“And, so,” Minfilia said gently, “it turned out the Spriggan had been spooked by one who found a golem. We broke the golem, and the Spriggan have left - which will also stop the elemental changes.”

The same Sylph who had asked for them to deal with events fluttered around them, curious. Seeming to calm, flowers seeming to bloom on their body. “Walking Ones did well! Well, okay. Come in to town. And, This One will tell Walking Ones what Walking Ones want to know.”

Fordola had slipped back into her bag by this point, and Lyse was tired. But the two ladies walked in, to sit by the fireplace. “So. Why do Walking Ones want to see Elder One, again?”

Minfilia took a deep breath inwards. “Recently, other tribes have been summoning their Primals. It is not only of concern for us, but for you as well - because if Ramuh is summoned, this land could die as well.”

The Sylph let out a long hmmm, looking at the group of Ala Mhigans. Seemingly in thought. “Well. Sorry, Walking Ones. Elder One is gone.”

Are we too late, Minfilia wondered, before the Sylph continued. “Flew off far, far away. Those Walking Ones in black and red came, and Elder One was chased away. So, is gone.”

“Then we must find them,” Minfilia said, “before the imperials can bring harm to them. Thank you, my friend…?”

The Sylph giggled a little. “Tall Ones like names, yes? This Ones’ name is Noraxia.”

The group had begun to track the leylines of the Shroud - Lyse following them, with her abilities. They could track where one had been, where one could linger. They moved to the South Shroud, and Fordola grew more and more nervous. “Imperials don’t tend to come down here,” she explained, “unless they’ve got an in. Some sort of traitor. But we both know that Garlemald would chew up any traitor once they’ve finished usin’ em.”

Fordola spoke from experience, as she looked between Minfilia and Lyse. “I’m thinking we split up. One of us goes and finds the elder, and the others root out the traitor.”

Lyse nodded. “We’ll go after the traitor. Because, uh. I don’t know if the Elder One wants to see one like me? You know, because of the differences. The path seems to lead towards that old scary abandoned jail. Though that’s weird. It’s scary. And abandoned.”

Minfilia crossed her arms. “I believe it was built to imprison whoever the Elementals and Gridiana saw as the worst of the worst. I imagine, then, that it may be haunted.” Honestly, Minfilia wouldn’t put it past the Elementals to have worked alongside Gridiana - she knew how they were. The only reason they’d moved everybody was because a new jail had been built… somewhere more secure, somewhere less cursed. Mordion, she believed it was called.

Though, even she had heard the rumours before the Calamity. Strange beasts, strange monsters, and odd sounds. Adventurers had explored it… but she couldn’t remember exactly how it went. Oh well. She gripped to her dagger, as she approached the door… and then turned back to Lyse. Quietly, she grabbed the strap of Fordolas’ bag, and gave her over to Lyse.

“Be careful with her,” Minfilia said firmly. “She’s still a Primal, even if she’s our friend.”

Lyse gave a firm nod back - before giggling a little. “Hunting down traitors isn’t being careful, and you know that. But we’ll work just as hard as you.

…good luck, Minfilia.”

Minfilia took those words, and pushed the door open. It slammed behind her, loud and echoing. There was barely any light down here - but it was a natural cave, after all. A few beasts lingered, a few plant-like beasts who barely moved. The only light came from bioluminsecent plants, which stunk slightly of magic.

Every footstep, Minfilia tried to mask it. Tried to sneak, like Thancred would. She had to observe the plants, to make sure they weren’t moving… and then she saw one in paticular. It had one long tendril, webbing wrapped around the base of it - but the tendril reached out, over and over. Trying to break the webbing…?

She couldn’t help it. Minfilia moved and swiftly cut the webbing. The tendril paused, before seeming to sigh in relief… before gripping a nearby green glowing orb, and offering it to Minfilia. Minfilia took it, of course. She barely noticed the enemies behind her - with a swift dagger movement, they were spooked off.

She continued to walk - well, to sneak. The bugs let out loud sounds, and the plants likewise. But then, she found a water-stained notice. Something about these glowing orbs - they powered Garlean devices?

…Of course. Garleans would have found it quite easy to sneak in here and make a base. But would they have known how to work with the land, or would they have tried to force it? Likely the latter. While Minfilia did not hold much respect for the Elementals, she knew how dangerous they were.

There was something wet under her foot, Minfilia realised, and lifted it. It was not quite a sludge, it was far too thin. But, on the other hand, it was not water - water was not that deep a hue of green. It pulsed, and seemed to bubble up where she had stepped. Minfilia put a hand to it - and was surprised when she— well, she did not hear a voice. But she could hear feelings. Mostly the feeling of being sore because it had been stepped on.

She closed her eyes. “I am sorry.” The feelings subsided, and the puddle seemed to calm at the apology. But, then, Minfilia got an idea. “Has anybody else stepped on you recently?”

…It was not sentient, only sapient, and thus she would not get her answer. It was worth a try, however, as she continued to move. She’d already grabbed some of the orbs, after all, and now she found a magitek device.

But… wait. This did not seem Garlean. It was golden and rusted, but it did not seem Garlean. For one, it had an older script on it - not one Minfilia knew, mind you. If she had time, she’d take an imprint of it for Urianger. For two, the chambers were crafted for the cells - and these cells were more biological then something Garlemald would crave. Probably. Hopefully.

As she placed them in, she felt a strange feeling. Plants around it tried to reach up, like the tendril earlier - webbing spread to hold them down.

And then, with a moment of realisation, Minfilia could see it. These weren’t tendrils. They were arms, but made of plant matter. She also noticed, in this moment, that they seemed to have heads - oval-like growths that had mouths crafted out of them. But— was this a punishment from the Elementals…? Minfilia stood back as she activated the machine. With a soft glow, a false wall vanished. The plant-people bubbled like the ooze, and they grew limp.

Minfilia covered her mouth, but she had to continue. The Sylph Elder - she hadn’t seen them yet. Heavier webbing seemed to cover the walls now, but plant life had ended. Instead, more of that ooze had congealed - thickening, trying to grip to the sneaking Ala Mhigan. It had feelings, as well. But they seemed dulled, calmed. Even as she slipped and stepped in it. Cocoons began to line the walls - sometimes, Minfilia swore she saw a face in one, a twitch from another.

A heavy door stood between her and another chamber. The ooze seemed to be flowing out of there - and the webbing also seemed to come out of there. Catching her breath - Minfilia hadn’t noticed how much she’d held her breath, for the air was rancid - and it continued to smell like decay and death. But she had to push onwards.

And the door opened oddly easily.

The room seemed to be covered in cocoons, the walls not visible from under them. Ooze covered a small platform, parting only because some of it has been lifted up - using devices similar to the one earlier. Restored, gleaming. The light from before had vanished - though Minfilia could see something gleaming.

Her eyes adjusted, and she realised that there was a sleeping… creature. Perhaps two of them? On the ceiling. A scorpion was wrapped around what seemed to be a man - no, an Ascian. Cloaked, comfortable, but supported by the webbing.

There was no sign of the Sylph Elder. But Minfilia couldn’t leave - not with an Ascian here. She stepped forward - and the whole webbing seemed to vibrate.

The Ascian woke up. At least, Minfilia thought they did - for their head moved, not like any person should, mask pinned to their face. The eyes gleamed, a golden-brown. And then, their mouth opened into a shark-like grin.

“Ah… and here comes the hero, coming after the lost fair maiden. I’m surprised you’re alone.”

His voice was almost familiar, but Minfilia couldn’t place it - she remained firm. “My allies shall come anon,” Minfilia lied, though she felt bad about it. “Please, we do not need to fight.”

That made the other being laugh, the whole arena seeming to wobble like jelly. There was a tinge of sorrow in the laugh. “You act as if there’s anything else to do. I know what your kind are like. You claim to wish to speak, but will discard what we say. Is that not what the Warrior of Light is like?”

His words were switching between the common tongue and a tongue Minfilia swore she didn’t know, but she could understand due to the Echo. “Ah… but I suppose I’ll indulge you. At least, for now.

You… remind me of somebody,” the Ascian admitted, not moving from cuddling his scorpion, “and I must admit I am a little… sentimental.”

She had— a chance to speak with one. But she also had to seek the Sylph Elder. She couldn’t discard either, even if she really should. “Are you the Paragon who aided in the fall of Bahamut?”

The Ascian barked back another laugh, seeming to glare at her. “No, I’m not. But will you believe me? I don’t manipulate summons like that. No - I believe in the Ivalician summoning method.”

—Ivalician. Ivalice. Minfilia realised quickly that the writing she’d read was also such - but she didn’t think— “I thought your kind did not carry on from older era.”

Everything seemed to grow quiet, and the Ascian stretched - crawling out of his webbed container. Floating down. “Tell me— what use is life, if you do not carry your past? If you do not attempt to care for it? Did you truly think us heartless agents of chaos?

Perhaps that’s why we can’t work together.” As he continued to speak, his glyph appeared. Nabriales. His expression was dark, any joy gone. “You may not understand it, Warrior of Light. But Ivalice and me… well. You could say I have a passion for what once was.”

Minfilia tensed up, as Nabriales hovered closer and closer to her. His smug— if not hurt— expression trembled. “But… for now, I’ll let you live.

My pet is hungry, and cabbage doesn’t nourish it much.”

Before Minfilia could realise his meaning, the scorpion was dropped from the webbing - and Nabriales was gone, in a dark flash. The creature let out a gurgled roar, and the fight was on.

“So.” 

 Fordola sat hidden in her bag, as Lyse adjusted her new veil. It hid her mouth well, though kept her eyes visible. 

 ”So?” 

 Lyse let out a soft sigh. “You really think this’ll work. Is this some sort of Garlean thingie?” 

 ”No, not really. It’s more a me thing,” Fordola replied. “But if we’ve really got th’guy? He probably doesn’t know who’s actually a leader.” 

 The setting sunlight of the Shroud warmed the two of them, as Lyse sat down on a rock. Shaking her head a little. “You… really don’t think highly of this guy, do you?” 

 Fordola nodded to herself, as she curled up. “Let me put it this way. If somebody can be bribed to join Garlemald, they likely don’t have strong convictions. Like… not like me or my Skulls. We believed in Garlemald, even if we didn’t get anything we didn’t earn. So– hell yeah, I don’t respect whoever this traitor is. 

 You finished sensin’ Garlean… leylines? Or whatever?” 

 Lyse blunk a few times. Before putting her feet to the dirt. “Not quite yet. Unlike most Spoken, I can’t just follow aether trails. Like - with the Sylph elder? There’s not much Sylph here. But because Garleans can’t use magic, they also don’t leak magic as much. So it’s more of a lack of magic. Of course, we’re not looking for a pure-blooded Garlean, but we gotta still– 

 –wait.” Lyse stood up, her eyes seeming to light up. “There’s an absense leading that way, over and over. I think we know the meeting point now, Dola.” 

 ”Fordola,” Fordola corrected. “And remember - I do the talkin’, you act like you’re doin’ it, and don’t question me!” 

 They ran swiftly, and saw it. A Hyur… a Wood Warden? Wailer? What was their title again? Of course corruption spread though their ranks, Lyse thought. Corruption was so easy. And the Elementals were dumb. Not that she’d ever say that - but she’d think it very loudly. 

 The two of them watched from the shadows. The Hyur was meeting with Garleans, yup. In loose uniforms, barely torn or scratched - Lyse wishes she could go punch them, but that wouldn’t be the right thing, and Papalymo would lecture her for, like, hours. So, instead, they watched. Patrol routes, hours, rations. And even uniforms. She wondered if they could at least trip them - but she looked down at Fordola, and Fordola gave her a firm little grump. 

 The Garleans left. Lyse closed her eyes, and her glamours shimmered - she was now in the Garlean uniform. It felt so icky and gross and horrible, but she knew it wasn’t real. That’s why she’d put on a real veil - well, it was more of a half-mask. But the person who’d sold it to her had called it a veil. 

 Well, whatever. She stood firm, and began to walk firmly. In formation. 

 ”…My apologies, but I am a little late,” Fordola said, though Lyse. The Hyur - Laurentius - turned from the gil he was counting. He didn’t expect another Garlean - but before he could say anything, Fordola continued. “Those soldiers did not have full commands. As you know, it’s common to not give everybody the full story.” 

 Laurentius stared, before his eyes narrowed. “What’s all this, then? I’ve been giving you all you’ve wanted.” 

 Fordola gave Lyse a look, and Lyse shook her head, before Fordola continued. “And for that, we thank you. However, orders have come down from Lord van Baelsar. You are to go back to your masters and deliver your goods in-person. With the recent Eikon summonings, there are fears that you - and many others - may become compromised.” 

 Laurentius did not quite believe her, and took a half-step forward. “And so you’d put me at risk? You know how dangerous this is already–“ 

 Lyse put a single finger up. “Do you doubt Lord Gaius? He is currently working on a way to end the Eikon threat - but he needs full loyalty.” 

 ”I’m not loyal to that bastard - I’m just trying to make Gridiana better–“ 

 Lyse felt Fordola heating up a little. “What. Did you say. About Lord Gaius?” 

 Before Lyse could stop her, Fordola suddenly jumped out of the bag - and leaped at Laurentius, fangs bared. While he tried to hit her with his lance, she melted it - before going for his arm. “What in the–” Laurentius screamed, as Lyse shrugged - having to dismiss her glamour. It seemed their plan didn’t work. Plan B - knock him out. 

 At least, that’s what Lyse thought they’d do. But as the Hyur bled, Lyse realised– “Fordola! Don’t kill him!” 

 She looked up at Lyse, snarling like a wild beast. For a moment, she did not have the look of a Spoken - no, she looked as wild as Ifrit. But she managed to shake it off, and put a claw to Laurentius’ neck. “I am Fordola pyr Lupis. This current form is due to the experiments of Aulus nan Asina. If you dare speak of this, Hyur? You’ll wish you’d died.” 

 And she left a burn on the neck of the other - Laurentius beginning to cough horribly, gripping to his throat. Lyse stared in horror, before… she ran. Fordola following after her. As soon as they were a good distance away, Lyse stopped. 

 ”Fordola–? You… that was a bit too far,” Lyse whispered, trying to hide her absolute disgust. That guy was still a person, right? 

 Fordola snarled, curling up on the ground, the grass seeming to die under her. “I– don’t know why I went that far, Lyse. It’s just– I heard him insult Lord Gaius, and I– I lost control.” 

 Lyse remained a little away, as she crossed her arms. “I’ll need to report this to Papalymo, y’know. Maybe not all you did, but we need to make sure that you’re not leaking out Ifrit energy.” 

 The scene was quiet. But it grew quieter as they heard footsteps approaching, and smelled the stentch of poison covering the area. Turning, Minfilia was shuffing towards them, holding something close. 

 Minfilia did not need to speak. For in her arms was the pale white body… of Frixio. Not moving, not reacting to the final slivers of sunlight. 

The Sylphic Elder was dead, poison having seeped into him from Nabriales’ toxins.