I awoke slowly to the soothing sounds of water and the calling of seagulls high in the sky. The salty aroma of the ocean filled the air. My left arm felt warm as if sunlight found its way through my window blinds. A slightly frustrated grunt was audible. Why hadn't my alarms gone off yet? Usually, I had 4 alarms armed to ring me, and my neighbors, out of our beds in the morning. I lay in bed facing the wall, still half-asleep, when I noticed a gentle swaying of the bed. It almost felt like being on a boat, gently drifting over the calm seas. I shook off the thoughts - my life was anything but nautical. With a groan, I twisted onto my right side. The bed felt strangely hard and the pillow unfamiliar. As I tried to shake off the weird sensations I noticed a new sensation on my shoulders.... hair?

As I turned, my body felt lighter, my legs moved quicker, and my arms felt more nibble. When my body turned I felt something on my chest and my eyes opened up as the weird sensations and sounds started to get me questioning what was going on.

My breath caught in my throat. This wasn't my room anymore. Instead, I found myself staring at wooden walls and rows of simple beds. Some were still occupied by sleeping figures, their chests rising and falling with each breath.

I braced myself against the side of the bed and pushed myself to my feet. A sudden weight shifted on my chest, fueling my growing anxiety. I looked down and I felt my breath stop for a second. A sensation on my leg made me jump, and lose my balance. A jolt raced up my spine as my tail - a tail? - knocked against the bed, sending me tumbling back onto it. My head slammed into the wooden frame, leaving me curled up in a ball with my hands grasping the location of impact. My hands touched something hard where my ears should be, but my mind was too overwhelmed to process it. I slowly started realizing my situation. It wasn't just the room, it wasn't just the bed... it was me. My body felt wrong, alien.

A few moments passed and my initial shock was waning. The pain on my head subsided and I slowly uncurled from my ball to lay on my back. My curiosity now flowing into the empty corner that was filled with panic just moments ago. I glanced down at myself once again, my fingers tracing my form over the dark green shirt with its intricate ornaments. It felt strangely familiar, as though I had seen it before, perhaps in a dream. But as much as my mind struggled to make sense of it all, it was the sensations of my new body that truly overwhelmed me.

Just moments ago, I was a 25-year-old guy, celebrating my triumph in a video game. Now, I was... a girl. Long soft Silver hair cascaded over my shoulders and my limbs felt delicate and unfamiliar.

I lifted my hands to the ceiling in front of me, marveling at how small and slender they were compared to my previous ones. A wave of unease washed over me. This wasn't my body, this wasn't my life. What was happening?"

I pulled my new body upright and got myself to sit on the edge of the bed. _What happened to me, where am I, what is going on?_ My mind raced, a chaotic mess of unanswered questions. A draft crawled across my bare legs, sending a shiver down my spine. I hadn't even noticed the chill before, or the way my hair softly stroked my shoulders and my back as the draft curved around me.

As the moments passed I became more and more aware of how revealing my clothes were, at least for my legs and my arms. But the more I looked, the more familiar it seemed...

My thoughts were like a storm and I was grasping for any reasonable answers or conclusions. I tentatively reached for my chest, half hopping this was all a dream. But the softness beneath my fingertips confirmed everything I needed to know. I released my chest quickly as my mind paused for a second at the unfamiliar and foreign sensation. A strangled gasp escaped my lips in the process.

Shit, these are real. That felt so weird. My head started to hurt, my stomach felt like it was turning inside out. *What is happening to me?* I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself and force my racing heart to slow down.

“Ok, I switched genders, that much I can con...” My voice stopped abruptly as my hands flew to my throat.

My eyes widened in shock, as my mind tried processing the origin of the beautiful high-pitched voice that I just heard. My fingers traced my neck while I noticed the absence of an Adam's apple.

That was me right? That... voice came from me? My cheeks were flushed in embarrassment as I quickly glanced to see if anyone heard me.

"Voice DLC installed," I spoke softly, my hands still on my throat. "I guess I skipped the character creation," I whispered as I smirked a bit at my own joke while bit of anxiety still lingered in the back of my head.

As I slowly introduced myself -to myself - I got more comfortable with my new voice. Curiosity slowly started creeping back and replacing the wariness, as the questions in my head started to change direction. "I guess this is me now. Still doesn't answer the question of where I am and how I got here." I still spoke in whispers so as not to wake anyone in the room.

The large door to the room opened slowly, and the creaking sounds pulled me away from my thoughts. A figure stepped into the room, his body filling the doorway. Even from 15 meters away, the sheer angle I had to tilt my head up to meet his gaze made me feel incredibly small and vulnerable. His size dwarfed mine, a terrifying realization. My head barely reached his belt as he started walking over to me. Every step he took made me a bit more nervous.

The man didn't look threatening though, it was just the size difference. He had a friendly face, maned with wild, red hair. His attire looked like a cross between a pirate and a sailor. He wore loose-fitting, billowing trousers tucked into sturdy boots, and a sleeveless tunic revealed his impressive biceps. A wide sash was cinched around his waist, hinting at a hidden weapon.

He smiled as he approached.

"Hey there, I see you are awake. Just wanted to give ye a heads up, lass. We'll be dockin' in Limsa soon. Time to freshen up and prepare to disembark, aye?" His voice was surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to his imposing size. The disconnect caused the corner of my mouth to raise slightly, as I had a chuckle in my head.

His head tilted slightly in confusion, which quickly brought me back to his, somewhat, imposing stature. I nodded and kept the smile as a silent thanks for the consideration. He still looked confused but returned a friendly nod and turned back towards the door he just appeared from.

Should I know him? He looked confused when I replied. As he walked towards the door, a slight guilt started gripping me. The man came all the way down here to let me know we were arriving soon, and the only thing I did in response was nod. I cleared my throat and called out with my new, and now cheerful, voice, "Thank you". The man turned around just before entering the doorway. "For letting me know. I appreciate it," I continued.

The man smiled, "ye, no harm done, lass. Just thought I might've roused ye too abruptly or somethin'"

"No, absolutely not. Sorry, I just woke up. My head is still in power-saving mode" I said with a soft smile still on my face.

His furrowed brow revealed a quizzical expression that told the whole story as he tried to make sense of my comment. "Beg yer pardon, lass? I'm a bit adrift there."

"Never mind." I chuckled. "It's nothing. But thank you again."

Amused the man walked out of the room with a hint of a smile on his face before disappearing from view.

"Well, I better get ready then," I said to myself whilst grabbing the frame of the bed. Before I could stand up, a sudden jolt of pain pierced my head. I clutched my temple with one hand while leaning to keep myself upright with the other. It felt like the whole room was spinning, everything becoming one big blur. Then, as abruptly as it began, the pain subsided and my world went dark for a second. Sounds of the sea, and birds came to my ears, while the the sound of panicking people broke the serene soundscape.

When I opened my eyes I was on a ship gently floating in the water, while a rush of activity was visible on the deck. A small and unconscious figure was being hauled onto the deck by a pair of large men, much like the guy who just visited me.

Wait, does that girl have a tail? The sight made my heart skip a few beats. *Her clothes... they're the same as mine.*

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The girl was gently laid on her back while a young man knelt beside her, putting 2 fingers on her neck.

"She is still breathing," he announced with a voice filled with relief. "She will just need a warm bed and some rest." Cheers erupted from the people standing around, watching the ordeal. The relief was visible to everyone there.

As my eyes were locked on the poor girl, a realization reached the forefront of my thoughts. Is that... me?

My vision blurred, the darkness enveloped me for a fraction of a second before returning. Before me was the vast expanse of the open sea. The ship now sailing fast ahead, crashing into the waves with loud bursting sounds. Above were the sails, straining against the wind, while sailors were running around working hard to keep the boat going steady.

The girl from before was now standing against the railing beside the giant man. Her posture showed her distress. Her head hung low and shoulders bent forward. It made her seem even smaller against the giant next to her.

"Aye, 'tis a relief to see ye on yer feet again, lass. When we hauled ye aboard, we feared we might've been too late. Feelin' a bit better now?" The man's voice was gentle, his concern for her life being evident.

She nodded her voice barely a whisper. "Yeah, I'm good. Thank you for pulling me out of the water."

The man looked at her with a furrowed brow. "Aye, no offense intended, lass, but I'm curious where ye hail from. And how'd ye find yerself adrift in those choppy waters?"

She shook her head, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "I wish I knew," her voice started trembling slightly. "The moment I woke up on the deck, is the furthest I can remember. I don't even know my own name, let alone know where I came from or how I got here." Her voice now audibly hinted at her destress, showing that the lack of any memories was not something she could just shake off.

The man looked at the girl, tapping on the railing as he thought of something to say. His gaze pulled away from the girl and followed her stare into the horizon. His lips pursed as his eyes squinted, still looking for an answer he didn't have. A sigh released, hinting at the frustration of his helplessness.

"What d'ye say to makin' port in Limsa Lominsa, lass? 'Tis a bustling city, the heart o' La Noscea. I've a good mate there who can help ye get yer bearings. Mayhap in time, yer memories will return, but 'til then, ye'll be safe."

The girl's face showed a hint of hope, probably the thought of being alone no longer, helping to relieve a small bit of the stress. She started to smile softly and with a warm, soft voice replied. "That sounds like a good plan to start with. Thank you. I really appreciate it" The hint of gratitude warmed her voice even more.

As their conversation continued, the sounds of the ship and the sea gradually faded. My vision, once again, blurred, bringing me back to the present. I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the dim cabin light. Much to my surprise, the giant guy stood in the door frame, looking at me with a mix of concern and curiosity. My smile eased his worried expression.

"ye seem to be feeling better again. 'Tis good to see it. Any chance ye've remembered who ye are, then?" he spoke jokingly.

I shook my head "No, sorry. My brain probably has pending updates. When done, who knows what I might remember." I had a quick chuckle. "Never mind, just me being weird."

Seems I did meet up with this guy earlier. I don't know what that was just now but at least I know where my journey started on this boat.

The man nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "Aye, that's good to hear, lass. Seems ye've got yer wits about ye again. Now, take it easy, and we'll be in Limsa afore ye know it. Just listen for the ship's bells, and ye'll know we're makin' port." He turned and left, the big door softly closing behind him, leaving me alone with 3 sleeping people in the room.

I laid back down, eyes aimed at the ceiling, lost in thought.

What is happening to me? Who am I, Where am I, Why does everything feel so familiar yet so strange.

The sounds of the sea crashing into the ship, the soft hustle of sailors running around the deck, and the distant sound of the seagulls, all blended together. It almost brought me into a trans-like state. I was weirdly calm for the situation I was in, but it helped me finally realizing what was going on.

Wait a minute... The architecture of the ship, the towering man, the flashback... Could it really be? Was I actually en route to Aorzea?

I recalled all the events since I woke up, going through them in as much detail as I could.

The giant man could be nothing else than a Roegadyn, my horns and tail meant I was an Au Ra, and the flashback could only have one explanation... The Echo. My body shivered in a combination of excitement and disbelief.

I'm really in Final Fantasy 14! Still not able to fully comprehend it, I rose to sit up in my bed when the soft stroke from a lock of silver hair brushed my shoulder, the unfamiliar weight returning to my chest. Glancing down, I was confronted with reality once more. The gentle, and some not-so-gentle, curves of my now feminine form started making me feel vulnerable. My height was not so much an issue. My character was 1.89 meters tall, so I wasn't small by any means. But if you compared me to a Roegadyn or the male Au Ra, the biggest characters in the game, I felt tiny. Add to this that I had no knowledge of what I could do and if this world would adhere to game logic, and you can see why I started feeling more and more anxiety creeping up.

My thoughts were going down a rabbit hole and I shook my head to stop the path down. I softly tapped my cheeks, then held them. "Let's just take everything as it comes. I have no clue what I am in for and no way to prepare for it." I said with a soft voice, reassuring myself everything was going to be alright.

I noticed the increased sound of footsteps running across the deck. Something must be happening up top. I guessed. Then, a load bell rang through the hull of the ship. most likely the bell that the Roegadyn man told me about. "Better get to the deck. This will confirm if my conclusions were correct."

I stood up from the bed, a breeze brushing past my exposed arms and legs, the unfamiliar weight of my dress settling around me. As I stood there, the soft fabric that enveloped me now was a stark contrast to my usual denim and t-shirt attire. I glanced down once more, took a deep breath, and readied myself for my first steps outside the confines of this sleeping quarters.

The hull was bustling with life, the crew running around in preparation for docking at our destination, the silence from a few minutes ago now just a memory. I opened the large door and walked into a room filled with life. Groups of, what I guessed were passengers, sat together in the corners of the room. Sailors, their shifts ended, rested against the ship's hull. As I walked through the narrow wooden pathway, I started to blush as I noticed some people staring. I tried to rationalize their stares as concerned people who saw me being pulled from the water.

A wave hit the ship with force, making it sway abruptly. The creaking noises made it apparent that the ship didn't like it. Normally I would just continue on my way, but my new center of balance made me misstep. My right foot stepped on the edge of the pathway, almost making me fall of the side. I braced for impact when a hand reached out and grabbed me softly.

"Woo there lass, are you ok? You seem like you are not yet fully back on yer feet."

When I could stand on my own again he let go and I turned around. A gentle smile greeted me.

"Yeah, seems like it. Thank you, I will be more careful." I replied, returning the smile.

I turned around and continued to the stairs, meanwhile, my face turned beat red. As I walked along the pathway, I caught my reflection in a polished bulkhead. I knew right away that it was my own reflection. The character I put so much thought into creating, now standing there, looking back at me.

The girl in the mirror was me, I was now literally that girl. I was wearing the basic attire that any Au Ra started with. A dark green shirt dress that stopped halfway to my knees. It has small silver shoulder guards and no sleeves. There was a belt around my middle with ornaments on it and I was wearing a vambrace on my left arm, that hooked on my middle finger and went up to my elbow. I was wearing the brown open-toed boots that went up just under my knees with small feathers on the side. The sight also made me more aware of how exposed I was in certain areas.

This is going to take some getting used to. I thought as I reached the stairs and climbed up to the deck.

As my head reached the deck, I saw the massive white walls. My heart started to pound in my chest. I finally walked over to the railing, where my jaw dropped. The view was amazing, unreal even. I knew this sight anywhere, but it looked so real now. My suspicions were now confirmed. "This is Aorzea!" I called out in surprise.

"Aye, that it is, lass. What else did ye expect from Limsa Lominsa, the jewel o' La Noscea?" A familiar voice booming full of anticipation. "ye've arrived just in time to see her comin' into view, lass."

I turned around to see the big Roegadyn guy standing behind me. His imposing height still brings a shiver to my body. His voice, however, quickly dispelled my unease as my anticipation built. I would be seeing Limsa Lominsa in a completely different way in a few moments.

The sound of gasping people quickly made me turn back around. Just in time to see the ship rounding the final spire, revealing Limsa Lominsa, its pearly white walls gleaming in the sunlight. The sight took my breath away. It was even more breathtaking than I'd ever imagined. The exotic architecture, the bustling harbor, the vibrant colors... it was all so real, so alive, so different from the game but still the same.

I looked up seeing the guy standing over me with the biggest grin you could imagine on this already massive man. His gaze locked onto the city, "Home," he declared full of pride. "There is no better for us seafaring bastards than this place." His laugh booming above me, bringing a smile to my face as well. At that moment I was not worried about anything anymore, the sight of Limsa taking all the brainpower I had to process this amazing sight.

"Aye, lass, where are me manners? Name's Haldceig. If ye ever find yerself in need o' assistance, just ask for me down at the docks. Any o' the lads'll point ye in the right direction, aye?" He tapped me on the shoulder, almost making me stumble while he laughed it off.

"Whahaha, me apologies! Didn't mean to jostle ye like that. Should've been more mindful o' me strength. Gotta get me gear stowed away, but don't ye be a stranger now. We'll meet again, I reckon. Limsa ain't so big that we can't find each other, aye? So long, lass, and welcome to Eorzea!" he said, turning around laughing as someone else joined him on his way out.

I turned back to the sight of Limsa, leaning on the railing. The wind now strong enough to carry the sounds and smells from the city. The shouting merchants, the commands being given at the docks, and the smell of grilled fish started filling the air.

This is it, I'm in A Realm Reborn. And I, Shina Suzume, was about to embark on my own adventure.