| Rakoh Buuma: I just rrreceived word that the conference of ministers has ended. Together with that announcement came another Star crested summons addressed to you. You had better rrrush on over to Heavens Tower again. | |
| Star Sibyl: I have been awaiting your return, Player Name. It has been decided that Windurst will not take any military action against the Shadow Lord. There are still too many unanswered questions. Any action now would erase what we have worked so hard to build with the Yagudo. However, we must put a stop to the Shadow Lord's return. We cannot allow Vana'diel to be thrust back into a war. That is where you come in. I would like you to travel to Castle Zvahl and prevent the resurrection of the Shadow Lord. I believe in you, Player Name. Let the stars guide you to victory on your celestial journey. | |
| Zeid: Could this be... Yes, it is the tomb of the Shadow Lord! Shadow Lord Ah, the dark knight... It's been twenty years since we last met, Zeid. Zeid:No! How is this possible? I defeated you! Shadow Lord: I cannot die. Not until I have eradicated you and your kind from this world. Zeid: So it is true... I suspected as much since we last met. You are a Galka! Shadow Lord:Thirty years ago, I was in a group that came to this cursed land, seeking to uncover the secrets of a lost civilization. And it is here that I fell, betrayed by one I trusted with my life. My friend Ulrich could not abide the fact that I was the best swordsman of the Mythril Musketeers. That I was advocating peace with the beastmen at the time was not to his liking, either. Cornelia died protecting me... But I came back. Not even death could keep me from exacting revenge on those who wronged me. A power hidden deep beneath the earth gave me a new form and granted me control over the nether beasts. It was then that I became aware--that I was made aware--of the dark anger smoldering deep within my soul. I realized it was not revenge that drove me, but the old, undying anger of our race: the wrath of the Galka! Others cannot fathom the depth of our rage. But I cast myself willingly into its flames, and broke the chains of mortality! Your kind awoke the fury within me, and I was reborn into rage incarnate--as the Shadow Lord! I swore to myself then to purge this world of your kind, and I will not rest until I crush every last one of you! I underestimated you twenty years ago, but I will not make that mistake again! Zeid: What!? No! Shadow Lord: Stand there and watch, Zeid. Search within for the dark rage, the flame that burns in the souls of all Galka! Now...I will cleanse this world of your filth, unless I am first consumed by fury! Come, it is the hour of reckoning! Death itself failed to stay my wrath. Let us see if you can do any better! | |
| Shadow Lord: No...it is not over yet! I told you, even death cannot stop my revenge! I will not fall! I will keep coming back, until the fires of wrath consume me! Zeid: Raogrimm, stop! Listen to me, it is over! Shadow Lord: "Rao...grimm"? No, that is not my name! I am... I am the Shadow Lord! Zeid: You are no such thing! Search your memories for your true self! You are Raogrimm, the Galka's greatest swordsman! Shadow Lord: I... I am...Rao...Raogrimm!? Aaargh! Zeid: Do you remember? Raogrimm: Yes... I do now. Zeid: Raogrimm, it is good to have you back. How has all this come to be? Raogrimm: As you know, I was the Talekeeper of the Galka--the keeper of our race's memories. But there was so much pain, so much anger... I let myself become trapped in a dark abyss of swirling rage and madness... Zeid: Raogrimm... Raogrimm: People are capable of kindness beyond angels, yet we also commit sins that would put a demon to shame... We all stand precariously on the edge between darkness and light... And when we fall, we are greeted by only madness and chaos. And so I have fallen... There is no salvation for me. The Raogrimm whom you once knew is gone, forever. I expect no forgiveness for what I have done, but... Lion: Come on! This way, hurry! Raogrimm: My true self died thirty years ago... All that remains is an empty shell... Cornelia... Finally, we may meet again... And so the Shadow Lord was defeated, thanks to Player Name's selfless courage and sacrifice. Through the clouds shines a symbol of newfound hope for the peoples of Vana'diel. But none should forget that wherever there is light, there is always shadow. The legend goes on to say... From the darkest depths of the earth the Warriors of the Crystal rose... Lion: So...I guess this is goodbye for now. I hear they've started flights to the Outlands. If you ever get your hands on Airship pass for Kazham, come see me in Norg sometime. I'll be seeing you, Player Name. Bye! Zeid: I, too, feel that our paths may cross again. Until then, I wish you farewell. | |