Wayfarer

I did the best that I could... but i guess my time is up.  Lad, if you’re still around out there, thank you. You’re no longer the street rat I picked up at the Toll those years ago. Live your life as you see fit, Hayato

Alisa, you may have never forgiven me all these years, nor do I expect that to change. Know that all that I’ve done, both the good and the bad, I did to try and change this world that you live in for the better. You’ve suffered enough. I’m sorry

Hey guys, I wanted to put together a guide outlining the 45 new sightseeing points found within the new 4.0 areas. There is only a minor achievement attached to them but they offer a great deal of insight regarding the new areas and even a few lore tidbits as well. If you have the free time and are interested in taking down some of these points, I highly recommend doing them as they were my primary focus after clearing the Main Scenario quests. I know that there are other guides out there or if people want to find these points out themselves like I did, but this is just a resource if you find yourself stumped or want to get a particular bit of info regarding some of the locals. To open the Stormblood Sightseeing points, speak with Ulger Ironheart in Rhalgr’s Reach. You don’t need to complete either the ARR or Heavensward logs in order to take on the new ones, you only need to have the feature unlocked. Good Hunting!

Here is the collection of posts I’ve drafted for both Alexi and Hayato in the events presented in FFXIV Patch 3.3. This may be a better way to help track the story across so many different posts.

Hayato - Part 1

Alexi - Part 2

Hayato - Part 3

Hayato - Part 4

"A bit broken in some places but I'm still in one single piece, sir." The haggard but relieved voice of his retainer chirped through Alexi's linkpearl.

Knights and civilians alike were running through the capitol, jubilant that their long night had finally ended. The seige of Ishgard had ended and the dragons had dispersed to the winds. At the bottom of the ramp across the Holy Stables, Alexi was seated on the cold stones, waving off chirurgeon despite wounds, his claymore at his feet.

"You must be alright if your able to joke around like that, you bloody fool. Where are you?"

"I'm at a makeshift defensive position just north of Falcon's Nest. It was the best strategic position at the time. Forgive me for not making it to the capitol."

"Don't be, lad. From the sounds of it, we both did our fair share of defending. Make your way to Falcon's Nest, I'll join you as soon as things calm down in Ishgard and I'm able to slip away. We'll decide on our next move from there"

"Understood, sir. See you soon."

The linkpearl went silent and Alexi fell backwards. He slumped into the cold body of the wyvern that had fallen during the siege and was able to overcome, albeit barely. He placed his hand on his opponent's body.

{The following is an account of Hayato’s story concerning the Battle of Ishgard of Patch 3.3. Part one of Hayato’s story can be found here.}

*click*

The sound lingered in Hayato’s head for a moment before the sounds of battle around him brought him back. Holstering the carbine and drawing his daggers, he surveyed his surroundings. The defensive line was holding, albeit barely, while the Dravanians advanced in waves. Lesser beasts such as the dragonflies were accompanied by Aevises, Drakes, and Lesser Wyverns. Picking his targets, Hayato contended with those he could overcome with his daggers. One, two, three dragonflies were easily dispatched with the short blades but a roar at his back shifted his focus to a Diresaur making its way straight for him. Covered in thick scales, sturdy as iron, this was a foe that Hayato would not otherwise contend with at close range. Before he could pull back, the beast took a swipe at him with its rending claws. Evading the swipe, Hayato felt the air above his head whisked away violently. He knew the situation was poor, his mind raced at possible strategies. Falling back on his training, to attack from the front was suicide while it’s sides were covered in hardened scales. In order to make it out, his only option would have be a decisive blow.

“I need one well-placed strike. For either man or beast that’s usually…”

The idea came to him just as the beast lashed at him with his claws. Ducking under once more, he had just enough time to leap over the beast’s tail that tried to catch Hayato off guard.

“Now!”

Hayato took his chances and leapt onto the Diresaur’s back, scaling his way towards the beast’s head. Struggling to keep his balance as the creature tried to shake him off. Hayato aimed for a spot underneath the scales where the brain or spinal column would be and drove one of his daggers home. The Diresaur let out a monstrous shriek, writhing and twisting. Hayato though them to be its death throes, Hayato failed to notice the beast’s claws reach for him.

“Too shallow!”

Hayato felt the crushing weight of the beast’s grip before being violently tossed through the air and to the ground. Reeling, Hayato felt more than one of his ribs had cracked. The Diresaur lurched towards him, aiming to finish the job, but Hayato saw that the knife was still embedded in the beast’s head, the handle protruding from underneath the scales. Calming himself, he focused his thoughts on a single point, channeling the forces around him as best as he could. “Ten, Chi, Raiton!!” Forming the mudras with his hands, Hayato felt the air around him crackle before a heavenly bolt shot down from above, striking the Diresaur where the knife was embedded in its head, sending shockwaves through the beast’s body. Screeching, the beast spammed for a moment before falling forward and laid dead in the snow. Forcing himself to stand, Hayato looked at the battlefield around him. The bodies of both forces were strewn about the blood spotted field as both man and dragon-kin fought on.

To the north, another wave of the Horde was advancing, one Hayato felt as though he would not withstand. Clenching his remaining knife and his broken side, he braced for his final moments. Hayato closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry. Teacher, my lord, everyone. I don’t think I’m going to make it out of this one, but if I may give my life in the defense of others then I do so with no regrets.”

One moment passed and then the next. Hayato opened his eyes to see that most of the beasts froze in their place. A few seconds of bewilderment was followed by a deafening roar that filled the filled the air. It was some distance away and echoed across the highlands. A moment of stillness passed before the advancing Horde turned their backs to the defenders and dispersed. “They’re… they’re falling back!!” one of the pikemen called out. There was as much relief as much as confusion amongst the defenders, watching as the dragons disappeared into the distance. A rider had arrived from Falcon’s Nest minutes afterwards.

“Word from the Capitol! Nidhogg has fallen! The Horde has disengaged on all fronts! Victory!!!”

Letting out a cry all their own, the defenders basked in their victory while orders were issued to aid the wounded. As others cheered and embraced each other, Hayato slumped against a rock outcropping.

A few staggered breaths passed before the his linkshell chirped online. “You still alive out there, boy?”

3 pages long in my notebook.