myswans0ng

[myswans0ng]

the song of forgotten flames

✢ sylus x idol!mc / fem!reader

synopsis: MC is an aspiring and rising idol who got placed in the crosshairs of powerful enemies who are after her. Sylus, the leader of Onychinus now tangled in the same web, his life at your fingertips once again.

contents/warning: romance, mild angst, slow burn, fluff, idol life, descriptions of violence/mature themes, heavily suggestive, alternate universe/timeline, idol!mc, fem!reader

ch. synopsis: pt. 2 of how you and Sylus met... (part 1: here)

status: ongoing

w/c: 1.1k

also on ao3: here

index: chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3

4 - The Price of a Song (Part Two)

Somewhere in the N109 Zone…

The sleek black car’s engine hummed steadily as Sylus drove. His grip on the steering wheel was firm, his expression unreadable. You sat beside him, your arms crossed tightly as if you were hugging yourself to soothe your anxious heart. Still reeling from the chaos of the auction and your life before you shifting to something darker and more sinister. The silence between you and the man who had bought you was thick and uncomfortable.

You stared out the window, unsure what you were seeing but a dim road and a fog so thick you can’t see anything else but the headlights. Could Sylus see anything out there? You wondered.

Your mind was racing, everything happened so quickly— the performance, the bidding, the trap, and now, here you were. Seated next to the man who had purchased you for 500 million. That is what your life is worth to these people. What does he want with you now? What is he planning to do with you? Were you now doomed to serve him like his personal jester? To entertain him whenever he’s bored? For him to use your Evol till your lungs give out?

Finally, unable to hold back your frustration and your deepening curiosity, you turn to face him, mustering whatever courage you had left in you. “What are you going to do to me?” You asked as you watched his profile.

He didn’t answer, his eyes focused on the road ahead. You thought he didn’t hear you but then he spoke, his voice low.

“What were you doing in the N109 zone?” He asked, his tone blank as though it was a simple question.

You blinked, taken aback by the shift in the atmosphere. What were you doing in the N109 Zone? What would be a good answer that didn’t make you sound like a naïve girl who stupidly thought this was her chance to make it big but not expecting to be caught up in all of this despite the obvious warning signs? You suddenly remember the song, the crowd and it made your skin crawl.

“I- I was doing my job,” You answered, your emotions threatening to rise again but you do

your best to hold yourself back from crying once more. “I j-just needed the money… Bills to pay, you know?”

Sylus didn’t respond right away. The silence that followed left a pressing feeling. You look at him again, staring, analyzing his features and his movements. You were trying to figure him out and his intentions, his motives but your thoughts had nothing good to say. You might as well consider yourself dead.

This made you… angry.

“Do you people ever stop and think about what you’re doing? Or are we all just expendable to you? You’re going to hell, you know!” You said bitterly. Words coming out of you like a broken faucet.

Sylus lets out an amused laugh, his gaze looking briefly to you. “What makes you think we’re not already there sweetheart?” The glint in one of his eyes shined brighter as he said those words.

Your chest tightened. The look on his face left an eerie feeling like you were being pulled into his trap and it made your blood boil. You hear your own voice.

Devour him. You heard your voice inside your head say, almost pulsating.

“Well I’m not gonna go down easy! Even if I have to kill you myself—” Your fist aiming to hit him.

Sylus snickered, his reflexes quickly grabbing your hand then gripped it harshly, pulling you face to face towards him. “Is this how you thank someone who just saved you?” His words trailed off, he leaned closer to you. His face, mere inches away from you. His eyes cutting through you. “You really haven’t changed, have you?”

Your brows furrowed, something about the way he said those words felt all too knowing. Your mind raced, your thoughts scrambling. He pushes your hand back, making you fall back into the seat. Your head begins to ache as the voice inside continues to occupy every inch of your brain. It was almost nauseating.

“What do you mean by that?” You hissed, but your voice came out weaker than you had expected.

Devour him! He's yours!

Before you could say or do anything more, the car came to a halt. The tires screeched slightly against the pavement. You blinked, confused.

Looking out the window, you see the familiar gates of your apartment building. You weren’t sure how long you were in the car, but you hadn’t expected to stop here. In fact, this was the last place you thought you'd be.

“Get out.” Sylus didn’t glance your way. He looked straight ahead, his face emotionless as ever.

“What?” You pondered.

Out of the blue, you saw a flash of red and black streaks of light pushing past you and it opened the passenger door. The blood red streak wrapped around your body and pulled you out of the car, bringing you to your feet. Sylus still in the car.

Was that his Evol?

“Never go back to the N109 zone again. Consider this your first and last warning.” He said in a firm and dismissive, yet also threatening tone.

Your mouth went dry, unsure what to say. You didn’t know whether to be angry or relieved. The voice in your head is completely vanishing. But before you could even argue, the car door closed and Sylus had quickly driven away. The sound of the car engine roaring, a small gust of wind hitting you slightly as it sped off the driveway.

You stood there out on the curb of the street you knew so well. The cold night air brushing against your skin. Your head filled with a thousand thoughts, but none of them seemed to make sense as to what just happened.

“You haven’t changed, have you?”

What did he mean by that? You wondered. It wasn’t the first cryptic thing he said tonight but it’s the one that stuck like a splinter you couldn’t pull out.

The more you tried to dissect his words, the more it just left you in the dark. Your mind spinning in circles. Then there was this other voice.

Devour him.

You couldn’t tell where that came from, or what exactly triggered that. Hearing your own voice in your head wasn’t anything new but it sounded like someone else entirely.

You enter the gates of your home but it did little to comfort you. The night had left you with a lingering feeling that someone might be out to get you again.

For now, there were no answers. But one thing’s for certain, Sylus knew more than he was letting on. Now you have a choice whether to unravel that mystery yourself or leave this behind.

a/n: the reason i didn't use his motorcycle in this scenario is 'cuz i think it would be difficult to have their conversation on it lol mc woulda' jumped off

index: chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3

also on ao3: here

[myswans0ng]

follow the rules or flock off !

₊☽◯☾₊ about me

hi ! you can call me Viola, she/her, 26, you can call me Vi for short or whichever you prefer

im (mildly) obsessed with bayonetta, ff7, bg3, dmc, hades, elden ring, homicipher, love and deepspace... i could go on

music i like: im pretty much listen to everything but when im writing, im particularly fond of classical music, you'll notice some of my titles or what i write are inspired by classical songs i listen to. my all-time favorite is fantasie-impromptu by Frederic Chopin (fun fact: the only version of fly me to the moon that i know and love is the bayonetta theme song)

₊☽◯☾₊ my writing...

FANDOMS I WRITE ABOUT... i've mostly written about final fantasy, love & deepspace, jujutsu kaisen, baldur's gate 3, but im eager to write more about other things im hyperfixated on

WHAT DO I WRITE ABOUT? romance, angst, slow burns, BL, & tasteful (occasionally nasty) smut if it fits the writing or narrative i've created

WRITING STYLE? i like long fics, aus, x reader/oc/mc, i like the build-up and solidifying characters hence why i love slow burns, so you might not see me post a lot of oneshots unless it's related to something i've already written..

₊☽◯☾₊ RULES

minors, please do NOT interact. though i don't write a lot of smut, a lot of my themes/descriptions are not suitable for underage audiences.

im open to writing about adult themes to a certain extent, im pretty open minded. however, i will NOT write about anything borderline unethical or discriminatory

english is not my first language so i do apologize if you notice grammatical or spelling errors in my writing, i either must've overlooked them or did not have time to proofread (i rarely proofread my works)

the way i write characters, mainly x readers/mc, are not the typical way of writing where the terms like 'y/n' are used. i'm honestly not fond of typing such terms in my writing since it ruins the way i write/read or the entire flow in general (at least for me) so i typically use or make up names for the reader/mc. but to cater to the genre itself, i don't put any specific physical description of the mc/reader such as their hair color, their height or the like, other than the tag i've labeled them as (i.e: fem!reader/ male!reader/afab!reader... etc) or their age.

please be kind and respectful (if not then, flock off!)

₊☽◯☾₊ to my readers...

thank you so much for taking your time to read this and get to know about lil ole me ^-^ i hope you enjoy reading my stuff as much as i loved writing it! <3

[myswans0ng]

the song of forgotten flames

✢ sylus x idol!mc / fem!reader

synopsis: MC is an aspiring and rising idol who got placed in the crosshairs of powerful enemies who are after her. Sylus, the leader of Onychinus now tangled in the same web, his life at your fingertips once again.

contents/warning: romance, mild angst, slow burn, fluff, idol life, descriptions of violence/mature themes, heavily suggestive, alternate universe/timeline, idol!mc, fem!reader

ch. synopsis: Destiny Cafe has a new frequent customer

a/n: this is a filler chapter, before i post part 2 of the previous chapter, enjoy!

status: ongoing

w/c: 1.2k

also on ao3: here

index: chapter 1, chapter 2

Ch. 3 - A Symphony of Silence

Linkon City – Destiny Café - Present

The café you used to work at was tucked away in the quiet corner of the city, a few blocks away from where you lived. Though you don’t work there anymore, the familiarity of it all gave you comfort. The smell of warm pastries and the brewed lavender that they use to make your favorite Oatmilk Lavender latte, these always calmed you after a long day. You liked the routine and so did a certain silver-haired gentleman.

You spotted Sylus there again, sitting at the table near the back, next to the window. The corner you claimed long before he started showing up. He sat there with his usual intensity yet calm demeanor, his attention focused on whatever was going on, on the other side of the glass.

The first time he visited the Destiny Café, he said he was just a regular customer stopping by for some coffee. A little pick me up before he begins his day—more like his evening.

However, the visits became more frequent, his first excuse becoming more and more like a convenient lie so you don’t think he was actually there to see you. Though if you asked, he would deny it. Even though you were beginning to think exactly that.

You ordered your usual and made your way over to your spot—which is now technically yours and Sylus’ spot. You sat comfortably across from him; your eyes immediately found his before you could completely settle in. He seemed different tonight, as if the weight on his shoulders were a lot lighter—he seemed more relaxed.

“You’re late.” He said. “Working extra hard in the studio?”

“Mhmm.” You nodded calmly. You glanced around the room, fewer people than usual. You look over at the clock in your phone. It was almost midnight. There weren’t a lot of customers at this hour.

You sighed.

Sylus raised a brow but didn’t comment. “What about you? Busy day?” You asked.

He laughs lowly. “The day had only just begun for me sweetie.” He said, reminding you of his nocturnal habits.

“Oh right then… What are your plans for the rest of the night?”

“Well you know, the usual. Nothing that should concern you.” He said simply, and a little sarcastic.

You shake your head. Even after all this time, he still chooses to be cryptic about his whereabouts.

“Oh Sylus, you have such a talent for holding a conversation.” You retort.

The barista from the counter stood before your table and handed you your beverage, seems like he was the only one working the shift tonight, you politely take it from him and thanked him before he left you and Sylus.

“If you wanted to know something, all you have to do is ask.” He said. But you weren’t quite sure if you could hold him to that.

“You’ve been here a lot more often, I’ve noticed.” You commented lightly. “I mean, you’re free to do whatever you want but I had expected that the leader of Onychinus would have other—more important places to be.”

He chuckled at your comment. His coffee half filled and remain untouched. It looked like it had been sitting there for a while, so you start to wonder how long had he actually been here in the café.

“I didn’t think you’re the type to enjoy places like this.” You said softly gesturing at the decor of the café, light and warm, in contrast to Sylus' presence. Your eyes drifted towards the window where the glow of street lamps illuminated the night.

“I’m not.” He replied, his voice lower. “But given our shared predicament, visiting Linkon, this... café is far better than seeing a stray kitten wandering about in the N109 zone easily lured by treats offered to her by strangers.” He said, in an almost teasing manner.

You bit your lip, tempted to throw a playful jab at him but after some thinking, you realize he wasn’t being a jerk— he was… concerned. Protective, even.

“What? No comeback?” He jests.

You shook your head. You took a sip of your tea, the sweet but bitter taste of the lavender settling in nicely on your tastebuds.

“You want to say something. Say it.” Sylus prompted. Your earlier reaction leaving him slightly confused and curious.

“Oh nothing… “ You murmured, swirling the straw from your drink absentmindedly. But your thoughts weren’t as collected as you had let on. Though Sylus tends to tease you a lot whether to entertain himself or get a rise out of you, this time, it was just a veil and underneath it all—it carried the truth, though his concern felt out of place since you weren’t used to it. It also felt strangely comforting.

Sylus leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on you. “You’re a terrible liar.” He retorts.

You laughed softly. For a moment, you both fell silent, the sound of classical music playing through the speakers in the café, giving away a feeling of nostalgia from when you used to take shifts here to sing.

“So do you ever sleep?” You said breaking the silence. Changing the subject altogether.

There was a brief shift in Sylus’ expression, as though he had expected you to say something else. He meets your eyes, his lips curling into a small, knowing smile.

“I do..” He said. “Just not.. when you or most people do.”

Before you could ask another question, he opens his mouth again.

“It’s hard to tell whether it’s day or night in the N109 zone. Whatever hour you wake up to, it always looked like the sun was setting then the night begins— or it never even ended...” He said, almost as if he was talking to himself. He leaned forward, brushing his fingers on the edges of his coffee mug. His expression in deep thought.

“The night’s always quieter… It feels like there’s more room to breathe.” He continued on.

“I see. You like the quiet?” You asked half-amused and half-curious as to what he had to say. 

This was the most you’ve seen him talk about something, other than the info he had gathered in regards to the trouble you both were in-mostly you. Whether it was about Snowy Owl or the bounty on your head. The first few nights were like that, but recently, Sylus was just here. He was either in the process of gathering more intel or just as dumbfounded as you. Now that you see a glimpse of this side of him, it was refreshing and.. human.

He didn't answer right away, instead he took a slow sip of his coffee. When his crimson eyes met yours, they had a different kind of warmth, almost like he was indulging in this sense of peace between the two of you.

“The world feels more… mine, when it’s dark and quiet.” He said, his tone light but thoughtful.

You let his words linger in the air for a moment. The weight of his words felt more profound than you had first expected. His calmness at this moment felt like a steady presence, almost like he was embodying the night itself, for a few seconds the music, the soft hum of the conversation and everything else in the café seemed distant and fleeting, as though the night carved out a space somewhere that existed solely for the two of you.

Perhaps, he was more honest with himself—and with you—than you had given him credit for.

index: chapter 1, chapter 2

also on ao3: here

[myswans0ng]

sylus x reader

the song of forgotten flames [ongoing]

chapter 1

chapter 2

chapter 3

chapter 4

[myswans0ng]

the song of forgotten flames

✢ sylus x idol!mc / fem!reader

synopsis: MC is an aspiring and rising idol who got placed in the crosshairs of powerful enemies who are after her. Sylus, the leader of Onychinus now tangled in the same web, his life at your fingertips once again.

contents/warning: romance, mild angst, slow burn, fluff, idol life, descriptions of violence/mature themes, heavily suggestive, alternate universe/timeline, idol!mc, fem!reader

ch. synopsis: How you and Sylus met...

status: ongoing

w/c: 3.6k

also on ao3: here

index: chapter 1

Ch. 2 - The Price of a Song (part one)

Linkon City - One Year Ago…

“Hey, listen to me! This is your shot!” Tara said, her usual perkiness sounding through the phone. It was clear that she was excited for you.

You purse your lips as you held your phone close to your face. You look out your apartment window, peering at the city lights, your reflection staring back at you. A mask of doubt evident on your face.

“I don’t know Tara… This feels… off. Why would they pick me? It’s not like I’m some big- time performer, how did they even reach out to you?”

You hear Tara scoff. “They want you because you’re amazing!” She countered, her voice firm with conviction. “They probably heard the tracks you posted online, I heard that’s how a lot of underground or lesser-known artists get discovered these days! You clearly stood out to them.” Tara added.

You looked at the invitation again. The paper was thick and it was a dark obsidian color while the words were in a white script print. The red wax seal had an engraving of an owl. It was

fancier than usual party invitations to say the least. You examine it again as if you hadn’t already done that a hundred times today. Your name was written beside the Guest of Honor. 

Pretty presumptuous. You thought.

You then take notice of the small pile of unpaid bills underneath the invitation. You sighed, you clench your fists, your nails digging into your palm, the pressure hurting you slightly.

This was stressful.

Tara broke the silence as if she had sensed your dilemma. “Come on bestie! You’re overthinking this. It’s one gig. You sing, the client’s happy, they give you a fat paycheck, and you’re out!”

You stood up and walked towards the window, leaning your forehead against the cool glass. The city lights become hazy in your peripheral vision. “And you’re sure this is legit?” You questioned.

“I double— triple checked it!” She said enthusiastically. “The host goes by the name Snowy Owl. After extensive research, I found out that she’s a pretty big name in the N109 zone— charity stuff, extravagant parties, the whole nine yards! In case you forgot, they’re paying you 6 months worth of your rent! And all you have to do is sing for a night!” She said cheerfully.

Although you trust Tara, you can’t help but be filled with uncertainty but your desperation was much heavier. The bills were piling up and you weren’t exactly getting a lot of gigs that paid well. Singing at the Destiny Café wasn’t cutting it anymore.

Shortly after the call ended, after you had reluctantly agreed to this job, you turned on your laptop. You decided to look up the N109 Zone. Nothing came up except one informational article. It was declared a No Hunt Zone by the Hunters Association due to Wanderers.

Why would a party be held in a no hunt zone? You wondered. You can’t help but feel uneasy. But it was stated in the invitation that someone would pick you up to and from the event.

Now it made sense. It was safer that way. But still—this all seemed too suspicious for your liking but the gnawing feeling of desperation also creeped in. In the end, you decided to go and that was final.

Maybe it was easier to look at this through Tara’s eyes. This could be your big break.

✣✣✣

Somewhere in the N109 Zone...

The ballroom glistened under the lights of the crystal chandelier at the very center of the room. The guests dressed in velvet and luxurious gowns that were probably worth more than your entire apartment building. The timbre of classical music, the polished floors and the champagne tower that stood tall, everything gave an aura of decadence. Snowy Owl was kind enough to also provide you with something to wear for the party. The fabric was a rich deep red, its velvety texture shimmered slightly under the crystal lights. It was cinched at the waist, the length falling just slightly above the middle of your calves. A small slit at the side revealing a glimpse of your skin. A daring yet tasteful dress with dark delicate heels to match. The thin straps of your dress accentuating your collarbones and leaving your shoulders bare. You walked into the room and already, eyes were on you. Your cheeks felt warm and your heart thumped.

For a brief moment, you felt like you belonged in this high society.

You observe the people around you as stroll by, you took notice that the staff were in black masks while some of the other guests were in white masks that were shaped like an owl’s face. While the rest had theirs, exposed. Maybe that a was fashion choice, you presumed. It was Snowy Owl’s party, maybe those were Snowy Owl’s people.

Before you could even grab a drink from the champagne tower, a man in a black mask approached you.

“Excuse Miss- “

“Ember.” You interjected. You weren’t sure why you had just said that or introduced yourself that way but you had been thinking about your stage name for quite a while now. Now’s the perfect time to have one, you thought. “Ember Moon.” You said decisively.

He nods in acknowledgement. “Ms. Moon. Follow me please.” He gestured formally, tipping his head slightly.

You were led to the unlit stage, behind the thick curtains—a large platform raised above the guests. A woman awaited you, in a white owl mask that was far more intricately designed. It had ornamental details and shiny rocks, from what you assumed were real diamonds. The gown she had on framed her small chest delicately and the intricate beadwork alone could tell you this was one of a kind. This must be Snowy Owl. Given how she carried herself just by merely standing there in front of you.

“Hello Miss- “

“Ember… Ember Moon.” You repeated as you greeted her warmly with a small smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Moon.” She replied, her voice muffled behind her mask. “I’m glad you made it. Your… assistant made it sound like you weren’t coming.” She said. Her tone sounded strange, it was as if she was using a voice modulator to hide her real voice. You’re beginning to understand that Snowy Owl, even in person, insists on hiding her real identity.

You weren’t even sure if this was Snowy Owl or maybe just someone she hired to interact with guests. Rich people are strange. You thought.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too Ms. Snowy Owl.” You bowed politely.

“I trust that your assistant has given you the details of this arrangement?” She questioned.

“Oh she’s not my assis—doesn’t matter… Yes, she gave me the sheet music of the song you wanted me to sing.” You recalled. You spent a couple of nights practicing the song and singing in the exact key, while also adding your own personal spin to it.

“The Swan Song. Are you familiar?” Snowy Owl queried.

“Sorry but no… I only learned the song when Tar—my assistant told me about it.” You confessed. You let out a nervous laugh.

“Well, you see, when someone refers to something as their ‘Swan Song’, it means it’s their final grand performance before they reach their own finality… You know, a one last homage before they kick the can.” Snowy Owl explained. There was a foreboding silence that lingered in the air. Though her words were light, it carried a sharp edge that gave you goosebumps.

Maybe you were more nervous than you thought.

“Finality?” You slowly repeated. “You mean like a farewell?”

“Precisely.” Even though her mask was covering her face, you could almost see the small grin plastered across her face, amused at this conversation. “A fitting title for a piece so hauntingly beautiful, wouldn’t you agree?”

Your hands clenched slightly, the side of your fingers touching the fabric of your dress. The velvet felt cool to the touch. “I didn’t realize it was a sadder song than it let on.” You muttered.

“Oh it’s much more than that Ms. Ember. The Swan Song is not merely a melody—It’s a story, a celebration, a lament and a release all at once!” She said, excitement evident in her tone. This topic seemed to interest her a lot. “The swan sings her all before it surrenders itself to the inevitable!”

There was an unsettling feeling that embraced you, the way she said those words.

“Well after practicing it a few times, I can tell it’s a beautiful song.” You said, forcing a smile. “I’ll do my best to honor it.”

Snowy Owl tilted her head slightly. Her invisible smile, unwavering. “I have no doubt you will.. Your voice… it fits this song perfectly.” She added.

“T-thank you, you're too kind…” You said, your voice getting softer at the end.

Snowy Owl composed herself as she straightened her back. Standing upright in front of you, The stones from her mask glaring with the light.

“Well my dear, the audience awaits... Good luck!” She trailed off, leaving with the man that escorted you backstage.

Without a few seconds to spare, you hear the lights come on. The muffled noise from the guests outside turned into murmurs. The floor beneath began to vibrate when you hear the

prelude of the song. Your hands trembled as you stood in the dim backstage area. The music distant but unmistakable.

You were unsure whether it was stage fright or something else entirely.

The curtains slowly parted, the bright spotlight blinding you before your eyes could adjust. You try to shade yourself with your small hand. Your breathing was now heavier than it was seconds ago as your chest tightened. You could barely see the crowd, their faces faint and blurry from where you were standing. You swallowed your throat dry, as you walked towards the microphone stand just a few inches away from you.

You could feel the heat of the spotlight on your skin, enough to accumulate some sweat building up on your lower back and the nape of your neck.

You can do this. Just sing this song and everything will be fine. You repeated those words in your head, but even as you tried to assure yourself, the uncomfortable feeling lingered.

You held on to the mic stand. The music now louder and closer to your ear. You felt the pull of the melody that played. It was strangely comforting. After all, you loved music because it was familiar to you. You leaned a little forward, your lips almost touching the microphone.

The vibrations, the rhythm and the melody coaxing you like a warm blanket. The pounding in your heart gradually slowing down.

As if on instinct, the first words of the song escaped your lips. Your eyes closed. You began to sing. Your voice filled the room, carrying the emotions of the song and your own energy with it. For a moment, you lose yourself to the music as you held on to the mic and the words spilling out of you was like a release.

✣✣✣

The audience was transfixed and mesmerized by you. You could feel your Evol spreading like wildfire as it amplified the emotions of the crowd, reaching deep into the hearts of whoever was listening to your voice. This gave you a rush unlike any other, you felt one with the song and the people who listened.

For years, you had learn to control this, to make people feel joy, excitement, and even sorrow through the songs you sing more deeply. You felt the souls of everyone in the room. Their happiness, their ambitions, their flaws—their weaknesses. Your Evol was a gift and you learned to control this by doing what you loved the most. Singing.

Just as you thought the tension was melting, something shifted.

The energy in the room began to change. You couldn’t quite put your finger on it, whether it was because the song you were singing was tragic or something different. Then suddenly you felt the crowd’s emotions grow heavy and it wasn’t sadness. You open your eyes, your mouth continues to sing. You felt the atmosphere grow thicker by the second, the feeling falling darker.

Your eyes darted from one face in the crowd to the next. It was as if you were reading their minds. You could feel the weight of their gazes turn sharper. You could feel their hunger, their greed—their desires. There was a disconcerting feeling of possessiveness.

You wanted your Evol to disconnect with them but that was something you had trouble with. Once your power takes over, it usually doesn’t stop until it fades or you stop singing altogether. But you weren’t sure if you wanted to stop—or could afford to stop.

As the crowd’s collected negative energy grew stronger, you almost faltered as you neared the bridge of the song. Your heart racing uncontrollably as anxiety begins to grip your chest. You forced yourself to finish the song but the crowd’s cheers felt hollow when you sang an impressive note.

Before you knew it, the song ended and you had to push yourself away from the microphone. Almost like you were turning off your Evol. There was a silence as you stared out into the crowd. Then a sudden burst of applause made you jump slightly, your chest rising and falling.

The people here. You can’t trust them. You said to yourself as you watched their wide sinister grins. The boisterous clamor from the others digging deep into your skull.

You stumble on stage as you make your way to the backstage exit but you were stopped by what looked like the same man who escorted you. He blocked your direction. You turn the opposite way and another man in a much bigger build stops you before you could leave.

They pushed you back to the center of the stage harshly, blocking any direction where you could make a run for it.

“Hey!” You scolded. Fear starts sinking in and quickly taking over you. The faces in the crowd becoming clearer, the masks becoming more horrifying as they locked their eyes on you.

Suddenly, you find Snowy Owl next to you on stage with a microphone in hand.

“Wasn’t that a stunning performance?!” She asked the crowd, her modulated voice cutting through the haze of your thoughts. “Truly a beautiful piece.”

“And now ladies and gentlemen!” Snowy Owl said enthusiastically, almost theatrical. “The moment you’ve all been waiting for!” She continues to energize the crowd as she hands the microphone to a man in a white tuxedo, with owl-shaped cufflinks. He smiled widely at the crowd and cleared his throat as Snowy Owl left the stage.

“We’re now opening the bidding for our dear singer Ember Moon! The highest bidder will be lucky enough to own her voice, her talent—her everything!”

You froze.

✣✣✣

Your heart raced as reality sinks in. Your stomach turned. Were you really being auctioned like a piece of antique furniture?

The performance, the applause, the dark intense weight of the crowd’s emotions—it was all a ruse. Though their desires were real. They were auctioning your voice, your Evol. They were selling you. You suddenly feel your feet take a step back, trying to retreat from the stage out of instinct. But before you could move, strong rough hands gripped your wrists, pulling you towards the center of the stage, just a few feet beside the auctioneer. Another man in the same black mask joins in, grabbing your shoulders. Without a word, they pushed you down into a chair, a thick metal band automatically wrapped around your wrists when your arms were weighted down by their strength on the armrests, binding you to the contraption tightly. The two men walked away once you were trapped and tightly fastened on the seat.

“Please!” You whispered, your voice trembling. “This isn’t what I agreed to!” You yelled out, pleadingly.

“We’ll start the bidding at 10 million! Any takers?” A hand shot up in the crowd. “12 million!”

“15 million!” Someone else countered, almost immediately. The feeling of their hunger still lingered in your chest, like sharks smelling a drop of blood in the water.

You struggle to get out of the binds. “STOP THIS!” You shouted, begged. The noise of the crowd yelling whatever value they were outbidding. Your heart pounded as the numbers rose higher, feeling hopeless by the second.

“50 million.” A low but loud voice spoke, and the room buzzed with excitement. His tall frame commanding the attention of everyone else in the room without much effort. His white— silver hair slightly tousled. His expression, calm and radiated unpredictability. His arms crossed as he exuded an aura of authority.

“55 million.” You spot Snowy Owl in the crowd raising an auction paddle, her voice taunting the silver-haired man.

“60 million.” He countered. A hush silence fell in the room, as they watched him and Snowy Owl place their bids.

“75 million.” She countered effortlessly.

“80 million.” He doesn’t concede to Snowy Owl’s provocation.

You watch their obvious display of a power struggle leads on, neither of them backing down.

“83 million.” Snowy Owl raised her paddle once again. Now more cautious about her opponent’s next move.

You hear the deep chuckle of the silver-haired man, shaking his head slightly. 

“100 million.”

You hear the crowd gasp. All eyes turned to him as he stood there waiting for Snowy Owl to counter. His stance calm, his eyes pierced through her mask like a needle.

The silence stretched to what felt like eternity, Snowy Owl tapped her chin, pondering for a bit.

“150 million.” She finally spoke.

You watch as the edges of the tall man’s smile curve into a smirk.

“500 million.” He said so casually, his tone inciting his opponent to try to go even further, it was almost arrogant but his confidence made you and everyone else believe that it was done.

Snowy Owl laughed, though her modulated voice was light, it sounded a little maniacal. She raised her champagne flute to the silver gentleman, almost like she was waving a white flag. 

“She’s all yours.” She conceded.

“Sold to Mr. Sylus!” The auctioneer shouted. The crowd erupted into an applause, the silver man in a black suit whom you know now as Sylus, was unphased by this.

Sylus ignored everyone else, his attention was now towards your direction. With long strides, he walked up the stage to claim his prize. Which was you.

The masked men who had bound you to the chair, pressed a button somewhere and the next thing you knew, your hands were now free.

A dark shadow casts over you, blocking the blinding spotlight. You look up to see the man who had purchased you. The idea made you sick to your stomach, even fueling the rage that was slowly rising within you.

“Get up.” He said flatly. His hands in his pockets. His eyes narrowed down at you.

You slowly get up from your seat, your body trembling, still so scared for your life. Everything else has not quite sunk in yet.

Without a word, Sylus grabbed your wrist roughly, pulling you as he headed towards the exit. His grip filled with urgency and impatience.

“Hey! What the-“ You protest as you stumble to keep up.

He ignores you and moves along, walking past the guests, their existence just a temporary spectacle to him.

You hear a sharp click of heels stopping you and Sylus. You both pause in your footsteps. 

“Congratulations Mr. Sylus. This is the first time I’ve seen you partake in these type of auctions…” She spoke. She looked behind Sylus’ towering figure, giving you a quick glance.

She sees your face defeated and confused. Sylus doesn’t respond immediately but the slight twitch in his brow gave away his feeling of irritation towards the masked host.

“Do let me know if you get sick of her. I’m more than happy to take her off your hands.” She said lightly, as if she had offered something so gracious.

“Noted.” Sylus said with a finality in his voice. His tone, low and dismissive.

Sylus didn’t give Snowy Owl a minute more of his attention as he walked past her, taking you with him. His large hand still wrapped around your wrist.

✣✣✣

He leads you out of the familiar corridors you had walked in a while ago, and out into the cold night air. The sounds of the party faded and though the air was thick in the N109 zone, you let out a deep breath that eased you for a bit.

You had half-expected him to loosen his grip the moment you both walked out of the venue but his hand remained firmly around your wrist. He wasn’t going to let you go. That flicker of hopelessness suddenly emerges itself in your chest again. Though it was against your will, he now owns you.

“You’re a magnet for trouble, you know that?” His voice cutting through the silence. His tone laced with annoyance. Like a parent scolding a child for running with a pair of scissors.

You avoided this stranger's gaze, out of fear and the fact that your eyes started to well up then before he could say another word, your tears streamed down your face as you sniffled and sobbed. Everything that has happened was overwhelming and quite frankly, traumatic.

"What are you gonna do to me?" You sniveled.

For a short moment, his hand loosened. “Come on. Let’s go.” He said, his tone softer but still low and imposing.

Despite the heaviness in your chest, you reluctantly followed him, expecting the worst in the back of your mind. Your thoughts were elsewhere, consumed by the thought that you might never see your family and friends ever again.

a/n: to give a little more context, the character 'Snowy Owl' was mentioned in Sylus' cat butler memory, i thought it would be fitting for someone like her to be hosting these type of events since she's notoriously known in the black market to purchase unique Evol users ^-^

index: chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, chapter 4

more on ao3: here (more chapters)

[myswans0ng]

MASTERLIST - AO3

love and deepspace

jujutsu kaisen

about me - rules

[myswans0ng]

the song of forgotten flames

✢ sylus x idol!mc / fem!reader

contents: romance, slow burn, fluff, idol life, heavily suggestive, alternate universe/timeline, idol!mc, fem!reader

synopsis: MC is an aspiring and rising idol who got placed in the crosshairs of powerful enemies who are after her. Sylus, the leader of Onychinus now tangled in the same web, his life at your fingertips once again.

important note: this is inspired by Sylus’ abyssal myth, not my first time writing but my first time posting here.

So to start off, I want to make it prominent that the MC in which I’ll be referring to, will be named “Ember Moon” which is a stage name since she’s an idol. I don’t want to take away that wonderful feeling of associating yourself with the MC so that is why it’s ONLY a stage name. Feel free to think of whatever her real name is. You can even imagine however you want her voice/singing voice to sound like. It’s also worth noting that I won’t be describing any physical traits of the MC like the color of her eyes, her hair and whatnot, because like I said I want to keep that magic that is Love and Deepspace where we’re free to imagine and create however we want the MC to look like. So the only physical description I would be giving her in certain parts would be her clothes or how she brings herself. Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I loved writing it.

w/c: 1.6k

status: ongoing

also on ao3: here

index: chapter 1, chapter 2

Ch. 1 - Starlit Jealousy

Linkon City - Present

The lights of the concert hall slowly dimmed as the final encore of your performance had ended. Four encores. That was a new record in your book. You leave the stage, the cheers of adoring fans echoing through the venue. You could almost feel it reverberate at your feet.

Your name “Ember Moon” in sparkly lights appearing once again on the screens to give you one last homage. Ember Moon, the dazzling idol known for your celestial voice and magnetic stage presence. You took a final bow as the floor below you descended, waving goodbye and basking in the love from the crowd. Your smile stretched widely from ear to ear, your chest heaving with exhilaration.

Backstage, Sylus stood silently in the corner, his arms crossed and parts of his face highlighted by the faint glow coming from the backstage monitors emitting light. You could spot his silver hair in your peripheral vision, his crimson eyes following your every move.

You’ve grown accustomed to this. Every after performance, Sylus would be waiting backstage for you. He usually doesn’t interfere and lets you do whatever it is that requires your attention on the job. One of those activities is you catering to the VIPs from your concert. Meaning, autograph signing, photo ops and the like.

Though Sylus doesn’t intentionally draw out any attention towards him, he sticks out like a sore thumb. Standing at 6’2, Sylus exuded an air of quiet authority, enough for a few people to notice him but would presume he was either a bodyguard or someone important that worked for you. Sometimes, a few brave individuals would approach him asking for directions. You found this hilarious whenever you spot a stranger approaching the silver- haired man standing idly by getting interrupted by a lost fan.

After a quick costume change, you emerged into the lobby where an exclusive group of fans awaited, lined up towards another room where you’re headed. They clutched their merchandise, giddy at your presence and eagerly waiting for autographs. A barricade separating you and them. You smiled warmly, greeting them with an ease of a professional who has done this quite a lot.

Sylus trailed behind, close to where the actual bodyguards were and the rest of the staff followed suit. Today, he wore a black blazer draped over his shoulders and a button-up dress shirt, both adorned with red streaks resembling feathers, complemented by a scarlet crow- shaped pin— the same pin he had given you before.

✣✣✣

In the room of what seemed like a conference hall, that was now occupied by you and your management. You noticed the adorable props, multiple light decorations, a long table and merchandise being sold at the side that the staff had set up for you. A size-accurate cardboard cutout of you was placed next to your table which made you laugh. You noticed a couple of fans taking pictures with it. Cute. You thought.

When a group of young men with flushed faces and excessively excited grins approached you, Sylus’ eyes narrowed, the cold layer of his expression cracking ever so slightly. Usually, Sylus was used to this routine, but at times, an overly eager number of fans would make him wary of their intentions. Right now, it’s these two young men who were next in line.

“You’re even more stunning up close!” The first one stammered, holding out a glossy photo of you for you to sign.

Doing this often had made you quite oblivious as to whether your fan’s intentions were coming from a good place or not. You try your best to see the good in people and you’d like to believe your fans—if not most, are kind people.

“Thank you!” You said graciously as you signed your photo with a heart and a flourish.

Another fan then leaned in closer than necessary, murmuring a compliment about your voice, your physique and everything they could say about you and your star-like qualities before them. Sylus’ jaw tightened, his hands resting at his sides, stretching like a coiled spring— waiting to bounce. But his composure seemed calm and collected. You were too busy to notice anyway, but luckily, nothing else happened, other than the guy just leaning a little too close but at least he had instinctively taken a step backwards when he noticed your surprise at his eagerness. He pulled back and bows, as if to apologize for his intrusion. You kindly nodded and signed the album he had in his hand.

“Thank you for your support!” You beamed. He smiled back nervously and moved on.

Halfway through the line of your admirers, one particularly bold fan placed a hand on your arm. You were taken aback by this sudden act. Before you could even register what just happened, Sylus had already made his way to your side. He stepped forward, his footsteps heavy as he positioned himself beside you, one hand on his waist and the other in his pocket.

His presence was commanding and his eyes were cold and calculating as they locked on to the young man who froze under his toughened gaze.

“Perhaps it’s time you moved along.” He said plainly but firm. The fan stuttered a sorry, bowing apologetically before he quickly walked out of the way. You glanced at Sylus, exasperated. He ignores you and steps aside, going back to his spot in the corner.

When the fansign session had ended, the last fan exited the room, you let out a deep breath and leaned back into your chair. It had been a long day. You couldn’t wait to go home and rest. As if on cue, you felt a presence beside you, and suddenly remembered what had occurred earlier. You and Sylus are now in a large but quiet room, the staff had already begun cleaning up and clearing out.

“Sylus.” You finally spoke, looking up at his towering figure. “You don’t need to scare them off. They’re just fans and sometimes they get a little too excited.” Your tone, light but firm.

His expression softened slightly when he met your gaze, though his protective stance didn’t waver. “I wasn’t scaring them off, kitten.” He said in a much quieter tone than earlier when he had frightened off the fan from a while ago. “I was… recalibrating their boundaries.” He said, his dry wit coloring his tone.

You can’t help but chuckle. “If I didn’t know any better, I think you’re jealous.” You teased and poked his chest lightly as you stood up from your seat.

Sylus arched his brow, the corner of his mouth curving into a smirk. “Is that so?” 

“Uh-huh.” You nodded, crossing your arms, concurring with your earlier statement.

“Perhaps you’re right...” He said as he averted his gaze to his hands, checking his fingernails. “You light every room you walk into. It has proven rather difficult to not want to keep that light… safe.” The words carried the weight of his feelings but his face had the same expression of nonchalance. Your cheeks warmed and your chest tightened at his sudden honesty but you know better than to believe him. He liked toying with you like this.

“Is that what you want to hear sweetie?” He said in a light, rather playful tone. As predicted.

You rolled your eyes. You’re used to Sylus being coy with these types of things. He never admits anything. You’d like to think there are more sides to him that he doesn’t show but you’re yet to witness this firsthand. But on the other hand, you can’t help but think that there’s always some truth to what Sylus says. He can be comforting when he wants to but only if he wants to.

For now, you decided to play along. Truth or not, it doesn’t matter. This was the banter you’ve grown fond of despite it being annoying or leaving you in the dark most days.

“Sylus…” You stepped closer, closing the little distance between the two of you ever so slightly. You reach out to hold his hand and to your surprise, he doesn’t pull away.

“You don’t have to worry…” You said reassuringly. Your voice, warm and soft. “No matter how many fans I have, there’s only one Sylus.” You softly squeeze his pinkie finger, you looked up at him and smiled.

For a moment, you catch Sylus’ face softened and caught off guard by what you said. The hardshell of a man you had gotten to know for quite some time showed a brief glimpse of his vulnerability and it made your heart race slightly more than usual, like riding a Ferris wheel that was slowly ascending to the sky.

“Only one, huh?” He said, his cynical humor returning with that sardonic smirk that urges you to scoff at him, though you try not to this time. Trying to not let it get to you.

“Yep!” You didn’t falter. You take a step back, pulling your attention away from him and start gathering your belongings that you had left on the table. “The only grumpy one too!” You teased, avoiding eye contact.

You hear him chuckle under his breath. Suddenly he pulled you into a tender, warm embrace. For a moment, the overwhelming chaos of your stardom life fades, you melt into the hug, leaving just the two of you under the soft glow of the shimmery lights. You’re unsure why you had given in so quickly, maybe you’re just tired but nonetheless, this felt… right. There was only one Sylus and there was only one of you…

And for Sylus, that was enough.

chapter 2: here

more on ao3: here (more chapters)