Noctis, Y/N, and Gladiolus were now separated from Ignis and Prompto, the three of them making their way downward, heading to where the Archaean, Titan, to see what he wants with the Crown Prince.

Gladiolus: Don't rush off on your own, huh?

Noctis: Don't get left behind.

Gladiolus: Wise guy.

They proceed to run down the only pathway they could go down. The three of them were startled as they looked up, some of the creatures flying away due to the disturbance.

Gladiolus: They're on edge--let's not ruffle their feathers any more.

Y/N: And let's try not to get killed in the process of making our way there.

Noctis: Um, try shutting your beaks.

Gladiolus: We're just offering some sound advice.

Noctis: Yeah, like a parrot in my ear.

Up ahead, they come across a clearing and engage in battle with flying creatures from before. Dynoaevis is what they're called.

Taking them out quickly, the three move as the heat was starting to get to them. They soon come across a ledge, Noctis starting to sweat a lot.

Noctis: Damn...

Y/N: Come on, keep moving.

Gladiolus: Hey, over here.

Y/N: What did you find?

Gladiolus: A path. We'll have to shuffle our way across. No room for error here.

Noctis: No time to chill, either. Make it quick.

Y/N: Don't rush the man.

Slowly, Gladiolus starts to shuffle across, the Noctis, and lastly Y/N. Small rocks and pebbles start to crumble and fall into the abyss below them, only adding more to Noctis's anxiety of falling.

Noctis: Just want this to be over.

Y/N: Can't rush events and fate, Noct.

The ground start to shake, even more rock starting to fall from below them. 

Gladiolus: Tremors...hang on!

They grip the wall behind them and the tremor slowly begins to recede. And at the wrong timing, Noctis starts to get a headache.

Noctis: Ugh...my head...

Gladiolus: Again?

Y/N: Of all the damn times, it just had to occur now.

Gladiolus: Let's hurry the hell across.

Bearing with the pain, Noctis begins to slowly make his way across, Y/N slowly making his way across and watches Noctis carefully, whether his headaches get worst.

Gladiolus: Noct. You doing alright?

Noctis doesn't respond. He only focuses on trying to get through the small area. It wasn't until Titan in front of them starts to move in front of them, the Meteor being brought up.

Gladiolus: What now!?

Y/N: Something's coming!

Suddenly, the short mountain ridge that was in front of them was destroyed, the Archaean's hand coming through, as if it was it was trying to grab Noctis.

Noctis: Hey! Titan! What's the big idea!?

Y/N: Enough chatting, more moving!

Gladiolus: He's right, save it! Get to solid ground first!

Noctis: Faster!

Gladiolus: Calm down. I'm going as fast as I can.

Titan's hand narrowly misses Noctis, the three of them picking up the pace. Then, Noctis missteps and falls, only to be grabbed by the Shield of the King and is tossed to the other side.

Y/N and Gladiolus then leap forward, landing on it as they move over to Noctis, making sure he's okay. Titan starts to speak, but again, the three of them couldn't understand him, the Archaean extending it's hand out, trying to reach out for Noctis.

Gladiolus: If that's his welcome, hate to see how he treats his intruders.

Noctis: You wanna talk? So do I.

Y/N: Great. The feeling's mutual, but let's get the hell out of here.

Gladiolus: Agreed.

They proceed down the trail more, them sliding under some debris as it covers their path.

Noctis: (groans) I'm sick of this endless walking.

Gladiolus: (grabs Noctis) And I'm sick of your endless whining. Calm the hell down.

Y/N: Guys, we really don't need this right now. And Noct, get your head out of your ass and start moving.

Noctis: (scoffs) Get off my back.

Gladiolus: Are you a man of royal blood or aren't you?

Noctis: (shoves Gladiolus off) Of course I am. I couldn't forget it if I tried. What about it?

Y/N: He ain't sayin' you've forgotten, rather know something.

Gladiolus: You're not the only one who's having a tough time. We're all on edge. We Amicitia are the King's sworn shields.

Y/N: And we L/N's are the King's sworn swords.

Gladiolus: Guard the king with our lives...

Y/N: Serve the king as their knights, to the bitter end...

Gladiolus: That's the way it's always been. We've embraced our duty. And we take pride in it.

Y/N: When you can't focus, we focus for you. It's our job, so let us do it, okay?

Noctis: (sighs) Alright.

Gladiolus: ...Sorry, but we had to get it out. C'mon. (Noctis groans) And remember, don't rush ahead on your own.

Y/N: Wouldn't want you to die on us.

Noctis: Hey, Gladio, Y/N. Your dads...I'm grateful to them.

Y/N: Just doin' their job.

Gladiolus: (hears Noctis's phone rings) ...Hmm? Isn't that your phone?

Noctis takes out his phone, seeing the caller ID belonging to Ignis. He answers, relieved.

Noctis: (sigh of relief) Ignis.

Ignis: (on phone) Your safe. Good. Listen, imperial troops are near.

The signal was abruptly cut off and Noctis puts his phone away.

Noctis: Got cut off. But it sounds like we're about to have imperial company.

Y/N: Wouldn't be surprised. Titan's chest seems to be bombarded with something when the big bastard started to stand up.

Gladiolus: Hmm. It's about to get even hotter in here.

Y/N: Do we have any ice spells?

Noctis: Sorry, Ignis has them.

Y/N: Dammit...let's just get a move on.

Heading closer to the Archaean, they made it out towards an open plateau. Titan could be seen still holding the Meteor up, stalagmite-like features bulging out of it's right eye, it's left yellow iris staring directly at Noctis.

Y/N wasn't going to lie. He honestly felt a little intimidated.

Gladiolus: We finally made it.

Noctis: I know.

Y/N: Is it just me, or does Titan look really freakin' angry right now?

Up ahead were magitek swordsmen and the three of them engage in battle. Y/N quickly grabs one of them, tossing them the magitek soldier into the air as he summons his sword out, rushing upwards as he imbues fire into his sword.

His sword then disappears out of his hands, appearing in Noctis's as he strikes the magitek swordsman in the air, quickly eliminating the foe. Gladiolus then uses his Glaive Art, using the technique, Tempest, drawing in multiple magitek swordsmen, dealing a great damage with his powerful swings. 

Noctis then starts to utilize the two-handed greatsword he recently earned, the Blade of the Mystic. Swinging it with great strength, he could feel it's power draining his life force away. He quickly uses potions to restore his well being.

Noctis: Gladio!

The Shield of the King prepares himself, crouching down as he readies his broadsword over his shoulders, leaping into the air as he comes down with a large impact, slamming his two-handed sword down as he just used the technique, Downhammer. The sword then appears in Noctis's hands, connecting his own attack on the last magitek soldier. With all of them now successfully defeated, Noctis moves up towards the Archaean, hoping to communicate with him.

Noctis: Hey! I'm here!

Titan begins to speak, this causing Noctis to have more headaches, the pain increasing.

Noctis: (grunts in pain) What the hell is it you want!? Quit screwing with my head! Argh. You gotta be kidding me.

Unknown to him, Titan was moving his fist and he punched the ground below Noctis, causing the Lucian royal to be flung in the air.

Noctis throws his Engine Blade below him, point-warping to the ground below him. Noctis looks up to see Titan move his foot overhead, the giant preparing to crush him.

Noctis: Are you serious? (sigh) Looks like I've got no choice.

Summoning the Blade of the Mystic, he parries the giant foot that is now being stopped by the royal arm, sparks flying as the rocky foot of Titan applies pressure on Noctis.

And with enough strength, Noctis forces the giant's foot off of him, the giant removing his foot as he takes a step back.

Noctis: Oh man.

The Archaean prepares to step on him again, the prince resummoning the Blade of the Mystic to defend himself.

Before the Titan could connect his foot with the giant blade, two arms wrap around Noctis's waist, a force pushing him aside, away from the Archaean. Gladiolus pushed him out of the way, a large crater appearing under Titan's foot as soon as it makes contact with the ground. Y/N runs up to the two, his katana sheathed at his belt side.

Y/N: You guys alright!?

Noctis: Yeah. (looks to Gladiolus) I owe you one.

Gladiolus: This ain't gonna work. We gotta run.

Y/N: A plan I can get behind, let's go!

Noctis: Best advice you've given all day.

Gladiolus: Well, we can't have you dying here. C'mon!

The three of them turn around, running up the nearby slope to escape the colossal before them.

Titan temporarily let's go of the Meteor with one hand, the Archaean attempting to brush his hand over in hopes of attacking Noctis, but he narrowly misses, the three members of the entourage pushing onward.

Gladiolus: We're sitting ducks here!

Y/N: Hurry!

Noctis: Yeah, don't need to tell me!

They jump down into a ditch, Gladiolus leading them to a nearby wall. He pushes the two up, first Noctis, then Y/N. The two then go back down to the Shield, extending their hands as the two help him up the ledge.

They turn their heads around to see Titan moving his hand to where they once were, the three of them leaping forward to dodge Titan's grasp.

Gladiolus: Don't stop! Run!

Y/N: (helps Noctis up) Get your princely ass movin'!

Noctis: He just won't quit!

As the three run forward, the Archaean starts to brush his hand along the ground, heading towards them. The ground was breaking and debris were flying everywhere.

Y/N and Gladiolus stop, allowing Noctis to go forward. The two summon their weapons, Y/N summoning both his broadsword and unsheathing his katana that laid at his hip.

Gladiolus: We'll hold him! Get clear!

The two parry Titan's hand, the metal grinding against Titan's rocky hand.

Noctis: Gladio! Y/N!

Gladiolus: Hurry! (grunts)

Y/N: (grunts) We can't keep this up!

Noctis then threw his Engine Blade, point-warping to an open area. Looking up, Titan had reeled his fist back, swinging to down towards the Lucian prince.

Summoning the Blade of the Mystic, he swings it, parrying each strike the Archaean throws at him. Heated sparks fly across Noctis's face as the sword grinds against the rocky surface of the Archaean. He then summons the Sword of the Wise, throwing it at Titan himself, but it was blocked, Noctis instead teleporting into Titan's fist, him flying back down and crashing into the ground.

Getting up and letting out pained grunts, Titan starts to speak to him once more.

Noctis: (grits teeth) I'm not gonna take any more of this crap!

Parrying Titan's hand once more, Noctis starts to attack with his hand with the Blade of the Mystic, slowly damaging the Archaean.

He warps out of the way, phasing through Titan's arm as the god brushes his arm across the battlefield. Titan once again drops his hand onto the ground to attack Noctis, the black haired male phasing out of the way before he attacked with the Sword of the Wise, striking a few times with that before switching to the Axe of the Conqueror, swinging the great axe with ease.

From behind, lightning spells were bombarding Titan's hand as well as bullets. Prompto and Ignis finally made it onto the scene.

Prompto: Did you miss us?

Ignis: Apologies.

From the air, imperial drop ships could be seen flying in, it's gates opening as magitek troopers start to jump out.

Prompto: Think those imperial soldiers just wanna say "hi?"

The magitek troopers start to lay red spears onto the floor, the contraptions firing at Titan. The Archaean once again reels his fist back, launching it towards the Prince and two of his Crownsguard. The hear the clang of metal, the three of them opening their eyes to see Gladiolus and Y/N parrying the fist with their blades.

Gladiolus: Are we alright?

Y/N: Sorry we're late.

Noctis: Gettin' by.

The Titan prepares another attack, slamming it's fist as the Prince and his Crownsguard dodge. Y/N uses his Flame Art, Flare Blade, imbuing his sword with flames, charging up towards the maximum as he slams his sword onto the ground, the blade erupting into flames.

His sword then appears in Noctis's hands, the Prince using it to deliver a flurry of strikes in the air before he hands it back to Y/N.

The red energy lancers the magitek troopers had been launching did enough damage to the Archaean, the giant leaning forward as it uses the arm to attack to support itself from falling.

Noctis then unleashes his Armiger, the four current royal arms he has then appear in a circle around him. Warp-striking the now vulnerable arm, Noctis begins to deal heavy damage against the Archaean. The Armiger then disappears, Noctis now running out of MP, Magic Points, as he point-warps to somewhere, restoring his MP.

Meanwhile, Titan had recovered, now standing up to continue his onslaught.

Ignis begins to toss potions and Hi-potions out to everyone. Prompto was using his revolver to deal damage against the Archaean and Y/N and Gladiolus were going around eliminating any magitek troopers that got in their way.

Titan was now vulnerable once again, Ignis and Prompto using a coordinated attack called, Blizzara. Tossing multiple ice spells, Titan's arm was now encased in ice.

Noctis: It's over!

And with the final attack, Noctis once again summons the Blade of the Mystic, slamming it down on Titan's hand as the Archaean's arm is shattered, Noctis and his friends winning the battle.

The Trial of the Titan was completed.

Noctis and his friends could now be seen panting, tired from all the fighting.

Noctis: Hey, we all still here?

Gladiolus: Yep, still here.

Y/N: Still alive and kicking.

Ignis: If a little battered.

Prompto: Does this mean it's over?

Titan then begins to talk once more, the ground shaking as it's head is above them. Noctis then clutches his head.

Noctis: Argh! What--what is it now!?

Ignis: What is he doing?

Prompto: He's winding up!

Y/N: Is that the cue to hit the deck!?

Gladiolus: For the big one!

A bright yellow light then begins to shine around Titan's chest. The power starts to circle around Noctis, a memory flashing in his mind.

In the memory, he could see Lunafreya, his bride-to-be, bowing in front of Titan. She was here. The memory then fades.

Noctis: That was...Luna. You spoke with her? That's why...

He then loses his balance, a dust cloud engulfing him from behind. He looks back up to see the Archaean now shining a bright yellow. He then explodes, causing the nearby imperial transports to crash into the mountains nearby.

Magma then starts to rise up from the ground, exploding.

Gladiolus: It doesn't get much worse than this.

Y/N: Does anyone have a plan of escape!? Any idea!?

Behind them, the sound of a ship could be heard. It was an imperial transport.

Ignis: The empire! Now!?

The gates open and they see a familiar face.

Ardyn: Fancy meeting you here!

Y/N: You! I knew it!

Ardyn: It occurs to me I never formally introduced myself. Izunia. Ardyn Izunia. (bows)

Y/N: The Chancellor of Niflheim!?

Ignis: Imperial Chancellor Izunia!?

Ardyn: At your service, and more importantly, to your aid.

The five of them only stare at the man with suspicion. After all, Niflheim was the one behind the attack on Insomnia.

Ardyn: I guarantee your safe passage. Though you're always welcome to take your chances down there. Buried among the rubble, is it?

Ignis: Dying here is not an option. We have no choice, Noct.

Y/N: I hate to say it, but this is the best chance of survival.

Noctis: ...I know.

With no choice, the five of them board the ship, leaving the Disc of Cauthess, as well as the Regalia as there was no way to get back to it.

Noctis may have earned the Mark of the Archaean, but they found out who their true enemy is.

Ardyn Izunia, the Chancellor of Niflheim.