An entire week passed by. The group had trained and hunted together every day. They had greatly improved on their teamwork in battle and now included Lorelai in a couple of team attacks. The girl's own training was also going pretty well. Not only was she getting a bit better at using her magic, but she was steadily conquering her fear of the dark as well. She merely had to stay focused on something in order to ignore the darkness around her. And while she still had a ways to go, she knew that she would soon erase her fear all together.

One thing that was still on everyone's mind though was Ardyn. They still didn't understand why he had pointed Lorelai to the Chocobo Post in the first place. They had a feeling it had to do with the bloodtooth, but they didn't know why. Ardyn hadn't appeared since then either, meaning he couldn't elaborate on the whole thing. But they figured it was for the best. Ardyn only ever caused trouble for them. He was one person they didn't want to see at all.

Despite all the constant battling they had been doing, the gang was quite enjoying their time together. It gave them all a chance to strengthen their friendship and their power simultaneously. Aside from the constant camping, Prompto especially liked how close he was getting to Lorelai. He got to see her all day every day, from the moment he got up in the morning to the time he fell asleep at night. He made it a habit to gaze over at her nestled between Ignis and himself each night before he went to sleep. He was overjoyed at the fact that she began sleeping in the tent, next to him, every night.

But finally, their training days were put on pause. They had finally gotten word of another royal tomb location. Within the Myrlwood, which resided near the Vesperpool, waited the next royal arm. The gang was currently heading there in the Regalia. The scenery around them drifted by and Lorelai looked past Gladio, recognizing the swampy areas of the Vesperpool. Soon enough, Ignis parked next to the dirt road and everyone got out, stretching their legs as they did.

"I believe the Myrlwood is just northwest of here," Ignis informed them.

"Good," Noctis replied. "Then let's get a move on."

The five started walking. They made sure to avoid the muddy swamps at the edge of the lake while also keeping an eye out for monsters. They were careful enough to not alert any of the basilisks or mushussu that were common in the area. Before long, they were entering the Myrlwood. The place was abundant in plants and insects. The group stayed close together and slowly ventured further into the dense forest.

Lorelai and Ignis both took notice of movement within the greenery. "We're not alone here," Lorelai quietly said.

Everyone froze and readied their weapons. A group of mandrakes emerged and immediately attacked. They weren't particularly difficult to dispatch, and the five found themselves continuing onward. The forest darkened as night approached. The group was ambushed again, this time by a swarm of killer wasps. Noctis, Prompto, and Ignis focused on bringing some of them down since they were the only ones able to hit their flying opponents. With Gladio and Lorelai watching and waiting for the large insects to come within range, they decided to test out a new move they'd been working on.

Gladio summoned his shield and held it above him. Lorelai leapt on top of it and the muscular man used his strength to launch her into the air. The girl disconnected her scythe into two and spun like a top through the air, slicing up all the nearby enemies before landing on Gladio's broad shoulders. She had managed to slice limbs off several of the giant bugs, making them plummet to the ground. But at that moment, a wasp dove down behind them, spraying them with a yellow-green mist.

The mist enveloped them, causing them to cough and choke upon inhaling the substance. Their heads suddenly ached and their vision became blurred and distorted. They both fell onto the ground, struggling to stand with the world spinning around them. They both groaned at the strange feeling. Ignis took notice of them.

"It seems Gladio and Lora are a touch confused!" he informed the other two, who continued the fight against the killer wasps.

Once they had finished off the remaining pests, they hurried to their friends' sides. The two had managed to rise to their feet, but they wobbled quite a bit. After another moment, the confusion started to wear off. Lorelai stared down at her hand as it became clearer and clearer. Her vision was beginning to correct itself.

"Whoa, that was trippy," she muttered.

"You okay?" Prompto asked from where he stood by her side.

"Aside from the confusion and the sticky crap we're covered in," Gladio answered, "just fine."

"This is why I hate bugs," Noctis stated.

"Me too," Prompto agreed with a shiver. "They're so icky!"

"Come, let us continue," Ignis said. "We don't want to be wandering around here after dark."

Gladio and Lorelai shook off the remaining effects of the confusion and followed their friends. They soon came to a split in the path. The prince picked the side path and the group found themselves at a haven next to a large pond with a small waterfall rippling down the rocks on the far side. Gladio headed straight for the haven.

"Wait, are we seriously sleeping here?" Prompto questioned.

"You see a better place?" the shield shot back. "Unless you wanna keep going in the middle of the night."

"Right here's good," the blond quickly replied.

The group set up camp. Once done, Gladio slid off his leather jacket. "I'm gonna wash up. Lora, wanna join me?"

"Excuse me?!" she cried in shock.

He chuckled. "Not like that. All I'm saying is we could both use a bath. Don't you wanna get this gross stuff off your skin?"

She crossed her arms. "Of course I do, but I'll wait 'til you're done." Gladio shrugged and reached down to his pants. Lorelai's face heated up. "I-I'll be in the tent... waiting." She hurried into the tent.

Ignis began getting supper started and let out a sigh. "Gladio, you shouldn't behave in such a crude manner in front of a lady."

The shield laughed lightly. "I was only kidding."

Leaving his pants on, the muscular man waded out into the water, washing the sticky substance from his skin and clothes. Prompto took a seat and flipped through the photos on his camera, pausing briefly on the one's of Lorelai. Noctis peered over his shoulder at the pictures, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Look at all those pics of Lora."

"Shh!" Prompto looked up at his friend. "She's right in there!" he quietly yelled, nodding toward the tent.

Noctis chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Are you ever planning on telling her?"

The blond's freckled face turned a light pink. "Uh, m-maybe... One day."

"You should really discuss this with her," Ignis advised, "before the opportunity passes you by."

Prompto stood up, a look of determination on his face. "You're right. I just need to get it out. I gotta sit her down, look her in the eyes, and tell her I-"

"Hey, is Gladio finished yet?"

Prompto flinched and whirled around, seeing Lorelai's head poking out of the tent, the zipper pulled down just enough for her to peek out. "...I think she's awesome with that scythe!" he quickly finished, laughing nervously.

Noctis only shook his head in disapproval. Gladiolus approached, shaking the water from his jacket before putting it back on. Passing by Prompto, he slapped him lightly on the back.

"That's not exactly getting it out," he quietly told him. Gladio then looked over at Lorelai. "Your turn, Lora."

The girl smiled and unzipped the flap, climbing out. "Great. Now, all of you, in the tent."

"What?" Noctis questioned.

Lorelai frowned. "I've got to wash up. I don't want four pairs of eyes watching me."

"I'd never do such a thing," Ignis stated, appalled by her comment. "I also happen to be in the midst of cooking. I can't leave or the food will burn."

Lorelai thought for a moment. "Hmm, fine. Ignis, you can continue what you're doing if you promise not to turn around."

"You have my word."

"The rest of you, in the tent," she ordered.

"Why does Specs get to stay out?" Noctis asked.

"Because he's busy," she explained. "Not to mention polite and well-mannered." Ignis silently smiled at the girl's compliments. "But you three, I don't trust you guys not to peek. Now, in the tent."

She pointed them to it, a serious look on her face. They all sighed in defeat and complied to her demand. After they disappeared inside and zipped up the opening, Lorelai walked over to the edge of the pond. She glanced back, still seeing Ignis with his back turned, cooking. She slowly undressed and waded into the water. She scrubbed her clothes first before cleaning herself off. She occasionally glanced back, making sure the advisor kept his word, which he did.

Inside the tent, the three played on their phones like they often did. "Oh, crap," Noctis said, noticing the bag of food items sitting beside them. "You don't think Ignis needs any of that stuff, do you?"

The other two looked at it, Gladio shrugging slightly. "Dunno, maybe someone should take it to him. I volunteer Prompto."

"Wha-? Me?" Prompto was genuinely confused until he noticed the smirks on their lips.

Gladio took the bag and placed it in the gunman's hands. "Try not to stare at Lora too long."

Knowing they'd force him out of th tent one way or another, he took the bag and headed out. He made sure to be quiet and kept his eyes fixed on the bespectacled man at the table. He hurried over and set the bag on the table next to Ignis.

"Here," he whispered. "Just in case you need any-" He couldn't keep his eyes from drifting away from the advisor and toward Lorelai.

His blue eyes grew wide, his jaw dropped, and his face burned bright red. The girl stood in the shallow water, her back turned, completely undressed. Fortunately, the water came up past her waist. But her tattooed back was clearly visible and the moonlight illuminated her wet skin. Prompto's eyes traveled over her body, glancing briefly at her clothes on the rocks at the edge of the water. His mind was wandering to things it shouldn't and he could almost picture himself joining her in the pond.

Ignis took a sideways glance at the blond and silently sighed. He placed a hand over Prompto's eyes. "You really shouldn't invade on a lady's privacy. Thank you for bringing the other ingredients. Now back inside with you."

Prompto was quick to nod and replace Ignis's hand with his own, keeping his eyes off Lorelai as he rushed back inside. He swiftly sat back down again, his face still burning. He glared at his two friends.

"I blame you two for this."

Gladio and Noctis didn't need an explanation, they already guessed what had happened. Soon enough though, Lorelai had finished and came to get them. The five friends ate supper before heading to bed. With his mind still on the scene of Lorelai bathing, Prompto had trouble falling asleep and found himself quickly thrown into a dream of that very event. Only this time, his friends were absent.

Prompto had removed his jacket and shirt and waded into the shallows until he stood right behind the girl. He lightly traced the star symbol of her tattoo with his forefinger, causing her to giggle at the ticklish sensation. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pressed his lips against her shoulder while his finger continued tracing her tattoo. He placed numerous light kisses along her neck and shoulder. A soft moan escaped her lips as he trailed his hand up her stomach and toward her chest.

"Prompto..."

"Prompto, wake up."

Her soft voice met his ears and he jolted awake. Lorelai was beside him, looking at him with concern.

"Are you okay?" she questioned, her voice quiet so she wouldn't wake the others.

"Y-Yeah, why?"

"Well, your hand is... on my stomach."

Prompto instantly retracted his hand. "S-Sorry about that," he nervously replied. "I didn't mean to wake you. These... crazy dreams."

She smiled. "It's alright. You just startled me."

"Yeah. Well, we should get back to sleep. Goodnight."

He turned onto his side, facing away from her. He felt so embarrassed by his actions. He didn't want her to think he was being a creep trying to touch her in her sleep. He would never do something like that to her.

"Goodnight, Prompto."

He heard her shift around. A smile tugged at his lips at hearing her sweet voice. His dream came back to mind again and he sighed softly with content. How he wished that dream could come true.