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

[fadeddreamss]

It had been a few days since we arrived in Il Mheg, and we still hadn't stopped for a moment to rest. In the rush to complete our mission, we ended up forgetting ourselves, forgetting that we not only need food to nurture our bodies, but also words to nurture our souls. Upon reaching Pla Enni, I realized how much you needed someone to confide in. That talk by the cliff left me thinking, and so I decided to do something to make you feel better. Little did I know that the cooking supplies I usually brought with me would be so useful.

After wandering around, I stumbled upon a wild berry shrub. The little red fruits that grew from it had an interesting shape and after checking that they were edible, I crushed them into a seemingly tasty concoction and produced a few ice shards in my pouch, that I would use to turn the liquid into popsicles. I poured the juice in a small mould I used for chocolates and placed little metal sticks in them. We wouldn’t need to wait long to savor our treats.

The afternoon got to us sooner than we could realize. Of course, the atmosphere, eternally lit by the dense clouds of light-aspected aether, completely disorienting our senses, prevented our bodies from understanding when it was time to rest. We sat down for a moment by the cliff to appreciate the view, although we knew we were running out of time, so I had to make this moment count. I picked up in my pouch the treats I had made earlier that day and offered you one. The surprise in on your face when you realized that it was nothing more than frozen juice on a stick was priceless, but the reaction that came after, when you tried yours, was what made this moment so special. Your face contorted for a moment when the berry flavor took over your mouth and you felt the little sparks exploding on your tongue. Then laughter took over the moment, echoing through the cliff side and making even the shroud of light look like a beautiful aurora. You were such a serious child, the weight of responsibility always on your shoulders… and I knew that feeling all too well. Seeing your face light up like that was the real treat and it gave me strength to keep going, to save this forsaken world. To make this right for you and for many others who, like you, had never experienced the joy of the night, something we took for granted in the Source.

We spent a few minutes eating our popsicles, bonding over something so simple before we needed to get back to our responsibilities. And so we named this little fruit, this fruit that tasted like a rolandberry yet exploded in our mouths and tinted our tongues blue, “Pixieberries”. And it seemed that, not only did the fruit gain a name in that moment, but I gained something as well. A little sister.

I'm really proud of the strong girl you became in our journey, and I look forward to what surprises you're going to show me next.

Your Big Brother,
Galahad

[Item of choice: Noble Barding, please ]

[Kaminila]

I remember the day fully well. I just transferred servers, to a less populated one, and had essentially left my old friends behind. I was anxious, nervous, but I knew I had to leave so I could have a clean start. I was afraid that I wouldn’t find anywhere to go. What I didn’t know, was that there was an amazing FC waiting for me: Limit Break. When I first joined, I didn’t know what to say. Everyone was speaking their own minds and the filters were off. But, after a while, the FC Leader, Edicius, decided to talk to me, and then many, many other members began talking to me. It brought me out of my shell, and it made me feel safe. It gave me a place to call home in this new server. I’ve made so many friends, some whom I’ve even met in real life. Even my IRL boyfriend joined FFXIV and the FC to meet these amazing people, and he doesn’t regret it. Now, after 4 years of being in this FC, I became an officer, and can also find and help others looking to find a new home. To my FC members,thank you. For helping me find the place where I belong. I promise that you won’t regret your choice.



(Thank you for reading, if possible, I would like the Gaelicap!)

[sassycatbowman]

I've only been playing Final Fantasy XIV Online for 4 months, this day that I actually bought and subscribed to the game. I've had friends talk about how much they've loved the game, but I've also saw some bad reviews from the game on social media. I took a leap of faith and invested in getting the game for my PS4.

This is by far the best game I ever bought! I have so many memories throughout these last few short months of playing, but my favorite thing is when I started actually playing the game. I haven't played MMO's in such a long time, so all the feelings of playing such came flooding back. I've had so many laughs that came out, so many tears shed, and everything in between.

The best thing that this game brought me is that I can connect to my friends that play this game and I've made new ones. I finally understand why they love this game so much. The story line is amazing and the characters that I meet are so lovable. The Final Fantasy Franchise has helped me out so much, but I've never been so invested in an MMO until now. Thank you Square Enix for this amazing game and bringing such an amazing story to life.

(Prize: Noble Barding)

[ZeroAeolus]

Hello Friend
If you are reading this then five years had passed. Oh how I miss the sea of Lisma. I remember arriving one day to meet with the city leader and was blown away by everything. I love the sound of the sea along with adventurers walking and chatting. Felt like home to me. So I made it my home. After every dungeons, primals or even training, I would come back and just sit by the crystal and enjoy the views before dozing off. Till Sea Swallows All my friend

The Maelstrom adventurer
Zero Yuno

(I would like the scarf please)

[NoraBelle]

Dear Gracious Reader –

I am shipwrecked on an uninhabited island, which our navigator believes to be somewhere in the Sea of Ash. As we wait for rescue, which I have been assured is on its way, I have found myself overburdened with time, bottles and parchment. So, I wish to regale you with a story from my past. One of a starry-eyed adventurer and of a success, that while minimal to most, meant the world to her.

Years ago, before she was the Warrior of Darkness at the Crystalarium, or adventuring in the Azim Steppe. Before talking dragons, stoic Vanu Vanu and the beauty that was Ishgard. There was Mor Dhona. A crumbling, yet mystical hot spot for so many adventurers. Yes, this was back when she was a starry-eyed, yet somewhat battle-tested Warrior of Light Miqo’te.

In Revenant’s Toll, adventurers in need could be heard shouting, requesting assistance with facing down one of the fearsome primals wreaking havoc, but Nora was still too inexperienced to take down the likes of Shiva or Titan. The greatest trial she faced then was one so many others never thought twice of, a jumping puzzle. For in Revenant’s Toll, if you were just agile enough, you could scale the wall behind the eastern gates to a lovely vantage point of the landscape. Including the ominous, yet beautiful, Crystal Tower. Agility was not a strong suit for Nora. She hadn't yet gone through the grueling training to learn the ways of the Bard and Ninja. She wasn't yet prepared for the nimbleness required for this task. Countless bruises and trips to her healer acquaintance were required. Being that healer acquaintance, I saw the effort she put forth. The determination to succeed and the aggravation that came with each fall. I asked why it was so important to her, and her answer was always the same – “I feel I like I could take on the world if I could just see it from a higher perspective.”

It hit me then that this was not truly about the grandiose landscape or the glory of triumph over the task. This was to show herself if she could do this, she could do it all. It took days, but finally, one particularly clear night, she made it. I could hear her cheering and I could feel her joy from the Aetheryte crystal. I was genuinely delighted for her. I have never forgotten the giant grin on her face I saw while looking up at her.

My point in rambling on about this, is to tell you that one day you may find yourself questioning if your own goals are menial. Do not let anyone sway you from them, even yourself. Each of us walk our own paths and have our own ambitions. If you ever start to feel as though you are “falling behind” your peers, think of Nora and her quest and if you should happen to see a struggling party aiming for a goal that seems purposeless, cheer them on. I know I do.

With Gratitude and Encouragement,
The Roaming Scholar



(Prize choice: Gaelicap)

[Suzume39]

I have traveled to hundreds of lands, have met thousands of people. I have helped numerous empires rise and watched just as many crumble. Home is not a place for me. I am too much of a wanderer for that. Yet while it is in my nature to never linger in one place for too long, I find myself doing exactly that, here in this place.

Eorzea.

When I first stumbled upon this land many years ago, I didn’t know what to expect. At the time, it was yet another world to pass through, another place that just was. Yet here I remain, even today, never straying too far from it.

Where I come from, there are no stars. The light of civilization has long drowned out the light of the heavens. So to see the stars here, so many of them, so brilliantly every night, I was reminded of something I had long forgotten.

Hope.

The first night I arrived in Gridania and looked up, I must have stared at the sky for hours. With the stars as beautiful and as numerous as there are people, so too are the possibilities. For anything and everything.

Dreams. Friendship. Love.

Like in the heavens above, we are but one star in an entire sky of stars, part of a world among infinite worlds. So when faced with complete and utter hopelessness, do not despair. For there is no darkness without light, no struggle without victory. Anything and everything is possible and within your reach. All you need remember is to reach out and grasp it.

A Fellow Wanderer

************

Preferred Prize: Bluebird Earring

[TmiMeomeo]

The spires of Limsa Lominsa rose before T’mi. She had almost forgotten the Lominsan sun--she had been away from Eorzea for so long. The first thing the Miqo’te did was check her mail. “What was the last letter that you received for me?”

The Moogle went through his bag. After an eternity, he twirled in the air. “Last letter was from Elistipha Mar, 2043 days ago. Kupo!”

The shock registered on T’mi’s face. “Two thousand days? Wait, I’d like to send a letter to Elistipha,” T’mi announced.

“Sorry, kupo!” the moogle replied. “You may only send letters to people on your friends list! You have no friends.”

T’mi’s face fell, her purple bangs covering her eyes. “I have no friends?”

*

The first thing that T’mi did was take up the pickaxe. Though her retainer Purim encouraged T’mi to reconnect with the rest of the Scions, Alena, having managed the finances for the past five years, encouraged T’mi to make some gil. After a mining trip, she was setting up her spinning wheel when someone addressed her. “Excuse me, traveller.”

She was exquisite. She had narrow horns framing her dark face and wore a long green dress of an Eastern style that suggested that she was some kind of dancer. “Hello, adventurer. Are you new to Limsa Lominsa? I found a tame sparrow and I’m looking for a kind person who might take care of it.”

In this adventurer’s hands, she held a bird cage. T’mi’s first feeling was alarm. Who was this person? What did she want from her? But she had a soft smile on her face. T’mi extended her arm and the adventurer opened the bird’s cage. The sparrow obediently hopped out, took flight for a moment, but, on cue, landed on T’mi’s arm and then hopped over to her shoulder. “It’s so cute,” she murmured.

“It likes you,” the adventurer said. “How are you enjoying Limsa Lominsa?”

“I, it’s going well,” T’mi lied. She wasn’t quite sure whether she should mention that she had spent a lot of time there five or so years ago.

“That’s wonderful,” she gushed. “It’s always great to see new faces around here. I’m Rhy’atria,” she added.

T’mi and Rhy’atria talked. T’mi told her the story of her namesake--a legendary Miqo’te of the T clan who spent his last days combing his luxurious tail. Rhy’atria told T’mi about fishing.

“Are you looking for a Free Company, T’mi?” Rhy’atria asked.

T’mi hesitated. In her short time back, she had been hounded by people asking her to join their Free Companies. The road sparrow chirped happily. T’mi stuttered. “What kind of Free Company is it?”

“We’re a small group. We do a little bit of everything.”

T’mi looked down. “I’m... looking for some old friends. I could join, but I might leave at any moment to look for them."

“Don’t worry,” Rhy’atria said. “Even if you leave, you’ll always be welcomed back with open arms.”

That sealed it for T’mi. “I’ll do it. Thank you.”


(Gaelicap)

[Gilgameshtanktop]

A’drani picked up two tankards and went outside to the rest of the group. There he sat accompanied by Druga Flinn. A female Au’ra, who’s eyes were fixated on the night sky on a table were 3 cards.
“Good news?” A’drani asked.
Druga placed her hand on a card and before she turned it she looked at her husband. She had performed this reading many times already and the same card came up, each time. Adrian put his hands on hers. “People defy fate everyday”
They held each other there sipped the hot cider in there tankards and watched the night sky.

“THIS IS THE RHYTHM OF THE LIGHT” Titania bellowed her eyes fixated on Kitty Axe
“SECOND STACK” She called out to A’drani who rushed to her side and they stood shoulder to shoulder looking the Fae King in it’s pale face. Adrian endured the light his aura keeping him safe. He looked to Kitty Axe and saw only her Axe. She was gone.
A shriek of pain could be heard from high above Titania’s head and grew louder and Kitty spear came down with all her might on the Fae King. She was hurting the Fae king had taken her sister and from her and now she had the blood of the dragon flowing through her and began to hack and slash wildy.
“NO FAIR, YOU PLAY ROUGH!” Titania said. She brought down her scepter and Kitty Spear was suddenly could not control her body and walked toward a very steep ledge and to her death.
A’drani watched as The Fae King had killed his friends one by one. Daimen’s body lie crushed in mangled heap Titania’s minions having pummeled him. Axe was gone now too and her sister Spear. Druga and A’drani were all who remained. A’drani summoned all his strength and Grit and provoked Titania. Meldonya watched as her husband, delirious and consumed with darkness began to cut away at the King and as he did, his flesh began to peel away and turn to ash. Druga raised her globe and tried to help him but his voice shrieked out.
“SAVE...THEM!”
Druga felt the energy rush through her and A’drani spilled blood across the platform. She raised her globe and felt the aetherial energy flow out of her. The cards she had fluttered in the wind and encircled her and she could see every star in Eorzea. The constellations greeted her and bestowed bright light all over the platform. Instantly, all those who were felled by the Fae King were alive again. A’drani took a deep breath his features returning and bit of bone and muscle regrowing where it was lost. It all happened so quickly but everyone without missing a second thought rushed the king. Striking with a newfound ferocity The Fae King became overwhelmed dropping to its knees and toppling over. The adventurers rejoiced and with tear filled eyes the lover’s embraced.
(Who doesn't love a good ol' healer LB3, Noble Barding)

[Denki-Kun]

I hope this somehow reaches you. If not, then whoever is reading this please listen to my heartfelt plea to a beloved friend.


I still remember they day I lost you to that tower. My heart shattered as you said goodbye. There was nothing I could do to ease my heart as I accepted the fate you had chosen. Days passed as you still remained on my memory, swearing to never give up on freeing you from your self exile. You wished to stay by my side, and I wish I could of granted that for you.

Heartbreak is never easy. Even after we were given refuge into Ishgard, my mind still kept you with me. I tried dearly not to get to close to anyone out of fear of losing them, and the one time I let that slip, I lost again. Never will I get close to anyone again as I got close to you. I will wait for the day I can free you and fufill the promise we made. After all, I took up archery because of the bow you gifted me, and I plan to be a full fledged bard and make you proud.

Let’s promise to meet back in the place we first met when you wake. I’m sure Cid and the others will be happy to see you. I’ll bring La Nocsea Oranges.

Please take care my dear friend. Until the tower sets you free.

A very hopeful Lalafell.


(I'd like the Bluebird Earrings Please.)

[Gouka_Grimm]

My, it has been quite some time.

That night, I had joined a group to help slay Tsukuyomi as a Dark Knight, with our warrior friend whom had given us several problems before taking their leave. Then that's when you came, a Paladin.
Hearing this tale, your response was "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe." I had taken as a jest at first, but you really meant it. The longer the battle raged on, the more those words had taken an effect on me seeing you perform this job with ease.
Being new to my job and role, I had looked up to you. I wanted to be to people what you were to me, someone who took away any anxiety someone might have when doing a new job or role, someone you can count on.
I managed to get my weapon and I have held the weapon every since that moment due to what that meant to me. I hope these words have reached you, and more so that you remember, so that you'll know the impact you've had since I haven't been able to tell you myself. I wonder if I've become more like you?

Your's truly, a Dark Knight.

(Bluebird Earrings, Gouka Grimm from Goblin)