The group detoured away from the Disc of Cauthess, heading toward the bustling, volcanic city of Lestallum.
The air grew warmer and thicker with the smell of exhaust and street food as they wound up the mountain roads.
Lestallum was a stark contrast to the desolate Leide desert.
It was alive, powered by the massive Exineris Power Plant, and filled with people who were still blissfully unaware of the true horror of the fall of Insomnia.
"We need to regroup,"
Ignis said as they pulled into a parking terrace overlooking the city.
"And the Prince needs rest. That second Royal Arm took a toll on him."
"And we need upgrades,"
Theodore added, stepping out of the Road Runner.
"9S, 2B, the terrain toward the Disc is going to be brutal. I want this car ready for volcanic rock and Magitek interference."
While Noctis and the boys headed to the Leville hotel to catch some sleep, Theodore led his team to a rented workshop near the industrial district.
9S didn't just look for parts; he went straight for the city's power grid.
"Theodore, the Exineris plant uses a massive amount of elemental energy. If I can siphon just a fraction of that into the Road Runner's battery, we can power a localized EMP Pulse."
The Road Runner now features an Anti-Magitek Pulse (AMP). It can stall nearby Magitek engines once every 10 minutes.
2B focused on the chassis. She sourced high-grade carbon steel from the local markets and began reinforcing the underside of the SUV.
The Road Runner was resistant to small-arms fire and could withstand the extreme heat of the Disc of Cauthess.
That evening, the group met at a street stall for some Lestallum-style skewers.
Theodore sat with 2B and 9S, watching them interact with the local food.
2B was meticulously deconstructing a chicken skewer, processing the spices, while 9S was busily explaining to a local technician why their power converters were 15% inefficient.
"You guys are really settling in,"
Theodore noted, leaning back with a cold drink.
"The data in this world is... rich,"
2B said, looking at the sunset over the volcano.
"The people here are afraid, but they continue to work. It is a logical drive for survival that I find... admirable."
"It's more than survival, 2B,"
Theodore said.
"It's living. And we're going to make sure they get to keep doing it."
The peace was short-lived. A low, rhythmic thud began to vibrate through the soles of their boots. It wasn't an earthquake; it was a heartbeat.
Theodore looked toward the Disc of Cauthess.
The sky above the massive crater was turning a bruised purple, and the earth itself seemed to groan.
[System Notification: World Event Detected]
[The Archaean's Revelation: Titan is awakening.]
Noctis stumbled out of the hotel across the street, clutching his head.
"It's... it's so loud..."
Theodore stood up, his Mana Recovery skill already humming as his MP topped off. He looked at his team.
"Road Runner is prepped. The Prince is tuned in. It's time to go meet a God."
9S hopped into the driver's seat of the Road Runner, his eyes glowing.
"Ready when you are, Boss. I've already mapped the quickest route to the crater floor."