"Change of plans, Ignis!"
Theodore shouted over the roar of the Road Runner's newly tuned engine.
"The Empire has the mountain passes crawled with snipers. If we sneak, we get pinned. We're going through the front door."
Theodore hopped into the driver's seat of the Road Runner, with 2B in the back manning the custom-mounted turret and 9S in the passenger seat with his tablet linked to the car's CPU.
"Follow my lead and stay in the slipstream!"
Theodore commanded.
The Road Runner surged forward, its high-grade plating reflecting the orange glow of the volcanic sky. As they approached the main Imperial checkpoint leading into the Disc, three MA-Veles mechs stepped onto the road, their gatling guns spinning up.
"9S, now!"
"Initiating AMP Pulse!"
9S slammed his hand onto the dashboard.
A visible wave of blue electrical distortion erupted from the Road Runner.
The mechs' sensors flickered, their joints locking up as the Anti-Magitek Pulse fried their localized processors.
"2B, clear the path!"
2B stood up through the sunroof. She didn't use a gun; she used her Ancient Lore perk and her newly modified blades.
She leaped from the moving SUV, a blur of black silk, slicing through the neck-joints of the stalled mechs before they could reboot.
She landed back in the moving car without breaking a sweat.
"Path cleared,"
2B reported, her voice steady despite the 80 mph speed.
They plummeted down the steep, narrow tracks into the Disc of Cauthess.
The heat was astronomical. The Road Runner's MagTek plating hissed as it deflected the literal lava-spitting vents of the earth.
Behind them, the Regalia struggled.
"The engine! It's overheating!"
Ignis's voice crackled over the radio.
"Keep it together, Specs!"
Gladiolus yelled.
"We're almost there!"
The earth shattered. A massive, stone-clad hand—the size of a small skyscraper—erupted from the ground just yards from the cars. The Archaean, Titan, was shifting his weight.
Theodore slammed on the brakes as they reached the central plateau. The sky was filled with Imperial dropships, but they weren't attacking the Prince—they were attacking the God.
"The Empire is trying to kill Titan before Noct can talk to him,"
Theodore growled, stepping out into the blistering heat. His VIT 3 and INT 10 helped him resist the scorching atmosphere that would have killed a normal man.
"Noctis! Go!"
Theodore pointed toward the giant's face.
"The Marshal said you need the blessing. We'll keep the 'Vultures' off your back!"
Noctis nodded, his face pale but determined. He and his brothers sprinted toward the rocky platform where Titan's heartbeat was strongest.
"9S, 2B, we're the AA-battery today,"
Theodore said, activating Wind Walk.
9S interfaced with the Road Runner's long-range antenna.
"I'm not just jamming them anymore. I'm spoofing their IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) signals!"
Above them, two Imperial dropships suddenly turned on each other, thinking the other was a rebel craft.
2B utilized her enhanced agility to leap between the falling debris. She used the Road Runner as a springboard, propelled by
Theodore's Giant Strength toss, to reach a low-flying sniper-drone, dismantling it mid-air and using its remains to crash into another.
Theodore stood in the center of the plateau. As Imperial missiles rained down, he funneled his 950 MP into a concentrated mana shield.
"Come on!"
Theodore roared, his eyes glowing with white light.
"Is that all Niflheim has?!"
As Theodore held the line, a massive roar shook the foundations of the world. Titan looked down at the tiny speck of light that was Noctis.
The Prince stood his ground, his Royal Arms spinning around him in a protective circle.
The pressure in the air changed. The headache Noctis had been feeling vanished, replaced by a booming, telepathic resonance.
[Quest Objective: Survive the Archaean's Trial — SUCCESSFUL]
[Noctis has received the Mark of the Archaean]
The ground stabilized. Titan let out a final, earth-shaking breath and began to crystallize, his spirit merging with the Prince.
"We did it,"
9S gasped, leaning against the hood of the Road Runner, his mana exhausted.
Theodore watched the Imperial ships retreat. They had the Mark, but the world was still burning. He looked at his party—exhausted but leveled up.
"One God down,"
Theodore muttered, his Mana Recovery already ticking his bar back up.
"Five to go. And I bet the next one is going to want a lot more than just a fight."