Prologue

Welcome to Eorzea

~~2021~~

Part 01

Final Fantasy 14 is an MMO originally released a little more than a decade ago by a company that was not originally known for making online games. The predecessor of the game Final Fantasy 11 was by far one of the company's biggest failures that would be remembered for a long time and though it was thought to have been put to rest it was later revived as Final Fantasy 14 bringing into the picture large improvements and game mechanics not present in its predecessor. Because of these changes the game ultimately saw success and climbed the ladder into becoming one of the top five MMO's of its time.

The games has gone through three major expansions since then. The first being Heavensward, the second being Storm Blood and the last being Twilight Warden. Each expansion introducing two new classes as well as new content and improvements to the overall mechanics (though some would argue the improvements). Twilight Warden being the newest of the expansions and currently the longest. It has been released four months ago and there are still people racing to complete it with no success. Its main theme however seems to be centered around the patron deities known in the game as 'The Twelve'. Before Twilight Warden barely any information had been released about The Twelve. Only that they were the original inhabitants of the world the game takes place in and that they gave the races the world. Because of this they are referred to as the original gods of this world.

Though many players are rushing to get to the end of Twilight Warden I myself, Siana Morgan, am trying to leisurely play through at my own pace. I have always specialized in magic classes and have always gotten my magic classes up to the highest level I could. Today marks the day I get my newest class as well as my last magic class to the maximum lvl of 80. The fanfare sounds off as the golden letters in front of me say Level up. The sense of accomplishment within me wells up as I begin to stretch in my chair.

Leaning back I stare at the ceiling with a stupid grin as I think back on the long hours of gameplay I put into this accomplishment.

Before the newest expansion there was a dungeon known as Palace of the Dead (potd for short) was the dungeon everyone used to grind in. It was the most efficient way to Level if not tedious but unfortunately after level 70 you couldn't receive any experience from stages under level 70 including POTD. It made the grinding in the game much more difficult but the quest in Twilight Warden were far better at storytelling and the rewards made them all the better to complete. No quest was just simple and usually led to a series of quest that sometimes couldn't be completed without doing other quests as well. Even the dungeons were more intricate and far more beautiful than the other expansions (in my opinion).

Getting all of my magic classes to level 80 was a huge undertaking. Because of the fact that POTD is no longer used by high level players most people only focus on leveling one or two characters now as their main classes. There are players like me who level multiple characters but now most say that past 70 it's not worth the time and effort anymore. I personally like to have variety though. Since I was leveling this character I had already bought its final set of equipment and fully augmented it.

I looked back at the screen and equipped the fully augmented equipment I had prepared beforehand bringing my item level to 635. Afterwards I used a glamour crystal to make the armor look like the Dawn Maiden clothes I received from a quest a few quests back. After casting the glamour my character was wrapped in a cloth that looked as if it was made from astral lights that cover her chest and her waist down to her knees. Gold embroidery that didn't look at all out of place or too gaudy was strewn through the edges of the cloth and a single jewel was embedded in the center of the chest right above her cleavage. Another cloth wrapped around her wrist and curved like an arc over her head over to the other wrist giving a kind of divine feeling. The best part of the cosmetic was the white silver magic circle that appeared at her back with an intricate design that made you think the art designers were probably masochist with the amount of attention to detail. It was a cosmetic set that considering the amount of work put into the quest to obtain it was mostly considered not to be worth it by majority of players so very few had it. It was still very valuable though since it was one of the sets that couldn't be made using any of the crafting classes.

I reveled in the fact I had achieved my main goal as I stared at the Magus I had put countless hours into. My characters pale white skin in contrast to the black horns and scales she had on her body really made her seem like an otherworldly existence.

Ping

A notification suddenly appeared with an achievement attached to it that briefly said Patron Deity of Magic followed by another notification informing me I had a new title. I immediately went to my achievements tab in the main menu and found the achievement. Strangely enough when I clicked on the details they looked as follow:

Patron Deity of Magic

Acquisition: ?

Details: ?

Title: The Thirteenth

Status: Locked

Everything about the achievement was strange. Usually if you don't have the achievement it would still be in the list but greyed out until the prerequisite conditions were met. This one was weird because I don't remember ever seeing it and it was already fully lit up which meant I had acquired it but the status of it was still locked. Was it a glitch? Also when it says Patron Deity it's talking about The Twelve right? If so then the thirteenth title would be something like saying you're the thirteenth deity huh.

As any other gamer who would do in my predicament I did the obvious and decided to ask google-sensei. I pulled out my phone and typed in the key words into the search bar. After a few seconds all my questions will be answered…is what I thought until it came up with no results.

What? Seriously? How could there not be any results. I consider myself a bit of a casual player if not a complete nerd for final fantasy 14 but there are plenty people far more enthusiastic than me so surely there was someone who came across this before me. Was my thinking too naïve. How could google-sensei betray my expectations? Isn't this just too cruel. I decided to spend the next three hours surfing the net to try to find anything related but even after going through forums about glitches, hidden questlines, bugged titles, etc. I still couldn't find anything. I returned to the game and found that nothing has changed so I close out the main menu only to see a mail notification appear in the top right corner.

That's weird I thought as the only time those ever appeared was when u bought something from the online store or if someone sent you male but the chat system makes the mail system unnecessary. I hadn't bought anything so I thought it might just be an event or something. I used the travel function and teleported to a town point known as the Umbral Palace. The sky was filled with thousands of stars as I emerged from the white light of teleportation. In the distance you could see celestial bodies in the sky of different sizes with what seemed like space was bending around each one keeping them separated. The floor which looked like glass made of some type of white energy made ripples each time a step was taken by the players. In the distance a large building could be seen in the shape of a dome and in the middle of it was what looked like a huge telescope was seen slowly moving around.

The Umbral palace is one of the first major town hubs you come across in the Twilight Warden expansion and easily one of the most visited by players that the creators had to make four different instances of it to help with server congestion. Also known as the gateway to the stars it is the starting point which would lead to the other twelve fragmented worlds. Though I say twelve you don't visit all of them since most have already been lost to Zodiark the god of darkness.

To the right of the large Aetherite Crystal used for transporting was a small floating white creature with a pink pom-pom like object attached to its head and out of place bat wings with a bag over its shoulder. It was the local moogle.

After selecting the moogle the new mail popped open before my eyes.

Sender: ?

Details: ?

Accept: Yes/No

This is seriously bugged. This must be one of those things right. A quest that was put into the games beta expansion before release but the devs never finished the whole questline and forgot about it so its bare skeleton is left in the game. With something as big as this I'm surprised there wasn't anything online about it. This would be a big deal in the gaming community. Maybe I was the first to unlock the quest. I should seriously report this…..but it can't hurt to accept it first. Maybe it was completed and just starts out strange. The excitement of being the first at anything in this game was getting the better of me. I clicked yes on acceptance and the mail closed immediately followed by a prompt asking for confirmation. I confirmed it but then it was followed by another prompt asking if I was sure. I still clicked yes only for a third prompt to come up saying there will be no turning back.

Cryptic was the only word I thought of after that prompt came up. Why would it even come up so often? I can't remember a quest appearing before that was so against you playing it. I actually almost hesitated for a moment wondering if I was strong enough for the quest but I was already level 80 with the strongest equipment. Just to make sure I changed my class from Magus to White Mage and repaired all of my equipment. I returned to the series of prompts and when it stated there will be no turning back I still selected yes. The prompts ended. Golden Letters appeared on the screen that said Pact Completed followed by a message that said my title had been changed to Thirteenth.

Pact Complete? That's a first and since when does the game automatically change your title for you. Was it a quest requirement? As I wait for a quest marker to appear to show me where I need to go next the screen suddenly went black. Huh. Why? Was the power cut I thought before I shook the thought out of my head since the room light was still on. What's going on?

"C'mon, right when I found a new interesting quest."

As I tried to get up so I could check if the screen cord might have come out of the wall I suddenly felt a floating feeling. Confused by the sudden feeling I just stared at the computer screen that seemed as though it was getting farther and farther away. I then realized I was falling through a hole that somehow appeared under me. As I came to this realization I obviously began to scream at the top of my lungs scared witless at what was happening. I turn down and see a light. As I fall into that light I feel my body hitting the ground as I fell on my side and soon after a mountain of books fall down atop me as well. I feel my side that's now in pain and crawl out from under the books.

A Library. No matter how I think about it I'm now in a library. I slowly get up and begin walking around hoping I'll find someone. I see a window and walk towards it hoping I can get an idea of where I am. As I looked out of the window I can't help but to have my mouth gape. Outside I saw a giant blue sphere in the distance. Why did this sight have me stupefied. It was because that blue sphere was a planet. I, Siana Michelle Morgon, was currently not on earth and was probably having a panic attack at this very moment. I staggered back as I tried to grab a nearby chair to keep myself stable but my shaking hands missed the chair and I fell onto the ground.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't make so much noise." A male voice resounded behind me.

I quickly turn back and see a man sitting in a chair reading a book. His hair was completely white and he was wearing what looked like a black suit with gold ornamentations on it. A well featured face with sharp eyes that made me immediately wonder if it was even possible to look so handsome (maybe I have weird taste). Fingers adorned in gold and silver rings with multiple colored jewels within them. A black tie with an hourglass symbol on it. The weirdest thing wasn't just how out of place he seemed here but the giant silver great axe that was leaning against the wall next to him with a pale silver glow.

I'm sorry mother. I'm sorry father. I have been kidnapped by a handsome gangster with an axe fetish and will probably die today. I'm sorry this worthless daughter of yours could not continue the family legacy. I promise if I'm reborn I will change my ways…probably.

"Are you going to continue to sit on the floor?" The main asked as he gestured to one of the wooden chairs nearby.

I did as he asked and sat down while preparing myself for my inevitable end. He then continued to read for another thirty seconds before finally closing the book and laying it down atop the desk.

"I expected to be bombarded by questions but it would seem you have proven me wrong." He said as his golden eyes turned to me

"I…where am I and why am I here?" I mustered the courage and asked

"This is a place between dream and reality. A place that exist between the cracks of space and time. For now you can call it Pandora. As for why you're here it is because you accepted the pact." He said in a polite tone that didn't match his sharp eyes.

"Pact? What are you talking abo…!?" I realized it.

Right before this all happened the golden words that appeared on the screen were Pact Complete. Dear God what have I done?!

"It would seem you remembered. For now I'll allow you to get used to things and give you a portion of my power through a blessing."

"Eh?"

"I guess Gridania will suffice for now."

"wait wait wait stop~. Will you explain things to me more clearly? Get used to what exactly." I said in a panic as my hands waved around

"Try not to die." He stated bluntly as if it was a pain to even talk

Cold sweat flowed down my back at those word. Die? Am I really going to die? Suddenly a puddle of black liquid that looked like the very shadows itself came alive appeared below and began to travel up my legs as it pulled me down. I tried to run but I couldn't move. As if I was completely paralyzed. My body continued to sink as he gazed upon me without the slightest worry. I felt as if my breathing had stopped and the world around me began to lose color. I was really going to die here. As if my body was submerged in thick mud my head now the only thing that hadn't been swallowed. I could feel the black goop continuing to encroach on what was left as I stared at him in abject horror.

"Ah" he said as if realizing something he forgot.

He looked her in the eye as a smile crept onto his face.

"Welcome to Eorzeo."

That was the last thing I heard before my entire world turned to black. Fear overwhelmed me as I tried to struggle with all my might. Cold. I felt cold. As if I was wading through cold water. As if the very tendrils of darkness had robbed me of most of my senses I could only lay there in pain unable to resist the tide.

*Pah!*

I took in a deep breath as I opened my eyes. A dream? Was that just a dream? I could feel my heart rapidly beating as I continued to stare straight up. My eyes had yet to adjust to the light that was blurring my vision. I pulled my hand towards my face to scratch it when it was suddenly obstructed by something. I sat up and held onto the object that was obstructing my hand. I pulled on it then felt a shock of pain go through it that connected to the side of my face. I reflectively held my neck after feeling the pain and felt a really smooth patterned surface. As my vision cleared I realized I was in a forest.

Hearing the subtle sound of water nearby I looked around and saw a small lake not far from me. I quickly got up and dashed to the waters edge to see my reflection. What was reflected back to me was a beautiful Au Ra Xaela Female with pale white skin and lustrous black scales. One eye was white while the other purple, long black hair with purple high lights, black horns that curved from the side of my face to the front and a humble chest.

What was reflected in the water was my game character from Final Fantasy 14, Dinivis Ebonhart.

"Welcome to Eorzea" I mumbled under my breath as I parroted the last things I heard the man say.

This was it. This was real. I was really on the continent of Eorzea in the world of my favorite MMO. I was both happy and confused. Mostly confused. As I sat back in order to collect my thoughts I began to think about the man who was responsible in bringing me here.

A handsome man with a huge presence despite his size. A big silver great axe and a suit. As I combed my memories to find any NPC I might have met in the past with such an appearance I couldn't think of anything. But then I remembered two traits that stood out. He had a large battle axe and an hourglass symbol on his tie. Those two things only symbolize one person.

I looked out into the sky as I learned the identity of the man. The god of space and time.

Between the lines

"Althyk"

The voice of a woman resounded from the white haired mans side.

"Nymeia, and what do I owe the pleasure?" the man said as he turned his gaze to a woman wearing a white silk veil and a white silk dress that accentuated her figure.

"Don't you think you were a little harsh on the girl?" She said as she sat across from him at the table

"Experience is a better teacher than explanation. When she has become accustomed to that world her path will appear before her. For now she needs to learn how to survive at the very least." He said with a sigh

"Even so. She is from a world where she herself had not had to fight for survival and fall into desperation. This may be too much for her." She said slightly worried

"I understand that…however the facts remain the same. If she does die then that just means that we ourselves were asinine in our decision."

The woman sighed as well before she turned her gaze to the window behind her.

"As long as the mother crystal does not interfere then she should be fine is what you want to say isn't it?"

"Is that not true?" he replied following her line of sight to the window

"If things remain the way they are now even the celestial realm will be endangered and not just Hydaleans fragments. Forcing that girl to become the Thirteenth may be too much for her." She said as her gaze continued to look out the window

"We have no choice. This is all we can do now." He said as he closed his eye

"I know…I know. Hers is a fate I cannot read. I only hope she is who we believe her to be or this will have all been for naught." She said as a single tear fell from her cheek.