Just when it felt like we were beginning to gain the upper hand, spires appear from the ground. In legends they were referred to as the Infernal Nails. Here, now, in this bowl of fire, we were bearing witness to Ifrit's true strength. The spires were the source of Ifrits ultimate magic, the summoning of Hellfire. Stories tell of how Hellfire could wipe out entire villages, and yet here we were. Quickly we rush to take out the Nails while Vander does all he can to keep Ifrit at bay. One of the Nails shatters to the mighty lance, and we move to the next. Things are looking up for us as we prepare our skills to take out a second Nail.

That is when the ground cracks below us. That is when the fire erupt from the ground, catching us off guard. It sends us in a frenzy. We scatter while our mages do all they could to Cure our bodies. As the mages work, Ifrit jump into the sky in the middle of the battlefield. Our time is up, we braced for the attack. Hellfire is coming.


We'd trained for that moment. As I now look out into the shadows of the wood, I remember back to when I was deep within Casseopia, learning the ways of the Gladiator. I was advised that it could one day help me. That when the end of Seventh Umbral Era was upon us, only the most resilient would survive in the new Eorzea. Perhaps it was only hearsay and rumour. At the time I remember thinking that the advice couldn't hurt, even if the Seventh Era is not what it seems.

An orange light engulf the sky. It is so loud that it feels as if all of Eorzea is now on fire. The blinding orange is soon replaced with a miniature sun that expands across everything in sight. There is no stopping it. In an instant, we are seared by Hellfire. In the next instant, most of our party drops to the ground. It takes all my training to ensure I am not among them.

When Ifrit lands, he has copied himself into three. Each Ifrit dashing in different directions with fire in his wake. Those of us still standing scatter. Our party begins to crumble before the Primal of Fire. Merging back to a single entity, Ifrit readies his claws and heads right for our last standing Conjurer. We rush to his aid, but it is of no use. The fiery plumes return, but this time they engulf the entire area. I can not find a place to hide... We are too weak to survive yet another attack. As I fall to the ground in a flume of flame I see Ifrit's claws of fire tear through Shaniston.


A hand calmly placed itself on my shoulder. So calmly that I did not turn at first to see who it was.

"I have seen your dreams, my child."

I turned to see the voice before me. It was a voice I knew. The leader of the Order of the Twin Adder, Kan-E-Senna had graced me with her presence. What could she want with an adventurer such as I?

"Fear not young one. Though we may not be able to stop what is coming, we are the ones who will shape it's future. Your dreams are not ill-omen, but a tool which you must use."


In silence she watched over me then as I turned back to watch the skies begin to change. I can not be too sure how much time had passed. Kan-E-Senna was still there when I turned around, but she did not speak. I bowed in prayer to her, offering my thanks for her wisdom. As I walked away I could see the sun of a new day dawning through the wood. While my thoughts continued to race about Ifrit and Seraphim's survival into the Seventh Era, I put them aside. For today, there is a Celebration to be had.

Seraphim must be rallied, for today is Kai's birthday.



Holy Dragoon

I once again awoke from cold sweat. Whispers echoed the room loaned to me by the Wood Wailers of Gridania. I could not make out their words... These sleepless nights have become more prevalent. Every night the same images thrust into me. Images too real to ignore.


They call it the Bowl of Embers, where the Primal Ifrit may be summoned. The sky burns of a twisted eclipse. Embers trace the paths of the wind. The adventurers are surrounded by a ring of flame. It feels as if all of Eorzea is going to burn to the ground as they stand gazing upon the fire that flickers before them.


I am among these adventurers, they are some of Seraphim's greatest warriors. We're there in hopes of pushing back the coming of the Seventh Umbral Era. We've seen the sky and heeded the warnings. Together we've witnessed the formation of the Grand Companies of Eorzea. Though we are one as Seraphim, we have aligned ourselves in order to protect all citizens of Eorzea. It took me but a moment to pledge myself to the Order of the Twin Adder.

Spells of Protect, Shell, and Stoneskin are cast upon us. We are preparing to face the beast together as one unit. Ifrit's eyes are fixed upon us. As the last of our enhancing magics are cast, our Gladiator darts up the middle. To the left and right, our disciples of magic take flight in order find a "safe" area from which they can cast. Slipping in behind Ifrit, are four Lancers of Seraphim.

One by one we put our best skills to work upon the fiery Ifirt. It seems to only serve to anger him. The embers begin to glow a bright orange. Angered, Ifrit leaps to the sky, and dashes across the battlefield. We're quick, but not quick enough. Valkyrie falls to his speed and fire. Tiss begins to Raise him, but underneath him the ground begins to crack. Beneath it, molten rock rushes to the surface spewing out on to the battlefield. Tiss escaped it, this time.

As we fight on, Ifirit became more enraged. I remember leaping into to the air to drive my lance into him, only to have Ifrit move even quicker to perform another dash of flames. When it seems like the attacks let up, Ifrit's magic pelts the ground with plumes fire, which arise like a wall of hell. Every step in the Bowl of Embers quickly becomes like that of a Garlean minefield.


I looked to the sky, a bright moon shone down through the window. "Dalamund, spare us." The words escaped my lips, though I doubt anyone heard me this late at night. The red moon now sits and stares upon Eorzea. What ill omen does it truly signify. Will the Grand Companies of Eorzea bond together to save her? I will help ensure Seraphim does its part, but will it be enough?