Who: Everyone
When: July 27th - ??????
Where: Crystallis
What: The characters find themselves in a brand new world, which may actually be the old world spoken of in the legends about the Goddess of Death and the Heroes of Light. Why did the Empress come here? What secrets await? This is for them to find out.
Warnings/Notes: N/A
A/ The Trip
The trip throughout the Dream Width to pursue Ramaa started on the 23rd and only ended on the 27th.... That's a lot of time to spend with nothing to do besides waiting. Even worse, the trip is dull and uneventful, only unusually long. Where in the world is Ramaa going? Thankfully, you're all on the same airship so you got some friends to kill time with!
If those people are your friends, that is. Feel free to use this prompt to play out any travel shenanigans.
B/ Aqures Ixen, Home of the Heroes of Light
Upon arriving to their destination, no cloud awaits the Heroes of Light. No dream, no memory. But instead what looks like a planet, one that is... Strikingly similar to Vaikuntha, yet different in even more ways. There is no doubt, that is also where Ramaa went.
And upon landing next to its largest city, the Heroes would find... The Imperial Capital. Or at least a city identical in nearly all points to it, expect here it is called "Aqures Ixen." And it's not an empire at all, but a kingdom currently ruled by a regent ever since the Queen died. Indeed, if the city itself looked the same, its people couldn't be any more different. They were all happy and joyfully celebrating some sort of event, one that started on July 27th and lasted an entire week. More importantly, airships were frequently passing by, indicating the kingdom wasn't closed off.
But what was this place? Surely some could already guess. But should any more clue be needed, they could find a statue in the middle of the city. Back in the imperial capital, a statue of Kalki could be found there. But here, it was different. It depicted four person wielding weapons in a heroic fashion. Sephiroth and Sylvarie were two of them amongst faces that could be recognized, Sayaka and Minato two others. Even though most characters likely didn't know the latter two, they had been present during the final day of the fight against Bahamut. And under the statue, there was an engraving.
"With them ended the Final Fantasy."
C/ The Festival of Light
But what are all those people celebrating? The Festival of Light, of course! The Festival of Light is a yearly event held at Aqures Ixen to celebrate the victory of the "Heroes of Light" over the "Calamity from the Skies" two thousands years ago... And now their second coming and victory over the Goddess of Death, Kalki, ten years ago! Numerous attractions can be found around the city.
Specially for the occasions, stallholders from Trano Golsaucia traveled to Aqures Ixen and brought a few attractions to display what they can do. Noticeably, they brought Chocobos and will organize numerous races throughout the day, on an improvised tracks running around the houses. The Heroes of Light are more than welcome to try and bet, should they want to lose (or multiply) what few Gils they have. If they feel adventurous, they may even try to enter one of the races and ride a Chocobo-- At their own risks.
Aside from this, there are some more attractions worthy of attention. There is a shooting stand-- Coincidentally, all the targets are vaguely similar to the main antagonists of numbered Final Fantasy games, except for the one looking like Sephiroth that was removed. There is a treasure chest game, where characters are presented with ten chests and can open only one-- Prizes range from one Gils to gigantic plushie.
And what would a festival be without free food and banquets? Not really a festival. In the fourteenth district, there is a banquet and many stands held by people from all over the world-- People from Mysidia, Aerilon, Esdham, Hera, etc. All kind of food from all over the world can be found here-- Refined food, pastries, cakes, cooked meals, etc. It's virtually impossible not to find something to like in all of this, and it's all free until midnight!
D/ The Old Theater Play
It wouldn't really be a celebration with no retelling of the story it celebrates, would it?
And indeed, there is a large theater stage installed in the 9th district-- It is probably only temporary by the look of it. Should the characters attend the play during the afternoon, they would find quite a crowd seated to watch it, as well as numerous people standing beneath the seats or sitting on the ceilings because they couldn't get a seat. After the audience grows quiet, a woman with long silver hair and green-ish skin steps onto the stage to address the audience.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! This afternoon's performance is a story that takes place long, long ago! At the time when the Ancients reigned over the planet, when the Calamities from the Skies landed on this world and waged war against all forms of life. When our story begins, the Ancients are on the brink of extinction and gathering the last of their forces to fight. And now people of Aqures Ixen and visitors from distant lands, we proudly present 'The 4 Heroes of Light'!"
After this, the play starts and will last for roughly one hour and a half. The main characters appear to be four Heroes of Light, respectively dressed as a Warrior, Monk, Black Mage and White Mage. Other characters include the Calamity from the Skies played by the silver-haired woman, a purple-eyed Ancient scientist who becomes obsessed with the Calamity and the Princess of Crystallis. As the play unfolds, there is a love story between one of the Heroes of Light, the Warrior, and the Princess of Crystallis. At the end of the play, the Heroes of Light successfully defeat the Calamity from the Skies, but the Warrior has to sacrifice himself and die in order to protect the Princess of Crystallis.
E/ The New Theater Play
But that story is the old story. One that has been told countless time. Should the characters attend this play on the evening, they will see a different yet familiar story. The same woman than earlier greets the audience, but this time she no longer has silver hair and green-ish skin. Instead she and three characters surrounding her were all very peculiarly dressed. Those familiar with such characters may recognize the likeliness of Minato, Sayaka, Tear and Sephiroth.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Tonight's performance is a story that still resounds with every one of us.When the Calamity awoke and her messenger threatened to destroy us all. To people of Aqures Ixen and visitors from distant lands, we proudly present 'The One Hundred Heroes of Light'!"
And thus, another play started. Similar yet different in many ways to the previous one, this play depicted the battle against Kalki and the Calamity by the previous Heroes of Light. Amongst the "heroes of light" in the play, perhaps some would recognize familiar faces. The play ended with a happy ending, yet sacrifices were made: the four aforementioned Heroes of Light all gave their lives, so the Calamity could find peace and be reborn as a new and prosper world.
F/ Where's My Network?
And then come the realization, the horror- There is no network for the iMog Slates. How do people survive in this world without iMog Slates?? Surely they cannot know joy, surely their lives are devoid of anything good, of anything that makes living bearable... And yet, they happily strive. Rather than use a slate, they... Write letters, which their Moogles carry to all places in the world.
Welcome to Crystallis.
G/ A Brand-New World
But Aqures Ixen is only one city of many in this world. Thanks to Shoopuf Airline, your characters can go virtually anywhere. Unless they'd rather walk to other cities? Who knows, perhaps they'll meet with Friendly Monsters.