After gathering enough supplies, Estinien found himself focusing on another task almost immediately. Lucia and Solus have contacted Quintus, claiming that they will arrive soon, and it is time to begin the necessary preparation, which includes scouting the path to the tower. According to the Ist's intel, there was an abandoned tram station that could be used to get their allied forces into the spire itself. However, it would do good for them to scout the route and remove any obstacles that stood in their path.

The dragoon was quick to volunteer and set out to the northern reaches of the ruins. He was a trained warrior who learned to best tempered with skill and swiftness, and such menial work as this allowed him room to ponder on recent developments and possibly come to a conclusion that has still evaded him.

At first, his path was not able to surprise Estinien with anything he had not expected. There were rabid tempered that attacked him at first sight, but he had no problem leaving a trail of corpses behind with their blood splattering on the snow. This was the tempered's weakness, anyone in their mind would have found the bodies and realized that the path was claimed by your enemy, but when you are a thrall who has lost even the most basic of functions, it was easy to outsmart them. Even occasional magitek claws and reapers did not do enough to stop him; Estinien was able to strike most of them before they even took notice.

While he trudged through the snowy ruins towards the place he was told about, the dragoon tried to piece together the motives and past of Solus. He knew that he arrived here only recently and that the situation the world was in would have been dire if an ascian agreed to ally with the mortals to stop the forces of doom. Then he also knew that Edwin and the scions had been in another realm, swayed by the power of the Crystal Tower. What business could be so important for the unsundered that he leaves their world if not the Warrior of Light's interference? If his friends were truly gone, it was far from unlikely that it was Solus's hand that slaughtered them. This was just a nudging feeling, and Estinien did not want to pass this judgment before he knew the answer, but once he was back in Tertium, there would be some questions to ask.

However, all of his expectations were shattered as Estinien got closer to the abandoned station. There in the snow, he saw a silhouette of a lone man whose behavior bore no resemblance to the tempered and piqued the elezen's attention. Estinien approached with caution, tiptoeing between the rubble, trying to examine this mysterious figure in the darkness. He saw long golden hair and a peculiar weapon he held, resembling a farmer's scythe, but much bigger, suitable for a battle.

"One after another, they fall beneath the moonlight, drowning in the hell of their own making…" - The man spoke into the void coldly, ignoring Estinien's presence. It was then that the dragoon realized that this had been none other than Zenos himself. Estinien contemplated retreating, but doing so would almost certainly attract his attention, so he remained to watch. When they met last time, the crown prince had little trouble fighting both him and Gaius at the same time. "Such an empty way to live, such pathetic way to die. Perhaps he spoke the truth after all. Don't you think so, my enemy…" - With those words, a creature of the void appeared near him. A ghoul only distantly resembling a man flew around Zenos, radiating its dark impulse, completely subservient to the reaper. "…my friend?"

The ghoul approached Zenos, and the echoes of its distorted voice rang in his ears; even Estinien heard the echo.

"I see." - Zenos said. Seconds after this, the ghoul disappeared into the darkness and emerged beside Estinien, cornering him. The dragoon sheathed his spear immediately and jumped back, preparing for a fight. He hated to admit it, but his heart skipped a beat at the realization that Zenos now knew of his presence.

"Not a step closer!" - Estinien spoke with confidence as he found himself caught between Zenos and the voidsent. He looked at the reaper only to see utter disinterest and disappointment in his eyes as he examined the opponent.

"Go." - Zenos gave an order to his servant. "This one is not worthy of being my prey." - After those words, the creature retreated to its master's side. Zenos turned around and walked toward the looming tower, leaving Estinien dumbfounded. He knew of Zenos's apathetic nature, but to show no care for the enemy getting that close at all? Estinien contemplated running as quickly as possible and piercing Zenos from behind, though he knew this to be certain suicide. He could not simply let him walk away, however.

"Why are you here?" - Estinien spoke the first words that came to his mind. Zenos stopped and slowly turned around, focusing his morbid gaze on the dragoon.

"I am traversing the land which is mine by right. Perhaps it is I who should ask you this question?" - Zenos claimed.

"I am not telling you anything."

"No need." - The reaper did not seem disappointed. "I know why you are here, to secure a way for your allies before you come for…What? Justice? Answers? Salvation? Worthless causes, every single one." - He said dismissively and looked at the moon with a shade of anticipation, almost as if hoping for a miracle to happen.

"Have you truly expected for people of this world to simply stand aside while you destroy it?"

"Salvation it is, then. But what is the point? To prolong this purposeless life until you perish amidst its emptiness?" - Zenos spoke with some disdain.

"Ironic words for a man who was very eager to resume your "contest" the last time we met." - Estinien's words made Zenos switch his focus, pulling the reaper back to reality as he looked directly into his eyes.

"You will not understand. What is it you fight for? I heard tales of your exploits, Wyrmblood. You were consumed by hatred and revenge that made you fight for many years."

"That is in the past. I fight to protect those I care about, no matter how few there are left…"

"It is no different. You fight for a purpose; for you, violence is but a tool, not a destination. For me, it is everything. Beginning, middle, and the end, with blissful moments in between. The time between the seconds." - His voice maintained painful regret.

"Then why do you not attempt to stop me? I will fight back."

"It is not the same when your opponent does not understand. He may have the power, the eagerness, and resolve, but it will hardly matter in the end. You are but a waste of my time, like all the others." - Zenos was about to turn around and leave, but Estinien decided to play with fire and try to get an insight into their plans.

"And Fandaniel? Do you not care for his plan being foiled?"

"I do not think it will be. Either way, it is slightly more entertaining to leave the stage for the fools to enact their performance." - Zenos did not care whatsoever. He did not even think to sheathe his scythe or send his voidsent to fight Estinien. "There is nothing Fandaniel can give me; I only watch his plans out of curiosity. His endgame leaves some…Intrigue. When that is done, there will be nothing left for me but to shine incandescent in death's shadow. And the whole world will follow, to feel that which I have felt atop the Ala Mhigan menagerie, even if for a split second. Does that satisfy you?"

"If you know that Fandaniel seeks oblivion, then why follow him? If this world is saved, you still have a life ahead of you. A chance to seek another "worthy" opponent, whoever you qualify as such." - Estinien failed to understand Zenos's mindset but still grabbed onto the few hints of sanity he had left.

"No." - Zenos said sharply. "That will not happen again. Edwin understood me, the only one, as I did him. Our battle was the moment that made my life worth living. Now that he is gone…My return was a mistake."

"We still do not for sure if he is truly gone."

At these words, Estinien saw Zenos suddenly chuckle, displaying a relatively strong emotion for the first time today.

"You humor me, dragoon. There was power in Edwin that no blessings, no titles of the "Warrior of Light" could replicate. The Emissary served to demonstrate that clearly. Now only my great grandfather remains; I know he has come for retribution. Still, he will not give me that which I seek, nor possess any powers that his friend did not." - Zenos was disappointed. "There is little need to discuss what could have been. I have my duty, and you have yours." - He spoke and resumed his walk towards the tower, ignoring the dragoon. It was clear that he cared for nothing, although Estinien would make sure to warn everyone of the place where they met in case of an ambush.

"One more thing." - Estinien made Zenos stop once more. "Who is Solus's "friend" you talk about?"

"Fandaniel claimed that Solus came here to find Elidibus, the paragon Emissary that claimed my body before. Is that not true?"

"I don't know…Not yet. His motives are a mystery to all of us."

"I see." - Zenos sighed. "If there is anything to gain out of this pointless conversation, then let it be this. Tell Solus that wherever he came here, he does not want to see his friend. For his own sanity." - The reaper claimed before walking into the shadows along with his avatar, leaving Estinien alone with much to ponder about.

Their enemies truly knew no reason.

…

With how the negotiations have gone so far, Emet-Selch found himself very pleased. Despite occasional aggressive barks from Lyse and a few other Alliance members, Lucia was eager to put an end to Fandaniel's schemes, no matter what methods she had to employ for this. The ascian had some reservations about Quintus's reception, but so far, the old Legatus proved obedient enough.

When the time was right, Hades led Lucia and a few other Alliance members to Tertium to discuss further plans. He was preparing for a verbal fight between van Cinna and Lucia once they had met, but Solus was proven wrong. When he saw Quintus, he was stripped of what little determination and eagerness he had before. His protests were of little consequence; when Lucia and her escort arrived, he accepted it, not even bothering to give them a proper welcome, leaving this task to Solus and Jullus. Was it his shame of allying with the savages that did not allow Quintus to accept his situation?

Other than this, their progress has gone smoothly. An abandoned station could be used to move the troops into the tower while making this attempt as concealed as possible. The only drawback of this would be the inability to utilize the mechanical creation the Alliance brought here, the N-Warrior until the battle has already begun. Solus usually treated machines with skepticism when they were to fight beings infused by magic, but anything created by Garlond was worth giving a chance. They began moving the troops to a marked position while Emet was told that Estinien took the task of clearing the way on himself. Now they only had to wait for the dragoon's return home.

While preparations were going underway, Hades spent a good amount of time wandering around the station. Eorzean troops that were allowed inside largely kept to themselves, with the garleans unwilling to allow them to come close, much less join their conversations. In the rare times, the two camps had to interact, they did so with animosity fueled by an endless war.

It felt surreal to realize that those were his actions that created this animosity by design. As he looked upon the garlean flag before him, he imagined Hythlodaeus and Apollo standing beside him, "enjoying" the results of his work. He would have wondered if they approved if he didn't know the answer already. He still remembered the day when Hythlodaeus bid goodbye to him, willing to sacrifice his soul for the greater good. He smiled with pride as he did, but Emet sensed the torment in his soul right until his death. The next time they look each other in the eyes, one of them will be a hero that gave his life to say a civilization, while the other has destroyed a dozen of them. That's what made the prospect of leaving this broken world and returning to the past to avert the Final Days so appealing, though Emet knew that he would never be able to leave his sins behind.

Trying to avoid getting consumed by the unpleasant thoughts once again, Solus continued to silently oversee the developments in Tertium. There was something that surprised him and even made the ascian question what he saw. Quintus and Lucia were sitting at the small table set up near the train, sharing a drink of some water and discussing something. Their souls were dripped in distrust and disdain, especially Quintus's, but the two did not avoid talking as he expected them to. Perhaps they have finally given in to the urgency of their situation. Either way, Solus would hear them himself.

"Your "heroes" will spearhead the attack, as I'm sure they're eager to do." - Quintus proposed. "The men of the Ist will help you, but I will make sure their positions are kept safe. Solus will lead the way for them."

"We expect your Legion to offer as much aid as we do; this isn't a way for you to use our men to do all the dirty work." - Lucia said dismissively.

"Now that our reinforcements are not coming, it is only natural to use any opportunity we're provided with." - The Legatus said as he took another sip.

"You know of the Legions, then?" - Lucia sounded surprised.

"Solus told me. Traitors, all of them."

"The Xth has brought a message, 'have the iyl stand down.' Does that not show you the futility of your stance?"

"I do not answer to their authority anymore, not while Emperor Solus is with us."

"Do you hear yourself?" - Lucia was perplexed. "You seem like a rational man. Do you not understand that you are just pawns in his game, no better than us? He will turn on you the moment you outlive your usefulness. There will be no authority to answer to, none except an ascian that wishes to see all of us exterminated. Is that the future you want?"

"Hah…How noble of you to concern yourself with the future so much." - Quintus sighed with pain. "We garleans do not have such luxury. To answer your question…Imagine what would have happened if Solus would never come. I do not have to imagine; it was the reality for us very recently. No food, technology, communication, or heat, just a bunch of broken men freezing to their deaths. How would you treat us then?" - He said spitefully.

"We would offer you any help we can provide."

"Indeed you would. Only until the crisis is over, that is. Then your leaders would step in, making us your powerless vassals. We would be stripped of autonomy, our customs and culture, and our third eye would forever be a mark of shame. This is the only fate for us," - He spoke defeatedly.

"You know that this is not true; otherwise, I would have never been given a position of leadership in Ishgard and this operation simply due to my 'mark of shame'."

"As if that proves anything. You are the garlean they want; you have given up your legacy and honor to side with Ishgardian fanatics, a perfect example they would certainly use to motivate others while taking away their identity. With Solus here, it is you who need our aid. He represents every single vile deed you and the likes of Fordola ascribe to Empire. Murder, oppression, torture, rape, extermination…But he is still a garlean. He is our unity, our bonds and blood, our courage, and the excruciating, glorious battles we fought together. Maybe not in my eyes, but in the eyes of the people. It is his game, but so long as it remains, so it is us who dictate the rules, perhaps the last time in our existence." - Quintus said with a glimpse of pride.

"Then you prefer to live your life in illusion…I see." - Lucia turned away with disappointment, noticing Emet loitering around. "Very tactful of the "garlean unity" to watch others while hiding in the shadows."

"I can't help but take an interest in listening to a civilized conversation." - Solus shrugged and walked towards them, catching both Quintus and Lucia looking at him with distrust. "In all honesty, it truly delights me to see how well you've been getting along, relatively at least. I am surprised to see Quintus holding me in such high regard, but I am not complaining."

"Don't think this to absolve you." - The Legatus said. "I will never forget your abandonment."

"On that, we're in agreement." - Lucia supported, seemingly realizing that finally, she and Quintus could agree on something. "Apparently, there is more than one way you helped our unity, Solus."

"Glad to be of service. Speaking of forgiving and forgetting…You may curse my name every single night for all I care; your absolution or lack thereof means as much to me as that of a tempered thrall." - Emet said with honesty. "I would propose we put these differences behind us for now. After all, aren't we all garleans here? Arguably the three with the most power." - Solus noted and saw Lucia shake her hand as she put her cup aside.

"The Garlean ideology as it was is gone. It was doomed the moment we learned that it was nothing but a way to manipulate nations to your benefit. Now each of us will have to choose our own path, whether we like it or not. But whatever it will be for each surviving garlean, it will not be dictated by you anymore." - She spoke with confidence, and Quintus looked to the floor in silence, unable to deny her words.

"Assuming any survive at all." - Emet said casually.

"And this is the symbol of Garlemald?" - Lucia shook her head.

"I am exactly what people need me to be, now and before. Do you imagine many of them asked questions rather than just accept the man that saved them from a life of misery? Quintus demonstrates this perfectly, for he knows how it truly was back then, how much was at stake in the first years of Garlemald. Were it not for me, you would have remained a subjugated nation of weak farmers, unable to fight the invaders." - Solus spoke to both garleans. "If the third eye is to become a mark of shame, it means it has simply returned to the state it has been before my intervention. And nobody truly wants that, do they?"

"It will not be. As a garlean, I will make sure of it." - Lucia swore.

"Only time will tell." - Solus spoke quietly before wandering off; those two have been vastly more entertaining when at odds with each other. Otherwise, their arguments became a circular pattern of disdain for the man who gave them a future.

Emet expected to wander off again, but his eye caught a familiar silhouette near Fordola. Estinien Wyrmblood has returned and was already talking about something with her. Not eager to repeat the failure of silent listening, Solus decided to ensure the safety of their path himself. Surprisingly, for Solus, after Estinien noticed him, the dragoon was eager to leave his companion behind and walk toward the ascian; intrigue and cautiousness were clear on his face.

"I see our lone wolf has finally made it back to the pack." - Solus said. "I assume you encountered no complications?"

"The path is clear, as is the station." - Estinien announced with haste; it was clear that there was something else he wanted to discuss. "Expect one complication. I met Zenos on my way."

"My great-grandson?" - Emet did not expect him to ever leave the tower. He would not find any sport in those lands. "And yet you are unscathed."

"We did not fight; he had no interest in it at all." - The dragoon recounted, his voice filled with the struggle to understand a mind such as Zenos's. Even for ascians, he remained an enigma. "He mused of Edwin and their fight that will never happen now." - Those words shook Emet slightly, making him remember the day they fought. How he was forced to kill a shade of his best friend that he still cared for, even after him abandoning the convocation, after his exploits, after the sundering.

"Must be tragic for him…" - Emet smirked distantly. "Did he mention aught of Elidibus? He is my ally that needs rescuing."

"He did. He said that you would not want to see him. 'For your own sanity'" - These words toyed with Emet's fears, wounding his heart, but this is exactly something he could expect from monsters such as Zenos and Amon. They would not simply imprison him. They will make him suffer. Amon, in particular, would get an opportunity to excise his hatred for the unsundered on one of them. He would not hold back, and Emet will not too.

"That means that we do not have much time…I shall look to final preparations." - Solus was about to leave; these tidings made him want to the tower as soon as possible. If those bastards have hurt Elidibus, he will not show the slightest mercy. Their souls will be obliterated from the face of this world, never to be reborn again.

"There is something I've been meaning to ask." - Estinien spoke grimly.

"Be quick." - Emet was about to dismiss him. Indulging mortal whims was the last thing he wished after realizing the danger Elidibus was in because of him allowing the Emissary to venture here alone.

"Something has piqued my curiosity ever since you arrived at our camp. You claim to have been distracted, so much so that you ignored Fandaniel's actions until he brought this world to the brink with his towers." - Estinien's judgmental voice rang in Emet's head as the ascian realized where this was going. "I also know that Edwin, Alphinaud, and others have been away on another word as well. I found it strange that an ascian of your caliber will simply get "distracted" while the world you preside over is consumed by chaos. You were in the same world, I take it." - Estinien took a deep breath before looking Emet in the eyes. "Was it you…That killed them?" - His voice quivered.

"Their schemes have played a part in foiling our plans, that is for sure…" - Emet spoke with uncertainty. He despised lying to anyone, but sometimes it was impossible to avoid without being downright idiotic. This was one of those instances. "But it was not my hand that slew the Warrior of Light. He sacrificed himself to save the world on the brink of a calamity, absorbing the light into himself at the cost of his survival. Even in death, he managed to complicate our mission…I do not regret his death." - He almost avoided directly lying, but claiming that he did not regret Edwin's death crossed the line.

"I see." - Estinien said with complacency. "So he died to stop a calamity from occurring and save the people of this world? All while you treat it as a game of pawns that have now become 'complicated'? An ascian through and through. Mark my words, we will not stop fighting, and if you hope to turn against us when this is over, know that you will not be the only one." - He concluded with a tint of anger and left, leaving Hades alone.

They were clever, and they will know. It was the ascian's duty to make sure that when they finally did, it would not matter anymore.

…

The remainder of their feast has been as much of bliss as its beginning. For G'raha, it became easier once he spoke his mind to the people. The Exarch would not waste an opportunity to talk with as many of them as possible individually, to hear their stories and the unique paths that they have walked up to this hopeful day. They were eager to put the crimes of Vauthry, lightwardens, and the ascians behind them, focusing on securing a prosperous future.

Once the time for words had passed, however, the Exarch decided to begin the transition. He said his goodbyes, and everyone knew that this was the last evening he would spend with his people; it was time to serve them one last time.

G'raha, Beq Lugg, and Ryne reunited atop the crystal tower in Xande's former throne room. The last time he was here, the Exarch was amidst a clash with Elidibus, empowered by hope. Ryne played a key part in it, and for a moment, it seemed as if she made the ascian doubt his cause.

When the trio found themselves in the middle of an Azure crystal plateau, there was little time to waste.

"Are we all ready?" - Beq asked with a serious tone; it was clear that the process ahead of them was risky and required perfect execution on their part.

"I've been stacking on power as much as I could. If this is not enough, I don't think anything will be." - Ryne said confidently; the nu mou nodded and gazed at G'raha. The Exarch clutched his staff and looked at the skies consumed by light. The last opportunity for him to witness Norvrandt in all of its glory, it made him a little distant. "G'raha?"

"Yes, ready when you are." - He said sharply and looked at his allies.

"Wait!" - A worried female voice interrupted them. The three saw Lyna running up the staircase, trying to chase the others. After she saw that they had not begun, she was visibly relieved. "Thank the stars!"

"Lyna, what…What happened?" - G'raha asked quietly.

"I know I said that I didn't want to watch…But I decided not to stay away. I want to be here with you in those final moments." - The viis declared with admiration and smiled.

"Eh…" - Beq wasn't quite sure. "It shouldn't change anything as long as she can handle herself, but I would still advise against it." - They turned towards the Exarch, expecting an answer. G'raha offered Lyna a proud gaze and nodded.

"If we are going to try to convince Lyna to back down, I am afraid we might spend another century in here. She can handle herself."

"Thank you." - The woman spoke with gratitude and stood at their side.

"Very well." - Beq conceded. "I assume we all know what to do. Ryne?"

"Just give me the order."

"The time is now." - G'raha said with unwavering resolve. "Let's finish this."

Ryne stood before them and closed her eyes, sending the energy signals to Eden. The sin-eater above them was pulsing with light, and in the next instant, its energies began to permeate the tower itself. The azure walls and floors burst with a golden glow, reflective of the sky that rose above Norvrandt. The spire has transformed from pinnacle to foundation, charging the aether currents that resided inside it.

"It…It burns!" - Ryne shouted before unleashing even more power. Her avatar's eyes became white, and the light's cracks began to appear on the girl's skin, symbolizing the toil it took to maintain such strength. G'raha felt the floor beneath him burning his feet; Beq and Lyna must have felt the same. The energies of light were sprinkled above them, with many rays breaking out from their shell and dancing on the surface. One of them has almost hit Lyna, flashing so close that she could have suffered a burn.

"Now, Beq!"

"Just a little…Yes, here it is!" - The sorcerer has found the trace. They focused on establishing a connection between themselves and remnants of G'raha's soul resting in the tower. The Exarch felt his heart aching as this aether was disturbed; a connection that he maintained with the tower has been strong.

"How much more…It's getting too much!" - Ryne fell on her knees as the cracks grew winder and the elements of her avatar began to erase themselves. It began with hair, then fingers, then parts of her skin. G'raha thought that perhaps they should stop for a moment if this was causing her such pain and exhaustion, but they had gone too far for that.

"Get ready!" - Beq maintained aether's stability with his staff before sending it to G'raha's staff. The restoration of his soul was the complete opposite of what G'raha imagined it to be.

It was over in a second, as the aether was consumed by the Tycoon's heart. He only felt it unbound for a single moment, but it was enough. G'raha sensed a part of him that was caged for a century finally break its chains and return to him. With it, memories of the past flooded into him, for many of them rested in the part that was locked away. His journey to the Crystal Tower, leaping into the world of darkness to save their friends with Edwin. His decision to seal himself within to become the keeper of the tower, all while he witnessed dreams of calamity and the world's doom. He thought of his awakening to the world that, instead of progressing towards a bright future, was stripped of everything that once made it so prosperous, leaving nothing but a message from the perished minds of the past to allow for one more chance. He never forgot any of those days, but only now have they burned so bright.

"I need…More…" - Ryne spoke as her voice became distorted and contained more power within it, not unlike what happened to Vauthry's amidst his transformation into a lightwarden proper.

"It's done, it is done!" - Beq brimmed with excitement, though the burning floor beneath him was quick to weaken his joy. "Give him your power Ryne!"

"But she barely had any left!" - Lyna protested.

"I know she can do it!" - Beq remained stalwart. "The tower is strong enough to pierce the fabric, just like G'raha told me, just a little more!"

Ryne focused on G'raha, who finally composed himself after the sensation of having his own soul reunited, even if some of its strength was still contained within the staff. For the first time in many years, he was free from the tower's grasp. The girl before him seemed to maintain her control, although the pain was catching up to her.

"You can do it…I know." - He said to Ryne in a gentle and caring voice. The Exarch wanted to stop her suffering, but if she was to do so, then they would have to start over later, time would be wasted, and Ryne will have to go through the agony again.

"I will…I…I WILL!" - Her scream was followed by a wave of light and the transformation of her avatar. Her figure changed, becoming much taller than anyone else in the tower. She was covered in grey robes with a white mask covering her face, all while her body and unique characteristics were diluted and unclear. The perfect image of an amaurotine, the phantoms G'raha saw while imprisoned by Emet-Selch.

The ray of light flew from the tower, imbuing G'raha with its primordial might. His essence was changing, his soul becoming unbreakable. It was familiar to him, the same powers were bestowed upon the Exarch by Mitron when he tried to escape from Emet-Selch, but this time it was exponentially more powerful. Beq and Lyna watched in awe as G'raha transformed into a white creature, a copy of Eden Prime that defended the core. The essence of the strongest sin-eater was imbuing him, granting him abilities that only the unsundered and Edwin could employ before.

He looked at his friends from above, but the Exarch knew that he could not waste any more time; Ryne was exhausted as it was. One glance was enough to see Beq's pride and Lyna's tears, all of which will have to be left behind. The Exarch closed his eyes, thinking of his perilous path. How Edwin and his friends perished at the hands of a monster, how he had to sacrifice his hero so that people of the first could live on. Eventually, those memories changed, forming a goal in his mind, emerging as one single image.

The moon.

The Exarch charged into the sky into the crack that pierced reality, opening a path for him. For the first time since beginning his slumber in the Crystal Tower, he was going home.