Upon returning to Eorzea, tragic news befalls the now legendary Warrior of Light. Orders to seize him were given to all Grand Companies, as he is now a suspect in the murder of the Ul'dah Sultana. Before capture, Azure was able to escape and later learned from the Scion's this is yet another manipulation of the Ascian's to loosen the resources available to stop them. In order to escape prosecution, Azure and the Scion's leave the country and take refuge by traveling through Coerthas and into the neighboring country of Ishgard. However, not as is well in these lands. Ishgard is at war with the dragons of neighboring Dravania. The icy nation has many roots in religion and the church has a knightly order, the Temple Knights, led by Lord Commander Aymeric de Borel. Welcomed with open arms from the commander, the Warrior of Light decides to aid him in the conflict as payment for refuge.
Traveling through the cold town on the brink of despair from the dragon war, Azure was amazed by not only the cold but the impressive array of steel the nation produced. Suddenly a stray drake flew overhead, it's looming shadow drove the citizens quickly indoors. A lone little girl playing with a ball tumbled down the street as the small dragon turned it's eyes towards her. Flying straight at her, the drake opened it's mouth as flames spewed forward. Not being able to make it in time, Azure rushed forward with all his might when suddenly, an iron clad figure stepped forward and slammed his shield into the ground. A massive magic barrier surrounded them and dispelled the flames into the air. Seizing the opportunity, Azure spun his spear around and hurled it deep into the beast's throat. The piercing talon struck the drake from the air as he landed onto the city streets. "Impressive shot, outsider." the knight said, raising his helmet and giving Azure an approving glance. Nodding, the two shared compliments and the little girl thanked them and then ran off to her parents. "I am Lord Varus, Paladin of the Temple Knight." That is when Azure noticed... He was like him. Horns protruding temples, long tail with scales. Yet something was different, his horns were of a lighter color and his body was lighter. "Surprised?" Varus said "You act as if you've never seen another Au Ra before!" He laughed and placed his hand on Azure's shoulder. Au ra... So that's what we are called? It was true, he had never seen another of his kind before. Questions filled his head but despite all curiosity he knew that this man would help him discover the origins of his past. He would take up the Sword and Shield with him, and defend Ishgard from the dragons to learn the truth of his heritage.
After training for many months with him to become a Paladin of Ishgard, the stalwart Varus told Azure of a sinister tale that gripped their nation. The Archbishop of Ishgard known as Thordan VII, was in league with the Ascians and secretly uses the power of the mighty dragon Nidhogg to rule the nation. Aymeric was his illegitimate son and secretly works against him to try and liberate the country ruled by oppression. Upon hearing this news and preparing for the oncoming struggle, The Warrior of Light and his master confront Thordan with the aid of the Lord Commander. In the towering holy church, Thordan has Twelve Knights at his side known as the Heaven's Ward. Together with the power of Nidhogg's left eye, Thordan calls upon millennia of dragonic hatred and transforms into a Primal, along with his trusted knights. Upon transforming, the entire church is called onto an ancient realm called Azys Lla. Called The Knights of the Round, the three begin battle against the terrible force.
Calling to the power of the crystal, with the synergy of Aymeric and Varus, The Warrior of Light swiftly trades blows with the Twelve Knights and takes each of them down. Now only facing the might of Thordan himself, the Archbishop now obtaining the power of a god, uses Dragon's Gaze and paralyzes his enemies, freezing them in place. Only being able to face death, Azure and company struggle with all their might yet they are not able to break the spell. King Thordan lifts his massive sword but just before striking it down, a terrible roar fills the air. Nidhogg, King dragon of the Dravania horde, brother to Bahamut, breaks through the realm's sky and blasts nuclear fire down unto the Primal. Enraged he used his own left eye for power stolen from him by an Ascian, the dragon lord of hatred incinerates Thordan into ashes and slams onto the ground retrieving his lost eye. You... mortals... How dare you think dragons are beneath you. I will teach your kind a lesson and remove all humans from this land! Before unleashing further inferno, Midgarsormor, appears in front Nidhogg. Listen my son... These lands are brought to darkness by another. That is the true enemy. Despite his wisdom, Nidhogg has become wrath incarnate and sworn to avenge dragonkind against all mortals. Deafening bellows fill the air as Nidhogg's scales turn fiery red and he unleashes a massive blast of heat. "Hallowed Ground!" Varus steps in front of it and unleashes a mighty wave of energy that surged through his entire body, making him impervious to destruction. Holding the attack at bay and calls to his apprentice. "Azure! The time has come! Deliver Ishgard from vengeance! Strike out our threat once and for all!" The searing blast of heat was quickly wearing through his technique and only moments away from his flesh. Hundreds of thoughts filled the Warrior of Light's head but he focused on only one, the plight of his master. Echoing the power of the crystal into his hand, Hydaelyn, he called out. Bright light enveloped him and with a determined leap he cried out and plunged his holy sword into the heart of the dragon. "Circle of Scorn!" Blue light surged through his blade and ripped through the earth, geysers of light blasting out in every direction. The power of the crystal burned brighter and brighter until it completely covered Nidhogg and burst into millions of ashes. The realm shattered and vanished and all that remained was the ruins of the church. Varus... was gone.
Aymeric now crowned ruler of Ishgard, Azure had helped free the purge of dragons and religious corruption that gripped the nation. The Lord Commander owed him a life debt and promised to aid him in any endeavor in the future, as well as clearing his name in Eorzea. However, discerning news arrived from the lands of Sharlayan. An ancient land long since abandoned, a colony of scholars from the Dravania Hinterlands. Kobolds (a form of goblin) gathered in large numbers and with the help of an outside influence, began summoning the massive Primal known as Alexander. This Primal, unlike others, was so massive he had to be defeated from the inside. Upon landing in front of the colossal castle, Azure laid eyes on an old friend. "Storm!" He called out, rushing to the side of his companion. He quickly stopped and became stunned in place. She was... different. No longer did she wield the spear, but she had long robes of fine silk and a crested magic book in hand, with the horn of a summoner on her forehead. After trading words of their travels apart, Storm revealed she heard of the threat of Alexander and came here to stop it. Deciding to go together, the two entered the fortress and traveled to the Primal's core. Defeating waves and waves of goblins and machinery alike, the two reminiscence of old times. "I've always wondered. How did you get your name?" Azure asked. Pausing for a moment, the solemn Viera looked lost in thought. "Long ago, when my mother gave birth to me a terrible storm struck our village. It destroyed everything, my entire tribe and my parents. I was born into nothing. And was raised by a Miqo'te named Lucea that found me in the aftermath." Her face stone cold, a tear fell down Azure's face. "I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to stir old, painful memories." Azure spoke. "But... why take the name of the plague that caused you ruin?" Suddenly, a Kobold wielding a large mechanical gun leaped from the ceiling and began charging a searing blast of energy midair. Caught within his comrade's story, Azure was completely off guard and had no speed to react. "Shadow Flare!!!" Storm cried out, as a massive column of black and purple fire blasted the goblin into oblivion. Completely shocked, Azure stood in awe as Storm spoke. "The reason... is I have become the storm."
At last they entered the heart of Alexander. The two entered a realm within his core and a towering castle appeared before them. This was the final battle. Storm stepped forward and summoned his winged Egi Garuda. "Aerial Blast!" A whirling typhoon of wind shot forward at the Primal. Instantly, time stopped. Alexander controlled time itself in this realm, and with shinning wings of magic appearing behind him, launched a solid beam that tore through the whirlwind and pulsed straight at the summoner. Her eyes opened wide as the force approached, not able to move as time froze. Having been paralyzed before, Azure broke the spell by calling the power of the crystal. He quickly stepped forward and slammed his shield to the ground, erecting a magic barrier that deflected the ray back at him. The blast shot through his armor and broke the spell upon Storm. "As long as I breath... I will defend her with all my might!" Azure roared. He turned back to her and smiled, seeing the power of the crystal she also channeled it's strength as a Crystal Bearer, and the two become empowered. Both of them dashing forward at lightning speed, they flipped and dodged over thousands of light beams the Primal began firing. They leaped into the air together unleashed a massive blast of light. The combined force struck Alexander to his core and energy erupted from within, bringing the Primal to his untimely end. In the aftermath, the two stood on a cliff as they watched the castle crumble. "We make a good team" Azure whispered. "Indeed." Storm returned with a smile. "What will you do now?" The Au Ra asked earnestly. Storm spoke of continuing her quest for inner strength, and giving strength to those that have lost it. Azure closed his eyes, he was blessed to have met such an admiral person in his youth. "Don't worry. We will definitely meet again." The two parted ways once more, Azure resolving to restore his name in Eorzea and help the Scion's rebuild what the Ascian's had destroyed.
In honor of his lost mentor, Azure thought back on what he had told him during training. The Au Ra... from the east.
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