Memoirs of Adventure Creative Writing Contest (NA) - Official Entry Thread

We wanted to be our own legends, the only heroes of our story. To test the boundaries of what challenges we could take on, we sought out the King of Dragons. The one who brought calamity on Eorzea. A fiend slain by many, even alone by a handful of adventurers, but we had our eyes set to slay this beast. There was no reward sought, we simply wanted to know that we could defeat it, with our strength.

We entered the final coil, staring into the face of Bahamut Prime. With its luminous cobalt scales, a wingspan of an airship, and eyes glowing with a scarlet bloodlust, it waited for us to make our first move. I took the front as our shield, as he vowed to keep me standing, and we charged in. With each earthshaking strike and blazing breath, I endured each hit, while my partner cured my wounds. The onslaught came relentlessly, but it was nothing we couldn’t handle. We have fought side by side before, a trial like this was not too foreign to us.

While fending off Bahamut, partner was targeted by the many dark orbs that appeared around us. I rushed to stand in the way of each one. After taking 6 of them, I was sliver away from defeat, but he turned the tides and protected me, and had me standing once more.

Angered by our persistence, he called down his many brood to bring us to our knees. With each one’s murderous intent eyed on me, I took the force of each attack. It was nothing compared to the King of Dragons, but their numbers proved to be great. With our focus on the treacherous army, we were not prepared for what happened next. We were targeted by Twintania and Bahamut, ready to push us into our doom. My partner was directly in the midst of their charge, not knowing before it was too late. With his last stand, he offered the rest of his aether to bring me to my best, and fell as both of the dragons striked down. I then stood alone, against the coming impact of the beast’s Tetra Flare.

Filled with fury and determination, I took the brunt of the attack and stood tall, ready to bring the beast down. With whatever I had, I took each hit of my onslaught, with no one to recover what I lost. Driven forward to not waste what was given me, I fought until there was no fight left to fight. With one final strike of my blade, we brought down Bahamut, and my friend, brought back to my side.

A feat that we didn’t know could be done by us, ill equipped with both gear and knowledge. Many others may have brought the King of Dragons down themselves, but for us, we left triumphantly, with our heads held high. Just two adventurers that began their journey together, seeking out something new. This was our story, our legend. The legend of Zarian Darvik and Sethney Souvanna, the ones who together, slayed the King of Dragons.

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Item Selection: Gaelicap

Hey, hard worker,

Don’t tell me you haven’t been so busy helping everyone that you haven’t taken the chance to look up when the fireworks start. Those lights sure are something, don’t you think?

Truth is, I look forward to this time every year. See, it wasn’t long after I started as a gladiator in Ul’dah (and between you and me, I’m glad those days are over) that I sat down at the Quicksand one night to catch my breath … when I started hearing popping. Thal’s Balls, I thought, wasn’t I even going to get to finish my drink before the place came down around my ears? That overgrown dhalmel of an Elezen I was with had the nerve to laugh. Go outside and see for yourself, he told me.

So I did, and there it was. Ul’dah’s sky, all lit up like a nameday cake.

Once I finally got my jaw off the floor and stopped gawping like a goobbue, I grabbed the first dressed-up fool by the banners I could find, making them tell me what that was all about. The Moonfire Faire? Costa del Sol? I’d never heard of either of these places before, but I knew I wanted to go.

Trouble is, I was still just a gladiator. I’d need a few more fights under my belt before I could join in, and the sea wasn’t anywhere near me. Worst of all, the festival only had a few days left. It seemed impossible we’d make it.

“Don’t worry,” the Elezen told me, before I could start sinking into my cups at the counter again. “We’ll get there.”

He was right, of course. After breaking our backs with a few leves and running through Sastasha together until I swore jellyfish were stinging me in my sleep, we made it to Costa del Sol. It was storming that afternoon -- not the best it’s ever looked -- but I swear, after all that work, that rain-drenched beach was the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. Well, right up until the skies cleared and we could finally watch the fireworks together from the shore.

‘Course, I’ve only seen three Moonfire Faires, so I don’t have much to compare it to. I’m not one of those adventurers that’s seen so many festivals that their armoire’s ready to burst. But no matter how many of these festivals I’ve been to, I still remember that first one best of all -- splashing through the water, waving sparklers on a beach, and cheering until our voices went hoarse.

Give it a try sometime. If I see you out there, I'll cheer for you too.

A Firework-Loving Cat

(A Gaelicap for this cat, please!)

I got it..

I got it!!!

I skipped 3 days of college for this!

And now its mine!

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Gaelicap!

I can still remember the acrid scent of smoke and burning flesh. I feel the hatred boiling the air around me. Tis not my anger, but the Greatwyrm, Nidhogg. The Wyrm’s Shade had possessed Estinien and his enduring rancor had corrupted his form. Nidhogg was reborn and he would bring an end to the Dragonsong War by laying siege to the Holy See of Ishgard with the full might of the Dravanian Horde. I tightened my grip on my lance as my fellow adventures began their assult. Seeing an opening, I leapt high into the air and crashed down on the wyrm’s back with the full force of my body, shoving my lance deep into his hide. I ripped the lance from his body and leapt from back, but the wyrm’s gaze had now turned to me, and before I could react, he unleashed his gathered aether at me and I was hit with the full force of his fire and everything went dark. I took a desperate gasp as my body was lifted from the floor. Rays of light surrounded me as my wounds sealed and my energy returned to me. I picked up my lance once more and we continued our attack against the mad wyrm. He let out a piercing roar with enough force to knock us off our feet and wrapped himself in a cocoon of flames. The cocoon dissipated and my eyes fell upon Estinien, his body twisted and corrupted into a horrible amalgamation of human and dragon. Nidhogg crashed down on the battlefield using a corrupted version of the Dragoon dive. The Shade roared in indignation at our audacity to survive his attack. We continued to wear the wyrm down until once again he took to the skies. The battlefield was seared with bolts of black lightning as Nidhogg descended upon the battlefield in his draconian form, wreathed in flames and glowing with aetheric power. He crashed down on the bridge with the full force of his body, causing shockwaves and tremors that almost threw us into the endless abyss below. He brought all his dragon might upon us, filling the battlefield with swirling darkness, exploding fireballs, and searing us with his white-hot flames. With our final assault, the mad wyrm let out a final roar as the aether that made up his body dissipated. It had been a long road to reach this conclusion, paved with the lives of dear friends, stalwart comrades and bitter enemies. But the Warrior of Light’s work is never done; the Ascians are still out there, scheming plots to resurrect their dark god; and the Garleans continue to move their armies against Eorzea in their mad campaign to rule the world. That is why I stand here in front of your grave, dear Haurchefant, to see you one last time before I depart to foreign lands. Taking a knee before your headstone, I offer a silent prayer: “For those we have lost. For those we can yet save.” (Noble Barding)

The waves are crashing. The sun is setting. People are laughing and embracing under the sunset. I feel the sand squish slowly through my toes as I leisurely walk the edge of the Bloodshore. I find a quiet place far from anyone and take a seat. Off in the distance, the colors of the setting sun swirl together in a muddled mass across the sky; when suddenly crash! Flash! The sky turns wild. Lightning hurls itself across what was once a tame uncaring heaven. A violent explosion of heavenly emotion has replaced my peaceful evening. I watch as the sky twists and distorts into something unholy. I abruptly stand as a colossal storm inches closer and closer.

The wind howls as it whips and slashes across my face. The rain pierces my skin like needles leaving my face tender. I suddenly shiver realizing that I am soaked, cold, and alone. My legs begin to feel like lumps of lead as I struggle to place one foot in front of the other.

Lightning flashes. I scan the horizon and to my surprise I see the silhouette of what appears to be another person. Crack! Another flash of lightning lights up the coal-black sky and my view of this hazy figure becomes clear. No more than 40 steps ahead of me is a young male Miqo'te beside several large boulders. I take a small step forward and scream “Hey!” The wind whistles as it carries my voice across the sand. The young Miqo'te stirs and turns in my direction, he then rises from his kneeled position and begins to wave his hands frantically. I too wave back with enthusiasm. Although I wasn’t close enough to see his facial expression, I had the strangest feeling he was smiling.

I dash quickly toward him and instantly freeze. I am taken aback by his breathtakingly beautiful face which beams with hope, his golden eyes that glow with warmth and his smile which stretches from ear to ear. He looked around the same age as me but in the lack of light it was hard to tell. Gusts of wind and torrents of rain pelted us from all directions. With our fates now intertwined, we faced the storm head on.
The sound of the storm was unbelievable, but we kept on, closing the distance between us and Costa del sol. Our feet finally grazed the rocky hillside as the sun began to emerge. The young Miqo'te gently smiled, waved and then nodded goodbye. Just as swiftly as the storm had come and gone, you too were suddenly striding off, heading toward your next adventure….
If selected, I would like the Ahriman Choker!

Dear friends,

Do you remember me? We met at the Praetorium, naught but a few moons ago, though it feels as if no time had passed at all. Engaging in a reenactment of the battle that took place used to be a thrilling experience, but over time, it had lost its initial spark of wonder. That was, until I came across you, my friends.

Normally, everyone would proceed and not say a word, simply going through the motions of a mundane task, some rushing as fast as possible to get it over with. However, this time was different. Our time together was filled with jokes and banter and camaraderie, what would’ve been a dull moment was filled with the collective humor and spirit of the whole party. Oh, how I wish that I could have those moments always.

Alas, all good memories must inevitably reach an end, and thus we struck an old foe down together, which marked the end of our time together. I do remember the small pang of loneliness that reemerged upon our parting words, however I made the effort to remind myself that such emotions, and the occurrence itself, was a mote of a million. I truly cherish the time we had together. Even if we may not remember each other by face or name, even if we are separated by bounds beyond our comprehension, I remember you all by the experience; and I hope you remember me too.

Until we meet again,

A wandering dark knight.

Dear family
I hope this letter finds you well in San d’Oria. I miss you all, more then you would ever know.
My life in Gridania has been interesting, stressful and busy. Between learning to hunt with the Gods Quiver, helping the townsfolk and searching for a way home, I have learned much about the Twelveswood, or to some the Black Shroud, and the people in it.
In my search, I was granted an audience with the leader of Gridania, Kan-E-Senna, a wise woman of the Padjal race, a race not found in Vana’diel. With what Mother Miounne told me about the nations leader I had honestly thought that she would have the answer to what happened to me, to how I got to Eorzea. Unfortunately this has never happened to anyone before. She did, however, elevate my standing as an adventurer to use the airships to travel to the other city states, in hope of finding an answer with one of the other nations leaders or guild leaders.
Flying by airship is terrifying, exhilarating, wondrous and just so over whelming. The pilot I had was amazing, smooth flying from take off to landing. Their is no better feeling like the wind in my hair and the ground falling away from me. I could almost forget my troubles as we passed over the lands from one place to another but one look around reminded me this is not my home. I am a stranger in a strange land.
Seeing Gridania from the sky really took my breath away. Every person there honors the way of the Twelveswood and lives in harmony with the elementals that live there. I thought the place was beautiful when walking through it, but from the sky, it brings another level of beauty to the bustling city state I call home.
The view of Ul’dah from the sky gives life to its name as the Jewel of the Desert. The roof of the Royal Place shines and sparkles like the gil that govern its streets. The people bustling to and fro in the paths in the city are reminiscent of how I remember Juno and the time we traveled through it on our way to Windurst.
Here I met with a lovely tarutaru, no, a Lalafell named Sultana Nanamo and Raubahn, a very large hyur (or Hume) They suggested a visit with Cocobuki Lolobuki of the thaumaturge’s guild. That ..was a confusing dead end.
Next I traveled to a town of white stone turrets and brilliant blue spire roofs. Far reaching bridges span over the Rhotoano sea to join the buildings to make up Limsa Lominsa. The pilot tells me this town was built around the first boat that brought the people to these lands.
Admiral Merlwyb, a female Roegadyn (not to be mistaken for a Gelkan) is a woman with a mind for logistics and suggested I speak to the learned people of the Arcanist guild. Unfortunately their understanding of Aether was of no help.
As wondrous as these places are, no one here could help me. Merlwyb said as I was leaving, that if the mother crystal brought me here, it was for a reason.
May Altana bless you on your quests.
All my love
Your lost Daughter, Taila.

Prize: Galiecap

I’m not sure how long I was down there. It must have been a long time though; it’s all that occupies my thoughts. My bags were stuffed beyond capacity - lined with exotic silks, spices, and materia that would fetch a small fortune on any market. But there are more profitable tasks than counting what you already have.

“So we’ve got two doors ahead of us.” The small popoto-shaped paladin barked. “They’re both locked, and we only have one key. So which will it be?”

“Either door is fine.” I answered, indifferent. We’d had this conversation many times.

“Why are you even asking?” Snapped the miqo’te to the right, resting with a slouch on her own sack of riches. “We know you’re just going to choose the left door no matter what we say.”

“And why wouldn’t you choose the left door? The left door was blessed by Hydaelyn herself, I’ll have you know.”

“We’ve been doing this for weeks.” The cat continued. “You have only ever picked the left door, and we’ve never found final chamber.”

“The final chamber is right here, behind this door! All of our faith and dedication to the left door is about to reward us with more treasure than your catbrain can even fathom. In the final chamber the paths are paved with gold, the walls are covered in gold… even the gold is plated with gold down there, I heard!” She waved her arms in dramatic fashion, eyes aglow as all lalafell are when profit sits on the horizon.

“But it’s not going to take us there. It’s going to trigger the alarms and we’ll be thrown out yet again with nothing to show for it. I think we should choose the right door this time.”

“I am choosing the right door. It's the one on the left one.”

“No, you- I mean positionally to the right.”

“We’ll put it to a vote. Slackers in the back! Do you want to pick the left door or do you want to live a life of regret?”

“Maybe it’s worth going right?” I stood up and grabbed my bag, inadvertently knocking over the au’ra nested amidst the valuables. “If we’ve never gotten to the bottom floor from the left door we could try mixing it up.”

“But we spent all this time on the left door! What if we swap now to the right door and it just throws us all out?! Wouldn’t that just eat you up inside?”

Before anyone could respond the scene was interrupted by a blaring klaxon and flashing red lights. Everyone’s gaze immediately turned to the right door where the au’ra stood, key in hand, her bleary eyes mesmerized by the cavalcade of doors smashing to a close in front of her face. “Sorry, I kind of zoned out for a second. I think I heard we’re picking the right door this time?”

The barrage of profanity emitted from the lalafell fell on muted ears as the whole room was sucked through yet another otherworldly portal that left us waterlogged on the shores of the Lochs.

“I think I’m done being a treasure hunter for today.” The lalafell whimpered, flopping onto her back.

“Same time next week?” The miqo’te asked.

“Of course.”

(Gaelicap)

Gather round the fire and let me tell you a tale of the most beautiful sight i have seen.

I pulled my blade from the smooth gelatinous white flesh of the sin eater. I cast my eyes too the endless expanse of gold and white swirling above,only to find... Dissapointment.But then, Just as the beast was about faded back into the blinding abyss it had come from. The aether leaped forth into my breast burning at my very being. Not wanting this to be my end, I cast the light upward like a blade to cut the very sky in twain.
Once the light had dissapated i saw it like a glittering ocean of jewels. there, between the two columns of failing light lay the sky that i and many others had longed for.
We had become warriors of a different kind, not of light but of darkness we had become, shadowbringers.

If by some chance i win i,d love for the royal barding.
~Prisefighter118

"Apple pie…" Alisaie Leveilleur spoke sharply out of turn as had been her wont, but her words carried especially far now.

"Apple pie, whatever do you mean?" Her twin Alphinaud replied, fearing the answer.

"Her favorite dish is apple pie." Her words carried low, her tone piercing each of the Scions save for one.

"Perhaps there is where we should concentrate our efforts." Y'shtola Ruhl agreed with an exhale. She had seen the writing on the wall; the Scions' best efforts having availed their champion naught in the frantic days since the encounter at Mount Gulg. She feared most how she would bring Mistress Alisaie to reality, but to see her voice the truth of her own volition relieved Y'shtola of just one of the many heartbreaks she felt compelled to endure.

"Pray tell how could apple pie aid us in such a delicate moment?" asked Urianger.

"She means to provide Miss Farron’s last meal."

"Dearest Alisaie… surely you cannot suggest a heinous act upon so steadfast a comrade!”

"I have seen many friends to their deaths in Amh Araeng; not because I willed it so, but because their only alternative was so much worse! I cannot bear to relive what befell my dear friend Tesleen, and I will not suffer Miss Farron to endure the same horrific fate! I will not have her become a Sin Eater!!"

"Were she to turn into a Sin Eater- nay, a Lightwarden, she’d become far more formidable than anything we have ever faced on Norvrandt. The Eighth Umbral Calamity would be all but assured." Y'shtola surmised all too evenly.

"Dearest Alisaie, perhaps there doth remain a sliver--”

"I revealed to you my darkest secrets, Archon…" her words spit venom as her open palm slammed against his cheek. "...but I am burdened by no more. Now if you have yet another conveniently burdensome secret that may aid Laura, I assure you down the road is not the time to reveal it."

Urianger turned in, his eyes revealing the tale. He searched into his vast depths of knowledge but had no answer.

“Forgive me…” Alisaie whispered much later as a despondent apology.

"Alisaie, her pulse."

"Very well." She swallowed, checking Laura’s wrist for an answer.

"Can you describe it to me?" Y'shtola ordered. We should have allowed her to depart before now, but--

"It's...bounding." Alisaie explained warily.

"Is she steady? Or wavering?"

"She's...steady. Still awfully fast, but steady. What could that mean?"

"It means she's under immense stress. She's in agony to be sure, but she's fighting."

Praise the Twelve.

"What does that mean for our next course of action?" Alphinaud asked.

"It means we continue searching for a cure. Please inform Thancred; he won't admit it but he's worried sick about Laura.”

“Estinien..”

“Scions.” Y’shtola called with authority. “Need I remind you that our friend lying here helpless has come through for each and every one of us, a steadfast ally-- nay, family in our darkest hour. Now, it is our turn to be here for her.”

(Bluebird Earrings)

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