." Prompto said with a sigh as he was looking around the area.
" Let's go in and find the marshal." Gladio said and he looked over at Scarlet to notice that she was staring at the tomb and he walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, which made her jump a little bit and she turns her head to look at him.
" Hey, everything okay?" He asked Scarlet as he looked at her.
" Yeah, I'm fine. It's just this places looks beautiful." Scarlet said as she gave him a reassuring smile and he nodded his head.
" We should move, the Marshal awaits us." Ignis said as they all walked to the tomb. Noct pushed the dark door opened and then standing right in front of them was the Marshal.
" Marshal." Ignis said as the Marshal was looking at the others as they enter the tomb and then Marshal's eyes landed on Scarlet who was standing behind them. When she noticed his eyes on her, she avoided his eyes as he was looking at her but then stops to look at Noct.
" At last, Your Highness." Cor said as he stops looking at Noct for a moment and starts to walk back and forth behind the grave that was holding a long sword that looks powerful. He stops walking and he looks back up at Noct.
" Yea. Wanna tell me what I'm here for?" Noct asked after he sighed. The Marshal places his hand over the grave.
" The power of kings, passed from the old to the new through the bonding of souls. One such soul lies before you. To claim your forebears' power is your birthright and duty as king." Cor explained, as he brought both of his hands down on the grave.
" My duty as king of what?" Noct asked him as everyone's eyes go widened at Noct's question. Scarlet walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off, which made her jump and started to back up away from while she looked down to the ground.
" Now is not the time to question your calling." Cor said with a loud sigh.
" A king is sworn to protect his people, and yet he chose to protect only one prince. Was 'that' his calling? Forsake the masses to spare his own son?" Noct asked as his hand at his sides started to shake.
' I feel so bad for you Noct. No one deserves to lose their father or any parents.' Scarlet thought as tears started to well up in her eyes. From what she knew about King Regis from what she has seen from the games or from the movie that she has seen, he was the best man and the best father that Noct could very have. But after the peace treaty was a trap, she knew that he had to make a choice before everything happened, he had to send his son away to keep him safe since her knew that he was the only hope that they have.
" How long will you remain the protected? The king entrusted the role of protector to you." Cor stated as he started to get angry at Noct's words.
" Entrusted it to me?" Noct asked as he wasn't even looking into Cor's eyes as he stood in front of the body, " Then why didn't he tell me that? Why did he stand there smiling as I left?" Noct exclaimed as he punched the grave and brought his head down, " Why..." Noct trailed as placed his second hand on the grave, " Why did he lie to me?" Noct asked with a sad voice.
There was a silence after Noct's words. Scarlet could feel all the grief and sadness that was coming from Noct and all she wanted to do was go over to him and hug him, but she knew that was not the right thing to do, so she tries the one thing that she tried last time. She walked over to him and placed her hand on his left shoulder, " That day, he didn't want you to remember him as the king, " Cor started in a softer tone, " In what time you had left, he wanted to be father...He always had faith in you, that when the time came, you would ascend for the sake of your people." Cor explained. Noct then turned to look at Scarlet and could tell that from her eyes that she was trying to tell him that she's sorry and he placed his hand on her and gave it a little squeeze to her hand thanking her and then he removed her hand from his shoulder as he straightened up to look at Cor.
" Guess he left me no choice." Noct said with a sigh. Noct raised his hand over the body and then instantly the weapon that was on the grave glowed a whitish color before it started to lifts it's self. It stayed in the air a little bit, meters from the ground, as everyone and Scarlet backed away a few steps to give Noct some space plus from what she could see from the others. They didn't know what was going on but she did knew so she had somewhat with a calm face. Suddenly, the sword went right into Noct's chest and explodes into a bright, little sparkles of light and Scarlet followed the sword that Noct got and the others also looked at the sword as well till it vanished.
" That's not the only power your forebears left you. Your journey just begun." Cor said to Noct, who now looked at him with determination in his eyes.
As Scarlet was watching what was going on between them and she turned to look at the others, she could tell that she didn't belong here, so she looks down and walks out the door and stood outside with her arms crossed and she looks up to the sky to see how blue it was, ' Sooner or later, the blue sky will disappear and night will be around longer til he is dead. I just hope that Noct can handle what's to come, cause if not then we are all doomed.' Scarlet thought as she looked down to the ground and closed her eyes to think on it a little bit. But she could her everyone in the tomb still.
" So, who is she anyway?" The Marshal asked as she could feel his eyes on her.
" We found her hurt and we helped her out, since then after we helped her, she's been helping us, plus she is also able to summon weapons like us which we don't know how." Noct said as he turned look over at her as well, which made her open her eyes as she heard what he said and she thought for a moment that he would tell Cor about who she was, but he didn't but she wasn't going to question it as she continued to listen.
" Are you sure you can trust her?" Cor asked them and her eyes went wide when he asked that. She just lowered her head down even lower to the point that her bangs was covering her eyes.
" What are you saying Marshal? She's been helping us out and she can also hold her own if needed." Prompto said as he looked between Cor and Scarlet with a confused look on his face.
" But how do you know that she is not the enemy and is just acting to make you feel sorry for her just for her to back stab you guys later." Cor said as Scarlet squeezed her hands on her arms so tight to the point that her knuckles was turning white and her arms was starting to hurt.
" With all do respect Marshal, but we trust her with our lives. She has helped us more then you can think of and if she was the enemy she would have attacked us by now. So if you would please not talk about her like she is." Ignis asked as he looked at Cor till he walked over to where Scarlet was standing at to check on her.
When Ignis came over to her side, he looked over and noticed that she was upset with what Cor said about her since he looked down at her hand and saw how hard she was squeezing her arms. He reached his hand towards her shoulder and his fingers brushed her shoulder, she jumped and he saw her open her eyes very quickly and turned her head to see who it was.
" Are you alright?" Ignis asked as he looked in her eyes to see if she would answer truthfully.
" Why would I be? Cor doesn't trust me, and now I feel like I really don't belong in your group after here all of that." Scarlet said as she looked away from him and looked back down on the ground.
" Why would you feel like you don't belong here with us? Whatever Cor said was not true, you don't have to worry about us not trust you, we trust with all are being." Ignis said as he placed his hand on her shoulder, which made her look back at him.
As she looked at him, she nodded her head with a smile on her face as she turns to look at the others to see Cor walking over to them and passes the door but then stops to look over at Scarlet, " I wanted to apologize for what is said to you. It was wrong of me for saying what I said to you. Forgive me." Cor said as he took a bow to her and then he raised his head to look back at her.
" It's okay, I understand why you would think of me that way. But I promise that I won't hurt or betray them, you understand." Scarlet said as she looked right into his eyes.
As the others followed right behind him and as Cor looks over towards them and then he turns to looks towards Noct and said, " There is another tomb near here. I'll go with you, from the time being. Not only to help, but to measure your strength." Cor said as he started to walk away.
They all nodded their heads before they followed him walking out of the chamber. Once they were all out the door it closed on it's own causing Prompto to shiver with a face of fear and Scarlet looked over at him and started to giggle a little bit as she followed right behind them. Cor and Noct was in the front, Ignis even though he wanted to be with Scarlet he had to stay with Noct, Gladio, Prompto and Scarlet, " Are you sure you are okay Scarlet?" Noct asked as he turned his head to look over to her.
" I'll be fine. But that doesn't change anything." Scarlet said as she looked at him with a little smile on her face.
They all walked down the path that they came from but this time they didn't take the turn that led them to the outpost. Once they reached the small crossroad they turned left. The light was slowly fading away and they all knew that soon the night would come. They were well aware that night was dangerous, the path that they were about to take would led them to an open-field and everyone became cautions, Scarlet knew that they would be exposed, " Hey, isn't this the place you told us about?" Scarlet said as she looked around.
" Yes, it is." Cor said with a nod as he surveyed the area while not looking at her.
" What about this place?" Noct asked as he looked around as well.
" Long years ago, we waged a fierce battle here against the empire. It all went to ruin and after that, the empire moved in like it owned the place." Cor explained as he was looking around the area.
" And the war." Prompto said with a sad voice.
" As long as Noct is alive, there is still hope in this world. We are still fighting thanks to him." Scarlet said as the others looked at her and then she looked down to the ground trying to avoided their eyes.
" You can really inspire people when they need it, huh?" Ignis said as he was looking at her which made her start blushing.
" I really wasn't trying to do anything like that at all." Scarlet said as she looked back up them for them to see her blush, which she forgot she had really quickly and then looked back down to the ground as she blushed even harder and Prompto walked over to her and leaned over to look at her face.
" Do I see a blush there on your cheeks?" Prompto asked as he moved a little bit of her hair from her face, which made her back away from his touch.
" NO! I don't know what your talking about." Scarlet said as she tried to walk away but Gladio blocked her away and she hid her face from everyone.
" I'll take a picture of this." Prompto said as he pulled out his camera, right when Scarlet saw him pull it out, she turned around and walked the other way from the others.
" We got to find this tomb before it gets dark." Scarlet said as the others laughed at how fast she was walking away from them. As she passed Noct she noticed the most confused look on his face and all she did was place her hand on his shoulder and she just shook her head towards him.
" At least you have friends, that are there for you, your Highness." Marshal said as he stood right next to him as he was watching his friends.
As they continue down the path Scarlet had a feeling that someone was watching her and she stops and looks behind her and she looks around her, but she doesn't see anything but she couldn't get rid of this feeling that someone was watching her as she turns to back to follow the others.
As she finally caught up with the others and right in front of them was a group of Imperial soldiers standing in front of them blocking their path.
Noct summoned his sword and he threw the sword and it landed right through one of the Imperial soldier's head and he wrapped over to them while the others followed suit.
As was taking out some of the Imperial soldiers, she looks over to see how everyone was doing till her eyes landed on Noct and he wasn't paying attention from behind him as three soldier's came walking up behind him. She runs over to him and blocks all their attacks as he turns to hear clink to see Scarlet blocking their attacks and he turns to help her and took out the three in front of her.
" Gladio need some help over here!" Noct called as he continue Scarlet's back while she had his as he summons his big sword.
" Got it!" Gladio yelled as he rushes over to Noct and Scarlet and he swung his large sword and took out half of the soldier's that was behind them. Scarlet turns to see how everyone else was doing while Noct and Gladio was taking care of the ones in front of them.
She could tell that Ignis was moving with both speed and agile while he was dodging all the bullets as well as striking down his enemies. She could tell that he was worried about Noct and hoping that he doesn't get hurt as she turned to look over to Noct and could tell that Gladio was keeping safe while trying to keep them away from her. Scarlet turned to see six MT's coming towards and she took them out with her knives and she stabbed one of them in head and then she runs over to help Ignis since two more was coming up behind him with out realizing. Once I reached him I took the two MT's with one quick swipe and he turns around to see them dead on the ground and he looks up towards her with a small smile towards her, " Thank you very much, Scarlet." Ignis said as he nodded his head to her.
" Your welcome Ignis." Scarlet said as she turns her head towards the others to see if they was doing alright. She noticed that Gladio took out the last of the MT's and they put all their weapons up.
" That's the last of them." Gladio said as he was looking around and then he looked over to Noct.
" Good work. Prompto excellent aim." Cor said as he looked over at him and Prompto looked at he in shock at what he just heard.
" I just got praised by the Marshal. Thank you." Prompto said while he was in shock but also he said it in a soldier way which made Scarlet shake her head at that with a smile on her face.
Scarlet noticed that Cor was looking over at her and she turned to look over to him as he was walking towards her. She was ready for what he plans on saying to her and she wasn't going to let it slide.
" You did a really good job out there, Scarlet. Looks like I was wrong about you." Cor said as he looked at her. She was surprised that he said that to her and she nodded her head to him.
Come on, we should move." Cor said as he started to walk ahead. She turns to follow the others for a few more minutes till they reach their destination.
" Here's where we go our separate ways." Cor said which made everyone turned to look at him as he turned to Noct and had something in his hand which Scarlet knew what it was.
" Take this key. It unlocks the door to the other tombs. Seek them out, and lay claim to the power they hold. You'll need it." Cor said as he threw the keys to Noct who caught it. Cor was about to leave till his eyes landed on Scarlet.
" Scarlet, Noct is now in your hands. I'm counting on you on protecting him. I don't know why, but I have my full on trust." Cor said and Scarlet nodded her towards him.
" I can take care of myself." Noct said as he crossed his arms as he looked over at Cor.
" And look after her. There's something about her that I can't put my finger on it, but it is something special." Cor said as he looked at her and then looked back at Noct and the others.
" We'll protect her with our lives." Ignis said as he placed his hand over his heart, which made Scarlet look down to the ground but a little smile was forming on her lips. After that sentence was said, the others started to gather around Noct and turned towards the tomb.
Here is this chapter. I'm very sorry for taking so long for posting this, a lot of things have happened and I've been working again but don't worry I'm still here and this story is still alive. Catch you guys next time.