#Adero

[tnsophiaonly]

'tis was for a friend, but also because I love adero a lot smh - ps randalia is Adero's actual canon lover (me when)

Cw: adero, death, implied murder, cuts, implications of yandere too, canonxcanon, ocxoc, this is from mayhem massacre -.oc's of @saikowatermelons , toxic behavior, forcing

An unnamed knight stood still out as a gate guard, nothing to really note.

Ever since getting scrapped by her creators that was supposed to be a maid, she was instead demoted to a gate guard.

She can't really say it doesn't hurt, but feeling hurts more than it should.

So she stays silent, the same tired, unblinking and blank eyes staring in the air. Until her eyes caught a glimpse of a bright light - so bright it might burn her eyes.

That hurts. She muses. It's as if the sun itself was walking. And there she takes note of his stature, an orange haired fella, with an attire she knows all too well - the sun kingdom.

Raise your sword, and slit the throats of those delusional bastards of the sun, may they dare get inside, it will be off with your head. That voice, same voice of her creator. Her only purpose.,

Her hand immediately grips the hilt of her sword, titling it ever so slightly to show her hostility, though her eyes don't bear the same hostility as her actions, such tranquil and stoic expression is enough to show that he's unwelcomed. But the boy remains still, unwavering.

“Leave.” That was the very first word she spoke to him, she could almost see the way his mouth curled into an opened ‘o’.

“Wow~! You're so weak — I can't help but be fazed.” he says, still keeping the same cheerful expression that does not reach his eyes at all, such emerald eyes glinting the wrong light.

“What’s your name?” He asks, stepping closer, unbothered by the sword pointed at his neck, as he even dares press his neck against the point of her sword, as his hand holds the sword, chipping it in the process and throwing it away. “I love your sweet welcome, it's been so long since I've had that!” He muses melodiously.

She stepped back, at least she thought she did. She stepped back because she felt overwhelmed.

She can't feel overwhelmed.

“So what's your name?” He asks again, she looks away, she was never named by her creator. She opens her mouth to speak, but is overall just silent.

He tilts his head, “Why so hesitant?” He holds her hand, grasping it with his rusty ones, he could almost feel how fragile she was, he wonders how would she feel if he just - broke it and shattered it to pieces.

Alas, he couldn't really bring himself to break her yet.

“I don't have a name.” She mutters the very first sentence she has told him. He almost looked bewildered, but she knew that he was just making his emotions exaggerated, “How could someone have no name? Don't you know that a name is one of the many things that makes a person?” He giggles.

“Unnamed knight fits you well, though!” He muses, “Well, you can call me Adero.”

Adero - well, he's just him. As the prince and a very beloved one - the king and queen thought it would be best he gets a guard, fearing for his safety.

How laughable, really.

He's better off doing all the guarding, as this guard is utterly useless, unable to do anything that could very much do what a guard is supposed to do, so weak that it almost makes him tear up. He could almost wish to tear the guy himself.

One day, whilst on the same adventurous hunt - his words, it was supposed to be a trading of neighboring towns and villages -, he was ambushed by bandits,

These bandits are of no threat, though, he could easily deal with them without a much if a flick to his wrist, alas the guard proved to himself to be more useless as he ran for reinforcements,

Wrong way.

The guard ran, he scoffed, useless.

After defeating the bandits, albeit with a little torture on the way to entertain him, he hoped to find the guard to end him himself, this guard was as useless, by a lot.

Till on his journey, he had to see a little gate on the way to the lower moon kingdom, oh?

And there stands a gate guard, looking tired as ever, as if she didn't even wanna be there, he could almost pity her, but he chose to laugh, another one to stain his sword, he supposed.

But his overall experience with you, just - everything.

He could feel his heart race, how… How interesting.

Welcoming him so warmly, when has he ever felt such warmth in a long time? Never really, but hey, it's poetic!

Maybe - just maybe - this boring life, has a little excitement that includes the lower moon kingdom.

Guess they finally had some use, huh?

He muses to himself.

Alas fate may just be the cruelest, as she just had to gain the attention of the notorious sun prince, maybe it was fate - or maybe it's just him.

Adero at the slightest is not sane nor humane. For someone so fragile as her, it's best she stays away, but something tells her to not go, to not do anything stupid and disobey him, he’s a prince! But he's from the sun kingdom, someone she shouldn't associate herself with! She's already had enough of a disappointment already, a mistake, a failure — she can't have herself become a traitor too.

Especially when this outrageous prince was as outrageous as his actions, asking her to go out, asking her to go bathe in the warmth of the sun, to lay in the grass, while he lays his head on her lap -

Holding his hand, willingly.

Laying in the grass, neglecting her duties as a gate guard, as Adero lays his head on her lap, wearing that same shit eating grin on his face, as she looked unfazed,

She has grown used to his antics.

“Randalia!” He calls out, she blinks, who?

“It’s so annoying to have to call you anything but a name, so I'll give ya one!” He says, laughing too, she could feel the sun getting warmer.

“Randalia," he says, “Your name hums like strings beneath moonlight, a melody woven from soft whispers and open skies.” He starts.

“You are the rhythm of gathered hearts, the pulse of stories told in plucked notes, dancing between silence and serenade.”

“You are the keeper of evenings, a chorus of stars cradled in gentle hands, a hymn for the unseen, a promise wrapped in music's embrace.”

“When I say your name, it’s as if the world pauses to listen — a song not yet sung but always known. Randalla, you are harmony, and you make me whole.”

She's silent. Wide unblinking eyes staring at his form, the sun is warmer again, “I didn't know you were such a bard.”

He chuckles, “I didn't know either, but I guess we find something we never expect ourselves to do when with people so unexpected!” He cheers.

The sun warms yet again, but so does her cheeks.

But cheer isn't really the right word for that.

Something that Adero has never expected, that she would actually be able to defy him.

After months of his pestering, he has always thought she'd just — let him be.

Because that's what she always does. Used to at least.

So why cry now? Why has her face cracked — why show such emotions now?

When he's almost concluded that she doesn't possess such things, when he's always thought of her as a doll.

Why cry now?

Is it because he's killed the very thing that keeps her face from cracking, that poor old crystal dragon that has always kept her face pristine - numb of any emotion.

Or perhaps she's crying for him? How - he's lost his leg? How much fear he's felt - such raw and unfiltered emotion felt from the feeling of almost dying?

He would honestly prefer that.

For her to cry for him instead.

She looked so pretty showing such human emotions, such emotions that made him want to break her further - to proceed to build it together again, just for him.

“Get away from me!”

Get away from her? How foolish. Not when he's seen such breathtaking emotions, such vulnerability that she's probably have never shown anyone

But him.

Yeah.

He'll make sure she makes him see more of this. Such emotion, that he felt his eyes water, so pretty.

Guess that little hunting expedition wasn't in vain.

Because the real treasure here is her.

When she saw tears fall from his eyes, she almost faltered. Lately, it's getting harder and harder to numb her emotions, that's bad.

She'll end up cracking if this continues.

She'll break.

Her whole entire life, she's never cried at all, so why is she crying now?

And why did she have to cry in front of him?

She could almost feel such disbelief, because Adero was crying, this heartless demon was crying.

Crying out of happiness.

He's in utter bliss, probably more glad than ever that she was crying, showing such emotion.

He loves her and she doesn't want him to.

What a cruel fate.

Never has love ever felt so horrible. Nor has it ever been so horrifying.

She wants him to go, go away, get away, go!

But he keeps on getting closer, insisting, pestering, forcing.

He swears he loves her, and she swore she hated him.

Never has she ever hated those hands, never has she hated ever having to be held by him.

The grass didn't feel relaxing, the air was tense, the sun was too hot, and her hand felt itchy.

Her eyes felt watery, her whole body felt horrible, at least she wasn't dead like that guy over there.

The same guy who has caused the permanent physical crack on her face, the same crack that led to Adero’s curiosity to flourish — if she could be broken more.

And Adero’s supposed guard.

She wished the guy had blinded her, maybe even ended her instead, at least she wouldn't be alive under Adero. But now — alas, the guy is dead.

And he's still here.

Adero is still here.

The sun would rise ever so above, mocking her, laughing at her for not pushing her sword further to his neck, mocking her for listening to him - as if she had any choice at all, mocking her for being the object of Adero’s supposed love.

And so, her face cracks again, as she feels her eyes water once more.

[saikowatermelons]

The Child of the Sun

-Adero-

Their prayers and wishes were powerful enough to bring the prince to life. 

However, due to the corrupt nature of the Sun kingdom, and knowing that they prayed for this prince for the wrong reasons, the prince’s mindset was shifted. His main goal is to terminate everyone, forgetting his original purpose. 

The Sun kingdom praised him, even if he killed one of their kind, they allowed him too, thinking that he was taking them to a better place. This prince was treated as if he was a blessing sent from the Sun god, yet he was far from a blessing. He never cared about anyone, if someone were to get on his bad side, they would be murdered. He was emotionless, yet always seemed to be kindhearted as prophecies told, yet even if he was, he was still a murderer. 

Prophets dubbed him; “Child of the Sun; Adero”

Adero was taken in by the current royal family and treated him like a son of their own. The king and queen would sometimes favor Adero over the other princes and princesses they biologically created in order to not upset the deity. Adero couldn’t care less about the offerings and pampering given to him. He was never all for that since he didn’t have the capability to feel gratitude. So, he just let it be, and yet he decided to have his own life and go on adventures across the different nations. Suspicious, the king and queen hesitated on approving their adoptive son’s decision, but they let him go in order to not cause any trouble with the sun god’s gift to them. 

Adero went off, and decided to do what he wanted, going on little fun quests and adventures as the people bowed down to him in respect and treated him like a hero. Whenever something wrong happened in his adventure, he would publicly execute that person that decided to question him about his motives.  The people would cheer on him whenever he would brutally murder someone, including the innocent as if he was being a hero for executing them. Nobody dared to disrespect him, only those foolish enough would and they would soon regret their decision. 

One of his adoptive sisters, Katrina, dislikes him for killing the innocent, her parents were mortified of her and continuously scolded her and abused her, physically and verbally in order to make her realize her “mistake” and make her learn to respect Adero. However, she didn’t stop, she kept telling them and trying to convince them that he was indeed a horrible being. Adero knew everything she was trying to do, and he did know she had no chance, but her evidence and her persuasion skills were good. She had enough one day and tried to tell everyone in the kingdom, and she had a chance in convincing her people due to her status. But before she left the palace to tell everyone she didn’t know, Adero returned home from an adventure. He then exterminated her, knocking her out, bringing her somewhere secluded and decapitating her before consuming her body limb by limb. 

The tragic event was concluded as an possible assassination from the Moon Kingdom, and never even assumed it was Adero. Some people did, but, of course, were executed anyway. The king and queen viewed it as a good riddance and let it be, not even caring that their daughter was dead. 

The disappearance of Katrina was still left a mystery by the public eye, even now during the present.

-Corriette-

(Corriette Amélie Moreau)

Grew up in a poor but religious family. They brought her to a church to become a nun and serve the priest. However, despite the church being a holy sanctuary for blessings and such, the priest was a horrible person, and people excused him for his disgusting behavior since he was a man of god. As a nun, Corriette was forced into slavery because of the priest. She wanted to be independent from his control. But she couldn’t  because she was forced to believe it was for the greater good. Then, she fled away from her hometown (the Sun kingdom), away from the church and away from her old family and found her new home at the Afternoon kingdom. Free from all the torture and control she had once endured in her old life, and now living as a free citizen that decided to partake in studying books.

 People back in the Sun kingdom were skeptical of her nature, suspecting she could be a witch just because she liked to read information. The priest has caught her reading before and burnt all of her precious and valuable books because they weren’t “holy” or “blessed by the Sun God’s light” 

But going into the Afternoon kingdom, many people didn’t mind and were alright with Corriette being a bookworm. 

Being in the Afternoon kingdom made her express herself more often, being more sassy and kind hearted. However, she was always focused on what she wanted and her needs. Sometimes not even realizing she’s hurting herself and others in the process. 

But she will do everything it takes to get what she wants, or what someone she cares about wants even if it risks her own life, then so be it. 

She resents the people of the Sun Kingdom due to how prideful they are of their own nation and she has prior knowledge of all of the corrupted and horrible things the royal family of that kingdom do. She yearns to bring her family to the kingdom she is in now, however it’s difficult due to them being loyal to the royal family of the Sun kingdom. She tries her best to convince them, yet they don't accept the truth of the people they worship. One day, she went to the Sun Kingdom just to visit her family, and she saw on the streets a parade being held. Through all of the joy, dancing, and excitement, she sees the prince; Adero. The two had opposing viewpoints of the world.

Corriette never fell for the propaganda Adero set, and she knew that he was indeed a horrible person from the start (with the murder). But she was too exhausted, too uninterested in bringing him to justice. Morality was never her thing. She didn’t really care much about justice, only the justice that serves right to her or someone she knows, and Adero was immediately interested in her.  The two hit it off as friends, however society constantly disregarded Corriette just because she was low class. But Adero didn’t care because he liked being with her. (no romantic implications) But as time went by, their friend relationship slowly but surely became different, with Corriette realizing how much more of a flawed and insane individual Adero was. But she can’t leave, she’s forced to stay, forced to accompany him because he never had a real friend. It was during their friendship when she knew that morality was important. 

Basically Corriette and Adero have a toxic friendship

[saikowatermelons]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FANFIC OF ADERO!!! I REALLY APPRECIATE THE ATTENTION HE HAS RIGHT NOW! I PLAN SHOWING THE OTHER LORE OF MY OCS HOPEFULLY YA CAN CHECK IT OUT!!!

❝HE CARESSES MY FACE AND IT HURTS.❞

—-–-—⟩»⟩ Holding your hand with a tenderness that belies the arrogance etched into his every breath, you feel a surge of irritation rise, bitter and sharp, threatening to twist your lips into a scornful sneer. Yet, for all the exasperation he kindles within you, there is nothing you can do—nothing you dare do. For he is a prince, a radiant figure draped in privilege and power, while you are but a lowly sentinel of the gate, tethered to duty and shadow.

He has never been sound of mind, not truly. Perhaps it is a fissure in his very being, a fracture in the delicate architecture of his soul. One might think that the sharp collision of his head against unyielding stone could jar him into alignment with the rest of the world’s cadence. Yet no — such normalcy eludes him, as distant as a dream upon waking.

It is in the curve of his smile that his madness breathes. A hollow expression, bereft of warmth, for his lips may curl but his eyes remain void — vacant as the lifeless depths of a forgotten well. Those eyes, cold and unfeeling, harbor nothing but shadow, while his grin is a mockery of joy.

And then, his hands. Calloused and coarse, they grip you with an unrelenting firmness that sets your skin aflame with discomfort, as though it were woven of nettles. You yearn to break free, to recoil from the uncanny wrongness of his touch, yet some unnameable force binds you there. Your will falters beneath his grasp, and though every fiber of your being cries for escape, you cannot.

"Beloved, oh, my most cherished blossom, my radiant sunbeam," he murmurs, his tone a honeyed venom, cloying and treacherously sweet. "Pray, where hast thou wandered, little flower? Dost thou not know? Thou art mine alone to treasure, to hold. Tell me, wherefore hast thou strayed?"

His words drip with saccharine allure, yet they cling to the air like the rancid perfume of decay. The sound coils around you, a serpent of false tenderness, and you cannot restrain the flicker of revulsion. Your brow knits, your nostrils flare, a fleeting betrayal of your inner turmoil.

Shit. You swiftly master your expression, the trembling guise of innocence overtaking your visage—a doe caught in the thorns of peril. Soft and unbidden, your lips craft a deceit, honeyed and silken, to lull his fevered delusions into tranquil slumber. Before his tempestuous wrath awakens and rends you asunder, you weave words as delicate as gossamer threads:

"My radiant prince of the sun, dost thou truly believe my heart sways so easily, as though bewitched by thine own splendor? Forgive me, for I meant not to wound thy pride. Yet, pray, grant me this: mine eyes were ensnared by yonder blossoms, so fair they dare rival the gilded warmth of this day—a vision most perfect, though it pales, of course, before thee, my sovereign of light."

It is no truth you speak, but rather a sanctuary to flee—a refuge from the inescapable, a shadow to conceal yourself from the haunting brilliance of his emerald eyes. Eyes that are no mere windows to a soul, but abysses carved from the blackest depths of infernal torment, searing with a promise of ruin and despair.

His countenance split into a grin, a sharp curve of amusement etched upon his face, its edges cutting like the crescent moon against a midnight sky. There was satisfaction in the way his expression lingered—at least, you dared to hope. Then, like the brittle snap of ice beneath weight, a low chuckle escaped him, reverberating with a shadowed mirth that coiled in the air like smoke from a dying ember.

"My dearest, most loyal sentinel," his voice dripped with a silken malice, a predator’s purr beneath the guise of tenderness, "how generous thou art to weave for me such fair and gentle falsehoods—to keep mine heart entranced. Truly, thou art naught but a cunning little witch."

The words struck you like a blade cloaked in velvet, and your breath hitched as ice slithered down your spine. Of course, he had seen through you; how could he not? He was a master of discernment, a craftsman of manipulation, reading the soul’s secrets as one reads verses upon a page.

“But— I wouldst delight in thinking so, forsooth. Elsewise, I might hath stirred a touch of mischief,” quote he, a sly grin curling upon his lips, laughter spilling forth like a blade cloaked in silk.

Your heart, meanwhile, recoiled as unease stirred within you. For you didn't hope—no, pray—that his words bore naught but jest. This prince, though mercurial as the winds that whisper through forgotten ruins, was no harbinger of idle threats. He wielded his promises like a harpist’s strings, plucking at any reason, a melody of dread and deceit. And his eyes—void and fathomless—spoke not of jest but of a silence more terrifying than any spoken word.

"Fret not," quote he,

❝I'LL BE YOURS, AND YOU'LL BE MINE.❞

╰┈➤ adero x reader (randalia)

I'm sorry for bad English, English is not my first language.

╰⪼ this fic was inspired by @tnsophiaonly 's fic "You rise, I shatter" and checking out where the OC's where - I absolutely am smitten! Especially with Adero, so here's my first post in Tumblr, an appreciation to the under appreciated @saikowatermelons

I really am a huge fan of @tnsophiaonly , and she's basically my inspiration! Especially when I find out she's Filipino - that's amazing.

[the-ellia-west]

Writemas Challenge

Day 1

Hosted and Tagged by the lovely @agirlandherquill my Prompts come from this post, and the challenge invitation in this post if you'd like to try it yourself, and I invite you all to try!

I wish you all a Merry Winter season as we dive write into this madness

My prompts: |"We shouldn't be in here."| Beside a roaring fireplace | He was in trouble. Too much trouble.| Warmth|

---

A crimson carpet of a color much deeper than blood muffled his footsteps as Aderos ran his fingers across the intricate carvings marked into the fireplace mantle. He bit the inside of his cheek, tasting a metallic sting as he caught sight of a small frame. Aderos leveled his breaths and slipped his fingers around it, bringing it close to his chest for a better look.

He brushed dust off the glass with his thumb as the crackling fire only inches from his legs began to burn. But he welcomed the heat, as it would be the last time he would feel a fire before she took him back to the sea for good. As he sat cross-legged in front of the flames, sweat beading on his brow and fire roaring at his front, he treasured the picture.

A small portrait just bigger than both of his hands of the royal family. The king and queen stood regally with both of their hands on the shoulders of a smiling little girl. He longed to see her again. Not the solemn queen of ice who'd taken her place. He wished that when he reached for her hand, he would feel the same warmth of the fire racing through her veins. He pressed his forehead to the frame, tears slipping softly down his cheeks and the roaring of the flames cutting out the rest of the world. So he didn't hear the door creak behind him.

“Eros?”

The prince jumped, clutching the picture against the buttons of his suit as he tensed. “Tera.”

“Why are you… We shouldn't be in here.”

“Well, well, well, honeybun, what are you doing here, then?” He tucked the portrait into his bag as he turned, locking eyes with the fiery scrutiny of the princess from the portrait.

She sighed, “I suppose you have me there, Eros. I surrender, I came to look at these.” She motioned to the much larger frames lining the walls over the fireplace that seemed to be protesting as he retreated from its warmth. “I… Miss my father.”

Aderos opened his mouth to say something as she stepped up beside him, but found the words stuck in his throat, and he faltered. How could he tell her? How could he do that to her? But he knew he couldn't leave without doing something, or it would haunt him until the day he died.

“Eros? What is it? Is there something troubling you?” She turned toward him, and in a moment he was overcome with a deep grief for her. Her dress like sparkling candlelight beneath silver stars.

He tried to speak again, tell her everything. But when nothing came, he threw his arms around her and pulled her into a kiss, desperate for her to understand everything he was trying to say but couldn't. Tera startled, but once she realized, she melted into him, hands finding his shoulders as she kissed him back. Together, he felt like nothing could pull them apart, and for one tiny moment, all his grief drowned in the warmth of the princess of the sand whose eyes kept him up long past sunrise.

At her touch, a strange electric pulse raced through his skin as they tested the waters, almost swaying back and forth into one another before she pulled back, a hand flying to her lips. Aderos tried to smile, a silent reassurance everything was alright as he brushed her lipstick from his cheek, but as he looked at her, he knew.

He was in trouble. So much trouble.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it! Have a good day, lovelies!

@seastarblue @darkandstormydolls @urnumber1star @homelessnerd @sunflowerrosy

@i-hate-happy-endings @tildeathiwillwrite +Open tag!

[lauramarijab]

wonder through the corridors of Lelija to discover ’’Adero’’

[nineteenfiftysix]

Type R - Ego Adero (Millennium Strike: Demo Disc 2, 2022)

[furugiyakikkakeyaniku]

来月２月９日（金）は〝肉祭り15〟❗️、明日は木曜定休日

楽しみにして頂いてた皆様、お待たせしました

今年も開催致します

来月２月９日（金）14時〜21時　当店ふるぎやきっかけや肉にて

「肉祭り15」

古着ALL29%OFF‼︎

→チラシ持参 or 肉で購入した服＝肉服で来店 or 肉ロゴ掲示いずれか一つで、な、なんと！

50%OFF‼︎

ニューにっくんTシャツ販売‼︎

→少数限定‼︎

チラシは店頭にてお買い物頂いたお客様から優先してお渡ししてます

毎年恒例、今年で15回目❗️

今年は特に人数制限は設けませんが、混雑した場合は時間制限20分までとさせて頂きます

なにぶん一人で営業してますので、行き届かない点もあると思いますがご了承下さい

少しお知らせが遅くなりましたが、皆様予定に入れて頂いてるでしょうか？

皆々様のこぞってのご来店お待ちしております

本日はスウェットなど

追加しておりますので、ご紹介☆

pierre cardin

デッドストック

まだらな薄色ブルーボディに細畝のボーダー柄と左胸のワンポイントロゴ刺繍がクールな一枚

裾リブがないのも良い感じかと

メンズＬサイズ

是非♪♪

Aderos

中国製

感じの良い臙脂色ボディの中心にストライプ状の切替とラインデザインがユニークな一枚

サイドにバンドポケットが付いてるのも便利

メンズＭサイズ

是非♪♪

ZEALZIP

中国製

シブいネイビーボディに前面の立体的なラインなど幾何学柄がお洒落なフリースポロ

左胸にポケットが付いてるのも素敵

メンズＭサイズ

是非♪♪

それでは一月最後の本日も元気に営業致します

明日は木曜定休日でお休み

よろにくです^ ^

[saikowatermelons]

“Resurface”

TAOYP mini sequel

“Somethings should be left forgotten"

[Just an FYI for you, reader, this sequel will be OC focused, if you wanted more Sans, this isn’t for you]

Corriette shuffles through her stuff, trying to look for the correct ingredients for this new potion she needed to make for Adero. Alchemy wasn’t really her thing but it was needed for her new research and Adero wanted to upgrade his magic. She groaned in frustration once she looked back at the recipe. It was so specific, so messy and most ingredients were rare. She only had about a tiny fraction of the ingredients listed below. 

So, she had to conduct an expedition, however once Adero heard that she had to travel, he forc- tasked SweetC to go with her so she can defend Corriette in the big wide world filled with criminals, bandits, pirates, thieves and more that they had the misfortune of living in.

“So we’re heading there. This entire area has all the needed ingredients.” Corriette hovers her hand over the map, showing SweetC the specific area. “It’s a kingdom ruled by the monster king, Asgore Dreemurr so I’m sure we’ll need to be extra careful-” SweetC flinched. Not again. Not when it’s been about a year. She told herself she would never associate herself with monsters after you know who and now she’s being tested to go back? 

“Corriette, is there any other area with these ingredients?” SweetC questioned with hesitation, rubbing the back of her neck. 

“No, sadly, echo flowers are most known to be in that area as well as the other items.” Corriette responded, continuing to flip through the recipe book before stopping and realizing how odd of a question SweetC asked her. She wasn’t the type of person to say ‘no’ on expeditions. Corriette looks back at SweetC with a tiny hint of concern “Why are you asking though? We can surely avoid monsters, plus you kill th-” SweetC covers Corriette’s mouth with her gloved hand, her expression darkening. “Don’t mention that.” She pulls her hand away.

Corriette starts to feel confused and scared. What exactly happened? SweetC wasn’t normally like this to her. Sure, the knight was secretive sometimes but never this much of a gatekeeper. She would be open about her feelings so she can at least get comforted however this was certainly out of the ordinary. “A-alright.” Corriette stuttered, a bit perplexed and worried. 

The duo make their way into the domain, having disguises and such in order to avoid any sort of attack due to them being humans. SweetC kept her blade up, ready to strike at anyone who dares come near them whilst Corriette goes on to grab things she needed for the potion. The two make it to the wetter parts of the area, Corriette took notes of the landscapes as well as the items she found. 

She sat down on the grass whilst SweetC wandered around the area, fireflies surrounded her, slowly, guilt and trauma crawled up on her back like an insect, taunting her for the life she lost. The fireflies didn’t even help ease her discomfort, they only made things worse as she remembered those damn eyes that glowed like them. Her hand suddenly gripped tighter onto her blade. 

From behind however, she felt a cold hand touch her shoulder, its temperature and weight reminding her too much of him, she turned around quickly, unsheathing her sword in fear that she’ll see that toothy grin only to be met with the worried eyes of Corriette. “SweetC, are you okay? It isn’t like you to just stay silent..I’m worried.” Even if the two don’t interact as much, Corriette still valued her as a friend either way. SweetC stayed silent before shrugging it off “It’s just this mission that got me very focused, that’s all, haha.” SweetC replied in her usual cheery demeanor, forcing it in order for Corriette to not worry. She’s smarter than to believe the knight but she doesn’t press her further.

They venture on, encountering many interesting things along the way, seeing new sights and trying to avoid getting caught by monsterkind’s royal guards. Corriette tried her best to lighten up the mood by mimicking how optimistic SweetC was, pointing out to the many things that may have interested the knight. SweetC just gave a small smile or a nod in response, and really, it never seemed like she meant it. In all honesty, SweetC was grateful by how insistent Corriette was in trying to make her happy again, it’s just the fact she really can’t seem to despite the effort. Hell, Corriette out of all people was trying to be positive, that alone was hard for her to truly believe, and by how optimistic she was being, the knight can’t help but see how lazy of an impersonation Corriette was doing of her. She thought that you really can’t fix what’s already broken. 

One day, they had all the ingredients for the potion and they needed the last one near the more snowier parts of the area. SweetC was never used to snow despite having the power to use fire from time to time, snow was never her thing. But after she met him, she always made sure to find ways to sneak past guards and find secret paths just to meet up with him in his old area before it…yeah. What sucked the most however is that Corriette led her to the exact same path she went on the day of the massacre. SweetC was reluctant, telling Corriette there were other paths, but Corriette insisted it was the fastest way there.

SweetC felt her sins crawling on her back.

No, no way in hell she’s going back… but she did as Corriette forced her to. 

*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*

It was an ordinary day in the district named “Snowdin”. Every monster was having fun, spending time with their family. Children ran across the village, accidentally hitting themselves in the process before giggling their way through as they got up and repeated the same thing again. Sans sat by his post, relaxing for a bit. It was just a beautiful day outside and nothing more that was until he heard sudden screams of terror, sounds of metal, horses and smelt the scent of blood and smoke. And once he knew what it was, he turned around and saw it. It was all too soon as he looked at his village, from how peaceful  it was earlier to how it just suddenly shifted to absolute bloodshed all of a sudden just made something in him snapped. He was a lazy guy, sure, but he wasn't just going to stand there and let everyone die, not anymore, not when his brother could return and get involved. So as quickly as possible, he decided to be responsible for once and start saving some monsters and attacking some knights, trying his best to get them to evacuate before they get slaughtered. 

While he got a monster to evacuate, he heard a scream of terror and turned to see a monster getting killed by a particular human… It was then when he saw in front of him, the one human he thought that would be different, the one human he thought he trusted due to how horrible the reputations humans had on monsters and how they treated monsters like scum making them worth nothing despite them being on the same level of intelligence as they are, the same human that is now fighting in this massacre against monsters that just took everyone by surprised and didn’t even give them time to react until they were left to dust, the same human he thought was the first one to ever love a creature like him; SweetC. He looked at her in fear and suddenly that fear disappeared and got replaced with anger. She turns back and sees him, and you know how it goes. 

*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*

Corriette steps into the ruins of Snowdin with SweetC by her side. The ghost town was barely guarded by anyone and everything was left to be abandoned in horrible shape. Everything was burnt down from the massacre, dust circulated the air in the area, making anyone who visits start having the most horrible coughs they have ever had in their lives. Corriette looks over to  the burnt down sign, “Welcome to Snowdin!”. All the sign’s color has faded and is now mostly charcoal black. Corriette’s eyes widened in absolute horror as she saw the scene laid before her eyes. 

“What happened here?” She  turns to SweetC, begging for any kind of explanation or at least some information she may or may not know, but SweetC just chose to gatekeep once more and lie to her like a cheap lawyer in court. “I’m not sure, but whatever happened here must have been rough.”, she says. 

Corriette doesn’t have time to pretend to believe her lies any longer however, since her mind was insatiable for knowledge, it was frustrating to play into SweetC’s little game of lies so she snapped. “Damn it, SweetC, you already know I’m not stupid. What happened here, huh? What happened to you specifically? When will you be done gatekeeping and bottling up everything, you coward? Just tell me the truth, I’m offering help and yet you keep rejecting it. I need to know, and I want to. So tell me already.” Corriette shouted, her voice almost echoing throughout the entire abandoned town as she glared at SweetC. 

“I have been trying. Even when I don’t ask for what happened and just pretend that it’s fine and dandy and that the world is just some fairy tale, you still don't give a damn fuck. I don’t understand you. You have never been this way throughout the once in a blue moon encounters we have. Even if we don’t meet often, I still think of you as a friend and I will treat you as such.” her voice started to raise as the more irritated and impatient she got with SweetC. 

The knight couldn’t argue back. Usually in arguments she would always find a way to argue back, but this time, she stayed silent and let every word soak into her like a sponge. Guilt and shame started piling and circling inside her head as more words spew out of Corriette. 

“Just tell me, please. I care even if you won’t care, please..” She begged, almost wanting to go down on her knees just to coax out SweetC’s inner turmoil to just fix her. And yet, as stubborn as the knight was, she just replies with “It’s fine, I don’t think I’d want to burden you with everything.” SweetC looks away in regret knowing she should have just come clean, yet she’s again running away from everything like the coward Corriette was now introduced to. 

She sighs in defeat, knowing there was no way to repair SweetC’s permanent damage. “I’m sorry for yelling, let’s just forget about it, okay?” She glances at the knight, seeing as she avoided her gaze. SweetC nodded and the two headed on. 

As their adventure was almost coming to a close, they accidentally had the misfortune of stumbling upon an active village, the worst part was their disguises finally gave way after days of use and broke upon arrival. The snowy weather was just right and it’d be a normal day if not for the humans the monsters saw. The survivors of the massacre from a year ago went to evacuate immediately, the royal guards were let out and so, SweetC and Corriette were left to fight together. Corriette kept the potion ingredients safe somewhere as she helped SweetC attack, however she could sense the knight’s reluctance in her moves. It was VERY unlikely of her to attack with such lousy and unprofessional slices of her blade and the royal guard seemed to be fighting with so much effort, blasting so much magic that could pop both their brains out. The duo still kept fighting, dodging and making sure they returned home with their lives, plus despite the constant barrage of magic, the guards were amateur at best compared to SweetC, however…

“SEND HIM IN!” one of the guards yelled from the top of their lungs. Corriette’s eyes widened in anticipation and fear until she suddenly heard a quick rattle and felt a sharp pain on her arms. She didn’t know what it was until when she tried to move, the pain started flooding her entire head with remnants of her past mistakes and trauma before making her arms bleed uncontrollably. Tears automatically form from her eyes and once she looked at her arms she saw bones going through it. The attack didn’t hurt much physically, but it only hurt more if she moved. SweetC falls dead silent as she then sees those bones she knew too well from almost dying. She can feel that same familiar presence that now became eerie and unrecognizable. She turns around and sees that hooded figure that was the embodiment of her failure. 

“heya.” his greeting low and nothing close to your average friendly greeting. SweetC immediately ran to defend Corriette, getting her out of the bones and running as fast as she could, away from him, away from everything, away from what she was trying to run from. He looked at her as she disappeared deep into the forest, his grin never fading and yet that same grin was not one of happiness either way. She panted, lungs not catching a break as she ran quickly, not wanting to look back when she looked back far too much. Her hands clutch onto Corriette tightly, carrying her bridal style as she ran away from her problems trying to make sure the one person who cared was safe. 

The knight settled her friend onto a tree stump, trying to catch her breath from the marathon she just participated in. Her heart felt like it was about to explode in her chest, as she tried to hold onto it to calm herself down. “He didn’t follow us, right? Right??” She glanced down at Corriette, petrified and vulnerable, tears forming in her eyes. “Yeah, he didn’t follow..hey, are you…?” Despite having both her arms stabbed, Corriette tried to reach her hand out to the terrified knight. “Don't, you need to heal up.” She immediately retracts her hand once the knight said that. 

“SweetC, just please be honest, who is he? What really happened?” she winces at the pain on her arms slightly but she was determined to hear SweetC finally open up. 

And yet, she only managed to let out a choked sob before crying to herself, curling up in self deprecation as she shows how defenseless and pathetic she really was. What a ‘fearless’ knight. 

Knowing it was just impossible to truly help SweetC having been denied of showing proper comfort, Corriette just sat there and listened to the broken Knight's cries. 

*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*

Once the two made their way back to the Sun Kingdom, with the potion made and given to Adero, Corriette left to run some errands, yet she was reluctant to just leave SweetC there but knew she had no chance of actually getting her to speak up. Adero, as cheery as ever, drank the potion before looking down at his peasant. 

“You seem off for the past few days, knight. What's wrong?” Adero questioned in his usual sunny tone.

 “It's complicated, your majesty.” SweetC replied reluctantly. “But it isn't important to your Royal affairs.” she added. 

“Well, we can't have that, can we, hm? Come on, open up, ‘C’ “ Once he said that, she shuddered. That nickname has never been uttered from anyone but Sans and it makes her beg to question how… 

“Where did you hear that..?” She murmured, but it was loud enough for the prince to hear. He chuckles, a small, psychotic grin forms on his face. “Oh you know, I might have accidentally walked in on you and this mysterious little sweetheart of yours one night when I wanted to say hi.” Adero's smile widened, his tone was friendly yet forced, the sick, perverse satisfaction in his voice was prominent yet not obvious. 

All the wind got knocked out of SweetC's stomach. Her heart started pounding as she felt her stomach twist and turn horribly. “But I'm sorry for your falling out, really. I noticed how he doesn't visit any longer. Maybe he's off somewhere far, y'know how skeletons are..” Adero chuckles to himself. SweetC's breathing quickens even more. “Ah, well, next time you see him, tell him I said hi.” 

Adero leaves and SweetC is left alone staring blankly into the royal red carpet beneath her feet, too mortified to even breathe. 

-End-

[icha-ichaparadise]

Adero Showhome In Secord

[volumina-vetustiora]

saevitia pro saevitia lex bestiarum est.

deum fieri est res maxime omnium solitaria.

non me interficere potes ad modum qui interest.

deus non sum, cur enim contra entropiam pugnem?

putresces olim et tunc adero ad spectandum.

deus te iudicet sed peccata eius tua numero superant.

fovet te nunc ira in corde sed in sepulcro te relinquet gelidum.

itaque solum fias quod calco.

hac nocte cum diabolo locutus es. diabolum tibi simillimum vidisti.

ama temet ut mundum obtrectes.

[greenbongo]

Adero Showhome In Secord

[wally-b-feed]

Anthony Fineran (B 1981), Pam Tali Adero, 2022

[introverted-character-town]

[kalishaonline]

My Favorite Nonfiction of 2021