#[Arc - Warrior of Crystal]

[highsummonermercar]

FFIII protagonists + the job classes I gave them to defeat the Cloud of Darkness

[t-u-i-t-c]

Final Chapter: Tomorrow's Legends

[forgotten-contract]

'Oh hourglass, turning sorrow to wrath, free me from my chains.'

-

[Secondary doodle from the other >:)C]

[ardorsung]

A FUTURE WITHOUT YOU I DON'T WANT TO IMAGINE.........

I WAKE UP EACH MORNING, SEARCHING FOR YOU / BUT YOU'RE NOT HERE ANYMORE, SO I NO LONGER KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!

i think in any instance where shinobu and blade are separated for any period of time, it's absolutely AWFUL for her. i keep ruminating over the idea of, much like thancred, her being the first to get pulled into the First by the crystal exarch; and i think it hurts in that, at the end of stormblood, there's a lot she still doesn't quite know how to handle. to come to terms with. and so shadowbringers is the arc where she 'grows up', so to speak, not to say she isn't grown up but following the end of stormblood - throughout shadowbringers and into endwalker, she hardens up a bit; she loses her softness for a short while. for better or for worse, bc in doing so, there's an emotional wall built that she hadn't necessarily had previous --- she's quicker to fall back, to hide the enormity of her emotions, because she doesn't want to fall back on being a burden once more. she doesn't cry anymore, or not so easily anyways, but at what cost.

is it right to give those the benefit of the doubt or are you being a bother, feeding into the enemy with your naivete? is war the only way to go, where words and understanding fail, is understanding or trying to understand a fault in and of itself!!!!!!!

this song & this song are very much the mood and im sooooooooo sad kupo

i also think, depending on what i do? bc this'll be determined as i'm going through the story again & refreshing myself on it, that although the end of stormblood - through shadowbringers where she loses her softness just a tad, some time during endwalker would be her arc of recognition; reconnecting & coming to terms with who she is, that her softness isn't a curse nor is feeling. bc i think everyone has had those arcs in their lives, where they've grown bitter & realized like... no i hate this. i hate being closed off, jaded with it all, i want to try again; i want to blossom again, i want kindness to envelop every part of my being bc if i lose my warmth in a world enveloped by startling coldness where kindness is little who! then! will be kind! to spread kindness, to breathe gentleness, to grow in the harshest of climates!

[voidsentprinces]

Reminder: A Realm Reborn wasn't particularly about us. It was about the Eorzean Factions, it was about the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and their interactions with and thwarting Gaius and the XIVth Legion. We were just a useful champion slowly growing to fame but not truly a Warrior of Light until literally the prelude to the Castrum raiding mission.

The Parting of Glass wasn't about us either. It was, once again, about the world. And how it had begun changing after Gaius's fall and the brief period of peace away from Garlemald's Shadow. About Alphinaud beginning his arc of growth with hubris and the creation the Crystal Braves and what it might of looked like IF the Scion's good nature was lent to anyone and everyone. And thus opening itself up to the very corruption Minfilia feared to move away from the Waking Sands and to the Rising Stones in the first place.

Heavensward isn't about us. It is about Alphinaud's continue growth, learning of Ishgard's past and history. Hubris, arrogance and narrow viewing lead Alphinaud to steps of the Foundation, it has lead Estinien astray and made Ysayle believe she is a messiah incarnate. And through the journey, each of them grow as they learn the terrible truth about the Dragonsong War. Estinien in particular has his eyes opened and no longer simply seeks revenge on Nidhogg but to get to the bottom of it all. So no other shepherd's son has to live as he has. Ysayle learns she is a shade and a faux Shiva not truly Hraesvelgr's beloved or even in the same category as her. She learns swallow such delusions and embrace what Saint Shiva stood for in its entirety. Which means leaning to lay the road for peace between Ishgard and the Dragons and opening a path to this by sacrificing herself for those she loved so dearly. Alphinaud learns from all of this and more and is humbled by the duty of a knight, the fervor of a dragoon, the sacrifice of a saint, and the courage of his companions and of Sharlayan's arrogance from Master Matoya. To put others before himself and allow others to support him when he falls.

The Far Edge of Fate isn't about us. It was about how Ishgard carries on after Thordan and the Heavens Ward are shown to be the monsters they are. How the remnants of the church, the knights of Ishgard, and the civilian population react to the realization with rejection. How facing off against Nidhogg possessing Estinien, the Warriors of Darkness, and the machinations of Ilberd force Eorzea and Ishgard to look inward and know truly where they should go from there. To ignore the easier road and take the higher path no matter the strife and hardship it provides them. Because when they reach the otherside they would be better for it. Finding that courage, after five years of procrastinating and hemming and hawing, the Eorzean Alliance finally begin to mobilize to free Ala Mhigo from Garlemald and perhaps take on the Empire itself.

Stormblood isn't about us. It is about Doma and Ala Mhigo fighting for the survival of their people and cultures. Facing the parts of their society that were spurned and used as tools of hatred against their principles. That provided the necessary cracks required for Garlemald to break them down and oppress them in the first place. And how reforging under those values and those long histories of violence can make a new path and come to terms to over throw the tyrants who fed on their weakened states and make a strong unity still.

A Requiem of Heroes wasn't about us, it was about the world facing down the barrel of war with Garlemald. And uncovering its origins, its founding father was an Ascian. How Varis is forced to face down the lie as Elidibus wears the skin of his son and the great grandfather he and other Garleans were taught was a walking god in all but name was a sham and a daemon bent on causing more pain and suffering than mankind ever deserved. How the effigies of hate and pain choose to use their fervor to help their people instead of turning against them once more. How every person can change and be given a second chance. How that second chance is what that person requires or if they are pushed the wrong direction, can caused tragedy to unfold. And lastly, it is about our companions, slowly. One by one. Being dragged to the unknown. The story slowly taking away the players on the stage until finally...

Shadowbringers was about us. It was about how we were instrumental to the world so much that it lost nearly all hope in another timeline. How a group of your fondest friends began and how your comrade's furthest decendents acting on the hope of your legend and stories. To provide a plan of action and lead to happier world. How even when everything seems lost and gone and your purpose seems to turned everything around you into twisted monstrosities. That you can bring the night and wait in comfort for a dawn to bring better days. And the tenacity of your aid providing a world on the brink, the love, the compassion, the understanding, the strength, and the will to stand up to a flood of destruction and spit fate in the eye. Even it costs them everything, they keep fighting until they can see a brighter tomorrow.

Death unto Dawn was about what the tomorrow brings. How it could be another fight but to find what is WORTH fighting for. The memories of those you fight and lived amongst, old studies and things of the past being made to provide the answer to the future, making right wrongs even against those you had wronged unfairly, and to gather together and keep each other safe. You are not alone out here. There are those who will help you along to a brighter future.

Endwalker was about you and yours. About how everyone reacts to an uncertain future in different manners. How some would make ready to flee at the approaching storm, while others would fight, and others might even push you further to the edge. But even when all is lost, call upon the memory of happier times to light the way with hearts aligned shining brilliantly against despair and finding your place amongst those memories.

Growing Light was about us teaching another to hear, feel, and think and experience the world seemingly gone. That everything needn't be give or take. It can be a charitable, warmer place if we make it. It can be kinder and even in the face of unrelenting and undying destruction. Hope will spit out a tooth and stand up once more.

I say all of this because, I've seen people mad that Dawntrail is leaning hard about being about Wuk Lamat and others. To which I say so what if Dawntrail is about Wuk Lamat and Koana? So what if its not about us? We've had four story lines about us. Now we must impart what we've learned to the future as they face similar and sometimes overwhelming odds. To stand tall against the onslaught and make their own choices, their own way to bring a smile to all they hold dear. How family needn't be blood related, they can just be a group who sit down at the table at the end of the day. And speak, laugh, cry, and love. Unto this trail to dawn we shall light way for the future of our world and everything this new dawn brings is worth it.

[plounce]

what people misunderstand about the hvw patch urianger plotline is that urianger's greatest sin in that arc is not sending minfilia to the first. he didn't actually do that. what he did is set up a confrontation between the wol and ardbert's party without elidibus' knowledge so all the crystals of light from the wol and from ardbert's party would allow them to talk to hydaelyn and minfilia. that is what he did. then he presented his solution to the first and source's dual problem, and minfilia AGREED and so did hydaelyn and so minfilia chose to go over. minfilia was already lost in the sauce. the wol and the scions knew that, they saw her in the antitower as the vessel of hydaelyn as The Word Of The Mother. she was already in there and it wasn't going to be as easy to get her out like they did y'shtola and thancred - or maybe even possible. what he arranged is a meeting that had the ability to conclude in the way he wanted - which was a way for the first to survive, and for no calamity to happen on the source. and in that, he allowed everyone to see minfilia again and speak with her. so he could ask her if she was willing to do that. he didn't punt her over there! because even when he's taking action, he is still a really passive person lmao. but he gave minfilia the option to save two entire worlds, which she was happy to choose to do.

urianger's ACTUAL greatest sin in that arc is alisaie's poisoning by renda-rae's arrow. i don't know if urianger was with the warriors of darkness for that incident or if he was at the waking sands, and i KNOW he was probably horrified to hear about the incident and intensely regretfull and ashamed he wasn't there to stop it (like he stopped ardbert's party in the cutscene after xelphatol later on) but regardless, i don't think their relationship was ever the same after that. which makes me miserable, because right before this is the bahamut coils plot, where alisaie trusts urianger as her scion contact (not alphinaud!) because he's a close family friend, and he obviously respects her so incredibly much (he uses "you" for her!) and is so distressed when he sees her (and alphinaud) all beat up after the final coil. they never act very close after 3.4, aside from urianger presenting her with a custom-made rapier and a prophecy before she sets sail to kugane in stormblood. i think that is in part meant as an apology (and also so alisaie has an easier time casting), but they never really team up again like they did in the coils plot. this probably isn't intentional on the part of the writers, but it's an absence that feels conspicuous to me. when your childhood babysitter almost gets you killed.

[brucewaynehater101]

Lady shiva gets the Batkids!

She starts out with cass having her from birth, keeping her away from Cain.

later on she meets a young warrior who seek vengeance for his loved ones, so she take him in as a son “trainee” totally no famial emotions wink wink, that child was dick.

later than that a young Jason comes looking for his mother and welp, she might as well.

Tim who stepped in bc Bruce assumed Jason was dead and went off the deep end, goes on his training arc with shiva, and look it’s not her fault that the world keeps giving her kiddo’s alright?

The kiddos visit Gotham and is that two young child warriors? Look mom we got you two more kids! Meet Steph and Duke!

oh and Talia and her are co parenting Damian in a totally heterosexual way wink wink (two scary ladies who can kill someone having romantic tension)

Just Talia and Lady Shiva casually insulting each other, showing off, making sure they are present when Damian switches from one parent to another, and somehow always arriving when the other is in danger. They never quite get into a relationship status, but they sure as hell aren't getting with anyone else. It's like a vaguely exclusive relationship status where they just have very intense sexual tension.

They co-parent Damian, Jason, and Cass. Steph doesn't let either of them parent parent her (Crystal is a good mom), but she considers them to be like her aunts. Duke is similar in how he regards them (depending on when he meets Talia, his parents might still be able to care for him).

Dick is happy with Lady Shiva as his mom and still has a slight dislike of Talia in this AU (not hatred. It's more of a "please stop flirting with my mom" type of thing).

Tim likes collecting parental figures and then bristling when they try to parent him. Lady Shiva and him make a game out/battle of wits out of whether she can parent him that day.

Babs and Lady Shiva are friends. They have almost the same relationship Babs does to some of her Bird of Prey, but it's not quite to that level of trust, working together, and dependency on each other.

Cute AU!

[obsidian-pages777]

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[aspoonofsugar]

do you think the song out for love says something about Camilla and veggie and to veggies character arc

Hi!

Yes, it does. I want to talk about Vaggie in other metas too, so in this analysis I will focus on her relationship with Carmilla, since this is what you are mainly asking about.

Before I start, though, I am gonna link to you this meta by @hamliet, where she talks about the main message of the song:

You're gonna fight without gloves And when that push comes to shove Yeah, you just might rise above Long as you're out for love

If you love, you might rise above. So Vaggie, a fallen angel, regrows her wings by choosing love and protection over hate and revenge. The meaning is crystal clear. Love makes you worthy of Heaven. Just like in the finale Pentious ascends thanks to his selfless sacrifice.

This is the meaning of the song when it comes to theme and to the series as a whole.

At the same time it is not by chance this theme comes out so strongly in relation to Carmilla and Vaggie, as they are both tied to "love".

FAMILIAL LOVE AND ROMANTIC LOVE

Carmilla Carmine: So I, I'll be your keeper Do whatever it takes, I'll make the mistakes I'll keep you safe and keep this secret

Vaggie: So I, I'll be your armor Do whatever it takes, I'll make the mistakes I'll spend my life being your partner

Carmilla and Vaggie are set up as foils in episode 3, when they share the song Whatever It Takes. This ballad is a love song, but Carmilla and Vaggie express two different kinds of love:

Carmilla is singing to her daughters (familial)

Vaggie is singing to Charlie (romantic)

This is a pattern throughout the show:

There are two versions of More Than Anything - the first one is about a familial bond, whereas the second explores a romantic relationship

Sir Pentious gets redeemed after expressing his feelings for Cherri (romantic) and sacrificing himself for the Hotel Crew (familial)

So, Hazbin Hotel goes out of its way to celebrate all kinds of positive bonds: platonic, romantic, familial. All of these relationships are enriching and help people grow. Vaggie and Carmilla are two characters linked to this very concept, as they are ready to fight and suffer for their loved ones:

Both: Whatever we go through I know I~ (Carmilla: I'll be your keeper) (Vaggie: I'll be your armor) Whatever it takes (Carmilla: I'll make the mistakes) (Vaggie: I'll make the mistakes) Whatever it takes

They are both warriors, but fight for love. They are out for love. However, Whatever It Takes also highlights a major difference between them.

TRUST AND SELF-EXPRESSION

Scrambled Eggs is an episode about trust. This is true especially for Carmilla and Vaggie, who have opposite secrets:

Carmilla killed an angel

Vaggie is an angel

Throughout the song the conflict between Heaven and Hell is mentioned by Carmilla and is present in subtext in Vaggie's stanza, as she looks at her old home.

Both are struggling under the pressure of these truths and are confronted by a loved one:

Zestial: Carmilla, what troubles thou? Losing thy composure is unlike thee. Carmilla Carmine: It's nothing, Zestial, really.

Charlie: Vaggie, don't say that! You do so much! It's- Vaggie: I'm sorry. I'd… I'd like to be alone for a minute.

Carmilla chooses to open up to Zestial and tells her daughters how much she loves them. Vaggie instead closes herself off and refuses Charlie's attempt to talk. She is singing to Charlie, but Charlie herself isn't present to hear her out. Even when it comes to their respective secrets...

Carmilla says hers in the song:

Carmilla Carmine: I always thought that I would keep blood off my face But when that thing attacked, I had to act To cross that line and keep them safe But if anyone knew, then all of Hell would rise to war And who's to say who'd survive the fray? I might lose the ones that I was killing for

Vaggie only alludes to hers in the lyrics:

Vaggie: When I saw your face You made me feel like a stranger in a brand new place And it felt so good to be understood But there's so much I wished that I could say

Vaggie meets Charlie and feels like a stranger in a brand new place because at the time she is in fact a stranger in a brand new place:

So, Carmilla is able to express herself, while Vaggie can't. This isn't surprising, as Vaggie is basically a child-soldier:

Adam: Do you really think I wouldn't recognize one of my top girls just cuz you're out of uniform? You were on the front lines, I wouldn't forget a bad bitch like you. It's why I named you after the best thing ever. Vaggie.

She is brought up in Adam's army and is taught that love is conditional. She is one of Adam's best fighters, but the moment she makes a "mistake", she is discarded:

Lute: Sinful filth like you has no place in heaven.

This is why she feels Charlie will love her only if she is useful and never messes up:

Vaggie: I'm supposed to make your dreams a reality. I'm supposed to protect you. I'm supposed to never fail you. (...) If I can't help you, what's the point of me?

This fear of abandonement and rejection is also at the root of Vaggie's inability to tell Charlie about her past:

Adam: I guess I'll just tell little miss butterflies and rainbows that she's been fucking someone who's killed-- thousands of her people. I'm sure your relationship will be fine.

Still, despite her communication issues, Vaggie's heart is in the right place:

Rosie: If there's anything I've learned, it's that words are cheap, but actions, they speak the truth. So, what have her actions said?

Vaggie is a person of few words. This may be why she has less songs than other characters. Still, she lets her actions speak, so she is given a ballet lesson by a very talented ballerina:

DANCING THROUGH LIFE

Carmilla has a ballet motif, as her outfit resembles that of a ballerina and her two daughters are called after protagonists of famous ballets. So, it is only natural that she teaches Vaggie a new way to fight through dancing.

Vaggie was taught to fight with hate and anger. So, her fighting style is aggressive and focused on attack:

Carmilla: You leave yourself open with every swing. You fight like someone unafraid of harm, and this is what you'll take advantage of. Angels wield no shields, little armor and fight with reckless abandon.

Carmilla tells her she should instead dedicate herself to love, protection and defense:

Fuel yourself with the fear of losin' That somebody who's your reason to live Harnеss your heart and you can't help choosin' To fight with all you can give

Vaggie shouldn't just fight. She should dance:

She shouldn't hate:

I see you're driven by your detestation Your every step is stoked with animus You need a different type of motivation Or there's no way that you can handle this

She should love:

Out for love~ Love~ Think of who you care about Protect them and be out For love~ Love~

Vaggie listens to these teachings and applies them in the finale, in two ways.

She sings her love for Charlie in More Than Anything Reprise:

Vaggie: You've already done so much So many lives you've changed So many souls you've touched And in the end, if it's only me you've saved Charlie and Vaggie: There's something that I've been dying to say More than anything, more than anything Need you to know I love you more than anything More than anything

As stated above, Vaggie doesn't sing much in season 1, but in the final episode she gets a short moment to express how she feels to Charlie. This is in contrast to Whatever It Takes, where she sends her girlfriend away before she starts singing. More Than Anything Reprise shows Vaggie's progress when it comes to self-expression.

She follows Carmilla's advices while fighting

On a practical level she covers herself up in a battle suit inspired by Carmilla's outfit, she wears a harness on her heart and ties her hair:

Vaggie: I'm not used to fighting with long hair.

On a thematic level she reveals her wings and defeats Lute, when the exorcist threathens Charlie:

Lute: So, I'll spare you the pain of seeing your demon bitch die.

And Vaggie eventually chooses not to kill the other angel:

Lute: Do it, then. Correct your mistake. Vaggie: Seriously, you're pathetic, you know that? Ready to die rather than accepting mercy? No, live. Live knowing that you only do because I let you, the failure.

Vaggie is asked to choose between her hate for Lute and her love for Charlie and she chooses the latter. This is why the scene ends with Vaggie leaving Lute and flying to help Charlie. She is given the chance to get revenge, but doesn't take it. She is given the chance to hate, but she loves:

I know you're thirstin' for vengeance, Vaggie You're out for blood But you'll only stand a chance if you're out for love

This is important in two ways:

1- The macrochosm - Vaggie refuses Lute's ideals and defies her expectations. For Lute it is normal that Vaggie is going to kill her. After all, Vaggie is discarded because she shows pity to a sinner, which makes her weak. Still, Vaggie bests Lute in a fight, so she is now strong. It is only obvious then that Vaggie has snapped out of her foolery and is ready to kill. She can correct her mistake. She did not kill the cannibal child, but she can kill Lute. This is how Lute understands the world. And yet, Vaggie doesn't finish her off. By doing so, she moves away from the mentality Lute embodies. She is strong precisely because she can show mercy. Adam is wrong. Lute is wrong. Vaggie isn't out for blood. She is out for love.

2- The microchosm - Vaggie sparing Lute isn't just the morally correct choice, but it is Vaggie's first step into healing:

Husk: (To Vaggie) This one. Judges everyone and everything because she hates herself.

Vaggie hates everyone because she deep down hates herself. She despises Heaven and Angels because she can't forgive her involvement in the exterminations. So, Vaggie hurting Lute would be Vaggie hurting her past self. As a matter of fact Lute is Vaggie's dark mirror. She is who Vaggie might become if she gives in to hate.

A person who hurts others:

And herself:

Vaggie instead has to value her life, so that she can protect others. She must save others and heal herself. Only in this way she can be by Charlie's side. She needs to let go of self-hate to embrace a healthy love. Vaggie's arc is her learning self-love through her bond with the Princess of Hell.

Obviously this journey is just at the beginning and our Angel of Love has a long way to go. How will her story contiue? We can make some hypothesis, which once again stem from Vaggie and Carmilla's foiling. This is just a theory, so take it with a grain of salt, but Vaggie may have a secondary personal antagonist in Hell:

Why is that so? It's because Scrambled Eggs sets Vaggie and Velvette up as foils.

RESPECT(LESS)

Velvette and Vaggie are opposites in their interactions with Carmilla. Both girls are younger than the Dancer Overlord and could learn a lot from her. However, Velvette refuses any kind of mentorship and shows no respect:

Velvette: Mad that I acted respectless? Well, it's cause no one could respect this! You're long past trending! Sorry, bae, but I ain't swiping right! You've lost your relevance-

Vaggie instead comes to respect Carmilla and learns from her:

At the same time, both Velvette and Vaggie confront Carmilla about her secret:

Velvette: 'Oops!' Did I strike a nerve? 'Cause when I brought out the angel's head, couldn't help but observe, that your wrinkled face was turning red! And why are you avoiding war? That's what the guns you sell are for! Thanks to my being respectless, one thing I'm starting to suspect is You know why this angel's headless! Do you have a disclosure?

Vaggie: I know what you did on extermination day. We can talk about it inside, or I can yell about it out here.

They call Carmilla out on killing an angel and keeping this knowledge to herself. Not only that, but both argue that it is necessary to fight back to stop the exterminations:

Velvette: We found it during Extermination day. If these Holy Rollers can be killed, the game has changed. We can take the fight to them. The boys and I have come up with a full assault plan!

Vaggie: Miss Carmine, I'm here on appointment from the princess to enlist your aid in the defense of hell from the angelic extermination. We know an angel fell at your hands and we need to know how.

Still, Velvette fails to get through to Carmilla because she uses war rhetoric:

Velvette: Oh, I get it. So Grandpa is too pussy to fight, so I guess there's no point, right? Oh, what's the matter, Fossil? Too senile to make a real power grab...

She speaks of violence, strength and power.

Vaggie instead convinces Carmilla to help because she mentions the necessity to fight for loved ones:

Vaggie: We didn't pick this fight, but it's here now. And they aren't going to stop with us. You didn't see the look on their leader's face. With us out of the way, it's only a matter of time before they come for the rest of you. They won't stop until all of hell is wiped out, so you can help us make a stand here together, or you can stand alone tomorrow.

She speaks of protection, love and comraderie.

In short, Vaggie succeeds where Velvette fails. Of course, this is true for Charlie's group in general when it comes to the Vees:

Vox: My dear people! We at VoxTek Enterprises have always been at the forefront of innovation. And now, with this new oncoming threat, we are shifting our focus, to your protection. We are pleased to announce VoxTek Angelic Security is coming soon! Trust us, with YOUR safety.

Katie Killjoy: Breaking news - Extermination day is cancelled! Charlie Morningstar managed to fend off the angelic attack with more than just nice words.

The Vees make big declarations of how they are gonna protect the people of Hell, but in the end it is Charlie and her friends who fight for the sinners.

When it comes to Vaggie and Velvette specifically, it is going to be interesting if their foiling is expanded. If so, then I guess Velvette is gonna help Vaggie mature a little bit more, so that when our ex exorcist faces Lute (her nemesis) again, she is gonna be ready for it.

[sarastuss]

ᴹᴱᵀᴬ . SARASTUS' ARMOR :

this has been something i have been meaning to dive into for a long time, &. now, since certain things have been fixed &. i was able to take proper screenshots, here we go! in this meta, i am diving into sarastus' armor design, symbolism, &. also showcase azem's attire, though since the ancients dressed the same, i am showcasing her mask more ; significant as a member of the convocation, &. for sarastus as the seat of azem.

* 1. HELMET : something unbeknownst to her when first awakening to the sundered world without her memories, was derived from the mask of azem. * 2. ARMOR : an armor made of gold, mixed with fabric of black robe. into the armor itself is also carved azem's symbol, though this detail as well can be very subtle, as the armor part itself has a lot of engravings carved into it. there is also black leather embedded into the armor, providing swift movement. * 3. LEGS &. FEET : she wears black pants, the golden details are part of an armor she clips on. her boots are a mix of black leather, &. golden armor as well, engraved with a symbol of something akin to wings, that can be symbolic of the way she traversed across the star. the symbolism of this all is very much how sarastus is the balance between the light &. dark, both when needed to be. ( her name deriving from a word with a same meaning, the first light in the darkness. ) gold, yellow, orange are colors are associated with her because of her association with the sun, &. light in general, ... those colors later present even in the crystal carved by e.met - selch in secrecy, as sarastus had abandoned her seat due to the route the convocation took during the first final days. the mixture of armor &. robe, it is a mixture of the past &. present in itself ; signature black robe now mixed with golden armor of a warrior. what is also note worthy, is the way when ardbert's spirit collides with her soul once more at the end of shadowbringers arc, the final fight against emet - selch, sarastus hairstyle reverts back to its' original length &. style ; as her soul is now whole.

ARMOR CHANGE AT THE END OF ENDWALKER ARC.

* NEW ARMOR : azem's symbol still present upon her chest, the armor is more significantly golden. the armor itself is more ethereal, symbolizing that at the end of endwalker arc, sarastus has embraced her past fully, &. come to terms with who she is. she can both long for the world that was, but continue to fight to protect this one. a vow made in secrecy, to hope for a way to reunite with those lost, as well. it is a start of new arc, &. a new journey, with details still carved of her whole, true - self present. her boots are made of golden metallic material, as are the arm - pieces. on the back, she wears a sheer, golden-ish cape. because, i do not have the full set in my inventory yet, i had to borrow few pictures from eorzea collection.

AZEM'S ATTIRE

* ATTIRE &. MASK : the ancients all wore robes similar in design, although their color might have varied, but rarely so, even among the convocation. ( the previous azem, sarastus' mentor had chosen a theme of white &. blue for herself, for example. ) sarastus too, wears a black robe. the difference is her mask, that carries the significance of her as the seat of azem. on the forehead, there is the symbol of azem carved upon it, resembling the sun, due to her affiliation with it, as the light in general.

AZEM'S MASK &. SARASTUS' HELMET PARALLEL

there is not much more to add here, but here they can be seen more up close.

[talonabraxas]

“Hall of Love has ten thousand swords. Don't be afraid to use one.” ― Rumi

King of Swords Talon Abraxas Traditionally, representing the energy of a King, this masculine energy form is The Adjudicator, the wise judge or mediator. He helps parties in conflict discover common ground and build upon it, and guides societies to see their greater good. His archetype is Solomon, ancient lawgiver and philosopher of the Old Testament. Sometimes appearing cool and detached, he can be misunderstood as not caring.

But emotional displays are just not his medium, nor is he moved by appeals to sympathy or pity. With the philosophical overview that comes from long experience, he listens deeply, watches closely and speaks last. In the end, his even-handedness and objectivity earn him the respect he receives from his community, and those who cannot work out their problems come to him voluntarily for advice.

Occasionally this man is subtly detailed to imply that he is a woman in male armor. If you notice this theme in your deck, it is a reference to Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, archetype of a devout and inspired woman warrior, who was mystically led to abandon her social role to defend what she saw as the greater good. Although she was martyred young, her model crystallizes the message that sometimes the good of the whole is more important than the good of the individual, and in that case, even if you lose, you win just for being there.

[phoenixeclipse-lmkau]

Is mentioned that reader has a good heart and helps those in need. So it occurred to me a scenario from the Journey arc, where the pilgrims come across some Villages where the story is told of the strange mortal woman who traveled with a monkey demon and helped them at some point. Or maybe it could be a moment where she already has the artefacts and uses them to help people.

I feel this would be a dramatic for the king and his warrior to hear about.

Ooh now this is a fun one!

The tale of Reader and Spirit. A story that would be centuries old but still one told to small children of the village.

As always you walked closes to Tripitaka, the next village was only about a few more minutes. It was nearly dusk so you were massively grateful for the town coming up. You just hoped that Wukong and Macaque wouldn’t cause any issues. Or Pigsy, because he’s been a pain in the ass for the last while too.

Glancing over yout shoulder you looked at the two monkey demons, both were walking next to each other. If not for the circlets on their heads they would probably be fighting again, neither was pleased to be here. You felt your chest tighten, you were the reason they were on this journey, you were the reason they had to suffer with the circlets…

You forced the thoughts out of your head, clenching your fists tightly. They didn’t know, and they would never know. You did it for them, so they could be free from their prisons. This was for the best. They didn’t need to know it was you, they didn’t even need to know they were traveling with you.

This town it was familiar, Macaque couldn’t help but think. His eyes glanced around before they landed on a wooden stage. It was old, made from the base of a ginormous tree that had been cut down ages ago. An old woman sat on the edge of it with a harp in her hand.

“Awe hello there travelers,” the woman said with a smile, her eyes shining a beautiful amber color.

“Hello ma’am, do you know where we could stay the night?” Tripitaka asked politely.

“Of course, they tend to allow travelers to sleep in that house. They are very hospitable,” the woman explained kindly, still strumming her harp.

You watched the Monk thank her and you gave her a grateful bow. Her eyes caught sight of the purple ribbon that was tied to the top of your mask. Her smile widened ever so slightly before she called you back.

“Do you need something?” You asked, confused how you even gained her attention with your mask. Most didn’t notice you at all while you wore the glamoured and enchanted mask on your face.

“It’s nothing big dear, I just couldn’t help remember an old story is all. Would you mind listening to this old woman?” She asked with a warm smile gracing her face.

“Well…” You looked over at Tripitaka who nodded you had time for one story, “I guess that’s a yes.”

The woman gracefully moved her fingers along the harp as she spoke in a crystal clear voice, “Long ago far before my time there was a young woman who wandered through this village, with her came a young monkey demoness and two monkey cubs.”

Both Wukong and Macaque froze when they heard her speak, Wukong’s eyes widening while Macaque’s darkened slightly.

“They were lovely women who healed a young man’s leg, they asked for nothing in return and refused any payment for their work. Because of them that man was able to protect this village from being destroyed. Many praised the young man but none truly think about the fact that he never would have been able to help if not for those girls,” The woman said with a smile.

Both monkey demons felt their hearts clench, they knew this story, they remembered that day.

Behind your mask you could feel sweat on your brow as you tried your best not to look at the monkey duo. They didn’t need to see your face, not that they could behind your mask. Even if Wukong were to look at you all he would see is the mask, a piece of wood that was carefully carved. He wouldn’t be able to see your actual face.

Wukong wanted to punch someone, to throw something. He didn’t want to have to be reminded of you his precious wife, who he FAILED. If he had just been on the island you would have never died. His fists clenched to his sides as he tried his best to steady his breathing without full on crying.

Macaque was silent as he stared at the woman. He didn’t say anything just followed after Tripitaka as his mind wandered back to the wonderful days of when you were still with them. When you would cuddle up to them at night and when he knew you’d always be back home waiting for them to return. Those days were long gone, it had been well over 600 years since he had last seen you, he shouldn’t dwell on what can’t be changed.

>>>

Short and sweet. Well not so sweet for the warlords who don’t want to remember their wife but at the same time they don’t want to forget. They do want to remember but they don’t want the pain of that memory. Wonder what’s gonna happen when they find out their wife has been closer than either of them thought.

Oh and I should mentioned the Journey Arc will be spilt up into a few different arcs. I’m not going to go over every demon and mountain they pass by BUT I will be doing a few of them. Afterward I’ll be getting to the LMK arcs!!

[forgotten-contract]

'I am but a drop of water, longing for the sea.'

-

[Have a doodle cause Sil and his entire history makes me sad.]

[tildeathiwillwrite]

Tag Game: OC Song

Thanks to @pluppsauthor @thewritingautisticat for the tag!

Rules: pick 3 ocs, and give them each a song!

Only three??? And only one song each??? Well, if you insist. Let's do the trio from The Hunter, the Myth and the Cure! Songs are all selected from this playlist.

Octavian de Silv:

A disproportionate amount of the songs on the playlist reflect him or his arc, but this is the song I always associate with my elf boi.

Draven Cozenson:

This one is Draven's based on vibes and vibes alone.

Reese Takari:

My perseverant, stubborn, resilient baby girl.

Tagging @pluttskutt @melpomenelamusa @geode-crystal @paeliae-occasionally @faytelumos

@crwn-nrth @aalinaaaaaa and open tag! :D

(edit: took me a second to figure out audio embedding lol)

[voidsentprinces]

Unfriendly reminder, that in Shadowbringers all the Scions repeat the same arcs they've had before but with different outcomes. Thancred once again puts his guilt and the blame on himself just as he did in ARR but instead of letting exhaustion get the better of him and allow him to be possessed by darker forces at play he finds resolve in it, Urianger is forced to lie to us once again at the expense of another and in doing so will see the salvation of the First and the Source once more but instead he is able to save both the Warrior of Light and G'raha Tia instead of losing Minfilia and the Warriors of Dark in the process, Y'shtola once again secludes herself among a people who are distant from civilization but instead of the Limsans who do not heed her wisdom until well after Shadowbringers Runar's people heed her words and find salvation faster and she sacrifices herself once more saving her people when before she had lost Minfilia and Thancred when she used Flow, Alphinaud is faced with the corruption of upper class peoples who care more about their personal pleasures than the outside world, but unlike with the Crystal Braves he relies on all the Scions to help oust Vauthry from his throne of power and cause real change among Eulmore and its people, Alisaie once again strikes out on her own in an attempt to find the answers to our seemingly inevitable and prophecized fate and while she does lose Tesleen, she eventually finds a means to save Ga Bu and the Tempered. And in a way save the people her Grandfather had sacrificed for. G'raha Tia once again delves into the secrets of the Crystal Tower and stand against a world of darkness, but unlike last time where he could do little more than stand on the side lines. He is able to help banish the darkness and become the hero he always wanted to be in his youth. Estinien tries to handle things alone and is immediately hunted down by Krile and Tataru and bullied into--wait a minute that isn't what happen befo

[myreia]

Sketches of Times Lost

Day 20: Duel

a duel between friends, a moment of forgiveness. alisaie, warrior of light. set at an undetermined time during shadowbringers. written for ffxivwrite2024. rating: general words: 2189 ao3 link

The mid morning sun rises high above Lakeland, nestled between waves of puffy clouds. For all appearances, it is a regular day, bright and airy and cheerful—and completely ignorant of what is happening below.

The fields outside the Ostall Imperative crackle with energy and whoosh with wind, magic searing the air as it passes back and forth between the two combatants. A clash of blades, steel striking steel, then synchronized shouts as they part ways and fly back, catapulting in graceful arcs to opposite sides of the arena.

Alisaie lands on her feet, nimble as a cat, boots scuffing the ground as she skips backward and falls into a crouch. Sweat drips down the back of her neck, hair is plastered to her forehead, breath catches in her throat, and yet her body is thrumming with the thrill of it all. Her rapier slips in her grip and she tightens her fingers, holding fast, her focus balanced above the palm of her other hand. A smirk tugs at the corner of her lips.

One. Two. Three.  

Her head snaps up, bright eyes searching for her opponent, and moves. 

She darts across the trampled grass, careful not to slip—the sun has not quite warmed away the dew. Aether surges within her, a roar of wind and lightning, her focus trailing a line of misty red behind her. Across the clearing, Aureia stands, firm, patient, prepared, waiting with the stillness of a black mage and a stance reminiscent of a dark knight’s. Her outstretched rapier tilts downward, her focus hovers above her head, its rotating beads of fire and ice sparkling in the bright light. She gives no sign of her next move—it is what makes her a daunting opponent.

How do you predict the unpredictable?

Alisaie is determined to find out.

With a yell, she cuts her rush short and pulls to a stop, ramming her rapier and focus together. Blinding red light spirals out of it and bursts across the clearing. Aureia cocks her head to the side, eyes narrowed as she watches the wave of red rush towards her—why isn’t she moving?—rapier still downturned. At the last minute, she sidesteps and lets the magic shoot by her, its impact rustling her clothes in its wake.

“You missed,” she calls, ruby eyes shining with a challenge. “Surely you can do better than that!”

“Ha!” Alisaie grins. “For all you know, that was the warm up and this—”

Her fingers twist, drawing aether from her focus. A crystalized bulb of red blooms above Aureia’s head. 

“—is the grand finale!”

Aureia’s eyes flick upward. Without moving a muscle, a shimmering barrier springs up around her, glistening like a rainbow in the sunlight. A second later, the bulb bursts, its power scattering uselessly across the barrier and evaporating in an instant.

Alisaie’s jaw drops. Though she desperately wishes to shout that’s not fair, she has no choice but to shove the childish part of her down and hold her tongue. To be true, it isn’t fair—that shield’s strength has a whiff of a gunbreaker’s skill about it—but she never specified that their sparring match include only red magic. She has no desire to raise the issue now. That would be something Alphinaud would do. Insist on fairness.

Besides, if Aureia draws on all aspects of her training, it will only make it more satisfying when she finally beats her.

Aureia sweeps her dark hair out of her face. “Then shall we continue?” she suggests, smiling deviously. “A chance to redeem your grand finale.”

“Must you rub it in like that?”

“If you like—!”

She charges forward. Alisaie skips back, feet slipping on the dew, and bends over backward as Aureia’s blade flies overhead. She twists, shaking with laughter from the close call, and spins, grounding herself as she raises her rapier in return, dancing between the choice to cast and the choice to strike.

“You should take care,” she begins. “You never know when—”

Aureia strikes again without warning, forcing her to leap back. Their rapiers clash, Alisaie catching the tip of Aureia’s blade in a parry. The Warrior of Darkness shrugs it off, steel singing in the air, and continues her slow, determined march. “Roll forward and under next time,” she says. “Get closer to your opponent.”

Alisaie twists to the side, dancing on the edge of her range, and brings her focus and rapier together once more. “I don’t want to be closer!” she says through clenched teeth, releasing a jolt of magic. Aureia deftly sidesteps it—as expected—but hitting her wasn’t the point. Aether courses through her, revitalizing her, its power pulsing within her veins. “I want to—”

“You want to control the battlefield, no?” A flash of steel, a clash of swords. No time to release her spell. “Rapiers are like lances, or any weapon with reach. Moving backwards only keeps you in their range, but they are out of yours. They can follow up quickly—”

She presses the attack. Alisaie ducks once more, narrowly avoiding the blow. She didn’t even bother to counter it this time.

“Like that.” Aureia pauses, holding her rapier aloft with poise. This is the difficulty with fighting her—she has studied too many forms, trained in too many ways, become an expert with too many weapons. Her combat style is informed by a myriad of backgrounds; even when she prefers one over another, the lessons from the other always bleed through. “But if you move into them, you are too close for their weapon to hit easily—”

A blue glyph appears above her head, crackling with energy. Lightning-aspected magic rains down around her, striking the ground. Aureia curses and reels back, shrugging off the magic.

“Or I could hit now,” Alisaie says with a smirk.

Aureia meets her eyes. “Your mana is out of balance,” she remarks pointedly.

“And I didn’t invite you here to be lectured, I invited you to spar.” She raises her rapier once again and grins, eyes shining with the thrill. It has been a long time since they have had a proper bout. Not since before they came to the First. “As the others seem to have no faith that a sparring match between us won’t blow up the surrounding area, how about we say enough talk—let’s give them a show.”

Aureia smiles and settles into a new stance, outstretching a hand in an invitation to attack.

A duel of two red mages is like an improvised dance. Harmonized to each other, pushing and pulling, testing the limits. Quiet pauses wherein they take a breath, movement coming to a halt as the next spell is cast. Moments of speed and grace, executed with unerring precision. More than any other combat style, it seeks balance—magic and melee, black and white, attacking and defending.

Alisaie whoops with glee, eyes bright, her ponytail flying behind her as she darts in to strike and darts away. She is faster than Aureia, less skilled, but more reckless. And she has grown stronger during her time on the First. If she can simply wear her down, perhaps she can gain an advantage.

A green glyph appears above her and she leaps to the side, a blast of wind rushing over her. Wind, lightning, fire, and stone—Aureia alternates faster than she can keep track, light wisping around her focus, somehow casting and moving at the same time. How she can so quickly prepare a complex spell without standing still, Alisaie doesn’t know. She still struggles—and remembers the days when she had nothing but a scholar’s codex to reference. She has long since outgrown the need for books and paper, but she has so much further to go.

She turns, throwing a blast of magic at Aureia, and darts in for the attack. Their blades clash and she pushes her back, the well-trampled grass turning muddy beneath her boots. Alisaie grunts, determined to hold her ground, and an idea takes hold. She pivots and pulls back her blade, then dives under Aureia’s blow and strikes, sending a jolt of lightning down the blade—

“Ouch!”  Aureia gasps in surprise, her fingers seizing, and drops her blade. Her focus remains spinning above her other palm.

Alisaie whoops and lowers her blade. “Ha!” she crows. “Admit defeat, Aureia, I finally have—”

Aureia gives her a flat look and tosses her focus. It hits Alisaie’s blade and sends it flying, the silver edge glinting as it tumbles through the air and out of sight. She watches it go, mouth open, too shocked to move.

“That… is not fair,” she says finally.

Aureia throws back her head and laughs, her whole body shaking. Alisaie’s lips twist and she slaps a hand over her mouth, holding back a laugh, but it doesn’t last for long. Soon, the both of them are clutching their stomachs and giggling uncontrollably, their voices echoing right across the clearing. Finally, they flop down on the grass and stare up at the endless blue sky above.

“Call it a draw?” Aureia says after a moment.

Alisaie exhales a breath. “No,” she groans, resting her arm across her forehead to cover her eyes. “No. As ridiculous as that was, you won. We don’t have to call it a draw just to soothe my ego.”

“It was a good trick with the verthunder. I’m sorry. I… got carried away, I think.”

“You were thinking on your feet, using your resources. Countering a dirty trick with a dirty trick.”

“Even so, I shouldn’t have pushed you so hard.”

“To be honest, I was afraid you weren’t going to go hard on me. If you had given me the victory outright, I would be quite cross with you.”

Aureia chuckles. “That’s a relief then,” she murmurs. Alisaie can hear the grass rustling as she sits up. “You have many good reasons to be cross with me.”

Alisaie pauses, her stomach sinking. It was only a matter of time before this topic was broached. They did not part ways on good terms on the Source. Just prior to the fateful Alliance meeting where Thancred’s soul vanished, they had had a terrible fight. Aureia’s secrets had been unearthed at last, blindsiding them all. For years they did not know that the Warrior of Light had roots within the Garlean Empire, nor that she had once been their agent. They didn’t even know that her name was not her own.

Kira quo Theorzen. That was her name once.

How strange how suddenly so much and so little made sense.

Some in the Alliance saw it as a betrayal. Lyse was furious, Yugiri shaken, Hien struck silent. But for Alisaie, it wasn’t the facts that stung. It was the fundamental lack of a trust from a friend. Thinking on it again, she doesn’t care who or what Aureia was in her past, that is all long gone now. But she did—does—care that she never trusted her enough to tell her on her.

She was angry. She was angry even as their friends fell one by one, pulled to the First by the Exarch’s summoning. She was still angry when she herself was taken.

It was a year before she saw Aureia again, and by then things had changed. There is only so long anyone in their right mind can hold onto past hurts when there are more important things at stake, but even if their forgiveness has been unconditional, it has been unspoken. And if they do not speak of it… perhaps the shadow of it will never disappear.  

“I do,” Alisaie says finally, lowering her arm. “But I wouldn’t say I was entirely reasonable on that front. It would be insincere of me not to recognize my own faults while shunning you for yours.”

Aureia nods quietly and pulls her knees into her chest, resting her chin atop them. A breeze picks up, tugging at her loose hair as it rushes through the grass. “I don’t know what I can say,” she says. “I can offer an explanation, if you would like. I can say that I’m sorry. And I am. I have no good reason as to why I hid this from the Scions, but most of all from you.”

“I think you do.” Alisaie pushes herself up on her elbows, gazing calmly across the clearing. A few adventurers have struck out from the fortress, some by foot on the road, others taking flight by amaro. “When you have finally found your place, you are terrified of losing it. I think it’s understandable that anyone would do what they feel is right to hold onto what is dearest to them.”

“Yet by doing so I almost lost you all.”

“And you found us again.” She glances at her, a smile on her face. “That’s the most important part, isn’t it?”

Aureia smiles back. “For what it’s worth,” she says after a moment. “I think our duel does count as a draw.”

“Then I’ll be certain to beat you properly next time.”