Spooky Story Contest (EU) - Entry thread

[AlustriousFall]

“AH” Alu yawned after finishing the last of the spears requested by the lancer department, with this he finally had enough money to move into the Free Company lodgings. He was so excited to be free of living in the inn, but he was appreciative to Mother Miounne for letting him stay there.

So Alu set off to the lavender beds with a jaunt in his step. Upon arriving he was shown to his room and began to unpack his things, the room was quite large for a lalafell but in Alu’s mind he knew exactly what he would build to furnish it. But he had had an exciting day and was quite tired so he decided to slip into his silken pyjamas and leapt into bed for the night.
Alu drifted to sleep very easily his muscles saw from how hard he had worked today. Several hours past and Alu, who looked so comfortable in his new bedding, had not even stirred for his usual night time bathroom break.

“graagghhhh” – a bellow came from beyond the door, the noise waking Alu immediately, he puzzled to himself “what was that?” a brief break in his voice as he’d never heard anything quite like it. Shrugging it off he lay back down to sleep. “graaghhh!” much louder this time almost as though it were moving closer to his door, Alu shot upright with a small wave of panic shooting through his spine, his eyes affixed to the door. Hours seemed to pass in the space of seconds Alu remained unmoving as though breathing would be his downfall, then a third time he heard the noise “GragGHHHH!” It shook Alu to his core but also slapped him out of his petrified state. Reaching for his saw and a candle he prepared himself to face this creature like the warriors of light before him.

He slowly cracked the door open candle in hand and saw on his belt and nothing before him except darkness and a small light shining through the window of the main entrance from the lamps outside.
“GraGHHH!!” Alu heard the noise once more it was almost painful to his ears the monstrous noise coming from some beast within his residence, he was shocked and wanted to run but even though he wasn’t as strong as the warriors he was just as brave and proceeded towards the noise.

The beast rose from its position completely eclipsing Alu who reached for his saw but in his panic dropped his candle which rolled behind the creature further silhouetting the beast against its light. The beast began to move two massive mandibles at
Alu who could do nothing but accept his fate. The mandibles crushed into him and his ribs began to explode from the pressure, he let out a cry of pain.

When the lights came on an angry Elyonn stood to observe the image of a giant Roegadyn embracing Alu.
“My venture was a success master Alu” exclaimed Silent Mountain.

[AlustriousFall]

Character Name: Alustrious Fall
World Name: Zodiark
Prize Choice: Noble barding

for post above sorry

[Aivi_lo]

Opening her eyes into pitch darkness, Aivi couldn’t remember where she was at first. Fear swept over her and made the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. With her heart drumming in her chest, she crept across the floor, being careful not to move suddenly so the floor boards would not creak suddenly under the release of her weight. Getting to the door in complete darkness she rested her hand tentatively on the doorknob. It was now or never.
*
Ever so carefully she twisted the handle and silently pulled the door open. There were candles dotted down the long hallway creating pools of light in the darkness. She leant her head around the door frame and glanced both ways. No movement, everything was quiet. Moving forward she eased the door shut behind her and froze as the door clicked shut. The click seemed to reverberate as loudly as a gunshot. Keeping to the edge of the corridor she began her journey, heart hammering so loudly she was sure she it could be heard from miles away.
*
A flicker from the light behind her and she sharply twisted her head, but the corridor was empty, so she continued until she made it to the grand staircase. What was that, she stopped and listened, sure that she’d heard a noise behind her like slight shuffle. Not hearing anything else she picked up her pace she began the descent, running her hand lightly over the banister to guide her in the gloom.
*
She made it to last corner of the staircase and breathed a sigh of relief, not far to go now. An eerie giggle emanated from the top of the staircase, the feeling of relief vanished as Aivi glanced up the stairs and knew she had to get out now or there would be no hope. Giving up all pretence at sneaking she made a dash for the front door and fell squarely over the black cat that had lain across the bottom step. The cat wailed and fled and the sound of her crashing seemed to have awoken the residents as she could hear doors opening and voices above her. Making a last ditch effort she hobbled towards the front door. Freedom! She flung it open….
*
….’SUPRISE!’ yelled a cheery voice....... and Aivi fell backwards in shock as a plate of greenish cookies were shoved in her face. Tataru beamed at her over the cookies ‘What are you doing sitting on the floor, silly? She asked, giggling ‘you didn’t think I’d let you leave without tasting my new creations did you?’
*
Aivi tried not to grimace as the greenish cookies were waved in from of her face again. She was sure she could see a hair poking out of one of them, and they were sat in a puddle of their own grease. Smiling wryly she picked a cookie off the plate. Tataru had many talents, but baking was not one of them.

Aivi Kupo
Hyperion
Chocobo Noble Barding please

[Balipu]

Based on a true story.

Naga was out of her depth. Her mission given by Lady Kisaragi was an easy one. Leave Othard, go to Eorzea, and pave the way for anyone who might have to flee the Garlean rule. The lady of Wutai was not as optimistic as the Domans. For her part, Naga did a perfect job. Not only did she out all the cooking and weaving skills she learned as lady in waiting to good use, she also learned the arts of ninjutsu and saved
Eorzea. But now she was scared.
Zombies? Easy. Vampires? Nothing. Imperial Legatuses? Old News. Gods? Kills them regularly. Lalafell sized women speaking in rhymes? That's pretty scary, but she can be reasoned with.
But now she was in the middle of the Sylphlands, with the wind-up-shantotto and her nation conquesting powers in the hand of her retainer, and her fellow Scions nowhere to be seen. This place was truly terrifying. Not only was it filled with hostile sentient cabbages, but everything was a trap. Giant mushroom? Attacks. Treasure Chest? Bites. Y'shtola bound and gagged by vines dangling from a tree? A disguised sylph. Giant toads that grab you with their smelly tongoes from yalms away? Those are real.
And just when it seems things could not get any worse, colour drained from the world. Everything turned a dull grey and even sounds died.
- Seven hells, what did they do this time?
Sneaking around she found a group of tempered sylphs. She didn't speak a word in old high sylphic, but she still understood, much to her horror, that the sylph were as terrified as she was. Whatever happened is worse than this place. And not even the Lord of Levin can stop it.
She was getting ready to shriek when suddenly a hand covered her mouth and she was dragged behind a few bushes. Her attacker pressed a blade to her neck.
- Remember the time we first met under the Sultan Tree? Who was with us?
- Thancred. Why did you attack me? And what are you talking about? We first met in the Waking Sands.
- Good. You are the real you. Sorry about that, but I had to be sure. Things were pretty bad as they were, but now we have to deal with the Dark Divinity as well.
- Wait, what? Odin? This is Odin?
- Yes. This is how he makes his presence known in the Shroud. We can't be sure where he is. Might be on the other end of the forest. Or he could be around the corner.
- Wasn't he slain last week?
- Yes. And the week before. He always comes back.
- Wonderful. What do we do now? Hang on, How do I know you are the real Thancred?.....

Naga Murasaki
Cerberus

[Oriba_Hunakin]

As I walked out from the Aetheryte Plaza in Ul'dar, I felt a cold chill ran through my body. It was odd, the temperature in Thanalan is usually high. I looked from side to side, trying to spot something out of the ordinary. People were running from one end to another, and only a few stopped to look up at the unusual weather. I prepared to continue forward, when I heard a whisper from behind me. It was a cold, light sound.
"Don't turn around. There is something behind you..." It was such a frightening whisper, that while it lasted, I could not move. But my mind's curiosity won over me, and I turned my body slowly. But no one was there. A slight panic rose up out of nowhere. I sheathed my sword and shield and waited with heightened awareness.

There was someone around me, but I could not put my finger on what or where. I could still feel the chill throughout my body. It was like having an ice cube falling down your neck, and not going away. And less wet.
I have encountered many kinds of monsters, but if this was one, I had never encountered one such as this before. Usually, my shiny bulky armour protects me a little from physical harm, but I did not know if this monster could attack through it.

Suddenly, I felt a slight bump on the head. I quickly turned and in the corner of my eyesight, I saw a black fluffy looking creature. But I did not have time to look closer, as it disappeared in a smoke shortly after I turned around. I was perplexed by the creature and where it went. In that moment, a Lalafell came over to me. She was looking up at me with a sweet smile on her face. Her red spiky hair blew gently in the wind that managed to creep into Ul’dar, and her outfit looked much like what a Conjurer wears. I quickly unsheathed my weapon and shield.
“You seem to be troubled Sir. Is something the matter?” her voice sounded playful but I did not know what she meant. I continued to look at her, changing my expression to look more confused.
“You should check on what’s behind you. Don’t you think?”
I have learned from my last attempt that looking back would not be a good strategy. So I held up my hands, almost like I surrendered, but then I quickly forced my hands backwards to try and catch something. What I felt between my hands was definitely something fluffy. But I could feel it vanish before it appeared in front of me.
“You humans are such fun to mess with, Kupo.” Said the Moogle, floating in front of me. I was surprised at first, but joined the laughter with the Lalafell shortly after.


Character Name: Oriba Hunakin
Server: Zodiark
Price: Chocobo Noble Barding

[Velvet-Sky]

Character name; Isabelle Lightwood'
World name; Odin
In-game Prize: Mandragora Choker.

Isabelle's Nightmare



Isabelle was delivered a heavily damaged and blood soaked letter by a demon wearing the skin of foot solider that was in charge of guarding the Haukke Manor. Izzy knew that the demon was only taunting her, trying to bait into coming to it, so it could attempt to kill the Warrior of Light.

A loud cackle ripped through the air when she re-entered the manor. Materializing in front of her was a skull with curved horns kept itself afloat through a weird blue aura around it. The demon taunted Isabelle mentally as she could hear its voice in her head. She wouldn’t react, she wasn’t going to give it the satisfaction. The demon split itself into three parts and scattered around the manor. This is a game of Cat and Mouse it was going to lose. No sooner it vanished, did its minions start to rise.

“I was wondering when you would come and visit me again” a soft voice rang out.

What Izzy saw shocked her, walking towards her with arms stretched wide was Edda. She was speechless, she knew that this wasn’t her Edda, but still, it hurt to see her, again even in death being taken advantage of. Before she knew it, Izzy has sunk her dagger deep into copy and watched as it faded away.

She had encountered more faces from her past as vanquished her foes, its undead minions took the form of friends and even family. She struck them all down but it hurt everytime. The second head took the form of a past scion. She had thrown the blade between its eyes before it opened its mouth. But it was the form of the third that hurt the most.

“My friend! It’s wonderful to see you again”

Isabelle froze as the man approached her, his arms open in feverent approval. Isabelle took a step back in shock as he took one forward until he was face to face with her. The sound of steel ripping flesh fills the air as the copy went to close the distance between the two. Isabelle sank to the ground in silent despair, she doesn’t know how long she was there until she felt a pair of familiar arms around her. She looks to see her partner embracing her but when she sees his face, she screams in terror and everything fades to black.
-
Izzy woke up in a panic breathing heavily. She recognises the surroundings as her partner’s bedchambers. She turns to see his sleeping form beside her. Suddenly remembering her dream, Isabelle punches her partner’s shoulder in a rage rousing him from his sleep.

“Ow! What was that for?!” he exclaims sleepily.

“I’m mad at you!” Izzy shouts back.

“Why what did I do?” he asks now fully awake.

“You killed me in my dream!” Izzy huffs as she turns over and lies back down.

“Women…” her partner mutters as he settles back down beside her.

[Tidyu]

BANG

Ameline started, snapped out of her reverie. Sitting quietly by the river passing by the Lancer’s guild in Gridania, she looked around, wondering just what on earth had caused such a ruckus – and then she saw it. Three figures walked towards Westshore Pier, with one holding a bag over his shoulder. As Ameline stared, she saw the bag squirm… And ran to lend her aid. She called out over her Company linkshell for assistance, and drew her Arcanist book and quickly summoned her familiar, Topaz Carbuncle – or, to her, Carby - as the men stopped to look at her approach.

As Ameline got closer, she felt an ominous presence – these three men were all Roegadyn’s, built like Behemoth's, with scars all over their exposed arms and faces. She began breathing heavily, fear taking over her judgement.

“Well well, an Adventurer? I’d turn around lass, ‘less you get into a ruckus”

“Rubbish”, Ameline replied, “What the hell is in that bag?!” She exclaimed. The man holding the bag chuckled.

“Would you like to find out lass? There’s room for one more” he said, grinning like a madman. At that, she knew what it was.

Ameline began to shake. She was no Warrior of Light, but knew she couldn’t let these men get away with whatever it was. One of the men raised a gun, and pointed it directly at her. It was then that she saw what had snapped her out of her reverie – a body, laying face down on the floor nearby with a hole through the chest.

Seeing her gaze, the gun holder laughed darkly.

“Oh yes missy, he tried to stop us too. Now, you choose: in the bag, or would you rather visit Hydaelyn?”

Carby growled and raised his heckles, which only made the men laugh more.

“Where the hell is everyone?!” Ameline wondered, realising for the first time not a soul could be seen anywhere around.

“Coeurl got your tongue? Fine, I’ll make your choice for you – we could use one more for the summoning” and with that his gun glowed a deep, dark red, and he lowered his aim... Ameline saw it in slow motion; Carby getting in the way, the bullet passing through him, straight into her gut. Ameline looked down at the wound, and as blood loss took over, she blacked out.

When she next came to, she looked around at the dark, dingy room she was in, realising she was bound to a table, until a dark, feminine chuckle stopped her blood cold.

“My, my, what a pretty one… They did well this time”

A young girl wearing an eyepatch looked over her head, forcing her to look up, and grinned manically.

“My dear friend would love to meet you…”

She reached her hand round, and gripped a blood red dagger

“Pity you so resemble someone I used to know… Now DIE!”

Ameline saw the dagger in slow motion – down, down, before it collided with her chest, straight into her heart.

Character Name: Ameline Beaudonet
World: Cerberus
Desired Prize: Noble Chocobo Barding

[EU_Community_Team]

The entry period has come to a close. Thank you everyone for your fantastically frightening stories!
The winners will be announced on the forums on or after Thursday, 17 November 2016.