An End to the Song

An End to the Song

Quest giver

Aymeric

Location

The Churning Mists (X:7.4, Y:26.7)

Quest line

Dragonsong Main Scenario Quests

Level

60

Experience

 5,000

Gil

 5,000

Previous quest

Winning Over the Wyrm

Next quest

Heroes of the Hour

Patch

3.3

---

Main Scenario Progress: 358 / 960 (37.3%)

   

Heavensward Progress: 117 / 138 (84.8%)

   

“

Aymeric is desperate to fly to Ishgard's defense.

— In-game description

Rewards

Unlocks

• 
  The Final Steps of Faith

Steps

• Confront Nidhogg in the Final Steps of Faith.

• Speak with Alphinaud.

Journal

• You and your companions settle upon the backs of Hraesvelgr and his kin, and dive through the clouds in the direction of Ishgard. Soon after, you alight, hands numb and eyes stinging, on the Steps of Faith in the midst of battle. With a mixture of surprise and scorn, Nidhogg welcomes Hraesvelgr, who attempts in vain to persuade his brother from his vengeful course. A mighty clash then ensues between the pair, from which there can be only one victor... The city's defenders watch transfixed as Hraesvelgr tumbles onto the bridge, beaten and bloody, Ishgard's fate seemingly sealed. Triumphant, Nidhogg revels in the moment, only to learn that his fallen sibling has entrusted you with a gift: one half of his power.

• With Hraesvelgr's might now commingled with your own, you are become Ishgard's best and last hope of staying the rampaging Nidhogg. Slay the great wyrm's shade, and bring an end to a thousand years of fire and blood!
  ※The Final Steps of Faith can be accessed via the Duty Finder.

• You have succeeded in subduing Nidhogg's shade. Wrest the wyrm's eyes from Estinien's armor, and rid your companion of Nidhogg's virulent spirit.

• Following Alphinaud's lead, you join in the struggle to tear Nidhogg's eyes from Estinien's mail. Using every onze of your strength, you wrestle with the hateful things, arcs of crackling aether enveloping you in agony, but just when the feat appears beyond you, you appear to receive aid from a most unexpected source...

  With one final heave, you succeed in separating man and wyrm, and for an instant you glimpse Nidhogg's disembodied spirit, before casting his eyes into the abyss. At long last, it is over. Having done all you can for Estinien, you watch as Ser Aymeric bears him back to Ishgard. Join Alphinaud at the Arc of the Worthy, and discuss the aftermath of the battle.

• Upon returning to Ishgard, Alphinaud praises you for your victory over Nidhogg's shade. Whatever joy he feels at the dread wyrm's defeat, however, is overshadowed by his concern for the battered Estinien...

Dialogue

Optional Dialogue

Alphinaud: I pray we are not too late...

Accepting the Quest

Aymeric: Ishgard will not last long against Nidhogg and his Horde. We must away! 

Cutscene

Hraesvelgr: Know you, then, what this roar portendeth?

Aymeric: Aye. I must return to my city without delay. 

Hraesvelgr: Then we shall lend you our wings. Let us meet with Nidhogg on the field of battle, and together bring an end to his wrathful song. 

Lucia: Remember your training! We hold fast until the lord commander returns! Ugh.... We must hold...

Artoirel: Reinforcements! By the Fury... That one is the size of Nidhogg! 
Lucia: Lord Commander! 

Artoirel: You are late, Warrior of Light! 

Nidhogg: Wherefore standest thou with these vermin, Brother?

Hraesvelgr: Abandon this war, shade. 
Hraesvelgr: The suffering thou sowest serveth no end. The traitor's progeny have learned of their forefather's betrayal, and now seek to make amends with our kind. 
Hraesvelgr: Never shall our grief be assauged nor our loss forgotten, but reconciliation may yet halt the spread of this plague of enmity. Forsake thy vengeance and be at peace. 

Nidhogg: What soft-headed ramblings are these? Thy dalliance with that vile maid hath robbed thee of thy wits! Mayhap her cloying perfume hath made thee forget the stench of our brood-sister's lifeblood! 

Hraesvelgr: Thou darest speak thus of my beloved!?

Nidhogg: Ah! Sot he flames of rage may yet be kindled! I feared thy heart's fire had long since gone out. But waste not the fury on words, Brother—thou shalt have need of it for the battle! 

Hraesvelgr: Guh! 

Nidhogg: Thou art weak, Hraesvelgr—a sliterhing wyrm who fawneth on the vermin who should rightly be his prey. For a thousand years I have fought without cease—and thou didst think to prevail against me! 

Hraesvelgr: Glory not in thy victory, shade. The battle...is not yet won. My power—and my hope—have I entrusted to another...
Nidhogg: Thine eye! What hast thou done!? 
Nidhogg: Fool! Thou wouldst trust a mortal with thy strength!? 
Nighogg: I know thee... 'Twas thou who didst intrude upon my lair and best the half of me. But now I am whole, and naught in creation shall deny me my vengeance!

Optional Dialogue

Tataru: I have the utmost faith in you, [Forename], but I'll say a little prayer...just in case.

Gibrillont: ...They've come, have they? Well, don't you worry about me and mine. I can still wield a blade if the battle spills into the city.

Vidofnir: I will not distract thee from thy deadly task with idle parley. Go with courage, warrior of warriors.

Confronting Nidhogg in the Final Steps of Faith

Duty Dialogue

Nidhogg: Wriggling maggots! I shall grind you to paste in my jaws! 
Nidhogg: Come, my children!
Claim the vengeance that is rightfully yours! 
Nidhogg: Look upon the fool who dared embrace my power!
Witness the darkened wings that beat about his shriveled soul! 
Nidhogg: Champions of man! Hearken to my fury! 
Nidhogg: Thy final verse is sung! 
Nidhogg: Thou hast survived my song...
Curse thee and thine eye, Hraesvelgr! 
Nidhogg: Brood-brother, thou hast doomed me...
But if I must meet mine end, then all shall burn upon my pyre! 
Nidhogg: Slain twice by mortal hands... 

Post Duty Cutscene

Alphinaud: Estinien!

Nidhogg: Is this...to be...mine end? 
Nidhogg: Nay... I will not allow it... I am of the first brood...I am vengeance incarnate... I am Nidhogg! 
Nidhogg: Thou shalt die by my hand! 

Estinien: This is not your hand, wyrm! 

Nidhogg: Thou...wilt...obey! 

Estinien: I would ask one last favor of you, Warrior of Light... Finish me—now, while I have the beast subdued! 
Estinien: You waste your time. Kill me! It is the only way! Ending Nidhogg...will be my final duty...

Alphinaud: No! You can't die like this! I won't let you!

Nidhogg: Undone by mortal will. Whither now...? 

Aymeric: The eyes! Cast them into the abyss! 

Cutscene

Aymeric: He lives. ah, Estinien, my ill-fated friend. 
Aymeric: Lucia! summon the healers! I want them ready to receive him! 

Lucia: At once, Lord Commander! 

Aymeric: Allow me to do this at least...

Hraesvelgr: The Horde have sensed the fall of their master, and scattered to the winds. 

Aymeric: You have my gratitude, Hraesvelgr. Your deeds this day have saved a great many lives. 

Hraesvelgr: Then our alliance hath served its purpose. 
Hraesvelgr: Thou didst wield the power I granted thee well. 'Twas thine own skill and not mine eye which earned thee victory. 
Hraesvelgr: I wish thy companion a swift recovery. Fare you well, children of man. 

Alphinaud: The battle is won. We can do no more for Estinien now than bear him home and wish him well, even as Hraesvelgr did. The rest we must trust to the hands of the healers and the grace of the gods. 

Optional Dialogue

Beltardois: I bid you welcome, slayer of Nidhogg! Ever do the gates of Ishgard stand open to our savior!

Handeloup: Though our principal foe lies defeated, we shall continue to keep order inside the walls and protect the citizenry. In that much at least, the duties of the Temple Knights remain unchanged.

Speaking with Alphinaud

Alphinaud: Through the haze of pain, I swear I sensed—But no. The past is done, and we must look to the future. At long last, Nidhogg is gone, his foul spirit cast out once and for all. I only pray that Estinien survives the ordeal...