#♔headcanon || do you know between fairytales and the truth

[mallaacht]

The Multicoloured Gods of Death

During Mallacht's era Yveltal came in all sorts of colours. Each colour representing the kind of death that came to a person. They are listed as:

Indigo: The God of Death and Oblivion, this Yveltal came from those who lived an ordinary life and did nothing of note. A death that comes when they least expect it, in sleep, creeping up on you....

Violet: The God of Death and Ego, this Yveltal is personal. The madness that seeps into the mind, corrupts it. Makes them hallucinate and see things. Paranoia and suspicion. This is death of the self, because of the self.

Blue: The God of Death and Destruction, this Yveltal is just ruin incarnation. Anything it touches shall be destroyed. A lone flower shall wither; the love between a pair will suddenly grow cold; the light of day gives way to an empty star. Civilizations lost.

Green: The God of Death and Plagues, this Yveltal spreads sickness. New and old diseases come and go, but not a single person is ever truly healthy. The concept of aging was born from this Yveltal. Immortality taken from the moment of birth and allowing mortals to exist amongst the immortals.

Yellow: The God of Death and Famines, this Yveltal withers food. Makes it scarce. Causing hunger in those nearby, even when there is plenty. Real or artificial, food seems like it is never enough. Many die, while surrounded by bounty, starving themselves out of useless necessity.

Orange: The God of Death and Pestilence, this Yveltal brings with it swarms that will destroy all in their wake. Causing untold harm to everyone around. Working with the other deaths, pestilence is a relentless, harmful death that refuses to leave.

Red: The God of Death and War, this Yveltal heralds conflicts. Wrath, anger running rampant and peoples never seeing eye to eye. The world would be in constant battle wherever this Yveltal flies.

People were of course distrustful of Yveltal and hunted down the nests until extinction, until, in the end, one lone egg was saved, thus dooming the world at large to its ultimate fate of eternal conflict. Had humanity left well enough alone, they would have still needed to endure death, but it would have been in equal, fair amounts. But due to the hunting of divinity to selfishly stay themselves an awful fate, now they are doomed to war after war after war. Such was their choice and consequences of their actions.

[mallaacht]

The Royal Armaments

There is a way to break the curse on Mallacht placed there by humanity's malice and that is by returning the lost Royal Armaments to them and recreating their coronation ceremony wherein their true name is bestowed upon them once more.

So, to be clear, the requirements are: the 18 Royal Armaments of the Eternal King; a coronation ceremony; their true name.

When the divine twins were crowned as rulers, they were gifted 9 items each, for a total of 18. They are as follows:

1. The Shield of Promised Victory/The Rusty Shield

A shield of incredible defense. In its hayday those with Fighting spirit matched well with this item. At some point, it was in the hands of a royal guard in Mallacht's court. Currently in the possession of Hop, in Galar.

2. The Sword of Promised Glory/The Rusty Sword

A sword blessed by the fae. In its hayday, it glowed with Fairy light when danger was nearby. Mallacht carried this weapon everywhere with them. Currently in the possession of Brenleigh, in Galar.

3. The Lance of Promised Loyalty/The Lance of Ruin

A lance that became stronger the more loyal the person who bore it. It is a construct of strong Steel. Once upon a time, it was held by a loyal knight, but soon became tainted with betrayal. Currently in possession of Mallacht, disguised as a parasol.

4. The Scythe of Promised Bounty

Despite its frightening appearance, when this weapon is waved, many things will bloom into being. There is a pattern of Grass and flowers along the sharp edge of the scythe. Its location is unknown.

5. The Gauntlets of Promised Power

Forged in holy Fire, they are a pair that when separated can give each wearer incredible strength equal to the passion in their hearts. When worn together by one person, their strength is unfathomable. Its location is known.

6. The Glaive of Promised End

Gifted by a Dark god, the glaive was both for protection and fight. The glaive could pin the shadows of living beings, causing them to be stuck where they stood. Currently in the protection of Darkrai and his chosen one (@oneiromanciy).

7. The Bow of Promised Verity

This set of bow and arrows work with each other only. The bow will refuse to shoot any other kind of arrow and the arrows will never fly true in any other bow. Made out of silver, the bow will send arrows Flying true, straight to their target. Their current location is unknown.

8. The Mace of Promised Solidarity

Honestly, it was meant as a joke among the gods -- at least until waving it around proved dangerous for mortals. The mace can control Rock, bending it to the wielder's will, changing its shape and make. It was last seen in a curio shop in Kanto....

9. The Dagger of Promised Duplicity

It is said this dagger can drink Poison. Touching the tip to any toxic substance will change the blade's colour, indicating the poison within. The blade will also attain the properties of the poison it has come into contact with. Last seen used in a slew of murders in Sinnoh 500 years prior...

10. The Whip of Promised Connection

Made from the hairs of the Moon Maidens, they were weaved together to make this glittering beauty of a weapon. Those touched by the whip gain a Psychic connection with the one who had wielded it at the time; this was in the hopes of better understanding the thoughts of others. Another hit cancels the effect. Its location is unknown.

11. The Trident of Promised Thunder

Supposedly gifted by a sea god known for their wrath, with the help of some aerian deities who helped forge this weapon. When the trident points upwards, the clouds will part, but if it strikes the ground, lightning will strike, leaving the ground pulsing from an Electric current. Its location is unknown.

12. The Hammer of Promised Security

A hammer so small, yet so heavy. Created from an active volcano and the materials found in the Ground of a dying star, one strike can mend the land or cause horrific quakes. Its current location is unknown.

13. The Helm of Promised Protection

Shaped with a certain Pokemon's Bug-like head in mind, the wearer will gain a carapace like armor that is nearly impenetrable. Last seen somewhere in Alola...

14. The Fan of Promised Elegance

An ornate fan with rippling waves likened to Water, its wielder a certain flowing power. Whether eloquence with words, fluid movement that makes one more graceful and poised, if one can link it to water, it will come to them. It was last seen on display in a shrine to Lugia in Johto.

15. The Cloak of Promised Whispers

The god of the dead gave this to the divine twins, to aid them in understanding mortals by being able to be one with them, hear their whispers. The whispers of the dead are nothing to ignore and should be listened to. The cloak when worn, will make its wearer invisible, like a Ghost. Its location is unknown.

16. The Scepter of Promised Dominion

Covered in the scales of a powerful Dragon, it catches the light and reflects iridescent colours all around, dazzling those who look at it. The scepter recognizes those with indomitable spirits and identifies those with the ability to lead and succeed. It was last seen in an office of a certain school in Paldea...

17. The Ring of Promised Legacy

The proof of lineage, of divine blood and rule; granted the power of Kings. Those who wear this and are deemed unworthy will be turned into Ice. More than a few in the past have coveted this ring and met the same frozen fate. There were two made for the divine twins to share between them, giving them a special power. Mallacht is in possession of both rings, though they may bestow the second ring to another one day.

18. The Crown of Promised Reign

The final gift. A crown from Arceus himself. Placed upon each head of the twins, though now only one exists. A Normal enough sign of rule for any king, but no less important. It is located in Hammerlocke, on display in one of the museums.

It is said when all thee are restored to the Eternal King will their soul be able to rest in peace, finally. Zanoir will be quelled.

Over time the chamber which once held all of these armaments were raided, leaving behind only a few scant items still in Mallacht's possession. There are rumors that some families have passed them down as heirlooms, while others are traded about as ancient curious to be collected.

[mallaacht]

Members of the Court/Kingsguard List

Riona of Victory (ancestor/past life of @monterraverde)

Fonn of Loyalty

Critha of Bounty

Heririel of Power

Olthedir of the End (@grandomen)

Tlerian of Verity

Maethaon of Solidarity

Umbrandt of Duplicity (ancestor of @ladylvck/Lucia)

Angolon of Connection

Varon of Thunder

Colfindir of Security

Bronwechanar of Protection

Gaerien of Elegrance

Baradhion of Whispers

[mallaacht]

So...this is what happens when a Pokemon gets corrupted by Mallacht/Zanoir's Starscourge move.

[mallaacht]

Part one of members of Mallacht's ancient court with archetypes attached to them.

The Lancelot - The Nameless Retainer/Sir Fonn, wielder of the Lance

The Bedivere - Dame Riona Cayena/@monterraverde 's ancestor, wielder of the Shield

The Merlin - @oneiromanciy's currently unnamed ancestor, wielder of the Glaive

[mallaacht]

Just in case you get confused, sometimes Mallacht will accidentally say the ancient names of places instead of their more modern ones. Some of these names I share with @kingsthunder.

Galar = Beannaithe

Kalos = Gallia

Sinnoh = Yvdraesia (before it was Hisui)

[mallaacht]

In Ancient Galar proposals were not 'will you marry me' Proposals were 'may I promise myself to you'.

Basically word choices matter. Not asking the other person to join them, rather if they may be allowed to share a life, share time, share love to this one person in specific. That they may have a destiny entertwined forever.

Marriage back then was a contract. Asking to marry was akin to signing a contract.

Promising yourself to someone is devotion and love and that is why when Mallacht wishes to propose they will ask with the utmost sincerity--

'May I promise myself to you?'

[mallaacht]

Quick headcanon but those members of the court were given titles that linked them to the royal arms they were given. Some of these gave them excellent titles such as 'Riona of Victor' or 'Olthedir of the End', but then you have unfortunate members of the Kingsguard called 'Umbrandt of Disloyalty'. If that doesn't set you up for failure, I don't know what does.

[mallaacht]

Artwork by GEISTVIRUS.

An accurate-ish representtion of Star of Ruin form Zanoir.

[mallaacht]

The King and the Retainer

The little King was presented with a new member to the household by Dialga; a long standing servant to the God of Time who would now aid them in their duties.

A tall blond, human man of gentle bearing. That was what they thought, anyways. They read their soul and yes, much like other humans, there was sadness, melancholy, despair and desperation -- as was normal for this day and age of uncertainty and turmoil. However, there was also a conviction and kindness and they latched onto that with a smile.

"What's your name?" the godling had asked, curious to the new person in their life.

"My name is of no importance," he had replied, gently sidestepping the question. "I am, but your loyal servant, nothing more."

But he had become more. Someone who gave the child king advice, helping them understand the humans they reigned over. They learned of things that were both happy and sad; thanks to this man they truly became the paragon of humanity they were meant to be.

But, of course, as quickly as they learned, as wise as they had been blessed to be, they were still a child...

***

"My king, light of our kingdom...just what are you doing?" asked the retainer, tone resigned. He had long since gotten used to their odd little whims. They were supposed to be holding court today, but the godling had disappeared again, running off to their hideaway.

The child actually had the sense to look embarrassed, hiding something behind their back.

The retainer knew what it was, could sense what it was. Ah, time moved so quickly. Was it already that time of year already? Had spring come so fast; had yet another year passed without him realizing it? Still, he gave the child king a stern look, crossing his arms to show how displeased he was that the little king had shirked their duties.

...But that melted away quickly at the sight of shamed starry eyes downcasting themselves to the ground. He was weak when they looked so crestfallen. But only to this one; their twin could never successfully goad him into giving up the ghost. But perhaps it was because he had grown much closer to this godling, over the other.

It was a shame he could not love both so well.

"We'll keep this our little secret, then," he acquiesced, against his better judgment. Really, he should get rid of that egg before it hatched and caused no end of trouble. But the flow of time was surprisingly rigid at times; all things were meant to be, he believed.

As cruel as they were.

***

"Retainer?" Ah, yes. That was what they called him. So sweetly, shouting from across a grand hall to get his attention. Almost needy, yet so joyful at meeting him. Don't get too close, little godling, don't become too trusting. That is a lesson you must learn about humans. Don't trust us. Don't love us.

But he knew, that despite everything humanity did, they loved them and tried to help and guide them all regardless.

O sweet little king, light of their kingdom...

"Yes, my king?" he replied, smiling down at their liege.

"How come you do not age?" they asked. Another one of their millions of curious questions.

"Hmm...how come indeed?" he replied with a noncommittal hum.

***

War had descended upon the lands and conflicts arose more quickly than they could be quelled, yet his little king was an exemplary monarch in keeping everything calm and properly situated. But, of course, the people always asked for more. That was the nature of humans, unfortunately. To be greedy, to be always wanting, even if they were already comfortable and comforted after making poor choices that led to their own suffering.

Their king may have saved that disastrous Yveltal egg, nurturing it until it hatched, however, it was due to the superstitious and self serving nature of humans that required the godling to save that one single egg in the first place. Hunting Yveltal eggs in order to stave off ruin, keep away death; how stupid. The processes of nature were beyond the ken of normal humans, a lesson he learned all too harshly himself long ago...

How many years ago was it since that time....

Their king was shedding tears; bless their little heart, too human for the divine vessel that housed it. They wept for what they couldn't do, what they were limited to do. Their heart became more and more human as the days went on, which chained and limited them more and more. As if they were forgetting the miracles they could perform, the more blame was heaped upon them. Because, of course, humanity was never at fault. It was the fault of the gods who kept their distance and never did a thing.

Except the light of their kingdom, whose face they all knew and could approach to continually hurl insults and abuse, even though they still worked hard to protect these people.

And the worst was yet to come.

But he had remained by their side through it all, soothing the hurt, keeping the fire of hope alive. Keeping the spark in their eyes. Did they know they had such lovely, eyes filled with the stars of the cosmos. What a gift to be bestowed upon them by one of their brethren; the gods were so vain, making their creation to reflect upon themselves.

Their little king smiled through the sadness, as they were intended to do. They are nobility and bravery incarnate. The soul of courage meant to see humanity through its worst turmoils; the possibility of heroism and divinity in each human soul, if only they learned to think outside of themselves.

A little hand held their own as they overlooked the land together. Some places smoked, but from the ashes of ruin, soon life would spring again.

"Retainer?"

"Mm?"

"Will we always be together?"

"....."

"...Retainer?"

"....Forever and always. Even when you become the world's enemy, I will still ever be your retainer."

Not if, when. He'd slipped up, but their godling did not pick it up. Or if they did, chose to ignore it, simply gripping their fingers tighter.

They were still so small, so hopeful.

It was cruel what was happening to them. And before either of them knew it, the retainer swept up the little king into his arms.

"So do not cry, my king, light of our kingdom. Your heart will weep, and bleed for our people, but I will always be there to help you pick up the pieces."

They looked at him, assessing him. And he could feel the telltale touch of divinity brushing against his being, feeling his entire soul. Those fathomless eyes gauging and judging so deeply that it almost made him bristle, to demand they get out, but as soon as the feeling came it went away and they wrapped their little arms around his neck and clung onto him.

"Retainer, you're a bad liar. But that's okay, I will forgive your transgressions. You're only human."

The end was coming.

"Retainer, if I get into trouble, will you always come to help me?"

He smiled insincerely, to indulge the child. "But of course, that is my duty to you."

***

There was one cardinal law amongst the gods, one tenement that must not be broken: thou shalt not kill another god. This is the only 'sin' a deity could feasibly commit. The only thing that could stain them and ruin them. They could wipe out the whole world and it would not affect their minds; death was an inevitable thing for mortals. People suffer; it was hand-in-hand with existence, the other side of the coin people called happiness. How many times the coins flipped and landed on happiness or despair was often random, but was easily control by human hands.

And yet they still refused to take responsibility for their own actions.

The God of Death and War was allowed to be nurtured, the people spoke, so it was not their fault for their debauchery, hate and violence. Fools. Because they heard what had happened, they took it as a cover for their own sins, their own crimes, and piling them up upon one who could not sin.

Until...

They did not truly understand death. They were like the other gods, whose minds were beyond the natural understanding of mortals. When a mortal tried killing a true immortal, it just didn't work. Sometimes there was sport of it; the twins had been in tough situations where any normal man could be killed in the heat of battle.

But smiling, laughing, they would return home, covered in wounds, but still alive, still hopeful about the future.

However, this time he would dash their smiles.

They were talking about who would be the sacrifice, speaking as if it would not be so serious. It was another action of placating the masses as war, famine and plagues continued to run rampant across the land (not because of the twins, never the twins; always humans, those nasty, disgusting, horrible--)

They spoke about who it should be. They were serious, because matters of the state were always treated seriously, but they were not too worried. One of them needed to be taken to the sacrificial table, something created by the people. They had their own practices and beliefs -- offerings were made in this bloody manner very often. If the gods received their sacrifices, then surely they would be appeased and grant them boons.

The gods were already here, watching over them, but of course, because they looked like them, the people forgot that the divine twins were deities in their own right. Deities who were much too indulgent and forgiving.

Perhaps, this was retribution on the side of the betrayed godling who was put to the table and killed. Perhaps it all spiraled and the anger and malice of humankind became too big to handle, becoming its own living entity...

Whatever the case, he was the one who put the blade in their king's hand and gravely told them,

"This is your duty to fulfill for your people."

They did not cry. They did not respond. Just a resignation the second he finished his sentence. Or maybe, perhaps they finally peered deep enough into his soul to discern the truth.

They smiled at him, though. And a little hand reached up and petted his head, as he crouched there in front of the light of their kingdom, as if he needed to be the one to be comforted.

These were not tears, he told himself. It's just the rain that did not fall that day when the greatest sin was committed in the name of man.

***

They laid curled up, alone in bed. The other side which had used to house their sibling was devoid of their presence. Their heart twisted and ached as their hand stroked the spot where the other would be. It was cold and lonesome.

It hadn't been long since the burial, since the crow of adulation and cries towards the heavens of fervent prayers for blessings to befall them, for their sins to be cleansed in the blood of the sacrifice given to them.

They felt sick; the air was thick and nauseous, intolerable.

It would be so easily solved if they could simply forgive their own actions. What was one life in the grand scheme of things.

But it wasn't just one life, it was their other half. Like part of them had been cleaved away leaving them with a gaping wound, bleeding out, letting the infection in--

They told themselves to remain strong. That is what a king must be. They were tasked with this land and its people; to guide and care for them no matter the cost.

Even if they had to sin; even if they had to give up so much.

They gave their own flesh and blood up. They do not call the others kindred anymore; they are a kindred slayer now. That sin will follow them forever. What right did they have to call them family, when they could so easily sink a blade into the heart of one who loved them. Surely, there was no greater evil than that.

And so the air was thick with sin that was never washed away, never forgiven. And so, it brought more malice to them, that clung onto them, jabbing into their being like thousands of swords until, until...

...with no love or hope left to them, they were to be sacrificed, too, to the evils of the world.

***

"Ah, Retainer...you lied, didn't you?"

[mallaacht]

Mallacht's aura is...unknowable. Like eldritch level unknowable. For your sake, don't look too closely, we're talking Cthulu levels of madness here. If you look only on the surface, you will see the purity, the essence of the stars and this heavenly aura of kingliness few will possess. But if you dare to dig deeper, the layers are there and maddening. Sun/moon. Time/space. Fire and ice. Contradiction, after contradiction; to try and comprehend all of it at once is trying to understand a god's soul with a mortal mind.

BEST NOT TO DIG IN TOO DEEP.

[mallaacht]

If you give Mallacht a nickname they will adore you. Like seriously, their name means 'CURSE' in Galarian. And it was a name given to them by the people they once loved and cherish and protected. So if the new people in their life give them a nickname, especially one close to their true name, they will love that person. Like a lot. They would take a sword for that person.

[mallaacht]

Eyes are the windows to the soul and that is no truer than with the gods.

Divine eyes do not reflect what is right in front of them, instead showing either an abyss or endless stars or whatever is thematic to that divinity. Sometimes you stare into a dark god's eyes and you see an endless, unfathomable abyss that will twist your soul and drive you into madness...

For Mallacht, their eyes reflect a gorgeous starry night. The only time their eyes will change to reflect anything is if they have truly fallen for someone and when they look at that person, they will show within their eyes. Though most will not notice this detail unless they are face-to-face with the Eternal King and hardly anyone is ever allowed that close.

[mallaacht]

Their reason for trying to find a worthy soul? So they could find someone strong enough to end them. Their greatest fear is living as All the World's Evils long enough to become resentful of all existence and destroying it. They'd rather die than become the reason for the end of all things. Not just humans. Pokemon. Nature. The universe itself. Their ultimate fate is either death by hero or devouring the entirety of the Universe as Zanoir.

[mallaacht]

Never make them angry.

The ground will crack and break, the air will become suffocating, almost as it's being drawn away from your lungs. Every step they take will ring in your ears, almost in time with your beating heart. Louder than your own breaths. Every bit of your attention will be on them, your whole being will know nothing but them.

Their rage is palpable; all will know when the King of Kings has been angered.

The whole world will feel it when All the World's Evils has but one single target to unleash every single bit of wrath, malice and anguish accumulated over several millennia. You will know the inherited rage of billions of lost souls wronged by their fellows and themselves.

Their gentle demeanour is dropped at the same time their parasol is lowered and the truth is revealed. Light cannot exist at the same time they do, like a blackhole dragging everything into itself. Blackness and darkness swirls around them, as light and energy is eaten up by the sleeping corruption within them.

You will know everything and nothing at the same time.

And you will regret ever making the one called the Accursed focus all their rage on you.

[mallaacht]

A key on how they refer to people...

Lord/Lady: polite distance

Little Miss: fondness of a young girl

O Youth: fondness of a young boy

Dear Friend: someone they're close to/fond of

Scholar/Scholarly: they think they're very smart

Brother/Sister: you're so close and they'd fight a bewear for you

High Lord/Lady: polite disdain/mocking

Dear Heart: the love of their life without saying love of their life