isorawrites

[isorawrites]

SACRED POSSESSION

“My sister and I, you will recollect, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two souls which are so closely allied.” — Arthur Conan Doyle | The Adventure of the Speckled Band (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)

CW — crossdressing.

SERIES: [ FFXIV: Chronogenesis » Tales of the Unknown ]

STATUS: Complete. LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

VERSE: 7th Astral Era—A Realm Reborn.

GENRES: Short Story, Family, Slice of Life.

SHIPS: Sora/Yiuno (implied), Yiuno & Yiuna.

MUSES: Sora Amariyo, Yiuno & Yiuna Reine.

Sora Amariyo swept a stray strand of hair off her forehead as the chocobo carriage trotted through the woods of the Black Shroud. The wind against her pale face became colder as they continued their way to the Coerthas Central Highlands, where winter prevailed its terrain all year long. Seeing that this would be a long journey ahead, Sora turned to her other traveling companion, a Veena Viera by the name of Yiuno Reine.

Those who had heard of his name often described him as an enigmatic wanderer of the realm, a man of mystery who walked along the fine boundary of light and darkness. Though he’d been Sora’s guardian and protector for as long as the young Xaela could remember, no one knew why he willingly took Sora under his wing, given his notorious reputation of coming and going like the wind, leaving naught behind—like a ghost of the forgotten past.

Yiuno didn’t like being the center of attraction, and his dress sense clearly reflected that desire—of monochromic colors and minimalistic design. However, one thing that stood out from his seemingly mundane glamours was the leather-bound emerald necklace around his neck. While it’d appear worthless in the eyes of any jewelers and treasure hunters, Sora could tell that the accessory meant a lot to Yiuno; he often kept it close to him, and his normally sharp gaze would soften with fondness whenever he touched the crystal.

“A gift from someone dear to you? You’re always wearing that, even if it clashes with some of your disguises,” Sora spoke as she watched Yiuno fiddling with the green crystal.

“From Yiuna, my older twin sister,” the male Veena replied, looking up at Sora’s hard gaze with mild amusement. “Perhaps it’s a story I can humor you with until we reach our destination…”

Amongst the treacherous mountains and steep ridges, a small village existed in the heart of the valley. Shrouded in rolling clouds of icy mists and the shadows of uneven summits, this little settlement was undiscovered for eons, its people living in secluded peace far away from the chaos of the commonfolk. The villagers were a sight to behold: fair like the snow capes, graceful like the spring breeze, with their main characteristic being a pair of long, hare-like ears perched on top of their fluffy hair. Called ‘Veena Viera’ by the scholars of the outside world, little was known about their kind, for most curious souls who dared to venture into their territory never lived to see the next sunrise.

Similar to their sister clan, the Rava Viera, they followed a matriarchal structure to maintain order within their small community. Females stayed in the village and acted as the central pillar, just like the monarchies of the outside cities who focused on the politics within the walls. As for the males, they were stationed outside of the settlement as hunters and protectors, braving the dangerous mountains and harsh climate to keep their village safe from external threats. Both genders lived separate lives until the mating season; once every year, a representative or two would drop by to collect children who were assigned male after they had come out of their puberty, then they’d train them to be battle-ready to replenish their ranks. While the strict code and solitude lifestyle had ensured their continuous survival in peace, it wasn’t a sentiment shared by all.

In particular, two adolescents who often sneaked out of the village on every full moon, seemingly in search of something. One of them could be found standing under a birch tree; she wore the standard chest-wrap with armored lingerie covered with a translucent veil down the middle. However, she was fidgeting with her breastplate from time to time, clearly uncomfortable with the clothes she was wearing. She shivered a little as a cold draft blew through the valley, then she flattened the veil and tried to tuck the hem between her legs, a deep shade of pink coloring her pale cheeks under the glow of the full moon above her head.

Her meekness quickly dispersed when her long ears picked up a shuffling sound not far from her location; she drew out a dagger from the scabbard around her ankle, all poised in a battle stance. “Who’s there?” Contrary to her soft and alluring outward appearance, her voice was harsh and hoarse—she sounded rather masculine.

“It’s just me, silly.” A figure emerged from the bushes and brisked towards the anxious Veena. Once she stepped out of the shadow into the moonlight, she had a near-identical face as the former, wearing the same set of harness, with the only distinguishing feature being an extra braid running down the right side of her head. “Be careful not to speak aloud within the village grounds, lest someone else heard you and you’d be whisked away in a jiffy.” Although she was still smiling, there was a hint of sadness in her voice.

“I know,” the twin with a deeper voice sighed, sheathing her dagger before straightening up to face her sister. “But the elders are getting suspicious. They have been staring hard at my chest for the past few days and voiced dissatisfaction at my ‘stunned’ growth.”

“I’m sorry that I’m putting you through all this, [Yiuno], but… I can’t bear to lose you. You’re the only family I have. My precious little brother.”

Yiuno pulled her—his—twin closer into a hug. “You’re my one and only big sister, [Yiuna], as troublesome as you are. So, did you find what you’ve been looking for?”

“Yes,” Yiuna breathed, then she stepped back to pull out something from her pouch. “Give me your hand.” She placed an emerald shard in her brother’s palm. “With this, you can speak freely in the village.”

“A wind-aspected crystal?” Yiuno asked, raising the fragment to see it better in the light of the full moon. He could see the glow pulsating within the shard, almost like it was alive with some kind of power. “I’m amazed that you actually found one. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Oh, you’re such a worrywart for me, every single time,” Yiuna cooed with a chuckle. “You should worry about yourself first, and more.” She pulled off her hair ribbon and fashioned it into a chain around the crystal, turning it into a necklace before putting it around Yiuno’s neck. “With a bit of aetherial manipulation, this can change your current voice to make you sound more feminine.”

“Very handy,” Yiuno murmured, and he raised a hand to touch the shard. Closing his eyes, he concentrated for a short moment to charge it with his own aether. “Something like this?” His eyebrows arched at the voice that came out of his mouth—while it wasn’t as girly as Yiuna’s, it was passable, like the mature tone of a grown woman.

“Perfect!” Yiuna grinned with a thumbs-up. “Now that you can talk normally without straining your vocal cord… And I’ll think of something to fill your breastplate.” Her smirk widened at the look of embarrassment on Yiuno’s face.

“Do we have to go that far? You know that we can’t stay like this forever. They will find out about us sooner or later.”

“Let that be later, my dear brother—no, little sister,” Yiuna replied, adjusting her twin’s harness with a playful glint in her eyes. “Crafting a padded undershirt that matches your skin tone is child’s play, compared to searching the whole mountain range for many moons just for that one magic crystal.”

Yiuno pursed his lips at his twin’s nonchalant reaction, but he clasped a hand around the emerald shard with a small smile.

Thank you—my lovely, mischief-making sister.

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #ffxiv chronogenesis #tales of the unknown #muse; noir #muse; argent #yiuno reine #yiuna reine #sora amariyo #status; complete #-- a realm reborn

[isorawrites]

it’s thigh day today and I know I’d be okay in a deep dungeon all alone at the top, white as bone.

— poem by isorawrites

#isorawrites #isorapoetica #ffxiv chronogenesis #tales of the unknown #muse; noir #yiune rei #-- thigh day #-- crack poetry #-- a realm reborn

[isorawrites]

[S]INS OF ORIGIN

Is it a sin to exist? Is it a sin to live? In this dying, broken world, what is the meaning of life?

A hybrid android called ‘3B’ wakes up in the aftermath of a violent battle. What has happened to them? Who are they? For what purpose do they exist?

THIS WORK FEATURES DARK AND MATURE THEMES. See chapters for content warning details.

SERIES: [ YoRHa: Dark Aftermath ]

STATUS: Ongoing. LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

VERSE: YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse (AU—NieR: Automata).

GENRES: Crossover, Experimental, Photostory, Surrealism.

SHIP: 2B/9S. MUSE: 3B (Sora). NPC: 2B, 9S, Pod 042, Pod 153.

CHAPTERS.

RECORDS [ 01 | re;born ] [ 02 | re;wind ] [ 03 | re;call ] [ 04 | re;solve ]

DATA [ 01 | re;plan ] [ 02 | re;place ]

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

DISCLAIMERS.

NIER: AUTOMATA © PLATINUMGAMES | SQUARE ENIX. FINAL FANTASY XIV © SQUARE ENIX. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

#isorawrites #yorha dark aftermath #muse; argent #sora; yorha 3b #yorha 2b #yorha 9s #status; ongoing #-- yorha dark apocalypse #-- nier automata #-- shadowbringers

[isorawrites]

THE HOWLING BARK — 02

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 ]

SERIES: [ Sora Holmes Case Files ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SHIPS: Sora/Yiune, Laniaitte & Emmanellain.

MUSES: Sora Holmes, Yiune Watson.

NPC: Laniaitte de Haillenarte, Emmanellain de Fortemps.

FFXIVWrite: 2023 — 02.

bark /bɑːk/ noun ARCHAIC・LITERARY a ship or boat.

With the formalities out of the way, Laniaitte ushered Sora and Yiune into a treetop house with a great view of the rolling clouds on the horizon, which also served as the command room for the Rose Knights. In the middle of the cozy interior was a large rectangular table covered with a map. Some charting equipment scattered across the surface with a handful of dried leaves, the latter which Laniaitte swept off to the ground with a graceful wave.

“I shall get straight to the point,” Laniaitte began, moving a chess piece to the only other aetheryte marked on the map. “Even without the threat of the primal Bismarck, we have been maintaining the peaceful relationship with the Vanu Vanu tribes in the Ok’ Zundu village. ’Tis an oath I swore to Ser Syndrei when he came and aided my brethren to end the thousand-year bloodbath—and one I will keep at all costs, with my pride as both a knight of Ishgard and a member of House Haillenarte. And that I did.”

Laniaitte then shifted the pawn towards a small floating island marked with a red scarf. “The Redbills, however, is another story. Though their contributions to stop the ancient voidsent Diabolos from destroying the world were no small feats, these pirates view modus operandi like a poison to the freedom of the clear skies they seek.”

“So they prefer to stay in the gray,” Sora murmured, nodding slowly as she listened to Laniaitte. “A color that’s neither black nor white, its shade changing freely along the spectrum as they see fit.”

Shadows stretched across the room as the sun began to set, the rays streaming through the windows and lighting up the world map with a fiery glow. “Your brother had assured me that the Redbills were no threat—and I am more than happy to keep the current status quo. Aside from coming down to our camp to purchase supplies from time to time, we do not meddle in each other’s affairs unless absolutely necessary.” Laniaitte moved the chessman to a white space marked with an X. “Until this.”

Crossing her arms before her, the lady commander gazed out of the window, the solemn expression on her refined face plain in the setting sun. “Umbral wind is a common occurrence here in the Abalathia’s Spine, but the weather has suddenly taken for the worse in recent times.”

“Something unnatural must have happened,” Sora reasoned, her eyes locked onto the spot marked on the map. “And you believe that the cause is located there?”

“It began when the Redbills came to us one day about a strange sighting,” Laniaitte turned to face the young envoy and replied. “At first, they thought that the Void Ark was reactivated by unknown forces and moved on its own. They flew to the site where the Mhach ships were originally located and found no signs of foul play. Then, the Vanu Vanu tribes from Ok’ Zundu came to us about the story of ‘Tirpitz,’ an entity they believed to be related to Bismarck.”

“And you think they might be connected in some ways?”

Sighing, Laniaitte picked up a spyglass and twirled it in her hands. “I admit that I was skeptical about tall tales—I told my men to stay vigilant, and they were to report to me immediately if they notice any anomalies. It was a moon later when we finally saw it.”

“I-It?” Emmanellain spluttered, accidentally spilling some tea down his front. He had been watching the lady captain silently with unfocused eyes the whole time, and Laniaitte had forgotten that he was even in the room. “What… did you see?”

“The Howling Bark.”

Laniaitte smirked at the fear on Emmanellain’s pale face. She then kicked open a chest and pulled out some fur coats. “It’s going to be a long night, so I suggest that you all should keep yourselves warm. An umbral snowstorm usually accompanies its appearance.”

Sora’s face wrinkled at the winter clothes that Yiune was helping her to put on. “Well, I guess we aren’t able to escape the Ishgardian cold, after all.”

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #sora holmes case files #muse; argent #muse; noir #sora holmes #yiune watson #laniaitte de haillenarte #emmanellain de fortemps #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2023 #-- sherlock holmes

[isorawrites]

THE HOWLING BARK — 01

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 ]

SERIES: [ Sora Holmes Case Files ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SHIPS: Sora/Yiune, Laniaitte & Emmanellain.

MUSES: Sora Holmes, Yiune Watson.

NPC: Laniaitte de Haillenarte, Emmanellain de Fortemps.

FFXIVWrite: 2023 — 01.

envoy /ˈɛnvɔɪ/ noun a messenger or representative, especially one on a diplomatic mission.

Camp Cloudtop had never been this crowded since the Second Dragonsong War, as far as the commander of the Rose Knights could remember. Narrowing her gaze at a small airship approaching the landing amongst a sea of clouds, Laniaitte de Haillenarte recalled the letter from her brother, Stephanivien, of the Skysteel Manufactory:

Knowing him, I’m sure Inspector Briardien would be most delighted to accept your case and solve such an intriguing mystery for a fellow countryman. Alas, the inspector is still in Thavnair, where he was last sighted with a certain gentleman of light. He did recommended someone who might be equally interested, though Ser Briardien didn’t sound particularly thrilled about this person.

Turning the letter over, Laniaitte scrutinized at the missive attached. While some Ishgardians were acquainted with the Sharlayans in Idyllshire (that was later abandoned), it was the Second Final Days that truly brought the different nations together to combat a common threat. Thanks to the Warrior of Light and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, the song of oblivion had been silenced forevermore, and the realm was slowly but surely recovering from the scars of war and despair. Though Old Sharlayan might have re-opened its borders to foreign trades and talents, Laniaitte would never expect these conservative scholars to skip the political formalities and send an envoy straight to her post.

Once the airship was safely docked at the landing, the lady commander stepped forward with a temple knight’s salute. “Welcome to Camp Cloudtop. I am Laniaitte, captain of the Rose Knights. We have been expecting your arrival.”

“I appreciate the warm welcome.” Amongst the three figures that emerged from the airship, the speaker was a petite Xaela lass in a black Gothic dress. Her short silver hair shimmered under the midday sun, but the heat did not melt the iciness in her gray eyes. “All the more so when you look back at the frigid climate of Ishgard.” Next to her, a Veena maid trailed behind her mistress dutifully, and she appeared to be keeping the third company at a distance. The latter broke Laniaitte’s impassive face into a scowl.

“My lady!” Emmanellain de Fortemps spread his arms upon greeting his not-so-secret crush. His excitement faltered under Laniaitte’s narrow look, and he hastily turned his overbearing gesture into an awkward bow. “I-It’s such an honor to be graced by your radiating presence—”

“You can save the pleasantries for your little party affairs, young lord,” the lady commander cut him off, her tone as hard as her armor plate. “I do not recall requesting any assistance from House Fortemps.”

“Be at ease, Lady Laniaitte,” the Gothic Au Ra drawled with amusement. “We happened to encounter Lord Emmanellain in Old Sharlayan. The poor lad missed the last ferry to Limsa Lominsa, and we decided to take him along, since we have a common destination. Oh,” she paused to glance at her Viera maid. “He also offered to show us around his motherland as a token of gratitude, did he not?”

“Certainly he did, Milady,” the maid replied softly. Laniaitte couldn’t help raising an eyebrow at the mature voice that oddly contrasted with her meek appearance. “The young lord was most enthusiastic to take us to the Gold Saucer. Something about maidens in bunny outfits—”

“T-T-That’s for another time!” Emmanellain squeaked, shuddering at Laniaitte’s look of contempt with guilt. “But beautiful leporine ladies are a rare sight to behold!”

“I’m truly flattered by your gracious praise for my partner, but as you can see, we are here on an important business.” The corner of Laniaitte’s lips twitched slightly, intrigued by the young goth’s elegant comeback. With a curtsey, the horned visitor introduced herself proper.

“I am Sora Holmes, a mystery academician and acting envoy of Sharlayan—and this is my personal assistant, Yiune Watson. I accept your case at the behest of my brother and the Warrior of Light, Syndrei.”

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #sora holmes case files #muse; argent #muse; noir #sora holmes #yiune watson #laniaitte de haillenarte #emmanellain de fortemps #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2023 #-- sherlock holmes

[isorawrites]

THE HOWLING BARK

Knowing him, I’m sure Inspector Briardien would be most delighted to accept your case and solve such an intriguing mystery for a fellow countryman. Alas, the inspector is still in Thavnair, where he was last sighted with a certain gentleman of light. He did recommended someone who might be equally interested, though Ser Briardien didn’t sound particularly thrilled about this person.

Lady Laniaitte de Haillenarte of the Rose Knights is a practical commander who does not believe in unfounded rumors of the largely peaceful Sea of Clouds. She has even less patience to deal with a certain young lord of another high house, whom she does not reciprocate his one-sided feelings for her. Until the appearance of a mysterious destroyer-class airship that can make the Void Ark a run for its money.

THIS WORK FEATURES DARK AND MATURE THEMES. See chapters for content warning details.

SERIES: [ Sora Holmes Case Files ]

STATUS: Ongoing. LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

VERSE: AU—Sherlock Holmes.

GENRES: Crossover, Adventure, Mystery, Dark Humor.

SHIPS: Sora/Yiune, Laniaitte & Emmanellain.

MUSES: Sora Holmes, Yiune Watson.

NPC: Laniaitte de Haillenarte, Emmanellain de Fortemps.

CHAPTERS.

[ The Envoy from Old Sharlayan ] — ENVOY.

[ A Tall Tale Revealed ] — BARK.

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

DISCLAIMERS.

SHERLOCK HOLMES CREATED BY ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE. FINAL FANTASY XIV © SQUARE ENIX. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

#isorawrites #sora holmes case files #muse; argent #muse; noir #sora holmes #yiune watson #laniaitte de haillenarte #emmanellain de fortemps #status; ongoing #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2023 #-- sherlock holmes

[isorawrites]

LOVE IS IN THE AIR — 03

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SERIES: [ FFXIV: Chronogenesis » Tales from the Carnivals ]

MUSE: Sora Amariyo. NPC: Khloe Aliapoh, T’kebbe Morh.

03 — Idyllshire | Dravanian Hinterlands.

ET 6:00 PM

It was a curious sight to see the usually quiet orphanage bustling with people; the interior was wildly decorated with lights and children’s colorful handicrafts, and the tables filled with a mouth-watering feast.

“Miss Sora!” One of the orphans, T’kebbe Morh, when she spotted them trying to sneak out of the party. “You really came!”

“Uh… yeah.” Frowning slightly at the honorific used to address them, Sora made a mental note to polish their stealth skills when they return to Limsa Lominsa.

The young Miqo’te girl’s attention quickly turned to the gift box they had left behind under the indoor cedar tree. “Oh, you got presents for us? I wonder what’s inside!” Without further ado, she pounced on the box and began to untangle the ribbons with her deft fingers, which was a sharp contrast to the clumsiness of the Aliapoh sisters. With her wide eyes shining with excitement, she put a hand into the opened box. “Oh, what’s this? It feels soft and fluffy… Oh!”

“Happy Starlight… I guess? There are enough for all the children here.”

Sora wasn’t sure if T’kebbe heard what they had just said as she squealed in delight at the stuffed Namazu, literally squashing the toy with a fierce hug. “Aww, this is really cute! Thank you very much, Miss Sora! I’ll cherish it forever!”

“Not so fast, T’kebbe!”

Turning around, Sora raised an eyebrow at Khloe Aliapoh, with her hands on her hips as she spoke up with an indignant tone. “We can’t just accept Miss Sora’s kindness for free without giving something in return!”

“It’s alri—” Before they could politely decline the offer, Khloe had pushed a package into their hands.

“Pretty please!”

With a shrug, Sora accepted it as they were told. The earnestness on the girls’ faces were unsettling, and Sora found themselves praying hard, desperately hoping the gift wasn’t something over the top that could give their annoying stalker, Juno, another excuse to torment them about their many personal dilemmas. Unwrapping the clumsily tied ribbons, they put a hand into the package, and their fingers felt something silky to the touch. Their heart beat harder and faster in their chest as they slowly pulled out the mysterious present, and they raised an eyebrow when they realized what it was.

Sora spread out a lovely white gown that would blend well with their already pale complexion, adorned with soft feathers along the breastplate. It was certainly beautiful, and they turned to the girls with a questioning look, wondering how in seven hells they could manage to get their hands on something like this.

“It’s a trade secret,” Khloe boasted jokingly; then she laughed, albeit with a sheepish look. “We went to Miss Rowena for advice when she came around to check on us on a rare visit, and she was happy to help us out, saying that she was also grateful to your service for the House of Splendors. The base dress is from her—I don’t know where she got this from, actually—and we add the feathers to the front. T’kebbe is really good with weaving! Well, she’s always great with her hands!”

It was a good thing Sora decided not to comment on their crafting abilities. Even if they were a straightforward and blunt person who was capable of terrorizing the Namazus to obedience, they weren’t completely tactless to spoil the occasion for the children who had been looking forward to the event for a long time. The eager looks on the young faces around them made Sora gulp nervously.

“You will wear it now, won’t you?” Khloe begged; Sora had to glance away to stop themselves from getting swallowed by her big, sparkling eyes. “I know you will look gorgeous in this—like the angel you are who has brought hope and happiness to all of us here!”

Although very much reluctant, they closed their eyes and chose to give into the selfish but innocent wants of these kids.

Maybe, just maybe, I’ll be a lady to preserve their smiles for tonight.

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #ffxiv chronogenesis #tales from the carnivals #muse; argent #sora amariyo #khloe aliapoh #-- seasonal event #-- starlight celebration

[isorawrites]

LOVE IS IN THE AIR — 02

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SERIES: [ FFXIV: Chronogenesis » Tales from the Carnivals ]

MUSE: Sora Amariyo. NPC: Seigetsu the Enlightened.

02 — The Azim Steppe.

ET 8:00 AM

The warm weather and clear sky of Othard were a welcome change from the bleak coldness of Ishgard.

As Sora watched Shiro frolicking across the grassland, they couldn’t help feeling a pang of complication as they glanced around the Azim Steppe. Here was the homeland to their race, the Xaela tribes, and it was said to be where their kind originated from according to the legends—if only they were an Eorzean Xaela.

Sora wasn’t sure if they truly belonged here; nevertheless, it was fascinating to learn about them when they passed by the Far East highlands during one of their adventures. They would have liked to learn more about their race from their original home, but nothing was left except a gaping void, leaving them as the lone survivor of a world best left forgotten. Their lips tightened at the gnawing fear of the hazy memories of their past fading away and forgetting their true roots with each passing time, then they shook their head to clear their clouded mind.

While the Xaelas were interesting, the Namazus were a completely different matter.

“Yes, yes, we can complete your order on time if Gyoshin can keep his wits together,” Seigetsu the Enlightened scoffed and he sneered at his companion, which was amplified by his narrowed gaze. “In fact, we’re very grateful for you to come to us with this offer, Miss—I mean, Mister Sora. For our kind to be finally recognized and respected, the new era for the Namazus has come!”

“…Pleasure.” But first, you should really deflate that insufferable ego.

Luckily for Sora, Seigetsu couldn’t read the dark thoughts in their mind, and so he went on, “However, we also have a favor to ask of you.”

Here we go again.

“Can you go to Dawn Throne and collect, well, what’s-his-whiskers? The Nervous Namazu whom I don’t bother to recall his name.”

ET 8:07 AM

It nearly took seven minutes of flying around to find the Namazu lying in the moat surrounding the Oronir tribe’s current residence, half dying and all ready to be served as food.

“O-Oh, it’s you. T-Thank the Big Ones, yes… yes.”

“For Hydaelyn’s bloody sake, get up already.”

“N-No, no,” he stammered, still twitching with glazed eyes in the water. “I-I can’t feel my fins anymore. I… don’t even know which way is up, too.”

Rolling their eyes at the ridiculousness, Sora went down and stuffed the Namazu into the chocobo saddlebag.

“P-Please, please be gentle!”

“If you don’t shut up, I’ll roast you here and now. I still haven’t eaten my breakfast yet.”

And that silenced the squirming bag for the rest of the trip back to the Namazus’ festive stronghold, Dhoro Iloh.

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #ffxiv chronogenesis #tales from the carnivals #muse; argent #sora amariyo #-- seasonal event #-- starlight celebration

[isorawrites]

LOVE IS IN THE AIR — 01

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SERIES: [ FFXIV: Chronogenesis » Tales from the Carnivals ]

MUSE: Sora Amariyo. NPC: Zhloe Aliapoh (mentioned).

01 — Coerthas Western Highlands.

ET 11:00 PM

“Dashing through the snow On a singing chocobo Under the starlight Grinning with delight—”

“Shut up, Juno.”

No one in their right mind would be out on a night raging with a snowstorm, arguing over petty things at the top of the rocky Twinpools mountains. No one, except a trio of the oddest companions you wouldn’t usually find across Eorzea, all of whom shared similar paleness that could blend in with the whitewashed scenery.

If only they weren’t too busy bickering with each other to enjoy the winter wonderland.

The singer was a wind-up minion in the likeness of the Queen of Shadows, Scathach, with an air of haughtiness that didn’t diminish with its miniature size. The subject of its merry song was a snow-white chocobo that failed to camouflage into the background with its bright red barding, reminiscent of the one given out at the Starlight event in Gridania a few days ago. The leader of the trio, a female Xaela in tuxedo with a monocle eyepiece that didn’t quite suit her, snatched the minion off the air and threw it violently at the icy ground.

“K-Kweh.”

The chocobo shuddered, nudging the Auri girl gently with its beak before moving in closer, ruffling its feathers against her. It clearly didn’t like to be out in the cold, and it wanted to snuggle up to its owner for warmth. The Xaela then turned her attention to the chocobo, ignoring the spluttering wind-up Scathach that finally poked its head out of the snow.

“Come on, you’d never know if you didn’t try! Shiro would make a fine addition to the Chocobo Choir and we’ll have the gils rolling in no time!”

“You only want me to ditch Shiro for the money. Not happening.”

Sora Amariyo gave Juno the talking-toy Scathach a death glare, then she—they—pulled out a letter from their pocket. They could recall the frantic delivery moogle that dragged itself across the stone ground at Falcon’s Nest to pass the juice-stained envelope to them. They also felt a little sorry for scaring the poor fellow when it called them ma’am because of their physical gender. Sighing, they glanced down at the yellowing paper to read its contents for the third time today.

Dearest Sora, How are you? It has been almost a year since the last time you visited the children at Menphina’s Arms. They really missed you—and I miss you, too. The stories of your grand adventures keep them in high spirits while you bring back collectibles and gils to the orphanage. We’re literally thriving here! I can’t thank you enough for all your help—now I don’t have to break my teeth on the frozen pineapple pudding I’ve been trying to save for weeks, and I can share them with the other kids too! Can’t wait to see you soon! With lots of love, Zhloe P.S. Khloe misses you so much that she can’t stop talking about you over dinner every evening!

Sora shook their head, but not without breaking a small smile at the thought of the upbeat (albeit scatterbrained) Miqo’te trying her best for the orphans of Idyllshire to repay the kindness she had received as a child. They didn’t want to admit that they empathized with her cause; they had a similar past, though with more complications they didn’t like to babble to strangers. Unlike Zhloe Aliapoh, their late foster mother, I’suca Amariyo, wasn’t exactly a caring person; they still wondered from time to time what her true agenda was when she saved them as an infant fifteen summers ago.

Tucking the letter into their pocket, they glanced up at the night sky. A hint of disappointment flashed across their face; they wouldn't catch the aurora lights tonight with the snowstorm roaring around them. They shrugged, hopping onto Shiro’s back with a determined look.

“Alright buddy, it’s time for work.”

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #ffxiv chronogenesis #tales from the carnivals #muse; argent #sora amariyo #-- seasonal event #-- starlight celebration

[isorawrites]

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Starlight has descended upon the snow-covered Eorzea, and it’s the time of the year once more to to bring joy to everyone— Including the less fortunate children waiting for a certain surprise…

SERIES: [ FFXIV: Chronogenesis » Tales from the Carnivals ]

STATUS: Complete. LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

VERSE: Event—Starlight Celebration (2019).

GENRES: Gift Fic, Seasonal, Fluff.

SHIP: None. MUSE: Sora Amariyo.

NPC: Zhloe & Khloe Aliapoh, Seigetsu the Enlightened, T’kebbe Morh.

GIFT EXCHANGE WITH MYURI NOHN (TONBERRY).

HOST: [Discord] Elemental Roeplay.

EVENT: Secret Santa Exchange 2019.

THEME: Starlight, starbright.

CHAPTERS.

[ Coerthas Western Highlands ]

[ The Azim Steppe ]

[ Idyllshire—Dravanian Hinterlands ]

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

DISCLAIMERS.

FINAL FANTASY XIV © SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

#isorawrites #isoraswaps #ffxiv chronogenesis #tales from the carnivals #muse; argent #sora amariyo #status; complete #-- for; myuri nohn #-- seasonal event #-- starlight celebration

[isorawrites]

[S]INS OF ORIGIN — record.04

THIS WORK FEATURES DARK AND MATURE THEMES. CW — mentioned human experimentation.

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 ] EXTRAS: [ 01 | 02 ]

SERIES: [ YoRHa: Dark Aftermath ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SHIP: None. MUSE: 3B (Sora). NPC: 2B (mentioned), 9S (mentioned).

record.04 — re;solve.

[ BGM: City Ruins (Rays of Light) | NieR: Automata OST ]

“Come, let us head towards the unknown.”

How long has it been?

This time, when they opened their eyes, they weren’t greeted by the aftermath of a violent encounter. Nor were they trapped in a cycle of endless destruction.

Am I finally free?

The control center appeared to be operational: screens were pulsating with lights, and the chaotic beeping from digital keyboards could be heard even at the entrance. The mystery deepened when they realized that nobody was in the room. While most parts of the place were covered in a thick layer of dust, some disturbances could be found around the main switches. Recent disturbances.

How strange, they mused as they continued to look around for more clues. Their visor didn’t pick up anything unusual: no vital signs, no hidden dangers… nothing. The Bunker was empty ever since they came; a rough estimate of its abandonment could be inferred from the level of decay around the facility.

Whoever their well-hidden guest was, perhaps the answer could be found among the flashing screens.

They hacked into one of the computers—a simple task, really, when these programs were outdated and therefore vulnerable to security breaches. They reached a folder in the depths of this untapped information trove: an archive where previous data versions were stored for future access.

The more they gleaned the unlocked files, the more horrified they were at the truth presented before them.

“Project Noah,” they echoed as they read the archive. A plan devised by YoRHa to collect and copy data of life forms on this world—called ‘Norvrandt’—to save their original home planet, the Earth. They sent out their finest androids, 2B and 9S, to gather intelligence for analysis and further studies. To achieve their goal, they kidnapped innocent people for human experimentation, eventually using the species on Norvrandt to create a new series of hybrid androids, effectively replacing the existing YoRHa base models in their arsenal. At this time, corruption was found in 2B and 9S, which branded them as failures and they were promptly dismissed from service.

“Number 3 and Number 7,” they murmured when they opened another folder. The new series were indeed far more superior than 2B and 9S in many ways—they were stronger, faster, and better adapted to the everlasting light of Norvrandt. However, the success came with an unexpected flaw: they were too powerful to be properly controlled. A certain incident forced the organization to abandon the project… and the Bunker, altogether.

“The Purge,” they read off the file with raised eyebrows—that was the final report recorded in the archive. The name of the incident left much to wonder: what exactly happened? What compelled YoRHa to leave this base in such a hurry?

Unable to find further records that could shed more light on the Purge, they retraced their steps and paused at two familiar names. “2B and 9S,” the syllabuses struck a chord with them this time—they recalled the memories extracted from a black box some time ago. One that belonged to a 2B clone back in the Copied Factory, whose purpose was to keep fighting, to keep killing…

“3B,” the answer left their lips with a harsh whisper. “That’s my designation—my name. I am 3B. And I am…”

A product of 2B’s combat data with the biometrics of a draconian—a hybrid race on Norvrandt.

“I am…”

A superior being born to replace our flawed predecessors.

“I… am…”

The start of a New Order to rebuild humanity.

“I…”

The shining beacon for the Glory of Mankind.

With a scream of fury, 3B smashed the computer with their bayonet. Instead of silencing the voice in their head, it continued to haunt them with ominous giggling.

“I am not a bringer of death,” they spat at the broken controls with venom. “I won’t let you decide my life.”

With rekindled determination, 3B made their way to a terminal in the center of the control room. A low rumble spread through the ground, and a backdoor revealed itself on the huge projection screen before them.

“This is my story. And I will continue to exist out of my own will.”

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #yorha dark aftermath #muse; argent #sora; yorha 3b #yorha 2b #yorha 9s #-- yorha dark apocalypse #-- nier automata #-- shadowbringers

[isorawrites]

[S]INS OF ORIGIN — record.03

THIS WORK FEATURES DARK AND MATURE THEMES. CW — gaslighting, suggestive scenes, murder-suicide.

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 ] EXTRAS: [ 01 | 02 ]

SERIES: [ YoRHa: Dark Aftermath ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SHIP: 2B/9S. MUSE: 3B (Sora). NPC: 2B, 9S.

record.03 — re;call.

[ BGM: Voice of No Return (Piano) | NieR: Automata Piano Collection ]

“The truth, is never beautiful.”

How long has it been?

The Copied Factory was devoid of life: years of abandonment had left the facility in shambles. The spiraling structure had lost its former ominous presence; it was now covered in rust and dust, falling apart beam by beam in silence.

Every time they tried to recall something—anything at all, the only answer they’d receive was an excruciating headache. Memories of their past were nothing more than a hazy blur in their mind’s eye.

So many questions… but where to begin?

Beyond the dusty mist of a decaying Engel, they continued down a path that led to a deserted wasteland in eternal midday. The Puppets’ Bunker was no different from the factory: lifeless and silent, its white walls rotting away under the everlasting light of Kholusia.

Pulling out a black box from their dress pocket, they activated the device with a gentle squeeze. It sprung to life with a squeak, and the glowing glyph that floated around the box formed an arrow pointing to the ground.

Perhaps the truth they were seeking could be found beneath the shifting dunes.

Down the pipes and through the overarching hangar, they stopped short before a curious signage. “…2B,” they echoed the symbols on the door, then they raised the device to unlock the Pandora's Box before them.

The door slid open and revealed a simple, minimalistic room. It was enclosed by pristine white walls with no windows, except for a holographic screen along the short corridor, which led to a Hume-sized bed around the bend. At this point, the black box began to squirm in their palm. It slipped out of their hand and landed on the bed with a bounce, then the glyph scattered themselves around the room, before the device spoke for the first time with a feminine voice, [ Playback function detected. Extracting memory files… ]

The strange symbols expanded into many ghostly figures of 2B, which filled the lifeless space with hollow vitality. However, two holograms on the bed piqued their attention, as one of them appeared to be a different android model.

“…9S,” the disembodied voice of 2B said to her boyish companion. “Are you sure about this?” She glanced down at her own trembling hands, which flickered in the glaring fluorescent lights. “Can we really break this cycle of destruction once and for all?”

“2B.” The boyish android smiled as he placed a hand on the shoulder of his distressed friend. “The truth is… I don’t know.” He shifted closer to 2B, their masked faces now barely an ilm apart, and he kissed the surprised girl. “We just have to try, no matter how impossible it seems.”

As the arms of the enamored pair entwined, 9S whispered into 2B’s ear. “Don’t we all wonder: what is love?” Then he chuckled when his partner let out a soft gasp. “If we’re nothing more than gods’ creations, then what is the nature of our relationship? What is this feeling that we have for each other?”

“Don’t… go any further. Or I’ll have to… kill you.”

“Is that your true calling?” 9S showed no signs of stopping. “To do as you were programmed initially, or to follow your intuition from learned experience so far?”

2B stopped struggling and fell silent for a moment. She looked away and spoke in an emotionless voice, “We cannot become gods. You know that. We obey… or be destroyed.”

“Do you truly believe in that?” 9S chided as he removed his visor, his light blue eyes locked onto 2B with amusement. “I have seen your memories of me—all of them. I may not fully understand your pain, but even I can see what you desire most.” He then removed 2B’s blindfold, turning her head gently so that they were making eye contact. “Do you really want to kill me again? For eternity?”

“Nines, I…” Another kiss drowned the rest of her words; she pushed her companion away and regarded him with uncertainty. “We are created beings. We cannot reproduce like real humans. We can never become like them, no matter how hard we try.”

“What if… there’s a way?”

2B narrowed her gray eyes at her grinning partner.

“Our original world was already dying when the humans sent us there to take it back for them,” 9S explained. “But this strange land we’re in now is different. It’s still filled with life.” Then he pushed 2B down to the bed.

“We fight for no one. Not for the humans, not against the machines. We fight for ourselves.”

2B raised her hands to caress her partner’s face, then she clamped them around his neck, choking him. “You are not the Nines I know. Who are you?”

The holograms began to blur, and their voices became fuzzy with static. 9S had plunged a dagger through 2B’s chest.

“We are nobodies, you and I both. We are nothing more than stepping stones to pave way for a new order.”

“You—”

“Have you seen the new 7S model? He is taller, faster… and prettier than I could ever be.” 9S laughed with a maniacal glint in his eyes. “We are too weak, too useless for this new world. They are going to replace us.” He coughed when 2B tightened her grip around his neck. Then he smiled, with sadness lacing his strained voice.

“If you and I were to have a child together… they’d probably look just like 3B.”

All the holographic figures around the room began to fade away. Then the black box spluttered before it disintegrated into powdered dust.

3B slumped onto the cold, hard floor at the revelation so far. They raised their hands and clutched their horned ears in confusion.

What… am I?

For what purpose do I exist?

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #yorha dark aftermath #muse; argent #sora; yorha 3b #yorha 2b #yorha 9s #-- yorha dark apocalypse #-- nier automata #-- shadowbringers

[isorawrites]

[S]INS OF ORIGIN — record.02

THIS WORK FEATURES DARK AND MATURE THEMES. CW — violence, slight language.

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 ] EXTRAS: [ 01 | 02 ]

SERIES: [ YoRHa: Dark Aftermath ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SHIP: None. MUSE: 3B (Sora). NPC: 2B, Pod 042, Pod 153.

record.02 — re;wind.

[ BGM: Bipolar Nightmare (Piano) | NieR: Automata Piano Collection ]

“Survival, is only for the strongest.”

How long has it been?

[ Mock simulation, no. 16942. Final wave. Commencing battle. ]

One by one, the fallen 2B clones got to their feet and collectively lunged for an android with dark horns and dragon-like scales. One by one, they were slain by said android and fell down to the ground, still and silent once more.

[ Mock simulation, no. 16942. All stages complete. Well done, 3B. ]

How long must I do this?

The android called 3B grimaced at the wreckage around them as they sheathed their silver-white bayonet behind their exposed back. Looking up at an unassuming pod floating above their head, they asked with slight breathlessness, “…When will this end?”

The pod lowered itself to 3B’s eye level, buzzing with static as it regarded the questioning android with its blank face. [ —When the time comes, you will know. ]

“…And when will that be?”

The static noise grew louder for a moment; finally, the pod replied in a clear, deadpan tone. [ Mock simulation, no. 16943. Download complete. Get ready to recommence battle. ]

“…Affirmative.”

In a flash of white, 3B sliced the pod into half with their blade. Security alarms blared throughout the facility; blinking lights painted the walls with a blood-red hue. Knowing that they didn’t have much time to secure an escape route, 3B reassessed their current situation.

They cracked open one of the motionless 2B clones and extracted a black box. With a disgusted grunt, they pocketed the device and fled the scene, bursting through every obstacle thrown in their way with their bayonet. Everything felt like a blur to 3B—of blade meeting metal, and fire meeting glass. Leaving naught but destruction in their wake, 3B made a beeline for the door to their unexpected freedom…

However, the factory had a different plan for them. [ Self-destruction sequence activated. Executing in 5… ]

“Shit,” 3B hissed under their breath in annoyance, plucking a black pod from their thigh before they smashed it against the wall.

[ 4… ]

They flung a headless 2B clone that got in their way down the stairs.

[ 3… ]

They loaded their bayonet with charged bullets, sending an army of disfigured sentinels flying with a deafening boom.

[ 2… ]

I won’t make it in time.

[ 1… ]

3B hacked at the factory door with a bloodcurdling scream, but the smoking bayonet only scraped the rust off the sturdy metal.

[ …For the Glory of Mankind. ]

To hell with gods.

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #yorha dark aftermath #muse; argent #sora; yorha 3b #yorha 2b #-- yorha dark apocalypse #-- nier automata #-- shadowbringers

[isorawrites]

[S]INS OF ORIGIN — record.01

THIS WORK FEATURES DARK AND MATURE THEMES. CW — aftermath of violence.

CHAPTERS: [ 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 ] EXTRAS: [ 01 | 02 ]

SERIES: [ YoRHa: Dark Aftermath ] LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

SHIP: None. MUSE: 3B (Sora). NPC: 2B.

record.01 — re;born.

[ BGM: Alien Manifestation | NieR: Automata OST ]

“Here, was where my story had begun.”

How long has it been?

They wobbled to their feet from the cold, rusty ground, then they glanced around them with uncertainty. Their visor whirled softly as it began to identify the objects around them, so as to make some sense of their situation.

How many times has this happened?

Each time that their visor had flickered to life, they were always greeted by the same scene: dead bodies everywhere in a dust-filled room illuminated by the sunlight shining through the wall cracks. Remnants of 2B copies scattered around them, their silent frames twisted and maimed beyond repair, in what seemed to be the aftermath of a violent fight.

What exactly had happened here?

They looked down and examined themselves. Not a scratch could be seen on their clean, silky dress. Not a chip could be found on their well-polished blade. Yet, they felt a rush of blood in their veins—of an unspoken thrill that was etched into their body, but not in their mind.

…Did I kill them all?

Stepping over the broken 2B corpses, they made their way to the automatic door, which led them out to the sprawling, metallic labyrinth of an imposing architecture. A factory of sorts.

Where am I?

…Who am I?

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #yorha dark aftermath #muse; argent #sora; yorha 3b #yorha 2b #-- yorha dark apocalypse #-- nier automata #-- shadowbringers

[isorawrites]

YORHA: DARK AFTERMATH

I was created with blood on my hands. I was born from the death of innocent lives. To rewrite the cruel fate that awaits me, I will fight till the bitter end… Towards a future I know not.

YoRHa: Dark Aftermath is a miniseries based on “YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse”, a 24-player alliance raid trilogy introduced in Shadowbringers, the fifth expansion of Final Fantasy XIV. The premise of the questline is based on the 2017 action RPG, NieR: Automata. The creative team behind the NieR series—director and writer Yoko Taro, and composer Keiichi Okabe—were invited as guest collaborators.

This project features multi-genre writing with experimental styles that are used to portray the chaotic inner worlds of various characters in the story. As the canon questline is fairly short and compact, this miniseries aims to expand on the existing lore further through references from NieR and its predecessor, Drakengard. Original ideas exploring what-if scenarios are also included, paying homage to the multiple ending routes in the NieR games.

THIS PROJECT FEATURES DARK AND MATURE THEMES. All three games—Final Fantasy XIV, NieR: Automata, and Drakengard 3—contain some adult references. See respective works for details.

TAGS: [ yorha dark aftermath ] LINKS: [ Wiki | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

STATUS: Ongoing. LATEST: [ file.01: [S]ins of origin | record.04 ]

VERSE: YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse (AU—NieR: Automata).

GENRES: Miniseries, Experimental, Photostory, Epistolary, Poetry.

SHIPS: 2B/9S.

MUSES: 3B (Sora), 7S (Yiuno), A3 (Yiuna).

NPC: 2B, 9S, Pod 042, Pod 153, Engel.

SERIES.

FILES [ 01 | [S]ins of origin ] [ 02 | oaths of [A]tonement ]

ARCHIVES [ 01 | weight [O]ff the world ]

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

DISCLAIMERS.

NIER: AUTOMATA © PLATINUMGAMES | SQUARE ENIX. FINAL FANTASY XIV © SQUARE ENIX. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

#isorawrites #yorha dark aftermath #muse; argent #muse; noir #sora; yorha 3b #yiuno; yorha 7s #yiuna; yorha a3 #yorha 2b #yorha 9s #status; ongoing #-- yorha dark apocalypse #-- nier automata #-- shadowbringers

[isorawrites]

WEIGHT [O]FF THE WORLD

Far away from the mining pits in Kholusia, There’s an abandoned factory among the rocky ruins. With the seal to its entrance now broken, Machine lifeforms wake up from their slumber…

SERIES: [ YoRHa: Dark Aftermath ]

STATUS: Complete. LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

VERSE: YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse (AU—NieR: Automata).

GENRES: Crossover, Poetry, Photostory, Alternate Reality.

SHIP: None. MUSE: 7S (Yiuno). NPC: Engel.

[ BGM: Weight of the World (the End of YoRHa) | NieR: Automata OST ]

01.

The sun rises to a new chapter Casting long shadows across the borderlands From the depths of the forgotten ruins The Copied Factory stands tall and alone

02.

Metallic noises clashing with nature’s silence A paradox repeating like no tomorrow Foreboding as the path ahead may seem The light’s warmth continues to push me on

03.

Waves after waves of automatons Rounds after rounds of explosions I refuse to stop for just one second For I can feel it—the end is near

04.

With every step closer to the origin The thrill of my blade meeting machines Lights glowing redder, blinking faster… Until everything stands still again

05.

A moment’s respite In the dim hubris The gears of fate whirl To the beginning of despair

06.

Bursting out of the darkness Tumbling into the falling snowscape Engine steams turning into white dust With the Angel of Destruction before me

07.

A fierce battle ensues Of blade clashing metal Ice shattering at the final blow Revealing a lonely, dying soul

08.

Restlessness echoing through the wasteland Earth rumbling, clouds rolling What’s beyond the swirling mist, I do not know All I hear is the bloodlust calling out to me

09.

I may be only one person But I’ll keep believing This weight on my shoulders Will lift off like birds in the sky

AUTHOR’S NOTE.

This work is based on the visuals in The Copied Factory, the first alliance raid in the ��YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse” questline released in Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers.

Another source of inspiration comes from “Weight of the World”, a song originally used in NieR: Automata, composed by Keiichi Okabe. In the original soundtrack, there are four different versions of this piece:

“Weight of the World／English”, featuring J’Nique Nicole as the vocalist.

“Weight of the World／壊レタ世界ノ歌”, featuring the vocals of Marina Kawano.

“Weight of the World／Nouveau-FR Version”, sung by Emi Evans in Chaos Language.

“Weight of the World／the End of YoRHa”, a remix of the three versions above with a prelude in 8-bit format.

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #isorapoetica #yorha dark aftermath #muse; noir #yiuno; yorha 7s #status; complete #-- yorha dark apocalypse #-- nier automata #-- shadowbringers

[isorawrites]

THE END OF WORLDS

At the edge of the universe, stories of the stars are waiting to be told. Following the trail of broken records left behind by a mysterious little bird, a lone adventurer traverses the worlds to collect these fragments of forgotten tales…

THIS WORK FEATURES DARK AND MATURE THEMES. CW — nihilism, war, death, implied suicide.

SERIES: [ FFXIV: Chronogenesis » Tales of the Unknown ]

STATUS: Complete. LINKS: [ Tumblr | AO3 | Ko-fi ]

VERSE: 7th Astral Era—Endwalker.

GENRES: Epistolary, Photostory, Alternate History.

SHIP: None. MUSE: Yiuno Reine. NPC: Meteia (implied).

[ BGM: Of Countless Stars | The Dead Ends | Endwalker Dungeon Theme ]

ONE.

“The seas were blue, and our lands were fertile. A paradise we called home—until the miasma came. It grew within us and spread among us, killing us all, inside and out. We tried everything we could to overcome this pandemic, but why live on… when there’s nothing left except despair?”

TWO.

“We thought all hopes were lost. We waited for Death’s sweet embrace to end our suffering once and for all. One day, a light suddenly appeared before us, showing us a way to salvation. Except there was nothing left to save… only a world rotting away in dead silence.”

THREE.

“Beyond the light, lay yet another world on the brink of destruction. A place where ‘peace’ ruled above all else—in exchange for freedom. That wasn’t peace, but total oppression. So we rose up and fought: rights versus ideals, men against machines… Our home was set ablaze, its red-hot trails dividing our lands into charred remnants beyond recognition. Where was the world we had sworn to protect?”

FOUR.

“The war waged on, and on… and on. Where was the peace, when the Keepers of Peace turned on us? There was naught but the reality crumbling around us. Where was the freedom, when nothing was left but ashes and fire? It was too late when we finally found our answer… with our last dying breath.”

FIVE.

“We sought an ideal world—a utopia of eternal happiness. We shed our sorrow and anger, so that we could feel joy forever… but the hollowness in our hearts grew bigger and bigger, until the gaping hole was filled with despair. Then we realized: our paradise was no more. We did not attain the Heaven we seek; instead, we had created Hell.”

SIX.

“We marched to the altar and cried our final plea to the heavens: bring salvation to us all. Free us from this walking death. We offer our lives to end this world… so that no one will suffer anymore. Undo our sinful creations and return the land to where it begins. Have mercy on us, Ra-la.”

If you like my work, please do

via my profile page — https://ko-fi.com/whyraven.☕ Thank you very much for your continuous support !!

#isorawrites #ffxiv chronogenesis #tales of the unknown #muse; noir #yiuno reine #status; complete #-- endwalker