The Resistance troops have received intriguing information from Werlyt.
Shortly after arriving in Porta Praetoria, you are met by M'naago, who is there on official business. She explains that the newly formed Werlyt Revolutionaries have petitioned the Ala Mhigan Resistance for aid, and that they have elected Gaius Baelsar, their former conqueror, to lead them. Though M'naago has been ordered to travel to Terncliff to meet with representatives from Werlyt, she would feel a lot less anxious about coming face-to-face with the erstwhile Black Wolf himself if you were to accompany her.
Once more, you are provided with an escort on the long journey to Terncliff. Though you have traveled this route on several occasions, it is M'naago's first visit to this remote territory, and she finds the quaint seaside town a welcome change from the arid deserts she calls home.
You and M'naago meet as planned with Gaius and the representatives of the Werlyt Revolutionaries. Once the necessary arms and supplies have been delivered, the long-awaited confrontation with the occupying imperial forces can commence. However, Severa urges Gaius to expedite heretofore unmentioned plans, prompting Gaius to speak with you in private.
According to the letter left by Allie, she has made her way to the VIIth Legion headquarters in Werlyt to rescue her brother Alfonse. Though she makes only vague hints as to how she might achieve this, Gaius is certain that she intends to claim the final Weapon for herself and overthrow Valens van Varro. Severa suggests using the full force of the Revolutionaries to march on Werlyt to save Allie and Alfonse, but Gaius is adamant that he cannot rush in unprepared and place the Revolutionaries in jeopardy. You receive an urgent communication from Valdeaulin in Werlyt, who has witnessed what appears to be an unknown Weapon going on a wild rampage and laying waste to the VIIth Legion. Gaius assumes that the pilot is most likely Allie, and he decides to leave at once for Werlyt in the hope of saving her and Alfonse.
With the help of your acquaintance Avilina, and no small amount of foresight, Cid has equipped the G-Warrior with a range of armaments designed to pursue and capture the Weapon. So profound are the changes made to the Allagan warmachina that Cid has renamed it the G-Savior. If all goes according to plan, it will live up to its new moniker.
Unlike the G-Warrior, the G-Savior requires not one but two people to operate it. As Gaius has prior experience with the similarly built Ultima Weapon, he is chosen as the main pilot, while you are placed in charge of the various offensive and defensive systems. The success of the mission will depend on your ability to coordinate your movements and master the complexities of this enormous warmachina in a short span of time.
Through your combined efforts, you and Gaius were able to quell the rampaging Diamond Weapon. The containment field designed to hold the target captive unfortunately malfunctions, sending the warmachina crashing to the ground below. If luck is on your side─or more importantly, Allie's side─the Weapon itself will have protected the pilot from the fall.
Miraculously, Allie has survived the impact, and you arrive to find her staggering free from the wreckage. Gaius requests that you take Allie to safety while he attends to unfinished business, and he calls Valens out from his hiding place for a final confrontation. Valens goads him by claiming that Alfonse has already been fused with the core of the Diamond Weapon, which only serves to steel Gaius's resolve. After a brief clash, it is Gaius who is left standing. The Diamond Weapon suddenly reactivates and takes Valens in its grasp, squeezing the very life from its creator. Alfonse has at least exacted his revenge, but his transformation is irreversible. Gaius bids his son farewell before plunging his sword into the core, putting Alfonse out of his misery.
Back in Terncliff, you meet with Severa and Valdeaulin. Though Werlyt has been liberated and the Weapon project laid to rest, Gaius's companions still have their doubts as to what the future holds.
I wasn't expecting to see you here, considering all that's been happening about Eorzea of late. Still, if you've a mind to assist us, we'd like to share the latest developments in Werlyt.
You've come at the right time. There've been some developments in Werlyt we'd like to share with you.
And as luck would have it, here comes the ideal person to explain the situation.
But as much as I'd love to stand around chatting, I'm afraid I've got some serious business to discuss.
Following the liberation of Terncliff, it seems the people of Werlyt also have their hearts set on freeing themselves from the grip of the Empire.
Like-minded citizens have rallied under the banner of the Werlyt Revolutionaries, and they aim to depose the VIIth Legion that currently occupies the city.
Their ranks include many former conscripts, and between them, they possess no small amount of combat experience. The only thing they lack is someone to lead them.
After much consideration, they decided to turn to none other than Gaius Baelsar. Of course, many would balk at the thought of turning to a former enemy—and many did—but desperate times call for desperate measures.
His reputation as a legatus speaks for itself, and as most Ala Mhigans will attest, he was a far more reasonable and pragmatic leader than his predecessor the mad king Theodoric, or his successor Zenos, for that matter.
But most importantly, he was the one who led the invasion of Werlyt in the first place, so who better than him to take it back? After accepting their offer, he requested the delivery of additional arms and provisions from the Ala Mhigan Resistance.
Not that we have much to spare at present, but we'll do what we can. While my comrades see to the preparations, I've been assigned to meet with him in person.
I was wondering...could you accompany me to Terncliff?
Thanks, Forename! To be perfectly honest, coming face-to-face with the Black Wolf is a rather daunting prospect, even if he has supposedly turned over a new leaf. But I'm sure having you there will make a world of difference!
I believe you're acquainted with our escort, yes? Let him know when you're ready to get going.
Many of my comrades were dead against having Gaius Baelsar of all people lead the charge, but as I always say, “If you want a job done properly, hire a professional.” After all, he's already conquered Werlyt once, so I'm certain he'll be just as successful a second time!
With the assistance of the Ala Mhigans, we will soon have sufficient arms at our disposal to stand a chance at victory. But lest we forget, the VIIth Legion has been conserving its strength thus far, and we must be prepared for severe casualties should its full might be brought to bear.
Let me be clear. We Ala Mhigans have not forgotten that it was you who led the invasion of our homeland. The blood of our fallen loved ones is on your hands.
Even so, the people of Werlyt chose you to lead the revolution, and we will honor their decision. I only hope they will not come to regret it.
Once again, I prepare to lead an army into Werlyt. The irony is not lost on me.
It is a cruel twist of fate that these people—so desperate from years of oppression—should turn to their conqueror for salvation.
For most of my life, I believed that only the Empire possessed the strength and wisdom to lead mankind. That only through great sacrifice could civilization hope to thrive.
And so I led the conquest of Eorzea, forcing the doctrine of Garlemald upon the “ignorant and uncivilized.” In every territory, I sought out those with the potential for greatness, without regard for one's birth or circumstances, that they may serve the Empire.
But there are those such as Valens who see being born Garlean a virtue in itself, one above all others. To think that a monster such as him should be granted the position of legatus and everything that entails... It makes my blood boil.
Valens brings shame upon our homeland, and makes mock of the ideals it once stood for. By my hand, he shall pay for his foul crimes.
I know it's an important mission and all, but it's been so long since I've traveled outside of Gyr Abania, a change of scene will do me good. As long as I try not to think about Gaius Baelsar along the way, I'm sure it'll be a pleasant journey.
Dear Father, I am sorry for leaving without saying good-bye, but the thought of Alfonse suffering alone is more than I can bear.
For his sake, and for the freedom of Werlyt, I have decided to take matters into my own hands.
I know of a way to save them, a way to end it all. I have to seize this chance before it is too late. My mind is set. Please, do not try to stop me, Father.
The days we spent together were the happiest of my life, and no matter what happens, nothing can take that away from me. With all my love, Allie
If the Revolutionaries were to hear that a Weapon has been unleashed upon the imperial headquarters, they would see it as the perfect opportunity to strike.
If it's running amok, it may not distinguish between our allies and the imperials. A large force would draw too much attention, but the three of us should be able to get close enough without it noticing us!
For the time being, I will have the Revolutionaries stand by and await my signal. An opportunity to reclaim Werlyt may yet present itself, but we must first be allowed to remove the threat of this new Weapon.
Then all that remains is for me to assume my role as its pilot, and for you to release my brother and the rest of our compatriots, as per our agreement.
Of course, of course! A handful of savages is a small price to pay for your remarkable talents.
Even though the Weapon project's revolutionary technology allows even an untrained pilot to fight with the skills of a veteran soldier, only the truly gifted can draw out the full potential of the synthetic auracite.
In addition to their physical attributes and combat prowess, I require unwavering loyalty before I can even consider entrusting a candidate with one of my creations. And you...are everything I desire.
I am honored that you regard me so highly, Lord Valens. However, in return for my continued cooperation, I wish to propose an extra condition to our arrangement.
I request that the people of Werlyt be given full imperial citizenship and the right to self-govern.
My, my! How very bold of you. And quite astute, at that. Yes, I could grant the people of Werlyt citizenship, if I so desired. Unfortunately, a mere legatus such as myself is in no position to simply relinquish control of imperial territory on a whim.
I say! For someone so sweet and innocent, you certainly drive a hard bargain! Very well, if it's Werlyt you want, it's yours! I'll soon have no need for this stinking backwater province anyway!
I'm just glad that you didn't have to go through this, Alfonse... But you'll have to go on without me. You and Father still must work together to— Aaagh!
...I'm sorry I can't be there at your side. This is...the only way!
Were it not for you, I suspect Gaius would have ventured into Werlyt by himself, with little more than a gunblade for protection. Thank you for persuading him to take a less rash course of action.
According to Valdeaulin, after it finished laying waste to the headquarters of the VIIth Legion, it took to the sky.
Though this has dealt a massive blow to the imperial forces, I am certain that Allie is on board the Weapon. It must be halted before she comes to harm, and for that, I need the G-Warrior and airships to transport it.
I see that one thing hasn't changed since your days as the Black Wolf: your penchant for gigantic warmachina.
But if this means the G-Warrior has another chance to shine, I'd be happy to oblige. Only this time, rather than having it unceremoniously towed by airships, I have a more dynamic entrance in mind.
From what I hear, we have you to thank for Avilina volunteering to help the Ironworks. Since she joined the team, our work has come on leaps and bounds.
I'm just grateful for the opportunity to finally put my knowledge and skills to good use.
And as far as I can tell, your target is the Diamond Weapon, the most powerful of them all.
What's worse, its design incorporates all of the combat data and abilities of the other Weapons, making it far more formidable than those you encountered before.
Thankfully, we've had time to prepare for such an occasion.
While you and Gaius deal with the Diamond Weapon, I'll be doing my best to aid Valdeaulin's safe return from Werlyt. Hopefully, he's taken advantage of the chaos to make good his escape.
It seems the controls are the same as the previous iteration. Though it has been some time since I last piloted warmachina of Allagan origin, lack of practice is no excuse for failure.
In all the years since the invasion, this place has hardly changed. I was expecting to find some sign of the VIIth Legion here, but it would appear the Diamond Weapon has already taken them out of the equation.
I pray we are not too late.
They see the wreckage of the Diamond Weapon, although it is still intact. Allie stumbles out.
You certainly have an instinct for self-preservation. I would expect nothing less from the coward who sacrificed his own soldiers to further his ambitions.
Once you hear the answer, you'll kick yourself for not realizing it sooner!
You see, in all of the previous models, the combat data was either incomplete or unstable in some way, making their performance in battle wildly unpredictable. But then an idea struck me.
Rather than using data gathered in battle, I should use something a little more...realistic.
It turns out that beloved boy of yours was quite brilliant...
...when he put his mind to it!
By my ingenuity, he has been reborn as the core of the greatest machine ever devised! None but the great Lord Valens van Varro could conceive such a marvel!
Ahahahaha! Aaahahahaha!
And to think that Allie came here to steal the Diamond Weapon to save her brother, only to find he'd already become a part of it! Perhaps it wasn't the reunion she'd envisioned, but I'm sure she was grateful nonetheless!
Oh... That might also explain why Overmind activated all by itself. It was clearly an attempt to protect his precious sister! A fascinating anomaly, but I can't stand disobedience!
Seizing the opportunity, the Werlyt Revolutionaries have taken control of the city. Though they still suffered considerable losses, they have at last gained their freedom.
And even with the Empire gone, for people like me, life under imperial rule is all we've ever known. We might never be able to heal the scars left by decades of oppression.
While there is hope for those who have survived this ordeal, nothing can bring back the dead. The loss of my wife and daughter left a void in me that can never be filled.
In the years since, I have struggled to find a purpose, a reason to keep on living. It is the same for Gaius. No matter how hard he tries to make amends, the children he lost are gone forever.