The afternoon sun bathed Lindblum in a golden glow as the four companions returned to the inn, exhausted from their trials and eager to rest. The events at Pinnacle Rock and the battle with Ramuh still weighed heavily on their minds and bodies. The warmth of the inn's hearth was comforting, and the gentle creak of wooden floors under their boots reminded them that, for now, they were safe.
The next morning, they were awakened by a commotion outside. Curious, they quickly dressed and stepped into the bustling streets. The innkeeper, seeing their curious faces, greeted them warmly.
"Ah, good morning! You've caught the festival of the hunt in full swing," he said, gesturing toward the crowd. "But I'm afraid the registration for participants closed yesterday. The hunt begins today."
Zack frowned. "The hunt?"
"Yes," the innkeeper explained. "Monsters will roam freely throughout the city. The people either lock themselves inside or watch from above. The mayor—Cid himself—has organized this to both entertain and test the citizens' courage. But beware—the hunt is chaotic. Some monsters are aggressive, and others… unpredictable."
The four companions exchanged glances. A festival like this, where monsters roamed freely in a city, sounded far more dangerous than anything they had faced during their journey so far.
Aerith glanced up at the rooftops. "It might be safer to watch from above," she suggested.
"Agreed," Galuf said. "We can observe, learn, and stay out of harm's way—for now."
The party made their way to a suitable rooftop. Aerith struggled with the climb, her fingers clutching at the ledge. Zack immediately moved closer, lifted her effortlessly in a princess carry, and placed her safely atop the roof. Galuf and Noctis watched, smirking.
"Ahh, youth," Galuf said, letting out a laugh.
Noctis simply smiled quietly, smirking at the interaction.
Zack and Aerith both flushed, exchanging shy glances. Sirius's voice chimed in through the trinket, calm and teasing. Ah yes… youth indeed.
The blush deepened on Aerith and Zack's faces.
"Are you here to see the festival, Sirius?" Noctis asked after a moment, curiosity tinged with suspicion.
"Yes… and no," Sirius replied. "No, I am here to congratulate all four of you for passing Ramuh's test. Yes… one of the participants is a member of our group."
The four froze in shock. "Which one?" Zack asked in unison.
Sirius only smiled faintly, remaining silent. "When the time comes," he said simply.
The festival began in earnest. Monsters of all shapes and sizes prowled the streets, some small and sprightly, others massive and imposing. The crowd either locked themselves indoors or watched from elevated platforms and rooftops. The four companions crouched low, their eyes scanning the streets for danger.
"Look!" Aerith whispered. "There… by the fountain!"
Four participants navigated the chaos with fluid motion. One was a tall, armored knight keeping close to a young woman. Another was a boy with a tail, moving with mischievous agility, and a small child with glowing yellow eyes and a large hat darted between them. Lastly, a rat-like figure weaved nimbly through the crowd, its movements precise and calculated.
"Interesting," Zack murmured. "They're not just running for show… they're assessing the monsters, the crowd, and each other. Look at that coordination."
Noctis studied them carefully. "The rat-like one… it's small, unassuming… but deliberate. Don't underestimate it."
Galuf chuckled. "Hah! Youth, magic… and now a rat? This festival keeps surprising me."
From the trinket, Sirius's voice sounded again, calm yet playful. Watch carefully. Patience and observation are part of your training too. Your new companions will reveal themselves when the moment is right.
The four companions stayed on the rooftop, eyes scanning for any immediate danger. A sudden roar from the street below drew their attention—a hulking, quadrupedal beast with molten rock-like skin barreled through the marketplace, sending citizens fleeing.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves!" Zack called, unsheathing his sword.
Aerith raised her hands, ready to cast protective spells. Galuf gripped his staff, positioning himself to counter any surprise attacks, and Noctis readied his royal arms, focusing on mobility.
The beast lunged at a cart, scattering crates and barrels. Noctis leapt forward, warping to intercept the monster's path, slashing with a flurry of attacks that made the creature stumble. Galuf followed, using his weight and defensive techniques to slow the beast, while Aerith cast a barrier spell to shield fleeing citizens.
Zack moved in coordination with Noctis, blocking the monster's massive claws while delivering precise strikes to its joints. "Keep it moving! Don't let it corner us!" he shouted.
The four fought as a unit, their movements fluid, instinctive, and well-coordinated. Even with exhaustion from their previous journey, they adapted to each other's actions seamlessly.
"Ramuh wasn't lying about your strength," Sirius commented through the trinket. But remember, these are tests too—your observation and teamwork matter as much as raw power.
After several intense minutes, the beast faltered under their combined assault and fled into the city outskirts. The companions took a moment to catch their breath, looking at each other with renewed confidence.
"Good work," Noctis said quietly. "We're stronger together."
Aerith nodded, brushing hair from her face. "And quicker at reading each other's moves."
Galuf laughed. "Not bad, not bad at all. But let's keep our eyes open. The festival is only beginning."
As they resumed their rooftop observation, they noticed the four familiar participants again—the armored knight, the young woman, the tail-boy, and the child with yellow eyes—moving with purpose. They assisted citizens, redirected monsters, and communicated silently with each other.
"Those four… they're remarkable," Aerith whispered. "It's almost like they've done this before."
Zack squinted. "And they're not here just to survive. They're… testing themselves, practicing."
Noctis remained silent, eyes narrowing slightly. "One of them… will be part of our group eventually. I know it."
Galuf shook his head in amusement. "You lot take life too seriously. Sometimes a good fight, a festival, and a few monsters running loose can teach more than training in silence."
Sirius's voice chimed through again, this time with a hint of humor. Ah, Galuf, even I agree. Chaos can be educational… and entertaining.
The four companions laughed quietly, momentarily forgetting their exhaustion.
As the festival reached its peak, a sudden explosion of light illuminated the city square. Several smaller monsters were flung back, and the crowd gasped. The armored knight and the young woman swiftly responded, fending off the creatures and stabilizing the chaos.
The rat-like participant darted forward, using its small size to maneuver between debris and monsters, helping civilians to safety. Noctis, watching closely, nodded. "That one… it's skilled and cautious. I'll remember it."
Aerith and Zack exchanged a glance, silently agreeing that the festival, despite its dangers, was more instructive than any classroom or training ground.
Galuf, leaning on his staff, chuckled. "Hah… I swear, the things we see on these adventures never get old. From ice caverns to festivals with monsters and rat-like participants—who would've thought?"
Aerith exhaled, smiling. "I think we've learned more today than in weeks of ordinary training."
Zack grinned. "And we've seen firsthand what's coming. Our future allies are impressive."
Galuf's laugh was warm. "Hah! Youth, adventure, monsters… and rat-like companions. Life is good."
Noctis remained quiet, eyes thoughtful. "We'll need to keep observing. When the time comes, we'll know who is ready to join us."