Cloud Strife:
No way! That thing's just a machine.
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Kabuto is making ready to storm the Isle of Zekki. ※The difficulty of this quest will be synced to your current level.
Quest description
A Test of Courage is a Quest in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
Journal[]
- Kabuto has every intention of rescuing Tsukumo, but he cannot do it alone. First, he must enlist the aid of his fellow Kojin. As he musters the courage to do so, he asks you to accompany him in case he should falter.
※Please note that the difficulty of this quest has been synced to your current level. Furthermore, you may not proceed with a class or job that is different from when you accepted this quest.
- One of Kabuto's brothers agrees to help much to his surprise. Though only a small success, it gives him courage. So much so, he asks you to wait with Bunchin while he takes on the monumental task of speaking with all the Kojin of Tamamizu.
- Kabuto has done his due diligence and spoken with all his brothers. All that remains is to wait. Then wait. Then wait a while longer. Just as he was beginning to lose hope, the other members of the Divine Circle arrive. They each have taken steps to prepare for the upcoming battle, and their remaining brothers are all at the ready outside of Tamamizu. It is time for battle, and so Kabuto bids you follow him to the Dive.
- The plan to distract the Red Kojin about the island was a success. The entrance is unguarded, and Kabuto is prepared to rush inside.
- Together you and Kabuto fight your way through to the Air of the Opulent and at last find Tsukumo held captive by Hirumaki. A duel ensues, and the ringing of steel against steel is deafening. Alas, Kabuto appears to be no match for Hirumaki. The red-shelled swordsman prepares to deliver the finishing blow when Tsukumo struggles to speak. He offers a few words of encouragement before growing still, and Kabuto realizes at once what has happened. He then finds the strength to strike one last time. Hirumaki collapses to the ground, but Kabuto follows shortly after. With the general defeated, the other Blue Kojin carry the unmoving Tsukumo and Kabuto back to Tamamizu.
- Tsukumo is no more. The doll sits silently on an altar in the treasure vault when Shihoumi arrives to examine it. Kabuto's hopes of saving Tsukumo are dashed, however, when she tells him there is nothing she can do. Feeling defeated, Kabuto casts a sullen look at the altar and notices a peculiar gem on the ground. Shihoumi is quick to identify it as materia, and wastes no time affixing it to Kabuto's helmet. Taking the materia as a parting gift, he vows to honor Tsukumo's memory by redoubling his efforts to serve the Divine Circle.
Objectives[]
- Speak with Kabuto.
- Wait for Kabuto to return.
- Speak with Kabuto at the Dive.
- Speak with Kabuto at Tamamizu.
Script[]
| A Test of Courage script
| |
|---|---|
| Kabuto | I'm afraid you've arrived early, [Player Name]. There is still much to do before preparations are complete. |
| Kabuto | Yet I cannot stop thinking about Tsukumo's capture. Why strike in Kugane rather than here in Tamamizu? There is little we could have done to stop them had they tried. |
| Kabuto | Unless... What if this was not the work of the Red as a whole, but a plot by Hirumaki to satisfy his own greed? |
| Kabuto | Defeating him would be the key to rescuing Tsukumo. |
| Kabuto | The problem, however, is he is always so heavily guarded. |
| Kabuto | Our plans and preparation will all be for nothing unless they can be drawn away. |
| Kabuto | As ever your aid is greatly appreciated. |
| Kabuto | Nevertheless, we cannot deny their numbers. Sheer strength alone will not grant us victory. |
| Kabuto | The other members of the Divine Circle intend to create a distraction to draw them away, but even then we are still outmatched. |
| Kabuto | <sigh> How am I to sway my brothers to join us? Even the mere mention of the Isle of Zekki is enough to turn them away. |
| Kabuto | My actions...? Ah, like the Qestir of the Azim Steppe. |
| Kabuto | Hmmm. That sounds like what Tsukumo would do. He always had a way with words. |
| Kabuto | If that is what you believe, then I suppose it is worth a try. |
| Kabuto | Erm... Would you be willing to accompany me? Not to speak with everyone, of course. Only until I've gained my nerve. |
| Volunteer02977 | Aren't you the one aiding the Divine Circle in their search for treasure? You've done fine work for the Blue. Yes, fine work indeed. |
| Kabuto | Ah, [Player Name]. Your presence is greatly appreciated. Ahem. Now then. |
| Volunteer02977 | Are you well, Kabuto? It's rather unlike you to call on anyone for help. I suppose next Makura will tell us the striped rays are drowning. |
| Kabuto | Tsukumo has been taken by the Red, and I mean to rescue him. |
| Volunteer02977 | So it is true! I had hoped it was only a rumor. But what are we to do? We are not fighters, Kabuto. You would be leading turtles to slaughter. |
| Kabuto | I realize that, which is why I will not ask you to fight. But I do have a plan that requires your help. |
| Kabuto | You are perhaps the greatest swimmer the Ruby Sea has ever known, and your knowledge of its currents is unmatched. That is why I would ask you to lead their soldiers on a chase─distract them that I might do battle with their leader alone. |
| Volunteer02977 | A chase, you say? Hmmm. It should be simple enough to drag those sea slugs through the waves. It might even prove fun. |
| Volunteer02977 | Very well. Give me time to prepare and you will have your diversion. |
| Kabuto | He listened. He listened and agreed to help! No doubt your presence helped to convince him. |
| Kabuto | But I cannot ask you to be present for everyone. Wait with the elder while I speak with the others. |
| Bunchin | Kabuto has taken to recruiting our brothers for his attack on the Isle of Zekki? It seems he has learned much from his time away from Tamamizu. |
| Kabuto | I never realized talking could be so tiresome. |
| Bunchin | I take it you have spoken with everyone, then. Fear not. Your cause is just, and from what [Player Name] has told me, your plan is sound. |
| Bunchin | We need only wait for the others to assemble. |
| Kabuto | It would seem my words have fallen on deaf ears. Come, [Player Name]. We must save Tsukumo on our own. |
| Bunchin | You are too quick to judge your brothers, Kabuto. Take another look. |
| Makura | Sorry to keep you waiting. I thought it prudent we have proper weapons should we be forced to confront the Red, so I made a short trip to visit the Qestir. |
| Kabuto | You traveled all the way to Reunion for weapons!? |
| Shikitahe | I paid a visit to the forge in Kugane, and the young smith─Shihoumi, I believe is her name─insisted she be brought here to prepare for Tsukumo's return. She seemed quite adamant about seeing to his repairs. |
| Kabuto | Shihoumi! I had nearly forgotten. I know not how to repay you. |
| Zukin | When a brother is in need, we help. It's as simple as that. |
| Makura | Just so. In fact, you'll find more of our brothers are waiting for you outside. Everyone is prepared to do their part to see Tsukumo returned safely. |
| Zukin | Which is why I scouted ahead, lest we have any unwanted surprises. I overheard the soldiers on watch speaking of Hirumaki. |
| Zukin | They say he's been gloating over his latest plunder, keeping it on display at the Air of the Opulent. It has to be Tsukumo. |
| Kabuto | Then I know where I must go. |
| Kabuto | As I mentioned before, your task will be to circle about the island and draw the attention of as many soldiers as you can. |
| Kabuto | While they're distracted, [Player Name] and I will sneak onto the island through the Dive. |
| Bunchin | Today we shall prove the Blue are not to be trifled with. |
| Kabuto | To the Isle of Zekki! |
| Bunchin | You needn't worry about me. I may be old, but with age comes great wisdom. I know enough of battle to handle myself in the field. |
| Kabuto | You're here. Good. Everyone is in position. |
| Kabuto | When we reach the Air of the Opulent, I will see to Hirumaki while you retrieve Tsukumo. |
| Kabuto | Are you ready? |
| Kabuto | There! It's Hirumaki, and he has Tsukumo! |
| Shikitahe | The soldiers are all taking to the water. Now is your chance. |
| Kabuto | Thank you. All of you. I promise this opportunity will not be wasted. |
| Kabuto | Fall back and join the others. [Player Name] will handle the rest. |
| Makura | Understood. Good luck, and may the kami keep you safe. |
| Zukin | We have faith in you, Kabuto. |
| Hirumaki | So you've come after all. Shaugi, why don't you entertain our guests? |
| Syagi | With pleasure. |
| Kabuto | Come, [Player Name]. He stands no chance against the both of us. |
| Hirumaki | I've had enough of your meddling! I will rip your heads from your shoulders and mount them on the walls of the vault! |
| Kabuto | Hurry, [Player Name]. See to Tsukumo! |
| Kabuto | Prepare yourself! |
| Hirumaki | Is that the best you can do? |
| Hirumaki | This is your last chance. Join me or die along with the rest of the Blue. |
| Kabuto | Ugh... |
| Tsukumo | GeT uP... |
| Tsukumo | ThE oThErS...cOuNtInG oN yOu... |
| Tsukumo | My WoRk...iS DoNe. FoLlOw...YoUr HeArT. |
| Tsukumo | I wIlL...aLwAyS... |
| Kabuto | Tsukumo!!! |
| Redzako02977 | General Hirumaki has fallen! Retreat! Retreat! |
| Bunchin | Quickly. We must take him back to Tamamizu. |
| Kabuto | I apologize if I've worried you. I am fine, but there is still no change in Tsukumo. |
| Kabuto | He's remained lifeless since he last spoke on the Isle of Zekki. |
| Kabuto | Shihoumi. Can you repair him? |
| Shihoumi | I'm sorry. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him, physically. |
| Shihoumi | I could grant him movement, but only such as an ordinary karakuri puppet might have. |
| Kabuto | Tsukumo is no ordinary puppet. He is of the divine! |
| Kabuto | [Player Name]. You have dealt with matters of magic before, yes? Do you know of anything that might restore Tsukumo? |
| Kabuto | How can you say that? There's still so much we've yet to do. |
| Kabuto | His parting message? You say that as if his intention was to leave. |
| Kabuto | What's this? Did it fall from Tsukumo's altar? |
| Shihoumi | How could I have overlooked such a thing while examining him? Hmmm. It bears a striking resemblance to materia... |
| Shihoumi | Of course! Materia is essentially spiritual energy in crystallized form. It was likely used to make Tsukumo's core. |
| Bunchin | Are you saying it was this materia that gave him life? |
| Shihoumi | Precisely. And I have an idea as to how we may still put it to use. Would you sit down for a moment? |
| Shihoumi | A perfect fit. |
| Shihoumi | It suits your helmet quite nicely. |
| Kabuto | Thank you, Shihoumi. I will treasure it always. |
| Kabuto | Tsukumo. You lent your voice when I could not find my own, your courage when I had only cowardice. |
| Kabuto | Thanks to you, I now understand the strength that comes from the bonds I share with others. |
| Kabuto | Before I might have thrown this materia away, but now... |
| Kabuto | Now I would honor Tsukumo's memory by protecting the vault, and the allies that have helped us fill it. |
| Quest complete. | |