Yay! I've been meaning to actually write down this part of Sounsyy's story for a long long time now. I knew what happened, just never got around to actually writing it. Anyways it turned out rather lengthy so I spoilered it in two parts!
Without further ado, the Calamity as seen through the eyes of Captain Sounsyy Mirke.
Without further ado, the Calamity as seen through the eyes of Captain Sounsyy Mirke.
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Til Garlemald Swallows All - Part I
There was a storm raging overhead. Lightning danced across the sky, seemingly igniting Menphina's Hound suspended in the storm clouds above. The Red Moon had been plucked from the heavens, poised to crash with a moments notice. It sent the Five Seas into a frenzy, and they whipped around the Crimson Fleet as it entered the Straight of Merlthor. Sounsyy was accustomed to the choppy waters of the Merlthor. The keening of her vessel on the waves would not disturb her sleep, nor would the groans as the wood fought off the roiling water. Only nightmares crawled between the peace of deep sleep.
Stone pillars crumbled. Sounsyy gasped and fell away - fell into darkness. A mass of Garlean soldiers, all in black, stuck their blades into her flesh. She cried out. The sky above her a bloody mess of red. She ran through the fields outside Ala Mhigo. Garlean warships blotting out the sky. She saw her father fighting the Garleans outside her home. She had had this nightmare before. She knew he was about to die. He turned to look at Sounsyy, only the face was not his. The frame was of her sister, Sophie. She was older now, an adult. She turned towards her sister just as the centurion struck her down.
Sounsyy yelped and awoke with a start. Her body was drenched in a cold sweat. Cambre's arm was still draped over Sounsyy. The Elezen seemed undisturbed by Sounsyy's outburst so she sighed and curled up closer to her friend, taking her outstretched hand and nestling it into her chest. Despite Sounsyy's objections, Cambre had insisted earlier on spending the night with her. Sounsyy realized she must have been lonely not having her husband on the voyage to Carteneau. Dasil, despite his being a practiced chirurgeon, was not Maelstrom, and the Admiral had forbade civilians be near this battle.
Sounsyy could not get back to sleep that night. Instead, she laid in Cambre's arms and recalled the day before. The fight between her and Iyrnlahz.
"Godsdamnit, Mirke! You know I can't do that!"
The Roegadyn's voice echoed about the room. The 3rd Squadron Commander was half out of his seat, hands bared down on the desk. His aged face was creased with anger. The hairs of his graying beard all but standing on end. Across from him was Sounsyy in formal Maelstrom captain garb. She was also leaned across the desk, her fierce eyes staring the Roegadyn down. Neither of them spoke and the room was silent except for their labored breathing. Iyrnlahz cleared his throat, sat back down, and Sounsyy relaxed as well. Her eyes looked elsewhere while she stood at attention. Iyrnlahz put his face in his hands.Â
"I can't assign you to the front," the Roegadyn said finally, "You know you were relieved from duty after what happened. Facing godsdamned court marshal in fact!"
"Af-After what happened?!" The Captain repeated, aghast. "My men have sworn an oath to the Maelstrom! We should be on the-"
"What men? Mirke, your men are all dead! ...What were your mission orders, soldier?"
"To defend the forward outpost at Iron Lake from advancing Garleans... sir."
"Damn right it was, Captain! And where in the Seven Hells did your orders say to openly engage not one, but two H-1 Vanguards?! Any Captain worth half your salt would 'ave fallen back and regrouped with the rest o' the Third!"
"Those abominations were carrying their advance, sir. They had to be stopped."
"Your decision cost forty-three good soldiers their lives!"
"You think I don't know that?!"
"You don't seem to give a Qiqirn's arse!" Iyrnlahz exasperated, leaned back into his chair, rubbing his hands against his face. There was a long pause before he decided to speak again, "And what I can't figure is how you survive through it all."
"Sir," Sounsyy started, "I have survived my whole damn life to meet the Garleans on a field where we may stand a chance at victory. This isn't some piss party of beggars and orphans. We have a chance at this! And I have earned my right to be there to see just one victory against the Garleans."
Sounsyy stood resolutely in front of Iyrnlahz's desk. There was sweat beading down her face and her eyes were moist with tears. It was all she could do to keep her hands from shaking. For fifteen years she had waited for a chance to strike back at the Empire for what they had done to her home and her family.
"Please, sir," she said.
"Thal's balls, I can't stop you. But I ain't givin' you more troops to get killed. Not tha' any would 'ave you as their Captain anyhow. I know you, you'll make due wit' what ya got."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Don't," Iyrnlahz said, standing. He rifled through his desk for her insignia and bicorne. "Sounsyy Mirke, I hereby reinstate your rank as Captain. Yours, the Seventeenth Levy are hereby commanded to assemble for departure to Carteneau tomorrow with the main host. Maybe Thal will finally take you back on Carteneau."
"Aye, you hope," Sounsyy said, laughing just a little. He let a smile form across his face. The first one in a long time for either of them.Â
"Aye, but I reckon Thal don't want you. Just take care of yourself out there and your men. I look forward to many more screamin' matches with you before I go."
"Iyrnlahz, you really think any of us are going to make it out of this alive?"
"Mm. Be seein' you on the battlefield, Mirke," Iyrnlahz said, signifying that the conversation was over and Sounsyy was dismissed.Â
"Aye, we'll be the platoon out in front pushing them hellions back," the Captain said as she walked out of the Coral Tower office. The doors closed behind her and Iyrnlahz was left alone with his friend's words. Every second seemed to be flying away from them all, but all Iyrnlahz could do was sit there.
Nearly a week had passed since the Crimson Fleet had made port at Vesper. From there, the Maelstrom joined the Flames in their long march north. Sounsyy thought often of her seventeen remaining soldiers and if any of them would live to see victory, if victory was even to be had.
Marlow, a child of only sixteen summers, had not spoken a word since their loss at Iron Lake. Her gaze was empty as she marched beside her captain. They had all lost friends that day, but Marlow lost more than that. Sounsyy reached out with an arm and pulled Marlow close to her as they marched. Marlow offered no smile, but laid her head softly atop Sounsyy's. The gesture was enough to reassure both women that everything was going to be okay.
The night before the last battle, the small company ate and drank together. Red tents pitched around a camp fire on the barren rock of Carteneau. Nearby, other camps laid out the same. The 7th could hear hearty drinking songs and loud proclamations of undying affection. It may have only been due to the swill, but the drunken raucous seemed to do something for the weary Lominsans. It was a little piece of home. But as the night went on, the somber mood crept back from the shadows and soon everyone retreated into their tents to get one last sleep.
Sounsyy, fearful of what demons sleep would bring, stayed vigil over the dying campfire. From her waistband she withdrew a small leather-bound journal. It had belonged to her little sister when she was just learning her calligraphy. Sounsyy smiled and thought how much smarter her sister must be now. How long it took for Sounsyy to teach herself the most amateur of pen strokes. Still, these last few months she had made an effort to write in that small journal in the hopes it would one day make it back into her sister's hands.
So Sounsyy started to write.
She awoke before dawn the next day. Cambre was sitting upright on the edge of her cot, already fully armored. But Sounsyy could still feel her warmth on her back as if she was still there. A stoic gaze from her Elezen friend told her it was time. So she rose as well and went to the makeshift vanity in her tent. The air was crisp outside the blankets and Sounsyy's skin formed small bumps across her body.
She stood before her vanity, eyeing her near-naked form in the dim light. She bent and danced her legs into her pants bottoms. The small leather tights framed her thighs and fit snugly in place when she finished the process. As she tied her waistbelt she felt Cambre behind her. Sounsyy lifted her arms above her head and Cambre pulled the leather jerkin down into place. Sounsyy poked her head out of the collar and began making minor adjustments to the fit.
"I saw you writing to Sophie last night," Cambre said softly, busying herself with Sounsyy's armor, "What did you say?"
Sounsyy was now sitting, her legs propped up in front of her. She was pulling on her armored thigh boots. The cobalt plating felt slick from the morning dew. She eased one boot into place, bringing the lip up to meet the crease of her knee. As she started on the other boot she replied, "I told her about Ala Mhigo. About home."
"Tell me," Ceirette said, as if the words might whisk her back to their home. As if this had all been one bad nightmare. It had been, but it wasn't one they'd soon awake from.
"It was the most beautiful city in Eorzea," Sounsyy began.
Sounsyy pulled her hair into a tuft of a ponytail as she recited. The defiant fibers drifted lazily back out of position and made their way like vines into tight crevices of Sounsyy's armor.
Sounsyy pulled on one sleeve and then the other. They fit as close as her leggings, flexible and safe. Cambre came behind Sounsyy and fitted her breastplate to her chest. Sounsyy held it in place while Cambre fussed over her sloppy attempt to keep her hair out of the way. Cambre fixed it into a appealing bun and proceeded to tighten the belts that held breastplate to backplate.
To her forward leg, more plate armor. Gloves and gauntlets as well. Cambre finished tightening Sounsyy's armor and retreated a step to assess her work. Sounsyy stared ahead into the vanity. Her own gaze piercing her. She opened a kit - makeup. With her half gloved hand she applied gold paint to her eyelids. She looked down at the gold paint still on her ring finger before wiping it clean across her breastplate, leaving a golden streak across the cold cobalt.
Cambre hugged her friend from behind, shedding a few tears. Sounsyy reached up and held on to her embrace tightly. Dawn had risen and a pale light crept into the tent. It was quiet this morning. No songs, no birds, no rustle of movement could be heard outside. It was as if they were walking ghosts already. The war was already over.
"Can you breathe? Is it tight?" Cambre finally asked, letting go of her friend.
"A bit, but I can breathe well enough."
Cambre handed Sounsyy her shortsword, which she took with a grimace. She swallowed hard as she sheathed it above her rear. The pair nodded to each other and exited the tent.
Outside the 7th waited, dressed and eating. They looked to Sounsyy as she exited her tent. Some stood, others remained as they were, but their attention was undivided. They were waiting for words of encouragement. Words of wisdom. Maybe a rallying cry. But their captain had nothing to offer. She looked at them all and gave the best smile she could muster.
"Our orders, Cap'n?" Himalanka asked from his seat by the campfire. Sounsyy regarded the marauder, unsure how to answer. She waited a moment before speaking.
"There's an old story I'm sure we all know. Were Beaumont 'ere, he'd probably tell it better. But legend goes in the beginning days, our goddess Llymlaen gave birth to twin serpents and tasked them to fill the empty seas with water. From them sprung forth great volumes of the stuff, and life flourished in the wellspring they created. But as the seas filled and spilled upon land, Llymlaen realized the waters would not stop. So she bound the serpents to an isle and hid it away from the rest of the world. For if the seal were ever broken, the seas would surely swallow all. It's a story we all know, but today we are living it."
There were a few puzzled looks, so Sounsyy continued, "Today, Garlemald is that flood. They have risen from nothing and they have claimed lands that were not theirs to take. They have taken our homes. They have taken our families. And today they may take our lives. But the Navigator is here with us today! She 'as tasked us with stopping this flood. If they are not stopped here on Carteneau, today, they will surely swallow all Hydaelyn tomorrow. Today, there is no retreat. We lay them low into this rock! The Garlean flood claims no more of our lands!"
Cheers sounded. Sounsyy looked around and noticed that others had crowded around. Men and women from other Levies had made their way over towards the sounds of hope. No matter how small. The 7th were all on their feet now. They nodded in support of their captain.
"Til Sea Swallows All," one of them said.
"Til Sea swallows All," joined in another. Then another, and another, until it rose to a chorus, "Til Sea Swallows All! Til Sea Swallows All!"
There was a storm raging overhead. Lightning danced across the sky, seemingly igniting Menphina's Hound suspended in the storm clouds above. The Red Moon had been plucked from the heavens, poised to crash with a moments notice. It sent the Five Seas into a frenzy, and they whipped around the Crimson Fleet as it entered the Straight of Merlthor. Sounsyy was accustomed to the choppy waters of the Merlthor. The keening of her vessel on the waves would not disturb her sleep, nor would the groans as the wood fought off the roiling water. Only nightmares crawled between the peace of deep sleep.
Stone pillars crumbled. Sounsyy gasped and fell away - fell into darkness. A mass of Garlean soldiers, all in black, stuck their blades into her flesh. She cried out. The sky above her a bloody mess of red. She ran through the fields outside Ala Mhigo. Garlean warships blotting out the sky. She saw her father fighting the Garleans outside her home. She had had this nightmare before. She knew he was about to die. He turned to look at Sounsyy, only the face was not his. The frame was of her sister, Sophie. She was older now, an adult. She turned towards her sister just as the centurion struck her down.
Sounsyy yelped and awoke with a start. Her body was drenched in a cold sweat. Cambre's arm was still draped over Sounsyy. The Elezen seemed undisturbed by Sounsyy's outburst so she sighed and curled up closer to her friend, taking her outstretched hand and nestling it into her chest. Despite Sounsyy's objections, Cambre had insisted earlier on spending the night with her. Sounsyy realized she must have been lonely not having her husband on the voyage to Carteneau. Dasil, despite his being a practiced chirurgeon, was not Maelstrom, and the Admiral had forbade civilians be near this battle.
Sounsyy could not get back to sleep that night. Instead, she laid in Cambre's arms and recalled the day before. The fight between her and Iyrnlahz.
"Godsdamnit, Mirke! You know I can't do that!"
The Roegadyn's voice echoed about the room. The 3rd Squadron Commander was half out of his seat, hands bared down on the desk. His aged face was creased with anger. The hairs of his graying beard all but standing on end. Across from him was Sounsyy in formal Maelstrom captain garb. She was also leaned across the desk, her fierce eyes staring the Roegadyn down. Neither of them spoke and the room was silent except for their labored breathing. Iyrnlahz cleared his throat, sat back down, and Sounsyy relaxed as well. Her eyes looked elsewhere while she stood at attention. Iyrnlahz put his face in his hands.Â
"I can't assign you to the front," the Roegadyn said finally, "You know you were relieved from duty after what happened. Facing godsdamned court marshal in fact!"
"Af-After what happened?!" The Captain repeated, aghast. "My men have sworn an oath to the Maelstrom! We should be on the-"
"What men? Mirke, your men are all dead! ...What were your mission orders, soldier?"
"To defend the forward outpost at Iron Lake from advancing Garleans... sir."
"Damn right it was, Captain! And where in the Seven Hells did your orders say to openly engage not one, but two H-1 Vanguards?! Any Captain worth half your salt would 'ave fallen back and regrouped with the rest o' the Third!"
"Those abominations were carrying their advance, sir. They had to be stopped."
"Your decision cost forty-three good soldiers their lives!"
"You think I don't know that?!"
"You don't seem to give a Qiqirn's arse!" Iyrnlahz exasperated, leaned back into his chair, rubbing his hands against his face. There was a long pause before he decided to speak again, "And what I can't figure is how you survive through it all."
"Sir," Sounsyy started, "I have survived my whole damn life to meet the Garleans on a field where we may stand a chance at victory. This isn't some piss party of beggars and orphans. We have a chance at this! And I have earned my right to be there to see just one victory against the Garleans."
Sounsyy stood resolutely in front of Iyrnlahz's desk. There was sweat beading down her face and her eyes were moist with tears. It was all she could do to keep her hands from shaking. For fifteen years she had waited for a chance to strike back at the Empire for what they had done to her home and her family.
"Please, sir," she said.
"Thal's balls, I can't stop you. But I ain't givin' you more troops to get killed. Not tha' any would 'ave you as their Captain anyhow. I know you, you'll make due wit' what ya got."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Don't," Iyrnlahz said, standing. He rifled through his desk for her insignia and bicorne. "Sounsyy Mirke, I hereby reinstate your rank as Captain. Yours, the Seventeenth Levy are hereby commanded to assemble for departure to Carteneau tomorrow with the main host. Maybe Thal will finally take you back on Carteneau."
"Aye, you hope," Sounsyy said, laughing just a little. He let a smile form across his face. The first one in a long time for either of them.Â
"Aye, but I reckon Thal don't want you. Just take care of yourself out there and your men. I look forward to many more screamin' matches with you before I go."
"Iyrnlahz, you really think any of us are going to make it out of this alive?"
"Mm. Be seein' you on the battlefield, Mirke," Iyrnlahz said, signifying that the conversation was over and Sounsyy was dismissed.Â
"Aye, we'll be the platoon out in front pushing them hellions back," the Captain said as she walked out of the Coral Tower office. The doors closed behind her and Iyrnlahz was left alone with his friend's words. Every second seemed to be flying away from them all, but all Iyrnlahz could do was sit there.
Nearly a week had passed since the Crimson Fleet had made port at Vesper. From there, the Maelstrom joined the Flames in their long march north. Sounsyy thought often of her seventeen remaining soldiers and if any of them would live to see victory, if victory was even to be had.
Marlow, a child of only sixteen summers, had not spoken a word since their loss at Iron Lake. Her gaze was empty as she marched beside her captain. They had all lost friends that day, but Marlow lost more than that. Sounsyy reached out with an arm and pulled Marlow close to her as they marched. Marlow offered no smile, but laid her head softly atop Sounsyy's. The gesture was enough to reassure both women that everything was going to be okay.
The night before the last battle, the small company ate and drank together. Red tents pitched around a camp fire on the barren rock of Carteneau. Nearby, other camps laid out the same. The 7th could hear hearty drinking songs and loud proclamations of undying affection. It may have only been due to the swill, but the drunken raucous seemed to do something for the weary Lominsans. It was a little piece of home. But as the night went on, the somber mood crept back from the shadows and soon everyone retreated into their tents to get one last sleep.
Sounsyy, fearful of what demons sleep would bring, stayed vigil over the dying campfire. From her waistband she withdrew a small leather-bound journal. It had belonged to her little sister when she was just learning her calligraphy. Sounsyy smiled and thought how much smarter her sister must be now. How long it took for Sounsyy to teach herself the most amateur of pen strokes. Still, these last few months she had made an effort to write in that small journal in the hopes it would one day make it back into her sister's hands.
So Sounsyy started to write.
I write this from the Carteneau Flats.
The Nations march against Garlemald here.
I can see their banners and I can hear their metal boots with such deafening clarity.
I cannot imagine my way from this.
I would never imagined my nameday to be my last day.
I only imagine that somehow I will see you on this battlefield.
If there is any sleep to be had, I will not have it tonight with that thought.
When all time seems to be out, I have managed to set aside this time for you...
The Nations march against Garlemald here.
I can see their banners and I can hear their metal boots with such deafening clarity.
I cannot imagine my way from this.
I would never imagined my nameday to be my last day.
I only imagine that somehow I will see you on this battlefield.
If there is any sleep to be had, I will not have it tonight with that thought.
When all time seems to be out, I have managed to set aside this time for you...
She awoke before dawn the next day. Cambre was sitting upright on the edge of her cot, already fully armored. But Sounsyy could still feel her warmth on her back as if she was still there. A stoic gaze from her Elezen friend told her it was time. So she rose as well and went to the makeshift vanity in her tent. The air was crisp outside the blankets and Sounsyy's skin formed small bumps across her body.
She stood before her vanity, eyeing her near-naked form in the dim light. She bent and danced her legs into her pants bottoms. The small leather tights framed her thighs and fit snugly in place when she finished the process. As she tied her waistbelt she felt Cambre behind her. Sounsyy lifted her arms above her head and Cambre pulled the leather jerkin down into place. Sounsyy poked her head out of the collar and began making minor adjustments to the fit.
"I saw you writing to Sophie last night," Cambre said softly, busying herself with Sounsyy's armor, "What did you say?"
Sounsyy was now sitting, her legs propped up in front of her. She was pulling on her armored thigh boots. The cobalt plating felt slick from the morning dew. She eased one boot into place, bringing the lip up to meet the crease of her knee. As she started on the other boot she replied, "I told her about Ala Mhigo. About home."
"Tell me," Ceirette said, as if the words might whisk her back to their home. As if this had all been one bad nightmare. It had been, but it wasn't one they'd soon awake from.
"It was the most beautiful city in Eorzea," Sounsyy began.
The crisp air from the north blew in every morning,
sweeping the night's dew from the flowers.
sweeping the night's dew from the flowers.
Sounsyy pulled her hair into a tuft of a ponytail as she recited. The defiant fibers drifted lazily back out of position and made their way like vines into tight crevices of Sounsyy's armor.
When I was a Miqo'te of just ten summers,
Cambre and I would play with sticks and pebbles by the river.
You would sit and try to eat the flowers on the bank.
You were only four.
Cambre and I would play with sticks and pebbles by the river.
You would sit and try to eat the flowers on the bank.
You were only four.
Sounsyy pulled on one sleeve and then the other. They fit as close as her leggings, flexible and safe. Cambre came behind Sounsyy and fitted her breastplate to her chest. Sounsyy held it in place while Cambre fussed over her sloppy attempt to keep her hair out of the way. Cambre fixed it into a appealing bun and proceeded to tighten the belts that held breastplate to backplate.
Cambre would go and take the flowers you picked and string them into your hair.
She wasn't even family, but you would never know...
She wasn't even family, but you would never know...
To her forward leg, more plate armor. Gloves and gauntlets as well. Cambre finished tightening Sounsyy's armor and retreated a step to assess her work. Sounsyy stared ahead into the vanity. Her own gaze piercing her. She opened a kit - makeup. With her half gloved hand she applied gold paint to her eyelids. She looked down at the gold paint still on her ring finger before wiping it clean across her breastplate, leaving a golden streak across the cold cobalt.
For the first time in many moons, I smile as I write this.
I have strayed far but always my thoughts are with you...
...There by your side until I know you are safe.
I have strayed far but always my thoughts are with you...
...There by your side until I know you are safe.
Cambre hugged her friend from behind, shedding a few tears. Sounsyy reached up and held on to her embrace tightly. Dawn had risen and a pale light crept into the tent. It was quiet this morning. No songs, no birds, no rustle of movement could be heard outside. It was as if they were walking ghosts already. The war was already over.
"Can you breathe? Is it tight?" Cambre finally asked, letting go of her friend.
"A bit, but I can breathe well enough."
Cambre handed Sounsyy her shortsword, which she took with a grimace. She swallowed hard as she sheathed it above her rear. The pair nodded to each other and exited the tent.
Outside the 7th waited, dressed and eating. They looked to Sounsyy as she exited her tent. Some stood, others remained as they were, but their attention was undivided. They were waiting for words of encouragement. Words of wisdom. Maybe a rallying cry. But their captain had nothing to offer. She looked at them all and gave the best smile she could muster.
"Our orders, Cap'n?" Himalanka asked from his seat by the campfire. Sounsyy regarded the marauder, unsure how to answer. She waited a moment before speaking.
"There's an old story I'm sure we all know. Were Beaumont 'ere, he'd probably tell it better. But legend goes in the beginning days, our goddess Llymlaen gave birth to twin serpents and tasked them to fill the empty seas with water. From them sprung forth great volumes of the stuff, and life flourished in the wellspring they created. But as the seas filled and spilled upon land, Llymlaen realized the waters would not stop. So she bound the serpents to an isle and hid it away from the rest of the world. For if the seal were ever broken, the seas would surely swallow all. It's a story we all know, but today we are living it."
There were a few puzzled looks, so Sounsyy continued, "Today, Garlemald is that flood. They have risen from nothing and they have claimed lands that were not theirs to take. They have taken our homes. They have taken our families. And today they may take our lives. But the Navigator is here with us today! She 'as tasked us with stopping this flood. If they are not stopped here on Carteneau, today, they will surely swallow all Hydaelyn tomorrow. Today, there is no retreat. We lay them low into this rock! The Garlean flood claims no more of our lands!"
Cheers sounded. Sounsyy looked around and noticed that others had crowded around. Men and women from other Levies had made their way over towards the sounds of hope. No matter how small. The 7th were all on their feet now. They nodded in support of their captain.
"Til Sea Swallows All," one of them said.
"Til Sea swallows All," joined in another. Then another, and another, until it rose to a chorus, "Til Sea Swallows All! Til Sea Swallows All!"
Show Content
Til Garlemald Swallows All - Part II
Til Sea Swallows All, Sounsyy repeated in her head as they stood in formation facing the Garleans. The sun was starting to set now - the day spent in strategy rooms and making last minute preparations for the battle to come. Now it was here.
The Eorzean alliance stood shoulder to shoulder, Red with Blue, Blue with Yellow. Sounsyy's own Levy nestled in the sea of red and black armor and coats of the Maelstrom. They made up the far left flank of the host. Off to her right Sounsyy thought she saw Iyrnlahz barking orders to some soldiers at the front. Then she felt a hand upon her shoulder. Marlow was standing there, her face pale. Sounsyy brushed the hair out of the girl's face with a gentle hand.
"I'm here," Sounsyy said softly to the girl.
"Thank you, Captain," Marlow answered, her gaze locked ahead. Sounsyy followed it and saw that the Garleans were advancing forwards in a slow march.
So it began.
To her right Sounsyy saw the Immortal Flames surge forwards towards the Garleans. Soon, orders began barking across every linkshell in the alliance. She heard the Admiral's voice, <All units advance!>
Then, <7th Squadron, charge!>
<Black Sails, charge!>
Finally, Commander Iyrnlahz's voice, <3rd Squadron, charge!>
"Forward!" Sounsyy barked to her Levy, "Marauders to front! Lancers to flanks! Ranged to center! We break the enemy line and make a hole for the Levies behind us!"
The march turned into a full run. The two armies clashed and chaos ensued. The forward rows had broken down into skirmishes and brawls, weakening the line. Bullets rang out across the field and Sounsyy watched as soldiers fell in plumes of blood. Her Levy pushed through the fighting and hit the Garlean line.
"Push!" Sounsyy with her shield and shortsword barreled head on into the enemy line, gaining ground. Marlow swung wildly with her axe just to Sounsyy's right. They pushed the line back and then forced it open by parting their Levy in two like an opening gate.
"Fire!" As the forward line of their Levy parted in the middle, the Levy's three remaining Musketeers peppered the surprised Garleans with musket fire. The Garleans in range fell back under the barrage. Seizing the opportunity, a Levy from the 4th Squadron rushed through the opening the 7th had created in the Garlean line.
The left flank pushed forwards, but the Garleans were quick to regroup. Sheer weight of numbers crushed the advance and the left flank fell to chaos. The spearhead scattered and the battlefield descended into red armor against black armor. Sounsyy was thrust into the sea of black and was separated from her Levy. From the left, a Garlean rushed her. She met him with her shield, the curved scutum crushing into the Garlean's face. She brought her shortsword up into his side and let his lifeblood spill onto the rocks. She turned to face another, slashing down into his forward leg. Another - brought down with the driving force of her shield and sword.
She felt a pounding in her chest harder than her own heartbeat as heavy artillery from the Garlean side boomed out over the den. She turned to see maybe a dozen shells crash deep into the Eorzean host behind her. Pillars of smoke and flame and rubble exploded out from the blast sites. Her linkpearl crackled <War Sails! Return fire!>
More artillery answered the first round as both sides fired at will. But the battle below was still ongoing. Sounsyy turned back towards the Garleans just in time to catch a broadsword in full cleave. Sounsyy was laid flat, the Roegadyn sized blade cutting into the top of her breastplate. She rolled over, trying desperately to dislodge the blade without relinquishing it to its owner. The heavy blade fell free and Sounsyy scrambled to her feet to face her attacker. The Roegadyn came at her, pushing her back down to the ground. He picked up the sword and just as he was about to bring it down on Sounsyy, a spear caught him through the back.
In a flash of yellow, two mounted soldiers raced by Sounsyy, cutting through the Garlean line. She looked on long enough to see the one who saved her get thrown from his slain mount and drown beneath the black tide. She turned away only to have her heart stop. No more than forty yalms before her she saw the remnants of her Levy. The Psahl sisters, X'pnahgo and X'rhoeja, were back to back against a unit of Imperials. The brilliant crackle of their muskets illuminated the numbers swarming them. One soldier managed to slip through the spray of musket fire and gutted X'rhoeja where she stood. X'pnahgo shoved the muzzle into the Garlean's face and pulled the trigger.
Having lost the will to go on, X'pnahgo collapsed beside her sister, cradling her lifeless form. Before the soldiers could approach, Eric, the only other shieldsman to survive Iron Lake, burst into view. He fought fiercely against X'rhoeja's killers, but in the end fell too.
An Eques rushed Sounsyy and her attention was drawn away from X'pnahgo's fate. She avoided his thrust and laid him low with a swing of her blade. When she looked back to where X'pnahgo had been, she saw only a mass of Imperial soldiers. A wave of emotion struck Sounsyy and a few unwelcome tears slid down her cheeks. She breathed deep, but the air was thick with ash and smoke, and it only brought more tears.
With clouded eyes she slew a soldier whose back was turned. Then gutted another as he approached. Another soldier hurried past, but Sounsyy stayed her blade when she saw the Maelstrom insignia. She caught the Barracuda by the arm and he wheeled around with panic-stricken eyes.
"Where are you going, sergeant?!"
"Let me go! There's just too many! I don't want to die here!"
Sounsyy punched the man square in his jaw and screamed at him, "Since when did our godsdamned motto become 'Til Garlemald Swallows All'?! Until you see the sea's last great wave you stand your ground! Until I says so we are the great wave that will swallow Garlemald, not the other way around! Now on your feet!"
Sounsyy dragged the welp up and together they engaged the Garlean line. Together they slew five before gunfire cut the sergeant down. Sounsyy brought her scutum up to protect herself and watched as an Imperial footsoldier rushed past. She turned and slipped her shortsword upwards into his flank. She spilled his blood and turned ready to engage the next foe, only to find none.
Panicked, Sounsyy looked around her to see the area clear of fighting for five yalms in either direction. Her eyes followed the part in the waters to see an Imperial Reaper charging its cannon. Sounsyy gasped as the Reaper's cannon sounded. Unable to run, she dropped to her knees and threw up her scutum in front of her. She knew it would not hold. She buried her face in the crook of her arm and waited for the end.
Amid the chaos she heard someone scream her name, but she knew not who. She looked up in time to see Iyrnlahz's frame come between her and the fiery blast. What she could see of his face looked weary, his body heaving, his axe bloody. Then he was gone.
Everything shone in white and red and yellow. Sounsyy felt the force of the blast crush her into the ground. Her shield shattered and metal fragments exploded outwards in all directions. Her head swam, her ears deaf with ringing, and her eyes could not see through the tears that were streaming down her face. She tried to draw breath, but could not. She felt as though she could not inflate her chest. Her armor was too heavy, too constricting. She tried to push herself over onto her side, but when she did her forearm bent at an unnatural angle.
A shrill yelp escaped Sounsyy's closing airway. Her mouth was agape like a fish out of water. Soot and ash covered her face. Her hair was smoldering. She saw the Reaper approaching and knew that the pain would soon be over. But inexplicably, the Reaper lurched and wheeled away and to the ground. Mirke's spear, Liberator, standing erect from out of the carcass of the Reaper pilot. Cambre and Marlow came running to Sounsyy's side not a moment later. Cambre pulled Sounsyy's broken form upright into her chest while Marlow stood guard.
"Marlow! We have to retreat! We have to retreat now!"
"Go! They've set up a medical camp at Brittlebark! I'll hold them off! Get back to the Allied line!"
Cambre put her arms beneath Sounsyy and hoisted her off the ground. Marlow dug her axe blade into the clavicle of an approaching Garlean. She ran towards another but then the ground shook violently and she was thrown off balance. Sounsyy fell from Cambre's arms and the Elezen was thrown in another direction. Sounsyy landed hard on the ground and rolled onto her side. The sharp pain forced an inhalation through her swollen airway and she managed to inflate one side of her chest.
Once the pain had subsided, Sounsyy cast her gaze skyward to see Dalamud rip itself apart. The moon broke apart as some monstrosity broke its way free. Time seemed suspended in that moment, then, the broken husk of Dalamud erupted with fire and exploded outwards. The ground shook violently again as the first bits of the moon crashed into the Flats.
<Co...und...it! We...ost...ntact...to...t...main...st.> Sounsyy could just make out the garbled transmission before her linkshell crackled and died.
Sounsyy tried screaming for Cambre, for Marlow, but all she managed was a pitiful whistle, noiseless amid the ensuing chaos. Men and women, Eorzean and Garlean both scrambled over one another trying to escape the battlefield. Sounsyy finally caught sight of Marlow several yalms away. She was standing there, silhouetted in flame. Sounsyy saw Marlow face the sky, then watched in horror as falling debris came crashing down around her.
Sounsyy felt a strong hand on her shoulder ease her over onto her back. She thought for a moment it was Cambre, but it wasn't. A conjurer from her Levy, Theresa, was staring her in the eyes. She mumbled something to Sounsyy and Sounsyy felt the warm gush of healing magic wash over her. For just one moment, she was able to catch her breath. The ringing in her ears ebbed away and suddenly Sounsyy felt drowsy. She could fight no longer.
Sounsyy's gaze lifted skyward. The clouds had parted over Carteneau revealing a brilliant display of magic strewn across the sky. A new, blue Dalamud had replaced the old and gargantuan glyphs belonging to the Twelve encircled the orb. The whole battlefield shimmered in a wash of blue light. Then the spell failed and shattered. The blue was replaced with red flames tearing across the sky in all directions. She felt the ground beneath her crumble and Sounsyy thought that all Hydaelyn was about to shatter as Dalamud had.
The Sixth Astral Era truly is the last...
"Captain, we have to run!"
Theresa made to stand, her hand outstretched for Sounsyy's good one. Sounsyy tried to take it, but flaming debris whipped about them and struck the conjurer down. She crumpled in a spray of blood. Sounsyy screamed in horror but the pain of her injuries started to return. She knew she could not waste Theresa's sacrifice.
With her good arm she dragged her aching body across the rubble. She only managed a few yalms distance before she could no longer continue. Her muscles screamed for air but she could no longer force any down. Colors danced before her eyes in those last few seconds before consciousness failed the Captain and she found herself being carried away in another pair of strong arms.
Til Sea Swallows All, Sounsyy repeated in her head as they stood in formation facing the Garleans. The sun was starting to set now - the day spent in strategy rooms and making last minute preparations for the battle to come. Now it was here.
The Eorzean alliance stood shoulder to shoulder, Red with Blue, Blue with Yellow. Sounsyy's own Levy nestled in the sea of red and black armor and coats of the Maelstrom. They made up the far left flank of the host. Off to her right Sounsyy thought she saw Iyrnlahz barking orders to some soldiers at the front. Then she felt a hand upon her shoulder. Marlow was standing there, her face pale. Sounsyy brushed the hair out of the girl's face with a gentle hand.
"I'm here," Sounsyy said softly to the girl.
"Thank you, Captain," Marlow answered, her gaze locked ahead. Sounsyy followed it and saw that the Garleans were advancing forwards in a slow march.
So it began.
To her right Sounsyy saw the Immortal Flames surge forwards towards the Garleans. Soon, orders began barking across every linkshell in the alliance. She heard the Admiral's voice, <All units advance!>
Then, <7th Squadron, charge!>
<Black Sails, charge!>
Finally, Commander Iyrnlahz's voice, <3rd Squadron, charge!>
"Forward!" Sounsyy barked to her Levy, "Marauders to front! Lancers to flanks! Ranged to center! We break the enemy line and make a hole for the Levies behind us!"
The march turned into a full run. The two armies clashed and chaos ensued. The forward rows had broken down into skirmishes and brawls, weakening the line. Bullets rang out across the field and Sounsyy watched as soldiers fell in plumes of blood. Her Levy pushed through the fighting and hit the Garlean line.
"Push!" Sounsyy with her shield and shortsword barreled head on into the enemy line, gaining ground. Marlow swung wildly with her axe just to Sounsyy's right. They pushed the line back and then forced it open by parting their Levy in two like an opening gate.
"Fire!" As the forward line of their Levy parted in the middle, the Levy's three remaining Musketeers peppered the surprised Garleans with musket fire. The Garleans in range fell back under the barrage. Seizing the opportunity, a Levy from the 4th Squadron rushed through the opening the 7th had created in the Garlean line.
The left flank pushed forwards, but the Garleans were quick to regroup. Sheer weight of numbers crushed the advance and the left flank fell to chaos. The spearhead scattered and the battlefield descended into red armor against black armor. Sounsyy was thrust into the sea of black and was separated from her Levy. From the left, a Garlean rushed her. She met him with her shield, the curved scutum crushing into the Garlean's face. She brought her shortsword up into his side and let his lifeblood spill onto the rocks. She turned to face another, slashing down into his forward leg. Another - brought down with the driving force of her shield and sword.
She felt a pounding in her chest harder than her own heartbeat as heavy artillery from the Garlean side boomed out over the den. She turned to see maybe a dozen shells crash deep into the Eorzean host behind her. Pillars of smoke and flame and rubble exploded out from the blast sites. Her linkpearl crackled <War Sails! Return fire!>
More artillery answered the first round as both sides fired at will. But the battle below was still ongoing. Sounsyy turned back towards the Garleans just in time to catch a broadsword in full cleave. Sounsyy was laid flat, the Roegadyn sized blade cutting into the top of her breastplate. She rolled over, trying desperately to dislodge the blade without relinquishing it to its owner. The heavy blade fell free and Sounsyy scrambled to her feet to face her attacker. The Roegadyn came at her, pushing her back down to the ground. He picked up the sword and just as he was about to bring it down on Sounsyy, a spear caught him through the back.
In a flash of yellow, two mounted soldiers raced by Sounsyy, cutting through the Garlean line. She looked on long enough to see the one who saved her get thrown from his slain mount and drown beneath the black tide. She turned away only to have her heart stop. No more than forty yalms before her she saw the remnants of her Levy. The Psahl sisters, X'pnahgo and X'rhoeja, were back to back against a unit of Imperials. The brilliant crackle of their muskets illuminated the numbers swarming them. One soldier managed to slip through the spray of musket fire and gutted X'rhoeja where she stood. X'pnahgo shoved the muzzle into the Garlean's face and pulled the trigger.
Having lost the will to go on, X'pnahgo collapsed beside her sister, cradling her lifeless form. Before the soldiers could approach, Eric, the only other shieldsman to survive Iron Lake, burst into view. He fought fiercely against X'rhoeja's killers, but in the end fell too.
An Eques rushed Sounsyy and her attention was drawn away from X'pnahgo's fate. She avoided his thrust and laid him low with a swing of her blade. When she looked back to where X'pnahgo had been, she saw only a mass of Imperial soldiers. A wave of emotion struck Sounsyy and a few unwelcome tears slid down her cheeks. She breathed deep, but the air was thick with ash and smoke, and it only brought more tears.
With clouded eyes she slew a soldier whose back was turned. Then gutted another as he approached. Another soldier hurried past, but Sounsyy stayed her blade when she saw the Maelstrom insignia. She caught the Barracuda by the arm and he wheeled around with panic-stricken eyes.
"Where are you going, sergeant?!"
"Let me go! There's just too many! I don't want to die here!"
Sounsyy punched the man square in his jaw and screamed at him, "Since when did our godsdamned motto become 'Til Garlemald Swallows All'?! Until you see the sea's last great wave you stand your ground! Until I says so we are the great wave that will swallow Garlemald, not the other way around! Now on your feet!"
Sounsyy dragged the welp up and together they engaged the Garlean line. Together they slew five before gunfire cut the sergeant down. Sounsyy brought her scutum up to protect herself and watched as an Imperial footsoldier rushed past. She turned and slipped her shortsword upwards into his flank. She spilled his blood and turned ready to engage the next foe, only to find none.
Panicked, Sounsyy looked around her to see the area clear of fighting for five yalms in either direction. Her eyes followed the part in the waters to see an Imperial Reaper charging its cannon. Sounsyy gasped as the Reaper's cannon sounded. Unable to run, she dropped to her knees and threw up her scutum in front of her. She knew it would not hold. She buried her face in the crook of her arm and waited for the end.
Amid the chaos she heard someone scream her name, but she knew not who. She looked up in time to see Iyrnlahz's frame come between her and the fiery blast. What she could see of his face looked weary, his body heaving, his axe bloody. Then he was gone.
Everything shone in white and red and yellow. Sounsyy felt the force of the blast crush her into the ground. Her shield shattered and metal fragments exploded outwards in all directions. Her head swam, her ears deaf with ringing, and her eyes could not see through the tears that were streaming down her face. She tried to draw breath, but could not. She felt as though she could not inflate her chest. Her armor was too heavy, too constricting. She tried to push herself over onto her side, but when she did her forearm bent at an unnatural angle.
A shrill yelp escaped Sounsyy's closing airway. Her mouth was agape like a fish out of water. Soot and ash covered her face. Her hair was smoldering. She saw the Reaper approaching and knew that the pain would soon be over. But inexplicably, the Reaper lurched and wheeled away and to the ground. Mirke's spear, Liberator, standing erect from out of the carcass of the Reaper pilot. Cambre and Marlow came running to Sounsyy's side not a moment later. Cambre pulled Sounsyy's broken form upright into her chest while Marlow stood guard.
"Marlow! We have to retreat! We have to retreat now!"
"Go! They've set up a medical camp at Brittlebark! I'll hold them off! Get back to the Allied line!"
Cambre put her arms beneath Sounsyy and hoisted her off the ground. Marlow dug her axe blade into the clavicle of an approaching Garlean. She ran towards another but then the ground shook violently and she was thrown off balance. Sounsyy fell from Cambre's arms and the Elezen was thrown in another direction. Sounsyy landed hard on the ground and rolled onto her side. The sharp pain forced an inhalation through her swollen airway and she managed to inflate one side of her chest.
Once the pain had subsided, Sounsyy cast her gaze skyward to see Dalamud rip itself apart. The moon broke apart as some monstrosity broke its way free. Time seemed suspended in that moment, then, the broken husk of Dalamud erupted with fire and exploded outwards. The ground shook violently again as the first bits of the moon crashed into the Flats.
<Co...und...it! We...ost...ntact...to...t...main...st.> Sounsyy could just make out the garbled transmission before her linkshell crackled and died.
Sounsyy tried screaming for Cambre, for Marlow, but all she managed was a pitiful whistle, noiseless amid the ensuing chaos. Men and women, Eorzean and Garlean both scrambled over one another trying to escape the battlefield. Sounsyy finally caught sight of Marlow several yalms away. She was standing there, silhouetted in flame. Sounsyy saw Marlow face the sky, then watched in horror as falling debris came crashing down around her.
Sounsyy felt a strong hand on her shoulder ease her over onto her back. She thought for a moment it was Cambre, but it wasn't. A conjurer from her Levy, Theresa, was staring her in the eyes. She mumbled something to Sounsyy and Sounsyy felt the warm gush of healing magic wash over her. For just one moment, she was able to catch her breath. The ringing in her ears ebbed away and suddenly Sounsyy felt drowsy. She could fight no longer.
Sounsyy's gaze lifted skyward. The clouds had parted over Carteneau revealing a brilliant display of magic strewn across the sky. A new, blue Dalamud had replaced the old and gargantuan glyphs belonging to the Twelve encircled the orb. The whole battlefield shimmered in a wash of blue light. Then the spell failed and shattered. The blue was replaced with red flames tearing across the sky in all directions. She felt the ground beneath her crumble and Sounsyy thought that all Hydaelyn was about to shatter as Dalamud had.
The Sixth Astral Era truly is the last...
"Captain, we have to run!"
Theresa made to stand, her hand outstretched for Sounsyy's good one. Sounsyy tried to take it, but flaming debris whipped about them and struck the conjurer down. She crumpled in a spray of blood. Sounsyy screamed in horror but the pain of her injuries started to return. She knew she could not waste Theresa's sacrifice.
With her good arm she dragged her aching body across the rubble. She only managed a few yalms distance before she could no longer continue. Her muscles screamed for air but she could no longer force any down. Colors danced before her eyes in those last few seconds before consciousness failed the Captain and she found herself being carried away in another pair of strong arms.
