Having just arrived in Caem, the group begins walking to the house that Jared had set up, a hideaway.

Underneath the lighthouse on Caem was an underground basement that supposedly contained the boat that Noctis and his crew would take to head to the City on the water, Altissia.

To act natural, the group had quickly changed in their casual clothing, not wanting to give away their statuses if they stayed in their Crownsguard uniforms.

(A/N): Y/N's casual clothing is a basic black hoodie, a red shirt underneath, and khakis shorts. This is what I wear in real life during the summer. Like, actually.

Gladiolus: Whoa. Pretty impressive lighthouse.

Y/N: Indeed.

Prompto: What say we head on up?

Ignis: Ought to be a nice view, if a bit blustery.

Up ahead on the path, Cindy was waiting for them.

Gladiolus: What's up?

Cindy: Knew it was y'all! Recognize the purr of that engine anywhere!

Iris: Thanks for the ride. It was fun!

Parting from their company, Iris heads towards the house while Noctis and his Crownsguard remain where they are, speaking with Cindy concerning the boat they were taking.

Noctis: How's the boat?

Cindy: Paw-paw's tinkerin' away. Reckon he'll be tinkerin' for some time.

Ignis: Trouble at sea?

Y/N: Damages to the boat?

Cindy: Seen her share, by the looks of her. Some parts we can fix, others need replacin'.

Gladiolus: Huh, an overhaul.

Y/N: What kind of parts?

Cindy: Don't y'all worry. Paw-paw ain't goin' nowhere 'till the job's done. Parts won't fetch 'emselves, though. Was kinda hopin' y'all wouldn't mind helping out with that?

Y/N: Not at all.

Ignis: We're at your disposal.

Cindy: To tell the truth, we already got a couple hands on deck: Dustin an' Monica. Those two have been real swell. Managed to gather just about everything we need.

Ignis: You can depend on the Crownsguard.

Cindy: Trouble is, they ain't had much luck findin' a certain somethin' by the name of "mythril." Apparently the stuffs hard to come by around these parts, least accordin' to the little fella from the city.

Prompto: Talcott?

Cindy: You betcha! Sharp as a tack, that one. Could tell ya'll more about the stuff'n I could.

Noctis: We'll be sure to ask.

Cindy: Paw-paw's down at the dock. Now, if y'all excuse me, I'm gonna grab my tools and skedaddle. Got a garage to look after.

Y/N: 'Till then.

Cindy leaves the five of them, her heading back to Hammerhead. Talcott could then be seen waving from the house.

Talcott: Prince Noctis! Hey, our house is over here! Right this way!

Chuckling, the Prince and his entourage walk towards the house, greeting the young boy.

Talcott: I think Miss Cindy might've told you already, but she needs a very special kind of ore called mythril to fix the boat. Remember the waterfall? I read Grandpa's notebook there's some ruins near a lake just north of here.

Y/N: North? That's the Cleigne province.

Talcott: It's said you'll find mythril inside!

Y/N: Thanks for the info.

Iris: About that lake, pretty sure he was talking about the Vesperpool. I asked Monica to look into it, and she told me the road leading there's under imperial lockdown. You'll want to be prepared for anything. So how's that coming along?

Gladiolus: Yeah, just...give us a second.

Iris: Uh, okay? I'll be inside, then.

Iris walks inside the house with Talcott, leaving Noctis and his friends to discuss their plans.

Gladiolus: So yeah, gonna have to ask you to handle this boat business without me.

Prompto: Say wha?

Gladiolus: Got some business of my own to deal with.

Y/N: I see...I have a pretty good idea of what business it is. Good luck, you'll need it.

Ignis: A solo venture?

Gladiolus: Just a little hike to help me clear my head. And thanks, Y/N.

Elswhere

In Altissia, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret could be seen in a penthouse-like room. She stared out the window before she turned around, getting onto her knees as Umbra appeared before her.

Taking off the diary that was strapped to his back, she was excited to read Noctis's response. Reading his message, "I have received the blessing. Thank you, Luna." She smiles at Noctis's words, clearly touched. She closes the book and straps it back onto Umbra, standing up as a grim look bears her face.

The enemy was drawing near.

Several Days Later...

The Shield of the King had left. Y/N knew where Gladiolus was going. He was going to take the Trial of Gilgamesh. Y/N attempted it and passed. That's how he earned his katana, Hagekure. He took the trial when he was about sixteen or seventeen. This happened in the summer.

Currently, Noctis and his group were heading towards the Vesperpool.

Since it was under imperial control, they had to be wary of the area they were in. Y/N was driving the Regalia at full speed, Ignis and Noctis in the back as Prompto sat up in the front with Y/N.

During the days before the Vesperpool, Noctis had Cid reinforce his Engine Blade I to the Engine Blade III, more powerful than ever. Hakegure couldn't be upgraded any longer as it had already reached the level of fine craftsmanship and was well sharpened. Prompto even had his Auto-Crossbow upgraded to the Auto-Crossbow Plus.

At the moment, Y/N was driving the Regalia, making his way up the Cleigne region to head towards the Vesperpool.

Ignis: The waterfall cave was right around here.

Prompto: That means the lake should be somewhere north of here.

Ignis: Be wary though--where we go, the empire seems to follow.

Y/N: Right in the middle of enemy territory.

In front of them was a gate, it opening as they had now gained access to the tunnel. Driving inside, they were now in the tunnel to go into the Vesperpool, their destination to get into Steyliff Grove to find the mythril they needed.

Prompto: Wait--what happened to "under imperial lockdown?"

Ignis: They all but turned the key and left the gates open for us--as if awaiting for our arrival.

Y/N: Something tells me this has "Ardyn" written all over it.

Prompto: Yeah, I bet he's waiting for us.

Ignis: Chancellor Izunia.

Noctis: Can't complain as long as he lets us in.

Ignis: Who's to say he'll let us out? Not to mention we're a man down. Would that the marshal were with us.

Prompto: Oh, yeah. Whatever happened to that guy?

Y/N: The marshal is very busy. Plus, he's spying on the Niffs right now.

Ignis: Yes. As I understand it, he's also put his tomb raiding on hold to help the Hunters take care of the troublesome beasts.

Y/N: Heard there's a real nasty bird up the volcano that protects the royal arm up there.

Noctis: No rest for "the Immortal."

Driving down the twists and turns, Y/N turns the Regalia to the left down a dirt path, a shortcut to their destination.

They then see the familiar black trench coat wearing figure up ahead. Y/N then parks on the side of the road.

Noctis: Everybody out.

Prompto: (groans) Do we half to walk?

All dressed in their Crownsguard outfits, they make their way down the small hill to speak with Chancellor Izunia, who seemed to be waiting for them.

Ardyn: Gentlemen, what a pleasant surprise.

Prompto: Ugh! Told you he'd be waiting!

Ardyn: With my imperial friends, no less.

Ignis: Splendid.

Y/N: Joy.

Ardyn: But fear not--I'll put in a good word. Well, come along, then.

Ardyn begins to lead the other four deeper into the swamp, crossing through the murky waters. They didn't go in too deep so they didn't disturb the local monsters that roamed about.

Ardyn: Don't stray too far, lest you get left behind. And surely you'd rather avoid unnecessary scuffles, seeing as you're now a quartet.

The older male seems to have hit a mark, seeing as the group's faces turned to one of irritation.

Ardyn: Oh, dear. Touchy subject?

Ignis: One we won't discuss with you.

Ardyn: Then let's discuss why you're here. Hmm...it can't be archaeology...mythril, perhaps?

Prompto: This guy's reading our thoughts!

Ardyn: Mythril--it's a precious resource, you see. We can't just let anyone get their hands on it.

Noctis: But you'll help us get ours on it, right?

Ardyn: (gasp) I never said that!

Y/N: (groans and mutters) Does this guy ever shut up?

Prompto: Of course you didn't.

Ardyn: Where is the fun in that? I thought you'd rather dig it up yourselves.

Walking a bit more, they see a familiar face. The same grey haired commodore they met several nights ago, Aranea Highwind.

Ardyn: Fear not--I'll be but a moment. (walks up to Aranea) 

Prompto: A moment doing what?

Noctis: Beats me.

Y/N: Of course she would be here.

Noctis: What, she has her eye on you. This is--

Y/N: Stop talking.

Noctis: Right. I can still see it though.

Y/N: (scoffs) Piss off.

Ardyn: All clear! Go ahead.

The four of them walk past Ardyn, going to speak with Aranea.

Aranea: So, you're the "new recruits" they sent for "special training." Nice cover, runaway prince. (looks to Y/N) Nice to see you again, handsome.~

Y/N: (groans in annoyance)

Aranea: Oh, I like men that play hard to get.~

Noctis remains silent, awkwardly staring at the two, Y/N looking away while Aranea giving him flirty looks. She smiles before she regains her stoic expression, returning her attention to Noctis.

Aranea: At ease, "recruits." There's nothing in it for this ex-mercenary to turn you in. Let's get this show on the road.

Prompto: "Show?"

Aranea: Forgot about your "training?" (sigh) Well, I'm being paid to escort you...just watch yourselves in there.

Ardyn: I trust you'll be civil. Commodore Aranea Highwind, I leave them to you.

Ardyn then leaves them, going to who knows where.

Aranea: Search until sundown. It won't do you any good. If you're lookin' to get inside, you're gonna have to wait.

Prompto: What kind of place was this? Any ideas, Ignis?

Ignis: None.

Prompto: Gee, wonder what happened to the locals.

Aranea: Why not head inside and look for 'em.

The group heads in, going up the stairs and come face to face with a door. Prompto goes to open it, not budging at all, the little man grunts as he's using his strength.

Both Ignis and Y/N were examining the door, seeing if there's a way inside.

Noctis: Not seeing a way in.

Ignis: Not at this time of day, at least.

Y/N: I'm assuming this door opens at dark.

Prompto: There's a way in. I can smell it.

Aranea: The empire sniffed it out ages ago. Wait 'til nightfall, shortcake.

Y/N: Then might as well wait.

Waiting, Aranea goes back to her men, the others waiting by the doorway to Steyliff Grove.

Prompto: Think Gladio'll be back any time soon?

Noctis: Would help if we knew what he was up to. Y/N, you said you had an idea of what he was up to?

Y/N: Let's just say, he's doing a trial of some sorts.

Night then draws near. A rumbling noise was heard as the door to Steyliff Grove was opening. Aranea soon rejoins the four of them and they start to move into the dungeon.

Prompto: Illuminate!

Noctis: You're such a nerd.

Y/N: Can you blame him?

Prompto: Didn't I tell you? Knew there was something not quite right. Gotta follow your gut sometimes.

Aranea: Yeah, we'd be lost without you.

Prompto: Let's do it!

Noctis: Aren't we eager?

Prompto: (to Aranea) Those guys your friends or something?

Ignis: You appeared to be on good terms.

Aranea: Who--Biggs and Wedge?

Y/N: I mean, there were only two people there aside from that magitek trooper randomly standing there.

Aranea: They're more "subordinates" than they are "friends," but I trust 'em all the same.

They kept walking down the steps, Prompto already complaining.

Prompto: Man, how far does this go?

Y/N: Not even one minute and your already complaining.

Prompto: (sees end) Finally...thought It'd never end. Huh? Er...who left the lights on?

Y/N: Are there people here?

Prompto: Maybe the owners are still home?

Noctis: No.

Aranea: I doubt we can expect a warm welcome.

They went to their left, going down the corridor and they end up in another large room. Then the daemons appear.

Getting into battle, Prompto uses one of his Bullet Arts, Starshell. Firing a blast of bright light into the air, the daemons attention were now on the bright light and were weakened. Both Aranea and Ignis summon their spears, thrusting it forward to eliminate their foes. Noctis chains his warp-strikes together, the last one being kicked into the air and is slashed by Y/N.

With that room cleared, they proceeded to the corridor to the right, going down that one as they end up in another room, daemons rising out of the ground yet again.

With a sigh, the group engage their enemies once more, using the daemons weaknesses to their advantages. Ten minutes later, they were back to exploring the dungeon.

(A/N): In fact, a majority of your time in Steyliff Grove is exploring the dungeon. It takes a while.

Ignis: This place has seen better days.

Y/N: I'll say. The amount of debris in each room.

Prompto: (sigh) Man, all these rooms.

Noctis: Hey, don't wander off.

Upon opening a door, they found themselves in a large hallway, the middle in an open area. They go to the railing to see they were about three or more stories high.

They look up to see water, but it wasn't falling. It was remaining where it was, leaving them in awe.

Ignis: Beautiful beyond words.

Y/N: (mutters) Holy hell...

Prompto: (gasp) Look up! What, what? Does that mean we're underwater? Whoa, there's even fish.

Noctis: The hell is this place?

Ignis: Can we truly be submerged?

Prompto: It does seem harder to breathe.

Noctis: Like seeing a dream.

Prompto: Gladio is seriously missing out.

Y/N: I doubt this is his thing.

Ignis: Now, now, you can never tell.

Shuffling along a narrow pathway, they go down a flight of stairs and finding themselves walking down another hallway.

Aranea: (sigh) Daemons. 'Til death do us part.

Ignis: Practicing your vows?

Aranea: Heh. The army swore their oaths a long time ago.

Ignis: What does the empire seek here?

Aranea: Specimens--and we're stuck harvesting them.

Prompto: Specimens?

Aranea: Daemons.

Y/N: Are they doing some kind of experiment on them?

Prompto: Yeah. What's this about the army and daemons?

Aranea: (scoff) What do you think it is?

Prompto: Nice! I love guessing games!

Aranea: Turns out the empire makes weapons out of them.

Prompto: Weapons?

Aranea: Yeah. I'm sure you've seen your fair share by now. Something not quite right with the empire lately.

Noctis: It's not just lately.

Aranea: True. Maybe it's time I left.

Y/N: Come to think of it, what did you do before?

Prompto: I was about to ask the same thing. What would you do if you left the army?

Aranea: Whatever I want. I was a mercenary once. Maybe I'll round up my men and hunt for daemons for cash?

Y/N: That's...one heck of a plan, I guess.

They continue down more, going into a room full of hallways. Some of the bridges they attempted to walk on would collapse, causing them to fall and have them find their way back up.

Falling through one of the bridges, they wander around until they opened a door, which led them to find more stairs.

Prompto: (groan) Never too many stairs! I got a bad feeling about this. 🎶Stairs they go on, Forever they go on, On and On and On!🎶

Y/N: Did Prompto just go insane?

Noctis: Yeah, he's gone.

Now on the correct path, they find themselves in a room with two reapers.

Prompto uses Starshell, the light bullet leaves his gun and into the air, lighting up the room as the daemons are weakened. Y/N uses his new Flame Art, a slightly upgraded version of Dancing Blade. Much quicker than Dancing Blade and a bit more powerful, Y/N used Double-Edged Dance, the flame attacks much more powerful. His sword then disappears from his hand, appearing in Noctis's as he does a flurry of slashes.

Gesturing to Prompto, the blonde gunslinger uses his pistol, using the Bullet Art, Piercer, the bullet piercing through both daemons as Ignis comes in with his daggers, infusing ice into them as he spins in circles, the area of effect damage freezing the daemons. And with the last hit, Aranea uses her Dragoon Drive to eliminate them.

Aranea: How's everyone?

Y/N: Doin' fine.

Ignis: Good.

Prompto: How about you?

Aranea: Just chipper.

Continuing down the hall, they go down the stairs and come across an area leading to a bridge.

Ignis: We can go across.

They head across the bridge, going down the hall and entering a corridor which led to more corridors to go down. Wandering for about an hour, they find a flight of stairs that lead down. Heading down, they enter the main hall.

Prompto: Ooh, spacious. There's sooo gonna be a big nasty here.

Then could then see a dragon-like monster on the bridge they had crossed earlier. Taking noticed of them, it jumps down on the ground, roaring at them.

Y/N then turns to Prompto with a deadpan look.

Y/N: You just had to jinx it.

Prompto: Sorry!

Ignis: The odds are against us.

Noctis: That's not gonna stop us.

Throwing his Engine Blade III into the air, he warps to the dragon, tossing fire spells below. Aranea uses her signature technique, Highwind. She leapt into the air and came down, plunging her spear into the dragon, the monster screaming in pain. Prompto stayed behind with Ignis, the two of them supporting the others in the back. Y/N ran up to the monster, Quetzalcoatl, and uses his Flame Art, Flare Blade, slamming his blade down as the blade explodes into flames.

Coming down, Noctis activates his Armiger, teleporting everywhere as he quickly attacks with the royal arms he had at his disposal. His Armiger then deactivates, Noctis links up with Y/N, the black haired prince first sliding in as he slashes at his legs before Y/N jumps over Noctis, the one sliding using his feet to push Y/N up into the air. As Y/N came down, he tossed an ice spell down, the dragon being covered with ice before Y/N stabbed his blade into the dragon's head. Then, Aranea does the last hit, using the technique Highwind as everyone else could feel the shock waves from her strike.

Prompto starts to cheer as Noctis and Ignis nod with happiness. Y/N was happy over the victory as well, but his eyes kept trailing towards the grey haired maiden. He was in awe to say the least. Aranea notices his gaze and winks, causing Y/N to be flustered and roll his eyes.

Noctis: Alright!

Prompto: Check out over here!

Going to where Prompto was telling them, they found the mythril ore they needed.

Noctis: (gasp) Bingo!

Ignis: That concludes our business here.

Prompto: Say, Commodore.

Aranea: Aranea.

Prompto: You said the empire uses daemons to make "weapons."

Aranea: Listen--you've seen magitek troopers, right?

Noctis: MTs.

Aranea: They're born from daemons, in a lab.

Prompto: "Born from daemons"...

Aranea: Darkness is coming. If I were you, I'd watch my princely ass. Uh--"kingly" ass.

Noctis: Will do. (looks to Y/N and whispers) Looks like you two have something in common.

Y/N: What's that supposed to mean?

Noctis: (chuckles) Nothin.'

Heading back up to the surface, they exit out of Steyliff Grove.

Prompto: Ah, fresh air!

Aranea: Congrats. That concludes your "training." You've still got a hard path ahead, but don't let anyone tell you how to walk it.

Ignis: You may have been hired under false pretenses, but your assistance was invaluable all the same.

Aranea: Hmph. Tell me something I don't know. You can spare the pleasantries.

Ignis: Take care walking your path, Aranea.

Aranea: Oh, right. Thanks--I will. And I'll "train" you some more if our paths cross again. Oh, and before I forget--His Excellency instructed me to give you boys a ride back. If you need a lift, feel free to hop on. (walks off)

Prompto: Well, glad that's over with!

Ignis: Noct, I have just received word from Cindy.

Noctis: And?

Ignis: We're to return to Lestallum. Her friend works as an engineer at the power plant. She'll take care of the mythril.

Prompto: Uh-huh. And that'll take care of our boat problem!

Ignis: Once you're rested and ready, I suggest we hasten back to Lestallum. Make sure you're prepared.

Y/N: Until then, we're free to do what we're like. So? Where to?

Noctis then gets in a thinking position, wondering what their next objective is.