Full Steam Ahead

“

Magnus is grinning from ear to ear.

— In-game description

Walkthrough

• In this solo duty, you will be fighting as Thancred.
• As with the last Duty fight against them, Gukumatz will be untargetable throughout this fight.
• General Ran'jit has access to circular and linear AOE attacks.
• Gukumatz will occasionally inflict Down for the Count on you.
• At 85%, Ran'jit will fuse with Gukumatz, gaining access to new attacks.
• When the duty action Perfect Deception is available, use it to hide out of sight from Ran'jit. Be warned, however, that Thancred will suffer Fading Fast, a status that will result in a KO and a "Failed Duty" if not removed in time. To remove it, cast the Duty action "Shining Blade", the same specialty action button used to make yourself invisible.
• Near the end of the fight, Perfect Deception will change to Souldeep Invisibility and Shining Blade will change to Leap of Faith respectively. Same pros and cons as the former, however Thancred will also suffer Vital Sign, which will reduce movement speed. Cast Leap of Faith to end the duty.

NOTE: I found it easier to trigger these if you come up and stand closer to Ran'jit, do it, look for the sparkle and glow about your character, then prepare to strike. Furthermore, this has a long cast of approximately 3 seconds that you may/may not have to hold the button to trigger-- it was all very touch-and-go getting it to respond.

Steps

• Speak with Minfilia.
• Speak with Magnus.

※Solo Duty will commence upon speaking with Magnus.

• Speak with Minfilia.

Journal

• Magnus is grinning from ear to ear.

• Repairs to the Talos are complete, as are preparations for you voyage. Eager to enjoy the fruits of his labors, Magnus leaves with Thaffe and Jeryk for the Mount Biran Mines to perform a few final checks and plot your route to Nabaath Areng. He bids you join them when you are ready.

• Before long, Minfilia will come face-to-face with the original Oracle–the real Minfilia. But despite her understandable trepidation, she assures you of her commitment to see her journey through to its end. With both Thancred and Urianger also ready to set off, you have only to speak with Magnus to proceed.

• You board the trolley, but Minfilia quickly notes Urianger's failure to follow suit. He duly insists you continue without him, that he might inform Alphinaud and the others of your progress. After a short farewell, the Talos is set into motion, and the trolley begins racing down the tracks. The gate to Nabaath Areng opens wihtout incident, but an unwelcome sight awaits you on the other side–Ran'jit.

• With a single blow, Ran'jit topples the trolley, sending you and the others tumbling in all directions. Struggling to her feet, Minfilia pleads with him to let you pass, but her words only serve to send him into a rage. He moves to strike her down, but is prevented by Thancred at the last moment. Eyes aflame, the Scion commands Minfilia to leave while he contends with Ran'jit. After a moment's hesitation you take Minfilia with you southward, the clang of steel ringing out behind you.

• At long last, you have arrived at Nabaath Areng. Within awaits the Oracle. Minfilia steels herself as you press onward, still unsure how this reunion with her kindred spirit from the Source will end.

Dialogue

Quest Acceptance

Magnus: It's been years since I've seen a Talos in such fine shape. Would that Agna was here to see it. Or our son...
Magnus: I was ready to let her dreams die down there in the mines. Even after you'd found the leonine, I refused to believe it could work. Gods, what a fool I was. But I tell you now─I'm going to take good care of this Talos. For both their sakes. On behalf of my family, and all the miners of Twine, thank you.

Magnus: Well, enough chitter-chatter. Let's get you lot to Nabaath Areng, eh?
Thancred: Everything seems to be in order. I take it the Talos's presence resolves the issue of the gate?
Magnus: Hm? Oh, that. Yes.  It's designed to open at the Talos's approach.
Minfilia: Then we can finally go to Nabaath Areng.
Magnus: You certainly can. All that remains is a final check of the control box over at the mines. You hear that, boys? Get that Talos over to the mines, and keep a close eye on it around the curves. Understood?
Thaffe: Yes sir!
Urianger: Let us repair to the mines, then.
Minfilia: Before we go... (Minfilia faces Thancred) Minfilia: While you were away with [Forename], I prepared an extra set of cartridges for you. And this one. It's the practice cartridge you gave me. I know I should've thrown it away ages ago, but I've been adding a little extra to it every day. After so many charges, I'm honestly not sure what it will do. But I wanted you to have it. For luck.
Thancred: Minfilia, I─ Uh... (Minfilia looks slightly happy, but then turns the Warrior of Light)
Minfilia: We should hurry. Magnus and the others are probably wondering where we are.

Urianger: All appeareth ready for the grand departure. But one task yet remaineth...
Thancred: I know what you're thinking, and I will talk to her. When the time is right.
Thaffe: Ever since we got the Talos moving again, Jeryk has been acting strangely. Perhaps strange isn't the right word. More...overexcited. But as long as he gets the job done, I suppose I can't complain.
Magnus: Luckily, Thaffe and Jeryk didn't spend the last few years trying to drink themselves to death, and had the good sense to maintain this stuff. I'll have to thank them later.
Jeryk: Is this not the most beautiful sight you've ever seen? Oh, if only I could capture this moment in a painting, or even a quick pencil sketch. Hey, you seem pretty good at...everything. You wouldn't happen to be an artist too, would you?

Speak with Minfilia

Minfilia: So this is it. We're finally going to Nabaath Areng. I've thought long and hard about what to say to her. To the real Minfilia. I hoped when the time came I would know, but with every step we take I feel more uncertain. That's no reason to give up, though. Not when so much is at stake. Thank you, all of you, for helping me to get here. Now, let's not keep Magnus waiting.

Speak with Magnus

Magnus: There you are. So, what do you think? A little primitive-looking, I'll admit, but Daedalus Stoneworks has always favored a simple, intuitive design, and that philosophy has served us well enough. Much of the trolley network uses single tracks, making it easy for the Talos to navigate them as needed. And plotting a route is so simple, even we can do it, which makes for fewer accidents in transit. Speaking of which, are you ready to board? [Duty start dialogue box] Magnus: All right, then. Watch your step.

Cutscene

(Minfilia notices Urianger looking at her)
Minfilia: Urianger?
Urianger: Thou must needs carry on without me. The path to Nabaath Areng lieth open. Whilst thou travelest thither to the south, I would apprise Mistress Alisaie and the others of our progress. As circumstances permit, I will thereafter rejoin the hunt for the remaining Lightwardens. (Thancred crosses his arms)

Thancred: Magnus. Will the gate close immediately after the trolley passes through?
Magnus: No, it will stay open until someone closes it manually. Built that way to prevent any untimely accidents.
Thancred: Then you and the others can meet us in Nabaath Areng after giving the Eulmorans the slip. (Urianger nods, and Minfilia looks down briefly)
Minfilia: Ah, Urianger...
Minfilia: Thank you. For everything.
Urianger: Remember: thou needst but have faith.
Magnus: If you've finished with your good-byes, I suggest you grab hold of something. Be a shame if you took a tumble. (Minfilia steps up onto the cart, and Thancred and Urianger nod to eachother) The tracks beyond the gate aren't in the best of shape, so the trolley can only go as far as Amh Malik. Godsspeed!

Thancred: Ah, that must be the gate. (The golem walks over something that charges it further) Thancred: Well, so far so good...
Thancred: Wait...is that─ Ran'jit! (Ranjit hits the mine cart, knocking everyone down and the golem) 

Thancred: (scowling) You're a stubborn old swine, aren't you...
Ran'jit: One who has mastered Gukumatz fears not the blackest pit or the fieriest hell. Your deeds in the east did not go unnoticed. Long have I lain in wait, and sure enough, you did not disappoint. Had you only sworn fealty to Lord Vauthry, you would have no cause to skulk about like frightened animals. (Minfilia struggles to stand) You will remain as you are, while I dispatch these villains.
Minfilia: No! I won't...! I won't let you!
Ran'jit: You forget to whom you speak! Who armed you? Trained you? Fought and killed a thousand sin eaters with you!? And when you were inevitably cut down and lay lifeless in my arms─who sought out your successor to carry on the futile struggle again and again!? We seek to bring peace to what is left of this shattered land, while these mad fools would only bring further chaos down upon us! Do not be deceived, child! Only by Lord Vauthry's hand will this dying world know a sliver of salvation! (Minfilia looks down)
Minfilia: I don't know about the world...but I never asked to be saved. However much it hurts, and however hard it gets, it's my life, and I want to live it on my own terms! (Ran'jit looks down as Minfilia stands up)  And those “mad fools” you want me to abandon? The ones I've traveled with, fought with, and may one day die with─they feel the same. So no, I will not be deceived! No matter what you say, I refuse to believe it's all for nothing!  They're everything to me. All I have and all I need. And I would gladly do anything for them. Let us pass, or kill me. I'm not leaving here without them.
Ran'jit: How dare you! Very well─if you would cast your lot with villains, then you shall share their fate! (Ran'jit charges and Thancred deflects his attack)
Thancred: I heard what you said. And I'm sorry for all the things I've left unspoken. You have to go. Now!

Minfilia: Thancred, no─
Thancred: Go! Do what you came here to do. I'll not have you waste that newfound resolve on me. (Thancred picks up his weapon) 
Thancred: I leave her in your hands. Hurry! (The Warrior of Light nods, as Minfilia and the Warrior of Light run away. Ran'jit tries to pursue but Thancred prevents it) Not another step! Your fight is with me.
Ran'jit: You think yourself her protector!? Hah! As if a whelp like you could be a better father to her than me!

Post-Battle

Ranjit is kneeling, and Thancred looks exhausted
Ran'jit: You would have her suffer and die. I would spare her that fate!
Thancred: That is not for you or anyone else to decide─ever again. (Ran'jit leaves, and Thancred falls to the ground, breathing heavily)

Thancred, narrating: Not a single day goes by that I don't think about all that you have given me. Countless memories and moments I took for granted...Gods, you grew up so fast.  (Thancred's eyes close) But you had to, didn't you? For those you had lost. For those you could yet save. A world teetering on the very brink of oblivion, for which you gave your everything without hesitation... Your kindness, your compassion, your love...Then and now... (Thancred is on his back still)

Thancred: One last time, with a little help. I'm so proud to have been a part of your life...  Oh, Minfilia...
Thancred may be dead

Speak with Minfilia

Minfilia: This is the place, [Forename]. This is where she stopped the Flood. The last time I was here, when I felt her presence overwhelming me...I tried to pretend it wasn't happening─to just...turn away. But I can't turn away now. Not this time. For Thancred and the others, I have to face her. 
In the event that you leave the area, speak with the apprentice engineer at Twine in Amh Araeng to return to Nabaath Areng.