The biggest known black hole, TON 618, is thought to contain 66 billion solar masses — that’s two-thirds the mass of the entire Milky Way! In size, its diameter is 2600 AU, or 390 billion km — more than 40 times the diameter of Neptune’s orbit. If TON 618 were the size of the Earth, the Earth would be a 41.6 cm ball next to it, about the size of a typical house globe.
Baderon wants you to let him know when you are ready to depart for the banquet.
Baderon: Yer ready, then, are ye? Good. The banquet’ll be startin’ soon. If ye’d waited any longer, I’d’ve considered it me civic duty to ‘it ye over the ‘ead an’ drag ye there.
Baderon: Now, make sure yer wearin’ them fancy shoes when ye turn up, all right? Carryin’ ’em won’t do no good. They’re meant to make ye look like a lady, remember, not a lady’s bleedin’ lackey.
Baderon: As fer directions, the feast’s bein’ ‘eld on the Bridge, in the Admiral’s briefin’ room.
Baderon: Speak with Zanthael in Bulwark Hall, an’ ‘e’ll show ye the way.
Baderon: Just keep that ‘ead ‘eld ‘igh, lass. After everythin’ ye’ve done fer Limsa, ye’ve good reason to be proud─an’ don’t let no ‘ighborn bugger tell ye different.
Zanthael: Dress shoes… Fancy dress shoes. An adventurer wearing fancy dress shoes…
Zanthael: Oh! Now those are some fancy dress shoes. Come, adventurer, I will show you to the briefing room.
Merlwyb: Brothers and sisters of the sea!
Merlwyb: Join me now in honoring this woman for her services to our great nation!
Merlwyb: May the Navigator guide and protect her on her journey till sea swallows all!
Merlwyb: These pirates you encountered with the tattooed faces… They call themselves the “Serpent Reavers.” Their ranks are formed of cutthroats and madmen who have pledged themselves body and soul to the primal Leviathan.
Merlwyb: From what we have gathered, they sought to swell their numbers by spiriting away any soul unfortunate enough to cross their path.
Merlwyb: I need not tell you the depth of the animosity between us and the Sahagin. How any seaman worth his salt could devote himself to the fishbacks’ god is a question for a more temperate mind than mine.
Merlwyb: But thanks to you, our citizens may once more go about their daily lives, safe in the knowledge that they will not be dragged into the darkness by those execrable curs.
Y’shtola: Such an extraordinary glow…
Y’shtola: This…is one of the Crystals of Light.
Merlwyb: By the Navigator…
Y’shtola: After our encounter with the goobbue, you had a vision, did you not? Of a towering crystal?
Y’shtola: You bathed in Her Light…
Merlwyb: Y’shtola’s conclusion is clear, and I see no reason to doubt it. You are the vessel of a higher power.
Merlwyb: This…being from your vision was the Mothercrystal. Your description matches what little we know of Her.
Merlwyb: And if She has chosen you, then your deeds may yet shape the fate of nations.
Merlwyb: As once did the deeds of the Warriors of Light.
Merlwyb: Know you the tale? Like you, they were not of these lands, yet they fought to protect us all ‘gainst the corruption of the primals.
Merlwyb: When the Garlean Empire began its conquest of the realm, these heroes joined the Grand Companies, and helped reforge the Eorzean Alliance.
Merlwyb: And at the Battle of Carteneau, they took the field beneath our banners, to fight for everything we hold dear.
Merlwyb: It was on that day, in the midst of that hell…that we lost them.
Merlwyb: Every soul who survived that battle will never forget how it was to fight beside them. We are proud to call them our comrades.
Merlwyb: Yet, whenever we try to shout their names, the sound dies in our throats.
Merlwyb: And whenever we strain to see their faces with our mind’s eye, naught but their shadows appear to us, set against a blinding light.
Merlwyb: Ask any true Eorzean who knew them, and the story will be the same. It is for this reason that we call them “the Warriors of Light.”
Merlwyb: When I look upon you, I cannot help but be reminded of them.
Merlwyb: Keep that Crystal safe.
Merlwyb: In time, I believe the Mothercrystal will make clear Her reasons for bestowing it upon you.
Merlwyb: Heed well Her words, adventurer. For it is Hydaelyn Herself who speaks.
Raubahn: Flames, to the fore!
Raubahn: Victory belongs to the bold! Show those imperial whoresons what we’re made of!
Merlwyb: The left flank buckles! Divert the Barracudas!
Merlwyb: Bid ’em hold that position though it cost ’em their lives!
Kan-E-Senna: The Yellow Serpents are in need of succor. Pray send the White Wolves to their aid.
Kan-E-Senna: The adventurers risk life and limb for our cause. We must not fail them.
Merlwyb: Is aught amiss?
Kan-E-Senna: No… It is nothing.
Raubahn: The barrier won’t go down so easily! Eyes forward!
Kan-E-Senna: We are being watched…
Raubahn: Raging Bull calling Blood Thorn! Blood Thorn, respond! Respond, damn you!
Raubahn: Arrrgh!!!
Jakys Ryder: Raging Bull! This is Mad Snake! Respond!
Raubahn: Ryder!? This is Raging Bull! What news!?
Jakys Ryder: We’re surrounded by a blaze! There’s no way out! Gods preserve, what is that thing!?
Raubahn: What’s going on!? Speak to me!
Jakys Ryder: Godsdammit! We cannot hold much longer!
Jakys Ryder: AaaaaaAAAAAAAAAH!!!
Raubahn: Mad Snake!? Mad Snaaaaaake! Answer me!
Raubahn: Damn it! Damn it all to the seventh hell!
Merlwyb: What of the Barracudas? Can they not be reached?
Storm Runner: Sorry, Admiral─shell’s not workin’!
Kan-E-Senna: What of our own?
Serpent Runner: I cannot say, my lady! That monstrosity appears to be disrupting our communications!
Kan-E-Senna: We must keep trying. Call till they respond.
Serpent Runner: Yes, my lady!
Kan-E-Senna: Admiral, General─we can do no more. We must give the order to withdraw.
Raubahn: I will not forsake Louisoix!
Kan-E-Senna: General, please! Victory may belong to the bold, but there will be no victor this day!
Kan-E-Senna: You know this to be true. Let us not sacrifice lives in vain.
Kan-E-Senna: The adventurers fight bravely, but to no avail. Let them withdraw, and let us be the ones to stand with Louisoix.
Merlwyb: Belay previous orders! All Maelstrom units are commanded to fall back, effective immediately!
Merlwyb: Give the Foreign Levy priority! Let the main host cover their retreat, and bring up the rear!
Raubahn: Damn it… Relay the order: all Flames are to withdraw.
I don’t care if our linkshells are useless!
Raubahn: You still have a working pair of legs, don’t you!? Well, use ’em, you bloody half-wit!
Kan-E-Senna: The outcome of this battle was long since decided.
Kan-E-Senna: Better to retreat now, than risk a massacre.
Kan-E-Senna: This dark, stifling presence… Who…or what…?
Kan-E-Senna: We go to take our place beside Archon Louisoix! To your positions!
???: That I should live to behold Bahamut once more…
???: Magnificent. The eons of imprisonment have only made him hungrier.
???: I am aware of them. Pay them no mind. They are powerless to act.
???: It has begun. Soon the planet will regain its true form.
???: Ahahaha… Ahahahahaha!
Baderon: Mornin’, sunshine. All a bit much fer ye, was it?
Baderon: …What ‘appened? Ah, ye don’t remember, then.
Baderon: Ye keeled over in the middle o’ the banquet, an’ caused a right stir. ‘Ad to carry ye back to the Wench meself. Well, I say “carry”…’twas more a matter o’ draggin’ an’ rollin’. Too much cake, I reckon.
Baderon: Anyroad, don’t fret─’tis little wonder ye was exhausted after everythin’ ye’ve been through lately.
Baderon: Yer little nap seems to ‘ave put some color back in yer cheeks, though, so I’ll leave ye to it.
Baderon: …Bugger! I almost forgot: the Admiral wants to ‘ave a word with ye.
Baderon: When ye feel up to it, talk to Zanthael an’ ‘e’ll let ye in to the command room. Oh, an’ stay awake, eh? I’m told ol’ Merlwyb was in the middle o’ tellin’ ye a story when ye started snorin’ last time, an’ I doubt she’d look kindly on it if ye repeated the trick!
Zanthael: Greetings, Meredith. Admiral Bloefhiswyn awaits you in the command room. Shall I announce you?
Merlwyb: Ah, Meredith, it is good to see you on your feet again. You are recovered?
Merlwyb: Then let us waste no time. I have a task that needs doing─one I would entrust to no other.
Before we can focus on what happens to the core of a star during a supernova explosion, we first need to become closely acquainted with atoms. As I have already mentioned in previous chapters, each atom consists of a nucleus and a surrounding shell. Protons and neutrons are located in the core, while electrons move randomly around the shell. An important fact is that nearly all energy of an atom is concentrated in its core – protons and neutrons are almost 2000 times more massive than electrons.
Another important fact is that the core is incredibly small compared to the size of the entire atom. For instance, the radius of a hydrogen nucleus is 145,000 times smaller than the radius of the whole hydrogen atom. This means that atoms are mostly empty space. There is an extremely dense and incredibly small nucleus in the centre, surrounded by a nearly empty shell, where an electron occasionally appears.
If we managed to squeeze out all of this empty space from atomic shells, we would get matter so concentrated that the entire human race would fit into the volume of a sugar cube. Luckily, I have good news for those who value their personal space and would not appreciate being squeezed into the volume of one cubic centimetre with seven billion fellow citizens – to squeeze out the empty space from atoms seems to be almost impossible. Electrons in the shells are very solitary particles that they would do anything to keep their distance from other electrons. Therefore, if you wanted to convince electrons to move into the nucleus, you would require truly extreme conditions – and from here, we can come back to our supernova, which is the only known object in the universe that is able to provide such conditions.
The only thing left after a supernova explosion is a tiny astral core. However, there is a huge gravity in such a core – so huge, in fact, that it starts competing with the immense repulsiveness of electrons. Eventually they resign and are squeezed into the core, where they are along with protons turned into neutrons. The entire stellar core therefore turns into a gigantic sphere of neutrons crammed next to each other, held together by the impressive power of gravity. This formation has earned an apt nickname – a neutron star.
Neutron stars are indeed extreme objects. Their density is so huge that a mere teaspoon of their matter would weight an incredible billion tons. Their radius rarely exceeds 25 kilometres, but they might sometimes be even three times more massive than the Sun (and about a million times more massive than the Earth). On top of that, neutron stars spin very rapidly around their axis, often even 500 times every second – a rotation so unimaginably quick that the human eye would by far not be able to perceive it.
It would be reasonable to assume that neutron stars are definitely the most extreme objects of the cosmos – their rapid rotation and incredible density surely support this claim. However, the laws of the universe allow the existence of an even more extreme type of objects. The existence of such objects was predicted by Einstein’s theory of relativity, but even Einstein himself could not believe that they could be found anywhere in the universe. These objects are called black holes.
If a neutron star created after a supernova explosion is more massive than three Suns, gravity shows its final domination in the universe. It manages to overcome the immense repulsive force of individual neutrons and squeezes the entire neutron star into an infinitely small space called a singularity. We already know this term from the first chapter – the universe used to be squashed into one such singularity before the beginning of time. But the initial singularity was different – nobody had to deal with its gravitational effect on other objects, since it was located in the middle of nothingness. However, this does not apply to singularities formed during a neutron star collapse, whose gravitational influence on the surrounding space-time is simply gigantic. If we were to use the analogy with a trampoline from the chapter about gravity, where every object placed on the trampoline curves its surface, the singularity could be imagined as an object that simply punctures a hole in the trampoline.
This is not good news for any object coming too close to a singularity. Even light itself, the fastest object in the universe, which is rarely influenced by gravity in a significant way, cannot escape a singularity – any light that whizzes around a singularity is ruthlessly pulled inside. That is also the reason why black holes are formed around singularities. A black hole is simply a region of space where the gravitational pull of a singularity is so strong that even light cannot escape it. That logically gives black holes their black colour – it is just impossible to observe an object that does not reflect any light, since it absorbs all of it. The boundary of a black hole is known as the event horizon. What does space inside of a black hole behind the event horizon look like? Nobody knows. Since no light can escape a black hole, no information revealing its appearance can escape either.
There is however one thing we know for certain – falling into a black hole definitely would not count as a pleasant experience. Imagine you are wearing a spacesuit while floating in the proximity of an event horizon and falling towards a black hole at tremendous velocity. As you draw closer and closer, strange things begin to happen. Once you get precisely to the level of the event horizon, you will get a unique opportunity to see your own body from behind. The light reflected off your body can swiftly circle around the entire black hole and consequently get right into your eyes.
But the fall will not be such fun much longer. The crossing of the event horizon will mean your certain death – no matter how much energy you exert, you will never escape the black hole.
Your distance from the singularity will continue to shrink rapidly. Once you get too close, gravity starts doing weird things to your body. If you fall towards the singularity feet first, gravity acting on the lower part of your body is greater than that acting on your upper part. After all, we can see this effect here on Earth as well. If you are standing right now, your body experiences slightly greater gravity than your head. However, this difference is so incredibly small that we do not even feel it.
But that changes inside of a black hole. The difference in gravity is so immense that your body starts happily stretching towards the singularity. The part of your body closer to the singularity therefore starts acquiring unprecedented proportions. This phenomenon has earned an apt name – spaghettification. Eventually, your body is no longer able to counteract the gravitational pressure, since it is obviously not evolutionary built to sustain a fall into a black hole, and tears apart. Your corpus is first split into two parts, then three, four – before you even know it, you are ripped into individual molecules, atoms and consequently even elementary particles, which are then pulled into the singularity. What happens to them then? Unfortunately, nobody knows.
But before being split into trillions of tiny pieces, you will witness some remarkable events. General relativity says that gravity slows down time. Simply said, if you observe somebody in a stronger gravitational field than yourself, you will be able to see them in slow motion. What is more, they will perceive their time completely as normal – form their perspective, their time does not run more slowly, but your time more quickly. This phenomenon takes place here on Earth as well, which also generates a considerable gravitational field. Time would therefore run fractionally more quickly for a person in interstellar space, far away from other large space objects.
But in the immediate vicinity of a black hole, where an enormous gravitational field is present, this effect is definitely not negligible. Your time would slow down in an incredible way near a black hole. Every single of your seconds would be equal to many millions of years here on Earth. The entire age of the universe would therefore literally zoom past your eyes. But after this fantastic experience, the aforementioned dismemberment would follow.
Miounne has some final words of advice to offer regarding your role in Greenbliss.
Mother Miounne: Now that you have the Monoa mask, all that’s left is to participate in the ceremony.
Mother Miounne: Perchance you are feeling nervous, but never fear─despite all the pomp surrounding the role, there really is nothing to being Emissary.
Mother Miounne: All you are required to do is wear the mask, stand up straight, and look dignified. The more involved aspects of the proceedings will be handled by others. Simple, no?
Mother Miounne: The ceremony will be held at Mih Khetto’s Amphitheatre. When you are ready, make yourself known to the caretaker there─a woman named Estaine.
Mother Miounne: Oh, and be sure to wear your mask or she may not recognize you. Now, off you go, Mortimer, and good luck!
Estaine: Ah, you must be the Emissary.
Estaine: I see you have come prepared. That is well.
Estaine: I have been instructed to escort you to your place. Please follow me.
Kan-E-Senna: May he find favor with the elementals!
Kan-E-Senna: This radiance…
Kan-E-Senna: Could it be…a Crystal of Light?
Kan-E-Senna: Tell me true─has the Mothercrystal revealed Herself to you? Did you bask in Her Light?
Kan-E-Senna: Have you perchance experienced sensations akin to aether sickness of late?
Kan-E-Senna: That Hydaelyn would speak directly to this man…
Kan-E-Senna: There once were dauntless adventurers who fought in the name of Eorzea.
Kan-E-Senna: When the primals threatened to bleed the land dry, these brave men and women rose to face them. When the Garlean Empire resumed its war of conquest, they rushed to the realm’s defense.
Kan-E-Senna: And when it was foretold that Dalamud would fall, they fought with all their strength to deliver us from certain doom.
Kan-E-Senna: Yet as strong and as brave as they were, they─like so many─disappeared amidst the flames at Carteneau.
Kan-E-Senna: None have forgotten the heroes who gave all for the sake of a realm not their own.
Kan-E-Senna: Yet when we try to recall their names, we find the pages of our memories are blank, as if bleached by the sun.
Kan-E-Senna: And when we try to recall their faces, we see them only in silhouette, as if they stood betwixt us and a blinding glare.
Kan-E-Senna: Hence have these heroes come to be known as the Warriors of Light.
Kan-E-Senna: Beholding you, illuminated by the glow of the Crystal, I could not help but be reminded of them.
Kan-E-Senna: The Crystal has chosen you for a purpose.
Kan-E-Senna: Trust to its guiding light, and all shall be revealed to you in good time.
Kan-E-Senna: Though none can say for certain what the future will bring, it is my belief that you may yet play a telling role in the tale of this great realm.
Kan-E-Senna: …For the power of the Echo resides within you.
Raubahn: Flames, to the fore!
Raubahn: Victory belongs to the bold! Show those imperial whoresons what we’re made of!
Merlwyb: The left flank buckles! Divert the Barracudas!
Merlwyb: Bid ’em hold that position though it cost ’em their lives!
Kan-E-Senna: The Yellow Serpents are in need of succor. Pray send the White Wolves to their aid.
Kan-E-Senna: The adventurers risk life and limb for our cause. We must not fail them.
Merlwyb: Is aught amiss?
Kan-E-Senna: No… It is nothing.
Raubahn: The barrier won’t go down so easily! Eyes forward!
Kan-E-Senna: We are being watched…
Raubahn: Raging Bull calling Blood Thorn! Blood Thorn, respond! Respond, damn you!
Raubahn: Arrrgh!!!
Jakys Ryder: Raging Bull! This is Mad Snake! Respond!
Raubahn: Ryder!? This is Raging Bull! What news!?
Jakys Ryder: We’re surrounded by a blaze! There’s no way out! Gods preserve, what is that thing!?
Raubahn: What’s going on!? Speak to me!
Jakys Ryder: Godsdammit! We cannot hold much longer!
Jakys Ryder: AaaaaaAAAAAAAAAH!!!
Raubahn: Mad Snake!? Mad Snaaaaaake! Answer me!
Raubahn: Damn it! Damn it all to the seventh hell!
Merlwyb: What of the Barracudas? Can they not be reached?
Storm Runner: Sorry, Admiral─shell’s not workin’!
Kan-E-Senna: What of our own?
Serpent Runner: I cannot say, my lady! That monstrosity appears to be disrupting our communications!
Kan-E-Senna: We must keep trying. Call till they respond.
Serpent Runner: Yes, my lady!
Kan-E-Senna: Admiral, General─we can do no more. We must give the order to withdraw.
Raubahn: I will not forsake Louisoix!
Kan-E-Senna: General, please! Victory may belong to the bold, but there will be no victor this day!
Kan-E-Senna: You know this to be true. Let us not sacrifice lives in vain.
Kan-E-Senna: The adventurers fight bravely, but to no avail. Let them withdraw, and let us be the ones to stand with Louisoix.
Merlwyb: Belay previous orders! All Maelstrom units are commanded to fall back, effective immediately!
Merlwyb: Give the Foreign Levy priority! Let the main host cover their retreat, and bring up the rear!
Raubahn: Damn it… Relay the order: all Flames are to withdraw.
I don’t care if our linkshells are useless!
Raubahn: You still have a working pair of legs, don’t you!? Well, use ’em, you bloody half-wit!
Kan-E-Senna: The outcome of this battle was long since decided.
Kan-E-Senna: Better to retreat now, than risk a massacre.
Kan-E-Senna: This dark, stifling presence… Who…or what…?
Kan-E-Senna: We go to take our place beside Archon Louisoix! To your positions!
???: That I should live to behold Bahamut once more…
???: Magnificent. The eons of imprisonment have only made him hungrier.
???: I am aware of them. Pay them no mind. They are powerless to act.
???: It has begun. Soon the planet will regain its true form.
???: Ahahaha… Ahahahahaha!
Mother Miounne: Ah! Look who’s back in the land of the living!
Mother Miounne: Hm? You mean to say you don’t remember a thing?
Mother Miounne: You collapsed in the middle of the ceremony─gave us all a good fright. So we carried you back here. I must say, you’re heavier than you look!
Mother Miounne: You’ve hardly stopped of late─your exertions must have caught up with you.
Mother Miounne: But you adventurers are nothing if not resilient! Seeing as the worst is past, I shall take my leave and return to my duties.
Mother Miounne: Oh, I almost forgot─the Elder Seedseer told me she’d like to see you when you felt well enough.
Mother Miounne: The gentle soul was almost as worried about you as I was, bless her. When you’re back on your feet, be sure and visit her at the Lotus Stand.
Silent Conjurer: Ah, you are Mortimer Croix, are you not? I bid you welcome, sir. The Elder Seedseer left word that you would be joining her at the Lotus Stand. May I show you in?
Kan-E-Senna: I have looked forward to your coming, Mortimer. But tell me, are you recovered?
Kan-E-Senna: I am most glad of that. Now, I hope you will not doubt the earnestness of my concern…but I would ask a favor of you. Nor can I deny that I summoned you here in part with this in mind. Know, however, that I proceed only upon the understanding that you are rested and well.
Gomez’s Hamburger is less fun than it sounds like — a sun-like star that is coming close to the end of its lifespan. The buns of the burger are made of light reflecting off dust, while the patty is formed by a dark band of dust. Dusty—Iicious.
Owyne would like to speak with you regarding the sultana’s invitation.
Owyne: By the Twelve, Marion! For an adventurer to receive a personal invitation from Her Grace is unprecedented!
Owyne: Seats at these banquets are offered only to the most distinguished individuals. You will be dining with some of the most influential people in Ul’dah.
Owyne: There are, of course, certain protocols that must be observed.
Owyne: …But I am no authority on them. Fear not, however─Mistress Momodi has long been responsible for familiarizing foreign guests with our customs.
Owyne: Pray return to the Quicksand and speak with her. She will tell you all you need know.
Momodi: Welcome back, Marion, and congratulations on your invite to the big soirée!
Momodi: To be honest, I never imagined I’d be explainin’ these procedures to you. It’s usually only foreign dignitaries who get to hear me prattle on and on about royal traditions. Anyroad, I know you’re a busy woman, so I’ll keep it short and sweet.
Momodi: In accordance with ancient custom, all guests to this banquet are required to wear a pair of ceremonial earrin’s, made ‘specially for the occasion. They’re meant to symbolize─ Actually, forget about that. This was meant to be the short version. Ahem. Bein’ of a design unique to the occasion, the earrin’s serve as a security measure. The Sultansworn won’t let you near the hall without ’em.
Momodi: Your set should be ready and waitin’ for you at the Goldsmiths’ Guild. Mistress Serendipity is expectin’ you, so you’ll want to head down there now.
Momodi: Once you’ve got them, bring them back here and we’ll continue.
Serendipity: Greetings! Is there something I can help you with?
Serendipity: Ah, Marion! Your earrings are right here. I crafted them myself, I’ll have you know. I think you’ll be very pleased!
Serendipity: In case Mistress Momodi didn’t warn you, the box is locked, and I am not permitted to give you the key. It’s a final safeguard, you see─only designated individuals are authorized to distribute the earrings to guests. In this instance, the person in question is none other than Mistress Momodi, so you will need to ask her to open the box on your behalf. Pardon the inconvenience, but the Sultansworn take Her Grace’s safety very seriously.
Momodi: Picked up your earrin’s yet, Marion?
Momodi: Let me just… (gasp) Well, now, looks like the guildmaster outdid herself with this pair!
Momodi: You’d best take good care of these earrin’s! If they fell into the wrong hands, gods only know what might happen!
Momodi: Now then, I hope you’re feelin’ sociable, Marion, ’cause you’re about to hobnob with Ul’dah’s elite! Let me know when you’re ready to head to the banquet.
Nebulae are the Universe’s way of showing its artsy side — giant clouds of gas and dust that form colorful, glorious space sculptures. They also represent the cosmic circle of life. Nebulae are often formed by a star dying, and they then become stellar nurseries that give birth to new stars.
Keishinrei