Although it was far larger than I remembered, the Northern Shroud still had a very similar layout. It was in this place, that my friends and I spent countless hours banging out horrendous fetch quests, disgusting FATE events, and shared nightmares of our hunt for a special category of evolving weapon.
This wasn't my first time out of a city, but it was the first time the process had been leisurely. I chatted with the elder guild master as we walked.
"So you know of Papalymo and Yda?"
"Indeed. They arrived years ago on matters of diplomacy. Are you acquainted?"
"Indirectly. I've been told stories of the pair's exploits. My brother is a member within the Circle of Knowing. Are they still within Gridania?"
"I'm afraid not. They stayed for a moon or so, then awayed to places unknown. However, they did somewhat achieve their Circle's purpose."
"The revival of the Twin Adders?"
"Indeed."
For a revival, the process sure was slow. E-Sumi-Yan explained that despite being convinced of the Garlean threat upon their doorstep, they couldn't yet begin the campaign and efforts of organization.
Half of the Seedseer Council were against the reformation. Just because they lived in a forest did not mean they used no money.
To arm the troops they would need to import many metals and arms from Ul'dah. Such a massive hit to their coffers would impact the nation with higher prices and strained budgets.
The water wheel outside of the Adventurer's guild needed repairs for example, but no one could agree on the right price and method.
Then the Adders would also need pay, housing, barracks, amendments, and the blessing of the elements. A conjuration negotiation that took lots of time. In short, there were plenty of reasons to delay.
"In the meantime, we've begun organizing for its eventual return."
Yet somehow-
"You seem confident master."
E-Sumi-Yan knew to keep pushing.
"Your brother is a part of the Circle is he not? Then you must also be aware of the threats this realm now faces. Papalymo explained the risks in clear terms. The Adders must come back. Ominous winds blow, Winter. And we must be ready for their chill."
Those ominous winds are most likely a result of the Primal summonings becoming more frequent. I knew that the Grand Companies were intact before Bahamut fell. I also knew that the Empire and the Eorzean Alliance clashed while Dalamud had descended.
'From Point A.'
The Grand Companies needed time to season themselves in warfare, else it would be a virgin army begging for death.
Surely they wouldn't do such a stupid thing...? Of course not.
In addition, that battle that I saw in the 1.0 cutscene of the Calamity, surely wasn't the first time the Garleans stepped on Eorzean soil during the Age of Calm? There were likely at least a couple years of skirmishes prior.
If I were a commander, I'd start treading water as the nations were divided or while they dealt with the Primals. Well, here the Primals were. Meaning the Garleans wouldn't be far behind.
So the breaking point that I believed marked the establishment of the Grand Companies, was either Garlean incursions or the explicit destruction brought by the Primals.
'To point B.'
My preparations weren't done just yet. I had long considered where I'd be exposed to Garlean skirmishes. It's yet another fact supporting my choice to house within the Black Shroud. Until the Calamity arrived, it worked as the perfect shield. A magical, mind warping, disintegration shield.
I, the Oracle of the Ages, has declared it to be so. Thus it is so. Nothing could possibly go wrong. Everything is exactly as it should be.
---
We came to the side of the road and under a tree. There was a bench that faced a small creek. If I had found this place in-game, I imagined that I'd spend a lot of time here.
"Pray, have a seat."
I brushed the crunchy autumn leaves off the hardwood seat and sat down. A baffling constant of these woods even in summer were the very much autumn leaves. All Saint's Wake, Eorzea's Halloween would be arriving in a month or three. I eyed more than a few huts with sod toppings off in the distance. It must've been Alder Springs. My nemesis.
"sigh"
E-Sumi-Yan gave a sigh while sitting down that I had only ever heard from my grandfather. Even though his body is still that of a 10 year old child, age still infected his thoughts and heart.
We sat in silence for a bit before E-Sumi-Yan opened his mouth.
"I suspect, that you are not using Aether."
We sat in silence for longer. A small tree frog floated along the creek on an abnormally large leaf. We made eye contact briefly before shyly turning away from each other. It was not meant to be...
...
What? What did he just say?
"I'm sorry?"
"I suspect that you are not using Aether. I believe you are tapping into something else. An alternative."
?????
What was he talking about?
"I was unsure of whether I should bring it up."
E-Sumi-Yan fiddled with his staff while staring into the distance with a neutral expression.
"When you used Thunder, while indeed using Aether, your Aetherpool remained full. Your Cold Snap similarly did not touch your Aetherpool. I suspect that you also were not using Aether when you cast Stone or Aero. Even the Aether around you was untouched by your magicks."
...
"Likewise, when you "restored" your Aether, it didn't draw Aether into you from the world itself. Whatever you drew in did not enter your Aetherpool. It came from nothing, then went somewhere else. I do not know where. I believe that you have yet to cast any spell that any teacher has taught you in truth. Everything you've manifested has been a glamour. An illusion. However the effects of the spell were real. Your Ice was cold. Your Thunder was erratic and damaging."
None of this was making sense. He was saying that I never casted any spell. But I obviously had. Numerous times.
"The Sharlayans, in collaboration with their peers in Thavnair, have long since studied similar things. Powers that originate from supposedly nothing. They use an unknown energy. An alternative to perform feats of miracles. Similar feats to what historians describe the Rune Knight to be capable of."
I was confounded. I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"They called the phenomenon, Limit Break, I believe. It uses something different than Aether as its source. No one can confirm precisely what. Some label it as emotion. Others, belief. The difference between them and you, is whilst they use this unknown energy for one bout of manifestation, you do it continuously. You treat it as if it were Aether. You manifest it and tear from beyond the heavens. Aether is created from nothing when you call upon it for traditional looking magicks as well as your self-made magicks. Something grants it to you when you desire it."
I breathed deeply. I wasn't stupid enough to ignore his words and call him crazy. This ancient monster's abilities were not to be questioned. But as a player of XIV, I could do nothing but question. Where on earth was this in the lore? Was he making shit up? I created Aether to use?
"The problem I spoke of earlier...it was an issue of belief. Or faith perhaps. I believe, if my thoughts are correct, that your abilities are limited by that energy, by that power."
Or...was this something from later than I knew?
"It was also why I was hesitant to speak about it. If your power is indeed made up of such, then ruining your faith in your ability meant also ruining your ability all together."
...
"And the solution that I speak of, is to help you solidify that power. To make it consistent. And we shall do that using a scant frame made up of legends and stories. Those belonging to the Rune Knight."
I couldn't understand. Seriously. He was moving too fast. His thoughts too deep.
"I suspect, just as primals are summoned from belief. Faith. Likewise, your ability is one of such a nature."
I had to defer to his words as the truth. I had to rationalize what revelation he was bringing to me. A gift that I certainly didn't want. He was E-Sumi-Yan. He wouldn't lie about this. But then...
Then...this was real? If it was...damn it. What the hell...
I didn't play past Stormblood. Did they completely retcon the fucking mechanics of the universe? They studied Limit Breaks? I'm Limit Breaking? Using what?! Then why can I only cast Fire once? Why did I faint against the Goobbue? Why did I feel the drain when I used Thunder? If I believe it, it comes into existence? What kind of sense does that make? And why me? Just me? Is it another secret with this...my body?
---
"Master, what did you see in me?"
"Humu, you do not think me absurd? Why?"
"Because-"
Huh? Shit, I can't say that. I can't explain that at all. Because he's a Padjal? Just because one is a Padjal doesn't make them infallible. Maybe because-
"Perchance, do you know me young man?"
...
I didn't get to think further before he said that. I knew he didn't understand the implications of it, but I did. I doubted that even the Gods of this place didn't know who I was or why I was here. Let alone, E-Sumi-Yan.
"You do not have to answer. When you walked into the guild, despite the elements never having seen you, your eyes sparked with recognition. I wondered how that could be so."
...
As expected, my poker face was not so hard to read in front of the elder. He could see into my eyes even beyond the shadows of the guild's lighting.
"In addition, the elements had marked you. They called you important for the survival of the Twelveswood. Perhaps even for Gridania."
...
??? Me? These god damned elements... That's why they marked me? Marked us? But, I wasn't-
"Master, I'm afraid I must disappoint you. I did not come to these woods to save them."
"Huhuhu."
He chuckled. I was stuck in-place, panicking, and he chuckled?
"Important for survival is not the same as saving, Winter. Indeed, I believe you used that word, save, because you knew, perhaps more than I do, that something was coming to endanger my Twelveswood."
"I-"
"Fear not, young man. Think me simply an old man rambling nonsense. I dare not point fingers or make assumptions."
He just did though, didn't he? E-Sumi-Yan, the immortal in the shell of a 10 year old child, looked me in the eyes and smiled.
"Do you know what the Elementals are? Not their purpose, but what they represent?"
"...I'm afraid not, Master."
"In these woods, we consider the Elementals as fragments of our matron, Nophica. They have existed upon Hydaelyn for as long as she has existed. The know stories. Tales of nations that rose and fell. Stories of this star torn asunder. They protect us and teach us the nature of all things. They emphasize the importance of balance."
E-Sumi-Yan turned his head back to look at the creek's waters slowly flowing by.
"They claim ominous winds blow. You, a stranger to these woods, marked with Greenstick, arrived upon our step. A stranger that could use magicks unknown and untold. A stranger who, despite never being formally taught and having no memory beyond waking up in the sands of Thanalan, could create magicks that belong to our guilds and cast them when you should be incapable of doing so. A stranger who cast Blizzard 3 times and fainted despite his Aetherpool not being deep enough to cast it even once. A stranger who recognized me, despite never having been within the halls of my Twelveswood."
...
"I wish to help you Winter. I know not of what you have seen. The elements know not of what you think. But in front of me, I see an awesome power that threatens to destroy the realm if used untrained. I also see a young man who wears his heart as a mask. Hydaelyn has brought you to us. She has given you a purpose that I dare not attempt to divine. I have understood the part I must play, and so I shall."
Our eyes met once more. E-Sumi-Yan's face was clear of doubt or worry. His eyes, the piercing silver that could see through all lies and identify all sins, shone with a bright intensity and determined intent. He spoke once more.
"All things that shall come, would always come."
".....Thank you. Master E-Sumi-Yan."
---
We sat, listening to the flow of water for a long time. I ceased thinking. I wasn't scared, but I didn't know how I would even begin to tackle my current problem.
Everything I had done so far, my "hands", the strings of Aether, Blizzard, Astral Ice, Cold Snap, Thunder, all of these things were just my imagination made manifest.
I held out my hand. I knew that I had a gun in the palm of it.
"Pfftt..."
E-Sumi-Yan held back a snicker and turned his head away.
"Ehm. Winter, I regret to inform you, that is not how belief works."
I lowered my hand, that now had a gun held in its palm. A gun that could shoot Bahamut and kill it right away.
"Else, wouldn't Primals be summoned with just a few collective thoughts?"
The gun also could grow into a super cool sword that cut through the fabric of space time. With one swing, this sword, the demon blade Muramasa, could cut through the moon and stars. No matter the range, Muramasa could reach it.
"...Why do I feel like you don't quite understand..."