#AND it seems like; in unifying some features; others have been left Entirely up for grabs; like epic boons at lvl20 and so on

[captaincleverusernamehere]

this overview for the next onednd UA and the future of these UAs is actually really getting my hopes up!!

we’ve learned that a lot of the features in the first release were things the creators knew we might not like, but wanted to test anyway to collect feedback on, and that in the upcoming releases we’ll see multiple versions of different design elements to playtest, like:

- the rules for critical hits

- various ways of gaining inspiration in-game

- ritual casting / spell rules

with the big heads up that each UA released will have a reworked rules glossary, and that when playtesting, you should use all of the building blocks of all of the previous releases, but with the rules defined only by the glossary of the most recent one.

we’re seeing a lot of unification between the classes, with three big unified spell lists, instead of individual ones per class, and now, class groups, which group (presumably) 3-4 classes into one archetype, which will share some features across the board, for example the expert group: bards, rogues, and rangers (and optionally, artificers), which all gain expertise by merit of being in that group.

[ckret2]

Alright let’s talk GVK spoilers!!!

My reactions as best I can remember them!

- love how Kong is humanized from the very first scene, like every time he shows up he’s humanized so much more than other titans are. If that was at the expense of other titans being made likable I wouldn’t enjoy it so much, but like, Godzilla is made pretty lovable over the course of Monsterverse, Mothra is too, and all the titans featured for long are given recognizable emotions that let us see them as more intelligent and feeling than “just” animals; so all of them are made understandable/likable/sympathetic. But of them all, Kong is the only one really humanized. Which makes sense, because like, big monkey! Basically our distant cousin!

- And they kept playing, like, normal songs for him, which cracked me up.

- I really appreciated how you could SEE the titans in this movie. After all the weather effects to hide the titans in KOTM, there was such a clear difference in this one from the very start. Kong in the daylight! Godzilla makes his first attack at night, and even then you can see him much more clearly than you can for most of KOTM! Nice!

- after the Iwi were portrayed as silent stoic witnesses in Skull Island, I really appreciated that they took an Iwi character, made her a main character, and gave her dialogue and a real role to play in the story while also keeping her deaf/mute. I think that was a good way to improve on the way that the Iwi got got sidelined in the last movie while still maintaining the worldbuilding!

- I didn’t appreciate so much that, y’know, they murdered the rest of her people off-screen in order to do it. Couldn’t they have gone “her parents died so she got adopted by a Monarch agent that was close to her family, but like, the rest of her tribe is fine”? Or at the very least “their island got fucked up so they had to be evacuated but like they’re settling in somewhere else”? “They’re living under this island dome with Kong and they know what’s up and Monarch’s keeping them in the loop and they decided they’re chill with their new dome home, but this one girl likes to go on adventures with Monarch”? Something? Did we have to kill them all off? Y’all make up an entire fictional indigenous culture and then murder them off-screen when you don’t need them? Just let them live.

- a few minutes in I was like “hold on, we’ve got two characters that speak sign language, we’ve got a giant gorilla, gorillas learn sign language, is there any reason they can’t teach Kong?” and then later I was like “OOOOOH!!” Humans and titans learning how to communicate with each other has been one of my favorite themes to explore in Monsterverse fanfic so I was absolutely tickled to see it getting explored in canon, too.

- That said I think it’s hilarious that the girl managed to teach Kong to sign without, like... anybody seeing. Kong’s hands are above the tree line and there are cameras everywhere, how did NOBODY with Monarch see him signing.

- Bernie’s weaponized being an annoying coworker to such a degree it can only be called an art, and I really appreciated it.

- Godzilla’s extra chonky in this movie and I dig it. Roomie noted he was extra crocodilian and I dig that too.

- “There’s been no confirmed titan sightings in three years” I don’t buy that for a minute. They’re BIG. Rodan NESTS IN VOLCANOES. They found a MOTHRA EGG. Humans have A SCARILY WELL-FUNDED ORGANIZATION DEDICATED SOLELY TO FOLLOWING TITANS AROUND. Like, most of the lore in GVK that I don’t personally like, I can be like “eh... I can tweak it just a little bit with headcanons to make it work for me...” but NO confirmed titan sightings? You expect me to believe ALL of them moved underground when we’d previously seen them all prefer to live above ground? You expect me to believe that now that they’re all AWAKE, they learned how to HIDE?? Uh-uh. And at the end of KOTM there was stuff in the credits about using titan droppings as biofuel, obviously they’re still walking around up top! Can’t take that from me. Nope.

- Who the FUCK is Ren Serizawa and how is he related to Ishiro Serizawa? IS he related? Maybe they just dropped the surname as another “yeah this is a Godzilla movie for Godzilla fans” easter egg but I have a hard time believing that he can’t be somehow related to the other character with the Very Important Last Name who was so important in the last two Godzilla movies. If he is related I’m sure it’s been explained in a tie-in comic or the novelization or something, I’ll look it up later.

- I had to look up how much weight huge battleships can carry while writing a KOTM fic where Ghidorah hitches a ride on one, and y’all, I had to pull weird gravity-negating magic to get him to ride on that boat. Godzilla and Kong woulda sunk that boat like a rock. All I could think during that scene is “this wouldn’t work and I know that because I DID THE RESEARCH and I wasn’t even getting PAID.” I’ll choose to believe that Monarch gets special heavy duty ships designed to carry titans but nobody mentioned it because it wasn’t relevant to Kong’s journey.

- The bit where they could see where Godzilla was swimming because he’d got half a ship hooked to him that was bobbing around on the surface, didn’t Jaws do something like that with a buoy? It’s been ages since I’ve seen Jaws. Anyway good reference.

- Insert “they’re gonna need a bigger boat” joke

- I LOVED the part where they shut down all the ships to get Godzilla to leave. Both because, one, it’s a spectacular callback to KOTM’s “turn off all the guns so he knows we’re not a threat” that makes it seem like now that’s just what Monarch knows what to do to get G to chill out, and two... we know that Godzilla backs off either when he’s killed his enemy or when his enemy has yielded to him. At the end of KOTM—and the end of GVK—the act of yielding is presented as very ceremonial and uniform across species: everyone lowers anything they’ve got that could be dangerous (claws, fangs, beaks, axes) and bows to show Godzilla they’re not gonna fight. Battleships, obviously, can’t bow, but even without being inducted into whatever secret titan cultural intricacies might be going on, humans have figured out their own way to “bow” to Godzilla: cut all the power, so their ships can’t move and can’t use weapons. I know the movie presented it as “playing dead,” but c’mon, if Godzilla could hear MechaG power up from halfway around the planet then he could hear that Kong’s heart was still beating, and he’s been around enough boats to know humans can turn them off and on when they want. The humans bowed to Godzilla. He accepted that they yielded and left.

- Mark Russell looked like such a dad in this movie, like he’s retired 100% from being a rugged action hero and now he’s just Pure Dad. I like him better when he’s a dad, it’s a good development for him. He got like 3 lines and I’m like “I appreciate this character development.”

- Despite all my qualms about how conspiracy theories and extremist groups are handled in Monsterverse (and WHICH conspiracy theories they decide to reference), I really love Madison and Bernie’s dynamic. The adult man who’s the excitable wide-eyed believer in every BS conspiracy you can possibly imagine; and then the serious, severe Teenage Girl On A Mission who’s hypercompetent because she was raised for five years by a friggin doomsday cult militia; and despite having wildly different personalities they’re just, in total agreement about everything. Handled just a BIT differently (like, leaving out the more gross IRL conspiracies) they would be a wildly fun comedic duo—especially with Josh the Only Sane Man coming along as the hapless sidekick. And they all play off of each other so well! Both in a comedic sense, and in more serious moments—when Bernie talked about his wife, there was a real moment of empathy between him and Madison with very little said. I’d watch an entire movie just about the three of them. I’d watch a TV show.

- On the one hand I wasn’t too much of a fan of KOTM’s “all titans... are inherently In Tune With Nature... nature has a Balance, because that’s a Real Thing and not an anthropocentric concept to describe how we like nature to act, and they automatically restore it... because they’re like, some kinda borderline divinities or something... we should probably be worshipping them...” thing; but, now that it was totally absent in GVK, I sorta miss it. Like I feel like there needs to be a balance, a few humans who are like “i lowkey worship these dudes?” and a few others who are like “they’re cool but like, that’s a lil extreme” and that neither side be presented as Right in how they regard titans’ relationship with nature.

- “All titans come from THE HOLLOW EARTH” nah I don’t buy that it’s silly. Basically, what I object to is the idea that all titans have some sort of intrinsic similarity (they all come from the same hitherto-unknown location; they all are part of the same pack that has the same alpha; they all are fueled/fed by the same energy source; etc) rather than letting them be SEPARATE species whose only unifying traits are “they’re all big enough to fuck everything up everywhere they go” and “they’re big enough that the typically-insurmountable barriers between different biomes (mountain ranges, valleys, long distances with terrible weather) aren’t insurmountable for them, so even if they’re specialized in different environments they still all have to deal with each other pretty often.” I’ll make some exceptions for convergent evolution (i.e., claiming multiple titans developed similar traits that are relatively easy to spontaneously evolve and a prerequisite for a creature to survive at such a large size). But I can’t buy “this big gorilla has more biologically in common with this big crocodile-iguana than he does with, say, gorillas,” or most of the other “all these titans have THIS IN COMMON” claims that Monsterverse makes, including “everyone’s from hollow earth.” So I’m tossing that out the window and substituting my own headcanons. Some might’ve evolved there but some evolved on the surface. Maybe a majority of them like ducking in and out of the hollow earth like some kind of titan shortcut system. Kong’s species, I can buy, IS native to hollow earth, considering that they built a whole-ass society down there with tools and architecture.

- I’m SO curious about the little underground Kong home, the Godzilla motif in the floor, and the axe that appeared to be made with a Godzilla scute. What’s the story there??? We know Godzilla’s species and Kong’s species are ancient rivals. Is it because Kong’s species hunted Godzilla’s to steal their scutes to make weapons, seeing them as a valuable resource the way, like, early humans considered woolly mammoths a valuable resource—thus making that Godzilla on the floor equivalent to cave art of mammoths made by people who hunted them—until the Godzillas got pissed and started fighting back en masse? Or were Godzillas and Kongs already enemies when Kongs decided to start making weapons out of their corpses? Did they use to be allies, fighting together, with Godzillas voluntarily offering shed scutes and/or bones of their deceased members to Kongs, and that place used to be a shared home until they started fighting?

- What about that power source, is it something that was already there that both Kongs and Godzillas started to deliberately harvest for technology/atomic breath? Or did Godzillas automatically channel that stuff and Kongs exploited/borrowed/traded with Godzillas to utilize it too? Or is the power from Godzillas who collaboratively poured a bunch of power into the place thus that Kongs were able to use it too? I doubt Godzilla’s species CREATED all that weird energy but the question remains of whether, like, they channel it FROM underground, or naturally produce the same thing in their own bodies, or what.

- Godzilla using his atomic breath to dig a hole STRAIGHT TO KONG just to KICK HIS ASS is hilarious. How lucky that Hong Kong just HAPPENS to be straight over Kong’s house! Were all the tunnels to the hollow earth made by pissed off Godzillas who wanted to kick monkey ass??

- I loved the aesthetic of the battle scene in Hong Kong, with the brightly colored neon building outlines, VERY cool look. The choreography of the battle scene was great too, especially

- we literally broke into applause when Kong shoved the axe handle in Godzilla’s mouth. Love it, perfect callback, that was the ONE thing from the original King Kong Vs Godzilla I was hoping to see referenced and there it was.

- You could really see a difference in how Kong and Godzilla fought—Kong doing a better job at using tools and the environment, Godzilla fighting more like a reptile. They seemed to emphasize Godzilla’s more animalistic behaviors in this movie to accomplish that contrast—he was down on all fours and moving like a crocodile more often, he was clawing at Kong’s chest—but even though it seemed a bit different of a combat technique it also didn’t seem out of place compared to how he fought in prior movies. And we’ve already seen that if Godzilla’s involved in a fight and one of the combatants knows how to use the environment, it’s typically not gonna be Godzilla. (See: Ghidorah using the reflection in a building’s windows to see what’s behind him, and recognizing a nearby power source and biting it to juice himself up.)

- So many of Godzilla’s enemies seem to have specialized in negating his atomic breath in order to combat him! The MUTOs directly suppress his ability to use it—and it makes sense that that’s an inborn ability they have, since they evolved to use Godzilla’s species as prey. Kong has a weapon that both acts as a shield to absorb the breath and turn it back against Godzilla’s species—they didn’t evolve to counter Godzilla, but they developed tools once a rivalry happened. Ghidorah’s the exception—which makes sense, since he came from space—but even at that we see him using tactics specifically to take into account Godzilla’s most powerful weapon (such as keeping one head on lookout for when he starts glowing so that they know when they need to dodge).

- LOVED the reveal that MechaG was based off of Ghidorah’s brain, it has vibes of both the Kiryu Saga and the way that Heisei MechaG is based off of Mecha-King Ghidorah. Not the most surprising plot twist, since we’d theorized that they might use San to make MechaG, but I wasn’t 100% sure they were gonna go with it until they finally did. Even when I was going “huh, the mecha pilot’s chamber looks weirdly organic” I didn’t make the connection to WHY until the reveal, lol.

- “Ghidorah’s necks are so long that the heads have to communicate with each other telepathically” that’s COMPLETELY WILD but I love it, it follows very well from their prior portrayal as telepathic empaths in Heisei, it lines up with their emphasis on electricity (because BRAINWAVES AND ELECTRICITY, hey ho movie monster pseudo science!), and it very much compliments my own private headcanon that they’ve got some psychic/mind control abilities.

- The movie ended with both “Godzilla won, technically” but also “since they teamed up as equals, the ending doesn’t FEEL like ‘Godzilla wins, Kong loses’ but rather ‘they both won against a common foe’” and since I’m on both Team Godzilla and Team They Should Be Friends, I’m happy with this outcome. Plus since the last time they fought, the Japanese movie company graciously let the American monster win, so it’s only polite that the American movie company graciously let the Japanese monster win.

- There were just a few too many humans in this movie. I was intrigued by Ren but we didn’t get much out of him, but like I guess somebody had to be in the pilot’s seat other than the Apex CEO. Didn’t care for the author of the hollow earth book, I feel like his role was superfluous. Didn’t need the Apex CEO’s daughter there at all, coulda done without her. How about this, combine all three roles. Instead of having a whole-ass author who knows about the hollow earth, just casually reference that Rick from KOTM wrote a book about it since he was the expert, and (since he wasn’t in this movie) say that he tragically died going to explore the hollow earth himself, and that way we’ve got the book with the “titans are from there” theory AND an excuse to share the “humans die when they go underground” info. Now, have Ren be working for Apex as a pilot for Mechagodzilla, but have him be MechaG’s pilot because he’s also a good pilot in general, and can fly those HEAV things. Have Apex send him to Monarch to be like “hey, you guys trust me right, since I’m Ishiro Serizawa’s relative? We at Apex have heard all about your failed hollow earth expedition, and due to Ishiro I’ve got some past ties to Monarch so I’ve got high clearance with y’all, so I could bring over this useful Apex tech that’d let you go underground and use what I know about hollow earth from my past time at Monarch to help guide things.” Once they’ve got the little chunk of energy stuff and go topside, he hustles it straight to Apex and straps into his seat to run MechaG. Bam, you’ve combined “person who knows enough about hollow earth to help the expedition,” “person who represents Apex’s interests and gets the energy,” and “person who pilots MechaG” into one character, in a way that takes three flat/underdeveloped characters and turns them into a single interesting character with a lot going on and some intriguing ties to the rest of the cast.

I think that’s everything?? Hoo.

[zhongli-simp-blog]

My Mate

Werewolf AU

Pairings: Leedo x Male Reader

Requested: No

A/N: This is my first time writing a werewolf AU so I hope I did good. I will definitely be doing a Part 2

The day was like any other day for you. You were becoming a beta in the pack and were on a scouting run for any potential dangers in the area. There has been an increase of Werewolf hunters and vampires in the past years, so your pack and the neighboring packs were always on the constant move. At the current camp, your alpha decided it was enough room for two wolf packs to stay. “The ones on patrol, return to the camp,” the alpha said through wolf telepathy. The pack wasn’t significant. We had a total of 100 fellow wolves, and the other one had about 50.

“Betas! Front and center!” Your alpha called once you all returned, you and your fellow betas all lined up, “later tonight, we will have a meeting with our fellow pack. I expect you all to be there.” Your alpha commanded, followed by a string of “yes sir!” from you and the other betas, “alright back to your duties.” You returned to your cabin that you lucked out on, not having to share it with the other members. “I heard that another pack has a new alpha, and our alpha wants to marry off one of our people to conjoin the two wolf packs.” You overheard someone from out the door. You didn’t think much of it and took a nap knowing this meet will be a long one.

You woke up smelling an unfamiliar scent of lavender was almost suffocating. It made your wolf curious. You followed the other members to where the meeting was at. The aroma was more potent now, with every inch of your senses was overcome the smell of lavender. You had to hold your wolf back from going crazy and finding the source. You took your seat, looking up and noticing the unfamiliar wolves sitting across from you, scanning the other pack. Your eyes glanced over a certain man who was staring at you and only at you. He had pitch-black hair, chocolate brown eyes, lips that seem to be soft, and he had this alpha aura radiating. It made your wolf quiver, Mate! Your wolf said, and you panicked, not ready to be mated, especially to someone from another pack.

You turned your attention to your alpha walking to the center, trying to pry your eyes away. “Evening, my fellow wolves, Alpha Seoho and myself, decided to hold this meeting to inform you guys of an essential step for the fellow packs.” Your Alpha gestured to who you assumed to be Seoho, “we have a member who is going to become alpha, and both your alpha and myself thought this would be a perfect opportunity to unify our packs.”

While listening to what the alpha was saying, you could still feel a pair of eyes staring at you, and his scent surrounds you, almost like he was trying to make sure the other wolves knew you now belonged to him. And it was getting noticeable as you saw wolves from both your pack and their pack scrunching their noses. Even a few were looking between him and you.

“It is our tradition that no wolf can become alpha without being married, so your alpha proposed that he chooses someone from his pack to marry. Now Leedo, please come up,” the guy who never removed his eyes from you was now standing beside alpha Seoho. All the girls in your pack started swooning and practically lining up to marry him. “The name is Leedo,” he says in a voice so deep and full of confidence it made your wolf want to claim him right here. The girls all started raising their hands, offering to be married to him. You avoided looking at him and tried to hide your face.

Leedo started scanning through all the girls, and you saw his feet standing in front of you with the scent of lavender and desire swarming you. Mate! Mate! Your wolf kept on shouting, but you knew he would never pick a new beta like yourself, especially if he is the new alpha. He would want a strong woman who could fight and also carry on the bloodline of both packs. His feet never left that spot, only making you look up and seeing his face only inches from you, “you are an interesting one, cute too,” he said, the last part quieter where only you could hear it.

Leedo walked back to stand next to his alpha “dude. You are covering this entire area with your scent. Calm it down a bit. Now, which one is making you like this?” Leedo nudges his head towards you, and it made Seoho shocked, “really? You sure?” Leedo nodded “my wolf is going crazy, and it’s even stronger. Is this that alpha feeling?” Seoho nodded. Every pack believes that alphas have a stronger sense when it comes to finding their mates. Some think it’s because of the alpha bloodline others think it’s the process of being an alpha. “I have never thought it would be a guy,” Leedo says, making Seoho laugh, “I told you that your mate would be the one you least expect.”

“Has the alpha-to-be chosen who he wants to marry? We have many fine women.” Your alpha asked, and both Seoho and Leedo nodded, “Leedo has chosen who his bride will be!” Your alpha shouted, making your pack call in excitement, and the girls squeal. “Please, Leedo, go to who you pick,” Seoho said, gesturing. Leedo nodded and did not hesitate and walked directly in your direction. You looked back and saw the two girls behind you and hurried out of the way to give him a clear path to them. Leedo still only walked in your direction, making you confused and worried, making the ground look interesting.

His feet stopped in front of you, “look alive, beta!” Your alpha shouted, making you jump and look up to see Leedo pointing at you. “Move out of the way. You are blocking him!” Your alpha shouted again, so you stood up to move, but Leedo grabbed your wrist “where are you going?” You hesitated, feeling an intense electric feeling through your body, “I apologize for being your way,” avoiding his gaze and trying to release your hand. “In the way of what?” Leedo asked, confused, “of you picking your future wife.” He laughs and pulls you closer, your wolf screaming for more. “I choose you to be my lover,” he admits making the rest of your pack gasp.

“Are you sure you want him? He is a new beta, and we have plenty of oth-” your alpha got cut off by Leedo, “I said I choose him,” he said, flashing his golden alpha eyes. “I think you know just how important a mate is to a wolf,” Seoho stepped in, trying to de-escalate the situation. Your alpha nodded.

Later that night, you walked back to your cabin, trying to wrap your head around everything that just happened. “Why did someone like Leedo pick a low-class beta-like him? We have plenty of better wolves, and yet he chooses him.” You overhear one of the girls walking behind you, “Right? And all better looking, he should’ve been an omega.” They laugh, and you try to pretend that you didn’t hear what they were saying.

“Do you think that Leedo guy will go through with his choice? I bet it’s only a prank,” another guy chimes into the convo. “Yeah, that’s what happened. He probably lost a bet,” they all laughed. “BETA!” You jump at your alpha’s voice, “what kind of game are you playing? Are you trying to embarrass the pack?!” He yells, making hang your head low, “I swear I did not plan anything,” You say, trying to convince him. “You now get the night scouting, alone.” You nod your head in agreement, “now get out of my sight,” you quickly left your cabin as the other wolves were snickering. You tried to hide the tears forming, not wanting to seem weak.

It was getting late, and you decided to walk to the edge of the camp, ready for the night scouting, “I heard that Leedo did lose a bet and had to choose the weakest wolf we had,” you overheard someone say, and it didn’t only hurt you it hurt your wolf. You quickly shifted and ran deep into the forest, trying to get some distance between the camp. As you got into the woods, you saw a wolf black as the night with bright golden eyes looking right at you, your first reaction would have been to attack, but every inch of your body felt relaxed, almost like you knew the wolf.

The black wolf approached you, making it more visible, and saw it was twice as big. You tried to hold your ground, but as it got closer, your wolf got more and more submissive like it was responding to an alpha or a higher ranking wolf. The black wolf was finally standing in front of you, well, more like towering.

It started to circle you before stopping by your side. It then started nipping at your leg and rubbing its fur against yours. That’s when you smelled that lavender scent, and it dawned on you that the wolf was Leedo. He nudged his head, signaling you to follow him, and your wolf followed. Walking beside him, you took in his wolf features, and his fur was thick and long, which made it easy for him to blend into the dark.

Leedo looked back, making sure you were still following him. He felt lucky that you happened to be out at the same time he was. Leedo’s wolf took the opportunity to mark you with his scent so other wolves would know that you are his. He also couldn’t help to notice that your fur was pure white like snow. It only made Leedo’s wolf want you even more.

Leedo led you to a nearby lake only to walk behind and tree. When he came back around his wasn’t a wolf anymore and fully dressed. “Take these clothes and change. It’s kinda difficult to talk if you are a wolf.” He laughed. You walked behind the same tree and shifted back, and changed into the clothes that he provided. “Thank You, Leedo,” thanking him nervously. “Come sit. I want to know you better,” he patted the spot in the grass which you took.

“So what would you like to know, alpha?” Leedo cringed at you, calling him alpha, “please call me Leedo. No need to be all formal with me, and why don’t we start with your name.” He said. “I’m sorry, and my name is Y/N,” now blushing from the embarrassment. He smiled, running his thumb across your cheek, “you are cute when you blush,” making your cheeks twice as red, “why did you pick me? Was it a bet?” You asked. Being blunter than intended, Leedo laughed, “no, it was not a bet. I chose you because my wolf did,” he said with a shy smile “maybe your wolf chose wrong. I am no right choice for anyone,” you comment which only made him mad “It It was not only my wolf but also me. Are you saying I am wrong too? I will not falter my choice, I already claimed you, or do I have to rub my scent on you again.” He said with a tone strong enough to make you and your wolf hold your heads down. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to anger you,” you apologize, now picking at the grass. Leedo takes a deep breath and pulls you in closer to him, “I didn’t mean to snap.” He apologized as he kissed the side of your head.

“BETA! Return to camp IMMEDIATELY!” Your alpha commands, making you quickly get up, “I’m sorry, but my alpha is calling me back,” you say fast, but before you could go, Leedo grabbed your arm, “why do you have to go? Stay.” He begs, “I wish I could, but I will probably get a worse punishment than what I got today. Leedo’s blood started to boil from what you said, “what do you mean punishment? What was it?” You sighed, “I had night patrol alone.” You admit, and you saw Leedo’s face turn red with anger. Everyone knew that it’s perilous to be out alone, especially as a wolf with white fur-like yours, so it would be easily noticeable to enemies.

“Please don’t do anything, Leedo! I gotta go,” you say before shifting and running back to camp. “Beta, you have the clean-up duty from the meeting. Get to it,” your alpha commands as you return. Nodding, you head to the now empty field and start picking up the scraps and other various trash. The whole time all you could think about is Leedo.

[evanescentjasmine]

Writing Egypt and Egyptian Characters: Rusty Quill Gaming Edition

I’ve finally caught up with the Cairo arc of Rusty Quill Gaming, which I was anticipating and dreading both. Fiction set in my country usually reduces it to a caricature of itself, especially when it takes place in the Victorian era, but considering everything they’ve said in their metacasts I was hoping Rusty Quill Gaming was the exception.

It wasn’t. 

I’m aware the game world plays fast and loose with history and setting, but the problems in this case are more than just inaccuracies. However, because I want to help fic writers and artists be able to portray Hamid and his family well, this resource will be split into two parts. The first part will tackle details I’ve been asked about with regard to the setting; it may touch on things RQG went wrong, but I’m writing it primarily as a resource for artists and writers. The second part will be my criticism of RQG, and why I found the Cairo arc actively harmful. This includes discussions of Orientalism and some racist text.

I should also preface this by saying I’m not a historian. Everything I say in this resource is a combination of what I grew up with and what I remember from school, supplemented by Google and guesswork. I’ll be explaining my thought process throughout, which can help you see what’s actual history and what’s my extrapolation.

Part One: On Egypt

Historical Context:

Figuring out the history of Egypt in RQG terms is a bit complicated, so bear with me because this will take a while. 

In real-world history, Egypt was a Roman then Byzantine province from 30 BC to around the mid 600s AD, at which point the Arab conquest swept through and Egypt became Muslim. 

What this means is that when the Meritocrats took down Rome and took over the world, Egypt was still a Roman province. That gives us a several hundred year gap before the Arabs that may have maintained the same culture? Or morphed a little back to some pre-Ptolemaic Ancient Egyptian, given their Meritocrat, Apophis, is named after a great Pharaonic serpent?

Either way, given Hamid’s name and the fact they live in Cairo, the city built by the Arabs, we can assume the Arab conquest still happened somehow, despite having a Meritocrat in Egypt. Maybe a Meritocrat out there is Arab and settled in Egypt for a bit with or before Apophis? Maybe it took a couple-hundred years for the Meritocrats to get all the previous Roman areas under control? Maybe there was a whole war and the Arabs won and settled and eventually they got to a truce or got absorbed into Meritocratic lands?

Many Muslim dynasties ruled throughout the period from the mid 600s to the 1500s. Given the lack of Islam in this world, probably the Arabs were unified by some Pre-Islamic deity/deities and brought them over as well, because I refuse to just sweep everything under the broad Greek God rug. 

In the 1500s, another Muslim dynasty took over--this time, from outside of the country, which is why it’s considered separate from all the rest. At this point, Egypt became part of the Ottoman Empire until the 1800s, which is when the Mohammed Ali dynasty started to try and secede and rule independently. And there was a brief blip of the French occupation for two years around then as well.

And, of course, we can’t forget about British colonisation, which started in the late 1800s with a veiled protectorate.

Presumably, since France and Britain are also Meritocratic and it seems like Apophis is currently ruling, we can disregard everything from the Ottomans onward. This changes, or should change, a ton, because Ottoman rule informed a lot of things from fashion to slang to nobility and so on. 

What we’re left with is most likely a Cairo that is still Arab but with much more Pharaonic influence, as Apophis is in charge, as well as continuing Greek influence due to the Gods. I am not a Coptic Christian, so I cannot speak to how these changes in history and religions would affect the Coptic language and culture, but no doubt it would still be around.

There would also be a bigger, more long-standing connection to other Meritocratic countries. This explains why Hamid was British-educated and so many people speak such good English without a British occupation to create the power disparity that would make that necessary to rise in Egypt and such a mark of status. 

However, this presents several confusing and contradictory aspects of the world building:

Why doesn’t this go both ways? Why aren’t there people in England and France who know Arabic or are influenced by Egypt? All we get is that the Tahan family are big. That’s it. If these countries are equals, it sure doesn’t look like it.

If Apophis is pharaonic and Ancient Egyptian culture and knowledge are so ubiquitous...why would they hollow out a pyramid to put a bank inside? It’s a tomb. It’s made to bury dead kings in a way that follows possibly still-existing cultural and religious beliefs. It’s the equivalent of someone building a bank inside a mausoleum. It’s bizarre.

Relatedly, if Ancient Egyptian culture and knowledge are so ubiquitous, why is Carter mentioning the Rosetta Stone? Why would the knowledge necessary to translate hieroglyphics have been lost? 

I mention these questions so fic writers can keep them in mind while writing and, of course, it’s entirely possible to create a workaround. For example, maybe the Rosetta Stone is supposed to be translating something else, like an ancient hidden magic?

Describing Cairo:

I want to make one thing very clear: Cairo is not, despite Alex’s description, like Vegas. While we do certainly have hotels and casinos, to reduce the city to only that is very harmful for reasons I’ll go into at the end of this resource.

Cairo is a very old city with a mix of architectural styles and is very heavily Muslim in real life. In Arabic, its tagline is often “city of a thousand minarets,” so clearly RQG Cairo will be fairly different. Given Apophis’ influence, Ancient Egyptian styles might be more prevalent in Cairo, but very likely not in the form of pyramids unless those pyramids were for the dead. In real life, some buildings do incorporate Ancient Egyptian flavour, usually just in the form of lotus columns or hieroglyphs. These would only be found in public institutions, however,  or, frankly, tourist-bait. 

Residential buildings tend to be clustered very close together and, since it’s an old city, streets are crowded and winding as the city keeps building on itself and spilling out of its previous bounds. Estates do, of course, exist, but I’d suggest against using Bryn’s example of Alhambra as a setting for the Tahan home. Alhambra is a palace fortress in Spain and, although it’s Andalusian and therefore influenced by Muslim architecture, it’s very different than anything in Egypt. It’s as absurd as saying a posh British character lives in a house that’s basically Versailles and leaving it there. I’ve included images of some Egyptian residential estates below, all from the 1800s to early 1900s.

And here are some photos of Cairo in the 1800s:

As you can see, not quite Vegas.

A fic set in Cairo can certainly still have the Cairo strip with all the casinos, since that’s an aspect of canon, but a place like that would probably be geared more to tourists and foreigners than locals. So long you’re aware of this while writing, and that Cairo would exist beyond it, you should be fine. It might also be worth having characters explore the actual city.

Weather:

The stereotype is that Egypt is just hot and sand year-round. It isn’t. The further south you go, the hotter it will get, so that Upper Egypt (which is in the south, yeah), is hotter than Lower Egypt, which is where Cairo and Alexandria are. Alexandria, by virtue of being on the Mediterranean, has fairly cold (for us) and rainy winters and mild, humid summers. Cairo gets very occasional rain and has harsher summers but is also dryer.

And, of course, a thing to remember is that even in the depths of the desert, the morning might be quite warm but the night will be quite cold as well.

Sandstorm season (called khamaseen) takes place from April - May but in the middle of Cairo it’s more of an annoyance than anything else.

Language:

Since they speak Arabic, it’s important to note that spoken Egyptian Arabic is very different from written Classical Arabic. Egyptian is a mishmash of Arabic, Coptic, a bit of Greek, and a bit of French (and, in the real world, some Turkish too) all smashed together. Accents differ from city to city, and Cairene Arabic is best known for the fact we pronounce the letter jeem as geem (so all soft Gs are turned into hard Gs) and tend to replace the letter qaf with a glottal stop.

This means that a Cairene wouldn’t be called Jamal, they’d be Gamal. A Cairene would pronounce burqa as bur’a.

Since religion plays a big part in language, RQG Egyptian Arabic may be a bit different. For instance, the greeting most people associate with Arabic is “Assalam alaykum” but that’s very specifically Muslim or at least associated with Islam, and might not have been as wide-spread given...y’know, that Islam doesn’t exist. I’m not saying it’s incorrect to use, just explaining the context.

Alternatives could include “Sabah/masa’ el-kheir” which means “Good morning/evening,” and “Naharak/Naharik saeed” which is, “May you have a good day.”

Fashion:

Although this didn’t really feature in RQG, I’ve received a lot of questions about the period’s fashion and honestly it’s my favourite thing ever so I probably would have touched on it anyway. I’ll only go into broad strokes, as there are plenty of regional variations and, again, I’m no expert 

Women

Egyptian women covered their heads and sometimes their faces not out of religiosity but out of a cultural expectation of modesty. This may well have come about as a result of the Arab/Muslim cultural majority, as to my knowledge this wasn’t the case in the Greek and Roman periods, but women of all religions covered their heads so that would likely still be the case in RQG’s Arab Egypt.

This isn’t with the hijab we know today. It may have been a cloth or kerchief tied over their heads and then the melaya laf (which is larger cloth, almost a sheet) that they wrap around themselves and over their head, as follows: 

The black face-covering was called a burqa or bur’a (not the same as a Muslim burqa, which serves similar modesty functions but is a separate thing) or a yashmak and may have been opaque black, white, or netted, such as in this picture:

Underneath the melaya they would be wearing a long, loose, patterned dress:

Upper class Egyptian women tended to wear Western dresses with a white yashmak that covered their faces and heads. A yashmak is Turkish, however, and without Ottoman influence this style and name might not have caught on in Egypt.

Men

While the melaya laf and yashmak have disappeared from Egypt, the traditional men’s gallabeya and ammama, or turban, are still seen widely today. The gallabeya (or jellabiya, outside of Cairene Arabic) is a long, loose garment with wide sleeves and no collar. It’s in muted, neutral colours, usually lighter ones like white or beige in the summer and navy blue or grey in the winter. You’ll have seen examples of it in the pictures of Cairo above, and here’s another one: 

Middle to upper class men and civil servants, however, tended to wear English suits with a tarboosh, or fez. Since fezzes were also a result of Ottoman rule, RQG Egyptians might not wear them.

And yes, impressive moustaches were also very much the fashion.

Names:

The running joke is that Hamid’s name is unnecessarily long, but my name is longer, and I don’t think that’s particularly unusual. We don’t usually go around introducing ourselves with all of them, admittedly, and I’m not sure whether Hamid does this as a way to indicate he’s overly fancy or because Bryn doesn’t realise it, but four names is not long. My ID boasts five, and I know of at least one more.

Arabic naming conventions use patronymics for all children, regardless of gender. What this means is that my name and my brother’s name is identical except for our first. 

Mine is Jasmine + Dad’s name + his dad’s name + his dad’s name + his dad’s name

And my brother is also First name + Dad’s name + his dad’s name + his dad’s name + his dad’s name.

Egyptians do not typically have last names, but an important family may all choose to identify under a name and use that as their last, such as the Tahans. In my case, I use my fifth name as my last name and introduce myself in everyday life as Jasmine Fifth Name. Notably, my brother does not, and goes by First name + Dad’s name instead. This isn’t unusual. On paperwork, however, we still have the same name.

Additionally, Egyptian women do not take their husbands’ last names in marriage, nor do children take any of her names. 

I’m not sure why, according to the wiki, Hamid’s sisters seem to have taken their mother’s name. Following Arabic naming conventions, they would all be First Name Saleh Haroun al Tahan, and their father would be Saleh Haroun al Tahan. A possible workaround might be that halflings have their own naming conventions that mean daughters have matronymics and sons patronymics. 

A note to podficcers: please google name pronunciations beforehand because Alex and Bryn’s are actually often wrong. Ishak, for instance, is not pronounced Ee-shak. It’s Iss-haaq or Iss-haa’, because of quirks of the Egyptian accent I mentioned earlier.

Part Two: Criticism

I understand it can be difficult to portray a country different from yours with accuracy. I understand the RQG crew will not have had the perspective on Egypt and Cairo that I do by virtue of living here. I do also acknowledge that I’m sure none of this was actively malicious or on purpose.

But it doesn’t have to be on purpose to hurt, frankly, and given how often the RQG crew have talked about their responsibility with a game that’s intended for an audience, I expected better. Bryn has spoken about not wanting to fall into stereotypes for Hamid and, to be fair, by being a non-religious fancyboy Hamid does neatly avoid the religious zealot and the noble (or ignoble) savage routes. Unfortunately, he falls into another, which was hammered home by the portrayal of Cairo and the Tahans as a whole.

Our first glimpse of Cairo, after the sandstorm clears, describes it as “basically Vegas,” with hotels and garish casinos catering to the rich all along the “Cairo strip.” From then on, our only other images of Cairo are vast estates and a pyramid in the desert. 

The only named Egyptians we meet are the Tahan family, who are introduced through an absurdly lavish estate compared to the palace fortress of Alhambra, a gambling problem that apparently runs in the family, murder, and corruption, as the head of the family who has already covered up a crime for one son then turns himself in to protect the other.

Then, to top it all off, Hamid is apparently utterly incapable of understanding why letting his brother get away with murder is an issue until the paladins point it out.

Do you see the pattern, here?

I understand this was aiming to be a criticism of the rich and powerful, but the fact remains that the Tahans are the only representation of Egyptians we get. While this may not be harems and hand-chopping levels of Orientalism, the image presented is of Cairo as a den of excessive wealth and vice, and Egyptians as corrupt and immoral.

This isn’t new.

The Middle East and North Africa (as well as India and China and everywhere else considered “the Orient”) has often been tied to images of wealth and overt splendour, usually hand-in-hand with the Oriental despot and corruption. This view went beyond just fiction and influenced the policies with which we were ruled. 

Cromer, Consul-General of Egypt, wrote books called Modern Egypt. He had this to say about us:

“The mind of the Oriental, on the other hand, like his picturesque streets, is eminently wanting in symmetry. His reasoning is of the most slipshod description. . . . They are often incapable of drawing the most obvious conclusions from any simple premises of which they may admit the truth.”

In his opinion, our inability to follow logical reason led to us being inherently untruthful and, therefore, immoral. Similarly, British statesman Balfour was of the belief that:

 “Lord Cromer’s services during the past quarter of a century have raised Egypt from the lowest pitch of social and economic degradation until it now stands among Oriental nations, I believe, absolutely alone in its prosperity, financial and moral.”

Egypt was under British colonial rule from 1882 - 1952.

You can see, I hope, why a storyline focused on an Egyptian family’s corruption in an Egypt characterised almost entirely by its casinos and one lavish mansion was very uncomfortable. The fact Azu was one of the people trying to explain morality to Hamid keeps it from sliding into a clear East vs West dichotomy, but the fact remains this is a British show featuring British players and this is the story they chose to tell. 

The rest was just salt in the wound, really. 

I expect mispronounced names and pyramids and jokes about camels in most media, but rarely do the makers of said media then go on to pat themselves on the back for doing their “due diligence” on a metacast about sensitivity.

I see weird naming conventions and mispronounced names and “basically Vegas” and “crocodile steak” and “camel’s milk froyo” and I do not see due diligence.  

I see a setting that barely looked past Cleopatra and I do not see due diligence.

I see a storyline that shows only excess and immorality and corruption and I do not see due diligence.

I see a disregard for me and mine, and I do not appreciate it. 

Literature I’ve referred to in writing this criticism:

Orientalism (1978), by Edward W. Said

Orientalism in the Victorian Era (2017), a paper by Valerie Kennedy

Orientalism in American Cinema: Providing an Historical and Geographical Context for PostColonial Theory (2010), a thesis by Samuel Scurry 

Popular Culture, Orientalism, and Edward Said (2012), an article by Robert Irwin

[onesunofagun]

Undeath in the Era of the Hero of Time : 1

aka Seeing the Hero’s Shade in this TP replay shook up all my feelings of agony again and now I’m working backwards from there because I like to hurt myself.

Part One: An Overview of How Fucked Things Are ™

aka The Blood Soaked Hyrule of OoT’s time 

Take it as you will, in the Zeldaverse, the colour green has an overwhelming association with undeath. 

Sure, sure, life too, I hear you. Farore came down and produced all the living beings that would uphold the law, apparently (specifically not claiming monsters and demons, but that’s another thing). On the surface, that make sense. Forests, lush green fields, prosperity, all of those good things. Green the colour of the most common rupee, green the colour of the Hero’s tunic. Green the colour of magic, and potions that revitalise the body and spirit.

The thing is, revitalising the body and spirit is a flexible idea. To imbue something with new life and vitality can have a lot of implications, especially when you stop talking about the strictly living. 

I feel vitality is certainly the best word, not only because of it’s association with life and potency ala the Goddess origin stories, but in the ways that the game uses green itself, such as a measure of both magic and stamina. Green is the colour chosen to represent the unlocked potential within young Heroes. 

Vitality specifically refers to a state of being strong and active, and it also refers to the continuance of something to exist. That’s a great thing for plants, or economies, or a potion taken by a young Link who’s swung their sword around or fired off a spell one too many times and feels a little low.

But the dead, though?

As it happens, Hyrule is absolutely littered with human remains, in no small part due to the very recently ended civil wars. 

The Civil War, if you need the reminder, is described as a time when the many races of Hyrule were divided and each focused on establishing dominion over the Sacred Realm (because Triforce). I touched on this in my last meta post, but basically, its no holds barred to stop that from happening because if the wrong person gets into the Sacred Realm and makes a wish, it immediately malfunctions. 

The criteria for getting into the Sacred Realm and touching the Triforce without royally fucking everything, is basically impossible for anybody not chosen by Hylia. 

If you are neither of Hylia’s Bloodline (The Hyrulean Royal Family) or one of her Chosen Avatars (The current incarnation of the Hero), you are not supposed to touch the Triforce. Ever. You WILL be found wanting, it WILL shatter, the Sacred Realm WILL be corrupted by your selfish desires, it WILL unleash and onslaught of mystical influence (reflecting your heart) onto the country.

Now, if it’s Zelda or Link who touches it, that’s fine. Good vibes will pour out. An age of prosperity will ensue. The Sacred Realm is in its default state, a blank and neutral wellspring of magical force.

The game has been rigged from the get go because Hylia still had a job to do. She had to get creative because Demise almost captured the flag, so to speak, leading to the snafu of the Cycle and all that because she cheated at the game, but ultimately Hylia’s task was to guard the Triforce. And that still remains true, for the most part. The Hyrulian Royal Family (and the Shiekah by extension) had to stop at absolutely nothing to win the wars and unify the country, and retain the stasis of the Realm and Triforce, because that’s what their divine orders are.

That’s what they’re supposed to do, ‘the very reason that they’re born’, to lend a quote from King Daphnes. With Hylia on their side by default, they’re willing to do a lot of fucked up things to make sure that happens, ‘for the greater good’.

These dark times are a result of our deeds... -- TP Zelda

In OoT The Sheikah are known as the Shadow Folk. They are heavily associated with death, whether that is caring for the dead’s rest in the graveyard, or working as spies and assassins on behalf of the Royals, or dabbling in various forms of necromancy. Red eyes are an established trait of their people. I will note that, at least from a Japanese point of view, red is often used with the intention of intimidating evil spirits. But it is also a color identified with power and vitality.

So, one could suppose, the Sheikah red eye also symbolises power/control over evil and darkness (spiritually).

That’s a little something that plays nicely with things like the OoT Manga’s explanation of the tear on the eye (and the previous betrayal of the Royal family) and the high probability of a Shiekah faction defaulting during the wars and being banished with other traitors to become the Twili. I know the manga isn’t canon and also SS Impa has a tear, but if you squint, that might be because of her own feelings of personal failure to the Goddess after Hylia’s shedding of her Divinity. You could headcanon that. The existence of the Yiga later in BoTW as a similar happening of division and betrayal lend some more weight to things.

Also, Sheikah who defaulted during the civil war might have even been the ones who actually utilised the Shadow Temple. 

Headline: Necromancer ninjas in the process of torturing enough info out of the enemies of the Royal family, who were reportedly seeking the Sacred Realm, decide ‘hey fuck it, let’s take it ourselves’. 

That certainly fits into the description of, ‘interloper skilled with dark magic started to appear, seeking dominion of the Sacred Realm’, for me.

Anyway, to the point.

In ostensibly one of the most haunted areas of the game, Kakariko village, we’re treated to the Graveyard and the Royal Family’s Tomb, the Shadow Temple, and the Bottom of the Well. All of these showcase the obvious death and torture that went on, as well as the creepy byproducts of places so saturated with blood, pain, regret, and hatred.

There are skulls in little alcoves on the walls of the catacombs, literally built of bones, who deliver messages to Link. The ones that whisper these messages are all marked by the glowing green eye sockets. Here, the green is used to make the presence of a ghostly sentience inhabiting the skull. 

Unsettling. Musty. 4/10 heebie-jeebies.

The Deadhand, giver of childhood trauma that it is, really does its job to hammer home the fact that there has been so many deaths, so much anguish and horror, that those remains can seemingly form into entirely new monstrosities. An amalgamate of undead flesh and nightmare fuel, made up of the body parts of torture victims and the grudges of lingering spirits, seeking to consume the living vitality of whatever comes near-- Link wearing green around the thing might as well be red to a bull.

When defeated in game, it typically drops a small green pot that refuels Link’s magic.

This is a common theme with undead enemies, specifically the ones that are of the zombie flavour. Redeads, Gibdos, Deadhands. All of them generally give up, effectively, distilled magic as a drop item.

Terrifying. Probably smells even worse. 11/10 heebie-jeebies.

Literal torture device. So many people died here, the room has a green tinge to it. It is soaked in the spiritual imprint of the pain and anguish that took place here. Blood sits here looking freshly spilled, despite the civil war ending many years prior and the Shiekah having ‘died out’, save Impa.

Elsewhere in the temple and under the well, blood splatters are darker red and at least have the decency to pretend to be old. This means one of two things:

Impa still has to make sacrifices to the Seal that contains Bongo Bongo, or feeds people to the undead creatures who lurk down in the dark so they don’t wander up. (Cue the gasp of ‘so that’s why she let the Hylians into Kakariko! Every so often one of them goes missing!’)

Which is a fun dark headcanon to play with, but probably not the case.

Or more likely, the residual spiritual energy that the green haze suggests manifests fresh blood in a manner typical of extreme hauntings. For the victims, their hatred and pain persists so strongly, that their blood seeps up from the cracks no matter how long it has been.

Poltergeist shit. Slip hazard. 8/10 heebie-jeebies.

Then there is this. Some people say its just another torture thing, it could have been intended to convey some sort of acid dip. If not torture, maybe bodily disposal. And sure, that’s a reasonable guess. 

But it is at the very bottom most cavern of the Well of Three Features, and if it were acid-- for how long the bodies have just been marinating in it-- you can assume nothing would be left of them to stick out. And the fact that all the bodies are neatly spaced, with the arms oddly preserved. They’re presumably like that from lowering bodies in from the wooden beams, the victims may have been tied up with their arms straight upwards. 

But, given the Redeads wandering around nearby, I’m pretty sure that’s what this thing does. Make Redeads.

The liquid itself hurts Link, but Link is also alive, and this pool seems to be lacking much of a glow. It’s green, sure, but it’s not exactly teeming with energy. And I think that might be part of its designated purpose-- extracting that green vital energy from living prisoners, draining them until they’re dead. I’m talking juicing people and scooping out the good stuff like the pulp from a really disturbing OJ. 

But still steeped in the juice as a corpse, you’re basically pickled in magic brine, so then those gross husks crawl out as Redeads. (Hey, you know what’s handy in wartime? Scaring the shit out of enemy forces by sending some zombies at them. And if they kill them, you’ve lost nothing. If the Sheikah could actually control them? Undead soldiers. Excellent stuff.)

But all the pulpy good stuff is gone, and has been for a while, so most of the bodies in there haven’t pickled in enough magic to reanimate, I suppose.

Human juicer that churns out zombies. Out of juice currently. 6/10 heebie-jeebies.

Now, THIS is active zombie juice, if I’ve ever seen it.

This is the Royal Family’s Tomb, by the way. Note the skeletons, picked clean, missing a lot of bones. And that’s a choice they made, because there are also full skeletons around to find. 

There are plenty of Redeads down there, for good measure, so I’m going to assume the skeletons are potential graverobbers who were eaten. If Sheikah can presumably command the dead, then the Redeads down there might actually be a counter measure against thieves. If a thief freaks out in the dark when he realises there’s undead down there trying to eat their face, there is also a good likelihood they’ll trip and splash into this green death. A few seconds of exposure is probably enough to kill the average person, and then if their corpse stews for a bit, you have another Redead. 

Their living energy revitalises the goop. Their body becomes bolstered security measures. It’s a self sustaining system.

Horrific but effective. 5/10 heebie-jeebies.

Also, there’s a chance that a couple of the skeletons or one or two Redeads down there are the remains of the Composer Brothers. But they will get their own special part in this series, covering Poes in particular.

But for the moment, let it be noted: their eyes are also that ghostly green.

Poes are spirits that are unable to move on and who have the unfortunate fate, if left unattended, of turning into phantom monsters who forget their human selves and prey on the living. They tend to pop up the most in two places. One, the Kakariko Graveyard, is obvious and somewhat expected. Dead people, lots of lingering spirits, most of them probably Sheikah and Knights of renown who died in the line of duty. Understandable.

So when you apply the same thought to the fact that Hyrule field is the second most common place to find them, you may as well be concluding that it’s an enormous mass grave of war casualties.

We have established that mass quantities of concentrated death, especially earth that is saturated by the spilled blood of strong soldiers and highly skilled warriors (full of life and magic, as it were), can result in creepy shit made from human remains reanimating over time. 

Poes share their haunting of the field with these bumpkins:

These hauntings are not the result of Ganondorf, or the corruption of the Sacred realm. They are not a particular curse placed by anybody.

The Poes and Stalfolk are present in the game from the very beginning, and quite normal fare for Hyrulean life. Lon Lon ranch and castle town are walled off for good reason, and the drawbridge raises at night specifically in response to the literal skeleton monsters who roam around at night. 

Stalchildren, specifically, seem akin to the Deadhand in that they are not a direct reanimation of any one particular set of remains. Rather, they seem to be mutated amalgamations of various parts. In the case of the Stalchildren, they rise up under the dark of night, a not-quite-human formation of bone and magic. They seem to possess an aimless drive to attack, perhaps possessed still by the orders of the soldiers who died there. 

Interestingly, in a somewhat similar fashion to BotW’s blood moon reanimating the fallen monsters (due to the potency of Malice in the land peaking at those times), Stalchildren only seem to be active under the moonlight. They disintegrate when the sunlight touches them, which promotes the idea that they are the bones of the fallen possessed by the ghostly memory of the war.

They also appear to wear raggy leather kilts, which is a feature they share with the related monster, the Stalfos, who are often acting out the part of a soldier as well. Even better, those bastards are actually WEARING GREEN, to boot, which given the history of Hyrulean Knights prior and their uniforms (SS and Minish cap) is pretty self evident. 

Stalfos, however, are also confirmed as humans who have died under certain unique circumstance (such as the magical influences of the Lost Woods) and reanimated as a consequence of what I assume is basically magic poisoning.

It could be a bit like an overdose, succumbing under the intense mystical forces at play within proximity to the Deku Tree (which the strong of spirit can resist). It could be a draining effect, maybe even just a gaseous version of what’s happening when people come into contact with the green goo, except extracted by the forest spirits and plants (also possible that the strong of spirit might resist). That could go either way.

The forest absolutely does eat people’s spiritual energy, though. RIP to Grog and Link’s mother. They’re Stalfos now.

"Anybody who comes into the forest will be lost. Everybody will become a Stalfos. Everybody, Stalfos."

Upon killing both kind of Stal, however, the bones rapidly deteriorate into flames.

You guessed it: green.

I’ve already pointed out a BoTW reference already, but to add more context back into this thing about the tie between green and things in Hyrule that refuse to die properly:

That last one is cheap of me I’m sorry but we’ll get to him too

So we have established that green has an overwhelming association with not only life, but states of undeath.

The overview is, things were already pretty fucked in OoT Era before Ganondorf got the Triforce.

On to part 2!

[ev-pierce-writes]

Home

The Heir Chapter 2

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 9K

Notes: This chapter jumps back in time a bit from Din's perspective, giving us a glance into his crash landing on Mandalore and his first impressions of You. Mostly just a lot of feels (or the suppressing thereof).

---

"Mando."

Where was that voice coming from?

"Mando. Come on, wake up."

The hiss of hydraulics and Din's helmet lifted, forcing him to squint his eyes while trying to make out the face above him. The glare of a hot desert sun obscured its features and the pounding in Din's head made it difficult to focus.

"Help me get him on the speeder."

Arms under his legs and armpits lifted Din and placed him gently on a hard seat. He slouched forward, unable to sit up straight, the pain so great and so extensive it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was broken or bruised. The vehicle took off across the desert with a lurch, spraying sand in its wake.

A hot wind burned against Din's face, further drying his mouth and making it hard to keep his eyes open. He drifted in and out of consciousness, unaware of how long they sped over the sandy terrain.

Maybe only minutes passed, maybe hours. Eventually, the speeder entered one of the large domes that had been visible from space. Inside it was much cooler and darker, a relief after the harshness of Mandalore's surface. Din continued to drift in and out, dehydrated and covered in sand, unable to comprehend if he was safe. He was too concussed to take in his surroundings or catalog his injuries. Finally, exhaustion hit him like a mudhorn to the chest, and Din fell hard and fast into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, his helmet, armor, and underclothes were removed, leaving him nearly naked. Panic seized at Din's throat and he sat up quickly, surveying the situation and already planning his escape route. In this recently awoken state, Din couldn't remember where he was or what he had been doing. His thoughts flew immediately to the kid, his instinct telling him to find the child, whatever the cost. But then he noticed a neat pile at the end of the bed, beskar stacked alongside his clothes and helmet, and the terror eased.

He was on Mandalore. Din steadied his breathing and dressed. This was where he was meant to be. The kid was safe, Moff Gideon was defeated, the Darksaber was his.

The Darksaber. Din prayed to the Maker that it had survived the wreck. Or maybe not. At least that would have rid him of this devastating responsibility. But there it was, alongside his blaster and spear, hooked into its slot on his belt. The little metal ball was there as well, and Din breathed a final sigh of relief.

He was okay. For farrik's sake, he was okay and he could take a moment to reorient himself. Din looked around, taking in the small bed he had awoken upon, the gray walls of the room, the solid stone of the floor beneath his feet. He seemed to be in some type of infirmary. He reached his arms over his head and stretched out his neck, feeling the lingering pain of broken ribs and compressed vertebrae. Thank the Maker for bacta shots; he probably would have died without them. But even now, his age made it difficult to heal. He would be feeling this for a while.

Din lifted his helmet, ready to place it on his head, but he paused. He caught a glimpse of his face in the reflection of the beskar, of exhaustion, worry, and sadness staring back at him. He wasn't used to seeing his own face so much or reading his own emotions, and it felt like a stranger was glaring back, not his own eyes. He felt removed from the man in the reflection, the man with the scar across his nose, still not faded from the fateful day a droid had saved his life.

Was this the face the child had touched with his tiny hands? Could he love this face, truly?

Din shoved the helmet on before he could linger on his reflection any longer and stepped out of the small infirmary.

The dome was even larger on the inside than he had anticipated. He stood on a walkway that appeared to circle the entire structure, and more paths crisscrossed different layers of the dome, making for a giant maze. From this vantage point, Din could look down to the ground level, which was left open to the floors above. It was incredibly quiet. A few people meandered below, looking like ants from this angle, but not nearly as many as he would have expected in such a large structure. The place felt deserted.

Din began to make his way around the circle, looking for an elevator or some stairs to take him to the ground floor where most people seemed to be. The ache in his ribs had not eased and he found walking to be incredibly difficult. Din's hips and legs had taken much of the impact of the crash, making every movement a painful one. He didn't make it far before a voice stopped him.

"Woah, there Mando, you need to sit down."

The voice came from behind him, unmodulated, soft, old. Din turned to find an ancient woman hobbling toward him. White-haired and wrinkled, skin tanned and spotted from the sun, the woman was not what Din had expected from the locals of Mandalore. And yet she was unmistakably a Mandalorian, strong, back straight as a rod, with the signet of her clan sewn into the sleeve of her shirt.

How humiliating, being helped into a chair by someone who was twice his age. But Din did not complain.

"You need to eat," she said, pulling him into a side chamber and sitting him down at a table. "You're going to hurt for a while. Bacta isn't easy to come by around here and we gave you as much as we could afford. The rest of the healing you're going to have to do on your own."

A bowl of broth appeared before Din and then the old woman sat across from him, taking in his appearance and the beskar of his armor.

"It's been many years since I saw that much beskar on one warrior. What is your name, Mando?"

Din set his helmet on the table and took a sip of the broth. He wasn't sure what it was meant to be made of. It mostly tasted like water.

"I am Din Djarin. Clan Mudhorn." Here he paused, hesitating. "Child of the Watch."

Din wasn't sure how much the old woman knew. Did she recognize the Darksaber at his hip, know the history of his upbringing? If she did, she didn't let on, and Din felt it best not to explain any further. Maybe it was best to keep quiet about his claim to the throne for now.

"My name is Yollil Darron, Clan Kryze. You must be searching for answers," the old woman said. "Is that why you have come? That was quite an entrance to make, crashing through the atmosphere like that."

"There was nowhere to land. Is there no port? No shipyard?"

Yollil chuckled softly. "There is no need when no ships come and go."

"None?"

"Occasionally. Rarely. But those can't be the answers you came here for."

Yollil was right. Din finished his broth before he continued, choosing his words carefully. "There are so few people here. What happened?"

"Ah, child, that is several questions all rolled into one."

"I have time."

Yollil smiled knowingly. "I will start at the beginning then," she said. "The Children of the Watch have long been separated from the Mand'alor, but the wars started before them."

---

The Mandalorian's holomessage flickered before you. You'd watched it on repeat four times now. Listened to it again and again in an attempt to decipher some hidden meaning in his words. Even virtually, the man seemed to fill the space, leaving you breathless. Thoughts of how he'd made you feel last night, even though he was entirely in your head, rushed through your brain. But you tamped them down.

"When you see this message, I'll be gone already. I need to make contact with others scattered across the galaxy." Maybe it was your imagination, or the modulation of his voice through the helmet, but this is where his resolve would begin to waver, each time you watched, each time seeming more and more reluctant to have gone.

"You-- I didn't--." A sigh.

"There's still a lot to do. And I can't do it alone. I'm sure I'll need your help." I'm sure I'll see you again. I want to see you again. You needed to stop putting words in his mouth but with each iteration, it seemed even more like the truth.

You scolded yourself for trying to find a reason to get attached, for searching his words for some type of acknowledgment that he felt the same way. Mandalorians were restless beings, travelers with no home. It was irrational and irresponsible to expect anything more from him. You needed to rein in your temptation. And yet--

Finally, you shut the holopuck off, putting it in the drawer of your desk for safekeeping.

---

"There are twelve other domes on Mandalore," Yollil explained as she guided you slowly around in a tour of the structure. "Many are divided by clan. Tensions run high, but we abandoned the fighting long ago though. It's much easier to survive when you are unified as a larger group. Or at least the illusion of conciliation."

As Din had finished his watery broth, Yollil had explained the history of the Mand'alor, how civil war had erupted over loyalties to the Empire, over who would inherit the throne. Eventually, the group of religious zealots, the Children of the Watch, had split, leaving the planet entirely to start anew, recruiting foundlings from across the galaxy and training them in the original way of the Mand'alor. Those who remained warred one another to ruin, eventually destroying what was left of the planet and retreating to the safety of the domes.

It was becoming apparent to Din that his greatest challenge might be uniting the fractured clans.

Yollil showed you the greenhouses, the armory, the living quarters. Most were nearly empty, dormant as an abandoned pollinator hive.

"About four times a revolution we get a shipment of supplies, distributed among the clans. It's barely enough to sustain us but we have little to give in return. It's the best we can do."

"Who brings the supplies?"

"The Queendom of Nhora. Their ships land in the desert, unload and reload, and are gone." Nhora. A sign of hope in the darkness. "The crew have been asking about a certain Mandalorian. Have you heard?"

Din shook his head and Yollil continued. "They say the queen is in search of the Mandalorian who claimed the Darksaber. Perhaps you know of him."

Din stopped dead in his tracks. So much for staying discreet. The old woman gazed knowingly at the helmet before her, recognizing without needing to see the expression on his face that Din was the Mandalorian this Nhoran queen was searching for.

It could have been a trap. Or it could be an opportunity. Next time the ships came, Din would be leaving with them as well.

---

Twenty-six years. That's how long you'd been alive. Twenty-six years today, to be exact, and eight of them spent as queen.

The Warming was arriving in the northern hemisphere of Nhora, signaling the approaching farming season as well as all the celebrations that came along with it. Fertility festivals, diplomatic dinners, and of course, your birthday. Though your focus should have been on supply distribution and preparations for religious ceremonies, your thoughts lingered on the somber face that graced your dreams nearly every night.

You wanted nothing more than to ditch your own birthday party. They were always the same, too much attention trained on you, on what you wore, on who you spoke to. No one was safe from court gossip, not even you, and by tomorrow every woman on Nhora would be styling their hair the way yours was tonight.

You preferred solitude and quiet, which you would not get tonight. Djarin would like solitude and quiet too, you thought. But you suppressed the thought as quickly as it had come.

"Knock knock," Zena called. She had a tendency to enter and then ask for permission afterward. You were laying on your bed, spread out like a star, avoiding getting up to get dressed.

"If I asked you to, would you put on my clothes and pretend to be me for the night?" you asked without sitting up. It was only a half sarcastic request.

"We aren't twelve anymore, Your Majesty. We can't get away with switching places like we used to."

"We could totally do it, Zena. And then I could not deal with any of it and you can be queen for a night." You and Zena had actually managed it successfully before, trading places without anyone noticing. But she was right, that was years ago and you looked too different now.

Zena flopped onto the bed next to you. "This isn't very regal of us is it, contemplating ditching parties and laying in bed instead," she said.

You were silent for a moment, thinking back on the years before your coronation where the two of you had spent your days doing that exact thing. You'd known Zena since the Clone Wars, since before the attack, since before your mother and sister had died. And then the attack had come, and suddenly she was all you had, and it only seemed natural that she would become your most trusted advisor.

And then she was saying your name, your real name, calling you back to your body and pulling you from your reverie. She knew where you drifted in moments like this, to the thoughts of what life would have been if they were all still alive, if you weren't queen, and the world was yours to explore. "Come on, we can do it together."

The party, or parties in this case, since the festivities lasted over a week, usually culminated in a large banquet. It was customary to feed the entire city for free on your birthday, which you didn't mind. You liked that part, in fact, seeing the prosperity and joy of your people, the excitement as temperatures rose and crops were planted.

What you did mind was having to deal with all the suitors who found it perfect timing to come up to you while you were just trying to enjoy some roasted cherfer meat.

You watched as one particularly bold man approached your table in the banquet hall, trailed by what appeared to be several personal guards. You leaned over and whispered into Zena's ear.

"I don't remember inviting him to my party. I'll bet twenty credits he's a prince from Coruscant. Thirty says he'll ask for my hand in marriage."

"Be polite, You Majesty," Zena said, but she was already smiling and shaking your hand. "I'll give you forty credits if you scare the Dank Farrik out of him."

Zena may have been your best advisor, but she was also your worst instigator.

"Your Majesty," the young man bellowed as he kneeled before you. He was tall and barrel-chested, yet soft and pudgy looking. A shock of yellow blond hair was combed across his already balding head. Barely touching his knee to the ground before standing again, he took your hand and pressed a horrifically wet kiss to your knuckles. And yet, despite the averse sensation, your thoughts drifted toward the Mandalorian, kneeling before you as well, head bowed in respect and gloved hand smoothing yours. The comparison happened before you could stop yourself and suddenly you sized up every man in the room against him. No one compared.

Be polite. Be polite. You barely held back a gag as you discreetly wiped the back of your hand against your skirt.

"And who do I have the pleasure of meeting on this fine evening?" you asked sweetly, lacing your words with the saccharine tone that men liked. You would at least have some fun with this.

"Prince Adbel of Coruscant, at your service." You and Zena glanced at one another knowingly. Twenty credits down.

"Of Coruscant, you say? How many princes there must be on that... large, beautiful planet."

Prince Adbel's face fell, but only for a moment. You applauded his ability to pull the arrogant, smug look right back onto his face even as you bruised his ego.

"Yes, Coruscant is charming. But Nhora far surpasses her in natural beauty. I could pass many revolutions here and never tire of her rolling hills."

Nhora was as flat as a bantha's foot. But you had to give it to him, he was really putting on the charm. Prince Adbel was a slick talker.

"What brings you to Nhora?" you asked. "And on my birthday, no less."

"Straight to business," he replied with an awkward wink. "I like that. How joyful a day, and yet how lonely you look upon your throne, with no one to share it."

You pretended to not know where he was going with this line of thinking. "Lonely? I have the best advisors in the galaxy," you said, squeezing Zena's hand tightly to hold back her laugh and yours.

"No doubt, no doubt. But perhaps you are in need of a man by your side, to rule along with you?"

You stayed silent, waiting for him to say the words that would earn you thirty credits tonight.

"What I mean is, perhaps I could offer my hand to Your Royal Highness."

"In marriage?"

"In marriage."

Score.

Now you were upping the game. Those forty credits would be yours. But how to shock the poor man the best. He would need to be punished for his insolence in not researching Nhoran culture before so blatantly proposing marriage to a woman who had no need for it.

"Have you studied our customs, Prince Adbel?" you asked.

The pale man somehow paled even further. "Of course," he lied.

"Then you'll know what such an offer entails. First, you must travel to the plains and retrieve for me the egg of the nhora serpent. It is a difficult journey. Few survive. She will protect her young with her life, so you must bring warriors who are prepared to die for you, otherwise, you will fail." Prince Adbel's guards were starting to look as nervous as him. But you continued. "Then, you must chop off the fourth finger on your left hand as an offering to the Maker. Only then can our union be blessed."

That one got to him. Should you keep going? This was too fun, and Zena seemed to think so as well. "Lastly, you will need to share me with fifteen other men. Are you capable of that? It is tradition to take many husbands in Nhora, and the queen is no exception."

Prince Adbel nearly fainted. He gulped, a heroic attempt to suppress his fear, before taking a step back from you and nearly hiding behind his guards. "Perhaps... I should reconsider before taking such a serious oath."

"Or perhaps it would do you better to understand the culture of a people you so plainly desire to rule over. Nhoran queens do not marry, Prince Adbel. They never have, and they likely never will." You stood from your seat. And though the prince towered over you, he flinched from your hardened gaze. You knew you were probably taking it a bit too far, but you wanted to put the overconfident egotistical man in his place. "Men only distract. They manipulate. They conquer through fear rather than join through peace. I doubt that you are the exception."

And with that, the prince was gone, fleeing from your presence, his guards on his heels. Your words hadn't been entirely true. Plenty of honorable men made of your group of advisors and counselors, but the best of them knew where they stood.

"Best forty credits ever spent," Zena said with a laugh. "Although part of me is worried you're distracted already."

"Distracted? What on Nhora are you implying, Zena?" You knew what she was implying. You knew it was about--

"The Mandalorian has you in a twist, does he not? Any other day you would have at least considered sleeping with him." It was a teasing jab, though not entirely exaggerated.

"I simply look forward to pursuing a trade agreement with him." At least that's what you were trying to convince yourself, laying in bed night after night, thinking of him.

"You look forward to seeing him again, Your Majesty."

You narrowed your eyes at Zena, trying to appear intimidating. It never worked with her. "Hand over my credits, Royal Advisor."

Zena shook her head. You weren't convincing her, or yourself.

---

The royal crest painted across the side of the Nhoran freighter ships proudly displayed her wealth and beauty. They were less than subtle, Din thought.

He had waited several weeks for the starships to arrive, gathering information and gleaning intelligence about what he was up against. But the information varied widely and it was hard to tell what was truth and what was fiction. The elder Mandalorians described a brutal and ruthless ruler, one who controlled her people through fear and projected an image of prosperity to disguise rampant abuse of power.

Based on Yollil's stories, that sounded more like a reflection of Mand'alor history than an accurate depiction of Nhora.

Others, the younger ones, refused to even believe the queen existed. No one ever saw her, they postulated, unless it was at government functions or festivals. They figured she was just some figurehead, put in place to disguise the real government that controlled the trade routes of the mid and outer rims.

It was useless. He would have to find out for himself. And he had a plan.

According to Yollil and a few of the others who lived in the dome, the freighters were manned completely by a live crew. Not a single droid in sight. And while that meant Din could try to talk his way onto the ship, he also couldn't just resort to outright violence and take out everyone on board. He had to be diplomatic.

The plan was this. Sneak aboard during the short period the freighters spent on the ground, loading and unloading, and try not to get caught. But if he did, Din would have to talk his way out of it. He hoped to avoid too much talking.

Getting on the ship turned out to be the easy part. Staying on was hard.

The crew members of the ship he'd selected to hitch a ride on did not hesitate to open fire. He was discovered pretty quickly among the cargo and without giving him a chance to explain, Din found himself ass down in the sand, watching the ship take off. Damn it.

Sure, he could have gone in with a bit more violence, but he was trying to make friends, not enemies. Time for Plan B.

Powering up the thrusters of his jetpack, he shot off into the atmosphere, following close behind the departing freighter. He landed with a thump along the outer walkway of the ship, hitting the side a bit harder than he'd intended. Great, more bruises to add to his growing collection. Din ripped the exterior door open, knowing it would set off alarms throughout the ship. But discretion was no longer his priority.

There couldn't have been that many crew members on this ship, and yet they just kept coming. Din held back, only sending them into a nice temporary sleep with a knock to the head, rather than take them out one by one. He could have. Part of him wanted to. But he reminded himself that these were just people, doing their best, just like him.

Din worked his way toward the bridge, leaving a pile of unconscious bodies in his wake. The ship's upper deck was a jumble of hallways that looped back and forth on one another and he felt sure he made a few circles before finding what he was looking for. When he arrived, one final crew member stood, brave and terrified, before the doors to the control center.

"Open the door and I won't hurt you."

It was worth a shot. No success. The poor man aimed his blaster, the shots pinging off of Din's beskar. Alright, if that's how he wanted to do this. With calculated aim, Din fired his whipcord, wrapping it around the man's legs and hauling him off his feet.

Din grabbed the man around the neck, pointed his blaster at his head, and slammed the door-open button with his foot, ready to face whatever lay on the other side.

Several more terrified navigators and a couple of blasters trained at Din's head. As expected.

"Look, I'm not here to hurt you. Even though I could. I just want to speak to your queen." Silence hung heavy in the bridge. Even the man Din had taken hostage stilled under his grip. "Take me to her and I promise I won't harm you."

The captain of the ship stared at Din as if he'd just asked him to make Arvala-7 into a rainforest. For a moment Din almost thought those young Mandalorians had been correct, that there was no real queen. But then the captain relented.

"Well, you've taken out most of my ship already. And Her Majesty doesn't object to visitors. But you'll have to stay in the cargo hold."

Din could deal with that.

At least he thought he could. And then the trip through hyperspace turned out to be not hours but over a day. He was tired, in pain, and incredibly hungry. The best Mandalore had to offer was weak broth and yellowish vegetables. Din hadn't had a real meal in what felt like months. Though he tried to sleep through his hunger, he was awoken by the painful pangs of an angry stomach. Above him, the crew was probably having a meal, though he doubted they would want to invite up the man who'd knocked them out one by one.

Finally, after a restless sleep, the sound of footsteps and a voice entered the cargo hold to let Din know they were making the jump out of hyperspace and approaching Nhora. "Her Majesty will receive you at the palace. Though I recommend leaving your weapons behind you. She prizes peace above all else."

The ship landed with a jolt. Din hadn't had access to any windows aboard the ship, so this experience of Nhora was his first. As the loading hatch opened, he discovered with awe a cool, lush, and colorful planet. Though his helmet and armor dulled the sensations of climate and weather to his skin, the temperature here was significantly more comfortable than on Mandalore.

Din stepped from the ship, not bothering to bid the captain farewell, and wandered into Nhora's port. At first, he weaved through only ships, big and small. But eventually, it evolved slowly into a marketplace, lined with stalls filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, smoked meats, and beautifully handcrafted items.

Above, the sun was tinged with warmth, indicative of an approaching warm season. But a soft breeze drifted through the market, keeping the air cool and dry. Around him, Din listened to the chatter of people, all species and languages, bartering and negotiating prices, or just holding an easy conversation. It was incredibly calm and peaceful, with the easy air of a people who did not fear for their lives at every waking moment.

Already, Din could tell all the rumors about Nhora had been wrong.

But how to find the queen? That turned out to be an easier job than he expected. Spread across the skyline was a glittering city with one building obviously much taller than the rest. He headed in that direction, pausing only momentarily at a stall that was selling the most delicious food he'd ever smelled. But there was no time to stop and eat.

The walk was short, along a smoothly paved path that crisscrossed over several canals dug through the center of the market. This must have been their main source of transport, and Din watched from the top of a bridge as a small boat floated downstream below him. It was almost too picturesque and he found himself doubting if this was entirely real.

And yet it was. The palace was bustling with people, moving about in small groups or sitting beneath the tall stone columns. They spoke easily and freely, but with a polite hush that suggested a reverent atmosphere. The lower level appeared to function as a library, with books lining floor-to-ceiling shelves and people studying at tables. Free and open knowledge, it was a novel idea.

No guards accosted him. No one asked where he was going. A few people stared as he went by, but the guards stationed at the main doors let him through, though again letting him know to check his weapons at the guard station. He easily avoided this inconvenience, slipping around groups of people and hiding behind a column as another guard passed. Sure, he could have been civil and done as he was asked, but it didn't seem prudent to have to explain that yes, he was a Mandalorian and yes, this was the Darksaber, and no, he couldn't just check it into a locker with a four-digit code.

At last, up a sweeping staircase and the throne room came into sight. This part of the palace was quieter than the rest, having a more serious and somber mood than the lightness of the lower levels. Din stepped in the throne room and gazed up, unable to suppress the urge to gape in awe at the vaulted ceilings and colorful murals that lined the walls.

The queen, however, was not on her throne and not in the reception hall. So Din resigned to wait and stood before one of the grand windows that cast a glowing light onto the marble floors. The view was spectacular, even from behind the filter of his visor, looking out upon the maze of stalls of the market, the glistening blue canals, and the arriving and departing freighter ships. Beyond the bustle of the city Din could just barely make out flat plains under a setting sun, green and lush and reaching farther than the eye could see.

The world glowed.

Din's helmet picked up voices of discussion and he amplified the sounds, hearing the soft speech of a woman along with the footsteps of several other people. The queen was coming, and not alone.

And then he saw you. You entered the throne room and if the world was glowing before it now positively radiated like the sun. You were dressed in lavender and gold and somehow existed on two planes at once, both as natural as the lush plains of Nhora and as otherworldly as the stars that glittered above, tied to the earth but dancing through outer space. Din had never met an angel, only heard stories of their alluring beauty that trapped spacefarers in their orbit for eternity. Now, standing face to face with a pure embodiment of warmth and light, the stories didn't seem so outrageous after all.

This was a new feeling, one he'd never felt before. Oh, Maker, Din's heart was in trouble.

---

The doors of the throne room opened. Zena entered leading a little green head, wobbling atop a teetering body. "Look who interrupted my sparring practice. Nearly got his little hands chopped off."

"Grogu," you exclaimed with a broad smile spreading across your face. You found yourself intensely happy to see the wrinkly alien baby and reached down to place him on your lap. He immediately reached out to grasp at the metal ball hanging from your neck. Something had shifted since you'd met the Mandalorian, and now with the knowledge of their deep bond, your heart softened with tenderness for the child as you recalled his father.

"So, little one, what have you learned since you went away?"

The child looked up at you with a coo and then giggled, sticking his hands out to demonstrate whatever strange mind-bending trick he'd learned this month. What you didn't expect was to see one of your guards slowly go sliding from his post beside your throne toward the windows. You realized Grogu was the one moving him, though not very quickly and with a lot of effort, across the stone floor. With a grunt, the guard bumped gently into the window. It couldn't have hurt very much, but it was probably a strange sensation. He slid to the ground, not sure how to react.

"Oh, Maker, are you alright Ming?" you asked, barely containing a laugh.

Ming held up a hand. "Yes, yes, fine Your Majesty."

"Grogu, we only do those kinds of things to bad people, not people we like."

You weren't sure why you spoke to the child as if he were an adult, but somehow you felt he understand. He looked up at you again but this time with a pout, his bottom lip sticking out and quivering, ready to cry.

"Oh, alright little one, let's not have that now.  Here, how about some good news. I met your father. He was here."

That did the trick. The big brown eyes blinked and the giant ears flicked in recognition. Grogu grumbled out some garbled baby talk that sounded suspiciously like 'Din.' It could have been your imagination.

"You met the Mandalorian?" Luke Skywalker entered the throne room, prepared for his departure already. "So that's why you didn't accost me for information as soon as I stepped foot in here."

"I have a good feeling about him, Skywalker. What's that thing you're always talking about, bringing balance to the force? He is balanced. I can feel it."

"So you're a force detector now?" Zena said with a barely concealed laugh.

"He found the child for a reason," Skywalker replied. "The force is not to be underestimated."

That was for sure. A pint-sized kid had just moved a full-grown man across the room with his mind. That was nothing to be played with.

"I worry though, Your Majesty, that he will attract some less than welcome individuals to your planet if he returns. Bo-Katan feels she is the rightful heir to the throne, and I doubt she'll give up on it so easily. If she thinks you're his ally, I doubt she'll be very forgiving."

"Bo-Katan?" Zena questioned. You felt Grogu sink further into your robes at the sound of the name.

"Another Mandalorian. Fiercely loyal to her planet but not so much to those who would dare challenge her or her power. She prefers martial law to pacifism and has a dubious history with the Sith and the Empire. In the end, there's only one thing she wants, the Darksaber."

---

Din's thoughts drifted back to that first meeting as he punched in the coordinates for Corellia, the last planet he had any desire to visit. He wanted to look upon your glittering city, wander through the market, feel the cool breeze creep under his armor. Or even just sit across from you again and listen to you ramble about the things you loved, namely Grogu. Din realized, before you would, that there was a soft spot in your heart for the kid.

As the ship took off from the loading dock, Din watched the Nhoran moons set, wondering if you were doing the same. You're welcome to stay here as long as you need. But he couldn't. Din was a wanderer, a traveler, with no place to call home and no intention of finding one. But you--

Corellia. Right now there was just Corellia. For many years he'd avoided chasing down a bounty on that planet. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to stay that way. The polluted, cloudy, soggy planet was one Din preferred to avoid. The excessive rain made it difficult to track footprints and there was always someone who needed paying off if he was going to get any information. Bounties on Corellia took twice as long to catch, simply because it was so full of crime itself.

Except this time it wasn't a bounty Din was chasing, but a Mandalorian. So three times as long, he figured.

And he was right. The Mandalorian remained hidden, probably because he knew he was being chased. Din passed weeks in Coronet City, tracking muddied footprints here and there. Begrudgingly, he took on some extra bounties, just to make enough credits to keep his ship parked at the loading dock.

Week four came and went. Today's bounty had been particularly flighty, doing his best to remain just out of Din's reach. He caught him, eventually, but not before a muddy chase through the rainforest. Now, back on his ship, Din hardly noticed the flashing red light on his communicator, telling him he had an incoming message. It wasn't until he'd pulled off his mud-streaked armor and sat down heavily in the pilot's seat that it caught his attention.

The hologram flickered to life.

"Djarin, I hope you're well." He almost didn't recognize you without your royal robes, hair loose and drifting about your shoulders. But your voice, though distorted by thousands of lightyears of space, was unmistakably yours. With surprise, Din found himself instantly relaxed, the soothing sound raising heat to his skin. You'd barely said anything but he longed to hear more.

"I'm not sure where you are, or if this message will reach you." You paused, suddenly distracted by something happening out of view and waving your hands to quiet something down.

"Hush, please, I'm speaking," you said off to the side.

You refocused with a deep breath. "Urgent news has reached me through my trade routes. Bo-Katan has landed on Mandalore. She brings an army and is searching for you. I'm not sure how many she's gathered or how she earned their trust. But it won't be long before she traces your path here. There's no need to worry, it would be foolish to attack Nhora but I'm afraid of what might happen if you do return to Mandalore. Bo-Katan will-- for Maker's sake child I'm trying to speak."

You stopped again, bending over to address the tiny hands grabbing at the leg of your pants. A muted voice garbled some indiscernible words. "I know it's for Din. I know. Come here."

You stood again, this time with the child in your arms. Grogu. He was there, with you, in your arms. "Anyways, be careful, please. And send word if you need anything. Or just to let me know you're alive."

Din could hardly focus on your words. The kid was on Nhora, grabbing at your shirt and waving his little hands. "Say hi, Grogu. Say hi to your dad," you said.

Was that his name Din heard? Did Grogu just speak real, tangible, words? And his name, nonetheless. Din's heart swelled with pride and all the frustration he'd felt today, tracking an unfindable Mandalorian on top of simply trying to stay alive, melted away. He realized with a shock of sadness that all this time he'd been intensely lonely without his son. The ship was too quiet, too empty, but now both you and the child were here, even if only as a hologram, and filling the cockpit with a warm glow.

Din blinked back tears. It was time to get his act together. There were only so many places an old Mandalorian could hide.

Fenn Rau was not a man to be trifled with, Yollil had explained before Din had left Mandalore. If he was going to be found, Din had to think ahead of him, anticipate his moves. Rau had to be somewhere in Coronet City. If he'd left, it would have been much easier to find him.

But, as it turned out, it was easy enough to find Rau when he wanted to be found. The first cantina Din stepped in and there he was, sitting alone in a dark corner, nursing a spotchka, having predicted Din's own moves to meet him here. This was not luck, it was on purpose, and he didn't hesitate to slide into the seat across from the Mandalorian.

Neither spoke, each waiting for the other to explain themselves first. Fenn Rau was as stoic as Din despite his age. His watery blue eyes locked onto the visor of Din's helmet and did not flinch. But this was a game Din could play well, that of silence.

"Why are you looking for me?" The older Mandalorian was the first to break.

"You wanted to be found."

"I outran you for a while. But curiosity tends to be my downfall."

Din didn't respond, only unhooked the Darksaber from his belt and placed it on the table. It was an unassuming object with immense power and Rau recoiled from its presence.

"So you are the one who defeated Gideon." His words made it apparent that everyone in the galaxy knew. "I'm surprised Lieutenant Bo-Katan didn't duel you right there for it."

"Lieutenant?"

"We fought together in the civil wars." So that's why Yollil had sent Din to find Rau. He would know what Bo-Katan's intentions were. "The Lieutenant is a natural leader. She rallies her people like no other. But she has lost that damn saber one too many times and never once recovered it honorably. She will come for it and do whatever it takes to regain power."

"She's looking for me now."

"What will you do?"

Din did not answer.

"Don't tell me you're asking for my advice?" Rau said with an exasperated sigh. "Alright, here's what I think. Take what you will from this. Tarre Vizsla forged that saber. He was both a Jedi and a Mandalorian, and the first to unite them. Since his death over a thousand years ago, Mandalore has not known peace. And it never will until a Jedi rules again."

A Jedi and a Mandalorian. If such a combination were to exist, then there must be a foundling out there that was force sensitive. A foundling that Din would find and--

Grogu. That foundling was Grogu. Din stood abruptly.

"Thank you. May the force be with you."

"That's it? You don't want a drink?"

"I'll be on Nhora if you need me."

Din left the Mandalorian where he'd found him.

---

The Mandalorian was returning. You could barely contain your glee. The message had been short, typed out and sent over the comm system. Returning. Must discuss G. and B. ETA 3 days.

You had no idea what G. and B. meant. It didn't matter. It had been over a month since you'd last seen him. You hoped he was everything you remembered, strong, handsome, stoic, honorable--

No. No, you would not think about him like that. You would treat him with respect and cool composure, as the ally he was turning out to be and nothing more.

On the first day of waiting you managed to steady your nerves by focusing on each task at hand. Sector 3 needed the dams opened to flood their fields. Sector 8 required a delivery of vaccines to prevent an outbreak of the Cardooine Chills. By the second day, Zena was watching you pace back and forth across the throne room, wondering out loud what G. and B. meant. She'd plopped herself down in your chair since you had no desire to occupy it, legs slung over one arm and back leaned up against the other.

But when the third day arrived, you found yourself surprisingly calm. You received visitors from the throne you'd refused the day before, listening intently as your financial head proposed tax hikes and tax breaks and explained where every cent was headed.

And yet, despite the serenity of your outward appearance, every person who entered your throne room sent your heart beating faster, though every time it was someone other than the Mandalorian. Finally, the sun set through the windows, darkness fell, and he had still not arrived.

"I'm just worried. What if he got caught up by Bo-Katan or something?"

"Your Majesty, he's hurtling through hyperspace. I think he's fine." Zena was ever the calming presence at your elbow. "Just get some sleep."

You tried. You really did, tossing and turning in bed to find the most comfortable position. But nothing worked. It was late in the night when you finally gave up and left bed, padding softly in your nightclothes down the three flights of stairs to the kitchens. At least you could have a warm cup of hot chocolate.

It was empty and silent in the kitchen as you set a pot on the stove to heat the drink. You leaned against the counter, drumming your fingers, waiting, waiting, waiting--

"Any idea where a Mandalorian can get a meal around here?"

You jumped at the voice behind you. So much for calm, cool, composure. Heat rose immediately to your face as you remembered exactly what you were wearing.

"Oh Maker, Djarin, you have to stop sneaking in like that."

"Sorry, can't help it that your guards are useless."

"Hey, watch it. Or I'll kick you out again." Though you acted annoyed, Din could tell you were glad to see him, an easy smile gracing your lips. It appeared he'd caught you at your most vulnerable, looking tired and restless, whisps of your hair flying in all directions and in only your pajamas. Your slightly translucent pajamas.

He did his best not to stare. Really. But with a helmet, there was no one to notice that he could tell you weren't wearing a bra or any underwear or--

"I expected you earlier," you said, pouring a second cup of hot chocolate without asking.

"I miscalculated," Din said matter-of-factly, though his nerves jumped at the thought of you expecting him. "What is this?"

"The most delicious thing ever. Rare. Skywalker introduced me to it and I can't get enough. But only he knows where to find hot chocolate so I have to settle for waiting for his visits to get my hands on more."

Off came the helmet, and though you'd already seen the face beneath, it still left you breathless. The black eye was gone, the cut on his lip and cheek reduced to fading red lines that probably wouldn't even scar. You watched as he ran a hand through his unruly hair, eyeing the cup with suspicion, and giving it a sniff. Finally, Djarin relented and he took a sip.

"Very sweet," he said, brown eyes narrowed and plump lips twisted into a pucker. "Not used to that."

Oh, those lips. Every decent thought you'd been trying to focus on since the Mandalorian's reappearance in your palace kitchens immediately flew out the window, replaced by very indecent thoughts about his full lips.

You tried to bring your mind back to his words, realizing he probably ate mostly bland food. Hearty, maybe, but not seasoned with the exotic flavors your kingdom traded for.

"Let me get you some food. You must be hungry."

"The Queen can cook?"

"Oh no, but she can reheat pretty well."

Din sat, watching as you sliced a loaf of bread and eventually placed a steaming bowl of stew in front of him. In the dim light of the kitchen, you'd taken on a different appearance from when he'd first met you. Your features were softer, less angular and commanding, and more tender and delicate. You were young, he realized, and you wore your youth plainly when the opportunity came to relax. You moved with the ease and grace of someone pushed too soon into this position of power.

"What's G. and B?" you asked, sitting across from Din and taking a slice of bread for yourself.

"Not what, who. Grogu and Bo-Katan." Djarin began to eat, and you noticed he kept sipping at his hot chocolate, despite his previous aversion. "Is the kid still here?"

You shook your head. "They only stay for a few hours at a time. And it's hard to know when they'll be back. Skywalker takes every precaution to be untraceable. He'll find you, not the other way around. Is that why you're back? To find him?"

"Grogu is the heir."

"What do you mean? I thought you were the heir?"

Djarin explained his meeting with Fenn Rau, what the old Mandalorian had told him about the Darksaber and its creator.

"And you're worried Bo-Katan will target Grogu and use him against you?"

"Possibly."

"I don't understand. I thought Bo-Katan wanted to bring peace to Mandalore."

"She does. But under her terms. And her rule. That approach never goes over well with a people as divided as us."

You were starting to see his point. But how was a wrinkly green baby going to take over the throne? "Say you hold on to the Darksaber. Bo-Katan backs down, the kid becomes a Jedi. Then what? He'll have to defeat you in a duel to fulfill his destiny?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead.

Of course, he hadn't. Of course he'd rushed back here as fast as possible, thinking only of the child.

"I'll call a council meeting in the morning. Any actions I take they need to at least be aware of. And this time you're staying. Not just for the night."

Din raised his eyebrows at you in surprise. The authoritative tone you'd taken on was impressive, like you had a goal and a purpose and you were going to do everything it took to succeed. And he had to admit, he quite liked the thought of you forcing him to stay, despite knowing he shouldn't.

After he'd finished eating, you led the Mandalorian back up the stairs and through the silent palace to the room he'd stayed in during his previous visit. You lingered at the door, knowing you should say goodnight but having trouble doing so for some reason.

"Don't disappear on me again, Djarin," you finally settled on saying.

Din hadn't been aware of how much you cared for his safety until this moment. Maybe his late arrival had affected you more than you let on. The look on your face was not one of teasing but of genuine worry, eyebrows knitted in concern, unease written in the soft lines of your face. He wanted to smooth those lines, run a thumb across them to tell you everything he didn't have words for. What had been that emotion he'd felt that night on his ship, watching you and the child flicker holographically before him, filling the space with your warmth? He refused to call it home.

Djarin turned toward the door but paused and looked back at you. And then his gloved hand reached out and he ran a thumb softly across your forehead. It was surprising, that soft, leathery touch, but it accomplished what he'd set out to do. Your face relaxed and a smile spread across your lips, bringing the glow back to his world.

"I won't. I promise. And please, just call me Din."

---

The Mandalorian was up early, beating you and Zena to breakfast. He was already waiting for you to arrive, fully dressed in armor, making your heart skip a beat.

"Don't you want to know about everything that's happened since you were gone?" Zena asked, addressing Din with a glint in her eyes.

"I assume you're going to tell me whether or not I want to know."

"Smart man," Zena said with a wry smile. "You missed a very important birthday. You'll never guess how many suitors were ogling Her Majesty from across the dessert table. Although, I must admit the dress was lovely. I would have asked for her hand in marriage too if I was arrogant enough to think I had a chance."

"Zena," you said harshly, trying to shut her up.

"Turned them all down. Even made one of them run to his mother. No one compares to you Mando." She said that last bit with a singsongy voice as if trying to imitate you.

"Zena! Watch your mouth. I never said that." You gave her a little shove to shut her up. It wasn't very appropriate behavior for a queen but you knew she was doing it on purpose. "You're going to embarrass him."

Zena wiggled her eyebrows in your direction before turning on her heel and leaving you and Din alone, knowing her work was done.

"I'm sorry about that," you said.

"Looks like you're the one feeling embarrassed." Though you couldn't read Din's facial expression, his modulated voice was tinged with teasing humor.

Heat crept up your cheeks, flushing a bright pink that did not go unnoticed by the Mandalorian. "Shut up. I don't want to talk about it."

And then the Mandalorian laughed. He actually laughed, a full, whole-hearted laugh that started in his chest and shook through his body until he was bent double, hands on his knees, gasping for air. It was genuine; though sounding unused and in need of practice, it was not strained or tense at all. You wondered how long it had been since the Mandalorian had let loose like this.

"Oh for Maker's sake," you said, exasperated. "I've tried multiple times to crack jokes and that's what finally gets to you?"

Din had finally caught his breath and stood up straight again. "I apologize, Your Majesty. But you were blushing pretty hard."

And you looked pretty when you blushed, he thought. He didn't say that out loud, however, only pressed his fingers lightly against your back to lead you from the room to the awaiting council meeting.

It was already hard enough to focus in his presence. You had no idea how you were going to sit next to the Mandalorian for the next hour without him driving you up the wall. Calm, cool composure, you reminded yourself. Be diplomatic. Be an ally.

It was all about to go down the drain.

*Read Next Part*

[doomonfilm]

Ranking : Jim Jarmusch (1953 - present)

When you get someone adept at the art of filmmaking that can resonate at the highest vibrations when creating, that is a blessing in itself, but when you get a jack of all trades, everyman who is deeply observant and unabashedly humanist, and happens to make films to boot, then you start reaching the realms of Jim Jarmusch.  As a Midwestern kid who studied at New York’s famed Columbia University before transitioning to a span in Paris, Jarmusch has the unique gift of deeply appreciating lofty art on the same level as outsider, underground art, and by understanding the context that connects all of them, his appreciation of time is enhanced by association.  In a world that has become obsessed with taking in information with no intention of retention at a breakneck speed, it is refreshing to know that Jim Jarmusch has stood his ground in terms of deliberate pacing and tone.

Most of my Jarmusch familiarity came from the first half of his catalog, and it’d been years since I watched his work, so rather than rank what I remembered while trying to fit first watches in, I decided that the time was right to revisit the entire catalog.  Doing so not only gave me a broader understanding of his overall vision, but it made me realize that a director with 25 years in the game is still capable of making drastic style shifts.  Without further ado, here is my preferential ranking of the 13 Jim Jarmusch films available as of March 2021.

13. Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) This isn’t a bad film, but Coffee and Cigarettes definitely reeks of a narrative-less venture.  The best parts of Coffee and Cigarettes come in attempts at placing what was shot explicitly for the film, versus what was shot during the previous fifteen or so years that Jim Jarmusch directed other feature films.  Taken as a collection of independent vignettes, the film is rich in memorable moments, but for a director so adept at unifying themes with incredible nuance, specifically within the obtuse hurdles presented by an anthology film, Coffee and Cigarettes feels much more like assorted pieces than a fractured whole.  More so than an original idea, the movie feels like a deep cut that true fans will appreciate, casual fans can easily reference, and Jarmusch-laymen can use as an entry into deeper conversations.  If nothing else, see Coffee and Cigarettes for the incredibly entertaining scene where Cate Blanchett acts circles around Cate Blanchett, but Cate Blanchett still does her thing. 

12. Broken Flowers (2005) Bill Murray has been popular longer than I’ve been alive, but somewhere around the beginning of the 21st century, it seemed like the entire world caught Bill Murray fever in a major way.  After a couple of iconic roles in films by Wes Anderson and Spike Jonze, his star was riding new and unfathomable highs, and that was right when Jim Jarmusch teased collaboration via Coffee and Cigarettes before diving headlong into it with Broken Flowers.  Of all the Jim Jarmusch films, this one still feels the least like his style, at least in terms of purity.  Most of its magic comes from surrounding Bill Murray with Jeffrey Wright as a human conscience, as well as a parade of memorable actresses the likes of Sharon Stone, Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, TIlda Swinton, Chloë Sevigny and more.  The film runs high on charm, and for any man staring at the Autumn of his years, the feelings of romantic regrets are likely relatable on some level.  Interestingly, this project feels like one of the most accessible in the Jarmusch canon, perhaps because of its efficient production presentation.  If there were ever a Jim Jarmusch date movie, it’s Broken Flowers.

11. Permanent Vacation (1980) Upon initial viewing, Permanent Vacation possesses many of the earmarks of a student film, such as limited locations, long passages with minimal dialogue, symbolic monologues in place of standard narrative dialogue, and isolated characters within the context of an implied bigger world.  The strengths that the film possesses, however, are elements that became staples in Jim Jarmusch films : a protagonist either absent of motivation or driven from within, cross-cultural fascination and iconography and the aforementioned patient approach to narrative are some of the key ingredients in the Jarmusch recipe.  As a unique voice in a burgeoning New York collective of filmmakers, it makes total sense that his debut would be both an ode to New York City and an ode to living life like an outsider in the mecca of culture.  This film probably wouldn’t be the best place to start a curious party to the Jim Jarmusch canon, but it would certainly be one to circle back to if their interest is piqued… I would recommend this one to fans of Richard Linklater’s early work for sure.

10. Stranger Than Paradise (1984) Stranger Than Paradise marks the first of many black and white commercial releases from Jim Jarmusch.  As a second film, it has everything you’d want to see from a director finding his place in the industry : the cinematography has evolved and incorporated more movement, Jarmusch is starting to let his personality shine through via musical choices, and the stories are evolving into more relatable narratives rather than ruminations on isolation (while simultaneously becoming much funnier).  Jarmusch still isn’t afraid to let his films breathe, however, which leaves his distinct style present even among the areas of growth.  The incorporation of a strong female lead presence (thanks to Eszter Balint’s brilliant performance) showed that Jarmusch had a full understanding when it came to presenting stories for everyone on the screen, rather than limiting his voice to male characters.  The casting of John Lurie and Richard Edson opposite one another is kinetic both visually and in terms of performance, as each of their versions of uptight laid-backness compliment one another.

9. Night on Earth (1991) Of the anthology films that Jim Jarmusch has created, Night on Earth is possibly my favorite.  More so than any of the others, it captures the intriguing aspects of human nature by juxtaposing them directly against the very human tendency to judge books by their covers.  With the vast majority of the film taking place in a handful of taxi cabs, we are left in the hands of the actors and actresses in the hopes that their interactions, chemistry and dialogues can keep us captivated, and the cast presented in the film completely stand up to the challenge in their pairings.  Jarmusch also presents movie audiences with a way to show different worldly locations without having to lean on the cinematic and iconic shorthand that we are used to, such as the Hollywood sign, Times Square, the Eiffel Tower and so on… instead, we are shown places that locals would inhabit in all of their rundown and lived in glory, which in turn, amplifies the grounded realness of the interactions, as if we are looking at a fictional blueprint for what would later become the popular HBO series Taxicab Confessions.  This film sits in-between two of Jim Jarmusch’s most iconic releases, so it is easy to see how this one could be easily lost in the shuffle, but it is certainly not a film to be missed, especially for those who would consider themselves Jarmusch fans.

8. Paterson (2016) Jim Jarmusch brings a humble sense of humanity to all of his films, but Paterson stands out for its nuance, subtlety and confidence in its patience.  Much like Forrest Gump or a less abstract Charlie Kaufman film, Paterson dwells in an interesting realm of an unknowingly wise protagonist tethered to the center of tornado-like emotions and experiences from all they encounter.  Jarmusch manages to take this framework, dial down the absurdity to a sneaky degree, and ramp up the grounded elements to the point where a viewer cannot help but graft pieces of themselves onto the events presented.  As a musician with a day job, I can also relate to Paterson’s displays of beauty found in redundancy, and the peace that comes with understanding intentions for creative expression, even if others see it in a different light that you do.  While not the grandest of Jim Jarmusch gestures, it is without a doubt one of the most sincere and heartfelt of his selections.  

7. Mystery Train (1989) Mystery Train marks the first definitive signs of Jim Jarmusch knowing, understanding and utilizing the tools he’d come to favor in a manner that seemingly resonated what he pictured in his head.  Memphis as a setting provides the juxtaposition of beauty and urban decay captured in Permanent Vacation; placing our audience on a journey with two foreign tourists brings the worldly view introduced in Stranger Than Paradise; and, most importantly, all of the coolness and humor that thrived in Down by Law returns triumphantly.  Jarmusch also puts anthology filmmaking on the table, which is important for two reasons… first and foremost, it would become a style he would go on to thrive in, returning to it immediately with Night on Earth and once more with Coffee and Cigarrettes… secondly, as for Mystery Train directly, it allowed Jarmusch to surround Masatoshi Nagase and Youki Kudoh (burgeoning stars Western audiences were unfamiliar with) and Nicoletta Braschi, and surround them with his talented friends like Steve Buscemi, Cinqué Lee, Rick Aviles, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Tom Noonan, as well as legendary musicians like Tom Waits, Joe Strummer, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Rufus Thomas.  Between these high profile castings, the stylish cinematography and the heartfelt quirkiness of the leads, Mystery Train feels like the film where everything came together in the best ways possible.

6. Down by Law (1986) To my knowledge, Down by Law would be considered the breakout success of the Jim Jarmusch library.  John Lurie returned to the fold to provide another performance infused with coolness, but this time around, up and coming Italian star Roberto Benigni and iconic recording artist turned actor Tom Waits share lead duties, forming an unlikely trio with monstrously dynamic on-screen chemistry.  Jarmusch not only switched things up for himself by setting the film in New Orleans rather than centering it around New York, but he turned the jailbreak genre on its ear by focusing on the escapees rather than the escape itself.  The conflict between Jack and Zack is seeded with their individual problems with women (which both include emasculating each man by chastising them for not using domestic violence), as well as each of them ending up framed prior to imprisonment, which makes Roberto the de facto peacemaker despite his huge language barrier.  Down by Law marks the first time that edginess found its way into a Jim Jarmusch film, and while it never became his forte, it wasn’t the last time that element was key to a Jarmusch film.

5. The Limits of Control (2009) When reflecting on The Limits of Control, the word patience comes to mind : the patience of accepting repetition… the patience of a trilingual film with minimal dialogue… the patience of a film that shows much more than it tells.  As a take on noir, the Jim Jarmusch variety brings to mind films like Le Samourai, where actions speak infinitely louder than words, choices come with a definitive set of consequences, and we as viewers are allowed to consider what we are presented with in real time, just like our protagonist.  The coolness levels are also pushed to maximum levels in this film, but then, what’s a Jim Jarmusch film without a generous dose of cool in it?  While it is never rightly stated, I like to pretend that The Limits of Control takes place in the same universe as Ghost Dog, with Raymond having evolved into The Lone Man using the tools left behind by Ghost Dog.  Maybe it’s a bit of embellishment on my end, but it makes an already great film have that little extra touch of pizazz needed to stand out from the pack. 

4. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) While Jim Jarmusch isn’t necessarily a household name, he is relatively well known, and for many familiar with his work, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai served as the introductory film for them.  The casting of Forest Whitaker in the lead role continued the trend of higher profile names joining the Jarmusch fold, and stylistically, the mixture of Ghost Dog’s hitman and samurai worlds with that of the mafia film (which was about to see a popularity resurgence in light of the recent premier of The Sopranos) was alive, kinetic, and rich with varied personalities.  Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai also stood as an early example of RZA’s talents in the realm of scoring films, which would later go on to be a key element of Kill Bill: Vol. 1.  For a movie with a more traditional approach, perhaps even the most accessible approach of all Jarmusch films, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is anything but conventional, and it’s the sense of pride it wears in its non-conventionality that makes it the cult classic it became.

3. The Dead Don't Die (2019) Not since Dead Man has Jim Jarmusch picked such a distinct genre for a film of his, or decided to include such a long list of high profile names in character roles.  While the sense of doom that usually comes with zombie movies is present, Jarmusch sticks to his toolkit by focusing solidly on the human element during the early portions of the film where many people would already have zombies doing the narrative and visual heavy lifting, and in turn, the audience finds themselves drawn deeper and deeper into the story well before the undead arrive.  Of all the Jarmusch films, The Dead Don’t Die has the rare designation of being the only one that seems to comment on film itself, be it references to iconic characters from other properties, ruminations on film as a format, or even discussions centered around film fandom.  While most films tend to stay around from outright explanations of whatever the root cause of the zombies are, The Dead Don’t Die uses the vacuum as a brief opportunity to make a comment on polar fracking and other climate/environment-altering processes.  Even the zombies get the most on-screen humanity received since the days of George Romero’s Dead series, a refreshing change of pace that has been often ignored in recent films centered around the undead.  Films like this one prove that Jim Jarmusch has the capacity to make films about most anything, and the further he strays from his supposed comfort zone, the seemingly better the films get.

2. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) For a man so dedicated to being aware of the passage of time, a man with a deep appreciation for nostalgic cool of all eras, and a man with a rich and layered appreciation for art and music from across the board, it makes total sense that Only Lovers Left Alive would be a celebration of all these aspects framed as an eternal love with a deep cross-section between the original lovers and the tales of vampires.  The vampiric leads allow Jarmusch the perfect vehicle to seamlessly tie stellar creativity from any point in time with a singular line, and the deep implications of our protagonists' names suggest a subtextual lore that one could likely build a cinematic universe around.  For a venture with aspirations this lofty, the casting must fit the call, and the main four of Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, John Hurt and Jeffrey Wright build a solid foundational square for all characters to navigate deep emotions freely.  If you’re looking for Twilight and Interview with the Vampire fare, you’ll probably long for more, but if films like Let the Right One In are more your speed, then Only Lovers Left Alive will likely be a revelation.

1. Dead Man (1995) While Jim Jarmusch never lost his auteur sensibilities, Dead Man marked his initial foray into the world of larger scale traditional productions through the vehicle of the period piece.  Jarmusch films were not unfamiliar with showing us a broader view of the world we know, but transposing his trademark style into the world of the Western marked a bold (but ultimately rewarding) turn.  With Neil Young serving as his Ennio Morricone, Jarmusch dusted off his black and white filmmaking equipment and seemingly told the production design team to blend all of the best parts of Spaghetti Western and German Expressionism.  Johnny Depp, the film’s star, was riding the wave of success afforded from What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, Benny & Joon and Ed Wood, and Dead Man carried that momentum right along.  As for his Western universe, the list of names that Jarmusch chose to populate it with is where his style stood out : Crispin Glover, John Hurt, Robert Mitchum, Iggy Pop, Gibby Haines, Gabrielle Byrne, Billy Bob Thornton, Alfred Molina and more drive home Depp’s “fish out of water” characterization convincingly.  Based on its period-piece designation, Dead Man signalled a drastic leap in style utilization for Jarmusch, a creative rarified air that he would return to for several future productions.

[storysofmyown]

Obey me! Scarred, Chapt. 7

Plot: It’s time for the next step in Diavolo’s plan to unify the  realms. But, in order to work, the demons would be subjected to confront  their worst fears, and in some cases, who they are.

Trigger warning: None that i can think of

Word count: 2377

“Ya got to be kiddin’ me, I ain’t gonna wear this weird…uh…um…shirt I guess? To the damn ball.” Mammon threw the garment at Asmodeous bed, who made a cartoonish shriek.

 “Mammon! You idiot! Do you have any idea how long it takes to steam the wrinkles off? And you are not going to do it, so its me the one who has to put their skin at risk in that heat just because you can’t be careful.” Asmodeous took the piece of clothe and hanged it on his closet, making sure no wrinkle was visible.

 “Whatever, I don’t care. I have more important things to be doing than playing dress up with you two.”

 “Who said I was playing dress up?” Mc looked up from the bed, barely maintaining eye contact with Mammon.

 “Then why are ya here?”

 “You literally dragged me out of my room so I would accompany you here.” Mc sat down; their eyes now open but not focusing on anything. “Plus, Asmo said there would be wine, so.” Asmodeous laughed and stuck his tongue out at Mammon, who huffed and growled in response. “C’mon, just sit down. Everything in here has been so chaotic since…well, God arrived that Lucifer has a headache 24/7. We are the only ones acting normal.” Mc sighed, they were worried for the others, but the demos refused to talk about what had happen, what that caused them to act this way.

 “That’s not true, Levi hasn’t left his room in three whole days. That’s very Levi of him.” Asmo gave Mammon a glass of wine before sitting on the bed. Mammon made a point of sniffing it in case Asmo put anything weird in it, before just chugging everything down in one go.

 “That ain’t entirely true. The other day, I went to see Levi, and the dweeb wasn’t doing anything. And I don’t mean as in, wasting time playing games and shit, no, he was literally buried under at least seven blankets and was just starring at Henrys tank all the time. Barely even acknowledge me.”

 “Is that so?” Prompted Asmo.

 “I payed him a visit. There was no sound on or anything, I called him, and he just yelled for me to leave him alone. I want to help but how can I help when he won’t tell me what’s wrong?” Mc groaned; they loved the seven idiots. At this point they were family to Mc, and that meant what affected the boys affected them.

 “That is a little weird of him. I mean, he would never reject anyone that offered to watch anime or play videogames with him.” Asmo refilled all the cups.

 The three of them stayed silent for a moment. Asmodeous chewed on his lower lip before sighing.

 “Has Satan talked to any of you?” Mammon and Mc shook their heads. “Me neither, I tried giving him a book the other day, and he literally threw it at my face. He is out of control.” Once again, silence, this time broken by Mammon.

 “What about Belphie and Beel? I haven’t seen Beel eat more than half a plate of food for over a week now. He IS the Avatar of Gluttony. His whole thing is food.”

 “We baked him some cupcakes to try and cheer him up. He didn’t even touch them.” Asmo replied, pointing at Mc and then at himself. “Like, I know they were probably not that good, but they were better than Solomon’s cooking, which mean Beel would normally have eaten them with no problem.”  

 “Belphegor hasn’t slept in days.” Mc starred at their now empty cup.

 “How do ya know that?”

 “He won’t leave my room. He has stayed with me for a couple days, every time I wake up, I see him awake. All he does is stare at a bracelet on his hand.” Mc looked up at Asmo and Mammon, they all had the same expression on their faces.

 “Anyway,” Asmo tried to sound as chipper as possible, forcing a smile on his lips. “Mammon, you said you had some more important things to care about. What is that all about?”

 “Oh, so you know that one-time Mc…Belphie and I working at Hell’s Kitchen?” Mammon’s voice went quiet when mentioning Belphegor before picking up the tone he had started the sentence with. “Well, the dudes still had my phone, and it seems that a customer wants me personally to do his delivery. And get this, they will pay whatever amount I demand, all so I, the Great Mammon deliver some food and stuff. Can you believe this?” Mammon rested his back on the backrest of the chair while taking a long sip.

 “That sounds a little suspiciou-” Asmodeous was cut short by Mc’s tired voice.

 “I’m worried about them.” Silence fell momentarily in the room. None of them daring to speak up. The situation was getting worse by the day, their family was hurting, and they didn’t even knew why. It was scary, knowing that people you loved were going trough something and not being able to do anything about it.

 “So am I” Lucifer’s voice cut in, pulling a chair and taking a whole bottle of wine that had yet to be open.

 “Oi! How long have you been listening in?” Mammon jumped at Lucifer’s voice before sitting straight in the chair.

 “There was no need for me to “listen in”, you three were talking loud enough that I could hear it in the kitchen.” The bags under the man’s eyes were noticeable, he had a demeanor that screamed how little care the man was putting on himself. His form seemed weaker and his tone did not have the usual authoritative undertone. Lucifer popped off the cork of the bottle and took a long sip. He wasn’t wearing his usual coat, vest open and with no tie.

 “Are you okay?” Mc asked, leaving their cup on the side. Lucifer only gave a dry sarcastic laugh before just looking at the ceiling.

 “Am I okay? Of course, why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like ever since I saw my father’s face, I have been plagued with nightmares of him hurting another member of my family. Or the fact that when we are supposed to as closer as we can possible be, my brothers and my own son are more shut off than ever. Satan went back to hating me with every fiber of his being, Beelzebulb won’t talk to anyone, Belphegor and Leviathan have just shut off completely from the entire world.” Lucifer sighed, passing a hand through his hair.

 Asmodeous felt tempted to take the bottle off from Lucifer, the man was not feeling well, and having him drunk would not do any good. He tried to do so, but Lucifer only shook his head, looking at Asmo, giving his younger brother a small smile before he caught Mammon starring. His expression was that of a child who had found out Santa Clause was not real, of a child whose hero turned out to be just a man who could get hurt, bleed, and die.

 In all their years alive, Mammon had never seen Lucifer in such a helpless manner. It was like whatever drive had been keeping him functioning had met its limit, needed replacement or something. The man who was more of a father to any of them that their actual father could ever be, the man who, even though was the literal personification of pride, threw his reputation and believes away and damned himself to a life of servitude all so his little sister could have a shot at a normal life. Mammon would never say this out laud, but he appreciated how much Lucifer had sacrificed for their family.

 “Lucifer, I-” Mammon was shushed when Lucifer put up his hand.

 “I never told you two, or anyone else for that matter, about this but…after we fell, and Diavolo gave us this house, I promised myself I would do anything to keep my family together, because as long as I had you guys, I thought it would be okay. After all, we had gone through a hell of a war… and yet, somehow, we were still together, even if Lilith wasn’t there with us, I knew she was happy. And I wanted that for us as well, I wanted us to be happy. All of us.” Lucifer chuckled.

 For a few seconds, after Lucifer finished, he laughed slightly, with a somber tone to his voice. Before getting up and walking towards the door, once at the edge of it, he turned around, barely even looking at the three stunned members of his family. He wondered where he had gone wrong, where everything had gone to shit, the reasons why he couldn’t protect his family and why were they going through stuff they don’t deserve. He felt his heart ache at the memories of a lifetime ago, at the times up with his Father when they thought he loved them.

 He thought of Lilith and how much love she had to give; she was his little sister. And he would have given everything to protect her and every single member of his family, he would crawl through all the realms and sink to the bottom before trading his own life if it was necessary. But he couldn’t, even if he wanted to. He was stuck with the weight of his mistakes and the regrets that weighed him down and ate him up every day, every moment of every second of every minute of his existence. This was his life. No matter how much he tried to make the family okay, the universe seemed to punish them all.

 Lost in his thoughts, Lucifer arrived at his room. Ignoring the stack of papers in his desk and turning off his phone. Not even Diavolo was going to convince him of waking up early tomorrow. Lucifer kicked his shoes off, and without getting anything else off, he laid in bed, starring at the ceiling and wondering how could he be such a bad father and older brother.

 Across the hallway, stood two demons and a human. Whom felt as hopeless as Lucifer. Mc wanted so badly to go after Lucifer and hug him but the first they needed to cry their feelings for a second. Mc got up from the bed, leaving and empty cup on Asmodeous bed and excused themselves. Mammon sighed, passing a hand through his hair. This was all wrong, none of this should be happening, and Mammon wanted to do something about it so badly.

 “Mammon.” Asmodeous voice was hoarse and weak. Mammon ignored the feeling of tears accumulating in his eyes in order to pay attention to Asmodeous, who’s hair was covering his facial features while the younger demon starred at the floor.

 “I know.” Mammon’s tone mirrored Asmodeous. “Me too Asmo, you and all the other bunch of idiots that live in this house.” Asmodeous laughed for less than a second, looking up, and in that moment, Mammon saw that he had been crying. Mammon moved to give his little brother a hug. They stayed like that for a while, Mammon trying to regain composure while Asmodeous fully sobbed on his older brother’s shoulder.

 It was moments like this that showed them how much they did care for one another. Even if they were always fighting, and screaming at one another, they were a family. Lucifer had made sure they stood together for so long and hell would be damned if the mere presence of their father was going to change that fact. They were a family, and nothing was going to change that.

 After a few minutes, Mammon left Asmodeous alone, both agreeing to never speak of that again. For their sakes and Lucifer’s. After entering his room, Mammon put his hands over his pool table, taking in everything that had just happened. He wasn’t aware of how long he stood there, starring at nowhere while simultaneously lost in his head. The only reason he snapped out of it was because his phone started ringing.

 “What do ya want?” Mammon asked, not bothering to even check who was calling.

 “Mammon! Right?” Mammon hummed as an answer. “We finally got a hold of you. Listen kid, the customer is still requesting your presence. They want it to be delivered tonight. You in?” Mammon sighed; he was not having any of it tonight.

 “Yeah, listen here bud. Tell the costumer The Great Mammon isn’t interest in delivering no food.” He didn’t even wait for an answer before hanging up and throwing his phone over the bed, flopping in it and trying to fall asleep. Of course, that was interrupted by the phone once again. Mammon groaned. “Oi! I already told you I am not interested. Stop calling.”

 “We understand, but the customer stated that in case you refused to deliver we reassured you that he would pay very handsomely.” Mammon sighed.

 “How about this, why don’t ya take the order to the man, and you receive the pay, that way you can use that money to check yo damn ears cuz you ain’t listening to what I’m saying. I Ain’t Interested.” With that Mammon hanged up again, he got up from the bed and tried to sigh, but before he even did that the phone started ringing again. “Y’know what? I’m starting to get real mad-”

 “Mammon.” That voice… “come now, no need to be so rude.” This time, the voice that came through the phone wasn’t the same. For a moment he couldn’t quite recognize the voice, then in clicked. “I only wish to see my son. Why are you denying me from that?” It was his father.

 “You…you were the customer.” Mammon spoke in mild disbelief. He had been so tired and annoyed he didn’t even think of the possibility of his father messing with him. Yet, here he was. Even from the phone Mammon could tell his father had the most devilish grin the man could give. For a moment Mammon felt his head spin while the anticipation of hearing his father’s voice grew. Then, in a deep playful tone, almost gritted yet obviously unwelcome, his father spoke.

 “Bingo.”

Aight! Chapter seven people! This one is bit different than the normal format of “God finds a brother alone and manipulates him.” In all honestly, this chapter was not meant to exist at all, i started it trying to write the chapter for the next brother but it turned into this. I still hope y’all like this one. Next chapter will be again fallow my usual format, and I’ll probably post it Wednesday. That is all for today, hope y’all had enjoyed it sweeties :3

Chapter one

Chapter two

Chapter three

Chapter four

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter eight

Chapter nine

Chapter ten

Chapter eleven

Chapter twelve

Chapter thirteen

[terramythos]

TerraMythos 2021 Reading Challenge - Book 3 of 26

Title: Acceptance (The Southern Reach #3) (2014) - REREAD

Author: Jeff VanderMeer

Genre/Tags: Horror, Science Fiction, Ecological Horror, Cosmic Horror, Weird, First-Person, Second-Person, Third-Person, Unreliable Narrator, Female Protagonists, LGBT Protagonist

Rating: 10/10

Date Began: 1/11/2021

Date Finished: 1/20/2021

Area X, a self-aware wilderness along the coast, has existed for decades behind a mysterious border. The landscape itself annihilates humans and repurposes them for its own ends. Hundreds of people have died attempting to uncover its secrets. But no one has yet discovered its origins or true purpose.

Now, Area X has spread past its former borders, perhaps to the entire world. Acceptance follows several key figures through the history of Area X, and their attempts to fight against an impossible threat.  

You feel numb and you feel broken, but there’s a strange relief mixed in with the regret: to come such a long way, to come to a halt here, without knowing how it will turn out, and yet... to rest. To come to rest. Finally. All your plans back at the Southern Reach, the agonizing and constant fear of failure or worse, the price of that... all of it leaking out into the sand beside you in gritty red pearls. 

Full review, major spoilers, and content warning(s) under the cut.

Content warnings for the book: Extreme body horror, altered states of mind, and psychological manipulation, including hypnosis. Several characters lose their sanity, and you see it happen in real time from their perspective. Intentional self-harm/mutilation as a plot point. Some violence and gore. There are brief references to animal abuse and terminal cancer. Not many happy endings in this one.  

This review contains major series spoilers. It’s also super long, as the book covers a lot of material. 

Acceptance is the most narratively ambitious book in the Southern Reach trilogy. While Annihilation and Authority feature a single protagonist/perspective, this one has four rotating POVs and one guest narrator partway through the book. It also covers a broader timeline than previous entries, from the origins of Area X 30-ish years ago to the ongoing present-day apocalypse. Acceptance is one of the few books I've read that utilizes first-, second-, AND third-person narration in a single volume, adopting whichever one makes the most sense for the character and their situation

While this sounds complicated, it's basically just a way to tell four different stories at the same time. VanderMeer also uses each storyline to address the major questions of the series. How did Area X come to be? What happened to the biologist? What was the former director of the Southern Reach trying to accomplish? And perhaps most pressing-- what is the fate of the world now that Area X has spread? Not everything is resolved, but it's definitely a conclusion.

The stories have some unifying connections, containing similar themes and callbacks/references to each other. However, for the purposes of this review I will be looking at each story and protagonist individually.

First up is Saul Evans the lighthouse keeper. He's been mentioned before, but never in much detail. Going in, we know a few things-- (1) he knew the director/Cynthia when she was a child and (2) something happened to him that turned him into the Crawler, the eldritch creature which writes the sermon on the walls of the tower in Area X. In Acceptance, we learn he's a former preacher who had a crisis of faith and left his old life, taking up the role of lighthouse keeper on the forgotten coast. It's implied this is partially due to him realizing he's gay and fleeing the resulting homophobic fallout. His past vocation explains the elevated, sermonic language of the words in the tower.

From the onset Saul is an intensely likeable character. He's trying to build a happier and more genuine life for himself. This part probably takes place during the 70s or 80s, but he's cautiously optimistic about his new life with a local fisherman named Charlie. He also forms an unlikely friendship with Gloria (aka Cynthia), a local kid who loves exploring the coast. However, he is tormented by the "Séance and Science Brigade", a shady organization that investigates/worships(?) paranormal phenomena. They sabotage the lighthouse beacon, which we learned in Authority is a marvelous piece of technology with a mysterious history. Shortly after, Saul accidentally absorbs a fragment of the beacon into himself, and shit goes downhill real fast.

While the catalyst of Area X may seem a little weird, the reader can piece together that part of the beacon has extraterrestrial origins, and Saul unintentionally activates part of it. The gradual shift from a normal life to something deeply unsettling has its appeal. I especially like seeing his logs/journal entries and how they devolve as proto-Area X overtakes his mind. The disturbing bar scene near the end is great as well. We know going in that this story has a bad ending (from a human perspective), but learning specifics about Saul as a person gives this more impact. Saul's is a sad tale of a man who wants to make a better life for himself and gets screwed over by bad luck.

Cynthia/Gloria/the former director is the next perspective character. In Annihilation she serves as the antagonist, but in Authority we learn it isn't that simple. She had ulterior motives, handpicking the biologist for the expedition in order to use her as a weapon against Area X. And, of course, we learn she was the little girl in that old picture of Saul, which means she probably grew up there before the border came down. 

This part opens with Cynthia/Gloria's death as "the psychologist" in Annihilation, but told from her perspective. From there, the pacing is a little slow, in similar style to Authority. We learn how Cynthia lived her daily life, how she infiltrated the Southern Reach, and her interpersonal relationships with Grace, Whitby, and Lowry. However, her storyline ramps up when detailing Area X and the lead up to twelfth expedition. Lots of old scenes/dynamics from Annihilation hit different with the new context. Especially interesting is the interview between Cynthia and the biologist; turns out there was a lot more context that the biologist obscured in her story. On some level we already knew she was an unreliable narrator, but it's fun to have it pop up again in a different book entirely.

I admire how VanderMeer makes someone who comes off as a throwaway villain into the one of the most complex, important characters in the series. This part is also really cool as it's written in second-person perspective, and the story justification for this (Area X examining her memories) is neat. While I like Cynthia's characterization in this part, the additional bits in Saul's story and his interactions with Gloria add helpful context and emotional impact. The end of the book being her letter to Saul is so damn sad.

The third main storyline follows Control and Ghost Bird in the "current" timeline-- exploring Area X in the immediate fallout of Authority. I love this part for several reasons. The contrast between the two leads and how they perceive themselves, Area X, and the current situation is great. Control is very much losing control, feeling "the brightness" taking over (a callback to Annihilation). Meanwhile, Ghost Bird is in her element, seeing and experiencing things the regular human characters do not. There's the sense that she's truly something "new" in terms of both humanity and Area X.

We also learn a ton of stuff about Area X that is hinted in earlier volumes but confirmed in Acceptance. (MAJOR SPOILERS) The first is that Area X isn't on Earth at all; something briefly hinted at in Annihilation, when the biologist doesn't recognize the stars in the sky.  Instead it mimics Earth, or something representative of it. The second big thing is that time works differently here. The uncanny state of decay noted in earlier books isn't actually a direct result of Area X. It's just the passage of time, because way more time passes in Area X compared to the "real" world.

The guest narrator/story is told within the Control/Ghost Bird storyline. The two meet up with Grace, who has managed to survive the Area X attack on the Southern Reach. She took shelter on the mysterious northern island and discovered an old journal written by... the biologist from Annihilation, which details what happened to her over the last THIRTY YEARS (yeah, the time thing) until she finally decided to give into Area X.

This section is sobering and sad; basically a glimpse at how the biologist's isolation slowly made her go mad. She finds an owl (hello cover) that she believes is her husband post Area X conversion and the two live together for decades. When it dies, the biologist loses the will to keep fighting Area X. It's ambiguous if the owl really is her husband, or if she's just projecting, but her heartbreak at the end is probably the strongest emotion she shows in the series. But what is interesting about this part is it confirms a cool detail. Injury and pain can halt the progression of "the brightness" within someone. Which is how the biologist managed to survive 30 years, how Grace survived what turns out to be 3 years, and so on. Even more interesting, when someone DOES finally succumb after warding off the brightness this way, they turn into something more strange and alien. Hence the moaning creature, and Saul/the Crawler. It's also probably why some creatures have incongruencies, like the dolphins with human eyes.

The biologist? She transformed into a giant, oceanic eldritch abomination COVERED in eyes. Just primo aesthetic. We get to see her from both Ghost Bird and Control's perspectives. Ghost Bird feels solidarity and a sort of euphoria meeting her alternate self. Control... basically breaks in the face of something like that, full cosmic horror style. Again, the contrast here is really appealing to me.

Both of their story arcs end in a way that is narratively satisfying, though the ending is open. The future seems hopeful in a bittersweet way, but presumably Area X has destroyed humanity as we know it. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your perspective and is a central thesis of the series.

So, I said I'd discuss how this series approaches aliens. While there's an appeal to anthropomorphic alien species one can talk to and communicate with, I think an "unknowable" perspective is more realistic. After all, who's to say alien life formed under similar conditions or has any resemblance to our own? The extraterrestrial element in The Southern Reach is very much this type. But it's a fine line to walk in fiction, because handwaving the weird alien stuff as impossible to comprehend (and thus conveniently ducking any responsibility for explaining it) is lazy writing when done wrong.

The thing I find interesting about this series is the human characters understand lots of the what of the alien elements, but not the why. For example, Area X transforms humans into various plants and animals. We know it instills a sense of "brightness" in humans exposed for too long, which encourages assimilation into itself. Humans infected in this way, even if horrified or resistant, have thoughts of this being inevitable, even a good thing. The biologist takes samples in Annihilation and finds several plants and animals have human cells. Control logically knows what Area X does to people, but he is ultimately helpless to resist the process when he experiences it firsthand.

As for the why of it all... we don't really know! There's multiple ideas presented throughout the story. Ghost Bird probably gets closest to the "truth"; that Area X is part of a machine organism from a dead alien civilization, and that it has a bizarre effect on Earth's biology based on its now defunct programming. Other worlds would have their own Area Xes based on this idea, as it's implied the Earth version is just one piece of many. But it's worth noting that Ghost Bird is a creation of Area X and sees things differently than the other characters. Unreliable narration is ironically consistent through the series. So it's hard to say if this is true or not; perhaps it's silly to think any explanation would be understandable to a human mind. Obsession with finding the answer is a recurring theme that drives characters insane. I think this is an interesting compromise when discussing the unknowable; to have some facts and theories but not necessarily a concrete answer. 

If I have a criticism for this book, it's the role of the "Séance and Science Brigade", especially in Saul's storyline. While they're set up earlier in the series, we only really see them in this book. Our limited perspective via Saul leaves a lot of ambiguity as to their purpose, function, and goals. There's an implication that Control's family influenced the organization's decision to sabotage the beacon and create Area X. But I consider the subplot with Control's mom/grandfather to be one of the weaker ones in the series, and this book didn't help. The S&SB comes off as campy and ineffectual, which is perhaps intentional? But since they're narratively the fanatics who caused Area X to happen, I really wish they felt more sinister and impactful. There's some attempt to make them scary, but it's not very convincing when compared to Area X. Kind of like a Saturday morning cartoon villain vs the unknowable cosmic horror of the universe. This is a nitpick, though.

While rereading the series, I discovered there's a planned fourth book which may or may not star a minor character from Saul's story. I'm interested to see what else there is to explore about Area X and the Southern Reach. As it stands, I still really like this series. Between the horror and general weirdness, it's not for everyone, but it sure does appeal to me. I think this is one of those series that you'll either adore or hate. Obviously I recommend it.

[twistinghearts]

Love Me~

Yandere!Vil x Reader

Finally got around to write a story based on my head cannon for Vil having the power to make others love him~ Did you doubt me? I honestly feel like I made Vil too soft in this but I don’t want to change it. So hopefully it’s enjoyable. Under cut for length [1,964 words]

trigger warning; kidnapping, roofie; fainting; and brain washing

You and Vil were the cutest couple in school. Everyone would fawn of over the two of you being adorable together. Touching up each other's make-up in the halls, holding hands and sometimes sneaking gentle kisses. Pomefiore students liked it as Vil was less demanding when he had you.  The two of you just seemed so in love, too bad it was all a lie. Of course no one knew that except Vil. That didn’t really matter did it? If everyone was happy with this arrangement it couldn’t be so bad. Well you weren’t really given a choice to be happy about it. 

It all started with a simple compliment. 

You were sitting at the lunch table with some of the other first years, finding them to be the least intimidating people at this school to be around. Though the 193cm wolf boy was a bit nerve wracking to be around “Oh great, Epel, your parents are here.” Ace groaned as he spotted the leaders of Pomefiore walking over. “Is it too late for me to run?” He asked, the entire rest of the group responding with a unified yes. 

“Epel, what are you doing sitting with these bargain bin miscreants? You should be eating with us. The people you surround yourself with reflect-” “You have pretty eyes.” You interjected, attempting to diffuse the situation. Apparently you merely pissed off the vice-dorm leader instead. “Wait your turn to speak sourie. It’s impolite to interrupt. And how dare you only compliment his eyes. Vil is the fairest of them all at this school and every bit of him is more beautiful than you rodents.” Rook sneered. However Vil reacted much differently to your comment. He was honestly flattered by it. You noticed a detail about his features and it was a natural one. His heart raced but outwardly his expression didn’t change much aside from his arms crossing. “Tomorrow you better be at our table for lunch, or I’m making you clean the basement lab.” Vil glared down at Epel, before his eyes shifted to you. “You too.”  You blinked a few times, confused, but before you could ask why or protest the two upperclassmen left. 

“Why did you invite the other one?” Rook asked, confused himself with Vil's decision. “Epel will be more willing if he has one of his friends with him.” That was only half truth though. He had taken an interest in you, he needed to see more of you. 

The next day you and Epel begrudgingly sat at the ‘exclusive’ Pomefiore table with the two dorm leaders. The two of them seemed to get along like best friends, rattling on and on about whatever. You honestly weren’t paying attention to anything but your food, and occasional glaces to Epel who looked just as miserable. You two caught each other's gazes and started laughing. “What are you two laughing at?” Rook turned his attention to the two of you immediately. “Nothing.” You answered suspiciously fast. “How bored we are.” Epel mumbled. Vil rolled his eyes. “You have hardly any color on your plate, Potato. It’s disgusting, here have some of this.” He set the smoothie he had been drinking in front of you. Rook and Epel both looked surprised, Vil wasn’t one to share, especially his highly-selected food. “It’s not poisoned is it?” Epel asked, making you a bit worried. 

“Of course not. I’ve been drinking it all lunch with you here. I’m fine.” Vil shook his head, “Unbelievable. It’ll do nothing to you but give you a daily dose of vitamins. Go on.” You slowly wrapped your lips around the straw and took a sip, just wanting this moment to be over. It actually wasn’t a bad smoothie. “Thank you…” You set the drink back in front of him. He smiled and went back to drinking. “Good right, you can’t even taste the avocado~” “Gross.” Epel whispered, earning two glares from his seniors. The rest of lunch was just as awkward as the first half, with Rook and Vil doing most of the talking why you and Epel tried to entertain yourselves. You thought you were both saved when Ruggie came over to the table, unfortunately Epel was the only lucky one. “Hey, we’ve got a problem. Someone,” Ruggie glared over his shoulder at another student who seemed to be getting lectured by Leona, “Lost the key to the equipment shed so we need to find it or we won’t be able to practice.” “We’re eating lunch, scram tramp.” Vil sneered at the hyena. “But Vil-san I’m part of the Magishift club, and it is my responsibility as a member to help out. It wouldn’t look good for a Pomefiore student to be neglecting their duties right?” Epel smiled, knowing he had bested Vil. “Ooooh he’s got you there.” Rook gasped looking between them. “Fine, go.” Vil pursued his lips, unable to argue. He may have let Epel get away but he would still have you. Epel mouthed an ‘I’m sorry’ to you before running off with Ruggie. 

There was an awkward moment of silence after he left. “Since Epel is gone, I feel no reason to be here. So… I’m going to go.” You stood and suddenly it felt like the room was spinning. Did you stand up too fast? Luckily Vil had rushed to your side a steady hand on your waist keeping you upright. “Careful there. You don’t look well.” His fingers brushed across your forehead. “I’m just a little dizzy is all.” You pulled away from his grasp, wobbling slightly. That only made him pull you closer, “Don’t be an idiot. You’d be on the floor if I let go of you. Come, I’ll take you to the infirmary.” While you weren’t happy with the situation you gave a nod unable to deny he was right. “I’ll meet up with you later Rook.” Vil kept his hands on your waist, helping to support you until you exited the cafeteria.

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You awoke slowly, groggy and feeling heavy. Looking around nothing was familiar, you were in a grand bedroom. Were you still on campus? Maybe a dorm leaders bedroom, based on the size. Where were you before this? You groaned pushing yourself up into a sitting position, catching the attention of the owner of the room. 

“You’re finally awake. The citrus really did increase the potency of my potion. You were out longer than expected.” Vil commented as he moved from his desk to the bed, sitting on the edge. “Vil-senpai.” There was distance between you but you still backed up. “What am I doing here? The last thing I remember we were at lunch?” You placed a hand on your head, trying to remember. “Yes, you fainted once we got to the hall so I brought you back here.” His smile made your stomach twist. “Why?” You asked rather bluntly. “Have you forgotten your manners? Shouldn’t you be thanking me for saving you?” He tilted his head and brought a finger to his lips. “I don’t think saved is the right word.” You drew further back. “Hurtful. I simply wanted to spend time with you. That’s all.” You couldn’t bring yourself to respond, unsure what he was thinking. Unsure what to even do. Good thing Vil was good at taking charge and running his mouth, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since yesterday.” He moved forward crawling toward you. You instantly slid yourself off the opposite side of his bed to create more space. You still felt a little shaky, but you felt better with the distance. Vil actually stopped and sat back as you moved away again, his hand going to hold his head. “This isn’t working. I’m only scaring you away. I should know better, but I just was so excited to spend some time with you.” He shook his head. This was not going well and he did not like when things didn’t go his way, but getting angry wouldn’t help either.. “Why?” You asked softly, keeping on alert. Oh, you were taking an interest, what a delightful opportunity. “It’s cliche really, sickeningly so, but I can’t deny it. It’s because you’re different. You don’t seem to hold an interest for me. You don’t want my attention for fame, or are interested in me based on what you’ve seen online.” He got off the bed and took a step toward you. You of course took a step back. “I-I don’t really have an interest in you at all.” “Yesterday you complimented my eyes, did you not? Such a unique feature to pick. Eyes are the hardest to alter with make-up. I work hard on perfecting my look to reflect that of ultimate beauty and you pick a feature most unique to me. It simply makes my heart flutter.” He leaned over you, his words successfully distracting you so he could trap you against the wall. His hands on either side of your waist. “I’m… sorry?” You squeaked, unsure what to say or do. If there was anything you could do really. “What do you want?” 

Vil smiled, that sickening smile that made your stomach twist. “I want you.” You honestly felt sick at his words. You were starting to panic, you didn’t want to anger him considering the situation but his proposition was preposterous. “No. No way!” You answered, raising your voice. Vil simply shook his head. “Don’t be nervous, my darling edelweiss.” One of his hands left the wall to caress your face. You turned your head away but he drew your gaze back with his finger. Your eyes  locked with his leaving you frozen. “Love… me…” Vil whispered gently, his irises glowing a lavender. 

Soon the feelings of tension and panic faded. Your eyes closed and you took a deep breath. A bright smile appeared on your face as your eyes opened and Vil filled your sight. You leaned off the wall and onto him, arms wrapping around his neck to pull him close. Vil’s wicked smile grew with pure joy as you willingly hugged him. He returned the gesture. “I never thanked you for saving me earlier did I, my Prince.” You giggled a little. Pleasant butterflies filled your stomach as you leaned forward and pressed your lips to his. How heavenly his lips felt against yours. “Thank you~” You whispered upon pulling away from the kiss. “Anything for you.” Vil pressed his lips on your temple as you moved your head to rest on his shoulder. “I’m sure you have work to get to, but could we cuddle for a little? I still feel weak from earlier.” “Of course my darling edelweiss. Anything for you.” You took his hand and led him to the bed giving him a kiss as you tugged him down. Your arms wrapped around him, and he placed one arm lightly around you resting at the small of your back. His other hand running through and fiddling with your hair. “I love you.” You sighed happily, nuzzling against him lightly. This was everything Vil had been hoping for. He had you in his grasp, and in love with him.

Unfortunately that bliss, and his spell didn’t last forever. Every night you fell asleep in Vil’s arms, happy as can be next to the love of your life, and every morning you woke up fearful and confused about what you were laying next to a someone you hardly knew. Yet he still gave you a chance. He always hoped one day you would remember all the wonderful times you spent with him while under the spell and had grown to return his feelings for real. Still no luck, but he wasn’t giving up. He had you, that was all that mattered for now.

[artemis-entreri]

[[ Source | Artist’s Patreon

The Forgotten Realms – the default setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game – form one of the largest, most detailed and most popular fantasy worlds ever created. It is the brainchild of Canadian writer Ed Greenwood who started developing it as a setting for fantasy stories when he was just eight years old. Ten years later he began running D&D campaigns set in the same world, and also began writing articles for Dragon Magazine. The first mention of the Realms in-print came in 1978. Over the next eight years Greenwood became a popular writer of articles for the magazine and he included plenty of hints about his own campaign world in the process. 

In 1986 TSR, Inc., the publishers of D&D, were looking for a new setting. The Dragonlance setting had been an enormous success, but the feeling was that the continent of Ansalon was too small to serve as a setting for lots of stories. D&D creator Gary Gygax was also in the middle of his painful departure from TSR, which made the future use of his World of Greyhawk setting questionable. D&D needed a new “base” world.

TSR editor Jeff Grubb contacted Greenwood and asked exactly how much of the Realms had he actually created? Greenwood’s reply was, “lots.” Soon boxes were arriving at TSR HQ in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin by the score. Each box was packed full of notes, handwritten and typed, featuring information on hundreds of characters and cities, dozens of countries and countless new monsters, factions and magical items. Greenwood’s map of the main continent was divided across dozens of A4 sheets of paper which were painstakingly reassembled in the main TSR office, taking up almost every inch of free floor space. Greenwood’s map of the setting’s signature city, Waterdeep, was even larger and detailed and named almost every building. This was the Tolkien school of in-depth worldbuilding taken and expanded and applied to a continent several times the size of Middle-earth.

The slightly awed TSR bought the rights to the setting and began released it to the public in 1987. The first release was a novel, Darkwalker on Moonshae by Douglas Niles, followed by the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, or the “Big Grey Box” as it became infamously known. The Grey Box sold over 100,000 copies in short order, a staggering number for an RPG supplement. Ed Greenwood provided his own novel, Spellfire, and a few months later another book was published by a first-time novelist named R.A. “Bob” Salvatore. The Crystal Shard introduced the character Drizzt Do’Urden, a dark elven ranger seeking to atone for the sins of his entire race, and a fantasy publishing legend was born. To date, more than 30 million Drizzt novels have been sold by themselves.

The Realms grew and expanded. The continent of Kara-Tur, previously developed in 1985 for the Oriental Adventures sourcebook, was bolted to the eastern side of the Realms (with Greenwood’s blessing). The western continent of Maztica and the southern continent of Zakhara were explored in further boxed sets. Dozens of adventures and supplements explored the gods, power groups and races of the Realms in remarkable detail. In 1989 the Realms made the transition to D&D 2nd Edition through an epic campaign known as the Time of Troubles, or Avatar Wars, the first of many “Realms-shaking events” that unified a setting noted for its expanse and scope.

The setting expanded to a successful comics run and also a line of well-received video games, such as Curse of the Azure Bonds. However, it was the epic dungeon-crawler Eye of the Beholder (1991) that became a major crossover hit with general gamers and expanded the audience even further.

D&D and the Realms ran into a major problem with the collapse of TSR in 1997, during which time it was briefly possible that both would disappear altogether. However, Wizards of the Coast stepped in and bought both the game and the setting. This led to a creative renaissance for the setting, spearheaded by the hugely popular video game Baldur’s Gate (1998), the first RPG to be released by BioWare. D&D 3rd Edition arrived in 2000 and was followed by the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting book in 2001, one of the most handsome RPG books ever published. Over the next seven years the Realms continued to peak in popularity, with more video games such as Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights contributing to its success.

In 2008 D&D launched its 4th edition, but the surprising decision was made to effectively destroy the Realms, turning it into a kind of post-apocalyptic, high-concept setting. The decision was vehemently rejected by the overwhelming majority of Realms fans; sales of the 4th Edition D&D and Forgotten Realms material were disappointing and the setting spent several years in the doldrums until 2014, when Wizards of the Coast launched D&D 5th Edition. A streamlined, back-to-basics version of the game, it proved an immediate, huge hit. Even more notable was that, for the very first time, the Forgotten Realms was now the default setting for the D&D game. The new setting rolled back most of the disastrous changes from 4th Edition and restored some faith and popularity in the setting.

There are still some worlds left unconquered. A Forgotten Realms movie is in development for release in 2021 or 2022, and Larian Studios are working to relaunch the video game line with the eagerly-awaited Baldur’s Gate III. After a short hiatus, the novel line has been relaunched by R.A. Salvatore with a new run of Drizzt books, although there seem to be no plans for more material at the moment. And, watching over it all, remains Ed Greenwood, who still insists he has far more unpublished notes and setting material than has ever been seen formal print. On that basis, the Realms will be around for a long time to come.

Mapping the Realms

Greenwood’s original map of the Realms focused on the continent of Faerûn, extending west to the island of Evermeet; south to the jungles of Chult and the island of Nimbral beyond; east to Semphar and the Horse Plains; and north to the towering Spine of the World mountain range and the Endless Ice Sea beyond. He had little notion of what lay elsewhere in the world, except for a huge island chain to the north-west called Anchôromé.

Other writers and editors soon expanded the setting. The 1985 Oriental Adventures book by Dave “Zeb” Cook had detailed an Asia-like land called Kara-Tur. This was retconned (and shrunk in the process) into the eastern half of the continent in the Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms boxed set (1988). In 1990 the Horde boxed set explored the Tuigan plains which linked the two subcontinents. In 1991, the Maztica Campaign Set added a new continent far to the west of Faerûn. In 1992 the Al-Qadim sub-setting was launched, detailing the lands of Zakhara to the south of Faerûn.

Through all of these boxed sets, adventures and campaign guides, maps were a constant feature. Not just maps of the continents and landmasses, but maps of individual countries, cities, streets and even individual buildings. The City System (1988) set contains a colossal map of Waterdeep which is too big to fit inside most average-sized homes, and names virtually every building in the city. The Forgotten Realms is almost certainly the most heavily-mapped fantasy world in existence, with literally thousands of maps existing of its various locations.

Despite that, a full, canonical world map of the entire planet of Abeir-toril had to wait until the release of the Forgotten Realms Interactive Atlas (1999) on CD-ROM. The atlas featured almost every single map from every single Realms product ever released plus lots of new ones, and also a complete world map which added multiple new continents to the planet. Ed Greenwood would later reveal some new information on these continents, but, twenty years later, they have still received scant development compared to the originals.

The first-ever canonical world map of Toril, from the long out-of-print Forgotten Realms Interactive Atlas (1999) by ProFantasy.

A New Map of Toril

My new map of Toril depicts the planet as it stood between the 2nd and 3rd Editions of the setting. When 3rd Edition setting was released in 2001, the map-makers chose to shrink the main continent of Faerûn to remove empty space in the south; given that Faerûn was never the biggest fantasy continent in the first place, sometimes straining credulity given how packed it was, this was unnecessary and was eventually reversed in 5th Edition.

4th Edition, much more controversially, blew up the continent in a magical catastrophe known as the Spellplague and completely reshaped it. Fortunately, most of these changes were promptly abandoned in 5th Edition, which restored the continent to its former glory.

To create this map, I used a base model from my twenty-year-old copy of the Forgotten Realms Interactive Atlas (this also inspired some colour choices, particularly for the mountains) and information from canon sources and from some of the better fan maps out there. A more detailed map of Faerûn will – hopefully! – follow, although it will be considerable work.

The World of Abeir-toril

The world of the Forgotten Realms is an Earth-sized planet called Abeir-toril, “Cradle of Life” in Auld Wyrmish. Toril is the third of eight planets in its star system, and it possesses one large satellite, Selûne, and dozens of smaller satellites, asteroid-sized bodies called the Tears of Selûne.

Toril is divided between one very large continental landmass, almost big enough to qualify as a supercontinent, and three other continent-sized bodies. Five large island-continents and thousands of smaller continents are also known to exist.

The main continental landmass is divided into three lesser continents or subcontinents:

Faerûn is located in the west of this landmass, running from the Endless Ice Sea to the Great Sea and from the Trackless Sea to the Tuigan Plains (or Hordelands) in the east. Faerûn is the original and principle setting for the Forgotten Realms campaign and by far the area of the planet with the most development. Faerûn vaguely resembles Europe and the Near and Middle-East in the medieval period, with the landlocked Sea of Fallen Stars serving as a Mediterranean analogue.

Kara-Tur is located to the east of Faerûn and is the home of the mostly-defunct Oriental Adventures and Living Jungle sub-settings. It is an Asian-inspired land of vast empires, huge cities and adventure. Kara-Tur is the home of the largest nation on Toril, the Shou Lung Empire, and the tallest mountain range, the Yehimal, which is even taller than the Himalayas.

Zakhara, the Land of Fate, lies south of Faerûn and south-west of Kara-Tur. The home of the Al-Qadim sub-setting, it is a land of vast, boiling deserts and cities clustered around oases and bays. Zakhara is inspired by the mythology of Arabia. The largest single city on the planet, Golden Huzuz, can be found in Zakhara.

In addition, several other continents can be found elsewhere in the world:

Maztica, the True World, lies to the west of Faerûn across the Trackless Sea. It is inspired by Aztec and Mayan mythology and consists of jungles, volcanoes and deserts. North of Maztica lies a land of open plains more reminiscent of the American West, although this area has not been explored much in canon materials.

Katashaka lies to the south of Maztica and consists of steaming, hot jungles inhabited by various hostile lizardfolk. Katashaka seems to have been inspired by South America, but it has received relatively little development so far.

Ossë is a large landmass lying to the east of Kara-Tur. It is quite hot, sparsely-populated and has not yet been explored in detail in any canon materials. Based on the limited information available, it appears to be a supersized version of Australia.

There are numerous islands of note in the world, the most famous of which are Evermeet, the home of the elves located far across the Trackless Sea; the Moonshae Isles off the coast of Faerûn; Lantan, the land of engineers and tinkerers; Nimbral, the mysterious Sea-Haven; the islands of Anchôromé off the coast of Maztica; Wa and Kozakura off the coast of Kara-Tur; and the large island-continents of Myrmidune, Tabaxiland, Aurune and Braaklosia, about which relatively little has been revealed.

]]

[redantsunderneath]

folklore

fokalore is Taylor Swift’s Darkness on the Edge of Town – the first thing you notice about this record is the point of view(s).  The usual approach to any Swift song is to assume the subjective orientation is all her’s and then to ask, situationally, who/what/where is she singing about. Lover took this to its natural conclusion – a cultivated megalomania where her relationship to her partners and fans expand to cover the nature of America itself.  Here, however, even on a first listen, it is obvious that a number of the songs can’t be her, and on a second you start to doubt that any are.  The jump here is most analogous to the jump between Springsteen’s early career magnum opus Born to Run, which brought his epic street folk tales of his life lived in and around The City to full flower, and the southern literature infused “stories of other lives lived” of Darkness on the Edge of Town that carves out a broader American mythology from the third person and the suggestion that these are things that have resonance to his life, that none of the songs are about him but all of them together are, somehow.  The album seems tied together like something between Everything that Rises Must Converge and Visit from the Goon Squad.  

Wait, no... folklore is Taylor Swift’s Inland Empire – structure is all important in a serious TS effort, which this is.  1989’s cosine wave of relationship’s downhill slope and Kubler-Ross recovery (Fire Walk with Me’s horrific fall and redemption) and Lover’s 1st 2/3 exploration of the symbolic order ending in a crash with the last 1/3 a negotiation with the real (Mulholland Drive) give way to something rhizomal (more specifically fractal) with meaning derived from connections like a box of photos from multiple people whose stories connect in variable ways, forming a vortex of a story no individual part of which is entirely consistent with any other.  The central story, that keeps echoing around and out is of a love triangle with an infidelity that acquires a folk tale resonance and haunts everything.   This would also describe Inland Empire.

There is no dearth of online commentary on connections to her life.  She bought a mansion in Rhode Island, and last great american dynasty is about the history of the house, with its Jazz age parties and imagery, and the mad woman at the center living her party forever lifestyle. epiphany is about her grandfather’s war experiences as related to current heathcare work in the time of COVID.  Inez, James and Betty (the named characters in the central story) are the names of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s daughters.  invisible string, the only definitive song from her non-hoax POV is full of allusions to her relationship with Joe Alwyn. The opening track, the 1, has been shouted from the rooftop by the Swift camp as being about “a friend” not her, which you would be hard pressed to know is you weren’t putting in the extranoematic effort.  But the core trio of songs, the most “character” based are cardigan, august, and betty, which tell the core of a story about three teenagers from each POV (the cheated on, the cheated with, and the cheater respectively), two of which have been in love for a while, who threaten to fall apart after one has a fling with a third party, and who may make it work after all. It is significantly unspecified what gender James is.

Around this swarm another group of songs that seem to apply, whether they are strictly about the same people or not.  seven seems like backstory for the triangle with some Swift specificity.  this is me trying seems like a version of an apology in the story, but with whiskey that suggests it’s happening to someone older.  illicit affairs is about the fling, but it began in expensive rooms (though it ended ended up in the mall parking lots of the core songs). mad woman serves to connect last great american dynasty to my tears ricochet (which is pointedly from the POV of the tormentor of a Swift-like figure, but she’s identifying with both) which also feels like the unnamed other woman of the main triangle’s ultimate fate. Again, no genders.

The unities are created with a few tidy motifs, threads through the work that sometimes reach back to other works.  The roaring 20s/Great Gatsby (remember This is Why We Can’t have nice things and the 4th of July parties), how “they” think the young know nothing, the hero being gone (from “the film”) so what’s the story now, parking lots, cobblestones, streetlamps, summer as a liminal frame, axes and knives, warmth for the ex that has a family now, kingdoms, cliffsides, the idea of an agitating presence being a feature-not-bug, blue referring to her boyfriend and sadness both… It’s a nice web.

What about the remaining tracks?  exile is a biblical abstraction of the broken relationship; it connects to everything (it’s the rabbit scenes from Inland Empire). mirrorball is an example of one of my favorite TS things, the song about how her “self” may not exist since she only exists as a reflective, fragmented surface (this directly contrasts to the project of the rest of the album). Epiphany is a parallel drawing of a line from the early 20th century to today, a nod to real death as a contrast to emotional death. Invisible string is the only “true” song on the album.  Peace is an attempt to put the set of ideas to bed, however uncomfortably.

But the bracketing (first and last) songs are interesting.  The album was complete, the story goes, and she wrote the two in an evening to put a parenthesis around the whole project.  On a first listen, you can’t help but ask “is this a breakup album? Are her and Joe done?”  The last song would seem to underscore this.  Seemingly written as her, she existentially wails about “your” faithless love being the only hoax she believes in. But, as is the case so often here, the identity is unclear. Is it him?  Her audience? Herself?  But the title of the song is hoax. It’s just vague enough that you can suspect it’s about the search for meaning through the process of songwriting, and that everything you’ve just heard is a lie but is still oh so true. You are prepared for this after the first song, the 1, which seems to be about her, and would act to unify the album under the umbrella of her attempt at distancing from an event at a 4thof July party (her summer parties at her RI house were legendary), but we have been repeatedly told in the press that it is in fact not about her but about a friend (Selena Gomez?).  The framing of opening with a bait and switch and ending with “hoax” calls into question the reality of everything.

Moments snap together like magnets lego.  The album is deeply retropseudonostalgic, accent on the algos. She’s sorting through other people’s stories that speak to her (that feel like a piece of her), putting on her theory of mind hat and trying to compassionately inhabit them,  and building an elaborate fantasy of heartbreak and healing that she knows people will project onto her. The gender is left fluid, and the album doesn't have lesbian overtones as much as is completely identity agnostic.  The line through mirrorball and hoax is the axis the album rotates around, producing an inversion of her obsession – instead of her subjectivity dominating to the extent that she doesn’t exist except as a conscious hologram implied by the event horizon of her public image, being cut off from the feedback loop has forced her to inhabit the perspectives of others that occupy all points in a large story in which she can see a sketch of herself from the outside.  

[chiimmchiimm]

❝𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 !¡ 𝓈𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 ❞

CHAPTERS “  01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 06 - 07 - 08 - 09 - 10 -  11  - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 “  

The northern jail was the most dangerous in the country, social scum, thousands of criminals were locked behind their bars. Who would tell poor Blair that he would end up there because of his father’s mistake. The problem was not the lack of hot water, but that inhuman obsession that many of the prisoners had for “new toys.” Rookies had two options; be submissive and abide by veterans’ orders or suffer the dangerous anger of those disturbed minds. It all started one night when Blair had the bad idea of ​​going to shower alone.

𝒫𝒶𝒾𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔: Jungkookoffender au x (female: Blair) 𝒢𝑒𝓃𝓇𝑒:  smut.(later), offender au, fluff, angst. 𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈: 4.5 k 𝑅𝒶𝓃𝓆𝓊𝒾𝓃𝑔:  +18   𝒲𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔:   abuse ,very violence, , sadness, psychological abuse, dirty lenjuage, muscles, oral innuendo, insults, ANGST, painful memories.

“What are you looking for, honey?” His question resonates with a hidden grace. The crooked smile that characterizes him so much is raised beneath his mouth. I wake up from the floor causing the mattress to rumble when I release it. His elbow rests against the door knock in a relaxed manner. A red dial catches my attention in the palm of your hand. Squeeze a ball of what appears to be foam rubber while bowing my head to analyze my concern. My legs tremble in the darkness that shines in his black pupils. He caught me and I and he know it perfectly.

"Nothing." I defend myself from his accusation through a quick groan. "I thought you might need something and I came to find you."

"Aha." He hums as he throws and picks up the ball.

Then, I turn to the bed and point to the tumult of sheets.

"I have entered and I have seen that the quilt was sticking out. As you know, it is a serious fault not to make the bed well."

I cower before his gleaming eyes and for that reason I am not able to keep his eyes.

"I can't stand the lies, you know?" He rebuffs through a whispering record that completely obscures any external sound. With a push he leaves the wall sliding in front of me with skill. His fingers are framed in my chin to connect our eyes. That movement that he seems to like when he is near me only makes me vibrate with anguish. His eyes map all the details of my face as if he wanted to memorize my imperfections. It doesn't seem to bother him that he sneaked me into his room or I'm just sinning silly and looking at me like that because he's taking his time to think how strong his shame will be. Otherwise, at the moment that one of his fingers detaches from my chin and goes up to stroke my lower lip I get an involuntary gasp. His gesture leaves an overwhelming heat on my cheeks. But when he takes off his lips by releasing a small click later, the heat is completely removed from my face. "But do you know what he fucks me the most?" That liars continue to lie even knowing that they have been caught.

"Thirte-en." I whisper.

But his finger clenches my lips hitting the overture of my mouth. It doesn't hurt me it's just a simple pressure.

"Shh, shut up." He purrs like a child when he gets excited when they buy him a new toy. And although it hurts to admit it, I was his toy. Because I could handle my emotions with just one look. His smile extends to his entire face, it transmits me so much malice that I introduce saliva almost out of necessity. I try to get away from his body when he steps forward but his fingers on my face don't let me. It's gone. And I can't understand how it can seem so sane at the same time. Our closeness also helps me to analyze in greater depth the features of his face. He has a prominent nose that widens when something bothers him and wrinkles when he smiles. I don't know how I know that I just know that I know. Sliding through his other features I look feverishly at the strength of his cheekbones and on his sharp chin, going up a little more I find a small scar on my left cheek. A mole under his lower lip causes me curiosity, a part of me wants to stretch a finger and squeeze it but obviously I hold back because it's not appropriate. A lock of her dark hair is splitting her face in two. His hair seems to offer a breathtaking softness to the naked eye. I hate myself when thoughts of touching and tangling my hair shake my mind. His fingers are diverting the pressure until my neck is caught. He pushes with the back of his hand and I take a step in response, I don't know why my feet heed his demands but an itchy trance leaves me at his mercy. I faint when I bow my head, our noses rub against each other but at the moment I try to be aware of what is about to happen.

The metallic sound against the bars makes you turn your head immediately.

"Hey." Greets that sinister redhead. I feel his fingers tighten under my neck until he releases me. He seems upset about the interruption inexplicably. I am whipped terribly by guilt. What the hell had crossed your mind, Blair? "I don't interrupt anything, right?"

Does it? I frown at my mental question.

“What the hell do you want?” The sharp tone that jumps down his throat leaves me freezing. The redhead smiles nervously before entering the room completely. He knows he's upset. What he does not intuit is that it is not precisely because of him. I notice how the veins of his wrists dilate when he places his hands on his waist while waiting for an explanation.

"I come to give you what I told you." He explains with some gentleness towards the highest. Unified in a single thirteen eyebrows and lips when you hear it. Everything makes sense the moment he lifts his shirt and pulls out an envelope from underneath. Pale instantly because I remember the main problem. Thirteen's back muscles squeeze when they tense for unexplained reason. I observe in profile how his sharp jaw rises, what I can't figure out is whether it is because he feels anxious or too upset. His adam nut dances by his neck as soon as he receives the brown paper package in his hands. Suddenly, the redhead delights in my body in a quick tour.

"Thirteen ..." I beg.

"Shut up." He mutters neutrally. He then gives provisional attention to the redhead. The steps that I have advanced to approach him I have discarded as soon as my ears have roared from his low shout. His tattooed fingers open the envelope and take out a bundle of money. He drops the paper on the floor and starts counting ticket by ticket, which the one in front doesn't like.

"Come on, Thirteen. Don't you trust me?"

The nominee observes him in an overwhelming way, he is silent immediately. When he finishes counting it, he matches the bills on his bedside table.

“Do you see everything?” Affirms that chilling man. His perverse look seeks to meet mine, and he does when he stopped looking at the ground. I am so repulsed by the sticky movement his tongue makes on his lower lip. He gave a hoarse sob when he looked away. He wrinkled his disgusted nose. What I can't know is whether the redhead or the one who hasn't stopped looking at me since I've sat on an empty bed.

"Do not."

Like lightning, I turn my neck to look at him. The redhead opens his mouth in a toothless smile.

“How not?” It sounds calm but I know from the force that clenches his fists that he is not at all. And I can't be glad for it anymore.

"No. You lack interest for the late one week."

The redhead hides a howl by clenching his lips, however, in the end he ends up declining.

"Fuck, okay." He sighs, stopping any incipient so that the character of the chestnut rebentates. "How much is it?"

Thirteen moves his jaw slightly when he moves the bone to the right. Then, bite the inside of the cheek thoughtfully. It is at that very moment that his pupils contract to their normal state and he dedicates me some eternal seconds that leave me breathless before he makes his proposal.

"Thousand more."

“You're fucking me!” Roars the indignant redhead. And despite his deaf tone Thirteen does not move even a span. The redhead returns to his main position and chooses to calm down, then he smiles, appeasing the situation. "Come on, go." Take the two thousand five hundred. You and I know that this bitch is not worth that much.

I open my mouth in an offended exhale but I can't convey my disgust because Thirteen raises his palm in my direction forcing me to shut up instantly.

"What I want will be worth it." And if I tell you that the price has risen to a thousand more you pay it or you will have to learn to breastfeed it on your own.

"You are a son of a bitch." Braying takes two steps to glue their foreheads. Although the redhead has a couple of centimeters more than him, Thirteen does not seem to feel cowed by the rabid look that his opponent casts. In conclusion, it does not seem to give it enough importance because when he hears a soft growl from the highest he expresses a crooked smile.

"Thank you. And now out of my fucking sight you make my day bitter.

He gives me a mini-heart attack when the redhead raises a fist in the direction of Thirteen. But he doesn't finish his act, he leaves it in suspension. He grunts and increases the distance walking backwards. Because he realized that it is not a good idea to get into a fight with him. Because, despite the fact that his constitution seems strong it does not amount to the strong limbs that Thirteen marks on his shirt. He was at a clear disadvantage, so giving him one last look he added:

"This is not going to stay that way. I'm going to talk to Hong Kong."

The appearance of another subject in the conversation seems to tense him but he regains his composure. His nose widens and his lips part in a snap. His teeth crush inside his mouth and the vein in his neck becomes more noticeable. I am so surprised by his body's self-control because I can imagine his desire to kill the redhead when I start to admire his clenched fists. Without much more to say, he leaves the cell. The air seems thicker because of the tension that builds up on it. The door has been observed as the only hobby.

"Thank you," he murmured. My voice seems to bring it to the reality of a stupid. It blinks confusedly towards my body set apart in a corner.

“What?” “It's not a question, it's a statement of his bad character. He raised his eyebrows in response to his hoarse sigh. His feelings seem like a Macedonian of bewilderment and surprise. And then I realize something. Judging his neutral expression is not very difficult to conclude that he never or almost never thanks him. But of course, I always judge him too quickly. "Why the hell do you thank me?"

"Well you..."

“Me what?” He adds between breaths of breath. He seems more than annoyed with my attitude, as if doing a humanitarian act had only served him to feel a great bitter taste in his mouth. To my surprise, he lets out a hoarse laugh that intersperses with a gasp. "Do you think I've done it to protect your little pussy?"

He wrinkled his nose disgusted by his so rough vocabulary.

"No, bitch. He has paid me two thousand dollars just for you to eat his cock. This is not for you, it is for me. But let me tell you that as soon as he pays me the thousand more I am going to give a shit how rough it is. You will have your jaw left later. "Savoring your inner lip in anticipation of receiving another batch of bills. I release air through my nose. How could I think that this being can do something good for others? My suspicions have just confirmed my hypothesis, Thirteen has no heart and from what I can see it seems not to matter. I can't control the anger that runs through my veins, my eyes move to theirs alone. I finish it. I despise him with all my strength. A wry smile springs from my lips because I'm also anticipating how much I'm going to fuck you. Thirteen. Just wait.

"Bitch, your mother will be."

He approaches furiously towards me in rapid strides. He places his forearm on my neck and stamps me against the wall. In a rapid movement my feet stop touching the ground because it has slipped me up. I open my mouth exaggeratedly to catch air for my needy lungs. I raise my hands and start hitting his arm. The vein in your neck cannot be more dilated. Blood accumulates in the area of ​​my head due to the pressure of his arm that acts as a plug for my arteries. I cough innumerable liters of saliva and close my aching eyes. I feel his breathing in my ear before a scream overflows my eardrum.

"In your fucking life, talk about my mother again!"

Although it is too much fear that blocks me I open my eyes when I hear his pain. I close them again when more pressure is applied. If not, I will pass out.

"Maybe, your mother is a slut, right? Of course, that's why you're so bad-spoken and you lack the sense of respect. I bet your father was a good person that you fucking and vulgar mother seduced. Sure, in how much the pregnancy had to take care of you. Poor man and fucking whores. "

I really wanted to answer. Tell him that everything was false and not even close. Telling him that my father was a drunk Ludopata who beat my mother every night and when he didn't, he was unloaded with me. What else I would have liked to shout at her the shitty life I had to keep mocking her. But I had to retain the possible oxygen for my own survival.

"That's not ..." I was attracted when I coughed.

In the background, the maniacal laugh of Thirteen was heard. My eyes began to close and my arms fell heavily. I could not do it anymore. The last burst of air I had left was squeezed from my mouth when I said the last sentence. The last thing I heard were a few steps and a familiar voice. Then I fell to the ground.

I squeezed my eyes when the receptors in my pupils caught too much light. Still with the blurry sight I walked the place where I was lying. I glanced down and the first thing I saw was that a blanket covered me and a tube was embedded in my arm. I reached out to touch the small clip that caught my finger to measure the vital signs. I didn't know that place but everything pointed out that it was the jail infirmary. Who will have brought me? Was it the voice I heard before falling into darkness? I try to straighten but a puncture in the column of my neck forces me to stop. When I groan, a nurse appears with a worried smile.

"Try not to move much." He gently advises while jogging around me. The pink folder that catches his right hand is shaken with skill as he writes about it. Then he puts it in a metal tray and looks at me sighing. "It hurts, right?"

Seat.

"Who ..." My voice sounds too hoarse and weak.

"A blond boy."

I am perplexed. It was Jimin.

"I'm going to give you a receipt to give to the principal, okay honey?" You already know to be absent from your homework these days and have a liquid diet. You still have inflamed muscles. "

"How long have I been?"

"Oh, you've been unconscious for three days." When he replies, I shrink in bed. My eyes shoot in random directions through the vein of nervousness that stifles my conscience.

A few knocks on the door attract the attention of the nurse.

"Miss Dorotea, I have finished ordering the ibuprofen boats." An especially familiar voice triggers all my alarms. My neck acts as a pier when it rises to observe the brown-eyed smile. The nurse gets up from my stretcher to receive him. Then, the chestnut realizes my presence but avoids my gaze. I feel confused at the time that scratches his neck uncomfortable to have two pairs of eyes watching him closely. He doesn't look like the same guy who slipped my body a few days ago when he made my way to the cell difficult. He just looked like a normal boy who was ashamed of so much attention.

"Oh, thank you very much Taehyung but there is nothing else you can do." A hand drops his folder and points to me subtly. "As you can see I will be busy with a patient. You can go back to your cell."

Without more than telling the nurse surrounds his large body and gets into a door that I guess is the doctor's. An embarrassed throat makes him look back at the chestnut. The surprise is reflected in the widening of my eyes when I perceive a pink hue on her cheeks.

“How are you?” His whisper comes out under his lips. And I can't tell if it's because of nervousness or just his usual tone of voice.

I raise a stunned eyebrow.

"Are you asking me?"

Taehyung shrinks his stomach when he hears the weakness of my voice. Nods in a short nod.

"Why do you want to know?" Thirteen sent you. ”I click my tongue even though my throat hurts. Taehyung opens his mouth to speak but I cut him off with a snore. "Well, tell him thank you so much for drowning. And that I regret it a lot, I'm still alive ..."

"He does not..."

"What?" I shout, but I regret it when I feel an intense prick in the column of my neck. "If you're going to justify the shit of a friend you have, please, get out."

"Not me." But he presses his lips. He seems to want to avoid giving me reason and that makes me feel a little better even though I physically want to pull a bridge. I see sincerity in his eyes. Melancholy bathes his masculine features as if he wanted to apologize to me that he knows I will not thank. "I will not justify what Thirteen did because I disagree." I am not a violent person I love to talk.

"Tell the boy you broke his hand with a bat."

My words seem to disarm any argument in their favor. In response, it gives me an overwhelmed sigh. My damaged instinct tells me that this boy is not as bad as he makes everyone believe, that he is left with the ruthless adjective for going with whom he goes.

"Sometimes, you have to do things you don't like to survive." That guy was a son of a bitch and not because he gave us money but because he was devoted to everyone. Don't think that seeing him so broken on the ground was weaker than us. Appearances are deceiving, believe me I know better than anyone. "

The unbearable squeak of electric doors rumbles inside my head. Upon entering my shared cell, Dallas throws his magazine to the bed and stands up suddenly. I dodge his worried look. My arms hang as I head towards my resting place. I move my back to adjust a good position on the mattress. Then, I raise my eyes to Dallas, who watches me from afar with his frown. I can not decipher the enigma of his gaze, I sense that he is upset because he does not stop looking at the big red marks on my neck.

“Who did that to you?” The question springs like a patient whisper. I roll my eyes at his false curiosity. My tooth catches my lip and then slowly releases it. When he directs a look full of anger towards his position, his back stretches.

"Come on, come on. Are you going to tell me you don't know?" My husky voice comes on the scene when it hits my throat irritation. I sit on the edge of the bed to better observe his confused reaction. I'm probably being that effusive because of the lack of sleep, I really don't recognize myself. Apparently, my uncontrolled anger also surprises her, I notice it in the opertura of her eyes. "Hasn't your boyfriend told you anything?"

“What does Jimin have to do with this?” For a single moment I doubt if he was really pretending or just didn't know anything about it. He spoke with so much confusion that he almost made me fall into the trap of his deception. Your little angel face won't converge on me. I grudge with my tongue dramatically as I put my hands on my knees and thus stand up. Shortening the distance that separated us only to see my disastrous marks better.

"Your boyfriend's friend almost drowned me the other day."

"Thirteen?"

I bow my head lost because of his so surprised tone. It seems as if he didn't believe what he had just heard, as if it were just an imaginary account that made no sense. God, I really didn't understand these people. It seems that this subject is a compulsive aggressive being, it should not surprise you so much to know that he was the culprit.

"Why?"

Your question overcomes my patience.

"Why?That psycho tried to kill me against a wall!"

Dallas raised his eyebrows after my statement. But there was something else in his paralyzed expression, something hidden that hid a deep secret. For the first time in the whole conversation when I looked for his gaze he avoided me. Turning his head toward the door, he suddenly ran away. I was surprised by his impulsive act, I leaned on the sides of the entrance and then, I knew who I was looking for when I stopped to ask one of the many women who were walking through the leisure area of ​​our module. He disappeared shortly thereafter through the big yellow doors. Without knowing very well why, I ran down the stairs and tried to follow in the footsteps. I found her opening the patio door with too much force. The irons hit the wall when they collided with aggressive impulses. Shrugging my entire body, I decided to reach her in a small race.

I don't go out to the patio full body, I just settle in the door. Dallas walks with great strides towards a group of men. I recognize Jimin's silver color from my position. I think he's going to ask for explanations, but as soon as the blond approaches, she lifts his palm, stopping him. Then, I realize who your true objective is.

“Thirteen!” Her scream sounded so loud that the crowd of men immediately looked at her. Determined not to be intimidated, she placed herself in front of Thirteen. He swept his confused body. He furrowed his characteristic eyebrows while rolling his eyes. Finally, he separated his mouth with allusion and watched her annoyed. "We have to talk. Now."

Thirteen put his big hand on his knee, letting his elbow stand out. Imagine his dilated veins marked along his arm. I bow my head while raising an eyebrow.

"I'm playing cards, go with your temper tantrums elsewhere, girl." In a deep growl he declared his unwillingness to pay attention. He shook his head to the side to signal him to leave. Dallas stayed in place, surprisingly. Something that particularly caught my attention were two black bags under his dark eyes. He looked tired and with little patience. I deeply hope that he has not been able to sleep because of the regrets of his actions.

"Either you come with me or our conversation is done in public." Far from looking like an order, it seemed more like advice. The chestnut stopped observing the wad of letters from the bank and watched her furiously. Dallas crossed his pale arms as he raised his chin. Surprisingly, Thirteen got up. The remarkable height that the chestnut possessed did not intimidate her. Taking the audacity to wrap his wrist to pull him away from curious spectators. My body shakes abruptly when I see them heading towards my direction. In an inhuned speed I undo my way and hide in one of the many corners of the hall. With my chest agitated by the race, I pray that they will take the road to the cafeteria and not to the library.

"Release me, fuck." I recognize his angry tone when the door closes tightly again. My eyes look at the sides of the wall to my right. A door slams shut in a dull sound. I frown when I stop listening to his footsteps and voices. I take my head around the corner and see the deserted hallway. They cannot have disappeared from nowhere. I leave my hiding place too contrary to physical laws.

Low screams inside the cleaning closet make my head turn sharply. These sites should have more security. Recognizing their faces through a window of slits exposed above the door. I approach and he stood on tiptoe, they move their mouths so fast that I can barely understand what they say.

"You are the shame of the family." His comment leaves me breathless. I cover my mouth to cover an involuntary gasp. Thirteen looks sideways while placing both hands on his waist. His black bangs cover the reaction of his eyes, I can only see the movement of his mouth when pressed with pure irony.

“And when I haven't been?” His question comes camouflaged from something I understand as contempt. He shakes his head to observe her for a few seconds, his bloodshot eyes would intimidate even the fiercest of the jail, however, Dallas does not seem to affect him. His habit of dealing with such reactions leaves me speechless. There is something in the lack of brightness in his eyes that screams immense pain. He has his shoulders curled forward as if an abujero full of memories absorbed him until he was destroyed.I had never seen him so weak, and I am pleasantly surprised that he shows so much confidence with a girl that he is not supposed to have a relationship.

Wait a minute, he said it's his ...

Dallas's expression softens a little when he perceives the sadness that Thirteen shows.

“Why did you do it, Jungkook?” Calm down, he slowly denies his direction. He addressed, this time, with more tact and caution but without neglecting that reproving side. Thirteen closes his eyes when he hears his real name. He squeezes them in pain before looking at her with something that seems to be regret. I do not recognize him. As much as I try to see that lunatic psychopath I can't compare them. This boy seems to be a person who has suffered innumerable consequences, and not a murderer who seeks satisfaction in the pain of others. Was he the one Taehyung was referring to? "Are you becoming him ..."

"Don't you dare to compare me with him! I warn you, Lucy, don't do it again!" He shouts so loudly that even the door rumbles. There is so much anguish in his growl, so much pain. There is disgust reflected in his eyes. I don't know who Dallas would be referring to, but of course, he has a very strong influence on Thirteen.

"Then stop behaving like a damn abuser and be my brother again." There is anguish in his request. A despair so alarming that it leaves me frozen. Thirteen does not look at her. He tries to stay isolated from the world, but what he doesn't know is that his body betrays him. His broad chest rises and falls in coordinated movements while his pearly forehead shines with sweat. He is nervous. Very nervous.

"I'm not your brother, Lucy," he says, after a long distressing silence. My stomach shrinks when he directs his gaze to hers. The moisture that sprouts from your eyes is a reflection of the struggle that is suffering internally. Dallas bites his trembling lip to prevent a gasp from coming out of his mouth. "I couldn't even protect you ..."

His voice broke.

"What happened in the past was not your fault."

Lucy took a step toward her direction. His small hand touched his shoulder to turn it over. The muscles of his back tensed coldly at the touch. Thirteen waved his arm back and jerked away to a corner.

"Blair?"

                                                            ✞

NEXT

[bbq-hawks-wings]

Series Review Pt. 2/3

Part One

Part Three

Continuing the trend, lots to read under the cut.

In part one we established that the central conflict of the series as a whole is not so much a black and white “good guys side vs bad guys side” but of a much more complex societal problem stemming from individual choices and series of choices made by individual people and the impact those choices have on others. This is the heart of the current conflict between Hawks and Twice.

Twice and Hawks share many things in common and have been shown to develop a genuine friendship in their shared time in the PLF. This, however, has not changed the fact that they are still functioning from opposite sides of the central conflict - at least the institutional facet of it. Each of them has taken up a position fundamentally opposed to the other in attempts to bring about their prospective “big picture” futures, but that comes with the added emotional baggage each carries from the events that have happened to them in their respective pasts.

The visual direction of the scene enforces this concept. Each one is seeing the other literally from a different angle and in a different light. Twice is on the ground prone in a room where the only exit is blocked while Hawks stands alert and at attention over him, obscuring the only source of light entering the room. 

From Twice’s perspective Hawks’ face is obscured- the harsh light from behind casting a dark shadow across any features that would clue him into what Hawks is feeling - and he has to use the context clues he has available (posture, words, immediate events) through tears and adrenaline to interpret how to respond to Hawks. He’s been so suddenly thrust into this situation he literally and metaphorically can’t properly tell which way is up from where he lies. (Note how Hawks’ silhouette is sideways and looming over him in the same direction as Twice would be seeing from his place on the ground on page 13.)

From Hawks’ perspective Twice is knocked off balance and panicking like a cornered animal, completely unaware of the larger situation at hand and how they arrived here. When the perspective of the camera shifts and we can see his face again for the first time we get a completely different picture of what’s going on. Importantly, we can see in the change in perspective a closeup (usually used to highlight the key emotion) of Hawks’ face, complete with a somber and compassionate gaze that Twice is incapable of discerning right now.

Read this section through again twice. The first time use only the frame from Twice’s perspective and the second time read it with Hawks’. This is something I’m actually intrigued to see the anime handle because depending how deep the divergence in perspective goes, even the vocal performance may be different depending on the camera angle.

Twice sees a sociopathic, unempathetic monster who has used, abused, and thrown away his sincere offer of friendship to get what he wants and then has the audacity to try to convince him to play the fool again to get Twice to betray his friends for an easy way out. Hawks sees a person who feels betrayed and scared so Hawks is trying sincerely to explain to him what has been going on in order to be transparent because that’s the only way he can think to communicate the fact that he still values Twice, ending on the note that he believes that while Twice has crimes to answer for, he is still a good person who deserves to have a real shot at a happy life and that Hawks is personally invested in making that a reality if he’s willing to take the offer and trust him.

Hawks is operating as an enforcing tool of the law, but while he believes that law is set in place for general stability and safety it takes a human to human connection and cooperation to save someone to whom the law is blind. On page 16 when he says, “I don’t want to fight you, Bubaigawara!” he’s identifying with him not as the villain Twice, but as a person with an identity and will separate from the personae he’s crafted for himself over the years. Hawks would probably use his own real name to try to hammer this point home if there was a way to naturally do it. If Bubaigawara continues to resist and fight Hawks cannot make the case to others that he deserves a second chance. 

The exact memory that comes to Hawks’ mind is Twice’s words, “Anyone who helps his friends can’t be all bad.” Hawks is trying to say in this scene, “I’m your friend! I’m trying to help you! I know you see me as the bad guy, but I want to be your hero so please let me save you the only way I know how! Please trust me!”

He needs the cooperation, but Twice resists and Hawks has no other choice but to operate as law enforcement for the sake of the greater good. Twice has chosen to be a “villain,” so Hawks has to be a “hero.” All those feathers were for Twice in the case Hawks needed them, and now Hawks has to subdue the Sad Man’s Parade alone as well as Dabi whom neither knows is on the way.

That’s the bad news, but the good news is that hope is not lost. 

This is where I repeat my mantra of “we won’t know specific, individual fates until they happen." However, I think there are notable observations to keep in mind as we watch these final battles unfold.

Coming off of the discussion with Twice and Hawks, many including myself (and arguably even Twice) have gotten hung up on whether Hawks will choose to join the League eventually. Where we are now, I think it’s become a moot point almost not worth discussion anymore. If he does, we’ll see it soon; but Hawks seems to recognize that as long as the core complaints of the individual League members - and any of their sympathizers, for that matter - are not directly addressed, some other criminal force will come alongside and clash with them continuing the cycle of bloodshed and violence as influential leaders focus on gaining power until they are absorbed or achieve their end goal of complete anarchy and societal destruction. (Remember, he’s been following the League and their movements at least as far back as Kamino.) We saw it with the MLA, we saw it with the Shie Hassaikai, and even with Stain - along with the League of Villains, it began with a guerrilla group of revolutionists seeking to right a societal injustice; but if and when a separate opposing force of revolutionist outsiders cannot agree with them a battle ensues until one is subjugated and the strength of the loser is granted to the victor. Until the underlying issues are addressed, this cycle will only continue.

This is also to bring up the fact that the League of Villains is genuinely strong in terms of interpersonal loyalty but as an organization with foundational core values and a unified end goal has been fractured and shaky since the beginning. We saw those particular cracks most prominently just before the fight with Gigantomachia when lack of outer conflict began to highlight the inherent lack of unity in the LoV, only to be interrupted once again when some outside force stirred up a reason for them to work together for survival. Remember, all of the current members of the League of Villains were initially attracted and recruited because Shigaraki falsely appropriated Stain’s ideology. Dabi has stated he wants a world where heroes are obligated to their families first and that thinking of the misery he’s left the survivors of killed heroes “drives him crazy.” Toga wants a world where she has a network of unconditional support without feeling repressed. Twice wants a world in which he can trust others and be trusted and useful despite his bad luck and occasional mistakes. Spinner has clarified he needs a cause to believe in and fight for that supports outcasts like him, and Mr. Compress’s reasons for joining the League are simply to challenge the current status quo instead of mindlessly embracing it.

Shigaraki’s nihilistic dystopia of “burn everything to the ground” is not necessary to achieve any of these goals, and if enough confidence in alternative solutions and doubts in Shiguraki’s loyalty grows in the minds of each member of the League it could genuinely fall apart at the seams, though that isn’t to say that the League isn’t an incredibly tight knit and loyal group - quite the opposite, they’ve constantly shown to be willing to risk life and limb for each others’ sake - just that they’re more concerned with tearing down the current order than restructuring a cohesive new one. However, if the context around their unity has genuinely shifted to center around Shigaraki himself as a symbolic leader as it's been implied since the fight with Gigantomachia and the MLA, this will be clarified very quickly.

Even for most other villains we’ve encountered through the series this violence-first upheaval of society is not necessary to realize most of their goals. Gentle Criminal sought to shake up heroes’ apathy and overconfidence in their strength - La Brava following him closely because of her unwavering loyalty to him as a person - and even Stain was not opposed to the concept of heroes, just an institution of heroism that breeds greed and apathy instead of elevating the ideals of heroism. 

There have been exceptions like the Shie Hassaikai (who sought a complete erasure of quirks from the human genome) and the initial ideology of the Meta Liberation Army (a world ruled by the strong with completely unimpeded use of quirks) that would have required an entire shift in society on a cultural, governmental, legislative, and economic level; but for most the heart of their issues with society is an issue of the heart - that is, a cultural shift is necessary first and foremost to alleviate the problems each of these criticisms address.

This drastic but necessary change has been difficult to achieve up until this point because most of the mouthpieces for these cultural criticisms are either not weighty enough to carry traction without the threat of violence or are held by those motivated by personal vengeance who are not guaranteed to sit and talk  about peaceful options even if the opportunity was presented to them. The “outsiders” are so deeply ostracized in the current social and political climate that they can’t get a word in edgewise to those “inside” who go mostly unaffected by the shortcomings the outcasts are attempting to bring to light. This is where the series’ proposed solution enters the stage.

[weirdsciencecomics]

EMPYRE: X-MEN #1 & #2 (OF 4)

Issue #1 – JONATHAN HICKMAN & TINI HOWARD [W]

Issue #1 – MATTEO BUFFAGNI (A) Cover by MIKE MCKONE

Issue #2 – GERRY DUGGAN, BENJAMIN PERCY & LEAH WILLIAMS [W]

Issue #2 – LUCAS WERNECK (A)

ISSUE #1 – VARIANT COVER BY ESAD RIBIC

ISSUE #2 – VARIANT COVER BY TBA

Plant people from outer space have come to Earth and, wouldn’t you know it, they just happen to be here when millions of mutants rise as undead creatures hungry for human flesh. The X-Men return to Genosha in a tale so crazy, it’s taking the entire writing crew of the X-Men line to tackle it!

40 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$4.99 (EACH)

EMPYRE #3 (of 6)

AL EWING & DAN SLOTT [W] • VALERIO SCHITI (A) • Cover by JIM CHEUNG

AVENGERS VARIANT COVER BY ALEXANDER LOZANO

FANTASTIC FOUR VARIANT COVER BY MICHAEL CHO

KREE/SKRULL VARIANT COVER BY TONY DANIEL

VARIANT COVER BY ED MCGUINNESS

2-PACK ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER

• The tag-team action comes home!

• Wakanda is the battleground – as the Avengers and the FF unite to prevent a Vibranium-powered threat to all life as we know it!

• A long-lost Avenger returns to active duty – but will that be enough to turn the tide?

• And in space, interstellar intrigue threatens the fragile Kree/Skrull alliance…and the repercussions might just doom planet Earth!

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

EMPYRE: SAVAGE AVENGERS #1

GERRY DUGGAN [W] ��� GREG SMALLWOOD (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY GERARDO SANDOVAL

In South America, Conan finds himself enslaved – which is typically bad news for those attempting to do the enslaving! But these enslavers come from beyond the stars, and they’ve got a singular and grisly end in store for the Cimmerian – one that only Venom can help him avoid!

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

EMPYRE: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 (OF 3)

PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON [W] • ARIEL OLIVETTI (A) • COVER BY Mike Henderson

Variant by STEVE EPTING

The invasion has made landfall! Captain America stands on the front lines – but when the threat goes global even he won’t be enough to stem the tides! Will Captain America be able to find allies willing to fight alongside him – or will he fall in the face of this intergalactic incursion?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: STORMRANGER #1 (OF 3)

SALADIN AHMED [W] • Steven Cummings (A)

Cover by Federico Vicentini

VARIANT COVER BY Andrea Sorrentino

• The Kree nanosuit known as Stormranger was once bonded to Ms. Marvel…but after deciding Kamala’s version of justice wasn’t deadly enough, Stormranger rebelled against her.

• Now Stormranger is charting her own course – just in time for the united Kree/Skrull Empire to engulf Earth in a centuries-old conflict. Whose side is this ruthless space vigilante on, and how much havoc will she wreak before we find out?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: THOR #1 (OF 3)

RAM V. [W]• PASQUAL FERRY (A/C)

Variant cover by MEGHAN HETRICK

RESHAPING THE COSMOS!

The Earth is under attack — and for Thor, the fight is personal! Gaea, goddess of nature and Thor’s birth mother, has fallen ill…and it has something to do with the reason the Kree and Skrull are here! The journey to save her — and all Midgard — will expand the Asgardian pantheon in a whole new direction! Critically acclaimed writer Ram V. (These Savage Shores, Justice League Dark) and fan-favorite artist Pasqual Ferry take Thor to the ends of the Earth!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: SQUADRON SUPREME #1 (OF 2)

MARK WAID [W] • Dio Neves (A) • Cover by PACO MEDINA

Variant by Carlos Pacheco

The invasion has begun! But the alien invaders soon encounter resistance in the form of the Squadron Supreme of America! As the two forces clash, only one thing is clear…the fight for America’s survival has begun!

32 pages/Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: THE INVASION OF WAKANDA #1 (OF 3)

Jim Zub [W]• LAN MEDINA (A) • COVER BY Dustin Weaver

VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

The heart of Wakanda — its mighty store of Vibranium — comes under threat as the villains of EMPYRE launch their invasion of Earth!

Black Panther’s Agents of Wakanda form the front line against the alien invasion, but the enemy’s powers are vast and unknown. With T’Challa off fighting alongside the Avengers, General Okoye is in charge — and even with the superhumans are her disposal, she may find herself outmatched.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: AVENGERS #2 (of 3)

Jim Zub [W] • Carlos Magno (A) • COVER BY PAUL RENAUD

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes fight an intergalactic foe on three fronts! In New York, a villain from the past has been super charged with alien energy. In Mexico, old hatreds turn allies into enemies. And in the Savage Land, the soul of the jungle has been stolen and Shanna the She-Devil’s life hangs in the balance. It’s mystery, magic and mayhem, in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EMPYRE: GHOST RIDER #1

ED BRISSON [W] • JEFTE PALO (A) • COVER BY AARON KUDER

VARIANT COVER BY JUAN FRIGERI

An intergalactic war comes crashing into a supernatural showdown between the Spirit of Corruption and the Spirit of Pollution! But who will be left standing?

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

LORDS OF EMPYRE: CELESTIAL MESSIAH #1

ALEX PAKNADEL [W] • Alex Lins (A) • Cover by Rod Reis

VARIANT COVER BY Josh Cassara

The eve of Quoi’s ascension is at hand! But when the trials are interrupted by an unexpected interloper—Mantis—who will win this battle of wills?

Don’t miss out as mother and son go head-to-head, revealing secrets that will shape the course of the galaxy!

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

EMPYRE: SPIDER–MAN #2 (of 3)

TARAN KILLAM [W] • DIEGO OLORTEGUI (A) • Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS

VARIANT COVER BY Dale Keown

• The Kree and the Skrulls are here, and the world has been turned upside down.

• Spider-Man’s neighborhood is part of that world, and Spider-Man is in deep trouble fighting a villain who could ruin Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship forever.

32 pages/Rated T …$3.99

THE UNION #1 (OF 5)

PAUL GRIST [W] • Andrea Di Vito (A) • Cover by R.B. Silva

Variant Cover by Ema Lupacchino

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY TBA

The grand unveiling of The Union! A team of super heroes gathered from all over the United Kingdom, featuring Union Jack, Snakes, Kelpie, Choir, and their fearless leader, Brittania! But when disaster strikes on their first public debut, in the form of the invasion of Empyre, the fledgling team is immediately pushed to their limits! Don’t miss out on an exciting new chapter of Marvel from legendary creators, Paul Grist (JUDGE DREDD, JACK STAFF) and Andrea Di Vito!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #22

DAN SLOTT [W] • PACO MEDINA (A) • Cover by NICK BRADSHAW

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY JAY ANACLETO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

The return of the new Fantastic Four?!

• The events of EMPYRE threaten all life on Earth and the future balance of power throughout the cosmos!

• And the secret mission that the FF have placed into Valeria and Franklin’s hands requires some big-league help!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

X–MEN #11

JONATHAN HICKMAN [W]• LEINIL FRANCIS YU (A/C)

EMPYRE VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

THE TREES ARE KILLING THE CHILDREN!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN MARVEL #18

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • CORY SMITH (A)

Cover by JORGE MOLINA

Variant Cover by DAN MORA

CAPTAIN MARVEL IS THE SUPREME ACCUSER!

In the throes of war, Carol finds herself with a bold new role – and a brand-new weapon – the Universal Weapon, in fact. When a Kree soldier bombs a unified city of the Empire, Emperor Hulkling sends his new Accuser to bring down the swift and necessary hammer of justice. But what at first seems like a relatively simple directive will end up challenging Carol on a personal level she had never imagined.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN MARVEL #19

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • CORY SMITH (A)

Cover by JORGE MOLINA

Variant Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI

THE ACCUSER GOES ROGUE!

Captain Marvel has stepped into the role of accuser in the newly unified Kree/Skrull Empire. But when she’s tasked to accuse a renegade soldier responsible for heinous crimes, she finds herself torn between two worlds. Don’t miss the revelation of the year – one that will not only change Carol’s whole world, but the shape of the galaxy!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

JUGGERNAUT #1 (OF 5)

FABIAN NICIEZA [W] • RON GARNEY (A) • Cover by GEOFF SHAW

VARIANT COVER BY NICK BRADSHAW

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY Werner Roth

VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG

BROWN & RED VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE

READY OR ‘NAUT, HERE HE COMES!

A mystic gem. A force of overwhelming power. Nothing can stop the Juggernaut. Except himself. Another building falls. Cain Marko is done letting others pick up the pieces of the things he’s destroyed. Renowned X-scribe Fabian Nicieza (X-FORCE, DEADPOOL) and celebrated artist Ron Garney (CAPTAIN AMERICA, DAREDEVIL) team up to take the unstoppable in a new bold new direction!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X-MEN: GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS EXTENDED CUT #2 (OF 2)

Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT

Penciled by BRENT ANDERSON

Cover by PHIL NOTO

Variant cover by BRENT ANDERSON

The Uncanny X-Men. Magneto, master of magnetism. The bitterest of enemies for years. But now they must join forces against a new adversary who threatens not only mutantkind, but all of humanity beside it…in the name of God. The members of the Stryker Crusade are poised to cleanse the Earth, no matter how much blood stains their hands. Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson’s influential X-Men story is re-presented with all-new pages from the legendary creators themselves!

48 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

X-MEN #12 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by STAN LEE

Penciled by JACK KIRBY & ALEX TOTH

Cover by JACK KIRBY

The uncanny origin of Professor X…and the unstoppable menace of the Juggernaut! Cain Marko is one of the X-Men’s most formidable foes — and even, over the years, an occasional ally — but what is his connection to Charles Xavier? And what is the secret of his incredible power? The X-Mansion has some of the strongest fortifications and deadliest defenses around, but even they are barely slowing the Juggernaut down as he advances implacably towards his goal: revenge! As Professor X reveals his hidden past and his greatest shame, the teenage mutants known as the X-Men gird for battle…but can they find a way to stop the unstoppable? It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting X-MEN (1963) #12.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GIANT-SIZE X-MEN: FANTOMEX #1

JONATHAN HICKMAN [W] • ROD REIS (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

HICKMAN AND REIS TAKE ON THE WORLD!

The hit creative team of Jonathan Hickman & Rod Reis (NEW MUTANTS) turn their attention to the covert activities of the Weapon Plus program’s Weapon XIII! A bred killer who choses the life of a gentleman super-thief, Fantomex has always defied expectations… For example, who would expect him to break into the World, the artificial realm of his creation? And then again? And then… again?

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Parental Advisory …$4.99

CHILDREN OF THE ATOM #2

VITA AYALA [W] • BERNARD CHANG (A) • Cover by R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY MIKE HENDERSON

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

BREAKOUT!

A local prison riot is quickly turning into an escape and the only ones who can stop them are a bunch of high schoolers?! The strangest teens of all are on the case! Guest-starring the Avengers!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X-FACTOR #2

LEAH WILLIAMS [W] • DAVID BALDEÓN (A)

Cover by IVAN SHAVRIN

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

DANCE OF DEATH!

The team gets their first case — investigating the disappearance of a mutant dancer at a prestigious ballet academy…in the Mojoverse!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HELLIONS #3

ZEB WELLS [W] • STEPHEN SEGOVIA (A/C)

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY TOM MULLER

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

MAD AS HELL!

Krakoa’s resident rabble are up against the grand dame of the damned — the Goblin Queen, Madelyne Pryor! Talk about a return that could raise some havoc!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

WOLVERINE #4

BENJAMIN PERCY [W] • VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC (A) • Cover by ADAM KUBERT

VARIANT COVER BY PATRICK GLEASON

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

THE RED TAVERN!

After getting dressed down by the Quiet Council for rogue activity, Wolverine escapes through his own secret gate to the Red Tavern, a snowbound, backwoods watering hole where he only wants to guzzle whiskey in peace. But Logan soon discovers that peace isn’t possible as a twist-and-turn murder mystery unfolds — and at the heart of it all is an enemy from the past.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

NEW MUTANTS #11

ED BRISSON [W] • FLAVIANO (A) • Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

Helping young mutants in crisis ain’t all sunshine and rainbows — and recently, it’s been downright nightmarish. But maybe the NEW MUTANTS’ luck is changing…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CABLE #3

GERRY DUGGAN [W] • PHIL NOTO (A/C)

DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY TOM MULLER

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

REUNITED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!

Deadpool considers Cable one of his oldest and best friends. Cable hasn’t met Deadpool, yet. He’s in for a treat.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

EXCALIBUR #11

TINI HOWARD [W] • MARCUS TO (A) • Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

BLOOD OF THE CHANGELING!

The Citadel has committed an act of war and Excalibur must respond. While they lick their wounds deep in Otherworld, Apocalypse takes steps toward his ultimate goal.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARAUDERS #11

Gerry Duggan [W] • Stefano CASELLI (A) • Cover by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN

THE QUEEN IS DEAD!

The Marauders…the Hellfire Trading Company…all of Krakoa is reeling from the death of Kate Pryde.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

X–FORCE #11

BENJAMIN PERCY [W] • JOSHUA CASSARA (A) • Cover by Dustin weaver

RED DAWN!

After taking on the Flower Cartel, Logan has brought back valuable intel to the mutant CIA. The non-treaty nation of Russia is working to undermine Krakoa — and may be aligned with Xeno. Beast wants Colossus on their side as the first drumbeats of war begin to sound.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

BLACK WIDOW #2

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • ELENA CASAGRANDE (A)

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

Variant Cover by TAKASHI OKAZAKI

VARIANT COVER BY MATTIA DE IULUS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY OLIVIER VATINE

GAME VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE

WIDOW NO MORE?

Something is very wrong with Natasha Romanoff: she’s…happy?! Retirement definitely agrees with the world’s deadliest woman as she revels in the perfect life she never even dreamed she could have. But scratch the surface of that perfect life and you’ll find something very wrong…and a woman like Nat just can’t help but scratch.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

TASKMASTER #2 (OF 5)

JED MACKAY [W] • ALESSANDRO VITTI (A) • Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

Variant Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA

TARGET: COULSON!

Taskmaster heads to DC for his first victim, Phil Coulson! But Coulson isn’t alone, he’s got an entire squadron on speed dial…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CHAMPIONS #2

EVE L. EWING [W] • SIMONE DI MEO (A)

Cover by TONI INFANTE

VARIANT COVER BY MEGHAN HETRICK

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER GARRÓN

• When clashing protests over the teen vigilante ban break out across Chicago, the Champions risk their freedom to protect the young protestors from overzealous C.R.A.D.L.E. agents — but Chicago’s own hometown hero, Ironheart, is nowhere to be seen.

• Where is Riri Williams? Why has she abandoned the Champions? And could it have anything to do with the mole in their ranks…?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MAGNIFICENT MS. MARVEL #15

SALADIN AHMED [W]• MINKYU JUNG (A) Cover by EDUARD PETROVICH

• The anti-teen-hero task force, C.R.A.D.L.E., is scouring Jersey City to apprehend its young protector, Ms. Marvel.

• But C.R.A.D.L.E. isn’t the only problem on Kamala’s plate – several of her family members support the new law, and if they discover her secret identity, it’s game over for Ms. Marvel.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GHOST-SPIDER #10

SEANAN MCGUIRE [W]   IG GUARA (A)  Cover by TAKESHI MIYAZAWA

Gwen Stacy has served hard time in prison on Earth-65 for her dalliances as the super hero known as GHOST-SPIDER… Will EARTH-616 be next?!

And just what exactly is the Maker up to on Earth-65? And what part does GWENOM play in his schemes?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

NEW WARRIORS #2 (OF 5)

DANIEL KIBBLESMITH [W] • Luciano Vecchio (A)

COVER BY R.B. SILVA

VARIANT COVER BY TRADD MOORE

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

FLASHBACK FOES-DAY!

The NEW New Warriors are trapped with the Original Warriors’ first and fiercest foes…PSIONEX! Or are they? Night Thrasher and the OG crew have to save the new kids from certain doom, but another enemy is lurking in the shadows. PLUS: How’d Night Thrasher get the band back together anyhow? From the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space to the Darkforce dimension itself — find out in the latest extreme installment of NEW WARRIORS!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MILES MORALES: SPIDER–MAN #18

SALADIN AHMED [W] • CARMEN CARNERO (A)

COVER BY JAVIER GARRÓN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY LEE GARBETT

BABY MORALES VARIANT COVER BY RAHZZAH

• Ganke. Barbara. Judge. Lana. Mr. Sumida. Rio. Jeff.

• Miles knows he has to help people as Spider-Man, so he’s ready to live as an outlaw.

• But is he ready to do it without the support of someone he loves? Who’s with Miles, who’s against him, and who’s side are YOU on?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

POWER PACK #2 (OF 5)

RYAN NORTH [W] • NICO LEON (A) • Cover by STEFANO CASELLI

Variant cover by DAVID LOPEZ

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY GURIHIRU

THE PACK IN PRISON?!

• Okay, so MAYBE it’s illegal for minors to fight crime in costume, dispensing vigilante justice as they see fit. MAYBE.

• But not if they have a mentor! Then it’s totally fine! So now all the Pack need is an adult willing to let them do whatever they want.

• It’s a voyage (or at least a two-page spread) across the Marvel Universe to find a mentor!

• But what if everything doesn’t go smoothly? What if there’s CONFLICT and EVENTS?

• The Power Pack faces adversity, betrayal and more in this Alex-narrated issue!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

STRANGE ACADEMY #3

SKOTTIE YOUNG [W] • HUMBERTO RAMOS (A/C)

CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT VARIANT COVER BY TBA

VARIANT COVER BY RYAN OTTLEY

DOYLE DORMAMMU, HEAD OF THE CLASS?

• Anyone who has been to New Orleans knows that it’s a magical place, but the students of STRANGE ACADEMY are about to see it firsthand.

• Their first field trip as a class shows them a city (and the stakes of what they’re living) in ways that light a fuse that is going to blow up in a big way.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MARVEL ZOMBIES: RESURRECTION #2, #3 & #4 (OF 4)

PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON [W]• LEONARD KIRK (A) CoverS by INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #2 – VARIANT COVER BY GREG LAND

ISSUE #2 – VARIANT COVER BY DAMION SCOTT

ISSUE #2 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #3 – VARIANT COVER BY PHILIP TAN

ISSUE #3 – VARIANT COVER BY Leinil Francis Yu

ISSUE #3 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

ISSUE #4 – VARIANT COVER BY SKAN

ISSUE #4 – VARIANT COVER BY RICARDO LOPEZ ORTIZ

ISSUE #4 – VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

THE HUNGER GROWS…

The world is overrun with the flesh-eating monsters that used to be the heroes who kept it safe. Spider-Man made a promise to keep people safe, and he’s not going to quit, even in the literal jaws of death…

32 PGS. (each)./Parental Advisory …$3.99 (each)

PUNISHER VS. BARRACUDA #2 (OF 5)

ED BRISSON [W] • DECLAN SHALVEY (A)

Cover by RYAN STEGMAN

Variant Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY

VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER

OOOH, BARRACUDA!

• On the run and out for vengeance, Barracuda finds new henchmen: the white supremacists who tried to kill him. That should go well.

• Punisher is on Barracuda’s trail of carnage, leaving a few bodies of his own in his wake.

• With the Miami mafia looking to kill them both, the bullets are flying fast and furious!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #2 (OF 4)

TABOO & BENJAMIN JACKENDOFF [W] • SCOT EATON (A)

Cover by Mike McKone

VARIANT COVER BY GERARDO ZAFFINO

NIGHT OF THE CREEPS!

• Jake’s attempt to get to the bottom of his company’s questionable practices leads to an all-out monster brawl!

• As Werewolf by Night gets in over his head, Red Wolf and the law are getting closer!

• With Jake’s entire life in chaos, the only way out may be to fully embrace the secret history of the Werewolf by Night!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THE MARVELS #1

KURT BUSIEK [W] • YILDIRAY CINAR (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

Variant cover by CARLOS PACHECO

Variant cover by STEVE EPTING

VARIANT COVER BY BILL SIENKIEWICZ

ALL-NEW, ONGOING SERIES!

Kurt Busiek (MARVELS, Astro City) is back, with the biggest, wildest, most sprawling series ever to hit the Marvel Universe, telling stories that span the decades and range from cosmic adventure to intense human drama, from the street-level to the cosmic, starring literally anyone from Marvel’s very first heroes to the superstars of tomorrow. This first issue includes an invasion from orbit, a picnic in Prospect Park, super hero sightseeing in Manhattan, the All-Winners Squad in 1947, Reed Richards during his time in military intelligence, cosmic beings beyond space and time— and that’s only for starters. Featuring Captain America, Spider-Man, the Punisher, the Human Torch, Storm, the Black Cat, the Golden Age Vision, Aero, Iron Man and Thor, and introducing two brand-new characters, all beautifully drawn by Yildiray Cinar (X-MEN, Legion of Super-Heroes, IRON MAN) in the opening act of a thriller that’ll take us across the Marvel Universe…and beyond. Plus: Who (or what) is KSHOOM? It all starts here. And it goes…everywhere.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MARVELS X #5 (of 6)

ALEX ROSS & JIM KRUEGER [W] • WELL–BEE (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

Variant Cover by WELL–BEE

Finding a cure for whatever it is that turned all of humanity into monsters proves almost impossible for even Reed Richards, Bruce Banner, Tony Stark and the greatest minds in the Marvel Universe. The fact that no one wants to be cured leads to a revolt against the heroes themselves. Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Well-Bee continue their invincible prequel to the EARTH X trilogy.

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

MARVEL #3 (of 6)

ALEX ROSS, STEVE DARNALL, ALAN WEISS, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, SCOTT GUSTAFSON, RYAN HESHKA [W]

ALEX ROSS, ALAN WEISS, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, SCOTT GUSTAFSON, RYAN HESHKA (A)

Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

A quartet of visions of life throughout the Marvel Universe, curated by Alex Ross! Alan Weiss presents a lost tale of Namor the Sub-Mariner! The techno-organic Warlock lives again in a story by Bill Sienkiewicz! Scott Gustafson presents a look into the life of Rocket Raccoon! And the Golden Age Black Widow chooses a mate in a story by Ryan Heshka! All wrapped in an epic ongoing adventure by Alex Ross and Steve Darnall!

40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

AVENGERS: MARVELS SNAPSHOT #1

BARBARA RANDALL KESEL with KURT BUSIEK [W]• STAZ JOHNSON (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY Staz Johnson

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY GEORGE PEREZ

The Marvel Snapshot tour through Marvel history takes a romantic — and destructive — turn during the Michelinie/Byrne/Pérez Avengers era! Take one rookie cop, add one new-to-the-city emergency medical technician, and make their meet-cute a devastating battle between the Avengers and a giant, rampaging robot! What comes next? Only Barbara Randall Kesel (Hawk & Dove, Ultragirl) and Staz Johnson (New X-Men, Robin) can tell you. Featuring Iron Man, the Beast, Wonder Man, Count Nefaria and more.

40 PGS./One–Shot/Rated T+ …$4.99

SPIDER-MAN: MARVELS SNAPSHOT #1

HOWARD CHAYKIN with KURT BUSIEK [W] • HOWARD CHAYKIN (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

VARIANT COVER BY Howard Chaykin

HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY LARRY LIEBER

Let’s say you’re a lowlife criminal in Manhattan, just trying to get by in a world that’s recently gotten full of spider-men, daredevils, power men and more, and you just want to make a decent illegal living. Plenty of henchman work available, if you don’t mind ending up in traction. And oh yeah, there’s a brewing super villain gang war building. What do you do? Keep your head low or go for the big win? Superstar storyteller Howard Chaykin (American Flagg, Wolverine) takes you through Marvel’s mean streets. Just watch out for Spider-Man, Cloak & Dagger and more.

40 PGS./One–Shot/Rated T+ …$4.99

2020 iWolverine #1 (OF 2)

LARRY HAMA [W]  ROLAND BOSCHI (A)  Cover by Juan JOSÉ Ryp

Variant cover by Mike Henderson

• In the wake of Arno Stark’s crusade against A.I.s, no robot is safe.

• Fearing of Elsie Dee’s safety in these tumultuous times, Albert, the robot Wolverine, goes to Madripoor to find her…

• …but what he finds is a fight against Madripoor’s criminal underbelly instead!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

2020 IRONHEART #2 (of 2)

Vita Ayala & Danny Lore [W]  David Messina (A)  Cover by WOO-CHUL LEE

Variant Cover by SKAN

• It’s Riri Williams vs. Ironheart as Riri’s trusty A.I. companion seizes control of her armor!

• Can Riri get through to N.A.T.A.L.I.E. in time to stop her from making a terrible mistake? Or is Riri about to lose one of her only friends?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IRON MAN 2020 #5 (OF 6)

DAN SLOTT & CHRISTOS GAGE [W] • PETE WOODS (A)

5th Color Fluorescent Ink Cover by PETE WOODS

VARIANT COVER BY MICO SUAYAN

Connecting Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI

Variant Cover by RON LIM

Heads Variant Cover by SUPERLOG

Tony Stark is back! But is this the REAL Tony? How is that possible?! Where did that all-new armor come from?! WHAT’S GOING ON?!

There’s no time to explain, human. Just know this: It’s STARK VS. STARK ROUND 2, as Tony takes on Arno…in SPACE!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

SPIDER-MAN NOIR #3 (of 5)

MARGARET STOHL [W] • JUAN FERREYRA (A) • Cover by DAVE RAPOZA

VARIANT COVER BY PATRICK O’KEEFE

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES!

• A murder investigation may have led Spider-Man a thousand miles from home, but DANGER is close behind!

• And as the specter of war looms in Europe, a dangerous operative shrouded in mystery has designs of his own, with ELECTRO leading the charge!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SPIDER-WOMAN #3

KARLA PACHECO [W] • PERE PéREZ (A)

Cover by JUNGGEUN YOON

VILLAIN Variant Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY KRIS ANKA

DINO-MIGHT!

• With another all-out attack on her client, Spider-Woman is really beginning to regret taking this gig.

• As the tables turn yet again, a quick escape leads to the last place on Earth Jess wants to be.

• The shocking return of someone from Jess’s past ups the ante and throws Spider-Woman’s life into chaos!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #45

NICK SPENCER [W] • Mark Bagley (A)

Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS

Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DOALY

“SINS RISING” PART 1!

• SIN-EATER is back and New York City is in TROUBLE.

• Who will the shotgun-toting villain target, and can Spider-Man stand a chance against him?

40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #46

NICK SPENCER [W]• Marcelo Ferreira (A)

Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS

Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY MIRKA ANDOLFO

“SINS RISING” PART 2!

• The Lethal Legion returns to threaten the Big Apple , and only the Sin Eater can save us?

• How can Spider-Man stop the murderous vigilante and… should he?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

AMAZING MARY JANE #8

Leah Williams [W] • CARLOS GÓMEZ (A) • COVER BY PAULO SIQUEIRA

THE REDHEAD WITH NO NAME!

• Mary Jane’s homecoming is cut short when she’s the sole witness to a crime, and the suspect is known for eliminating witnesses!

• It’s up to MJ to bring this killer to justice, but she’s got to stay alive long enough to do it!

• She’s headed someplace where no one knows her face or name. She’ll have to watch her own back when trouble comes calling…

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

GWEN STACY #4 (of 5)

CHRISTOS GAGE [W] • TODD NAUCK (A) • Cover by MIGUEL MERCADO

VARIANT COVER BY PEACH MOMOKO

• It’s Friday Night Lights time as Standard High takes on Flash Thompson and the Midtown Tigers!

• Gwen is there to cheer on her boyfriend against Flash, but no one was expecting the Green Goblin to crash the event. And Spider-Man is nowhere to be seen.

• It’s down to the strangest super heroes of all to save Gwen and friends!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

RAVENCROFT #5 (OF 5)

FRANK TIERI [W] • ANGEL UNZUETA (A)

Cover by KYLE HOTZ

VARIANT COVER BY ANGEL UNZUETA

• It was bound to happen — the gates are off the hinges as everything bursts to the surface!

• What lies in store for the future of Ravencroft?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: THE DAILY BUGLE #5 (OF 5)

MAT JOHNSON [W] • MACK CHATER (A)

COVER BY NIKO HENRICHON

• Dateline: May 2020. There’s no other way to say it: Chloe Robertson and Ben Urich have been investigating Spider-Man as a possible suspect in multiple murders.

• But as they finally get to the bottom of a tangle of impostors and dead leads, they’ll find themselves back at the top.

• Does any man become a leader – of a business empire, of a newspaper – with clean hands?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

VENOM #26

DONNY CATES [W] • IBAN COELLO (A) • Cover by RYAN STEGMAN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

“VENOM BEYOND” BEGINS HERE!

If you thought VENOM ISLAND was insane comic book action of the highest order, then shut your yapper and face front, True Believer, because we’re about to outdo ourselves!

For months, the Maker has been fascinated with symbiotes. IN THIS ISSUE we find out why – and what he intends to do with any he can get his hands on…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #101 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by ROY THOMAS • Penciled by GIL KANE

Cover by GIL KANE

The dramatic debut of Morbius the Living Vampire! Dr. Michael Morbius has a lust for blood, and he’s out to sink his fangs into Spider-Man! But the wallcrawler is even more spiderlike than usual — because, in an effort to “cure” himself of his spider-powers, he’s ended up with four extra limbs! Peter must seek out Curt Connors, the Lizard, to return himself to normal — but little does Spidey know that he’s on a collision course with Morbius that will put him in the crosshairs of not one, but two monsters! Witness the beginning of a rivalry for the ages between webslinger and bloodsucker, in the issue that began the tragic tale of the misunderstood Michael Morbius! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #101.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

MORBIUS #7

Vita Ayala [W]• Marcelo Ferreira (A) • Cover by SKAN

• Morbius is on the trail of mayhem…but a certain vampire hunter seems to be following the same clues.

• What happens when BLADE comes face-to-face with the monster that is MORBIUS?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: THE BLACK CAT STRIKES #5 (OF 5)

DENNIS “HOPELESS” HALLUM [W] • LUCA MARESCA (A) • Cover by SANA TAKEDA

VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE

BLACK CAT’S FINAL REVENGE!

• The truth behind the BLACK CAT’S plan leads to one last ditch effort against HAMMERHEAD!

• But will SPIDER-MAN stand triumphant…or act as a pawn in the greater scheme?

• MARY JANE and PETER find a resolution as we march toward the next act of the GAMERVERSE saga!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

BLACK CAT #12

JED MACKAY [W]• Carlos Villa (A) • Cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY BENGAL

• Well, she did it this time. Black Cat stole an Iron Man armor from Iron Man, and he is NOT pleased.

• So she is on the run (fly, really) from Iron Man through Manhattan but also still on the run from the Thieves Guild. So it’s tough being Felicia Hardy right now.

• And it’s possible the armor wasn’t what she was stealing from Iron Man. Uh-oh.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SCREAM: CURSE OF CARNAGE #7

CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN [W] • GARRY BROWN (A) • COVER BY GERARDO SANDOVAL

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

ENTER: DEMAGOBLIN !

Something wicked this way comes as SCREAM discovers that the city’s homeless children are being kidnapped.

But things take a violent and unexpected turn when people start turning up gruesomely murdered, and all signs point to DEMAGOBLIN as the culprit. Meanwhile, the dragnet is closing around Andi Benton, as the police get ever closer to learning the truth about her symbiotic second life…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THOR #6

DONNY CATES [W]• NIC KLEIN (A) • Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL

Variant Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY SKAN

SPOILER VARIANT COVER BY STEVE SKROCE

THE DEATH OF KING THOR!

The Black Winter has the power to reveal the means of any person’s demise — and if the vision is true, Asgard is going to need a new Odinson to take the throne! But Thor is no mere herald or king — and even the death of all existence should fear his coming wrath.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SAVAGE AVENGERS #13

GERRY DUGGAN [W]• Patch Zircher (A) • Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO

The Savage Avengers assemble! Wolverine, Conan, Dr. Strange, Elektra, Black Widow, Hellstrom, Voodoo, Magik…and more. The heroes draw up a battle plan against Kulan Gath, and you’ll be thrilled as Conan wields a most unexpected weapon in the fight against darkness.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

GHOST RIDER #8

ED BRISSON [W] • JUAN FRIGERI (A) COVER BY AARON KUDER

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DECLAN SHALVEY

ENTER THE CITY OF THE DAMNED!

In a place beyond good and evil, Ghost Rider and Mephisto find a secret society of supernatural beings–and they aren’t fond of visitors!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

MARVEL TALES: HELLSTROM #1

GARY FRIEDRICH, JOHN WARNER & WARREN ELLIS [W]

TOM SUTTON, JIM MOONEY

& LEONARDO MANCO (A)

Cover by INHYUK LEE

VIRGIN VARIANT Cover by INHYUK LEE

Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan himself, demonstrates his devilish charm as we celebrate the legacy of the House of Ideas with the era-spanning MARVEL TALES! This anthology series shines a spotlight on fan-favorite characters, features timeless stories and highlights some of our most impressive talent from the past eight decades. First, Daimon makes his scene-stealing debut as an exorcist in GHOST RIDER (1973) #1! Then he claims a series of his own with SON OF SATAN #1 — and steps through a portal to hell for an unhappy family reunion with his diabolical father! And, in HELLSTROM: PRINCE OF LIES #12, Daimon digs into the darkest and most disturbing corners of the Marvel Universe, courtesy of one hell of a creative team — Warren Ellis and Leonardo Manco!

88 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$7.99

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #32 FACSIMILE EDITION

Written by DOUG MOENCH

Penciled by DON PERLIN

Cover by GIL KANE

Moon Knight makes his unforgettable first appearance — stalking Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night! Clad from head to toe in silver and wielding crescent-shaped blades, the soldier of fortune named Marc Spector is a lycanthrope’s worst nightmare. But why is he after this particular prey — and can Jack possibly survive their first savage battle? Moon Knight, earthly avatar of the Egyptian god Khonshu, went on to become a fan-favorite character and a man of many talents — mercenary, millionaire, vigilante, Avenger, even cab driver — but wide-eyed fans first got to meet him as a werewolf hunter in this classic tale! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting WEREWOLF BY NIGHT (1972) #32.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AVENGERS #34

JASON AARON [W] • JAVIER GARRÓN (A) • Cover by MATTEO SCALERA

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

THE AGE OF KHONSHU!

An empowered, godlike Moon Knight has just saved the world from fiery ruin. Now an army of mummies and moon priests begins to reshape the world in the image of ancient Egypt. But where does that leave the Avengers? Broken, imprisoned, or on the run in the moonlit streets of New Thebes City.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IMMORTAL HULK #35

AL EWING [W] • MIKE HAWTHORNE (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

• The war with the Minotaur is over — and a grateful humanity knows who saved them all.

• Can Shadow Base come out of the shadows? Can the world believe in Bruce Banner?

• Can there be a happy ending… for the IMMORTAL HULK?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

IMMORTAL HULK #36

AL EWING [W]• JOE BENNETT (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

• NO HAPPY ENDINGS.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #22

TA-NEHISI COATES [W] • BOB QUINN (A) • Cover by ALEX ROSS

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY PATCH ZIRCHER

”All Die Young” continues! For Peggy Carter to live again, must Sharon Carter pay the price?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DR. STRANGE #6

MARK WAID [W] • KEV WALKER (A) • Cover by PHIL NOTO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY DAVE JOHNSON

• Doctor Strange is hot on the trail of the magical thief infiltrating the Sanctum Machina!

• But as his investigation leads him deeper into a magical black arms-dealing market, the danger of being discovered mounts higher and higher…

• …and what he discovers will leave him reeling!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HAWKEYE: FREEFALL #6

MATTHEW ROSENBERG [W] OTTO SCHMIDT (A) Cover by KIM JACINTO

• Bullseye wants to hurt Clint in any way he can, so he’s playing dress-up and taking the archer’s (not-so) good name on a deadly tour of New York.

• Meanwhile, the Hood has had enough of Clint’s games and decides to put an end to them once and for all. He puts a price on Clint’s head so high that every villain, merc and thug in the city is going to line up to take a shot.

• With everything falling apart, Clint will be forced to make some choices he can’t take back. Will he find a way to get through this with clean hands, or will he be forced to return to his criminal ways?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

FALCON & WINTER SOLDIER #4 (of 5)

DEREK LANDY [W] FEDERICO VINCENTINI (A) Cover by DAN MORA

VARIANT COVER BY Takashi Okazaki

With the Natural by their side, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes travel to confront the woman who is scheming to become the new Hydra Supreme. Nothing seems to go right for our boys, however, as the plane they’re about to jump out of is beset by a swarm of Hydra agents.

On jetpacks.

Shooting laser beams.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

BLACK PANTHER #24

TA-NEHISI COATES [W] • DANIEL ACUÑA (A/C)

VARIANT COVER BY JOE QUINONES

THE INTERGALACTIC EMPIRE OF WAKANDA – “WAKANDA UNBOUND” Part 6

The Intergalactic Empire has suffered thousands of losses – and still they’re coming for Earth. Wakanda Prime is in more danger than ever as Emperor N’Jadaka – A.K.A. the resurrected Killmonger, one of the Black Panther’s deadliest enemies — returns to face the king who unintentionally brought him to power.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

NEBULA #4 (OF 5)

VITA AYALA [W] • CLAIRE ROE (A) Cover by JEN BARTEL

Variant by Alex Garner

• Thrown into a gladiatorial arena, Nebula must fight for her life!

• And as Nebula’s memories of her childhood begin returning to her…she may not like what she finds…

• Plus, the very first meeting between Nebula and Thanos revealed!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ATLANTIS ATTACKS #5 (of 5)

GREG PAK [W] • ARIO ANINDITO (A)

COVER BY ARIO ANINDITO

Variant by CARLO PAGULAYAN

TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH!

• As the clash between the ATLANTEANS, the SIRENAS and the interdimensional PAN reaches its terrible climax, an empire will triumph and an empire will fall!

• But you might be shocked to find out which of our heroes and villains ends up where! Will AMADEUS step up to JIMMY WOO’S challenge and lead both AGENTS OF ATLAS teams toward power and glory in this new world? Or will the dream of communities united in the PORTAL CITY OF PAN all come crashing down?

• Who will wear the crown? Whose word and heart will break? The fate of Atlas and the world hangs in the balance!

32 PGS./Rated T+…$3.99

DOCTOR DOOM #8

CHRISTOPHER CANTWELL [W] • SALVADOR LARROCA (A/C)

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY RYAN BROWN

After regaining his throne, Doctor Doom presses his advantage and invades Symkaria with the intent to conquer and annex the entire nation. And with the Ultimate Nullifier in hand, he’s able to keep the entire world at bay while he declares total war on the country that tried to overthrow him. Once the dust settles, he realizes he’s humanity’s last hope for preventing an unstable black hole from annihilating all of Earth…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AVENGERS OF THE WASTELANDS #5 (of 5)

ED BRISSON [W] • JONAS SCHARF (A)

Cover by JUAN JOSé RYP

Variant Cover by Todd Nauck

THE FINAL SHOWDOWN ON DOOM’S DOORSTEP!

• The so-called AVENGERS make their stand.

• The scheme of DR. DOOM is revealed.

• The final betrayal.

• The fate of the Wastelands is determined here!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

RUNAWAYS #33

RAINBOW ROWELL [W] NATACHA BUSTOS (A) Cover by KRIS ANKA

• The Runaways descend into one of the most terrifying Marvel Universe locations ever: HIGH SCHOOL!

• It goes better for some than others.

• For those who don’t think high school is an authentic Marvel Universe location, you WILL agree that who shows up at the end is a VERY authentic Marvel guest star!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #5

AL EWING [W] • Juann Cabal (A) • Cover by IVAN SHAVRIN

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY ALEX GARNER

• Moondragon is a hero. With her wife at her side, she came to our reality from a dimension of heroes – to save us all from evil.

• But our reality already had a Moondragon, and she can’t be a hero all the time. The DRAGON OF THE MOON has returned…

• …and it won’t leave until it’s fed on a soul.

• Didn’t we say it could always get worse?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

STRIKEFORCE #9

TINI HOWARD [W] • GERMÁN PERALTA (A)

COVER BY JUAN JOSÉ RYP

BATTLE ROYALE ON MONSTER ISLE!

It’s a death match of no-holds-barred sports entertainment — at the center of King Deadpool’s Monster Island! Strikeforce finds themselves divided between their mission to contain the dangerous Vridai and the sweet, sweet taste of competitive victory. Can this team of misfits stay together long enough to complete their mission?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ANT-MAN #5 (OF 5)

ZEB WELLS [W] • DYLAN BURNETT (A)

Cover by EDUARD PETROVICH

• Macrothrax marches on the mainland!

• Ant-Man and Stinger make their stand as the continent’s first and last line of defense!

• Don’t miss out as this heroic father-daughter duo face extermination in this explosive series finale!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

STAR #5 (of 5)

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • JAVIER PINA & FILIPE ANDRADE (A)

Cover by CARMEN CARNERO

Variant Cover by PHIL NOTO

FORESHADOW Variant Cover by KRIS ANKA

THE BLACK ORDER MAKES THEIR MOVE!

The former generals of Thanos have come for the reality stone. But thanks to everything Star has been through, she’s learned a lot about the power bonded to her. The Black Order expects to find a novice but instead will find a dragon. And no matter who wins this fight, one thing is for sure: The Marvel Universe is about to be a much more dangerous place…for everyone.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DAREDEVIL ANNUAL #1

CHIP ZDARSKY [W] • CHRIS SPROUSE (A) • Cover by CHIP ZDARSKY

VARIANT COVER BY DECLAN SHALVEY

ONE MORE DAY!

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

DAREDEVIL #21

CHIP ZDARSKY [W]• MARCO CHECCHETTO (A/C)

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TBA

BACK IN RED! ”TRUTH/DARE” STARTS HERE!

THE BATTLE MAY BE OVER, but the WAR is far from finished! After the shocking events of DAREDEVIL #20, CHIP ZDARSKY reunites with MARCO CHECCHETTO to begin the next chapter of their definitive DAREDEVIL saga: HELL AND BACK.

For weeks, Hell’s Kitchen has been a lawless neighborhood thanks to the Stromwyn siblings, but as the police are finally able to resume their patrols, they’re quick to find that they aren’t the only ones interested in keeping the Kitchen safe.

Meanwhile, as Matt Murdock continues to struggle with how best to appease his sense of justice after the events of the past several weeks, a familiar enemy takes root in Hell’s Kitchen…

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AERO #11

ZHOU LIEFEN & AMY CHU [W] KENG (A/C)

THE TEAM-UP YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR: AERO AND IRON MAN!

• AERO’S powers are put to the test! Can the legendary IRON MAN teach Aero the meaning of teamwork?

• Will they save SHANGHAI, or are they just falling into MADAME HUANG’S trap?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SWORD MASTER #11

SHUIZHU & AMY CHU [W] GUNJI (A/C)

WILL DESTINY LEAD

TO DESTRUCTION?!

• SWORD MASTER LIN LIE meets the powerful chief of the Nü-Wa Clan…JI SHUANGSHUANG’S grandmother!

• And Granny reveals the TRUTH about CHIYOU’S TOMB and Lin Lie’s bloodline.

• Will Lin Lie be strong enough to defeat a vengeful GOD OF WAR?

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DEADPOOL #7

KELLY THOMPSON [W] • GERARDO SANDOVAL (A) • Cover by CHRIS BACHALO

DARK MARVEL VARIANT COVER BY TONY DANIEL

IT’S A LOVE STORY, DEADPOOL, JUST SAY YES!

• Elsa Bloodstone is dying, and the only one who can save her is Deadpool!

• What’s wrong with the mystical, magical Bloodstone gem? And what can Deadpool possibly do about it?

• The answers will shock you! The implications will astound you! The jokes will…well, we won’t make any promises about the jokes.

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

VALKYRIE: JANE FOSTER #11

JASON AARON & TORUNN GRØNBEKK [W]• MATTIA DE IULIS (A)

Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

FORESHADOW VARIANT COVER BY MATTIA DE IULIS

She’s faced the Marvel Universe’s deadliest assassin — armed with the sword of a god — and won. She took the Grim Reaper straight to his eternal reward. She’s come face-to-face with Death herself…in more ways than one…and saved Asgard from a force beyond even Death’s powers. Now Jane Foster — the one and only Valkyrie — embarks on a whole new adventure under the pen of rising star artist Mattia de Iulis! Already Valkyrie has journeyed across the Multiverse in her new role…but now Hel awaits her. Along with its prickly rulers. And what does Loki, god of lies, have to do with it? An all-new arc starts here!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

HOW TO READ COMICS THE MARVEL WAY #2 (of 4)

CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS [W] • SCOTT KOBLISH (A) • COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA

VARIANT COVER BY AARON KUDER

• Mysterio is in the wind. Good thing Spider-Man has an ally (you/your comics novice friends) who can now follow him from panel to panel…

• But he’s still his own worst enemy: One thoughtless action froze citizens all over the city in time, and Spidey…needs to make a comic to free them?

• Do you know the lingo for talking about what makes a comic well-made? Learn it here! And see if Spider-Man can save his loved ones before Quentin Beck becomes omnipotent!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #16

JIM ZUB [W]• ROGÊ ANTÔNIO (A) • Cover by E.M. GIST

Variant cover by Cary Nord

THE REVENGE OF CONAN!

• The true nature of the Great Crucible is revealed!

• CONAN has angered the leadership of Uttara Kuru, but he will not be crushed by their punishment so easily!

• The dramatic conclusion to “Into the Crucible” and the start of Conan’s next quest!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

CONAN: BATTLE FOR THE SERPENT CROWN #4 (OF 5)

SALADIN AHMED [W] • LUKE ROSS (A) • Cover by Mahmud Asrar

VARIANT COVER BY Eduard Petrovich

VARIANT COVER BY Philip Tan

IN TOO DEEP!

• The SERPENT CROWN’s roots in the Pre-Cataclysmic Age lead CONAN back to where it all started…

• …but ATLANTIS is not quite what it once was.

• And even if he can locate the Crown, NAMOR isn’t going to let that treasure slip through his grasp!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

DARK AGNES #4 (OF 5)

BECKY CLOONAN [W] • LUCA PIZZARI (A) • Cover by STEPHANIE HANS

KILLER IN THE CATACOMBS!

• ETIENNE has been framed for murder, but DARK AGNES is determined to prove his innocence.

• And with the real killer on the loose, everyone is a suspect!

• But if the DUKE D’ALENCON returns before the killer is caught, more blood will spill—including Etienne’s!

32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #3

ALYSSA WONG [W]• MARIKA CRESTA (A) Cover by VALENTINA REMENAR

VARIANT COVER BY MAHMUD ASRAR

THE TRIALS OF VAALE!

• Separated from her crew, DOCTOR APHRA finds herself in peril at the hands of RONEN TAGGE’S mercenaries!

• Could there be a traitor in their midst?

• And can Aphra outwit them before the curse of the city swallows her and her new team whole?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.

STAR WARS #6

CHARLES SOULE [W] • JESÚS SAIZ (A) • Cover by R.B. SILVA

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

VARIANT COVER BY TBA

THE PATH TO JEDI WISDOM…OR A DEADLY TRAP OF THE DARK SIDE?

• THE FORCE led LUKE SKYWALKER to someone who can provide him with great insight into the path to JEDI wisdom…

• But their meeting will change Skywalker FOREVER. Luke thought his duel against his father, Darth Vader, was the ultimate test. But Luke’s trials have only just begun.

• The galaxy needs Luke Skywalker. And a Jedi needs a weapon!

• Meanwhile, Vader continues his search for his long-lost son, and the REBEL ALLIANCE finds itself on the verge of a losing all hope.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.

STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #4

GREG PAK [W]• RAFFAELE IENCO (A) • Cover By Inhyuk Lee

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

WHO HUNTS THE HUNTER?

• DARTH VADER continues his terrifying quest for vengeance against everyone who hid the existence of his son from him.

• But on NABOO, the DARK LORD OF THE SITH faces a deadly new challenge as his focus turns from LUKE to PADMÉ, the wife of the man Vader used to be.

• And what secrets lie in the tomb of PADMÉ AMIDALA?

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.

STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS #4

ETHAN SACKS [W]• PAOLO VILLANELLI (A) Cover by LEE BERMEJO

Empire Strikes Back Variant COVER by CHRIS SPROUSE

THE SINS THAT CAN’T BE ABSOLVED!

• With a blaster aimed at this back, cyborg bounty hunter VALANCE closes in on NAKANO LASH, the mentor who abandoned him many years ago.

• But what is the secret that Lash has been hiding ever since that fateful, doomed mission — one that led her to betray her entire crew?

• Those answers may die with her if a vengeful BOBA FETT gets to her first.

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.

Check out our other Reviews HERE

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May 2020 Marvel Comic Solicits EMPYRE: X-MEN #1 & #2 (OF 4) Issue #1 - JONATHAN HICKMAN & TINI HOWARD [W]

[illusionsofdreaming]

Tomorrow’s Another Day - Claude Imagine

Here we are guys! First FE3H Imagine on this blog!

Notes: Can’t forget our author notes can we? This imagine is based on the ending we get if Byleth and Claude gets married. It’s written in a genderneutral perspective but I could’ve slipped up somewhere, so please tell me if you spot any weird things. I believe it got a bit wordy and OOC towards the end but I’ll let you guys judge for yourself. Enjoy!

Ft: Claude (well, and some other characters)

It was disheartening that the scene before you was familiar. Not six years ago, you had watched from the walls of a different fortress as waves of black crested over hills, slowly but surely surging closer. If you listened closely, you believed you could hear the thundering march of the invading army.

“Has everyone in the citadel been evacuated?”

“All but a few stragglers remain which the knights are rounding up and evacuating now.” Seteth approached the balcony, arms crossed behind his back as he frowned at the scene. “_________, you should fall back as well.”

You breathed in slowly, thumbing the metal band on your finger. “I can’t.” It was an oversight on your part. If only you had noticed the signs earlier, perhaps they wouldn’t have made it this close to the capital.

Seteth’s hand landed on your shoulder, drawing your attention away from the invading forces. “_________, it’s foolish to blame yourself. You’ve been handling a lot since the war ended.”

You shook your head, releasing the breath in your chest. “That’s not an excuse. I let my guard down, I should have sent out forces to sweep for remaining enemies. It was arrogant of me to assume that Those Who Slither in the Dark would let go of their aggression once Thales is gone.”

He probably would’ve seen this coming.

Seteth grunted in disapproval. “You give yourself too little credit. You have worked tirelessly to stabilize and reform a newly unified country. Was the last few months of peace not borne of your efforts and hard work?”

A messenger soldier opened the doors before you could reply. “Your majesty, the enemies’ forces are almost to the first gate, the knights are waiting for your orders!”

“Tell them to prepare for battle, I will be joining them shortly.”

The soldier bowed and left and you turned to follow but Seteth stood in your way, arms crossed with serious frown on his face. “As the new leader of Fódlan, you should not endanger yourself and place yourself on the frontlines.”

You did not waver under Seteth’s gaze. “You know their real objective is me.”

“Which is even more reason why you should be leaving with the civilians to someplace safe.”

You shook your head. “Seteth, you know they will follow no matter where I go, So long as I continue to draw breath and wield the power of the goddess, they will continue to hate all that I represent.” You touched the hilt of your sword, feeling it glow warm by your side.

“I can’t abandon the people here.” You said even though you both knew that’s not the only reason you’re not leaving this citadel behind. You looked upwards towards the sky as you allowed a grim smile to grace your face. “If I must battle them once and for all, I’d rather do it on my terms and on the field I set.”

There was a pause of silence and you could hear how carefully he chose his next words. “Is there really nothing I can say to change your mind?”

You turned the metal band on your finger slowly until the beautiful emerald set in the middle caught the fading sunlight. You met his eyes sadly. “I’m afraid not. Sorry.”

Seteth sighed and shook his head. “Then I suppose I must stay with you, someone has to watch your back, it wouldn’t do well for the leader of the newly united Fódlan to fall so early in their reign.”

You smiled. “Thank you Seteth.”

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

After so many months of living in Derdriu, you knew the walls and defenses of the city like the back of your hand. You believed you had everything under control until one of the four main gates protecting the city was sprung open from within and now the inner town was flooded with Those Who Slither in the Dark and rebel Imperial soldiers.

There’s a traitor in our midst.

The thought stung, although not so much from the idea of betrayal itself but the fact you hadn’t caught on earlier. You who had witnessed their abilities to shift forms in the past, should have thought of measures to check for spies in your company.

Idiot, idiot, idiot! You could almost hear Sothis’ voice reprimand you in your head.

The opened gate had trapped you and your group of former students and colleagues away from the main force who were stationed at the main gate. Despite your insistence, they were all too stubborn to leave you behind, even as the situation gradually turned from bad to worse. Although battle trained experts in their own rights, not even you or your friends were immune to the dangers of exhaustion.

Something in your chest snapped painfully as you returned to the flow of time to deflect the blade of an assassin from reaching Hilda’s back and Ignatz' arrow found its home in the confused attacker's neck not a second later.  Too many close calls, too many do-overs. You’re barely keeping everyone alive and if the pain in your chest meant anything, you’re starting to suspect that you’re reaching your limit on how many times you can turn back time.

“Fall back!” You yelled, grasping your chest as another wave of pain washed over you. The others looked pained to give ground but obeyed your orders nonetheless. There’s still a slim chance of turning this around if everyone could retreat and regroup, buying enough time for the main force to turn around and join up. Unfortunately, you weren't the only ones who realised as much.

“Don’t let the Fell Star escape!”

You turned to block a heavy strike from the side, grimly meeting haunting empty eyes and pale skin. With a grunt of effort, you sent the Agarthan flying only to have your path blocked by another. Snapping your wrist, the Sword of the Creator lashed through the air like a striking serpent, felling several soldiers and bought you enough time to retreat into a different street as you unbalanced a pile of crates to block the road behind you.

Then it happened.

Seteth’s voice which had been constant over the chaos of battle as he called directions from the air, suddenly cut off with a pained cry. Your gaze immediately snapped up to see the man’s shocked expression and the sight of black feathers protruding from his chest stopped your heart entirely. Time seemed to slow as you watched with horror as he pitched forward and off his wyvern. Instinctively you reached for the power deep within you only to be incapacitated by pain like no other that had you screaming and crashing onto your knees. Gasping through the agony, you struggled to clear the dark spots from your vision but you had already lost sight of your comrade, unable to ascertain his fate.

A loud crash told you your enemies had successfully cleared your earlier blockage and not a moment later, a blast of dark magic caught you in the chest and sent you flying across the pavement, your sword skidding away. Over the roaring in your ears, you could hear the desperate yells of your friends trying to reach you but you knew there wouldn’t be time as a shadow fell over you.

“End of the line Fell one.”

Despite that every nerve in your body felt like they were on fire, you lifted your gaze resolutely, showing no fear even as their arm drew back for the killing blow.

I tried my best. You thought, squinting at the blinding shine of the sun behind the axe as it reached the height of its swing. You thumbed the metal band on your finger. I had hoped to see you one more time but it seems...

The axe fell.

Blood splattered across the pavement.

There was a choked noise of disbelief as you and the enemy stared almost uncomprehending at the red tipped steel that jutted out their neck. They fell with a crash, landing next to their fallen axe and revealed the street behind, littered with the bodies of his companions, similarly riddled with arrows.

“________?”

He had his back to the sun, casting his features in the shadows but that form and that bow was unmistakable. It was as if your thoughts had summoned him back.

It can’t be.

He knelt before you, paying no mind to the blood that stained his uniform, concern clear on his face as a gloved hand held your chin. “Are you hurt?”

Your thoughts reeled with the unexpected turn of events. Something at the back of your throat clamped up and stung with the beginning of tears although you’re not sure why. When his gaze turned a little worried you realised you have yet to respond, still muted by the emotions and words stuck in your throat, you could only manage a small shake of your head.

Relief was apparent in his eyes as he managed a fond chuckle, “Still trying to see what I’m scheming huh?” His expression softened as he released your chin, “It’s alright now, we’ll take over from here. You’ve done extremely well holding out so long. It’s about time I pull my weight around here don’t you think?”

His gaze travelled past your shoulders as he addressed someone behind you. “Take them to the infirmary and have only the best check ________, the rest of you follow me. It’s time to show these invaders the exit.”

Your world spun sickeningly as you were picked up from the ground, the contact and movement sent fresh waves of pain through your body that nearly drove you into unconsciousness. You’ve long reached your limits several divine pulses ago but still you stubbornly clung on even as darkness crept in from the sides, your fingers latched onto his sleeve as he was turning to leave.

He must have seen something in your expression as he turned back and cupped your face, a thumb wiped gently across your cheek. “It’s alright. I’ll be back.”

“...”

“I promise.” Gently, he uncurled your fingers from his sleeve and lifted them to his lips, pressing a light kiss on your ring.

You could’ve imagined it, the glimmer of something in his eyes before he turned away. The resounding war cry that followed him as he mounted his wyvern and took to the skies, thundered through the air and resonated throughout the city.

It was the sound of salvation and it followed you into darkness.

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

It was a slow crawl back to the land of consciousness and it didn’t help that you had always struggled to wake from the grasps of sleep. Still your slowly waking mind was teased with the annoying sound of paper crinkling in the background, a soft, incessant nuisance that refused to let you fall back into the relaxing dreamy state. You burrowed into the softness beside you hoping to escape from the distraction, but the sound only got obnoxiously louder. Having had enough, you opened your eyes and was met with the sight of a familiar profile.

An incredibly, annoying, amused smile tilted his lips. “Good morning Sunshine, it didn’t take five years this time, I’d call that progress.” He flipped a page in his book, deliberately not meeting your irked gaze. You’re not even sure why you’re surprised to find that your bed’s been overtaken by a haphazard mess of books, parchment and maps, still it definitely did not help with your dwindling patience. Your hand shot out from beneath the blankets and grabbed hold of his ear in an unforgiving grasp.

“Ow-ow-ow-ow! C-careful! I’ve only got two of these-ow ow ow-” Claude yelped as you twisted his ear, his book falling to the ground with a thump as he hastily shifted sideways to follow your punishing grip. You released him a moment later, having scooted up to a semi-lean against the headboard.

“What are you doing?” Your voice was raspy from sleep and exhaustion as you shoved some of the books weighing down the blankets by your legs to the floor.

“Dutifully staying by the bedside of my injured partner and taking care of them,” he grimaced, one hand rubbing his sore ear as the other reached to the side to grab a glass of water you hadn’t noticed before and handed it to you. You took light sips as you glanced around you, noting the contents of some of the parchments.

“You’re avoiding politics.” you concluded.

“That too.” He grinned, eyes sparkling as he took your glass and set it aside.

“They told me that you might wake today,” he took your hand in his as his finger ran lightly over the ring on your finger. “I just wanted to make sure I’m by your side when you do.”

You were silent as you watched him twist the metal band.

“Three days.” He said softly, eyes still trained on the hand he held. “We couldn’t figure out the nature of the spell you were hit with. None of our mages have seen the like of it. Your muscles were spasming and the medics were worried you could lapse into seizure any time and they weren’t sure your overtaxed body would be able to handle it if you did.”

You processed this information with chilling detachment. It hadn’t felt that long in the darkness so you hadn’t realised how close to death you had been. Perhaps it was for the best that others assumed your symptoms were caused by the dark spell, Sothis’ power was much more dangerous than you’d expected. You tightened your hold on around his hand and felt when Claude released the breath he held in.

“Seteth-”

“Is alive and well.” He reassured you, finally looking up with a smile as he reached to push a lock of hair behind your ear. “The arrow had just missed the important organs but it broke his sternum. He’s in a lot of pain, a little bruised but otherwise fine. The others are safe as well.”

You nodded, sinking down in relief and leaning against the warmth of his shoulder. Perhaps it’s because of your weakened state, you still felt a little dazed, like everything was moving too fast and too slow at the same time. “What’s this?” Your finger brushed against a discoloured patch on his chin, which you realised a second later, was a fading bruise.

Claude blinked in surprise, his hand coming up to rub against the spot. “Ah,” he laughed, “Flayn.”

Your eyebrows rose in surprise. “Flayn?”

Claude grimaced, scratching his scruff. “I got quite the dressing down when I went to check on Seteth and the others, they all had something they wanted to say about my tardy return.”

You wanted to ask what exactly did they have to say that warranted him being punched in the face when he sat up abruptly, gently pulling you up as well as he held your gaze. “I heard everything from Seteth. Everything you’ve done, everything you’ve achieved and everything you’ve endured during this time. The others wouldn’t understand why I had to leave when I did but with you it’s different..” his voice softened.  

“_________, I know I asked a lot of you and I know it’s been hard. My schemes and tricks would’ve amounted to nothing without you... This dream of mine, if it weren’t for everything you’ve done here,” his voice broke with his emotions as he smiled in wonderment. “I don’t know where I’ll be right now.”

You looked into his eyes and reached to swipe the tears from the corners, prompting light chuckles from Claude. “I’ve never had any passions nor dreams of my own. It’s because I love you, that I wish to see yours come true.” You admitted softly.

Clauded breathed out in a huff, his head dropping forward and his forehead bumped yours lightly as he reached up to hold your hand in his. “________... Thank you for everything.”

You were surprised to find tears welling up in your eyes and his smile was kind as he brushed them off your cheeks in return. He tugged you closer and you allowed it, resting against his chest as your tears fell harder and faster. The room lapsed into a comfortable silence as you shared the tender moment together, finally within each other’s arms.

“I’ve never stopped thinking about you.” he admitted after a while. “Everything I did reminded me of how much I wanted to bring you there. I wanted to show you the foods, the sights and the people. I was impatient for the day I could finally meet you again but to think I’d almost lost you...” he breathed in slowly. “Those few days by your bedside were the most agonizing days I’ve been through. If I’d lost you, I don’t think I could go on.” He buried his face into your shoulder.

“That’s why it’s enough, ________.” he rumbled, “My grand dreams are finally in reach thanks to you but it’ll mean nothing at all if you’re not here beside me to witness its fruition. So promise me, you’ll think of yourself. Keep yourself safe, for me and for everyone else, ________.”

You thought of all the civilians who wanted nothing but peace. You thought about your friends and colleagues who refused to leave your side even when all seems lost. You thought about all the battles and heartbreak you’ve been through to reach this stage. You thought about the ring you wore on your finger and the promise it held. You placed your hand over his and his hand on your lap immediately turned over to lace your fingers together. “I promise.” You agreed.

He pressed a grateful kiss by your cheek as he squeezed your hand. “I’m sorry for leaving you alone for so long.” He lifted your linked hands and you found yourself blinking back another fresh wave of tears when you recognised the silver ring on his finger. “I’m back now, from now on, let’s walk this path together.”