Noctis frowned as he watched Navalus Ulric and Elder Nomine describe the latest report on Niflheim movements. The Niflheim Airfleet surrounded most of the islands, isolating the Galahdian villages and carrying out bombardments across the region with careless regularity. Noctis was just happy that the people of Galahd were so adept at surviving hostile situations as it kept the casualty list small.

"What about the supplies?" Noctis asked, glancing between the paper he held in his hand and the map. "Have the hunts and fishing expeditions been able to provide supplies where they are needed?"

Navalus nodded. "So far. Talaga sent their surplus with the last messenger and it was rerouted to Albern without complications."

Elder Nomine tapped a finger against the table. "Your gift of magic has made our supply routes much easier and safer, Young King. Worry yourself with the enemy and allow us to manage the supplies."

Noctis shifted from side to side at the title. His dad was helping out too, along with Clarus, Weskham and Cor; but he was the only one being addressed as King. When Noctis had asked about it Nyx had patted him on the back and told him not to worry about it. Ignis and Gladio have teased him about his discomfort at the title but they understood where it came from.

As for Prompto…. Noctis shook his head and refocused on the meeting. It lasted for another hour, discussing the more minute details of the new Kingsglaive training, the scheduled messages with Luche, and the approaching fall season. As both Galahdians left the tent, Noctis allowed himself to slump forward with a sigh.

A throbbing headache was making its presence known to Noctis. With a grimace, Noctis got to his feet and went looking for Ignis and Gladio. He found Gladio finishing a drill, with Clarus and Cor both helping with the ongoing training.

"Gladio." Noctis raised his hand in greeting as he approached his Shield. "Do you know where Ignis is?"

Gladio rested his greatsword on the ground with a soft grunt as he acknowledged Noctis' approach with a nod. "Probably still in the infirmary. He wanted to do a full list of the curatives we have left." He paused, eyes roaming over Noctis. "Need anything?"

"Headache starting," was the reply.

"Huh." Gladio let his sword fade back into the armiger as he glanced over at his dad. Clarus gave a sharp nod, his voice rising to bark orders at the poor glaives who had paused to stare at Noctis. Gladio's lips twitched as he walked over to Noct. "Come on. Let's get you something. We can check on Iggy at the same time." Noctis hummed in agreement as they both started walking further into the village.

In the weeks since their arrival to the fertile islands of Galahd, Noctis had had the chance to travel through the many villages spread across the dozen of islands that comprised the archipelago. Most held the same kind of general building locations centered around the market plaza that also doubled as the town's Commons ground for events. The streets formed a loose spiral from there with the schools and main services forming the first spiral.

And just as the people of Galahd were diverse, so were the houses they built. Noctis saw homes of oven-baked bricks sitting comfortably beside wooden huts and Lucian mortar-and-cement houses. Children played in the streets, filling the air with laughter as parents, elders and the other adults kept a cautious eye on them.

Noctis had been worried when he'd first witnessed the sight of a village going through their day. The bombardments from Niflheim had been a daily thing since their arrival and he didn't want to see a child hurt if he could prevent it. His worry had faded quickly as he witnessed the fierce protectiveness of a Galahdian community during one of said bombardments.

An alarm had sounded from the watchtower as the first airships came into view. Within 30 seconds, everyone had disappeared into a house, hut or home; leaving the streets bereft of life. Noctis and his group had been squirrelled into one by their guide and had found themselves in a shelter glistening with some kind of magic Noctis had never seen before.

Nyx, Crowe, Libertus and Pelna had all shrugged when asked about it, only saying the shelters had always been there and that they weren't aware of any magic involved in their maintenance. The elders knew something but refused to answer any questions on the matter.

A touch to his back brought Noctis back to what he was doing just in time to keep himself from walking right past the infirmary. "Noct?" Gladio leaned forward with a frown. "You alright?"

Noctis gave a wry, tired smile. "Just have a lot on my mind." Gladio didn't look convinced but didn't press further, merely guiding Noctis into the clinic gently.

The receptionist rose to his feet as soon as Noctis walked in. "Your Majesty!" Noctis raised a hand before he could leave his post. The receptionist sat slowly back down, hesitating before he said. "Sir Scientia is in the back if you require him?"

"Thank you. We'll make our own way." Noctis said as he passed by the desk and further into the infirmary. They passed room after room in silence, Noctis occasionally glancing inside. He was glad to see how few rooms were occupied, mostly by those with illness rather than injuries.

Gladio held the storage room open for Noctis, smiling fondly as he spotted Ignis further in the room. "Ignis! Time to take a break."

"I haven't been working that long!" Ignis shot back as he wheeled his chair to face Gladio, a glare that soon melted away as he faced his lovers. "Noctis! Do you need something?"

Noctis smiled, walking quickly to greet Ignis with a kiss. "Just something for a headache. Nothing big. How are the supplies?" Gladio stole a kiss from Ignis as Noctis was talking, stepping behind the wheelchair after asking Ignis wordlessly.

Ignis allowed Gladio to push him. "The supplies are holding steady for now though we're starting to run low on Hi-potions." He glanced at Noctis with a pensive frown then motioned for Gladio to push him towards a specific row. "As for your headache, let's see if some of these will help." Ignis reached out and grabbed a large white bottle among several similar ones.

After a quick check of the label, Ignis opened it and gave Noctis 2 small white pills before grabbing a water bottle from their armiger and handing it over as well. "They should take effect in 20 minutes or so. Do let me know if it doesn't help."

Noctis smiled, leaning in to kiss Ignis again.

Bang!

"Noct! Iggy! Gladio! You in here?" Prompto's voice, slightly out of breath, called out.

Noctis straightened quickly, turning around as he replied. "Here Prom!" Quick steps announced Prompto's approach. Their missing lover appeared at the end of the row causing Ignis to frown and start wheeling himself towards him.

Prompto was covered in a light coat of dirt. Scratches and cuts littered his arms with dried blood mixed with the dirt. "Prompto," Ignis said, a warning edge to his voice. "Why haven't you cleaned those injuries up?"

Prompto blinked several times, glanced at his arms with a look of surprise, then scratched the back of his head while giving an awkward laugh. "Ah... I guess I didn't notice those." Ignis tutted as he tugged Prompto down to get a better look.

Noctis itched to grab a potion and break it over Prom but Luna's warning stopped him from doing so. Instead he settled for watching Ignis treat the thankfully small injuries in a more traditional way. "So why were you looking for us?" Noctis asked.

Prompto straightened, his smile dropping slightly as he answered. "There was a raid by the coast. It did significant damage to the northern cliffs by Cunabula."

"Casualties?"

"None so far but part of the cliff collapsed and the locals are worried about it collapsing further."

"Shit." Gladio tapped his fingers against his arm. "Cunabula is one of the main fishing areas, right?" Noctis nodded. "If it gets evacuated then it'll cut down on the supplies available plus the evacuation itself would make for a big target to Niflheim."

Ignis finished bandaging Prompto's injuries. "That may be the exact effect Niflheim was aiming for." He mused, motioning that he was done to Prompto.

"Maybe." Prompto stood back up. "There's another thing though." They shifted their attention back to Prompto. "We took a look at the collapsed cliff and found some kind of cave entrance. I sent Lydia and Marcus to take a quick look. They didn't go too far in but the cave definitely leads deeper into Galahd."

Noctis bit his lip. "A way in for Niflheim, then." Prompto nodded. "Gladio, we need to check those caves out and prepare for the possible evacuation of Cunabula. Let the others know we'll be meeting in an hour about it." Gladio gave a brief bow and headed off.

Noctis turned to Ignis, who smiled peacefully and said, "I'll go check where the evacuees could go and meet you there." Noctis nodded thankfully and stepped out of the way so Ignis could wheel himself passed them.

That only left Prompto and Noctis knew exactly what he was going to do in the hour left before the meeting. "Come on." Noctis grabbed Prompto by the hand. "You need a shower then a nap."

Noctis had expected to see Carbuncle as he walked through the thick forests that weren't those of his childhood adventure. The thick vines and brilliant flowers were the same as those Noctis saw when awake.

This is Galahd, young king. Ramuh rumbled from beside Noctis.

"Why are you here, Ramuh? Bahamut made it quite clear I had failed his so-called prophecy." He'd failed Leviathan's test and had been tried by the Astrals two months ago, only to be declared another corrupted Chosen because of Prompto's unique abilities. Since then, Noctis had only been able to use Carbuncle's blessing, though Ramuh's mark had remained unbroken too.

Ramuh stayed silent, merely floating beside Noctis as they walked forward to an unknown destination. The forest lay thick and gnarled as they passed unhindered by its state. The sounds of birds mixed with trickling water was comforting.

Noctis shrugged and kept going, Ramuh would either speak or not but either way Noctis was curious to see where this dream was bringing him. Time didn't really exist within these dreams unless those involved wanted it to, a neat trick Noctis took full advantage of when he was sharing a dream with Ignis, Gladio and Prompto.

I am here to keep Them from eating you.

Ramuh's words jolted Noctis out of his reminiscing towards full awareness of his surroundings. "Them? Who are Them?" Noctis looked at Ramuh for answers. The Fulgarian was sporting a wry, almost amused smile as he gestured in a wide circle.

Them, young king. They watch Their Children even now.

Yellow eyes dotted branches around them.

And this is where They reside.

Noctis stepped out of the forest and into a clearing, a single immense tree standing in the center of it. Large white coeurls lounged on every massive branch, their tails swinging from side to side as their gaze pierced Noctis.

He shivered under their eyes, but refused to be cowed. Noctis straightened his spine, raised his head and kept walking. Ramuh hummed approvingly.

Now that he was closer, Noctis saw that the tree wasn't in good health. A large breach had opened at its base, dark scars extending from it higher and deeper into the tree. "Is that the Scourge?" Noctis muttered as he came to a stop before it.

In part but not quite. Ramuh said as he floated forward and into the breach. This way young king.

Noctis followed, eyes darting from side to side as he took in as much detail as he could. Carvings decorated the inside of the breach as it turned into a passage. The slight slump of the mossy floor told Noctis they were descending under the ground.

Writing he couldn't understand - Galahdian perhaps? - joined the carvings and paintings that flowed along the walls. At first, Noctis tried to understand them. Frowning and mouthing to himself in an attempt to decipher their meaning. Then, as Noctis continued downwards and lightning started climbing the walls, he started to feel their presence, whispering their story as he passed by.

Stories of Hunts. Stories of Legends. Stories of the islands before Lucis existed. Stories of how Galahd became Galahd curled around Noctis like overgrown kittens, trying to get the sole attention of their human.

And then They appeared. Curled into a comfortable ball. Each breath creating storm and tornado seeds that were whisked towards the sea by the white coeurls running around.

Ask the Elders. The Scourge must still be defeated or all of Eos will perish.

A/N: Thank you all for your patience! Here is the first chapter of the next (and possibly last chronologically) part of my Cure Au! I look forward to hearing your thoughts as we go through this adventure together. :)