Spooky Story Contest (EU) - Entry thread

[Maleha]

Character name: Masha Fashonti
World: Phoenix
Prize: Mandragora Choker

Of Curious Cats

A small Beady Eye flies through the night, searching the many houses of the Mist for the right one. Finally, it arrives at the one it was looking for. It hovers in the air, leathery wings beating rapidly as it tries to figure out how to get inside.

Yonah steps out of her office to walk downstairs, tiredly rubbing the bridge of her nose. All evening she had been looking at papers on the disappearance of one of her Company’s members.

Weeks ago Masha went into Haukke Manor, searching the place for some highly sought after pots of Fine Wax and Varnish for the renovations of her own little Cottage in the Goblet. Nobody has seen or heard of her since. Rumours say there are still Voidsent haunting the place, but none of the scout teams that Yonah sent out have brought back any valuable information.

As the tired Company leader steps through of the door of their headquarters to return to her own home, something small smacks her in the face and gets caught in her robes and long hair.

“What!? By the Twelve what is…”

While still trying to disentangle herself whatever is was disappears in a puff of smoke. Only a scrap piece of parchment remains. Confused and warily looking around, she bends down to pick it up from the doorstep.

Only a sentence is scribbled on the paper: "Curiosity killed the cat? Maybe the Twin Adders will know. I hear they have a new portrait in their halls."

All thought of a long bath and soft pillows forgotten, Yonah teleports to Gridania in haste. As she arrives at her Grand Company the night guard salutes the First Serpent Lieutenant with confused expressions.

“At ease!” Yonah barks. “A portrait. Have your men received a portrait today?”

“Uhh, yes ma’am! A strange women left it at the White Wolf gate just a few hours ago, saying it was a gift for the Seedseer. We planned on delivering it to her tomorrow. There is something strange going on with it…”

“Let me see it!”

“What? But..:”

“Now!”

Hesitantly the soldier beckons Yonah to follow him to the barracks. In one of the side rooms a large frame covered with a cloth lay on a table.

As they step closer, Yonah notices how the guard pushes himself behind her, almost scared. She frowns, looking at his worried expression, then at the covered painting.

As they get even closer, she could hear whispers, faint, like the wind blowing through the cracks of the training hall. Her breath catches. She knows that voice! With trepidation shaking her hands, she pulls the cloth off the picture.

It is Masha. Yonah can only stare at the painting before her, listening to the panicked whispers coming from within.

"What? Why do I... feel... so faint... I thought these halls were... empty... No... what is happening... Someone... anyone...!"

[karbuncle]

Character name: Carbuncle Rubylight
World: Masamune
Prize: Chocobo noble barding

=====================================================

The story of little Ruby riding hood

All saints wake is one of little rubys favourite festivals. Not only does she get to visit haunted manors and eat as many candies as she can, but it is the time she gets a visit from her grandma. Grandma ruby always brings with her many gifts, but the thing little ruby enjoys the most is her grandmas special roast mystery meat. As the name implies the ingredients is a secret!

This year however, little ruby hadnt heared from grandma at all and was starting to get worried. Plus she was really looking forward to grandmas special dinner. Grandma ruby has always warned little ruby to never cross the thick forest to visit her as the forests are dangerous and packed with wild creatures including savage wolves. Even so, little ruby was really worried (and a bit hungry), so without hesitation, little ruby set across the forest.

As little ruby was journeying through the thick forest, it become to get darker and she was aware of someone following her. Before she could even turn back, she saw the largest monster running towards her! It was as her grandma had warned her. Wolf!
Little red was so scared she couldnt even move, and all she could do was close her eyes and wait her fate, but then she heard a howl,..

'Pls plsss help me little girl' cried the wolf,..

Little ruby was abit speechless,.. "excuse me, did you say something"

"Save me from this mad woman, take me somewhere safe" cried the wolf again,..

Little ruby thought for a moment and remembered grandma ruby telling her stories of cunning wolves luring innocent childrens to their deaths so she replies,..

"Do you take me for a fool. I may look naive but im not falling for your tricks"

But before little ruby could even finish her sentence she heard a familiar sounding voice coming from afar screaming aloud, but getting nearer,..

"Grandma is that you??

It was in fact grandma!

"What are you doing here little ruby? Didnt i tell you to stay out of the woods? Anyway have you seen a plump looking wolf running around here?

The wolf was no where to be seen,..

"Grandma, why are you chasing wolves in the middle of time night, i thought you said they were dangerous?"

Shoot! I let him get away again! Im running abit late this year. I was having so much fun in one of those haunted manors that i lost all track of time, plus those ghouls kept turning me into a pumpkin!

"That doesnt explain why youre chasing after wolves grandma"

"Oh my dearest, where else can i find the most juicy and tenderest meat for our dinner tonight? Now come along and help me hunt this thing,.."

('O') "you mean your secret recipe is,........

[SuperKairi]

Character Name: Lexi Jaeger
World Name: Diabolos
Prize Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

Had to shorten this cause when i finished it was 915 words! Gonna post the full version in a comment for anybody interested ^-^

Word count: 500
Recommended to listen while reading -inspired this piece: listenonrepeat.com/watch/?v=Y4GawxzRscE#RED_-_So_Far_Away_(Lyrics)_HD



Free at Last

Alone

That’s how she felt as she sat there beneath the giant oak tree. She had been there for a while, unaffected by the passage of time that ensnared the world of Eorzea. This girl was known in the Celestial Records as being Lexi Jaeger, The Godsbow. She was a Warrior of Light among many, birthed by the light of Hydaelyn. But Lexi was one of the only to be bestowed with the powers of a Bard. As Lexi’s group was traveling the land, they came upon the cursed Manor, Haukke. The Lady within was known as Lady Amandine, the very reason Lexi was trapped within the mansions’ grounds.

Lexi often found herself humming and scaring away adventures she did not deem to be ready to face the Lady. That was until a group trudged upon the Manors soiled ground in great, confident unafraid strides. Lexi held back a gasp as she gazed upon the group from her perch. The group looked just as hers once had. As they walked past her, unaware, she prayed that these adventurers would accomplish what many had failed to do.

The moment the leader of the group touched the Manors’ front entrance, a great darkness loomed over the area. The doors swung shut and locked with a loud THUD behind the adventurers. Once the doors had closed, Lexi began her melodic humming again, calming the stranded souls of the manor.

Not long after the group had entered, Lexi heard the screams echoing within the Manor’s walls escape out of the open windows. Unable to bear the shrieks and cries, Lexi covered her ears and closed her eyes as tightly as possible.

Suddenly Lexi gasped as her eyes snapped open, her once illuminated golden irises alight with the passion of an adventurer, were suddenly shrouded in a swirling mass of black fog. The fog brought with it the memories of Lexi’s last moments – when she used The Warden's Paean to encase her friends in a barrier whilst removing them of their paralysing fear.

Lexi was brought back by the sound of Lady Amandine screeching as she was finally slain by the group she saw moments before. Lexi rose and watched as the cursed air of the manor was purified. A smile graced Lexi’s face as she gazed into the light beyond the Manor’s walls.

Lexi took slow, apprehensive steps towards the light and let out a cry as she saw her three friends standing amongst the light, hands outstretched in welcome as bright smiles graced their features. The words she’d been wanting to hear for so long finally were being spoken to her.

“Welcome Home, Princess”

As Lexi ran towards them, she turned around to gaze upon the group of adventures that had finally set her and the others free. Lexi began to slowly fade into the warm light of Hydaelyn, but in her final, final moments she beamed a smile at the group and said from the deepest parts of her being:

“Thank you”

[SuperKairi]

ORIGINAL

Free at Last

Alone

That’s how she felt as she sat there beneath the giant oak tree. She had been there for…. how long had it been? Months? Years? Centuries? She was unsure. But she had been there for a while, unaffected by the passage of time that ensnared the world of Eorzea and its inhabitants. This girl was known in the Celestial Records of Eorzea as being Lexi Jaeger, The Godsbow. She was a Warrior of Light among many who were birthed by the light of Hydaelyn. But Lexi was one of the only to be bestowed with the powers of a Bard. As Lexi’s group was traveling the land, they came upon the cursed Manor, Haukke. The Lady within was known as Lady Amandine, the very reason Lexi was trapped within the mansions’ grounds.

Lexi often found herself humming tunes and scaring away adventures she did not deem to be ready to face the Lady, sparing them from suffering the same fate as she. That was until a group trudged upon the Manors soiled ground in great, confident and unafraid strides. Lexi held back a gasp as she gazed upon the group from her perch beneath the tree near the manor’s steps. The group looked just as hers once had when they had entered all that time ago. As they walked past her, unable to see her as all the others were, she prayed with all her might that these adventurers would accomplish what many had tried and failed to do.

Slay her and set us free.

It was at this moment that Lexi wished she still had her trusty Ebony Longbow on her person, But Lady Amandine had snapped the bow in Lexi’s final moments – shattering her soul with it.

The moment the leader of the group touched the Manors’ front entrance, a great darkness loomed over the area as it had whence Lexi’s group came. The Lady was hungry for more Souls. The doors swung shut and locked with a loud THUD behind the adventurers, locking them in and everything else out. Once the doors had closed, Lexi began her melodic humming again, calming the stranded souls of the manor whilst they all waited for the verdict from the new group of challengers.

Not long after the group had entered, Lexi could hear the screams echoing within the Manor’s walls escape out of the open windows. Unable to bear the shrieks and cries any longer, Lexi covered her ears and clenched her eyes closed as tightly as possible, her humming forgotten.

No! I refuse to go back to those horrible memories! Leave me alone!

Suddenly Lexi gasped as her eyes snapped open wide, her once illuminating golden irises alit with the passion of an adventurer, were suddenly shrouded in a swirling mass of black fog. The fog brought with it the painful memories of Lexi’s last moments alive – when she used The Warden's Paean to encase her friends in a protective barrier whilst removing them of their paralysing fear.

“Please my friends, save yourselves! I will hold her off whilst you all escape!”

“Lexi, we can’t leave you!” The male Dustwight Elezen – Sam, the Warrior – yelled out as he tried to run towards Lexi.

“Lexi please! You can’t take her on yourself!” The female Plainsfolk Lalafell – Jenny, the White Mage – cried out, tears running down her cheeks as she reached out her hand for Lexi.

“Lexi come on! We need you with us!” The male Sunseeker Miqo’te – Thomas, the Ninja – shouted as he tried to force his way back through the barrier that had appeared between them and Lexi.

“Thomas, I’m counting on you to get everyone out safely for me” Lexi smiled at her friends over her shoulder whilst she attacked Lady Amandine with relentless arrows.

Thomas gave a sad smile from under his mask and nodded, grabbing Jenny’s’ and Sam’s hands, pulling them out of the Manor while they all cried out for their comrade.

Lexi’s final thoughts reached her group as a fallen whisper, signalling her death to the ones she had grown to love as a family: ‘Goodbye my friends, live on for me~’

Lexi was brought back to the real world by the sound of Lady Amandine screeching as she was finally slain by the very adventurers she saw moments before. Lexi rose from her spot underneath the tree and watched as the cursed air of the manor’s grounds was purified from the death of the evil mistress which once resided within its residence. A smile graced Lexi’s face as she gazed into the light beyond the Manor’s walls.

Lexi took slow, apprehensive steps towards the light and let out a sharp cry as she saw her three friends from all that time ago standing amongst the light, hands outstretched in welcome as bright smiles graced their features. The words she’d been wanting to hear for so long finally were being spoken out to her, bringing her so much joy that all the moments without them was forgotten.

“Welcome Home, Princess”

As Lexi ran towards them as fast as she could, she turned around before she entered the light to gaze upon the group of adventures that had finally set her and the others free. Lexi began to slowly fade into the warm light of Hydaelyn with tears streaming down her perfect skin, but in her final, final moments she beamed a smile at the group and said with love from the deepest parts of her being:

“Thank you”

[Zanarkander]

8th Sun of the Third Umbral Moon
Today is the day the war finally came to an end. Nidhogg met his end on the Steps of Faith, and we managed to just barely save Estinien. Alphinaud could hardly hold his tears when Aymeric walked away carrying his friend’s body.

29th Sun of the Fifth Umbral Moon
I had that dream, again. Back on the Steps of Faith, Nidhogg still alive, his rage ever burning.
I cannot understand why these dreams are so vivid, I can feel the pain caused by his flames and claws. I can still feel the anguish at the sight of Estinien’s armor covered in blood, the fear I won’t be able to save him. Most of the times in my dreams I fail, be it from a mere distraction or a silly mistake and I end up covered in flames or torn apart. It hurts. I have the feeling it won’t cease until I can defeat him, again and again, every night, before I can wake up. What if I cannot? Will I keep fighting him forever? Why have I been given this punishment?
The fear caused by these thoughts is far greater than the pain caused by the fight.

30th Sun of the Fifth Umbral Moon
I woke up later than usual today. Strangely enough, I cannot seem to remember any of my nightmares. Does that mean I lost my fight tonight? My limbs are sore, like after an intensive training… or fight. I even feel a burning pain all over my back, as if…
This doesn’t make any sense. My shoulders are burnt, like I had fallen on a fireplace. Like they were the day I defeated Nidhogg. It’s not a serious injury, but it should not be there nonetheless. What does that mean?

31st Sun of the Fifth Umbral Moon
I could barely get out of bed this day. I literally struggled just to wake up and open my eyes, and the sun was high in the sky when I did. I couldn’t stand up, the pain on my whole body was too much. As I looked down I saw a scar running from my chest to my hip, left by a wound I never suffered. Not outside of my dreams anyway. My memories are confused, reality is muddled with dreams, but I’m fairly certain I wasn’t injured that bad in the actual fight with Nidhogg, and quite sure I dreamt that very wound last night. Crazy as it sounds, I won’t sleep tonight. I fear I won’t wake up.

32nd Sun of the Fifth Umbral Moon
I can’t be awake forever. Every part of my body is heavy, I struggle to hold my head up and keep my eyes opened. But what I find most difficult to control, is my mind. I… I can hear a roar in the distance, and heat on my skin. This is not real.
I won’t… I can’t give up…
I’m the… Warrior… of Light…



Name: Zanar Kander
World: Sargatanas
Prize: Chocobo Noble Barding

[OleanderTenendar]

Character name: Oleander Tenendar
World: Ultros
Preferred prize: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

Quicktox Tells Spookytale

“Pshkohhh… Quicktox knows not why scalytail uplander is so snoopy about gobbiemasks.” The goblin shifted herself away from Oleander, closer to the stonepile and farther from him. The sun had long set, but the continuously-roaring furnaces of Stickqix’s Bangpots ensured it always remained warm around the construction site. “Even this land is nosescrunch to gobbieflock.”

“I know why you wear them,” Oleander said. “I’m just curious about what you all look like underneath. Every goblin I’ve asked has refused to indulge me.”

“Gobbieflock are not like fluffytail uplanders, showing pinkflesh alltimes!” Quicktox folded her arms, and turned away from her impertinent interrogator. Oleander sighed, defeated once again, and moved to descend the stairs. Seeing his disappointment, the goblin felt somewhat guilty for her harsh words. “Pshhh… Skohhh… Stop, uplander. Come back. Quicktox will not take off mask, but Quicktox will tell story. Story about an uplander with bigheart that make big mistake.

“It was time when gobbieflock were first coming to this land. In the place named Ul’dah, gobbies were eager to sell their goods to uplanders, as they had much jinglyshine to share. Gobbies were often poketeased and laughed at because of size and talkstyle, but there were some that were kind to gobbieflock.

“There was one gobbie named Longkix that had not eaten for many sunspin. The uplanders were not interested in Longkix’s wares, and with no jinglyshine to pay for soft bed and food to stop tummyrumblings, Longkix was forced to sleep under skylights. Female uplander found Longkix sleeping on stoneground, and decided to offer bed and food to poor gobbie. Uplander carried Longkix to home, and placed near cookfire with pot of bubblybroth. The whole time, Longkix was deep in dreamystate, thinking of home and happytimes, and would not wake to her nudging. Uplander decided to continue being bigheart, and wanted to feed Longkix before bubblybroth went cold. It was then that kind uplander make fatal error.

“Pssshkoh… Uplander peeled away gobbiemask, and looked upon nakedface of Longkix. Female screamed loud enough to raise Longkix from sleepstate, and uplander ran from home, with screws loose in braincase. Uplander run from city, into homeground of green desert spikyplants, and was killed by thousandthousand spinewounds. Longkix was bittersad to learn fate of kind uplander, and left city to never return.

“So, does scalytail uplander understand now why Quicktox cannot remove gobbiemask? Is scalytail uplander not shiveryboots at risk of braindeath?”

Oleander was quick to answer. “Not really. I’m a dragoon—I die all the time.”

[Shidomido]

Character Name: Shidomido Demon
World Name: Ragnarok
Prize Choice: Chocobo Noble Barding

... in that stormy day, Abraham reached the basement of the castle. At the center of the room there was a coffin. It took courage to open it. Inside the coffin a vampire slept. Soon he would wake. Paralyzed by fear realized that his life would change ...

[Kaylie]

on the night of spooks i emerged happy and fluffy not a care in the world, boredom struck and i went to explore, i found a box with spooky decor.

a window at front filled with pumpkins and bats, had to get closer cuz I'm a curious cat.
then i went too far and had a sniff inside, my body had frozen completely in a bind.

panicked and scared closed in and surprised, i wanted out but was locked in time.
day by day i began to ache, watching people pass thinking I'm a display.
until 1 day a child approached, not a new addition i surely hoped
she opened the box and somehow i breathed, unbound and living not some wax figurine

in a hurry i pounced out and told her to flee, i pulled out my staff i began to unleash my fury
i started to cast a deadly spell to send this thing to the 7th hell
but the devilish thing my spell it repelled, then it faded with a freakish yell

on that night forward on all saints wake, i watch for that box so none share my fate


character: kaylie smith
world: shiva
prize: bluebird earrings

[Astraxus]

p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; } Character Name: Astraxus Strombringer
World Name: Zodiark
Prize Choice: Chocobo Noble Barding


“I...I can't stop the bleeding...”.


“For the love Nophica, you're a damned White Mage, do something!”


A cold wind drifted in from the East, gently swaying the bundles of Flax that stood guard around the party. Darkness began to fall over the Shroud in swathes not too disimilar to waves that broke against Moraby Docks. An eerie silence filled the void in where the Au' Ra and Highlander gathered around their wounded comrade, a silence so loud it was almost deafening.


Carnelian blood soaked deeply into the ground. Black patches grew all too quickly, echoing the life draining from the Lalafellian Black Mage. Utter hopelessness.


“I'm sorry Henzik, I am not strong enough to mend him...I do not know what to do. When I was a Scholar...I...I could have done something...but now I'm only White Mage of thirty-eight; if only we had more time!” the purple haired Au Ra exclaimed.


“We don't, that bastard Lady Bug made that much clear!” Henzik angrily retorted.


The Lalafel lay sprawled across a dirt road, staring longingly into the abyss. The chest rises. A moment passes; the chest falls. Once more, the chest rises. The last breath of Milgin Catter the Black, rang out in a melancholy chorus. The chest fell, never to rise again. Eyes glazed over, softly retreating to the lower corner of his eyelids. His friends looked on, praying to whatever God that might be listening to make their friend breathe one more breath. Alas, it would not be this day.


The stillness washed over two living souls, enveloping the sadness with a jarring calm. Disbelief ravaged Astraxus's face, a White Mage of now no consequence. Holding back tears, Astraxus sat in catatonic state of shame. Henzik, a Warrior of some renown, felt no shame in screaming obscenities to those who would listen at the loss of his dear friend Milgin.


Some time had passed, mayhap no longer than ten minutes, when the cold wind ceased to stir. It felt as if all life energy had absconded from their location, a brittle reality being all that is left. A solemn, single voice whispered in the dark:


“Astraxus...you...you….”


The Au Ra whipped his head around to the left, his eyes greeted by a terrible vision of Milgin, pale and without doubt, an apparition not of this Star. The Lalafel's injuries still visible although they did not flow with the crimson water.


“Milgin! I failed you! Please forgive me...” begged Astraxus.


“You...you...” echoed the phantom.


“What is it old friend?! You must tell me!”


“You...you...you had god damn Esuna at 18, dumb ass!”


“...oh.”

[SnowyFox]

Character Name: Snowy Fox
Server: Ragnarok
Choice: Chocobo Noble Barding




Another Warring Triad another day? R.i.p Sophia we all laughed, as i kneeled down and picked up her card from the floor clutching it in my hand and slowly adding it to my deck.
You Ready Snowy? I heard my name being called in the distance from my fellow adventurer's as they started to exit Containment Bay P1T6 Ex.
Coming! i called back as i stood up staring where Sophia the Goddess once stood. A gentle breeze drifted through the air of the Containment Bay with an eerie silence,
and thats when i heard it.. "Can you bring Equilibrium" her voice.. but she was gone the fight was won, the victory was ours!
Surely i was hearing things i reassured my self grasping my Sophic Cane and running towards the exit.
Outside every one was waiting,"you ok snowy? look's like you have seen a ghost!" Ansetsu teased. "Yeh i'm fine" i replyed, as i started to cast teleport.
Felt good to be outside away from that Containment Bay!.
I zoned into my housing ward and started to head towards my house looking up at the night sky on the way, such a beautiful sky i whispered to my self as i watched a shooting star gracefully pass by. Reaching my house i was soon greeted by my chocobo with a soft "Kweh" as he stood in his stable's, patting him gently i headed towards the door of my house and said "Goodnight."
Closing the door behind me i headed towards my Orchestrion shutting it of for the night, and then headed towards the stairs kicking off my Shire Preceptor's Thighboots and slipped on my Meandering Mog Slippers.
"So tired" i yawned, walking up the stair's and towards my bed dimming the light's on the way and then face planting the nearest pillow. "Hmmm so comfy" i thought as i started to drift into a slumber state of mind. -CREAKKKKK- was that a floor board i just heard creaking? i raised my face out of the pillow and stared into the darkness.
"The unenlightened come..." her voice echoed though my home.. but how? Music from my Orchestrion started to play.. Equilibrium.
I jumped out of bed and headed towards the stairs, a coldness in the air striked fear and terror into my very soul. The floor from under me gave way as darkness
grabbed me down into the dark abyss and below me with a gaping mouth stood forth Sophia's Daughter ready to consume me whole.
"Noooooooo" i screamed in terror!
I jerked up in the bed in a cold sweat, was it just a dream? i stared down at the Sophia card i seemed to be clutching.... slowly staring up to be greeted by an Ansetsu dressed as a moogle "Rise and Shine" he said. Staring at him with my eyebrow twitching i thought, i don't know what's scarier the dream i just had or you as a life sized moogle....