At the headwaters of the Velodyna River, deep in the eastern reaches of the Black Shroud, Fordola rem Lupis and Margot Weisshexer, outfitted as members of the Ala Mhigan Defense Force, have dispatched a patrol of Twin Adder forces, who now lay scattered about a small clearing. The sisters stand back to back with weapons still drawn, scanning the area for any further threats.

Fordola looks over her shoulder, uneasily scanning the edge of the clearing. "So goes another sad bunch uninterested in a parlay with those who would be their neighbors," she laments cynically. "Bloody mad fools, thinking they'd sneak their way into Gyr Abania by floating down the Velodyna on rafts. Whoever's commanding the Twin Adders needs a lengthy vacation in the nearest sanitarium." She sheathes her curved sword, and Margot echoes the gesture, stowing her rapier and gem focus.

Margot crosses her arms and turns toward her sister with a doleful expression. "The deed is done," she sighs, "though the relief is, as ever, outweighed by heartache." She then turns toward someone at the edge of the clearing. Fordola follows her gaze. "We could not have done it without your help, old friend," she calls out, "but I must ask, why would you betray your countrymen's plans to us?"

From the shadows, a miqo'te emerges, armed with a longbow, and dressed in silks of black, orange, and white. Her fierce green eyes glimmer from under her long black hair. She is Z'hasmi-ina Tohrrl, former retainer of Largo Canzondolore. "Pah!" she scoffs in response to Margot's question. "Gridania is no homeland of mine. I and my kind have already been cast aside. We were the next to be expelled after the Ala Mhigan expatriates." Z'hasmi-ina approaches the two Ala Mhigan defenders confidently, their friendship, and recent cooperation, assuring a truce. "Largo told us all, when the time came, to follow the road that felt right," she explains. "As much as any path can feel right in this world, mine has led me here."

#Febhyurary2026 18 — Alternate Universe
( #ShatteredBonds #3 )

In an alternate future where the Eorzean Alliance is fading into memory, old friends forge new alliances in the shadowy corners of the Twelveswood...

#FFXIV #WoLcomics #Febhyurary #hyur #ForAlaMhigo #miqote

Margot Weisshexer and Fordola rem Lupis stand at the end of the strategic planning table at Castrum Oriens, the former Garlean enclave on the border between Gridania and Ala Mhigo. They are both dressed in the earth-toned uniforms of the Ala Mhigan Resistance, which has been pressed into continued service as the uniform of the liberated state's defense forces. Margot clutches her head in her hands as Fordola looks on silently. "How did we get here, Fordola?" Margot laments. "How could a peace so hard-won fall apart so quickly?"

Margot leans forward to support herself on the edge of the table, as if the burden of simply standing up is becoming too much to bear. "All the blood spilled, all the innocent lives lost, all the other terrible costs that were paid on all sides in the name of liberation... of fellowship. All cast aside in an instant. How... how could they? What was it all for? Will Ala Mhigo truly never be allowed to know peace?"

"Still that sweet, innocent Margot," Fordola whispers, putting her arms over the shoulders of her disconsolate sister. "You can't admit the truth you already know. Peace is all well and good as long as everyone thinks it to their advantage. And when someone can convince the powers that be that it isn't... well, here we are. But I know you. You can't bear to see your adoptive home go to war with the land of your blood. And I... well, I can't bear to see my big sister cry."

Fordola offers an embrace, and Margot clings to her desperately, her pent-up despair exploding in wrenching sobs. "So if we must fight," Fordola whispers, "we'll fight together. We'll fight ignorance. We'll fight mistrust. We'll relive the age-old foolishness of fighting for peace. For each other. For Eorzea. For Ala Mhigo." Margot buries her face further into Fordola's shoulder, wracked with grief. Choking back her bitter tears, she repeats, "For Ala Mhigo."

#ShatteredBonds #2: Sisters of Battle (2025.09.07)

In an #AlternateTimeline where the peace of the Seventh Dawn is wistfully remembered, long-lost sisters reunited by a war for liberation vow to fight those who would destroy the fragile peace.

#FFXIV #WoLcomics #ForAlaMhigo #hyur #Fordola

Treurenbloem Rouwdottir, heavily armored and carrying her greatsword, salutes R'ashaht Rhiki, High Commander of the Maelstrom. She announces with practiced military discipline: "Storm Captain Treurenbloem Rouwdottir, former fleet captain of the Hearts of the Dawn Gale, reporting, High Commander. I am without a ship, but I will take any assignment that the Admiral sees fit to give."

R'ashaht sighs, releasing only a fraction of the anxiety with which he fairly vibrates at her post. "Full glad I am that you are, Captain Rouwdottir," she admits. "I shall not conceal the reality of the situation from such a decorated officer." She shakes her head, her gaze downcast, then continues, a tone of exasperated disbelief muting her usually vibrant voice. "The bonds of the Eorzean alliance are deteriorating rapidly. None know who pulls the strings of this macabre puppet show, but the chaos they have wrought among the nations of Aldenard threatens to throw the world order as we know it into disarray." She sneers at her next thought, which she relays through clenched teeth: "And who better to play scapegoat in an era of mistrust than a 'nation of pirates'?"

R'ashaht continues, "To have even one of the vaunted Warriors of Light remain loyal to the fleet is a blessing. But as if your steadfast loyalty was not enough..." She pauses, glancing suspiciously to her right, away from Treurenbloem. "You have brought with you another, and one most unexpected besides. Tell me, sir, are you not bonded as a Serpent Captain in the Order of the Twin Adder? What of your obligation and allegiance to Gridania? Have you not an established residence there, and a heavy investment in its security, as well?"

Our view turns for the first time, to reveal Largo Canzondolore, in the seafaring attire that he adopted for his journey to Tural, his crystal gunblade strapped across his back. He shrugs, smirking, at the Storm High Commander, with a well-honed affect of nonchalance. "Lominsa needs her brightest captain," he responds blithely, "and the captain needs an able crew." His smile fades, his expression darkening to a deadly seriousness. "I know full well what fate awaits any duskwight foolish enough to trust in the kindness of the elementals' reverents. My best hope for survival in these chaotic times is to be found only on my own terms, and for now, that means that I must cleave close to the people I trust the most in this world." Largo's charming half-smile returns, chasing away the shadow of his deadly cynicism. "Treurenbloem fits that bill. So here I stand, her first recruit."

#ShatteredBonds #1: Join the Fleet (2025.09.06)

In an #AlternateTimeline where the peace of the Seventh Dawn is wistfully remembered, the bringers of that peace now gird themselves again for conflict.

As always, more in alt text.

#FFXIV #WoLcomics #LimsaLominsa #elezen #roegadyn #SadGothPirate