Fathoms Below

Quest giver: Kurenai
Location: The Ruby Sea (X:20.2, Y:20.1)
Level: 63

Experience: 25,750
Gil: 1,000
Previous quest: Forever and Ever Apart
The Palace of Lost Souls
Next quest: A Part of Your World
Patch: 4.0

“

Princess Kurenai is ready to divulge her great secret.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

Walkthrough

Accept the quest
Find Kurenai at (21.2, 19.8) and speak with her
Watch or skip the cutscene
Find Kurenai back at her usual spot (20, 20) and speak with her
Select your reward and hit complete.

Steps

Speak with Kurenai.
Speak with Kurenai.

Journal

Princess Kurenai is ready to divulge her great secret.

Princess Kurenai attempts to tell you the truth but is unsure of where to begin. She asks that you accompany her to where the Ruby Princess is resting, believing that looking upon her visage will make it a little easier for you to understand what she is about to explain.

Princess Kurenai has Shiosai bring out the Ruby Princess, and together they disclose that she is, in fact, Hisui─Princess Kurenai's lady-in-waiting─and that Kurenai is the true Ruby Princess. When guests from the outside were invited into the palace to conduct a secret ceremony, Hisui had assumed the Ruby Princess' identity to prevent any danger from befalling the true heiress to the throne. As such, when proceedings took a dark turn, it was Hisui who became possessed by the void spirits that were summoned, leading to her current comatose state. Upon revealing this to you, Kurenai announces her intention to leave Sui–no–Sato for the upper world in search of a cure for Hisui. Shiosai, who has been ordered to stay behind, begs you go with her.

Princess Kurenai is overjoyed to learn that you will be accompanying her on her journey outside of Sui–no–Sato. It seems the fates of both the Ruby Princess and her dearest friend, Hisui, now rest squarely upon your shoulders.

Dialogue

Acceptance

Kurenai: The hour of truth is upon us, yet I am just unsure of where to begin... Kurenai: The Ruby Princess, who quietly slumbers on, she... Kurenai: <sigh> Perhaps this will be easier to explain if you could look upon her as I speak. Please, follow me.

Cutscene

Kurenai: Shiosai will be bringing her out shortly. He should be but a few moments longer. Oh, Hisui, why...why do you refuse to open your eyes? <sigh> [Forename], there is something you must know. I am not the Ruby Princess's younger sister. In fact, she has no sister. I am the Ruby Princess, ruler of Sui-no-Sato. The slumbering girl before you goes by the name of Hisui, and is my dearest friend. We have known one another since childhood.

Shiosai: Your Grace, I am entirely to blame. Had I been more prepared─more aware─Lady Hisui would not be in this sorry state...You see, a few days ago we received visitors from the outside. They had come to perform a court ritual. To protect the Ruby Princess from any potential dangers, we decided to conceal her true identity. I had her lady-in-waiting, Hisui, take her place. As she and Her Highness bear a great resemblance to each other─something owing to the fact that they are distant blood relatives─I was confident no one would notice the switch. I was right. That is why, when proceedings commenced, it was Lady Hisui who became possessed by the terrible fiend they summoned and now...well, you can see for yourself what has become of her. To mitigate such disaster, severe restrictions on who can enter and exit Shisui of the Violet Tides have always been in place. In fact, even the Ruby Princess is forbidden by law to leave its gates. When wraith after wraith began appearing, however, I was left with little choice. I whisked Her Highness away to the village and had her pretend to be the Ruby Princess's sister, Kurenai.

Kurenai: Kurenai... That was the name I had before my mother passed away and I assumed the title of Ruby Princess. It was also the name Hisui would call me by growing up. For as far back as I can remember, she was there for me─from the best of times to the worst of times. All the laughter and tears we shared... Hisui, is this truly where it ends?

Shiosai: Forgive me, Your Grace. This is my fault. If only there was a way I could go back and prevent all this...

Kurenai: Shiosai, there is nothing to forgive. None of us could have predicted this would happen. You are no more to blame for what has happened than I am. [Forename], now you know everything. I hope you do not think any less of me for my lie. Now that everything here has been settled, I shall be departing from Sui-no-Sato. The cure to Hisui's condition can only be found above. I know this because, as Ruby Princess, it was my duty to study all the available writings at the palace.

Shiosai: Very well, Your Grace. Where would you have us go?

Kurenai: No, Shiosai. I shall be embarking upon this quest on my own. You will be staying here. The people need you to protect them in my absence.

Shiosai: Her Grace has made it clear she would have me remain behind. [Mistress/Master] [Forename], might you accompany her in my stead? While Lady Hisui's body remains, her soul has long departed. I fear that no amount of rest or magicks can cure her...I can only hope that in traveling with you, it will make it easier for Her Grace to come to terms with the tragic fate of her friend. Until such a time she must face this truth, however, I ask─nay, beg─that you keep her safe.

Quest Wrap-up

Kurenai: You are offering to accompany me on my travels? That is incredibly generous of you. Thank you. I shall give you some time to prepare before leaving Sui-no-Sato. Please come find me as soon as you are ready to go.