Previously: The Warrior of Light, after repeated failures to save Alexandria's shard, used the cup relic to go back in time, attempting to create a different future. This created multiple timelines that destabilized the fabric of reality, awakening the dormant guardian of time, a primal force that was hidden within Midgardsormr. The Warrior of Light gathered all remnant soul shards in an attempt to battle the possessed Midgardsormr, only to fail. G'raha Tia, carrying the memories of another timeline, was immediately swallowed. To escape, the Warrior of Light was forced to return to an stable age when time had yet to split-- the era of the ancients.
The Warrior had spent what seemed like an age in the era of the ancients. During this period of time, the Warrior of Light grew alongside Emet-Selch--Hades, and Hythlodaeus.
The Warrior of Light did not wish to create another timeline-- that would provide an avenue for the possessed Midgardsormr to continue his pursuit into this ancient age. As such, the Warrior of Light had to ensure that none would suspect the truth.
Luckily, The Warrior of Light had regathered all remnant soul shards, and was as 'complete' as the ancients. This allowed the Warrior of Light to have control over the magics needed to obscure the 'Blessing of Light' provided by Hydaelyn in the far future, preventing Venat from ascertaining the true identity of the Warrior of Light.
Unintentionally, this inadvertently led to the Warrior of Light being considered for the seat of Azem. Venat seemed to take a difficult-to-explain level of interest in the Warrior of Light. Perhaps her subconscious sensed something, after all.
The Warrior of Light engaged in many activities during this age, such as saving a species of grapes from a volcano on the brink of an eruption.
The Warrior of Light also came to learn much more regarding the various living beings on Etheirys aside from the ancients capable of creation magic.
Most importantly, the Warrior of Light, as Azem, could seek assistance from the members of the Convocation-- some of the most talented individuals of this ancient era.
Such information included magic relating to time, interdimensional travel, and more. After all, the Warrior of Light needed to understand how to, for now, avoid Midgardsormr's detection.
That was not all. The Warrior of Light needed to find a way to resolve the issue of the many timelines that threatened to unravel the fabric of reality. In theory, with the issue of multiple timelines resolved, the primal force possessing Midgardsormr should return to dormancy. The Warrior of Light's life should then be preserved as well.
The Warrior of Light discussed this very subject with many on the Convocation. Most of Azem's compatriots increasingly saw Azem either as enigmatic or half-crazed as a result of this. Most importantly, though, was that the Warrior of Light was able to arrive at a solution-- the idea of singularity.
What is this idea of singularity? It is the concept where if an identical event of incomparable magnitude could be created simultaneously in different timelines, it would lead to every single timeline entering a state of resonance. Thus, the existences of each individual across these timelines will 'meld' together, returning to a single timeline under this state of resonance.
Then, the following question is-- how should the Warrior of Light create this singularity across timelines? An issue that the Warrior of Light is still contemplating through day and night.
Regardless, the Warrior of Light's time in this ancient era soon passed. It was a euphoric haze of an experience, but the so-called 'final days' soon approached, and the Warrior of Light knew that there was nothing that could be done. The past cannot be changed, lest it spawn more timelines. As such, 'Azem' vanished.
The Warrior of Light avoided being cleaved by Hydaelyn's existence splitting slash, and wandered through the ages to bear witness to the six calamities that befell Etheirys.
Initially, the Warrior of Light wished to remain completely as an observer. Yet no matter what the Warrior of Light tried, the Warrior of Light would inadvertently become a participant of each age's calamity.
It was then that the Warrior of Light understood-- the legends of the Warrior of Light in past ages are actually true, but they are all one and the same.
Despite being dragged into the calamities, the Warrior of Light knew that these calamities cannot be prevented. The timeline must be maintained! Such was the suffering of the Warrior of Light.
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The first calamity arrived.
The Warrior of Light sighed. How strange it was. Texts stated that the first calamity was caused by a battle between the Gods. Before encountering the twelve, the Warrior of Light assumed it to be an internal battle between the twelve figures tasked by Venat to safeguard Eorzea.
Warrior of Light now bore witness to those twelve existences battling ascians, their godly powers bathing the Source in a blinding chaos of aether. Of course, there was Emet-Selch, Elidibus and Lahabrea. The Warrior of Light recalled events of Pandemonium. This Lahabrea seemed to have become vastly more deranged with regards to mannerisms.
The Warrior of Light did not interfere, and ensured that the disguise was intact. This disguise was the Warrior of Light's method to appear as any 'normal' split existence of the new age. To avoid being detected or recognized by the ascians, the possessed Midgardsormr, the twelve, or even Hydaelyn herself. The future past must be preserved.
Eventually, though the twelve did not fall, the ascians' plan came to fruition, causing the wind-aspected first umbral calamity.
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The second calamity was imminent.
The Warrior of Light sat within a tavern. A strange series of events had led to a meeting with a companion who now sat beside the Warrior of Light. The identity of this companion? Deryk, himself. Yes. The follower of Venat, who now wandered Etheirys in the guise of a hyur.
The twelve always seemed a step behind the ascians. Take the first umbral calamity-- the ascians achieved the first rejoining through manipulating the inhabitants of a shard and the source. The twelve did not expect this, and passively observed, uncertain as to what the ascians' plans might be. They soon understood after the first shard rejoined with the Source.
As a result of the first umbral calamity, the twelve finally recognized that they needed to give man a guiding hand. The Warrior of Light had observed the twelve, indirectly attempting to drive man forward. To fill man with the spirit to resist the seductive voice of ascian solutions. At least, that was why Deryk now appeared in the guise of a hyur.
During this age, the twelve certainly had some successes. Yet, they were lacking in foresight. Or perhaps, they simply failed to grasp the nature of man.
Byregot attempted to guide man on the path of craftsmanship, to allow mankind to create tools, improve their lives and uplift their compatriots. Byregot believed that doing so would lessen the attraction of the ascians' offers.
Unfortunately, the twelve failed to account for the spiritual infancy of man. The Warrior of Light recalled recorded text on the second umbral calamity.
Mankind had learned to forge tools, and with a little nudge from the ascians, chose to build weapons to expand their nations: 'Mountains were flattened, skies blackened, and nature despoiled,' so the texts recorded.
The Warrior of Light could only do what was possible to limit the suffering of mankind in this era.
The twelve did not expect that the ascians could so easily take their efforts to raise mankind and twist it into destruction with the flip of a hand. Or, as Emet-Selch so often did, the snap of a finger.
As for how the Warrior of Light knew all of this? Deryk. This member of the twelve had gotten into his head that the Warrior of Light must be Azem!
Of course, the Warrior of Light is indeed Azem, but the Warrior of Light's magical disguise should be immaculate. Deryk, at best, must be relying on a gut feeling, so the Warrior of Light assessed.
"Azem," Deryk was insistent on using this name for the Warrior of Light. "Why do you not stand against Emet-selch? Why do you not take action to prevent his poisoning of mankind?"
"Deryk," the Warrior of Light gave a shake of the head. "I know not why you believe me to be this… person you call Azem. I am but an adventurer, wandering these lands and earning some gil from assisting poor souls."
"A heavily discounted price of an adventurer," Deryk noted with a raised eyebrow.
The Warrior of Light could have chosen the … option and remain silent in the face of Deryk's suspicion. Not this time.
"It's a matter of goodwill," the Warrior of Light countered. "Due to my low prices, many across the realm recall my generous assistance. As such, many more will seek my assistance in the future. My gil profits will only rise, not fall."
"A dubious claim," Deryk commented.
"You'll see, you'll see," the Warrior of Light replied nonchalantly, battling off Deryk's attempt to determine the truth of 'Azem'. This had more or less become a daily activity between the two.
A soldier dressed in rather crude metallic plate armor suddenly bumbled into the bar.
"O Warrior of Light," that soldier saluted. "My liege requests your presence."
The Warrior of Light and Deryk examined this soldier. The hammer and mountain emblem upon his chest is the coat-of-arms for the kingdom of Senna.
"How curious…" Deryk muttered.
"Sir! You must come! I beseech you!" The soldier appeared desperate.
"Why now?" The Warrior of Light sighed. "Your Queen has rejected our presence and advice for many years." By now, the Warrior of Light had accepted the Queen's antipathy for both the Warrior of Light and Deryk. Well, in truth, many rulers of this era made efforts to suppress the Warrior of Light and Deryk.
However, there was a limit to their suppression efforts due to the Warrior of Light's staunch rapport from providing assistance to so many citizens of each nation.
The Warrior of Light sighed again. The Queen of the kingdom of Senna was quite similar in some ways to the leader of Gridania-- Kan-e-Senna. In fact, the Warrior of Light could tell that the two are of the same soul.
There is one major difference. This 'Kan-e-Senna' of the First Astral Era is hellbent on industrialization, and cares little for nature. That is why when the Warrior of Light first encountered this past incarnation of Kan-E-Senna, the Warrior of Light felt flabbergasted. Long story short, the Queen of Senna ignored Deryk's repeated advice to protect nature, and completely banned them from her court. Until today, that is.
The Warrior of Light eventually came upon a theory. Souls might very well retain some sort of influence from previous lives. Perhaps Kan-E-Senna's love for Gridania comes from this previous life her soul led.
"I know not." The soldier bowed his head, also rather uncertain as to why his Queen suddenly wished to see the Warrior of Light and Deryk. He, too, knew of how the Queen banned the two from her court.
"Lead the way," the Warrior of Light finally nodded, and Deryk followed along. These two had met and travelled together for quite some time.
The two entered the throne room of the grand castle located at the center of the kingdom of Senna.
The Queen of Senna was outside on a stone balcony behind the throne, gazing out across the blackened landscape, billowing dirty smoke plumes rising into the sky. The sky was obscured by smog and clouds.
Rain began to fall. This rain was inherently corrosive-- the grand castle itself had long lost its lustre as a result. Lightning flashed occasionally through this smog-filled sky.
"A fool I was," the Queen of Senna's voice was low and depressed. "I should have heeded your words. My desperation for progress was foolish."
"And the ascians?" Deryk asked.
"Long gone. Ever since this lightning-aspected smog began," the Queen of Senna, not-Kan-E-Senna, shook her head. "I was foolish to be swayed by their words."
The Warrior of Light had indeed come across Emet-Selch, Elidibus and Lahabrea once again. The disguise held well even before these complete ancients. The three saw the Warrior of Light as no more than a zealous adventurer.
"This world won't last much longer, will it?" Not-Kan-E-Senna muttered. All citizens of the kingdom of Senna recall tales of the First Umbral Calamity. The current destroyed state of nature seemed to be leading towards a not dissimilar disaster.
Both the Warrior of Light and Deryk shook their heads.
"My citizens refer to you as the Warrior of Light," Not-Kan-E-Senna said. "Though you are but a singular person, promise me that you will support them as you have all this time, when disaster strikes."
"Of course," the Warrior of Light softly promised.
"Thank you, O Warrior of Light," Not-Kan-E-Senna closed her eyes, her heart in acceptance of the end of her kingdom. "If only I could reverse time and start from the beginning once again."
Perhaps not necessarily reverse time, the Warrior of Light inwardly thought. But certainly, you will live a different life. A far less destructive life in the future. May we one day, meet once again, Kan-E-Senna.
The second umbral calamity began, lightning descending from the smog-filled skies. Mankind hid in underground caverns, praying for salvation, thus giving birth to the earliest forms of magic.
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A third zone-- the second astral era.
An age of extreme religious worship as a result of the previous calamity. This led to holy wars and witch hunts that took countless innocent lives.
The Warrior of Light sighed. Deryk had remained glued to the Warrior of Light through this second astral era. By now, it was obvious that the Warrior of Light, at the very least, is an unaging ancient. Deryk was convinced that the Warrior of Light must be Azem, despite the lack of admission on the Warrior of Light's part.
Before the two stood an elderly man of a religious holy order. The Warrior of Light recognized this man as Not-Thordan. However, their opponents were not just Not-Thordan, but also his followers, surrounding them upon this barren wasteland.
The sun in the sky exuded an intense heat that parched the land, creating deserts and famine.
Unlike Not-Kan-E-Senna, Not-Thordan would clearly not change and grow despite the impending calamity of this era.
"Heretics, the two of you," Not-Thordan hollered. "Do you not see how the world is burning in a wildfire, to clear the sins of non-believers?! With the two of you gone, the gods are certain to forgive us and dispel this relentless heat."
"Azem," Deryk quipped. "This is more your fight than mine. I hope you know that I am not exactly useful in combat."
The Warrior of Light knew that this intense heat was a result of ascians' hand in another shard. A fire calamity was imminent. The twelve, unfortunately, lacked the capability to combat the ascians on other shards. And these religious zealots ignore all reason.
"So be it," the Warrior of Light brandished the rod of a priest class. "May you all see the light before the end."
"Well said, senior," Deryk smiled.
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The fourth zone-- the third astral era had arrived, after the third umbral calamity.
This is the era of the Allagan Empire, begun by Emet-Selch himself.
By now, Deryk was all but certain that the Warrior of Light is Azem. It was simply undeniable.
"Azem," Deryk said as they observed Amon resurrect Xande, the first Allagan emperor. "I wish to know why you continue to take no meaningful action."
"..." The Warrior of Light remained silent.
"Worry not. I have not informed Venat or the other eleven of your identity," Deryk continued. "There must be a reason as to why you have remained hidden so long."
"Hmm…" The Warrior of Light appeared amused in Deryk's eyes.
"I see…" Deryk continued spluttering. "You mean that it is an answer that I must discover myself. An appropriate and necessary lesson. After all, Venat positioned me to follow in your lead. I was designated a wanderer."
The Warrior of Light was beginning to enjoy the random conclusions that Deryk often arrived at.
This era is quite important for the Warrior of Light due to the issue of Midgardsormr.
Revived Xande proceeded to launch a war campaign against Meracydia. This process allowed the Warrior of Light to gain significantly more knowledge on the dragons, as well as the three major tribes on the southern landmass.
The Warrior of Light journeyed alongside the Allagan forces. In the Warrior of Light's hand was a completed cup relic. The Warrior of Light had crafted this tool based on the knowledge gained from the Convocation. The purpose was to have an escape plan if somehow, the possessed Midgardsormr detected the Warrior of Light.
The contingent, perhaps as a result of bad luck, encountered Bahamut over the turbulent waters on their southward journey towards Meracydia! Not the primal Bahamut, but the real Bahamut that ruled over the dragons in Meracydia of this day and age.
A battle ensued, and all of the Allagan forces were wiped out, leaving only the Warrior of Light and Deryk alive.
"Impossible!" Bahamut roared as he observed the Warrior of Light closely. "I smell… the incongruence of time in you. You…" Bahamut's eyes were overtaken by a blue light, the primal force of time. The force dedicated to maintaining a single timeline, to maintaining the fabric of reality.
The Warrior of Light groaned inwardly. It was unexpected that encountering the real Bahamut would lead to such a result.
The Warrior of Light fled. Upon escaping back to the Allagan capital, the Warrior of Light discovered that the cup relic was gone. It must have been lost during the battle over the seas. How coincidental…
The loss of the Allagan force prompted Xande to seek the forces of the void. So came the Cloud of Darkness to the Source. Bahamut was eventually slain, eyes still blue from the primal force compelling Bahamut to battle.
The Ascians made their move, seducing the three major tribes of Meracydia to summon the Warring Triad, and Tiamat to summon the primal Bahamut. All four were eventually trapped by the empowered Allagan Empire.
Of course, eventually, the Allagan Empire collapsed due to their reckless use of the Syrcus Tower. The ground beneath the tower gave way from the immense aether gathered for Allagan use, causing a chain reaction that set off the fourth umbral calamity. Once again, the ascians' plans had come to fruition.
"I don't understand," Deryk muttered, distraught at the twelve's failure to lead men on the correct path once again. "Azem. Why do you not act? We are unable to prevent the ascians' corruption of mankind. They have influence in the other shards! We are fighting a losing battle!"
Deryk was seemingly filled with despair.
The Warrior of Light felt sorrow at the necessary suffering that could not be changed.
"Do not lose hope, Deryk," the Warrior of Light answered. "The critical moment has yet to come. All is as it should be."
"All… is as it should be…?" Deryk widened his eyes, an epiphany entering his mind.
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The fifth zone-- the fourth astral era had arrived.
Ancient texts recorded little of this era. This era was filled with a shunning for knowledge. The reason for this was that the Allagan empire's maddening use of technology set fear in people's hearts. Many believed the world would be better off if no one sought such knowledge.
Unfortunately, this led to an age of stagnation. The lack of knowledge also was of no use against the ascians' manipulation.
The Warrior of Light and Deryk sat upon a fleet of ships led by Not-Merlwyb. The shunning of knowledge had led to chaos within the many societies of the world, giving rise to these pirates.
Not-Merlwyb's pirates constantly warred against other forces upon the seas. Then, there were certain land states that began to build their own forces to attack the fleets of pirates.
Eventually, the weather became increasingly cold, and the Warrior of Light knew that the fifth umbral calamity was impending.
Mountains and seas soon froze over in endless frost, wiping out the weak civilizations of this era.
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The sixth zone-- the fifth astral era had arrived.
This age was controlled by many magical societies. The Warrior of Light recalled details on the War of the Magi.
Most surprising to the Warrior of Light was the presence of Not-Nanamo. The previous incarnation of the lalafell ruler of Ul'dah was actually a user of black magic, slaying foes left and right with a single wave of her staff for the nation of Mhach.
As it is known, Nym and Mhach battled one another with increasing and excessive use of their black and white magic, disrupting the balance of Etheirys' ambient aether. This eventually caused an overabundance of residue water-aspected aether.
As the flood came, Not-Nanamo chose to fall with her nation.
"O Warrior of Light. I thought you weak, for you sought diplomacy between Nym and Mhach. Now I understand. If only I could roll back time and live a peaceful life, create a serene world for my people…" Those were Not-Nanamo's farewell before she was buried beneath the floodwaters-- the sixth umbral calamity.
The Warrior of Light and Deryk, instead, assisted many to escape. They now stood on the bow of the ship named Nyunkref's Hope as they sailed the waters to survive the flood, and save what lives they could.
Eventually, the waters receded and Nyunkref's Hope returned to solid ground close to Ala Ghiri.
"It is time that we part," the Warrior of Light said to Deryk. On Deryk's shoulder stood an opo-opo, rescued from the flood, now residing aboard the ship mired atop a rocky formation. Many other animals had also been saved to preserve their species. This specific opo-opo had taken a liking to Deryk, and was blessed with longevity by the disguised hyur himself. Deryk is one of the twelve, after all.
"This was all meant to happen, wasn't it?" Deryk smiled. He had come to accept the failure of the twelve to meaningfully impede the ascian's actions so far. The Warrior of Light, however, gave him hope. At a critical moment, the twelve and Hydaelyn would emerge victorious. As long as he knew that, he continued to have the will to put up the good fight. As long as he had the will, so too will the other eleven.
"May we meet again," the Warrior of Light nodded.
Years would pass, and finally, the Warrior of Light set eyes on the lands of Meracydia. It is said that Meracydia was turned into an uninhabitable land due to the Allagans' war against the landmass.
At a southern harbour, the Warrior of Light boarded an explorer's ship after signing a contract which stated that the company was not responsible for any travelers' deaths.
The Warrior of Light's eyes suddenly widened in surprise, recognizing a young Louisoux on the ship. So it was that these two would visit Meracydia, to learn of its current fate after the Allagans had flattened the continent.
Author's Note:
The aim of this expansion concept is to create a setting through which the lore of the many previous eras can be flushed out.
It should have a sort of 'final destination' vibe in which the Warrior of Light can never change the resulting calamity of each era.
I also included Deryk, because I thought the idea of the Warrior of Light, travelling through these past eras alongside Deryk would be quite interesting. This also allows the Warrior of Light to see how Hydaelyn and the twelve remain constantly a step behind the ascians' manipulation of mankind.
The presence of the Warrior of Light, however, gave Deryk continued faith in his mission.
I also attempted to include previous incarnations of characters that began in ARR, such as Kan-E-Senna, Nanamo, Merlwyb, Thordan. My goal was to create this idea that souls can sometimes learn from past lives after their reincarnation from the aetherial sea, representing a hope for growth beyond death.
Finally, the Warrior of Light would explore the continent of Meracydia with Louisoux. This idea occurred to me because I believe that getting to go on a journey with a young Louisoix could be compelling, since Louisoix kickstarted ARR. As a character, exploring his backstory and eventual relationships that led to Fourchenaut then Alphi and Alisaie should be interesting.
However, I have no plans to explore what a Meracydia expansion might look like-- there is basically zero information on the current state of Meracydia in-game, so I am unable to create anything substantive on the continent.