In Jeuno the group arrives to discover Prishe has handed herself over to the Ducal Guards. Ulmia can’t believe she would do such a thing. Luckily the government is occupied with other matters for the moment. Perhaps they can use this time to find Prishe and convince her to come with them.

Tenzen enters deciding they need to form some kind of plan, so Ulmia needs to come to the Tavern in Upper Jeuno; it appears Aldo has secured it for some time. Inside the tavern the entire tale of all the separate adventures is revealed.

Tenzen can hardly believe it is all possible. Ulmia finally shows up and Tenzen explains all they have learned. Of course they have tried to refute this conclusion and find another explanation. But they know the boy has come to thwart the plans of the ancients and steal the light of the crystals. They also learned of the divinity that ruled over the kindred is not Promathia after all, but just a fragment of the black material. But the moblins heard from the divinity of darkness that the keeper of the apocalypse has already arisen, and surely Ulmia has seen the black magicite within Prishe’s chest. According to legend, the stone contains the emptiness of the Twilight God, Promathia. Tenzen then tells her what Carbuncle and Fenrir revealed – the keeper was born in Tavnazia. Ulmia steps back in shock, she refuses to believe what they are implying. She has been friends with Prishe since before Tavnazia’s destruction...

She can’t be the keeper!

Ulmia pleas to them that she has never met a person more pure of heart, with such faith and courage. How could the keeper of the apocalypse urge Diabolos to save the world? Tenzen pauses, it doesn’t seem to make sense at all. But if they had time and knowledge they could rescue Prishe from this destiny. But they are running out of time. Bahamut and his minions must be stopped. Shikaree says that if the cardinal is still alive they believe she will use Prishe to awaken the Twilight God. Jabbos says that when Promathia awakes there will be no stopping the moblins; they will be surely waging his war. Ulmia still in shock refuses to help them hurt Prishe and storms out of the tavern.

Shikaree says the first thing they must do is find Prishe, it’s better to just let Ulmia be. Louverance offers to call on some old friends for help.

Ulmia wanders through Ru’lude Gardens starring into the courtyard, trying to decide what she should do. Understanding what her allies said...

Understanding Bahamut wants to destroy the world...

And understanding they wish to rescue Prishe from her destiny...

She still feels wrong. But if Diabolos is right, they cannot save both the world and its people. She wonders why he called Prishe into his dream world at all; did he know she was the keeper all along? Did the cardinal know this too? Is this why Prishe has the amulet? So many questions… but still...

Prishe has mentioned privately when she collapsed in Jeuno earlier in their adventure that she felt a presence through the amulet. She mentioned it felt like the cardinal, she was sure of it. Ulmia questioned if Prishe thought the cardinal was the one who took the amulet, but why would she take back the gift she gave her? But, Prishe mentioned the cardinal always watched over the amulet, always making sure Prishe didn’t get in trouble. The cardinal told Prishe that an old friend has returned and she needed it. But as long as they were in Jeuno they were safe. Ulmia questioned that if that were the case she would have now known of the survivors of Tavnazia, but the cardinal had yet to make herself known. She did not come to help them. Prishe disagrees, the cardinal left Tavnazia to her. Ulmia wondered what she meant, but there conversation was cut off by visitors. Ulmia stares down into the courtyard, still thinking about her conversation. What could the cardinal have entrusted Prishe with? Surely not the resurrection of the Twilight God!

Ulmia decides she needs me answers and goes to find answers on her own. She’s going to need all the help she can get if she’s to stop madness from engulfing the world.

Meanwhile in the palace, Wolfgang finishes plans to prepare the fleet for launch, but he received word that trouble has finally hit home. The duke and his brother have now been reported missing, and have been gone for some time. Now also Lady Esha'ntarl and < Nag'molada are missing too. Also, 3 tarutaru have stolen one of the airships.

Overlooking the sea in Tavnazia, Esha'ntarl looks out into the water.

She says that even if the crystal line is cut, as long as people exist there will be life on Vana’diel. The memories of the crystal will endure. There is nothing anyone can do to change that. We are all born from the light of the crystal, and we return to that luminescence when we die. Suddenly a voice echoes in her head.

"People are also born of darkness, and return to it. The opposites of light and dark, both are held within you. You are born from the light that illuminates all, and then slowly devoured by the emptiness that desires only oblivion. This is the cycle begun by the goddess o the dawn. The cycle created for the sake of the twilight god, Promathia.” Esha'ntarl turns around to see Selh’teus.

She says now after 10,000 years it is time for them to discover why their paths have crossed again. The pact he made with the avatars has been honored; the coming of the keeper was prevented… Yet Bahamut does not hold it complete.

Is it true that unless the keeper is freed from the cycle of the mother crystal the pact cannot be considered fulfilled? Selh'teus remains silent.

She offers him a chance to speak to her, through the amulet she possesses, to connect their souls.

“Let us finally walk the same path that has brought us here over the span of 10,000 years. For Vana’diel, for the future.” He touches the amulet and in a bright flash of light the two seem to connect to each other. Suddenly Selh’teus vanishes and Esha'ntarl falls to the ground.

Before her stands Nag'molada fuming with anger the boy has once again escaped him.

The Chebukki’s stand behind him cowering.

He steps forward toward the collapsed Armathrwn member. Nag'molada finally believes he understands Esha'ntarl . Was that her plan to use the testament of affinity to link their souls? Did she mean to have her soul overtaken as did Prishe?

He pauses...

No, the plan must have been to make it appear as if she was possessed... A way to protect herself?

An excuse for letting him escape?

Nag'molada's thoughts become erratic and paranoid.

Esha'ntarl remains silent watching a man she thought she knew slip slowly into a strange madness. Nag'molada laughs, that she is exactly what he’d expect from a Zilart, no silly attempts at denial. But then again, he has learned the truth from the mother crystals. She was originally Kuluu, as was he. The chamber of eventide was created by Yve’noile for the Kuluu to restore their whisper of souls. He should have realized it when Bahamut mentioned that name. Was he correct in assuming that the Zilart interfered in the investigation of Al'taieu to hide the fact of it's completion. Was his Kuluu talent for negotiation valuable after all?

Esha'ntarl tells him the chamber; along with the capital were destroyed 10,000 years ago. No matter how much she explains, she feels he just wont believe her, but even the Zilart know it to be true. Nag'molada says when the capital was enfolded in the energy of the crystal; the power of the avatars was absorbed into the city. The event caused and anomaly in space and time, bringing them from the ancient past to the present day... Or so he current theory goes. As a Kuluu he does not presume to speak for the beliefs of the Zilart, but he has received some fascinating insights from Diabolos. The avatar claims the capital exits even now, beyond the 5th crystal! And that the Zilart people are still in the city, alive and well. This information must be verified! He will travel there himself and see, then use the chamber of eventide and achieve immortality...

That which was granted to Esha'ntarl!

She stands, confronting Nag'molada . His longing to become a Zilart has led him to betray the Kuluu. But he must listen to her; he should not go to the capital. Selh’teus warned it, it is no longer the home they once knew. It is now a tainted and forbidden place. Nag'molada refuses to believe her. Esha'ntarl offers the amulet Selh’teus touched to see for himself, but he refuses. Why would he do that? So he can let the traitor take over his mind too?

He raises his hand towards her, deciding while it’s not what he wants, for the moment he will have to enjoy watching her die. He will just say Selh’teus killed her. Esha'ntarl begs him to wait; she will give him anything he wants. Nag'molada laughs. She was certainly born a Kuluu, but my how far she has fallen. She looks up at him, with a smile on her face. She is not the one who has fallen.

Suddenly a giant warp bubble appears around Nag'molada and in an instant he disappears. Behind him are the Chebukki’s finishing their spell casting.

Esha'ntarl thanks them for their help; they appear to have finally shown some good judgment. However, Selh’teus is gone, and she still has much to learn. But he did show her the capital...

Could it be?

Suddenly the clouds rip apart above her as a dragon soars by. Esha'ntarl looks up...

Perhaps she understands now. The battle with the wyrms is about to begin. A meaningless war will soon be set in motion.

Suddenly she feels the voice within her head again.

“There is no other choice but to fight… great Goddess Altana… bless us with the victory we need.”

In Jeuno word reaches the Ducal Guard that Esha'ntarl has returned. It is now time for the armada to take flight. Ulmia watches on, but suddenly hears the cries of three familiar voices.

She turns to see the Chebukkis, balling their eyes out. One of the guards Pheimociel explains that even though they claim they were following orders, they still broke the law, just as Nag'molada has done. Ulmia follows them asking why they are so down, when the rumor has it that they are being considered as heroes for bringing Esha'ntarl . The Chebukki triplets brighten up and laugh; of course they’re heroes, and the perfect candidates for future Jeuno beauracracy. But just then Prishe appears from behind them.

The 3 taru cower in the corner crying as Prishe scolds them, wondering why she ever put them in charge of Tavnazia when she left. They better get their act together, or she’ll kick them into next watersday. Ulmia looks on in shock, her friend is perfectly fine. She doesn’t seem to be in trouble at all! Prishe tells the Chebukkis they need to look out for the people of Tavnazia, and keep people like Ulmia safe. Prishe apologizes to Ulmia for her actions of late as well and tells her she should follow her to the audience chamber in the palace, something needs to be said.

In the audience chamber, Esha'ntarl greets Ulmia and Prishe. Ulmia rushes forward, her eyes wide open, as if she has seen a ghost. Esha'ntarl … is Cardinal Mildaurion?!?

What’s going on?!? Ulmia asks. Esha'ntarl replies she is sorry for the deception, and while she wishes she could explain, there is no time for lengthy explanations, but there are some things they must know. 10,000 years ago, she was born in Al’taieu under the name Esha'ntarl , not Mildaurion. Nag'molada and the other members of the Armathrwn Society that controls Jeuno are just like her, an ancient race of people – recently awoken after a long sleep. But she was different, she was blessed with the gift of immortality. She used this gift to pledge her life to bring about the fruition of a pact made between Selh’teus and the terrestrial avatars. After the passing of 10,000 years a child of destiny would be born in a fated land - The keeper of apocalypse, the one she had sworn to destroy in the pact.

She had spent many years preparing for the keepers coming, but along that time she found a warning. It said that destroying the keeper will only set the darkness free to reincarnate in another body. To break the cycle, darkness itself must be obliterated. It must be erased from the place where all life comes from, and returns – the mother crystals. To fully eradicate the darkness, the keeper must be destroyed, not in the form of a human, but that of a god. That is why she conceived that plan to use the lay of immortals to resurrect Promathia.

The prophecy of “resurrection and destruction” suddenly becomes very clear to Ulmia. Prishe continues, the plan had failed, however.

At the baptismal ceremony, having her strings pulled by Promathia at the time, a freak accident occurred. The emptiness stored in her as the keeper reacted to the baptismal vessel (the eye of Altana) and sealed it all away inside of her in the form of black magicite.

Her world flipped upside down, she was suddenly able to read peoples thoughts, and like Esha'ntarl, she was forever trapped at her current age – a pure immortal.

Ulmia wonders if its true then, is she really the keeper. Things must be different now...

She can’t be the keeper anymore!

The two remain silent.

Ulmia steps back. She can’t believe it, nothing has changed...

What will become of Prishe, she questions.

Esha'ntarl says judging by the actions of Bahamut, the keeper is still amongst the living, and so far there are no other candidates. Prishe adds that he wishes to destroy her in the form of Promathia – it was Diabolos who let her in on this destiny as the keeper.

It is her fate to be destroyed, along side the magicite, and set adrift from the cycle of the mother crystals.

Ulmia refuses to accept it; it’s a fate far too horrible for her friend. Prishe begs her to listen, she’s come this far. They already heard 4 of the 5 verses. If they learn all 5, they can stand without fear before Bahamut AND Promathia.

Ulmia still refuses to acknowledge this new turn of events.

Esha'ntarl steps forward, saying Prishe will not be doing anything of the sort. The last verse is still unknown and at the moment, all they can do is pit the power of the Jeuno armada against Bahamut. Just then Wolfgang appears saying the fleet is finally ready. Esha'ntarl gives a solemn smile to her friends and takes her leave. She pauses, and tells them to leave Jeuno as quickly as they can, before it becomes a war zone. They should head home and protect Tavnazia the best way they know how. She exits, leaving behind a stunned Ulmia and her friend. As Ulmia leaves the audience chamber still in a state of shock, Prishe tells her that she won’t let it end like this. She has a duty! Prishe begs Ulmia to help her; there is someone in Selbina who knows the 5th verse. Although her memory is a bit “shoddy”, she could still help them.

Just then Louverance steps out from the shadows. He admits to have been spying on them and overheard it all. He too knows the girl which they speak of. Perhaps he possesses something that can revive her past.

In Selbina, Ulmia and Louverance stumble upon a girl whom she recognizes. A girl she knew long ago in the choir, the only child who could sing like her.

Yes, it must be her! Emeline! Aldo ’s younger sister!

They stop her from her work, but the girls memory is indeed “shoddy”. She listens to their story, but claims to have no clue what they speak of. Her name is Mathilde and they have to be mistaken. She’s lived in Selbina as long as she can remember.

Ulmia sighs, perhaps they were mistaken, but the resemblance is uncanny. She asks, did the girl ever have a younger brother? Mathilde says she believed so, but they were separated during the war. She can’t remember much of those days, but she still believes he’s out there somewhere. Louverance speaks up, asking her one more thing before they part ways. Is there a certain song she might know? Something from her youth. Could she sings it for them? He’s sure she’s locked it away, somewhere in her heart. The girl shakes her head, visions appears before her. Cardinal Mildaurion… Tavnazia… Lay of Immortals…?

The 5th Verse?

He takes a small trinket out of his pocket, the same the small taru gave him in Windurst. The same one he used to see the thoughts of Vukki-Chebukki. Suddenly there is a flash of light in the room. Before them is a vision of a dark crystal, the same magicite shard in the northern caves.

Now there are hundreds of demons and beastmen standing around it. Some words can be heard, singing in the background...

And so the legend ends...

Began... crystal...

As they exit, Ulmia wonders what kind of spell that was, but Louverance replied it was no spell. It’s a trinket he recently got back, called the Mimeo Mirror.

Any respectable rouge knows its name. It’s used to peer into the darkest corners of the mind. He asks if she is able to sing the verse they heard, she says yes, but doesn’t want to do so. He tells her not to worry, they may not have to at all. Once Bahamut sees Prishe’s magicite, it may be enough to convince him. And we wouldn’t want to lose the Star of Tavnazia.

She looks at him funny, questioning his meaning. But he says, there is something he must ask Prishe in private. It’s time to head back to Jeuno.

In Bastok, word finally reaches Cid of what has transpired in Jeuno. Even though the news is shocking, he had slowly begun to piece it together himself.

He gathers Tenzen, Shikaree, her trackers, and Jabbos into his conference room. To fulfill the pact with Bahamut and Selh’teus made 10,000 years ago; Mildaurion has been attempting to revive Promathia. And the magicite embedded in Prishe’s chest was only sealed, crystallized form of her inner emptiness, adds Shikaree. The sin hunters have committed a grave sin, not being able to stay calm and focused in the presence of it. Cid thinks of Prishe.

Not a single complaint, not a cry for help. She has bore this terrible burden alone, and even her best friend has sat by knowing nothing, but surely sensing something was wrong. He feels for both of them, saying he would not wish this fate on even his enemy.

Tenzen asks what they should do now...

Phoenix has told him that they are not to provoke Bahamut any further. However, the biggest threat to mankind is the wyrmkings aerial power, adds Shikaree. If they could defeat him, they would stand a better chance of pushing back all the wyrms.

Cid stops them, to sum it all up.

They now have 3 choices. They can let destiny run its course and destroy the world. They can use his airship and join the Jeuno armada and fight the wyrmking. OR, they can recite the last verse of Memoria and call the twilight god down on Prishe.

Jabbos begins to mumble, interrupting Cid

.

Twilight God...

He cursed mankind...

Made us fight...

But do they have the power?

Tenzen says they must, especially with Phoenix on their side. But still, Diabolos said no single child of Vana’diel could defeat the keeper...

And still, Phoenix remains silent.

Cid says they are going down a very dangerous path, but he thinks it would be wise to wait for Prishe before they take a course of action. For now, everyone should head to Tavnazia. He will meet them there shortly. Gilgamesh and Tenshodo are delivering him some “sensitive” parts.

In Tavnazia’s Sea Lions den, the group gathers together, but Cid informs them of a problem with Prishe. Ulmia and Louverance explain what has happened to the others. They fear she’s off hiding again, but this time in one of the airships of the Jeuno fleet. Tenzen believes she will try to attack the wyrmking, but Ulmia is convinced Prishe knows they will follow her. She knows what they feel and what they do. Although she questions if she can feel her thoughts, why Prishe would was to hurt her so.

Why does believing hurt so much...?

Jabbos offers that even when two hearts are connected there are times when pain can’t be avoided. When the world is overwhelmed with sadness the only way to escape pain, is to change the world. Ulmia agrees, perhaps the only thing left to do, is change the world. For 10,000 years the world has been bound in a chain of evil. Prishe has set out to change this.

Cid says he must go back to Bastok and inform the President that should they fail, or worse – defeat the wyrmking, the world must be ready to the repercussions. He has put Louverance in charge of his airship, as wishes them all luck. It is up to them, the Warriors of the Crystal.

With a wiz of the propellers and a buzz of the engines, Cid ’s new airship, the C.I.D takes off, loaded to the brim with cannons and special equipment. Tenzen asks if they think they can catch lady Prishe. According to Aldo , the Jeuno armada was going to split into two units after departing. The main unit will attempt to draw out the wyrms from Cape Riverne, at the same time, the other will hit Bahamut. Tenzen assumes Prishe will be in the latter unit; however, that unit cannot begin its operation until the diversion on the wyrms take place.

Ulmia agrees, they may still have time.

Just then Louverance opens the deck doors, pushing three little stowaways onto the deck.

These were the secret weapons promised by Cid ?!?

The Chebukki’s reveal that instead of being high class Jeuno officials, they have become...

HIGH CLASS PIRATES!

Shikaree stands silent, baffled at the three new pirates.

Suddenly a giant laser beam fires across the bow of the ship.

Warning shots?

Louverance runs inside trying to communicate, they are here to help! The Chebukki’s run around like chickens with their heads cut off, and follow behind.

Ulmia decides they need to get to the other airships and talk to them personally.

Traversing from one airship to the next, the group searches for Prishe while encountering light resistance from the guards.

Suddenly Armathrwn Mammets appear on the deck of one of the ships. The machine-like dolls of the society attack them without hesitation. Defeating them quickly, the group notices their seems to be quite a commotion on the other ships. Strange biomechanical machines are attacking the Jeuno fleet.

But who would send such things! Suddenly the group sees Prishe aboard one of the ships and teleport to her. It is there a giant machine attacks her.

From a ship along side stands Nag'molada , calling it the “Ultima Weapon”, one of his finest designs. Perhaps even better that those he made 10,000 years ago.

But our heroes defeat the machine and save Prishe. Nag'molada laughs, brushing off the defeat, but then Esha'ntarl appears behind him.

She asks him what exactly he thinks he’s trying to do. He has been relieved from his position in the society and banished from Jeuno. This certainly won’t get him back in their good graces. How dare he step over his boundaries of amnesty he was granted and bring his creations down on the fleet. Was this turmoil simply a desperate attempt to interfere with their plans or an attempt born of hate. Or perhaps he came to ask Bahamut the way to Al’taieu?

Nag'molada glares at her, remaining silent.

She says she understands him, why he seeks the capital. The Kuluu have lost the whisper and forced to live alone, trapped within their own wretched solitude. But that path is one to freedom. They are children born from one. Now their children, and their children step into the ever expanding world. This is much like when the mother crystal split into 5 pieces long ago. They were simply ready to leave the nest before the Zilart. Nag'molada stares into her eyes.

If this is true, then why did she choose to abandon her people and hide in the chamber of eventide. Why does she join the Zilart in blocking the path to Al’taieu? Esha'ntarl tries to speak, but Nag'molada continues. By entering the chamber, she washed away the darkness of her soul. That is all he wants...

That is all he seeks. So he too can be free.

Prishe jumps in, shouting that he needs to cut the chatter and just go there! The path to the crystal has been under Movalpolos the entire time! Esha'ntarl turns to Prishe shocked.

She continues. Selh’teus already has the moblins ready to open the gate, just follow him to the crystal. Nag'molada smiles, leave it to the moblins to find the crystal. He was beginning to wonder when he’d meet the boy again, they have unfinished business. Prishe tells him he has all he need, now beat it. Esha'ntarl tries to grab Nag'molada but with a flash of light he vanishes from the deck reappearing in the air above.

He begins to sing the verses of Memoria de la S^tona, when a great rift in the sky appears. Nag'molada decides he will return the favor to them, a favor beseeched upon the Kuluu 10,000 years ago.

Return the favor? Esha'ntarl suddenly remembers..

Suddenly Bahamut comes through the rift.

Nag'molada laughs, calling forth Bahamut as a representative of the Kuluu race, that which he made a pact with. He has brought him this Zilart fleet as a sacrifice to his power. Esha'ntarl shouts at him, he’s turned into nothing but a raving maniac. He’s far from being one of them, his soul is drowned in darkness!

Nag'molada grins...

That is why he must cleanse it. He will find the chamber of eventide. In a flash he vanishes.

The Chebukki’s cover their head and kiss their butts goodbye, but Prishe steps forward saying, this is where it gets interesting. She calls out to Bahamut to listen to them. Her name is Prishe, Keeper of the Apocalypse and she – and the black magicite, born of the emptiness in her trapped in crystal form, are one in the same.

She and her friends have come forth to destroy the emptiness and Promathia. Right here and now it ends, she says, they will show the true power of the children of Vana’diel.

But, Bahamut turns to Esha'ntarl instead commenting that this, must be what she meant. He turns back to Prishe, there is no need to prove anything, she is not the keeper.

The entire ship is silent.

She’s not the keeper?

Bahamut offers a congratulations to Esha'ntarl , the children of Altana, and Phoenix. They did try to save the people of the world. And that is why he will tell them this.

The true keeper lies within the celestial capital of Al’taieu. Within that souls lies an immeasurable amount of darkness. For 10,000 years it has slept, and now it has awoken.

Esha'ntarl can’t believe it, she won’t believe it.

Bahamut continues.

Who restarted the crystal lines?

Remnants of the Zilart?

The children of Altana?

It matters little, for the power within the final crystal – which holds Al’taieu in balance has begin to fade. It will not be long before the celestial capital has fallen to Vana’diel. When this occurs the keeper will arise and envelop all life. And finally Promathia will use his almighty power to begin his eternal reign. That is why he is here, to stop the seeds of man from being wiped out. If there is nothing for the keeper to envelop, then Promathia will not have the strength to enter out realm.

Prishe stands confused, but Esha'ntarl understands completely. That’s why he plans to destroy everything...

Prishe asks him, if he knew this, why not just tell them to begin with? They could be in Al’taieu now defeating the keeper. Tenzen agrees, it was an intolerant behavior. Why does he not believe in the children of the dawn?

Bahamut replies he does not believe in something that does not exist. They cannot defeat the twilight god, Selh’teus proved that to him 10,000 years ago. This is their destiny. You cannot escape what has been decided.

Esha'ntarl screams there must still be a way. They need not fight Promathia, but only the keeper. This is why Selh’teus has returned! He is here to stop Al’taieu from falling back into this dimension. “Impossible, he doesn’t have the power”, remarks Bahamut. Prishe tries to convince him, but Bahamut goes into a rage, furious at Selh’teus for letting Vana’diel come to harm like he did before. Suddenly the sky around Bahamut grows dark as energy flows through his body.

The group begins to run for the other end of the ship. Flames gather at the mouth of the wyrmking, but Tenzen stands his ground. Unsheathing his sword, the great power of Phoenix is revealed and flames engulf the sword.

With a burst of power the two fling their fling their bolts of energy at each other.

A bright explosion fills the sky.

Deep underground at a giant crystal, Selh’teus stands before it.

Suddenly Phoenix feathers fall from the sky and flutter around him. “Phoenix?” he asks. “Will you return to the mother crystal along with so many other lives?” There is silence...

But he understands. It’s sacrifice has bought them a sliver of time. He will release them from the journey to the mother crystal. Now is the time to open the path in preparation.

Slamming his fist into the ground, the emptiness flows around him and all fades to black.