melodiesoflife | Prelude || The Festival Of Light

Prelude || The Festival Of Light

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light."
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: The 3rd of August, final day of the Festival of Light. The Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The 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 optionally participate in activities provided by the Festival of Light.
Warning: N/A

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.

Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be any citizens aside from Moogles in the vicinity. Indeed, the population of Aqures Ixen seems to be busy elsewhere in the city-- The Moogle will tell you there currently an event named the Festival of Light, which most people are attending. But you are not alone! It probably will not be long before you realize there are plenty of people like you all around, and 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. Maybe with their help, you will be able to find out what is happening to you.

— Final Day —
The Festival of Light is a yearly event held at Aqures Ixen to celebrate the victory of the "Heroes of Light" over the "Calamity from the Skies" two thousands years ago, or so do the legends say. Whether people believe in the legends or not, this is an occasion for them to have fun and spend time with family and friends. The Festival is held from the 28th of July to the 3rd of August.

Unfortunately, most attractions and events are over by the third of August. Yet, there is enough to do, should the newly arrived Heroes of Light favor spending time looking at the attractions rather than panicking about their situation. The festival ends at midnight.

Theater Play
— Ninth District || 14:00 —

There is a large theater stage installed in the 9th district-- It is probably only temporary by the look of it. There is quite a crowd seated to watch the play about to unfold, as well as numerous people standing beneath the seats or sitting on the ceilings because they couldn't get a seat. After the audience grows quiet, a woman with long silver hair and green-ish skin steps onto the stage to address the audience.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Tonight's performance is a story that takes place long, long ago! At the time when the Ancients reigned over the planet, when the Calamities from the Skies landed on this world and waged war against all forms of life. When our story begins, the Ancients are on the brink of extinction and gathering the last of their forces to fight. And now people of Aqures Ixen and visitors from distant lands, we proudly present 'The 4 Heroes of Light'!"

After this, the play starts and will last for roughly one hour and a half. The main characters appear to be four Heroes of Light, respectively dressed as a Warrior, Monk, Black Mage and White Mage. Other characters include the Calamity from the Skies played by the silver-haired woman, an Ancient scientist and the Princess of Crystallis. The story appears to be a highly romanticized version of the tale the Moogles told the characters earlier. As the play unfolds, there is a love story between one of the Heroes of Light, the Warrior, and the Princess of Crystallis. At the end of the play, the Heroes of Light successfully defeat the Calamity from the Skies, but the Warrior has to sacrifice himself and die in order to protect the Princess of Crystallis.

Culinary Attractions
— Fourteenth District || Anytime —
What would a festival be without free food and banquets? Not really a festival. In the fourteenth district, there is a banquet and many stands held by people from all over the world-- People from Balicea, Aerilon, Esdham, Flence, etc. There is even a stand held by former inhabitants of the Empire. All kind of food from all over the world can be found here-- Refined food, pastries, cakes, cooked meals, etc. It's virtually impossible not to find something to like in all of this, and it's all free until midnight!

Competitions
— Tenth & Eight District || 18:00 —

At 18:00, there will be a Blitzball match opposing the teams of Aqures Ixen and Balicea in the Blitzball Stadium. It is more of an exposition match, with nothing to be won aside from glory. Anyone is free to enter the stadium to watch the match. Following this, people - playable characters included - will be allowed to play some Blitzball Match on their own, if they want to try.

At the same time, a Triple Triad competition will be taking place in the eight district, in the campus of the university. Characters are free to enter the Triple Triad tournament, and if they do so they will be given very basic cards and explained the rules. With low level cards and whatsoever no experience, odds are that they may lose to much more experienced and competitive players, but what matters is trying, right? Whilst no characters may recognize him yet, it is notable that one of the NPCs, Wedge, is taking part in the competition. It's just a shame knowing he will lose in the semi-finals.

Trano Golsaucia's Stands
— Eleventh District || Anytime —
Specially for the occasions, stallholders from Trano Golsaucia traveled to Aqures Ixen and brought a few attractions to display what they can do. Noticeably, they brought Chocobos and will organize numerous races throughout the day, on an improvised tracks running around the houses. The Heroes of Light are more than welcome to try and bet, should they want to lose (or multiply) what few Gils they have. If they feel adventurous, they may even try to enter one of the races and ride a Chocobo-- At their own risks.

Aside from this, there are some more attractions worthy of attention. There is a shooting stand-- Coincidentally, all the targets are vaguely similar to the main antagonists of numbered Final Fantasy games. There is a treasure chest game, where characters are presented with ten chests and can open only one-- Prizes range from one Gils to gigantic plushie. There is also a fortune teller Moogle, it is notable that his predictions will always include either the character suffering hell or dying soon, in one form or another. Hopefully this moogle is just a scam.

Fireworks
— First District || 23:00 —

What better way to conclude a festival than fireworks? Fireworks will be launched from the Castle of Aqures Ixen starting 23:00, and will end at midnight, at the same time than the festival. No matter where you are in the city, anyone should be able to watch them easilly if they so wish. Unfortunately, it means falling asleep before midnight may be a bit hard with all the noise.

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Kaji only smiles further at Kupola. "My apologies, then."

"I've never been a hero before, personally. Know a few people who might be heroes. You can't tell them I said that, though." None of the three pilots would actually believe Kaji. Even Asuka would question a genuine compliment like that.

"Where were you before here, then?" And what's with the elf ears? But even Kaji knows better than to just outright ask that.

She was trying to see what the crowds were for but wasn't sure she wanted to go inside. She tried to look above people up at the stadium but it seemed useless. Her moogle was in her arms trying to explain the game Blitzball but his explanation was lacking a few details that didn't make sense to Zelda. How could they hold their breath for that long?

The sudden bump into her back caused her to lose her footing and stagger forward. Luckily Kupola flew from her arms and tried to steady her from falling forward.

Zelda turned to see the brown haired girl bowing in her direction. "It's alright." Zelda winced as the girls moogle came crashing forward. She moved to the pairs side, her own features filled with worry. "Are you okay?"

"I know how to make a few things, too," Shinji, men who can cook get all the girls. "Between the two of us, we should do fine." The smile comes easier and more genuine that time.

"I've never been to a place like this before." He waves a hand in the vague direction of the door, "A city like this, I mean. Have you?" He is sideways attempting to ask Ib about where she came from without directly asking about 'home.'

"I know a hero back home too." Her affection could be heard as she said the word hero, like a sweet memory had come to mind.

Zelda smiled while still trying to hold her moogle close and keep him quiet. After awhile he stopped struggling and stayed quietly in her arms. "I'm from Skyloft." Not that the name of her home meant anything to him but it was a start.

Kaji's eyebrows raise at the mention of another hero, and his voice dips in a knowing tone. "Oh? Boyfriend back home?" Sounds teasing, not disappointed, and he is very interested in her reaction. Shinji gives him a double-take at the personal question from out of nowhere, though.

Charlotte sets aside her quill and grasps his hand firmly. "A pleasure to meet you, Kaji. I'm Charlotte Aulin." She lets go of his hand, glancing over at her moogle. "The grumpy moogle is Mogsy."

Right on cue, Mogsy folds his arms and grumbles under his breath, looking pointedly away.

"Don't mind him." She gestures to an unoccupied chair by the table. "Please, take a seat. If you don't mind my asking, I'd like to hear more about the calamity you experienced in your world."

Zelda turned at the sound of the question behind her. In her arms was a sleeping moogle with a pointed green hat covering up the pom on his head. "We are in the first district. Where are you heading?"

Zelda had gotten a rough layout of the city from her adventures throughout the day, which was lucky considering her moogle had fallen asleep during the fireworks.

"What a relief! Thank you, kupo!" Happy he has some backup, Mogsy bobbed about in the air, before turning to fly ahead. "Follow me!"

Luckily, they don't have far to go; they'll round the corner or two before Mogsy points out a teenage girl dressed in the outfit of a Red Mage sitting on a bench. "There she is!"

On Charlotte's lap was an open tome with strange symbols on its pages. Normally, it would be brimming with magical energy; all her spells were stored in there, and it had the ability to bind new ones. But here... the spells were merely ink on a page. A frown creased her brow, but it dissipated when she looked up and saw the little group's approach.

"There you are, Mogsy! What took so long?" A small smile crossed her face, before her gaze fixed on the unexpected company of a stranger and his moogle. "Who are your friends?"

Zelda saw the three foot hero and formulated a plan to help out. Her eyes scanned the city scape until she spotted a solution. She moved as quickly as she could through the mass of people towards the girl.

She wore a bright smile by the time she reached Zojja and her cheeks were light pink from trying to run through the crowd. Trying to move through the dense collection of people was exhilarating for someone who has never done it before and she couldn't stop the giddy feeling. Everything unpleasant about today was forgotten in the moment. "Do you want to see the fireworks? I know a spot. Follow me!"

Zelda didn't wait, if the girl wanted to follow she would but her moogle flew behind Zojja trying to push her to follow. "Come on! Kupo!"

Zelda was caught off guard by the question and found herself, yet again, holding down her moogle. Her cheeks flushed a light pink but she quickly regained her composure. "It's nothing like that. I mean... he's a childhood friend."

It sounded like an excuse but it was the answer that she often gave her father and it was the easiest answer to reach.

"...what?" Genesis almost dropped the plushie. Did Sephiroth really just ask...?

Genesis opened her mouth again, but wasn't able to form words quite yet. Sephiroth was really that mad at her that he decided to erase her from memory? She couldn't decide if she was upset or mad. How could Sephiroth just act like this?

She didn't care for the fireworks anymore, outright ignoring them actually.

"Are you serious, Sephiroth?"

"Welllll..." Kaji looks up, and is very visibly organizing his thoughts as he plunks down into the chair. Okay, what is the short way that Kaji can explain Second Impact, Tokyo-3, the Angels, and the Evangelions?

"The world I come from is very different than this one. No magic, monsters aren't supposed to be real, and the only people around are humans." A glance back at the moogle. "No offense, Shinji."

"Fifteen years ago, there was an incident called Second Impact. Giant meteor came down to Earth, melted the polar ice caps, lots of flooding, death, and destruction, and that was where the trouble started."

"Giant monsters began appearing, and I don't mean stuff like what we saw on that stage," he points towards the stage. "I mean," he turns in his seat, and gestures towards the skyline, at the castle. "Taller than that. Giant." He is waving his hands for emphasis. "So, one guy had figured out a counter-weapon, uh, giant," she might not understand the term robots, "giant suits of armor. Ones that would make people as big as the monsters."

"Only," Kaji holds up a single finger for emphasis, and his rate of speech slows down. This is clearly the important part. "Certain very specific people were the only ones who could use the Evangelions. People who had to be chosen."

He holds his hands out to the sides. "A select few with the power to save our world, expected to just blindly do whatever it took to get the job done. Sound familiar?" He lets his hands drop, and shakes his head. "I wasn't one of them. But I could never do enough to help them. Or even figure out the truth behind what they were actually fighting for."

It was nothing short of an embarrassment, but he was well-versed in concealing his emotions, at times. Though, the fact that Luke didn’t withdraw immediately, followed by the touch to his face… His stoic mask cracked, briefly, as his pale cheek flushed with faint color. It didn’t help matters to see Luke blush during this action. His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and when they opened again, there was a sense of longing and yearning lingering within them.

Having known such little affection in his life, such gestures resonated with great significance, no matter how small.

And that short pause, with regards to their memories… Gaara was forced to turn his head away, as he worked to calm the sudden increase of his heart rate. He didn’t understand why his body was reacting in this manner, toward Luke… Or rather, he harbored suspicions, but hadn’t reached a concrete conclusion yet. There was still conflict in his mind, and it prevented him from reciprocating in the form that he wanted to.

After Luke pulled him up to his feet, the ninja continued to hold onto his hand. As he started to survey their surroundings, his stomach suddenly growled again, reminding him of his original quest for nourishment. The smells of various dishes were drifting through the air, enticing him to sample their taste.

“Master! You need to eat, kupo!” His Moogle scolded him just then, shaking Ion’s paws out of the excitement of the moment. “Luke! Please make sure he eats, kupo!”

Once that temporary distraction passed, she turned her attention back to Ion with a sweet smile. “Humans are so interesting, kupo! Is that how all friends treat each other?” She lifted one dainty paw and brushed it down Ion’s cheek, mirroring what Luke had done to her hero companion.

Genesis looked more confused now than ever. "Yes, they did. After I told Sephiroth about Project S, he decided he was better off without ShinRa, Zack joined him. Both of them have been looking for you ever since."

How could Angeal not know this? It's why they were on the move all the time! Having two SOLDIERs track them down was just a major pain in the butt but neither of them thought to go back to Banora yet. What was going on for Angeal to suddenly not remember?

"What's going on?"

Lester flew over with Mogsy toward Charlotte and began to dance while Angeal was still making his approach. He stopped to regard the young lady with the open tome and knew then that the writing was too odd to read. Instead of dwelling on those words that he obviously couldn't read, he focused on the question.

"It's my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going and this little guy was a victim of my carelessness." He winked toward Mogsy and left Lester astonished. "I'm Angeal."

The scenery was a serene one that offered tranquility but also said that the town was occupied for centuries. The weathered stone on the walkways and arches seemed to withstand the test of time. The surrounding structures of the shops and buildings that had varied purposes were cozy while functional.

It was a sight that Angeal had seen before on his home planet and he felt a sense of peace. Still, there was something odd as if he belonged here, though he dismissed it as a dream which would later be proven as reality.

Edited 2014-08-06 04:30 (UTC)

Oh-ho? Kaji, in fact, has seen the exact woman that Link is describing. Zelda mentions a 'childhood friend' hero back home. And now, here's a man with elf ears, looking for someone who looks just like her.

"K-kupo?" Shinji starts, but Kaji shushes him.

"Hang on," he mutters. "This could get interesting."

The 'friends' will clearly find each other, eventually. But because Kaji is meddlesome, curious, and slightly bored, he is going to intervene.

"Hello, there! A fellow Hero of Light, I assume?" Kaji speaks up as he approaches, to announce his presence. He even manages to say 'Hero of Light' with a straight face, instead of the sarcasm he wants to put behind it.

"Ryoji Kaji, Kaji's just fine. Now," eyebrows raised, and an intrigued smile on his face, "who's this you're looking for?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose with a soft groan. He knew that something was off and he was starting to develop a headache. That hasn't happened for him in years but he was simply overwhelmed. He shook his head not out of disbelief but because it was simply too much to take in.

With a heavy sigh, he lowered his hand and looked at Genesis. Her voice was different than her appearance betrayed. The mannerisms, the way she moved and the way she was talking about their past didn't seem to click entirely other than common names and a few minute events that they shared.

The fireworks reported with a loud boom and Angeal ducked out of reflex. He was taken by surprise but the sight was beautiful and bright as it sparkled down in their cascading splendor. He straightened and turned his attention back to Genesis.

"I'd like to know myself. Project S never came up when I saw him."

Uh-hunh. Exactly the reaction that tells Kaji everything he needs to know. Suuure he is. His grin only gets wider.

"Well, he must be a very lucky guy. I'm sorry there aren't more people experienced at this hero business around. If he were here, I'd have quite a few questions for him."

So, after their reunion- as well as the rather interesting one between Gaara and Naruto, the two had resumed their conversation. Luke couldn't even properly express just how much of a relief it was...to have someone he knew, there. He was also very happy for his friend having found someone from his world- someone he was friends with, no less.

Enough time had passed, by that point, for his appetite to have returned a bit. Gaara had walked off, some time ago, to check something out. Luke was left, for the moment, with nothing more to do than to speak to Ion about the food. He was curious to try more things he'd yet to. So, there he was...curiously studying something he'd never seen, before. It was...strange-looking, in his opinion. Still, he'd try it...

With a brave face, he took a bite. Yeah, no...that was definitely not something he liked. Ugh, it must have had some kind of fish in it. The sudden greeting had him blinking up at the stranger, a curious look being given. Forcing his expression away from one of disgust, he managed a smile, "Hm?"

With that, he turned towards the darker-haired young man as he asked, "What's up?"

Catfish, admittedly, sounded like a good way to get that overly sweet taste out of her mouth. Immediately, the remainder of the striped apple went into the nearest garbage can, probably to the moogles' great disappointment.

"That sounds fine. Kupu, go get one."

The moogle hovered dumbly in the air for a second before asking if he really needed to go over to the stand just a few steps away and retrieve a fish.

"Yes. Are you, or are you not, my assistant? That means doing menial tasks that I don't feel like doing myself."

Kupu couldn't argue with that. "Yes, Zojja," he responded before making his way over to the booth and returning with a fish, an extra plate, and a second set of cutlery. After slicing the fish, Zojja offered half of the fish to the human.

She had to admit, that yes, death by spontaneous combustion was better when accompanied by some drama. But did that really make it spontaneous? Maybe it depended on the context.

"I just want to know if these predictions come true or not. I'd be really disappointed if I pass away peacefully in my sleep of old age when I was told someone was going to drive a dagger into my back on my thirty second birthday."

Which, well, had a decent chance of being at least attempted. She had more than her fair share of enemies back in Rata Sum. It's actually kind of a miracle none of the members of the Arcane Council has tried to murder her yet.

She would follow, but only because it seemed like she had little other choice than to.

"I'm going! I'm going! No need to push so hard, you levitating hairball!"

How could moogles even fly in the first place? Those wings looked much too flimsy and small to support its weight. Was it the pompom? Was a moogle actually made of ninety percent air? She wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. Kupu followed dutifully behind, a persistent follower as always.

"I guess I should say thanks so..." it was only then did Zojja got a look at the girl helping her. There was something different about her that she couldn't quite place at first, but then she saw it. It was the ears. They were pointed, almost asuran in nature. Maybe more like sylvari, if sylvari had skin and flesh instead of bark and leaves. "...uh, thank you..."

She's human, right?

"...human girl."

There's some kind of saying that to learn about a culture, one must sample its cuisine. However, as she was not a gourmand, the subtle hints and implications of Aqures Ixen's food was completely lost on Zojja. It was (mostly) inoffensive to her taste buds and some of it was even good. And so far, no signs of food poisoning. Therefore, she didn't have to worry about starving to death.

She (or more accurately, Kupu) had just picked up a pastry treat at a nearby stand when the sounds of a commotion reached her ears. She could pick up phrases like "he was eating too fast" and "you guys I think he's dying" caught her attention and the little asura squeezed through the crowds to see what was going on. There, she could see exactly what everyone was going on about.

Zojja didn't even know that it was possible for humans to turn that shade of blue.

It didn't seem like anyone was going to help the guy, and she figured that a dead body would be a downer at what was supposed to be a big festival. So she made her way to Luffy and raised the black mage's rod she had been given and solidly whacked him on the back.

Hopefully that would dislodge what was blocking his air passages. If not, she'd have to hit him harder.

Edited (TYPOS) 2014-08-06 06:41 (UTC)

The theater was silent while the story unfolded by the actor's interpretation of legends long ago. Angeal watched among the crowd and had remained here long after Sephiroth had left. He wanted to see for himself and learn as much as he could about the culture and determine for himself that this wasn't a dream, but in fact a new reality, or a really elaborate mind game from Shinra.

Either of those options were still possible but for Angeal it was better not to assume and listen. He hadn't anticipated the next scene to be so anticlimactic. He raised his right brow as he often had when Zack pulled one of his stunts and laughed while he felt embarrassed for the trooper under the costume.

His hand covered his mouth that moved down his face to the scruff of his chin to rub his jaw while he groaned. He felt a pit in his stomach that the poor kid might panic and freeze.

"You can do this, don't give up just yet." He thought to himself. If only his words could reach Cloud. He lowered his hand and settled back into his stoicism. If Cloud were to see him, he would give an encouraging nod to keep going even if he stumbled through his lines.

"That's what they tell me," he said, albeit a bit uncomfortably. "I'm Snow, and the little guy back there is Motley."

The moogle took to his introduction enthusiastically, floating out from behind Snow's shoulder and filling the gap between him and their new compatriot. Motley spun in place one time and then posed for her, as though it was his way of offering a greeting as opposed to a more traditional bow or handshake. It was a little cheesy and a little showy, but the faintest of smiles touched at Snow's lips regardless as he looked on.

"He's a little friendly, but," Snow said, "he's harmless."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, kupo!" Motley gushed, nodding his head in excitement.

"And, hey, don't let us embarrass you," Snow went on. He turned slightly to look up and over his shoulder at the fireworks that still lit up the sky behind him. "You never know. There might just be something magic about them after all. It wouldn't be the first time they've granted someone's wish."

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Page 13 of 45

Prelude || The Festival Of Light

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blitzball

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After the Fireworks

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Fireworks

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During the Festivities

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