A Breath of Respite

Quest giver: Chai-Nuzz
Location: Kholusia (X:18.6, Y:17.6)
Quest line: Shadowbringers Main Scenario Quests
Level: 78

Experience: 227,520
Gil: 843
Previous quest: That None Shall Ever Again
Next quest: Extinguishing the Last Light
Patch: 5.0

Main Scenario Progress: 635 / 960 (66.1%)

Shadowbringers Progress: 94 / 157 (59.9%)

“

Chai-Nuzz is looking not a little anxious.

— In-game description

Walkthrough

When searching for the Crystal Exarch, he is located at (21.3, 25.2).

Steps

Speak with Dulia-Chai.
Search for the Crystal Exarch.
Speak with the Crystal Exarch.

Journal

Chai-Nuzz is looking not a little anxious.

Dialogue

Quest Acceptance

Chai-Nuzz: Gah, there's no point worrying about such things now. I'll get back to my calculations. You, meanwhile, should go and rest as your friends suggested.
Chai-Nuzz: My wife and the Exarch should be in the tavern. Why don't you join them?
Chai-Nuzz: Oh, and [Forename]? Ahem... Thank you.

Speak with Dulia-Chai

Dulia-Chai: ...The Exarch? He went outside a moment ago, my dear. I would've thought you'd have seen him.
Dulia-Chai: He kept me company for a short while, but then he came over rather pale. He's clearly been straining himself, the poor thing.
Dulia-Chai: Anyway, he excused himself, saying that he needed a breath of fresh air. Weak as he looked, I did offer to go with him, but he assured me he would be fine. I do hope he's all right...

Search for the Crystal Exarch

The Exarch does not appear to be nearby.
The Exarch does not appear to be anywhere in the vicinity. There is only the shoebill, gazing unflinchingly southward.

The Exarch slowly opens his eyes

Crystal Exarch: The future is where my destiny awaits...
Crystal Exarch: Forgive me, I was...lost in a dream.
Crystal Exarch: I needed some fresh air, and thought to rest for a moment. It would seem I am more fatigued than I realized.
Crystal Exarch: Too much time away from the tower, I fear. It drains me─leaves my body frail and weak.
Crystal Exarch: Though, in truth, it is debatable whether I can still call this my body... (Exarch puts his blue hand up)
Crystal Exarch: When first I turned my mind towards the salvation of the world, I came to the conclusion that it would take many long years. Many more than remained to me.
Crystal Exarch: And so I made myself one with the Crystal Tower, that I might live indefinitely.
Crystal Exarch: I am but an extension of it now. Hence my weakness the farther I travel, and the longer I am away. (Exarch puts his hand down)
Crystal Exarch: It has been quite a journey.
Crystal Exarch: But thanks to you, the end is in sight. My wish will finally be fulfilled.
Crystal Exarch: How goes the construction effort?

Crystal Exarch: Then this may be the last moment we have to ourselves for a while. Come, sit with me. (Warrior of Light sits next to Exarch)
Crystal Exarch: Tell me, when all of this is over, what will you do?

What will you say? I'll settle matters with the Empire. / What I always do: seek out mightier foes. / Rest awhile. / ... -> I'll settle matters with the Empire. (Exarch nods)
Crystal Exarch: Ah, yes. Even should we succeed in forestalling the Eighth Umbral Calamity, the specter of war will remain.
Crystal Exarch: But to declare your intent with such easy resolve... You truly are a heroes' hero, my friend. (Exarch looks towards the sky)
Crystal Exarch: But whatever it is you decide to do, I have every confidence that you will do well. For you have the strength to forge your own path.
Crystal Exarch: You will leave countless lives better than you found them, and the souls you touch will never forget your kindness.
Crystal Exarch: Then, in trying times, when you question your worth and your choices, they will raise their voices to remind you of the difference you have made.
Crystal Exarch: And thus will your deeds come to affirm your path. Remember this.

What will you say? What will you do when this is over? / I would know more of you. -> I would know more of you. (Exarch glances over at the Warrior of Light, stunned)
Crystal Exarch: Of me? You mean what I intend to do afterwards?
Crystal Exarch: I once told you that there are things we can ill afford to lose.
Crystal Exarch: “Things,” I said, though in truth I spoke of a person. One who is unaware of the full extent of my plans. Though she deserves to know, I have good reason to keep my counsel.
Crystal Exarch: I have come to terms with this in my mind, yet my heart yearns to lay everything bare. For she is my inspiration, and I would give much and more for the chance to speak with her as friends, with no thought of concealment.
Crystal Exarch: Should she indulge me with her tales, I would regale her with my own─about my efforts in Norvrandt, perhaps.
Crystal Exarch: Though...ultimately, that tale is more yours than it is mine.
Crystal Exarch: Then...I would ask her about her next adventure. And if she should wish me to be a part of it, oh...how happy it would make me.
Crystal Exarch: Together, we would travel the lands and cross the seas and take to the skies upon the eternal wind... My heart swells simply to imagine it. (Warrior of Light smiles, and the Exarch stands up)
Crystal Exarch: But all of this is contingent upon our victory in the coming battle.
Crystal Exarch: The people of this world have entrusted their hopes to us. We cannot fail them.
Crystal Exarch: ...Nor those who roused me from my slumber.
Crystal Exarch: Thank you for your company, my friend. Let us return to Amity.

Speak with the Crystal Exarch

Crystal Exarch: Worry not, my friend. I am much revived for the fresh air─and your fine company, of course. Now then, let us turn our thoughts back to the task at hand.

Elsewhere

Zenos: Your Radiance. I have taken the liberty of quashing the vile rumors that your heir is possessed by a devil.
Zenos: With the nation in the grip of war, we may rely on patriotic zeal to prevent them from resurfacing.
Varis zos Galvus: And what of Emet-Selch?
Zenos: He has taken himself to the First, to usher that world to its end.
Zenos: Or so I believe. He did not disclose the details of his mission, having ever preferred to work alone.
Zenos: Even to those who have known him since the beginning, his actions can prove...unpredictable.
Varis zos Galvus: I am no stranger to his ways. He joys in playing me for a fool. Full many times have I been convinced I was acting of my own volition, only to discover all was as he willed it.
Varis zos Galvus: My dear grandfather...
Zenos: On the subject of our esteemed colleague: his last report, though brief, did contain one item of interest.
Zenos: On the subject of our esteemed colleague: his last report, though brief, did contain one item of interest.
Zenos: You have doubtless wondered why the Scions of the Seventh Dawn have not taken the field of late.
Zenos: It is because they are no longer in the Source.
Zenos: The hero of the Scions has journeyed to the First─as have her comrades, albeit incompletely. Their bodies yet remain here in the Source.
Zenos: This presents an opportunity. If we can defeat the Alliance prior to the Scions' return, we may eliminate their order at a stroke.
Zenos: And with the Scions gone, none shall remain to thwart our plans. It will be but a matter of striking down the hero upon her homecoming.
Zenos: Which, lest you forget, is essential to the realization of our objective. Of both of our objectives. (An Ascian symbol shows in front of Zenos)
Zenos: Through Hydaelyn's meddling, Her champions threaten to wrest the reins of fate from our grasp. The world is at risk of being dragged down the false path.
Zenos: One which will never see man reclaim his true form.
Zenos: 'Tis unthinkable that he should supplant us, incomplete as he is. Such a devolution is abhorrent. And it must be stopped─before it is too late.
Zenos: The hour is come, Your Radiance. Order your armies to march once more. Crush all who stand in your way.
Zenos: This is your heart's desire, is it not? To seize a victory that is yours and yours alone─for the future of Garlemald!

???: Oh dear... You do not wear the mummer's motley well. I was never one to take an interest in tedious conflicts. 
Katana-bearing Centurion: The whereabouts of my one true friend, however─they interest me greatly. I but hope the beasts of this “First” are providing her proper sport.
Katana-bearing Centurion: I would know every detail, Lord Zenos. Or would you rather I called you Elidibus? (Zenos puts his hand to his eyes, and they flash red)
Elidibus: ...Hm. Unexpected. Most unexpected.
Elidibus: That immortality should be within the reach of one with a borrowed Echo.
Elidibus: You have outdone yourself, Zenos yae Galvus. (Varis is shocked)
Katana-bearing Centurion: I have no particular attachment to that name─but I am rather fond of that body. Without it, I cannot enjoy my hunt to the fullest. (The Centurion unsheathes his katana)
Katana-bearing Centurion: Your secrets or my flesh. I care not which you give me first. The choice is yours.