Stoke the nascent flame, brighter burn. Dance with souls afire.
𝓔𝓷𝓮𝓫𝓲𝓼𝓱 𝓚𝓱𝓪
Au Ra♣Xaela♣♀♣Famfrit.
BLM❀WAR❀AST❀DNC❀RPR
Proudly hails from the Azim Steppe.
Not a Warrior of Light, but gifted with the Echo.
Chosen by Nald'thal, the Traders;; ♥
Has a complicated past with Thancred.
♔Aesthetics + Writing.
NOT spoiler-free, but all spoilers are tagged properly.
Discord: ℕ𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥.𝔽𝕝𝕒𝕞𝕖#7468
May those who wander left in the dark find firelight;;
I have come with a new chapter, which I hope helps a least a few of you feel better after the real world events of yesterday. I don’t have much to say about this one, except for the fact that Batbayar is Eenbish’s chocobo. The word count is 2,37 and it starts after the cut.
if you’re ever about to comment on a writer’s work and think, oh, they probably know how good they are, you’re definitely wrong. every time a writer posts or publishes anything, no matter how many years they’ve been doing it and no matter how many readers they have, they are struck with the idea that perhaps they aren’t very good at all.
if you think you’re annoying for commenting, or that we won’t see your comments anyway, you’re wrong. we see your comments. we actively look for them. we are starved for them no matter how many we get. we remember them and they fuel us. leave comments, even if it’s just saying “oh i like this”. i see an “oh i like this” and my heart grows three times its size and i am seized with an urge to provide you more writing just to hear you say “oh i like this” again.
if you don't know what to write, write for yourself.
write a story you would read but haven't seen yet; write people you would find interesting but have not met yet; write a place you would visit but hasn't been discovered it.
I have come with a new chapter, which I hope helps a least a few of you feel better after the real world events of yesterday. I don’t have much to say about this one, except for the fact that Batbayar is Eenbish’s chocobo. The word count is 2,37 and it starts after the cut.
Asahi: I may have deceived you all and attempted to ruin the peace talks between Doma and the Empire. I may have even orchestrated the death of my parents and tricked my sister into summoning a Primal! But I have never, NEVER once considered creating such an abomination, such a blasphemy, a crime against our very star of fish paste as a cake filling.
I have come with a new chapter, which I hope helps a least a few of you feel better after the real world events of yesterday. I don’t have much to say about this one, except for the fact that Batbayar is Eenbish’s chocobo. The word count is 2,37 and it starts after the cut.
Enebish wearily pushed through the door into her former room in the Rising Stones and trudged to the dresser. It was all she could do to change into some sleep clothes before collapsing on the bed. After reviewing the situation, it was decided that Enebish, with the assistance of G’raha and Deryk, would look into the myths surrounding the Twelve. Krile, however, had promptly realized that Enebish was on the verge of keeling over and ordered everyone to get some much needed rest first. Thankfully with the Scions on their separate paths, there were plenty of rooms available at the Rising Stones and Tataru was more than willing to provide suitable accommodations for them all.
So the Scions had returned to the Rising Stones for the night, with the exception of Deryk, who insisted that he’d prefer to look out for himself. Although she found that peculiar, Enebish was too exhausted from fighting the Twelve to give it any more thought. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, her mind conjuring a dream almost immediately. Her Echo usually manifested itself in the form of prophetic dreams, like when she dreamt that Maki would be imprisoned by the Heavens’ Ward. But this dream was something else entirely. It was a long forgotten memory from what now seemed like an entire lifetime ago.
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Enebish inched into consciousness and she released a groan, feeling her entire body ache. It took several moments for her to remember what had happened, but then she visibly grimaced. That was right. Nanamo had been assassinated by poison, culminating in Raubahn cleaving Teledji Adeleji in two and then having his own arm severed by Ilberd. Having been branded as assassins and betrayed by the Crystal Braves, the Scions had no choice but to flee. Enebish had elected to stay behind to buy time for her fellow Scions to escape with the Warrior of Light.
While she was able to fight off several of her persurers, she was inevitably overcome and captured. The fact that her wrists were restrained made her regret not changing from Monk to Black Mage, since Enebish was fairly positive that she could have freed herself as the latter. She was about to resign herself to her fate when she noticed a ball of reddish light floating in front of her. As she tilted her head curiously at it, a man’s voice rang out in her head.
‘Tis good to see you awake.
Enebish’s eyes grew wide and her tail flicked in surprise. “What in the seven hells…? Am I dead?”
A second, much raspier, voice answered her question. Come now. If you were truly dead, do you think you would be retrained like so?
“I’ll admit that’s a sound point,” Enebish relented. “But who, or rather, WHAT are you?”
We fear there is no time to answer that at the moment, that same voice told her. You must follow us to safety. Quickly.
“While that sounds like a swell idea, these restraints that you yourself mentioned may make that difficult,” Enebish said dryly.
The original voice chuckled lightly in response. Ah, yes. Apologies. Now hold still, lest you get injured.
Before Enebish could question it, the orb of light flew to her wrists and touched the restraints. Her jaw dropped open as ethereal flames danced along the surface of the restraints, swiftly burning them to ashes with nothing more than a slight tingling sensation.
You are quite the listener, the voice mused, sounding impressed. Most would have flinched away at the sight or mayhaps screamed in terror.
“Aye well,” Enebish said as she struggled to her feet, “I’m not most people.”
‘Tis clear you are anything but… the voice trailed off as Enebish rubbed her wrists. You are not gravely injured, correct?
The voice’s concern was palpable, prompting Enebish to smile the slightest bit. “Other than some bruises to both my body and my pride, I’m okay.”
Wonderful! Now come! Time is of the essence.
With that, the orb of light started moving swiftly, causing Enebish to shrug her shoulders before running after it. She wasn’t quite sure if she trusted these voices, but the alternative was decidedly worse. There was silence for some time as the light led her to what she hoped was safety, only slowing down if Enebish fell a considerable distance behind it. After what seemed like hours but could have only been minutes, she finally gave voice to the thought lingering in her head.
“It wasn’t me, you know…and it wasn’t the Warrior of Light.”
We know that, child, the huskier voice told her gently. You need not prove your innocence to us.
The validation did little to put Enebish’s heart at ease, however. “Ul’dah has been the only home I’ve known in Eorzea,” she lamented. “Is this what the end of the world feels like?”
Oh, young one, the voice responded. We have witnessed many calamities, each more disastrous than the last. We sincerely hope that this is the closest you ever come to witnessing such a horror.
“One more question, if I may. How do we even continue on from this?”
While it will not be easy, we know as well as you that you are not the kind to lie down and admit defeat. When there is a will, after all, there is always a way.
Indeed, the other voice exclaimed. We have no doubt that you and your allies will overcome this. You mustn't forget that just as night needs to follow day, the sun will inevitably rise again, as well.
Despite herself, the voice’s encouragement caused Enebish to smile. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
But of course. We only want the best for our children and dislike seeing them in such distress.
The voice’s use of “our children” made Enebish tempted to ask what exactly it was that they were, but she had a feeling that she wouldn’t get a straight answer. So she asked another question.
“So, where are you taking me?”
The voice chuckled softly in response to her inquiry. Patience is a virtue, as your kind says. Do not worry, young one. All will be revealed in due time.
Enebish released an aggravated huff at the voice’s cryptic response, prompting it to chuckle again. It wasn’t until they were emerging from the ruins beneath Ul’dah that either of the voices spoke up again.
Look yonder! Those are your comrades, are they not?
Enebish’s head snapped up at the sound of the voice, feeling relief flood through her as she recognized Maki, Alphinaud and Pipin some distance away.
“They are indeed. Thank you for bringing me to them.”
There is no need to thank us, child, the raspy voice told her. Alas, this is where we part ways. We are pleased that we could see you to safe hands, though rest assured we will keep a watchful eye over you.
“But you never told me who you are,” Enebish protested.
‘Tis not important, the other voice said. Your comrades have need of you now. They will be glad of your safety, no doubt. May safe travels be upon you.
With those parting words, the light shot upwards into the sky. Enebish watched after it for several seconds before jogging over to Pipin, Alphinaud and Maki. The latter wasted no time in launching herself at the Xaela, throwing her arms around her.
“Thank the Wanderer you’re alright.”
Enebish smiled as Maki’s long tail wound around her waist and returned her embrace. “Likewise,” she whispered, gently stroking the Raen’s blonde hair.
“‘’Tis good indeed to see another friendly face,” Pipin said. “We feared the worst when you stayed behind. But how did you ever find us?”
Enebish pulled back from Maki to give a shrug and took a glance up at the sky. “Let’s just say I had the help of some guardian angels.”
-------------------
Enebish awoke with a start and shot upwards to a sitting position. She had purposely purged the events of that horrible night from her memories, since it had been the catalyst for so many events. Not least of which was Minfillia’s death, which in turn led to the rift between Enebish and Thancred that they had only just started to mend. But her guides that night were correct in the fact that the Scions managed to rise from the ashes… Enebish’s eyes suddenly grew when realization dawned on her. She hadn’t thought anything of it, but she now recognized those voices.
They were the very same voices that had bestowed their praises to her group during their fight and who had later invited her personally back to their realm.
“Nald’thal!”
Suddenly wide awake, Enebish kicked the blanked off and shoved some shoes on her feet. She then all but sprinted out of the room and through the Rising Stones, not paying any heed to some aggravated shouts from customers of The Seven Heaven as she charged through the door. She climbed onto Batbayar as soon as she was outside and urged the creature in the direction of North Silvertear. Enebish took a moment on the flight out of Revenant’s Toll to breathe and count her lucky blessings that it was still far too early for most people to be awake, since she did not want to imagine her allies’ reactions to her tizzled state.
The respite was a brief one though, since Batbayar was landing on the ground outside the Omphalos entrance far too soon for Enebish’s liking. She hesitated for several moments after dismounting, the adrenaline from a few minutes ago rapidly fading. What if Nald’thal didn’t want to see her so soon? What if she was somehow mistaken about them helping her that night? No, she eventually decided. Those voices were unmistakable. Her resolve set, Enebish sucked in a breath and stepped across the threshold. She walked directly to the entrance of the Heaven of Fire, feeling relief wash over her that it was indeed open, as Nald’thal had promised.
She released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and stepped through the portal to their sanctum. Her shoulders sagged in relief when the portal led to a short way from the entrance of the Twin Halls. While she had nothing against Azeyma per se, she didn’t feel like dealing with the Warden’s teasing nature at the moment. She had a suspicion that Nald’thal had similar thoughts, given that they had waited until she was gone to invite Enebish back to their sanctum. She sucked in a breath to soothe the nerves once again gnawing at her insides before striding in the direction of the Twin Halls.
Nald’thal, with Nald now in charge, was of course waiting in the Hall when she arrived. His more animalistic horns and flaming head were a stark contrast to Thal’s hooded visage, as were the exposed portions of his golden body. The biggest difference, however, was the visible gap at his waist that had been concealed by Thal’s robes. Nald seemed to brighten up when he caught sight of Enebish, flying a little closer to greet her.
“What a pleasant surprise! It is wonderful…”
His voice trailed off mid sentence and he swallowed thickly, causing Enebish to tilt her head.
“Is something wrong?”
“Your outfit is decidedly wanting, child,” Thal spoke from his place at Nald’s back.
Enebish released an embarrassed shriek when she remembered that she was still wearing her admittedly skimpy pajamas. She had been so focused on seeing them again that she had forgotten to change into a more suitable outfit.
“Sorry! I can go get changed and come back,” she muttered, causing Nald to chuckle.
He then closed the remaining space between them and landed on the ground gently, kneeling down in front of Enebish. He braced himself with one hand, using the forefinger from his other one to pat Enebish’s head with enough force to cause her to stumble.
“Do not fret over it! You are already here, are you not?”
“You are certainly different than Thal,” Eenbish observed as she struggled to remain standing.
Apparently caught off guard by her statement, Nald pulled his hand back. “Apologies. If you truly prefer Thal though, I can allow him to take control.”
Enebish giggled slightly, finding his flustered state on the adorable side. “No, you’re fine! I actually find it cute.”
Her green eyes suddenly grew wide when she realized what she had said and she slapped a hand over her mouth, feeling her heart pounding. If he could have, Enebish had a feeling that Nald would have blinked in surprise.
“I have never been referred to in such a manner before,” he said slowly after a long moment.
“I spoke out of turn,” Enebish squeaked out, swishing her tail anxiously and staring at the ground. “It won’t happen again, I promise!”
Nald chuckled again, tenderly placing a large finger under her chin to tilt her face toward his.
“Rest assured, there is no need for embarrassment,” he told her. “I quite enjoyed it, actually.”
“Really?”
“Indeed. I took it as a compliment.”
Enebish was speechless for some time, feeling butterflies storm through her belly from Nald’s light touch.
It’s because your guardian deity is doting on you for the second time in the course of several bells, she told herself. This kind of reaction is only to be expected.
“I’m relieved that you didn’t take offense,” she finally whispered.
“And I am full glad to hear that. But we must both admit to being puzzled as to what brings you here so soon.”
“Right,” Enebish uttered.
Nald’s overt friendliness had admittedly made her forget her reason for calling upon them in the first place. She sucked in a shaky breath before gently nudging his finger away.
“So, there’s something that I’d like to ask you.”
If he was offended that she had moved his finger, Nald wasn’t showing it. “Of course! Anything for our champion. What is it you wish to know?”
I suppose there’s no backing out of this now, Enebish thought to herself.
“That night in Ul’dah, at the banquet,” she started, forcing herself to continue looking Nald in the face, “Was it, by chance, you that made sure I got out safely?”
Hey, can y’all rb this if it’s okay to send you messages asking about your ocs, cause on god I wanna interact with y’all but I am terrified of being annoying lol