One Week Ago
The Scions Of The Seventh Dawn were branded as heroes. Lights in the dark for all of Eorzea and praised as though we were the twelve themselves. After the subsequent defeat of the Garlean Empire, Myself, Thancred, Y'shtola, Yda, Papalymo, Urianger, Alphinaud, and Minfilia….we were the heart and soul of the Scions. The inner circle within the circle that paved the way for what we once were. But as soon as our dreams had been realized, they came crashing down just as fast. The Crystal Braves, they...they were a contingency group made by Alphinaud with the selfsame goal as the Scions; the irrefutable salvation of Eorzea. However, they, and many others beside them had other plans. Plans to go against us for one man's dream, one man's purpose that wasn't too far off from our own. One man's hope of taking back Ala Mhigo. This man's name is Ilberd. And he's the one that turned fate itself against us. It all started with the poisoning and murder of Nanamo Ul Namo. From Sultanate of Ul'dah to corpse on the carpet at what they all said to be my hand….By my doing.
"The fabled Warrior Of Light turned murderer of the Sultana. Hero turned villain. Light turned to Darkness. It's a poet's story, really, and one that I'm sure you and your Scion friends will be ecstatic to hear the end of."
As she was thrown to the ground of the banquet hall, Dariya looked on as her comrades and friends were restrained by members of the Crystal Braves. Above her stood Ilberd himself, his dark blue eyes and greyish-white hair almost shining with the fire in Dariya's own gaze. The Crystal Braves were only made possible by Alphinaud Leveilleur, who was simply following in his grandfather's wishes for the salvation of this very star. However, as Alphinaud entered the banquet hall with his hands up and a blade to his neck, his eyes met Dariya's as she gave him a look of pure rancor. As far as she was concerned, this was his fault. All of this was his fault.
"Ilberd, you bastard! What is the meaning of this!?"
A gruff and low voice would call out to him as the leader of the Braves turned to face its owner. It was none other than Raubahn Aldynn, leader of Ul'dah's Immortal Flames and the man who swore his sword to Nanamo's side.
"You still haven't realized it, Eh? This is all for Ala Mhigo! Everything I've ever done has been for Ala Mhigo! This was never about the Scions, or the Braves, or for some bollock salvation of Eorzea. It's all been for taking back our homeland! I know you understand….brother."
Raubahn grit his teeth at the man before him, putting both hands on the hilts of his sheathed swords. It was true that for a time, Raubahn and Ilberd saw each other as brothers. They would fight and die for Ala Mhigo, or fight and die for Ul'dah in its stead. It had been moons upon moons since Raubahn last saw him, and to see Ilberd again as not a brother but an enemy...it made Raubahn wonder if it was worth fighting for Ul'dah in the first place.
"Do not coddle me as if I am still your kin! You turned your back on all of Eorzea, and for what!? Salvation!? Freedom!? This will not bring freedom to Ala Mhigo, this will only bring that same hatred and fire that the Garleans brought onto our homeland! You must understand, this is-"
Before Raubahn could finish his tangent, Y'shtola put a hand on his chest and pushed the general back. She stepped forward and faced Ilberd with balled fists and a reddened face. Needless to say, she was pissed off.
"Excuse me, general. With all due respect, words will not see through this shell of a man. You know what we must do."
"Rhul, what do you intend to-"
A sudden flash of light followed by a spear of aether shot at Ilberd from Y'shtola's wand, the man dodging narrowly to the side before lunging at the Miqo'te. Before he could strike her though, Raubahn jumped in front and blocked an overhead slash which was surprisingly hard to keep at bay. Ilberd had always been stronger than his brother, both physically and mentally with resilience to boot. It showed as hard as it hit in this coming battle, but luckily enough, Raubahn wasn't alone. From Ilberd's left came a ball of electric energy that hit him in the ribs and sent him flying into a wall, this magic being procured by Papalymo. Despite the 3 on 1 situation on Ilberd's end, more and more Crystal Braves began to flood the banquet hall with weapons drawn and eyes turning to the Scions Of The Seventh Dawn. As the influx of fighting began however, the antecedent ran to Dariya's side and undid the bindings on her wrists. Helping her to her feet, Dariya looked Minfilia in the eyes with a soft smile that the other girl had seen many times before. The same smile that made Minfilia's heart melt upon seeing her.
"Are you ok?"
"As ok as I can be. Though, I don't have my weapon...And where's Thancred?"
"Thancred will be ok. For the now, we must quit this place while we still can."
Dariya nodded in agreement with Minfilia's words and looked on towards the other Scions who fought the Braves. Y'shtola and Yda regrouped at their side followed by Papalymo, who looked at Minfilia with furrowed eyebrows.
"I for one agree with our antecedent. Leaving should be in our best interest!"
Alphinaud suddenly spoke with a slight hiss in his voice that preceded his obvious annoyance with the situation at hand. Dariya's eyes however stayed glued to the general of the flames, fighting of Crystal Braves and his so called brother with an anger and fire that she's never seen before. She grimaced at the thought of leaving him behind, but a part of her knew that he would be ok. This was Raubahn Aldynn, the Bull of Ala Mhigo. He wouldn't fall that easily.
"...L-let's go!"
With haste, the Scions Of The Seventh Dawn vacated the banquet hall and ran out into the Husting's Strip, Dariya giving Raubahn one last look which was received by a nod from the soldier. Then, when the doors of the hall closed, there was naught a sound to be heard on the other side. All that could be noted was the hopeful smile forming on the face of the Warrior Of Light. She was positive everyone would be ok. The Scions continued to make their way through the strip, going down a flight of stairs and making for the back exit that lead into the alleyways of Ul'dah. Once outside, Yda and Papalymo both opted to stay behind and hold off any oncoming forces from the Crystal Braves or Brass Blades, and let the other Scions off to search for Thancred. Y'shtola and Daryia scoured the backends and crannies of the streets while Alphinaud and Minfilia checked unguarded buildings by the sides. Riots were happening all over the city, and the Scions didn't have much time as Ul'dah was slowly being put under siege by the combined might of the traitorous Braves and rebellious Blades.
"Thancred! Thancred!?"
Y'shtola called out into the streets to be greeted with mere silence. The rogue was of no use disappeared, and fear of the worst began to fill Y'shtola's mind. Dariya on the other hand had the same luck, not being able to find Thancred but spotting the stab-wound filled bodies of Brass Blades littering an alleyway. She called for Y'shtola and the two traversed down this path which continued on with the bodies of either knocked out or dead soldiers of Ul'dah. The two eventually found themselves outside the city, peering over what seemed to be a downward facing hill that lead into a tunnel. Dariya nodded to the conjurer beside her and went inside, followed by Y'shtola and the other two Scions in due time. Within this tunnel was indeed Thancred, one of his two daggers being plunged into the neck of an unlucky soldier who came at him. He looked over towards the entrance of the tunnel with a frown, expecting more annoyances but being greeted by the people he considered his family. Thancred smiled in relief and put a hand on his hip, but a sudden slap across the face from Y'shtola galvanized his rather calm senses.
"Thancred! Where have you been!? We've been looking everywhere for you!"
"Well, as you can clearly see, I've been dealing with cleaning up some rather fervent admirers. Glad am I to see you all have found the tunnel. But what of tiny storm and tall fists?"
"Yda and Papalymo stayed behind to give us more time. However, time is running low. We have to get out of the city!"
Alphinaud would suggest in a panicked manner to which Thancred simply chuckled.
"My thoughts exactly, Leveilleur."
"Wait…"
Minfilia would say, having all heads turn to her in an instant.
"I shall stay behind. It is you they want, Dariya, and I must do my part as antecedent and keep you safe."
Thancred stepped forward and frowned, nearly balling both fists with a look of both confusion and anger.
"Minfilia! Staying behind now is completely out of the question! We should be leaving, all of us."
The antecedent simply shook her head and put a hand to her chest. The look on her face was genuine and unmoving.
"No, I cannot. I have stood idly by for too long and have done nothing for too long to have it last any longer. We together put a stop to the Garlean Empire last year, and I did nothing. We stopped Gaius Van Baelsar from unleashing the Ultima Weapon unto Eorzea, and I did nothing. I refuse to be coddled and treated as if I can do naught any more, so I shall stay behind and do something. At the least, Thancred. Please!"
The rogue looked down and grit his teeth in frustration. He raised Minfilia as if she were his own child, and he couldn't bear the idea of leaving her behind. She gave him a new life when he needed it, and he gave her one back when she lost her father 6 years ago. He wanted to stay with her, he wanted to keep her safe, but she was capable. She was ready. And he knew this for a fact. So, with a tight hug and a nod accompanied by shaky breaths, Thancred left down the tunnel with Y'shtola and Alphinaud in tow. However, Dariya felt a hand grab her wrist and stop her before she could go herself.
"Dariya….I never truly got to tell you how I felt about having someone like you in my life. From the day you became a Scion, one of the forebears of the wild rose, you have shown all of Eorzea that there is forever a shoulder to lean on within you. But not as a Scion, or a Warrior Of Light, do I wish to speak with you now. I want you to know that as a friend, I never gave myself the chance to show you just how much you mean to not only me, but everyone in all of Eorzea. You are our light, Dariya, and without you, well….We would be nothing."
Minfilia would speak while holding Dariya's hand and looking down with closed eyes. She wondered exactly what Minfilia meant with all this, and at a time like this, with so much emotion and passion put into it, she knew that Minfilia wasn't going to take back anything she said now.
That's when she kissed her.
Right then and there, Minfilia's soft lips collided with Dariya's and the Viera was sent into a state of shock.
"Now go. Catch up with them and clear our names. Fix this. Please."
Dariya sighed and put a hand near her mouth, still trying to process the sudden kiss from the antecedent. She smiled at her and with a final nod, she left the tunnel after the others. Luckily for Minfilia, Dariya heard the last three words she would hear of hers for some time.
"I love you."
And with that, the Scions exited the tunnel to the outside of Ul'dah and agreed to part ways for the time being. Thancred and Y'shtola headed off to the south while Dariya and Alphinaud went off towards the north. However, as with most things, the Scions weren't left alone in their endeavors of escaping Ul'dah. From a cliff near the southern edge of Thanalan, Admes and Alenka watched as Thancred and Y'shtola made their way out of the city and off to wherever the road could take them. Without a word, Admes nudged Alenka and walked off in the general direction of Gridania, followed by the Miqo'te girl who softly sighed and went along beside him.
And that was how it happened…..Me and Alphinaud ended up in Ishgard at the behest of Cid, while Thancred and Y'shtola forged their own path towards wherever they are now. And that's why we're here. To reclaim the lives that we lost. For ourselves, for Eorzea, and for Minfilia.
Present Day
Edmont took the time to consider everything Dariya had spoken, coming to terms with the situation that befell Eorzea's former heroes. As it stood, the Scions were scattered and Ul'dah had fallen, with Ishgard being the only place of refuge that the banquets survivors could seek out. That's when Alphinaud spoke up and decided to shed some light on the events that lead to the banquet in the first place. Specifically on the Garlean Empire.
"In the beginning, what prompted the attack on the Garleans
was the works of a man named Gaius Van Baelsar. He struck when no one else in the Empire had the gall too, and this resulted in such events as the temporary capture of the Scions under his order and the return of Cid, who had supposedly gone missing five years prior. That's when I promptly made it my mission to coordinate Operation Archon, a full scale attack on the Empire which would see their reign on Eorzea halted. Despite certain….complications regarding one of our members, Thancred, the operation was a success and the Empire's grip on the main
parts of Eorzea were severed. The banquet was meant to celebrate the exact victory we helped to bring about, but….you know how the story goes."
Edmont nodded to Alphinaud and turned his attention back to Dariya, who had her hand on her neck and her gaze face downwards. She thought of Minfilia's kiss and those three words, along with the mental promise she made to set things right. The promise she didn't know if she could keep. As of now, she was no Warrior Of Light. She was just another adventurer like she told Alphinaud. One that got lucky to be blessed by Hydaelyn. That's all she was. Lucky.
"Now that we have been briefed on the reasons you and yours have arrived at Haurchefont's behest, I suppose now is a better time than never to explore the outskirts of Ishgard. Towards the north lies Falcons Nest, where Ishgards Temple Knights reside in full force over the cold wasteland loomed over by the Dusk Vigil. By the south lies Camp Cloudtop, a set of floating islands being spearheaded by the Temple Knights 2nd contingent. As my son Emmanellain isn't present, it would be best if his brother Artoriel lead you all to Falcons Nest for a briefing there on any Dravanian activity. You lot know of the war Ishgard has been locked in with the dragons of Dravania, correct?"
Edmont spoke as all three of the new prospects in front of him nodded, Cyprus deciding to respond with crossed arms over his chest.
"All too well. However, I'd like to think that we've seen more than enough exposition for now. Should you suppose we wait for Artoriel to wake up and take us, my lord?" Cyprus asked.
"Precisely." Edmont responded.
12th Sun
Second Astral Moon
5:26 PM
Mor Dhona
"
Pray give me time to collect my thoughts and set this straight."
As Haurchefont thought to himself of what to make of Cid's explanation of the Crystal Tower, the chieftain of Garlond Ironworks was hammering away at a device he thought could get them through the Eight Sentinels and into the Crystal Tower. There hadn't been much progress since the excavation of the tower itself started, and being on the frontlines of the operation to get inside took a toll on Cid's mind. A part of him wanted to tell Biggs and Wedge that the operation was called off just so he could get some rest, but he knew his limits, and this wasn't it. He had flown the Warrior Of Light herself through thick and thin to face ungodly threats such as the wind Primal Garuda or the heart of the Garlean Empire itself. Cid Garlond wouldn't stop at some measly tower, no matter how tall or how confusing! He was the chief for a reason, and wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty if it meant answers to the questions that the Crystal Tower's very existence raised. He screwed in a bolt there, hammered down a nail here, and was finally done with the newest invention at his own hand.
"Here we are...Haurchefont, if you will?"
The heir to House Fortemps blinked his eyes opened and gave Garlond a smile, walking over to the man and looking down at what he built. It was the same model and design as a
communications jammer he used against the Empire some time ago, but was built with a completely different function in mind.
"And what do I make of this, pray tell?"
Haurchefont asked as Cid took the contraption and put it on the ground in front of the Eight Sentinels.
"This bad boy can convert pure energy into Aether, and fire it out as a projectile to pierce right through certain surfaces. One particular surface being this invisible barrier in our way. If we can somehow extract energy from this barrier in tune with the machine, then we can use it to fire the energy right back and get ourselves inside!"
Haurchefont took some time to consider what Cid proposed. He knew little and less about invisible barriers and aetheric conversion, but to him, the idea at least sounded plausible enough to work. So, with a nod, Haurchefont gave Cid a pat on the back.
"As someone who isn't well versed in the intricacies of Aether and machines, I must say, this is probably your least complicated invention yet!"
Cid responded with a grin which made Haurchefont chuckle, taking his hand off Cid's back and crossing his arms. The engineer gave his newest creation a look of hope, wondering if this was just crazy enough to work.
"Before trying anything, It will need a name…..Ah! The AEC. The Aetheric Energy Converter."
Cid nodded at the newly named creation before punching his palm, fired up at the thought of opening the Tower and figuring out just what it was that Revenant's Toll contracted him and his own for. And with someone like Lord Haurchefont Greystone by his side, nothing could stand in the way of him and Ironworks discovering what could be a realm-shaking discovery.
That's when he heard a voice he'd prefer to never hear again.
"Saying it has been a spell would be an understatement, Garlond."
"...Nero."
From behind the Ironworks engineer and knight of the royal house came along Nero Tol Scaeva. He was the person that Wedge had a feeling was watching them, and it turned out that Wedge's suspicions couldn't be anymore detrimental. Nero and Cid grew up in an academy under Garlean rule many years ago, but Nero was always outshined by Garlond because of his upbringing and natural talents. So, when the operation to take down the Empire struck, Nero was thought to be gone for good. Until now.
"What manner of reason would you have to be here!? Be my guest and stake your claim, but I am sure that whatever you speak will grant me nothing but more and more reason to dismiss you from this place."
Cid turned to face Nero and grit his teeth in anger, obviously seething at the idea that the person who stabbed him in the back during the fall of Castrum Meridianum would arrive as if he didn't have a plan. Cid knew Nero all too well.
"Well, if you must be so nasty about it, I suppose getting to the point is in your best interest. Frankly, there shall be no need for that pitiful excuse of technology in this endeavor, dear Garlond, for i have a much more efficient way of entering the Crystal Tower."
Nero would speak with the utmost confidence, earning a low growl from Cid and a raised eyebrow from Haurchefont.
"Well? What is it?" The knight asked.
"Something that you may be all the more familiar with, my lord. Pray, do you know of the commodity of white auracite?"
"Hmm….sadly, I do not. Prithee will you-"
"But we do."
From behind Nero, two new faces showed up at the same time as he. These two were members of the excavation team contracted alongside Ironworks to open the Crystal Tower. One a Miqo'te and one a Roegadyn, they both were ready and willing to hear out what Nero said in earnest. These two were none other than G'raha Tia and Rammbroes. Nero groaned in annoyance.
"Ugh...can't I just have at least one moment?"