Late that afternoon, Arden returned to the padjals at Camp Tranquil, having bidden Arenvald goodbye at the entrance to Amdapoor. The trek out of the city had been much easier than the journey in, since they had cleared a path through the vermin infesting it. What was more, the cleansing of the lily wall seemed to have affected the whole city. It didn't feel as bleached-bone white anymore, and a few birds even sang from the trees.

Arden climbed the steps to Camp Tranquil's platform above the lake, his body weary from his adventures of the day, but his mind and heart triumphant. When the padjals turned to greet him, he held out the crystal and formed a lily out of white magic.

"There," he said, grinning down at them. "I believe this fulfills our agreement."

Raya-O-Senna reached out and gently lifted the magic lily from his palm. It floated above her own, delicate and perfect, every petal and stamen outlined in light.

"A lily of Amdapoor," she said in awe. "You actually retrieved one. We felt the moment you purged the lily wall. Did it take?"

"Hard to tell," said Arden. "The city felt more wholesome as we were leaving, but it may only be temporary. I seemed to feel an abyss of black magic beneath the temple."

Raya and A-Ruhn exchanged glances. "Another expedition may be in order," Raya said.

"Probably," said A-Ruhn. He reached up and took the crystal from Arden's other hand. "What do we do with him now? And he even found one of these."

Raya peered at the crystal. "Whose rune is that?"

"A-Towa-Cant's," said A-Ruhn. "Giving it to an outsider is blasphemy, you know that?"

"It's not blasphemy if we train him," said Raya. She turned to Arden, who waited as if he hadn't been on his feet all day and didn't have a growing need for supper. "This is the soul stone of A-Towa-Cant, greatest white mage the padjals ever produced. He even left the Twelveswood and wandered Eorzea, healing the suffering wherever he went. He was formidable in battle."

"His memory showed me how to take the lily magic," said Arden.

Raya's eyebrows shot up. "Oh really?" She turned to her brother. "Already he communes with the soul crystal. It is intended by the gods."

A-Ruhn glared at his sister, then Arden, then at the crystal in his hand. "Why does it not speak to me? I am a padjal! Instead, he speaks to this ruffian? It's not fair!" He thrust the soul crystal into Arden's hand, turned on his heel and stamped away.

Raya watched him go, then turned slowly to Arden. "My sincerest apologies, Mr. Ardakim. My brother is … an adherent to the rules above all else. I will meet with you tomorrow after sunrise to teach you the basics of white magic."

Arden bowed. "Thank you, Raya-O-Senna. Meanwhile, where might I find food and lodging for the night?"

She gave him directions. Shortly afterwards, Arden took a spot at a table in the barracks with several Woods Wailers and feasted on thick stew with bread and roasted summer squash.

He put the soul stone in his pocket and kept reaching down to touch it. Something about it felt good and familiar, as if it was a gift from an old friend he had all but forgotten. He ate with one hand and fingered the stone with the other, finally drawing it out to gaze at the rune etched on its surface.

The Woods Wailers captain came in, received his meal from the food counter, and sat down across from Arden. "So, you're back," he said, nodding. "I told you where to find the padjals this morning."

"Yes, and thank you," said Arden. "I spent the day in Amdapoor for my sins."

"Made it back in one piece, I see," said the captain. "I'm Captain Landenel."

"Arden Ardakim," he replied, shaking hands across the table.

As they both continued their meals, Landenel glanced at the soul crystal that Arden was twirling in two fingers. "Artifact from the city?"

"Soul crystal," said Arden. "Took it from the head of an attacking golem. Now they tell me it contains the memories of a great padjal white mage, so now I wonder if he was trying to kill me with the golem."

Landenel shook his head. "Golems run on the energy in the crystal, not the memories. Did it use magic on you?"

"No, only it's weapons."

"So," Landenel nodded. "It was not the padjal. Had one of those attacked you, you would have seen his ghost flinging spells at you."

"Do soul crystals have such power, then?" Arden asked. "I confess, I don't know much about them."

"They have a fragment of a man's soul inside them," said Landenel. "They're odd things. Some barely do more than share a few stray memories of a spell or two. Others manifest a whole person who harangues you about how you're doing it wrong. They're rare and useful things."

Arden studied the crystal, watching the lamplight flow to and fro across its facets. "How does one activate it?"

"Generally by using the magic the crystal knows," said Landenel. "It will light up and start sticking knowledge in your head."

"Good to know." Arden tucked the stone back into his pocket. "Might want to keep a watch around Amdapoor. I cleansed the lily wall and it activated. I'm not sure for how long, or what it does."

"It'll reverse the magic stagnation is what it will do," said Landenel. "I'll set more scouts tomorrow. If the rot abates, the padjals can go in and clean the place up. They've wanted to for years, but they can't keep the lilies lit." He studied Arden as he tore off a hunk of bread and soaked it in his soup. Arden did the same. Landenel's age was hard to guess, as his complexion and features were the smooth, classy look of the Elezen. His pointed left ear had a single cuff with a green stone in it, and he wore his hair pulled back in a short tail. Dressed in green and brown, the better to blend with the forest, Arden would not have been able to pick him from a crowd at ten paces.

"You might be our first non-padjal white mage," Landenel said presently. "Funny that the gods chose an Auri man for it. They must prefer the horns."

"Auri horns are not like padjal's," said Arden. "We use ours for hearing. Our ears are inside them, you see."

Landenel studied Arden's horns. "Interesting. I haven't met many Au Ra and know little about them. Even during my time with the Company of Heroes we didn't see them much. Now Roegadyn I could tell stories of."

Arden straightened. "You were with the Company of Heroes?"

"Sure." Landenel shrugged. "Good times, good friends. Most of them are gone now."

"Then you must know how to defeat Titan," Arden blurted.

Landenel tensed, his expression becoming hard and focused, as if drawing a bead on an enemy. "Why do you name that monster?"

"The kobolds look to summon him again," said Arden. "The cities plan to send me against him, and I have been in despair."

"Why you?" said Landenel, looking him over. "You're a healer. A single healer cannot hope to stand up to a primal."

"I defeated Ifrit with conjury," said Arden, sickness opening within him at having to talk about it once more. "Now they think I am a miracle worker. Or a warrior of light."

"A warrior of light," said Landenel softly, staring at him. "Who today plumbed Amdapoor and activated the lily wall, returning with a soul stone taken from the head of a golem."

"What's your point?" said Arden.

Landenel didn't answer for a moment, only stirred his soup with eyes on the table. He appeared to be thinking hard. Finally he said, "I'll have to consult my friends. We don't talk about our time fighting primals, you see. Too many painful memories. I don't want to give you a load of information then see you walk in there and get killed. See what that soul stone can teach you and gather some friends. I'll write you once I learn something."

Arden returned to Gridania, his chocobo restless and annoyed at being locked in a stable all day. Arden bribed him with many rounds of Gysahl greens before his mood improved.

Upon arriving home, Arden turned Swift loose in the Twin Adder paddock, then walked out into the woods a little way. There he sat on a rock and pulled out the soul crystal again.

The stone sparkled in his hand, clear as glass, the rune etched into its surface with a jeweler's skill. It fit with the forest somehow, seeming to be another part of the trees and branches that arched overhead in a green bower. Arden studied it for a long time, working his mind around to an open state where he was prepared to listen and learn. Since he only knew two pieces of white magic, resurrection and the lily spell, he summoned the lily again. It appeared as an oval of light that bloomed, the six petals curling open, forming a perfect flower in his hand.

Holding the soul crystal in his other hand, he listened for advice, or a memory. The forest around him seemed to fall silent, even the birds holding their breath.

"What do you expect it to do, boy?" said a voice.

Arden jumped and turned. Standing on the path, arms folded, was another of the child-like padjals. He was so fair and pale that he seemed to shimmer in the dappled light falling through the leaves.

"I–I was studying white magic," Arden stammered. "But I don't know any, so I…"

The stranger looked skyward and shook his head with a sigh. "White magic is light, boy. Do you know what light is? Go on, tell me."

"Light is …" Arden fumbled. "I mean, light is … it allows us to see the world. It comes from the sun."

"That is what light does, not what it is," said the padjal. "Energy! Light is energy! It's why you feel hot in the sun and cool in the shade."

"Of–of course," Arden stammered, as embarrassed as a student on his first day at a new school. "Who–who are you?"

The padjal waved away his question. "Do you expect to use light in the shade? Stand over there, in that sunbeam. Now, work a Cure spell on the wilted bush right there. Don't give me any backtalk, just do it!"

Arden conjured a Cure spell from the energy of the light streaming down upon him. The bush's wilted leaves strengthened and lifted again.

"You get the idea," said the padjal. "Now conjure that lily again."

The flower bloomed easily in Arden's hand as he stood in the sunlight.

"Cast it on yourself," said the padjal.

Arden patted the lily against his chest. It sank into him, dissolving into pure light aether, energizing him and healing various sore muscles he'd gained from riding Swift. He gasped, then laughed.

"Affiliatus Status," said the padjal. "That's the name of that spell. You have a friend who is hurt, give them a lily. A lot of lilies if that's what it takes."

"I didn't realize the lilies did anything," Arden said apologetically. "So that lily wall…?"

"...will heal Amdapoor if it's left alone," the padjal finished. "Unfortunately it's never left alone. But that's not your concern. You want to be a white mage, you learn the lilies. They're your best friends, your bread and butter. There's different kinds. Study them."

Arden bowed. "Thank you, sir. I–I didn't catch your name."

"A-Towa-Cant," said the padjal brusquely. With that he faded like smoke, seeming to drift away into the sunbeams and the dappled path.

Arden stared after the vanished memory for a long moment. Then he pulled out the soul crystal and examined it closely.

"A-Towa-Cant," Arden murmured. "Thank you for your lesson. I hope I prove to be a good student."

The stone seemed to shimmer in reply.

Arden began his study of white magic the next day, under Raya-O-Senna. She was astonished when he told her about the soul crystal, but cautiously pleased. She set him to healing and empowering the Woods Wailers around Camp Tranquil. When he proved adept at this, she sent him on patrols with them as a support healer.

Arden improved rapidly, for this new type of magic built on the foundation he already had in conjury. Within a few weeks he was back at work for the Twin Adders, who gave him a promotion to Second Sergeant because of his healing ability.

The biggest cloud on his horizon was a possible encounter with Titan. And that the Twin Adder made him use aetherytes.

"When the rest of your squad is traveling instantly by aetheryte, you're not going to spend six hours on an airship to catch up," his captain told him. "Get over this phobia of yours and attune to the damned things. They work fine."

Attuning to the giant transport crystal in Gridania was a sore test of his courage. Arden would rather have fought his way through a cave full of voidsent demons than stand before the aetheryte and follow the instructions from a bored mage about how to attune his aether to the crystal's. But he did it, and it didn't hurt. Later on he used it to travel with his team to towns in the Twelveswood, and that didn't hurt, either. But left to his own choice, he would still rather take an airship.

Travel by aetheryte also meant that he visited the Waking Sands more often. He hadn't yet tried an aetheryte ticket–traveling by well-maintained crystal operated by trained professionals was one thing, but flinging himself into the aether via enchanted paper was quite another–but he teleported to Horizon with Swift, then rode his chocobo the rest of the way.

Swift didn't like teleportation at first, and Arden had to cover his eyes with a scarf. But the bird adjusted after the first few jumps, knowing that he would be rewarded with Gysahl greens and much praise and petting from his master. Arden found that having his bird to fuss over helped him push aside his own fears, even though his stomach tightened every time the world flashed white and roaring filled his ears for a second.

At the Waking Sands, he came to know the Scions and their hangers-on a little better. He was still a little afraid of Y'shtola, who had a wit like a whiplash, but she wasn't there very often. Usually it was Urianger, Minfilia, Arenvald, and Thancred. Sometimes Alphinaud was there, as well, lecturing Minfilia with teenaged self-assurance. Arden was in awe of Urianger. The tall Elezen spoke with such cultured phrases, always about some deep scholarly topic that Arden had never heard of, until Arden was afraid to speak to him for fear of showing his own ignorance. He got along much better with Arenvald and Thancred.

Thancred seemed more withdrawn these days, with tired shadows beneath his eyes. He was often gone for weeks at a time. "Hunting Ascians," he told Arden with a weary smile. He had also taken to wearing a black crystal on a band around his neck, usually hidden by his collar. Arden didn't like the look of it, but Thancred assured him it was all right.

"When you're dealing with Ascians, you have to carry protection," Thancred told him. "This is a warding crystal. Seems to work great, because I've seen the man in black several times. Lahabrea, his name is."

Arden didn't know it, but he was developing a reputation of his own. His swaggering walk, his fierce grin, bordering on a sneer, when he was spoken to, and his ability to use rare white magic, all combined to make him unfriendly and unapproachable. As the only Au Ra in the Scions, he stood out due to his size and looks, but also his aggressive mannerisms. Although they worked with him and made use of his skills, the only real friend he had was Arenvald.

Arenvald defended Arden to Minfilia when they were alone. "He's really a nice guy underneath, if you can get him to open up. Mostly he stays closed off."

"If I hadn't met him before Ifrit, I wouldn't have known," Minfilia replied. "It changed him, and not for the better. But we need him, so I can say little."

"I can speak to him, if needed," Arenvald offered. "Tell him that he's made everyone here afraid of him."

Minfilia considered for a long moment. "No," she said at last. "I'm afraid such a reprimand would only drive him deeper into his shell. We will wait and see if he accepts us enough to open up as he once did. I'm afraid the pressure of having to confront Titan has been exactly the wrong thing."

"I'll fight Titan," said Arenvald, patting his own chest. "What's one more monster?"

"A god, Arenvald," said Minfilia with a sigh. "Far stronger than any monster. If you would accompany Arden, however, I'd be much obliged."

"Oh, definitely," said the young gladiator. "I'm training under the Sultansworn Paladins now, and I'm learning much better fighting technique. When the time comes, Arden and I will be unstoppable."

"So I hope," Minfilia said. "The next thing is to persuade the old Company of Heroes to open up. Also, I've contacted the Students of Baldesion for any information regarding Ascians. We can't fight a foe unknown to us."

"I'll head out to Costa del Sol and chat up Wheiskaet," said Arenvald cheerfully. "I know he's retired, but he might be willing to talk."

"Take Arden with you," said Minfilia. "Let him roam the beaches. He might relax."

Arden got leave from the Twin Adder to journey to Costa del Sol. As travel was expected among his division, he was granted permission, as long as he behaved himself with decorum demanded by the Yellow Serpents. Arden agreed and set out for the coast.

La Noscea was the country that covered the coast lands to the southwest of Eorzea. This included the island of Vylbrand where the ex-pirate nation of Limsa Lominsa lived uneasily alongside the original inhabitants, the kobolds. The land was lush and fertile with a mild climate, and grew all manner of warm weather dainties that the rest of Eorzea traded regularly for, such as oranges, sugarcane, and coffee.

Costa del Sol occupied a corner of coastline originally cleared for farming. Abandoned when crops failed in the salty soil, it was bought by an entrepreneur from Ul'dah who turned it into a resort and retirement community. When Arden stepped off the airship, he stood gazing in delight at the wooden bungalows thatched with palm fronds, the numerous palm trees, and everywhere the vivid green and red flowers of the tropics. The air was warm and humid with a delightful salt tang, and the wash of waves on the beach nearby stirred childlike joy and curiosity in his heart.

He and Arenvald passed through the checkpoint, carrying their gear. The town was mostly built on pilings to allow free access to the beach below, so they followed boardwalks and stairs to the tourist quarters and rented a room.

"Business or pleasure first?" Arenvald asked as they stashed their gear in their room.

"Pleasure first," said Arden. "Business will probably last all day."

So they changed into their lightest tunics and pants and walked down to the beach. The water was warm, so they waded out into the waves and there spent an excellent morning trying and failing to bodysurf. Arden hadn't had a chance to frolic in the ocean since he'd been small, and Arenvald had never swam in the ocean at all.

They emerged from the water with fierce appetites and feasted on fish and chips in an open air restaurant on the beach. It was frequented by older folks of all races who had settled in warmer climes for their health.

Arenvald remarked, "All we're missing are a couple of pretty girls."

"I'm afraid you'd have an easier time of such things than me," Arden laughed. "Here in Eorzea are Hyur women aplenty. Meanwhile, I have yet to see a single other Auri, male or female."

"You'd only date Auri girls?" Arden asked, swirling a chip in lime dip. "Come on, man, what about a nice mi'qote girl?"

"Too fuzzy," said Arden, wrinkling his nose. "You date one."

Arenvald laughed. "I've been too busy with work and the Scions to waste time with the girls. I'll leave that to Thancred."

Arden smiled and gazed at the blue ocean, its vivid green-blue surprising him every time he looked at it. "Someday I'd like an Auri girl of my own. Usually the tribe matchmakers handle things. Maybe when I return home and start a trade as a healer."

"Matchmakers?" Arenvald groaned, pushing back his blond hair. "You don't even get to pick?"

"Well, yes. I suppose," Arden said, scratching behind a horn. "I'm a little vague on the details. It's not something I paid much attention to."

Arenvald laughed. "I guess one day you'll find out, eh?" He pushed his plate aside and drank deeply from a yellow, fruity drink.

Arden drank his own, smacking his lips at the pungent sweetness that left a lingering bite on his tongue. His thoughts turned unwillingly to the business at hand. "I suppose we must seek out this Company of Heroes man. What'd you say his name was?"

"Wheiskaet," said Arenvald, pronouncing it carefully. "Used to work as a sellsword until he took an injury that forced him into retirement. Now he's a bodyguard for Gegeruju, the fellow who owns Costa del Sol."

Arden scanned the various bungalows and boardwalks of the resort. "Where might we find him?"

"Up at the north end," said the Hyur, sipping his drink. "His office and quarters are up there, and naturally the bodyguards are, too."

They finished their lunch and made their way across the resort to Gegeruju's offices. Before they arrived, they found their way barred by a towering Roegadyn. He stood in an intersection of ways, thick legs planted like tree trunks and thick arms folded. His heavy-featured face glared down at them from beneath a straw hat. His colorful red and white shirt and sandals rather detracted from his imposing appearance.

"Gegeruju is busy and seeing no guests," he said.

"Hello, Wheiskaet," said Arenvald cheerfully. "I have a letter from you from a friend." He pulled out a rolled letter and handed it over.

Wheiskaet took the letter with a frown, broke the seal, and read it. Then he rolled it up again and surveyed his visitors. "Well now. Looking for advice on beating Titan?"

Arden nodded. This Roegadyn was the first person he'd met in Eorzea who was as tall as himself, but Wheiskaet was twice as wide with much more muscle. Arden made no sudden moves.

Arenvald didn't seem to worry about the results of a fight with the giant. He smiled cheerfully and tossed his blond hair out of his eyes. "We each have the Echo and we're on call in case the kobolds summon Titan again. Trouble is, we've got no bloody idea what we're dealing with."

"Gladiator?" Wheiskaet said, pointing at Arenvald with a finger as thick as a sausage.

"Gladiator, soon to be paladin," said Arenvald proudly.

The finger pointed at Arden. "And you, dragon man. Fighter?"

"White mage," said Arden with dignity. "And Au Ra are not dragons."

"You sure you're not a padjal?" said Wheiskaet, eyes narrowing. "Only they can be white mages. It's practically a law."

"I'm an exception," said Arden.

Wheiskaet stared at him for a long moment. Arden stared coolly back. He could feel himself being weighed and measured, outlander that he was, stranger to Eorzea and its customs. Maybe Wheiskaet would accuse him of lying and throw him off the boardwalk. Arden fully intended to take his opponent with him.

"Well then," said Wheiskaet, settling his weight on one foot. "A likely pair of fighters you make, but you need a bigger party to fight Titan. Also you two look green to me. You need experience if you're to survive, and neither of you look to have much."

Arenvald jerked a thumb at his Auri companion. "He's killed Ifrit and holds rank with the Gridania Yellow Serpents. He's seen tons of action."

"And you?" Wheiskaet said pointedly

Arenvald patted his chest. "Top three in the arena two years running."

Wheiskaet studied them in silence for a moment, his tiny eyes holding a glint of cunning. "You may have seen a few fights," he said at last, "but when the Lord of the Crags rears to his full height above you and commands the earth beneath your feet to split and swallow you alive, none of that will avail you. You must have the courage to face a god, the strength to protect yourself from his wrath, and the loyalty to save your friends. Toward that end, I have a few jobs in mind. Don't come back until you've completed them."

The huge man retreated into the bungalow behind him, where they saw him writing at a desk. When he returned, it was with an elaborate shopping list of items to be gathered up and down La Noscea, each item held by a different name. Arden's heart sank. This would take days.

"You have your orders," said Wheiskaet, grinning evilly. "Fetch me these items and be quick about it."

Arenvald's face had fallen as much as Arden's. Without a word they turned and retreated down the boardwalk. Not until they reached the privacy of their room did Arenvald voice a few choice epithets for the Company of Heroes and Wheiskaet's family line.

"It's hazing, is what it is," said Arden.

"Damned right it's hazing!" Arenvald snarled. "I saw his face when he handed over the list."

"Do we refuse?"

Arenvald walked to the window, digging his hands into his sun bleached hair. After a moment he said, "No, I suppose we should try to please the old ass. Blast it all, I'm not attuned to any of the aetherytes in this region. We'll have to walk it, and I left my chocobo at home."

Arden's spirits rose at once. "We shall explore and see the lands!" He slapped Arenvald on the back. "Chin up, brother! We'll travel by boat and cart where we have to. This will be an adventure."

Arenvald cheered up a little. "You're right. I was approaching this with the wrong attitude. What say we sample the provender and ale in every eatery across La Noscea?"

Arden thought this was a good idea.