January (Lasra) Final Event Log / World Status

[hugtopiamods]

❥ State of Havenwell & Aellyn

• Lasra (January) brings with it the lightest winter yet; the temperate is mild, the snowfall light and fluffy, and the wind does not blow quite as hard as one might expect considering the time of year. This weather is consistent throughout the city limits, with the exception of one area: the central plaza, where the egg's nest is laid. That area is actually quite pleasant, heated by the cooperative effort of the residents who opted to cuddle with the egg and each other, creating something of a bubble, almost like an incubator. If the slight chill of the still-mild winter has you shivering, swing by the center of town to warm up.
  
  
• Speaking of the egg, it has been a long time coming, but in early Lasra, cracks begin to appear across the surface! Days pass with little change, whatever is within the shell chipping slowly against its confines. It draws in an eager, anxious audience of locals, keeping a respectful distance but ever-hopeful that whatever hatches will bring good tidings. Eventually, though, the shell at last breaks apart, and what emerges is a pony-sized griffon, golden coloured and iridescent, wings damp and wilted, chirping curiously as he witnesses the world for the first time. Despite being newly born, the reincarnated Winged Lord carries within him a surprisingly wise look to his eyes, and as its body dries in the light of the sun, it begins to radiate a gentle glow, demonstrating to any detractors that this is, in fact, the final lost god. He remains in the center of town for a few days, meeting the people of Havenwell, accepting gifts and prayers and simple greetings, happy to experience both the world and the company of the people who helped bring it back from the dark. After some time he will venture underground to the tunnel from which his egg was originally rescued. Should anyone worry for him, his answer will be simple, calm, and to the point: "Don't worry, I am going to visit my friend. We have a lot to talk about." There is a subtle joy in his tone as he speaks. Once he enters the tunnel, he will vanish from the city and no longer be found, but the air continues to feel brighter, the city abuzz with warm energy. The world has changed for the better, and everyone can feel it.
  
  
• By mid-month, the priests of all four temples have come forward to begin separating and reverently dismantling the nest in the center of town. What once were pillows, blankets, bits of string, and fluff are now fragments of the Winged Lord, blessed by his light, and they intend to save every piece. There are exceptions, however. To each and every offworlder, the priests send a message: come to the temple, we have a gift for you.
  
  Should you go to the temple of your associated god, a priest will present to you a small, strange charm. It is a fragment of the Winged Lord's egg, bound and fastened with a string pulled from his nest. It looks fragile, but is astonishingly strong, seemingly unbreakable. Take care of it and do not lose it, you are told by the priests, for this is your way home.
  
  
• After the eggshell charms have been distributed, news travels quickly that the underground tunnel has changed yet again. The Crawling One has devoured the earth surrounding the original gateway to its realm, and has encircled it tightly multiple times to create a new doorway, just as nebulous and wispy as before, but without the poisonous atmosphere of the prior portal. Its gate is lined with glimmering golden feathers, and it glows with a warm, inviting light. Should you venture close to it, you will be overwhelmed with the nostalgic feeling of familiar. It smells like your favourite recipe, it feels like an old blanket from your childhood bed. It gives you the distinct and unmistakable feeling of home, and very gently, it calls to you. You need only walk through.
  
  1) Should you wish to forget Havenwell, Aellyn, and your time in this world, crush the eggshell after you cross the threshold of the Crawling One's doorway. This will send you back to your world as you were when you left, and everything will be as if it were a dream: fading into nothingness when you wake up. (Only within the doorway will the shell be fragile enough to break.)
  2) Should you wish to remember, hold the eggshell charm gently, and carry it with you into your world. As long as it remains unbroken through the doorway, you will remember.
  3) Should you wish to journey with someone else and reach the same destination, hold your eggshells together, hands entwined, as you cross through the doorway. Whoever's world is the intended destination MUST lead the way, taking the first step. This choice comes with a warning: you will be lost from your world, and might not be able to return. Choose this option carefully, as the consequences are your own. Those who arrive in that world may find themselves separated, in different locations, but the charm will help to guide you, magically drawn to others who carry a fragment.
  4) Should you wish to stay in Aellyn, you need only refrain from crossing through the doorway. Your presence will be welcome wherever you go; the world still has a good deal of recovering to do, and many hands make light the work.
  You will not be judged, for whatever option you take. The door will remain open until every offworlder has made their choice.

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❥ Current God Status & Effects

• The final god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
  1. Rawna
  2. Diacht
  3. Ainea
  4. Ohma
  
  Thanks to the awakening and reformation of the Crawling One and the revival of the Winged Lord, the gods have regained their ability to balance their own power. There still remains a long road towards true collaboration, but thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, they are well on their way to resolving their own issues. Collectively, Hugtopia netted a total of over 29,000 hugpoints! Well done, and thank you everyone!
  
  
• And Thanks For All The Fish
  
  In celebration of the rebirth of their god and revitalization, while the priests are carefully dismantling the nest the rest of the city's natives are hurriedly working to express their gratitude. By the time the offworlders receive their eggshell charms, there are eager residents wishing to see them off with charms and trinkets; some made with Havenwell's trademark fabrics and ribbons, some with seashells traded from Shoremere, and many with a mixture of both as a tangible mark of all that the world's visitors have aided in accomplishing. While they of course ask for nothing in return, if one should ask then the native residents can only think of one form of payment:
  
  Leave nothing unsaid or unspoken. Share your secrets, confess your uncertainties, speak your thoughts and have them be heard by more than just yourself. Should you do so, in addition to a lovely charm and heartfelt well-wishes you may just feel a little warmth in your chest helping you onward in whatever decisions you should choose to make.
  
  This prompt was suggested by Carrie (connectsthedots)!
  

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❥ A Final Message from the Mod Team

• This is the final event log of the game, a farewell finale where characters can say their goodbyes and go on their way, or decide to stay if they wish. No further updates will be made, but the community is yours to do with as you please. All that said, if you have any comments or final questions (related to either this event or anything that came before!), things left unanswered, please use the mod comment below and we'll do our best to satisfy. Otherwise, our job is done.
  
  Thank you so, so much for playing with us. It's been a joy. Thank you for sticking with us through ups and downs, through the slow periods and the fast-paced shenanigans. Many of you have stuck with us since the very beginning, and we know how rare that is! It's been an amazing journey. Wherever we end up going forward, may your stories always be joyful to tell.
  
  Goodbye, and have one last hug for the road!
  
  -Akai, Jade, Kaze, Nao

Comments

[carbungle]

[He wonders if those words will ever lose the novelty, that little thrill he gets when he hears it. Husband, wife. It's been a month with no change yet, but it's not something he'd felt before when it was all arranged for him. His gaze drifts to her hand where the ring sits, and then back to her face, a little higher where the Lucian queen's crown might sit. Where in the world might it be, now?]

I won't ask you not to. [Truly, he gets it.] I just want you to be able to enjoy yourself while I'm gone, too. That'll make the time fly, right?

[iustaegis]

[ Enjoy herself while his world is in a terrible, all-night state? She can't imagine it's going to be an easy task (aside from the guilt of knowing that he's trapped within the Crystal and suffering)...

But she can't imagine that all of it will be terrible and full of tragedy. Even when times are darkest, she can find light, and if it's not enough, then hope will keep her going. ]

Ten years... they'll go by quickly. But not quick enough. [ She looks at him. ] It'll probably be the same for you.

[carbungle]

Not quick enough, [he echoes quietly. His thumb rubs over the back of her hand.] Time felt different in the crystal. I don't actually know how much time's already passed. I think... I'll be okay, though. I might not even notice.

[Not until he wakes up, at least. Feels the changes, sees his own face. Experiences the world of hellish dark and full of daemons.]

As soon as I get out, I'll come find you.

[iustaegis]

[ Although the thumb brushing over her hand is comforting, what he says is alarming-- as if, ten years (or however long) from then, she won't know where he'll be when he does awaken. ]

...Can't I greet you? When you wake.

[ To her knowledge he's in the crystal, and that crystal is a physical location in his world. ]

[carbungle]

[His brows furrow, and he shakes his head.]

I don't know where I'll be. I don't even know where the crystal is. When it dragged me in, it was in Gralea, but after ten years it could be anywhere. There's no way the guys could have gotten it out of there with just the three of them, and Cor said it was still missing two years later.

[He grimaces, unhappy about the answer he's giving, but too worried to give her anything but the only truth he's aware of.]

Wherever it is, it's in Ardyn's hands. And I don't want you anywhere near him until I come back, if you can help it.

[iustaegis]

[ But doesn't that mean when he awakens, he'll be nearest to Ardyn-- or, that version of Ardyn...

Her confusion is apparent on her face. ] Ah... Right. The Crystal is in the throne room, isn't it? So you'll be right there. Maybe we can prepare for that, and make some sort of camp closer to the city.

[carbungle]

Huh?

[He blinks, confused for a moment before it clicks and he realizes- that's right, they saw it, didn't they? In that... vision. The crystal hanging above the throne, waiting for him. Just like Ardyn is.

He exhales deeply, now both relieved and extra worried. Knowing about it makes it easier, but... still very dangerous. For her and for him- he doesn't want to crawl out of the crystal and come face to face with Ardyn. He's meant to find his brothers first, isn't he? He's not sure how it works, but he's helpless where he is now. He'll have to trust in the others, and in the gods. Just for now.]

Hammerhead's right outside the city limits. I remember hearing it was kind of a base camp for those who wanted to stick close, and to help people passing through. That'd be a good start. Stick with the guys, and find Cor. He'll have the most information out of anyone.

[iustaegis]

Okay. [ Cor. Hammerhead. Easy to remember, and she'll figure out the rest.

She gives his hand another squeeze. ] Prompto will be back with us, too. But do you want us to tell the others what we're planning?

[carbungle]

[He hesitates, glancing down.]

I... don't know. I want to- or I guess, I don't want to lie. But I don't want to give them false hope in case it doesn't work. If I can't come back, I... would that be worse? Or should I tell them it might be okay?

[Prompto knows he's meant to die, here. Ignis knew in both worlds. The only one left in the dark is Gladio. Either way, a conversation needs to be had. The difference will be whether that conversation ends on a grieving or hopeful note. ...And then, if he comes back, he may or may not get yelled at, which is admittedly a small price to pay.]

[iustaegis]

[ This is not a decision she can make for him, but she can help him work through the options. ]

They're your family. Whatever you decide, whether we found this way or not,... they'll respect it. But in order to respect it, they need to know what your decision is, first.

[carbungle]

They're our family.

[He offers up a weak smile, though, and doesn't push. He gets what she means; here it's different, but back there only he and Prompto will remember her, and memory or otherwise it's still his life, which makes it his choice. He needs to be the one to decide for himself what he wants them to know ahead of time.

Still a difficult choice, for certain, and it's not like he'll actually have ten years to decide. He'll need to choose in the moment when he reunites with them, before they face the Usurper, because by then it'll be too late for both sides. He thinks quietly for a few moments, holding her hand, walking in her company, glancing around at this strange world they're about to leave behind. Back when his journey had first started, he was supposed to meet with his father before he left, have a good talk about who-knows-what, where he could have asked all manner of questions, shared his uncertainties, hoped for the reassurance that he might do okay, that this was the right path. His dad had canceled, and in the morning he'd gotten half a lecture and the words that haunted him for months after the fact: walk tall. He'd resented that moment, had been angry when Cor scolded him. Why hadn't he been told? Why had his dad pretended everything was going to be okay? Why had he lied? Regis knew the betrayal was coming, knew he was likely to die, yet he smiled and said nothing. Noctis was left to pick up the pieces of their shattered kingdom alone. Regis knew he was meant to sacrifice himself as the Chosen eventually, yet he smiled and said nothing. Here, standing at the finish line, Noctis still isn't sure if it was the right call in either situation. He has a chance to repeat history, or make a different decision and see how it goes. Is he really just like his father, like he'd been told back in the Altissia summit? Or will he be himself, rebel against what's expected of him, and share everything with them?

Our family, he'd told her, moments ago. They're not his children, to shield and protect. They're not his underlings, meant to follow blindly. They're his brothers, and his equals. In that moment, he makes his choice.]

I'll tell them, [he finally murmurs.] What I have to do. That I have to die. That I might come back. They won't stop me, it won't change anything, but... they deserve to know.

[iustaegis]

[ As he weighs his options, she remains quiet, allowing him the time he needs. The chance to walk with him hand in hand is a treasure itself, because once they return to his world, the opportunity will no longer be there.

When he comes to a conclusion, solemn but sure, she pauses their walk, turning to face him and placing a hand upon his forearm, gently supportive. ]

Alright. [ That's what he wants, and it's not difficult on her part to not tell them, either. ]

I suppose that leaves the question... when will you be ready to head back?

[carbungle]

...Tough one. [His lips quirk, another short-lived smile. All of this is so bittersweet.] I have some people to visit, still. And this is the last time I'll get to see Ardyn, or... my dad.

[That hurts. He can go home and potentially save himself, he can save the world, but he can't save two of the most important people in his life because they're already gone. This world is all he has, and for all the time he's had with them already, to get to know them better, to love them as much as he could, it's never enough. Saying goodbye is going to destroy him on some uncomfortable level.

On the other hand, he can't stay, and neither can they. Their own versions of Eos await, and maybe they can change things to make their own futures better. He just won't be there with them.]

It's... gonna be hard. Sorry in advance if I'm a mess at the door.

[iustaegis]

[ She, too, has people to say goodbye too, even if goodbyes are difficult. She isn't looking forward to them, she doesn't even know where to begin in saying them, but she knows they must be done. If only there was some other way to return to this world, too.

But maybe this is for the best, as it probably wouldn't be good to have portals to other worlds available to be opened at any time. Either way, there is no rush for them to return. ]

Noct... [ She cups his hand with her other one. ] Take all the time you need. [ It's not as if she is in a rush to be without him for ten or so years. ]

[carbungle]

[At that, he finally smiles, a soft and grateful expression, and tugs her in to kiss her again. He's so, so lucky. To have her here with him, to have her support, but most of all, that he doesn't have to say goodbye to her as well.]

Thanks... and if you need me to be with you at all during this, you know I've got your back.

[He's going to have some solo farewells with people - he knows those are necessary sometimes - but in some cases it wouldn't hurt to have extra company, or support nearby for when it's over. The offer is at least on the table, until they're both ready to go.]

[iustaegis]

[ She'll be able to handle her goodbyes on her own when the mun is up to it, but knowing that he, too, will be there for her is reassuring. ]

I'm... not sure who else is going or staying, but I was thinking of writing a letter to others, so that it can be taken with them.

[carbungle]

I like that idea. Might be nice for 'em to have a keepsake, if they decide to remember.

[His eyes widen suddenly, and he snaps his fingers.]

Geez, I almost forgot. I'm gonna ask Vianca if she wants to come with us, is that okay? She doesn't... [He pauses, unsure of what Vianca might have told Pyra about what happened to her back home.] ...She doesn't have anywhere else to go.

[iustaegis]

[ She doesn’t even look surprised at the request. ] We’ve been living as a family for so long… Would it be any other way?

[ Honestly, with their similar colored hair, they could already pass off as mother and daughter, or siblings. ]

[carbungle]

That's what I was thinking, yeah.

[She's lived with them for so long at this point. Even if she doesn't strictly need to be taken care of like a typical kid - she'd lived alone for a while too - she deserves it.]

I had to ask, since... you know. I won't be there. It'd be you she would have to rely on.

[Even if it's fair to assume Pyra would agree, it's still lousy to do it without asking.]

[iustaegis]

I’ll promise to keep her safe.

[ He’s going to worry anyways, but a promise is a promise. ] …Or should I teach her how to fight daemons, too?

[carbungle]

Hah... you're the best.

[He gives her hand a gentle, grateful squeeze.]

I don't know about fighting, but she's super strong. She'd be amazing at supply runs.

[iustaegis]

In case you didn’t know, the world will be in safe hands.

[ Between the guys, herself, and Vianca… She’s certain they can make a difference, whether by just being there or making the night a little more tolerable for everyone else.

It helps that she has the ability to create a miniature sun, too. ]

[carbungle]

Oh, I know, believe me. Only reason I feel comfortable leaving.

[His family is astonishingly capable, with or without him. There's still plenty to be worried about, of course, but he feels a lot more at ease about it now. Their presence could change so much. They could save so many people. More importantly, though, if they can reach the finish line, they can all live happily afterward. Together.]

[iustaegis]

We’ll make it as good and safe as we can by the time you return.

[ It won’t be fruitless, or won’t be hopeless. The world will be stronger, safer, and with less damage done to it with extra help around— especially in the form of two extra otherworlders. ]

[carbungle]

Yeah...

[He'll still hate to let go, even temporarily. A decade is so long. But for the sake of their potential future together, which could be years and years beyond that... it's worth it. It's all worth it.]

And then we'll save the world together. Ready to be a big hero?