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It has been several weeks since Nael van Darnus escaped Castrum Novum after the lunar transmitter was destroyed. Dalamud still continues to fall. Louisoix theorises that whatever happened to van Darnus that night allows him to act as a lunar transmitter himself, drawing Dalamud from the heavens.
The Alliance believes that they have tracked down van Darnus and sends the Fisher to Camp Glory in Coerthas, an area where the Allagan empire once flourished.
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The Fisher arrives at Camp Glory where an allied force from all three Grand Companies have assembled.
Suddenly the ground begins to shake and a meteor falls from Dalamud.
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High above the clouds and the land below, Nael van Darnus stands upon a floating island surrounded by Allagan technology, the Garlean crackles with red energy shooting into the sky.
O benevolent moon of purification!
That Thou shouldst choose me, Thy humble servant, as the beacon to guide Thy coming…
Mine entire being shivers with boundless bliss!
The hour of cleansing is at hand!
Make complete Thy descent and purge this land of its tanit!
Dalamud begins to unleash a torrent of meteors upon the land below.
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Once the dust clears the Fisher finds that the gathered forces have been wiped out by the falling rock.
Countless more meteors continue to fall upon the land.
Soon a Gridanian scout rides up to her.
What in the world was that explosion? And what in the seven hells is that floating mass of land!?
That beam of light… Unless I’ve lost my wits, it’s the selfsame as that seen at Castrum Novum!
Take word of this back to Gridania without delay! I shall remain here to keep watch!
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The Fisher briefs the Alliance leaders of what has happened, they entrust her with leading the assault on the floating isle and killing van Darnus. Cid Garlond will deliver her to the battleground.
Cid speaks of the tragedy at Bozja Citadel, where the Emipre’s experiments with Allagan technology and Dalamud led the the destruction of an entire city. The events of this day opened his eyes to the evil of the Empire and led to Cid turning his back on his homeland and defecting to Eorzea. Holding himself accountable for the threat that Meteor now poses to Eorzea, he means to do all in his power to foil Nael van Darnus’s deranged ambitions. Cid offers to transport the Fisher to the floating isles by means of his personal airship, the Enterprise.
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The Fisher makes her way to the airship landing to meet with Cid and set off.
I don’t know what path brought you here.
Nor do I know what will be going through your mind when you face van Darnus.
But this much is plain…
You fight for a far nobler cause than I.
Aye, Cid Garlond, the craven who fled to Eorzea after helping to annihilate the people of Bozja Citadel.
This airship may well carry you to your death.
Knowing this, do you still wish to board it?
I’m aware that many and more have pinned all their hopes on you, but it’s your life, and your choice.
The Fisher doesn’t hesitate, she wants to see this through to the end.
Heh…
I had a feeling that would be your answer.
Come on! The White Raven awaits us on high!
It’s time to knock that bastard off his perch once and for all.
The two board the airship and depart.
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The airship approaches the floating isles, having contended with the storm in the clouds below.
There it is!
Ready to finish this?
The Enterprise gets in as close as possible to the main island and the Fisher leaps from the ship as it passes without slowing down.
Nael van Darnus, aware of the intrusion, stops his ritual and teleports down to the main island from his perch up high.
He bows before the Fisher, stifling a silent chuckle before speaking.
Behold!
Base creatures have come to offer Thee tribute!
Hark not to their honeyed words - fawning knaves - for I, Thy most loyal servant, shall give Thee all that Thou cravest!
It was I who raised for Thee this stout sanctuary, using wisdom of ancient Allad and the offering of mine own frail flesh!
O guiding light, doubt not my devotion, nor yet my testimony!
Thy servants exist only to serve and honor Thee!
Naught would give us greater joy than to bathe in Thy cleansing crimson light!
To know such bliss, we would gladly die a thousand deaths! A thousand thousand!
The presence of these wretched creatures proves the truth of my words! Of their own free will, they have come to offer Thee a tribute of their life blood!
And I, first among Thy servants, shall be honored to attend their sacrifice.
I shall rend their bodies asunder and adorn Thy sanctuary with their flesh and bones!
Come beasts! Rejoice!
For by your deaths shall your lives find purpose - in bringing glory to our Lord and Master!
Nael van Darnus draws his weapon and the battle begins.
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The battle has been rough, but the Fisher has gained the upper hand.
That I should be bested by mere beasts…
P-Preposterous…
O, how I grieve for this world! This world beset by fools!
...And that the worst of them should hail from mine own land!
Gaius van Baelsar, the Emperor, his beloved subjects - fools, one and all!
Blindly, they struggle to exterminate the primals in the name of conquest. Yet what worth is there in a realm bereft of the crystals’ light?
What has become of Garlean pride, that we must scavenge the leavings of false gods!?
This land is fit for but one thing…purification!
...And for that I gladly offer up both body and soul.
O Mighty Dalamud! Red moon of destruction!
Grant unto me Thy power, that I might carry out Thy will!
Dalamud hears van Darnus’s supplications and pulses with power.
Ahhh, yes! Yes!
Van Darnus floats into the air.
The power...it courses through my being! I am… I am… Aaaaaaaaargh!
As the blinding light clears the Fisher looks around for the crazed Garlean and finds him floating in the air brimming with energy.
At this point, the name on all of Nael’s text boxes has changed to Nael Deus Darnus.
The hour is come
Receive of me the gift of purity.
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Actually found a recording of someone doing this quest on YouTube, so if you want to watch all the cutscenes at like 13 FPS and the boss fight, here you go.
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It was a grueling fight, however in the end Nael Deus Darnus was defeated.
The Gunspear flung from his hands. Breathing ragged, laboured breaths, he staggers his way over to retrieve his spear.
As soon as he touches it, Dalamud’s energy started to leave him. Whether his body could contain it no longer or the red moon was displeased with his performance, van Darnus was done. He extended a hand up to the moon and fell backwards. He had dissipated before his back had hit the floor.
The expelled aether flowed back to Dalamud.
Once the aether had cleared and Dalamud seeming calmed down, the Fisher breathed a sigh of relief.
However, with Nael van Darnus no longer fueling the spell that kept the isles aloft, the floating ground started to shake, break apart and fall.
The Enterprise sped towards the isles.
Well, are you coming or what!?
It’s customary for the hero to attend the victory parade!
The Enterprise pulled up to the main island, the Fisher boarded and the airship sped away from the falling landmass, towards the sunrise.
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The Fisher returned to the Lotus Stand, receiving a hero’s welcome.
No words can express our pride. I thank the Twelve for blessing our ranks with such a soldier.
Now, turn around, and look upon your achievements. All… all that greets your eye, you plucked from the very jaws of death!
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The celebrations continued long into the night, eventually the Fisher and Cid quietly slipped away for a quiet drink, together they had averted a Calamity and the Seventh Umbral Era. Or so they thought.
Dalamud.
Continues.
To.
Fall.