Previous posts in this series:
At the end of our last recap, Y'shtola had just sacrificed herself by falling down a very deep chasm in the process of catching and throwing a bottle of antidote to you--the only thing that can save the Night's Blessed that had been poisoned. Urianger (with the help of Thancred) had also manuevered Ran'jit, the General of the Eulmoran armies, into falling down the chasm as well.
The party returns to Fanow, where Urianger starts his ministrations over Runar. As he casts the healing spell, you take up the flask of antidote, flashing back to Y’shtola over the chasm. You look sad a moment, but then Minfilia comes running up with Thancred in tow.
Minfilia: "Runar. Thank goodness."
Thancred: "We delivered the antidote to Slitherbough, and from what we could gather on the way here, the Eulmorans have had the good manners to withdraw. Thank the gods they did, or we would never have made it here in time. I'm told we have Runar and his comrades to thank for keeping the soldiers occupied prior to their retreat. They were preparing to come for you and Y'shtola, it seems, when Runar rallied the villagers and pursued them out of Slitherbough."
The three of you look on as Urianger continues his ministrations. Runar begins to awaken.
Runar: "I must.. I-I must…" He opens his eyes. "Where… am I?"
Urianger takes a step back, smiling down at Runar. "Yx'Maja, in the care of the Viis," Urianger says. "Thou art safe now, friend. Pray, rest thee awhile longer."
Runar sits up. "No...no, I am all right. Somewhat heavy of limb, perhaps, but otherwise well I assure you. I am glad to see you are all safe. When we realized where the soldiers were headed, we knew something had to be done." He looks around at the others. "I..do not see Master Matoya. She was with you, yes? What happened to her?" He looks at you, but you, Minfilia, and Thancred all look sad, with downcast eyes. You have the choice of saying one of the following line:
I chose the first option.
Runar: "Spare me your riddles and speak plain! Where is Master Matoya!?"
Everyone remains silent for a second, then you explain as the camera pans overhead.
Afterwards:
Runar: "No...no… NO, that cannot be… Why would she do such a thing?" He shakes his head. "Was there no other way? I...I cannot believe that she… that she…" He looks up directly at you. "We must begin the search immediately! I will come with you!"
You close your eyes. Runar continues: "What are you waiting for? We must find her! She could be trapped or hurt or…" He buries his face in a hand. "She is alive. She is alive, damn you!" He begins to cry, and the four of you still look downcast, but then turn as Almet approaches. "Forgive me for interrupting, but our scouts have apprehended an intruder. We thought perhaps he might be an associate of yours…" She turns, and her sisters walk in, flanking Emet-Selch. The sisters are clearly taken with him. Thancred gets a sour look on his face.
"Oh, look who it is." Thancred says.
Emet-Selch: "Well...this is embarrassing. In my defense, they are surprisingly tenacious. So—what trouble have you gotten yourselves into this time?" Thancred turns to look at you, and you explain the situation to Emet-Selch in another fade-out.
Afterwards:
Emet-Selch: "Well, well. What an intriguing turn of events. My condolences, by the way. ‘Tis never easy to lose the ones we love."
Thancred looks positively angry.
Emet-Selch turns to look at Thancred and shrugs. "Well, she is dead, isn't she? Wishing it were otherwise will not make it so."
Thancred: "That you should be indifferent to her loss is no surprise. But to us, she was a friend. The best of friends."
Silence. The camera flashes to Emet-Selech, then back to Thancred, then shifts to show you over Thancred's shoulder. You have two quick flashbacks: Y'shotola over the chasm again, and a similar flash of light, deep beneath Ul'dah.
Minfilia stares at you. "You have something on your mind. What is it?" she asks.
You can say the following:
This time, I chose the second line.
Everyone turns to look at you. Urianger speaks. "Pray recount to us again that which thou witnessed in the ruins, omitting not the slightest detail."
You share the story once more. The camera widens to include Thancred in the picture. He's got his head down, his hair shielding his eyes. "Flow…" he says.
You turn to look at him. Thancred speaks urgently. "The teleportation magick she used to spirit us away form Ul'dah after the bloody banquet! I recall a similar gale in the tunnel before it took effect."
Emet-Selch: "Interesting. I thought I sensed a brief disturbance in the Lifestream. How reassuring to know it was not my imagination."
Now everyone turns to look at him. He continues: "I felt it only once, I should mention. Which would suggest she is still adrift on its currents."
Urainger: "Then I fear she may yet be lost to us—for it was only by the grace of the elementals that she was plucked from that great aetherial river."
The camera pans over the party. You all look downcast again.
Emet-Selch sighs. "Oh...very well. I'll go and fetch her…" he says, resigned.
Thancred looks at Emet-Selch, his jaw dropping. Emet-Selch continues: "Perhaps a clear and unambiguous act of kindness will serve to win the trust you seem so determined to deny me." He smiles, and the scene ends.
You explore the forest, finding the place where there is the most aether. Once you do, Emet-Selch, Runar, and the Scions walk up.
Emet-Selch looks about. "Yes, this place should serve well enough," he says. "Might I have a little ?space? I need to concentrate." he continues.
You go to stand next to Thancred. Emet-Selch looks up to the trees towering above them party. "Now then… what color was her soul again?" He closes his eyes, pointing a finger in the air. The air begins to sparkle. "Ah,… There you are." he says. He snaps his fingers, and the sparkles take form… there is a blinding white light, and the shape of Y'shtola slowly floats down from the heavens.
Runar: "He—He‘s done it! He's brought her back!"
Emet-Selch gives another snap, and the white light dissipates. Y'shtola is now clothed in her normal attire. She lands gently on the ground, and the Scions run up to her, Thancred kneeling next to her. "Y'shtola, are you all right?" he asks.
Minfilia bends down as well, and Y'shtola slowly blinks and sits up. "Yes… Though I cannot imagine how. What happened?" Y'shtola says.
Urianger: "Thou didst invoke the power of Flow, which thence did usher thy soul unto the Lifestream."
Y'shtola: "I wanted to save the antidote, and after that…." She begins to laugh. "I did something exceedingly reckless. For which you will just have to forgive me." She looks up at you, and you smile and nod.
Runar runs in between the Scions, gathering Y'shtola up in his arms like a child. "Oh, Master Matoya! Thank the heavens you are all right!" he says. "I had nearly given up hope."
Y'shtola smiles gently. "Please, Runar, dry your tears. What would the others think if they saw you like this?"
Runar's had his head bowed, but now looks at her directly.
Y'shtola: "Come now—did you really think I would go gently into that dark night with so much left undone? So many mysteries left unsolved?" She nods.
Runar puts her down. Emet-Selch clears his throat. "Ahem. Is there aught you wish to say to me? A word of thanks, perhaps?"
The camera zooms out to show the whole party. Urainger explains to Y'shtola: "Emet-Selch, the Ascian of whom I spoke. ‘Twas he who plucked thee from the Lifestream."
Y'shtola: "I see. Thank you. Differences notwithstanding, you saved my life, and for that I am grateful."
Emet-Selch gives a shrug, and Y'shtola turns to you. "But let us turn our attention to more important matters, such as the Qitana Ravel. You had better not have explored its depths without me." she says.
You can say:
I chose the second line.
Y'shtola smiles and nods. Thancred turns to her. "Well. Almet and the others should be pleased to see you in such uncharacteristically high spirits. Let us return to Fanow, then, and discuss the coming expedition."
Minfilia nods, followed by Y'shtola, and they walk off. Another round of nods between Urainger, Thancred, and Emet-Selch, and Thancred and Uraigner walk off as well. The scene ends.
The Elmorans have been routed, and while they scramble to regroup, Almet urges you to make for the Qitana Ravel. Together with your fellow Scions, you travel east, following the trail of flowers leading to its entrance.
You touch the door to the Qitana Ravel and feel aether emanating from within. The way is indeed open. Beyond awaits Rak'tika Falls and, you hope, the Lightwarden. Gritting your teeth, you cross the threshold, wary of the myriad dangers now stirring to life to bar your passage.
(The Qitana Ravel is a dungeon for a four-member party.)
After fighting your way past the sentinels of the Qitana Ravel, you arrive at Rak'tika Falls where, as expected, you find the Lightwarden. A frantic battle ensues, but in the end you emerge victorious, and the primordial Light of the firmament at last gives way to a breathtaking night sky.
Once the night sky returns, Minfilia speaks. "The Lightwarden is dead. The Blessed‘s prayers have been answered…"
Thancred: "Aye, that they have."
Urianger takes a few steps forward towards you, but stops next to Y'shtola. He asks her in a quiet voice, "Her condition yet troubleth thee?"
Y'shtola: "It does. Though she shows no immediate signs of corruption, the danger remains. She must be told."
Y'shtola parts her mouth a bit as iif about to speak, looks down for a second, then looks up at Urianger. "….Would you describe it to me, Urianger? Paint for me a picture with your words."
Urianger smiles and looks up: "A sea of shimmering stars. Diamonds strewn across a raven gown, boundless and beautiful. ‘Tis an exquisite sight not unlike that of the Source. Calm and gentle… and forgiving…"
Y'shtola: "I can see it…"
Urianger turns to look at her. "For however deep the voice, or wide the expanse, there is no shore so distant as to be beyond the reach of light. ….Ominous though that may sound, given our present travails."
She looks at him briefly, them slaps his butt and walks towards you. "Well fought. Let us return home." she says as you turn to her.
You smile and nod. The scene shifts to back into the Ravel, where the party is walking through the caves, and passing murals. Y'shtola stops, taken by them. "The murals. If I am not mistaken, they predate the empire."
Minfilia: "How can you tell?"
Y'shtola: "A peculiarity of the paint. Most are made from mineral-based pigments, but whatever was used here is older than anything I have ever seen. According to Almet, this sanctuary was built to preserve the wisdom of the ancients. What events do these murals commemorate, I wonder?"
Y'shtola looks up. Emet-Selch is walking towards the party from across the cavern hall.
Emet-Selch: "Must you always linger after defeating your enemies? Navigating these halls on foot is exhausting."
Thancred: "Come to lead us to safety, have you?"
Emet-Selch: "Hmph! I was bored. But how is the hero of the hour?" He looks you over. "Hmm. Fighting fit, I see. Keep up the good work."
Y'shtola: "You're plotting something."
Emet-Selch: "Every hour of every day. But never you mind about that. As I have told you a thousand times before: I like to watch. Nothing more. Well! I would quit this place, and I suggest you do the same. There is yet work to be done." He turns, and then looks up at the murals. The one on the left shows a purple figure and white figure in front of a red explosion. The one on the right shows the white figure ascendant over the purple figure.
Emet-Selch: "Ah… there is a sight to bring a tear to the eye."
Minfilia: "You recognize these scenes?"
Emet-Selch turns to her and shrugs, then looks back at the left-hand scene. "That I do. Indeed, there was a time when anyone and everyone would. Until one calamitous day when the world was divided across ten and three reflections, sundering the land and all who dwelled upon it."
Over Emet-Selch's left shoulder is a third mural: a city on fire, with a monument in its foreground.
Emet-Selch speaks on: "And the worst part? No one could remember it. Not really. Just fragments and fleeting memories of an achingly familiar world… A vision shared of a paradise lost, preserved only in song and scripture and paint… Once upon a time. Yet here we find ourselves again. To look, learn, and remember…"
He has a soft smile on his face. The music, which has been soaring, comes to an abrupt stop as Y'shtola speaks. "Then share with us the stories you know so well. We are listening." she says.
Emet-Selch holds a hand to his chin, then points to the mural of the city on fire. "Before the great sundering, there was one world. A world that knew naught but peace and prosperity. Until it was faced with a crisis. Unprecedented, terrifying. Civilization found itself perched upon a precipice, staring into oblivion."
The camera shifts to the purple figure. Small figures surround it in prayer. "But through prayer and sacrifice, the will of the star was made manifest. Zodiark was His name, and by His grace was the calamity averted."
The Scions all gasp.
Y'shtola: "Zodiark!?"
Emet-Selch is still pointing at the city on fire with his left hand. He drops his hand, and points at the mural of the large purple and white figures in front of the red explosion. "A savior of might and magnificent, deserving of reverence and gratitude… one would have thought. Yet some thought otherwise. From the fears of these naysayers would rise Hydaelyn---She who was to serve as His shackles. To bind Him and hold Him in check."
The camera shifts to the third mural, of the white figure ascendant, crushing the purple figure.
Emet-Selch: "And so they fought, and they fought, and they fought. And in the end… Hydaelyn was victorious. With all Her strength She smote Him—dealing a blow so devastating that it split the very fabric of reality. And thus was Zodiark banished and His being divided."
He drops his hand. "That concludes today's lesson on long-forgotten history. Though I imagine your Mother would offer a rather contradictory account. As is Her wont."
The Scions are all looking at him. Thancred has a sour look on his face. "I'm sorry—I can only assume I misheard, but it sounded an awful lot like you were implying both Zodiark and Hydaelyn are not gods, but--" Thancred says.
Emet-Selch shrugs. "What? Not gods of the First? Is that what you thought these paintings depicted? Or…? Oh! Ohhhh…. They are gods after a fashion, yes, but no different from the kind with which you are so intimately acquainted. Formed of faith and prayer, of conviction and devotion… The eldest and most powerful… of primals."
The Scinos all gasp. Y'shtola: "You have spun quite a tale." Her voice is shaky. "You have not explained the roles of the Ascians in all of this. How is it you are privy to ancient secrets lost to time?"
Emet-Selch laughs. "Finally, finally you ask the right question! And shrewd questions warrant honest answers…"
Your eyebrows lower menacingly.
Emet-Selch: "We Ascians know because it is our history. Our story. It was we who summoned Zodiark—we natives of that sundered paradise."
The Scions are all taken aback.
Emet-Selch: "Now do you see why we yearn for the Great Rejoining? For our world… for our people… for all creation to be made whole again. Wouldn't you wish for the same?" He's turned his back to the Scions as he says this. He begins to walk off. The camera flashes to you, then back to him. He gives his signature lazy wave, and the scene ends.
The party returns to Slitherbough, where you greet Runar.
Runar: "Ah, you are returned! And none the worse for wear, I see."
Y'shtola: "You needn't worry about us. What became of the Eulmoran soldiers, more importantly?"
Runar: "They turned tail and fled at the sight of the night sky. The Children of the Everlasting Dark have also retreated back to Woven Oath." He looks skyward. "Try as they might, they could not deny the truth of their own eyes…" He makes the sign of his people, closing a fist in front of chest. "The sunless sea of heaven, full of love and grace, where none need know pain or suffering. In that moment, when the sky's light began to wane, I knew our prayers had been answered. ….That we were doomed to face oblivion at life's end no longer."
He turns to you.
Runar: "When first we met, I harbored certain suspicions about you. Now I see that I was right. You are the Bringers of Shadow. The Warriors of Darkness. The saviors for whom we have prayed for so long."
You and Y'shtola exchange a glance.
Y'shtola: "I suppose you're not entirely wrong… But we are not worthy of your reverence, nor have we any desire to be worshiped. If you would pray, pray for your children, that they may one day know a better world."
Runar: "...I will do as you say. But please, let us at least hold a feast to celebrate your victory. You deserve that much."
Y'shtola: "I am sorry, Runar, but there is still much to be done, and scant time in which to do it. We must go—all of us. For we share the same path and the same fate."
Runar clenches his fists at this. After a moment, he nods and says, "So be it. I ask only that you hold us in your hearts, as we will hold you in ours, now and ever after. By the boundless dark, this I swear."
He bows, and the others bow too. The camera shifts to the edges of the clearing, where a ghostly Ardbert looks on, smiling.
(NB: the next scene is unvoiced… you can speak to Thancred, Minfilia and Urianger for extra dialogue before you continue with the story by speaking to Y'Shtola.)
Thancred: "What Master Matoya did was completely and utterly reckless... But if not for her, a great many of the Night's Blessed would not be here."
Minfilia: "Considering the Blessed have only just recovered from their encounter with the Eulmorans, Thancred and the others thought we should stay a while longer to be sure they're all right.
They're such a kind and caring people. I pray they never again have to face such hardship."
Urianger: "It seems the Blessed were spared the worst of the Eulmorans' assault, for the better part of Ran'jit's forces abandoned Slitherbough in our pursuit. Had he been but a few steps faster, he may well hath foiled our efforts to slay the Lightwarden."
Y'shtola: "Though it pains me to leave, it is time I returned with you and the others to the Crystarium.
But before we go, might I speak with you in private? I will await you in my chambers."
Once in her chambers, she continues:
Y'shtola: "Thank you for coming. I thought to keep my suspicions to myself, but after witnessing your victory at Rak'tika Falls, I fear they prove true, and so I must share them with you. From the first when we met at Fort Gohn, your aether has appeared...tainted. Suffused with an overabundance of light not unlike the sin eaters. When you defeated the Lightwarden, I fear the light which poured forth from it was not negated by Hydaelyn's blessing. Rather, it was absorbed into your being. Urianger also suspects as much, though he is unwilling to share his thoughts on the matter. One thing is certain: with every Warden you defeat, the danger to you grows greater. Greater perhaps than we can imagine. If you begin to feel anything strange─anything at all─pray inform me at once. You should hurry, before the others begin to worry. Once I have sorted my things here I will join you."
If you speak to her again before rejoining the others, she says, "Pray go on ahead. I would first attend to this unsightly collection of books.
You rejoin the others, waiting outside Slitherbough.
Thancred: "We took one last patrol of the perimeter. All things considered, Slitherbough remains relatively unscathed."
Minfilia: "Thanks to the antidote, all those who were poisoned will make a full recovery. And with the night sky returned, their prayers have at last been answered."
Y'shtola exits Slitherbough and joins the party.
Y'shtola: "Sorry to keep you all waiting. Shall we be off, then?"
Urianger: "Art thou certain this is best?"
Y'shtola: "...I'll not deny there is a part of me that wishes I could stay. For two years I have lived with the Blessed, learned their culture, even going so far as to adopt Master Matoya's name as my own. I but pray I did honor to it. Now is not the time for doubt or hesitation. Come, we must return to the Crystarium."