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

[demonladys]

A Shadow in the Blazing Light

Broken and battered, I slipped away through the dim-lit streets of Amaurot. It was amazing how empty the gargantuan walkways were -- save an occasional spectre, only interested in chastising me as if I were a child. If I had any fight left in me, I’m sure I would’ve given them the old “talk or die” routine. But that destructive sensation flowing through me kept me in check. Sheer hopelessness was all I could muster even as I pushed onward, the searing pain of light mutilating every nerve in my body. I tried, I really tried to put on a strong face for those who remained by my side. Yet I truly did yearn for this to be my end. For the light to shatter every bone in my body with every memory that remained. Why? Why must it always be me? I’m only one girl, yet it always falls on me. Because I was blessed with Her divine curse. Magnificent skyscrapers caved me in with a lingering familiarity. Spacious, yet claustrophobic. I scorned the one who sent me on this neverending mission. For every life I’ve saved, there’s been a fragment in my heart waiting for mine to end. I told myself over and over that the world needed me. Ha, how what a load of shite. This city that I -- or whoever I was -- once called home. My final resting place would be the shadow of a long-gone paradise, it too meant only to fade away in despair.

...Had Ardbert not noticed my will to live evaporate, I may not be here today. The pain subsided as his spirit grabbed hold of my face. He gave me a wake-up slap on the cheeks, though his palms were still transparent and touchless. The look on his face was destitute, yet determined. “Is that really all you’ve got, Mana? After all that work, you’re just going to let the wretched light win over?”

Tch, as if. I’ve always been a stubborn one when it came to my pride as a dark knight, and I wasn’t about to let that slip. I drew my blade and smashed it onto the concrete, pulling myself up, my ankles still stinging from the light. I could barely walk and wanted nothing more than to die right there, but something kept me limping forward, a voice in my head reminding me I wasn’t allowed to give up. No matter how much it hurt, don’t give up. That sliver of strength keeping me going… Fray, that was you, wasn’t it?




(Scarf of Wondrous Wit)

[o_0]

It was the grand opening of my bar and the wedding reception of two friends of mine, a ribbon-cutting tie-the-knot bonanza, and things were wildly out of hand. Barely half a bell in, three roast dodos were demolished and someone had faceplanted in the shortcake. A silver-haired Miqo'te had gotten cuffed to the bar to prevent him free access to the kegs, but it was too late to confiscate the one he was already draining. Perfect strangers were macking in the corner by the fireplace at a volume to rival the orchestrion. The groom was sprawled across the couch with one drink in him and his new wife was balancing a glass of Lominsan Red on his forehead. Glancing out a window as I brought another round of Shroud perry to a cluster of Triple Triad players, I saw my barmaid heave a Hyur bodily into the pond.

So the party was going well.

A pair of Lalafell gamboled underfoot as I made my way back to the bar past an Au'ra whose chin was dribbling with the juice of the damson in her partner's hand. Our mountain of a guildmaster was smiling genially at the room at large as he nodded off against one wall. A gangly Elezen flashed me a handsign and a wink; returning the latter, I reached beneath the bar and filled a tumbler with Garlean Oil--I know, I know, questionable legality and all that, but at least it was better than the group huffing ceruleum fumes outside by the campfire, which I certainly did not see at the time, thank you officer, and I can't remember their faces neither.

A Hyuran woman with a splash of Merry Mogharita on her muslin was scratching sigils on my countertop in an attempt to summon sobriety, hunched under the weight of the Roegadyn snoring on her shoulder. One overproud acquaintance was loudly proclaiming his victories in the arena; I awarded him with a pint of porter spiked with a hefty aperient--he was clearly full of shite. The cuffed Miqo'te with a hollow leg and, now, a hollow keg was casting about for something new; the chef lit up and slid a tub of untouched mandragora stew toward him.

Above the wine rack sat my bouncer, Finneas, keeping a watchful eye on the chaos. His yellow-and-black warpaint was enough to give anyone who spotted him a moment of pause. Of course, this was in part due to his being a fish mouthing soundlessly through the glass of his tank, but the idea of this fish being employed as a bouncer in the finest bar in the realms implied that he was godsdamned good at his job.

My staff and I shared a glance and inserted our earplugs as the opening lines of Eorzea's most famous song came over the orchestrion. In moments, the floorspace was filled to an ilm of capacity as the cadre of drunkards began howling the lines of "Answers" with all the harmony of a sack of gaelicats.

This was around the time the cuffed Miqo'te escaped his bonds and began stripping on the counter. But that's a story for another time.


-Tethys Alke, "Memoirs of a Cat with No Lives"

Bluebird Earring, please!

[Pinku]

Dear, whom it may concern

I have many found memories playing Final Fantasy Fourteen for the PC. I first heard about Final Fantasy Fourteen from a fan run panel at Anime Festival Orlando (AFO) 2017. I was reluctant to start an anther subscription based MMORPG game as my first experience with a MMORPG was on a game where you could pick a goddesses of light to play or a goddesses of darkness to play by a company that I don’t think exist anymore that I can’t remember the name of did not end while. After attending the panel “The history of Final Fantasy Throughout the ages.” I pre-ordered the three-pack combination of A Realm Reborn, Havensword and Bloodstrom from amazon. I have yet to finish Bloodstrom but I ended up per-ordering the collector edition download of Shadowbringers from the square-nix website.

What made Final Fantasy Fourteen so attractive was that it was very single person friendly and there was the option of having more than one job on a single character. Now two years later I am a part of two FC companies and I have six characters. Even through you can multi-job on Final Fantasy Fourteen I still enjoy playing different races. Other things that make Final Fantasy Fourteen so fun to play is the long in-depth story line of the main quest line and each expansion pack has its own story unique to that expansion pack it’s like four Final Fantasy games in one Final Fantasy game.

I cried when Papalymo died and Minfilia got trapped somewhere in between the world of Aetheryte and the world of Final Fantasy Fourteen. I have been utterly shocked to the bone when I find out that yda was actually Lisa and a bit confusion but once I head her side of things why she lied about who she was things made a little more sense. I laughed when Y’shtola slapped Thancred for making that comment about her being as naked as her name day. This was when Y’shtola was pulled out of the world of Aetheryte. I remember feeling on top of the world when I slayed Midgardsormr and his dragon kin. I have felt invincible when I stormed Doma castle built into the hills overlooking the waters below the far east with the help of lord Hien. Just to name a few of my Favorite main quest line memories.

Now I must become the Warrior of darkness. Honestly, I have been staling because I am not sure what things will be like on the Dark Side and I have become fond of being the warrior of light.

Your Friend,
Usagikyo Chitsuki
Zalera
Noble Barding

[Slapprfish]

<The message you're holding appears to have been written by an incredibly precise hand, as if the words themselves were directly projected onto the paper.>

-=MESSAGE_BEGIN=-

GREETINGS, BEING OF ACCEPTABLE INTELLIGENCE. I AM DESIGNATED AS "MODEL IX-V." I AM ONE OF A NUMBER OF SPECIALIZED SELF-AWARE ALLAGAN COMBAT AUTOMATONS. AND YOUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO BE IN GREAT DANGER.

DO NOT PANIC.

APPROXIMATELY FIVE THOUSAND YEARS AGO, THE CELESTIAL BODY DESIGNATED AS "DALAMUD" WAS CREATED AS A PRISON FOR THE EIKON DESIGNATED AS "BAHAMUT," AND LAUNCHED FAR INTO THE SKY. HOWEVER, MY CREATORS HAD NOTED THAT ANY OBJECT BEARING UPWARD VELOCITY IS EVENTUALLY EXPECTED TO OBTAIN DOWNWARD VELOCITY.

AND SO, I, AND ALL PREVIOUS ITERATIONS OF MY DESIGN, WERE CREATED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DESTROYING BAHAMUT, AND WERE PUT INTO STASIS TO BE REACTIVATED AT THE EXACT TIME OF DALAMUD'S RE-ENTRY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE PORTION OF LAND CONTAINING MY CREATORS' LABORATORY HAS BEEN EJECTED FROM THE REST OF THE AIRBORNE RESEARCH FACILITY DESIGNATED AS "AZYS LLA," AND HAS CRASHED SOMEWHERE IN THE OPEN OCEAN, LEAVING ME STRANDED UPON A SMALL ISLAND.

CURRENT COORDINATES UNKNOWN. FLOODING DAMAGE TO THE MAIN LAB HAS RENDERED ACCESS TO ANY TRANSPORTATION INACCESSIBLE. COMMUNICATION SIGNALS WITH ALL OTHER MODELS HAVE BEEN LOST. OPERATING AT INSUFFICIENT ENERGY LEVELS FOR SUSTAINED FLIGHT.

LACKING ANY OTHER FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE, I HAVE SEARCHED MY DATA BANKS, AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT SENDING TRANSCRIBED WORDS ADRIFT INSIDE A SEALED CONTAINER IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THAT IT REACHES THE HANDS OF A BEING CAPABLE OF PERFORMING ALL TASKS REQUIRED.

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO PREVENT THE RETURN OF BAHAMUT: YOU MUST TRAVEL TO THE FAR E... ... I... ... ... LOCATE ... SIGNAL... ... TS...

... ACTIVATE... ... YOU... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...SP ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

<This part of the message is too stained with water to properly read.>

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...O ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ON... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...YB...

... ... ... ... ... ... ... A ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..RD ... ... ... ...TROY BAHAMUT.

DO NOT SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH ANY OTHER BEINGS, ORGANIC OR OTHERWISE. THIS TASK MUST BE DISCRETELY CARRIED OUT IN ORDER TO SUCCEED.

GLORY TO XANDE.

-=MESSAGE_END=-



(I'll take the Scarf of Wondrous Wit, thanks!)

[Jinx_Shinjiraku]

To whom this letter has arrived,


I hope your path to this note was a kind one. I am writing you this while staring at a view that I wouldn't have imagined was even possible at the start of my journey. Though, as I look to the horizon all I can do is think back to a moment I shared with him.

To a time before the war against the Empire, even farther back when we fought the dragons and explored the frigid terrains of Ishgard. Nearer to the time when the rogues established a guild in Limsa. Back to a time where our paths were only beginning and our eyes were alight with imagination of the future. I look upon this sight now and reminisce of the horizon in the Lavender Beds with him, when we bought a small plot of land for our free company and began our adventure together just him and I. We are still together, even now under that name, flourishing.

Though I would not change the path we walked, part of me yearns fondly for that simpler time when the two of us were starting our quest as partners. I remember I could barely figure out how to walk straight, let alone heal someone properly. White mage or scholar were my only choices back then. I should have guessed I would be a bookworm. He showed me how to heal through a vicious cycle of trial and error, giving me options until I found the vocation that felt right for myself. Believe me, he probably was beat up more than I was, putting himself in harm's way in order for me to learn what I was doing. “Wrong, no, try again.” His words still ring through my mind, but it was all so new to me. Despite being new to this world, he was still an experienced adventurer and I am almost remorseful to admit, I hated it, every single minute. It felt like I was trudging through mud as I figured it out, but what I didn't hate was spending that time together with him as we explored the lands and dungeons of Eorzea .

We grew and learned from each other, a trial by fire as they say. These were some of my favorite memories, nearly forgotten before I began this letter. Now I am able to look back at them and log them forever in our history. The start of a company, of an adventure, of just a time together in our lives. I would not imagine that roughly six years later we would still be here in this amazing world that always seems brimming with new adventures, giving me many chances to make even more memories with him, along with all the other friends I have gained along the way.

When you are so focused on the direction you are heading, you sometimes forget to appreciate and savor where you are at that moment until it has long past. Treasure every instant and memory you have, because you do not know when it will fade away.

Sincerely,
One side of the Demon's Mask

(bluebird earrings if i win, please.)

[KisaValkyrie]

Sister....

It has been many moons since we started on our journey through Eorzea. Both of us decided to walk the path of healing at first and traveled to Gridania to the conjurer's guild. There we would help many adventurer through the varies dungeons.

We traveled from Gridania to Limsa Lominsa to Ul'dah and even Mor Dhona. Remember how Mor Dhona was nothing more then some tents and a few makeshift buildings. Now with the paved roads and sturdy buildings- it's much difference then when we walked though for the first time.

We battled at the Praetorium and became heroes.

Then life got in the way. We traveled less and less with each other. I still kept up with my White Mage studies but also started to study the ways of the Black Mage. We still traveled, though not always together. I have seen many sights and often wondered if you have seen what I have seen.

Now that we have come to the First, it was wonderful to see you again and to start some new adventures together.

To many more adventures together.

Your Sister


(Noble barding if I get selected.

[AkiraAmaryllis]

“Can we climb the lighthouse in the car?”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“The lighthouse. There’s one in every Shirogane housing ward, and there’s a jump puzzle to get to the top. Do you think we can climb it in the Regalia?”
“Like, four of us get into the Regalia, and you jump us to the top?”
“Yeah.”
“There isn’t a lot of room for error.”
“I know.”
“It’ll probably take a while. Possibly a few hours.”
“Possibly.”
A beat. Then.
“Well, we definitely can’t if we don’t try.”

(Prize: Gaelicap)

[AlessiaIbryiil]

Early on, my heart was as cold as an unlit hearth in the middle of a Coerthan winter.

Maybe that’s too overdramatic?

I still think upon what happened to the Scions and I in Ul’dah – the betrayal we didn’t expect, the losses I couldn’t come to terms with… It happened so long ago now, but some days when I remember, I feel as though I’m reliving the whole thing.

I remember trudging through the wind and snow, away from the place I’d spent the last few years of my life and had grown to know as home, to find refuge in a place that I had thought was unwelcoming to adventurers such as myself.

Spurned and looked down upon by those that had once called me “hero”, I felt my mind clouded with dark thoughts.

I remember finally arriving, chilled to the bone, when the atmosphere suddenly shifted.

I was surrounded by warmth.

Given comfort and safety when I felt the entire world was out to get me.

A place where I was known not as “hero” nor “champion”, but as “friend”.

The cold hearth was lit.

I learned a few things during my time in Dragonhead: one was that hot chocolate is a drink that warms the body and the soul, and another was that there is always good in this world, no matter how bad it may seem.

I don’t think I ever truly thanked you for the hospitality that you offered to my comrades and I… but I hope you know how grateful I truly am.

- Your Warrior and Friend



[Noble barding, please! <3 ]

[Locryn]

You would be surprised how much it seems to rain in Western Thanalan when you are waiting for that one perfect morning.

I had filled my pack with lugworms earlier in the week in preparation for my trip to Cape Westwind and right on cue a thick bank of clouds had rolled in off the ocean.
People are not so thrilled to have you in their businesses when you smell of week old lugworms and even the local Sky Watcher's patience was wearing thin with my increasingly pungent presence.

But finally my perfect morning was here, clear and fantastically blue!
I found myself a quiet cliff edge and drank in all that blue, the sky kissing the ocean as far as the eye can see and no idea where one ends and the other begins.

They say there is a sawfish of titanic proportions that can been seen in these waters on a clear morning like this. That it comes to feed on the migrating wahoo, a sharp toothy fish that frequents these parts… and that was my plan. I would catch the fattest, juiciest wahoo and with it I would lure in this legendary sawfish.
Big fish eat little fish, so my father used to say, never be the little fish.

Catching a wahoo is not so simple, Big fish eat little fish and the wahoo eats Merlthor goby and I wanted to catch the sleekest wahoo so first I must catch the plumpest of goby!

The sun crept higher as my perfect morning melted away, I had thrown back more skinny gobies and malnourished wahoo than I cared to count. I cast again and again.
Every tug on the line my heart leapt with anticipation, would this be the roundest of goby? Ah! And it was!
I threw out my line again, would luck strike twice? Succulent wahoo? Something caught my line and I had to fight it.
Scooting back to square off my feet on the rock I pulled in my catch, what a beauty it was! WAHOO indeed!

Prize wahoo still hooked, my pulse thundering in my ears this was it. I would not get another chance today.
My bobber…. Bobbed! I dig in my heels and start reeling. It’s big, could it be? This must be it, the monster sawfish! The beast of Brewer’s Beacon!

I keep on the pressure I know a moment of slack and my line could snap, let him tire, steady, steady I draw him in.

I felt I fought the line for hours but it must have been only minutes when I caught the first glimpse of something massive breaking the surface of the water, it’s lithe silver body twisting in the salt spray, A silver shark!
A SILVER SHARK!?! I fell backwards laughing at the ridiculousness of it but the shark was furious and still thrashing on the line.
So I set him free back out into the impossible blue.
Somewhere between the sea and the sky where I can only dream to follow…

… but I’ll be back…

… On the next perfect morning… I’ll be back.



(Noble Barding)

[indunno]

I write this entry for a friend who walks in the dark.

We have walked this echo many times over. Standing here at the edge of Eden’s massive shape. Countless times have we come to lay rest this weary soul. And many times have we failed. Although, perhaps not failed; for she does not know victory, nor can we arbiters of Hydaelyn ever truly know defeat. And for that blessing(curse?) Her end has already been forseen.

She towers over us, the Voidwalker, as we call her. That name is aptly given, although I’m not sure anyone else that was summoned here quite understands. Every time I face a foe, I commune deep into the abyss just as he showed me. To make sure this soul or any soul is not unjustly slain in the name of her light. And in this moment I see what I always see. Myself and my shadow looming behind me. However, ever since coming to Eden’s precipice, another has stood there. A soul stained in the void. A soul wracked with pain and guilt. A soul that cannot be there. Only two have ever walked into that darkness, that abyss, that...night and remained. Clearly she was once like he and I. A warrior who walked this dark path that teetered between justice and sacrifice.

I complete my communion for this round’s echo. However, I realize that this time is different. I can feel the air vibrating; it’s searing numbness burning my lungs. I can feel the others anxiety and anger jumping from their eyes. What could have changed? Is it the countless echoes that we’ve walked before arriving to this point? The anger felt deep in our hearts after failing to eliminate her? Or is it simply our time to lay rest yet another forsaken soul tainted by the source’s light. This time I feel abyss calling to me stronger than usual. I can feel it itching and ready to take another soul deep into its yawning depths. Tugging at the soul crystal that I hold close to my heart, I can feel the living shadow, Esteem —although it’s not quite Esteem— about ready to jump out from the shadow cast by Voidwalker herself.

Before jumping into the fray, I commune one last time within myself. Searching deep inside for what could be different this time. It’s all the same. Me, the outsider, and my shadow. And in that moment I know that nothing has changed. All things must end and this moment is simply hers. I offer a final prayer for her, so that she may find comfort in what is to come. Although I know this one has lost all forms of self to even know comfort anymore. Perhaps these prayers are more to comfort myself...

“Do not be afraid child, for whom is also stained in black. For you however, the Void is not a kind place. It has swallowed you in its unending wake. Please rest easy in knowing that your sins shall be forgiven in the great flame of the abyss. Now sleep dearest one, come forth unto The Blackest Night and you shall truly know peace.”

***

Then the outsider is gone. Two continue to walk the path and one enters a restful slumber.

[Noble Barding]