Summary: After some travelling around to get the materials they needed to refine the crystals for use with the Eight Sentinels that blocked their way, Rhea returns to Saint Coinach's Find and comes face to face with the vexing man who'd played with her on her quest.
Just who in the seven hells does he think he is?
As if traveling across Eorzea twice over for the materials to penetrate the defense barrier of the Crystal Tower wasn't enough, she found herself deep in the Shroud playing racing games with some unknown figure in the wood. The infuriating part was the fact that, in the end, he just gave the aethersand to her! If he was just going to give Rhea the aethersand, why did he not simply do so to begin with?
In the end though, she let the ordeal slide. He claimed he never had an intention of giving up the sand but her prowess and enthusiasm for the hunt impressed him and he wished to see more. It softened her annoyance enough to play to the end of his little game then return to the camp, deeming him less likely a threat and more a playful sprite of a person. Despite it being surprisingly fun to race someone for what was needed, Rammbroes had made it clear time was of the essence and Rhea couldn't agree more.
So it was that Rhea returned to the Son's with the final aethersand they needed for Cid to finish refining the crystal into the proper tools to disband the defenses of the Eight Sentinels.
Just as they were getting ready to set out from the camp and test their crystals on the tower's defenses, a now-familiar voice filled the air. "A compelling viewpoint. It is unyielding wills such as yours that have defined the course of history," the man's voice said in response to Cid addressing Wedge about the importance of keeping technology safe and not using it to further one's own ends.
Immediately Rhea turned to the speaker, eager to put a face to the voice which had taunted her around the Shroud. Upon the top of the scaffolding of the nearest crystal stood a vibrantly red haired miqo'te with an unmistakable neck tattoo of an Archon of Sharlayan combined with a distinctive eye tattoo on his arm that, as Rhea recalled from a talk once with Y'shtola, denoted a member of the Circle of Knowing under Archon Louisoix.
With a flare for the dramatic, the miqo'te flew from the top rungs and landed on his feet - as felines were wont to do - and gave a smug, playful smirk in the direction of Rhea. "Greetings, adventurer! Did I not say we would meet again?" he quipped at her, tail flicking excitedly behind him as he motioned to himself, "I believe an introduction is in order. I am G'raha Tia, one of the Students of Baldesion. I look forward to joining you on your groundbreaking expedition!"
Rhea arched her brow at him but couldn't help the small smile that danced at the corners of her lips. Eccentricities aside, as Rammbroes aptly put it, it seemed this miqo'te would be accompanying them as an observer. He was a Student of Baldesion and thus a close ally in her mind. By the bow on his back, and his playful acrobatics, he certainly seemed like someone who could hold his own. It was just as well. Rhea had no doubt that within the Tower would be dangerous enough without having to keep her eyes on a sproutling.
Without further ado, the group, formally dubbed 'NOAH' by their newest member, ventured forth to the Eight Sentinels, led by G'raha himself. Rhea found it odd that an 'observer' would take point but given Rammbroes was staying back, it made the miqo'te the one with the most experience on this sort of technology. That alone gave her cause to follow, trusting in his expertise to keep them safe until such a time as she needed to step in.
As they approached the creations Cid had described, it didn't take G'raha's comment for Rhea to feel the energy radiating off the statues. It was palpable, to say the least, and did an excellent job of warning those who came that the ground they tread upon was dangerous. Yet Cid, not one to be deterred, went forth to test the first crystal fang upon the defenses.
The air vibrated violently for a moment, the energy attempting to reject the crystal, before suddenly the barrier of the first Sentinel exploded, shattering to the ground along with its statues. Biggs was the next to use a fang, this time on the water-aspected barrier. Following him to the wind barrier was G'raha with his fang. Each fell with a warble before crashing to the ground.
Earth - the final of the Sentinels - was upon them and it was deemed Rhea would be the one to open the final barrier to the great Allagan Crystal Tower. Excitement tingled through her as she reached for the earth-aspected crystal fang and she looked ahead. This was the stuff she loved - a mix of adventure and daring while also revealing a monumental discovery. Like opening a crypt for the first time, with all its secrets and intellectual treasures waiting to be found. It was this moment that Rhea loved most about archeology - that moment when hope and thrill ushered in a whole new world - a world long in the past.
Feeling the cool crystal in her hand, she stepped forward. Taking a deep breath, she looked up to where the tip of the tower disappeared into the clouds. This was it, this was the moment. Something deep within her knew that by opening this gate, nothing would be the same. What they found within would shape nations, carve a new future and change the world whether they wanted it to, or not.
Was the world ready for this?
Taking the crystal, she hovered it before the barrier. Yes, she said to herself then pressed the crystal forward. Once again, like thrice before, the air and energy warbled until finally the last defense shattered, opening the way.
She smiled happily to her comrades, "Shall we, friends?" she asked, her gaze landing on Cid before drifting to Biggs and Wedge and then, finally to G'raha. Every one of them was excited but it was to G'raha and his eagerness that Rhea found herself drawn. It seemed that he, too, shared the same sentiments she did for what they had just done and what was still yet to come.
Good, she thought, that excitement will serve him well.
Rhea couldn't help but laugh, however, when that excitement got the better of him and he veritably screeched at Cid when the engineer recommended Rhea and a handpicked team of adventurers be the first to enter and clear the site of any danger that might be present. "What!? Without us? I thought we came here to survey the entire structure!" he exclaimed to Cid.
For being an observer, Rhea couldn't help but notice and admire his adventuring spirit. How he'd spent this long simply observing rather perplexed her from what she'd seen of the man. Still, as endearing as his eagerness to delve into the Allagan depths was, she agreed with Cid. If the defense outside were this exacting, one could only imagine what lay within waiting for them.
Thankfully, Rhea knew just the people she wanted to enlist in the endeavor and while Cid explained to G'raha what they'd be doing while she was inside, Rhea stepped away and made a call on her linkshell. The perks of being the savior of Eorzea meant, when she was in need, she had ample resources to call upon.
"Don't worry, G'raha..." she said as she came off her linkshell, "We'll have that place cleared out before you can hack up a furball," she added with a laugh and playful wink to him, "You'll be able to observe all that place has to offer before you know it."
A grumble and a sulk was her answer and it only made her giggle more as he cleared his throat, putting on authoritative airs, "Ahem. Rhea - as it seems I won't be accompanying you, allow me at least to provide some instruction. The maze that surrounds the base of the tower is known as the 'Labyrinth of the Ancients'. During this initial foray, I suggest you concentrate on ridding the place of hostile elements. When you are reasonably certain the maze is secure, contact me via linkshell and we shall join you posthaste - no matter what Master Garlond says! Though we would prefer it if any relics you encounter remained intact, you have leave to do whatever is necessary to secure ingress to the upper levels of the tower. Fortune go with you, Rhea."
Rhea smiled and nodded, then looked up at the tower, amusement still in her features. Soon those she called for would come and then it would be time. To be the first to step foot into such a discovery after eons buried and the chance to get a little exercise while she was at it? She was beginning to think this time of 'rest' and relaxation couldn't get any better.