"Keep your eyes peeled -Gaius could be waiting for you down there." Garlond spoke into the brave, pregnant woman's earpiece. "Oh, and don't even think about dying. You're too bloody useful! Plus you have to think about your child too..." His audio began to cut out. "...The interference is getting worse. I don't think the connection will last much-" And Cid's advisory was gone.
Right at that moment, Van Baelsar dropped upon the moving lift. "Tell me... for whom do you fight?"
Farrah turned and looked directly into his masked face, speaking with such power. "For Eorzea."
"Hmph! How very glib . And do you believe in Eorzea?"
"Yes" She stated firmly with a nod.
"Eorzea's unity is forged of falsehoods. Its city-states are built on deceit. And its faith is an instrument of deception. It is naught but a cobweb of lies. To believe in Eorzea is to believe in nothing." He began walking towards her. "In Eorzea, the beast tribes often summon gods to fight in their stead -though your comrades only rarely respond in kind. Which is strange, is it not? Are the "Twelve" otherwise engaged? I was given to understand they were your protectors. If you truly believe them your gaurdians, why do you not repeat the trick that served you so well at Carteneau, and call them down?.. They will answer -so long as you lavish them with crystals and gorge them on aether." He threw his hands out on either side of him, looking up.
"Your gods are no different from those of the beasts -eikons every one. Accept but this, and you will see how Eorzea's faith is bleeding the land dry. Nor is this unknown to your masters. Which prompts the question: why do they cling to these false deities? What drives even me of leaning -even the great Louisoix- to grovel at their feet?.. The answer? Your masters lack the strength to do otherwise! For the world of man to mean anything, man must own the world."
Gaius van Baelsar raised up his hand. "To this end, he hath fought ever to raise himself through conflict -to grow rich through conquest. And when the dust of battle settles, it is ever the strong who dictate the fate of the weak."
A swarm of yellow light swirled around the Imperial king, coating him in a bright orb. The luminescence dissipated to reveal his black armor was now adorned with gold. He unsheathed his sword. "Knowing this, but a single path is open to the impotent ruler -That of false worship. A path which leads to enervation and death. Only a man of power can rightfully steer the course of civilization. And in this land of creeping mendacity, that one truth will prove its salvation."
He pointed the tip of his blade at Farrah. "Come, champion of Eorzea, face me! Your defeat shall serve as proof of my readiness to rule! It is only right that I should take your realm. For none among you has the power to stop me!"
As Gaius ran towards the Scion woman with ill intent, Farrah and the others drew up arms and met him with a strength that surpassed his own. The battled raged on the slowly descending platform.
Outnumbered, the Imperial stopped and began speaking again. "I had not thought to be so hard-pressed" he said panting. "Your strength is... most impressive. Such power befits a ruler! Yet you lack the resolve to put it to propper use. A waste."
The gears suddenly stopped as the lift hit the bottom level. Gaius turned and stepped off, walking through a set of large doors. From there, Farrah and the elite adventures could see the giant eikon devouring machine and ran after to stop him.
Inside the room, the four legged, winged, metal beast towered over them all. Farrah looked up to see lord van Baelsar standing high upon the shoulder of the ancient Allag contraption.
"Allow me, then, hero, to do that which you will not!" Ultima Weapon's head tilted down and opened at the back of its neck. Gaius sheathed his sword and climbed in. The machine then lifted its horned head back up to reveal piercing, blood red, glowing eyes. Just then, the whole room began to raise up. "bear witness to the true power of the Ultima Weapon!"
The massive instrument of destruction began glowing red with power and roared, gearing up the cannons in its Claws for attack. Everyone immediately began harming Ultima and Gaius any which way they could. But this was nothing like anything they could have ever imagined. combined with the powers of the Primals, the weapon harnessed the favored attacks of each one. Ilfrit, Titan, Garuda... However, with luck and determination, the beast froze.
Gaius began shouting in confusion. "But the Ultima Weapon is all-powerful! Why does my enemy still stand!? Can her strength truly be so great?"
"It is the blessing of Light that confounds you." A new voice rang out.
"Lahabrea."
Farrah looked up and to the left where the voice came from. Her heart nearly stopped. Thancred hovered next to the monster, shrouded in a fog of purple smoke.
Her lover's foreign voice spoke up again. "Your foe acts under the protection of the Crystal she bears."
"So, this is what empowers her" Gaius stated.
"Beyond mortal limits.. If you are to prevail, the hammer of darkness must needs be brought to bear upon the shield of Light... And so it shall, for the Ultima Weapon is host to a power of which you are as yet ignorant."
"Speak plainly, Ascian."
"The Heart of Sabik. It is the Weapon's core -an enigma whose surface even the vaunted scholars of ancient Allag failed to scratch. The magic within has laid dormant for eons."
"Of what magic do you speak?" Lord Gaius questioned.
"A spell without parallel. Ultima. I sought the life force of the primals for no other reason than to quicken the core. For the true power of the Ultima Weapon lies within its now-beating Heart!"
"Lahabrea... What have you done?" Van Baelsar shouted.
The Black and purple smoke began to spread, consuming Thancred's form. "No more than was necessary... for my god to be reborn." The glowing red mask reappeard on his twisted face.
"Damn you, Ascian!"
"The hour is at hand!" The Overlord shouted powerfully. "Behold but a sliver of my god's power!" He lifted his hand and the beast was raised from the ground, a circle on it's chest beginning to glow blue. The bright light spread, consuming them all in its power.
"And from the deepest pit of the seven hells to the pinnacle of the heavens, the world shall tremble! Unleash Ultima!"
A small yellow glow came from Farrah's chest as the Weapon's grew even brighter. The bright blue light of Ultima's full power formed into a massive orb, hurling towards them. The entire compound around them blew up into a brilliant beam of illuminated destruction. Once the light faded, it revealed nothing but death and fire. All that remained untouched was a circle around the beast and Farrah's army. Her Crystal powered force field dissipating.
"AHAHAHAHAHA!" Lahabrea cackled cynically.
"Such devastation... This was not my intention..." Gaius said in anger and disbelief.
The evil Ascian continued. "Oh, Hydaelyn... it seems the task of keeping Your champion alive has exhausted what strength you had left... Van Baelsar... Your enemy's shield is broken. The rest I leave to you." Then he disappeared in a puff of the purple and black smoke.
"We will speak later, Ascian." The imperial ruler spat through his teeth from inside the god-like contraption. "But first, I must deal with you. The question of who is mightier remains!"
Farrah stayed strong and battle ready on the outside, to give her men and women hope. But inside she was quaking in fear for theirs, her's and her baby's life. What truly kept her going was the constant reminder that her baby was alive as she felt it move and kick in her womb.
"Come, adventurer! Let us find the answer together!"
They fought Ultima Weapon once more. This time at much greater risk. On top of the eikon powered monster, Magitek bits surround them, firing countless missiles in all directions. First taking out the bits while the adventurer's tanks dealt with distracting Ultima, they were able to lessen their danger. By the grace of the Twelve, the massive Allag contraption was finished. Luckily everyone was still alive, however Farrah had taken great damage in the process, to be saved from their loyal healers.
"No... No, no NO! Uh!" Gaius was launched from his beast armor as it began to blow with many little explosions. That same yellow light returned to his body, only this time removing the golden protection from his gear. "Heed me... The subjects of a weak ruler must needs look to a higher power for providence... and their dependence comes at a cost to the realm. The misguided elevate the frail... And the frail lead the people astray." He coughed and gagged on his creeping death. "Unless a man of power wrests control... the cycle will never be broken." With the last of his strength, he lifted his head, looking to the Scion who bested him. "You... You of all people must see the truth in this. You who have the strength to rule..." And with that, lord Gaius van Baelsar fall back upon the ground, dead.
The Ultima Weapon, struggling to hold together, exploded. More of that blue light shooting out in all directions.
Lahabrea reappeared in the air, looking down upon Baelsar's body. "Pathetic... You boasted of unrivaled power. You were entrusted with the ultimate weapon. The ultimate magic! And still you failed. So much for the glory of man." He crossed his arms in disgust, closing his eyes in thought. "The growing imbalance afflicting the planet must be redressed. If it is permitted to worsen, the very laws of existence -both aetheric and physical- will be warped beyond all recognition."
Lahabrea opened his eyes and looked to Farrah. "Know you the root of this corruption? Hydaelyn!.. Like a parasite, she must be burned out if the planet is to recover. And naught but the return of the one true god will ensure Her complete excision. Yet to pave a way for the master's return, a chaotic confluence of untold proportions must needs be brought about. And that will necessitate the presence of the primals. Needless to say, both you and your Scion accomplices can not be suffered to interfere in this endeavor. You will not leave this place alive." Lahabrea brought his hands to his face and the red magic mask that haunted her nightmares appeared. "It is past time your flame was extinguished... 'Bringer of Light'."
It was at that moment The cloaked man saw Farrah holding her pregnant belly and tears running down her cheeks. His mask began to flicker like a candle against a gentle breeze, unsure whether to blow out or stay a flame. The white haired man pressed his hands firmly to his head, grunting in internal struggle.
"No! No, NO!" Lahabrea shouted to himself. "Pathetic... human!.. Damn... you-"
The mask disappeared and the sinister hazel eyes turn soft and heart felt. "Farrah, my love..." The hyur woman stared in shock. Her Thancred was standing there before her, fully knowing how risky and difficult that is. "...I don't have much time!"
"Than..."
"Darling, Listen. I love you. And I love our baby... But you have to kill me!"
Farrah gasped, staggering back. "Sweetheart, no! I can't do that! I won't do that! Please, we can figure this out-"
"There's no time. Please for the sake of Eorzea... for our baby, you have to. It's the only way to stop him. It's the only way to give our child a chance at life, and everyone else too.
"Sweetheart-"
"Please, my Darling. Please teach our baby how much I love him, how badly I want to be there for him. To watch him come into the world, to raise him... Tell him how his daddy died for him and the world he will soon know. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. Now I must atone for my mistakes..." The mask began flickering again as his mental power control was fading. "I love you... both... so much... stay... strong-" Lahabrea took back over Thancred's mind and body yelling aggressively.
"UGH!.. You stand no chance against me, human! You will die today! You, your baby, and your friends!"
Sobbing and on her knees, Farrah weakly lifted her bow, drawing back and aiming at the man she loved. While she began to stand, drawing off the strength of needing to protect them all, her arrow flew, breaking her in doing so. The adventurers followed her lead and charged at the Ascian.
A few moments have passed but they were all a blur to Farrah's numbness. Then, while Lahabrea was distracted, a tingling, calming sensation came over her. It felt... ethereal. Suddenly , a wave of light washed over her and passed through the Overlord, transporting their consciousness.
Standing there in the dark void, Lahabrea stared as the Hyur woman decended, touching the invisible ground. Once her feet touched down, a light blue symbol began spinning around her and a familiar voice called out.
"If thou wouldst pierce the shadows... make thee a blade of Light."
Six different colored crystals appeared, evenly spaced, around the symbol. As their light grew brighter, Farrah raised her arms and consumed the power of the crystals. Lahabrea thrust himself at her while her harnessed energy shot at him, piercing his body with light.
The Black and purple aura was sucked from him as he fell. While he lay motionless in the void, the smoke turned into a form that mirrored the last.
"What!?" The hooded Overlord shouted in bewildered anger. His attention drew upward to Farrah, as Hydaelyn, the giant crystal goddess, decended upon him behind her. Out of the Crystal's light, appeared the forms of Minfilia, Yda, Papalymo, Y'shtola, Alphinaud, Merlwyb, Raubahn, Kan-E-Senna, and Cid. The Ascian stood in awestruck fear as the horde of people he had wronged most flew at him in spirals of glowing color.
"The Light... It binds them... They are too many!" Their Light stabbed through him, dissolving Lahabrea into nothing. All that was left was the still, motionless form of Thancred. A purple light shone through the collar of his robes and shattered.
consciousness returned, Farrah saw her fellow adventurers running for their lives shouting "Farrah! Run! we have to get out of here!" She turned and saw Thancred on the ground. Fear and unimaginable pain came over her. She had no clue if he was still alive, or dead. The Scion woman stumbled her way to his body as what was left of the building around them started crumbling. Fire consuming everything in its wake.
Falling to her knees beside her lover, snot and tears covered her beautiful face. She took his face in her hands. Shaking so hard from the hurt caught in her chest, she couldn't tell if he was breathing or not. All of a sudden everything around them began exploding, and she was quickly looking for a way for them to escape.
Loud, rapid, metal footsteps were coming towards her. Maggie the Magitek armor jumped over the flame barrier and greeted her with flashing headlights. She smiled at her dear friend, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
Using every ouce of her strength she dragged Thancred's body onto the suit of armor and all three of them made their escape. The tunnel out was filling with Flames, giving chase.
"Hear... Feel... Think..." Hydaelyn's melodic voice called from the Crystal's void. "Warrior of Light. Beloved daughter. The darkness hath fled before the unclosed brilliance of thy spirit. Yet it lingereth still beyond the sight of men, in forgotten corners of the world. In the depths of the abyss yet resideth the Dark One, watchful ever. Till this evil be cast out, never shall the world know aught but a passing peace. Yet for the present, a gentle light shineth o'er the realm of Eorzea. With thee at its heart. From sparkling mote shall it swell to glorious sun, and all the world shall bask in its warmth."
Hydaelyn began drifting away. "blessings and joy be upon thee. Go forth my child, and be as a beacon of hope for Eorzea and the lands beyond, through all the days of thy life."
Castrum Meridianum was up in flames. Explosions going off in the distance. The remaining Scions, as well as Merlwyb, Raubahn, Kan-E-Senna, and Cid Garlond, were watching from outside the compound.
Three scouts from the Grand Companies came running up with news.
The Serpent scout of Gridania spoke first. "My Lady! All Twin Adder units have fallen back to the outer perimeter!"
Then spoke the gentleman in representation of the Ul'dah company. "The Flames have completed their withdrawal, General!"
Finally Limsa's Storm scout spoke up. "Admiral! All hands accounted for!"
The three leaders nodded in give thanks for their reports.
"She's still in there..." Admiral Merlwyb stated, concerned.
"Cid!" Raubahn began. "Has there been no word?"
Removing his hand from the linkpearl in his ear, Cid answered. "Nothing. Nothing at all."
"Damnation!" The lalafell, Papalymo exclaimed.
"She's going to make it! I know she is!" Yda cheered, trying to bring her friends hope and comfort.
"Yda is right." Y'shtola said. "We must have faith."
Kan-E-Senna had a thoughtfull look upon her face. "Cid! can they not be evacuated aboard the Enterprise? That adventurer and the Scions are as the Warriors of Light reborn. We cannot abandon them to their fate! Not again!"
"I wholeheartedly agree! But flying into the midst of that would only add to the fireworks!" He responded.
Alphinaud groaned in frustration at their predicament. "There must be something we can do!"
"Please, Mother Hydaelyn. Please light her way through the darkness..." Minfilia prayed quietly to herself.
That same calming voice that spoke to Farrah now spoke to Minfilia. "Look into the Light, my child. If thou wouldst see thy companions returned safe to thee, reach out to them now."
"There!" The leader of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn shouted, looking to an Imperial tunnel.
The long dark hole began to light up as the flames grew closer to the exit. Maggie, carrying Farrah and Thancred to safety as fast as possible. The magitek companion and the other adventurers jumped out of the tunnel right as the flames exploded behind them. Everyone cheered and ran to their friend.
"Loom! Thancred is with her!" Yda cheered as she and her lalafell partner pointed.
"Thank the Twelve!"
"Thank Hydaelyn..." The Miqo'te healer smiled in utter bliss.
Minfilia wiped her tears. "Welcome Home."
Farrah was happy to be alive and see that her friends were safe as well. However pain and brokenness was plastered on her face. The exhaustion and stress was finally too much for her and she blacked out.