The Best Way Out

is a Quest in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
==Journal==
* Thancred bids you make your way to the Ocular while he and Minfilia gather the remaining Scions for the coming meeting. As you turn to depart, he reminds you to deliver the soldier's message of support to the Exarch─something that is probably better done in private, before the others arrive.
* However hard he tries to conceal it, the Exarch is plainly burdened by the sacrifices made in the name of restoring balance to the First. Be that as it may, his conviction shows no sign of wavering, and he seems heartened by your show of solidarity. Once Thancred and the others arrive, you set about discussing Vauthry's recent threat, the Exarch sharing what he suspects of the man: namely, that he may have control not only over the sin eaters, but the people of Eulmore as well. Though all are agreed that destroying the Lightwardens remains the most expedient method of fighting back, it seems that little progress has been made in finding them. When no other options present themselves, Minfilia suggests that you travel to Amh Araeng, where she may become one with the Oracle of Light, thereby acquiring the power to locate your quarry. Thancred is not best pleased by this prospect, but has no choice but to concede defeat in the face of Minfilia's determination.
* Sensing your concern, Minfilia reaffirms her commitment to her chosen course of action, and asks that you trust her judgment with an earnestness worthy of her namesake. She then departs─presumably to make her preparations before joining Thancred at the gates.
* After a short wait, Minfilia arrives at the appointed place and declares her readiness to depart. But before proceeding, you give her one last opportunity to abandon her chosen course. Her emphatic reply leaves little room for argument, however, so the group turns its attention to the question of how best to pass through Amh Araeng unnoticed. At Alisaie's suggestion, you decide to split up─sending her, Alphinaud, and Y'shtola to the east to distract the Eulmoran Army while the rest of you take the western route to Nabaath Areng.
* As you near the gate to Amh Araeng, you realize you are not the only one contemplating the ordeals that may lie ahead. Hearing Thancred's quiet plea for assistance in protecting Minfilia, his trepidation could not be more obvious.
* You speak with Hardyss, who grants you passage through the gate─perhaps against her better judgment.
* Vibrant violet gives way to dry red and orange as you, Urianger, Thancred, and Minfilia pass through the gate and proceed into the Hills of Amber. Taking in the dusty and precipitous landscape, your eyes fall upon what appears to be a village nearby, and the party pauses for a moment to prepare for whatsoever may come.
* As Minfilia looks out over the valley before you, you see newfound purpose in her eyes. Whatever doubts she may harbor, it is plain she is pleased to be in control of her own destiny at long last.
==Objectives==
* Speak with the Crystal Exarch in the Ocular.
* Speak with Minfilia.
* Wait for Minfilia at Tessellation.
* Speak with Thancred.
* Speak with Hardyss.
* Speak with Minfilia.
==Script==
script 	script
 	
Ryne 	If I were stronger...how many people would still be alive?
 	
Thancred 	If you're ready, why not go on ahead to the Ocular? You can keep the Exarch company while I fetch Alphinaud. Don't worry, I mean to borrow the swiftest amaro I can find, so we shouldn't keep you long.
Thancred 	Be sure to pass on that message, eh?
 	
Mysteryvoice 	Welcome, my friend. Tales of your heroism on the battlefield precede you─though I confess I found them more gladdening than surprising. I hear no few of our people have you to thank for plucking them from the jaws of death.
Mysteryvoice 	Would that they had not needed saving to begin with. But the responsibility for that lies with me.
Mysteryvoice 	...One of our soldiers said that?
...Thank you.
Mysteryvoice 	Rest assured that I fully intend to continue our work. I will not shrink from what must be done. Now least of all.
Mysteryvoice 	Though I mourn the lost, I will not lose myself to grief. And even should regret be my constant companion, I will follow the path I have chosen to its end.
Mysteryvoice 	...And if I were to confess any doubts I might harbor, no one need ever know?
Mysteryvoice 	No, I believe you have enough burdens without my adding to them. Nevertheless... Thank you.
Mysteryvoice 	Of that I have no doubt. And if ever we should appear to falter...it will only be because we are fatigued after a battle well fought.
Mysteryvoice 	I thank you for your kind words. Now, we have plans to make, do we not?
 	
Mysteryvoice 	If this is the course you have agreed on, I will not object─though I am afraid it will be difficult for us to spare any of the guard to accompany you.
Mysteryvoice 	I can but promise that you will be well looked after upon your return. Just...see to it that you do return, all right?
 	
Alphinaud 	If I had only been able to locate Kholusia's Lightwarden, it might not have come to this...
 	
Alisaie 	I can't imagine what Thancred must be feeling to behave this way. To say he's changed since coming here would be an understatement. He may as well be a different person. He reminds me of─
Alisaie 	...Ah. He reminds me of Father.
Alisaie 	He argued with us for months about our plan to go to Eorzea, but in the end, he accepted our decision. I...do hope he's doing well.
 	
Urianger 	Though Thancred hath long known whither this path doth lead, his journey hath brought him no closer to acceptance.
 	
Yshtola 	Minfilia demonstrated impressive resolve just now. It seems that she understands what must be done...though I do wonder if she is truly prepared to make the choice.
Yshtola 	Should she falter, it will fall to Thancred to guide her. However much he wishes it were otherwise.
 	
Emetselch 	<sigh> Will you never grow tired of shuffling your feet?
Emetselch 	If you have something to ask me, ask.
Emetselch 	As I told you before─Zodiark is the creation of my people. The first people.
Emetselch 	We summoned Him, as your kind might summon a primal─albeit an infinitely more powerful one.
Emetselch 	And like one of your primals, He tempered us. It was only natural. There is no resisting such power.
Emetselch 	And so we Ascians came to exist solely to bring about the rule of darkness. His darkness.
Emetselch 	Of course, some would call us “evil” for it...and they would be fools. Though that is only to be expected, given their innate inability to conceive of the nature of our universe.
Emetselch 	...But I believe I am repeating myself. Do you not trust me to speak honestly? Do you hope to catch me in a lie?
Emetselch 	Really. I have no need of deception─and even if I did, I assure you: you would find it quite indistinguishable from the truth.
Emetselch 	Hmph. Perhaps I flatter myself expecting you to take an interest in the knowledge I possess. Or perhaps I flatter you.
 	
Ryne 	I'm sorry to be so insistent. But I know this is the only way.
Ryne 	If you're willing to give me a chance, come with us.
 	
Ryne 	Sorry for the wait─I'm ready now.
Ryne 	Look...no matter what happens to me, I'm sure that I don't want to go back to being who I was.
Ryne 	I want to be stronger─strong enough to face my destiny. And I want to believe that I can play a part in saving this world.
Ryne 	I hope you can find it in yourself to believe it, too.
Yshtola 	When you put it that way, how could we not?
Yshtola 	It is your decision to make. Just be sure that you are prepared, when the time comes.
Urianger 	If all are assembled, shall we depart?
Thancred 	We'll follow your lead. What route would you have us take?
Alisaie 	About that─there's something I neglected to mention.
Alisaie 	I saw a Eulmoran airship coming in to land over Amh Araeng while I was on my way back to the Crystarium.
Alisaie 	No doubt the same vessel that bore Vauthry's forces to Rak'tika.
Alphinaud 	...Meaning we can expect to encounter armed resistance on our journey through the region.
Alisaie 	Right. Now, Nabaath Areng lies in the southern reaches of Amh Araeng, and there are two routes we can take to get there.
Alisaie 	The first is the eastern route, which would lead us past Mord Souq.
Alisaie 	The other is the western route, which would require us to pass through the Hills of Amber.
Thancred 	Minfilia and I took the eastern route last time.
Alisaie 	Yes, that's the more well-trodden path. It also makes for easier traversal of the Nabaath Severance.
Alisaie 	But we can't use it.
Alisaie 	If we did, we'd need to cross the Severance from a point nearby the Inn at Journey's Head.
Alisaie 	If the Eulmorans caught wind of our approach, it could very well bring them into contact with the Inn and its patients─and we can be sure their activities would not meet with Vauthry's approval.
Alisaie 	It will make the journey more arduous, but I believe it would be safer to take the western route. Which brings me to my proposition.
Alisaie 	While you make for the Hills of Amber in the west, I will draw the Eulmorans' attention elsewhere─to an area in the east that I know to be uninhabited.
Alisaie 	That way, you'll have a chance at reaching Nabaath Areng unopposed, and without risk to civilians.
Alphinaud 	Hm. I cannot deny that it's a sound plan─but nor can I allow you to go alone. My skills will make your task at least somewhat easier, will they not?
Yshtola 	I will accompany you as well. It will afford us a chance to have a proper conversation.
Yshtola 	...And if I go with the others, I'm likely to say something Thancred will regret.
Thancred 	Well then, we'll leave the work of distracting Vauthry's forces to you. The rest of us will take the western route, and try to avoid attracting attention.
Thancred 	With that in mind, I think it best that we follow the road from the Bridges. We'll move faster with a solid path under our feet.
Alisaie 	We'll borrow a few amaro for our own journey. I leave the rest to you, Minfilia.
Ryne 	Thank you. I'll try not to disappoint.
 	
Ryne 	We'll need to move quickly. The longer the others need to keep the Eulmorans busy, the more likely they are to be caught.
 	
Urianger 	Would that we all had thy surety of purpose.
 	
Thancred 	There you are. The gate leading to Amh Araeng is just up ahead.
Thancred 	In all the time I've been here, I've never ventured into the Hills of Amber. Not that I'm particularly intimidated by new lands, at this point─but we have more than enough reasons to be cautious as it is.
Thancred 	...Keep an eye on Minfilia for me, would you?
 	
Thancred 	Amh Araeng lies just beyond the gate. We need only speak to the sentry.
 	
Ryne 	I'm ready. Let's go.
 	
Urianger 	Who shall walk among us upon our return, I wonder...
 	
Hardyss 	Off so soon, Mistress/Master [Player Name]? You've barely had time to recover from the battle!
Hardyss 	Well, if you're certain, I'm hardly in a position to question you.
 	
Hardyss 	The Hills of Amber lie beyond.
Hardyss 	Proceed to Amh Araeng?
 	
Thancred 	A village so near? How convenient.
 	
Urianger 	Sound though Mistress Alisaie's logic was, I fear the road less traveled hath other perils in store for us.
 	
Ryne 	This place has been scarred by the Flood too. Who can say what lies ahead?
Ryne 	But whatever else this road may be, it is mine to travel. And I don't plan to take a moment of the time I spend upon it for granted.
Chessamile 	We have everything we need now. Leave it to me to administer the medicine. Though the patients may not be keen on the taste, they will soon forgive it when their hurts are healed.“
 	
Soldier03608 	Once I'm properly back on my feet, I will fight again. For him, and for all of us.
Quest complete.	Quest complete.
Category:Shadowbringers Main Scenario Quests in Final Fantasy XIV