Chapter One "~Fifteen years ago~"

In the grand city-state of Ala Mhigo a festival was long underway with the city-folk celebrating the day away. The aroma of the foods cooked at the vender stalls filled the air, while the sound of music and laughter created a peaceful ambiance. The streets were crowded by those making their way to the central plaza where most of the festivities were underway. A moments walk from the central plaza, a family waited by a large fountain.

A Miqo'te mother with golden blonde hair, and a set of icy blue eyes sat on the edge of the fountain while looking at her troublesome five year old daughter playing with a ball a few feet away. She smiled at her offspring admiring the child's beauty while she aimlessly tumbled. The mother's ears let out a small twitch while closing her eyes, and smiling. "You're late my love."

A few feet away, a Hyur with a fair amount of stubble on his face, and short cropped dark brown hair frowns at his wife. "You always hear me walk in despite the loud noise. I guess I can never fool your ears R'kiva."

R'kiva got up from the fountain, and giggled at the small Miqo'te child ignoring her parent's idle chatter. "Does Selvaria get that from you or I? My dear Kaius?"

Both parents turned to the little Selvaria playing with her ball, and let out a unified laugh the second Selvaria falls on her behind.

Kaius gently rubbed the back of his head, and frowned. "Well I've never seen you fall like that...but she's young right?"

R'kiva shook her head, and grabbed hold of Kaius's arm. "I never tumbled like that when I was a child...but I was raised around other Miqo'te." She paused, and moved her hand to the side of her mouth. "Selvaria it's time father is here."

Selvaria gently rubbed the small amount of tears from her eyes, and slowly glanced over her small shoulder. "Huh?" Her small blue eyes quickly widen at the sight of her father, and a smile appears on the child's face. "Papa! I didn't hear you!" Selvaria picked up her ball, and ran for a few steps before turning to the small boy she was playing with. "It was fun playing with you...my papa is here now." She quickly cleared the distance between the two, and leaped up into the air hoping for Kaius to catch her in his one free arm.

Kaius quickly caught the small Selvaria in his free arm, and laughed while the short for her age Miqo'te buried her face in his chest. "Ah...Selvaria did you miss me that much?"

Selvaria pulled her head from her father's chest, and nodded. "I was worried that you'd miss the festival this year. This is the..." She counted on her fingers, and smiled. "fifth one papa, and I want you to have fun too."

R'kiva gently patted Selvaria on the top of her head, and rested her head against Kaius's shoulder. "Shall we go?"

The central plaza was decorated with bright and vibrant colors with flowers raining down from a repurposed airship hovering above. There were several attractions ranging from swordplay, archery, magic, and music. Mix in with these events people were enjoying the festivities with a small amount of drink, and a lot of well cooked food from all around Eorzea.

The family had walked around for what felt like an eternity for the young five year old Selvaria. The young girl was let down by her father while they waited in a line at their chance to try the ever so tasty fish shaped pastries. Selvaria despite being quite rambunctious was caught in awe at the sight of the towering Roegadyn preparing various kinds of sweet pastries, and bread. She closed her small eyes, savoring the smell of the sweet pastries. A small amount of saliva started to drizzle down the young girls chin only for a cloth covered handkerchief to wipe it away.

R'kiva stared down her daughter, and looked up at Kaius with a doubtful gaze. "My you are such a messy daughter. You always get far too excited when you are near pastries." She paused, "Kaius, please try to be reasonable when buying them this time. You know Selvaria often overeats, and I'm left to deal with her stomach aches."

Selvaria tugged on her mother's sleeve, and gave her a big pout. "Mom, you're embarrassing me! I don't get tummy aches..."

Kaius shook his head, and let out a faint smile patting Selvaria on the head. "My girl has gotten bigger, but alas it's not often that we get to eat such delicious food." He pointed to the culinarian's advertising board alerting R'kiva to look over. "All the way from Limsa Lominsa, surely these will taste better...or are you jealous that Selvaria takes to a vendor opposed to your cooking?"

R'kiva closed her eyes, and scoffed. "This coming from the man I wooed with my cooking in the first place?" She glanced down at Selvaria, and smiled. "Please ignore what your father says, you love my cooking don't you?"

Selvaria put a finger against her lips, and smiled. "Mama, makes the best cakes!"

The crowd nearby let out a small laugh at the small girl's words, and within seconds the culinarian's assistant leaned over the counter with a smile on her face. "Welcome, what can we get for you today? All of our products are made with fresh ingredients harvest from all over Vylbrand!"

Far away from the festivities, and encroaching towards the border a fleet of black airships fly in perfect formation. The forest below lies in flames as the airships rain down explosive ordinance, and mechanical weapons march across what lies left of the border guard for Ala Mhigo. The infamous Magitek weapons of the Garlean Empire march towards the heart of Ala Mhigo under the canopy of metal flying above.

Inside the lead airship, Excellus the commander of the invasion fleet Legatus Niva Fon Sariff stands behind the view window with form fitting armor clad arms crossed over her chest. Through the thick ram shaped helmet a pair of devious crimson eyes watch as the last of the Ala Mhigo Airships crash into the mountains below, and explode into magical fire.

"To think they once were feared as our technological rivals..." Niva's muffled voice echoes through the bridge alerting her second in command to step forward. "How fares our ground forces Argent?"

Argent saluted the Legatus, and kneeled down hiding the devilish grin across his face. "The prototype weapons are working as expected. The outlook of this is beyond expectations. We now have a clear path to Ala Mhigo."

Niva pushed up the faceplate of her armor revealing the face of a pale faced Hyur with white fringe falling in front of her crimson eyes. "How shall I crush your spirits people of Ala Mhigo? You will make excellent servants to the Emperor. Full speed to Ala Mhigo! Our agent, should be making an explosive introduction to the council any moment now."