Untold Tales

This is Myhal, writing my latest column--and it couldn't have been possible without all of you readers! While collecting information for my articles, I collected a lot of memories that didn't make it into print. This time, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce some of the untold stories that didn't make it into the final version.

To begin with, there was my very first experience gathering information for an article. Oh yes, that unforgettable…um…person…(flips through notes)…Marphy. Yes, Marphy! I could never forget Marphy. The airship route to Kazham had just opened, and I headed to the port to gather more information. People explained how difficult it was to get the airship pass amid excited rants about the new lands to be explored. However, I was just a new reporter at the time with butterflies in my stomach, so unfortunately the article was never published. While listening to various stories, I reached Kazham. It was warm, and the wind carried a faint, sweet aroma. That memory is burned in my mind as my starting point as a reporter. I went on to write my first article there, a little piece about chocobos.

"Are you alright?"

I heard a voice in the darkness, bringing me back to awareness. As I blinked to regain my composure, a Hume woman dressed in white mage clothing came into focus. Thinking back, I remembered being knocked out by a surprise attack on my way to gather some information on the Sea Serpent Grotto. The white mage had saved me with her magic.

"You really had me scared… I thought you were gone for good!"

She informed me of the dangers of venturing that far out alone as she brought me to her friends and proceeded to help me find my way. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to gather enough information after that incident to write an article, but I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to that white mage for being so kind to me.

Another time, I made a nice friend named Charmian. Fireworks were popular at the time, and she heard that someone was planning to gather adventurers from across Vana'diel and have a giant fireworks festival. Forgetting the excitement of battle for a while, everyone set off fireworks one after another on the beach and even had a party on a ship. It was a fantastic night. However, because there was another event going on in Windurst at the same time, I wasn't able to cover the other festivities in my column. I am sure that the beautiful fireworks illuminating the night sky left an unforgettable impression on everyone who participated, though.

Then there was Yas, who I introduced in the article "Feeling the Fear." He invited me to write a piece on the Quicksand Caves, claiming that he had found something "really neat" inside. So I went along with him, half for the article and half out of personal interest. He led me to the heart of the Quicksand Caves in the Altepa Desert, where it is said the Galkan capital used to exist. Yas had found a giant mural painted on an extremely long corridor. There was some trouble after that, but we won't go into that now…

Some time ago, I had a bad case of writer's block and couldn't write for a while. To take my mind off of work, I took up a sword and set out to fight. But I was unable to concentrate properly and ended up surrounded by Goblins. I closed my eyes, preparing for a blast of Goblin magic, but the next moment, they were toppling all over each other!

"Girlie, you better be careful out h—hey, aren't you Myhal, the reporter?"

I had been saved by a blond-haired black mage. After apologizing profusely and commenting on how nice it must be to be able to use such powerful magic, he comforted me by responding with, "My magic only works on enemies, but yours touches the entire world." I couldn't stop the tears welling up in my eyes.

And last but not least, some wonderful news.

Saltol (not his real name), who I introduced in my last article, "Memorable Items," recently came to me with a brighter smile than I had ever seen him wear before. He finally found the Galka who helped him so long ago and was able to return his claymore! Apparently, the Galka read the article and realized it was about him. They were able to meet after all these years, and Saltol was beside himself with joy.

"So, what would you say those tears are composed of?" "Definitely much more than simple water, I would say." Saltol responded to his friend's joking question about his former outlook on companionship with a red face.

Those are just a few of the many experiences I have had while writing this column. There are even more that I would love to tell, but I'm afraid that no matter how much I wrote, I could never fit everything in. But the memories that everyone has given to me will always be in my heart. Hearing people say that they are looking forward to my next article has always made my day!

So if you ever see me around, give me a yell!