Survive Rolly Mizuki

The following is a story of, as of the time of writing, the most recent encounter with Rolly Mizuki.
Audio files have been embedded. For the best experience, take a listen while you read! (Where it says NO BGM there is No music to be played. Enjoy the dramatic silence!
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==SOMEWHERE IN THE SAGOLI DESERT...==
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It feels like you’ve been walking for days.
You and your buddies came out here to practice racing your Chocobos before entering a race at the Gold Saucer. Unfortunately, you and your buddies forgot about the sand worms that call the Sagoli home. You managed to escape with your life and some pretty gnarly injuries, but it’s better than what happened to your buddies and the Chocobos.
The sun beams down in you unforgivingly as you trek across the desert sand. The intense heat and the steady blood loss you’re suffering through are working in tandem to get your body to succumb to the desert.
Your vision is beginning to get blurry. Your strength is all but spent. Before you know it, you get a nice face full of sand. With the last of your strength, you manage to roll yourself over on to your back. You take one last look at the blue sky above. As you accept your fate and let your consciousness fade away, you’re suddenly revitalized by the sound of jingling metal. Though you manage to keep yourself awake, you can’t summon the energy to move in the slightest. The jingling grows louder and is joined by the sound of footsteps. Several pairs of them. Some high-pitched chirps join the cacophony of sounds as well. Chocobo chirps, undoubtedly. You hear them come to a halt just outside your field of vision, followed by sounds of people dismounting from them. Footsteps, lighter than those of the Chocobos. Before long, several figures pop into your vision, though the sun makes it impossible to see anything other than their silhouettes.
“Oi! This one’s alive!”
“Are you sure?”
“Here! Take a look!”
A sudden kick to your side rolls you over on to your stomach. You can’t help but let out a groan.
“See?”
“So, they are! Well, well!”
You hear the shuffling of gear. One of the voices speaks again, this time much closer to your ear.
“Looks like you’ve had quite a stroke of bad luck, eh? Not to worry. We’ll make sure none of your gil ends up lost in the sand along with your bones.”
It doesn’t seem like they’re keen on helping you, only on helping themselves to your pockets.
You muster up the strength to call out to those surrounding you.
“Help me…”
“Sorry friend. We’re not in the helpin’ folks’ business. ‘Sides, the twelve help those who help themselves, right?”
Another kick to the side rolls you onto your back once again. The group of scavengers laugh at your misfortune. So much for that. Looks like you’re dying battered and broke here in the Sagoli. Accepting your fate once more, you start letting yourself lose focus on the people looting you.
As your vision fades away again, you notice a lone star in the blue sky. Weird. A little early for that, isn’t it? You can only ponder for a moment before realizing that the star is growing larger. No… not larger. Closer...?!
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A fury of squawks from the mystery groups’ Chocobos fills the air as the birds fly into a frenzy, running about. While their masters try to get them under control, the star falling out of the sky above has gotten considerably closer. At this rate, it’s going to land right on top of you! Your “friends” catch notice of this too, evidently.
 
“What is the hells is that?!”
 
“A falling star! Everyone, get out of the way!”
 
Even if they had all been blessed with swiftness, there was no time for them to escape. You watched in helpless horror and the star fell towards you, deciding to close your eyes so you’d at least leave this world without knowing exactly when it would be.
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==C R A S H ! ! ! (NO BGM)==
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Darkness. Pure darkness. This is what you find before you now that you’ve left the realm of the living. Nothingness as far as the eye can see. You have no body as well. You are nothing, in a void of nothing. Welcome to oblivion.
 
As the despair of your situation begins to set in, you feel something… Fuzzy? Tickling your nose. Or where your nose would be, rather. Strange. Stranger still is the sound of voices beginning to fade in from somewhere in this void of nothingness. What on Hydalin could this be...? The voices become louder and clearer. They sound shockingly familiar…
 
“…came out of the bloody sky?!”
 
“Who in the seven hells are you?!”
 
They’re the voices of the group from earlier! They’ve followed you into oblivion?!
 
…It can’t be.
On a whim, you try something…
 
Light floods the void of darkness. The air becomes hot and dry…!
 
…. You opened your eyes.
 
It takes a second for you to register that you are, by some miracle, not dead.
 
It takes another second for you to register that the fuzzy thing tickling your nose is still there. With some newfound energy born from the realization of your continued existence, you manage to prop yourself up. In doing so, you find the identity of the mysterious tickling item, a tail? Your eyes follow the tail to its owner, a figure standing above you, one foot planet firmly to each side of your midsection. With their back towards you, all you can see is their tail leading to a grandiose red jacket of sorts.
 
“W- wait a moment...!! I know you!!”
 
“It’s her!! The Sixty Billion Gil Miqo’te!”
“What?! You mean-?!”
 
K A – C H U N K ! ! !
 
Without a word, the “Sixty Billion Gil Miqo’te” brandished a wicked looking mechanical scythe in her right hand. The teeth at the end of the head spun like mad, ready to cut through just about anything. With a twirl of the weapon, its wielder crouched ever so slightly, ready to pounce.
 
“The Felid Cyclone...!”
 
That nickname… No. It couldn’t be…
 
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=="...ROLLY MIZUKI!"==
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It is.
 
Rolly Mizuki is one of, if not the most feared Reapers in the entirety of Eorzea. It’s said that merely being on the same continent as her is more than enough to seal your fate. Wherever she goes, death follows alongside her. Hundreds, no, thousands… No! Tens of thousands have fallen to her wicked scythe! Eorzean, Garlean, Beastman and Voidsent alike have been slain by The Felid Cyclone herself. No one is sure why she does it, but countless witnesses have told stories of her slaughtering their friends with the most extreme of pleasure.
 
And now, she stands here. Above you, scythe in hand. It’s more than enough to make you wish you truly had died when she fell from the sky. Now, all you can do is stay motionless below her and hope that death comes swiftly and painlessly.
 
“G- Get her!!”
 
The group surrounding you draw their weapons and, perhaps in a desperate attempt to strike first, lunge towards the Miqo’te. It’s in this moment that the nickname “The Felid Cyclone” makes perfect sense. You watched in awe as Rolly pounced from her ready stance and effortlessly weaved in and out of the group, practically floating above the ground. As she did so, her scythe twirled with an unsettling amount of grace. After a passing second, she stands with her back to the group, behind them now. The only sounds are those of the wind and the insects that call the desert home. 
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==For a moment, it’s serene. (NO BGM)==
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Once the moment passes, each and every member of the band of thieves drops to the floor with a groan. Somehow, you’ve outlived them all. The sounds of the desert fill the air again. But that leaves just you and the Felid Cyclone herself. You can’t find the courage to speak. How could you? Your fate is inevitable, after all. All you can do is stare at the Miqo’te and wait for her to come at you next.
 
After a brief pause, Rolly turns around and faces you. You finally get a good look at her, though her eyes stay hidden behind a pair of round glasses. Without a word, she approaches as you watch helplessly.
 
Once more, she stands above your midsection, though now she stares directly down at you. The shadow she casts blocks out all of her details other than her glasses. Slowly, she crouches down, hovering only centimeters above you. Once more, you close your eyes in preparation of death.
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=="Here."==
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And once more, it eludes you.
 
When you open your eyes once again, you find a canteen before your very eyes. Held patiently in the hand of the Felid Cyclone.
 
“Go on. Take a drink.”
 
What’s this? What is she doing? This has to be a trick, right? Maybe a potion to make you lose consciousness? Or poison! Or something foul! This is Rolly Mizuki we’re talking about!
 
But at this very moment, you’re thirsty enough to give it a try anyway.
 
You take the canteen and begin to drink its contents like there’s no tomorrow. Quickly, the Reaper comments on your desperate sipping.
 
“Careful, don’t drink so fast! You don’t want to hurt yourself! It’s not going anywhere!”
 
If it were anyone else you’d pay no mind, but if Rolly Mizuki is telling you to slow down, you slow down. And so, you do. After a good bit, you realize that it truly is honest to the gods water in the canteen. You take a second to catch your breath after almost drinking the entire thing in one go.
 
“There you go! You look like you’ve been seen better days, huh? Probably none strange as this one, though.”
 
The strangeness of the situation puzzles you so much that it’s noticeable just by looking at your expression, as evident by Rolly’s comment. After a few more swigs from the canteen and feeling just a bit restored, you offer it back to its original owner. You manage to sit up fully now, as the Reaper backs up to give you some space.
 
“…. You’re the Sixty Billion Gil Miqo’te, Rolly Mizuki, right? The Felid Cyclone?”
 
A look of surprise appears on the Miqo’te’s face briefly before turning into one of bashfulness.
 
“Ah, you’ve heard of me too...? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised…”
 
Her reaction is one that you didn’t expect, and one you certainly wouldn’t have imagined.
 
“That seems to be the case anywhere I go, after all…”
 
Though still bashful, her remark also sounded a bit… sad?
 
Swinging her scythe over her shoulder, the weapon was stowed away on her back. Now, she took a look around at the scene that transpired here.
 
“It’s a good thing I got here when I did. This could’ve been much, much worse!”
 
Worse? Then this?! She really doesn’t mind the fact she killed a small handful of men?! You scan the area in disbelief to look over the corpses that are scattered among the area. Strangely, there isn’t much blood. Actually, upon further inspection, there isn’t any blood! What? How?!
 
As you go to speak up, someone does before you. One of the deceased thieves begins to groan. He lifts his head off the sandy ground, rubbing it with both hands.
 
“Ugh… I’m going to be feeling that for the next week… Huh...?! I’m…. Alive?!”
 
In a rushed scramble, the thief checks himself for any slices or cuts made by the Miqo’te’s scythe, though he ultimately is unable to find a single one. Bewildered, he calls out to the Reaper in disbelief.
 
“You, you killed them!! Right?! With that scythe! You sliced through all of them!!”
 
Your eyes dart back to Rolly who gives a confused look to the accuser.
 
“Which scythe? Do you mean this one?”
 
Turning her back to both you and the thief reveals that the scythe has not a single speck of blood on it. Both you and your once-upon-a-time looter are speechless. Rolly spins on her heel, facing the both of you again, now with a sheepish smile.
 
“Sorry! I’m not a big fan of like violence! Especially killing!”
 
You and the thief can’t help but to look at each other in sheer disbelief.
 
Suddenly, Rolly points towards the man, catching both of your attention once again.
 
“Wait for your friends to wake up and then go home. Your Chocobos shouldn’t be too far from here. Sorry for scaring them, but it really isn’t nice to be picking on the injured! And you- “
 
Rolly points at you! You feel your heart almost jump out of your body!
 
“You’re going to come with me. We have to get your injuries tended to.”
 
Though you’re prepared to protest, you have enough wits to understand that you probably wouldn’t get much further in your current shape.
 
You agree to Rolly’s demands, hesitating only slightly.
 
Another smile is given to you from the Felid Cyclone before she lets out a loud whistle. Coming in from the sky and landing beside the Miqo’te is a tremendously large red Chocobo! You’ve never seen a red one, but you have heard the stories of how fierce they can be. Despite that, Rolly hops aboard it without effort or concern. With your slightly restored strength, you manage to get back to your feet for the first time since you had fallen. As you trudge towards the big red bird, you exchange glances with the one other person who’s been given an order by The Felid Cyclone. Neither of you can find the words to say anything to each other, so you simply exchange nods. As you approach the Chocobo, Rolly offers out her hand to you. You look at it for a moment before looking up at her. Her smile seems the same as when she offered you her canteen. You reach out and take her hand and are pulled aboard the bird without any sign of strain from the Miqo’te. With you aboard, Rolly gives the Chocobo the signal and the three of you speed off, leaving the desert behind.
 
After some time, you notice the familiar blue glow of an aetheryte up ahead. Entering a large out-cove of stone, you find that you’ve been brought to a place hidden from the public eye.
 
“This is…?”
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==“Forgotten Springs. A nice little hideaway on the edge of the Sagoli. Perfect for rest and recuperation.”==
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As the red Chocobo comes to a stop, you get a good look at your surroundings. Everyone here is Miqo’te. And no one seems to mind the sudden arrival of The Felid Cyclone herself. Quite strange, all things considered.
 
Rolly hops off her bird before offering you her hand once again. Once again you oblige her, and she helps you to the ground.
 
“I’ve got to speak with someone. Why don’t you take a quick dip in the springs? I’ll return in just a moment.”
 
Before you can protest due to the lack of a change of clothes, the Miqo’te is off, headed for the only building in the locale. She steps inside and closes the door behind her.
 
With nothing better to do, you release a sigh and change into your small clothes. None of the locals seem to mind. Most of them are walking around on their own, anyway. With a lot more of your own skin showing, you realize the extent of your injuries. You’ve stopped bleeding, but you’re still banged up badly. Regardless, you slip into one of the springs and take a load off, sitting against the edge. It’s enough to ease the pain for now. Enough that you begin to drift to sleep again…
 
…
 
“This is all I have on me. Thank you again!”
 
The sound of Rolly Mizuki wakes you right up.
 
As you turn and face her you see she was not talking to you, but rather another Miqo’te dressed in white with a staff in hand. After giving Rolly a bow, they walk off. Your attention shifts to Rolly whose attention is on you now.
 
“I didn’t mean to wake you. You looked like you needed that sleep desperately.”
 
Approaching the edge of the spring, the Reaper sits down on the edge, letting her legs get submerged in the water.
 
“How do you feel? You look much better.”
 
Is she serious? Can she not see the wounds covering your-
 
They’re gone...?!
 
You find that the cuts and bruises that plagued your body have completely vanished! What else, but you feel as good as ever! You look back at Rolly in disbelief! Once more, she gives a small smile.
 
“I frequent this place pretty often. Enough so that I’ve gotten to know most of the people who call it home. Including one of the best White Mages in all of Thanalan. “
 
The right hand of the Sixty Billion Gil Miqo’te moves toward the side of her head, and she gingerly removes her glasses. For the first time, you get a look at the eyes of The Felid Cyclone herself, gazing at you.
 
They seem the same as anyone else’s.
 
“…Why?”
 
You ask with the utmost curiosity. After the series of events you’ve been through, you need an answer. An explanation. Anything.
 
“Why?”
 
“Why didn’t you kill me? Or the thieves? Any of us!? Why did you help me…?!”
 
Rolly observes you with a concerned look before her expression turns to one of… melancholy...?
 
“I don’t like hurting people. I especially hate killing. You seemed to need help, so I-”
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==“You’re lying!!” (NO BGM)==
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You find that you can’t help but to call her bluff. Almost instinctively. The Reaper, caught off guard by your sudden burst of energy, stares at you with a look of surprise.
 
No… A look of… Fear...?
 
“I know who you are! You’re The Felid Cyclone! The Sixty Billion Gil Miqo’te! You’ve killed countless people and creatures! Wherever you walk, death follows close behind! You’re… You’re a monster!”
 
With each exclamation, Rolly seems to become more and more… hurt. By the end of your outburst, she’s no longer looking you in the eye. Her eyes are glued to her own boots. Nothing about this makes sense to you. It only puzzles you further.
It only makes you want to know more.
 
“Why did you help me?! You’ve killed so many! Why was I worth saving...?!”
 
Without looking up, Rolly answers you.
 
“…I don’t know…”
 
“You don’t know?!”
 
“I don’t know.”
 
A moment passes by before either of you speak again.
 
“…I can’t remember…”
 
“You can’t remember? Remember what? Why you helped me?”
 
Rolly shakes her head quickly.
 
“No… I can’t remember killing.”
 
“…What?”
 
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==This time, a few moments pass before she speaks again.==
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“I remember waking up on a beach in The Ruby Sea many months ago. My clothes were in tatters, and I had nothing to my name. I managed to ferry a ride to Kugane and there I met a man who worked for the East Aldenard Trading Company. He sent me to a man hiding out in a manor in Gridania. My reputation was more than enough for him to lend me the clothes I wear and the weapon I wield.”
 
“The only other thing I can recall is a duel with… Someone… I lost and was cast into the sea. Sometime between that and my arrival at the Ruby Sea, I lost the rest of my memories.”
 
You sit in silence as the Miqo’te reveals the gravity of her life. You can hear the sound of droplets hitting the water of the spring.
 
Are those… Tears...?
 
“I’ve heard time and time again of who I am. Of what I’ve done. I’ve seen the fear in the eyes of those who recognize me. The anger felt by those whose lives I’ve ruined before losing my memory. The hunger of those who want to claim the Sixty Billion Gil bounty on my head.”
 
The sound of droplets splashing in the spring grows more numerous.
“I’ve caused an enormous amount of pain and suffering throughout Eorzea. The amount of blood on my hands is disgustingly immeasurable. What I’ve done is irreversible. I hate it. I hate what I was. What I am. I can't stand it. But I won’t allow myself to do it again.”
 
Her gaze finally returning to meet your own, you can see the streams of tears running down her cheeks. She looks at you with the weakest of smiles you’ve ever seen. Looking for affirmation.
 
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==“I can at least do that, can’t I?” (NO BGM)==
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Before you can answer, she laughs softly to herself. Wiping her face with her forearm, she returns to her feet.
 
“You’re not too far from Ul’dah. You can borrow one of the Chocobos here to get to the city in a few hours. Make sure you eat well before the journey.”
 
The big red Chocobo returns to Rolly’s side, chirping. The Miqo’te gives her steed a small dosage of petting.
 
This… This is Rolly Mizuki…
 
Unbelievable.
 
This can’t be real. But despite your doubts, you can feel that she’s been brutally honest with you. The evidence of your continued life, the sparing of the bandits and even the help she received from the locals of the Forgotten Springs all suggest Rolly has told you nothing but the truth.
 
Aboard her mount once more, her glasses go back on her face.
 
“Wait!!”
 
You call out to the Felid Cyclone for the last time. She pauses her departure to listen.
 
“What are you going to do? All of Eorzea know you as only a killer! Are you alright with such a title?!”
 
With a sigh, Rolly shakes her head.
 
“No. But it’s one that I’ve earned. Once this is over, I’ll move somewhere far remote to spend the rest of my days peacefully. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?”
 
Another, much clearer smile is given to you. For the first time, you can see her eyes behind her glasses. Through them, you can see her genuineness. That said, you can’t help but to ask…
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=="Once what is over?"==
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Rolly holds her smile for a second longer before it's replaced with a grimace.
 
“There’s another.”
You repeat her.
 
“Another...?”
She nods firmly.
 
“Another monster. Just like me.”
 
Your eyes widen at her claim. There’s another? Just like her...?
 
“A monster who works in the shadows. Discreet, cunning and ruthless.”
 
Turning away from you, Rolly faces towards the North.
 
“…It’s my responsibility to take care of him.”
 
Unsure if any comment you could make would offer any insight, you simply give a nod to the Reaper. You doubt you could offer any words of wisdom or encouragement to someone with such a weight on their soul.
Perhaps sensing your concern, Rolly turns back to you and offers one last smile, this one a wide cheeky grin.
 
“Goodbye! Take care!”
 
With those parting words, the Sixty Billion Gil Miqo’te departs on her Chocobo, leaving you to your own devices. With her finally gone, everything that’s transpired finally settles in your mind.
 
As a sigh of exhaustion leaves your mouth, you sink back into the water of the spring. Sandworms, bandits and The Felid Cyclone herself. What was surely meant to be the end of your road ended up becoming just another chapter in your story.
 
Somehow, you were able to Survive Rolly Mizuki.
Category:Cheevo's Creations
Category:Lore
Category:Final Fantasy XIV