Iona, the twin world of Eos. Torn asunder by a cataclysmic event, only two survived. King Fellux Naxan Valtreus and his daughter, Makina Hexxus Valtreus, fled to Eos and found sanctuary. As the last survivors who carry the blood of the mighty dragon...
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"Astrals above, we really are doing this..." Makina grumbled. She sat in between Gladiolus and Noctis in the backseat of the Regalia. She threw her head back against the seat and stared up at the sky.
"Don't get too grumpy, cupcake," the shield said. "It'll be a quick job."
"Can I at least throw something at him when we get back?"
"No."
She crossed her arms with a 'hmph' and looked away with pursed lips. "Damn reporters always getting away with everything..."
Not far from Galdin Quay, Ignis pulled the car over to the side of the road. Everyone stepped out of the vehicle since their destination was only reachable on foot.
Their journey to the mineral deposit took them across a rock bridge that naturally connected both sides of the highway and towards an outcrop. They also stumbled upon a large surprise in the shape of a bird. It was the enormous bird that had flown over them yesterday. Fortunately for them, it was fast asleep.
Prompto gasped in horror. "Oh em gee. We're supposed to get near that thing?"
Gladiolus glowered at him. "Pipe down before you wake it up."
They lowered their bodies to the ground and snuck around to the other side of the zu. They froze every time the creature adjusted in its sleep. On the other side of the slumbering zu, they located the garnet stone Dino sent them here to find.
Noctis picked up the stone and tossed it towards Makina, who easily caught it. "Here. You can throw this at him. Should make you feel a little better."
She laughed softly. "I'll aim for an eye."
Falling silent, they make their way back. As they maneuvered around the zu a second time, their movements went detected by the creature. Its eyes flew open alongside its unfurling wings. Flapping its wings, it took off with a screech.
"Off it goes..." Ignis said as he watched the zu fly away.
Noctis tried to calm his racing heart with a deep inhale before exhaling. "Oh, we made it out alive."
"Barely. I seriously thought we were at journey's end," Prompto huffed out.
"But that feat was fit for a king," Gladiolus stated before glancing at Makina and adding, "Or queen."
"Speaking of queen..." The marksman's eyes trailed over to the snowy-haired girl. "How did the whole ascension process work for Iona?"
Makina glanced at him and the other boys. "Wait, you guys haven't heard?"
"Nope," Noctis replied.
"Literary works do not entail such details," Ignis added.
"An heir is only granted the position of king or queen once their predecessor has passed or handed down the Ionus Sphere," she explained. She saw the puzzled looks on their faces and continued. "The Ionus Sphere is an artifact given to the Valtreus bloodline by Valtreus himself. It serves as a catalyst for the six elemental disciples. It is what Iona relied on to maintain balance between the six serpents. Of course, it is useless now due to Iona's destruction. However, my father still has it."
