"Comrades! Your presence here this day signifies the momentous choice that each of you has made. With your strength now pledged to the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, you are beholden to no single nation. You stand as the vanguard for a united Eorzea!"

From their perch on the side, they could see Alphinaud strongly calling out to their new comrades. Azlyn listened intently, staring as the men and woman dressed in a sea of blue stood by attentively waiting.

The young Sharlayan had taken his time speaking for their cause the last three minutes, speaking for their realm and what it meant to be part of this illustrious group. However it was when the young lad had thrust his left fist upward, fist clenched as he confidently smiled.

"From this moment forth, I declare you Crystal Braves! Let us mend the fractured realm, and face our enemies as one!"

This call to action caused his sea of blue in the crowds to applaud and cheer. Over the roar of excitement in the crowd, Alphinaud continued his speech with ease.

"Whether it be the beastmen and their primals, or the conflict in Carteneau, it is plain that the nations of Eorzea cannot solve the problems which plague the realm. Thus does it fall to some few heroic souls to succeed where they have failed! Come! Take your place at the Scions' side as guardians of Eorzea! And together we shall fight for the freedom of all!"

It was here where Azlyn could see them men and women all move as one, mimicking a salute of bringing their right hand clenched in a fist in front of him, just slightly to the right side of their chin. The other arm had been snapped behind the back, also held in a rigid form. It was strong and crisp, leaving a loud clap of callback to Alphinaud.

"For the freedom of all!"

The crowds started to happily chat amongst themselves while Azlyn peered to her friends. "Pretty rousing speech!"

Ozwin leaned back upon both of his palms. "The kid made some good points."

Riol smirked, as he practiced the Crystal Braves salute. "Yer just sour mate."

"He's always sour." Kida joked as she plucked upon her instrument. Many of the people were starting to disperse, seeing as the official statement had finished. Everyone had high expectations for these individuals who wore the blue—even Azlyn had as she watched Alphinaud step down from that stage and start speaking with their new Captain Ilberd.

Moments afterward, Minfillia joined him and saluted with the same pose as the Crystal Braves had. Azlyn could see they were jovially speaking, as the other Scions surrounded them.

"Azlyn, what's your take on this whole thing?" Her cousin leaned over to whisper to her. Her voice seemed low enough to avoid listening ears.

"Hard to tell to be honest." Her tone was unsure. "But I want to believe there is good in the world."

"Well, if it lightens the load on us having to deal with all the realms problems—I don't see it being that bad of a thing." Mjnt leaned forward. It was apparent that even their whispers could be heard by her lupine ears. "Oh, looks like the Scions are looking over here." The woman raised a hand up to wave—which left the pair of Auri to turn as directed.

Azlyn could see Alphinaud and Minfillia both had looked in their direction, before they both smiled and waved. She waved back, before Richiro loudly sneezed.

"Why is it so cold!" The Lalafellin complained loudly.

"Because you're soaking wet." Koroko Koko stood up dusting her robes of any dust from the ground. "Let's remedy this before we have another sick patient to tend for."

N'thuzu Tia stood up, alongside the Lalafells before splitting off from their group to change. Riol also bid his farewells to them, giving the Hyur of their group a resounding clap of palms.

"See yer sorry ass later Nin-Nin."

He smirked. "Keep that arrogance up and we'll see who's sorry as is saving whose."

Kida laughed aloud before strumming a tune together. "What's on the agenda for this lovely afternoon?"

"Hmmm…" Azlyn kicked her feet up and down. "An open book unless we get intel of another Eikon summoning."

"Let's hope we don't have to deal with an Eikon so close to Ramuh's combat of trial." Roll surmised as she brought her bag around. She had brought forth a set of weaving tools before starting a new project.

"The Antecedent is coming over it appears." Ozwin noted before standing up. "I'm going to be out and about—but call if there's something that we have to do." The Hyur gave them all a two-fingered salute off to the side before jumping down and disappearing into the crowds.

All that remained now were the Auri and Mjnt.

"Afternoon!" Kida called out to their newest arrival—the blonde Scion smiled up to them.

"I'm eager to see what the Crystal Braves might accomplish. This shall prove an interesting time indeed for the Scions." Minfillia nodded to them with warm regard.

Azlyn nodded back. "Indeed, how's Alphinaud holding up now that he's become the leader of that group?"

"Yes!" Kida bounced up and down. "How is Crystal Brave Commander Leveilleur holding up!"

"He's commander in title alone—as I attempted to call him before." Minfillia chuckled, bringing a hand to her lips. "He's making sure not to let this new position go to his head, so to speak." It was in this moment when a buzzing of a link shell interrupted them.

Azlyn and her friends tapped theirs, expecting someone to be calling them—however it was Minfillia's voice that carried to her own. "Yes, I'm listening."

A brief moment of silence before Minfillia sadly sighed. She shook her head before speaking aloud. "So our worst fears are confirmed. The entire isle—Such power defies comprehension."

A pang of tightness coursed through the young Au Ra, as she realized the topic at hand. They all went silent as they listened to the conversation. What they assumed would be a continuous and sad tale however flipped as Minfillia's face lit up with an unexpected joy.

"Truly!? Krile is alive! Thank the Twelve!"

Azlyn also jolted up, hopping down from the height of the side they perched upon. She landed with a thump before hurriedly running up to Minfillia's side.

"She's alive?! Where is she? Is she alright? What happened?"

Minfillia nodded, holding her linkpearl open. "Yes, yes Azlyn is here with me. Oh—I see. Pray inform me if her condition changes."

She was glad to hear one of her childhood friends had been found alive—but that following statement did cause her some concern. Azlyn held back her slew of questions, trying to be patient.

"Yes, I shall pass on your words to Urianger." Minfillia nodded. "My thanks Moenbryda—I shall contact you anon."

It was when she revealed their caller that Azlyn widened her eyes. Kida too stopped playing before hopping down next to her.

"That was Moenbryda—How is she?" Kida jumped up and down in excitement. "Azlyn, remember her? She was one of your many Seniors!"

Azlyn sighed at the girl's usage of words. "I do. And I remember Moenbryda pulling me out of some of the schemes we put ourselves into. It's good to know she's doing well, and that Krile is in good hands."

Minfillia sighed in relief before smiling to Azlyn. "It is with relief on my heart and yours I'm sure that we learn our friend has survived. She has still to regain consciousness, but better that than death."

"I agree." Azlyn felt the pressure on her chest releasing. "If Krile was found, it must mean there might be others whom they also found." The girl closed her eyes offering a soft prayer to the Dawn Father. "I pray they are found alive—and that good news continues to come."

Kida slapped her on her back, smiling wide. "Don't you worry! They're a resilient bunch!"

"—right." Azlyn nodded at last. He relief she felt in that moment jumped leaps and bounds as she smiled.

"Was there more information regarding the Isle's disappearance?" Mjnt asked from above. "Anything new that was reported?"

The Antecedent looked up to the Viera. "Putting this happy news to one side, it is true we have new evidence we must needs decipher from the readings collected by the survey party."

"I hope they found out what caused this." Azlyn wanted nothing more than to find the villain and make sure it could never do something of this nature again. And her hunch was squarely upon the Garlean Empire.

"It appears the aetheric disturbance which accompanied the isle's destruction is of a magnitude alarmingly similar to that of Ultima. Could the Ascians be responsible for this devastation as well?"

Roll perked up above them, her hands stopping briefly in the cloth she weaved. "I wouldn't put it past them."

Azlyn clenched her teeth, eyes narrowing. "If it is—well, I'll make sure it won't happen again."

The warriors all murmured in agreement. It was in this moment that Minfillia quietly turned her head to the side, thinking to herself. "I wonder…"

"What's up?" Kida bent to the side to pop into Minfillia's downward gaze.

"Hmm… Azlyn, have you heard aught from the Mothercrystal since the battle with the Garleans?"

This question caught her off guard. "I… I was meaning to speak to you about it—just a lot has happened." Azlyn admitted with a bit of grimace. "I had a strange vision prior to the giant earthquake that rocked the lands after our Era had been declared as over."

Roll blinked. "Right—I remember you starting to tell me about it. You said the Mothercrystal was darkened in your vision?"

"Yeah." Azlyn worriedly bunched up the sides of her shirt. "I know not why, but ever since… she's been silent."

"Then she speaks to neither one of us." Minfillia frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Hydaelyn's silence portends naught but ill, I fear." She sighed once more, before looking upward to the blue skies. "Louisoix, I pray you yet watch over us."

With a foreboding feeling ever growing within them, Minfillia shook her head. "Try as I might, I cannot shake a creeping sense of dark foreboding. But it avails us naught to fret about the unknown. We must concentrate instead on the problems of the present."

"On to the next!" Kida energetically rallied as Azlyn felt conflicting emotions from the last few moments. She felt joy over Krile's discovery, worry for Hydaelyn's silence, and excitement for the fate of the newest group known as the Crystal Braves. All of these emotions and more swirled in her head, and it was hard trying to determine how she truly felt.

It was a pendulum of emotions, swinging back and forth.

"The Primals have been relatively quiet." Roll called from up above.

Minfillia nodded. "The beast tribes who summon them are under consistent surveillance by the Grand Companies, so should any auspicious activity be afoot, you may be certain that we will hear of it."

"And there's not much we can do—given we don't have a means to permanently ensure the beast tribes won't summon their eikons." Azlyn shook her head. "It just means we'll have to wait until the time comes to react."

"I just wish we could be more proactive than reactive." Kida added on. "It'd make life a bit easier to say the least."

"What about the Ascians?" Mjnt asked. "Have aught been found on them of late?"

Azlyn felt a twinge of guilt as she had yet to reveal to them all of her midnight chat with Elidibus. Yet she remained silent as the Antecedent answered smoothly.

"Urianger is wholly dedicated to finding the means by which we may defeat the dark beings. Let us pray for good tidings on that front. But all of this we all knew." Minfillia nodded before gesturing to the dispersing crowd within Revenant's Toll. Many of the blue clad officers had been milling around, already prepared to begin their services to the realm. "Let us speak candidly of more current matters—in particular, the state of the Crystal Braves."

"They're fresh." Kida looked to some who were conversing off in the distance. "And eager."

"Alphinaud did well to found the organization, but ensuring smooth operations is another matter entirely."

Mjnt seemed to catch what it was she was suggesting. "Are you requesting we keep an eye on our fellow Braves to ensure they stay the course?"

Minfillia nodded. "I doubt not that Alphinaud is doing his best, but a helping hand or two would not go astray." She shook her head, looking over to the lad who happily smiled to some of the Archons nearby. They seemed to be having a good chat over yonder. "To that end, I offered to send one of the Archons to assist him—but he declined."

"Ahh—independent and stubborn to a fault." Azlyn understood right away.

"Indeed. And singularly loath to accept help." Minfillia added.

Roll put away from weaving tools to stretch her hands forward. "Well we don't have anything else to do in the interim."

"If we're careful we can avoid hurting Alphinaud's pride, but still help out where we can. Just a bit more… discreetly." Azlyn surmised, he was young but still susceptible to being gullible.

"OOOHHH, a secret mission to help! I'm already on board with this plan!"

"Ozwin would probably be a good resource—given his experience in reconnaissance." Azlyn remembered.

Minfillia chuckled. "I do feel however, that if you were to offer him assistance, he would not deny you. Alphinaud has entrusted you with countless matters of import in the past—and I believe he would not hesitate to accept were you to offer."

Kida snapped her fingers as if their plan of incognito had been dashed.

Azlyn just shrugged before looking to her friends. "Shall we offer our assistance where we can?"

"I should be most grateful if you all would go to him, and support him in whatever manner you are able." Minfillia gave Kida a knowing smile, leaving it an option on the table if they so chose. And with that plan in mind, the Antecedent bid her farewells and started to make her way back to the Rising Stones within the bar. She waved to a few of the Archons, passing them. Thancred broke off from the group, returning inside with her. While Yda and Papalymo waved goodbye to teleport elsewhere.

Alphinaud remained by the stage, as a few Crystal Braves approached him to speak.

Roll hopped down to join them below, and together the four made their way to Alphinaud's side. Azlyn raised a hand in greeting while Kida excitedly burst out to the lad.

"Rousing speech my dude! You sure have your way with words, even bards of eld would fail to reach the peak of your eloquence."

Alphinaud faced them before shaking his head. "While I appreciate the compliment it would do well to avoid needless chatter." He stopped before looking up to Azlyn. "But what is it Azlyn? And do be concise, I am rather busy."

Kida looked ready to say something further, yet had been interrupted by Azlyn who stepped up with a warm smile. While his wording had a bit of… pomposity, she knew it mostly came from the demeanor of the family line itself. His father was very much the same way.

"I wanted to lend a hand to you and your fellow Crystal Braves. We all wanted to in fact."

Alphinaud blinked several times, before his face livened. She could tell he was happy, especially as his eyes seemed to gleam. "You would lend a hand? I see…" He covered his glee filled smile with a hand. "Well—now that you mention it—there is a matter that wants for attention."

"Heh." Roll smirked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

The lad ignored the small laugh, as he started to explain. "Given it's sensitive nature, I was hesitate to entrust it to my Braves, but the demands upon my time are such that I had little choice." He seemed to backtrack then, as he started to defend his new found company afterward. "Which is not to say that my men want for labor! Though we are but newly formed, there is already a great demand for our services. And we are hard-pressed to answer all petitions—but I digress…"

"No problem!" Azlyn assured him, stopping him in his tracks. "It'd be our pleasure to help out! Where shall we go, and whom is it that we need to see?"

"It assures me having such stalwart friends such as yourselves looking into this." Alphinaud at last agreed with a bob of his head. "The fact is, I would much rather look into it myself—but my presence is required elsewhere."

This moment gave Kida the opportunity as she jumped into the conversation. Her impatient tone implied that he was running the conversation in circles. "Come on dude—what's the deets, let's go!"

"Ah—right!" The lad jumped at the sudden tone. "I have entrusted the resolution to my second in command, Captain Ilberd. Please, speak with him and assist him in any way you're able."

Mjnt nodded, before she started to scan the crowds for the man who greeted them already.

Azlyn meanwhile smiled over to the lad. "We'll be on our way. See you later Alphinaud!"

"Bye Alphi!"

The boy shook his head to the nickname Kida lovingly called to him—the one she bestowed during their time together in the coils of Bahamut. It was that nickname that made his sister die of laughter one night until she was crying.

And it stuck with him for a bit with their group.

"…my thanks in advance Azlyn." He was embarrassed, but she remained as stoic as possible.

She gave him a nod of understanding. "Bye!"

They left the lad to his work, and made their way around the adventurers' camp. The lively atmosphere didn't die down, as adventurer and braves both, seemed to celebrate this new beginning.

It took a bit of time before they found the man in question. He had been speaking with a rather large group of Crystal Braves, before sending each off to a task. Mjnt pointed him out at last.

"There."

Azlyn took point of their group, and together they approached the well-tanned Highlander Hyur with smiles. "Captain Ilberd, may we have a bit of your time?"

The man smiled back to them, greeting them. "Hail to you all! How might we serve you?"

"Commander Leveilleur asked us to assist you in your mission." Kida's tone regarding Alphinaud sounded a bit sarcastic, however Azlyn jumped right in.

"Yes, he did bade us to assist you in this endeavor. So we are at your disposal." She bowed to him shortly after.

Taken aback by their responses, he blinked. "Commander Leveilleur bade you serve us?" But that moment of questioning turned into resounding relief as he nodded. "These are welcome tidings indeed. Given the sensitive nature of that task, I could not rely on one of my own."

"So we heard from Alphinaud." Roll nodded.

The captain looked around them, seeing many of the people nearby. Quietly, he gestured to them to follow him to a less populated area—which wound up being outside of the camp entirely—by the shorelines of Silver Lake. The pop of aetheric charges from the gathering clusters surged once in a while, causing a sensation of static in the air.

"I apologize for bringing you this far away from town—but what I'm about to tell you, I tell you in the strictest confidence."

They all nodded. On their way over, they too were keeping a close eye to ensure they weren't not followed. Safe to say, not a soul save for them stood there.

"Some days ago, we received certain documents from an anonymous source. They notified us of the presence of a Garlean agent within the ranks of one of the Grand Companies."

This raised some alarm in most of them—even Mjnt who hardly appeared unfazed.

"Following some discreet inquiries, we identified the suspect among the Immortal Flames whom we detained for questioning."

"Wow." Kida whistled. "You guys work fast."

Captain Ilberd gave her a curt nod. "Alas the man was not our agent. He was but one of many men in the agent's employ. We pressed the traitor for a name, but he had none to give. He claims never to have met his master, whom he knows only as the Ivy. He was certain however that this 'Ivy' had coiled itself around every part of the Immortal Flames. It would seem our quarry joined the company some time ago, and gradually recruited others to his cause."

"The Ivy…" Azlyn murmured with concerned. "It seems Ul'dah has a slew of problems of late."

Roll shook her head. "To be honest, this doesn't strike me as odd. It'd be more shocking if it'd come from Limsa or Gridania's grand companies."

"These conspirators are the vines by which he learns our secrets, all without exposing himself. It won't be easy to identify the Ivy amidst the tangled mass of subterfuge. But we have a tendril in our hands, and we shall follow it all the way to the gnarled root."

"Let's take care of this as quickly and quietly as possible Captain." Azlyn nodded with a firm stare. "The sooner it's taken care of, the better Ul'dah can sleep."

"I agree with your notion, and as such wish to see this come to an end posthaste. Garlemald's war of succession nears its end, and it is feared that the Empire will soon resume its march on Eorzea. When it does, we can ill afford to have traitors in our midst. The Ivy must be rooted out now."

"Shall we head over to the Hall of Flames and apprise General Raubahn of the ill news?" Mjnt suggested. "I feel out of any of the Immortals, he'd be one to trust."

"You can't forget about Koko!" Kida jumped up to tack on.

"Yet Koroko is not that high in the command pool." Roll frowned. "I'd hate for this Ivy to continue unabated. This too affects our friend whom is enlisted as one of their officers."

"Aye." Azlyn sighed. "It'd be best to settle this for Koko as well."

"I am glad we are all on the same page." Captain Ilberd gave them a smile. "I would ask that you all accompany me, and remain on hand to see that things go smoothly. Assuming the Ivy's tendrils are as widespread as we believe, he will be aware that an investigation is underway. And if that is the case, he may well move against us."

"So we should be prepared for anything." Kida punched a fist into her other palm, a daring smirk crossed her lips. "Let's kick this Ivy's ass, ya?"

Ilberd civilly remained cool, while Azlyn turned to their friend. "Remember, we want to do this as discreetly as possible. The less chaos we have, the better I think."

"Boooooo."

Mjnt peered down to their friend offering her own words. "Keep that fiery passion warrior, and channel it to outsmart Ivy. That in itself will be the true strength of our resolve—and we'll kick "Ivy's ass" using their own game against them."

It was then that Kida's eyes lit up. "AH HA! Now that sounds like a party! Alright, let's get this show on the road!"

They all made their arrangements then and there—having Captain Ilbred leave first to Ul'dah by teleportation. They waited a bit before teleporting themselves over pair by pair. By keeping them small groupings, it wouldn't appear suspicious if the Ivy had eyes upon them. Nor would it be odd for each of them to join up at the Hall of Flames. After all, they tended to go there frequently with Koroko.

With this sensitive task at hand, they went to Ul'dah and hoped General Raubahn would have a free ear to lend them.

What should have been long drawn conversation turned into nothing more than a parting of old friends. Azlyn had no idea that General Raubahn and Captain Ilbred were old friends from a time before Ala Mhigo fell. They spoke of each other's accomplishments and embarrassed the warriors of light with their modesty.

Azlyn had to remind them that she too was not so special—while Roll smirked and Kida plucked her harpsichord with mirth.

They spoke of their pasts—Raubahn's had been about his time in the Bloodsands, winning match after match, and becoming rich from his victories. While Captain Ilbred was an adventurer, doing mundane matters to help the people. They spoke well of one another, and that was a true testament of their friendship—even if years of time separated them.

And then the atmosphere intensified once talks began of the traitor. Raubahn picked it up right away, and with his prudence, decided to look into it with his most trusted men. After saying that their meeting was one of old friends gathering together—and the promise of a flagon of ale the next they met—General Raubahn walked away to his Marshall on hand. Eline Roaille quietly moved to his side, and together the pair went off to begin their own quiet investigations within their group.

And then they were let loose for the night—with promises from Ilbred that he would contact them if further could be gathered from his own inquiries, they retired back to their house with much to think about. Many of those free company mates were already asleep by the time they arrived. Ozwin had been out cold on the couch, while N'thuzu had been slouched on one of the armchairs.

Richiro and Koroko were not present, but upon further looking around found them in their respective rooms sleeping.

Everything seemed peaceful for a spell—which felt odd considering all that they knew. Bidding her friends and cousins goodnight, Azlyn went straight to her room, and began chronologically everything that happened. She must have been up for sometime—before her hand cramped leaving a blotch of ink in her journal. She looked to her ink well and noticed that she used up most of the liquid to write up her recent adventures and findings.

"I hope we have what it takes to protect this realm." Azlyn sighed, closing the journal to leave on the desk. "And I hope tomorrow brings us better news to our inquiries."