#pray return to the waking sands

[graha-stan-account]

This is actually too adorable to keep to myself.

Now available from my shop.

[cur10uscr0w]

When she says Pray Return

[before-calamity]

Vesper Bay

Vesper Bay is one of the most important places in Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn. It is the home of the Waking Sands, a place you go to repeatedly during the events of ARR. There is a reason why "Pray return to the Waking Sands" is a meme.

This is Vesper Bay in FFXIV 1.0! Kind of. It's not called that on the map - it's a small place with a chocobo stable and a ferry...which Vesper Bay also had.

The buildings look very similar, and it is close by Camp Horizon. You even trudge through a "swampy" area (more on that later) to get there. There are only two buildings here, one of which would become the Waking Sands.

[feychild1225]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[xiakha]

FFXIVWrite 2024 Prompt #18 - Hackneyed

"Pray return to---"

Xiao sighed and turned in place. She reached through the aether streams to find the correct Aetheryte, Horizon, and expended the necessary anima to send herself over.

Raya-O-Senna blinked. How did she know where to go already?

Xiao popped out of the aetherial stream with her normal grace and instantly summoned her chocobo, Dakgangjeong, and left in a wake of dust and rust red feathers.

Westward down through the tunnel of the Sunset Gate, past the Silent King and Cresent Cove to the Footfalls and the tunnel into Vesper Bay, past the stupid stupid statue of Lolorito which she spat at, and into the nondescript building that housed the Waking Sands. She passed Tataru with a wave that also indicated she was in a hurry, descended the steps, ran through the hallway into the Solar, and barged through the doors, practically sliding herself into the room. She started to give her report when she noticed something odd.

The room was empty.

Several things occurred to Xiao almost together. First off, the Scions were all very likely still currently in Gridania, where Xiao left them. If she had to report to Minfilia, which only half made sense since Raya-O-Senna was the one asking her to go pray return or whatnot, surely she would report to Minfilia in Gridania. Secondly, they had all but moved their operations to Mor Dhona, had this been but a half-fortnight later, there wouldn't be anyone here to greet her regardless. And thirdly, she had been given tickets to Vesper Bay, why did she feel the need to teleport over to Horizon and take the long, almost thirty minute, trek over?

It occurred to Xiao that now she was roughly thirty chimes absent without leave. The Scions weren't military enough that they'd issue her a penalty, and there were definitely some days where she would disappear off into side quests or would explore old dungeons once more for hours at a time, but it was still probably concerning. Certainly there was no reason that she'd take more than a half bell to work her way through the Twelveswood. If anything, they'd only begin to worry about her disappearance about now.

She looked around the Solar. She was definitely sick of being debriefed every time by Minfilia (truth be told, it wasn't like anyone else could really debrief her, since no one else had the Echo), and then sent off again from the Waking Sands not a bell later like some glorified errand girl. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel melancholy, this was perhaps the last time she would be have returned here under orders, as mistaken as she was in what those orders entailed, meaning the last time she heard that turn of phrase in full was actually the last time she'd ever be asked to pray return to the Waking Sands. And this little section of her life had come to a close.

Onwards to bigger and better things perhaps.

Alisaie, much relieved to be out of the Second Coil, soaked her sleeve with sweat from her brow. Perspiration like precipitation to go with the roil that occurred within the head of hers. So much about Nael van Darnus and Dalamud and their implications on what happened to her grandfather... Though she bid Xiao leave, and that she'd catch up after a brief rest, the Warrior of Light lingered.

"Xiao, you need not worry about me, pray return to the Waking S— Xiao? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

[toadeyes-miqote]

Prompt #18: Fish out of Water

Note -Pray return to NG+ for a long trip and three dungeons if not using Unending Journey

The nearest attuned Aetheryte was Horizon, it was somewhat of a jog to the Waking Sands, nothing she couldn’t handle, annoying buzzards and all. Exiting the tunnel, the smell of sea air was strong, the call of an incoming ship. Warehouses dotted the pier and she headed to one of them.

The tiny pink clad receptionist breeze her through formalities. Into the coeurl’s den then, too late back out. Eyes were on her. People of various standing, mercenaries? Fellow adventurers? There were male Miqo’te on the premise, she took note to be careful of how intense male Miqo’te energy can be.

She had expected an orientation program with the new recruits instead of a private interview with the leader and what was assume to be her chief officers. The tall one speaks in riddles, the others save for Yda sounded well read in their fields. Posh in the way the upper echelon of society was. All this talk about powers and magical beings made her wary. What had a simple hunter gotten herself into.

For now she threw her lot in with them. There might come a time they would prove useful in finding her missing mate.

----------- Side effect of not screen shotting actively until Mid HW and how now tweaks to the game might cause gaslighting.

[thefinalwitness]

have you seen. she.

[imustbenuts]

Ffxiv mobile? Ffxiv mobile????? On god, yoshi p??? With tencent????

[fourfoldfires]

it's been so long since i'd last played through arr that i'd forgotten just how early on in the story the attack on the waking sands happens. like i know they trimmed a bunch of stuff from msq (including some things that shouldn't have been trimmed if you ask me >.>), but damn. my poor sprout just got finished beating up titan and he's dealing with all this.

[dragongirlbunny]

we're down to vesna or vesper

[fukiana]

theyre putting their best foot forward for the new xbox players

[quinn-borel]

[Quinnmeric/Wolmeric Modern!AU. Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.Part 4]

She stood there with her little denim shorts and billowing pink blouse as she pressed the ice cream cone to her lips.  The wind had picked up quite a bit, and the clouds had covered up the sun–yet the sun was already in front of him in the form of her smile.  How she brightened such an overcast day with how her lips simply curled.  Aymeric couldn’t help but to stare, and Quinn noticed it.  She leaned over the railing and rolled her tongue over the tip of the soft serve–Aymeric averted his gaze immediately and looked out upon the harbor.  The soft waves brushed against the wood of the pier, and the gulls above cried out in hopes that someone would give them a tasty treat.  There was something serene about the environment which put him at ease, and the young man relaxed as he, too, leaned against the railing with his ice cream.

“Nice view, isn’t it?” she mused between licks, “Too bad it’s overcast now…”

“I’m still enjoying it.”

“Well, I’m glad.” She shifted slightly in his direction, gradually closing the two foot gap between them, “…I’ve really enjoyed my time out here with you, Aymeric.”

“I’ve really enjoyed my time out here with you as well, Quinn.  Forgive me that I’m not used to really shopping around much.”

“Oh, hey, as long as you’re enjoying yourself, then that’s the important part, right?”

They each smiled at the other, yet both seemingly hiding their grins behind their cones.  In truth, Aymeric had not spent so much time with someone alone since his past relationship.  He never really cared to try, either–he was far too busy with work to necessarily think about trying to connect with someone else in such a way.  Yet there he stood next to Quinn, completely relaxed and enjoying her company. It was a shame that he was only in town for two more days…

“You phone has been buzzing in your pocket like crazy.” Quinn pointed out, her gaze falling to his side as the light from his phone penetrated the fabric of his pants.  Aymeric broke from his blissful daze as she said this, quickly pulling his phone out to see just who was trying to contact him.  He had several messages from Lucia and Handeloup respectively detailing their need for certain documents and requests that he answer his emails.  In truth, he hadn’t expected to be out as late as he did and had promised to get some work done from the hotel room that day.  It wasn’t much of a vacation from work after all, he mentally noted.  Aymeric then noticed that a curious pair of eyes had fallen upon his screen, right when Lucia’s name read across the message screen.

“My assistant.” he explained as he pocketed his phone, “She’s extremely persistent.”

“I see,” Quinn went back to her ice cream, “she’s really causing a stir, hmm?”

“Well, I’ll admit, I sort of left her and my other assistant hanging after my flight came in yesterday.  I was supposed to let them know how the event went, but-”

“You were rather distracted.” Quinn interrupted with a wink and a devious smirk.  Aymeric chuckled softly, for she was correct.  The moment he arrived back in his hotel room the previous night he simply took a shower and flopped on the bed full of regrets with thoughts of her spinning in his mind.  It was then that a tinge of confidence struck him in the moment, and he leaned in closer so that his words could reach her and only her,

“Mind you I have my regrets of not joining you.” he explained, “The two of us and a bottle of wine? Sounds delightful.”

Quinn was taken aback for a moment, eyes wide with a grin pulling at her lips.  She then gently nudged him with soft giggles trickling from her person.  She was at a loss for words, and if he could in that moment he’d have given himself a pat on the back.  But he was only telling the truth–he wanted to spend more time with her, even if his work called for his return.  The emails could wait, it was time that he had a little personal excursion.  

“Whatever happened to starting your flirting with a compliment?” Quinn asked with a gentle jab.

“I said I was subtle.”

“Well,” she scooched over to him, effectively closing the gap between them, “what if I told you that–”

drip

...

“Shit.” they said in unison as another droplet hit Quinn square in the forehead.  The clouds above weren’t simply there for show, nay, they were an omen for a rainstorm.  An evening storm ripped through the skyline, leaving the pair little leeway before it started coming down.  They left the pier before the worst of it hit, yet once they reached the main gate of the boardwalk they were already soaked.  No umbrellas, no jackets, and barely any cover, Quinn and Aymeric stood in the rain at the crosswalk waiting to pass so that they could find shelter.  No restaurant would take their soaking selves, Kwehbers were not fond of drippy patrons, and going into a shopping center would delay the inevitable–Quinn was freezing.

“My hotel isn’t far from here,” Aymeric checked the familiar landscape as they continued to quickly walk in the drizzle, “we can get some towels there.”

“G-good.” Quinn muttered as she stood closer to the heater that was Aymeric.  While he dressed down in a button down and pants, she stood in the rain in a dripping chiffon blouse and shorts as if it were the middle of summer, not the end of spring.  Quinn crossed her arms over her chest slightly shaking as they waited for the last crosswalk.  The wind that came with the drizzle did not help, and she stood to his side in hopes he could shield her from the breeze, “I did not see this in the weather report.”

Aymeric put his arm around her and brought her closer for warmth, “Neither did I.”

There they stood in an unknowing embrace of sorts as they waited for the walk signal.  Quinn didn’t seem to mind at all, for his body heat was enough to cut the chill for the moment.  Aymeric, on the other hand, felt his pulse quicken once again.  Despite the rain, he could still smell her perfume—that warm blend of raspberry and roses wafted in the air around them.  Utterly tantalizing to his senses.

“It’s green let’s go.”  Quinn urged him along the crosswalk, “I’m cold, Aymeric.”

“Right, sorry.” he swiftly followed her across the way, the pair eventually making it to the Exarch Hotel.  Upon entering the main lobby, the concierge welcomed both of them with a somewhat sad look in their eyes seeing how their guests were sopping wet.  Quinn looked around the place with wonder in her eyes,

“Wow, this place really is as fancy as they say.” she muttered under her breath.  Aymeric fished his keycard out of his somehow dry wallet and motioned for her to follow him to the elevator.  Somehow she seemed rather nervous to follow him, though the twitching in her lips may have been from the cold.  The elevator ride was oddly silent, unlike their last ride together.  Aymeric wasn’t one for conversation while he was wet either, so he understood that first and foremost she probably wanted to be dry before partaking in casual conversation again.

They eventually made it to his room on the fifth floor, Quinn still oddly silent as she followed behind him.  Thinking nothing of the situation, Aymeric opened the door for her and and she scooched past him while taking in the sight of the suite.

“There should be fresh towels in the bathroom.” he said as he started for the wardrobe, “If there’s anything you need, let me know–”

As he turned he noticed her standing there rather awkwardly by the bathroom, words seemingly lost to her as she folded her hands in front of her.  Aymeric blinked a few times in confusion, until he realized that her clothes were really the issue at hand…

...

He looked her up and down with red in his cheeks–she was certainly shorter than him, and her shoulders weren’t nearly as broad.  Perhaps it could work...

“…I can lend you one of my shirts, if you need it.” he coughed.  He noticed the pink in Quinn’s cheeks, obviously embarrassed to even ask him for help.  However, she gave him a slow nod in response and her eyes followed him as he pulled a dark button-down from the wardrobe, folded neatly, and handed it to her.  She gently grasped the cloth in her hands before slinking into his bathroom–as for Aymeric, he immediately turned away from her to show that he was giving her the utmost amount of privacy.

He instead quickly gathered himself up and changed out of his own damp clothing, hoping that Quinn wouldn’t walk in on him with his shirt undone or pants halfway up.  But, she seemed to be taking her sweet time in the bathroom, allowing Aymeric to be fully changed and even go so far as to open up his laptop to check his messages.  He even turned the TV on to bring some sort of ambience to the room–the news would suffice, though admittedly they weren’t discussing anything in particular he cared about.

Just as he was typing up an email to Lucia, the door to the bathroom creaked open and there stood Quinn in just his button down, having abandoned her blouse and shorts so that they could hang dry over the tub.  Aymeric did his damndest not to look at her, his gaze still on his laptop screen.

“Feel better?” he asked, though his words were slightly cracked when they left his throat.

Don’t look at her.  Don’t look at her.  Don’t look at her.

“Yeah.” Quinn sighed as she plopped on the edge of the bed, staring at the TV for a bit before looking over towards Aymeric.  She simply watched him type away on his laptop, and he could feel her eyes on him as he did so.  Was she expecting him to do something?  He was just being a gentleman about the whole situation–she was practically half-dressed in his hotel room and he would not take advantage of that…right?  He bit his bottom lip trying to combat the boyish urge in his soul that begged for him to join her on the bed.  He knew better than to saunter over to her while she sat there in a vulnerable state.  He already took his chances with his flirting earlier, he wouldn’t test his luck further.

Yet when he glanced over the edge of his laptop their gazes met–she looked so…lonely, sitting there awkwardly by herself.  Her gaze seemed to beg him to join her, not in a sultry way, but more in a ‘please don’t make this more awkward by sitting halfway across the room’ way.  So after sending Handeloup a message, Aymeric shut his laptop and slowly made his way over to his bed.  Quinn crossed her legs and sat back, watching his every movement as if it was some sort of test.  He kept eye contact with her, trying not to look so boyish as she gaze upon her frame in his shirt, or stare at her bare and shapely legs.  

“Warming up?” he asked as he finally plopped down, eyes still fixated on hers.

“Yeah, thank you.  Really, I appreciate it.”  

“…You know,” he laughed slightly, “I will say, this is not how I expected this day to go, that’s for sure.”

“Yeah,” she laughed along with him, “I honestly didn’t expect to be wearing your shirt by the end of the evening.”

“Well…” he finally broke his gaze from her, looking her up and down to see how his own button-down looked on her.  It was loose-fitting, that was for sure, and it appeared that the chest had enough room for her to fit in comfortably.  Overall, she looked very cozy. “…you look like you belong in it.”

What the hell was that supposed to imply!???

“O-Oh?” Quinn asked, putting her hand to her chest with a small smile, “Aymeric…how bold of you to say.”

“Wait-”

“No, no.” Quinn teased him as she leaned towards him, “I think I know what you meant by that.”

“Quinn, I–” he wheezed, “I meant that…Ya know what?  I don’t even know what I meant to say.”

She couldn’t help but to giggle at him–oh, her sweet laughter filled his ears once more causing a stir in his core.  The whole situation, if anything, caused an old feeling in his gut to resurface.  The feeling of butterflies in his stomach, of a heat in his chest, and an absolute mess in his head as his thoughts raced and his boyish wants and needs came to the forefront.  

He may have been in love, even.

“…I do love your laugh.” he admitted, his voice low so that she had to lean in closer to hear him,

“…do you, now?”

“It’s cute.”

“You’re cute.”

“Am I?”

Quinn nodded in agreement as she leaned in closer to him , “Very.  I like you, Aymeric.”

He parted his lips to speak, yet the way she closed in on him left him speechless.  She placed her hand on his thigh and cocked her head slightly, her half-lidded gaze still somehow piercing through him, despite that he could have sworn he was in control of the situation.  But alas, Quinn seemed to have the upper hand, and her admittance to enjoying his company only fueled the fire in his chest.  Instead of fighting his urges, he relaxed and allowed Quinn to have her fun with him–it was what he desired deep down, after all.

She gently pressed her lips against his, and he returned the favor by doing the same.  They each grinned rather bashfully before Quinn went in for another kiss, her grip on his thigh tightening ever so slightly.  

Her lips were pillowy soft, and as they pulled away he could taste a hint of her strawberry gloss upon his lower lip.  Quinn’s hand abandoned his thigh so that she could touch his chest, a warm heat blossoming in his abdomen as she did so.

“I like you, too, Quinn…” he whispered before she pressed another kiss to his lips.  But Aymeric wanted to take it further than just chaste pecks.  His desire got the best of him in that moment, and he parted his lips for her, allowing her tongue to slip in with ease.  But where were his hands to go?  While Quinn’s palm was slowly dragging itself down his chest, his remained idle in hopes that maybe she would guide him.

“Is everything alright?” she asked quietly as they parted, leaning back to allow him some space.

“Hm?” he leaned towards her instinctively, wanting for another, “Everything is fine.  Great, even.”  

“I guess I’m just surprised you’re not all over me.” Quinn brushed her bangs to the side rather timidly, “I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I?”

“What?” Aymeric felt a cold chill down his spine–he was acting rather cautiously, too cautiously in fact.  He was sending the wrong signals to Quinn.  Yes, he was timid, but only because he feared overstepping her boundaries.  It became quite clear to him that Quinn expected more from him, though how much more he couldn’t quite figure out.  She was just as hard for him to read as he was to her, apparently, “No, not at all.  Are you?”

“No.” a simple statement spoke with a warm smile as she resituated herself on the bed.  Aymeric closed the gap between them once more, allowing his free hand to attach itself to her upper thigh so that he could feel her smooth, warm skin against his palm.  He ran his hand along her skin as their kisses became passionate, Quinn hooking her arms around his neck to bring him closer to her.  A stray hand entangled itself in his dark sable locks, while Aymeric’s hands deviously wandered upwards but stopped short of her ribcage.

“You can touch them…” she whispered, her gaze flickering down to his hands then back to him.  She noticed the jolt in his Adam’s apple as he swallowed at the mere thought of groping her.  Quinn couldn’t help but to giggle as she pressed him for another kiss.  By her leave did he drag both hands from her sides to her breasts, giving each of them a firm squeeze which left her squeaking with delight.

“Oh, by the Fury, you’re adorable.” he huffed into her lips.  She continued to giggle into each kiss, pleased with how he was handling her.  It was then that their shared passion grew hotter, each of them softly moaning into the other before Aymeric took the lead in nudging her to lay down.  She continued to keep her arms locked around him as he rolled her onto her back, his lips moving from her own down to her neck.  Another moan coming from her shook him to his core, and he couldn’t help but to roughly push himself against her leg–his jeans grew ever-so-tight in that moment, and Quinn noticed.  Yet before she would by instinct part her legs for him, her eyes widened for a moment,

“Shit.” she hissed.  Aymeric immediately let up, hovering over her with concern in his eyes, 

“What’s wrong?”

She looked over at her purse then back to him, her brow furrowed in disappointment,

“I don’t have a condom on me…”

It took him a moment to realize the precarious situation he was in.  Of course he wasn’t planning on having sex at all during his trip, so he was in the same boat as her.  Yet she lay there underneath him, nearly undressed, and absolutely prime for the taking.  The opportunity was within his grasp, yet he knew better.  They knew better…

He softly sighed with a smile, “That’s quite alright. Haha...ah…sorry.”

“No, no. Don’t be sorry…”

Aymeric slowly went back to his seated position on the bed, Quinn soon following.  The passion they shared immediately left the room, leaving it somewhat cold and barren.  Aymeric rubbed the back of his neck, the feeling of Quinn’s fingers entangling in his hair still lingered,

“I guess we got a little carried away there.” he said, “…Though I will say that was…something.”

“Yeah.” she shot back with a soft smile, “That was…great, actually.”

They both sat there awkwardly, Aymeric’s need still blatantly showing through his jeans.  Quinn’s eyes fell to the lump between his legs and her lips curled into a devious smile.

“Well,” she leaned into him once more, her lips grazing his ear, “I can still help you with that.”

“Y-you don’t have to.” he wheezed, yet Quinn was already tugging at his belt.  

“Nonsense,” she cooed, “I can’t just blue ball you like that.”

Aymeric sighed, leaning back to allow Quinn better access to his belt and zipper.  His mind was a haze–he couldn’t quite grasp the situation at hand.  First, they were simply enjoying the other’s company.  Next, she was barely dressed and making out with him.  Now…

Well, Quinn’s phone began to ring once more in her purse.  Quite obnoxiously, at that.  The sound of her ringtone was a tad bit of an irritant to Aymeric, and she could tell by the look in his eyes that he wished for it to stop–it wasn’t exactly aiding the mood.

“Son of a-” Quinn abandoned Aymeric’s pants to go to her purse, pulling out her phone with an irritated “Yes?”

A moment of silence…

…

“I’m busy right now” she grumbled, “...It’s none of your business…what do you mean right now? I’m on the–No.  No.  Are you serious?  Now?”

Aymeric awkwardly sat there watching her, unsure as to whether he should zip his jeans back up or not…

“…This is the last time this weekend I do this.  Ok?  Fine. I’ll call a cab and be right over.” as she ended the call, the look of irritation blatant upon her features.  In fact, she almost looked disgusted.

“Is everything alright?” Aymeric asked.  Quinn sighed and turned to him,

“Work.” she simply stated, “Minfilia was rather vehement that I come to a dinner meeting right now…”

“I know that feeling all too well.”

“I’m…sorry.” she looked off to the side, “I really wasn’t expecting for this to happen.”

“You’re fine, Quinn.”

“Yeah, but…are you going to be alright?”

“Me?  I’ll be fine.”

He watched the slump in her shoulders as she made way towards the bathroom to get dressed.  All that Aymeric could do was wait patiently for her and see her off once her Kwehber arrived.  She would not leave him without a kiss, however.  Their lips touched briefly before the elevator closed on them both, Aymeric wasting no time in grabbing his phone as he walked back to his room.

A younger version of himself would have instantly messaged Haurchefant to tell him about the situation.  However, he chose to pull Quinn’s name up first and foremost, ignoring the slew of messages from both his assistants.

> Dinner tomorrow?

She immediately messaged back,

> I would love to. <3

[stellarwind-xiv]

Minhearia, Minfilia, Minthinkia.

[yandeiros]

fray

fray

[shiny-jr]

not my world [ prologue ]

– Summary: One day you wake in a foreign world with nothing to your name except the clothes on your back. A talking cat named Grim, gives you your only lead to return home. Seek out the seven gods and pray they answer your plea.

– Warning: Yes, this series is a yandere thing, although this post really isn't. Gender-neutral reader.

– Characters: Grim.

– Note: Think of this like a test, just to see how it's received. Yes, this is based off that outlander post I made a while ago. I was thinking I could make this a long-lasting series. However, it really depends how y'all like it. There's not too much going on here, because I'm trying to set the scene and I wrote it all fairly quickly. However, it's just a small taste. So, let me know what y'all think.

– Pages: 11

“So… you’re saying that you woke up here on this beach with no explanation, but you’re from another world so you have no idea where you are? You fell asleep in your own bed, in your own home, and now you’re here, with no way to go back?” 

As far fetched as it sounded, you could only grimly nod. A dream, this should’ve just been a nightmare. But that was confirmed to be false when you pinched yourself multiple times and tried to splash yourself with the nearby ocean water. Everything felt so real, from the sand between your toes to the breeze in the air and the sunlight drying the water off the surface of your flesh. You wanted it to be nothing but a dream, especially when you found a talking cat with a forked tail and blue fire in his ears. 

This was your third attempt trying to explain things to this impish but rather harmless little furball, and each time he seemed more puzzled than the last. His little black nose twitched as he sat in front of you, his paws digging into the sand as those strange eyes of his studied you closely. His voice was grating, high-pitched, speaking with a tone of doubt. “You don’t look like you’re from any of the seven nations. No pointed ears, no beast features, not even a magestone to your name! Well, it makes sense. A nobody like you obviously wouldn’t have a magestone anyways.” 

That was probably meant to be an insult, but considering you didn’t even know what a magestone was, you didn’t really take any offense at all. Pointed ears, beast features, magestones, annoying talking cats– you really didn’t care about any of that. “Because I’m not from whatever seven nations there are. I already told you where I’m from.” 

“Yeah, well I never heard of wherever it was you said. So get lost, would you, human? I’ve claimed this beach alrea–” 

A low growl rang in the air. Swiftly you scanned your surroundings, fearful that you were about to be attacked by some mythical beast. However, when you looked back to the feline who now looked quite ashamed, you realized the noise came from his stomach. Actually, the little fellow seemed pretty scrawny, and you could just barely make out the shape of his ribs poking out of his sides. 

Standing up, you brushed off the sand clinging to the oversized t-shirt you fell asleep in. Thankfully, you at least had sandals, which was better than waking up here barefoot. With one look around, there didn’t appear to be anyone for miles, and no sign of civilization here. Leaving the cat as your only option to turn to, as jarring as it was to be speaking to a cat. “Er… Look, if you could at least help me find people, a shelter, a city, something– then I’ll see about getting you something to eat. Deal?” 

“I don’t need your help! But… I’m curious, so I’ll follow anyway.” 

“Great…” You sigh, as you decide to follow a path that leads away from the shoreline and into woodlands. At the very least, you were not completely alone. This would be much more terrifying if you had woken up and there was absolutely no one around. “So, do you have a name or are you, like, feral?” 

“I’m not feral!�� It hissed as it walked in tandem beside you, keeping up with your steady pace. “Since I am so great, I will allow you to know my name. I am the all-mighty Grim! One-of-a-kind and destined to one day become strong, powerful enough to defeat even the seven gods!” 

“Seven gods…?” Was this some sort of fantasy setting? It had to be. First he mentioned pointed ears and beast-people, and you were having a conversation with a talking cat! Maybe seven gods were the least outlandish thing you’ve heard today. “Well, I’m (Y/n).” 

“You’ve never heard of The Seven? How stupid could you be?” 

You frowned at his toothy little grin as he ridiculed you for your knowledge on a place you just ended up in. “Well excuse me for not knowing anything about this place I just ended up in!” Tearing your gaze away, you saw a cabin up ahead. It appeared abandoned, so there wasn’t any hope of seeing another person yet. Still, there may be something useful inside, so you approach. 

Trying the knob, you found the lock jammed. The wood of the front door was rotting, some of it in splitters and the windows were shattered. With a few strong kicks, the door became dislodged and finally gave way beneath the pressure. 

“You’re excused– hey! Tuna!” You didn’t even bother stopping the feline when he rushed into the abandoned cabin, sprinting after the few cans of tuna he spotted on an old table. At least he would get to eat. 

You didn’t particularly care for canned fish that’s been sitting there for who knows how long. In practically a blink of the eye he had devoured three whole cans of the stuff and licked the remnants off of his whiskers. 

“Okay, okay, since I feel so bad for you, and because you found these tuna cans, I’ll be your guide. That way, I don’t owe you nothin’ after this! Maybe one day, if you’re still around, you’ll see me ascend to the ranks among the archons and you can brag like I knew him! Isn’t Grim so cool and praise worthy? I might even remember you and accept your prayers! You can thank me now.” 

At his smug expression, you squinted incredulously as he began walking down the path in the middle of the woods once more. Following hesitantly, thankful there was daylight and this seemed like a particularly nice forest, save for the very depths of it further away from the road that were dark due to the cover of leaves and branches above. However, the trees closest to you weren’t so dense, and the sunlight filtered through the thin foliage. The dirt road was wide, but slightly covered with scattered blades of grass and underbrush, as if no one had used it in a long while. Squirrel-like critters darted about in trees, strange fruits hung on low-branches, and foreign flowers sprouted alongside little ponds. 

“I’ll thank you after an explanation and a little help. So, what’s this about gods?” 

“Let’s see… I’ll put it so simple that even a baby can understand! There are seven nations, and each one has a god. These gods are super-powerful! I’m talking crazy-strong, like they can level mountains and raise the sea type of miracles!” 

As he strolled beside you, his forked-tail swished back and forth. For now it seemed like he knew where he was going, so hopefully that was a good sign. Right now, you had no idea what to do or how to get home. However, if magic existed in this realm, then surely there would be some way to get back. There had to be, for your own peace of mind. 

“Maybe if you pray to one, you’ll get an answer. But the chances of that are pretty much zero, because only idiots rely on the gods since they almost never answer. You’d have a better chance trying to actually meet one of them and try to talk to them in person, but good luck with that!” 

As the road neared a cliff, you caught a glimpse of the scenery. It was a kingdom, a whole city that began right at the edge of a vast meadow. The rolling valley ended at a river, across a wide stone bridge where the city began. Miles and miles of cobblestone roads lined with two to three-story buildings, and rising above it all was a white palace with red conical roofs that pierced the very sky. It looked fantastical, like something straight out of a peculiar little story book, especially considering how unnaturally bright the flowers were and how there was the occasional mushroom as tall as a tree. 

Never before in your entire life had you ever seen a single place like this. Some stupid naive little part of yourself had hoped that perhaps you were still in your world, but this was simply proof that tore that little shred of hope to bits. “What is this place…?” 

He paused to scratch a spot behind his ear. “That’s the capital city of Heartslabyul. You see that big palace all the way over there? That’s where the god of fire lives. One day, I’m gonna live in a place even bigger, grander, than that! My worshippers will build, brick by brick, a towering temple that reaches the very heavens! It’ll make that palace look puny in comparison!” 

Dumbfounded, you nearly get left behind in your stupor once the feline begins to walk down a rocky slope again. You follow, as Grim yammered on and on, “Fire is harsh, just like that place. Trust me, I tried staking a claim there, but I was kicked out! Can you believe it? Me! They just threw me out as if I were nothing! Anyways, I already forgot what you were looking for, but whatever it is, you’ll probably find something there––” 

“A way home?” You reminded him, a tiny bit irked that he seemed to forget so easily. For such a haughty little beast with nothing to his name, he was very conceited. 

“Ooh yeah, right. That. Gods have all this magic and wisdom from their years and stuff, so they gotta know something. But if I were a god, I wouldn’t answer you, to be honest.” 

Grumpily you point out the obvious. This cat-like creature was far from the divine that you were currently picturing. “You’re not a god.” 

Yowling in response, Grim shot back with irritation, “Yet! Not a god yet!” When he spat, a small puff of smoke and a spark of flames he tried to aim at the dirt caused his blue ear flames to flicker stronger until one stray flame popped like a hot scorching coal. It went flying directly at your face, and all you could do was react quickly enough to try and step back while your arms and hands covered your face. 

However, no pain ever came. “How are you doing that?!” 

“Doing what? And you need to watch it with––” When you began to lower your arms, you saw it. When you had shielded yourself, your knuckles had been against your cheek and so your palm was facing outward. Floating in your open palm, was that small spark that came from his ears and nearly burned you. Immediately your eyes widened, and the surprise didn’t end there. As if fluctuating with your shock, the fire became a small yet harsh monetary crackling burst that caused both you and the feline to yelp and stumble back in disbelief until your palms were normal once again. 

“You big fat liar! You do know magic! Where’s your magestone?” 

Seeing his gray fur stand on edge, you quickly answered, seemingly just as confused as he currently was. “I-I don’t, I swear! I don’t even have a wizardstone! That has never happened to me before! This, magic, stuff like that, talking cats, huge mushrooms, none of this is supposed to be real!” 

“Magestone! Not wizardstone! M-A-G-E!” 

“Same difference, what do I care?” You had to double-check your hands, wanting to trick yourself again into believing it was something that could be easily explained. Yet this didn't seem like that. This was something else entirely that didn’t make sense, it couldn't be explained. Not while you were still reeling and staring at your own two hands in utter disbelief. “What the hell was that…?” 

Sniffing the air around you, Grim paced slowly around you as his whiskers twitched with each sniff. After several rounds circling you, he plopped down in front of you and peered up at you quizzically. “I really don’t smell a magestone on you… but you used my fire! It was blue! Everyone knows you can’t use magic without one! Wait a moment… this is perfect!” Immediately brightening up, the little creature gave a toothy grin as he declared, “From now on, you will be my servant! One day when I am a god, I will make you a demi-god! Everyone knows the great gods have divine or mystic servants of some kind! So you will be my henchman! Count yourself blessed, human.” 

“What…?” For now you didn’t even want to touch anything, especially yourself. What if you just tapped something and it was set ablaze? Although you felt fine physically, you were not completely okay. Mentally your mind was scrambled with trying to comprehend everything going on and being said, and now you had the additional burden of accidentally burning everything you touched. 

“Maybe it has to do with the fact that you aren’t from here, so this world’s rules don’t even apply to you… yeah, that’s it! This is great! Does this mean you can wield other elements? We should try! If it storms tonight, we’ll stand at the highest cliff and wait for lightning to strike!” 

“Definitely not!” You screech in reply, currently trying to prevent yourself from panicking and having a destructive mental breakdown all at the same time. Keeping your arms away from your body and fingers spread apart, you tentatively try grabbing stones and sticks and blades of grass to test the ability and see if anything would be set ablaze. And yet, nothing happened, so you slowly began to relax, as much as was possible in that moment. 

Grim watched with great intrigue, hoping, wishing, to see you burn something straight with your hands. However, when he saw not a single spark or sign of smoke, he sighed, “Don’t you realize the possibilities! A small chosen few can wield magic like that, and even then, it’s only one element! This means that you might be able to do more! We’ll be legendary, beating every foe we come across!” 

“Woah, woah, woah, who said anything about beating foes?” Cutting off that idea right now before it would get out of hand. It had only been a few minutes, not even an hour, and even you could see that Grim was a handful. “I am no fighter. If I magically somehow have these weird abilities now, doesn’t mean I want to fight with them. Are you insane? The most I’ll do is like… instantly heat up my food or make a light in the dark. That’s it. Actually, that first one sounds pretty useful…” 

Angrily throwing his paws up in exasperation while falling back on some patches of grass, he groaned, “Ugh, but that’s so boringggg! Where’s your creativity? You could become a god among gods!” 

Choosing to ignore his less than enthusiastic response, you proceeded, drawing his attention back to something he recently mentioned. Awkwardly you grip your hands, twisting your wrist between your fingers, yet nothing hurts. Everything felt normal, as if you hadn’t just wielding fire a minute ago. “You said a god of fire resided over there in that city, right?” 

“Yeah, you’ll fit right in with all those hot-headed fire-breathers now that you have a bit of magic.” 

As the two of you neared the bottom of the cliff and approached a smaller section of the forest that would lead directly to the road that branched off into either a vast meadow or the gates of the kingdom, the world seemed to stop when a loud rumbling rang through the air. The birds ceased their singing songs and the squirrelish creatures paused their chittering chattering. The ground shook and in the far distance, miles and miles behind the palace where there looked to be nothing but untamed wilderness, balls of fire spewed forth from what you had thought were mountains but were actually volcanoes. Seeing the smoke pour out from the peak, you debated running right back to the beach which was in the opposite direction of the rupture in the earth. 

While initially startled, Grim quickly relaxed and began his walking again just as the sounds of nature resumed their tune. As if by some miraculous work of magic, the volcano stopped its rumbling just as quickly as it began, and the smoke receded as well. Like a pot popping on a stovetop and simmering over with water, but its vapor and contents contained by a top, that’s how rapidly it started and ended. Grim proceeded to walk in front of you to lead the way. Sensing your question before you even voiced it, he called out over his shoulder, 

“Don’t look so panicked, we’re not gonna die. That happens like once a week. It used to be more sparse but… well, like I said, all the humans in the kingdom are a buncha hotheads. Especially their king! Everyone knows the god of pyro has the worst temper of all the seven, that’s why the volcanoes go off when he’s all angry! All you gotta do is gather up the courage to ask him what you want to know, and pray that he doesn’t incinerate you where you stand.”