Faded Memories

Quest giver: Thancred
Location: The Crystarium (X:12.0, Y:11.2)
Quest line: Post-Shadowbringers Main Scenario Quests
Level: 80

Experience: 22,440
Gil: 2,970
Previous quest: Food for the Soul
Next quest: Etched in the Stars
Patch: 5.3
Links: EDB GT

Main Scenario Progress: 672 / 968 (69.4%)

Shadowbringers Progress: 131 / 157 (83.4%)

“

Thancred is eager to get to work.

— In-game description

Steps

Speak with the idle shipwright at Venmont Yards.
Enter the aetherial stream.
- ※Upon entry a Solo Duty will commence.
Speak with Y'shtola.

Journal

While he and the others tend to the black-masked Ascians, Thancred bids you join Y'shtola at Anamnesis Anyder as a precautionary measure. To get there, you will need to secure a boat at Venmont Yards─just as soon as you've doled out Tataru's bread, that is.

At Venmont Yards, a shipwright recognizes you at once and happily agrees to ready a boat for you.
- ※In the event that you leave the instance, you may reenter by speaking with the idle shipwright.

To your dismay, you arrive at Anyder to find Y'shtola unconscious. Before you can go to her aid, however, Elidibus appears and spirits her away. If you want your comrade back, it seems you must treat the Ascian to a demonstration of your strength. With no other recourse, you grit your teeth and prepare to enter the aetherial stream.

You ride the aether to emerge in Emet-Selch's phantom Amaurot, where Elidibus instructs you to fight your way to the Capitol. The trial pits you against recreations of myriad faces from your past, and at the last the Ascian himself enters the fray in the guise of Ardbert─yet it soon becomes plain that even he is overmatched.

No sooner does your trial conclude than Y'shtola arrives at your side, having apparently freed herself. Gazing upon Elidibus with a mixture of pity and scorn, she proceeds to expose him for what he truly is: a primal, granted strength by the desire for salvation. Thus has he sought to inspire the masses to rise up as Warriors of Light. Unmoved, the Ascian coolly confirms Y'shtola's theories, but when she subsequently questions whether the many voices that sustain him have irrevocably changed his own, his expression hardens. No matter how much he should forget, he declares, he will always remember his duty. With that, he vanishes, but not before serving notice of his intent to gain the power to defeat you.

The danger now passed, you finally have the chance to apprise Y'shtola of recent events. Having listened to your tale, she goes to collect her possessions from Anyder in preparation for your journey to Eulmore.

Dialogue

Accepting the Quest

Thancred: Right then! While the Exarch literally pours his own sweat and blood into his allotted task, it seems only fair that we attend to our own.
Alphinaud: Dealing with Elidibus and his minions.
Thancred: Just so. And there is one other matter.
Thancred: In light of our deteriorating health, Y'shtola should not be left alone at Anyder. Might I trouble you to visit her, [Forename]? See that all is well?
Thancred: I would go myself, but I think she might be safer in the hands of one less prone to collapsing.
Thancred: My thanks. You may leave the Ascians to us.
Thancred: Once they are out of the way, we will retire to Eulmore. And when Y'shtola has finished plumbing the depths, I'd like the two of you to join us there.
Alphinaud: If you are bound for Anyder, I suggest you go via Venmont Yards. Our friends there will be glad to provide a boat for you.
Thancred: Let us be on our way, then. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

What will you say?
> Wait, I have a gift for you, from Tataru.
> I have a delivery from the Source, kupo! Courtesy of one Tataru Taru.
  Thancred: You're a long way from home, moogle. And this is from Tataru, is it? Whatever could it be...? 

Urianger: Archon loaf, thou sayest? Why, even to hear the name doth transport me to times long past...
Ryne: Bread from another world!? May I try some?
Urianger: Mayest thou, child? Thou must! ...That said, though I personally disagree with the consensus, I do nonetheless advise thee to temper thine expectations.
Thancred: Wiser words have never been uttered.
Alphinaud: Though it rarely darkened our dining table at home, I can attest that it was standard fare at the Studium. Indeed, a slice was never far from our peers' hands.
Alisaie: Alphinaud, you really are an unbearable snob sometimes, do you know that?
Thancred: What I believe my colleagues are trying to say is that we appreciate the gesture. Tell Tataru we'll do our best to return before she's forced to seek further supplementary employment.
Alisaie: Right, let's really be off now. We can find a drink to wash down the bread on the way.

Speak with the idle shipwright at Venmont Yards.

Idle Shipwright: Oho, if it ain't the Warrior of Darkness himself! What brings you to these parts?
Idle Shipwright: Headin' out to sea, eh? But of course we'd be happy to help! Just say the word, and I'll ready a boat.

Elidibus: Excellent. I had intended to speak with you alone.
Elidibus: None of my doing, lest you misunderstand. The link between her body and soul wavers. 
Elidibus: I know not what you hoped to find here, but it will avail you naught to learn of our past.

Convocation Speaker: Reviewing the records yet again? Really? You worry too much, Elidibus.
Convocation Speaker: This dedication to your duty verges on obsession.
Convocation Member: To think some thought you ill-suited for the role. How wrong they were.
Convocation Member: But come, turn your gaze outside the window, my friend. The rains have ceased, and we have been graced with another beautiful day.

Elidibus: It fades. Fades away into oblivion. Does the world no longer have need of me?
Elidibus: Sundered though you may be, you fought for the world's salvation. For hope.
Elidibus: Hope...
Elidibus: Ahhh, it swells within me. Empowers me. Now ─ now I may carry out my mission.
Elidibus: And yet...
Elidibus: Why do I yearn for this? Why do I struggle so?

Elidibus: I shall take her into my safekeeping. If you want her back, you will do as I ask.
Elidibus: Show me your strength. I would take your measure.
Elidibus: I have prepared a suitable arena. You need but ride the flow of aether.

Enter the aetherial stream.

Elidibus: You are familiar with this place, I believe. This...remembered Amaurot.
Elidibus: Proceed to the Capitol. I shall return your comrade to you there.

What will you say?
 > Enough of this!
 > I tire of your games.
  Elidibus: You speak as if you were disappointed in me. Why? 

Elidibus: I am your enemy, and you mine. Our goals are in conflict, and we are fated to clash.
Elidibus: Or had you hoped that feigned sympathy and false understanding would cast your crimes in a less reprehensible light? That I would come to look upon you as a friend?
Elidibus: You who have slaughtered my people. Who would tear down everything we have built.
Elidibus: You do not deny it, then. Very well, let us change the cast of this trial. You will know what you have stolen from us.
Elidibus: But do not imagine I crave remorse. Only justice.

Solo instance: Faded Memories dialogue

Follow Elidibus
Elidibus: Forward, hero. We shall see how strong you have become.
Elidibus: Let us begin.
Elidibus: Rest assured that there are no tricks. You need but defeat the enemies before you.
Elidibus: First, something easy. Those whom a budding hero must encounter at the beginning of his tale. 
Elidibus: And I believe I have the perfect subjects.
Elidibus: Let not their appearance stay your hand. Beneath the facade, they are merely monsters.
Elidibus: All too easy, I see, but at least you now understand the rules. Thus will we make our way to the Capitol.

What will you say?
> Are you trying to unnerve me?
   Elidibus: Come now, I made it plain that they were monsters.
   Elidibus: Be that as it may, even a monster could be someone's beloved. That is what I wished to impress upon you.
> That was in poor taste even for you. 
   Elidibus: That appearances should unsettle you so... I was under the impression you simply destroyed all who barred your way.
   Elidibus: Sparing nary a thought to the possibility that your foe could be someone's beloved.

Elidibus: But come, we shouldn't dwell on the beginning when so much of your story awaits.

Elidibus: Every tale requires villains. Defeat them, and claim your place as a hero.

Elidibus: Well done, champion of Eorzea. Well done. Onward, then, over the blooded bodies of the fallen.

Elidibus: You tasted many sweet triumphs, yes. But so too did you taste bitter tragedy.
Elidibus: Who could forget the Crystal Braves? That idealistic, pathetic dream born from a malformed creature.
Elidibus: Faces you know and loathe, all. Let your hatred burn, and strike them down with all your might.

Elidibus: With such ease yet again. You did always grow stronger with every battle.

Elidibus: It seems it will take more than those monsters to leave an impression upon you. Or mayhap you simply fail to understand my meaning. Not that it matters. No, I have dealt with countless heroes, and always it ends the same way. No amount of reasoning will bridge our differences ─ will result in happiness for all. Whatever your reasons may be, I cannot be bound by them. I can but put faith in my own beliefs, and fight for them with all my being. 

What will you say?
> You're wrong. We can always strive for understanding - for compromise.
    Elidibus: Hmph, how very naive. If you are willing to compromise on your beliefs, you all but admit that they are flawed.
    Elidibus: And I assure you I have no intention of compromising on mine. Come what may, I will fulfill my mission as Elidibus.
> It seems there's nothing for it but for us to fight.
    Elidibus: For a certainty. I am Elidibus, and come what may, I will fulfill my mission.
    Elidibus: To that end do I take your measure. And eventually I will eliminate you. Your hopes and dreams are inconsequential.

Elidibus: But enough talk. It is not your assertions that I wish to know, but your strength.
Elidibus: Falsely accused of regicide, you fled for the snow-swept fields of Coerthas.
Elidibus: Had you and the Scions met your demise that day in the sultanate, Lahabrea might have been spared his.
Elidibus: But not only did you stubbornly live; you hurled yourself into the thick of the Dragonsong War. 
Elidibus: Swept along by the tide of events, you pursued and slew those who sought to stop the unending conflict. Just as you were bid.
Elidibus:..Or was it a thirst for vengeance that drove you?

Elidibus: I trust you are beginning to limber up. Do keep up the fine form.
Elidibus: Around heroes, people are wont to flock. People who harbor all manner of motives, each baser than the last.
Elidibus: Come, let the curtains rise on the grand melee.
Elidibus: No more than they deserve. In the end, their hand of friendship was tainted with personal desire.

Elidibus: You know what comes next: you put an end to the Dragonsong War.
Elidibus: There is no saving your comrade this time. All you can do is cut off the serpent's head.
Elidibus: And as simple as that, a thousand-year war is brought to its conclusion.
Elidibus: But every end marks a new beginning. And for heroes such as you, there is only ever conflict.

Elidibus: How are you enjoying the walk down memory lane? I daresay there will have been a few individuals for whom you harbor deep feelings. Whose passing caused you keenest grief.
Elidibus: That is what our people are to us. An irreplaceable existence that can ill be lost. I must─I will save them. For they are my... My...

Elidibus appears distracted
> Draw your weapon.
   Elidibus: ...Hmph! I think not, hero. Not yet. You must content yourself with the company of monsters a while longer.
> Wait for him to continue.
   Elidibus: ..Never mind. We are not here to talk. Let us return to the task at hand.

Elidibus: Emperor Solus had kindled an insatiable flame. Garlemald was its name, and it raged across the land, consuming all in its path.
Elidibus: Following the trail of ash, you set forth for Ala Mhigo and Doma, into a storm of blood.
Elidibus: Again you fought, and again you grew stronger. So strong that we could no longer control you.
Elidibus: Yours is an unnatural, beastly strength. And we shall lay it bare.
Elidibus: In order to gain a foothold in the liberation effort, you journeyed to Far Eastern plains.
Elidibus: There you encountered the land's greatest warriors, and sought to win them over to your cause.

Elidibus: The strong are drawn to the strong. Thus did you gather new allies to your banner.
Elidibus: Yet where ardent souls gather, so too do fires burn. In this way did you consign those around you to the flames.
Elidibus: Burn them all, hero. Reduce them to nothingness, like the ephemeral morning dew they are.

Elidibus: You did not hesitate...or perhaps could not? No matter. Let us turn our attention to the finale.
Elidibus: Here we shall have a test between fellow beasts. It is only fitting, would you not agree?
Elidibus: When I fought you in this flesh, 'twas I who triumphed. Will you turn the tables this time?

Elidibus: Hm, my creation appears to have lost its form... It is no easy thing to see through the eyes of a beast such as him.
Elidibus: In any event, there is only so much to be learned by taking your measure this way. Let us try something different.

Elidibus: Come. We continue this within.
Elidibus: An impressive show of strength.
Elidibus: But surely no more than a foretaste of that which Emet-Selch's conqueror is capable.
Elidibus: Such might requires a fairer measure. To compare like with like. Yes...
Elidibus: I shall just have to test you myself.
Elidibus: Come on, [Forename]! Show me what you can do!

Fight with "Ardbert"

Elidibus: I may not be the real Ardbert, but you'd do well not to underestimate me.
Elidibus: All that made him the warrior he was─every battle waged, every blow swung ─ is part of my very being.
Elidibus: So come! Fight me like you mean to take my head!
Elidibus: Good, good... I sense your murderous intent.
Elidibus: Aye, you'd kill me given the chance. Mayhap you think to recover this body?
Elidibus: If so, prove that it's no use to me! Prove that I can't best you with it!
Elidibus: Come! Come at me with everything you've got!
Elidibus: <pant> I see... You're a different beast from when you faced my creations...
Elidibus: Very well, I will transcend my very limits. And we'll see what you're truly capable of!
Elidibus: Hold nothing back! For neither will I!
Elidibus: <pant> <pant> I have my answer...

After the fight

Elidibus: You have grown stronger since last we fought.
Elidibus: The result of your trials in the First, no doubt.
???: Have you finished?
Y'shtola: My apologies. I freed myself as soon as I awoke, but rather too late, I see.
Y'shtola: Now, Elidibus, if you have ceased trading blows, I would trade words with you.
Y'shtola: I have a theory, you see─one concerning that which you seek to accomplish.
Y'shtola: It stems from who─or rather what─you truly are: a primal.
Y'shtola: The ancients created Zodiark to deliver the star from destruction.
Y'shtola: If the magick that brought Him forth is the precursor of what we know as summoning, then Zodiark would have been instilled with a presiding desire...
Y'shtola: I found it among the records at Anyder. And it came as no surprise. Were I faced with the world's destruction, I too would wish for the same...
Y'shtola: Salvation.
Y'shtola: I know that you sacrificed yourself to become Zodiark's heart.
Y'shtola: How you came to be separated from Him is less clear...
Y'shtola: But if you are a fragment of His being, it stands to reason a desire for the world's salvation would drive you.
Y'shtola: And thus did you seek to inspire the masses to rise up as Warriors of Light, going so far as to use Ardbert as a symbol of hope.
Elidibus: Correct on all counts. Such is my nature, and such are my methods.
Elidibus: I have aided heroes. I have made them. I have even become them.
Elidibus: This served not only to strengthen me, but also to facilitate the work of my brothers, such as Emet-Selch, with his penchant for nation building.
Y'shtola: Then you will be all too familiar with the fickleness of mankind.
Y'shtola: We change. We forget. And what little we do remember becomes twisted and fragmented over time. For which reason, you deem us unfit to carry on your legacy.
Y'shtola: But are you yourself free of these foibles? As the last witness of the Final Days, do you remember everything that was lost? Or even the things you cared about?
Elidibus: Get to the point.
Y'shtola: A primal is shaped by the hope that fuels it. Even should this hope be something as simple as the world's salvation, it is the collective desire of innumerable disparate souls crying out for deliverance.
Y'shtola: Having drawn your strength from such a cacophony of voices, can you truly be sure you still speak with your own?
Elidibus: Your question is irrelevant.
Elidibus: No matter how much I should change, no matter how much I should forget, I shall ever remember my duty.
Elidibus: At times I stand with my brethren. At times I stand against them. All that I might steer mankind and the very star upon their true course.
Elidibus: For Elidibus is my name. And my mission. Guiding my every deed.
Elidibus: But enough talk. You have shown me sufficient proof of your might.
Elidibus: As I am now, I would struggle to defeat you. Yet I have still to play all of my cards.
Elidibus: If I could offer you some semblance of sport, your lessers would pose no threat to me. Would you not agree, Warrior of Darkness?

Speak with Y'shtola

Y'shtola: It has been an eventful morning ─ if indeed it is morning. I've no idea how long I was unconscious.
Y'shtola: Regardless, I am gratified to see that my efforts at Anyder have borne fruit. We have confirmed the nature of our foe and his plot.
Y'shtola: Now then, what news from the surface?
Y'shtola: I see. Then let us make for Eulmore at once. We have much to share with our comrades, Elidibus's parting threat not least of all.
Y'shtola: Ah, but forgive me. It would seem my belongings did not accompany me here. I will need to retrieve them from Anyder.
Y'shtola: With luck, the aetherial stream you traversed still lingers. I won't be long.