Author's Note: So my addiction to Final Fantasy XIV has returned with the Shadowbringers expansion. The story was simply amazing and the amount of feels during this portion of the main scenario brought so many tears to the eye. Yoshi-P and his team really outdid themselves this time with such an amazing story. Anyway, I had this little plot bunny to pop up in my head ever since I finished the story about 4 days after it dropped and the more I watch specific cut scenes, the more I imagine if things had taken an alternate course. So without further ado, I present to you the first chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn or any of the expansions a part of the brand. I merely write this story for fun.

Chapter 1

A Strange Encounter

A gentle breeze passed as the lone Viera's ruby colored eyes gazed deeply into the newly returned glimmering night sky of Norvrandt's Lakeland region on the First. Despite the fact the world continued to be plagued by the over abundance of Hydaelyn's light caused by the Flood, the stars were exactly the same as her home. The sight allowed a light smile to bear presence on her normally stoic features as it was the little things in life were what she appreciated and reasons it made the world around her all the more worth protecting, even when it all became grim. However, despite the small victory she just achieved was only one of many in the grand scheme of things. The Lightwarden she had slain was just the first and it only reclaimed the night for this region alone; she had several more to defeat if she wished to save the remaining 10 percent of the shard...and her friends.

She released a sigh from her lips as another brush of wind pushed against her body; allowing her pony-tailed black hair to sway in the same easterly direction. Nala never expected to come to this world, especially after Minfilia, the Word of the Mother, had returned here with the Warriors of Darkness she and the others faced some time ago. However, the same could be said about becoming the Warrior of Light on the Source as well. Initially, she only went on her journey to the outside world, away from the forests, to explore and broaden her horizons. In the midst of it all, she found herself slaying Primals and Ascians such as Ifrit and Lahabrea respectively, or liberating nations under the heel of the Garlean empire. However, that was the job of an adventurer, but the fact remained that she was a rather unique individual and even with the power of the Echo, there had been times where if not mentioned by her foe, but herself, when her qualities were called into question.

Even now, she wondered if she were not some kind of deity rather than just Her chosen. With the defeat of the Lightwarden, Nala absorbed the corrupted aether into her body and with a raise of her arm, released it into the air as a pillar that burst through the sky, washing away all traces of the excess light. Unfortunately, that was not the entire case. She held up her hand and closely examined it just as she did upon "releasing" the aether from her body. While extremely faint, there was a small trace of light surrounding her body, which she could only see; an affect effect of absorbing her foe's aether. The Exarch had explained should any normal being were to slay the monstrous foe, they would have succumbed to the aether and become the new Lightwarden in it's place. However, as she was Hydaelyn's chosen, she was able to contain it from what she could figure, but should she continue to repeat the process, it would only build up to an unbelievable proportion and who knows what would happen.

She had already borne witness to an individual's transformation into a sin eater: Tesleen, a friend of Alisaie during her time at the Inn and the very same one slain during the excursion through the switch. It ached her heart knowing that was the fate of all those who have turned and will turn in the future.

"So if the same thing happened to me, what would be the outcome?" The Viera shook her head, "No, I can't have such thoughts. Even if it does occur, I'm sure Exarch has some back up plan. Then again..."

Ever since she first encountered the robed individual who called himself the Crystal Exarch, she had sensed nothing but an air of mystery around him. He almost talked in riddles in a manner of Urianger and even held secrets of great import from her. She knew every being were entitled to their secrets; in fact, she had her own. However, there were some that are too critical to keep to ones self because some tragic events could have been prevented without the silence...the web of lies. It made her wonder why she even went along with this plan, but who was she to say no to a cry of help?

One more breeze passed, the Viera now paying attention to the brush of brisk air against of her bare arms and single open leg. It made her happy that she chose to dress differently from the others of her race who minded little of modesty. In contrast, due to her adventures in the Far East, she wore a long, black Lady's Togi with a vine of roses wrapping around the bottom and red boots, stopping just above her ankles. She supposed it was now time to return among her friends who she insisted who went ahead as she thought of the days' events.

Scanning the final area of the Hominster Switch once more, she turned on her heel and proceeded to walk away. She could only hope that were only at the half way point that way, her friends will have little reason to worry.

"Color me surprised, the vaunted hero of the Source has found her way to the shard," announced a mysterious new voice.

The Viera turned around at the sudden arrival and widened her eyes in surprise. In the span of a mere second, an unfamiliar man, had appeared in the middle of the arena. Though at least a head shorter than her, his yellow eyes pierced through her very own with a very obvious hint of displeasure though the light smirk upon his lips could say other wise as well. His face, which could be considered attractive for someone about someone in their 20s or at the most 30, was framed by bangs, one of the strips colored in white opposing the remainder of his short hair in purple. Dressed head to toe in black robes trimmed with white fur and accented by red sashes and gold ornamentation, he walked towards her slowly and as he did, she placed a firm hand on the hilt of her rapier.

He came to a halt, studying the woman with a knowing gaze. His eyes drifted to her weapon and his smirk grew bigger, "As expected, an adventurer of your nature sees little reason to drop her guard when encountered by a mysterious individual."

"Who are you?" the Viera questioned guardedly. The man appeared from thin air and the premonition of danger only heightened when her eyes landed on the orb in the center of his forehead. She knew immediately that he was a Garlean, but the revelation made little sense. How could a Garlean be on this shard? Was he a friend of the Exarch that had not been mentioned? However, the way he talked, made it seem otherwise.

"Naught is your concern at the moment hero," he responded with the same coy grin. "'Twould be a shame if you ran your mouth off to those broken things you call friends." Nala scowled in response, which only seemed to further in the man's amusement. "Touched a nerve have we? Your world's creatures have always been an easy one to read. But that aside, what I want to know is why the hero of the Source is on this shard."

Her eyes squinted her eyes at the Garlean, "So I guess that confirms my suspicions. You hail from the Source as well. I should've expected as much because that third eye of yours gives away part of your identity." Still perturbed by the man's presence, she kept her hand firmly placed on her weapon, prepared to cast any magicks necessary to fight again. "Just as you refused to answer my question, I will defer from answering yours as well."

The man shook his head and shrugged his shoulders in exasperation. He stared at her with his pale yellow eyes once more, "'Tis truly a pity you still show open hostility towards a person who's done you no harm. Given recent events with the war what have you, I see as to why you hold very little trust towards a stranger of my stature, but at the moment, shed your misconceptions. I am here merely to talk. If I wanted to attack the famed Eikon-slayer, I would have done so already."

Nala gazed at the man for a moment, "I guess he does raise a valid point. He hasn't attacked me yet, but what if he's only trying to lower my guard so he can strike? I just have to keep a watchful eye to ensure that he doesn't." She released her grip from her weapon, but indeed remained ever guarded, ready for something to happen. "Alright, I'm listening."

"Finally listening to reason, eh hero?" he questioned knowingly. "As I was saying, I am quite surprised you would leave all your bearings on the Source to fight yet another battle when one is currently still underway. Have you finally grown weary of protecting those foolish beings?"

Nala could barely understand the Garlean's prejudice towards the citizens of Eorzea. He talked as if he were some kind of deity of the sort, "My presence here is not of my own choice. I came here to save my friends initially, but that's changed to something even greater: this entire world...or what's left of it."

"How very noble of you," he said, already seemingly bored of the conversation. "Always swift to save those who are in peril. But what if those people don't believe themselves to be in mortal danger, such as those in Eulmore under Vauthry's rule? They are living in bliss; idleness until the light eventually consumes them all. You do better off leaving those poor fools in their state."

"That's the difference between you and I...Garlean," she responded sharply. Simply talking to the man in the few moments that she had already angered her to no end. He thought little of the varying races among the small percentage of the remaining world. Countless souls had already died; turned into sin eaters and here he wanted to continue seeing the cycle continue until nothing remained. He was almost as bad as the Ascians. "I refuse to let another person die now that I'm here; I've lost far too many as is. This may not have originally been my battle, but to simply let events play out any further is simply atrocious. I'm going to protect everyone. And once I'm finished here...I will put a stop to the Black Rose."

"My, my, what a valiant soul indeed!" he applauded in a theatrical manner. He raised a gloved finger to his eye, wiping away a fake tear, "Truly moves my heart to see someone so dedicated to their cause. Fighting a war on two fronts, such daring spectacles. However, I do feel so inclined to ask, in regards to your presence here, what is your end goal for defeating the mindless savages?"

Nala opened her mouth to speak, but immediately closed realizing she had no answer to give. Although in all honesty, why did she need to give any kind of response? It was obvious he was not one of the Exarch's associates.

The Garlean frowned when the Viera chose not to respond and gave another shake of his head, "Back to the silent treatment I see. If you think I'm going to stop you and your friends, than you're sorely mistaken." He continued to observe the Red Mage disciple; watching ever so cautiously as she kept her gaze diverted to else where. A lightbulb went off in his head and his eyes gleamed as it came to him, "Oh, I see it now. You're merely following the whims of the masses and completely aware of the consequences." He paused for a moment, not wanting to give anything more away. "Well, if you truly believe you are doing what's right, then I will not raise a single hand to hinder your progress."

"That sounds too good to be true," she thought cautiously. "And what do you require in return?"

The mysterious Garlean gave a dismissive wave, "Nothing of the sort. All I ask of you is to give me an entertaining show hero. Show me, just how strong is man's resolve. 'Twould be a pity if you were bested in your short time among this shard." The man proceeded to walk past the Viera, a merry kick in his step. He stopped a few feet away from her, knowing she was watching his every move, "Oh and mind you, I do enjoy a good show. If you continue in your endeavors, then we shall be seeing one another soon. 'Til next time."

And with that, he continued walking until he was no longer in her view. Nala gave a sigh of relief; happy the man no longer wished to converse, "He was a strange man indeed, but just exactly who was he? He's definitely from Garlemald, but just how exactly did he come here? I suppose I could ask Exarch of his thoughts, but I'd rather not add more troubles. If that man approaches me again, then maybe I can find out more answers."

Nala proceeded to walk in stride down the path towards the entrance of Holminster Switch. Only a moment in her journey to rejoin her friends, she came to a sudden halt. While she kept her ears held back for the most part, she could hear just as well as any others of her race. She examined the area once more, "I could've sword I heard something. Perhaps the days events just have me tired and I'm imagining it."

From a distance, the fancily dressed Garlean observed as the Warrior of Light made her way to rejoin her friends. "In the blink of an eye, even the most carefully laid plans can fall into ruin. She knows of Varis plot of the Black Rose, so I can surmise she knows of the impending rejoining if things were to continue before her interference. She even seems the faintest bit aware of the corrupted aether she's absorbed from the Lightwarden. Mayhap that can be used to my advantage as well. Begin planting the seeds of doubt the next time our paths should dare cross."

A/N: And that is a wrap for this first chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. This is my first time actually writing a story in the FFXIV community but I do enjoy everything about the game. It's always great when you think about much a story can diverge when small changes have been made to it. Just leave your thoughts in the reviews section and I'll be sure to respond to them in the next chapter. Until next time.