Conscious of the many practical difficulties facing the newly formed Crystal Braves, Minfilia asks that you place yourself at Alphinaud's disposal. Find the boy commander within the Rising Stones, and offer him your aid.

Grateful for your offer of aid, Alphinaud bids you speak with Captain Ilberd, his second-in-command, to be briefed on the sensitive matter in which he requires your assistance.

Ilberd reveals that a Garlean spy known as the Ivy has infiltrated one of the Grand Companies. A suspect was identified among the Immortal Flames, but the man proved to be but one of many in the agent's employ. Accompany Ilberd to his meeting with Raubahn at the Hall of Flames, and remain on hand in the event that the Ivy chooses to make a move.

You learn that Raubahn and Ilberd have been friends and rivals since before the fall of Ala Mhigo. Under the guise of a long-awaited reunion, the two men discuss the matter of the Garlean spy. At the meeting's conclusion, it is agreed that both parties will continue their inquiries.

With Raubahn now informed of the Garlean spy in his midst, your business in Ul'dah is concluded. Accompany Ilberd back to the Rising Stones and report to Alphinaud.

Upon returning to the Rising Stones, Alphinaud informs you that a unit of Crystal Braves was ambushed by Garlean forces during your absence. Worse, it seems that one of the unit's members was captured and taken to Castrum Centri. With no time to form a rescue party, Ilberd asks that you lead a mission to free the prisoner. Make your way to the Tangle, by the entrance to the imperial stronghold, and receive further instructions from Alianne.

Alianne fears that her wounded comrade may not survive the rough treatment of her Garlean captors. Accompany her and the 4th Unit as they infiltrate Castrum Centri, and find Crystal Brave Rhesh Polaali.

You find Rhesh Polaali alive, but in no condition to move unaided. Seeing this, Alianne asks you to create a diversion, that her comrade might be borne away unmolested. Make your way around the castrum, striking down any imperial forces you encounter, and thereby ensuring that all eyes are on you.
You have wreaked considerable havoc within Castrum Centri, hopefully affording the 4th Unit a chance to bear away their wounded comrade. Head outside the stronghold and search for Alianne.

You are relieved to find that Alianne and the others made it to safety. Return to the Rising Stones and report the mission's success to Alphinaud.

Back at the Rising Stones, Alphinaud and Ilberd take turns congratulating you on the success of the rescue mission. You have little time to glory in your triumph, however, as Alphinaud goes on to reveal that your work for him is not yet done. It is time to set down your weapon and don the hat of diplomacy, for your presence has been requested at a meeting with an Ishgardian dignitary...

Alphinaud has been granted an audience with Ser Aymeric, Lord Commander of the Ishgardian Temple Knights, who will be acting as a representative of the Holy See. Keen to ingratiate himself, Alphinaud has asked you to accompany him to the meeting, as Ser Aymeric has expressed a desire to meet the famous Warrior of Light. Minfilia will surely give you her blessing once she learns of the plan.

Ever since the Battle of Silvertear Skies, the city-state of Ishgard has kept her neighbors at arm's length. Not even the threat posed by the VIIth Legion was enough to coax the reclusive nation back to the negotiating table. Now, however, after two decades of near silence, they have reached out—but to what end? Regardless of Ser Aymeric's agenda, Alphinaud is resolved to advance his own. Travel with him to Camp Dragonhead and speak with Lord Haurchefant upon your arrival.

As always, you receive a warm welcome in Camp Dragonhead, and are informed that Ser Aymeric is already present and ready to meet with you and Alphinaud. Weary though you may be from your travels, make your way to the intercessory and prepare to meet the Ishgardian ambassador.

After favoring you with a few kind words, Ser Aymeric and Alphinaud proceed to debate Ishgardian policies at length. Alas, the ambassador is not easily swayed, and it becomes apparent that the Holy See has no intention of rejoining the Eorzean Alliance. However, Ser Aymeric eventually reveals that he came to the meeting with a different purpose in mind... You learn that the astrologians of Ishgard have foretold the return of Midgardsormr ─ the fallen guardian of Silvertear Falls ─ and that Ser Aymeric wishes to enlist the Scions' aid in keeping watch over the great wyrm's remains. In exchange, he will ensure that the shipments of aid from House Fortemps to Revenant's Toll will continue unabated. Content with the arrangement, Alphinaud agrees ─ only to learn moments after that the latest shipment has been waylaid by Iceheart and her followers...

Given the decidedly unfortunate timing of Iceheart's most recent attack, Alphinaud cannot help but wonder if the gods themselves are conspiring against him. Yet even if they were, he would not hesitate to defy them. Follow him and speak with Lord Haurchefant to learn more of the heretics' activities.

The route taken by the caravan was known only to a few, yet by all accounts, the ambush laid by the heretics was executed flawlessly ─ a fact which does not escape Aymeric's subordinate. In spite of this, Alphinaud believes that a thorough examination of the ambush site must be conducted before pursuing other avenues of inquiry. Travel to Boulder Downs and question the House Fortemps knights keeping watch there.

One of the knights investigating the scene shares his thoughts with you regarding the attack, speculating that the heretics came prepared with their own wagons to transport the crates. He also makes mention of a squire who survived the attack, who is currently receiving care at the Observatorium. With luck, he will have regained consciousness by the time you arrive.

The wounded squire's words paint a grim picture indeed. Disguised as pilgrims, Iceheart and her brethren slaughtered the caravan's guards, and the young man only survived by feigning his own death. As he lay still in the snow, he heard the heretics speak of "Shiva's resurrection" ─ the thought of which fills the squire with disbelief and dread in equal measure. Alphinaud must know what the squire saw.

Apostate to the Holy See, patron saint to the heretics, Shiva lay down with dragons long ago. But she is long dead, and the dead are forever lost to us...are they not? The heretics seem convinced that her resurrection is nigh, but Alphinaud believes it to be something far worse: the summoning of yet another primal, made possible with the crystals stolen from the caravan. If he is right, Iceheart's plan cannot be allowed to come to fruition.

Having discerned Iceheart's true motive for attacking the supply caravan, Alphinaud quickly devises a plan of action. You and he will journey to Whitebrim Front and speak with Lord Drillemont, whose knights have been scouring Coerthas for the heretics ever since your encounter with them near Snowcloak. With luck, he will have information which may lead you to their lair.

According to Lord Drillemont, a party of pilgrims resembling those who attacked the caravan was seen transporting a large number of crates towards Snowcloak, where they vanished without a trace. Convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Iceheart's followers have gone to ground somewhere in the vicinity, Ser Aymeric declares that his Temple Knights will join in the hunt for Iceheart. Not to be outdone, Alphinaud responds that he has already summoned a unit of Crystal Braves to Whitebrim Front for the same purpose. With so formidable a force devoted to the task, the heretics cannot hope to remain hidden for long. Alphinaud, however, would leave nothing to chance, and bids you explore other ways in which Iceheart might be found.

In an effort to weed out any enemy sympathizers within the ranks, Lord Drillemont ordered a covert evaluation of all stationed in Whitebrim Front. One man in his service was thus identified as a possible heretic, though these suspicions have yet to be confirmed. If the suspect is indeed in league with the heretics, Lord Drillemont believes he will attempt to warn his allies of the impending search operation. Observe the man as he reports to Ser Jeantremont in the yard and discreetly track his movements.

His duty complete, the suspect makes for the southwest gate. Follow him and continue to observe at a safe distance.

The suspect proceeds along the road to the east. Continue your surveillance.

Straying from the road, the suspect pauses to survey his surroundings before proceeding south towards Daniffen Pass. Follow in his footsteps.

From a distance, you observe the suspect meeting with a robed man. Though you cannot make out the entirety of their conversation, it is clear that the stranger is one of the heretics, and that the movements of the Temple Knights and the Crystal Braves are already known to them. Worse, it seems that the heretics have formulated a plan to prevent the allied forces from completing their search ─ though quite what the role the tunnels in Boulder Downs will play you cannot say. Perhaps Lord Drillemont will be able to make sense of things.

Lord Drillemont's face darkens as he listens to your report. Convinced that the heretics in Boulder Downs pose a genuine threat to the allied forces in Snowcloak, he declares that they must be stopped...

According to Lord Drillemont, it had long been suspected that the heretics used secret tunnels to travel throughout the highlands of Coerthas undetected. In light of the information you overheard, he is convinced that the heretics encamped in Boulder Downs now plan to make use of such tunnels to ambush the allied forces in Snowcloak. He has ordered a contingent of House Durendaire knights to begin searching for the ambushers, but he believes that your presence would do much to bolster their efforts. Travel to Boulder Downs and rendezvous with the House Durendaire knights.

You arrive in Boulder Downs to discover the knights of House Durendaire slain after what must have been a desperate battle with Iceheart's followers. Before you can take stock of the situation, you find yourself surrounded by the surviving heretics, who are plainly hungry for retribution... Though they fight with the passion of true believers, they are no match for you, and soon they too lie motionless in the snow. What now? For want of a better idea, search the heretics' bodies for anything which might offer some insight into their plans.

You rifle through a heretic's knapsack and find a curious parchment with dates and times writ upon it. Could it be of significance? Lord Drillemont will know.

Lord Drillemont recognizes the parchment as a timetable of guardsmen's shift changes from the outpost in Snowcloak. With it, the heretics could pass into and out of their tunnels without fear of discovery, and thereby prepare an ambush for the allied forces searching the area. Despite your best efforts, it would seem the Temple Knights and Crystal Braves are still in danger, and Lord Drillemont has no choice but to send reinforcements.

Lord Drillemont fears that the heretics may fall upon the allied forces at Snowcloak before reinforcements can reach them. Lest they be taken unawares, he bids you make haste to the frozen wall and warn Ser Aymeric of the danger.

Your warning comes as little surprise to Ser Aymeric, who reveals that he had been anticipating an attack. Keen to reassure you, he pledges to place his knights on high alert. Perhaps Alphinaud will wish to do the same.

Even as Alphinaud laments the search operation's lack of progress, two heretics reveal themselves and charge towards the startled young man. Before you can rise to his defense, Yda appears as if from nowhere and subdues the heretics with a flurry of blows. The battle for Snowcloak has begun, and for a moment, Alphinaud is concerned ─ until the fortuitous discovery of a promising tunnel serves to brighten his spirits. Alas, the tunnel is rather narrow, and will not accommodate more than a handful of troops at a time. Given that additional numbers may prove more a hindrance than a help, it is decided that the task of charting the tunnel should be entrusted to a small and highly mobile party of seasoned adventurers. Speak with the stalwart Temple Knight to learn the location of the tunnel's entrance.

Were it not for the knight's directions, you would never have found the tunnel's entrance, which even now appears to be nothing more than a continuous piece of ice. What dangers lie within Iceheart's secret fortress? You know only that the heretics are expecting you ─ and that it would be a pity to disappoint them.

※Snowcloak dungeon.

“What we do, we do for the greater good.” ...The words of a true believer, spoken in all solemnity by the woman once known as Ysayle. It is plain that she will not be swayed from her path. Though weary from your previous encounter, you prepare yourself for battle, only to see your foe make instead for the nearby aetheryte and teleport away. Iceheart has eluded you.

Though you failed to apprehend Iceheart, you have driven the heretics from their lair. Hopefully Alphinaud will take comfort in this partial victory.

Alphinaud receives your report with surprising optimism, turning his thoughts to how recent events might contribute to the Crystal Braves' good repute. Of course, everything is contingent upon the successful prevention of Shiva's summoning. But with the aid of the Scions ─ and you in particular ─ the young commander is confident that all will turn out as it should.