I want to ride my chocobo all day!

There had been a day for Holly to process the mithryl, and, once returned to Cape Caem, a little more time for the final repairs to be done to the boat, days that seemed to stretch out with a certain undeniable tension to them. After all, at this point, considering how much had already happened, the chocobros were convinced that anything could happen. And this late in the game, anything that could happen was likely to set them back even further than they already were.

But, thankfully, nothing did happen. At least, when it came to their plans, it was a good thing, but it was less encouraging when nothing was happening with the communicator, despite Prompto's continued tinkering with it. He'd even gained a helper in Talcott, although, really, all the boy did was prattle on with various stories, mostly about his grandfather, but Prompto appreciated the company. He liked the kid a lot, even if it did make him feel an uncomfortable twist in his chest over the fact that all those wholesome little musings of him and Liz settling down and starting their own family were quickly starting to feel like hopeless dreams.

( But then the boat was ready… )

Talcott's call, in particular, reached them the strongest. "Your Majesty!"

"What's up?" Noctis called back, with a faint grin on his face.

"Please!" Talcott shouted. "Come back soon! We need our king!"

Maybe it was the fact that they were finally on their way. Maybe it was the hope and confidence that the people around him had instilled in him. Maybe it was just the brothers at his side and the feeling that not all was lost after all, that Lucis still lived on, and they weren't giving it up without a fight. But Noctis nearly laughed as her shouted out his response, "Yeah! Count on it!"

[[ standard terms and services apply, swiped from Final Fantasy XV Chapter 8 - Seaworthy

Also I know what day it is. ]]

It seemed wise to depart from Old Lestallum as quickly as possible after the infiltration of Fort Vaullerey; night had fallen, and it was dangerous to travel at night, but it might be far more dangerous to stick around so close to the scene of the crime. It didn't take long to find a Haven out of the way, though, and, once again, they were back to it in the morning, their sights set on Cape Caem once more.

Until, of course, they passed by Malmalam Thicket.

"Is it just me?" asked Prompto, with an almost wistful sigh as he glanced out at the thick forest passing them by, the Rock of Ragatough looming and smoking far in the distance. "Or is that place just begging to be explored?"

And, to his surprise, the Regalia actually started to slow down. "You know," said Ignis, thoughtfully, as they neared the turn off ot the scenic parking spot, "if what they say about the Malmalam Thicket is true..."

"Then we might just find what we're looking for here," Gladio realized, picking up what Ignis was putting down immediately.

"Another tomb?" Prompto wondered.

"Another tomb," Ignis confirmed, turning onto the dirt road sweeping into the thickening forest.

( On second thought, I don't like the woods. Too many monsters. )

"Let's have it!" agreed Ignis, and the battle was on, the battle was fierce, but between the four of them and Iris at their side, as well, the bandersnatch was no match for them, and they fought well and hard to finally enter that old, quiet tomb and claim another ancestral weapon for Noctis' slowly building arsenal, each one making him feel stronger and more confident in his abilities.

Still not strong enough, but stronger. aAs they trudged their way back to the Regalia and the Haven that would serve as their resting spot that evening, with Cape Caem firmly in their sights for tomorrow, finally, he was feeling a little good, actually. He might even be feeling something akin to hope.

Prompto, though, probably put it best: "Almost makes up for the soaked socks and bug bites!"

Almost.


[[ all the usual massive plot alphabet soup applies! Taken and/or elaborated from Final Fantasy XV Chapter 6 - A Way Forward ]]