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

[HyoMinPark]

How many years have come and gone since that day?

I arrived in Gridania in search of a new home, naught but a bow and quiver attached to my back and a name that nobody knew. I became an Adventurer in this city-state, and the moment I put quill to book and signed my name, my life was irrevocably changed. All without me knowing how much a simple signature and a few good deeds would change it. The day I was inducted into the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, there was no going back.

I would like to think my life changed for the better, despite the hardship and losses I have suffered. Which have both been anything but small in number; and which left in their wake holes that may never be filled. I put on the brave and stoic face of everyone’s Savior: the Warrior of Light. Or, as I am now known on a realm far away from home, the Warrior of Darkness. And I put it on because I have to wear this face. People count on me far to much for me to afford to falter; for me to afford to give in to the pain that will never be forgotten. I must be their light, their darkness, their hope for a brighter future and the dawning of a new day. And really, it is what I desire.

But a part of me knows how much I truly suffer. I think, deep down, you do, too. No, I know that you do. You would have me acknowledge it—you would have me not shy away from the pain of loss. Because said loss makes me stronger. I may think it cripples me, but you know better. You know it empowers me, and not in the way pain drives some to desperation and vengeance. Not in the way sorrow drives others to madness. You know that acknowledging my pain makes me a hero, even if, one day, being a hero may cost me my life. You have always known what is best for me. And so I will do what you ask: I will embrace all of the pain, all of the losses, and use them to push me forward to the New Day. I will use them to fight for those that I love. And I will never falter.

Ah, but I have rambled on far too much, and my ink has started to run dry. This was supposed to be a letter dictating my fondest memory, was it not? And I have spoke naught of memories...though, upon reflection, I have: my fondest memory is you. Without you, where would I possibly be? I have heard your words. Now, I wish for you to hear mine.

This letter is to you. You, who knows my pain. You, who knows my sorrow. You, who has followed me every step of my journey, and has been my strength: through Ishgard, and the Dragonsong War; through Ala Mhigo and Doma, and their fight for Revolution; and through the First, and the endless torrent of Light that threatened to break and consume me. Even when you once sought to fight against me, you were always there for me...fighting for me. For us.

I know that my words will one day reach you. And, when they do, I hope that you cherish them as much as I cherish you.

I love you. And I hope that you are well.

Signed,
The part of You that could be a Hero


Prize: Gaelicap