Stars in the Night Sky [NOCTIS X READER]

CHAPTER 8 - TO LIVE FOR THE FALLEN

The sun had no reason to be this bright, you decided, lifting your hand to shade your eyes from it.

Old Lestallum practically shone in the early morning light as you stumbled out of the hotel, yawning and barely coherent. You'd slept in as late as you could after last night, and only awoke after nearly everybody else. The only one who was still asleep was Noctis, to which Gladiolus had been nominated to wake up.

Adelaide and Prompto were chatting over by the Sedan while Autumn and Ignis were working together to cram the boys' luggage plus Iris' into the Regalia's trunk. Ignis seriously looked to be considering throwing Prompto's enormous duffel in the front seat with him when Gladiolus finally emerged, herding a very sleepy Noctis with him by the arm.

After a quick breakfast at the Crow's Diner, you all headed back to the car to get going. The only issue being Prompto hopping merrily into the backseat of the Sedan, taking Autumn's place and leaning obnoxiously between the front seats to talk to Adelaide. He was a chatterbox to trump all chatterboxes, finding literally everything under the sun to talk about. Between the scenery, to life on the post, to ranting about Chocobos for forty-five minutes straight, Prompto couldn't seem to stop talking. You didn't mind it mostly - the talking was nice background noise to the menial driving and you honestly hadn't seen Adelaide this happy to talk to someone in years.

About two hours out from Caem, Ignis suddenly slowed and made a right turn onto a dirt road. Prompto trailed off mid-sentence to stare out the front windshield as you followed. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What's he doing?" he asked.

"Beats me," Adelaide shrugged. "I haven't been out this far before. What about you, Orange?"

You frowned. "All I know is there's some kinda thicket out here that the hunters aren't allowed into. Maybe there's something there Ignis thinks is worth looking into? I don't know."

Prompto hums. "Could be another Royal Arm."

"Royal Arm?" echoed Adelaide.

"Yeah, Noct's collecting them," Prompto shrugged. "Something about their weapons being infused with his ancestor's power? And it makes him stronger? That's how I understand it."

"Complicated," Adelaide murmured, rolling up her window as the Regalia kicked dust from the road at them.

"Tell me about it," Prompto grumbled in agreement. He sat back as the Regalia pulled into a parking spot and the doors opened almost instantly. Autumn was out first, stretching languidly with Noctis right afterwards, stumbling a little on the uneven ground. You pulled in behind them, turning off the car and pocketing the keys before getting out.

You shut the door behind you with a loud clunk while Adelaide bounced around the other side of the car to eye everyone.

"Why the stop?" she asked.

"Rumors have it that a Royal Arm slumbers somewhere within the thicket," Ignis explained. "We all agreed that it'd be prudent to get another Royal Arm for Noctis first and foremost."

"And you're sure you're okay with this?" Autumn asked Iris, folding her arms and looking far more like a mother than she probably meant to.

Iris let out a long, suffering sigh. "For the last time, yes, Autumn," she said, perking up. "I don't mind a little danger here and there!"

"Yeah, but it's the danger that'll get you killed," Gladiolus rumbled. "Just stick close to me, okay?"

"Okay," Iris dragged out the word like she was annoyed, but it was obvious by the sag in her shoulders that Gladiolus' protection was much appreciated. You smiled, turning back to Ignis.