A couple more chapters and Iris will finally be reunited with the four troublemakers, so bear with me! :D
"So Noct, you're finally tying the knot, uh?"
Prompto broke the silence making Noctis blush slightly, and the prince tried to dismiss it carelessly.
"I guess. Nothing special".
"Nothing special, he says" Gladio intervened with a smirk "Anyone would kill to be in your shoes, dude".
"Look, you turned all red!" Prompto laughed, and even Ignis smirked while keeping his sharp eyes on the road.
"A-anyway, where are we heading to?" asked Noctis, desperately trying to change the subject.
"Hammerhead" Ignis answered "We can refuel the Regalia there and stock up on potions and provisions before continuing our journey to Galdin Quay".
"We're taking a boat there, right? And then we'll be off to Altissia!" Prompto chirped, more excited than ever. Noctis smiled tenderly as he watched his best friend take a shot of everything: every single road sign, every piece of landscape and even the different shapes of the clouds in the sky above them. He would then turn around to face Noctis and Gladio chilling in the back seats, and show them his newest photos.
"Beautiful" remarked Gladio with a hint of sarcasm "especially the sheep-shaped cloud"
"That's not a sheep, Gladio! It looks like the goddess Shiva!" Prompto exclaimed adoringly.
"Mmm… nah, definitely a sheep" Gladio said resolutely.
Prompto snorted and turned back around, pretending to be deeply offended.
"Not long now" Ignis said, taking a turn to the left and driving toward Hammerhead.
When Prompto almost dropped his camera, Gladio's book flew off from his strong grip, and Noctis' head bumped against Ignis's seat, the three boys all turned to the driver to ask why the heck he had stopped so abruptly.
"My apologies, lads" he said "Seems like we have a problem".
The Regalia wouldn't work. The beautiful Audi wouldn't budge no matter how hard Ignis tried to turn the engine back on again.
"We ran out of fuel" he said simply "It looks like you'll have to push it to the next gas station".
"We!? What about you?" asked Prompto, obviously outraged.
"I will be at the wheel, in case the Regalia comes back to life" replied Ignis with the faintest smirk.
Prompto rolled his eyes in defeat and climbed out of the car with Noctis and Gladio.
The three boys started pushing with all their strength, barely managing to budge the car.
"Prompto, are you even trying?" Gladio spat while pushing.
"Why do you think it's me not pushing enough? Maybe Noct is taking a nap over there!" the blond cried.
"It's definitely you, Prompto" the prince managed to speak, his face wet with sweat.
"It's no use!" Prompto protested exasperated "Gladio, you might as well push her all by yourself! I think I'll just sit here and rest".
"The hell you will! Keep pushing!"
After what felt like forever, the car finally roared as it shot forward, Ignis happily slowing down so that the rest of the team could catch up with him, and they all proceeded to Hammerhead to refuel the thirsty car.
Iris was completely alone now. Her father had headed to the Citadel and her mother was at work. They had acted as any other normal day, but Iris couldn't stop thinking about her father's words. She had packed her backpack as requested and was now sitting still on her bed, unable to do anything else.
It was around late afternoon that she heard it: the unmistakable sound of the Empire's flying engines. They were in Insomnia.
She quickly moved to the window and peered outside: her neighbors had emulated her and all had their heads lifted upwards, staring at the sky where dozens of flying ships could be seen piloting toward the Citadel.
Iris's heart started pounding against her chest, and the girl waited in trepidation. Some people in the streets were cheering at the sight, for that meant peace was about to be signed; others had a look of concern and distrust.
It didn't take long: moments after the Empire officials had entered the Citadel to commence the treaty, which was being shown on the huge screens in the main city squares, flames shot from the royal building, and a shield formed in the sky to surround Insomnia.
Iris knew it was too late: the Magitek ships had already entered the territory, and were ready to attack. Her father had been right, the peace treaty and the marriage itself had been nothing but a trap to force the king to open the borders to the Empire, so that they could have easy access to the city.
The Imperial soldiers began their attack on the capital of Insomnia, easily destroying buildings and setting the whole place on fire.
She quickly grabbed her belonging and ran off, hoping that her family could find shelter and that king Regis had a backup plan to resist the attack.
He must have: the king was wise and strong, he must have planned something together with his Kingsglaives.
She had to force herself to keep running without looking back, knowing that if she did she would surely want to stay and fight.
She then closed her mind off, deaf to the cries for help, blind to the desperation of mothers looking for their children and managed to escape the city before the Empire could seal the entrance gates.
The sounds of fighting and shouting were still ringing in her ears, but Iris kept climbing the side hill just outside the city, and went for the top. A lonely figure was standing in the semi-dark, watching the capital crumble. The flames were so high up now that one couldn't tell where they ended and where the orange sky at sunset began.
"Cor?" she almost whispered.
The man turned around to look at her, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Iris, you made it" he greeted.
She simply nodded, trying not to think about the fate of her birth city, or of her family or that of all the people she loved.
"Follow me" Cor said, swiftly heading to a van parked in the shadows.
Once they reached the van, Iris noticed an old man at the wheel. Upon seeing the couple approaching, the man opened the door and got out to greet them.
"Iris, this is Jared from Lestallum. He will be escorting you there" Cor said. The man, Jared, smiled kindly at her. Iris nodded once more, unable to speak.
"You will need to stay in Lestallum and not wander off" Cor continued.
"But- What about Insomnia? And the king? And my family?" Iris asked in quick succession.
Cor lifted a hand to signal her to let him explain.
"The king was aware of this. I am sure he had it planned, though I admit I do not know the reason behind his choice. As to your family, they also made their choice. They are members of the Crownsguard and knew the risks, which is why they instructed you to save yourself and meet me here".
Cor took a break to let the news sink in. A single tear escaped Iris's eyes, but she had been prepared. It was not time yet to break down.
"What about Noct?" she asked, her trembling voice betraying her.
"The prince" Cor emphasized the word in contrast to her using his first name "will be directed to Lestallum, which is why you are to wait for them there. He will need all the help he can get, and the Empire will not expect him there".
"Ok" Iris agreed "Are you coming with us?"
"No" Cor shook his head "I expect the prince to drop by when he hears the news, so I will be waiting for him here. After that, I will escort him to Lestallum before leaving it to you".
"What am I going to do with him once we meet?" Iris asked in confusion.
"Let's be frank, Iris. No one expects the king to survive this battle, not the king himself either. Noctis will become the legitimate heir to the throne, but he will need to collect the legendary royal weapons from his ancestors' tombs if he wants to have the slightest chance to get his kingdom back. Jared knows where the tomb closest to Lestallum is, and will be directing you to help the prince" Cor explained.
Cor spoke coldly, and it did hurt to hear him say the king would not make it through the night, but Iris knew he was right and she didn't have any choice but to follow his instructions. At least she would be reunited with Noctis and her brother, and she could actually help him fight the Empire.
"I will do it" she said resolutely, determination flaming in her big brown eyes.
Cor smiled proudly at her. "You are a true Amicitia girl. Now go".
After one last look at the man behind her, Iris climbed in the van where Jared proceeded to turn on the engine and drove away from the burning city.
Next Chapter: Iris arrives in Lestallum. The boys continue their journey setting sail towards Galdin Quay where they learn some bad news.