Exeuntes, a Story Based on Final Fantasy XV

Chapter XXIV: Escalation, Part II

An Introductory Note:

This is the third of possibly five(??) chapters that I have decided to add since I began to edit this story again. This entire chapter was written almost entirely from scratch, borrowing elements from what was previously the last chapter of this story. I really want to add this soon but at the same time, I don't want it to end abruptly (AKA badly). So expect at least one more entirely new chapter and the last chapter being an edited version of what was formerly the last chapter.

Song for this chapter:

36. Also Sprach Zarathustra Op.30: Einleitung (Opening) by Richard Strauss; performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Pictured:

Map of the Niflheiman Continent. The Imperial Province of Tenebrae sits in the top portion of the map. The Lucian Continent is situated north by the map's orientation—east in relation to Eos's north.

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Fort Pellam at 17:29 hours, Galahdian Summer Time...

There are many groups of people as far as the eye can see, all clumped up and crammed into the open grassy-rocky fields at Fort Pellam, the military installation that shares a border with the Provincial Complex. The grand duchess and members of the Accordoan government are getting ready to board several ships bound for Altissia; the prince regent, his entourage, Kingsglaive and Crownsguard members are being split to depart for Lucis and Tenebrae in a high-speed electric train and an airship reverse-engineered from Niflheim; finally, Nathan, Domani, Rhea, Vincent, Charlie, Nyx, and Jordan are getting ready to fly to Tenebrae on two separate airships—one of them being the one Prince Ravus was on and the other one being Grand Duchess Caelia's.

To their surprise, it turns out the prince is still in the airship. He greets them with a nod as it touches down at the fort, being the last transport required before everyone could start to leave Galahd.

"My stay in Insomnia lasted longer than I expected... though I suppose it was a blessing in disguise," he explains, stepping off the airship's loading ramp. The crew also files out of the airship, hurriedly making their way to another one across the fort.

Nathan nods, "Uh... yeah, I guess you could say that," he says, watching the crew disappear into the other airship. He feels a familiar figure looming behind him and turns to look.

"Good evening, sylleblossom. I'll be your captain for today," Aranea informs, an expression of silent satisfaction on her face.

Vincent shakes his head in bewilderment, "You can't be serious..." he turns to the prince, "Please tell me she isn't serious?"

"I'm afraid I agreed on the way here, Mister Amicus. There are not many people in Lucis who know how to operate these machines," Prince Ravus replies, pointing at the airship behind him with his head.

The commodore gives Vincent a smile dripping with amusement as she, Biggs, Wedge, and two other crew members walk into the airship.

Captain Volpato from the RNA Camelia interrupts any retort from Vincent, "A good evening to you all. Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, Signorina Vitra, Signor Lorenzia, Signor Amicus, and Signor Martenis," he greets, bowing slightly at each of them respectively.

"Good evening, captain. I trust you are aware of the orders from General Amicitia and Marshal Leonis?" Domani asks, seeing another airship's loading ramp begin to close.

The captain nods, "I do, signore. I will leave it among yourselves to decide how to be split up."

Nathan and Vincent immediately make their way behind the RNA Camelia's captain. Charlie follows his brother out of habit and even Prince Ravus walks over to him.