#ℍ𝔸ℝ𝕌𝕂𝕆 ℕ𝔸𝕂𝔸𝕊𝕆ℕ𝔼 ... 【ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴄʀʏ ᴏꜰ ᴅᴀᴡɴ 】

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

☼ ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕦𝕜𝕠 ℕ𝕒𝕜𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟𝕖, 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔽𝕚𝕣𝕤𝕥 ℂ𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝔻𝕒𝕨𝕟 ☼ ── “Slit the throats of all those who would 𝔻𝔸ℝ𝔼 to call themselves our masters.”

── Fullsize Image

This is my design (nakey) for Haruko's League Verse which is affiliated with @bells-of-black-sunday's League Verse for Tarhos Kovács! This was an immensely fun piece to design, if not somewhat a pain with all of the feathers and tattoos, and it was immensely enjoyable to work through developing an entire verse with Spük, I can't even begin to tell you all how helpful he was with this design.

Can you guess what role on the rift he'll be playing? - Mars' right its mid/jungle

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

HOW DARE YOU

In case you didn't know

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

"What is the deal with all the bickering between you and Kayn?" A simple yet direct question, half curious, half amused, posed while she lies on the grass beside Haru and looks up at the clouds. In all the years they'd known each other, she had seen the vastayan angry, and she had seen him show vivid hatred toward the vermin that attempted to invade their lands; but this was something else, a sort of annoyance and rivalry she hadn't really expected from him (and not toward who it is directed to). "I'm curious. Why does he get on your nerves so badly?"

── 𝐔𝐍𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 ── LEAGUE VERSE

"Mmmm ~?"

The vastayan's pale eyes flutter open and flick away from the bright azure of the sky to rest on the cornflower waves of the oceans of her iris. Haruko's brow quirks up and a playful chirp jumps from his throat - she has his full attention despite the whiny tug on the back of his mind; his greedy greedy lover trying to sap all of his time. Ah - she was inquiring about his feelings towards the object of her eye; that little Noxian shit - no no, he was blessed by the spirit and was as Ionian as he could be. … Fine then: That Ionian little shit. A haughty bastard with a swaggering prowl of a great beast with, in Haruko's opinion, none of the fangs he threatened with his atrocious yapping.

"Very curious of you to think he gets on my nerves at all - humans seldom interest me, especially ones like him who think that they are the most importan things to exist in this world." He smirks, unable to help the sadism that drips into his tone, "Although it is always fun to watch men like him fall - their name fading to nothing once their hubris eats them like maggots on hunted game. I imagine it won't be long until that happens to him so - at most he annoys me. You see, petal, I do not extend my pleasantries to those who won't live long enough to appreciate them; its a waste of time and energy on my end."

His eyes soften as he watches her.

"And because he does not deserve you."

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

"Can I please have a waffle-" - league!Tarhos @ Haru

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

───What Horror Trope Are You?

The Haunted House

Decrepit and falling apart at the seams; time has not been kind to you, has it? termites have nestled in your bones, and stray cats find comfort in your sinews. you may be victim to time and erosion, but your abandoned corpse remains a refuge for unwanted things. vermin and ghosts thank you. what greater kindness can there be than offering shelter?

The Killer

Was there ever a choice? maybe, but that fork in the road is far, far behind you. you surround yourself now with sharp things, tools to harm, and they have become your only family. you are the thing that goes bump in the night, and you hunt for scurrying mice like a hungry cat. maybe, just maybe, though, one can finally put an end to your hunt, and allow you to finally rest.

Tagged By: @poisonflowrs @bladesdanced (love yall MWAH ♥ Tagging: @bells-of-black-sunday (any and everyone bb), @agonizedembrace, @axewhirl, @seekslight, @hemoplagued, @piltover-sharpshooter, @matrotas-muse-hub, @celestialwoven, @sxlemnity, @aquatic-hybrid, @arkyn-iceborn-vindication, @burntscars, @tacetferrum, @wolvensden, @moonlightviigil

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

The late summer morning was rife with sound, birds chittering, foxes barking, and the sweet call of various bugs trying to find a mate. Yet the cry of agony and crunch of bone was something that made the woodland go quiet, and quickly caught the Vastayan's attention - ears perked curiously while he stood. The way through the brush was easy, and his eyes widened when he caught a sigil of Devil's carved into one of the nearby trees. How had a Noxian camp slipped under his nose so easily? Did they just appear overnight and infect the area like the disease their people were?

He called out to his lover, watching as one last human tried to flee, and he was quick to fire an arrow through their shoulder, watching as they fell to the ground with a gasp. The bird glanced back when the dragon rumbled, a voice as powerful as the thunder over the sea - something that he would never get fully used to. Haruko's tail twitched excitedly when he was gifted a beautiful necklace of green emeralds and golden chains, fingers wrapping around it before he slid it around his head.

"I know my love, thank you… but," Haruko tutted playfully as he stepped along the gore, his talons clicking up threateningly as corpses became stepping stones and his hand reached down to the struggling girl. The motion to grab her hair was careless as he lifted her upwards and she lashed out, trying to cut him with a knife, resulting in a knee to her nose. The Vastayan dropped her into the mud afterwards and hissed, "You have to keep an eye on those too cowardly to defend themselves, those who would rather hide away and let others die for them." His foot pressed against her skull, a rumble of satisfaction coursing through him when she yelped as the tip of his talon threatened to slice through her cornea. Haruko's hands landed upon his hips with a sigh as he quirked a grin up at his lover with a sigh of acceptance, "Buuuut I can understand your eagerness to cleanse the land of this," his weight fell harder on the blubbering woman's head, "Evil."

A pause, a breath to gather himself up as to not let Sadism and Wickedness consume him, no Akana would poison his mind today. Haruko stepped off of her and brought his hands upwards in a motion to relax himself, "What should we do with her, Tarhos? Kill her with the others, or let her live with the guilt of that maybe if she had helped, they might have lived? Perhaps she'll even do our job for us," a cocky toss of a dagger infront of the weeping woman, "At least then you'd be able to pick how you fall into the pit, after all…it's long way down."

…

"Honestly," Haruko chirped, finally away from the bloodied soil as he stepped within the nearby river with a shudder, "If you're going to wander off and do that sort of thing - at least invite me! What fun is it for me if I can't watch my God protect my home?" Warm waters kissed at his ankles, lapping the blood away before he stepped back and brought a cloth to his foot. "When did they even arrive? Its like they just…spawned there overnight, I didn't even smell them yesterday, when - when did you notice?" Was he losing his edge? Had he gotten too relaxed in the massacre of this infliction upon the land?

Closed starter for @witchcraftandburialdirt from here 🦎

To say the dragon was reckless was an understatement, who could blame him? His entire existence had been boiled down to being nothing more than a tool for mortals petty wars for even longer than many remember. A prisoner in his own body, trapped with his own thoughts, it was only natural for one to go mad after seeing the horrors he had. Yet... he somehow had found salvation.

Tarhos could barely hear Haru's voice over the carnage crushing a mans ribs as he pulled his sword out of their chest he peered over his shoulder, "You told me where I could feed love. That is what I am doing." His voice purred, something so pleased with the way blood dripped off his scales. Ruby eyes scanning the destruction he had caused, movement. That's what he was waiting for.

Serpentine in nature he crawls over prying at the wound until it stilled. He was in his element. Something productive at least as much as he could feel the peacocks distaste for the brutality of it. His tongue forks over his beak as he leans down stealing a necklace off the body before returning to his little birds perch, "For you-"

The patrol would find the carnage in the morning, but for now... he just wanted to be with his beloved.

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

You're going to hurt her ! A protest in the background that causes her to narrow her eyes; their practice was not meant to draw attention, but it seems everything she does nowadays is followed closely by those around her. She recognizes the voice as belonging to one of the resistance leaders, one of the first to waiver the position to her instead. At this moment, Irelia reminds herself of that. They want her to lead; she doesn't have to follow what they think is right.

"Again," Her voice does not waiver, even as her body aches after the hit. It will take getting used to, but that's part of the point. No noxian would go easy on her; there is no time for gentleness amidst war. "Don't listen to them. I can do it — I can keep going."

She had to. The young dancer never expected there would be an after the stand at the Placidium, certain one of the soldiers would claim her life before either side could claim victory. Now that she's here, now that the hopes of so many are hers to carry... she has to do better. The next victory has to be more than luck. Pushing herself to keep trying is the least she can do for all those who look up to her now. "Don't go easy on me."

── 𝐔𝐍𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 ── LEAGUE VERSE

He can feel it - the sluggish pull of her muscles as she struggles to cope with the last blow to her body, her heart is pounding, the blood is rushing to each lesion in a desperate attempt to form a clot. Haruko's ears point down to her as he approaches with a slow and steady gait - his feathers relax from their fluffed appearance and settle back down. The Vastayan's gaze locks onto hers while his body moves the opposite of his spear - and soon enough she is on the ground below him. The tip tilts her chin up gently, the weapon connecting them into a silent conversation explaining that this lesson was over.

Haruko leans down to gather her into his arms, his hair like warm seafoam as it brushed against her damp skin. A brief embrace. He's quick to help her up - his grip strong enough to steady her beaten form, and for a moment he is calm; until he hears the same voice shuffling closer to berate him for being too harsh on her. Haruko's pale stare flicks back towards the source of the sound and not a moment is wasted - the blunt of his spear connects with their cheek to crack teeth into the puddling blood of the elder. Sunlight dapples across his bronzed skin and he steps lightly upon the man's throat to hold him down into the filth and muck. A fitting place for this type of person. His talons threaten to close around the man's neck - to puncture into his throat and rip out the precious mortal life that humans held so tightly. The impulse beats through his blood and tightens around his skull - a desire he's loathed to reject.

"Do not speak to me of mercy when you have deemed her your sacrificial lamb - What I am teaching her is not even close to the brutality the Noxian army has brought to our lands. You sit here safe beyond the reaches of death, rape, and torture behind a wall built by the corpses of your own people - of the children you've sent off. You're foolish and ignorant - and cowardly enough to depend on a child when she should be the one depending on the village to protect her. What a worthless life you lead, a leech incapable of defending itself or feeding itself without latching onto a more accomplished creature, Noxus would make quick work of you."

His eyes widened and his hand began to twitch with an insatiable urge to sink his blade deep into the man's chest - to show him what thousands of others had experienced in an effort to keep his miserable life safe. Haruko listened to the rapidly beating heart below him, now convinced evermore that humans were just lowly prey to be snared and butchered. The Lhotlan's neck tilted left as he observed the creature writhing in the dirt, pale canines visible with the mocking grin and wrinkled lip he gifted this pathetic excuse for a life:

"Without her you're nothing but fodder and meat for their hungry blades - and it scares you. It felt good, didn't it? Hiding under the cloak of your own righteousness. Stop acting as if you did not cause the bruises on her skin just as much as I did, or perhaps you're ever more to blame, after all, without your incessant screeching she would not be here. She would be safe in the countryside with me, but you couldn't risk that, could you? If you want her to not be hurt well - " Haruko stepped off of the man to drop his spear over his chest, "Fight your own battles, you fucking cunt."

Haruko turned his attention back to Irelia, his face softening and voice warm, "Come - I'll prepare a salt bath for your wounds. We're done for the next few days - they can train each other. You need to rest and I don't want to hear any whining or complaining about it. You're thick headed and stubborn, but within it all you are mortal - either you rest your body, or your body will give up on you. Now come, I want to wash myself of that lowly creature's blood - I feel infected just having touched it."

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

Because I know we talked about it but also because I know it's smthn u enjoy thinking about: How much has Tarhos corrupted Haru and how much of it is just the darkin is a God, corrupted as he may be, that actually answered his prayers unlike the others?

✧ ── 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 LEAGUE VERSE

Something that makes Haruo and Tarhos' relationship unique is, at least to me, their joined mindspace - while Rhaast and Kayn can communicate telepathically and can read eachother it is still two separate beings bickering with one another. For Haruko and Tarhos the line is much more blurred; they experience eachother's feelings and desires, hear each single thought and even have shared dreams. They are less "two people in one body" and much more "one person in two bodies" in terms of how they can communicate with eachother, I mean technically if we wanted to get really into it we could debate about how there is no true unified "self" but rather a fractaling recursion of self-repeating selves - think about how your conscience talks to you in your own voice or how you ask yourself questions and you answer them - that. Its incredibly complicated to try to explain in a tumblr post but that is how, for myself at least, Haru and Tarhos operate. Tarhos and Haru can hear the other one talking and know its not them doing it but it still feels like their own thought. I hope that makes sense because it's only going to get worse from here -

While that isn't necessarily the question I do think its an important thing to distinct when speaking about them; before Tarhos found a vessel they basically acted as a singular unit anyway - I doubt that mindset would change much once he took over the dragon in Ionia. So, beginning with that I'm going to continue on and say that I don't think Haru was "corrupted" so much as he was validated. Before the Noxian invasion Haruko was most likely living peacefully in Bahrl with his village and family, there was tension between Vastayans and Humans as always but he didn't go out comitting murder for fun. He just simply did not interact with them or care enough to - and I really don't think he cared about or even knew about Noxus. Based on that alone we can see a distinct difference from the past to present, and I do think that has a large chunk to do with Tarhos. Darkin are PTSD ridden forgotten Gods whose last moments feeling sunlight were surrounded by the rise of the Void, and the fall of Azir along with the Empire of Shurima - and when Haruko first found Tarhos, the blade was eager for bloodshed and violence.

Upon first contact their minds partially merged, Haru's strength of spirit was able to dominate and shackle back Tarhos' possession of him for the most part, but not completely. The battle was fought and Haruko fled having lost practically everything within a single day by an unknown force that brutalized without mercy - which I'm sure is an event Tarhos can understand way too well. This is where the validation and mind-merging come into play; even if Tarhos did not actively say anything to Haru at that time, Haru can still feel what Tarhos is and vice versa. Within Tarhos' own bloodlust and hatred towards the Void Haru felt validated and correct in his anger and immediate dehumanization of Noxians; seeing them as a plague to Ionia much like the Void is a plague to Shurima. Once the mind has decided to dehumanize it is very easy for people to fall into acts of violence without any reprise or guilt over them; its happened many a time throughout history and is still happening today. And that is very hard to change once its cemented, particularly through a place of deeply rooted trauma which resulted in a cultural and territorial genocide. One of which the very land has still not healed from.

Haru does view Tarhos as a God too - he is one - and to have those views validated and reaffirmed by something so universally larger than him screams to him that he is correct. Tarhos didn't have any bit of a healthy mindset when they originally met, they were both spiteful and livid at the world around them - and violence always breeds violence, anger breeds anger etc. With Tarhos healing though it does leave an actively larger question regarding that original validation; does it still hold as much as it should? Haru hates Noxians so much and frankly would be fine if they were eradicated, but that seems a very sharp shift for a creature thats lived in relative peace for 300+ years. Anger is often a mask we wear to hide things we're not ready to face yet, its the brain defending itself from whatever ugly can of worms needs to be opened but will really really hurt when it eventually does.

In short, Haru has found comfort, validation, and solace in a bloodthirsty God which reaffirms his fury and approves of it - he isn't getting any help for the legitimate reasons he's like this - and until he does there won't be any end to it. I don't think he was corrupted, I think Tarhos' just helped pour gasoline ontop of a small fire and both of them let it explode without really thinking about the consequences afterwards or why the fire was there to begin with.

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

" no bingo... ah. what can i say, not everyone is cut to handle me. "

✧ ── 𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐒 Are you Haru's Type?

The Vastayan's nose wrinkled upwards as he pierced through the man with his stare, pupils bloating as his nose filled with the scent of Draven's cologne - the pungent odor telling him all he needed to know. Ahh, why did all of these creatures keep finding him? What was the strange universal tug keeping him from slicing this man's head clean off to serve as a goblet for his beloved God? Certainly the crunch of Noxian bones and the last gurgling of life spilling from his wounds would be a much more pleasant sound than his inane prattle.

"I'll give you 3 minutes to leave before I slit your eyelids open, you filth."

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

"I have a feeling we would indeed get along well."

✧ ── 𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐒 Are you Haru's Type?

"Hm~" A pleased hum rumbled in his chest as he gazed over the marked parchment while his finger fluttered upon each row and column with a curious chirp. "Well....I am certainly impressed, but unfortunately I'm not fond of those who flurry about in relationships." His hand waved dismissively before tapping upon the question mark as the forests around them fell quiet, a powerful aura thundering nearby, "Well," Haruko lifted his spear off of his back and twirled it into place. The weapon's edge was kissed with dried blood while it thumped and pulsed within his palm - his lips a smirk,

"Want to see if you can kill me, pretty boy?"

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

Round 2 (she did worse)

✧ ── 𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐒 Are you Haru's Type?

A sneer with wrinkled lip crossed over his face, his ears laying flat against his head while he gazed downward upon the young woman as well as the parchment she had given him. Upon the realization it felt as though he were looking at the devil, and the once dry paper felt smothered in blood; sticky, disgusting, diseased. His pupils sharpened down into a slit as his feathers and fur began to fluff, a bubbling hatred beginning to simmer and surface - his fingers twitched with the need to drive his spear's blade between her brows. How he longed to feel the bone of her skull crack udner the pressure and split in two...the Vastayan centered himself upon feeling a low hum rumble his soul, his Heartlight calling him to peace, not now - not yet. Instantly his hackles lowered and the talons on his ankles curled downward.

"You reek of Noxian filth, girl."

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

Staring at Tarhos outside of Robibi's garden, "What the fuck is that???" Squinting even more at Haru, "What the fuck is THAT????? Looks like an overgrown chicken-" - Danny @ Robibi league verse

═══ UNPROMPTED INTERACTIONS ═══ LEAGUE VERSE

"Place the marigold next to the newt tongue...it'll promote...Huh-- W-What was that dear? What is what?" His voice was as fleeting as hares jumping about in spring as he fashioned the layout of their cabinets, had his beloved even labeled this herbs right? Ugh... No, he didn't, this smelt almostly sourly of cilantro, why was it marked as sage? Robin jolted when Danny's voice cut through him with the sudden shift in volume, the mage finally turning to face him before his now relaxed eyelids stretched wide and horrified at the visage infront of his home. Something about that outline was too foreign, he knew it to be the shape of one of Ionia's beloved dragons, but something about it screamed wrong. Needless to say, it didn't take long for him to step into the sunlight to join at Danny's side on their porch, instinctually stepping slighly infront of him with an arm blocking him.

"Go inside, now. Let me handle this, go downstairs and hide - "

The hidden blade within his sleeve dropped into his hand to quickly block the tip of a spear that seemed to pulse with the same sickly aura of that horrific beast. Robin's wide eyes met Danny's for only a moment as he slid back, his heels catching in just enough time for him to shove his fiance back into the house and shut the door. Though that was as much as he was allowed before the blunt face of the spear slammed into his temple, his world dizzying wildly as he collapsed onto his side. His palm slipped out from under his weight twice before he finally got ahold of himself, his ivories now stained by the crimson he spat onto the wood beneath him. Two golden talons flicked downward to barely brush through his eyelashes, his body nearly jolting in fright then it occured. He thought with all of the years away from it, all of that time never fearing a thing - that perhaps he had lost the sensation of horror; however the adrenaline threading itself along each one of his nerves told him otherwise.

Damn. And he was away from his books inside too... He was never much good in hand to hand combat, without a conduit on hand this could get messy - a bloodbath waiting to happen. The mage's skull felt almost ready to crack under the pressure being exerted onto it, barely able to catch himself when he was tossed downward. Robin's worst nightmares came to fruition when he felt a hand wrap around his neck and slam him onto his spine - finally able to see the gaze of his assailant. Something ancient and wild hovered over him, periwinkle irises reflecting the gasping mess below - those eyes held not an ounce of mercy within them, there was...nothing. No, the darkness between each thread of azure seemed to wiggle and writhe - it was as thought a thousand eyes were staring at him, each a feral and wild predator ready to rip and tear him into pieces.

"Can you see me? Can you see what's reflected in my eyes?"

Hell...right infront of him. Hell, in the eyes of a living being. Robin's mouth went dry as he watched helplessly, the knife nearly forgotten about as curls soft as seafoam fell around him and onto his hands. He saw it all, the invasion, the blood, the screams - the way the silence after was so much worse.... and then.. His Other Half. Something - no, someone - had joined him on this long journey, as though they were the only two left in the world. Robin's body jolted once more as the hand tightened around his throat, fingers each turning into a vice that threatened to tear his life away at any moment. Other half... The thought of this freak somehow getting to his Danny sent him into a frenzy, his forehead slamming into his nose before he kicked the Vastayan away. He was aiming to defend himself as he watched the bird lick the blood from his upper lip, the red framing his canines in a show of dominance.

"Mmm... The Spirit resides in this one too, Tarhos. Even for a foreigner...well I suppose the great Mother has enough blessings for even the least deserving." The spear swirled along his arms before resting upon his shoulders in a hypnotizing display, "I had fun playing with you, human... but I have to go - "

"D-Don't touch him - I'll fucking kill you - "

────────────────────────────────────────────

Such a threat split a shockwave of thrill through the Vastayan as he knelt down before the mage, chittering at him as though inviting a child to play. Humans were always so funny in that way, always thinking their little lives were so important. Although the mention of "him" brought a click to Haru's tongue and a tilt of his head, he'd barely even noticed the other one now lurking in the residence. Did it really matter? If these two were chosen by the Spirit, who was he to interfere? Then again - that bitch Karma was supposedly closely tied to Ionia and look what stupidity and terror she wrought upon the land. He finally stood up, laughing slightly, "As long as neither of you are from that pack of Rats - I suppose I don't really care about what happens to either of you - "

Haruko?

The world nearly cracked into a thousand of fractured images when the voice of his mother called from the woods, a voice he had longed to hear again and yet how flatly his ears now lay against his head. The Vastayan loosened his posture in a feign of confidence, he brought himself to stand straight despite how his left ear still curled towards the forest. Haruko... Haruko... I love you. I miss you. Something screamed inside of him, a searing hellfire within his chest shrieking as though trying to rip through his own ribcage to escape from whatever was lurking within the shadows of the trees. Far beyond the childish keening of an azakana, far older...far worse. What was calling him just beyond the edge? The cough below him caught his attention once more as he tried to ignore and shove down the various whispers,

"I-I said I would kill you...g-get out."

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

✧ ─ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐒 ─ ✧ ℍ𝔸ℝ𝕌𝕂𝕆 ℕ𝔸𝕂𝔸𝕊𝕆ℕ𝔼 ... 【 ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴄʀʏ ᴏꜰ ᴅᴀᴡɴ 】 - ʟᴇᴀɢᴜᴇ ᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ

── "𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒."

I know its been a while since I've done one of these but bear with me; I've been thinking quite heavily upon the fact that I use a lot of religious references within my writing with Haru, particularly in his league verse with @bells-of-black-sunday's Tarhos - and I don't think I've ever went into detail about how literal it is. When its said that Haru worships the ground Tarhos walks on and sees him as a God ...

It's 100% literal;

Haruko legitimately views Tarhos as a fallen ancient God who has given him the power and influence to save his country, his people, and drive out an invasive pest that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. This is largely due to the timing in which they met; they did not meet on the first day of the Noxian invasion - Tarhos was on the Northern coast of Bahrl and Haruko was on the Southern coast when the invasion began. Before the war began Haru lived in relative peace with his family and his community, a 300 year old Vastaya who did not drive a lot of conflict and was happy with his little life. Within the first few weeks of the invasion Haruko lost all of that, his community was gassed, his family was killed, and he could not defend any of it - the best he could do was heed his mother's warnings and flee to the North. He stewed in his mind for weeks on end that were filled with nothing but misery, carnage, and the desecration of life - and not a single GOD answered his prayers.

He prayed to the Spirit, to the Gods of Targon he'd heard whispers of, to the Sun, the Moon, and not once did he receive any sort of solace from the laceration of his homeland. Not only that but the farther North he went the more whispers of how Karma, the Kinkou, and many others were opting for peace - which destroyed Haru's faith in his own fellow man too. The leaders and spiritual guides of Ionia were cozy up on the mainland, they couldn't even begin to imagine the horrors taking place on the island and how the Epool River had become like Styx with how many corpses were floating in its once sacred waters. Seeing the Wuju temples destroyed is what finally sent him to flee to the Mainland to try and escape the waking HELL that was the active conquest of Bahrl. His grief was insurmountable, his very soul quaking with the very Land's screams of torture as Guardian tree's were burned and its people ransacked, killed, and used like trophies.

Haruko's spirit had cracked violently by the time he met Tarhos, and it was by mere chance that Haru's spear was knocked away on a coastal assault just before he was about to leave; and it was chance that the Noxian fleet's churning motors knocked the Dakrin weapon free. When he saw a blade of sanguine within the pools he wasn't thinking about if it would harm him, he was only thinking about how it would block the next sword thrusting at him. The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt he was immediately invaded; his mind instantly boiling with a poison stew as he saw inside of the mind of a Darkin. He almost lost himself but through sheer force of will he pushed Tarhos' being down into submission in his mind and suddenly - the Noxians within his path were falling like flies. The blade absorbed the filth and viscera, and once it had gained enough strength; it spoke to him ... and answered him. This bloodthirsty, screaming God locked within a sword was the only thing to have EVER answered him and show him its barest power by allowing Haru to litter the beach with bodies without earning a single scratch.

Gods, for most of history, were not loving and benelovent beings, they were explanations for carnage, horrors of nature, and the unknown - beings that stood upon the pinnacle of existence and stewed within the bowls of the pit of terror inconceivable by the mortal mind. This act in and of itself, to be able to steal the lives away of so many without consequence - Haruko was in awe, nothing else could possibly explain in his mind what had just happened but divinity. Given his life and origins Haru never had any education on Darkin, they didn't concern him and he didn't even know they existed since his village was small and he's never left Ionia. All he knew is that finally something had answered him.

Even so, once this was all over Haru was able to put the weapon down, but the connection remained and the Vastayan was given a choice - Tarhos was impressed enough by his bravery that he didn't dominate Haruko when he was vulerable again after the fight. He could leave Tarhos behind on this ship and doom someone else to become his vessel or ... he could pick the blade back up and drink down the blood within it; to gain power like he felt on the beach, to never have to be alone and scared ever again. The choice was easy to Haru; the war was still raging and he saw well enough into the Darkin's soul as well to know that Tarhos was much more than what he appeared to be, both mentally and the physical shape he took. After weeks of disassociating Haru's second grasp of Tarhos awoke his mind and reconnected every bit of him back together again; his essence and his physical form had never felt so connected. Himself and Tarhos were present in every muscle twitch and pump of blood in his veins, he felt strong for the first time since the invasion began.

Now able to control his fate and with the power of a God in his soul, Haruko finally had security; his faith to Tarhos a stepping stone into a higher plane that will allow him to grasp all of his dreams with the right amount of effort. Even ones that seemed impossible before. The Darkin had already proven his loyalty and honorable nature to Haruko and the Vastayan found it easy to trust him, its difficult to not trust someone after seeing every corner of their mind and sensing their very existence in every waking moment of your life. Tarhos proved that he could answer Haruko's prayers and this is what drives Haru to actively search and find a proper Vessel for conquest. As a showing of his dedication to Tarhos, Haruko is even willing to go so far as to cut down one of the most powerful creatures in Ionia for Tarhos to take over; A Dragon. Not even this act caused a flicker of doubt in his mind; watching that noble creature be cracked to bits was one of the most pleasurable visions he'd ever seen - he'd finally be able to hold his other half and gaze upon his God within a more fitting vessel. It is a symbolic ceremony that relinquishes Haruko's commitment to the peaceful calls of Ionian leadership and places his resolve in something that has given and offered him not only a way to rest his mind and a forever companion, but means to exact revenge on those who have hurt him.

At a shallow looking it does appear to be quite Not Good™ with how Haruko will and does listen to Tarhos for guidance, he holds the Darkin's opinions even above his own at times and does allow himself to be convinced of things he might not have been before. A key example of this is his treatment of Noxians vs Ionians; his countrymen are treated kindly and even in cases of @deathdxnces he takes people under his wing - his personality calms and he lacks the same ferocity. This even extends to @deathfxnds, who, while born Noxian, Haru does not see as one - perhaps thinking that the Darkin God Kayn wields has equally cleansed his soul of his weaker limitations. Haru's incredibly brutal treatment of Noxians is both an influence of Tarhos own carnality as well as the Vastayan's seething hatred towards what was made of his people and home; the Darkin bond between the two of them brews up something truly malicious. Tarhos and Haruko are both now above what normal people are capable of, The Ascended are Gods and Haruko has been chosen to merge with one - thus making him close to one as well; and his hatred of Noxians alongside this new power has turned them into insects in his mind. He's completely dehumanized them, and he's content - even pleased - to be the one able to bathe in their blood.

Haruko has also greatly influenced Tarhos - this isn't a simple case of one taking over the other, its a perfect 50/50 split of corruption; they are one soul split into two bodies. The Darkin's view of mortals has even shifted due to the Vastayan's influence, Haru has never necessarily cared for mortals, but instead tends to view them as stumbling children who need guidance. He didn't have any urges for slaughter before the war and the ones he currently holds are saved for Noxians - and this is shown in how Tarhos specifically targets Noxians for feedings; he'll avoid Ionians. The Darkin is at ease in Ionia because of Haru's own feelings towards his home - neither of them are trying to sway the other in anyway or change them; they exist as a melting pot of two lives, much akin to the Kindred. Somehow even if Haru's physical form was destroyed, he would just end up trapped with Tarhos back in that blade - but at least now they would have eachother to keep company with in the dark.

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

✏️ your turn (can do haru for a change maybe? >:))

✧ ── 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑

Oleander, cowering in fear: What do you want from me?! Haruko, standing in front of Oleander: *bites into the whole KitKat bar like a heathen* Oleander, crying: Please...stop...

──

Oleander: That was so hot, Haruko. Haruko: I literally called the person who just flirted with you a degenterate dog and told them I hope they get dragged through the streets. Oleander: I'm so in love with you.

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

The darkin's claws gently run over Haru's skin, tracing every dip, curve, and scar until he suddenly sneezes as the bar is pressed through his septum. He shakes his head sniffing before glancing to Haru trying not to laugh though he knew he could not hide his amusement from the bird, "Sorry love." Still he moved to peer at his own reflection, admiring the ring that now adorned his beak as if it were a wedding band. There was something so... beautiful about it? How it reminded him of his former glory.

Tarhos's eyes fall half lidded leaning into the vastaya's touch again. It was almost bizzare how a creature like him could hold so much love and adoration in one look. His fins fall and it almost seems like he isn't going to speak before he coos and opens his teeth, "....I love you." His voice is so soft, meek even as if those words weren't meant for anyone to hear yet they're so limiting for the emotions that swell his heart and fill his head, but at least Haru would understand.

── 𝐔𝐍𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 ── LEAGUE VERSE

"There you go, my Bull, deep breath in and - "

The needle swiftly stabs through the soft muscle of Tarho's nose, the Vastayan quick to slide a beautifully adorned ring in its place. The hot puff of air sends his ears pinning downward in preparation for something wet to hit him - but the sensation never comes and he opens his pale eyes just in time to catch the way his husband chittered and chirped in amusement. Haruko's ears flick forward once more as he reminds his hands to instead bring them to the branch below him, gripping to eagerly swing down and land beside the river's edge. His feathers flutter in pride; he's placed it perfectly upon Tarhos' features and picked a lovely band as well; the metal had been scooped out in various patterns - and it glimmers when Tarhos' head interrupts the ribbons of light dipping through the canopy.

His warm fingers cannot keep their distance for long though as he's quickly petting at Tarhos once more, strumming along the edges of his plates to allow his nails to curl upon the underside. His mane of curls nearly sparkle in the light as he reaches eagerly to cup his beloved's cheeks, himself nearly melting when Tarhos' relaxes low enough to gaze up to him. Warmth tingles the back of his mind as the two wordlessly acknowledge eachother, his very being becoming a pool to be filled with the gentle affections spilling from his lover's soul. It makes his heart pound and his cheeks flush, the words meet his ears like a summers breeze across his skin.

"I love you too."

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

“ i don’t actually enjoy killing. it’s messy. the blood gets everywhere. it’s just necessary sometimes. ” [[for Haru 👀]]

✧ ── 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒 Trigger Warning for Blood - obvs. LEAGUE VERSE

He loathes the resistance within him, the inability to lunge forward and rip her tongue from her neck; to cut her hopes away and deny her the pleasure of seeing her obsession one more time. Her perfume stings his nose - Noxian, of course - it smells like mold and rot to him; thousands of decaying bodies within the War Machine used to fund the entire empire. His stomach churns with want, his fingers itch, the sweet and sticky brain juices that would slide down his arms at the cracking of her skull ... He imagines it would be thin, like a bird ... The screams she would make when his knife slid under the frontal bone and slit into her mind, her tiny little body would hardly be able to resist ...

The fate to be covered in Noxian blood was a birthright gifted to him and activated upon the moment their vile kind dared to step upon Ionia's shores; still - despite his burning nerves, he doesn't attack. Not yet. Not until he can figure out that festering aura wiggling just under her skin, like a mischief of rats trying to break out of their blood bag. How he yearns to gut the little creature before him.

"All your kind enjoy killing, its the only thing that's mutual between us - there's no other fleeting joy in life than taking another's life and watching the light burn out behind their eyes." The struggle, the cries, the solace of silence afterward ... He'd need to go on a hunt soon, if not to slaughter this one - another would do, her time would come eventually. The vastayan folds his arms with a tilt of his head, "Your whole empire is built upon blood and corpses, and the control of that slaughter - I can't stand hypocrites and those unwilling to accept their most base desires. You love killing, if you didn't you would avoid it, but you don't. What a delusional child, more a mouse than a rat."