Section 2:
My Father's Heavensward
Scene 2.0: Eorzea, Camp Dragonhead, Past Midnight, Alternate Universe 847B
After Marcello is healed from the battle and Runa providing heals to everyone injured by her Father's Esteem, they both decide to head to the mess hall to have late night dinner and a few drinks in private.
Marcello:
Runa…?
Runa:
Yeah?
Marcello:
I'm sorry.
Runa:
I already forgave you long ago.
Marcello:
No, not that. I'm sorry about today. I should have been relieved that Teledji Adeledji is no more, but with us being framed for the murder of the Sultana? I just couldn't hold back my anger…my rage and when we arrived in Ishgard…I found Fray...you already know the rest since you went through it.
Runa's Esteem:
(Runa's Inner Voice, Sinister Smile)
He's right, Runa and we had our fun, didn't we?
(Annoyed, Glares At Nidhogg's Specter)
Sadly instead of being a Couple…Just you and me…we have someone who isn't supposed to be here.
Nidhogg's Specter:
(Inner Low Growl)
Runa:
Yeah, I did…right now I get along with my Esteem, but it'll be a while before you get along with yours. Still…it gets easier along the way. Actually if I remember correctly…the death of someone important almost caused me to almost lose it.
Marcello:
Haurchefant.
Runa:
(Blushing, Shocked)
How You Know!?
Marcello:
Every time we were near that Elezen, I noticed you were too buddy-buddy with him, but I also noticed a hint of Sadness & Regret in your voice and body language.
Runa:
(Saddened)
He sacrifices himself to save me because I was the Warrior of Light…the only one that can restore balance to the Star. When I met him…I found him…Odd. Always Smiling…Always Optimistic…Always…
Marcello:
Happy?
Runa:
Being around him…I felt that the star wasn't falling apart that badly. I mean it was falling apart and there was no denying that, but he made me feel that everything would be fine so long as we worked together.
Marcello:
We will keep him safe this time. But I did promise Venase you would marry either Devana or Artemis and seeing how close you are with Artemis, I decided to marry the two of you instead. Devana doesn't seem to be interested in you or your sister, she's more interested in R'ysithea. Funny…A Blue Hrothgar and a Red Miqo'te…I wonder if they will have purple Feline Child one day. So which one will be using the Fantasia when they get married? Two Females can't bring a child to the star. It needs a Male and a Female.
Runa:
(Laughing)
Oh, that's easy! It'll be R'ysithea. Devana might look big and scary serious, but she is in really a house cat. Devana acts tough, but as soon as you show her something perverted, she becomes as shy as a kitten.
Marcello:
(Burst Out Laughing Out Loud That Wakes Up The Sleeping Soldiers)
Runa:
(Nervous, Shush)
Dad! Keep your voice down! Some are trying to heal from the beating your Esteem gave them.
Marcello:
(Calms Down, Still Laughing But In Controlled Manner)
Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry! She reminds me of her parents. Čestislav was a romantic and he would only act shy around Venase; but Venase…She's the biggest Pervert I have ever met. Did you know she wanted a Three Way with Me and your mother?
Runa:
(Shocked)
HUH!?!?!?
Marcello:
Yeah, in a matter of fact Venase was already into your mom before I met her.
Runa:
(Regains Composure, Still Surprised)
I already know because of Rumina, but I wasn't expecting you to talk about her like that. Anyways…now that you point it out, you're right! Devana is a Romantic, but loses her composure when she sees something perverted like one of the girls offering some Puff-Puff.
Marcello:
Let me guess – She doesn't have the courage to say No.
Runa:
You nailed it.
Marcello:
If Devana is like this, then Artemis should be just like their mother, Venase. Extremely Lustful Thoughts…
(Mischievous Smile)
…Of You.
Runa:
(Morbidly Nervous, Blushing Profusely, Stuttering, Shaking Cup Nervously)
W-W-W-What m-m-m-makes y-y-y-you s-s-s-say t-t-t-that!?
Marcello:
The way Artemis is always near you, it's like she'll die if she loses sight of you. Not only that…one day I noticed you had been avoiding her like the plague and every time you stumble upon each other, you'd blush as red as an Apple and walk away. She told you something you found too perverted that you can't handle it. What did she do or tell you?
Runa:
......
Marcello:
(Sighs)
If Artemis is like her mother, Venase and as silent as her Father, Čestislav…I'm guessing Artemis kissed you passionately, got naked and try to push herself onto you, but you ran away before things escalated.
Runa:
(Defeated Sigh)
How did you—?
Marcello:
I grew up with Venase and she pulled the same insane perverted stunt with me in our youth and just like you, I thought she'd hate me for that…I was wrong. She was far more determined especially when no one was looking and when the coast was clear, she would stares at me with those hungry eyes. However unlike you, I still stuck with Venase as my friend. You ran away from Artemis.
Runa:
I didn't leave our home because of her, I left because it felt suffocating.
Marcello:
Oh, Bull! Suffocating? I call Bull on that, Runa! You didn't leave because our home was suffocating, you left because you don't want to commit to Artemis. I'm guessing you never knew what being in love is like until you started this journey. You were scared that you didn't know how to react towards someone who threw herself to you in more ways than one.
Runa:
(Annoyed)
Oh, good for you! You want a cookie for that achievement!?
Marcello:
Runa. I'm not flexing on you. I want to teach you how to actually deal with women that are downright obsessed with you. I mean, I used to be known as a Gentleman.
Runa:
(Annoyed Sigh)
Fine! Tell me how "Oh, Great Sir Marcello"!
Marcello:
(Amused Scoff)
Give them the attention they want.
Runa:
(Confused)
Won't that motivate them to actually keep doing the things I don't want them to do?
Marcello:
At first. Women loves someone that does what they want, but they end up despising that someone because they grow bored getting everything they ask and not getting what they really want. Biologically, women want conflict and unconsciously want to lose said conflict by the one they desire. But if the one they desire refuses to play along, then they leave you alone…but they will gossip about you to their friends on how boring you are that will affect your future love life then on.
Runa:
Yikes…so how did you managed to evade the allegations your Exes would accuse you of?
Marcello:
Having a friend like Venase can make such things disappear before they get a chance to ferment.
Runa:
(Nervous Smile)
So she pulled an Y'shtola on them?
Marcello:
Pretty much. I'll be honest here…I never expected to meet someone with the same demeanor as Venase, although Y'shtola is far more tamer than my childhood friend.
Runa:
I wonder if the reason on why I trust Y'shtola with my life is because I inherited your experiences with Venase.
Marcello:
I notice you trust her that much. She's not Lust Driven like Venase, Y'shtola is more driven by her thirst for knowledge.
Runa:
Doesn't that fall into Lust also?
Marcello:
Lust for Knowledge is very different from Cardinal Lust. I wonder how Venase is doing now.
Runa:
You think she's alive?
Marcello:
Knowing her...she might have lost an arm, a leg or an eye. Probably all 3 since she's that damn reckless.
===========================
Meanwhile at Dravanian Hinterlands in their original reality, Venase does a very loud sneeze that startles everyone in the Orphanage around her including the Scions that were waiting for Runa's Return. Venase angrily glares at Nhaama as she can't stop thinking that Marcello is behind her loud sneezing condition and since Nhaama looks like Marcello, glaring at her is a force of habit.
===========================
Marcello:
Still…fighting my Esteem was something. I really let the darkness in my heart to explode like that. Looks like the trauma of what happened to your mother so long ago got to me something fierce too beside Teledji's antics and our current situation.
Runa:
You aren't the only one. All of those bad memories did take a toll on me too. I almost crossed the line a few times under the influence of my Esteem, much to my dismay.
Runa's Esteem:
(Runa's Inner Voice, Annoyed)
Stop lying to him and to me. You enjoyed the my influence on you far more than you are admitting!
Runa:
Anyhoo, we're going in circles here…what now?
Marcello:
I could ask you what's going to happen next, but let me tell you what I'll do first.
Runa:
Alright.
Marcello:
First off, we need Ishgard's Alliance in order to fight against the Garlean Empire and reclaim Ul'dah from Lolorito-Sama.
Runa:
You still see Lolorito as a good person?
Marcello:
It's hard to see him in a different light after all I've done under his employment.
Runa:
(Smiling)
Good, because Lolorito isn't the enemy here. It's the Syndicate Members that are loyal and/or aligned with Teledji Adeledji as well as keeping Ilberd and the Traitorous Crystal Braves in check which Ilberd and his followers will breakaway from Lolorito before long. So we need to let everything run its course for Ul'dah. The real challenge is getting Ishgard to side with us. Dealing Thordan is not going to be an easy thing to do…especially that he's the reason the Dragonsong War is still ongoing and Ishgard is in its current state.
Marcello:
Hmm…Looks like things aren't going to be that easy and if some of your friends ended up dying and can't be saved during this time…
Runa:
(Saddened)
......
Marcello:
Your silence tells me that everything. Ok! I'll have to get strong before everything comes ahead…and I need you by my side for that. Especially that your mother might be locked away in Nidhogg's Domain.
Runa:
You believe she might be at The Aery?
Marcello:
She might be. Nidhogg always was infatuated with your mother which I always found odd.
Runa:
That's because she was trained in the ways of the Dragoon by Faunehm.
Marcello:
Faunehm?
Runa:
One of Nidhogg's Brood. I think Nidhogg sensed something familiar coming from Mama, but since she isn't a Dragon or Blood Related to Nidhogg…
Marcello:
So that's why he—I'm sorry.
Runa:
I don't blame you. Me being angry at you was the Hate Curse Nidhogg infected Mama with.
Marcello:
And that curse is inside you and your sister. But is mostly inside of you. Your sister somehow managed to push the curse out of her.
Runa:
How do you know that?
Marcello:
Your sister's eyes were glowing green and hair color was Platinum Silver. After pushing the curse out of herself, her hair went Golden Blonde and her eyes stopped glowing.
Runa:
But Sis isn't a blonde!
Marcello:
(Laughing)
Yes, she is. She dyes her hair Platinum Silver because she feels being a blonde puts her in the Highlander Stereotype that Blondes are more Fun to be around with. I wonder…if you manage to push the curse out of yourself like your sister did, your hair color might change, but your eyes might retain its red glow because of your Limbal Rings.
Runa:
What hair color you think I really have?
Marcello:
Since you look exactly like your mother, I expect you to have Black hair. Of course, you might be a redhead because of your eyes.
Runa:
I rather have Black Hair like Mama. But…
Marcello:
Let me guess – You grown attached to your Platinum Hair Color.
Runa:
(Smiling)
Yeah., so I'll dye it like Sis if it turns out this Hair Color is because of the curse. Also…
(Annoyed, Disgusted)
…You got drunk a few times and thought I was Mama. If I was drunk myself or I was a weakling, we would have crossed the line as the Borlaaq Tribe. So I rather keep my hair color as it is to avoid that!!!
Marcello:
(Nervous Chuckle & Smile)
The Borlaaq…The Xaela Tribe that is consisted of Only Women and at times commit incestuous acts? Yikes. I'll try to stay sober or your mother and sisters will castrate me to the point I'll have to Fantasia myself to a Female permanently.
Runa:
Tell you what…
(Pulls Fantasia Out Of Bag)
…If you come onto me while under the influence again, I want you to change yourself into a Female and Please, don't become a Viera. You know HOW they reproduce themselves better than anyone.
Marcello:
(Hearty Smile)
Is that the reason you are avoiding Artemis like the plague? You do realize everyone at home from me to your mother to your sisters and from everyone in the Orphanage, they wants you both to marry each other?
Runa:
(Shocked)
EVEN DEVANA!?!?!?
Marcello:
Yes, even her. She actually told me and your mother that she rather have you two together than a random guy trying taking advantage of her Little Sister.
Runa:
That's news to me. Also…A Random Guy? Taking Advantage Of Artemis!?
(Hysterical Laughter)
Marcello:
I know, right? But back to the conversation – Didn't Rumina tell you everything about everyone in the Orphanage?
Runa:
(Annoyed, Facepalm)
She tends to skimp on many details on purpose. Something about letting me find out the rest on my own.
Marcello:
(Proud Smile)
She might be an "Evil" Interdimensional Deity, but she's a good person. If someone you consider a friend is handing down all of the answers right away to you is a Toxic Relationship to have.
Runa:
(Surprised)
So…I don't need to tell you anything?
Marcello:
Yes, but not directly. Some things are always better left unsaid.
Runa:
(Pleased Smile)
Alright. So what you want to know?
Runa and Marcello talk until morning as she tells her father all he needs to know and kept some of it under wraps until a later date or gives him vague details on what he'll be facing. After returning to Ishgard, they reunite with Alphinaud and Tataru to look talk with Ser Aymeric in order to meet the Archbishop, Thordan VII to request an alliance to fight against the Garleans & The Sargomas as they take asylum in House Fortemps until then. But they were used as Political Pawns against their benefactors as they are framed for a crime they were not a part of and are forced by a Trial by Combat. Since Tataru isn't an adventurer, she asks Marcello to be her Champion as both Runa & Alphinaud defend themselves in the Trial against 3 Knights belonging to the Heavens' Ward. They are victorious and granted an audience with the Archbishop, but after meeting with him as Thordan, he stipulates that if the Father/Daughter Duo succeed in ending the Dragonsong War that has lasted for over centuries, he will place Ishgard's Allegiance into fighting alongside Eorzea against the Garlean Empire and The Sargomas. Marcello noticed his daughter's resentment and disgust being in Thordan's Presence as he remembers that he's the one behind Haurchefant's Death in the very near future. Marcello calms her down and as he touches her shoulder, he sees Nidhogg's Curse hovering over her as he stares at the Spectral Dreadwyrm with it staring right back at him with deep contempt in each others' eyes.
Soon after that, with the assistance of Limsa's Leadership & the Doman Shinobi, Marcello, Runa and the Scions rescue Raubahn, but not before facing off against Ilberd and his Crystal Braves who tried to execute the former General of the Immortal Flames. After rescuing the general, they return to the Scions' Old Hideout located in Vesper Bay: The Waking Sands in order to help Raubahn recover and hide out until they think of what to do next. In there, they meet up with Urianger, Moenbryda, Pipin and Papashan as well as a Messenger of Dewlala revealing details surrounding Nanamo's Assassination which in reality she wasn't assassinated, but put in a deep sleep in order to keep her safe. Runa, already experiencing this already knows that Lolorito was the one behind it all and the Au Ra didn't tell her father because she knows Marcello is very loyal to the Lalafell.
While Raubahn & his Eorzean Allies recuperate and bide their time to confront those behind Nanamo's Assassination, meanwhile Marcello & Runa are tasked to find Lady Iceheart by Aymeric in order to find a way to stop the Dreadwyrm as Nidhogg's Horde are mobilizing against Ishgard. After finding Lady Iceheart whose real name is Ysayle Dangoulain; she reveals she can't sway Nidhogg's Mind and after learning of the Backstory of Shiva and Hraesvelgr from her, both Marcello and Alphinaud simultaneously came up with the idea to meet up with Hraesvelgr instead to get his help to stop Nidhogg. Ysayle finds the idea foolish, but seeing how determined they are and with her desire to see Hraesvelgr due to her very being merged with Shiva's Primal Power, she agrees to lead them to Hraesvelgr's Domain located in The Churning Mists. Runa knows that this will not be as successful as Marcello and Alphinaud think; and she knows this not fail like Ysayle and Estinien believe it will; Instead this will breed more comradery between them all.
They begin their quest to meet Hraesvelgr by starting their trek from Coerthas Western Highlands to The Dravanian Forelands which is being ravaged by the Gnath at the behest of their god, Ravana as they are told by the Leader of the Village of Tailfeather, Marcechamp. He also gave them permission to enter Sohm Al if they manage to get permission from the Dragons under the leadership of Hraesvelgr's Brood, Vidofnir at Anyx Trine; but reveals to them that the Gnath are also causing trouble for her Dragons. Since both accounts speak of the Gnath's God, Ravana, the Scions reach the conclusion that Ravana is a Primal and letting him roam free will cause more harm than good to the stability to the Star long term, so they decided to confront him as they promise Vidofnir that when they defeat Ravana, she must allow them to pass through Sohm Al. Vidofnir gave them a curious glance and agree to their request. As they make their way to Ravana in his domain of Loth ast Gnath, Ysayle, Runa and Marcello be captured by the Gnath. Marcello decides to confront Ravana with the help of Runa and her Crystal of Azem to summon her reflections to help them fight the Primal. Once they defeated Ravana, they return to Anyx Trine to report back to the Dragons, Vidofnir is shocked to see that Marcello and his party has defeated the Primal, Ravana and as they agreed to, she allows them to enter Sohm Al in order to reach The Churning Mists.
Sohm Al is the gateway to the Churning Mists guarded by both Hraesvelgr's Brood and Nidhogg's Horde, but Hraesvelgr's Brood at the behest of Vidofnir, allows Marcello's Party through. Nidhogg's Horde in the area led by Tioman however went on the offensive that she was overpowered by the Father/Daughter Duo. Sensing that her consort was defeated, this gave pause to Nidhogg on how to proceed next as he senses his curse inside Runa and wonders how did he cursed someone without meeting them in the first place. Suddenly, a Dragoon wearing a corrupted Black & Red Tiamat Armor with black crystals sticking out from the left half side of her body, wielding a Reaper Scythe appears before The Dreadwyrm as Nidhogg notices this Corrupted Dragoon is not the Au Ra that helped kill his consort, Tioman; as it was like staring at a mirror in the form of a Slender yet Muscular Woman.
Nidhogg:
(Dragonspeak, Cautiously Curious)
"Who are thou?"
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
(Dragonspeak, Evil Sneer)
"I Am You, But Better!"
Nidhogg:
(Dragonspeak, Furious)
"Thou dare mock me!?"
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
(Dragonspeak, Annoyed Sigh)
"It's because of that temper you end up getting slain by the Ishgardians. Fortunately the curse we placed on that Au Ra Female worked to our advantage as you can see."
Nidhogg:
(Dragonspeak)
"I did not place any curse on any female, much less an Au Ra!"
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
(Dragonspeak)
"I forgot that not in all alternate timelines I did that. Still, in every alternate timeline I did possess other bodies aside from this one."
Nidhogg:
(Dragonspeak)
"Why lower thyself in taking such frail bodies!?"
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
(Dragonspeak)
"Frail they might be, but their potential is on par of that of Dragons. They can even surpass the potential of our original body."
Nidhogg:
(Dragonspeak)
"Thou Speak Falsehoods!"
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
(Dragonspeak)
"It seems I caught you at a time where you still refuse to see reason. I shall return when you are more open-minded to the idea which will not be long."
Nidhogg glares at the Anti-Dragoon as she flies away from the Dreadwyrm's Domain; believing this entity is himself from another timeline disgusts him that he resorted to possessing the bodies of those who are beneath him; however after sensing the death of one of his consorts at the hands of Marcello, Runa, Alphinaud, Ysayle & Estinien, much to his disgust, he needs to consider the option of resorting to the same strategy that his alternate self resorted to do.
Upon arriving in The Churning Mists, they enter the Moogle Village known as the Moghome to ask around how to meet Hraesvelgr. But the Moogles are against Marcello and his Party in meeting Hraesvelgr due to fears they might disrupt the fragile peace the Moogles have built there and they believe the Travelers might die if they antagonize the Dragon. Alphinaud suggests to bring the Leader of Gridania, Kan-E-Senna due to her friendship with the Moogles of the Black Shroud as she might have a diplomatic discussion to assist them to meet Hraesvelgr; fortunately they manage to gain the support of the Moogles in allowing them to meet Hraesvelgr by giving Marcello a horn to summon the Dragon. Upon using it, they meet Hraesvelgr who turns them down after telling them the story on why Nidhogg feels great resentment towards the Children of Man and in the process he is very vocal on how displeased that Ysayle claims to be his beloved Shiva Reborn. Since they failed to convince Hraesvelgr to assist them in stopping his Brood-Brother's Longstanding War against the Children of Man, unfortunately they need to slay Nidhogg with their own hands in order to stop the Dreadwyrm.
Ysayle decides to walk away as she lost the will to fight after Hraesvelgr told her of his displeasure of her claiming to be the reincarnation of Shiva, Estinien stays in near The Aery to watch over it for any activity of Nidhogg deciding to attack Ishgard before they get the chance to slay the Dreadwyrm; as Alphinaud and the Father/Daughter Duo return to Ishgard and asks Cid for his help in order to enter The Aery as it is protected by a powerful storm wind barrier reminiscent of Garuda's Domain and Cid's Magitek has proven to cut through such defenses with ease just like before with the Enterprise. Cid and his team, Biggs and Wedge agree to their request but as soon as Cid is about to tell everyone on the details, Tataru storms into the shop, out of breath to tell them all that Raubahn has decided to look for Nanamo after learning more about her condition and knows where her "Poisoner" is, so they head to the Silver Bazaar located in the far southern part of Western Thanalan to confront them.
Once there, Raubahn planned on getting the truth out of her by force, but unlike Runa back in her own timeline, Marcello gets in-between Raubahn and the "Poisoner", Meriel as using force on a woman is very ungentlemanly that Marcello cannot allow it to happen. At that moment, Lolorito appears and tell them everything directly; and it was all just exactly as Marcello predicted as this was one of the ideas he presented to the Lolorito of his own timeline. However, Ilberd has gone off the deep end due to his resentment and impatience, that he broke-away before Lolorito could keep his end of the bargain by trying to execute Raubahn without the Lalafell's Consent. Lolorito gives Raubahn proof of good faith and reconciliation by returning his status as General of the Immortal Flames and the Restoration of Nanamo and her Sultanate. Raubahn didn't care for Lolorito's gestures of good faith, only to bring back Nanamo was his most important desire right now.
Once Ul'dah begin its path to recovery, the Father/Daughter Duo return to Skysteel Manufactory in Ishgard as Cid presents to them the instrument to enter The Aery: The Manacutters. Lord Aymeric wants to assists them, but Estinien stops him as if something were to happen to the Lord Commander, Nidhogg's Horde will not hesitate to attack Ishgard with him gone from defending it, same for Alphinaud because he's young and might die if he got careless. Marcello jumps in and agrees with the Azure Dragoon, making Aymeric & Alphinaud submit and asks Estinien & the Father/Daughter Duo to carry their will through their fight against Nidhogg. But before heading to slay Nidhogg, Estinien takes the Eye of Nidhogg that is inside the Holy See in order to have a fighting chance against the Dreadwyrm.
Once they arrive at The Aery, they make their way to Nidhogg by cutting through his Horde and his Generals: Rangda & Gyascutus; they finally confront the Dreadwyrm himself and successfully slay him by removing his remaining eye and an eye that wasn't supposed to be there. However, after doing the deed the three of them wonder where did this third eye came from and who did it belonged to originally; Runa already knew the answer meanwhile Marcello has an assumption who this unaccounted eye belonged to. Upon returning to Zenith located west of The Aery, they confront Hraesvelgr about this eye only for the Dragon admitting that he bestowed his eye to his Brood-Brother because he felt pity for his suffering and hoped that his eye could make Nidhogg understand that not all Children of Man were their enemies, but this was wishful thinking and unfortunately condemned the people of Ishgard to eternal suffering. Runa already gone through this and couldn't blame him nor couldn't voice her sympathies due to Estinien's contempt towards Dragons who are sympathetic towards Nidhogg who took away his family and those who show sympathies to those who helped the Dreadwyrm both directly or indirectly and ignore the consequences of said actions; however Marcello is in the same state of mind as Estinien, because in Marcello's Mind it is Hraesvelgr's Fault that Nidhogg took advantage of Khadagan and traumatizing her as they return Hraesvelgr's Eye back to him.
After Estinien communicates their victory and findings to Aymeric through his Linkshell, it gives him the opportunity to present this report to Archbishop Thordan VII at the Holy See, only for him to be taken hostage by the Archbishop and his Heavens' Ward. With the assistance of Haurchefant, the Scions mount a rescue operation to save Aymeric, but Marcello notices Runa having PTSD as she is shaking and sweating upon hearing that they are going to The Vault. Marcello grabs Runa by her arm and leads her back to her room at the Forgotten Knight. In there, Runa brakes down bawling her eyes out that she couldn't be reasoned with that Marcello notices Nidhogg's curse taking hold of her. Knowing he can't let his daughter take part in this and allowing the curse to take over her mind, body and soul, he knocks her out with a potent sleeping spell Venase taught him. Even though Marcello doesn't know exactly how Haurchefant will die after storming the Vault, but if he managed to save Moenbryda, he can save Haurchefant too. All Marcello needs to do is keep his eyes on Haurchefant and their surroundings far more attentively than Runa did, only then he can keep him alive.
After running through the Vault and rescuing Aymeric, Marcello doesn't try to stop Thordan from escaping as he is more concerned in keeping Haurchefant safe than capturing someone that can't be caught yet as he scan the entire area to see if there is something that sticks out; just then Marcello notices Ser Zephirin at top of a Tower who was ready to take aim at the Highlander not at Haurchefant, but Marcello's Glare terrifies Ser Zephirin that he decides to run away than to take his shot. Ser Zephirin wonders as he retreats what was that feeling he got just now, it was a fear that he never felt in his entire life.
Meanwhile Runa is reliving the event in her nightmare as she remembers every single detail of Haurchefant's Death. Not only she lost someone who she was developing feelings for after arriving in Ishgard, but she was the one that inadvertently caused his death by recklessly charging at Thordan in order to prevent him from escaping. While in that nightmare, Nidhogg's Specter taunts her and trying to push her to embrace his power in order for him to completely take over her body. Suddenly the Anti-Dragoon appears in that Dreamscape and dispels Nidhogg's Specter with her Scythe for a limited time, but before dispelling him, she remarked that she will be using Runa, not him. Before Runa wakes up, she somehow recognizes this Anti-Dragoon, but before she can say anything to this "Stranger", Runa wakes up and it's already morning. What is surprising for her is that Marcello is drinking with Haurchefant, Thancred, Y'shtola, Urianger and Moenbryda as she turns around, making sure no one is looking and punches her our solar plexus to see if she's still dreaming.
Still struggling to catch her breath, Runa approaches them and asks how everythingis going as they reveal to her that Marcello is a True Warrior of Light as he defeated The Primal Bismarck, 2 Members of The Sargomas: Cruelty & The Elezen that was originally Mare Victoria who went by "Insanity", Thordan and his Heavens' Ward in Azys Lla; managed to defeat Alexander; subdued the Voidsent at The Weeping City of Mhach; Overpowered all 3 of The Warring Triad; brought peace among the 3 Tribes around Ishgard (The Vanu Vanu, The Vath and The Moogles); and saved Estinien by slaying Nidhogg who was possessing him. But at the same time, they are mourning Papalymo as he sacrificed himself in stopping Ilberd from letting Shinryu loose all over Eorzea. Runa notices that some deaths could not be avoided as she learns that Ysayle also died when the Scions tried to enter Azys Lla because without her sacrifice, they wouldn't have made it; even Runa remembers as much from her own experience. Now they are planning on liberating Ala Mhigo, but they were all waiting for Runa to wake up before going to Gyr Abania; She wants to go now, but Haurchefant asks her to go back in her room, get a shower and eat something before leaving; better eat a feast since she was in a coma for weeks on end. The Anti-Dragoon stares at Runa using a spell that lets her see people she wants using a portal, holding a crystal that helped Marcello survive up to this point as she was the one helping him from the shadows when Runa couldn't, especially that she sabotaged Nidhogg when pretending to be on his side after the Dreadwyrm possessed Estinien.
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
You owe me for this big time, Runa.
Grief:
I found you.
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
Artemis Zenobia…or You rather go by Artemis Macedonia…Or Grief?
Grief:
Knock it off, Runa! I know it's you!
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
(Laughing)
You think I'm your childhood crush!? Wrong! I am not Runa nor I am Khadagan or even Nidhogg Reborn. I am a ghost that shouldn't exist, but because of the pity of Runa's father, I still live. To prove I am not Runa—
Grief:
Are You Kill Me To Prove Your Point? Just like you did Cruelty and Insanity?
??? (Anti-Dragoon):
First Off – That was Marcello. Second – Killing You? To Prove I am Not Runa? Foolish. I can prove that by removing my mask and not killing you…
The Anti-Dragoon removes her helm to reveal a face that isn't Runa nor Khadagan, but a face of a scarred Au Ra with bloodied crimson red hair and red eyes. Grief is terrified as she asks the Anti-Dragoon on who is she as the Monstrous Looking Female Au Ra says…
"I Have A Beginning Yet I Have No End And I End All That Begins…"
To Be Continued…