Spooky Story Contest (EU) - Entry thread

[addz3]

1. Character: Bauer Auditore
2. World: Excalibur
3. Prize: Chocobo Noble Barding

The full version because its much better than the one to meet the word count lol.

The Wondrous Scary Tale

"Look at that moon! I've never seen it so bright.

What's the matter Bauer, you have another story for me"?

Khloe gawped like a lost kitten, mouth wide open, the moon reflection in her eyes gave the effect she had been enjoying one to many potion.

"No wondrous tale for you today I'm afraid. You know my life isn't all wondrous tales, in fact what you think might be exciting and thrilling, normally means I'm scared to death! I may be blessed my Hydaelyn but I can tell you a little blessing doesn’t go far enough to protect me from what I've experienced. I look back at those times when its been life or death, separated by an all too small margin.

[Sigh…..]

I've lost so many friends Khloe, some I've only known for a short period of time, others have been instrumental to my success, one in particular I was rather fond of, he once told me that "A smile better suits a hero" I miss him dearly."

"Oh cheer up Bauer…."
The moon's brilliance had enhanced the tear in her eyes, she turned away in a veiled effort to conceal the fact.

"Khloe… I didn’t mean to…"

"Oh it's okay" Khloe interrupted swiftly. "Why don't you go and enjoy the festivities? It is that time of year, and it doesn’t last long!"

"Yes, I suppose your right." A half hearted nod and queer smirk followed.

I have to make this right, I feel so guilty now. I need to tell her story to make her forget the mood I've put her in. Bauer whispered to herself, wracking her brain. I've told her all the Primal ones and the Ascian ones are far to serious. I need to stay away from Ishgard, those stories just remind me of him…

"Khloe… I do have another tale for you, it isn't so wondrous…more like….Well you'll see"

Bauer widened her eyes, depicting a rather gaunt and hazy look on her face.

"Bauer…. What's wrong with you. Why are you looking at me like that!? Could you please blink, you've making me feel weird…." said a rather perplexed Khloe.

She was met by an even more vacant stare from the Warrior of Light. The young Miqo'te's tail climbed up her back, half in response to fear and half in anger as she screamed.

"BAUER!!! STOP IT!!"

"Hahahaha" An earie laughter burst from Bauer's lips. "I'll tell you a new story but not right now. Meet me at my place, it’s a trek from here. I have a little cottage in the Lavender Beds." She wrote the plot site details on the back of an old blacksmithing recipe list. And whispered "Don't give that to anyone, there's not a lot of plots to go around and I don't want anyone thinking about breaking in whilst I'm off…. Adventuring and whatnot…"

"Okay.." replied the nervous Khloe.

"See you later then" Said Bauer.

She had a lot to organise in a small period of time if she were to frighten that kitten.

[A quick teleport to New Gridania]

Thinking to herself, she mumbled quietly, I'm going to need some Thanalan top soil, a Garuda's feather, something that resembles a Rolanberry (I've not seen those in a while, I wonder what happened to them….) and I might finally be able to make use of those masks…. Oh and I need someone from my squadron to play that part….

Bauer had forgotten her earlier mood as she continued to plot in her devious mind, looking like a mad woman talking to herself amongst the merchants at the Rosewood Stalls.

It was finally time, the last few hours had gone quickly and everything was set for that poor little Khloe.

"Umm… Bauer are you here?" A quiet voice spoke and a gentle knock on the door followed. Khloe's knock was enough to make the cottage door creak open, just a crack. The lights were off at Gamgo's Lodge, Bauer's residence. The only illuminance came from the Dravanian Down Tree outside near the Chocobo stables. It was enough for Khloe to glimpse at the Goobbue rug on the floor.

She stepped inside and closed the door behind her, as she turned back inwards she was met by the house steward who was close enough to Khloe's face they could feel the warm breathe of one another. Shivering slightly with panic Khloe asked "Erm… Hi… Who are you?"

She was met by a vacant stare and a monotone voice that simple said "Miss Auditore said she was expecting company. Please lock the door and head downstairs" Khloe turned back and locked the door, continuing to talk to help keep her emotions at bay "So are you a friend as well then?"

"My my, aren't we inquisitive for such a young kitten" The steward again spoke in the same monotone voice from the darkness. Khloe turned inwards again and had lost sight of the steward. Just as she was going to say something else, a small candle light appeared from downstairs, highlighting only the staircase as if leading her down a path.

With heavy feet and slow steps untrue to her age, she was almost at the bottom and with the last step to go, the light vanished and was plundered into darkness again, the last step acting as a trigger for the light to vanish.

Panic in her voice now was ever to apparent. "Bauer are you here!? Please if you are say something. This isn’t funny anymore!!" She ventured into the middle of the room.

Hiding behind the oriental partition, Bauer threw the Thanalan soil at Khloe, quickly met by screams "AAAAAAGGGGHHHH!! BAUER HELP!"

The squadron member had crept behind her wearing a Crag Mask and bellowed a mighty roar.

"ARRRRRGHHH TITAN!!!" The young kitten ran, unfortunately for her it was right where Bauer had wanted. She put the bag of soil down and ran the Garuda's feather at the back of Khloe's neck, her ears and tail pricked up, paralyzed with fear. She reached round to where the feathered had tickled to find a gooey substance, rich deep red in colour (the resemblance of some kind of berry).

"IS THIS BLOOD!?!?!? I'M GOING TO DIE, IM GOING TO DIE, I'M GOING TO DIE" She repeated over and over again to herself.

"Hahahahah" laughter everywhere now as the cottage fireplace lit up revealing the squadron members, the steward and of course the mischief maker herself, Bauer enjoying the victory of a plan well wrought.

Her eyes welled up with water, out of pure relief. "Bauer, how could you! I thought we were friends!" Khloe murmured. With a smile on her face "The greatest story I could ever give you would be the one you experience yourself" Bauer replied.

[Lektry]

1. Character: Lektry Harthorn
2. World: Tonberry
3. Prize: Chocobo Noble Barding

Splash!

Her heavy footsteps in the forest’s puddles as she ran.
Her breath growing short.
Behind that tree.
Rest was what she needed.
Surely she lost him.

Clip clop!

The colour quickly drained from her face.
She hadn’t lost him.
Determination to annihilate that which attacked him.

Fishing, the morning’s wet weather lured her into the shroud. Setting her bucket down next to her seat, she casts her line out to start day.
Hours tick by, as the rain lets up as an eerie fog creeps into the shroud.
Lektry notices the change in weather as she stifles a yawn, surely on more fish and she’ll have enough.
One more couldn’t hurt.

Drawing the line back as she goes to cast out she’s met with resistance, tug as she might, it would not give. Standing she turned to see what her line was caught on.

Splash!

The rod dropped from her hands as she stumbled back. The glowing eyes of the horseman trained on her, his horse stepping closer as she drew back.
Swinging his sword in a menacing arc sent splinters of her chair flying through the air.

Not waiting for a moment longer, she spun on her heels and started to sprint in hopes of out running the primal.

Just a simple fisher.
One more, what harm could it do!?
HA
Her life.

[SpooonyOne]

The Cult Of Limsa

Whilst running low on supplies our hero teleports to Limsa Lominsia to the marketboard, usually things are normal but this time things were a little out of place. Everyone was dressed in the same clothes?! Is this a cult? suddenly spotted and shocked our hero is frozen in fear, The cult in the same clothing starts walking towards the hero circling him and doing nothing but /point at him.

Our hero tries to get something out of them, [Hello!] [Are you there?] Nothing works. Suddenly it hits our hero he can do something, The only things really.

/logout





Character name: Spoony One
World: Tonberry
Prize: Blue Bird Earrings

[minimogmulah1]

Character Name: Solstice Raa
World Name: Cerberus
Prize Choice: Mandragora Choker




It was the evening of Saints Wake, amidst some shaded overgrown paths in the outer Shroud, all alone riding her trusty chocobo was Solstice Raa from the Conjurer’s guild. It has been some time since Solstice had been in the Shroud, a long time since she had visited civilization.
Riding along unfamiliar paths she could hear faint screams coming from a hundred yalms away, not too far from the screams but yet she could not see through the dense thicket. Curiosity pricked at her and Solstice whipped her chocobo to a racing speed to find the source.
Eventually after traversing through the thicket maze she stumbled on what looked like Hauke Manor, only it was different, it seemed darker. She dismounted her chocobo and left him fastened to a nearby fence. Solstice then scaled the Manor and found a broken window which was a fight to get to but eventually she prevailed and made her entry.
Once inside she heard the screams from several entity’s coming from upstairs, she made her way stealthily and unseen to see a group of adventurers battling an all too familiar Lady Amandine. These adventurers shouldn’t be here though, they were merely new and inexperienced, the under geared Marauder was struggling to push forward to Lady Amandine and the two Archers were missing with every shot, Solstice knew that she had to help so dashed forth and cast a Medica to help revive the unfortunate adversaries of Adandine. The Medica barely touched the group and Solstice carried on casting with little to no effect. Solstice was took back with why her supreme powers were not aiding these poor, poor adventurers. Solstice composed herself and closed her eyes and with all her will thrust her Thyrus to the air and boldly voiced her incantations and a bright beam of light emitted from her and she knew she had done it this time, her powers had prevailed. The Lady summoned forth a mob of elemental bombs and the archers struggled to battle them off, the light from Solstice faded and she realised that she did nothing, her powers are failing her and she has failed, stunned to know why she just stood and watched as Lady Amandine strike down the poor adventurers attacking before her. Solstice noticed the bright light emitting from her chest again, she looked down and was about to touch it when a Conjurer burst through her and healed the Marauder, the spell had little to no effect and the he fell to one knee and with his might tried to counter her attacks.
Solstice was in disbelief, what was happening, she didn’t know. She looked down and noticed a chair, only she was stood in the chair, she held her arms to her chest and looked up and just watched as the voidal lamps charged Lady Amandine, she cast her last spell and the elemental bombs blew apart the poor adventurers.
Solstice stood forever dormant watching that room.

[Missmeow88]

Narangerel Mol, Balmung, Scarf of Wondrous Wit.

The wind tore at her face, carrying thoughts away with the sand. Her mind was empty, reeling and primal. Beside her lay Bokebaatu's corpse. She couldn't bare to look at her lover, his eyes glazed over, his chest in shambles. Scattered around them were the corpses of bandits, and molten slag that had been weapons. They'd killed him first, thinking he was the larger threat. Yet, even untrained mages can be powerful, when they don't care about the cost. She let out an anguished, furious scream as her mind snapped. It was easy to embrace madness. Without her humanity, she was a rabid beast set only on revenge. Fire blossomed out from her entire being. She became the flames. It consumed her clothing and hair. It baked the carcasses. Flesh charred and cracked, fuel for the flame. With her enemies smoldering her mind set on the nearby outpost; the only civilization -it- could sense. It lifted its feet, molten sand clinging like wet mud as it trudged north.

She'd sent a distress call to her company, before Bokebaatu died and her mind collapsed. They mobilized together in front of the house, and rode the aether to the Hidden Springs. The village lay in ruins - a road of burning destruction and molten sand a centimeter deep wound from one gate to the other, strewn with smoldering corpses. The party followed the trail over the eastern dunes, and there they found It: a humanoid core, swathed in flame, surrounded by discarded flesh. It was the dark scaled tail that showed them the truth. This had been a person, once. Half of its lower legs had melted away, yet it continued its pursuit of a group of terrified, screaming Miqo'te children. It raised its arm and flames erupted at the slowest child, trailing behind the rest. The toddler's screams mingled with the creature's shriek, inhuman and terrifying. The group moved at once to defend, drawing its attention. Hearing their approach, it turned with a savage roar and a name - Mist.

The party stared in horror, as realization set in. The creature shambling towards them, trailing burnt flesh and molten sand, was Naran. It reached towards them with another roar, with fire erupting from its hands. The spout was choked off as the creature was tackled. Chaos unfurled. Mages pulled waves of sand onto the tumbling pair in an attempt to smother further flames. Its eyes succumbed to the heat and melted from their sockets. Bladed knuckles struck its spine, then sank into what was left of its body. An aldgoat born of magick and sand crashed into the creature, and it finally - blessedly - crumbled into smoldering pieces.

They woke with a start - safe and whole and bleary with sleep. The muffins Naran offered before they'd dozed off sit heavy in their bellies as their memories filter in. The dream was as real as the basement they sat in. She offered an unread note by way of explanation, unaware of the warning, being illiterate.

[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

[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

[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.

[hyperbunny]

Character Name: Kitkat Mewmew
Server: Zodiark
Choice: Chocobo Noble Barding

-----------------------------------------------

The warrior of light looked into the eyes of her beloved, his smile seemed to light the entire room. It was the happiest day of her life, yet, something was wrong... Kitkat could feel it in her bones. A cold gust of wind blows into the sanctum of the twelve, shivering, Kitkat turns to see who had opened the doors.
Two beady eyes stare at her, a rusted lamp swinging in it's hand, in the other, a knife that glittered dangerously under the light.
“My love?” Kitkat's beloved followed her gaze, only to find her staring at nothing. “Are you ok?”
“What? I... it was just there.” Kitkat shakes her head, sure of what she'd just seen.
“What was there?”
“Is everything ok? Kupo.” The Moogle asks kindly.
The ceremony proceeds as Kitkat tries to pay attention.
But there it was again! Behind her love, staring at her from behind a white pillar, it's hooded cloak frayed and old, it's lamp still swinging ominously, the rusted metal seems to screech out to her, the sound makes her clamp her hand to her ears, makes her teeth clench together.
“My love?” Her beloved places a warm hand to hers. “What's wrong?”
“It's there! Behind you!” But just as she goes to draw her bow, it disappears again. She realises that everyone’s looking at her strangely, maybe they thought she'd gone mad.
“Do you not want to go through with this?” Her love seems pained by the thought.
“No, no, of course I do. I love you.” Panicked, Kitkat stows her bow, peeking quickly back at the pillar she was sure she'd seen the creature.
“If our lovely couple would be so kind as to approach the dais for the ring exchange...” The Moogle says rather awkwardly, clearing his throat.
The rings are presented, Kitkat tries hard to pay attention as her beloved elegantly takes the ring and places it lovingly onto her finger, but before Kitkat can even move, the Moogle yells,
“A Tonberry! A Tonberry in the sanctum of the twelve, kupo!” His pom-pom shaking wildly as he jumps into the air.
“Good lord!” Someone cries. Before Kitkat knows it, the guests behind her cower against the walls, some even running towards the exit to escape. And sure enough, behind her, shuffling towards her with it's chefs knife outstretched, is the Tonberry.
“C-calm down! Kupo!” The Moogle exclaims.
“My lord!” The ring drops to the floor as her love stands before her, trying to shield her from the Tonberry's gaze.
But it's quiet steps had fooled everyone, the Tonberry's eyes glint emotionless as it takes it's final step towards Kitkat, it's lamp making an ear-splitting screech. Kitkat falls to the floor, her head feels as though it's being compressed, her entire body turning colder and colder, the blood in her veins freezing to ice as a single word forms in her mind: Karma.