Through the Thunder

For our many meetings and partings, we have few enough opportunities to properly say our farewells. 'Twas pleasant to take the time for it.

Though I delight in companionship, solo journeys too have their appeal. And travel by sea is relaxing...

With Alisaie and Alphinaud spreading word of Alexandria, we shall soon have the chance to establish relations with other nations. I must make ready to treat with their leaders.

I'm glad I got the chance to see him off. Cahciua would be glad, too.

Accepting the quest

If I may, I think it prudent to discuss our future plans elsewhere.

We are liable to hinder the dockworkers here if we linger.

Perhaps the beach would be a more appropriate venue.

Start of voiced cutscene.

'Tis truly a beautiful place, Tural.

An endless ocean and ever-changing sky...

First time I saw them, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was like I was walking among images from our oldest records.

And beyond that horizon are more lands and more people... Heh. That one, I still struggle to imagine.

We ourselves hail from “beyond that horizon,” in fact.

...Rather, most of us do. I merely thought I did.

Oh, that's right... I can only imagine how it must've felt to learn you're a native of our world.

The fact that I wasn't born in the land where I've spent most of my life has...taken time to sink in.

'Twas not until I met my parents in Living Memory that the truth of my origin began to feel real.

Your experience is not unlike mine. When first I awoke, the realm everyone spoke of sounded nothing like my own. I had to walk its streets─live and breathe it─before I could accept and embrace my new reality.

And for me to embrace mine, I need to learn more about my people, the Milalla.

We should come upon more information in the course of studying the key, but as Shale's investigation of the containment complex is still ongoing...

Would you mind if we sought a different avenue of inquiry into the history of the Ninth?

I have no objection. Aught we learn will deepen our understanding of the broader picture.

Agreed. My curiosity extends well beyond our duty to assess Ascian influence.

If it is knowledge of the Ninth's past you seek, I have an idea where to begin.

Alexandria was originally part of a landmass known as the Mist Continent.

This continent had been left in ruins in the wake of the Storm Surge, with Alexandria the sole nation to survive the devastation.

The calamity of lightning that ravaged the world...

Aye. Per the sources we recovered from the Underkeep, though the conflict between nations was destructive in its own right, 'twas levin that dealt the final blow.

No place was spared its fury, and all was chaos in the castle town. We tried to evacuate the people in airships─Otis, the knights, and I─but we couldn't save everyone...

The player recalls the Alexandria generated from Sphene's memories.

Those who survived gathered within the barrier, and we took in as many foreign refugees as we could...

Yet despite the dangerous environment, our systems showed that there were some few souls who ventured outside the barrier into the lands beyond.

Beyond!? But we thought that was impossible!

I was under the impression the star was scoured of life─that man could not survive outside the barrier...

Going by the records, the Storm Surge extended to every corner of the world. Nothing and nowhere was spared.

If anyone did survive out there, it would have been an unimaginable trial.

And yet, those people must have been going somewhere... What if there was a refuge─a place that weathered the Storm Surge, and rebuilt over the intervening four centuries?

Given Alexandria's displacement to the Source, we had neither cause nor opportunity to survey the remainder of the continent.

Living Memory remains physically in the Ninth...

If we seek a means of egress other than the portal connecting it to Alexandria, perhaps it might lead us to the Mist Continent.

Living Memory was not transported here despite being “atop” Everkeep. In which case, it may have been a physically independent space all along.

Meaning another point of egress could well exist.

And if it does, someone has to be maintaining it. The mechanical soldiers, for instance.

Shall we have a chat with them and see what they know?

If it please Your Majesty!

Will you accompany us? If we do land upon the Mist Continent, I would feel much more assured with you at our side...

What will you say?

I wouldn't miss it for two worlds.

I thought as much! Into the great unknown we go, then.

I would hate to see you obliterated by some lightning-beast...

As would I. Let us make every effort to ensure none of us suffer such a dreadful fate.

Anything for you. Just say the word!

Well, thank you kindly! I look forward to another adventure at your side.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Outside of Alexandria, our knowledge of the Ninth is limited to the Storm Surge and passing mentions of Lindblum.

That being the case, a foray across the Mist Continent would be an invaluable opportunity for discovery.

Between the Ascians, the key, and the Milalla, there is much to be learned. Surely we can turn up a clue to one mystery or another.

Once conditions deteriorate past a certain point, an environment becomes anathema to life. Yet man is a resilient creature.

If there is a way to survive, then he will surely find it.

The mechanical soldiers won't hesitate to answer their queen. Let us hope they have useful information.

Speak with Shale.

Now that's settled, I'd best be off. I still need to check for decryption errors periodically, so I can only step away for so long.

With luck, I'll have plenty to share the next time we meet.

Until then!

Let the rest of us make ready for a potential foray and meet at leynode mnemo.

Speak with Sphene at leynode mnemo.

Optional dialogue

The atmosphere is certainly less grim than when last I visited.

Though my mind knows better, I still feel uncomfortable around these mechanical soldiers...

Sphene has found us a suitable source of information, sparing you that duty for once.

Welcome to Living Memory, ally to Her Majesty! How may I help you?

Start of cutscene.

This clerk has made itself available to answer our questions.

Clerk PX-0093, if one wished to descend to the surface from here, how would they typically do so?

Living Memory is currently detached from Everkeep, and is operating independently while supported by its aerial suspension systems.

Thus, both lift- and leynode-based transit is currently unavailable. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Despite its ability to remain aloft, perhaps Living Memory was never intended to function in this state indefinitely. If so, we're out of luck...

Not necessarily. Lifts and leynodes were likely the preferred modes of transportation, but that does not preclude the existence of others.

In the event of an emergency, how would we evacuate this facility?

Consulting emergency systems...

Living Memory's airship remains prepared to deploy should evacuation be necessary. Would Your Majesty like to appropriate it?

An airship!

Yes, please. As soon as is possible.

With Your Majesty's authorization, the vessel can be readied for launch without delay. Allow me a moment to execute the bypass protocols.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

As I thought. Now, what awaits us below, I wonder?

It never occurred to me that there might be an airship here. How fortuitous!

With an airship, a large number of Alexandrians could be evacuated at once, regardless of the situation below. An excellent contingency.

Though I am nervous about what we might find below, I am glad we found the means to get there.

As queen, I must bear witness to the truth, however terrible.

Speak with Clerk PX-0093.

Safety tests have been successfully completed. Setting the Gate of Remembrance as initial destination...

Vessel is en route!

Start of cutscene.

The airship arrives.

Is that...my ship?

It was purpose-built for Living Memory. However, it was modeled after the vessel Your Majesty used during the Storm Surge era.

A replica... Still, it does me good to see it.

I will deploy the gangway for boarding. This way, please.

In order to reach the surface, we must pass through the storm clouds. I advise you to brace for turbulence!

End of cutscene.

Start of cutscene.

The ship descends to the surface of the Mist Continent, and the party disembark. The party's warding scales activate.

The ward Alisaie gave me is reacting...

Though not to the extent of the Thirteenth, the aetheric imbalance here is severe indeed.

It does serve to impress upon one the marvel of the barrier.

The lightning in Heritage Found is tame by comparison.

Krile looks at the crater.

A land where levin reigns...

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

The state of this reflection's aether is more dire than we anticipated.

I should be surprised if the Ascians had no hand in the war that wrought this.

The warding scale is truly a godssend for those of us without the blessing of Light. Remind me to send my profuse thanks to Vrtra and the Hannish alchemists once more.

That crater...was once Alexandria...

If you would like to return to Living Memory, it will be my pleasure to run the launch protocols.

Return to Living Memory? (Yes/No)

Speak with Krile.