anchors: things that ground me so i don't kms. joking about the kms part, but serious when i say these have helped me through tough times. this page is full of spoilers!

legend

🌱 love for life (and the world)

💧 turn on the waterworks

❤ love (in all forms) is not dead

quote this on the daily

Despite everything, it's still you.
-Undertale

Being good means being free.
-Haikyuu!!

Pick a god and pray.
-Fire Emblem Awakening

May you feel the jaws of the beast at your throat every time you swallow.
-The Great Ace Attorney

I do not fear death. What I fear is doing nothing and losing everything.
-Kingsglaive Final Fantasy XV

"It's a good life we lead, brother."
"The best. May it never change."
"And may it never change us."
-Assassin's Creed II

I'm Ion's replacement, but there are no replacements for me.
-Tales of the Abyss

quote this: FFXIV edition

In the end, he chose mercy. He chose love, and I was undone.
-Shadowbringers

The sorrow of a thousand thousand worlds weighs heavy. And yet you can walk on.
-Endwalker

In your darkest hour, in the blackest night... think of me... and I will be with you. Always. For where else could I go? Who else could I love but you?
-Dark Knight questline

I love you more than you'll ever know. Be well.
-Dark Knight questline

in my head rent-free

"I'm not living for anyone else. (...) It doesn't matter if you accept me or not. Here I am. Alive!"

Luke, Tales of the Abyss

the bulk of the game is an anchor for me, but the scene that stuck with me the most is in the 3rd arc where Luke tells Asch that it doesn't matter that he's a replica or if he thinks he's a sham or fake; there need not a reason to live in this world - he's under the sun, real and alive! also please listen to Karma by Bump of Chicken.

"Boy oh boy... the price of freedom is steep."

Zack Fair, Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII

the line from Zack's Final Stand, an event with a track by the same name playing in the background. made worse by the fact that pre-remake canon implies that Aerith never knew of Zack's fate till the end. truly the tragic couple (at least before the remake complicates things).

"Looks like my summer vacation is... over."

Roxas, Kingdom Hearts II

Kingdom Hearts is a gut-punch disguised as a Disney theme park and there are other scenes in the franchise with waaaaaay more impact (for example, Xion's death), but this one from KH2 is simple - showing Roxas' frustration and eventual acceptance of his role in awakening Sora.

"The only thing I do know... is that we have to be kind. Please. Be kind... especially when we don't know what's going on."

Waymond Wong, Everything Everywhere All At Once

people always quote the laundry and taxes line but nobody's talking about this. the man says this while scared out of his fucking mind, putting himself between danger and the love of his life and i think he's also bleeding his guts out??? the meek husband is not weak; it takes a lot to be kind.

"No one has the right to stop you from loving another person!"

Koshiro Aoi, Renai Idenshi XX (Love Gene XX)

also known as 'lesbian yaoi', which was also how i found this. it's written as a low-stakes yuri (yaoi?) story but has a defining panel in the final chapter where the protagonist tearfully declares her love in front of the whole school. and i think that's neat.

in my head rent-free: FFXIV edition

lots of memorable scenes in this critically acclaimed MMORPG, here are some of my favourites + ones that made my tear glands work overtime.

"I will be there.
This I promise. This I swear."

Haurchefant, Heavensward

not said in-game, but part of the FFXIV short stories where you can read here. the man may no longer be there for the WoL physically, but in a sense, he is always in the WoL's thoughts - and in spirit too.

"Why you? Why not you? Had I chosen another, we would have never made it this far."

Crystal Exarch, Shadowbringers

context: the WoL is his oshi and he will play this gacha until he gets the SSR card (aka WoL gets pulled to the First). he believes the WoL can save the realm from doom... and this is his response to them questioning his choices.

"The rains have ceased, and we have been graced with another beautiful day. But you are not here to see it."

Elidibus, Shadowbringers

you fight a despicable antagonist who wears the skin of your deceased comrade in an epic battle with awesome boss music, then see for who he truly is: a man who has lost his way and misses his departed friends and colleagues dearly.

"(...) They are my meaning and my purpose. My love."

Venat, Endwalker

this quote is a part of a longer monologue with two versions. the shorter first version is a conversation; the longer second version is a solemn declaration:
"Lands that stretched on forever. Skies one could drown in. The heartbeat of nature, silent yet strong. And amidst it all a people. Beacons of light and life. Laughter that warmed my heart like naught else before. They are my meaning and my purpose. My love. In spite of... Or perhaps because of this, I choose to believe. In mankind's potential. In his ability to find a way forward. So let there be no way back. From that temptation I sunder us. No more shall man have wings to bear him to paradise. Henceforth, he shall walk."

"Now, run along. And never forget that you're my pride and joy."

Cahciua, Dawntrail

Living Memory is a huge try not to cry challenge that i failed miserably, from the first section down to the last. from G'raha's "Above all else, I wished that they had lived." to Alayla's "We love you more than life itself.", there is no shortage of gut-punchers... but omg the last section with Cahciua has to take the cake for me. the way she gently pats Erenville's head like a young child... just thinking about it makes me teary eyed!