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Chapter LXXXI: Lady of the Vortex
Music: Wailers and Waterwheels
We're here, finally, at this moment. Since shortly after the fall of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, Garuda's presence has been felt. Aggro and her party have gone through a lot of hoops, but it's time to face the Lady of the Vortex. Cid warns that the device to pierce Garuda's storm may not actually function, but there's no more time and he's done the best he can do without tests.
Putting aside the actual fight, the next two (or three?) updates are going to be very cutscene heavy.
Aggro, I want to thank you. For reuniting me with my ship, for trusting in me to develop this plan... for everything. You've helped me to rediscover a part of myself I'd forgotten. I am not the man I once was, and I do not know if I ever shall be... but I do know one thing: this feels right.
(Soundtrack ends.)
Music: A World Apart
On Alphinaud's command, the airship takes off.
With that, the Enterprise clears the Black Shroud's canopies, taking for Coerthas.
Relieved that they're flying safely, Cid begins to remove his goggles.
Revealing his third eye as he stares at his goggles, something stirs. He flinches in frustration.
Damn it. I... I once flew in this airship. And I was not alone.
Bonus points if you can guess where this is going.
(Soundtrack ends.)
If you guessed an Echo vision, then you're pretty familiar with this game's narrative beats already.
This Echo experience is going to be a little bit different than usual. Instead of witnessing memories, we get a bit of self-narration from Cid as he resolves them instead. Aggro gets to join in on the ride.
New Music: Dreams Aloft
The young prodigy, admired by all... exactly like his father. Born and raised in Garlemald... It was only natural that the precocious young student should become an engineer. Had his father not done the same?
(Soundtrack ends.)
You abandoned us all. But he was there for me, Father—there for me when you were not. Though he proved no better in the end. Gaius was just another man with an all-consuming obsession.
The Enterprise flies over Eorzea from Garlemald, Cid inside.
Music: Dreams Aloft
In his flashback, Biggs and Wedge join him as he flees.
While he narrates his escape, he looks over at Biggs and Wedge. Both are out cold, sleeping away as they sail the air. Then, suddenly, something catches his attention.
The light takes form, revealing itself to be Aggro. She hands something over to him.
Within a flash, Aggro disappears, leaving younger Cid confused.
Cid looks at the goggles for a moment before putting them on.
Biggs and Wedge approve.
I wanted to prove that my knowledge could serve a nobler purpose. I wanted to prove that there was another way... And it all began that day, when I found my new home...
This is the first time in a while the Warrior of Light detail has been used. Players will have met Cid before if they'd played 1.0—though I'm not sure if they gave him the goggles in that. It was explained at the start of the game, but the Warriors of Light from 1.0 have been forgotten, though this is easily an excuse to let the game be a reboot while not re-purposing too many quests for Legacy players.
It's also a nice bit of symbolism. Through Aggro, Cid has reclaimed his lost memory.
Music: Dreams Aloft
This moment is probably a bit more meaningful if you're a 1.0 character, but it's still pretty nice to be honest.
The camera pans as Cid puts his goggles back on, disguising his distinguishing third eye. It's time to return to the present.
I am proud to be able to call her my own.
Oh, sorry Alphinaud. I forgot you were there.
Alphinaud shakes his head and Cid takes the reins of the Enterprise once more.
New Music: Engage
My name, my people, and my purpose. Everything.
(Soundtrack ends.)
Here we go!
With a little bit more of Cid's backstory fleshed out, we've arrived in The Howling Eye.
It's a little bit dissimilar to the rest of Coerthas though. Judging by the lack of snow, we're somewhere in the Coerthas Lowlands—an area previously accessible in 1.0, but unavailable in A Realm Reborn. It's not clear where in the Lowlands, but the assets are fairly similar to how the region once looked. The lighting is also unique, similarly to the Bowl of Embers (Ifrit). This is due to the Gales weather.
Looking around, there's even a cave next to the Enterprise. It's blocked up, preventing access, but the sheer detail of adding a cave suggests this is a repurposed area from the old days. Maybe someone else will recognise it.
Anyway, enough exploring this one-time map. Let's do what we came here to do.
If you don't want to be stuck in here, you can talk to Cid so you can leave. I've never really done this but I figure you'll be able to return via the Gridanian airship docks like before.
Let's not even waste time and queue!
Who dares intrude upon my sanctuary!?
Music: One Blood
As I live and breathe...
Cid then notices something to the side.
Over there—look.
A group of Ixal have taken Kobold and Amalj'aa prisoners. The last time we'd seen either other race, they'd summoned Titan and Ifrit respectively. Something is going down here.
Amalj'aa and kobold prisoners. But why would the Ixal bring them here...?
Wherefore come you hither, foolish mortals!?
Garuda! We are come to put an end to your reign of terror!
Hear you this blasphemy, my children? These landwalkers would bring me low!
They will not help you here, landwalker. This is my realm, where none can challenge my supremacy! Struggle though you may—I shall slake the roots with your blood, and festoon the canopy with your ENTRAILS! HAHAHAHAHAAA!
The Ixal rally up, preparing to charge.
(Soundtrack ends.)
Leave the Ixal to us, Aggro! We will keep them distracted while you deal with her!
Do not fail, Aggro! Remember: you fight for the Scions! For Eorzea!
I know, Alphinaud. As if we want to die.
New Music: Fallen Angel
This worm would die by mine own hand! Come, then... I shall grant you that which you seek!
Garuda screams, summoning a tornado.
Feathers launch from her wings, piercing the ground and stone.
The storm around her magnifies. Garuda cackles, loving the chaos ensuing behind her. Enthralled by it.
Finally, the storm settles to surround us. There's no longer any escape.
Garuda's smile and audible laughter synchs up with the female vocalist saying "Now fall" in the BGM.
The stories surrounding the Primals have always made them seem really dangerous. The stakes have always been high, but none higher than Garuda. She seems utterly crazy and extremely dangerous on her own, even without knowing the consequences of a Primal to begin with.
Next time, we're going to fight that craziness. Deep breaths.
All Cutscenes and Dialogue