~Zodia's POV~

They all grew silent at the question. Ignis was the first to shatter the quiet atmosphere. "Once we reach that bridge, we'll cross it." I nod and we continue forward. The heat resonating around us was causing Noctis to whine. "The hell's with the heat?"

"As we climb, so does the temperature," Ignis remarks.

"I'm no geologist, but I'm pretty sure this is a volcano. Hey! What are the chances of it erupting while we're here?" Prompto puzzled.

"Bright side-you won't suffer long if it does," Gladio replies. Prompto let out a small whimper at the thought. He makes his way over to me, gently tapping on my shoulder. I glance at him while Ignis still held my hand. "What is it, Prom?"

"You wouldn't happen to know an ice spell that could cool us down, would you?"

"I can form an ice sphere and hand it to you if you'd like."

"Please?" He begs with his hands together. Ignis lets go of my hand so I could perform my spell. Summoning my staff, I make an ice sphere big enough to fit in Prompto's hands. He gladly takes it and sighs in content at the cold object. "This. Is. Perfect. Thank you, Zo!"

"No problem. It'll melt soon, but it should last for a few hours."

Prompto smiles while messing with the sphere. He seems more happier to have the ice than when he watches Chocobos. A huff of laughter comes from me as I watch him and Noctis pass the ice sphere back and forth to cool down.

As our trek dragged on, we found a haven on the volcano. I was completely shocked to see a camping ground this high up and in such a dangerous location. "I'm exhausted," Prompto huffs.

"Wanna make camp?" Noctis asked.

"What?! Right here?!" Prompto hollers.

"Where else do you see a camping site?" Gladio asked with crossed arms. Groaning, the blonde gives in and plops down on the ground. Our stop only lasted for an hour before we pushed forward. The narrow, rocky path led us to an open area with a huge nest.

"Please tell me the thing that made this isn't going to come back while we're here," Prompto whimpers.

"We're fine. The Zu flew off a few days ago to hunt. We'll be gone before her return," I reassure. The cameraman sighs in relief at my words. While searching for the royal tomb, I was able to spot a familiar ancient door. Without thinking, I ran over to the door and carefully took off my pendant. When I looked over my shoulder, I was immediately greeted by a familiar form.

"W-when did you..." My voice trails off. A faint smile crept onto Ignis' face as he glanced down at me with his gleaming emerald eyes. "My dear, you are not as sneaky as you think." Completely embarrassed, I hid my face in my hands and turned to face the ancient ruins.

After a few seconds of silence, two arms wrapped around my body and pulled me back. A small gasp of shock left my lips at the sudden touch. My head tapped Ignis' chest as he tightened his hold on me. I was completely appalled at the sudden affection. Ignis wasn't one to randomly hug or kiss my cheek. The sudden closeness meant he was worried about something.

"Ignis, what's wrong?" I ask gently. He took a deep breath before spilling the truth. "Every moment you're not by my side is agonizing." The worry in his voice clear as day. Turning around in his embrace, I wrap my arms around him. "I know you're worried every time I enter the ruins. But, this is something I must do."

"You know where your duty lies unlike your stubborn brother."

I cracked up at the small insult. Trying to muffle my laughter, I bury my face into his chest. "Noct would be so livid if he heard you say that."

"I am delighted to know that not both Caelum siblings are tenacious. Dealing with one is strenuous enough."

A huge smile was etched across my face. "The zodiacs won't hurt me. Make sure Noctis doesn't do anything careless in the short amount of time during my visit."

"Of course, Zodia." Ignis slowly frees me from his warm arms and I do the same. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before I opened the door to the ruins. Leaving a worried Ignis behind, I tread lightly into the ruins. Just like the first, I spotted a glow coming from the main chamber. This time it was an eerie red hue instead of a calming blue one. With my staff in hand, I head towards the sphere of light. The silence surrounding me was suffocating and concerning. Pisces' ruins were not like this. His were peaceful and only a faint chill wafted through the air. Here, it was the complete opposite.

Wracking through my mind, I remember all the zodiacs and what element they are chained to. The only three that could possibly reside within a volcano would be the ones linked to fire. This means it's either Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fear consumed me as I reach the main chamber and touch the red orb. A burning sensation shot through my body, causing me to back away with a whimper. My staff almost fell from my hands, but I quickly tightened my grip.

Looking up, my eyes widen at the sight before me.

A man resembling an ancient warrior with ram horns stood before me, wielding a shield and staff. No words left him as the red light dissipated. I couldn't read his expression because of the mask he wore. Shaking my fear away, I stand my ground and eye the warrior in front of me.

"Aries, the first zodiac. It's an honor to be in your presence." I bow to the warrior and keep my head lowered. Aries remains silent and I raise my head. The warrior did the unexpected and bowed in return. The fear I was feeling earlier vanished at the small gesture.

"After years of waiting for your arrival, it's an honor to meet the Daughter of the Zodiac," Aries finally speaks. "Pisces informed me of your travels before you arrived." His deep voice was even deeper than Gladio's. It was very intimidating, but he talked to me in a gentle tone.

"I do not know how much knowledge Pisces has shared with you, but I come here to plead for your aid. As the Starscourge consumes this beautiful world-"

Aries silenced me with his hand. Sealing my lips, I wait for him to speak. "Pisces has informed me of all that is happening. I will gladly provide aid and accompany you to the ends of Eos. Your cause is a strong and life changing one. Your decisions, along with your brother's, will change all of Eos. I grant you thy name and powers."

Aries held out his hand and I didn't hesitate to accept it. Once our hands made contact, he vanished. I felt something in my hand and glanced down.

"Another charm."

I take my bracelet off and add the charm of Aries. A wave of relief washed over me as I left the ruins. My mind kept the image of Aries sharp and clear as I slid the bracelet back on my wrist. "That's two down. Only ten more to go. Hopefully, they'll be as easy as Pisces and Aries."

"Who should be easy?" I jump at the sound of Gladio's voice. I almost dropped my staff from the sudden scare. "The other zodiacs. Aries had an intimidating presence, but he was very reasonable. It seems Pisces is informing the other zodiacs of our travels and circumstances," I answer.

"Hope we don't disappoint. It'd be a shame to letdown the Celestial Beings," Gladio said.

"Totally! It'd be embarrassing, too," Prompto adds.

"Oh, found something for you in the tomb," Noctis spoke, changing the subject. He handed over a strange-looking book with an intricate design.

I open the book hesitantly and gasp. Closing it with a snap, I gaze at my brother. "You found a grimoire in the Tomb of the Fierce?"

"Glad you know what it is. I thought it was important and took it."

"Noct, I swear..."

"What? I seriously doubt someone's gonna claim it any time soon," he defends. I took a deep breath to keep myself from lashing out at his careless act. "Brother, you do realize many grimoires are cursed, correct?"

Hearing that, Prompto quickly snatches it away from me. "M-maybe we should put it back and not curse your sister, Noct."

"How do you know this one's cursed?" Noctis directed to me.

"I don't."

"Then, at least try it."

Noctis snatched the book from Prompto and handed it back to me. I flip through the pages until a healing spell caught my eye. Looking between the four men, I ask one question that makes them all tense up. "Who wants to be my test subject?"

"What kind of spell requires a test subject?" Gladio asked.

"A healing one. I have no injuries to heal, but I see you four were engaged in battle before I left the ruins."

"How can you tell?" Prompto asked.

"I can see scratches and a few bruises already forming on your faces."

"Very perceptual of you," Ignis compliments.

"I've known you all for years now. It's not hard to read your personas," I admit. After a split second of silence, Gladio took a step forward. "How bad could it be?" He shrugged his shoulders and stood in front of me.

"Alright, I have my volunteer." Reading over the incantation, I quickly memorize the words. I close the grimoire and eye the deep cut on Gladio's cheek. A small hum resonates from me as I placed a hand on his cheek while standing on my tippy toes. He tensed up under my touch and refused to meet my gaze. In a gentle voice, I began reciting the healing spell. A dim green light engulfed my hand as I traced over the cut. Once the green light vanished, the cut was completely healed and left no scar behind.

I gave Gladio a wide smile, dropping my hand to my side. "Well, it seems the grimoire isn't cursed. The cut is completely healed and won't leave a scar." Gladio took a few steps back after my announcement. Ignis and Prompto still seemed a little reluctant to let me keep the grimoire as we descended the volcano.

Once back on even ground, our Chocobos greeted us with happy chirps. For some odd reason, all five of them surrounded me instead of going to their correct riders. "Nice to know my sister doesn't only attract guys," Noctis chuckled. I sent him a death glare and Gladio smacked him on the back of the head.

"Well, you gotta admit that everywhere we go, there always ends up being a guy staring at her," Prompto said.

"Guys don't stare at me," I snap.

"You're oblivious to it, but the rest of us aren't. Ignis always end up scaring them away with his scary glare in the end, not Gladio," Noctis states. My eyes traveled over to Ignis to confirm what my brother was saying.

"He... is correct," the royal advisor admits. I fell silent at the news. What was even more shocking was the fact that Ignis was the one scaring off these staring men and not the Behemoth known as Gladio.

"One even stalked you to the hotel one night in Lestallum," Gladio said.

"And... I'm assuming Iggy to care of him?"

Ignis nods and fixes his glasses. "Without hurting him, naturally."

"I'm still having a hard time believing this..." I mumble.

"Believe it or not, sis. You're a dude magnet wherever you go. And now, you're also a Chocobo magnet." Noctis pointed to the five Chocobos that were happily standing around me.

Sighing, I hop on my chatty Chocobo and head to the Regalia with the others in tow. Our birds depart as we enter the car in silence. Prompto was the first to speak up and I was glad it was a completely different subject.

"Next stop-Malmalam Thicket."