Dawntrail (Quest)

Let us finish this!

We won't let Cahciua's hopes be in vain!

No time for tears... Just as well.

Accepting the quest

We'll carry out Cahciua's plan. It's our best chance at stopping Sphene.

It will be dangerous, I shouldn't doubt. We are all prepared, I assume?

That goes without saying. Come, we head to the Meso Terminal!

Speak with Wuk Lamat.

Optional dialogue

Whatever it takes, we must protect that which we hold dear.

My parents are watching over us, I'm sure of it. As is my grandfather.

I will do my part too.

Start of cutscene.

No good. It seems we can't simply shut down the Meso Terminal like the others.

Not surprising in the least. My mother did tell us its defenses are tight.

But she also left me a means of circumventing them: a program that will send your souls into the terminal's memory banks.

Therein lies a virtual domain generated by Sphene's memories.

So we would venture into this domain, and thence seek out and stop Sphene.

If our souls are transferred in their entirety, dying in that domain would be no different from dying outside of it. There is no guarantee of safe return.

Nonetheless, that is a risk we must take.

We've already come this far, and I'll be damned if I'm going to turn back now.

By meeting the Endless, I've gained a better understanding of Sphene and the burden she bears.

I want to say a few things to her when we meet again...even if it doesn't make a difference.

Whatever happens, we won't let Sphene walk her misguided path any longer!

What will you say?

For those we've yet to meet!

It's our duty as the living!

I'll do all I can to provide support. Mother has instructed me on her program as well as the world within the terminal.

I'll also keep an eye on your bodies while you are gone.

Should it come to it, though, I won't hesitate to call on our comrades outside. I'm acutely aware of my limits.

Upon entering the terminal, we will most certainly meet with fierce resistance from its defenses.

Then there is Sphene herself. In order to initiate interdimensional fusion, she said that she intends to erase her own memories. What manner of entity she will become as a result, none can say.

And if she invokes the key and opens portals to other worlds, she would have access to vast amounts of aether to bring to bear against us. We must be prepared for anything.

Whatever we encounter won't change our objective. And it won't change what I'll do.

Come, my friends! It's time to settle this!

Alexandria now accessible

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Come back alive, do you hear? Else I can't repay you for everything you've done.

A part of me still clings to the hope that we can avoid fighting Sphene. But even if we can't, I want to see her people and their legacy live on.

I don't know what awaits at the end of this path. But together, we'll walk it all the way!

Since we averted the Final Days, it has been one existential threat after another. And now lives in all reflections hang in the balance.

But considering the key and the power it wields, I cannot help but feel a sense of destiny in our being here. Would you not agree, my friend?

As much as we've been able to learn, there is still much and more we do not know about the key.

What I do know, however, is that interdimensional fusion must be stopped. This is the mission I've inherited from my parents, and I will see it done!

Enter Alexandria.

Duty dialogue

The Dream She Lived (area 1)

To the memories of better days, I bid farewell...

Alexandrian Citizen (text bubble)

We're short on just about everything because of this war...

Alexandrian Citizen

Have you heard? Princess Sphene is here!

The princess's airship is coming to Victors' March!

Even with all her duties, she makes time for us.

Oh, to get just a glimpse of her!

It's the princess!

Meso Terminal Defense System

Foreign entities detected. Proceeding with removal.

Alexandrian Citizen

Princess Sphene!

Keep running, we're almost there!

Awww, she's already back in the airship...

Your smile means all is right in the world.

Long live Princess Sphene!

If I smile, it is because you all smile for me.

Alexandrian Citizen

It's so uplifting just to see and hear Her Highness.

Blessings be upon your Highness!

The war must be trying on her too.

"Service Eternal"... She truly lives by her words.

We all of us must do our part for the kingdom.

I'm going to become a knight and protect the princess!

Meso Terminal Defense System

Initiating security protocol.

Volatile Memory Cache (boss 1)

Meso Terminal Defense System

Foreign entities remain. Initiating level three security protocol.

Foreign entity removal initiated.

After the fight

You are my people, and I will protect you.

The Dream She Lost (area 2)

Alexandrian Knight

Quickly, take shelter in the castle!

The painful memories of war, I lay to rest...

Alexandrian Citizen (text bubble)

L-Lightning... S-So much lightning...

Meso Terminal Defense System

Foreign entities detected. Proceeding with removal.

Alexandrian Knight

Is anyone still out here?

Alexandrian Citizen

Help! Please help my family!

They're over there!

There are people over there! Bring us closer!

Alexandrian Citizen

Her Highness is here! We're going to be fine!

Th-The princess herself came for us?

<gasp> L-Lightning!

Oh no...

It's too dangerous! You must flee!

Alexandrian Citizen

The airship barrier won't be enough!

Don't worry about me! Just save yourself!

Alexandrian Knight

May we meet again, Your Highness!

Corrupted Memory Cache (boss 2)

Meso Terminal Defense System

Security breach confirmed. Initiating level five security protocol.

Amalgam divides into parts.

Amalgam becomes whole again.

Energy accumulates in the electrope!

After the fight

Fear not. You will all live on.

My Dream Everlasting (area 3)

And at the last, my final...<bzzzt>...an Endless...

Alexandrian Citizen (text bubble)

It used to be dangerous out here, right?

Aye. Thankfully, the barrier protects us from lightning these days.

Without it, there's no way we could come salvaging like this.

Ah, another beautiful day beneath Everkeep's barrier.

Meso Terminal Defense System

Foreign enti...detected. Initiating...rity protocol.

Alexandrian Citizen

They've done it! They've preserved the queen's...

We can't give up! Not until...keep...complete...

Alexandrian Citizen (text bubble)

Did you hear the rumors about the queen?

You mean that her memories were preserved?

Meso Terminal Defense System

Foreign entities...prior to comp...memory erasure.

Alexandrian Citizen (text bubble)

From her memories, she will be reborn to lead us always.

Our eternal queen... This is a new dawn for the realm.

Reascension (boss 3)

Eliminator

Initiating level nine...curity...tocol.

Activat...armaments. Engaging foreign...ties.

Attempting removal via incision.

Energy accumulates in the sword!

Eliminator

Reattempting removal via incision.

Removal failed. Commencing extermination sequence.

Attempting extermination via multiple armaments.

Purging via armaments. Acquiring target.

Exterminating.

Commencing final attack sequence.

Attempting annihilation via high-powered energy discharge.

Energy accumulation complete.

Initiating final attack protocol.

Foreign entities remain. Resuming annihilation.

Attempting total annihilation...annihilation...annihilation.

Optional post-duty pop-ups

Optional dialogue

These precious memories... You would erase them all?

There is no telling what may happen. Let us stay alert.

Without her memories, what will Sphene become...?

Duty Support dialogue

Optional dialogue

The Dream She Lived (area 1)

We're inside Sphene's memories...

Is this Alexandria as it was when she lived?

The people really did love her.

She was goodness personified.

It appears we've been discovered.

Naturally.

To think that she is right there...

Even back then she was close to her people...

It's employing countermeasures against Cahciua's program!

Let's proceed with care!

Volatile Memory Cache (boss 1)

The system is intervening directly in the memories...

Let's clear the path!

If it executes the process...

We can evade it, surely!

Here it comes again!

Gah, my head can't keep up!

After the fight

There will be more interference. Let us remain vigilant.

The Dream She Lost (area 2)

What in the world has happened...?

I daresay we are come to a different time.

Everything is in ruins...

This is the culmination of the Storm Surge...

This feels so real, it hurts not to help them...

I know... I need to remind myself it's only a memory...

The airships are in trouble!

Twelve have mercy...

Corrupted Memory Cache (boss 2)

It matters not what bars our way!

We'll brush them all aside!

It's split into pieces!

It's definitely up to something!

Bewhere the spheres yonder!

It changes tactics by rearranging itself!

After the fight

And that's that!

Another obstacle out of the way.

My Dream Everlasting (area 3)

Are we in a different time again?

It appears to be the same place...

Huh? Something seems off...

Are the memories breaking down?

The system itself may have become unstable.

It's not because of us, is it?

Reascension (boss 3)

We're coming, Sphene!

We'll find her as soon as we've dealt with this!

The sword's changed sides!

It controls it with lightning!

Have care on the weapon side!

The piece on its back has separated.

It's controlling its parts remotely!

Want to get us from all directions, eh?

It's harnessing power!

Through those contraptions, it seems.

Then we better destroy them!

It's harnessing even more power!

Here comes the big one!

Quickly, stand together!

Post-dungeon cutscene

Start of voiced cutscene.

The party is transported to the Interphos.

Sphene!

Sphene! Listen to me! Please!

I'm afraid she's gone...

Meso Terminal

Synchronization will soon be complete.

Sphene disappears. An enormous mechanical entity appears.

Synchronization complete. Data for the Endless “Sphene” has been overwritten and reconfigured. All shall be well, henceforth and in perpetuity.

Forever will I keep and cherish my people. To that end, I have removed the remaining checks upon my authority.

G'raha Tia, Krile, and Wuk Lamat are encased in barriers.

What the—!?

Obstructions to the plan will be summarily removed.

Wait! I still haven't said—!

Begone from my presence.

The player's allies are removed.

According to Eliminator's battle data, you pose the single greatest threat.

As such, you will be erased here and now.

The player recalls Sphene's words to them in the past.

I am the bearer of the memories of Queen Sphene of Alexandria, and my desire to protect my people transcends all others!

If it were you, could you have found another way? With your strength, could you have held fast to that which is dear without sacrifice?

Listen to me. There's something that I need to tell you...

Is that concern? Or suspicion?

If things should take a turn for the worse...

Might...I...

What will you say?

I know what I have to do.

I'm shutting you down.

Obstructions to the plan will be summarily removed.

The player takes out Azem's crystal and begins a summoning for seven other party members. The interdimensional key shows Azem's symbol before being absorbed by Queen Eternal.

The Interphos now accessible

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Exiting the Interphos and returning

Proceed to the Interphos? (Yes/No)

Confront Sphene in the Interphos.

Start of voiced cutscene.

Be at ease, everyone. Your aether will soon be replenished.

I will suffer no interference.

Disappear.

End of cutscene.

Greetings and good-bye.

Do not be afraid. Death is not the end.

We require aether.

The absorption of aether accelerates!

Deploying drones.

I will show you the worlds beyond.

Gravity increases, making you fall.

Gravity deceases, making you float.

Gravity increases, making you fall.

Are you still alive? Activating reserve power.

Are you still alive? Disengaging safeties.

Target area delineated. Commencing erasure.

5 seconds to Absolute Authority...

4 seconds to Absolute Authority...

3 seconds to Absolute Authority...

2 seconds to Absolute Authority...

1 second to Absolute Authority...

System overload. Aborting process.

Let us rise above death!

Are you still alive? Recommencing erasure.

System overload. An error has occurred.

System override order confirmed.

5 seconds to Absolute Authority...

4 seconds to Absolute Authority...

3 seconds to Absolute Authority...

2 seconds to Absolute Authority...

1 second to Absolute Authority...

Start of voiced cutscene.

Is this...a rift in reality? Has she lost control of the power!?

Wuk Lamat barges in.

Sphene! Listen to me!

I understand, I do. And I know that you won't be swayed from your course.

But if there's truly no other way to resolve this...

Then face me! Not as a machine, but as the real you!

Lamaty'i...

Sphene!

Anomaly detected in memory banks.

Data for the Endless "Sphene" partially restored.

This is what I desire...and I will not fail!

End of cutscene.

I can't bear to lose them! Not again!

I feel your pain! As if it were my own!

At last I think I know you─all of you.

How can you say that to me now!?

It's over, Sphene. We will stop you.

No! I won't let you! I can't!

I will protect my people's happiness!

Leave that burden with us now.

We will bear it in your stead!

Post-trial cutscene

Start of voiced cutscene.

Sphene reappears.

Sphene!

Your voice reached me, Lamaty'i.

Is it...is it really you?

No—only in part. My memories as a living person are gone. I've been remade from those I had as an Endless.

However...I cannot remain long, for the Meso Terminal will soon cease to function.

Once, you wanted to know me, Lamaty'i. Let my last act be to give an honest accounting.

I am, above all, sorry. For the suffering I've caused your people, and mine.

I am, ultimately, powerless against the inevitable. Unable to do aught but visit harm upon the innocent.

I am, in the end, a pitiful, selfish creature. One that should never have been created.

What will you say?

You strove to make your people happy.

You carried too many gentle memories.

You're merely a system, created to sustain Alexandria.

Our nations are worlds apart, but they feel so close. Who knows what we could have accomplished had we walked together, towards a shared future.

And yet...it could never be so. We each had our own to protect.

If only I had met you when I was still alive, then perhaps...

But it's no use dwelling upon a miracle that didn't happen.

Still, if there's one thing I hope you'll believe, it is this.

Brief though it was, I treasured our time together. It pains me to think that its memory will disappear along with me.

I know I have no right to ask this of you, but...when I'm gone...my people... Will you...?

We'll take care of them, don't worry. And we will never forget the Endless.

Neither them nor the time we spent with you.

So be free of your burdens, Sphene. And sleep well.

I will. Thank you.

The player takes possession of the key. Wuk Lamat and the player are transported away.

Farewell, my beloved Alexandria.

Sphene and the Interphos disappear.

End of cutscene.

Start of voiced cutscene.

The party regains consciousness outside the Meso Terminal, which shuts down and turns the rest of Living Memory to bare electrope, except for the plants. The golden sky also disappears. The credits for Dawntrail begin showing.

So it was that the Meso Terminal fell dark, and the Endless departed for oblivion's embrace.

Their resplendent paradise was no more, as the memories sustaining it faded with the golden light.

Even so, in a way, they live on.

This I felt with conviction as I basked in the glow of a new dawn.

End of cutscene.

Start of voiced cutscene.

The party makes their way back through Yak T'el, joined by the others.

It remains to be seen how interdimensional fusion may have affected other reflections.

Krile's parents spoke of the power's capacity for both good and evil.
I cannot help but wonder how Sphene's deeds will be remembered by those they touched.

The key that started it all was entrusted to the adventurer.

Such an artifact certainly lies within the Scions' realm of expertise, and no objection was raised to their retaining it for research.

By order of Vow Koana, the Skydeep Cenote was placed under the strict watch of the Landsguard.

With the mighty Bakool Ja Ja among their number, they shall not want for strength even in Zoraal Ja's absence.

End of cutscene.

Start of voiced cutscene.

The scene shifts to Solution Nine, where Geode and Wuk Lamat are apprising the citizens.

Upon learning of their queen's passing, the people of Alexandria mourned and wept.

Having devoted herself to sparing them sorrow, the sight might well have moved Sphene to tears.

However...

With Wuk Lamat carrying on her legacy, I have faith that her subjects will know joy once more.

As anticipated, the news that young Gulool Ja had succeeded his father as king was greeted with trepidation.

Reception was also mixed when Wuk Lamat came forward to name herself as the boy's guardian.

But the people were mollified to learn that Everkeep's systems remained operational, and there would be no impact on their lives.

One day, when he is older, Gulool Ja will decide for himself what manner of ruler he will be.

Till that day and beyond, may the path of the young king be illuminated by the love of family.

End of cutscene.

Start of voiced cutscene.

The scene shifts to Tuliyollal.

Meanwhile, in Tuliyollal, the people came together to hail their new Dawnservants' great victory.

Having honored those they lost, they turned their attention to a brighter future and celebrated for three days and nights.

Not everything had been resolved, though.

Solution Nine citizens are seen in Tuliyollal.

Those who had spent thirty years in the dome struggled to resume their former lives. This and a host of other challenges remained.

But as the new Dawnservants continue to lead with strength and wisdom, the people may be assured that peace will endure.

The remainder of the credits roll.

End of cutscene.

Start of voiced cutscene.

Within their cabin, the player looks at the world map. They hear a knock at the door and are greeted by Wuk Lamat and Erenville.

I'm sorry we haven't been able to talk properly. Between the reconstruction work and Papa's funeral, I've hardly had time to breathe.

But, at long last, there's a lull in my duties.

You've done more for us than we could ever hope to repay. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

When we left Eorzea behind to take part in the contest, none of us could have predicted what complications would follow.

You truly have a knack for finding trouble, my friend.

And you wouldn't have it any other way.

So, what's next for you? Assuming you're still set on leaving the gleaner's life behind?

I'm off to fulfill my mother's dream, of course.

Like she had intended, I'll embark on a journey in search of the unknown. She's sure to enjoy my stories when we meet again in the aetherial sea.

Well, well, sounds like a plan! But will you have the coin to get by?

I may no longer be a gleaner, but I still have contacts in Sharlayan. Contacts with deep pockets always eager to pay for information on new or rare species.

Heh, you've got it all worked out.

And what of you? Any new adventures in the offing?

Regardless, until you're ready to leave, you're our guest here in Tuliyollal. And this time, I won't pester you to take up a post.

By now, I know you well enough to know you can't stay in one place. No more than you can ignore the plight of those in need.

Your path will always lead you elsewhere, and you'll continue walking it. Isn't that so?

An adventurer to the marrow, you are. What is it exactly that spurs you on?

What will you say?

My love for the star.

All the sights I've yet to see.

The legacies I bear.

Erenville and Wuk Lamat

[AMUSED CHUCKLE “Hehe”]

Sphene's tiara is shown.

End of cutscene.

Speak with Wuk Lamat.

Optional dialogue

Homecomings are usually uneventful affairs. This time, it was anything but for me.

But all's well that ends well, and we have you to thank for that.

Bol Wuruq

Welcome to the For'ard Cabins, good sir/madam. While I am still in training, I will endeavor to ensure that your stay with us is comfortable.

Well, as much as I'd love to keep chatting, I need to get going. Still a heap of things to do, and it wouldn't do to leave it all to Koana.

By the way, did Gulool Ja decide to remain in Solution Nine?

He did. I said that he can consider Tuliyollal his home, but he's more comfortable over there. Shale keeps an eye on him for us.

But we'll visit him as often as we can. He still needs our support, especially while he's agonizing over his inherited authority.

Though I told him he needn't make a decision right away, we can't postpone it forever either.

I'll do whatever I can to help Gulool Ja, as well as everyone inside the dome.

I promised as much to Sphene...

For my part, I'll be keeping to Tural for a time. Among other things, I'd like to look into the problem with the wildlife in Shaaloani.

So if you get the urge, Forename, let's go on another journey together. There's still plenty of places I would like to show you.