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[phoenix-downer]

More Than Meets The Eye II Chapter 1

Story Summary: Kairi has discovered Sora is the Master of Masters, and at her behest, he brings her into his secret lair instead of turning himself in. As they spend time alone together, their feelings for each other are rekindled.

But Sora’s foreboding visions of the future threaten to jeopardize everything they hold dear, and he’ll have to make a choice…and so will she. 2,221 words. Rated M. Angst, romance, drama, canon divergence, visions, mental health issues. Master of Masters!Sora.

🧩 🐚 👁️

Sora didn’t know what to make of all this. So much had happened in a short amount of time. Kairi had tracked him down without telling anyone, and now she…wanted to be with him?

This whole situation felt unreal. He’d had so many dreams and visions of possible futures that he couldn't trust his own senses anymore. He couldn't believe Kairi’s hand was in his as he led her through the Corridors of Darkness. He needed the coat he wore; her light alone was enough to protect her heart. Yin and yang, two opposite ends of the spectrum.

Did she really mean it? Did she really want to be with him, or was this just one more trick? He was leading her right into the heart of his lair, and for all he knew, she’d stab him in the back the first chance she got.

Not that he could blame her. Not after what he’d done.

Well, even if she had such plans, if they influenced some important crossroads in time, he was sure to have a vision or a dream before they came to fruition.

The thought brought him little comfort.

“Sora?” she said, breaking into his thoughts. Her hand was soft and warm, just like he remembered, and her presence was calming and soothing. Like the strange, surreal visions always lurking at the edges of his mind came into crystal clear focus when she was here.

“We’re almost there,” he told her.

She squeezed his hand, and he tried to ignore the fluttering in his stomach. It had been a long time since anyone had touched him, let alone like this, and restraining his natural reactions was difficult.

“Here we are,” he said, then created a swirling dark exit for them. Moments later, they stepped inside his living room. The place he called home was deep underground in a series of caverns because it was easier to stay hidden down here. Plus, it was less of a strain on his remaining eye, which was kinda light sensitive ever since he’d lost his other eye.

Still, a cave wasn't the most comfortable place in the world, so over the years he’d decorated it to make it more hospitable. A few books on an old table he’d found in a garbage dump, a worn but comfortable couch with a hand sewn quilt draped over it, and trinkets from his world visits resting on shelves hewn out of rock.

Kairi’s eyes went to the thalassa shell resting on the middle shelf, and he wondered what was going through her mind. The thought she’d never go home again? That this was the only thalassa shell she’d get to see from now on? Did she miss the sea already? The sky?

“Welcome to my home,” he said, not sure what else to say. “Um…make yourself comfortable.”

Read more here.

[phoenix-downer]

Bonds Live On

Zerith Week 2025 Day 7: Icicle Inn

Summary: Zack and Aerith are on the run, and he takes her to Icicle Inn so she can learn more about her past. The discoveries they make while snowed in together bring them even closer.

~2500 words, canon divergence. Angst, grief, hurt/comfort, romance, fluff. For @zerith-week 2025.

❄️ 🎀 🐺

The wind howled ferociously outside and the snowflakes blew sideways as a blizzard descended on the town of Icicle Inn. A lone shack on the outskirts of town sheltered two fugitives, the last Cetra and her ex-SOLDIER companion.

Zack had promised to show Aerith the world, and he wanted to make good on his vow. This cold, icy land was a silent testament to unspoken secrets and ancient mysteries, so it was high on her list of places she wanted to visit. The connection to her past, her people, called to her like a siren, and he was curious about this place’s secrets, too.

Aerith coaxed a fire out of the dingy old fireplace in the corner as the creaky door flew open, revealing a very wet and cold Zack bearing more firewood. This place was the opposite of the warm jungle he'd grown up in, and boy did he wish he was in Gongaga right now.

Still, being with Aerith was worth the icy misery. And as convenient as it would have been, staying at the lodge was too risky, so this was the best they could do. Besides, they’d made an important discovery today, a treasure trove of videos left by her parents in an old lab. Her father was a professor and her mother knew things about the Cetra not even Aerith did. There were still a couple more videos left to watch, which they’d snatched and brought here right before the snowstorm had descended.

Together they got a good hearty stew going over the fire, and as Aerith tended it, Zack stripped his outerwear off to dry and then set up the video equipment. It wasn't so different from his parents’ old camcorder, and he fondly remembered playing back the tapes encapsulating his childhood and reminiscing on the past.

Now it was Aerith’s turn to walk down memory lane. As she snuggled up to him, piping hot bowls of stew in hand, he draped a blanket over her. They ate the delicious stew in silence, then he started playing the last couple of videos. As the grainy footage played out before them, he watched her more than he watched the videos. The affectionate smile on her face, her light laughter here and there, the tears shimmering in her green eyes as she saw her parents in a brand new light.

When Ifalna switched from calling Gast “professor” to “honey” and “darling,” Zack wondered if Aerith would call him an affectionate nickname like that someday. Then her parents discussed Aerith’s name, and to Zack’s surprise, Gast had been the one to choose it. For some reason he’d always assumed it was her Cetra parent who had given it to her, but nope.

Maybe Gast had taught himself enough about Cetra culture to know a good name for their daughter, impressing Ifalna with what he’d learned.

Aerith’s parents also teased and bantered with each other in a way that reminded Zack of how he and Aerith flirted with each other, and then Ifalna mentioned something about how she sensed Aerith was different.

“Wow, even back then my mom knew I was a complete weirdo,” Aerith said, her lips twitching.

Zack chuckled. “I don't think she meant you were weird. I think she meant you were special.”

“In more ways than one, that's for sure.”

The video continued. Gast swore to protect Ifalna and Aerith. He called them his beloved treasures. A few tears slipped down Aerith’s cheeks, and she hurriedly wiped them away. Then her mother said she was happy, that if she hadn't met her father—

All too soon, Hojo invaded. As if Zack and Aerith didn’t already have enough reasons to loathe the man. He ordered for the camera to be shot, and the video feed cut off. All that was left was audio, and it was going nowhere good. Zack stopped the recording, but Aerith shook her head and put her trembling hand over his.

“No, I want to listen to the end. It’s the least I can do for them.”

He nodded, understanding. Some things you couldn't turn away from, even if you knew they would haunt you forever.

Aerith bravely listened as her father got shot and her mother cried out and her younger self sobbed and screamed. Then that, too, shut off.

Yet another memory Hojo and Shinra had ruined and stolen from Aerith. Empty static filled the shack. There were no more videos to watch.

The grief and shock over what Aerith had just witnessed was obvious from her expression. “They tried to shoot you,” she finally mumbled, her eyes a thousand miles away, “so of course they shot him, too. Guns, why is it always guns…” She looked at him, her gaze focusing, her lip trembling and eyes shimmering with tears as she tried so very hard to be brave. “I’m glad it was quick at least. I wouldn’t have wanted him to suffer, and I know Mom wouldn’t have wanted him to suffer, either. She had to suffer for so long, and I’m just glad he didn’t, too.”

Zack’s heart ached for her. “Oh Aerith, I’m so sorry.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

His compassion made her come undone. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed. She was normally so carefully playful, so sweetly guarded, hiding her pain behind a smile. This was an Aerith completely unmasked and raw and vulnerable, finally allowing herself to rage and grieve, for her father and her mother and herself all at once, and all he could do was be her anchor in the storm. He caught muffled snippets of an expletive-filled tirade featuring the very best of Midgar’s colorful slum vocabulary interspersed with crying before she calmed down enough to speak normally again.

It was more than understandable. Hojo and Shinra were enough to make even the sweetest of church girls swear like a sailor.

Zack said nothing, just held her and gently stroked her arm as she kept processing. She spoke of several things, of how she should be crying more or harder or longer but was now more angry than anything, before landing on the topic of Hojo.

“I think…I think he was jealous. Of my dad.” She chuckled, but there was no real joy in the sound. “He was jealous my dad got to do all that research with the last Cetra. Research he thought he deserved to do instead. And I think he was jealous she fell in love with my father and had me. Hojo would’ve wanted it to be him, not because he cared about my mother, but because of his big stupid ego and delusional god complex.”

“Sounds about right,” Zack muttered, dark thoughts swirling through his head. Whose life hadn’t that asshole ruined?

“But I can’t…I can’t focus on Hojo too much, or I’ll be angry forever,” Aerith said, clenching and unclenching his shirt. “And that’s not what my parents would want for me. That’s…not what I want for myself, either. I don’t want what he did to define me.”

“It won’t,” Zack said, planting a tender kiss on her soft brown hair, and she gave him a knowing look. He was in a better position than most to reassure her about this.

“I don’t regret watching the videos, either,” she said. “I know it was a lot, but I’m glad I watched them. I learned so much about my parents.” She laughed lightly through her tears. “My dad must've been one hell of a scientist for Hojo to be that threatened.”

“Damn straight he was. Wish I could’ve met the guy.” And Zack meant it. Imagine how differently things might’ve gone if Gast had been in charge of making men into SOLDIERs instead of Hojo. Of course, Gast also clearly had a conscience, so the moment he realized SOLDIERs were getting Mako poisoning from the experimentation, he probably would've put a halt to it, and Shinra wouldn't have stood for that.

“And it was nice to see my mom so happy,” Aerith added, her voice still a little shaky as she wiped her eyes. “I think that was the first time I've ever seen her like that. She was so sad when I knew her, even during the happy moments, and for good reason. I'm glad to know she had at least a little joy in her life, even if it was short-lived.”

“‘Course she was happy. She had you.”

“Me and my dad,” Aerith corrected. “I don't remember him at all. Watching these videos was the first time I’d ever seen his face or heard his voice. He was so curious but really warm and loving, too.” She smiled to herself. “I guess I know where I get my curious streak from now. My desire to see the world and experience everything I can.” She looked at Zack again. “Is it bad, Zack? Is it bad that I'm so used to scientists hurting people that it's a shock to see a good scientist who really cared about my mother's welfare? No wonder she fell in love with him.”

“I’m glad she did, otherwise we never would've met.” His face fell, and he sighed deeply. “I just wish things had turned out better for the both of them. What Hojo and Shinra did to them was terrible.”

“Yeah, it was.” Aerith’s eyes clouded over with pain and anger to rival the storm raging outside, but when she looked at him again, the pain and anger melted into affection. “Thank you, Zack, for bringing me here. To think, this is where my parents fell in love and had me. Where they made some of their happiest memories together. Cetra or not, it’s not every day I get to hear a message from them from beyond the grave.”

“Of course. I'm glad we stumbled on these videos so you could see what they were like. They weren’t so different from us, really.”

“Yeah, I see the parallels. The last Cetra falling for a Shinra employee of all people. It feels like a tragic fairytale, doesn’t it? Starcrossed lovers who have to fight fate to be together,” Aerith said, her voice taking on the musical tones of a storyteller.

“That Shinra employee fell just as hard for the last Cetra,” Zack said softly. “And he’s not a Shinra employee anymore.”

“True.” She smiled sadly. “I'm hardly the only one who's suffered. You’ve been through so much, Zack, and I’m sorry your life has been hard, too.”

He shrugged. “Maybe it’s been hard, but it’s also been beautiful. I’ll take the hardship if it means I get all the beautiful moments.”

She nodded. “I know what you mean. The hard moments suck, but…they don’t erase the beautiful ones.”

“Exactly.” He sighed and scratched his head. “Though to be honest, telling myself that is more like a coping mechanism than anything,” he admitted. “I can't change the past, as much as I would like to, so I try to make the best of what I’ve got.”

“Let’s do that here, then. What’s your takeaway from this situation?”

“That your parents really love you. I hope you can take comfort in that.”

She tilted her head like a curious bird. “Love, huh? You don't think they're really gone?”

The way she was looking at him, he knew he had to get this right. He gently grasped her hand, and she wove their fingers together.

“They live on in you, Aerith,” he said at last. “You're their living legacy, their little angel, their beloved treasure, and I know they'd be proud of you. Maybe we really do return to the Lifestream when we die, like what you told me happened to your mom, but I don't think we ever lose what makes us us. I don't think we lose our bonds with other people.” He searched his memories for an example. “Take my mentor Angeal…I know he's gone, but I feel like he's watching over me sometimes. I don't have any proof or evidence or anything, just this gut feeling he’s looking out for me.”

Her expression softened. “Yeah, I think you're right. Our loved ones live on in us. I want to honor their memory and have a memory worth honoring someday.”

“Trust me, Aerith, you already do,” he murmured.

Her breath caught, and she looked at him with doe eyes. He smiled and leaned close, staring into her eyes and daring her to stare right back, and she giggled and rose to his challenge, leaning a little closer. His grin got bigger and he moved so close they were practically kissing. She laughed and cupped his face, then kissed him in a way that took his breath away and made the pain of the past lose a little of its sharp edges.

His arms went around her as he deepened the kiss. When he was with her, he was at peace. Safe. Home.

She adjusted her position so she could sit on his lap, and the remaining stew and even the storm outside were quite forgotten as they kept kissing with a hunger and eagerness he hadn’t expected. Something about being stuck in this cozy shack during a blizzard together, opening up about their traumas and memories and feelings, must be doing things to both of them. Or maybe they’d waited so long to be together that their feelings were spilling out all at once like an avalanche.

He would've been happy to make out with her forever, but after a while she pulled back, her pupils dilated and chest heaving and lips pink as she panted for breath.

“Woah,” he mumbled, oh-so-eloquently because she’d just reduced his brain to mush.

A playful smile twitched on her lips. “I just wanted to say thank you,” she said as she traced the scars on his cheek. “My darling.”

He grinned right back at her, his heart leaping in his chest. “You’re welcome, my angel. Or would you prefer ‘beloved treasure?’”

She tapped her face and pretended to be deep in thought. “Hmmm, now that's a tough one. I do like hearing I'm your beloved treasure, but, considering how we met, ‘my angel’ feels more fitting for the two of us, don't you think?” She tilted her head in that adorable Aerith fashion. “Since you confused me for an angel and all.”

He kissed her cheek and smiled. “My angel it is, then.”

As they hunkered down for the night, cuddling together under several layers of blankets next to the warm, crackling fire as the snowstorm raged on outside, Zack was once again glad that he’d brought her here. Not only had she learned more about her past, he had learned more about her family and her as a person, and the two of them had also learned more about each other. He felt even closer to her for it. Yes, the past would haunt them still, but together they would keep facing the ghosts.

And more than that. Every day was a new adventure with her, and he couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.

❄️ 🎀 🐺

A/N: Aerith and Zack are two characters who have been through so much yet still find the joy in living. It’s a good reminder to make the most of every day, and I wanted to write something about that idea, that despite everything they’ve been through, they don’t lose hope and keep going. I first got the idea to write about the Icicle Inn visit and the two of them finding out about Aerith’s parents last year, and I was happy to see a prompt for Icicle Inn for this year’s event. I also just really wanted to write some fluff about them snowed in and cuddling lol.

Thank you so much for reading ❤️

[phoenix-downer]

Day 5: Festival 🎎🎇💕 "…our little tiny wish"~⋆⭒˚.⋆💖

[phoenix-downer]

Hiiiii, Phoenix ,hope you are doing well ! I wanted to ask you something because it's quite intriguing, in the scene of Kingdom Hearts 3 where Sora meets Kairi after saving the guardians of light, when Sora tells her that he feels strong thanks to her, that whole scene, how is it in Japanese? What does he say in Japanese? Is there any difference in the dialogues? I'm very curious about it👀✨ I hope this is not a bother, I find your analysis of the Kh scenes in Japanese vs English very interesting. Have a nice day 💙✨🫂

Hi Paopugisesonic, I hope you're doing well!

This is actually a scene I have translated before if you want to look at a really detailed deep dive! Here’s an example of one of the lines of dialogue I translated:

JP やっぱり強いなカイリは

EN I feel strong with you, Kairi

TR “Just like I thought, you are strong, Kairi” was my original translation, but it could also be something like “as expected, you are strong, Kairi” OR now that I'm looking at Kairi’s previous dialogue that comes before this, she’s being kinda humble about what she did (saving Sora’s life!) and basically says, “I just didn't give up on you, that’s all,” so Sora could also be saying in response, “Still/even so, you’re strong, Kairi!”

(Can’t believe I didn't pick up on that at the time…ah well, we live and we learn, haha).

You can find the full post here (and I really do want to make a masterlist post of the translations I’ve done at some point—I have pages organized for the web version of Tumblr, but you can't see them on the app, and some of them are out of date anyway). But yeah, there are some differences in the English and Japanese versions of this scene, but from what I remember, this line of dialogue from Sora is the biggest difference, and I'd say overall you get similar vibes with both versions.

Thank you for the ask! hope you have a nice day too ❤️

[phoenix-downer]

All Along

Summary: Jinu might not have a physical form anymore, but his heart and soul are safe with Rumi in a special pendant she always wears next to her heart.

One day, she gets curious about her demon father and asks Jinu about him. Her parents’ love story sparks her imagination, and with Jinu’s help, she writes a song about them, the demon and Hunter who fell in love and defied everything they were taught to be together.

🩷 🩵 💜

After meeting Jinu, Rumi was more curious than ever about her father.

Celine never talked about him, unlike her many stories of Rumi’s mother. Over the years, Rumi had pieced enough together to know that Celine didn’t approve of her mother’s choice of partner, considering he was a demon and all.

But Rumi’s mother must have known his secret and yet still loved him. Loved him enough to have a half demon, half Hunter child with him. Maybe he was like Jinu, a demon who clearly still had a heart and soul, who could learn and love and live.

Jinu’s heart and soul currently rested in a glowing blue pendant next to her heart. She hadn't figured out a way to save him yet, but she was searching for clues every day.

Currently, however, she was lounging on her bed in the penthouse, wearing a hoodie and comfy PJs with as many trains as she wanted on them, her demon marks peeking proudly out of her clothes now that she no longer had to hide them. A plate of gimbap rested on the bedside table, and papers with scrapped lyrics were strewn all around the room.

Seoul was beautiful at night, the twinkling lights shimmering like diamonds below her. No matter where you went, no matter what time of day or night, there was always someone awake and at least two people celebrating being alive together.

She picked up a fresh sheet of paper and her favorite sparkly pen, then scribbled a few more possible lyrics.

You’re writing a song about your parents? came Jinu’s voice from the pendant. Only she could hear him, but that was better than not getting to talk to him at all.

“Yeah. Zooey and Mira and I wanna do a tribute to the past Hunters for our next album. Zooey’s handling most of the lyrics, of course, but I thought I’d write about my parents. I always wondered how they met and fell in love.”

She sensed amusement from the pendant. I imagine it was much like how we did. Your mom was probably trying to beat him up and something about him caught her eye, and the rest, as they say, is history.

She lifted her chin and stuck her chest out. “‘I imagine it was much like how we did,’ how very formal, old man,” she teased, still not over the fact there was a guy, a demon no less, who truly knew her and accepted her and loved her. Who had given her the courage to accept herself. And now Zoey and Mira knew her secret and still loved her as much as ever. No, they loved her even more because they finally knew the real her.

She would never forget what Jinu had done for her.

Hey, it’s not my job to keep up with youth culture, he replied, clearly enjoying their banter.

“It was your job.” She smiled fondly at the memory of his debut song that had irritated her so much at the time. Looking back, she could see the humor and sheer absurdity of the situation, especially since everyone was safe now, the captured souls returned to the land of the living.

True, but I'm retired now.

The reminder of his current predicament made her heart sink. “Well, when I figure out a way to bring you back, we can perform a duet together like we talked about.”

So long as you let me play my Bipa. That’s non-negotiable.

She laughed lightly. “That might be just the fusion of old and new our song needs.” Their song would be more than just a duet. She and Jinu wanted to use their love as an example and save any other demons who regretted their choices and wanted to atone for their deeds. Gwi-Ma might be defeated and the innocent souls released from his realm, but the Underworld hadn't yet set any demon prisoners free when she and Jinu were living proof demons didn't have to be evil.

The trick was getting them to hope again after despairing for so long. To pour her whole heart and voice into showing them what she and Jinu had discovered.

She scribbled a few more lyrics for the tribute-to-her-parents song as she hummed to herself. On the balcony, Derpy and Sussie were currently fighting over/sharing the giant bowl of bingsu Rumi had ordered for them. Sweet icy milk dripped from Derpy’s delighted derpy grin, and Sussie pecked at the red beans with a speed that defied explanation.

“Jinu, do you know who my father was?” Rumi presently asked because she’d just had a thought. He’d been in the Underworld for 400 years. Maybe they’d met.

There was a long pause. I knew him.

She raised an eyebrow. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Maybe asking about her father hasn't been such a good idea—

He was a good man but a bad demon. Much more noble than the rest of us. He actually had a good reason for asking for power. Wanted to save his sweetheart from what I remember. It was only after she betrayed him that his heart turned dark and he succumbed to Gwi-Ma. It stayed like that for hundreds of years. Then he met your mother and everything changed.

“I wish I could’ve known her,” Rumi said wistfully. There were so many photos and videos from her mother’s years of fame, but it wasn't the same as actually knowing her. Speaking to her. Hugging her. Spending every day with her.

A woman who could love a demon would almost certainly have loved her half-demon daughter, Rumi was sure of that.

“What happened next?” she asked, both wanting and not wanting to know.

When Gwi-Ma found out, well, you can imagine what he did to him. Your father refused to hurt your mother, and so he was made an example for the rest of us.

Rumi felt like someone was squeezing her heart. She hadn't ever even met her father, and yet she still loved him and hated to hear what had happened to him. And yet even in his suffering, he’d showed the same love and loyalty to her and her mother that Jinu had shown to her.

Gwi-Ma stopped attacking your mother though, Jinu continued, probably because he knew about the pregnancy somehow and wanted to use you. But then she died, and he realized you couldn't hear his voice. His plan was a failure.

“It still could’ve succeeded if it weren't for you, Jinu.” And not just Jinu but her parents, too. They had sacrificed so much so she could live. The least she could do was honor their memory and save Jinu.

You had the power to defeat him inside you all along, Jinu told her.

“All Along, that’s it!” Rumi crowed, her brain flipping back into singer/songwriter mode. “It’s the perfect title.”

She scrapped her current paper and pulled out a fresh one. The lyrics came to her in a rush, and she wrote and wrote like someone possessed. And when she was finally through, she sang them aloud as Jinu listened, experimenting with different melodies as she did and even throwing in a few dance moves.

She waited for his response. He never sugarcoated things to try to make her feel better, and so his critical feedback was invaluable. Still, a song so vulnerable, a song about her parents and their love and about how she and Jinu had repeated their beautiful history—she was baring her heart and soul with this one. Harsh critique was needed, yes, but it would be hard to hear—

It’s your best song yet. Your parents would be proud, he said.

Her heart filled to the brim and overflowed into a big smile. His praise meant everything.

And I like the version where you went up a few notes instead of down on the chorus, though you’ll have to get Mira’s feedback on the dance moves—

“Great! Now let’s work more on our duet.” She handed the song to Derpy, who very slowly took it in his mouth to show to Mira and Zoey for their feedback, then grabbed a fresh sheet of paper. Sussie perched on her shoulder and cawed once, then stared into her soul for a few moments before settling in.

Jinu chuckled. Mira and Zoey are right. You just finished a masterpiece of a song and you want to work on another one already? You really do like to hustle.

“I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.”

And I wouldn’t change a thing about you, he said softly, and Rumi could’ve sworn she felt warmth trace the lines of her demon marks. A caress he couldn’t give her with hands or lips but his heart and soul. A reminder that he really and truly loved and accepted her, all of her.

“And I wouldn’t change a thing about you,” she echoed.

Yes, his current situation wasn't ideal. She wanted more than anything for him to be human—er, demon, er, corporeal? Yeah, corporeal was a good word, Zoey would be proud of that one—again.

But until she found a way to restore him to himself, she would treasure every moment that they could spend together, no matter what form his heart took. Her friends and parents and Jinu had all taught her that, and she was determined to make the most of her time with him.

🩷 🩵 💜

A/N: I'm super curious about how Rumi’s parents met as well as how their relationship played out, and this was how I thought it might've happened in broad strokes along with some Rumi/Jinu post-canon fluff. Also Derpy and Sussie cameos because they’re hilarious and bingsu because bingsu is the best.

Thank you for reading! ❤️

[phoenix-downer]

Cloudy

[phoenix-downer]

another kairi :))

i really wanted to draw her in a swimsuit so, here she is!

[phoenix-downer]

[phoenix-downer]

More Than Meets The Eye Chapter 2 Preview

I passed the 33,000 word mark this week for the SoKai Master of Masters!Sora AU 🥳

Chapters 9 and 10 have been looked over

Chapter 11 needs a couple more scenes—this is the most research intensive chapter, so I’m tackling it a little bit at a time

Chapter 12 has a completed rough draft

Chapter 13, the planned final chapter, needs one more long scene plus some tweaking, but we’re getting there

The plan is to start posting next Friday, August 15

You can read the first chapter here (AO3 version)

Here’s a sneak peek of Chapter 2! 👀

————————————————————————

Sora didn’t know what to make of all this. So much had happened in a short amount of time. Kairi had tracked him down without telling anyone, and now she…wanted to be with him?

This whole situation felt unreal. He’d had so many dreams and visions of possible futures that he couldn't trust his own senses anymore. He couldn't believe Kairi’s hand was in his as he led her through the Corridors of Darkness. He needed the coat he wore; her light alone was enough to protect her heart. Yin and yang, two opposite ends of the spectrum.

Did she really mean it? Did she really want to be with him, or was this just one more trick? He was leading her right into the heart of his lair, and for all he knew, she’d stab him in the back the first chance she got.

Not that he could blame her. Not after what he’d done.

Well, even if she had such plans, if they influenced some important crossroads in time, he was sure to have a vision or a dream before they came to fruition.

The thought brought him little comfort.

“Sora?” she said, breaking into his thoughts. Her hand was soft and warm, just like he remembered, and her presence was calming and soothing. Like the strange, surreal visions always lurking at the edges of his mind came into crystal clear focus when she was here.

“We’re almost there,” he told her.

She squeezed his hand, and he tried to ignore the fluttering in his stomach. It had been a long time since anyone had touched him, let alone like this, and restraining his natural reactions was difficult.

“Here we are,” he said, then created a swirling dark exit for them. Moments later, they stepped inside his living room. The place he called home was deep underground in a series of caverns because it was easier to stay hidden down here. Plus, it was less of a strain on his remaining eye, which was kinda light sensitive ever since he’d lost his other eye.

Still, a cave wasn't the most comfortable place in the world, so over the years he’d decorated it to make it more hospitable. A few books on an old table he’d found in a garbage dump, a worn but comfortable couch with a hand sewn quilt draped over it, and trinkets from his world visits resting on shelves hewn out of rock.

Kairi’s eyes went to the thalassa shell resting on the middle shelf, and he wondered what was going through her mind. The thought she’d never go home again? That this was the only thalassa shell she’d get to see from now on? Did she miss the sea already? The sky?

“Welcome to my home,” he said, not sure what else to say. “Um…make yourself comfortable.”

[phoenix-downer]

"Why does it have to be you ?"

A redraw of an old illustration, back in 2018 (didn't have a graphic tablet at the time!)

About 11 hours in the making.

[phoenix-downer]

Another update! Over 28,000 words now. (Remember when I said I hoped this wouldn't get beyond 20,000 words? Very funny).

Chapter 1 was technically posted back in 2019

Chapters 2-7 are all done save for minor tweaks I might need to make once I’ve completely finished the story

Chapter 8 is finished and has been looked over

Chapters 9 and 10 are ready to be looked over

I’ve written portions of Chapters 11, 12, and 13. Chapter 13 is the planned final chapter, but that could change depending on how these three final chapters shake out

The end is in sight 🥳 Thank you all for your patience 🙏

Time for a writing update ❤️

The SoKai Master of Masters!Sora AU is coming along nicely, as I passed the 10,000 word mark a few days ago 🥳

It’s a continuation of this oneshot (AO3 version) if you're wanting to get a sneak peek or a quick refresher on what it's about, and I’m planning on 10-12 chapters total (I’m currently working on Chapter 6). Here's hoping it does not exceed 20,000 words lol, but we’ll see.

I’m hoping to start posting somewhere in the mid July to mid August window, but I'll keep you all updated. Thank you for your patience! ❤️

[phoenix-downer]

🐶 1 WEEK 🐶

Our 1 week countdown has officially begun! Zerith Week 2025 will start on August 8th.

Fun fact: Did you know that Suzumura Kenichi and Sakamoto Maaya, Zack and Aerith's respective Japanese voice actors, got married on August 8, 2011? 👀 What better way to kickstart Zerith Week with our very own Zerith Day! 🎊

This year's prompts can be found on our pinned post!

[phoenix-downer]

the most kairi-core utada outfit 💜🩷

[phoenix-downer]

Another reason to ignore negative comments (especially on AO3)

So at work I’ve been forced to learn about “AI Agentic Workflows”. But being an AO3 author, I couldn’t help but think of how this technology affects authors on AO3 (and honestly on other social media platforms too).

What I learned was this: Agentic AI workflow software makes it extremely easy to automate, and bulk-post, HIGHLY-STORY-SPECIFIC negative comments to AO3 fics.

If you’re not familiar with what an AI Agentic Workflow is, I highly recommend informing yourself. You’ll be hearing it a LOT very soon. Basically, it’s a linked linked chain of AI prompts on one/many software platforms. Each “agent” completes a task. Then it hands off the completed task to the next AI Agent in the chain, which builds on it. Then that result is handed off to another agent, etc etc, even potentially to a final agent which analyzes what worked well and what didn’t, and changes what the other agents do.

There are a ton of repercussions here.

But let’s stay focused on AO3.

With AI Agentic workflow software, a person/group who wants to silence the voice of a community can easily scrape a tag, analyze stories by the thousands, then post thousands of highly customized, story specific negative comments, all without a human being ever seeing your words.

They could even set up AI agents watching to see if you delete your story, or delete your profile, which would be a marker of success. That success marker could be shared back to the other AI agents, and the whole workflow could be changed via automation to use that more effective approach.

I’m sure the OTF is working on ways of stopping this. I’m sure most social media companies are too.

But as usual the tools to create havoc are ahead of the ones to prevent havoc.

Anyway.

TL;DR: If you get a highly-story-specific negative AO3 comment — it does NOT MEAN it was written by a HUMAN! You were probably just story 20,031 in a scraped database of 50,000 stories, all of which were being targeted because they belong to a group/topic/tag that some shitty group or agency wanted to silence because of their horrible political or social.

Don’t let them silence you. They never looked at your words to begin with.

[phoenix-downer]

[phoenix-downer]

࿐ ͎. ｡˚ ° ⊹ ˚.‧₊˚𓇼𝒜𝓆𝓊𝒶˚ 𓆝⋆.˚ 𓇼࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

[phoenix-downer]

Hamiathes’s Gift Exchange sign ups are open!

If you've done a Yuletide-style exchange on AO3 before, the process should be similar. If you haven't, have a look at the explanation and examples below, check out the FAQ and rules on AO3 and let me know if you have questions!

Also, please spread the word—the more, the merrier. Both fanfic writers and fanartists are welcome to participate!

The signup link is here!

Quick points:

The tagset is big! Consider taking some time to go through it if you want.

Signups are open until Friday, August 3 @ 8pm ET. See what time that is for you!

You'll need an AO3 account to sign up. You can request one here if you don't already have one. We have some extra codes if the wait list is too long so please ping me if that’s the case! 

Please read the rules before signing up so you know what you're agreeing to do

You can see what other people have requested/offered within the exchange itself, as well as on the AO3 Automagic App — group by "character" instead of "fandom" for best results. Note that you may have to re-scrape in order to see the most up to date signups.

Check below the “read more” for more info on how signups work, the “optional details” field, and how to submit your Do Not Wants. And as always, please reach out here or in the QT discord if you have questions! 

How signups work:

Each of us will use a form on AO3 to make requests and offers.

You must make at least two requests, each of which specifies a character or from the tag set and indicates that you’re requesting fanfiction, fanart, or both. You may make up to eight requests. Each request can also include optional details about your preferences, ideas for prompts, etc. More about that below. Your assigned writer or artist is responsible for creating a fanwork featuring the character or relationship in any one of your requests.

Offers are simple—you’ll just list the characters, relationships, or worldbuilding elements from the tag set about whom you’re willing to write or illustrate, specifying whether you’re offering fanart, fanfiction, or both

An important note on relationships--if characters are connected by &, this refers to a platonic relationship. If they are connected by an /, this refers to a romantic or sexual relationship. For example, if you want a story or artwork featuring Irene, request Attolia | Irene. If you want a story or artwork featuring Irene and Relius as friends, request Relationship: Attolia | Irene & Relius. If you want a story or artwork featuring Irene and Relius in a non-platonic, request Relationship: Attolia | Irene/Relius.

Optional details:

When you're making requests, it can be helpful to give your author/artist a little more detail than just the characters you're requesting. Remember that your author or artist is only required to create a work featuring your specified characters. If you ask for a specific story prompt or for art in a particular style, they may not be able to meet that request, and they aren't required to. Try not to be too proscriptive here—think of it as a way to explain why you like these characters and why you're interested in getting fanwork about them, and a way to kickstart your author/artist's creativity if they need it.

You can include either a link to a letter hosted on your journal or type directly in the optional details box in the signup form. If you're linking to your journal, please make sure it isn't friends-locked, or your creator won't be able to see it!

Do Not Want list:

If there's anything you specifically don't want to receive in your gift, you can include a Do Not Want (DNW) list in the optional details section. Examples might be things that squick or trigger you or 'ships you aren't interested in. This isn't about making value judgments, just about indicating your comfort level and making this a good experience for everyone.

Authors and artists must respect this list. When you're specifying Do Not Wants, please include them in the optional details text box in your signup, not in the letter, so I as the mod can be aware of them. If they are not in the optional details box, I cannot enforce them.

Examples of DNWs: sexual content, kidfic, violence, character death. 

Treats

tl;dr: if you're open to receiving gifts, make sure your AO3 is set to receive gifts and consider indicating in your letter/optional details that you're open to receiving treats! 

In February 2022, AO3 released a new setting that allows users to choose whether or not they can receive extra gifts. If a person has the setting "Allow anyone to gift me works" selected in their preferences, then AO3 users can give extra gifts to that person, including Hamiathes's Gift Exchange treats. If this setting is not checked, only a user who has an exchange assignment for that person, or who has claimed their prompts in a prompt meme, can give them gifts.

Because of this setting, we have encouraged people to state in their sign-up or profile page if they're open to treats. Mods can also check who's able to receive treats (especially because users could choose to change this setting during the event). If you're not sure if someone would like treats, you are very welcome to ask the mods.

Please also double-check your own settings if you would like to receive gifts! If you created your account after February 2022, you may need to change your settings from the default.

Comments

Two notes about commenting, one about giving and one about receiving: 

It's encouraged to comment on your gift(s) to show appreciation to your author and/or artist for creating it. Best practice during exchanges is to comment before author reveals (September 26). If you do not think you will be able to comment in the first few days after gifts are revealed, you may want to leave a placeholder comment to let your creator know that you will be back to read/comment later.

AO3 has recently changed it’s default commenting setting on new works to “logged in users only.” If you’d like to be able to receive comments from people who aren’t logged in (“guest” comments), you’ll need to change that setting when you’re posting your work 

Happy prompting!