Just another Warrior of Light OC. Just another writer looking for a place to call home and share all my thoughts. I really like G'raha Tia and making crazy headcannons and AUs.
Also known as the High Priestess of the Left. Praise the left door and may it bring forth much loot.
Avatar Art by @jo-crow
"Hope is everlasting."
Go ahead, make your OC the sibling/child/friend/whatever of an important canon character. Ship your OC with a canon character. Its fandom, its posts on social media/fanfic/fan art. Go for it, have fun, make up your own headcanons.
"Isn't that exactly what makes it exciting?" He teased, his tail twitching with excitement behind him. He was so bright that she almost had to look away. Quietly hating him for his natural charisma. She couldn't understand how someone so bright could hide his face behind his own hair as if someone like him had anything to be ashamed of.
"And why exactly did you drag me out here in the middle of the night?"
“It’s a surprise!” He replied with a wide grin. One that warmed her despite the chill of the tower. Whatever this surprise was, it was clearly important to him. She could think of no other logical reason for him to wake her and drag her from her bed at such an hour. Even worse, she doubted he had notified anyone of their little expedition into the tower.
Miyako couldn't think of a single good reason he would be taking her into the tower for a late night exploration. She couldn't think straight with her sleep muddled brain. Thankfully, G'raha was wide awake and alert, nearly glowing with energy. Now that she thought about it, he had been acting strange the past few days. She wasn't sure what he was up to, but he was clearly up to something.
Sighing to herself, she settled, tugged on her bow, and continued the next flight of stairs. He paused for her to catch up, never once chiding her to hurry up. He only glanced back and gave her a smile of encouragement. Occasionally, reaching out a hand to help her over a crack or a possible trap.
"So do I get any hint as to what this surprise is?" She assumed it had to be a surprise for her…but she couldn't imagine why he would go to the trouble.
"I don't want to build it up too much if I'm honest…I…just wanted to do something nice for today." He rubbed the back of his neck, and she could see the color rising in his cheeks.
"For today?" She asked, confused, trying to remember if there was something important going on. Nothing immediate came to mind. Even stranger…why did they need to be in the tower for this surprise?
"Just humor me? I think you are really going to enjoy this…though if you need a break, we can stop. I think we are making good time."
So whatever this surprise had, a deadline they needed to meet. That roused her curiosity. So with a small smile to herself, she continued to follow him. She hadn't had much time to explore this wing of the tower.
"I thought this area was heavily trapped and guarded…Cid told me they almost called me in to come help. To my relief, they didn't. I have zero experience with disarming traps." If anything, she often felt like a trap. People were often lured to her, seeking a hero, but left when they realized she was a nobody. Just an adventurer who had been in the right place at the right time.
"Alright, we made it! Come on!" G'raha waved her into one of the many rooms on this level. She wasn't sure what this area served for. Perhaps a living quarter? Did the Allagans live in the tower? It had probably been explained in one of the many history lessons she'd overheard in camp, but she often got confused by the lengthy lectures. History and the past had never been her area of expertise. Miyako had always been more interested in the living, plants specifically, and the things they could become. That hadn't come into during the excavation, much to her disappointment.
She paused for a moment as the night sky came into view.
"A balcony?" That's what he had dragged her up here for?
He let out a good hearted chuckled and shook his head. "Not quite, come on." He reached out his hand, capturing hers in an instant and leading her out. The sky was already starting to lighten. The stars head back to their slumber to recharge and begin anew, bringing forth new stories for her to decipher.
She didn't like the past, but she loved the stories the stars whispered to her each night. She had mentioned that to G'raha once; maybe that was the surprise? Watching as he removed his pack and brought out a blanket before laying it on the ground.
"My lady, if you'll take a seat." He gave a gesture, something she'd seen the servants and butlers of Ul'dah do a thousand times.
"G'raha, what's this all about?" Sitting on the blanket, he continued to dig through the bag. His smile was almost contagious, but she couldn't push down the worry in the back of her mind. Had she forgotten something important? What was the reason for being here? Was she going to ruin it by not knowing? There were many niche celebrations throughout Eorzea and throughout the stars. Would he be disappointed for sharing something with her only for her to not understand?
"It's a little lame, but I thought with it being your name day, we could watch the sunrise together." His face was warm as he settled beside her, handing her a mug of something warm. "I know it's not your official name day, but it's the day we got our adventure license. I doubt you'd remember but-"
"You were the boy who gave me the name Miyako…after the Lone Swordmaster, a Corvosi fairytale." She shook her head, surprised at all that he remembered her. "I was just little, but I'd never forget the boy who named me."
His cheeks glowed in the early morning light, "I wasn't sure if it was a particularly happy memory for you. I didn't know back then that you were…."
"A girl that had been kidnapped and forced into servitude…" She sighed, leaning into him as a chilled wind blew between them. "You were just a boy yourself. It wasn't your job to save me. Sora, my mentor, did everything he could and still failed, and he was already being called a hero back then." Miya didn't regret opening up about her past to him, but some tales still hurt.
"Regardless, I know you don't know the official day of your birth, but recognition of the woman you've become felt like reason enough to celebrate."
It was her turn to blush, something she tried to hide by taking a sip of the drink he'd given her. Smiling to herself as she realized it was hot chocolate. Feeling more embarrassed that he had not only procured it, but had also prepared it before waking her up. Sora had held celebrations for her during their short time together, and the Scions had celebrated her recent victories, but they were always loud, and she never exactly felt like home there. She doubted they even noticed when she slipped out and took a respite on the balcony…it was befitting G'raha had kept to tradition without knowing.
"So I'm guessing you didn't bring me up here for star gazing?" Breaking the silence, she found them in. There was hardly anything other than the wind, their breathing, and the quiet hum of the tower. She glanced at him for a moment. Surprised to see him still embarrassed.
"No, I was up here the other day and noticed the sun rise was near breathtaking from here. I wanted to find a place to view the sunset, but of the few viewing platforms, I couldn't find one for us to watch the sunset." He was sheepish about it, maybe even a little self-conscious as he turned his head. It earned him a laugh, one that bubbled up from her chest as she moved in closer. Resting her head on his shoulder.
"We could have just watched the sunset on the lake like we usually do!" The sky continued to lighten, the promise of a new day just on the horizon. Unable to help herself as she teased him. Happy he couldn't see the smile on her face as he hid away from her.
"I wanted to do something special for you. Something you might remember on your travels. That when you look to the sunrise, you might think of me. That I won't just be another trinket lost to time and memory." His voice only slightly wavered before he looked at her. Cyan and crimson baring themselves into her soul. No, he wouldn't be a trinket she'd lose, nor was he a memory she'd ever forget. He was a friend she'd cherish for the rest of her days. Perhaps something more.
Maybe that was the reason she didn't stop him when he leaned in closer. Drawn in as he tilted his head just slightly. His hand finds hers, lacing his fingers with hers. She could feel the heat of him now, or maybe it was her own. Her lips parted just slightly before his came to press against hers.
So this was a kiss, a kiss from someone she cherished, someone she loved. It warmed her to her core. Squeezing his hand, her tail moving to wrap around his in response. Trying her best to capture him as he pulled away, only to sigh in relief when he placed his forehead against hers.
"My apologies, I couldn't-"
She cut him off with another kiss. It was her name's day after all.
Scrupulous - having moral integrity: acting in strict regard for what is considered right or proper
punctiliously exact: painstaking
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She was going to get it right, or die trying.
As she pulled herself up, he started to wonder if the die trying wasn't just a threat. Even from here, he could see her arms wobble as she pushed herself up. Her legs shook as she took her stance again. She was exhausted, past the point of exhaustion. No doubt her body was bruised and past its limit. Yet she stood in the same stance again, refusing to admit defeat.
It was inspiring...but also the most reckless thing he'd ever watched...and he grew up with the Students of Baldesion.
She was scrupulous in her training, though. No matter how many times she fell, she got right back up. No matter how many times her trainer knocked her down, screamed, and swore, she just got right back up.
What life had she lived to be so unfazed by this kind of training? More yet, how could her trainer look at her and be unfazed by what he saw before him? A young miqo'te woman with an expression that would scare off the dead should they cross her. Deep blue eyes that were only rivaled by the beauty of the Crystal Tower. He had more faith in getting past the defenses of the tower than getting past those eyes.
But what he wouldn't give to get past her wall just for a moment. He doubted she wanted him watching, but every day he found himself at their makeshift training grounds. Though he wasn't the only eyes that had come to watch their Warrior of Light train.
He knew she was an archer by trade, but her body wasn't ready for the role of a warrior. Literal or metaphorical. Her weapon was about as large as she was, and yet she still managed to lift it and charge at her opponent with no fear. Charing forward with a firm belief that she could take her opponent.
It went on for another three rounds before Miya was unable to lift herself from the dirt. His legs started before he could stop himself.
"She'll never get it if you run to her aid every time, G'raha Tia." There was no cruelty in the Warrior's words. He knew the man wasn't unkind, only strict in his tutelage.
"She'll never get it if she dies in the process." He hissed back, tail bristling as he shot the man a dirty look. "You're telling me this is the only way?"
“It’s not, but this is the only way we’ve seen her improve. I take no pleasure in this.”
G’raha has his doubts as he kneels next to Miya. He wasn’t sure if she was even conscious as he started to look her over. From the corner of his eye, he saw the other man sigh and retrieve her weapon.
"I'll make sure her weapon gets cleaned and stored. See that she makes it back?"
"Of course," He replied with a nod, pausing for a moment. "It was wrong for me to judge your methods as her teacher. She must trust you tremendously."
The other man laughed and shook his head as he hoisted her ax over his shoulder.
"I wish there were another way, but this is what she chose for herself. Maybe you could knock some sense into her. She's stubborn like a warrior, I'll give her that."
"I can hear you both, you know." She mumbled, finally coming around.
"Good, then maybe you'll listen this time." It sounded like a scolding, but he could see concern in the man's eyes. He watched as he promptly turned and left.
It was quiet for another moment, and he almost panicked until she started to push herself up.
"Hey! Careful, you're already hurt."
“M’ fine.” She mumbled, sliding right back into the dirt if he didn't scramble to catch her.
“You look like a stampede of Chocobos just ran you over.” He tried to brush some of the dirt off her, delicately, as he wasn’t sure what parts of her were bruised. “I wouldn’t call that fine.”
She shot him a look, but there was hardly any fire left. He wanted so desperately to see the walls behind those eyes crumble, but not like this. Hating himself for making such a selfish wish at the cost of herself.
“At least let me help you up.” He took her arm and led it over his shoulders before placing a hand at her waist. Letting her body weight rest against him.
He didn’t know what was worse, that she didn’t complain or that she didn’t try to stop him. She hardly weighed anything to begin with; no doubt a strong breeze could blow her over. Yet she still went toe to toe with a fully trained Warrior.
He slowly guided her towards the road. She needed more than just a healer and a night's rest. Seven hells if it was up to him he wouldn't let her return until every bruise was healed. Even if he had to become her personal caretaker.
“Where are you taking me?” She mumbled, they had just crested the first hill in silence.
“The bath house in Revenant's Toll.” It was the only idea that he had. Let her soak away her troubles for a few hours, get her a warm meal, and a soft bed to sleep in. He could manage that for her.
“Just take me home…”
He almost stumbled over his own feet at her words. Warmth rising to his cheeks.
“Home?” He didn’t know where she lived, let alone how to get there. He heard her flumbling with something at her waist before producing a handful of coins.
"You're attuned to the crystal in Revenant's Toll, right? Teleport us there...my house is only a fifteenminute walk from the crystal." She slid the coins into his hand. "I've got a nicer bath and sleeping accommodations than the inn here. It's not much, but..." She glanced up at him before looking back down. "I don't want to be alone..."
Exasperate - to cause strong irritation or annoyance to
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If one more person knocked on her door, she was going to lose her shit. 'Get some rest, Miya.' 'Rest well.' 'Do you need anything?' 'Make sure you get some rest.' And twenty other variations had appeared at her door over the past few hours. Each member of their group had come over multiple times to check on her. Miya was starting to wonder about the source of such love and concern from her friends. She was starting to worry that maybe she was dying…or that they didn't trust her to stay in her room as ordered.
She was just about to consider that fair, when there was yet another knock upon her door.
In all honesty, she gave herself props for not screaming into the pillow. Not angry enough to disturb her neighbors in the Pendants, but angry enough that a Scion was about to get an earful from her.
Rising from her bed, she marched over to the door, flinging it open with more force than she imagined possible. "WHA-OH GODS!"
She had expected one of her comrades, not the leader of the establishment at her door. He looked just as startled as she, and had he not been linked to the Crystal Tower, she would have worried for his heart
"Lord Exarch, I'm so sorry I didn't realize it was you!" She tried to bow, but as soon as she bent, the room started to spin. She knew she was standing still, but her inner ear was certain the room had suddenly turned upside down.
The Exarch thankfully took pity on her and guided her upright. Always the arm of flesh and bone, as if she would flinch away at the touch of Crystal. She leaned against the door, letting it hold her up as the world attempted to right itself.
"My apologies, now is clearly a bad time." His regal voice was laced with concern, perhaps more than she had received all day. "I should have left you to your respite." The familiar frown crossed his lips. Of course, he couldn't offer her a smile. Something to reassure her that everything would be okay.
"It's alright, you didn't know the others have been knocking on my door all morning…I-If anything, I'm glad to see a friendly face." She half held one hand to her face, feeling sheepish. Trying to hide the heat rising to her cheeks.
He gave a good-natured chuckle and shook his head. "It would seem I'm not the only one with concerns for your well-being, then." The Exarch offered her that reassuring smile she was so desperately after.
Oddly enough, it made her heart flutter.
"It's hard to rest when someone is coming to check on you every half bell." She took a half step back against better judgment and motioned for him to come in. "Let me make it up to you. I made some sweets earlier. It's helped with the lightheadedness, forgive the pun."
His smile widened, contagious as she felt her lips curve up.
"I'd hate to impose."
"Please impose before I lose my mind to being smothered by our comrades. Perhaps if they hear another voice in here, they'll know I haven't escaped to Lakeland or Il Mheg…or that I'm not talking to my 'imaginary' friend again."
He let out a laugh at that as he stepped inside. Just the normalcy of it all put her heart further at ease. She wanted to forget the wicked white that lurked on the edges of Lakeland, the light of the felled Lightwardens contained in her soul, and just be a normal woman entertaining a guest with tea and treats.
Evanescent - tending to vanish like vapor
Evanescere - Latin - to fade away/to disappear.
Evanescent is a formal and literary word that describes something that only lasts a very short time.
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He was used to the specter.
The memory of her that appeared from time to time. Drifting from one spot to another, peering behind him like a curious child. The Exarch was unsure whether it was his own magic summoning forth the image of her, or simply him slowly spiraling into madness.
The first time, he thought it was nothing more than a memory. The image of her rounding a corner only for him to find nothing amiss upon giving chase. It didn't help that she only appeared in moments of stress, and never to bring the comfort he didn't deserve. Her ghost was the calculated woman who only brought cold logic, not the hope of the star he charted his course.
It didn't help that as the months bled into years, the memories started to fade. No matter how hard he tried, he started to forget just how her laugh sounded. How her eyes light up just slightly at the idea of mischief, but rarely give her away to anyone but him. No doubt she had long forgotten G'raha Tia. The boy who sealed himself away.
He couldn't imagine an evanescent spirit following her. He'd rather she forget him than be haunted by the same memories that bore life to the ghosts of his past...he knew her well enough to know she was haunted by more than just the ghost of a red-haired boy that followed her across Mor Dhona. Her ghosts were bone deep, and he had still chosen to leave her behind without a second thought.
He remembered the smile when they agreed to a new adventure together. How she had fit perfectly in his arms that night. How she kissed him the next morning when they woke. How she reached for him as he dared a final glance back as the tower's doors shut her out.
So it would seem he had haunted her for far longer despite the near-century vigil he held. It was a small price to pay for a future far brighter than the one he had awoken to. He only prayed that the betrayal of the Crystal Exarch could overshadow the betrayal of being left behind by G'raha Tia.
“Why do you always do this!” He was upset, naturally. Usually, his bark was worse than his bite. He paced around the room like a caged animal, only he wasn’t trying to escape. The veins in his forehead threatened to pop. She wondered if Emmerololth had anything to help him with his stress levels.
She poked around her salad, trying to maintain some level of composure though her appetite had vanished.
“If the situation stresses you, then you don’t have to be a participant.” It hurt to see him like this. The burden of his position weighed on him more and more. The stress pressed his shoulders down, threatening to grind him to dust. She didn’t need their soul sight to see how his ached. “I don’t remember asking for help. Wash your hands of this whole mess and go home Emet. I can handle this myself.”
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? The others in the Convocation are planning on censoring you. This isn’t just a minor infraction Persephone!”
She flinched at her given name. Hating how it hit his tongue like acid only to be spat back out at her. There was once a time when that name was a source of comfort that only he spoke. An age that had passed during her travels with Venat. They had grown up, and now it seems they had grown apart.
“I’m not a child Emet. I don’t need anyone hovering over me with lessons of right or wrong. Not you and not the Convocation. None of you were there, and it’s easy to cast judgment from a distance.” It had always been that way when Venat was Azem. Her verses the Convocation. Kore had watched as her mentor faced every battle headfirst with a smile.
That’s who she wanted to be.
…but . . .
She tried to look Emet in the eye, but he continued to pace back and forth worrying a trench into the floor of her dining room. With a sigh, she pushed herself away from the table. Rising without a word she walked past him, doubting he would even notice.
“I’m going to get some fresh air. I’ll be back in a little while.”
The air was cold in the city tonight. Winter was on its way to the city thanks to the hard workers and the leadership of the Convocation.
It was so…stifling.
Like most of her travels, she didn’t have a goal in mind. The thought of returning to her home for another unwanted lecture made her stomach churn. Finding a quiet corner in the park she sat and watched as the others went about their evening.
The night was cool, parents and young children had already headed off to bed or settled in for the night. The only company in the night were pairs or groups not ready to abandon the day together. Sometimes they’d be huddled together, lips whispering soft words to one another. Others would be in groups giggling or laughing about some event.
At the end of the day they were together. They were whole.
She didn’t mind the extra company…really…
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Just a cross-world trip with her three best friends...that is...if they could ever get out of the city limits.
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Azem(Oc/Persephone), Elid
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Word Count: 790
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Day 1
Envoy - a messenger or representative, especially one on a diplomatic mission.
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“Are you sure you're ready to travel this far? Once we leave the city it’ll be safer to keep a low profile.”
She should be grateful that this was her ‘punishment’ instead of another censor. It would be nice to finally get out of the city and back on the road. To travel towards the endless sky towards destinations unknown…but…
“Of course! We don’t want to attract unwanted attention. No grand feats of creation magic while on the road!” Elidibus was already bursting with enthusiasm. “Our trip will be passing by the island with the grapes, I do hope we have time to stop by and taste them.”
She didn’t mind the extra company…really…
“I’ll say, I’ve been looking forward to these grapes since I first heard of their existence.”
“She should have left the damned island to its destruction as the Convocation desired.”
Hytho shrugged while Hades pinched the bridge of his nose.
Really she didn’t mind the company per say…
…but this was exactly how she expected the trip to go.
She had been placed in charge of escorting Elidibus as an envoy to another city. I.E. the other members of the Convocation saw this as a perfect opportunity to dump their youthful member onto her.
Jokes on them, she much preferred his company to the others.
…speaking of the others.
Naturally, Hades had decided the trip would be too long and treacherous for the two of them to take alone. He ‘convently’ had work to do in the area, and needed to make sure she was held accountable for her previous actions.
She’d almost preferred to be censored.
Finally, their darling Hythlodaeus had joined on a whim. Though she assumed he wouldn’t be left out of the chaos that was about to ensue.
“Alright, gentlemen when we reach other towns outside the cities we should reframe from our titles. People from outside Amaurot can be hesitant to the Convocation. I don’t want to stir up too much trouble for them, I can’t image how frightened they’d be by three members showing up unannounced.”
“It’ll be a fun vacation, throwing titles and pretense to the wind.”
“As if they wouldn’t recognize the Chief Architect.”
“And the illustrious Emet-Selch doesn’t have an ounce of fame to his name?”
Kore let out a nervous laugh before clasping her hands together trying her best to regain control of the situation.
“Okay gentlemen, let's settle down.” Trying to take a calm approach this time. “We’ve got a long trip ahead of us. We should head out while those spirits are burning bright.”
After all, they hadn’t even left the city yet.
“Our first course of action is getting Themis to his destination. After that if and only if time allows will we make stops. The Convocation will be wanting a full report, and they expect everyone to be on their best behavior.”
“Does that include you, or is that a veiled threat at our dear Kore.”
Oh for Star’s sake Hytho.
The vein in Hade’s forehead threatened to pop. A perfect summary of how this trip was going to go. The two started bickering like the old married couples she’d met on her travels.
“Boys, we’ll never make it to our first destination before dark if we-” She didn’t bother wasting her breath as the two continued. She dropped her shoulders with a sigh and turned towards Themis. Fixing the bag on her hips she kneeled down. “Come on Themis, I don’t want to sleep on the ground and Lahabread will have my head and my seat if you don’t arrive on time.”
He motioned to move in before pausing. She glanced up at his apprehensive face.
“...Aren’t I getting a little old for you to carry me, Kore?”
She tried not to be taken aback by the question. Sure he was a growing young man, but he still had several years before he’d reach up to her in height and stamina.
“Nonsense, and I’ll put you down as soon as we’ve reached a safe distance from those two. Now come on, I wouldn’t mind stopping by that island for some grapes.”
“If you say so Kore.”
It took a little more effort for her to hoist him onto her back. Perhaps he had gotten a little heavier since their last trip together…how long ago had that been? Nevermind. It wasn’t important. He was a growing boy and it wouldn’t be much longer before he would be trusted to make his envoys alone.
She’d certainly miss his boyish optimism.
“Kore, is it okay to just leave the two of them behind like that?”
“Don’t worry they’ll catch up in a little while. I just wanted to spend some quality time with you.”
Sometimes you just need a place to gush about something you are really passionate about. After a not-so-fun week of dealing with Covid I happened back upon the music video for Endwalker - Autumtide. So here is where I gush about how Final Fantasy ties all my favorite art-related things together.
At this point, Endwalker has been out for over a year, and there are so many details in this music video I’ve still probably missed. One of my favorite things in FF14 is the concept of Hope. Everyone has a different story for their WOL, but no matter how grim the circumstances, there will always be our character, marching on through whatever trial we face. No matter how often we get knocked down, we get right back up and continue on.
So Miya, how does this music video have anything to do with Hope?
Well skeptical Miya, the music video starts off with a younger woman mosing about her home. She’s aimless, fumbling with a bottle and looking at the dead plants in her space. She sings along to the lyrics -Fade away-. I like the idea of this woman not only being the player, not necessarily the WOL, but us the player.
As the song and video continue on she passes someone reading Count Fortempt’s novel this is matched with the lyrics -Sorrow's silence, we needn't bear-. Next, as she is walking up an overpass bridge she sees a woman resembling Yotsuyu smoking a pipe on the bridge, -Every step we take echoes in our wake-. Finally, she’s alone in the park, tired and breathless from her day of searching. The sun is setting and looking up she sees a figure waving to her as they walk away -To forge ahead-.
At the start of the video the protagonist is drawn by a glimmering light, and she follows it out of her home. Like I said she’s looking at everything in her house, and looking outside before finally, something draws her in, but we also get these flashes of an internal dialogue where she’s alone, upset, and anguished by this trial she’s going through. -Marching forward, left behind.-
Every step you take forward on any journey in life, you are going to leave something behind. This is true for not only your character as the WOL, but as you the player, and for the protagonist in the video. The woman could continue to stay in her house and that would be her story, she continues to stay and be sad and just fade away. For whatever reason, she chooses to leave and head outside and explore the world.
There doesn’t seem to be a destination in mind for her, but she passes these characters along the way, and in doing so they mimic some of the characters we’ve left behind in the game. I find myself drawn most to the person reading the novel and how it’s matched with the lyrics -Kindred severed neverwhere, Sorrow’s silence, we needn’t bear.- Ironically, “A smile best suits a hero.” Kindred - family, severed - cut off, and neverwhere- no where. Now neverwhere also has me a little thrown for a loop because it’s the title of a Neil Gaiman novel (Why is it always Neil Gaiman). I would love to go on another deep dive just by that one word alone, but that might be a little extreme.
I’ll be honest I story-skipped Heavensward and Stormblood and went straight for Shadowbringers, (Look I started ARR before Stormblood, and then restarted somewhere before Shadowbringers. I’ll go back and do it at some point.) So I only know a little about Yotsuyu and Tsukiyomi, (that’s not true I’m obsessed with moon mythology). I love the image of her watching traffic as it flows around her at twilight. There is so much movement, but she’s standing still, and our protagonist is surprised to see her there.
During these scenes, we see those moments of our protagonist anguishing by herself, before coming to the park and seeing the figure waving at her as they leave -Marching forward, left behind-. Then the protagonist is lost in a multitude of sceneries, continuing on her journey. -Should we lose our way, tired of all this pain- We don’t see her anguishing anymore, but there is a moment of weakness as she’s on the ground before looking up at this blinding white light.
I’m slightly pausing here before I noticed something while writing this, in the last scenes we get a reflection of her shoes and how they are dirty and worn. -Forge ahead-. In the start of the music video when our protagonist first leaves her home, her shoes are white and clean if not brand new. Just like our character when starting this journey. Watching through they actually show the shoes quite a few times and how scuffed and worn they are becoming. Another thing I noticed towards the end before she’s leaning over in the dirt is how her hair has noticeably changed if not grown longer. This could just be unintentional, but I like that it shows the physical passage of time on this character.
So Miya, I’ll ask again, what does this have to do with hope?
If you’ve played through Endwalker, you know the entire plot boils down to a bird with depression. Our WOL is the reincarnation of the last Azem shepherd of stars in the dark. We could see the story in a few ways. Our character could very much just be a tempered weapon for Hydalyn, we do cause a fair bit of trouble along the way…then we could ask what victory is worth this price. Do you sit in hopelessness and wait for whatever outcome, or do you go out and make a difference? It’s a very human concept, and it blends beautifully into meeting Venat and learning ‘Your answer’.
The game started with a Calamity. If you play for an hour or through the entire game, you have your own reason for playing. A reason for living in this beautiful world. No matter what brought you to this point, it’s cannon not just to you, but to everything around you. No matter how many times something has pushed you down, you’ve gotten back up and overcome it. You might have just evaded the obstacle for now, but that’s part of life. Not every boss you defeat stays dead, just look at Zenos. Not every action you make will change the outcome of the scenario, look at Elpis and how we went there knowing we couldn’t change their future.
Saying that though makes me want to reflect on Shadowbringers, and how one timeline’s wish to change reality was able to change reality in its entirety. It wasn’t impossible, only improbable.
And should you lose your way, tired of all this pain, don’t be afraid to forge ahead.
"What's the matter Emet-Selch. Cat got your tongue?"
She could see on his face. There was so much more to it. She saw the madman before his madness. He saw was the byproduct of his dearest friend after she'd had her soul splinted into 14. She couldn't change their history, doubting he would remember this moment as they fought to the death.
His death.
By her hands.
As she wore the face of one that had come before her.
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A scene from Elpis that's been playing in my head that I never got the chance to fully write out. Miya wanting nothing more than to save these people. But she remembers Elidibus's words well.
