Player?! Perfect, I could use your skills! I thought the situation looked hopeless, and now it's just cataclysmic.

In case you haven't noticed the frigid air and general hostility, this isn't the Abyss we trained for.

Player: "How do you mean?"

Shards! The Dragon Lord's breaking out, the Balaur are stronger than ever, and Asteria Fortress has gone scaly. We're about to lose our grip on the Abyss.

I have my own heads to roll out here. Go to Darmian and he'll give you some assignments. There's plenty to do.

Thanks for your help, Player. Don't waste any more time talking with me--legs are for working, wings are for fighting!

Player: "Blood for blood!"

Azphelumbra, Player. As you can see, Harbinger's Landing is in disarray. I never thought we'd be in the middle of a blasted Balaur war!

We may have pushed the Beritra Legion to the outer regions, but The Ereshkigal Legion is closing in as we speak.

Player: "I see."

I considered sending another team out to investigate, but I think you might be enough on your own.

We can't fight these Ereshkigal Balaur without more information, so be subtle up there. Don't instigate a fight, understand?

Meet with Batai and he'll give you your orders. Blood for blood.

Player: "Blood for blood!"

Azphelumbra, Player. If you came here to join the Investigation Unit, I have bad news--they already left.

Luckily for you, there's always more work. Asteria Fortress is a blasted mess, and none of my scouts have returned. You should talk to Dukas.

Player: "Go on."

Before he left, he told me to instruct the Daeva whom Officer Darmian sends to investigate the Asteria Fortress area.

First, go to the Asteria Fortress to obtain Proof of Fortress Change, then take it to Dukas.

Dukas will tell you what to do after.

You never know what might happen outside of the Landing, so don't forget to register your Obelisk.

Player: "Will do."

Player, welcome. Batai told me you'd be coming, but I wasn't so confident.

By Azphel's shadow, you're the first scout to return from Asteria alive.

Please tell me you found something useful.

Player: "I found some evidence."

Ereshkigal and Beritra certainly left their mark, that's for sure. Looks like we and the Ellies aren't the only ones at war.

This is strange, though. I'm going to need a closer look.

Player: "Go ahead."

I'm no detective, but it looks like the Beritra Legion left in a hurry, probably because the Ereshkigal Legion destroyed the Repairing Device device with a bomb.

It's a good thing that these Legions so enjoy labeling all their tools.

I wouldn't expect a bomb from the Balaur. They usually just hack their way through every obstacle.

Player: "What do you think it means?"

Intelligence. The Balaur in the Ereshkigal Legion may not only be stronger, but smarter as well. Lucky us.

We need to warn everyone. I'll rush to Harbinger's Landing with the news, and you'll go the other way and report everything to Lanbaz.

Shards, I forgot! Drop by In front of Miren Fortress on your way. I got a distress call from there this morning.

Player: "The task is mine!"

Player, right? It's, uh... been a rough day. The path is open now. Which is great! Except for the ambushes....

Anyway, great job at Miren! I wanted to check it out, but the Ereshkigal Legion forced our hand. We had to retreat.

If you don't mind, let Darmian know what you've learned.

Player: "Got it."

Player, are you all right?

I'm so relieved to see you back, safe and sound.

We've learned from the reports of Centurion Lanbaz that the situation is... quite dire.

Player: "It is."

Yes, I hear you got good look at Miren. The Ereshkigal Legion is expanding their influence as quickly as they can manage.

The Ancient City and Asteria Fortress have been neutralized and can no longer be used to keep them in check. They're building bases and reorganizing their artifacts to make more power grabs.

Well, we're here to stop them. General Pontekane is waiting, so present yourself to him and report directly.

Player: "On my way."

That was no easy mission you undertook, Player. Thank you. We have to consolidate the Asmodian presence, and we have to start with Harbinger's Landing.

There's no telling when the Ereshkigal Legion will come calling--and they will. We must prepare.

If we HAD to take one step back today, then we'd better be ready to take two steps forward tomorrow. I trust you will work to lead us to victory, Player.