Returning to Ul’dah is a simple enough task, though your aether has been through the wringer today in terms of teleporting. Once the three of you arrive safely to Ul’dah, you bid Erden and Olahr farewell.

Given that this is your first time back to Ul’dah with the new Aethernet system installed, you take the time to visit each crystal you can find and attune to it. Each crystal is nicely placed in a convenient spot, except SOMEHOW there wasn’t one installed in the Sapphire Avenue. That’s right, in Ul’dah, the golden city of commerce, the genius aetherologists managed to ‘overlook’ it. The impact it has had on trade is immediate and undeniable as whispers spread from alley to alley that Nanamo Ul Namo has forsaken the value of artisan work-- normally bustling streets are devoid of shoppers, and the merchants are getting desperate.

You were hoping to find something nice for Erden, wanting to reciprocate the love and effort that was poured into his lovely Starlight Celebration gift. Unfortunately, in a trade-heavy city a low demand is met with an even lower supply, and the finest weapons are well outside of your price range.

Cogs in your head start to turn as you consider…less expensive options, and you find yourself making your way to the Thaumaturge’s guild. You ask for Mizu but the receptionist, Yayake, informs you that she’s out perfecting ‘The Destroyer of All Things V.’ You point out that spell names can only range from I to IV, and she nods sagely.

You sift through the available tomes and find exactly what you are looking for-- Transposal: A Thaumaturge’s Guide to Balancing Astral and Umbral Aether. You excitedly reach up to grab it.

“It’s not always about him!” A vicious voice cuts through the air. Startled, you look around to find its source. “Can’t you see we have bigger responsibilities than this waste of time?” You know better than to stick around and find out the details, and quickly make your way to the front of the guild. Arguments felt heated enough at the gladiator’s guild-- you can only imagine the carnage that angry thaumaturges could wield.

“I’ll take this one, please.” You place the book down on the counter, and begin to fish for your ID.

“There’s no need for such bureaucracy, S’anah’to-- of course I recognize you.” She pulls out her stamp and pad to date the back cover. “Just have it back in two weeks, alright?”

“Heh-- thank you, Yayake.” You take the book and stow it in your bag. “Just a heads up, I think there’s a pretty intense argument starting back there. Might want to prepare a water bucket or two.” She raises an eyebrow at this and pokes her head over the counter’s divider.

“...Hm. They must have come in through the back.” She turns to the cluttered station behind her. “Thank you for letting me know, I’ll start getting things ready now.”

This doesn’t really feel like a complete gift on its own, but it's a start. Returning to your duties, you make your way toward The Royal Promenade. As usual, you find your mother attentively standing guard, though she is overjoyed to see you again. She looks around for any other passerby before running up to you and spinning you around in a ferociously tight hug.

“M-mom!” You squeak out as she crushes your chest.

“Oh my son, I was so, so worried!” She lets you down after a third spin. You gasp for air. “Sorry sweetie, but…Ace wrote to me saying that you and Erden were hurt by that nasty Halone’s Champion. I’m so happy to see that you’re doing well enough to walk already, and are here for a visit nonetheless.” She pauses the excitement then covers her own mouth. “...Ah, what I mean is…I’m sorry for prying.”

“It’s alright mom, really.” You cross your arms.

“Just…please promise me you’ll be careful, okay?”

“I will mom, I will.”

“Thank you.” She folds her hands. “...There have been some unfortunate developments since you were last here. You being well is honestly the only good thing that's happened all week.” She pulls you in for a quiet whisper. “The old captain, Solkzagyl, passed mysteriously a few days ago.” You try to keep a straight face so as to make the discussion non-obvious, but this proves challenging. “We think a new Rava paladin, Jenna Locria, may have been paid off by the syndicate to do him in. She skipped town not too long after the fact.”

“Jenlyns is the new captain, but unfortunately Oathkeeper was stolen as well. Without it, not every paladin within the guild is eager to accept him. He hasn’t…he never fully ‘proved’ himself by wielding it.” She pulls back, but still keeps a quiet tone. “If you hear anything about our suspect or what was taken, please let the guild know immediately.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Does she…” You take a second to clear your throat, and then speak in a whisper. “Does she still have the soul crystal?” She nods. Your ears perk up as you hear the doors to the Syndicate’s main chambers open and close. A lump of dread fills your chest as you see Nophica’s Savior slowly make his way down the steps to you.

“Did the meeting go well?” Your mother curiously asks.

“Yes-- what good fortune that Adeledji canceled his audience for today.” He makes his way up to you and takes a quick stock of you. “You must be S’anah’to, yes?” He extends out his right arm which you reluctantly shake. “At ease! I’ve heard all about your accomplishments-- it’s great to hear that you have found a way to serve the paladin arts without wielding the blade.”

“And another thing.” He gently rests his other hand over yours. “I swear I’ll make that bastard Champion suffer for what he did to you. I roughed him up real bad not too long after he attacked you-- must’ve only been a day later at most.” He gently releases your hand. “Her Grace just approved for me to investigate another lead we found in Gridania. I got a look of the man myself, though I know better than to give that description out. He got away before I managed to use a glamour dispeller.” He punches his right arm into his left fist. “But the mark of his aether is obvious enough-- even to the less trained eye. Hopefully we can deal with this issue permanently before another innocent gets hurt.”

“Try not to be too intimidated by Daiki here.” Your mom wears a warm smile. “He doesn’t take the helmet off around anyone, but he’s got a kind heart and is very dedicated to justice.”

“...Yes, sorry about the armor.” He scratches the back of his neck. “If I keep my identity private, then it allows me to conduct investigations without the use of glamour-- essential for uncovering Ul’dahn back alley dealers.”

“I see.” You say with a forced smile. “Thank you for your help, it sets my mind at ease.”

“Of course.” He nods attentively before turning to your mother. “I’m going to report this to the rest of the unit before I head out. “Farewell, heroes of light.” He heads down the stairs and waves behind him as he moves.

“...Is it safe here?” You ask meekly once Daiki has made it a fair distance away. She keeps her strong, projected smile.

“Don’t worry about me, Anah’to. Just try to stay within Limsa proper over the next few weeks until things are taken care of.”

You nod and hug again.

“...Oh, right.” You rub your eyes. “I almost forgot why I came here. I actually wanted to ask if you had any…other leads regarding the Gridania case that Daiki is investigating.” You need a fabrication, and a good one. “...Since I’m working with the Maelstrom so heavily now, I offered to serve as a communicator between the three city-states to try and crack down on this case.”

“There is one other potential spot-- but I’ll only tell you if you promise to head right back to Limsa after this. I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt again.”

“I promise.” You lie through your teeth, something that is getting easier by the day. You will pretend it is for the greater good or a necessary step in this investigation.

“This source comes from Lolorito, so try not to put too much faith in it.” She whispers once again. “There has been unusual activity south of Wineport recently.” Your heart sinks like a stone. “We think that may be the Champion’s former base of operations, but he moved north to Gridania after Daiki attacked. If some soldiers could investigate the area, they may find lingering clues.”

“...Alright.” You lean back. “Thank you.”

You give a final goodbye hug, but with all the gloom the conversation has had, you linger for a few seconds longer.

You pop by the Alchemist’s guild but don’t see Erden or Olahr anywhere, and realize they must have already returned to the Aetheryte plaza without you. In the interest of conserving aether for the teleport back to Gridania, you decide to take the long route and walk, taking the time there to clear your mind of the crushing stress.

“Anah’to!” Mizu’s voice calls your attention from just down the road. She runs up to you with a full force sprint and you manage to stand your ground when she tries to tackle you down. “Great news!” She takes a step back and pulls out a set of crumpled pages. As she does so, the five lalafell thaumaturges in red you often spot around the guild follow from where she ran. “My new spell was finally approved!”

“It was approved for revision,” one of them corrects. You feel bad, but you were never able to remember any of their names, given their similar garb and identical skillsets.

“Yes, but-!” Mizu begins.

“You’ll have it revised within a week.” You add.

“AND-!”

“That means it’s basically already been approved in full.” You complete.

“YES!!” She grabs you and shakes you around. “VICTORY IS IN SIGHT!”

“You’ll need to demonstrate the spell in its existing form to the other members of the guild.” A different thaumaturge adds.

“So we need to get back there right now!” Mizu finalizes. “Want to join us?”

“Sorry, Mizu, but I’m a bit busy right now. Another time, perhaps?” You say sadly.

“It’s not like you would be able to present right now regardless.” A third crosses their arms. “The rest of the guild is setting up the pilgrimage, remember? They won’t be back until nightfall.”

“Hnnnng.” Mizu lets out a heavy sigh. “You’re right. I totally forgot!” She looks you in the eyes. “Just promise me you won’t disappear for months, okay? This spell is too cool to miss out on!”

“I promise, Mizu.” You say sincerely, and she seems satisfied with that. After you exchange your goodbyes, you split ways so she and the others can make their way back to the thaumaturge’s guild. With little new information and trouble on the horizon, you reluctantly make your way back to the Aetheryte plaza.