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

[cheffdonty]

To our Unrequited Chaperone,

I’ve traveled a hundred thousand malms and heard just as many myths, but if ever I were share mine own I should think to share the myth of you. Our village elders would relay their scripture of Oschon, but even The Wanderer himself can seem small next to the allure of heroes of your own age. I can recall now how my friends and I would chance to slink away to reenact the stories we would hear of Eorzrean adventurers. Roving the realm, felling beasts and claiming glory; perhaps one of those stories was of you? I am honored to have played a part in at least one of your tales…

Our meeting was auspicious: a party of six assembled in Northern Thanalan under the pretense of felling a revenant of The Calamity in an expedition lead by none other than the kin of Louisoix. The circumstance of their trek seemed so incredible that I was made a mere witness, nevermind that my foray into Eorzea proper did not come about till long after Dalamud fell. I had spent most of my life in Abalathia and Eorzea was hardly my realm to avenge. I was out of my element and perhaps out of my depth.

Between the battles the lot of us spoke of what had brought us here. A dragoon came in search of Allagan tomestones, a summoner came to document “wondrous tales”, and for the part of my friend and I; we only sought to see this story through. You apprised us of a curious detail amongst the ramblings. You fought with sword and shield that day but you came in search of a grimoire born of the Dreadwyrm himself, and that for all your fighting down here you had never once seen any trace of the relic. Surely the familiarity with your search was the catalyst for your insight in these trials.

Our summoner was forced to retreat before the final battle, and in the heat of the fight I envied him. I had never anticipated to share in all the fear and agony felt all those years ago, but there hung the silhouette of Menphina’s Loyal Hound. One by one, strike after strike we fell upon his power, but how you shone! You did not waver on that day, in fact it seemed as if you slew the damned thing all yourself! You carried all of lives that day and I will not forget the deed in my life!

I remember how we cheered when the thing was done and how you took your praise gallantly. Though our performance was lacking you assured us that someday we would rival your prowess. The story seemed to end perfectly as we found the very same tome you had been searching for in a coffer beneath the beast! However, for our part we are embarrassed. You must remember how my friend had claimed in “need” of it and ended up winning the rights to the grimoire on a technicality? If he could return the book to you I assure you he would, he believed it was the summoner who had left who was searching for the thing…

I digress, we learned much that day and are ever thankful to you. He still fights with the book in his hands to this day! This Rising, I think of you.

-A Hellsgaurd Venturer
Gaelicap

[seyionopico]

To whom this letter may reach,

Where to begin... In all honesty, I am quite terrible with words, though you may have already realized this in my all-too-familiar stoic expression. In fact, one of my few regrets is not having the words to say when I need them.

Right. Maybe that’s a good place to start.

Perhaps it would be the regret of not expressing words of consolation and grief to the father of some of my dearest friends, one in particular, who’s name would echo in Ishgard’s history for many winters to come. I can only recall the extent in which a man of his stature gave my friends and I a place to call home, even after being exiled for falsely accused crimes, only to crumble at the tragic news bestowed upon him. And yet, all I could do was watch helplessly. In that instant, I wished to give up. Retire all these titles and weep for days to come.

But the words of my friends washed those thoughts away. Though my words may be lacking, I knew in my heart I could bolster the actions to make things right. For Haurchefant. For Ysayle. For Ishgard, and for Her children. The rest, you can take a guess.

Mayhap another regret was not taking more time to sight see. As an adventurer, battles may call to you in earnest, but as an Astrologian, the skies do beckon me to read what fates transcribe in the stars, though some might find that as an excuse to go stargazing. I wish you could've been at the Dawn Throne with me that day. The Azim Steppe's sky bled the blues across the horizon, the blanket of stars glittering bright, as if they were telling to stay strong. I felt something stir in me that night... So I pressed on. For Meffrid. For Tsuyu. For Ala Mhigo. For Doma.

My trip to the First has taught me to never forsake the simplest things in life. When I first saw how the return of the night sky impacted those of the First, I dared not wish to sit idly and allow the Light to consume their star and their people any further. Their smiles, their joy; it inspired me. But when my attempts to conceal the Light shattered, I felt so.... hopeless. I wished to give up. I failed. I could not even bring myself to leave the Inn and showed my face to those in the Crystarium.

But the people were so worried about it... They all wanted to play some part in helping me rid this realm of Sin Eaters once and for all. Their kind words burned the flames in me once more, and again, I pressed on.

A spot in the First serves as a reminder that where there is war, there is freedom. Where there are friends, there is hope. And where there is darkness, there is light. A favored spot of one of my dearest friends. A spot where friends could one day sit and talk.

I hope one day I can see you there.
Sincerely,
Robin Sephirus.
- Gaelicap

[ScarletFior]

Some say “If you can see it, you can believe it" , but maybe If you believe it you can see it. Can you? The garden that has yet to harvest, the fruit that has yet to ripen. Can you taste it? The fruits of our labor, the dreams that were made real. We are so close, but it feels so very far. With every door opened there is another to be closed.
Each time bigger adversity appeared and each time I overcame it. I used to think that the biggest battles would leave the largest or most impactful legacy. I almost laugh at that thought now because it was always more than that. It wasn't about the intense battles or raging wars. For our legacy was and always will be every life we touch. This simple fact is what makes meeting new people and connecting with them and their story so empowering to me.
I never knew how much joy and meaning I would gain from learning others stories and dreams. My own dream was so transparent and fragile back then, I only wished for a nice adventure and some good glamorous along the ride. I could barely navigate my way through the markets of Ul’Dah, or the forests of Gridania never did I imagine to carry the dreams and hopes of millions.
However with every person, every soul met; their passion, their hopes, and their dreams became intertwined with mine and thus my path became more and more visible. I no longer have one goal or push to keep going, I have hundreds and thousands to keep moving. While many aren’t mine. They’re all inspiring and important to me.
( If chosen my item of choice would be the Gaelicap)

[Kimeraandrel]

I was a thread the weaver of fate misplaced.

However, Lady Luck pushed me into a tragic world where heroes were forged. A dire necessity drove me into becoming a paragon of hope. Friends, glory, fame, and fortune - all soon came easily to me, a once displaced rogue who started out with nothing.

I gained the world, but you - you had lost everything. Throughout my years of adventuring, I saved the have-nots and the broken. How could it be that we stood on opposite sides in the end? I was certain I must have failed somewhere; err’d in my judgment.

You tried to take everything from me, so I could be like you. It wasn’t until the final goodnight that I understood this. The flames burned down everything around me, as unfamiliar faces ran away terrified. My closest of friends lay on the brink of death. You and I had seen the same dire sights, yet in different times. To lose is to live. I found the meaning to my life in that illusion of a city you created. I cannot prevent death without preventing life itself, so instead I will carry on the burdens of history’s ghosts. Your memories will be safe with me as I travel, forevermore pushed by destiny’s hand.

If I were to be struck down tomorrow, I would be content knowing I once belonged to your world.

Dear reader,
Though my words may seem sad, I hope that you will see through to the light within my experiences. Learn the stories of others and you will grow larger than your own life. The hope of everyone will be delivered on our backs.

[Kimeraandrel]

Prize choice: Gaelicap

[RuNiamh]

I had never thought much of the shores of Costa del Sol, and truth be told how my husband and I had come to find ourselves walking along the water's edge that day still escapes my memory. We had wandered aimlessly down the sun-warmed sand, a heavy silence settling between us, though it wasn't uncomfortable. It was as if we were taking a moment to simply breathe, the salt tinged air filling our lungs and the setting sun acting as our guide down the endless shore.

Eventually, we found a shady spot to rest. My husband unceremoniously discarded his bag and staff to the ground, claiming a spot to sit at the base of a tree. Settling beside him, I ran my hands through the sand back and forth, an absentminded motion to sooth my racing thoughts. My husband gave me a knowing look, his eyes coming to meet mine when I lifted my gaze.

"I can practically hear your thoughts from here, love," he frowned, a gentle fondness to his words.

I couldn't help the sigh that escaped my lips, internally berating myself for being so easily read. "I can't help but wonder..." I took a moment to reconsider my words, blinking down at the pattern my fingers had lazily swirled into the sand, before continuing. "I can't help but wonder if we are doing the right thing. Aren't you the least bit worried?"

At my question, my companion gave a moment of consideration before answering. That carefree smirk of his began to pull at the corners of his lips, and I found myself already growing less anxious just from the sight alone.

"Of course I'm worried," he grinned, earning a laugh from myself out of shock, and genuine appreciation, for his pure honesty. "But I also know that even if things change between us and the Company, it won't mean things change for the worse." I hummed in response, eyes remaining downcast. We had been discussing taking a leave of absence from our duties as Officers in our Free Company for some time, the pull of other responsibilities no longer easily ignored. Still, the decision weighed heavy on me, and I know my husband felt the same, even if he was better at masking it. After another moment of silence, the waves reaching for the shores the only sound anchoring me to the moment, I turned back to him with newfound resolve.

"We'll return," I asserted. His brows knitted together for a moment before his expression softened in understanding. I simply smiled then, tears stinging at the corners of my eyes despite my confident declaration.

"We shall, when we are ready. And our companions will welcome us home with open arms," he assured. I leaned to rest my head upon his shoulder, fear still tingling at my fingertips, but newfound determination blooming within me. No matter how far we strayed, Eorzea and all those we loved there would always be waiting for us.



(Bluebird Earring, thank you!)

[Korrupture]

I sit here, hands clasped and elbows supported, staring into the past. Surrounded by my own imagination of what once was. Yet, I am vexed by your perpetual involvement. Why is it that you defy me so, scant friend? You do not have a grasp of the story that plays out before you. The threads that have been weaved many lifetimes before your own. Do you deserve such a title as friend or another?

We have crossed paths a myriad of times. Still...you do not sincerely know me and what I fight for thus far. Through my chosen assemblies I approach you as I am bored from watching in the shadows. Times of bickering, insults, arguments and...to some degree...I do hope there is enlightenment in you and your band of friends. I retire when I grow weary of your doubts and questions.

Plans...machinations have been long set in place. You and I are the cast of some grand play. I admit we duel and squabble but nothing is ever direct. These encounters do entertain me to some extent. The quarrels that you have, with those I am ever familiar with, are the most...intriguing yet prohibiting.

My, how you have grown under my intermittent gaze. *Laughs* The greater part of your journey is banal and trifling. The mundane going on your so called adventures. I do not have the patience to attend all your affairs. Loathe to say it, but I do have all the patience in all the worlds. Hasten your stride friend. The hour is almost just. If, by some infinitesimal folly the continuity is broken and my voice is found wanting… Then remember that we once lived.

-Solus zos Galvus

Prize: Gaelicap

[HalcyonHowler]

A smile beamed brightly across Caelestis’s face as she counted her company seals. Finally, she thought, enough for a chocobo of my own! As Cingur approached with the finely plumed bird, Cael’s heart swelled.
“So, what’s his name to be?”
-
My smile rivaled hers as I looked at my own feathered companion – and I instantly knew what the answer was.
-
“Nice to meet you, Howl!”
“Kweh!”
Together, Cael and Howl conquered countless challenges. Through an unseen bond they worked in tandem to overcome fierce opponents, each making up for the other’s weaknesses. Off the battlefield their bond was just as strong, with Howl following his master as she gathered the day’s supply of herbs and ores. A steady diet of the finest krakka roots and a clean stable at their home in the Shroud were her ways of thanking him for a job well done. Through triumph and defeat, celebration and mourning, exaltation and exile, the two stood faithfully by each other’s side.
-
“Here’s your treat for the day, Howl!”
“Tweet!”
The little cockatiel eagerly ripped the sunflower seed from my fingers. He and I have spent years together, and it truly amazes me to see how much personality is packed in such a small ball of feathers. He may not be able to cast Choco Cure, but he has soothed my heart in more ways than I can express. And, like the chocobo he serves as namesake of, he is far stronger than appearances suggest.
Due to a night-fright my beloved companion had broken his beak and lost numerous feathers. I held him in my hands and reminded him of our experiences together, hoping it would give him the strength to hold on just a little longer. When I peeked into the vet’s incubator, I saw him fussy from being force-fed medicine, but still with a spark in those little brown eyes.
He still had that light in him, and it wouldn’t be extinguished any time soon.
-
Cael entered her suite at the Pendants to find a basket of freshly-prepared sandwiches awaiting her, along with Ardbert. The two warriors discussed the Exarch, the Ascians, and bitter memories of the past, before she finally decided a change of topic was in order.
“Tell me about Seto,” she inquired.
The man bashfully replied with musings of his Amaro companion from former days before turning the question on her – “You must have a friend like Seto. Chocobo, perhaps?”
It felt like ages since she had last been asked such a simple question – one without life-or-death consequences or the fate of some world or another in the balance.
“…And then there was the time he kept chasing the rosebear, even after the battle was done! I bet he ran half a malm before he finally came back! And then…”
The two whiled away the hours, discussing their companions until the first rays of morning crested over the horizon.
As friends, free companies, and comrades come and go, every Warrior of Light has a stalwart companion by their side – and I am eternally grateful for my own Bird of Light.

Noble Barding

[Demosthenes]

The Warrior of Light kills gods for a living.

Yeah, every time he rolls into a new town, he basically ends up mowing everyone's lawn and taking out everyone's trash, but that's probably just because he's a really nice guy. We all know what the real hero’s business is: killing primals. And he does it like nobody else. The guy is a portable Ragnarok. If you’ve done the math, no less than twenty eikons have met their ends at the Warrior’s hands. Some of them over and over (and over) again.

But I think everyone agrees that one primal stands out. There are millions of Warriors of Light, each of them on their own journey—yet across all those countless parallel stars, on the Source of fourteen sundered shards, there are two words to put fear in the hearts of every one of Hydaelyn’s champions.

Titan Extreme.

You never forget your first fight with the Lord of Crags. I flexed into the Navel full of confidence. Normal modes? Easy. Hard modes? Easy. Maybe I had to sweat a little to kill Garuda, but what could titan bring that would be that much worse?



Oh.

I spent hours falling into that pit. Once you fell, you were stuck; no do-overs. There was no coming back from the nap, not until everyone else in your group messed up or decided to start over.

Apparently the canonical explanation for wipes is the Echo shows possible futures that do not come to pass, so I’m pretty sure that my WoL spent more time staring at the possibilities than a certain Doctor did in a movie franchise that will remain nameless.

But this isn’t a story of failure. I refused to be beaten.



You bet I was.

I dodged Landslides until I could do it in my sleep. I maneuvered around bomb boulders like it was Dance Dance Revolution. To me, this is what high level raids in an MMO are all about: When you’re confronted with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, you rise to the occasion. Together with your friends, you formulate a strategy, you practice that strategy, and inch by inch, phase by phase, you see it all come together, until that one shining moment of victory that makes it all worthwhile. That’s why so many deep friendships are forged through games online. it’s by sharing in the struggle that people come closer together, and I can confidently say that vanquishing Titan was the most rewarding moment in my whole time in Eorzea.

So, after that, it was smooth sailing, right? After all, what could possibly be harder than Titan?



Oh. Titan. Titan could be harder than Titan.



Looks like I've got some work to do.

(Prize: Noble Barding)

[KyoRuyji]

To my families and friends at home, I left home for travel to everywhere and some adventures. When I arrived at Gridrana, I started to learn many stuff. I became an archer and did some simple quests. Later, I finally went to some different cities to help out. Also, I made some friends. They are not bad. Eventually, I learned something about myself. I have a blessing from Great Crystal. It's called "Echo". It protects me from danger. Due to it, many people started asking for my help. I had positive and negative experiences after that. Recently, I went through an out-of-world experience. You may not believe me, but I literally went to a different world against my will. When I arrived there, I thought that I ended up being in afterlife for sure. It's because of the sky looking differernt and never go dark during nighttime. Later, I met up with my comrades whose collasped out of blue in our world and learned something about the sky. This sky is actually the Light ather. It can corrupt you if you touch it. I decided to stay in that world for a while because I found out if my comrades and I go back to our world now, I will be dead for some reason. Also, I can't leave this world's people facing their demise slowly, so I went ahead and clear all of the sky out of the Light to bring real nighttime back to them. I am really glad to see the people being happy about their sky. They never saw the nighttime sky for a century. There are still work to do in their world. Now I am capable of travel between 2 different world. I realized that I did not tell you of my travel plan before I left home and I never write letters back to home. I am sorry about that. I am fine and am doing well. I will come home to visit you one day after I finish doing something for both the worlds' sake. I need to thank all the people from past, present, and future for saving my life. They did their role to save my life in their time. I hope all of you are doing okay. Please stay safe since we are still at war against the Garlean Empire. Stay alive until I come home to see all of you. I will bring gifts. Your son and friend, Noix G. (I want the Noble Barding if you select my letter)