A quiet, bitter chuckle escapes him at that. Waking up... When ever was he good at doing that? Especially since that bastard's memory seems incredibly persistent in keeping him here.

"No sweat." It's the least he could do, considering. Yet when he feels like the memory is about to restart itself, his fingers bury themselves in Ignis' shirt. No, not again. Please.

That's when he hears a familiar yip. Blinking, he sees a familiar phone floatingin the space behind Ignis, just in reach. He grabs it, just in time to see the screen and read it aloud.

"'Don't worry, Iggy. Even if he doesn't this time, I'll make sure he does.'" He pauses. "Carbuncle?"

Another yip, followed by a sticker of a bunch of hearts. Little troublemaker. Always looking out for him, even in memories.

A forest that almost looks like a fantastical Duscae, an eight year old Noctis running after a blue fox with a ruby crystal on his forehead. Ignoring Titan and Leviathan, eyes fixed on the Messenger. They jump through a golden portal and into the city streets of Altissia, where he'd been once for a festival when he was even smaller. Another portal, into the dining hall of the royal apartments. One last one, leading to the steps of the Citadel...

This time'll be a piece of cake compared to our last adventure. You're already almost there!