Various days after the treaty, Noctis was sitting on his bed together with Ruby, laughing as the two talked about an assortment of things. The girl's love for weapons and cookies being one of the subjects, as well as her wish to see an actual Chocobo while the prince talked about stuff he liked to do such as camping, fishing and driving in his father's car.
As the two laughed, it was evident that these two, once mere strangers to each other, were now great if not best friends. Lying on the floor on a familiar bed known as 'futon' in Insomnia, was Yang, but she was taking a nap.
"I heard there are also Black Chocobo's out there! Is that true, Noctis?" Ruby asked, with Noctis's shrug as an answer.
"I'm not sure myself, Ruby. The only ones I've actually seen are the common yellow ones." Noctis said as the two laughed before Ruby gained a sad look on her face.
"You know…today is going to be my last day here in Insomnia before heading back to Vale." With a sad tone of voice, Ruby said to Noctis who has the same expression.
"Oh…" Noctis muttered before he took Ruby's hands. "Maybe…you can convince your family to stay here!" Noctis said with a smile. "You can join the Kingsglaive!"
"Noctis….thank you. I want to stay here, but if I do…I won't be able to become a Huntress like my mom was." Ruby said with sadness in her voice, yet at the same time determination. Noctis knew that, yet it was sad.
After the treaty for Lucis to be officially recognized for the entire Remnant, a lot of things started to change. Officially, the Kingsglaives have become Lucian's answer to Huntsmen and Huntresses, although they remain a group of Elite for their ability to wield the Royal Family's powers, still serving under the Monarch's direct command like always. If during the training the warrior cannot wield the magic, they will be directly placed in the Crownsguard, which retained its original purpose and role.
And if Ruby couldn't wield the Lucis Caelum Bloodline's powers, then it was pointless to join them.
"Oh…" Noctis said as the two puppies met back then laid on the floor near them. The two kids named the white one Pryna while the black one Umbra. The two twin dogs were sleeping on the floor.
And then the door of Noctis' room opened, which caused Yang to wake up. "What…?" She muttered as the three children looked to the door, seeing King Regis standing together with Qrow and Tai. Ruby smiled at her father while Noctis tried to put a happy face up when Regis showed up. "Hey Ruby, Yang. Ready to go?" Tai asked her daughters while Regis saw the emotional distress his son was in having to see his friend leave.
"..." In silence, Regis could but silently mourn the price of his sin. For the sake of Noctis, he had to erase a certain existence in the memories of his own son for allowing him to…live happily. 'It seems a part of her still exists in his memories' The King thought.
Tai and Qrow also saw the same distress on Ruby. All of them knew the two had formed a close knit friendship since Ruby had…'unintentionally' snuck into the Citadel by following Pryna. It was when he sensed this that Regis decided to do something about it.
"Mr Taiyang, Mr Qrow. Please, could you lend me a moment with Ruby?" Regis turned to the other adults in the room, which could but allow the monarch. With a smile on his face, the King kneels to the kid's height. "Ruby, would you say Noct is a dear friend to you?"
Volume 1 — Chapter 2: Strade che si separano (Parting Ways)
Sun rose over the Kingdom all, its blessed rays lit up the Crown City and drove the dark of the night away from the people. A new morning has come and, together with it, a new path is born. Light managed to filter through the precious curtains of the room of a certain luxurious apartment in the center of Insomnia. Like the hand of a woman, its warm touch tried to reach a certain teenager, currently asleep. Yet, it didn't work.
A gentle sound, coming from a black and gold Scroll placed over a nightstand, tried to take the glory and awaken the teenager. Yet, even this didn't work. Fumbling a little, the young man managed to hit the snooze and return to sleep.
Shortly after a different sound, one more annoying and noisy, came from the Scroll. The sound was so loud enough to awaken the teenager, who picked up the call, not without a frustrated groan. "..Hello?"
"Good morning. Did I wake you?" The voice of another young man came from the device.
"Well, the alarm sure didn't…"
"Then I was right to call" The young man said as the now awoke teenager yawned.
"But it's so early…"
"I'm heading over regardless. Make sure you have everything in order before I arrive, okay?"
"Right…"
"And you had best be awake when I get there"
"I will be"
"His Majesty should be eagerly anticipating your arrival"
"Yeah yeah, I know"
"Good. I'll be there soon then. Later, Noct" Then, the call was over.
The teenager yawned again before he smiled wryly to himself. "Guess I'd better get up" A now seventeen years old Noctis said as he rose from his bed. A lot has changed since his first meeting with Ruby Rose nine years ago. His black hair got spikier and he, of course, got a decent boost of his height and a quite decent body build.
Walking outside his bedroom to reach the kitchen of his apartment, Noctis glanced at the several photos in the house. Various of them depicted his childhood years spent with the Xiao Long-Rose family. "It's already been six months since last time?" Noctis muttered to himself. Thanks to his father, they managed to allow the three kids to meet each other for every six months, one month during summer and two weeks during winter, in order to not get in the way of anyone's studies. A smile appeared over his face. "Guess we'll see each other soon, Rubes"
A black car speeds along the main highway in Insomnia, head in direction of the Citadel. The car is an Audi R8, dubbed 'Star of Lucis', developed for Noctis as his seventeen birthday and parting gift.
While the Audi is Noct's car, the Prince is sitting in the passenger seat while, beside him, an eighteen years old Ignis Stupeo Scientia is holding the wheel, his eyes firmly fixed on the road. Ignis too has changed since their childhood days, with a new hairstyle by sweeping the hair upwards to a slender body frame and height.
"Can't remember the last day I was in this car" Noctis stated, looking outside the window.
"It would have been about a month ago, I think" Ignis replied, his eyes on the road.
"Not much reason to use this one since you're always carting me around in yours." Noctis said with a small smile.
Ignis, instead, sighs in mock exasperation. "Forgive me for working too hard." Then, he glanced across at Noct, a grin forming on the Prince's face. "You haven't been behind the wheel for some time, have you? I recall you being rather eager to drive when you got your license this year"
"Yeah, well…" Noctis crossed his hands. "There's traffic everywhere and it's not like I can just go wherever I want. Having someone else drive is just easier"
His retainer just looked at him, no emotions in his voice as he spoke. "And it allows you time to sleep"
"You know me so well"
Ignis chuckles. "I suppose so"
"Are you gonna let Prompto drive the Regalia by the way?" Noctis suddenly asked. "After all, we need it since my Audi is for two people while we are four"
"He seemed quite keen to take the wheel. And what of yourself?"
Noct smirks. "Think I'll pass. Probably best if you don't let him drive, either"
"There's no guarantee I'll be much better. We're all beginners when it comes to driving
outside the Capital, especially if our destination is in a different kingdom like Beacon Academy" Glancing at the time, Ignis puts his foot down, and with a roar of the engine, they speed off toward the Citadel. "I can't imagine what it'll be like out there"
After they parked the car in the entrance of the Citadel, Noctis and Ignis made their way to the palace's entrance where a certain man was waiting for them. Nine years later he surely gets a bit old, but the look of the Commander of the Kingsglaive Titus Drautos is still stern and menacing, something that more or less suits the commander of one of the most powerful elite forces on Remnant.
"We've been waiting for you, Your Highness" With a formal military salute, Drautos greeted the Prince, knowing he hates the 'royal treatment'.
"Haven't seen you in ages, Drautos" Noctis said.
The commander nodded before glancing at the royal retainer. "Ignis, where's the car?"
"In the parking lot, sir"
"I appreciate it" Drautos nodded. "After your business here is finished, will you be returning home, Prince Noctis?"
"That's the plan" Noctis said, scratching the back of his head. "I have to pack everything for tomorrow"
"Understood. Then I'll have someone drop you off" Drautos nodded to the Prince before his attention returned to Ignis. "And Ignis"
"Yes, sir?"
"Make sure you're available at all times. I can't say for sure when King Regis will be able to see you given his schedule"
Though he tries, Ignis can't quite hide his surprise at the unexpected change of plans. "I had no idea, commander"
This change of plans indeed surprised Noctis, who glanced at Drautos. "Seriously? Whatever happened to meeting us now?"
Yet, on dwarf ears, Drautos ignores Noct's impertinence. "His meeting probably dragged on longer than anticipated. Something Your Highness should start to understand if one day will become the King—"
"Ugh…"
"—But I hope His Majesty has time to see you before your departure tomorrow"
Walking through the entrance hall of the Citadel, the pair noticed a girl talking with an attendant of King Regis. "Hey, is that…" Noctis whispered to Ignis before they walked down the hallway, overhearing the girl and the attendant conversing.
"Any chance I could see him?" The girl asked. She couldn't exceed the age of fifteen years old. She has a short height, short dark brown hair, and brown eyes. She wears a black and red sleeveless hoodie, and a black and red tartan-pattern, a pair black heeled boots with red soles. She has several accessories over her body, especially a leather choker and a necklace with a round black pendant, two belts with a chain hanging from one attached to her skirt. She has a red cord wrapped around her left wrist, and a leather bracer on her other wrist.
The attendant shook his head. "Not at present, sorry. Your father is still in a meeting with the Council"
"I knew it" Noctis smiled before raising a hand, calling out to the girl. "Iris!"
Hearing her name, the girl— Iris Amicitia — turned her head to the Prince and his retainer. "Hm? Oh, N-Noct! Iggy!"
"Iris" Ignis nodded to Iris as they arrived at her side.
"Prince Noctis, you look well" The attendant said to Noctis, who just shrugged.
"I think so. Any news about my dad?" He asked.
"Unfortunately, his meeting has yet to adjourn" Closing his eyes, the attendant spoke. "You have my sincerest apologies, Your Highness"
"Nah, no worries" The Prince shrugged it off. "We've got other things to do anyway"
"Other things?" Iris put her hands behind her back, glancing at Noctis. "Like…getting ready for Beacon?"
"Yep." Noctis replied.
"Thought so" Iris chuckled before looking sad. "Bummer I don't get to go with you and be a Huntress"
"I'm sure you'd just get bored along the way" Noctis said. "Besides, you're still too young for that"
Iris opened her mouth, but no word came from it. Shaking her head, she then asked. "Well, do you mind if I tag along just today?"
"Huh, around here?" Noctis said, confused with the girl replying.
"No! Back to your place, silly"
"Oooh…Maybe not a good idea" Noctis scratched the back of his head.
"Why not?" Iris asked, confused. "It's your last night in town. The four of you are gonna have a party, aren't you?"
Ignis laughs wryly and shakes his head, amused by Iris' thought. "It's a moving-out party. Nothing but cleaning"
The girl stepped back, shocked. "C-Cleaning!?"
"Yep" The Prince confirmed before comically gesturing with the hands in order to scare Iris a bit. "There'll be buuuugs everywhere"
"Ugh, gross!" Iris said, disgusted.
"So you're probably better off staying away" Noctis put his hands on his hips. "What're you doing here anyway?"
"Oh, I brought a change of clothes for my dad. He's been so busy lately, he just sleeps at the Citadel!" She said, clearly worried for her father's schedule.
"Not even Master Clarus has been spared, I see." Ignis stated, adjusting his glasses with a hand.
Reminded of the pressure his father is under, Noct then turns to the attendant. "How's my dad doing, anyway?"
"Exhaustion aside? He seems to be doing just fine" The attendant replied.
"Can…can he still walk?" Noctis asked. When Lucis became an official Kingdom, the Wall sustained by the King's own life force was now sustained by the so-called Aura Wall amplifiers calibrated to Regis' Magic, in order to not let the so-called Grimm enter inside the whole Lucis. This means the Wall wasn't claiming Regis' life each day passed…but unfortunately, life wasn't fair. Day after day, his body started to weaken and to age severely faster. The doctors said that this could be the toll of using the Crystal's magic to bring the entire Lucis, Tenebrae and Accordo to Remnant via the Wall, but there's no proper explanation for that. Even the King remains silent about it.
The attendant nodded. "But of course" He said, making Noctis nod, before turning to Ignis. "Master Ignis, I will contact you once His Majesty has a moment"
The retainer nodded. "Much appreciated. For now, we'll be on our way to the prince's quarters" As Noct and Ignis turn to leave, Iris calls the Prince out.
"Noct!"
Turning his head to Iris, Noctis asked. "What now?"
With a grin, Iris raised a thumb up. "Congratulations for the admission to Beacon"
Noct winces slightly before flashing her a lopsided smile. "Little early for that, but thanks. See ya, Iris" He nodded to Iris before he and Ignis strolled off in the direction of his quarters. Iris
watches as they walk away, her expression betraying the merest hint of sadness.
"Noct…"
Minutes later, Noctis and Ignis reached the Prince's quarters, but not without a moment where the guards greeted Noctis formally, much to Noctis's annoyment, something that hadn't happened when a pair of rookies Kingsglaive greeted them without a proper greeting.
"Do you still plan on using this room even after your return?" Ignis asked Noctis, who crossed his arms.
"Hm… Haven't really thought about it, y'know?" The Prince smiled a bit. "I mean, we have four years ahead of us before we get the license"
"I see. But please, be mindful of the fact that you won't be alone when you get back"
"Huh? What? Think Ruby will really come to Insomnia?" Noctis asked.
"The realization has yet to sink in, I see" Ignis smiled with amusement, much to Noctis's embarrassment. "Has Umbra paid a visit lately?"
The Prince shaked his head. Since that day, he and Ruby have written to each other via a notebook carried by Umbra. When asked by someone, the two always replied that this way was better than a mere Scroll's text. "No, but I've just sent the notebook back and Ruby's probably busy anyway. Hey, Ignis, just pack whatever you think I'll need"
Ignis sighs wearily. "If you insist. But I expect you to sort through it later"
Ignis and Noct began to pack for a few minutes without exchanging a word, the rustle and
thud of clothes and sundry objects serving to fill the silence. After a while, Noct pauses to take in the scene around him.
"Boy oh boy, I think I spent more time sneaking out of this room than I actually spent in it" He said with a smile.
Ignis looks up from the bulging bag he is packing. "Indeed. And it wasn't uncommon for me to go with you, especially when Miss Rose and Xiao Long were here. The only time of relaxation I had was when you were in Patch with them" With an emotion-filled voice, he continued to speak. "Every excursion was more nerve-wracking than the last"
"Y'know, I remember someone there, but he was always in a bad mood, trying to get
me to read" Noctis joked as Ignis sighed.
"I was young. And despite the different types of reading material I prepared, the most the prince ever showed interest in were...picture books called comics, I believe"
"Oh yeah?"
"I believe this loathing of all other literature was at fault for his absence here" Ignis continued to say. "Or, perhaps, this was a way for the prince to be together with Miss Rose?"
After a bit, Noct's playful expression begins to fade as he speaks quietly, half to himself."Oh, yeah...I hated being stuck in here. I couldn't get a moment alone"
"Everyone was worried about you" Ignis stated. "And before you sustained that injury, you were a much livelier child"
"I didn't really talk much after it happened, huh?"
"...Even I was perplexed at your radical change" Ignis revealed.
"Really?" Noctis asks Ignis, who continues packing, but replies in a gentle voice.
"Indeed. Which is why I had no choice but to accompany you whenever you left this room" Then he smiled again at Noctis. "But I'm glad to Miss Rose for have brought back a bit of your old persona"
Noct lets out a short, slightly bashful laugh to hide a bit of red, while Ignis continues.
"I always hoped these spontaneous "excursions" would one day come to a peaceful
end…yet my hopes were dashed"
"I remember. You took the fall for everything."
"I was reprimanded for "absconding" with you away from the Citadel" Ignis gestured with one hand.
"Yeah yeah. My bad" Noctis chuckled a bit. "You were doing me a favor and got blamed for it anyway"
"I was simply doing my job. I have no regrets on the matter—not even now" Ignis continued to pack things. "And, to be honest, I was surprised when you did the same for Iris' sake back then. Oh?" Amidst the chaos of Noct's possessions, Ignis glimpses a curious little lucky charm: a wooden Carbuncle figurine. Taking the figure in hand, he commented as Noctis glanced at it with a small smile. "I haven't seen this figurine in ages"
"Let's take it with us" Noct said.
"It's an important keepsake, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I figure it'll at least keep us safe on the road" The Prince explained.
Hiding a glance of sadness, Ignis stated. "I wouldn't take this little lucky charm so lightly. It brought you back from the brink of death, didn't it?"
With a shrug, Noctis replied "Maybe in my dreams, at least" Noct's thoughts turn to packing again, and he mutters to himself. "What else do I need…"
His royal retainer shook his head. "Perhaps your weapons, Your Highness?"
With a snap of his fingers, Noctis headed to a closet on the other side of the room. "Good call Iggy" Opening the closet, Noctis could but still be amazed by the quantity of weapons he has since he started to become a Huntsman. "Ohoh…" His hand headed towards a certain sword as he pulled it out, revealing a one-handed sword with an engine for act as a particular guard and handle. "I remember training with this!"
"His Majesty's gift for your thirteenth birthday" Ignis could but smile at the thought of that day. "There was hardly a moment of peace around here after you received it"
"Yeah" Noctis laughs. "But no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get the blade-warp down"
"If you hadn't sustained that injury, I imagine it might've been much easier for you" Ignis speculated and then shook his head proudly. "You did quite well for yourself regardless"
"I didn't really have much of a choice" Noctis shrugged. "Dad wanted me to train my royal abilities if I wanted to get to Beacon"
"Certainly" Ignis's Scroll suddenly rings. With a gesture of apologies to Noct, Ignis answered. "Hello? This is Ignis. I see... Understood. I'll be right there" Ignis hangs up before looking at Noctis. "I've just been informed that His Majesty is too busy to meet with us today"
"...Huh" Noctis sighed, looking at the floor as Ignis put one hand over the Prince's shoulder.
"I'm going to check on the baggage for Beacon. Please sort through your belongings in the meantime"
"Got it…" Noctis said as Ignis departed, leaving him standing motionless in the middle of the room before resuming to grab weapons from the closet. "...Tch, this sucks"
The sounds of wooden swords clashing, grunting, and men falling to the ground echoed around the training halls of the Citadel. Inside a certain hall, two men were sparring with their wooden greatswords until the older one managed to land a hit to the younger one who fall over.
"Damnit!" The young man cursed as his back hit the ground with a small groan of pain. He has a high height and large muscular build for a nineteen year old. He has amber eyes, with a long scar running over his left eye. His long brown hair is shaved along the sides, and he sports a very small jaw beard. He even has an enormous bird tattoo over his entire arms. Glancing at the older man, Gladiolus Amicitia could but grin a little. "Guess I can't still beat my old man at all"
"It will take more than your youthful experience to take down this shield, however I find your will stronger than mine" Clarus smiled at his son, his wooden sword at his side as he held his free hand to Gladio. "You've became strong, Gladio"
"The Shield of the King praised me? I'm surprised" Gladio joked as he accepted his father's help. "Tomorrow is finally the day, yet I'll depart with another defeat as a souvenir…" As he spoke, the young man touched the scar on his face. "Just like this one"
"...What happened that day wasn't your fault, my son" Acknowledging his son's guilt over that day. "But don't worry. I'm sure your power far exceeds the ones of Beacon of a few years. You're an Amicita, after all" Then, Clarus adopted a formal tone. "Gladiolus, even if we're at peace, remember our duty. The Amicitia family has but one duty: to safeguard and support the King"
"Like I could forget" Gladio commented.
"I know, but please" With a hand over his son's shoulder, Clarus continued to speak, putting his hand over his son's shoulder. "No matter what happens, Gladiolus, you must keep Prince Noctis safe. Protect him not just as the next king, but as a comrade and a true friend. I will do the same within the Wall. I entrust matters on the outside to you"
Gladio frowns, bemused that his father should feel the need to say this, but he nodded, adopting Lucis' military salute. "Yes sir!"
"Good—" Clarus then looked at the door when someone knocked. "Come in" When the current head of the Amicita family ordered, the door opened to reveal a pair of men.
The first one is a middle-aged man with a well-built figure with short, brown hair and light blue. He wears a black, collared jacket with skull-shaped buttons, which has a skull-print shirt under it, black trousers, and black boots with red soles. The man is the one and only Marshal of Lucis, Cor Leonis. "Pardon the intrusion"
The second man is, instead, very much younger than Cor. In fact, he is two years younger than Gladio too. He has an average height and a slender build, blue eyes with violet undertones, light freckles and short, unruly blond hair. He wears two bands on his right arm, black gloves, a black shirt with a white pattern, and a sleeveless black vest with a dark red flannel shirt attached underneath. He wears dark pants with a faint leopard print. He wears black boots with red soles that are lined with white fur. "And pardon me—wait, Gladio!?"
Gladio raised an eyebrow, confused. "What're you doin' here, Prompto?"
"He's here for his Crownsguard uniform, so I thought it best he met the captain himself" Cor explained.
"Prompto Argentum—" Clarus glanced at Prompto. "—am I right?"
"Y-yes, sir!"
The man smiled softly at him. 'It's a pleasure to meet you. No injuries from training with Elemancy, I presume?"
"No, sir! I-It went just fine, I think. Probably" Prompto stammered. "A-and I promise to protect Noct if something happens!"
"Very noble of you" Clarus said proudly. "I understand you decided to undertake this journey as his friend. Take pride in your position at his side"
"Right! And, uh, thank you!" Prompto said.
"I appreciate your time today" Clarus gestured with one hand. "I assume you have some preparations to take care of, so you may be on your way"
Prompto took a military salute. "Y-Yes, sir!"
"Well, I better get ready, too" Gladio put away the greatsword. "It's okay for you, dad?"
Clarus nodded. "Permission granted"
With a salute, the two teenagers walked away. During their stroll through the Citadel, Gladio spoke to Prompto. "You gonna wait for Noct here?"
"Nah" Prompto shrugged. "Think I'll head home for a bit"
"Why? Forget something?"
"No, nothin' like that!" Rotating, Prompto showed his new outfit. "Just thought I'd show my parents my new digs!"
"Heh, sounds good" Gladio smirked.
"It's…kinda proof that I'm worthy to go on this trip, y'know?" Prompto's smile faded a bit. "Just hope they're home."
"Not much you can do if they aren't, huh?" Gladio said solemnly.
"Nah. We don't see each other much for their work as reporters, but it's been that way since I was a kid. Anyway, if they're not in, I'll come right back!"
"Right. Well, I might be a little late. Got dinner plans" Gladio said, noticing Prompto's curious look.
"Do tell"
The Shield just shrugs. "My family and I are going out to eat before we get any kind of break from Beacon. Hardly ever happens, so I figured I might as well go along"
"Nice!" Prompto thumbs up. "Take your time, and send Iris my regards!"
The mention of his younger sister made Gladio realize. "Oh, yeah. 'Bout that, she mentioned she saw you the other day"
Confused, the blonde haired boy raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Where?"
"In the park, taking pictures"
"Oh" Prompto scratched the back of his head, blushing a bit. "Sounds like me. Why didn't she come over and say "hi" if she saw me?"
"Said she did" Gladio revealed, shocking Prompto who stepped back, furiously embarrassed.
"H-H-H-hold up! Seriously?! Oh man, I can't believe I didn't notice"
Gladio assumes an earnest expression, but his voice betrays his amusement. "She was really worried about you"
"You should've told her not to worry!" Prompto shouted at Gladio, who just laughed with his heart's content.
Night has fallen on Insomnia. Illuminated by the moon and the city's lights, Ignis arrives at Noct's apartment building. As he
approaches, he greets the guard stationed at the front desk before someone calls him from a distance. "Hey, Ignis!"
Recognizing the voice, Ignis turns in order to meet Prompto, who was running over him. "Prompto"
"Did you just get here?"
"Indeed" Ignis nodded as the pair stepped inside the building together, heading towards the elevator. "Were you able to see your parents?"
"Nah, they weren't home" Prompto answered as the elevator came, they stepped inside as the doors closed behind them.
"That's unfortunate"
"No biggie. I'm used to it. But I left a photo and a memo for them" Prompto said, calling the elevator, and chatted with Ignis while they waited for it to arrive. "By the way, Gladio packed a ton of stuff for the road"
"The camping equipment?" Ignis asked.
"Yup. I mean, I know we will reach Beacon with three days by car, but still he had a bunch of stuff out, and when I asked what he needed it for, he said "cooking"."
Ignis sighed, shaking his head. "I suppose he intended for me to use them"
"Do you cook a lot, Ignis?" Prompto asked.
"I wouldn't say "a lot" for be honest" Ignis stated.
"Y'know, Noct let me have a bite of his dinners back when we did slumber parties" Prompto revealed, before exclaiming. "It was amazing!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Ignis smiled a bit, proud as he knew his culinary skills reached another.
"Yeah! I was hopin' that's what it'd be like at camp, but you usually cook in a real
kitchen, right? I can't imagine what it's gonna be like on the road before we reach Beacon!" Prompto stated as he bumped his fists a bit. The elevator stops and the doors open, allowing the two to step outside in the hallway. "So I asked Noct, and he said there was nothin' to worry about. Now I can't wait to have more of your meals, Iggy!"
Ignis chuckled, amused. "Well, I certainly don't want to disappoint. I might as well ask your preferences."
"Well, I like sweets, but real food's good, too. Spicy food and...well, I'll eat anything,
really. Even weird stuff"
"Understood" Ignis adjusted his glasses. "I was hoping to experiment with local ingredients, so I'm glad you can keep an open mind"
Prompto grins enthusiastically. "No problem at all!" Reaching Noct's door, Ignis pushed the bottom of the intercomm. After a few seconds, Noctis picked up.
"Be right there"
Somewhat later than planned— read hours— the four teenagers soon huntsmen-in-training are currently busy, helping Noctis to clean his apartment before their departure the next day. Noct's remaining possessions lie strewn about in haphazard piles and, while progress is being made, the place lookse messier than ever. Prompto is rather half-heartedly running a cloth over a bookshelf when something catches his eye. "Whoahahah! Never thought I'd see this again!"
Looking up from behind a nearby pile, Noctis asked his plebe friend. "What?"
Prompto then retrieves a manga from an open box next to the bookshelf. "This! I never noticed, but you've got a ton of comics and mangas!"
"Actually a bunch of them were Yang's. She always forgot them here, so I keep 'em" Noctis explained before he smirked. "Some of them are yours, too"
Prompto shoots him a disbelieving look for such a revelation. "What the—Seriously?!"
"Yup" Noct wanders over and withdraws a comic book from the box. "Hey, look at this"
Taking the comic, Prompto gasped. "Oh! Man, I really wanted to read it one more time!"
"Why don't you?" The Prince asked as Prompto grins mischievously.
"Weeell, if you insist—"
"Hold it a sec" Gladio interrupted the two. "You don't mean now, do you?"
For support of the Shield, Ignis spoke from behind his pile. "Neither of you has made any progress in cleaning. I understand you'd like tor reminisce, but now isn't the time" He then let out an exasperated sigh.
"Aaaw" Prompto looked at the two. "But isn't all this gonna get taken to the Citadel?"
"Yeah" Gladio confirmed.
"Well, once that happens, I'll never be able to see it again!" Prompto said, shocked.
"Oh come on, do you really think he's gonna lock us away? At this point can't you just take what you want?" Hearing Gladio's statement, Prompto gives Noct a hopeful look, looking like a puppy.
"Can I? Please? Pretty please?"
"No" The Prince stated coldly.
"It's all going in a box you won't open again anyway" Gladio said, but Noct remained unmoved.
"I'll open it and check. Thoroughly."
"And who knows how long that will take?" Ignis asked, letting Prompto exclaim.
"See?"
"Sigh. Just give up and go back to cleaning" Gladio said as the four of them all resumed their respective tasks, and the room fell silent. It is some while later that the room looked unrecognizable, with only a few larger items of furniture remaining in place. Gladio deposits a final box on the pile by the door and turns to admire their handiwork. "Looks like we got it all squared away"
"Finally!" Prompto stretched his arms. "I never realized how big this place is"
"And this is the last you'll see of it" Ignis put back his glasses. "Even if it will take four years, when we return, Noct will begin his new life."
"Hard to imagine, it's a four-years-road" Prompto said, raising a finger for each thing he states. "Stronger, officially the first Royal Huntsman existing in the Lucis bloodline, older—"
"And married" Gladio jokes, not moving an inch when Noctis punches his shoulder.
"Oh shut up. It hasn't hit me at all. I'm sure it'll all work out for the last thing, though, if it would happen"
"You mean…you aren't nervous for your future?" Prompto asked. Noctis considered this for a moment, betraying no hint of concern until—
"Hmm... About waking up on time?" Noctis' reply made Ignis chuckle and comment.
"Certainly"
"Yeah, good point" Prompto laughed.
Gladio shakes his head, even if his smile clearly shows his amusement. "You haven't thought about it, have you?"
"Give me a little more credit than that, come on" Noctis smiled. "Still, thinking about it's not gonna change much, is it?
Gladio nods sympathetically, conceding Noct's point. " Okay, I get ya"
"Not easy being the prince, huh?" Prompto said.
"First things first: begin our journey" Ignis said, trying to lighten the mood and receiving a nod from everyone.
"I can't believe it's tomorrow already. I'm so excited!" Prompto bumped his fists before glancing at his friends "Did you study up 'bout the outside?"
"Briefly" Ignis revealed. "I hadn't time to dedicate myself thoroughly to the task."
"Yeah, too busy with your own preparations" Gladio joked.
"I had a look at some maps. It's a literal whole new world out there" Prompto said as Noct shrugged.
"Well, I know the way to reach Patch and Signal, at least. Know that island like my pockets" The Prince stated.
"There're all kinds of wild animals on the outside, right? Think they'll just walk on upto us?" Prompto asked. "Excluding Grimm, 'course"
"Dunno. All I heard is that it's different than Lucis whole—least that's what my old mana says"
"Didn't you went to Menagerie a lot of tomes years ago?" Noctis asked.
Gladio crossed his arms. "Yeah, and the last time I went there I got a pretty souvenir from a…special kitty" He said, touching his scar. "But that's it. Never been in other Kingdoms"
"I've heard the culture in Vale is similar to that of Insomnia ten or twenty years ago. Like a sprawling landscape from an old photograph" Ignis stated as Prompto jumped over the sofa.
"Oooh boy! I'm so psyched, but so nervous! Don't know if I can sleep like this!"
"Well, if you can't sleep…" Acting like the devil's adviser, Noct pulled out his Scroll and tapped the screen, booting up a certain game…
"King's Knight? Great idea!" Prompto cheerfully said as he follows suit.
"You can't be serious" Shaking his head, Ignis denied such an attitude. "At a time like this?"
"Well, why not? We gotta be there for His Highness, don't we?" Gladio smirked, joining the two.
"Besides, this is the last time we can do this here" Noctis said with a smile. With a slightly theatrical sigh and a resigned shake of the head, Ignis pulls out his own Scroll and begins playing.
A Fantasy based on Reality…