Before The Rebirth of a Realm

by RoseDragonWitch

Prequel to 'Eyes Ever Heavensward' and 'Hells Open, Heavens Weep' We know of the journey that the Warrior of Light has led so far. But what about their story from the beginning? Forgetting the past could be as dangerous as losing sight of the future. Perhaps it's time to look back and see where we came from and how far there is still to go. This is the story from the very start… b

13. Skeletons in her Closet

Chapter 12: Skeletons in her Closet

"Thancred! What happened to you?!"

"There's no need to worry about me," Thancred promised, trying to clear off some of the dirt that stubbornly remained on his cheek. After his run in with the masked mage, he had returned as soon as he could to inform the others about what he saw. As soon as he entered the room though, all it took was for Minfilia to see his dirty face and torn shirt before she immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion that he needed medical care.

"Truly, Minfilia, I am doing well," he added as she insisted on calling Y'shtola in to look at him. After reassuring her that he was still whole and hale, she sighed, but still demanded that she examine him herself to be sure. So that was how he found himself setting on the bench in her office as she gently began to clean the dirt off his face. She frowned slightly as her fingers trailed lightly over the slight bruise on his forehead, but otherwise found nothing else the matter with him.

"What happened?" she asked again.

"I was just about to take some tomes back to Ul'dah when I spotted a man in black leaving Vesper Bay," he answered as he patiently sat there and let her clean him up. "I suppose you could say that curiosity got the better of me and followed him. While I cannot be sure yet, I am all but convinced that he may be one of the Paragons."

"He was?" she gasped, removing the cloth and stared at him, "Then what in Hydaeyln's name were you thinking in following him on you own?"

He merely smiled back as he rested his hand upon her shoulder in a reassuring way as he promised, "I was just following him. I was only spotted due to a careless mistake on my part, on that I can admit. But he seemed more frightened of me than I was of him."

He may be exaggerated on that last part, but he didn't want to see her worry over him like this.

"If that man was indeed a Paragon, then we must needs be more careful," Minfilia scolded him, "Nothing that you could have gained from following him would be worth your wellbeing. Please, at least speak with Y'shtola on your health and…?"

But he was shaking his head firmly.

He was truly touched by how worried that Minfilia was for him, but this was too important to get sidetracked. He knew he could do this, he just needed to be more careful… that was all. Perhaps his lack of sleep was what was caused his foot to slip earlier? Either way, he would make sure that it never happened again.

Minfilia pleaded with him so much, however, that he finally gave in, just to give her peace of mind. He went to go and speak with Y'shtola just as Claire arrived to speak with Minfilia on some important matter. Like he thought, when he went to Y'shtola, and she finished her examination, she found nothing other than the bruise.

"What worries me is that you don't seem to be getting enough sleep," she informed him once she was done. "I understand that it's important to you, but you must remember to rest more often than you have been."

Thancred nodded, promising her that he would after she ushered him out; where he was starting to feel the full effects of his sleepless nights catching up to him. He was just in the mind to see if it would be alright for him to go to their small infirmary and see if he could catch a few hours of rest when…?

His hand brushed against something in his pocket and he froze at the reminder of what he picked up earlier. He had somehow completely forgotten about the crystal he found! He made to return to the Solar to speak with Minfilia when he stumbled and almost fell over. His hand reached up to his head as he felt a splitting ache beginning to grow. He shook his head, breathing hard through his mouth as to not be sick.

On second thought, perhaps it would be wiser to rest now and explain what he found later?

*Claire*

Claire was given several days off from her duties as a reward for her time spent with the Sylphs, and she was glad for the break. Not to say that she had been idle during that time. She began her practicing with the sword at the gladiator's guild and she was pleased to see how well it was going. In fact, it was with her new blade, that she forged herself under her studies with the blacksmith's guild in Limsa did she finally return to the Waking Sands to see how everything was going. When she entered, she found everything much the same way as she left it—with only a few differences.

Now, they had the friendly green Noraxia floating about as she examined everything in their headquarters, and quickly winning the hearts of the other Scions scattered about. She also found Biggs and Wedge usually hard at work in a corner of the room as they went over different types of blueprints. Meanwhile, she found most of the other Scions hard at work with other tasks, usually with their heads buried in a tome as they studied up on some manner of subject.

All but for one.

Now that she thought about it, she couldn't even remember the last time she had seen Thancred and she could not help but feel concern for the man's ever growing absence.

"I understand your concern," Papalymo sighed when she asked him about it, "But Thancred has always been prone to vanishing for days at a time. I can't say for sure what he is up to, but I do know that he was given a very important mission. One that I don't think that we should expect him to finish in a matter of days."

"What is he up to anyway?" Yda asked curiously, but all Papalymo could do was shrug.

But no one seemed too concerned about it, so Claire let it go as she went to the solar to see how Minfilia was doing.

"Ah, Claire. It's good to see you!" she answered happily, but her good mood soon faded as she sighed and added, "However, I am afraid there is no rest for the weary. I know it has only been a short while, but we simply must delve further into the motivations of the masked man — the Ascian known as Lahabrea. This is an ideal moment to do so, while our hands are not bound dealing with another primal."

Well, she supposed that made sense. She supposed if she had to choose between going out and fighting another god-like being or investigating some robed and masked mage, it really wasn't a contest.

She shrugged, which Minfilia took as permission to fill her in on what they did manage to learn.

"At present, we know little and less about the Ascians — only that destruction follows in their wake," she explained, "I should not be surprised if these beings are behind the chaos that racks the realm. If my fears prove to be reality, we must do all in our power to stop them."

On second thought, perhaps it would be safer to fight against another primal.

"Earlier, I sent word to each Grand Company to solicit cooperation," Minfilia continued. "The Immortal Flames responded to the effect that they have information on a potential sighting. This is intelligence that we can ill afford to ignore. Go speak with Flame Commander Swift at the Hall of Flames in Ul'dah to inquire further. How you go about the investigation thereafter, I leave wholly to you discretion. But whatever you do, never forget that we are dealing with the unknown. You cannot take too many precautions. Be safe, Claire."

Well, that seemed easy enough. Other than being told to keep an eye out for anything dangerous, she seemed to have complete free reign over this situation. It would seem this would be her first solo mission since she joined the Scions and felt nerves in the pit of her stomach at the thought. She nodded in agreement, promising to keep her informed of anything she may learn.

"Thank you, Claire," Minfilia said gratefully, "May the Crystal guide you and keep you."

Claire paused only long enough to say goodbye to the others before she headed out to Vesper Bay. After feeling the weight of her heavy coin purse, she smiled at the thought that she would be able to afford things now. She took the fast way to Ul'dah, by ways of a teleport, and she stepped out into the bright sunshine among the streets of Ul'dah, just a stone's throw away from the Hall of Flames.

She went skipping along, suddenly feeling an unusual sense of happiness today before Commander Swift waved her over.

"Ah, Claire, it's good to see you!" he said as she approached, watching him grin from ear to ear. "Have you come on behalf of the Scions, then? About our masked friend?"

She nodded, ready to get to work, as Commander Swift cleared his throat and began to relay, "Well, as we've already relayed to Lady Minfilia, there has been a sighting of this rogue near about eastern Thanalan. A Brass Blade stationed at Highbridge described him in detail when he alerted us to suspicious activity."

What did he mean by 'suspicious' activity? She was already starting to see warning signs about this.

"I would point you to the witness, but I'm afraid he died not two days ago, slain by a marauding horde of Qiqirn," the commander sighed, "Fate can be a cruel mistress."

Well of course that's what happened. Gods forbid she have an easy time with this. Still, this all seemed a bit too… convenient to her.

"But do not be so quick to despair," Commander Swift added, "Being an airship landing, Highbridge sees heavy traffic. Folk are always coming and going, and some among them may well have caught a glimpse of your target. You could do worse than to speak with a merchant named Hihibaru. The fellow's always starved for customers, and he'd no doubt welcome your attention, whether or not you have coin or the mind to spend it."

Well, that wasn't much to go by, but it was more than she thought she would be receiving after this unfortunate turn of events. She made sure to thank the Commander before she headed out. As she left the city gates, she pulled out a small yellow whistle that was in the shape of a chocobo and blew hard. She didn't have to wait long, for her new mount came racing in towards her.

Claire beamed happily as the Chocobo kwehed with it saw her, pausing only long enough to rub his feathered head against hers. She laughed as she reached up to pet the beak fondly, making sure to pull out some greens from her pocket to feed to him in gratitude before she pulled herself up onto his back.

After joining her Grand Company, she was thrilled at the news that she would be allowed to obtain a Chocobo mount for her very own. After saving up enough seals, she bought herself a license before heading off to speak with the Chocobo porter, who brought out a fine, healthy bird for her. As soon as he saw her, the bird quickened his steps, as if he just knew that he was meant to bear her from now on.

Claire just wrapped her arms around the bird's slender neck and hugged him tightly, glad to have a companion on the road with her.

She smiled even wider as she ran her hand through his bright yellow feathers as she urged him along, leaving Central Thanalan Behind as they raced to the East, past Drybone, and to the bridge she had often seen in the distance but never had reason to visit before now. As it drew closer, she could see the remains of some old ruins upon the cliffs, beautifully sculpted, much like how Ul'dah was built and she wondered if the ancestors of the Ul'dahans were the ones who carved such detail? At the foot of the bridge, she saw a Lalafell on hand, who couldn't have looked more thrilled at the thought of a potential customer.

"Welcome to Highbridge, adventurer!" he cried out with an overused grin, "Whatever you seek, I, Hihibaru, can provide it! ….Probably!"

She fought the laugh that was threatening to break free as she politely turned down his plea to buy something, and instead questioned him on if he had seen a suspicious masked man around these parts in recent days. As soon as she began to question him, she saw his wide smile quickly leave until he was left with a nervous frown.

"You're after a masked man? I'm…not sure I have one of those in stock…" that was when he realized what he was saying and slapped his forehead, "Ohhhh, you're after a masked man! Why didn't you say so! Such an individual might have featured in one of the many rumors I've heard. If you linger awhile, mayhap you'll learn a thing or two, eh?"

Not surprised, she shrugged and asked if there was anything happening in this area that he could tell her about.

Hihibaru thought it over for a time before informing her, "Well. When the Order of Nald'thal began excavating the ruins below, I had hopes that Highbridge would turn into a bustling hub for pilgrims. But thanks to the nigh endless beastman raids, folk are too afraid to come within a malm of here. I sold everything I owned to get my venture started, and I'm loath to give up without making an earnest effort to stick it out. But if things keep going as they are, I'll be bankrupt before the moon is through…"

But as if he was determined to find some good of this, he cleared his throat and finished, "Whining won't do me any good, though. No, for my business to survive, I need business. Speaking of which, perhaps you'd like to browse my wares! Spend a bit of coin to help a struggling merchant!"

She could tell that he was growing desperate at this point, but she was forced to shake her head once more as she politely insisted on any information, however vague, on this masked man. After several minutes of calm pursuing, he crossed his arms with a huff and all sense of good cheer seemed to leave him.

"…The masked man?" he demanded in irritation, "Bah, Thal take your bloody masked man! I know what I said before, but vague rumors are all I've got. If you want to know about him, go and ask the other merchants!"

Well, there was no need to be so rude. She waited until her back was turned before she could roll her eyes at the unhelpful merchant before she began to explore the rest of Highbridge, questioning anyone and everyone who looked like they may be able to shed some light on the situation.

After about an hour of questioning, she found out that there were no shortage of rumors. Apparently there was talk all over of a stranger wearing a black robe and red mask seen in this area recently. Though no one she spoke to seems to be able to actually confirm it with their own eyes—just hearing the whispers.

After a while, she felt that she had run out of options and returned to Hihibaru, trying to see if there was naught else he could tell her. It was with a stab of annoyance when he looked at her with a slightly smug expression when he saw her returning empty-handed.

"Judging by your expression, I take it you didn't learn much of use," he asked.

She shook her head, determined not to give him any satisfaction for the matter. But at that, the man seemed to realize how childish he sounded and sighed.

"Look, I'm sorry for my rudeness earlier. It's just that things are tough for us merchants at the moment. The Qiqirn raids are so constant, so organized, that we're beginning to suspect that someone is orchestrating it all," he informed her, sounding apologetic, "I tend to put my own welfare first, like most of us do, but that doesn't mean I'm a bad person." He then thought it over for another moment before he added, "I promise to keep an eye out for your masked man. If I see or hear anything, you'll be the first to know."

"Thank you," she replied, knowing that it was the best that she could do for now. Unwilling to leave the area with nothing, however, she decided to stay for a time and see if there was aught she could do to help the people around here. She wasn't surprised to find that there was no shortage of people who could always use an extra hand and she was soon put to work. She remained at the Highbridge for the next two days, finding ways to kill time and keep herself busy as she kept an eye out for this 'masked man'.

The rumors certainly flooded in often enough, but again, the same problem was that while there was a lot of talk… she had yet to meet anyone who had seen the man for themselves. Her luck changed however when she was passing by Hihibaru early on the third day, looking very pleased with himself.

"Ah, the investigative adventurer! Are you still on the trail of that masked man, by any chance? I happened to remember something, and would share it with you!" he said.

Truly? She had been here all this time and he only now bloody remembered?!

She immediately turned her head to him, hoping that, for his sake, that what he had to say was going to be helpful.

"You'll recall my telling you how the Qiqirn have been raiding Highbridge nigh without cease," he told her, "Well, there is a rumor that those filthy rats have been meeting with a great hulk of a man in secret. While I can't say whether this is the mystery fellow you seek, I reckon it's as good a lead as any other."

A great hulk of a man? That certainly didn't sound like it could be this Lahabrea character from that description? Besides, what good would he have on tempting Qiqirn to attack an outpost this far out of everyone's way? Even if it turned out that this was another dead end, if nothing else, she would be able to make it a little safer for the merchants out here.

Shrugging at that, she waited for Hihibaru to go on, who nodded happily and answered, "According to witnesses, the rendezvous takes place in the Qiqirn lair located southeast of here. If you go there, perhaps you'll come upon some kind of clue. Be careful, though: the nasty buggers don't take kindly to visitors…"

So, after stretching out her arms, her hand on the sword at her hip, she headed out towards the small camp a little to the south east from the bridge. It certainly wasn't difficult to find… all she had to do was follow the river until she came across all the Qiqirn wandering about. Rather than wasting her time and energy fighting them all off, however, she decided that she would slip in and have a look around the area first before attacking them—just in case these guys were innocent. After searching through most of the camp, she was unable to find anything incriminating… at least until she found a letter set aside upon a crate. Curious, she looked over it, though she wasn't able to read a single word of it.

The hand-writing was certainly very neat… which was why she found it odd to think that a Qiqirn could have written it. But she knew not which language this was either so she could not understand it in the slightest. While the Echo allowed her to understand the words of others, the same did not seem to be similar to the written word.

When she heard the Qiqirn return, she snatched the letter up and made her escape before the ratmen noticed her around their camp. She took the long way around so that she could shake off any who may have spotted her and tried to follow, before she headed back to Hihibaru; still trying to make sense of the letter in the meanwhile.

"Ah, so, did you end up investigating the Qiqirn lair?" he asked curiously, noticing the letter in her hands.

She nodded, showing it to him, wondering if he could tell her anyone who would be able to translate it for her. As he gazed over it, he surprised her by saying, "This is written in Amaljic. You're in luck! Just so happens I learned a spot of it back in the day, so as to expand my potential clientele."

What were the odds off that? She knew not if she was given good luck or terrible luck in recent days.

Mayhaps a little of both?

Hihibaru studied the letter for a short time as he pieced the words together.

"Seems like the contents pertain to…" he stated, not sounding too interested… at least until the words died in his throat and his eyes widened in horror as he read out: "Whoah! People trafficking!?"

"What?" she demanded, almost sure she heard him wrong.

"Gods be good…" Hihibaru mumbled, now turning very pale. "If I'm reading this right, the Qiqirn are trying to strike a deal with the Amalj'aa. They mean to catch hapless souls at Highbridge and sell them off like sacks of popotoes!" He looked up, now shaking at the very thought and quickly began to mumble, "To think that different tribes of beastmen are colluding in their villainy… I must warn everyone to maintain vigilance!"

"Perhaps you will also need to inform the Immortal Flames?" she offered him, and Hihibaru was looking eager at that suggestion.

"You have my thanks, adventurer. Had you not braved the Qiqirn lair, no one here would have known what the creatures were plotting until they actually began picking us off, one by one," he gulped, his hands still shaking slightly at the thought, "On the other hand… I suppose this means you're no closer to finding your man. Well, unless it's an Amalj'aa you're looking for. But, uh…probably not, huh?"

No… it was not. But then again, now that she thought about it, he had said that a big, 'hulking' fellow was seen speaking to the Qiqirn, did he not? Perhaps it was to an Amalj'aa then? Still, that left her no closer to trying to figure how who Lahabrea was or how to track him down. Just thinking about that cold voice and slimy smile of his was enough to make her skin crawl. There was something not right about that fiend?

Hihibaru was already making preparations to strengthen security at Highbrdige. Once word had gotten out what the Qiqirn were planning, everyone was on high alert. They had even sent a messenger back to Ul'dah to request that they send out Immortal Flames or a few more Brass Blades just to patrol the areas for them. Others were already setting in new rules that one must not stray too far from the Highbridge, and to help secure the roads coming and leaving for the travelers safety.

Well, at least she seemed to have done some good around these parts.

After another night of sleeping underneath the stars, she was unable to find any other reason for remaining. As she was packing up and getting ready to leave early that next morning, she made to head down to Hihibaru to thank him for the help and to tell him to be careful. To her surprise, however, when she approach, he looked truly pleased to see her.

"My dear, thank you so much once again for warning us of the potential danger that we were all in," he said. "The messenger had returned just minutes ago and we will be having more patrols on the road by tomorrow! However, I feel that it only right that I thank you with what you came here for."

She blinked in confusion as he grinned.

"I've finally got some honest-to-gods information on your masked man!" he said, sounding so proud of himself that it was a wonder why his buttons didn't burst from his tunic as he swelled up. "This time, it's the real thing, I swear! Why so confident? Because I saw him with my own two eyes!"

She blinked, completely taken aback as she asked, "H-How…?"

"It was late last night," he explained, "I was out for an evening stroll, minding my own business, when I noticed a column of smoke rising from a cliff over at Thal's Respite. Curious, I took myself there to find a masked man – your masked man, I'm sure of it – standing by a fire. As if in answer, some Qiqirn appeared soon after, and the group began talking at length. I'm afraid I was too far out of earshot to hear much of anything. After the group had dispersed, and idea came to me: if you were to use a smoldering coal to start a fire, you might be able to arrange a similar meeting. It will be dangerous, I shouldn't doubt, but I'm sure you're more than a match for a pack of rats."

She could not have hopped for anything better!

She beamed and thanked him for all his help before she headed off. She paused only long enough by a small firepit just outside of the bridge's perimeter so that she was able to wrap up a piece of still glowing hot coal in a piece of leather. Knowing that all she had to do was use a little bit of fire she learned while studying Thaumaturgy, she hurried off to find the spot that Hihibaru pointed out to her. After climbing up a series of boulders and rocks, she found a small patch of ashy ground in a perfect circle… as if someone had just used this place to make a fire last night.

She gathered up what was left of the ash and timber before using the coal underneath it, gently coaxing a small flame from the embers. Soon enough, she got a fire going and as she added more fuel to it, a steady string of smoke began to rise out of it.

Almost as if he had been waiting for it, a man approached from the shadows. She barely had any time to react… but as soon as the man realized that she was not at all who he thought it would be, he attacked her. Her sword was in her hands before she even knew that he had charged at her with his fists held high. After he fell… she sighed, now angry at herself that she acted so quickly without thinking. But then again, he didn't seem like he was in the mood for talking anyway.

Still, that was when she noticed a piece of paper with a strange symbol drawn upon it sticking out from the man's pocket. Curiously, she stepped up and picked it out, looking over the image of a… flaming stone… perhaps?

It made little sense to her. But remembering how knowledgeable that Hihibaru was last time, she felt that it was worth a shot to try and speak with him again on what he thought of this. She pocketed the piece of paper as she made her way back to the bridge.

"Back so soon?" he asked, surprised that she had returned in less than a bell's time, "Were you able to find any clues leading to your masked man?"

"Perhaps," she said as she pulled out the piece of paper and explained what happened when the man attacked her. Hihibaru only had to look at the image before gasping in shock.

"Th-This scroll! It bears a prayer to Rhalgr, the Destroyer!" he cried. Rhalgr? Oh, he meant one of the Twelve. She often lost track of which god was which, but she did know that Rhalgr was known as the most 'temperamental' of all the gods. And as far as she knew, none of the three city states had him as their patron deity?

"In case you're unfamiliar, Rhalgr is the guardian deity of Ala Mhigo, which is currently under Garlean rule," Hihibaru explained, "It's highly uncommon for folk of other nations to revere Him. I'd wager my last gil your assailant was Ala Mhigan. It seems this masked man of yours is very well connected."

Ala Mhigo? She had yet to step foot in those lands. But she knew that such a thing was unlikely to ever happen. She remembered seeing the towering wall that cut through the East Shroud and how Ala Mhigo was on the other side of it. She did not think that it would be a wise idea to venture out that far on her own. Not since she knew she would be killed should the Garleans ever spot her.

Hihibaru shook his head as he declared, "I must confess, the merchant in me envies such a diverse network of contacts. That selfsame merchant also senses danger ahead…and darkness besides. Are you certain you'd rather not take things nice and slow here at Highbridge?"

Claire only shrugged with a hint of a smile on her face. She was not the type who liked to give up that easily. Besides, she had questions for this Lahabrea, and she feared that she would not get anything unless she confronting him head on. She was not afraid of the dark.

After hearing about Claire's assurances that she was sure where she was needed to go, Hihibaru sighed and shook his head. Almost in grudging admiration he went on to explain, "The Ala Mhigan bandit you had a run-in with is somehow connected to your masked man of mystery, yes? Well, it stands to reason that if you want to pick up the trail again, you should head toward Little Ala Mhigo, over in southern Thanalan."

Southern Thanalan… she had never had the chance to venture out that far either and she could feel her curiosity growing at the thought of what else was out there. Other than the fact that it was home to a large group of Amalaj'aa, and that there was a small settlement of refuges who live in a series of caves that were called Little Ala Mhigo.

"Just so you know what to expect, the settlement is the favored destination for those refugees who couldn't…well, adapt to life in Ul'dah," Hihibaru warned her, "The hearts of the denizens are said to be as barren as the wasteland they live in. And for all intents and purposes, it's a lawless place. Be prepared for a none-so-warm welcome."

So she was heading off into a dangerous new area, with people who were more likely to want to skin her alive than ever help her out, all in pursuit of a man who—for all she knew—could set another monster upon her.

How can a girl possibly refuse such an offer?

She nodded, knowing that every step she made from now on was going to be dangerous, but that was what sounded like so much fun to her.

"Now, I'm not certain how much a help she will be, but it just so happens I have a daughter who has, er…relocated to Little Ala Mhigo," Hihibaru explained to her, "Her name is Hihira, and it shouldn't hurt to seek her out first." He paused at the mention of his daughter before he added, "And while you have her attention…I'd be obliged if you could send my love. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her."

"I'll be sure to do that," Claire promised and she could see the gratitude in his eyes at that.

"You have my thanks," Hihibaru shifted, giving her a low bow. "I suppose this is it, then! I had hoped that you would linger here a while — cull some fiends, spend some coin, what have you — but something tells me you're destined for greater things. Wherever it is you end up, I wish you the best!"

She laughed and waved him off—after making sure to buy a few pieces of dried meat for the road from him. So by the time she left, he was waving her off with both hands and looking truly cheerful this time. At least compared to his overused grin when she first saw him.

She called over her Chocobo once more and mounted him as she speeded off towards the southern tip, where her map showed her a small path through the canyon that would take her to the right path. The sun was up and high as she hurried along, with her wiping some sweat from her brow and curse herself for wearing heavy metal armor in a land like this. By the time that she made it to Southern Thanalan however, she had made it through high noon and the sun was beginning it's decent through the sky.

Still, she was dying out in this heat and urged her Chocobo to go a little faster. She was sure that he must be also be hot; what with all those thick feathers on him… they could both use a rest out of the sun. They paused near a series of plateau where there was some shade and she gratefully slipped off her armor before pulling on her light-weight leathers. She ran her hands over the claws that she crafted before and tucked them at her side before taking a long sip of water from her pouch. Once she felt better, she offered some water to her new friend, who Kwehed gratefully.

After promising him more greens when they arrived, they set off again, continuing upon the pathway south until she could make out a series of plateaus directly ahead of them. She frowned a little in confusion before pulling out her map and looking over it again.

No… it was clearly marked as Little Ala Mhigo…?

So, feeling that she was missing something, she continued on for a time before they reached the more shaded areas of the plateau and began to look around. At first glance, it was just rock walls… at least until she spotted the wooden planks that had been set out as steps… and led to an iron gate. She dismounted, leading her bird in by his lead as they stepped through the gates and to a small oasis in the middle of a clearing that was free of stones and had the hot sun blazing down through several trees.

A giant aetheryte was spinning continuously in the middle of the pool as there were people scattered about them. As soon as they saw her, however, they seemed to stop and stare… as if they had never seen anyone like her before. Claire looked about, not liking the mixture of surprise and… even anger that were gazing back at her. She stood there for a moment, but since no one was telling her to get lost, she approached the aetheryte and attuned to it so that she need not worry about taking the long way around again.

She left her companion in the care of the Chocobo Keep before she hurried on through a series of tunnels and makeshift tents in the dark caves to find someone who could help her. She eventually came across a young-looking Lalafell, dressed in white, standing in front of a small tent as she seemed to be looking over a few scrolls.

Deciding to take a chance, she introduced herself and asked her for her name. If nothing else, the Lalafell certainly looked friendlier than most of the others who were continuing to give her nasty looks.

"Why, yes, Hihibaru's my father…" the girl replied, startled that she would ask that. When Claire passed on her father's message, she couldn't have sounded more amazed.

"He said what?" Hihira gasped and Claire arched an eyebrow, wondering why she would seem so surprised that a father would wish his daughter well? Hihira didn't elaborate as she said, "I wish I could be a better daughter to him. It's just that—" But she shook her head, not going into details as she shook her head and changed the subject, "Oh, I'm sorry…I shouldn't bother you with family matters. But I am grateful to you for delivering the message. Now then, what brings you here?"

Claire smiled as she explained her mission to track down this mysterious masked man. She spent several days with her father at Highbridge as she hunted down for information. Eventually, her search led her here, and she asked if she knew anything about anything strange happening in these parts.

"A masked man?" Hihira repeated as she thought it all over, and from the tone, Claire's spirits sank "I'm afraid the description doesn't ring any bells, but one of the others here may have seen something. I would recommend you first speak with Gundobald, the leader of the settlement. I must warn you, though, he isn't exactly… accommodating to outsiders."

She then turned to point to a tall, broad-shouldered man with a thick white mustache, standing ready at another tent. He certainly didn't look like a man who was in a talkative mood. Still, nothing was ever gained by standing around, and she approached.

"Excuse me?" she said politely as the man turned his sharp gaze towards her. Seeing how he towered over her, he reminded her a giant grizzly bear, ready to fight if given half the chance.

"Who are you?" he demanded before she even paused in step. "State your business, and be quick about it."

Knowing that everything she said could make or break her chances to be allowed to stay, she humbly began to explain she was on the hunt for a suspicious masked man and it led her here.

However, she could see that her words were not swaying him. Instead, Gundobald just glared down at her, as stubborn as a brick wall as he asked unemotionally, as if he honestly could not care less what was being said, "Looking for a masked villain, you say? And why should we help you, pray? We struggle enough without having to answer the whim of every outsider." He shook his head firmly as he pointed towards the exit and finished, "You are not welcome here. Begone."

And she could not get another word out of him. In fact, she feared that she was just making it worse the longer she stood there and backed away to avoid the talk turning into a fight. But what was she supposed to do now?

Though it was slight, she could have sworn she saw a flicker of recognition in Gundobald's eyes when she mentioned the masked man. He knew something, she was almost sure of it. But how could she get him to open up to her?

She looked around, noticing that the people were still glaring at her, but the closer she looked, she could see that many of them also had blank looks in their eyes… a look of exhausted defeat. Her heart went out to them, so she figured that, perhaps if she helped out… mayhaps…?

So, once again, she found herself performing small tasks around Little Ala Mhigo. While they weren't much, she was trying to do her best to help make the people's lives a little easier. Whether it meant hunting down food, or slaying pests that were bothering them, she was willing to do just about anything. Little by little, the people's attitudes changed about her. While none of them were smiling and waving as she moved passed them, they were allowing her to go through with no words of complaint.

But that didn't seem to be nearly enough for Gundobald… who watched her every move like a hawk, just looking for an excuse to have her kicked out. It wasn't until she was called over by a man near the aetheryte crystal did she finally have some luck. The man waved politely when she came and gave her a kind smile as he introduced himself, "I'm Gisilbehrt, head of security here at Little Ala Mhigo. I heard tell you had business with Gundobald. Knowing the bristly old bear, I don't doubt he told you to bugger off."

Claire blushed a little as she nodded, asking if there was something she did that could have upset him.

Gisilbehrt shook his head reassuringly as he informed her, "Owing to their hardships, the refugees don't trust anyone but themselves. Not even my men and I can get so much as a word of thanks out of them despite watching the place day and night. But thanks or no, I try to help my fellow man when I can, and you seem a decent sort. If you tell me what's brought you here, might be as I can lend you a hand."

Grateful to have someone here willing to listen, she quickly explained her reason for being here, hoping that he could give her something to go by. Of course, by the time she finished, he was frowning thoughtfully at that before he shook his head.

"…On the trail of a masked villain, you say?" he asked as he thought back, "Hmmm, can't say that sounds familiar, but I have men on lookout for Amalj'aa to the south of here. If there's been any suspicious activity, they are like to have seen it."

He paused a little longer before a slight grin came to his face as he added, "You know… I had a mind to take them each a cup of sweet Thanalan tea so as to life their spirits. If you were to run this little errand in my stead, they'd be all the more willing to tell you what they know."

"I would be happy to do so," she promised him as he chuckled and went to a small container that was being kept cool in the shallow water and pulled it out. He filled three separate bottles before marking the locations on her map to where she could find them.

They weren't too far out of her way, and they were more than happy to answer her questions, thankful for the cool tea to kept thirst away. Most of them were unable to give her any real information… at least until she reached the third guard, who gave her a surprising bit of news. Apparently he had seen a man fitting her description speaking to some Ala Mhigan youths when he was on patrol the other night.

So, she finally had confirmation that he was around these parts. Sadly, that also meant that she would have to find some way to get the people of Ala Mhigo to cooperate with her if she was to get anywhere. With no choice, she returned to Gisilbehrt and explained her predicament to him.

"…That doesn't sound like much to go by," he agreed slowly, "If you're to get any further in your investigation, seems to me you'll need the cooperation of the Ala Mhigans. For this, you'll need to win their trust, and that won't be an easy task."

"I could tell," Claire answered, "But how do I do that?"

Normally, all she had to do was help out where she could and that was normally enough to earn the people's trust enough that they would help. However, the people here couldn't seem to care less if she helped or not. All she knew was that if she didn't think of something else soon she wasn't going to get anywhere.

"So you're determined to press on with your investigation?" he asked, looking impressed when he saw her nod. "Then I have some advice to offer. As I said before, you won't get far without the Ala Mhigans' trust. And the best way to win that trust is to get a compatriot of theirs — someone they respect — to vouch for you. Coin does the talking in Ul'dah, but the Ala Mhigans are bound by something far stronger, if not as tangible: a common purpose. That purpose is, of course, the liberation of their home from the Garleans. Gundobald belongs to the Ala Mhigan Resistance, so your best bet would be someone who's part of the same crew. If you know any well-connected people, you might want to start by asking them."

The Ala Mhigan Resistance was an organization she had heard of before, but knew no one who could be a part of it. But as soon as he mentioned 'well-connected' people, she knew what she had to do. The Scions had connections a little bit everywhere. So if there was anyone who could help her get in contact with the Resistance, perhaps that would be enough to earn Gundobald's trust. She had a feeling that if she could earn Gundobald's cooperation, then she would be getting somewhere.

She hurried back to Vesper Bay as soon as she could, but by the time that she arrived, night had already come and stars were twinkling above her before disappearing behind clouds. It looked like it might rain soon in this dry land and she was glad to have found some cover before it came. When she entered the Waking Sands, many people waved to her cheerfully, which couldn't have been more different than how she was treated in Little Ala Mhigo.

After stepping into the solar, Minfilia looked up from some paperwork, and beamed when she saw who it was.

"Ah, welcome back, Claire!" she said as Claire closed the doors behind her, "How fares the investigation?"

"I fear I hit a dead end," she admitted as she stepped up to the desk and Minfilia stood up to greet her. "I managed to track one whom I believe to be Lahabrea to Little Ala Mhigo. However… the people there are less than willing to speak with me on the matter. Finding information is not easy."

She then gave a quick summary of what she found out. She felt a little guilty, as if she was letting everyone down with her lack of information. Minfilia, however, didn't look disappointed or even surprised when she heard of the plight of the people in Little Ala Mhigo.

"I see… Given all that they have suffered, it is of little wonder the Ala Mhigan refugees have lost faith in their fellow man," she sighed, "They have had their homeland taken from them, and for the past two decades have had to see it remain in the enemy's clutches. To compound matters, none of the three city-states have the means to take in all those who were displaced. As a result, a great many Ala Mhigans now live on the margins of society, suffering poverty and discrimination."

So that was it. No wonder the people gave her such cold looks—as if they were blaming her for their situation.

Minfilia sighed once more before adding, "Would that more could be done to ease their hardships. I fear that nothing short of reclaiming their homeland would be a lasting solution."

Would that even be possible? She doubted that the Garleans would be willing to let go of their prize after nearly twenty years of ruling it. She suspected nothing short of a full scale invasion would be enough to loosen their grip on the land.

"But let us deal with one problem at a time," Minfilia said decisively, determined to continue the discussion towards finding Lahabrea. "Returning to the matter of your investigation, it just so happens that there is an Ala Mhigan native among the Scions. I believe you must have spoken to him before – his name is Haribehrt."

Claire blinked at that as she thought back. Right, there were many members of the Scions here… but she honestly could not recall them all by name. But now that she mentioned it, there was a chance she spoke to this Haribehrt before… at least, she spoke with a man who did look a great deal like the Highlanders she saw back at Little Ala Mhigo.

"Yes, he joined our cause in the hopes that he might find a way to liberate his homeland," Minfilia encouraged her, "While he spares no effort towards that endeavor, I have no doubt that he would be glad to assist you. If I recall correctly, Haribehrt is currently between missions. Try looking for him in the storage area."

So, her luck was continuing to hold. She only hoped it would be enough to get her to the answers she needed. She left the solar and headed off into the storage area, where there were all manner of crates full of supplies set up everywhere. It looked to her like a cross between a storage area and a small pub… for there were a handful of tables and chairs set up, as well as doubling as a break room where most of the Scions seemed to spend their time off so that they could speak with their comrades. She was greeted by several when they entered, including Yda, Papalymo, and Noraxia—who waved happily and asking how she was doing.

She just smiled back before she gazed about to find the young Highlander leaning back in his seat, looking comfortable. Now she remembered him… she had spoken with him a few times before, and now that she thought of it, she believed that he may have mentioned Ala Mhigo once or twice to her.

"If it isn't Claire Faye, the Scions' rising star!" he laughed as she approached. "Is there aught I can do for you?"

Now starting to grow a little tired trying to explain her situation to everyone, she informed him of her problem, and he looked genuinely impressed. As if he couldn't imagine a more ambitious goal than to earn his people's aid.

"You wish to earn the trust of the people of Little Ala Mhigo!" he asked, "That is a daunting task, my friend, even for our own countrymen. I would like nothing more than to help, but I'm afraid my name no longer carries weight with that lot. I used to be a member of the Ala Mhigan Resistance, you see, but I left in favor of joining the Scions. Though my allegiance may have shifted, my purpose remains ever the same — the liberation of Ala Mhigo. Yet whatever my reasons were, I abandoned my comrades, and they'll have nothing to do with me."

Well, she could not deny that she was disappointed in that. Now what was she supposed to do?

But he seemed to have an answer for that and he quickly reassured her, "Don't look so down. While I may have no more friends in the Resistance, I know someone who does. Her name is Albreda, and she is a resident of Quarrymill. Say my name when you meet her, and she won't lead you astray."

Quarymill? Oh, that was in the South Shroud! She knew that it was a small settlement that was a little to the west of the Druthers.

She thanked him, though it would be a lie if she was not frustrated at this. This investigation was taking her all across Eorzea… she could only hope that she wouldn't have to go any further than the Shroud after this.

Forgetting the lateness of the hour, she chose to teleport, taking herself all the way to the Hawthorne Hut in the East Shroud, before she hit the ground running. She knew the paths well enough that she would be able to find them even in the dark, and so she headed south, through the thick trees, before she came to the small village that was nestled above a small creek.

But with how late it was, she doubted very much that she would receive aid at this time and chose to hunker down between some giant roots. It would be sure to keep any rain out, as well as offer protection from any stray creature that came sniffing about; and after laying out upon a small sleeping roll, she was asleep in moments.

When she woke the next day, it was to a sunbeam to her eyes and she hit her head upon the roots as she sat up—trying to remember how she got there. Once the bump on her head brought everything back, she packed up her bedroll and proceeded down to the settlement to see what she could learn here.

In all honesty, she was almost expecting them to send her to another distant corner of Eorzea on a wild dodo chase. Perhaps trying to get her to perform some strange task or collect something for them… or even them denying their help at all.

What she was not expect was for the strong-willed woman named Albreda eyes to flash when she explained her situation and the mention of Hariberht's name.

"That worthless whoreson… He abandons his comrades — his woman – and now he has the gall to ask me for a favor!?" she demanded in outrage, actually looking up at the sky and shaking her hands, as if itching to place them around Hariberht's throat. Note to self: tell Hariberht not to step foot into Quarrymill if he values his life.

Albreda looked ready to continue to rant and rave for the rest of the day. Clare did not dare say anything as the woman seemed to remember where she was and took several deep breaths to calm herself.

"Simply incredible…" she finally said, brushing her hand through her hair. "I just… I mean…"

She finally looked back to Claire and sighed as she confessed, "Ugh, I realize Haribehrt was only doing what he felt was right. He's a good man. And if he trusts you, then that's all I need to know." She pointed over Claire's shoulder to a group of men standing around a short distance away at the edge of the small creek and instructed, "You see that bloke there? That's Meffrid, a captain of the Resistance. I hope he can give you what you need."

"Thank you, Albreda," Claire replied, carefully backing away as Albreda continued muttering what she really thought of her ex. Claire left her to it, not the least bit eager to give Albreda a chance to vent her frustration upon her.

Meffrid, it turned out, was also someone she was not expecting. As a captain of one of the branches of the Ala Mhigan Resistance, he and his men had managed to escape a battle… but one of their members was still badly wounded. Meffrid wasn't able to even hear her request as he begged someone, anyone, who would help treat their friend. Claire's heart ached at the sound of his heartfelt pleas and found herself unable to turn her back on helping him. After she spoke with the people on Meffrid's behalf, only to find that they felt for the Ala Mhigans, they did not wish to risk the wrath of the Elementals.

Running of out options, she was sent out to collect some antelope horns and brought them to Druthers where she met up with a familiar barkeeper, who was more than happy to see her again. After explaining what she was doing, it turned out that he had some of the medicine on hand and gladly handed it to her to help out the soldier.

After returning to Quarrymill with the medicine, she was given a shock with the soldier had slipped away, believing that he was holding everyone back. She joined the search and tracked him down before he was killed by several Goblins… where he was then hauled back to Quarrymill where they were able to have him treated.

No sooner did they give him the medicine did his fever break and she sighed in relief, glad to see that he would make a full recover so long as he kept taking the medicine. Knowing that he was on his way to recovery, she met with Meffrid once more, who was incredibly grateful for all that she had done to help.

"Now that things are relatively settled, friend," he began, "I seem to recall that you wanted something of me."

In light of all that happened, she had almost forgotten the reason she came out here to begin with and awkwardly laughed in embarrassment.

He chuckled as she bowed and told her sincerely, "You've proven a true friend to my people. Ask of me anything, and it's yours, so long as it's mine to give."

"That is kind of you," Claire reassured him, feeling a light blush across her cheeks as she asked for his aid in helping earn the cooperation of the people of Little Ala Mhigo for her investigation.

"The cooperation of the people of Little Ala Mhigo? That's all? Well, far be it from me to question your desires, of course…" Meffried said in surprise, shaking his head as if wondering why anyone would ever ask for such a reward. "Very well, I will provide you with a letter to show to Gundobald. The old bear was my mentor when I first joined the Resistance. He's intimidating to those who don't know him, but he takes care of his own. I've no doubt that he will do all in his power to aid you."

From the Gundobald that she saw before, she doubted that a letter would be enough to convince him. Still, she thanked him for the help as he took his time in writing out a long letter.

"Here we are," he said at last, as he rolled it up into a tight scroll and tied it with some twine. "I took the time to also mention everyone else who survived the last battle. I hope that would raise the spirits of those in Little Ala Mhigo to know that we few survived. As well as your part in helping us. Just show this to Gundobald and he should be able to help you out."

She hoped he was right. She nodded to show she understood before she headed back out. She teleported straight back to Little Ala Mhigo, her hopes not high at all. Nor was she comfortable with the idea of speak to Gundobald again in case he really did throw her out by the scruff of her neck this time.

Like she thought, he was glaring when he saw her once again and was now cracking his knuckles together, as if readying himself for a fight.

"Why have you returned?" he demanded coldly, "You are not welcome here; I thought I made that clear."

Rather than waste time talking, she held out the letter, mentioning she was asked to deliver it to him. He arched an eyebrow as he snatched it away and unrolled it. But as she watched his eyes scan over it, she watched as they soon widened with amazement and even joy… so by the time he finished, he looked almost completely different than how he was a moment ago. There was a new softness to his face that she almost didn't recognize him as the same cold man she had spoken too before.

"You…you spoke with Meffrid?" he asked, afraid to believe it, "It has been so long since I last heard from him, I had feared him dead… Twelve be praised…" He sighed as memories were clearly playing over in his mind of a young Meffrid as he looked to her with a new kind of respect in his face. "Whoever you are, Meffrid sees you as a friend, and any friend of Meffrid is a friend of mine. I know of this masked stranger you seek, and will tell you what I can."

Exhausted relief spread through her body at that and she smiled once more, bowing her head thankful to finally have some answers. Finally, she was able to continue searching for Lahabrea, and maybe track him down to get those answers.

She thanked Gundobald for agreeing to assist her as she quickly explained what was going on and what little she knew of the masked man who was in this area. When she finished, she could see how Gundobald's brow furrowed in concern.

"An outsider resembling your masked stranger has reportedly been appearing near Little Ala Mhigo of late," he confessed, "What's more, it seems that some of our young bloods are meeting him in secret."

Well, that couldn't be good for either of them.

"No doubt you'll want to question them about their trysts, but they are not like to yield the information readily to an outsider," he instructed, "If you tell them I sent you, though, they may well feel obliged to talk."

So that was what she did. Tracking down the youths in this area were easy enough… but even with his name, it was not easy trying to get them to talk to her. Which, in her experience, usually was a sign of a guilty party. She suspected that these guys knew that whatever they were planning with this masked man, could not be good.

All but for one girl, who began ranting that she warned the others that it was a terrible idea and they should stop before it was too late. But once she let that slip out, she shut her mouth and refused to say another word on the subject.

So she returned to Gundobald and informed him of the little she did learn.

After listening intently for the last few minutes, he sighed, "So, you have indeed confirmed my suspicions about a masked man… That is most troubling. Whatever the young ones are scheming, it can lead to no good end. There's an anger inside them — I can see it in their eyes. I ought to know, for it once burned within me as well."

Claire could see that there was something weighing heavily upon Gundobald's mind, and after waiting for a brief moment, he sighed once more and explained, as if unable to keep this secret inside any longer, "Two decades ago, this anger drove my brothers and I to rise against the despot who ruled Ala Mhigo. Naught would do but we to depose him and usher in a revolution. Well, we got our revolution, all right… but it cost us our freedom. Blinded by our hate, we didn't realize that we had been dancing to the Empire's tune. By the time we did, it was too late. Ala Mhigo had fallen."

Ah, so that was what happened. She had heard of stories of what happened to Ala Mhigo while here in this small settlement. Of this 'mad king' who all but drove them to ruin. But now did she find out that by overthrowing him was what gave the Empire their opening to invade. Which made perfect sense… why not kick someone down when they are at their lowest?

Gundobald scowled and shook his head frantically, as if thinking that he could dispel the memories if he did it hard enough.

"There are times when a man must be patient," he explained, "Now is such a time, though the young ones know this not. Unless we intervene, they are like to commit great folly. If you learn aught of their plans, I would thank you to bring word to me."

"I would be glad to do so," she said before privately thinking to herself, 'If I knew where to go from here.' There was really not much more she could do but keep an eye on those youths from before. Gundobald gave her permission to stay for as long as she desired… and she hoped that time spent here would give her an opening to find some sort of clue.

She wasn't sure what it was, but the idea of this Lahabrea trying to tempt these young warriors into doing… whatever it was that they were planning, could not end well.

But as she walked away, she heard someone quietly call her over.

"Hey, adventurer."

She paused and looked up to see another of the younger Ala Mhigan men trying to wave her over. As she approached, he asked, "You done talking with the old bear?"

"For now," she said slowly, not liking the shifty look in his eye.

"I've got a message for you from Wilred," the man explained, "Lad's something of a leader among the young ones here. He's impressed that you've won over Gundobald, and wants a word with you. Says he'll be waiting over at the craggy area north of here."

She believed that she may know this Wilred… one of the youths she spoke too earlier. Still, this sounded like a very dumb idea to her all of a sudden… all of her instincts were screaming at her that this was a trap and not to go. Still, if there was even the slightest chance she could get some intel, she would guess that Wilred was the one to speak too.

So she went outside, heading directly north and around the plateau as she headed to the meeting place. Soon enough, she spotted the rather jumpy young man standing there in the shade and looking around.

As soon as he spotted her, he waved her over, and she felt her hands brush against the claws at her side, ready to punch her way out.

"Thanks for coming, friend," he began, "'Tis no ordinary outsider who can gain the trust of the old bear. That's why I wanted to meet you, to discuss something in private." Now that they were alone, he saw no further need to play nice as he growled out, his false smile wiped of his face, "Tell me…why are you snooping about? Did the Empire send you? Or someone else?"

She arched an eyebrow as she asked, "Why do you ask?"

It was clear to her that he wasn't interested in hearing her explanation, and she doubted that he would believe her anyway.

"Coeurl got your tongue?" he asked before he smirked and finished, "No matter. Whoever it is you work for, your meddling ends here. Get her!"

At his cry, a couple other youths from Little Ala Mhigo leapt out and went charging at them. Claire was glad that she chose to fight with her fists for now; out of respect for Gundobald, she had no desire to kill them. But if they were going to fight her, she was sure as hell wasn't going to let them go without a few well deserved bruises.

They had a lot of muscle behind their punches, but no real experience, that much was clear to her when she knocked out a couple teeth from the first guy. Faster than blinking, both were on the ground, completely dazed and winded from her fury of punches and kicks. She then turned her eyes sharply to Wilred, who took a few steps back.

From behind the crags leaped two other youths, fists flying. Not wanting to hurt them, she didn't draw her bow – thankful her uncle had taught her a thing or two of pugilism. As strong as they were, she was faster, and they were both on the ground groaning in little time. She then turned towards Wilred, fists still raised, glaring expectantly.

"Y-You're stronger than you look…" he admitted, attempting to sound brave, but there was still a slight squeak in his voice. Perhaps he noticed this for he suddenly barked, "This changes nothing! Threaten us, beat us bloody all you like… but nothing short of death can make us give up our fight! We're going to obtain the power to bring down the Empire, and with it we'll reclaim our homeland!"

Wait, what was that? She blinked, taken aback by his declaration as he turned and ran off, with the two other boys limping to their feet and followed after him. Claire let them go as dread began to settle around her heart once again. What did he mean by that? Could it just be that he was just trying to act tough in front of her? That seemed most likely, but the way he spoke… as if he truly believed in everything he just said.

The power to bring down the Empire? Just what kind of power were they talking about? Continuing to feel that sense of unease, she decided that her best course of action was to return to Gundobald and tell him what Wilred just said.

The words were barely out of her mouth when she saw Gundobald pale when she did return to the dark of the caves.

"Attacked by Wilred and his cronies!?" he repeated, as if wondering is his hearing was off today. "That they would go to such lengths for the sake of this plan of theirs… Left to their own devices, the young fools are like to harm others, if not themselves. We must uncover their agenda and put an end to this madness."

She fully agreed with this plan, however how were they to go about it? Wilred and the others did not seem to be at all interested in revealing their plans to anyone, much less to her. And then there was the matter of his threat…?

"Wilred mentioned obtaining the power to bring down the Empire. Of what power could he be speaking…?" Gundobald questioned with a frown, unknowingly speaking what she was thinking of earlier.

Before they could continue bouncing ideas off each other, another voice spoke up, a whimper of pain and broken voice, "Gun…Gundobald… I-I…"

They both looked to see a battered young woman limping over to them, blood dripping down the side of her face as she looked as if she was trying to hold back her tears. At the sight of her, Gundobald dropped everything else they were doing as he cried, "Bertliana!? Gods preserve! What happened!?"

She staggered over as she whimpered out in shame, "I was out foraging…when the Corpse Brigade came… They took me to their hideout…and they… they…" Claire did not wish to know what those brigades did to her… though just by looking at the girl's beaten face, she did not need to guess. As the girl bravely tried to tell them, she was unable to stop the tears as she broke down, crying out, "The whole while, they laughed at me… They said that I suffer…b-because I cling on to hope… Is it so wrong to dream of home?! Is it wrong to call ourselves Ala Mhigans?!"

But Gundobald shook his head as he came closer, holding the girl clos and rubbed her back in a calming way as he told her kindly, like how a father would comfort a child who awoke from a terrible nightmare, "Do not heed such poisonous notions, child. Our dreams are what sustain us. Be strong — I swear to you, those villains will answer for their crimes in due time. But tell me… does anyone else know of this?"

Bertliana pulled away as she confessed, "Wilred… He saw me outside… He was so angry…"

Which was a warning sign if ever there was one. Gundobald frowned before turning back to Claire and told her, "I must tend to Bertliana. In the meantime, I need you to find out what the young ones make of this. I fear that they may do something rash."

Claire nodded, already seeing Wilred unable to let this injustice go and could very easily putting their plan into motion ahead of schedule. To hurry and reclaim their homeland for his people, or at the least, to punish those who hurt Bertliana as practice.

She ran out, to track them down… only to realize that they were already on their way out. All of them spoke of the 'lizards' and of 'crystals' for their plan… and when she discovered a map of Zanr'ak—the land where the Amalj'aa had claimed as their own, with the knife sticking through it, she suddenly was able to put the pieces together. With a groan, she returned to Gundobald, who had just finished having the girl treated and had given her a bed with a warm blanket to cover her, looked up in surprise to see how she tore her way back to him.

When she told them of what the others said, saw the fury in their eyes, and what she found, she saw how his eyes widened in shock.

"Gone? The whole lot of them? Then it is as I feared — they mean to take matters into their own hands," he said, "But what exactly is it that they mean to do?"

When she showed him the map and the place where the knife had marked it, she could see how Gundobald was able to put the pieces all together.

"A hunting knife…and a map of Zanr'ak?" he questioned, "…You said Wilred spoke of crystals, did you not? But they couldn't possibly mean to — By the gods, this is rank madness…"

She nodded grimly. It made sense to her… why they were meeting in secret to Wilred's threat… though her understanding of primals was still minimal at best… she knew enough to know that they would soon have everything they needed for a summoning… assuming that they weren't killed by the Amalj'aa first. Which was where she was certain that was where they were heading too right now.

Gundobald looked ready to scream out in frustration and panic once it all settled in.

"The young fools are untrained and unblooded, all," he said, "They have no notion of how dangerous the Amalj'aa are. They'll be butchered before they get within a hundred yalms of the crystals. They are headed east. If we hurry, we may yet find them before it's too late."

Gundobald paused only to gather those nearest who were able to fight and they all bolted after him. The others had gotten a head start, but Gundobald knew a shorter way to get to Zanr'ak. Claire was worried about actually having to enter those lands… having never been there, but aware that the Amalj'aa elites were waiting for them. She sure didn't want to be around those guys right now.

But it turns out they didn't need to go that far, for by the time they reached the edge of a canyon to where a rickety bridge was waiting for them, they found Wilred there, with two others who were both beaten and terrified as they tried to catch their breath.

"Wilred…" Gundobald said, unable to keep a hint of relief out of his voice even though it was mixed in with horror and anger as they ran ahead to met him. But after a quick look around, it was clear that these three were the only ones who made it out and he asked, with a mournful tone, "Did no others survive?"

Wilred looked up, his eyes red from tears as he gasped out halfway between a scream and cry, "This is all wrong… Getting the crystals was supposed to be the start… We were going to reclaim our homeland… We were… We…"

"Pull yourself together, lad!" Gundobald barked, actually causing Wilred to jump back, as if thinking he was about to get smacked away.

Yet it was enough to cause Wilred to blurt out what was truly going on.

"W-We were going to make an offering of crystals to Rhalgr — to summon Him, j-just like the masked man taught us!" he cried out, "We plotted to sneak into Zanr'ak and make off with the lizardman's cache, b-but they caught us, and… and… So many dead…" Unable to go on, he all but fell to his knees as he gasped, "Gods forgive me…"

Claire closed her eyes as horror filled her very soul. If only she figured it all out sooner? She could have prevented this from happening. Lahabrea had tricked them into thinking that if they summon their god, then they could reclaim Ala Mhigo for their people. While she wasn't sure if it was truly possible to summon one of the Twelve here, she didn't want to find out.

They broke into the Amalj'aa stores of crystals—where she suspected that the crystals would be low at this point after the last summoning of Ifrit—and tried to steal them all in order to summon Rhalgr. But they underestimated how strong the Amalj'aa were and that was what led to this.

Before anyone could speak further, a voice roared out from the bridge. "Heathens! You shall pay for your crimes with your souls!" She jerked up, a recoil went down her spine at the voice, as she saw several of the large lizardmen running across the bridge towards them, their scaled faces all filled with fury. And there were no shortage of them either—leaving Claire to wonder how the bridge could possibly support them all on their way here.

But Gundobald already stepped forward, pulling his lance off his back as he declared, "I regret our young ones' transgressions, but a soul is too high a price for youthful folly. For all their failings, they are the hope of the Ala Mhigan people. This hope I will guard with my life!"

She knew she liked this guy.

She raised up her own claws as she began to move back and forth on her feet, ready to speed around these lumbering brutes. And at that, the Amalj'aa were upon them, with Claire and Gundobald doing their best to protect Wilred and the survivors behind them. At the sight of her, the Amalj'aa let out roars of rage, calling out how she carried with her the smell of brimstone with her. Really? She still smelled like smoke and ash after all this time? For that remark, she ended up leaping up and breaking that Amalj'aa's jaw…

And it only make things harder when she saw several people also running in… with those dead eyes and blank expressions… and her heart constricted painfully at the sight. There was nothing else she could do for those people but put them out of their misery…

The good thing was that while the battle was harsh, it was also quick. Once it was clear who they were fighting, one of the Amalj'aa, who was halfway across the bridge, turned back and began to worn his brothers to protect their stores of crystals from Ifrit's Bane. It was enough to prevent more reinforcements from coming, and letting them focus on those who came… after awhile, they were steadily making progress… bringing the Amalj'aa down without worrying about more taking their place.

Finally, after the last of them fell with a loud thud… they were all panting for air… some injured, but none of them having died. With a sigh of relief, Gundobald turned back to Claire, who was rubbing her sore knuckles, and clapped her on the shoulder as he praised, "Your skill at arms is impressive, adventurer. Our wayward youths could learn much from a woman like you."

She just smiled, feeling a touch of pink in her cheeks as he grinned back, looking tired and bruised, but still thankful that they managed to make it out of that mess alive. His expression hardened a little, however, when he turned to the others and ordered, "The battle is won, but it would be unwise to linger here. Let us return to Little Ala Mhigo."

"W-Wait!" Wilred cried suddenly, "We've come all this way — we have to get the crystals! They're right there, ripe for the picking!"

That was certainly enough for Gundobald to give Wilred a sharp slap to the face and barked at him if he had seen what became of those poor souls that they fought and asked if he wished to suffer the same fate.

"Wh-What!?" Wilred yelped, raising a hand to his red cheek, now looking more lost than ever before. "N-No one said anything about — The masked man told us we could defeat the Empire if we summoned Rhalgr! He swore—"

"Enough!" Gundobald snapped. "I will hear the rest of this sorry tale back in Little Ala Mhigo." He paused, as he glanced back at Claire, who was watching on, feeling sick to her stomach as he added, "I daresay Claire will wish to hear it as well."

She most certainly would. If nothing else…?

She glanced down at the blood that was splattered across her fists… knowing that not all of it had come from the lizardmen… rather most of it came from…? She turned back to see the few dead who were lying there… their faces looking oddly peaceful even after death. She had made sure to hit them hard enough that it was as painless as it was quick…

Still that did not block out the guilt that was eating away at her as they headed back to Little Ala Mhigo.

She felt dirty just looking at her hands, despite knowing that there wasn't anything else that she could have done. Those people… there was nothing else that could be done. She knew that. They all explained to her that once one was tempered, the kindest thing they could do was to put them out of their misery than force them to live like mindless servants like that. Yet…?

It wasn't like she hadn't killed before… she remembered the pirates back in Limsa for instance. But that was different… they were fully aware of what they were doing. They knew what they were doing was wrong… the dead beings in the Deepcroft? Well, they were already dead so that didn't weigh upon her soul… sure, she felt sorrow and grief for those poor giants in the mines but they still had to be stopped… even if she felt rotten for doing the deed. But these people…? When she looked at those people, she did not find it hard to believe that, before the Amalj'aa snatched them, they were once ordinary people. They had family, friends, a home… hopes and dreams… even something as simple as names.

People who were just trying to make it in this world and were so cruelly struck down.

Just what were the names of those she just brought down she wondered…?

She didn't think she would ever find out.

She remained quiet even after they arrived at Little Ala Mhigo, where Gundobald took a deep breath before looking back to Wilred, who was looking at his feet.

"No more lives, Wilred," he warned as he crossed his arms, "Tell us everything."

And it was with a shaky sigh did Wilred nod and confess, "I was outside with the others when he appeared — the masked stranger. He told us about summoning Rhalgr, about using crystals, and then just…vanished. We never saw him again."

Just one meeting caused this much damage?

Claire bit her lower lip as she thought that over, wondering just what it was that Lahabrea could have said to cause this much of an effect?

"I wanted so desperately to believe that we could raise ourselves from this squalor that I never stopped to question his motives," Wilred tried to reason, before a gloomy hopelessness fell over him. "But I should have known — there's no solution, nothing we can do to change our lot. Our people are doomed to live and die like beasts…"

Gundobald frowned at him before putting a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Listen to me, Wilred," he said slowly and seriously so that the boy could not hope to misunderstand his words, "Our home may be lost to us, but it takes more than stones and mortar to define who we are. No matter where we may be, Ala Mhigo lives on within us all. It is for you to decide what to make of this legacy. But whatever you chose to do with your life, never forget that you owe it to this adventurer—" he indicated Claire, who was still watching silently, and finished, "An outsider."

"I…I won't," Wilred replied quietly. "I promise." He turned to Claire, guilt and sadness written there as he mumbled, "Thank you for saving me. And…sorry I tried to kill you."

Seeing that look on his face… realizing just how guilty he felt about everything, she could no longer find it in her to be angry with him. This was his mistake and he would have to learn to live with it. But there was no need for her to hold a grudge. She just nodded once, showing that she would not blame him for that, and she saw a flick of gratitude drift across his face before he walked off, his head low.

She and Gundobald watched on as he went off, perhaps to think more about where he needs to go from here. But Gundobald didn't press the matter as he let him go. Instead, he turned back to Claire and said to her, "My thanks as well, friend. It gives us hope to know that there are kind souls such as you out there. Little Ala Mhigo may not have much in the way of comfort, but you will always be welcome here."

"You are welcomed," she said softly. "I'm glad that I could help. If nothing else, you can rest easy knowing that you should be safe from that masked man for the foreseeable future. I don't think he will be coming back here."

It was a small consolation, but it did ease some of the guilt inside her at the thought that she managed to save at least a few this day.

Gundobald nodded, sighing. "Would that we had more information to offer, but what Wilred told you is the extent of our knowledge of the masked stranger you seek. Left unchecked, that man will bring about great pain and suffering. I pray that you'll find and put a swift end to the creature — for the sake of the young ones who died by his poisoned words."

She nodded, promising she would do all she could to stop him. She thanked Gundobald one last time before she left Little Ala Mhigo, not sure how she should be feeling right now.

At this point in her investigation, she had hit another dead end. While she believed what she said in the thoughts that seeing that masked man around these parts again seemed unlikely, it left her with nowhere else to go.

If nothing else, however, she could inform Minfilia and the others what happened here and reassure them that Rhalgr wasn't going to be making an appearance anytime soon.

She was exhausted by the time that she returned to the Waking Sands, thinking longingly of getting some sleep, not aware of how late it had become at this point. She was even wondering if anyone was still awake at this point by the time she entered the solar… to find that Minfilia was still awake, but was yawning loudly from her seat, looking ready to head off to bed.

At the sight of her, her entire face lit up, as if nothing could have pleased Minfilia more than seeing her returning back safe and in one piece.

"Oh, welcome back, Claire!" she said warmly. "I've been reliably informed the investigation took you to Quarrymill and Little Ala Mhigo. So tell me, where you able to learn aught of Lahabrea?"

Claire nodded, though while she could not confirm with certainty that it was Lahabrea behind it, she informed her of the masked man seen around Little Ala Mhigo and how he tried to trick some of the younger ones into summoning a god themselves.

She saw Minfilia's eyes widened with horror before she reassured her, "You need not worry. The matter has been settled. I don't think that they will resort to summoning the Destroyer anytime soon."

While there was certainly relief at that, she still saw the heavy frown that Minfilia was wearing as she summed up, "Planted the knowledge of summoning in impressionable young minds….? Precisely the kind of deception the Ascians would employ… While much of the ills that ail the land can be attributed to the Calamity, some are being brought about by a malign will. We must needs delve deeper into this, while things remain quiet on the primal front…"

She was unable to finish her train of thought, however, for a big yawn broke free from her and both chuckled at that. Minfilia touched her shoulder and led her out of the room, promising that they would speak further of the investigation once they got some rest.

*Thancred*

Thancred's headache didn't leave him even after he woke up from his nap—if you could call it that—he was unable to do more than toss and turn as he tried to nurse his throbbing head. He had more than his fair share of nights where he had too much to drink and he awoke with a serious hungover. But here it was like he went straight to the hangover without the fun of getting there.

After a few hours, he finally gave up and went to the Quicksand in Ul'dah where he tried to take a cold shower to try and soothe the pain. It was a relief on his aching body… but he suddenly found his entire body so heavy that all he wanted was to crawl back into bed and sleep through this pain.

But he had already spent half a day nursing himself, he couldn't afford to waste any more time on this. He brushed his hair out of his face as he finished dressing and planned Minfilia on his linkpearl to reassure her that he was doing much better. In truth, he knew that he must look as terrible as he felt and the last thing he wanted was to upset Minfilia anymore than he already had.

He could handle it. He would have to. Still, with his head aching so badly, he did not think he could stand to even look at a tome right now and decided to head out to search through Thanalan for any other clues he could find on the Paragons. If nothing else, the fresh air could do him some good.

Now his head was starting to ring… oh, wait.

He reached up to his linkpearl again and waited.

"Thancred?" said a familiar voice.

"Ah, Papalymo," Thancred said, forcing a cheerful tone to come out of his mouth to hide how miserable he truly felt. "I heard that you all made it back from the woods. Well done on your meeting with the Sylphs. How are you doing?"

"Well as can be expected," Papalymo told him, but the seriousness in his voice caused Thancred to frown.

"Is there a problem, my friend?" he asked.

"Perhaps," Papalymo said, "I don't know for sure what it is about, but Y'shtola is requesting everyone's presence back at the Waking Sands. Apparently, there has been a new development taking place in Limsa."

Thancred felt as if the bottom of his stomach dropped at that.

"Please tell me that the Sahagin did not summon Leviathan again?" he pleaded.

"I cannot say for sure, just that your presence is requested," Papalymo said. "All I know for sure is that it's an urgent matter. If it's not too much trouble…?"

"I'll be there in less than an hour," Thancred promised him as he fought a yawn. "Just let me take care of a few things and I'll be there. There was something I wanted to show you all anyway. Thanks for letting me know."

He hung up as he groaned at the thought of more work. He was so tired… he had no desire to go anywhere but back up to his soft bed and sleep his headache away. But no… there was no rest for the righteous, as Cid used to say.

So, after a few minutes to try and steady himself, he pushed himself off the wall he was leaning against and headed to the door… not even aware of how his hand was brushing against the dark crystal in his pocket.

*Claire*

It was early the next morning when Claire next opened her eyes and stretched out as she rolled out of bed. She felt a little better compared to last night, but it still took a few hours to force her body to rest for the image of what she learned yesterday continued to play around in her head. She could not shake the thought of how one person was causing so much trouble just by going around and dropping suggestions to those who were desperate enough to accept it.

She had to stop Lahabrea before he tempted anyone else into a mistake that could cost them their lives. She greeted Minfilia when she entered the solar, finding her back at her desk and looking over some reports when she did enter.

"Ah, good afternoon, Claire!" Minfilia said brightly, "Some new information arrived this morning, courtesy of our friends the sylphs. An individual fitting Lahabrea's description has been sighted in the North Shroud."

Claire tilted her head at that, wondering just what he would be doing in the Shroud. Then again, it was in the Shroud where she first encountered him to begin with. Perhaps he was trying another tactic with the Sylphs or…?

"This sighting comes in the wake of a series of mysterious deaths in the selfsame area," Minfilia said, her smile quickly fading at the thought of this dark development, "My instincts tell me that our man is involved. I would have you continue your investigation where you left off. Twelve willing, we will pick up Lahabrea's trail once more."

Though she was trying to keep a brave smile on, she could see that the idea of gruesome murders was disturbing her greatly.

"Noraxia can furnish you with the details," she finished, "Pray speak with her, and take it from there. As always, be careful out there, Claire."

Claire nodded, holding up a hand in farewell as she headed out the door, stopping only to head to the storage room, where she found their new Sylph friend cheerfully speaking to Yda and Papalymo. But when she spotted her approaching them, she let out a happy squeak and fluttered over to her.

"Friendly one Claire!" she greeted, "Did walking one Minfilia tell you the news theses ones had?"

Claire forced a smile back as she nodded, questioning her about these murders as Noraxia cheer soon turned solemn.

"If friendly one Claire is to investigate sinister one, then heed well this one's words," she warned her, "This one is friends with a walking one in the Ashcrown Consortium. According to friendly one, a digging one named Medrod had an encounter with a scary masked one. This masked one is most certainly sinister one! Friendly one Claire should go and speak with digging one Medrod. Digging one is to be found at Fallgourd Float in the North Shroud."

Claire wasn't entirely sure she understood completely what she was talking about. But if she had to guess, she would say that this 'digging one' was a miner and that she could find him at Fallgourd Float in the North Shroud. So, it was with a fond farewell to them did she turn on her heel and headed out towards Gridania.

She had been to the North Shroud a few times, but she never ventured too far into that territory, having been warned before that a lot of Ixali tended to live in this area as well. If nothing else, this job was taking her a lot further out than she thought she would go right away. While she always planned to head out there herself one day, it was never this soon.

It was a bit of a rush, if truth be told.

By the time that she arrived at Fallgourd Float, it was the early afternoon and the slight mists had cleared up when the sun came out. After asking around, she found the 'digging one' Medrod at a tavern called the Bobbing Cork where he was shaking and drinking a large mug of ale as if it was water and his two friends watched with rather incredious looks.

"Excuse me?" she asked as he jumped, shaking and trembling, as if her quiet voice was suddenly a shout.

"P-Please leave me be…" he muttered, refusing to look at her as the woman miner next to him shook her head and the tall Elezen looked as if he wasn't sure it was a good time to laugh or not. "I'm not long for this world… I… I looked death in the face… 'Tis only a matter of time before he comes for me, just like he came for that poor woman…"

And she couldn't get another word out of him that didn't involve him breaking down, as if he truly thought that he was going to drop dead at any moment. Just then, one of the people who was sitting with him, a young woman, rolled her eyes and patted him on the back as she looked to Claire.

"You wanted words with Medrod?" she then proceeded to ask, ignoring his mumbling cries of fear. "Well, as you can see, that might be…tricky. He's been this way near a fortnight. If you need him to make sense in a hurry, might be as I can give you some advice. Though he looks a man grown, Medrod's still a little boy on the inside." She then leaned over and whispered into Claire's ear, "You might try bringing him a serving of lentils and chestnuts, his mother's specialty. Stuff should be easy enough to find in Gridania. Oh, and a few soothing words wouldn't go astray, either. Nothing like Mummy's cooking and her expert ministrations for a skinned knee, as it were."

Really? She was now playing the part of a mother to someone she didn't know just to get some answers?

Claire rolled her eyes as she hissed all sorts of complaints within her own mind. Still, this was important and she could not risk turning this potential lead away. If someone was truly going around murdering others, then she had to do whatever it took to stop it. Thankfully, she didn't need to go too far to find the bowl of stew. After purchasing a bowl from the proprietor, she headed back to Medrod and placed it in front of him. At first he didn't seem to notice the bowl as he mumbled to himself the entire time.

"It was horrible…" she heard him whimper. "A waking nightmare… Cannot unsee… Oh, gods, what have I done to deserve this? Mummyyy!"

When he broke down sobbing, Claire had to bite her tongue to tell him to snap out of it as she waited for him to notice the smell from the soup. When he realized what was in front of him, he actually gasped, "You…you found it! This is my favoritest dish in the whole world! Mum made this for me whenever I felt glum, and it never failed to make me forget my—" But his fragile smile soon was wiped off as his head jerked up and stared at her, realizing what was happening, "Wait a minute! You're trying to make me tell you… tell you… about that, aren't you? No… Too horrible…"

Claire merely pushed the bowl a little closer as she gently began to soothe him, much like how Gundobald was able to calm Bertliana when she needed it most. She didn't push him, she just shushed him as he slowly began to take in a few mouthfuls of the stew. When the bowl was half empty, he suddenly seemed much calmer and after a few more minutes of quiet, he seemed to finally have a grip upon himself.

"…Y-You're right. It's not as bad as it seems," he said at last, and she was glad to hear that he sounded somewhat coherent again, "I saw something terrible, that's true, but that hardly means I'm going to suffer the same fate. Thanks to you, I can think straight again. I believe I can even recount what I saw without losing it."

"I'm glad," she said kindly, hoping that he could give her some kind of clue as to what was going on. "Please, can you tell me?"

He took a deep breath as he nodded.

"It was just another ordinary day," he began slowly, still looking a bit shaky just recalling the incident, "I was headed back to the Float when I noticed a suspicious character in the distance — a masked man garbed head to toe in black. He had a hideous fiend in tow, a winged creature that was all eyeball and jagged teeth."

She blinked, startled to hear that. A winged eyeball with jagged teeth? What on earth could that possibly be?

"Taken by curiosity, I crept as near as I dared…" he gasped out, "To see the corpse of a woman!" He soon began to wheeze and for a moment, Claire was certain that he was about to pass out. But after he took a few more mouthfuls of the stew, he seemed to calm down as he finished, "One glimpse was enough to tell me that she'd died a gruesome death! In that instant, I knew right away that the masked man was a minion of Thal, come to claim her soul for his realm."

Somehow, Claire found that hard to believe.

"No sir," she said, her voice as reasonable as possible as she tried to explain that she was trying to investigate this man. But as soon as she said that, Medrod yelped and gasped, "You're investigating this same masked man!?"

Medrod's female companion looked over with new interest as she said, "If that's the case, then, we'll help you in whatever way we can!"

"Aye," the Elezen added dryly. "Anything to ensure we won't have to suffer Medrod's hysteria ever again."

"All right, teamwork!" Medrod said, filled with new hope and not registering what his friend had just said. "That's what I wanted to — wait, I haven't been that bad, have I…?" His Elezen friend laughed as he turned red and shook his head as he retorted, "At any rate, I'm all for helping this adventurer. It's the least I can do to repay her for bringing me lentils and chestnuts!"

That was all it took? Wow, she heard that food was often the way to a man's heart, she just didn't realize how right that saying was true. She chuckled as the other two rolled their eyes, but didn't look surprise by their friend's antics.

The woman, who then introduced herself as Aideen, told Claire all that they knew of the series of deaths that were happening around the North Shroud as of late. First of all, all the murders had been with young women… and all of them had been killed the same way with their faces so badly slashed and torn that they couldn't even tell who they once were. She then thought it over, believing that perhaps the simplest answer was that the Ziz who roam this area in packs could have been responsible for it. Claire highly doubted this, but she went off anywhere, at least hoping to find a clue to who could be behind it.

Of course, by the time she went out there, slayed a few Ziz, and returned, she was no closer to finding her answers.

"Yes, well, truth be told, even if there were proof, I wouldn't know what it looked like," Aideen confessed, "Anyway, I believe we can safely strike ziz from our list of suspects, yes?"

Starting to feel that she was running around in circles again, she was half wondering where the nearest Wood Wailer was when Ivaurault, the Elezen, had another suggestion. That perhaps she should check out the rumors of the mysterious rock that seemed to be scaring the locals could give her any clues. Again, even after heading out to check the rock, she found new clues that could help her and she was seriously considering heading to the Serpents of the Twin Adders and holding a complaint at this point in time. The rock did not turn out to be a winged eyeball like Ivaurault swore it would, all it led to her was being attacked by a banemite and losing her claws in the process when the acid from its poison melted the leather.

With a cry of disgust, she quickly dropped them before the poison could touch her skin and quickly headed back towards the settlement before she would be attacked again.

"There've been no promising leads in the murders. I can scarce get a wink of sleep, knowing that the killer is still at large," Medrod complained, looking around at his friends, who seemed as lost as he was. "Judging by your furrowed brows, I take it this sorry business troubles you as much as it does me."

Ivaurault nodded in defeat, muttering, "I had been pondering my encounter. I was uncertain for a time, but there can be no doubt: it was a winged eyeball that I witnessed. It's implausible that I could have mistaken so distinct a creature for a banemite."

"But you and I were malms apart," Medrod pointed out. "How could we have both seen it at precisely the same time? What's more, our adventurer friend here had a run-in with the banemite at the very spot you claimed to see the fiendish eyeball. Isn't that right?"

"There must be an explanation!" Ivaurault exclaimed, now sounding outraged at Medrod for even suggesting that he was lying or seeing things. "I know I saw an eyeball with wings — I would wager an apple tart on it!"

"Oooh, he's serious," Aideen joked at the idea. "But listen, mayhap it's not a mysterious as we're making it out to be. There's no reason why there couldn't be—"

But there could be couldn't there…? The only possibly way she could think of a reason why two people saw the same winged eyeball creature at the same time but in different locations could only be if there wasn't just one.

No sooner did she think of that did Aideen gasp, realizing where she was going with these thoughts, and explained, "Gods, of course… There must be more than one of the buggers! Ugh, it's so obvious. But then that means… since there have been repeated sightings of these fiends… then there must be even more victims as yet undiscovered…"

That was not what she wanted to hear. While she was desperate for answers, or even a lead to follow, she did not want it to come at the expense of another young woman's life. They all looked at each other, and Medrod gulped hard when he realized that even his friends were laughing at this disturbing thought.

"I-I do believe we're out of our depth," he decided, "We ought to leave the rest to the expert."

"Y-Yes, we're just civilians, after all," Aideen agreed, patting Claire on the shoulder. "Good luck, adventurer. It was a pleasure knowing you!"

Claire rolled her eyes at that. She was not the type to go out and willingly let herself get killed like that.

Ivaurault meanwhile was sighing at that, but didn't counter them as he told Claire, "While I burn to know the truth, some things are best left unknown. Lest you have forgotten, it was at the rocky area to the west that I had my encounter. Should you discover aught of note, you will want to alert the authorities. There is a guardhouse nearby. The Twin Adders there should be pleased for any information that pertains to the security of the region."

Claire nodded, telling them all to be careful out there. While still slightly annoyed with them, she knew it was best that they didn't look into this matter any deeper, for she did not wish for Medrod's dark prediction that he would be the next victim to come true.

Instead, she bought herself a new staff, having a bad feeling that she may be needing to rely more on healing than fighting this time around, and slung it onto her back as she headed back out. After thinking over her next course of action, she decided that speaking to those at the guardhouse may be her best bet at this point. Still, she may as well head back over to where she fought the banemite, just to make sure that she didn't miss something from last time.

There were plenty of Ziz in her way as she slipped around them, but no more banemites this time, which she was grateful for. After a thorough search of the area, just when she was confident that there wasn't anything else out there, she spotted a glint of something white just sticking out from a rocky outcropping. Curious, she headed over there… only for her to cover a hastily covered gasp when she found a woman lying there… with something hovering over the still form.

As she looked up, she saw the creature turn as an enormous eyeball blinked and a mouth of razor-sharp teeth opened up and let out a screech. Claire felt as if her ears were being tortured at the noise, but she didn't even think twice as she pulled her staff out and cast a protective barrier over her as the eyeball creature flew at her. It howled in pain as it hit as she cast a spell of water to knock it back from her before using the powers of earth and wind to kill it.

She breathed hard as she watched the creature fall to the ground and vanish in a puff of black aether. Cursing, she realized that the rumors of a winged eyeball weren't as far-fetched as she thought and quickly gazed at the woman once more. A part of her hoped against hope that she wasn't too late and that there may still be hope for her… but by the time she did get close enough, she knew that the girl was long since dead.

Shaking her head, she offered a prayer to the gods to speed this poor woman on her way to their halls, she turned the girl over to examine her closely. She gasped, almost leaping back when she saw her face… or what was left of it. She saw only a bloody mess of torn skin and muscle… where it was all but impossible to be able to recognize her. Unable to leave it just lying here at the mercy of fiends, she hauled the body up and onto her shoulders as she carried her all the way back to the guardhouse, wanting to at least find a way to bring the girl home to her family so that they could bury her properly.

When she arrived and explained what she found to the captain, he could only look on in horrified silence.

"Gods be good, not again…" he said as he bent down to examine the body himself. "No matter how many bodies I see, I cannot seem to get used to the horrid sight. Poor woman… Identical deaths have been reported in the Central Shroud."

"How many have there been?" she asked him as he shook his head at the sight.

"We are beginning to lose count," he confessed. "At first, we thought that they had just strayed too far from the safety of the city… but so many killed the exact same way? No, this is without doubt the work of someone else."

Claire then explained how she was here to investigate the rumors of the masked man, he thought it over, as if worried of how much he should tell her.

"While the masked stranger you seek does not seem to feature in any, sightings of the winged eyeball are common enough," he explained slowly, "The creature appears to be moving the bodies, but to what end, none can say. The victims have all been young women. All are found with their faces mutilated beyond recognition. It's been difficult to identify them, so as to notify their next of—"

He then paused in his explanation as he seemed to spot something. She looked over to see what it was that caught his attention, and in one of the young woman's clenched hands, she realized that she was holding onto something. Her hands had cuts and scrapes… and the remains of rope burns… Claire reached to touch her own wrists as she remembered of when she was tied up before offered to Ifrit. This woman was tied up somewhere… but she tried to fight back… that would explain where the cuts came from… and it seemed that she managed to grab hold of something from her attacker…?

She watched as the captain pulled something small and glinting from her fingers and Claire realized that it looked to be a button. He examined it before holding it up to show her where Claire saw the image of a white flower painted upon the small wooden button.

"This button, engraved with a lily motif…" he murmured. "The very same object was found upon another victim. A family sigil, or that of an organization, perhaps? Either way, I dare to hope that this find will prove pivotal in solving the murders."

So this had to be proof that whoever was killing these women were the same ones. Yet, she found it odd to think that Lahabrea would be wearing a button like this. To her surprise though, the captain stood and handed the button to Claire as he explained, "I would have you hold on to the lily button. You will need it to continue your investigation. While it isn't standard procedure to entrust key evidence to individuals, your name is familiar to me, Claire – I know you to be reliable and resourceful, and so I see no reason why you shouldn't carry on your work."

She blinked, staring at him as he gave a rather weary smile. "Your reputation proceeds you," he explained, "And the Elder Seedseer speaks most highly of you. So it is my hope that you will be able to find the answers needed to stop these murders before any other innocent women are killed. If I might make a suggestion, you may wish to take the button to Gridania and have it examined by Miounne. Mayhap someone in her vast network of contacts can shed light upon its sigil."

"I understand, thank you," Claire nodded as she took the button and made to leave. As she was turning though, the captain touched her shoulder, getting her to look back at him.

"I tell you this to be careful," he warned her. "We have been trying our best to stop these fiends, but it has been difficult. Those few women who we have been able to identify… we have yet to find any real connection between them. None of them know each other, most come from different places throughout the Shroud… there doesn't seem to be anything linking these murders together but for the fact that they were all young and… once very beautiful women. If we are right in thinking that these murders aren't just random… that would make whoever is responsible for this even more dangerous."

Claire nodded.

"I understand," she told him, "And I promise to be careful. Thank you."

She left after that, hurrying back to Gridania and reaching the Carline Canopy after the sun had reached its highest point and the some inn was full with people coming in for lunch. When she was spotted, Mother Miounne smiled at her warmly and waved her over to the desk.

"Good morrow to you, Claire!" she said brightly. Claire realized too late that she was still wearing her solemn frown and Mother Miounne paused before informing, "By your grim expression, I suspect you aren't here for scones and herb tea."

"I wish I was," she sighed as she pulled out the button and told her, "But I'm on an investigation and I was hoping you could help me."

When she set the button on the table, Mother Miounne examined it closely as she finished, "I was hop9ing that you could tell me if you recognize this button's sigil?"

"Well, isn't this a lovely little button," Mother Miounne smiled at it, "The engraving is quite exquisite — artisan levels of quality, I would say. Where did you say you found this?"

Claire paused there, knowing that this wasn't a pleasant line of thinking, especially at lunch.

She then explained how she came across it, which caused Miounne to freeze and quickly set it down.

"…On a dead body. Lovely," she said dryly. "Anyway, I'm afraid I do not recognize the lily sigil. You will have to find the answer the old-fashioned way — by asking around. You could do worse than beginning with Bernadette, over by the Aetheryte Plaza. She has a sharp pair of eyes, that one."

Claire thanked her and began to prepare herself for a long series of questioning random people for answers. To her surprise though, when she went to the Wood Wailer Bernadette, she confessed that she did see this sigil before, but knew little about it. She had seen an elderly man by the name of Ursandel with a button similar to this one at one point and that he was usually seen over at the Gentry's Ward.

Claire found him easily enough… for he was the only elderly gentlemen by the time she reached the Gentry's Ward. He was sitting upon a bench, with such a mournful face, that she could not help but wonder what thoughts were going through his mind to bring such a grim expression? Suddenly having a bad feeling about this, she approached him, politely introducing herself.

"I do not believe we are acquainted," he said, looking up, "Pray leave me to my thoughts."

"I'm sorry, sir," she told him as she held out the button to show him, "I just wished to ask you a few questions about this sigil and I was hoping…?" But her voice died in her throat when she saw how he was staring at the button with wide and terrified eyes.

"The sigil of the Dartancours family! How…how is it that you came to be in possession of this button?" he gasped as he stood up.

So she explained about the recent string of murders and how this button was one of two that were found upon the bodies of some of the young women. But though he did grow pale at the confirmation of the murders, he did not look surprised.

"…From the body of a murdered woman…" he repeated softly before asking, as if dreading the answer, "H-Her face…was it marred in any way?"

Claire stared at him, knowing that she did not mention exactly 'how' the women were all murdered, and she nodded as he groaned.

"I had feared as much…" he sighed heavily, his shoulders drooping, grief in his face. "I can no longer feign ignorance. I shall reveal to you the truth of the deaths, but on one condition: you promise to put an end to my lady's madness and free her from her torment."

Lady? Claire stared at him, not understanding at all what he was trying to say. She could only nod, quietly promising she would do her best to help him, but he needed to be honest with her if he wanted that. This seemingly kindly old man had something to do with the murders? He did not look like someone who would kill all those poor women… but he seemed earnest in his desire to help.

"I will do all that I can, sir," she promised, "But please, do you know who is responsible?"

He nodded grimly as he began to tell her everything.

"I was once a manservant in the employ of one of the oldest and proudest families in Gridania — the Dartancours," he told her, "During that time, I had the honor of waiting upon Lady Amandine, mistress of the household. Fair as summer was she, and possessed of a heart befitting her radiance. Alas, the Calamity wrought a great change in her. Though my lady escaped with her life, death may well have been a kinder fate. Never will I forget the day her bandages were removed, and she beheld her disfigured face for the first time. At that moment, the kindly woman I knew ceased to be."

Heavily scarred? It felt that some of the pieces were clicking together at that. A heavily scarred face may be the connection to why all those women's faces were also mutilated. Was it possible that she grew jealous at the thought of her beauty forever gone that she could not bear to look at another's face like that?

Ursandel sighed a she ran a hand through his aged hair and went on, "Unable to bear the thought of being seen, my lady sequestered herself within her chambers and refused all company. This continued for many uneasy moons, until one day, without warning, she began receiving queer guests. None among us knew whence they came, these masked men, but my lady believed that they would help her to regain that which she had lost."

As soon as she heard the words masked men, she knew that this story could never end well. But upon hearing the word of 'men' she realized that it couldn't just be Lahabrea… so there more of them? But why? What was their purpose? Why were they causing so many problems? First with the Sylphs, then Little Ala Mhigo… and now these murders?

"So began the 'rites of rejuvenation'. These rituals seemed innocent enough in the beginning, but grew ever more grotesque as time went by," Ursandel went on miserably, now wringing his hands, "Eventually, there came a time when my lady bound one of her handmaidens to her bed, and… and proceeded to mutilate the poor girl's face."

Claire's jaw fell open at this revelation and Ursandel only continued to mourn this as if he was suddenly under a great weight.

"Suffice it to say, she did not survive the ordeal. It fell to me to dispose of her body," he confessed and shook all over. "I performed the dreadful task as bade, obedient servant that I was, but when the time came to return to the house, my legs refused to move. I knew then that I could not go back to that place, not after the nightmare I had witnessed. So it was that I left Haukke Manor, my home for nigh on half a century."

"Haukke Manor?" she repeated, but she wasn't sure that Ursandel even heard her as he began to cry softly.

"Long did I weep for the girl who was slain, and longer still for the woman that Lady Amandine had been," he confessed, as if unable to stop himself, "Yet one cannot weep forever, and I endeavored to put the matter behind me. Indeed, I had resolved never to speak of my experience…until you appeared before me."

He fell silent for a moment before he looked imploringly at her and pleaded, "My lady's madness must be ended, lest more innocent lives be lost. Lay her tormented soul to rest, as you swore to me you would. She awaits you at Haukke Manor, on the western edge of the Central Shroud. Go now. Go and do what must be done."

Claire thought it over as she looked him closely in the face, seeing the grief and guilt there and found that she believed his words. He was truly remorseful for what he had seen and what he had to do… but fear kept him from acting on it.

"I know not what I can do to help," she said, "But I promise to do all I can."

She had to do her part to put an end to his madness before anyone else got hurt. And thought she felt rage at this Lady Amandine had done in her selfishness… her overwhelming feeling was of pity and sorrow. But also of anger towards these masked men who had tempted her to do such terrible acts and cost her something more precious than her beauty… her sanity.

She thanked Ursandel, who gave her clear instruction on how to reach the manor. Apparently the building had once been used by seedseers as a place for spiritual reflection and meditation, at least until Haukke Manor was seen as a symbol of excess and went against the what the people of Gridania stood for. After years of protest, the building was finally sold to a Lady Amandine's family. When Ursandel was a young and healthy man, he went to work for the family, whom he had always seen as good people. After the Calamity, the Lady did everything she could to try and restore her beauty and lost a large portion of her wealth in the process.

From facial creams concocted from rare Coerthas honeys to shampoos derived from the milk of exotic phurbles, her daily ritual of beauty treatments escalated until it was rumored she was bathing in the blood of her virgin maidservants.

It seemed that she was so desperate, she finally sold her soul to these masked men in a final effort to 'save face'.

Claire made it through the Central Shroud with little problem until she reached the great fallen tree that would take her up to the side of a cliff where the manor was. After reaching the top, she followed the smell of morbols, who had taken up residence within the now swamp-like area… the left-over result from the damage left over by the Calamity.

She quickly made her way across the bridge, not wanting to stop and risk being attacked by one of the disgusting morbols, before making it to a set of black iron gates. She forced her way inside, the gates making a loud creaking noise as she did so. Beyond was what had to have once been a beautiful building—a manor that had once been a temple it would seem.

She walked across the stone walkway as she gazed around, a dark and rather eerie sensation creeping up her spine and making her skin crawl. There was a small fountain in the center of the courtyard where it was full of dirty water and algae while more of those floating eyes stalked the area around them.

Well, if there was any possible doubt that this was the wrong place, it was gone now.

She hurried her way up to the front doors—the drifting eyes barely paying her any attention—as she wrestled with the door. After ten minutes, she finally managed to get it open to a point that the rusty handle cracked and fell off, allowing her inside. As soon as she stepped inside, she regretted ever coming here.

This place was just as creepy, if not worse, than the Deepcroft… and that place had dead things inside it!

The thick carpet muffled her footsteps as she looked around, met with the remains of what was once a spotless manor. She could see the faint traces that this was once a good place… a lovely place to visit… but now there was nothing left but broken furniture, cracking and creaking of the building as if it was crying in pain at what had become of it, and a thick layer of dust, mold, and grime covering everything.

Taking a deep breath, her staff in hand, she made her way through the manor. She tried the stairs first, only to realize that some sort of barrier was now being kept over the upper level so that she could not pass over it no matter how hard she pressed. It was truly just like in the Deepcroft when the Lambs of Dalamud had a similar barrier held up to prevent anyone from interrupting the ceremony. But…?

She looked around the manor, realizing that there had be something here that could serve as a key of some sorts. So she jumped down and began to make her way through the dark hallways. She wanted to say that there were no worse than those flying eyeballs but she would be lying. For what she found were so much worse. Every room she found there were all sorts of bats, slugs, and fungus lurking about… those weren't at all hard to kill…

It were the remains of the maidservants and butlers that caused her stomach to roll. What could only be described as people at one point, but having been corrupted and warped into these dark creatures… these voidsent beings… there wasn't anything left of them.

It was going to be a mercy to them… to finish them all off and allow their tormented souls to rest. At least, she hoped so. So, she would check every room she passed, and put all the people inside to rest once and for all… all the while trying to find some kind of charm that could be used to get her through that barrier. Because upstairs was where the Lady would be, she was almost certain of it. She made her way throughout the ground floor of the building before coming across another of the maidservants that had been twisted and turned into a horrible creature. She was the largest one yet, and was carrying a heavy looking blade as she came for her…

Claire took no joy in ending her life, but she knew it had to be done. By the time that the maidservant had fallen… she had disappeared into the dark… and Claire could have sworn that she heard a slight sigh of relief mixed in with the cry of pain.

She certainly hoped so.

But just then, she realized that the servant had dropped something in the seconds before he demise… a small green key…? At first she thought that this would be enough to open the barrier… but nothing happened. After looking around for a bit longer, realizing that there was truly nothing left on this floor, she did find another locked doorway that led to the cellar. It fit into the lock like a glove and opened the way for her…

Of course, down below were even more horrible creatures waiting for her… as well as what looked like bars and cells. What kind of place was this? It looked like a dungeon at one point? She didn't even want to know what went on down here. She just cleared it out of more of the servants, doing her best to put every one of them to the sword before moving about in a great circle. In one of the cells though, she found another key after killing another skeletal servant and examined the yellow key.

Once again, she found that the key did not work upon the barrier… but when she returned to the cellar to make sure that she hadn't overlooked anything. She found another locked room where more servants were waiting for her. The transformed staff soon fell to by her hand and she sighed in grief, once more offering prayers to the Twelve to show mercy to these poor unfortunate souls. But where did that leave her now?

She had run out of places to search…?

But out of the remains of the skeleton, she heard a slight crumbling noise and she looked to see that from around the neck of the skeletal butler on a thick cord was a small rolled up piece of paper. Curious, she broke the cord and unwrapped the paper to see that the sheet was covered with dried blood… written in old ruins that she could make neither heads nor tails of.

However, if it was important enough to be locked down here with such protection then perhaps…?

Her guess turned out to be correct, for when she returned to the stairs, all she had to do was hold up the scroll and the barrier finally dropped for her, allowing her passage. She hurried upwards, pausing when she heard the wail of sorrow coming down from the hallway to the left. She paused, only for a moment as she glanced at the floating eye that was fluttering back and forth in front of a room, as if guarding it.

She made the side trip quick. She ran down the hall to find the remains of the rest of the household that had been transformed by whatever dark magicks that had transformed them from the beings they once were and she did her duty to help them rest. If she was going to put an end to this, she was going to make sure that they were all free.

When she, at last, felt that she checked every room but one, she made her way back to the stairs to where there was only that floating eyeball and she went for it. When it saw her, it let out a lout scream that could wake the dead as it swooped down at her. Claire was fighting with it, striking it down with her spells—but before she could put an end to it—the doors opened wide to reveal another room and it shot inside before she could land the killing blow.

The sudden surge of dark aether almost knocked her backwards and she watched as it flew to the other end of the room to where there was a large bed with torn hangings and a figure laying there as if resting. Claire held up her staff as the floating eye seemed to cause the person on the bed to stir. And then the figure slowly rose up and Claire got a good look at Lady Amandine… or rather, what was left of her.

A tall duskwight elezen floated off the ground, her skin a sickly shade of blue as a large torn-cape draped across her shoulders. She had a slim body and a long, forked tail that drifted between sharply legs while her close were skin-tight leather and silver ornaments. There were also horns that were long and protruding from the back of her head while a rather delicate silver crown was wrapped around her head, nestled upon her long dark hair that fell over her face. But the most frightening thing about her were her empty white eyes. When she saw her, Lady Amandine let out an echoing laugh that did not even sound like it belonged in this world.

But her gaze was soon drawn to Claire.

"Such a pretty face…" she all but purred when she laid her eyes upon her. "Your youth and beauty… it shall be mine!"

So the fight began as she cast spells of fire down upon her, forcing Claire to dodge and roll, forced to fight from a distance to avoided the fire. The fight was made even more difficult when the four large lanterns around the room began to light up and cast a powerful electrical charge that stun and hurt. She found that smashing the lights she could interrupt the spell long enough to turn her full attention back upon the demoness again.

At one point the demoness struck at her face, cutting it and was all but drooling at the blood that she felt dripping down her cheek. But as soon as the demoness tasted the blood that coated the tips of her claw-like fingers, she saw how her eyes widened in shock… as if she had never tasted anything so glorious as her blood. She then shrieked as she lunged for her, her fire and thunder causing the room the shake and tremble around them. She had given up playing around, now only fixated on Claire's blood. Throughout their fight, she summoned Bombs into the room, forcing her to kill them before they exploded, as well as even more maidservants.

But Lady Amandine was no longer paying attention to how many servants fell. Her mind was only focused on one thing. Eventually, the demons finally caught hold of her in an almost loving embrace… where nothing that Claire did could even scratch the demoness at this point. In her frustration she allowed herself to get caught and Amandine stared at her hungrily… where Claire realized what she needed to do. She remained still as she recoiled when the demoness leaned in close and licked some of the blood off her face.

Her blood was so delicious to this demon that she didn't seem to realize anything else that was going on around her…

Why that was, she did not know, only that it was going to be the last mistake this demon would ever make. Indeed, Lady Amandine was so lost in the taste, she didn't notice how Claire had freed one of her hands.

"I'm sorry," she whispered as she caused a sharpened piece of stone to ram the demoness from behind… impaling her and dealing the finishing blow.

Lady Amandine dropped her as she shrieked in agony, her hand reaching up to the heavens, as if pleading for help… before she slowly fell backwards and landed with a crash upon the floor and dissolving into a black haze… leaving nothing behind.

Claire was shaking as she climbed back to her feet, feeling the cut on her brow to wipe the blood from her eyes. The wound wasn't deep and she cast a spell to close it before she looked around the now empty room.

"That's all of them," she whispered, hoping that she was right. As far as she could tell, she searched through every room of this manor and finished off every other creature here. It was over… at least until…?

"Darkness has taken root within these halls…"

She spun around at the voice, realizing that though she understood it, it was not in a language that she should know… but heard at least once before.

And through the dark room, she saw them. Two figures in black coming towards her.

"…Sprung from the most unlikely of seeds," one of them answered as they observed her with curious glazes.

"One cannot help but admire the irrepressible spirit that quickened it to life," the first voice added.

"Who are you?" she demanded, standing ready to fight, not liking what they were saying at all. But neither of them seemed interested in answering her as they continued speaking, more to each other.

"It is a pleasure to meet you at last, adventurer," one of them said, speaking in a regular language once again. "You are every bit as intriguing as our master gave us to believe."

Their master? Now that she looked at them, she realized that their masks were not the same kind that Lahabrea wore. So who were they? His servants? What did they want? Either way, she was prepared to bet that not only were they the ones responsible for the madness that took root here, but they had to also have been the ones responsible for what happened in Little Ala Mhigo. At that thought, she felt anger boiling inside her, struggling to break free and attack them both for the harm they did.

But the two just continued to gaze at her as if she was some piece of artwork on the wall.

"It is no ordinary mortal who can acquire one Crystal of Light… much less three," the first one said, gazing at her as Claire's hand instinctively went up to her chest to where the Crystals were still nestled. For the first time she felt as if the strange Crystals clung to her, as if afraid that they would be taken away from her.

But the two robed villains didn't look interested in a fight.

"The Crystals make you strong, and it is to that strength that the Light is drawn," the first one informed her. "Hydaelyn chose well."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Claire demanded, wanting answers.

But the second masked man just shook his head as he sighed, as if disappointed, "…A pity that your existence is irreconcilable with our own. We cannot well allow you to continue upon your present course. Alas, we came here not to play, but to take the measure of your strength for Master Lahabrea. That task now accomplished, we take our leave of you."

"Wait… you mean…?" she began but the two of them were already disappearing into the dark, with their voices telling her with a whisper:

"Fare you well, Bringer of Light."

And with that, Claire was left alone in the dark room… where she stood for a long time until she felt the lateness of the hour finally settle in. She left the manor behind, not even bothering to look back as she all but ran through the Shroud to get back to Gradania… not noticing how the one remaining floating eyeball came out of hiding and began to stalk the empty hallways once again.

*Later*

Claire reported to the Serpents of the Twin Adders what happened at the manor and that the one responsible for the murders had been dealt with before she returned to Ursandel to inform him what happened. As of yet, she didn't tell the Serpents of his involvement in the manner, wanting to at least tell him everything that happened and hear what he had to say about the matter.

"You have returned!" he cried, leaping to his feet. "What sights awaited you within the manor? What has become of Lady Amandine? You must tell me all!"

Claire wasn't sure how she felt about the matter. While glad to know that she put a stop to whatever was left of the once kind lady before any other innocent maiden was hurt… how it all ended left a bad taste in her mouth as those masked men continued to taunt her with her own memories.

Still, she forced herself to relieve all that happened at the manor and how everything was now dealt with. When she finished, Ursandel looked stricken.

"…So she went so far as to consort with devils. Would that I could have done more to prevent her fall. May she finally find peace in the beyond," he sighed again. "I know not whether the masked men you encountered are the same pair that first led my lady astray, but it is plain that they are of the same vile brood. Should the chance ever present itself, promise me that you will visit upon them tenfold the woe they have brought upon others."

She nodded, knowing that she didn't need to make such a promise. For she planned to finish each one of them off. She would not rest until she saw each one of them finished for the harm they have already inflicted.

But with that said, Ursandel turned sad again as he began to mutter about what to do next.

"But who am I to speak of punishment? By my silence, I allowed I know not how many innocent young women to die in unspeakable circumstances… it matters not wherefore — through misplaced loyalty, cowardice, or both, I am an abettor to a gross crime," he stated grimly.

"What will you do now?" Claire asked him quietly as he thought it over.

"I will surrender myself to the authorities and accept whatever punishment they deem just," he decided at last, "I only pray that the gods will have mercy on my soul."

Claire gave him a kind smile, relieved to hear that confession. He thanked her once again, and for a brief moment, some of the torment in his face seemed to have left it. He then told her that while he will forever have nightmares, he may, at last, be able to rest tonight in the knowledge that it was all over.

To her surprise, he kissed her hands and thanked her once again before he bowed low and left… heading off in the direction of the Adder's Nest.

Claire watched him until he was out of her sights before she returned to the Waking Sands, knowing that she had to reveal what happened here to the others and inform them of what else these guys were capable of.

She as given a warm welcome back when Minfilia rose from her seat to great her.

"Claire, welcome back!" she said happily. "Full glad I am to see you safely returned. Tell me, how fared you on your sojourn in the Twelveswood?"

Though she was dreading this, she filled Minfilia in on every miserable detail, including the words that the two masked men said to her before leaving. When she finished, Minfilia looked slightly green as she digested all that she learned.

"…Two of Lahabrea's minions? …And they sought to measure your strength…by their own admission? The devils taunt us…" she said before shaking her head. "It is beyond doubt, then — the Ascians have begun to move in earnest. Would that we knew to what end. Yet I will not bemoan our plight. Thanks to your tireless efforts, we are at least aware of the encroaching darkness."

Aware is one thing… being able to do anything about it was another. Though they solved this crime… she could not help but feel that they were no closer to figuring out what was going on than before this investigation. She was about request that she be allowed to investigate further on this situation when Minfilia continued on.

"Alas, we can only do so much," she said, "It is clear to me now that we Scions are too few to protect the realm against this threat unaided. We must needs alert the three nations to the presence of this elusive enemy, and recommend that they heighten their vigil."

She looked away as she finished, "There is no shortage of misery in the world that the Ascians might exploit. We have an arduous struggle ahead of us. Yet come what may, we must not allow ourselves to become lost to hope, for that is precisely what the enemy desires."

But what is it that they want? That was what Claire was trying to understand and struggling to do so. She knew that these beings were causing no end of problems for them, she yet to fully understand just what their purpose was for causing all this. The thing was that no one seemed able to give her any real answers to her questions.

*Thancred*

"Glad to see that you could make it, Thancred," Papalymo said as he greeted him at the door. "Y'shtola had already has everyone else here."

"I wouldn't dare miss what our dear Y'shtola has to say," he said, forcing a grin despite the pain he was in. "She would never forgive me. Now, what is it that she has to tell us?"

"Not sure yet," he answered as Yda was bouncing around on her heels. "Only that she felt that it was vital that everyone be here before she revealed anything. Apparently Minfilia has some rather disturbing news to share with us as well. She's just finishing discussing something with Claire at the moment."

"Well, let us not keep them waiting," Thancred said with a grin.

"That's a strange crystal, Thancred, I've never seen one like it," Yda said suddenly as she looked over it.

"What?" he asked, his hand going to his throat to where he felt the stone. He looked down, slightly startled to see black crystal hanging from a chain as it laid upon his chest. Funny, he didn't remember putting it there? But his head was hurting so badly that he wouldn't have been surprised if he had forgotten about doing it. His memory was acting strangely lately.

"You aren't normally one for jewelry," Yda questioned curiously, "Where did you get it?"

Thancred was about to tell them about the masked man and how he dropped it when he fled… no, not now. Now wasn't the best time. They couldn't risk being distracted.

"Oh, it's nothing," he said, his hand grazing over the crystal, feeling it grow warm under his touch. "Just a piece I've recently obtained. I'm not sure I like it now that I think of it." He then pulled the chain over his head and stuck it into his pocket. "At least I can say that it doesn't suit me."

She laughed as she waved, heading to the door so that she could head straight over to Gridania for her part in the mission.

Thancred waved back as he felt his hand graze over the crystal once again… when did he put it on a chain like this?

He pulled it out and glanced over it, watching the strange way that it seemed to reflect the light from the lanterns around him.

The more that he stared at it, however, the harder it was for him to turn his head away.

Right… now he remembered… it was on a chain when the masked mage dropped it when he escaped him. He was sure of that. Inside his mind, those thoughts sounded strange, because he honestly couldn't recall if this was the case. But when he heard the voices inside the storage room, it knocked him out of his thoughts and he put the crystal away.

He was sure he could handle it.

But with the threat of Titan looming over them, now wasn't the best time to bring the matter up with the others. He would wait until after this problem was dealt with before showing it to the others. That was the best thing to do right now.

Meanwhile he would be getting to work. He had a job to do after all… and he had to make it up somehow to their new friend since he was all but useless when Ifrit was at their door. But as he turned and headed to the door, planning on going to warn the Immortal Flames of the possible threat, he didn't notice the way his shadow seemed darker than usual… nor the pair of eyes that were watching every move he made.

(Last chapter before Shadowbringers! Need to focus on getting ready for the expansion, as well as real life, sadly enough. But that was why I made it extra long! Hope you all enjoy it. Again, I can't promise if I will be doing another story for 5.0 since I don't know what happens in it. But I will give you my answer before the game comes out!)