Pick up the Pieces

It's clearly not a person, but it doesn't look like any automaton or magitek weapon I've ever seen.

As far and wide as you've traveled, though, perhaps you've encountered something similar before.

Would you mind taking a closer look? It may yield some clues as to Zoraal Ja's new powers.

Optional dialogue

At first, I assumed they were soldiers in armor. But when I cut them down, it became clear that wasn't the case.

Examine the fallen soldier. You may move the camera, as well as zoom in or out. Target an area and inspect it with Mouse.

(Soldiers Armor) From a distance it appeared to be simple armor, but upon closer inspection its construction is quite intricate.

The material from which it is made is unclear, and you see no signs of a power source.

(Soldier's Helmet) In place of where eyes or a mouth might be, you see a strange sigil on the front of this helm.

(Soldier's Weapon) The general shape of this weapon resembles a gun, but its construction suggests it's far more advanced than anything you've seen before.

So, what do you think?

What will you say?

It's unlike anything I've ever seen.

It looks like a person, but it's clearly mechanical

Indeed... While it resembles a person, it has features that make it uncanny, the lack of a face not least of all. Did you see any sign of a power source?

So it probably doesn't run on ceruleum or any other conventional fuels.

I tried channeling aether into it earlier, but there was no response. That would seem to rule it out as an arcane entity.

It's completely lifeless now─a far cry from the unstoppable enemy it was in battle...

Even the material it's made of is a mystery. Rather than a metal, it's more akin to stone... Wait. Haven't we seen this somewhere recently?

What will you say?

W have-in the Skydeep Cenote.

That's right! The glowing stone used in the chamber with the gate to the golden city!

The palace is made of that stone too!

Uh, yes, it certainly is. But it's nothing like what as used to craft this machine.

Its stone is smooth and has a glow-like that which we saw in the chamber with the gate to the golden city.

And while the soldiers are a different color, the warships are the same black as the stone of the gate itself.

There has to be a connection. Let's share our observations with the others when we gather at Sunperch.

The sooner we get to the bottom of this mystery, the better.

Looks like everyone is here already.

Voiced Cutscene 1

Thank you for coming, everyone.

And thank you for taking charge in the relief effort. We would've fared far worse without you.

Someone had to do it, that's all. Come, let's take stock.

In terms of casualties, at least fifty died in the attack, and many times that number are wounded. All available healers are seeing to their care.

Structural damage, at least, is limited, so essential business can be conducted without issue.

That said, the people are understandably shaken. We must assuage their fears and begin working to restore things to normal as quickly as possible.

Now, the most confounding mystery remains our enemy...

And their mechanical soldiers created with technology that surpasses anything I've ever seen...

What is their nature? And how did Zoraal Ja manage to bring them under his command? Such things remain unknown.

They emerged from the dome encasing Yyasulani, we're quite certain of that much.

Ah, speaking of the dome, we have some theories, I'm told.

Indeed. I would like to call upon some helpers to join the discussion. May I invite them here?

By all means!

It's me. Permission has been granted. You can come in.

???

Greetings, everyone!

Raha! Y'shtola!

After that long voyage, I had hoped that we might be afforded a moment's rest, but I gather circumstances are quite dire.

All is well at the annex, never fear. I've already dealt with the most pressing matters, and others hold the fort in my absence.

Following the changing of Dawnservants, Gulool Ja Ja spoke about the golden city to his two successors.

Thanks to Wuk Lamat, I was allowed to attend that meeting.

What I heard led me to conclude that this was a matter for the Students. Thus did I call upon our comrades, who possess the requisite expertise.

It was actually after that that the dome manifested. But based on what we know, I have reason to believe that it is connected to the golden city.

While we're eager to help, we have limited familiarity with the situation. Might we trouble you to explain from the beginning?

As you know, it was a letter I found tucked away in the Baldesion Annex that brought me to Tural.

A letter from the Dawnservant addressed to my grandfather, sent some twenty years ago.

The request to investigate the city of gold.

Indeed. The strange thing is, there was mention of neither Tural nor the city in our records.

Hoping to learn the truth of my grandfather's mission─what he did and saw─I volunteered to help in the rite of succession.

At the end of which, I was able to hear the tale from Gulool Ja Ja.

Like us, my grandfather went to the deepest chamber of the Skydeep Cenote. And like us, he saw the gate to the golden city.

Is that what you required our help with? This gate?

It was. You see, the gate was opened once in the past, and...

...It led to another reflection.

I can take the story from here. Considerin' my part in these affairs, I reckon maybe I'm best equipped to speak on the matter.

I was there too, you see. In those ruins, together with Galuf and Gulool Ja Ja. And what I saw that day, I'll never forget...

Vow of Reason Gulool Ja Ja

This black stone is remarkable...

I cannot help but wonder if the structures in this part of the ruins were built by a completely different civilization.

It was over a thousand years ago that the giants mined here.

Their records make no mention of glowing stones.

Hmmm...

It harbors high concentrations of aether. And on the surface are what appear to be arcane patterns.

They aren't Allagan or Mhachi or Nymian. If anything, they put me in mind of the calculations of the south sea islanders. But even then...

Vow of Resolve Gulool Ja Ja

Seven hells!

What did you do?

N-Nothing...

Vow of Resolve Gulool Ja Ja

An earthquake!?

None of this has ever happened before...

A voidgate? Nay... This is...different.

A baby...?

Now hold on... Why would you...

Vow of Resolve Gulool Ja Ja

Now what's this?

What is this? Who are you?

Though it never opened again, Galuf continued to study the gate for years after that, hopin' to learn somethin' of value.

All he could conclude was that it was built with unknown technology, and that it led to another world. One apart from the void.

We'd assumed the ruins themselves were the golden city, only to discover that the real prize actually lay beyond the gate─and beyond our reach.

Couldn't make head nor tail of the artifact either.

As it had similar properties to the black stone in the ruins, we were convinced it was important, so Gulool Ja Ja took it to the palace for safekeepin'.

Galuf, meanwhile, took the baby with him back to Sharlayan and raised her as his own.

Then the child was...

The earring inside the letter to my grandfather... It was apparently found amongst my swaddling clothes.

If this is true, then it means that you hail from another reflection...

So it would seem. I still struggle to take it all in myself.

Looking back, Grandfather was always quick to seek distractions whenever I broached the subject. But never would I have guessed anything like this...

But enough about me. We have more pressing matters.

The forces that assailed Tuliyollal─you suspect they are somehow connected to the golden city?

Thinking back on it, the soldiers looked like they could've been made from the same black stone.

And leadin' them was Zoraal Ja... His involvement also lends weight to the theory.

On the day of the succession ceremony, a bandit took me unawares and knocked me out.

When I came to, I found my home turned upside down, with a few particular items missin'.

Namely, the keystones I was entrusted with for my role as watcher of the gate.

The bandit─you believe that it was...?

I only got a glimpse of 'em, but aye. It was a blue-scaled Hoobigo. I know of no other.

The artifact stored at the palace was also stolen. The thief struck during the ceremony, when the guard was spread thin.

So our assumption is Zoraal Ja somehow opened that gate to another reflection, where he acquired advanced technology and his mechanical army?

It fits. And if he did, then it's also likely that the dome is a product of this unknown reflection.

Hold on. We've been going on and on about reflections, but what of my home? What's become of it?

What will you say?

We're going to find out.

This looks like a job for the Scions of the Seventh Dawn!

Indeed. Where it concerns other realities, I daresay the Scions are best suited to tackle the task.

You can say that again! We've been to the literal edge of existence. Some mysterious giant dome shouldn't scare us!

As you know, our order has ostensibly disbanded. We'd thank you to be discreet about our unofficial reunion.

Worry not, we'll spare no effort to get to the bottom of this. And with our hero eager to help, you can be confident of the results!

I'm coming with you. If that's where my brother is, then that's where I must go.

I can't say I understand everything you're discussing, but I know what I have to do.

I have to put a stop to Zoraal Ja, and restore the people's happiness!

Suffice it to say I share Lamaty'i's desire to join you. However, under these circumstances, it would be unwise for both Vows to be absent from the city.

As such, I shall remain in Tuliyollal.

Come what may, I will protect our nation. So go forth, Sister, and do what you must.

Thank you.

It may be prudent for us to likewise divide our forces. While one group ventures into the dome, the other keeps guard without.

Agreed. There's something I wish to investigate out here, so I will remain.

I as well. The enemy's warships still loom overhead, and I would see that we're prepared for the worst.

I wish to go to the dome.

As a Student, I have an obligation to investigate this potential threat to the world.

But I'd be lying if I said I'm not deathly curious about my origins. If there's aught to be learned, then I want to learn it.

In that case, please let me come too.

I have to see what's become of my home. I may not be a fighter, but I know those lands like the back of my hand. I can guide you.

If you hadn't offered, I would've asked. We're counting on you!

I'm not one for waiting around, so if it's all the same to you, I'll join the dome crew.

You should accompany them, G'raha. I expect your knowledge and experience will be useful.

In the meantime, I intend to learn what I can about the gate, and will keep you apprised of my findings. Pray do the same.

Assuming communication is possible from inside the dome, we'll maintain contact and share any developments.

It seems our teams are assembled. A fine roster, I think.

Looks good to me. We'll find a way to deal with the threat─for the sake of Tural!

It's truly heartening to have you at our side for this. Thank you, everyone.

Now, before we set off, there's one thing I need to do. The people are still shaken by the attack, and I'd like to reassure them as best I can.

Optional dialogue

This talk of reflection is perplexing, to say the least. I should be glad for your help in understanding and overcoming this crisis.

I struggle to believe I am from another reflection. I wonder, does this mean my soul is thinner than a native of the Source?

Surely not. Y'shtola would have noticed. Gods, there's so much I don't understand, my head is ripe to burst...

I fear we need to know more if we're to defend against another assault.

I'm indebted to Ojika for overseeing our operations in my absence. I will endeavor to make myself as useful as I can here.

Another reflection encroaches upon our own, but how, and why now?

Please be safe...

We'll find a way to breach the dome, and we'll make sure everyone inside is safe.

It's embarrassin' to think how Zoraal Ja caught me unawares, but I've no doubt the bastard came to kill me. I reckon he would've succeeded were it anyone else.

Who would've thought him takin' that key would lead to all this?