The Witch of the Woods

The Witch of the Woods is a sidequest.

Description
A tipster alerts Noctis that Dave has gone missing. He was last seen heading into the Malmalam Thicket in search of another hunter's dog tag. Worried about their ally, Noctis and his friends venture into the woods.

Objectives

 * Head to the Malmalam Thicket.
 * Visit the hut for information.
 * Look for the dog tag.
 * Talk to Kimya.
 * Deliver the dog tag to Dave.

Conversations
After getting the tip:

Prompto - What's the big deal about Dave heading into the woods? Do you really need permission?

Ignis - Can't say I've heard anything to that effect.

Gladiolus - But it's strange the guy's gone missing without a trace.

Noctis - So let's look for him again.

Speaking to Dave after finding him in Malmalam:

Dave - What in tarnation are you boys doin' here?

Noctis - Heard a hot tip sayin' you were in the area.

Dave - Worried about me?

Noctis - About you breaking the rules.

Dave - Ah. You got me there. The thicket's off-limits to official Hunters 'less it's a matter of life an' death. Reckon it's too late in this case. One of our hunters headed into the woods on a rescue mission and hasn't come back.

Noctis - If you want, we could take up the search for you.

Dave - Sorry for the trouble, boys. Oughta be a hut a little ways ahead. Lady there might know somethin' 'bout the hunter. I'd go myself, but regulations say collectin' tags ain't reason enough to head into the thicket. I'm headin' back. Y'all be safe. Hate to lose you boys in there, too.

Speaking with the woman at the hut:

Kimya - Welcome, dearies. It is I, Kimya, you seek?

Noctis - Just...searching for a tag.

Kimya - Belonged to a fallen hunter, it did, yes? Deep inside the woods, it lies. Sent here by their leader, you were?

Noctis - More or less. How come the Hunters aren't allowed here anyway?

Kimya - Because a strong enmity toward me, they bear. Cast me out into the forest, they did. "A witch," they called me.

Noctis - Wha—?

Kimya - Brew potions, I do, so a witch I must be.

Noctis - Wait, so... Witch? You?

Kimya - Believe them, you do? Then explain, I shall. But first, go search, you must. Here, I wait.

Incidental dialogue following:

Ignis - She claimed to be an apothecary, yet I didn't spy any curatives lying around her hut.

Prompto - She's really a witch?

Gladiolus - Can't imagine the Hunters would've banished her for nothing.

Collecting the Sullied Dog Tag:

Ignis - All that's left is the delivery.

Returning to Kimya:

Kimya - Find that which went missing, you did. Now, to the man, that tag you must deliver. And a message, I have: "Only one true path, there is not. Follow not others, but your own heart, you must."

Noctis - Got it. So, are you gonna explain?

Kimya - Brew potions, I do. But very special, they are. Understand them, some do not, so "witch," they call me.

Noctis - What kinda potions?

Kimya - Repel the daemons, they do. At havens, they are used. The Oracle's blessing, my potions strengthen. Long ago, healing potions, the Hunters wanted. Brew them, I did, but very angry, their leader grew. Dangerous, my potions are, my sister said. Make them, if I must, but alone I shall be. Receive help, I shall not.

Noctis - So she made the woods off-limits.

Kimya - Terribly cruel, it was. But fault her, I cannot. Follow her heart, she did. Very important, that is. Learn to decide for himself, her son must. If he does, lead the Hunters, someday he will.

Returning to Dave at Meldacio:

Dave - Y'all made it back. Did you get it?

Noctis - Yeah, and something extra--words of advice from the witch.

Dave - What'd she say?

Noctis - That there's more than one true path. That you should learn to trust yourself, or something.

Dave - Is that right? Thanks for lettin' me know. That's exactly what I needed to hear. Been beatin' myself up since I got back to HQ. Felt like I had to go find that tag--so why didn't I? I was followin' the rules, just like I should. But if I was doin' what's right, then how come it felt so wrong? Reckon I really don't got what it takes to lead the Hunters quite yet. Least now I know what I've been missin' this whole time, thanks to you boys. Y'all have done more for me than you'll ever know. May have a long way to go, but I can start by delivering this tag to the people who need it.