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

[Taashiel_Tailios]

Hello, Friend,

As a bard, I am well versed in recounting stories through my life or stories of old. How many great feats I have witnessed and countless deaths which still haunt me to my dreams. Victories I will cherish and loses I will carry to the grave. It is rather strange when I recount my adventures, the one that dances a smile to my face is not one of a great victory against a large and fierce foe. It's not when I was bonded to my wife or to my husband. Nor was it the many holiday parties my Free Company has hosted. But in true bard fashion, I will tell you this memory by song.

In the shadow of the Gates of Judgement,
A freezing day upon the Steps of Faith.
Citizens lives were on the line,
A once noble companion turned to a wraith.

A city I have come to call my home,
About to be razed by a man who swore to protect.
Possessed by a being whose rage immeasurable,
The eyes having taken effect.

It was up to me and my friends to save him,
To save the city once more.
But even with all my might,
The task was nothing less than a war.

But in the deepest moment,
When all that we worked for looked lost.
There were two friendly phantoms,
Two dear friends who paid the ultimate cost.

A man who's smile never faded,
A woman who's heart melted from ice,
Took hold of my hands and gave me strength,
So I too wouldn't pay the price.

With all of our might, and all of our hope,
We separated the armor from the eyes.
"Into the abyss!" The Lord Commander shouted.
Down they went, into the depths, never to rise.

One friend still living,
Saved by two who have met the grave.
For those, we have lost,
And for those, we can yet save.


Let this tale be a lesson, dear friend who has found this message. I've already told the song, I need to stop rhyming now. Ahem, as I was saying. When things seem to look the darkest, there are always friends who will carry you on to the next victory. I will never forget the pain I felt when Haurchefant was murdered. Watching him sacrifice himself for me, and die in Aymeric's arms. But I will never forget his parting words.

"Please, do not look at me so. A smile better suits a hero."

I carry those words with me everywhere I go. As a reminder that people are looking up to me. The Warrior of Light. The Savior of Eorzea and many more titles I have come to brandish. None of them I rightly care for, because those titles are built on the headstones of the fallen. But, to stop now would only put their sacrifices in vain. So, I keep going. I keep fighting. I don't stop and I don't give in. Hundreds and thousands of lives are counting on me, the Warrior of Light and now the Warrior of Darkness.

Sincerely,
Taashiel Tailios
~Sky Singer~

If you find my tale worthy, I would appreciate the Noble Barding.