Y'shtola glanced at the calendar in her office before making a note. Yesterday, they had received worrying news. Another passenger airship under the wings of the Highwind Skyways company was shot down by the Garlean Empire.
This was the third time.
Highwind Skyways formally suspended air travel for civilians except for only the most extraordinary circumstances. As a result, the Aetheryte system started to get overloaded. As it was the only reasonable method of travel between City-States, the usage started to spike.
Fights broke out in-between those in a rush and those not. Or perhaps the enemy had already infiltrated the population? Y'shtola couldn't make heads or tails of it. Prices increased to ward off the trouble-makers, but it also warded off those who didn't have the funds to afford the trip they previously could take to work. Jobs were being lost and unemployment was on the rise.
The Twin Adder reported seeing Garlean patrols closer than before, touching on the borders of the Twelveswood. The did not dare to enter, but they didn't mind setting up encampments on the outside. Such a build-up of troops didn't signify anything other than the re-ignition of war.
Too much was happening too fast and Y'shtola was no military commander. If she couldn't do anything about it, Y'shtola was determined not to get tangled up with those matters, however, was she not already involved? The Circle was created for this very purpose, to defend Eorzea.
The Archon held her head in her hands, feeling the stress build in-between her temples, deep in her skull. The day had only just started and it already felt too long.
---
"Stand back."
I drew my shortsword and started carving shapes into the air.
SCRRRRITTTTCHHH-SCRRRRRAAAAATTTCCCHH
It took all of my concentration to keep the runes in place.
'Void'
'Tunnel'
'Stasis'
WH-VW-KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM
"HOLY SHITE!!"
"YDA SAVE US!!!"
I ignored the panicked voices and peered deep into the hole I made for myself. Tam-Tara Deepcroft was not an easy place to find. Once used as a crypt for royalty and nobles, since the end of Gelmorra, these dark cobbled hallways had been abandoned by all.
Even though I scouted the area already, it took a worryingly long time to come back with the Suns of Yda into Bentbranch. The Central Shoud was as confusing now as it always was. It was sunset by time we found the entrance, only to find deeper in that the rocks had collapsed.
"Don't forget to reinforce these walls. They're older than you are."
""Yes sir!""
I delegated responsibilities as we descended.
After the Calamity, this place would be used by the Lambs of Dalamud, a cult that worshiped the end of the world. It was one month ago that the Empire shot down a civilian airship, killing all souls on board. And then it was only two weeks later that I could see, what I assumed was a star, starting to turn red.
It was happening. The future that I knew of and prepared for, it was finally happening. In a way it was a relief because I didn't know if my confidence was founded. With my memories fading, and my journal being my main guiding light, I didn't have the same shining bold attitude that I once did when I zealously made my plans.
After the lesser moon, Dalamud began its descent, the Lambs of Dalamud sprung into action, viewing it as a new deity that chose to return to Hydaelyn. To prepare for that deity's coming, the Lambs committed the most heinous of crimes and spread their tentacles across Eorzea.
I didn't know where they started, so I couldn't snuff them out at the source. As a result, I only had one other tactic that could reduce the influence they had on Eorzea. It was my grandest plan, one even grander than the Daemon Company.
The Suns of Yda was a fake religion I crafted to counter the Lambs of Dalamud. Aside from summoning Voidsent to possess dead bodies, the Lambs also reopened Amdapor Keep and woke the crazed demon that hid deep within the forgotten City of White.
The Suns of Yda's Inquisitor Division were well suited to fight Ashkin and Voidkin, using Aether dispersing powders and weapons that I personally went broke purchasing and inscribing with our funds from Sun Tap. The weapons were heavier, but could wipe the remnants of Aether from an undead opponent. That small sliver that kept their undead bodies tied to this mortal plane. It just so happened that Voidkin worked in a similar way to Ashkin. They were functionally undead, but could be more dangerous thanks to the dark magicks that many of them wielded.
"High Priest-!"
"Get behind me, Boss!"
"WHO YE' CALLIN BOSS YE' BASTARD!"
"GHYYAAAAA!! HELP ME!!!"
"..."
These brats couldn't keep their heads on straight. In Tam-Tara Deepcroft, without the stain of Voidsent, the population was largely just beetles. They were larger than dogs admittedly enough, but they were still beetles in the end. Scared of mankind and our insatiable bloodlust. Their worst enemy, a strong kick to the head, or being flipped on their backs, both were equally effective.
Kick
I kicked at the beetle who got too close, flipping it onto it's back helplessly and as expected-
""...""
scrit-skt-skt!!!
"Tis' a bit sad, ain't it?"
And now they felt empathy.
I held my head in my hands. Getting a hold on these idiots was going to make my hair gray. A new victim of the Hair Bleaching Calamity.
---
"Merciful Yda..."
I could hear amazed curses as we finally descended into the room that I recognized as the final boss battle of Tam-Tara. It was understandable. Ancient stone cobbled walls and solid bridges suspended over chasms of penumbra. To fall off in this place would mean certain death. I was worried that one of these idiots would get drunk on the job and do something stupid.
"Mind the walk ways. If Yda cries because you fall off-"
""GASP!!!""
"We must build walls post-haste!"
"Git yer arse away from that edge you bloody-"
Well, maybe worried was too strong of a word.
"OI!"
I reached out and grabbed one idiot that almost stumbled off of the edge.
"I-I'm sorry, Boss- High Priest!"
"Don't be sorry, be careful."
"Wow, the High Priest is so fast! How did he do that?!"
"Never look down on Blessed Yda's Chosen!"
"Even in this blasted place, her light shines!"
I left the zealots to their own devices, giving the idiot in my grasp a once over.
"What's your name?"
He looked to be my age. Short dark brown hair and plain features. There was a small scar just above his right brow. Light but plain to see if one were to look carefully. His gray-blue eyes shook, unsettled at his close brush with death not too long ago.
"I-I am-"
---
Hiroshi's mind was brilliant, but his luck was fiendishly horrible. The plan was simple. Leave his village, make a name for himself, see grand sights, fight strong foes, come home with a backpack of gil and marry some kindly lass who'd bear 2 or 3 children for him.
However it was easier said than done.
In the beginning, doing small errands for the Yellow Jackets by day and training in the ways of the Marauder by night, life was simple and fulfilling. But Hiroshi found trouble during his 14th run. In his head, he branded it as the XIV incident, even though it wasn't the 14th incident he had ever run into.
Firstly, he overslept. He had spent all night learning the Brutal Swing skill, but after one attempt too many, he threw his back out. So Hiroshi called it a night, drank the only Potion he could afford with his meager funds, and went to sleep. Who would've guessed that a potion before bed kept you sleeping for longer?
Hiroshi woke up after the sun had already set. The contract was due today, so even if he had to run through the night, Hiroshi couldn't afford to not deliver. One failed job stained your record as an Adventurer. It could make future clients look poorly on him. So he made the best choice that came to mind. Not asking for help, but simply grabbing a night-ride.
He was taking a ship from port to his destination in Greater La Noscea. A massive storm swelled and rocked the ship to and fro. Hiroshi sat patiently in his cabin, ever worrying about if he would have to swim or not. It wasn't that he couldn't, but there were all kinds of things in these waters and even worse than that, the package would get wet.
'Hear...'
It was then that he heard those words.
'Feel...'
Those accursed words that seemingly came from nowhere.
'Think...'
Hiroshi was never the type to leave the unknown to their own devices. He asked around the ship, had anyone else heard what he did? The answer was no.
'I swear... it came from... the top deck?'
The memory was years old by this point, and Hiroshi wasn't certain of what he saw.
A world of fog. An explosion of stars.
Whoooooooooooooooooooooooooom
The world shook. In every direction, he was hounded by the sight of those falling stars. Hiroshi swung his head violently. Confused and slightly scared. Was he cursed? What had happened to him? He felt different. He could see strange patterns, all motion seemed doubled. He could see the past of those stars, the way they fell, he could still see from where they fell from. Shimmering visages hidden in the smoke and fog. It was only upon a strong impact did he awaken.
On the top deck.
BOOM
Hiroshi tumbled over onto the soaked and cold wood deck, salt water finding its way into his mouth and nose.
"HOLD FAST!"
BOOOM
The sound of thunder mimicked the sound of whatever the hells just hit the ship. Hiroshi struggled to stand, bracing himself against the door to the lower decks. The sea was dark as ink and twice as unreadable. The rain cast a fuzzy shade over everything. Hiroshi was soaked to his plainclothes. It was terrible.
"ALL HANDS TO FOREDECKS!"
He could see sailors yanking on ropes, doing something that he could not understand the purpose of.
"SHE WON'T HOLD MUCH LONGER!"
Hiroshi thought he heard a voice, turning to his right, but no one was there.
'Cabins. I should go back to the cabins.'
The thought was as fleeting as doves. That man needed help. Hiroshi didn't know what he was doing with that rope, but he just needed to pull down right?
Hiroshi steadied himself and started walking forwards, seeking to help the man holding the rope.
BOOOM
The thunder groaned and made the ship recoil in fear, tilting it just enough for the man to lose his footing and go tumbling into the mast.
"AHHHH!!!"
THUMP
And he was out cold. It looked like a nasty hit, just below the base of his neck. Hiroshi didn't know if the man was alright. But something more pressing took his attention after that.
'TWELVE ABOVE!'
"MIND YOUR STATIONS!"
The deck was swarming with Aurelia, a usually docile wave-kin jellyfish monster. There were 30, no 50, no! At least a hundred of them! They whipped their stingers, putting the sailors down one by one. The sailors fought with vigor swinging their blades and axes to dispatch the beasts, but more kept coming.
"AND STOW THAT DAMN GAWPER!"
A large red-headed Roegadyn pointed at Hiroshi and commanded that he be put below deck. Hiroshi understood his concern, but the sailors obviously needed help, didn't they? Another man, weaponless and running away tripped up.
"AH! HELP ME!!!"
Hiroshi wasted no time and sprung forward with all the force his body could muster. But he was too weak.
THUD
An Aurelia crashed into his chest, sending Hiroshi tumbling backwards with surprising force. He couldn't believe it. Would he watch a man die in front of himself? Was he truly helpless?
BANG-BANG-BANG!
Shots rang out, the large Roegadyn shot to cover the tripped sailor.
"FINE! MAKE YOURSELF USEFUL SCRAG!"
That's right, Hiroshi couldn't cower. An axe was embedded into the mast. Getting up once more, Hiroshi grabbed the axe and put his long nights of training to use.
CLANG-SLASH-WHOOSH-SLASH
His blade was fury made real. Violet colored blood drenched his already soaked silhouette, but didn't stop Hiroshi even one iota.
CLASH-SLASH-SLAAAAASH
His arms were numb already, compared to the Captain, Hiroshi was woefully underwhelming. But he couldn't stop. And he didn't.
"TWELVE FORBADE!"
"Gods...have mercy..."
The sea started to swell. It was like the ocean was growing into a mountain, the hill of water loomed over the ship, plunging it further into inky darkness. And then something terrifying broke through.
GRRRROOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIII
A horrible wail, blue scales, long cerulean whiskers, wings as big as its body. Was it a dragon?
"LEVIATHAAAAAAAANN!!!!!"
Click
Hiroshi awoke back in Limsa Lominsa. His package soaked and sitting in the corner of the room. Utterly ruined. His hopes, dashed. His weakness, apparent. And his purse, empty.
---
On the last day, just before he got kicked out of his room, Hiroshi stumbled upon a small troop of men. They wore white suits with golden trim. Their emblem was a golden sun with pink spikes surrounding it.
"Calling all adventurers! Even if you're down and out! We have work for you!"
The Suns of Yda.
Hiroshi had seen them strutting about the city here and there. They were obviously a cult, but Hiroshi had few options. He had been out of work for a long time and wasn't sure if he could get back onto his feet easily. Baderon had already done so much for him, Hiroshi was uncomfortable going back and begging for gil.
Biting the inside of his cheek, Hiroshi entered the cult and met an individual that changed his life.
---
"S-So? How is it Sir High Priest?"
"Hm..."
A tense feeling filled the air. This man was their boss and also the voice of Yda herself. Whatever he said went. Though he was typically kind, there were quite a few ways to set him off. The worst part was, you wouldn't know what it was exactly that did it.
"I think Sample C is the closest to what we want. Too much sugar overloads the senses, don't you think?"
Sir Winter would take in everything you said, hold it for hours or sometimes even days, then pop up in the office with a wooden mallet.
Hiroshi still shivered remembering the sounds of bones being methodically broken, healed back into place, and then broken once more.
"Y-Yes sir!"
There were not many things that Hiroshi feared in this world. But there was something primal deep within him that screamed when Sir Winter looked Hiroshi's way.
His bright pink hair waved even indoors where there was no wind. His face would shine and light up even when it was dark outside. His eyes glowed brightly enough to work as a torch.
One would think that these descriptions were poetic or overstated, even Hiroshi wouldn't believe such a man existed. But after seeing him, one would be forced to believe. It was true, not a single gust of wind could make its way down into the depths of the Arcanists' Guild, and yet, Sir Winter's hair waved at times. A pallid heat could sweep the room and dry your clothes if they were a bit damp on the wrong days. It was otherworldly enough that Hiroshi no longer thought that he was in a cult.
This man was obviously the envoy of a God. There was no other explanation, and as an early founder, Hiroshi refused to be told otherwise.
"Yes sir! Right away! May the light set you free!"
"Yes, may the light set you free."
His soft but firm voice echoed strongly enough to make Hiroshi's skeleton vibrate and snapped him out of his thoughts. Such was the power of Yda's Envoy.
"You there, taste this."
"???"
"Tell me what you think of it."
That was his first contact with the man, the thing, and the concept that named itself Winter Modi.
---
"I-I am, Hiroshi...Sir High Priest."
Winter's eyes opened slightly, but then went back to normal.
"Hiroshi was it? Tell me Hiroshi, do you ever get strange dreams?"
Well, didn't everyone? His nights were usually peaceful, but every now and again, if Hiroshi went to sleep in a cold room, he'd get a nightmare instead.
"Do the words, Hear, Think, Feel, ring a bell?"
"!!!"
Hiroshi's mouth gaped open. How did he know? Was this Yda's Light? Was Hiroshi also touched by her greatness?!
"Sigh Finally..."
Winter, moved Hiroshi away from the edge that he almost fell past. He had been stricken by a vision that he no longer remembered. Such things were becoming more and more common these days.
Winter let go and ran a hand through his beautiful rose gold locks. He looked somewhat relieved. Like a hidden stress was lifted off of his shoulders.
"Sir?"
"I've been waiting for you to show up, y'know?"
And it felt as if that stress that lifted off Winter's shoulders, flew over to perch on Hiroshi's instead.