"It is good to see you all hale and healthy. Welcome to the Lotus Stand." The Silent Conjurer who stood at the entrance welcomed them, before guiding them back behind the Stillfane Glade. It didn't appear that trouble was afoot, but when they rounded the corner, they found themselves being welcomed by an unusual sight.
The Elder Seedseer's usual spot located in the heart of Old Gridania's quiet pond had been filled with all sorts of individuals.
The Scions were present, alongside some of the Serpent commanders and guards who protected the Elder Seedseer—there were of course their own entourage, the warriors of light, as dubbed by most Eorzean's. And there happened to be a little representative from Little Solace speaking amicably with Yda and Papalymo.
All in all, it seemed that everyone had now been present. Kan-E-Senna adjourned to begin their talks.
"Scions of the Seventh Dawn, on behalf of the people of Gridania, I bid you welcome. Your presence is of greatest comfort to us all in these days of uncertainty." She gently tapped her staff upon the Lotus stand's ground, where a soft tink echoed in the air. The voices of all quieted as she smiled. "I summoned you here to share tidings of a most urgent nature. But a short while ago, the great elemental spoke, and his voice was clarion in its intensity: Ramuh is returned unto the forest. Scarce had his words ceased to echo in mine ears when we were visited by an emissary from Little Solace."
The Little Solace emissary flew over and danced their greeting to their group. "These ones have indeed sensed the presence of these one's deity, of these ones Lord of Levin." They tapped their small cheek before nodding. "These one's deity may yet be not found, but these ones can guess Lord of Levin must be summoned within the heart of the Sylphlands. That much these ones are aware of."
Kan-E-Senna nodded. "Unlike the other primals you have encountered, Lord Ramuh is no raging avatar of destruction. He is revered as much for his wisdom as his strength, serving as both arbiter and guardian to his children. Given that we and the sylphs found a way to share the Twelveswood, it is my hope that this sagely immortal will be amenable to reason, and that conflict may be avoided."
Azlyn looked between her friends, seeing them consider a peaceful means of dealing with a primal rather than fighting one. After all, they just vanquished Leviathan just the day before. Another one this quickly would tax them all further.
"If peace can be achieved, it would be something I'd greatly wish for myself." Roll answered, a small nod. "The Twelveswood and their spirits seem to be in consensus upon this notion."
Ozwin shook his head. "I guess our linguist will have to step up as negotiator."
"EH?" Azlyn snapped her head around. "Just because I—oh fine—I too wish for a peaceful negotiation to occur. That has always been the goal after all." She smiled to the Elder Seedseer who nodded to their answer.
"You have my thanks." The Elder Seedseer smiled, bringing her staff into her. She smiled with warm delight. "Blessed as you are in the power of the Echo, you eight are the few among us who may commune with a primal without fear of influence. I would ask no other person to represent us in this most delicate of negotiations."
They agreed, each with a firm bob of their head. What once had been a tense meeting soon relaxed upon their agreement. The relief of the Commanders, as well as the Emissary of Little Solace happily gave their silent blessings to them.
"The Twelveswood has suffered enough. Upon this, we and the sylphs—and I would venture Lord Ramuh himself—are in perfect accord. Let us not endanger our shared home by engaging in unnecessary violence."
Mjnt lightly elbowed Kida playfully, as the Xaela smirked deviously.
"And so, I beseech you, our warriors of light, to safeguard the peace which exists between our peoples. We are most grateful for your presence and assistance in this matter of need. Pray, if you require further assistance, please speak with any of my officers. They will be happy to oblige."
The commander saluted to them. "It would be our honor to assist in anyway we can. We shall set up a command station nearby Little Solace. The Order of Twin Adder shall await you there."
"Understood!" Richiro saluted happily to their commanding officer, as did Roll and Kida. Azlyn followed suit, smiling up to their commander.
Their meeting seemed to be adjourned, as everyone slowly trickled away to set up their preparations. The Scions—Thancred, Y'shtola, Papalymo, and Yda—waved to them before running off to Little Solace. The commanding officers present started to return back to Gridania and issue their commands for the future operation.
Azlyn was one of the last people to leave, as Kan-E-Senna abruptly turned to the North. Her face contorted in concern as she spoke clear. "An ill wind blows through the forest. Yet it is not only the Twelveswood that flinches at its coming—all the lands of Eorzea shiver in dread anticipation."
There was a silence between the few of Azlyn's group and the Seedseer. The woman turned to them still concerned. "Have care."
N'thuzu Tia stepped forward, bowing to her. "We shall. We always will, and shall continue to do so."
"You heard the warrior, we're good!" Kida smirked, snapping her thumb up. "Whatever crap comes our way, we'll tackle it together!"
Azlyn formally bowed. "We shall take our leave Elder Seedseer. Thank you."
With the meeting finished, and the ill words spoken at the end delivered, they soon exited the Lotus Stand and returned back to Old Gridania by the conjurer's guild entrance. They could see the other Scions had waited for them.
"Pray, do you have any need for supplies before we leave?" Y'shtola crossed her arms looking to their group. "Best do it now that we're in the City-State proper."
Ozwin cracked his knuckles. "Roll fixed and repaired our equipment from our fight yesterday."
"It wouldn't hurt to get some more potions." Koroko Koko pondered.
"I have some extras." Roll pulled out a small bag that contained several vials full of blue, shiny liquid. They were protected in their individual pouches.
"I meant the ones for Azlyn." The black mage looked behind her to the young Au Ra who blinked at the sudden stares her way.
"I feel fine."
"She always says that and then she collapses." Ozwin rolled his eyes.
Thancred smirked before pulling out a small pouch from his own inventory. "Never fear, Urianger impressed upon me to carry two on my persons for such an occasion."
"I also have two in reserve." Y'shtola plucked from her back satchel two secured vials.
"We each have one!" Yda cheered, and Papalymo nodded.
"Minfillia and Tataru also have two on their persons in case we are not at the Rising Stones."
Azlyn widened her eyes, staring at each one with a bit of worry. "Did you guys just get a bulk order from the alchemist's guild or what?"
Thancred smirked. "Urianger informed me that you were sick recently and this tonic helped whatever ails your loss of aether, so I decided to ask the Guildmaster himself to fashion us a months worth to store."
Roll chuckled, with a shake of her head. "Guildmaster Severian probably passed that along to his assistants." She quoted. "He's been too obsessed with his idea to raise the dead. But he's supposedly close from last we spoke."
"You're familiar with him?" Koroko Koko smiled. "He's quite an unusual fellow, but he alongside his alchemists mean well."
"I've done a few projects for him. He's peculiar."
Y'shtola looked to the pair who were the ones in charge of watching over the Twelveswood. "I've been meaning to ask this, but how is it that you two didn't notice the sylphs preparing for a summoning? Wouldn't this be something to report to Minfillia?"
"We did." Both Yda and Papalymo shrugged, it seemed obvious that it would have happened again at some point. The practicing monk raised her hands behind her head to cup them together. "I reported it to Papalymo… but didn't report it further to Minfillia. There was no stopping it, so it became a wait and see."
"Tis bound to happen when the refugees began to flood in from all sorts. The sylphs didn't really like that, and to be honest, it was fairly obvious." Yda looked down to Papalymo who nodded.
"The sylphs must have assumed it was another invasion, given their first experiences after the Calamity when the Garleans set foot into their domains. Summoning their deity ensures them peace of mind." The Lalafellin caster nodded his head once more to Y'shtola who sighed.
"Given what we know happened with Titan and Leviathan, it stands to reason men are once again a main perpetrator in these chaotic events. T'would be nice however if the Lord of Levin can be negotiated with."
Richiro Wichiro tapped his chin. "Has Ramuh been summoned before?"
Ozwin bobbed his head. "Right after the Calamity. Not sure what happened though. I was rogue in Limsa at the time."
Kida chuckled. "Well there's something you don't hear everyday—something Ozwin didn't experience."
"We should head over to Little Solace. Time is—as always—of the essence." Mjnt interjected. "The day will only grow dimmer if we remain as we are."
"To the docks!" Kida cheered, and both her and Yda jumped to lead their charge. Everyone else paired into groups of two to three chatting quietly amongst themselves while they walked through Old Gridania's pathways. It wasn't long before they were charted across the grand river to Sweetbloom pier, and into the East Shroud.
They had to split the large groups in two, ferrying two ships across rather than taking one. By the time they reached Little Solace past the Hawthorne Hut, it was close to mid evening—the sun already beginning its' descent.
Like promised there was a stationed officer from the Order of Twin Adder present, alongside a small campsite to which operations were to be started. Many of the slyphs were floating nearby, curious and intrigued by their new guests.
After a small briefing and introduction with the Serpent Lieutenant, their groups were designated to start their investigations into the Sylphlands. They, of course, were warned of the tempered sylph's and their unusual antics. After a few words with their Elder Sylph, they were given smoke bombs that would help deter any tempered sylphs from causing mischief.
When they first crossed into the threshold of the Sylphlands, they were assailed with a change of colors and atmosphere. The trees and bushes were purplish in color, as if charged with lightning aspected aether. There were monsters that roamed free within these areas, from giant vines monstrosities that spat out clouds of noxious gases from its gaping long, toothed maw to giant trees and gnats threatening them if they got too close.
And the promised mischief did indeed occur—as copies and clones of themselves started to come out from around the Sylphlands as they approached. Given their quantity of bombs, they made short work of the duplicate spell casting sylphs, sending them back into the woods with promises of pains and sorrows in the morrow.
Their groups dealt with the threats quickly before reconvening at some giant, glowing mushrooms.
Papalymo pulled out his sharlayan goggles, looking at the forest all over. "My measurements indicate a large aetherical disturbance to the southwest of here."
Kida wiped off some leftover smoke from being blasted by some of the smoke bombs from prior. "Thanks to the antics of the sylphs, we've been dragged to every corner of the Sylphlands."
The Lalafellin Scion nodded. "Indeed, but none of our various readings have resulted in something of this magnitude. There can be only one conclusion."
Richiro's voice interjected from behind N'thuzu Tia. "Ramuh might be in that vicinity!"
Roll hummed, "It could be close to the sylphs' aetheryte then. I remember it being in that general direction."
Kida smirked to Roll. "How'd you know that?"
"I fish in an area pond, and the Elder sylph gave me invisible powder to come and go as I please. It's nice to fish in peace without the sylphs causing me troubles."
Yda bounced at the thought of finding the primal with relative ease. "Let's get a move on then!"
"The Lord of Levin awaits!" They soon rallied afterwards, and moved southwest to follow the large scale aetheric readings. They ran past more of the monsters that lived within these forests, and avoided the patrolling sylphs that roamed. By the time they reached an overarching gate leading to the southwest did they see groups and groups of gathered tempered sylphs. Their colors were different compared to the usually calm and bright sylphs residing in Little Solace. Almost in contrast, their usual greenish yellow hue had been overtaken and altered to a purplish in nature.
It was then they noticed their large group approaching, but instead of attacking them as their brethren had earlier, these groupings all but fled. They ran beyond the giant aetheryte decorated in leaves of the Twelveswood, and charged with sylphic power.
A moment passed before the darkened interior of the forest darkened—as flashes of lightning and thunder rumbled all around. Azlyn stepped forward, looking all around. Everyone looked up and down, left and right before a resounding boom of a elder's voice penetrated the air.
"Thine aura betrays thee, servants of Hydaelyn."
Azlyn blinked, and then watched as a giant bolt of lightning struck the grounds in front of them. The power behind the strike sent all of them back a few steps, covering their eyes as the blinding light overtook what had been a darkened forest.
As the light finally dispersed they were given a few moments to re-adjust as a floating, giant elder primal beheld them. He looked older in age, his beard had overcompassed much of his front, flowing with lightning aspected energy. He held a giant staff, also charged with lightning aspected energy.
The Scions stood still, their eyes transfixed upon the primal that stood towers above them. The only ones unfazed at the size and magnitude had been Azlyn's group, as they stared up awaiting Ramuh's next words.
"Thou art the Bringers of Light—bane of Ifrit, Titan, Garuda, and Leviathan." He spoke with a booming voice, as it echoed down through the throngs of trees. "I am Ramuh, guardian of the children of the forest. Thou tramplest upon sacred soil, Bringers of Light. By what right doth man intrude in this sanctuary of the sylphs?"
Azlyn felt a hand—most assuredly Ozwin's—as she was pushed forth to be their speaker. She looked over her shoulder to see them all give her a thumbs up. After a quiet exhale, she turned back to Ramuh and bowed formally.
"Greetings Lord Ramuh—I am Azlyn, a traveler with friends amongst us wanting to open into talks of peace. The Gridanians wish for us to have no hostilities, and hope we can share and protect the Twelveswood together."
The Primal took her words for a moment, before returning back a biting retort. "The Gridanians proffer peace? Their words are born of delusion—thine offer, an insult."
Azlyn's eyes widened. "I apologize if I offended you with my careless words sir, however we seek only to maintain harmony. We wish no harm to your children whom call this forest their home. The Gridanians also wish the same." She could see the tempered sylphs, the gather groups from before come back slowly. They floated anxiously behind their lord as they awaited his word.
"Thou speakest of harmony, yet carest naught for my children's desires. They did but wish to dwell beneath these boughs in solitude—yet even that was too much to ask of man."
"He speaks of the fleeing refugees." Mjnt spoke behind her. "Man, especially ones in ignorance, walk in areas of which they have no idea."
"Is there aught we can do to request these refugees leave? Can we even find all those who trespassed in these lands?"
Ozwin frowned, crossing his arms. "Are you gonna bar or find ways to make it difficult for any man to come into the forest then Richi? We also have the Castrum with imperials nearby as well."
Ramuh ignored their idle chatter, choosing instead to raise his voice. This caused a dispirited quiet to come over their party. "Thus did my children turn to me for succor. The sentence I pronounce upon thy kind is just. Gridanian or Garlean, it matters not. The good intent of one excuseth not the misdeeds of the other. Thy conflicts have brought naught but anguish and misery unto the forest. All blame doth lie with the darkness that resideth in the breast of men." The primal looked upward to the sky, past the towering tree lines. "Whence sprung the calamitous seed? In the beginning, no such duality existed. Were light and dark given form when man was born?" He shook his head, looking back to Azlyn as she was their spokesperson. "It would explain much. Not least why strife and sorrow follow ever in thy wake. Thou canst not deny the urgings of thine own nature."
She grimaced, bringing up a hand to her chest and closed her eyes. She thought of those incidences following her throughout her journey through Eorzea. Wherever she went, death and destruction too followed.
"Knowing that thy mere presence here pretendeth tragedy, wilt thou persist in this pretense of peacemaking?" Ramuh lifted up his staff, as he stared down to Azlyn. She, in turn, opened her eyes and met his gaze with her own resolute one.
She nodded. "I do." A bright light shimmered from her chest, which drew not only her attention, but everyone else's as well. What materialized in her hand had been the purple crystal she received from the Elder Sylph from Little Solace—the one that she got after defeating Lahabrea's mutated poisonous contraption with the Toto-Rak dungeon.
Lifting up her crystal, she maintained her resolve. "I wish to make peace. I know ones good intentions can not excuse another's misdeeds—but I wish to believe in the heart of man—that they too have goodness within them. I want to believe in that hope."
Ramuh considered her words, and looked to her crystal that she presented in her open palm. After a moment, he calmly spoke—his thunderous tone gone for the time being. "Thou bearest the crystal which I bestowed upon my wayward charges. That they should entrust so precious a gift to thee…Thou standest apart from thy kin. Thou art the Bringer of Light, aye—but there is something more in thee…" He slowly nodded, regarding her with peculiar interest. "Very well—I shall consider thy proposal… shouldst thou survive my trial."
"T-Trial?" Azlyn gasped, more in shock that he would consider their words—it sounded as if he were angry from the get go, but now things were different.
"If thou wouldst champion the cause of harmony, I must have proof that thou art fit to play the role. Weather mine ire, and prove to me thereby that thou hast strength enough to stay the Darkness which threateneth to consume thee. Yet if thou shouldst be found wanting, know that all men shall perish in the storm of my judgment!"
His staff surged with a power of lightning, coursing through his staff, he lifted it up and too the aetheryte. The power of the energy shifted into the crystal before it opened up a path for them to take. He disappeared after opening the way, but his voice echoed behind.
"Come to me, Bringer of Light. I shall await thee on the field of battle!"
Azlyn returned to the group, stowing the crystal back to her… seeing it return within her chest once more. She didn't get dizzy like before when she accepted a crystal, but everyone watched her closely.
"Nice—at least we have a slight chance to end this peacefully…" N'thuzu Tia celebrated the only good thing that happened. "At least he didn't electrocute us from the get go."
Ozwin chuckled to him. "Yeah, but it comes down to fighting in the end."
Their bard jumped for joy. "I'm so pumped let's gooooo!"
Roll walked over to Kida with a slight smile. "Here, I have some special arrows for you to use. Make good use of these."
"Woah, these are heavier than usual Roll—are these?!"
Y'shtola looked behind her and of their group before announcing aloud their new guest. "Ah, Urianger—it is rare indeed to find you so far from a tome."
Their group stopped mid preparation to see the Elezen bookkeeper appear before them. He turned off his readings from the goggles before joining them. "The Lord of Levin himself. Never till this day had I looked upon his visage save in painted renderings, made faint by time. Ever shall this scene remain etched in my mind's eyes—ahem…" He cleared his throat. "Beg pardon, my lady."
He took off his Sharlayan goggles that read the energies and held them out in his hand. Slowly, he walked over to Richiro and knelt to hand them the pair. "I must beg thine aid on a point of research. If thou art resolved to face Lord Ramuh, I would ask thy leave to observe the event."
Richiro's arms went up in shock, before their group chuckled.
"Yeah, we can do that for you Urianger. It should not present any trouble." Azlyn smiled, and ushered Richiro to take the proffered pair. Reluctantly their healer did, and shifted the pair upon his head. His blonde hair became ruffled after he placed them upon his head.
"If everyone is ready, I think it'd be best to complete his combat trial." Mjnt smiled. "Azlyn, would you care to lead us?"
The Au Ra nodded, walking over to the presented aetheryte that would send them over to Ramuh's battleground of choice. She reached out a hand, seeing all of her friends starting to do the same. Azlyn looked over her shoulder to their Scion friends who worriedly looked over them.
Waving with her other hand, she smiled. "Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it!"
They all teleported at the same time, being taken to a different area entirely within the Twelveswood. The air held static, buzzing in their ears. Azlyn shook her head, looking up and around the arena. Standing on the platform surrounding a ring of water had been Ramuh awaiting them. He floated above, looking to them as they trudged into the area. There stood a giant tree behind him, its arching branches carried up and up—continuing its trail up to the sky.
"Thou art brave, Bringer of Light. Yet bravery alone shall not convince me of thy worth!" Ramuh raised his staff high in the sky as the lighting struck hard upon the ground in front of them. Together they drew their weapons and jumped right in combat.
"This is like anything else! Let's kick his ass!" Kida shouted over the roar, and Azlyn summoned her Ifrit-egi to her side.
Ozwin and N'thuzu ran to take the main attacks from the lord, cleaving and slashing as they went. Mjnt took one side upon the platform, jabbing with her lance to help their offenses. Roll, Richiro, and Koroko stood side by side, not touching the water as they began their torrents of spell casting.
Kida played her songs, giving them boosts throughout their fight.
There were times when the lightning struck the grounds—causing their groups to scattered or get shocked. It was fairly easy to tell when the lightning would come down, as they watched when Ramuh summoned the strikes with his staff.
"Prove thy words are more than empty banter!" He roared, and summoned around him smaller versions of himself around the platform. They floated above the water, as tethers formed between them and Ramuh. He seemed to be charging a large scale attack.
"Get rid of the small fries!" Ozwin charged at one behind him, seeing his attacks start to do nothing. "Their shielding him from our attacks!"
Koroko Koko dropped a blazing ball of fire upon one, seeing it return to the aether shortly after. She turned her attention to the next one beside that. Everyone took out one or two, depending on their close proximity to one—and watched as the skies darkened—the thunder roared loudly overhead.
Roll shouted. "Get together and get down! Kida shoot that arrow I gave you!"
Kida reached back, grabbing a heavier looking arrow mixed into her quiver. Her hands shook as she lifted up the bow, almost as if it were too heavy. They all gathered, dropping to their knees and watched when Kida shouted.
"Take this you giant!"
In anticipation they watched the arrow release, seeing it sail up, up, up—and continued upward over Ramuh's head. Everyone watched in horror noticing that Kida had miffed her shot.
"KIDA! HE'S FREAKING 20 FEET TALL! HOW COULD YOU MISS HIM!" Ozwin yelled, more in shock than anger. Only for a brilliant light to strike upward overhead. The giant roared over them.
"I pronounce thy sentence! By the radiance of eld be thee judged!" Ramuh's words boomed, as a giant lightning bolt struck overhead—and struck downward unto him. The metal arrow that had soared above him called his strike of lightning upon him, and caused the aether to influx greatly. He roared as he soon was hit by metal shards of infused lightning rained down upon him.
Their group watched in abject intrigue, confusion, and excitement seeing that they beat Ramuh using… what seemed to be a quick fight. It wasn't that he was easy by any means, but they just got lucky.
Kida rubbed her nose, posing excitedly. "Metal attracts lightning, and when it's higher, it's going to be struck first. And what comes up, must come down, take that bitch!"
They watched as Ramuh dispersed into aether. Their huddled group stood back up to look over to Kida who triumphantly started to play on her harpsichord.
"I have taken thy measure, Bringers of Light."
Everyone jumped at his words, turned on their feet to see an aetherically charged orb appear. It was in that orb that they recognized Ramuh present.
"And I judge thee a worthy champion. The task of excising the sin that hath taken root in man's heart is thine."
Kida stopped her playing. "You're still passing us despite our tactic?"
"That which thee knew, and that which thee used is proof of thine strength. Using thou enemies strength against themselves is in itself a strength of intelligence in itself. Shrink not from employing thy strength in service to the forest, and the wider realm beyond. Like hungering shadows do the enemies of harmony gather, and meekness will but feed them. If man is to be delivered from the Dark, it shall be by thy guiding Light alone. Stray not from the path, for if thou dost, thy people shall be truly lost…"
Azlyn nodded, her eyes steeled. "I will do so."
They all stood, watching as the aether shimmered and shined—before finally dispersing once and for all. A moment of silence ensued, and the eight of them looked between one another. Ozwin cleared his throat, putting his hands upon his hips.
"So I might owe Kida an apology—sorry. Thought you biffed when you fired."
Kida laughed, stringing her chords together with ease. "To be honest, I did miss. The arrow was too heavy to fire, so I overcompensated."
"Damnit give me back my apology!" Ozwin retorted afterward.
Mjnt chuckled, looking down to Richiro who studied the goggles that were handed to him. "Did you get the readings Urianger required?"
The little Lalafellin nodded, "I believe I did."
"Thee hath indeed giveth me the required readings I needed. Tis unfortunate that the Lord of Levin was slain—a regrettable act, but a necessary one." Everyone jumped as they saw Urianger appear from behind a set of bushes. It appeared he chose to come along and see for himself this combat by trial. Albeit hiding in the background unawares.
N'thuzu Tia relaxed, sheathing his axe behind his back. "Decided not to wait below with the others?"
The Elezen nodded to his question, and turned to Azlyn. "In witnessing thy struggles, a truth hath been revealed unto me. If I mistake not, it may yet prove a chink in the eternal armor of the Ascians."
Roll smiled in relief. "Good, if this helped in the long run, then that's all that matters." She nudged her cousin beside her. "Isn't that right?"
Azlyn bobbed her head in agreement. "Yes—the more information we can gather, the better we can fight against them—and stop whatever devious means they wish to achieve."
"Let us conclude our present business." Urianger noted to them. "I shall expound upon my findings at the Rising Stones anon."
"So we'll reconvene there?" Kida plucked her chords without rest.
The Scion nodded in answer.
"We should report to the Elder Seedseer of what has transpired first." Richiro perked up from behind their group. He held up the goggles that gathered all the aetheric readings up close to Ramuh. "Oh, here's your goggles Urianger!"
He took back his goggled with a rare smile gracing his lips. The hooded bookkeeper bowed to them all before making his way back through the aetherial portal that Ramuh had presented to them.
Together they teleported back to the Sylphlands below, appearing right by the beastman's aetheryte. The tempered sylphs remained nearby, however they kept their distance as they watched all of them, both the warriors who slain their deity and the Scions walk away without further discourse. The walk out of the forests had been one of quiet, as everyone thought to the most recent of events.
It was in Little Solace that the Scions decided to head back to Mor Dhona. They bid their goodbyes and stated they would see them anon for Urianger's presentation of his findings. All that they needed to do now was to head to Gridania and report to the Elder Seedseer.
To save themselves some time—they opted to teleport directly to New Gridania, where they would use the aetheryte system to bring themselves to Nophica's Altar where the entrance to the Lotus Stand awaited behind the boughs of the Stillfane Glade.
Their entire time away from last they spoke with the Elder Seedseer had been a few hours at best, but when they arrived, they received a grand welcome. The woman in white turned to them when they were guided in, and smiled warmly to them.
"You all are returned to us, dear friends, and none the worse for bearing the heavy burden which I did press upon you. Most glad am I of this." She gave them a slight bow in respect. Azlyn lifted her hands up to let the Elder Seedseer that there was no need for such displays of gratitude, however Kan-E-Senna spoke to them seriously. "I am informed that your efforts to negotiate a peace with Lord Ramuh ended in conflict. Pray, tell me what befell?"
Kida smirked, "Ramuh requested a trial by combat!"
Kan-E-Senna blinked in surprise. "Ramuh made trial for you?"
Ozwin rolled his eyes, looking to Azlyn for better explanation. "Probably should start at the beginning of that."
Azlyn jumped right into it. "We spoke of the Gridanian's wishes to live peacefully alongside the sylphs—and that you all wish nothing more than to protect the Twelveswood."
Richiro popped in with excitement in his voice. "Yeah! But then Lord Ramuh stated that the hearts of men hold darkness and that men have always ignored the wishes of his children! Azlyn persisted in her negotiations with him afterwards!"
"I don't think my words helped in his reconsideration, however it was the Crystal of Light I obtained from his children that live within Little Solace. It was this crystal that gave us an opportunity to speak of harmony." Azlyn crossed her arms over her chest thinking back. "That was when he requested us to prove ourselves against his trial. And as Kida's stated, it had been a Trial of Combat."
Roll nodded, "We won."
"And not too frayed from the lightning." Koroko Koko replied with a hearty chuckle. "Ramuh acknowledged our strengths and decided to leave it up to us to protect the harmonies between us, the Gridanians, and the sylphs."
"But we still need to be concerned about the influx of refugees." N'thuzu Tia offered. "If they continue to flood into the Twelveswood as they do—I can see the sylphs re-summoning the Lord to protect them. I doubt he'd be keen to us coming back with another parley after that."
With all of their accounts spoken for, Kan-E-Senna raised a hand to her chest—taking all their words to heart. "I fear there is truth to his claim. It is the darkness within us that attracts the Darkness without." She turned to face the skies, the darkening of the evening apparent with the shining stars twinkling between the tree line. "It cannot be denied that misfortune follows man. For evidence, one need only look to the conflict brewing in Carteneau, or to the rising flood of refugees. Our shared struggle against the Empire should have served to seal our union, yet the ties which bind the Alliance strain under the weight of gross self interest."
This was something they all could see, especially in the city state proper of Ul'dah. The Royalists and the Monetarists such as Lord Lolorito or Lord Teledji Adeledji worked only for their gains.
It raised great concerns for them as the recent demonstrations for peace turned into a revolt.
Mjnt pondered aloud to the whole group. "As the scars of the calamity fade away, so too does the sense of common purpose."
The Elder Seedseer agreed. "Yet now is scarce the time to forget our shared responsibility. If this new-sprung realm is to survive beyond its infancy, it must needs be nurtured by all."
Richiro exuberantly bobbed his head, speaking out proudly. "I promise to do the best I can to ensure the sanctity of this new found realm!"
"That goes without saying." Ozwin replied, looking over to the rest of their group. "Who wants to be trampled underfoot by those with malicious intents? Not I."
To this, they all were in agreement.
"Eorzea must be as one." Kan-E-Senna spoke firmly with a shake of her head. "Yet I fear that dream is still far off." With a pregnant pause, she gave a silent sigh before returning to their previous conversation. "On behalf of the people of Gridania, and the elementals both, I thank you for all that you and your fellow Scions have done. Full oft have I been compelled to look to you for aid of late—and offered all too little in return. As leader of this nation, I shall endeavor to prove a more worthy ally to your cause henceforth."
Azlyn bowed to her with poise. "Thank you Elder Seedseer for your time—and we shall ever endeavor to be the hope the people wish for in the coming of days. We shall take our leave."
Those in their group who were within the Order of Twin Adder saluted to her at their goodbyes, while the others gave a wave goodbye. There meeting and the coming of Lord Ramuh had been short and sweet. But something in the air didn't seem like all was right in the world.
Leaving with a slight sour taste in her throat, Azlyn waited for the others to teleport back to Mor Dhona before activating her own. For now, this case of a primal summoning had been solved. Now they needed to know what readings Urianger collected and how it ties into the Ascian's immortal forms.