"Incredible."

Nag’molada mutters to himself, staring into the strange world before him.

It was meant to be impossible to find. You would have thought the plan to open the gate of the gods would succeed. Long has he yearned to behold it’s magnificent spires. But now, he is here, in Al’taieu. But something is wrong… Even with the last pendant he hears no voices. Why does he not hear the voices of the Zilartian people or the Dawn Maiden. He turns hack in anger at the others, laying on the ground, still unable to gather themselves. It must be them, they are clouding his mind! But suddenly he hears something...

The grand palace should provide some interesting encounters, perhaps even the Dawn Maiden is there. He walks off leaving everyone behind. In the distance, giant cermet spires loom over the strange landscape.

The group is as water, and the sky is like looking from inside a crystal. Once formerly a beautiful garden, it’s beauty almost seems warped now. Strange creatures float through the air and under the liquid ground, seemingly ignoring their presence.

The group rises. It appears Prishe is once again missing. Also Tenzen and the Chebukkis are gone too. Exploring the area, the group finds a strange gate. Ulmia, Jabbos, Shikaree, and Louverance hear a strange voice calling to them from beyond. The path leads to the Zilart Kings palace, Louverance says. One of the strange voices here spoke of Prishe, perhaps she is there. Louverance is concerned however, does this place lay beyond the gate of the gods? Did the ancients truly cross that legendary boarder? Ulmia says they shouldn’t jump to conclusions, the land is indeed beautiful but the creatures here are threatening and if what Bahamut says is true, the keeper is somewhere inside. If Prishe is intent on gaining access, and Nag’molada is inside, they must too go in. Jabbos suggests they look for switches to unlock the gate.

Louverance worries about their ability to defeat the keeper. Na’gmolada has taken the light they gained from the Promyvions. But Ulmia says if they stand together they can still overcome it. It appears that while the other lights were stolen, the light of the 5th crystal was granted to them by Selh’teus. But Jabbos has no intention of standing with Nag’molada. Shikaree suggests they stay away from Tenzen as well.

At the first tower, they find Makki-Chebukki who apologizes, but he had to betray them. It’s the samurai code to follow their masters, or they have to commit suicide! He knows, he read that in a book once. Anyway, he insists the voices in his head are driving him crazy. He offers to work together with them, he decided to ditch the samurai way. He unlocks the first switch, but says there may be others. At the second tower, Kukki-Chebukki unlocked the switch for them, informing the group that he agrees with Makki. They just want to see the king. And just so they know, the role of princess and princes are filled. Didn’t they know the Zilart King used to have two sons and a daughter? After all this time, the little taru bets the King is pretty lonely, plus he’s probably a few jewels short of a crown. He doubts he’ll even notice if their a bit smaller than he remembers. If the group is lucky, the tarus might even take them on as servants. At the last spire, Cherukki smiles at the group. The “new princess” clips the last switch and suddenly the gate to the capital opens. Finally, she can see her royal daddy.

A giant doorway stands before them, to which the Chebukki’s shout that the princes have returned! Louverance pushes them out of the way and begins examining the door. Shikaree can hear it clearly now, the voice calling them is beyond the door. Ulmia and hear it too, surely such a voice is that of the Zilart King? But why does he not open the door? Are the children of Vana’diel not welcome here?

Suddenly a passage off to the side opens, from it steps Prishe. She too tried to enter the gate, but can’t pass through it. They need to hurry, or Nag’molada will get to the chamber of eventide before them. Jabbos asks what the chamber is, but Prishe still says she’s unsure. From what she knows, it supposedly sucks the emptiness right out of a person. The Zilart long ago grew so filled with darkness that it completely overshadowed the light. That’s why Nag’molada seeks it out, to become Zilart. But both Esha’ntarl and Selh’teus warned him it was unstable. They have to hurry before it’s too late.

The group travels through the palace, they discover creatures far more strange than that of the grounds outside. Deep within they find the chamber, and there stands Nag’molada reading off a panel on an instrument.

“Why…” he screams.

“Why would she be in the chamber?”

It is suddenly revealed, that sleeping within the chamber is Yve’noile herself.

Prishe calls out to him. But he does not turn back, he can not believe it. Has even the Dawn Maiden succumb to the grip of the emptiness? Has Altana abandoned them to their destiny?

“No Nag’molada. Lady Yve’noile has become an instrument of Altana’s will.” Says a voice behind them. It is Selh’teus. But not the one they know.

The boy now has giant wings, one of snowy white, the other fiery red of a Phoenix. If the plans of the Kuluu and Avatars failed, then this would be the last line of defense. She has attempted to absorb the emptiness pervading the chamber and destroy it along with her own existence. Why would she do this, Nag’molada questions.

To prevent the coming of the keeper of the apocalypse. Promathia has been reborn.

Prishe speaks up, confused.

Bahamut said that Promathia would only come back if Al’taieu fell back to Vana’diel.

Selh’teus stops her. It is an incarnation of Promathia that has been resurrected.

“An incarnation?” questions Prishe.

The keeper of the apocalypse is the instrument of Promathia’s will. And Promathia’s will is the emptiness. The vessel that was destined to hold the that darkness is among us once more. The incarnation sought to fill itself with emptiness. And that emptiness was found here – a source of darkness drained from many Kuluu during the perfection of the chamber.

A source of darkness greater than that of the intended keeper was unwittingly focused on this place. This source of emptiness would, if left unchecked, lead to the resurrection of Promathia. Thus the attempt of Lady Yve’noile to send it into oblivion, along with herself. Nag’molada stares at him furiously. Why would he let her commit this act? She is not to blame. She built the chamber in the name of love. She tried to save us from our fate!

Selh’teus nods, the Kuluu are indeed at the beginning of all of this. That is why he absorbed the emptiness from this place. He sealed it within him and departed from the world. But he would not die.

Prishe knows. Phoenix was with him the entire time. It is the same reason Esha’ntarl talked about. When the emptiness dies with you, it will be reborn in another. That is why Selh’teus sealed it within her. Like she did with the magicite.

Yes, he says, but it was a dangerous act. With the creation of this “new world” Bahamut lost his power and he could do nothing but flee the incarnation of the Twilight God.

Selh’teus was trapped. He could no return to the real world. It was then Lady Yve’noile released the blinding light of her life force to bind the incarnation within the audience chamber. Exhausted by her efforts, she fell into eternal slumber.

Nag’molada begins to panic. Is not paradise meant to be the realm of the gods, overflowing with the blessed light of the crystal? Are we not supposed to gain a higher dimension of existence – to attain perfection? Selh’teus says that although this world is sustained by the amplified crystal, this world is not the perfect paradise of legend. And neither are they ready to be the perfect crystal warriors. Both they, and this world lack the blessing of the light. They must pass through the gate of the gods and touch the monuments of light in one of the five towers. They ere built to cleanse the five forms of darkness from the soul. Only then will they stand a chance of defeating this incarnation of Promathia.

Prishe asks if he finally has the will to help them fight, but he says he’s unsure. He no longer feels emotions.

But they must be prepared for anything. The five forms of darkness within them are nothing compared to the abyssal void that is the emptiness. It is a complete and implacable foe. Their victory is no assured. But what he can do, is show them the truth. When they are ready, they will find him on the highest level of the palace. If they are ready when the time comes, he will join them to save the world. As he vanishes, Nag’molada turns to the group.

He throws the amulet to Prishe. He will no longer need it. He must inter Yve’noile within the Ou’hapt Obelisk. She can’t return to the mother crystal from here.

Prishe is stunned at his momentary kindness. But then tells him that this isn’t the end between them.

She will make him pay for what he’s done.

When they exit the room, the group moves on ahead. But Prishe slowly realizes that her friends can now her the voices which have haunted her head. They grow louder...

Tenzen is missing, Promathia’s incarnation is reborn, and Yve’noile is trapped in an endless sleep. The Emptiness is flowing forth...

This is their darkest hour.