Alea Iacta Est

You will accompany me back to your camp, where I will meet with your leader and present Lord Quintus's demands.

Before we depart, however, there is something I would ask of you.

Assuming your contingent complies, the supplies they surrender will need to be transported here.

That task falls to Legionaries Marcellinus and Octavia, who will pilot magitek armor to your headquarters. You are to inform them that we are leaving shortly.

Tell them to ask the iyl for further details. In those words.

Once you've seen to that, meet me by the exit.

Speak with Octavia.

Octavia

What do you want with me!?

"Ask the iyl“... So Lord Quintus has reached a decision.

I knew he would understand. That he would recognize the savage is a ruthless, merciless creature, and to defeat him, we too must be...uncompromising...

I...am ready. In the name of Emperor Varis, for the glory of Garlemald, I will fulfill...my duty!

Speak with Marcellinus.

Marcellinus

You again...

"Ask the iyl,“ he said? Heh...heh heh... <sigh>

So. That's to be the way of it. After all this...

How ironic that you should be the one to deliver the news.

If those are my orders, then so be it. For the glory...of Garlemald...

Speak with Jullus.

Have you done as instructed?

What will you say?

Their duties involve more than the transportation of supplies, don't they?

Duty is rarely a simple thing. We have been given additional orders, though whether we will be required to follow them depends entirely on your contingent.

What do you mean by "ask the iyl"?

I am not at liberty to divulge that. What I can say is this: you have no cause for concern if our demands are met.

You and I are in this together now. Like it or not, we have to cooperate.

There is one other matter... A place I'd like to visit on the way to your camp.

It's a short walk from here. Follow me.

Optional dialogue

Give me a moment. Please.

Wait at the specified location.

Jullus lingers by the ruins, reluctant to leave and reluctant to stay. Unable to move on...

Wait here? (Yes/No)

Start of voiced cutscene.

Jullus places his hand on the ruined building.

This is my home. Our home.

Least it was until that night. I was with Lord Quintus when the capital fell, and thus spared. My family, who did not own a radio, were less fortunate.

When dawn came, I made my way here. My parents...my little brother and sister...they were still inside...

But they weren't themselves, and they...they tried to... And I had to...

I'd promised to take them away from the capital that very morning. To somewhere safe, to hide until the fighting stopped.

I promised...

The scene shows Quintus looking at the Garlean flag in the train car.

The Garlean flag bears a chain. The bonds between our countrymen.

A red link at its center ─ the blood of the fallen. Our loved ones who lived and died for Garlemald.

But if she, too, fell, who would be left to remember them and their sacrifice? What enduring proof would there be that they were ever here?

If we had turned to your gods, would they have saved us?

I'm sorry. Forget I spoke.

We should go.

The scene shifts to Alphinaud and Alisaie in their cell.

It's no use.

Believe me, I do not enjoy being here any more than you. But he/she wanted us to play along, so that is what we will do.

The twins slump their heads against each other's.

...It's so cold.

Painfully so... Unbearably.

I've been thinking about what Quintus said. About why no one would accept Garlean rule.

Irreconcilable differences. When coexistence isn't an option, only conquest remains.

Varis at Ghimlyt said much the same. Only by uniting the world beneath a single standard would we rid ourselves of the Ascians.

United...as one people. One race, cleansed of “imperfections.”

A cold and unforgiving vision. And when we fail to live up to their standards...what place is there for us in their world?

But the truly sad, truly frustrating thing is how damnably similar it all is to the lofty ideals of Father and the Forum.

Nonintervention ─ always nonintervention. Protect our knowledge and our people and to hells with the rest of you.

And yet...I can see how it happened. Varis and Father looked to their elders for guidance and took their virtues as their own. For this world was of their making─in who else could they place their trust?

All of us lost in a sea of chaos, searching desperately for purpose and meaning...but it shouldn't just be an extension of another's. It has to be ours. It has to be.

We all have a stake in this world. No one should be silenced...

I won't deny that we lack the experience of people such as Father or Quintus.

Perhaps they've come to see the world as a series of problems, and the most efficient way of solving them to reduce everything to fundamental forms.

A stone is a stone, a cloud a cloud, a flower no more than that. Simple descriptions that strip the subject of distinguishing characteristics.

A man is a man. Divided according to race, creed, or allegiance ─ and to some, defined by such associations.

Is that what you think?

In my misbegotten youth. But what I believed wisdom was no more than aggressive ignorance.

I've since learned to look beyond the banners and the politics. To see people as individuals with their own hopes and dreams.

As for my dream of building a better world... Well, every day I am reminded that it is far more complex than I had ever imagined.

But it only spurs me onward. To find the wisdom and the strength to see it through to the very end.

Back at Camp Broken Glass

All of our supplies and an immediate withdrawal? These are your conditions?

Demands. And you forgot about the airship.

Once again, you will leave one behind. It will be used to return the prisoners. Their collars will be removed prior to the exchange.

Back in Alphinaud and Alisaie's cell

So in the end, not even Father's expertly worded rhetoric could deter you from your chosen course.

Huh?

Not that I thought for a moment that it would. I've no love for violence, of course, but ours is a cause worth fighting for. I just wish he'd realize it too.

Sometimes the only way to protect the ones you love is to take a stand. To refuse to suffer in silence.

I want you to know I share your conviction. Whether it be on the battlefield or in the debating chamber, I won't back down. I guess what I'm saying is...

You've found your own reason to fight.

Yes. Yes, I have.

Gods willing, there will come a day when we can finally lay down our arms, and there will be peace.

But not until the Telophoroi have been defeated once and for all.

And you, Brother, will have a vital part to play. By your words and deeds, you'll lead the way.

...I pray I am up to the task.

There'll always be naysayers. Those who think us fools for even trying.

It's easy for learned elites to criticize earnest efforts and assert their moral superiority. All without offering alternatives.

Not that their sophistry has ever wounded you. So stubborn and strong ─ stronger than you even know.

Don't ever change, you hear me? If you stumble, I'll be there to catch you. Or give you a thick ear. Maybe both for good measure.

Thank you, Alisaie...

The door opens, revealing Estinien. He has knocked out the guard.

Back at Camp Broken Glass. Maxima receives a linkpearl call.

Maxima

The scouts have secured Alisaie and Alphinaud. Their collars were removed without complication as well.

They report no casualties ─ not for their party nor the guards, who will wake from their premature slumber in due course.

It would appear the situation has changed.

I propose new terms. We have information that will be of great interest to Lord Quintus, and I wish to speak with him in person.

No. In the event you rejected our first proposal, we came prepared with a second.

Imperials ambush the contingent.

Ambush!

Cirina

More are coming! Make ready!

We, the loyal soldiers of the Ist legion, proud servants of Garlemald...

Of the fallen Emperor Varis, shall safeguard these lands...

...from the barbarian hordes until our countrymen return!

Jullus charges at Lucia. She reluctantly prepares to draw her weapon.

A-Ruhn-Senna

Stop, both of you!

A-Ruhn-Senna disrupts the fighting with a wind spell.

A-Ruhn-Senna

This child may be the worst emissary I have ever seen...

We received an urgent communication from the Grand Company of Eorzea.

Envoys from the imperial army, led by members of the Xth Legion, came to Ala Mhigo and requested an audience.

They explained that their efforts to coordinate the reclamation of the capital with the aid of the IVth, Vth, VIIIth, and XIIth had ended in failure.

Communication between most legions has broken down entirely. Most of the Xth's conscripts have deserted, leaving their forces severely depleted.

That is why, unable to continue the fight on their own, they and their allies turned to the Grand Company of Eorzea for aid.

Lies! Every word!

It is the truth, and I have not finished. The Xth has requested that we deliver a message to Lord Quintus.

“Have the iyl stand down.”

You have been listening, my lord?

Wh-What are your orders?

The scene shifts to Tertium.

Quintus

Inform her...that we will honor the Xth's decision.

Bereft of hope...and now dignity.

I release you from your duty. All of you.

The two soldiers leave the train car.

Quintus

I take solace, Your Radiance, in the knowledge you are not here to witness our debasement.

'Twas a grand, glorious dream we shared.

Of a world united. Of peace and prosperity.

We are ghosts, you and I. Memories of days gone by.

Bonds forged in blood...that I will not see tarnished.

Quintus takes the pistol on the table, loads it, and points the barrel to his chin.

The scene shifts to outside.

Quickly! We have to reach the station before it's too late!

If there is still a chance that Quintus will agree to a truce, we must take it.

I just hope we get there before he and his men do something rash...

The scene shows the Garlean flag stained with Quintus's blood. His dead body is on the floor.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

We will make no attempt to resist.

Around Camp Broken Glass:

Cirina

When the imperials charged upon us, we were able to avoid any serious injuries on either side. In truth, most of the Garleans were in no condition to fight. Sunken eyes, hollow cheeks... It must have been a long time since they had a decent meal.

I am sure they will be much more amenable to conversation with food in their bellies.

Lyse

I've just returned from guarding the airships, and now I've got to keep an eye on the captured imperials. Maybe a bit of chitchat will help lighten the mood.

Sadu

It was a grave error not to post sentries farther from the camp. Had we seen the Garleans sooner, we could have slain them long before the truce was called.

They engaged us of their own free will, and deserved to die warrior's deaths. Even so, I have not forgotten why we are here, and I will stay my hand...for now.

Magnai

Even with their empire in ruins, the Garleans have not lost the will to fight.

That strength shall serve them in days to come. There is yet life in this cold soil.

Pipin

Thank goodness the Xth Legion decided to sue for peace when they did. We have been spared more senseless bloodshed, which is the last thing anyone─including the Ist─needs.

From their perspective, though, the promise of reinforcements was their last hope, and now they have no choice but to capitulate to the invaders. But we will prove to them that all is not lost, and we yet stand a chance of casting out the Telophoroi.

Sicard

More people at the camp means more bodies to keep warm.

The smiths've been scramblin' to get enough heatin' for everyone, and we've got people searchin' for firewood, in case it comes to that.

Maxima

News regarding the Xth came shortly after you first left with Jullus.

From that, we were able to deduce that the Ist were somewhere within the capital. We were, however, only able to verify this once you had made contact with Thancred.

Around Tertium:

Theodora

I do hope the Ilsabard contingent actually makes some kind of difference around here.

Spurius

Since hearing about Lord Quintus, I confess I've many and more thoughts on the subject. Few can deny he was a man of principle, misguided though he may have been.

Decimus

Lord Quintus was our rock in the storm...and now, we are without a leader, without direction. Nevertheless, we must live on, even if that means consorting with our former enemies. Well, what do you want?

Dossennus

Our leader may be gone, and the world may be falling to ruin, but my duty to my people will never change. Such is the life of a soldier.

Caeso

I'm still trying to get this aetheryte working again. If nothing else, we might be able to reach other parts of the city to scavenge for provisions.

Additional NPCs will be interactable and have optional dialogue depending on the player's progress through various class/job quests and other side stories:

Optional dialogue

If marauder level 30 class quest Bringing Down the Mountain completed

Broenbhar

I heard what happened, an' I'm glad yer all right. Look, I know there's still a lot to do, but try an' save yer strength till it's needed, eh?

If scholar is unlocked

Alka Zolka

Oh, Forename, I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you returned. Fear not, we have kept the camp safe in your absence, and shall continue to do so. Pray, warm yourself by the fire and leave guard duty to us!

If dragoon is unlocked

Alberic

As a knight, I am in sworn service to the people. Thus shall I commit myself to the protection of all those who haven't the arms to defend themselves, whomsoever they may be.

If bard is unlocked

Guydelot

You and the twins gave us all a good fright, you know. I reckon you'd be better of not going so far afield again. Wouldn't want you wandering beyond earshot of my dulcet tones, would we?

If you hope to benefit from my song, you'd best stay close. Never know when your spirits might be in need of a lift.

Sanson

Now for the true test of our abilities. It is up to the Order to make sure that the Garleans are well looked after.

Guydelot and the other bards will help secure the route from Tertium. With their keen eyesight and mastery of the bow, they're the perfect candidates for such a task.

If machinist is unlocked

Stephanivien

We shall have the heaters ready before long. With the problem of this dreadful cold addressed, I imagine demeanors may change for the better.

I plan to make heaters enough for not only the camp, but for those who have chosen to remain in the station as well.

Speak with Lucia.