A bevy of letters.

((Some pre-NBcon omake for you all... enjoy!))

*Moogles go flitting around throughout Vana'diel, delivering fresh Mog Mail....*

-----

Dearest Mai:

Happy Starlight Celebration! I'll stuff your stocking, sweetie. (A Candycane is enclosed with the note.)

Smoochles,

Alby

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Dear Tsiife:

Thank you so much for the extra key! I hope it won't be too much of an inconvenience, me coming over all the time.

I know things have been a little hectic lately, and I'm sorry... I don't like being parted from you for so long. You must be really worried, but don't, please. I'm fine! And my arm is a lot better, too. It's almost back to normal, though I think it'll always be weaker than it should be. At least my dominant arm is fine, so hopefully I won't lose too much fighting capability. Ack... look at me rambling on about fighting ability when I should be giving you my love!

The Starlight Festival is a time for dreams to come true, after all... and you've definitely been a dream for me. I know I haven't been really good about expressing my feelings and all, um... But I'm hoping to get better!

Hope to run into you soon (and I keep having to kick your Moogle out of your bed now that he's in more often...),

Briddy

-----

To Kre'oss, known as the Inexorable, greeting:

I am She who serves the great Mistress known as Zal'deana, the Lady of the Twilight, Priestess of Dusk, and Handmaiden of the Ineffable One, the Divine Presence, the Lord of Lords, the Dark God, whose name I will not even put to pen for fear of blasphemy:

Her Ladyship respectfully commands you to immediately present yourself to Her before the Altar of Promathia in one fortnight upon the full Darksday Moon, at the hour of Midnight, when the auspices of the Revered One are at their greatest. You are within no rights or position to refuse; you must do this with all haste and swiftness, and bear yourself alone and unarmed.

Speak of this hallowed summons to no one, and may the Grace of the Dark Lord enfold you upon your way:

Signed under the Seal of the Lady of the Twilight

*The letter is marked with a strange waxen seal of a crescent moon and seven stars*

NBcon comes early!

Hey guys,

I'm actually heading up to Mai's place for NBcon a bit earlier than expected (Wednesday rather than Friday), so if you can't find me, that's where I'll be. Ask me in-game if you need my cell phone number! Happy holidays everyone ^^

~Soli~

Post moar!

C'mon guys, don't let Seik be the only one posting to this thing! Even if only OOC tidbits about yourself, please post moar!

The past week or so has been pretty hectic for me T.T Mai and I have been grinding DNC and BRD exp pretty much nightly, and have gotten about 13 levels in that time span. I'll try to post something once I get some sleep during the maintenance today.

~Soli~

P.S. Only 10 days til NBcon!!

Note Book 10 Page 34-38

I haven't been sleeping too well lately. I have been finding myself waking up in the middle of the night, on random nights from stress induced nightmares. But I don't wish to write about it before I go to sleep. I don't want to wake up again in a cold sweat. My mind feels completely bogged down with all that has been going on.

For the most part I had spent the day laying on the floor, trying to at least get a small nap in. When it became late in the day Mel told me that maybe getting a little fresh air would help me. Though her words were far from what I just wrote, and more like "Quit being a shut-in, kewpo! Go outside for a while. You don't spend nearly as much time outside as you used to, kewpo!" ... Mel's words can be harsh, but I know she means well. And she was right, I haven't been spending as much time outside as I usually do. I think I may go out to Attohwa Chasm in the next few days and spend the night on the mountain like I used to.

So as advised by Mel, I headed out of the residential area and just happened to spot Caenir and Sparhawk talking near the stairs leading out to the city. It was nice to see them and I immediately ran up to say hello. They both greeted me, Sparhawk asking if Caenir and I were friends. We both told him that we had been friends for quite a long time now. Caenir then mentioned that Alberic had been looking for me earlier, saying that I might be in danger... Something about a fight with another Blue Mage...

Sparhawk began staring at me then, asking if I was indeed an Immortal. I told him that I was a Blue but did not follow their ways. His expression was unreadable, I couldn't tell if he was angry at hearing this or sad. I felt myself staring at the ground for a moment, as if trying to avoid his gaze before another familiar voice approached. It was Kreoss, he seemed to be able to wear heavier armor again and a lot of his bruising had cleared up.

Kreoss questioned as to who Sparhawk was, and once told who he was and where from, Kreoss immediately threatened him with death should he lay a hand on anyone of his friends. I was shocked at Kreoss' reaction, barely past introduction and already a death threat. I know he wants to keep his friends safe from harm, and that he has been through a lot... But he should at least give others a chance first. Sparhawk left after Kreoss had spoken and after a moment's thought I followed after him to try and explain the situation.

I caught up to him on a path near the main road and apologized for Kreoss' words. He seemed surprised at first that I had followed him, smiling widely. But his smile faded, asking once again if I was really an Immortal and if I served the Empire. I felt a bit uncomfortable talking about this, but I told him that me becoming an Immortal had been an accident and that I did not serve the Empire. His expression softened at my words and he seemed to relax a bit. The ways of the Immortals are vile... And what they become... It's unspeakable. I'm still glad I have a way around preforming as they do.

He then spoke of his wife, who had also once been an Immortal. When I asked her name it sounded familiar, but for his sake I won't write it down. I'm certain I remember Raubahn mentioning it a long while ago, though I don't clearly remember the content of the conversation. It was easy to tell he loved her deeply, the distant saddened look in his eyes... I could feel a pang in my heart and apologized for upsetting him. He smiled at me, telling me that it had all happened a long time ago. I don't want to bring up painful memories with others, it hurts to see them when they are sad.

Sparhawk said he felt that me just being around him brought up painful memories. Though the memories of Lord Sikayu are far from painful, the fact I may never see him again... I got his last letter eight months ago and it's been a little over a year since I've seen him... The letter talked about how his search was going for our other two friends, Cass and Spudzie-Wudzie(who had nicknamed himself Potatoes). He talked about the different monsters he saw in the outlands, about the strange plans, and about how we would all get together once he had found them and go on a grand adventure, the four of us... I've given up hope at this point... But where ever they are, I hope they can all find happiness.

Sparhawk asked my own happiness. Though I can find some happiness in the joy in the others around me, I'm beginning to believe that my own may be unattainable. Sparhawk questioned if I had given up on it, saying that I was so young to feel despair. I had felt every single painful memory deluged my thoughts at that moment. I felt cold and alone, everything just hurt. I tried hard to push those thoughts out of mind, and when I finally was aware again of my surrounding, Sparhawk had left.

Not a moment later, Kreoss and Caenir stood near me asking if I was alright. Kreoss asked if Sparhawk had hurt me and if he should seek him for punishment. I told him it was my own fault, that I had remembered a bad memory, but having pushed it away I was okay. That did not convince Kreoss, who walked off to have a word with Sparhawk. I had a bad feeling, so I took Caenir by the hand, and decided to follow after Kreoss. Once we reached the fountain in the center of Windurst Woods however, I didn't have any idea where he had gone.

Mai just happened to pass by at that moment, so we asked if she could help us find Kreoss and Sparhawk. Mai is always good at figuring out where people are, because moments later we found Kreoss, katana drawn, pointing it at Sparhawk. I hate seeing people I know drawing weapons on each other. I shouted at them, Kreoss glanced at me a moment before being disarmed by a quick swing from Sparhawk's axe, the katana landing tip down in the dirt near Mai's feet. There has been far too much aggressive action against the people I know recently, this violence is doing no one any good. Why must they always fight?

I stared up at them, Sparhawk glanced away while Kreoss said that he had drawn his blade first, and that Sparhawk was hiding something. Even if he was hiding something, doesn't he at least deserve a chance to explain himself? Kreoss said that Sparhawk had hurt me and some way, and therefor was not deserving of a chance. Sparhawk asked if he had upset me, but I told him he hadn't, that I had brought the bad memory on myself. I still felt pretty upset at this current situation though, I never want to see my friends fight...

What Sparhawk did next made me very happy. He extended a hand to Kreoss to make amends. Though it seemed like Kreoss hesitated for a moment, he extended his own hand and they shook. I'm glad they didn't start fighting again. Sparhawk came up to me then asking if that was acceptable, I couldn't help but smile, as long as they didn't fight I was happy. He seemed glad and smiled back, placing a hand lightly on my shoulder for a moment before walking off.

When Sparhawk was out of sight Kreoss stated that he still didn't trust him. I told him that trust is hard to come by when you first meet someone. Caenir even said that he felt like Sparhawk didn't mean any harm. Kreoss seemed to be rethinking his opinion, allowing the thought that Sparhawk wasn't bad to be an option. But then Mai mentioned the whole Anahka thing.

I didn't really feel like sticking around at that point. I felt like I was just going to become upset again. I turned around to leave, not saying anything, giving Caenir a light tap on the shoulder to let him know I wasn't hanging around. When I got back home I realized that, by leaving like that, I most likely upset someone. I curled up on the floor and began staring at random objects around the room, wondering if I had in fact hurt someone.

I hope to find Sparhawk and speak with him again. I want to explain all that has been going on to him so he can have an understanding of why everyone is on edge. I still believe that he deserves a chance, and I am willing to learn about him first before any rash decisions are made on my part. I think he is a good guy, but how am I gonna convince the others that he is?

This Christmas, give Rare/Ex!

Hey guys,

I thought I'd start a running wish-list for everyone in the shell. That way, we can keep tabs on who needs what and what we can try to work on for people. Respond to this post (or edit it!) with anything you'd like for your character, from the small to the big to the ridiculous! No gift too small, no rare too ex!

~Soli~

Alberic
--Rank 10 Bastok
--BRD AF
--CoP missions (on Minotaur)
--ToAU missions (on ToAU27 Puppet in Peril)
--Vermillion cloak for WHM
--WHM test
--Joytoy
--BLM to 37
--SCH to 37(+?)

Ikari
--DNC to 75 (ASAP!)
--Denali feet
--Full Usukane
--Black Belt item - Adamantoise Egg

Caenir
--Shaman Cloak
--Moldavite Earring
--Rank 10 Windurst (on 9-2)
--BLM AF (esp. AF3)
--RDM/WHM/SCH to 37
--All HQ staves
--CoP missions? ToAU missions?

Sorry...

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately guys, been wrestling with some writer's block T.T Let's see some contributions :O!

~Soli~

Anahka?

My dear XXXXXXXXX,

Permit me, once more, to set ink to parchment to recount to you the latest travails that have beset my companions and I. There is a matter that has arisen on which I would greatly enjoy receiving your opinion.

Of late, my travels have borne me on the shifting winds of Vana'diel to Windurst. Since the matter of the Prophet's transformation has been settled, albeit not without bloodshed and destruction, I have attempted to keep some distance between myself and my other erstwhile companions. Master Ikari, in particular, did not care for the path that I chose during that particular tragedy; the blow that I struck to the heart of Bahamut, while in my opinion necessary, seemed to rend Master Ikari's heart in turn, and she lashed out at me as if I had slain her love himself. Although matters have drawn to a satisfactory conclusion, I have sensed that my distance from the others has grown once again, and that I am not trusted as I once was.

Upon arriving in Windurst, I found Caen'ir and Seikatsu near the Residential Area, as well as another man who named himself as Sparhawk of Windurst. I immediately felt my hackles raise upon seeing the man. At first, I could not place it, but my reaction was immediate, visceral--like an animal seeing its young threatened by a predator. Instinctively, I moved to place myself between the man and my friends, and although Seik chastised me for it, I did not trust him. The man was not imperceptive, and soon headed off under my suspicious regard, Seik following him.

Anon, Caen'ir and I followed, only to find Seik alone, gazing after the man with sadness pouring from her in waves. I had felt from the man much hatred and violence before, the sense one gets from a trained killer who holds his emotions tightly to himself, and immediately my suspicions were piqued. I pursued the man, and questioned him most ardently, at the point of my Onimaru when I had no other options. Seik, Master Ikari, and Caen'ir encountered us in such a tableau, and the man Sparhawk managed to disarm me. His strike was not one of the novice adventurer that he purported to be, but was indeed that of a trained warrior who moves without waste or excessive movement.

I glanced toward Seik, and saw in her eyes a deep disappointment in both of us. Her eyes seemed to cut the unknown warrior as well to the quick, and he formed a peace with me before going to her and speaking to her quietly. I watched him most carefully; her opinion of him seemed to be important to him, and he even touched her lightly before he moved away again. At once, my suspicions were aroused, and I fumed in quiet anger at this strange warrior who made such advances upon my companion.

Master Ikari and Caen'ir mentioned that the Prophet and Caen'ir's teacher, Solitia, have both noted an unusual, ethereal quality about the man. He was called "Anahka," they said--a fated man who walks without the burden or guidance of destiny. Whether this is due to his destiny being undetermined, or simply that he may reject it as one rejects weakness from one's soul, I am not certain. Nor am I certain if this is a power or a liability. Master Ikari even implied that the reality of this identity had filled the Prophet with a great fear.

More and more, however, I feel myself distanced from my companions, and I could tell that they disapproved of my doubts about this Anahka Sparhawk's true character. Am I unfit to be around others, great lady? Do you know anything about the legend of this man, or his previous incarnations? Your guidance is, as always, greatly appreciated.

Please write back to me via a standard courier; Mog Mail seems to be entirely unreliable of late, as your last missive reached me several days tardy.

As always, I remain most sincerely yours,
Kre'oss

Note Book 10 Page 29-33

When I woke up I decided to go check on Caenir and Kreoss. I packed up my stuff, paid Ibwam three hundred gil, and after being warped I began to wander about the markets of early moning Aht Urghan. I tried to keep the collar of my briault pulled up higher than normal to hide my neck after catching some questioning looks while still in Windurst. The bruising is still pretty heavy, but it could have easily been worse and at least it doesn't hurt as much to speak today. Though I still can't raise my voice very high.

It didn't take me too long to find the two I was looking for. Kreoss was bartering with a Qiqirn merchant while Caenir stood close behind him, he seemed pretty confused at his surroundings. I smiled and found myself running up and saying good morning to them. From closer I noticed Kreoss was still heavily bruised and unable to wear heavy armor, but at least he was still alive and able to walk. Caenir and I began talking while Kreoss remained silent. After a moment he had moved in front of Caenir as if to protect him and asked me what had become of Alberic. I felt a bit confused as to why Kreoss was being defensive of Caenir before me, but told him that Alberic was better because of an item used on him.

He told me that he was glad to hear that news and seemed to relax a bit as he stared behind me. I turned to follow his gaze onto no other than Alberic, who greeted us in an odd but funny way. Mai followed behind him but she didn't seem quite awake yet. He smiled and asked how everyone was doing. Kreoss said that he and Caenir were doing fine and I said that I was feeling better, but also mentioned that I still couldn't talk very loud. I wish i hadn't mentioned that last part, Caenir gained a concerned tone and asked me what I meant. I felt a bit uncomfortable and told him it was nothing and not to worry about it.

".. Does it hurt Seik? ... Your throat I mean..." I heard Alberic asking. I looked up at him, his expression was very sad. I told him it wasn't as bad today and not to worry about it. There was a moment of awkward silence before Caenir spoke up, saying that we should enjoy these moments of peace as much as we could. Alberic then began apologizing for what had happened the other day. Kreoss turned away beginning to walk slowly out of the market with Caenir, saying that it was his people that Alberic had offended and the ones closer to him that he had hurt. Alberic sighed, saying something along the lines that sorry wasn't really enough. He and Mai then began to wander about the market.

I stood there for a moment after everyone had left before feeling a harsh whisper in my ear telling me to go to the Imperial Whitegate. It seemed a meeting of Immortals was in order. I dawned my Magus garb and made my way to the east side of the city. Once escorted into the grand hall I took a knee like many of the other Blue around me. There was a large group already there, but it seemed that they can only call a certain amount of us in there at a time due to our sheer numbers. As I looked around, catching some nasty looks from under the veil of the keffiyeh. Though I didn't really expect any less. There was one Blue towards the back of the hall who seemed to be foaming a the mouth, mumbling, and twitching sporadically. He was sadly on the brink... Most likely to be used as an 'example' for the next up and coming Blue Mage.

Raubahn soon came to address us, speaking of the maws. He said that with access to them, we would soon be able to acquire the abilities from the creatures of the past. However, he also stated that if we tried now that we would not be able to acquire these abilities yet, to instead be patient and wait until we were next called before jumping the gun. They would guide us as to which monsters would be our targets and which abilities we would need to study before taking action on our prey. I could feel him glaring at me for a moment, like the other Blue had before he dismissed us back to the streets.

I changed out of my Magus garb and into my Cleric attire before deciding to go back to Windurst. I warped out of Aht Urhgan back to my home nation and began to meander about for a while. I paused outside the mog houses in the Port district for a moment to think. How was I going to acquire the spells from the past? It isn't really the best idea to have any contact with the monsters there verbally. But I don't think I could bring myself to killing them. I thought about this for a long while.

I then felt someone walk by me and, looking up, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I thought I had seen Lord Sikayu. I stood there dumbfounded for a moment, staring off at the entrance to the mog houses where he had gone. He soon reemerged and passed by me again, but I stopped him, asking if he was indeed Sikayu. He turned to face me saying that he was not who I was looking for before walking off again. I was almost sure it was Sikayu... I took a moment before heading off in the direction he had gone. While passing the small cross section of the path to Woods and the port, I felt a twinge in my mind and overheard the sound of Solitia's voice speaking to someone. I quickly hurried off to Woods, not wanting to stay close to her presence.

Once I reached Woods I began to look about, but the man I had seen was no where in sight. I walked over to the fountain, mumbling to myself before I caught a glimpse of him again. I think he felt me staring at him, because he turned around and stared back for a moment. I couldn't help but stare before realizing that what I was doing was rude and averting my gaze instead to the river. I could hear him walk away, but then return. He held out a small object wrapped in paper to me. I took the item and he began to walk off again. When He had walked away I unwrapped it to reveal a ginger cookie. I stared at it for a moment before I found myself following after where he had gone.

I found him again, this time sitting on the bridge by the Dhalmel farm. Before I knew it I had walked up to him again and asked if I had indeed not met him before. He again responded that he did not know me, mentioning that his name was Sparhawk. I could feel my heart sink slightly. I apologized for pestering him before walking back towards the entrance to Port and sitting down by a wall. I kept grabbing at the star necklace I always wear that Sikayu gave me, as if for comfort. Where had he gone? Was he still well? Was he still alive..? I thought there for a while before Sparhawk passed by me again, I looked up for a moment and he smiled slightly, continuing to move toward the Port.

I sat there, staring at my feet, wondering again what had become of Lord Sikayu before I felt that twinge in my mind again. Solitia stood nearby with Caenir behind her. She greeted me, causing me to jump slightly... Her presence still frightens me. I wondered why Caenir was following her as I used the wall behind me to help myself stand up, she said that he had become her student as if responding to my silent question. Caenir seemed to grow concerned, most likely from me not really saying anything. I told him I was fine, though I was starting to have a hard time concentrating but I didn't mention that part. Solitia then began talking with Caenir about divination, speaking of a person called Anahka, after that though I couldn't concentrate enough to remember what she said... I just remember saying that I needed to leave and slipping off to the Port district.

I walked about for a while, absently heading in the direction of the Orastery when I spotted Sparhawk again. I went up to him, saying I was sorry for having not introduced myself earlier. He smiled for a moment, saying he felt that he had reminded me of something not so fortunate.
I told him that he reminded me greatly of someone dear to me. I found myself dwelling on the thought of how much he looked like him again. He reminded me that I still hadn't introduced myself yet, so I told him my name.

I brought a hand up, taking hold of my pendant again, speaking about how much he looked like Siakyu. He asked if my star pendant had been given to me by Sikayu. I told him that it had, that he had made it for me. Sikayu was a very good goldsmither. Sparhawk's next words were harsh, despite his gentle tone, telling me that he was not Sikayu. That he was Sparhawk of Windurst, formally of the Empire. I knew he wasn't, though I wished at that moment he was, I told him that I knew... It still hurt. He said that he thought the only reason I was speaking with him was because he looked like Sikayu, and he was right... I wanted to feel comfort in seeing Sikayu's face again... I wanted to see Lord Sikayu... I wanted him to come back to Windurst from his journey... But I knew I probably would never see him again... Never hear his voice again... I told Sparhawk to pay me no mind before running off.

I stopped and leaned against the wall before the path leading to Woods. I felt overwhelmingly sad, but could not cry. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looking up it was Sparhawk. I apologized again for bothering him. He told me that I hadn't bothered him, but he wished that he could get to know me as himself, not as who he looked like. He held out his hand, smiling awkwardly for a moment, giving him a very youthful appearance. I smiled back offering my own hand, which he held gently for a moment "See, I'm not THAT bad, am I?" He smiled again. I told him he didn't seem bad at all. He chuckled a bit letting go of my hand, saying that there were a few guys who would beg to differ, but he didn't seem to want to go into detail about that. He then bid me good night and began to make his way back towards the port.

I hope to see Sparhawk again soon. He seems like an interesting person to get to know. After watching him walk away I headed back to Woods, Caenir and Solitia still standing in the same place they had been before, though now Ery seemed to have joined their conversation. I walked up behind Caenir, tapping him lightly on the top of the head, and saying that I was sorry for not responding to him earlier. He said it was no problem. Solitia's presence was giving me a little bit of trouble, but not nearly as much as usual, though I don't know why.

She asked if, while in Port, I had seen Anahka. I didn't understand what she was talking about, though I had heard her say that name earlier. I told her I had a hard time concentrating earlier, so she repeated herself. She described a Hume man in his early twenties, bald-headed, and wearing a cap. The description sounded exactly like Sparhawk. She said that Anahka is one who is born once an age, living outside destiny, and feared by the gods. She asked if I sensed this about him. I told her that I hadn't, because to me he seemed normal. She mentioned to Caenir that they may be keeping an eye on Sparhawk.

We spoke for a while more about the ability to sense the things around us before Solitia decided that she needed to leave. She bid everyone good night and warped herself away leaving Caenir, Ery, and myself. Caenir then turned to me and told me that had almost forgotten to tell me that he could indeed not swim. For future reference, I must remember to keep Caenir away from deep water. Ery spoke of how tired he was for a moment, before proceeding to somehow fall asleep standing up... I was baffled at first, but then Caenir and I had a good laugh, careful not to wake Ery though. We bid each other good night then and headed back to our own mog houses.

I made an herbal drink for myself to help my throat heal a bit better. Though I thought I would be feeling sad again this day, things actually turned out better than I expected. I met someone new who I hope to see more of in the days to come. I still miss Lord Sikayu deeply and I may never see him again, but everything heals with time. I hope Ery is okay sleeping standing up in the middle of Windurst Woods. I may find that amusing for quite a while.

Note Book 10 Page 23-28

I decided to walk from the crag of Mea to Windurst. The late afternoon sun making the red walls of the canyon glow with an almost warming light. It was nice, especially after what had just happened. As I got closer to Sarutabaruta I began thinking of the others again. Were they alright? Would Kreoss be okay? Was Caenir hurt? Was Mai okay? How was Briddy and Tsiife? ... And what of Alberic?

It wasn't long before I found myself in Sarutabaruta on a small cliff, overlooking the Zanbibi River. Where was Alberic? And would the magicite be enough to bring back the Alberic we all cared for? I could still hear it in my bag, resonating. I held my bag close, hoping for an end to all this madness soon, so everyone could be back together again. Just then I heard the sound of frantic feet racing towards me. I looked out of the corner of my eye, watching a chocobo jump off the small cliff, and race across the river in the direction of Windurst... It looked extremely frightened and was squawking as if it had been whipped to run faster. Then I heard the steps of someone coming to stand at my right side. I turned, staggering away, feeling my blood running cold.

There stood Alberic, seeming to be in his normal form. He greeted me, the malevolent look in his eyes causing me to back away more. Every time I inched away he only got closer, questioning me, towering before me like a shadow of death. He suddenly grabbed at one of my arms. I jerked away, falling, landing roughly near the edge of the cliff. He loomed before me, saying something again, and panicking I threw my hand up, casting a flash spell in his face in hopes to possibly get away.

I then felt the force of a single strong hand gripping my throat, slamming my head back into the ground. I struggled, unable to breath, grabbing with both hands at his own, trying in vain to pry the crushing grip away. I could see Alberic grinning, my thoughts at that moment were that I would die there, at the hand of my possessed friend. He suddenly leaned in and kissed me. I stared at him in shock, beginning to feel light headed, my vision felt tunneled, my strength to get his hand away quickly fading. "We are all dieing Seik..." I could hear him speaking again, but the words sounded echoed. "Every breath we take brings us closer to death."

I gasped, feeling his hand let go of my throat as he stood up. He said something about either dieing now or later, either way he would be the one to kill me... But I could barely hear him over the sound of my own staggered gasps for breath. I could hear him walking away as I lay there, staring at the sky, trying to breath normally again. I closed my eyes for a moment, not moving from where I lay, feeling around near me for my bag having dropped it in the struggle. Finding it I pulled it closer, my throat was hurting badly and I felt that I couldn't even stand... I could feel tears in my eyes once again.

The sound of chocobo feet came near me again. I turned my head, looking up as its rider spoke to me. It was Tripp, and following behind him seemed to be Mai. They asked if I was alright. It hurt to speak, I could barely bring my voice above a whisper, telling them that I was just dazed. They were apparently hunting Alberic down, because when I absently mentioned his name they asked where he had gone. I sat up then staggered to my feet, pointing off in the direction I thought he had gone, towards Windurst. Mai raced off, but Tripp got off his chocobo saying he would accompany me as we ran there.

I had a had time running at first, but quickly found my balance again and followed close behind Tripp. Upon arriving to Windurst he told me that I should rest in Woods for a while. As he took off in search of Alberic, I began to wander aimlessly towards the fountain. I reached into my bag for a moment, searching for the magicite before a sudden explosion sounded from the Port district. My heart began racing as I ran towards the source.

As I passed through the tunnel before the Orastery I was blocked from moving closer by searing flames. I held my bag close as I made my way cautiously around the fire, getting closer to the ministry, the sound of Alberic's voice ringing through the air. I quickly climbed the stairs on the side of the building and peered over the railing. Alberic stood atop a small pillar on the balcony, he was back in his dragon-like shape. Tripp and Mai seemed to be trying to talk some sense into him, causing him to become more erratic with his words. He screamed constantly that the Mai before him wasn't the real one, but admitting that even if she was fake that he could never hurt anyone with Mai's face.

Tripp then told Mai to cause herself to bleed to prove to Alberic that she was real. Mai pulled off a glove, revealing a severly scarred hand, then pulled one Faith Baghnakh from her side with the other hand. Alberic's attitude suddenly shifted, he seemed overwhelmed, frightened, and almost child like. He grabbed at Mai's hand, yelling at her, taking the weapon from her hand... Though it quickly disappeared from his own hand and appeared back at Mai's waist. Tripp had walked past me at this point, telling them that he was going to go check on Kreoss.

Alberic's attitude changed again. He had sensed the spear that Mai carried with her and demanded to see it. Mai pulled it out of her bag and showed it to him, keeping a good grip on it. Alberic looked betrayed... He began screaming that he knew she had come to kill him, his voice continuing to grow higher as he questioned Mai, he then fell to the ground sobbing heavily. Seeing him like this was painful... Mai dropped the spear, going to his side, trying to comfort him but he only swatted at her. Tripp came back suddenly and began yelling at Alberic again.

I could then hear the magicite loudly. I turned away for a moment, pulling it from my bag, the noise it was creating sounding almost similar to that of pain. I heard Mai scream then, turning to find that Alberic had snatched the spear and was holding butt of the weapon on the ground and the blades held against his chest. I started unwrapping the magicite quickly, leaving only a small amount of the binding to be able to hold it still. He screamed that he wanted to die, that death was the only way to end his sorrow. Mai kept trying to reach him but he swung at her, keeping her at bay, preparing to drive the blades into himself...

I dropped my bag and pulled myself over the railing, throwing the magicite at him with all my might. He drove the spear at himself, just as the magicite struck him hard in th back, the stone exploding into dust as it hit him. Alberic fell to his knees, his wings and horns turning to smoke, dissipating into the wind. The spear vanished in a flash of white light as he fell back into Mai's arms. I thought I had failed... He lay there unmoving... Staring blankly at the night sky... Tripp used Divine Seal and quickly cast a powerful healing spell on him.

Alberic then began to stir. He looked around for a moment, then up at Mai, asking if she was the real one. She hugged him tightly, beginning to cry. I fell to my knees, hunching over, crying and thanking Altana that he was still alive. "Hey, you okay there kitten?" I looked up at Alberic, who now stood near me, holding Mai in his arms, and smiled at him through my tears. He shuffled his foot slightly, apparently trying to push my note book back into my bag, which had fallen out when I dropped it. "Can't be losing that can we now, Seik?" I stood up wiping the tears from my eyes "No... I can't be losing that..." is what I told him. I pulled my bag onto my shoulder and began following Alberic as he walked across the roof top. Tripp once again leaving to go check on Kreoss.

Caenir was there and most likely had been the whole time. He looked terrible and like he had been in a daze, but he seemed to have calmed down and didn't appear to be hurt. Alberic asked if he was okay and thought he took a few moments to answer he said he was fine. Caenir quickly asked if anyone knew where Kreoss was, Alberic responding that he was the type to normally be in Aht Urhgan. Caenir asked for a teleport Mea so he could catch the ship in Mhaura and Mai suggested that her and Alberic go to the Monarch Linn. Alberic whined about going to the Linn but then agreed and teleported us away to Mea first.

Once arriving at the crag I decided to stay with Mai and Alberic. Caenir bid us goodbye as he made his way to the port town and we teleported off to the crag of Holla. I followed Alberic and Mai all the way to the Linn. Once we arrived they went to the back of the area to the nest that was still there and sat down, beginning to talk, Mai telling him about all that had been happening. I sat down on the rocks before the grassy area and pulled out my note book, beginning to look over the entries I've made pertaining to this ordeal.

After a few minutes I closed the book and stared at the cover, still somewhat wondering how this all happened. I looked up at Alberic and Mai for a moment and smiled, it's so nice that they can be together again. I caught a look from Alberic and told him that I was happy for them, though my voice still couldn't be raised very high. I found myself touching the sides of my neck lightly, I could feel the bruises beginning to form where his fingers had been. Alberic asked if something had hurt me, I told him I was fine. I think he then realized that he may have hurt everyone.

Alberic looked upset saying that we should have killed him for trying to hurt us. Mai hugged him tightly telling him not to say that. He laughed saying that Mai would stay by his side even if he was evil, Mai agreed. He talked about how they had first met, how everyone seemed that didn't like him except for Mai. Mai laughed slightly, saying that she still didn't understand why they didn't. Alberic claimed it was because they were "jealous of his dashingly good looks, and/or of his fiancé". I held up my hand to hide a giggle, I'm glad Alberic is back to his old self.

He smiled saying that I agreed with him, then mentioned that I should be hooked up with someone and started asking me what my preferences were. I could feel my face turning bright red, so I put my note book back in my bag, saying that I would leave them alone and hurried out of the Linn and back to the coast. While making my way back to Tavnazian Safehold, I thought for a moment of Lord Sikayu... I wonder how he is? His letters while on his journey stopped coming a long time ago... I hope he is okay.

I decided to sit down outside the Safehold for a few minutes to write this before heading back to Windurst to rest for the night. I'm glad that everything seems, for the most part, back to normal... I hope Kreoss is recovering quickly and that everyone can sleep a little easier tonight...

Alby's Playlist

I made a playlist last night of songs that I associate with Alberic, and there's some, uh, pretty diverse stuff on here >.>;;

1. What I've Done - Linkin Park
Yes, a little lollinkinpark here, but don't worry, not going to start slitting my wrists and leveling DRK (yet) >.> Song is pretty self-explanatory....

2. Space Monkey - Placebo
This one is more of a violent, dark tone, and is one I associate with the one Shi-chan keeps affectionately referring to as "batshit insane!Alby".

3. The Other Side - David Gray
A song I love to free-associate to when coming up with RPs....

4. Boom Boom Ba - Matisse
A sophisticated song.... a great AMV was made to this song at Otakon but I couldn't find it T.T I think this one reminds me of Alby's elaborate mind-games that he's constantly playing with everyone.

5. Kiss From A Rose - Seal
Yes, the song that apparently I am REALLY FUCKING OLD for remembering XD Only Tsiife and I remembered this song which was released on the Batman Forever soundtrack... Seal is really hot in this video. This song reminds me of Mai and Alby's relationship, I suppose because of their mutual obsession with each other, which only seems to become stronger with time.

6. Ramalama (Bang Bang) - Roisin Murphy
This is the sort of stuff that's going on in Alby's mind more or less constantly.... I wonder if anyone watches these? If so, this is the one I'll get a comment on for sure XD

7. Are You The One? - The Presets
The lead singer for this band looks really weird, wow. Uh, this is another "Alby is insane" song ^^;;

8. The Moment I Said It - Imogen Heap
One of the most powerful songs I've ever heard... I included the SYTYCD video since I also find that to be incredibly powerful and gripping, but if you listen to the entire song from the beginning, you find the music builds and sweeps around you like a storm.

9. Dance, Dance - Fall Out Boy
More emo music! Alby, socially awkward misfit?... Hmmm....

10. Geek in the Pink - Jason Mraz
Another "Alby is the weirdo that flicks spitballs at the back of your head all day in class, but he's got a cute grin and maybe he's just doing it because he likes you" type song...

11. The Joker - Jason Mraz
Lots of Jason Mraz on here, because he has that kind of vibe that I get from Alby.

12. Curbside Prophet - Jason Mraz
Alby's theme song from waaaaaay back when ^^

Don't flame me for my musical tastes... instead, contribute! What songs remind you of your character?

~Soli~

And with the lightwave, 'she' came... - Airyn's Records

From the realm of the pure divine and awakening dreams, I crossed the sky, I crossed the sea. Into the dawn of twilight, I became it. The lightwave overtook me, and I was lost in its ocean of light and sound. The images, the voices, of thousands, worlds, dreams, hopes, 'people'. I am here; this world, much like my own, and I don't have time to ask 'how' or 'why', I just want to go home.

I was brought to this world, much like my own, through what I've come to realize as an anomoly in the plane of reality known as the lightwave. It's a single stream of sentient energy that runs through the crystal, carrying whatever it catches to other worlds, places, or times. At least, that's what I think, otherwise, what I'm suggesting is simply an impossibility~

I was with others, did they get taken by the lightwave as well? If they did, they're not with me. This world is so much 'darker' than my home.. From what I've discovered in my travels here, the three nations still stand, though different in various ways, they're still more or less the same, if not similar. If my studies prove correctly, and from what I've experienced here, at some point between the Crystal War and the present, something changed. Perhaps it was at this branch in reality where a single crystal for whatever reason divided itself into multiple crystals to sustain multiple worlds, thus creating multiple realities. If this is in fact true, there would be a 'master' crystal, as I've dubbed it, in a temporal realm beyond Vana'diel.

Pardon me, I'm getting ahead of myself... hehe. Though, something about this world caught my attention. The presence of arcanic 'doorways', if you will, makes itself at home here. The locals of this world have taken the liberty of having them be known as 'Cavernous Maws'. I haven't dared to experiment with them in fear of what they may mean, however, if I am ever to make it home, I will have to familiarize myself with these at one point or another, I'm sure of it~
If these 'maws' do in fact have the ability to transcend time and space, relocating an individual to the era of the Crystal War as I have heard, then they must somehow have a way to utilize the lightwave.

I fear mostly for my 'homeworld', I don't know if I was chosen by the lightwave, or if it was a simple coincidence that I became a shard of my own world and was tossed astray to this one.

I must try my hardest to stay strong until I can return, but with each passing second, the hope that I will ever return dwindles. I pray not to Altana, nor any other divine being, I pray to eternity, the very chains that bind reality together, that this is just a nightmare, and I will tomorrow awaken back where I belong.

~Airyn Velious

Mog House Mail, kupo!

A moogle drops a letter onto Mai's bed before vanishing again in a flash of light. "Only a few days late, kupo, she'll never notice, kupo~"

Dear Sexy Piece of Ass That Is Going To Be My Wife One Day, Dammit (Sometimes known as Mai),

How's it going, sweetie? I know we don't usually keep in touch by mail, but I know I've been out of touch for a couple days, and if I didn't drop a line every now and again, I'm fairly sure you'd come after my ass, and not in the hot way. (Though I wouldn't mind if you DID come after it in the hot way. After all, you're really freakin' sexy when you're mad. Even when it's with me. Okay, well, maybe not as MUCH when it's with me, but still. Hubba, hubba.)

You'd best be keeping your nose out of trouble (har, har) and your eyes off of other guys. You know I'm the jealous type, after all, and I'd hate to have to get more money put on my head in certain countries from chocobo-whipping a few bitches. But then, who could really hope to compete with my sexiness? Only a few names come to mind, and they're all either fond of pooper (of the male variety), or are dead. And I don't think you're into that sort of thing. Though you never know. I'm not one to judge.

You checked out those Cavernous Maws that are popping up all over the place yet, love? They seem to zap one back to the past. Master says it's because of that weird little cat thing I keep running into. He has a few powers as far as time-travel himself, but nothing that large-scale. We try not to fuck with the space-time continuum, that just tends to be baaaaaaad juju. And I think I have enough gods and avatars pissed off at me at the moment, I don't need to add this kittycat. Though, honestly? I'm not sure WHAT this guy is. A god, maybe.

You have no idea how much I've missed you these past couple of days. I keep wanting to go home and shack up with you and practice making baby-Albies. (Not ACTUALLY making them, though. I don't think the world could handle it. One of me is already pretty fucked up.) But I'm hoping we can talk soon about why I've been staying away. There's some pretty messed-up stuff in the future, and I'm only just beginning to realize just HOW messed-up it is. But don't worry, darling. We can get through anything together. We'll find a way to make it work out. We always do, right? You're too tough to accept failure, and I'm too sneaky to let other people outsmart me, so it always turns out alright in the end.

Can't wait to see you in a few. Smooch the mirror a few times for me.

Love,

Alberic

P.S.: That g-string you're going to find in the drawers in a few days? That's totally not mine. I'm just, uh, holding onto it for a friend.

Note Book 10 Page 18-22

My moments of peaceful thought seem few and far between these days. When I woke up in the Monarch Linn this morning, it was almost too quiet for words. The many Puk that slept near me that night were gone, the only sounds seemed to come from the small waterfalls in the area and from Bahamut, who seemed restless. I suddenly heard the voice of Kreoss on the opposite side of the Linn. Behind him was Caenir, who seemed very uneasy.

I called out to Kreoss and Caenir, questioning why they where there. Caenir heard me but I was ignored by Kreoss, who was busy with Mai and Bahamut's shouts. Bahamut had become enraged at the presence of a Zilart in his domain, and threatened to kill him. Kreoss kept the same icy tone he always has, drawing his great katana, and saying that he would kill Bahamut to stop Alberic's rampage. Caenir seemed to be trying to hold Kreoss back from fighting and I called out to him, telling him not to kill him, though my words fell on deaf ears.

I grabbed my bag off the ground and started moving slightly closer to the others while Kreoss told of what he knew. I reached into my bag, looking for my mace and shield in case a fight started, shouting at Kreoss to listen to Bahamut. For an instant I thought he had heard me, he put away his katana. But to my horror, he drew his bow and fired a single shot, piercing Bahamut's heart.

Time felt to have slowed down from the moment arrow was released. Bahamut had his arms spread to protect Mai when the arrow struck. He staggered a moment before falling back, Mai catching him in her arms close to the ground. I rushed over and knelt by his side, immediately preparing a healing spell to try and remove the arrow and make the immense bleeding stop. But he grabbed me by the front of my briault, jerking me closer with his quickly draining strength, and leaned up just enough to whisper these words in my ear. "You bear the vessel..." With that, he let go, falling back, his body flickered and disappeared into many small lights.

I fell foward onto my palms where Bahamut was moments ago. I repeated the words quietly to myself before I looked up at Kreoss, my eyes blurred with tears. I can honestly say, I have never felt hatred towards anyone before. But for that instant, I hated Kreoss. I hated every fiber of his being. That rage slowly began fading to sorrow... I stood up, clutching my bag close to my chest, and watched my own tears falling to the ground. I could hear Mai, her screams of unbridled fury as she charged, the sound of fist hitting armor, and the bones behind that armor shattering. My mind suddenly snapped back to the realization of what had just happened, time feeling normal again, hearing the sound of a familiar black magic spell being chanted.

Caenir was attempting to warp Kreoss away. Mai's attention suddenly switched to him. I panicked and cast Flash on Mai in attempt to blind her as Kreoss threw himself between her and Caenir, taking further punishment before disappearing with the black magic spell. With Kreoss gone, Mai took several more swings at Caenir as he attempted to warp himself out of there. From where I stood I couldn't tell if she hit him, but I hope she didn't. Caenir was gone in the flash of a black vortex, Mai dropped to her knees, and began furiously beating at the rock beneath her. I ran closer to her, telling her that I thought we could still save Alberic. Her response was a wild swing in my direction and yelling at me to shut up.

I stumbled back avoiding the punch, but fell down into the grass, dropping my bag. I scrambled to pick it back up in case I needed to quickly teleport out of there, but then noticed an odd noise coming from inside it. I opened it to find the wrapped up magicite resonating and vibrating slightly. I picked it up, the sound growing louder, it felt very warm even through its leather bindings. I found myself repeating the words Bahamut told me again. "I bear the vessel..." It now somehow felt alive. I thought for a moment, then realized that now, a soul rested inside it.

I turned to Mai, who now lay on her back, telling her. But she just turned her head and stared at me, a look of blood lust and agony still lingered slightly in her stare. Frightened for a moment, I told Mai to compose herself. She dropped her head back onto the rocks, beginning to wallow in her sorrow. I could feel the presence of the Puk surrounding me once again. They sniffed and stared at the magicite I held. One of them nudged my hand slightly, I looked down and asked which soul was now in the magicite. It told me that it was the Lord of Dragons himself.

I tried one last time to approach Mai, telling her that Bahamut was now trapped inside the magicite. She seemed slightly calmer now and expressed her disbelief. I held it out to her so she could see it. She asked how we could get him out. Alberic had only told me to throw it to use it, so we assumed that is what we will have to do. Mai attempted to touch the magicite then, but it appeared to force her hand away. Mai stared at her hand, seemingly confused, then went to the back of the Linn and lay down in the nest she had slept in the night before.

I turned to the Puk, asking them if they could assist us in getting back the true wyrm king and Alberic. But they told me that they were frightened of Alberic. I understood how scared they felt and assured them that that didn't have to fight. Before leaving, I asked Mai if she wanted a teleport out of the area, but she decided that she wanted to stay a bit longer. So I carefully placed the magicite back in my bag and teleported myself to the crag of Mea.

I write this quickly at the crag before I make my way to Windurst. I hope for the safety of Caenir and that Kreoss is within sight of others who can tend to his wounds. Though I felt that spark of rage against him for that moment, I do not wish him harm or death... I hope he recovers quickly. I also hope that Mai can cope with all this mental anguish she has been going through these past few days... Though I'm not sure if that can be done.

Discovery

Mai is looking through Alberic's side of the almirah at home when she notices something odd about the bottom drawers, it's much shorter than it should be, and filled with things Alberic shouldn't own (...Why is there a lime-green g-string in here? It... it's not even large enough if he wanted to wear it. And this, this... is... *facepalms* Alby, I'm really going to have to ask you about this later...) . Pulling it out entirely, she discovers a small box in the back of the chest, and inside it, a book. Flipping through, it turns out to be Alberic's journal. Mai stares at the last entry for a few minutes, then wipes her eyes, and sets pen to paper for her own entry.

Dear Alberic,

Hey, it's me. I guess by the time you read this, it'll all be over, so it's up to me to keep you updated.

I guess you knew, judging by that last entry, how things were gonna turn out, huh? That it'd be you as the shadow that ////// attacks me. Well, I guess the good news is that it didn't turn out that way. The bad news is_ it turned out even worse. Dia/////// assaulted you, made you think I'd died. You completely lost it at that point, and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. From what Bahamut tells me, somehow Di///////// screwed with your link to Bahamut, and it sorta caved in, with all of his power spilling over into you, and most of your mind ending up in him. But, the you that wasn't you anymore turned into this It looked like Bahamut had been shrunk down to your size and shape, but kept all his wings, claws, and such. And then this Alby that wasn't really Alby went and attacked Briddy, ripped her arm off, and found the Lightbringer by following the trickling blood. She didn't die, though. Fucking preist said she wouldn't make it, to just pray for her to reach paradise, but she pulled through anyway.

The next day, Briddy was mostly okay, arm reattached and everything. Tsiife suggested that we look to the avatars for aid. Tsiife brought back two crescent-shaped blades from Fenrir, Seik brought a staff from Carbuncle, and Briddy somehow got a jem from Diab//////. They all fitted together into this spear sorta thing, which could somehow calm notAlby. I went to see if Bahamut could lend any help, and instead found you, him, lying in a bush. For whatever reason, when he lost his power, he ended up with your body. Having lost all his power, of course, he couldn't offer any help. But seeing you him there helped me, at least.

Day after, Solitia made an appearance. First to Seik, apparently messing with her as bad as Dia//////// does, then to myself / Tsiife / Caenir. Something about how he is the new Wyrmking, I don't remember much. I quite clearly remember the state Seik was in, curled up in a pitiful ball of despair at the thought of maybe possibly hurting Alberic. Isn't a simple "I can't" sufficient? Anyway, turned out Soli had suggested Seik use that crystal you gave her on the Wyrmking.

After all this, I paid another visit to Bahamut. I can't really explain it, but he seemed like you. Maybe he was you at this point. But I ended up staying the night there, and if you don't remember what happened, maybe you can ask me sometime.

I'll always love you,
Mai

Note Book 10 Page 14-17

I was visited by the taru known as Solitia in my mog house. Her sudden appearance frightening me into a corner. Her presence was very dark and almost unbearable as she floated before me. She said she brought news from the new wyrm king, Alberic. My heart sank as she spoke of how the armada was mostly destroyed and the city of Jeuno lay in ruin. I wished hard, hoping this wasn't happening... That it was only a bad dream, though I knew it wasn't.

Solitia then spoke of the crystal that Alberic had given me several months ago. I pulled my bag off the bed and fished out the stone, still tightly bound in the leather strips around it, hiding its image from view. Solitia said that it could be used against Alberic if all our other efforts failed to bring him down. I could feel every ounce of strength in my body draining away as I stared silently at the stone. I couldn't bring myself to use this thing on Alberic... I just couldn't...

My mind began racing as I could feel fear and confusion setting in. I put the stone back in my bag, the voices of worry from the monsters I knew fading from my thoughts, I could only hear Solitia talking. She spoke of how I wasn't living up to my potential, of how my passivity is holding me back from greatness, of how I was thinking like a child in wishing that this wasn't happening, and wanting to save both my friend and the world... She was right, I am weak... I felt powerless and frail before her. Her words lashing at my heart, driving deep gouges into it... She then turned to leave, offering her final words that in using the crystal against Alberic that it would cause his world of pain and suffering to end.

I felt numb as she left and collapsed to the floor beginning to cry quietly to myself. I couldn't fight my friend, I couldn't bring myself to facing him... I don't know how long I was laying there, but soon I could feel the others around me, asking me questions. I can't remember what I was thinking at that time. I know I answered their questions as best I could about what the stone was given to me for. Alberic never explained exactly how it worked because he didn't want me to chicken out and not use it. My thoughts were floating and I couldn't focus. I needed a place to go think... I asked the others to leave my mog house so I could lock the door and go somewhere.

Once outside I bid them goodbye and teleported myself to the crag of Holla. As I headed to the dimensional rift at the south side of the crag, I couldn't help but stop for a moment and stare at the remnants of the giant footprints imprinted in the earth, where once a giant dragon had landed. The image of that rainy day flashed back into my mind for a moment before I passed through the rift into the realm of Al'Taieu. I made my way deep into Ru'Hmet and used the elevator to go down to the Empyreal Paradox.

I sat there before the Transcendental Radiance for a long time, thinking, wishing for an answer that didn't involve harming those that I cared so much. That answer, like the answers to the questions Alberic always asked me, never came. If the weapon of the avatars failed and I had to use the crystal, could I bring myself to do it? Or would I hesitate... Causing others around me to fall... Solitia said that because Alberic could see the future, perhaps he knew all along that this would happen. Why did he give the stone to me? Mai and Tsiife have far more powerful wills... Caenir is stronger than me. Or did he give it to me because I am weak..? Because he knew I could never bring myself to stand in his way? These thoughts hurt...

I was beginning to hear the presence of the monsters in my mind again and one called out to me. Zypher, the Puk I helped in Wajaom Woodlands many months ago, told me that he was was seeing Mai in one of the Riverne Sites. I questioned what he was doing there, as I have never heard of him leaving the woods before and he said that Lord Bahamut had called him, along with all the other Puk, to his side. I stood up, deciding to pay the Riverne Site a visit myself.

I made my way out of Al'Taieu, through Tavnazian Safehold, and across Misareaux Coast towards the portal leading to the Riverne Sites. When I arrived to the floating landmass I got that feeling of weakness I always get in the presence of a powerful terrestrial avatar, but this time it felt much weaker. When I got close to where the Monarch Linn was I heard a angry growl asking who was there. It was Bahamut, but he looked like Alberic again, like that time before when we were dealing with Diabolos. Behind him was Mai, who had apparently been talking with him before I got there, judging from the fact she seemed to have been cut off when he bellowed. Despite how much I hate saying and being called by it, I stated my full name but did not dare look up at the wyrm king. I feel I would have cried if I had.

The Puk chattered curiously from their hiding places as I looked around for Zypher. I eventually spotted him on one of the floating pieces of land. He looked to have gotten bigger since the last time I saw him. It was good to know that he was doing much better. The Puk began to flutter around me, landing on my shoulders, talking to each other quietly. I held out my hand to Zypher, who happily landed on it and held out his head, wanting to be scratched. While I busied myself with scratching Zypher behind one of his ears, Bahamut asked me a question, though I was only half paying attention at this point and don't remember what he or I said. I let Zypher fly back to his roost and sat down in the grass.

Bahamut noticed that I hadn't looked in his direction since I had arrived there and questioned me. I told him that I could not bare to look at Alberic's form, and only after I said this did I realize that I had said it wrong. "It is MY form." he growled loudly causing the Puk to scatter and flit off to there hiding places. It was his form right now, and I was foolish to even think otherwise. He and Mai began talking again, while I pulled my bag in front of me, taking out the wrapped crystal, and staring at it. I couldn't help but think of what Solitia had said. I looked up for a moment at Bahamut and Mai, seeing them sitting together talking reminded me of before this chaos began. Though he was not Alberic I felt at ease, if only for a second.

Putting the crystal back in my bag, I fell back into the grass behind me to stare at the darkening sky as it began filling with stars. I could hear the Puk beginning to flit about again getting ready for the night, several landing near me and one curling up close to me to sleep. I started quietly humming the tune that Alberic had been singing the other day. I trailed off eventually and began staring at the vast ocean of stars.

After a while I heard Bahamut address me and sat up quickly. He asked that I bring the crystal I had to him. I quickly fished it out of my bag and brought it over to where he sat. Bahamut carefully unwrapped the crystal and I actually got to see it for the first time, it was a smoky gray color that seemed to darken towards the center. Bahamut placed a hand over it for a moment before telling us that it was a piece of Black Magicite. He wrapped it back up, explaining that it had been drained of its emptiness, making it a vessel... He asked me if I understood as he handed it back to me, I told him I did. (The mention of the word 'vessel' still irks me...) He said that it will make a good last ditch alternative to killing him. I placed it back in my bag before heading back to where I was laying before.

I feel slightly less stress out for now. Though the thought of going up against Alberic still weighs heavily on my mind. It's peaceful up here in the Riverne Site for the moment. I hope that we can get Alberic back to his senses. Which means I may have to fight. Thought I truly do not want to fight, I will if it means to help save the life of our beloved friend.

Tsahya Fire

In the beginning, there was nothingness, and the Crystal. And from the light of the crystal sprang All That Is, and a world of Gods, that they called in their holy tongues: Vana'diel.

Vana'diel is our Holy Mother, and the gods are blessed to walk Her and breathe Her air; never forget this, my kittens!

The colors of the crystal's light shaped gods and goddesses, and they were as children on the Mother, and they rejoiced to live and be alive. Fire-spirit and Air-spirit; Wood-gods and goddesses; the lords of rivers and lakes, and the demons that live in lava and lightning. But in time, the gods and goddesses fell into a deep sleep as the memory of the crystal's light-song faded. They lie elsewhere now, my kittens, and are dreaming of this world and their own plane.
Ancient peoples descended from the gods, and they were like Humes and called themselves Zilarts and Kuluu. And they fought each other and tore the world apart, and the Kuluu called on the gods to awaken, and the five gods of the earth responded. They were able to destroy the Zilart, but Mother Vana'diel was enraged, and cast down the Kuluu as punishment.

That's when we appeared, kittens, and the other four races. Mother Vana'diel has given us Herself, Her world, Her body, Her being, to enjoy and give to our own kittens. We look forward to the day when the sleeping gods awaken at last, and Mother Vana'diel is at last one with all of her children!

-Priestess Hypatia's writings on Creation, as recorded in Tsahya-

hey guys

I'm the geek in the pink :)

Hyppie

Behind the Veil.

Most Revered XXXXXXXXX,

It has been with some concern that I notice the troubles that have, of late, beset the Archduchy. One would have to be uniquely blind not to notice that the dragon attacks that have beset Jeuno of late have been increasing, both in frequency and severity. I cannot imagine why the city has been targeted thusly, save that it must have some connection to the Wyrm-King, Bahamut.

I am aware of the depth and resourcefulness of the Archduke's personal intelligence network, so I shall be brief in my own description of the situation; briefly put, it is common knowledge that the Elvaan known as Alberic I Tavnazia has a close connection to the Wyrm-King. I believe this connection to be mental and spiritual in nature; I can sense the power of a terrestrial avatar lurking within his mind whenever we come in contact, and it is a many-layered mind indeed. Additionally, the very first dragon attack some months ago seems to have been connected to an incident involving Caen'ir. You are as aware as I, my lady, that Caen'ir and Alberic, as well as Mai Ikari, are close comrades. As am I.

But these latest reports of a half-monster, half-man that commands a great host are almost too incredible to be believed. Although the Duchy has responded admirably, I fear the other nations of Altana shall stand by and fear to assist you in driving off the creature. And even moreso, I fear the identity of this beast is that same Alberic. It may not be merely dragons and wyverns with which you must do battle, but the combined host of such along with the inestimable power of Mai Ikari and her friends. Master Ikari is a ferocious fighter, as I myself know, and her love for the Elvaan Prophet is intense and all-consuming. And needless to say, should Caen'ir fight, my blade will turn in service to them as well.

Need the Duchy wage war upon those who would be our allies? If it is mindless destruction the Wyrm-King seeks, then it is likely he is maddened or has lost his admittedly-tenuous grip on reality. If that is the case, it behooves all of us, both the citizenry of Jeuno and indeed the entire world, along with Master Ikari and her allies, to restore Alberic to his normal capacities. I have several ideas for how this might be effected. Even Bahamut in his full glory is still a terrestrial avatar, and as you know, we Zilart have ways of dealing with creatures such as those. At the end, they are but animals, and like animals may be killed.

And although the Prophet has become one with Bahamut's power, Bahamut's own body still exists somewhere. It is my intention, therefore, to go to Monarch Linn and see if I might find what is left of Bahamut there. Although he is weakened, he should still exist in some form or another; if he were dead, the Prophet would lose that source of power, and hopefully be freed from that which is inflaming his insanity, even as a burr in the side of a chocobo.

I humbly request that I am kept in the loop as far as developments to this situation. When more information arises, please let me know. We should have little need for linkpearls.

I remain, madam, most sincerely yours,
Kre'oss

I'll get around to posting, eventually.

No, I mean it, I will, I promise. D: Just give me some time to get everything all settled IRL and I'll post something sometime this week. Post may be delayed due to me failing at posting in-character things well, so I'll probably end up typing things up fifty times until I feel it's sufficient. >_>; Anyways, so yeah. (( Also, subject color to change if it hurts someone's eyes. ))

IC posts from Caen'ir will be in light green.

Note Book 10 Page 11-13

I didn't sleep well that night. I just lay there on the cold stone floor, watching the nightmares of what had occurred that day. When morning finally arrived everything around seemed cold and still. The priests that had been murmuring outside the door that night had taken Briddy away while we slept. There came a sudden noise at the door and the sound of a failure voice. Everyone stood up and stared on as Tsiife rushed over, flinging the doors open. It was Briddy. Though she was hobbling on a cane, she was alive and her right arm seemed to be back on her shoulder. I felt a heavy weight lift slightly from my heart. I'm glad she did not pass away while we were asleep.

Briddy explained that in the night the priests took her to have her final rights read, but then someone by the name of Solitia appeared. She used a substance on Briddy that had been taken from her apparently years ago and reattached her arm. Everyone seemed extremely relived, especially Tsiife. It wasn't long before the conversation changed to the matter at hand.

Tsiife took out a bazaar linkpearl and listened carefully to it before reporting to us that Jeuno was, once again, being decimated. The Jeuno airship armada had apparently been deployed to attempt to handle the situation. Things weren't looking good, we needed all the help we could get to be able to even face Alberic to talk with him. Tsiife then suggested that we seek the aid to the terrestrial avatars. This seemed to be a good idea.

Caenir and I were sent to go see Carbuncle, Mai to Bahamut, Tsiife to Fenrir, and Briddy would remain at the church to speak with Diabolos in a dream. I gave her my vile of dream incense so she could enter his realm. After that I teleported the others to the respective crags they needed to go to and then Caenir and I went to visit Carbuncle. When we reached the Rainbow Glade Carbuncle appeared and spoke with Caenir. He expressed his worry for what was happening and agreed to help us. He transformed his form into a long pole, its surface shimmered in the many colored lights though what it was made from I couldn't tell. Taking it from where it floated in the air, I handed it to Caenir to hold on to.

I took out the linkpearl that Mai had given me and attempted to contact the others. Tsiife was apparently about to speak with Fenrir, but Mai didn't respond and Briddy was obviously asleep. Caenir and I decided to walk back to the crag of Holla to wait for word from the others. It began raining when we got close to the crag, which brought back a bitter memory. We waited under the shelter of the ancient structure for any sound over the linkshell. Tsiife spoke again after a long while of silence, saying that she had received two blades from Fenrir and was on her way to the crag of Holla. Mai finally spoke saying she had made it to the Monarch Linn, but Bahamut was nowhere in sight.

There was a sudden whimpering over the linkshell and Tsiife said we should head back to San d'Oria to check on Briddy. Mai said she would catch up after looking around a bit but trailed off while speaking. The three of us quickly rented some chocobos and made our way back to San d'Oria. When we arrived Briddy was still sleeping, but stirred after a few moments, holding out a black gem apparently given to her by Diabolos. Looking at all the items given to us by the terrestrial avatars they seemed to be all part of one weapon.

Mai finally arrived and the others assembled the weapon to make a powerful looking spear. Unsure of how exactly to wield it against Alberic, they decided to go back to Windurst to discuss matters more. While the others headed to Tsiife's house I fell behind and instead went to my own house. Mel was on her way out to visit her brother Kaido and she bid me a good day.

I use the peace in my mog house to write this entry now. I do wonder what the others are speaking about, but I needed some time to think. Perhaps I'll go visit them in

*the entry seems to cut off abruptly*

Time Wasters

To combat the depressiveness from last night's RP, here's some frivolity:

Hubba Hubba Zoot Zoot
I TOLD you I'd do it, Shi-chan! Anime is El Hazard (TV).

The only cool Warcraft-related thing on the Web...
A favorite among my CoH friends who were into Ventrilo. Hmmm, maybe we should set up a NB Vent channel sometime....

Okay, another cool Warcraft-related thing.
I hate WoW as everyone knows >.> But this makes me giggle every time I see it on TV, I think because the dudes are clearly on Vent. Also, the dancing Nightelf at the end.

This one reminds me of Tsiife
And his philosophies on life o.o It's an AMV from this year's Otakon. Lots of anime in-jokes XD

Because Ouran is awesome.
Anime's homage to the "reverse-trap" that we here in the NBs are so fond of :3

This one's Kreoss x Caenir
Catboys (and shounen-ai) make everything better!

Okay, Tsiife, we can do a girls' love video too
What amuses me is that this one was made by a "Christian anime club".... protip: the fact that it uses religious imagery and is set at a Catholic girls' school doesn't make this any less of a shoujo-ai anime >.>

Cherry Chocolate Rain...
Why do I keep watching this...? >.>

Erm... An oldie but goodie >.>
Anyone who's seen Revolutionary Girl Utena would get this one >.>

Another... uh... random AMV o.o
I used to watch this to cheer up in college >.>

I'll come up with some more frivolous entertainments later ^^

~Soli~

Note Book 10 Page 5-10

This morning when I woke up I went out to Windurst Woods to do something that, for the life of me, I still can't remember. On my way to do whatever it was I was going to do I ran into Alberic. He seemed lost in thought and only stopped when I called his name. He was still troubled from yesterday and seemed to want to just walk around. I asked if I could walk with him for a while. He agreed and we began taking a walk around Windurst Walls.

At first he was humming a strange tune, but soon we started talking. He ended up springing two questions on me that I was unable to answer. He asked first who my favorite person was. Then asked "If everyone you knew was trapped in a fire and you only could save one, who would it be?" I can never answer these questions he asks me. My indecisiveness is one day going to cost me... I just know it.

While still walking we ran into Tsiife who had apparently been called to see one of the professors in terms of joining the Windurstian army, if I remember correctly. As Alberic and Tsiife talked he mentioned the prophecy and how he feared that the shadow was going to kill Mai. He said he didn't want Mai to know and preferred to keep it a secret from her, but timing being impeccable here, Mai happened to creep up behind Alberic just as he mentioned keeping it a secret from her.

Mai proceeded to scold him while he kept trying to dodge the question and get away from the situation. He eventually pulled himself out of his own tunic and took off running, shirtless, towards Windurst Waters with Mai in hot pursuit. Tsiife quickly followed them. At this time I happened to spot Caenir standing on top of a small hill near where the others had been moments before. After explaining a bit of the situation to him we began heading in the way we thought the others had gone.

When we found them, Alberic and Mai were talking towards the end of a bridge. Tsiife sat away from them further down the bridge making repairs on her automaton, Sparky. Alberic was explaining his conserns to Mai, so I decided instead to stay near Tsiife. At the mention of something by Alberic, Tsiife turned suddenly and accidentally knocked Sparky into the water and proceeded to dive in after it. After fishing out the puppet and dumping the water out from it Tsiife mentioned something about the puppet exploding, to which both Caenir and I nervously backed towards the other side of the bridge. Tsiife warned Caenir not to fall in the water and then a question popped into my head, did Caenir know how to swim? I asked Caenir but he was unsure.

Soon Mai came up to us but Alberic was nowhere in sight. She said he had run off to King Ranperre's Tomb and asked for a Teleport-Holla. Wanting to know what was going on, I cast the spell and soon the four of us found ourselves in La Theine Plateau. We rented some chocobos at the crag and hurried to the tomb. Once we were there it was eerily quiet. The monsters that normally roamed the area were nowhere to be found, even the wind was still... As if making no attempt to incur the wrath of something terrible. As we looked around for Alberic we got close to where a large tombstone lay. Mai and Tsiife stopped suddenly as did I to see why they had, but I forgot to stop Caenir and he wandered ahead.

This is where things go from bad to much, much worse. Although Caenir easily walked in, a barrier seemed to form behind him blocking the rest of us from going any further. Inside the barrier Caenir stood slightly behind Alberic and Briddy, who had their weapons drawn, facing a taru girl and, looming behind her, Diabolos. Tsiife and Mai beat furiously on the barrier but to no avail. From what I could tell, the others on the inside of the barrier were unable to see or hear us.

Briddy suddenly rushed the taru girl, who retaliated with powerful black magics, though not aimed at Briddy, but instead at Alberic. A Burst II spell rained down from the sky but Alberic was seemingly shoved from harms way by something I could not see. The taru girl quickly vanished and when the smoke cleared I could see Alberic on his knees, grieving at something invisible to my eyes. Diabolos called to him, offering him a place in his dream world if he joined him. Apparently he had made Alberic witness an illusion of Mai dieing, but Alberic didn't know it wasn't the real Mai.

There was a sudden change in the energy around us. Though Caenir tryed his hardest to tell Alberic that it was merely an illusion, words no longer seemed to reach him. Alberic was surrounded by a thick black smoke, large dragon like wings soon sprouted from the haze. At this point Mai had slumped to the ground, staring helplessly in at Alberic. When the smoke lessened Alberic had taken on a new form that, even Diabolos, backed away from. He looked to be half dragon... Horns had grown from his head, his fingers ended in claws, and large scaley wings stretched out from his back. Almost nothing about him seemed human anymore...

Diabolos fired a blast of dark energy at Alberic, but he cast it aside as if it were nothing. Briddy stepped in front of Caenir to protect him, though he was still trying to talk some sense into Alberic. Alberic then did something I wish I had never seen. He grabbed Briddy by the throat, his claws puncturing her skin... Then he ripped her right arm clean off her shoulder and hurled her and her dismembered body part into the tombstone. There was blood everywhere...

I don't know what compelled me at this point but I pulled my Purgatory Mace from my bag and began franticly beating on the barrier. "I hear some mice scratching at the door... Let's let them in." I heard those words just before the barrier in front of us exploded, Diabolos vanished with a screech, and I fell foward into the dirt dropping my mace. Tsiife immediately ran to Briddy's side as Alberic stared on at the large pool of blood forming around her. When I picked myself up Alberic took to the skys and Mai chased after him. Tsiife and her automaton were trying to heal Briddy's wounds as best they could when there was a sudden explosion nearby. I ran over to try and help Tsiife with Briddy, but it was apparent she needed a doctor.

Suddenly Alberic's voice came from behind us. When I looked over my shoulder it looked like he was going to breath fire on us. I cast a quick Barfira spell and we narrowly managed to jump out of the way in time. Alberic rose into the air, clutched in his hand was a large golden jeweled scabbard and sword. He began screaming insanely about how he had lost Mai and how now he himself was going to fulfill the prophecy he had made. The real Mai called out to him from below, but he wasn't listening. He began throwing fire at everything around us. The tomb was a raging inferno in seconds as Alberic called down to us before flying off, saying he was going to go destroy the world.

As fire surrounded us I grabbed my dropped mace and everyone gathered together as quickly as possible. Caenir used the spell Escape to transport us outside the tomb. Once outside I stared back for a moment, the flames were leaping high over the walls. Tsiife cradled Briddy's pale, nearly lifeless body, weeping loudly... We had to get her to some sort of doctor and fast. As quick as we all could we rushed to the San d'Orian cathedral. People flocked and followed us who apparently knew Briddy, their concern apparent from their calls towards the church for assistance.

Once there we shouted breathlessly for a medic of any sort. They quickly directed us down into the basement where a member of the church immediately went to work on Briddy's wounds, praying loudly to Altana for assistance the whole time. When he had done all that he could do he turned to us and said that he did not think she would make it through the night. I felt a knot form in my stomach at this point. When Briddy opened her eyes she began talking weakly with Tsiife. I couldn't listen... I turned to Caenir who stood behind me and rest my forehead on his shoulder. I couldn't help but cry. I felt Caenir put an arm around me in an attempt to comfort me, but I just couldn't do anything at this point but cry.

I write this now in the dieing light of the candles in the basement. Briddy is sleeping near the back of the room, her breathing is weak... Tsiife at her side... Crying quietly. Mai was pacing a while ago but she seems to have stopped for now. Caenir is sitting near me, though I don't know if he is sleeping. My eyes are stinging badly from crying so much and from the dim light. I can hear the clergy men outside the door talking about something. I don't think I can keep myself awake any more. I wish I could make this day never happen. I wish this situation never came to be... I know I can't change what happened. I just hope right now that Briddy will pull through the night...

Hey guys

I'm sorry for the depressing and action-packed RP tonight. I wasn't really planning on packing all of that into one night, but these things sort of gain a momentum of their own. ^^;; I'd always planned on Alby "going evil" and turning into a dragon-like being at some point, but I was hoping to wait til Mai and Alby got married.... oh well ^^;;

Alby's dragonic form is supposed to be an amalgam of his Elvaan appearance and Bahamut's Wyrm-King appearance, so he has clawed hands, horns on his head, and wings, as well as a more feral appearance on his face. Something like this:




Ah, good ol' Chrono Crusade.

Hopefully we can pick back up tomorrow or sometime this week. Later guys ^^

~Soli~

I think they're starting to suspect something.

Dear Journal:

First the good news: I finally pieced together some of the meaning from that prophecy I've been mulling over for the past month or so. It's been kind of a tricky one, since the words that come to mind don't have a lot in the way of meaning, and drawing it doesn't seem to be helping. Here's the best drawing I've been able to do so far.

((203451423597255 hours in MSPaint))

As this diagram CLEARLY illustrates, the golden-skinned child of Windurst is going to pave the way to the blade of light with her blood. The dark "shadow of the west" that's threatening her, as evidenced by the evil eyes, has horns and wings. Looks kinda like a demon. So, I've been working hard to unlock this image.

Obviously, the golden-skinned child of Windurst is a Mithra, a white-haired one. She's been "crowned by virtue" though you can't tell it from the picture (unless that means she has abnormally large boobs). I'm pretty sure the sword is Lightbringer, one of the treasures of ancient San d'Oria that's been lost for centuries. (Of COURSE it has been lost for centuries. We can't be looking for something EASY now, can we? My Master's had me hunting this thing for years.) But I've been stumped as to further details for a while now.

I decided the easiest thing to research would be Lightbringer, so I've been hitting up the archives in Tavnazia and San d'Oria. The sword is supposed to be more powerful than the sheets of lightning that split a summer sky, more beautiful than the sea at dawn, and more terrible than Shantotto with PMS. Of course, as to what exactly it does, I have no freakin' clue. The holy texts clarified it a little bit--they said that Lightbringer has been imbued with the power of divine magic such as no other weapon in existence. It's a hallowed blade, they wrote, that would smite with the wrath of Altana any unworthy heathen who drew it. Such artifacts aren't completely uncommon in Vana'diel, of course, but the ancients were so firm that this was something beyond the normal that I realized this wasn't your ordinary sword.

Then, I remembered that certain historical artifacts have come to the Elvaan from ancient tablets--could this be one of those? The tablets date back to even before the Zilart era... and could be relics of the time when the gods walked on Vana'diel's soil. I have to admit, I'm not a religious guy at all, but the thought fascinated me, and it explains why my Master is so impatient with me to get my hands on that sword. Of course, he's also been impatient with me to decipher this damn prophecy, even more than usual. I think he's really scared about what this one might mean. I think we're all scared about what this one might mean.

Anyway, after a long time, the rest of it came to me, and I felt like I'd been gut-punched. No, even worse--I felt like I was going to be sick. Warmth just drained from every extremity. Was that really what the prophecy could mean...? Am I wrong? I mean, it would explain a TON. I stumbled on Seik, Mai, and Caenir last night after I'd had a few hours to chew on this, but I tried to hide what I'd found out. After all, I don't want to worry them, and I don't have proof. But if you piece together what Lightbringer is with the other clues... it makes a horrible kind of sense. The shadow from the west is going to kill her, I know that. I can just... feel it.

And I think I know how it's going to happen. Now, all I have to do is stop it, and hide it from the others...

Keep my secret, Journal.

Alberic

Note Book 10 Page 3-4

I was up late last night studying my Light Grimoire and I guess I passed out. Mel woke me up rather early this morning because apparently I was writing in my sleep. Sure enough, I had a pencil clenched in my hand and had written something seemingly incomprehensible on the first page of this new note book. Mel was pretty confused as to how I could write in my sleep, but then again so was I. "Maybe you shouldn't write so much, kewpo!" Is what she told me, after which she went about some random housekeeping and I made my way outside the mog house.

While I was writing the usual context on the inside cover of this book, who should happen to show up and loom over my shoulder but Mai. She seemed well and in good spirits. While talking with her I spotted Caenir meandering off towards the Dhalmel ranch. Mai saw me staring in the direction he had gone and said we should follow him.

When we caught up to Caenir he was sitting on the walkway seemingly lost in thought. I asked him if he had gotten any sleep last night and he told me he had. It's good that he is actually getting sleep now... He has been looking like he hasn't slept in days. When I mentioned I had passed out while reading my Light Grimoire, Mai questioned what it was. Caenir and I described what they were and I showed her my book.

Not long after we started talking about Grimoires, Alberic showed up. I think the last time I saw him was in Bastok nearly a month and a half ago. Needless to say, I was really glad to see him after such a long time. But he seemed very distressed. For the first few moments he was around us he merely buried his face in Mai's hair and hugged her, not saying much. But when I asked how he was he put on a large grin and said there was nothing wrong. When Alberic is worried it's very hard not to become worried yourself. He mentioned a Taru girl had threatened to kill him and said that she had a connection of some sort with the Twilight God, Promathia.

After the mention of this Alberic bid us good day rather suddenly and walked off. I've never really seen him so troubled before... It didn't take long before Mai took off after him. Caenir mentioned that this might have to do with the prophecy Alberic made a while back. When I asked him what he thought was gonna happen he said he didn't know but hoped that everything would turn out well in the end. We agreed that it isn't good to stress out over this subject till we learned more. After that Caenir went to go study his Grimoire and I made my way back to the mog houses.

I can't stop thinking now of the different things Alberic has told me since I've known him... How his role is less to predict the future, and more to influence it. How there's not one future, but many... There is one thing he has said that still scares me though. "... You ever prepare yourself for a horrible fate?" ... The real thing that scares me about this is that, no matter how many times I think about it and no matter how long, I can never come up with the right answer for myself...

On recent events.

Revered XXXXXXXX,

Ever of late, I have found myself torn by the conflicting desire to know, and know intimately, and the terrible fear of the answers which I must uncover.

Although for a score of years hence, I have wandered Vana'diel as one lost and in longing, within the span of a mere few weeks I found myself at last in front of my heart's desire. It was with Tsiife's power and conviction that I was able to muster this courage, but I am ashamed to admit that, once confronted with what I had long sought, my heart quailed within me. I tasted fear, and then drank it deeply, deeply from the cup.

As you well know, you who have watched countless years turn without cessation, I am not as the others of this world are. I am as you. I am of the ancient peoples, the Zilart, and I am a survivor of the war ten thousand years in antiquity. In that era, I served the one I now know to be the Dawnmaiden, the one who gazed upon the face of the Goddess and worshiped her. When the Kuluu phenomenon emerged, my people made war upon them, and our conflict rent the earth asunder and scorched the sky with mighty arts. Those few of us that survived into this modern era emerged not whole and unspoiled men, but instead shattered and broken remnants of a cursed people. And it was long before my full remembrances returned to me.

However, these past years that I have survived within this Crystal Era, I have been devoured by the quest of my faint reminisces. I recalled with fervor the woman I knew only as the Shining Lady, a woman that I knew was most dear to me, a woman of velvet and satin and holiness so profound that her name seemed too hallowed to speak. Nightly, as well, I have been tormented by the visions of this Lady entering a door. Although Vana'diel lay within the grip of another war that gripped all within its violence, my mind and my heart lay ten thousand years in the past, and I burned with the desire to discover the fate of the Shining Lady, and uncover the mystery of what lay behind that door.

For twenty years, I eschewed the company of man or Zilart, the few that remained, and spent my time in solitude. I traced the rumors of the Celestial Capital and the paths that remained, for Al'Taieu my homeland no longer existed within this Vana'diel. I closed my heart and soul and buried them within themselves, within the past and my tendrils of memory, and allowed no one to approach me. My companions now have labored hard and with much toil to breach that gap that exists between Zilart and the peoples of this era; I fear often that it has for them been a thankless task without reward. Their companionship gave me succor, and I began to realize, or hope, that with time an intimacy could be created between us even without the bridge of the whisper of the soul.

A darkness threatened Tsiife's heart, and together, we vowed to obtain the path to Al'Taieu. Suddenly, fate thrust us forward, and through arts unimaginable and adventures unspeakable, we soon made our way to the Celestial Capital, which is no more. Trembling, we made our way to the innermost sanctums of the Grand Palace of Hu'Xzoi, and there found the unassuming door which had so long haunted my dreams. Great lady, I am sure you remember well its appearance, and can guess how my heart thrilled within me as I halted before it; and yet, at the source of all of my dreams and worries, I found myself unable to at last open the door. Had it not been for the immediacy and peril of my companion, I am sure I would be still hesitating in front of that door, unable to fulfill destiny.

Of what was seen within that room, I cannot speak. I know you greatly desire me to share the secrets of that place, my lady, but I cannot. Know only that what was seen cannot be unseen, and that at last, I found those answers for which I have yearned these past twenty years. And I have forged for myself a peace, albeit a peace of grief.

Now, a new quest awaits me. My eyes have turned from the past and toward the future. I hope to continue to rely upon your assistance and discretion, and the wisdom for which you are so widely renowned.

I remain most cordially yours,
Kre'oss of San d'Oria
Signed this XXth day of the XXth month, CE 905