Meanwhile in the fields of Tavnazia, the Chebukkis wake up to find themselves somehow alive.

They spend little time debating why, and run off. In the safehold, Prishe tries to gather everyone together.

Phoenix shielding them from the mega flare of Bahamut, which should keep him quiet for awhile. She remarks sometimes, living can be a drag. Perhaps if she was gone, others would still fight without her, no? There will always be a way to save the day. Even living with the curse people managed to get by.

Jabbos and Shikaree check everyone for scars and wounds, saying physical wounds are not the only wounds received from a battle like that. The rift between dragons and people is deep and there is no reasoning. If they could harness the strength of the sleeping gods, they could approach him on equal footing. But for now, Ulmia and Tenzen are still not with the group.

Louverance wanders near the aqueducts hearing rumors of Tenzen leaving the safehold without escort. Perhaps he is saddened over the apparent loss of his blades power. Unclear of the weapons properties, it is clear it must have been of some value in his homeland. But he did save their lives, and they have done all they can to thank him.

In Ulmia’s room, Ulmia tells Prishe she’s afraid she lost consciousness after the events and can’t remember what happened afterwards.

But her ears still ring from the terrible battle cry, and her soul cringes from that heart-rending whisper. That is the last they will see of Phoenix. While the other avatars are forever beyond their reach, the fiery Phoenix was always by their side. Along with Tenzen, she gave her strength and courage. But is Tenzen ok? Prishe seems to feel the same concern. He has closed himself off from everyone.

Overlooking the mass of floating rocks that is now Riverne, Tenzen stares into the distance.

He speaks to himself about how his nation is slowly succumbing to the emptiness. But it turns out his is not alone, behind him a shadowy ninja kneels.

Yes, she replies, with the waters of the Hakutei River swallowed up, the bandit tribes have little trouble staging raids across the border. The empire’s defenses are falling. She begs him to return, the Emperor will surely forgive his use of Phoenix. Phoenix will be reborn on the flesh of the barbarians.

Tenzen turns...

If that isn’t enough?

The ninja looks up at him.

Then it will be time to undertake our most desperate plan. Based on Tenzen’s information, they will invade the city of Jeuno. Liberating the mother crystals is now the only way to stem the tide of emptiness. He agrees, but he cannot return. Not now. Phoenix entrusted him with a final duty. He can hear every voice. The voices of the children he failed to save. If he betrays them here, it will be unforgivable. He will secure the crystals.

The ninja vanishes and Tenzen heads back to the safehold. Just then an airship arrives from Jeuno to pick them all up.

In a secluded pub in Upper Jeuno, the group gathers together, only this time when the doors open Esha’ntarl enters, flanked by Prishe and Ulmia, who is now dressed in her cardinal outfit.

The group finally connects that they are one in the same. Esha’ntarl gibes a warm hello to Jabbos and Shikaree who she has not seen in many, many years. Louverance is delighted to see her again, and she laughs that his luck must still be holding up. Bahamut has revealed to them the truth, the keeper is in Al’taieu, which means the capital still does exist. The Armathrwn Society is looking into it, but they need to capture Bahamut in order to know more. There is another important matter as well.

Apparently someone has cut off the 5th crystal line, the conduit that let Selh’teus traverse into out world. Prishe freaks out, they can’t use it now?!? How do they get the capital? Tenzen agrees, how indeed. There must be an alternative.

Wait, Shikaree stops them. The Cardinal mentioned “someone”, but who?

Esha’ntarl says she’s not sure, but only a few people are capable of such a thing.

Nag’molada, Selh’teus...

Currently Jeuno troops are set to invade the underground city. Jabbos panics saying he must stop them and save his moblin friends. Louverance explains Jabbos’s been trying to save them for the better part of 100 years. He’s been trying to avert something just like this. Louverance and Shikaree rush after Jabbos who exits the pub in a hurry.
Esha’ntarl says she understands the concern, but the moblins can not be left to their own devices. They will destroy the crystal if they. In believing everything is born of the crystals and when dead return to them, the moblins will surely think that destroying them will spell the end for the children of Altana. Prishe manages to beg Esha’ntarl to stall the society, but she only promises to do what she can. She must keep an eye on the society from now on she can only help from the distance. It’s up to them.

With that the rest of the group rushes to catch up with Jabbos.

Entering Movalpolos Jabbos sees a horrific site. Moblin bodies strewn across the wooden framework of their city. He hears strange voices and finds the Chebukki’s alive and prepares to kill them, as they must have done this.

They insist it wasn’t them, it was Nag’molada! Just then Prishe and the others arrive and agree, there is no way they could have done this. Tenzen calls to the group, a majority of the moblins are still alive, but badly wounded. It’s almost like he know he would only hurt them. Nag’molada was just toying with them. Talking to the survivors, they learn the Kuluu disappeared down the path the moblins created to the crystal, but now it appears to be caved in. Jabbos screams with rage. He cannot forgive this.

Prishe tells him to calm down, there must be another way.

Tenzen mentions that they should continue to follow the path to Phoenix laid out for them, through the skies. Prishe gets and idea, if they can’t get there by crystal, perhaps they can do so with the help of Cid.

Back in Bastok, Prishe tells Cid of their plans to take his Airship and head back into the skies. A strange red light has been seen coming out of the North Sea. But Cid says after their last battle the ship is fairly damaged. It will take time to fix it. Ulmia believes this time has been given to them to prepare their souls for the battle ahead. Jabbos agrees, he will head home to help his friends. The others will take the time for themselves as well. Tezen says he will stay and help repair the ship. For now, all they can do it wait.

Shikaree meets with her fellow Sin Hunters, apparently the history books of the Mithra mentioned nothing Promathia. But all sins now lie at the feet of Promathia. We also learn her real name is Mhag. Not that it matters. For now, she alone will deal with this, her sisters must remain behind to protect the homeland.

Meanwhile in carpenters landing, Louverance walks about. But how can this be him, isn’t he in Bastok helping Cid?

Suddenly a trap is sprung on him, and Tonberry attack. But Louverance quickly defeats them. In the distance a man watches from the shadows.

What’s going on?

Louverance realizes this trap must have been set by that thief… He begins to talk aloud, as if knowing he’s being watched. If he wishes to be him, he must act like a knight and do knightly things. Not this.

From the shadows, we learn the man looking on looks exactly like the Louverance who is speaking.

"Would saving Vana’diel work?"

Back in Bastok, Cid finishes work on the Airship and returns to Tavnazia. Prishe arrives too, and hands out a few letters to her guard friend Sueleen saying that if they do not return, she and Justinius must give these to the townsfolk.

Justinius arrives with other guards to inform her that the airship has arrived. Prishe nods, good as new, even with a new autopilot and a Jueno armada escort. Justinius asks where they are going, and Prishe says to the 5th mother crystal and beyond...

Once again the mighty airship takes off, in the distance the armada awaits, this time as allies. But Jabbos speaks up, the approach seems to quiet, not even a bird in the sky. Shikaree says the other half of the armada under the control of the cardinal must have engaged the wyrms. Ulmia begins to pray for Altana’s protection, as the ship nears the others. Prishe tells everyone to pray too, they are finally here. She points into the distance, a massive red light exploding forth from the sea floor into the clouds above.

Suddenly one of the Zilart cannons goes off in their direction. Prishe stumbles backwards. Louverance runs onto the deck, they’ve received a transmission!

Attention: Your most prized possession if now property of the Chebukki Samurai Sky Pirates! Before Prishe can even express her anger, the group is warped into one of the armada ships, leaving her behind. Before them stands the Chebukki triplets, with a sad announcement.

They’ve given up being “high class pirates” and with their last duty they were entrusted with this ship to escort Prishe. But since that would lead to their certain death, they’ve decided to find new employment. They are now the Chebukki Samurai Sky Pirates! It is then, their new employer is revealed. Tenzen.

The mother crystals, he says.

The origin of all life and the destination of spent souls. All souls return to the crystal they are closest to. He has been waiting for this moment, the moment they were bathed in the glow of light. Unsheathing his sword he charges.

"The light of the fifth mother crystal beckons you!" He strikes out at the group, but his strength fails him. Knocked back, he sheaths his blade. Never before has it failed him in battle. But, he expected nothing less from the light of hope. Only the youth that seethes with emptiness can extinguish the light.

Suddenly the C.I.D flies along, Prishe on the side of the ship.

Here comes the cavalry!

The Chebukkis freak out realizing they forgot to keep firing the canon at the ship. Prishe jumps onboard, rolling between Tenzen and her friends.

"This stops right now."

She understands Tenzen, but this battle is one without honor. Prishe knows what Phoenix told him before she died. Phoenix knew everything from the start, but failed to let him in on the facts. Why should he follow her now?

Tenzen rebukes. Prishe knew the same thing as he. Why else would she bring them to this place. Prishe agrees, but she didn’t lie to anyone, and she didn’t bring them here to die! They are here to join the struggle for survival!

Suddenly a red glow encompasses the ship, now drifting into the beam of light emerging from the sea. In a flash of light, they are gone.

Louverance kneels down, his sword at his feet. What happened?

A bright red glow still fills his line of sight. Pricking up his sword, Shikaree rises next to him. Her eyes look up... What is this place?

Before them a giant crystal stands, flowing with immense power, the darkness seemingly fighting to enter it. The Power flows and electrical currents flow through the air. Jabbos speaks up – is this the 5th crystal?

Ulmia says it must be, but why does it glow with such a strange incandescence? The air here is so chilly, the other crystals emitted a warmth.

Suddenly a strange, yet familiar voice speaks to them. But, not to them... in them.

“The crystal is not part of Vana’diel.”

From the bright light of the crystal emerges Selh’teus. The crystal was submerged beneath the city 10,000 years ago. When the celestial capital was torn from out world, the crystal was also lost. But the separation was not complete. After the crystal line was reactivated, energy was siphoned from the mother crystal drawing it, and the city of Al’taieu back to Vana’diel. Prishe speaks up, in other words, the crystal was losing the power it needed to sustain Al’taieu in the other dimension.

Louverance steps in. What do they mean sustain?

Is this the crystal the wyrmking spoke of asks Shikaree. The weakened state of the crystal is the reason the keeper is threatening to descend upon Vana’diel.

But if the crystal is restored...

Tenzen and the Chebukkis appear from behind them. He interrupts...

The return of Al’taieu and the arrival of the keeper will be prevented. The solution was discovered by the boy Selh’teus – and by Phoenix. That is why he visited all the crystals. To relieve them of their light and power. And to power the energy from them, into the crystal that lies before them now. Selh’teus then steps forward. He is a child of darkness, however, he could never be the bearer of light. He needed a worthy receptacle of power, he needed them.

Surely by now they have begun to hear the whisper of souls. Passed through the medium of the amulet, Prishe explains, the light gathered from the other four crystals has changed them. Phoenix referred to you as the vessel of light, Tenzen adds. Fated to be smashed open before the 5th mother crystal. Your journey has been for the sake of the crystal. Selh’teus begins moving closer to the group. Your death is the only way to save both Vana’diel and her people.

LIKE HELL! Prishe screams jumping in front of him.

If he wishes to save the world and everyone in it, then someone like him or her should be the ones sacrificed. She turns to Tenzen as well. He can’t believe Phoenix the Avatar of Rebirth would have led him this far just to snuff out more life. Surely she meant to resurrect the shattered pieces of her own life-force. Prishe was the keeper once, she knows only too well what fear and horror awaits them. But there is one more choice.

Selh’teus must listen.

Pour the power of the 5 crystals into them! Their victories over the emptiness have not been won by the powers of the 4 crystals alone. They have an inner strength, a spirit that loves this world and all those who dwell in it. They will prevail against the keeper. Selh’teus must open the way to Al’taieu! The boy turns to the crystal, it’s bright light slowly filling the room. Suddenly an explosion blows both Selh’teus and Prishe into the air.

Falling to the ground, her pendant drops from her neck. Reaching down to pick it up is Nag’molada.

Grinning at the group, he too wishes to see the way opened. Tenzen grabs his sword.

Nag’molada turns to Selh’teus. Didn’t he once say the same thing? I will prevail against the deity that dwells beyond the gate of the gods. Open the way to Al’taieu. Weren’t those the words he used? Does he not find it unfair that only he should bear the sins of people? We ancients are responsible for all these events, and he shall shoulder his part of the burden. That...

And the power that comes with it.

Nag’molada turns the amulet on the group, he will suck the light from them all and use it himself.

Prishe screams for him to stop. Selh’teus turns toward the final crystal.

In a flash, the room explodes in a burst of light.

A giant crystal stands before a group of cloaked individuals. But one is seen, Kam’lanaut stands in the center.

“It all began with a stone” he says, “in ages past, the 5 crystals existed as one enormous jewel that bathed the world in holy light.”

Behind him we recognized one of the cloaked figures, Esha’ntarl. “The mythical light banished the emptiness, and brought forth mighty gods. These gods cultivated their power and concentrated their energy. They created a balance between the 8 elements of the world without, and a harmony for the myriad of senses of the world within. And so the eternal paradise blessed them in all ways.
 

In another strange room, an operations room – the same in the lower regions of the Delkfutts Tower stands different figures. Eald’narche speaking to Selh’teus.

“But this paradise did not last forever. The enormous jewel was split into 5 parts, and this perfect realm was degraded into an incomplete world. We were reduced from the superior life forms of a higher plain into these flawed and insignificant forms. Thus we must gather and focus the energy of the crystals into opening a gate to the lost dimension.” He turns to Selh’teus, “We are both well aware of this predicament. And yet, there is one thing I cannot understand. How did this tragedy occur in the first place? Why was the original stone shattered into 5 pieces? And who is responsible for this incomprehensible act?”

The crystal warriors float through the air, clawing and striking at something.

The room is the chamber of eventide. In the distance a shadowy figure watches. As it comes into view, it becomes clear the figure is Yve’noile.

“The people of this world have evolved into 5 unique species, each harboring a distinctive darkness.” She says. “Crystal Warriors,” she calls, “thou wert created to destroy those evils. Yet even their strength can not prevail against this darkness. Emptiness is the ever present shadow of the blessed light. If this phenomenon represents complete death, then one could argue its presence was inevitable in a complete world.”

Yve’noile bows her head.

Was it split for the sake of the children of the dawn?

“Is this not so, great goddess Altana?”