The Astral Agents, under probationary status with the Immortal Flames, were handed a task from the re-budding nation of Ala Mhigo. With the whirlwind series of events which now has the nation in need of supplies for rebuilding and growing, trade routes are vital. Unfortunately recently a particular route seemed to have become a target of preying beasts hoping for an easy meal in the rough environment of Gyr Abania. The Antlion aggression became so intense it forced some native bears to move to the ruins of Bittermill as a new den, which cut off two routes for trade.

Suwan, Khaisan, Reks, and Viktor answered the call for the job, their first task being eliminating the monstrous bears from Bittermill. The group took the beasts off guard and were only forced to slay one of the creatures before the remaining fled with their offspring. Despite the bears treating the hamlet as their den, no convoys had been harmed by the furry residents.

Sadly, once the group continued to location known for Antlion attacks they found the remains of a convoy. The supplies were unharmed and even the dead chocobo and body of the driver were untouched beyond the strikes that slew them. Khaisan and Viktor came to the conclusion it was very odd behavior only moments before the group were attacked from below by withered looking vilekin. The Agents were not quite as lucky as they were with the bears, but only minor injuries were inflicted on the small group.

During the attack, Reks was stabbed by shrapnel of a blade that was inside the antlion. For a moment the Miqo’te felt a pressure trying to guide him to kill, but the overall the presence was far to weak. Once the vilekin were put down, Suwan and Khaisan retrieved four other scimitars that had been skewered into the backs of the antlions. The blades bore aetheric arrays, but otherwise seemed innocuous. The gathered group decided the weapons likely were responsible for the odd behavior of the beasts and returned to the estate with the weapons after dropping off the body of the fallen driver and the supplies back at Castrum Oriens. Director Sarij ordered Reks to lock the weapons away until he could speak to the Immortal Flames and get their orders.