melodiesoflife | Intro Log || Melodies of Eternity

Intro Log || Melodies of Eternity

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: The 5th of March. The new Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken in Aqures Ixen and are informed by their assigned Moogles of what the situation and what their destinies are. This a log for them to react to the situation, meet each other and be welcomed by the former batches of Heroes of Light.
Warning: Lots of distressed and depressed Heroes of Light.

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Within an instant, the world around you collapses. Reality twists and shatters... Or maybe you are the one who is collapsing and shattering away from reality as you knew it. No matter what the answer is, it will only take a few seconds for you to find yourself sinking into a void, your world vanishing into the distance. There is nothing but darkness as far as the eye can see. Even you feel different: all the powers you might once have had, are now gone. It is silent, cold and it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you.

At this moment, when it looks as though nothing but a never-ending void awaits you, a red Crystal forms before you. In this void, its warmth compels you to grab it. Upon doing so, you can hear a soft, soothing voice speaking:

"Wake up."

Soon, the void itself vanishes and is replaced by distant noises of engines. Had it all been nothing more than a dream? The soothing voice repeats its call one more time, but is soon replaced with a much less graceful "Wake up Kupo." Hand clutched on your Crystal, the call of the Moogle may finally wake you up. But you are no longer in your world, nor in the void. You are before the Crystal of Fire, in the third district of a city called Aqures Ixen. At this point, you may realize the engine noise actually originates from an Airship flying low over the city and headed to dock beneath the castle. As if it wasn't strange enough, your clothes have changed as well. They are now a reflection of the Jobs you are wielding. Last but not least, you are surrounded by Moogles, small and fluffy creatures who are more than happy to tell you about everything you want to know, about your 'destiny' as a Hero of Light, about what awaits you.

Or at least, they will tell you everything they do know, which isn't much in the end.

The only people around you are like you-- There are quite a few of them, all clothed in their Job garbs and most likely wondering what is happening. If somehow you do not realize it, the Moogle who woke you up will be more than happy to inform you there are others like you around. In fact, there are other Heroes who have arrived in the course of the past year and they will come soon! Like you, they have Jobs and a Crystal.

If asked, the Moogles will mention that the Heroes of Light - that is to say you - are fighting against time to save Crystallis from the Calamity that is about to awaken to devour the entire world. Well, that is if you don't die or crystallize first. A couple days ago, a lot of Heroes of Light crystallized or died out of the blue without any warning! Sounds terrible? Welcome to Crystallis.

The Other Heroes
— Shortly Thereafter —
Thanks to the efficiency of Mognet, it does not take long for the other Heroes to come around: those who arrived in this world within the past year. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you that there were other Heroes of Light in this city. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers when they told you about how they managed to push back the Empire and defeat gigantic beasts in the past. And more importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have all the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a tragic disappointment. Still, for the most part they know more than you on the situation and may be more than happy to fill you in, especially if your Moogle didn't tell you much.

The City of Aqures Ixen
— Anytime —
With Choco Egg day nearing, there are a lot fo Hypello working on the upcoming competitions and on making chocolates! Want to eat some? Too bad, the Moogles will hit you with the stick they use to make the chocolate if you try to eat them!

And besides the chocolates, there are a lot of things to do in the city for newcomers. Moogles are working hard in Mognet Office of the ninth district following the election of their new director, and while there are no Blitzball Matches today, a lot of Triple Triad players are gathered at the stadium. Why? Because they are working on the early preparations for the Triple Triad World Championship that will happen in May! Characters are also free to visit the city-- They can visit Airship Port in the twelfth district from where characters can board for free Airships from Shoopuf Airline.

Or maybe you could visit your new house in the 11th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate. Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with.

The Laboratory
— Anytime —
A location where a lot of Heroes of Light seem to be gathering is Palitutu's Laboratory. It is a place where employed characters can research into various topics. However, most importantly, characters can see a file with their name...

Should your character decide to go there and peek at their file, there are two possibilities. Either the file is corrupted and they cannot access it: too bad for them, but at least their life will remain a mystery. Or should you decide the file isn't corrupted, they will find a summary of their lives up to their canon point, as if written by a third-person omniscient narrator. On the column left to the text, to the top there is a portrait of them, and beneath it there is a 3D model of them. Said portrait and model can be switched to any year of their life. At the bottom there is a percentage, indicating 0%. On the right column, there are various links, most of which are grayed out. The clickable links lead to their Homeworld History and their future post-canon point history (corrupted file for unfinished canons).

At least, they can lock this file away if they don't want anyone to see it.

The Hospital
— Anytime —
Characters who have already been in Crystallis before do not wake up by the Crystal of Fire like everyone else. Instead, they will wake up in the Hospital of Aqures Ixen, in a room where there are over a hundred of other Heroes of Light like them-- Maybe even some familiar faces... Except they're all in Crystal Stasis.

A few Moogles and nurses will be waiting by the room, and they will welcome all characters waking up. However...

Upon exiting the room, they will find the Hospital is very busy. Nurses and healers can be seen moving corpses around on stretchers, and overall a very dark and tense atmosphere reigns over the Hospital. In closed rooms, some of the most skilled healers are trying to analyze the corpses and find out what happened. And these dead people? They are of the Heroes of Light who died on the 29th of February.

Melodies of Eternity
— Anytime —
If you are a Hero of Light who survived that accursed day, your crystal will shine at the very same moment the new Heroes appear before the Crystal of Fire. That means your character is now linked to the Crystal of Fire and will come back to life after a week if killed.

They will also receive their Moogle and their housing in the 11th or 14th District. But that probably isn't enough for the pain to go away.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Are you alright?"

Her voice was soft whisper that was carried by the wind. She could hear the soft distress in the boys words and Zelda felt that weight of those those though she hardly knew the victims. She wished there had been something more she could do for them but there wasn't; not anymore. The most she can do was help those left.

"Excuse me, my name is Zelda. I'm one of the heroes who resides in this city."

Kadaj's emerald eyes dart to the sound of Zelda's voice, but he doesn't turn from gazing upon the crystal that decided to keep him but kill his friends. In truth, he didn't know if it was the fire crystal's doing, but he couldn't shake the thoughts, the feelings. No, it had decided to keep him, and the others for some reason or other had been found wanting. Maybe some of the others, that was true, but not her. Not Madoka. Why did she have to die?

"Why do you care?"

Zeldas expression softened. "Because you look like you're in pain."

Her voice was soft and she wondered if she should say more. She took a small step next to him and let her blue eyes fix on the red crystal.

"I'm sorry... I can't do more."

Pain. The pain of loss. Yes, that's what he was feeling. Madoka had explained it when he'd felt lonely late at night. He'd missed his brothers, and his purpose, and Mother, though they'd never been successful in finding her. And now, while he still missed them, he missed her, too. But, unlike his brothers, who were safe and in their own world, Madoka was gone, and she would never come back.

He looked down, silver hair falling into his eyes, and when he speaks again, his voice is softer, but still not lacking that strange, maniacal quality.

"You're right. You can't. Kalki summoned us, and she let us die, and this stupid crystal decided to make some of us watch it."

Zelda’s expression softened however the pain of his loss continued to be reflected in her gaze. She looked over at him, and was silent, unsure what to say. She couldn’t promise him that it would be alright, she couldn’t give him lies or false comfort.

“Yes.” She agreed softly, her voice laced with sorrow. “But you can live.”

She didn’t know if he’d understand so she continued, her voice growing in strength. “I know it’s hard but your friends. Those we’ve lost.” She’s lost people too. “They wouldn’t want us to give up or give in. I know, even if they aren’t here, that he’d want me to be strong. To do what was right.” Her hand moved to rest over her heart.

“It isn’t just a happy thought. I believe in them. You’re friends too. I believe in all of them.” With all her heart.

Kadaj's expression twisted into an angry frown. He didn't know how Zelda was, what she meant to anyone here, and he also couldn't understand where her unwavering faith came from. In his short existence, Kadaj had only had faith in three things: Mother's will, his brothers, and Madoka. Mother was gone, his brothers were gone, and Madoka was gone. Kadaj had nothing left to have faith in except himself, and he didn't know how to do that, either.

But what was this Zelda to think she knew them? That she could have faith in them when she'd never even met them? No one, that was who. "You don't know what we went through. You don't know her, and you don't know what we lost when she died. Don't pretend you do."

"I'm sorry."

It wasn't her intention to make him upset. She only hoped to help, she only knew a fraction of what the other heroes had been through but she knew what she experianced. She knew pain.

"I didn't mean to presume."

Kadaj nearly said more, but bit his tongue instead, clenching his jaw against further retorts. Madoka would tell him to be nice, that Zelda was only trying to be kind and he was ruining it. He took a breath, as she'd told him to do many times, to calm down.

"You were just trying to be nice. It's fine."

Zelda blinked as if surprised at the sudden change of attitude. Her lips formed a small tired smile as she looked up at the silvered haired hero.

“I was but you’re right too. It isn’t any of my busy and I don’t really know what you’ve been through.” Her smile strengthens slightly. “I can at least offer my aid should you need it. I promise it won’t come with advice unless asked.”

Her voice was soft and kind and if he didn’t stop her she’d turn away and return back to the old observatory. She didn’t want to force her help on the boy.

He watched her evenly as she spoke, filing away her face and voice for future reference should he have need of it. He almost let her walk away before a thought occurred to him and he called her name.

"Wait, Zelda. I think you can help me." He took a step toward her, in the direction she'd turned. "What are we supposed to do here?"

Zelda paused and turned at the sound of her name. His question was a curious one though not completely unfounded.

"That depends on what you want in the end." She smiled softly. "If you want to go home, then we need to fight the calamity but that isn't so simple. If you want something else..." Her smile softened. "Then I might have an answer."

She didn't know what he wanted.

"We were brought here to fight the Calamity. I know that." Kadaj shook his head, looking away in frustration. He didn't know what he wanted. He didn't even know he could want anything until a few months ago, and now, all he wanted was Madoka back, but that wasn't possible.

"I don't know."

Zelda wasn't sure if she could give him that answer.

"Then look for that first."

It was a start, it was something and it wasn't something Zelda could tell him.

"Just look for what I want?" Kadaj laughed at the irony. It was a sick sound, not full of malice, but of something akin to hopelessness. "You make it sound so easy."

"It isn't easy."

Her words were soft but firm. "That's what makes it so meaningful."

Kadaj's look of confusion only deepened and he sighed in frustration.

"That isn't helpful at all."

Zelda's thin fingers lightly tucked a loose strand of gold behind her ear. Her eyes remained on the gleaming red crystal, her voice soft and regretful.

"I know." She wasn't sure what she was looking for either but she didn't want to give up. There were to many people she didn't want to let down.

Something else was troubling the Remnant, but he remained silent for sometime, unable to put words to his thoughts. He didn't know how to explain himself to this very helpful person, but he knew Madoka would frown on his being mean to her simply because he was confused.

After a moment, he crossed his arms and looked over to Zelda. "How are you supposed to know when you find what you're looking for if you don't know what it is?"

Zelda smiled though the expression didn't reach her eyes. "You're not going to like my answer to that because I think it's different for everyone. You just know."

She shook her head slightly, her hands coming to rest on her heart.

"You don't know when and it might be frustrating but you'll find it."

Kadaj frowned at her answer. She was right about that, certainly. He didn't like it. It wasn't so much the existence of the answer, though. It simply didn't make any sense to him. She was right about another point, too. It was frustrating.

"That sounds stupid." And fallible.

“I know.”

She wished that she could explain it better to him however words held little meaning when you were searching for something so important. Zelda looked up at Kadaj, a light smile teasing her lips while her eyes reflected a motherly sort of affection.

“It isn’t an answer or anything but you’re welcome to stop by the old observatory. There is information about this world and I always make sweetbreads and tea for those who come by. I think you’d enjoy the visit.” Nothing helps evaporate tension like Zelda’s sweetbreads. They aren’t overly sweet and arguably the most delicious thing in Crystallis.

He looked over to her then, a look of confusion in his emerald eyes. Madoka always offered him food when he was troubled, too, and somehow, it served to comfort him. He still didn't understand why. Maybe it was the simple act of kindness, but that sort of thing was usually lost on him at the best of times.

He could allow himself to accept this simple comfort, though, and eventually, he nodded. "I will." He paused before saying more, a reminder flitting through his mind. "Thank you."

Zelda's lips curled into a kind smile. "I'll show you the way."

She could tell that Kadaj was trying and that was enough for her. She didn't want him to lose hope even if this were intangible. As they walked towards the old observatory she let silence fall between them. It was an easy silence, not pressing for either to speak but welcoming any comment or question that Kadaj might have.

When they arrive at the old observatory she'll hold the door open for Kadaj.

Even after all this time away from Gaia, Kadaj's head spun with all the new and often conflicting bits of information to be learned about this place. Mostly, though it was unknown to him, he was confused, lost without a guiding light. He'd watched it die on the streets of this very city with no reason whatsoever.

The more time he spent in her presence, the more Zelda was reminding Kadaj of Madoka, though he didn't think he could ever replace her. Nor did he feel she deserved to be replaced. Normally he would have spoken on their journey, but there were too many thoughts in his mind to facilitate conversation.

Once they arrived he looked up from his thoughts as though surprised they'd arrived so quickly, regardless of how long it actually took. The structure was impressive, and even Kadaj could take not of it.

"Oh. We're here..." He stepped through the threshold she'd opened for him.

Zelda smiled stepping into the old observatory behind him. The entrance was sparsely decorated, with a few chairs, a long desk and a pixel painting above the main door of Aqures. There was a moogle behind the desk dressed in green with a pointed hat. He jumped up after seeing Zelda, a smiled across his lips.

”Zelda! Who’s this? A hero? Can I get anything for you? I have some things that need your attention.” Zelda smiled at Kopula.

“Kopula this is Kadaj.” She turned towards Kadaj while making introductions. “I’ll address everything later and no I don’t need anything. I’m making tea though, would you like some?” The moogle nodded ringing his hands together before fluttering off towards the desk to man his post. He took it far too seriously but Zelda had learned that telling Kopula to relax was pointless.

“This way.” She had to suppress her laughter as she led Kadaj to one of the small rooms positioned off to the left of the main entrance. This one was more homely with a couch and a small table. A few others bites of furniture lined the room as well. “I’ll go get us tea and snacks. I’ll be right back.”

Intro Log || Melodies of Eternity

Near the Crystal of Fire

Near the Crystal of Fire

Near the Crystal of Fire

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