It's now the middle of the night and lightning ominously flashes through the cloud ridden sky.

The room is dark save for the moonlight shifting through the window.

"Fu.fu.fu.fu. it's finally finished, and all it took was all night!"

Csia had gone to be while Twilight stayed up. "I'll never be a silent protagonist."

"A spell to end all spells, the one that shall free us from stoic silence! Hahahaha aaahahahaha!!!"

Twilight began to draw in aether, the very foundation of everything and everyone in Eorzea. The very life energy of the world. And set about forging the wards that will block all outside influences except the useful ones. The huge volume of aether settled around Twilight and Csia and solidified.

A knock came from the room door, "Twilight, Csia it's Miounne are you okay, I just felt a surge of aether in your room!"

Twilight opened the door, "we're fine, I was just practicing my magic."

Miounne shuddered," to have that much aether at your age. You must be a prodigy, you should join the conjurer's guild. When you come back from Bannock."

"Bannock?" Twilight asked

"It's a settlement in the central shroud, your going there for your next quest. Tatasosa and Celestine should also have quests for the area. Nothing complex just delivering items. On completion you and your girlfriend should get some decent gear"

"Oh, okay. That sounds good."

"Good night, get some rest it may be simple but the time it takes on foot isn't something to sniff at."

Twilight yawn, "yeah you're right. I should sleep."

Twilight closed the door and got underdressed and held Csia. "You done with your little mad science project." Csia teased.

"Mad magic project and yes."

"Who was that at the door?"

"Mother Miounne, she was just worried about the aether I was using to free us from that farse we experienced earlier."

"Good, that was getting old fast."
Csia smiled pulling Twilight in a hug.

The next morning the two got dressed and had breakfast. Tatasosa walked over, with that characteristic waddle of lalafel the people Twilight had called potatoes mentally.

"Hey can you return an iron snaffle I accidentally took from Treespeak Stables. Which is in Bannock. I hear you're going there."

"That's correct and sure we'll take it."

"the road there is long and winding, and so I suggest that you ask Barnabontant for directions before departing. Seek him at the Yellow Serpent Gate."

He hands over the snaffle Twilight.

Celestine joins in, " seeing as you're going to Bannock can you deliver a bag of basic provisions to Tsubh Khamazom at the Bannock."

Twilight sighed, "okay, I guess."

It sucks being bottom bitch in an organisation, it reminded her too much of her time with her Japanese company she used to work for.

"Great!" She smiled as she gave Csia the provisions.

"Come now, Twilight, Csia. I want you both to go to Bannock, it's a training ground where the soldiers of the Order of the Twin Adder are drilled in swordplay and other martial matters.

I mention this because an acquaintance of mine -- a gentleman by the name of Galfrid -- is an instructor there, and I think you may be of use to him. Go and introduce yourself, and find out if there is anything you can do to help.

Mind you do not stray far from the path -- the Twelveswood is no place for merry strolls through the underbrush." Miounne explained to the two.

"So we're to aid this Galfrid, sounds simple enough." Twilight said

"Right it shouldn't be too difficult," Csia commented.

"It shouldn't be difficult, just head through the blue badger gate and follow the path till you pass through a gate."

Twilight and Csia leave the adventures guild and go down past the gate they first entered. The cobble and dirt path was easy enough to follow and so after delivering the items and receiving new chest armor for their respective classes which was put in their armory. They received nine hundred and ten exp and one hundred and twenty seven Gil each and a wind crystal shard. These were element aspects aether crystals that people use to craft.

Once done they moved on to Galfrid, who waved them over.

"Greetings, Twilight and Csia. Miounne sent word to expect you."

"Greetings," Twilight and Csia replied

"My name is Galfrid, and I am responsible for training our Twin Adder recruits."

"That's interesting, I take it the Twin Adder are a military organization?"

" Indeed, we are what's called a grand company, a gathering of adventurers and soldiers working for the benefit of Gridania. There are two other Grand companies we are in alliance with, the Immortal Flames of Uldah, Thanalan and the Mealstrom of Limsa lominsa in la noscea. Anyway I thank you for volunteering your assistance. The Twelveswood, is much changed since the calamitous arrival of the Seventh Umbral Era five years ago.

"That calamity really did a number on the world, will it ever heal?" Twilight asked

"Not on its own, The power of the elementals wanes, and the harmony of the forest gives way to chaos. A great abundance of life has been lost as the strong run rampant, stifling the weak and new-sprung.

Though it may not appear so to the eyes of an outsider, the Twelveswood is ailing -- its once rich variety a fading memory."

"It's true there's not much Aether about."

"Aye that's part of it.

For the citizens of Gridania, the restoration of the forest is a sacred duty. And it is my hope that adventurers such as you will offer to aid them in their struggle."

"We can only hope," Csia added.

"Listen to their requests, and do all that you can. May the elementals bless your endeavors, Twilight, Csia." Galfrid implored the two.

"Here is a pair of class appropriate boots for each of you, a hundred and twenty seven Gil and one thousand eight hundred and twenty EXP."

"Okay now that we're here what would you have us do?" Twilight and Csia asked in unison.

"I see you are eager to lend a hand, Twilight and Csia. That is well. But I cannot in good conscience send you into the forest until I have established that your equipment is equal to the task.

It bears repeating that, in the five years since the dawn of the Seventh Umbral Era, many of the Twelveswood's creatures have transformed into vicious, bloodthirsty monsters. Venturing into the forest without the proper gear is tantamount to suicide.

I suggest you take some time to evaluate your equipment. Once you deem your armor to be of sufficient quality, present yourself to me for inspection. You can purchase the gear from Domitien in the Ebony Stalls of Old Gridania." Galfrid explained

"System: Equip your head, body, hands, legs, and feet with gear of item level 5 or above before returning to speak with Galfrid."

Twilight frowned, left an anchor and then teleported herself and Csia to the Ebony Stalls where they purchased the gear they lacked minus the weapons.

Twilight then teleported them back to Galfrid, the man in question blinked, "that was fast, Ready for inspection are we? Right, then! Eyes forward! Back straight!"

Twilight and Csia straightened up and looked forward, their previous military training still ingrained in them.

Galfrid leant in and looked each of them humming as he did.

"Hmmm... Yes, I think you pass muster."

"You would be surprised at how many young, promising soldiers get themselves killed by rushing off into the woods without first donning a decent set of armor.

"Your equipment, however, should provide the required degree of protection. Consider yourself ready for duty, Twilight and Csia."

"Csia, here is a bone harpoon, and a maple wand for Twilight." Galfrid said handing out the rewards.

Twilight and Csia then went about completing various side quests and hours later returned to Galfrid.

"Ah, Twilight, Csia. By your tireless efforts, you have proven yourself a friend to Gridania. I believe you can be trusted with sensitive intelligence.

I would assign you a mission of considerable import, yet the need for secrecy prevents me from disclosing its details until you have pledged your participation. I am authorized to tell you only that it concerns suspicious activity in the Twelveswood. Say that you will lend us your aid, and I shall proceed with the briefing."

"Okay this sounds too important to ignore," Twilight agreed.

"Good. Time is of the essence, so listen well.

You will by now have heard that a suspicious individual has been seen prowling the Twelveswood."

"Yes we did hear that while aiding people," Csia interjected.

"And you may also be aware that Ixali activity has risen sharply in the region of late. What you may not know is that this increase coincided almost exactly with the first recorded sighting of the aforementioned individual.

Suspecting a connection, we tightened our surveillance in hopes of tracking down our unknown visitor. Alas, our quarry is proving to be exceedingly elusive -- almost as if he knows our movements ahead of time.

But where whole units have failed, a lone adventurer may yet succeed. Acting independently and covertly, you may be able to close in on our quarry unnoticed."

"Sounds like logical enough plan," Twilight replied

"Fear and anxiety are beginning to take their toll upon the citizenry, Twilight, Csia. For their sake, I ask that you aid us in this investigation."

"You hardly need to ask," Csia said with a daring smile.

"You have my gratitude. With your help, I am hopeful we will shed light upon this mystery.

Begin your search at Lifemend Stump. It is there that the majority of the sightings took place.

Be forewarned my people cannot offer you support, lest our quarry catch scent of our presence and evade us yet again. Proceed with caution you two. Okay to reach the stump head north along the river and through a cave, the stump is there." Galfrid added with a grim expression.

"We'll see what's up, will be back soon." Twilight said.

Twilight and Csia ran towards the river and followed it towards a waterfall, behind it was a cave as creatures frolicked around it. Making their way inside they ignored the treants and walked up to a stump decorated with autumn maple leaves and pebble stones in a circle within a circle with other dried autumn leaves between them. In the center of the stump was a particularly nasty looking sword.

"System: You are about to enter an instanced battle. Instanced battles only occur during certain quests and missions.

System: Take a moment to read the information displayed in the active help window before answering the call of duty."

Shrugging Twilight accepted when the dialogue showed up.

Standing in the middle of the stump they examine it.

"Look! Someone's already here!" A young man's voice exclaimed.

Leaning to get a better look his female companion said, "Oh dear. Is that a sword in the stump? Bad idea. Really bad idea…"

"Not really our idea before you get any ideas,"

"That maybe but It takes a lot less than that to incite the Greenwrath, you know. Why, the first time we came to the Twelveswood, we almost ended up as a treant's dinner just for crashing our airship in the wrong place. It was all Papalymo's fault, of course! Though, he'd sooner s--" Animated Pugilist said

Short-tempered Thaumaturge turned to the moogle in their company, "Is this our dark stranger?"

The Moogle replied,"No, no, not this one. Not even close, kupo!"

"Hm? You know them, Kuplo Kopp?" Animated Pugilist asked

"Well, not exactly, but we did once share a carriage. Isn't that right?" Kuplo Loop explained

"That's correct not that anyone else besides us noticed." Twilight said

The short-tempered Thaumaturge put a pair of wooden Goggle's on the bottom half flipped up and the orb on it started glowing white and made a sound like night vision goggles. As he looked around.

"How are the readings?" Animated Pugilist asked

"Same as the last. There is a disturbance here as well, and newly manifested at that." The Short-tempered Thaumaturge said.

"Kuplo Kopp seems convinced of your innocence. But if this isn't your doing, whose is it?" the Short-tempered Thaumaturge asked with a contemplative look.

"That's actually why we're here in the first place to look out for a stranger causing problems." Twilight informed him

"Ever since the Calamity, the forest's been really sensitive.

The slightest disruption to the aetheric flow…"
The Animated Pugilist said

"Oh so that's what those goggles are for, I don't actually need them, we can see the aether, but Huh this is a disturbance, better note that down."

Suddenly a group of huge anthropomorphic trees, a frenzied oak apparently.

"And this sort of thing happens!" The Animated Pugilist said

"It seems we have little choice…" the Short-tempered Thaumaturge said with resignation.

"Do you want to get eaten!? Don't just stand there Hit them harder!" The Short-tempered Thaumaturge complained

"I'm trying, I'm trying!" The Animated Pugilist said

" Triplet Vermilion Nova!" Twilight cast engulfing the animated trees, destroying them. Csia kicked the last one in half and turned to face the next wave,

"Force Explosion," Csia chanted, sending a shockwave of force at them.

"There's more! Be careful!" Csia called

"Maximize widen magic Brilliant radiance," a pillar of light obliterated the incoming enemies.

"If you value your life, stay close!" The Short-tempered Thaumaturge

"Don't worry about us, we can handle ourselves," Twilight retorted and proceeded to smash the remaining enemies with her bare hands.

"Well done! We're almost there!" The Short-tempered Thaumaturge praised.

"Purifying Lance," Twilight chanted, launching a Lance of light towards the remaining treant.

After they cleared up the bulbs they all fell down exhausted.

Twilight and Csia notice two blue glowing crystals on the floor both of them pick them up.

Once in their hands their vision blacked out and they appeared in a dark void suddenly underneath both of them an intricate magic circle with an unfilled inverted three point triangle over a right side up filled triangle. In the center was a spikes wreath and at each of the triangle points a smaller empty circle existed. One of empty circles filled with light and launched towards a blue light above.

Crystal blue sparkles rained down.

They are engulfed in white light and a voice loudly said " Hear… Feel...Think…"

Stars began shooting from an orange yellow light

"Oh god not this again." Twilight lamented

Twilight and Csia were brought back to the sparkling realm.

"Crystal bearer…" ???

Turning around Twilight and Csia find a blue inverted teardrop shaped crystal. And fly towards it. Twilight tried to keep herself from drooling over it.

"I am Hydaelyn. All made one."

"Oh great! We finally get a name." Twilight retorts in a deadpan

"A Light there once was that shone throughout this realm... yet it hath since grown dim."

"Then turn off the dimmer then."

The two of them looked down and see another crystal with two smaller crystals orbiting it.

"And as it hath faltered, so hath Darkness risen up in its stead, presaging an end to Life."

"Well yeah that's natural after all darkness is an absence of light."

"For the sake of all, I beseech thee: deliver us from this fate!"

"I'm sorry what!? That's kind of vague."

"The power to banish the Darkness dwelleth in the Crystals of Light. Journey forth and lay claim to them."

More crystals of various sizes and shapes appear.

Until a huge teardrop crystal appears in-between the smaller ones which orbit it.

"Oh well I guess it's alright then," set snark to maximum.

"By thy deeds shall the Crystals reveal themselves to thee."

"Again that's pretty vague,"

"Only believe, for the Light liveth in thy heart."

"Well I hope it doesn't clog my arteries while it's in there."

Twilight and Csia noted the other people appearing that began flying Twilight and Csia follow flying around Hydealin.

"Go now, my child, and shine thy Light on all creation."

"First, I am not your child and second I am sure flashing is a crime."

Twilight said as she and Csia flew up towards the light.

Twilight and Csia both came round to find the moogle looking over them and it's night time

Standing on the stump was the Short-tempered Thaumaturge.

"You fainted. A surfeit of aether, no doubt." He diagnosed.

Animated Pugilist crouch down by a nearby tree, "Hm? And what have we here?" She said

The short-tempered Thaumaturge walked over to the Animated Pugilist. Spotting a bird man corpse.

"Our culprit, it would seem. An Ixal. And no ordinary Ixal, either -- a chieftain."

The short-tempered Thaumaturge bent down and said "That they would venture this deep into enemy territory... The beastmen may indeed be acting under orders."

Short-tempered Thaumaturge put his right index finger to his ear

As the Pugilist girl walked over Twilight asked, "what's he doing?"

"Oh he's contacting our allies via linkpearl."

"Linkpearl?"

"It's a pearl from a link shell it enables people to communicate at any distance with those who share the same pearls from the same linkshell."

"Huh interesting."

On Linkpearl, In Background "This is Papalymo. We found the culprit: It was an Ixali chieftain! ...Yes, we'll seek Brother E-Sumi-Yan's cooperation in the matter. ...Yda? Oh, loud, tactless! Much the same as always!"

"So they're Papalymo and Yda," Csia said

"How are we feeling, then? Better? Good!" Yda

"Oh just great, just been put on a vague mission of import by a giant sentient crystal calling itself Hydealin."

"Giant crystals? Can't say I've seen any... Are you sure you're feeling better?" Yda asked tilting her her to the side in contemplation.

"...Understood. Over and out." Papalymo finished before turning to the moogle.

"Kuplo Kopp. Please bear word of these developments to Brother E-Sumi-Yan. We shall soon return to give a full report." Papalymo asked

"Understood! Over and out, kupo!" Kuplo loop responded cheerfully before flying off over the trees.

"Here is where we part ways. Till next time, take care!" Papalymo said walking up to Yda's side.
Before he began hurrying off.

Yda waved, began to walk off before stopping and turning around, "I think that sword might be a clue! You should definitely pull it out and take it back to the Bannock!

She waved enthusiastically again before walking to Papalymo who had stopped to wait for her.

Yda gasped, "You don't suppose that adventurer could see Kuplo Kopp, do you!?"

"And this occurs to you NOW!?" Papalymo asked in disbelief.

"Yes. It seemed that way. Time will tell…"

"Well, time will have to, because you won't! You never tell me what's really going on! Unless…(gasp) you don't know what's going on either!"

"Bah! You'd like that, wouldn't you!?" Papalymo said as he glared at the girl.

"Okay…. Did they really think I couldn't hear them?"

"I suppose they wouldn't be used to people with cat ears," Csia giggled.

"Come now let's take this damned sword back to Galfrid." Twilight said grabbing the hilt of the sword stuck in the stump and pulled it.

Once they returned to the Bannock

"Twilight, Csia! It is good to see you back!" Galfrid welcomed the two of them happily

"One of our patrols sent word that you had been spotted doing battle with enraged treants. I am relieved to find you none the worse for the experience.

But tell me, what were you able to discover at Lifemend Stump?"

"An ixal Chief who is now just a corpse, used this blade and stabbed the lifemend stump," Twilight explained while Csia handed over the sword.

Galfrid frowned, "A sword in the stump, and a dead Ixal? Hmmm…"

Galfrid sighed after examining the blade, "I can say with absolute certainty that this blade is of Ixali origin. It is of a kind used exclusively in the beastmen's rituals.

The Ixal rarely set foot in the Central Shroud, so tight is our guard over the area. What purpose could have driven them to take such a risk? I fear something is afoot…"

Twilight thought to mention the odd pair they had met," a suspicious pair of people also came to the stump, a pugilist and thaumaturge."

"What's that? A dubious couple sporting peculiar spectacles? Hah hah hah!

Galfrid eventually contained himself, "So you have finally been acquainted with Yda and Papalymo! Lay your suspicions to rest -- Gridania counts them among her staunchest allies. Both are scholars hailing from a distant land, and have been with us since before the Calamity."

"Scholars, them?" Twilight asked with doubt in her voice.

"Their garb may appear outlandish, and their exchanges baffling, but never once have they given us cause to doubt them.

Indeed, they often assist the Gods' Quiver and the Wood Wailers in their work -- much as I hope you will in the days to come, Twilight, Csia.

Although our unknown visitor eludes us still, owing to your efforts, we have acquired important intelligence on the Ixali threat. You have my gratitude."

The man bowed and saluted Twilight and Csia.

"It's fine really." Csia added.

"We are fortunate indeed to have a capable pair of adventurers such as you two aiding us. I pray you will continue to serve the people of Gridania in whatever capacity you are able."

"Here take this Gil, one hundred and thirty two." Galfrid said handing over the money.
Two thousand two hundred and forty experience added.

" No rest for the weary, I am afraid Twilight, Csia, injuries to several of my men have left me shorthanded, and I require a capable sort to complete their unfinished duty.

The task is simple: put down as many of the local chigoe population as necessary to acquire eight of their egg sacs.

Having done so, you are to deliver them to Monranguin at Gilbert's Spire. He will answer any queries you might have. Now, I have other business to attend to.

The Order of the Twin Adder makes no distinction between newcomer adventurers and forestborn Gridanians. Your worth as a soldier is measured by your dedication to the cause."

" Of course Galfrid," Twilight sighed, "come on Csia once more into the breach I saw some across the river to the north."

After spending hours hacking at chigoe and seeing them spawn spontaneously, Twilight wondered why they needed egg sacs.

Once done they followed the minimap to Monranguin, "Ah, you must be the adventurer standing in for our injured companions. Terribly unfortunate business, that."

"It is, I just hope they get better." Csia mentioned

"Me too, being a soldier is rough work." Twilight added.

"It seems, however, that you two had little trouble gathering the egg sacs in their stead. Excellent work. I shall have them sent over to the Trappers' League immediately."

"Trappers' League?"

"Oh right you're new here. The trappers' League regulate and enforce rules for Hunting in the Twelveswood. So we don't devastate the local animal population and incur the wrath of the elementals." Monranguin explained

"So what are the eggs really for?" Csia asked curiously as Twilight handed over the gorey eggsacs.

The man chuckled, "Lest you wonder, these egg sacs are not destined for the dinner table! Members of the Twin Adder and the Wood Wailers are assisting the league by collecting the samples they need to check for signs of sickness.

"Galfrid did mention something like that."

"The chigoe, you see, is one of the few creatures capable of transmitting the disease known as the Creeping Death. Until relatively recently, any Hyur who contracted this ghastly illness would almost invariably perish."

"That is horrifying, if only there was a way to eradicate it,"

"Indeed, a single outbreak once claimed the lives of a third of the Hyuran population here in Gridania. That was a long time ago, of course. With the medicines available to us now, the Creeping Death is not the killer it once was.

Even so, it is best to halt any new outbreaks before they occur. Thus we gather chigoe eggs on a regular basis in order to assist the Trappers' League with their ongoing research. Your timely assistance is most appreciated."

"Well glad we could help," Twilight smiled.

"Don't forget your reward thirteen wind shards and a high potion and one hundred fifty one Gil. ."
Four thousand four hundred and eighty Experience. The man handed them both a green potion in a bottle with a metal stopper.

Author's Note

Man I'm really pumping these out.