As the Exarch expected, the team of adventurers was eager to help him with his plan. He would warn them of the perils that lie in the halls beneath the crystal tower, but Reeq seemed to get even more excited from hearing about those dangers. Granson and Giott did not care for challenges at all and welcomed them just as actively. G'raha was immensely grateful to them for once again being there to help him, and he would show this gratitude by doing his best to protect them in this quest.

As soon as the team was ready, they descended into the underground halls. It had been a long time since the Exarch descended here, and he couldn't help but be amazed by the awe this place induced. The grandiose mechanical spire stretched far below with the knowledge of the ages buried beneath. Seeing the excitement in Reeq and Giott's eyes sparked G'raha's own spirit.

"I heard that what we see is far from being the whole tower…" - Granson looked around. "But this is something else."

"Hooray!" - Reeq shouted with the echo bouncing off walls like reflections in the mirror. "And you haven't shown it to us before?"

"It's a dangerous place with all the guardians that remain, but it holds a special place in my heart…" - G'raha said, thinking of the masterful team that made this leap possible. How Cid and Nero's design helped to create their mgnum opus far into the future, overcoming their constant bickering, like the true friends they were. The Exarch wondered if they managed to form a friendship in this version of the Source.

"So, what should we expect?" - Granson wondered.

"A dozen of mechanical sentinels and the machine that was used to pierce the fabric of reality, the Tycoon. I imagine it would be on a deeper level."

"Then what are we waiting for?" - Giott took out her mallet and spoke with eagerness. "Let's get that thing pacified."

"As long as we try to avoid excessive damage." - G'raha gave three adventurers a reminder, for there was something that must be left to Beq to study.

Their path has gone along far smoother than the Exarch expected. They encountered guardians along the way created from the remnants of Allagan technologies. Cid used them to fend off any garleans or other potential threats from the place where Ironworks were creating their masterpiece. They have still followed this protocol and had to be put down.

With a quartet like theirs, however, this was not a problem in the slightest. Granson took the role of their main fighter, taking most of the hits and attention on himself. Giott and Reeq have used this to their advantage and attempted to strike their enemies with as much power as possible. G'raha, staying true to his words about protection, has taken up a role of a white mage who helps others with their vitality and wounds.

He didn't know what will they find here exactly, but G'raha dared to hope for the best. With Beq working on the Tycoon's essence, he can create something that will repeat the effect, but without bringing the tower with him. Perhaps there will be something that will help to separate one's essence from a crystal prison, something both G'raha and Ryne will need.

After many battles ensued, the team finally reached the heart of those halls. A place where the glimmering trace of gateways still remained, giving G'raha a glimpse into the past. This place was all that remained of the world he came from, of the memories that it contained. The Exarch remembered waking up, seeing the tormented and dying world consumed by the black rose and calamity; he remembered his despair that he was not there to help the hero he so adored, that he could not save him. Remembered the long hours of planning and working with the engineers of the future, along with his sacrifice. And of course, G'raha thought of arriving here…To the time where he waited for a century to save his hero and still failed.

And at the heart of it all rose a magnificent winged machine created by the grace of the Ironworks's dedication and talent. The one that served as both the guardian and the key that gave this tower the energy to transpire reality. G'raha's companions were greatly impressed by the Tycoon, as anyone of any world would.

"All this…Created by a few men?" - Granson couldn't believe his eyes.

"Not just some men, but the most ingenious inventors in all of the Source and their adepts." - The Exarch smiled with pride.

"And is that thing aggressive? Doesn't seem like…" - Reeq approached the Tycoon, only for it to catch the archer in its range and unleash an array of aetheric waves, forcing the young adventurer to retreat. "Alright, I guess that answers my question."

"Let's get it, then!" - Giott took her mallet, ready to spur into the heat of this battle.

"Remember what I told you." - The Exarch said sternly before taking out his staff. Trying to break this machine's armor would be a waste of time, but G'raha believed that they could find a way.

Granson was the one to lead their charge, piercing the Tycoon with his sword but still unable to cut through its outer aura. However, this made the machine note the greatest threat to its safety, that being the young dark knight.

"Damn it…" - Granson had no time to evade before the Tycoon unleashed another powerful blast. The strike would have crippled Granson if not for G'raha's immediately casting shielding spells, followed by swift healing. The dark knight retreated around the arena as the Tycoon continued its attempts to eliminate the pest.

Giott and Reeq had taken up positions from which it would be easier to damage the machine, but it was not oblivious to their presence. Small scarlet circles of decimating energy have appeared beneath them and the Exarch.

"I assume that's bad news." - Reeq said before being pushed away by Giott towards safety.

"Stop talking all the time and run!" - The dwarf's voice was full of worry for her friend; the loss of Cerigg and Edwin must have still been very fresh in her mind. Moments after those circles had grown considerably, even the Exarch could barely escape the explosions in time.

"Does it have a weak spot or something?" - Reeq asked nervously.

"I'm afraid Cid doesn't leave any…"

The Tycoon began to pay more attention to other enemies, allowing the young mercenary a brief respite. Reeq's arrows did little but slow the Tycoon down by split seconds. This time it focused its visor on G'raha, shooting endless aether in attempts to wear the Exarch down. Despite all the efforts on the machine's part, G'raha couldn't help but notice a peculiar detail about the way Tycoon attacked. When it utilized its blasts of aether, it was always coming from a small visor above its main head. It was locked most of the time tightly, but for a few seconds, it would open, and it was likely connected to the core of Tycoon.

The Exarch's musings were interrupted by the machine trying out something else. Tycoon created four static beams of energy at the side of the arena.

"Wait, shouldn't they…It doesn't make sense; they can't just stop!" - Giott was shocked as G'raha witnessed the remnants of the power that had transferred his essence here. The ability to manipulate time itself, this energy was frozen beyond any fabric of reality, a feat that only this creation could perform. Even Emet-Selch was impressed by this, desperately trying to find out the way G'raha pulled this trick.

"It's attempting to fool us by freezing those in time for a moment; stay out of their way!" - G'raha commanded, and the three adventurers followed his instructions.

The edges of the platform would be safe even when all of those beams would be released, but the Tycoon's programming predicted that. When the team of adventurers thought they were safe, more crimson circles formed beneath them. Granson was the first to react by charging towards the edge, followed by Giott. Reeq charged towards the other side, but he was slightly late; the wave of decimation had touched him.

"Aargh!" - The archer let out a scream and fell to his knees, barely able to move. G'raha provided him with necessary healing, but this strike weakened Reeq. He was far less vibrant and agile while recuperating from the strike.

"It's adapting to our tactics!" - Granson figured out. "We don't have much time!"

G'raha was aware of that; as his eyes slipped towards the machine once again, he was thinking of how to pacify it without destroying the core. Perhaps his link with the tower could serve its purpose and establish a connection. For that, however, the visor would have to be open.

Tycoon focused on who was perceived as the weakest enemy, Lue-Reeq. The young archer shouted as he felt another aetheric blast on his shoulders. G'raha would have healed him once again, but something stopped him. The visor has been opening and closing with rapid regularity; this was his chance to use the connection.

There was no time to think. While Reeq was reeling and desperately trying to find a safe spot, G'raha called upon the Crystal Tower's energy. The Exarch felt the aether filling him as the spire above them has graced him with the Allagan might. His staff gleamed as G'raha let out a pale beam that pierced the Tycoon's visor moments after Reeq fell, exhausted by the pain.

The Exarch was astonished at the decision he had made. Usually, his instincts would always have him attempt to save his comrades, even at the cost of it prolonging the mission. This time, however, he must have thought that there was too much to lose subconsciously, so much that another sacrifice is a small price to pay…

The energy broke the Tycoon's patterns as the Exarch tried to break its code.

"You will…Obey!" - The power grew while the Tycoon became wilder; there was nothing to control it, even with G'raha being so close. The defensive mechanisms of its aetheric core have squashed as the energy began to leave the machine. Over time, its movements ceased as the Tycoon was pacified, and G'raha was able to let out a sigh of relief.

"It's over…" - The Exarch looked at his companions. Reeq was breathing heavily and only barely moving; the wounds that were inflicted while G'raha did not heal him have been considerable. Granson and Giott checked up on him.

"Aargh…It hurts…" - Reeq whimpered quietly.

"We need to get him to the medical bay!" - Granson commanded as G'raha watched, petrified. He could have spared him this pain had he only put his life above an opportunity to strike down the machine. But there was not even a lingering doubt in his mind that his was the right course of action…And it shouldn't have been this way. Was his loss changing G'raha's nature? When was his dedication getting too much?

Alas, now wasn't the time to think of those questions. Reeq needed aid, and Beq Lugg would no doubt want to study their findings.

…

Solus zos Galvus has been impressed by the swiftness and dedication that the garleans of the Ist have turned towards him. Unlike Quintus, who tried to make sense of what happened, clinging to his outdated beliefs and traditions, the soldiers and civilians did not care for the reasons at all. So many decades later, and yet Emet's eyes were witnessing the same picture of hope and faith in a single soul, again and again.

But the ascian was aware of the promise he gave them; they had much work to do before storming the tower itself. Those people needed their base of operations stabilized, starting with getting enough supplies and fuel for the heaters. Of course, there was much of it left in the city, but being overrun by tempered, the soldiers were reluctant to venture there without preparation. Solus, on the other hand, was swift to convince them that with him at their side, there was nothing to worry about. The ascian has ventured into the city's outskirts together with a few warriors, the young one that he met in the icy plains being one of them.

Their search immediately turned out to be productive; the group found a small devastated plaza where the magitek reapers fell during the onslaught. Their pilots have been buried beneath the rubble, presuming there was anything left of their bodies at all. Emet could feel the smell of burned fuel mixed with dried-up blood. The snow danced on his skin, reminding the ascian of the good old days. The soldiers marched behind him without uttering as much as a single word. Their faith in his leadership was as blind as the scions' rejection of the truth; at least here, it could be put to good use.

"Scavenge this place. There must be some fuel left nearby. If I find anything, I will let you know, and if anyone attacks…Just give me a signal." - Solus commanded as he gazed over the tormented land.

"Yes, my lord." - The senior garlean commanded, and the men have spread. The ascian quickly spotted a few tanks that had been hidden behind charred rubble; this would be of some use.

Though it's not like the young patriots needed his help in the search, only in protection from the tempered. Solus took this time to look at his servants, thinking back to the time when he first arrived in the garlean nation. Those few that remained desperately scoured for the few resources that were within their reach, tormenting their own bodies and souls just to feel the splendid taste of fresh fruit, to spend another second without shivering and rubbing their hands to get a sliver of warmth…

"Their fire rains down upon the land until their course is run…" - Solus hummed the line of an anthem garleans created for Ala Mhigo. Now theirs was the land scorched by fire…The ascian mused whether it was preferable to have your nation be destroyed by an opponent, knowing that the last chapters of your history were of unity and resilience, or to see your nation rot from the inside and be consumed by its own degeneracy. This was the eventual fate of all mortal nations, was it now? Perhaps Fandaniel's actions, in an ironic twist of fate, allowed garleans some dignity, making them forget of the civil war and focus on the common enemy.

As Solus watched over this land, he noticed an ebon spire in the distance; it was surrounded by another square. Not as notable as the main tower, this was a garlean industrial creation, a center for producing and controlling magitek technologies. Solus visited this place a few times before it was turned to ashes, but what was more important was that they may find what they sought there. When the search was over, the soldiers gathered around Emet to report.

"My lord, we have found three tanks with usable fuel. I will mark the location for others." - The soldier delivered the news with eagerness, clearly wanting approval from the Emperor. "Any orders, sir?"

"What about that part of the city?" - Solus pointed towards the mechanical spire. "Unless your people have scoured it already, I assume there to be much leftover fuel." - The ascian explained, only to have the soldier shake his head reluctantly.

"Our scouts have been there, but they found this place to be overrun by tempered, many of them in magitek reapers…It was not worth the risk."

"The garlean philosophy leaves no room for doubt." - Emet spoke with disappointment. "It tells one to fight any time there is the slimmest chance of success; had we not abided by this law, we would have never seen true greatness." - He declared, only to hear a quiet scoff from the blue-haired garlean in his squad. After eyeing Jullus and the young soldier noticing the attention, he spoke in retort.

"Someone here forgets that not everyone shares his godlike powers. Perhaps you would have no qualms with throwing our lives away for nothing, but we do." - He spoke with spite and bravery; the nearby soldier was appalled by this and gave Jullus a shocked gaze.

"Know your place. That's the founding father you're talking with!" - The man rushed to this unnecessary defense. Typical behavior for the vast majority of them. Of course, every single one had their own questions about Solus's nature and return, but they were no fools and understood that answers were unlikely to satisfy them. They would simply take his presence for granted and share their immense gratitude. Not Jullus, however; this boy was of the few who seemed to have a compass of his own.

"I don't care. It seems that even his radiance needs a reminder at times."

"Enough." - Emet said and approached Jullus, looking into his defiant eyes with curiosity. "Has my tale not convinced you? Do you require any more proof?"

"Nay…Lord Quintus told me that it was you, and I will not question his word." - Jullus shook his head.

"Then perhaps you wish that I did not come at all? That your people remained stranded in this scorched land, slowly freezing themselves to death?"

"I don't know…I don't know…" - His voice quivered as Solus's question made Jullus ponder.

"My lord, such behavior is unacceptable!" - One of the more fervent men said. "He should apologize to you publicly, or be punished!"

"Enough barking!" - Emet found himself speaking in a commanding and a rather disdainful tone, seeing how those soldiers were ready to turn at one another to look good in their leader's eyes. "If you have enough desire and strength to punish someone, save it for the tempered. We are heading off towards magitek factory; whatever your scouts didn't find, I shall easily uncover." - The ascian reiterated confidently.

"My lord…Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

There was no further questioning of his orders; the squad had set out towards the nearby, much more occupied square. Solus felt some doubt and fear in his men's hearts, but this was a great opportunity to show them how they could easily break their limits with his aid. As they trudged through the snow, Solus heard Jullus's quiet voice behind him.

"You shouldn't have returned." - He said coldly and with hatred.

"So a freezing death it is, then?"

"At least we would have died believing in you…Seeing you as the benevolent mighty Emperor we thought you were."

"And what, if I may wonder, does tarnish this perception now? Does it truly bother you that your Emperor pursued another agenda when you get to reap the fruits of his labor?"

"This agenda made you abandon us to a bloody long chain of wars…Do you know how much we lost?!" - Jullus lashed out at the ascian. "You know, you just don't care…"

"Or perhaps I simply choose not to waste my energy on such banal things as a grievance for something that existed for a single fragment of my life…But if those grievances matter to you, then I would gladly hear all of them." - The ascian said, interested to see Jullus's reaction. It was always intriguing to see mortals that fall outside of their typical fragile nature. Perhaps, this would also bring them some closure and allow Jullus to be less rebellious going forward.

"Ever since that damn night, when we heard about the assassination…The civil war, Garlemald in flames, the tempering, this "Fandaniel" you speak of, our own prince betraying us…Throughout all of this, we hoped…No, we prayed. Prayed like bloody savages for Varis to return! Do you know how many theories of his survival have I heard? Everyone wanted him to be alive. I wanted him to be alive to save us from this hell!" - His screams echoed through the wasteland and Hades's ears, causing other soldiers to whisper to each other in doubt. The ascian remained silent as he could feel the hatred of a man abandoned by his own nation, by his own people.

"And did you believe those delusions?"

"No, not a single word, and do you know why? They spoke of how Varis staged this incident to exterminate the disloyal traitors and reclaim the throne in the darkest hour…But I could not believe that he would make us suffer like this, even to his own ends. It was easier to believe that our Emperor has perished forever than that he would sacrifice thousands for some long-winded game." - Jullus's fist was clenched harder than a falling boulder. "And then I learn that these theories were wrong only on the matters of subject and scope…You could have returned all this time but chose to stand aside while we suffered, and I won't let you forget it!"

"How bold of you to assume I forget." - Emet sighed; he didn't mind the boy's anger. From his perspective, it was well-earned, but his last phrase made the ascian's blood boil. How dared he assume that he forgets…Jullus could not even comprehend how wrong he was. "I lived for generations, eons. I toiled for twelve thousand years, creating Empires and making them fall at my whim. I still remember every single one of them, every cog in my scheme. Do not presume that your prattling will spare my memory from obliviousness." - He said sternly, enough for Jullus to feel the sheer power of his voice and hold back. There was little point in continuing this discussion.

"My lord!" - One of the soldiers gasped. "Incoming!"

Emet looked forward, seeing three magitek reapers rushing from the spire, and a few tempered soldiers followed. Those machines surrounded their prey before his squad had an opportunity to prepare for the onslaught.

"Defend yourselves! I shall do the rest." - The ascian smiled and summoned a dark aura to his side. His men engaged the tempered, and the magitek reapers opened fire. The soldiers were well trained and masterfully evaded the fire; it seems that Quintus did not deceive Emet when he told him that those warriors were among his best.

Still, they would not hold on forever. The ascian created arrows of dark aether, falling upon the weaker tempered one after another. Their corpses fell like broken toys, leaving nothing but magitek reapers. Focusing his efforts on one of those machines, Solus let out a mighty stream that pierced the ground with decimating magic of darkness. It was enough to induce critical damage to the machine's circuits, forcing it to fall before him.

"Hell take me…" - One of the soldiers was astonished by Solus's true power, finally seeing him in action for the first time.

This was far from the end of it; there were still opponents remaining. Solus blended the aether around him and created a crimson sphere within the second magitek reaper, which exploded and demolished it in only a few seconds. The ascian searched for the third reaper. This one has targeted Jullus, who was lagging behind others. The young soldier maintained his position bravely and did not think to run. Solus had another trick up his sleeve; this time, it was an aetheric mirror that emerged with a beam, piercing a hole in the machine and having it crash into the snow.

Emet teleported towards Jullus to check up on the soldier. One of the last shots did enough to strip the man of his balance and force him to the ground. How fortunate that Solus was here to provide a helping hand. Jullus did not take it, standing up himself and continuing to avoid eye contact with the ascian.

"Thank you…" - He spoke quietly, failing to display any gratitude.

"That could not sound more fake even if you tried. Nevertheless, you're welcome." - The ascian said with amusement before turning towards others. Others have been shocked by the true extent of their power, but it wasn't fear that the ascian saw in their eyes. It was hope.

"He has returned. He truly has! He will save us all now!"

"Glory be to lord Galvus!"

That was exactly the attitude he needed in his army.

…

At first, the operation in Garlemald has gone smoothly.

The Ilsabard Contingent was taken to Magna Glacies, with Cid following closely behind in the cockpit of his new weapon. While among his comrades, Estinien got an opportunity to learn a little more about those that have taken up arms to invade. He got to know mighty warriors of the steppe, including Magnai Oronir and Sadu Dotharl, who eagerly sought challenge and bloodshed in this "land of iron." The dragoon talked to the Gridanian delegation led by A-Ruhn-Senna, a padjal who focused on maintaining peace and order in their ranks, and it wasn't as simple with soldiers as boisterous as the pirates of Limsa. The black mages from Ul'Dah have been just as impressive; Estinien wondered how much warmth could be provided by all those who had a talent in black magic among the Contingent.

Estinien and others that have specialized in precise and occasionally stealthy operations have taken the task of entering Imperial watchtowers and outposts in attempts to destabilize them, clearing the way for their caravan. This was nothing that the dragoon and those in the Bozjan resistance could not handle, but it allowed Estinien to see how drastic of a change occurred in Garlemald. This land was always harsh and unforgiving, but when he visited it with Gaius, it brimmed with life and business, radiating its people's nature and dedication. Now it was decaying as the outposts were crawling with mindless imperials, blindly thrashing about like animals. They have been easier to strike at times, but Estinien managed to feel some regret over their passing. At least this was an absolution at the end of all their suffering.

When the work there was done, he rejoined the caravan in the forests. Now the Contingent trudged through the eerily silent land, expecting a trap after every step they made.

"Halone s-s-strike me…" - Emmanellain spoke with a quivering voice as his entire body shivered from the dreading cold that bit their skin. "I knew it would be cold, but I thought it wouldn't be worse than Coerthas…"

"We're in one of the northernmost reaches of the world; what did you expect?" - Stephanivien shrugged at the notion, though he must have felt the chill just as much. The Azure Dragoon remained with the two elezen and the Ishgardian group during their journey, having to listen to the young lord's occasional complaints.

"When I come back, I'll surely tell Artoriel how he…" - Emmanellain looked at Estinien before he could finish, displaying clear shock and surprise in his gaze. "Honestly, if I were you, I would've never come here again."

"Always wanted to return, to be honest." - Estinien responded.

"Really?"

"Yes, though not for the place itself, it has only got worse since my last visit. I suppose I just want to end the Empire that has interrupted my retirement and then go back to my peaceful life." - The Dragoon stated.

"That's a worthy goal, though it wouldn't hurt if there will be some glory on the way." - The young lord smiled, soon to have Stephanivien join the conversation.

"I doubt there's any glory to be found in fighting enslaved opponents with no choice or will." - The elezen shook his head.

"He is right, you know." - Estinien added. "War is far from pleasant, always and especially now."

"Speaking of that…" - Stephanivien added. "You've seen the tempered, right? How bad is it?"

"Let's say death is hardly worse than their current state of existence." - Estinien said with a dreadful tone that even made Emmanellain look up uncomfortably.

As they continued to move, the forests around them grew more malicious, as if a patch of predators was watching them, ready to attack at the first opportunity. Wild animals would do little to harm them, but Estinien was preparing for something worse. Who knew how much of the area Fandaniel could see from that tower? Perhaps they were already…

"The bastards are here!" - One of the Limsan warriors screamed as all hell broke loose. From beyond the shadows of the trees, a whole army of tempered warriors ran out like rabid dogs, circling their prey. Estinien has taken up his lance, ready to protect his friends and allies almost instinctively, but this was far from the worst.

There were a number of magitek reapers following, somehow still piloted by the enthralled imperials. This was an ambush that had been clearly designed by the ascian; there could be no other explanation.

"To arms! Defend yourselves!" - Lucia commanded and prepared for the battle. Many would recoil in terror at sight like this, and Estinien would not blame such people, but none here would even dare to shiver. This was exactly the battle they expected, even if not so soon.

"Finally, the taste of battle!" - Sadu shouted with glee before unleashing her fiery spells.

"The iron men will fall!" - Magnai prepared his hammer and charged into the fight along with Sadu and Cirina. The Ishgardian convoy was between that of the steppes and of Twin Adder forces, and everyone had to focus on their own as each was swarmed at the same time.

The dragoon wanted to attack, but one of the magitek reapers fired and forced him backward. Estinien managed to offer enough resistance to its force and landed on his legs. Before he could coordinate his movements, the two tempered attacked the elezen. Those couldn't have been any worse than those he met in Thavnair, albeit this time, there were many more to come. Estinien blocked their hits, surprised by the fury and ravage he could sense in their movements. One of the soldiers was weaker than the other, eventually opening up for a hit. Estinien killed the garlean and was about to attack his partner.

Those tempered moved swiftly, fueled by hunger and madness; even for Estinien, they were difficult to reach at times. He got some aid, however, for the soldier soon collapsed due to a bullet that pierced his back. Stephanivien's timing was impeccable, but there was no time for words. The two elezen reunited on the battlefield, looking over the chaos that ensued around them. Among this, Estinien witnessed that which petrified his heart.

Emmanellain has kneeled amidst the circling opponents. One of them has pierced the young man with his sword. Now he was drenched in blood, unable to resist so many soldiers at once. The young lord tried to speak, though he could not let out anything more than a tormented grunt. The nearby soldier was swift to cut Emmanellain's throat with the steel blade, forcing him to gulp before collapsing amidst a puddle of crimson snow. He flinched for a few more seconds, coughing and drowning in his own blood.

"Emmanellain!" - Stephanivien shouted with horror and ran towards the lordling. Estinien was forced to defend their positions as the convoys in front of them were swiftly overrun.

"Hold your positions; they're attacking from the rear!" - Lucia commanded as she slashed the garleans that attacked her. She breathed heavily but continued to battle masterfully among the white mages and xaela warriors.

Estinien was about to make his way towards Stephanivien only to be intercepted by more tempered. The dragoon was preparing for another tiring onslaught, but Alberic was there to help him. The two dragoons pierced their opponents and defended the caravan.

"I didn't expect there to be so many." - Alberic said grimly as he removed his spear from the soldier's corpse.

"We should've…" - Estinien threw a glance at Stephanivien, who was towering over Emmanellain's corpse, trying to stop the blood from clotting, but it was too late for that. Estinien realized this. He understood that Emmanellain was gone in an instant, just like that. And yet he felt nothing, not a second of pain or regret. After seeing his family slaughtered, Estinien learned to shut down the immediate shock and reaction, for nothing could rival what he saw that day. The pain would come, but it would happen much later when the danger was already no more.

"Stephanivien, we need your aid!" - The dragoon called, and with some reluctance, the machinist answered. The son of Haillenarte had the experience of his own, though he wasn't as resilient to loss as Alberic or Estinien.

The Ishgardianas carried on in their battle, defending their convoy from the rabid garleans. However, most of the attackers have gathered at the one in front of them, and Estinien got the displeasure of seeing it burn. Three magitek reapers fired at the same time and plunged the convoy into chaos and flames. There were supplies and equipment there; they couldn't afford to lose any more…

"Stay here, and I'll help the others!" - Estinien said and rushed to the damaged convoy.

He immediately found himself amidst a chaotic struggle between garleans and the warriors of the steppe.

"Is that all you've got?!" - Sadu shouted with disappointment as she burned her opponents with hellish flames. "Even Magnai fights better!"

"Perhaps I should remind you how I truly fight once it's over." - The warrior beside her replied with annoyance.

"Have I touched a nerve, little sun? Show your skills to your nhaama…Oh, wait…" - She smiled with glee, only to have Magnai grunt angrily. Cirina and other warriors have remained to guard supplies and help the wounded, while those two have sought the very heart of any battle. Estinien plunged into chaos by slaughtering two more soldiers and finding himself a place beside two warriors.

"I see you've been doing an excellent job." - He congratulated the au ra while still focusing on their enemies; Magnai nodded in accordance.

"People of Doma know the might of the steppes, and so they have sent for us to crush the iron men!" - He said with pride before squashing another skull with his mallet.

"Such a shame that those pests are hardly worthy opponents!" - Sadu added with distaste. For a moment, Estinien thought that the three of them could hold the line, but this hope was swiftly shattered once reinforcements joined the fold. The garleans were led by a woman in white armor of a Legatus and carrying a greatsword. She disposed of the few soldiers that were in her way and noticed the trio.

The garleans surrounded Sadu, Magnai, and Estinien, and the three of them had already been working out a plan. Oronir let out a powerful shout not too distinct from a roar to attract the attention of those primitive beings. When many of them attacked the warrior, he could easily hold them off.

"Now, Sadu!" - He shouted to the woman, who immediately prepared the spell.

"And now be purged!" - She unleashed a fiery comet, mortally wounding five soldiers with a single spell.

"For those that supposedly hate each other, you make a rather effective team." - The dragoon noted with a smile.

"Don't compare me to this witch!"

"What, too good for you?" - Sadu continued to mock Magnai, but soon the trio found themselves overrun. The Legatus has joined the fray, and her strength far exceeded that of the soldiers. One slash after another, she cut her way into the heart of their caravan.

"Focus on her!" - Estinien said and charged toward the woman.

"Someone who won't die in a few seconds, finally!" - Sadu exclaimed and rushed to her prey, followed by Magnai.

There was no point in thinking of how overrun they were, but Estinien expected conditions far worse. The rear seemed to have emptied itself the moment he and the au ra arrived to block the Legatus's way. Magnai and Sadu attempted their usual tactic, with the former striking the armored woman with his hammer while Sadu weakened her with the flame. She withstood this, which served to make the two warriors even more engaged.

"Finally!" - Lucia's voice echoed from the Ishgardian caravan, causing Estinien to look and finally realize the reason for such forgiving rear. The garleans had to retreat and form another stand on the back side, as the giant N-Warrior had already reached them. Finally, something to balance the situation out! Garlond would purge caravan after caravan from invaders, but it was not an easy task. The magitek reapers and claws still swarmed the place, providing considerable resistance. They were on their own for now.

And the Legatus has formed a considerable army behind her, consisting of soldiers and magitek reapers alike. She mustn't have retained any free will, but at times, Estinien thought that she was able to command them despite conditions. He saw the armored woman push towards Sadu, almost ready to pierce the au ra.

"Don't you dare!" - An array of arrows descended from the sky, forcing their opponent to retreat. The au ra of the Mol tribe, Cirina, has joined their battle. She carried a bow and was eager to defend her friends. "Are you alright, Sadu?"

"I'm more than fine, finally, a good fight!" - She continued to cast the spells of ravaging flame.

"Be careful; there are a lot of them!"

"See that woman? She is the strongest. Let's get her!" - Sadu said and beckoned for Cirina to join her in the battle.

Estinien and Magnai remained slightly behind, methodically quenching the hunger of rabid soldiers. Soon the two warriors were met with a magitek reaper opening fire. The machine guns left barely any spot unattended, as did the rockets it would unleash from time to time.

"The iron stallions…I've been warned about them." - Magnai scoffed. "Nothing but a pale imitation of the real fire!" - The au ra charged at the reaper and threw the pilot off-guard with a precise strike. Before it could focus on the target again, Estinien leaped at the cockpit and pierced the pilot's heart. After a faint grunt, the garlean collapsed, leaving the suit neutralized and unattended.

"One down." - Estinien said.

"Only dozens more to go!" - Magnai finished as the two saw the overwhelming army at the front. There was no one left but Cirina and Sadu. Estinien rushed to their aid, as did Oronir; they could only hope that it wasn't too late. Magnai did not seem too worried; the dragoon saw pure confidence glimmering in his eyes. He was certain that Sadu would survive.

"Finally, I thought you decided to run away!" - Dotharl sneered when the two joined her side. This momentary distraction, however, proved damning as Sadu was pushed aside by the Legatus. Magnai joined the battle, sparring with the woman trying to wear her out. Estinien knew that this method was unlikely to work; the tempering made its thralls resilient to as much pain as possible as long as they could do something of use.

There were no reinforcements on the way with N-Warrior and other soldiers being occupied with their own caravans. There didn't seem to be any new tempered arriving, but those that already came were more than enough for them to battle. The au ra warriors understood this, and so they needed something to counter the imperial onslaught and as quickly as possible.

"Get ready!" - Sadu shouted and summoned a number of tablets behind her, each infused with decimating magic. "This will hurt!" - She channeled her own energy into her creation, forging a spell to defy limitations.

"Would it not be better to regroup at another convoy?" - Even Estinien seemed unsure about their course, but Sadu refused to budge.

"Others have a lot to deal with; we'll only lead this swarm down their way. No, they need to be done with here and now!" - She commanded and continued to unleash her energy. Sadu needed help, and the other three warriors were ready to protect her.

Magnai was the first to take charge. With eyes full of primal rage, the Oronir warrior killed one soldier after another. When one of them attempted to attack the au ra, he grabbed the soldier by the neck and pushed until his eyes became red, agonized breathing ceased, and the soft bones finally snapped. Another tempered attempted to attack from behind, but Magnai counter-attacked and smashed the soldier's chest.

Cirina maintained her distance, but she wasn't any less involved in the battle. Her arrows always served as an aid for the brave fighters. The Mol knew exactly where to strike, getting necks and foreheads pierced with arrows. Blood was always falling on the snow before the corpses would follow. Some attempted to reach Cirina, but the au ra was always carefully retreating, switching position after position, seemingly untouchable for the warriors.

Estinien maintained his classic fighting style, it was always much simpler to fight men rather than dragons, and the dragoon had a lot of experience with the latter. The magitek reapers were another matter, however, as was the Legatus, whose skills that she learned before falling victim to the tower have transferred into this state. No matter how precise would Estinien's attacks be, she would always block them. There wasn't much time before this horde would go on to destroy other caravans along with its defenders.

"Sadu, we need to go!" - Cirina shouted with fear, admitting that they won't be able to fight any longer.

"No, not yet!" - Dotharl responded with a pained voice. She was giving much of her own power and capacity into those tablets; the wildfire that will follow must be one to remember.

"It's too dangerous. There are too many of them!"

"It doesn't matter, just a few more seconds, just…" - As Sadu opened up for a split second, this was enough for the magitek reaper to strike her with a machine gun. Dozens of bullets had pierced the au ra's body at superb speed; she had no time to react. "Argh…" - Sadu attempted to speak, but all the mage could do was cough with blood and shake as burning metal poisoned her blood.

"SADU, NO!" - Cirina cried in terror, but before she could charge toward her friend, who was surrounded by enemies, Magnai held her hand, forcing her to stay. "No, let me go; what are you doing?!"

"You won't survive it!"

Estinien was about to try and reach Sadu on his own, but he could see her from this distance. The rivers of blood streamed down her ebon skin as the au ra fell to her knees. She didn't scream or ache. Even the spell was still being fueled with energy. Estinien could witness the sheer confidence in her eyes…And the sardonic smile she forced out of herself despite immense pain. This agony was a trial, a challenge. And for those like her, any challenge was bliss, even if it is destined to become your last.

"AAAARGH!" - She screeched before unleashing an inferno that swirled around her, annihilating dozens of garleans. They did not even have time to hiss or scream; this wave would immediately put them to eternal sleep. Some would be charred beneath their armor, collapsing from immense agony. Others would die on the spot. Sadu was caught in the middle of it, consumed by her own flames. Estinien tried his best not to lose sight of her; the last image he remembered was that of resignation and serenity, accepting the pain…And then the flames have overtaken all.

"NO, NO!" - Cirina continued to scream while Magnai held her tightly, looking at the flame with a grim pain on his face. Estinien noticed that the Legatus was the only one to survive despite her wounds. There was nothing else to do but finish the job.

After she was gone, the dragoon took a prompt look at other caravans. They seemed to manage their defense; there were less tempered remaining, not mentioning the N-Warrior on its way. Cid dealt with the magitek creations while Lucia and her squad pacified those on the ground. The storm was reaching its end, leaving nothing but a land drenched in blood and tears of those who saw their loved ones perish…

All while the spire towered above them all, where the dark mastermind watched this slaughter with glee.