 Come to see how we're getting on. We've made good progress since we took back Alamigo, but there's one big issue we still have to address. Leadership. The Domans had Lord Hien ready and willing to take the throne, but we've got no one like that here. Theodoric was our last ruler, and he wasn't called the Mad King for nothing. Suffice it to say our people have had their fill of kings, which means we need to find a new way forward. If only it were that easy. Everyone and his uncle has an opinion. For the time being, we're just going to have to keep leaning on General Oldin and the Alliance for support and see if we can't find a solution together. Something tells me we're going to be hosting a lot of meetings in the near future. But if that's what it takes, I'm ready to talk till my jaw rakes. The Reach is yours, Nago. Don't do anything I wouldn't. Aye aye, Commander. There you are. I've been searching all over for you. Don't worry, it's nothing bad. That said, this might not be the best place to talk. Will you join me? I'll get to the point. Might you be interested in a spot of adventure? After all, we were adventurous before we were Scions, will we not? After routing the Imperials and liberating our amigo, I reckon we've earned a bit of respite, don't you? And what better way to spend it than turning to our roots? So, what say you? Shall we call on Alphanol and go adventuring? Are you all right? Everything is still attached. Ah, it seems both our paths led here. Very good. We spent altogether too much time fleeing fiends horrid and numerous. How fared you? Much the same then. To appear this place is yet inhabited by King Theodoric's kin, or what is left of them, the work of terrible magic, I fear. Terrible, aye. But their misfortune is our... fortune? Quite. Five or twelve, there is even more than I imagined. Oh, I can't wait to see the look on Lisa's face. Thanks for believing in me, you two. Like hells we will! We know who you've got in there! Bring her out! Bring her out! What's going on? Someone let's slip about for Dola. It's true then. The bitch really is in there. I knew it. I bloody knew it. We demand vengeance! Bring her out! Today we butcher the butcher! Come on, you don't mean that. We'd be no better than the Imperials if you'd all just calm down! Mr. and her thrice-damned skulls dragged my man from our home and beat him to death in the street! And my dad, that bitch, has spilt enough blood to fill a lock. We all know her crimes. Traitor and a murderer. How many of your resistance friends have died at her hands, eh? And here you are, protecting her! So that's what all the fuss is about. Harken to me, brothers and sisters of Alamigo. Hey, who's this? That... That's the Bull of Alamigo. My friends, you are not alone in your anger, your grief, your despair. For it is mine as well. That gnawing pain in your breast, it is enough to bring an old bull to his knees. But I ask you, brothers and sisters, to think not only of the family and friends who were cut down before your very eyes, but to think also of the ones who were abducted, the ones who may yet live. Where were they taken? What became of them? These questions demand answers. I share your thirst for justice, for vengeance. But we will gain only fleeting satisfaction if we give in to our base appetites. We will never know the truth. Now is the time that we, the people of Alamigo, must decide what manner of nation we will build for ourselves and for generations yet unborn. When they look to our example, will they see a people who held fast to their principles? Or one who cast them aside when tried? I say to you, it is our responsibility to give these prisoners a fair trial that they might answer to all of Alamigo. The Garlians called us savages, and I'll be damned if we prove them right. I know you're right, I do, but I can't. So many visitors. Come to have a good laugh, have you? Or do you mean to put me out of my misery to finish what you started? It's about bloody time. That's not why we're here, no. Do you remember what I said? How I promised you you'd live long enough to see us win our freedom? Well, I meant it. And not to mock you, either. You're wasting your time. None of this is pointless. There's no reason to keep me alive, and you know it. I killed your men. I killed my men. And you know what my only regret is? That I didn't kill you when I had the chance. That's a lie, and you know it. You think we can't tell what you're trying to do? That we're blind? Now, you're a fool, but you're not stupid. You're ruthless, relentless. You'd give up anything and everything to get what you want. You didn't come this far. Climbing over the bodies of your own brothers and sisters just to piss it all away. I see you, Fadola. I see you for what you are. Well, long, Fadola. We mustn't be late. The Imperial Viceroy will be attending today's banquet. Father, what's Lord Gaius like? Is he nice? Are you friends? There you go again with all your questions. Lord Gaius is a great and honorable man who looks after all of Alamego. He's very busy, and if we don't hurry, we'll miss our chance to see him. Tinhead lovers. Father, what did that man call us? The little tinhead lover doesn't know what she is, eh? A traitor, sweetheart. A backstabbing bitch you gladly betrayer, Kith and Kin, to know on what few scraps the Imperials deign to toss her. Like your bastard father and home mother. That's not true. My parents are good people. They've never done anything like that. Oh, but they were quick to out themselves in their bitch spawn, weren't they? You're just as guilty as them. Fadola! Traitors! You have to do something! My husband and daughter are in danger! Soldiers of the Imperial Army are under no obligation to intervene in the disputes of Arne. We're citizens. It's all right. It's all right. They don't understand, but they'll see in time. They'll see that this is the only way to survive. Traitors! Traitors! Let the savages have their fun. There'll be more compliance once they've tied themselves out. Fadola, please! You already have citizenship. Why would you want to become a soldier? Forgotten it already, have you? I'm honouring father's memory. By telling the world that you know better than a common savage. Am I the old mother? Arneavus? Can't you see? Citizenship means nothing to them. If you're not a pure blood garlion, you're no different from any other savage. So I'll play the part. I'll join the Legion and I'll make them respect me. And when the mobs see that, they'll think twice before throwing their stones. Anseford! Trudolf! Emlyn! It's time. It'll be hard. Humiliating. They'll try to break us, send us crawling back to our own kind. But we won't. No matter what. We'll bleed for them, die for them if we have to. We'll do whatever it takes to be free! So. You mean to play the part one last time, eh? The unrepentant traitor whose death will serve to unite the people. Shut up. You had every chance to kill yourself. Fashion a noose from your claws. Wait for the guards to leave you alone long enough to slip it over your neck. I said shut up! But then it would have all been for nothing, wouldn't it? Whatever it takes. That's what you said. Been in my head, have ya? Had a little peek at my past. And what? A few stolen memories tell you everything you need to know, do they? Don't you dare patronize me! You don't know a God's damned thing about the life I've led. Bastards that killed him. The bastards that let it happen. My father deserved better! I swore I'd do whatever it took to make them pay! All that pain is too much. Too much for anyone. They've done to you. Glide. The betrayal. The endless fighting. Get there you stand. Unbroken. How? Why? Damn you all. You still have time for Dola. Think about how you want to spend it. Let's go. Thank you for answering my summons in these most interesting times. You have been busy. The liberation of Alamigo will have far-reaching consequences and there is a matter upon which I would seek your counsel. I speak of Raubarn and his future. All know the tale of his rise as a fearless refugee to member of the syndicate and general of the immortal flames. Yet though he has come to core all our home, it will never be his homeland. He is a son of Alamigo. And now that she is free, I thought it only a matter of time before he sought my leave to return to her. Indeed, I had resigned myself to his loss. Suffice it to say, I am surprised to hear him speak so lightly of handing over the reins in Alamigo and retaking his place at my side. I will welcome him with open arms, of course. He is my most trusted advisor and my dearest friend. But I have known the man a long time and beneath that steely gaze, I spied a flicker of doubt. Whether Raubarn chooses to remain in Uldar or return to Alamigo, I only wish that he do so with a heart unburdened by guilt or regret. Yet how can he freely make such a choice, knowing how much I depend on him? It is past time that I learned to discharge my duties as a Sultana alone. I must go forth and see my realm with my own eyes and hear the wind with my own ears. Might I have your company for a brief adventure? Wonderful. Allow me a moment to change into something a touch less conspicuous, and I will join you outside. You're the one who needs looking after, Marsuchum. You're great. I have kept the promise made. Till I keep mine. With your winnings, you have become one of the six most wealthy souls in all Uldar. And so, as tradition dictates, Raubarn Alden, you have earned yourself a seat on the syndicate. May your new station garner you still greater glories. I am honoured, Your Grace, and vowed to serve with every fibre of my being from this day till my last. Leave the Sultana and long live Uldar! A personal summons from the Scions. This must be important business indeed. Though, if it concerns anything so underhand as an assassination, I fear I can be of little help. You have made your point. It is indeed unsettling to find oneself seated across from an impassive mask. There, would this better please your Grace? Or should I address you as Lady Lillera? Day, the deception has served its purpose. I am glad to see you found amusement in my little jest, Lord Lolorito, but shall we proceed to the business at hand? By all means. I must say I am most eager to hear your proposal. Simply put, I would aid the refugees camped in Thanalan in their efforts to return to Alameego. The reparations you paid in the wake of your earlier misdemeanours will be used to fund the endeavour, together with the fortune seized from the late Tileji Adileji's estate. But this plan is not intended to benefit the displaced alone. I would make of this an investment which shall enrich Uldar and Alameego both. And who better to consult on matters of profit than the wealthiest man in all of Thanalan? I beseech you then, Lord Lolorito, share with us your mercantile wisdom. Ha! To it seem your Grace has matured beyond acts of earnest yet misplaced charity. Pray tell me more. To summarise, in return for facilitating the repatriation of refugees and assisting in the establishment of new industry in Alameego, you ask that proportion of all subsequent profits be promised to Uldar. Ha! I am impressed your Grace. It is an elegant solution, albeit one lacking certain crucial details, specifically which industry and where. How swiftly you identified the weakness in my plan, just as I knew you would. Your travels have taken you across the length and breadth of Gia Abania, and you know the land far better than I. Which of the settlements you visited would best provide a home for our refugees? Which has the greatest potential to flourish given the appropriate investment? Yes, that desolate little village on the shore of Locke-Seld. I know the salt tree and its products well. The imperial invasion brought an end to their more widespread distribution. Much to the dismay of many a wealthy gourmand, myself included. Salt has ever been a transformative ingredient, and in this instance I dare say it could transform a modicum of effort into a mountain of gill. The local citizens will need to be consulted, of course, but I trust the East Aldenard Trading Company can be relied upon to provide its assistance in negotiating a mutually beneficial arrangement. Naturally, Your Grace. I shall dispatch representatives well-versed in the extraction of this white gold and ring every last ounce of profit from its production. The Locke's bounty will contribute to Alamigo's enrichment, whilst easing the burden on the bull's aching shoulders. Just as Your Grace desired. A deal is struck, then. Apologies for the wait. People are screaming for the butcher's blood again. No sooner have we broken up one mob than another forms. Thankfully, all have been amenable to reason thus far. But it is no concern of yours. We must speak of the man Aaron Vald and his comrades apprehended in the peaks. By their uniforms, the captives were first judged to be imperial troops, but after further investigation, their true identities came to light. I dare say you remember Yu Yu Hasi and Laurentius, the fugitives who conspired with Captain Ilbert in the Crystal Braves' betrayal. Ah, well. It would seem they followed him all the way to the Wall. It was they who orchestrated the slaughter of the resistance fighters prior to the Gryffins' infernal ritual. Were it in your hands, how would you punish these men? You would spare these animals? Yours is a more merciful brand of justice than mine. In any event, I thank you for your honesty. When the time comes for the alliance to pass judgement, I'll see that your opinion is heard. Well, that concludes our business here. But there is more I would say. Walk with me. I bear a share of the blame for Ilbert's atrocities. And I openly supported the cause of Alamegan liberation. He might not have felt driven to do what he did. Things could have been different. And I'm sorry they aren't. But even after all that has happened, my homeland is free. With the scions and the alliance at their side, my countrymen have reclaimed what many thought lost forever. Under her new leadership, I have every confidence that Alamego will emerge from the shadow of the Empire and rise once more to greatness, which means my work here is done. Soon I will return to Uldar and take my place at the Sultan's side. Father. I'll not deny there's a part of me that wants to stay. The same part that contemplated renouncing my rank and joining you was a wandering sell-sword. I pledged my blade to Nanimal and I will not betray that off. Is this truly what you want, father? It is. Ever has my sword been hers to command. And ever shall it remain. Thank you for lending an ear. When all the rest are clamouring for me to stay, I trust you'll send me on my way. Thank you all for coming. I am Lys Hext, and I speak for the resistance. Among you are village elders, refugee leaders, envoys from the Ananta and the Kikern. You've come from every corner of Ghirabania to help decide the future of Alamego. But before that, I want to ask you a question. What was the first thing you noticed when you came in? For me, it was that empty throne. It has no one to sit on it now. No viceroy, no king. Would any of you like to take their place? Or should someone else sit there? Then let's sit here in a circle, as equals. And I hope, as friends. Expertly done. Lys has removed Monarchy as a choice early in the game and positioned them to consider a joint government. All things considered, I would say, events have got off to a fine start. And that is Alaganas stance on the matter. Thank you, Reganfrid. Another vote in favour. Next, let's hear from Shanti of the Kalyana. Tell us, how do your people feel about the idea of a republic? The Ananta wish only that those who dwell within Ghia Abania devote themselves to our faith. You shall all worship, relax me, lady of bliss. Grace us once more with your beauty as visage. This can't be happening. No crystals were allowed through the door. We can worry about the how of it later. We need to evacuate these people right now, or the primal will make thralls of them all. It's up to us. I would see us all enthralled. Then they're going to be sorely disappointed. We have the warrior of light and are involved to shield us. Well, they can't well defend your guests and attack the primal, can they? We're stuck on the back foot. All right, I think I have an idea. Keep these people safe, General. I'll be back as soon as I can. Next to die on my steel. I have time before we miss one. What of it? Do you want to kill this thing or not? Seven hells. It's her. The butcher. It's done. Take me back to myself. You are not forgiven. Not you. You I will never forgive. But I will thank you for standing against a primal and saving us from servitude. You have my thanks. A fine spot to contemplate the heavens. The meeting is over. The envoys have chosen to instate a government model on Ishgard's House of Commons, a ruling body of representatives elected by the people. It is a fair decision and one which signals the end of my part in all this. But I would gaze upon Ghirabani's stars one last time before I leave. Forget something. You're great. I... there was no word. Rabon Aldin. You are hereby dismissed as general of the Immortal Flames and relieved of your seat on the syndicate. But you're Grace. Rabon, I am no longer a child. Stay here in your homeland. Work with your brethren. Rebuild Alamigo. You desire to stand alone. I understand, but remember what happened. Remember full well the consequences of my naivety. And thus did I consult at length with the most trusted advisor ere I embarked upon this course. A most trusted advisor? And what of me? Am I no longer deserving of your confidence? Trust can there be between us when you withhold the truth from me. Did you think me oblivious to the anguish in your eyes when you spoke of returning to Uldar? For years and years we have trusted one another yet now you refuse to confess your heart's desire? I swore an oath to you that day on the sand. I pledged my sword. And it has served me well. But in Pippin you have forged a new sword as sharp and deadly as the blade you bequeathed him. I will show you a sultana who can wield every weapon at her disposal, including Lolorito and his monetarist cronies. So follow your heart. Please. You are home. You are free. None more. I... Smile for me, Raubon. I would have this parting be a joyous one. Thank you, Your Grace. It has been an honor to serve you and Uldar. Tomorrow you will serve Alamigo and fight for the good of all Eorzea. Am I understood? Yes, Your Grace. Thanks for shielding us from Lakshmi, you two. If you hadn't been there, the rest of us would be worshipping her by now. You're kind to include me, Lys. But we both know who did most of the work. I could scarce keep track of the battle let alone land a telling blow. No shame in admitting it. The warrior of light has put far better men than me in the shed. Did I mention that I encountered the sultana in the palace? It seemed her grace has come to Ghirabania to oversee the final stages of her relocation project. She was in search of General Oldin and I directed her to the rooftop garden. I do hope you were still there. Are you in the habit of gossiping about the affairs of rule, Team Master Leveur? Certainly not, Your Grace. I was merely informing my companions. Be it he is Alphanote, was only a jest. But I must yield the floor to Raubon. He has an important announcement to make. As of yesterday night, I have made a request As of yesterday night, I have been relieved of my post in the immortal flames and the syndicate both. I shall be assuming my father's duties and may I say that his owner has never felt heavier upon my back. Towards seem I am in need of employment. May have one of my old acquaintances can introduce me to a mercenary company or some such. You may be getting on in years father, but you'd struggle to find a band of sell swords who wouldn't snap your hand off. Your remaining hand. Yes, the Bull of Alamego need not be put out to pasture just yet. Your Grace has developed a wicked edge to her humour and you, Pipping, would do well not to laugh when the future may hold the same for you. So, does this mean you're staying? That seems to be the way of it. I would be glad to aid you in rebuilding our nation if you'll have me. Please. Welcome home, Rowban. Well, that was unexpected. Though you seem distinctly unsurprised. Either you're more astute than I give you credit for or I'm losing my touch. In any event, one thing is certain. Alamego will rejoice at the homecoming of her dearest son. My friends, thank you for coming at such short notice. We were told the matter was urgent. I take it Ugari and Sorraban are also involved. Ah, my presence here is but a happy coincidence. I am come on separate business which can wait. My apologies. Master Hancock, pray tell our friends exactly what you told me. Of course, of course. Some few days ago, a large detachment of soldiers was seen arriving at the Garlean Embassy. This seemed to me most unusual as no personages were to be seen. Most unusual as no personages of note are due to visit for a matter of months. So, I made a few inquiries whereupon I learned of the most curious rumor. Apparently, the soldiers were dispatched to Kugane to investigate recent sightings of a certain individual. The late acting imperial viceroy of Doma, Yotsuyu. I beg your pardon? I too am loath to believe it. I saw the keep come down on top of her. We all did. I would not presume to question your eyewitness accounts. Nor am I one to take rumors at face value. The fact is, the Garlians have no knowledge of what took place at Doma Castle. They may well be chasing after a woman who merely resembles Yotsuyu. But a woman who resembles Yotsuyu in the company of a grizzled, rogued and samurai? I daresay that thickens the plot. Gorsetsu! You're alive! While I've no conclusive proof, I thought that such a possibility warranted your attention. Have you informed Lord Hien? Well, I think we'd all like to believe the old bear survived. Indeed. While I dare not give myself wholly to hope, I will not deny that I have prayed for such a miracle ever since that fateful day. But regardless of my personal feelings, if the empire has seen fit to pursue these rumors vigorously, we can scarce afford to ignore them. I am bound by duty to ascertain the truth of the matter. Will you join me in this quest? Thank you. If Gorsetsu yet lives, he will need our help if he is to avoid capture. Gorsetsu is a dear friend. And we cannot abandon him to the mercy of the empire. Our course is clear. Hancock, is there ought else you can tell us? Alas not. But, taking the liberty of employing one of the finest informants money can buy, you shall have the latest intelligence on the Garlean's movements and more besides. Lady Yotsu, we're here to rescue you. Please come with us. Stay back, Tsuyu. Is he all right? Gorsetsu. Dammit, we took too long. Change of plan. Eliminate hostiles. All forces, attack! My apologies. I was more than expected. Think nothing of it. The time afforded me the opportunity to go on a rather rousing excursion through Yansha. You have reached a decision then? We are willing to cooperate with you in combating the icon threat and also in the exchange of prisoners. Assuming you accept our conditions, of course. As you know, your sister is in our care. Due to certain complications, however, we are destined to release her into your custody. Complications? She was inside Doma Castle when it collapsed. Though she survived, she remembers nothing of her past life, not even her name. To clarify, she is in our care not as a prisoner, but as a vulnerable citizen of Doma. Are you saying you refuse to release her? Not at all. If her memory returns before the appointed hour. And if not, what exactly? You will accommodate her here in Doma? Well, I sincerely doubt she will be of any great strategic value to the Empire. She spends her day's day dreaming of Dango. Dango? How dreadful. Very well. In light of our recent misstep in Sakazuki, it seems only fair that I show you the standing you have shown us. Though I do have one small request. Regardless of Yotsuyu's value to the Empire, she is yet my sister. Before I leave, might you permit me to speak with her in private? Of course. Perhaps you could even bring her a plate of Dango. She would be most pleased. You, Giri, will see you to her chambers. I wish you a safe journey. It has been a most enjoyable visit. I look forward to our next meeting. Maxima, would you take the others and see that all is ready for our departure? I simply cannot leave without first giving thanks to the Warrior of Light for accompanying me through Yancho. Mark me, saviour of the savages. There will be a reckoning. You've nowhere left to run, traitor! Savages! Killing us will avail you naught. For every Imperial you cut down a thousand more will come. Abandon this foolish endeavour and surrender! You may yet serve our righteous cause. How dare you speak of righteousness! You who fursook Kith and Kin to serve conquerors! Be glad I grant you this mercy. Reinforcement? Cut him down! Thank you. Thank you, sir. This one is promising. Remains to offer us resistance. A host of rebels led by Lord Cayenne hold the enclave across the river. Cayenne? King of the... Deformer, King of Dormassa. They say he is one of the greatest swordsmen alive. Is that what they say? Surely you jest. That was Zeno Cie Galvas. Legatus of the 12th. The Crown Bloody Prince. I heard he was strong. But that... That was frightening. That was... Lord Zenos. Everything you are. Your power. Even your face. It vexes me. Flash out like the beast you are. At an emissary. And jeopardize the new found peace between Dorma and the Empire. My Lord was destined to lead us into a glorious new age. Your light is nothing to his radiance. Cherish this moment. Lock it away within my heart. Until the day we meet again. You look troubled, my friend. Was it something he said? Of all the memories to witness. I had my doubts about him but I would never have guessed he was a disciple of Zenos. My Lord. Calm yourself, you giddy. I set no store by him or his enlightened brethren. But if by treating with them there is even the faintest hope we might secure the return of our conscripted brothers and sisters. I must play this game. After the way I risked their lives in the rebellion. I owe them that much. My Lord, you bear no blame for their fate. If not blame then responsibility. They were prisoners and still I chose to fight knowing they could be executed in retaliation. But now we have a chance to bring them home. If it means bargaining with a monster so be it. My Lord. Besides I think he likes me. Which is more than some can say. You truly remember nothing. Nothing at all. Friends? Yes. We were good friends, you and I. In fact, I've brought you a gift. I pray that one day soon as you gaze into that mirror you will remember the woman staring back at you. It's so pretty. Who are you? How are you feeling, my Lord? Fine, now leave me. Pleased to you. I pray that I cannot feed myself. I grow weary of the taste of gruel. You don't like it? Can I fetch you something else? I whine. Or if that is not wholesome enough I don't know. A sweet person from Namai. I enjoyed them in my youth. I am full. Besides we have guests. I hope we are not interrupting your meal. We had heard you were confined to bed and welcome some visitors. Confined to? A gross exaggeration. A trifle drain from my exertions perhaps. But with a little rest I shall be fighting fit again in no time. Take off your clothes. Gossetsu, is this how you've been spending your time? My lady, I assure you this is not. Off with them. We need to wash you. You stink. What are all these scars? There are so many of them. A life of battle will leave its mark upon a man. Is something wrong, Suyu? It's nothing. I'm fine. Leave me be, woman. I will not be fussed over like some newborn babe. Greetings. Might I have one of your... Wait. Please. I only wanted a person. Bami, save us! Her spirit has returned. She's back from the dead to seek her revenge. It can't be. She couldn't have survived. What did I do? As if you don't know! Good people of Namae, be at ease. I pray you. You have not to fear. My lord, forgive me but what is that monster doing here? They told us she was dead. I too was surprised to learn of her survival. More even than you I would hazard. It was I who cut her down. It was I who left her to her fate. But it would seem the Kami had other plans. By some miracle, both she and Kosetsu were spared when the keep collapsed, though Yotsuyu's preservation came at the cost of her memory. You're saying she's forgotten? Forgotten everything she's done? Lies! Lies, my lord! She would say anything to escape punishment! What does it matter? We have not forgotten her crimes and we demand justice! I beg of you, lord Hien! Draw your blade and rid us of this kanker! What I saw then, it's all true. I'm so, so sorry. We're supposed to forgive you! Here, there's no need to cry. Can't you see how scared she is? How can you be scared of her? She's not the same. Until such time as her memories return, this woman shall be known as Tsuyu and treated as a citizen of Doma. I will, however, see that she is watched at all times. Rest assured that there will be no more unannounced visits to the village. As your lord, I ask that you leave her fate in my hands and suffer her to live for now. Please, Ise. I'll keep my peace. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Your lord hien, not to mention my dear sister. A pleasure to see you too, ambassador. Forgive us our late arrival. You have our people aboard the airship? Exactly as agreed. We would leave you in no doubt as to the purity of our intentions. I dare say it was the self-same spirit of cooperation which prompted you to bring Yotsu here today. Indeed. Before excluding her from the exchange, I thought it only fair that you see her condition for yourself. Physically, she is in fine health, but her mind is unchanged. So I see. But all need not necessarily be lost. In anticipation of this tragic turn of events, I took the liberty of inviting some special guests. Yotsu, you look well... people. Is something wrong, dear sister? These are our beloved parents. Does not the sight of them bring back sweet childhood memories? Gossetsu, I have to take this to Gossetsu. It would seem my little surprise was not sufficient. You needn't glare at me so, lord hien. I merely did what any loving son would do for his family. Lest you doubt, I am content with the acting viceroy in your care. Pray, treat her as you would any daughter of Dorma. Do not grow too fond of this place, dear sister. You will come back to us air long. We continue with the exchange as planned then. Very good. The structure across the river should serve our needs. We shall await you there with the conscripts. If you would bring your captives. Agreed. Until then, the ambassador. Gossetsu, are you awake? Come in, come in. Until you returned, her eyes were red from weeping. She spoke not a word. Simply sat and peeled some fruit she'd brought for me. She then claimed weirdness and retired to her chamber. Tell me, what happened to upset her so? The ambassador arranged a surprise reunion with her foster parents. A misguided attempt to restore Yotsuyu to her senses. It was plain their presence caused her great distress, but she seemed otherwise unaffected. Yotsuyu was mistreated as a child, was she not? It was a cruel trick to use her tormentors like that, knowing the pain it could cause. I like this asahi less and less. Be that as it may, he has agreed to allow Yotsuyu to remain with us in Dorma. Our primary concern now is to hand over the prisoners without incident and bring our people safely home. There was one other detail at the meeting which caught my attention. I assume you all noticed there are the suspect crates within the castrum. The Imperials were quick to retrieve them afterwards, but I wonder... Out with it, brother. You fear they might contain bombs or war machines? If the ambassador wanted me dead, he has had ample opportunity. No, assassination is not his intent, but we should be on our guard for other acts of treachery. Lord, forgive me, but the lady Yotsuyu, she's gone. I beg your pardon, my lords. I was certain she'd fallen asleep. No, no, the responsibility is mine. It was I who gave her a room instead of a cell. She may simply have wandered outside. We will organize search parties. Might I call upon your assistance? If only I hadn't remembered. He should hate me, but I will not suffer his kindness. Not after what I did to him. Who's there? Oh, it's you. What are you doing out here in the dark? This is the Enclave, is it? When the soldiers dragged us back to Doma, you were the last person I expected to see. You're the bane of our existence, Yotsuyu! A font of misery! You couldn't even do as the simple courtesy of dying, could you? Oh, no! You had to live and taint us with the shame of your failure. We had our perfect life in the capital. And now, they're making us wallow in this muddy ruin like common swine! I don't... Now, now, dear, that'll do. There seems little point in berating the girl when she scarcely remembers her own name. Our time would be better spent contemplating how we're to survive this unhappy predicament. You've kept your looks at least. I suspect you'd fetch a handsome price with the right buy-up. Maybe enough to get us to Kugane and start a new business. My beloved parents. No sooner do I wake from gentle slumber than the world returns in all its cruelty. Yes, this is how it always was. How it was meant to be. Very well. If I cannot escape my nature, then I shall embrace it. To the very depths I have sunk, my soul steeped in spite and rotten to the core. The self-righteous hide behind justice, but I need no such mass. Father. Mother. Was it not you who made me into this monster? Who taught me the truth of this miserable world? Years I knew not but the taste of pain and humiliation. But the time has come to save my vengeance against Doma. Against all my enemies. And it begins. With you! Yotsuyu! Dear sister. Did I not say you would come back to us? Brother dearest. What a surprise. You always were a cold-blooded little worm. I doubt you thought twice about sending our parents to their deaths. Your dagger yet drips with their blood and you presume to judge me. To be frank, I didn't think you had the strength to slay them so cleanly. A single thrust each. I'm impressed. But surely you can't be satisfied with murdering a pair of doddering elders. You yearn for a deeper vengeance and the power to see it through. Any sign of her? What happened here? I knew what would happen if she recovered and still I did nothing. You say she left with her brother? Whatever he wants with her, he was willing to pay for it with his parents' lives. But this is neither the time nor the place. We must gather the others. At last, the hour has come. The conclusion to these negotiations will mark a new beginning for Dorma and the Empire. A first step on the road to peaceful coexistence. Indeed. We are ready to proceed with the exchange when you are. Forgive my curiosity, Ambassador, but is there a purpose to these containers you bring with you? The supply crates. They are filled with materials we hoped might be of use in Dorma's restoration. I meant to gift them to you at our last meeting, but we had so much else to discuss. How very generous. I confess I had not expected such compassion. Welcome, though it is. But then I was also surprised by the news that one of our captives had delivered herself into your custody ahead of time. A minor discrepancy I shall overlook in the spirit of the occasion. Are you perhaps referring to me, Lord Hien? You're to you. Orphan of the Naori, widow of Sashihai and acting viceroy of Dorma. And your people are mine to govern. Mine to punish! Well, well, it would seem your shattered mind is mended. As per our agreement with the Ambassador, you are free to return with him to the Empire. Your authority as acting viceroy, however, is no longer recognized here. My position is not for you to decide, little lordling who resists the rule of the Empire must be purged. Such was the order given to me by Lord Zenos himself in this futile pestilent swamp until the last of you has been broken. This land shall know no dawn. I will spew forth darkness and drown all in eternal night. And high above you I shall shine uncaring, cold and distant as the moon. What has you done? This is a summoning. Dormin's citizen has called forth an icon in direct violation of our primary agreement. The negotiations have failed. Abandon the captives and make preparations to withdraw. But Ambassador, disobey me, Pylos, and you disobey the Emperor. Make preparations to withdraw! Now! As you command. Ask me to run? Spare my pride, would you? I know this foe is beyond me. The field is yours. We will withdraw. But not without our countrymen. I want every soul accounted for. Every soul! My lord. You would not flee. I see now the strength which flows from that baleful light of yours. The sun and divinity of night. What power can compare to such celestial majesty? I shall plunge all I despise into darkness. And within that lack of its even your light shall flicker and fail. Let us cast the storks and look upon the fate of Dormin. I see a future in which the sun sets on this wretched land. Once and for all! You really must learn to finish the job. Tis true that a gaudy mirror and a handful of crystals make for a feeble summoning. But even the weakest icon is a god of sorts. A threat that must be put down. My, my! Such hostility! These beings are the sworn enemies of the Empire. I merely did my duty as an imperial officer. Will you surrender to anger then? Slay an anointed emissary to avenge a fallen foe? You cannot, of course. To do so would burn the bridges we have laboured so hard to build. But I'm forgetting they're already at this dormant woman has seen to that. The Empire cannot ally itself with any nation that refuses to renounce summoning. I believe I was most clear on that point. Should have been mine. He bestowed upon her. I should have been the one to govern Dorma. I would have repaid his faith. No one alive loves him more than I. Instead, this harlot betrayed his trust. Useless piece of filth! Worthless whore! Thank you, dear brother, for this precious gift of vengeance. These people are people. They ignore the corruption which festers beneath the surface. Cast aside that which is dirty and broken. Speak not of things which would disrupt their dreary little lives. Like you Asahi. Always pretending not to see. You were the first. The first I swore to kill. Had thawed my hunger insatiable. But now now you should feel on it, dear brother. I save the last of my strength. Just for you. What's the matter? The witch of Dorma will soon be dead. Happiness was never to be. Not in this world. I wonder was the fruit as sweet as he remember? Lord Zenos, am at your disposal. Asahi. You were born of Doma. Yes. Yes, my lord. I am honored that you would remember me. How may I serve? You are hereby appointed ambassador plenipotentiary and empowered to speak with the voice of the emperor. Return to your native land of Doma and announce your intention to sue for peace. For peace? Once negotiations are underway you are to locate the acting vice-roy. She lives? That is to say I will, my lord. When you have found her you will initiate a ritual to call forth an icon. I will instruct you in the necessary steps. Yotsuyu's faith is unreliable. But as a child raised to believe in the kami she will serve as a vessel for one of the kogen's gods. She need only wish it to be so. The power will seem a gift but the icon's essence will consume her. She will be no more than a husk a slave to whim and desire. My lord, ever since the day you saw fit to save my miserable life I have dreamed of repaying your benevolence. Upon my honor I swear to devote myself wholly to your service. All that you command will be done no matter the cost. But the casualties of your plan yet elude me. From the reports I have heard the champion who aids the domen resistance would make short work of a single icon. The icon is merely a message. The pacifist teachings of the popular is spread through this city like a plague. And I would remind the people of the threat we face. You will be my chosen agent. The hand which tolls the warning bell. The salvation of this world will not be won through the signing of treaties. A chosen agent. I will not fail you, my lord. My master. Zenos, he will come for you. You have prevailed, I see. She is gone. Army spare us only to inflict this pain. Death shall not want for company this day. You spared us a worse disaster. But I fear our fledgling peace with the empire was beyond saving. Lord Hien. Maximo, is it not? I assumed you long fled. I entertain thoughts of escape even now. But on negotiations of yet to reach a satisfying conclusion the ambassador insisted that the summoning spelled an end to our mission here. But it seemed to me there was more to the tale. I have heard tell of this power you wield. And in your vision you witnessed Lord Zenos giving these orders. How can it be? Zenos is dead. He took his own life after the battle Amigo. I saw his body with my own eyes. Forgive me but Lord Zenos is very much alive. He granted our party an audience prior to our departure. That he was gravely wounded is certain, but his recovery appeared to be proceeding at pace. I'm afraid I share Lord Hien's confusion. The man's death was confirmed and his remains interred. These are matters of public record. I have no doubt you believe what you say. But what then is the explanation? That an imposter has infiltrated the innermost circle of the imperial court. The idea is inconceivable. Absurd. But worthy investigation nonetheless. Our movement can ill afford to have a highly placed pretender undermining our efforts. Your efforts may yet bear fruit. Tell me. What is to become of our prisoner exchange? Though we have already taken custody of our conscripts we have yet to release your imperial comrades. Do you still intend to collect them? Uh, yes. As the late ambassador's second in command it falls to me to speak on the empire's behalf. And I'm happy to confirm our intent to proceed according to the original agreement. Then let us be about it. It would be a pity to abandon such a promising beginning. Indeed. You have my thanks, Lord Hien. As soon as our people are secure aboard our airship we shall depart straightways for Garlemond. Tread lightly, Pinus. I sense treachery awaits you there. Might I accompany you to the capital? Alphano, have you gone mad? Imposter or no, if Xenos was instructing Asahi on the finer points of ritual summoning then experience tells us there is an Ascian waiting in the wings. Without our knowledge and expertise our new friends will be hard pressed to contend with a foe for whom death is but a minor inconvenience. They need our help. Were you indeed willing to share your knowledge of this enemy, we would not shun your council. You truly mean to do this? Then full knowledge of the danger. I have seen the warrior of light risk her life on countless occasions. Next to her I'm scarce more than a distraction on the battlefield. But in the meeting room or the audience chamber there I can make a difference. I can strike bargains, forge ties and change minds. And where better to do these things than home of our old enemy? It is not for me to stop you. But I would have you consider an alternative arrangement. Rather than braving the empire as a simple traveler go forth as an emissary of Brahma. Such a position should offer you some measure of protection. Go then. You've obviously made up your mind. Just try not to do anything reckless or right. I shall be on my best behavior. Farewell my friends. How often have I imagined this moment? Thank you for helping it come to pass. Goseksu, your hair! My friend! What have you done? An old man who cannot raise his blade has no place in the service of a young lord. Thus did I decide to devote my remaining days to pilgrimage. I will walk this land offering prayers of repose for all the souls who left this life in suffering. All of them? A fulsome farewell makes for an enjoyable journey. Scarcely have we said our goodbyes to Alphano and you leave us too. But it is well that my companions find their own way forward. I must endeavor to do the same. I have faith that you will find the best path for Dorma without me my lord. Pray forgive me this last act of selfishness and grant me your blessing. You have earned it a thousand times over. Go in peace my friend. I shall make of Dorma a land where children laugh and none need live in fear. There is no better way to honor those who went before. And with that I take my leave. Oh dear, we seem to be missing a corpse. Well it must be somewhere. I only hope it isn't walking around. God, I needed that. I won't bother telling you to catch your breath. Whatever brought you galloping back to us I assume it's urgent. Quite, without further ado then. After the successful uprisings in Doma and Alamego rebels in several other provinces were inspired to follow suit. Unfortunately, they did not fare quite so well. The Dalmascans paid the heaviest price. For their defiance the emperor made a show of raising their capital to the ground prompting many of their neighbors to abandon thoughts of resistance. But not all have given up on liberty. Heartened by the news of Doma's prisoner exchange some still believe that the empire may one day be amenable to negotiation. We have the Shinobi to thank for spreading the good word. They have worked tirelessly to keep the subjugated informed and a little knowledge and go a long way. There is at least a spark of hope then. A spark in want of kindling, yes. The alliance has already begun supplying materiel to resistance movements abroad many of whom would otherwise struggle to continue the fight. A support effort has been led by the Sultana and the Elder Seedseer who have both seen enough Alamegan refugees to know the consequences of oppression. But for their troubles they have quickly earned a reputation as in certain corners of the empire. That is all for the provinces. As for the Garlean motherland itself our friends the popularis have suffered something of a setback I regret to say. Talk is rife that Doma has summoned a primal and the empire's more liberal voices are being drowned out in the fearful clamour for retribution. They think orchestrated this summoning. Oh, any but those truly responsible. Xenos has seen to that. Speaking of whom the crown prince is recovering remarkably well well enough in fact to enable him to personally tour the provinces putting the fear of the empire into the hearts of any would-be dissidents. He walks in plain sight and none suspect him then it's as we feared. Yes an Ascian wears his skin but it was not that which brought me here in such haste During my time in the provinces I learned many things yet at no point did I hear any report of a Domen emissary in the capital. But Alvino should have arrived by now. Could they be holding in there in secret? The possibility did cross my mind but I have reason to believe he never reached his destination. As you know Scions assigned to covert operations such as Reall and myself are issued special link pearls in the location in the event of an emergency. I mention this because it was originally Alvino's task to coordinate the response at headquarters meaning he has one and whose voice should I hear when mine recently crackled to life? You spoke with Alvino? Spoke with no I but heard his voice and not too clearly at that two words were all I could make out the burn The wasteland on the edge of Othurd Something must have happened to them there There's no time to waste We must make for the burn at once I had a feeling you might say that I can't very well sit around here drinking tea if Alvino is in trouble You said yourself that this link pearl was only to be used in emergencies So I'm going and that's the end of it Oh far be it from me to change your minds Between contending with bloodthirsty beasts and sand in my every conceivable place I had begun to despair of finding you again Do you recognize the crash ship over Yonder? Mistress Alize and I briefly inspected it It is the vessel that bore Master Alvino away But there was no sign of him nor of Maxima and his people War Machina It would seem they were involved in a struggle There may be clues We should split up and search the area These were no ordinary soldiers The insignia on this man's uniform identifies him as one of the emperor's personal guard Handpicked soldiers answering only to the raw family That would explain why all the casualties are garlion They were fighting their own You're saying the emperor was behind all this? That Alvino is his prisoner Aye we must not jump to conclusions Besides Alvino was more than capable of looking after himself is he not? I suggest we return to Doma to consider our options Whatever happened here Master Alvino is long gone and any subsequent search may safely be left in the hands of the shinobi Where in the world are you brother? If you die on me I will never let you hear the end of it Lise What brings you here? Oh Alliance business We have a request for Doma Well, Heian But that can wait They told me you were out searching for Alvino Well if he wasn't at the crash site he might still have escaped We have to keep searching And we will Alvino embarked on this journey as an emissary of Doma and I hold myself responsible for his safe return I will have our shinobi in the provinces search for him as a matter of urgency Chin up Alize You'll get to admonish your brother for his recklessness yet Well someone has to do it I know he's going to be fine There is one thing I'm not sure about though You said it was the emperor's personal guard that attacked Alvino's airship But the popularis would never have been able to arrange the prisoner exchange without Varus' blessing So why would he sabotage his own mission? They may not have been acting on Varus' orders The guard answer not only to him but to his family The crown prince included When you're to you summon Tsukiyomi to proclaim that a dormant citizen had violated the terms of our agreement that the negotiations had failed And it is this version of events that is now being repeated across Garlamald To hear the tale, one would think the prisoner exchange never took place Plainly someone is manipulating matters from the shadows Most likely Zenos or whoever it is that wears his face Whichever Asian you mean with the nature of our adversary The servants of Chaos are true to their name Their meddling has cost Dorma a chance at peace Whoever it was that loosed his personal guard the emperor cannot be ignorant of these developments We must proceed on the assumption that our treaty is indeed in tatters But come, Lys, you have journeyed far Let me hear your petition Right Also, the big news is that Al-Amigo has agreed to join the Eorzean Alliance To make it official and discuss where we all go from here the leaders of the five nations are planning to hold a meeting and we were hoping you might come too We've already seen what we can achieve when we work together and the Alliance hopes to work even more closely in future. They think it's our best hope of keeping the Garlians in check and I agree As do I In the east and west we may be able to discourage them from committing their forces to a single front I accept your invitation I must, however, ask for time to attend to some pressing matters here In light of recent events the risk of Imperial reprisals is greater than ever and I would not leave Dorma unguarded ere I depart I must shore up her defences Understood I'll let the Alliance know We'll wait to hear from you before setting a date the meetings to be held at the Royal Palace in Alamigo incidentally Do you remember the way? Well enough Please assure my hosts that I will not keep them waiting any longer than I have to Consider it done and thank you for agreeing to come If we all put our heads together we're sure to find the best way forward for everyone If we are to ready ourselves for invasion we shall need manpower, provisions and time Candidate as ever, you giddy and correct I concede Fortunately, I have an idea Tis plain no single nation can stand against the might of the Empire and it was only with the aid of others that Dorma succeeded in winning her freedom So, I mean to take a leaf out of our Eosian friends book and form an alliance of our own In addition to those with whom we already share an understanding I would reach out to Hingashi and Tsui no Sato and further afield to the myriad peoples of Nanksha and Dalmasca I am under no illusion not all will answer the call yet disparate though we may be we are united in our desire for freedom If our neighbours could be made to see what is at stake Assy and machinations and all cooperation need not be so far fetched in motion We may even seem practical Under the guidance of our former leader, Master Louis Soir we once strove to unite the fractured city-states of Eosia I dare say that experience shall be of use in your endeavour We should be glad of your wisdom For the record, I would have been in favour of this plan even if it hadn't been my grandfathers but I have to ask how will we secure the time to carry it out Not that anyone has forgotten but the Garlians have airships and lots of airships Should they catch wind of our plan they could send in our murder to overwhelm us before our alliance had even begun to take shape Not if we deny them access to the skies During our time in the burn the warrior of Light and I chanced upon some elegant ruins Oh? As such ruins go, they were not particularly unusual but something about the surrounding land struck me as odd Faint though it was its ethereal residue was uncannily similar to that of Azis-La identical in fact For locations so far removed to share a single etheric signature is all but impossible I conclude therefore that the elegans created the floating continent with land taken from the burn While that is a most intriguing theory I fail to see what relevance it has to Dorma's defence Azis-La was enclosed in a powerful energy barrier impenetrable even to an agrius class battleship It occurred to me that those ruins may have enjoyed similar protection I have no proof but the warrior of Light did report seeing a structure resembling other known elegant field generators Alright, but even if we could put up such an energy barrier it surely wouldn't extend beyond the limits of the burn So what's to stop the Galleons flying around it? Fuel The Dalmasken capital, Rabinasta was a key imperial refueling point in the east By laying waste to it as a lesson to the rest the empire greatly hindered its own operations in the region If an imperial fleet were to advance upon Dorma it would now have little choice but to travel as the crow flies over the burn A word of caution Even assuming the generator still functions raising a barrier of such a scale will require a prodigious amount of energy and few places are so bereft of suitable crystals as the burn Hmm A source of energy Tell me Did the Galleons make a habit of launching things into the sky? A curious question Besides Azizlah I know of only one other notable instance The Redmoon Dalamud whose fall triggered the calamity Just the two occasions you say Then I believe I may have a solution to our energy problem You do? I may To find out for sure we would need to visit the Azim step Which would I now see present the perfect opportunity to discuss an alliance with the Zaylah tribes How very neat What say you then? Shall we see whether this road leads? I will never tire of this vista The endless fields The boundless skies It is a sight to make a man forget his cares But not his purpose I trust Might this be a fitting moment to tell us what we are doing here? Of course During my time with the Mole I learned some few myths of this land One goes thus In the distant past when all seemed doomed a wayfaring soul came onto the step Venturing into the northern crag he received of Nama a sliver of her essence a shard of the shining moon and with it clove the tainted land from the earth The end thus averted to these fields to the wayfaring soul return and venturing once more into the northern crag he buried the shard and made unto the heavens an offering of blood A tainted land driven from the earth and an offering of blood to the heavens Azizlah and Alamud That was my thinking, yes And you believe that yonder mountains hide an artifact possessed of sufficient power to raise Azizlah up to the heavens? I suppose that might suffice Worth a closer look would you say? I would Such an abundance of ether Are we in luck? We are an elegant artifact most likely built to regulate the flow of ether I strongly suspect the ancients used it to stem the flow from here to the Bern That would explain how they were able to untether what became Azizlah from its surroundings But were we to throw open the floodgates the resultant deluge would surely be sufficient to raise our wall and in restoring the flow we may also restore life to the wasteland While the device itself harbors a surfeit of ether the opposite is true of the surrounding area An effect of regulation, perhaps A similar phenomenon seemed to be occurring in Doma Whatever the explanation the answer will not reveal itself here We have seen what we needed to see Let us return to Molylo This spot shall serve as well as any I shall enjoy this harn Is this truly necessary? Having a peaceable way of making decisions Speak not of peace You stand before proud warriors of the Dothal In the heat of battle do our souls burn brightest Lay low the strong that we may rise higher That is our way The way of might there is no other Oh they did not want for conviction Indeed, it's what makes them such dangerous enemies and such useful allies Enough talk It is time to fight Since the Nardim has my soul burned so We have only just begun You were not granted leave to set the step ablaze Well well The sun has come out to play Unmoonstruck Orinir, I am busy Fool of a Dothal Have you forgotten the face of your master already? The sun will never set From his seat on high He reigns over all Now and forever Yet what should he find here But a battle to determine the fate of the step A battle waged without his blessing This will not stand You Doman You who come to petition the warriors of this land Forget that all Nama's children are wards of the Orinir As first among my brothers your petition is mine alone to judge These words are as wind from horses backside, plentiful But your axe sings more sweetly Let her speak for you Me brother Magni But we have an arrangement with the Dothal We will not abide any interruptions So be it The sun will pass judgment on all Radical, join me We may dance alone Beg not for mercy For you will have none Bear witness to the power and the glory of Azim At each other's throats I rabid Dogs, gods I'm turning into her I am not the patience for this But if we must fight Let us at least be brief Come Such bliss in defeat Dash to Ash We Dothal will lend you our strength as promised Nama's power is yours to wield What does the sun say to that? The sun is not driven by base motives such as yours But I They have been judged and found worthy It is the way of the Orinir to accord recognition and respect to the strong You have made sufficient proof of your strength The sun shall answer your call You have our thanks We are glad to call you allies You By what are you called? Youstola, why? Are you my Nama? I beg your pardon? In battle you shone with all the majesty of the full moon's light Your healing touch is the embodiment of the dusk mother's love Long had I wondered if my Nama might not be a woman of the step Beholding you I am all but certain Now look into my eyes Could it be? Could you be? I am Not interested little son Try again when you've become a man Little? You little son You have to soothe the ache Fire to sear the wound in your heart We have wasted enough time here Serena waits for word of our success Did it work? It did Aether may flow freely to the burn once more Mistress Lys Commander Alden It gives me great pleasure to formally welcome the city-state of Alamego to the Aeosian Alliance These are your grace I know I speak for all Alamegans when I say that we are glad of this chance to stand with our comrades of the Alliance And we for our part are glad indeed to be able to welcome friends both old and new Lord Hien of Dorma at your service Pray accept my heartfelt thanks for your generous invitation Nay, it is we who must thank you for journeying so far and to be remiss of me not to acknowledge the science of the Seventh Dawn have played in bringing all of us together In times of great unrest you and yours have been our constant companions without whom we would not be here With apologies to Lord Hien and Mistress Alize it occurs to me that we have not gathered in this way since that fateful day in Uldar The day I lost my arm and my freedom As I lay in my cell never did I dream that I would one day be given the chance to represent my homeland at this council I would not even be alive had you not plucked me from the jaws of death you, you, Giri and Alphino would that the land could be with us I too owe my presence here to Alphino in so many ways until such time as he returns I mean to carry on his good work as best I can Come friends let us leave the past in the past and turn our eyes to the future my Lord Hien pray tell us how things stand in the east Having heard the rumours of descent in Garlemald I dared to dream of a peaceable solution The Empire will not so easily change its ways If the Garlians have a mind to take back Doma and Alamego we'll be hard pressed to stop them even with the might of six nations but while we lack the strength to fight the tide a course may yet present itself if we read the winds are right the winds suggest but one course to me one which leads from the sea unto the river and thence to the source of all our woes the Asians indeed all here have felt their blighted touch it was the bringers of chaos who nurtured the archbishops tyrannical ambitions they who bestowed upon him the secrets of summoning as they have so many others before and since and while they remain we shall know no peace our objective is clear the question is how to achieve it that our enemy parades about in Xenos' skin pose his problems in itself but here we get to them how are we to infiltrate the Empire and get close enough to strike while I see the wisdom in targeting the Asians an assassination attempt on Galleon's soil would do little to aid our cause even were it to succeed it's time we used our enemy's preferred tactic subterfuge you have an idea? speak your mind, Master Thancred none here know the enemy better than the Scions and you may have best of all whatever it is you propose we will give it fair hearing on that you have my word very well Admiral my proposal is thus we dispatch the Shinobi to Imperial territory there they sow the rumour that the Crown Prince perished in the battle for Alamego and that the man parading around is in fact a corpse inhabited by a servant of darkness it does have the ring of truth about it and were the Galleons to learn that their future ruler is a puppet the Empire would be shaken to the core but at the risk of sounding stupid would they actually believe such an unlikely story I didn't ordinarily not but prior to his miraculous recovery rumours of Xenos' death had already begun to circulate around the Empire ultimately however what the masses believe is not our chief concern our true objective is to create an opening for rival factions within Gala Mold to exploit just as a war of succession erupted in the wake of Emperor Sonos' death a war which raged until but recently plunging the Imperial house into disarray as nephew and uncle grappled for the throne it is no coincidence that one of Varys' first acts as Emperor was to name Xenos heir apparent family feuds being so tiresome when armies are involved not all welcomed his choice of successor however there is no shortage of individuals who aspire to the throne who would jump at any chance to seize power the news that Xenos is not only dead but a puppet to diabolical forces would be too enticing to ignore the Empire would not be quick to recover from a second war of succession I am no stranger to infiltrating Imperial territory with a team of operatives gathered from among the Alliance's finest the plan should have a reasonable chance of success Doma already has Shinobi in place throughout the provinces we stand ready to act and act we must what say you all? I am for Master Thancry's proposal we shine a light upon the Acyan and test the Empire's unity it was his plot that scuttled Doma's negotiations was it not why then if we can eliminate him there may yet be a chance for peace let us wage this war this subterfuge that we may one day lay down our arms gods know we never will why the Acyans remain that way history must be changed Ed looms a calamity ahead looms light expunging all form and life twin dooms only you can forestall only you what's the matter? there's a voice spies in our midst nay I sense no such presence let expanse contract eon become instant through wide the gates that we may pass is it over? Master Thancred well for fend bear him to a private chamber have every healer make ready swiftly Master Thancred remains in slumber though his vital signs appear stable he's unresponsive what could have done this and why just him and not the others I'm afraid we could not identify the cause our examinations revealed no wounds nor the presence of any poisonous substances gods that only makes it worse you're to let us know the moment there's any change alright thank you for coming knowing Thancred he would apologize for being otherwise engaged at so crucial a juncture in gifting us a course of action Thancred soared the seed of all that is to follow we have but to nurture it as best we can to him I would say rest easy that he may wake to enjoy the fruits of our labours now the matter of the mysterious voice must not be forgotten will you tell me exactly what happened Alize and I heard a voice in the moments before Thancred collapsed accompanied by a severe headache as if something were clutching at our minds did you experience the same thing so in between the voice and the pain you felt as if you were somewhere else entirely your testimony confirms my suspicion that which you experienced was I believe your soul being plucked from your flesh called called I myself examined Thancred reach out as I may I could not sense in him the spark of life that is his soul that Thancred alone was stricken so is likely due to his heightened sensitivity to the effects of Aether a consequence of his prior possession by the Ascian the Hebrea the owner of the voice whoever it may be reached out to you called your souls and in so doing caused you and yours such pain if that's true where exactly are we being called too I know not yet one thing is plain whoever waits for you on the other side is possessed of a power unlike any I have ever known forgive us Lise but may we leave Thancred in your care for a time as if you had to ask I may not be Ascian anymore but I'm no lesser friend don't worry I'll see to it that Thancred's well looked after just focus on solving this mystery alright thank you Lise as the elder seed seer says it is no ordinary individual we are dealing with nor can we discount the possibility of Ascian involvement whoever or whatever is behind this the sooner we find out the better gods it's good to see you would that our meeting were under happier circumstances I judge the voice sufficient cause for concern even before you sent word of its effect on our comrade you heard it too then and all but certainly at the self same instant alas pained as I was I could make little sense of what few words did then reach my nears who do you think is responsible could this be the Ascian's doing that I cannot say not when so little is known ere I indulge in speculation I would examine Thancred with my own eyes to Alamego then without further delay one other thing during my visit to the Far East I observed a strange phenomenon the other furthest I presumed to the localized reduction in etheric density well that spares me the trouble of an explanation yes I know to precisely that to apparently unconnected locations I take it the phenomenon is not limited to the Far East indeed not of late our agents charged with surveilling the beast tribes have spoken of little else in every corner of the realm they tell of places in which the ether has grown thin naturally my suspicions first turned to primal activity but the areas thus affected betray no evidence of summoning I must confess to being quite perplexed if the same phenomenon is being observed in multiple locations on opposite sides of the world we may safely discount regional factors needless to say this warrants further investigation indeed I shall make it my task to the voice it calleth to me once more I hear it too throw wide the gates Yeshtola, Oryong'e open your eyes open your eyes I beg you say something anything not again please not again here he is my lady Gabu it's been too long I'm afraid there's been no change if he can see or hear us he has given no sign I see you're still fighting I'm proud of you we promised that we would come and visit you together didn't we you know and I I'm sorry that we haven't managed that yet you know with the three of us like this does it not remind you of that night of the stars beyond count twinkling in the heavens I was feeling pretty low back then powerless but I knew that my brother was close by if I needed him and that the others would be waiting for me back at the rising stones not like now I've seen my share of trouble since coming to Eorzea been reminded again and again of my limitations of how little I can change about this world and I've come to know the sorrow of parting all too well but to have the people I hold dear struck down before my eyes and be powerless to help them that that I cannot bear and for that I am grateful I don't know what I would do without you that's more than enough brooding for one day come on we have friends to save popular is no longer present an obstacle now is the time to bring the empire's might to bear a word from your radiance is all it takes but one word and the imperial army will fall upon Alamigo as a pack of bloodthirsty wolves and tear that feeble nation apart despite the lengths I go to an emissary playing the part of a fool when first I took this face I swore to use all of my knowledge all of my power to further the cause of the empire my deeds stand testament to my commitment and with this adamant flesh at my disposal I could destroy the icon slayer as easily as one might swat a fly why do you hesitate is resourceful though victory is certain now it will not remain so indefinitely deliberate if you must but be quick about it we'll speak again when you have unburdened yourself of doubt until then I take my leave father should be the one to sigh I played my part to perfection I had earned my rest and then thanks to Laha Brea's crowning act of idiocy our favorite emissary sees fit to summon me back Alidibus was ever a warrior a most tiresome trait would you not agree what? no words for me either no matter I've long grown weary of this mummary now my dearest grandson let me remind you of your place in the simplest of terms you do not make judgments you administer them swiftly and to the letter not else is your concern Alidibus may be an insufferable bore but he is no fool his choices as emissary seldom err if orth threatens the balance twix light and dark it falls to you to remove it be it by your own hands or by your armies you have ample means at your disposal that is why this empire exists why I built it oh dear have I touched a nerve you always were an easy one to read I pity you I do as they say ignorance is bliss and I know how much happier you would be not knowing the things you know the founding father was an Ascian and he created the empire solely for the purpose of sowing the seeds of chaos don't take it personally I merely do my duty to bring about a calamity requires no small amount of power and there is no sure a way to obtain such power than by collecting powerful pawns at that end I have labored long and hard and I must say I am quite pleased with my handiwork poultry though it seems in comparison to Allerg you fiends are over fond of your own voices be Ascian man is the master of his own destiny such a waste of time and energy both yours and mine blessed you forget you are emperor now if you wish to spout drivel about man's destiny save it for the masses it will serve to give them a sense of purpose and you client pieces for the game oh do stop sulking boy you of all people should understand ours is a struggle to restore both mankind and the world to their rightful state viewed thus our goals are one and the same I'm glad you've come though I'm afraid there's little in the way of good news after you left we reached out to both the alchemist's guild and stillglade fame and attempted all manner of treatments but the results were always the same whatever the answer is not alchemy or conjury why did it have to be Yishtolar and Uriangé and not me out of all of us they are the ones who could feasibly have solved this puzzle and Elphano's still missing god it's all going wrong where do we even start a grave situation indeed might I be of some assistance cry I did not think you well enough to travel when word reached me of the plight of our friends I could not well stay away as a fellow scion not to mention your erstwhile mentor this is one of those times you should feel free to call on me regardless of my personal circumstances I... yes I should have thought of that thank you for coming Criel we would welcome your insight and I should be happy to provide it now what's this I hear about Elphano heading into imperial territory that boy always did have some funny ideas do you remember the speech he gave when he was accepted to the studio my life's goal is not less than the salvation of this star that particular grand pronouncement has been a source of great embarrassment to him as you know but the fact of the matter is he meant every word and has lived his life accordingly yes he remains altruistic to a fault but I'm worried he was too fixated on his goals to see the dangers that happened before you needn't be so concerned though his values remain the same Elphano is not the blinkered boy he once was slowly but surely his eyes have been opened thanks to a certain someone a certain someone whom he'd be mortified to learn had heard about his little speech mum's the word eh right I'd better have a look at our patience they're in the infirmary I assume I'll need absolute quiet so it would be best if I did this alone excuse me all three are in fine physical health at a glance I would say they were merely sound asleep except for the fact that I couldn't sense the slightest trace of them in their bodies it's as if their souls have taken leave of their physical forms ah yes the elder seed seer made a similar observation I've read the report when you heard this mysterious voice you described feeling as if you were somewhere else yes if we assume the ether which comprises your essence is being drawn to some other place then it may be possible to follow the trail it leaves behind just as we did now search for Thancred I wasn't around for that but I can't imagine it was easy oh it wasn't but that's no reason not to try I will have need of master Matoya's crystal eye if I'm even to make the attempt so I suggest we pay her a visit to disturb my piece again have you I hide myself away in a cave and still you people insist on pestering me with your problems I mistook you for young what's his name but I see now you're the sister weren't you supposed to be the lively one I have seen happier faces at a rain subtle burial well I'm sorry to dash your expectations but the situation isn't exactly conducive to gaiety that's more like it Stoller used to spit in his like a wild cat too better for a young thing like you to be filled with fire and leave a doom and gloom to your elders now what exactly does this tragic situation of yours have to do with me if I may master Matoya we have need of your crystal eye once more Stoller is one of the afflicted issue very well she may be an ungrateful stray but she's my ungrateful stray and I'll not see her buried before I am right let us see what we can see I'll begin from where our friends first fell cast my senses out from there what is it did you find them with this this doesn't make sense but how is it even possible how is what possible Crile what did you see the threads they just ended and no I didn't lose track of them I followed them as far as they went it's as if it's as if they were cut off could they either have dissipated if it had oh oh god their bodies are just husks it's like the brood mother's daughter all over again no no this is different the Kalyana girl was already dead body and soul when Lakshmi affected her resurrection I let's not jump to conclusions if their physical forms yet breathe and show no signs of wasting then it follows that their souls must still be intact somewhere but where that's the question isn't it girl death has not taken them to the ethereal sea yet there are no tracks left for us to follow we're no closer to an answer than when we started but knowing their souls are still out there is the progress of a sort we just have to keep looking pray excuse me a moment yes I remember but what to alamigo we're on our way that was lease apparently a group of popular is have defected to alamigo and maxima the envoy alphanol left with is one of them I'm sorry I realize we've barely begun here but go child no you've made up your mind and life's too short for discerning I'll do some digging in the meantime and see if there isn't some other method we could use to continue the search let's be off then not again the enchantment barely seems to take these days I chalk it up to old days but I'll rather doubt it's that simple before they took ill Yishtola and Ariange were sharing notes on a thinning of the ether it seems to be happening all over does it now and here I was all set to play my roles on that creaking mountain of refuse clogging up the alley something has gone still there's not to begin from starting a chateau you can only do what can be done and that but one thing at a time I'm sorry to drag you halfway across the realm but when Maxima mentioned Alphino I thought you'd want to hear the news in person ah we meet again though I was hoping our reunion would be under more auspicious circumstances what happened to my brother where is Alphino never fear my lady your brother was in fine health when I took my leave of him and I have no reason to assume that has changed you assume if you will allow me I will endeavor to explain events our troubles began not long after we departed Doma while crossing the burn we were fired upon by the emperor's personal guard and forced to make an emergency landing as we stumbled from the wreckage our attackers fell upon us again and we would have perished there and then were it not for the intercession of a third party a band of mercenaries whose leader claimed to pursue a vendetta against the asians this shadow hunter as he styled himself then escorted us out of the wastes to relative safety upon arriving back in civilization I gathered my popular as colleagues and prepared to flee the empire master Alphino however declined the invitation to join us preferring to continue his investigation into the asian threat well at least he's not lying in a heap in the burn tell us more about these asian hunters and is Alphino still with them? he is as to who they are I'm afraid I have nothing to tell you beyond the fact that they root out and destroy asians they were unwilling to divulge anything which might serve to identify them they would not even reveal their next destination but master Alphino asked to accompany them all the same since parting company with your brother we've been engaged in a game of cat and mouse with the emperor's guard we made our way through province after province finding the army busy restoring order wherever we went until we finally arrived here in Alamigo I can't thank commander Aldin enough for giving us such an unexpectedly warm welcome I'm not inclined to turn away refugees no matter which land they call home and if they can tell me how things lie in garlamald commander on that subject there is much I would tell you during the course of our journey we heard tales that an entire rebel army had been slaughtered in the space of a single night it would seem my former comrade grew tired of putting down uprisings in the conventional manner and chose instead to bring a formidable new weapon to bear details were sparse but the rumor alone was enough to dampen the flames of rebellion reports that several companies have withdrawn from their designated provinces and begun marching westward it is my assessment that the empire's forces are mobilizing for a large scale military engagement westward you mean they're getting ready to invade alamigo we knew this was coming but not that it would be so soon we've barely even begun to shore up our defences they won't stop an invading army no they won't dispatch messengers to the alliance leadership requesting reinforcements and send word to our offices in the field to hasten completion of those border fortifications prepare to meet the imperials head on no matter how quickly we act we still want for time when the enemy comes into view our best recourse will be to open negotiations with their commander and see that the ensuing proceedings take as long as possible would you and alize head to doma and let lord hien know about this I'm sure he'll want to hear about alfino too consider it done we'll send word when must be changed and looms a calamity beyond become instant throw wide the gates you heard it too well at least we're both still standing oh thank the gods I thought we'd lost you for a moment there why does this keep happening I wish I knew nothing we've tried as bought us any closer to an answer we'll keep working on it but first we need to go and see lord hien it seems the engineers have matters well in hand should the barrier work as we intend doma will be free to reinforce her allies in alamigo without fear of weakening her own borders honored friends the time has come to put your hard work to the test start the generator node one is operational nodes two to eight are reporting similar energy levels the barrier is forming one thousand yams two thousand three thousand no fluctuations detected four thousand five thousand target altitude reached the barrier is holding steady at five thousand yams we've done it be a lair ship but this is a gift mistress alize they contest on you all for us seems solid enough though I was hoping for a fireball the gods it's alpha no let me go he has my brother lower the barrier be at ease girl the lad is not dead merely locked in slumber not him too we could identify no cause and found no remedy thus I sought to return him to doma and into the arms of lord he and himself it would seem it is a day for fated reunions would you not agree adventurer nor should I address you as the warrior of light guys fan bale sir the black wolf that was the title I was given one I have long since relinquished stand down the negatus of the 14th imperial legion died in castrum meridianum I am no more than gaius bale sir a man without ranker allegiance impossible there's no way you could have survived do you remember how it unfolded how I was deceived by la hebreia how I was convinced that reviving the ultima weapon would allow me to bring peace to Eorzea the asian used me as he used so many others all to further the restoration of his wretched god yet even with the might of alec at my command you bested me and as the petroleum went up in flames I was content to burn along with it for a moment at least a moment of folly to surrender my life thus would have been to betray all who died for my cause it was for them that I dragged myself free of the rubble and swore vengeance on the asians the black wolf has shed his pelt never to return to golemald or her legions I live now only to exact revenge my principal quarry was to be la hebreia whom I gather you have since ushered into oblivion but so many more remain long as their kind lurked in the shadows laboring to sow chaos throughout our world I would see each and every one dragged into the light put to this sword are the scions not of like mind in this single respect perhaps then I shall continue the partnership the boy began and share what intelligence I have acquired among the asians the blackmast ilk are subordinate to those who wear red this you already know yet among the red there exists a hierarchy those that adrift with the shards clearly stand below those still joined to the source nebrialis who once dared to intrude upon the rising stones belong to the former group and while he was indeed a dangerous foe his powers were inconsequential next to the paragons of the source the first was la hebreia who plagues us no more there is also the white robe delidibus and the elusive emet selk little is known we have files on la hebreia and elidibus but I believe this emet selk is new to us as I assume my brother told you we have evidence to suggest that an asian now walks in the body of the crown prince have you identified this interloper elidibus seems the most lightly culprit as emissary it is his role to maintain the equilibrium between darkness and light your many deeds in heidelands name have upset the balance and I believe he seeks to restore it by throwing his considerable power behind the empire as a leader of the asians he is one of our primary targets it was on the trail of this very prey that the boy and I came across the scene of a failed uprising in the absence of a single garlion casualty we inspected the bodies of the rebels and the lack of any external injury drew my immediate attention they had been slain by black rose an alchemical invention of the imperial army when I yet served as legatus I ordered its production halted and all stockpiles destroyed toxic gas is not a tool of conquest but of extermination toxic gas this must be the new weapon maxima warned us about something deadly enough to sweep away all resistance in a matter of hours gods you don't think they're planning to use this in alamego do you? put your fears to rest we infiltrated the production facility and destroyed all existing stores of the chemical along with the plant itself even should they rebuild the operation they will not soon manufacture another batch regardless I would draw your attention to a directive we discovered in the plant's records the document was marked with a recent date and authorized with the signature of one xeno sieg almas a dead man signing the death warrant for thousands it is bad comedy but the tale does not end there within that same facility was a chamber filled with devices of elegant design cloning technology we realized and what should we find in each and every incubator but a young emperor solace a life which prompts the question were the asians responsible for these abominations or was it the will of the emperor I must know which hand guides the empire though I have given up my rank I am yet a son of garlameld and I will fight for the future of my homeland it is time I return to the hunting of shadows we should focus on our common foe to reopen old quarrels now we will serve no purpose you saved my brother's life so I am willing to let sleeping dogs lie but in truth it is not my decision to make there was a time when I scorned those who placed their faith in false gods even as I in my blinkered conviction placed mine in asian promises unlike yours my strength of will and my restraint was found wanting we shall meet again warrior of light so that was the infamous black wolf an unexpected ally to say the least well I am content to leave the fine tuning of the barrier to cleverer minds let us bid our friends from the ironworks farewell and see what can be done for alphano back in dorma our supplies of black rose have been ruined but the new plant is already under construction we should have the first batch ready in time for the offensive your radiance what did you do ah yes the infamous black rose if I recall correctly gaius did not much care for the invention a ruthless and indiscriminate weapon indeed its airborne poison it seems you are capable of making decisions worthy of your bloodline with no gift for sorcery we garlians must look to magitek to even the odds if it spares the needless deaths of our soldiers this serves the cause of this empire there is no method I would not employ how very noble of you truly though I must commend you for embracing your role as emperor you play the part of the determined ruler well sometimes even I catch myself believing a silent agent of death now that I think on it black rose may well possess the perfect aspect slowly but surely the deluge of light has worked upon the aether here in the source and the gas should be most susceptible to its influence well I shall leave you to your own devices go forth and bloody the land with your grand and glorious war while you do what precisely need you ask I will be doing what all asians do I am well aware that your kind exists only to usher in the next calamity but you seem oblivious to the harm your singular agenda causes to the empire you cannot have forgotten the events which followed your mortal demise where homeland was plunged into a civil war for your failure to name a successor the edifice you so carefully constructed was but a hairs breath from collapse are you truly so naive you thought me oblivious to the consequences of a departure so painstakingly timed it was by design well of course it was though I will admit the resulting panic exceeded even my wildest expectations but how can you be surprised throwing the world into disarray was the very purpose for which this nation was as you say so carefully constructed now if you have no further questions I must be on my way since we may not meet again in this lifetime it would be remiss of me not to offer a word or two of gratitude I really must thank you for this surplus of vessels I can mould any host into my own image but having bodies tailor made for me in this fashion is so much less tiresome you dabbled in allagan cloning techniques yes it certainly is a compelling not to mention entertaining field of research and of all the options available you chose the founding father on whom to experiment you have a twisted streak the new virus like grandsire like grandson hey if events play out as planned this will become something of a family enterprise you will be the capstone of this world I the anchor and together we will give the lie to this stars fraudulent existence welcome back you two greetings lord here glad you could join us glad to be here I would have come sooner while our own defense is not in question but I am pleased to report that our soldiers are assembling for deployment to alamegal as we speak we're grateful for your support thanks to the efforts of our allies it won't be long before we've established defensive positions on this front as well we have some good news too alfino has come back to us as for the bad news so alfino won't wake up gaius van baelsa is alive we're planting asians and the empire is planning to poison us all with toxic gas does that sound about right ordinarily any one of those things would have left me in shock but the way things have been lately it's all starting to seem pretty normal getting back to your report are we sure this black rose is the weapon maxima was talking about it fits the description and it seems we have alfino to thank for sparing us an early demonstration of its effectiveness of a feeling this won't be the last time his bravery in the empire will serve us here in eosia the threat of an unknown weapon has had us all on edge but now that we know what we're dealing with we can take steps to defend against it as for gaius I'm not sure what to think am I happy he's alive not in the slightest am I happy he's hunting asians I have to say I am oh speaking of garlians you didn't expect to see we have a tale of our own as it happens when we sent envoys to the imperial army to request talks they returned with the message that barris sos galvis would be attending the emperor himself well, virus did sanction popularis peace mission but knowing that an asian walks in his son's skin I do not see how we can trust him or anyone from that nest of vipers the alliance would proceed with negotiations regardless if only to give ourselves more time to prepare we do however require your cooperation ah, right, yes so, as a condition for the talks to go forward the empire has requested that a member of the scions be present there'll be a representative from each alliance nation of course but I'm afraid we have to ask that you come along too gods, lice you know how much I hate politics but then what choice do I have alpha know when the others aren't going to do it very well I shall attend as the scions representative in case you're wondering why I didn't ask you the empire also requested the presence of aiausia's champion oh you're not, are you come on, if alize can put on a brave face then so can you now we don't know what virus means to bring to the table or why he wants you there but having you close at hand should make all the difference the meeting will take place on the border anticipating an early assault we mean to position the bulk of our forces nearby the alliance leaders should already be on their way once you're ready we can head out and join them esteemed representatives of the aiausian alliance on behalf of the galean empire I thank you for inviting me here today as this parley was convened at your request, I invite you to speak first very well your radiance I, nannimo ulnamo seventeenth in the line of ul should be pleased to oblige you as recent events in alamego and doma have made claim the subjugation and exploitation of neighboring nations is not a sustainable policy should this day end in war you may very well defeat us but you will never extinguish the people's desire for freedom though it may not be in our lifetime there will be another revolution another war and the cycle will continue doma has entered into a concord with the nations of aiausia a partnership wherein we recognize one another as equals garlamal could be afforded similar treatment you need only set aside your ambitions and join us in paving a path towards peace you will not win me over with sophistry or grace as you know only too well this alliance lacks the strength to keep the peace within its own borders even now your struggles with the beast men continue unabated divided you sow this fertile soil with the seeds of your differences and reap naught but discord and chaos for your trouble aiausia must be united under one leader one purpose i would offer you both and bring an end to your strife with all due respect your radiance the only thing that you offered the people of alamego was fear and hopelessness the citizens of doma can also attest to the meager arms of imperial rule there is no purpose to be found in a life of oppression each day more uncertain in the last our people are willing to die for their freedom a great many already have and countless more will if we don't put an end to this madness here and now we brought order and stability to your lives this madness and bloodshed is of your own making you broke the peace not garlemount peace order you kill our peoples to spoil our lands take everything that is ours and what you expect us to lick the book that grinds our faces into the dirt i expect you to weigh the costs to recognize the countless lives have been lost on both sides in pursuit of a greater good and to not squander all we have achieved in a fit of patchwork your radiance i fear i can personally attest to the dangers of pursuing one's vision with such righteous fervour for a thousand years the holy sea of ishgard waged war with dragons a thousand years of sacrifice of sorrow and hate in which we bathed in the blood of friend and foe alike had it gone on any longer we may well have drowned yet we have chosen to raise ourselves out of this bloody spiral and have since made peace with our former enemy so i understand no doubt the dragons were more receptive to your overtures in the wake of their leader's demise you speak of peace yet use war to achieve it your father would not have bothered to obscure his intent with honeyed words he understood that strength is all that matters in the end without his clarity of vision i can but wonder what will become of ishgard and her people there was a time when garlamal too lacked a leader of conviction weak and unable to wield magic we were at the mercy of the strong from whom we sought refuge in the bitter cold of the north were it not for the discovery of ceruleum and the subsequent development of magitech we might never have gained the power to take back that which was rightfully ours speak as if your people were the first to have been driven from their homes limsa laminsa was built by wayward souls in search of a place to call their own on the shores of vilebrand we found it and from those humble beginnings did we grow and flourish and all without robbing our neighbors of their liberty so saith the pirate am i to believe that you simply asked the kobolds to yield up their lands and that they were happy to oblige you that you did not drive them out like rats in the hold of one of the many ships seized by your privateer i will concede that after centuries of exile reclamation may be mistaken for invasion nevertheless it is not and those who till stolen soil have no right to object when cast out in turn your uncompromising nature rivals that of the Ixil they too lament circumstances which they themselves perpetuate were they but to embrace peace we would welcome them with open arms indeed some few have done just that and now receive of the twelve's woods bounty would that your people might learn from their example do dare compare us to the bird men you who thought to invoke the twelve and threaten all of creation i came here in the hope of finding some speck of common ground but i see now these discussions will accomplish nothing despite what you people may believe i am not wont to choose the sword over the olive branch tis butter pity men are loath to accept one without first being shown the other you this meeting was supposed to be a chance to find a way forward together not to bemoan the missteps which brought us here please if you truly consider violence a last resort there must be a way we can come to an agreement as mistress alize says we did not come here to bicker over the past but to discuss how we might strive towards a brighter future emperor varus may i suggest a short recess that all present might compose themselves prior to beginning anew very well i pray this intermission will suffice to move these talks in a more constructive direction now then who would have the floor before we resume i wish to offer you an apology after you graciously accepted our invitation to discuss an armistice we have done not but rebuke you at every opportunity i believe i speak for all of us when i say we are deeply sorry for our discourtesy i'll admit to your familiarity with our affair surprised me and serve to remind me how little i know of yours i think all here can understand the desire to reclaim one's homeland but why expand further that is my question if i may the answer can be found in the imperial doctrine they took great pains to impart to my people recognizing the threat icons post the world solus zos galvis decreed that they were to be eradicated to this end he began a campaign to unite all lands under the garlion banner or so we were taught yet the emperor only reached the burn the baron said to have been laid waste by icons after conquering all the lands that lay between what is more i am quite certain the practice of summoning was not nearly so widespread in the days before the empire's founding when you put it like that it all starts to sound like an excuse doesn't it but to distract from what why are you really waging this war finally you ask the right question i can but hope you heed my answer and at last accept the righteousness of our cause my goal is this to return the world to the way it once was the way it was always meant to be in doing so mankind will be made whole once more or will we suffer from the dissension born of our differences there will be but one race a perfect race as we were when time began what in rulgar's name are you talking about i am talking about the origins of the star of the source and its 13 reflections at the instant of the great sundering it was not only the world that was shattered but mankind itself thus were we divided into myriad races each with its own unique imperfections it is why man looks upon his neighbor and feels fear and hatred why he wages war why he kills his brother all in your own way have proven as much today the peace you seek is but a fleeting solution to a fundamental problem one which calls for more drastic measures bring about everlasting peace our worlds must be rejoined that is the goal the empire would see realized the glorious future unto which we shall one day shepherd mankind a rejoining of worlds i have heard this tale of the source and its reflections before are these not the self same desires as the asians empravaris do not trust in their words they will lead you to your doom my father thought to use them but in the end he succumbed to their temptations he embraced summoning like so many other pawns before him do not tell us you mean to do the same haha to be a pawn free from the burden of choice would be a blessing but i foreswore that privilege the day i learned that the garlion empire was built by the hand of an asian what yes my grandsire the former emperor is of their number and who better to build an empire capable of bringing about the calamitous change we desire would you condemn me for this alliance for bowing to the will of these shadowy masters when the prize is true and lasting peace i come not to conquer but to liberate to free man from the prison of divergence imagine a world united one perfect race beneath a single standard an army before whose might these servants of darkness and light would fly as leaves in a storm never again to meddle in man's affairs we would be the masters of our own fate i bid you join me not as subjects of garlomald but of a new nation and together we shall win freedom for ourselves and generations yet unborn you want to trigger another half dozen calamities you can't be serious have you forgotten how many died there will be no one left truly imagine we would aid you in your bloodletting it is unthinkable unconscionable and what is the alternative to be as cattle waiting for slaughter i would have us work together that we might take fate into our own hands into your hands perhaps but what of the other worlds your radiance with every calamity you obliterate a star and every soul that dwells on it to the asians we are all but tiny momentary specs within an indifferent universe we cannot hope to oppose them until we have been made whole once more are these truly the words of garlomald's ruler the flaws and foibles which you so abhor are what make us who we are every nation even yours emperor varus is made whole through the combination of these imperfections the strengths of one compensating for the weaknesses of another while it is true that man succumbs all too often to anger and avarice he may yet overcome his baser instincts through the forming of bonds with others fostering community and cooperation that the protector of an empire should not only reject these fundamental truths but seek to change them at so dear a cost to life is indefensible such a man is not fit to govern and you warrior of light would you refuse me as well it would seem the alliance is of one mind on this matter causians never cease to disappoint me though i suppose i have only myself to blame for expecting more from savages this discussion is at an end i bid you make ready for our next meeting it will not be at the negotiating table i'm not sure what i was expecting from our meeting with the emperor but it wasn't that still at least we know now what is really after i a future built on a mountain of bodies i too want the asians dead but not at any cost the last of the reinforcements from dorma arrived not long ago i pray it will be enough given the emperor's stated goal this is a battle we can ill afford to lose if the garlians come in force we may not have much say in the matter even with our combined strength we knew from the first that the odds would be against us there is even the slightest chance of victory we must do everything in our power to seize it we must seize it full stop hehe the two of you were to join an irregular unit and support the main host i won't bother asking if you're minded to fight after coming this far how could i not and for once there's no one around to count among me not that they would not even my brother but we all know who really make the difference ready to frighten some garlians i wouldn't want to be on their side might i ask you to accompany the dormant contingent they are strangers here and your presence would do much to raise their spirits we would be honored when our people stride out with you in their midst i dare say the aorzians will feel an ilm taller themselves high spirits have a way of spreading i wouldn't give to join you but my duties as field commander will not allow it i'll leave the front lines in your capable hands comrades ready your arms the hour of battle has come may the crystal guide us to victory since the others couldn't be here we'll have to fight twice as hard if alphano wakes to find the imperials of one i shall never hear the end of it it's strange i thought i would be terrified when the fighting started i should be terrified but with you at our side i can't help feeling everything is going to be all right so please don't you dare leave me alone no matter what happens we have to survive together and none the worse for where indeed i had hoped we might do more to help but there seems to be no one left to fight a tactical withdrawal perhaps we should give chase finish them off while we have the chance imagine the other surprise when they wait to find the war already one the light will expunge all life only you can forestall the calamity throw wide the gates no no like oh no don't tell me are you all right quickly we must get her back to the encampment there have been several skirmishes along the border but as yet neither side has delivered a decisive blow we had long assumed that the garlians would overwhelm us in a straight fight but we seem to be gaining ground albeit slowly as to why that might be the most likely explanation is that they have yet to commit all their forces still we're winning and our latest intelligence suggests the emperor has retreated back to garlamald in light of this considering launching an offensive with the aim of pushing the front line forward and giving ourselves some room to breathe commander the imperial they've broken through our defenses to the east what our scouts say their forces are being led by lord zenos lord heian and commander hexed have taken their troops to provide support but we don't know how long they can hold out so they've been biding their time for his arrival have they very well send word to our allies requesting reinforcements for the front line should the worst come to the worst i may need to enter the fray myself but what of you do you still have the strength to fight much obliged given the choice i'd take you over a hundred soldiers bees i beat you open what's wrong is it the voice again are you sure you're in a fit state to do this it ralgar grant us strength give them hell las i for my part will defend this place to my dying breath magic with a garlion body it's hardly fair still he must be stopped no matter the cost bringer of light it has been too long no words to mark our reunion so be it bulibrium must be restored and only your death will redress the balance your mother chose her champion well yet for all your strength you will still fail someone calls to you too late alas at last i found you there's no cause for alarm i confess this is not where i had intended to meet but the place of our meeting is of no consequence like the war you wage win or lose the path you walk leads only to oblivion the better path leads you here to me i have need of your strength i'm afraid such questions will have to wait we have precious little time and your work is not yet done go to the crystal tower i've left something for you near its base it will serve as a beacon of sorts one which i pray will help you on your journey the need do is find it i will take care of the rest soon we will throw wind the gates after the first will be yours to walk at last you're awake thank heavens do you recall the confrontation with xenos you were the first to come to the aid of the mistress lice and the others on the front line in the midst of your duel it is said you faltered and that the crown prince seized the opportunity to deliver a mortal blow yet before his blade could find its mark he was distracted by the arrival of a second adversary who bore you away from the battlefield and into the hands of archirurgians lest you wonder he left before you awoke as is his want astinian never was one of the most reprimanded those xenos bested all before him the battle clearly took its toll for he retreated shortly after your rescue seeing this the remaining imperial forces decided discretion was the better part of valour and pulled back allowing us to re-establish our position we have since received word of renewed unrest in the provinces doubtless inspired by the efforts of the aorzian alliance and our far eastern allies more does the good news end there we have also come into possession of intelligence suggesting unrest within the imperial court this would certainly explain why both the emperor and lord xenos appear to have abandoned the fight a long awaited ray of hope in these dark times yet to awake i'm afraid but please concentrate on your own recovery for now you have carried the hopes of some half dozen nations and we are all eternally grateful for your efforts but no one is without their limits not even you leave this fight to us my friend you've earned your rest ah but before i forget i was asked to deliver a message as soon as you awoke a reminder that you are not alone though many of your allies have fallen when you are well and rested you are to return home where friends will be waiting for you now if you will excuse me i must return to the front may we meet again soon under happier circumstances i rushed back as soon as i could i swear my heart nearly stopped when i heard you'd collapse like the others what in heaven's name is going on when or lose the path you walk leads only to oblivion oh well that's helpful and what else did he say the better path leads to him hmm if his is the voice you've all been hearing perhaps the others are with him sir emmerich said the fighting had reached a stalemate didn't he but if that monster masquerade in a zenos comes back thankrid, yastola orionche, alphano alize you're going to need all of them on your side to defeat him bid you from going to face him on your own sleeve, go and find the others bring them home as for where to start you said the stranger had left a beacon for you at the crystal tower right but i'm sure i remember hearing that the tower was blocked off it has to be a way if anyone would know, it's Sid and the researchers of st. coinaxe find don't you worry we'll find that beacon for you pray you have good reason for abandoning the front how could i remain there while the rumor that my son is possessed by a demon spreads like a sickness here at home i will not be made to fight for the throne a second time but what of you did you not tell me you would destroy aoisia's champion with the ease that one might swatterfly a miner said back she will not escape me again where is your grand sire i would have word with him how should i know did you hide from each other's sight as well i imagine he's doing what all acians do hmm he must have found a way to take advantage of this turmoil men are not pawns to be played with acian you underestimate us at your peril this war will not be decided by you and yours man must choose his own fate and i for my part will do all within my power to see garlamald emerge victorious pray forgive the intrusion your radiance but the requested preparations are now complete we stand ready to begin production of black rose upon your order bloody savages a pity your hunt leads you elsewhere not that i am surprised may you find joy in it grow stronger more savage savor every triumph it will reclaim that which is rightfully mine