If there was anything to brighten up Emet-Selch during his time of exhausting wait and anticipation, those were the thoughts of G'raha's suffering. The ascian was locked away with a magical guard on the lower deck, still stripped of his powers, at the service of the Exarch and the scions. Sailors tried to act brave when they came down, but Emet knew that they were afraid of what he could do.

Still, their reactions were far less entertaining than his dialogues with the Exarch. He would always brim with hope, genuinely believing that something would be changed, that Hades would suddenly agree to speak the truth. No, he would prolong this farce for as long as possible; G'raha must be the first one to break. How must it burden him to have such a prisoner following his every footstep? The ascian wished to make sure that this would not be an easy time for him.

But now the ship has finally slowed down, no more could the ascian feel the playful yet powerful waves beneath him, all while the upper decks have shown increased activity. The sailors were running around, preparing for what could only be a stop. Finally, they arrived at their first stop. Admittedly, Hades was slightly relieved that it wasn't Sharlayan; people must be too riled from his visit there, and conflict was bound to arise, while few even knew him at Limsa Lominsa.

"Oi!" - The door before the ascian opened, and a few hyuran men entered, one of which called to him. Those sailors looked at Emet with caution, and both had their blades ready.

"No need to shout…Among all the "disfigurements" I got in recent days, hearing is fortunately not one of them." - He sighed and looked at them with an arrogant smile. "But let me guess, we have arrived, have we not?"

"Aye, we're at Limsa." - One of the sailors responded. "And their envoys say that they wish to see everyone on the upper deck for safety or somethin'."

"An absurd demand, that one. Not like this ship has anyone dangerous aboard." - The ascian spoke sarcastically and shrugged as the sailors surrounded him. They helped him get up and guided him to the upper deck.

Emet remained silent as he watched everyone ascend. How many looked at him with disdain and hatred, knowing full well the extent of his powers and actions, all the while still having to abide by G'raha's rules. The ascian believed the sailors of the free seas to be above that, but the scions' influence was certainly not one to be underestimated.

For the first time in days, the ascian finally witnessed the sun. Majestic weather, not a single could in the azure sky that mirrored the boundless wall with a yellow sun sending its rays over them. The crew gathered above, waiting for clearance and to descend to the white city before them. It had been a while since Emet visited Limsa Lominsa, but he knew much about its blood-filled history; it could rival that of the Garleans. Emet scoured through the crew, noticing G'raha and Krile almost immediately. The ascian carelessly pushed nearby sailors aside to stand beside them.

"Greetings, my 'friends'" - Already Emet could see the annoyance on their faces; he was not missing a single opportunity to mock them. "Was your journey pleasant? Because it was wonderful for me, such boring and monotonous life, and you somehow managed to make it even worse. What's this if not the true potential of the sundered realized?"

Krile left to the other side of the deck halfway through his words; the ascian smirked as he saw her give up. G'raha was a different breed altogether and much more resistant than most. Emet pondered on what it was he wanted to say, but he soon noticed something off. While the city was unmistakably Limsa, the flag did not resemble the one Emet remembered. Not a single trace of red, but a black surface covered in white spots that resembled mist and a ship coming out of it.

"That one is new." - The ascian noted.

"I've noticed." - Finally, G'raha spoke in his tired and stern voice, not unlike Emet's when he became annoyed with mortals.

"I wonder what could've prompted such change; I don't believe this place had a flag for mourning periods."

"No, there is something else." - G'raha spoke cautiously, still trying to ignore Emet and focus on the city. Ascian saw that they were of one mind. This change didn't signal anything fortunate at all.

"Hey there!" - A loud voice echoed from the dock; it must be one of the Maelstrom guards. "Is that all of you?"

"Aye!" - One of the sailors answered. "Are you going to let us come down or not?"

Emet noticed Krile. She beckoned for G'raha to come closer. The Exarch reached for the opposite deck, with Emet following in his footsteps. They saw a burly roegadyn of the seawolf kind along with a few hyuran sailors beside him. They were black clothes that did not resemble a uniform. They were old and, in parts, torn, not fit for any soldier.

"You the ones bound for Sharlayan?" - He asked. "Who's in charge?"

"I am." - G'raha stepped forward and spoke with confidence. The ascian couldn't help but smile when he saw him show such unrelenting pride and arrogance, which he usually concealed during their time on the First. "Well, me and my friend Krile." - He backtracked almost immediately, much to Emet's disappointment. No, this one still had a long way to go. "We have come here to discuss the arrangement of sending us to the Northern Empty. I am aware that the Forum has decreed the city to be as isolated as possible and only allows occasional ships sent from Limsa Lominsa. We have allies waiting for us in Sharlayan, but it is your clearance that can help the Forum to allow our visit. Will the Grand Admiral Rhotsatz Mistweaver allow Krile and me to speak on the matter?"

The reaction wasn't something even Emet could have predicted. The roegadyn laughed out loud as if he had just heard the funniest joke in his life. He wasn't ashamed and did not care for any reactions from others, not even his companions. He gestured to other sailors, and they began putting down a plank for the crew to get down. Something was off, but it was no reason for Emet to worry. In fact, he welcomed the changes as they would certainly serve to brighten up his mood and make this mess of a journey intriguing to watch.

"Come down, ye bastards!" - The laughing sailor called to them when the plank was ready. "We'll always find a place for fellow seafarers in here."

For now, the ascian followed everyone else as they descended to the jetty along with G'raha and Krile. The two hyuran guards looked after the sailors while the roegadyn looked at the trio with interest.

"You are the envoys, eh?" - He asked; Krile was the first to respond confidently.

"Not envoys, no. We just came here to talk with Admiral Rhotsatz, if that is fine."

"Of course it is!" - He smiled. "The Pirate King will welcome you with open arms." - Now, this was an unforeseen development. Hades was desperately trying not to smile as he saw G'raha look at roegadyn with misunderstanding.

"The Pirate King?"

"Aye, aye. Rhotsatz Mistweaver, just as you asked. He'll meet you at the Mizzenmast, I'll take you there…" - Roegadyn was about to begin their journey, but the subdued ascian caught his eye.

"And this one?"

"He can stay with the sailors." - G'raha was about to send Emet away, but the pale-skinned roegadyn had already noticed something.

"Do my eyes deceive me or… You're a bloody garlean!" - He said with an undeniable excitement in his voice; seeing someone from a land far to the north was most definitely intriguing to him, and for once, Emet enjoyed the attention. Whatever brought G'raha close to seething.

"I am. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Well, I'm not pretending like we would just welcome your kind in here, but perhaps we can make an exception. Who are you, and why are you with them?"

"Solus zos Galvus, the founding father of the Garlean Empire and…Forget it, I went over far too much in the recent days to bother." - Emet said arrogantly, watching roegadyn's lips quiver in shock. Yet to the ascian's surprise, he did not seem to disbelieve him.

"That means…Ah, I see! You're the time traveler we heard so much about." - He pointed at G'raha.

"I am, but I assure you, it has little to do with…"

"The Pirate King would love to see all three of you. Come along, I'll take you straight to him!" - He didn't take no for an answer and rushed forward, beckoning for others to follow the marble bridge to the aetheryte plaza, very close to the Mizzenmast itself. G'raha shook his head with disappointment as he looked at the smiling ascian.

"You could have stayed away; that would've sped up the process."

"I feel like going. Surely you won't deny me the opportunity, not to mention what might happen if I get too far away from the staff of yours." - He was trying to irritate G'raha, attempts which the Exarch defined as someone who knew Emet quite well, but he was getting tired, that much was clear. Krile had to interject.

"Ignore him, G'raha; if he wants to spite us from the sides, then just don't give him the satisfaction." - She tried to sound indifferent, but Emet felt the spite in her voice. She will break one day too. "I'm afraid we might be facing a bigger problem here."

"Yes, you're right." - The Exarch sighed and led the way. Emet and Krile followed in silence, all three of them had many "pleasant" things to say for each other, but the sheer intrigue of seeing how Limsa has transformed since Emet's last visit overrode that desire, at least temporarily. Judging by the surprise of his companions, they did not expect any of that either. Merlwyb prided herself on ending piracy, and now there was a "Pirate King"? It seemed that her ideals died with her.

As they walked through the halls of the city, following their guide, Emet noticed the sheer chaos that was happening. Of course, Limsans were never known for their rationality and discipline, but this was far beyond Emet's expectations. There were men and women, mostly roegadyn and hyuran, who wore pirate uniforms and were armed with cuirasses. They cussed, argued with each other, and many drank. The number of mugs of ale, be they in someone's hands or tossed on the floor, exceeded any limit, and the number of those who had passed out near the stone walls or were on the brink was just as staggering. Emet saw the worry and discomfort emerge on Krile's face as she looked around. She was not as skilled in hiding her emotions as the Exarch. He was the first to address the guide.

"I have not been to Limsa Lominsa, but from what I was told, I have to say, I pictured it a bit more…Orderly." - G'raha noted as he looked around.

"It was not long ago. But you know, new King, new rules."

They did not talk for long, and Emet wasn't interested in listening. What he noticed was that the better half of the stores were shut down, leaving corridors half empty for the pirates to have their fun. Most of them were robbed and ravaged a while before their arrival, and the nearby walls were stained with dry blood. All this while the corridors were letting echoes of boisterous pirates through it, it looked like a city that survived a battle.

But it was only the beginning. Their next sight was two roegadyn men sharing a drink, sitting near the entrance to what was once the Arcanist guild, now the main source of their loud laughs and shouts, something akin to yet another inn. Emet could see s slight image of what was going on there; the mighty sailors sat at a table, drinking or playing some kind of board game, but all of them were excited. There were others there, dressed in beggars' clothing. Those were men and women of hyuran and miqo'te people, all of them wearing what looked like an iron collar around their necks, bringing out drinks for the sailors. But what truly contrasted them with the sailors were their bodies. All of them were weak and frail, at least compared to the ones they served.

"And what is this place? I thought it was a mage guild…" - Krile wondered.

"There's no need for that anymore. No spell will shield you as well as a good sword, don't you think?" - He expected an answer from Krile, but it was Emet who decided to speak.

"That sounds surprisingly similar to the drivel Deudalaphon told the children that lacked skill in creation magic…"

"You mock us, then?"

"No, I simply have a habit of describing what I see."

"No need for that." - Krile tried not to raise her voice. "Let's focus on something important and…"

Soon the attention was diverted. A young woman came out of those gates; she looked meekly at the two drunk sailors outside.

"Where's the goddamn ale, wench?" - One of them demanded with harshness in his voice.

"I… I'm sorry, I tried to get some more, but they say they need all of them for the others and have nothing to spare. Please, I'll bring you some next time…" - She answered meekly and barely held herself from shivering.

"Then you didn't try hard enough. Now get your arse back there, and don't come back without the ale." - He sounded even more disdainful, not an ounce of pity in his voice.

"But…You had three mugs already, isn't that…"

"You forget yourself!" - He stood up and grabbed the woman by the neck; even from a distance, Emet could see the horror in her eyes. "You are gonna go there and get another bloody mug, or else I will give you away to my friends from the other crews, and they won't be as merciful. Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes… I'm sorry…"

This must have been the breaking point for G'raha. The Exarch grabbed his staff and ignited it with powerful magic, ready to strike at any moment.

"Leave her alone!" - He shouted angrily, much to the sailor's shock. He let the woman go and looked at G'raha.

"And where the hell did you come from?" - He said with a mocking tone. "You want a cuirass in your bloody throat? Oh, I can give you that…"

"Hey there, drop it!" - The guide stood between G'raha and the sailor. "He is our guest and is not entirely familiar with our new customs; let it slide once. I'm sure the Pirate King will help him make sense of it."

"Fine, I'll stay away, but if I see you again, I will be tempted to cut your head off, bastard." - He grunted before looking at the young woman again. "And you go already!" - This was enough to scare her away and have her rush inside the former guild.

There was no pleasure in seeing anyone being treated this way, even Emet. He doomed countless lives in his quest for rejoining, but never did he stoop so low as to torment someone for the sake of it.

"I do not understand…" - G'raha tried to contain his anger as he looked at the guide. "What kind of customs do you even mean? The ones that allow you to abuse those weaker than you? The ruined stores, the guilds, the blood, where is Maelstrom even looking?"

"Well, they were the Maelstrom. Some of them, at least."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's a story better told by the King himself; I'm just a messenger…But the pirate over there didn't jest, I can tell you that. Stay away if you know what's good for you. That's my only advice for those who do not like the changes."

"These changes are absurd; I don't think Merlwyb would have…"

"Please, G'raha." - Krile tried to calm him down." We'll ask all the questions once we are there." - She proposed, soon joined by Emet.

"Better not to exhaust our guide here when we can talk to someone who can clearly tell a more intriguing story, don't you agree?"

"I…" - G'raha couldn't let go of disbelief. "Fine, let's go, but I have a lot of questions."

"I understand." - The guide said and beckoned them towards the aetheryte plaza, another place that rattled with pirates and their "untamed spirit." Emet wasn't sure whether he wanted to see it at all or not, but there was no way back now. At least it will be more painful for G'raha than for him.

With fear and doubt in their hearts, they followed the guide directly into the plaza. Few things could prepare them for what they witnessed there. The shock on Krile's face and utter disgust on G'raha's was enough to show Emet-Selch that whatever was about to happen, they were unlikely to remain peaceful in this place.

There were dozens of pirates and buccaneers gathered around the wooden podium that rose at the heart of the plaza; the air trembled at their arguments and the sheer excitement. Roegadyn, hyur, miqo'te, and even a few elezen all have gathered to choose their next victims. Speaking of the podium itself, there was a pirate woman standing at the top, the one that got the attention of all of them. She was of miqo'te tribe and wore a bartender's dress, playfully smiling to all who came here. Behind her, there were three youngsters, no more than eighteen years, two boys and one girl in the iron chains, looking down and silently awaiting their fate.

"…but let's get to the best part." - She smiled and pointed at the prisoners. "You all know what the fate of those who cannot fight, so let's split those morsels up, won't we?" - This suggestion was followed by another round of shouts and excitement. The miqo'te woman looked at the hyuran girl, beckoning her to come forward. "Who's gonna take this lass? I'm accepting offers!"

"Give 'er to the Bloody Executioners!" - The roegadyn in the crowd shouted with a few hyurs supporting him. "She'll work day and night on our ship!"

"Oh, such a tempting idea…" - The woman smiled. "But I'm not quite sure; I've heard the last few servants I gave to your crowd had only lasted for a few days before you had to strike them down! Is that not true? I'd dread to give another one in your hands, even for a high price."

"I concur." - A hyur spoke from the crowd. "She won't live too long with them at all."

"Do you have another proposal, my dear?" - She jested and looked at him with a sly smile.

"I do! Give her to the Kraken's Arms; at least we know how to treat our servants properly and not endanger others!"

"Hm, that sounds like a plan…"

"That's absurd!" - The Bloody Executioner called out. "Don't listen to that bastard, sweetheart; we are as fair as you can get when it comes to servants!"

"Oh, I'm sorry…" - The miqo'te woman said with a fake and almost sense of sadness, the one Emet would see during performances in Garlemald. "But the whole town can't be wrong about you, you know? Maybe next time…"

She looked at the girl near her, but she still looked down in horror; Emet could swear that he saw tears falling down to the wooden floor. It must have been horrifying, especially for Krile. Despite slight discomfort, Emet got used to watching people suffer. He knew full well that his old self would be pained by seeing this and would not allow himself to stand aside, and it was the same for his closest friends.

"And you, my child?" - The miqo'te woman kneeled down and said quietly. "Where would you like to go?"

"I…"

"Speak up, sweetie, I can't hear you." - This fake "motherly" voice, even the ascian couldn't help but shudder.

"The…The Kraken's Arms."

"And that's decided then!" - The woman exclaimed lively as if announcing a celebration. "Come here, buccaneers and sailors, claim your prize!" - At her command, a few pirates came forth to claim this girl. She looked up at them with eyes that pleaded…Pleaded for something Emet couldn't understand yet. Did she hope they would release her, treat her with fairness, or just not kill her?

"I see what's going on here…" - Emet said so quietly that only G'raha could hear. This was not the society Limsa was, but perhaps this was yet another proof of the true nature of the sundered. Scared, broken, and pitiful, resorting to violence and animalistic instincts when faced with loss and calamities. "Why aren't you cheering, G'raha? That's the world you fought for."

The "auction," if one could even call it that, soon continued. The woman called towards a miqo'te boy. Now it was his time to stand at the podium while they decided his fate and treated him like a piece of property.

"Now, where will the youngster go. I imagined the Sirens could offer him a good home…Are the Sirens here? Are you taking him?"

There were more discussions, but no one came forth just yet. Emet saw G'raha clutching his staff; he was barely holding himself from attacking those pirates on the spot.

"Can you, for once, not do anything foolish?" - The ascian sighed, asking G'raha quietly.

"Why am I not surprised that you do not care…"

The conference continued, but Emet felt that something was about to go horribly wrong. He wouldn't have cared if the whole contingent of this city was about to attack him if he was free and had his full power, but that was not the case. If G'raha does something stupid, as he was prone to do, they would be in trouble.

But this was not destined to happen. The boy looked up; his eyes were red and full of tears.

"I…I can't! I just can't!" - He shouted loudly, shocking everyone present.

"What is the meaning of this, sweetheart?" - The miqo'te woman said. "Didn't I tell you to remain quiet?"

"I don't want to go anywhere. I want to go to my father's! I know he's out there somewhere; you didn't get him, you…YOU MONSTERS!" - He screeched in agony. "I don't want to serve, I won't serve, not you…I will be free!"

"Quiet down, or I will have to get really nasty." - The woman said spitefully, but despite the boy's fear, he continued to speak. This was when Emet heard G'raha's determined voice.

"I will save him."

"Wait, what? No, you idiot, don't you…"

"You enslave; you force us to serve you!" - The boy screeched, barely able to form words. "YOU…You…I know what you do behind closed doors. I know you're all monsters, just kill me now, kill me, kill me…"

The dark aura began to appear around him, as Emet feared. A few more seconds, and his soul will be corrupted by the song of Oblivion, creating yet another monster. The ascian was prepared to fight with the few magical tools he still had at his disposal, the ones he could not use against the owner of his soul.

But no transformation occurred. Nothing but a single shot from a musket ended the boy's life once and for all.

Was this the world G'raha fought for?

The Exarch always believed in mankind's potential, their ability to unite in the face of despair and common enemy, to lift each other up amidst the sea of pain and sorrow. That was what he witnessed in his own world when the Ironworks' descendants were ready to sacrifice their lives for a brighter tomorrow, what he saw on the first when people arose against Vauthry's tyranny, tearing him down from the heavens. But at times, his faith would face the direst challenges.

This was one of them. Words could not describe how disgusted G'raha was at seeing what Limsa turned into without Merlwyb. He heard tales of this nation's past, of how much blood they spilled during the days of piracy, but they have grown above it. They became a powerful force for good and nobility, a fleet in the Eorzean Alliance that brought them toward victory. All he saw now were a bunch of ruthless pirates and rogues, abusing those weaker than them and enjoying every second of this nightmarish process. The Exarch's hands shook as he saw the plaza; standing aside and ignoring this would be akin to becoming one of those monsters.

As the boy broke down in tears and screams, G'raha was ready to distract the pirates with his spells and help those youngsters escape this fate, but he was too late. Seeing the boy's head gets hit by a bullet, seeing the blood splatter around the podium, getting onto some of the nearby pirates, and the blue-haired miqo'te woman who led the occasion. With all those screams and pleas, he endured too much suffering and couldn't take it anymore. G'raha could've saved him, wanted to save him, but he died thinking he was alone.

Emet, Krile, and other pirates spoke of something, or at least G'raha recognized their voices. His mind was too pained to hear the words, though; every second he watched, this obvious monstrosity and stood aside tore the Exarch's soul apart.

"Bullseye!" - A loud voice echoed through the plaza as everyone looked at the tall, white-skinned roegadyn coming out from the Mizzenmast. Smoke went out from his musket as he put it back at his black belt. His clothing was of similar colors, with his coat sharing the same symbolism as the new flag. "Looks like I was just in the nick of time, ye' rascals!" - He said commandingly, forcing everyone to listen.

"Oh, I assure you, the situation was under control, he was just…" - The miqo'te woman tried to say, but the roegadyn interrupted her.

"Don't jest with me, C'irena. I saw the bloody aura! It's yer responsibility to make sure they do not become that much of a mess, and if they do, end it before it spreads. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Rhotsatz…" - Her green eyes looked down, and her ears fell too.

"Good, remember that. Now clean this mess, everyone!"

Finally, G'raha looked at the Pirate King. He eyed the trio with interest and an obvious smile on his face, further toying with G'raha's emotions. He just killed a young man, possibly a child, and no one batted an eye.

"Here they are, Rhotsatz." - The guide spoke with reverence.

"Aye, I've been told about them…Go and have a drink; I'll deal with them." - After those words, the guide left, and the Pirate King looked at G'raha once again. "Why so uptight? You saw a ghost or somethin'? I'm not gonna bite."

He would've lashed out if not for the plea in Krile's eyes. She was as disgusted as the Exarch, but putting themselves at risk in a hostile city was suicidal. She was right, G'raha understood this, but he felt like a monster for standing idle. Rhotsatz was expecting them to talk, yet neither Krile nor G'raha found strength after this display. Emet sighed with disappointment and stepped forward.

"So reluctant to take me with you, but now entirely reliant on me to speak your piece…Very well." - The ascian looked up at the roegadyn. "Rhotsatz Mistweaver, I assume?"

"Aye. And ye are Solus zos Galvus?" - He said calmly and fearlessly, surprising even Emet.

"Did one of your lackeys warn you?"

"Ye could say that." - Rhotsatz shrugged. "Don't think I am oblivious to the madness that's going on in the world now; we've all heard the story of a madman who challenged time itself and imprisoned the number one bastard of the Old World! Ye should pray the news doesn't spread; more than half of my lads would have a word with you."

"Far from the only "feat" he achieved." - Emet looked back at G'raha with disappointment, once again trying to mock him. The ascian used every opportunity to remind G'raha of his faults and mock him. In isolation, those insults did nothing to the Exarch, but an unending flow in a situation like this drained his soul.

"If I may." - Krile finally spoke up. "Solus is our prisoner who has to stay near my ally due to technicalities… He's not here to discuss anything."

"I am going to listen to anyone who speaks, and he spoke first." - Rhotsatz said. "But let's get inside, I know what you want, and I can help you organize it."

The roegadyn did not waver. He turned around and went to the gates that led to his room inside the Mizzenmast. G'raha, Krile, and Emet followed soon.

"Please, just keep it calm, alright?" - Krile whispered to G'raha. "Let's let him talk and explain what happened here and go from here."

"I won't lose my temper, I promise." - G'raha tried to reassure her, but his clenched teeth were enough of an indication that this won't come easily. "But I'm not inclined to give him any chances either." - The Exarch noted moments before they approached the gates.

Even the inner hall of the Mizzenmast radiated horror. G'raha counted five guardsmen spread across different entrances, all of them carrying axes in their hands, maintaining a watchful gaze at their visitors. There were a few mages, too. Reclusive, carrying grimoires and guarding their "king." The walls still had bloodied stains on them, but this was far from the worst. As G'raha looked up above the captain's gate, he saw three heads hanging from there. Cut off from their bodies with necks drenched in dry blood and empty eyes that stared into the wall. There was a miqo'te woman with black hair, a pale green skinned roegadyn with white hair, and a young blue-haired hyur.

"By the Twelve…" - Krile whispered in horror while Emet explored them with intrigue.

"A very clear display, don't you think? But why am I…" - He looked at the hyuran head with a realization striking him. "Ah, yes! I know that one. He was among the Limsan contingent in Garlemald, such a sorry end…"

"Focus." - G'raha commanded as they reached the door; Rhotsatz waited for them inside, the former Merlwyb's cabinet, now his domain. He was eager to pass his judgments right now, but they had to speak with Rhotsatz either way, no matter how unpleasant it would be.

As they entered, they witnessed the Pirate King sitting at his table, surrounded by decorative weaponry hanging from the walls, be it muskets or cuirasses. There were chests behind his table, likely a place for his gil or other trophies, a typical treasury of a wealthy pirate. G'raha did not spend much time in his timeline, but he knew that humanity had gone through civil wars and much pain and agony. This was a period that saw the rise of piracy in the seas. The pillaging occurred all over the shores of Vylbrand and Aldenard. Many innocents suffered over the ages, and this was but one of many tragedies G'raha sought to avert with his time jump. Now everything was circling back to the maimed world he came from.

Rhotsatz was not alone; there was an elezen girl walking around the table, preparing the chairs for the Pirate King and his guests. She had long and messy black hair and was no older than fourteen years of age, and she looked at the trio as they entered. Her gaze was as crushed as the "servants" they saw before, and seeing a child so close to a man who murdered another moment ago made G'raha's blood boil.

"Welcome, our esteemed guests." - She said meekly, trying to put a welcoming smile on her face. "May I introduce you to our Pirate King, Rhotsatz Mistweaver?"

"They already know who I am." - Rhotsatz said carelessly. "Go and check up on the Sirens; my guards will escort you."

"As you wish…" - She submitted and left, walking past G'raha.

Emet quickly claimed one of the chairs for himself while the other two visitors were far less eager.

"That's Arielle, my personal ward…" - Rhotsatz said with a smile. She's a good one, always obedient and hard-working. All the others can be jealous!" - He must have known that this would do no good to their talk; G'raha wondered if he tried to provoke them outright. The ascian was the first to respond.

"Am I supposed to believe that bands of pirates need children and teenagers to serve them? Your people seem capable enough. If only they didn't drink as much." - Emet crossed his hands.

"Perhaps, but ye know how lazy people can be. It's rarely out of necessity; it's for the sake of ease and entertainment."

"Entertainment?"

"Please, let's not go there…Yet." - Krile spoke up and looked at Rhotsatz. "I assume you know why we are here."

"Need a passage to Sharlayan, eh?" - The roegadyn chuckled. "Well, ye're in luck. I can arrange just that. Even before my time, ships that sailed to the Northern Empty have only gone from Limsa and required the clearance of both the Forum and Admiral."

"You work with the Forum, then?" - Krile spoke with surprise, and G'raha shared the sentiment. Working with Merlwyb was one thing, but is the Forum blind to all the changes that occurred in Limsa Lominsa?

"I am taking on habits that leaders before me shared. Even a limited partnership with Sharlayan is a good ploy; I'd keep that wheel turning. I'll send a message to the Forum on yer behalf if that's what you need me to do."

"We have allies that would welcome us there…But still, if you could vouch for our sailors, that would be a great boon."

"Can do." - Rhotsatz nodded, but there was still a glint of intrigue in his eyes. "It will take some preparation, however…Ye might need to stay for a night. I would not wish to send anyone without Forum allowing it, you understand…"

"And do they know?" - G'raha finally spoke, coping with his initial disgust. "Do they have even the slightest idea of the practices you put up here? "- This inquiry was unexpected for Rhotsatz, judging by a puzzled expression on his face, but it was not him that responded.

"The Forum doesn't care about anything that happens outside of their little bubble. Why are you two in any way surprised? Thought your "homeland" a place of nobility and justice?" - The ascian's mockery has not found any reaction, but he was still eager to continue.

"The garlean's right." - Rhotsatz claimed. "Some things they don't know, other things they pretend not to know…None of their business, and luckily they don't give a rat's ass about what happens here except my own usefulness."

"If that is true, I shall have my own words with the forum…" - G'raha sighed before looking at Rhotsatz. He knew he was about to make a mistake, but he would not hold it anymore; he wouldn't pretend to be in any way complacent. "But for now, I have questions to ask of you."

"G'raha…" - Krile tried to speak, but Emet interrupted her.

"Let him do it. It will only be worse if he has the outburst later."

"I will speak plainly." - G'raha announced defiantly as he looked at the Pirate King. "What I saw in my short time here today could not be called anything other than sheer insanity and barbaric cruelty. I heard your brethren claim it "your customs," but I am well aware that the people of Limsa Lominsa gave those away years ago, nor do I have any doubts that Merlwyb would never have allowed this. How did this happen?"

"Oh, you're a bold one!" - Rhotsatz chuckled. "Not gonna lie, I had my doubts about how a meek boy like ye could be the legendary time traveler everyone blabs about, but I begin to see it. Very well, I'll tell ye how it is." - Rhotsatz leaned back on his chair, looking over his guests. "Ye may think you are knowledgeable about the Lominsian way, but old habits die hard, ain't they? That has always been the case; many disagreed with Merlwyb's policies, and many wished to continue our raids at the beast tribes to the north and claim all of this bloody island!"

"Are you saying that her death created an opportunity for you to regress?" - G'raha asked.

"Are ye even listening? We ain't regressing. We're bringing back the golden age! And it had little to do with her death; everything was already in place. Many were unhappy with her decision but mostly tolerated it, right until the moment she bought up into the ideology you scions espouse a little too deeply." - He spoke with a degree of admiration for Merlwyb, but it didn't hide his sheer disappointment. "Shortly before the Ruby Weapon attacked Ala Mhigo, she attempted to go too far and make peace with Sahagin tribes. She held negotiations with their representatives, who she believed she could trust, which ended in her inviting them to the city…That did not go well. Those bastards turned out to be tempered and did it all to unleash 'their tide.' Many were injured that day, and some even died, all because of our grand Admiral's newfound complacency, propaganda of some kind of peace possibility she swallowed after getting herself with the mainland buggers!"

"And what happened then? "- Krile asked.

"The divide grew. Before that, most people were on board with her reforms, seeing the pirates as some kind of lunatics stuck in their old ways. Now her weakness was on display, and even former loyalists began to turn towards us for protection. Bloody Executioners, the Kraken's Arms, the Sanguine Sirens…Their own captains grew complacent too, but many of their underlings were of another mind. That is where I come in."

"And who are you?" - G'raha asked bluntly. "Krile nor I heard anything about you prior to Merlwyb's passing, but perhaps you will enlighten us?"

"Hah, I know how to keep to the shadows." - Rhotsatz said confidently. "I was once a lieutenant of Maelstrom, serving under Merlwyb and her second-in-command, Eynzahr…Though perhaps I should just call him Mistbeard."

"The legendary pirate?" - Krile inquired.

"So ye do know something about our history? Aye, him. I served with them before becoming disillusioned with this bloody system…They made our people weak and complacent, and I wasn't going to support that. So I left and became a recluse at the time, a lone pirate with a small crew by the name of Mistweaver. Very few knew of my existence, but when faith in Merlwyb began to waver, I saw an opportunity…" - He spoke with a twisted sense of pride and felt no shame. G'raha could guess where he was going, although he wished he did not. Emet, on the other hand, was more than happy to support the conversation.

"Are you implying that you overthrew Maelstrom and Admiralty with this small crew of yours?" - The ascian and the Exarch were of one mind.

"Not just us, nay. I sent my spies among the pirate gangs to spread the word of a captain who's still loyal to the old ways, who is eager to bring victory to Limsan people and make them powerful again, as strong as they deserved to be!" - He raised his hand with a clenched fist as a sign of their victory and rebirth with a smile.

"No better way to amass power than by gaining powerful pawns…If that is going where I think it is, I applaud you." - Emet noted.

"I had many volunteers from all crews. Eventually, we became a force that ravaged La Noscea, the one that could rival the men of Maelstrom at the time. It all began with a few skirmishes, but I wouldn't leave it at that…Skirmishes became battles; battles gave us more exposure to our power and the admiralty's weakness. I would not deny that our chances would've been far slimmer if not for the Alliance's invasion of Garlemald. "Twas her duty to send away her best warriors for such a cause, both Maelstrom, and complacent pirates. Like that bastard Sicard…Always talked big, but never agreed to openly defy his state, a coward to an end."

"Is that his head above the door?" - Emet asked, causing Rhotsatz to smile.

"Good memory, though I guess that's fitting for an Emperor…All the chaos brought us to the turning point, the 'Final Days'." - For the first time, Rhotsatz spoke with some uncertainty and doubt in his voice. "A cause so urgent that Merwlyb had to leave for Ul'Dah to consult with other leaders and the time traveler. I assume ye know what happened there." - He looked at G'raha, knowing that there was no need to tell that part of the story. The memories of resilient Merlwyb being pierced by a winged serpent were enough. "She didn't make the decision lightly, but she left the city to Eynzahr, thinking that a day or so won't change much. But the truth was, we didn't need any more time. Enough followers were gathered, and enough spies were placed in the city. I've negotiated with each pirate leader. Some agreed to join, some escaped and passed their positions to more eager heirs…Others, like Hyllfyr, had to be removed by force. The point is, our force was amassed."

"And so you made your move." - Krile said after taking a deep breath.

"Aye, that we have. We stormed the city from both the land and sea and overthrew the Maelstrom! After so many years, the seas of Vylbrand finally brimmed once again. The true power of our people, the pirates, and buccaneers at heart, something those bastards tried to repress, but no more! We did not need them nor the Eorzean Alliance."

"So you just slaughtered the Maelstrom?" - G'raha asked, trying to contain his disdain.

"Those who resisted, we did. Some saw the light but granted, it wasn't many at all. I fought with Eynzahr atop the Mizzenmast, and he revealed the secret before his death. That he is the face of the last Mistbeard, the once-great pirate who submitted to Merlwyb and her blasted new ways. I had no regret in ending his voyage. And when we learned that Merlwyb died in Ul'Dah…We knew that we had won. The Maelstrom and the Admiralty were no more, and the city was ours!"

"Is that the limit of your new vision, then? "- G'raha said. "To torment those weaker than you and treat them like your property? Even for someone who believes in the conquest of their own neighbors, this insanity hardly seems reasonable."

"It might have been, were the circumstances different." - Rhotsatz spoke thoughtfully. "But we ain't having the luxury of that. I had a problem of the bloody end of days to tackle…And there was only that much we knew about it."

"And how will this treatment help to avert despair?" - G'raha tried to get to the truth, the picture that was laid bare before he was nonsensical and utterly brutal.

"Alas…" - Emet sighed, barging into the conversation again. "As much as it pains me, I must disrespectfully agree with my crystal companion over there. Your people are on the brink, and maybe the pirates are happy, but each of your servants is a walking bomb." - The ascian aided G'raha for once, but Rhotsatz was not swayed by their arguments.

"No one transformed yet, and I'd count this a success."

"The boy…The one you murdered was about to transform!"

"And he did not." - The Pirate King denied. "See, after claiming the city, I knew that lying about the truth would only worsen the impact, and so I spoke the truth. Reporters that were sent to Merlwyb from Garlemald came in handy, and while it wasn't much, it did open my eyes to possibilities. The report said that in the 'ancient times, whatever that is, the cataclysm affected the magic of those involved…Those stronger in it being more at risk of creating powerful beasts, but those in Ul'Dah were not created but were transformed from the poor bastards themselves. Our city is like many others, it has both strong and weak, and if the strong are as safe from this disease as possible, the weaker ones are…Expendable."

"Expendable?" - G'raha shook his head in disbelief. "They are people, just like those you deem strong!"

"They are, aye. There ain't any kindness in it, but it wasn't kindness that brought pirates the glory. Those people have no ability to fight in the coming battle; they are nothing but goddamn baggage!" - He ranted as Emet grew more intrigued, though G'raha could swear he witnessed disappointment in the ascian's eyes.

"And so you utilize the weak as servants to the strong…And they do not turn?" - Emet wondered.

"My warriors live a life of battle and luxury. They need nothing more. As for the weak who did not run away…They know that their only choice is to serve or otherwise die. Seemed good enough for most of them; they submit and serve our pirates well enough. After all, such life is still better than death, ain't it? And in rare cases when someone breaks…"

"Your warriors do the dirty work." - Emet finished.

"Aye. We make sure that the servants are always under someone's supervision. It is hardly a problem most of the time; their primary job is to aid our pirates, be it work, service, entertainment, and other kinds of pleasure…They keep the strong from succumbing."

G'raha knew what he meant. He swore to give Rhotsatz one more chance, but this was too much. This monster overthrew the government of Limsa while they were weakened and divided, turning the city into a twisted hell where "strong reign over the weak," the same ideology that the Empire espoused when they subjugated their neighboring nations. Instead of uniting in the face of calamity, these pirates chose to fracture their society even further in the most inhumane ways.

"And yet…" - Emet pondered. "Something does not add up. I don't remember saying that an individual's strength would serve to produce more powerful monsters…In fact, it was so chaotic that even a child could create a terrifying beast; all you needed is imagination, imagination that doomed us." - He spoke quietly, recounting the grief of his own world. Yet if Hades never told this to Lucia or anyone else.

"No…" - G'raha said in a whisper, but everyone in the room heard him. Krile wished to say something, but the moment the lalafell opened her mouth, she grunted and clutched her head tightly. She closed her eyes and looked down. Emet-Selch, meanwhile, realized what had happened and looked at G'raha with unabashed amusement.

"Do you mean to tell me that when you arrived…You said that the "strength" of an individual mattered?" - The ascian spoke in disbelief, and after G'raha remained silent, he did not even try to behave himself. Emet giggled, not maliciously, but in a way that displayed genuine amusement.

"I tried to give them all I know, to theorize on the factors…It was my fault that Zodiark died; I…"

"The irony writes itself!" - The ascian exclaimed after he finally stopped giggling. "I don't think I've ever met a "hero" as self-defeating as you are. You know, maybe it was better for you to stay in that tower?"

"How very…Amusing that you think that I care for your commentary in any way." - G'raha tried to collect his thoughts and spoke sternly; Emet was a distraction; there was another villain to deal with. The Exarch turned towards Rhotsatz. "Now I see why you decided to isolate Limsa from the outer world. If the Alliance found out about it, they would put a stop to it, as would the scions."

"What Alliance? Their remaining leaders retreated into their cities, much more concerned with licking their own wounds rather than helping others. They don't give damn care for Limsa Lominsa, and I do not care for their people. When the world is crumbling around ye, that's how it always is, every man for himself, and the strongest one survives. I'm more than willing to aid you in yer voyage to Sharlayan; not like I need ye in my city…But be careful with your words, boy; ye're tasting my patience,

"I have seen enough proof that a society structured like yours would crumble much sooner than you think. If the sheer brutality of your actions is not enough of a reason for you to reconsider your course, then perhaps this will change your mind?" - G'raha remembered Eulmore, the city that tried to prey upon the poor in favor of a small upper caste, all a game of god to a madman who ruled it.

"Drop yerr nonsense!" - Rhotsatz raised his voice and stood up. "Do you think I don't know what happens beyond the walls? At Moraby, at Wineport, at Costa Del Sol? The rascals refused to follow new rules, and they already had some of their people transform with blasphemies running wild! And all because when someone transformed, all those around them just stood by their side and gasped instead of doing what one must!"

"And what would that be, slaughter them for a minute failure of their resolve? That is a brute's way; I have seen enough cases to show that the aura is not the end. You can still calm them down and do something…Anything to stop them from transforming?"

"And put everyone else at risk, eh? Listen here, ye might be an ideal mediator, but most aren't like that, especially in La Noscea. Trying to save everyone means everyone dies, and no one wants that!"

"And it is the duty of the strong to find another way." - G'raha spoke confidently. "To protect those who cannot protect themselves, to find a solution that will see everyone benefit. Giving up and surrendering to fate, especially betraying those weaker than you, is a failure, and I will not hold back on that."

"Listen ere, boy…I do not care about yer opinions; this is my city! If I know aught yer organization is that the Scions are supposed to protect Eorzea from outside threats, not to plunge yerself into our internal affairs!" - The Pirate King fumed as his patience was wearing dangerously thin.

"And I am no scion."

"Stop, please!" - Krile finally interjected after her surge of pain ended. "Rhotsatz Mistweaver, I know G'raha is eager to speak his mind, and I will not deny that on most accounts, I agree with him…But let's focus on our primary agreement. How long should we wait before you and the Forum allows us to leave for Sharlayan?"

"It should be done by tomorrow." - Rhotsatz responded, still looking at G'raha with anger. "Ye can stay at the upper deck for the night. I have already…"

Before he finished, the door opened, and the elezen girl they saw before, Arielle, entered the room.

"I'm sorry, I returned too quickly, but the tenders are asking if…If our visitors will be staying? "

"We will be." - Krile confirmed, allowing Rhotsatz to speak.

"We are all a little on edge…Arielle, take them to their rooms, will ye?"

"As you wish." - The girl gestured for the trio to follow her. There was much G'raha wanted to say to Rhotsatz, but he knew that he would get this opportunity again. He would simply not leave without it. But for now, all of them realized that it was better to stay away and carefully plan the coming steps. They left the room and followed Arielle; even Emet had nothing to say.

"Krile." - The Exarch spoke sternly as they left Rhotsatz's reach. "We cannot leave it like this."

"Let's… Let's just talk in the room."

"Of course, but I want you to know, under no circumstance am I leaving it like this." - It was foolish and counterproductive, but G'raha was firm in his decision.

"Stubborn to the last…" - Emet sighed. "Perhaps now is the time to finally learn to give in sometimes." - He was in the mood for another argument, but Krile stopped him by speaking first.

"I had a vision, an echo… He's truly a monster."

On that, G'raha had no doubt, and that was why he was dedicated to stopping him. Whatever happens, the Exarch swore to himself not to leave these people unprotected. This is what Edwin would do.

What a real hero would do.