Old Enemies, New Threats

Quest giver: Krile
Location: The Rising Stones (X:6.0, Y:5.9)
Quest line: Post-Shadowbringers Main Scenario Quests
Level: 80

Experience: 22,440
Gil: 1,611
Previous quest: Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty
Next quest: The Way Home
Ruby Doomsday
Patch: 5.2

Main Scenario Progress: 658 / 960 (68.5%)

Shadowbringers Progress: 117 / 157 (74.5%)

“

Krile is glad for your return, though it remains to be seen if she has glad tidings to share.

— In-game description

Steps

Speak with Maxima at the Ala Mhigan Quarter in the Lochs.

Speak with Krile.

Journal

Krile is glad for your return, though it remains to be seen if she has glad tidings to share.

You return to the Rising Stones to speak with Krile, who informs you that the Scions' bodies remain stable for the interim. Before she has time to inquire after your efforts in the First, however, an unexpected visitor arrives-Maxima. Unforeseen threats may soon arise from within Garlemald, and Commander Aldynn would discuss strategy with you. Not wanting to leave the realm's woes solely on your shoulders, Krile accompanies you to offer what insight she can.

As you step into the conference room, you are taken aback to see Commander Aldynn in talks with Gaius Baelsar. He recounts his battle in the imperial palace with a Zenos now whole of body and spirit, followed by an equally startling revelation-the Empire is developing a new Ultima Weapon, and one of its prototypes may soon find its way to Eorzea.

Once more the realm is faced with great peril, as are the Scions whose link to the Source grows woefully thin. To which plight will you turn your attention first?

Dialogue

Starting the Quest

Krile: [Forename]. My, what a pleasant surprise. If you've come to inquire after the archons, fear not. Master Matoya's treatment has proven effective in stabilizing their corporeal aether. We mustn't grow complacent, however. Potent though these magicks may be, they are not without limits. We can only hope they afford us enough time for the Crystal Exarch to complete his work.

Tataru: If only we could go with you to the first and help...

(the rising stones doors open and close and someone new enters)

???: Pardon the interruption, but I come bearing urgent news.

(camera pans to reveal Maxima)

Maxima: Ah, [Forename]. It has been far too long, my friend.
Maxima (To Krile): Forgive me, I don't believe we've been formally introduced. Maxima, former Garlean ambassador. I remain here in Eorzea under the auspices of Commander Aldynn, offering what counsel I can in the hopes of resolving the present conflict with the empire.

Krile: Ah, yes. I have heard stories of a defector from Garlemald. But never mind that- you said you have urgent news?

Maxima: Indeed. As you may have heard, the imperial capital is in turmoil, and a sizable portion of the Garlean forces have been recalled from the Ghimlyt Dark. With their numbers so greatly diminished, the main host of the Alliance has withdrawn, leaving the Ala Mhigan Resistance to keep watch over the border. And it is there we have welcome a most unexpected visitor who claims that this de-escalation may belie growing dangers and unforeseen threats. Commander Aldynn has arranged for an impromptu meeting to discuss these revelations. He has also requested a representative of the Scions attend as well, though it was clear to whom he wished I extend this invitation.

Krile: It would seem time is of the essence. Well, you'll not be attending this meeting alone. Though I am not as well versed in the affairs of city-states as our comrades, I see no reason to burden a single Scion with all this.

Maxima: Yes, of course. Then we must make for the Ala Mhigan Quarter with all haste.

Tataru: Well? What are you waiting for? Get going, you two!

Speaking to Maxima in the Ala Mhigan Quarter

Maxima: Commander Aldynn awaits us in the Royal Palace. If you would follow me.

(scene fades and cuts to the Royal Palace interior)

Maxima: They're here, Commander.

Raubahn: And I for one am grateful that they are. I'm told you've been busy since our paths last crossed at the Ghimlyt Dark. Not that I understand half of it. When the Scions spoke of other worlds, I'd struggle to describe what I'd pictured. Mayhap things would seem clearer were I to hear the tale from your own lips, but I'm afraid the situation will not afford us that luxury. I trust you two require no introduction.

Gaius: We meet again, hero of Eorzea. 
(the warrior of light readies for fight) 
Gaius: Must we repeat this ridiculous display? I pose no threat to you- though what I come to warn you of very well might.

Raubahn: Had he meant to do us harm, I hazard he would have kept to the shadows- and brought more than two companions. We need not pretend to be best of friends, but I hope we can put aside our differences for the present.

Gaius: As you are doubtless aware, Ser Estinien and I cooperated to rid the world of Black Rose in your absence. Our journey together took us as far as the imperial palace, where we witnessed Emperor Varis meet his death at Zenos's hand. Being the sole witnesses to this crime, and in no position to defend our innocence, we were then forced to flee, each pursuing his own avenue of escape. When we were later reunited, Estinien claimed to have encountered an unfamiliar kind of machina during his flight. But to me, his description seemed anything but. And upon further investigation, I found that he was right. The Empire is developing a new Ultima weapon.

Krile: What? That Allagan monstrosity? Created to vanquish primals? ...With which you yourself once thought to conquer Eorzea?

Gaius: The same. In my foolishness, I sought to harness its power- and became the Ascians' pawn in so doing. But you know as well as I how that tale ended. The Weapon itself, excavated from beneath this very city was destroyed ere we could fully unravel its secrets. And that should have been the end of it. But, unlikely as it sounds, the Empire's efforts to recreate it have somehow borne fruit- primarily through secret research conducted by the VIIth imperial legion, it would seem.

Krile: Wait. The VIIth was all but annihilated at Carteneau- Along with its legatus.

Gaius: Indeed, few survived. The VIIth as it is now has little in common with the legion led by van Darnus, and its leadership has changed hands several times since. Precisely how this project has continued despite such turmoil, and under whose auspices, remains a mystery. What we do know, however, is that a number of prototypes have been produced... and that one of them is on its way to Eorzea. We attempted to stop it, but it was all we could do to slow its progress. So we resolved instead to bring you warning.

Maxima: And right glad we are that you did- though it soundly dashed our hopes that tension might ease at last...

Raubahn: As it is, we've begun to strengthen our presence in the Ghimlyt Dark, and are assembling a force to meet the coming threat. 
Raubahn (to Warrior of Light): A force with you in the vanguard, I hope. Before you say anything, I know full well you have pressing concerns of your own. Your comrades remain in peril, and I would not ask you to forsake them. But the fact remains that you and you alone have faced the Ultima Weapon and emerged victorious. We need you. And so, when the time comes- if your comrades can spare you- I bid you lend us your strength. I've assigned an officer to await your word.

Gaius: The Ascians' downfall was to be the work of my remaining days... but it was my hand that kindled these flames, and I cannot allow them to spread any further. I will do what I must to see this mistake consigned to history once and for all... even if means begging your aid. The fates will enjoy the irony, even as I endure the ignominy.

Maxima: I too shall make for the border and offer my skills, meager though they seem in such company. Mayhap we shall meet there anon.

Krile: Though we can ill afford to ignore the coming of a new Ultima Weapon, our friends' plight grows ever more precarious, and none save you can join them in the First. I only hope you are not forced to make a choice.

Finishing the quest outside the Royal Palace

Krile: As ever, the way forward is paved with difficult decisions. We can ill afford to ignore the threat of a new Ultima Weapon. But with each passing day, the plight of the Scions grows ever more perilous. If you cannot stay for a... debriefing on the Ultima Weapon, I will not stop you. I only ask that you confer with me before returning to the First.