The Sole Star (Final Fantasy XV Fanfic)

Chapter VI

Lorelai sat on the back of her chocobo, staring out at Lestallum. "Sorry, guys, I don't travel with others. I can't afford to." With a flick of the reins, Eclipse darted down the road.

~~~~~

Noctis awoke to the sound of knocking on the door of their room. He groaned and rolled onto his side, covering his head with his pillow to block out the noise. Ignis, who was already up, stood from his seat and walked over to the door. He opened it, seeing Iris and Talcott. Both wore saddened expressions and Iris held a piece of paper in hand.

"Iris, Talcott, is something the matter?" Ignis asked, stepping aside and letting the two in.

Upon hearing those names, the other three men sluggishly got up. Noctis was the most groggy of them, not being a morning person in the slightest. Iris held the paper up, skimming it over for the third time that morning.

"Guys... it's Lori," she told them. "She's... gone."

Prompto nearly fell out of his bed. "What?!" He rushed over to the girl. "What do you mean 'she's gone'?!"

"She left a note saying that she was heading out," Talcott explained in a depressed tone. Prompto snatched the note from Iris's hand and read over it. "She was already gone when we woke up."

Prompto stared at the note, dumbfounded. Gladio clicked his tongue. "Figures. She left without us."

"Dammit, she was our best bet at tracking down those tombs," Noctis complained with a sigh. "Guess we'll continue searching ourselves."

Ignis nodded in agreement. "Yes, that is the only option presented to us at the moment. Perhaps we'll even see Lorelai again in our search."

Prompto immediately grinned and crumpled up the paper in his hand, tossing it into the trash can. "Specs has a point, who's to say we won't see her again?"

Iris then smiled. "Talcott and I will stay here in Lestallum for now. Lori may come back."

"In the meantime, we'll try to find some information on those royal tombs," Talcott added. "Anything for Prince Noctis."

"Then let us gather our things and prepare to leave," Ignis instructed.

The four had a quick breakfast, got their things, and left the hotel, heading down the streets and to the Regalia with Iris and Talcott in tow. The men got into the car. Iris placed her hands on the rim of the backdoor, leaning forward toward her brother.

"You guys be careful," she said. "I hope you find Lori."

"Don't worry, Iris," Gladio encouraged, "We'll be fine, and so will Lorelai. She's a hunter."

Iris nodded. She and Talcott backed away from the vehicle and Ignis started it up. He eased out of the parking lot and onto the road. Iris and Talcott waved to them as they sped away. It was quiet aside from the wind rushing past them. Prompto leaned on the side of the car, resting his head on his arms. He stared dreamily out into the distance, watching the scenery go by. He couldn't get the girl out of his head.

He straightened up in his seat and glanced back at Noctis and Gladio. "So, guys, do you think Lorelai has a boyfriend?"

"Why, do you fancy her?" Noctis asked, a small smirk creeping across his lips.

He nervously laughed in reply. Gladio chuckled at his reaction and said, "He does."

"What about Cindy, I thought you had a thing for her?" Noctis questioned, leaning forward in his seat with interest.

"I-I did, but... she's so out of my league, and she doesn't seem all that interested. Ever since we met Lorelai... I don't know, it's like Cindy doesn't even matter now."