#2 summon elementals

[indiworld]

look at me. look at me. i’m the dm now.

[vounoura]

the other MMOs I've played have some pretty wild rotations but nothing has ever quite come close to the utter mayhem that was/is mag!NB in ESO

[hayatheauthor]

Can you post something about different kinds of soulmates? The name on the wrist or red strings are nice but a little overused, maybe. Idk. Do you have anything different?

50 Types of Soulmates in Literature

The soulmate trope might feel pretty cliche to most but I love exploring them (great short story material, esp if you want to twist it into horror/thriller/non romance). Thanks for the ask! I hope this list is what you were looking for: 

Fate-Driven Soulmates

1. Shared Dreams – They meet in their dreams every night/[idea] after they turn [age].

2. Reincarnation– They reincarnate in every era and are destined to meet each time.

3. Aura Bonds – Their auras [change] when they’re near each other.

4. Mirror Messages – They see the other’s face in the mirror when they turn [age].

5. Starbound – Their soulmate’s birth constellation forms on them after their first meeting.

6. Heartbeat Match – Their pulses sync when they meet and get more uneven when they’re apart after that.

7. Shared Memories – They have flashbacks of past lives together.

8. The First Words – Their first spoken words to each other are tattooed on their skin.

9. Fragrance – They recognise each other by a unique scent only one’s soulmate carries (i.e. in the world you can only smell roses on your soulmate).

10. Scars – They have matching scars in the same place since their birth.

11. Colour - They only start seeing colour after meeting their soulmate. Can be changed to sound, touch, smell, etc.

Cultural Soulmates

12. Mehndi Marks - In Indian/Middle Eastern cultures, your soulmate’s name appears in your mehndi/henna.

13. Karmic Threads - In Buddhist traditions, invisible karmic bonds pull them toward one another.

14. Feng Shui Alignment – Their energies perfectly balance according to the Feng Shui elements.

15. Ancestor's Blessing – Their names are revealed through a ritual that summons past ancestors.

16. Name in Flames – In some folk traditions, a fire ceremony reveals their soulmate’s initials in the embers.

17. Feather Match – They exchange feathers that later glow when their soulmate is near.

18. Shared Songlines – In Aboriginal traditions, their paths align on the same Songline.

19. Palm Reading Prophecy – Their soulmate’s features or initials are foretold in their palm lines.

20. Dance of Fate – In certain cultures, a soulmate is revealed during a traditional dance when they naturally pair up.

21. Persian Tea Leaves – Their names appear during tea-reading rituals.

Object-Based Soulmates

22. Lock and Key – Everyone is born with a keyhole shape. When you turn [age] you’re blessed with a key that only fits into your soulmate.

23. Shared Journal – They write in the same journal without knowing how.

24. Twin Trinkets – When born, each person receives a magical [trinket]. Your soulmate has its twin. 

25. Compass of Love – A compass always points them toward their soulmate.

26. Two Halves – They carry two halves of the same [object].

27. Enchanted Maps – A map updates itself with their location when they’re near.

28. Eternal Rings – Rings burn hot or glow when their soulmate is close.

29. Song – When they turn [age] they hear a song sung in their soulmate’s voice. (Interesting: in this world, MC hears nothing. They think they don’t have one, rly their soulmate is just mute). 

Connection Through Nature

30. Tree of Life – Their world has a special garden you go to when you’re [age]. In the garden, a tree starts to grow when two soulmates are near. Note: if they ‘break up’ or one dies, the tree wilts and dies too.  

31. Blooming Flowers – When your soulmate is born, you get a flower bud [different for each]. When you meet the first time, this bud goes into full bloom. If you pass without meeting, it dies. This continues till you actually meet, and the flowers finally [fall off?]

32. Animal Guides – At birth you’re assigned a spirit animal who leads you to your soulmate when the time is right. (Ooh maybe your spirit animals are soulmates too OR hmo: they’re enemies! You haven’t met your soulmate yet because your spirit animals are doing everything to keep you [and themselves] apart). 

33. Shifting Shadows – Their shadows always reach toward the other. When you sleep, your shadows break away and meet each other. 

34. Bound by Seasons – They only meet during a specific season each year. Kind of like a Divergent ‘born into a season’ thing. (But what if a Summer and Winter end up being fated? But they can’t survive in each other’s seasons. [omg Tinkerbell] lol). 

35. Ocean Whispers – It’s said if you go to the ocean’s shore and say something there your soulmate will hear it when they go to the shore. (MC’s soulmate hates the ocean. They’ve never been. One day they finally go, and sit for hours as they listen to messages from their soulmate, who apparently lives by the ocean and has been calling to them every night). 

36. Star-Written Names – When you turn [age] only you see a name written in the stars. That’s your soulmate’s name.

Unconventional Soulmate Tropes

37. Memory Keepers – One soulmate is bound to forget each other in each new life, and the other is fated to remember and find them. The other only remembers if and when they meet. 

38. Parallel Lives – They exist in parallel universes but see glimpses of each other via [plot].

39. Shared Illness – They feel each other’s pain, sickness, and recovery.

40. Shared Mortality – They can only die when they’re together.

41. The Final Wish – When you turn [age] you get to make a wish and your soulmate has to fulfil it in order for you to meet.

42. The Sacrificial Lamb – One is destined to save the other through ultimate sacrifice.

43. The Time Loop – They’re stuck in a loop, meeting repeatedly until they get it right.

44. Dual Souls – They share one soul in two bodies, feeling incomplete without the other.

45. The Undying and the Mortal – One reincarnates endlessly, always finding their soulmate, if they fail to find them, their soulmate will not reincarnate and die forever. Except, you don’t know who’s the immortal one. 

46. Time Stopper: Time stops when you’re with your soulmate. It starts again when you’re apart. 

Sense-Based Soulmates

47. Sight: When you close your eyes you can see what they’re seeing. 

48. Warmth: You feel physically cold everytime you’re without your soulmate. Your heart turns colder every year, till when you’re [age] you both die if you haven’t met.  

49. Colour: You can’t see your soulmate’s eye/hair colour till your first meeting. The issue: they don’t know the colour, so often overlook this change. (Many resort to checking a colour chart every day till they see a new colour). 

50. Touch: You can’t feel anything till your soulmate touches you for the first time. Everything simply feels like its weight, not texture. 

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!

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[ramenheim]

Wondering if my solo campaign should be a friendless necromancer durge.... 🤔

[robboyblunder]

Remember how I said I couldn't stop thinking about Ghouls? yeah LOL. Anyways, I finally finished my "Ghoul Guide" which is a comic featuring made up lore about summoning nameless ghouls as well as things about them and their roles!

this by no means is comprehensive of everything I've made up for them, but I'm testing the waters with this comic! if it gets enough love I'll make an additional comic about ghoul origins, element types, and maybe even design non-assigned ghoul outfits for each era costume hehe.

ID in ALT text! transcript for comic text under the cut!

Transcript is numbered for each page the text is for!

A rite of passage for becoming “Papa”, It starts with a will and your judgement

A specialized chamber is necessary, 1) to avoid interference 2) to prevent escape.

After all; feral ghouls are raw elements, And to survive, one must tame them.

Each element has a diversity of strengths and rarity / and the first ghoul summoned sets precedent for how a leader is perceived.

Additionally, the first is the personal servant and an important assistant for life; Often times assistance is needed for future summoning, but a limit of 2 maintains respect to show you’re still capable.

However, they must accept you- you must earn their respect, and they only choose if willing. And they are not always willing.

One must be prepared to face Hell itself. To prove one is worthy to take the stage, controlling the devil’s magic is key.

It’s important to roll the dice and summon a variety, but one may only tame as many as the power of their sin allows, which, naturally, varies.

And while they’re loyal as determined by one’s rank… / Remember: The ministry comes first.

Ghoul records broken by copia.

Record: Most ghouls summoned at one time: 8 (10 including past members), Record: Most obedient first summon (for an amateur).

Record: Most powerful summons (2 S-Class ghouls); All consuming Hell Fire (AKA: “Sodo” or “Dew”); Hurricane From Hades (AKA: “Cumulus”); Record: Most elemental offshoots summoned (3). Offshoots of (then lists the symbols for quintessence and fire).

ghoul roles.

Assistance, Fighting.

Personal Guard, And of course: Performing.

end transcript.

[larnax]

employing nuclear measures(grinding everyone up to ~lvl 80) to beat galdera. chose that level bc its when temenos gains the ability to guide alrond and im not paying 3 bajillion leaves to hire a guy that shows up 3 times to give me JP x 2 when every single one of my characters has maxed out learned skills. after being forced to use temenos for about 5 straight hours of grinding i can now say that ive seen the light. previously i thought that the cleric class was fucking stupid piece of shit garbage for idiots and temenos' character specific powers were overhyped dogshit, but now i also think they are annoying as fuck

[dadsbongos]

5 times laios almost says he loves you + 1 time he does

2 k words / warnings - momentary lead up to smut (foreplay/roleplay), modern au w fantasy elements

summary - laios wants to tell you he loves you, but keeps getting interrupted.

~~~

When Laios was a kid, he'd imagined a tri-headed beast crossbred from reptiles, mammals, and birds attacking all his problems. Recently, that image has been… tweaked…

Now when he's afflicted by demeaning nightmares or stiff social situations, the power he summons to crush all which is dark sided is, surprisingly, a human.

A mere person.

His partner.

Every time you appear in his dream, Laios wakes up in a massively good mood. Whenever Laios pictures you over the unpleasant sight of strangers, he can suddenly bear unwelcome conversation. Whenever Laios so much as spots you, his whole day elevates -- swirling into something brighter and sweeter. Misery to melon juice, he’s absolute goo as soon as you’re in the room.

And everybody except him knows what his deal is. Similarly, they know it’ll take a miserably long while before he can spit it out.

the time where you’re naked

“I wanna learn human anatomy, can you pose nude for me?”

You choke on your water, trying to laugh off the awkward question with a couple chest-pats, “Can't you just look at porn for that stuff? I don't mind, you know?”

“Nah, I wanna draw you.”

“Oh! Uh, okay…” you cross the floor, drawing the curtains to your living room before stiffly beginning to disrobe, “Like… right now?”

“Mhm,” Laios nods excitedly.

“‘kay then.”

Sweat practically oozes down Laios’ forehead, shoulders knotted towards his jaw as he obsessively studies each roll and dip along your body. Trying to copy you down on sketch paper that’s now marred with charcoal and eraser strokes. Drawing has never been something Laios cared to prove himself for, he knows what he’s skilled with and doesn’t fret over what he isn’t. Until now, now he feels the utmost need to prove himself.

To prove how devoted he is to perfecting your body on paper because how else will his adoration be known?

Because trust: he does adore your body. So pretty. And tender. And so very welcoming to him, just like you. Laios adores your personality more than your body -- you’re nice and funny and understanding and, most importantly, you like him. You seriously like him. His rants about monsters, his social ineptitude, his shameless nature: you’re verily into all of it.

And, in turn, he’s into you. He’s so into you it makes him want to choke himself in excitement whenever you lock eyes.

He’s so into you he thinks he loves you.

Laios pauses mid stroke on your thigh: it’s a little skinnier than the fleshy counterpart. So he erases again and lets the realization fizz over him slowly.

He definitely loves you. Unfortunately the sudden thought makes him so emotional he’s tearing up.

the time you’re on a date

Flickering overhead fluorescents are hideously unflattering to customers and staff alike at the diner. Not you, though. Somehow you make them work, even though everytime Laios catches his reflection in a window he looks absolutely ghoulish. The pale wash of sickly light almost makes you seem like a varnished painting.

You’re not even aware of his obsessing, too busy scanning the menu, “I’m looking at the breakfast for dinner options, but I dunno what I want…”

Laios wants you, and he figures the best way to get it out is just saying it.

“I lo- !” he’s silenced by a woman cheerfully greeting the both of you.

Her broad grin tackles him like a personal slight.

“So, what can I get started for you guys?”

Laios swallows his frustration with a wash of chilled water, letting the rhythm of your voice soothe him. Now the mood is ruined. Too stuffy with this onlooker.

Oh, well, he sighs quietly before ordering his own dish; paying no mind to how the server silently questions his moody demeanor.

There’s always more chances.

the time where you’re naked pt. 2

When you’re genuinely asleep, your lashes consistently flutter against your cheeks with each jerk beneath your eyelids. Your lips are parted to let air puff between, and usually you’ll curl your arms towards your chest -- which Laios finds so cute it makes him want to bite you. Sweetly, of course. Not enough to draw blood, unless you say he can.

Either way, he’s fully aware you’re not really sleeping. Which he considers preferable since the secondary act of roleplay doesn’t work if you aren’t awake.

Suddenly, you roll onto your stomach and stretch along the bed -- perking your ass up with a faux drowsy mumble. Laios can register you’re trying to spur him on, a more emotional exhaustion gnawing your spirit the longer he goes without touching you.

Laios has never been able to fanatically explain Incubi mating before he met you (well: he skimmed through it with Kabru, but that didn’t feel impactful), and furthermore, he’s never been able to act it out. Nobody before you seemed the type to accept his interest in portraying a sleeping body about to be bred by an Incubus.

Nobody before you is even worth remembering, Laios steps forward with fingers trailing up the bed and teasing your ankle. Mouth opening, he’s gearing up to confess when suddenly a voice not his own breaks the scene first:

“Laios, please,” you mutter, pouting so adorably he feels like his chest is about to explode, “I don’t wanna be mean, but I need you to hurry it up.”

“Now we have to restart,” Laios steps back until he’s pressed against the bedroom door, “Okay, I’ll go faster this time,” then he grins, “That’ll be even more realistic if I rush in! You’re so smart!”

By the time Laios re-enters the room, his confliction of pure love has been stifled in favor of lust.

the time you’re out with friends

Earplugs are snug in Laios’ ears, cushy and pressing against every crevice of his ear, as he slouches into the booth across from Senshi. He’s sliding a mug of beer from hand-to-hand, leaving a condensation trail along the shiny veneer of the table. Beside him is a gaping hole he laments, belonging to you, as does the margarita saucer. Melting ice chips and an olive Laios promised to eat are the only remnants of your drink.

Otherwise, it all seems to be pumping through you like hot blood. A beaming grin alight on your face as you and Chilchuck bounce around each other on the dance floor. You’re holding hands in the cramped throng of guests so as to not lose each other, and Laios shocked Marcille by not getting the least bit jealous.

“I trust them,” he reasoned, “It’s not like I’m the only person allowed to touch their hands now.”

Not that he’d like to be, either. Laios thinks everyone should touch your hand at least once: it’s soft and warm and you’ve got the perfect grip strength. Just holding your hand makes Laios want to be a better, more upstanding citizen that votes and volunteers. That sort of inspiring spirit is something he couldn’t dream of caging.

You’re like a human morphine injection confounded with pure sunlight, and Laios is already a baked sucker.

“Don’t wanna join?” Senshi slides along the black leather seat until he’s squeezed out from their booth, “You won’t be so young forever, you know? Best to take advantage while you can.”

Laios can barely make out what his friend says, combining muffled gibberish with the shape his lips made and praying he’s assumed correct, “I like just watching them.”

Senshi’s gaze follows Laios’ pointing, he nods slowly and pitters off with another few mumbles.

Laios cannot handle anything outside the safety of your group’s booth. Music too loud and air too hot the further he crawls along the dance floor, so he leaves that to you. And Chilchuck. But mostly you.

Life has many opportunities for him to sway with you to music: in your shared apartment, at friends’ weddings, and fairs. He can handle not taking this particular once to dance with you, and besides just watching is enough.

He whispers affection into the club, naturally you catch none of what he says.

the time where you’re naked pt. 3

Your nails scratch over Laios’ scalp, rinsing bubbles from between sandy strands of hair. His head is tilted, neck beginning to ache from the angle as you finish scrubbing his hair clean. Fingers snatch him by the chin, forcing his head back until water is trailing down his spine and shaking out his head with finality.

“There,” you push onto your toes to kiss his cheek, making him hurry to stabilize you by snagging your hips, “All clean!”

“Thanks,” Laios fails to release you, instead letting you spin in his hands towards the wall for your body wash -- the brand he bought you for your birthday once and you always kept going back to.

“If you’re gonna keep groping me, wash my back, yeah?”

“I’m not groping,” Laios protests weakly, frowning at the perverse accusation. Though he doesn’t pause before uncapping your soap and squirting a heap into his palm, then yours when you hold your hand out expectantly.

You scale down your legs, from the inside of your thighs to your shins as Laios lathers your back. He shifts a step aside to let water coax soap foam down the curve of your spine. Then he’s stepping back entirely, eyes lingering inappropriately. If he was able to die staring at you, then he’d take that certainty in a heartbeat.

Now, right? Now is the perfect time for him to get it all out there. Nobody else is in your apartment. It's domestic and quiet and so, so peaceful.

“Hey,” he calls over the thrumming showerhead, and you hum sweetly in reply, “I lo- !” he bravely takes another step, a lost bar of soap slotting perfectly under the arch of his foot, “Fuck!”

“Huh?” you turn in time to gasp as Laios tumbles forward. Yanking down the shower curtain in a feeble attempt to catch himself before his skull thuds loudly against the tile wall, “Oh my God, Laios!”

His body collapses against the wall before limply sinking into the shallow tub. Your petrified face blurring out in favor of deep,

rich

black.

+1 - the time Laios had a head injury

“Can you see straight? How many fingers am I holding up?”

Laios smiles at your flagrant concern, enveloping your shaky hand with his own and bringing it toward his thigh -- still damp from the shower and barely covered by the boxers you hastily dressed him with, “I can see fine. Let’s leave the doctors to do the testing stuff.”

“I thought you were done for! I was so scared,” you don’t fare much better than Laios in the clothing department: shorts he knows are his wrapped around your waist, and shirts clinging uncomfortably to both your wet bodies.

“Aw,” he coos, leaning closer to peck your cheek, “I wouldn’t go down from a hit like that. My head’s a lot sturdier than some shower wall.”

“I know, but still! How terrifying, you just- !” you slap a hand against your thigh, “Boom!”

“Well, you got me to the hospital pretty fast,” Laios squeezes his hand around yours, “So even if I was dying -- which I wasn’t -- I definitely would’ve lived with how fast you were going.”

“I almost didn’t dress us, and then I spent the whole time you were asleep wondering if I got you killed by wasting the time.”

“Like I said, I wouldn’t die like that,” he shrugs, “I can’t die before I tell you I love you.”

“Huh?!”

“I love you, by the way,” he sighs, a hand splayed over his chest with apparent relief, “Now I can die.”

You laugh, head throwing back in glee before you can catch your breath, then patting his thigh with a smile, “No, you can’t die. Because I love you too, so you can’t just die on me.”

Laios’ cheeks flush, he nods curtly, “Cool.”

“Cool?”

“I spent so long trying to get it out that I never planned what to say when you told me you loved me back.”

Laios is so cute you want to bite him in half, and you’re unbelievably relieved to hear he feels the same.

[azuries]

SEES RYOJI MASTERPOST i hope you guys enjoy reading through it! i was heavily inspired by all the amazing art and content ive seen of the concept that i wanted to explore it too!

ART:

Moonlight Trio

Yukari and Ryoji going shopping (SEES!Ryoji winter clothes variations)

Ryoji accidentally hitting MC with his scythe

SEES!Ryoji sketch dump

SEES!Ryoji Theurgy splash

SEES!Ryoji Theurgy Storyboard

Ryomina in Tartarus

Ryomina in Tartarus P2

Ryomina in Tartarus P3

SEES!Ryomina Illustration

Cooking with Yukari

SEES!Ryoji Sprite edit

SEES!Ryoji fanmade P3RE screenshots

Ryomina SEES!Ryoji animatic

feral SEES!Ryoji

Clumsy SEES!Ryoji

Charmed Ryoji

All Out Attack Splash

SEES!Ryoji Cut In Splash

Comic

Ryoji learns about evokers

More SEES Ryoji sketches

Ryoji killing the Reaper

Twitter post  

After Ryoji finds his resolve through the Hero, he offers to join his team. He gives him a choice to go through a better, yet harder way to get through Tartarus, a way only he can access. It features new bosses, content, and a new spin of the final fight with Strega.

Contains: Art, battle stats, Theurgy, combat dialogue, Tartarus dialogue and banter, and more!

Full post under the cut:

—-

This AU explores the idea that instead of Ryoji leaving for the last  month, he offers to join the team as a temporary team member to lend his power to help SEES reach the remaining floors of Tartarus before he merges with Nyx. More events happen that prolong the time you spend together. 

Ingame, it’s treated like a bonus mission and an addition to get to know Ryoji better during the aftermath of November. 

As a new addition to the team, he’ll join SEES in the dorm and have his own version of FTEs with plant tending, movie watching, book reading and cooking. He’ll have interactions with other party members. 

The player will also get to know more on his personal feelings as the Appriser. Through conversing with Ryoji, you learn in depth about Tartarus, and the player gets to see a more subdued side of him as he tries to come to terms with his identity. 

He uses an evoker to trigger his form as Thanatos instead of using it to summon a Persona.

The player can choose to go through this route, or play the game like how it was originally set. The ending remains the same.

Party Stats:

Level: Scaleable, 2 levels higher 

Element: Dark and Almighty

Weakness: None, reflects pierce damage 

Combat style: Prioritizes debuffing, tank 

Theurgy - Death’s Call: Deals massive almighty damage to all foes. Fears both enemies and allies. 

Theurgy condition: When Ryoji sees his friends suffer a lethal blow, he feels determined to take vengeance.

Theurgy Personality bonus:

Chance to grant Arcana Burst even without completing your Major Arcana stack.

+ More damage to weak foes. 

Intercepts an incoming lethal blow for a party member.

DIALOGUE:

Ryoji’s first Tartarus entrance dialogue: 

Ryoji: - So this is Tartarus.

I, I can feel her. She’s keeping an eye on us. On me.

Remember that I’m here to help. Tartarus is Nyx’s realm, but I should know a better way to help you get to the top. 

Keep in mind that I may not be as impenetrable while I’m here, and shadows will be a lot more hostile if we go this way. Are you sure you wanna do this?

MC:

> Nowhere to go but up.

> Let’s do this.

> Are you sure there’s no other way?

Don’t worry. Whatever‘s waiting for us, I won’t let anything happen to you. They’ll have to get through me first. 

First Summon dialogue: 

I have to do this. Everyone..I’m sorry for what you’re about to see. 

Get out here, Thanatos! 

Turning into Thanatos (Persona Summon) 

If this is what it takes.

Please look away.

Thanatos!  

Do what you must!

Combat 

Shift dialogue:

All up to you! 

We’re in this together!

Receiving end of shift dialogue: 

I’m on it! 

They’ll get what's coming to them.

Item use: 

This will help, right? 

Getting healed:

I don’t deserve this.

Death:

I-I hope it was enough. 

Sorry..

AILMENTS

Distress

It’s over.. Why do we still try?

Confuse 

Guys? What’s going on?!

Rage

Come on! Take me down if you can! 

Charm

So, how about dinner?~

Down

You’re kidding me! 

Shock

What is this?! 

AOA

Before All Out Attack:  

We’re going in! 

Before splash art: 

And that's how it's done! 

Splash art Caption: 

DEATH IS INEVITABLE

All Out Attack splash art line:

Pointless to deny your fate.

Basic victory dialogue: 

I hope it was worth it. 

Heh, how was that? 

Battle aftermath:

That was impressive. You’re all amazing!

Stairs discovery

Found the stairs. There’s no time to lose! 

Found the way up! You know best, leader.

Treasure

Ooh, something shiny! 

Hey, guys! Found something useful? Maybe?

SEES advantage: 

They never saw it coming! 

Ambush / enemy advantage: 

Leader, stay close to me!

Hit by crit: 

That’s impossible! 

SEES Tartarus dialogue w/Ryoji 

Junpei: Hey, so.. Ryoji… What’s with the long scarf? And how do you not slip from it when you run? 

Ryoji: I don’t think it’s that long! 

Yukari: Seriously? Out of all the questions you can ask him, that’s what you go with? 

—-

Mitsuru: For someone with no prior experience, you’ve been keeping up well, Ryoji-kun. 

Ryoji: I’m glad you think so, Kirijo-senpai.

Akihiko: Don’t push yourself, though, alright?

—-

Junpei: Ryoji! Now that you live with us, we have got to continue the game we were playing! 

Ryoji: I don’t think you’d want to…Didn’t I delete your save on accident?

Junpei: Eh, I wasn’t paying much attention to the story in the first place. 

—-

Ryoji: I never got to thank you before for helping me settle in, Fuuka. How about I take you out? 

Fuuka: Oh, of course! Let’s invite the others too!

Junpei: …Yikes, dude.

—-

Fuuka: I’ve always wanted to do karaoke with you all. You should join us, Ryoji-kun!

Ryoji: Oh, m-me...?

Junpei: Yeah, you’re always holed up in your room and we never know where you’re out at night! How about we sing our hearts out instead? 

Ryoji: Ahh.. haha..I… I’ll think about it. 

—-

Ryoji: *Humming Mass Destruction* 

Aigis: Ryoji-san. Were you the one making those sounds? 

Ryoji: Sorry! Makoto-kun and I were listening to some songs, and now I can’t get it out of my head. 

—-

Ryoji: Aigis..About what happened before. I feel like I should apologize one more time. 

Aigis: Instead of apologies, let’s make a promise. That we’ll see this through, together.

Ryoji: …Yeah. You’re right.  

—-

Aigis: It’s strange. In the real world, you’re impenetrable. But in Tartarus...

Ryoji: Until the promised day, I’m an obstacle to Nyx. I wouldn’t put it past her to limit my power. 

Mitsuru: So she was expecting this. Well, we just have to plan accordingly, then.

—-

Aigis: I decided to live, but…how do I even begin? How would I know? 

Ryoji: I already sense life within you, Aigis. You’re doing more than enough.

—-

Ryoji: Wandering Tartarus must feel repetitive. Maybe I can try something! I can add some arcade machines? 

Ryoji: Oh… but if I do that, Tartarus will just take it away again. *sigh* Nevermind, then.

Ken: Can.. Can you actually do that?!

Yukari: *sigh* Of course he can’t. 

—-

Akihiko: How are you holding up, Mochizuki? Think you can still keep up?

Ryoji: Heh, that’s not even a question, Senpai.

—-

Ryoji: I hope I’m not bringing you guys down. What do you think, Koromaru-san? 

Koromaru: *barks enthusiastically*

Fuuka: Hahaha. Koro-chan seems to enjoy your company!

—-

Yukari: Whew..! You guys notice the shadows have gotten…much more alert?

Akihiko: You’re right. It’s like we unlocked the deepest depths of Tartarus that Nyx didn’t want us to see.

—-

Junpei: Jeez Ryoji, you weren’t kidding. The shadows of this detour are a whole different monster! 

Ryoji: I’m sorry, Junpei. But I promise it’s just a little longer. 

Junpei: Who am I to back down from a challenge? This’ll be a piece of cake! 

—-

Mitsuru: Are you settling in the dorm well, Ryoji-kun?

Ryoji: Oh. I am, thank you. 

Mitsuru: Of course. Just let us know if you need anything.

—-

Ken: Did anyone hear footsteps in the boys’ dorm last night? 

Yukari: Must have been Aigis sneaking to Makoto’s room, even if I told her to not leave past curfew…

Aigis: It was not me. I was out for my monthly checkup. 

Yukari: Then… who was it?

Ryoji: It wasn’t me! 

Yukari: No one said it was you! 

—-

Ken: So, where have you been living before, well, all of this, Ryoji-senpai?

Ryoji: I-I actually don’t know. Anything outside of school and Makoto-kun becomes a blur.

Fuuka: Ryoji-kun…

—-

Ryoji: You’re amazing to lead such a capable team, Makoto-kun. You look good like this. 

—-

Yukari: Ryoji-kun and I went thrift shopping the other day. It was actually pretty fun!

Ryoji: Thanks for taking me out, Takeba-san. I wanted that jacket, though.. 

Yukari: Unless you wanna blind someone with that thing, there’s no good reason to wear it! 

Ryoji: *sighs sadly*

—-

Ryoji: There were so many couples on Paulownia Mall for Christmas Eve. It was lovely to see.

Junpei: Ooo, does our newest member have a special someone they have in mind?

Ryoji: I-I wouldn’t say that..

Junpei: Hahaha! You’re like a tomato right now, dude! 

Ryoji: Hey, knock it off!

—-

Ryoji: Wait, you’ve reached past the 200th floor?! Akihiko: All in a day’s work. Everyone has been putting in their all. 

—-

Akihiko: You’re hardly breaking a sweat. What’s your routine, Mochizuki?

Ken: I’m guessing it’s him not being human in the first place?

Akihiko: Ken, that’s not..!

Ryoji: It’s alright, I don’t mind. He has a point, though.

—-

Yukari: I won these chocolate bars, I brought them in case anyone wanted a snack. Want some? 

Ryoji: Oh, that’s okay. I don’t eat sweets that much. 

—-

Mitsuru: I have to say it was quite convenient for the Kirijo Group to have an extra weapon. 

Ken: Yeah, and what’re the odds it was a scythe too?

Ryoji: Hahaha…. I guess.

—-

Koromaru *bark*

Aigis: Koromaru-san is asking that if you’re Death, what will that make of the Reaper?

Junpei: I bet Ryoji here can take him down, no problem! 

Ryoji: I’d rather not stick around to find out. For your sakes.

—-

Ryoji: I was told you lost a close friend to the Dark Hour. I’m sorry for your loss.

Mitsuru: …Thank you, Ryoji-kun.

Akihiko: He’d want us to move forward. There’s no use dwelling in the past.

Ryoji: I guess you’re right. I’m here to help however I can. 

—-

Koromaru: *bark bark* 

Junpei: Hey… you think Koromaru sensed Ryoji’s true identity? 

Ken: Oh, do you mean because  of dogs’  intuition to ghosts and spirits? 

Fuuka: I don’t think Ryoji-kun’s just any ghost though..!

—-

Ryoji: Hey Takeba-san. Can I ask you something?

Yukari: I swear, if it’s you trying to ask me out again…

Ryoji: Oh, that’s not what I was gonna- Wait, do you want me to? Because-

Mitsuru: -I think I saw something important there, leader. Let’s check it out.

Ryoji: This feels too familiar.

—-

Junpei: Kyoto was so fun! School trips should happen more often. 

Yukari: *glare*

Junpei: Eep! 

Ryoji: Ah-! I-I swear, that wasn’t our intention! It was all a misunderstanding! Leader, tell her! 

—-

SP LOW: 

Mitsuru: Ryoji-kun. Make sure not to strain yourself. 

Ryoji: I’m fine, please don’t worry. I can’t let up in front of a pretty girl like you, now can I? 

—-

Fuuka: Leader… Ryoji seems tired. 

—-

If Makoto has low SP: 

Ryoji: You don’t look good…Please, pace yourself. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.

FTEs: (WIP)

Plant tending event

anddd thats it so far!! if this post ever needs updating, i definitely will!

thank you so much for reading! it really means a lot!

[novelistwriter]

The Family of Halfa's

DP x DC Prompt (With other Fandoms, this prompt was inspired by "Wished Away Series")

Danny and Wes had been together for a while. Wes was, at first, not considered part of his friend group, but as time went on, Wes integrated himself as part of Team Phantom.

Now that Wes was a full ghost, and the Consort to Danny, as he is the Ghost King, Clockwork had decided that the Halfa and his Consort are the perfect option to raise the souls of those the Time Ghost takes pity on as new Halfa's with a new start, meaning these souls don't have the memories of their past lives, but powers and such related to their previous lives.

The oldest of the reborn souls they got was a boy named Adrian Agreste, but not any Adrian, the Cat Blanc Adrian, who was plucked from his timeline before it was erased and offered a second chance at life. His power is still destruction, but only when he is feeling intense negative emotions.

The second oldest, who came a few years after Adrian, was named Callum, a boy who died at the hands of the Sunfire Elves before help had arrived. He doesn't have any unique powers but is adept at the Arcane Arts than any (fully) living person.

A few months later, another soul was given to them. His name was Eli Shane, and he perished in the Eastern Caverns during the battle with the Emperor. Eli's powers allow him to access 5 elements, with him limited to one until he switches to another, Fire, Air, Earth, Water, and Energy. And because of Junjie, Eli's other Ghost Power allows him to learn any martial arts much quicker than any being.

After a year, another soul was given to them, one of a courageous young man named Link who stopped a Demon King but suffered too many injuries to be saved. His power is time related, but not too powerful. If he dodges an attack at the last second, he is able to move faster than anyone to attack his opponent for a short duration.

2 more years later, two souls were given to Danny and Wes, Keith and Lance, who perished at the hands of a mysterious foe while giving their team time to escape. Their powers are similar yet different at the same time. They both can summon spectral lions, but Keith's is red and has fire powers, while Lance's are blue and have water related powers.

Finally, 3 years later, Danny and Wes are given 5 souls of kids, kids who died participating in a war to stop a bad guy. Aang died fighting Ozai. Zuko and Katara died in the Agni kai against Azula. Toph and Sokka died when the Airship they were on crashed in the sea before Suki could arrive on time. Aang has air and animal related powers, Katara has water and ice powers, Zuko has fire and electricity powers, and Toph has earth and metal powers, Sokka doesn't have any unique powers, but is a natural leader and adept at learning how to use any type of weapon.

After the Quintuplets were reborn from Danny, the rest of the souls were as well, as Danny needed to host their cores to have them reborn as Halfa's, Danny and Wes thought that they needed to live in a dimension, and not the Keep Danny inherited, as Danny and the reborn Halfa's need to eat regular food as well ad needing Ectoplasm, and so the kids could interact with other living people and not just the Ghosts in the Infinite Realms. So they chose a random dimension with a lot of Heroes to live in, with Clockwork giving Wes a new body to be a Halfa himself.

And now the family made of all Halfa's is living in a place called Gotham, a Gothic City with enough ambient ectoplasm as Amity, but they had caught the attention of the Vigilantes of the City, as the entire family are Alternates to the people of the dimension.

Danny is an alternate younger Jason Todd, but not as Buff. Wes is an alternate younger Roy Harper, also not as buff. Adrian is an alternate Dinah Lance. Callum is an alternate and younger Hal Jordan. Eli is an alternate Lady Shiva. Link is an alternate and younger Barry Allen. Keith is an alternate Jon Kent. Lance is an alternate Damian Wayne. Aang is an alternate and younger Bruce Wayne. Katara and Sokka are alternates to Dick Grayson. Toph is an alternate and younger Cassandra Cain. Finally, Zuko is an alternate and younger Tim Drake.

[ziaxkawaii]

The Creator needs help

I claim to know s*it about canon genshin impact Teyvat lore or how things work in it. I just wrote something that was on my mind at 2 AM.

~~~~

Teyvat was crying...

No, it wasn't any ordinary rainy day no.

Not only was water falling down from the skies above in the form of tears, hail and snow also came down along with powerful winds in places that rouse concern in humanity and other forms of life alike. 

Thin layers of snow covered parts of the smeltering deserts of sumeru, rain poured down in forever freezing shnesnaya, pillars of ice formed in the waterfalls of watatsumi island in inazuma and such other incidents wreaked havoc all around the land of Teyvat. 

These disasters drove away almost all creatures of nature into hiding and cursed all yields to be near nonexistent due to the extreme conditions, leading to a landwide food shortage and miserable people. Even vision holders report feeling less elemental energy from their visions than before.

Mr. Zhongli, or formerly known as Morax or Rex Lapis, sat at Third-Round Knockout on a rare good day drinking tea as he  watched the dark clouds over the sea creep closer to Liyue Harbor. He sighs, as he already figures that the weather would one again cut his visit short.

Just as he brought this tea cup to his lips to take another sip, his surroundings changed. He was no longer drinking tea he was standing inside a domain of sorts. Where ever he looked, he couldn't see an end to the limitless space.

He wasn't alone though, six others, who he realized were the other archons and people of the highest authority of each nation, were here as well. And from the looks of things, they were just as perplexed as he was.

Since all of them were brought here, it could only mean, a being higher than them have summoned them for a purpose.

"Be not afraid."

A voice spoke, which drew everyone's attention to them.

A figure floated by their lonesome in place with a calm and understanding expression as they gestured at the seven of them. The figure was like a glowing humanoid lamp, glowing brightly with no distinguishable features whatsoever, except a horizontal golden line at their throat that seemed to extend all the way around their neck.

As if their head had been cleanly sliced off...

Wait... He recognized such featured being described somewhere. An ancient parchment that spoke of a deity that was the purest and highest being in all of Teyvat. A being whose purity was reflected on how others would perceive them, for they lost their real body and a line as tough drawn with gold wrapping around their neck symbolizing their sacrifice to the life on Teyvat.

That being being the Creator...

The moment Zhongli realized who was talking to them, he sank down on one knee. Others following suit as they too realized the same thing as he did.

"Be not afraid... I am not here to neither cast judgement nor punishment." Their voice spoke, as though it was coming from everywhere at one. From behind the seven, from above, from inside their craniums. It would of felt almost overwhelming, had they been afraid, but none were.

"Your excellency... why have you summoned us to appear in your presence, if not for a punishment?" Zhongli hears one of the seven ask, as the same question runs in his head.

That was an excellent question. Though many of the Archons have done everything in their power to fulfill their duties as assigned, their disastrous and war filled past and even current lives, leave no room to doubt they too were not above desire.

The same desire that plaques Teyvat and every other being on it. Driving them to satisfy their own desires

to survive

to live

to build

to control

to destroy...

The Archons carry their sins for they are forbidden to forget them, it would be shameful to do so.

What reason are they here?

"My children... heed my words, for I am afraid time is running out." The creator spoke, their hands gently clenched in front of them, without a single waver in their tone as they continued.

"I was afraid that the day when the balance of Teyvat would be disrupted would come, but the severity of this disruption is far too severe. I can no longer watch as the creations I gifted life needlessly suffer." They floated closer to the kneeling seven as they pleaded.

"I beg of you my children, help end this misery that plaques Teyvat."

The Creators plead rang in their ears as giant bells as they looked up at their Creator, heads full of questions.

The Creator requests their assistance?

"Your grace, we do not know the causes of the anomalies on Teyvat, therefore we are powerless to help even our own nations. What can we possibly do to help?" Another Archons spoke.

"To understand our current obstacle, you must understand how Teyvat came to be." They spoke as, with a flick of their wrist, a mist like substance filled the surrounding space. Creating images aiding the Creators storytelling.

"As you are already aware, I, the Creator, was born of and egg and used the shell of said egg to create Teyvat, but that is not all." The Archons watched intently as images formed before their eyes one after another, telling a history never told before.

"After I was born, I wandered among the stars, awaiting for a purpose for my own creation. As time passed, a sudden desire willed me to use my given power for something, so I returned to my first ever home and used it's eggshell to house a new world in another galaxy.

I shed tears to form the seas, I took pieces of my body to create land, I blew air to form the atmosphere... I lent the sun and the moon to occupy the new lands lonely existence...

however... I wasn't satisfied...

what use does a world offer if no one is there to appreciate its beauty?"

The loyal Archons remained on their knees, listening to the tale of creation and birth of the land they call home. Seems as though even the most purest of beings in Teyvat cannot escape the curse of desire.

"So with the last of my strength, I gave up one of my hearts and divided it to millions and millions of pieces and scattered them all around the land and sea to form life. Life capable of growth, capable of feeling emotions and capable of death on the world I call Teyvat.

As a final gift, I gave up a fraction of my power and formed the seven elements. To make sure these gifts are not used wrongfully, I also created Celestia to act as guardians of Teyvat, the elemental energy and its happenings."

Zhongli stood silent in fascination of the history told. Their Creator really was just as benevolent as described in the ancient parchment he read oh so long ago. Even if their intention for Celestia was different from how things currently stand, they were thinking about their creations' well being. How could he disrespect his own creator so severely as to forget them? How could he?

"However...." The Creator continued.

"Just as I basked in relief and excitement of having created something that would have a life of its own... it caught the eye of another deity."

"They were envious of one of their own giving their body and attention to another, and so, they were going to curse the newborn world, which I could not let happen. I sliced off my own head as a distraction but the spell ended up landing on and affecting my own soulless mind and body, leading me to temporarily forget myself and my creation.

After the battle, my body and severed head fell into Teyvat, leaving behind the deity to grieve for hurting a fellow god.

My body collided with the earth while my head went missing, both staying unmoving, for I had no way to control them nor any memory to guide me on what to do. I felt as eons of life cycles passed before me, ground slowly swallowing my body and breaking it down, making me one with my creation." 

The sudden realization hit Zhongli harder than any of his meteorites. All along, the Creator has been among them. They were no spectator above Teyvat or a god who had abandoned them after their duty had concluded, no. They were there... they are...

"Yes, my children... I am Teyvat, and Teyvat is me."

Zhongli was taken aback as their Creator had read through his entire inner battle inside his mind. Now that he was aware of Teyvat's major historical event, he can finally start to string pieces together and think why Teyvat now experiences such instability. 

"Your eminence, since your body is apart of Teyvat itself, does the weather, soil and even elemental energy have anything to do with your physical well being?" Another Archon spoke and all tuned in to hear the Creator.

"I certainly does... Even if my body is no longer, most concentrated amounts of my being and the energy inside still lie beneath the ground, instinctively healing Teyvat and the ley lines from major damage, effectively enabling Teyvat and the elemental energy to remain balanced and flourish. 

However, lately the level of corruption in the ley lines and the amount of abnormal elemental energy surges have risen greatly, leading my "body" to panic and repel the added strain, therefore leading Teyvat becoming unstable." The creator hugged themselves as they explained and all of us understood the current issue and the gravity of it.

The creators physical body is what had been keeping Teyvat and its energy in line even when the Archons, gods and Celestia had abused it, but know that the last nail has been hammered, the creators body is no longer instinctually healing it and the Celestia is not stepping up to the task that was theirs to begin with.

"Your grace, just say the word and we are at your disposal. What can we do to help?" Zhongli himself spoke, voice even and calm for he had his full faith in his creator.

"You need to find my long lost head and bring it over to my bodys remains. Only then, can I reawaken and consciously put a stop to all of this, for in my current state I am a mere piece of your imagination laced with a voice." The creator explained, as though to prove their point, Their voice now sounded from inside their head as they floated higher and addressed the seven once more with a formal order and open arms.

"Please, find my body and bring my head over to it so I can awaken and help put a stop to this disaster! Let my mind be once again one with my body so balance may be restored, and the curse be lifted!"

Zhongli blinked and everything was just as it was before getting pulled into the domain to meet the creator. The tea he was going to savour previously, was still in his hand, steaming, as though no time had gone by at all. He however knew what had transpired mere second ago, was no daydream or a hallucination, his creator had really summoned him and requested his assistance.

With no more interest in the tea, Zhongli set the unfinished cup down while rising from his seat and began making his way out of Liyue harbor, with a newly acquired goal occupying his mind and shoulders.

[theplotmage]

Murder Mystery, Occult, Paranormal & Fantasy Prompt Ideas for Writers

1. The Cursed Amulet - A wealthy collector is found dead after acquiring a cursed amulet. The protagonist must uncover the artifact’s dark history to solve the murder.

2. Blood Moon Ritual - During a blood moon, a prominent figure is sacrificed in a forbidden ritual. The investigator discovers a cult trying to summon an ancient deity.

3. Witch’s Grimoire - A renowned witch is murdered, and her grimoire is stolen. The book contains spells powerful enough to alter reality.

4. Haunted Manor - Guests at a secluded manor start dying mysteriously. It’s said the house is haunted by vengeful spirits from a tragic past.

5. Necromancer’s Revenge - A necromancer brings people back from the dead to seek revenge on those who wronged him, resulting in a string of murders.

6. Sorcerer’s Apprentice - An apprentice sorcerer is killed during a magical experiment gone wrong. The protagonist must navigate a web of magical deceit to find the killer.

7. Alchemical Poison - A series of deaths caused by an untraceable poison leads to an alchemist who’s using forbidden knowledge.

8. The Phantom Assassin - A shadowy figure with supernatural abilities is killing off members of a secret society.

9. Demon Pact - A series of murders mimic those described in an ancient text about summoning a demon. The protagonist suspects a pact with dark forces.

10. Arcane Library - A librarian is found dead in a magical library where books can come to life. The books themselves hold clues to the murder.

11. Midnight Masquerade - At a masquerade ball, a guest is killed, and the murder is linked to an ancient ritual involving the masks.

12. Sacred Relic - A sacred relic is stolen, and those connected to its theft are being murdered by a guardian spirit.

13. Time-Worn Curse - An old curse reawakens, killing the descendants of the original cursed family. The investigator must break the curse to stop the murders.

14. Vampire’s Thrall - Murders in a town coincide with the arrival of a charismatic stranger who may be a vampire seeking revenge.

15. Elemental Fury - A mage controlling elemental forces is killing people who wronged him in the past. Each murder is committed using a different element.

16. Runic Inscription - Victims are found with runic inscriptions burned into their skin, leading the protagonist to an ancient prophecy.

17. Ghost Ship - A ship thought lost at sea reappears, its crew murdered. The investigator discovers the ship’s cursed history.

18. Puppet Master - An enchanted puppet is killing those who mistreated its creator, a deceased toymaker.

19. Celestial Alignment - Murders align with celestial events, suggesting a ritualistic pattern. The protagonist races against time to prevent the next murder.

20. Shadow Realm - Victims are being dragged into a parallel shadow realm, their bodies found drained of life.

21. Enchanted Forest - People who enter a forbidden forest are found dead, their bodies entwined with enchanted vines.

22. Murderous Djinn - A djinn, bound to an artifact, is killing people who come into possession of it.

23. Spellbound Love - A love potion gone wrong leads to obsessive love and murder.

24. Seer’s Vision - A seer predicts their own murder and enlists the protagonist to prevent it, but the future seems immutable.

25. Ritual Dagger - A dagger used in ancient sacrifices is rediscovered, and each person who touches it is killed.

26. Charmed Life - A person with a charm for eternal life starts aging rapidly and dies under mysterious circumstances.

27. Mystic Tattoo - A tattoo artist’s clients are being murdered, their tattoos turning into deadly curses.

28. Dragon’s Curse - A dragon’s curse starts killing those who stole from its hoard.

29. Mirror of Truth - An enchanted mirror reveals the darkest secrets of those who look into it, leading to a series of murders.

30. Ghostly Whisperer - A medium is killed by a spirit they summoned, who continues to haunt and kill.

31. Warding Sigil - A town’s protective sigil is broken, unleashing vengeful spirits on the townspeople.

32. Sorcerer’s Duel - A duel between powerful sorcerers results in one’s death, but the victor’s life is now in danger.

33. Forbidden Love - Star-crossed lovers from rival magical factions lead to a series of revenge killings.

34. Haunted Heirloom - An heirloom brings death to the family that inherits it, linked to an ancestor’s dark pact.

35. Shapeshifter’s Hunt - A shapeshifter is targeting a specific group, blending in seamlessly until the protagonist uncovers their true nature.

36. Arcane Academy - A student at a magical academy is killed during a spell-casting exam, and the murder is linked to a dark secret of the school.

37. Spectral Assassin - An assassin’s ghost seeks revenge on those who betrayed him in life.

38. Illusionist’s Game - An illusionist’s final trick results in real deaths, with magic and deception intertwining.

39. Golem Rampage - A golem goes on a killing spree, and the investigator must find its creator to stop it.

40. Philosopher’s Stone - A hunt for the philosopher’s stone leads to deadly competition and betrayal.

41. Mystic Caravan - A traveling caravan brings death wherever it goes, linked to an ancient curse.

42. Sealed Tomb - An ancient tomb is opened, releasing a vengeful spirit that begins killing those responsible.

43. Moonlit Beast - A werewolf’s attacks coincide with the full moon, but this werewolf is being controlled by someone with dark intentions.

44. Soul Harvest - Victims are found with their souls extracted, leading to a dark sorcerer seeking immortality.

45. Witch Hunt - A series of witch trials results in the wrongful deaths of innocents, whose spirits now seek vengeance.

46. Crystal Prophecy - A prophecy within a crystal ball foretells murders, but the seer is manipulating events to fulfill it.

47. Enchanted Theater - Actors in a theater troupe start dying in ways that mimic their cursed roles.

48. Dark Covenant - A secret society’s members are being killed off one by one, linked to a broken blood pact.

49. Doppelganger’s Curse - Victims are replaced by malevolent doppelgangers who are committing murders in their place.

50. Forgotten Sanctuary - An ancient sanctuary is disturbed, releasing an entity that begins killing those who desecrated it.

[ruoshik0]

A ghost’s core is it’s most important and only organ. It holds the true essence of it’s soul. All the emotions and all the subconciousness. Yet the core itself only acts as a power source. A rather powerful one, but ultimately, only a power source that happens to hold a ghost’s subconcious.

As such, the core does not store memories. Memories are useless to a dead being, after all. It’s not a brain. This is the reason why most ghosts do not recall any point of their living life.

Although it is possible to, if one tried hard enough, remember certian things of importance, most fully-fledged ghosts do not care enough to put in the effort.

So when Danny died yet another tragic death, filled with ectoplasm and electricity, and came back into the Realms as a full ghost, he couldn’t care less about the living world even if he tried.

Once fully dead, Phantom automatically just knew everything a ghost can do, how to do said thing, what’s the norm and what’s not, and other things that ghost know by default.

That was the norm for the Realms and it’s residence. What was not the norm was- Phantom, who had defeated the High King of the Infinite Realms whilst still somewhat alive, became the young King by default too.

The knowlegde of what to do, how to solve conflicts, and how to act kingly came to his mind all at once.

And the fully dead Phantom accepted this as his role in the Realms and immediately began his training to become a worthy king.

All his mentors from when he was alive taught him everything he would farther need to know. The history, the social hierarchy, his keep, and the resposibility that came with being king.

Gradually, his appearance started to change too. He became more… Kingly. The armor he wore when out and about was pristine. The sword he carried was elegant. The crown took form of a collapsing star sometimes, other times a galaxy. Rarely took shape of an actual crown. It had renamed itself The Crown of Ice. Taking it’s name after the current element of his core.

Pariah dark’s core changed it’s element more than a couple of times during his reign, only after experimenting with almost all elements in existence did it settle on fire. Each time, The Crown’s name changed accordingly.

Yeah, so, ghost cores need experimentation to find it’s most suitable element. So The Crown of Ice is really only temporary.

Ring of rage on the other hand, names itself after the personality of the holder. And no one other than the crown bearer cannot hold it. Pariah Dark was always angry, at almost every moment of the day. His rage did not subside.

Danny however was a peaceful one. Stern when needed to be, but almost always calm and peaceful. So the ring had named itself The Ring of Peace.

After only about 300 days had passed in the mortal realm did Danny get coronated. And after only about 2 hours had passed did he get summoned for the first time.

Infront of him were people he did not recognize personally. An orange haired young adult with teals eyes and rather big eyebags, a black haired young adult whose appearance was unkempt, and lastly, a black man who seemed to be the equal age as the black haired woman.

There was no denying that they seemed to recognize him. And there was no denying that his core hummed happily at the sight of them.

Master of time had told him his little misadventure a limited amount of time. He never really name dropped them though, only showed the past through the screen of the past long gone. And he can certianly feel that he at least knew these mortals.

For a minute or two, none spoke, opting to instead think of what to say. Eventually Danny opened his mouth. Only to then be interupted by the orange haired mortal to run up to him, step inside the summoning circle, and hug Danny tightly. The other two followed closely.

Danny did not know these people. He had duties to return to. He couldn’t spare any time humoring mere mortals. Mortals he possibly knew when he was alive but couldn’t care less about at the moment. He knew this.

Yet his core thrummed and hummed and purred happily at the unfamiliar feeling of warmth. He let his gaze wander whilst pulling up hesitant hands to return the mortal gesture. There by the door were two more mortals. One a woman with a red one-piece suit and the other a red haired, freckled man. They stood there, motionlessly and with tears pooling over their eyes.

His core practically jumped when he caught sight of them. Coming to the conclusion that perhaps he also knew them, Danny raised one eyebrow at the two. As an indication to just come here and join the hug.

The simple move was received as those two then ran up to the still hugging group and gave their own tight hug to Danny and the rest.

Not knowing what to do with these strangers he certainly knew when he was a mortal, Danny just stood there. Perhaps one day, he would come to care about these humans just as much as his core did too.

Right now though, he had duties and they hugged long enough anyway. So, he forced the hug to end and unsummoned himself.

[rootspiral]

Agatha All Along deep dive: episode 8 part 7

(Wandavision entries: [1][2][3])

(AAA entries: ep1 [1][2][3][4] ep2 [1][2][3][4] ep3 [1][2][3] ep4 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][+1] ep5 [1][2][3][4][5] ep6 [1][2][3] ep7 [1][2][3][4][5][6] ep8 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] ep9 [1][2][3][4][5][6])

more Oz references! fury of the elements, one very pissed ex, same thing.

god but how much I love rio going feral?! it's so stupid I'm giggling and kicking my feet about it. you'd think a very old, very wise being would react like a grown ass adult after a breakup, especially because it was such a long time coming. but does rio go home to process things quietly? noooooooo she summons a whole storm and sits on a roof waiting for agatha to come out of her basement, so she can be an ass about it. if they were humans rio would be slashing agatha's tires and smashing windows and throwing rotten eggs at her house drunk at three in the morning, and you know what? good for her!!! she's been fucking trying to work out things in a mature responsible way, and it was never going to work, agatha was never going to grow up. so fuck it. agatha wants to be immature? we'll show her immature! I support my girl going full petty and unhinged, let her cry and scream and eat a whole ice cream tub and then throw it all up, let her piss all over agathas' rhododendrons, my girl has earned it.

AND she's brought her favorite soul-reaping orchid with her! she's like, I'm gonna do it! this time I'm gonna getcha! I will drag your ungrateful ass to our son kicking and screaming if I have to!!!!

...girl. we both know you ain't. like agatha is literally about to die and you still won't reap that soul without her consent. absolute loser behavior.

and agatha... well, agatha never backed off from an immaturity showdown. oooh she's gonna out-toddler you for sure.

but it's so interesting that the Road didn't give her her powers back. tbh I don't think she ever lost her powers at all, seeing as she's first and foremost a succubus and that power works just fine, if alice's fate is any indication. it's more like, three years under the spell completely drained her battery and she desperately needs to feed.

and agatha wasn't planning on joining the Road at all, as far as she was concerned it didn't even exist. like with lilia, jen and alice the Road gave her not what she asked, but what she needed all along: her prize was that moment of closure with nicky

so rio cannot kill people, she can only make them wish they were dead, and I just realized, her special talent is also being fucking annoying, just like agatha

by the way, rewatching wandavision I realized that his name is JOHN, not herb! I'm so sorry I've been calling you the wrong name this whole time, my guy. ALSO MOVE OUT OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD DEAR LORD

same goes for you two. harold you have a daughter!

(omg a literal harold, they're lesbians.)

agatha sees the fire moon and it reminds her of alice. she draws a circle for the expelle hoc malum protection spell she's learned from her. she had a coven only for a day and look how much they've gotten under her skin.

rio gives an incredulous sigh. are you calling me "evil"? it's like, we've been over this!

I know that baby and I love you, but also you're very much sitting on a rooftop cackling like a maniac. how can these two be both so tragic and so so fucking ridiculous at the same time.

it's like, she's absolutely right, she's no villain and she's no demon, agatha should stop treating her like one and punishing her for it. but also... stop begging her to, for fuck's sake. rio, my love, have some dignity. stop chasing. you did a dramatic exit half an hour ago, WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE

agatha trying to exorcise her ex wife with a spell: clownass behavior.

rio blowing the circle away with a kiss: also clownass behavior.

but is she wrong????

lilia's turn to come in handy!

I'm sorry but... a whole sink? she threw a whole sink at her head?? this scene is so fucking hilarious, like I know some people found rio ooc but to me it makes perfect sense. I'm just sorry she didn't throw a toilet.

GO HOME, RIO. it's okay, we're gonna put up a picture of agatha in your living room and throw poop at it until you feel better or smth, it's gonna be okay, you let it all out.

^^literally rio

jen's moment: vulnus ab aqua curare.

I don't think it's going to help you much though, babe. remember when agatha kept poking wanda with a stick and got her ass kicked to oblivion in return? she's been poking DEATH for two hundred years. what did she expect???!?!

THAT IS THE HOTTEST SOMEONE HAS EVER LOOKED, DEAR LORD

and considering that rio chooses an outfit for each soul she reaps: this is what she chose for agatha??? girl, be for real!!!

aaaand she gets kicked into a wall a moment later. after her devastating sexy ass walk with the high slit dress and all. complete loser behavior.

(also hilarious: agatha's laundry hanging there the whole time)

billy came back to save agatha (awww) but not before conjuring a cool wiccan costume and doing a very dramatic entrance (awwwwwwww). literally her son.

I agree tbh

agatha's face when she realizes billy is choosing to give her magic: this is the first time someone does it willingly. and sure he is super powerful (she drained poor alice in a second), but I keep imagining a world were agatha is an important, cherished member of a community, maybe playing the vital role of teacher and knowledge keeper, and the community willingly donates magic in return, all together and on a regular basis, like people donate blood, so that no one dies and she doesn't starve.

look at how the beam changes color, and just how happy she is to finally eat. it's just the way she was born, you know? I hate that evanora turned it into something horrible when it didn't need to.

oh god, that stupid outfit again. that is agatha's "I'm such a scary merciless bitch and I don't care about your feelings" outfit. as if.

and then she realizes she's killing billy. look at her face, a moment ago she even said how good all this power feels. she could easily take it all. but of course for billy she has to stop.

so, can agatha actually control her powers? well, it's complicated, isn't it? she definitely couldn't when she was very young. possibly she never sought to learn how to as time went on.

(thank you for your patience, everyone, I'll update more regularly from now on. and you all know what happens next entry.)

go to episode 8 part 8

[onebadassunicorn]

His Blue-Eyed Angel

pairing: Azriel x Reader

content warnings: war, blood, gore, depression, feelings of hopelessness, serious angst

word count: 8.3k

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Story tags: @bravo-delta-eccho @tele86 @tiredsleepyhead @celestialgilb @theflowerswillbloom @fuckingsimp4azriel @quiet-because-it-is-a-secret @salvatoresister1 @imperfect0angel @stvrdustalexx

********************

Chapter 15

Azriel POV

In the days after Solstice, the atmosphere in the House of Wind shifted. Azriel began to pull away from Elain, his interactions with her growing distant and infrequent. Where he once might have lingered at her side during meals or sought her out for quiet conversations, he now avoided her altogether. His shadows seemed to reflect his inner turmoil, curling tighter around him, darker and more restless than usual.

Elain noticed, of course, her soft glances toward him unanswered, her gentle attempts at conversation met with curt responses or silence. The others noticed as well—Feyre and Mor exchanged looks, and even Cassian’s usually boisterous demeanor seemed more subdued in Azriel’s presence. Rhysand, ever perceptive, said nothing for now, though his sharp, calculating gaze lingered on Azriel more often than not.

The tension thickened further when Rhysand summoned the Inner Circle to the war room a few days later. The air was heavy with purpose as they gathered around the large table, maps and battle plans spread out before them. Rhysand stood at the head of the table, his violet eyes hard and focused.

“We’ve received word from our spies,” Rhysand began, his tone clipped. “Hybern’s troops are on the move. Their forces are gathering in a valley near the northern border of the Autumn Court. If we wait, they’ll be able to consolidate their forces, and we’ll lose the advantage. We need to strike now, while they’re exposed.”

Feyre, seated beside him, nodded, her expression grim. “An element of surprise,” she said. “It’s risky but necessary.”

Cassian leaned forward, his hazel eyes scanning the map. “We’ll need to mobilize the Illyrian legions immediately,” he said, his voice all business. “How many soldiers are we up against?”

“Thousands,” Rhysand replied. “But they’re spread thin. If we act quickly and strike hard, we can take out a significant portion of their forces before they regroup.”

Azriel’s shadows shifted restlessly as he studied the map. His hazel eyes were sharp and calculating, but his mind was clouded with other thoughts—of Y/n, her empty chair at breakfast, the painting she had returned. The faint hum of the bond in his chest ached with every passing day, a reminder of what he had pushed away. He forced himself to focus on the task at hand, burying his emotions beneath the weight of strategy and logic.

“I’ll lead the first scouting missions,” Azriel said, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. “We need to confirm their numbers and positions before we move.”

Rhysand nodded, his expression approving. “Do it. Cassian, you’ll oversee the Illyrian legions and prepare them for immediate deployment.”

“What about reinforcements from the other courts?” Mor asked, her golden-brown eyes flicking between Rhysand and Feyre.

“Tarquin has pledged his forces,” Rhysand said. “They’ll meet us on the battlefield. We’ve also sent word to Thesan and Kallias. But for now, we’ll have to rely on the element of surprise and our own strength.”

As the discussion continued, Azriel’s mind drifted. He thought of Y/n, of her strength, her resolve—and how he had done nothing but chip away at both.

He wondered if she knew about Hybern’s movements. If Tarquin had told her. If she would be fighting alongside her court when the time came.

When the meeting adjourned, the Inner Circle dispersed, their faces grim but resolute. Azriel lingered behind, his shadows curling tightly around him as he stared at the map, his thoughts a chaotic mix of strategy and guilt.

The war was coming, and he would fight with everything he had. But even as he prepared for the battle ahead, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the war he was truly fighting was the one within himself—the war to reconcile his duty, his choices, and the bond that tied him to the female he had let slip away.

******

Azriel POV

The following morning, the Inner Circle gathered again in the war room, the weight of their impending invasion pressing down on them. Maps of the battlefield sprawled across the table, markers indicating Hybern’s positions and the placement of their own troops. Rhysand stood at the head of the table, his violet eyes sharp and calculating as he detailed the plan for the attack. Cassian, Azriel, Mor, Feyre, and Nesta listened intently, each of them preparing for the fight that awaited them at dawn.

As Rhysand finished outlining the strategy, the doors to the war room creaked open, drawing everyone’s attention. All eyes turned to the figure standing in the doorway, and the room fell silent.

Y/n stepped inside, her black feathered wings tucked neatly behind her. She looked different—her face gaunt, her eyes darkened, her feathers dull. However, she stood tall, her shoulders squared, her expression calm and composed as she met their surprised gazes.

“Y/n,” Mor said, breaking the silence, her voice filled with shock and relief. “You’re here.”

“Y/n,” Rhysand echoed, his voice softening as he stepped around the table toward her. His violet eyes flickered with a mix of relief and guilt as he approached. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight embrace, her wings flaring slightly as he held her close. “It’s good to see you, little sister,” he said warmly his voice tinged with genuine affection. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” Y/n replied quietly, her voice steady as she returned his embrace.

When Rhysand finally released her, Cassian was already moving forward, a grin breaking across his face. “Y/n,” he said, his voice booming as he wrapped her in a bear hug, lifting her slightly off the ground. “I’m glad you’re here. You’ve come at the right time.”

She smiled faintly as Cassian set her down, his hands lingering briefly on her shoulders. “I’m ready to help,” she said simply. “To fight under your unit. Your command.”

Cassian’s grin widened, and he gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “You’ll be an asset. I’m glad to have you with us.”

The room remained silent as she stepped back, her gaze sweeping over the rest of the Inner Circle. Feyre offered her a small, welcoming smile, while Nesta gave a curt nod, her sharp eyes assessing but not unkind. Mor looked as though she wanted to hug her but held back, a mixture of guilt and relief on her face.

Azriel stood rigid at the far end of the room, his shadows curling tightly around him. His hazel eyes were locked on her, his expression unreadable as he took in her presence. The faint hum of the bond in his chest pulsed painfully, a mix of longing and relief washing over him.

She was here.

She had come back.

But she wouldn’t look at Azriel.

Never at Azriel.

“Tarquin agreed to send you?” Rhysand asked, his voice calm but curious.

She nodded. “He thought it best. And so did I.”

Rhysand’s violet eyes softened. “It’s good to have you here, Y/n. Truly.”

Azriel stood at the far end of the room, his shadows curling tightly around him. His hazel eyes locked onto her, and he couldn’t pull his gaze away. Relief warred with worry in his chest, the bond pulsing faintly as he took her in. She was thinner, paler than before, her wings no longer gleaming with the same luster. The spark that had once lit up her blue eyes had dimmed, and Azriel’s chest tightened as he thought of what had brought her here.

Her determination wasn’t the kind that came from hope. It was the kind that came from resignation.

She had taken this fight, this mission, because she had nothing left. He could see it in the way she held herself, the set of her jaw, the hollowness that still lingered in her eyes. She had come here willing to die. Maybe even ready to.

And that terrified him.

She inclined her head slightly, her gaze lingering on the maps spread across the table. “What’s the plan?” she asked, her tone all business.

Rhysand smiled faintly, gesturing for her to join them. “We were just finalizing the details. Your timing is perfect.”

As she moved to the table, standing beside Cassian, Azriel’s gaze followed her every step. His chest tightened as he noticed the quiet determination in her expression, the strength in the way she held herself. But he also saw the exhaustion that still lingered in her eyes, the weight she carried from everything she had endured.

She listened intently as Rhysand resumed explaining the strategy, her sharp eyes scanning the maps and formations. Cassian leaned closer to her, pointing out key positions and quietly discussing their unit’s role.

Azriel’s hands clenched into fists as he watched her. The way she listened so calmly, the way her expression remained impassive as Rhysand described the dangers they would face—it only deepened his unease. She wasn’t even afraid. Not because she was overly confident in her skills, but because she didn’t care anymore.

She didn’t care if she lived or died.

He knew that look.

He had worn it himself once, long ago.

The thought made his stomach twist painfully. He had spent countless nights imagining her safe, happy, far away from the pain he had caused her. But seeing her now, so hollow and resigned, made him realize just how much worse things had gotten since she had left.

His shadows whispered around him, agitated by the storm of emotions swirling in his chest. He forced himself to stay silent, to remain at his post near the edge of the room. But his hazel eyes never left her, and the bond thrummed faintly in the back of his mind—a constant reminder of the connection he had tried so hard to deny.

And now, as she stood in the war room preparing for a battle she might not survive, Azriel couldn’t shake the terrible fear that he had already lost her before the battle even began.

******

Y/n POV

I stepped closer to the table, my sharp gaze sweeping over the map. I studied the routes and positions with quiet focus, the tension in my body easing slightly as I assessed the situation. My mind shifted into strategy mode, the same mindset I had used countless times during my training under Tarquin.

Cassian watched me carefully, unsure of what to expect. But when I raised a finger to one of the marked routes, my voice was clear and steady.

“They’re sending troops through this pass,” I said, tracing a narrow valley on the map. “It’s smart—it’ll keep them hidden until they’re close. But it’s also their biggest vulnerability. It’s a bottleneck. If we send a small, fast team to block this choke point, they’ll have no choice but to retreat or spread out. Either way, it’ll break their momentum.”

Cassian blinked, impressed despite himself. He leaned forward, his brows furrowing as he studied the path I’d indicated. “She’s right,” he muttered, tapping the map. “A bottleneck here could disrupt their entire approach. We’d need to move fast, though. If they make it through, it’ll be too late.”

“I can lead the team,” I offered, my voice calm and confident. “I’ve trained for this kind of terrain. I know how to move quickly and quietly.”

Cassian’s gaze flicked to me, his lips twitching slightly as if holding back a grin. “Bold of you,” he said, though there was no mockery in his tone. “But you’ve got a point. A small team would work best—fast, efficient, and harder to spot.”

“Exactly,” I replied, nodding. I shifted my attention to another part of the map. “And here, this ridge—if we station archers along the top, we can pick them off as they retreat. They’ll be exposed, and we can minimize our own losses.”

Cassian raised a brow, glancing at Rhysand, who was watching the exchange silently. “You’ve got a knack for this,” Cassian said, his tone laced with approval. “Where’d you learn all that?”

“Tarquin,” I said simply, my voice steady. “He drilled strategies into me day and night. Said I’d never be a good fighter unless I knew how to think like one.”

Cassian let out a low whistle, leaning back slightly. “Well, it paid off. That’s a damn good plan.”

Rhysand’s gaze softened slightly as he watched the exchange, though his worry for me hadn’t entirely abated. “It’s a solid strategy,” he said, his tone calm but measured. “Cassian, take her suggestions into account as you plan your teams.”

Cassian nodded, his gaze flicking back to me with newfound respect. “You’ve got good instincts,” he said. “If you ever get tired of fighting, you might have a future as a general.”

I didn’t respond to the compliment, my attention returning to the map. But Cassian could see the faintest flicker of pride in my eyes, and it made him grin.

“Alright,” he said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s get this plan in motion.”

******

Azriel POV

The room was thick with tension as Rhysand continued outlining the strategy, his voice steady as he explained the details of the plan. Y/n stood beside Cassian, her sharp eyes fixed on the maps and formations. She listened intently, nodding occasionally as Cassian pointed out key positions.

Azriel, standing at the edge of the room, couldn’t stay silent any longer. His shadows writhed around him, reflecting the storm of emotions in his chest. He stepped forward, his voice low but tight with concern. “She shouldn’t be fighting.”

All eyes turned to him, the room falling silent. Y/n’s gaze finally flickered to Azriel, meeting his hazel eyes for the first time in months. Her expression was unreadable, but her wings shifted slightly, drawing tighter behind her.

“She’s perfectly capable,” Cassian said, breaking the silence, his voice calm but firm. “You’ve seen her fight, Az.”

“That’s not the point,” Azriel snapped, his shadows curling tighter around him. His gaze never left her as he continued, his voice thick with frustration. “She shouldn’t be putting herself in danger.”

Y/n’s expression hardened, her wings flaring slightly as she straightened her spine. “I’m standing right here, Azriel,” she said, her voice cold and sharp. “If you have something to say about me, you can say it to me.”

His jaw tightened, and the bond in his chest throbbed painfully. “This isn’t about questioning your abilities,” he said carefully, his voice softer now. “You don’t have to do this, Y/n.”

“I want to,” she interrupted, her tone firm. “Don’t tell me to sit this out. I’m trained, and you need everyone. I’m not going to stay behind while the rest of you risk your lives. I’m here. To do my part. Like everyone else.”

The silence that followed was deafening, the weight of their unspoken emotions pressing heavily in the room. Rhysand cleared his throat, his violet eyes sharp as he glanced between them. “If Y/n is willing to fight,” he said firmly, “then she will fight. She has proven herself capable. And we need every capable fighter we have.”

Azriel clenched his jaw, his gaze flicking briefly to Rhysand before returning to her. She looked back at him, her expression unreadable, before she turned her attention back to the map.

As the discussion resumed, Azriel stepped back, his shadows coiling around him once more. But his gaze lingered on her, the faint hum of the bond in his chest a constant reminder of the distance between them.

One that felt wider now than ever.

******

Y/n POV

Inside, my chest was hollow, a constant ache I couldn’t escape. But I no longer cared.

No longer cared what Azriel thought.

I didn’t feel fear, or anger, or even hope. I just felt tired. Tired of hurting, tired of existing in a world that didn’t seem to want me. If this battle could give me a moment of purpose, a chance to feel something, then so be it.

And if it didn’t… well, I wasn’t sure I cared about that, either.

******

Azriel POV

Y/n threw herself into preparations for the upcoming battle, her every movement purposeful and efficient. She immersed herself in strategies with Cassian, sparring sessions, and ensuring her weapons were sharp and ready. On the surface, she appeared focused and composed, her sharp mind working through every detail of the coming fight. But beneath the calm exterior, she was a hollow shell of the vibrant, fierce woman she once was.

Her eyes, once luminous and full of life, were dulled now, stormy and distant, as though her mind was far away even when she spoke. Her voice was steady when she shared her plans, when she gave advice or asked questions, but there was no spark behind it. Her wings, once proud and strong, drooped slightly when she wasn’t in motion, their black feathers frayed and lifeless.

Even her movements, while still sharp and calculated, lacked the fire that used to define her. She trained hard, sparring with Cassian and the other warriors, her blows precise and efficient. But there was no passion behind them, no sense of drive. She was moving out of duty, out of obligation, not out of the unyielding determination that had once made her such a force.

Azriel noticed it all.

He stood silently in the shadows, his hazel eyes following her every move as she worked with Cassian in the training ring. She moved like a predator, quick and graceful, but there was something missing. Something vital. Her strikes landed with force, her defenses held strong, but there was no energy behind them, no fire. She was going through the motions, her body present, but her soul somewhere else entirely.

His gaze lingered on her face, the sharp angles of her cheekbones more pronounced now, her lips pressed into a firm line. Her blue eyes were darker than he remembered, their depths heavy with pain and exhaustion. She didn’t smile, didn’t laugh, didn’t even engage in the teasing banter that Cassian was clearly attempting to draw out of her. She simply nodded at his words, offering brief, flat responses before returning to her work.

Azriel’s chest tightened as he watched her, the faint hum of the bond in his chest a constant ache. He wanted to approach her, to say something—anything—but every time he thought of how he’d pushed her away, how he’d let her slip through his fingers, the words caught in his throat. He had no right to her anymore, no right to ask what was wrong when he already knew the answer.

But he couldn’t stop watching her. Couldn’t stop noticing every detail, every sign of how much she’d changed. Her silence was deafening, her stillness unnatural. This wasn’t the woman he’d first met, the woman who had challenged him, sparred with him, and fought with a fire that rivaled the sun. This was someone worn down, someone barely holding on.

When she finished sparring with Cassian and walked past him without so much as a glance, his shadows stirred restlessly, wanting to reach for her, to pull her back. But he stayed rooted to the spot, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.

He didn’t deserve to go after her. Not after what he’d done.

And it was killing him.

******

Azriel POV

The day of the battle arrived with a heavy silence that hung over the camp like a storm about to break. Warriors moved with grim determination, the clash of steel and the scrape of armor echoing through the crisp morning air. Y/n stood near the edge of the war camp, her black-feathered wings spread slightly as she secured the last of her weapons. Her movements were mechanical, her expression focused, though her blue eyes were dark, shadowed with something colder than fear—resignation.

She was ready. Ready to fight, ready to face whatever awaited her on the battlefield. And if she didn’t survive, if this day became her last, she had made her peace with that. Better to die with honor than to continue this hollow existence where she felt neither belonging nor hope.

It was so obvious to Azriel.

As the war drums began to beat in the distance, Azriel went to her. His shadows arrived before he did, curling and swirling around her like restless specters.

“Y/n,” he said softly, his voice low but strained.

She paused, her hands stilling on the strap of her chest plate, but she didn’t look at him. “Azriel,” she replied evenly, her tone distant and cool, as if his presence barely registered.

He stepped closer, his hazel eyes scanning her carefully. She looked every bit the warrior she was—armored, weapons gleaming, her posture rigid and steady. But there was something off, something missing. The fire he had once admired in her, that had made her so uniquely her, was gone. Her wings, dull and lifeless, shifted slightly as though trying to shield her from him.

“The pass you will be attacking,” he said after a moment, his voice soft. “It’s a dangerous position—”

“I know,” she interrupted, her tone clipped. “I don’t need you to tell me that.”

“Y/n…” His voice broke slightly, the words faltering on his lips. He stepped closer, his shadows pulling back as though trying to give her space. “I just… wanted to make sure you’re ready.”

She finally turned to him, her lifeless blue eyes meeting his. There was no warmth in them, no spark, just the cold determination of someone who had already made peace with the worst possible outcome. “I’m ready,” she said simply, her voice sharp and emotionless. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

His jaw tightened, frustration flickering across his face. “I do worry about you,” he said, his voice low but intense. “I always have.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she turned away, adjusting the hilt of her sword. “Then save it for someone who needs it. Someone who matters.”

The words stung, but he didn’t back down. He took another step closer, his voice softer now. “You matter.”

She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head as she turned to face him fully. “No, I don’t,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Not to you. Not really. So go, Azriel. Go and protect Elain. She needs your protection. I do not.”

He stepped closer, his shadows stilling around him as he searched her face. “Y/n, if something happens—”

She stepped closer to him, her eyes hard and cold, her voice cutting. “If something happens, I’ll handle it. That’s why I’m here.”

“That’s not what I—” He stopped, frustration flaring in his hazel eyes. He was trying to reach her, but she was as closed off as he’d ever seen her. She turned away from him, buckling the straps on her leathers.

Her words struck him like a blow, the bond in his chest throbbing faintly, painfully. Unable to stop himself, he reached out and grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around to face him. His shadows swirled frantically, reflecting the storm of emotions inside him.

“Y/n,” he said, his voice cracking, his hazel eyes pleading. “Don’t—”

Her gaze met his, cold and unyielding, and she took a step back, shrugging off his touch. “Stop,” she said, her voice sharp and final. “I’ll see you out there.”

Without waiting for his response, she turned away again, her wings shifting slightly as she walked toward the gathering warriors.

Azriel stood frozen, his hands curling into fists at his sides as he watched her go. The bond pulsed faintly, weakly, like a lifeline slipping through his fingers. He wanted to follow her, to say something—anything—that might pull her back. But once he realized she was not coming back, he left to take up his position on the main lines, his chest aching as he realized how far she had already drifted from him.

******

Y/n POV

As he left me, I exhaled slowly, my hand gripping the hilt of her sword. The love I had for Azriel still present, a cruel reminder of what could have been. But it didn’t matter now. I had a purpose today, a reason to keep moving forward.

I’d thought once, not so long ago, that I’d found a home here. A place to belong. People who cared for her. But I didn’t feel that anymore. The sting of Azriel’s rejection, of his distant gazes and deliberate pushes toward Elain, had stripped me of that hope. The weight of everything had hollowed me out until I barely recognized myself.

And if I didn’t make it back? If I fell on the battlefield, surrounded by the chaos of war? At least I would go out fighting, my honor intact, and finally be free of the emptiness that had consumed me.

My hands stilled on my preparations for a moment, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The war drums had started in the distance, a slow, steady beat that thrummed through the ground. The rhythm was calming in a strange way, final and resolute. I breathed deeply, letting the cold air fill my lungs. This was the only place I felt alive now—on the edge of danger, where the fear of death made my heartbeat just a little harder.

I closed my eyes briefly, the weight of my decision settling over me like a shroud. When I opened them again, the warrior in me had taken over, and the broken woman I’d been was left behind.

I moved toward the gathering army, to ready my team for attacking the pass, ready to face whatever came next. For better or for worse.

******

Y/n POV

The morning sun hung low in the sky, its pale light struggling to cut through the smoky haze of the battlefield. The sharp, biting wind carried the acrid tang of blood and ash as I stood at the head of my unit, black feathered wings spread wide, a stark contrast against the gray sky. My face was steady and calm, my eyes scanning the pass before us—Hybern’s forces had gathered here, a choke point that could turn the tide of battle.

“Hold your lines,” I ordered, my voice cutting through the noise, clear and commanding. The soldiers at my back—Illyrians, Summer Court warriors, and others who had volunteered—responded with sharp nods and braced for what was to come.

Cassian had trusted me with this mission: take the pass, eliminate Hybern’s forces there, and cut off their ability to reinforce the main battle line. I didn’t hesitate to accept it. Now, standing at the edge of the ridge, watching Hybern’s soldiers pour toward us, I spread my wings and shouted, “Forward!”

The sound of wings beating filled the air as the Illyrians surged behind me. I dove first, my sword gleaming in the dim light as I cut through the front line of soldiers. My water magic coiled around me like a storm, sharp tendrils forming into spears that struck Hybern soldiers down with deadly precision.

The fighting was brutal. Hybern had fortified the pass with far more soldiers than anticipated, but I did not falter. I moved like liquid—each strike measured, my magic flowing seamlessly with my movements. I fought with the unrelenting focus of someone who refused to fail. Something Tarquin has instilled in me a long time ago.

My warriors followed my lead. Arrows rained down, clashing against Illyrian shields as soldiers pushed through Hybern’s lines. Swords clanged, magic sizzled, and the battlefield became a storm of chaos. I didn’t stop. My black wings beat hard against the air as I rose and dove, striking down enemies before they could regroup.

“Push forward!” I shouted, my voice steady even as blood splattered across my face and my armor. My sword swept through another soldier, and I turned just in time to send a wall of water crashing into a group attempting to flank my unit.

The battle raged for what felt like hours, but Hybern’s forces began to break. They retreated, those who remained fleeing back toward their reinforcements. I landed hard on the ridge, panting, sweat and blood dripping from my brow. My unit reformed behind me, battered but victorious.

“The pass is secure,” one of my captains reported, his voice hoarse but triumphant. “We did it.”

I nodded, forcing a small, satisfied smile despite the exhaustion pressing at my limbs. “Hold the position. Reinforce it and make sure no one gets through. I’m going to join the others.”

I sheathed my bloodied sword, my magic sparking faintly at my fingertips as I spread my wings again. Without waiting, I took off into the sky, flying fast and low toward the sounds of another battle.

The main lines.

******

Azriel POV

The Inner Circle fought at the heart of the battlefield, their combined strength holding Hybern’s relentless assault at bay. Rhysand hovered above the chaos, sending dark power rippling through enemy lines, while Feyre loosed arrows with deadly accuracy from atop a ridge. Cassian was on the ground, his sword a blur as he hacked through soldiers, roaring orders to his Illyrian commanders. Nesta fought beside him, her power a silver flame scorching through the enemies that dared get close.

Tarquin fought near them, his trident flashing with deadly precision, waves of his Summer Court magic sweeping through groups of Hybern’s soldiers. The High Lord of Summer was relentless, his face set in determination and fury as he defended his allies.

Azriel was everywhere at once, his shadows slicing through the thickest parts of the fight, a lethal force moving through Hybern’s ranks with surgical precision. But even as he fought, a part of him couldn’t stop thinking about Y/n, about her mission at the pass, about whether she was safe.

Then he saw her.

She streaked across the sky like a black arrow, her wings carrying her swiftly over the battlefield. His chest tightened at the sight of her—the calm focus on her face, the precision of her flight, even as blood stained her face and her armor, and her hair hung loose around her face. Her arrival was marked by a gust of wind and the faint echo of water rippling as her magic carried her to the battlefield. She landed beside Cassian and Nesta with a graceful, determined precision, her blue eyes already scanning for where she was most needed.

“The pass is secure,” She shouted over the clash of steel, drawing Cassian’s attention. “Their forces are retreating and reforming.”

Cassian’s grin was wide despite the blood streaking his face. “I knew you could handle it,” he shouted, pride clear in his voice. “You’re a godsdamned force, Y/n.”

Before she could respond, Tarquin appeared beside them, dispatching the last of the soldiers in his path with a sweep of his trident. He turned to her, his gaze full of pride and something softer—a deep respect for the female who stood before him. “You did well, little sister,” he said firmly, his voice cutting through the noise. “Securing that pass may have turned this battle in our favor.”

She inclined her head, her expression calm despite the blood and exhaustion that marred her features. “I’ll keep fighting. We’re not finished yet.”

Tarquin’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Your mother would have been proud,” he said softly, his voice barely above a murmur. “I’m proud of you.”

Something flickered in her eyes, brief but unmistakable, before she nodded once. Without another word, she turned back to the battlefield, drawing her sword and falling into step beside Nesta as the enemy’s forces renewed their attack. Her movements fluid and deadly, she cut through the ranks, magic swirling around her once more, freezing soldiers in their tracks or forcing them back with walls of crushing water.

Azriel had been fighting on the far side of the battlefield, his shadows slicing through enemy ranks with ruthless precision. But the moment he saw her land, he couldn’t tear his eyes away. She was a blur of motion—black feathered wings spread wide as she struck down soldier after soldier, her magic lashing out in fluid, crushing waves.

Even as he fought, clearing a path for Illyrian soldiers, his gaze kept drifting to her. To the way she moved with unrelenting focus and determination, her strength unwavering despite the obvious exhaustion in her frame. But Azriel saw it—the weight she carried, the toll this fight was taking on her.

She was fierce. She was extraordinary.

But a part of him feared what it was costing her.

“Y/n!” Azriel called, his voice cutting through the chaos as he began to move toward her, his hazel eyes locked on her figure.

She didn’t respond, didn’t even glance his way, too focused on cutting through Hybern’s forces beside Nesta. Her magic was a storm around her, her strikes so precise and deadly they bordered on effortless.

Azriel clenched his jaw, his wings twitching with frustration as he continued to fight his way toward her. Tarquin was now fighting close to her as well, his magic a perfect complement to hers, the two of them moving in tandem like waves crashing upon a shore.

Azriel’s shadows hissed anxiously as he watched her strike down another enemy, the bond in his chest pulsing faintly, a cruel reminder of the distance he had placed between them. She didn’t falter. She didn’t stop.

But Azriel couldn’t shake the worry simmering beneath his focus. She had pushed herself to the brink once already, and he feared she was doing so again. It was her strength that awed him—but it was also that strength that terrified him.

As she turned to face a new wave of soldiers, her black wings spread wide, her sword raised, Azriel finally closed the distance, slicing through a group of enemies as his shadows danced viciously around him. His eyes met hers for just a fleeting moment—her gaze calm and unreadable.

He opened his mouth to say something—anything—but she turned back to the fight without a word, leaving him standing there, the bond humming faintly in his chest like a warning.

And as Azriel fell back into the battle, his strikes growing sharper, faster, he realized with no small amount of dread that even surrounded by allies, even victorious at the pass— it seemed as if she still felt like she was fighting alone.

******

Azriel POV

The battlefield roared with the clash of steel and the screams of soldiers, the ground slick with blood and ash. The Inner Circle fought with a brutal determination, holding their line against Hybern’s relentless assault. Rhysand hovered above, dark power raining down like a storm, while Feyre’s arrows flew true from her vantage point. Cassian fought alongside Nesta, his sword cleaving through enemy after enemy. Tarquin’s trident flashed like a beacon in the chaos, his waves of magic crushing entire battalions.

Amidst the cacophony, Feyre’s sharp voice rose, edged with panic. “Elain! Where’s Elain?”

The question cut through the noise, and heads turned as the realization sank in. Elain was gone.

“She was just here,” Feyre said, her voice tight as she scanned the battlefield. Her eyes darted wildly over the chaos, her bow lowering as dread crept across her face. “I don’t see her.”

Azriel’s wings snapped open, his entire body going rigid. His shadows shot out like black vipers, scouring the battlefield in frantic waves. “I’ll go,” he said immediately, his voice sharp, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Before he could move, Y/n stepped forward, her black wings spreading wide, her gaze steady and unflinching. “I’ll find her,” she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “And I’ll bring her back.”

“No.” Azriel turned to her, his voice low and fierce, his hazel eyes blazing. “Absolutely not. It’s too dangerous.”

Y/n met his gaze, calm and resolute, her blue eyes unyielding. “The Inner Circle needs you here, Azriel. This line will crumble without you. Let me go.”

“Y/n, no.” Azriel stepped closer, his wings flaring as if to block her path. “You’re putting yourself in danger—don’t do this.”

“I can handle it,” she said firmly, her voice cutting through his protest. “I secured the pass, didn’t I? I’ll find Elain and bring her back.”

“You don’t understand—” Azriel began, his voice tight with frustration, but she cut him off.

“No, you don’t understand,” she snapped, her gaze flickering with that same stubborn determination that always left him speechless. “Elain is missing, and someone needs to get her back before Hybern realizes they have her. She's too valuable as a seer. You’re needed here, Azriel. Stay and protect the line.”

Her words hit their mark, but Azriel’s jaw tightened, his shadows coiling anxiously around him. The bond in his chest pulsed faintly, warning him, begging him to stop her.

“Angel, please…” His voice softened, his desperation bleeding through the cracks in his armor.

She paused at the desperation in his voice and name for her but she didn’t falter. She stepped past him, her wings lifting, her sword still clutched in her hand. “I’ll be fine,” she said, though her voice held none of the warmth it once had. “Keep fighting. I’ll see you when I bring her back.”

Before Azriel could stop her, she launched into the sky, her black wings cutting through the smoke-filled air as she soared toward the far edge of the battlefield, where Elain had last been seen.

Azriel stood frozen for a moment, his chest heaving as he watched her disappear into the chaos. A storm of anger, fear, and guilt brewed inside him. She shouldn’t have gone alone. He should have stopped her.

Cassian’s voice broke through his haze. “Az, we need you here. Focus.”

Azriel clenched his jaw, forcing himself to turn back to the fight, his shadows whipping violently as they carved through the enemy. But his mind wasn’t there—not truly. It was with her.

Always with her.

******

Y/n POV

I flew fast and low, the wind whipping against my face as the sounds of battle faded behind me. Smoke choked the air, the acrid scent of blood and magic lingering as I sped toward the far end of the field where Elain had last been seen. My mind was clear, focused only on one task: finding Elain and bringing her back to her family, back to Azriel.

I knew Azriel didn’t want me to do this. I had seen the desperation in his eyes, had felt the weight of his words. But he was needed on the main lines. They all needed him there. This was my task now, and I refused to let Hybern take another victory.

I refused to let Azriel be without Elain.

The one he loves.

When I landed at the edge of the battlefield, it was eerily silent. The cries of soldiers were distant now, muffled by the thundering of my heart. My wings folded behind me as I crept forward, the sharp sound of my boots on the scorched ground barely audible. My magic thrummed faintly beneath my skin, ready to respond at the first sign of danger.

“Elain,” I called softly, scanning the smoke-heavy air. “Elain!”

A sudden noise to my left made me spin, my sword flashing out instinctively as I scanned the ruins of a collapsed tent. My gaze finally landed on a familiar figure.

Elain.

She was struggling against her captors, her eyes wide with fear, but before I could take another step, two soldiers turned and charged toward me.

With a fierce cry, I drew my blades, my movements swift and calculated. The first soldier fell quickly, my dagger sliding cleanly across his throat, but more emerged from the shadows. I fought them off one by one, my training and instinct taking over as I parried strikes and countered with deadly precision. But the sheer number of them began to overwhelm me, and I knew we both didn’t have much time.

******

Azriel POV

The battle raged on, the ground a churning chaos of blood, ash, and magic. Azriel moved like a shadow, his blade cutting cleanly through Hybern’s soldiers, his shadows lashing out to drag others into the darkness. His focus was razor-sharp, his instincts honed by centuries of war. Yet, somewhere beneath that lethal precision, unease simmered.

It started as a whisper in the back of his mind—something felt off. He scanned the battlefield between strikes, looking for her.

Looking for Y/n.

And he didn’t see her.

His gut twisted, and his gaze flickered frantically across the line of fighters.

She had told him she would go.

She had told him she would handle it.

But she hadn’t come back.

And neither had Elain.

Azriel’s heart thudded painfully in his chest as he landed on the ridge where Rhysand was coordinating the lines, his power rippling like dark lightning across the battlefield.

“Rhys!” Azriel called, his voice sharper than he intended as his wings snapped shut behind him. Rhysand turned, his violet eyes narrowing as he took in the look on Azriel’s face.

“What is it?” Rhys demanded, his tone clipped as he loosed another wave of power toward Hybern’s forces.

Azriel swallowed hard, the bond in his chest pulsing faintly—a whisper he couldn’t ignore. “Y/n and Elain. They haven’t returned.”

Rhysand stilled for a moment, his power halting mid-air before resuming its brutal assault. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I haven’t seen either of them,” Azriel said, his voice edged with worry, his shadows writhing anxiously around him. “Y/n went after Elain. I told her not to go, but she didn’t listen. They’re not back, Rhys.”

Rhysand’s face darkened, his eyes flaring with sudden, fierce determination. “Damn it.” He turned toward Cassian, who was bellowing orders nearby, his blade a blur as he cut through Hybern’s troops. “Cassian!”

Cassian glanced up briefly, sweat and blood streaking his face. “What’s going on?”

“Y/n and Elain are missing,” Rhys said sharply. “They haven’t returned.”

Cassian cursed under his breath, his hazel eyes flashing with worry. “Do you want me to go?”

Azriel’s wings flared, and his voice cut through the noise with raw intensity. “I’ll find them.”

Rhysand turned back to him, his jaw tight. “Go. Bring them both back, Azriel. Whatever it takes.”

Azriel didn’t wait for another word. His wings snapped open, the wind whipping around him as he launched into the sky. Shadows coiled around him like a second skin, stretching outward to scout the battlefield below.

The unease in his chest had turned to dread.

“She’s fine,” he told himself under his breath, though the words felt like a lie. He gritted his teeth and flew faster, higher, his sharp eyes scanning the scorched earth for any sign of her.

But the battlefield was chaos—clouds of smoke rose in thick plumes, soldiers clashed in a sea of blood and steel, and still, there was no sign of her or Elain.

Please, he thought desperately, the bond straining painfully in his chest.

Stay alive.

Stay with me.

******

Azriel POV

Azriel landed in the clearing with deadly precision, his blades flashing as he cut down two soldiers in one fluid motion. His wings flared wide, shadows spilling out to shield him from the incoming attacks as his hazel eyes locked onto the chaos in the center of the clearing.

And there she was.

Fighting with a ferocity that sent a surge of both pride and fear through him. Her dark wings flared with each movement, her blue eyes blazing with determination as she twisted and turned, deflecting blow after blow. She was holding her own against the wave of soldiers, but even from this distance, Azriel could see the exhaustion in her stance, the blood staining her face and her armor and the way her breaths came quicker than usual.

“Y/n!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the clash of steel and shouts of the enemy.

Her head snapped toward him, her gaze meeting his for a fleeting moment, a flicker of relief flashing across her face. But she didn’t falter, turning back to strike down another soldier before yelling over her shoulder, “Elain—she’s there!" She nodded her head towards the direction of Elain behind her.

"Take her and go!”

Azriel’s gaze flicked to where Elain was bound, her golden-brown eyes wide with terror as she struggled against her restraints. His chest tightened painfully. Duty pulled him toward Elain, but his instincts—his bond and his love—screamed at him to stay with Y/n, to protect her.

“No!” he shouted, cutting down another soldier who charged toward her. “I’m not leaving you!”

She parried a strike and yelled back, her voice sharp with urgency, “You have to! Save her, Azriel. That’s an order!”

Every part of him resisted the command, his body kept moving instinctively towards her. As their eyes met, he hesitated, his blades faltering as he looked between her and Elain. The anguish in his eyes was palpable.

And then it happened.

The bond snapped for her.

Azriel saw it in her wide, blue eyes, the way her body froze mid-strike. Her blade faltered for the briefest of moments, before she cut down the next soldier advancing on her. Her wings shifting slightly as the truth crashed over her. He felt the bond flare between them, hot and undeniable, as it had for him since the moment he first saw her. But this time, it was her realization that pierced through the chaos, her lips parting in shock as the words left her mouth in a broken whisper: “You’re my mate?”

Azriel’s heart splintered at the sound, a rush of emotions surging through him—relief that she finally knew, devastation at the timing, and fear for what might come next. She stumbled, the weight of the bond visibly shaking her.

“Yes,” Azriel said, his voice breaking with the weight of everything he had wanted to say for so long. His wings twitched, his body torn between staying and flying. “Yes, I am.”

He wanted nothing more than to drop his sword and run to her, to pull her into his arms and shield her from the world.

But there was no time for it.

Not now.

She looked back as another wave of soldiers began to advance towards her over the ridge. She knew if he stayed much longer, rescuing Elain would not be an option.

Her gaze locked onto his, the bond burning brightly between them for the first time in her eyes.

“Go,” she said again, her voice breaking as her blue eyes filled with tears. “Choose her. Save her.”

“No!” He yelled, anguish written across his face. He stepped closer to grab her.

Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she shook her head, her wings trembling as she stepped away from him. “Go, Azriel!” she shouted, her voice rising with desperate urgency. “Go now!”

Azriel looked between her and Elain. He then darted towards Elain, slicing through the ropes that bound her and scooping her into his arms. She clutched at him, trembling and whispering his name in relief, but his focus remained on Y/n.

His mate.

His beautiful, fierce, mate.

He turned back to her one last time, his wings ready to launch into the sky, and their eyes met.

“Angel,” he whispered, a plea as he itched to step closer, his shadows leaping out to touch her, wanting to protect her.

His voice cracked as he said the words that had been in his heart for so long.

“I love you.” He whispered, just loud enough for Y/n to hear.

Azriel hesitated for just a moment longer, his shadows curling around him like tendrils of anguish. “I’ll come back for you,” he promised, his voice raw. “I swear it.”

She nodded faintly and raised her hands, using her water magic to form into spears aimed at the wave of soldiers charging towards them, hoping to give Azriel enough time to launch safely off the ground with Elain.

Azriel’s chest ached as he took off with Elain in his arms, her trembling form barely registering against his own agony. His gaze flicked back to Y/n as he flew higher, the bond burning painfully in his chest.

That was when he saw it.

Ten, maybe more, soldiers swarmed her from every side. Faebane arrows were shot into her wings, one piercing her shoulder, rendering her magic useless. She fought valiantly with her sword, her strikes fierce and precise, but there were too many. A blade slashed across her side, and she staggered, blood gushing from the wound as her knees buckled. Another soldier struck her legs, sending her crashing to the ground.

“No,” Azriel whispered, his breath catching as he hovered for a split second.

Then, louder, rawer, he screamed “Noooooooooooo!” His voice tore through the sky, a guttural scream of anguish as he watched them overwhelm her.

Her head tilted up, her blue eyes locking with his one final time, and in them, he saw everything—fear, determination, and the love she had for him that had never died.

The love she hadn’t been able to fully say aloud.

He saw her collapse beneath the weight of her attackers, her dark wings crumpling, her form disappearing under the swarm of soldiers. His tears blurred his vision as he turned back toward safety, the bond burning faintly and growing weaker with every second.

He sobbed, his arms shaking as tears streamed down his face.

But the faint hum of the bond they both now realized and acknowledged grew weaker, fainter, as her figure disappeared from view, surrounded by Hybern’s soldiers.

And with every beat of his wings, the memory of her wide, desperate eyes and her whispered “You’re my mate” tore him apart.

Chapter 16

[mondothebombo]

✨Small Canon Things in Ninjago That Aren’t Necessarily Important to the Plot, but Important to Me Pt 2✨

(in honor of the first post reaching 2.5k notes)

1. the reason the ninja can’t summon their elemental dragons anymore is bc they’re too traumatized

2. Kai takes laxatives

3. Lloyd felt responsible for Nya’s sacrifice

4. Morro took a shot while he was in Lloyd’s body

5. Cole’s favorite color is orange

6. Chamille, the master of form, is a “bad girl” post s4

7. the ninja were literal children when they waltzed into Chen’s tournament and proceeded to beat all the adult EMs in the competition

8. prior to seabound, Nya resented her parents for not being there in her childhood, her mother more so than her father (✨mommy issues✨)

9. Nya is hyper-independent as a result of her childhood; while Kai is more openly accepting to his parents because he has a better memory of them

10. Wu was close enough with Lilly that he could remember whether or not she wore a necklace

11. Cliff Gordon was a “womanizer”

12. Lloyd didn’t naturally hit puberty until s8

13. Cole and Jay are best friends

14. whether or not you see Pixane as a bf/gf situation in canon, they are canonically soulmates

15. Jay has not yet received his inheritance letter

16. at least up until the Merge, Zane’s statue is still in downtown Ninjago City

17. ninjago citizens are fully aware their only protection are six super-powered teens/young adults

18. the ninja are still famous, public figures

19. Jay is the only ninja who hasn’t died (yet)

20. despite being a terrible actor, Lloyd is always sent on the undercover missions

21. the ninja are on first name basis with each others parents

22. Cole’s favorite genre of music is soft rock

23. Zane has selective memory

24. after Nya’s sacrifice, each ninja depicted a different stage of grief (Zane-Denial, Kai-Anger, Lloyd-Depression, Jay-Bargaining, and Cole-Acceptance)

25. Cole never actually had feelings for Nya, he was just flattered by the attention and petty about Jay being mad at him

26. elements react based on the master’s emotions

27. Jay is so emotionally dependent on being around other people that he loses his mind when he’s alone for too long

28. Lloyd had a chat with god and wasn’t impressed

29. Cole’s snoring can be heard throughout the monastery

30. Nya is not a morning person

31. Kai and Skylor have been in a situationship since s4

32. Lloyd being the grandson of god is not common knowledge

33. the group of civilians that were on the bounty when Cole fell are probably the only ones who truly realize the danger the ninja put themselves in on the regular to protect the city, and how close they are with each other

34. Wu didn’t want to tell the ninja about the green ninja prophecy because he was afraid of having a repeat of Morro

35. since s8 at the very least, the ninja all shared a room on the bounty until the monastery was rebuilt

36. Jay’s confidence in his own abilities fully depends on what others believe he’s capable of

37. several villains have called the ninja out on being “just a bunch of kids,” and then proceeded to get their shit rocked by said kids

38. the overlord can gloat to Lloyd all he wants to in crystallized, but fact of the matter is Lloyd defeated him when he was like twelve

39. Kai and Nya raised and took care of each other, it wasn’t just Kai doing all of the work

40. Kai is two years older than Nya

41. Zane’s biggest fear is losing his humanity

42. Lloyd’s biggest fear is becoming his father

43. Nya’s biggest fear is losing her individuality

44. Cole’s biggest fear is letting his family down

45. we the audience are the only ones who see the characters as legos; they’re real people in-universe

46. Kai likes spicy food

47. while elemental masters are immune to their elements to some extent, their elements can also be shown to hurt them in some circumstances

and as always, feel free to add on!!

[wrathofrats]

Caged and always provoked (By prey left unattended)

4k, explicit, Dewdrop/Rain/Aether

Merry Christmas freak @divine-misfortune ily and I hope that all the insanity I’ve been talking about for weeks now makes sense

Read under the cut or on ao3

Warnings and tags: medical examination, medfet, trans rain and tits cunt clit and all the other stuff used for his anatomy, gill fingering, virgin rain for religious reasons, a lot of religious fuckery, groping, breast exams, dew and aether are awful medical practitioners ok, pretty dubious consent but rains cool with everything and says that, it’s fuckery ok it’s 4k of fuckery and I’ve warned you

“We have to, we can’t just let you-“ Dew rambled. He set his clipboard down with a frustrated sigh before Rain interrupted him.

“I don’t have sex.”

Aether peeked his head up from his own sheet about reviewing Dew to look down over his glasses at Rain. Sure, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, and certainly not abnormal, but considering Rain was a ghoul Aether wasn’t sure if he fully believed him.

“You’re saying that you’re a virgin?” Aether asked, before looking back over at Dew.

Or rains summoned as a virgin for his papa and his doctors want to see how far they can push him

“He seems easy enough. Could’ve sicked that new multi on you, looked like a handful” Aether slid the chart over to Dew who was pulling at his scrub top. The name Rain was scrawled at the top along with his summoning date and element. The rest of the spots were blank, meant to be filled in at his first appointment.

“Didn’t think I could handle it?” Dew clicked the pen a couple of times, scribbling in the corner of the paper to test the ink.

“Actually now that you mention it, I probably should’ve let you take him since you were such a menace for us when you were summoned. It took 3-“

“2” Dew interrupted with a scoff

“2 nurses to hold you down. You’re lucky I picked the quiet one for you.” Aether flipped open his own packet of paper meant for his notes on how Dew was doing. He wanted to train to be a nurse, a better and more meaningful job for him as he learned to use his new fire element. This would occupy him for the time being, and keep him useful considering they were down some staff as the siblings were taken for other clergy needs.

Dew rolled his eyes, plopping the clipboard onto the small table haphazardly. He didn’t know what time this ghoul was supposed to show up, barely even caught a glimpse of him during the summoning. Usually the new ghouls were thrown into the arms of those who were more trustworthy, such as Aether and omega, before being whisked away to check in on their new bodies and elements top side. The rest of the pack usually didn’t get to meet them until there was an all clear from the medical staff.

Which, now included Dew. He loved messing with new summons when he got the chance. Mountain was easy to lure right into his bed, teasing the poor guy until he just couldn’t stand it. And now being placed at the front lines? Even with Aether keeping a close eye on him, he had to admit the idea of thoroughly checking up and down this new summons body was tantalizing.

“You know what to do right?” Aether snapped Dew out of his thoughts with the throw of a tongue depressor that hit him in the shoulder.

“Got the check list, besides you’ll be here to remind me. Even if you gave me a very detailed lesson the other ni-“ Dew snickered before another tongue depressor whizzed past his head.

“You’ll treat him with respect Dew” Aether closed the glass jar and pushed it away from him. He crossed his leg in front of him, staring at his watch to check the time.

“Whatever, I’m a professional, remember?”

“Yeah a professional idiot maybe”

Dew barely got through his eye roll as the door knob turned. A sibling opened the door, gesturing for the ghoul in front of her to walk in the room. He was shy, keeping his head down as he sat down in one of the chairs by the exam bed.

“This is Rain, already got him checked in” the sibling handed Aether a couple papers before closing the door with a soft click. Aether was right, the new thing was quiet. Easy, if he really wanted to go that far already. The water ghoul barely lifted his head up to look at them as Aether started to quickly glance over the papers he was given. Simple things like height and weight, just to rule out any more obscure problems.

He was pretty, Dew had to admit. Blue skin and silky gills along his neck, the lingering thought of Rain even knew how they felt to be touched yet, and if he could send him home with the desire to do so. Delicate fins along his ears with a mop of dark hair. The poor thing was already blushing, looking properly scared even though they hadn’t done anything to him yet. Maybe it was Aethers size, or the perpetual resting bitch face Dew seemed to carry. The cherry on top was what was in his fist, a long string of black knots and beads, ending in a wooden inverted cross.

Aether raised his eyebrow at Dew who was properly staring Rain down, motioning down to his paper that was already all sectioned out for him.

“Oh- uh, I’m going to ask you some questions Rain, just routine in case there’s anything we need to know, is that alright?”

“Yeah, that’s ok” Rain shoved the rosary into his pocket, folding his hands in his lap and watching Dew nervously. He fiddled with his fingers, eyes darting between the two.

“How was your sleep the past couple nights?”

“Slept well, it’s new but my room is comfortable. Maybe 7 hours?” Aether gave him a smile while Dew scribbled down his answer.

“What has your diet been?”

“Small fish, been craving shrimp I think,”

“Ok, sounds good uh-“ Dew squinted at his paper, reading down to make sure he had recorded what he said properly and if there was anything else to take note of before he moved on. “Is there any chance you could be pregnant?”

“I’m sorry?”

“It’s apart of the protocol, is there any chance at all?” Rains face flushed deeper as Dew looked between him and Aether expectantly. He hesitated, biting his lip while he tried to think of what to tell them.

“No. None”

“Good, that’s fine, uh.. any chance of an STD?” The only sound in the room for a moment was the scribbling of Dews pen on the paper. Rain once again hesitated with his answer.

“No.” It came out more tense this time. Something a little more impatient about the answer.

“Perfect, what kind of protection are you using?”

“I’m not.”

Dew looked up at him with his brow furrowed. What did he mean he wasn’t? Maybe it was one of those things, where the siblings would come in and be adamant about not practicing safe sex even after Aether begged them and wonder why their tests all came back positive. If there was another rampant case of chlamydia papa would have their asses. Maybe he was just naive, nothing an awkward pamphlet couldn’t help.

“Well- if you’re not using protection then we do need to test you”

“It’s fine, trust me”

“We have to, we can’t just let you-“ Dew rambled. He set his clipboard down with a frustrated sigh before Rain interrupted him.

“I don’t have sex.”

Aether peeked his head up from his own sheet about reviewing Dew to look down over his glasses at Rain. Sure, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, and certainly not abnormal, but considering Rain was a ghoul Aether wasn’t sure if he fully believed him.

“You’re saying that you’re a virgin?” Aether asked, before looking back over at Dew.

“Yes.”

“Any reason or“

“Dew” there was a scolding tone to Aethers voice. The question was inappropriate, even if it was burning in both of their minds.

The room went silent for a second once again. Dew looked at Rain expectantly, waiting for some kind of answer. It didn’t truly matter but the curiosity was eating at him. The pretty little thing had never been touched before? What was he saving himself for?

“The Church.” Rain continued to pick at his fingernails, “was told to, they said it would make me a better servant for the clergy. For papa.”

Summonings were a fickle thing. Some of the ghouls were plucked from down below at random when needed in an emergency like Mist or the anomaly that was Cowbell, but others were chosen for it. Brought up to serve the church, practically handpicked for the band.

“Would there be any other reason for us to give you an….” Aether looked over at Dew, grabbing his papers to take his own notes, “exam of that sort?”

“No”

“Fingers? Toys? Maybe even a pillo-“ Dews leg was promptly kicked from under the table. Aether threw him a shocked look, mentally noting needing to go over how to talk to patients at a later time.

“I’m not allowed to. It would only distract me to give into those ….. desires”

Dew finally shut his mouth. The idea of asking “what kind of desires” edging their way into his brain. He couldn’t, at least not here. Aether was still staring at him, the frustrated shock of his words melting into something more curious about the ghoul who was sitting in front of them. The idea of being completely untouched was more than tempting for Dew to explore.

“Ok, that’s perfectly normal. It’s still part of protocol to give you a full physical, but in this case we won’t do any tests, just a look to be sure” Aether grabbed a pair of gloves before sliding the box to Dew, “do you mind fully undressing and putting on the gown on the table while we step out?”

It was Dews turn to look shocked. Aether was blatantly lying through his teeth, not only was a vaginal exam not necessary anyways, it especially wouldn’t be in this case. He’s not complaining, no, but the idea of Aether having his own plans about this made his heart beat even faster.

Rain nodded while Aether opened the door and motioned for Dew to step out. He still looked shocked, brows furrowed and eyes wide as he stared at Aether.

“A virgin?” Dew exclaimed once Aether finally had the door shut. “I didn’t know they did that in the pits. Keeping himself pure to please papa?”

“It’s not unheard of. River stayed untouched until he retired. In Omegas chart he mentioned having to be extra careful with him during any full body check ups” Aether watched the clock on the wall tick away, giving Rain ample time to undress and hopefully calm down a bit from being so nervous. It was cute, the bashfulness in his explanation, if Aether had half a mind he would’ve let Dew continue questioning him.

“Must be a water ghoul thing. Do you think he knows about his gills yet Aeth?”

“You’re a professional, remember Dew?”

Aether raised his eyebrow at him before giving a quick knock to the door, opening it slowly once Rain gave a meek ok. He sat up on the exam table. Ankles crossed and gown bunched awkwardly behind him in an attempt to cover himself. His clothes were folded in a neat pile on his chair, rosary sitting right next to his shoes on top.

Dew hastily snapped a couple gloves on his hands before walking up to stand between Rains legs, a little too close to be entirely clinical.

“Do you mind if I perform a bodily exam on you? we are just looking for any abnormalities we should be concerned about after your summoning” His tone was a bit quieter, something less harsh than his usual bravado.

“Please, go right ahead”

Rain reached up to undo the tie behind his neck, keeping the gown right under his breasts in order to not expose more than he needed to. His chest was small, a cute tiny pair of breasts with dusky little nipples that Dew was trying hard not to completely gawk at. He was a pretty thing, lithe body with a couple curves.

Dew pulled down the gown completely, letting the front section sit in his lap with his arms tight to his body. His cheeks were flushed a deep purple, eyes darting around to anywhere besides Dew.

“Going to have to ask you to lift your arms over your head for me, I need to see the gills on your abdomen” Dew reached beneath the bed to pump a small amount of lubricant on his fingers, rubbing them together to spread it evenly. The gesture looked, felt, dirty. Even if Rain was still in the assumption that it was completely innocent he couldn’t help how his mind wandered as he watched the blue latex shine.

There was a second of hesitation before Rain reached his arms over his head. Dews warm hand pressed down against his stomach, moving inch by inch to his side. Gloved fingers glided delicately over the soft fragile skin of Rains gills. Practically petting over them before dipping just the finger tip in as Rain gave a quiet gasp. He twitched Into the touch before quickly pulling away again.

“Are you alright Rain?” Aether looked from Dew to Rain, noting how he almost looked flustered. Lip between his teeth and the flush creeping down his chest. Dew turned and gave him a knowing look, pushing just a millimeter further in to watch him struggle.

“I’m fine, his hands are just … a bit cold” Rains lips turned into a tight line. He hoped neither of them would push back against such a bad lie, hell Dews hands were probably just on the uncomfortable side of too warm if Rain was being honest. Something sparked in his abdomen as Dew slid his fingers from side to side beneath the thin skin, eyes focusing intently as if he were looking for something.

“No pain? They seem fine otherwise. Nice color, not too loose, some amount of lubrication.” Dew mumbled in Aethers direction for him to write down, “I’ve heard of other water ghouls gills getting dried out from summoning, yours are slick though which is good”

Aether scribbled a couple notes down on his paper while Dew shot him a cocky look and pulled his fingers out of Rains gills, wiping his fingers off on a paper towel. Rain could see whatever came off of his hands shine in the white light of the room, embarrassment creeping up his cheeks. Sure there was the thought of what would happen if he pushed his fingers into his gills himself but the thoughts always came with a night of prayer and maybe a cold shower afterwards.

He didn’t need to be thinking like that. He was healthy and he should be happy, not letting Dews words make him feel light headed. What would papa think?

Rain brought his arms back down to rest his hands in his lap. The air was cold even if Rains body felt impossibly hot. Goosebumps prickled at his skin while Dew put on a fresh pair of gloves. His instinct was to cover himself again, no one had ever seen him this vulnerable, especially not two people at once.

“Still with us? You’re quieter than most of the other ghouls we have in here” Aether spoke up after a second of watching Rain stare intently at Dews hands while he put on his gloves. Rain jumped a little, looking back at Aether with wide eyes.

“Just don’t talk much, I’ve always been told I’m quiet”

“But you’ll speak up if you’re uncomfortable right?”

Rain gave him a solid nod. Aether pushed his glasses back up his face and crossed his legs in front of him to rest his clipboard on. Even beyond Rains racing thoughts he looked devastatingly clinical, Dew as well who was dressed in blue scrubs. Something to keep him grounded, remind him why he was there.

Dew stepped in front of him once again. His hands grabbed along his arms, pushing at his shoulders. They practically rubbed down his sternum in a way that made Rain shiver. Warm hands pressed into his ribs looking for any signs of pain or discomfort.

He took a deep breath as Dew finally made it up to his breast, palms kneading into the supple flesh with a careful eye. Rains fingers dug into the paper on the table with a sickening crunch. Aether immediately noticed how he practically stopped breathing, going entirely still with his lip between his teeth.

Dew tried to pretend he was being entirely professional, every pull and knead being necessary even if the pressure lingered until Rain finally squirmed under his touch, making Dew move on to the next area he was supposed to be examining.

“Seem sensitive” Dew practically hissed through his teeth. The professional demeanor was slowly coming unraveled the more he was able to see what his touch was doing to Rain. A blushing virgin practically losing his composure beneath him just from groping his tits. It was taking all of his self control not to just push him back onto the table and hike the gown over his hips.

Dew was getting ahead of himself. A particularly rough grab as he got lost in thought had Rain writhing off the table.

“Jus- just a bit- ah!” Rains thighs clamped together, chest debating on pulling away or pushing into the rough sensation. Dew was properly pulling at his nipples now, rough calloused fingers pinching the pretty buds just to keep drawing small forced noises from the back of Rains throat.

The gown had fully slipped down and threatened to slide off of his lap if he wasn’t careful. Small neat trail of hair along his navel with a couple dark curls peeking from behind the plastic. Rain knew he was about to be exposed if he made one wrong move, but couldn’t bring himself to grab the gown to cover himself again, not when Dew was touching him like this.

Rain shot a look towards Aether in a small plea for him to do something. Aether looked shocked, pen sitting idly in his hand as he stared blatantly at Rains chest while Dew worked. He should probably step in, pull Dew off and let Rain catch his breath but god he looks like he’s thoroughly enjoying himself and he puts on such a nice show that Aether doesn’t think he can intervene.

“Soft, probably feels so good, doesn’t it Rain?” Dew was almost impossibly close to him by now, both hands groping him and breath hot on his neck, “really never done this for yourself, never let yourself feel good?”

The words made Rains bRain turn off for a solid couple seconds. Whatever air of keeping things chaste and clinical now unraveling as Dew tugged on Rains nipples. He couldn’t deny the small sparks of electricity that ran through him with the pain of Dews pinching and pulling, couldn’t deny that it made his head feel fuzzy and stomach feel hot even if he wanted to.

“Not supposed to” Rains voice was meek. Sure he wanted to, but it was wrong. Sinful. Body dedicated to his papa but oh being touched like this was absolutely delicious. Even if it was just his breasts, something he had done in the shower more than a couple times with the excuse of making sure he was healthy even if his hands lingered, much like what Dew was doing now.

“You’ve never thought about it? Never considered giving into the desire?”

“I have” the admission struggled to come out. Like saying the words out loud were enough to damn him completely. “It’s wrong- not supposed to need or want anything more than papa”

Dew felt a little bad at the laugh that got forced out of him. A bit cruel especially as he pushed Rains tits together just to thumb at the cleavage, more just for the sake of doing it and to see Rain squirm than any other reason. The whole persona of medical professionalism had been thrown out the window the second he was even allowed to touch him there, and hell, Aether didn’t seem like he was going to stop him.

“Afraid you’ll just become addicted? Won’t be able to keep those hands away from this pretty little body of yours?” Dew gave another squeeze to Rains tits before skating them lower and lower, hovering over the only thing still covering any amount of modesty Rain had left.

Rain let out a shocked gasp as Dew pushed him down onto his back, legs maneuvered to be fully spread in front of him. The flimsy gown fell haphazardly onto the floor along with Aethers pen that had been dropped as he watched the scene in front of him. Rains legs pulled apart and cunt practically on display, slick coating him in a way that could only be described as obscene. Even for a water ghoul, it was more than a bit surprising to see how wet he had gotten from Dews hands on his gills and chest.

“See? Cunts just aching for it isn’t it?” A gloved finger slid between Rains folds, practically gathering the arousal and letting it drip down the latex, “Can feel you twitching. Give in, ask for it.”

Rains body was trembling. Legs shaking as Dew dipped the tip of his fingers inside of him for him to clench around. That’s all he had ever done himself. A couple of slow pets and maybe just the tip of his finger before he could come back to his right mind and stop himself. A night trying to deny what he really wanted, how he craved for something to be inside of him in a way that prayer just couldn’t take the edge off of.

“Papa wouldn’t allow it, my bodies for him”

“But it feels good doesn’t it Rain?” Dews fingers fully pushed inside of him. He was hot, beyond tight as he clamped down and let out a strangled sound. His thumb pressed against Rains clit earning a gasp that was forced from the back of Rains throat.

“So good-!”

Dews fingers pumped in and out of him slowly, scissoring apart to see if he could get him any looser. Dew could pass out if he thought about it too hard, his fingers being the first to open up the water ghouls virgin cunt? The thought had him about to shove down his scrub pants and be the one to fuck him first as well. He tried to maintain his composure, looking back at Aether who had a hand on top of his bulge, palming himself through his pants.

“Let yourself feel good, come on baby, give into those sick desires I know you have” there was an awful wet squelching sound coming from Rains cunt, slick dripping down onto the exam table as Dew rubbed fast circles into his clit.

“Please- need more” Rains hips canted off of the table, practically trying to hump Dews hand as he pumped his fingers in and out of him “don’t tell papa please-“

“Oh but Dew, it’s not supposed to feel good, it’s just an exam” Aether had gotten up to stand by his side, white coat discarded on the chair and clearly still hard.

What was he even getting at? He pulled apart Rains cunt to get a look at how Dews fingers slid in and out of him with ease, cold air of the room only making Rain feel more exposed while Aether practically gawked at him.

“It’s not?” Dew stalled his movements, Rain giving a small noise of protest beneath him.

“No, its entirely medical remember? since we are supposed to be keeping him pure, papas orders” Aether said like it should’ve been obvious. Maybe it should have been honestly, Aether pushed a finger of his in next to Dews making Rain arch off the table with the stretch. With the way he clamped down he was surely close already, never been touched and now being stretched wide on three fingers, “maybe the poor things just too far gone if he’s feeling this good. If he was truly devoted he would be still, wouldn’t ask for more. It’s a shame that we will have to inform papa”

Dew pressed a bit harder on his clit, fingers crooking up against that sweet spot he wasn’t sure if Rain even knew he had. Before he could stop it, Rain was spasming around Aether and Dews fingers, a small cry leaving his lips as he completely soaked the paper on the table

“Oh well that’s certainly not normal” Aether removed his hand, disposing of the glove in the trash can without another beat while Dew debated licking his clean, “a true disciple wouldn’t do that, would they?”