“Hear.”

“Hear … Feel …”

Fluttershy gulped back her fear, and began to approach the light. She could feel the warmth even from far away, but then darkness took over and from the shadows emerges a man. Clothed entirely in black, armor covering his shoulders and a plated glove, a mask covered his face, red and shaped to fit ...

“Hear … Feel … Think …”

The light returned, and enveloped her. It seemed to give her strength when she’d thought she had none left. The pink-haired mage was suddenly clothed entirely differently, and a staff appeared in her hands. White. White and red, those were the colors she wore and somehow she found the strength to repel the shadows.

**

“...Oi!”

Fluttershy’s eyes fluttered open, and there was no more darkness and no more light. She was riding in the back of a carriage, and it seemed she had fallen asleep. The dream had seemed both so odd and so realistic, she’d never before experienced a dream like that. She groaned a little as she turned to the man who had woken her.

“Y’all right, lass?” the grizzled passenger asked. “You were moanin’ in your sleep an’ sweatin’ buckets besides.” He seemed friendly enough, a smile on his lips. “That’ll be the aether, I reckon. Some are more prone to the sickness than others. No need to fret, though. You’ll soon get used to it.” Without another word he lifted a bottle, Fluttershy suspected it contained alcohol, and took a swig.

She jumped once more, turning to the sound of a small trumpet being blown. The cat-like looking creatures flew alongside the carriage, blowing it as the followed. Each was adorned with a brilliant pink pom-pom upon their heads, but Fluttershy smiled. They too seemed friendly enough.

“Feeling better, Kupo?” the closest one asked, to which Fluttershy nodded. “Aha! You can see us! I had a feeling you could, Kupo! We’re moogles, and we live in this wood.”

Fluttershy’s smile grew, and a soft “Oh my.” was whispered. She’d heard of moogles before but not once had she ever had to chance to see one for real. She knew normal people couldn’t see them, it was said only truly good people could see them. That thought made her feel better about her entire journey. One of the furry creatures floated inside the carriage now, dancing a little jig by the twins which Fluttershy had forgotten were even there. They’d been silent the entire time.

“The wood’s been restless of late - lots of strange things happening. Have you chanced to witness anything suspicious, Kupo?” the moogle asked, to which Fluttershy shook her head no. She squeaked a little as the second moogle had lifted the grizzled passenger’s bottle and begun to drink from it profusely. She snatched it up, and wagged her finger at her new furry friend. “But of course you haven’t - You’ve only just arrived.” the other moogle sighed, seeming to not care about his friends actions.”Well, there’s nothing for it, then - We’ll just have to keep looking. Nice to meet you, Kupo!” And with that the two flew away, joining two other moogles high above them. They disappeared in a matter of moments.

“Gridania’s still a fair way off, in case you were wonderin’. Seein’ as you’re awake, how’s about you keep me company till we get there?” the grizzled passenger asked.

The first bit of news made the shy girl sigh a little. She was hoping to be there already. She’d left her home and traveled by boat across the sea to reach Eorzea. There was nothing left for her back home. No friends, no family only herself so she thought a fresh start would be good. She’d heard of a country that resided in the woods, and loved nature. It sounded like the perfect place for her, so she’d left with no gil, the clothes on her back and a crude weapon with which to channel magic. It had been a long trip already, but she hoped it would be worth it in the end.

“Them Young’uns don’t much care for conversation, see.” the man nodded his head towards the two silent twins. Fluttershy began to wonder if they were even okay. She wasn’t sure she’d even seen them blink for the entirety of the trip. It was creepy, each of them were of a different gender but definitely twins. They both had the same face, and the same white hair. It even stuck up in the same places, and their ponytails were the same length. One wore a blue tunic with blue pants, and the other wore the same thing save for the colors which were purple and red respectively.

“Bremondt’s the name, an’ peddlin’s me trade.” he exclaimed as he gestured to himself. “As for your good self, judgin’ by your unusual garments, I’d say you were one of them new adventurers. Am I warm?” he asked, still all smiled.

Fluttershy nodded, responding with a soft “Yes.” It seemed Erozea was experiencing somewhat of a large influx of people becoming adventurers. They were calling it the golden age of adventurers or some such thing. Fluttershy wasn’t sure how much ‘adventuring’ she would be doing, but she definitely wanted to help people however she could.

“I knew it! Goin’ wherever the wind blows, seeking’ fortune an’ glory - now that’s what I call livin’! So long as you can avoid dyin’, I mean. Ain’t no secret that adventurin’s a risky business. These days especially.” Bremondt seemed more excited for Fluttershy than she herself was and her stomach sank at his words. Was it really so dangerous …? “What was it that first attracted you to it?” He asked, politely.

Fluttershy knew what most people answered. To gain power, or to win glory or to amass a fortune. Some most likely didn’t even know, but she did. Blowing a loose strand of hair back, briefly uncovering her pink cheeks, she repled “I just want to help people.”
Bremondt laughed, and shook his head a little. “Never heard that one before.” he admitted. “Once you’ve learned to handle yourself in a fight, you’ll want to pay a visit to whichever craftin’ or gatherin’ guild tickles your fancy. Gridania’s renowned for its leatherworks an’ carpenters. Not to mention its botanists. Adventurin’ ain’t just about killin’ things, after all. A peaceful pastime may well help you make your fortune!” He laughed again. “Just remember, ain’t to help to be given if ‘yer dead, an’ that’s a fact.”

It seemed like good advice, and Fluttershy nodded. “Thank you.” It was whispered, but she was sure her new friend had heard. Looking out at the scenery it was easy to think she had made the right decision. The Gridanian woods were absolutely gorgeous. Everywhere one looked there were trees which rose high into the sky, blocking out the sun at some sports. The ground was littered with beautiful leaves and everything seemed to have a faint taint of yellow to it, making it seem like a perpetual sunset.

“Halt! Go no further!” Fluttershy gasped for the third time.

Bremondt looked out the front of the carriage and called out “What’s this then?” He gasped, crying out loudly as an arrow whizzed past his hand and landed in the carriage at all the passenger’s seats. Up front Fluttershy could hear the wild cries of the chocobo’s, desperate to run it seemed.

“A skirmish has broken out up ahead with the Ixal! For your own safety, you must remain here until -” The man never even had time to finish his sentence. Several cries could be heard from a few yards off and a couple more men emerged from the trees. They all had bows in their hands, arrows drawn and ready to fire. Behind them came several lizard-like creatures. They towered over the mean, roaring frighteningly and possessed feathers on their forearms. It made Fluttershy think maybe they were more bird than lizard. The man that had stopped the carriage, who Fluttershy could now see was obviously a lancer, drew his speak and in the same fluid motion pointed it towards the assailants. “Blood hells! We shall hold them here! Try to break clear!”

The chocobos took off at top speed, and Fluttershy watched as the archers let loose their arrows. The Ixal raised it’s shield, deflecting them with ease before charging forward, only to be intercepted by the lancer. Fluttershy was unable to see what came next, as they traveled out of view. Their speed kept up for several minutes, but eventually the Chocobos, the large birds pulling the carriage, resumed their previous, casual pace.

“That was too bleedin’ close …” Bremondt said, voice tinged with sadness. “Nice of the Ixal to send us a welcomin’ party though.” He said as he picked up the arrow from where it had landed at their feet. The twins had not moved, even through all of that. “Jokin’ aside, this won’t be the last time you meet those feathered fiends, so just you take care, all right?” the dark-skinned man sighed, but seemed to need a distraction as he kept the conversation going. “By the by, is this your first trip to Gridania?”

“Yes …” Fluttershy whispered with an accompanying nod, her eyes fixed at the ground.

“It is!? Well then, let this journeyed itinerant tell you the ins an’ outs of your destination. The city of Gridania lies slap-bang in the middle of the Black Shroud: the biggest, lushest forest in all of Eorzea. Though it ain’t near as lush as it used to be, sayin’ that. Not since the calamity laid half of it to waste. The destruction prompted a herd of new nasties to move in, an’ give the Ical unneeded encouragement. Mirdmain raids’ve become daily occurences.”

It was troubling to hear of all of this, and although of course she knew of the Calamity she wasn’t exactly sure of the details. Fluttershy made a mental note to remind herself to look into it later on once she had settled in.

“Ah, at long last.” Bemondt said, trying to inspire awe. “Behold Gridania, the forest nation blessed by the elementals!”

That was the first time Fluttershy laid eyes on Gridania. It was beautiful, even from afar. The sound of rushing water could be heard from outside the gates, and the trees that towered over the city seemed to make the ones outside of it appear puny in comparison. Even from outside, the large crystal at the center of the city could be seen spinning, and Fluttershy excitedly climbed out of the carriage to get a better look. Two lancers guarded the gate, but they smiled to her. At least it seemed she would be welcomed.

“An’ here’s where we part ways, lass. I’m off to the markets to deliver me wares, then it’s back to the highroad for me.” He patted her shoulder as the twins wandered off. “Here, I want you to have this- by way of thanks for keepin’ me company.” He placed a pouch in her hand, and it jingled happily, filled to the brim with coins. Fluttershy’s eyes widened and she immediately sought to protest, but Bremondt raised his hand. “You never did tell me your name, did you? Well, here’s an idea… Becomin’ the sort of storied personage I can brag about havin’ met, an’ I’ll consider us square.” He gave her one final grin, before heading into the city, and leaving her behind to mull over her first meaningful encounter on this new land.

**

Fluttershy had barely entered the city, hiding behind her brilliantly pink hair to avoid catching a stranger’s gaze when a lancer guard began to call her over. “Your face is not known to me. Newly come to the city, no doubt. I am Bertennant, a Wood Wailer of Gridania. It is my duty to protect our nation from her enemies while welcoming those who may yet prove her friends.” Fluttershy could not see his eyes behind his mask, but she liked to imagine they were kind and that he truly meant well. “Let us see which you are.”

Fluttershy approached him cautiously, being careful that her staff did not hit any other passerby’s “Um, hello …” she said, unsure of what else could be said.

“Another green adventurer, I presume?” he asked, to which Fluttershy nodded. The lancer placed his hands upon his hips and gently shook his head. “I thought as much. We cannot allow strangers to wander Gridania unchecked and untested. Before you rush off and begin pestering every second citizen for work, I suggest you make yourself known at the Carline Canopy. That’s the headquarters of the local Adventurer’s Guild, in case you were wondering.” He made a movement, showing the building that lay at the top of the hill behind him. “The carline Canopy is the building you see behind me. Speak to Mother Miounne within, and she will take you in hand.”

“Um, thank you…” Fluttershy replied, before shuffling up the hill quickly. Upon entering the building she immediately recognized Mother Miounne. It wasn’t that hard, and Fluttershy already knew why they had given her that name. She seemed to exude mother-like qualities from every pore, and it was easy to see how much she cared about people without having even spoken to her. The new adventurer managed to shuffle her way through the crowd and up to the counter at the far end of the building.

“Well, well, what have we here?” Miounne asked, raising her head from the book she was reading. “A wide-eyes and wondering young Adventurer, come to put your name down at the guild, I assume.” She chuckles lightly, seeing how uncomfortable the newcomer was. “Welcome, Miounne’s my name, or Mother Miounne as most call me, and the Carline Canopy is my place. As the head of the Adventurer’s guild in Gridania, I have the honor of providing guidance to the fledgling heroes who pass through our gates. No matter your ambitions, the guild is here to help you attain them. In return we expect you to fulfill your duties as an adventurer by assisting the people of Gridania. A fine deal, wouldn’t you agree? To an outsider all may seem well with our nation, but naught could be further from the truth. The people live in a state of constant apprehension. The Ixal and various gangs of common bandits provide an unending supply of trouble - trouble compounded by the ever-present threat of the Garlean Empire to the north. And that is to say nothing of the Calamity ...Even now the wounds have barely begun to heal.” The woman seemed to catch herself, she raised her hands in apology. “Ah, but I speak as if you were there. Forgive me. Five years past, Eorzea was well-nigh laid to waste when a dread wyrm emerged from within the lesser moon, Dalamud, and rained fire upon the realm. It is this which people call ‘the calamity’.” The woman shook her head, her voice had grown sadder as the story went on. “Scarcely a square malm of the Twelveswood was spared the devastation. Yet despite the forests extensive wounds, not a soul among us can recall exactly how it happened.

She must have seen the look of disbelief on Fluttershy’s face, because she quickly picked up again. “I am well aware of how improbable that must sound to an outsider… It is improbable. But it’s also true. For reasons we can ill explain, the facts surrounding the Calamity are shrouded in mystery. There are as many versions of events as the people willing to recount them. Yet amidst the hazy recollections and conflicting accounts, all agree on one thing: that Eorzea was saved from certain doom by a band of valiant adventurers. Whatever else we’ve misremembered, none of us have forgotten the heroes who risked life and limb for the sake of the realm. And yet … Whenever we try to say their names, the words die upon our lips. And whenever we try to call their faces to mind, we see naught but silhouettes amidst a blinding glare. This have these adventurers come to be known as “the Warriors of Light.” What followed were several awkward moments of silence, before once more Mother Miounne seemed to recall she had a guest before her.

“Ahem. Pray do not feel daunted by the deeds of legends. We do not ask that you become another Warrior of Light, only that you do what you can to assist the people of Gridania. Great or small, every contribution counts. I trust you will play your part. All that’s left, then, is to conclude the business of registration. Here’s a quill. Scrawl your name right there.”

Fluttershy read over the papers before filling them out. All it really was was a signature, something to say she had gone through the proper channels to become a legal adventurer. She wasn’t sure what happened to those who went adventuring and did not join a guild, but she assumed there were rules in place for a reason.

“From this moment forward, you are a registered adventurer of Gridania, nation blessed of the elementals and the bounty of the Twelveswood. The guild expects great things from you.” Miounne smiled, offering her hand which Fluttershy gripped into a light shake.

“Look what just arrived, another godsdamned adventurer…” Fluttershy turned to face the voice, it seemed a group of Wood Wailers is where it had come from as they walked past her. Her heart seemed to sink a little, she hadn’t expected people would be opposed to her arrival.

“Don’t you start with that. Adventurers are the very salve Gridania needs.” Mother Miounne scoffed in their direction. “The Elder Seedseer herself bade us welcome them with open arms. Do you mean to disregard her will.”

Fluttershy made a mental note to remember that title, clearly it was some sort of position of honor in Gridania society.

The tallest of the lancers stepped forward before speaking. “Of course not! Lest you forget it, it is my sworn duty to uphold the peace! Am I to blame if outsiders bring mistrust upon themselves? You!” He pointed directly to Fluttershy and she stumbled back a little, already she felt her entire body begin to tremble. “Mind that you do not cause any trouble here, or I shall personally cast you out of this realm and into the seventh hell!” He too scoffed at her, before him and his lancer friends made their way out of the Canopy, presumably to resume his duties.

“Pay that outburst no mind.” Mother Miounne was quick to reassure her. “He meant only to… counsel you. Suspicious characters have been prowling the Twelveswood of late, you see, and the Wood Wailers feel they cannot afford to take any chances. As is often the way with folk who live in isolation, Gridanians are wont to mistrust things they do not well know, your good self included. Fear not, however. Given a catalog of exemplary deeds, and no more than a handful of years, the locals will surely warm to you.” She seemed to want to make up for the poor display of hospitality. Miounne opened her arms, offering Fluttershy the brightest smiled she could. “On behalf of my fellow citizens, I welcome you to Gridania. May you come to consider our nation as your own in time. Now then, you may depend on old Mother Miounne to teach you a few things that every adventurer should know.”

**

Mother Miounne had explained to Fluttershy that the city had two different sections. Old Gridania and New Gridania. New Gridania was the district she was currently in. Directly to her north was the Grand Aetheryte Plaza, which housed the large Aetheryte. If you could attune to it you could teleport back here, and thus to Gridania at any time. East of that lay Quiver’s Hold which housed the Archer’s guild. West of the crystal is where the Adder’s Nest resided, home of the Gridanian’s Grand Company. Resting on the river by there was the Carpenter’s guild. That was also close to Acorn Orchard, a lovely grove and popular dating spot. There were also several gates out of Gridania from that district. The White Wolf Gate led to the Central shroud, and resided to the Southwest of the city. The Blue Badger gate on the east side led to the same are, but a different section to it. That also wasn’t counting the several exits that led to Old Gridania.

Old Gridania housed the markets, where all trade was conducted. The Leatherwork’s guild lay at the center of the District and east of that lay MIh Kherto’s Ampitheatre which often put on shows. Nophica’s altar was at the western end of the district and just beyond that the Conjurer’s guild, where one could learn the ways of conjuring magic. That was the type of magic Fluttershy knew. The Botanist’s guild was in it’s own little corner to the northwest and finally to the northeast lay the Lancer’s Guild, where all the lancers received their training.

It all seemed very impressive to Fluttershy, who had come from a very small town in comparison. It seemed it would not be as easy as simply showing up and earning a living. She wasn’t particularly fond of fighting, nor using her magic offensively but she knew it would be a necessity. It wasn’t that she couldn’t find ways to help with one of the non-combatant builds but conjury seemed like the best move for her. It would allow her to travel around, helping any who may need it. Sure, the thought frightened her to death but...It was better than doing nothing.

After her long explanation of the city, Mother Miounne assigned Fluttershy three relatively simple tasks. They had taken the majority of the day to accomplish. The first was to head to the large Aetheryte and attune to it. She felt the surge of Aether immediately as she raised her hand to it, and when she was finished, the crystal could be felt throughout her entire body. It was like a large beacon inside of her, beckoning her home, and if she focused enough and wasn’t completely depleted on magic power, she could return there at will. The mage also made a point of attuning to the smaller crystals she came across whilst wandering the city. It would allow her to teleport to the different crystals throughout the city, and seemed like a very convenient method of travel.

The second task was learning about the markets of Gridania. She met up with a master merchant named Parsemontret. He was unwilling to help, until Fluttershy had given him the pie that Mother Miounne had sent along for him. He had shown her around, pointing out the stalls that would be most useful for adventurers including the weapon and armor stand.

The third and final task was to make herself known at the Conjurer’s Guild. Fluttershy had been told it would be good to improve her magic before she got to work, or at the very least be given the necessary tools to do so. She’d met the nice woman who occupied the stalls upon entering their hall which, much to her surprise, resided in a cave. Fluttershy was given a quick overview of what it meant to be a conjurer and how it was the art of healing and purification. How their power came from nature. She learned it was thanks to conjurers that Gridania was founded. The elementals refused to let man settle in the Twelveswood, turning them down at every request. The conjurers impressed the elementals with the ability to manipulate aether, and thus were allowed to stay. Over the following centuries the elementals had taught them how to live as one with nature and that they made their will known through Hearers. Those were mages who were able to commune with the elementals.

After agreeing to formally join the guild she was introduced to Brother E-Sumi-yan. Not only was he a powerful mage, but he was also a Hearer. Fluttershy found him within the meditation chamber, a small group of children sitting at his feet as he gave instruction. For a while she only watched, unable to muster the courage to approach him. Their eyes briefly met as she watched him, to which she quickly averted her gaze. It didn’t take long after that for him to approach her.

“Greetings, Adventurer. I assume you wish to become a Conjurer of Stillglade Fane. I am Brother E-Sumi-Yan, master of this guild.” Fluttershy chewed at her nails as she listened, it didn’t help that Brother E-Sumi-Yan was clearly much younger than her. “Before you are formally accepted into our ranks, I would impart to you the principles of Conjury. Pray attend me well.”

He raised his hand, lifting only one finger. “Conjury is an arcane art that takes life and the living for its domain. Its primary purpose is the salving of hurts and the granting of protection. Adventurers such as yourself oft stand upon the front lines of battle. Owing to this, you are like to find yourself in many situations wherein a capacity for healing would be advantageous. Mind you, there is more to conjury than that. By harnessing the power of earth, windd and water, conjurers are also capable of weaving spells that wreak havoc. In terms of sheer destructive power, conjury may pale in comparison to Thaumaturgy, but its capacity to defend one against aggression more than compensates for this relative shortcoming. In mastering healing and purification, not only will you be able to mend wounds and purge afflictions- you will be able to restore those on the brink of death.”

By this point the young man before her was pacing. It allowed her to finally get a good look at him without him noticing. He was short, at least a head shorter than Fluttershy. Short white hair adorned the top of his head from which horns protruded on either side. He wore a midnight blue robe, and attached at a belt that held it in place lay a variety of potions and such. Attached to his back was the oddest cane Fluttershy had ever seen, as at the apex of it, inside the crook, lay a stone tablet.

“More than simply healers, yet not true dealers of destruction, conjurers realize their full potential when they employ their powers in support of others. This, my dear adventurer, is what it means to be one of us.” He turned to face her again, smiling and trying his best to seem friendly but Fluttershy’s nature did not allow her to relax. She hid behind her hands, and nodded her head slightly deciding it was better to pretend to understand than risk seeming as though she were terribly confused.

“Mayhap that was too much to grasp upon a single hearing. Worry not, for the meaning of my words will become clear to you in due time. Aye, you will come to understand that conjury is not the sole province of the conjurer. Should you wish to walk our path, I must needs ask that you solemnly vow to embrace our nature - to heed the will of the elementals of the twelveswood alike. Can you make this vow?”

A vow to embrace nature? That was not lost on Fluttershy, she could understand that. Not only could she understand it but she could agree to it too. She nodded, and E-Sumi-Yan’s eyes seemed to sparkle knowingly.

“I knew your answer ere your lips had parted. Yet I am no less pleased to hear it.By the power vested in me, I hereby name you a member of the Conjurer’s Guild. And so to work! Listen well, now, for I would assign you your first task as a conjurer of Stillglade Fane.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened, and the color seemed to drain from her already pale skin. She hadn’t expected to be given a task so suddenly. The idea of refusing never even crossed her mind, how could she turn down the leader of the guild she had just joined? The poor girl could only nod, and pray to Nophica that her task would be a simple one.

“Just beyond the city gates, you will encounter squirrels, ladybugs and funguars. I would have you slay three of each. Lest you wonder how I can so cooly order the taking of life, know that things are not as they once were. As a consequence of the calamity - and, I amy add, through no fault of their own - these creatures have become a burden to the Twelveswood. A burden it cannot well bear. As a conjurer, it is your duty to carry out the will of the forest. And by employing your powers in so doing, you will come to learn something of your art. Go now, Fluttershy, and perform your first task in the name of the elementals.”

**

Fluttershy had barely entered the Central Shroud and already she could see for herself the problems Brother E-Sumi-Yan had mentioned. The animals he had mentioned had clearly been corrupted or at least affected in some way by the abundance of aether since the calamity. The squirrels were bigger than most dogs from back home and the ladybugs themselves were the size of actual dogs. The funguars, which Fluttershy had found immediately due to their foul stench were essentially living mushrooms, which she was sure was not natural. All those seemed to be minor problems, the true problem lay in the sheer amount of them. She was barely outside the gate and already she could see dozens upon dozens of the poor creatures. Fluttershy had never been a violent person, and given any alternative she would gladly have found a nice home for these creatures but this... This was wrong, and even she knew it.

She wandered around for a little, though always within eyesight of the gate back to Gridania. A loud squealing noise caught her attention and a small streak of white dashed between her legs followed by a quick brown blur. The novice conjurer followed and found a small rabbit, a normal rabbit, cowering against a tree. One of the aforementioned squirrels hissed and Fluttershy reacted instinctively. She dove forward and covered the cowering creature with her body, the squirrel scratched at her back before bouncing back. "Oh my, I certainly hope you're okay, little bunny..." she whispered to the fluff ball, who looked up to her with big pleading eyes. She scooped the bunny into her arms and cradled him against her chest with one arm, and with the other she grabbed the cane from her back, holding it before her.

Two more squirrels had joined the first one, and Fluttershy could swear their eyes had flashed red. A bead of sweat trickled down her brow, and she felt her knees shake. The thought of hurting the creatures was devastating, but she knew it was for the best. Not only must be awful for the creatures to react as they were, but there was no possible way the forest could sustain so many of them. The tears burned her eyes, but she held them back. if anyone else were around she knew she would cave in, performance anxiety had always been a severe issue for her but the poor rabbit needed her. Steeling her gaze, the mage raised her cane, muttering as softly as she could "Stone."

The ground in front of her shook slightly and the ground contorted and twisted until several stones had risen from the ground. They hovered in front of the girl and her rabbit momentarily before hurtling at the squirrels. Each of them was hit by at least one stone, and they collapsed to the ground, shaking their heads in confusion. Forcing herself to, Fluttershy repeated the action and the stones hit the squirrels once more but again it did nothing more than inconvenience them.

I can’t do it… she realized as she stumbled back. She’d undertaken this entire journey and it seemed like it would all be for naught. Her first task in this wondrous new land and already she’d been proven a failure. Fluttershy knew she shouldn’t hate herself for being kind-hearted but at that exact moment she would have traded anything in order to change herself. The vicious creatures lunged at her again, and she brought the cane in front of herself to cower behind it. To her surprise a brilliant blue light burst forth from the cane, shrouding the immediate vicinity with warmth. The scratches she’d sustained on her back healed as though nothing had happened. Whatever she had done had healed her, and not just her but it seemed to cure the animals of their sickness too. The squirrels which had just moments ago been about to attack her now lay at her feet completely changed. They had shrunk, and regained the appearance of what Fluttershy would have called a normal squirrel. They quickly scurried away, giving her no time to investigate the strange transformation. Honestly she could hardly believe she had been responsible for that, but between herself and the rabbit it most certainly had to have been her.

The mage slumped to the ground, cradling the rabbit against her even tighter than before and sighed. She was suddenly drained and found herself wishing for a bed. She knew her task remained incomplete but even the idea of another scuffle exhausted her. Instead she resolved herself to return to the conjurer’s guild and ask for guidance on the strange power that had resulted in curing the creatures of their aether poisoning.

She lifted the small bunny up to her face, unable to keep the smile off of her face as she nuzzled her face into its soft fur. Though she kept telling herself she would leave him behind, deep down she knew she’d already resolved to bring the bunny home. It didn’t seem like he had any intention of objecting either as he lay on her shoulder. “At least I made one good friend today.” she giggled, obviously referring to the bunny. “I think I’m going to call you… Angel.”

**

Brother E-Sumi-Yan had heard of only a select few who could cure aether poisoning with a cure spell. Of even fewer who had managed to learn the spell simply due to the fact that it was necessary. Despite Fluttershy not completing the task he had initially set out for her, he praised her none-the-less and considered the job complete. He’d even awarded her a small amount of gil for a job well done. It wasn’t much, but between that and what Bremondt had given her it would definitely afford her a room at the adventurer’s guild for a few nights.

Though the master conjurer was impressed with her he also warned her there would be times where ending a creature’s life would be out of her hands. It was dumb luck that had saved those squirrels and he wanted to make sure Fluttershy knew as much. If she chose a life of adventuring, there would undoubtedly be a time that called for her to end an animal's life for the greater good. She’d chickened out once, and promised to never do so again. Though she hoped she learned to master this new power quickly, so that the loss of life would always be at a minimum. If she ever did kill an animal, it would be because all other options had failed not because it was the easy one.

As she lay in the bed, Angel snuggled on her belly and thought about the day she began to think of how much she’d accomplished in just a day. It seemed as though, at the very least, an adventurer’s life would not be dull. She found sleep quickly that night, and her dreams were filled with the endless possibilities that awaited her.

Author's Note

This seems like something that should have been a no brainer. FFXIV is a huge part of my life, and I've decided to combine it with something else I love. I hope you all stick with me and follow Fluttershy on her journey throughout Eorzea. There'll be laughter, and tears. Romance, and hate and everything in between. As usual all comments are appreciated, and I love hearing from all my readers as you guys push me forward. So if you ever want to chat I encourage you to just send me a message. Glad to be back, everyone, and I look forward to getting people's reaction to this. I know this first chapter is exposition heavy, but I expect it to get much better as the chapters progress and the rest of the mane 6 begin making their introductions. I love the idea of the mane 6 going through the world of eorzea and experiencing the story of XIV.