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ALTJune Elezen 2026 - 28. Jewel + 29. Course
After surviving the fight with Angelus, it felt inevitable that side of me would awaken. An insatiable hunger ached within me, and my eyes glowed faintly in the dark like rubies. All I could do was wait until the urge had run its course and hope that I still remained who I am in the end-
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ALTJune Elezen 2026 - 16. Found Family
Although Seiro worried over my lack of experience, we steeled ourselves to fight in the battle of Ghimlyt Dark and vowed to watch over one another. We had been through so much together, and I began to see him like an elder brother - someone to whom I could confide anything without judgement.
morngohl asked:
Does your OC observe any ceremonies or festivals of remembrance? Who do they memorialise? How does your OC feel on these occasions?
For Hemlocke personally, he returns to the site of his mother Olivia’s grave in Coerthas every year on her birthday to maintain and tidy up the area if it’s needed. He’ll bring her favorite violet Hydrangeas as well as some trinkets she liked to collect if he’s able to find any during his travels - like cameos or music sheets if he’s lucky enough to find them. This is the time that Hemlocke lets himself feel the sense of melancholy at the loss of family and questioning if she’s proud of him with how he lives presently. He always leaves with the sense that she would be.
On a larger scale, he observes ceremonies of remembrance for the Dragonsong War, those who fell in the battle of Ghimlyt Dark and as well as any honoring those lost to the Final Days. He usually attends with his friend Seiro who he often traveled alongside when those events occurred. They lament the loss of comrades they met along the way and share memories with one another. Sometimes they just sit in a reverent silence.
Thank you again for the ask @morngohl !
When your WoL became the Warrior of Light, how did they react? Were they excited, anxious, defiant?
If they're not, how do they feel about the Warrior(s) of Light?
There were a lot of great writing prompts to work with this year, and I feel better about how my writing turned out compared to last year. It was fun to take part in and thanks so much for reading!
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Prompt #1: Training Day
Prompt #2: Fateful Meetings
Prompt #3: Games with the Undead
Prompt #4: Melancholic Smile
Prompt #5: Taking the Black
Prompt #6: First Taste
Prompt #7: Brain rest day
Prompt #8: Departure
Prompt #9: Steamy Confessions Part 1
Prompt #10: Steamy Confessions Part 2
Prompt #11: Dueling Darkness
Prompt #12: Earthen Fury
Prompt #13: A Chocobo’s Song
Prompt #14: Brain rest day
Prompt #15: Academic Quarrel
Prompt #16: Favored Memories
Prompt #17: A Thousand Faces
Prompt #18: Blind Eye
Prompt #19: Hidden Battle
Prompt #20: Trouble Brewing
Prompt #21: Brain rest day
Prompt #22: The Sharlayan Doctor
Prompt #23: Smile
Prompt #24: Green Terror
Prompt #25: See What Grows
Prompt #26: Just a sleepy guy
Prompt #27: Unexpected Comfort
Prompt #28: Brain rest day
Prompt #29: Containment
Prompt #30: A Craving for Blood
Characters: Hemlocke and Seiro Malkavi
Synopsis: Hemlocke and Seiro have very different experiences in their first visit to Camp Bronze Lake.
Setting: Upper La Noscea.
Warning: Slightly suggestive.
Words:Moxie and jitter.
—
It was the beginning of a relaxing evening at Camp Bronze Lake. A moderately temperate locale that boasted hot springs possessing therapeutic capabilities for those in need of rejuvenation.
A thick fog hung over the darkening skies, but it did nothing to damper the atmosphere. Many folks from all over Eorzea who, when not taking advantage of the springs, were delightful company to drink with and share stories among them.
Hemlocke originally thought to keep to himself and his books until Seiro returned, and the warm welcome by the Yellow Jackets and the other visitors there surprised him. A sense of excitement welled in his chest at the thought of continuing in this manner well into the night.
Despite his deep appreciation for books, he found a similar satisfaction in storytelling – of joy or heartache- from those who experienced the events firsthand. He could easily admit to his naivete when it came to worldly knowledge outside of books born of the isolated nature of his youth. Why limit himself to his own experiences?
He excused himself momentarily to purchase a few wares from the merchant nearby- a few healing potions and a tin case of worms to save for later in case he felt up to fishing. Hemlocke stashed these objects away in his satchel, stepping away from the merchant with the intent of rejoining the crowd.
Hemlocke’s slender brow rose to catch sight of Seiro trekking back through the pathway of the ruins of the palace nearby and up the stairway at a great speed. With the tiny but robust Hache following closely on his heels, the pair of them looked to have a case of the jitters. It was unusual for a hunter like Seiro, who was typically full of moxie on his adventures.
Seiro’s broad chest rose and fell with panted breaths, his long hair in disarray and two-toned eyes stricken with unbridled horror. He looked as though he had seen a glimpse of the seven hells itself, “We must take better care in our travels… These ruins are crawling with powerful malevolent beasts!” He explained aloud, finally catching his breath.
“This must be the first time I have ever seen you this taken by fear. Do you happen to know what they were? What do they look like?” Hemlocke asked curiously, reaching for his flask of water to hold out for Seiro to take if he wished.
With a grateful nod, Seiro’s took the flask from his hands, tilting back for a few generous gulps to satiate his thirst, “Beady golden eyes. Unblinking and empty of all emotion save for vengeance. Long tails and brown hooded robes. Everywhere…they could not be stopped!”
Seiro’s callused hand curled in front of him, beginning to jerk back and forth to convey the motion these creatures made. All the while, his elezen friend bit his lower lip in an attempt to contain himself, even as a chuckle or two escaped him before he awkwardly cleared his throat.
“Are you telling me you accidentally found these creatures during er…a private moment?”
Realization finally dawned on Seiro with a flush turning his cheeks a dark hue of lavender, ceasing the motion and adamantly shaking his head, “Oh no, no! What I mean is all of them carry knives, poised to stab anything they see before them. Tiny, sharp and jabby.”
“Hm, it makes me wonder who is supplying them. Perhaps they have a designated blacksmith in charge of their creation? It may not hurt to try to speak with them.”
Deep laughter came from the Merchant nearby who had picked up on their conversation, “Oh, you have seen the Tonberries then? I wouldn’t try to speak with them if I were you! They have been known to stalk anyone who come into their domain.”
A huff of amusement left Hemlocke even still to see Seiro so shaken up by such creatures opposed to the giant monstrosities he usually took on, but he nodded to the Merchant nevertheless “…Alright, point taken. I would rather avoid such unpleasantness. Much less being stabbed.“
His hands lifted to grip Seiro gently by the shoulders to guide him along, believing the hunter would do little more than hide in his room otherwise, "Come! Let’s get you a drink for your nerves.”
Characters: Hemlocke and Seiro Malkavi.
Synopsis: Hemlocke’s suspicions grow to find the townsfolk of Kugane consumed by a new fear.
Setting: Kugane, Shiokaze Hostelry.
Warning: None.
Words:Reverence and sojourn.
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As soon he stepped away from the aetheryte, Hemlocke could sense there was something amiss.
The typical bustle of the port town of Kugane was lacking for the first time he could ever recall, with few people out in the early evening. Those who were present traveled in groups, eyeing every new street or passing shadow with suspicion. An eerie disquiet weighed heavily in the air to pass by to see the merchants closing shop up early with a worrying sense of urgency. Then, a crowd gathered at the Sekiseigumi headquarters in quiet reverence. From the murmurs he picked up, they were honoring the recent passing of a few prominent samurai from their faction.
After setting himself up to sojourn at the Bokairo Inn for the next couple of days, Hemlocke only stopped inside his designated room to drop off his belongings before heading off to Shiokaze Hostelry. As he stepped inside, Hemlocke found himself immediately met with the host’s attention, mentally noting with a quick glance around that the wait was typically much longer.
His expression brightened with a wide grin that spread across his features, and he waved from afar when the host guided him upstairs to the comfortable table in the back where Seiro was seated. It hardly surprised him, given his old friend’s preference to avoid coming to anyone’s attention while he was trying to relax.
His only company was Hache, a miniature buffalo calf with a curly cue of thick, overgrown locks threatening to come down into his bright brown eyes reached down to eagerly take a bite of another dango that the au ra set down before him on a platter. He always had an unusual penchant for sweets.
Equally unsurprising was the array of different bottles of sake infused with plum, yuzu and other types of fruits. Seiro was beginning to pour a cup already, gesturing a handout to the seat across the table from him, “It is good to see you after such a long while, my friend. Please relax and have a seat.” He set out a cup in front of Hemlocke, pouring him a generous amount of the plum flavored sake.
“It has been far too long. I must admit I have been thinking about this wine since our last outing here. They continue to outdo themselves with the quality.” A thread of yearning in his tone, lifting the cup, as the broad smile never left his features.
“How has everything been on your end, Sei?”
Seiro filled up one cup after another, tossing them back in quick succession and kindly asked the waiter to bring them more bottles when they had the chance. Hemlocke didn’t even bat an eye. The hunter could hold his drink better than anyone he had ever known, “Much travel as usual. I continue to find myself captivated by those creatures, ‘Tural Vidraal’. ” With one hand curled around his cup, the other one waved with the insistence to address another matter.
“Before we continue, I must warn you. There have been a series of distressing events playing out in Kugane recently. Unusual deaths…”
Lifting his cup, Hemlocke hummed softly in satisfaction to the subtly sweet taste of the plum wine. His once relaxed demeanor changed with a hard edge to his crimson eyes as they narrowed. His legs uncrossed from one another to sit a little closer, “I noticed something felt off about the town from the moment I arrived. Tell me what you know.”
“…It may only be a coincidence and have nothing to do with your investigations, you know. I do not think this is something you should do alone either way. Many have divulged the awful details to me. All the victims were strong and skilled in their own discipline.”
Brow furrowing, Hemlocke long sharp nail tapped against his cup in thought, “I think it is best if I investigate the matter more before I jump to conclusions. Even if it is entirely unrelated, I imagine the townsfolk would be overjoyed for the culprit to be brought to justice.” He flashed Seiro a reassuring smile, the seriousness of his expression abating to a degree, “I know friends who are well versed in dealing with strange incidents such as this. I shall see if they have any interest in investigating the matter.”
The au ra nodded in acceptance to the answer, pouring another and head tilting back to swallow down another glass of yuzu flavored sake. Hemlocke blinked a little, losing track of how many bottles Seiro had gone through to this point, “They seem very brave. Maybe you could ask if they have any desire to fight a few Vidraal?”
Hemlocke huffed out a chuckle to that, “And take away the thrill of the hunt for you? I could inquire if you are serious. But please do not ask me…I think I have had my fun in such endeavors for a lifetime.”
“When the creature was done flinging you around, you held your own very well!” His friend’s laughter grew more boisterous the more he drank.
The evening went on filled with their back-and-forth banter. In the back of his mind, Hemlocke mulled over the recent troubles plaquing Kugane. He planned to visit the Sekiseigumi headquarters to see if they could provide him with any more information on these new incidents.
Characters: Seiro Malkavi, Qntl Malkavi, Irogene Dotharl, Nergai Dotharl and six older unnamed siblings- four sisters and two brothers.
Synopsis: After the loss of his lover Shiramune to war, Seiro acts on his desire to travel to lands beyond the Azim Steppe.
Setting: Azim Steppe, Dotharl Khaa.
Warning: None.
Words:Meander and collective.
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The golden-orange hues early morning sun began to peak in the mountains beyond while the intensity of their rays cast a warm glow enveloping the entire of Dotharl Khaa. Seiro had already been up for the past couple of hours preparing for his journey beyond. He finally decided he should pack only the absolute essentials lest he weigh himself down unnecessarily. Everything else he could obtain himself either in the wild or from merchants he crossed paths with on the road ahead.
The preparation to this point had already taken time as enjoyable as it had been to learn so much in so short a time- collecting and studying maps, speaking with traders who knew the potential dangers and layouts of the lands, trying to learn what he could of different cultures from the stories they told them.
After taking care to tie a knot in the white cloth that wrapped around his rations for the day, the au ra placed this inside his moderately sized leather pack, reaching for thick leather cord at the top that served to gather the bag tight enough at the top to prevent anything from falling out. The pack itself was bereft of any wear and tear, a recent trade he had made in exchange for one of his favored Dzo hides. Seiro hefted the strap over his broad shoulder, two-toned eyes casting one last look of finality around his room. So many memories. The decision had not at all been an easy one, but he had to stand firm. Sighing heavily, he could already feel his eyes beginning to brim with tears, rapidly blinking in his efforts to fight them back.
The various faces of his family and friends of the Steppe flashed through his mind, not at all easing the intense ache in his chest that weighed far more than he’d first imagined it would. Seiro had always been of a friendly disposition with a touch of shyness though it had not stopped him from becoming acquainted with many people across the different tribes. How could he not miss them all?
Regardless, the time of his departure had come.
All of Seiro’s closest family had gathered to see him as far as the road that led to Yanxia. Although typically a rambunctious bunch, there was a collective silence among them all with the thought of the bittersweet parting to come hanging in the air. The youngest of the family to be the first and only one to brave the adventure outside their homeland.
Their surroundings began to slowly change from the dry desert, to patches of sparse grass beginning to crop up underfoot and soon the beginnings of verdant greenery and towering mountain peaks. Finding themselves close to Yanxia, Seiro’s tall form situated several fulms ahead of everyone else found himself soon swarmed by his taller brothers and sisters who came to embrace him all at once. A deep and inevitable laughter rang out from him when they ruffled his long hair. A few had given him gifts of golden charms that he set to dangle from his new backpack, packaged tea and a jar of the Steppe candyfruit they knew he loved.
“Be safe out there, brother!”
“I will pray to the Dusk Mother nightly for your safe return…”
While Nergai was attempting to gather the siblings together in some semblance of order to guide them back and comfort those who continued to cry at this parting, the short form of a muscular dark-haired au ra woman strode forth with well-kept black scales that looked to be freshly brushed with sweet sage oils with the way they shined in the sun. There was a slight swell to her lower belly in indication that there soon would be a new member to their family. They had celebrated this new announcement the past few days prior given the knowledge Seiro would be leaving them soon.
Still, that didn’t keep Irogene from taking Seiro’s hands into her own with a gentle squeeze and her normally fierce ocean blue depths misty with her unshed tears, “Remember, a Dotharl never fears death, Seiro. Even if you should fall, I know you will find your way back to us. Still…I hope you return to us in this life and tell us of your long journey.”
“Our son is strong. He will not fall so easily…” The calming voice of Qntl lulled with quiet confidence, clothed in his usual heavily layered robes of a deep purple hues embroidered with motifs of gold leaves when he came up beside Irogene to place a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder. Like Seiro, Qntl kept his hair long and flowing free from beyond interlacing gold chains that held in place a thin purple cloth of a lighter color that covered his eyes from sight.
Seiro’s mouth fell open in surprise to witness him unclasp the cloth away from his features for the time being – the same two-toned color of eyes staring back at him, one eye of dark purple and the other red with a bright limbal ring encircling the pupil, such that all descended from the Malkavi bloodline possessed. Those initiated fully into communion with the spirits like Qntl typically always left their eyes covered, so a small smile touched his lips to be able to see him fully one last time before he left.
“I will warn you. The further you travel, the more inevitable it will become that you find yourself in lands trapped in the midst of war. But I have no doubt that you will find the answers you seek. Much that will leave you questioning yourself. Think of us in those hard times. Your family wishes nothing but the best for you.”
“Father, mother…thank you so much for everything.” Came Seiro’s breathless reply, reaching his arms about to embrace them together with the reluctance to let go.
Eventually, the young au ra released them from his grasp when he turned to make his way ahead to Yanxia with one last wave good-bye to the family. One small step. And then another.
Seiro knew if he looked back, he might lose his courage to leave entirely. With every step, his resolve strengthened to stay on the meandering trail ahead.
Yet, no amount of courage stopped the steady stream of tears soon painting themselves down his cheeks, unable to hold back any longer.
Characters: Seiro Malkavi and Hemlocke Reines
Synopsis: Seiro and Hemlocke set out to investigate the ruins of Pyrebrook manor and get far more than they bargained for.
Setting: Black Shroud, Pyrebrook Manor.
Warning: Some horror elements, grief.
Words: Talisman and bargain
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“Hurry, cover the door…!” Seiro growled out in distress, slamming the door shut once they were both inside. Neither of them risked looking back long enough to see how many of those *things* followed with the crackle of bones echoing in their wake.
Hemlocke fought the instinctive reaction to come to his friend’s aid though he sparred him a quick look over his shoulder to assure himself. There the muscular form of the au ra stood before the sharp edges of the great dark ‘chasm’ that once made up the marble flooring in the elegant foyer. The full length of him visibly trembled, his teeth grinding together, and expression painted in a mask of torment. His callused fingers firmly gripped around the circular silver talisman he held up in the air, set with an inscription of a dark incantation along the metal edge encircling around the obsidian stone in the middle.
Dark purple miasma emitted from the core of the gem reverberating in an ominous hum as if releasing a distress call to all the undead nearby crawling towards them with mindless hunger. Apart from Seiro’s unyielding grasp, there was a diaphanous swirling mist made up of black and grey hues that encased the heavy energy pouring off the talisman. That energy pulsed like a living entity onto itself with shrieks and inhumane growls all in between them. The chorus of two dark spirits fighting for domination over the other.
Unable to do little more than attempt to block the path, Hemlocke rushed to the other side of sturdy dresser nearby. It was by no means light, but the knowledge that time was running out till this room would be filled with undead hands and biting maws was great motivator. He pressed his hands flat against the solid surface and huffed out to push forward, forcing the full weight of his body into the movement.
Eventually, the dresser tipped and fell over with a heavy thud onto the path to successfully barge the doorway just in time, but it didn’t stop them completely. A barrage of skeleton hands immediately smashed through the unguarded wood above, trying to grip at the dresser barring their way in. Thinking quick, Hemlocke fetched a rusty candle holder left discarded in the rubble of the furniture nearby. He began to swing away one by one at the bony hands emerging from the open gapes in the door. Soon, he began to look more like he was playing macabre game of ‘Wack-a-mole’ with the bits of splintered finger bones that rained down upon him in his successful attempts.
“Seiro! We need to hurry up with this plan of yours. I’m not sure how long this will hold them back! And if you don’t drop that Talisman soon…” His voice trailed off, not wanting to entertain the possibilities.
With his long tresses waving behind him from the force of warring entities coiling near him, Seiro could feel the strength of his grip around the talisman waning with each passing moment,
“If I release the talisman, the dark energy will flow into the earth below. Nothing could stop the corruption then. If not for Xil, I doubt we could contain them at all…” He paused to shoot Hemlocke a determined look,
“You claim your magic can only be used for destructive purposes…Well, we need that now! I will throw the Talisman up over the chasm and you hit the orb in the center with everything you’ve got.”
The mage stared for a moment in utter bewilderment “You are certainly confident to think I can overcome whatever in the Seven Hells spawned all *this*, but nor do I fancy being groped by these monstrosities for all eternity. Let’s give it a shot!” He replied with one last hard smack against a single crawling skeletal hand that gripped at the long billowing sleeve of his robe.
After a short count, the au ra reared his hand back and aimed to throw the talisman towards the center above the long stretch of the dark chasm with Xil releasing the dark entity contained within, retracting back its shadowy tendrils.
Hemlocke set himself into position, ignoring any other skeleton parts for the time being to find his focus. He chanted under his breathe, dipping from the aetherical well of his being and from the environment around him to shift the font of dark power onto the ruby stone faceted within long metal piece curved sharply at the top like a scythe.
Once ready, he lifted his staff and free hand outstretched with a strong upward motion that sent a wave of furious heat to follow. All that heat projected forth to gather unto a single point near the center of the orb, suddenly exploding in a brilliant blaze of red and orange flames that spiraled in a powerful burst out. The destruction of the dark force was strong enough to send Seiro, Xil and Hemlocke all flying backwards.
All at once, the stampede of undead suddenly stopped with a clatter of bones that lay scattered all along the ground outside. Hemlocke’s tall form lay sprawled out with an arm draped along the dresser he’d been slammed against. A soft groan left his parted lips- he wasn’t going to try to move too soon, “Fury…I’m going to be feeling this for weeks. So much for all this being a matter of a simple monster slaying. Are you all right, Seiro?”
Seiro had fared far better, already sitting upright from the rubble with the tiny shadow form of Xil resting on his shoulder. Long fluffy ears tucked back from their horns, dark eyes slitted open in their drowsy state. Soon, they began to snore ‘Mm mm mm..’ in a gentle rumble that was unusual for the likes of a voidsent. The au ra smiled kindly, giving them a pat on their tiny head, “Thank you and rest well, Xil. We are both fine. Still, it was interesting to see such power…controlling the dead like that? Bringing them back to life…Sometimes I wonder with Shiramune…”
Hemlocke’s firm tone quickly cut in, slowly coming to stand “Don’t even consider it. Necromancy doesn’t work like that. Who knows what you would have to bargain away? Even if you bring him back, he would no longer be the man you loved before.”
The mage’s crimson depths bore sympathy, coming close enough to give his friend a comforting squeeze on the shoulder when he caught the wetness beginning to well in the corners of his eyes “You need rest, Seiro. Let us head back for a well-deserved drink. And if you like, I should like to hear more about him…about Shiramune if you feel comfortable speaking about him.”
“…I would like that very much. Too few truly knew him, but he was a wonderful man.”
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ALTIn my thirst for battle, there I feel it
Sets my soul to blazing-
