Best Friends Forever

is a Quest in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
==Journal==
* Having carefully pored over Matoya's missive, Ardashir explains that the primals are the key to the anima's enlightenment. He asks that you relive your fiercest battles with these celestial beings─not on the battlefield, but within your mind. Linked as you are to the anima, he posits that it would be as if your aetherial companion experienced these epic battles firsthand. Heeding his request, you take a deep breath, still your mind, and think back to your first encounter with the godlike beings known as primals.
* You awake with a start, your heart still racing from your vivid recollections of your confrontations with Ifrit, Garuda, and Titan. Yet there is still much for you to share with the anima. You close your eyes once more and prepare to summon from the depths of your memory yet another harrowing battle with the primals.
* You open your eyes again for a short reprieve from reliving the more arduous experiences of your past. With the memories of combat still fresh in your mind, you check─perhaps out of habit─to be certain your garb is neither soaked nor singed from battle. Alas, there is no rest for the weary, for many tales of derring-do remain untold. Again you clear your mind, and summon forth a vision of strife and struggle against the unbridled fury of the primals.
* The ring of steel echoes in your ears as you stir back to consciousness. Though the confrontations have taken place entirely within your mind's eye, your muscles are strangely sore, your body stiff as if from great physical exertion. And yet, there is still one tale to tell─of three gods locked in perpetual conflict, and the brave soul that dared to bring them low.
* You return to your senses in a cold sweat, a sigh of relief escaping from your lips as you realize the battles were all in your mind. Though it was not in the flesh that you faced these encounters anew, your sharp and stirring memories of your great deeds will doubtless prove of great value to the anima. Having exhausted your repository of grueling memories of your confrontations with the primals, you seek out Ardashir, that together you might awaken the anima's newfound knowledge.
* Ardashir would proceed with the next stage of Matoya's plan: namely, to employ an enchantment to ingrain the anima's newly gained knowledge into the core of its being. There is, however, a rub─all the materials needed for the procedure are readily available save one─an ancient variety of enchanted ink said to be made only in the lands of Sharlayan. Knowing of no merchants who might deal in such exotic goods, Ardashir defers to your unequaled talent for procurement.
* Through means available only to one of your experience and expertise, you procure a bottle of archaic enchanted ink and deliver it to Ardashir. He follows Matoya's instructions to the letter, outlining an arcane circle for the spell and gently placing the anima weapon in its center. As your aether flows into the circle, you focus your thoughts on the anima, which soon manifests before you. Your hearts and minds are as one now, the anima acutely aware of your faith and aspirations for the journey to come. The deep attachment you feel toward the anima has cast away its fears, leaving only hope and an unshakable resolve. After myriad trials and tribulations, your aetherial companion has truly come into its own. Though you know not what the future may hold, you take comfort in knowing that whatever perils you may face, you will not face them alone. Indeed, your foes must now stand against the might of the anima.
==Objectives==
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of the Bowl of Embers (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of the Howling Eye (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of the Navel (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of Thornmarch (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of the Whorleater (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of the Striking Tree (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of the Akh Afah Amphitheatre (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of Thok ast Thok (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of the Limitless Blue (Hard).
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of Containment Bay S1T7.
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of Containment Bay P1T6.
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, overcome the trials of Containment Bay Z1T9.
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) equipped, speak with Ardashir in Azys Lla.
* With (your Anima weapon/shield) in your inventory, deliver the Archaic Enchanted Ink to Ardashir in Azys Lla.
==Script==
script 	script
 	
Ardashir 	I have pored over Mistress Matoya's instructions─twenty times over, in fact─and I do believe I have settled on our next course of action. Allow me to elaborate.
Ardashir 	As she explains it, the primals are the key to developing the anima's sense of self. I will grant that the idea may seem far-fetched, but bear with me. As you are well aware, they are beings of aether─much like the anima─summoned forth using crystals, and driven by the faith of their followers.
Ardashir 	But to what ends do their followers summon them so? How do they fight once made manifest? This is the knowledge I would have you share with the anima.
Ardashir 	To do so, I ask that you take the anima weapon in hand, and call to mind your encounters with the primals as vividly as you can muster, as if you were fighting these great battles anew within the confines of your own mind.
Ardashir 	Ah, there you are! No doubt you are here to work on another anima. Good, good. I was just reading over Mistress Matoya's letter again for good measure, but putting her methods to practice is infinitely more enlightening.
Ardashir 	As before, you must conjure within your mind the fiercest of your battles with the primals. Remember: your recollection must be as clear and detailed as possible─as if you were reliving your first encounter with these gods.
Ardashir 	This plan may seem peculiar, but every success─and failure─a man experiences grants him strength. Having overcome untold dangers and countless hardships, your spirit is no doubt an inexhaustible reservoir of energies. You must tap into that strength, and share it with the anima.
Ardashir 	When you are finished revisiting your harrowing experiences with the primals, come speak with me, and we shall set the next step of the plan into motion.
 	
Ardashir 	Ah, you are returned! I can scarcely imagine what terrible trials you contrived within the recesses of your mind. I trust you have revisited all the primals?
Ardashir 	Excellent! With the anima now possessed of knowledge of the primals in all their forms, and the strong desires that spurred them into action, we need only reinforce what it has learned.
Ardashir 	For that, we must use the magicks that gave birth to Mistress Matoya's amphibian familiars. Though they began as ordinary frogs, she transformed them into what we know as poroggo by means of an enchantment that served to awaken knowledge previously imparted to them.
Ardashir 	She posits that, by using that same spell, what the anima has learned from reliving at your side your confrontations with the primals can be ingrained into the very core of its being.
Ardashir 	The spell requires a few unorthodox ingredients, however. I can procure them all myself, save for one...
Ardashir 	A form of enchanted ink used in days of yore, whose recipe has been lost to time. ...Or so it is generally believed.
Ardashir 	There are those, however, who insist it is still being manufactured to the present day...in secret, deep in the heart of the Sharlayan motherland. Would that I were acquainted with a merchant who trades in exotic goods! Or perhaps there is another way...?
Ardashir 	I have not the faintest idea of where to begin, but an adventurer as well traveled as yourself might fare better. Do you think it possible you could procure this ink?
Ardashir 	A single bottle will more than suffice. As for the remaining ingredients, worry not. I will see to their procurement. Good luck, [Player Name].
Ardashir 	For that, we must once again turn to Mistress Matoya's enchantment to firmly cement the anima's newly gained knowledge into the very core of its being.
Ardashir 	Which means that I fear I must again burden you to procure a bottle of that most elusive ink.
Ardashir 	A small price to pay, I should think, considering the resounding success of your last anima weapon. At any rate, rest assured all other preparations will be complete on your return.
— 	Speak with other players and share information to discover how to find the archaic enchanted ink!
 	
Ardashir 	Were you able to procure the elusive variety of enchanted ink that we require? If so, I would prepare the weapon for enchantment straightaway.
Ardashir 	Hm? Perhaps my words were not clear, but I fear we require both your anima weapon and the enchanted ink.
— 	Speak with other players and share information to discover how to find the archaic enchanted ink!
 	
Ardashir 	Excellent work! Long have I been curious to see the splendor of Mistress Matoya's wisdom firsthand. With all of the reagents now accounted for, my curiosity will at last be sated. Let us begin!
Ardashir 	Behold! The color has changed just as Mistress Matoya said it would. Splendid, splendid!
Ardashir 	Next is the more delicate step of the process─inscribing the arcane circle needed for the spell using this magicked brew.
Ardashir 	And...there! I believe that should do it!
Ardashir 	Phew. I was all but certain the trembling of my hands would make a mess of the inscription. As the final step, we need but place the anima weapon within the circle, and hope that the desired effect is achieved.
Ardashir 	The spell is ready, but its magicks must be invoked by your hand, [Player Name]. In doing so, you will shape the anima's sense of self and purpose in the world. Now, close your eyes. Envision the path your anima will take, and allow your aether to flow into the arcane circle.
Bukinoseirei 	[Player Name]...
Bukinoseirei 	Your memories of battle were quite evocative. I feel as though I truly was there at your side, supporting your every blow against the primals. I have reflected deeply on all that I have seen. About the primals, and the dreams and desires that spurred them into action.
Bukinoseirei 	I realize now that even a simple wish─no matter how pure, how innocent─can at times be used to bring about calamity.
Bukinoseirei 	All I ever wished for was the strength to protect you. But am I not unlike the primals? An aetherial being seeking ever greater strength to fulfill my desires? If that power should come to cause you harm... The mere thought of it chilled me to my core.
Bukinoseirei 	...But no longer! Now, I have felt the warmth of your aether. Your earnest plea has banished my fears and filled my heart with unwavering courage.
Bukinoseirei 	Freedom...this is what you did wish for me. Indeed, the world is vast and full of wonders, and I would see them all. By your side, as your companion and ally. This is the path I choose of my own free will.
Bukinoseirei 	A faithful ally in combat... I feel our minds are already as one, for I would wish the same of you. The realm is rife with innumerable dangers, but we will face them together.
Bukinoseirei 	You did not express your desire in words, but your heart spoke volumes. Know that I have heard your wish, and will do all within my power to see it granted.
Bukinoseirei 	Your memories of battle were quite evocative. I feel as though I truly was there at your side, supporting your every blow against the primals. I have reflected deeply on all that I have seen. About the primals, and the dreams and desires that spurred them into action.
Bukinoseirei 	I realize now that even a simple wish─no matter how pure, how innocent─can at times be used to bring about calamity.
Bukinoseirei 	All I ever wished for was the strength to protect you. But am I not unlike the primals? An aetherial being seeking ever greater strength to fulfill my desires? If that power should come to cause you harm... The mere thought of it chilled me to my core.
Bukinoseirei 	...But no longer! Now, I have felt the warmth of your aether. Your earnest plea has banished my fears and filled my heart with unwavering courage.
Bukinoseirei 	Freedom...this is what you did wish for me. Indeed, the world is vast and full of wonders, and I would see them all. By your side, as your companion and ally. This is the path I choose of my own free will.
Bukinoseirei 	A faithful ally in combat... I feel our minds are already as one, for I would wish the same of you. The realm is rife with innumerable dangers, but we will face them together.
Bukinoseirei 	You did not express your desire in words, but your heart spoke volumes. Know that I have heard your wish, and will do all within my power to see it granted.
Gerolt 	Oi! The anima weapon's lit up somethin' fierce! I reckon it's gained more than a new sense o' self, if ye get my meanin'.
Gerolt 	Look at that! Ain't it a beauty? Reminds me o' the last one, but it's got somethin' special about it I can't put me finger on.
Ardashir 	Could it truly be...?
Ardashir 	What are you waiting for, [Player Name]? Take the anima weapon in hand!
Ardashir 	My word! Have you ever seen anything so exquisite? This, my friend, is the power of your wish made manifest─a form befitting the anima's newfound resolve.
Ardashir 	And I daresay it deserves a name to match its resplendence. I hereby dub you !
Ardashir 	And I daresay it deserves a name to match its resplendence. I hereby dub you and !
Ardashir 	You have raised a fine ally in the anima, [Player Name]. And thanks to Mistress Matoya's magicks, we have sparked a new sense of self within the anima through a joining of your minds.
Ardashir 	Indeed, this marks a significant malmstone in my research─one that would not have been possible without your efforts. You have my sincerest thanks.
Ardashir 	With that said, this method for developing anima is far from efficient. I very much doubt there are many adventurers with such prodigious experiences to draw upon. No, to devise a means for the greater populace to nurture anima as robust as yours will require further research.
Ardashir 	Mark my words: from the lowly fishermen of La Noscea to the Temple Knights of Ishgard─I will not rest until anyone and everyone in our fair realm can reap the rewards of anima!
Gerolt 	Hold yer chocobos there, Ardashir! Just how many o' these bloody things do ye plan on makin'!?
Ardashir 	I did say anyone and everyone, did I not? There is much work to be done, and I would be most appreciative if you could honor your end of our agreement. Of course, you are free to leave, if that is your wont. Though I suspect Rowena would be...disappointed.
Gerolt 	You no-good, stinkin' sack o'... Yer lucky me sellin' kettles ain't as gainful as it used to be.
Gerolt 	But when all this research o' yers is finally finished, I'm draggin' yer scrawny arse to Rowena meself, and we're gonna settle me debts right then and there. Got it?
Ardashir 	Wonderful! I knew you would come to see things my way. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.
Ardashir 	Words fail to express my gratitude. Now go forth, explore, and share the realm's myriad wonders with the anima. When next you return, I look forward to hearing your grand stories of adventure.
Ardashir 	Words fail to express my gratitude. Now go forth, and protect the realm as only you can, fighting together as one. When next you return, I look forward to hearing your grand stories of adventure.
Ardashir 	Words fail to express my gratitude. Now go forth, explore, and fulfill your dreams together with the anima. When next you return, I look forward to hearing your grand stories of adventure.
Quest complete.	Quest complete.
Category:Side Story Quests in Final Fantasy XIV