(Y/n) jammed the Creator's Blade into the ground. A cosmic glyph appeared below her feet, glowing brilliantly. Her body was consumed by a column of light that reached to the heavens. The zu was drawn to the bright light and turned to face her. It went to attack, but screeched when a large figure manifested from the column of light.

The cosmic being held out its hand and conjured a flaming meteor. It hurled it at the bird and knocked it off its feet before stalking forward to finish it off. The boys stepped back as the mighty being walked past them. As it did, Prompto eyed its chest and saw a familiar silhouette curled up inside it. He ran towards the being, but Noctis tackled him to the ground before he could make it far. "Prompto, don't!"

"But (Y/n)'s inside that thing!" The marksman wailed in protest, struggling against his best friend.

"The hell is that thing?" Gladio murmured, watching the cosmic deity lift up the zu's body without touching it.

Ignis, having only heard descriptions of the seventh Astral from Ardyn the day they shared the caravan with him, gaped in awe. "Brahma, the forgotten Astral."

"That thing's an Astral?"

Ignis nodded. "Indeed. The creator deity, to be more precise."

Prompto couldn't tear his eyes off the Astral as it fought against the zu without touching it. "(Y/n)..."

"Guess we don't need to worry about finding the conduit anymore," Noctis mumbled.

Brahma conjured a much larger meteor and tossed it at the zu, successfully killing it. The bird screeched one final time before dying. As its body began to discorporate, the Astral turned his attention towards the royal retinue.

"Oh, shit..." the raven-haired boy cursed.

"A-An Astral wouldn't hurt us, right?" Prompto asked worriedly as Noctis got off him.

"Only one way to find out."

The two boys got to their feet. Brahma's form shrunk and (Y/n) returned. She began walking towards them with the Creator's Blade in her grasp and eyes closed. Prompto went to run towards her, but Noctis stopped him by holding his arm out. "That's not (Y/n), Prompto."

"What do you mean? That's..." His eyes widen when the girl's eyes open. They weren't the golden ones he fell in love with, but were a brilliant azure instead. There was no pupil or iris, only blue sclera.

(Y/n) came to a halt in front of Noctis. She kept the blade lowered by her side as she spoke, her voice mixed with that of Brahma's. "True King, I am Brahma. With my return to Eos, I give you my blessing to purge the Starscourge that plagues this star. Use my blessing as you see fit. This spirit is at your disposal for she shall be the conduit for my powers."

Prompto gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. He couldn't keep his temper in check after hearing the god's words. "(Y/n)'s not some thing you can use!"

Brahma didn't even spare the blonde a glance. "I've no need to qualm with you, child, for this does not involve you."

Prompto went to retort, but Ignis stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder. The younger boy glanced at the advisor, seeing his serious expression. The marksman hung his head, biting his lip and keeping his mouth shut as he listened to the Astral speak to Noctis.

"King of Lucis, this body and myself have deemed you worthy of my blessing. Shall thee accept?" (Y/n) held out her hand.

Noctis glanced at her hand for a few seconds before reaching out to accept. When he took her hand, he felt a rush of power course through his veins before vanishing seconds later. He kept ahold of her hand when Brahma left her body. Her eyes returned to normal, blinking rapidly when the Astral released his control over her body and the blade vanished from her grasp. She glanced down at their connected hands and blinked in surprise. "Did I hear that right? You earned Brahma's blessing?"

Noctis nodded, releasing her hand. "Yeah. Didn't expect to come all the way up here and meet another Astral." He crosses his arms. "Why didn't you tell us?"

She looked away with a guilt-stricken expression. "I only became the conduit after our encounter with the Archaean."

"But what about after that?"

"I was scared. I never wanted to become the conduit, but when I did, I was afraid I was going to lose everything. I didn't want you guys worrying about me. I'm...sorry for hiding the true." She grasped her arm with her other hand, digging her nails into her skin. Her eyes darted up when she heard running footsteps. She looked up at the same moment Prompto wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "Prompto..."

He buried his head in the crook of her neck. "I understand why you hid it, but...why did it have to be you?"

She gently placed her hands on his back. "Brahma deemed me worthy. I had no choice in the matter, but he did assure me once Noctis achieves his destiny, he'll no longer need me. There's nothing to worry about, Prom."

Noctis patted his best friend on the shoulder when the couple separated. "Hey, I'm not gonna force her to do anything. Like she said, don't worry 'bout it."

Prompto smiled at his best friend. "Thanks, Noct."

The prince glanced at the girl. "We don't have to worry about random possessions, do we?"

She laughed. "No. Brahma can't use my body unless granted permission. Just tell me when you need him and I'll do my duty as the conduit."

"Never thought a god would need someone's permission to do anything," Gladio commented as he and Ignis walked over.

"Tis quite appalling," the advisor added.

"Now that Noctis has earned the favor of another god, which was completely unplanned, and Prompto got his pictures, all that's left is the royal tomb," (Y/n) said. "Let's keep going, shall we?"

"Right," Noctis replied.

The group located another rocky pathway wrapping around the side of the volcano. There, they found the entrance to the royal tomb. Noctis used the key given to him by Cor to unlock the stone door. He went inside the tomb and claimed the Mace of the Fierce. Now with another royal arm in his arsenal, he left the tomb and regrouped with the others. Their business was done and they left the Rock of Ravatogh.

Returning to Lestallum, the royal retinue and the spirit decided to rest after their treacherous adventure after handing the pictures over to Vyv. While the boys gathered around the table to play, (Y/n) crawled onto the bed closest to the windows and curled up. She fell asleep within minutes.

Prompto, who noticed the girl was rather quiet, looked over his shoulder to check on her. He saw her fast asleep on the bed and wondered if she was okay. He didn't want to wake her up and turned his attention back to their current game of rummy.

Gladio saw the worry in the blonde's face. "Hey, loverboy, she'll be fine. I'd be more surprised if she wasn't exhausted. She did summon a god, after all."

"I know, but..." He stared at the cards in his hands.

"You're still worried," Noctis finished his thought. "We know. It's written all over your face."

After a few seconds of silence, Prompto sighed, "I think I'm gonna tap out." He placed his cards down and got out of the chair. He wandered out onto the balcony, leaning against the railing. Closing his eyes, he enjoyed the cool breeze that blew through Lestallum. It allowed him to clear his head. His eyes flew open when he heard Gladio curse. From his colorful language, he figured the shield had lost the game.

Prompto headed back inside the room after spending a good ten minutes on the balcony. He walked toward the bed (Y/n) was sleeping on and sat on the edge of the mattress beside her sleeping form. He glanced over at Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis as they started another round of rummy before looking down at the slumbering guardian.

Reaching out his hand, he combed a few (h/c) locks that had fallen into her face behind her ear. His hand moved from her ear to her cheek, stroking her soft skin with the back of his fingers. He heard a faint moan emit from her slightly parted lips due to his ministrations, causing him to blush slightly. Then, he wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed her fingers gently. Leaning down, he kissed her on the cheek.

"You tryna take advantage of your lady while she's sleeping?"

Prompto's head snapped up, spotting Gladio standing at the foot of the bed. "Wha-no! I wouldn't do something weird to her while she slept! Who do you think I am, big guy?"

"A lovesick puppy."

The blonde threw his head back with a groan. He ignored the shield and wanted to join (Y/n). He climbed into bed beside her, staring at her back for a few minutes before falling asleep.

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

Several days later, Gladio tells the group of his plans to accompany Iris to Cape Caem. The royal retinue and guardian left the Leville and met Iris at the Coernix Station where she awaits them beside the Regalia. The young Amicitia smiles when seeing the five approach. "Filled 'er up for ya!"

"Thanks," Gladio replied.

Iris glances around at the many faces around her. "So, how is this going to work?"

"You can sit in the back with Gladio and Noctis, Iris. I'll return to the gemstone," (Y/n) explained.

Prompto was the first to protest the idea. "Y-You don't have to do that, (Y/n)."

Gladio grinned at the boy, already knowing what he had in mind. "You've got a better idea?"

"W-Well..."

Before they knew it, everyone piled into the Regalia and they left Lestallum. Iris sat in the back between her brother and Noctis. Ignis was behind the wheel with Prompto in the passenger's seat. Sitting in his lap was (Y/n). Her hands were placed on his shoulders because she had no idea where else to put them. She sat sideways in his lap with her legs between his. She tensed slightly when one of his arms wound around her waist and the other laid against her thigh. Because of their current position, she had to look down at his face. "This is so embarrassing..."

"I wouldn't have suggested it if you never mentioned how uncomfortable the gemstone was," Prompto retorted. "And it may have also been an excuse to hold you..." He whispered under his breath.

(Y/n) was the only other person to hear his last sentence. She couldn't help but smile. "So the truth comes out." The girl leant forward and whispered in his ear, "You don't need an excuse to hold me, Prom. I'm yours, after all."

Prompto swallows the lump forming in his throat before clearing it. "(Y-Y/n)..."

She removed her hand from his right shoulder and poked him in the side with a giggle. "You're too easy to fluster. All I did was speak the truth."

Prompto, with the hand he had resting against her thigh, grabbed the hand that was poking his side repeatedly. "H-Hey, you know I'm a little ticklish there...!"

"And that's exactly why I chose to poke you there."

"You two realize there are other people in the car, right?" Gladio sighed.

(Y/n) wasn't ashamed of her interactions with her boyfriend and locked eyes with the shield, grinning confidently. "We know."

Iris smacked her brother's arm lightly. "Leave them alone, Gladdy."

"Yeah. No point in trying to stop them. It's not like they'll listen anyway. They're in their own little world," Noctis added.

Gladio huffed out an annoyed sigh. "Whatever you say."

Iris decided to spark up a conversation with everyone to rid the car of the awkward atmosphere. "Looking at the Regalia really reminds me of home."

Prompto released (Y/n)'s hand. "It sure doesn't look like any of the cars you see around here."

"And it's a lot roomier, too! I can't imagine trying to cram five people, including Gladdy, into one of those things. Have you ever ridden in one?"

"Can't say we have," Noctis replied.

"There was barely enough room for our luggage! Thank goodness you guys could give me a lift."

"Think the others made it to Caem all right?" Gladio inquired.

"I suppose we'll find out when we get there," Ignis responded.

"I think-hey!" Prompto shrieked when he felt a finger poke his side again. He immediately grabbed the spirit's hand. "What's the deal, (Y/n)?" He looked up at her face only to see her stoic expression was focused on the road behind them.

"We're being followed," she announced to everyone, her gold-slitted eyes never leaving the black car following them.

"Wait, really?" Noctis went to turn around, but Gladio stopped him.

"Don't look," the shield growled. "They'll know we're on to them if we keep looking back."

Prompto's attention was drawn to the sky when he heard a strange humming sound. His eyes widen as an enormous airship with wings flew overhead. "I got even more bad news, guys."

Gladio looks up just as the airship flies past them and towards Fort Vaullery. "Oh, great. Another flying fortress."

"Let's pull over," Ignis stated. "It will also resolve the issue of our pursuer if they so desire to continue their pursuit without being noticed."

Iris glances over at the prince worriedly. "Noct..."

"Relax. We've got this," Noctis reassured her.

(Y/n) had tuned out most of the conversation due to trying to figure out who was following them. She twitched in Prompto's lap, her hands clutching his shoulders. Her nails dug into the leather of his vest as her eyes narrowed. She tried to push herself out of his lap, but her actions were quickly noticed by the blonde. He wrapped both arms tightly around her waist to keep her from doing anything rash. She glanced down at his face for a brief second before looking back up at the black car.

Her tenseness remained until they pulled over in Old Lestallum. She watched the vehicle slow down before immediately speeding through the small town. She thought she saw a man with emerald eyes and spiky black hair behind the wheel, but she wasn't a hundred percent positive. If it truly was Callyx, she wondered what he was plotting that involves stalking them.

"Taking matters into hand?" Ignis asked, snapping the girl out of her thoughts.

"Delivering justice for Jared and Cynthia," Noctis responded, getting out of the car.

"And for Talcott, too," Prompto added. He released (Y/n) and allowed her out of the car before following her.

Gladio turned to his sister once she climbed out of the vehicle. "Iris, I'll need you to wait here."

Iris didn't argue and accepted the group's decision to infiltrate the fort. "All right."

"Careful, Noct-only fools rush in. I suggest we review our intelligence and devise a plan," Ignis advised.

"Guess we better get going," (Y/n) chimed in.

The royal retinue and guardian made it to the outskirts of Old Lestallum before Noctis used the whistle to summon the chocobos. To the girl's surprise, five birds heeded the call. The chocobo with (f/c) feathers trotted over with a joyous 'kweh'. She remembered this bird was the one that was excited to see her when they were at Wiz Chocobo Post after defeating Deadeye. She giggled as the chocobo nuzzled its beak against her cheek. "Hey, buddy. I haven't seen you in a while."

"Aw, he missed you!" Prompto cooed.

"I'm surprised you were able to get him, Noctis," (Y/n) said, petting the top of the chocobo's head.

"Thank Prompto. He's the one who picked him out," Noctis explained.

She smiled at her boyfriend. "Thank you, Prom."

"Eh, it's no biggie," Prompto smiled back. "Now let's go kick some imperial butt!"

The five mount their chocobos and rode down the road towards Fort Vaullery. As they closed in on the immense fort, Noctis expresses his shock. "Surprised to see 'em this far out."

"Leave no plot of land unconquered," Prompto commented.

"Those aren't conquering numbers," Gladio stated.

"Likely building a supply line it would behoove us to cut," Ignis said.

"I wouldn't mind blowing up a few things," (Y/n) chimed in.

"I'm all for blowing things up," Noctis smirked.

Eventually, the group dismounted their chocobos and trekked up a metal staircase leading to the top of an unmanned watchtower. It overlooked Fort Vaullery, giving them the view they needed to devise a plan. Noctis glanced at the soldiers and MTs prowling around the interior of the fort. "So, what's our plan?"

"Find the base commander and take him into custody. Targeting metal men will yield little in the way of reconnaissance, but bones bend easily. We'll split into two groups. Prompto, (Y/n), and Gladio will generate a diversion," Ignis explained.

"Aw, yeah-making a scene is what I do best," Prompto said.

The spirit gasped with excitement. "This means I get to blow things up!"

Gladio chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Don't get too excited just yet, short stuff."

The strategist met the prince's gaze. "Noct, are you prepared?"

He nodded. "Let's do this."