Note: Multiple cutscenes and a solo duty will commence in succession upon proceeding.
Solo Duty
Upon speaking with Raubahn, you will enter a two part solo duty.
Initially, you start the fight as Hien and all you will have is four skills on the pet bar. Lyse and Yugiri will fight alongside you. Follow standard mechanics for this part of the duty and can be cleared with ease.
In the 2nd part of the fight, you will have all spells/skills available again. When Zenos becomes untargetable players must instead take down his swords as in Ala Mhigo. Jobs that rely on DoT should DoT multiple swords while avoiding aoe and DPSing each in turn, order does not matter as all must be taken down to prevent 999,999 damage. Following this DPS check Zenos will use multiple previously seen attacks in quick succession before returning to normal rotation.
Should you fail to complete the solo duty both parts must be replayed.
Note: Multiple cutscenes including game credits will play upon entering the Rising Stones.
Despite the apparent urgency of Raubahn's summons, the Resistance fighter seems content to wait for your signal to proceed.
The Resistance fighter informs you that Raubahn is prepared to discuss strategy. You offer a curt nod and he proceeds to escort you to Alliance Headquarters.
As Raubahn tells it, the Alliance and imperials are at a stalemate, neither side willing to concede defeat. The reason for this deadlock is unclear until a scout interrupts your meeting with grave news─imperial soldiers have broken through the Alliance's defenses, being led by a man who appears to be Lord Zenos. You prepare to set out for battle when you are suddenly racked with pain as an otherworldly voice reaches out to you, but the agony of this aetherial calling does little to weaken your resolve. Raubahn can but wish you luck as you set out to do what you must.
You arrive on the battlefield to find Lyse and Yugiri motionless on the ground, Lord Hien struggling and failing to get on his feet. Towering over them is Lord Zenos, or the Ascian who wears his face. Battle quickly ensues, but try as you might, the Ascian refuses to fall. With ill-fated timing, the pain of the voice brings you to your knees. Your foe standing over you, the world goes dark as his blade comes crashing down on you.
When next you open your eyes, you find yourself in a strange, aetherial plane. Behind you stands a robed figure. He offers no explanations of what is happening, only a message: return to the Crystal Tower where a beacon has been placed for you.
You awake in a soft, warm bed, a young Elezen girl dashing out of the room. Was the hooded figure a dream? The thought is pushed aside as Aymeric enters, relief plain on his face. He explains that, just as the Ascian was about to strike, Estinien intervened and whisked you away to safety. He goes on to say the man posing as Lord Zenos retreated shortly after, prompting the remaining imperial forces to follow suit. Before taking his leave, Aymeric relays a message to you, that when you are well and rested, you are to return home where friends are waiting for you.
A hush falls over the Rising Stones as you enter, which is soon broken by an overjoyed Tataru. You recount to her all that took place, from your battle at Ala Mhigo, to the mysterious robed figure and his cryptic message. After giving it careful thought, she suspects this person, whomever they may be, is possibly the key to rescuing the others. With renewed resolve, she assures you the Scions who yet remain at the Rising Stones will find the beacon waiting for you at the Crystal Tower.
Tataru never lost hope that you would return. In fact, she fashioned you a new set of garments to celebrate your return. Though it is unclear what you will find at the Crystal Tower, perhaps this garb will be of use on the road ahead.
※The next main scenario quest will be available from Tataru once you have met the following requirements:
※ You must have registered a product key for FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers to your service account.
※ You must have completed the main scenario quest “A Requiem for Heroes.”
There have been several skirmishes along the border, but as yet, neither side has delivered a decisive blow.
We had long assumed that the Garleans would overwhelm us in a straight fight, but we seem to be gaining ground, albeit slowly.
As to why that might be... The most likely explanation is that they have yet to commit all their forces. Still, we're winning, and our latest intelligence suggests the Emperor has retreated back to Garlemald.
In light of this, we're considering launching an offensive, with the aim of pushing the front line forward, and giving ourselves some room to breathe.
In the midst of your duel, it is said you faltered, and that the crown prince seized the opportunity to deliver a mortal blow.
Yet before his blade could find its mark, he was distracted by the arrival of a second adversary who bore you away from the battlefield and into the hands of our chirurgeons.
Lest you wonder, he left before you awoke. As is his wont.
Estinien never was one for emotional farewells.
Though Zenos bested all before him, the battle clearly took its toll, for he retreated shortly after your rescue. Seeing this, the remaining imperial forces decided discretion was the better part of valor and pulled back, allowing us to reestablish our position.
We have since received word of renewed unrest in the provinces, doubtless inspired by the efforts of the Eorzean Alliance and our Far Eastern allies.
Nor does the good news end there. We have also come into possession of intelligence suggesting unrest within the imperial court.
This would certainly explain why both the Emperor and Lord Zenos appear to have abandoned the fight. A long-awaited ray of hope in these dark times.
Yet to awake, I'm afraid. But, please...concentrate on your own recovery for now.
You have carried the hopes of some half-dozen nations─and we are all eternally grateful for your efforts─but no one is without their limits. Not even you.
Leave this fight to us, my friend. You have earned your rest.
Ah, but before I forget...
I was asked to deliver a message as soon as you awoke.
A reminder that you are not alone, though many of your allies have fallen.
When you are well and rested, you are to return home, where friends will be waiting for you.
Now, if you will excuse me, I must return to the front. May we meet again soon. Under happier circumstances.
When I heard that you had collapsed on the field of battle, I confess I feared the worst. But with you standing here before me, I see now that the reports of your defeat were greatly exaggerated. Thank the Fury.
As long as we have you, Master/Mistress Surname, history suggests we have a fighting chance. Speaking of fighting, you may be surprised to hear that the war's effects can already be felt even here in Ishgard. In anticipation of a need for reinforcements, Artoirel will soon be departing for the front lines with a contingent of our finest knights.
I would advise you to stay until your strength had returned, but I know it would be an exercise in futility.
Indeed, I suspect you have already decided on your next destination.
Dark days lie ahead, of that I have no doubt, but the light of hope shall ever guide our steps so long as we have the will to press onward.
And press onward we must. Farewell, my friend. I pray our next meeting will be under happier circumstances.
Forename! Finally up and about, I see. Everyone feared the worst when they brought you to the infirmary─but I knew you would pull through. Something tells me your part in this war is far from over.
Men are not pawns to be played with, Ascian. You underestimate us at your peril.
This war will not be decided by you and yours. Man must choose his own fate, and I, for my part, will do all within my power to see Garlemald emerge victorious.
Grandfather doubts his ability to contribute to the Scions, and try as I might, I cannot assuage his doubts. Would that Homei was here. He would know what to say.
Everyone labors tirelessly to fulfill the Scions' duties in their absence, and yet I... <sigh> I sometimes wonder what worth yet remains in these old bones of mine.
I am afraid there is still no change in the Scions' condition, and the means to wake them from their slumber yet eludes us. I pray this beacon at the Crystal Tower might guide us to an answer.
I thought things couldn't get any worse when the Garleans were gearin' up for war. Then word reached me the Scions were in trouble... We need to find that beacon, an' find it quick.
Our brothers and sisters are fallen, 'tis true, but duty will not afford us time to wallow in misery. Until they are returned to us, we must work twice as hard.
You needn't worry about the Scions. Ocher, my sister, and I have been keeping over them in shifts ever since they arrived at the Rising Stones. If only they would give some sign of stirring...
I knew you'd be all right. And to celebrate your return, I made you this─a brand-new traveling outfit! Oh, I do hope it fits...
<ahem> But now is not the time to fuss over your measurements. I must go and speak with the researchers of Saint Coinach's Find. You go and rest while we track down that beacon.
Start of voiced cutscene.
At the Ghimlyt Dark. The katana-wielding soldier reveals his Resonant eyes.