Down in the Dark
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Down in the Dark
- Quest giver
- Varshahn
- Location
- The Red Moon (X:6.1, Y:3.5)
- Quest line
Post-Endwalker Main Scenario Quests
┗ Newfound Adventure Quests- Level
- 90
- Experience
49,728- Gil
3,505- Previous quest
Back to Action- Next quest
- Reunited at Last
Wings of Hope - Patch
- 6.5
- Links
- EDB GT TC
Main Scenario Progress: 848 / 987 (85.9%)
Endwalker Progress: 150 / 155 (96.8%)
Varshahn is the very picture of determination.
— In-game description
Rewards
- Choose one of the following options:
- Unlocks
Steps
- Enter the Lunar Subterrane.
- Speak to Zero.
- Confront Zeromus in The Abyssal Fracture.
- Speak to Zero.
Journal
- Varshahn is the very picture of determination.
- Varshahn stands ready to sally forth into the moon's dark depths, there to confront Zeromus and rescue his sister Azdaja. Though the stakes are high, he vows to keep his emotions in check and let nothing sway him from his chosen course─and by the set of his jaw, you do not doubt that he will be true to his word.
- ※To enlist your companion NPCs for this duty, speak with them near the entrance or access Duty Support via the main menu. Use the Duty Finder if you wish to complete the instance alongside fellow players.
- As you advance through the red moon's subterranean maze, you happen upon a memoria crystal. No sooner does it begin to glow than you find yourself reliving a memory of bygone days, in which a man named Durante fights to protect king and country alongside his companion Golbez. The pair are in pursuit of a dark memoriate, whom they finally confront in the heart of a castle. The malign warrior appears defeated, but with his final breath corrupts Golbez with the power of a dark memoria crystal, leaving Durante with no choice but to lay his friend low and seal him in memoria. Though heartbroken, he is not deterred from his mission, and proclaims that Golbez will live on as the hero who saves the world.
- The memory has laid bare the shocking truth: the man you believed to be Golbez is in fact his companion Durante. The impostor emerges from the shadows to stand before you, and Zero urges him to abandon his desperate cause, but the man who was Durante remains adamant that terrible might wielded for tremendous change is the only answer. He reveals that, in his bid to end the Contramemoria, it was none other than he who unleashed the Flood of Darkness and doomed the Thirteenth. Having reaffirmed his purpose and his name, Golbez then takes his leave to ensure that nothing interferes with Zeromus's awakening.
- ※In the event that you leave the darkened vestibule, you may return via the red moon.
- In spite of everything you have heard from Golbez, Zero clings to the hope that he may yet see reason. Together you venture deeper into the moon's subterrane in search of the man, determined to put an end to his dark plot once and for all.
- At last you corner Golbez in his domain─only to discover it is a ploy. Your foe conjures shades of his fallen archfiends, together with whom he attempts to bar the path to Zeromus, but your comrades manage to occupy them long enough to afford you an opening to slip past. So it is that you arrive in the nexus where the dread voidsent slumbers. It stirs to life in your presence, and it falls to you to prevent it from destroying the barrier between worlds.
- ※The Abyssal Fracture can be accessed via the Duty Finder.
- A harrowing battle ensues in which the very fabric of reality begins to fray. Yet for all its strength, Zeromus falters. You deliver the decisive strike, causing Golbez's champion to dissipate. Alas, the air remains thick with despair...
- As was feared, Zeromus coalesces from the aether as many times as it is struck down. But joined by your comrades─a repentant Golbez among them─you succeed not only in sealing the being in memoria, but rescuing Azdaja besides. Thus is the day won, and after millennia, Vrtra reunited with his beloved sister.
- Though your meeting with Zero was mere happenstance, from it grew a friendship that gave the memoriate a new beginning. Together with Golbez, she is confident that the void can be restored. And should they want for aid, they now know where to find it.
Dialogue
Optional dialogue
Glad though I am that the plan worked, we are in no position to celebrate. The day is not won yet!
She's no longer the cold, distant soul we met in the void. Or perhaps, until now, she just never had a chance to be who she truly is.
This radiance is just the beginning. We must see it cast into the deepest depths of the moon.
My dragon form shall remain here to secure our escape route. The voidsent who dare to approach the gate will reckon with me.
Accepting the quest
Start of cutscene. Rest assured I will not let my emotions overwhelm me. When the moment comes, I will call to my sister, and I will wrest her free from Zeromus.
The crater awaits. Woe betide any who bar our path.
The Lunar Subterrane now accessible
End of cutscene.
Optional dialogue
The lingering Light illuminates the way to our foe. It will not escape us.
We've no time to waste. The voidsent we felled will return ere long.
“Take heart, and protect them well”... I will live up to my own words. This I swear.
When we find Golbez, let me speak with him─please. There is something I must know.
Enter the Lunar Subterrane.
Duty dialogue
The hexing staves dissipate...
The hexing staves vanish!
You find a discarded memoria crystal, and it suddenly begins to glow...
Your psyche resonantes with the memoria crystal!
The sands begin to shift!
Start of voiced cutscene.As the player approaches Durante, a shade of Golbez walks toward him in the same direction. A nearby memoriate corrupts the Golbez shade with a memoria crystal.
Golbez!
This can't be happening... Not to you...
Durante takes a memoria crystal and transforms.
My friend... My hero... I will stop you even should it cost me my life!
End of cutscene.
Optional post-duty pop-ups
Optional dialogue
Duty Support dialogue
Optional dialogue
Post-dungeon cutscene
Start of voiced cutscene.Durante looks at the player but sees a corrupted Golbez.
Why? Why you and not me?
You were the best of us. A paragon of virtue. I could never hope to be your equal.
I am only the knight I am because of you...
Because you believed in me!
Durante strikes down Golbez and knocks off his helm, although his face is not visible.
You would not wish to become a monster, preying upon those who've fought to protect. But neither can I bring myself to kill you.
So rest easy, my friend, and entrust your legacy to me.
Durante finishes off Golbez with his sword. Golbez turns into a memoria crystal. He then picks up Golbez's helm.
You will never die, this I swear.
Through me your name shall live on, as the hero who saves the world!
The memory concludes.
We've been released from the memory, 'twould seem.
Zero picks up the memoria crystal.
If Golbez was the one sealed in this memoria...
Then the one we've been fighting is...
No more than an impostor playing at hero.
The doors open and Golbez arrives.
Durante, I presume.
A name long since lost to time. History shall remember only Golbez.
Come what may, I shall deliver the world its salvation, and I will not suffer you to interfere.
You seek to free all souls from the purgatory of undeath. And to that end, you would invade another world.
While I cannot condone your methods, I understand your motive full well.
For I'm driven by the same. I too wish to save our world.
I too once thought I had to bear the burden by myself. That I had no choice but to walk my path alone. But I was wrong. We may yet strive together towards our shared goal, if you would reconsider your course.
Golbez laughs.
If you possessed power which transcended that of Zeromus, then perhaps I would.
But you do not. No, you are but another voidsent, like me. And what is a candle before the sun?
Perhaps we aren't all-powerful and cannot effect great change in an instant. Even so...
Great change is what we need! Aught less has no meaning!
Having glimpsed our past, you should understand as well as any.
As Golbez, I dedicated myself to ending the Contramemoria. I fought the corrupted memoriates, and attempted to redeem those twisted by their power.
Yet try as I might, I was powerless to make any meaningful change. 'Twas then, when I was floundering in despair, that she appeared─the Ascian Igeyorhm.
Claiming to know how to excise the source of our woes, she showed me to the moon, where the servant of Light abided. 'Twas he and his ilk who had granted men unnatural powers, she said, and now prolonged the war.
Believing her every word, I struck him down...and caused Darkness to engulf the world.
What!? Then it was you who...
As Emet-Selch once told us, the Thirteenth was the Ascians' first attempt at a Rejoining, before they fully understood the mechanisms at play.
They failed because they sought only to awaken the sundered Zodiark without instigating a calamity in the Source. The Darkness they unleashed had nowhere else to go...
Having left a ruin of our world, the Ascian fled. I was a fool to trust them. To trust in others.
Since that day, I have sought the means to undo my mistake. The world may be beyond saving, but I would at least restore the great flow.
The dragon was an extraordinary windfall. A veritable font of aether that expedited my endeavors time and again.
But it wasn't enough to achieve my objective. Far from it.
For an eternity, I had to bide my time. But the day finally came when I acquired the power I sought.
Aye, the remnants of the Ascians' god sealed within the moon suddenly dispersed into aether.
With that aether, Zeromus could be conceived. And driven by the dragon's longing for home, it shall soon arise to destroy the barrier between worlds.
Thus will the way open to the promised land, and the death we have been too long denied.
Thus will I, Golbez, bring salvation to all!
So that is all you have left...
Say what you will. You cannot stop Zeromus's awakening.
Golbez retreats.
We're going after him, aren't we?
Aye. That's why we came, after all. And besides...
When someone believes in you, it makes you want to believe in them. In others and yourself. Jullus was right about that.
End of cutscene.
Optional dialogue
To yearn to save the world, only to bring about its unmaking... 'Tis a tragic tale. But it changes nothing.
We rarely believe ourselves the villain. But if our ends demand unconscionable sacrifice, what else can we be?
He speaks of salvation─of fulfilling an honored friend's legacy. Yet he does not scruple to discard others for his ambitions...
Speak with Zero.
Let us press on.
In the darkest recesses of the moon await Golbez and Zeromus. They are resolved to save their world...and condemn yours.
Are you prepared to brave the dark? (Yes/No)
Start of voiced cutscene.Within Golbez's domain
I had hoped to bear witness to the moment our salvation is realized...
But nothing must be left to chance. I will stop you here no matter the cost!
Golbez and the party clash.
Wounded as I am, I knew that I would be hard-pressed to fight you on equal terms.
And so I lured you to this place, where the advantage is mine!
Golbez summons the four archfiends.
The archfiends live!?
Impossible. Scarmiglione and Barbariccia were sealed in memoria, while Cagnazzo and Rubicante died in the Source...
You are not wrong. They are not the true archfiends, but shades born of their residual aether.
If they are shades, then their strength will pale in comparison. Even should they fight as one, we may yet prevail.
We'll tend to the archfiends. Go and put an end to Zeromus.
You'll do no such thing!
The party clashes with the archfiends.
Go! We'll join you as soon as we can!
The player jumps into the abyss.
It is too late. Zeromus will awaken, and it shall devour any who come between it and its desire. Your companion is no exception.
I wouldn't be so sure.
Y'shtola defeats Scarmiglione's shade.
Time and again, he/she has faced insurmountable odds.
Estinien defeats Barbariccia's shade.
But no matter how hopeless things seemed, he's/she's never given up the fight.
Estinien turns his attention to Rubicante's shade. Varshahn defeats Cagnazzo's shade.
So long as he/she has strength of will to forge on, then so too shall we!
For we believe in him/her, and he/she believes in us.
And together, our Light can pierce blackest Darkness!
Zero clashes with Golbez. The scene shifts to the Abyssal Fracture. Zeromus talks in Dragonspeak.
What is this Darkness, cold and all-consuming? Where am I?
I must return to my world... To my home, where my kin await...
Yes, I must return. I return. And none shall stand in my way!
The player takes out Azem's crystal.
What will you say?
Release Azdaja!
I can't let you destroy the barrier between worlds!
Begone from my sight!
The player begins a summoning for seven other party members.
End of cutscene.
The Abyssal Fracture now accessible
Confront Zeromus in The Abyssal Fracture.
Stand aside, I beseech you.
I wish but to return home.
Zeromus drinks deep of Azdaja's soul...
Your flesh shall melt and seethe!w
Ah, the Darkness! It riseth!
In endless Dark embrace your end.
Begone, contemptible Light!
All are as one in Darkness.
O stifled Darkness in moon abiding...
Coalesce and consume creation!
Zeromus expands its domain...
In my memory the stars yet shine, attending the moon...
Bright as stars in the night.
My Darkness shall devour all Light.
Your souls are mine!
In Darkness be steeped.
Her will...my will...shall not be denied.
By my power shall all know salvation!
The barrier between worlds weakens...
Return to me, my beloved star!
Beyond the veil my home doth lie...
All who oppose me shall be consigned to nothingness.
To the last you would deny my heart's desire...
Oh, to look upon such splendor once more...
Post-trial cutscene
Start of voiced cutscene.Zeromus respawns.
I shall not perish... So long as they await my return, I shall endure...
Zeromus attacks the player but Estinien arrives and parries it.
Are you all right?
Y'shtola, Zero, and Varshahn arrive. They clash with Zeromus. It prepares another attacks but Golbez arrives and creates a barrier.
Like all voidsent, Zeromus cannot be killed. Sealing it in memoria is the only way.
Start of Echo flashback to the allies' confrontation with Golbez while the player was fighting Zeromus.
Ah, that it should come to this...
I failed my dear friend. Fell for the Ascians' ploy and unleashed the Darkness.
And after an eternity of waiting, I find myself on my knees...
How disappointed must you be in me. In the foolishness and futility of it all...
No... I will not let it be for naught. I will not allow you to pass. I will triumph in my crusade!
There is no triumph to be found in this madness.
Even if the veil were to be unraveled, it would not undo what Darkness has done to the world.
Nor would it bring Golbez back. From his slumber, you know there is no return.
You're weak and imperfect. You know it in your heart. In spite of this, do you truly believe that you can save everyone? Are you sure you will not fail?
I'm no better. Weak and imperfect and plagued by doubt. Which is why I need friends to walk beside me.
Light...? But how?
This is proof that I believe in others, and they in turn believe in me.
A light that illuminates the way in darkest despair.
Be it in a ruined city locked in ice or a world drowning in Light, it was with faith in one another that life endured. I see it clearly now.
You think we are capable of the same?
It won't be easy. Having lived too long as voidsent, we've forgotten how to trust.
But one thing is certain: if Zeromus succeeds and everyone dies, we'll never have the chance to try.
You asked me to join hands with you once, and I refused. I cannot take back that mistake, but I can extend to you the same offer. We can be better than we have been.
Zero bathes Golbez in Light.
Of course. You were the memoriate we met all those years ago...
Golbez laughs.
Yes, I remember now. We hoped you would join us in our quest to end the Contramemoria.
But you rejected us outright.
It left both of us discouraged─Golbez most of all. “If we could but overcome the fear that has shaped and divided us, we could change everything.”
Even in the midst of that terrible war, he never stopped believing in others. Not even at the end...
You're Golbez now. If you would live up to his name, then you must trust in people as he did.
I cannot forgive what you have done to my sister. But she may yet be saved.
If you can help us see her safely home and protect the Source, then...
As Zero's friends, we should gladly share what knowledge we have to help you restore the void.
You truly believe the world of old can be ours again?
I do. So long as we work together.
End of Echo flashback. Zeromus breaks Golbez's barrier.
We will disperse Zeromus's essence once more. The instant we do, you must call to Azdaja.
Understood!
Zero lands a hit on Zeromus but is struck down, her scythe broken.
Zero!
Zero awakes in an all-consuming Darkness.
The suffocating Darkness... Like that of the rift...
Impenetrable... Disorienting... Untethered and drifting further away...
Be strong, Zero! Don't give up!
Hold fast to yourself! Look to the Light within!
Your place isn't alone in the Dark, Zero. Not anymore!
Light gathers around Zero.
What will you say?
You can do it, Zero!
Hmph.
Of course.
Are you all right, Zero?
Hmph.
You needn't worry about me.
With this power from beyond the rift, I can do it. I can save everyone!
Zero turns into a 
paladin.
Golbez! If you would make amends, then lend me your strength!
Zero attacks Zeromus while Golbez casts Meteor on it.
Azdaja!
Vrtra roars.
Hear my voice...and return to me!
Azdaja's soul appears.
Oh, Vrtra... There thou art...
I am coming, Brother... I am coming...
The darkness covers Azdaja's soul.
Have care! Zeromus makes to resurrect!
Not if I have anything to say about it!
No more, fiend!
Zero vanquishes the darkness, turning it into a memoria crystal. Varshahn takes Azdaja's soul.
You're safe now, Azdaja. You're safe.
Zero pockets Zeromus's memoria crystal.
To my sister, I shall offer up the eye in this vessel.
We dragons bring forth progeny with our very life force. That which my eye harbors should be enough to grant her corporeal form.
Of course, this means I shall no longer have control over this vessel. I must ask you escort Azdaja to the surface in my stead.
We came to bring her home, and we'll do just that. You have my word.
Thank you.
At long last, we shall be together again.
Varshahn transfers his aether to Vrtra's soul. He then collapses. A small dragon emerges. Golbez begins to walk away.
Where are you going?
Our world may yet be restored. I thought it an impossible dream once, but having witnessed your miracles, I cannot help but believe.
Nevertheless, I am the villain who wrought this tragedy. And in my misguided crusade, I compounded my sins.
My place is not at your side.
Regardless of how you may feel, by lending me your strength, you've made amends.
You've earned a new beginning.
It's up to you what we become to one another.
What we couldn't do yesterday, we might still do today. Working together.
And should we want for strength, we need only rally more like-minded souls to our cause.
So let's take the first step. The two of us.
End of cutscene.
Optional dialogue
That Azdaja lives is a miracle made possible by the unique nature of the void...
...Ah, yes. The aether transmitters, I shall leave with Zero. They will be of more use in the Thirteenth than in the Source.
I've already seen Varshahn safely to Vrtra. Many would be heartbroken if their “little brother” failed to return home.
Never again shall we be parted, Sister. Never again.
Speak with Zero.
Never did I imagine that the Light I bore could bring about such change.
As our domains are shaped by our innermost desires, perhaps this is a reflection of the hope that had quickened in my heart.
You came to the Thirteenth to rescue Azdaja and protect your world. Our meeting was happenstance, and our association one of mutual convenience.
Yet you and yours always treated me with kindness. As a friend. And through your friendship, I've found a new beginning.
I'm forever in your debt.
You may now enter the Lunar Subterrane with a party of NPC avatars. To make use of this feature, open the Trust interface located under Duty in the main menu.