And in the blink of an eye

You were gone

THEY WERE DRIVING BACK TO HAMMERHEAD TO MEET WITH COR, Avalon didn't know him personally, but from what Ignis and Gladio of told her, he's a cool guy. Avalon was strapped in back once more between Gladio and Noctis, she didn't mind. She took a glance outside and saw it was still raining outside, she noted to herself it was probably because the sky was crying for the Crown City.

"Don't suppose the Crownsguard is still active?" Gladio's voice knocked Avalon out of her thoughts, she was wondering that herself.

Ignis shakes his head gently. "Wouldn't count on it." Ignis answered. "Not with the marshal out here."

"I wonder how things are in the city..." Prompto wondered.

Avalon took a deep breath. "There will probably be reports before long." She told him. "Something this big can't be ignored."

"That's right, little one." Gladio adds with a curt nod.

"And what about us?" Prompto questioned. "What do we do?"

Gladio sighs quietly. "We make for Hammerhead now, and figure out the rest later." Avalon sighs a little bit seeing the sun peeking through the clouds. Avalon knows there was comfort somewhere, but she couldn't quite put on why. "Got a message from my sister: she's with refugees bound for Lestallum."

"Well, at least Iris is okay." Prompto sighs with relief.

Gladio nods also in relief. "Yeah. Doesn't sound like everyone was so lucky, though."

"We'd best make haste," Ignis told everyone. "Noct won't be dead forever."

"No going back," Avalon added with a small smile. "Only way's forward." She heard Noctis release a sigh and speak after her.

""No going back."" Noctis sighs. "Let's go."

Avalon smiles as Ignis parks the car and everyone got out of the car, sighing looking through her pouch. The men walk towards the shop to speak to Cindy and she walks into the mini mart in front of her to get some supplies to make some more potions and elixirs. Avalon ran out, and she need to get some more. When she got what she need, the checker scanned her things, she pulled out the necessary change for the transaction and gave it to him.

Avalon smiles, walking out going by the Regalia and begins mixing her potions. Avalon enjoyed the silence around her so she could concentrate on this stuff. It took most of her attention just to get it right. One mess up and the mixture will turn into something bad. The last time it happened, Avalon ended up with third degree burns on her arms and hands. It took her weeks to heal.

When she was finally done, she heard the men walking up to the car. Avalon packed up her things, dusting herself off feeling the dirt still gathered on her skin and clothes. But - right now, Noctis needed to see Cor. Avalon got in the Regalia and Ignis began driving to the outpost they needed to meet Cor.

"What do you think it's like inside?" asked Prompto turning to Noctis.

Noctis shrugs a little bit. "I don't know," He answers to Prompto. "Your guess is as good as mine."

"We'll see for ourselves in time." Gladio adds to the conversation.

Ignis nods adding as well. "Indeed. Merely a question of when."

Avalon takes a deep breath and speaks. "Can't believe the crystal's gone." She spoke quietly.

"The bastards took it all." Gladio seethes with anger.

Noctis looked at Gladio. "And we'll take it back."

"This is far from over." Ignis told everyone.

Avalon nods in agreement, when it began to get dark, Ignis quickly parks the car on the side of the road where it was big enough for other cars to pass by.

"We should make camp quickly, we'll continue on in the morning." Avalon suggested to everyone whom nodded in agreement.

She gathered some sleeping bags while the men carried the heavier things. When they found a spot, Gladio began pitching up the tent, Avalon helped Prompto and Noctis set up the chairs around the fire. Ignis was cooking Nebula Salmon Teriyaki, one of Avalon's favorites. After setting up, Avalon sat down on the ground and began finishing up one of her potions. While working on that, Ignis was kind enough to set her food beside her while he sat with the men while they talked.

After they ate, the men talked some more, while Avalon tried to finish up her potion making. It then suddenly went quiet, Avalon quickly looked up seeing the men going to the tent to fall asleep, Avalon blinks quickly taking out her phone seeing the time. It was past midnight, Avalon shrugged keeping her phone beside her to keep an eye on the time. When finally mixed the final ingredient for her potion, she smiles putting the potions away. Avalon got up and stretched her back feeling it pop; she could hear the men snoring loudly in the tent in front of her making her giggle quietly.

She grabs her phone seeing the time, it was four in the morning, she sighs. She pulled an all-nighter and that was going to bite her in the day. Sighing gently, she sits back down, brushing her hair with her fingers getting the tangles out once more. Avalon sighs in pain trying to get them all out. After an excruciating hour in a half of torture, Avalon finally managed to get all the tangles out and braid her filthy hair and clean up the men's mess once more. Ignis would be up in the next half hour to see her awake. It was a normal routine by now.

Within the next hour, everyone was up and they continued their journey to the outpost, and when they found it. Avalon wasn't impressed.

"Is this the outpost, Cid mentioned?" questioned the young girl as they walked on.

"It looks like a rundown hunters club." Gladio told her.

Prompto looks at everyone. "Maybe they know something."

"Doesn't hurt to ask, I suppose." Avalon shrugged, walking on. When they found a woman standing at the building they cautiously walked in she bowed Noctis' way.

"Your highness." She simply began. "I'm glad you're safe."

"Monica." Gladio began stepping beside the prince. "Where are the others?"

Monica sighs looking down. "Most of the Crownsguard didn't make it. It was all we could do to escort Lady Iris out of the city." Monica then looks back up. "Dustin is with her as we speak, seeing her the rest to Lestallum."

Gladio sighs in relief, Avalon smiles putting her hand gently on Gladio's arm. "I owe you guys big time." Gladio told her. Avalon takes her hand down and looks her way.

They then began heading towards the tomb, Avalon was curious what was in the tomb.

~

A/N: So, this one is a little short, I suppose. BUT! The next one will make up for it, I promise. Should I write a little back story on how she met the Prince or no? Let me know in the comment section!

1k reads guys! I'm so happy!! I hope this continues, and yes, I got this chapter a little sooner than I said, but I was just so excited to write it! Next one will be up in the next few days or so! LOVE YOU GUYS!