A Winter's Dream

Have you had enough rest, Forename? Good. Everyone appears to have settled in, so I think we're ready to resume our discussion...

Before that, though, I have a favor to ask of you. It's about Estinien.

According to a certain lord commander, our missing friend was but recently sighted in Ishgard.

This may be the best chance we have to catch him! Please, Forename─won't you head to the Holy See and track him down?

Thank you! If you lie in wait at the aetheryte plaza, I'm hopeful you'll spot him before long.

Optional dialogue

While I don't expect Estinien to elude us this time, I feel much better knowing you're on the job, Forename!

Search for Estinien at the designated location in Ishgard.

Start of cutscene.

Forename... If I didn't know better, I would think this a coincidence.

What brings you back to Eorzea? Is all well in Tural?

So the real Sphene awakened, after which this Calyx reared his head... You've been busy.

As have the new Dawnservants. They continue to do their old man proud, it seems.

Given all that had come to pass, it would only be natural for Tuliyollal and Alexandria to remain at odds.

But instead they have embraced each other. And it is thanks to those who desired and labored for a brighter future.

An eye for an eye. A life for a life. Such is the cycle of vengeance.

It took Ishgard a thousand years to break free from it.

Had the rift between man and wyrm been mended sooner, how different life might have been.

For me and my family. For Aymeric and the archbishop. And for Ysayle too...

Pay me no heed. 'Twas idle musing, nothing more.

I've just been to visit Hraesvelgr, to share news of Azdaja. Mayhap a bout of nostalgia came over me.

What will you say?

So that's why you were missing.

Missing? Let's not be melodramatic. I was “difficult to reach” at worst.

Where's your linkpearl?

My linkpearl? Somewhere in my pack, I expect. I haven't handled it since I put it away.

At any rate, I'll make for the Rising Stones. You can tell me all about our new dilemma there.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Tataru is being rather prickly. What could she be upset about?

Speak with Tataru in the Rising Stones.

There you are! Thank you so much for finding Estinien!

Hmph, you needn't fuss over me as if I were a lost child.

While we had faith that you were safe and well, without any response, we couldn't help but worry. In future, please make an effort to stay in contact!

Now then, I shall take a moment to catch Estinien up on events, after which we will reconvene to discuss the Solstice.

Please wait in Dawn's Respite until then!

Start of voiced cutscene.

Now that Estinien has joined us, let us again discuss how we should proceed in the face of the Solstice.

According to Halmarut, it is the fate that awaits should the reflections be allowed to merge of their own accord─an act of healing dictated by the laws of nature.

Should that come to pass, all creation will be merged into a single whole, and the star restored to a state long before the birth of mankind.

'Tis a calamitous event that no one could survive. Not even a vestige of civilization would remain.

Alisaie

To prevent this, the Winterers intend to initiate Rejoinings...

Thereby preempting the Solstice and sparing one world, at least, from annihilation.

Alisaie

Considering the alternative, there is an argument to be made for the Winterers' approach.

But my entire being reels at the thought of it...

Krile

I-If I may...

I have been considering what I should do─what I want to do. In the course of which I thought back to our experiences in Tural.

It occurred to me that, right now, perhaps we do not feel so differently to how the Alexandrians once did.

For generations, they had no conception of an end. Of death.

When that blissful ignorance was shattered, they struggled to confront their mortality and drowned in despair.

Thancred

You believe our present situation is similar?

Krile nods.

Krile

Though it took time, the people of Alexandria learned to overcome their fear.

Through their memories and their queen, they learned that, though death comes for us all, in many ways we live on.

With this knowledge came acceptance, and they were able to embrace a new way of life.

Before aught else, might we not seek to learn as well?

Urianger

We, too, have experiences from which we may take similar lessons.

For the Promises, the rite of succession was as much an educational journey as it was physical.

With inquisitive minds did they acquire knowledge that broadened their perspectives. Thus were they shaped into the worthy Vows they did become.

Thancred

Having watched over them from start to finish, we know well the importance of getting one's bearings before choosing a direction.

And as it stands, we know precious little about the Solstice and the Winterers both.

Indeed, you have the right of it. We ought to learn all we can, the better to decide our own course.

But where to begin? Do we even know where the Winterers are?

Calyx

Halmarut and I will soon cross the rift to observe the enactment of another Winterer's plan.

Our destination is the Fourth.

Alisaie

He told you just like that!? What's he playing at?

Thancred

While I wouldn't be surprised if it was a trap, if the Fourth was specifically chosen from among all worlds, it may nevertheless be worth paying it a visit.

Urianger

How to reach it is the question. For aside from the gate unto the Ninth, we have no ready means to traverse worlds.

'Twas only by virtue of the Crystal Exarch's magicks that we did arrive in the First.

While the portal unto the Thirteenth was the fruit of long years of research. The same method is not like to avail us with a reflection unknown.

Y'shtola

It is as you say, I'm afraid.

Your recent crossing to the void... Do you have any idea how it happened?

What will you say?

I was worrying about Zero, and the next thing I knew...

There were these shimmering lights...

G'raha Tia

'Twas Emet-Selch who created Azem's crystal.

It is imbued with an incantation of Azem's invention─a magick to summon forth allies.

And though the origins of Ethos remain unclear, we know for a fact that it has the power to open paths to other places.

In the instant before you vanished, both crystal and key shone brightly, as if resonating with each other.

This interaction strongly suggests that, when invoked together, the relics allow the bearer to travel to the person in their mind's eye.

Krile

So he/she managed what Preservation sought to achieve with the actuator purely by chance? That's amazing!

Y'shtola

By chance...or perhaps...

Ethos

Hold fast to what you must, and face your fate without fear.

Though the world be sundered and our souls set adrift, where you walk, my dearest friend, fate shall surely follow.

G'raha Tia

What say you, my friend? Shall we give it a try?

You needn't try to picture the Fourth─only Halmarut and Calyx.

The WoL pictures Calyx and Halmarut. Several previous voicelines of them play. After picturing them, Both crystals start glowing in WoL's hands and form a portal.

???

Why... Why─

While stepping through, WoL sees flashes of Coerthas and Ysayle. WoL lands on a frozen floating island, followed by Alphinaud and Estinien.

What happened?

What is this place?

Were we...were we caught up in the incantation?

No sooner did light encase you than I felt some force pulling me.

The next thing I knew, I was here, with you and Alphinaud.