A/n: Remember when I said there was going to be a huge time skip, welp... it's in this chapter! Hope you all enjoy!! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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After deciding to separate herself from the boys, (Y/n) summoned Thanatos. The steed noticed her solemn expression and nuzzled his snout against her head. Death patted the top of his head with a melancholic smile. "C'mon, buddy. Let's head back to Lestallum and collect my clothes. After that, we've got one more Wendigo to hunt down and then we can return home."

As (Y/n) mounted Thanatos, her mind raced back to the time she spent with the four boys. She felt horrible for not saying a word about her departure, but she knew a simple "goodbye" would've torn her heart into shreds. She knew she had worried them because she felt the familiar tug of Noctis trying to summon her, but she ignored his call and forced her body to remain where it was. Tears threatened to fall from Death's eyes as Thanatos trotted through the woods and avoiding the highway to prevent the others from spotting her.

The girl leaned forward, burying her face into Thanatos' creamy, white mane. "Did I do the right thing?" All she got in response was a neigh. She laughed weakly before scratching the base of the horse's neck. "I really wish you could talk and let me know if I truly am doing the right or wrong thing."

<-------<<<<<<<<<

In Lestallum, (Y/n) left Thanatos on the outskirts of town before walking to the Leville. Inside the hotel, she noticed no one was in the lobby and she made her way up to Iris' room. Opening the door, she peered inside and saw the young girl wasn't in the room. Scurrying around for her clothes, she found them nicely folded in the dresser. Grabbing them, (Y/n) dashed out of the room and down the stairs.

Leaving the Leville, Death stormed through the streets of Lestallum until she found her way to the main road and to the outskirts of town. Thanatos lied in wait exactly where (Y/n) had left him. Climbing onto the steed's back, Death held her clothes tightly to her chest. "Let's get going, Than. Wouldn't want to be anywhere near Lestallum once the boys return." Thanatos neighed as he reared his body before taking off.

<-------<<<<<<<

"Why would (Y/n) disappear on us like that?" Prompto mumbled sorrowfully as he scanned through the pictures he was able to take during their battle with the Wendigo.

"I don't know. Let's go back to Lestallum and see if she's there. If not..." Noctis didn't finish his sentence as he stared at the scenery they passed.

"If she doesn't want to be found, then don't go lookin' for her. We've got more royal arms to collect and then we have to take Iris to Cape Caem. We can't afford to spend all our time searching for (Y/n)," Gladio states calmly. "Altissia is our main priority, not (Y/n)."

"Dude, that's cold even for you," Prompto retorted.

"Altissia has always been our main goal. I'm just sayin' we shouldn't waste our time on (Y/n) when we've got more important things to do."

Noctis gritted his teeth, clenching his hand into a fist. He was tempted to punch Gladio in face, but he stopped when he went to swing at the brute and his fist nearly collided with the person who appeared in the middle seat. The prince's azure eyes were wide in shock as he saw the girl he almost punched glance in his direction. "So, you're the boy she mentioned."

Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Ignis slammed on the brakes. Everyone, except the strange girl, lurched forward in their seats at the sudden stop. The boys exited the Regalia and kept their distance from the stranger. The redhead stepped out of the car as the boys eyed her every move. Noctis glared at her as she crossed her arms. "Who the hell are you?"

"One of Death's sisters-War. It's nice to meet the group she's been traveling with," the redhead responded with a displeased tone.

"Why're you here?" Gladio questioned her.

"Wanted to see what was keeping her on Eos besides the last remaining Wendigo."

"Do you know where she went?" Noctis inquired, hoping the Horseman of War would know.

War uncrossed her arms, placing her hands on her hips. "You best sever your ties with her now."

"Why?" The prince demanded.

"The moment the last Wendigo is slain, Death will return to the Inner Sanctum where she belongs. Let her finish her mission and you can go on your merry way, Your Highness."

Noctis' glare sharpened at War's fiery tone. "(Y/n) should be the one who decides where she belongs, not you."

The Horseman chuckled with a smirk. "How naïve. You think we wanted to become Horsemen? If you do, you're sorely mistaken. Our souls, bodies, and powers are in the hands of the Daemon King. We have no say in anything! You best keep you eyes forward and avert them from Death. That is my warning to you. Good day, Your Highness." In the blink on an eye, War vanished.

The royal retinue was silent for a few minutes as they replayed the Horseman's words in their heads. Prompto was the first to slice through the suffocating silence. "Talk about a fiery attitude. Reminds me of someone we know..."

The sharpshooter's eyes trailed over to Gladio, who caught his lapis gaze with his amber one. "Watch it, pipsqueak," he growled.

Noctis glanced down at the orb in his hand, War's words ringing in his head like a bell. There was truth behind her words that the prince didn't want to believe, but he would have to. Gripping the object tightly, he slid it back in his pocket with a sorrowful look in his eyes. "Let's head back to Lestallum."

Prompto was taken aback at Noctis' resolve. "You really aren't gonna look for (Y/n)?"

"Why should I? If she even cared one bit about any of us, she wouldn't have left. Let's go, Ignis," the prince retorts vehemently.

Gladio was joyous at Noctis' decision and hopped back into the Regalia beside the young prince. Prompto and Ignis, on the other hand, knew he was hurt and only spoke in such a manner because of the heartbreak he was suffering from. They both still believed (Y/n) cared about all of them, especially Noctis, even if the prince and his bodyguard didn't.

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Days turned into weeks as Noctis, Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis finished their duties in Lucis and traveled to Altissia with help from Cid and Cindy. During the entirety of their time left in Lucis, Noctis' thoughts were only occupied by one person-(Y/n).

After having lost her during their trip to Malmalam Thicket, no one has seen her since. The moment Noctis and the others reached Cape Caem, he described (Y/n) to Cindy and asked if she had seen her. Morosely, the blonde mechanic hadn't seen a girl matching the description before leaving to work on his father's ship.

Once they finished everything they needed in Lucis, the ship was prepared and the royal retinue was on their way to Altissia. Noctis wasn't the only one worried or missing (Y/n) as Prompto would express his sadness every now and then.

"I wonder how (Y/n)'s doing?"

"Do you think we'll see her again?"

"I wonder where she is now."

In honesty, Prompto was speaking the only thoughts that plagued Noctis' mind. He wouldn't admit it, but he missed (Y/n) dearly and tried to summon her whenever he could. Unfortunately, the Horseman continued to refuse his desperate cries to see her again. In his mind, the prince replayed the memories with her and couldn't focus on anything else. He prayed to the Six that wherever she was now, she was safe.

After delving out of his mind, Noctis realized Prompto was staring down at his camera. He had been staring at a picture the five of them had taken during their travels. The salty breeze whipped through the boys' locks as they admired the photo. "You still have the ones you sent Vyv?" The prince questioned.

"Oh, yeah!" Prompto scrolled through his pictures until he stopped at one of the photos he had taken during their battle with the Wendigo in Malmalam Thicket. Vyv had loved the photos so much, he gave them an extra two thousand gil. The man had wondered where the star of the photo was and Noctis responded harshly. Now that he remembered the moment, he regretted his anger towards (Y/n) and all the horrible things he's said about her since she vanished. Noctis hoped he would meet Death one more time before she had to leave Eos and was out of his reach forever.

<-------<<<<<<<

In Altissia, the royal retinue explores the beautiful city before heading to Maagho and meeting with a man by the name of Weskham that Cid told them about. While at the bar, the group was visited by the First Secretary of Accordo-Camelia Claustra. During the encounter, Noctis learned about Luna and what the empire was demanding. Leaving the bar after the confrontation with Camelia, the boys headed to the Leville for the night.

The next morning, Noctis and the others headed to Camelia's estate. The prince entered the large house to negotiate with the First Secretary while Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis waited outside. In the end, they were able to come to an agreement. The boys leave the grand estate, waiting for the day of the rite to arrive.

<-------<<<<<<<<

All hell broke loose the day of the rite. The moment Luna summoned the Hydraean, the empire made their move and attacked the Tidemother. Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis focused on evacuating the citizens of Altissia while Noctis headed to the altar in order to help Luna and receive the blessing of Leviathan.

The prince, with the help of Titan, was able to receive the blessing after a grueling fight. Morosely, the chancellor of Niflheim had other plans as he drove a blade into Luna's flesh. Noctis lost consciousness before he could help his childhood friend.

<------<<<<<<<<

Once Noctis awoke, he felt a cold metal in his hand. Opening his palm, he saw the Ring of the Lucii in his palm. With the ring now in his possession, the only thing left to do was reclaim the Crystal from the empire.

Several weeks later, the four boys boarded a train. Now with Ignis being blind, Prompto helped him to a seat so he wouldn't trip over anything. Noctis sat down by himself, glancing down at the Ring in his possession. With Luna's death now lingering on his shoulders, the prince was reaching a breaking point. Not only had the girl he loved vanished without a word or a trace, his childhood friend was dead.

As Noctis stared out the window, he heard heavy steps heading up the aisle. The footsteps fell silent once they reached his seat. Gladio stood beside him, scowling down at the boy. "The hell is wrong with you?"

Noctis slowly raises his head, his azure eyes slightly dull. "What?"

"We're not stopping in Tenebrae. You need to grow up and get over it," Gladio growled.

The prince stands and confronts his friend. "I am over it. I'm here, aren't I?!"

The brute grabs Noctis by his jacket and pulls him close, his glare becoming even more fierce. "Maybe when you're not too busy moping, you can look around and give a shit about someone worse off than you."

"Let go of me," Noctis demanded with a venomous tone.

"How's that ring fit ya? You'd rather carry it around than wear it? She gave her life so you could do your duty, not so you could sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Even (Y/n) saved your sorry ass countless of times."

"You don't think I know that?!"

"You don't! Ignis took one for you, too, and for what?!" The shield bellowed, eyes set aflame.

"Enough, Gladio!" Ignis shouted.

Gladio's tempered remained flared, but his yelling ceased. "You think you're a king, but you're a coward."

"Shut up!" Noctis shoves Gladio and grabs him by his jacket as well.

Prompto jumps from his seat and tries to intervene. "Don't do this-!"

The shield puts his hand on Prompto's face and shoves him back, causing the blonde to fall to the floor. Noctis' eyes were filled with anger and melancholy as he gritted his teeth. "I get it, alright?! I get it!" He shoves Gladio away before taking a few steps back.

"Then get a grip! Pull your head outta your ass already!" The bodyguard yelled.

Not being able to listen any longer, Noctis turns and walks away. Prompto calls out to his best friend as he leaves the train car. "Noct!"

"Leave him," Gladio hissed as he turned his back and walked in the opposite direction.

Noctis enters another train car and takes another seat in the back. After a moment, he holds his closed hand up and slowly opens it to reveal the Ring of the Lucii. With his other free hand, the prince pulled out the summoning orb and admired its beauty with sorrow. His hands shake as he held the only two things that provided a connection to those he loved. Noctis closes his fists tight around the ring and orb, gritting his teeth as he tried to prevent tears from falling. "Dammit...!"