The containment spell appears stable for now, but it is by no means a permanent solution. We must hold ourselves ready that we might act at a moment's notice.

It's a bit overwhelming, quite frankly, having spent so much time on the road, often by myself... Yet I will try to approach this as a learning experience, as I did my travels.

Had I not kept an open mind, after all, I doubt I would have been able to master the aetherial blade. Nor would I have benefited from the rather pointed advice I received.

There is no one path, as some are given to say, and there is wisdom in exploring every school of magic, as there is in exploration of all things...

If all proceeds to plan, we should soon be receiving word that Alliance forces have secured Baelsar's Wall. Until then, however, we can but ensure we are ready to move the moment we hear the news.

These caves make for a natural hideaway, and could be easily defended in the event of an attack. That said, the entrance is not the most convenient...

I thought her possessed of greater sense than this. Why is she so eager to risk everything with this mad plan?

It's not as though we have to stand around here indefinitely, do we?

After you, Forename.

The tale will need to be spread far and wide if it is to help the Resistance draw new recruits. Fortunately, M'naago is eager to see to that.

I should have been there with you to the end. If only I hadn't been so reckless...

Oh gods, don't tell me you came all the way back here just to look in on me? That's kind of you, but really, you should be with the others in the Lochs, finishing what we started. Go, go!

Heh...heh heh... You seem ready to burst into tears. I'd...fetch you a handkerchief, but...

What can you do at a time like this other than curse the gods and your own powerlessness...

I swear to the Twelve and all the kami in creation, if he says another word about politics and organizations, I'm going to scream.

Come to check on me, have you? Well, thanks to the excellent care I've received, I seem to be on the mend. Not that that's stopped Alphinaud from insisting I continue my convalescence. I swear he decides to act the part of a concerned big brother at the most inconvenient of times...

Lyse took on a great deal of responsibility with very little warning─I expect it's a considerable relief to know that Raubahn is in Ala Mhigo to stay.

If necessary, we will evacuate the civilians into the mountains.

The residents took the news of the imperial delegation well enough. It should be business as usual.

Whatever Asahi is planning, we cannot let him have his way. After all Lord Hien has done, the Empire cannot be suffered to hinder Doma's restoration.

There's still no word from Alphinaud. <sigh> Patience has never been one of my virtues, but I suppose there is little else to do but wait...

As Antecedent, Minfilia fostered connections with numerous scholars and research organizations. There's the professors Erik and Lamberteint, the scholars of the Sons of Saint Coinach, the myriad guilds of Eorzea, the Council...and the list goes on. Owing to her foresight, we have many allies to which we might turn in this dark hour. Minfilia might not have stood upon the front lines like some of us, but without her work the Scions could not have functioned half as well. There's a lot I can learn from her.

His grand plan is to bring about more calamities!? This is insanity! This madman must be stopped at all costs!

So, I'm supposed to bring them a plank of wood. That has no wood grain. Hah hah hah...

Whenever I come to the Crystarium, the sands of Amh Araeng seem a world away. And yet they both lie under this same, wretched sky...

Forename!? No one told me you were back!

Well, never mind that. You should try speaking with Halric!

I've come to believe that some miracles simply require an inordinate amount of stubbornness. That goes for your case, for Halric's...and I'm hoping for Ga Bu's as well!

The future of Eulmore is at stake, is it? Well, do for them what you can, but keep an eye on Alphinaud, would you? See to it he doesn't involve himself more than is necessary.

Hm? Why did I name my familiar Angelo? It was the name of our pet dog, long, long ago. Alphinaud wanted to name it after some supposedly important figure in a book no one had ever heard of. Quite the fight, that was. But in the end, I won.

It worries me, at times, how easily the people accept the momentous and the horrific─but perhaps anyone who has spent their life looking up to find a reminder that the world is on the brink of destruction would be the same.

And their resilience is a good thing. It gives me hope, when I look at Halric and the others...

While things are quiet, I think I'll move my body around some more. Need to get it used to the new tricks I learned in the First.

To that end, I'll round up Hoary and his crew for a spot of sparring. Oh, and G'raha too. In my capacity as his senior, I'm obligated to train him as well, heh heh heh...

Just a little rest, and I'll take to the road again. Each of the nations will need guidance on the use of the porxies.

Don't worry, though─I won't do anything reckless like a certain Exarch we know. I just want to do what I can to ensure the cure will help as many as possible.

Amidst all the fighting, it's easy to forget what we've achieved, isn't it? I mean...we cured Tiamat. Tiamat, for heavens' sake! ...You will tell me if I become insufferably smug, won't you? Because the way things are going, it feels like a definite possibility.

Whatever it is my father and the Forum are hiding, I'm determined to get to the bottom of it.