With the sky just turning pink and gold with the dawn, Yda, papalymo, and Y'shtola had just arrived to the outskirts of Cape Westwind. There, the Flame lieutenant, Adalbert, and a few other members of their unit stood by awaiting the Scions and their band of adventurers.
"Attention Comrades" Adalbert began. "Our Maelstrom friends report that Rhitahtyn sas Arvina departed Castrum Occidens a bell ago. And sure enough, a convoy of imperial airships landed here just now. The likelihood is high that our target was aboard one of the vessels. I've dispatched scouts to verify his presence before we strike."
A Flame runner came forward, holding a hand to his ear using the linkpearl to contact their men. "Command to all units. Requesting status report."
Once Antilions I, II, and III reported having not yet seen the target, Antilion IV rang in. "Target sighted."
"Understood. Hold your position" the Flame runner responded.
"Attention all units. This is Lieutenant Adalbert Cotter." A few many more soldiers gathered around. "The first step of operation Archon begins with us. Should we falter here, all hope of victory will be lost. 'Tis no small burden, but know that I believe in all of you. So believe in yourselves, and together we will blaze a path for our brothers and sisters of the Alliance to follow."
All but the adventurers and their Scion leaders dispersed to their positions. Waiting further briefing and directions from Adalbert. "We will create multiple diversions and disperse the enemy garrison. That should give your people a chance to breach their defenses. Go now, Scions, and bring us Rhitahtyn's head! May Rhalgr grant you strength!" Activating his own linkpearl, he says into it, "Commence diversionary maneuvers!"
After a few moments, to allow the chaos from the rest of the units to take hold, the Hyur, Miqo'te, lalafell, and their band all made haste to their positions. Once at the gate of Cape Westwind, the main force of Phase one had eyes on Rhitahtyn.
"It would appear we have unexpected guests." Rhitahtyn sas Arvina stated, turning to see the small army upon them. "I see. The commotion without is naught but a diversion. Allow me to hazard a guess: by eliminating me, you hope to undermine the garrison at Occidens. Bold strategy, to be sure, but have you the strength to see it to fruition?" The Scion trio held fast, keeping their minds clear.
The heavily armored Garlean turned to his men. "Leave us, send word to Castrum Occidens. Tell them the Lominsans are coming." His two men ran out of sight to deliver his orders.
Once more turning to the unit in front of him, he began speaking. "Fifteen years have come and gone since Lord van Baelsar first set foot in Eorzea, yet his ambition for the realm burns as strong as ever it did. Know you what fuels it, Scions? The desire to deliver the people from their suffering. The lands he has conquered were all beset with problems -poverty, starvation, lawlessness, and strife. My homeland was no exception. Had my lord not reached out and claimed it for the Empire, it would eventually have destroyed itself. But under his sage leadership, my people enjoyed such peace and stability as we had never known. And he only desires the selfsame for the people of this realm.
"Under his rule, Eorzea would be free from the shackles which bind it -the shackles of false faith. There would be no feeble leaders to misguide the masses, no eikons to bleed the realm dry. True peace would reign, and the people would be free to live their lives without fear of persecution or oppression.
"Should you doubt the truth of my words, I bid you look upon me. I am no son of Garlemald, yet Lord van Baelsar saw fit to raise me to a station of great honor. He measures a man not by his birth, but by his worth. Such is his sense of justice. By the grace of His Excellency, I am where I was born to be -upon the field of battle. He has given me a noble cause to fight for, and worthy adversaries to smite."
Rhitahtyn pulled his weapon, preparing for battle. "I am not wont to bare my steel needlessly. But if you are deaf to reason... in the name of Lord van Baelsar, I, Rhitahtyn sas Arvina, do swear to strike you down!"
At this, The Scions and elite adventures hurled themselves and their weapons toward the enemy. Between all of them, they were finally able to take him down.
The large man on his knees, panting and gasping, yelled his final words up to the sky. "Forgive me... I have failed you... Lord van Baelsar!" Then Rhitahtyn fell to the ground.
"We did it!" Yda cheered. Just then there were sparks and flashing purple light as the contraption in front of them began to blow.
"The magitek transporter!" Papalymo exclaimed. "It's down!"
"And so the battle has truly begun" Y'shtola said, closing her eyes.
up on a hilltop awaited Minfilia, Alphinaud, and Cid along with their band of warriors. Overlooking the cape. The purple light burst a brilliant beam into the sky
"That light -The magitek transporter!" Cid said with shock.
Alphinaud began speaking with the linkpearl. "Papalymo, Yda, Y'shtola, are you there? What news of Rhitahtyn? ...Fallen? With this deed you have sown the seeds of our ultimate victory." He turned to his friends. "The fading of that light presages an end to the Empire's tyranny! Rhitahtyn sas Arvina is no more! Let the next phase of operation Archon commence!"
"The Maelstrom is currently holding against Garlean forces upon Vylbrand and the Rhotano Sea." Minfilia said to their warriors and the other Scions. Having been recently reunited with the three prevailers of Cape Westwind. "Next, to phase three, the Immortal Flames shall strike at Castrum Meridianum by way of a diversionary maneuver. While the Garleans are thus locked in battle, Cid and a unit of elite adventurers are to infiltrate the stronghold and bring down the magitek field that surrounds the Praetorium. Let us make haste to Castrum Meridianum's gates where Raubahn will continue with further instruction."
"The Praefectus... Slain?" Gaius Van Baelsar said to the informant. Livia sas Junius and Nero tol Scaeva off to his left.
"regrettably so, my lord" the officer replied.
"Rhitahtyn..." the white armored woman whispered to herself in disbelief.
The Garlean ruler was furious. "Where were his men when he faced the enemy!? Fleeing, even as their commander yielded up his last breath!? If it should prove they questioned his right..."
"I-I cannot speak for them, my lord." The reporting officer stuttered. Gaius turned around. "...Beg pardons, my lord, but there is more. The Maelstrom has laid siege to Castrum Occidens. Likewise, the Crimson Fleet moves to blockade Castrum Marinum-"
Their Lord raised his hand in motion to silence the man. The informing officer took notice and left without another word. After a few deafeningly silent moments, van Baelsar began speaking once more. "So this is their answer... Very well! We shall crush them as we crushed the eikons! Go forth and show them the futility of their resistance."
"Yes, my lord!" Nero said with a formal salute
"And Livia..." the Black Wolf began, "fetch the eikon slayer. It's about time we get answers. Whatever way you see fit."
Once everyone involved for Phase three was present, General Raubahn began his speech. "Brothers and sisters of the Alliance! I would share with you glad tidings! Doubtless spurred on by news of the siege of castrum Oriens, the Maelstrom has struck a double blow! Castrum Occidens and Castrum Marinum are now under blockade! Phase two of operation Archon is a success! Reports tell us that the Garleans offered fierce resistance -but that the Admiral yielded them not one ilm. With Occidens, Marinum, and Oriens thus suppressed, the third phase may begin in earnest! Even as we speak, the Order of the Twin Adder moves to block the railway leading hither from Castrum Centri. And that can mean but one thing... The hour is come to strike at the heart of the Garlean invasion force!.. Castrum Meridianum, the den of the Black Wolf!"
Minfilia stepped forward to address the congregated warriors. "My fellow Eorzeans. I am Minfilia, Mistress of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. There exist myriad barriers that divide us -those of race and nation, language and creed, to name but a few. Such barriers serve to isolate us from our neighbors... yet they also serve to define who we are. Shorn of them, there would be little to distinguish one from another, and the rich variety of our lives would give way to sterile orthodoxy. These barriers can never truly be broken down, of course -not so long as there is liberty in the world- but they can be transcended! Verily, we do so now in coming together for this grand endeavor, to fight side by side in defense of our shared home!"
Alphinaud too stepped forward. "Behind those walls, held prisoner enduring who knows what as a distraction to aid our cause, is the adventurer, Farrah Vilentris. Who, once saved by this team led by Ironworks master, Cid Garlond, will take over. Tasked with destroying the Ultima Weapon. You know her as the one who bore the bravery to begin our mission of freedom for all of Eorzea. However, we Scions know a different Farrah. We know her as a dear friend who has endured hardship on our behalf -a true hero who has ever blazed a path for us to follow. And why do I tell you this? I tell you, friends, because it is time for us to blaze a path for her!"
Raubahn nodded respectfully to the two Scions on either side of him and continued. "Our objective is to wreak such havoc outside the walls of Meridianum as to afford Cid and his comrades the time they need to disable the magitek field generator within. With the path thus cleared, we may finally rescue Farrah and turn our minds to the true goal of this operation -the destruction of the Ultima Weapon! All troops, prepare for battle! We will suffer the Black Wolf to prowl our lands no more! Let us teach the hunter what it is to be hunted! Forward, comrades! For Eorzea!"
Everyone cheered "for Eorzea!"
"By the Crystal's will, please lead these men and women to our Warrior of Light and see to succeed in their mission." Minfilia prayed softly for her sister Scion and for Eorzea.
The young, Elezen Scion turned to his friend. "Go now, Garlond, and bring us one step closer to the dawn!"
The white armored Imperial strode into the dark holding cell, approaching a small, shaking form.
"Were you able to get some rest?" Livia asked cynically.
Farrah lifted her face off the ground to look at the woman. Bruised and bleeding from her beatings, she spat blood at the ivory boots. "Loads, thank you" she said sarcastically, words vaguely garbled by the metallic, red fluid.
Livia kicked her back down, Farrah holding her stomach to protect her child from the blows. "Your friends are on their way."
Farrah remained calm but in her heart, she was rejoicing. "They got my letter. They're coming!" She thought with a sense of peace.
"I'm going to enjoy forcing you to watch as I kill them all. However, I might just let them live if you hand over the knowledge and power of the echo. You should be grateful I'm being so reasonable."
Farrah began laughing, picking herself off the floor. "You don't... stand... a chance!" she gasped out. "You won't get them... and you won't get the echo! You'll always... be a disappointment."
Livia, enraged, grabbed Farrah by her hair and threw her against the stone wall of the cell. The adventurer crumpled to the ground, grunting in pain and coughing up more blood. Right as the Imperial woman was about to inflict more pain on her, a guard came running in.
"My Lady! They just breached the gate!"
Livia sas Junius paused her attack on the Scion Prisoner. A large sickening smile stretched on her face, hidden by her mask. She squatted low on the floor speaking directly to Farrah. "Well, we mustn't keep them waiting."