#FFxivwrite2018

[ahlis-xiv]

The Writing Post/Archive

I figured now would be as good a time as any to feature some of my writings, both old and kinda/sorta recent. We’re seeing a new influx of people coming to Tumblr (as well as some old folks returning, welcome back!) so...hey! I write stuff sometimes! Or I used to anyway, haha. Being creative is hard.

Ahem! So, without further ado, here are the links to the various XIV-centric fics, bits and bobs I’ve done over the years. Most are here on my tumblr, but AO3 links will also be provided too, especially for most of the FFXIVWrite entries and for stories I kept strictly over there. These will also be listed in order of when I wrote them...if I can remember right anyway, lol.

Enjoy!

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Long May She Endure - written after my first long(ish) fic, Rumors, this is a prequel to that story. Takes place in the aftermath of Ala Mhigo’s liberation, Ahlis and Aymeric spend some time together to eat, drink, and reflect. (AO3 link)

Rumors - The first day of liberation for the city of Ala Mhigo and her people and the Warrior of Light finds herself in the middle of a contentious rumor. Drama, gossip, a spar and someone gets punched (almost). First long fic I’ve written for Ahlis so I am a bit partial to it, haha! (AO3 only)

Proficiency - An experiment with imagery and insinuation. Ahlis and Aymeric practice archery in the Shroud...honest ;) (AO3 only)

Song of Eld - This had plans to become a longer story but I never got to finishing it. Meant to be a fluffy Starlight fic for Ahlis and how she was given a very pretty harp as a gift from House Fortemps (with a little help from a certain lord commander as well). (AO3 only)

This Cannot End in Happiness - Another standalone and experimental drabble I did early on about uncertainty within a relationship. I don’t consider it “canon” but an idea/theme I was playing with. Adult themes, but nothing explicit, and short. (AO3 only)

FFXIVWrite 2017 - My first FFXIVWrite and one of my favorites. All of these entries are on my tumblr, where they were written originally, but it’s easier to read them in one place like AO3. My FFXIVWrite entries are called ‘Exploration of Character’ on AO3 because that’s normally what my focus is for my FFXIVWrite entries.

Mandragora - Aymeric returns to Borel Manor to find an unexpected visitor waiting for him. Years ago there was a pretty well-known Aymeric blog/role player here on tumblr that had the personal headcanon of Aymeric’s “cantankerous cat” having the name Mandragora. Loving this idea, I asked for permission to use it for this story. (AO3 only)

Beyond The Closed Door - Originally an except from a much longer story I had in the works that forever remained in the outline stage. It was to be a fic where Ahlis and Aymeric take a jaunt around various locals (their “wild Eorzean adventure,” as it were) while exploring character growth as well as their growing (and unspoken) feelings for one another. It was an ambitious idea at the time, but it never got off the ground and this is all there is, alas! (Tumblr only)

Despite All Reason and Better Judgment - After passions have waned, the Warrior of Light and Ser Aymeric consider briefly what lies ahead for them. Another small drabble meant to take place sometime after ‘Beyond The Closed Door’...or, whenever they manage to leave on their own. A reflective piece of sorts, and one I was just playing with. (AO3 only)

FFXIVWrite2018 - My entries for FFXIVWrite 2018, all on AO3. Since the first FFXIVWrite was so fun I decided to try it again!

Of Moogles and Mail (Part 1 & Part 2) - Embroiled in the conflict to liberate two nations under Garlean rule, the Warrior of Light has had little time for personal mail or correspondence. Upon returning to the Rising Stones it would seem the post moogles, entrusted to ensuring the mail of Eorzeans everywhere, created a bit of a snafu for the hero. I have a (personally) amusing headcanon that Ahlis, while she enjoys receiving letters she is terrible at writing them herself. This is a two-part story which is technically a continuation of both ‘Long May She Endure’ & ‘Rumors’ that begins when conflict with the Garlean Empire is coming to a head. Meant to be a comedic piece, I had a lot of fun writing it. (AO3 link)

The One Who Stood Alone - After the initial push against Garlean forces within the Ghimlyt Dark, the Warrior of Light feels the impact of finally--truly--being the last one standing. Or is she...? This was a very cathartic piece to write that corresponded to a very emotionally charge moment in XIV’s main story (patch 4.5 man, hooo...). It felt good writing this one, and I used this momentum to continue with my next story to a personally satisfying climax. (AO3 link)

Gods Help Me - The Warrior of Light prevents Ser Aymeric from leaving the infirmary, not until she wants him to. I think that’s pretty self-explanatory, huehuehue. (AO3 link)

FFXIVWrite 2019 - My entries for FFXIVWrite 2019. Also on tumblr, but for the sake of ease I placed them on AO3 as well.

The 30 Day WoL Challenge - A tumblr based writing exercise I decided to attempt randomly. Still happy (and a little unsure of where to go next) with where my last long fic left off I went the fluffy route and wrote many Ahlis & Aymeric-centric bits, despite the theme being WoL-centric (it still counts!).

FFXIVWrite 2020 - This was the FFXIVWrite that I did not put on AO3, oops! I managed to do all entries this year as well, but they’re all only on my tumblr.

FFXIVWrite 2021 - I only ended up doing a few entries for FFXIVWrite for 2021; my motivation and writer’s block was rough.

FFXIVWrite 2022 - This year’s FFXIVWrite was another I did not finish entirely, but I did about half of the entries. I had ambitious goals for this one, which ultimately didn’t pan out, but that’s ok! This was my first attempt at doing all first person style entries, which was fun to do for a little while. (AO3 link)

The Journals - I started this series during Stormblood and the 3.x patch series. These journals cover the span of story from 4.0 to 6.0, numbered based on the patch number. I don’t know if I will add more of these in the future for Endwalker, but you never know! All of these are on tumblr, not on AO3.

The Words Left Unwritten (post 3.0, sometime after the Scions return to the Rising Stones)

no. 40, 41, 43

no. 50.1, 50.2, 50.3, 50.4, 50.5

no. 60

[benjimirthursby]

FFXIV Write 2021, Prompt #1 "Foster."

FFXIV Write 2021 entry, prompt #1 “Foster.”

The Book of Thursby: Scions of Numenor “Fetch and Carry.”

“Boredom is the birthmother of frivolity. Given enough time a sufficiently unengaged people will give rise to the same trinkets and distractions and the craft which makes them possible.”

-Ossmira Miegs, “Technospectives.”

Ches sifted her way through the dirt with a soft brush from her kit until reaching solidly packed soil, hardened for a millenia or longer. She replaced the brush to her leather dig kit and withdrew a small rock hammer. The head was new to the handle, made of pure Mythril from the east. It was a gift of sorts from a close associate who was bound to a pack of private mariner soldiers for hire. There was as story, even a song about the broken hammer heads his kindred. They were foster children to a venerated woman named Mother Maxwell. Not unlike herself.

The hammer made short work of the condensed dirt and after further work she came upon her quarry. Drawing it from a pocket of soil, which had produced a form fitting pocket that protected it for until she found it, she packed her kit and wrapped the strange object in an oil rag and deposited it in her long leather duster. Satisfied her work was done, she adjusted the rim of her leather fedora, turned and spied a ring of men in the hall between her and the exit. “Chocopoo.” she muttered.

Baxter Twinkinryker IV, “The Quad,” as his kindred Lalafel dubbed him, favored a tweed jacket with leather elbow pads and a rust hued fedora favored by his compatriots. His broom like mustache was not common but seemed to complete the quasi academic look he favored.

He awaited Ches’ returned quietly outside the archway to the ruins. The fat chocobo he rented from the keeper in Ul’Dah cooed and pecked upward at the bait at the end stick riders would use to direct it along, hoping for a random bite.

At last the rapid footfalls from within the entrance faded as Ches came in a tremendous rush out of it. As she passed him and began to mount the Chocobo he asked, “Was it there? Did you get it there?”

Not stoping, She lept upon the saddle and reaching down she grasped Baxter by his tastefully matched tweed vest and flung him into the rumble seat behind her. “Yes it was, yes I did. We go home now” Ches said, pulling the direction stick from it’s mount, spurring the Chocobo and reeling it to the left. Baxter could hear the report of weapons and feet rising from the entrance to the ruins again as the great and fat bird lunged forward and away. At once there was a sharp crack, then another, and the arch of the entrance collapsed. Standing in his little seat behind Ches Baxter looked aghast at the runs all about seeming to fall pel mel. “What did you do?” he asked. “Making friends and influencing people.” Ches replied.

[dantinmikannes]

FFxivWrite2018 Participation Prize 

@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

@whenarrowssing

[sea-wolf-coast-to-coast]

FFxivWrite2019 - coming this September!

Poll results for preferred month:

August and September are tied! But we’re going to go with September. I love the cadence of folks doing a 30 Day Writing Challenge in September to start to shake of perfectionism in the creative process, which will hopefully help put y’all in a better mindset to tackle Inktober in October (for those of you who want to do that). Then, perhaps when November rolls around, a few of you will be so encouraged by your own creative prowess that you’ll give NaNoWriMo a try!

Poll results for preferred make-up/free days:

Make-up/Free days every Sunday and on holidays!

I will adjust as needed throughout the month too - adding a make-up/free day as needed if something happens that makes it tough for people to post.

FFxivWrite2019 deadline will be noon to noon PST

CST was too awkward for a lot of people in other time zones this year. So we’ll be going back to PST as the deadline standard time zone

Thanks so much for your feedback!! 

[r2ruen]

FFxivWrite2018 Participation Prize~!

Blk+wht piece for @luxicorde, one of the winners of @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast’s FFxivWrite2018 participation prizes! Congrats! 

It was fun to draw this very expressive boi! ♡ 

[silveristardust]

FFxivWrite2018 Participation Prize

@roses-and-grimoires​ ‘s elezen Idristan. I had a good ole time drawing him :)

@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast Thank you for organizing this event, looking forward to this year’s!

[aethernoise]

FFxivWrite2018 Participation Prize - Alyx Vance by @caffeine-and-fantasy

Thank you so much for the lovely art!! ;a; and thanks again to @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast for all of your hard work in organizing and running #ffxivwrite. Looking forward to writing and reading with everyone again next year!

[jestersreap]

FFxivWrite2018 Participation Prize

Sorry it took longer than expected, but I finally got the B&W piece done for the participation prize for @daughter-of-moon-and-silence , who took part in FFXIVWrite2018! Congrats! I hope you like it ^^

Big thanks to @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast for organizing the event and having it run so smoothly, even with tumblr self-destructing during the whole thing haha! I am glad to have been a part of it!

Commissions | Support me on Ko-Fi

[diskwrite-ffxiv]

FFxivWrite2018 Participation Prize!!

A portrait of Aeryn, for @autumnslance, who worked very hard both in @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast ‘s writing challenge both this year and last! Congratulations. <3

[celestialspark]

FFxivWrite2018 Participation Prize

Y’asmina Malha of @house-vexile!

Once again, congratulations on making it through 30 days of writing! And congratulations on winning a participation prize!

It was a joy to draw such a beautiful Miqo’te and I hope she is to yourl liking.As for me, I am reall happy how it turned out x3 I tried my best to focus on the eyes as it is said that she has a pretty intense stare - I hope it was conveyed.

See you all in September again - this time I hope, I can join the writing, too, when @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast organises it the next time >w<

[locke-rinannis]

01 // Submerged

Auric was eight years old when the he fell into the White Maiden.

“Careful,” his father’s gruff voice had instructed as they trudged along the riverbank, fishing traps and nets carried in tow. “You’ll be swept under if you fall. The waters are rough here.” His father, though kind, had struggled to be anything but blunt with his guidance.

Auric shrugged. He had no fear of the water’s edge and was far too young to fully understand the wrath of nature wrought by ignorance. His father frowned as the boy ran ahead; he had always been reckless. Fearless.

Just as Auric was about to turn and shout a quip to his protective father, the net over his shoulder snagged on a low branch. His balance shifted in the damp earth, he let out a surprised cry was he went over, and the current pushed him forward.

He did not know how far it carried him. As he popped back up on the surface’s edge and gasped for air, his small hands grasped at a large root. He clung to it. The waters beat against him. He felt his grip slipping. He cried out, but the sound of rushing waters was all he could hear.

Then a hand, far larger than his own, gripped his arm. His father reached down and pulled him up. Auric clung to him instead. With fear stinging his eyes with tears, he whimpered in his father’s arms all the way home.

...

Nearly twenty years later, Auric would fall again.

As corruption seeped into his bones and fear stung his eyes, the familiar memory of drowning choked his throat. The muffled sound of cackling above him mimicked the rolling of the current. He felt his heart begin to darken, and twist...

His father’s warning distantly echoed in his mind.

“Careful. You’ll be swept under if you fall.”

But none would reach for him this time.

[shroudkeeper]

.a determined lupin!

Dedicated to all my beauties who are bummed with the 4.5 patch today, and even those who are happy with it! Have some fluff babes, I hope you day gets better and keeps getting wonderful!

It was something amusing to him, to watch adventurers come and go, offering donations to help rebuild what they have lost. For Hakuro, it was an honor to be at Lord Hien’s side again, to help see his dream flourish and come true one day at a time. With hard work, with perseverance, things were shaping up for the better. But, also with hard work, came a rapidly emptied stomach! Hakuro had been eating from the newly installed food stalls lately, mostly alone and whatever he could afford at the time appeared to be sufficient. A bit of rise, some portions of meat, and he was good for a few bells during the afternoon.

He wasn’t sure when it started, the home-cooked meals that he was receiving as of late from a very bashful woman, a miqo’te who he barely saw the first time she approached him. He would have not bothered to look down if it was not for the gentle tap against his armored boots that alerted him to her presence. She was soft in face, a bit red perhaps from the sun, Hakuro could not tell. But, in her small hands, she held out what appeared to be a box wrapped in pink silk. Her golden eyes were glassier then, as if staring at him from such a height was a strain.

Hakuro gave a wolfish grin (quite literally) and knelt to her to accept her gift. He smelled it, the cooked food, the meat, stew? His stomach complains with pangs of hunger. Without words, she bows her head and he notices she is Doman as well; her attire is a give away, her mannerisms, the adornments in her hair. Just as she came, she left in a shuffle of silks once the food was taken, not waiting for even a thanks from him. He could have sworn she turned a new shade of red before she left, but perhaps the sun was in his eyes then. Either way, watching her go helped bring a smile to his face.

Each day, since then, she came with a new box of food, each one decorated with a new silk. The food stalls were not visited much, or hardly at all. He returned hers every-time, making sure not to wrinkle it or mask the perfume of flowers with the odor of sweat and dirt from a hard day’s work. Haruko was careful not to use it to wipe his face off!

His conversations are one-sided and it is a touch awkward; Kikyo responds with a smile and often a nod or a shake of her head. He offers his name but she simply moves her hands in gestures, some in which he is ignorant of their meaning.

Every exchange is like the last, he asks her name, she turns a new shade of scarlet. He bows, she bows; his large hands brush hers briefly when retrieving the bento box, she pulls away immediately and hurries off, vanishing around the corner. He thinks of where she goes at times when he is alone eating, if she delivers food for others. Lately he is teased that he has a secret wife that makes his meals each day, his mysterious miqo’te cook.

Until the day she doesn’t come. He waits, looks at his feet in case he missed her. The bells pass, his stomach grumbles in complaint, and he subjects himself to the food of the stalls.

It isn’t the same.

The day after, he eagerly awaits her. Surely she will come, if not with lunch, just to see him. He was expecting her, waiting. The morning passes, then afternoon arrives, and before he knows it, the sun is coming to set.

And she isn’t anywhere to be found.

The third day, he doesn’t even bother waiting. He spent the night before asking about her, the silent woman in in the soft colored hanfus, the small lady who smelled of flowers and rain showers. There were a few that had no inkling as to whom he talking about. Until there was an elderly fellow, one who has received her lunch before! He learns Kikyo had fallen ill - and that would explain her absence. He takes down her information and comes to a decision of what he will do!

Hakuro, with the very little knowledge of culinary experience, spent the entire evening making soup and prayed to the kami he does not poison the poor miqo’te!

After spending a portion of the morning in search for her, he is given permission to enter her private quarters in the temporary home she was staying it. It was furnished very much as a minimalist. Bonsai trees were trimmed, turned into works of art. He notices small watercolor paintings not yet hung on walls, leaning against the vertical surfaces. Then the bouquets of flowers on a table adjacent to a screen door left ajar. He is far too broad, far too tall, to enter this without bumping his head on the rafters. Thus he leans down, slowly opens the door and sees her on the floor mat with a towel over forehead.

Kikyo, still dazed, silently gasps and sits up, scrambling for the sheets to pull up against her robe as Haruko lumbered in, without much grace in fact as he attempted to avoid stepping on anything of hers. The room was cramped with his presence, but she smiles when he comes to kneel at her side and pulls his hand from behind his back, revealing the lunch he brought for her. He chuckles in a timid fashion, a warrior such as himself felt foolish, blushing up this way. But, she was smiling, flushed perhaps from the fever, but the smile made him mirror it in return.

Gently, she sets the package on her lap, realizing he used one of her scarves to wrap it up. The bow was messy, but it only added to the charm! To her surprise there were two bento boxes in here, two pairs of chopsticks. One far bigger than the other. He made two lunches! One for her and ..

.. one for him.

“This time,” he folds his legs and sits next to her small mat, “..we can eat lunch, together.”

[benjimirthursby]

FFXIV Write Prompt #3, “Scale.”

The Book of Thursby: Scions of Numenor - “Pressure Bands.”

FFXIV Write Prompt #3, “Scale.”

“Osimira’s unchallenged purview was in matters of technocraft, engineering, Dossimir theory. I hold her in the highest respect as I would like to think is mutual. She recognized not all answers came by equation or through electromagnetic bonds. So she turned to me in compiling a base of information from historic records and journals. It was a successful project, but we began to discover more than we were looking for. It was not long before our research gave rise to the keeping of dream logs. Not all answers were to be found in history either.” - Tinifalas Thursby, “Stranger in a Strange Land.”

Bondermir arrived to find Wang, Vilnius, as Osimira, and Vaunter already assembled about the room. A chart table, rounds of drink and the plates of at least one meal already atop of it. Osimira and Wang were pondering numbers and such on a chalkboard. Vilnius and Maxwell were at the far end of the table gamefully discussing a small chart between them over cups of wine. For his part Benjimir was enraptured by his book. The title read “Thermobaric Physics in Application.” in inlaid gold pressed letters. “A bit of light reading?” Bondermir asked as he drew a chair up near his brother at the table. Benjimir lowered his book and adjusted his glasses on his nose. “Light” he spoke with emphasis, “is almost precisely the problem, ironically.” he said, pulling the bookmark between the pages and closing the book as he dropped the book between them.

Picking the book up and look over the title and thumbing through the chapter Benjimir had been reading. “There are alternatives to this. Simpler.” Bondermir said. “Again, no. Simpler to employ, more complex in the repercussions.” Benjimir said. Another round in a lingering difference of opinion began. “A lot has been….and will be sacrificed to make the moment possible. If this phase does not succeed it may all prove for nought. And for a matter of principle.” Bondermir replied but Benjimir was having none of it in this iteration of the debate.

“Sacrificed for these principles. Not because of them.” Benjimir said firmly and with a glare leveled into Bondermir’s eyes which made it clear the issue was closed. Bondermir nodded low and held his open palms up in supplication. Then he leaned back and gestured to the book and table charts. “And how goes it with this?” He asked. “It does not scale.” Benjimir said, shrugging and glancing with his eyes and a nod to Osimira and Wang who were gamefully drawing and counter-drawing on the chalkboard. On a smaller scale, yes, but the volume of space at the objective, not so much.” Bondermir nodded. “Fuel problem?” He asked. “Volume and chemistry actually.” Benjimir answered. “Ceruleum is well suited for the task. But how to transport the volume needed and the mix that will sustain the detonation.”

“The detonation won’t support itself even with Ceruleum?” Bondermir asked. “Within certain pressure bands, yes, but as the explosion expands it fills the space, the physics change, the ignition point to trigger the ceruleum changes. On a smaller scale different mixes can actually detonate as that happens and sustain the explosion. But then pressure builds, the physics change again, and so forth. Bonding the Corillium infused gas with third elements, mixed in fourth or fifth elements, that is nothing that has been done before.” Benjimir elaborated to the extent of his understanding of the matter. “Wang and Osimira are working the problem now. Until the delivery method is determined the rest is moot.” Benjimir said as he reached for another cup of tea. “What are we calling this phase, should it be included in the final plan?” Bondermir asked. Benjimir took a long sip and replied.

“Almighty.”

*******

[captainkurosolaire]

Prompt#27 - A Father’s Fall

 A small fluttering pixie arrived before some familiar docks with a Crimson Vessel parked she spotted the familiar leather boots and aether that seemed to be rather faded. Drawing closer in she’d begin spinning attempting to get the attention of the Captain who was hacking up blood at the seas from a curse starting to take effect. He’d rinse his face his tail twitching keenly to the sudden chirping pitch. “Flicker? What ye doing here?” He’d shrug off any symptoms despite the sweat and his aether telling otherwise the fairy was more keen than though. “Are you okay? Captain?!” All he could do was address with a deceitful smile. “Aye! Now what brings ye. I see concern. Did you want me to stuff ye in a bird cage again?” Teasing before his expression would change. “It’s terrible, Master.., no your Father is going to get himself killed he’s in a battle with the Swordsman from his past a former disciple!” Noticing her carrying an aetheryte shard. “I thought it was a dream after I woke up with that scroll, I hardly remember anything. Yer telling me that asshole really did slice my back up? I woke from no injuries or collection I swore it was authentically real and suspicious. I thought my fortunate luck seemed to grace me with my discovery over the location of the box. Well, give me that shard. No one gets to kick my ole man’s ass but me! It took me about thirty years to find his identity out, he’s not bailing out unless I’m his demise. He owes me that!” He’d crack his knuckles and grab the aetheryte chunk and start running to his ship to prepare for an appearance. Though at this rate could he make it?

Meanwhile the battle still remained the rain storm had been lifted. His Truesight revealing a glowing glare over his amber hues as Hoku sized up Rykashi who bounced back up on the edge. He saw ferocity being met equally. He’d pull out another blade that looked ordinary to test the waters of this new surge of energy that was coming out of Hoku. Truesight kicked in as a sudden flash was seen and he slid across Rykashi’s blade as it begun stretching itself out almost endlessly it started to bend and coil. Hoku bravely stood on the blade and balanced himself before leaping in a back flip. He’d grab a Kunai that was buried earlier into Rykashi’s shoulder that he neglected to pull out and spun around as the spiraling blade came in. Rykashi avoided getting hit by his own weapon by tilting his head. Hoku went prone and then rolled to the sides. Before kipping back up with nimbleness and then dashing back he’d fling the Kunai and precisely get a directive hit on Rykashi’s fingers causing him to stagger from the sudden pain. He’d relentlessly roll back in and trip up his student sending him teetering down. Rykashi sent his weapon into the soils like a pole and leapt off it. Drawing another. Hoku once again used the benefits of his Truesight as it glowed again. He’d drop down a smoke screen scroll unrevealed it and delving himself in a thick blanket.

Rykashi’s next blade released a barrage of earth stalactites that pierced the ground all over against the clouds. Hoku used his opportunity of invisibility to summon a decoy shadow within the mist that would be hit. While he recovered his own weaponry and plucked it up from behind. Soon as Rykashi vaporized the clouds with his volley and thought he landed the smoke cleared and a powerful heat came forward towards him. Rykashi would counter this by using his own blade and shoving it within the soils and creating a barrier as he manipulated the earth more frequently. Then released the projectiles back after the heat couldn’t burn through solid stones. Hoku started deflecting them against Rykashi as they had a ping pong battle until they both sliced through all the rubble. Hoku eyes begun feeling the effects over the exhaustion of seeing precognition having to shake off blur because permanent blindness could occur after to many usages.  The samurai knowing the battlefield well would pull out another blade that released a geyser of water that was boiling hot coming towards Hoku and during that process be sneakily leading towards his extension blade that could stretch again which he picked up with his tail. Hoku eyes glowed again using it to find the easiest scenario to dodge the flood coming his way as he made a clone in midair and kicked off it to dash towards but Rykashi was steadily prepared and landed a direct hit with his snaked weapon that bend and took Hoku’s magitek arm clean off causing him to bleed and land down with a soft thud. Rykashi showed joy for a single glee until that magitek arm even though it was dis-attached, Hoku brought out a switch and used it which caused the entire arm to explode on the blade and send a shock-wave to both them nearly knocking them off. Rykashi stunned would try to build a barrier in time but his secondary weapon breaking and he’d be engulfed in the explosion with a devastating trail of smoke surveying the entire war zone. Hoku’s Truesight sensed a flux of aether still his Student was around it was dimly low before in a single flash he felt a coldness pierce through him. Rykashi teleported behind and stabbed his Master square in the gut in a back-stab his entire eyesight shutting down and eyes closing after gurgling off a collapsed lung and blood running down his chin. Rykashi pulled back a prismatic sword and didn’t used it’s effect, It’s steel reflected against Hoku’s disbelief and visage. Rykashi entire uniform was in tatters he should have injuries but right before the explosion he’d unscabbard a sword that only had one time effect that would restore his aether entirely. So as he was burned in critical injuries his flesh torn off all his tissue would be restore if he wasn’t quick the effect wouldn’t have saved him or given him it. After that he simply Breaker Step (Shukuchi) to obtain the decisive blow. Hoku spoke very lowly, “Very good...” He’d expunge before plummeting forward. Paying his lasting praise. He knew that last blow would be taken by his heart. Rykashi mercilessly stared as one trained from an assassin would. He pulled the weapon back from Hoku’s sternum and lined up the last piercing strike. Before Hoku’s eyes briefly opened noticing a familiar aether suddenly appear and a loud racketed gun shot heard firing off a spray of three rounds coming from behind his executioner. He collapsed before the bullets were sent overhead.

-To be continued - Part 4 (The Battle) - Chronological Order Previous

[sea-wolf-coast-to-coast]

FFxivWrite2018 – FFxiv 30 Day Writing Challenge!

Last year I ran what I thought was going to be a small writing challenge for the FFxiv community, but with 2,200+ submissions over the course of the 30 days, it didn’t end up being small at all! There was such an incredible outpouring of creativity and positivity in our community throughout the challenge and I was really blown away by the response.

So, let’s do it again! I know that November is high writing time for many of us with NaNoWriMo on the horizon, but for those of us who want to keep it a bit more simple – I propose this 30 day writing challenge.

What’s a 30 day writing challenge? :o

Why, it’s challenge in which you write in response to a daily prompt that I post here, of course!  Songs, poems, limericks, short stories, etc. are perfectly acceptable. If it’s a thing you can write, then it counts.

Here’s how it works:

Beginning Thursday November 1st, I, @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast​, will post one new single word writing prompt daily at 12:00pm (noon) CST/CDT. Prompts can be interpreted in any way that you’d like. More about single word prompts here. Check back daily for the latest prompt!

Participants have until 12:00pm (noon) CST/CDT the following day (24 hours) to submit a written response, and tag it with #FFxivWrite2018 (don’t forget the tag!).

Each written response submitted within it’s 24 hour deadline will count as one entry toward a raffle for a participation prize at the end of the month.

Written responses submitted outside of the 24 hour deadline for a prompt are still welcome and will be thoroughly enjoyed! They simply won’t count as an entry toward the participation prize. 

When you see a “Like” from sea-wolf-coast-to-coast you can rest assured that I’ve seen your response and have entered it into my master participation prize document. Please allow up to 48 hours for me to like your post before reaching out to check (but DO reach out to check if you don’t see one after 48 hours). More info about making sure people can find your posts here.

On Saturday, December 1st, I’ll count up all the participation tallies, each day counting as one entry per writer, and draw a winner!

The winner of the participation prize will receive a black & white drawing of their character from one of our volunteer artists. Please note that the number of prizes available at the end depend on how many artists would like to volunteer to illustrate a prize.

If you’re an artist and you would like to volunteer to do a simple black & white illustration as a participation prize at the end of this contest, please let me know!

Rules:

You cannot submit things that you’ve already written – Even if the topic is the same. All entries must be new and freshly written for this challenge!

No rough drafts and no redos – Relax! Use this as a low pressure opportunity to loosen up and de-rust your writing chops. No one will be judging your work for quality or length. The purpose is to get into the habit of writing daily. Don’t overthink it, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself! It’s all for fun!

Tag all of your entries with #FFxivWrite2018 – Even if you’re late to the writing party. I’ll be using this tag to track daily participants, so if you don’t use it, I won’t find your entry! Please note that entries that include an external link (to a song, piece of art etc.) will not show up in the tag results. Tumblr hides all posts with external links from their tag feeds. :[

Include the prompt number in the title of your post – Example: “Prompt #10: Your Title.” This helps me keep track of participating entries.

You have until prompt #7 to back write for the participation prize – That means that if you discover the writing challenge a few days, or even a week after it’s started, you can still jump in and back write as many of the first 7 prompts as you want, and they’ll count as entries toward the participation prize! After day 8, however, no back writing will be counted towards the prize. That being said, it is totally possible for someone with only 1 participation entry for the duration of the contest to be drawn as the participation prize winner so don’t give up due to lack of participation overall!

Absolutely no griefing, harassing, or trolling other writers – This will earn you an automatic disqualification from the event.

Tag NSFW content with #NSFW and put it below a cut – Similarly, if your entry contains graphic or violent content that may be triggering to others, please include a brief trigger warning at the top of your post. Be considerate of your readers!

Make-up Days

There will be two make-up days scheduled. On make-up days you’re permitted to select one prompt that you missed and submit it for full participation prize credit within the 24 hour deadline for the day. If you’ve already submitted all prompts so far within their 24 hour deadline, then you can make up your own prompt for yourself and submit it within the 24 hour make-up day deadline to count as an extra credit entry toward the participation prize.

Sunday, 11/11

Sunday, 11/25

Free/Extra Credit Days

There will be two Free/Extra Credit days scheduled. Free/Extra Credit days are days in which no prompt will be provided, and therefore no submission will be expected for the day. However, if you’re in the mood to write something anyway, you can create your own prompt for yourself and submit an entry within the 24 hour deadline for the day that will count as an extra credit entry toward the participation prize.

Election Day – Tuesday, 11/6

Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, 11/22

If you complete all prompts and all extra credit days within their 24 hour deadlines and properly tag the entries, it’s possible to achieve 30 entries toward the final participation prize at the end of the month. 

What’s the purpose of this writing challenge?

First and foremost, the purpose of this challenge is to break the power of perfectionism over your personal creative process. Some folks frown on my 24-hour submission deadline but I think that it’s a critical part in getting people to just go ahead and submit something, even if it’s not perfect, and in doing so perfectionism begins to lose its power day by day. 

If you’re someone who rarely creates because the fear of it not being perfect keeps you from starting, or finishing, then this challenge is designed for YOU!

Of course, connecting FFxiv writers, of all skill and experience levels, and sharing our work is also a perk!

Whether you’re participating or not, consider checking out the #FFxivWrite2018 tag periodically after November 1st and like/reblog your favorite pieces. Show the FFxiv writing community some love!

[hithren]

XXVI: Not a Weapon

When he held her hand, it was gentle and unsure.

Everything had always been gentle.

But she knew what he thought of himself, what that thing inside the stone upon his neck thought of him. He was a force, a tool, a weapon forged in Her light that had but one purpose. He bore a mask, hid his name, hid his past, because a weapon had no need for such things. A weapon did not need to have a heart.

But he did. Oh, he did. She could see it in his eyes sometimes. A softness that was so unfitting in the darkness behind that sad gaze.

Weapons were not gentle things. Tools cared not for delicateness. And while the light at his chest spoke of things he should be, she knew there was so much more. It was so simple. Just the way he held her hand as he did. There was no denying it.

Whatever he had been destined for, whatever the light called him, she knew he was not a weapon. Yes, he commanded a strength unlike she had seen before. And yes, she had seen that light call upon him to cut down creatures of darkness.

But the man beside her, the man who would sit with her and watch the stars, was no weapon. Beside her was a man who had lay broken in her arms more times than she could count. Beside her was a man who had time and again given everything he had and more.

A sword could cut her down. A lance could pierce her heart. Even a staff could set her alight with flame.

But only a man could touch her hand so gently.

A man could she love.

Not a weapon.

Not a weapon.

Mentions of @locke-rinannis‘s Ruran Vas