#(fairies and demons and everything supernatural exists)

[qapsiel]

"IF YOU DON'T HAVE A FIREPLACE, can Santa Claus even come to you and bring you gifts?"

[elbiotipo]

I think there's a real problem of medieval fantasy slop writers trying to combine fantasy stories based in myth and folklore of the early middle ages (what tolkien did) with a setting that is incredibly late-middle ages, with large cities with guilds and catholic church expies. It just makes everything feel contrived if the bureaucracy of the Hanse co-exists with the Nibelung saga. The magic also never makes any sense because of this, with nonsensical references to Kabbalah mysticism, alchemy and the Seal of Solomon in a world of Faeries, Druids and Elves.

Either make a setting that is mythical (early middle ages, folklore and myths, as little allusions to Christianity as possible) or just write a low fantasy story set in the late middle ages where western mysticism is materially true. Your wizards have to make sense. They're either Merlin (has incredible magic powers because his dad is a demon) or they're king solomon (mystics who practice rituals in accordance to traditions based on abrahamic theology and neoplatonism)

You've put it into words better than I could.

Honestly I think "low/high" fantasy are vague... but I think the point about magic you made is very interesting.

There is a difference between "mythical" magic, which is the one that you find the most in fairy tales, epic tales, mythical tales, with characters such as Merlin or the gods themselves indeed being able to just enact their supernatural powers like mythical beings...

...and a more "ritual" magic which is in fact rather close to historical occult, alchemical, religious etc. practices. A supernatural, organized understanding of the world with ritual practices that were aimed to both spiritual enlightenment (THIS IS THE PART THAT MODERN FANTASY OFTEN SKIPS. MAGICAL PRACTICES ARE ALSO SPIRITUAL PRACTICES) and having influence over the material world, or at least trying to understand it. Alchemical experiments, divination, rituals, and yes, much of religious customs...

The first one is roughly what Tolkien approached to, because he was writing in basically a mythical register, a legend for modern times. Gandalf is not a wizard because he studied arcane books, there are hints of that, mentions of arcane orders and such, but he is basically a mythical being like Merlin in an epic tale.

Meanwhile, other fantasy works (I'm mostly thinking of TTRPGs and Videogames here) treat magic as a tool while completely skipping the spiritual and mystical context on which it always appears in human culture.

My advice for those who are writing a "magical system" and want to keep a non-mythical setting is that they don't look so much to Gandalf or D&D but rather real historical esoteric, religious and occult orders, see how they and their beliefs were organized, the role they played in society, and more importantly how they saw the world.

[lura-valentine]

Answer to my survey:

It's just a concept image, but with every stroke on my graphics tablet, a story was put together in my head. It's totally mental and has nothing to do with Shigaraki per se, but I feel the need to share this fantasy with you.

Maybe when you look at the picture you have a completely different backstory. Write your thoughts in the comments or reblog✏️ to share your ideas like I’m doing now.

I for one am curious to hear what others think, so please don't be shy and join in 🤗

!!ヽ(ﾟдﾟヽ)(ﾉﾟдﾟ)ﾉ!!

The legend of Shigaraki, the cursed daimyō

Setting: Feudal Period (Medieval Japan)

This era is characterized by wars between samurai clans, shōgun rule, and Japan's isolation from the rest of the world.

Why this setting? Most myths and legends have their origins in the Middle Ages, which is why I chose this one.

Story

As a baby, Shimura Tenko was nothing more than a shadow in a dying empire - a child of a daimyō (Provincial ruler) with no future, rescued from the flames of war. An allied daimyō took in Tenko and his sister when their father fell to the blade of an enemy daimyō. They grew up in silk and honor, in a family that considered them their own, since the ruler's wife could not bear offspring. Shortly after his arrival, Shimura Tenko was given the name Shigaraki Tomura, heir to a fair clan, a ruling family that watched over their province with a firm hand but a kind heart.

However, his seventeenth summer brought not the rush of young power, but the bitter breath of death. A famine spread across the land like a heavy, invisible curse - fields withered, wells dried up, livestock died. The old prayed, the weak died, and in the dark nights people told stories about the cause of this torment: a Gashadokuro (Japanese demon (yōkai)) - a skeleton made from the bones of the starving, driven by an insatiable hatred for the living.

Tomura went into the forests with his father and his most loyal warriors to drive away the monster. The fight lasted an eternity, and when the daimyō seemed to have defeated the beast, the yōkai struck one last time - his bony claws digging into Tomura's chest and his curse flowing like black ink into his blood. With the last of his strength, the monster breathed out words colder than death itself:

"Wretched people... your kind will suffer as I have and decay will be your downfall."

Tomura survived, but the yōkai's dark poison now pulsed in his veins. The priests of his clan bound his curse with sacred seals, forcing the poisonous force back into the depths of his heart, but the seal was no cure - just a lock on the door to damnation.

When news of the cursed heir reached the Tennō (The official, divine ruler), the emperor was overcome with holy anger. He, a pious ruler, could not tolerate the existence of such tainted blood and ordered the shōgun to remove the scum.

But the Shōgun (the de facto true ruler of Japan) was a pragmatist - he didn't waste a second on supernatural fairy tales. No honorable samurai should risk his life for a superstition. Instead, he bought the services of a horde of Kusa-Musha, outlaw mercenaries who wiped out villages and anointed their blades with blood for a sack of coins.

⚠️🔞 And so they came in the night like wolves waiting for the wind. They set fire to the palace, killed samurai as well as servants and raped the women of the house - Tomura's mother, his sister... No one was spared. 🔞⚠️

In the ruins of the burning ancestral hall, as the icy night sky shook with the screams of the dying and Tomura's father was murdered before his eyes, it happened - the pain, the despair, the burning, inextinguishable hatred broke the chains and the seal broke.

A storm of pure darkness erupted in a single wave of destruction. Tomura's body tore apart with the birth of a new being - no longer human, no longer a mortal creature, but a walking curse. Flesh and bone gave way and the yōkai within him screamed, "Free at last!”

He destroyed everything and spared nothing, neither the murderers of his family nor the few survivors who had called him “Lord” that morning. A massacre that no one would sing about.

When Shigaraki woke up, he was lying on cold stone. His palace was nothing more than a skeleton of charred wood and molten bronze. The halls where his father once ruled are now rubble and dust. The streets - or what was left of them - were covered in ash that settled in his lungs as if it was taking away the last of his humanity.

He glanced at his hands and for a moment he thought they weren't his. Too long, too sharp, too strange. His nails were black, his skin looked like it was made of parchment and was streaked with fine, dark lines.

"The Hand of Decay" he thought, but before the thought was fully formed, a strange, deep voice interrupted him:

"Not the hand of decay... the wings of decay."

The voice was like thunder rumbling in his head, as if the sky itself was speaking to him - it was the yōkai within him.

Shigaraki froze. A shiver ran down his spine, so strange and yet familiar, as if something inside him had been sleeping for centuries and had now opened his eyes. His breathing was heavy, his heart was racing - or maybe it didn't beat at all anymore, maybe it had long since become something else.

Then he felt something, a tingling sensation in his shoulders, a tugging deep in his back - wings.

With a sound somewhere between a gasp and an unnatural crunch, he spread her. Thin, ghostly wings, veined like coarse parchment, as if they had lasted centuries before finding their true form at this moment.

The wind tugged at them as if to carry them away, but they held firm, trembling as a strange heat spread through his veins, making him drunk and burning the truth into his core.

He was no longer human, no longer a daimyō, no longer an heir to any name. He was a beast, a yōkai - a dragon of destruction.

And from that day on his name became a curse. Whispered on dark nights, murmured in prayers for mercy, a shadow over the land that had betrayed him:

Shigaraki, the cursed daimyō - the dragon with the wings of decay.

Basic idea of ​​my kite design

Western Dragon

I deliberately chose a Western dragon design because the Japanese dragon (Ryū - 龍 or 竜) is different from them in many ways. They are often associated with water, storms and divine wisdom, rather than fire and destruction. Their symbolism ranges from protection and prosperity to chaos and divine punishment.

So why did I choose a Western design when a Japanese dragon can also represent chaos and divine punishment? The reason is that I know very little about Japanese culture and am only equipped with Wikipedia knowledge. I don't want to tarnish this or any other culture, so I chose a dragon design that is clearly associated with destruction, chaos and revenge.

Moth: Symbol of transience and death

Moths have a subtle but profound symbolism in Japanese culture. They are less well known than butterflies, but their meaning is often associated with transience, destruction and obsession.

In contrast to butterflies, which often represent rebirth and the soul, moths are seen more as a sign of decay.

Since moths often live in the dark and are attracted to light, they symbolize the longing for something unattainable.

There is a Japanese proverb: 「飛んで火に入る夏の虫」(Tonde hi ni iru natsu no mushi), which meant: "Like a summer insect flying into the fire." It describes someone who brings his own ruin - just like a moth that is drawn to the flame and burns up.

Some Japanese folk beliefs say that the soul of a deceased person can return as a moth to watch over the living or to deliver a message.

In some ancient tales, the moth is associated with Yōkai's and evil spirits that lurk in the dark.

Their “dust”, which remains on the skin when touched, was once considered “poison” or “curse”. It was believed that moths flying into the house at night heralded bad luck or an impending disaster.

My moral supporters

@doumadono | @alexandhisstuff | @unhinged-bratty-boy | @jake-lockley-vengeance | @taco-bee | @grossograsso

I mention accounts that my works 💜️ and 🔁. If someone no longer wishes to be mentioned, please write it.

[echantedtoon]

Demonstober Day 14 Fairy

A small imaginary being of human form that has magical powers, especially a female one.

Tagging: @lavenderdropp @six-eyed-samurai @trancylovecraft @shadyd3ar @cherrysuzaku

@nousija @mspurpl3

Remember if you want to be added to the spooktober taglist lemme know

Stay away from mushrooms that grow in a circle. That's where fairies dance and if you step inside a fairy ring they can spirit you away.

Or at least that's what you've always been told. And that's what you've always heard. Then again you weren't very superstitious. Don't get you wrong. You never said that there wasn't no such thing as stuff like fairies, ghosts, and demons...

But you never said that there WAS such thing as them either.

You leaned more towards that they didn't exist though. Why? Well you never saw any ACTUAL proof of them existing. The supposed ghost that haunted your parents attic for years? Turns out it was a raccoon infestation. The supposed zombie that roamed the graveyard? A homeless man taking shelter in one of the mosoleums. Imps taking your grandmother's things? Turns out she just had memory problems and kept forgetting where she had put things.

Everything always had a logical  explanation in the end.

Which was why you honestly didn't think much about anything supernatural. Sure you still left offerings at the local shrine and prayed every so while if you needed a bit of luck but you weren't sure if you believed in them. A little extra luck never hurt anyone though. Maybe that's why you weren't so concerned when you went to go pick wild blackberries with your cousin. 

It was a perfect day. The sun was shining warmly in the summer air but all the shade of the trees made it cool. The walk to your favourite patch of wild blackberry bushes was only an hour long walk into the woods behind your house and the woods was beautiful. Lush greenery. Fresh air that smelt like wildflowers. Birds singing. And the sounds of your laughter as your cousin made you laugh by her jokes and stories. You both didn't have a care in the world as you both walked all the way there laughing with your baskets and then going on to start picking the berries from the bushes' branches. There was no problems. None at all. Not until your cousin had filled up her basket faster than you had and she had come to see what was taking you so long.

That's when she froze.

Her face paled like she saw a ghost. A terrified gasp left her throat making you jump and snap to her in surprise. Her basket fell to the ground with a thud toppling over and spilling the berries all over the ground. Before with a trembling hand she pointed to the ground at your feet.

"Look at where you're standing!," her frightened voice cried out loudly. 

You snapped down terrified and worried that you might've stepped on a snake or maybe a hill of fire ants or some other great danger! But you blinked as you saw nothing... Literally nothing but a few mushrooms. Red mushroom with white polka dots to be exact. You blinked and turned your head this way and that and just now noticed that you were standing in a circle of red mushrooms with white polka dots about a yard wide. Your cousin looked like she had seen death itself but you only blinked.

"Oh. It's just mushrooms."

"ARE YOU MAD?!" She shrieked like you were actually crazy. "YOU'RE STANDING IN A FAIRY RING!!"

You blinked as you again looked down.. before shrugging it off and turned back to finish filling your basket. "Oh is that all? Don't make such a big fuss over it."

"That's the fairies sacred dancing space! You're not supposed to stand in it!"

"Next you'll be telling me not to fish in the lake because I'll anger the mermaids."

"THIS ISN'T FUNNY!! GET OUT OF THERE NOW!! YOU'LL MAKE THEM ANGRY!!"

"If the fae are angry with me standing in their circle I'm sure they're more than capable of telling me."

You almost rolled your eyes at your cousin's fearful ramblings as she babbled about waving her arms but you didn't and kept your tone polite. Continuing to pick at the berries and drop them into your ever filling basket. Honestly she was blowing things out of proportion. If the fairies were angry, considering if they existed at all, then they could tell you themselves if they were upset with you standing in their supposed circle.

"Actually I would appreciate it very much if you didn't stand there."

Your cousin shrieked out, her voice echoing over the trees as both yourself and her snapped around wide eyed and were surprised to find a third woman there. What the-..Where did she come from? The smaller woman stood there between a tree and a bush staring at you with pretty purple eyes and a small smile. Her clothes were almost big like flowing over her body. But the shining of a butterfly hair clip in her hair caught the light as her head tilted at you specifically. You both continued to stare at this new woman. It must've been a full minute before you realized that she was staring at your feet.

You looked down at your boots standing in the circle. Then back to the woman. Who still stood there staring at the ground.

"I'm..sorry? But who are you?" 

She took her time turning her gaze back to you before smiling wider. "I'm the one who planted the mushrooms you're standing in."

You blinked. Someone actually planted these way out here. With another shriek from your cousin in knowing horror, you winced as she turned and fled. Footsteps thudding against the ground as fast as she could go and brush cracking with her retreating form. You winced rubbing at you ear as you looked back up..But your cousin was gone. The only signs being there was the basket she dropped before. You just...stared at where she had been for a long time but the woman's gaze never left you. Eventually you did slowly look back to her.

The two of you staring at each other for another long moment.

"I'm..sorry about her. She's very..paranoid." You apologized on your cousin's behalf before staring at your feet...and taking a massive step back out of the ring of mushrooms. "And sorry for trespassing into your mushroom circle??" You tried apologizing. "I didn't know anyone lived out here." You raised a confused brow at the mushrooms again. "Or had a garden."

She gave a closed eye smile. "It's alright. You didn't damage any of them so I'll let you off with a warning this time."

"Um..Thank you??" You stared at her.. before holding up your basket making her blink. "Here. I know you can probably pick your own blackberries, but it's the least I can do for trespassing."

The woman tilted her head at the basket then at you before smiling wider. "That's very sweet of you but if you really want to make it up to me, then come dance."

Your brows rose higher as she nodded. "Dance?"

She walked forward until she was standing right in front of you, inside the circle of mushrooms, and held out a hand. "Yes. Dance. I'll even show you how and it's been so long since I had a partner. What do you say?"

You still stared bewildered. Dancing? Seriously? That was a strange request..but you did kinda feel bad about trespassing on her mushroom garden thing. So..one dance couldn't hurt if it made this woman feel better.

"Sure."

By the time your worried family members got there, you were no where in sight. The only signs being two knocked over baskets.

[nico-esoterica]

Had a breakthrough epiphany -

If you can manifest having specific spiritual or supernatural experiences unconsciously because your environment or your beliefs made you start perceiving other realms, deities, creatures, ghosts, etc, and you're just pulling shit out of the ether..

..And you can fantasize about just about anything long enough and it'll show up according to the limits you've placed on it..

Then you can, in actuality, do and be anything you want. Anything and everything goes. Like, there are so many first and second hand accounts of people seeing weird spooky shit and others just don't because they don't think it's possible. I'm thinking specifically of Shane and Ryan from Buzzfeed Unsolved. Shane, even in the face of some really terrifying haunts and environments, still remained vigilant that nothing out of the ordinary was happening while Ryan would always seem to have spiritual encounters on ghost hunts which varied in intensity. On other ghost hunter shows, the skeptics who fall into the latter category usually want to be proven wrong on some level..and that's exactly what happens.

"..But can I--?" Yes you can.

You just need to not change your mind about it. That's where skeptics and people that doubt that amazingly good things can happen to them get lazy. You have to keep telling yourself that it's happening or is going to happen and you can specify the how. People who experiment with this to prove a point that it isn't 'real' are limited by what they think isn't possible for them to see personally. You're creating the rules and guidelines for your reality at all times.

People who believe fairies, ghosts, angels, demons, etc, are real or who open themselves to the possibility w/o 'believing' in them per se will usually encounter them or will stumble upon evidence of them through the internet, stories from family and friends, etc. If there's room for it in your mind to potentially exist and you're trying to find a way to explain strange occurrences, you're going to experience situations or information which creates that evidence. It's an eternal confirmation bias.

..So when it comes to the seemingly 'unrealistic' things you desire, it follows that bias. Doubt is just faith with a different name. It's still having faith in an outcome. Things not working out your way, your sp not wanting you back, etc.

When we make it more fantastical, it's not really fantasy anymore. It's just perception. Not everything's been caught on camera, reported, documented, and credible sources and evidence can be obscured and tampered with based on how beneficial it'll be. Granted, you can't always believe everything you see or read.

But even with existing hard irrefutable facts, they can change. Information can update over night, reports can disclose new breakthrough intel, whistleblowers and people with expired NDAs can provide new information which contradicts what exists, new research findings can lead to new understanding of how we see the world and ourselves. They discover new creatures dwelling at the bottom of the ocean all the time. There's a jellyfish that can live forever, for example. Hypothetically, if it isn't eaten.

"But what if I want wings?"

Then start thinking you can..consistently. Not many people have the mental fortitude for that. But maybe you're not like them.

Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right.

[endthedream]

three sins to hell

pairing: devil!chenle x human!reader

summary: the devil, a creature so sinister he seduces humans into sins so he can have their souls in hell.But if you’re his next target, what would you do? Would you even notice that the devil is standing right in front of you?

words: 10k

story colour: orange

warnings: vulgar language, toxicity, manipulation, heavy makeout/almost smut (nothing happens tho)

note: I hate this story with a passion, but I didn't have the nerve yet the time to rewrite it again. I hope you can still somewhat enjoy it. It's my halloween story (a few days too early). I will try to get something out on Halloween as well, but I can't make any promises. Hope you guys are doing well! Feel hugged~

masterlist of ‘nct dream as supernatural creatures‘

You have known of the existence of the devil, have heard stories about him when you grew up. Warnings, wherever you go. ‘Don’t go near the devil. He will suck out your soul and bane you to an eternity of hell and misery.’ People would tell you stories about him, how he seduces men and women to doing sins, how he hides among the common folk, how easily he gets into your head. They called him the fallen angel, who was banned to ruling over hell for his sins. Some say he is a frightening, red creature with three heads and a mouth with teeth so sharp they can break through any bones. Some say he is a demon with wings and horns, and a tail so long and sharp he will pierce through your heart. But some also say he is a man, a very handsome one. He was once an angel graced with an eternity of beauty; hell couldn’t change that as well. They say the reason why he is able to seduce so many people is because of his piercing beauty, his sharp features and hypnotizing eyes. They say that one look from him and you’re gone, fallen into a pit of longing, no matter how pure you swear to be.

You heard so many stories, got told so many warnings and still you found yourself not believing those words. You found yourself thinking it was all just a tale, trying to make you scared to keep you in control. But you were never one to believe in fairy tales, never one to look for the truth in them.

But all this changed. All this changed when you looked the devil right into his eyes.

-

There is something in the air this morning, something different. You can feel it filling up your body, clouding your senses. You take a deep breath of the fresh morning air, before grabbing the straps of your backpack and beginning your walk to school. It isn’t far from your home, just about six minutes, but you like to take those few moments to be grateful for everything you have. You go over it, over and over again, in your head. ‘I’m grateful for the roof over my head, the food in my stomach, the friends that I have, the clothes that I wear, all the luxury items I have at home and every single day that I live on this planet, protected and healthy.’

It is something you like to do to remind you that nothing in this life is given, nothing in life is permanent. Some people don’t have a house, or food, or clothes. It keeps you on your toes, never lets you stray away or complain about unimportant things. It keeps you down to earth.

“Y/n.”, you can hear your best friend Jisung, calling your name and see him sprinting in your direction. “There you are. I was starting to get worried about you. You are always on time.”

“On time?”, you ask confused as you look at the time on your watch. It’s five minutes before class starts. Five minutes? Normally you are always here ten minutes before it starts, never five. But you walked the same path you always do every single morning, you left at the same time you always do. How come you arrived five minutes later than normally? Something is weird, you felt it this morning when you left your house. Something is definitely weird.

-

You almost fell asleep three times in class today, which isn’t like you. You are a straight A student, with a perfect attendance record. You don’t sleep in class; you pay attention and write notes. You ask questions and answer the teachers’ questions. You don’t fall asleep, that is not like you.

“Ms. Lee.”, your teacher says, a sympathetic look on her face. “I have seen you doze off three times today and I must say this genuinely surprised me. You are my ace student, Miss. I have never seen you like this, so I wanted to tell you if you have anything in your heart, or if there is anything that is bothering you, private or in school, you can always talk to me, okay? You don’t have to go through this alone.”

-

“Wait so she really offered you therapy hours?”, Jisung says, amusement lingering in his voice. You shake your head at the boy, opening the main doors and walking out of the school. All you want to do now is to get home as fast as possible and forget all about this awful day. You want to drown yourself in your books and studies and wake up the next morning to your normal routine again.

“You are so funny, Jisung.” Said boy ignores the roll of your eyes and the annoyance in your tone, and bumps your shoulder with his, showing you a sheepish grin.

“Come on, princess. I didn’t mean it like that. Everyone has a bad day every once in a while, even you little Miss perfect.”

“I am not little Miss perfect.”, you protest, crossing your arms and showing Jisung a pout. He just laughs at you, ruffling your hair in an adoring manner.

“Are you sure? Aren’t you the person who follows a strict routine every single morning? Aren’t you the person that volunteers at every event, helping the poor and caring about the ones who are lost? Aren’t you the person who goes over a list of things she is grateful for just to stay down on earth and never take things for granted? Sounds like little Miss perfect to me.”

“First of all, a routine is good for your mental health. It gives you stability, helps you stay organized and clears your head. Second, I like helping people in need and volunteering in places where they need someone. It’s better than playing video games every single day.” Now it’s Jisungs’ time to roll his eyes at your words. “And lastly, I just see so many horrible things every single day. So much agony, pain and suffering, I just want to remind myself that having luxurious things is not a normal thing and that I should always be grateful for being born into a family that doesn’t have to turn every penny twice and fear they won’t make it out alive until next week.”

You can see Jisungs’ mouth open and close a few times, contemplating what to say to your words, but right when he feels ready to answer, someone clearing their throat interrupts you.

“I’m sorry I don’t want to interrupt your nice talk, but I’m looking for someone named Y/n.” Jisung and you turn around almost immediately, looking like dears caught in a headlight. A boy is standing in front of you, hair a bright orange. He is wearing all black, black ripped jeans, black shirt, black leather jacket and black shoes. A smile is present on his lips, well more like a smirk, his posture is straight with his head held high. He is oozing with confidence, oozing with something you can’t name. And he looks, well, breathtaking. He looks like came straight down from heaven, like he was created by God himself. He simply doesn’t look real.

“Uhm, that’s me.”, you speak up, voice breaking with those two words. You have to clear your throat a few times, ignoring the teasing look Jisung is giving you. “How can I help you?”

“I just transferred here, and the principal said you would show me around school tomorrow. I just thought I would search for you and introduce myself already.” The stranger softly takes your hand in his, but instead of shaking it, he places a soft kiss on the back of your hand, showing you a charming smile afterwards. “My name is Chenle. It is very nice to meet you.”

There is something in his aura, something about the way he talks, the way his eyes bore into yours, that makes your heart skip a beat. “It’s, uhm, very nice to meet you too.”

It is like Chenle can sense the effect his simple presence has on you by the way his head cocks to the side and cockiness takes over his whole face. “How about we meet here in our lunch break and then you can tell me all about the school, and you, of course.” You can’t do anything but nod at the suggestion, suddenly losing the ability to form sentences with your mouth. “Wonderful. Till tomorrow then.” And with one last smile in your direction, he walks away, turning his back and leaving you and Jisung alone yet again.

“Well, that was… weird.” Your friend just mutters, shrugging his shoulders before grabbing your arm and pulling you in the other direction. “But as I said, you are way to tedious…”

-

Chenle is already waiting for you at one of the tables outside of the school. It seems like nothing has changed from yesterday, he is wearing the same clothes. His orange hair stands out in the crowd, earning stares which he just ignores. Because the moment you step out of the door, his eyes are on you, and only you. He doesn’t pay attention to the girls a few tables from him who are giggling and yearning for just one look, he only looks at you.

“Just be careful.”, your best friend says as he walks you out. “I have a bad feeling about him. I mean, he didn’t even look at me once yesterday. He is weird. I heard some rumors about him. They say he was in prison in China and broke out two months ago. Some say his father is in some kind of gang and they earn their money with human trafficking. Some even call him the devil. I just don’t want you to get into whatever weird thing he is in.”

“Jisung.”, you call say his name, looking up at him with stern eyes. “He is new and needs help around school, that’s all. He is not in a gang; he did not escape from prison, and he is definitely not the devil. Stop feeding into cruel rumors and give him a chance. And even if you don’t want to give him a chance because you have a bad feeling about him, then don’t. No one is forcing you to be friends with him, just don’t be one of those judgy people, okay?”

Jisung sighs, throwing his head back with a groan and rubbing his forehead with one hand. “You are right, I know that I’m just worried about you, that’s all. Be careful, okay? And you remember our codeword, right? Just scream it or text it or send an owl, I don’t care.”

You smile at him, wrapping him in a quick hug. “Don’t worry, I will. See you in thirty minutes.” And without one last glance you walk in Chenles’ direction, showing him a small smile and a wave.

“Hey.”, you say as you stop in front of him. “Are you ready to take a tour through the school?” Chenle looks down at you, eyeing you for a few seconds before nodding his head at you and following you into the school.

-

“I’d rather hear more about you.”, Chenle says as he stands in the middle of the gymnasium. “I don’t care about the boring stories of how this school was founded. Tell me something about you. Something fun.”

“Fun?”, you ask him, playing with the page of the school map between your fingers. “I’m not really fun. I don’t think anything about me would interest you.”

“I beg to differ. What do you do in your free time? How does a pretty girl like you spend her day?” You have to swallow the lump in your throat and hide the evident blush on your cheeks. This hasn’t been the first time Chenle has flirted with you today. He used every opportunity, every small timeframe to throw in a comment that has you blushing and clearing your throat in embarrassment.

“I don’t do much. I read or study after coming home from school. Sometimes I spend the evening with Jisung, but he plays video games most of the time, so I end up reading anyway. Sometimes I volunteer at social events, at the church or for any person that needs help in that moment. I like to help people, makes me feel a bit better for living such a privileged life.”

There it is, Chenle thinks. There it is again; the pureness he felt the moment he laid eyes on you. The innocence, so evident he could smell it from miles away. He wanted you, from the moment he laid his eyes on you, he knew he had to have you. He just has to corrupt you; make you do all the awful things in the world and drain you dry until there is nothing but pure evil running in your veins anymore. He has to destroy you, absolutely and utterly destroy you.

-

You didn’t expect to run into a familiar face while grocery shopping for your elderly neighbor. But Chenle stands right there, right in front of the apples. One hand picking up a green one, admiring its shine against the shining lamps, the other in his pocket, casually resting there. Normally, you would have turned around, walked to another aisle and ignored the strange boy, if it wasn’t for the bright red ink on the paper sheet in your hand reading ‘green apples’. You close your eyes, taking a deep breath before walking to where the orange-haired boy is standing.

“What a pleasant surprise.”, Chenle says the moment he spots you. “Are you stalking me? Not able to get enough of me, huh?” You show him a pointed look, grabbing one of the apples, inspecting it and softly laying it in your basket.

“No, believe it or not, but I am also grocery shopping.” A sound escapes the boy’s throat, almost sounding like a choked chuckle. He grabs another apple, following your movement before placing it in your basket as well.

“For yourself?”, he asks, ignoring your confused stare.

“No, for my neighbor. She recently had lumbago and is on bed rest. I’m just getting her some things she needs, since her children are out of town until tomorrow.” Chenle feels it again, this need, this heart wrenching need, to break you, to make you do things you would never dream of doing. It overwhelms him for a second, blinds him and consumes his veins. He has to find a way, some way, to fulfill his desires. And it is as if it hits him with a brick on his head, that he got just the right idea to make you carve into him.

Sin 1: Wrath

Jisung talks your ear off as the two of you run side by side in gym class, something about last night’s game and how he lost to a twelve-year-old online player. You try to pay attention, you really do, but the piercing gaze of Chenle sitting on a bench is distracting you. Ever since your encounter at the grocery store something about Chenle has changed. Something about the way he was looking at you. It almost seems like he is craving you like a bloodlust lion craves its prey. It scares you a bit, if you are being honest with yourself, but you can’t help but to be intrigued by him.

You can’t explain it, can’t grasp the concept with your bare hands. It confuses you, plagues you, keeps you up at night. He hasn’t made a move anymore, hasn’t tried talking to you again. It’s like he is waiting for you to come to him, to approach him. It’s like the lion changed his tactic, waiting for his prey to step closer, fascinated by the lion’s presence, before making a move and eating the prey alive.

“Are you even listening?”, Jisung says, voice evident with hurt. “I have been pouring my heart out for the last ten minutes and you don’t even listen to me. What kind of best friend are you?”

“I’m sorry, Jisung.”, you tell him, honestly. “I’m not really concentrated today. Everything is distracting me and it’s like I fell face first to the ground and I can’t get up.”

Upon the whistle of your coach, all of you stop running, walking to your water bottles and hastily taking sips. “I know, I’m sorry. I noticed you were acting kind of off today and I still kept talking about all of my worries without even asking about yours. I’m the bad friend, sorry.”

“No, you’re not, Sungie. I love listening to you and all your stories, don’t apologize for it. Today is just a rough day, and I want it to be over really bad.”

“You’ve been having a lot of bad days lately.”, your best friend remarks, worry lacing his voice. “Are you sure there is nothing wrong at home? Maybe you are just burned out from all your studying, and you need to take a break. How about we drive down to the beach over the weekend. It will help your mind to clear a bit.”

Normally you would hate this idea, not wanting to waste the weekend lying on a beach instead of studying for your upcoming tests, but with everything going on lately, you don’t think it’s a bad idea. You haven’t been feeling like yourself in a while, fog clouding your brain whenever you just try to sit down and read a book. Maybe a little trip away from everything will help you get back on track and be your old self again.

“You know what.”, you say, looking up at the boy in front of you with a bright smile. “I think that is a great idea.”

“Oh yes.”, Jisung jumps up and down a few times, excitement filling the young boys’ body. “This is going to be the best trip you will ever be on; I promise.”

-

Chenle leans against the hood of his car, waiting for you to come out of school. He has done this a million times, successfully. There wasn’t once that he failed, that he strayed behind. This is his job, his repute. He was born to do this and nothing else. But never once, never once in the years he is alive, has he crossed someone so pure, someone so good. There was a little bad in everyone, a little temptation, a little sin. Everyone did something bad, everyone had that part in them, that longing to commit a sin. But not you. You are so good. There is not one single part of you that seems evil. And that has made you become his most desired hunt.

Chenle doesn’t just want you, he needs you. He craves you. Your soul, your body, everything. He wants to break you, make you become the worst version of yourself. He wants to be the reason why you sin, not only once. Oh, no. It will take a few sins to make up for all the goodness you brought into this world. And he will watch you do them. Every single one of them. And he will thrive in the feeling of all the goodness draining your body, of the evil ruining your soul.

He will enjoy every single second of it.

Chenle watches as you smile at your friends. He watches as you bid goodbyes to every single one of them with a hug. And he decides then and there that it’s the first thing he wants you to lose.

“Chenle. Hi. Is everything okay?”, you ask him as he walks up to you. In his presence you change, he can feel it. Your body goes stiff, your eyes wide and alarming and your heart starts to beat faster than it normally does. And he loves the effect he has on you.

“Actually. No.” As you see the sadness in his eyes, alarms ring inside your brain. You have never seen him like that. You have never seen him express any other emotion than confidence, cockiness. And it immediately worries you. “I have this problem. And I wanted to come and talk to you. You know, you’re the only person I talked to so far and I think I can trust you the most with this issue.”

“Yeah, yeah, of course. You can talk to me. I will try to help you with it.” He has you now, he thinks. Of course, he knew you wouldn’t turn down the opportunity of helping someone who desperately needs you. How could you live with yourself knowing you couldn’t help Chenle? You would do anything to help him, right? That’s who you are. That’s what you do.

“There have been some people talking about me behind my back, making up rumors about me. And while I act like I don’t care it actually really gets to me. You know the only thing I want is to fit in. I just came here, and all these rumors are making it hard for me to make friends. Everyone is scared of me, while all I want is for the people to like me.”

He can see it, right there, your face changing. Sympathy overtakes your features, and he can feel it spreading through your whole body. “Oh, Chenle that is awful. How can I help you with it? Do you want me to talk to those people?”

“That’s were it gets a bit tricky.” Chenle stops for a second, looks down at the ground, biting his lower lip nervously. “Your friends started these rumors. They were the ones who said I escaped from prison, and that I am a drug dealer. They were the ones who started calling me the devil.” Tears fill his eyes, and the sight breaks your heart. He sniffles, once, twice, before he continues. “They said I scared my family away, that they left me because I am so terrifying. I don’t get it, Y/n. I really don’t. I am not the most social person, I know that. I have been taking the time observing people more than actually talking to them and I know that can seem a bit scarry, but I am not a bad person. They haven’t even given me a chance to prove myself. They judged me without knowing me.” Chenle wipes one stray tear away from his eye, looking at you with pain in his face. “All I wanted was a chance.”

A feeling you never felt before enters your body. Is it rage? Is it anger? No, you are pretty sure it is wrath. Your friends, the people you trust, the people you grew up with. How could they treat a person like this? You knew about the rumors, all the things’ people were saying about Chenle, but hearing your own friends were the ones making all this up, makes you want to scream at them. Your parents taught you to surround yourself with people like you, kind and honest people, with people that respect others and show love to every soul, even the lost ones. You really thought they were like you, but you were wrong. You were wrong about them.

“Are you okay?”, Chenle asks, gently placing a hand on your shoulder. You look at him and see the tear stain still evident on his cheek. You see his glassy eyes; his slightly trembling lips and you knew you had to do something about this. You had to make them stop.

“Yes.”, you answer him, taking a few calming breaths. “Don’t worry Chenle. I will fix this. I will make them stop saying all these mean things about you.” With that you take off, walking to the back of the school. You know they hang out there after school is over, talking and studying together. And it is where you find them right now as well.

“Hey, Y/N. What are you doing here? I thought you went home already?” Looking at them, hearing them talk and laugh, it makes you sick. How can they sit there and act so nonchalant when they just hurt a person with their made-up rumors? How can act so innocent when they have the devil inside of them?

“Well, I came back because I just had an interesting conversation with someone.” The girls give you an usure look, all confused at the angriness in your voice. You don’t try to hide how you’re feeling, how upset and disappointed you are. You don’t try to hide the obvious wrath on your face.

“Okay? I am a bit confused. Why exactly are you telling us that?” It’s a simple question. A simple sentence. But it makes your blood boil.

“I ran into Chenle, and he told me something about you.” There are a few seconds of silence, and you watch as the girls look at each other, some confused, some with a knowing look. “He told me that you were the ones that made up those rumors about him. You made up lies about a person you don’t even know, a person you didn’t even give a chance to introduce himself. I know that he can seem a bit creepy, and distant, but that doesn’t give you the right to be so cruel to him. That doesn’t give you the right to act like stuck up bitches.”

“Y/n, what are you talking about? That doesn’t sound like you.” You just scoff, anger and frustration filling your body. You have never felt that way before, like you were about to explode, like you couldn’t control yourself anymore. And while it scares you a bit, you also never felt more powerful, more secure.

“Not like me, huh? Well, I thought the same about you. I thought I could trust you, count on you. I thought you were nice girls, raised to treat everyone with kindness. God, I thought you were like me. But, oh, was I wrong. You are all just insecure little girls who gain satisfaction in bringing other people down, in seeing them fall.”, you scream at them, not caring who can hear you. Your hands are shaking, your body is trembling. But you don’t care, you just go on. “You are so pathetic, a disgrace to humanity. You know how much you hurt that poor boy? He cried in front of me, because of you. You were the reason why he couldn’t make friends, why he never had the chance to fit it. People like you are the once that put shame on our society. You are the kind of people my mom always warned me about. Backstabbing, stuck up, insecure little girls. I should have never trusted you, be friends with you. God, I hope one day you will wake up and regret all this. One day you will pay for what you did, for your disgusting behavior. I hope that one day, one day… one day…” Your voice flatters, your vision goes blurry.

You feel two arms wrap around you, panic floods through your body until you hear the familiar voice of your best friend. “Hey, it’s okay. Just relax. It’s all going to be okay.”

The world starts spinning, your head starts throbbing. You can’t take this anymore, this pain, this stress. And shortly before the world goes black you see Chenle, standing on the sidelines with a grin on his lips.

Sin 2: Envy

“You’re sure he wasn’t there?”, you ask Jisung as you watch the waves crash against the shore. The setting sun glows brightly over the ocean, painting your face in a beautiful rosy color. The sand under your feet cools your body from the heat of the day. You watch as a caterpillar moves over the bumpy surface, hurrying back to his home to take a rest during the cold night.

“No, Y/n. Chenle wasn’t there when you passed out. He wasn’t anywhere near, believe me. I watched him walk home two minutes before I caught you in my arms, I swear.” You let out a sigh, closing your eyes as the soft evening breeze hits your hot face. Everything about that day is a blur, a fever dream. You don’t remember a lot. Everything is a haze. You barely remember talking to Chenle or screaming at the girls or fainting shortly after. Everything is blurred memories; no clear picture comes to your mind. But the only thing you remember clearly, like it’s burned into your brain, is seeing Chenle right before your vision went black. You remember his grin, his triumphant grin, like he just won a prize he has always wanted. It makes no sense that he wasn’t there when that is the only thing you can actually remember.

“Are you ready to talk about what happened that day?”, Jisung asks carefully, adjusting his position on the itchy sand. You haven’t avoided that subject, it’s just that you aren’t sure what’s happened. You aren’t sure why you reacted the way you reacted or why you felt the way you felt. This has never happened to you before and you are simply… lost.

You don’t know who that was that screamed at your own friends, but that wasn’t you. And it scares you to know what you are capable to do, scared at the lengths you can go. You barely managed to get the girls to except your apology. They were so shocked and hurt by your words, they didn’t even know if they wanted to forgive you. But they did. They also apologized, explained their side. They told you they didn’t start the rumors, but they also did nothing to stop them. They spread them just like everyone else and for that they’re sorry. But that day will always be hunting your friendship. It will always be there, day after day. And while they forgave you, you don’t know if you will ever forgive yourself for it.

“I told you already Jisung, I don’t know what happened. It’s all a daze, and it’s confusing. And hurts by brain just trying to think about it.”

“Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to think about it, Y/n.” Jisung shows you an encouraging smile, one hand softly taking yours. “It’s all going to be okay again. Let’s just enjoy the rest of our trip and forget about all this for a while.”

-

Chenle has been sitting with you at lunch for the past couple of days. Jisung is too busy at football practice, and Chenle took the opportunity of catching you alone. It’s mostly silent between you two- which you appreciate a lot- but when you’re talking, the conversation doesn’t seem to stop.

“You are telling me you have not watched the movie Tangled, the best Disney movie to ever exist?” Chenle shakes his head, earning a gasp to escape your lips. “How couldn’t you? I mean it’s such a life changing movie. Wait, tell me you have at least read Romeo and Juliet?” You are met with another shake of Chenles’ head. “Romeo and Juliet? Shakespear? Not ringing any bell? Wow, where do you come from that you don’t know those things?”

Chenle shrugs, taking a bit off his sandwich, chewing it cautiously before answering your question. “Well, we don’t really focus on books or movies where I come from. It’s considered a waste of time. Something that doesn’t bring you far in life.”

“That’s… so wrong. Movies and books teach you so many valuable lessons about life. I mean, Disney movies, for example, shaped me when I was a little girl. And with books you can gather so much knowledge, you can improve your imagination. They give you a chance to forget everything that happens in the world, even if it’s just for a few minutes. It’s really calming, reading I mean.”

“Well, how about I can come over to your place and you can show me that movie and that book, and I can judge for myself how good they really are.”

“I would love to, but my parents don’t allow boys in my room. I mean, not even Jisung is allowed to come into my room, and I’ve known him since I was five.” When you see Chenles’ face after your words, you start feeling bad. You can’t change your parents’ strictness, and you definitely can’t sneak Chenle into your house somehow. That would not end well, and you would break your parents’ rules. You were never one to do that, never one to disobey your parents. You couldn’t live with yourself had you gone behind your parents’ back to do something.

Chenle looks down at his hands in his lap, eyes sad like those of a puppy. It breaks your heart, yet again. It makes you long for him, long to make everything right, to cure all his pain, to change whatever is the reason behind his sadness. You let out a sigh, one hand nervously tucking your hair behind your ear. “But what about we meet at the local bookstore? I can recommend you books and tell you a bit about them. How those that sound?”

Chenle looks up at you, a smile lightening up his features. You can’t help but to match his energy, showing him one of your bright smiles as well. “That would be wonderful, Y/n. I’m picking you up later at 4.”

“But…”, but before you can say anything, Chenle has already packed his things together, hastily walking out the door. You sit there, dumbstruck, heart racing and mind spinning in circles. You ignore the fluttering in your chest, the weird churning in your belly. You ignore the lightheaded feeling, the blush on your cheeks. You simply ignore it, because if you ignore it, it isn’t there. It isn’t real.

But it’s all going according to plan, Chenle thinks. Everything is going according to plan.

-

Chenle has a book in his one hand and a coffee in another while you explain him the story about the book ‘To kill a Mockingbird’. He’s not listening, nodding when needed and humming when it feels necessary. He spends his time looking around, scanning people for familiar faces, waiting patiently for someone to arrive. Before he spots who he was looking for.

“But I think you should definitely read it. It’s one of the most important books on this planet. I think everyone should read it at least once.” You finish your ramble, placing the book in Chenles’ bag, before looking back at your list. “The next book is Moby-Dick. A classic in my opinion. Another book that everyone should have read at least once. You know I’ve watched a theater play of this book.” You are met by another hum, probably the 20th you received in a matter of seven minutes. “Are you even listening?”

“Yeah, sure, of course I am listening. Moby-Dick. Classic.”

“You know, you were the one who asked me to show you books, but if you’re not going to listen, then I will just leave.” You want to get up, but before you do, your gaze shifts into the direction Chenle is staring at. Lee Nuri is sitting a few tables away from you, a book in her hands. You know her from school, talked to her only a handful of times, but you never paid close attention to her. She is gorgeous, unmistakably, but she doesn’t run in the same circle as you do. “Were you staring at Nuri this whole time?”

“Nuri? That’s her name?”, Chenle asks, eyes not meeting yours even just for a second. And you ignore how upset that makes you feel. “I wondered what beautiful name such beautiful girl could have.”

A scoff threatens to leave your lips, but you swallow it before it comes out your mouth. You pack your bag together, ready to leave Chenle behind in the bookstore before he continues. “I mean look at her, she is glowing. Her skin looks so soft, and her hair so silky, don’t you think?” He looks at you, just for a millisecond, before focusing his gaze again on her. “Her legs are so long and smooth, her short skirt only empathizes that. Her body is perfect, look at her waist, what an hourglass figure. I bet so many girls are jealous of her. And she has such plump and pink lips, I guarantee you she’s a phenomenal kisser. Oh, what she could do with those lips. Her eyes, man, they are so big and round, makes her look so desirable, right? It’s almost like God took his time crafting her to perfection, to create a temptation to every person on this planet.”

Something inside of you shuts off, completely. You don’t work anymore. You can’t speak, can’t feel, can’t breathe. Your mind is blank, wiped clean, empty, expect for the blinking white light behind your eyes. Dizziness takes over your whole body, stops in your head and makes a home there. Everything is a blur, a daze. It’s almost like a déjà-vu, like something hidden deep inside your memory.

“Are you okay? You’re so pale.” You hear a voice, but you don’t know who is talking to you. You don’t know if that person is right in front of you or five feet away. You don’t know anything anymore. “I’m taking you home.”

-

You stare into the mirror, deep and long, seeing your bare self in front of you. You don’t know how you got home, when you took your clothes off or why you started staring at yourself. But you do it anyway. You observe every single part of your body, judging it. You take the flesh of your skin in your hands, moving it, adjusting it, never being satisfied with how it sits on your body. Your hips could be smaller, your legs longer, your lips fuller, your eyes bigger. You could be taller, skinnier, prettier. You could be so many things, so many things Nuri already is.

You know that this isn’t you. You wouldn’t pick yourself apart. You wouldn’t sink into this envy, into this jealousy. But you haven’t been you in a while now, haven’t felt real in a long time. You feel it sinking in, this need to be her, to have what she has. You let the envy sink it. No longer grateful for what you have, for what you are. You want what makes her so attractive to Chenle. You want her long eyelashes, her red lips, her curves, her long fingers, her clear skin. You don’t care about the things you have, the things that make you beautiful.

There is a scream inside of your head, a voice that repeats itself over and over again. It multiplies, getting louder and louder and louder.

Be grateful.

Be greedy.

Love yourself.

Love what she has more than what you have.

Don’t care about others’ opinions.

Impress Chenle, be what he desires to be.

You want him to look at you the way he looked at Nuri. You need him to want you, crave you, desire you. He can’t find her more attractive than you, he simply can’t. Your jealous of his attention on her, of his gaze wandering off; his thoughts not belonging to you. You’re jealous of her grace, her captivity, her beauty. You need to be her if that’s what it takes. Whatever it costs you, whatever it makes you do.

When you look up again into the mirror, Chenle is standing behind you, a grin on his lips again. It robs your breath, crushes your soul into two. It brings burning tears to your eyes, a broken heart. He doesn’t look at you, not really, not how you want him to. He stares straight into your eyes, his gaze never once straying.

“Am I not enough for you?”, you ask, screaming into the void. “Am I not desirable enough? Sexy enough? Pretty enough? Is my body not good enough for you to look at? Would you rather look at Nuri, huh?” You don’t get an answer, but you wait anyway. You stare back at him, tears uncontrollably streaming down your face. “What can I do, Chenle? Tell me. What can I do to be enough for you? I will do anything. Anything it takes. I want you. I need you. Please don’t look at Nuri anymore, please just look at me.” You watch as Chenles’ grin never leaves his lips. He doesn’t move, doesn’t say a word. He just silently watches you lose yourself. He watches you break, and he seems to enjoy it.

“You’re sick you know that? Watching a girl begging you, crying her heart out and still you say nothing. Still, you choose to be quiet, enjoying this sight. Is that what gets you off, huh?” Your voice gets louder and louder by the second, raw with emotion. “Please, just look at me. Speak to me. Say anything.” Nothing. “I will make you want me, Chenle. You will look at me the way you’re looking at Nuri. I promise, I will become everything you’ve ever dreamt of.”

There is hope glimmering in your eyes, stupid, dangerous, hope. “We belong.”, you say, voice just a bare whisper. “I know that. Because since you’re here, I’m different. You did something to me. I don’t know what it is, but you did something. You have that power and you used it on me. You talked to me first. You stared at me first. You want me, and you know it. You wouldn’t be standing here if you didn’t.” You laugh, hysterically, like you already lost your mind. “You want me.”

Another pause, another silence. You sniffle, lifting your hands to furiously wipe the tears away from your face, rubbing your eyes.  And when you open them again, regaining your vision, Chenle is gone. He disappeared, like he was never there in the first place, and you’re fully dressed from head to toe in the same clothes you wore earlier.

Sin 3: Lust

Heavy eyebags surround your eyes, exhaustion written all over your small quivering frame. But the familiar feeling of determination fills your body as you hold the Halloween Party flyer in your hands with a written note saying ‘Pick you up at five. Dress nicely.’. This could be your chance, your chance to keep the own promises you made.

You have been ignoring Jisung, the girls, Nuri. Everyone, if you’re being honest with yourself. Nothing has been worth your time, not listening to Jisungs’ endless rambles, not watching the girls Cheerleader practice, not reading a book, or studying for all your tests. It’s not important anymore, not worth your thoughts. There is one thing, and one thing only, in your mind written in bold red letters, engraved into your brain. Chenle. Nothing more. Just him and his orange hair, his seductive grin, his black outfits. Just him and his words, replaying over and over and over again inside your mind, reminding you what to fight for, what to live for, or to die for.

“Y/n. Stop walking away from me. What is wrong with you?” There is a voice calling for you, behind you, but you don’t pay any attention to it. You continue your walk home, thoughts of what to wear, how to look the best. “Stop.” A hand grabs your arm, and you flinch, turning around to see your best friend, no Jisung, standing in front of you. He is wearing his practice clothes, sweat dripping down his forehead. He looks frustrated, desperate.

“I don’t have time, Jisung. I have to go home.” You try to walk again, but his grip on your arm doesn’t budge and it irritates you. Why can’t he just let you go? Can’t he see that you have something more important to do, a duty to fulfil?

“No, you’re going to stay and you’re going to tell me what is wrong with you.” And it is then in that moment that you realize what’s wrong. That you know why he looks so desperate. “Y/n, please just tell me what’s wrong. Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you in any way? If I did, please tell me. All I want to do is make it up to you again, be friends again. Y/n I don’t want to lose you, please just tell me what’s wrong.”

You look at him, long and deep, before a sigh slips past your lips. There is no other way around this. “God, if I knew you were so clingy, I wouldn’t have become friends with you.” Silence. Long, dreadful silence. Jisungs’ mouth is hung open, his eyes wide. He can’t believe his ears.

“What…? What did you just say?” Jisung already starts talking again before you can repeat your words. “Y/n, that’s not you speaking. I don’t what happened to you, what made you turn into this. But that’s not you. You are loving and sweet and kind. This is not you. For god’s sake, you told me you love it when I’m clingy, that it makes you feel needed. You told me those exact words.”

You sigh, yet again, taking the moment to remove your arm from Jisungs’ grip. “Maybe this is who I always was, not who everyone wanted me to be. I know this is hard for you, Jisung, but you have to accept it. You have to accept the fact that I will never love you the way you love me.”

Jisung chokes on his own spit, eyes almost falling out of his body. “You… you know?”

“I think I’ve always known. But I don’t love you, Jisung. I never will. And I feel honored, really, but this won’t work out. So just accept it, move on. It’s for the better.”

“But I can’t move on, Y/n. Not after everything, not after our trip together. I love you, and I want you to be in my life, even if it is just as my best friend. You can’t do this to me. I won’t let you.” Jisung is trembling, head shaking left and right over and over again, desperation in his eyes. But it doesn’t work. You don’t feel bad for him, you don’t care. You care about one thing only.

“What happened on that trip was a mistake. I never should have kissed you.” But you did, and as nice as it felt, you regret it now. Because now you wish it would have been Chenle. “I don’t want you, Jisung. I want Chenle. Get that inside your head and leave me alone. I don’t want you, never.” And with that you turn around and continue your way home, leaving a heartbroken Jisung behind.

But your thoughts already pushed that away. All you can think about again is the outfit you’re going to wear tonight. All you can think about is how tonight you will make Chenle yours, you will make him desire you.

-

Devil and angel. That’s what you find yourself wearing as you enter the party. It’s ironic, really. How Chenle decided to wear a devil’s costume, black clothes, red horns and big black wings. And you as an angel, white short dress, big fluffy wings and red lipstick painting your lips. It’s even more ironic that Chenle wants to make the rumors come true, he wants to be who the people paint him to be, he wants to show them that he can play this game as well.

Chenles’ hand hasn’t left your lower back ever since you left your house, sometimes wandering further but never too much. It sends electric shocks through your body every time, something different filling your body. Lust, is what you call it. He hasn’t left your side, keeping you close. Sometimes he leans down, whispering things into your ear that leave you breathless. And sometimes his gaze wanders through the crowd, but you stop him every time, guiding his face back to you, capturing his eyes with yours. You don’t want him to look somewhere else, don’t want him to stray away. You just want him to put all his attention on you, to put everything on you.

Out of the corner of your eyes you can see Jisung, leaning against a wall, drinking a cheap drink out of a red plastic cup. But you ignore him, you ignore everyone in the room. You just keep on grinding your body into Chenles’, dancing until your lungs give out. Chenle has his hands firmly on your hips, guiding your moves, pressing you further into him. It makes your head spin, your vision blur. It makes you want to rip his clothes off, right here, right on this dance floor for everyone to see.

And you would have, you really did, if it wasn’t for Jisung grabbing your hand, pulling you away from Chenle. “What the heck?”, you scream at him over the loud music, struggling to get out of his grip. “Where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere quiet.”, Jisung says, voice unsteady. The kitchen isn’t crowded, expect for one couple making out in the back, but Jisung doesn’t give them any attention. He just looks at you, at your revealing dress, your smeared red lipstick, the sweat dripping down your forehead. “God, I can’t even look at you.”

“Then don’t.”, you shoot back, turning around to leave, but he stops you. Jisung quickly walks in front of you, causing you to bump into his chest. “Jisung.”, you sigh. “I already rejected you. Stop bothering me. I am here with Chenle, I want Chenle. Do you want me to spell it out for you? Want me to scream it to the whole world? Because I will when he fucks me later.”

Jisungs’ breaths are unsteady, tears sting in his eyes and you have to advert your gaze. You can’t look at him like that, and you don’t know why. “Look at me.”, he whispers, one hand softly holding your cheek. “Look at me, please. I’m begging you.” Your eyes meet his, unsure, unsteady. “I love you. I do. Chenle doesn’t. He doesn’t even know you, not the real you anyway. Whatever you are doing, I know it is to impress him. But you don’t have to. You don’t have to be someone you are not. You don’t have to change yourself just so that he will like you. God, if he doesn’t like you for the way you are then he doesn’t deserve you.” He lets a frustrated hand stroke through his hair, tugging on it lightly.

Jisung knows something is wrong. He knows that whatever Chenle did to you to make you this way, it must have been something serious. Ever since he came here, you have changed. You turned into someone you always wished never to be. “Remember when we were eight years old.”, he starts speaking, his other hand never leaving your cheek. “We were friends, barely actually. We knew each other, played every now and then together, but we were both shy. We didn’t know how to talk to each other. That was until I scrapped my knees falling down while playing with a jumping robe. I remember crying so much, not being able to look at my bleeding knee. But you immediately came running to me. You kept on telling me how everything was going to be okay. And you held my hand until my mom came, until she was done cleaning up the wound and until I had a band-aid on my knee. You never once let it go. And that’s when I knew, Y/n. That’s when I knew that I love you, and that I always will. That’s when I knew that you are the kindest person on this planet.”

“Jisung.”, you whisper, one tear falling from your eyes, but he catches it with his thumb. You feel it, all the weight crushing down on you. You feel every single thing, and it destroys you. Jisung looks deeply into your eyes, his other hand coming up to stroke your hair softly. You don’t know what to say, what to feel, what to think. “I’m so sorry.” And he wants to say something, open his mouth to speak, but someone beats him to it.

“There you are.”, Chenle says, leaning against the kitchen doors frame. “I searched for you everywhere, my love.” And it’s like a switch turning inside of you. You slap Jisungs’ hand away, rolling your eyes at his advantages and walking towards Chenle. The moment you are within reach, Chenle pulls you in, wrapping one hand around you. “Hey man, I get that you are in love with her, or whatever, but it’s rude to steal someone else’s date. So, search for someone else to fuck.”

The moment Chenle pulls you into one of the free rooms, his lips are on yours. He kisses you feverishly, devilishly. He kisses you like he wants to leave you dry, like he wants to have you pleading. Chenle has you against the wall, hands all over your body, gripping and groping the sensitive skin, marking you up flesh by flesh. He bites your lower lip hard, only stopping when blood drips down your chin. Only then does he move on to your neck, sucking and biting, slurping and groaning. He presses you further into the wall, presses his whole body against. And you enjoy it. You enjoy his roughness, his possessiveness. You enjoy the way he doesn’t care if he’s going to hurt you, how he only cares about his own pleasure.

“You’re mine, sweetheart. You know that, right?” You nod at his voice, taking a few breaths trying to clear your foggy brain. You lean into him again, searching for his lips with yours but he pulls away, enticing a whimper to come out of your mouth. “I need you to say it, baby. Say you are mine. Say it like you mean it.”

“I’m yours.”, your voice is hoarse, breaking with those two words. “I’m yours.” Chenle grins, evilly almost. But he knows it’s not done yet; he knows that he has to do a little more. Just a tiny bit more and then he can have you, all to himself. He gives you what you crave, leaning down and capturing your mouth with his.

The kiss is messy, spit dripping down your chin, but you don’t care. All you want is to have Chenle closer, feel his skin on you. You want him to make you his, to claim you, to paint you from the inside. You want him to fill you up with all his everything and never let you go again. You want him so much it’s starting to hurt. Deep inside of you the pain starts to immerge, starting in your heart and spreading through your veins, slowly consuming your whole body.

“You feel that.”, Chenle whispers, parting from your lips slightly. You breathe him in, deep and long, but every breath is causing a sharp pain in your lungs. “You can feel the pain? This is your love for me, your want, your lust. It’s consuming you, isn’t it?” You almost can’t hear him through the ringing in your ears, almost can’t see him through the haze in your eyes.

Chenle presses his knee between your legs, enjoying the way you moan in pleasure at the feeling. He lets his hands wander over your body, moving your hips down, pressing you more on his knee. “I can feel you, baby. I can feel how you want me.” You weakly grip his shoulders, trying to stay up right. You feel dizzy, like you are about to pass out. And you don’t know if it’s from the pain in your body or the pleasure clouding your mind. But you know you want more, you need more.

“Please.”, you whimper, hands fumbling to unbutton his shirt. Chenle lets you try, chuckling at your shaking hands and the frustrated frown on your face as you notice your inability to open the buttons.

“Please, what, sweetheart? Use your words.” You sigh, throwing your head back and letting one hand glide down to the hem of his shirt, right before the button of his pants. “I can’t give you what you want, if you don’t tell me.”

“I want you.”, you tell him, voice coming out more stable than you thought it would. “Please, take me, Chenle.” And he knows, right in this moment, that it is time. That his plan has worked. He knows that he succeeded, that he can finally have what he has desired for so long.

“Finally.”, he whispers, face falling, eyes glowing red. “You know how long I waited for this? How long you made me wait? I should punish you, you know? I should destroy you for making me waste so much energy on your small little frame. But you don’t want that, do you? No, I bet you don’t. You just want to be with me, forever. Aren’t I right?” A tiny spark of fear courses through your body, but the lust inside of you makes you ignore that feeling.

“Yes, I want you forever, Chenle.” And it all happens so fast. Chenle takes your hair into his fist, tipping your head back violently. His eyes bore into the skin of your neck, marking it with his gaze. The whole room turns into black smoke, filling your lungs and making it hard for you to catch your breath. He is heaving, licking his blood shot lips with an animalistic manner.

“Oh, my sweet girl. We are going to have so much fun together. Your mind is mine, was mine from the second you looked me in the eyes. I made you mine, and that will stay forever. I broke the sweet innocent girl you were. I broke you and showed you who you really are. You are going to be eternally grateful to me for that. I am your master now. I am the one you’re serving. And don’t worry, I am going to take extra good care of you. I couldn’t waste such a pretty little thing.”

And just like that, in the matter of mere seconds, in the blink of an eye, everything you once knew gets taken away from you. And it is one thought that flashes through your mind, before you the world turns black.

You should have listened to them when they told you the devil exists, and that he is among us. You should have listened to them, before you fell right into his trap, before you looked him in the eyes.

Bonus

Screams of suffering souls are faintly heard in the back, whimpers of pleading ghosts surround you and the burning fire warms the side of your face, but you stay unmoving. Glued to your place right beside the throne of bones and shattered spirits with Chenle sitting on it.

His large wings stay firmly tucked on his back, horns covering the top of his hands and his sharp teeth snarl from time to time.

Hell is worse than anyone imagined it to be, but you got used to it. You got used to the screams of pain, the muttered pleadings, the overwhelming heat. You got used to the suffering around you, inside of you. It never gets easier, never gets less. It stays constant, the suffering. Only when you step out of line, when the begging gets too much, do you die again. You learned to not do that, to behave, to be a statue. You learned that asking Chenle to spare your life isn’t going to help you. Because the devil doesn’t feel remorse, the devil doesn’t feel anything at all. You learned that it will only make him more ruthless, angry, wrathful. And that is not a sight you want to see again. So, you stay a perfect statue, a perfect toy. Because nothing matters anymore, nothing is important anymore, nothing makes any sense anymore. Why?

Because you’re already dead.  

[fearcrowz]

For any story or specific if you want to explain it. How do you approach the concepts of demons and Hell in your stories? Is Hell a different plane from Heaven and Earth, connected in some way? Are demons spawned from Earth souls or spawned from Hell? Are devils demons or something else or only referring to Satan as a specific demon if they are even referenced. Just how do you like to depict the concept and theme of Hell and demons for your stories?

OH WE GOT A DELICIOUS SET OF QUESTIONS HERE, thank you Puppers!

Ramble ramble ramble ahead:

I've always toyed with story demons and angels stuff. Love the research, love the "history". I didn't place these concepts solidly UNTIL Witching Hour. In that story there is a demon city called the 6th Gate, and Heaven is a concept but not important to the story. The 6th Gate is a "part" of Hell, and there are High Demons. These demons are the strongest in this story, from Vanrigard to Sinclair, to Asmodeus† and Abbadon, Leviathan and one other that is being recreated. These demons were born out of a tree in Hell called the Father Tree. The Mother Tree also births deities but only after so many hundreds of years. Gilbert is one of these deities, as well as this girl:

She is also a deity that has not released her powers. Is she an angel? Who knows as Heaven was not in view in Witching Hour. Gilbert's true form isn't exactly fully angelic either.

The next part of this connecting story is Nightlight. It reveals that their are demons and angels beyond just the 6th Gate. The High Demons are still relevant, but the story moves of from the incidents of Witching Hour. In Nightlight, monsters, demons and angelic beings are a thing here. Maggie is a halfling, apparent that one half is demonic. This brings a curious interest to Velafor and Zuriel who secretly babysit Maggie away from Vince's [Dracula] knowledge.

Angels exist and they do linger on earth in this magical city guarded by a lighthouse. In Nightlight, there is a place called the Dark House that worships the High Demon Abaddon, the same demon and cult/coven of witches/wizards from Witching Hour. There is also Sevel's issues with angels and Faye's dealings with the infamous book of names (if you know you know), and the first introduction of the concept of the Devil himself. God is nowhere to be seen in this story, but the demons and very few angels make active marks in Nightlight along with old sprinkled characters from Witching Hour after its events

The next story in this connecting line is The Ones We Buried. The events of Nightlight had well passed over, and this is followed by Sevel [Tooth Fairy] and his journey away from the magical city to a new place of interest. This story, demons and angels are still relevant but mostly angels. And apparently Heaven is more twisted and secret than you would think. At least, according to Sevel. He gets a funeral home to do his shady business, hiring a halfling (a creature I made called a Panwalker) and a couple of dopes to help along his business. Elise is here as well! Along with the stories of Cain and Reverie. This story is more about ghosts and spooky stuff, but their are artifacts that are related to religious things. Like the Spear of Longinus and the Horn of Judgement Day. Demons are still a thing but more sprinkled out. It's mainly a spooky creepy story with cryptids and supernatural/paranormal myths though! Some very few characters from Nightlight still make their appearances.

The final story, In Between, in this dragged concept reveals everything about the angels and demons. Between the events of The Ones We Buried and In Between, a war between angels and demons broke out. This is a time very well pass the events of Nightlight and even The Ones We Buried. Sevel has already moved to a different location, and Elise, who is the main character in this story as well (is a reincarnation of the El in The Ones We Buried pretty much) deals with the angels wanting her dead and the demons wanting her alive. (Minus one or two). This is all because of the war. God is gone, the angels run rampant, and Samael (the Devil and also the same Devil in Nightlight but moved on from his old ways) also seemingly has disappeared. The angels and demons have no leader, and no control means they do as they please with whatever they believe in.

In this story, Heaven has even banished human souls from entering its gates, and they are just instantly reincarnated. If they did bad (Hell also has blocked off it's gates), they get reincarnated into something useless and fragile. If the deed is severely bad, what they are reincarnated into is tormented for each life they have. Everything is in shambles away from the natural order.

And Elise, is somehow the key to the third Heavenly war (the first was some point before the events of Witching Hour but its only in records that you dont find out until The Ones We Buried.)

And Angels want her gone (prolly because they fear that this war will be when they lose) and the demons want her alive but not for winning reasons.

I've prolly missed a lot of story points but thats pretty much the main gist of my main demon angel concepts ehehehe

Now if its a story thats not connected with any story of mine, Endworld has the whole "angel and demon" run too but its more fantasy than anything religious. God is a woman running a perfect place called the Utopia (the Overworld) and Endworld is like "Hell" with the "Devil" being in charge and its just this crazy colorful and dark world of silly chaos.

[hihopelessromantics]

magical balance, anyone ?

another day of fixing Nakba's mistakes ! aka fleshing out the Themes where he didn't

I think each clan’s existence plays a role in maintaining the fabric of reality as it is, and manifesting the magic that exists. Absence or excess causes intense problems and threatens the world. 

As put by my pal @exrolotus!

Goddesses: life 

Demons: death 

Fairies: flora nature

Giants: fauna / tectonic nature 

Human: willpower 

Basic Diagram of Magical Balance

(you can barely see the goddess clan! Just like nakaba!)

The given reason for humanity becoming more magical and the overall magical health of Britannia declining is plot convenience. But this is what I think it should actually be going on there: 

The goddess clan and demon clan both generally exist at a greater distance from humanity compared to the giant and fairy clan, either in another dimension or other place (my mutuals propose, for instance, that the demon realm exists in either Japan or Ireland); this distance representing how they stand on equally powerful and opposite sides of a spectrum. It’s so clear how far apart they are, how clear at first glance the line is between what they represent. I propose that their link to the magical balance between them is more precarious than that between of the giants and fairies, and much more vital to the manifestation of magic itself.

As for the giants and fairies: their clans’ supernatural relationship is easier to understand in that they both have ties to nature. It’s a more tangible concept - how does the environment exist without the earth? Flora without fauna? And when do we ever see fairies and giants going toe-to-toe? 

We see the Giant and Fairy clans join with Diane and King’s marriage. I’m going to dig for meaning and propose that this restored a balance between them that was always meant to be. That, in the same way that Elizabeth and Meliodas met and bonded soul-to-soul, their souls’ union was able to restore an ancient and necessary balance to their own clans. Elizabeth and Meliodas brought the end to an eternal war. I’m gonna say that King and Diane brought an end to an unnatural silence. An absence of a relationship, to parallel the absence of a supernatural union between light and dark, life and death, which, arguably should coexist without a third force (supernatural racism, the goddesses’ genocide agenda, etc.) attempting to eliminate one from existence. 

Drole and Gloxinia’s relationship in canon has mysterious origins. A lot of us seem to be shipping them, and I don’t think they’re wrong from a narrative perspective. Remember the giants’ connection to the earth and the faries’ connection to nature. It makes sense that their clans should have some kind of relationship, instead of not interacting at all. Love between them, whether romantic or platonic, could represent the same thing. I hypothesize that fairies and giants were always close (not necessarily physically!) in ancient times until the Holy War, and upon seeing the devastation and unnecessary death they “split” in order to prevent history from repeating. An angst disagreement, or a solemn and silent withdrawal. Giants, continuing on as some of the greatest warriors in Britannia, overemphasizing it in the hope their strength will continue to protect them and bring them honor and courage. Fairies, isolating themselves from all other interactions, neglecting their warrior skills to the point where they become as they are in nnt, relying on their king to do everything for them and “discarding their honor” in terms of their powers. Unhealthy war, unhealthy peace. 

I propose that the rifts caused by the Holy War are what sapped the magic from Britannia. When the goddesses and demons lose the ability to interact with the world “in-between” them, the magic drains. Etc. Humans, the “odd one out,” adapted. For fun, I think there should be some natural disasters thrown into the mix every now and again, as well as other phenomena which I will describe later. What happens when the ropes on all four sides, holding together the supernatural balance of reality, snap? This whole thing is inspired somewhat by the idea that in a fantasy realm, there is one more sphere of health you have to keep track of. It’s physical health, mental health, and magical health. Neglect your mental health? Uh oh! Neglect your magical health? UH OH. I think that if you’re not in touch with yourself and your powers, well, there are consequences. And something like that on a larger scale is happening to Britannia with two (?) upset balances.  

Thoughts? :D

[eloaholiveira]

Hello, I’m one of the contestants of the AU Sonic Smackdown, @delightrolls, the creator of the Sonic Thunderstorm AU. I was trying to decide who to vote for between you and @wereh0gz, but the decision is proving to be difficult. Would you kindly tell me more about your Freaks AU? Anything and everything you feel comfortable sharing about your impeccable story! And if you want some more specific questions I would like to ask these questions and I apologize in advance for the amount of them, your AU is just very intriguing. Feel free to take your time answering all of these:

Are all Echidnas Wood Nymphs / Dryads / Drus or is it just Knuckles? If it’s just Knuckles how did he get like that?

Did the Knuckles Clan still invoke the wrath of Chaos leaving Knuckles as the sole survivor?

Are characters like Omega, and Cream in the Freaks AU?

Are the Chaotix still detectives? If not, what do they do?

What are Zombies like? Do they eat brains like most Zombies in stories do or do they eat something else?

Is Silver also a Vegan Vampire?

Can Vampires also be satiated by Animal Blood or is it only Mobian / Tree Blood?

What are the pros and cons of drinking Mobian Blood vs Tree Blood?

Can Vampires eat solid food or are they limited to fluids?

If someone is bitten by a Vampire are they guaranteed to turn into a Vampire or Zombie or can other things happen as well?

Are Vampires weak to Sunlight?

What happens when The Order takes someone? Are they killed or imprisoned? If they are imprisoned what happens to them in prison?

What are Demons like?

Were Surge and Kit born Demons or did someone or something turn them into Demons?

Do Iblis, Solaris, Dark Gaia, and Light Gaia exist in this story?

Can someone earn the title of High Howler outside of killing the current High Howler? How would one do this?

What are the lifespans of the various Freaks?

What are Fairies like?

Sticks doesn’t believe in the Supernatural but is a Fairy, are Fairies not Supernatural?

What does the Morning Glory Pack do?

If Mimic turned Mighty and Mighty is part of Amy’s Pack does that mean Mimic is also a part of Amy’s Pack?

How many members are in Amy’s Pack? Is Eric in Amy’s Pack?

Is Ashe also a Werebeast?

Has anyone willingly become a Freak?

Would eating a possessed object completely destroy it or would the Ghost simply possess the person who ate them?

Thank you for your time and regardless of whether you win or lose I think your story is impeccable :)

Hey!!! And thank you ❤️

1- Yes, all echidnas - from Knuckles' tribe - were Wood Nymphs.

2- Yes, and Knuckles still guards the Master Emerald at Angel Island.

3- Cream is in the AU!!! I just have yet to draw her, and shes a mundane. Not sure ig Omega will appear just yet.

4- The Chaotix are still detectives, think Kemono Jihen: they take care of supernatural incidents, sorta like vigilantes(is that the correct term? ^^") They're also family, Vector is the single dad of these two. lol

5- You got flesh-eating zombies... and then you have Gadget, who personally loves pastries. XD

6- Silver is learning about 'vampire veganism' with Espio.

7/8- Sort of, a sentiment's blood not only make them stronger but they're also well fed. Vegan vampires are weaker since they don't consume live blood.

9- Yes vampires are weak to sunlight, but it's mostly based on their diet. Those who drink live blood might get hurt real badly, and those who are vegan usually have way higher tolerance to sunlight just getting itchy.

10- Still reworking/revamping The Order

11- Demons are either sinners or born-demons. Demons can be summoned by mundanes, sinners cannot.

12- Surge and Kit are born demons, they got summoned by Starline.

13- Gaia is a single entity like a God, Iblis and Solaris do not exist in this story.

14- You don't need to kill the previous High Howler to become one, you can earn the title, it's not well known how to do so, but you must not have killed innocent people in order to earn it. Or you could be a High Howler's Heir and inherit the 'throne' when they die.

15- Still working on fairies, but they're mostly chill, being able to change between fairy form (tiny) and mobian form. Fairies have powers related to the elements/nature.

16- Fairies are supernaturals, Sticks just never took fairy form/'unlocked' her powers so she never figured out she was a fairy herself! XD

17- Morning Glory is currently trying to track down Mimic, since he's going around causing mayhem n all.

18- Amy's pack got 7 members, 2 of which are demons (Surge and Kitsunami). Eric is an omega, he's on his own, and Ashe is a mobian, he didn't get turned.

19- I shall talk about that soon... 👁️👁️

20- The person who ate it would probably die... or vomit it out. XD

[hobgobknowsbest]

So goblins, huh? Everything is coming up goblins lately. As a life-long lover of all gobkind, and all things creepy, it's nice to see them emerging from the underground, and slithering their way into the hearts and minds of so, so, so many people.

I feel like it is my civic duty to my little goblin community to pass on what I've learned over the years. Can't be a real community if we don't share with each other, right? So here's my two cents.

Let me start by pointing out that the word "goblin" itself is very much a blanket term.

Goblin (n.)

early 14c., "a devil, incubus, mischievous and ugly fairy".

This short definition alone includes three separate entities, which I would bet probably bring up vastly different images in your mind. I like to equate the use of the word "goblin" to common usage of the term "demon".

Demon (n.)

c. 1200, "an evil spirit, malignant supernatural being, an incubus, a devil," from Latin daemon "spirit," from Greek daimōn "deity, divine power; lesser god; guiding spirit, tutelary deity"

They're both vague blanket terms. Now, whether or not you believe in the existence of either of the above two things, remember that not that long ago, the majority of your ancestors did. These mere mortals did their best to put quill to paper and categorize things that were as alien to them as proper etiquette at the dinner table might be to the common rat.

Writers did their best to organize first-hand accounts, claims of hauntings, tales of frightening midnight encounters, and essentially take stories told exclusively by mouth for generations and make them palatable for the public. Their attempts to make sense of the senseless is what we now rely on as our guide to the other side.

Long story slightly shorter, as much as I do love the term goblin, take it for what it is: a term encompassing many different creatures all over the world.

Celtic tales bring us redcaps and púca. The Wampanoag have the pukwudgie, China has the tengu, Korea has the dokkaebi, Latin America has the duende, and some even consider the ifrit, of Islamic culture, to be a type of goblin. Just to name a few.

The common denominators here, all across the board? A love of the forest, general disdain for humans, appreciation of ruins, and a penchant for trickery and mischief.

The Leshy are another of my favourite "goblins". In Slavic tales, they were the protectors of the forest. Each of them were said to claim their own forest, and protect it jealously. Hunters would need to ask permission to enter and hunt, and if they strayed, disrespected, or overstayed their welcome, they would be punished or killed.

So, in closing:

Goblins are

Boisterous and loud

Wild and uncontrollable

Compulsive pranksters

Proud law breakers

Fierce protectors of nature

Potentially violent

Tricksters through and through

Stubborn and unruly

Concentrated mischief

[wuxiaphoenix]

Worldbuilding: Best Left Unexplained

“Roger, Dispatch. That’s a UTL on the UFO.”

UTL meaning unable to locate, and yes, that’s a sentence various law enforcement officers have had to use in the past and will have to use in the future. There’s always someone who mistakes a spotlight or an air ambulance for Weird Lights in the Sky....

And then, sometimes, there are weird lights in the sky.

Aurora? Shooting stars? Black ops helicopters? None of the above? The explanation will depend on your world, and how close you want to hew to realism. Because in our real world, sometimes things happen that we cannot explain.

Odd noises, lights, smells. Spotting a person you know across the street, when they’re half a continent away. People wandering into a deserted area, and wandering out hours or days later, swearing they were only gone a few minutes. These and many other odd phenomena, have been recorded by humans throughout history, and are still experienced today. Some people group them as paranormal, others as Fortean phenomena. In the past they were often thought to be the work of fairies, trolls, youkai, spirits, what have you. What are they now? We don’t know.

To me, that is the key: we don’t know.

Contrary to popular usage, a UFO is not an alien spaceship. It is an unidentified flying object. If you know it’s an alien ship, it’s not unidentified, is it?

Here’s the paradox. The difference between reality and fiction, it’s said, is that fiction has to make sense. In a story everything should have an explanation. The reader may not always have it written out for the, but they should feel it exists. Yet in real life things aren’t so neat and tidy. Unexplained things happen.

So how do you split the difference? How do you keep your stories realistic, yet plausible?

Honestly in a lot of stories you don’t have to worry about this if you don’t want to. Your readers are coming for a tale that makes sense. Anything weird can be chalked up to magic, alien tech, or possibly a murderer using fancy magician’s tricks. Even if an incident isn’t directly explained, we can assume an explanation exists. Think of the X-Files; the weirdness was assumed to be explained by the end of the episode, even if that explanation was “he had psychic powers all along” or “actual demons.”

What if you do want weirdness in your story? Fine hairs up on the back of the reader’s neck, because something strange happened there?

First, ignore The Exorcist-style massive showy paranormal events. Look up books on poltergeists, hauntings, fairy encounters in history and modern. Most of the really spooky stuff is subtle.

Second... the more fantastic your setting is, the harder it’s going to be to show that something Just Went Weird. Readers have their background assumptions about what worlds are like. To show them something is off-kilter, they have to have a very good idea what “normal” should look like. This is easier in a modern setting. You can also pull it off in a fantastic setting if you’re using a POV character who can realize exactly why all this is Not Quite Right.

Third, again, be subtle. If the paranormal becomes a driving force in the story, readers will demand you explain it. So don’t use it that way. Make it a feather dropped on one side of the scales, barely tipping the situation this way instead of that. “If I hadn’t flinched from the ghost I’d have stepped on the snake” is classic for a reason!

Last, don’t let it change who your characters are. Heroes should be heroes whether the fay reward them or not; villains should be villains even with the whiff of brimstone in their nostrils. They might pause, they might have second thoughts, but their actions should always be their own. After all, if you’ve been supernaturally warned, and still choose evil... that’s even creepier.

What would you leave unexplained?

[jiliansky-blog]

The god of dreams. Chapter 9

Pairing: Morpheus x FemaleReader

Rating: PG

Words: 3200

I woke up with the smell of coffee. And was surprised by it. The first thought was Morpheus. But then I remembered that it can’t be him. This thought almost broke my heart. Then I realized that it could be Johanna and it made me stand up. “I thought, you were not the early bird”, I admitted, when I entered the kitchen. She smiled and handed me a cup of coffee. “It’s late already”, she said. “So, how with entering Morpheus's realm?”

“It didn’t work”, I sighed. “He doesn’t want me to enter his realm”. “Well, sorry to hear it”, she said. “But you are so strong. I would give up and think that he just dumped me, but not you”. “He wanted, but something tells me that he changed his mind”, I said. “That something happened and it made him change his mind again”. “Well, alright, we started the whole thing anyway”, she said. “So, what’s the plan?” I asked, making the breakfast for us. “We need to wait until midnight and come to the crossroad”, Johanna replied. “And I hope it will work and they will listen to you”.

“Yes”, I said. “I can’t believe I’m into something supernatural now”. “Welcome to my world”, she smiled. “The supernatural come into life with Morpheus. Be grateful he is not a demon”. “Thank god”, I smiled too. “He was so…handsome and mysterious, that I started to suspect he is not human. Maybe a fairy”. “Fairies don’t exist among the people”, she mentioned. “So they exist too?” I asked, shocked. “Yes, but in their own realm”, she smiled. “Perhaps, Morpheus will tell you about it, when you will be together”.

“Perhaps”, I was sad again. “Don’t”, she said. “You won’t be able to help him while being depressed. The real tests are still ahead of you”. “What do you mean?” I asked. “You need to formulate your questions clearly”, she answered. “Because their answers can be vague. And you can receive not clear and useless answers”. “Oh”, I said. “And make one question a priority”, Johanna continues. “In case they want to give just one answer. Think wisely”.

“You know so much more than me”, I admitted. “I have years of learning and working with supernatural creatures”, she said. “And your boyfriend of course a little bit arrogant and insolent, but not that bad. He looked even a little bit fragile and lost”. “Yes, that was my thought when I saw him too”, I smiled. “How can someone so powerful be so fragile?” “I don’t know”, she shrugged. “Not all the ancient creatures are the same, I suppose. Can I use your computer?” “Yes, why?” I asked.

“I need to see what the closest crossroad is”, she smirked. “Do you not trust me?” “I trust you”, I shrugged. “You can use it”. She took my laptop, while I went to the shower. It was nice to have someone on my side. I didn’t know how I was going to do this on my own. Johanna was still working, when my phone rang. Turned out this was Jade, who was a little bit worried about me.

“You didn’t call me and were away half a day”, she said. “So I just want to check up if you are alright. What is going on?” “Nothing, I was busy”, I said. “With a detective. And I’m fine. I am going to leave the town today, and I will return”. “Melody, are you truly alright?” she asked. “Yes”, I replied. “It’s just everything changed so quickly. I don’t want to forget him. I want to find him”. “You’re obsessed with him”, she said. “It’s not good”.

“I love him”, I sighed. “And I worry, that something could happen to him. And I want to know what’s going on”. “Alright”, she said. “Just don’t disappear”. “I won’t”, I said. “I promise, it’s just a short trip to the countryside. And I’m perfectly fine”.

I understand she thinks that I dived into a new unhealthy relationship over another. But if Morpheus says that everything is over, then I will accept it. I just worry about him. I can’t just leave without knowing if he is alright. “Friends are worried”, Johanna noticed. “Indeed”, I said. “I can’t blame her though. I return from one escape trip and start to look for another guy”. “Well, I would be worried too”, she said. “Especially, knowing, that you are into the Endless. Dangerous case”. “Yes, too late for that though”, I smiled. “So what are you going to do till midnight?”

“I need to take some of my stuff”, she smiled. “So I need to return to my flat and my office. Will you stay out of trouble, till my return?” “I will try”, I smiled. “Good”, she smiled and soon left my house. I was left alone again. I didn’t want to be alone that is why I invited Johanna. Well, one of the reasons it was. Perhaps, I shared the burden of loneliness with Morpheus after all. I dialed the Jade’s number again.

“Has something happened?” she asked. “No”, I said. “I just want to ask, if you want to go for dinner today. I’m not in the mood to be alone today”. “You are acting weird”, she admitted. “Perhaps”, I laughed. “So what about my offer?” “Why you just don’t invite me home and we cook something?” she suggested. “Fine for me”, I replied. “I’ll be in your place in half an hour”, she said and ended the conversation.

I clean up the kitchen after the breakfast. I didn’t want Jade to notice that Johanna was here. She has already so many questions. “Hello”, she said, entering my flat. “If you ask if I’m alright again, I will scream”, I warned her. “I just really forget how to be alone now”. “Aren’t you supposed to be in a standalone cabin in Greece?” she asked.

“I did, but I spent most of my time with Morpheus”, I replied. “I met him on the first day and then we were together”. While we were preparing food and coffee, I told her about my vocation. I didn’t tell her about Morpheus being a supernatural creature though. She wouldn’t believe me anyway. “You fell hard for him”, she admitted. “Yes”, I nodded. “And he is so much better than my ex”. She sighed and gave up reassuring me that I was not okay. It seemed she was satisfied that I called her. “I hope, you won’t stalk him”, she said. “No”, I replied.

“I’m still sure that he just left and didn’t want to do a formal goodbye”, she admitted. “You said it yourself that he wanted to leave after the end of your vocation”. “Then he wouldn’t tell me about it yet”, I said. “And we are supposed to make one…thing on the next day. He promised me not to leave without saying goodbye”. “What if some emergency came up?” she asked. “Perhaps, I shrugged. “But I have this feeling, that something is wrong. You can be sure, that if he is alright I will leave him”. “Alright”, she sighed.

We talked a little more and then she left. I was alone again. And I decided to read and fall asleep accidentally. And somehow I appeared in a place that looked like a library. That was the biggest library I’ve ever visited. “Excuse me, can I help you?” Suddenly a woman with dark skin and pointy ears appeared next to me. “I’m sorry, where I am?” I asked. “In the library of the Dreaming”, she said and then she saw my necklace. “I’m sorry, don’t you happen to be Melody?” “Yes, that’s me”, I smiled. “And you are?” “Lucienne”, she said, “The librarian of the Dreaming”.

“I’m in the Dreaming finally”, I replied. “Can I see Morpheus? I was worried for him. I need to know if he is alright”. “He might not feel well today if you can get here”, she sighed. “And I don’t know if that is a good idea to see him right now”. “Why?” I asked. “He is not in the mood”, she replied. “And it’s dangerous. Something threatens the Dreaming. But don’t mention to him I told you that”. “Alright, but I still want to see him”, I said. “He disappeared so suddenly. And I couldn’t get here. What was I supposed to think?” “I’m sorry, but…”

“Where I can find him?” I asked. “In the throne room”, she sighed. “I show you the way, but he might be very angry with me for doing that”. She took me through a long corridor to the big room with a starry sky on the stellar. It was cosmic. And then high and long stairs lead to the throne. “Melody?” I heard Morpheus’ voice. “What are you doing here?” “What do you think?” I looked at him. “I came to think if you are okay”.

He was in a long black robe. His black was even messier than usual and he looked paler and tired. “You disappeared so suddenly”, I said when just looked at me surprised. “I don’t know what to do or to think. Are you alright? You looked like you are going to dissolve”. “You shouldn’t be here”, he said finally. “It’s dangerous”. “You gave me the necklace, remember?” I said. “And then closed the Dreaming for me. It wasn’t funny at all”. “You need to return me the necklace”, he said coldly. “What?” I didn’t expect this. “You shouldn’t look for me ever again”, Morpheus continued. “Why?” I asked. “We can’t be together”, he said. “It always was doomed. I was a fool to think otherwise”.

It was hurtful. Did he really dump me? Did he not love me? But then I remembered their words about danger and Morpheus definitely looked not okay. “Then look me in the eyes and say that you don’t want to see me anymore”, I said, stepping closer to him. I wanted to hug him and kiss him so much. It was almost unbearable. “Say that you don’t love me”.

He looked away and then looked at me again in silence. I waited, looking at him. “It’s dangerous for you to be here”, he said. “I’m trying to protect from the disaster and you are… You are…” “I care for you!” I said. “And I will fight for you”. I put off the necklace and gave him. He was bewildered by my words. “Take it”, I said. “You are just going to close the Dreaming for me again after I leave, but you know what? I will figure out what is going on and I will fight for you”. “You are an unbelievable human being”, he noticed. “Yes”, I said and smiled. “And I still love you”.

At that moment something woke me up. Turned out my phone fell off the table. It was Johanna of course. I picked up the phone. “Hello”, I said. “You sound sleepy”, she noticed. “I was sleeping”, I said. “Say that you are on your way to me. I need to tell you something”. “I didn’t realize, you already missed me. Okay, I will be at your place soon”. She ended the call and I looked into the window. It was dark already. And then I realized the necklace was really gone. And Morpheus can be in real trouble. What happened to him? What danger he was talking about? Unfortunately, I didn’t think he answer me even if I asked him. My heart almost broke from his tired and pale look.

Johanna indeed came as fast as she could. She looked worried and intrigued. “Did you find out something?” she asked. “Did you enter the Dreaming?” “Well, I could enter the Dreaming this time”, I said. “Morpheus is definitely not okay. He told me about the danger, said that I shouldn’t be in the Dreaming, and took my necklace. Then I woke up”. “Oh, what this Endless has done”, Johanna looked a little bit worried. “So, are you still going with a plan?” “Of course, only now I have more questions”, I said. “Like what should I do to save him and stop this danger?” “Their answers might not help you”, she admitted.

“Anyway we should try”, I sighed. “I need to help him. I can’t see him so tired and sad and miserable. It breaks my heart”. “Wow, you really fell hard”, she noticed. “But you can’t help while being here. So you need to find a new way in”. “Yes, I don’t know which is harder”, I said. “We need to do one thing at a time”, she said. “Prepare your question. Soon we will leave to find a crossroad”. After visiting the Dreaming, it was really hard to concentrate. The first I want to know is about the rule and how to break it. The second is how to get into the Dreaming without dying or falling asleep. The third thing is how to save the Dreaming and Morpheus. “Are you ready, dear?” asked Johanna finally.

“Yes, did you take the necklace with you?” I asked in return. “Of course, sweetheart”, she replied. “Let’s go”. “On our way, I was beginning to be nervous. I didn’t think what I was going to do if they didn’t answer my call or say that everything I wanted was impossible. Should I just give up? “Hey, you are so silent, it became weird”, Johanna broke the silence. “What are you thinking about?” “What if we fail?” I asked her. “We won’t”, she said. “But even if we will, we will make a new plan”. “And you are willing to continue even in a case of failing?” I smiled. “It’s very kind of you” “You are enchanting me with your kindness”, she joked. “Very funny”, I smiled.

“I’m not joking”, she said. “Not entirely. I would like to punch Morpheus for making you live through this shit”. “He wants to protect me in his own way”, I tried to justify to him. “He warned me that we can’t be together. But it seemed that he is dealing with another problem right now. And I’m not sure, that it’s connected”. “Perhaps, the punishment hits him for breaking the rule, but I don’t think that it works like that”, she admitted. “I don’t want him to be punished for what is partially my fault”, I said. “I don’t want him to get hurt for anything”. “Don’t dwell on it”, said Johanna. “You can’t help him crying”.

Soon we were out of London on some countryside road. And Johanna stopped the car and then looked at me. “Are you ready, love?” she asked. “Let’s do it”, I nodded. And we got out of the car. This place was freaking me out. “Don’t be afraid”, Johanna smiled. “I’m here with you. We’re on the old crossroad. Now it’s time to get started”. “Of course”, I nodded. “You need to read this one”, she gave me the piece of paper. “I call to you, Hecate”, I read. “One as a three. Three as the one. Come to me”.

“Interesting”, I heard the voice. “It was a long time ago when the mortal called to us”. And then I saw them. Three beautiful women. One was in her 50s, the second – 40-ies, and the third one – twenties. They all looked at me with curiosity. “I want to ask something”, I said. “And we brought you a gift”. “I see”, said the oldest one. “What is the gift?” “Johanna, the necklace”, I said. And I don’t even know where I found this courage inside of me. Johanna didn’t ask questions nor did she say anything. Fates seemed to look our gift. “Oh, I haven’t seen this for a very long time”, said the mature woman. “Thank you for bringing it back. You can ask us”. “Alright, can you tell me about the rule of the universe that forbids mortals and Endless to be together and how can I break it?” “Oh, so it’s about your affair with Dream of the Endless”, said the oldest woman.

“The rule said, that your home will be destroyed if you will be together”, said the mature one. “You should become immortal to be together”, said the youngest. “How I can do that?” I asked. “There are a lot of ways that people forget about”, answers the mature one. “Became a fairy or find a fern flower”, said the youngest one. “But are you sure that you want to have immortal life with him?” asked the oldest. “He is arrogant and cold”. “And he is romantic and kind and hurt”, I said. “He is good in his heart”. “Oh, so you are in love with him”, she said. “How can I get in the Dreaming if not in sleep or death?” I asked another question.

“There is a flower”, said the mature one. “A poppy. You need to find it and make a drink. I can put you to the liturgical death though”. “A poppy”, I said. “And I have one more question?” “I’m sorry, but your time is up”, said the mature one. “Wait, I need to know what danger is threatening him”, I said quickly. “How can I help him?” “You’re running out of questions”, she said. “But you need to think if you truly want to be with him. “It’s not easy with him”. “Goodbye, Melody”, said the youngest. And they’ve disappeared. Well, at least I know something now. Morpheus

I was still bewildered because of Melody’s visit. Perhaps, I was tired and lost control of the protection of the Dreaming. Her words are echoing through me. She loves me. She will return. She will fight for me. For us. “My lord, you need to rest”, said Luciene. “I can’t rest”, I replied. “In this case, I won’t be able to stop a threat”. “You won’t be able to stop a threat if you’re weak from exhaustion”, she said. “I’m sure; she doesn’t want it for you either”. “Stop”, I said coldly. “She shouldn’t be here. But perhaps you are right. I am growing weary. IF she can appear here”. “That was my point”, Lucienne replied. “You can’t perform your duties if you are exhausted, my lord”.

“Is there any news?” I asked. “They are still somewhere on the border of the Dreaming”, she replied. “You need to rest. I will take care of everything”. “Very well”, I said and went to my room. I can’t think clearly. I remember Melody. I should say goodbye to her when I have the chance. Then she wouldn’t go looking for me. But somehow I wish her to find me again before it all goes to dust. “Boss”, Matthew followed me.

“What is wrong, Matthew?” I asked. “Did you find out what is she doing?” “She found Johanna Constantine and they were planning to summon Fates”, he answered. “She indeed doesn’t plan to stop”. “I see”, I sighed. “We planned to do it together before I had to return home. I can’t stop her. She wouldn’t listen”. “Maybe, you should tell her about the danger”, he suggested. “So she would understand what is going on. Uncertainty sometimes can kill more than knowledge”. “No”, I said. “That shouldn’t concern her. I don’t think she can get here anyway. Soon she will give up”. “As you say”, he sighed. “But I don’t think so”.

@shadowqueen1318 @mypsychoticlove @justathirstyhoe​ @ladymoztaza

[interstellar-elf]

It also feels like it never actually went away either.

In 2009, I was talking with a girl in a watercolor 101 class when the topic went to music. When I pointed out that I liked rock, especially some of the 70s bands like Led Zeppelin, she went into a full on conversation about how "Stairway to Heaven" contained Satanic back masked messages in them, and that I was a "silly stupid" person because I told her it wasn't true at all and was just something someone made up because they wanted to find Satan within everything. Needless to say, I didn't want to speak to her again.

In 2007, I had an art teacher who, despite asking his students to buy a tarot deck for an art project, DEMANDED that we threw the decks away because he was convinced that tarot was Satanic in nature and would get us possessed by demons if we tried to use them or kept them. I was a poor kid, so throwing away $25 tarot deck was out of question and I thought they were beautiful.

As someone who has looked into the Satanic Panic fiction and "nonfiction" of the time (namely Forbidden Doors, the Pagan Invasion video series, the Elijah Creek and the Armor of God series, The Dark Side of the Supernatural etc), there's a lot of things that people tend to miss when talking about the Satanic Panic, such as the misogynistic attacks on women, the deliberate targeting of public schools, fear of cultures and practices outside of white American Christianity, a dismissive attitude towards arts and music (especially that which isn't Christian themed), and even treating going outside of gender norms or societal norms as being inherently evil in some way. I see the same thing when it comes to stuff like Q-non, the Delphi murders being legitimately considered as some kind of "ritualistic sacrifice" based off of nearly non-existent evidence, and the conspiracy theories that grew out of the crush at Astroland and the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, to the outline of Project 2025. It never left, it just kept going under everyone's noses.

EDIT:

I seemingly forgot about the fairy artist Jessica Galbreth who was steered into converting to Christianity because she was being convinced her fairy art was demonic in nature. It's actually kind of heartbreaking given it seems like she was going through some mentally stress and probably should have seen a professional therapist/psycharitist at the time but decided to toss out her fairy art because she convinced they were summoning demons.

It wouldn't even be the first time since I've been asked/convinced by people to stop drawing fairies because they might be "summoning demons" or something. That happened to me once.

EDIT2: Growing up, my mom was adament that I should be reading "the Classics" rather than the new fantasy and horror stuff. I think she gave up once she realized me and my brother were practically in love with the Goosebumps book series, which I'm pretty sure she was okay with because after all, I was reading something that I enjoyed and it was about humans and not animals (something I liked reading about as a kid and she was worried about for some reason, especially thinking that I wanted to become an animal). She still hates fantasy media though, and gets upset if I want to watch any of the LOTR movies if they're on tv because she thinks they're stupid, but wildly inaccurate historical movies? Absolutely her favorite. Even when I point out the inaccuracies.

DnD and RPGs she banned outright to the point that I actually thought she might be true about them. Never knew anyone who played them growing up, up until we got a Playstation and got Final Fantasy 7. She thought the game was evil and always seemed to think RPGs were sexual in nature thus innappropriate for 10 year olds until me and my brother had to explain the whole game to her. I have no idea where she got that from.

She stopped believing DnD was evil once she became a fan of The Big Bang Theory. For as much as I dislike that show, I am glad it got my mom to understand what Dungeons and Dragons was.

Still though, I'm more than infuriated when people boil the Satanic Panic down to "people thought DnD and rock music was evil" when it was far far more than that.

I feel like people these days don't really have a handle on how crazy the Satanic Panic was. A lot of cops wholeheartedly believed they were gonna have to arrest evil wizards.

[dzthenerd490]

Endless Conflict: Official Announcement and Unit Card Introduction

This is the first official public post in regards to a new project I am creation called Endless Conflict. It is my first ever entirely original project unlike the SCP: Horror Movie Files and Warhammer 40K Retold which are both basically fanfiction. Though despite that being said, this project though original will be heavily inspired by the SCP Foundation and the Warhammer 40K setting. It's going to be introduced a little something like this:

"In the prime world known as Planet-001 everything changed in almost an instant. During World War 1 the world made a massive discovery, one that could not be hidden any longer, the existence of Deviants. What are Deviants? They are fairy tales, cryptids, folk lore, aliens, demons, angels, spirits, the supernatural, the science fiction, the brightest and darkest parts of our imagination. We were told they were nothing more than baseless rumors and tales created with the purpose of scaring children and telling fantasy stories. But they are real, every single one of them and possibly more, and with them all sorts of miracles as well as dangerous have arisen. 

It all started when the first ever Deviant was unleashed on earth during WW1. It was a mysterious and deadly monstrosity called the first ever "Deviant", forever known in history as the Fortress of Evil. It was created and controlled by the vile Abyss Eaters. Their leaders the Eight Lords of Sin vowed to use this machine to destroy all life on earth and unleash the will of the Ancient Gods.

Though it was eventually destroyed the Abyss Eaters still exist and try to manipulate the world through the shadows. The creation of the Fortress of Evil was only the beginning, Deviants started showing up everywhere. One's we are familiar with in legends and old stories, and one's we know nothing about. There were even portals to other worlds, worlds we call Planet-002 through Planet-500. As the years went by only chaos grew as did the population of Deviants and Otherworlders. There was no way to stop it, no way to contain it, no way to isolate it, not even to censor it.

As such many factions rose up, some fight for power, others fight for control, some fight for freedom, and a few just want to watch it all burn. In an ever-growing world where the lines between the normal and the deviant continue to blur day by day, whose side will you be on? Who or what will you fight with? What will you decide is worth fighting for? Better choose quickly, because you never know when the next war is going to start."

Of course, there will be an alternate historical timeline, some lore pieces and short stories, main characters as well, both fantasy and sci-fi elements and settings, as well as files about certain Deviants just like a cryptid wiki page because it's inspired by SCP so of course I gotta do that. BUT the main thing about Endless Conflict is that I want to present it as, you guessed it, A CARD GAME!

This is the first of the three Card Types, that being the Unit Card.

This is a card for the units and soldiers of Endless Conflict, it’s not a real card game BUT I’m hoping one day it could POSSIBLY be one. For now its just concept art and a basis for what's to come.

Anyways each unit card will have different stats come from a different planet and have a different rarity. Also each unit card will typically have one already assigned Item or ability to them but they can only have a maximum of eight. Strange for a card game but each one will also have a chance of effect with a roll of the dice as shown above. DNH means Does not Hit and DNM means Does Not Miss… thinking about it now I could have just made it Hit or Miss.

REGARDLESS, E means Even on the dice and O means Odd. 2-6 obviously means the result happens either on a 2, 6, or anything in between. -3 means 3 and anything below and +4 means a 4 or anything above will result in the effect.

***

The following stats information that will follow almost every card

Attack (self-explanatory thought don't know the values will be yet, I'm thinking either 1-100 or 1-5000 will need to start making units first in order to see how it should all be balanced out first.)

Defense (same)

Perception (same but not as high numbers, this one is only required when a unit card is equipped with an item card. Some items cards will require a certain number of Perception or there will be items cards that will boost perception which can be helpful in certain situations)

Charisma (this stat can help a unit enhance social effects and spells, also higher charisma can allow a unit card to charm a near defeated enemy unit card to join your cause but only if they have lower charisma. Though beware units with high charisma that get defeated will leave a possible intimidation debuff on your other cards. I'll be sure to iron out the details later)

Intelligence (Hm... I guess I'll have this one function against charisma allowing your cared to resist the hypnosis or charm of a high charisma enemy card. Also allowing them to use certain high-tech items or magical items.)

Will (This one will help your unit cards better resist mental debuffs like fear and hypnosis the higher it is. The lower it is the more susceptible your card is to magical and mental attacks. Though high enough it can also boost certain item cards or attacks)

Health (self-explanatory, you'll want this one to be a large number for obvious reasons)

Resistance (There will be an element system in Endless Conflict and with that in mind you'll always want to know what element your unit cards can resist if any. There are some that aren't affected by any elements but be sure to focus on any they can resist or even nullify)

Weakness (This is definitely what you'll want to focus on if they have a element that affects them. Anything their weak to will do twice as much damage at minimum thought there are time where it will do three times the damage.)

Boost (Then theirs finally elements that can boost their power if exposed to it, so be sure to focus heavily on this one as even if your enemy card strikes this exact element on this unit card, it will allow them to fight back with twice the attack power for a single turn. Thought of course if you have an item card that grants the exact element, they are boosted by this will be a permanent buff so long as you have that item)

Side Note: Nothing here is official as details and elements are bound to change as I continue working so hopefully this won't be all there is to it. Please feel free to voice anything you personally think needs improvement with that being said.

***

Here is the element system I came up with

Level 1: Water / Fire/ Earth / Air / Lighting / Energy / Poison / Metal / Plant / Ice / Crystal

Level 2: Light / Darkness / Sound / Psychic / Gravity / Disease / Medicine

Level 3: Tech / Spirit / Undead / Angel / Demonic / Nature / Magic / Beast

Level 4: Sun / Moon/ Time/ Space/ Planet/ Life/ Anti-Life / Harmony / Chaos / Dimension / Dream

Level 5: Cosmic / Abyss

Obviously, the Level 1 being the simplest and weakest while Level 5 are more complex and MUCH stronger. But this is just the basic idea I'll try to flush everything out if it needs flushing out in the future.

***

Then finally there's rarity.

Rarity:

C - Common - Soldier

UC - Uncommon - Elite Soldier

U - Unique - Lesser Hero

VU - Very Unique - Hero

R - Rare - Super Hero

SR - Super Rare - Legendary Hero

UR - Ultra Rare - Living God

This doesn't really do anything to add buffs or restrictions it just helps add value to certain cards. You know like a gacha game, which I don't like since their basically lottery games, but I do like the variety of items and hero units that comes with almost every gacha game so yeah.

.

If you're interested in supporting this project and/or want to see more, please become a member of my Patreon.

[withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus]

Dude listening to ghost and demon stories after so long felt nice. The little chill in my heart cause I've stayed away from dark stuff long enough, listening calmly...I like listening to murder mysteries as well like many other women, but I'm more into supernatural stuff. As a kid I really enjoyed the idea of magic worlds existing under our nose whether those worlds were nice or evil and I guess finding out the good ones are only in our imagination had me finding shelter only on everything "magical" that existed in the dark. Those too have been debunked many times of course, but there are cases people went through stuff that were unnatural and to this day, not even science can explain them so...I get my fix there I guess. Only I don't want to experience this type of world unlike when I was little and dreaming of coming across fairies. I just like hearing about it.

[ao3feeddestiel]

White Christmas

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/jLwF6ie by Sikander He drinks his beer, content and probably about to doze off a little because it's warm and late, and he's turning into a grandpa, but then Cas speaks up. "If you don't have a fireplace, can Santa Claus even come to you and bring you gifts?" Dean opens his eyes to see if Cas may have learned how to hoax someone while he wasn't looking, but his expression is open and serious, which means his question is sincere. The thing is: Dean can't even make fun of him, not really. They live in a world where angels and demons and fairies exist. Who's to say there isn't an old guy with a workshop full of elves who loves to give presents to children once a year? That's more believable than God being a third-class writer who calls a sex hotline for Miss Magda. ~*~ Or Castiel's first Christmas (and the first nice Christmas for the brothers) Words: 4871, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M, M/M Characters: Castiel (Supernatural), Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Eileen Leahy Relationships: Castiel/Dean Winchester, Eileen Leahy/Sam Winchester, (though Cas/Dean is the main focus) Additional Tags: Christmas, Everything is Beautiful and Nothing Hurts, Castiel's First Christmas, and the first GOOD Christmas for Sam & Dean I guess read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/jLwF6ie