Arliman's Rise of the Zilart Photo Journal (ZM-13)***Massive 56K Warning***

[Arli]

**** Zilart Mission 7: The Chamber of Oracles ****

With the temple invaders destroyed, I enter the final transporter into the inner sanctum of the shrine.




Emerging into the inner chamber, I notice a large device with eight distinct openings.
I begin to place each elemental fragment in their corresponding depressions.




Once all eight were placed, there is a reaction!




Slightly shocked, I am taken aback. The entire device begins to hum with activity.




The center dias begins to activate...




The faceplate illuminates with the power of the crystalline fragments.




Suddenly the entire room is aglow with soft light.




To my suprise, Zeid enters the chamber.




The device begins to vibrate with intensity.




Suddenly, an image appears before us. It appears to be a recording of one of the ancient Dawnmaidens, the original servants of the goddess Altana.

[Arli]

The image began to recount the memory of the Zilart and their plan. It all began when the elder prince of the Zilart made a connection with the crystal.




The vision given to the prince was that of the gods and their paradise.




The prince was convinced that the power of the five crystals would lead them back to paradise.




He beleived that when the five crystals were joined as one, the Gate of the Gods would open a doorway to paradise.




As the princes feverishly chased after this dream, the Kuluu and the Dawnmaidens protested.




Their pleas would fall onto deaf ears. The Zilart were single-minded in their goal.




Both Kam'lanaut and Eald'narche would not be diverted from their course of action.




The Kuluu and Dawnmaidens pleaded. If the world would become a playground for the gods, what of those who lived on Vana'diel? The creation of this paradise would lead to the distruction of life as they knew it. The Zilart would *still* not be swayed.




Thus did the Zilart create the floating island of Tu'Lia above one of their temples. This palace in the sky would become the Gate of the Gods through the power of the Crystal Line : When the power of the five crystals become one.




The Dawnmaidens recount of the destruction of the Zilart due to the Kuluu sabotage of the Crystal Line. Though that entire civilization was destroyed, the Kuluu cannot be blamed for their actions. Had they not acted, the entire world would have faced annihalation.

[Arli]

We were then warned of the Zilart plan to renew their pursuit of paradise through the reactivation of Tu'Lia. They must be stopped or the world faced imminent danger.




The Dawnmaidens pleaded with us to take responsibility for ownership of Vana'diel and stop the Zilart from ruining the world for eternity.




With their last words, we are directed to Delkfutt's Tower to halt the plans of the Zilart princes once and for all.




And so, as abruptly as the device came to life, did it lapse into quiescence.




Suddenly, particles of energy begin to swirl about the device.




The particles increase in number and begin to combine in a dazzling display of light.




After a blinding flash of light, there appeared a strange jewel floating above the dias.




**** End Zilart Mission 7 ****

[Arli]

**** Zilart Mission 8: Return to Delkfutt's Tower ****

We run into Lion and Aldo shortly after entering Delkfutt's Tower. Aldo beleives Varena is here, in the captivity of the Archdukes.




Zeid chastises Lion and Aldo for coming to the Tower. Without the Prismatic Fragment, the strange crystal left behind by the Dawnmaidens, they had no hope of entering the upper chamber of the Tower. Lion states the obvious, she came to the tower to follow Zeid and I into facing Kam'lanaut and Eald'narshe.




Aldo apologizes and makes his introduction, warning Zeid not to get in his way. He prays that Varena can hold out until he can rescue her.




Within the top level, the Stellar Fulcrum, a lone figure assesses the equipment.




It is Archduke Kam'lanaut himself that looks over the device.




The Archduke senses someone approaching.




Zeid appears behind Kam'lanaut with sword at the ready.




Aldo confronts the archduke from the opposite side.




Suddenly Lion appears on the third bridge. Kam'lanaut is surrounded.




Mockingly, he tells us that we have arrived in time to witness the activation of the Chrysalis Core, the heart of Delkfutt's Tower.

[Arli]

Aldo demands an explaination of the device.




Kam'lanaut explains the device - that with its regeneration, the path to Tu'Lia will be restored!




Lion is shocked, she assumed that with the destruction of the Crystal Line, Tu'Lia was destroyed.




Kam'lanaut explains, that like he and the surviors of his race, Tu'Lia slumbered for thousands of years until the moment of its awakening was at hand.




Lion then understands the truth. After the downfall of their civilization, the princes of Zilart slept in suspended animation within Delkfutts Tower itself for over 10,000 years.




He explains that when Raogrimm came into contact with the Crystal of the North thirty years ago, his transformation into the Shadow Lord caused a backflow of energy to Delkfutt's Tower, which is what woke them from their slumber, and gave them an opportunity to realize their dreams once more.




Zeid challenges Kam'lanaut's motives. The Zilart were wiped out because of the actions of the princes. What more suffering did he plan to cause chasing these long lost dreams?




Kam'lanaut calmly explains that all life, no matter the race, beleives in a gate to paradise.




Zeid is speechless.




Kam'lanaut conjectures that this paradise, this perfect place suited only for the gods is not intended for the current lifeforms of the planet. Rather, they are lowly vermin, unworthy of such a treasure.

[Arli]

Aldo dismisses Kam'lanaut's tale as selfish manipulations and voices his defiance.




The archduke finds Aldo's resistance amusing.




Kam'lanaut, in his megolomania, states that he is the will of the crystal itself.




With his great power, the power hungry lord of Jeuno summons his minions.




He calls out to his vassals, the terrifying Crystal Warriors, once more.




As his command, the legendary quintet of armored warriors appear before them. Lion, Zeid and Aldo are faced down.




Even against Zeid, the Galka Crystal Warrior is imposing.




The Elvaan Crystal Warrior stares down Aldo with her glaring red eyes.




To ensure his security, Kam'lanaut is flanked by both the Mithra and Tarutaru Crystal Warrior.




The Zilart prince and Jeuno lord senses my approach to the Stellar Fulcrum.

[Arli]

The prismatic fragment from the Dawnmaidens resonates with the crest of the door to the Stellar Fulcrum.




The seal opens, revealing a long path into the Fulcrum itself.




I arrive at the Chrysalis Core to see a crowd gathered on top of the device.




Kam'lanaut sees me enter the room and bades me welcome. He intends to kill me with his own hands.




Concentrating his energy, he calls out to the power of the Crystal.




He harnesses the essence of dark energy onto himself.




His image begins to fade and fluxuate as the energy builds to a climax.




Suddenly he vanishes, and pure energy flows out from the device, bathing the Chrysalis Crystal in a beam of pure light.




The energy subsides and the room is alive with a strange electricity.




The flow of energy ripples out from beneath the crystal like a pebble in a pond.

[Arli]

The energy rapidly dissapates, leaving the silhouette of a lone figure hunched over.




A long haired warrior clad in strange armor comes into focus.




Levatating before our eyes, we realize the warrior... is Kam'lanaut!




Gripped in his hand is a strange ornate blade that seemed to be an extension of his armor.




With his final approach, a burst of energy is released from him, signifying the completion of his transformation.




The battle in engaged!




High above us, the twisted Lord of the Zilart uses powerful magic against us. Area of Effect Gravity, Dispel and Silence are just a few aspects of his repertoire.




He begins to charge his sword weapon skill "Light Blade".




He strikes at our Paladin, Strevone, with murderous intent. Light Blade inflicts a terrible blow!




Our mages were quick in healing the paladin, Kam'lanaut continues to attack with wild swings of his sword.

[Arli]

He enchants his weapon with the element of flame. Apparently he is a bad-ass red mage.




The battle rages on, and slowly but surely we begin to turn the tide.




Eventually, the Zilart prince falls to our might.




Depleted, he returns to his previous form. He is shocked by his defeat.




He implores the aid of his Crystal Warriors, who have been mere specators to the battle.




Eald'narche looks down on his injured brother with disgust. He has served his usefulness.




Kam'lanaut pleads for aid from his brother.




Eald'narche mocks his brother. How arrogant of him to think that *he* was the chosen of the Crystal.

[Arli]

Bewildered, Kum'lanaut considers his situation. Surely he was still needed to open the Gate of the Gods.




The confident Eald'narche looms down over his brother.




He snaps his fingers and his puppets, the Crystal Warriors, begin their dance.




Zeid looms closer, preparing for the attack.




Too late! The Galka Crystal Warrior sends the Dark Knight sprawling over the edge.




Taking his lead, the Elvaan Crystal Warrior offs Aldo.




The hume Crystal Warrior brandishes his blades against Lion.




Looking down on the fallen, Eald'narche savors his victory, and introduces his next pawn...




Varena! Controlled by the power of the Zilart prince, she walks into view.




Aldo cries out to his sister. She does not respond - firmly fixed in Eald'narche's trance.

[Arli]

Jokingly, Eald'narche assures her safetly. Why would he cause injury upon his "key" to the Chrysalis Core?




He gloats over his good fortune. The chances of him finding a hume of her abilities to unlock the core were almost impossible.




Kam'lanaut comes to the shocking realization that his brother had planned to use Varena in his stead from the outset.




Eald'narche bids farwell to his younger brother Kam'lanaut.




Kam'lanaut cries out to his brother, but is met with silence as his sibling turns his back to him.




Death overtakes the fallen Jeuno Archduke and Zilart prince. The mighty have fallen.




With his final breath exhausted, Kam'lanauts body disappears in a twinkle of light as his soul returns to the Crystal.




Lion makes the realization that Eald'narche is the elder prince of Zilart, the same prince who first received the vision of paradise.




Eald'narche reveals that he is indeed the elder prince, and that appearances can be deceiving. His growth was stopped the moment he first came into contact with the Crystal.




He reveals that once again, his plan - outlined over 10,000 years ago, were about to be revived.

[Arli]

The prince explains how the reactivation of the Chrysalis Core was interrupted when Raogrimm came into contact with the Crystal. Now that he has been completely removed, the "noise" that prevented their reactivation of the Chrysalis Core was gone.




He continues on, speaking of the great nuisance the Galka Talekeeper was in postponing their plans. Zeid in particular is outraged.




Eald'narche explains that not even Raogrimm himself understood his relationship with the Crystal. His memories of his race weren't what was important - it was his blood. As such, killing him would give them the tool they needed for finally reactivating the Core.




Aldo clarifies that even IF the Zilart had access to the blood of the Talekeeper, they would not have the ability to use it with Raogrimm dead.




Eald'narche agrees with Aldo, but explains that his younger sister Varena resonates with the souls of beastmen, just like the Shadow Lord was able to. He would use her power to unlock the "memories of the ancients" with the remains of the Shadow Lord - namely, his disembodied head.




Only then, he explained, could the Chrysalis Core return to life, activating the portal to Tu'Lia: Gate of the GOds.




Eald'narche continues to explain that once he returns to Tu'Lia he can continue his preparations to open the Gate of the Gods itself.




With his command, Varena assumes her position in the center of the device.




Through her power, the lifeless head re-animates and begins to speak...




Suddenly, Varena is shrouded in brilliant light.

[Arli]

Though her words fall silent under the rumble of the Core, the entranced Varena appears to be speaking. Though not her own words - rather as a conduit of the remains of the dead Talekeeper.




More energy begins to surge about Varena's feet. The machine begins to crackle with activity.




Eald'narche appears pleased with his work. His puppets continue to dance on their strings.




Suddenly, the energy well beneath the crystal core begins to pulsate with liquid light.




This illuminated fluid begins to gather, sending bubbles of energy floating up into the crystal itself.




The crytal begins to resonate - glowing brightly as more of the energy flows into it.




Instantly, the platform above the crystal explodes with violent energy and light. Varena, the head of the Shadowlord and Eald'narche are consumed in the brilliance.




Suddenly, the platform erupts in a beam of blinding light and fires into an apparatus in the roof of the ceiling.




The beam shoots out from the peak of Delkfutts Tower, splitting the clouds and strikes an unknown body in the middle of the sky.




From above the darkened clouds of the night sky, we see a glimpse of an ancient ruin - floating derelict above the tower.

[Arli]

Beneath this ruin, a great crystal begins to shine brightly in response to the beam that struck its center moments ago.




In response, the core of the floating ruin responds, sending back its own signal to the Chrysalis Core below. Eald'narche cannot contain his excitement. Tu'lia has been revived!




Lion looks up at the brilliant displays of communication between Tu'Lia and the Crysalis Core. Dear god, what has Eald'narche unleashed upon Vana'diel?




The madman bathes in the light of his victory - the terrifying spectacle of forbidden power forces me to draw back.




Aldo ignores the triumph of the Zilart prince and calls out for his sister.




With no further use for the gifted girl, Eald'narche disposes of her like she was trash.




He sends her hurtling off the platform to her death...




Seeing her plumet, Aldo races to catch her before she hits the ground.




With her body in his arms, Aldo pleads with her to open her eyes. He is overcome with great sorrow.




Elad'narche invites me to come to Tu'lia and see with my own eyes the paradise he wishes to create.

[Arli]

The offer chills me to the very core. I can only stare at the madman blankly.




Zeid is powerless but to listen to Eald'narche sermonize about his new paradise.




Lion protests in vain. The Zilart prince has lost himself in his destructive dream.




Eald'narche warns them that only those accepted by the crystal and blessed with the light will be permitted passage to the holy city of Tu'Lia.




Aldo cries out in anger at Eald'narche's brutality.




Lion cries out in protest. Alas, in vain.




With maniacal laughter the boy-prince of the Zilart raises his hards to Tu'Lia and is enveloped in light - transported to the Gate of the Gods to continue his plan.




An injured Zeid asks for my help in stopping the prince's madness.




Lion tells us that she will head back to Norg and see if Gilgamesh can be of any help in finding their next move.




Lions words fall on the deaf ears of Aldo, who holds the limp body of his injured sister. Eald'narche would pay for this dearly!




**** End Zilart Mission 8 ****