As the airship docks our heroes discover they aren’t in San d’Oria at all, but in Bastok. They are told to remain quiet and follow Louverance into the Metalworks. There they meet up with Cid.

Apparently these two have teamed up to hunt down the cardinal and any information they can about her in hopes of learning more about the magicite used by the Zilart (which Cid has been doing since back at chapter 22). According to his research, the magicite fragment that was brought to him was from a larger piece inside of a box, which somehow ended up in the hands of the Tavnazian church. Prishe understands completely, the box was used for religious services and the like while in Tavnanzia. It also played some role in Prishe's “life extension.” Louverance heard of this knowledge and was in Tavnazia for that very reason, to get it and bring it back to Cid. But before he could, Nag'molada had stolen it from the Sacarium. Prishe shocked by the news says that the vessel is pure evil, and rushes off without thought. The group rushes out behind Prishe, who decides now is the time to go to Pso’xja.

As they enter the dark underground temples of Pso’xja the group notices one thing, Nag'molada is nowhere to be found. Continuing slowly and carefully they venture deeper. At the center of the ruins, a grand door opens to reveal a giant crystal, like those seen in the crags.

Suddenly Prishe begins to move towards the crystal without any thought, claiming she hears the crystal’s song calling her.

Just then the mysterious boy appears behind them, while Nag'molada reveals himself from behind the crystal.

In his hands, the box from Tavnazia. A tense showdown begins.

Nag'molada laughs how amusing he finds the church’s use for the box to be, but that is has far more uses than ceremony. Many millennia ago the king of the Zilart made the necklace Prishe wears, along with many other necklaces. These were a testament of affinity – to peer into the hearts of the Kuluu. All Zilart were born into the world with the ability to communicate telepathically, called the “whisper of the soul”. After a time, the emptiness consumed some of the Zilart and they lost their gift. These people were forced out of the capital, and became the Kuluu. Amulets like the one Prishe has were forced on the Kuluu so the king could read their thoughts and keep them in check. Does she understand now? With that same power, the mysterious boy was using it to read Prishe's mind and follow her through all of Vana’diel to the locations of the crystals.

Nag'molada goes on to explain that he had used his time in Tavnazia to steal the box. But it was not he who was a villain, it was the boy. The mysterious boy – Selh’teus.

He had betrayed them all. He betrayed the Kuluu and the trust of the zilart king, as well as all the gods. Though he was born of the mother crystal like all things, he seeks to destroy it. Nag'molada then turns his focus from Prishe to Selh’teus. He questions how he could have survived, how he got the power to control the emptiness, when the gates were failed to be opened… how did only he live? Selh’teus says nothing.

Suddenly three hooded Zilart rush the boy, but Prishe and her friends fight them off.

The boy calmly walks to the crystal, the emptiness beginning to flow forth from his hands. Nag'molada opens the box to reveal, “The Eye of Altana”, using its power to create a crystal barrier around Selh’teus.

Throwing her necklace to Ulmia, Prishe begs the boy to tell her the song of the crystal.

Just then she hears it, the crystal begins to glow. Nag'molada tries desperately to hear, but cannot, being a Kuluu without the “whisper.” The crystal prison of Selh’teus breaks open and he levitates to the crystal. There is a brilliant flash of light.

There is a strange room, overlooking an even stranger city, in it we see the familiar image of Yve’noile. Out of site, but in the same room are 2 young boys, who are soon revealed to be Nag'molada and Selh’teus.

They beg her for access to the Kuluu city, of which she agrees.

We are suddenly flashes to another scene, this time of Selh’teus in front of a large Kuluu audience.

He begs Graviton to join him in Dynamis. There they will be safe from the things to come.

They can fight back against the Zilart with the help of Diabolos, maybe rejoin the Zilart as one.

Another scene flashes into view. This time it is Yve’noile again, with an older Nag'molada. She speaks of his working for the Zilart as a Kuluu, and how she doesn’t understand.

How can he betray both peoples like that. All she knows I that she seeks a world were both are gone. Nag'molada pauses, and offers that he has not betrayed everyone. He has always been truthful, and faithful to her. He would never betray her trust. Yve’noile turns and simply replies “and what if I betray yours?”.

When the group awakes they find themselves in another emptiness void.

They notice Nag'molada and Selh’teus are gone, but more importantly, so is Prishe. Seeing the only exit possible up ahead they trudge ahead hoping to find her there.

As they get closer it slow comes to light that the exit is cut off from them by a giant cliff, which falling from would be a fate worse than death.

Ulmia begins to turn around, when Nag'molada appears behind them with the box.

Using the power of the “Eye” he brings the gap together creating a bridge for them to cross.

Ulmia confused by this, asks him why he would help them. Nag'molada replies that Diabolos had told him he would help the find a way out. As the others cross, Nag'molada looks around the vast emptiness and curses Selh’teus under his breath.

In a giant arena across the bridge the group finds Diabolos, holding Prishe's limp body in his hands. He complains that if only he know of Selh’teus’s plan earlier he could have stopped it.

Selh’teus is on a mission from the celestial capital of Al’tieu. Though he goal is unclear, the result will be Vana’diels destruction. Shocked to hear this news, Nag'molada questions if the capital really is still there. Diabolos assures him it is still there, and the 5th Crystal will take them. Louverance suggests that if it is true, perhaps the gates can still be opened? Diabolos simply laughs, and ridicules him and “humanity” for seeking to still open the gates to paradise after all this time. He warns them, it is not their will that leads them down that path, but the will of the twilight god. This is why Bahamut seeks to destroy them. Tenzen asks if there is any possible way for the curse to be lifted.

Diabolos says long ago the Kuluu came to him for the same help, but it resulted in a tragedy as he Kuluu lost their original selves. The curse is necessary for the survival of the species, it is only a cure because they call it that. Diabolos offers that there are no roads left or right to travel, and that Vana’diel and the people in it are doomed. Selh’teus must be learned from, picking both sides leads to only pain.

Suddenly Prishe awakes, jumping from his hands. She scolds him, saying that it doesn’t take away from the fact that Selh’teus still tried to do something. She asks what happened to him, what happened to Diabolos’s spirit, or else he’d know what she says to be true. Outraged, Diabolos screams at her.

“You know nothing girl!” he says, if she is so adamant about the cause, why not sacrifice herself to it. Prishe, is silent. Then remarks – she finally understands her purpose. There is suddenly a flash of light.

In the snows of the north, 3 familiar taru look over the bodies of our heroes.

They laugh and steal the necklace Prishe had given them, even though they know they'll be in big trouble if Prishe finds out. From behind them, Nag'molada approaches.

They jump for joy saying they have been sent to find him and bring him back to Esha'ntarl. He scolds them for being so stupid as to activate the ruins, but they tell him it was her idea, that she had an Tenzen do it when he was gone in Tavnazia. He pauses, wondering why she would do such a thing. The activation of the ruins would take away Diabolos's free will. Thinking to himself he turns and walks off, the three Chebukki's trailing behind.

Back in Bastok Cid works in his lab, when suddenly the doors fly open. There before him are Ulmia, Tenzen, and Louverance.

After they escaped the emptiness, they managed to get to San d'Oria, but could not find Prishe. Cid, with a heavy heart informs that now is a terrible time to lose her. She has now been branded a wanted criminal by Jeuno and is being hunted by all three kingdoms.

Tenzen explains that when Prishe sang that song, Selh'teus escaped. Perhaps Nag'molada thinks they are working together. Ulmia remarks she knows what Prishe had sung, the 4th verse of "Memoria de la S^tona"...but where would she have learned it? Tenzen just as confused knows one thing for sure, they must find Prishe now before Jeuno. Ulmia agrees saying that they must know what she does. When the keeper of the apocalypse arrives, Bahamut will destroy mankind. Sent by the ancients in Al'taieu, Selh'teus's coming is foretold in mankinds pact with the Wyrmking, which is why he too is awake. They tried to plea with Diabolos to help, but his heart is now stained with anger. There is only one option left to break the pact. But how? Cid begins to think...

"The keeper comes, bahamut wipes out mankind...if the keeper never comes, then there will be no pact."

Tenzen agrees, but the keeper is the boy and they have been after him since the start. Maybe if he can call on Carbuncle, Keeper of Rainbows, he could help them. Ulmia likes the plan, but is far more worried about Prishe at the moment. If Prishe could communicate with Selh'teus, perhaps she would be more useful than any avatar. Louverance, decides he shall take a third path, to investigate the celestial capital. It is here they will split their paths.

At La’thiene Plateau, in the ancient circle of stones, Tenzen calls forth Carbuncle to his aid.

He explains Bahamut and Diabolos do nothing. Diabolos draws people into his world to shelter them, and Bahamut now gathers his armies to destroy the world. Unable to see this as just, he begs the help of the avatar. Suddenly in a flash of light Carbuncle appears, greeting both Tenzen and Phoenix. Carbuncle explains that he knew all this would come to pass, and that is why he will now lead Tenzen to the power of the slumbering gods to prevent the twilight god’s awakening. Tenzen’s sword shakes in opposition to the plan – as Carbuncle knew it would, as surely Bahamut and Diabolos would too. If siphoning of energy from avatar to man begins, it will stop the gods, but at the same time speed up their awakening. When that happens a furious battle between the terrestrial avatars and the gods will begin. Tenzen looks on confused. The keeper seeks to open the gates of paradise, but has that not been part of the curse of Promathia all along? So then all of this has been for the purpose of awakening Promathia!? Tenzen begs Carbuncle to help him, to which the avatar agrees, for Phoenix’s sake. 30 years ago he sensed the birth of the keeper, but since then its presence has faded. Deep in the city on the outskirts of the old Zilart capital is the Kuluu ruins of Pso’xja. There he must go to retrieve the power of the slumbering gods. The same, which the avatars granted the Kuluu in the ancient times.

Meanwhile in San d’Oria Ulmia stands silent overlooking the docks, playing her harp in a desperate hope that Prishe will hear her song.

It has been days since she first set off to find Prishe, but with no clue where to search she finds herself here, playing alone. A crowd has gathered to listen, as they had done over the last few days. But this time, there was a new face. A strange Mithra in a dark armor.

When Ulmia stops playing the mithra approaches. She begins to question her about Prishe, for she has been looking for the girl too. Ulmia asks if she is working for Jeuno, but the mithra says no. Just then, a messenger from the cathedral approaches Ulmia saying father Chasalvige has called her there.

The Mithra decides now she will take her leave, but will explain everything the next time they meet.

In the Cathedral, the father tells Ulmia that he finally understands how to help her. Before the advent of the Great War Ulmia and Prishe came to San d’Oria with the cardinal. He was there at the meeting, but much younger at the time. These meetings were to improve the failing relations between the Tavnazia church and the San d’Orian church. At the time, Ulmia was asked by the cardinal to sing a song to honor the occasion, the same song of the gods. Before she could even begin she was yelled at by the Papsque to stop. Ulmia comments that she thought it was her horrible singing voice, but the father says the Papsque was more afraid of the power of the song. 500 years ago in a time of humiliation for the Elvaan, when the continent of Quon was under the control of Windurst, their people lived in small tribes. Lanfeaur d’Oraguille came forth to lead the people along with his general Alphollon Tajeux who would later become to first Marquis of Tavnazia. They together founded the Kingdom of San d’Oria on the power of two artifacts they had gathered, but both were soon lost in a great battle. In their places, mysterious stone tablets were left behind. From that day forth they began studying the tablets, one in each capital. It wasn’t until the days of King Ranperre did they solve the riddle of the San d’Oria tablet. The king, at the time located in Davoi during the civil war decided to hunt for the artifact, which would be known as the sacred sword, Lightbringer. Despite the success of the researchers in San d’Oria, the Tavanzian cathedral refused to share the information they had gathered from their tablet. Spies were sent to Tavnazia and it was soon discovered the tablets words were the verses of the lyrics to the song they would come to call “The Lay of Immortals”. It was a song that would conclude with the manifestation of a deity – a song to call the gods. Tavnazia had deciphered the words, but not the music and began a search for one who could sing it was begun. The person they found was Ulmia. Fearing a horrible fate ahead, Father Chasalvige begs Ulmia to turn around and head home before it’s too late and the cardinal finds them. But, if she still insists on seeking her friend, she possibly was transported to Windurst by the taru excavation crew that has been experimenting on the ancient ruins there for some time. Ulmia thanks the father for his advice and answers. Outside the door, a mithra stands in the shadows listening to the conversation.

In Windurst, Ulmia meets with Yoran-Oran, the sponsor of the researchers. Perhaps he would know of her friend.

But, before they can speak on the subject a mithra bursts through the door to his house, flanked by two others. She is a tracker, same as the one she met before, but a different one. She says she has been seeking the abhorrent power and demands the black magicite. Not knowing what she’s talking about, Yoran can’t reply. Deciding his silence is him keeping the secret, she tells her cohorts to attack.

Ulmia steps forward to his defense, and they turn their weapons on her.

Suddenly the door opens to reveal Prishe, who has come to save them, but is caught completely off guard, and the trackers turn their weapons on her, forcing her into the corner with Ulmia and Yoran.

Just when it looks like all hope is lost, the door opens again to reveal their hero! PROFESSOR SHANTOTTO!!!

Using her magic she forces the mithra back and tells them that Prishe has the stone, which they seek, but she can’t give it up.

She asks Prishe to show them why. Prishe unbuttons here shirt, and reveals to everyone that the magicite is imbedded in her chest. As she buttons her shirt back up everyone looks on in shock, and Prishe remarks she doesn’t have time for this, but the mithran trackers ask her to come with them, someone wants to meet her. Someone who would be very interested in the magicite. Prishe leaves with the trackers, Ulmia still in shock follows not knowing what else to do. As the door closes, Yoran stands there completely in shock not knowing what has happened, next to him is Shantotto enjoying it all.

Meanwhile Louverance returns to Tavnazia to speak with Despachiare, where he explains the situation so far.

Despachiare thinks about to an old painting he saw in the cathedral long ago.

Found deep within Uggalepih, it was said it depicted a verse of a legendary song – the ancients and their attempted to open the gates of paradise. It showed a gate of light hovering over a grand city, the gatekeeper roaring in the heavens. Taking the form of a mighty dragon, its 4 limbs were bound by mighty shackles. In fact, as he recalls, it wasn’t until Cardinal Mildaurian first looked upon it did the city in it get a name – Al’taieu.

As punishment for defying the will of the gods they city was destroyed and banished to the bottom of the north sea. After the cardinal revealed the paintings legend, many songs were written about it. Despachiare explains that before coming to Tavnazia the cardinal was a priest who had wondered the outlands searching for spiritual enlightenment.

Perhaps this is where she learned the information she preached, for after a time several mithra began arriving in Tavnazia looking for her. They demanded the paintings the cardinal had brought them, saying they were rightfully theirs and had been taken by pirates. While unable to remember the trackers names, he remembered that they used the title “Sinhunters”, assassins of the grand chieftaness. In fact it had been reported that one was in the area recently. Louverance decides to look into this new information and visit the mithran chieftaness, Perih Vashai in Windurst.

In the taru city, Louverance meets with Perih who explains she, nor the trackers, would know about the city in the painting, but that the trackers came to demand the atonement for the sins of the Tavnazian cardinal, which were related to the picture.

It was stolen from the Uggalepih and a tracker was sent to find it. When she did a deal was struck. The cardinal claimed she knew of the duty of the tracker and stated she personally had the prepared the means to carry it out in Tavnazia. The tracker has no choice and accepted, and Vana’diels fate was placed in the hands of its peoples. The duty she spoke of was the mithra’s ancient purpose – to awaken the gods. After the ancient race had tried to open the portal to paradise, the emptiness flowed from the “wound”. The peoples of the planet decided to stop it, and would use the divine tears of Altana to push it back, but a battle over the 5th crystal’s power ensued between Bahamut and the king of people. Those who survived used the power of the sleeping gods to heal the wounded land. The giant crystals around Vana’diel hidden from site – those are the resting places of the gods. Awakening these gods to heal our land is the role the cardinal attempted to fill. Louverance stands back in shock, confused that the mithra legend of origin would be so drastically different than that of the elvaan. Saddened by this dead ends, Louverance sulks off, thinking perhaps his luck has finally run out.

Just then a taru runs down the path towards him screaming that he has been searching for him. He hands him an item, which he repaired for him since his last visit. Also he says that his “nemesis” Goldmane the bounty hunter is looking for him, and was last seen in a small island to the south. Louverance realizing his luck might not have run out just yet, heads to the southern islands to find Goldmane.

On the islands to the south, Louverance finds an old orc war machine all alone on an island. As he approaches it activates and begins to move towards him. Quickly slicing it with his sword, 3 mandragoras pop out the hole in the machine. It quickly turns out that they are under the control of small taru, named Vukki-Chebukki (yes, it looks like he’s the real father of our favorite taru triplets). Could this be Goldmane?!

The two seem to know each other very well, and threaten each other based on their past.

In their arguments Louverance lets the taru know that Tavnazia is still filled with people. Vukki stops fighting and his interest becomes peaked. Louverance explains all that has happened so far, and Vukki cheers at the people’s safety, but Louverance isn’t so sure they will be. It was after all, the people who were saving them, that betrayed them so many years ago. The taru asks what he must do to help, and Louverance replies they must shed the light on the purpose – the REAL purpose of the allied army hidden behind the confusion of the Crystal War. He will also call for the restoration of Tavnazia as a nation. Vukki laughs, but Louverance insists he has control of the successor of the Tavnazian Marquisate as well as preparations to receive funds and troops from certain wealthy family. He will not only do that, but find the last hidden artifact of Tavnazia and the path to Al’taieu. It soon becomes apparent the Vukki’s reason for being there is he was sent on a secret mission from the Tavnazia cathedral to find the path to the celestial capital, but never found it. All they discovered was that the way to the capital is told in legend to open once every 100 years. Using the item the he received from the taru in Windurst, he uses it to see the truth in Vukki’s words. He receives a vision...

The statue of Promathia in the Sacarium! Could it have been from Al’taieu?!

Having traveled to the northlands, now deep within the ruins of Pso’xja, Tenzen finds himself standing before a giant device.

He turns it on device, and his sword begins to resonate. Phoenix calls to him and tells him to return to the place they first met Selh’teus.

Tenzen heads back to Jeuno to speak with Dr. Monberaux, who informs him that while he hasn’t found much information since last they met that the eyes of the guards in town tell much and unsettled rumors of the end of the world are about.

Monberaux has come to believe that the girl Prishe must be connected, but Tenzen rebuffs the idea, trying to get the doctor to focus on other problems. Monberaux explains that the ducal guards are talking of an attack on Bahamut. Yes, he threatens us with the apocalypse but is he not also the world’s keeper, like all avatars? He even sent a letter to Wolfgang to try to convince Esha'ntarl to join their cause. Tenzen replies the three nations have no defense against Bahamut’s attack, the only hope is to find him before he attacks. Before he leaves, Tenzen asks where the boy was originally found. Monberaux says it was deep in Delkfutts tower.

In the Palace of the Duchy, Esha'ntarl and Wolfgang hear word of the events that have transpired over the last few days.

Just then Nag'molada enters in a huff, blaming his loss of the boy on Prishe, and how his plans would have worked if not for her. One of the zilart guards remarks that Selh’teus is foolish for not knowing their quest for paradise had ended long ago and what happened to the capital.

Nag'molada chuckles under his breath, perhaps it is we who do not know he replies. He proposes an expedition be sent to Al’taieu, but Esha'ntarl says no, that he must go to the goblin city, she will deal with the boy. They proceed to scold him for his brash impudence. Nag'molada pleas that the boy is now more powerful than they know, but again Esha'ntarl quiets him.

She says they Nag'molada doesn’t need to find the boy, he will come to him. She then reveals that she has Prishe's amulet.

Wolfgang during this time, sits outside the Palace starring at the letter his old friend had sent him. On the back, he notices a map. He recognizes it as a location in Battalia Downs, where long ago two boys, best of friends and troublemakers, found a shard of blue glass. It was just a shard from a bottle, but to them it was treasure. Looking through the glass, the two saw the world in a new light. But one day, they decided to explore the world. Though they explored barely into the Downs, for the young kids it was the farthest they had ever explored. Gazing onto Jeuno from the distance through the glass they realized its beauty anew. But soon one of the boys realized Jeuno looked beautiful with or without the glass. They decided to bury the glass there, at that spot.

Wolfgang decides to walk to the spot he and his friend used to visit so long ago. He kneels down and behind him Monberaux appears. The two friends, once again at their favorite spot.

Together they begin to laugh and joke over who really owned the glass. Wolfgang admits that he had come to rebury that glass, cause he had dug it up long ago.

But just now realized what was more important than who had their old treasure. Monberaux smiles as Wolfgang begins to head to Jeuno. In the distance he shouts back that he lost his key to Delkfutt’s Tower, and hopes he didn’t end up burying it too.

With a smile, Monberaux digs up the key but leaves the glass – for 2 little boys to look after – for a little longer.

With the key given to him by Monberaux, Tenzen easily enters the deeper regions of the tower. As he opens the door, Nag'molada enters behind him, saying he has important business here as well. He explains the contraption here is what keeps the 5 crystals slumbering.

The crystals are connected by 5 crystals lines, which connect to this point.

Tenzen deduces that since the Wyrmking came near it’s lines and messed up the lines and the boy appeared here, perhaps he can move through the lines. And the only way that would be possible is if an avatar aided him.

Nag'molada explains that it’s unfortunate for Tenzen he did not get to Pso’xja before it was activated. The ruins were a home to the Kuluu, however at the onset of the Kuluu war with the Zilart, the terrestrial avatars lent their power to them and helped transform it into an impenetrable stronghold. Deep below is a device that blocks the flow of the crystal lines, which is what Esah’ntarl has activated. Nag'molada, now apparently out of the loop of the Duchy’s activities has come here to find out why. The Zilart were a telepathic people, and the bonds between them were unbreakable. Those born without the whisper were the Kuluu. It was this ability to ascertain truth through other means that helped them live through the calamity. Tenzen shouts that they must hurry and stop Selh’teus if he knew this all along. Nag'molada calmly laughs and says the boy is not the problem. He was the one who stopped the Zilart before and is only seeking to do the same thing again. The Zilart, the boy, even the avatars sins will deface Vana’diel. Tenzen asks why they must fight the avatars then if the boy is the enemy. Nag'molada replies that Selh’teus is doing the same thing he did 10,000 years ago. By touching the crystals he could sap their power and let the emptiness flow forth. Tenzen then questions, if the boy has only come recently, why has the emptiness been in his land before then. Nag'molada explains that the Zilart’s reactivation of the crystals to recover Tu’lia had done so. The capitals sinking had changed the 5th crystal and when activated it sent back a strange signal. But when the gate of the gods is opened all will be returned to their former state and the emptiness will vanish. All that stands in the way is the wretched terrestrial avatars.

Tenzen tells him to stop his lies, but Nag'molada continues. Saying Tenzen is nothing more than a puppet bound in the chains of promathia. When the gate opens, our world will be no more, but what will happen after, had he ever thought of that? Vana’diel is pain – this world is all they know. The avatars use them, because they are born of this world and bound to it – if it is gone – so are they.

Nag'molada turns and activates a console on the machine. He suddenly sees a image of Esha'ntarl rising from a bright light in some form of Zilart device, which he recognizes as the Chamber of Eventide.

It suddenly becomes clear to him, and he runs off.

Still standing there, Tenzen is furious with what he has been told and questions Phoenix. The only reply he gets is to seek out Fenrir in the north.

Now in Attowha Chasm, Prishe and Ulmia follow the trackers to another mithra. Saying her name is Shikaree Z, she tells Prishe that she is accused of grave crimes.

They say she and the cardinal have planned to resurrect Promathia, with the song of Ulmia and use the Magicite’s power. They decide now is the time for their judgment, and all the mithra attack. But with amazing power Prishe beats them all back. Shikaree can’t believe it.

Prishe says she seeks to save everyone just like them, the cardinal wanted to do the same that is why she tried to bring back Promathia. If they want Prishe to pay for that, she will, but she will pay for it herself. Shikaree tells her the Star of Tavnazia which was held by the church was taken from the beastmen long ago in their home to the north of San d’Oria. Prishe decides that is their next destination. Shikaree joins on to lead the two.

Once again returning to Pso’Xja, Tenzen searches the ruins once again for the location of Fenrir. And, again, Tenzen stumbles upon a strange device.

A glowing orb floats through the room and stops before him. Tenzen greets it, as the disembodied Fenrir. His strength has begun to fade. Tenzen tells him a great misfortune has befallen Vana’diel, four of the mother crystals power is gone and now overtaken by the emptiness. To save the world he seeks the avatars help. Fenrir replies that he chooses the path of the avatars, the path of the children of the dawn, to live and die – the path of people. Suddenly Tenzen is given a vision of the past, 10,000 years ago to be exact. It is in Sarutabaruta, where Fenrir stands before a group of what Tenzen can only discern is “our ancestors”. Fenrir scolds them saying that they accepted the twilight, yet still choose to remain in this world. The light of the crystals has begun to fade, the chaos is upon them. There is nothing more he can do, but there is still time before the pact will be fulfilled…so live their lives before the end.

From the crowd, one woman steps forwards, a familiar face – Esha'ntarl. She claims their fate is still undecided, and requests a new destiny. Fenrir himself is now confused, the destiny of everyone is already written, past and future. Esha'ntarl agrees, but says she has traveled to her homeland and the dying Selh’teus has spoken to her. He tells her that darkness grown in the hearts of men will bring a dark keeper, the keeper of the apocalypse. This person will lead us unto the twilight, but if the keeper is defeated the pact will be broken. Fenrir acknowledges this, but you can only succeed by first breaking the chains that bind your people, he replies. Selh’teus is gone, who is there left to do this?

Esha'ntarl offers herself, saying she has found the answer to the riddle. Selh’teus told her what he was trying to accomplish because he wished for her to continue the work. Fenrir is taken back, she is the one who escaped the curse?! Even his readings could not predict this crossing of destinies. She has broken free of the circle of life, she will watch over man till the end comes, but when it does – still there is nothing she can do. She will be powerless and witness the death of everyone. She says if she knows where the keeper will appear, she can stop it. But Fenrir warns her of how hard it will be. Esha'ntarl accepts and he gives her one last bit of information. After 10,000 years the keeper will rise, in a land called Tavnazia.

Tenzen’s expression suddenly turns to one of horror.

10,000 years…

Tavanazia…

The Abhorrent One…

Tenzen immediately returns to Cid. He is the first back. He informs him of what has transpired, and Cid says he now at least understands the strange readings he got from the Crags.

Cid says while it sounded impossible before, perhaps they could open a gate to paradise. Until they find out what this paradise is, however, they must keep the Zilart in check. Tenzen agrees, but they have more important things to deal with. Namely the keeper, who Tenzen believes now to be Prishe, even if she is unaware of it. Cid stops him from continuing, and doing anything crazy. Tenzen concedes saying he will go to Jeuno and see the situation there. Following him to the door to see him off, Cid closes the doors to wonder if he’s in over his head this time. If Jeuno is the Zilart, then their armies would be a problem, not to mention Tenzen who comes from a land few know of, even the Tenshodo seem to know little. It is a dark time. Who speaks the truth and who peddles lies is becoming harder and harder to tell.

Meanwhile in the snowy regions to the north, Prishe seems to have gotten ahead of her group again and finds herself standing over a strange reflection pool. She wonders why the beastmen would bring a piece of magicite here. She says that the piece of magicite Cid received was indeed from the Star of Tavnazia. An allied expedition came here 30 years ago with it, and its members were poisoned by the voice of darkness sealed in that stone. That’s why they all went loopy. “Give into they desires .. return to thy true self” it uttered. That voice is within us all she says, turning to face Louverance who had secretly been following them as well as looking for Al’taeiu.

He steps from the shadows and asks what it all means. Was it Promathia speaking to them? Something about him, seemed off to Prishe though. It looked like Louverance, but his face mask was different. Introducing himself again he added that he is the grandson of Francmage, the royal San ‘dOrian knight on the expedition. Prishe gives him a look, but says she knows all about him, and wonders if he managed to avenge his grandfather’s death. He questions how she would know that, but Prishe just laughs it off. There are more pressing matters. Here is where the divinity of darkness lies, and what the mithra believe is Promathia. Louverance says he’s here to investigate this very fact. The legends of the islands say that the divinity of darkness slumbers here and at some point the Shadow Lord followed the dark voice here. The divinity of darkness then created his army of demons (Kindred) for him. Prishe says she thinks she understands, but Louverance demands to know what she thinks. Just then Shikaree and Ulmia run into the cave, and Prishe notices a strange dark crystal laying in some rubble on the far side of the cavern. The dark crystal – the magicite from the failed mission! It become clear that the Divinty of Darkness is nothing more than the piece of black magicite lost by the group driven mad by Promathia's call from within.

Prishe runs to it, and suddenly the crystal flies into the air, hovering above her. Prishe unbuttons her shirt and the crystal floats down to her. In a flash of light Prishe's voice echoes “welcome home”.

When everyone can see again, Prishe has vanished. Ulmia and Shikaree quickly run down the pathway, trying to find where she may have gone. Louverance sneaks out another way, with work of his own to do.

Back in Jeuno, Cid continues to work on his secret projects, when Ulmia and Shikaree enter.

They tell him of the events that took place and even they shock him. Shikaree explains that her representative on the mission north took a fragment of the magicite they lost back to her homeland. They then realized it’s dark powers. But she never told them where it came from, and many other missions were sent around, but unsuccessful in finding a location. It was while looking for a relic on another mission in Uggalepih they discovered what they had been searching for. At this time they met with the cardinal of Tavnazia who showed them the “star”. They demanded it be put away from the people’s eyes, but she wouldn’t listen. She said it was necessary to awaken the gods. Cid, tries to offer another suggestion, but Ulmia backs up her story, having been in the choir and taught the songs to awaken the gods. Cid asks if the song Prishe used to help Selh’teus escape was the same, if all of it has been song then are they too late? Shikaree says no, indeed there is a 5th verse, but it is only known to the gods. But...

If someone inquired with a god, perhaps the one in the magicite the demons came from in the northlands, or possibly the woman in Sel-

But Shikaree cuts herself short and asks to take her leave. Ulmia says she still wishes to search for Prishe, but Cid says if she does, she must do it before the mithra trackers find her. But, for now, he will have Tenshodo look around the world for her, Ulmia should stay put in Bastok. As she leaves the room, he is about to speak up, but refrains from telling her what Tenzen has learned.

Deep within Movalpolos the Moblins are greeted by Selh’teus, whom they soon come to believe is the reincarnation of Promathia.

They jump about and promise to take him to the “sparkly place.” From a distance, Louverance watches. Apparently his tips as to the location of the boy have paid off. Suddenly a large galka appears behind him, questioning who he is and why he’s here.