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Cloud Strife: No way! That thing's just a machine.
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Raubahn has some parting words for you ahead of the final phase of Operation Archon.

Quest description

The Ultimate Weapon The Ultimate Weapon, also known as Devastation, is a Main Scenario Quest in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and the final quest in patch 2.0. Following Patch 6,1's release, the quest was heavily revamped.

Journal[]

  • The Enterprise stands ready to bear you to the Praetorium─the fortress within a fortress wherein the Ultima Weapon sleeps. Prepare for the fight of your life, and report to Cid at the Ceruleum Processing Plant.
  • You are ready to depart for the Praetorium, the stage upon which the fate of the realm shall soon be decided. Fight your way into the depths of the structure, in search of the Ultima Weapon, and when you find the Allagan relic...send a piece of it to each of the seven hells.
    • Challenge the Praetorium with other players via the Duty Finder, or with a party of NPCs via Duty Support. Both systems are accessible from the main menu as well as the dungeon's entrance point.
  • Having swept aside all enemies in your path, you finally come face-to-face with Gaius van Baelsar himself. The confrontation concludes with the man's retreat, and you chase him to the Ultima Weapon's chamber. Taking control of the fearsome weapon, the Black Wolf sets upon you once more. Do what you have come to do, and see that the magitek monstrosity never threatens Eorzea again.
    • Challenge the Porta Decumana with other players via the Duty Finder, or with a party of NPCs via Duty Support. Both systems are accessible from the main menu as well as the trial's entrance point.
  • Shielded by Light, you weather the Ultima Weapon's relentless onslaught and succeed in laying it low. But your struggles are not yet over, for Lahabrea now intends to eliminate you himself, that none may prevent his god's rebirth. As the Praetorium collapses around you, the Ascian descends to extinguish your flame. Strike down the servant of Darkness, and free your comrade Thancred from his enthrallment.
  • With Gaius van Baelsar slain, and the Ultima Weapon destroyed, it would seem that Eorzea may finally look forward to an era of peace. Yet even as the people of the three city-states gather to celebrate their deliverance, a deafening roar reverberates throughout every corner of the realm... A dread primal has awakened.
  • What fearsome primal is this that has been roused? Perhaps Minfilia will be able to shed some light on the mystery.
  • In troubled tones, Minfilia reveals to you that shortly after the roar was heard around the land, an aetheric disturbance was observed, bearing a disquieting similarity to a phenomenon recorded five years ago. It would seem that your struggles are far from over. Steel your resolve anew, and set forth to shine the Crystal's light upon the realm.

Objectives[]

Script[]

The Ultimate Weapon The Ultimate Weapon script
After speaking to Raubahn
Raubahn For the final phase of the operation, my Flames will storm Castrum Meridianum and suppress what is left of the imperial garrison. If all goes well, this will allow you to reach the Praetorium unopposed─fit and ready for your encounter with the Ultima Weapon.
Raubahn Yours is the most dangerous mission of all, but the best must bear the heaviest burden, and you're the best we have. There's not another soul in this realm that could see this deed done, and Merlwyb and Kan–E are of the same mind as me.
Raubahn Though all hangs on your success, you must not let our plight make you desperate. Victory belongs to the bold, not the reckless. Bards are wont to sing of heroes who valued their life at naught next to honor, love, and liberty, but I tell you now: that which men value at naught, they sell cheap. Risk no more than you must, you hear me?
Raubahn Now, best you were off─we have work to do, the both of us. See that your preparations are in order, then report to Cid. He awaits you with the Enterprise at the Ceruleum Processing Plant. May Rhalgr grant you strength.
When speaking to Cid
Cid The Enterprise is at your disposal. When you're ready to head for the Praetorium, you need only say the word.
Cid If we succeed in destroying the Ultima Weapon, it will deal a crippling blow to the Empire's hopes of conquest. After that, the XIVth Legion would not dare to move against us─barring the discovery of further Allagan doomsday devices, that is...
Cid Let's be on our way, [Player Name]! Gaius and his plaything await!
Cid The Enterprise is at your disposal. When you're ready to head for the Praetorium, you need only say the word.
Entering the Praetorium
Cid So here we are...
Cid The Ultima Weapon will almost certainly be housed in the depths of the complex.
Cid You know, the sort of place a Warrior of Light would boldly go with no thought for personal safety. Oh, if only one were with us!
Cid This is it, my friend!
Cid We need to make our way down. There ought to be a terminal for the lift up ahead.
Cid Here it is. If you'd care to take the van, I'll follow after i've had a look around.
Confronting Gaius
Cid Gaius!
Gaius Ah, Cid, my boy... You are late.
Gaius There is something I always meant to tell you, yet the time never seemed right. It concerns your father.
Cid ...What of him?
Gaius In the winter of his years, Midas came to abhor his part in Meteor. He told me that he wanted nothing more than to wash his hands of the whole sordid business.
Cid But he did not wash his hands of it. He helmed the project until the day it killed him!
Gaius Come now, Cid...you must know that he did not have the luxury of choice. By the time he realized his error, it was too late. Meteor had him completely in its thrall.
Gaius Shortly before his...transformation, mayhap sensing that something was amiss, your father confided to me all the regrets of his life. Most of them concerned you.
Gaius Early on in your career, he realized that while you had a talent for devising armaments, it would never fulfill you. Long before you knew your own mind, he saw that you would be far happier using your knowledge for peaceful purposes, and the thought touched him. He was a changed man for it, though he could not let it show.
Cid You blew holes in this place just so you could say this to me!? What is it you want, Gaius!?
Gaius I want you at my side, Cid. Take up your father's mantle, and become the Empire's lead engineer. It is your destiny.
Cid My father had a change of heart─you said so yourself! Besides, I have long known my destiny, and I assure you, it lies not with the Empire!
Gaius A pity. And what of you, adventurer? Will you not consider making common cause with me?
Gaius With your powers joined to mine, we might do much for this realm. Together, we could bring order to Eorzea, and usher in a lasting peace.
Gaius No? And I can expect no better answer than this? So be it. It was your strength that made me proffer my hand in friendship, and it is your strength that makes me proffer now my blade. Save as an ally, you are too dangerous to be let to remain.
Gaius Run, Cid. Or stay. It makes no matter. You cannot escape the past.
Cid Gaius, wait! ...Damn it!
After defeating the Mark II Magitek Colossus
Cid Right, i'll examine the equipment for intelligence. Press on-I'll let you know if i learn anything.
Cid Well, well, would you look at this! It's the armor we borrowed for our mission at Castrum Centri!
Cid If this isn't fate, i don't know what is! Go on, strap yourselves in and raise hells!
When attacking the Cement Blast DOor
Cid That bulkhead is composed of a special alloy. Extremely tough. Ordinary fire won't leave a mark, I'm afraid.
Cid You'll need to divert all power to the magitek cannon, as I did so memorably once before.
Cid As you may recall, the armor's core is like to expire from the strain, but there's no help for it if we want to press on.
Cid Now, listen well. Press...<buzzzzzz>...the control...<fizzzzzz>...engage ancillary...then fire away. Don't mind the warning lights.
Cid You're a natural at this! All right, the way's clear, but it's just you and your own two feet now, so be careful.
Entering the Laborataorium Prinum
Nero You have been leaving a fine mess in your wake, adventurer.
Cid Is someone there!?
Nero Garlond, old friend. How it warms the heart to hear your voice again after all these years.
Cid ...Nero? Is that you!?
Nero You sound well. It would seem this savage land agrees with you.
Cid The highest ranking tribunus of the XIVth... It was you all this time?
Nero Tell me, Garlond. How long do you intend to keep all the glory for yourself?
Cid Uh...what? You've lost me.
Nero Don't play the fool with me. Ever since the Academy, I have been condemned to live in your shadow.
Nero By all objective measure, I was the more talented of the two of us, yet that fact counted for naught beside your privileged birth. You were admired as the young prodigy simply because your father was the great Midas nan Garlond!
Nero When you defected, I felt sure my star would finally rise...
Nero But by disappearing, you acquired the status of a legend─your reputed genius gaining credence merely by dint of your absence! Instead of cursing you for a traitor, the people actually came to think of you more fondly! To this day, you are still the young prodigy of magitek!
Nero I, meanwhile, have ever been made to feel second-rate─I who have continued to serve our nation faithfully. Whenever I fail to excel─why, it is only to be expected! Yet when I exceed all reasonable expectations, people proclaim that I walk in the footsteps of the great Cid nan bloody Garlond!
Cid Nero, I...I don't know what to say.
Nero It matters not a whit what I achieve. Your existence has rendered mine worthless. Even Lord van Baelsar saw fit to offer you a place at his side─and this in spite of your betrayal! Did he extend any such offer to me─the man who has remained loyal to him for all these years? Why, no. He did not.
Nero Long have I endured this injustice...but no more.
Nero Lord van Baelsar is in the midst of activating the fully powered Ultima Weapon.
Nero It is my magnum opus─the creation that will win me the recognition I am due. I will not let anyone interfere.
Cid Nero! What are you─!?
Nero Ever since I first set foot in this benighted land, I have watched you─every move you have made, every step you have taken.
Nero You have felled eikons, a feat made possible by the Echo, a peculiar power which shields you from their corrupting influence.
Nero It is of little wonder that my lord has taken an interest in you.
Nero As have I, if truth be told. It is my desire to harness your power for use in the Ultima Weapon.
Nero Should I succeed, Lord van Baelsar will surely take notice! Beside this, Garlond's achievements will be as child's play!
Nero Come, adventurer, and yield to me the secrets of your power!
Battle with Nero tol Scaeva
Nero I have taken to liberty for preparing an electrifying stage for you.
Nero I will lay Garlond low, but first i must break you!
Nero Meet one of my creations. You may find it a handful.
Nero <pant> I will not suffer...to be in another's shadow!
Post-fight Cutscene
Nero This changes...nothing...
Nero Ahahahaha! The Ultima Weapon is activated, and it brims with the power of eikons! Nothing can withstand its might!
Cid Are you all right!?
Cid What of Nero!? ...Fled!? Damn it!
Cid In the instant prior to the blackout, the instruments detected a massive power surge from the deepest chamber.
Cid Gaius is certain to be there! We have no time to waste!
Cid Word arrived from the Alliance a short while ago. It seems the Order of the Twin Adder has completed its blockade of Castrum Centri.
Cid What hands they can spare are hastening this way even as we speak, and likewise for the Maelstrom. All that's left is to destroy the Ultima Weapon!
Cid ...I should warn you: the chamber which houses the target appears to be saturated with aetheric energies. There's bound to be heavy interference.
Cid But even if we lose contact, you must go on. Just don't do anything I wouldn't do, all right?
Arriving on the Echelon
Cid Look for the lift's control panel─it'll be somewhere nearby.
Cid Take the lift down, and you should find yourself in the chamber of the Ultima Weapon.
Cid Keep your eyes peeled─Gaius could be waiting for you down there.
Cid Oh, and don't even think about dying. You're too bloody useful!
Cid The interference is getting worse. I don't think the connection will last much─
Gaius Tell me...for whom do you fight?
Gaius Hmph! Do you believe in Eorzea?
Gaius Eorzea's unity is forged of falsehoods. Its city–states are built on deceit. And its faith is an instrument of deception.
Gaius It is naught but a cobweb of lies. To believe in Eorzea is to believe in nothing.
Gaius In Eorzea, the beast tribes often summon gods to fight in their stead─though your comrades only rarely respond in kind. Which is strange, is it not?
Gaius Are the “Twelve” otherwise engaged? I was given to understand they were your protectors. If you truly believe them your guardians, why do you not repeat the trick that served you so well at Carteneau, and call them down?
Gaius They will answer─so long as you lavish them with crystals and gorge them on aether.
Gaius Your gods are no different from those of the beasts─eikons every one. Accept but this, and you will see how Eorzea's faith is bleeding the land dry.
Gaius Nor is this unknown to your masters. Which prompts the question: why do they cling to these false deities? What drives even men of learning─even the great Louisoix─to grovel at their feet?
Gaius The answer? Your masters lack the strength to do otherwise!
Gaius For the world of man to mean anything, man must own the world.
Gaius To this end, he hath fought ever to raise himself through conflict─to grow rich through conquest.
Gaius And when the dust of battle settles, it is ever the strong who dictate the fate of the weak.
Gaius Knowing this, but a single path is open to the impotent ruler─that of false worship. A path which leads to enervation and death.
Gaius Only a man of power can rightly steer the course of civilization. And in this land of creeping mendacity, that one truth will prove its salvation.
Gaius Come, champion of Eorzea, face me! Your defeat shall serve as proof of my readiness to rule!
Gaius It is only right that I should take your realm. For none among you has the power to stop me!
Battle with Gaius van Baelsar
Gaius Let us dance, champion of Eorzea.
Gaius Taste my blade!
Gaius Know your place!
Gaius On your guard!
Gaius Impressive! Now it is my turn!
Gaius Come, we shall see if you can finish what you have started.
Gaius If you will not yield, then you will be destroyed!
Gaius Eorzea is mine by right!
Gaius Yaaaaaargh!
Gaius That you should still stand... Very well, then!
Praetorium Ending
Gaius I had not thought to be so hard-pressed.
Gaius Your strength is...most impressive. Such power befits a ruler!
Gaius Yet you lack the resolve to put it to proper use. A waste.
Exiting the Praetorium
Gaius Allow me, then, hero, to do that which you will not!
Entering the Porta Decumana
Gaius Bear witness to the true power of the Ultima Weapon!
Phase 1
Gaius The Ultima Weapon has partaken of the power of eikons! None can stand against it!
Gaius Kneel to the might below!
Gaius The land itself is mine to wield!
Gaius Be entombed in earth!
Hydaelyn Hear... Feel... Think...
Hydaelyn Thy foe is Darkness clad in steel. If thou wouldst triumph, thou must look to the Light.
Gaius Titan's essence...torn from the Ultima Weapon!?
Gaius No matter─it still harbors the might of other eikons!
Gaius Yield to the storm!
Gaius The wind is at my beck and call!
Gaius Naught can pierce the raging tempest!
Hydaelyn Once more, crystal bearer. Look to the Light to vanquish the Darkness.
Gaius Garuda's as well!? Impossible!
Gaius But the Ultima Weapon is not spent of eikon power yet!
Gaius Succumb to the flames!
Gaius So this is the strength of the eikon-slayer...
Gaius Very well, let us see how you fare when the Ultima Weapon's power inhibitor is disengaged!
Gaius Naught will remain of you but ash!
Hydaelyn Yield not to the Darkness, my child. Pray to the Crystal with all thy being.
Gaius No! How...how are you doing this!?
Phase Transition Cutscene
Gaius But the Ultima Weapon is all-powerful! Why does my enemy still stand!?
Gaius Can her/his strength truly be so great?
Lahabrea It is the blessing of Light that confounds you.
Gaius Lahabrea.
Lahabrea Your foe acts under the protection of the Crystal s/he bears.
Gaius So, this is what empowers her/him.
Lahabrea Beyond mortal limits.
Lahabrea If you are to prevail, the hammer of Darkness must needs be brought to bear upon the shield of Light.
Lahabrea And so it shall, for the Ultima Weapon is host to a power of which you are as yet ignorant.
Gaius Speak plainly, Ascian.
Lahabrea The Heart of Sabik. It is the Weapon's core─an enigma whose surface even the vaunted scholars of ancient Allag failed to scratch.
Lahabrea The magic within has lain dormant for eons.
Gaius Of what magic do you speak?
Lahabrea A spell without parallel. Ultima.
Lahabrea I sought the life force of the primals for no other reason but to quicken the core. For the true power of the Ultima Weapon lies within its now-beating Heart!
Gaius Lahabrea... What have you done?
Lahabrea No more than was necessary...for my god to be reborn.
Gaius Damn you, Ascian!
Lahabrea The hour is at hand! Behold but a sliver of my god's power!
Lahabrea And from the deepest pit of the seven hells to the very pinnacle of the heavens, the world shall tremble! Unleash Ultima!
Lahabrea Ahahahahahaha!
Gaius Such devastation... This was not my intention...
Lahabrea Oh, Hydaelyn...it seems the task of keeping Your champion alive has exhausted what strength You had left.
Lahabrea Van Baelsar... Your enemy's shield is broken.
Lahabrea The rest I leave to you.
Gaius We will speak later, Ascian.
Gaius But first, I must deal with you. The question of who is mightier remains!
Gaius Come, adventurer! Let us find the answer together!
Phase 2
Gaius We settle this once and for all!
Gaius I need not the power of eikons to defeat you! Gaze upon true power!
Gaius This is most...unexpected. You are possessed of great might, this I will allow.
Gaius Yet yours is not the might of a ruler! Such is the difference between us─a difference that will assure my victory!
Gaius U-Ultima!? Curse you, Ascian!
Gaius How much destruction must be wreaked before you are sated!?
Hydaelyn I have not the strength...to shield thee again...
Hydaelyn Permit not the manifestation of that vile magick...lest Darkness prevail!
The Ultima Weapon's Defeat
Gaius No... No, no, NO! Uh!
Gaius Heed me... The subjects of a weak ruler must needs look to a higher power for providence...and their dependence comes at a cost to the realm.
Gaius The misguided elevate the frail... And the frail lead the people astray.
Gaius Unless a man of power wrests control...the cycle will never be broken.
Gaius You... You of all people must see the truth in this. You who have the strength to rule...
Exiting the Porta Decumana
Lahabreae Pathetic.
Lahabrea You boasted of unrivaled power. You were entrusted with the ultimate weapon. The ultimate magic!
Lahabrea And still you failed. So much for the glory of man.
Lahabrea The growing imbalance afflicting the planet must be redressed.
Lahabrea If it is permitted to worsen, the very laws of existence─both aetheric and physical─will be warped beyond all recognition.
Lahabrea Know you the root of this corruption? Hydaelyn!
Lahabrea Like a parasite, She must be burned out if the planet is to recover.
Lahabrea And naught but the return of the one true god will ensure Her complete excision.
Lahabrea Yet to pave the way for the master's return, a chaotic confluence of untold proportions must needs be brought about. And that will necessitate the presence of the primals.
Lahabrea Needless to say, both you and your Scion accomplices can not be suffered to interfere in this endeavor.
Lahabrea You will not leave this place alive.
Lahabrea Battle Solo Instance
Lahabrea It is past time your flame was extinguished...“Bringer of Light.”
Lahabrea For the sake of the star, I will deal with you personally!
Lahabrea Begone!
Lahabrea Searing flames, cleanse all in the name of the one true god!
Lahabrea Those tainted by Light cannot be suffered to live! Go forth, my shadows!
Lahabrea Hahahaha!
Lahabrea I will show you true magic! Fires of creation─arise!
Lahabrea You have meddled enough! Farewell, servant of Light!
Lahabrea Hmph. Yours was always a vain struggle.
Hydaelyn Surrender not, my child. Look thee to the Light...
Hydaelyn If thou wouldst pierce the shadows...make thee a blade of Light.
Hydaelyn And receive of the power to banish the Darkness!
Lahabrea That You should still have the strength to interfere... Damn You, Hydaelyn!
Lahabrea No matter. Blessing or no, you imperfect beings cannot hope to defeat me!
Lahabrea You withstood the Darkness!? Impossible!
Lahabrea You are strong, I concede...
Lahabrea Yet know that if I should perish, so too will the mortal within whose flesh I reside.
Hydaelyn Mark not the Dark Minion's subtle words. Only Light may banish the Darkness!
A Realm Reborn Ending
Hydaelyn If thou wouldst pierce the shadows...make thee a blade of Light.
Lahabrea What!?
Warriors of Light Yaaarrrgh!
Lahabrea The Light...it binds them... They are too many!
Lahabrea Aaaaaaaaarrrgh!!!
Gaius And so my conquest ends, Cid.
Gaius In smoke and ashes...
Hydaelyn Hear... Feel... Think...
Hydaelyn Warrior of Light. Beloved daughter/son.
Hydaelyn The Darkness hath fled before the unclosed brilliance of thy spirit.
Hydaelyn Yet it lingereth still beyond the sight of men, in forgotten corners of the world.
Hydaelyn In the depths of the abyss yet resideth the Dark One, watchful ever.
Hydaelyn Till this evil be cast out, never shall the world know aught but a passing peace.
Hydaelyn Yet for the present, a gentle light shineth o'er the realm of Eorzea.
Hydaelyn With thee at its heart.
Hydaelyn From sparkling mote shall it swell to glorious sun, and all the world shall bask in its warmth.
Hydaelyn Blessings and joy be upon thee.
Hydaelyn Go forth, my child, and be as a beacon of hope for Eorzea and the lands beyond, through all the days of thy life.
A00910 My lady! All Twin Adder units have fallen back to the outer perimeter!
A00920 The Flames have completed their withdrawal, General!
A00930 Admiral! All hands accounted for!
A00940 She/He's still in there...
A00950 Cid! Has there been no word?
A00960 Nothing. Nothing at all.
A00970 Damnation!
A00980 She/He's going to make it! I know s/he is!
A00990 Yda is right. We must have faith.
A01000 Cid! Can they not be evacuated aboard the Enterprise?
A01010 That adventurer and the Scions are as the Warriors of Light reborn.
A01020 We cannot abandon them to their fate! Not again!
A01030 I wholeheartedly agree! But flying into the midst of that would only add to the fireworks!
A01040 There must be something we can do!
A01050 Please, Mother Hydaelyn. Please light her/his way through the darkness...
Hydaelyn Look into the Light, my child. If thou wouldst see thy companions returned safe to thee, reach out to them now.
A01070 It's her/him. I feel her/his presence!
A01080 Can it be─? Is it really her/him!?
A01090 I knew it! I knew it all along!
A01100 Who speaks...? The Crystal! She calls to us!
A01110 I hear Her! The voice of Hydaelyn Herself...
A01120 She speaks of...

Strike me down! No wonder s/he seemed familiar! She/He's one of the Warriors of Light!

A01130 What are you smirking at, Cid!? You knew, didn't you!?
A01140 Oh, you mean our adventurer friend? Did I forget to mention s/he was one of the Warriors of Light?
A01150 Saved Eorzea, you know. Twice.
A01160 The shroud is lifted. They remember you...
A01170 There!
A01180 Oh!
A01190 Yay!
A01200 Our Warrior of Light!
A01210 Yes! The hero returns!
A01220 Look! Thancred is with her/him!
A01230 Thank the Twelve!
A01240 Thank Hydaelyn...
A01250 Welcome home.
Minfilia The Archons have conducted a preliminary investigation into the origin of the roar that rang out during the celebration. Their findings strongly suggest that a new primal has appeared.
Minfilia The roar generated a distinctive wave pattern in the aether, a pattern observed only once before in history─five years ago, to be precise. I should like to think it mere coincidence, yet we cannot discount that possibility... Well, I trust I need say no more.
Minfilia At great sacrifice, we have delivered Eorzea from the threat posed by the Empire and the primals, and thereby secured peace. We cannot well allow the realm to be plunged into chaos once more.
Minfilia You have given your all for our cause, risking life and limb on I know not how many occasions, yet our struggle continues, and we need you now no less than before.
Minfilia Please continue to stand with us, and together we shall safeguard the future of the realm─of this very star!
Quest complete.
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