Memoirs of Adventure Creative Writing Contest (NA) - Discussion/Practice Thread

[LeinaSha]

Emet-Selch: Ascian, and harbinger of our destruction.

Warrior of Light: Champion of Hydalen, and defier of fate.


Our titles - our roles - should have left us nothing more than enemies. An intersection of ideals was impossible, and when you first strode up to us with your laughable words of wanting to find common ground, I should have felt, as my fellow Scions so plainly did, that you were merely mocking us. That you would take any kindness or weakness and exploit it at the worst moment, betraying what little trust we might have offered.

And yet...

I didn’t trust you. Not at the beginning, and not even at the end, in Amaurot. I wanted to though. Even as I doubted your sincerity, I wanted desperately for it to be true. I wished I could offer you the kindness I’d have shown anyone else - that my role and duties to others didn’t demand, at the very least, silence, if not outright scorn. It felt wrong. Surely we, who considered ourselves right and just, could be better than that. Surely the Hero could be better than that. Yes, we may well need to kill our enemies in the end, but they are… Well, perhaps not human, but they have souls as we do. They have wants and needs and desires like everyone else. Why can we not treat them with respect?

And in the end, now that it’s all done and over with, I think you were sincere. Perhaps it’s just my own wishful thinking, but I believe that, had you truly wanted us dead, you would have struck down Alisae and Alphinaud, Y’shtola and Urianger, Thancred and Ryne, not merely knocked them unconscious. You had nothing to gain from doing so, and everything to lose. Did you perhaps orchestrate the entire encounter? Planned your own fall from the very beginning? To what end?

Now, in the quiet of my rooms in the Pendants, I find myself remembering your expression just before we fought. Your shock, disbelief, then stubborn denial. “A trick of the light,” you told yourself, and I wonder: who was it you saw in me?


Even now, with you gone, you have me at a disadvantage. I know your name, Hades, but I do not know my own. Before the sundering, who was I that my presence would shake you so? That you might, possibly, have allowed me to live at the potential cost of the Rejoining you so desired?

Hades, soul whole and immortal, who loved his world to such extremes he would destroy all others for its restoration.
Myself, soul fragmented and fragile, who yet loves her world in all its imperfection.

I beg of you, what was my name?

(If I win, I would like the bluebird earring.)

[IceheartMemoria]

It was a cold, winter morning in the December of 2015. As I rolled out of bed, I winced as the cold, wood flooring of my bedroom kissed my feet. "At least there's no school today", I thought to myself. I quickly bounded over and sat myself in my rolling swivel chair at my desk across the room. I pressed the metal power button on my desktop, and as it hummed to life, and I breathed a sigh of relief. "At least I won't be cold in Eorzea". I logged in to the game and was promptly reminded that I was playing Heavensward, and groaned. "Never mind", I said aloud. As soon as the icy towers of Ishgard loomed before me, I was greeting with a hearty "Oh hey, Zanthus!” from my FC mate and best friend, Naito Archangel. At 16 years of age - a year younger than me - she was the only other member not yet an adult, and the first friend I made in-game. At the time, loathe as I am to admit it, I was something of an outcast, and the utter lack of friends I had in school, combined with my meagre self-confidence, drove me to venture into Eorzea. After an uplifting conversation, I decided it was time to go back to the main story. My high-heeled boots clapping softly against the paved stones of the Pillars, I made my way to the airship landing. "Cid's invested so much effort into getting us into Azys Lla, I shouldn't keep him waiting" I asserted under my breath. As I reached the landing, the sight of my dear companions filled my heart with joy. We boarded the Enterprise, and soon took to the skies above. My only regret is that Ysayle had elected to stay behind. You see, Ysayle was a character who I had grown attached to unlike any other. Her tragic story of inventing a persona for herself only to find that it was a false ideal all along was something I could relate to all too well. As the airship tore through the aethereal barrier surrounding the islands, a massive Garlean airship rose from beneath us. Just then, as all seemed lost, a dragon's roar pierced the heavens, and there she was. I instantly knew what it was she was about to do, and I choked back tears as she fought valiantly to save my life. As she fell, her fnal words echoed through my mind: "Thank you, Warrior of Light, for showing me the way". I broke down. Tears flooding down my face, I wailed loudly in sorrow. She was gone. It made it all that much more painful that she had finally learned to accept herself before her passing. Even after the credits rolled, her death lingered still in my mind. If she could learn to accept herself - so can I. Because of XIV, and because of her, I'm the confident person I am today. Now, as the azure skies give way to crimson fire, I gather with my closest friends in remembrance. Her story forever etched in my heart; I look forward to a day where I may one day touch the lives of others with my own stories as she did to me.



(Chosen Prize: Gaelicap)

[MythPunk]

---- Posted

[Starrkk]

“F-Fondest memory…?” Gyo was confused. He had been approached by the Wandering Minstrel that he had met on a number of occasions on his travels throughout Eorzea. The Au Ra thought long and hard on the question. All of his fondest memories were all relatively recent in his twenty-seven springs and summers of life. The wandering minstrel waited patiently for Gyo, as he knew just how skittish of an individual he was. The minstrel recalled that day when they met—how he offered a friendly hand to Gyo, and how the mere motion of that alone caused Gyo to dive behind the bar and cause some of the bottles to shake from all the trembling the Au Ra did. It took weeks before Gyo finally warmed up to him.

Gyo thought back to when everything began to change. He lost his vision while on his way to Ul’dah while fending off an attack from the Amalj’aa. He was already nervous around people, but losing his sight brought Gyo’s anxiety around people to extreme levels. His mind jumped all over the place, from fighting the primals, to playing in the forests with his animal family, to working with the various beast tribes that rejected the extreme zealotry wrought by their brethren. And then of course, there were the friends. Never did Gyo think he would have made as many friends as he did. Especially the Scions—

“M-Meeting Minfilia a-a-and the o-others!” Gyo responded abruptly, breaking the silence between himself and the minstrel.

“Oh?”

“Minfilia s-saw m-me f-for m-me,” Gyo shifted in his seat, “Sh-she n-never j-judged me. She m-m-made m-me f-feel…w-welcome.” The Raen smiled fondly at the memory. Even though he could see nothing, he could feel and hear the warmth she had in her voice. It was pleasant, void of something he was so used to hearing from people: judgement. For Gyo, it was unlike any other interaction with a person that he ever had. He expected Thancred to lead him into some kind of trap on that day. The two butted heads regularly when they first met—Gyo’s sensitive nose picked up so much perfume from the Hyur that it made him gag, while Thancred had difficulty adjusting to the Au Ra’s animalistic tendencies, and both had very different ways of tackling the same objective.

“So it sounds to me that your fondest memory is your beginnings with the Scions,” the minstrel observed. His lips curled into a smile as he rummaged through his bag for a pen and paper, “It warms my heart that you have not forgotten your beginnings, my friend.”

Gyo’s expression began to soften as he recalled the eventual fate of the Minfilia he knew. It was something that caused him to tear up, but he knew it was for the ultimate good. And after getting to know Ryne, he knew that, deep down, it was what Minfilia would have wanted too. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, “Meeting Minfilia and the o-others i-is my fondest memory.” He said a second time, much more resolutely.

(Noble Barding)

[CirinaEjinn]

The sun set on yet another average Saturday. Lights started to get shut off as early risers headed to bed in preparation for the next day and all it would bring.
In all but one house, that is.
Inside, beyond the veil of curtains, a young woman sat on the edge of her seat, figuratively, with her controller in hand and headphones askew.
The final battle of Heavensward was all that remained between her and the end to the current arc of the story she had spent many an hour embroiled in. Her game companion’s voices echoed in her ears from her mostly forgotten headphones. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her hands trembled minutely with excitement on the small device in her fists that allowed her to interact with the virtual world.
She could not believe that she was here. She had never been a gamer but a simple promise to a friend to ‘give it a shot’ had lead to this. A promise made with the absolute knowledge that after a few hours she would be back to her regularly scheduled programming. And yet…
It had lead her to this moment, ready to do battle against the forces of darkness in a way that her beloved books simply could not allow her to do.
Fingers poised for the dropping of the protective blue barrier, she waited with baited breath.
She was prepared when it came down, charging into the fray, battle cry on her lips, and sleepy cat eyes fixed on her face in confussion.
How would this part of the story end? How much of a cliffhanger would she be left with to theorize about and agonize over while waiting for the next part of the game?
Ruthlessly, and yet at the same time excitedly, she forced those thoughts aside; she needed to focus on the here and now if she wanted to survive to see the answers to such questions.
Her former streams of internalized thoughts flooded from her lips to manifest audibly. She didn’t notice. She quivered in her seat at the build up of adrenaline.
84%, 60%, 43%, 22%, 10%. They’ve almost got him. They could do this. She could do this.
5%. Her HP started to dip.
4%. Her healer brought her back up.
3%. Her fingers cramped but she didn’t stop.
2%. Almost there.
1%. She could taste victory.
0%. He toppled! Success!
A cheer burbled up from her throat. Her hands went up in triumph. She almost came out of her seat in her elation. Her companions laughed their congratulations.
The thumping in her heart slowed and she settled in to watch the fruits of her labors, to learn the answers to her questions. She grinned the whole way through the cutscenes, her heart and mind on cloud nine.
The final line of dialogue had been delivered, the last note reverberated through her speakers and she had been content; at peace in a way that she had never been before. All because of a game that she had given a chance only half-heartedly. A chance that she had not regretted. She had made friends, defeated enemies, and her life would never be the same again.

[Frixel]

Hymn Of Love

In the driest and hottest time of the year, I decided to take a visit to the jewel of the dessert; Quick Sand. I see a tall, tanned, Xaela Au Ra being entertained by various women. All hoping to win your praise through dancing on your lap and kissing your cheek. I thought of nothing and quickly retreated to my room until our eyes met. You had possessed beautiful silver eyes that captivated me with a simple sentence. “Be my girl.” I was astonished as I knew you were nothing but a dangerous stranger talking to a fellow Au Ra. Were you interested in me because I was from the Orl tribe? Or did I somehow invoke your desires with my scarlet hair and sapphire eyes? I nodded my head and smiled. I did not know what the moment had meant to be until I decided to make my mistake. You spoiled me through gems and treasures. You erased the loneliness that consumed my heart. I wasn’t expecting much until it was too late. There you took me to the flowers of Il Mheg, the Lucius pink petals that danced between us as you kneeled down before me asking for my hand in marriage. As tears streamed down my cheeks I rushed in and nodded with a smile.
Quickly after your loyalty to this Au Ra faded after you had met a beautiful Viera named Nova. I was crushed and torn to pieces. If it weren’t for you I would not have met my cherished friend.


I quickly ran to Goblin seeing my favorite red Miqote. I embraced him in tears as he asked what was the matter? At the moment, as painful as this memory was, I had learned much about myself and what Eorzea meant to me. It was a place where I could make mistakes and go adventuring with friends. An enriched culture to where I can dance as I throw my chakrams to my enemies.
There I place my home at Shirogane learning from my mistake and to ensure that my heart would not turn to glass. I will stand by my friend whom I hope will stand by me for as long as I breathe. At first I could not get you out of my mind but now I realize you were nothing but a con man. My true friends who worried for me, cried with me, fought with me, and stay with me are my true treasures.
For that I am grateful to have met them after the injuries I had received from you.
I woke up like any other day and saw you waiting for me to return to your arms. I shook my head no and smiled.

“You never loved me, however, thank you for teaching me the most important lesson”.

Love is expressed through many ways that fills our hearts with joy. As lonely and grim my world gets I know I am in good hands. I returned the ring to him and said goodbye. I walked away with my favorite miqote as I heard you shout my name. I have not once looked back or searched for you. This place is my safe haven and I will fight for it. I just hope to never accidentally enter a brothel ever again.



“Maybe it’s time for me to rest my weary heart.. Maybe someday I will find happiness”.

[LyhteNoctis]

"Hear...feel...think..."

How long has it been since those very words drove me from my aimless wanderings to the great deserts of Ul'dah, the evergreen forests of Gridania, the swashbuckling streets of Limsa Lominsa, the snow cloaked peaks of Ishgard and beyond? Truly I cannot say. At times it seems like only yesterday that I started this journey, even though so many years have passed.



So much has happened, since last, we saw each other... they say it is because of my deeds that this is so. That it is because of my strength that the realm has the salve it needs to heal, but if it were not for all those who stood beside me, I would never have persevered. Without the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, I would never have known of the power of the Echo, to transcend the very soul, and conquered the Primals that plagued the realm. If it was not for the aid of the Grand Companies and Cid, I would have never been able to destroy the Ultima Weapon. However, I wouldn’t be writing this if it were not for all those I lost to betrayal and sacrifice for better dawn. Certainly, I would never have stood my ground against the Garlean Empire, Dragonsong War and Storm without them.



This journey has been a hard one. The dust of battle is finally settling. A new age is just over the horizon just within reach. Maybe at long last, I can rest from my travels for a while and relish in this moment.

But that was never to be, was it?

Another voice calls to me... he beckons me to where you rest. Even though so much time has passed since that day I still remember our adventure within the Crystal Tower as NOAH.

I can still see the arcane halls of the Ancients, and the crystalized throne upon Syrcus Towers top within my mind. The expansive World of Darkness that seemed to have no end, just like its dark mistress the Cloud. I wonder if Doga and Uni are still in epic blows with that monstrosity or they are now free from their destiny at last. I hope for the latter.

Who would have thought that a man who once served the Empire so loyally would change for the better because of those two? And if I recall Nero was not the only one who changed!

When first we met you seemed a young youth too eager to jump into danger when it presented itself. I cannot help but laugh at the memory of Cid and Rammbroes continuous attempts to keep you in check. You remind me of myself when first I took up the sword. The moment your once emerald left eye took up the same crimson glow as your right, you grew. No longer were you the overeager young man that I first met, but a man who would someday become a great hero in your own right. This I was sure of when you decided to rest within those crystal halls.



Where are you, I wonder, within that massive structure? What did you say as the golden doors closed, finalizing our goodbye? What kind of realm have we shaped? Do you know why he calls me back to you?

I know that these questions may never be answered, but it is better to write them down all the same. I do not wish to cause undue concern to Tataru. For deep down, I know this is a journey I must walk alone to save those who have fallen into deep slumber. If you are reading this, my friend, may it mean that I have succeeded and all I have done has not been in vain. That all these worries are for not. For you are the only one who knows how this story ends.

Wait, this feeling, could he be?

No, never mind.

I promise, no matter what darkness may await me, I will continue the good fight! This story will have a happy ending, by the Twelve and all who have fallen, I swear!

[Thryss]

“Why did you just charge in like that?”

Thryss looked towards the voice, roused from her tavern musings. A blonde miqo’te woman appeared to be arguing with a rather indignant au’ra male twice her height. Lover’s quarrel, the adventurer thought with a wry grin to herself. The Quicksands never failed to provide a spectacle.

“Why didn’t you follow my lead?” The au’ra man countered with annoyance, looking down at the cat-eared woman, “we could have taken the whole pack if you’d just kept up. It was the fastest way to get you to your goal.”

“I didn’t hire you just to have you fight at any provocation!” The miqo’te said angrily, “and we didn’t make it, did we? We’re lucky to be alive!”

Ah, business quarrel, Thryss amended mentally with less interest and another sip of ale.

“Because you wouldn’t keep up,” the man said, throwing his hands up in frustration.

Thryss just shook her head in mild amusement. New adventurers were always coming through the Quicksands. Momodi, who happened to run the Adventurer’s Guild as well as the tavern, was usually pretty good about matching up groups, but sometimes those groups just can’t work together. Adventuring was a high-risk proposition at the best of times, and required a group to be willing to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses to succeed. Edda’s ill-fated end was still spoken of as a cautionary.

“I release you from our contract!” The miqo’te said with finality, “I’ll find someone else to help me.”

“Good luck, kitten,” the au’ra said derisively, “I’m the best you’re going to find in Ul’dah,” and stomped off in a fume.

Good for her, Thryss thought as she sipped her ale and returned to more sedate introspections and people-watching.

Lost in her ruminations, she didn’t hear the polite cough at her side. Thryss looked around, and then down to find Momodi at her side, looking up at her sweetly. And the selfsame young miqo’te adventurer that had been arguing a quarter bell earlier was standing behind her. Thryss groaned inwardly.

“I heard you were out of work,” said the diminutive barkeep with mischievous innocence, “so I found you some.” And with that sauntered off, leaving the two women to size each other up.

Thryss kept her expression neutral and gestured for the other miqo’te to have a seat. The blonde woman sat down with a wary look. The scarlet-haired miqo’te offered what she hoped was a reassuring grin, “so, you’re looking to hire a bodyguard?”

“I don’t need a bodyguard,” the blonde woman replied with annoyance, “My mission simply requires more than one person.”

“Ah,” Thryss said, “you need a partner.”

The blonde woman brushed back a lock of her long hair considering the words, “I suppose I do.”

“I can be that. I’m Thryss Moonwhispers,” the scarlet-haired miqo’te said, offering her hand across the table.

With a tentative smile the blonde woman gave the other’s hand a quick shake, “I’m Z’anne Pennubrae

[Celestinakitty]

Yeet! off to the main thread.

[mizutsunecafe]

I've just posted my entry to the main thread- I actually made a profile on the forum just for this contest! I'm a bit nervous since I've never really participated in these before so.

My entry is from the perspective of Haurchefant, who I very much adore haha. I hope you all enjoy it!!