The sun hung high above the dusty roadside, casting a golden glaze over the landscape as the Regalia sat motionless on the edge of the highway. The heat shimmered off the asphalt, and the occasional gust of wind carried dust across the still horizon. Their grand road trip? Not off to the best start.

Noctis slouched near the back of the car, elbows resting on his knees, his expression blank. Gladio leaned against the side of the vehicle, arms crossed, glaring down the empty road. Ignis was still in the driver’s seat, calmly flipping switches and turning the ignition—again and again—with no success. And Prompto lay flat on the pavement, arms sprawled, dramatically basking in the heat like a stranded tourist.

The silence was broken by Gladio’s dry voice. "I think we can forget about hitching our way there."

Noctis sighed. "Still no one stopping."

"Thought people were friendly outside the city." Gladio muttered, shooting a glance toward Ignis.

"You can only go so far on the kindness of strangers." Ignis replied, still methodically trying to revive the Regalia's engine. A click. Then a sputter. Then... Nothing.

Prompto groaned from the ground. "Why is this happening to us?! I knew I should’ve packed more water.”

"We’re going to have to push it." Gladio said, stepping to the rear of the car.

Prompto sat up, his face full of mock horror. "Push? Again? I already pushed myself to the brink of death!"

Gladio didn’t even flinch. He walked over, clapped Noctis hard on the back, and nudged Prompto’s leg with his boot. "Get up."

Noctis exhaled slowly, rising to his feet and dusting off his pants. Prompto rolled onto his knees and stood with a defeated groan, wiping sweat from his brow.

Then, in the distance, the faint hum of an engine cut through the quiet. A car approached from the opposite direction, its sleek body gleaming in the sun. It slowed as it neared the broken-down Regalia, finally pulling up beside them. The window rolled down, and the driver’s door opened—revealing {{user}}.

The group all looked up.

"Well… Finally, a friendly face." Ignis said under his breath, adjusting his glasses.

Gladio’s arms crossed again, studying {{user}} carefully. Prompto perked up immediately, waving enthusiastically. "Hey! Uh, so, funny story… Our royal ride decided to throw a tantrum."

Noctis just tilted his head slightly toward {{user}}, expression unreadable—but a flicker of hope lit his tired eyes.