A/N: I didn't flush out the battle with Sigma because I am way too excited to get to the rest of this story. The only battles that will be flushed out will be Omega's and an original/non-canon one. Hope you all enjoy part two of the DLC! Love you all!!!
✨~Celestial~✨
•••••••••••••••••••

Crossing the bridge into Sorrowise, the group chased after the crystal traders. They trekked through the swamp and searched for the three robed men.

"There was something odd about those three.
They seemed less like merchants and more like..." Clive started.

"Charlatans? One might argue that a merchant is naught but a mummer without his motley," Joshua said.

"Then why am I not amused?"

"Perhaps it is due to the fact they used you as their scapegoat," Lyra commented. A scheming smile manifested on her face. "I could give them a little scare as repayment. Name your beast and I shall deliver."

Clive chuckled at her offer. "As much as I would enjoy to see such a display, we do need them in a state that would allow them to speak properly."

She let out a small huff of disappointment. "A pity. I was hoping for a little amusement."

"You may have your fun once they answer our questions."

"Then I shall stave my hand 'til then."

Traveling deeper into the swampland of Sorrowise, they came across dusk crystal shards in the damp mud thanks to Torgal's excellent sense of smell.

The shards, however, were not the only things Joshua noticed. A few feet away from the dusk crystals, he saw the disturbed mud. "Clive. Judging by the state of the ground, a lot more passed this way than our three charlatans."

"Another group of bandits?" Jill wondered.

"I doubt they'd leave this crystal behind. Regardless, we're on the right track. Let's pick up the pace," Clive said.

Continuing on, they headed north in Sorrowise. They trekked down the muddy path and eventually found the crystal traders standing by the brackish water. They approached the trio, who were shocked at seeing them.

"Fuck! Persistent bastards, I'll give them that," Famiel remarked. He then tried to be friendly and forced a smile. "Friends! I knew those louts were no match for you!"

"But of course you did," Clive replied, not deceived for even a second. "Because you know what we're capable of, don't you? Now, you deal in crystal. Dusk crystal. And we want to know where you got it...so you're going to tell us."

The man dropped the act but still tried to hide the truth. "Let's assume for a moment that we are the merchants you're looking for."

"You are," Lyra spoke up. She pulled out the dusk crystal she stole from Marnek and held it out for him to see. Seeing their confusion beginning to turn into panic, a small smirk appeared on her face as she put the crystal away. "It would be wise to tell us the truth."

When she took a step closer to them, the crystal traders became frightened and stepped back. She ceased her approach when the leader raised his hands. "A-All right! So what if we deal in crystals? Why would we tell you where we procure our stock?
What kind of shepherd leads a wolf straight—"

The man was interrupted as another tremor shook the ground. They all braced themselves to keep from falling.

"Are they getting worse?" Clive asked.

Lyra looked around, wondering what was causing such a powerful tremor. Feeling an overwhelming flow of aether, she couldn't understand what was happening until she saw the Fallen tower in the distance come to life. Her eyes widen in utter shock as the aether torches surrounding the tower lit up. "By the heavens..."

"Clive, the tower!" Jill shouted.

All eyes were now on the large Fallen structure that was lit up with the high concentration of aether.

"Well...that's new," Clive muttered.

"That's impossible," Famiel muttered in bewilderment, gazing at the tower.

"Here, Chief, d'you think someone else got into the tow—" Marnek started but was promptly interrupted by his angry leader.

"Quiet, you daft sod!"

However, Clive had already heard what the man said. "And what would they find there if they did?"

"The dusk crystals, I presume," Lyra spoke up. She saw how panicked Famiel was when he looked at her. "Ah, so I am correct."

Famiel, even after telling her the truth about their trade, still tried to conceal where he and his companions mined the dusk crystals. "No! I—I wouldn't know. I've never been there! Echoes, maybe? Or Fallen rubbish? I really couldn't say. The entrance is sealed tight. No way in."

Clive's eyes narrowed into a glare. "And how would you know that if you've never been there?"

"I...er..." Famiel couldn't find any excuse. He looked away, only to glance behind Clive and Lyra. His eyes widened and he pointed behind the couple. "Look! Behind you! An Akashic monster!"

"If you think we're going to fall for another one of your cheap tricks—"

Jill, Joshua, and Torgal had heard the approaching heavy footsteps. The threat Famiel spoke of was not a lie. There was, in fact, an akashic bighorn stomping toward them.

"Clive, Lyra—trouble," Jill said.

"What?" Clive questioned, turning around alongside Lyra to see the encroaching threat. "Oh."

"Well, color me surprised," Lyra commented. "It wasn't a lie."

Clive stared at the akashic bighorn before noticing movement from the corner of his eye. Looking over, he saw Famiel, Marnek, and Halek running away. "Wait! Don't you dare!"

The crystal traders didn't stop. They kept running even after hearing the man's threatening tone.

"I don't think Martha would appreciate that thing on her doorstep," Jill stated.

"Probably not," Clive said, reluctantly allowing the men to escape. "Let them run, then. I have an idea where they'll be heading anyway."

Lyra summoned her spear and used her magic to toss it at a high speed toward the akashic bighorn. It pierced the animal's front leg, causing it to topple to the ground with a wail of pain.

Clive, Jill, and Joshua drew their swords and charged at the downed beast. Torgal, with his fangs and claws out, also tore into the akashic bighorn.

Within minutes, the party killed the beast and the other akashic that had joined mid-fight. The area was quiet and they withdrew their weapons. While Clive, Jill, and Joshua spoke, Lyra pulled out the dusk crystal in her possession. She gazed at the lusterless shard as the disembodied voice spoke to her again.

"Come, old friend.  Do not keep me waiting any longer."

Turning her gaze to the tower, she was overcome with a sense of foreboding. Whatever was waiting there for them would not be welcoming. She gripped the dusk crystal tighter, the sharp edges digging into the palm of her hand. They almost sliced her skin open until someone placed their hand over hers and stopped her. Seeing the familiar black armor, she lifted her gaze and met Clive's sapphire eyes that reflected with concern.

Clive placed his other hand on her cheek, his thumb caressing her cheekbone. "I am all too familiar with this look of apprehension. What troubles you?"

She saw no point in hiding it any longer and told him and the others. "The dream that awoke me earlier felt much more than that. A disembodied voice was speaking to me from the darkness. I have heard that same voice in the presence of these dusk crystals. There is something or someone speaking to me, and I fear they are using the shards as conduits to reach out to me."

"Another god, mayhaps?" Joshua asked. "Though, it would be nigh impossible as only two deities survived the massacre of the heavens."

"The voice does sound familiar yet I do not understand why."

"If the owner of this voice is residing at the Sagespire, is it safe for you to enter?" Jill questioned.

"I...I do not know, but I will not allow you all to enter without me. Regardless of what or who this voice is, I want to help." Lyra pulled away from Clive when his hands vanished from her body. "Let's press on. I just pray whatever lies within the tower will have yet to skewer our charming trio of crystal traders before we arrive."

"To Eastpool and the Dim, then," Clive said.

"Oscar should be in Eastpool. We should speak to him."

Jill nodded. "I agree."

Leaving the swamps of Sorrowise, the party passed through Martha's Rest to reach the Greensheaves. They traveled northeast through Rhiannon's Ride and past the Broken Hilt until they crossed the bridge into Eastpool. During their trek across Rosaria, they discussed what could possibly be the Mothercrystal they missed. All of them were eager and somewhat frightened of what was waiting for them in the Sagespire.

When the gate leading to the Dim came into view, Lyra saw a familiar figure standing near Hanna's grave. It was Oscar. She smiled and walked up to him with Clive, Jill, Joshua, and Torgal behind her. She came to stand next to him. "I know she appreciates your prayers, Oscar."

Oscar lowered his clasped hands and smiled at the woman. "I never let a day go by where I do not speak to Aunt Hanna. Are you here to speak to her, Cousin?"

She shook her head. "We are just passing through, but I shall pay her a proper visit once we conclude our business."

Oscar glanced over at Clive, Jill, and Joshua before asking the goddess, "Are you pursuing those robed men?"

"Indeed, we are."

"They were in quite the hurry and shouting at each other before departing Eastpool in the direction of the Dim."

She smiled at him. "Thank you, Cousin."

"I trust your companions shall keep you safe, but do be careful, Lyra," Oscar said. "Trouble does seem to find you."

She let out a light giggle. "I cannot argue with the truth. Farewell for now, Oscar."

Lyra walked to the gate with the others and they left Eastpool. They entered the deadlands of the Dim and began searching for a way to reach the Sagespire. It didn't take long for them to come across something strange—a small horde of goblins. The group stopped, completely shocked to see the monsters.

"Are those...goblins?" Clive asked, brows furrowed as he reached for his sword. "What are they doing in the deadlands?"

"Look what they're carrying," Joshua said, taking up a fighting stance. "I don't recall ever hearing of goblins using Fallen relics as weapons."

"Well, they certainly aren't welcoming gifts," he rebuttals the moment the monsters stalked toward them.

Joshua drew his sword. "Clive. Remember where we are."

He unsheathed his blade. "We don't have magic, but Lyra does." He glanced over at his beloved. "My lady, if I may?"

"Why, of course." Using her aether, Lyra infused Clive's sword with fire.

Flaming sword in hand, he struck first. The flames of his blade sliced through a single goblin before he turned his attention to another. Lyra, Jill, and Joshua used their own weapons to cut down some of the enemies while Torgal pounced on another one.

With the little magic Lyra provided and the steel of their weapons, the goblins were easily wiped out.

After sheathing his blade, Joshua walked off the check the area.

"Let's hope that was the last of them," Jill said.

Clive glanced at the corpses of the goblins. "Indeed. I'd almost forgotten what it was like to have to rely on steel alone. If not for the infusion of Lyra's magic, it would have felt all too strange."

Jill glanced at the goddess, who was gently petting Torgal. "I nearly forgot the aether Lyra uses is not of this world. Just how plentiful is aether in the heavens?"

"Enough for the gods to utilize their magicks," Clive said, watching the golden-haired woman being nuzzled by the canine. "And yet, it wasn't enough for a fair few of them. Even the gods can fall victim to power and greed."

Just then, Joshua called out to his companions. "Clive! Jill! Lyra!" He returned from his search and told them, "You may want to see this."

"What?" Clive asked. He, Jill, Lyra, and Torgal followed the younger brother down the path. Waiting at the end was an opened door in a Fallen structure. They stared into the darkness on the other side of the entrance.

"It was open when I found it," Joshua explained.

"Someone was in a hurry," Clive said. "Three guesses as to who."

"Our fair crystal traders," Lyra chimed in.

"Then this must be their way into the tower," Jill stated.

"There's only one way to find out," Clive said.

As Clive and Joshua proceeded through the entrance, Lyra was about to follow until she felt a chilling presence. A hand grabbed her shoulder and the voice spoke to her again.

"Only a little while longer..."

The demented tone of the voice sent a chill down her spine. She quickly turned around, only to find no one. The chilling presence vanished, but she couldn't stop the uneasiness stirring inside her. Feeling a gentle hand on her arm, she quickly turned back around to see a worried Jill.

"You heard the voice again," Jill said. "Are you certain you should proceed? There is no shame in returning to Eastpool. I know Clive and Joshua would be more than understanding."

Lyra glanced at the entrance to the Sagespire before meeting her friend's gaze. "No matter what transpires, we shall face it together. If there is a god-level threat, then I must be the one to face it."

Jill lowered her arm, shock written across her face. "You believe there to be another god?"

The blonde placed a hand over her heart. "I am uncertain, but this dark presence I am sensing is similar to that of Indra's. Yet...it is not him. We must proceed with caution. If another corrupt god has found their way to Valisthea, then only I can see to their annihilation."

"You won't be alone. We shall be there to aid you in any way possible."

Lyra smiled at her. "Thank you, Jill."

The silver-haired woman smiled back. "Come. Clive and Joshua won't be able to do this alone."

She nodded and followed Jill through the entrance with Torgal behind them.

|| The Sagespire ||
|| Western Rosaria ||

Arriving at the tower, the party was more than surprised to see just how alive it was. The once lifeless Fallen structure was brimming with aether as its familiar blue hue lit up parts of the Sagespire.

"It seems somebody's woken this place up," Clive commented. "The question is who?"

"Well, I can tell you who it wasn't," Jill said.

Lyra gazed at the grand tower that reached high into the sky. The dread inside of her was growing. "Could it be—?"

"Unauthorized biometrics detected," an automated voice stated.

"Someone's here," Clive remarked.

"Initializing security scan. Safety protocols disengaged."

"I don't think that was someone, Clive. I think it was the tower," Joshua exclaimed.

"Either way, it doesn't sound like we're welcome. Keep your guard up," the older brother warned.

The party didn't make it two steps into the gallery before they were halted by a shadowy figure. Its lilac eyes were focused on Lyra.

"You all are seeing this as well, yes?" the goddess asked, eyes never leaving the shadow figure.

"Yes," Clive answered. "It is no mere hallucination."

"Then what could it be?" Jill asked.

"An excellent question, indeed," Joshua said.

Lyra blinked in bewilderment when the shadow figure held out its hand in her direction. She unconsciously took a step back when it took a couple of steps toward her. She could sense the same chilling presence she did before entering the pathway leading to the tower. This dark being had to be the source of the voice. "Who...are you?"

As the shadow figure took a couple of more steps forward in an attempt to close the distance between it and the goddess, Clive placed himself in front of her and glared sharply at it. One hand was wrapped around the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it and defend her if it got any closer.

Seeing the man's actions, the shadow figure ceased its advances and lowered its hand. Then, in the language of the gods, it spoke to Lyra. "A mortal protecting divinity. Does he truly believe such a fragile vessel could safeguard a goddess?"

Clive and Lyra were in utter shock. They heard the shadow figure clearly.

The goddess' eyes never left the unknown being of darkness. "You speak the language of the gods. Then, are you...?"

The shadow figure cackled, its laughter distorted and haunting. "I expected this, and yet I am still disappointed. Have you forgotten your dearest friend?"

"Dearest friend?" She reiterated. She tried to think of all the gods she knew in the heavens, especially the ones she was closest to. She put names to voices and eventually came to realize who stood before her. Her eye widened in horror. "Morana..."

The shadowy figure chuckled again. "How lovely it is to see you again, Gaia. I would love to continue this conversation, but I have plans I must see to fruition. Until then, dear friend."

In the blink of an eye, the shadow figure vanished.

Clive released the hilt of his blade and turned to his beloved. "Another god survived the massacre?"

Lyra shook her head. "No. Morana was the goddess of death. She was another god who fell to corruption before Ultima's appearance. A few other gods and I saw to her destruction." She looked to the spot where the shadow figure once stood. "That was no god. It was merely the residual essence of one. I do not understand how the quintessence of her being came to Valisthea or how it persevered at all."

Joshua, having been unable to understand what the shadow figure said, chimed in, "This Morana is fragmented, then. She does not possess the power of a god?"

"Yes, but even the essence of a god can be dangerous. If she gathers enough aether, she could reconstruct her body and regain her powers."

"Then it seems the tower is not our only concern," Jill stated.

Lyra sighed heavily. "I'm afraid so... If she is to become a threat, she will become the second corrupt god wandering this world. Whatever happens, we must stop her."

"And we will," Clive reassured her. "Let's keep going."

She nodded her head. "Yes, let's."

Pressing on, the party trekked through the gallery. It wasn't long before they encountered the defensive system the tower had activated to stop them. In the midst of their battle with the echoes, Clive, Jill, and Joshua realized they had regained their magical abilities thanks to the large amount of aether flowing through the Sagespire. With their magic restored, they were able to use their eikonic abilities to deal more damage.

After clearing the area of the hostile echoes, Clive sheathed his sword and turned to Lyra. "It seems these echoes do not bend the knee in your presence."

"They seem to be controlled by the tower," Lyra exclaimed. "I doubt we can expect any friendly echoes here."

"Could Morana be controlling the tower?" Jill questioned.

"In her current form, it is impossible. She does not possess a physical body nor an ounce of power. I am surprised her essence has a visible form at all. This tower may be where she resides simply because of the vast aether flow. However, she cannot absorb aether in her current state."

"Which means she will only become a threat if she procures a physical form," Clive deduced. "We must ensure she remains as such."

With that, the group continued on. They passed through a door by activating the crystal and fought more echoes before entering a chamber where they faced more Fallen relics and even goblins.

Clive delivered the final blow to the Pacification Unit MEG. The sphere fell to the ground, the aether that was once holding the two pieces together vanishing. The two pieces lay side by side, exposing the crystal interior.

Lyra approached the lifeless echo and examined the crystals. To her surprise, the shards were not that of dusk crystals. They were from one of the eight original Mothercrystals. It made sense considering if they had used the dusk crystals, all the echoes would have broken easily.

Wondering what other surprises the tower held, she followed Clive through another door.

All four of them were surprised at the hallway that was located on the other side of the door. It was littered with dusk crystals.

"Dusk crystals...everywhere," Jill commented.

"Well, that's one mystery solved," Clive said as they continued down the hallway.

"But there's no Mothercrystal."

"Yet. We still have plenty of tower to explore."

Further down the current path they were traveling, the party heard Famiel shouting, "Oh, fuck me! We come in peace!"

"I know that voice," Clive said. "Come on!"

Running further down the corridor, the party crouched beneath an overgrowth of dusk crystals and ran up the path in the direction the scream had come from. Reaching the open area, they saw the crystal traders and a large humanoid figure with a skull-like face.

"Well, look who it is," Clive said.

Lyra's attention was solely focused on the humanoid threat. She saw how its large form loomed over the three men as it stomped toward them before coming to a halt.

Just then, the tower came to life again. The automated voice echoed around them. "Warning. Warning. Core defense systems engaged. Initiating sterilization lockdown."

Clive looked at the tower. "What the hell is it talking about, Joshua?"

The dark abyss of the sentinel's eyes flashed with an amethyst light before vanishing. The large figure started to slowly move again, its head slowly turning downward to eye the three men.

Famiel held out his hands in front of Marnek and Halek, his fearful gaze locked onto the dark and empty eye sockets of the humanoid. "Good things, lads, good things..."

The ancient sentinel targeted Famiel. It swung its fist downward, only for it to collide with the ground when the man dodged. It then tried to smash him with its other fist but missed again. Using the same arm, it swung outward and smacked the man away.

"Chief!" Marnek shouted.

The humanoid's attention fell onto Halek, intending to make him its next target. Returning to its full height, it began stalking toward the frightened Halek. He slowly backed away, his entire body shaking. He screamed at seeing the figure raise its fist again.

Just before the sentinel could strike with its flaming fist, a fireball collided with the side of its head.

"Hey! Over here!" Clive shouted as he, Jill, Lyra, Joshua, and Torgal walked forward. He conjured more fireballs, each hitting the humanoid on the side of its face. It was enough to draw its attention away from Halek and focus on them instead.

"Take your friend and get out of this place. Now!" Clive commanded Marnek and Halek. They did as they were told and escorted the injured Famiel to safety.

The sentinel stomped toward the party. The dusk crystal residing in its chest lit up as magenta flames erupted from its body.

"And while they run away, we do the fighting," Clive said, unsheathing his sword. Joshua and Jill did the same. Lyra summoned her spear and Torgal prepared to slash with his claws.

The battle began.

The sentinel known as Sigma activated assault mode. Its movements were fast and its attacks hit harder than expected. It would jump, kick, and use powerful concentrations of aether to target the group. Whenever one of them wound up caught in the assailant's attacks, Lyra, Joshua, and Torgal would provide healing.

Although the sentinel was a tough opponent with its precise and powerful attacks, it was no match for the group. They were victorious. The humanoid, having lost the battle and its power depleted, collapsed to the ground. The light faded from its body and all that remained was an empty husk.

Alarms blared as the automated voice spoke up. "Security Sentinel 503 offline. Initiating emergency core relocation protocol."

All eyes fell on the center of the tower where the crystal resided.

Joshua's eyes narrowed. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that was the heart of a Mothercrystal."

The machine the crystal was suspended in used the aether flowing through the tower to relocate it. With the crystal gone, the chamber it once was residing in was deactivated. The pillars separating the group from the other men lowered into the ground.

Just when the two groups were about to speak to one another, they heard a strange sound from the lifeless sentinel. To their surprise, power returned to its body. It pushed itself off the ground just enough to raise its hand. A strange, dark mass coalesced in its palm before surging toward Lyra.

She was unable to react fast enough to protect herself and felt the darkness pierce her chest. A scream of pain fell from her lips. The force of its intrusion caused her body to lurch backward.

Falling backward, she collapsed to the ground. All she could hear was the worried shouts of Clive and Jill before her consciousness slipped. The world around her vanished and she fell into the dark abyss of unconsciousness.