Summary: A traitorous ivy creeps its way through the Immortal Flames, Garlemald awakens once more and a Primal in the mountains of Coerthas awakens to threaten the Warrior of Light's homeland. Rhea risks everything, even being lost to the Lifestream, to stop Iceheart and her summoning of Saint Shiva.
The War of Succession had concluded in Garlemald and it was none other than Solus zos Galvus' grandson, and High Legatus of the Garlean Military, Varis yae Galvus who ascended the throne. Known for his support of the annexation of Eorzea, rather than its destruction like Emperor Solus before him, his ascension put the leaders of Eorzea into a state of great alarm.
Garlemald would resume its hostilities ere long, this much was certain.
The Alliance began its preparations but with the Garlean spy at large within the Flames, any preparations they did would be leaked to the enemy. Thankfully, the investigation was going exceedingly well and by the time the meeting with the leaders of the Alliance was over, Ilberd had unveiled the spy. The Ivy had been none other than Eline Roaille, Raubhan's second-in-command and right-hand woman.
By another mercy, she was in Gridania at the same time they were. Undoubtedly there on Garlean business, Ilberd and Rhea tracked her. Though she tried to give them the slip, thanks to one of the Doman shinobi, they were able to catch her trail once more. The trail led right into their hands as she was caught red handed giving intel to an imperial intermediary. Mercifully, she did not put up a fight and was taken into custody. A job well done and Rhea felt relief that it had been handled so astutely. She liked Ilberd and he seemed to have a solid head on his shoulders for helping to run the Crystal Braves. Besides, Raubahn liked him and if that man liked him, that was a glowing recommendation for him in Rhea's eyes. She was happy to work at his side.
Returning to the Rising Stones in Mor Dhona, they were greeted with even more good news. It seemed that, with a lot of mental elbow grease and a nice chunk of white auracite, a solution was found to the aetheryte problem in Coerthas and tracking down Iceheart before she summoned Shiva. The scholar from Sharlayan, Moenbryda, was proving invaluable to the process.
However, there were risks - rather big ones, such as death. Still, Iceheart had to be stopped, and soon, before Shiva was summoned. A primal spelled not only ill for Ishgard and its fight against the Dravanians and heretics, but also for Eorzea at large. While some might be amenable, such as Ramuh, a primal was a primal - and a primal was a drain on the land. They could not be suffered to exist, no matter the reasons to the contrary.
Heading once more to Coerthas, Rhea readied herself for the fight ahead. Fighting a primal was never easy when the sheer amount of crystals the heretics stole were in play. As soon as they arrived in the snowy highlands, they made straight for Snowcloak and the aetheryte within the heretic's hideout. As soon as the aetheryte surged to life with the connection, and Moenbryda's theory was proven true, they withdrew to prepare for the battle. However, before Rhea departed, she was informed Ser Aymeric had left word for her and she sought the knight who held the message. She listened as he read it aloud.
"Ishgard faces an unprecedented threat - yet in our hour of need, it is not her knights who stand poised to defend her. Lady Rhea de Baphineaux, the Warrior of Light, savior of Eorzea ─ your deeds this day shall not be forgotten. Where others would flee, you choose to remain. Where others would falter, you rise to the challenge. Where others would use their gifts for selfish ends, you wield yours in service to a greater cause. May Halone bless you with good fortune and see you safely home."
Rhea listened to the letter with a soft smile. Though it was a very formal letter, and a politically correct one at that, the sentiment was not lost upon her and she hoped that this letter showed a door open to a future of possibilities - a future of a more cooperative, open Ishgard.
It also seemed that the good Lord Commander knew of her true identity. The fact he chose not to speak on it prior to this spoke of the respect he had for her. She wasn't even upset at the address in the letter. Even if others saw what was meant for her, it no longer mattered. She had no doubts by now that the city was fair bustling with all the people who not only knew one of their own was the Warrior of Light, but lauded it over others. She also had no doubt her mother was using that fact at every opportunity she had to elevate the House and manipulate society to her benefit.
Taking a breath, she steeled herself for the fight ahead. Politics, family - all of it was a distraction at that moment and she needed all the focus she could get. Heading to the aetheryte, she bid farewell to her fellow Scions and then, doing as Moenbryda instructed, closed her eyes and focused on the current. As she felt herself being pulled into the lifestream, she spoke a prayer to the heavens: "Halone, grant me the strength to smite mine enemy. Mother Hydaelyn, please Light the way through the Darkness."
When she opened her eyes, she was in a frozen over arena and Iceheart was kneeling in the middle. Ysayle turned and looked at Rhea, "You should never have come here, Warrior of Light. I labor only to forge a lasting peace. A peace you would deny us out of ignorance and blind faith. No matter. If it is our fate to be at odds, then it is mine to strike you down."
Instantly, the pull of the Echo tugged at her, as it did when she felt it manifest in others like Minfilia and the Sahagin priest. Opening her eyes, she could only watch through the pain and disorientation as Iceheart continued.
"We whom gods and men have forsaken shall be the instruments of our own deliverance! Partake of my flesh - fill this vessel with your light! Walk amongst your brothers and sister once more! O Saint Shiva, still the hatred within our hearts and bless us with eternal grace!"
As she called to Shiva, the aether flowed to her from the crystals and her body became encased in ice. A moment later, a bolt came from the heavens and shattered it around the other elezen. From the ice emerged not Ysayle but Shiva the Primal. Unlike with Ramuh, however, there was no discourse. The time for battle was upon them.
In the end, Shiva fell as the other eikons had. Ysayle emerged from the explosion of aether as Shiva returned to the lifestream, weak and defeated.
Standing up, she stumbled towards Rhea. "Fool...Blind, bloody fool. You, of all people, should understand the suffering war begets - that no sacrifice is too great if it brings an end to the violence. Mine is the righteous cause! You fight in a war you do not understand - a pawn of liars and schemers. And they are no less ignorant than you!"
Rhea stood there, watching her, listening to her as she struggled then stood defiantly. "Following the creed of their fathers, without question, never thinking to ask why. Trapped in a delusion of their own creation and blind to the truth." Looking up at the sky, the Lady Iceheart breathed deep the icy air then looked back to Rhea, "Warrior of Light, redemption is not beyond us. We who walk before may lead those who walk after. Seek the Keeper of the Lake. See with eyes unclouded. Do..." Ysayle gasped for breath, exhaustion assaulting her, "...do not squander Mother's gift."
Turning, she walked away as a torrent of wind came down and began to spin around her as she teleported away. Her last words before disappearing rang deep through Rhea: "Hear...Feel...Think..."
As the winds died down, Rhea looked at where she had been, her mind reeling with what Lady Iceheart had just said. Once more, Rhea found herself agreeing with some of her sentiments, yet disagreeing on the methods. Still, doubts and questions - about her nation, her people, her faith, the war - began to percolate in her mind. Heretical thoughts sprang up like weeds and everything she had ever known tried to be called into question. Shaking her head, Rhea tried to push such thoughts from her mind. She would not let the queen of heretics poison her mind.
More importantly than all that, however, was Ysayle's parting words. Rhea knew what they meant and it did not bode well.
Iceheart bore the gift of the Echo, too.