Noctis and Ignis were still unconscious. While the prince would make a full recovery, his advisor would not. The severe scarring around his eyes signified the use of some unknown power. One of the doctors who checked over him said his eyesight would never return.

It had been two days since the attack on Altissia and Prompto had been plagued with the same nightmare. Nothing would change and all he would see were blurry images of (Y/n). Very few were joyous, but most of them she was suffering. He had no idea why his mind was tormented by such gruesome images and remembered what she had told him during their short rendezvous during the attack.

Take the orb in your hand and say my name

Prompto pulled out the yellow orb from his pocket and clutched it tightly in his palm, his other hand gripping tightly to the corner of the bed he sat on. The spherical artifact dug into his skin from how hard he was clenching it. With a defeated frown, he whispered her name.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking over to see who it was, he was baffled and frightened when he saw (Y/n). He flew to his feet, tripping over the sheets that had fallen off the bed and landing on the floor with a painful grunt.

"Guess I've got some explaining to do, huh?" (Y/n) forced a smile. Prompto nodded and pushed himself off the floor. "I know you're not gonna believe me, but here we go. Remember when I asked you on the gondola if you've heard of the Four Horsemen?"

"Y-Yeah," Prompto swallowed anxiously.

"Well..." The golden-haired girl sighed. "The Four Horsemen are real and I am one of them. Would you like me to tell you the real story of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?"

Prompto nodded and crawled back onto the bed, listening intently.

"Glad you decided to sit." (Y/n) claimed the spot beside him, crossing her legs. "Because this is gonna be quite the story."

•••••
Four souls were pulled from the four corners of Hell, gifted with abilities no human, Astral, nor daemon could comprehend. Each soul was given one of four aliases that accompanied their newly bestowed powers-War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death. Now dubbed the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by the Daemon King, Aeshema, they were sent to a world between the living and the dead known as the Inner Sanctum-a domain where the Four Horsemen would reside and keep order of the monsters who relish to break the seal preventing them from entering the world of the living and quenching their bloodlust.

With the seal preventing the monsters from escaping to the land of the living shattered, the Horsemen were tasked with traveling to the bustling world to hunt down the monsters that escaped and kill them before humans fell victim to their bloodlust. Once each Horseman slew their share of the monsters, they would be granted passage back to the Inner Sanctum.

Once the Four Horsemen reached the gateway and entered the portal, they arrived in the land of the living. Famine, Death, Pestilence, and War went their separate ways and disguised themselves amongst the humans in order to walk among the living and hunt down the monsters incognito without interfering with the lives around them.
•••••

(Y/n) stared into Prompto's cerulean gaze, seeing he did believe her. "You believe me that quickly?"

"I mean, I've only known you for a few days, but I know you wouldn't make something up like that. They're four of you, right? Which one are you?"

"Famine, but I prefer to use my real name. My sisters... not so much. Just keep calling me (Y/n). It's nice to hear it after such a long time."

Prompto nodded, still trying to wrap his head around the revelation. He's heard many variations of the tale, but he never believed the Four Horsemen really existed. He wanted to ask more questions, but he held his tongue. Now that he knew the truth about her, he was frightened of what she could achieve, knowing she had powers he nor anyone else could imagine. But he would never admit to her that he was afraid of her in fear she would sever her ties with him.

"Prompto?" (Y/n) softly called his name. "Are... Are you alright?" She placed a hand on his shoulder, her own fear showing through her tone.

Silence

Biting her bottom lip to keep it from quivering, the Horseman released the boy's shoulder and stood up. She spotted the summoning orb in Prompto's hand and snatched it up before leaving the room, which brought the boy out of his thoughts. What he feared more than her status as a Horseman was transpiring. He flew off the bed and chased after (Y/n). "W-Wait, (Y/n)!"

Famine ignored his cries and briskly walked down the hall. She turned the corner, hearing Prompto run down the hall towards her. She tried to vanish when she walked down the stairs, but a hand grabbed ahold of her wrist and stopped her from disappearing. Her head snapped around, staring into Prompto's pleading eyes.

"Please..." He begged, his jaw quivering in fear of losing her. "Don't go. You're the first real friend I've made in years. You don't judge me or, or... treat me like a kid. You actually listen to me and laugh at my stupid jokes. I don't wanna lose you, (Y/n)."

"Prompto, I-"

"Hey, Prompto!" Gladio's booming voice resounded throughout the corridor as he rounded the corner and headed down the stairs, causing the boy to turn his head away from (Y/n). The brute saw the blonde and something rolling by his feet. "You drop something?"

Prompto quickly glanced back to where (Y/n) was standing only to see she was gone. Glancing down, he saw the yellow orb by his boot. He quickly picked it up and held it close to his chest. "Y-Yeah."

"You lookin' for someone? Never seen you run so fast," the shield commented.

"Uh," Prompto glanced once more where Famine once stood before turning his gaze back to Gladio. "No." He held the orb tightly and passed the brute as he made his way back up the stairs. When he thought the shield was going to stop him again, he didn't. Thanking Gladio for not prying, he went back to his room.

Closing the door behind him, Prompto sighed and pressed his back against it. In the corner of the room stood (Y/n), who was leaning against the wall. The blonde stared at Famine with a gleam of hope. "You left the orb behind."

"Glad you grabbed it before someone else did," she sighed. "You're the only person I trust it with."

"You... dropped it on purpose?" He asked.

(Y/n) nodded. "Yeah." She sauntered over to the small bed and sat down, patting the space next to her. Prompto sat down beside her, placing the orb between them. "I did it because of what you said. I... I haven't had a friend in over eighty years and the time I spent with you in Altissia were the best moments I've experienced since coming to Eos."

Prompto smiled at her words, knowing she would be sticking around. He replayed the story of her and her sisters in his mind, remembering a crucial detail. "What happens when you take down these monsters you're suppose to kill?"

"Well, I'll be granted access back to the Inner Sanctum. King Aeshema never said I had to leave Eos right after I killed the monsters. I was thinking about hanging around after I slew the creatures anyway."

"So you'll be staying around for a while?"

She nodded with a smile, nudging her shoulder against his. "Hope that's not an issue."

"Far from it, actually," the sharpshooter smiled in response.

"Good. While we're here, are there any questions you want to ask me? I'm sure you're still confused with all of what I've told you so far."

The game of twenty questions began. Prompto learned (Y/n) had been a Horseman for eighty years alongside her sisters. She had only arrived on Eos about a week ago in search of her targets-the Phantom Knight and the Gashadokuro. She had no luck in locating either in Lucis and moved to Altissia in search of any leads among the populous. When the boy asked how she became a Horseman, she fell silent and told him to ask a different question. He respected her response and moved on to another question, which had slipped off the tip of his tongue before he realized it. "Did you have a boyfriend?" He quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, cheeks set ablaze in embarrassment.

(Y/n) was shocked before bursting with laughter. "No, I didn't. I never really thought about dating. I was too busy with... family affairs to even have time for a date."

"I-I didn't mean-! It just slipped out!" Prompto ran a hand through his spiky, blonde locks, tugging on them slightly.

"Don't worry 'bout it," she patted the top of his hand that rested on his knee. "You were just curious."

Prompto felt his blush deepen at feeling her hand against his. She was slightly cold to the touch, but her palm was rather warm. He plucked the summoning orb off the bed and placed it in his pocket before asking his final question. "What all can you do-like, what're your powers?"

"Well, I mainly use a sword in battle. The Sword of Judgement can tell me whether a person is lying or not and also helps me harness powerful magic. I also have the Touch of Starvation, but I rarely ever use it in combat." Prompto squirmed uncomfortably. (Y/n) noticed and offered a reassuring smile. "I would never raise a finger against you, Prompto. You've no need to fear me. I'll help you and your friends in any way I can."

Famine stood up, adjusting the hem of her skirt. "Now, you better get some rest." She glanced out the window, seeing the moon loom overhead. They had been talking for hours and Prompto hadn't noticed it became nighttime. "I know you've been having nightmares the past two nights and haven't been able to sleep properly."

Prompto hadn't noted his exhaustion until she mentioned sleep. "Yeah. Maybe it won't come back tonight."

"Do you wanna talk about it?" (Y/n) offered kindly.

He shook his head. "I rather not... Goodnight, (Y/n)."

She smiled back with a small nod. "Goodnight, Prom. Sleep well."

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

Ignis woke up the next day, followed by Noctis the day after that. Once the boys were well enough to travel, they departed with their sights set on Cartanica. Lying in wait would be another royal tomb and another weapon for Noctis' flourishing arsenal.

On board the train, Prompto and Ignis were sitting together in one seat with Noctis sitting alone across the aisle from them, hanging his head. The blonde glanced towards his best friend before eyeing the blinded advisor next to him. "So... we're gonna roll through Tenebrae."

"Not before visiting the royal tomb in Cartanica," Ignis stated.

"You're sure you're up to that?" Prompto questioned worriedly.

"The wounds have mended. Eyesight's a matter of time."

Gladio suddenly gets up from his seat and walks over to Noctis and stares at him. The sharp glare casted towards the prince was laced with anger and annoyance. "The hell is wrong with you?"

Noctis slowly raises his head at hearing his shield's irritated tone. "What?"

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

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

Gladio grabs the young prince by his jacket and yanks him close. "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 snarled.

"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."

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

"You don't! Ignis took one for you, too, and for what?!"

"Enough, Gladio!" Ignis bellowed, but his cry fell on deaf ears.

Gladio's eyes narrowed, gripping the front of Noctis' shirt more tightly. "You think you're a king, but you're a coward."

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

Prompto stands and addresses Gladio, trying to stop the argument from turning into a brawl. "Don't do this-!" The bodyguard puts his hand on Prompto's face and shoves him back.

Suddenly, a figure intervenes and shoves Noctis and Gladio away from one another. Prompto looked up from where he fell and his azure eyes widened. It was (Y/n). She had her hood pulled over her head and a mask obscuring her face.

Gladio turned his glare to the girl before stepping back and wandering off. Noctis stormed off with the Ring of the Lucii in his clutch, wishing to separate himself from the others without caring who and where the mysterious girl came from. Both were blinded with anger to care about anything else.

(Y/n) helped Prompto to his feet then took pulled down her hood and took off her mask. "Sorry for the sudden appearance."

The boy shook his head with a grateful smile. "Nah, don't worry 'bout it. If you hadn't stepped in, it might've gotten worse."

Famine's (e/c) eyes traveled over to Ignis, who seemed to not hear their conversation. "Will he be alright?"

"Yeah, but he won't be able to see again," the blonde sighed.

"I think I know someone who could help with the pain," (Y/n) smiled. "I'll contact her when we reach Cartanica."

Prompto thanks the Horseman before returning to sit beside Ignis. (Y/n) decided to sit in a seat a few rows behind them, staring out the window. She leaned her head against the back of the seat and watched the scenery pass by. Gradually, she removed her hood and mask with a heavy sigh. Her thoughts raced to her sisters, wondering if they were having difficulty locating their targets, too. In her mind, she hoped traveling with the four boys would help her locate the monsters she was assigned before any innocents are killed in cold blood.

The golden-haired girl didn't realize Prompto had switched seats and sat next to her until she felt his hand brush against her thigh. Torn from her thoughts, she eyed the boy next to him. "How'd you sleep last night?"

"Well..." Prompto trailed off for a short bit. "Not so good..."

"Same nightmare?" Famine inquired.

"Yeah. But this time, it was much more vivid and... frightening," he confesses.

(Y/n) turned in her seat to face the marksman. "I know you said you didn't want to talk about it yesterday, but... maybe you should."

Prompto clamped his hands together tightly in his lap. He inhaled deeply before sighing and meeting the girl's (e/c) gaze. "It's about you, (Y/n)."