Previous posts in this series:
At the end of our last recap, the Warrior of Darkness (that's you) had just defeated the Lightwarden of Rak'tika. Y'shtola has revealed to you that the Light pouring forth from the defeated Lightwardens has NOT been negated by Hydaelyn's blessing, but remained inside you, causing your aether to stagnant.
The party—including Y'shtola, who has decided to leave the Night's Blessed for now--now returns to the Crystarium.
Ardbert: So there's a light sealed inside you, is there? You wouldn't know it form the outside. You look the same as you ever did to me.
You have your choice of saying:
"I must stay the course. For the others." |
"And what if that changes? What if it overwhelms me?" |
"Then I suppose there's naught to do but rest." |
|---|---|---|
Ardbert: "True enough. Packing up and going home isn't really an option, is it. If you don't face the music here, it'll only come and find you there." You nod. |
Ardbert is taken aback. Ardbert: "Damned if I know. It's not as if I can lift a finger to help myself, much less you. Have faith in your friends. Look out for them, and hope that they look out for you. What more can you do?" You nod. |
Ardbert nods. Ardbert: "Ah, yes. If they‘re not asking you to fight they're telling you to rest. Which isn't to say they're wrong. You'll need your strength for what's to come." You nod. |
Ardbert crosses his arms a moment, thinking, then uncrosses them and speaks on.
Ardbert: "...Think he was telling the truth? Emet, I mean. All that rot about Hydaelyn being no different form any other primal… If so, what would that make Her "blessing"? Are we just slaves to Her will?"
You're taken aback at this, and hold a hand to your chest as you give it thought.
Ardbert: "Ahh—let's pay him no mind. Lies are the Ascians' stock-pin-trade. Villains, heroes—all a matter of perspective, they'd have you believe. One man's fond memory another's waking nightmare… Me, I'm no saint or savior—just another sinner. And I know damn well I'm in no position to judge...When I saw the people of Slitherbough look up at the sky and celebrate the return of the dark… felt good, It was moments like that that I cherished—much more than the thrill of adventure. The quiet after the storm. I always took comfort in that."
You give him a slight smile, and the scene ends.
Meanwhile, in Garlemald...
Soldiers are walking in the streets. We see a shadowy figure walking… just their legs. Estinien is leaning against a lightpost. As the shadowy figure passes him, he speaks.
Estinien: "What did the scouts have to report?"
Gaius: "Several skirmishes, but nothing of consequence. The fighting seems to have taken its toll on both sides."
Estinien: "A stalemate, then. The Alliance has done well to hold the line for so long." He gives a tiny laugh. "….But then they did have Ishgardian reinforcements."
Gaius turns towards him slightly. "Nevertheless, neither side has any appetite for a prolonged engagement." Gaius continues: "'Tis but the calm before the storm. And should the Empire choose to bring their full might to bear…"
Estinien: "To say nothing of Black Rose. All the more reason to hasten our search. How close are your people to identifying our next targets?"
Gaius: "Close enough. Though I have received some troubling intelligence. One of our generals posted to the Ala Mhigan front recently disappeared without trace from the battlefield at the Ghimlyt Dark."
EstinienL: "Odd. Dead seems unlikely, fled less so. I wonder where he'll turn up…"
Gaius: "Where I a betting man, I would say here—in the capital. Not that any deserter who valued his life would contemplate returning. But a corpse might, given the right encouragement."
Estinien: "In the manner of His Royal Remains, you mean?"
Gaius: "Elidibus plainly has no need of a new host, so the question becomes, who? It may be that another player has joined the game. Something to consider, at any rate. But come, there is work to be done."
The two walk on, and the camera pans to show a Centurion watching them go.
Katana-Bearing Centurion: "These bloodless games make for poor sport. Mayhap if Father… Nay. I am a stranger to him in this body. Besides, there is but one hand that can make me whole again. My enemy...my friend… I know not what entertainment occupies you, but if you will not clear the way for me, then I shall seize the reins of fate once more."
The Centurion slowly walks down the streets, and the camera pans away, ending the scene.
Later, in the Pendants, you'll laying on your back, asleep, but wake suddenly. You look out the window. It's daylight. You get a look on your face, concerned, and then walk to the door.
You learn from the manager of suites that Lakeland is under attack by a host of sin eaters, though he assures you that the Crystarium will remain secure. Nevertheless eager to help, you agree to check on citizens gathered at the Exedra in case any are in need of aid.
The people of the Crystarium seem unaffected by the threat bearing down upon their city—by contrast to the recently returned Alisaie, who rightly finds the presence of sin eaters beneath the reclaimed sky rather unsettling. Any theories as to their provenance will have to wait, however, as Alphinaud arrives to inform you that several anchors around the city must be activated before the protective barrier that serves as its primary defense can take effect. This process is best completed sooner rather than later, so you and Alisaie agree to assist.
After wending your way through the city, you find the first anchor on a bridge above the Rotunda. You pull down on its handle, and the glow it emits indicates that it is now active.
You activate the second anchor, and moments later, a faceted barrier weaves its way up from the array of devices to shield the Crystarium—and rebuffs a full dozen sin eaters in the nick of time. The Leveilleur twins, having arrived to witness the scene with you, indicate that your next destination will be the battlefield in the Lakeland wilds, where Lyna and her people are already engaging the eater host.
[Editor's Note: there's a solo duty here, initiated by speaking with Alphinaud. If you speak with Alisaie first, she will say, "If Alphinaud is opting to act first and speak later, I don't doubt the urgency of the situation. Let's go."
The solo duty startes off in a storming Lakeland. Alisaie looks to the sky. "What lovely weather. Just what we needed."
Alpionaud: "If seems the battle has already begun in earnest. Make haste!"
You nod and rush in.
During the solo duty, you follow Alisaie throughout Lakeland as she rushes from one fighting group to another. Each group consists of a Crystarium guard or two fighting several sin eaters, and the guards' health is quite low by the time you reach them. Throughout the duty, there will be a gauge showing how many troops are left.
As you start out, Alisaie says, "I hear shouting! Come on! They need our help!"
You vanquish a group or two, then Alphinaud says: "More eaters. Don't let your guard down."
After another group or two, Alphinaud continues: "Those eaters… they're moving toward Radisca's Round. We should follow--but we cannot neglect those in need of aid."
As you reach the Round where fighting is fierce, Alisaie says, "If it's this bad here, I shudder to think what it's like elsewhere…"
Guards are fighting the eaters at the base of the tower in Radisca's Round. As you approach, Y'shtola says, "A timely arrival, <first name>. I have my hands full here."
Uirianger: "Mine own magicks shall suffice to aid Y'shtola. I bid thee offer succor to the guard."
You and the twins help the guards defeat their eaters, then come around to the front of the round again, where you join Y'shtola and Urianger.
Y'shtola: "The eater's aether swells. I would hate to find out what it intends to do next. Defend me—let none interrupt my incantation."
Urianger: "Draw the lesser eaters within the perimeter!"
You do as commanded, and pull the pack into Y'shtola's spell.
Y'shtola: "Master Matoya has a few tricks up her sleeve. Allow me to demonstrate."
She unleashes her spell, which kills the lesser eaters and greatly damages the biggest one.
Urianger: "A most impressive trick indeed…"
As you kill the last eater, Y'shtola says: "As if you've none of your own. Let's make for the Imperative, shall we?"
You head to the Imperative, but there's a distinct lack of fighting on the way there. Urianger remarks: "Someone hath made short work of these eaters…"
Indeed, there's many dead eaters. As you press on, Thancred and Minfilia run into view.
Minfilia: "<first name>! You'll be glad to know that the locals have all taken shelter."
Thancred: "Nevertheless, we can't allow the eaters to gain any ground. With me!"
Alphinaud: "That can't be good…"
Around this time, I got a message saying, "The enemy has the Crystarium guard on the back foot." The Crystarium forces were at 60% or thereabouts now.
You're almost at the Imperative, and the scene is devastating. A mass of eaters fight the few guards there.
Thancred: "Gods damn it all, we're too late…"
A large eater comes into view. Thancred says, "I'll follow the eater. You press on to the Imperative."
Minfilia shouts at him, "I'm staying with you!"
Alphinaud: "We've lost too many already. We must hurry."
Y'shtola: "These eaters are too organized. They cannot merely be acting on instinct."
You manage to reach the Ostall Imperative.
Alphinaud: "It is as we feared."
The scene shows death and destruction. Eaters fell the guard, one after another. Alphinaud speaks again: "But our task is as it ever was—turn the tide!"
As the battle begins, Alphinaud says, "The lives of the wounded are in our hands!"
You're fighting in a circled arena. Waves of eaters enter the arena, and with the Scions you manage to strike them down. Then a large angellic eater enters.
Urianger: "Have care. That is no ordinary eater."
It's Forgiven Hypocrisy. You begin to fight it, and you're turning the tide, but then:
Y'shtola: "More eaters…. They're protecting it, somehow. We shall need to deal with them first."
You begin to fight the lesser eaters. Then Alphinaud cries out, "I feel a swell of aether! Gather around me, quickly!"
A stack-up marker appears on him, and a bubble forms as he says, "Perhaps now is the time to put my research to the test."
The bubble protects you, and you vanquish the lesser eaters.
Alisaie: "And yet more still com! <first name>, buy me some time, Alphinaud—I'll need aether."
You fight the lesser eaters as Alphinaud says: "Right. Everyone, channel your aether into Alisaie!"
They do, and Alisaie yells, "Forward! We fight for those who cannot!" and unleashes a stream of energy that obliterates the last of the eaters, and the solo duty ends, leading directly into another cutscene.
Minfilia is fighting a scorpion eater by herself. She strikes it and vanquishes it, then breathes heavily to catch her breath. "There are so many…." she says.
Lyna: "Godsdammit!"
Minfilia gets resolve on her face and runs in the direction of Lyna's cry. A trio of eaters is attacking the captain. Minfilia dispatches one of them, which causes the others to scatter, then crouches by the prone Viera. "Lyna, hold on!" Minfilia says.
Lyna picks up her head slowly. "They… they turned on me…" she says.
Minfilia looks up and glances around at the weapons scattered about—all that is left of the fallen troops. The camera expands to show a large, powerful sin eater hovering over Minfilia's shoulder. The sin eater swings her sword, unleashing a bolt of yellow light towards Minfilia. Minfilia is frozen in place, but Thancred suddenly springs onto action, placing himself before her, knocking her to the side. He repels the light with his gunblade. The force of the blow sends Thancred flying into a back flip. He lands, coughs up blood, then charges forward, dragging his gunblade, sparking the ground as he runs. He charges forward, meeting the sin eater and holding up his gunblade to repel another attack.
"Thancred" Minfilia cries, getting up slowly.
"This… one… is mine!" Thancred says fiercely. He swings his gunblade and vanquishes it.
The scene shifts, showing more sin eaters striking the guard fighting them. One guard falls. The camera cuts to the ghostly Ardbert, standing in the rain, watching. He's got his fist clenched, clearly upset at what he is witnessing.
He looks up at a nearby voice speaks.
Crystarium Medic: "We need only hold out a little while longer."
Ardbert turns to spot two Crystarium guards cowering under a tree. One is clearly hurt, the medic tending to him.
Crystarium Medic: "Reinforcements are coming, remember? The captain said so. We're going to be all right…."
Ardbert startles as he hears something. He turns to spot a sin eater slowly making her way to the pair. He gestures helplessly at the soldiers. "Run! Run, damn you!" he shouts.
The pair remain oblivious. The Medic speaks again to his buddy: "The Warrior of Darkness has returned. The bloody night has returned! So stay with me, eh? You can't go dying now!"
Ardbert grabs his axe from over his shoulder and charges the sin eater. "Godsdammit! Please let this world! Please let this work!" he grunts. He swings at the sin eater, but his weapon passes right through her, and he comes to a stumbling stop, crestfallen.
The Medic looks up, having sensed the eater. "NO! N-No, stay back! Stay back!" the medic cries. His mouth drops open and he scuttles back a bit, away from the eater.
The camera cuts back to Ardbert, head still bowed. "Help, help! Someone, anyone!" the medic screams in an anguished cry.
Ardbert clenches a fist. "Why did you spare me? Why? What have I done to deserve this mercy!?"
He turns slightly at a voice.
Crystarium Officer: "Forward! Forward! If you can still hold a sword, follow me! Wounded, to the rear! Weapons at the ready! Let's make this count!"
The camera shifts to a group of Crystarium guards, with you standing at the front of the group. You have a hard, serious look on your face as the wind blows around you.
Ardbert's voice, in a voiceover echoing his past words, says: "Fight and struggle. Seek salvation by your own hand. Though the losses be grave, endure them. Though the victories be hollow, claim them."
The rain ends, and the remaining sin eaters evaporate. The Warrior of Darkness marches through Lakeland with the survivors as Ardbert looks on from a distance.
After the battle is decided at last, you speak with Alisaie. She confirms that procedures for ensuring proper care of the wounded are already well underway. As for the other casualties… the Crystarium will likely long be mourning not only those lost to death, but to the sin eater horde as well.
After the battle, you're still at Ostall Imperative, and approach Lyna, who is sitting propped against a staircase with her head bowed. You stand silently in front of her, and she lifts her head. "Oh. I did not see you there. Is there something you need?" she asks.
You can say:
"No, no, I'm fine. How are you feeling?" |
"Shouldn't you be resting? What would the guard do without their captain?" |
|---|---|
Lyna: "Injuries are part and parcel of battle. While there's breath in my lungs, I shall see my duties done." |
Lyna: "...Appoint another. A captain's place is with her soldiers in the field." |
She stands. "Don't pretend you are not of the same mind. You fought well today. Saved a great many lives. Thank you. Unfortunately, this war is far from over. We must replenish our ranks and shore up our defenses before they attack again. Now, if you will excuse me." She gives a salute and walks off, but stumbles and falls as a pain flares in her leg.
You rush to her side, crouching down beside her.
"I...am fine..." she says defiantly. She punches the ground twice as she speaks on. "Completely...and utterly...fine! Better than fine! Hale and hearty and still alive to mourn those who are not. Who I failed to protect when they needed me most. We've come so far—so godsdamned far! I could have sworn the end was in sight. And now… Now they will never see it."
The camera focuses on her face, tears in her eyes, and then switches to focus on you, a sad look on your face. You look up as a voice echoes in the sky.
Vauthry: "Impudent worms of the Crystarium."
The camera pans to behind your shoulder, showing two airships flying in the sky. As Vauthry speaks on, the camera switches back to the ground, showing Urianger, Y'shtola, and the twins looking up to the airships.
Vauthry: "The tragedy that has befallen you is of your own making. Divine retribution for your defiance. The heaves have bequeathed to you a benevolent savior—me! I offer you freedom from pain and suffering—a paradise where man and sin eater might live in peace and harmony… Why, already our winged brothers and sisters regard me and mine as kin, alike to them in beauty and purity!"
As he speaks, the camera shifts to a pair of Crystarium guards, sitting injured against a wall. A third guard comes and kneels by them.
Vauthry: "But you—you not only reject my proffered hand, but raise your own against my sin eaters. ‘Tis only right that they respond in kind. Let this be a lesson to all those who would walk the path of sin—the wicked shall not inherit this world!"
The camera switches to you, still crouched by Lyna. You have a disgruntled look on your face.
The scene shows the airships flying off, then ends.
You speak with Lyna after the ships fly off.
Lyna: "Vauthry's ship is already gone. How flattering that he came all this way just to give his little speech. ...I apologize for my earlier outburst. Rest assured that I have no intention of allowing any of my wounds to affect the performance of my duties—especially not now. If I may—could I ask that you seek out Thancred and Minfilia for me? They endangered themselves on my behalf, and I would feel better knowing that they are well looked after. Thancred, in particular, sustained quite an injury from that sin eater. I would not be surprised if he were in Spagyrics still. Please… give them my thanks."
You return to the Crystarium and find Thancred sitting on the edge of a bed in Spagyrics.
Thasncred: "….You're here for me? I'm sorry to put you to the trouble—I'm fine. Really. The eater landed an unfortunately solid blow, but the healers here have done wonders. I'm more worried about Minfilia. She's not taken it well. Could I ask you to speak with her? My attempts to reach out seem to have had the opposite effect. She's gone off to the Hortorium, ostensibly to fetch herbs for Chessamile, but… just talk to her, will you?"
You head to the Horotium, where you find Minfilia staring at the waters. You try to speak to her.
Minfilia: "…"
She appears to be lost in thought. You give her a gentle poke.
Minfilia: "Eep!"
She turns to you.
Minfilia: "Oh, <first name>. What are you doing here?"
You explain.
Minfilia: "Thancred… It's my fault, you know. I jumped at the chance to help Lyna, but I was careless. And now… It's my fault."
You can say:
I said the first line.
Minfilia: "I...are you sure? I've brought him nothing but trouble thus far. And what if it's worse, next time? All I do is make mistakes, put others in danger… I'm sure that he'll resent me. For being this weak. Maybe he already does. But you're right. I can still help—if only by seeing these herbs safely to Chessamile."
She then sets you on a task to find one of the two herbs left on the list. You find the plants and head back to the infirmary. Minfilia has beat you there, and is standing by Thancred's bed.
If you talk to them…
Minfilia: "I asked someone who looked like they knew what they were doing, and they pointed me towards the herb I was looking for right away! I hope you didn't have too much trouble with yours."
Thancred: "I see you got roped into helping. Some things never change, eh?"
You give the herbs to Chessamile, who says, "Ah, Minfilia told me that you would be bringing the rest. Marvelous. With this, I can replenish our store of medicines. We're struggling to keep up with the number of wounded that are being brought in. I wasn't on the field, but it doesn't matter. The patients' faces make plain that it was a horrible battle." Chessamile smiles slightly. "And we're still fighting it, I suppose, though with bitter medicine rather than sharp steel. But we'll win--I promise you that."
You nod, and Thancred and Minfilia approach.
Thancred: "It seems that I owe you an apology for dragging you to yet another battlefield when you've just come off the front lines! In both cases, I'm sure your efforts saved more than a few. With Spagyrics in good working order, the Crystarium's people will be well cared for. More like ahead, of course—battles only you can fight. Not that we intend to let you do it alone. But that's a matter to discuss with the Exarch."
You get a serious look on your face, and nod. Someone speaks then.
???: "You know the Exarch?"
A Crystarium Guard walks up.
Thancred: "We do. Was there something you needed?"
Wounded Guard: "I need you to tell him something. For me."
The guard looks down.
Wounded Guard: "My dearest friend, you see… He was there on the battlefield with me. But only the one of us is here to speak of it. At the end, before the wound killed him, I heard his dying words. ‘I never knew that our world was this beautiful,' he told me. ‘I'm so glad that I got to see the night sky…' I don't know how the Exarch feels about what happened out there. I don't know if what Vauthry said is true—if our losses were our just deserts, and we doom ourselves to worse by continuing to fight this fight. But I believe in the Warrior of Darkness. In the Crystal Exarch. I don't think what they've done is wrong, and I don't think we're wrong to fight with them, either. My friend, he smiled in the end. Just as he smiled when he raised his glass to celebrate the return of the night. That's how I want to remember him. So I….I want to tell the Exarch, Don't give up. Don't give in. Please."
Thacnred: "We'll tell him. You have my word."
Thancred bids you make your way to the Ocular while he and Minfilia gather the remaining Scions for a meeting. As you turn to depart, he reminds you to deliver the soldier's message of support to the Exarch—something that is probably better done in private, before the others arrive.
You enter the Ocular and speak with the Crystal Exarch.
Crystal Exarch: "Welcome, my friend. Tales of your heroism on the battlefield precede you—though I confess I found them more gladdening than surprising. I hear no few of our people have you to thank for plucking them from the jaws of death. Would that they had not needed saving to begin with. But the responsibility for that lies with me."
You tell the Exarch what the guard told you.
Crystal Exarch: "...One of our soldiers said that? ….Thank you. Rest assured that I fully intend to continue our work. I will not shrink from what must be done. Now least of all. Though I mourn the lost, I will not lose myself to grief. And even should regret be my constant companion, I will follow the path I have chosen to its end."
You can say:
I said the first line.
Crystal Exarch: "...And if I were to confess any doubts I might harbor, no one need ever know? No, I believe you have enough burdens without my adding to them. Nevertheless… Thank you."
The others arrive, and the meeting begins. You're all standing in silence in front of the Exarch, who appears to have his head bowed. He then speaks:
Crystal Exarch: "My friends. With your aid we have weathered a brutal assault…"
Before he can say anything else, the door to the Ocular opens, and Emet-Selch walks in slowly. He doesn't look happy.
Emet-Selch: "Sorry I'm late. Though I would not have been had anyone thought to notify me in advance."
Crystal Exarch: "...As I was saying, it was only with your aid that we weathered this assault. Without it, the Crystarium and all who dwell here would now be gone."
Alphinaud: "For each we saved, another perished. If there is anything else we can do to help—anything at all—you need only ask. This is our home too, and we want nothing more than to keep it safe."
The Exarch smiles softly. "Thank you. We are blessed to have you with us." He speaks on to the entire group. "As for the attack itself—Vauthry may call it divine retribution, but sin eaters are creatures of instinct. A coordinated assault is unprecedented. Moreover, in the absence of a Lightwarden, there should have been no compulsion for lesser sin eaters to congregate here en masse. All of which points to a single, unavoidable conclusion…"
Urianger: "...That these minions of light answer to a higher power. He who did claim kinship with them—who did boast of control, not in idleness, ‘twould seem, but in earnest. Lord Vauthry."
Crystal Exarch: "Indeed. What I mistook for bluster was in fact the truth. The sin eaters are his to command. But if he imagines this show of force will convince us to bend the knee, he is sorely mistaken."
Alisaie: "I take it your meeting in Eulmore did not end well?"
Crystal Exarch: "You could say that, yes. But I am wiser for the experience, nevertheless. It appears he has mastered a technique which allows him to enslave the minds of others. A fact I discovered when he attempted to use it on me."
The Scions startle at this.
Alphinaud: "That would go some way towards explaining the peculiar reverence afforded him by his subjects. There may feasibly be a handful of true believers among them, I suppose, but it would not surprise me if the vast majority were in his thrall."
Crystal Exarch: "Had I not anticipated his treachery, I might well have joined them. But seeing his invitation for what is was, I sent a glamour in my stead. I rather doubt such tricks will avail me a second time, however."
Alisaie; "Did you have any luck tracking down the Lightwarden in Kholusia?"
Alphinaud shakes his head. "Sadly, I have nothing to report on that front. What of Amh Araeng?" he says.
Alisaie: "After a fruitless few days scouring ruins, I resorted to asking the locals. While no one I spoke to had seen any sign of the Warden, I did uncover a possible lead: an abandoned mine in western Amh Araeng. From what the Mord told me, it would be a perfect place to stay out of sight. Of course, I could never hope to explore such a labyrinth quickly or safely on my own, so I returned here."
Y'shtola adopts her thinking pose. "Even should we all join in the endeavor, an exhaustive search could take weeks—and with no guarantee of finding anything," she says.
The Scions all think on this. Minfilia then speaks up: "The Wardens harbor vast reservoirs of primordial Light, do they not? Far more than anything found in lesser sin eaters. And isn't it true that the Oracle could see the Light of a sin eater from malms away? Surely a Warden would seem like a blazing beacon by comparison?"
As she says this, Thancred bows his head and closes his eyes.
Minfilia speaks on: "To the real Oracle of Light, I mean. The real Minfilia."
You and the other Scions react to this, though Thancred does not. Minfilia now turns to him, and speaks directly: "If we traveled to Amh Araeng, to the south where she halted the Flood, I could summon her back. What do you think?"
Thancred's head is still bowed. After a moment, he picks it up and looks at her with cold eyes. "...Don't." he says.
Minfilia takes a step forward. "Don't what? Do what I can? What we both know is right!?"
Thancred: "Do not presume to know my mind. You have no idea what you're proposing."
Minfilia speaks passionately. "But I do! I know why you never said anything. Because you thought you could keep me safe by keeping me in the dark. And...maybe I thought so too. But I knew, Thancred. I always knew!"
Thancred crosses his arms. Emet-Selch now interrupts their conversation.
Emet-Selch: "Oh, I see… I thought you were a rather underwhelming reincarnation, but it all makes sense now. The Oracle lies dormant within you, doesn't she? But to draw on her true power, you must become one, both body and soul. To wit, one being must consume the other. Who shall be the lucky winner?"
Minfilia had turned to look at Emet-Selch, but now drops her eyes. Thancred speaks, practically spitting the words: "This doesn't concern you, Ascian."
Emet-Selch: "But it plainly concerns you. Which is why your heart is ready to burst out of your chest. Despite the raging tempest in your bosom, however, you have never once opened up to your young charge. Now why would that be?"
Thancred bows his head, and tightens a fist.
Emet-Selch smiles slightly. "Love…? Well. I for one think it's a marvelous idea. Certainly more promising than any of your other suggestions. So—it's off to Amh Araeng we go!"
Minfilia has her head turned from Thancred, eyes downcast. Thancred gives her a dark look, then says, "I'll meet you at the gates."
The camera focuses on Minfilia's face. She opens her eyes, and they appear to be glittering with unshed tears. Thancred walks out, and the camera focuses on Emet-Selch, smiling, and then the scene ends.
You can speak with the Scions now for some additional text before the next quest:
Crystal Exarch: "If this is the course you have agreed on, I will not object—though I am afraid it will be difficult for us to spare any of the guard to accompany you. I can but promise that you will be well looked after upon your return. Just...see to it that you do return, all right?"
Alphinaud: "If I had only been able to locate Kholusia's Lightwarden, it might not have come to this…"
Alisaie: "I can't imagine what Thancred must be feeling to behave this way. To say he's changed since coming here would be an understatement. He may as well be a different person. He reminds me of--...Ah. He reminds me of Father. He argued with us for months about our plan to go to Eorzea, but in the end, he accepted our decision. I….do hope he's doing well."
Y'shtola: "Minfilia demonstrated impressive resolve just now. It seems that she understands what must be done...though I do wonder if she is truly prepared to make the choice. Should she falter, it will fall to Thancred to guide her. However much he wishes it were otherwise."
Urianger: "Though Thancred hath long known whither this path doth lead, his journey hath brought him no closer to acceptance."
Emet-Selch: "<sigh> Will you never grow tired of shuffling your feet? If you have something to ask me, ask.
You can say:
I chose the first line.
Emet-Selch: "As I told you before—Zodiark is the creation of my people. The first people. We summoned Him, as your kind might summon a primal—albeit an infinitely more powerful one. And like one of your primals, He tempered us. It was only natural. There is no resisting such power. And so we Ascians came to exist solely to bring about the rule of darkness. His darkness. Of course, some would call us ‘evil' for it….and they would be fools. Though that is only to be expected, given their innate inability to conceive of the nature of our universe. ….But I believe I am repeating myself. Do you not trust me to speak honestly? Do you hope to catch me in a lie? Really. I have no need of deception—and even if I did, I assure you: you would find it quite indistinguishable from the truth."
Minfilia: "I'm sorry to be so insistent. But I know this is the only way... If you're willing to give me a chance, come with us."
She leaves the Ocular. You make your way to Tessellation, the grand gate of the Crystarium, where you wait for her.
Minfilia: "Sorry for the wait—I'm ready now."
You can say:
I chose the first line.
She smiles sadly and looks down. "Look...no matter what happens to me, I'm sure that I don't want to go back to being who I was. I want to be stronger—strong enough to face my destiny. And I want to believe that I can play a part in saving this world. I hope you can find it in yourself to believe it, too."
You look at her steadily, a serious look on your face.
Y'Shtola: "When you put it that way, how could we not?"
You turn as Y'shtola and the twins walk up.
Y'Shtola: "It is your decision to make. Just be sure that you are prepared, when the time comes."
Minfilia bows her head a second, and Urianger and Thancred walk up.
Urianger: "If all are assembled, shall we depart?"
Urianger looks over his shoulder at Thancred, who glances at him for a second, then says to Minfilia: "We'll follow your lead. What route would you have us take?"
Alisaie: "About that—there's something I neglected to mention. I saw a Eulmoran airship coming in to land over Amh Araeng while I was on my way back to the Crystarium. No doubt the same vessel that bore Vauthry's forces to Rak'tika."
Alphinaud: "...Meaning we can expect to encounter armed resistance on our journey through the region."
Alisaie nods. "Right. Now, Nabaath Areng lies in the southern reaches of Amh Araeng, and there are two routes we can take to get there. The first is the eastern route, which would lead us past Mord Souq. The other is the western route, which would require us to pass through the Hills of Amber."
Thancred: "Minfilia and I took the eastern route last time."
Alisaie: "Yes, that's the more well-trodden path. It also makes for easier traversal of the Nabaath Severance. But we can't use it. If we did, we'd need to cross the Severance from a point nearby the Inn at Journey's Head. If the Eulmorans caught wind of our approach, it could very well bring them into contact with the Inn and its patients—and we can be sure their activities would not meet with Vauthry's approval. It will make the journey more arduous, but I believe it would be safer to take the western route. Which brings me to my proposition. While you make for the Hills of Amber in the west, I will draw the Eulmorans' attention elsewhere—to an area in the east that I know to be uninhabited. That way, you'll have a chance at reaching Nabaath Areng unopposed, and without risk to civilians."
Alphinaud: "Hm. I cannot deny that it's a sound plan—but nor can I allow you to go alone. My skills will make your task at least somewhat easier, will they not?"
Y'shtola: "I will accompany you as well. It will afford us a chance to have a proper conversation. ...And if I go with the others, I'm likely to say something Thancred will regret."
Thancred shrugs.
Thancred: "Well then, we'll leave the work of distracting Vauthry's fores to you. The rest of us will take the western route, and try to avoid attracting attention. With that in mind, I think it best that we follow the road from the Bridges. We'll move faster with a solid path under our feet."
You nod.
Alisaie: "We'll borrow a few amaro for our own journey. I leave the rest to you, Minfilia."
Minfilia nods. "Thank you. I'll try not to disappoint."
The way to Amh Araeng is south from the main gate of the Crystarium. You meet the trio at the Bridges, an outpost along the way.
Urianger: "Would that we all had thy surety of purpose."
Minfilia: "We'll need to move quickly,. The longer the others need to keep the Eulmorans busy, the more likely they are to be caught."
Thacnred: "There you are. The gate leading to Amh Araeng is just up ahead. In all the time I've been here, I've never ventured into the Hills of Amber. Not that I'm particularly intimidated by new lands, at this point--but we have more than enough reasons to be cautious as it is. ...Keep on eye on Minfilia for me, would you?"
The trio walk off. They wait for you outside the gate to Amh Araeng.
Urianger: "Who shall walk among us upon our return, I wonder…"
Thancred: "Amh Araeng lies just beyond the gate. We need only speak to the sentry."
Minfilia: "I'm ready. Let's go."
You speak with Hardyss, the gate guard, who says, "Off so soon, Mistress <last name>? You've barely had time to recover from the battle."
You explain your purpose.
Hardyss: "Well, if you're certain, I'm hardly in a position to question you." Hardyss opens the gate, and you pass through.