My Light

e i g h t

We follow Ardyn to the road only to see him stop in the middle and the five of us look at him. "Just to be clear, this isn't a race. It is a chase. You're not to pass me. Lose sight of me and you'll lose your way. And no tailgating. An accident would spoil the trip." Ardyn explains and I roll my eyes as I look away. "Alright, alright! Let's hit the road already." Noctis says with annoyance. "As you wish. Drive safely." Ardyn says and we follow him. "First Galdin, and then Lestallum. What a coincidence, huh?" Prompto says and I turn to look at him. "You met him in Galdin too?" I ask the boys and they nod. "You met him too, Aurie?" Prompto asks me and I nod. "It was before the of the four of you got to Galdin. It wasn't pleasent at all. He gave us a coin that commemorates the Oracle's ascension.  Did you get the same coin?" I ask the group of men and Gladio pulls the coin out of his jean pocket. "This the coin you're talking about?" he asks me showing me the coin and I nod. "Still, it's way too convenient to be a coincidence. I reckon he's following us around." Gladio says and I nod in agreement as I face the front now. "But to what end? That question bothers me deeply, as does his origin." Ignis asks and I look over to Noctis focusing on the road to keep up with Ardyn.

"It's hard for me to picture that guy in the empire." Prompto says.

"It's not hard for me. He has this twisted look in his eyes that somehow tells me that he's up to no good." I say.

"I'd sooner not rely on him." Ignis says as Noctis makes a turn.

"But he may be our only way into the Disc of Cauthess." Prompto says.

"What's His Highness's opinion of this 'Ardyn'?" Gladio asks.

"Don't really have one-- he's nothing more than a creepy old dude to me." Noctis replies.

"You hit the nail on the head right there."

"Well, that's why we came up with a plan."

"Gotta watch our backs the whole way."

The rest of the trip stayed quiet, and I looked to my right to watch the view zip by. That's when I remembered the headaches Noctis was getting when we first arrived in Lestallum. "Noct, how are the headaches." Ignis asks beating me to ask him. "Fine for now, but they come without warning." he responds and I look at him with a concerned look. "Wouldn't wanna have one behind the wheel." Gladio says as I look at Noctis. "I'll be fine." he assures me and I look down with a frown. "Stop if you need to, alright?" Prompto tells his best friend and Noctis nods. Gladio and Prompto start to talk about either setting up camp or sleeping in a motel, but I just don't listen. I get lost in my thoughts just thinking about the task at hand. I feel a hand suddenly touch mine and I look up to see Noctis. "You ok?" he asks me and I nod in confirmation, then turn to my right to see that we have arrived at a rest stop.  "What say we call it a day here?" Ardyn asks us and I look at Noctis. "What say" we continue on to Cauthess?" Gladio asks the crimson haired man as we all get out of the car. "The Archean's not going anywhere." Ardyn responds and I put a hand on my hip as I stare at him. "Neither are we under your stewardship." Ignis says and I had to agree. "So we make camp... with Ardyn." Prompto says suspicious of the man leading us to Cauthess. "Hell no." Noctis says and I'd have to agree. I didn't want to be anywhere near this man for all of our sakes. "Might as well get the tent up." Gladio says as him, Prompto, and Ignis walk to the back of the Regalia.

"Oh, I'm afraid I've never really been one for the outdoors. I shall foot the bill, so let us stay at the caravan over yonder." Ardyn says and I look at Noctis.

"Fine." he says.

"Now this feels like a road trip."

"Yeah, go figure." Prompto says sarcastically and I shake my head as I cross my arms.