[Journal] The Mountain Still stands

[Chocobald]

Day 278 - The End of my Oath

 

**

I've done it. I've quite the Sultansworn. Here's how it happened:

 

As I corner the Lalafel thief that had the bounty placed on his head by the Adventurer's guild, I bring forward my blade and shield. There is no escape for the little one, only swift retribution or at least that was what I had in mind.

 

The dunesfolk slowly turns around to face me. He blinks as my surprise brings him despair.

 

Yet in his beady eyes, I saw it again - Silver Mountain.

The visage of that no good thieving scum was just like Silver's. Instead of a foe and a criminal, it was like my lost partner was looking at me through the criminal's eyes. The hole in my heart widens for a moment.

 

I froze up. Screwed it really bad. He was quick to escape my ambush, disappearing in the Ul'dah crowd.

I caught glimpse of my dumbstruck face on my reflection in the sword I had on hand.

Shame - that's all I had on me.

 

This was unacceptable to one that claims to be a Sultansworn, unacceptable for one who made an oath. I am ill and I could not continue operating under the order.

 

So I gave them my blade, my crystal and even my shield.

 

I long for my arena days, but I cannot set foot inside the coliseum without remembering the sound of his voice or the chants of the crowd:

 

"Twin Mountains! Twin Mountains!"

 

Without my brother, I'm half a gladiator.

Said sorrow brought me to the inn, where I may have drunk a bit too much. My drinking partner had to leave earlier, he had a "Sparring match today at the Pugilist guild."

 

I insisted on following him. And while I was still dizzy from what I drank earlier so the details are foggy at best, I know I ended up joining said guild before the night was through.

 

They asked me to go Thanalan and slay some monsters, practice the basics they taught me. Feeling the evening sun kissing my face once again as I walk all alone through the sands brings me a sense of nostalgia from a time I operated alone and sold my bodyguard services to traveling merchants.

 

Perhaps that is what I've been reduced to.

At least, the pain subsided for now.

**

((Hope I'm not breaking any lore here, feel free to message me if you spot an inconsistency and I'll fix it right away. I'm new to Eorzea, despite playing it back when the game first released.)