[ If he could have only looked at them from a different perspective, he would have surely noticed the contradictions that his dreams were. The thing is, he could no longer tell the difference between the truth and false within the strange dimension he found himself in; sometimes, his consciousness would drag him towards a vast sea stained red, only to be replaced by images of a brightly illuminated hall a few seconds later. The light was comforting, so he clung onto its rays as it revealed familiar faces that seemed to all say the same thing.
It was finally over. That is, until another descent into the void exchanged that light into a.... crystal? ]
Wake up!
[ Temple of Water ]
[ Moogles are generally trustworthy creatures, so Ace sees no reason to doubt his new, supposedly permanent companion as she proudly recites the story of Crystallis, though his mind wanders and eyes scan the area thoroughly. Perhaps, he ponders, he could feel more at ease should this world not mirror his own so much, as the similarities grow and then unexpectedly diverge in the most curious ways at each point of the moogle's tale. And then there's the matter of his new role, the Hero of Light, which has so far manifested itself most vividly in the strange set of clothes that he's been made to wear, but obviously involved much more than that. He takes some comfort in retaining his weapon of choice, however, and that Chocobo Knight class doesn't sound half bad, really. ]
If you feel confused, or lost, kupo, I might know the solution! Apparently, the Crystal of Fire holds the answers for every hero that seeks it, kupo! Something about making you feel at "home", kupo....
[ Her obvious attempts at sounding comforting do not go unattended, making the boy crack a small smile. ]
Right. Thanks, Hanafuda. I'll start my search from there and see where it goes. [ The boy places hands on his hips. ] Aqures Ixen, was that the name of the city?
[ He doesn't have to reach too far into memory to catch a name the moogle so happily recalled every five sentences or so, yet she beams with pride at the right answer. ]
The city of Heroes, ten points for attention, kupo! [ a swirl. ] By the kupo, you can call me Hana, kupo!
[ County of Flence / Airships ]
[ A sense of urgency drags him beyond the borders of Flence, which, to his relief, turns out to have a fully functional port connecting the county to Aqures Ixen, the mysterious city that has been on everyone's tongues since he arrived. As kind as the townsfolk appears to be, their brief answers display the unwillingness to discuss the war that is to come, a detachment of sort that hardly satisfies his curiosity. Not used to observing the action from the sidelines, Ace decides to board the next airship possible, ending up with half an hour to spare and one, slightly impatient moogle.
What if she accidentally bumps into one of the Heroes? Also, for a journey that long, it would be good to meet your co-passengers, so should one of Crystal wielders come his way on board of the airship, Ace will greet them and ask about their name. ]
[ Aqures Ixen / Temple of Fire ]
[ The emptiness hits him immediately, even more so in a city so full of potential; in a way this makes him curious about the empire's true face. In the end, it wouldn't be the first time he has to watch a conflict unfold. This is where makes up his mind, refusing to leave without discovering the fate that lies ahead, and in order to prove it, he turns his steps in the direction of the Crystal of Fire. ]
[ District 11, C-01 ]
[ Later that day, he finally arrives at the address given by the moogle, unsure as to what to expect from whatever company he would find behind the closed doors.... ]
no subject
It was finally over. That is, until another descent into the void exchanged that light into a.... crystal? ]
Wake up!
[ Temple of Water ]
[ Moogles are generally trustworthy creatures, so Ace sees no reason to doubt his new, supposedly permanent companion as she proudly recites the story of Crystallis, though his mind wanders and eyes scan the area thoroughly. Perhaps, he ponders, he could feel more at ease should this world not mirror his own so much, as the similarities grow and then unexpectedly diverge in the most curious ways at each point of the moogle's tale. And then there's the matter of his new role, the Hero of Light, which has so far manifested itself most vividly in the strange set of clothes that he's been made to wear, but obviously involved much more than that. He takes some comfort in retaining his weapon of choice, however, and that Chocobo Knight class doesn't sound half bad, really. ]
If you feel confused, or lost, kupo, I might know the solution! Apparently, the Crystal of Fire holds the answers for every hero that seeks it, kupo! Something about making you feel at "home", kupo....
[ Her obvious attempts at sounding comforting do not go unattended, making the boy crack a small smile. ]
Right. Thanks, Hanafuda. I'll start my search from there and see where it goes. [ The boy places hands on his hips. ] Aqures Ixen, was that the name of the city?
[ He doesn't have to reach too far into memory to catch a name the moogle so happily recalled every five sentences or so, yet she beams with pride at the right answer. ]
The city of Heroes, ten points for attention, kupo! [ a swirl. ] By the kupo, you can call me Hana, kupo!
[ County of Flence / Airships ]
[ A sense of urgency drags him beyond the borders of Flence, which, to his relief, turns out to have a fully functional port connecting the county to Aqures Ixen, the mysterious city that has been on everyone's tongues since he arrived. As kind as the townsfolk appears to be, their brief answers display the unwillingness to discuss the war that is to come, a detachment of sort that hardly satisfies his curiosity. Not used to observing the action from the sidelines, Ace decides to board the next airship possible, ending up with half an hour to spare and one, slightly impatient moogle.
What if she accidentally bumps into one of the Heroes? Also, for a journey that long, it would be good to meet your co-passengers, so should one of Crystal wielders come his way on board of the airship, Ace will greet them and ask about their name. ]
[ Aqures Ixen / Temple of Fire ]
[ The emptiness hits him immediately, even more so in a city so full of potential; in a way this makes him curious about the empire's true face. In the end, it wouldn't be the first time he has to watch a conflict unfold. This is where makes up his mind, refusing to leave without discovering the fate that lies ahead, and in order to prove it, he turns his steps in the direction of the Crystal of Fire. ]
[ District 11, C-01 ]
[ Later that day, he finally arrives at the address given by the moogle, unsure as to what to expect from whatever company he would find behind the closed doors.... ]