#103 For I Have Sinned

[simplymariac]

From Season 1, Episode 103 For I Have Sinned - Nick Knight & Natalie Lambert. #ForeverKnight #GeraintWynDavies #CatherineDisher

Just having fun with these screenshots. Sony has all the rights to this screenshot set. 😉

[fillinforlater]

Monday of Appreciation: Part 103

Hello everyone, Smite here!

It's award season, MAMA is literally right around the corner and there is a fuckton of snow outside right now. Hell yeah, what a time to come back and revive this series for another installment. Those of you who are still in NNN (respect, but also, you're lying, aren't you?), I dare you to read all of these smuts... not only those NNN themed, but also those quickies that make you -blast- just like that.

-1-

@capslocked: facesitting ft. Yujin

Caps to-go, what else could I say that describes the brilliance of this writer. He is the master of long form smut, mostly focused on one idol, intense interactions and build up and then so many fucking sex scenes, you'll lose your mind. There are rumors that a lot of people need a laughable amount of tries to get through the entire thing. Ehm.

Not for this one, like I said: Caps to-go, but the quality is still great. Also Yujin :floshed:

-2-

@ggidolsmuts: Post-match Activities ft. Heejin

My postmatch activities usually include turning off the TV in disappointment, rarely in triumph (LFG, T1), but a horny cheerleader right in my locker room would spur me on to do any sport, even fucking golf. Heejin in that outfit needed to be written and this Ddeun piece can be enjoyed even if you are short on time lol

-3-

@essentiallyleaf: belly bulge kink with Wonyoung

A very cute, heart warming set up for a big, fat finale right in Wony's pussy. God, to see her abs deform while you pound into her - good call though, to bulge her throat first. How tf do y'all do NNN again?

-4-

@oakparchment: No Nut November with Itzy

How would you fare if you desperately wanted to do NNN while being in a relationship with one of the Itzy girls? Well, this short "list" lays it out quite well, though I'd be a lot more pessimistic for you:

YOU WILL FAIL

-5-

@dnd-writes: Boulevard of Broken Dreams Pt. 1 ft. Kiss of Life (TW)

Eyo, I prompted that fic though I did not expect it to go so overboard and become this cruel, gut wrenching, yet eerily hot fic. All I wanted was to slap Natty's Na-titties, but it ended in ice dildos and overblown punishments. Not really complaining though. TW for non-con.

-6-

@sinswithpleasure: Hard And Fast, Just The Way They Like It ft. Dayeon, Hikaru

Did... did I write that? Really, that felt like a Maemi inspired BFH for Kep1er hotties, but it's out of the feather of Sins. Fricking Sins? Yeah, I'm so in, you have no idea how quickly I clicked on that and confirmed I wasn't in some fata morgana paralysis thingy. Very hot!

-7-

@capslocked: mutual masturbation ft. Wonyoung

This is Day 2 to Caps' kinkvember... but you probably knew that because it is fucking Wonyoung without really fucking Wonyoung, but it actually is and it is so hot.

Have a good week y'all, stay safe and be excellent to one another and every stranger <3

[chrolloluvr]

May I request Mammon angst HCs please? Like the reader is possibly breaking up with him or something? (i love your HCs for mammon<3)

Mammon Breaking Up Hcs

note: Thank you i'm so glad you like them pookie!! also yes i love this idea ❤️❤️

warnings: Cursing, creepy behavior, unbalanced power dynamic, killing. Not proofread!

Female!Reader, (no specific gender, so can be GenderNeutral!Reader)

It would be best to tell him over text, since he is guaranteed to throw a toddler like temper tantrum if you ever told him in person.

So you text him over text, what happens? He 100% thinks you're joking at first. He thinks you aren't being serious at all, and that wow babe, you might even be a bigger clown than I am.

But when he realized that you were being serious, he gets angry. How dare you? Why would you ever break up with him? He is the king of greed, he has trillions of dollars in the bank, so why don't you want to stay by his side? Did he do something? Did he hurt you? What happened? Baby, we can sort this out-

In a way, still doesn't think you are being serious, which is what he tries to tell himself. So he will let you leave, and will act like he doesn't need you.

Another author said this already, but he will 100% go through the stages of grief, (he will never go through acceptance, because in his mind, you will always come crawling back to him.)

He will be in denial for a very long time. Let's say you move out, and even start residing in another ring. He will send you texts. All. The. Time.

Your phone will mods likely have 103 Missed Calls, 986 Messages, and 37 Voicemails. He is crazy, and especially crazy for you. So when you don't respond to him, he does not understand why. He likes to think that you were just going on vacation for a while. He genuinely thinks you two are still together.

Anger- Once he sees that you have indeed moved on, and that he is no longer living in fantasy land, he gets extremely angry. His general mood spikes, he lashes out (wayyy more than he used to), and a-lot of his servants are scared to talk to him. Will absolutely keep bombarding you with texts every day. He will even get his servants to start texting you on his 100's of extra HellPhones.

Mamm 🕸️💚 11:34

Come hone ygu little cungt

Mamm 🕸️💚 11:35

ANSWERF ME.

Mamm 🕸️💚 11:35

Do ygu knoe how easily i can replaece yu

Mamm🕸️💚 11:36

Fine go shack uo with sorm dirty hoboes you little slut

Mamm 🕸️💚 11:36

I dont kneed u and youir mediocar holes

So yeah... thats just one example. He has so many spelling mistakes because he is typing so fast, and practically brekaing his phone from how angry he is.

But in reality he does need you. You are. the one thing that keeps him running. However he will never, over his dead body, ever admit that.

Bargaining- He will send things to your... new home... in gift baskets. Fizzarolli plushies, flowers, tickets to his live events, expensive jewelry, the list goes on. It gets to a point where (if you live in an apartment complex) People start stealing his gifts and start putting them up online to sell. (And they go for 10s of thousands of dollars.)

He send these to you so that you can hopefully come crawling back into his life, so that he can control you again.

At this point, you have most likely made it public about your distance between you and the sin. Your relationship was extremely public, and known by everybody.

He refuses to speak publicly, because he wants people to think he still controls you. And when i say your relationship was big, it was definitely the most talked about relationship in all of Hell. People will go nuts about you two breaking up. Another author said this as well, but people will go crazy with the comments.

"L Mammon fumbled so bad its actually wild."

"Bros got plenty other options 💀"

"Why tf would she/they break up w/ HIM???🤰"

"Now that hes single I call dibs 🙌"

You try your best to ignore the comments, but eventually you cant, its not just online, but in real life you feel cornered as well. You might even start to reconsider your departure with him. Which is exactly where he wants you.

Depression- He spirals into somewhat of an insecure man. He strives to be better. He ups his game for his big pageants, soon to be bigger, just to impress you.

He maaaay or may not have killed people in your favor. This is known, obviously, but his obsession along with his newfound insecurity has left him no choice but to show that if you dont want to come home, he will show you its safer than anywhere else.

Overall, if you do end up coming back to him, he is overjoyed with happiness, and will take extra precautions to ensure you wont ever walk out on him and his warm embrace again.

However if you end up never wanting anything to do with him, he will be devastated, but he will force himself to get over it. He is Mammon, he truly does not need you. In reality, you were somebody he felt an unexplainable feeling to protect. He absolutely can live without you, but for some reason, he feels like he cant. If somebody were to ever bring you up, he would lash out, and make his anger everybody's problem. He may get over you after a while, but he will never fully accept the fact that you left him.

[foundfamilyblog]

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ARCANES ENDING BELOW:

Now, this is off topic for my blog but I'd like to shed light on something.

Arcanes ending. Namely the end of Jinx's character arc is what I believe to be one of the finest pieces of writing in the modern world with no exception. When Jinx is born at the end of 103 we see what happens to someone who heals wrong, we see the kind of monster they become when they aren't nurtured and given a proper environment to heal in. Powder becomes a monster known as Jinx who goes on to commit multiple acts of terrorism against Piltover. The way she feeds into this idea of being a monster as a way of lashing out at the pain she's felt from being "abandoned" by Vi is so incredibly realistic and relatable that it begs the question what has happened in the writers lives that allow them to understand such a transformation so thoroughly.

Then, at the end of season 1 we see Powder/Jinx finally embrace her new self with no more qualms about her identity, truly and finally one. Without any need to hold back anymore, she does something truly unforgivable and without redemption in the form of 9/11ing Piltover. Even in this moment though, she screams and cries in pain at how her old life is well and truly gone. The emotional turmoil of what she's done and what she's doing is too much to handle. To violently tear a new life out from the broken and beaten body of your old one is something no soul should have to do, but she does, and she makes it relatable.

Once we see her again in season 2, she has become much more lucid and comfortable in her own body as Jinx, the hallucinations have subsided for the most part and her inner turmoil is appropriately dealt with. Additionally she has a goal in mind now, she's chosen who she is and she knows what she wants to do: Kill Vi. The new life she has built for herself is purposeful, deliberate, no more a mish mash of two clashing ideals.

She wants to solidify her role as a monster once and for all, which ends in an epic battle between her and her sister, and at the very end of the fight right before she's taken out for good? A single soul sees the value in her life and risks everything to protect her. A child. Everyone, even Jinx is shocked by this because how could anyone ever love an ugly, broken thing like her? Let alone risk their life for her? The shock this instills in everyone buys Jinx enough time to escape with the kid, Isha. Imagine performing such horrible, inconceivable actions with no remorse and being full of such hatred, and then one person decides you're worth it. Just one person decides you are worthy of love and that they do love you and want you around. Can you imagine how that would shatter your world view? Being full of such self hatred and hatred for the world around you only to be shown warmth even in those times? This is exactly what happens to Jinx.

When we see her next, some time has passed, and she's even begun to drop the name Jinx. Her new friend, Isha, and her have begun a new life together and they look out for each other. The way Jinx describes her new life is "like I'm looking through glasses, except I can't tell if everything's blurry or clear." And what's clear to us as the audience is that Jinx is FINALLY healing. She is finally beginning to find some peace after all she has been through, and all it took was ONE soul, one singular person to love her even after all she had done. We go on to see her reunite with her sister, and somewhat with her father. We get to watch her slowly rebuild the life that was stolen from her and reconnect with those she lost, and those she hurt. This represents hope and change, rebirth and love, that maybe your sins aren't who you are. That you can change and love and be so wonderfully you with those who love you!

Isha dies. Isha, Jinx's anchor to the world, dies protecting her. Yet again Jinx loses everything. Her father is taken from her yet again in the process and the exact trauma that shaped her into Jinx is entirely recreated. Except, this time? There's no insanity. There's no hallucinations and mania. There's no rage or hate or flames or explosions or chaos or screaming. It's just sad. Nothing but sorrow fills Jinx up as she loses her one and only friend. She intends to kill herself at this point. She looks back at her life and sees how everyone she gets close to dies, gets hurt, or she in some way is preventing from being happy. That she alone is the perpetuator of a cycle of violence that has plagued her families lives for years and years. So she decides to give them closure. She tells Vi she can stop feeling bad for being happy and move on, she tells Cait she didn't know her Mom was in the explosion, and she leaves. Nothing more, just leaves. Doesn't tell anyone what she's going to do, she just does it. The intense guilt she feels is palpable in every breath she takes, it's clear she just wants to quietly leave this world without hurting anyone, just this once. Then the time finally comes, to end her life and finally be free of it all. Only to be stopped. One more remnant of her old life comes back and convinces her to stick around a little longer. Somehow, she agrees, but we all know that this is only temporary. The guilt someone feels after doing something so terrible, so unforgivable, can't be cleansed by a single conversation. She hates herself and just wants to stop hurting people, but she still has a small spark, something in her that has hope she can do good. So she delays her death to try one more time to be kind.

Next we see her, she's got a new look and is fighting alongside Vi, instead of against. She acknowledges their connection and at a pivotal moment, takes the fall. She saves her sisters life and "sacrifices" herself in the process. At the very last moment, she understands that there's another way out of her pain and hurting everyone around her instead of dying. She fakes her own death to everyone and escapes the country quietly. She tells no one and quietly escapes, with everyone having the closure of her death.

No more chasing her, no more thinking of what she might be plotting, no more hoping the old her will return. It's just over.

Her final action in Arcane is one of kindness, and healing to those she hurt. It is not redemption, but it is understanding. She accepts she is a bad person and may very well still hate herself, however she at the very least opens herself up to a new life far from those she hurt. And I think that's beautiful.

Anyway this is just my personal interpretation of the ending, I'm open to new ideas and down to discuss though! Btw I didn't proof read this so if it seems messed up anywhere that's why.

[lilgreeneyes71]

Confessing and Turning from sin the Lord will cast them as far as the east is from the west and they will no longer be remembered

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Blessed

Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

As far as the east is from the west

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Blotted out our sins as a thick cloud

Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Your sins will no longer be remembered

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Sin separates us from God

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, (that he will not hear).

Habakkuk 1:13 (Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil), and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Isaiah 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Sin breaks God's Heart

Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Psalm 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

[holystormfire]

What does it mean to be saved?

Romans 4:8

“What joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.”

Romans 3:24

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.

Being saved, spiritually speaking, means your sins no longer count against you toward an eternal death sentence. Instead, they are forgiven by the grace of God, and you are given the free gift of eternal life. Being saved does not spare you from earthly troubles, but it does spare you from eternal judgment.

Psalm 103:12

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

Being saved means your sins have been completely forgiven and removed.

Psalm 51:9-10

Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Being saved means the stain of guilt has been washed away. Guilt doesn’t just appear to be gone—it is gone! You are given a clean slate!

John 10:28-29

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.”

John 5:24

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”

Being saved means you are assured of living forever in heaven, which will actually be a new earth where there will no longer be sin, pain, and suffering. What greater hope could you have?

[l3v1s-g4m3r]

obey me fnaf au cuz I'm still figuring out ST au mc out

implied lower case btw

you groaned as you hit the marble floor hard.

this was not how the experiment was supposed to go.

you were trying to achieve something greater, much like your father, William Afton. he had managed to unlock the secret to immortality, to living forever, hence why youre still alive and look 24 when in reality, you're 103.

before you died, merely even just hours, you thought of your father as a monster, a terrible man no one should strive to be like. oh how you laugh looking back at yourself. I guess being ripped apart limb by limb while inspecting your favorite animatronic for damage changed you. but hey on the bright side, he's your companion now! along with bonbon too!

but anyways, the great thing you were trying to achieve was interdimensional travel. the ability to travel through differing universes.

this was not how your first trial was supposed to go.

you were trying to at least go to a dimension to see yourself! how life is like here!

but noooooo, you get teleported to fucking hell of all places! maybe it's a sign.

now 11 weirdos are looking at you like your a goddamn demon! well, actually, you're in hell, so their looking at your like your an angel.

"uh hi..?" you speak breaking the extremely uncomfortable silence. I mean if they ain't gonna talk, you will!

immediately after you manage to get your greeting out, you are instantly held by an invisible force. not being able to move, you voice your concerns.

"ok what the fuck, I literally just said hello." you manage to say while struggling to get out.

"who are you, why are you here?" a tall, raven haired man questions, clearly having authority over this meeting.

you don't speak. what should you say? what if the Aftons exist here? they could know you and use you for some batshit crazy experiments down here!

"I'm mc...miller." you claim hoping they don't see through your (hopefully) not obvious lie.

murmuring is heard across the room, and you catch a purpleish-blue haired boy with headphones on staring at you with wide-eyes. he seems to know you, probably a damm game theory watcher, if that even exists in hell. you scowl at him.

"what should we do with them?" "should we keep them here?" "they look human!"

"what are you?" the man asks, clearly not giving fraction of a shit about the mutters behind him.

well, technically you are human, but you are also a demon, a glitch, an entity, a ghost, and an animatronic! they don't seem to like humans very much though, from the menacing stares sent your way from the mention of a possibility of you being human.

or maybe they do? you don't wanna find out to be honest.

you decide to go with the best option.

"I'm a demon, a universe travelling one." you decide on demon. they are demons too anyways. saying human would just get you killed.

"why are you here? and what sin do you possess?" he presses you for information.

you fucking hated it.

also what the fuck does he mean by sin?

"my travelling attempt went wrong and well.." you trail off, deciding to show them your horns and tail.

you close your eyes and they suddenly pop into reality. they are long, and they glitch and flash colors of green, purple, black, and white.

audible gasps are heard.

next to come is your tail. different from yours horns but similar in a way. they glitch more, but only in purple and green.

"I'm a...wrath demon...?" you say, attempting to choose your words wisely.

you look around the room and a blonde-haired boy with green eyes is now staring at you. it's pretty damn clear he can see through your lie. you can't say the same for everyone else in the room.

the man infront of you goes to speak with a redheaded man. he seems to be the boss, even though he seems... nice somehow?

that same nice-looking man comes up to you.

"you may stay with Lucifer and his brothers until you find your way home." he gestures slightly towards the man you spoke with earlier as he says the name.

"thank you kind sir. your act is greatly appreciated." you bow in front of the man, earning a small smile from a certain butler.

"but," he starts again "you will have to go to school at my academy." he finishes with a smile, as if happy with your presence.

"anything to get home." you say, taking his offer.

-------------------------------------------------------

ch. 1 done! I have this au all figured out mwuahahahahahahah!

[faithfulreflections]

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, as recounted in Luke 15:11-32, is a testament to the depth of God's forgiveness and unwavering love. This story introduces us to the loving Father, the disobedient Prodigal Son, and the angry Elder Son, through whom Jesus conveys profound spiritual truths that should fill us with awe and reverence. 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). After squandering his inheritance, the younger son makes a pivotal decision that fills us with hope and resolves to return home. This repentance signifies the transformative power of recognizing our sins and seeking God's forgiveness. The Father's immediate action of running to meet his son, embracing him, and ordering a grand celebration captures the essence of God's grace. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). 

The Father's actions are not just a response to his son's return but a profound reflection of God's grace. The robe, the ring, and the sandals symbolize more than reinstated sonship and honor; they reflect how God forgives and restores our identity and dignity in His family. "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:7). 

The older son's reaction is not just a character attribute but a profound lesson on self-righteousness and the importance of grace. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment" (Romans 12:3). His resentment reminds us to embrace humility and mercy. The Father's compassionate response, "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours" (Luke 15:31), emphasizes God's freely given love and blessings, filling us with gratitude and humility. 

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8). This parable encourages us to lead lives characterized by repentance, humility, and joy in God's presence. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 5:17, we become new creations through Christ, embracing the latest and leaving behind the old. Let us seek the Lord with repentant hearts, rejoicing in His restoration and renewal. 

May we fully embrace our roles as recipients of God's grace, extend that grace to others, and experience the transformative power of His love. 

P.S. Please look at the links below for a detailed discussion of the blog post.

Detailed Blog Post

[solidrockistand]

Praise of God's Law pt 8

57. You are my portion; O Lord I have promised to obey your words. (But the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob has allotted heritage. Deuteronomy 32:9ESV)

(Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. Psalms 16:5 NLT)

58. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. (But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV)

(I said, "Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.' So, I forced myself and offered the burnt offering. 1st Samuel 13:12 ESV)

59. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. (I said I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin, I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence. Psalms 39:1 NIV)

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. James 1:26 ESV)

60. I will hasten and not delay obeying your commands. (Away from me you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of God. Psalms 119:115 NIV)

Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. Psalms 6:8 ESV)

61. Though the wicked bind my with ropes I will not forget your law. (Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke I do not forget your decrees. Psalms 1191:83 NIV)

(How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalms 119:103 ESV)

(More to be desired are they then gold, even much fine golf, sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Psalms 19:10 ESV)

62. At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous law. (In the night I remember your name, O Lord and i will keep your law. Psalms 119:55 NIV)

(My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9ESV)

(And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival. Isaiah 30:29 NIV)

63. I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. (in whose eyes a vile person is despised but who honors those who fear the Lord, who sears to his own hurt and does not change. Psalms 15:4 ESV)

(God hates me and tears angrily at my flesh. He gnashes his teeth at me and pierce me with his eyes. Job16:9 NLT)

64. The earth is filled with your love, O, Lord; teach me your decrees. (He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is filled of your steadfast love of the Lord. Psalms 33:5 ESV)

(For the Lord is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is right will see his face. Psalms 11:7 NLT)

(Then the princes of Israel and the kind humbled themselves and said, "The Lord is righteous." 2nd Chronicles 12:6 ESV)

Psalms 119:57-64 NIV

[watertribe-enya]

What are your thoughts on Scar from Fullmetal Alchemist (manga/Brotherhood)?

I have many thoughts on Scar, because I love him to pieces. Best character in both anime and manga

One thing that bothers me even among people who are staunchly pro "Scar did nothing wrong (except the one time when he was completely out of it due to immense trauma)" and "Scar should have been allowed to kill more people" , is that they completely overlook that Scar just doesn't enjoy killing people. He does it because he feels that those who denied his people the right to live would never face justice for their actions otherwise. And also because he's really, really mad at them of course. Actually the part about justice might be moreso the fandom's view of it, and Scar's desire for vengeance is his primary motivation(when you look at what he said while fleeing through the desert). So Scar feels he's doing what is necessary, but he doesn't usually take enjoyment out of it. The closest he came to show glee during a fight was when Mustang showed up to intervene in chapter 7/ episode 5. And that was more grim satisfaction than anything. He doesn't even show any joy when mangling Envy and Kimblee, who kickstarted the genocide and brutally murdered his family. Every action is trenched in anger, and that anger is born from tremendous pain and loss.

So Scar doesn't want to kill (or at least doesn't want his whole life to be centered arround it). He wants to protect. He wants to do something for his community, his people. But for the longest time he felt that he had lost the chance to do so forever. His immense relief at finding out how many Ishvalans had actually survived was wonderful to behold.

Now you might say "But he's doing the right thing by killing those unrependant war criminals! He shouldn't feel bad about it!" And while that's correct (at least from my perspective) you have to look at Scar's other circumstances too. It's not an enjoyable life if you spent your days solely focused on the people who brutalized you. And Scar is doing it all alone, with no help or support system. With no breaks from the struggle for survival and recurring death battles. It's good that he stopped killing (outside of the necessary battles), not because Edward and the other good guys kept whining at him, but for his own sake. Because he finally feels he's actually doing something for the people he loves again.

Anyhow, how painful is it that Scar who was afraid about his brother creating or turning into a human weapon via alchemy, became exactly that?

"Your brother may discover a way to gain enough power to face those state alchemists, and perhaps even enough to destroy their army. With power that far surpasses theirs, to retalitate against them with alchemy! Make them pay for their sins with blood!'

I'm crying.

Another great thing about Scar is that you can guilt trip this thirty something, hardened warrior with "You'll make your brother sad." And he has no proper reply for that.

To end this with my personal headcanon, Scar outlives all the remaining State Alchemists sans Edward, and dies aged 103 surrounded by his 20 grandchildren.

[simplymariac]

From Season 1, Episode 103 For I Have Sinned - Nick Knight & Natalie Lambert. #ForeverKnight #GeraintWynDavies #CatherineDisher

Just having fun with these screenshots. Sony has all the rights to this screenshot set. 😉

[itsyourchoicedevotionals]

Strive For Consistency

“He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.” Proverbs 10:17AMPC

Proverbs 10 is the beginning of Solomon’s wisdom nuggets, some a half verse in length, others as long as five to six verses. How does a person go about selecting one verse to discuss?

Going through Proverbs, I’ve focused on wisdom, God’s and man’s. Obviously man’s wisdom doesn’t take us very far towards a positive goal. In chapter 10— ‘word,’ ‘tongue,’ ‘mouth’ are written about negatively nine times: i.e. V14 “a present destruction.” Ahh, we think ourselves so smart as our words tumble out expressing opinions, ideas, and thoughts. Especially when nearby scriptures expound, V19NLT “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Easier said than done.

While speaking positively— ‘word,’ ‘tongue,’ ‘mouth’ is written about six times: i.e. V11 “The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life…” A well of life is much better than a “present destruction.”

My mouth has caused me much trouble, especially regarding my health. I tend to proclaim “facts” rather than the truths of God’s scriptures. Then I have to recant my words commanding them to die, asking God to forgive me for releasing them in the first place. Job 22:28NKJV “You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you…” The words I needed to declare are Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 103:3 and 1Peter 2:24, that would be consistent with my faith and God’s truths.

Will I heed “instruction and correction”? By writing devotionals, I’ve been placed in a difficult area. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” James 3:1ESV. As writer, I am showing the right or wrong way to go to everyone reading these devotionals, hence teaching. This isn’t a place to say, ‘Do as I say, don’t do as I do.’ It’s important for me to strive for consistency in living out God’s Word, not just saying them.

Each of us are teachers to someone. People are judging, following, disregarding, or accepting everything we say. Do our words show love? Wisdom? Foolishness? Apathy? Empathy? Care? Kindness? Boldness? Pride? Humility? Consideration? Stupidity? Carnality? Godliness? My prayer is: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” Psalm 141:3ESV

What are you saying? What do you need to say? What do you want to say? Are you being a good guide to follow? Or are your ways leading to destruction? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Father God, as David prayed— “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer, ” Help me strive for consistency in words, faith and actions, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

by Debbie Veilleux Copyright 2025 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional, as author. Thank you.

[yieldfruit]

The Gospel

What It Means to Be a Christian

Being a Christian is more than identifying yourself with a particular religion or affirming a certain value system. Being a Christian means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in the Bible.

God Is Sovereign Creator Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

God Is Holy God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3); therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, You shall be holy, for I am holy.

Mankind Is Sinful According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).

Sin Demands a Penalty God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.

Jesus Is Lord and Savior Romans 10:9 says, If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).

The Character of Saving Faith True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), pursue Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).

Source: https://www.gracechurch.org/about/gospel

[scribeforchrist-blog]

The Sovereignty of the Almighty God

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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+ Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

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VERSE OF THE DAY

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+ Genesis 1:1  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

‭‭=========================

** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM FREE

I AM LOVED BY GOD

I AM BLESSED

I AM ACKNOWLEDGING GOD

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READ TIME : 7 Minutes & 11 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

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What does sovereign mean? God is in complete control over our lives; he is in complete control over heaven and earth; we might think, we run our lives, but we don’t; everything that happens down to the very second of our lives is controlled by His power, wisdom, and authority, and God can do anything He chooses within His creation. 

  God will never force us to do anything; no, but whatever God wants to happen, it will happen he can speak it and it will come to pass , the sovereignty of God explains a little more about God that we didn’t know here’s some verse to help explain SOVEREIGNTY of God

 • Psalms 115 3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all he pleases.

 

•Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

 

•Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules overall.

     The first verse says he does all that he pleases, and whatever he wants to do will stand, and he rules over everything in the world; we might think he doesn’t, but he does; someone might say there's no way God is in control because if he was why did he let this happen to me but God allow the the good and the bad to happen to us, we learned that a few weeks ago in our devotional. Job said it, Job was a man who experienced so much grief, but he still realized that God is sovereign

     He realized that God made the situation according to what he liked, and it was something that he had to deal with, but God will always be merciful. He will always be gracious to us because we are his children. He’s not going to stand there and be unkind even though some people describe him in that way, but that’s not him at all. God is such a forgiving God to his creation look at the Israelites how many times they will sin against him and he came back and saved them from their punishment.

  Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

   The lord's plans will always stand; we might think it’s going our way, but God establish our steps;we might not like it, but as we grow in God, we will learn to accept his we will , we will learn to accept his plans because he is God alone! God doesn’t want us to be robotic in anyway he wants us to acknowledge him in everything we do , he wants us to rely on him and some of us find that hard but knowing that One God can maintain this world shows he can maintain all of our lives .

   2 Samuel 7:5-6 5 “Go and tell my servant, David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.

    David wanted to build a temple, but God said, no, not you, David, someone else; you have too much blood on your hands he said I will let your son do it. You think that’s what David wanted to hear, but David still accepted what God wanted to do. Being sovereign means, he’s over the weather, the environment, and our lives; he’s over everything, and everything happens for a reason.

  Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

  This is one of many Psalms Moses wrote, and as Moses was walking, he saw the mountains and realized that God was here before the mountains. Can you imagine that that God was here before anything was here? Moses acknowledged that this is hard for many people to comprehend because when we read in the beginning, he created these things, which means nothing was here; he chose the color, how things flowed, and everything in between that shows the power of God.

    In his great power, he decided to give us free will in our lives.

•   Proverbs 16:1: The heart's plans belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

    •John 7:17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my authority.

  Because he gave us this will, he wants us to come to him, praise him, and follow him. He could make us, but he doesn’t want that ; he lets our decisions be ours. He whether for us to have a strong desire to be with him . Do you have a strong desire to be in the presence of the Great God Almighty??

    ***Today, we learned about SOVEREIGNTY, and honestly, the Holy Spirit could allow me to go on and on about it, but because of time, I can’t; what we learned is the bit of minor control we have is given to us to render to God. We don’t know which way to go; we don’t know his will until we pray , but whatever he has planned for us, we must allow it to stand, and allow him to show us the way.

   Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

  It tells us he created heaven and earth; we might think he had help or that it was created and he just showed up; no, my friends, God even created that, and when we are serving a fantastic God like that, we have no other choice but to bow before the king and serve him, serve him with praise and glory and honor the sovereignty of God is such a significant topic. I pray that you all learned something from reading this or maybe bring more light to it. Still, I pray it touches you; just let this be a reminder to you that he is over everything because he’s all-powerful! ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

========================

PRAYER

========================

Heavenly Father, we thank you for everything we have; we give you praises, glory, and honor; Father, we thank you for being who you are and allowing us to worship you in spirit and truth. Father, we give you every aspect of our lives to do whatever we want; lord, help us to be obedient even when it’s tough! Lord, we thank you for the wisdom and knowledge you have given us , we ask that you help us grow in you. In Jesus Name Amen.

========================

REFERENCES

========================

+ Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

 

+ Psalm 93:2 Your throne is established from old; you are from everlasting.

 

+ Habakkuk 1:12 Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof.

========================

FURTHER READINGS

=========================

Proverbs 13

Leviticus 13

Habakkuk 3

Genesis 1

=========================

[angelthefirst1]

The biblical end times - Millennium.

A future vision of the 1000-year reign of Christ. TOWL 103

So, I've always said that TWD is using the bible and very specifically the biblical end time events as a template for the show.

Episode 3 didn't disappoint in giving us some major biblical end times symbolism.

Overall, the whole premise of The Walking Dead is in fact biblical.

The concept is just a reworked version of fallen humanity in need of a saviour/cure.

The Zombies are a representation of fallen humankind, walking around, unaware, that they are the walking dead.

As Rick says, "We're all infected," and death without a cure brings about a state of undying permanent death.

Knowing this is the template they are using can really unlock the symbolism in the show.

It also guarantees that they will eventually bring a cure, through most likely Beth who has been marked as Jesus.

I've already talked about how the CRM rings are a depiction of the Trinity. They are called Borromean rings. They symbolically represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So CRM=God.

103 TOWL gives us a glimpse into a shadow of the future.

We see Rick enter into the "Millennium park"

What is the biblical millennium?

It's described as the thousand year reign of Christ when he returns. It begins after the battle of Armageddon.

The millennium is a time when the earth is restored to a garden of Eden like state. (The beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning)

Hence, the focus here, as Rick is about to enter, is on a garden/park, and it's all powered by the CRM (God)

We even get a representation of the Trinity in the wind turbines powering the garden, all while the millennium park sign is in the background behind Rick.

It's a time of abundance and peace.

Again, the focus when Rick enters is also on the abundance of produce, and yes, we instantly see a Beth (Christ) lookalike.

With French beret...

Jadis gives us more hints about this millennium. She says they have a 500-year plan to remake the world better than before.

To recreate the world and finally beat death.

Since the millennium is known as the 1000-year reign of Christ, and we just saw the millennium sign, plus a Beth (Christ) lookalike. Jadis' "besting death" comment is drawing from this bible verse...

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 O Hades, where is your victory? ' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ has conquered death.

Before Jadis entered into the millennium, she explained that she would take lost souls and give them to the CRM (God).

Now, if you remember back to Daryl Dixon episode 1, it's called Lost Soul (Lame Perdue), and Daryl's journey has very much been a spiritual journey to find Beth, just like he found Isabelle in that lost soul episode.

It's also why the episode Find Me with Leah was all about finding Beth.

or...as Aaron puts it. "Good news."

"I have Good News"

I've mentioned before how Aaron saying the term "good news" right as the music box plays is SIGNIFICANT.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ means Good News.

So, finding Jesus Christ is finding the "good news" and, by extension, Beth. That is why Aaron says those exact words when the music box plays.

Daryl, as the lost soul, is on a journey to find the "Good news." 🎶 🎵 📦

Jadis mentions quite a few more biblical references before the end of the episode, including saying...

"I'm a believer", and "We're the last light of the world" 🌎

We also see the consignee talking with Michonne, saying they are on the doorstep to paradise. (The millennium)

The separation of the sheep 🐑 and the goats 🐐

One other aspect of the millennium they are reworking in TOWL is the theme of the A's and B's.

There are conditions of entry into the millennium kingdom after the battle, and it's known as the separation of the sheep 🐑 and the goats 🐐

The idea of A's and B's comes from this verse...

Matthew 25.31

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

The sheep, the followers, or believers will be granted entry into the Millennium after the battle of Armageddon.

And no surprise, we see Jadis and Rick walk past a sheep 🐑 sign to add another link to the chain.

Goats are not allowed into the kingdom.

In this context, being a goat or "Greatest of all time" indicates a mindset of thinking you are god, and want to be in power, or be the leader.

Which is why Satan fell and got kicked out of heaven in the first place. He wanted to be God...

Isaiah 14.13

You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."

It's also why you may have seen Satan represented by the symbolism of a goat 🐐 or Baphomet.

The A & B theme has a dual and opposite meaning.

While we have been presented with its meaning in the show being related to the A's = Strong/leaders and the B's = Survivors/followers.

It's actually another take on the conditions of entry into the millennium kingdom.

Only the B's or Believers will be able to enter and will be the ones who live...

While the A's or Apostates/goats won't be granted entry.

The battle of Armageddon that proceeds the millennium.

The reason it's called the battle of Armageddon is because the battle will take place in the Valley of Megiddo.

You have already seen a depiction of the battle of Armageddon in TWD. You just might not realise it, I'll show you soon...

The battle of Armageddon is where the nations of the earth gather to try and destroy God (CRM)

Revelation 16.14

Demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

‭‭Revelation 16:16

Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

In season 9, we saw the last battle against the Saviours, and it was a representation of this battle. The Saviours war was fought in a representation of that valley.

They chose that filming location to depict the Valley of Magiddo.

After the battle, Satan is locked up for the 1000-years.

Here is one verse they are pulling from about Satan, the 1000-year millennium at the end of the battle.

Revelation 20.1-6

And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended.

So... Satan is bound and locked up for the 1000 years (goats won't enter) after the battle of Armageddon, which he loses.

After the war with The Saviours, who got locked up and spent a long time locked away in the "pit"?

Negan!

Yes, Negan was symbolically Satan. His weapon of choice is called Lucille, a play on Lucifer.

Not long after that battle, and Negan getting locked up, Rick gets taken away into the millennium...

Now, just like Negan was let out of prison, Satan, too, is released after a long period of time.

‭‭Revelation 20:7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison.

So, Negan getting out of prison was a rework of Satan getting released.

Thoughts on...

The cure - Echelon - Phamakon - Mark of the Beast.

The Echelon briefing will be related to a cure, and it's connected to pharmakeia or pharmacy (a drug).

Again, as I've mentioned, we are repeating seasons 1 and 5 combined.

The CDC in season 1 of TWD, was a failed hope for a pharmacological cure that ends up burning.

Whereas season 5 gave us Beth as Christ sacrificing her blood.

As i mentioned above, Jesus defeats death. Is the cure through death and blood sacrifice, and in the show that will come through Beth.

That cure will grant entry into the millennial kingdom.

So there will be two "cures" presented. One will be real, and one will be fake or poison, as Major Beale said to Rick.

Phamakon means cure AND poison, and they are related to the word pharmacy.

The thing is, if the biblical end times is the template they're following, and it is, then there is another kingdom at play here, the Millennial Kingdom of Christ and the other kingdom is the kingdom of the beast.

The kingdom of the beast is the ruling kingdom prior to the millennium, it's this kingdom that causes the world to come and fight against God in the battle of Armageddon.

The two kingdoms are mirror inverted images of each other.

The other condition of entry into the millennium is to have NOT taken the Mark of the Beast - the mark of the Antichrist.

Revelation 20.4

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The mark of the beast is forced on all people of the world prior to the battle of Armageddon...

‭‭Revelation 13:17

And it makes everyone — small and great, rich and poor, free and slave — to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of its name.

During the kingdom of the beast or the Antichrist kingdom, if you don't receive the Mark of the Beast, you won't be able to buy and sell, and you will be killed. Ultimately you won't be a part of the Antichrist Kingdom if you don't bow the knee and become a follower.

Its the inverse to the millennium kingdom where you will also have to be a follower.

The conditions of entry are almost identical into each kingdom but one will bring a real cure while one bring a poison.

The Kingdom of the antichrist also has a trinity, it includes the Antichrist, the beast and the false prophet.

Antichrist kingdom ♾️ Millennial kingdom.

This episode (103) is called "Bye", a callback to Beth's "Glad I didn't say goodbye" remark, but it's also a hint at buying and selling aka the mark of the beast.

Here we see in the millennial kingdom a sign depicting buying, selling and trading, of the abundance of produce available to those who were granted entry into the kingdom. The condition of entry again was to take the real cure and be a follower of the real Christ (Beth)

In complete opposition and fulfillment of beginning to end, the beast kingdom will only allow in those who bow to the fake cure and the fake Christ, but it's a poison...

When Major Beale mentioned Pharmakon, my eyes 👀 flew out of my head because of this verse from the book of Revelation...

Rev 18.23

‭‭The light of a lamp will never shine in you again; and the voice of a groom and bride will never be heard in you again. All this will happen because your merchants were the nobility of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.

The word “sorcery” used here is translated from the Greek word pharmakeia. This is where we get our word pharmacy.

The bible mentions powerful people using Pharmacy and deceiving the whole world just before the millennium.

So, while a pharmacy drug will be presented as a cure, it will actually be a deception. Like Major Beale said, Pharmakon cure is poison.

Revelation 19.20

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

Just like in season one at the CDC, it's false hope of a cure burns. 🔥 🔥 🔥 Along with the mark of the beast.

We did get two hints at the CDC, one of the real cure and one of the fake cure BTW.

Dr Jenner says a blood test is the condition of entry.

So...blood is the condition of entry 🤔 that will come through the blood of Christ.

We see a representation of this with Andrea (Beth) giving blood. She's the only one we actually see giving blood.

We also saw a representation of the fake cure and it's end result. When Dr Jenner locks them in the CDC he presses 3 digits on a keypad.

999

‭‭Revelation 13:18

This calls for wisdom: Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, because it is the number of a person. Its number is 666.

Him locking them in (The beast Kingdom) activates the self destruction that leads to the CDC burning.

Revelation 19.20

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

It is not a coincidence that the outbreak that causes the end of the world, began with a drug in the form of an injection...and the CDC burns 🔥 after a failed attempt at a cure.

💉 👀 beginning to end.

Now, this show likes to repeat, reverse, and invert the story over and over.

They are giving a mix of this end time symbolism to both the good guys and the bad guys deliberately.

But we will eventually see all groups come together to fight the CRM.

We are on a collision course with a bigger, badder, and better version of that battle of Armageddon, but this time with Beth included.

Because yes, this story is still all about her.

I liken her to the Holy Ghost of the Trinity right now. Because even though she's not present on the show, if you're aware, she's influencing every aspect of it.

Jesus Christ (Beth) is coming soon.

✝️ ❎️ 🩸🐑🐐🩸💉♾️💉🩸🐐🐑🩸❎️✝️

[fivekrystalpetals]

Glens, Children of Misfortune and the Baskervilles

[When I say Glens, I am referring all Glens- past and present: Levi, Oswald, Gil and Leo. Hella lot of lore is here that I wanna write about ;-; so I might divide this into different posts let's see. Also fair warning: I might criticize Oswald's actions-past and present- a bit, since I love looking at characters from an unbiased pov. Also, maybe some characters' past actions in order to point to their character development so that too.]

[ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 ]

1] Glen, Jury and the knowledge of the Abyss

Starting off with this panel, although it is passed off for gags, I realized something very important here (and got me to love Leo even more lol droopy eyed jerk yeah!!) (Retrace 103:)

Only after reading Retrace 93 onwards and actually visiting the Sablier from hundred years ago do we get the real, undistorted lore of why Children of Misfortune exist, what exactly is Glen, where the Juries come to play into this whole scheme and so on. But before I elaborate on the above panel, let's go back to go back to these ill-fated panels—the literal start of everything going wrong—Oswald casting Lacie into the Abyss for her sin of being born as a Child of Misfortune. (Retrace 69)

Two things to remember here:

i.) Oswald can't go against the Glen's orders until after the succession ceremony. He is bound to his master, the then Glen, Levi by the oath on his left hand so the only way to break free of it is by cutting off his hand like Gil did. ii.) Immediately after the last chain, the fifth one- Jabberwocky is transferred to his body, Oswald becomes the next Glen.

Now, if I think about it, with Jabberwock having been transferred into his body, Oswald had already become Glen when he was saying these words to Lacie. He was Glen when he cast her into the Abyss. He was Glen, the absolute head of the Baskervilles, whose orders can't be disobeyed by any of his people.

Maybe, this doesn't seem much significant. It didn't, to me, while I was reading this chapter,, because I was still under the impression that 'Glen' was a spirit passed down from one host to another as the Will of the Abyss said here to Vincent (Retrace 39)—

If that were the case, then, well, nothing. Oswald's body would have been taken over by 'Glen' at the Succession Ceremony. Nothing of Oswald's soul would remain,, so, it won't be Oswald, but 'Glen' that's casting Lacie into the Abyss— Lacie who is not the younger sister but a sinner bearing the Eyes of Ill-Omen as far as the spirit of Glen is concerned.

But... later, we get the reveal it's quite not the case. (Retrace 91)

It was because the tale would be boring otherwise.

Everything was a story for the Juries who have been collecting and preserving these for centuries. In their stories, worlds exist where humans never walked the earth at all. Or, stories where the world ended within a century of its beginning. Or even, stories where the world ran identical to this one but decisively different. The main point is the Juries decide whether the tale is interesting enough to continue or to be brought to an end so it can be 'shelved in their library'. There comes the significance of Glen. The Juries are present in every story and use a turning point (here, the Abyss and the Glen) to try and bring the tale to a climax. In this case, they were probably pinning their hopes on Oswald.

Anyway, back to the night of the Succession Ceremony. Glen, now we know is just the title given to the head of the Baskervilles who is a potential candidate for generating a main turning point for the Juries, the reason why they keep an eye of them. It's no spirit hosted in Oswald's body or some such but Oswald himself that cast Lacie into the Abyss.

Why I stress this again is because—Oswald could have stopped her execution. Just like that, he could have given the command: 'As the new Glen, I have decided that we are no longer executing Lacie, does anyone have a problem with it?' Yeah. Just like that. Like, who'd dare challenge his decision? The previous Glen? Levi? A guy left with a broken body and no chain? The rest of the Baskervilles? The same people who obey his every order without a question?

No, the only ones who could and would veto his decision are the Juries. Because they know that only a Child of Misfortune has the power to affect their tales in an unpredictable way since this child was birthed directly by the Abyss (Retrace 91)

However, this aside, I want to point out that Levi, who was the Glen at least three generations before Leo, did not know the actual reason for casting a Child of Misfortune back into the Abyss up until this moment. I am honestly appalled.

So, my first point of this section: i.) severe lack of knowledge about the Abyss/little knowledge is dangerous—

—since even the Glen, who is supposed to be the protector of the Abyss, the origin of all Life, does not know the exact reasons for why things happen as they do; they simply take things for granted. Levi does speculate that the chains are what hold up the world from being swallowed up by the Abyss. Although proven wrong in Retrace 91/92, ig there is some truth to his speculations after all—Jack, believing his words, goes about cancelling the chains and succeeds in sinking Sablier into the Abyss before Oswald and Alice manage to stop him.

The reason for this practice of taking things for granted is my second point. ii.): Every Glen was raised as a valet to the previous Glen.

The Glens are valets before they become the next head; they are practically raised to be good servants, not good leaders. They don't even think of questioning anything their master/Jury tells them.

Truth be told, they are probably programmed from a young age to be subservient to their Master, to kill all of their Master's enemies etc. etc., by either brainwashing, intensive training or torture. See here, Retrace 38:

Think of only your master. Serve only your master.

In fact, as early as Retrace 13, Break questions this extreme devotion of Gilbert's, bordering on obsession.... and wonders if it is not abnormal (although he, as well as Gilbert, think his loyalty is for Oz):

Since Gil had lost all his memories of his past, there was no way for them to know that he had been brainwashed into absolute obedience and this was not natural. (more on this in part 2)

Plus, we don't know what else they have been conditioned to accept as the indisputable truth.

As I said earlier, Oswald was already Glen at the point. Why did he not deliberate if he really wanted to cast Lacie into the Abyss? He had become the sole absolute command there; he had all the powers of the Abyss. Why did he not question the whole point of it? Why did he not even make an attempt to save Lacie?

Well, this is the reason. The Glens were never meant to be someone strong enough to decisively change the story. The Juries needed someone to make wrong decisions so that the 'tale' can be brought to an end. They were waiting for the Glens to mess up. And it was passed down from Glen to Glen, and taken for granted that if they were to become the next head, they had to take in five chains and cast their red-eyed sibling into the Abyss.

In fact, what Levi says about the Children of the Ill-Omen born with the to-be Glen isn't the truth either, just some hearsay (Retrace 69)—

Because you're supposed to properly dispose of what you have created.

I don't think any of this is necessarily true. Because Kevin Legnard (Break), a Child of Misfortune, lived in an age around 10+ years since the Tragedy of Sablier. He served in the Sinclair family since a young age where, yes, a massive tragedy did occur, but it was only in his adulthood and due to political complications, more or less. So really, I wonder if the whole story of Children of Misfortune —the only threat to the Juries—attracting "misfortune" is not one cooked up by the Juries themselves, then accepted as such by generations of Glen? And even spread to the locals because both Lacie and Vince were bullied for their red eyes. Perhaps, so that such children, even if they might not become Baskervilles, will be tortured and eventually killed/take their own lives, and the tales of the Juries will not be interrupted.

This is why the first panel of Leo ordering Levi is so important to me. It's about the choice of your free will (which Oswald never had, he simply went with whatever was asked of him,, more on this in part 3). Leo started to actively fight for what he felt was right and even commands the previous Glen to obey his orders because "I am the current Glen! When I tell you to do something, you shut up and do it, you droopy eyed jerk!"

Oswald could have done this at the Succession Ceremony. I am pretty sure Levi would be more amused than angry at the rebellion against the status quo.

Because, even here, amused by Leo's words, Levi spurs into action only after this exchange: (Retrace 103)

Finally, it's Leo who puts an end to the ostracism of the Children of Ill-Omen—

—and discussed the problem of the Core of the Abyss learning and knowing what it is like to be lonely instead of merely looking upon her as something dangerous and to be untouched by anyone including the Glens.

I don't think he could have brought about such a major change without facing some kind of major uproar from the Juries, yes? In spite of that, Leo (with the rest of the Baskervilles) decided to stand by what he thought was the right thing to do and not condemn his first true follower, Vincent, for no reason but for being born with a red eye.

[ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4]