The road to Mor Dhona was a bit of a long one. And it meant going though the snow. But Chlodebaimt was hidden under hay and blankets, and none would inspect him. Still, Minfilia wished to speak with him as they approached.

“…We’re both out of time, aren’t we?”

Chlodebaimt gave a soft sigh, as he listened to the Highlander. (Minfilia was a Highlander, even if she appeared smaller then most.) She was right. Both of them had not witnessed the fall of Dalamud, for seperate reasons. He was trapped in the rubble of the Vigil, mixed with strange crystal people and their magic and their hellish Voidsent. And she…

“What happened to you?”

“As the moon fell and a dragon came out—” Minfilia began, before realising perhaps she shouldn’t have said that - she could feel Chlodebaimt tense up. Minfilia continued swiftly. “—Our mentor, Louisoix, destroyed the wyrm by calling upon the Twelve. However, as a side effect, I was sent forward though time - and seemingly, those who knew me have forgotten me. And I still am quite clueless about the time we live in - everywhere has changed so much.

In my time, for example, male Miqo’te were… unknown. You wouldn’t see them out in the open like you do now. It is the same with Au Ra, or Viera, or Hrothgar. They were just… unknown. Viera were a myth, in fact - and some thought they were classified as Beast Tribes, just like Bangaa and Seeq still are.”

Chlodebaimt let out a little snort at that, but remained hidden. “If you asked those of my country, it was strange to see any who were not Elezen. But— well, I see that Chocobo are being freely exported again.”

Minfilia was quiet, as she looked out at the land. Still, her heart ached. “If we’re fast enough, we’ll make it to the camp where Kurin lives tonight.”

Chlodebaimt settled in - before he stared out across Mor Dhona - Minfilia staring as well, as her Chocobo continued to trek onwards. The two of them had not been out this way before, after all - even if it was close to Chlodebaimts’ station, it was not close enough to have visited.

But the two of them could see a massive crystal spiral sticking up from the land. Now, they knew what the crystal on the ground meant - it was crystalized aether, from vile and violent battles. But that looked more like a building, a massive spire sticking up over the gates of the settlement they seemed to be passing though. Neither of them thought to stop their Chocobo, to ask somebody what it was - for wouldn’t they find out when they asked their Moogle… ally? Friend?

The Moogle campsite was small, close to Silvertear Lake - built into ruins of the fallen airships from the Battle of Silvertear Lake. It was a little odd to see the fabric and wood built into the building, as Minfilia left her caravan. Unlike what she expected, it was only the Moogle floating there, seemingly playing a card game by himself. Or, at least, messing with Triple Triad cards. The Moogle turned, when the horsebird chirped loudly.

“Oh! Uh. I’m on break, kupo?” he said - sounding older then a Moogle should, in Minfilias’ mind. They were always children, in her mind - or at least childish. “Come back later.”

Shaking her head, Minfilia frowned - Fordola ready to hiss at the Moogle. “Please— I’ve come as a Scion of the Seventh Dawn—”

Kurin floated closer, giving a little chirp. “Oh - one of ‘em. Should have said so, what’s up?”

Minfilia chuckled a little to herself. “Not just one of them… I, um, helped stop two Primals. But that’s where you come in, Kurin - was it?”

Kurin fluttered a little, tucking his cards away in his neck fluff. “That’s me. Need some clean-up done? Need some weird thing investigated?”

Again, Minfilia shook her head. “Actually, I have two requests. One is related to your work - you are a courier, are you not? I need mail delivered.”

That got Kurin to grin a little. “Oh, kupo? That’s no problem. Let me guess, it’s related to Primal business? That’s what the Scions deal with, and why we met. Why, I was nearly eaten by a Primal before they met me—” Kurin began rambling, before stopping himself with a saddened laugh. “—anyway, what do you need delivered?”

“I have negotiated peace with Ramuh,” Minfilia explained, “but I have also negotiated information from him. But I need help doing such - since Urianger is the one who figures out such, we require a way for him to learn such without becoming enthralled.

…do you understand what I’m asking?”

“Of course, of course,” Kurin said - oddly not kupo-ing as much as Minfilia expected from a Moogle. “Go between a mini-god and a creepy Elezen.”

“Urianger is not creepy.”

“I think he is a little too,” Fordola said, finally piping up.

Kurin looked down. And then laughed a little to himself. “You’re a mad bugger, Scion. I like ya. So - what’s the other thing?”

Minfilia could feel a chuckle growing in her throat, as she looked at the pouting tiny Ifrit who moved to nest again. But then, her gaze turned down to the cavavan.

“I need to meet with the leader of the Gigas,” Minfilia said strongly. “To aid one who’s been harmed by both Ishgardian politics and the Calamity. I cannot expect any person here to give him sympathy!” Her voice was filled with passion, though she could not give a reason why.

Kurin watched. Kurin smiled. “You’re even more of a mad bugger then I thought. But you’re lucky, Scion - I know a way.”

There was no light in the room, except for the soft glow from the fur of their King. But their King stared down at Minfilia, who felt smaller and smaller. Kurin had a way, that was for sure - hiding them with invisibility dust, and then fleeing as soon as the warmth of the King appeared. The Gigas, you see, lived underground. They didn’t seem to smell them out, they didn’t notice. Was this how Perrin delivered mail?

Then their King fell to all fours, approaching curiously - seeming less angry, and more interested. The sound of hooves filled the air - seeing his tail curl around his legs, Minfilia could see hooves.

The King kept his distance. If she was not listening, she would not have heard his disbelieving, slightly gravelly whisper. A hope that faded, even as he spoke.

“Princess…?”

Minfilia did not speak, as the monster gave a soft sound. His face was hidden by a mask, but a painful expression seemed to cover his body. With a stomp of one of his hooves, the being appeared visible - the entire room lighting up. The walls were covered in carvings - long forgotten letters. The King had left his golden throne, standing more like a sheep then a Gigas. Massive scars were on his shoulders, stitched shut crudely with golden thread.

“I am Belias, the Gigas. The first of the Gigas, and the Guardian of the final Dynast-King. My mistake… it has been long since Man has come without carrying blade nor bow.”

Every word he said sounded forced - sounded as if he’d not spoken in so long that he’d nearly forgotten it. Minfilia barely recognized that she was using her Echo to understand it. Still, he stood to his full height as he finished speaking. Unlike those who roamed outside, he was massive.

Minfilia had come here for another purpose, but she had to ask. “The Dynast-King…? Is their grave here? I would have thought–”

The Dynast-King was a term used in a long-gone era, for one who would unite the world. It was a legend more commonly told to Garleans, and thus Minfilia knew little. But she knew that their point of origin was…

“…Many stories of Ivalice have been lost to the sands of time.” Mournfully, Belias the Gigas took his seat on the throne. “I promised to be there until my final breath. And thus, I am.”

So that was why the Gigas had come here? Minfilia continued to bow her head. “Is that why the Gigas came here?”

Belias let out a soft laugh. “I woke. They were without leadership. They saw me. They chose me as their leader. My… ideals seeped though, from strength and heart.” A large claw reached out a little, before hesitating. “Man is distrustful. Many fall. But many also clash with Man.

I imagine you did not sneak here to meet me,” Belias whispered quietly, clawed hand retracting. Sorrow filling his voice - this large king was just a lonely man, deep down, Minfilia thought. Why else would he speak so openly? For a moment, Minfilia felt bad - but she had to ask - she had to get the aid she desired.

Still, her hand raised to her chest. “My name is Minfilia Warde - of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. I seek refuge for one I found elsewhere, who would be slaughtered by Man if he was seen by them. But I also have a desire to ally with the Gigas. My apologies for not entering in a more conventional way…”

“Ally? You are a strange one,” Belias said softly. “What would Man have to do with Gigas?”

Minfilia shook her head. “Would it not be better for us to no longer clash - and instead work together? With your strength, and my desires, we could not only work together - but we could end the Garlean Empire.”

At the mention of the Empire, Belias snarled. His warm fluffy mane almost seemed to set alight, and his hands tightened into fists. “They have survived,” he stated, before looking away. “My apologies. My rage almost overcame me. But you wish to end them, burn them to cinders? Or do you wish to reform them, with all that entails?”

Minfilia couldn’t help but put her other hand to Fordola, in her bag. It was time. “The Empire has done many unforgivable things, Belias. But even so, the people have been indoctrinated to do such. I am certain there are some who are not as cruel as those who invade. No - I even know a few. Still - the Empire must crumble or have its leadership fall, in order to be reborn.

…I do not wish for them to all die. Ala Mhigo, for example, was in a terrible place when the Empire overtook it. Would I want it to return to before? No. I want a brighter dawn, Belias.”

She didn’t know how much Belias listened, and lightly gasped. She didn’t know who Belias was seeing in her, but he did not consider for long. Before he spoke again. “Tell me of this refugee.”

Minfilia took a deep breath in - shaking her head. “How much do you know of Ishgard and the Dragonsong War?”

As Minfilia explained, Belias listened - noticing the no longer invisible dragon-man fusion. And he raised a hand.

“Enough,” he said with a soft snarl. Minfilia stood back, but Belias had a softness in that snarl. “You did not tell me he was Man and Beast.

…that is all you had to say. He will be safe here, Child of Man. Come, my new ally.”

Chlodebaimt gave a soft gulp, as he stood - before kneeling in front of the Gigas. “Yes, sir,” he mumbled to himself - feeling a bit of awe at the King before him.

Belias kneeled down gently. “You shall be safe. I… will not lose more knights. Your armour looked painful, however. I shall get you new armour tailored - I promise.”

Minfilia couldn’t help but watch - and neither could Fordola, the two of them staring focused at Belias. Just what was he…? He wasn’t a Primal, that was for sure, even if he was aligned to fire.

As if predicting her question, Belias turned. “Minfilia… dear little Minfilia… I do not think you’ll come down here often.” No, that wasn’t her question, but she listened to him as his voice rumbled - a claw going to her back. “Let me give you a mark of our partnership. A glyph, so that you can summon me to your side. As has happened before…

…as will happen again. It is how me and my others are - beings similar to, but not as draining, as Primal. We were once called Esper… or Scions.”

Perhaps that’s why Belias felt so easy to recruit. They were both Scions in a way, weren’t they? Minfilia nodded, agreeing to the mark.

And then she felt it. A burning sensation on her back, and she let out a scream. Falling to the ground, curling around herself, as the firey glyph joined her flesh. She did not notice Belias slipping a necklace over her neck as well - but Fordola did.

“Oi. What’s that for?” Fordola asked, ready to throw hands with the Gigas.

Belias closed his eyes under his mask, letting out a soft sigh. “A sign for the other Gigas. That she is safe from them, for she is with me. No, she is with us.

The pain shall subside swiftly. And she… she will be safe.”

…Was Belias crying as he said that last part? Fordola didn’t know (or really care.) But they all stood, waiting, as Minfilia gained a glyph on her back.

The pain of burning had not gone away as Minfilia woke, but it was also oddly like a hug. She had let out a soft sigh, as she tried to stand - aided by Chlodebaimt - and looked up at the Gigas. She felt the necklace around her neck, and thanked him - before she left. Chlodebaimt had soon left the room, as well, to explore. Before the two parted, though, the two had given each other linkpearls. What a queer device.

And, thus, Belias was alone. He looked upwards, to the ceiling. Had he been pulled back into their eternal desires? Had his soul, that of a Man, been weakened by seeing one who was long dead? He did not know. Nor did he want to know, at this moment. A slight joy had entered his life, and for that, he was… happy.

Still, it made him wonder. He knew that one would be alive - the one who broke his heart, that Ascian who had caused the fall of all he clung to. Did others live? Were others reborn?

Belias gently touched his mask. Unlike the simple wooden one he had been gifted from Raithwall, the first Dynast-King, this one was made of metal. It had rusted, and was unfit to be worn as armour. But it had fallen at the fall of Ivalice, and he wished only to remember those who had been there. Perhaps it was a sign, as he removed it - finally wiping at his tears. His voice was low, as he closed his eyes and let out a little sigh. One of his hands went to the scars on his stomach - the Man, removed from the Gigas. Just one thing he had to do to move on from the past - but he never had.

“…I wonder, Noah. Have you gotten to live a happier life? I hope you have.”