melodiesoflife | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Cloud sighed, still trying to avoid eye contact with the woman. It wasn't her fault that he was having a bad day. Then again, with another human here maybe he'd be able to get somewhere.

"I'm just trying to make sense of all this. The last thing I remember I was at the armory getting my gear, and then I woke up here with this stuff on. I don't know how to use magic...I mean, I can use a little, but I'm better with a rifle. Maybe a sword."

Mako rolls his eyes, looking like he's about to give Cloud another lecture over this.

Zelda spoke up not giving the moogle another change to start an argument. "From what I understand you can change your skills here but you know what?"

She stood up straight and reached to pull off his hat. "I think it's worth trying something you haven't done before. Who knows, maybe you're better than you think."

Zelda has probably seen some odd hair in Skyloft, but Cloud's looked like it could give Groose's a run for the rupees...maybe. He blushed a bit as the hat was pulled off and snatched it back. He appreciated the encouragement but at the same time felt like he was being talked down to.

But he wasn't about to get angry at a friendly girl like this, "I just don't like having stuff like this dumped on me without an explanation." He WAS going to give this mage thing a try though, at least until he could get a better weapon.

Zelda smiled up at him. "Then lets find out together. It seems there is a legend about Hero's appearing from all over, to save this world from a calamity." She wasn't to happy about the situation either but it would benefit them if they handled it with cool heads.

The smile was infectious, but Cloud still managed to frown. "Even with us showing up like this, this legend still seems a bit...I don't know." The truth was a part of him didn't believe that he could be chosen for something like this. "I'm a soldier, not a hero."

"Who says you can't be both?" Zelda walked around Cloud in a short semi circle as she thought. "I've some experience with legends at home. It is often formed from some truth, so it's worth looking into. Maybe it's our way home?"

Cloud smirked, but it was a sad one. "The recruiter for one. I've been trying to train up to get into SOLDIER, the special forces unit but..." There had been some unrest at Shinra lately. He wasn't sure how things were going to go politically, but it didn't look good. He was banking on his next mission to show he had what it took to be...someone.

"And now I'm here and a mage apparently." He sighs as he looked at his staff. It was true that Sephiroth and Zack were good at using materia. "This just isn't what I've been training for.

Zelda looked back at him, her tone soft and a little sad. "Anyone can become a hero." Even her lazy bum from home.

Her expression shifted to a gentle smile. "I haven't been trained to fight at all but if we give up now, we have already failed. Is being a mage really so bad? Can't mages do amazing things?"

Cloud shoook his head, looking more serious than he had the entire conversation. "I never said I'm going to give up. I'm just not sure where to begin. Back where I'm from we need to use magic stones to cast spells and now I'm just being told I can do it myself. It's not a bad thing but I'm not really trained for it."

Zelda took a moment to think.

"Lets start with getting more information. Maybe there is a library we can go to?" She didn't know much about magic, her world had the powers of the goddess but she didn't consider those to be magic.

"Maybe. That doesn't sound like a bad place to start, but it looks like everyone is busy with this festival." He looked around at the crowds and stands. How many other people here were from other worlds as well, he wondered. Do they even know about the newcomers that are filing out into the streets?

"You seem remarkably calm about all of this. You're from another world too, right?"

"I'm from a place called Skyloft." She didn't think that she was calm, it took all her strength not to go looking for the one person she was searching for. However, one thing she knew about Heroes and Legends was that even if you run, it will catch up to you and she wasn't one to run away.

"I don't think panicking will get us home any faster."

"Skyloft huh? We call my world Gaia and...it's actually pretty similar to this one. Chocobos, Moogles, we have those. Our magic seems to be different though. And we don't have any of those big crystals." He frowned a bit. The similarities were actually making the differences more troubling, especially when he was one of the few newcomers to this realm to consider them similar. What was going on.

"But no, I don't think it will either. We just need to find the right person who can give us answers."

"Shall we go look then?" Zelda tilted her head towards the center of the city where the festival appeared to be in full swing.

She was happy that he seemed to be more calm himself. She just hoped they would all find their ways home soon.

Cloud shrugged. He was speaking a bit more generally. Ask around, try to find those who would be in the know. With the festival on, he wasn't entirely sure how much they'd be able to find out just now.

But it was hard to say no to this girl, "Maybe someone back at the crystal temple knows something."

Zelda liked temples, she wasn't sure if it was her or Hylia but there was something calming about being within the walls of a temple. She jumped excitedly at the idea. "Lets go there first then!"

She started off in the rough direction of the temple her moogle rushing to catch up to tell her the way.

And there she was, off looking for answers before he could even get a further word in. He wasn't sure what they were going to find, or even who to speak to. Hell, he wasn't even completely sure what the questions they needed to ask were.

And then Mako bopped him on the head and fluttered ahead of him, "Come on, lazy bum! You're not going to be much of a hero if you just stare off into space like that." Cloud frowned and swatted at the moogle, Mako deftly dodging out of the way. He sighed and followed along. Saying no to his moogle was easy, but he'd already agreed to help Zelda. Somehow he had a feeling that refusing her was something that was impossible for the people she knew back home too.

Prelude || The Festival Of Light

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