Gulool Ja Ja's Legacy: A FFXIV DT Rewrite + Expansion Concepts [Fanfiction]

Ch9 Searching for Answers

"And now back to you, child," Cahciua returned her attention back to Krile. "I once accompanied your grandfather alongside Gulool Ja Ja. In some ways, I can be said to be a grandmother!"

"Indeed," the Warrior of Light could not resist saying to Krile. "That would make Erenville your uncle. Stepfather perhaps?"

"This..." Erenville sputtered. "They are not blood-related."

"Nonetheless, it falls to me to assist you, dear," Cahciua ignored the Warrior of Light's jibe. "Galuf sent a number of mammets in, each with a mission parameter. As for the one that I found and used to create this Outrunner? That mammet's goal was to determine the identity of the two lalafells that delivered you unto Galuf."

"My... my parents?" Krile was simultaneously filled with hope and nervousness.

"Indeed. By the time I found the mammet, it was at the end of its life-cycle, having entered hibernation. It is my belief that the primarily levin environment caused its failure-- all five mammets sent in would not have been able to replenish their more balanced magical aether, and thus failed to last."

"I was able to access the stored information that it had discovered. The identity of those lalafells is Robor and Alayla, of a lalafell tribe called the Milalla. The mammet was able to discover that those two were once members of the Preservation."

Her words caused many ears to twitch. The Preservation's hands are everywhere.

"Supposedly, at some point in time, the two defected from The Preservation and created this very resistance group, Oblivion, to stand against The Preservation. I'm sorry, child, but I was unable to find the other four mammets. Perhaps you will be able to." Outrunner Cahciua patted Krile's head.

"No. Thank you," Krile's hand played with her four leaf clover earring. "It is comforting to know that even now, my grandfather still watches over me."

"Mm. And now, to the primary topic at hand," Cahciua turned to Wuk Lamat. "Your brother, Zoraal Ja."

"He was placed in this position by The Preservation. I have no doubts regarding that. As such, he must have been determined to be of use to The Preservation. As to why, it must be of relation to the procurement of souls. To our understanding, The Preservation has primarily employed Queen Sphene to negotiate agreements with those outside the dome, to collect souls to power their society. However, they have now turned to Zoraal Ja, whose methods are much more direct."

"I believe that the Preservation has grown desperate. Otherwise, they should not have entered into an agreement with Zoraal Ja... who is..."

"A loose cannon." Alisaie bluntly said. Wuk Lamat clenched her teeth, but had to accept Alisaie's judgment. Clearly, Wuk Lamat was still internally conflicted.

"I cannot say that I have any understanding of Zoraal Ja's own personal motive, beyond the barrage of the disdain from Mamook that he may have experienced in his growth, when compared to his two-headed father." The party was certainly aware of the darkness in Mamook.

Bakool Ja Ja was most discomforted by these words, his two heads looking away. If only there was a hole to hide in.

"Now, during his reign, Zoraal Ja heavily militarized Alexandria-- using feral souls to augment a soldier's combat capability was an idea of his." Outrunner Cahciua then paused as a thought occurred to her. "Wait. Is Tuliyollal safe?"

"Worry not," Wuk Lamat said. "My brother Koana, alongside the other members of the scions, have arranged for foreign assistance." The Warrior of Light nodded. Vrtra was certain to help, capable of lightning-quick response.

"Good. That will give us time." Outrunner Cahciua's monitor displayed a pair of narrowed eyes. "Zoraal Ja stands between us and The Preservation. Thus, Zoraal Ja must first be dealt with. Now, I will tell you of another major problem. Over these years, we Oblivion have been unable to truly pinpoint how The Preservation can be dealt with."

"You mean...." Alphinaud tilted his head down in thought. "You mean The Preservation is no physical existence and cannot be destroyed?"

"What about their so-called heaven?" Bakool Ja Ja's mind remained primarily focused on the visions of the Yok Huy.

"Their so-called heaven is where the eternal live," Outrunner Cahciua explained. "The Preservation is somewhere hidden, and has not been found." She seemed certain that The Preservation was not in this so-called heaven.

"And so, perhaps Zoraal Ja may provide some clues as well." The Warrior of Light nodded.

"Perhaps some of the malfunctioning automatons sent in by Galuf may as well," Outrunner Cahciua said then turned to Wuk Lamat. "But now comes the important question."

"Wuk Lamat. What will you do when you confront your brother? Tell me."