Minfilia Warde had hired a rental Chocobo, to make her way up north. Perhaps she should get one someday, she thought, but she had finally made it to Aleport. While the Sahagin lived near here, she had heard the Kobold were further north. At least, some of them. But her thoughts had turned to stories Thancred had told her as a child - ones of the sirens. They had lived near here, had they not? And, thus, she had not been able to resist renting a small fishing boat.

As she had, though, she had noticed an odd-looking man in black. His hair was messy but tamed at the same time, and his eyes had a purple-pink gleam to them. But, really, his clothes just looked out of place. But perhaps the fisherman was just from across the sea. Perhaps clothes with skulls on them were common in the Far East? Minfilia didn’t know, but he made quite the impression. She was already on her boat at the time, though - Fordola settling in by her side. Minfilia rowed firmly, and Fordola watched the shadows of fish. Small ones, big ones… Fordola even breathed a tiny bit of fire into the water.

It did not take long for them to get to where Minfilia wished to, however. The Isles of Umbra. Minfilia knew there would be no Kobold or Sahagin here. It was far too dangerous - what, with the fact that this was a popular pirate stronghold. The sand shifted slightly wrong, heavy with the water soaked into it. Fordola didn’t jump back in her bag, though.

“So…”

“So?”

Fordola looked up. “So, what the heck are we doing here, again?”

Minfilia walked softly, quietly. “I wish to investigate a story I heard when I was young. Before the Calamity - before the culling - Thancred told me this was the territory of siren. He always told me he’d find a way for us to come visit here together.”

Fordola huffed in confusion, and Minfilia sighed. “I… should explain. But it’s not a pretty story.

As you know, it is only paticular species of Spoken who are even classified as beast tribes. We’ve already met the gigants, but it is not like they’re the only ones not even given the ability to be treated like ones like us.”

Anger filled her voice, Minfilia trying to keep her footsteps and voice quiet. “The siren - or harpy, in general - were one of those who were seen as even lesser. And thus, when they were seen as inconvinient, they were culled. And stories were spread of them hunting down those from Limsa Lominsa.

However, there’s no evidence of such. Some were killed by them, yes. But even us people have killed others. Mistbeard is known as a hero between pirates - but I cannot get past what he did. But that’s not the worst!”

Minfilia leaned against a hard wall, her lips curling into a snarl, fire almost burning her throat. “They stole their children. Clipped their wings. And sold them.” They had reached pebbles, some of the stone to make the long-abandoned lighthouse. Minfilia looked upwards. “Those who could not be sold as perfect little songstress were left to die on the streets. It was soon made illegal, mind you…”

“But former pirates don’t care about laws?” Fordola asked. Minfilia paused, took a step, and shook her head.

“They have those who enact the law. But how could they - where could these children go? Their parents were slaughtered, and those who they were given to? Hate them. I think that’s what first made me think about the rights of those we call beasts.” Minfilia shuddered. “The Rogues’ Guild tries. They do. I’ve heard good things about them… but even they cannot mend this bridge.

…I wanted to check, to see if there’s any sign of adults here. Ones who survived. Ones who can pass down their culture—”

As if asking for it, Minfilia suddenly felt something swooping at her - without thinking, she put her hands over her head and fell to the ground. Another gust of wind. Now she could see the large figure - it was an elder Siren, not bothering to sing. Instead, they swooped - this was their territory. When they did not screech, they let out clapping sounds from their mouth. This siren was not happy.

But of course they wouldn’t be - she was a person. She didn’t look like a pirate, but she was still a person. Black feathers fell as the bird person screamed, until Minfilia felt her back burning. She needed help. She needed—

—a summoning? The air suddenly felt toxic, burning, all covering. The skies lit up golden and orange - and then, it came together. On top of Minfilia, from the mark on her back, Belias had appeared to shelter her. Fordola stared upwards, as well - as a primal-esque being, she could feel the very aether turning to fire. Just what was Belias?

Belias looked up at the siren, snarling, and dug his claws into the now-heated ground. He spoke - but not in common. No, his language was far more guttural. Far more ancient. Minfilia could understand it, but barely. “What is this?!”

The siren perched on some of the half-broken fence. Hissing, their tongue was not the Eorzean tongue either - it was full of clicks and little hums. It was beautiful, in a tragic way. “An intruder, King of Gigas.”

The siren knew of Belias? Perhaps word had spread. But the siren continued. “It is yours? Is it looking for eggs?”

Belias looked to Minfilia. “Minfilia. What was your purpose here?” he asked - not knowing that Minfilia had the Echo. The sheep-like wool draping from the Gigas covered her.

Minfilia sighed. “My purpose - I wished to see if there were any living siren, in order to satisfy my own curiousity. I… know I cannot help them, as I am, but I wanted to know they lived.”

Belias relayed this to the siren - though, her words were changed. “My princess wished to see if you lived. For she has only kindness in her heart - she came to me not to fight, but to seek succor for another.”

Tsking, the siren kept their eyes focused on Belias. “She is Man, Belias. Have you gone soft?”

Rising to his feet, Belias shook his head - his mask heavy. “No. I still recall the cruelty of man, my little messanger.” The flames - the heat - had seemed to lessen. “But is it not like me to be sentimental?”

The siren clicked, taking to the air. Eying the three of them. “She lives in the flames. She could wish to destroy my children. That is what Man does.”

Minfilia finally spoke up. Belias and the siren both snapped to listen to her, realising she was understanding them - even if the siren could not understand her Eorzean. “I do not mean to hurt you. I— truly do not. I know of some siren who have been seperated from their families - from their lives. One of them is one of my closest allies, even if he was… multilated by the people who stole them before.

I want to find a way to bring peace. But to begin that process, I needed to know that some of you were alive!”

Belias placed his hand to her body, translating for the siren. “This one has the same instincts as before. She fights for her people - even if she is not in a position of authority.”

“The same as before—” Minfilia tried to ask, but Belias continued to speak.

“I believe her words - though I know you think I mad. But she shall not lay a hand on you. Instead, she has already known and grown immune to your songs - for she is allies with one of your kind. Perhaps, one of your children. She means no harm.

She wishes for a peace. Or, at least, a land where you do not need to fear Limsa Lominsa.”

Silence - except for the lapping of waves, and the crackling of flames. Minfilia had so many questions - but the elder siren gave a long hum. Before landing on Belias’ shoulder. “You’re a foolish old man, Belias.”

“I only hope to understand why this had to happen, Llyud. Why all of this happened.” As Belias said that name, Minfilia felt an odd pain in her chest. Almost like the beginning of a vision, but none came - only a deep sorrow. She did not see anything, but could feel her breath sharpening. Somebody making a promise rung in her head, somebody hurting and bleeding and betrayal.

Swiftly, Fordola put a claw on Minfilias’ leg, and Minfilia snapped back to reality. Belias had stood, the siren moving to his arm. “Trust in Minfilia. And if she ever betrays your trust, I shall make sure that she is punished.”

Llyud - the siren - gave a few other tsks. “I will not let her come closer. But I will let her leave.” With that, the siren flew off. Belias let out a little sigh, before looking down at Minfilia.

There was relief in his body language. “…Pharos Sirius, is it? Back when I came to this island, there was no lighthouse. I drifted here, and was pecked at by the sirens. But I gifted them everburning embers, and was spared.” There was a kindness and nostalgia in his voice. “Llyud was a chick at the time. But she enjoyed my fluff, and so, I gifted her some. She was such a wonderful child…”

“Belias.”

Belias looked down at Minfilia.

“What do you mean, the same instincts as before?”

Oh. Belias kneeled again. He had said that, hadn’t he…? He had hoped to keep it secret. But he could never lie. Not to her. Still, he adjusted slightly. “You believe in Hydaelyn, do you not? In the lifestream?” Minfilia nodded, and Belias lowered his head. “Then it is not a stretch to speak of rebirth. To speak of those who rise again, after dying - even if it takes an eternity. Some beings - such as me - can… see such souls.

My previous summoner, the Dynast-King, carries the soul you do now.”

The silence grew, and Minfilia looked up at the beast. The… sentimental beast. “That’s why you came with me,” Minfilia said. “Because of my soul…” This being would have seen such. But her thoughts then turned to Bolormaa, for a moment - and she had to ask. “—if I carry this soul, does that make me her—?”

Belias seemed to laugh. “That is up to you. I have heard of some who listen to their souls and remember. But you are Minfilia, are you not? Even if I wished for it, you are not who you were. Still… I did not think I’d live to be this close to her again. She had no children, nor could have she.

I am sorry if I decieved you, little Minfilia,” Belias whispered - nearly weeping. His heart breaking, it seemed, even if Minfilia didn’t see this as such.

She knew that souls were reborn, even if they didn’t remember. She knew that, after all, aether and souls were basically the same thing. New aether was never made, just recycled. That was the main risk of Primal - they corrupted aether, and it could no longer be used. But to think that some beings could see what was… her hand reached up, to touch Belias. To gently stroke his leathery skin.

Belias saw her soft smile, and gasped a little. “Will you still help me? Then it does not matter why,” Minfilia said - as she stood for herself. Fordola watched, as Minfilia looked back to her - and then to Belias. “We’re allies now. Even if I may ask to learn more of your previous master someday.”

Under his mask, Belias smiled. Under his mark, he beamed. “Thank you. …thank you, little Minfilia. And someday, I will be able to tell you. It is a tragic tale - it would take a long time for me to speak of such burdens…

Dearest Minfilia, you may unsummon me whenever you wish. And summon me as well. Please… remember me.”

Minfilia nodded - focusing her magic. “Rest, Belias. I have work to do. Titan has been summoned, and I wish to prevent the next one, though negotiation.

…Actually, Belias, may I ask you something?” Belias nodded, and Minfilia lowered her head. “Have you or your Gigas heard of any smaller Kobold settlements? I feel it might be better if I try and learn from them, instead of the group which has summoned Titan.”

Belias lowered his head, magic beginning to take hold. “…I have. It is not a pleasant place, however. There are caverns hidden at the base of O’Ghomoro - if you find some lined with lilies, that is the group I have heard of. It is accessable from here - if you head towards the ruins of Nym, you shall find them. My time there was long ago, however. I wish you luck, little Minfilia.”

With that, Belias was unsummoned. Minfilia felt the rush of magic though her body, and struggled to not fall over. Fordola looked up at her. “Lucky break, hm?”

“Lucky break.”