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

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The "Warrior of Light", so they called me. It was a title rather exhausted, a title I had worn for far too long in expectance of ease and comfort, as I had experienced with that of my previous enemies. However, at this moment, such a title was meaningless. I fought not in the name of Eorzea, nor the Scions, mayhap not even myself, but in my desperate pursuit for veracity. For once in my journey, I had realized the meaninglessness of my own being. This was not a conflict that concerned myself nor my idiosyncratic blessings, for such blessings were powerless in their faith before the might of the pitch-black dragon standing before.

For the first time in my journey, I felt wanted rather than needed, and felt shared comradery in place of feeling as though I were always being ordered around. Even with the blessings of Hydaelyn once restored to me, the Final Steps of Faith called not for the hopes of the crystal mother, but the aspirations of generations of a thousand years. I stared on ahead, yet what stood before me was not just an encompassment of ever-lasting hatred and vengeance, but also a figure filled with a pain that could not be let go of, an understanding too harsh to come to terms with, along with the changed and twisted ideals of the one who I've been able to come to call an ally through my journeys across what felt like heaven.

The hole of emptiness one is left with following traitorous deception, I knew too well. Never could I understand the skewed desires of my kind to bury the truth in more misery. Never could I understand the black dragon's unwavering longing to kill, for his brother had given onto our regrettable kind his vulnerability once more, and to me, the utmost of his strength. For the maiden of ice who's heart was the warmest of all, the dragoon who had learned to empathize with his worst enemy, and the white dragon who had undergone the worst pain; to let go, fear was absent from mine body and soul. The thousand-year Dragonsong war would end with me.

Yet, I could not take credit for that victory alone. "Warrior of Light" they called me, yet I stood as a black mage, ready to rain the lasts of bitter destruction that this war would ever need. Who stood beside me was my fond and most trusted ally, a Dark Knight who's ambitions were identical to mine. As a mage of black and a knight of darkness, our titles as Hydealyn's children were hollow. Light had already shed upon the truths of what lead us to this path. All-consuming dusk and destruction that held the misery and agony of countless generations of both humans and dragons was the only reciprocation that could be deemed deserved retribution. With two personifications of darkness standing side by side like a burning eclipse, Nidhogg would not live to see another millennium.

If selected as a winner, I would like the bluebird earrings.

I normally solve my problems with scouring fire. So far, it’s a winning strategy. But when I first saw you, the captain of your guard was right there, and she’d done nothing wrong. You wanted to go someplace more private, which suited me fine.

Hearing your voice for the first time was a surprise, I’ll admit. When your words aren’t stabbing me in the brain, you’re rather nice to listen to. But everything you said, every excuse about “the salvation of two worlds” stoked my anger more. How could I stand there in the middle of the road just listening when you were the one who…

Yes, your city is impressive. Parading me in front of all these innocents is very clever. This isn’t the first time I’ve been manipulated, you know. You’re not the first to dangle the lives of thousands in front of me.

In your ridiculous Ocular, I nearly did it. Aether pours off the walls in the Tower. Just a thought, and I could have wrapped you in flames that never went out, until you suffered as I had. Until someone who loved you would have to look down at your body, lying still on a bed, and know that some power had stolen you away, with nothing to be done.

I don’t like being told there’s nothing to be done, Exarch. It’s never true. That’s the only thing that saved you that day. I had a path to save my friends, and by Nymeia’s Wheel I would take it. You weren’t going anywhere. Alisaie probably wants a piece of your skin, too.

*

Gods damn it, not again!

I can’t hear what Urianger is saying over the Light. I can feel it, pressing against my skin, my ears, blotting out everything.

Then, like coming up for air, it’s you. All I can see is you, trying to help me stand one more time, letting the Light come for you instead. No, you have to get away! I’ll kill you, can’t you see that, Exarch? Take the Scions, leave me on this mountaintop!

A stupid quirk of the wind finally pulls back that hood, what I’ve been longing to do for weeks. At first, all I see are the pieces - the scars filled in with azure crystal, the scarlet hair bleached to colorlessness at the tips, the pointed ears flicking to and fro, just like my own. And a pair of blood-red eyes, staring at me with more intensity, more desire, than I ever dared hope I might see.

Blood red eyes? A Seeker, pale-skinned to my Keeper’s dark? The barely-visible mark of an Archon, under the crystalline scars?

Your name bursts out of my throat, a desperate cry. You have to leave, before I kill you all, G’raha, no! Yours can’t be the last face I see!

And then a gunshot.

And then you fall.

And he’s there. I can’t even process what he’s saying. If I could make my muscles work, if I could pick up my fallen staff, I could use all this Light, somehow, I know I could. I could save you the way you’ve been asking me to save this world, this world that isn’t yours -

But I’m frozen, powerless, useless. And he takes you away.

And the sky is boiling with Light.

(Scarf of Wondrous Wit)

It was that time so long ago, my girlfriend who was my crush that live in different town back online after she having bad health, invite me to play final fantasy XIV. Obviously i would accept, heart racing with excitement to try the world of eorzea.
I choosing Gladiator as starter class, while she is Conjurer. i had no idea that starting town of that job would be diferent town. So, i ask her where her location is and go there myself by walking at that time i'm still a pure noob, who dont know anything.
I arrive at Central Thanalan, my next goal is to reach Eastern Thanalan, so far so good then i just spamming sprint to avoid all mobs.
Few minutes later i arrive at Southern Thanalan which is almost near gridania, but when i arrive at Lower Path, a Condor suddenly slap me, ofcourse i died and got returned back to Ul'dah. And get to try again, long short story i arrive at Gridania which we both then leveling together.
after then we both agree to doing some story, which i dont realize that after the story you can go to Gridania easily, and i wasted my 2 hours trying to get there.
Also, those toad at The Unholy Heir, really love sticking their tonge to kill me, i hate them. Thats my most fond memory for me, my journey to gridania at lv 1 by running.

(i choose gaelicap)

From a slumber eternal, I awoke far from home bathed in a crimson sunrise. A soul torn from the heavens, I began my journey in oblivion. Seeking an equilibrium to ward off the dark’s embrace, my mind shattered by an endless battle. Against the tempest of a cold wind fell silver tears, until I found a light in the storm.

A shelter, a piece of mind. Together we traveled through hallowed halls, the warrens, out of the labyrinth to an ancient city and beyond the gates of the moon. Our mutual hunger sought to find answers. We challenged ourselves to the extreme, you broke your axe, I broke my sword, heavenly heel broke my shield and my hubris. Time and time again we rose from the ashes. We faced the sins of the father and the son, endured the exponential entropy to fell the metal most savage.

Yours was the hand that gives the rose, we embraced the insanity. Even though you wore a thousand faces, it was always the same heart. With revelation we took the weight of the sword upon our shoulders to rally and protect those we loved. I covered your back while you unleash your inner beast. Yet life is not always black and white, the scars of battle we wore many, ours became a world apart.

A man consumed with apoplexy, the parting ways felt like an ending. The missing pages of my own story was locked behind closed doors. We all tread frontiers within, keeping our fears beyond the wall. Fear is a pall most murderous, deep down a long fall into the belly of the beast. Blind to the dark dwelling within causing us to keep tumbling down.

A rencounter brought about my own reflections, and from a friend I found serenity. I can say now I know the truth, it was old wounds pushing me towards the edge. The inner contention like an eternal wind, testing my tenacity. I rise letting all the people I met along this journey be my new locus. Knowing you cannot force your way through the fog of phantom deception.

Tricksome be the shadows withal, a fallen angel, rise of heroes. Shadowbringers under the stars, with steel reason. Breaking boundaries and forming new ones. Remember friends who are unbending steel and let go those beyond redemption.

Strong bonds of friendship make it feel like coming home in this world of imagination. Where we can go up the down staircase, through the mushroomery, embrace the blackbosom, see skies of limitless blue, dance the woe that is madness and give comfort to a wayward daughter. The only path forward is in a new hope, and a hope forgotten. Never giving apologies for our mortal instants.

We fall to rise.

(If chosen, I would like Scarf of Wondrous Wit. Thanks for reading.)

The Bringers of Light

The journey's and expectations of the Warrior of Light really takes a toll on you as time passes. It seems like the world expects everything from you and you carry on because this world needed saved. Yet, who can save the person that needed it the most? The Rising Stones were always there for me but as time continued there was a small rift slowly expanding causing us to drift away. The emptiness continued to grow as well. It wasn't till I realized that the Warrior of Light shouldn't be battle alone and taking all of the responsibilities. I was not alone, I stood with many Warriors of Light coming together to strengthen our bonds, driving out darkness, and making memories. Without all of Warriors of Light coming together darkness would've feel upon my eyes because we're not strong alone but we are strong TOGETHER. Godspeed

Twisting through the arcanum
Shared minds as one
Together we can do it
We can get it done!

Journeying through a phantasm
A fantasia, beyond reality, and our dreams
Unlocking our potential together
Sealing reality's seams!

Forever united, independent and free
We wander together, we explore and see
Within a wonderful ocean that we walk
Unity is the key!

Friends everywhere, everywhere you spy
Under the haystack, Even in the blue sky
We'll keep making friends forever
Until that fateful day we die!

It’s me again. I don’t even know if anyone will read these messages. This is my fifth message so far, and I’m running out of bottles. This time, I’ll tell you about a moment where perseverance won the day. We were about a week out from opening the First Turn of Bahamut, and ADS proved to be a hearty foe. My companions and I stood uniform in dark light armor, all of us sick of hearing Cid explain battle plans for invading Garlean occupied territories. The explosion from the old Allagan device, ADS, lead into a cavern-like area filled with crystallized orange rocks and lost technological wonders. We fought our way past golems and other fiends that closely resembled basilisks.

When we reached the staging ground for the final battle, a slippery serpent by the name of Caduceus appeared before us. It’s only by the grace of Hydaelyn that we stood a chance at all. We weren’t strong enough, we weren’t fast enough. The moment it seemed like everything was going our way, the bastard split in two. I took up my shield, and grabbed one snake as our warrior grabbed the other. A vision that played out more than once. The battle was hard, and we fought for hours. Finally, one snake fell and the other was a little too strong. Our warrior fell to its monstrous strength. I provoked it from my comrades, and grit my teeth against its relentless assault. I felt just about as though I were visiting deaths door again when... the attacks stopped. I lowered my shield to find the husk of the snake vanishing before my eyes, and chest of Allagan-make in its place. I forsook the uniformity of my companions, and I bore proof of our triumph on my chest with the first of our many spoils, an Allagan fashioned chest piece. It took many kills to get to that moment, but somehow this one felt special. My friends and I celebrated a good long while and over enough drinks I’ll still tell the story today. And now you know why this bottle is empty.

-Aeirou Orlay
(If chosen; The Scarf of Wondrous Wit)

To my friend,

It's difficult for me to imagine that it's only been a year since our paths first crossed. Somehow it feels like it's been much longer. The Rising had, once again, come to Eorzea, celebrating the anniversary of this world and all of its wonders, as the fireworks lit up the sky.

You were new to this world yourself. A brand new player, setting foot into Eorzea for the first time, a whole world of experiences to be had still laid out far before you. I don't encounter new players as often as I would've imagined, but I do enjoy the chance to speak with them. I love seeing if they need any help, or simply see how they're enjoying the game so far. I was excited that you were willing to let me share your path and lend you a hand.

It felt refreshing to go back to the basics alongside someone new. As we grow and get stronger, I think we often forget how it felt to struggle in those first few adventures as we established our footing in the world. We forget, too, how it feels to see Eorzea with fresh eyes. We're used to the coastlines of La Noscea, the forests of the Black Shroud, and the deserts of Thanalan.

Very quickly, I felt we were becoming friends. Someone I'd love to share adventures in this world with. Which is why when you had told me you were changing servers, as we sat beneath the trees of the East Shroud, I felt my heart sink. I understood, of course. You had other friends you wished to adventure with, and it wasn't my place to stop you. So we went our separate ways, encouraging each other to become stronger.

A year has passed now, and like ourselves, Eorzea has gone through changes. Being able to visit other worlds now, we're able to spend time together once again, sharing our adventures. As we sat beneath the fireworks once again on the beach of Shirogane, I can't help but see how much stronger you've become. Such is the life of adventurers, though, isn't it? You meet friends, people to share your path with, but soon the paths diverge and you travel alone, only to one day meet again when your paths meet once more. I hope our paths stay together for years to come.

Your friend,
A'tehri.

(If selected, I'd like the Gaelicap. Thank you for reading!)

Frustration, anguish, the feelings of dread.

All of these plagued my mind while I was working my way through Baldesion Arsenal during 4.5 working with my fellow peers, planning with 48 others to meet up in Hydatos to plan our raid. I've met many a people, some hardened vets, others fresh and unaware, and my favorites the ones with a beating desire to clear.

I went through BA for almost two months, working with people, joining my own little clique and gradually making my way through the dungeon. I saw many a people get knocked out as we made our way through facing the bosses that made their lair.

However the experience that gave me the resolve I needed was getting to Demi Ozma. I was determined and assured myself I would clear it this one night. We were at 4% and I was ready to finally get it, but tragedy struck. I got struck by a tankbuster just off the platform and died, no one could raise me. I saw the health ticking down, 3%... and it happened, the callout to stand on platforms to avoid being sucked out. I panicked and prayed to a god that I wouldn't be kicked out in time, my body gets picked up and the countdown gets to 2%, I'm screaming in panic on the voice chat, and then... I find my body on the floor in camp, my teammates cheering as they received their clear. I clenched my fist in anguish but in new found resolve knowing that I can do this. I WILL clear this content!

I joined groups, getting my gear completely maxed, and made my way back to BA. Clearing the bosses with ease, and faced Demi-Ozma, my greatest foe. After knowing my defeat and staying focused, seeing others get sucked into the void, that clear screen popped up and I stood up in joy and screamed most likely waking up my neighbors at 2 AM.

Was it worth it? Absolutely.
(Gaelicap please!)

“Mailmoogle, at your service! Kupo!” A familiar, welcomed chirp, but Eorzea’s most faithful delivery service isn’t always the most reliable. Curious moogles might tear into the more tempting packages, parading it’s parcels like a well-earned trophy; The nosiest could dig through personal mail if they wanted, discarding and disregarding the intended recipient in favour of their own entertainment! One such moogle had that in mind, leaving the tattered remains of an envelope strewn across the lawn of whom it had intended to reach in one piece.

“Kupo!” The irresponsible moogle cleared his throat, and began to read the letter…

Ifri, darling, a woman after my own heart~

May this letter reach you well. The shores of the Far East are beautiful this time of year, though I crave naught more than to return to your side as quickly as I can. Seeing young lovers on these gentle roads turns me into a fool, and made me reminisce of the years we had first met. Do you recall? You seemed lost in Eorzea, an adventurer fresh off a caravan, taking her first steps into the salty, biting air of Limsa Lominsa as a fledgling arcanist. You’d tell me about your adventures, and I’d cling, maybe a bit too eagerly to every word. I watched you grow, I heard your tales, I shared what ailed you, and through the good and the bad, I looked forward each day to seeing you yet again. It reminded me that times… will get better. Even when they seem at their darkest hour. A ‘beacon of hope’ would be a cliché unworthy of how much you’ve come to mean to me, but it’s hard to say you’re not that and more to this old miqo’te. (Or, ‘mongrel’ as you so lovingly deemed me when we first met.) I remember your advice when I need it, and I look to you for inspiration, your guiding words driving me further and further to my own goals so that in their end, I may help you with yours.
Besides, you put up with me. What more could I ever ask for?
I still believe the day we first spoke wasn’t by chance, it was fate, and our Eternity Rings are proof that the Twelve haven’t abandoned us just yet! As each year turns, I’m still reduced to an eager, purring kitten in the time we spend together. And soon - quite soon, I hope! - the home we’ll share in the Lavender Beds will radiate with the afterglow of your companionship.

Safe journeys to the First and back, and may you forever walk in the light of the crystal,
C’rik Tia

...naughty moogles. In the end, the letter had been jammed haphazardly into it’s proper post box!

~♥~
https://img2.finalfantasyxiv.com/acc...7e8a58d591.png
~♥~

◘((Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. The memory I hold the closest to me is probably a bit overdone, but through Final Fantasy 14, I bonded with who is now the most important person of my life. ♥ I owe so much more than a simple ‘thank you’ to this game.))

◘((If selected, I would like the Mandragora Choker, please!))