Warriors of the Crystal

I once again found myself in  Aht Urhgan Whitegate.  This time someone shouting for Divine Might caught my attention.  I asked if there was room for another Red Mage and was answered with an invitation to join the party.
I had been really concerned about how I would ever face the Ark Angles.  I tended to have trouble rallying three to six people for things, let alone seventeen!

After a very long wait, we were to gather in sky.
So long of a wait that I had to send sad word to Edwyth that I wouldn’t be able to attend Einherjar that evening.
It was already gather time and we hadn’t even entered the battlefield.
Luckily Ed seemed to not be cross with me choosing Divine Might.
After all, who knew when an opportunity like this would present itself again.

In the end, waiting paid off.
The group was able to defeat all five ark angles, though we did have one incident where everyone was knocked out.
A choice of earrings was offered to us.  I read through them all and quietly wished Zidea was around to ask which I should choose.
In the end I asked for advice from another Red Mage in attendance.  He suggested Suppanomimi, so I settled on that.

Five people from the group were willing to stick around so we could take a crack at the next mission.
This time we faced Eald’narche.
I remembered my first encounter with him…  I knew something was amiss even then, but I was not quite ready for the depth of his lunacy.
All he cared about was his thousand year dream of Paradise.

It took a few tries, but we did manage to best him.  Though that did not stop him from hurling insults.

The crystals will spin out of control as they did ten thousand years ago, and create another Meltdown that will destroy this world and everything on it!

We couldn’t believe what we were witnessing…  We couldn’t let him get away with it, but what more could we do.
I struggled to get up with what little strength I had remaining.
Then Lion stepped out before the group.

Then I guess it's up to me...  There might be another way to do this, but I couldn't think of anything better...

Then she took my elbow in her fingers and quietly whispered to me…

I'm sorry, Kiamo. I don't think I'm going to be able to keep our promise.

Lion wait, what are you---

She answered by pressing her lips to my cheek and pushing me aside as she ran off.
As I tried to get up and give chase, a seething pain gripped my head like a vice.  I could hear the screams of my comrades, calling to Lion.  I could do nothing but cradle my aching head in my hands.  And then…
The lilting voice of Yve’noile…

Eald'narche.
Something can never really be destroyed.
It only changes to take on a new form.
And now, thy time hast come to take on a new form.
Let us go...
Until we meet again...Warriors of the Crystal.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"It all began with a stone, or so the legend says.
In ages past, a sentient jewel, enormous and beautiful, banished the darkness. Its many-colored light filled the world with life and brought forth mighty gods.
Bathed in that light, the world entered an age of bliss until, after a time, the gods fell into slumber. That world was called Vana'diel.
However, this age will not last. The great bane will devour the fair land of Vana'diel.
The ancient seal will be broken, awakening nightmares of ages past.
The blood of innocents will soak the earth, and the world will fall into fear and despair.
But as one bright star shines through the clouds at night...
And as one song rings clear above the roar of beasts...
We hold to one hope in these darkest of times.
That star is you, and the song is yours.
And someday, that hope will become our dreams...our prayers...
Shine forth, star of hope! Let your song ring out across all of Vana'diel!
And what was split asunder will once more become whole.
Complete and inseparable for all eternity."

I only remembered to take one picture...   This is of the kind people who stayed to do the battles after Divine Might.  It was a long and tiring night, but I was glad to have accomplished so much.  I only wish it had been with friends instead of strangers.

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