The scene was quiet. Minfilias’ voice had raised as she said her name, and the Immortal Flame had gone quiet. Dropping her wooden spoon, staring a little.

Would Minfilia be believed? Would Minfilias’ truth be accepted? The Immortal Flame slowly, slowly walked away from her stew. Came closer.

And then kneeled in front of her, examining her face. The tear stains, and the marks that covered her. “I… don’t know if you’re telling the truth,” the Immortal Flame commander began, and Minfilia almost seemed to flinch, until she continued. “But then again, you sound pretty sure of yourself.

So… I’ll believe you, Minfilia. Though I don’t know if that’ll work with everybody - you deserve somebody on your side, right?”

Minfilia stopped again. Looked at the masked older woman. And then, began to cry again. “Are you okay—!?” Minfilia nodded, leaning into the other. “…Oh, relief, then? Well, then… cry away, Minfilia.”

Minfilia cuddled deep into the Flame Commander, as she continued to talk. Softly, gently. “A lot of the Archons took Louisoixs’ death hard. But… I think the disappearances— well, they hit just as hard. Because, like… it’s not just like they’re missing, but everything about them’s missing. Even if it still happened.

…Uh, is this making it worse?”

Minfilia shook her head. “I need to know. I— wish to know. May I also ask… your name, at least?”

After getting some more comforting backrubs, the Immortal Flame commander nodded to herself. “My name… it’s Yda—”

“—Yda?!” Minfilia suddenly said, staring - and without thinking, moved her hands to the others’ hat-mask. Yda did not stop her from removing it, to see her soft but elegant face. With a few deep scars, and more wrinkles… well, only a few. But she was alive…!? “How did you— I heard you had died?”

Yda shook her head. “I… well, um. Long story short? I was at the Carteneau Flats - Garlemald had taken me prisoner. And I managed to escape then - but Garlemald still wants me back. For, uh, reasons.”

Minfilia didn’t need to hear more. From her sorrow, to this joy… it was too much. “…how’s the stew going?” she eventually asked. Yda paused. And then jumped up, as she went to check on it. Minfilia couldn’t help but smile a little - she was how she remembered her.

But… she was forgotten. And the weight of that was beginning to hit, as was the dread. At least, for now, it was Yda who she was with. But could she handle anybody she was closer to? Could she handle…

…no, it wasn’t time to consider that. Now, it was time to ask another very important question. “My clothes—”

“They’re where you left them - but you should wear some of mine. They’re really dirty - don’t worry, I’ve got some shirts that should be like dresses for you.”

Quietly, Minfilia stood - using the towel to cover herself. As Yda said, there were shirts that would cover her for now. “Can you really afford to take today… off?” Minfilia asked, quietly.

Yda nodded. “It’s not taking the day off. It’s aiding with an Ala Mhigan who has information on Primal… right? If you were part of the Path of the Twelve, and knew about the Echo and the Beast Tribes and all that, then we can say that.”

Even now, Yda was being this kind… even if Minfilia could seem like a crazy woman to basically anybody else. Minfilia bundled back into her blanket burrito, letting out soft whines as she tried to process what had happened.

The stew was done, and Yda served up some for Minfilia - sitting across from her, with a warm smile. Most of her wrinkles were on her smile lines - though she had the marks of battle clear on her face, as well. “Dig in - and there’s always more.”

It took a little for Minfilia to take her first spoonful, as she kept freezing up. But both of them were patient, and Minfilia felt the warmth hit her stomach right away. “When did you learn to cook?”

Yda smiled, a little sadly. “From my family. I’d always do a lot of it, of course - but we all did our part.”

Minfilia continued to eat, greedily, but then paused. “I don’t think that slaughtering Amalj’aa will help stop a Primal summoning. But— I heard something from them,” she said - choosing her words carefully between mouthfuls. “They are searching for somebody - some male. But, as we both know, Amalj’aa tend not to use gender to refer to themselves - using rank instead. So… I think that they’re on the hunt for somebody who isn’t an Amalj’aa.”

Yda leaned back, thinking. “You’re really thinking about work after everything you’ve learned today, Minfilia? We’ll chase it up tomorrow, okay? But I’ll keep that in mind.”

Minfilia felt her energy seeming to drain as she ate… felt sleepiness crawl up on her. It had been far too long since she’d had such a wonderful homemade meal… though she knew nightmares would likely plague her. She looked to Yda, quietly. “…Yda? May I ask… are all the other Archon okay? And the rest of the Path?”

Yda crossed her arms, nodding to herself. “Yeah, they’re okay. We’ve got a comfortable new base… well, it’s a bit away from the city, but that’s so the Syndacite doesn’t try and take control of us. You’ll like it, Minfilia. After this mission, I’ll take you there, okay?”

Minfilia had already bundled herself back into her blankets, and fallen asleep. Yda shrugged… this poor kid. Even if she wasn’t who she claimed she was, she was clearly smart and struggling. Surely nobody’d mind if she took her in, right? Right.

And nobody’d mind if she spent today doing a bit of training and keeping an eye on the poor dear? Also right. Hopefully. Well, she could handle a lecture or two from Papalymo. (Three would be a few too many.)

When Minfilia woke again, it was night, and Yda was just outside, punching the cliffs. 

Standing, she moved to check on the other - and Yda turned on her heels. “Oh - welcome back to being awake! Finally get some good rest?” Minfilia nodded, with a yawn, and Yda stretched more. “Wanna head out on patrol with me?”

“Actually… I wish to continue my own work. I have been gathering lightning-aspected crystals, in order to make some gil,” Minfilia explained, as she stretched out. “That may explain why I was so dirty.” Still, there was that pride in her gaze, and Yda couldn’t help but smile.

Still, Yda crossed her arms. “What do you want the gil for? I mean, other then for buying things, I guess?”

Minfilia paused. “Originally, I wished to fund my stay in Ul’dah to figure out… well, what happened to the Path of the Twelve. But you’ve informed me of such.” She stretched out as well, looking over herself. “Still, is it not better if I at least have some money to donate to the cause? Or to help you out? Ul’dah still runs on Gil, from what I have gathered.”

Yda couldn’t dismiss this. “Still! How about we secure your crystals a bit better? If there’s really the risk of a Primal, we don’t want them to be used for that.” Minfilia could see straight though Yda, of course. She just wanted to keep an eye on her…

Minfilia gave a soft smile. “Very well. I could also use your expertees to make sure none of the Corpse Brigade have broken our contract.”

They began to move, and Minfilia explained. “The Corpse Brigade… they’ve tried to make their own way without Ala Mhigo. They do not wish to reclaim that glory, however - why fight for something they would not get to grasp themselves? Garlemald has stolen their desire to work with the Little Ala Mhigans who have carved out a home here.

And yet… I think I understand. So, I have entrusted them to protect me, in exchange for half the gil I make. I know they have been become bandits and are a threat to many, but…

…well, I wish I could inspire them to aid us.”

As they walked, Yda seemed to fall into thought, slowing. “Garlemald is horrific, and their people probably would have killed them if they had tried an uprising. But accepting your place is also not something I can agree with.

I can’t agree with your choice, Minfilia, but I understand it. Won’t arrest or fight any of them while I’m here, okay?

That was acceptable, Minfilia thought, and she gave a nod. “I found an abandoned mine near to where they’ve settled - I think that the Calamity left it prone to collapse. But it’s been comfortable, at least—

—Yda, wait.”

They’d gotten closer - but there was an odd feeling. The air was warm, too warm. And the cloaked Au Ra was there - facing down another. One of the proud descendants of the soldiers who fell, who became the Corpse Brigade. She had only been a child when Ala Mhigo fell, from what Minfilia had learned.

Milleuda the Slitter. She had become their leader, for her strength alone - and she was facing down the other. Minfilia placed an arm, to stop Yda from moving. “—how dare you!” Milleuda was snarling, her blade drawn - blood already dripping from it. The other, however, didn’t seem to be injured… “You brought them here!”

The other watched silently, tail stilling. Before she spoke, that awkward voice. “…have a job,” she said, before stepping back a little. Not in retreat. No, she was preparing to strike again. (Why didn’t she use those clawed gloves?) “Not— not personal.”

“You’re a Garlean - everything you do is personal,” Milleuda said, slashing at the other. Blade seeming to stab right into the others’ body… but the other did not flinch. That’s when Minfilia felt herself begin to falter - stepping forward.

But both her and Yda were too slow. One slice from the cloaked being - now with a blade sticking though her chest - and the other was downed. It was clean, flames dripping. Minfilia rushed forward, but the cloaked being began to walk away. Minfilia barely noticed that the cloaked being was holding a large sack, nor her limp - but Yda did.

No - Yda didn’t charge the cloaked being. She knew the feeling in the air, but was it even possible? She wasn’t stupid, even if she seemed so. Instead, she reached a hand to her ear, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“Papalymo… I think I’ve found it. I’m gonna need some help.”

As Yda spoke over the Linkpearl, however, Minfilia moved to Milleuda. Ruffling though one of her pockets, trying to feed her Potion. Milleuda raised a hand. “Don’t bother. I won’t survive, Mimi.” But before Minfilia could protest, Milleuda gave a frown. “I wasn’t fast enough. That person - they might have the eyes of an Ala Mhigan, but don’t be fooled. They’re a Garlean - and their kind are trying to root us out from even here.”

Minfilia let out a soft whine, putting her lips to the other. “Milleuda… you won’t die from this. I promise.” As she spoke, Minfilias’ hands began to glow. She hadn’t used it much, but a curative magic pulsed from her. The wound was clean, after all - gently, Minfilia removed one of her fabric belts to wrap around it. “I won’t let you. I— need to tell you more.”

Milleuda closed her eyes, a frown on her lips. “Do you think Rhalgr accepts your distaste of fighting?” she asked, as she felt her strength returning. Not enough to move, but… “To our God, we are all the same. We all have the same rights - including to Ala Mhigo. And yet, only bloodshed will reclaim our home.”

“I… thought you had given up on it,” Minfilia whispered.

“No. I gave up on the idea of working with Little Ala Mhigo - those who had decided to bide their time.” Milleuda explained, as she noticed the Immortal Flame. “And those who’d given themselves to those who see us no better then cattle, to use and discard.”

“Yda. This is my girlfriend, Milleuda,” Minfilia said. “Though we’re not that serious. But she needs transport to somewhere safe - could she be transported to where the Archon and the Path of the Twelve keep their injured?” Yda gave an approving nod, before Minfilia looked back to Milleuda. “I think, Milleuda, that Rhalgr would recognize that violence isn’t the only way to fight.

I pray that He would.”

It did not take long for Yda to get her large Chocobo over, alongside another Immortal Flame. She had made sure that they would go straight to the Waking Sands - or she would be quite upset. Still, Milleuda gave a worried look to Minfilia - Minfilia gave her another soft kiss, before she was loaded onto the ambulance cart. The blankets were treated with a mix of potion and ether, used to dull the pain of whoever was to be moved. (More expensive mixes, of course, were used for people with more gil.) Minfilia watched, worried, as Yda shook her head. “You’re really friends with Milleuda? Closer then friends?

…you’re an amazing person, Minfilia.”

Minfilia sighed a little, biting her lip. “She’s a good woman, deep down. But we all fight our own way.

Anyway— that cloaked woman, I actually saw her before. She was looking for crystals…”

…Minfilia trailed off, as she saw Ydas’ expression shift. Oh. It just clicked for her as well. Quickly, she ran to the nearby mineshaft - and just as she thought, her crystals were gone. “She’s aiding with the Primal summoning?!” Minfilia asked, staring at the other. And she’d told her about where crystals were - she should have been less naive. Then again, she had no idea that Primals were summonable right now… still, she looked to Yda.

Yda paused. And put a hand to the younger woman. “It’s okay, Minfilia. I’ve got a friend heading over, and we’ll figure out a way to get this Primal cornered. And then, uh…

Well, please don’t be scared of our adventurer friend who has the Echo? She’s a little fight-friendly.” It was the most Yda could really say about their latest recruit - but her and her contact were both close, so they’d be the ones who’d take out the Primal. Probably. Hopefully. It was dangerous to fight, but to leave it here.

Minfilia then paused. “Yda? I have the Echo as well. And I may have an idea on how to lure the Primal…”