We swore blood brothers against the wind

Now I'm ready to grow young again

THE SCOURGE OF THE STARS...

AVALON SITS ON THE TRAIN QUIETLY, SITTING BY HERSELF THINKING ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED UP TO THIS POINT, were they ever going to catch a break? Avalon sighs looking outside, it had been several weeks since everything happened. Ignis was blind and Avalon didn't really know what to do at that point. She wanted to heal him, but he insisted that it would get better on its own and she had to trust him on it.

"So...we're gonna roll through Tenebrae," mutters Prompto looking at everyone, nervous to say anything.

Ignis shakes his head, "Not before visiting the royal tomb in Cartanica," Ignis had answered him.

Avalon turns to Ignis worriedly, "You're sure you're up to that?"

"The wounds have mended. Eyesight's a matter of time." Ignis reminds her, making her sigh once more.

She could see Gladio get up and walk up to stares at Noctis, she could hear Gladio growling under his breath.

"The hell is wrong with you?" Noctis slowly raises his head slowly staring at Gladio with a 'what' look on his face. "We're not stopping in Tenebrae," Gladio sneers at him. "You need to grow up and get over it."

"Guys!" Avalon warns them standing up ready to intervene.

Noctis stands and confronts Gladio, "I am over it. I'm here, aren't I!?" Noctis confronts him as Avalon takes a step towards him.

Gladiolus grabs Noctis by his jacket and pulls him close making Avalon growl in annoyance towards the men. "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," demands Noctis glaring at Gladio

"How's that ring fit ya? You'd rather have Avalon carry it around than wear it?" Gladio questions him with anger evident still in his voice. "Luna 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!?" shouts Noctis getting out his grip.

Gladio roars in anger, "You don't!" Gladio points at Ignis. "Ignis took one for you too, and for what!?"

"Enough, Gladio!" Ignis warned him to make him stop.

Avalon tries to chime in. "Guys! Enough!"

"You think you're a king, but you're a coward."

"Shut up!" shouts Noctis when shoves Gladio and grabs him by the jacket as well, Avalon finally steps in and addresses Gladio calmly putting a gentle hand on his forearm.

"Don't do this —!" Before she could finish, Gladio puts his hand on Avalon's shoulder and shoves her as she falls landing down on the ground.

Noctis shakes his head still glaring at the giant in front of him. "I get it, alright!? I get it!" With that, he shoves Gladio away.

"Then get a grip!" shouts Gladio glaring back. "Pull your head outta your ass already!" And with that, Gladio walks off and Noctis walks the opposite way before Avalon could speak to them.

Avalon sighs grabbing the ring that fell out of her pocket, and with Prompto's help stands up and dusts herself off.

"You alright, Avalon?" asks Ignis staring her way, Avalon nods.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She answers sitting next to Prompto looking at the ring in her hand. "He told me to hold it cause he wasn't ready to have it yet and I'll respect his wishes until he is ready."

"Don't read too much into it, Vee," Prompto side-hugs her as she puts her head down on his shoulder. "Everyone just seems so angry because of what happened."

"I know, I just want them to calm down." agrees Avalon with a quick nod. "Gladio wants Noctis to understand we lost too, not just him. But — Noctis really does need to grow up and be a king because at this rate. We may lose this battle."

They were silent after her statement, the train ride continued without both men here. Avalon sighs staring at the ring intently. Finally releasing her gaze to the ring, she looks outside seeing the desert as it passes by.

When the train stopped for a break, Avalon and the Chocobros went out and headed to the tomb. When they boarded the elevator, the doors shut and it was quiet on the way down. You could cut the tension with a knife, maybe even a machete, depending on your preference.

Once rich in resources, this mine fell out of use in recent years, and now serves as little more than a watering hole for wild beasts. According to Cor, however, a royal tomb lies in the quarry's depths, waiting to be uncovered.

~

A/N: A short chapter, my apologies. I will make the next chapter a little bit longer than this one. I hope you like it, I love when Avalon is the middle person trying to keep the men calm but - it always doesn't work. Poor girl got shoved.

Anyway! I am writing a new Final Fantasy XV fanfiction, and I hope you read it. The first chapter is going up soon so be on the look out(: Vote and comment please!