Welcome back to another chapter! :D Just wanted to clarify that I will be trying to stick as faithfully as possible to the original story, but I will change something so that my own plot can make more sense (like Cor waiting for the boys in Insomnia, and not in Hammerhead) :) Enjoy! ^^
"What a woman that Cindy, uh?" Prompto said dreamily. He hadn't used his camera since they'd left Hammerhead, too busy daydreaming about Cid's granddaughter.
"A fine young lady indeed" Gladio agreed.
"You should've asked her out" Noctis mocked "I'm sure she would have been delighted".
"Don't be silly, Noct. She barely looked at him" Gladio intervened with a grin "Poor Prompto didn't stand a chance".
"Oh yeah? What makes you think that?" Prompto turned around to face his muscular friend with a defying expression.
"Many things. Like the fact she barely noticed you existed, and that she is married to her work. I doubt she would be interested in datin' ya" Gladio answered, his smirk growing wider at his friend's reddening face.
Prompto looked like he was about to retort but simply sighed in defeat and grabbed his camera.
"At least I got a picture with her" he said with a longing smile, browsing the photos until he found the one. He shoved the camera in Gladio's face to show the pretty blond girl giving a victory sign to the camera, with Prompto's freckled face grinning widely beside her.
"Nice achievement" Gladio remarked sarcastically.
"How long until we're in Galdin Quay, Specs?" Noctis asked.
"Still a while until we reach it. I'm afraid we'll have to camp tonight" Ignis replied.
"Really?!" Prompto complained as it was his custom.
"Got anything against campin'?" Gladio said leaning back in his seat to enjoy the warm breeze.
"Can't really complain when Iggy's the chef" Noctis grinned and his stomach twitched at the thought of delicious food.
They drove until dusk, where Ignis promptly found a parking spot and a good camping site. Noctis and Gladio began to mount the tent, while Ignis stood motionless as he usually did when he mentally browsed his vast amount of recipes. Prompto had been instructed to collect wood to light the bonfire but was too busy taking pictures of sleeping Dualhorns in the distance.
"Get a move!" Gladio shouldered the slim photographer making him lose his balance.
Muttering angrily, Prompto set off to pick up some wood while Ignis finally started bustling with pots and pans to prepare dinner.
They all ate happily, complimenting Ignis for his excellent Jambalaya salmon recipe, which he had concocted during their stay at the Hammerhead local diner.
"You should be thanking Noctis for fishing a fine specimen of salmon" Ignis said in his usual calm and soothing tone.
They all stayed up later than usual, playing King's Knights and enjoying a steaming cup of coffee under the stars and discussing excitedly about the upcoming wedding.
Ignis kept his eyes firmly on Noctis, registering his happy demeanor now that he was finally free to enjoy his friends' company and some ordinary actions without being told how to eat his soup or walk like a true royalty. He smiled warmly and returned to sipping his coffee, before being humiliated by Prompto in King's Knights.
"You should keep your eyes on the screen, Specs" the boy grinned wryly, obviously enjoying his moment of glory.
"I think I prefer to keep my eyes shut until tomorrow. Good night" Ignis said, standing up and stepping inside the tent.
"Guess it's bed time" Gladio also stood to join Ignis, followed shortly after by the other two companions.
They had been driving all night. Jared had warned her it could be dangerous, what with Daemons lurking in the dark after dusk, and striking when one least expected it.
Iris had never seen a Daemon before other than in books. She was a bit worried they may run into one, but was not afraid of actually fighting them.
Luckily, their car ride went pretty smoothly, and she got the chance to get to know Jared more. He was a kind-hearted man whose only family consisted of a little boy named Talcott, who was eagerly waiting for him back home.
"I am sure you will like Lestallum. It's no capital city, alright, but charming indeed" he said warmly "You will be just fine".
"I'm sure I will" Iris replied, but she couldn't help but worry about her family back in Insomnia, and about Noctis and the others.
"I just hope they're alright…" she whispered, looking down at her feet.
Jared stared at her sympathetically, and gently patter her hand.
When they reached Lestallum, dawn was breaking and the sun started to peep from behind the mountains. It was a beautiful sight indeed, the early morning rays bathing the peaks of the mountains on their right and the boundless prairies on their left.
For a moment, Iris pushed her worries away while enjoying the view. She could feel Jared smiling beside her.
The man parked the van just outside the city and Iris began to feel exhausted. She had been so worried that she barely had time to think about sleep, but her body had finally had enough and started to protest.
She weakly followed Jared, who had an incredible amount of energy considering his age, and he led her to a hotel conveniently located at the very entrance of the city.
"You should rest before we begin the tour of the city. I am sure you'll feel better when you wake up. The room has already been paid for you. I will be waiting for you at this address" the man said warmly, handing the girl her backpack and a piece of paper on which he had scribbled something.
Iris thanked him whole-heartedly and proceeded upstairs to her room where she immediately collapsed onto the bed, thinking she could take a shower after resting.
"Welcome to Galdin Quay!" a waiter greeted warmly as soon as the party had stepped in the charming restaurant on the sea.
"Look at this place!" Prompto exclaimed while enthusiastically taking pictures all around him.
"Your cooking skills could be very useful here, Ignis" Gladio poked the man with glasses beside him.
"They won't be needing me. They apparently already have all they need" Ignis replied, pointing at a pretty young girl, busy at the stove behind a circular counter.
Prompto aimed his camera and immortalized the girl in his picture, the flash attracting her attention.
"Oh, hello there! Welcome to Galdin Quay! How may I help you?" she greeted with a sweet smile.
Prompto's face went on fire as he stared open-mouthed at the smiling girl.
"Close your mouth, Prompto, will ya? Before you swallow a fly" Gladio muttered, lifting his friend's chin.
"Good day" Ignis saluted nonchalantly "We are actually looking to sail to Altissia. Could you be so kind as to indicate us where the docks are?"
"Oh, right downstairs, to the left! But –"
"But I am afraid the boats will not take you forth" an unknown voice spoke suddenly, interrupting the girl.
Everyone turned their attention to a man with long, unruly hair who was smirking mysteriously at them.
"Who're you?" asked Gladio, who never really liked people with such self-confidence.
"I'm an impatient traveler, ready to turn ships. The ceasefire's getting us nowhere" the man answered, his smirk never leaving his face. He suddenly tossed a coin at Noctis, but Gladio caught it before the prince could even notice the silver item dangerously flying into his face.
"What's this?"
"Consider it your allowance" the man said.
"Yeah? And who's allowing us?" Gladio remarked frowning.
"A man of no consequence" and with a bow, the mysterious stranger left.
"What just happened?" Prompto asked in disbelief.
"Dunno. But I don't like that guy one bit" Gladio said roughly.
"What do we do now?" Prompto continued.
"I say we spend the night here, and we can figure something out in the morning" Ignis suggested, heading to the cozy hotel just beside the restaurant.
They paid for a luxurious-looking room where they spent most of their day discussing about their next move until sleep fell naturally on the group of friends.
When they woke up the following day, they immediately noticed Ignis was missing.
"He likes to wake up at dawn and take a walk. He'll be back shortly" Noctis explained.
Not long after, Ignis walked into the room carrying a newspaper and a sorrowful look on his face.
"What's that look for?" asked Noctis, a strange feeling dwelling in his stomach.
"It's in all the papers" he said, handing the paper to Gladio.
"Insomnia…falls?" Prompto read the headline, provoking a shocking reaction from Noctis.
"Is that your idea of a joke?"
"I need you to calm down so I can explain" Ignis interrupted "There was an attack. The imperial army has taken the Crown City".
"As treaty room tempers flared, blasts lit the night sky. When the smoke about the Citadel cleared, the king was found…dead" Gladio read, whispering the last word.
Noctis wouldn't listen, wouldn't accept the dreadful facts. He sat down on a chair, unable to speak and in evident shock. Gladio kept his eyes fixed on the paper, but they were not moving to read. Prompto was staring blankly outside the window, holding his left wrist.
"We can't be sure until we see it with our own eyes" Gladio finally said, and Prompto turned around to face his friends.
"And that means we go back to Insomnia" he said.
"Might not be safe for us there" Ignis stated.
"Might not be safe for us here" Prompto retorted more firmly.
"Turn back?" Gladio suggested, and everyone's eyes fell on the prince.
"Yeah" he agreed.
Next Chapter: Noctis and the others head back to Insomnia. Noctis obtains his first royal weapon. The four friends finally reunite with Iris.