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insomniasix · 3 years

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Chapter VIII - Seaworthy - Part 3

@mzargentum

“Sorry I freaked out.” Six breathed once everyone took their place in the car.

“Stop talking about it.” Noctis sighed, not wanting her to keep beating herself over it, “You’ve seen us freak over pretty much everything. Besides, you travel around with four weirdos all day for the past I don’t-even-remember-how-long-anymore days, you’re entitled to it.”

“I am?” she raised her eyebrows teasingly, catching his point right away.

“You know what I mean.” he grunted.

“I do.” she smiled, making his cheeks turn pink at the sound of her voice, “Thanks, love.”

“Hey, listen.” Prompto turned around in his seat, looking back at them all excited, “I have got this insatiable urge to take a photo with a chocobo. Can we go? Like right now?”

Six and Noctis exchanged a couple of stunned looks, laughing at the blond’s eagerness before the Prince gave his answer, “If you really want to, sure.”

“I do, I really do!” Prompto smiled brightly, “Oh man, where should I get the shot?”

Gladio followed the side road, bringing the Regalia into a stop at Wiz’s Chocobo Post. The blond photographer almost running out before the car had even fully stopped.

“Take a shot from here.” Noctis showed him the row of chocobos and Prompto agreed right away, “Good call. Now it’s picture time!”

“The gang’s all here, see? Us?” he smiled proudly at the picture he had taken before making his way to the car again. His needs to take a picture and see a chocobo up-close both sated.

“I might have asked before,” Noctis said, passing Ignis one of his Ebony cans when back on the road to Caem, “but is Ebony all that good?”

“I might have answered before, but Yes it is!” he looked back at the Glaive, laughing at his enthusiasm before taking a sip, unable to hide his own smile as she seemed to be doing a lot better.

It was late noon when they finally reached the lighthouse.

“Really looking forward to Iris’ cooking.” Prompto thought out loud as he exited the car, stretching his limps as Ignis looked at him through his eyelashes, mocking irritation behind his voice, “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Oh, don’t be like that.” the blond blushed in embarrassment, “It’s different when a girl cooks for y-”

“Well, then I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” Six was quick to join in the teasing.

“Oh, man.” he ruffled his hair before starting to catch up with Noctis and Gladio, already making their way to the house where Talcott and Iris waited for them.

“Finally ready to set sail.” Noctis commented once the house was in view.

“Altissia, baby. Big city, here we come!” Prompto shared in his excitement. After everything Six had told them about the beauty of the floating city, the boys were all eager to see it for themselves.

“How ya doing, Talcott?” the Prince asked; the kid’s eyes lit up at the sight of them all coming back.

“Good, Prince Noctis.”

“Hmm? What’s that there?” Six commented, seeing the boy’s figurine on the table behind him.

“Oh, this thing? It’s a cactuar figurine.” he smiled up at her, cheeks turning a light shade of pink, “I really like cactuars.”

“Oh...” Noctis nodded as the kid continued. “You can buy them in different places, and in different colors. I wanna finish the collection, but I still need a yellow and a blue one. I guess you wouldn’t have seen them at any shops, have you?”

“Uh, sorry, no.” Noctis answered before Six had the chance to, “Never paid attention to them before.”

“Oh, well, of course you wouldn’t.”

“But I will from now on. If I see the colors you’re missing, I’ll grab ‘em for you.”

“Really? Thank you!” the boy’s eyes were as big as a puppy’s when the company moved further away.

“Where can we find them?” Prompto asked almost right away, they all wanted to help do this for Talcott.

“We won’t have to look.” Six smiled, having everyone look at her, “I have both of them in the car, along with my things.”

“You do?” Noctis frowned his brows at her before realizing what she meant, raising one of them in mock judgment.

“Well...” the Glaive’s cheeks turned red almost immediately when she saw the rest shared his look, “Yeah.”

“Why?” Prompto almost sang.

“Everyone’s got a hobby.” she muttered before starting for the car, the boys close behind her, snickering about how awkward the mighty Glaive seemed over her ‘hobby’, “I can’t always collect swords, you know.”

“Yellow, from the Chocobo Post and blue from Lestallum.” She looked at the figurines before giving them to the younger boys, thinking they’d want to be the ones to present them to Talcott.

“Hey, Talcott. We got ya the goods!” Noctis said proudly as both him and Prompto showed the kid the figurines. Talcott’s eyes sparkling right away with glee.

“What? Really? Whoa… Yessss! I got them all now! Thank you so much, Prince Noctis!”

“How do you feel, momma?” Gladio wrapped his arms around her, hugging her from behind and letting his chin touch her hair, seeing the smile and calmness Talcott’s reaction brought out in her, “That feels a lot better that keeping them for myself.” she answered.

“I never really had you for a hoarder, ya know.” he laughed, earning an elbow to the side before she turned around, “It’s a hobby.” she laughed.

“I know, I know.” he mirrored before kissing her.

“We should go see how the old guy’s doing. Everything should be ready by now and the sooner we leave the faster we’ll reach Altissia.” the Glaive turned her attention to Noctis once he was done talking with Talcott about how fascinating cactuars are.

“Right.” the Prince nodded and they all started for the lighthouse where Cid waited for them, a bark stopping them just before they stepped foot inside.

Noctis dropped down on one knee, petting his loyal friend and taking Luna’s notebook, reading her message and placing his own before sending him away and joining the rest on the elevator.

Everyone was waiting at the hidden harbor.

“Look, Prince Noctis,” Talcott pointed out, “Even the marshal came to say goodbye!”

“I guess it’s goodbye for now.” Iris smiled sadly, “The Regalia is already below deck. Hopefully she will serve you well across the ocean, as she did here.”

“Something I gotta get off my chest.” Cor started speaking as the company made their way next to him, Six’s eyes falling on the old picture of them on the table between them.

“What’s that?” Noctis asked.

Cor let his arms unlock from his chest and move to his sides as he spoke again, looking at both Prince and Glaive as he did, “I’m sorry. Sorry I wasn’t there for your father. I swore an oath to protect the king, but I wasn’t strong enough to uphold it.”

“Cor, it-”

“Ain’t nothin’ nobody could’ve done to stop what happened.” Cid’s voice cut her words as he made his way to the couch next to the marshal, the latter’s eyes never leaving the ground.

“Yeah, I realize that.” Noctis answered with a low voice, just because he believed it, didn’t mean it hurt any less.

“But you need to realize just what you mean to the people by your side.” Cid continued, taking a seat, looking at the same picture she did.

“I do.”

“Even if they can’t solve your problems, you can’t hide what’s goin’ on from ‘em. It hurts like hell. Remember- those ain’t your bodyguards, they’re your family.” everyone took a step ahead, keeping their heads high at Cid’s words as well as the first smile he’d blessed them with, “Trust in ‘em. Always.”

When everyone was ready to set sail, and Prompto had taken one final group picture, Cid found his way on the captain’s seat of the boat, “Waitin’ for an invitation? Get your asses on board!”

Talcott and Iris came to see the boat off, Six and Noctis looking down at them and smiling their goodbye, “Hey! Your Majesty!” Talcott called out.

“What’s up?”

“Please come back soon! We need our king!”

“Yeah! Count on it!” Noctis used his hands to yell back at the boy before waving as his Glaive smiled, seeing the boat get out on the open waters.

Altissia was just a boat ride away.

#ffxv #final fantasy xv #ffxv fanfiction #ffxv oc #oc #six ulric #gladiolus amicitia #ignis scientia #noctis lucis caelum #prompto argentum #cid sophiar #cor leonis #iris amicitia #talcott hester #chapter 8 #Part 3 #ffxv game rewrite #game rewrite #final fantasy fanfiction

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insomniasix · 3 years

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Chapter VIII - Seaworthy - Part II

@mzargentum

8am the next morning and everyone was up and ready to hit the road once more.

“You know something? Going through all that trouble to make our own custom cup, it’s made me appreciate Cup Noodles even more.” Gladio thought out loud while on the way to the car.

“Perhaps we truly can’t improve upon perfection.” Ignis agreed.

“It’s not about finding the single best ingredient.” Gladio continued, “It’s about crafting that perfect blend of meat, egg and shrimp. That harmony of flavors is key.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Prompto chimed in, “Makes you appreciate how delicious these noodles really are.”

“I know I sure do!” Noctis nodded.

Once the extra meat was delivered to the tipster in Lestallum, the five made their way back to where they had seen the structure of the Imperial Base, determined to bring it down and give it back to the people.

“Ooh, this should be fun.” Gladio commented on the Formouth Base when the company made their way on the tower right outside of it, Six’s eyes studying the entire structure, “What’s the plan?”

“Well, suffice it to say a frontal assault would be ill-advised.” Ignis stood next to the Glaive, gathering his own information to come up with a plan, “Again, stealth is our friend. We enter the base undetected, and cripple it one target at a time.”

Six nodded as two more drop-ships appeared. The MTs were already in place, each of them doing their own rounds around the entirety of the base, along with the armors.

Once the sun was down, the five launched their infiltration.

“There are generators that fortify Magitek troopers.” Ignis instructed once they were in, “Take them out, and the enemy won’t be nearly as fearsome.”

“Let’s go.” Six’s lack of a hood didn’t stop her from imitating the move to put it on, softly laughing at herself for forgetting she had changed her clothing.

“So they’re sleeping?” Noctis asked once he realized the three MTs in their way didn’t even raise their heads when the company passed right next to them.

“Take care to avoid detection.” Ignis instructed, keeping a close eye as they continued on, “If a trooper is alerted to our presence, it will awaken its fellows.”

Following Ignis’ plan, Noctis and Six made their way up the towers, taking down the MT solders silently and turning off the over-sized spotlights pointing at the generator. The plan didn’t go as well as they expected it though, as the soldier pointing the machine-gun around spotted them, alerting the rest.

“Not unfolding quite as planned.” Ignis sighed, getting his weapons ready and joining the two with the rest, “I’ve never made a mistake I myself couldn’t remedy. I’ll take point here.”

“It’s not your fault, Iggy.” Six attacked the troopers making their way to the company after ordering Noctis to take care of the generator, “I was the one spotted.”

“Let’s not point fingers and deal with this.” Gladio joined, using his new learned skills to take large numbers of MTs down.

After dealing with the generator, the solders that overwhelmed the five were easier to take down. The company found their footing fast and managed to take them down with just a few bruises and cuts.

“Shit.” Six breathed, eyes looking at the sky as more drop-ships appeared.

“Heads up, Noct. More incoming!” Gladio followed.

“Didn’t expect to meet again so soon, Highness.” Loqi’s voice was heard from the loudspeaker of the one ship leading the rest, as Caligo’s laugh was heard from the other, “You were foolish to come here. Surrender now, or we will make you wish you had.”

“Who the hell are these jerks?” Gladio was starting to get angry at the cockiness in the latter’s voice.

“Loqi and Caligo, commanders of the Imperial army.” Ignis answered, understanding right there that it wouldn’t matter if the stealthy part of the mission had been successful. The two commanders would still show up as this was their plan all along.

“Noct, this is our chance to settle the score.” Prompto moved closer to the Prince, his gun at the ready.

“Yeah, let’s put an end to this.” Noctis warped on the Riflemen sent down by one of the many ships above their heads. His plan was simple: kill everything until the commanders made an appearance.

“You led us all on a merry chase, but your running days are over. Have at them! Take the prince alive!” Caligo’s voice was heard again when the troopers he’d send down were dealt with.

Drop-ship after drop-ship threw everything they had on the company and both the commanders were starting to get weary at the sight of their army decreasing by the hour.

So much so that the two decided to take matters into their own hands. Dropping down in two MA-X Cuirass, all weapons targeting the company.

“Shit!” Six came up with a plan on the spot, “I’ll get Prompto at the machine-gun, keep them off him!”

She grabbed the blond, warping him on the big gun and letting him do his thing as Prompto got to it right away; shooting both the armors’ vital points.

“You humiliated me before.” Caligo roared, aiming his rocket system on Noctis, “This time the pleasure will be mine!”

Ignis run to the Prince’s side, shoving him out of the way and taking most of the hit himself as his daggers weren’t enough to cover him. Six was next to him before Noctis could scream his name, giving him her last Phoenix Down and helping him up, “No sleeping on the job, Specs.”

“Apologies.” the Advisor breathed, fear of what could have been making his heart beat like crazy.

“Prom, Noct! Take care of Loqi.” her voice was darkened, the move Caligo had just pulled sending bolts of anger all over her body as sparks of lightning escaped her finger tips, silver eyes turning red.

Prompto and Noctis managed to disable Loqi’s armor before turning their attention back to Caligo’s. What they met with was Six’s lightning coming out of her fingers like she was casting a spell, the might behind it freezing the armor in place as the commander spit his insults and swears, unable to move before the Glaive used her new weapon to slice all its limps off, leaving only the center where Caligo was sitting.

“How can they be so strong?” Loqi breathed, the words of the Imperial Chancellor coming back to his mind. Ardyn had warned them, but their egos didn’t let them listen.

“An unexpected outcome.” Caligo coughed once the door separating him and the Glaive’s sword was broken in two. Only now he could see her. Up-close and personal. Her eyes. Her expression. ‘She’s not human!’ the thought as it was all that was left in his mind. Repeating itself as she rose her sword, lights shining along its edge.

Caligo closed his eyes as everyone watched, frozen in fear of what was to come.

She would have done it. Drive the blade down and make sure he or his people wouldn’t hurt her boys again. Never again!

But the shots from the last drop-ship stopped her. Driving her back to her company with a jump before rescuing both the commanders and leading them away to Niflheim's safety once again.

“Six.” Noctis’ hand on her elbow brought her back, eyes gray again, searching all her loved faces.

“Let’s get out of here.” she ordered under her breath, not wanting to talk about what had just happened.

“Not yet.” Ignis was the one to push on the matter. Sure of himself that no-one else would.

“I know what you’re going to say.” she looked ahead, unable to turn and face him.

“No, you don’t.” he moved closer to her.

“Ign-” her sentence was cut in half as she turned around to look at him but was met with his warm embrace instead. She almost broke right away. Wrapping her own arms around him as she whispered against his neck, “I’m sorry. I got-”

“Scared. I know. But I am here.” he comforted her, caressing the nape of her neck, the rest of the company making their way closer and joining in on the hug.

As the first rays of the run spread on Eos, they were all safe.

#ffxv #final fantasy xv #ffxv fanfiction #ffxv game rewrite #ffxv oc #oc #six ulric #gladiolus amicitia #ignis scientia #noctis lucis caelum #prompto argentum #chapter 8 #part 2 #game rewrite #final fantasy fanfiction #final fantasy 15

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insomniasix · 3 years

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Chapter VII: Party of Four (Three) - Part II

@mzargentum

“Let’s do it!”

“Aren’t we eager.” Noctis laughed at his friends words, as well as his cheeks turning a light shade of pink every time Aranea made a step closer to the blond.

“Those guys your friends or something?” Prompto asked, head turning slightly to look at her.

“You appear to be on good terms.” Ignis agreed.

“Who? Biggs and Wedge?” the names caught Six’s attention, eyebrows frowning a little at the sound of them, an old memory making its appearance inside her mind before Aranea continued, “They’re more ‘subordinates’ than they are ‘friends’, but I trust them all the same.”

“Hm?” Noctis noticed his Glaive’s expression, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Six answered, drawn back to the here and now, “I used to know a couple of people by those names.”

“Old friends?”

“Yeah… feels like a lifetime ago.” she smiled before continuing on.

“Man, how far does this go?” Prompto sighed, already tired of going down the stairs.

“Yet a ways still.” Ignis answered, fixing his glasses at the bridge of his nose.

“Oh, finally! Man I thought it’d never end!” the blond was happy to see flat ground once again, “The people here. They must’ve been fit.”

“Keep that in mind for when we get out of here, sunshine.” Six laughed at his exasperated sigh, “We’ll have to go up again to get out.”

“Oh, man… Huh? Er… who left the lights on? Maybe the owners are still home?”

“No?” a shiver run down Noctis’ spine at the idea, the feeling showing in his voice.

“Keep your cool.” Six calmed both of them, “You’ve got this.”

“I doubt we can expect a warm welcome.” Aranea was ready for anything that would jump out of any corner.

“Indeed. Stay sharp.” Ignis agreed.

“You think it’s an ambush?” Prompto’s voice still trembled a little at the thought.

“Perhaps.” the Advisor stated.

“Of course.” Six sighed at the sight of the aforementioned ambush as half a dozen Skeletons appeared around the corned in the room they had just walked in.

With the combined skills of everyone and a couple of high jumped attacks from Aranea, the deamons were dealt with quickly.

“Damn you’re a badass, Aranea.” Prompto complimented, but the commander seemed unimpressed, “Aw, thanks.”

“Oh, man… all of these rooms.”

“Hey, don’t wander off!” Noctis scolded the blond before looking at his Glaive, her eyes already hopping from one opening to the next.

“This way.” Six instructed, moving with confidence through one of the four halls around them.

“This place has seen better days.” Ignis eyed the cracks in the walls and ceiling.

“So basically, it could fall on our head without warning?”

“There will be a warning, sunshine, but you’ll have to stay close to listen to it.”

The next room was something out of a dream. Like an inverted picture, there was water above their heads where the ceiling should be and above that… fish; swimming around like in a pond.

The whole company stopped dead in their tracks to stare up in awe.

“Beautiful beyond words...” Ignis was the first to speak.

“Look up!” Prompto gawked, tagging on Six’s elbow and pointing up with his finger before reaching for his camera, “Wait, what? Does this mean we’re underwater? Whoa. There’s even fish!”

“The hell is this place?” Noctis joined in, lips parted as his eyes wandered.

“Can we truly be submerged?” Ignis looked at his friend for answers but she only winked at him, smile stretching on her lips. She wasn’t going to answer.

“It does seem harder to breathe.” Prompto gasped.

“It’s not, Prom. Don’t loose your head.” The Glaive finally spoke, giggling at his imagination.

“Gladio is seriously missing out.”

“Probably not his thing.”

“Now, now,” Ignis half-scolded the two, “you can never tell.”

As if by the sound of his name, Six felt a burning sensation, sliding across her torso, clutching onto her shirt and trying not to make a sound in order not to worry the others. Aranea was the only one to catch up on it while the others kept talking and moving ahead.

“You alright?” she asked, making her way closer to the Glaive. A hint of worry behind her words.

“Yeah, I’m good. It’s over now.” Six smiled warmly, her mind traveling to Gladio. Could it be he got hurt? It was the same feeling she got when he acquired the scar on his face.

“Above us!” Now was not the time!

After taking care of the deamons falling from above, the company followed Ignis to a narrow ledge, with Six and Noctis going first before it was Prompto’s turn.

“Can I just-”

“It’ll hold you, sunshine.”

“Famous last words.” Ignis teased before leading the blond and moving after him.

“Really?” Six laughed at him, teasing Prompto had become a fun way to calm him for the Advisor.

“Could not help myself.”

Every way they went, every hall they passed and every corned they turned the deamons kept appearing and attacking, making finding their way around the dungeon’s tunnels take longer that they would’ve liked.

“Deamons.” Aranea sighed, “’Till death do us part.”

“Practicing your vows?” Six commented, making the commander huff a laugh, “The army swore their oaths a long time ago.”

“What does the empire seek here?” Ignis joined their conversation.

“Specimens- and we’re stuck harvesting them.”

“Specimens?”

“Deamons.”

“So what’s all this about the army and deamons?” Prompto butted in as well.

“What do you think it is?” Aranea raised her eyebrow at him.

“Nice! I love guessing games.”

“Turns out the empire makes weapons out of them.” she finally gave in.

“Weapons?”

“Yeah. I’m sure you’ve seen your share by now. Something not quite right with the empire lately.”

Six immediately thought of the Diamond Weapon back at the outskirts of Insomnia. “It’s not just lately.”

“True. Maybe it’s time I left.” the commander sighed.

“Really? What would you do if you left the army?” Prompto asked with great interest.

“Whatever I want. I was a mercenary once. Maybe I’ll round up my men and hunt deamons for cash?”

“That’s a… heck of a plan.”

“It beats working for the empire, any day.” Six thought out loud, eyes looking forward.

“What about the empire strikes you as ‘not quite right’?” Ignis was the one to lay the question this time.

“The emperor and new high commander, for starters.” Aranea answered simply, “Then there’s that charmer of a Chancellor. I really can’t stand that guy.”

“That makes two of us.” Six laughed.

“Three.” Noctis was heard again after a long while.

“Could’ve fooled me. He seems to be quite… fond of you both.” her words made the Prince and the Glaive exchange a couple of disgusted looks.

“Is it safe?” Prompto scanned the room of bridges, seeing as at least one of them seemed broken.

“Not everything is gonna-” Noctis’ sentence was cut off by his fall. Their weight bringing the bridge he walked on down, along with his Glaive, arms already around him, protecting his head. “Shit!”

“Are you alright?” Ignis yelled down before following. The height wasn’t that high so everyone landed safely.

“Yeah. Thanks.” Noctis looked once at Ignis and twice at Six, sweat covering her eyebrow as the pain in her chest hadn’t calmed yet, “Are you-”

“That way.” the Glaive pointed, not meeting his eyes.

“How can you tell?” Prompto asked, completely unaware of his friend’s realization.

“It’s the only way?” Six laughed, showing him how the rest of the doorways were shut.

The blond rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, chuckling awkwardly before following her.

“Smell that?”

“Smell what?” Noctis answered his friend casually.

“Treasure. The nose knows, dude.”

“Did your nose know about that?” Six warped, attacking the deamons in front of them as the rest followed suit.

The company made their way back to the top, the hall leading to the treasure room quickly blocked by an Iron Giant, driving his gigantic sword down on Noctis before Six covered him, the bridge under them breaking on impact.

“Here comes the big one!” Prompto yelled, making his way down to cover his friends, followed by Ignis and Aranea.

“Right on cue.” the Adviser helped the Glaive up, eyes silently asking if she was alright to move on.

“Saw that one comin’.” she nodded, attacking the Giant alongside Noctis and Aranea while Ignis and Prompto cleared out the minor deamons gathering around, “And it’s got friends!”

Just like with the machine at the Imperial blockade, Six ordered Noctis and Aranea to attack from above, all three attacking at once and bringing the beast down with hits on its shoulders and spine.

“How’s everyone?” Aranea asked as the Giant faded into smoke.

“Good.”

“How about you?” Prompto asked.

“Just chipper.”

“So tired.” Noctis sighed.

“Stomach’s rumbling.” the blond agreed with his friend’s mood.

“Come on.” Six answered, her own tiredness showing in her eyes, “We still got a ways to go.”

“Agh, never too many stairs.” Prompto let his head fall backwards, getting tired just by looking at them, before signing and making his friends chuckle, “Stairs they go on, forever they go on, on and on and on...”

“He’s gone.” Noctis laughed.

“A way across.” Ignis commented once they had finally left the labyrinth behind them. The water above their heads being the only clearing they’d seen in a while.

“Let me guess… we cross.”

“Good idea.”

“I get you’re tired.” Six placed her hand on the blonds shoulder, making him look at her, “But treasure is just up ahead.”

“It is?” his eyes sparkled up a little at the thought, making the Glaive chuckle before pointing at her nose and repeating his own words, “The nose knows, dude.”

“Ooh, spacious.” Prompto commented on the width of the enormous hall in front of them after they made their way out of yet another set of crossroads, “There’s soooo gonna be a big nasty here.”

“There is.” the Glaive’s voice was calm, even though her katana was already summoned and unsheathed.

“How do you-”

“I see it.” she used the edge of her sword to guide everyone's eyes at the Quetzalcoatl. The flying reptile making everyone on its sights and crushing down behind them with a loud roar.

“What’s our plan, Six?” Noctis ordered, weapon at the ready.

“Forget about lightning! Iggy, ice. I need you to-”

“But of course!” Ignis accepted her orders before she even had time to finish them, instructing Prompto to follow him with his gun so they could keep the beast from flying around and avoiding the rest of the party’s attacks.

“Noct, Aranea, with me. We break its wings keep it down.”

“Right.” the two nodded, getting ready to follow the plan.

“Keep moving! Don’t let it target you with its beak and if you feel the hair on your neck stand run away! It will use lightning!”

“Got it!” Noctis yelled before warping first, landing the first blow.

Everyone followed the Glaive’s instructions, Ignis using Blizzara spells to freeze the beast’s wings as Prompto kept shooting it in the face, disorienting it. Aranea made her way to the back, noticing how the monster was slow to react from a hit from behind and Six, with Noctis’ help kept warping around, hitting specific spots on the beasts wings until it couldn’t fly around any more.

Aranea was the one to have the last hit this time. Using her technique. High jumping in the air above it and bringing her lance down with extreme momentum, killing the beast instantly.

“Woohoo! We’re alive!” Prompto jumped, following Ignis to the rest of the company, “Let’s celebrate by eating something dead!”

“Not too shabby.” Aranea congratulated the company for their skills and team work.

“Hey,” Six breathed, energy drained by the overuse of her warping skill, “Check this out.” she got down on one knee to grab it. The Mythril ore shining brightly in her hand as she threw it up and caught it again mid-air, “Got it.”

“That concludes our business here.” Ignis smiled at her tired state, passing her an ether potion, so she could calm down a little faster before they had to make their way back through the ruins.

“Say, commodore...” Six spoke after breaking the vial.

“Aranea.” the commander corrected the Glaive.

“You said the empire uses deamons to make ‘weapons’?”

“Listen- you’ve seen Magitek troopers, right?”

“MTs.” Noctis joined in.

“They’re born from daemons, in a lab.” Aranea explained.

Six’s heart fell to the floor. Eyes darting to the blond in her care. Mind running back to the first time she laid them on him. Running back to the day she and Cor saved him… got him to Insomnia.

Was t-

“Born from deamons...” Prompto cut her thoughts in half as he spoke, repeating Aranea’s sentence.

“Darkness is coming. If I were you, I’d watch my princely ass. Uh… ‘Kingly’ ass.”

“Will do.”

#ffxv #final fantasy xv #ffxv fanfiction #ffxv game rewrite #game rewrite #final fantasy fanfiction #ffxv oc #oc #six ulric #gladiolus amicitia #ignis scientia #prompto argentum #Noctis Lucis Caelum #aranea highwind #chapter vii #part 2 #ffxv x oc

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insomniasix · 3 years

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Chapter IX - Callings - Part I

@mzargentum

The boat ride would be some hours long. Everyone had found their place. With Cid on the captain’s seat and the boys sprawled out at the back, Six had found a seat in the middle in order to be able to both listen and speak with everyone, as the excitement of the journey and the view of a new land had everyone talking, not always in turns.

“Y’know, I’ve always wanted to go sailing like this.” Prompto breathed in the sea air, letting it fill his lungs.

“Not many opportunities living in Insomnia.” Gladio nodded, the first rays of the sun warming his skin.

“Out here, it’s just us and the horizon! It’s amazing -it’s life changing!”

“We’ve quite a ways to go until we reach Altissia, so keep gushing to your heart’s content.” Ignis smiled at the blond’s enthusiasm, eyes traveling to the sound of Six’s laugh at something Cid had said.

“When we step off the boat, we’ll be in a foreign country.”

“The anticipation alone is a foreign sensation.” the Advisor agreed, back finally touching the back of his seat as he let himself get comfortable.

“And to think this is where we were headed to begin with.” Gladio made his way to sit next to Prompto, spreading his legs before him and his arms on the back of his seat.

“We’ve been through a lot.” Noctis nodded, letting his arms unlock from his chest, head turning to stare at the unlimited blue around the boat.

“And there’s still more to come.” Six joined their conversation, moving closer and leaving Cid to drive in comfortable solitude for a while after he playfully whined about her taking too much space of his periphery vision.

“So, next on the docket is Leviathan.” Prompto smiled at her, eyes slightly asking.

“What sort of deity are we dealing with?” Gladio raised his eyebrows at her as well.

“A serpent,” she explained, “said to embody the roar and rage of the sea.”

“We’ll have to ‘sea’ for ourselves.” the Prince snorted, eyes traveling back inside the boat.

“Can’t let Lady Lunafreya do all the heavy lifting.” Prompto smiled teasingly at his royal friend, “You must be so psyched to see her.”

“Luna?”

“Yeah!”

“Well, we need to make sure she’s alright before anything else.” Noctis said, but his cheeks told another story.

“Indeed. Her well-being is top priority.” Ignis agreed, crossing his legs.

“Don’t like this going down on imperial turf.” Gladio made his way to stand next to Six, hand grabbing on the ship’s edge above her head.

“You think Lady Lunafreya’s in danger there?” Prompto’s eyes shot up, darting between the Prince’s back and the Glaive.

“The empire did invade Lucis for the ring.” she thought out loud.

“I have no faith their ruthless ambitions will stop short of harming the Oracle.” Ignis did the same.

“Without the ring, the Crystal’s no more than a rock.” Gladio noted.

“Hmm… I suppose… Does anyone know how Lady Lunafreya came to have the ring?” the blond continued after a couple of seconds of thinking about everything.

“It seems likely His Majesty entrusted it to her safekeeping back at the Crown City.” Ignis fixed the glasses on the bridge of his nose.

“So she’s held onto it this whole time, all the way to Altissia.” Gladio let his arm down to find its way to the Glaive’s lower back.

“The ring is important,” Noctis spoke again after a while, “and so is Leviathan -but Luna comes first.”

“You know, I was thinking back to our encounter with Ravus.” Ignis got up from his seat next to the Prince, hands on his waist as he stared out to the sea while speaking, “Do you recall apparatus in place of his arm?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Seems he lost his old one in the invasion.” Gladio and Six joined his line of thought. “But in its place, he seems to have acquired new power.”

“Power?” that got the attention of the younger members of the company, as well as the captain’s, who seemed interested enough to keep listening silently, making his own assumptions.

“That would explain how a son of Tenebrae suddenly came to command Niflheim’s army.” Gladio thought out loud.

“Now that you mention it, his strength did seem sorta… supernatural.” Prompto stretched his arms, thinking back to their meeting at the Base, “I just chalked it up to the Oracle lineage.”

“His ancestry may be part of it, but that alone wouldn’t account for his freakish strength.” the Shield answered.

“I wonder what could’ve happened to him?” Noctis’ mind traveled further back, remembering a younger, happier Ravus, back when he visited Tenebrae with his father.

“There’s a disturbing rumor about: Lord Ravus has taken to brandishing His Majesty’s sword.” Ignis sat back down, this new information making Six take a step forward at the uneasiness it created.

“My dad’s?” Noctis felt the same.

“And what’s the big idea behind that?” she asked, eyebrows frowned.

“That his power’s the same as the power of kings?” Prompto asked absentmindedly, taking pictures of his surroundings.

“I cannot say for sure, but I have my doubts.” Ignis was quick to reason, “Ravus wears the sword, yet does not wield it.”

“For all his newfound powers, he’s still the chancellor’s lapdog...” Gladio found his way to his seat once again, after Six made her way inside, standing against the wall next to Cid, listening close to the conversation the boys had but needing to hide how uneasy the Empire having Regis’ sword made her, “… holding on to the enemy king’s sword is like some badge of honor.”

“It might help if we knew what he was after.” Prompto thought out loud, drawing Noctis from his thoughts, “Who can say?”

“What are the odds the empire will crash the pool party with Leviathan?”

“Consider it a guarantee.” Ignis looked back at the blond, “They felled a god to prevent Noct from receiving his blessing, and they’ll do so again.”

“But we beat ‘em to the big guy… thanks to our friendly ‘guide’.”

“Never know which way that one’s gonna move next.” Gladio was quick to answer Prompto’s words.

“The chancellor has an agenda all his own.” Ignis agreed.

“Sometimes it helps -like when he called off his army and let us escape.”

“But he was still a creep about it.” Noctis was the one to answer his friend this time around, Ardyn’s personality making goosebumps run up and down his arms.

“Well, it feels like he’s only helping us because he wants something… I just don’t know what.”

“Reckon we’ll see him again?”

“Certainly hope not.” her voice was heard intervening from the inside.

“Not your type?” Prompto almost yelled back at her.

“No love lost for phonies.” Gladio commented, getting up and finding his previous spot, looking out onto the sea. The mountains looked closer now. They were almost there, he thought.

“As Gladio said, his actions are motivated not by altruism, but by self-interest.” Ignis agreed. And when he does come to our aid, I see only condescension in his eyes.”

“Yeah,” Noctis nodded, “can’t argue with that.”

“Ever think you think too much?” Prompto snapped a picture of the Advisor before he answered him.

“Sometimes, but it’s always preferable to the alternative.”

“So,” Cid’s voice almost made her jump, she hadn’t heard it in a long while, “soon you’ll have yer old man’s ring back.”

“Yeah, when we arrive in Altissia.” Noctis walked closer to them.

“Good thing. To him, it was his heritage.”

“Is that what my dad said?” the Prince looked straight ahead as the mountains got closer by the minute.

“Carrying a royal line ain’t a task to be taken lightly. For a small thing, that ring can sure weigh heavy. After he became king, I only ever saw his face in the paper.”

“Wait,” Gladio joined in, “weren’t you at the coronation?”

“Nah, I was long gone from the city.” Cid sighed at how things had turned out.

“Must’ve been invited at least.” Noctis crossed his arms to his chest.

“Had a fallin’-out o’ sorts with your old man. Right at the end of the trip.”

“You did?” Prompto raised his eyebrows at the information he was receiving.

“I was given to understand you stayed in touch.” Ignis joined in as well.

“They buried the hatchet years later, but never talked face to face again.” Six spoke so Cid wouldn’t have to explain himself anymore than he already had.

“Shoulda paid a visit while I had the chance.” Cid thought out loud, a dark cloud covering his features for a few seconds, “Well, no use dwellin’ on it now.”

“You reckon he actually did it?” he spoke to her again once the Prince joined his friends, voice lower than before so only the Glaive would hear his thoughts.

“What?” she moved closer.

“Ya think he used the ring’s power to drive you out here with ‘em?” he nodded to the back, turning his head to look at her staring at him, eyes wide as she tried to convince herself he wouldn’t do something as cruel as that.

“He wouldn’t just take my will away...” she breathed. She had thought of it as a possibility, but she’d always push the thought back as quickly as it had come, “He wouldn’t!”

After seeing her expression, Cid dropped and changed the subject, turning his attention back to the boys and raising his voice again so they would hear him, “Got the Regalia in the hold, but y’all gonna stay in Altissia for a good while, right?”

“Yes, we believe so.” Ignis was the one to answer.

“In that case, I’ll tune her up for y’all. Not that I’ll have much to do, though, what with Cindy lookin’ after the old girl.”

“If you say she’s good, she must be great.” Prompto perked up at the sound of the girl’s name.

“She was never afraid o’hard work.” Cid continued proudly as Six made her way to the rest of her company, dark cloud leaving her as she got closer to them, “Heaven knows she had a hard childhood.”

“A hard childhood?”

“He means her parents.” the Glaive answered, finding her way into Gladio’s arms.

“Lost ‘em both when she was little.” Cid thought back, “Was big enough to understand, though… an’ to hurt. But ya wouldn’t guess that, seein’ her now.”

“Not at all. She’s always so cheerful.” Prompto smiled at the thought of her.

“Well, that oughta tell ya how far she’s come.” Paw-paw Cid smiled proudly as well.

“Man, you must have seen your fair share of Altissia by now.” Gladio turned both of them to face Cid, making her giggle at how he just didn’t want to change the way he was holding her.

“Yeah… only done been the once. Stayed a good while, thought.”

“What’s it like?” Prompto chimed in, camera never leaving his hands as he kept snapping pictures left and right.

“Big ol’ city.”

“Big. Okay.”

“Well, it ain’t the Crown City.” Cid smirked, making Noctis huff a laugh at him.

“Different. Got it.”

“You’ll see for yourself.” Six laughed at his reaction.

“Foreign lands seldom lend themselves to trite explanations.” Ignis continued her thought as she nodded.

“Change of scenery oughta do you good.”

“Well,” Gladio stretched his arms, “I’m all talked out. Can’t be far to Altissia now, right?”

“We’ll be there in no time.” Cid reassured him, “Nice having the wind at our backs.”

“Lodgings are our first order of business.” Ignis instructed.

“All work and no play.”

“Makes Ignis a dull boy.” the younger boys laughed with each other.

“Someone has to babysit you two.” Six smirked, covering for her friend.

“And you’re welcome to sleep in the wild.” Ignis added.

“Ain’t no hotel, but I know a fella has a place.” Cid joined in.

“Wes?” She turned to walk closer to him, knowing that Altissia was close now.

“Weskham -ran with Reggie and us way back when.” Cid continued toward the boys.

“Oh,” Prompto got up from his seat, slowly making his way to them, “was he the other one in that photo at the garage?”

“Yep. Runs himself a diner or cafe or somethin’. Go and see for yourselves.”

“Sure.” Noctis agreed, seeing the smile forming on his Glaive’s lips at the idea.

“Does this place have a name?” Gladio asked, seeing the same smile.

“Magee? Or Magoo? Or-”

“It’s Maagho.” Six smiled at his failure to remember.

“That’s the one!”

“We can count on ol’ Wes.” She thought out loud, patting her old friend’s shoulder.

“He’ll chew your ears off.” he laughed back.

“The government issued a statement promising that the reasons behind awakening the Hydraean would be clarified in the ceremonial address.” the lady on Prompto’s phone’s radio said once the boat was close enough to civilization to get a signal, “Delivering the address will be Lady Lunafreya, who was previously reported dead. This will mark her first public appearance since the violence that befell the signing ceremony.”

“Lady Lunafreya’s gonna give a speech?” Prompto asked once the rest of the company made their way inside the ship as well.

“Sounds like it.”

“Lord knows -this world cold use some wisdom.” Cid commented.

“Won’t be much longer now, Noct.” Six placed her hand on his shoulder. She could tell he was nervous to see his betrothed.

“Yeah.” he breathed with a warm smile.

“We’re here.” the Glaive announced once the Guardian statues appeared in front of the boat, “Altissia. The floating city.”

Everyone gawked at the beauty of the waterfalls covering most of their vision. The city seemingly build inside them. She was right all along. This was the most beautiful place they’d ever seen.

“Does this vessel have an entry permit?” the gatekeeper asked once the boat was brought into a halt next to the entry gate.

“Uh, entry permit?” Prompto got nervous right away.

“Relax.” Cid smirked, “I got one.” showing the permit to the gatekeeper as the man laughed in surprise, “That’s as old as they get. Seems in order. You may pass.”

“Prepared in advance?” Ignis asked once the ship was on the move again.

“Could say that.” Six laughed, recognizing Cid’s permit as he continued, “Thirty-odd years old.”

“That’s what the guy meant by ‘old’.” Gladio smirked.

“Lucky us, huh?” Six shook her head at how nonchalant her old friend was about it.

“That could’ve ended badly.” Noctis commented before she tagged on his elbow, “Mouth closed, eyes open. Look around you.” she calmly instructed, her own eyes sparkling at the beauty that surrounded them.

“Phew! Finally back on land.” Prompto almost danced once his feet touched the wooden surface of the docks.

“Barely. They call it the ‘Walls of Water’, but it ain’t just the walls -it’s the whole damn city.” Gladio stretched his arms out.

“Which is why we can’t traverse the town by conventional means.” Ignis fixed his hair now that the breeze didn’t pull it back, “We’ll need to rely on gondolas instead.”

“Yayyy. More boats.” Prompto run next to him, mocking excitement clear as day behind his tone.

“Hey, Noctis -catch.” Cid threw the key right in the Prince’s hands, “Key to the boat. What -don’t you wanna go sailing again?”

“Are you sure?” everyone’s eyes fell on the King’s vessel.

“Why not?” Cid locked his arms before his chest, “Old girl oughta be sturdy enough. Not even an awful driver like Reggie could sink ‘er.”

His comment made Six laugh at the accuracy. Regis was a worse driver than his son, “Well, he’s right there.”

“A king can’t rule with wisdom alone: he needs perspective. So get out there an’ see the world, y’hear? Take that old crow with you as well.” he laughed, pointing at the Glaive’s direction.

Noctis nodded as she laughed at the playful insult she had been waiting for.

“What’s next?” Prompto asked, seeing the officers in their way to the city, “Immigration?”

“What do you mean? There’s still more?” Noctis sounded exhausted just by the thought of it.

“Sir! What is the purpose of your visit?” The gatekeeper asked once the company moved closer.

“Purpose? Uh… Six, a little help?” he raised both his eyebrows at her, using the only thing he knew she couldn’t resist. The puppy eyes.

“Utterly hopeless.” Ignis sighed at both Noctis’ need for her help and Six’s helplessness when it came down to that look.

“We are scholars of the culinary arts, and we’ve come to study the renowned cuisine of your fair nation.” Six mimicked Ignis’ voice just to spite him, remembering him saying it was unnerving when she first did it.

“Is that so?” despite everyone knowing she was lying and Ignis’ goosebumps at the imitation, the gatekeeper seemed to be entranced, blushing and smiling at her, making Gladio frown his eyebrows in anger and Cid laugh at his reaction, “I wish you an enlightening stay then, miss.”

“Thank you.” she smiled as the man ordered for their way be opened.

“Another one you owe me.” she teased Noctis before officially stepping foot inside the floating city.

“You wanna check Weskham’s place out?” Gladio made it clear she was with him when he placed his hand on her lower back, almost touching her bottom while the gatekeeper still looked at her.

“Yeah. Let’s all go to Maagho!” Prompto agreed.

“Perhaps we’ll even make it in time for tea.” Ignis did the same.

“Then we better start looking now.” Noctis placed his hands on his waist.

“We won’t have to look. I know where it is.” Six placed her own arm around her Shield, feeling his anger fade away immediately, “But… let’s go the long way around. See the sights first, whatdaya say?”

Everyone agreed with her before making their way to Cid, standing just a few feet away from them, taking in the sights, colors and flowery smells of the city he hadn’t seen in thirty years.

“You’re not staying at a hotel?” Six asked while the boys looked around.

“Ya know fancy rooms were never my style, kid.” Cid smirked at her worry.

“Need food?”

“Managed to stay fed all these years.” he laughed, “Not gonna starve to death now. An’ ol’ Wes’ll see that I don’t go thirsty either, so don’t worry your pretty little head ‘bout it.”

“Alright, alright. We’ll see you there, then.” she laughed at the unfamiliar praise.

“Taking yer boys for a little stroll around town?”

“Yeah. I think they’ll like it.”

“We sure did back then.” old Cid smiled at the memory before waving her off and starting for Maagho.

“My lady.” Six turned around at the sound of his voice, only to be greeted but the blue gladiolus flower he bought for her.

“Why, thank you kind sir.” she answered playfully as he folded the flower, placing it inside her shirt’s pocket, a couple of the lotuses lightening the darkness of her outfit before giving her a soft kiss on the lips and lacing their fingers.

“They are extending the exhibit for Lady Lunafreya’s wedding dress.” a couple of ladies caught Noctis’ ear, “The Vivienne Westwood? But wasn’t that a memorial for her passing?”

“Well, now it’s a memorial for her safe return. Let’s go see it while we still can!”

“Could that be the dress we read about in the papers?” Prompto asked, making his friend turn to face him.

“Doubtless.” Ignis joined, “The designer’s name is the same.”

“Wanna check it out?”

“That depends on the groom. Might still be a sore spot, what with his wedding getting called off.” Gladio walked closer to them.

“Who says we can’t call it back on?” Six raised her eyebrows, making the Prince blush a little, “It can still happen.”

“True enough.” Ignis agreed, turning his attention to a silenced Noctis, “Let’s keep an eye out for it.”

It didn’t talk long for them to find their way to the dress. Everyone was talking about it. Both men and women asking directions on how to find the exhibit. The company found their way around twilight.

“One helluva crowd.” Prompto commented on the people standing outside the store, gawking at the dress he had just taken a picture of. It was truly beautiful, he thought, it would look amazing on Lady Lunafreya and Noctis would’ve stood tall and handsome next to her.

“And that’s the dress. My word.” Ignis breathed, thinking the same thing.

“Everyone looks so happy. And it’s all because of this one dress.”

“Yeah.” Noctis followed in his friend’s movements and let his lips curl up into a proud smile.

“Real glad for you that Lady Lunafreya is safe and sound.” the blond hit Noctis on the back lightly.

The Prince only smiled, staring at the picture behind the dress. Luna smiling…

“That settles it.” Gladio butted in, watching him, “You gotta make it happen -become a symbol of the peace. After we tie up all the loose ends, let’s think about the ceremony.”

“A fine idea.” Six agreed.

“Yeah. I’ll think about it.”

“So… how do we get to Maagho?” Prompto asked once he heard his stomach rumbling.

“It’s right under us, actually.” Six smiled as the boy almost hung the upper half of his body to look down before catching himself, “What?!”

“Yeah, come on.” She led the way, “We’ll catch a gondola. That’s the only way you can get it.”

The boys seemed to enjoy the gondola ride, short though it may have been. Maagho looked and smelled amazing.

“Welcome to Accordo, lads. Cid mentioned you’d be dropping in.” Weskham welcomed the boys after moving outside of his bar and hugging his old friend tightly, telling her how good she still looked even after all the years that had passed by them both.

“Were is the old guy?” she asked once the boys moved closer.

“I lent him my room so he could sleep.” he reassured her she needn’t worry. Cid was taken care of. “Weskham Armaugh, as you’ve gathered. My word, you’ve grown little Prince.” he took a closer look at Noctis, smiling at the resemblance he had with his father, “Ah, but of course -you were only a babe at the time.”

Prompto’s stomach rumbling was heard louder now, Six giggled and ruffled his hair before asking Wes to make something for them as they spoke.

“Lasagna di Maagho.” Noctis read the menu after she had ordered their meal, having a small friendly argument with Wes as to who would fit the bill when they were done. Weskham, as a good friend, wouldn’t accept her money but the Glaive didn’t like it. Sure it was a little over-priced but she knew, Wes’ cooking was worth it.

“It’s veggies.” Noctis made a face of slight disgust at the idea.

“You won’t even notice it,” she laughed at him, “trust me.”

The Prince sure didn’t. He was entranced by the plate just by the smell of it.

“So, this is your maiden visit.” Weskham spoke when everyone had their own plate, “Enjoying it so far? You doubtless have many questions, so ask away.”

Noctis wanted to be polite in front of his father’s friend but he couldn’t stop eating, speaking when his bite was done but bringing the fork to his mouth every time it was Wes’ turn to speak. The man laughed, brown eyes darting between the Prince and the Glaive a couple of times when he noticed. They were the same. He remembered when Six used to do the exact same thing back when they were traveling together.

“This country is a part of the empire, isn’t it?”

“You’re wary, I understand. But there’s no need to jump at every shadow.” Wes explained as Noctis and his company continued to enjoy his food, “Just be aware that the terms of our independence grand the empire free rein to come and go as they please.”

“We’ll bear that in mind.” Ignis nodded, taste buds savoring every different sensation the new recipe inspired.

“It’s admittedly a one-sided arrangement.” Wes continued, “Most everything we do requires Niflheim’s permission, and they wouldn’t knowingly permit the Oracle to appear before the public. How our government spun that is quite a mystery.”

“You really think Luna will make an address?” Noctis asked.

“If every recent radio broadcast is to be trusted, absolutely.”

“Do you know where she is?” Six asked, being the first to finish up with her food.

“In the city somewhere, but no one has caught so much as a glimpse of her. The media has been conspicuous in its silence on the matter, which speaks volumes of government intervention. That’d certainly explain the rumors of disgruntled imperial officers leaving the city.”

“So you see lots of Niffs around here?”the Glaive asked, getting Ignis’ and Gladio’s plates and placing them above her own once they were done as well.

“We do. Sometimes even at my place. Theirs is a familiar presence, and the citizens don’t think much of it. Though, the high commander did cause a stir when he showed up the other day.”

“Ravus...” the Prince breathed the name, the thought irritating him at the spot.

“So soon after they felled the Archaean in Lucis, his arrival fuels rumors that they will next come to Altissia. The empire’s not content ruling all the land -they want the heavens as well.”

“Is anything changed with Leviathan?” Noctis asked once him and Prompto were done as well, mirroring Six’s movements and placing their plates on the pile before Weskham took all of them, placing them in the sink behind him.

“For now it’ business as usual at port, but word is the government will soon open the Altar of the Tidemother.”

“In preparation for the rite.” Gladio thought out loud.

“Ah, but on the other hand, they’re scrambling to stockpile emergency provisions.” Wes continued, crossing his arms before his chest, “This begs the question: if they’re anticipating that the Hydraean will wreak havoc, why would they allow the right to proceed?”

“Well, if you need anything else, you know where to find me.” the man spoke again after a couple of minutes of silence. Everyone thinking on the new information and the upcoming rite with the Goddess of the Seas.

“Thanks, ‘preciate it.” Noctis nodded with a smile and everyone thanked Weskham for the meal he prepared for them.

“My dear Camelia, it’s been a while.” Six turned as her old friend’s voice changed, getting higher at the sight of the First Secretary, though seeing her she sat back down on her stool.

“I heard about your distinguished guests.”

“Ah, you’ve an ear for gossip.” Weskham teased playfully, making the woman’s lips curl up into a faint smile.

“Gentlemen, Miss Ulric, I won’t waste your time. My name is Camelia Claustra.”

“First secretary of the Accordo Protectorate.” Six explained, not sure anyone other than Ignis would know of her.

“You should know we have Lady Lunafreya in our care. And the empire demands we surrender her.” the woman cut straight to the chase with a serious tone covering her voice.

“What?” Noctis breathed, not believing his own ears.

“Yet I am loath to acquiesce unless we stand to profit.” the First Secretary continued, palms locked at her elbows as she spoke, “Hence I’ve come to discuss terms… with the King of Lucis. If you’ve a mind to talk, come to my estate.”

“She can be oblique at the best of times, but I assure you her heart is in the right place.” Weskham spoke once the First Secretary and her guards were out of Maagho.

“Oh.” Prompto let out a breath he was holding in since she appeared, “Okay.”

“At any rate, you must be weary from your journey. Might I suggest you seek your beds for now and ponder matters anew in the morning?”

“Yeah, think we’ll do just that.” Noctis agreed with a nod.

“Right.” Six got up from her seat and stretched her arms in the air, “Off to the Leville we go, then.”

“You know you’re always welcome here, right?” Wes asked while walking with them to the gondola.

“I know.” she smiled, hugging him again, “Thanks for everything.”

Once the gondola reached the Leville station, the company made a straight line for the hotel, all of them being tired and knowing there’s a lot more to do the next day.

#ffxv #ffxv game rewrite #final fantasy xv #ffxv oc #oc #six ulric #gladiolus amicitia #ignis scientia #noctis lucis caelum #prompto argentum #cid sophiar #game rewrite #ffxv fanfiction #final fantasy fanfiction #final fantasy 15

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insomniasix · 3 years

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Chapter VII: Party of Four (Three) - Part III

AN: I realized I didn’t post last Saturday, so there’ll be two parts today.

@mzargentum

The first beams of sunlight were a refreshing sight after spending all night running around in the tangled halls of the ruins.

“Ah, fresh air!” Prompto spoke everyone’s minds as the company followed Aranea outside.

“Congrats. That concludes your ‘training’.” the commodore looked at each and every one of the faces she had in front of her, “You’ve still got a hard path ahead, but don’t let anyone tell you how to walk it.”

“You may have been hired under false pretenses, but your assistance was invaluable all the same.” Ignis smiled.

“Hmph. Tell me something I don’t know. You can spare the pleasantries.” Aranea’s voice betrayed her words. She did have a good time, despite the numerous deamons they came across.

“Take care walking your path, Aranea.” Six waved her hand before making a move to walk away.

“Oh, right. Thanks- I will.” the commodore answered, stopping her, “And I’ll ‘train’ you some more if our paths cross again. Oh, and before I forget- His Excellency instructed me to give you guys a ride back. If you need a lift, feel free to hop on.”

“Well, glad that’s over with.” Prompto smiled brightly once Aranea was out of ears reach and as Ignis was on his phone a few steps away from the rest.

“There’s still something we have to do around here, but we can leave if you want, Noct.” Six checked her phone for the time, there was no reason for them to make camp at this hour, it would only waste away the light of day.

“Noct, I have just received word from Cindy.” Ignis came back before the Prince had time to ask what the Glaive was talking about, “We’re to return to Lestallum. Her friend works as an engineer at the power plant.”

“Holly?” Six asked causally.

“I believe so. She’ll take care of the mythril.”

“Aha. And that’ll take care of our boat problem!” Prompto butted in as well.

“Alright.” Noctis finally spoke, turning his attention to the Glaive “But before we go, what’s that thing you said?”

Six turned to face him, “Oh, there’s a Royal Tomb near here.”

“Here?” Prompto’s eyes widened.

“Yeah. It’s pretty close too.”

“We should visit it then, who knows when we will be back this way.” Ignis agreed.

Noctis nodded, knowing they still had some time before Aranea had to leave as well.

“Hey, Aranea?” Six spoke once she and the boys moved closer to the commander, “We have something to take care of near here. Mind waiting for us for a couple of hours?”

“We still need to clean this place up and load everything to the ship.” Aranea sighed, “Two hours. Tops. Otherwise I’m leaving without you, Glaive.”

“Got it. We’ll be here.” Noctis nodded before moving out. The rest following close behind.

“There,” the Glaive pointed out, “The Tomb is inside the Myrlwood.”

“Let’s take a look around.” Noctis took point, moving ahead of the rest.

“Wow! This place is a jungle.” Prompto’s eyes were wide, looking at all the green around him. Trees and vines equally amazing to the city boy.

“Abundant in not only flora, but fauna as well.” Ignis commented, cleaning his fogged glasses with his shirt.

“Keep your eyes and ears open.” Six instructed, staying close to the Prince.

“Noct! Mandrakes!” she ordered and Noctis was already on it by the time the words left her lips. Her previous lessons paying off as the Prince took both the creatures down no trouble. “Never knew what hit them.” she smiled proudly.

“Nothing to it.” the dark haired Prince gloated, making his way back to his friends before continuing on.

“You really think there’s a Tomb in these old backwoods?” Prompto asked while looking around at every sound. The big green not being as inviting as it seemed before, what with all the monsters fighting each other all around them.

“I know there is, come- PROMPTO!” Six turned around just as the green smoke of the mandrake surrounded the blond boy, his hand going around his throat at what he thought was the inability to speak because of the disorientation.

Noctis and Six combined their skills to take down the three creatures making their way to close in on them as Ignis run to Prompto’s side, leading him away from danger.

When the beasts were dealt with, the effect of the smoke was already fading away, and with the help of an Antidote from Ignis, Prompto was back to his old self in no time. Six checking every bit of him, searching for more injuries.

“Phew, boy, am I glad to have my voice back!” Prompto laughed awkwardly at the attention he was receiving.

“I kinda liked the quiet.” Noctis looked the other way, obvious to all but his friend he was worried back there as well.

“Heyyy!” the blond pouted almost right away.

“Lighten up.” Six laughed at their childish ways, “You alright to continue?”

“Yeah. All this staying alert’s really wearing me down though.”

“Got enough energy to complain.” she smirked, pushing him lightly.

“Hey. Somebody’s gotta do it.” he mirrored her actions.

“Won’t have to keep it up for much longer.” Ignis pointed at the Royal Tomb, peaking from behind a couple of huge trees.

“It IS here.” Prompto gawked.

“Who is it?” Noctis turned his attention to his Glaive.

“She ruled from the shadows when she was alive. So her Tomb was hidden in them as well. That’s the Rogue Queen’s Tomb, Noct.” she explained, making her way closer to the locked entrance.

“Your daughter’s?” Prompto butted in.

“We don’t know that, Prom.” Six laughed, remembering the connection he had made back then, about the Rogue Queen being in an appropriate age to have been her daughter from another life time.

“Well,” Noctis sighed, getting the key Cor had given him and unlocking the door to the Tomb, “Let’s do it.”

All the actions were coming to him automatically now. Looking back at her as she nodded for him to continue. His hand above the Star as the weapon found its way to him, adding to his power.

Six gasped lightly at the pain, Ignis right by her side, seeing as a tear fell from her eyes and staring as she didn’t even seem to notice.

“Alright.” The Glaive breathed once she caught her breath, “I think it’s time we went back to Aranea.”

“And right on cue. Our time is almost out.” Ignis continued, checking his clock. The two hour window Aranea had given them before she left was almost at an end.

…

“We’re here!” Six called out, panting as they all run their way back to the commander.

“Finally.” She smirked, “You’re headed to Lestallum, right? I’ll tale you there, but no further.”

“Got it.” Noctis breathed. Catching the last of his breath as his heartbeat returned to normal.

“So, ready to ship out?”

“We need to get the Regalia first.” Ignis commented.

“She’s already inside, waiting for you.”

“Alright. Let’s fly.”

“Hold on tight, guys.”

“Ah, look at that!” Prompto pointed at the ship above them.

“A red ship.”

“Red? Really?” Six laughed at the commander, “Bit of an overkill don’t you think?”

#ffxv #final fantasy xv #ffxv fanfiction #final fantasy xv fanfiction #ffxv game rewrite #game rewrite #final fantasy 15 #ffxv oc #oc #six ulric #gladiolus amicitia #ignis scientia #prompto argentum #noctis lucis caelum #aranea highwind #ffxv x oc #chapter vii #part 3

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insomniasix · 3 years

Text

Chapter VI - A Way Forward Part III

@mzargentum

“Step lightly in here.” Ignis commented, eyes darting in every way possible, checking every corner and shadow for possible enemies.

“He’s right. There’s no telling what’ll come out of the woodwork.” Six agreed, her katana summoned and ready, “Mandrake.” she spotted it behind a tree, getting ready to strike, “Noct?”

“Yeah?”

“Watch closely. If you rip the flower on it’s head off, the rest of it will fall pretty quick as well.” she instructed before doing exactly as she told him. With one swift move of her sword, the gray lotus was severed from the creatures head; with the next, its body was split in half, fading away into purple smoke, “Lesson number two...” she continued, making her way closer to the company, “Avoid a Mandrake’s smoke. It will disorient you right away. And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you to watch the tail.”

“Get the flower, avoid the smoke and the tail. Gotcha!” The dark haired Prince repeated before they all moved further inside.

“I’ll have these guys wiped out before you know it.” Noctis smiled a cocky smile when they came across the next couple of Mandrakes.

“Is that so?” Six smirked as well, “All right then, tough guy, prove it.”

And he did, with Ignis always by his side, Noctis did them both proud by following her actions to the letter and taking both the Mandrakes down fast with no problem.

“You’re a fast learner, Highness.” Six praised.

“What can I say-”

“Focus! Three more coming our way. Soldier Wasps too.”

The deeper they walked in the Thicket the more enemies they met with, and the sun was already starting to set.

“That’s it!” Ignis spoke, mostly to himself but catching everyone’s attention as he dropped down to one knee, cutting some Malmamushrooms and storing them.

“What’s what?”

“I’ve come up with a new recipe!”

��From that thing?” Six made a face of slight disgust from the vegetable in her friend’s hand, covering herself before a certain veggie-hating Prince caught on it, “Well, I guess I could taste test for you.” His Majesty can never know she shares his distaste for them. That was the deal she had made with Ignis all those years ago.

“That a… brook I hear babbling?” Prompto asked, hearing the running water echo loud and clear.

“A regular river, I’d say.” Gladio answered, eyes scanning over his sister, already seeming tired.

At the sound of the word ‘river’, Noctis’ eyes shot up, “Oh, think we have time to cast a line?”

“Sorry, bud.” Prompto laughed at the eagerness in his friend’s voice, “Need you to reel yourself in this time around. Hey! I know those runes!”

“It’s a sign. We could make camp here.” Gladio was quick to butt in.

“We could make camp, or continue on. It’s on you Noct.” Ignis commented.

Noctis looked at Six for potential answers. The Glaive looked at her phone and nodded toward the camp site, “It’ll get dark soon.”

“Camp it is then.”

Everyone did their part in setting up camp quickly. Iris helped Ignis make food for everyone, while the boys helped Gladio set the tent and chairs before checking Prompto’s pictures and Six was keeping watch, making sure they’d cleared the way thoroughly enough so they wouldn’t get any after hour surprises.

“I swear half of your photos are selfies!” Noctis laughed at the pictures Prompto had taken while Iris helped Ignis pass the dishes to their owners.

“Hashtag: ‘Sorry not sorry’.” the blond laughed, setting his camera to the side and taking his plate before moving his chair a little so Six could sit next to him; he had to show her the picture Noctis was talking about after dinner since she was in it too.

Iris was the first one to fall asleep. She was also the first one to wake up in the morning; sitting in one of the chairs still surrounding the embers of last nights fire and waiting for the rest to get up as well.

Once everyone was awake and ready to continue, Iris’ excitement had everyone moving towards their goal, “All right, move out!”

“Yes, ma’am.” Six saluted the girl with a grin, making the girl chuckle before she moved on ahead to walk next to the Prince, still yawning the sleep away from his eyes.

“Take care the current doesn’t carry you away.” Ignis instructed, grabbing a slippery Prompto by the collar as everyone moved upstream.

“I’m not sure my footwear is up to this!” Prompto screeched, slipping once more.

“Don’t let yourself get pulled in.”

“And keep moving.” Gladio and Six continued, both keeping a close eye on Iris and Noctis.

“Over there. There’s a path next to the waterfall that leads up and out of this place.” the Glaive pointed and the company followed her directions.

“Ah, cold, cold!”

“Freezing cold!” the Prince and his Gunslinger whined, as drops of the waterfall fell on their bare arms.

“You outta stand under that waterfall and let it toughen you up a little.” Six thought out loud, making Ignis and Gladio chuckle at the seriousness in her voice.

“I don’t think that would be good for my camera… or me! Wait, you’ve done that?” Prompto looked at her, eyes filled with wonder.

“Among other things.” the Glaive grinned, making her way to the exit of the cave.

“Just keeps going on from here.” Noctis commented on the narrow hall.

“Then we keep going too. We’re almost to the exit.”

“This place is… cozy!” Prompto spoke again, making his way to Iris’ side.

“Well, I wouldn’t get too comfy if I were you.” Gladio pointed on the sunbeams, finding their way inside the cave.

“Oh, man am I glad to be out of there!”

“Don’t speak too soon.”

“Not so glad anymore.” Prompto grunted, seeing the monster that awaited them ahead.

“Rather enormous.” Ignis fixed his glasses and summoned his daggers; getting ready for the upcoming fight.

“Not surprised either.” Six followed his actions.

“It’s what we came for.” Gladio joined, instructing his sister to stay back and keep her eyes open.

“Let’s have it!”

“What the hell is this?” Noctis looked at Six, getting his sword and readying himself as the monster had just noticed them approaching.

“Bandersnatch!” the Glaive unsheathed her katana, “A Gamma, by the looks of it.”

“Gamma? You mean…”

“It’s pretty small.” she nodded toward the Advisor.

The Glaive gave the instructions, “I’ll hit it with lightning so try to stay away, when it’s disoriented, attack the legs and bring it down.” they all run toward the beast and once she used her lightning spell and the beast locked eyes with her the rest attacked just as she had told them to. “Watch out for the tail!”

Noctis had the last hit, warping himself above the beast’s head and striking with the Axe of the Conqueror, bringing down the monster.

“Woo! Victory!” Iris cheered, watching her friends beat the beast with almost no trouble at all.

“Victory indeed,” Ignis agreed, “when were all safe.”

“Noct, you might want to see this.” Six let her weapon dematerialize, pointing at the entrance of the Royal Tomb the beast was guarding.

“Score! It’s all about that treasure!” Prompto sang, exited to finally see something worth having.

“Are you-”

“Yeah.” She cut him off before he managed to ask if she was going to be alright while unlocking the entrance, “My day was going great. Time for a little pain.”

“Six.” he was worried.

“I’m kidding!” she was quick to console him, “Go get your power.”

“Which one is it?” Ignis asked, making his way to stand next to the Glaive.

“The Pious.” She commented, getting herself ready as Noctis raised his hand above the scepter. The weapon doing as the rest, finding its way to the Princes heart and hurting the Glaive as the power was moved from one to the other.

Noctis turned around to look at her, a familiar melancholy covering his blue eyes. It looked like she was hurting more and more with each weapon. How long could she hold out? What would happen when he collected all of them? The questions concerning all five of them.

“We should get back to the car. We still have time till sun down. Maybe we can even make it to Caem tonight.” The Glaive was quick to change the subject before it was even brought up, knowing full well what was going on inside her friends’ minds.

“Yeah.” the Prince nodded, taking the lead and making his way back as everyone followed close behind.

...

Once back on the road and after seeing how quiet everyone had been on the way back, Iris decided to make small talk, asking questions and looking at each of the people in the car to give her answers. Everyone took turns in talking and they were soon back to their cheery selves.

“Are you guys excited to visit Altissia, or what?”

“I guess.” The Prince answered, nonchalantly, as always.

“I’m so jealous!”

“We’re not going on vacation.” Gladio raised an eyebrow at his sister.

“Oh, yeah. You’re right.” the girl’s eyes fell as she sat back on her seat.

“Iris?” Ignis glanced back at her through the rear-view mirror, worry in his voice.

“Something wrong?” Prompto noticed it as well.

“What? No, I’m fine.” Iris answered. “I’m not jealous. I just… had a lot of fun hanging out with you guys. But, that’ll all be in the past once we hit Caem.”

“What are you talking about?” Gladio took his eyes off of Six, driving ahead of them, to look at his sister.

“We can hang out anytime. Right?” Prompto turned in his seat, searching for Noctis’ affirmation.

“Yeah.”

The girl smiled at the thought; the past two days flashing before her eyes.

“Smells like there’s… salt in the air.” she sniffed a couple of times, listening to Ignis’ explanation.

“Sea breeze- we’re on the water.”

“Wow, it’s beautiful!”

“Picture-perfect!”

“Yeah.” Noctis agreed, eyes falling on the unlimited blue reaching the horizon, “Like something out of a dream.”

“Just don’t fall asleep on me.” Gladio laughed, moving his arm to hang outside the side of his door.

“Wow. Look at that bridge up ahead.”

Gladio huffed a smile, “Some piece of work right there.”

“The rivers run wide out here, so the bridges run long.” Ignis commented, eyeing the motorcycle ahead of them, picking up speed. Just a little, but it was there. He wondered for a second, what could be going on through his friend’s mind.

“Guess I’ll see it when we cross. Wanna get a closer look?”

“At what?” Noctis asked as Ignis slowed down, watching as Six was already driving through the tunnel ahead of them.

The five got out of the car, taking a picture with the sea as their background before driving off to catch up with their runaway Glaive.

“This the place?”

“Sure is. Thanks for the lift Ignis.”

“Pleasure.”

“Can’t wait to see my buddy Talcott!” Prompto smiled, eyes falling on the Glaive’s figure quickly. Arms crossed on her chest, leaning against the motorcycle, her legs crossed at the calves. She was deep in thought, cigarette between her lips burning on its own. “She look strange to you?”

“Something has been on her mind.” Ignis agreed, bringing the Regalia to a full stop, close to where the Glaive was parked, “She’ll tell us when she’s ready.”

“Yeah.” the Prince agreed, thinking he knew what was on her mind, before getting out of the car and moving closer to her.

“What happened?” Six asked casually once everyone was around her.

“Stopped to take a picture.”

“Okay.” she laughed at the blond boy, “Ready to see Talcott?”

“Oh yeah!” Prompto almost jumped, smile reaching his ears as they all moved toward the lighthouse.

“Whoa. Pretty impressive lighthouse.” Gladio moved closer, eyes wondering up to look at the top of the structure while his hand found its way to Six’s waist. “You okay?” he turned to look at her and she smiled up at him warmly.

“What say we head on up?” Prompto suggested.

“Ought to be a nice view, if a bit blustery.” Ignis joined.

“It’s gonna be cold up there.” Six laughed at how amazed they seemed, “But the view IS amazing, yes. And there’s still time before the sun’s down.”

“Hey! It’s Cindy!”

“Knew it was y’all! Recognize the purr of that engine anywhere.”

“Phew. You know your stuff.” Prompto was excited to see her, to say the least, cheeks flustered just by looking at her figure.

“How’s the boat?” Noctis asked, following the blonde woman up the road.

“Paw-paw’s tinkerin’ away. Reckon he’ll be tinkerin’ for some time.”

“Trouble at sea?” Ignis asked, making his way next to the Prince.

“Seen her share, by the looks of her. Some parts we can fix, others need replacin’.”

“Huh, an overhaul.” Gladio joined the conversation.

“Don’t y’all worry. Paw-paw ain’t goin’ nowhere ‘till the job’s done. Parts won’t fetch ‘emselves, though. Was kinda hopin’ y’all wouldn’t mind helpin’ out with that?”

“We’re at your disposal.” Ignis answered sincerely.

“To tell the truth, we already got a couple hands on deck: Dustin an’ Monica. Those two have been real swell. Managed to gather just about everything we need.”

“You can depend on the Crownsguard.” Six commented proudly, smile taking its place on her lips.

“Trouble is, they ain’t had much luck findin’ a certain somethin’ by the name of ‘mythril’. Paw-paw said your sword is made of it, Miss Six, so you’d know when ya see it.”

“Old rascal should have remembered, I’ve had this sword since even before he was born, Cindy. And it was a gift… I don’t exactly know where to find the mythril.”

“Well, apparently the stuff’s hard to come by around these parts, least accordin’ to the little fella from the city.”

“Talcott?”

“You betcha! Sharp as a tack, that one. Could tell y’all more about the stuff’n I could.”

“We’ll be sure to ask.” Noctis finally spoke again.

“Paw-paw’s down on the dock. Now, if y’all’d excuse me, I’m gonna grab my tools and skedaddle. Got a garage to look after.”

“Thanks, Cindy.” Six smiled before hearing Talcott’s greet “Prince Noctis!” hands in the air and eyes full of hope and glee from seeing all of them again, “Hey! Our house is over here!”

“I think Miss Cindy might’ve told you already, but she needs a very special kind of ore called mythril to fix the boat.” little Talcott explained once the company reached him, “Remember the waterfall? I read in Grandpa’s notebook there’s some ruins near a lake just north of there. It said you’ll find mythril inside!”

“Thanks buddy!” Prompto high-fived the kid and he laughed, “We’ll be sure to check it out!”

“What do you wanna do, Noct?” Six asked, once Talcott moved inside the house, the golden color of the sun slowly fading away.

“Let’s go see the lighthouse!” Prompto butted in before his friend had the chance to speak, “Please?”

“Alright.” Six chuckled, “Follow this path up, old Cid will probably be there too.”

“You’re not coming?” Gladio asked, amber eyes searching hers.

“Something caught my eye. I’ll see you in the house.” she smiled before walking away.

While the boys found their way to the lighthouse, admiring the view once they reached the top, Six made her way to the makeshift grave Cid, Monica, Dustin and Talcott had made for Jared. Placing a few flowers she had picked up and paying her respects before moving back to the house. Talcott greeting her and Iris helping her make dinner for everyone.

By the time the boys were back with Cid, dinner was ready.

Once everyone was fed and warm, Cid decided to call it a night, telling everyone to not make much noise as Talcott suggested showing everyone to their rooms.

Noctis’ eyes fell upon the dart game in his and Prompto’s room, challenging his Glaive as Prompto showed Talcott the pictures he had taken. Everyone enjoying the frustration of the Prince and his protector once the blond Gunslinger decided to join; beating them both with ease before deciding it was time to get some well earned sleep.

9am the next morning, everyone was ready to head out again. Six had made arrangements for Nyx’s motorcycle be brought to Hammerhead, safely stored in Cid’s garage, despite his disagreements and comments about it taking too much of his precious space.

“About that lake: preeeetty sure he was talking about the Vesperpool.” Iris told Noctis once everyone was out of the house, ready to make their way to the Regalia. “I asked Monica to look into it, and she told me the road leading there’s under imperial lock-down. You’ll wanna be prepared for anything. So, how’s that coming along?”

“We’re ready to head out.” Noctis answered before Gladio cut him off, his attention turned to his sister. It was time.

“Yeah, just… give us a second.”

“Uh, okay? I’ll be inside, then.”

“So yeah, gonna have to ask you to handle this boat business without me.” Gladio told everyone, eyes looking only at Noctis, knowing Six wouldn’t meet his.

“Say wha-” Prompto took a step back, surprised by the words that came out of the Shield’s mouth. Ignis understood then, what was troubling his friend all this time. She knew.

“Got some business of my own to deal with.” Gladio continued.

“Do your thing.” Noctis answered a couple of seconds later, not seemingly as phased as his friend was, “Not like we could stop you anyway.”

“You know me too well.” Gladio smirked, eyes darting between everyone. “See ya ‘round, guys.”

“Take care of them,” he kissed her temple, lips lingering a couple of second longer, “and yourself.”

Just as he was about to move away, Six reached out, hand grabbing his, making him stop as she kept her eyes on the ground, unable to look at him. This was her idea. And she was terrified, “Be careful, alright?”

Gladio didn’t waste any time, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug, “I will.”

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