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

[Tannlore]

From the journal of Tannlore Belegeria:

Smoke, ash, blood… these scents linger still in my nose all these years when my mind wanders back to that day. The heavy, oppressive aether of the elder primal clung to every fiber of my being, down to my soul. My eyes, filled with the rancor and seething hatred given form in the shape of an impending terra flare, could scarlessly believe what they were seeing. I and my companions had lost all hope, was it all for naught? But then it all vanished, in a blinding flash of light and aether unlike that of Bahamut; this aether was filled with hope. I was moving, being sent somewhere, but where? One by one my companions vanished before my eyes, until it was my turn. I turned my gaze behind me in time to see the world vanish, instead replaced by stillness, beauty, calm and peace.



I was in the twelveswood once more. But, how did I get here? Where exactly was I? I had explored these woods to the very dark depths and never had I seen a place like this. It was like waking from a nightmare, and I was happy for it. Somehow, I knew I was sent forward in time, beyond the reach of that calamity. My heart soared for joy that Eorzea had somehow survived that looming doom of flame and destruction, though mine eyes could see the scars in the land left in its wake. But was I alone? I could think of one friend to call.

I let out a whistle, a clarion call to my companion, my chocobo, “Hurricane”. We had been through much over the years. Was he still alive? Was he still looking for me? As silence greeted mine ears, my heart began to sink. Was I so naive to believe that he would survive such an event? But, then a reply, a clear “Wark” from the woods. I know that call, I’ve known it since he and I took to our journey together. Had he been waiting for me all this time?

With a sudden burst of movement, a yellow blur lept towards me. However, I did not panic. I knew this blur, I knew this bird, and before he could scarcely come to a halt, mine arms were wrapped around him. After seeing such anguish and devastation, to find happiness in this simple moment, to be reunited with my old friend, was beyond my ability to put into words until many years later in these pages. The years had been good to him. Someone had donned him in armor I did not recognize and marked him with a strange glyph upon his beak; one I would later discover upon mine own back as well.

My friend still journeys with me. Though I have been gifted many a steed of various kinds, from mechanical to magical, my companion still fights at my side. Together we journey on, as we always have, as we always will making memories to last a lifetime and beyond. Should you come across these pages, think of my companion. Spend a moment to remember and consider his contributions to mine battles. Battles, that saved the lives of countless people here and on another star. Remember the joy this simple chocobo brought to the heart of the Warrior of Light.



[Thanks for the read! My choice is the Gaelicap!]