~Zodia's POV~

"Finally," Noctis sighs as we reach Cape Caem. Iris had hitched a ride with a hunter named Dave Auburnbrie. He gladly dropped the young girl off before heading out on a small hunt in the area. Trekking up the path, I heard the sound of running footsteps. Then, my name was being shouted.

"Zodia!"

Stopping, I look up the path to see a smiling Talcott dashing towards me. He was out of breath by the time he reached me. I kneel to his height and smile back at the energetic boy. His smile widens as he throws his arms around me in a warm hug.

"I'm glad to see you're safe, Talcott." I wrap my arms around his small frame and hug him back.

"You too. I wanna show you something!" He unlatched himself from me and wrapped his small hand around my fingers.

I look over my shoulder at the others. "I'll see you all later."

"Looks like Talcott stole Zodia from Specs once again," Noctis laughs.

"Yeah. We'll see you later, Zo," Prompto beamed.

Hand in hand with the little boy, he guides me to the lighthouse. We stepped into an elevator and rode it to the very top of the old structure. As the elevator opened, the vast ocean greeted us. "Wow, this is beautiful," I said as we exited the elevator. Talcott clung to my hand as we gazed at the crystalline ocean.

"I thought I heard voices," A cheery and familiar voice rings. I glance behind me to see the one and only Cindy Aurum.

"It's been awhile, Cindy. How have you been?" I ask

"Feelin' great! Been missing workin' on that beauty you got. How have you been, Dollface?"

"Busy, but I've never felt better."

"That's good to hear. Well, I hope we get to chat again before ya leave. I need to go help Pawpaw with the boat."

"Thank you for all you've done for us, Cindy. We owe you and Cid much."

"Nah, don't worry 'bout owing us a thing. We're glad to help. See ya later, Sweetheart." She waves at both of us before leaving.

Talcott and I enjoyed the view, chatting about random things for a couple of hours. After checking the time, we head to the house. Noctis and Prompto were playing "King's Knight" and sitting at the dining table while Gladio had his nose stuck in a book. Monica was chatting with Talcott and Iris was in the kitchen with Ignis.

When I realized I left the grimoire in the Regalia, I left the house to retrieve the spell book. Deciding to enjoy the refreshing breeze once again, I began reading the remainder of the grimoire outside. A few hunters were chatting not far from where I was sitting and I couldn't help but eavesdrop. They kept talking about a strong Red Giant that was prowling by an ancient structure in Thommels Glade. The only ancient structure they could possibly be talking about is a royal tomb.

Getting to my feet, I distance myself from prying eyes and summon Libra.

"How may I assist you, Daughter?" Libra asked.

"I have a question only a zodiac would truly know the answer to. There is a royal tomb in Thommels Glade, yes?"

"Indeed, there is. The Shield of Just lies in wait for the chosen King to claim. Beware, a large deposit of mana consumes the area, attracting unwanted attention from powerful creatures."

"Thank you, Libra."

He bows and vanishes. I place the grimoire back in the car before walking back up the path to the house. Lost in thought, I didn't notice Ignis until I heard him call out my name.

"Oh, Iggy. I'm sorry for wandering off without saying anything, but I did learn of another royal tomb."

"Where will our next stop be?" Ignis asked.

"Thommels Glade. Powerful monsters roam the area. We'll have to be extra cautious."

"May I ask how you discovered another location?"

"I overheard a few hunters talking about a strong Red Giant. Daemons feast off of pockets of mana and the larger the deposit, the more powerful they are. Libra confirmed my suspicions for I wanted to check before saying anything."

"What's this about a royal tomb?" Noctis asked as he joined us on the front porch. Ignis gave him the details and my brother sighed. "Great, more daemons."

"The daemons will be our only obstacle. We could go during the day, but Thommels Glade is known for its hordes of Coeurls. I'd rather face daemons than those wretched things," I said.

"Agreed," Ignis chimed in.

"So, when should we head out?" Noctis asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon. We should rest to prepare for what daemons are waiting for us," I replied. The two men agreed and we headed inside.

Ignis and I headed to the kitchen and prepared a meal for everyone. We all gathered around the table and ate with smiles. Prompto almost choked on a piece, but Gladio came to his rescue. The poor boy will definitely be seeing a bruise on his abdomen in the morning.

After everyone was done, I realized how late it had been. I was helping Ignis with the dishes when I spotted Talcott asleep with his head on the table. I smile at the sight and place a hand on Ignis' arm to get his attention. "I'm gonna take Talcott to his room so he doesn't catch a cold." Ignis nods with a smile before turning his attention back to the dishes.

I picked up the sleeping boy in my arms and carried him up the steps to his room. Talcott was mumbling in his sleep as I laid him on the bed and tucked him
in for the night. I sat on the edge of the bed, stroking his hair. A smile appeared on his face at my ministrations and I couldn't contain my own smile.

I kissed him on the forehead before leaving his room. A sigh escaped my lips just as I closed my eyes. I headed to the room Iris and I were sharing for night to see if I could sew up my old clothes. I meant to do it earlier but lacked the proper sewing necessities.

I pulled out my old dress and the sewing tools. While threading the needle, I had accidentally dropped it. It was difficult finding the small object, but luckily it didn't fall far from the bed. As I stood up, I heard a deep chuckle. My eyes widened and I completely froze. Without having to turn around, I knew exactly who it was.

"Ah, the captivating Princess of Lucis whose powers grow stronger with each passing day. Bonding with zodiacs as if it was second nature. I am a jealous man."

I felt Ardyn's hand on my back, causing me to flinch and snap out of my frozen state. I turned to face him, backing away so I could reach the door. "H-How did you-"

"My dear, I am positive you already know the answer to that. You are more perceptive than most. I am a man who wishes to pass on a simple message."

"What message?"

"A small one-from me to you." I raised an eyebrow and he continued. "I am aware you know of the consequences of what is to prosper in Altissia. My warning to you-forget what the zodiacs have shared. If you wish to continue this path, it will not be pleasant for the ones you care deeply about."

"I will do everything in my power to stop what's to happen. Your threats are nothing but empty. The ones I love will not fall by your hands."

Ardyn chuckles again, closing in on me. I dart to the door and turn the knob, only to find it locked. I gasped and turned to face Ardyn. When I did, I realized he was right behind me. A scream left my lips as Ardyn wrapped a hand around my throat, pushing me against the door.

"A rose such as yourself must be plucked of its beautiful petals, one by one," he whispers.

Suddenly, I heard banging on the door and familiar voices. Ardyn smirks evilly and clutches my throat even tighter.

"Zodia!" I heard Ignis shout desperately through the door. I tried to answer, but Ardyn wouldn't let me. My vision was blurring and I felt myself becoming lightheaded. Just as I felt myself slipping from this world, Ardyn tosses me across the room. My back made contact with the wall next to the window before I fell harshly to the floor. I gasped for air as I tried to get to my feet and push through the pain. My body was in too much pain and I couldn't do anything but watch as Ardyn closed in. With a gasp, I called upon Capricorn.

The zodiac was much smaller than when I met him, allowing him to be able to fit in the room. Capricorn charged at Ardyn and rammed a horn through the man's chest. The zodiac snorted in anger and slung him around like a rag doll. Ardyn recovered quickly and freed his body from Capricorn's horn. Before the zodiac could attack again, the man vanished into thin air. Capricorn returned to the charm just as the door flew open and I was able to breathe properly.

I was still laying on the floor when I felt hands on my cheeks, turning my head upwards slowly. My sapphire irises met worried emerald ones. Ignis' touch was warm and I took a deep breath.

"We heard you scream. What happened?" Ignis asked, worry tinting his voice heavily.

"A-Ardyn," I mutter.

"That creepy bastard was here?" Noctis asked as he kneeled next to me. I nodded and felt tears spill from the corner of my eyes. Ignis frowned, pulling me into his arms and off the floor.

"Where did he go?" Prompto questioned.

"No more catechizing. We shall discuss the matter in the morning. For now, I will take her to my room for the night," Ignis declared, picking me up in his arms.

"Never liked that weird bastard," I heard Gladio mutter as we passed him. Monica and Iris stood outside the room, their worried gazes trained on me. Luckily, Ignis' room was next to Iris' and it didn't take long for us to reach it. Once safely inside, Ignis laid me on the bed before closing the door. He returned to my side, his eyes locked onto my neck. He gently put a finger under my chin, lifting my face up slowly. He continued to glare at my neck, which confused me.

"Iggy, what're you glaring so coldly at?"

"A prodigious red marking at the base of your neck."

My hand flew up to where he was talking about and I flew off the bed, swiftly making my way over to the mirror in the room. Just as Ignis had said, there was a large red mark on my neck. You could tell it was someone's hand by the imprint of the fingers. I rubbed the mark, not noticing Ignis until I felt his hands in my hair.

"You must rest, my dear. I will not question what happened until you are well."

"Thank you, Ignis. But, I want to tell you now."

Ignis nods, guiding me back to the bed. We sat side by side, my head resting on his shoulder while he held one of my hands. "Ardyn somehow knows what the zodiacs told me about Altissia. He threatened me to stay out of it, but I refused. That's when... that's when he grabbed me and tried to suffocate me." My hand unconsciously moved to the mark located on my neck.

Ignis tightened his hold on my other hand when he heard what had happened only minutes ago. Suddenly, Ignis dropped my hand and put one arm around my waist. Using his other hand, he pulled my head to his chest and cradled it gingerly. I could tell by the way he was holding me that he was afraid I would break under his touch.

"I should have prevented this," he whispers.

"Don't blame yourself. You had no idea he would make an appearance-no one did. I was able to summon Capricorn in time to help."

We fell into a deep silence until Ignis broke it with a different subject. "Zodia, once we get to Altissia, there is something I must ask of you."

"Don't hold anything back, Iggy," I smile. He kisses me on the forehead before pulling us both into bed.