A Pixie's Life
⭕SPOILERS FOR SHADOWBRINGERS⭕
Long ago, before the flood that would decimate the First, Il Mheg held a kingdom called Voeburt. Atop a hill looking down on Voeburt was Grünes Licht, the castle that housed the royal family. But this is not a story of man, no, this is a story of a fae. Deep in an ancient forest, the home of most fae folk within the First, there lived a Will-o-Wisp whose name was yet unknown. Names weren't given to the wisps, but this one desired so greatly to have more, and to be an individual. Hovering above the marshes, darting around in impatient wait, plotting and dreaming of life as a being with form her fate would soon take a turn.
On a fateful night in the forest, a wandering Elven woman explored the swamp's edge. She had always wanted to set her eyes upon the fae folk of a tale, and her wish came true. In the distance, she would see a dancing light, the wisp of our tale catching her attention. The girl gasped in excitement as her eyes and her mouth widened. The noise from the woman reached our wisp, who, like any curious fae, immediately darted over to investigate. She approached the elfen girl and began to playfully hover around her. The wisp was enamored by the features of the small woman, as she took mental notes of every detail. The girl smiled and even giggled as she was circled by our wisp. It had been but a moment, and once our wisp was satisfied she quickly retreated, leaving the girl alone.
As time passed, the woman would come to the same spot in the forest and call out to the wisp, who would almost instantly answer her summons. They would dance and play, though speaking was nigh impossible. Our wisp so desperately wished to communicate, she wished to have a form that she may fully enjoy her time with her newfound friend. Weeks passed while she looked for a way to make it a reality, and so did weeks passed that her friend came to visit until finally a breakthrough. Through conversation with Pixies, she would learn of transmogrification magicks, which filled her with a joy she had never known before. Though the joy was short-lived, as fae folk seldom deal with the affairs of man, of which they were ignorant.
A gleaming light creeping through the forest began consuming all life it touched. The fae folk of the forest was forced to retreat, finding refuge in Il Mheg. It was ravaged, and the men who used to call it home abandoned the kingdom of Voeburt. Though not all would escape, as body after body our wisp would pass. She could not believe the sight she bares in front of her, "What had happened to these people?" she thought, and just then she felt a tinge in her soul. Her eyes lay upon a body, a familiar woman... Her friend rested lifelessly on the ground in front of her. Grief-stricken, she remained by her side, in hopes this might all be a trick, one like the pixies so frequently play. Reality slowly crept, and a decision was made. She began to glow brighter as she began to cast her magick. Her light morphed, sprouting legs, and arms, Slowly she dimmed, revealing her new corporeal form, a form much like her friend she once dreamed of playing with. For the first time, she had form, and with form, she was stricken with emotions she never knew before. Falling to the ground in tears, she grieved heavily for a time.
With her newfound form, the growing fear of the flood of light, and the passing of her friend, our wisp would grow weary of the First. She pondered for some days as the other fae would reconstruct the lands to their liking. She gave herself a name, Yuma Dorele, and decided she must leave all she knew behind and begin anew. Yuma hopped into the aetherial stream, where she searched for a new home. A glimmer of hope as she approached a distortion that radiated hopeful energy. She exited the stream, materializing in the middle of a grassy field. With the smell of salt water and the kiss of the sun on her skin she smiled. "Yes... I think this will do," she stated as she stood overlooking the coast of La Noscea. Her eyes watered as tears streamed down her face thinking about her homeland and what has become of it, her mind racing through the memories of her lost friend she never got to speak with. With her hands she pushed the tears aside, taking her first steps into Eorzea.