During the events of "Heavensward", Varis and Regula Van Hydrus traveled to the Sea of Clouds in pursuit of Archbishop Thordan VII, believing he had the key to reaching of Azys Lla. At that time, the Vundu tribe of Vanu Vanu had summoned a fearsome primal, Bismarck, which began devouring aether rich floating islands (including the one with the key). Unable or unwilling to distinguish the Vundu from less hostile tribes, the VIth Legion invaded Ok'Zundu and prepared to exterminate them as an extreme measure to deter primal summoning. At the village, Varis himself personally met the Warrior of Light and Alphinaud Leveilleur. The Garleans backed off due to the sudden intervention of Lucia goe Junius, especially now that Thordan had stolen the key with the aid of Ascians.
After Cid managed to break through the barrier surrounding Azys Lla, the new super-dreadnaught, Gration suddeenly ambushed them. A last-ditch assault by Ysayle, in the form of the primal Shiva, froze the ceruleum engines of the great dreadnaught, forcing it to remain moored at the Garlean outpost in the Gamma Quadrant, where the imperials set up an outpost. Regula van Hydrus sought to reach the Aetherochemical Research Facility, hoping to learn how the Allagans bound the ancient Warring Triad on behalf of the Emperor.
These efforts were continually thwarted by the Scions, and Regula clashed with the Warrior of Light on three separate occasions, each time forced to withdraw.