#Umbral Tempest

[elliewiltarwyn]

FFXIV Write 2024 | #3: Tempest

Word Count: 488

Sixth Umbral Moon, 21st Sun

I went back there today. Why?

I mean, practically, it’s just so out of the way, for one; none of my usual rounds in the First take me anywhere near there - the closest I get is Eulmore, both high above and on land. It’s a terrifying monument that gives me the creeps, for another, and I hate thinking about everything that happened there, like Emet-Selch’s refusal to acknowledge our worth, or the crushing weight of responsibility left by that orange crystal - let alone everything that nearly happened, like Persephone’s visage consuming Mia’s, or the Light pulsing within my body… It’s fair to say I have no good memories there. Which isn’t to say I lack for good memories in the First at all - the whole reason we were here this week was to check in with Ryne and Gaia, see if there’s anything the Crystarium needs, check in on the Empty to ensure there’s no more Ascians running rampant or whatever the fuck.

…Maybe that’s why. Our last Empty check-in was much more eventful than we had hoped and involved the remaining vestiges of Ascian presence in the First… so it was easy to be reminded of the most prominent marker of the Ascian presence in the First.

So prominent, it’s still there, still a grim monument to everything Emet-Selch and his fellows dreamed of, even after he’s dead and gone. Didn’t fade away like the rest of him. Was that why I went, to hope for otherwise? Was I hoping to see naught but a gaping ocean void instead of the towering reminders of what he fought for?

No. These buildings won’t crumble till long after I’ve returned to the aetherial sea myself, and I knew that. Even the shades still wander those streets, heedless of the present-day world that exists beyond their reach.

…It’s fucked up how this project, so ephemeral, a testament to his forever-lost dreams, will remain here, ghosts wandering forevermore as long as our mortal existences are concerned. Even with the last of the Ascians gone, the marks they left on the star, across all the shards, are indelible and permanent. Why wasn’t that legacy something he could have been satisfied with? Just because we present-day caretakers aren’t the people—the friends—he loved…

…gods, why do I even care that he wouldn’t have been satisfied with aught less than those who he loved? We—fuck it, who am I kidding at this point—I nearly lost Mia forever because he was so desperate to reclaim those he loved. Why should I give a chocobo’s arse what he wanted? He implored that we remember, but he needn’t have been concerned; there’s no way I’ll ever forget him, or his loved ones, or the impact they had on each and every one of us…

…Maybe there’s a few reasons why these seas are named the Tempest.

[viiioca]

day 6: wind

From the journal of Estelle de Laussienne, 29th of the 1st Umbral Moon, 2 7A.E. You can tell much about a people by what they consider romantic, can't you? It surprised me to hear from Alphinaud that he had long imagined Ishgard as something out of a fairy tale, but on closer inspection, it made terrific sense; to Sharlayan children living in a land so peaceful it lacks a standing military, it must seem wonderfully exotic to have a cause you love enough to fight for. Brave knights swearing oaths of service, monstrous dragons terrorizing the smallfolk, tragedy, sacrifice, romance, revenge…Oh, they must have dreamed that we were living lives of excitement and adventure while they toiled away endlessly at coursework. Ishgardian children, on the other hand, are enchanted by stories of the ocean: infinite, lawless, and so very far away from us in the mountains that it may as well have been a myth. Pirates are a perennial favorite, to the dismay of every prayer school teacher. And isn't it enticing? Halone has no influence on Llymlaen's domain. The great black fleets of La Noscea respect bloodline only so far as its ability to produce a steady pistol-hand. No nobles, no dragons, no winter, no inquisitors, no war; only the wind at your back, the crew on your deck, the treasure in your holds. (Admittedly, these stories were not my preference – but thinking back, I was quite taken with the books Perette had imported from the Far East, about a people who found peace and safety in their bubble-cities beneath the sea. The subject changes, but it seems the theme runs deep in us.) To see what Leofard has built here is infuriating and fascinating in equal measure. It is juvenile. Sky pirates! Absurdity. I blink and I see not the headquarters of a legitimate operation (insofar as piracy might be considered legitimate), but rather a treehouse full of wooden swords and stolen bedsheets and pocket gil fished out of gutters. And yet – when the winds strike just right, and the clouds churn beneath us like waves off the coast – I find myself horribly jealous, knowing that our bedtime stories were out here above our heads this whole time, had I too been brave enough to make them real.

[roevember 2023 prompt by boreal tempest & roe fizzlebeef]

[storms-path]

FFXIV Write 2024 Masterpost

Well, there it is once again. Another month of prompts completed, this time with so, so much lizard. The prompts were very kind to her this month, as was Dawntrail in general, and it was really nice to give her some positive development and flesh out more of her relationship with her mother. But of course I couldn't resist a few bad ends, a few dips into another timeline entirely, and a race across the stars for fun and profit.

Day 1 - Steer

Arashi engages in some tourism, much to Sanda's annoyance.

Day 2 - Horizon

Arashi gains a new title following her first Arcadion victory.

Day 3 - Tempest

The gang tangles with Byakko.

Day 4 - Reticent

Y'shtola bares her soul to a... confused audience.

Day 5 - Stamp

Fareena finds her mother in the ruins of Dalmasca.

Day 6 - Halcyon

Arashi's always been a sulky person, especially as a kid.

Day 7 - Morsel

Before the clash with Titan, Stalwart notices a strange dish.

Day 8 - Clean (Extra Credit)

Recovering from Ultima Thule, Arashi takes a bath.

Day 9 - Lend an Ear

Stalwart and Y'shtola have a long overdue conversation.

Day 10 - Stable

Arashi finds her chocobo. Violently.

Day 11 - Surrogate

While Arashi recovers, Sanda takes up her sister's mantle for a while.

Day 12 - Quarry

Arashi chases down Valigarmanda as it attempts to flee.

Day 13 - Butte

Arashi suffers from nightmares and sleepwalking. Ryne comes to find her.

Day 14 - Telling

Continuing from the previous prompt, Arashi and Thancred talk.

Day 15 - Presence (Extra Credit)

Sanda tries and fails to make sense of her feelings towards Zero. The feeling is mutual.

Day 16 - Third-Rate

A dramatised re-telling of the liberation of Ala Mhigo.

Day 17 - Sally

Lyse struggles with a difficult problem. Arashi "helps." Continues from prompts 13 and 14.

Day 18 - Hackneyed

As the Eigthth Umbral Calamity looms, Arashi, Sanda and Lyse make a desperate escape.

Day 19 - Taken

Fareena chases after Nael van Darnus, leading her into the heart of Garlemald.

Day 20 - Duel

Alisaie and Arashi come to blows.

Day 21 - Shade

Arashi goes down into the Aitiascope to confront a ghost.

Day 22 - Linger (Extra Credit)

Following Sphene's defeat, Sanda finds herself unable to celebrate properly.

Day 23 - On Cloud Nine

Fareena is a menace to society.

Day 24 - Bar

In a very different timeline, Sheriff Storm sizes up a newcomer to her little watering hole.

Day 25 - Perpetuity

The last will and testament of Arashi Washi, Warrior of Light.

Day 26 - Zip

Arashi engages in a Wacky Race.

Day 27 - Memory

As the Rising kicks off, Fareena drinks alone.

Day 28 - Deleterious

Arashi insists she's alright following her defeat of Valigarmanda. Nobody is willing to take her word for it. Continues from day 12.

Day 29 - Sunrise (Extra Credit)

Arashi and Stalwart talk for a while, but are interrupted by news of an ambassador's imminent arrival.

Day 30 - Two Heads Are Better Than One

Arashi and the ambassador talk about very serious things. Continues from the previous day.

And if you want to go through the whole thing at once, I also posted it on Archive Of Our Own.

And that's all there is to it! Definitely an easier set than last year, but I chalk that down to my job situation improving in leaps and bounds and, most importantly, giving me some damn room to breath. I still have a few ideas I'd like to work on, though (I didn't touch Pictomancer at all). Maybe I'll work on them in my own time. Maybe I'll wait until next year. Who can say?

Either way, this was a fantastic month and I'm glad I participated once again. And well done to everyone who participated as well, no matter how many prompts you managed or how proud of your prompts you are.

You did good. I'm proud of ya.

[alicesadventuresinffxiv]

My FFxivWrite2024 Entries

This is the first time I’ve done the FFxivWrite challenge - or indeed, any writing challenge for that matter! And when I began, I was torn between doing completely new and self-contained stories or writing scenes from the middle of the elaborate AU timelines I already had in my head.

So in the end, I went with a mix of both kinds of story. 

For explanations on the various (Fordola-centric) AUs I write, including a list of the To Catch a Falling Star scenes in chronological order, see this post here!

And for a list of all entries I did for this year’s challenge, see below! 

TL;DR: Lots of Fordola/Lyse, with a scattering of other NPC/NPC ships too. I’ve made it my goal to write each of the top 10 F/F NPC pairings at least once, plus some even rarer ones besides!

.

Week 1

1. Who wants to steer the Reaper? (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse, M'naago)

M’naago begrudgingly goes hunting with the Skulls, only to discover she has more in common with Fordola than she thought.

2. Narrow Horizons (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse)

Fordola struggles to tempt Lyse with freedoms she already has.

3. Visitors to the Tempest (Canon-adjacent, Ryne/Gaia)

The illusory Hythlodaeus welcomes Ryne and Gaia to Amaurot.

4. Uncharacteristically Reticent (8th Umbral Calamity, Fordola/Lyse)

Lyse can’t quite hide how much Fordola’s execution has been affecting her.

5. Stamps from across the Star (Canon-adjacent, Arenvald/Alphinaud)

Arenvald reflects on his collection of letters - most of which are from Alphinaud.

6. Those Fleeting Halcyon Moments (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse and Fordola/Yda (one-sided))

As Lyse and Fordola lie awake, Fordola reminisces about her feelings for Yda.

7. For a Morsel of Acceptance (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse, Charlet)

Lyse goes grocery shopping and discovers that being accepted as a Skull has some downsides besides the obvious.

.

Week 2

8. Wicked Hearts Aligned (The Empire won :(, Yotsuyu/Fordola)

After the Ala Mhigan and Doman revolutions both fail, Yotsuyu receives a new bodyguard.

9. Field Notes on Misija, Part III [Lend an Ear] (WoL was out fishing, Fordola & Misija)

Field Note style "transcript" of Fordola visiting Misija in her cell.

10. A Stable to Hubris (Canon-adjacent, Sadu/Cirina)

Cirina and Sadu investigate Magnai’s mysterious new “horse.“

11. Surrogate Hero (Canon-adjacent, Alisaie/Tesleen)

Alisaie and Tesleen during a brief, peaceful moment of rest.

12. Take our quarry alive! (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse)

After being taken prisoner at the attack on Rhalgr’s Reach, Lyse attempts to escape.

13. Butterflies atop the Butte (Canon-adjacent, Lyse/M'naago)

M’naago takes Lyse to explore a hidden forest.

14. A Telling Emotion (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse)

Lyse is jealous of Fordola's new gunblade, though not in the way Fordola expects.

.

Week 3

15. A Nostalgic Adventure (WoL!Fordola AU, Krile)

Krile finds a strange crystal in Galuf’s office.

16. Third-rate Azem (WoL!Fordola AU, Krile & Fordola)

After defeating Elidibus and returning from the First, Fordola has some pointed questions for Krile about their shared abilities.

17. Sally forth, to endings unwritten (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse)

Lyse makes her own choice as she and Fordola flee the Resonatorium.

18. Not hackneyed if it's from you (Canon-adjacent, Krile/Tataru)

Five times Tataru designed a Pictomancer outfit for Krile.

19. The Girl Whose Hand Was Taken (Fairytale AU, Yotsuyu/Yugiri)

Yugiri encounters a young Yotsuyu, in the style of a creepy fairytale poem. Or possibly a dark folk ballad.

20. Aftermath of a Duel (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse)

Specula Imperatoris falls and Lyse becomes a commander… but not the way it happens in canon.

[Dawntrail spoilers!] Bonus snippet: Lyse about to duel Wuk Lamat

21. A Different Shade (Canon-adjacent, Y'shtola/Zero)

Y’shtola and Zero hanging out and having a very definitely academic conversation.

.

Week 4

22. Of Parents, and of Family (Canon-adjacent, Krile & Wuk Lamat)

[Dawntrail spoilers!] Krile and Wuk Lamat discuss some feelings about being adopted.

23. Walking on cloud nine, trying not to look down (Canon-adjacent, Athena/Hegemone)

One possible (and very lesbian) explanation for why Hegemone kicked off the whole Pandaemonium plot.

24. Plans Hatched Behind Bars (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse, Conrad)

A lucky chance affords Lyse and Conrad another opening to escape - at the cost of Fordola’s life. Lyse comes up with a different idea instead.

25. Innocence in Perpetuity (Canon-adjacent, Wuk Lamat/Sphene)

[Dawntrail spoilers!] Having burned her bridges with the real thing, the Endless Sphene contents herself with simulations of how her relationship with Lamaty’i might have gone differently.

26. Zipping around the Hinterlands (Canon-adjacent, Lyse/Y'shtola)

Before the colony is abandoned, a very young Lyse and Y’shtola get up to trouble in Sharlayan.

27. Falling through memory, hand in hand (WoL!Fordola AU, Fordola/Lyse)

After Elidibus’s starshower awakens Lyse to the Echo, Fordola starts behaving strangely around her.

28. Deleterious Relations (TCaFS AU, Fordola/Lyse, Anamika)

Just when things seem to be going right for Lyse and Fordola, everything suddenly goes very, very wrong. Or: Lyse fails to prevent a primal summoning.

.

Two More Days!

29. Changing Tack (Canon-adjacent, Merlwyb/Kan-E)

When the Admiral receives a message from the Elder Seedseer taking her to task for her reckless actions, she knows how to read between the lines.

30. Two heads (at each other's throats) are better than one (insufferably self-absorbed) (WoL was out fishing, Fordola/Yugiri(?))

Yugiri and Fordola get off on the wrong foot, and now it’s Lucia’s headache to deal with.

[lal-ffxiv]

#3- Tempest

As always Adanirus marveled at the ablilites of his would to be betrothed. Asdis sensed how he felt unworthy of her, but did not comment as she pulled the aether from earth and air to heal the wound.

"Is this the wonders of white magic?"

Asdis scoffed. "I truly wish to hold the power of the elementals in my palm, but this is a lesser kind of magic. Even this can bring the wrath of nature on me, so do be more careful."

"How can the forces of nature rival the will of goddess."

"They can not, which is why your wound is healed."

"How did you come across this magiks?"

"In a quite literal hole in the ground. I had sought the healing magiks of white mages, but found conjury in its stead. Useless to to me though it was, it did inspire the imagination. The destruction brought by white mages must have been devastating."

"The sixth umbral calamity and war of of magi are evidence of that."

"Yes, but truly imagine being able to cast a windstorm on par with Garuda's power."

"Someday soon all will know and worthship you. You'll be the rightful Lady of the Vortex."

"Again with honey words, my aunt would not be impressed," Although Asdis could feel he meant every sweet word. "And still you have not explained how you could have torn your flesh to the bone, and not felt the pain."

"Honest to all the twelve, I have been this way since I was child. I would not have lived to this age if my parents had not banned me from going out of doors. In part to this curse, I did become very well read."

"I would have not paid you any attention of you were not so well-versed in tomes of history and magiks, and storybooks."

"Yes, the storybooks did aid me in currying your favor."

"Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise."

"Destruction and creation. Curse and blessing. Umbral and Astral. Everything that you are, and I am nothing in comparison."

Asdis was relieved her cheeks were naturally reddish to hide the light blush. Still Asdis could not distinguish the cause of the flush. Were these her own feelings, or the overwhelmingness of his?

"I still do not accept your proposal" Asdis stated very clearly, but it not dissuade Adanirus Heolstor in the least.

"If I die as nothing more than your research partner, then I'll die pleased with our relationship."

Asdis considered the statement as a sign of comprise. "Very well. Now in the terms of hypotheticals, how would I be able to cast a tempest with intended strength to overthrow Garuda?"

[riftdancing]

Various Housing Builds I've created.

a.) The Fireside - First iteration build b.) Lysander and Mihli's home - Dining Room/Kitchen c.) Vaniro's Cargo Airship - The Tempest d.) Firelight Trading Co. Employee Baths (Employees only!!) e.) Lysander and Mihli's home - Lysander's Study f.) The Umbral Udon - Noodle Bar

[crystal-verse]

Day 3 - Tempest

[a moment from the eighth umbral era in an au of my au wherein k'pheli and g'raha but briefly met, and k'pheli did not take part in the crystal tower expedition. uses he/they for g'raha]

The howling winds of the tempest shake the very walls of Revenant's Toll, and within a room built into the stone cliffs, Raha shivers. He pulls the many layers of blankets tighter around himself, foolishly attempting to converse any more warmth that he could. Even with his fur standing on end, there's little warmth to be had, this stormy winter evening.

The Ironworks try to be accommodating. They're used to the colder weather -- 'tis a result of their being born into this era, surely. Since the Eighth Umbral Calamity, the world has been colder. The people turning on each other, and the temperature plummeting as the weather changed. Or, so Biggs -- Biggs the IIIrd -- had told him. Raha has no way of truly knowing for sure without leaving Revenant's Toll, and -- he cannot do that.

(Two hundred years of sleep let his muscles atrophy, his strength seep away, naught more than skin and bones. The Tower kept him alive, of course, but for Raha to be awake enough to be woken he had to be in less than as deep a stasis as he had set the rest of the Tower in, and so he simply. . . slowly, slowly melted into the Tower. They'd had to carry him out, when they found him, for Raha could barely summon the strength to lift his head when he'd awakened.)

Another shiver wracks his frame, and his ears press further flat against his skull, flared out tail wrapping around his midsection beneath the blankets.

"Here." One of the Ironworks members -- a Viera, with ears that droop and eyes that are kind despite the tired look in them -- drapes yet another blanket over Raha's shoulders, a thick comforter this time. Raha has no idea where 'tis from, but 'tis soft, and thick, the kind that one sleeps with in the coldest of winters. "You need it more than the rest of us right now."

He looks at her, wide-eyed. "Are you certain?"

Another Ironworks member, this time a tall and lean Auri man, snorts. "Lad, if don't take the blanket, someone's going to pull you into their lap and insist upon transfer of body heat." There's a twist to his lips, there, a failed attempt at stifling a smirk. "You look rather pathetic, shivering under all those blankets."

Raha's ears stay pinned against his head, though now for a different reason. Shame courses through him. For it to be so apparent how weak I am. . . Here he was, having proclaimed of being a great hero for the future, and yet he was the one who needed the kindness of others lest he die.

The winds calm, for but a few brief moments. They will rise again soon, Raha knows, the same way they have through the entire day. Still, it is marginally warmer, now, so he shivers and shakes himself out of that pile of blankets, and carefully stands on trembling, fawnlike legs. The Auri man keeps an eye on Raha, but he needn't have done so -- Raha has improved enough to do this much, at least. Handing out the blankets is not the most glorious of tasks and Raha does miss the warmth immediately afterwards, but with no fires inside and little desire to spend valuable fuel on warming themselves up, 'tis at least a kindness to give the Ironworks their own warmth, however slight.

(Raha keeps the comforter, though. It had been gifted to them.)

When the task is done, Raha settles against a wall, still in eyesight of the Auri man. Perhaps he's their designated watcher, for the while -- Raha had resented that they needed a watcher, at first, but upon seeing the ruins that had become of the world, after painfully realizing just how much the Crystal Tower took from them while they'd slept, Raha had seen the wisdom in it.

He sighs. The storm will pass, and they will be able to resume their work. And they -- the Ironworks, and whoever is left to join them in their cause, and Raha themself -- will further progress towards their goal of going back in time, of saving the Warrior of Light. (Sae'pheli'ehva's ghost haunts them all, Raha things. This person who had been so tired, even when Raha had known him but briefly. This person who had thrown himself into the role of Warrior of Light, so thoroughly that though his cousin shared the mantle 'twas little recorded of him other than what he did for his role, other than what his role demanded of him.

Raha. . . wants to know Sae'pheli'ehva. He'll never get to, of course, should his goals succeed, but -- perhaps. If all goes to plan. He can make the world a bit kinder, through whatever small actions, and Sae'pheli'ehva will have a reason to be something other than just the Warrior of Light.)

The wind begins to howl again. Raha pulls the comforter further around him, and tries to sleep. (It is a long while before sleep finds them.)

[ffxivxd]

It was not until the advent of the Sixth Umbral Era that, by process of elimination, were scholars able to declare that the First Umbral Era was connected to wind. The era was believed to be a time of hurricanes, tempests and tornadoes.

[digeethegenie]

FFXIV Write 2024 - Master List

Sundered Soul Sagas : FFXIV

The star is finally at peace thanks to the tireless efforts of The Scions of The Seventh Dawn, and Yujo Palms, the Warrior of Light. In this period of eternal calm, we take stock the tales- both told and untold- of both these brave souls and others that call The Sundered Soul Star their home.

Contents

30 A Moment Between Twins Two Heads Are Better Than One After recovering from the devistating battle with Titan and with their thoughts stuck on the cataonic kobold child. Alisaie and Alphinaud finally have a chance to talk to each other and have a frank conversion about their paths and the young woman who has become a cornerstone of thier lives.

29 The Vault of The Singer (Chaotic) Christmas (Open Day) Another Time, Another Place: Yujo and the Scions prepare to take on the one primal that refuses to remain unsummoned. She who will plauge every 12th Umbral Moon without fail. Whose siren songs drive mad the comman market man. May the twelve have mercy on the Scions!

28 Crystal Brave, Crystal Fool Deleterious Alphinaud returns to The Crystarium to give one of his regular reports when he finds The Crystal Exarch colapsed, suffering from an afliction which calls to mind a fellow from his homeland that he had thought lost.

27 Paradigm Memory The sundered mind of Elidibus is always watching. Never sleeping, never stopping. For theirs is a loney- and madening- existance.

26 - Zip The Absolutely Peachy Keen Cactaur Conductor vs...

25 - Perpetuity Thank you, our leaving actors

24 - Bar Yujo The Sommelier

23 - On Cloud Nine Coffee, Biscuits, Coffee Biscuits

22 - OD: Ribbon Sunday Without Hydelyn

21 - Shade The Exhaustion of Emet-Selch

20 - Duel Flowers for Yuyujo

19 - Taken The Lalafell and The Viera

18 - Hackneyed I want to be your Canary

17 - Sally Sally Forth, And Drown

16 - Third Rate Kicking the Rats Nest

15 - OD: Tears The Tears of Yuyujo Yujo

14 - Telling It's all in the Cards

13 - Butte An Ambition Reborn

12 - Quary Drink Deep

11 - Surrogate Family Matters

10 - Stable Light's Ryne

09 - Lend an Ear Yuyujo Yujo Can't (Eorezan) Common

08 - OD: Hyperion The Rise (and fall) of Hyperion

07 - Morsel The Dragon, The Lady, And Fray

06 - Halcyon Everyone Loves Squapes

05 - Stamp Day of the Moogles

04 - Reticent Missive

03 - Tempest He who looked back

02 - Horizon The Night Before

01 - Steer Ride West, Young Chocomate!

[farflypants]

Made some new O.C.s! Because!

Now for stuff that only makes sense to me. Mostly just to write it down somewhere.

These two are the parents of Fludorf.

The father is a light creature named Ayinifel. He's the worst! He's the reason Fludorf lives in hiding.

The mother is a shadow creature named Shandorf AKA The Umbral Tempest. Fludorf takes mostly after her. From looks to their Aquamancy, which is no where near as powerful as their mother's. She was a kind spirit who loved Fludorf very much until she was struck down by Ayinifel for protecting Fludorf.

See, the higher ups of Ayinifel's people decided that Fludorf's existence was an abomination. A creature born from opposing factions. So they ordered Ayinifel to dispose of them of which he obliged with no objections. Hell he was waiting for an excuse.

He failed and Fludorf escaped. And from then on Fludorf lived in hiding, terrified of bright lights.

[ainyan]

A flashback

Echo dreams provide wonderful opportunity for flashbacks. From Monstrous:

Her skin was normal, unblemished - rich indigo patterned with obsidian scales and speckled with pinprick freckles that glowed like stars in the sky that had once gazed down upon the Light-torn lands of Norvrandt. To the average eye, she looked the same as she always had - tiny and delicate, a small, slim Au Ra - or Drahn, as they called her people here - dark of skin and scale, with indigo eyes rimmed in glowing lavender.

They did not see what she saw; beneath her skin seethed a morass of blighted Light, monstrous and tainted, gnawing at her soul, shattering it to crystalline shards. They did not see in her the architect of their doom, the reason behind the sudden resurgence of Light in the sky, the dampening of the sunless sea that she herself had brought back, only to steal it away once more.

They did not understand the danger - simply by existing, she had become that which she most abhorred - a villain, a monster. If the Light overtook her, she would become a sin eater. A Lightwarden. No. A Primal of the Light, beyond anything that the men and women of this world had ever beheld. Her power would be on par with the greatest of the primals - Hydaelyn and Zodiark.

They did not know how she had failed them. She had failed in her duty. She had failed to contain the Light. And so the Light still burned beneath her skin, seared across her soul; with every breath she took, the danger grew. At any moment she might turn, become the enemy. Or worse, her Light might start bleeding over, corrupting those around her like a Primal tempers the unprotected. She had to go. Had to leave.

She had to die. And better she kill herself in ridding the First of the Light she bore than turn and force those who once called her friend to slay her instead, risking their own souls and sanity in turn. Worse, there would be no guarantee they or anyone else would have the strength of arms or will to take on the woman who held the Light of five Lightwardens in her battered, shattered soul.

So she would go in silence. In secret. She would beard Emet-Selch in his lair within the Tempest and she would free the Exarch from his clutches, then she would find a way to cast herself into the rift, as G’raha Tia had intended to do. Her friends - her family - would live on to fight the good fight, and she would have fulfilled her ultimate duty in forestalling the Eighth Umbral Calamity. With his plans in tatters and missing one-third of his triumvirate of unsundered, hopefully it would take Emet-Selch long enough to hatch a new plan that her soul would be reborn, and a new Warrior of Light would take up her mantle.

“So, this is where thou art.”

No. No, no, NO!

She didn’t want to turn. If she didn’t see them, then they couldn’t stop her. She would take the amaro, she would fly to the Tempest, and she would see an end to this. She would not risk them - her friends, her family.

She would not risk him.

“Kal’istae.” His voice jolted her; her soul cracked and fizzled beneath the weight of corrupted light and she clutched at her breast, gritting the teeth against the pain. “Kal’istae! Wake up!”

Wake up?

Fanfic is full of crucial moments. Want to see mine? Ask!

Thank you for the ask! <3

[ievaxol]

falling asleep to the sound of the other’s heartbeat for the sharing a bed prompts. :3

G'raha is no stranger to exhaustion, how it can sink into the skin and settle snug and tight around every bone. He'd hit the ground running once he'd awakened to the Eight Umbral Calamity and hadn't ever really stopped; this, however, is the worst it's been for a long time.

He's been on his feet for near 72 hours, ever since being hauled out of the waters of the Tempest.

Emet-Selch, bullet wound, Amarout, the blinding Light followed by blessed Dark, getting back home — his teeth are buzzing, his vision bleary, still sleep won't come to him.

Next to him the Warrior is resting, looking smaller than they ever have before underneath the heavy covers. They'd been examined up and down by a dozen different chirurgeons after collapsing upon their return to the Crystarium and all of them said the same thing — we can't find anything wrong, just let them sleep.

Just let them sleep.

Easier said than done, G'raha finds; evidently he is not the only one, as the Scions quickly scrambled up a makeshift schedule for keeping watch at their bedside.

G'raha suppresses a yawn as he checks the chronometer — twenty minutes until Alisaie comes to relieve him — and then gently brushes a hand over the Warrior's fringe. It's damp with sweat, stringy in a way he knew they normally wouldn't allow and it only adds to the lump that's been growing in his throat.

The Warrior doesn't stir and the covers have stopped moving, that soothing up-and-down he's been watching so vigilantly. Did he lose track of time when he yawned? Wicked white, what if he fell asleep?

Are they —

He leans down, breath caught in his throat.

Are they — !

Underneath his ear, faintly, he can make out the rhythmic thumps of life. Relief lances through him and he slumps forward, boneless. For a moment it is as though he is outside of his body, watching himself let slip warm wet tears over the Warrior's chest from the Ocular.

It lasts only for what feels like a brief moment before he snaps back into himself, the weight of a hand on his shoulder.

"'Tis well that you slept, because I was on the verge of knocking you out myself." Alisaie's voice is measured, but fond. "They wouldn't want to wake up only to see you keel over next."

[viiioca]

day 3: ice

From the journal of Estelle de Laussienne, 17th of the 2nd Umbral Moon, 6 7A.E. The Enchiridion teaches us that the righteous, the pious, the virtuous, the gloried, the innocent, and the martyred are secured a place with the Fury when they die. There is not an Ishgardian alive who hasn't pored over the scripture – by faith or force – and contended with its passages on rewards for a life spent in Her service. It's in our prayer schools, our songs, our bedtime stories. A thousand years we have labored and died through war and famine for the promise of peace eternal in the Heaven of Ice, reunited with those we have lost. And yet its streets are empty. It's hardly the first lie the book has ever told, but I find myself disappointed in it all the same.

[roevember 2023 prompt by boreal tempest & roe fizzlebeef]

[bogotamusicvideofestival]

// Bogotá Music Video Festival // Selección Oficial 2024 //

Panorama Nacional

Ali AKA Mind - La Ansiedad Y Yo (David Moreno)

Alpes De Blanco A Negativo - Memorabilia (Erik Alexander Orozco Gañán)

Ami Rodríguez, Luna Hernández - Travesía (Óscar Otero)

Animal Blanco - Carcaj De Flechas Blancas (Cintia Obando)

Anny - Flores Amarillas (Brayan Rubiano)

Asylenn - En el Umbral (Juan Meza)

Beatzarro Fernández - Pan De Dios (Joan Sebastian Gallo Hincapie)

Buendía & Guarachan Brothers - Si Nos Queremos Tanto (Álvaro D. Ruiz)

Cacao Munch - Tiempo (Carlos Toro Egas)

Carrera Séptima - Septimazo (Santiago Muñoz)

COBO - Ruleta (Daniela Duque)

Cosmology X Ft. Pepa Lopera - Gnomo Psicotrópico (Johanna Parra)

Dani Medias Rotas - Josefina (Ángel Jesús Hurtado)

David Oli - El Tiempo Nos Pesa (Sebastián Prada)

Deglorian - El Placer De Lo Oculto (Andrés C. Rivera)

Espíritus Afines - Antes Del Eclipse (Juliana Andrea Acevedo Ruiz)

Fatima Push - Amigo And Tempest (Mateo Chaves & Camilo Báez)

Fausto Rodríguez - Margarita (David Lozada)

Flor De Jamaica - Quisiera (Randazzo)

Flor De Lava - El Velo Se Cayó (Rodrigo Borda)

Garajes - Transgresión (Gabriel Toro)

Irepelusa - Los Domingos La Paso Solita (Nano Carulla)

Irepelusa x Esteman - Te Amé Temprano (Nano Carulla)

John Arango - Rojo Carmesí (John Arango)

Juan Diego Triviño & Anamaría Laroc - Cohete (El Juanpa)

Karonte - Fuego Por Bemba (Thomas Mejía)

Kevin Jurado X LEEB X Hidd Sage - Superposición Cuántica (David Moncayo)

Lacerta - Una Vuelta (Álvaro José Cogollos)

LaChiki Y Su Mala Reputación - Del Timbo Al Tambo (Vladimir Goraldo & Jorge Zárate)

Las Villa - Fanática Sensual (Diego Ante)

Laura Kalop, Andrea Echeverri - Ay, Mujer (Sergio Mantilla & Manuel Velásquez)

Laura Pérez - Dementes (Mariana Sánchez)

Lilo Lara - Rola Caliente (Amarilla Ávila)

Locotina - Salgo a Buscarte (Edward Gómez Granada)

Los Hermanos De Nadie - El Murmullo De Un Muerto (Los Hermanos De Nadie & CunturFfilms)

Malva - Raso en la Jungla (Stiven Pinzón)

Maria McCausland - Todo Pasa (Hugo Rubiano)

Mario Y Sus Modales - No Sé Soltar (Sebastián Prada)

Mauricio Meyes - TLTEM (Pablo Escallón Barrios)

Mc Ari & El Arkeólogo ft. Noé Castilla - Jazmín (Jeisson Gómez)

Nicolás Díaz Lucas - A Las 6 (Kim Arévalo)

Nucleonics - Drop The Bomb (Laura Mosquera)

Palto, El Elegido - Ser Semilla (Julián Andrés Gómez Reyes)

Proyecto Humo - Te voy a matar + El caso 003478 (Iska Emilio Lozano)

Residente & Wos - Problema Cabrón (Alejandro Pedroza)

Señor Ledesma - Tú (Alexis Ledesma)

También Conocidos Como - Plataformas (Carlos Prías)

Tu Rockcito y Paula Rios Ft. Christian Camilo Peña - Pato Vallenato (William Rivera y Andrea Peralta)

Una Espeletia - Firmecito (Justin Olivares)

Unidad Ideológica - Bloqueo Mental (Ana González)

UNIO - Capucha Y Poesía (Julián Baraya)

Victoria Sur - Ojalá Nos Crucemos Otra Vez (Leo Carreño)

[tinolqa]

I might have to double-check this but iirc it was implied that the Tenkonto in Hingashi developed aetherytes mostly independently of Sharlayan involvement.

Aside from that (I need to crack open Vol. 2 of the EE to check the exact description of what the Tenkonto were doing with aetherytes), we can ostensibly draw some conclusions based on different design types and where we find them.

- Ancients had aetherytes and also… not-aetherytes. We don’t have a full picture of what they were doing with transportation, magically speaking, but Elpis features a significant number of conceptually similar devices that have a narrow, bi-directional connection instead of sending the user through the aetherial sea to an intended destination. Presumably the crystal in the first room we arrive in functions like the ones used to hop between islands or the one that sends you to Pandaemonium, and is an “elevator” connected to a linked crystal on the surface.

- Going off of what we see on the First, there would have been surviving ancient aetherytes immediately following the Final Days and Sundering. We only see the ones located under what is now the Tempest/parallel to the Source’s Indigo Deep, but given that Amaurot suffered pretty significant destruction and still had a surviving aetheryte on a shard untouched by seven subsequent global calamities, I am very willing to posit that at least in the First Astral Era there were still ancient aetherytes on the Source.

- But, going off of the short story in NieR: Reincarnation and what it suggested about humanity immediately post-Sundering as well as the concepts introduced about soul density and rejoinings, it’s not actually clear if anybody could safely use aetherytes at first. It’s also unclear if there was enough magic development in the First Astral through Second Umbral eras for these ancient aetherytes to be used. Clearly a fully sundered soul is still enough to use an aetheryte, as they’re present all over Norvrandt and are a known technology to Alexandrians.

- There is a distinct Allagan style of aetheryte in Azys Lla. It’s likely the majority of these were destroyed in the Calamity of Earth, and what little we know of the Fourth Astral Era potentially implies that the remains were not used as a basis to reinvent aetheryte travel at any point. There may not even have been enough remains to reconstruct or reverse engineer, but the societal disarray and backlash to everything Allag stood for likely cemented the absence of new aetherytes.

- Allag *seems* to have invented the post-Sundering aetheryte, though it’s uncertain (and doesn’t necessarily matter) whether they reinvented them from first principles, based research on remains of older aetherytes, or were guided to the relevant information and artifacts by Interested Parties (probably Emet-Selch?).

- Sharlayan gets all of the credit for the system but let’s not mince words- there are a lot of aetherytes on the Source that they had no hand in making, and quite a few of them are in use and created by far less technologically advanced civilizations. For example: the Ok’ Zundu aetheryte in the Sea of Clouds, all of the natural crystal aetherytes you have to use to access primal fights in ARR/HW (O’Ghomoro, Natalan, Zan’rak, Loth Ast Vath, the second Vanu one in Vundu Ok’ Bendu), the aetherytes in every Othard zone, the aetherytes in Garlemald, the Helix aetheryte in Azys Lla (previously discussed), the aetherytes in the Churning Mists- pretty much by necessity none of these were made by Sharlayan, and only some of them could possibly even be based on Sharlayan designs.

- Again, I need to check the books on this but the majority of aetherytes in Norvrandt were created and placed by the Ronkan Empire. At the moment, even the Crystarium is unlikely to be able to construct new full-sized aetherytes, but they and Eulmore have at least managed aethernet shards.

Teleportation magic in FFXIV is actually the craziest thing

like, it's established so early on you don't have to think about it, and I expect the writers also didn't think too hard about it when they were first putting together the worldbuilding. but we teleport through the Lifestream. we dip in and out of the afterlife every time we go anywhere long-distance. and this is such a normal part of everyday life that major settlements basically all have giant crystals in the middle that are meant to facilitate this kind of travel.

and to be absolutely fair, in a world where the afterlife really was a place underground, we totally would build a subway system through it and put Hades in charge. it's not like it doesn't make sense, it's just. wild.

[serephinastardust]

The Book I'm writing: Requiem of the Rising Flames-Elixir's Pursuit: A Kitsune's Journey Rewrite #3 Book 1 Chapter 7

Caught in the talons of the Tempest Roc, Odessa's disorientation gave way to a stark awareness of her precarious situation. The wind rushed past her, and the world blurred as she struggled to make sense of the sudden change of events.

With a mixture of shock and alertness, Odessa glanced around, trying to orient herself. The realization struck her—she was suspended high above the ground, a captive in the clutches of the very creature she had witnessed being defeated not long ago.

A sense of helplessness crept in as Odessa looked downward. The distance between her and the ground was now too vast to contemplate any escape. The Tempest Roc, once vanquished, now carried her through the skies with an unsettling determination.

Surveying her surroundings, Odessa noted the continued activity below. A group, riding into Umbral Haven, caught her attention. Wondering if it might be the rest of Crown Prince Xander's entourage, she strained her eyes to discern familiar faces.

After a moment, another group came into view. As she squinted against the rushing wind, she thought she detected a symbol, faint but unmistakable—a Nightshade emblem. A brief flicker of speculation crossed her mind. Could it be that her family had sent someone to retrieve her? A mix of emotions welled up within her—anticipation, uncertainty, and a lingering desire for connection.

As the unsettling reality of her situation settled in, Odessa, ever the pragmatist, tamped down any unwarranted emotions that threatened to surface. The dangerous predicament she found herself in served as a catalyst for mental clarity. If anyone had observed her closely, they would have witnessed a subtle transformation—a gradual retreat of warmth from her countenance, leaving behind a face cold and devoid of expression.

Turning her attention to the Tempest Roc, Odessa twisted within its grasp, locking eyes with the formidable creature. She ventured to ask the question that hung heavily in the air.

"Why have you taken me?" she inquired, her voice cutting through the rush of wind. The Roc, an inscrutable guardian of the skies, met her gaze with an unyielding stare. Its response, a silence that echoed between them, offered no solace or explanation.

Almost simultaneously, Odessa and the Roc sensed the approach of another presence. A glance in the direction of their shared focus revealed Crown Prince Xander, resolute and determined, beginning the chase anew.

As Seraphina stood on the ground, her eyes widened in detached horror as the woman she had observed and briefly befriended was snatched by the Tempest Roc. The abrupt turn of events left her grappling with a surreal mixture of disbelief and concern.

In the recesses of her thoughts, Seraphina mused, "This Esa, whoever she is, seems to have the worst luck. Is she the unluckiest girl alive, or is fate playing some twisted game with her?" The brief connection they had formed now felt like a fragile thread severed by the unpredictable whims of fate.

The crowd below, oblivious to the true identity of the woman caught in the talons of the Tempest Roc, buzzed with speculation and whispers. Observers exchanged hushed conversations, trying to make sense of the sudden and dramatic events unfolding above.

"Who is she?" murmured one curious onlooker, squinting at the figure suspended in mid-air.

"Never seen her before. Maybe she's from out of town," replied another, shading their eyes from the sun to get a better look.

As the speculation continued, the tone of the crowd's whispers shifted. A group of women who had earlier engaged in animated discussions about Crown Prince Xander found a new topic of conversation. Their voices, tinged with jealousy, painted a different perspective.

"Did you see that? The prince went after her, not one of us," remarked a woman, her eyes narrowing with envy.

"Who is she, anyway? She's so plain. What does he see in her?" questioned another, her gaze fixed on the airborne spectacle.

The misinterpretation of the prince's intentions fueled the growing discontent among the group. Jealousy twisted their expressions as they watched the unfolding drama in the skies.

As the crowd continued to speculate about the mysterious woman in the Roc's clutches, the whispers of the women who had earlier discussed Crown Prince Xander took on a more ominous tone. The rumors they had heard about the prince's ruthlessness fueled their growing apprehension.

"I heard he doesn't care about anyone caught in his path. If she's in trouble, she's as good as gone," one woman muttered, her expression darkening.

"Plain or not, I wouldn't want to be in her shoes. Xander's a force to be reckoned with," added another, echoing the ominous sentiments.

The sinister reputation that surrounded Crown Prince Xander painted their perception of the unfolding events. Jealousy intertwined with a tinge of fear as they observed the airborne spectacle.

Seraphina's mind lingered on the question of whether the girl had any family in Umbral Haven. "Does she have someone waiting for her? Family, friends? Or is she truly alone in this city?" The uncertainty of Esa's background heightened the intrigue surrounding her sudden abduction.

A decision crystallized within Seraphina. The detached horror she felt morphed into a determination to take action. Ignoring the speculative whispers around her, she resolved to step into the chaos and attempt to help the girl herself.

Leaving the safety of the crowd, Seraphina moved with purpose, her gaze fixed on the ascending Roc and its captive.

In the swirling winds high above, Odessa attempted to reason with the enigmatic Tempest Roc, her words carried away by the currents as she spoke.

"Listen," she began, her voice a mere whisper against the rush of air, "there are rumors about the guy chasing us. They say he's ruthless, that he won't lose sleep if you decide to take me out in the process. If you're doing this because you think he's a threat, you've got it all wrong."

The Roc, indifferent to her attempts at negotiation, continued its ascent, its sharp gaze fixed on the horizon.

"He's not after me," she persisted, her words echoing in the vast expanse. "In fact, if anything happens to me, he might not even care. So, let's reconsider this, shall we?"

The Roc responded only with a brief, intense glare, as if challenging her resolve. Adjusting its flight slightly, it showed no inclination to engage in verbal discourse.

Odessa took a momentary pause, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings. As the Roc veered closer to Lunar Meadow, a subtle shift in trajectory, unlike their previous course, registered in her observant mind. A sigh escaped her lips, an acknowledgment of the changing circumstances.

"Fine," she murmured, her voice barely audible against the wind. "We're heading towards Lunar Meadow, then. Let's see where this takes us."

Crown Prince Xander resumed his assault on the Tempest Roc, Eclipsebane in hand, each swing sending out arcs of ethereal energy that danced through the air. The sword energy, a manifestation of celestial power, trailed behind the gleaming blade like transient echoes of its otherworldly might. With every stroke, Xander sought to impose his will upon the tempestuous guardian that defied him.

The Roc, in response, met each strike with an air of stoic defiance. Feathers ruffled by the force of the swings, it remained a formidable opponent in the tumultuous skies, a guardian of the storm facing off against the celestial force.

Meanwhile, Odessa, suspended in the talons of the Roc, abandoned her attempts at communication for a moment. Instead, she turned her focus to the landscape below, desperately seeking any sign of the waterfalls or rivers that might offer a semblance of safety.

Scanning the vast expanse of Lunar Meadow, Odessa strained her eyes against the winds. The landscape, though blurred by the rapid movement, revealed the verdant meadow below, interspersed with rocky outcrops and scattered water features. A glimmer of hope sparked within her as she sought the familiar sight of cascading water, a potential escape route from her precarious perch in the skies.

As the duel between Crown Prince Xander and the Tempest Roc continued above, Odessa's gaze remained fixed on the meadow below, her thoughts oscillating between the unfolding battle in the heavens and the possibility of finding refuge amidst the natural wonders of Lunar Meadow.

With her keen eyes fixed on the landscape below, Odessa's calculating mind worked swiftly to assess the potential escape point she had identified—a high waterfall cascading down Lunar Meadow. In the midst of the tempestuous skies, her thoughts became a dance of precision and strategy.

Calculations spun through her mind like a well-oiled machine. She estimated the distance from her current position to the waterfall, factoring in the Roc's altitude and the speed at which they were hurtling through the air. The angle and trajectory of her jump became crucial variables in the equation.

In the calm center of her calculating storm, Odessa envisioned the precise moment she would need to make her move. A fraction too early or too late, and the consequences could be dire. The waterfall, a distant beacon of potential safety, represented both opportunity and risk.

Yet, as she plotted her escape, a new challenge emerged. Crown Prince Xander's celestial assault continued, and each swing of Eclipsebane sent ripples of icy sword energy through the air. The ethereal frost threatened to encase her in an otherworldly grip, a stark reminder that even in the midst of calculated maneuvers, the celestial forces at play could tip the scales.

With meticulous precision, Odessa gauged the frozen tendrils of sword energy, acutely aware of their chilling touch. Her calculations now extended to the timing of her jump, ensuring that she would evade the encroaching frost while executing a precise and controlled descent.

As the Roc continued its turbulent flight through the skies, Odessa worked with calculated urgency to free herself from its talons. Each subtle movement required finesse, her agile form twisting and turning to loosen the grip that held her captive. With a precarious balance, she clung to the Roc's talons, her brown eyes focused on the approaching waterfall.

Inside the confines of her mind, a countdown commenced—an internal ticking clock that measured the seconds until the waterfall was within jumping distance. Odessa's sharp intellect orchestrated each movement, synchronized with the rhythm of her heartbeat.

"Ten... nine... eight..." she whispered to herself, mentally reviewing the distance that separated her from the cascade of water below. Her keen gaze darted between the relentless pursuit of Crown Prince Xander and the anticipated escape point.

"Seven... six... five..." Odessa gauged the ruthless determination in Xander's movements, the celestial energy radiating from Eclipsebane a stark reminder of the peril that loomed behind her.

"Four... three... two..." Her muscles tensed as the waterfall drew nearer, its thunderous roar becoming a symphony of promise and challenge.

"One..." With a swift, decisive motion, Odessa released her grip from the Roc's talons, her body suspended for a fleeting moment in the tumultuous currents of the tempest. The jump, a calculated leap of faith, propelled her towards the cascading waters, and as she descended, the world around her blurred into a mosaic of motion and anticipation.

As Crown Prince Xander unleashed the final, decisive blow upon the Tempest Roc, his expression remained unamused, a stoic mask that belied the celestial force he wielded. Eclipsebane cleaved through the air, a streak of molten gold against the tempestuous backdrop, before finding its mark with an otherworldly precision. The Roc, a once indomitable guardian of the storm, succumbed to the celestial might, its form sent hurtling in a catastrophic descent.

The impact was thunderous, a collision of forces that echoed through the tempest. Feathers and debris scattered in the aftermath, marking the Roc's final descent to the earth. Xander watched with a detached gaze, his interest fleeting as the celestial energy of Eclipsebane dissipated into the ambient air.

However, at the periphery of his vision, something mundane caught Xander's attention—an ordinary woman, freefalling through the skies. The intricacies of her descent briefly stirred a memory, a flicker of recognition that danced on the fringes of his consciousness. Silver hair and amethyst eyes, a spectral echo from a bygone time.

As he observed her contort her body to navigate the perilous descent, the memory solidified for a moment, evoking the image of a girl he had once known. The connection eluded him, a puzzle piece just beyond reach, and he dismissed the nostalgic reverie. There was no place for sentiments in the celestial dance of the present.

With a subtle shift of focus, Xander directed his attention downward, the meadow stretching beneath him in a vibrant tapestry of natural beauty. Putting the person, he saw enter the water right before the waterfall out of his mind completely.