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Several weeks have past since the fight with Nael van Darnus, things have been quiet since then. Louisoix has requested the Fisher’s presence.
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My dear Fisher. It does my spirit well to see you again, and none the worse the wear for your encounter with Nael van Darnus.
When you accompanied Master Garlond to the floating isle, you could not have known what awaited you there, not whether you would ever return, yet thither you went, to spare Eorzea her doom…
Your triumph should rightly have marked the end of this tale...alas, the fates are not so kind. Though it grieves me to say the words, the red moon of Allag...continues its descent.
Following Nael van Darnus’s defeat, we of the Cirle of Knowing maintained our vigil over Dalamud.
It took us a little time to deduce that all was not as it should be...and rather longer to confirm our findings beyond a doubt…
Did the blow that felled the White Raven come too late? Or is there another force that works to bring down Dalamud?
Whatever the answer may be, one thing is plain: the threat of the Seventh Umbral Era yet looms nigh.
No man living could doubt your worth.
Eorzea has peered over the precipice countless times, yet ever were you there to draw her back from the brink.
Now, you must needs do so again. Heed me well, for I would entrust you with one final mission.
I would have you become the beacon to summon forth the Twelve-aye, the guardian deities of Eorzea.
Nophica, the Matron; Althyk’ the Keeper; Byregot, the Builder; Rhalger, the Destroyer…
Azeyma, the Warden; Nald’thal, the Traders; Halone, the Fury; Menphina, the Lover…
Oschon, the Wanderer; Llymlaen, the Navigator; Nymeia, the Spinner; and Thaliak, the Scholar-patron deity of mine own Sharlayan.
Faith in the Twelve is strong in this land. By channeling that faith through prayer, we should be able to call upon their aid.
Alas, we cannot simply pray wheresoever we please. We must needs present ourselves before the gods, at places where they lie in slumber.
May hap you are aware of the divine symbols that have manifested across the land in recent days? Well, it was by mine own hand that they did so.
Graven upon ancient stone, these symbols are temporal representations of the Twelve. It is before these stones that we must entreat their succor via a ritual.
I would have you embark on a pilgrimage to each of the locations and give fervent prayer-a prayer for Eorzea’s salvation.
In so doing, the gods shall awaken to lend us their aid. Will you do this thing, Fisher?
The Fisher accepts Louisoix’s request.
The light of hope shines brilliantly within you.
No matter how deep their slumber, the gods will surely stir in the presence of such light.
If you would lend me your map, I shall mark thereupon the place whither you must go.
The pilgrimage will take you to the farthest reaches of the land. Steel yourself for a grueling journey, and pray exercise the utmost caution.
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The first symbol wasn’t far, at Stillglade Fane in Gridania. The Fisher prayed the stone and the symbol briefly glowed brightly.
Ah, if it isn’t the young Fisher!
Helloooooo!
You’re going on the pilgrimage, aren’t you!? Louisoix told us all about it!
The attendants shush Yda.
For the love of Thaliak, Yda! Keep your voice down!
I’m so glad you’ve decided to save the world again! It’s a real weight off my mind, I can tell you!
Ahem! You have my thanks also. Truth be told, I had feared you would be reluctant to help.
Summoning detietes requires an ungodly amount of aether, after all.
And having manifested, sustaining even a single deity’s corporeal form costs the land dearly-as you’ve seen yourself.
Yet here we are, seeking to summon fewer than twelve of them!
Channeling even a tiny portion of a deity’s strength will tax you greatly.
Fortunately, no more than should be needed to stay the red moon’s advance. At the very least, it should be sufficient to nullify Dalamud’s power and ensure Eorzea’s preservation.
For an added blessing, the process should see some aether returned to the land-aether that Dalamud had absorbed from the primals.
There is yet a future for Eorzea. I, for one, believe this to be true.
You are of a mind with me, I trust?
The Fisher agrees.
But without further ado, let us set to work. May the Twelve keep you!
So long! Be safe!
Yda runs off by stops part way to the exit and turns back and yells.
I almost forgot to mention!
When you’re off summoning the Twelve, don’t forget to visit all thirteen places, alright!
Yeah, I was a bit puzzled about that myself, but then I realized that Nald’thal has two aspects! So anyway, you heard it from me first!
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Several symbols later, the Fisher has made it to Ul’dah.
These eyes will not be fooled-something weighs heavily on your mind.
If I were to hazard a guess, the prospect of entreating the succor of the selfsame beings you once slew seems less than attractive? Heh. I’ll not deny it’s ironic.
As you well know, aether is the source of all life. Bereft of its blessing, Eorzea would be naught but a dried-up husks of a realm.
By whatever name they are called, gods drink of the land’s aether for their sustenance. The Twelve are no different.
Summoning them would be tantamount to bleeding the life of the land. Yet without their aid, Eorzea is most assuredly doomed.
Dalamud will fall, and the land will die. Enven should aether still flow, life may never blossom here.
We cannot allow that to come to pass.
Even as we move to stay Dalamud’s descent, ever must we be mindful of the toll our actions take upon Eorzea’s longevity. We spare the present at a cost to the future.
It will be no easy thing, this balancing act.
Yet we must see it through to the bitter end, no matter the hardship.
Take heart, my friend, for all will be well. Victory will surely smile upon us.
Whence comes my confidence, you ask?
It comes from you. Yours is the fire of ho[e that will light our darkest hour.
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The Fisher has made it to a symbol in Coerthas. After finishing her prayers she receives an unexpected guest.
I receive word that the Sharlayans have resumed their meddling…
And who should I find here but you-my old adventurer friend. Were I to believe in such folly, I would say that our fates were intertwined.
Ah, but allow me to congratulate you on bringing down the White Raven. Wehn word reached me, I struggled to stifle a cheer.
But what now, pray tell?
Nael van Darnus was as a god to his minions. In their blind faith, the fools have convinced themselves that the man yet lives.
Bent on finding their beloved legatus, soldiers of the VIIth have entrenched themselves at the heart of Eorzea.
They have gone so far as to send false intelligence to Garlemald, declaring Meteor a success and van Darnus a hero.
Suffice it to say, your leaders shall not long suffer the legion’s presence. A clash between the Eorzean Alliance and the VIIth is inevetable.
Yet know that even as they struggle, the red moon of Allag shall come and lay this land to waste.
And the White Raven shall realize his twisted ambition from beyond the grave.
It falls to you to prevent that from happening, old friend-so be sure to fight with all your strength.
And leave me something worth conquering!
Gaius walks out of sight, the fisher chases but he is gone, returned to his airship, his parting words bellowing across the hills with magitech assistance.
I shall enjoy watching the drama unfold from my vantage point on high. And when all is said and done, Garlemald’s mighty standard shall rise in every corner of the realm.
Live, adventurer, and we may well meet again. I take my leave of you.
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The Fisher eventually makes her way to Limsa Lominsa, where she prays to one of the symbols.
Greetings, Fisher. Are you relishing the part of pilgrim?
Hm? The stench of ceruleum hangs upon your garments.
Unless I’m mistaken, you have recently crossed paths with the Empire.
The Fisher explains her encounter with van Balesar.
...Gaius van Baelsar of the XIVth Imperial Legion? I had thought the man long withdrawn to Ala Mhigo.
The Black Wolf has cooperated with us in the past, so determined was he to thwart the White Raven-but for him to divulge the VIIth’s position is...unexpected.
The heart of Eorzea… This could only refer to Mor Dhona, the place of convergence for aether.
By our reckoning, Dalamud will fall in the region’s southeast.
Hence, it is there that we must channel the power of the Twelve-Louisoix himself said as much.
Anticipating our plan, van Darnus would have positioned his forces at the selfsame location. The pieces certainly fit.
And then there are van Baelsar’s parting words…
It is plain that he still hopes to deliver Eorzea into the hands of the Emperor. He is, and has ever been, a sworn enemy of the realm.
Ordinarily, I would no more trust the Black Wolf than I would trust his namesake.
Yet he is the lesser of two evils, and given what the red moon would make of the Emperor's prize-namely ash-we have no reason to dismiss his testimony.
Very well. I shall relate the details of your exchange to the alliance leadership.
As for you-stay the course, and do what must be done.
Waken the Twelve. Let all of Eorzea bask in their radiance.
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The Fisher prays to the final symbol, in the cave where Cid previously encountered the White Raven.
Louisoix and another Archon, Urianger, join her. Once her prayers are completed, Louisoix’s staff, Tupsimati, glows brilliantly.
The light of hope waxeth ever more…
Ahhh, I feel it! There can be no doubt-the gods are stirring!
Your presence is a boon to the realm, Fisher. Thanks to you, we may yet prevail.
All that remains now is for those who abide in Eorzea to join as one prayer. In so doing, the gods will surely descend.
Master, forgive me mine impertinence, but the VIIth Legion yet stands betwixt us and our objective.
Gods forbid that I forget that detail, Urianger. Aye, we must needs secure suitable grounds for the summoning, though it mean throwing the entire might of the alliance against the Empire.
Fisher. Hereafter, I make ready to receive Dalamud, during which time, Thancred and the others shall go forth to marshal the will of all who abide in this land.
By the grace of the Twelve, let us deliver Eorzea from her doom, and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity!
Dire though they seem upon first hearing, the words of Mezaya Thousand Eyes are, in sooth, a promise of salvation.
Yet whence that salvation wouldst come, no man could say. Only now-as the shadow of Dalamud loometh large-doth the truth wax plain to sight.
The valiant blades of which the seventh verse spoke betoken none other than thee and thy fellow adventurers.
Though heavens spew crimson flame, and hells seep black dooms, by thy hand shall Eorzea look upon a new dawn.
Urianger speaks true. Like him, I harbor no fear for the preservation of Eorzea.
Your presence alone serves as ample reassurance.
Where men go as one, there is life. And where there is life, there is cause to hope.
If I can but see you to a new future, I should want for nothing more.
Go well, Fisher. The blessing of the Twelve be upon you.
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True to Giaus’ word, the VIIth Legion was waiting at Dalamud’s estimated impact site, the Carteneau Flats. The Alliance had assembled a massive combined army to fight them off while Louisoix summoned the Twelve.
Things did not go as planned. Dalamud was revealed to be the prison of Bahamut, an ancient primal captured by Alleg. Bahamut caused unimaginable damage throughout Eorzea in the short time he was free. Louisoix attempted to summon the Twelve to seal Bahamut, however the primal broke free.
What happened next is shrouded in mystery. Bahamut vanished before he could cause total destruction. Louisoix vanished, presumed dead, only the shattered remnants of his staff remained. People’s memories of the events of the day remain foggy to this day, whatever happened seems to have been magically wiped from their minds.
Countless people throughout the realm died, whole towns destroyed, the wilderness reshaped.
The Fisher did not attend the battle, she instead helped fuel the prayer to summon the Twelve. No one knows what happened to her after that day, thanks to the magical memory loss most people are unable to remember her role in events, even her true name.
Did she die in the devastation that day? Or did she become just another adventurer in the crowd?
Or maybe she decided to retire, let someone else handle saving the world and spend the rest of her days on her true passion.
