Weeelcome back to another chapter! :D So, I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you who took the time to read my story. It doesn't matter if you're following or leaving a review, I still can't believe that this story is being actually read, and from all over the world too! x) You guys rock! :D
The four friends were staring intently at the blockade in front of them, the one that separated them from their birth city. Dozens of armed soldiers were guarding the entrance, inspecting the clearance for each citizen before allowing or denying their access to the crown city.
"We will have to go up the hill" Ignis said quietly, pointing the direction to his friends "Let's try not to get spotted".
The group moved silently to the other side of the road, Ignis turning around just to quickly glance at the Regalia, safely parked in the shadows away from the blockade.
The path was clear, and the four boys proceeded without interruptions until halfway. A few guards had been placed to patrol the side area in case someone tried to sneak in.
"Well, that doesn't leave us much choice" Ignis stated calmly, conjuring his daggers. The others followed suit, Noctis with his sword, Gladio with his greatsword and Prompto with his gun.
Noctis was the first to strike thanks to his ability to teleport, and they easily won the battle as the enemies had been caught off guard and were in numerical disadvantage.
They proceeded all the way up the hill, before getting blocked once again by another group of enemies, a more numerous one. This time they had snipers aiming at them from an advantage point.
"I'm on it!" Prompto exclaimed, happy to be of service. He swiftly took shelter behind a large bulge and began shooting at the snipers, hitting one straight in the head.
"Nice one, Prompto!" Noctis complimented before teleporting beside the rest of the enemy snipers and eliminating them, while Ignis and Gladio concentrated on the ones at the lower level.
Once the cost was clear, they proceeded undisturbed until the very top of the hill, where they could see the destroyed city in the distance.
Their faces darkened at the sight of their home devoured by flames and debris, when suddenly the silence was broken by Prompto's phone broadcasting the latest news.
"Moreover, in the wake of the news of King Regis's death, we've now received word that Crown prince Noctis and the Oracle Lady Lunafreya have also been pronounced dead".
Noctis's distress grew bigger when Prompto suddenly dropped his phone, which he tried to catch clumsily.
"Don't bother!" Noctis shouted at his kneeling friend, who stopped instantly.
"So you made it" a voice could be heard from behind them.
They all turned around to stare at Cor.
"Cor! The hell's going on?" Noctis almost shouted, while the rain began to pour down "The news just said I am dead, and so is Luna and my father!"
"Listen. I am heading to Hammerhead. About the king… it's true" Cor answered in a low tone. Noctis's eyes widened in shock. "If you're looking for the whole truth, I suggest you come with me".
Noctis took a while before replying, but eventually followed the marshal.
"Where's the car?" he asked.
"Not too far from the blockade, let's move carefully" Ignis replied. Cor nodded approvingly.
Once they had safely reached the car, they all climbed in and Ignis started the engine.
"Back to Hammerhead, then".
No one spoke during the car ride to Hammerhead, and they all got out of the car without saying a word, as if they were afraid to break the silence and upset each other.
Cindy approached them with a sorrowful look on her pretty face, giving her condolences to Noctis. Cid looked possibly even worse, and revealed he once was one of King Regis's Crownsguards and best friends, and so he understood perfectly well what Noctis was going through.
He offered to upgrade his and Prompto's weapons for free, and showed them a picture of the car trip he'd joined with the late King and the other guards when they were the same age as the four friends.
"No time for sentimentality now. We should get moving" Cor said forcefully. Noctis couldn't stand his firmness and coldness in this situation, but part of him understood he was suffering just like anyone else, having been a close friend of the king and a Crownsguard himself. He guessed every person reacted differently to tragedy.
They stocked up on potions upon Cor's request, and headed off to a point on the map marked by the former Crownsguard.
He followed them until the entrance to the Royal Tomb not too far from Hammerhead, before handing Noctis the Royal Tombstone's keys.
"This will open all the other royal tombstones. And here I'll take my leave. Once you're done here, head to Lestallum. Iris is waiting for you there and will be directing you to the next ones. Good luck, Noctis" Cor said before leaving them at the entrance of the second tomb.
"Never AGAIN!" Prompto shouted once they had managed to safely escape the dungeon to the tomb.
"You might as well leave now and go back to Insomnia, then" Gladio mocked.
"Meh. I just don't understand why your ancestors had to pick such dark and creepy places to conceal their weapons, Noct" the photographer continued. Noctis simply shrugged.
"So, are we off to Lestallum now?" Gladio asked rather impatiently. They all knew why: he was worried about his family, but particularly about his younger sister, all alone in the foreign world for the very first time in her life.
"Yeah" Noctis nodded.
The trip to Lestallum didn't go as smoothly as originally planned, what with Ignis insisting they should take a look at the Disc of Cauthess and Prompto wanting to check out the Wiz Chocobo Post. Noctis decided that Gladio deserved to check up on his sister first, ad that they would have plenty of time to sightsee after.
So Ignis drove all the way to Lestallum, while Prompto eyed longingly at the Chocobo sign at a crossroad.
Just then, Noctis got a call from Iris who informed him she had settled in Lestallum and was looking forward to meeting them.
"Hmph, can't even call her own brother" Gladio sighed.
"What about me? She say anything about me?" Prompto intervened earnestly.
"Why would she say something 'bout you?" Gladio asked, raising a brow.
"Dunno, 'cause we're friends?" the blonde replied with a tiny smirk.
"Rrrright" Gladio frowned in suspicion.
"Shall we?" Ignis had already taken his usual seat at the wheel, ready to head to Lestallum.
The trip was long, and the four friends had to stop to camp for a night before proceeding to their destination.
The sun was shining bright, its warm rays hitting the boys' skin. They all leaned back to enjoy the warmth, except for Ignis who kept concentrating on the road.
"D'ya ever relax a bit, Specs?" asked Prompto, his eyes closed to better enjoy the sun.
"If I did, we'd still be stuck in Insomnia" the driver answered amused.
"Can't be far now, can we?" Gladio intervened, a hint of worry in his normally calm tone.
"Relax, Iris is a big girl, she can look after herself" Noctis tried to comfort his friend "Look, I can see the city beyond this tunnel!"
A big city could indeed be spotted in the close distance, and Ignis sped up to reach the closest parking spot.
"Wow!"
"It's nice here!"
"…And warm!"
The four friends were amazed at the sight of the welcoming town in front of them, the smell of exotic food in the air and people bustling in the narrow streets.
"Look! A hotel! With proper rooms, like comfortable beds and clean sheets and no bugs lurking around!" Prompto cried in ecstasy as he rushed toward the building.
They were discussing which room to rent when they heard someone come downstairs and greet them lively.
"Gladdy!"
"Iris!"
Iris approached the four friends with a genuine smile.
"You look good, Iris!" Prompto greeted her, and she blushed slightly.
"It's good to see you, guys. C'mon, we have a lot to catch up on" she said, leading them to an empty hotel room.
After being introduced to Jared and his little grandson Talcott, Gladio, Noctis and Ignis took the three armchairs, leaving the two-seater sofa to Prompto and Iris.
Prompto moved as much as he could to the side to give Iris more space, but the sofa was still relatively small and their bodies brushed slightly against one another.
Iris didn't seem to mind though, and began telling them how she had managed to escape Insomnia with the help of Cor and Jared, and how the Empire had begun the attack on the Crown City.
When she started describing in details how the Magitek troops had cowardly assaulted the city, Iris felt Prompto stiffening up beside her and he unconsciously rubbed his right wrist. She found it odd but continued with her story.
She managed to comfort Noctis by telling him that Lady Lunafreya had not died, and had managed to escape the Citadel just in time. The boy smiled gratefully at her, feeling some hope burning inside him again. The sight made Iris both happy and hurt at the same time.
She then stood up and automatically turned to stare at Prompto, who looked lost in thought. She was pretty sure he had missed the last part of her tale, and wondered what he was thinking about that made him so sad.
She decided to leave the boys alone for a while, but mentally noted to question Prompto about his behavior when she got a chance.
Sooo, now that the five friends are reunited, the story can finally pick up a bit :D
Next Chapter: Prompto can't sleep and goes out for a walk. Iris does the same. Prompto invites her to see the Chocobos!