The Last Verse
CHAPTER 16:
Homecoming
World of Ruin
After 10 years being succumbed into the Crystal, Noctis awake inside an abandoned jail at Angelgard, a desolated island that can be seen from the coast of Galdin Quay. Noctis also find a message written by his friend telling that they are all will be waiting for Noctis to return but due to the darkness has taken over the world, they are quite handful, not just protecting people but also protecting the Crystal. So they decided to hid the Crystal at Angelgard that cannot be reached by monsters and demons. A boat also prepared for Noctis to return to Duscae and meetup with their friends.
Upon reaching Galdin Quay, Noctis founds demons roaming everywhere, proving that Galdin Quay didn’t made it from the monsters attack. Noctis breaking through the monsters, making his way onward, to find any survivors left in this madness world. Reaching the street, he find a truck being chased by monsters and decide to help anyone who is inside the truck. After clearing the monsters, Noctis meet with the truck driver who apparently to be the young Talcott, but older. Since the communication now limited, Talcott can only contact Cindy who is nearby at Hammerhead. So they decide to go to Hammerhead first and think about what to do next.
On their way, Talcott tells what happen during Noctis 10 years missing. The world is so much different now, everytime feels like nighttime, the monsters roaming across the region. Hammerhead, Lestallum, Cape Caem and Chocobo Wix Outpost are the only 4 places left surviving that still become human safe haven and more like a demon slayer station. These 4 places survive until this time all thanks to radiant light technology developed by Cid & Cindy to keep the monsters away. Everyone Noctis knew are still alive and working hard around the world to survive and protect mankind from the demons. Cid is now residing at Lestallum, the biggest human shelter now due to its power plant, creating advanced technologies to help mankind survive. Cindy still manage the garage at Hammerhead, but not really use to repairing car but more as a place to built arsenal for the demon slayers. Cor is taking Iris as his apprentice to become the demon slayer. “Iris the demon slayer” they called her. Gladiolus and Prompto usually hunts the demons by themselves, Ignis too. But it isn’t often to see the three of them together nowadays.
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At Hammerhead, Noctis meet up with Cindy who is now taking care of weapon business for the demon slayer. But she still manage the garage to keep a precious item for Noctis. It is the Regalia, still in its finest shape since Noctis left it 10 years ago. Cindy then hand over the Regalia to Noctis to help him find a way to reunite with his friends. Cindy inform that the communication is not as good as it was 10 years ago, due to some network disturbance by some monsters so she cannot find out where all his friends right away. Noctis have to do the old way by visiting them one by one. But the last information she got, Prompto is supposed to be at Chocobo Wix Outpost, Gladiolus and Iris at Cape Caem and Ignis at Lestallum. Cindy also inform that Cor is slaying monster at the northern part of Lucis near Prairie Outpost.
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So onward Noctis alone with the Regalia try to visit his friends one by one….
Reunite
Cor Leonis
Being the closest one to Hammerhead, Noctis decide to pay Cor a visit at Prairie Outpost. Cor was alone in exile, waiting for the rightful king to return while slaying giant monsters by himself.
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Noctis:
"Glad to see you gramps"
Cor:
“So you have finally returned my king?”
Noctis:
“Sorry for the delay… got caught up in a crystal”
Cor:
“Have you find out your true purpose of being the rightful king of Lucis?”
Noctis:
“Yes….”
Cor:
“Are you ready physically and mentally?”
Noctis:
“Why do you think I am standing right in front of you right now?”
Cor:
“Good…. because I will need to test it out!”
A duel between Cor and Noctis to find out how strong Noctis now after 10 years missing. With the help of his royal armiger, Noctis win over Cor…
Cor:
“You are definitely strong now… strong enough to take down the one who bring darkness to this world. But taking back your throne is not an easy task as a lot of monsters now residing at Imsomnia. You will need your friends and all the help you can get. Now gather your friends. I will be waiting here once you are ready to reclaim your throne”
Prompto Argentum
Noctis then decide to visit Chocobo Wix Outpost to find Prompto. Along the way Noctis have to fight some monsters and demons alone. At Chocobo Wix Outpost, Noctis meet with Wiz who now running a logistic business to deliver food across the region with the help of chocobos and hunters around. Wix inform that Prompto borrow one of his chocobo to get to the mountain top at the Rock of Ravatogh. Noctis then also borrow one of Wix’s chocobo to catch up with Prompto.
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At the mountain top of the Rock of Ravatogh, Noctis meet with Prompto who is currently taking picture of the landscape.
Noctis:
“What are you doing here all by yourself?”
Prompto:
“Noctis! You are back!”
Noctis:
“Don’t you have better things to do than taking picture alone on a top of this creepy mountain?”
Prompto:
“You know… this is the only spot that I could see from a far my real home, the place where I was born”
Noctis:
“…….”
Prompto:
“I once came back to Niflheim to purge everything down to ashes and bury my past along with it. I felt sorry for those MTs though. They deserve more than just being a puppet, a tool of war. They have a right to feel other than the horror of war, they have right to decide their own lives, they deserve to be loved”
Noctis:
“Well turns out spending too much time alone in the mountain could turn someone to be more poetic”
Prompto:
“I guess they never had you as a friend. It sure does not fun without you around ya know”
Noctis:
“Well here I am trying to save the world from horror and bring back all the fun. Which is why I need you Prompto. Help me do it”
Prompto:
“Of course Noct. I will never give up until those smiles and laughter back in people’s face”
Noctis:
“Thanks Prompto”
>>> Prompto join the party
Iris Amicitia
From Saxham Outpost, Noctis and Prompto decide to go to Cape Caem to find Gladiolus and Iris. At Cape Caem, Noctis find Iris who is now became a demon slayer. Iris inform that Gladiolus currently at Taelpar Crag trying to banish a mysterious demon lurking in that area. Iris decide to help Noctis to find his brother at Taelpar Crag.
Noctis:
“You sure look different Iris”
Iris:
“Thanks to Cor and my brother, I am now what I am, in this world so chaos, having a skill to protect others is a must. I am an Amicitia afterall”
Noctis:
“You sure is…. so what is Gladiolus doing at Taelpar Crag?”
Iris:
“Rumor said that those underworld monster that coming to our world comes from Taelpar Crag, place where it is believed to be used by Ifrit to came back from the underworld afer saving Eos”
Noctis:
“Yes I have heard that story”
Iris:
“Well, I guess in this moment of desperation, and not having you around, my brother seems to lose his focus. All he can think about is getting stronger to be able to protect you the moment you came back. He consulted with Cor to take the Trial of Gilgamesh and getting the one that people believed to be holy sword that can slice through any demons, the Excalibur”
Noctis:
“Does such weapon really exist?”
Iris:
“I guess we should find Gladiolus and see if it does really exist or not by ourselves”
>>> Iris join the party
Gladiolus Amicitia
At Taelpar Crag, Noctis, Prompto and Iris find Gladiolus lying down after seriously injured by demons. They decide to help Gladiolus as soon as possible while some more monsters and demons surrounds him. After the battle, Noctis reunite with Gladiolus. Gladiolus explain that he was just done taking the Trial of Gilgamesh to strengthen himself and proving worthy as the Shield of King in the upcoming battles.
Noctis:
“Hey…”
Gladiolus:
“Hey? That’s all you have to say for yourself - after all this time?”
Noctis:
“You are lucky I happen to be around to save your ass”
Gladiolus: (while showing off his newfound sword, the Excalibur)
“Not for long cause starting right now I’m the one who is gonna protect your ass"
Iris:
“Gladiolus, you made it!”
Noctis:
“But at what cost?! You almost got yourself killed!”
Gladiolus:
“………”
Noctis:
“What do think will happen if I came back and found you already dead?!”
Gladiolus:
“I am sorry Noct, since you are not around, I was kinda lost of who I am and what I am supposed to be. All I could think of to get stronger so that one day I could find back my purpose of life”
Noctis:
“Well, here I am. So promise me that you will stand by your king side and see these through to the very end”
Gladiolus:
“I will…. You do sound a lot like a king now”
Noctis:
“Thanks… Gladio”
Feeling relieved after finding his brother, Iris decide to go back to Cape Caem to protect people on the southern region. Iris also inform that Cor is the one who protect the northern region, so it might be good idea to visit Cor once Noctis reunite with his friends.
Iris:
“Well since you guys reunited, I think I will have to go back to Cape Caem. Make sure you guys don't argue a lot okay? Things are chaos already... stop making it worse”
>>> Gladiolus join the party
<<< Iris left the party
Aranea Highwind
It is time to pick up Ignis at Lestallum. But during their trip to Lestallum, Noctis notice a giant dragon flying over Regalia. It is Ultima Weapon, a gigantic monster coming from underworld, flying around across Duscae and Cleigne feasting other monsters. Behind the Ultima Weapon, a familiar red Niflheim warship is currently chasing it but outrun easily by the Ultima Weapon. Aranea jump out the warship to welcome Noctis.
Aranea:
“So, the lost king has returned…”
Noctis:
“Aranea! Glad to see you safe and alive. What is that giant monster flying around doing?”
Aranea:
“It is called Ultima Weapon, underworld monster. Since the darkness taking over the world, some underworld monster crawling through from Taelpar Crag. I have been studying about its behaviour, might want to take it down if I have enough information about it”
Noctis:
“Would be glad to help, but once I gathered my friends. Anyway, what happen to people in Tenebrae?”
Aranea:
“Since Niflheim has fallen, there is not much left there so we decide moving here, join forces with people here, easier to survive together than being alone there. Make sure to visit our hideout at the abandoned Niflheim fortress at Causcherry Plains, would be nice to have more helping hands dealing things…”
Noctis:
“Sure… will do”
After a short brief meetup, Aranea left.
Ignis Scientia
Noctis continue to pickup Ignis at Lestallum. At Lestallum, Noctis meet up with Ignis at the restaurant taking care of food distribution to people. Ignis was no longer using his walking cane. These past 10 years allow him to learn sharpen his senses that he no longer need a walking cane to do activities. Ignis also bake a cake to resemble the cake that Noctis ate at Tenebrae a long time ago…
Ignis:
“Well, well. You kept us waiting”
Noctis:
“Not like I wanted to”
Ignis: (while preparing the cake)
“You have arrived at the right moment. I have been perfecting this recipe, and I hope this should have the same taste like the one you ate at Tenebrae”
Noctis: (eating the cake)
“…. Ignis…. You did it…”
Ignis:
“I’m so glad…. turns out my journey to Tenebrae are not wasted”
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Noctis:
“You've never stop caring for me Ignis… Thank you”
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>>> Ignis join the party
The Open World: Revisited
Having his friends back, Noctis and friends will face Ardyn for the very last time and put an end to this world of chaos. Before going straight to Imsomnia, they will need to discuss, analyze and devise some strategies to reclaim the throne back at Hammerhead. During this period onward, Noctis and friends could have one more additional character into the party. The choices are between Iris at Cape Caem, Aranea at Causcherry Plains and Cor at Prairie Outpost.
Editor’s Note
If you ever played Final Fantasy 6, this part is more likely to be similar. In Final Fantasy 6, there are two times of open-world adventure, before the world in chaos lead by Terra and after the world in chaos led by Celes. This part serve as the second open-world adventure in the game which happen at the same location like the first one but different situation. The situation in this second open-world adventure is more terrifying, only night happens, a lot of monster roaming around, less city/safe-heaven and less human-people to meet. But it open the chance to have more ambitious and harder side-quests, not the one like catching frogs or taking picture. Those kind of side-quests are better left at Chapter 4.
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This part also a better option to put the future DLC contents (whether episode Gladiolus, Prompto, Ignis, Aranea, Iris and even Cor), without having a worry to make the story weird/incomplete. Since Noctis is not around for 10 years anything could be happen.
Gladio could challenge Gilgamesh here without worrying not being able to come back to Noctis if he dies. After the trial, Gladio received Excalibur instead of Genji Blade because I think Gilgamesh are more known to be one guy who wanting Excalibur so bad in Final Fantasy 5, and for visual appearance purpose I think Gladio more fit to hold a big sword instead of a katana.
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My pitch for Prompto Episode probably Prompto want to bury his past known to be an MT, so he goes back to Niflheim empire and burn everything down.
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For Ignis, since he is now blind, in search for the cure or learning to adapt to his blindness, he also search ingredients to complete the only food that he is not yet able to achieved, the Tenebrae cake (the one from the Brotherhood: Anime).
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For Aranea Episode, since the last time we saw her at Tenebrae, probably the episode to include how she be able to led the people of Tenebrae survive the horror and rejoin other surviving people at Duscae. In a way, Aranea becomes the leader of Tenebrae.
For Iris Episode, would be best if we could find out what kind of training that she had to become the Demon Slayer.
For Cor, since the last time we left him he said he is scouting area around Imsomnia, so probably the story about his attempt to infiltrate Imsomnia, possibly he is the one to recover the Kingly Raiment and the Glaive suits for Noctis since he should be the one that believes and convinced that someday Noctis will reclaim his throne.
I dunno, a lot of possibilites and idea exploration could be done here. It is up to creativity. In the game, we kinda get a bit of summary of what is happenings in 10 years of Noctis gone missing only from Talcott's story, which a bit disappointing that we found new things that quiet exciting but we don't get to see the real action/story of it. And we only get a glimpse of the chaotic world from car window when Talcott drives Noctis to Hammerhead. Again, I think the developer is too lazy to develop this second part open-world so they just tease us by showing it from the car view. I think, those monsters and bosses from the "Menace Beneath Lucis" quest were supposed to be part in the second open-world part but since it is not happening so they decide to put everything in a boring side-quest using a templated and repeated maze called "Menace Beneath Lucis". Okay, to make it not so boring and more challenging, let's disable the map and the usage of items (-___- nice try SquareEnix).