King of the Mountain

Thank goodness we found Zero when we did.

I've also received word that the transport arrived safely at Camp Broken Glass. They send their thanks to the “woman in black.”

...I'm fine. I just need rest.

Accepting the quest

As Alisaie said, many people owe Zero their lives.

This is not her world, nor her battle to fight, yet she risked life and limb for us nonetheless. That will not be soon forgotten.

Now then, I expect that our friends will return soon. Once everyone has gathered, we can take stock of the situation.

Optional dialogue

We've naught to do but wait for the others. They should not be much longer.

Perhaps you should have a rest too.

Wait at the designated location.

Start of cutscene.

Apologies for the delay. I've finished replenishing my aether.

Full glad am I to hear it. We must thank you again, Zero.

Indeed, many are still alive because of you. Those soldiers not least of all.

...How fared you? Better than I did, by all accounts.

We had to contend with our fair share of voidsent en route to the snowcraft, but we had the benefit of numbers.

Estinien and Y'shtola arrive.

With their help, we quickly dispatched all the voidsent that came our way. Thankfully, they stay dead in our world.

We were trying to decide what to do next when we received word about the transport.

Which is how Alisaie, Forename, and I came to find you.

While the immediate threat has been addressed, we cannot rest easy yet. For voidsent to appear in such numbers, we must assume that a voidgate has indeed been opened nearby.

Meaning more of them can come through at their leisure.

It seems the best course of action is to investigate Lapis Manalis, as you intend. What is the state of the snowcraft?

Nearly operational, I believe. Vrtra is with the engineer, who is hard at work as we speak. Why don't we join them in Cerulea Ingens?

Finally, a chance to go on the offensive!

...I would join you as well.

I wouldn't dream of refusing you. But...what did you have in mind for payment?

Payment won't be necessary.

I will do this because...I want to.

You have...kindled something within me. A compulsion─a desire to act─that has been burning since you came to my aid out in the snow.

I do not understand it, but I wish to, and to that end I will heed it. Then perhaps I'll understand your answer.

I would also like to join you in tracing the voidsent to their origin. Though that would mean neglecting my duties here...

Don't worry about us. Between my people and the contingent, we can keep things running well enough. Just find where the voidsent are coming from, and see that they stop.

Take care, Zero.

I will.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

For the sake of our friends, I pray we succeed in our mission.

The voidgate is of course our main objective, but if we can also find useful salvage, then all the better.

I'm glad the engineer is safe. I'd never forgive myself if something had happened to him on our account.

Vrtra insisted on staying behind to guard the snowcraft. He's anxious to get up that mountain, and understandably so.

“Mammoth” is an apt name for the craft. Its prodigious size made defending it difficult, but it came through unscathed.

To have to go to such lengths to traverse a single mountain... The people of this land do not have easy lives.

'Tis good to see you all safe and well. The craft stands ready, I am pleased to say. Our engineer friend has worked tirelessly, his zeal a match for any of my alchemists.

I've no intention to pry, but it seems Zero is quite unaccustomed to the kindness of strangers. She reminds me of myself when we first met.

Distrustful of outsiders. Hateful, even. Unwilling to believe anyone would offer anything without some manner of exchange.

I know not how or why she found herself willing to go to such lengths on out behalf, but I have no doubt now you and your comrades will be better for her company.

Speak with the spirited engineer.

Start of cutscene.

There you are! Your timing couldn't be better.

Thanks to Varshahn's help, I've managed to finish the repairs faster than I anticipated. The mammoth's ready for the snow once more!

You can leave the piloting to me, too. It'd be my pleasure to get you to where you need to go!

You are too kind. Thank you.

Let's be on our way then, shall we?

Lapis Manalis now accessible

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

As we hopefully demonstrated, we're still capable of holding our own in battle. Which is to say, please don't hesitate to rely on us.

When we find whoever's responsible for unleashing the voidsent, I'm going to give them a piece of my mind!

I don't make a habit of fighting atop magitek, but it shouldn't be any more difficult than doing so astride a dragon. I welcome the change of pace.

Once aboard the mammoth, we will all need to change into attire more suitable for combat.

It can be no coincidence that a voidgate has opened where Vrtra sensed his sister. In all likelihood, something is in the offing, and we must be prepared.

If there is indeed a voidgate, then there will be voidsent, and not merely lesser ones.

Be on your guard for all manner of threats.

Come, Forename. Let us find the truth of my sister's aura!

Just say the word and we're off.

Enter Lapis Manalis.

Duty dialogue

Magitek Snowcraft and Mons Albus (area 1)

Careful up there—you're not like to see much through the snow.

Albus Griffin

Caw!

Hopefully that's the last of those winged bastards... I'm afraid this is as far as the mammoth'll go. You'll have to make it the rest of the way on foot.

Albus Bear

Grooogh!

Fleeing Rat

Fleeing Antelope

<bleat>

Visitant Bloodguard 1

Your aether will be mine!

Visitant Bloodguard 2

I must feed!

The Silvan Throne (boss 1)

A rumbling in the distance draws closer...

Another rumbling can be heard in the distance...

Vicus Messorum (area 2)

Visitant Vodoriga

Such rich aether!

Galatea Parva 1

<crick-crack> Come for training, are you?

Galatea Parva 2

<creeeak> Ready your scythe!

Galatea Parva 3

This will <snap> warm you up.

Forum Messorum (boss 2)

Commencing basic training regimen. <crack> Your time to completion will be recorded.

Leave no openings. Your strikes must be quick and decisive.

That concludes your basic training. Commencing <crick-crack> advanced training regimen.

Remain calm and collected, no matter your circumstances.

Remember—you must hone your skills daily. It will be key to your survival.

After the fight

Rank 1

<creak> Evaluation complete. Evaluation Ranking: 1
Even the great rulers of voidsent would struggle to contend with such strength.

Rank 2

<creak> Evaluation complete. Evaluation Ranking: 2
Impossible... Only Rullus has achieved such a feat.

Rank 3

<creak> Evaluation complete. Evaluation Ranking: 3
A spectacular performance. Such strength might even prove a match for Galatea herself were she still alive.

Rank 5

<creak> Evaluation complete. Evaluation Ranking: 5
A commendable performance. Such strength would prove a match for even knight-class voidsent.

Rank 7

<creak> Evaluation complete. Evaluation Ranking: 7
A respectable performance. Such strength would prove a match for even warrior-class voidsent.

Rank 9

<creak> Evaluation complete. Evaluation Ranking: 9
Your mastery of fundamentals will carry you far. Continue your training and seek ever greater heights.

Rank 12

<creak> Evaluation complete. Evaluation Ranking: 12
Not even the lowest order of voidsent would be daunted by such meager strength.

Fons Manalis (area 3)

Visitant Satana 1

Trespassers!

Visitant Satana 2

Stop them!

Deepspine (boss 3)

Start of voiced cutscene.

Hah hah hah! All shall cower before the might of Archfiend Cagnazzo!

End of cutscene.

I've been waiting so long. Don't disappoint!

Brace yourselves!

The chamber begins to fill with water...

I bring my all to bear!

Drink deep of blackest terror!

I wonder how you'll taste.

You really must try harder!

Battle does so whet the appetite. Gheh heh heh heh!

Spires of water being amassing aether...

No more games!

Be swallowed by the tide!

What!? That's not right!

How do you like this?

A malevolent energy spills forth from the void...

Good, good. A fitting finale!

Grrr, why are you still alive!?

Optional post-duty pop-ups

Optional dialogue

I feel your presence, Sister. Where are you?

Why do you suppose they chose here for their lair?

That they could open so large a gate is troubling.

So goes yet another archfiend.

Well, that was a challenge.

I've never seen a voidsent with such command over water.

Duty Support dialogue

Optional dialogue

Pes Albus - Magitek Snowcraft (area 1)

It seems we were right to ride atop the snowcraft.

Indeed. Let us hold nothing back.

How bothersome...

The wildlife here is certainly bold.

To arms!

Mons Albus (area 1 continued)

You can see the Tower of Babil from here!

And it's no less imposing, even from this great distance.

White as far as the eye can see...

A welcome change of scenery.

I imagine the view from here must be breathtaking.

The Silvan Throne (boss 1)

If this beast would bar our path...

A simple enough task.

A veritable giant among the wildlife here to be sure.

Is this beast native to the mountain?

After the fight

Come. Let us press onward.

To the cavern!

There is something to be said for the fortitude of nature.

Well, that wasn't too difficult.

Vicus Messorum (area 2)

So this is Lapis Manalis...

This is no time for gawping. Watch your step.

How vast is this cavern, I wonder?

Is it just me, or is the wind blowing warm air?

What is this presence...?

The presence of voidsent permeates this place...

I would expect no less from the birthplace of the reaper's art.

The reaper village. Or what remains of it...

Is this the village Jullus told us about?

A most curious place indeed.

Forum Messorum (boss 2)

Magicked puppets? Here?

And equipped for combat training. How delightful...

What possessed them to create such automata?

Voidsent, I expected. But puppets...?

Despite their menacing demeanor, they're quite charming.

After the fight

If Zero is in the party

<creak> Evaluation complete.
An equal to Drusilla. Extraordinary...

That doll was not unlike a voidsent...

We can muse about that later. Let's get going.

Come, let us make haste.

At the very least, it made for good sport.

That certainly was a challenge.

A masterfully crafted doll.

Fons Manalis (area 3)

That was quite a fall.

Thankfully we emerged unscathed.

Is everyone all right?

Ugh...

Gods, that startled me.

Let us proceed with caution.

There—the voidgate!

At last, we've found it.

Azdaja! I sense she is close!

There it is.

On your guard, everyone!

So the gate really was here.

Deepspine (boss 3)

This one seems formidable.

To be appointed as an archfiend, I should certainly think so.

What is it they seek?

No doubt it is here to guard the gate.

This one's not at all like the others.

It looks a lot like the Kojin.

An archfiend... So this is Golbez's doing.

Is everyone all right?

Still in one piece.

It will take more than that to stop us.

Hold fast, everyone!

Post-duty cutscene

Start of voiced cutscene.

Tell me one thing, Cagnazzo.

A dragon of our world crossed over into yours long ago, but I have felt her presence here again. What is the meaning of this?

I daresay what you felt...was this.

Cagnazzo shows one of Azdaja's eyes.

By the Sisters...

You... What have you done to Azdaja!?

If you want answers, you'll have to get them from Lord Golbez.

Assuming you've the strength to face him.

A pity I will not see the plan to fruition, but my part is done. And to fade with the thrill of battle in my heart makes it all the more worthwhile...

No, wait! Where is she!? Where is my sister!?

At long last, I go to join the great flow...

Cagnazzo dissipates into aether. Varshahn takes the eye. The voidgate where Cagnazzo entered from closes.

By the gate's closing, there can be no doubt that he was the one who opened it.

Oh, Azdaja... I prayed we might meet once more...

She is likely still in the void. Take heart─we will find her yet.

So, what now?

While you discuss how to proceed with your search, I would excuse myself to look around. There may be salvage that we could use at the camp.

In that case, I'll patrol the area for more voidsent.

Very well, let us take a moment to consider our options.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Oh, Azdaja...

That they should go so far as to use Azdaja's eye as bait... What could they be after?

Why does he look so defeated? We are closer to finding his sister, are we not?

Speak with Y'shtola in Deepspine.

Start of cutscene.

So, we have discovered the source of the voidsent outbreak in Garlemald.

A gate forced open from the void...

The barrier between our worlds is especially thin here, I suspect.

Elsewise I see little reason why the reapers chose to live in such an inhospitable place.

Even if the conditions are ideal, we're talking about a gate that could pass an archfiend. Opening one so large could not have been easy.

In the age of Allag, Emperor Xande created an enormous portal using a prodigious amount of aether harnessed by the Crystal Tower.

In theory, a similar feat should be possible from within the void. One need but have the requisite amount of aether...such as that harbored by a great wyrm's eye.

And its aether is indeed greatly diminished...

In Forename's vision, Golbez let his archfiends feed upon Azdaja's aether. If he has also taken an eye to open this gate...