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the-dragons-knight · 2 years

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FFXIV Write 2022

Prompt #7 - Midgardsormr Watches

Pawn - ‘someone who is used or manipulated to further another person's purposes’

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How could she not see?

They were using her for her strength and in turn they were being used by another. A chain of deceit as man’s greed and lust for power made him turn against his fellow man and use him as a ladder to climb ever higher. Such was the way of these mortals he knew. For the centuries he had lived on this star, ever was it the same.

She had struck him differently the day she had come to where his old corpse was still wrapped around that Garlean vessel. She was the first to show respect and reverence, and it had thoroughly shocked him. No mortal had had so much courage to stand firm and speak to him let alone speak as “equals”. How his curiousity had been peeked, and when his lost child apeared around her as aether, he knew.

“Oh Raihogg, my child…”

Midgardsormr knew what path his son had chosen and knew of his fate. His soul forever bound to the necklace this miqo’te woman wore, and his soul falling silent over the years. He still mourned for her then, that mortal woman who had saved him as he had saved her and her people. Oh beloved child…

If what she said was true, then his son had chosen her. She did not force his power to emerge, but rather he had moved to protect her himself. Mortal words only spoke so far with him as he had seen what they often meant. A dragon’s word held far more weight.

And so Midgardsormr had chosen to listen.

The little Father of Dragons watched from the shadows as she was given another mission, carefully eyeing the men and women in the royal blue uniforms as they spoke with her and a young elezen with white hair. He had seen what she had not, overheard the whisperings of the coup that soon would unfold. It was well hidden from sight, yes, but he had seen it. And yet, he said nothing. The quarrels of men were not his to fight and so he would not intervene or speak on them either. Though he could not deny that something about this girl, this child, made him feel…almost protective. He pondered intervening here and there, something he truly had never entertained the thought of before save for when he and his hoard fought at Silvertear Lake, but he always restrained himself. Twould not do to say he was judging her worth and poweress for himself and then move in to help.

No, he would remain silent. He would remain in the shadows watching over her and his son. He would follow them on their journeys. He would know if she had the strength to realize the truth and see the traitors hiding in the darkness. He would see if she had the knowledge to find the truth of her past. Only then would he share what he knew. Share the truth of the histories man and dragon shared.

For now, he would watch this game of power and people play out, and he would see how the pieces landed.

All while he silently prayed for this mortal…Katsum’s…and his son’s safety.

#ffxiv #katsum almor #midgardsormr #warrior of light #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv writing #ffxiv writing challenge #a realm reborn #a realm reborn msq spoilers #miqo'te #paladin #final fantasy xiv oc #ffxivwrite2022

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the-dragons-knight · 3 years

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FFXIV Write 2021

Prompt #4 - The Queen of Draic

Baleful - ‘menacing; threatening harm’

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(Used some in game cutscene text for this one just cause it writes the scene so well and sets up my idea so perectly)

Silence swallowed the room with the weight of Emperor Varis’s words. The Garlean Empire was created from the beginning by Ascians, and in truth, Katsum could not say she was surprised with the chaos the Garleans had always created, the pain and suffering they had caused based on her childhood memories alone. She felt the hand holding hers under the table tighten slightly as Aymeric felt her body tense through her fingers. Hien had been gracious enough to let her dear husband sit beside her, and she was glad that he had for there were a few times that Varis had targeted Aymeric’s and Ishgard’s sorrows specifically and it had only been his quick catch of her hand that kept the seeker from launching herself over the table. She took a long breath and squeezed his hand gently in response.

“Your ‘prize’ is a lie. It would be foolish to even wonder if you would have the upper hand in such an agreement. We would all die before peace is even a thought.” She answered, a bit to her tone as she scowled at him. Again she felt Aymeric’s fingers squeeze her a bit, and she felt his heartbeat quicken with worry.

The Emperor stood then, and spoke with a strange kind of fervor, “I come not to conquer but to liberate—to free man from the prison of divergence. Imagine a world united, and one perfect race beneath a single standard! We would be masters of our own fate! We would be far too strong for the servants of Darkness and Light to dare trifle with!” He held out his hands and grinned smugly, insanely, “I bid you join me! Not as a subject of Garlemald, but of a new nation! And together we shall win true freedom for ourselves and generations yet unborn!”

Silence returned for a moment, just for a moment, and then Lyse jumped to her feet, slamming her hands down on the table, “You want to trigger another half-dozen calamities!? You can’t be serious!”

“Have you forgotten how many died!?” Raubahn hissed, “There will be no one left!”

As he and Nanamo stood to their feet, so did Merlwyb, “Did you truly imagine we would aid you in your bloodletting?”

“It is unthinkable!” Katsum wasn’t sure she’d ever heard Kan-E-Senna raise her voice, but as she stood next to the other leader that had been there that day at Carteneau, it only made sense why. Alisaie looked to Lord Hien and Aymeric, and she and Hien stood to their feet. Katsum stayed seated as Aymeric let go of her hand to stand too, watching her out of the corner of his eye as she stayed still and stared angrily at Varis.

“And what of the other worlds? The ones we “rejoin”?” Alisaie finally broke her silence to shout, “Every calamity means you obliterate a star and every soul that dwells upon it!”

Varis frowned and grimaced in annoyance, “We are all but tiny specks in an indifferent universe. We cannot hope to oppose them until we have been made whole once more.”

“Odd, the same could be said about the many small countries and cities you forced under your rule in your…‘liberation’,” Katsum said softly, a clear edge to her voice.

He did not answer her.

Instead, Nanamo spoke then instead to fill the silence, “Are these truly the words of Garlemald’s ruler?” She did not give him the time to answer as she narrowed her gaze and continued, “The flaws which you so abhor are what make us who we are. Every nation─even yours, Emperor Varis─is made whole through the combination of these imperfections, the strengths of one compensating for the weaknesses of another. While it is true that man succumbs all too often to anger and avarice, he may yet overcome his baser instincts through the forming of bonds with others, fostering community and cooperation. That the protector of an empire should not only reject these fundamental truths but seek to change them at so dear a cost to life is indefensible,” She leaned forward and very nearly whispered, “Such a man is not fit to govern.”

The power in such words could shut out even Katsum herself she believed, and so Varis of course had naught to say to retort. He drew back to stand straight as a deep frown crossed his face, his eyes narrowed with the slightest hint of Katsum thought might be defeat. Then his gaze met her, “And you, Warrior of Light? Would you refuse me as well?”

Katsum was quiet, looking down to the table and closing her eyes as everyone else’s attention turned to her. Long had she carried this secret, keeping it safe from the knowledge of their enemy, but now, after these many long years, she was ready to bear her fangs.

“Tell me, Lord Varis, do you remember an island kingdom that your armies laid siege to some years ago? It was a small island that floated on the stormy seas of Sirensong, just to the east of Ul’dah’s shores. Do you know it?”

He tsked, “I remember some report of it, of mass destruction and nothing to gain from it. A waste of resources.”

Katsum’s fingers tightened into a fist, “A waste of resources…” She hissed this under her breath where only she and Aymeric heard before she continued, “Really? I thought you knew all of our histories and the flaws we sew into our nations.”

He growled, “Get to your point, girl.”

Katsum moved to slowly stand to her feet, feeling the eyes of the others as she stood tall and narrowed her sapphire gaze threateningly, “You call me ‘Warrior of Light’, ‘Defender of Eorzea’, ‘Liberator of Doma and Ala Mhigo’, and ‘Knightess of Ishgard’. All of these titles and more I now carry, but there is another title I have borne for far longer than any other. Do you know what it is?”

It seemed it took him a moment before his eyes widened, “You can’t be…”

“I am the Queen of Draic.”

Suddenly, the Draic necklace around her neck began glowing brightly, the eye of Raihogg burning into the red jewel. To the amazement of all, a deep rumble echoed behind her as she felt the dragon summoning his form, his wings spread out in his ghostly shade behind the other alliance members and hovered his head over Katsum’s like a shield, his glowing blue and golden eyes burning into Varis. The red dragon hissed lowly, making the emperor take a step back and his guards take a single step forward, but neither Katsum nor her dragon made a move to attack. The miqo’te stood tall as the confidence she had never known flowed into her veins. Still, she reached out her hand to the Elezen man beside her, wrapping her shaking fingers in his as he took her hand to ground herself and to keep her from going too far. He gently squeezed her fingers and it gave her the assurance that she needed.

“That ‘momentary’ island was my home and its people, my family. You reduced it to rubble for nothing and killed my people without remorse. Even now, you have no thought of sympathy,” She spat these words before she retracted and spoke sickeningly sweet, “Yet that is the past, right? A chapter for the history books, written and forgotten. Yet now you ask me as us to join this cause of yours, this movement of death and chaos and insanity. The same cause you forced upon my people,” Katsum’s eyes darkened angrily then, slightly baring her feline fangs as she hissed with her Dravanian companion, “If you truly believed we would join you in such madness, then you are far more a fool than you are a TYRANT!!”

Not so long ago, she would have denied this title and its weight, but at this moment, after so many years, finally the queen had come to rule.

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the-dragons-knight · 3 years

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FFXIV Write 2021

Prompt #15 - Conquering The Storm

Thunderous - ‘relating to or giving warning of thunder’

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The heavy feeling of charged energy made Katsum’s fur stand on end as the light falling rain pounded against her armor plating. The thunderous rumbling through the air around them excited her, and she held tightly to Raihogg’s scaled back as his wings fluttered to push them higher into the air, his glowing blue and yellow eyes locked on the storm clouds above them. He told her many times how he and Bridgette would fly into thunderstorms together, weaving through the strikes of lightning and bathing in the rain, and how he had adored those flights. The more he spoke of it, the more fascinated she became until finally, she asked to fly with him through one such storm.

He had hesitated for a moment and confessed, “Forgive my hesitation. I only fear I cannot keep you as safe as I could Bridgette as I am no longer living and breathing in my own body. For without the aether I draw from you and the necklace, you would be falling through the sky alone…”

Katsum had honestly been a little surprised by this answer, but she understood his meaning and it warmed her heart that he worried so. Still, she smiled at him and said, “Then let’s try a smaller storm first and go from there. You’ve gotten me so fascinated with the idea of flying through a storm I can scarcely forget about it so I would still like to try it one day if you’ll allow it.”

The great red dragon had thought for a moment before he nodded with a chuckle, “Ever as Bridgette was, haha. Very well, we shall soar through the thunder and conquer the storms together.”

And today was the day they would conquer the largest storm so far.

The skywatchers had spoken of a very large mass of thunder clouds hanging over the Black Shroud that was moving northward towards Dravania, a strange phenomenon as normally the storms moved away from the mountains, not towards them. This caught Katsum’s curiosity, and when she spoke of it to Raihogg, they both agreed that this would be the storm.

Thunder rolled in the distance as the sky grew darker as the clouds grew thicker, sparks of light flashing ahead of them. Katsum leaned close to the red dragon and shouted over the wind, “Are you ready for this, Rai?!”

The dragon glanced back at her with a small chuckle, “Am I ready? Art thou prepared is the better question. ‘Tis your aether after all.”

She rolled her eyes with a bright smile, her eyes wide with excitement as she looked at the cloud, “I am!!”

The dragon’s wings sliced through the air as he pushed them up into the air to gain a bit of speed, flying a bit higher than the clouds and out into the clear night sky above. Katsum shook the rain from her face and looked down at the flashing cloud below them, the rumbling thunder echoing without ceasing around them. Raihogg hummed and took a deep breath, “Hold fast to me and lean close. I’ll not have you become a lightning rod.”

Katsum lay down on his back, tightening her grip on his scales, yet she patted him softly as well, “You can do this, Raihogg. I believe in you.”

The great dragon chuckled again and smiled at her, “Thank you, Katsum.” She nodded and they turned their eyes to the cloud as Raihogg pushed his wings down and then folded them close as they began their dive into the heart of the storm, “Now let us fly!”

Katsum’s fingers tightened on his scales as the black clouds grew nearer and the heavy electricity in the air grew thicker. The miqo’te pressed herself lower against him as they breached the cloud, surrounded by nothing but blackness for a moment, yet when they broke through the other side, Katsum’s jaw dropped in wonder.

The hollowed insides of the storm cloud were filled with infinite lightning strikes, the streams of electricity striking every inch of the cloud and moving through it like living, breathing creatures swarming within their hive. Raihogg unfolded his wings to soar on the charged winds, his eyes following each strike closely as he dodged them. The knightess watched a charge of lightning flutter over them and hit the wall of the cloud, a stream of bright energy striking afterward and filling the trail the charge had left behind, “This is amazing!”

“Careful now, remember to stay—” Suddenly a charge shot down towards Katsum, and Raihogg shifted quickly to dodge it. Yet the charge would not be so easily shaken and struck the horns of his tail. Raihogg roared as the lightning streamed and Katsum braced for the pain she knew she would feel…yet it never came. Raihogg too seemed surprised as they both glanced back to see the horns of his tail now glowing red with energy, small sparks of lightning popping off of them. As if remembering some lost forgotten memory, Raihogg’s voice rumbled excitedly, “Ah yes….how could I forget. Hold fast to me, my queen. I shall show you how we shall conquer this storm!”

With a roar, Raihogg turned to charge as a bolt of lightning, slicing his wing through the energy so the charge struck the talons on the edge of his winged arm. The lightning flashed as the charge was absorbed into his horns and they too began to glow. He did the same with his other wing and with the horns on his head. His eyes glowed red he slowed and hovered in the middle of the cloud and sucked in a deep breath. Suddenly all the charges of the cloud changed course and shot towards them and Katsum ducked again as they struck his glowing horns. The sky grew dim as the electricity was drawn out of it and into Raihogg’s body until there were no more strikes of lightning and the only source of light inside the dark cloud was Raihogg himself. His red glow made the cloud look rather eerie, yet slowly the cloud began to dissipate, the storm itself no longer able to hold itself together without the charges of thunder and lightning. They hovered there as the cloud broke apart and Raihogg breathed slowly, waiting and he held fast to the sparking energy on its leash, waiting for just the right moment. As the moon and stars came into view again, Raihogg sucked in a large breath and all the glowing light shifted, flowing through his veins and scales to his jaws where it gathered into a great ball of sparking lightning. With one push of his wings, the red dragon turned his head to the sky and shot the ball of lightning into the heavens above them where it flew straight up and then burst into a million streams of lightning, both red and blue, as she spread across the empty starlit sky and vanished.

Katsum sat up and laughed in amazement, “Raihogg! That was amazing!”

The tired dragon fluttered his wings nervously for a moment, breathing heavily as he very carefully started to descend, “A moment if you please.”

He fluttered down to a tall spire of rock that gave him just enough room to land on and dropped heavily onto the stone as he breathed heavily with Katsum. Her heart was racing with excitement as she smiled the biggest smile and patted him, “You did it! You actually did it! That was…that was more amazing than I could have ever imagined!!”

Raihogg chuckled amidst his gasps for breath, but he nodded, “I did not think myself capable of such powers anymore, yet I seemed to have doubted myself far more than I should have.”

Katsum shrugged, “Don’t I know all about that kind of thing myself. Still, don’t push yourself now. Let us rest here for a while until you can breathe normally again before we head home, yes?” She excitedly swished her tail as her ears wiggled happily, “I cannot wait to tell Aymeric about this!”

“You may not want to, for I am quite sure he will go mad with worry for the next flight.”

“….You do have a point there.”

#katsum almor #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #aymeric x katsum #aymeric x wol #aymeric de borel x wol #aymeric de borel x katsum almor #katsum almor x aymeric do borel #raihogg #dragon rider #the dragons knight #lady of dragons #queen of draic #queen of dragons #thunderstorm #flying #ffxiv writing #ffxiv write 2021 #ffxiv writers

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the-dragons-knight · 3 years

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FFXIV Write 2021

Prompt #14 - The Dragon Queen

<Post-Heavensward MSQ, Post-Dragonsong War, Slight Spoilers ahead>

Commend - ‘to present, mention, or praise as worthy of confidence’

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“That sounds like it must have been so scary, but also like an amazing journey,” Maelie smiled up at Katsum as she petted the small dragonet in her arms, “To have visited another world…it sounds so very strange, yet so fascinating!”

Katsum smiled back as she handed Midgardsormr, who sat on her shoulder, another piece of the cookie she had in her hands, “It was quite the adventure, there is no denying that for certain.”

Ever since the day the True Brothers began their attack on Ishgard and took the refugees of the burnings in the Brume as hostages, the same day that Maelie was dropped from the top of the Vault and Katsum jumped after her only for both of them to be saved by Vidofnir, they had been good friends ever since, especially as Maelie began to have a fascination with the Dravanians. And who better to answer any questions she might have than the ‘Queen of Dragons’ herself. Katsum grew fond of the young girl and told her as many stories and tales that she could remember in hopes to share the beauties she’d seen of the world to another who could scarcely even have dreamed of seeing such things not so long ago. Each time she came home to Ishgard from a journey, she would seek out Maelie or the young girl would find her and they would walk the city’s streets as they talked, waving hello to all they passed by and marveling at how bright and cheerful the city had become since the end of its long war. There was still much to be done to make the nation whole again, the progress so far was still so beautiful.

The dragonet in Maelie’s arms purred as it butted its head against her hand, as she scratched its scales, “You’ve seen so many amazing things, Katsum. I would love to see the Churning Mists one day, and the vast and endless seas of water, but I imagine not all things were so beautiful and good…”

Katsum chuckled softly, “You are a smart girl, Maelie. Always have been. Yes, it’s true, but,” She looked at her seriously, “Don’t let that stop you from going to find your adventures. There are far more precious and wonderful things out there to outweigh the bad.”

Maelie nodded, “Right!”

“And next time Vidofnir, you should ask her if she can show you the Mists, I am sure she would be happy to.”

“Really?! Oh yes, I certainly shall! Ah, I’m so excited just thinking about it!”

Katsum laughed at the giddiness of the young girl as it reminded her very much of her younger self which only made her smile more brightly. They soon made their way to the aetheryte plaza in Foundation, still talking and laughing as the snow fell softly around him. Katsum’s feline ear twitched at the sound of a very familiar voice speaking not far away and she turned her sapphire eyes to lock onto the royal blue regalia of the Lord Commander, and a warmth fluttered through her chest as she smiled brighter. Sure, she had seen Aymeric this morning and every morning since they were married, but that didn’t mean her heart ever stopped fluttering when she would see him. As they approached him and Lucia, who was standing behind him, she noticed that he was speaking to a Lalafellan man and young woman, who were both dressed in fine robes and furs of an Ul’dahian fashion. Curiosity swept over her as she and Maelie moved in closer.

“Ah, good morning Lord Aymeric and Lady Lucia,” Katsum mused sweetly as she smiled brightly at them, her tail swaying happily behind her.

Aymeric’s ice blue eyes warmly met hers as he too smiled, “Lady Katsum, there you are good morning. And a good morning to you as well Maelie, Midgardsormr.”

The little dragon just nodded slightly as he continued to munch on his piece of cookie while Maelie nodded her hello.”

The paladin woman turned her head in question a bit, “Were you looking for me? Is something wrong?”

“No, not at all, but I was about to search for you yes. You see—”

“I can explain myself from here, Lord Aymeric, if you’d like,” The Lalafellan man rudely interrupted her beloved as he stepped forward with a grinning smile on his muschasted face, making a sweeping bow before her, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Katsum. My name is Aguda Kesuguda, head of the stock and trade of Kesugu Industries of Ul’dah. Before I begin, I really must commend your undeniable strength and poweress on the battlefield. I’ve heard many tales, and while I have not seen them for myself, they never cease to send my heart aflutter to recall them, yes yes!”

The miqo’te narrowed her eyes slightly as her smile shrunk into a rather small and fake expression of kindness, shifting her posture into a more regal and defensive stance; the posture of a queen. This did not go unnoticed by Maelie as she took a step back and watched cautiously. Aymeric too noticed, yet he didn’t not say anything, only sighed at the interruption and eyed the noble.

“Yes, I believe I’ve heard your name mentioned before in brief passing. ‘Tis a pleasure, yes, yet what is it that you sought me out for?” She knew that pleasantries from a merchant of Ul’dah meant only one thing: they wanted something done for them. She had not the patience or care for such games either.

Aguda grinned and shrugged, “Ah yes, a woman of action, of course. Forgive me, it is but the habit of nobles to win over the other with flattery, but you and yours here I see are far too smart to play in such nonsense.” Katsum just stared at him and he cleared his throat, “…more so than I thought too. Ahem, I came to beseech you aid in a most urgent matter. I have a shipment of resources and supplies I am trying to transport to the warfront, and every time it begins to leave on its journey to Ala Mhigo, it has been attacked by bandits trying to steal its contents! It’s not been anything terribly dangerous of course, but I wondered if I could ask for your assistance in protecting it to its destination. Or rather, one of your dragons.”

The group stilled and Katsum’s eyebrows arched in confusion, “ I beg your pardon? And please do not repeat yourself, it is just an expression of my astonishment.”

The noble nodded, “Of course, of course. My reasoning for such a request is that while I could hire a group of mercenaries to protect the cargo, such beings can be unsavory themselves and cost right much gil you understand. But dragons are loyal and ask for nothing, with just a word from you and they fly to your beck and call. And what better way to show your power as a queen than having one of your subjects deliver rations and supplies to the soldiers and people of a wounded nation, hmm?”

There would have been a time that Katsum would have shouted at this man that he knew nothing of dragons and nothing of her throne, and to leave their city before she threw him out herself, but instead, she remained quiet and listened to his greedy words with that simple expression of thought on her face.

Aguda seemed to take that bait as a sign of winning her over as he continued, “So, what do you think? Could you spare a dragon to help out a poor old merchant deliver his wares to those in need?”

She saw Aymeric narrow his eyes, “Would they not appear to be supplies from Katsum herself then if a Dravanian were to be protecting them rather than from you yourself Lord Aguda?”

Aymeric had already caught on Katsum knew, and luckily he was laying out the road for Katsum to ride down as Aguda answered.

“I suppose they would, but I have little worry for that. As long as they get the resources they are due, yes? Plus, they would be packed in crates bearing my seal so a bit of publicity for everyone, hmm?”

It is a very interesting suggestion, my lord, but first I must ask,” Katsum clasped her hands in front of her as she asked, “Are these provisions truly yours?”

Aguda froze in that moment and her eyes sparkled silently; she had him, “Whatever do you mean by that, my lady?”

Katsum smiled to herself as she feigned a curious and oblivious expression, “Pray, forgive me for causing such upset, but I had heard the most awful rumor of stolen goods and provisions meant for refugees of Ul’dah recently, and even more unsettling takes of the people trying to take them back from the thieves only to be injured and then arrested on false charges. As some of those provisions were ones that Ishgard and Dravania both had traded with Ul’dah for such purposes of aiding those less fortunate, it seemed only right that the Sultana inform me of these most dreadful events. So again…I ask you,” Katsum’s expression narrowed and her eyes almost seemed to glow in her fury, “Are these provisions truly yours? And I would beseech you to speak the truth, good sir, for we shall know if you do not.”

The noble’s jaw dropped as she moved her first piece into the winning square. Indeed, she and Nanamo had been speaking on the subject just a day or so ago and how the Sultana was worried about how restless the people were getting at being wronged so, and Katsum had offered to keep an eye out. It had been her cargo originally anyway, and such fine Dravanian resources should not fall into hands they were not meant for.

Aguda finally got over his shock and glared at her then, “Uh! The audacity of such claims! I came to seek assistance, not to be blamed for such villainy!”

“Nay, you came here for a dragon —for a “free” guard as you said—that would discourage anyone wearing only tattered rags for clothing too afraid to step forward to take back what is rightfully theirs so that you could spread the name of influence into the city of Ala Mhigo, thus earning potential buyers for future trade. it was made plain the moment you spoke of dragons ‘asking for nothing’. Dragons are loyal to their kin and to those they have come to trust, yes, but if you truly believe they are so blind to follow mine or anyone else’s word and ask for nothing in return like a hound, you are far blinder than you believe them to be.” His jaw dropped again, yet she did not wait for him to answer as she pressed further, “Now, if that is all you wished to discuss, I suggest you take your leave of our city and see to the return of those goods to their rightful owners. Unless…you would like me to inform the Sultana of the information I have just come across and let her and the Brass Blades handle it..?”

Aguda’s face paled, and he tried to retain some of his noblistic confidence, “Why you—”

“Father, please!” Finally, the woman behind him spoke and stepped forward to stand in front of him with a deep look of concern on her face, “She offers you a way to fix it yourself, don’t throw it away with your shame of being caught! I told you you mustn’t do something like this and look where you’ve put us now!” His head dropped as the girl turned to Katsum and bowed her head, a look of sadness filling her eyes as she looked up at her, “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that he had gone through such lengths as this. Please, forgive us, and I will see to it that the supplies are returned to Ul’dah and given out to the less fortunate personally. Please, my lady.”

Katsum stared at her for a moment, looking her over and her lilac colored garments and grey furs. Her eyes showed sincerity yes, but the eyes can be made to fool anyone who looked into them. She glanced at Midgardsormr, seeing he too was staring at her closely, taking in his assessment. With a breath, Katsum summoned Raihogg’s gaze as the dragon’s eye gem began to glow softly and his voice whispered through her mind.

“Her words are genuine as her heart is broken by her father’s deeds. You may believe her as she indeeds to do just as she says.”

The eye in her necklace fades back to its shining red and blue color as Katsum’s eyes softened and she asked the girl, “What is your name, my lady?”

“Kemoda. Kemoda Kesugada, m-my lady.” Her voice trembled as she answered.

Katsum smiled, “There is no reason to fear, Miss Kemoda. I thank you for your honesty and in your offer to right what has been wronged. In return for the good being returned to their rightful owners, I will only speak of the matter being closed with her Grace, nothing more. No names, no suspects. But I will be checking in to be sure our goods were returned as promised.”

Kemoda nodded furiously, bowing low as she breathed, “Oh thank you, my lady! Thank you! You have my word, I shall fix this right away!”

The miqo’te nodded and the lalafellan woman turned and glared softly at her father amidst her worried expression, “Come father, we have much to work on.” With that, she started on her way towards the gates of Ishgard with a determined step in her stride.

Aguda glanced back at her for a moment before looking up at Katsum again and glaring at her, hoping to get in one final word she guessed.

But Midgardsormr hissed first, “Go now, mortal, while I still allow it.”

The deep voice of the ancient dragon seemed to be enough to send the lalafellan man running after his daughter, any thoughts of sassy retorts dying on the squeak of his shout of terror. Midgardsormr chuckled at this before going back to snacking on his cookie and Katsum took a deep breath and shook her head.

“I will never get used to politics and the games you must play,” She sighed.

“No one ever does I’d imagine,” Aymeric mused, stepping up to. her and leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead, “But I dare say you are getting better at playing them. Well done, my queen.”

Katsum blushed lightly as her ears fell back shyly, though her warm smile spoke of her happiness, “Not in front of the child, Aymeric, please.”

He chuckled, and they glanced over to both blink in shock at the wondrous look in Maelie’s eyes as she watched them and she hugged the dragonet tight. She blinked as they looked, “Sorry, I don’t mean to stare, you both are just like a fairytale come true. ‘Tis a love I hope I find one day too.”

Katsum blushed again as Aymeric did and they laughed lightly as Katsum nodded, “I never thought I would have it myself, but thank you, Maelie. That is very sweet of you.”

The girl nodded before Lucia stepped forward then, “Regretful as I am to cut this beautiful moment short, there are other matter that require attention, Lord Commander.”

Aymeric sighed and nodded, looking to Katsum as he drew her into a short yet loving kiss, “Thank you for your assistance, Queen of Dragons. I shall be sure to repay your kindness as soon as I can.”

Katsum grinned knowingly, “And I shall look forward to it. Until tonight, be safe, both of you. And farewell.”

The Lord Commander nodded warmly as he reluctantly pulled back from her and turned to follow the First Commander back to Congregation. katsum watched him go before she turned to Maelie with a grin, “Well, shall we continue our walk?”

“Yes! Or course! Oh, I wanted to ask. How did the Dravanians first come to this world? You mentioned they were from another star right?”

“They did indeed. We’ll be happy to tell you.”

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the-dragons-knight · 3 years

Text

FFXIV Write 2021

Prompt #3 - A Dragon’s Armor

Scales - ‘thin horned plates that protect the skin’

————————————————

“You forged this armor yourself?”

Katsum turned her eyes back to where her father was admiring an armored cuirass that hung on a stand near the wall. It was forged of a dark-colored metal, painted black and silver, and was adorned with scales that were darker still, lining the edges of the chest plates to form a skirt of scales. Two large pitch-black scales lined the shoulder pieces, the spikes of the scale added to a layer of protection for the wearer. On the breastplate of the armor, she had carved the symbol of the Draic kingdom and filled it in with silver, the symbol of the dragon, the shield, and the crown.

The blonde miqo’te’s ears wiggle slightly as she smiled and nodded, “I did. I had to keep the trade going, after all, being the heir of the house Almor, right? Needless to say, I had quite a bit of guidance to start,” She laughed shyly, moving to stand beside him and run her fingers over the kingdom’s sigil, “It’s made of darksteel ore and adorned with scales of cave dragons. Those dragons are built like fortresses, I swear, so it seemed only smart to make a set of armor with their scales.”

Rune looked at her in amazement, “It’s amazin’, sweetheart. Almost like a piece of art rather than a piece of armor,” He touched the skirt of scales gently, the pitch-black bone shining like silk in its overly polished state, “How did you get the scales? Did you have to kill ‘em to take ‘em?”

Katsum shook her head, “No, no of course not. Shortly after arriving in Dravania and speaking with the dragons to learn all I could, I found that like serpents, their old or damaged scales after a while. I kept them as keepsakes at first, spoils of my journey in a way…and then when I first started finding members of the guard, of our people I thought so long lost, I started to learn to forge armor and incorporate the scales of the dragons within the pieces.”

She looked back at the set of armor she was currently working on, the opalescent glow on the long, golden scales of the skirt shining in the candle-light, “I don’t know how many pieces I’ve made, but the thought I had was to be able to arm our people the moment they gained freedom again, to wrap them in a dragon’s armor to protect them. To better protect them than I had in the past.”

“Kats,” Rune warned gently, “Come on now, we’ve talked about this before.”

She laughed weakly, “I’m not walking down that path of guilt, I promise. Only meant to explain the thinking at the time.”

The older red-haired miqo’te shook his head with a sigh, “That’s a relief. Means you are smarter than I am.” She grinned as he chuckled, slapping her gently on the arm, “Where are your other finished pieces?”

Katsum waved him over and led him to a door just across from the stands, opening the door and stepping to the side to show him the filled armor hangers that lined both walls of the narrow room. Even in the soft light of the torches, it was easy to see the polished metal and scales of her handmade armor sets, ready for a knight to adorn them and step onto the battlefield. Helmets, breastplates, gauntlets, greaves, and even a few swords, shields, and bows hung ready in their places, scales of dragons detailing and reinforcing each and every piece as well as the royal sigil of the dragon. Rune was left breathless at the sight, her father stepping past her to look through them all and Katsum followed behind him.

“What do you think? Enough for at least a full company so far, yes?”

He laughed and tried to find the words, “Maybe even two, this is…wow, haha!”

“A good use for any bit of spare time I might have I think. Especially when I can’t sleep some nights. It’s good therapy sometimes.”

“I can imagine it is,” His emerald gaze turned to the armor stand at the head of the two rows, apart from the rest and standing in the middle of the back wall, “Tell me about that one there. Has quite a few extra details and scales on it. A personal set?”

Katsum smiled and nodded, stepping up to the dark red armor. The breastplate was decorated with the Draic symbol in gold and surrounded by black and gold knotting and filigree. Red and black polished scales lined the pauldrons and the skirt of the plackart, draped over the long train attached to the waist skirt. The greaves and gauntlets bore similar details and a red and gold coronet hung above it all.

“I forged it with ore mined from the mountain of Sohm Al and used Raihogg’s scales to enhance its durability, but also its beauty. It is the armor I will wear in the next great battles to come over my royal armor.”

“It is beautiful, Kats. And it shall serve you well in the wars to come.”

She nodded, “I believe so too. Now, what color can I make yours? Oh and for when we find her, what color would best suit Mom, do you think?”

#katsum almor #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv writing #ffxiv write 2021 #raihogg #dravanian #wol backstory #warrior of light #father and daughter #arms and armor #dragons #dravania

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the-dragons-knight · 4 years

Text

FFXIV Write 2020

Prompt #17 - Fighting Against the Odds

Fade - ‘an act or instance of fading’

<Warning: Shadowbringers 5.0 MSQ Spoilers!>

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Katsum’s consciousness faded in and out against the white, burning noise of the light that clouded her vision. It was a pain unlike anything she had ever felt before, like the very roots of her soul were being drawn apart forcefully, her body fighting to hold on and very quickly losing the battle. She breathed heavily like her body was weighed down by a large rock on her back, her arms and legs shaking like leaves. The Miqo’te could barely hear what was going on around her, could only just make out the unconscious body of the Exarch - of G’raha Tia - and Emet-Selch pacing lazily towards her with a smug look of pity on his face. She could hear him speak, yet she could barely make out what was said. Only bits and pieces were clear, yet one statement rang clear when he said it.

“What a disappointment you turned out to be.”

Katsum bared her teeth, her fingers tightening into fists. She tried to move, to stand, to fight, yet her body was wracked with pain, and instead, she coughed violently, a splatter of white hitting the ground beneath her. Her mind reeled, trying to think, to find a way out and a way to remain as she was even as her body continued to crumble. Deep within, she felt a war raging and in her mind, she suddenly heard the roar of her Dravanian companion. For a moment, the severity of the pain waned, and she then knew that Raihogg had found the source and was doing what he could to stop its influence.

‘Set us free, Katsum! I must fight it outside of your soul or it shall surely tear us apart!’ Raihogg’s voice echoed in her mind and she clenched her eyes shut, taking deep breaths to try and gain a stable heartbeat.

She felt the shadow of the Ascian fall on her as he knelt in front of her, “Hm,” She could hear him ponder audibly, “You still retain your form and your senses...yet you have all but become a sin eater.”

Katsum hissed as she forced the words out, opening her eyes to glare at him as the Draic necklace around her neck began to glow with the eye of Raihogg, “Not...yet!!” With every ounce of her strength, she had left she cried out, “Raihogg! With me!!!”

The familiar pull on her aether was a comfort as Raihogg’s form materialized, flying out of the necklace with a bright and blinding creature in his jaws. Katsum yelled out in pain as the light beast was torn from her body, yet it still remained connected to her being as Raihogg did, both still a part of her soul. They crashed into the tiled flooring, Raihogg throwing the writhing creature to the ground as he struggled to remain standing. The Scions and the Ascian were astounded by the great red dragon that now stood between Katsum and the creature of light, yet Raihogg’s eyes were focused on the shimmering creature, shaking himself to stand tall again and hiss with fury at his enemy. The beast of light moved unnaturally as it got to its feet, its wings stretching out and folding back as it turned its empty black eyes back at Raihogg and Katsum. Its scales were jagged and uneven, its talons longer than they should have been, and its twisted maw snarling as it too shrieked; a twisted and vile form of a dragon made sin eater.

Katsum gasped for breath as she looked up at the two dragons, her eyes meeting the terrible eater’s eyes as it hissed and moved to charge at her, yet Raihogg was quicker. He stepped between them again and crouched low before lunging at the sin eater’s throat, his jaws snapping closed just behind the beast's skull. The sin-eater howled, the talons on its front feet slicing at Raihogg’s neck, clawing at the soft skin. Yet he moved through the pain and flew up into the air to pull the eater backward over itself, slamming it into the ground with his weight and his own talons. Its assault faltered and Raihogg released his grip on its neck to rear back with his wings unfolded and took a breath of flame. As if it had been waiting for this, the dragon sin eater’s claws lashed out at Raihogg’s soft underbelly, causing both he and Katsum too to cry out in pain. His fiery breath failed him and his strength waned just enough for the beast to push back against him and knock him off balance, sending him crashing to the ground again as the sin eater pulled itself free again, its eyes falling on Katsum again.

“So this is your beast then? The one I heard so much about from Lahabrea,” Katsum glanced around to see the Exarch’s body gone and Emet-Selch floating far above them, looking down at her with an annoyed glare, “It still won't be enough. You do know that, don’t you? You can’t stop the inevitable.”

“You...you don’t...get to say...what my outcome shall be..” Katsum growled shakingly, “Just...watch us...and we’ll show you...how we’ll...survive this!!”

He frowned and shrugged with a sigh, “You’ll never get it, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Yet if you wish to turn into that creature before you in dignity, away from the eyes of the world, you may come and find me in the Tempest.” He looked down at the sin eater dragon as it stalked slowly towards Katsum, its jaws open wide and its wings unfolded, “Well if you survive this that is.”

Then, in a plume of shadow, he vanished. Katsum gasped for breath as she met the creature's eyes again, its shimmering mass towering over her now.

“KATSUM!!”

As it reared back its head, a sparking red blur shot into its side, rolling it off of its feet as Raihogg pushed it back down beneath him with his talons, staying aloft so as to not fall himself. As the sin eater turned his neck to sink its fangs into the flesh of his neck, the red dragon’s spark teeth sank into the shoulder of the beast, bright red electricity covering the two of them. The beast screamed in pain, writhing around to try and get free as Raihogg called out, “Save her! Stop the light!”

Katsum felt a hand on her shoulder suddenly, and she looked up to see Ryne staring at her in fear as she held out her hands and whispered, “Oracle, help me…!”

She felt the light’s pull suddenly slow, the torrent of the storm slowly calming, and the ripping of the tethers that held her soul together froze. Katsum gasped, her entire body violently shaking as she fell to the ground on her side. As her vision again faded in and out, she saw Raihogg drop the limp body of the sin eater and stagger over to her until he too fell before her with his nose touching her hand. His body was littered with gashes and wounds, yet his eyes only stared into hers as he wheezed, “I am...sorry I could not do more, Katsum...Yet I shall not stop fighting it...until its gone. I promise...”

She hadn’t the strength to answer, yet she knew he could hear her thoughts as a tear ran down her cheek. Her vision faded in and out again as the faces of the twins appeared beside the dragon, Alisaie patting the great dragon’s nose as he began to fade back into the necklace while Alphinaud sadly looked down at Katsum, “We’ve got you, Kat...We’ll keep you safe. Trust us.”

She hadn’t the strength to do overwise as her eyes slowly closed and she let go to fall into the darkness of unconsciousness.

#katsum almor #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #raihogg #ffxiv writing #warrior of light #scions of the seventh dawn #emet selch #crystal exarch #shadowbringers #shadowbringers spoilers #ffxiv write 2020

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the-dragons-knight · 4 years

Text

FFXIV Write 2020

Prompt #19 - Come with Me on an Adventure

‘Where the Heart Is’

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

The familiar snap of the cold air as it whipped around her made Katsum’s smile widen. It was an uncommonly clear and sunny day in the Highlands, yet the weather was ever chilling as it always was, though she would not have it any other way. She closed her eyes and held out her arms as she breathed in the sweet Coerthan breeze. It had been so very long since she had felt its chill, so long since she’d stepped foot in the snow and felt the ice tickle her skin. It was funny to how much she had missed it as she once did not like the cold, yet now, it meant that she was home.

“How wonderful it feels to fly through the clear skies,” Raihogg mused as he stilled his wings so that they glided over the mountains, “No more of the corruption of the First’s aether weighing upon us.”

Katsum leaned back down to take hold of his scales again and hold fast as he flew, nodding, “Yes, it is good to be back...”

Raihogg chuckled in his dravanian way, “You are anxious to see him again, yes?”

Her fingers tightened as her sapphire gaze turned to the fortress looming in the distance, “Oh yes, most anxious indeed.”

“Ha ha ha...I do understand that feeling very well. ‘Twill be good to see Vidolfnir again as well.”

“I promise we shall make a stop to Anyx Trine so you may do just that.”

Raihogg turned his head to smile at her, “Thank you, my friend.”

Katsum smiled and nodded.

Raihogg beat his wings purposely as he hissed, “Let us make sure all of Ishgard knows its Queen of Dragons has returned!” With a great breath, Raihogg reared back his head and roared, his voice echoing through the mountains and across the highlands, ringing out of all of Ishgard. Katsum laughed with him as they dove down towards the city, the buildings slowly coming into view as they descended. The Miqo’te scanned the roads and walkways around Foundation, seeing the knights and some of the people of the Brume running up to the edges to wave up at her as she waved back. Yet she was looking to see the blue of that beautiful robe, the gold of the embellishments and armor, and the raven color of his hair. When she did not see him there, she urged Raihogg to fly higher to the edge of the Last Vigil by House Fortemps. It was there that she found him, standing up at the circular platform there with his right hand, Lucia, behind him and the inhabitants of House Fortemps as well.

“Aymeric!” Katsum cried as Raihogg floated down, fluttering his wings to slowly land in front of them all. Katsum did not wait to launch herself from his back, leaping from the red dragon’s back into Aymeric’s arms, throwing her arms around his neck as she buried her face in his neck.

“Oh, Katsum!” He said, holding her tightly in his arms so that he did not drop her, “How I missed you!”

“I missed you too. It’s been so long...”

“Yes, it feels far too long. Yet you are home now, and safe,” She pulled back to look into his eyes, wiping a tear that had trickled down her cheek as he cupped her face, “And that is all that matters to me. Welcome home, my heart.”

She giggled and leaned in to kiss him, tightening her arms around his neck as he held her close. They kissed for a long while, pulling back to smile at each other before remembering that they were not alone. Katsum blushed lightly as she looked at them all sheepishly while Aymeric set her back on her feet, clearing his throat shyly as she smiled at Lucia and the members of the Fortemp family, “It is good to see you all again.”

“Indeed!” Lord Edmont chuckled, “It is good to see you home, Katsum.”

Artoirel nodded in agreement with Emmanellain, though the youngest brother grinned and added, “Oh, it is quite clear she is very happy to be home herself, though it may not be to see us.”

They all chuckled and Katsum’s blush darkened, “I do beg your pardon. I got a little carried away.”

Lucia chuckled, “Welcome home, my Lady.”

Katsum smiled, “Thank you.”

“I am sure you will be wanting some rest,” Edmont added, “I will be sure to let Mistress Tataru know should she send any messages.”

“Thank you, though I have already let her know that I will be taking some time away for a bit,” She turned and looked up at Aymeric, taking his hand and intertwining her fingers with his, “And I had hoped you would come with me.”

Aymeric blinked, a bright smile spreading across his face, “Well, of course! I would be more than happy to...but…-”

“There is no reason to hesitate, my lord,” They turned to see Lucia smiling, “Katsum has already asked for my help in keeping Ishgard aloft while she steals you away for a while. Go. You both deserve some much-needed rest together.”

Aymeric was at a loss for words, “I...thank you, Lucia.”

She nodded and he looked down at his wife again as she held his hand with both of hers, folding her ears back as her tail swiped around her and she looked up at him with pleading eyes, “So…? Will you come with me? For a little adventure?”

Aymeric smiled warmly, kneeling before her to take her hands and kiss her knuckles on both, lingering over the wedding ring on her left finger, “Fury help anyone who dares to try and stop me.”

Katsum laughed and leaped into his arms again before pulling him to his feet and towards Raihogg. The red dragon leaned down and moved his wing to let her climb up onto his back. She turned and held out her hand to Aymeric and he took it as she pulled him up to ride behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she patted Raihogg. The dragon stood tall again and turned, unfolding his wings and preparing for flight. Katsum and Aymeric waved to the others as she looked back at the Elzen, “Hold on. Here we go!”

Raihogg hissed as he leaped from the edge, the updraft of the air filling his wings as he flew into the clouds with them. Aymeric gasped and laughed as he tightened his grip around her, making Katsum laugh as they turned their course towards the mountains.

As Raihogg leveled out to soar with the clouds, Aymeric hugged Katsum close and kissed her temple, “I am so glad you are home.”

Katsum leaned back into him, turning her head to nuzzle his cheek, joyous tears rolling down her cheeks as she did, “You’ve no idea how happy I am to be as well. I have so much to tell you about from my time on the First,” She wiped her tears away and took a deep breath as she grinned, “But for now, shall we see what adventures await us?”

“Lead the way, and I shall follow.”

She smiled and patted Raihogg with a grin, “Onward to Dravania!”

The great red dragon’s voice rumbled in his throat before he again roared and beat the air with his wings to fly faster, carrying them through the skies towards the land of dragons.

#katsum almor #aymeric de borel #aymeric x katsum #heavensward #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv #warrior of light #lucia goe junius #artoirel de fortemps #emmanellain de fortemps #edmont de fortemps #raihogg #aymeric de borel x katsum almor #post shadowbringers msq #finally taking him on an adventure #they going to be gone a while though dont look for them haha #a month long vacation #otp <3 #otp=home

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the-dragons-knight · 4 years

Text

WoLtober 2020

Day #10) The Legend of Bridgette and the Dragon

Legend - ‘a story handed down by tradition from eariler times and accepted as historical though it may or may not be entirely accurate.’

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

“Please, Mama, pleeeeease?” The little Miqo’te looked up pleadingly with her ears and little tail wiggling excitedly as she watched a gentle smile spread across the face of her Hyur mother.

“You were supposed to be asleep long ago, Katsum dear,” Her mother’s gaze turned to the male Miqo’te whose lap Katsum was sitting in, “And you were supposed to make sure she got to sleep Rune.”

A sheepish grin spread across her father’s face as he chuckled and dropped his ears, running a hand nervously through his rust-colored hair, “Eh heh heh...yeah, I know...BUT,” He scooped up a giggling Katsum in his arms and held her close, “Come now, Lavena, could you ‘ave said no to this face?”

Katsum put on her best pouting expression, dropping her ears against her head and pouting her lip while her eyes sparkled sadly.

“See? I know I couldn’t as she looks just like you do, ‘aving the same hair and eyes,” Rune said before joining Katsum and making his own pouting face.

Lavena rolled her eyes, yet her smile betrayed her annoyance. She set down the blanket she was folding and moved over to her daughter and husband and sat beside them, “Alright, alright. ONE story, and then you go to bed.”

“Yay!” Katsum flung herself from her father’s arms and scrambled over to where her satchel hung by the door to the parlor. She reached in and pulled out an aged tome that she clutched to her chest and ran back to the bedside and slid in between her parents and placed it in her lap. She pointed at the title written in runes on the cover and read out, “The...Leg-end...of Saint...Bree-get...and the...Dra...Dragon.”

Lavena ruffled her daughter’s hair and corrected her, “‘The Legend of Saint Bridgette and the Dragon’...Where did you find this…?”

Katsum looked up at her and grinned, lifting a finger to her lips, “It’s a secret.”

Lavena looked up at Rune who only shrugged as she pulled the book out of Katusm’s hands to open it, “Alright, a secret then. I suppose it is time to tell you the story. Are you sure you are ready?”

Katsum’s eyes sparkled like sapphires as she nodded vigorously, “I’m ready, I’m ready!”

Lavena chuckled as Rune lifted Katsum into his lap again and they all looked into the book together, “Alright, then let us begin…”

‘This is the story of how our history began, where the roots of all the Draic people come from.’

‘Thousands of years ago, man and dragon lived together in harmony. A harmony bought by the sacrifice of Shiva to the love that she shared with the great Wyrm Hraesvelgr. From this act came peace over the skies and floating islands of Dravania that all manner of life could see. These years were prosperous.’

‘In these years a colony was built high above the clouds in the realm of dragons, the Mists, where the three great Wyrm siblings ruled. With the help of Ratatoskr, the Wanderer, and her children, the people of the colony and the dragons that lived there with them all worked together as one. Dragons shared the skies with their earth-bound brethren and people helped build great castles and nests for the dragons. They learned to share the lands and its fruits equally and protect its young ones together too. In times of holiday or harvest, they would all gather together and celebrate, dancing and feasting all day and night, and Ratatoskr herself would lead their voices in song. After a time, the colony became known as ‘The Dragonsong Colony’ as only these people knew what was truly sung in the songs of the dragons.’

“Dragons really sing, mama?” Katsum’s eyes sparkled.

Lavena shrugged in reply, “I suppose they do. I have never seen a dragon myself, let alone hear them sing.” She saw Katsum’s expression fall and she gently prodded her shoulder, “Listen, now, and you’ll understand why.”

“I’m listening! I’m listening!” She hopped lightly on her Father’s lap and made both of her parents laugh.

‘For many years, this peace lasted, and many friendships and companionships were forged between dragon and man in this colony. However, this peace was not to last as many hoped it would for some sons and daughters of man are greedy creatures, seeking power and status by some of the most misled.’

‘One day, the Mists were filled with the sounds of battle, a great dragons roar and the shouts and cries of men. All the people of the colonies listened in fear, as they did not know what was happening, only saw the flashes of lightning and magics far to the north, towards the colosseum of Tharl Oom Khash. Then, the great wyrm, Nidhogg, brother of Ratatoskr, flew down from his nest in the Aery to her aid and his voice too joined in the chorus of battle. It raged for a while and then all sound ceased. The colonies waited to see their friend, the great red dragon herself fly overhead, but instead, suddenly the black wings of Nidhogg darkened the skies over Zenith. His roar shook the mountains and the floating isles of the Mists as he sped towards the Rookery, and he spoke with such rage as he screamed, “Children of man, murderers of my sister! Tremble and know my WRATH!!”’

‘Nidhogg set upon the Rookery breathed a great flame upon it and all the people within tried to run, yet Nidhogg’s children followed his rage and set upon them with him. Terror filled the hearts of those who lived in the Dragonsong colony, watching the tower fill with flame and crumble under the heat. Some dared to try and plead with Nidhogg, that they had no part in harming their friend, the singing dragon, but Nidhogg would not hear them and their bravery ended in death.’

‘It seemed that doomsday had come for the colonies as the people cried, “What shall we do?! We cannot flee he will catch us!”’

‘And then a voice rang out among them, the voice of Bridgette, she who communed with the dragons on behalf of the colonies, “My people, fear not! We have committed no such wrongs as he claims, yet it is clear he will not hear us, so we must try and save as many as we can. If not for yourselves, then for your children!” She rallied so many of the people of the colonies she could, gathering them together to take what they could and flee towards the summit of Sohm Al, moving before Nidhogg could set his eyes on their colony as he burned those far to the north to the ground.’

‘They were nearing the mountain’s peak when his terrible voice filled the air, “None may escape mine wrath!!”’

Bridgette pushed her panicking people forward as she stood between them and Nidhogg and raised her arms out. Then, a bright flash of red light lit up the skies as it flashed down upon the black dragon and he sputtered in surprise, hissing at the new assailant that now struck at him. It was the dear friend of Bridgette’s, the eldest son of Ratatoskr, the prince of Crimson Thunder. The red dragon fought with the great wyrm, wrestling with him until he fell to the ground and his fiery breath faded.’

‘The young red dragon landed between man and his fiery end, his wings spread out as a shield to those behind him and called to Bridgette, “Go quickly and descend the mountains!” Nidhogg rolled to his feet again and shrieked as he breathed a bolt of flame and shot it at the prince, yet the red dragon shot a bolt of red flame and electricity of his own and the clash of the bolts created a sheet of smoke between them. The Dragonsong people continued on their way to the mountains summit under the cover of the smoke, yet Bridgette’s eyes remained behind her on the battle between her dear Dravanian friend and the fiend he fought. When the majority of the people had entered the pathways down into the mountain and volcano, she stopped and looked back. Her people called to her to keep going with them but told them to go on as she turned to hurry back to her Dravanian friend’s side as she would not leave him behind.’

‘Yet by then, the battle was over. Nidhogg struck the red dragon out of the air and followed him down as he grabbed the young dragon and slammed him down into the ground with the force of his entire weight. The prince had surely lost the strength to fight on as he lay still. With a roar of rage, Nidhogg hissed down at the dying dragon, “You shall not know peace again, traitor. Lie in agony until thy heart can no longer bear the weight of thy guilt.” The dreadwyrm lifted into the air and flew into the clouds, leaving the prince to his fate.

As the beast of rage flew away, Bridgette came out of hiding and fell at the side of the red prince’s head, tears falling at the sight of the long gash where his right eye should have been. The dragon stirred from his dazed state and spoke in a weak voice, “Bridgette, is that you?”’

‘“Oh, my old friend,” She cried, “How bravely you fought. Thank you for saving us...but you are hurt, and your eye...”’

‘The dragon weakly lifted his head to look at her with his remaining eye, “My young friend, I am only glad thou art safe.”’

‘Bridgette shook her head, “Please, do not leave us. I know not where we shall go for surely he will find us. How do I save my people? Where will we be safe?”’

‘“In a place he would never think to look, for the nest of a dead dragon is always quickly abandoned, so he would never look on the isle where I’ve made mine home,” He shifted to turn his eye toward her, a shining glow beginning to emanate from it, “And I shall not leave you, so listen well. Take mine eye and make a pact with me. I shall save all that I am within it and shall be with you and your people always.” And so she did. She took the eye of the red dragon and his body faded into light that joined with his eye, sealing his very soul within it. Their pact made, the Prince then appeared before her, healthy and whole with only a long scar over his eye and the Elezen woman was relieved. She returned to her people with him and together, they all descended the mountains and made their way from the lands of Dravania.’

‘For many months, they traveled, moving quickly from valley to forests to desert, never staying in one place too long, for a dragon’s rage could follow for thousands of malms. On their journey, Bridgette glamoured the dragon’s eye into a gem that she placed within her golden necklace so that no dragon nor man that saw it would know it was a dragon’s eye that she carried. Only she and her people knew the truth and they never spoke of it to anyone on their travels, for a dragon’s eye is most powerful indeed and must never fall into the wrong hands. The Prince guided Bridgette to what paths to take, and she led her people to the sea where they boarded ships and sailed into the Sirensong Sea. And there, in the midst of a torrent of storms and rough seas lie the lost isle of Esk Dran, the nest of the Prince of Crimson Thunder.’

‘It is here, the kingdom of Draic was forged, where our great castle was built and where our people now thrive. Here are we safe from the prying eyes of a greedy, power-hungry world, and from the Wrath of the dreaded Nidhogg.’

‘Bridgette’s necklace still stands to this day, carrying the soul of the dragon, and its place rests in the hands of the ruler of Draic, as they must keep their people safe just as she did long ago.’

Lavena turned back the pages of the book and closed it, sighing softly and looking down at her young daughter, “And that’s the story of Saint Bridgette. The end.”

Katsum was quiet, her ears twitching in thought.

“What’s on your mind, Kit?” Rune asked, turning his head to look down at her.

She blinked and looked up at her parents, “What’s the dragon’s name?”

“The one who attacked the colonies?”

“No, the red one. The Prince one,” Katsum opened the book again and flipped some of the pages, pointing at one of the paragraphs, “See? It calls him ‘red dragon’ or ‘the Prince’, but what was his actual name?”

Lavena blinked, surprised by this question as she narrowed her eyes in thought, “I...I don’t know actually. None of the texts actually say.”

“So no one remembers? That’s sad...” Katsum’s ears fell back as she dropped her head, “He sounds so cool. I wish I could have met him.”

Rune tickled his daughter, making her giggle, “A big scary dragon? You want to meet a big scary dragon, ‘uh!? Don’t you’d think ‘e’d eat you?!” She squealed as his blew into her neck and Lavena smiled and chuckled.

“Alright, time for bed now. You’ve been up far later than you should.”

“Hehehe! Okay,” Rune let go of his daughter as she hopped down to her feet, turning to head to her room when she suddenly stopped again and turned to run back to her mother and lay her hands on the book, “Can I keep this? I want to read it again.”

Lavena again blinked in surprise, but she smiled, “Very well. Just be careful with it. It is very old.”

Katsum smiled and nodded, taking the book and hugging it close, “I will I promise! And one day, I want to be just like Bridgette and have a dragon friend!”

Her parents laughed and Rune ruffled the little miqo’te’s ears and hair, “We know you could, Kit. Now go sleep and we’ll talk more about tha’ in the mornin’ ok?”

“Okay! Goodnight!” The little blonde miqo’te skipped away to her room, her father watching with a smile.

As she disappeared up the stairs, Rune turned to his wife, taking her hand and wrapping his tail around behind her, “Are you alright? You look lost ‘n thought, love.”

Lavena met his worried gaze and smiled, shaking her head, “It’s nothing, really. She just made me realize...I’ve never heard anyone speak the Prince’s name. I wonder...I wonder what his name was...”

#katsum almor #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv writing #warrior of light #final fantasy xiv oc #wol backstory #woltober2020 #woltober #wol #pre a realm reborn #pre arr #before the warrior #before the fall of draic #before she was crowned queen #childhood #oc childhood #raihogg

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the-dragons-knight · 5 years

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Prompt # 9: Waking the Dragon

Entry nine for the FFXIV Write 2019 hosted by @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

Prompt: “Hesitate”

Rating: E

Relations: Aymeric de Borel/Warrior of Light(Katsum Almor), slight mentions of them being together in a sense

Warnings: Heavensward 3.1-3.3 Spoilers!

A continuation of Prompt #3, and looking again to when Katsum fought with Raihogg to bring him back from losing himself to his own grief.

- - - - - - - - - -

“Do you hear me? It’s time to wake up now, Raihogg.”

At the sound of his true name, the dragon’s eyes flared darkly, somehow turning blacker as he reared back his head and raised his wings and let out an ear-piercing roar that made Katsum wince. The sheer force of his voice pushed her backward, sending her back to where Alphinaud and Aymeric were standing in front of Hraesvelgr. They too seemed to be struggling to keep their footing, even at this distance. The great white wyrm snarled and roared in response, counteracting the younger Dravanian’s voice.

“Dear child of Ratatoskr, how lost thou art. You hath even made thine own name and instrument of thine rage.” He mused, lowering his head low over the three children of man before him, looking to meet Katusm’s gaze, “Though thine strength is great, thou shall find no victory in waging war with him.”

Katsum sighed and nodded, “Yes, I saw.”

“You saw…?” Ser Aymeric began to ask, but then paused, “The Echo…?”

Katsum nodded, “It is how I learned his name. I saw the past, the peace between man and dragon, the matriarch of my kingdom, everything...And I also saw him fight Nidhogg.”

“You saw him fight Nidhogg!?” Alphinaud sputtered, his gaze taking on a more frightened air.

“Yes, which is why I know fighting him isn’t going to wake him.”

“Then what will?” Both eleven looked at her strangely when she pulled off her cape and coronet, dropping them beside her as she knelt down and tightened her greaves, her eyes trained on the red dragon ahead of them.

“What are you doing?” Alphinaud asked frantically.

She stands to her feet again as she tightens her gauntlets and answers, “You won’t like what I say.”

Aymeric takes a step towards her, “What do you mean by that?”

Katsum took a deep breath and turned to them, looking between Alphinaud, Aymeric and Hraesvelgr, “I don’t have time to hesitate, and we don’t have many options left.”

“Katsum, what are you going to do!?” Alphinaud shouts.

“Lady Katsum,” Aymeric commands, his stance a bit more open as if he was catching on.

The Miqo’te woman takes a deep breath, “Do you trust me?”

The two Elezen look at her strangely, Alphinaud with a child-like look of shock and Aymeric with a more skeptical expression.

“O-of course, but what…?”

“Then don’t stop me.” She looked straight at Aymeric when she said this, knowing he was figuring it out. After she had jumped off of the top of the Vault after the young girl was tossed over it by the True Brother, she was sure that he was figuring it out.

“Katsum…” His eyes pleaded, and for a moment, she almost hesitated.

“Just trust me...please. This is my only chance to save him,” she pleaded back, her emotions shown in her eyes alone, just as his were; his gaze narrowed in response, yet he said nothing. She had one chance to do this, and she had to do it now. No more hesitating.

She took a deep breath, turning to look at the red dragon out of the corner of her eye, “(A dragon’s heart is found in flight)...(when all he has is the sky and his wings)...” She knew only Hraesvelgr understood, and that was the point. She looked back at them and nodded, seeing Aymeric take a slow step towards her and Alphinuad look between them curiously. One chance…

With a final breath, she spun on her heel and started running, her eyes set on her target and setting a course straight for it. Behind her, she heard Aymeric lunge forward to grab her, felt his fingers just brush through her hair, but he missed. She could only imagine the terror he felt again, watching her slip through his fingers again and taking a dive that could mean losing her life again. Yet even so as she blinked away the tears, she kept her gaze locked with the darkened eyes of the lost Dravanian, seeing him rear back his body again like he was preparing to attack. Hraesvelgr’s roar from behind her caused the red dragon to falter and shift his attention, giving Katsum the window she needed. Her breathing was heavy, and she felt her heart shake. The world seemed to slow as she drew nearer to the dragon’s side. His most frequent memories were those of when he and Bridgette flew together as one. If anything would help him remember, it would be flying, yet in the state of how it was now, it would not be a peaceful flight.

As she ran, she prayed, Heaven, help me wake him. Savior, give me strength…

Katsum leaped into the air, reaching up and grabbing onto the dragon’s neck and pulling herself up. Raihogg hissed and chased her with his teeth, but she pulled at his horns, turning his head away and knocking him slightly off-balance where he took a step back to regain his footing. He tried to turn and grab her again, and again, she made him back up closer and closer to the edge as he tried to shake her off. As Katsum fought with him, her eyes turned to Aymeric and Alphinaud again, seeing that Alphinaud had finally figured it out and screamed for her to stop and Aymeric had to reach out and hold him back. The sadness in Aymeric’s eyes broke her heart, and it made it worse when he nodded to her. Even as he could not stop her and as he feared for her, he still believed in her...

Help me to come back from this…for I have a most loving heart that I must return to….

With one final movement, Katsum wretched back his head, and Raihogg reared back, falling backward over the edge of the platform, falling into the mercy of the open air.

The only way to tame a dragon is to ride it...and the only way to wake this dragon...was to remind him who he was.

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the-dragons-knight · 5 years

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Prompt # 14: Out There Somewhere

Entry number fourteen for the FFXIV Write Challenge by @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

Prompt: “Scour”

Rating: PG

Warnings: None really, takes place during Post Stormblood Main story, but there is no spoilers written in here

Finding one clue after another, Katsum searches for the truth of what happened to her people the day the Garleans attacked her kingdom.

- - - - - - - - - -

The howl of the wind and the beat of Raihogg’s wings slicing through it were the only things that Katsum could hear as they flew high above the clouds. Above them, the sky crackled with electricity, the dragon's power calling forth the thunder and lightning to provide cover for them once they descended to the world below. The red dragon hissed as a strike of lighting surged past them, yet Katsum did not even wince. As he glanced back to look at her, he saw she had her eyes trained forward, the icy blue light of them reflecting the sparks in the clouds around them.

“Art thou certain that this was was a smart idea, Katsum? We are flying behind enemy lines after all.” The dragon’s voice traveled through her mind rather than through the air, ensuring that she would hear him over the wind.

The Miqo’te woman tightened her fist on the cloth that she held, and nodded.

“I must know, Raihogg,” She shouted as she leaned down closer to him so that he could hear, “And the only way to know is to search for the signs.”

The dragon sighed, “Very well. I am with thee until the end. As always.”

“Thank you, my friend.”

“And am I to assume we shall not speak of this in front of Ser Aymeric?”

“Yes...he will worry to much if he knew...”

“Very well. Thou should tell him at some point, however. ”

She only sighed in response.

The thunder around them sputtered as Raihogg gathered it close, the strikes of light burning brightly around them as they prepared to dive. The dragon slowed and lifted himself higher a bit before looking down and making his descent, the thunder and lightning following closely behind. They drove through the clouds and then broke through them, looking down on the darkened world of a refugee camp below. Below the clouds, the rain fell generously, soaking both the Warrior of Light and her dragon companion. As they plummeted towards the ground, Katsum’s eyes scoured the ground for any signs of the sigil, of the white banner with the red symbol she knew so well. When she saw none, she narrowed her eyes, noticing she saw no lights or fires lit either. It was dark with no signs of life at all.

“Do you see anything, Raihogg? I can’t see anyone.”

The dragon took a moment to look, his glowing eyes flitting about as he did, and a very confused tone filled his voice, “I see...no one at all.”

He angled his wings to pull up, the lightning behind him breaking off behind him and striking the ground below. Katsum held her ears as the sound was deafening, looking back as his turned them back to fly over the seemingly abandoned camp. Drawing nearer, she saw it was true. There were no people, no campfires or any sign of a living being. Yet thankfully, no sign of any death either as there were no bodies either.

“Can we land for a moment? I would search around for anything that could be of use in our search,” He nodded and flew down to the earth and landed softly. He lowered his head to allow her to slide off, looking around them with wary eyes.

“It looks as if no one hath been here for quite a while,” He mused, smelling the air as Katsum looked around the tents.

She agreed with him as she looked through the tents. It had been at least a few weeks since anyone had been here, so whoever she’d hoped to find here had been long gone. She stepped up to the bigger tent with Raihogg following close behind. A fluttering paper caught her eye and she reached out and caught it before it could blow past her, looking down at it and reading:

To anyone who reads this,

The dragon’s lady lives on and we of her fallen kingdom must rise to be ready to join forces with her when she arrives to free us all. Remember your loved ones that fell that day, remember the sacrifices we have made and rise.

For the Queen rides onward, and we must rise to be ready to help her claim our home once more.

Katsum’s hands shook, making Raihogg look down at her curiously. A tear rolled down her cheek as she read over the paper again, loosening her fingers on the white cloth to hold up the sigil of the dragon, the shield, and the crown, the symbol of the Draic kingdom that she had found at the last camp they’d found that led them here. They were alive after all...her people weren’t gone. They lived and they searched for her, had seen her somehow riding Raihogg into battle. And they rallying under her name…

“ ‘The Queen rides onward’...they live, Raihogg...and that means...we can find them…”

#FFxivWrite2019 #ffxiv #Final Fantasy XIV #katsum almor #aymeric de borel #raihogg #ffxiv writing #ffxiv writing challenge #stormblood

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the-dragons-knight · 3 years

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FFXIV Write 2021

Prompt #10 - Heart Beat

<Post-Heavensward MSQ, but no major spoilers>

Heady - ‘having a strong or exhilarating effect’

————————————————————

Katsum hardly even noticed the cold as she fiddled nervously with her chakrams as she peeked around the edge of the tall curtains that hid the dancers from the eyes of the gathered crowd. She recognized many of the faces she saw amongst them. She saw Hilda and people of the Brume and the Watch, and the orphaned children who were talking and laughing together. The counts of the four noble houses were gathered as well; in fact all of House Fortemps was in attendance. Even Vidolfnir and a few of the young dragonets from Anyx Trine had come, the great white dragon laying back behind the crowd a ways where she was talking with Lucia and Maelie, the young dragonets fluttering curiously above her while they chattered excitedly to be in a city of man. While seeing these familiar faces certainly did not help ease her worry, the true culprit of her anxiety was the raven-haired commander that was having a deep conversation with a few of the temple knights; Aymeric de Borel.

Her cat-like sapphire eyes traced the contours of his profile, watching his lips move and his eyes alight as he gestured towards the two knights and they smiled and nodded. The snow flakes in his raven black hair did not go unnoticed either, the bits of ice forming a halo. He looked ethereal, like a handsome prince, and it brought the warmth to her face still to know that he had chosen her. The way her heart melted when they were together was still so strange to her, but the way it had fluttered that night and through that first kiss, she’d never forget it. The only issue is that now she would feel so shy sometimes around him, and she worried about what impression that gave people having only seen her be the stoic and serious knightess of light.

“So…are you going to go and talk to him, or do I need to do it for you?” Katsum jumped at the voice that came from behind her, her tail fluffing up as she turned to see Ranaa standing there, a wide-eyed look on her face before she giggled, “My goodness, I’ve never seen you caught off guard, Katsum. Are you alright?”

Katsum sighed and tried to compose herself and wipe the warmth from her cheeks as she found it hard to meet her gaze, “Yes. I’m alright. Just…seeing how many people had gathered.”

“Aaaaaand looking for a certain someone, yeah? Who is he?” She winked at Katsum before slowly backing off, “Sorry, I don’t mean to pry.”

Katsum felt her ears lift from her skull as she realized she’d been glaring, her features softening as she reached out towards Ranaa, “No, no, I’m…I’m sorry Ranaa. I'm not used to my thoughts showing so freely. It's very strange to me.”

Ranaa blinked, but nodded with a soft smile, “It’s because of that man, yes? He’s quite handsome, and very kind and noble from the conversations he is having.”

A breath of a smile graced Katsum’s lips as she nodded, “He is Aymeric de Borel, the Lord Commander of the Temple Knights and the leader of Ishgard itself…and he is indeed a very noble and chivalrous knight.”

“Aw, and he’s caught your eye, I see! Well, my question still stands, do you need me to introduce you?”

“N-n-no, we are already well acquainted I…” She sighed before she spoke seriously, “He and I know each other very well, I assure you. I just…get nervous around him sometimes lately.” No one knew they were seeing each other as they had decided to keep it secret until the excitement in Ishgard had settled so that no odd rumors could truly gain any traction. Still, it was hard to wear her emotionless mask around him as much anymore, and she could only guess what that meant.

“Probably on account of your feelings for him I’d guess, but that means this is the perfect chance to get his attention!” Ranaa excitedly bounced on her heels as her tail swished with her excitement, “You dance so beautifully and so gracefully there is no way he won’t notice! And as we are lifting their spirits and fighting against the shadows weighing down their souls, he surely won't be able to take his eyes off you!” She grinned and gestured to the Thavnarian style dress Katsum wore, “And with that exotic dress, who could resist looking at you~”

Katsum’s jaw dropped as her embarrassment returned, “Ranaa, please!”

The dark-skinned miqo’te giggled as she started stepping backwards, “Alright, we are ready to start whenever you are, yeah? You look amazing as always, Katsum, and you’ll be sure to chase any shadows with your dance.” She then turned and headed back to the other trope members.

The blonde miqo’te sighed and stood up straight, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to steady herself and calm her nerves. Her feelings for him. The fluttering in her chest and the want to be around him and spending time with him.When put like that, it was little wonder it was hard to wear her ‘mask’ as it surely fell off every time her heart started beating out of her chest. There was a part of her deep down that was excited to dance for him too she realized, and so she tried to tap into that feeling as she turned and followed Ranaa so that the show could begin.

— — — — — — — — — —

“Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you all for coming!”

Katsum gripped her chakrams tightly as she listened to the trope member’s words, taking deep breaths to calm herself. Ranaa placed her hand on her shoulder and nodded with a smile, a quiet affirmation of ‘You got this’ to which Katsum smiled weakly back and nodded. Her heart was still beating loudly in her ears, but she focused on her breathing and then ran through the steps of the dance in her head.

And she planned to lock eyes with him the very moment she could.

“Without further ado, I give you…the dancers of Trope Falsiam!”

In unison, she and Ranaa moved into their starting poses as the curtain began to draw back. Katsum peered through her chakram where it covered most of her face, waiting impatiently to catch the ice blue gaze of the Lord Commander. As the curtain revealed them, the crowd erupted into applause, but the only thing Katsum saw was Aymeric’s widened eyes as he saw her. It scared her for a moment before she noticed the red dusting on his cheeks and she realized he was flustered slightly. That made her heart flutter in kind and spurred her feet forward.

The music began and the two dancers moved and spun to the beat, slow at first as they awaited the rest of the instruments to join the lute, ever moving further onto the stage as they did. Katsum kept her eyes locked with Aymeric as she spun on her foot and sliced through the air slowly with her chakram, willing her body to move more gracefully than she ever had before. He seemed to be locked into place, his eyes following her every move. She blushed lightly at the thought but she smiled warmly at him, which he returned.

The music picked up then and a new confidence burned in her breast as she quickened her steps and sliced through the air. The colored petals and feathers of light began to appear to the amazement of the crowd as she and Ranaa danced on opposite sides of the circle moving clockwise around it. And as the lights grew, the shadows began to take shape, the darkness slithering out of the peoples hearts and into the ring, gathering together into the forms of many-faced monsters. The people gasped at the sight of them but Ranaa and Katsum continued to dance to calm them. As the knightess drew near to one, the shadow hissed and reared back its clawed hand.

“Now, Raihogg.” Katsum whispered and her necklace glowed gently, a new red light of dragon scales appearing around her as she spun and threw her chakrams into the attacking shadow. Again it hissed and tried to advance, but she was far too quick, catching her weapons and throwing them again in quick succession to push it further back. She glanced over to Aymeric again, seeing his eyes brightly shining with amazement as the crowd around him cheered and she grinned and wound up her next step. Crouching low, she called for Raihogg’s strength again to brighten the glowing scales as she held her weapons close and ready for the jump. With a breath, she launched herself forward, spanning a few yalms in the blink of an eye and slicing through the shadow as she passed through it. The beast screamed before exploding into sparks and fading away.

Another scream echoed behind her and Katsum spun gracefully to see Ranaa taking down the other one at that same moment. She grinned confidently at Katsum and they returned to their dance, spinning and slicing the air as they danced the circle and moved towards each other in the center. When they finally reached it, they danced around one another for a moment before they turned back to back and froze their starting position once more facing the crowd, the beat of the music ending as they stopped. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers at their performance, the air about them all feeling much lighter now that the darkness had been vanquished. Katsum and Ranaa smiled at each other as she relaxed and bowed to the crowd with the rest of the troupe.

— — — — — — — — — —

Katsum bowed in thanks as the few temple knights waved their goodbyes and made their way back to their posts. She sighed contently, happy to know their spirits were a bit lighter this day without so much darkness whispering of all they’d lost in the war. It made her happy to know that a ‘simple’ dance was able to help them breathe a little clearer.

“Ah there you are,” She turned to meet the ice blue gaze of the raven-haired commander as he stepped up to her with a warm smile on his face, “I am glad to have caught you before you left. That was an amazing performance. I had no idea you were dancing!”

Katsum smiled shyly, twirling a strand of hair as her tail swished behind her bashfully, a shiver slightly shaking her for a second before she replied, “Thank you, and yes, I’ve been working with the troupe for a few months now and learning their dances. It was they who found me after a storm destroyed my boat as I was sailing away from my home, and they who found Soldier and brought him back to me. I’ve kept in touch ever since, and finally decided to learn the Dancer’s trade.”

He nodded, “I remember when they brought your horse to Camp Dragonhead, and might I say that you have certainly learned the trade well,” His eyes flitted down for a moment and she blushed as she realized he was trying his best not to stare at her exposed skin, “It was certainly a beautiful…and deadly dance.”

She shivered again as her ears dropped and she nodded, “T-Thank you.”

His smile faded as he noticed her shiver and quickly shed himself of his fur coat, “May I?”

She blinked in surprise but nodded, letting him move close and drape the coat over her shoulders. Katsum smiled and wrapped the furred coat around herself, happily breathing in his scent that lingered on it, “Thank you, Aymeric. I didn’t realize how cold I was.”

“Of course. Can’t have the Warrior of Light freezing after her most beautiful display of dance…” Aymeric swallowed thickly then, a bright blush dusting his cheeks as she noticed he was fidgeting and pulling down his royal-blue shirt collar slightly as his eyes darted back and forth from her own to where his coat hid her dress.

“Aymeric, are you…?”

“Yes, yes! Of course, I am just fine, I assure you…I would just like to say…you were stunning and I could scarcely take my eyes off of you, but I also would ask perhaps…could you wear a different dress for your dancing? While this one is…ravishing, it is rather…revealing if you understand my meaning.”

It took a moment for it to truly hit her what he had said, yet the moment it did, Katsum’s ears stood up as her tail fluffed and a deep red blush covered her face. Becoming far more subconscious than she had been, she wrapped the coat around her more tightly, hiding her burning face against the furs of the collar.

She nodded as her entire body burned from embarrassment, “I-I’ll uh…see what I can do…but i’ll also hang on to this one…in case I ever…need it…”

Now it was his turn to blush darkly and they both thanked the heavens no one around to see, “Right! As you should. Never uh…never know.”

She nodded as she coughed and shook her head to clear her mind, and brought up another topic to speak on which he was most gracious for and soon the moment of embarrassment had passed. From afar, Ranaa watched out of the corner of her eye while she was speaking to some of the audience members and smiled seeing them, happy to see that someone was helping Katsum find the parts of herself that lay hidden under her stoic mask.

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the-dragons-knight · 3 years

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FFXIV Write 2021

Prompt #18 - Perspectives

Devil’s Advocate - ‘a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular cause for the sake of argument’

————————————————————

“Katsum, you must remember. These men have lived far longer in a world where every dragon they crossed tried to kill them and everyone around them,” Aymeric chided, gently setting down the cup of tea on the table in front of her, “I too came from the same outlook though not as long as most of these men have lived, and we simply did not have the same upbringing with the truths and stories as you did.”

Katsum sighed, shaking her head as she lifted her tea cup and looked down with a scowl at the dark drink that had a little heat still steaming off of it, “I know that, I do…or I try to,” She meet Aymeric’s gaze as he sat in the chair beside her, “It’s just after all that’s happened since the end of the war…and even during like Vidolnir saving Maelie and Raihogg threatening Nidhogg’s shade when he attacked the peace conference! Surely they should be able to see. You do!”

Aymeric sighed gently, “You must look at it from their perspective, Kat. To you, you could see their intentions. You could understand their motives. To the others gathered, it was a beast they were taught to fear being far closer than they believed they ever should be.”

“Then why not just hear what I have to say and try and see through my eyes as well?”

“Because they are old men stuck in their ways and incredibly stubborn.”

“I am stubborn as well—”

“Yes, my love, trust me I know,” She frowned at this and he quickly retracted, “I-I mean that in the best way, kat. You know that right?”

“I think so…,” She looked down at her hands again, “Sorry, yes, I’m just…frustrated.”

Her ears perked as she watched his hand move to rest on hers, softly caressing it with his thumb, “If only it were that easy, Kat, yet you yourself have seen how they are. Indeed, those actions helped them see that the dragons were not of the mind to fight, yes, they still needed time to see the full truth within their hearts. While many have come to see it, others still need time to. And while I agree that yes they should just listen to us, especially with your loving heart only hoping for peace and the harmony you’ve heard of all your life, they are just far more headstrong and unwilling to compromise than you could ever be.”

The miqo'te blinked before she huffed and shrugged, “I don’t know about all of that but…I’ll try to not be so quick to snap, ok?” She saw him nod out of the corner of her eye as she took a long sip of her tea. She knew he was right, yet her patience was always tested when one of said stuffy nobles tried to talk down to her about her dragons and the ‘blight it brought their proud history’. How she wished she could freely control and share the echo so that she could show them the real truth, just to silence their petty rambling.

Aymeric’s chuckle broke her from her trance as she looked up at him, blushing slightly at the intensity of his smiling eyes.

“What?”

“Nothing really. Just admiring you,” He lifted his own tea cup to his lips without taking his eyes off of her as he grinned and added, “And whether you believe it or not, your kind and caring heart is beautiful, and a shining ray of hope.”

Her blush darkened as her ears fell again, “T-Thank you, Aymeric.”

“Of course, my Kat.”

She smiled sweetly at him and they took another sip of tea together, soon finishing their first cups. Aymeric moved to pour himself another and filled Katsum’s again as well as she set it on the table.

Katsum chuckled pitifully as she dropped another cube of sugar in her cup, “If only I was better at politics and speaking with them lik you are.”

“By the Fury, do not wish for that,” Aymeric laughed tiredly as he sitrred his tea, “It is utterly draining, always speaking with them about the same matters every few days, and they are hardly ever up lifting their decisions. Oftentimes, we do not settle a matter, but rather postpone it before it comes to blows. It was worse in our first few discussions, but the slight issue of it is still present,” He raised his cup to her, “Thank the heavens I have your loving arms to come home to and rest my soul within.”

The knightess smiled, “Happy to be of service, my lord.” She raised her cup to tae another happy sip of the delicious tea.

“You’ll still accompany me on this last meeting, yes?” He asked softly, an apologetic tone to his voice and a pleading look in his eyes.

Katsum nearly spit out her tea, “Another meeting? I thought we just finished the last one!”

“We did, yes…and there is one more.”

Katsum groaned, “Aymeric, I cannot handle another meeting today…I don’t know how you can stand so many!”

“I can because I give myself something to look forward to after it is over. For example, I often just remind myself I shall be home and spend time with you as soon as it is over. So, I offer this,” He leaned close to her and whispered in her ear, “We will spend the rest of the day laying in bed and cuddling. What say you to that?”

She grinned and looked up at him, “We would have done that anyway, Aymeric.”

“Yes, but now you are looking forward to that more, yes?”

“…Touche.”

“So?”

“Alright, very well, you have convinced,” She leaned her head on his shoulder, “Can’t have my knight suffering alone after all.”

He smiled warmly and leaned in to peck her lips sweetly, “You have my deepest gratitude, my love.”

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the-dragons-knight · 3 years

Text

FFXIV Write 2021

Prompt #1 - Queen…?

Foster - ‘to bring up(a child that is not one’s own by birth)’

—————————————————

The charred ground beneath her greaves crunched as Katsum wound her way through the debris of fallen magiteks and resistance weapons, her eyes searching the wreckage for any survivors. The sky was clouded with the smoke trails from the fires, nearly blocking out the sunlight from shining down upon the now quiet battlefield. It had not been a long siege, but it was a hard-fought one to be certain. The Garleans were not wont to give up their castrums so easily, but this was no secret to the Bozjan Resistance forces. They had fought on regardless, and in the end, their resilience paid off and won them the day.

The blonde miqo’te knightess watched the resistance soldiers running in all directions around her, securing the perimeter of their newly captured base. Some still bore wounds from battle, yet still, they moved quickly about, following their orders and refusing to rest until everyone’s safety was secured. There was a kind of calmness in the urgency of their marching, a kind of moment to breathe before the next fight broke out. Perhaps it was her own odd kind of calm having borne witness to so many battles and fought in so many wars. You weren’t waiting for the armies to arrive and start firing, nor were you trying to find a way to sleep the night before. In the wake of the battle, only two paths remained: survival or death. And when you were still standing as she was, there was naught else to fear or prepare for. At least for this moment.

“Ah, Katsum, there you are. Good to see you are unharmed,” The sapphire gaze of the warrior turned to see Bajsaljien and a few of the Blades walking towards her.

She offered a soft smile as she came to a stop before him, “Will take a bit more than a few magitek colossi to take Raihogg and me down. How fare you and the rest?”

He grinned slightly at her comment and crossed his arms as he looked at the companies of soldiers moving about, “We suffered some few casualties, though we had more wounded than dead. That alone is a reason to celebrate.”

Katsum nodded, “Any sign of the holding cells?”

“We are searching for them now, and rest assured that you will be the first to know should we come across any of your people as well. We will keep our eyes open for the dragon sigil you spoke of,” His eyes narrowed slightly as his voice became grave, “Though you should know, after exploring what little bit I have of the castrum, I have reason to believe this place was more than just a prison.”

Her heart dropped at this, “You don’t mean…”

“Unfortunately, I do…we’ve already found signs of experimentation in some ruined areas. To make even more unsavory, I believe more civilians were held here rather than prisoners of war or freedom fighters.”

“So innocents then?”

“Yes…” He responded gravely. Katsum closed her eyes, her ears twitching back a bit as she took a deep breath.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out across the field from them, drawing their attention as a panicking soldier ran up to Bajsaljien, “Commander, we need help!”

“What’s happened? Is there an ambush?”

“No, sir, but we found a young girl. She was hiding in the shadows until we passed by and she ran past us out into the yard. Marsak saw her and tried to speak with her, but…the child doesn’t seem to understand us. She’s fled into a corner and won’t let anyone get near her.”

Bajsaljien looked to Katsum, “Seems like something we should look into.”

She nodded and followed the soldier as they turned to lead them to the girl. The voices grew louder as they drew closer, and Katsum could hear the voice of the child shouting in terror. She could hear her above all the rest of the people, her voice carrying and bouncing off of the walls of the buildings. Suddenly, she recognized the syllables in her words, and the words formed in the air and her steps quickened.

“Doh ehs an! Doh ehs an!” She heard her cry, shouting at the soldiers, ‘leave me alone’.

Dragonspeak. She was speaking the language of dragons.

The ancient language of the Draic kingdom; of her people.

Another voice rose over the noise then, “Come on, it’s alrigh’! We’re here to help ya, not to hurt ya!”

They rounded the corner quickly and into the crossway between two buildings, finding a large group of soldiers already gathered to see what the commotion was about. Bajsaljien shouted for them to clear the way and let them through and they waded through them. Katsum pushed past the remaining soldiers to see a resistance soldier holding on to the little girl’s arm, trying to calm her down as the girl thrashed against his grip wildly. She was covered in bruises and scrapes, her tattered tunic and pants looking far too big for her. Her dark brown hair was matted against her face and in her eyes, clinging to the tear stains on her tan skin and framing the terrified look in her amber-colored eyes. She was so small, looking only to be about five or six years of age, and yet with the furious movements as she fought against the full-grown Hyur soldier, it was clear she was no stranger to the horrors that must have occurred here.

The little girl thrashed against, screaming in frustration as the soldier grabbed her other arm, “Come on then, let’s go and—”

Suddenly, the little girl’s fist struck out and punched the soldier at the junction of his thigh and pelvis, making him flinch and fall to his knees after he let her go, allowing her to turn and run until she hit the wall at the end of the alleyway, pressing herself against it as she turned her wild gaze upon the rest of them.

The soldier seethed, “Bloody little—”

“I suggest you not finish that sentence,” Katsum snarled, a dark glare on her features as she stepped forward, “She warned you, yet you kept holding on.”

“I was trying to help her! It’s her fault for not listenin’ to—”

“Can’t you see she’s terrified!? She doesn’t understand what you are saying and trying to force her to listen is only making it worse.” Katsum’s tail lashed in anger, her hands shaking as so many emotions fluttered through her mind. A girl speaking her language meant there had been others here and they had to still be close. That thought alone was hard to contain as it made her want to frantically ask the child so many questions about where they were or where they had been taken, but by the fright, the girl already showed, it wouldn’t do anyone any good to be so frantic in looking for answers.

Bajsaljien raised his hands then, “It’s alright, let’s all calm down. Our frustration is only going to upset her more,” The Hrothgar commander looked at Katsum and nodded to her, “You know her words and what she is saying, yes? I would say it best for you to speak with her.”

The Warrior of Light nodded, “We are of the same mind. Thank you. Could you give us a bit more space though?” He nodded and they all stepped back as Katsum turned her eyes to the child who was now huddled in the corner, her knees pulled up to her chest as she hid her face behind them, only her shining yellow eyes visible amidst her dark hair. The sight was enough to almost make Katsum cry so she took a deep breath and stepped forward into the center of the alleyway and sat down on the ground, taking her sword off of her belt and setting it far to the side to show she meant her no harm.

The young girl watched her move, her wild expression never changing as Katsum took another deep breath and spoke in the dragon’s language, “It is alright, little one. No one here wants to hurt you. You are safe.”

The girl’s eyes widened as the words left Katsum’s lips, lifting her head a little. Hope flashed through her gaze for a moment before it fell away just as quickly, “I am scared. I want my mother. They took her. She told me to hide. Loud noises happened after.”

The girl spoke in a kind of broken way, speaking the literal words of the language and not through a true fluent manner, meaning she was taught quickly and no true formal learning had been given to her. Katsum could only guess her mother had taught her Dragonspeak instead of Garlean or Eorzean so that she alone could communicate with her and they could speak without anyone understanding them, though that now made it difficult for anyone trying to help to be able to speak with her.

Katsum blinked the tears out of her eyes and tried to smile for her, “We have driven the bad men away and we will help find your mother. You have nothing to fear, little one.”

“Queen…?” Suddenly the girl spoke in Eorzean a single word, staring at Katsum, “…Queen…?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Queen will save us. My mother said this. Are you the Queen?”

Katsum’s heart shook, no longer able to hold back her tears then. They had been waiting for her. They had known that she was coming to save them, and they had held so firmly to that hope that this child’s mother had even taught her only the word ‘Queen’ in Eorzean, perhaps in hopes that if they were separated, Katsum would find the girl then. Her ears fell back against her head as she smiled sadly to the girl and nodded, lifted her hand to the Draic necklace that sat atop her armor, “Yes…yes, I am the Queen she spoke of. I am Katsum, the last queen of Draic.”

The girl still looked warily at her and Katsum sniffed as she looked to her right and said, “Raihogg, do you think…? Just a shade maybe? I don’t want to scare her.” The dragon hummed in her mind as a ghostly image of the great red dragon appeared there beside her, his glowing golden-blue eyes softly looking between them as his throat rumbled with a kind of quiet purr.

The girl gasped and drew back in on herself for a moment when he appeared, yet she slowly relaxed as the sound he made seemed to calm any fears she might have had. She stared for a moment before she began to speak again as she began to cry, “The Queen has come…the Queen has come, the Queen has come!”

With tears streaming down her face, the girl stood and ran to Katsum, throwing her arms around her as she sank into her lap and cried. Katsum wrapped her arms around her in return and hugged her tight, “You are safe now, child. We won’t let anyone hurt you!”

“Please find my mother. Please find her.”

“We will, we will.” Katsum wiped her eyes with the back of her hand as she sniffed and looked back at Bajsaljien, “I’ve got her. I’ll take care of her. She says her mother was taken shortly before the battle began. They can’t have gone far. Please, find them.”

He nodded and turned to the other soldiers, “You all heard her, move out!”

The crowd began to disperse as Katsum turned to look down at the girl again, petting her knotted hair as she sobbed into her shoulder. Raihogg made himself fully visible and curled himself around Katsum and the girl, laying down as best as the dragon could and continuing to purr to help calm the child. Katsum closed her eyes and held tightly to the child as she shaking said, “We will keep you safe now until we find your mother. I promise.”

#katsum almor #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv writing #ffxivwrite2021 #bozjan southern front #ffxiv bozja #bozja

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the-dragons-knight · 4 years

Text

WoLtober 2020

Day #1) As you Wish

Wish - ‘to want; desire; to long for’

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Exhausted was an understatement for how Katsum felt as she trudged through the streets of the Pillars towards Borel manor. It had been a long flight through the outlands in the Garlean provinces, dodging the imperial missiles and downing some of the airships for good measure. She and Raihogg had lost sight of them in the mountains just beyond the Ghymlit Dark, and by then, both she and the red dragon were nearly drained from fighting. When they finally entered the city, it was long past the nightly bells, nearly the middle of the night. There had been a few guards here and there, yet Katsum had kept her eyes towards home. The only thing keeping her going was the promise of the warmth of the manor’s hearth and the strength she would find in her beloved’s embrace.

The snow fell softly on her armor and cape, and she flicked her ears to keep the cold flecks from settling on them. A puff of white, freezing breath left Katsum’s lips as she trudged past the Astrologian’s guild, the glowing windows of the manor acting as a shining beacon for her tired eyes. She hugged her armored arms as she struggled towards the entrance. She wondered if Aymeric had fallen asleep yet as the lamps were still lit and she knew at this hour the house staff had gone home. With the late hours he had been working, he had been falling asleep rather quickly after getting home, yet just as she thought this, movement in the parlor window caught her eye. She looked up just in time to see Aymeric de Borel’s gaze shining down on her, a bright smile spreading across his face as he waved. She felt her body gain some strength at seeing his handsome features and she forced her own smile as she hurried her pace and he turned to leave the parlor and meet her at the door. As the tired Miqo’te ascended the stairs and reached the door, it opened wide to the smiling face of the Lord Commander and she collapsed into his arms.

“Oh, Katsum!” He caught her as she fell, wrapping her tightly in his arms as Katsum snuggled into his chest, “Thank goodness, I was worried about you,” He pulled her with him into the manor and closed the door behind them and she started shivering at the change in temperature, “You’re freezing, love!”

“Had t-to...fly over the mountaintops...to get home...s-sooner...” Katsum mumbled into his neck, pressing her face into his warmth, “It has been...a long day...”

“I can only imagine. Here, let me help you out of your armor,” He led her over to the bench in the foyer and sat her down before kneeling down to pull off the buckles on her boots and greaves. Katsum’s ears fell flat a little in embarrassment and she moved to fumble with the buckles on her gauntlets and gloves to try and pull them free, yet she quickly caught up to her and gently took her hand from her with a warm smile, making her heart melt as she let him take off the rest of her armor, cape, and coronet. Once she was freed from the frost covered steel pieces, he turned to her, “Would you like a hot bath to warm up with?”

Katsum looked down in her lap suddenly feeling a bit shy as she replied, “That sounds n-nice, yes...but are you s-sure you feel like it…?”

“Of course, I would love nothing more. But you must let me carry you,” Before she could speak, Aymeric reached out to her and pulled her arm up around his neck before leaning down and sweeping her off the chair and into his arms, “Let me take care of my sweet little wife, as I have missed her so today.”

She wanted to protest, yet the moment she felt the warmth of his arms and chest felt around her, she wouldn’t dare to, laying her head on his shoulder as he moved towards the stairs and carried her up to their room. She felt him place a kiss on her forehead, “Where did you travel to today?”

She sighed as she breathed in his smell, “The provinces. Was following a lead.”

“I see. That explains why it took you so long to get home then,” He stopped at the door of their bedroom and moved sideways to pull down the handle to step inside, “Did you find who you were looking for?”

“No...the soldiers moved them before I could. They heard I was coming...so the search continues.”

“Hmm. I am sorry to hear that, my love. I know you and your father have been searching for your mother for quite a while. I hope you can catch them soon.”

She sighed again sadly and nuzzled his cheek, “Yeah...me too...”

He walked them into the bathroom that was adjoined to their bedroom and set her down on the stool sitting beside the tub as he lit the candelabras around the room so he could see to turn on the water, “Can you remove the rest of your clothes? If not, I shall help once I ready the water.”

She blushed a bit, “I-I can undress myself...”

He chuckled, “As you wish, my dear.”

He turned back to the bath while she set about pulling at the strings and laces of her tunic and sleeves, loosening them to pull it over her head and fold it before setting it on the floor beside her. Her fingers trembled as she pulled at the cord on her trousers to pull them off at well, taking off her socks too and settling them down. She glanced over at Aymeric’s back as she was left only in her underclothes now, her tail curling in her lap to cover herself. Though they had been married for a few years or so, she still got moments of bashfulness when in moments of undress, at least at first. He was her first love after all, her first and - if she had any say in it - her last one as well, so of course she was certainly not used to being so exposed in front of another person, even after the many nights of their love making. Suddenly, a very familiar scent filled her nose and her attention was captured by it. Her eyes fell on the vial of essential oil that he was adding to the water, the sweet scent of the Azyema’s Rose filling the air. He must have felt her eyes and glanced back, seeing that she was still sitting in her under clothes, worry flooding his expression, “Do you need assistance?”

Her fur stood on end as she tucked her tail closer and tore her eyes away from his, “N-No...I’m ok...”

He chuckled, but nodded and turned back to the water, rolling up his sleeves to mix the water and the oils. Katsum quickly rid herself of her under clothes while he was looking away, not hiding herself completely from him, but still curling her fluffy tail around in her lap. She watched him as he finished his work and then turned towards her slightly and holding out a hand for her, politely keeping his eyes turned away from her.as she bashfully covered herself with her arms and tail. He helped her slowly step over the edge of the tub, holding onto her hand as she sank into the warm water up to her shoulders. She leaned against the edge of the tub as she closed her eyes and sighed happily, her tail waving under the water as she let go of his hand.

“May I massage you?”

Her ears perked as she glanced back at him,seeing a small grin on his face as she waited for her answer. She could not deny that her muscle did ache from fighting, so she nodded and pressed back against the side of the tub, back some as she nodded, absentmindedly leaning towards him as he drew near. She felt his fingers brush her neck and then her chin, holding her as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

“Tell me if there is any pain, or if mine attentions are too rough, alright?” She could feel his smile on her cheek as he said this, and she huffed softly.

“Ok...I shall,” Katsum murmured softly in response, “Help me to relax and rest better for the night.”

“As you wish, my dear wife,” She felt his fingers slide over her skin back down to her shoulders where he gently caressed the muscles there thoughtfully, “Still, the sentiment remains.”

She nodded and he kissed her just behind her jaw. She felt his hands knead into her shoulders gently, and her ears twitched backward as she sighed. Her eyes slid shut as she pressed closer to his hands, feeling his palms press into the back of her shoulders before his fingers ghosted over where her shoulder blades met her neck, rubbing the tightened muscles tenderly until they loosened. She felt his warmth disappear for a moment, and she almost opened her eyes to look back when she heard the sound of the vial being opened again. His hands returned shortly after, the chill of the oils on her skin making her shiver lightly and the massage resumed. As her body began to relax, she felt herself drifting in and out of sleep, trying to keep herself awake to enjoy this moment with her beloved Elezen. She heard Aymeric chuckle quietly as his fingers moved to her arms and worked his way down to her fingertips on one before moving to the other. Katsum almost felt herself drifting off completely, all thought fleeing from her mind under Aymeric’s careful attentions.

“Aymeric...” Katsum finally got herself to speak, though her voice was quiet and spoke of her nearly falling asleep.

“Yes, my lady?” She felt his warm breath tickle her feline ear, “What would you ask of me?”

“Come join me,” She mumbled, turning in the water to face him and pressing her forehead against his, her earlier shyness forgotten as she pulled her arms out of the water to wrap around his neck and drench the collar of his house coat, “You’ve been working so much lately... you deserve a moment to rest too.”

She felt him chuckle as he leaned forward and stole a sweet kiss from her lips, “Are you sure?”

She nodded as she opened her eyes again to blink at him sleepily, trying her best to give him a pouting expression, “Yeah. Come enjoy the water with me.”

His eyebrows raised as he quietly, unwinding one of her hands to kiss the back of it, “Your wish is my command, my queen. It would be my honor. But you must let me go so I may undress first.”

#katsum almor #aymeric de borel #aymeric x katsum #aymeric de borel x katsum almor #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv writing #warrior of light #heavensward #otp writing #self indulgence piece #self indulgent #aymeric de borel x wol #wol/aymeric de borel #aymeric x wol #woltober #woltober2020

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the-dragons-knight · 4 years

Text

WoLtober 2020

Day #6) Common Ground

Revenge - ‘to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for; avenge’

<Warning: Some Heavenward MSQ and Shadowbringers MSQ spoilers>

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

“Do you really expect us to believe that your objective has suddenly changed?”

The tension was thick about all of them as the Scions and the Warrior of Light stared at the Garlean founder, the Ascian, Emet-Selch, that stood before them. Katsum had been the first to since him, yet even so, she had not said a word. Only a deep glare spoke of what she was thinking, and the twitch of the muscles in her hands. So much sorrow had been wrought by the hands of this man and his empire, and to think he was standing as if he were superior to them as he was now. It made her blood boil. She steeled herself however and let the others speak as she wanted a reason to strike, an opening that gave no question of why she moved. The miqo’te would not give him the pleasure of acting without cause and mindless violence. It would only make everything the Garleans said of her true.

Emet-Selch turned to Alphinaud and shrugged nonchalantly, “Nay, our objective is ever the same. Though I dare say you do not know our motive,” His gaze shifted to Thancred who was still poised to attack with his hand on his gunblade, meeting the white-hiared Hyur’s glare with a tired sigh, “A war waged without knowledge of the enemy is no war—it is mere bloodletting. Just once...may we not seek to find common ground?”

Common...ground...

The words echoed in Katsum’s ears as her fur stood on end.

Common...ground…

Memories flooded her mind of her home in flames, of the night her island was lost to her forever. She could still hear the screams of her people as her father rushed her through the castle town square, could still feel the heat of the burning houses and see the Garlean soldiers in the distance, growing ever closer as they laid waste to the kingdom. For an instant, nothing moved, like the world had frozen in time, and then in the next moment, Katsum stepped forward.

SMACK

The blonde miqo'te blinked to find herself standing in front of the Ascian now, her hand raised in front of her while Emet-Selch’s head was thrown to the side, his cheek beginning to glow red from the blow of her slap. Her eyes widened as he lifted a hand to his face and looked back at her with wide eyes of his own, probably wondering as she was how she had moved so quickly where he didn't have time to fade away.

“Don’t...you dare...speak of common ground to me...” Katsum’s body shook with rage as she forced the words through her clenched teeth, her ears folding back and tail lashing as she hissed, “Did you speak of common ground to the Draic people that night? As they screamed and ran from their burning homes, trying to escape the approaching soldiers? Were they offered the same corporation when the airships and magitek descended upon them to destroy their beloved homeland all for the sake of conquest!? Where was their common ground?!”

The paladin’s voice echoed about the plaza, rendering all into silence. Katsum’s lungs heaved with her rage, her muscles and fingers trembling. She had only known such anger once when Aymeric had nearly been assassinated, and even then, it was more fear she’d lost him than true anger, but this...this was pure and unbridled rage. She could feel Raihogg’s aether beginning to brighten the gem of her necklace, her anger unconsciously calling the dragon to her side.

Emet-Selch watched her, looking her over carefully as he took a step or two back away from her. When his eyes settled on the dimly glowing dragon’s eye gem around her neck, he seemed to understand, “The child queen who escaped the siege...so this is where you have been all this time.” He stood straight again, he face blank as he added, “Lahabrea had been so sure he would succeed, and to think you slipped so easily right through his fingers.”

The knightess bared her fangs as she started to move, but a card flew over her shoulder and hit the Ascian before her, the clone disappearing in a cloud of shadow.

Urianger’s voice rang clear in her ears, “Thou hast delivered thy proposal, and we would not dismiss it outright. If I may offer thee counsel, however: to make thy case via a clone of illusion reflecteth poorly upon thy sincerity. Let alone to upset the warrior of light.”

“My apologies,” Her ears perked to hear the Ascian speaking from further behind the Scions, “You will forgive me if I am not entirely at ease in the presence of a famed Ascian-slayer. I felt it only prudent to take precautions,” Katsum refused to turn to look back at him, yet she felt his gaze burning into her skin, “And it seems that I made a good choice. ‘Twas quite an unexpected surprise for you to move so quickly and manage to strike me, yet now knowing who you are, it does not surprise me. The Draic people always were quite the strong-willed and unexpectedly talented sort.” Katsum glued herself to the floor, closing her eyes to try and calm the raging storm in her heart.

“Nonetheless,” Finally, she felt the burning of his eyes leave her back as Emet continued, “Your counsel is duly noted. I take my leave, friends. Rest assured...we shall meet again soon...” And with that, she heard him fade into the shadows and disappear.

While she was glad he was gone, Katsum felt no relief as her body trembled, a few warm tears trickling down her face as they had escaped the corners of her eyes. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she jumped, her eyes turning to see Alphinaud looking at her sadly.

“A bloody Ascian speaking of common ground like equals when he speaks so nonchalantly about the destruction of someone’s homeland and people,” Alisaie fumed behind her brother, shaking her head with a glare of her own directed at the floor, “It’s sickening.”

“Indeed, however, I am afraid there was some truth to his words,” Urianger mumbled.

“We will talk on that later,” Thancred mused, coming into Katsum’s view as he laid a hand on her other shoulder, making her look up at him to see him smiling a little, “For now, you must rest. I am sure your battle with Titania has left you exhausted, and this encounter surely did not help.”

While her body still shook, the mention of tiredness reminded her of the fatigue she felt on the way back from Il Mheg, where she almost faltered and fell into the twins, “Yes...yes you’re right.”

Alphinaud nodded, “Come, Alisaie and I will make sure you get to the Pendants without faltering.” Katsum nodded to him, unable to bring herself to protest tonight.

“Rest well, Katsum,” Minfilla peeked around Thancred’s side, a sad smile on her face, “May you have sweet dreams.”

Katsum weakly smiled, “Thank you, I will try.”

With a tug on her gloves from the twins, she followed their pull, letting them walk on either side of her to make sure she made it safely to her chambers for some well deserved rest in hopes to forget about a certain Ascian at least for now.

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