#He is also becoming Just Some Guy... she emits a transformative Just Some Guy aura that's her true superpower

[howlsmovinglibrary]

Rereading Sunshine by Robin McKinley (one of my favourite vampire books). All I remember from reading it 10 years ago is the amount of page-time dedicated to baking cinnamon rolls. But I've realised, this time round, that the baking of cinnamon rolls is the symptom of a much larger theme in characterisation - Rae's ride-or-die commitment to the 'I'm just some guy' bit.

Every single chapter, another thing is revealed about Rae that puts her closer to being a special snowflake Chosen One: her name is Raven Blase but her nickname is Sunshine, she has sunlight powers, she's not just an innocent bystander but the daughter of a powerful warlock, she can help a vampire walk in sunlight, she's performing powerful magic. And every single time Rae just turns round and says to the reader, "but that's not important :) I'm just some guy :) I really like baking :) ignore that gothic heroine coding :) it's time to get up at 4am to make bread :)"

Her commitment to being Just Some Guy is genuinely carrying the novel. Every single day she becomes more of a Chosen One, but there's cinnamon rolls to make. Fucking D&D-ass characterisation. High art.

[hostess-of-horror]

The Stranger

[This is a retcon of my previous story, "An Unexpected Guest." I wanted to start all over because I didn't know where to take the story and it felt rather fast and sloppily written. It will have a similar plotline but approached in a different (and better) way. Also, M.B. is my self-insert OC, the character Jawaii belongs to @strawbunniiee and Phantom belongs to Nintendo/Ubisoft.]

For @strawbunniiee, @salamifuposey, @kindpopstar, and everyone else who wants to read it!

---

Jawaii: "Again, again!"

[Jawaii laughed as she is lifted up and thrown into the air. After a few seconds of airtime, she falls right back into Phantom's mitten-like paws. Her tiny frame perfectly fits into his palms like a little doll. Phantom giggles along with her, and hugs her into his chest.]

Phantom: "Whew! My arms are getting tired. How about we head on over to my theater?"

Jawaii: "Okay!"

[They begin to venture back into the theater. A dense, eerie fog looms over the land of Spooky Trails. The further they went, the thicker the fog became.]

Jawaii: "It's so foggy! I can't see anything."

Phantom: "Every now and then, Spooky Trails would become hidden by fog. And by the looks of things, it appears to be a full moon out tonight. What perfect timing, and how awfully fitting!"

Jawaii: "Yeah, it makes sense, considering how creepy the place is. I'm not scared though."

Phantom: "Heh... For many travelers, nights like this are the reason why so many of them often get lost. Some of them just head back to where they came from. But for me and the other inhabitants, a foggy night is normal. Think of it as like a rainy day for the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom."

Jawaii: "I think it's cool! It's like we're floating on clouds!"

[Jawaii reaches out and waves her hand into the fog. A cool breeze chills her skin as white wisps pass through her fingers.]

Phantom: "It certainly does. I love the fog. It brings such a wonderful atmosphere for whenever I sing. Ethereal and otherworldly. I can blend easily amongst the fog and no one could see me!"

Jawaii: "Really?"

Phantom: "Yes! Despite my, well, rather massive size."

Jawaii: "You would be the ultimate champion of hide-and-seek!"

Phantom: "Oh well, I wouldn't say that... unless the competition is in Spooky Trails."

[Jawaii giggles. Suddenly, their conversation is cut short as Phantom abruptly stops.]

Jawaii: "What is it?"

Phantom: "The gate... I thought I closed it."

[Jawaii turns to see the silver gate that stands guard in front of Phantom's theater. She notices it has been left opened. Phantom gently lets her down to investigate.]

Phantom: "Someone must have pried it open." *turns to Jawaii* "Stay here."

[Phantom floats over through the gate and into his theater. Jawaii watches as he looks around, searching for any more signs of trespassing. She inches forward to investigate as well.]

Phantom: "Thieves... whoever opened the gate must be a thief! I don't know how they did it, though, it's a very heavy gate."

Jawaii: "There aren't any scratches, at least so far. Maybe they... crawled over the gate and opened it on the other side?"

Phantom: "Hmmm... Whatever happened, I do hope they didn't steal anything of value."

????: "Looking for this?"

[Phantom spins around to look behind. Standing across from him is a trio of thieves, grinning and chuckling menacingly. The shortest one in the front of the other two is holding a vinyl, spinning it in his hand. Jawaii runs over to Phantom to stand guard.]

Phantom: "Jawaii, no!"

Short Thief (#1): "Awww, look at dis, fellas! The big guy's gotta lil' baby doll to save his big behind! I think she wants to meet the Bandit Boys in person!"

Tall Thief (#2): "Yeah!"

Middle Thief (#3): "Hehehe, yeah, boss!"

Thief (#1): *mockingly* "Why hello there, little girl! Do you wanna play tea party with us and your friend over there?"

[The Bandit Boys cackle in unison. Jawaii growls and prepares her battle stance. Her hands shapeshifting into long sharp swords, glistening underneath the moonlight. The thieves immediately stop as they notice. Phantom prepares to fight alongside Jawaii.]

Thief (#3): "Da fuq?"

Jawaii: "I... don't..... LIKE TEA!!!"

[As she screeches, Jawaii leaps towards the Bandit Boys in an attack. She lands on the tall thief (#3) and the other two separate in defense. Thief (#1) holds the vinyl close and Thief (#2) goes to attack Phantom, but is immediately met with a musical sonic wave as Phantom belts out a hig note. He goes flying and lands farther back into the ground.]

Thief (#1): "You knucklehead! Get the girl!"

Thief (#3): "Get her offa me! She's poking me!"

Jawaii: *stabbing* "Give! Phantom! Back! His! Vinyl! THINGY!!!" *more stabbing*

[Thief (#1) groans and runs towards Jawaii. He flings her off of Thief (#3), sending her falling on the ground. Jawaii winced in pain; Phantom immediately picks her up to protect her. Thief (#2) gets up and joins the other two. Thief (#3) is covered in wounds but he still stands.]

Thief (#1): "Alright... you two can put up a fight.... Heh, but not for long... We still got our loot!"

Thief (#2): "Hehehe, yeah, we got it!"

Thief (#3): "Hehe... heh... owww...."

Phantom: "Leave this place now!

Thief (#1): "Or what? You're gonna put on a performance? Sing a musical number like some Disney princess? Nah. I don't think so. In fact, you've got something else. Something that is very, very valuable. Inside that belly of yours... is a gramophone. A very expensive gramophone."

[Thief (#1) pulls out a knife. Phantom is taken aback and backs off slowly.]

Phantom: "How... do you know?"

Thief (#1): "I know a lotta things. That's why I'm the leader. Now... where to cut..."

[Before Thief (#1) gets a chance to do any damage, an explosion of shimmering light blinds him. After regaining his sight, he finds himself and the other two thieves surrounded by a strange aura. A magical curse was cast, trapping the Bandit Boys within its barrier. The barrier appears to be strange smoke, fading in between the colors neon purple and neon green.]

Jawaii: "Woah..."

Phantom: "What... on earth?"

[The silver gate creaks. Everyone turns. There standing at the entrance is an unfamiliar face, with her right hand lifted up in the air. In her hand is the same kind of aura the magical circle was emitting. She continues to walk towards the Bandit Boys.]

Jawaii: "Phantom, do you know who that is?"

Phantom: "I've never seen her before in my entire life."

[As the stranger continues to walk, she twirls her hands, bending the aura to her will. As she does, the magical circle twists and contorts into a mass of skeletal spirits. The Bandit Boys huddle together, avoiding their bony grasp. The spirits moan and wail into an anguished cacophony, cornering the thieves as they reach out and crawl towards them. The stranger laughs at their fear. She then bends the aura again, this time having the spirits hold them down while she walks up to them. Soon, raspy voices begin to call out.]

Spirits: "Cut them.... cut them open.... dissect them.... dissect them all.... their insides are valuable.....!"

Thief (#1): "W-wait a minute! Hold on there, now! We're just thieves! And it's only one measly vinyl! Isn't this all a bit extreme?"

Thief (#3): "Y-yeah! W-we.... we can give you money! You can have all of it!"

Thief (#2): *whimpering* "Just... just don't hurt us!"

[The stranger stares at the Bandit Boys, saying nothing. She then motions her hand, allowing herself to walk through the magical circle. The spirits all look at her and bow one by one. The Bandit Boys watch as each one respectfully worship her. Who is this woman, and what kind of sorcery is this? She walks up to Thief (#1) and kneels down, looking at him eye to eye.]

Stranger: "Do you really think apologizing or bribery is going to work?"

Thief (#1): "...."

Stranger: "I'm going to give you a choice. I want you and your 'gang' to leave. Not just them, but everyone. I suggest you give up your greedy ways and actually get a life for once. Or, if you'd rather not..."

[The stranger motions her hand again and the spirits transform into an amalgamation of monsters. They writhe and contort, baring their teeth, clawing their flesh, their eyes wild with hunger. Their howling echoes throughout the theater.]

Stranger: "... then take a chance. I dare you..."

[The Bandit Boys suddenly scurry away in fear. Thief (#1) hand over the vinyl and follows behind, never looking back once. The stranger sighs and stands up, examining the vinyl.]

Stranger: "I hope there aren't any scratches on it."

[She turns around and sees Phantom and Jawaii staring at her with wide eyes. A moment of silence between them all passes.]

Jawaii: "That was... AWESOME! How did you do that?! Tell me, tell me!"

Phantom: "...."

[Phantom remains speechless as Jawaii hops out from his arms and approaches the stranger. The stranger looks at Phantom, her excitement getting the best of her.]

Stranger: "I can't believe it... it's you! You're still here after all this time!"

Phantom: "Excuse me?"

Stranger: "I was looking for you! I heard in the Mushroom Kingdom many stories about you. Some say you were gone after Mario defeated you, and some say you were still around. A few believe that you're nothing but a ghost story. I had to find out for myself."

Jawaii: "A ghost story? But he's as real as I am!"

Phantom: "Madamoiselle, I greatly appreciate your help and for saving me and my friend, Jawaii, here. But, do forgive me, who are you?"

Jawaii: "Oh yeah! What's your name?"

Stranger: "Oh, uh... my bad! Should've introduced myself first... my name is M.B. Consider me as a really big fan." *smiles*

[mahou-war]

MagiTale - Chapter 1

“So, how’s it gonna be?” – the voice rose up, surging from the darkness. A white weasel cat like creature.

“Go away!” – another voice, female now, hissed back. The figure of this voice was hidden by the shadows of the collapsed walls around her – “I don’t want to have anything to do with you. You tricked all of them! Their innocent minds, into becoming something they’d rather not!”

“I really don’t understand.” – the cat spoke – “You might as well be labeled as a Human, your ideals and concepts are roughly the same. But I digress.” – it stopped momentarily – “My offer is still on the table. You know where to find me.”

The cat turned away, seamingly wanting to distance itself from the other individual. It felt as if its time was wasted, but that didn’t exactly matter at the moment, as it knew what the next actions would turn out to be.

“Wait!” – the other voice jumped from the darkness – “Can you.. Can you really make anything come true?” – she questioned.

“Yes. Of course, as you already know, the true effects and consequences depend from your Karmic Weight, but you shouldn’t have any kind of problem with that.”

The other being made a pause. Her voice was calm, motherly, but sprinkled with a dash of urgency. As if her worst nightmares could finally end. Now her dreams, her ideal life, her past, it would all come back to her.

“Okay then. I’ve decided.” – she replied.

“Very well. Then what is the wish you’re willing to sacrifice your Soul for, your highness?”

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

Chapter 1: Fallen Down

╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

Dark. Darker. Yet darker. I don’t even know if my eyes are open or not, but all I can see is darkness. Well, that and a distant voice echoes, as if I was deep underwater. A cold shiver envelops my whole body. But within that darkness, the voice gets louder. It’s lifting me up. With that, the darkness gets a bit more clearer. I open my eyes, slowly, and everything starts coming to me, bit by bit.

“Frisk! Oh, please tell me that you’re okay!”

I avert my gaze to the point of origin of the voice. A girl sitting on the same bed of flowers as I am looks at me, worried. Her hair is dark brown, just like me, and her eyes are a striking, vibrant red, just like my own. Except mine are usually closed. The girl is slightly see through. I can look at her and see the wall behind her at the same time. I know this girl. Yes, she’s important to me.

I was roughly 5 when I started noticing her presence. Everyone treated her as an imaginary friend, but I knew more. She was real. She IS real. She has a real story, and a real life. But now she’s a ghost that got stuck me. I don’t exactly know why though. She told me about Humans and Monsters. About Souls and Soul Gems. About Magical Girls and Witches. She told me everything. Even her name.

“Chara. Yes, yes, I’m okay.” – I managed to reply back at her.

“Oh, thank God! That fall was sure to put in you in a coma for at least half a year! I’m so sorry I’ve put you through this…” – she replied back at me, a clear worry in her voice.

“Don’t worry Chara. I signed up for this. I want to do this.” – it’s funny. My brain knows what to say, but it can’t remember why it’s saying what it is. I look around myself. I’m now sitting on a bed of flowers, golden buttercups. Giant walls of stone surround us, with vines covering them. The light above shines on us, warming our bodies. And just like that, more pieces of the puzzle fall back into my mind.

“Now that everything’s cleared up, what is your wish?”

“Frisk, you don’t have to do this, for real.”

“No, I have to. You’re stuck to me. You can’t exactly walk around and go back to the Underground. I’m going to help you. We’re gonna save them Chara.” – my voice fills my brain, alongside Chara’s and… his.

“Incubator. I wish for the power of salvation.”

“Can you specify that please?”

Yes, that’s it. I remember now. I get up, and see a small corridor, leading to a huge gateway entrance. Sparkles of light come out from it. There’s some kind of light source coming from it. We decide to move towards it.

As we reach it, we look inwards and find a single golden flower, similar to those earlier. We step into the wide area, and suddenly, the flower jumps to life.

“Howdy there! I’m Flowey – Flowey the Flower!” – it said happily. Chara warned me about how sudden Monsters could be, but I wasn’t expecting something like this.

“Say, you’re new around here, aren’t ya? You need someone to guide you through the Underground!” – it said happily.

“Well, actually--” – I tried to object, as I had Chara right next to me, but the flower just interrupted me.

“I guess little ol’ me will have to do it!” – it winked.

Suddenly, I felt a huge wave crushing my chest, as my surroundings lose its color. It becomes a mash-up of black and white. And just as it came, it left.

“Huh?” – the happy flower looked at me with very confused eyes – “Let’s try that again!” – he said cheerfully, as the feeling came back, pushing me downwards once more, but suddenly stopping. I wasn’t hurt, nor exhausted. It’s as if I just sneezed, for no apparent reason.

“Heh, hehe.. Okay…” – it continued, clearly starting to get annoyed – “Let’s try that one more time!” – I felt that energy again, but it no longer phased me. It’s now a very uninteresting movie for me.

“Hey, hey.. What’s going on, huh?!” – the tone of Flowey changed drastically. From a very friendly one to a tone filled with a thousand year anger – “You’re a Human, aren’t you? Where the hell is your Soul?!” – it hissed.

“Oh!” – I was taken by surprise, with such a direct approach, but I tried my best to befriend the friendly monster – “That’s right…” – I extend my hand, as the ring in my left middle finger glows and morphs into an egg shaped Gem, resting on my palm – “Here!”

There was a small pause. The flower starred in disbelief at my Soul Gem. It was a vibrant red, the same color as my eyes. Right at the top of it, was a heart symbol, and at the bottom, surrounded by a small circle, a four pointed star. The flower suddenly smirked, and was emitting an uneasy light cackle.

“Frisk, I don’t really trust this guy… he’s giving me really weird vibes….” – Chara spoke to me. Good thing only I can see and hear her, makes some of her comments easier to bear with. But still, now I’m worried. Chara lived quite some time with Monsters. For even her to be set back.. This “flower” must be something she has never seen.

Flowey’s laughter grew louder and louder, as vines erupt from the ground below him into the air, keen to claws of a starving wolf. He sprung his head upwards and looked straight into my eyes. His face was contorted. He no longer had his friendly smile, it was a monstrous look. His eyes void of life.

“WELL, THEN YOU’RE COMPLETELY USELESS TO ME, AREN’T YOU?! THIS WILL BE FAR TOO EASY FOR ME.” – a wall of bullets surround me in a perfect sphere – “D I E.”

I can see his vines lunging towards me, and the bullets dashing into me. I have my Soul Gem in my hand. Transforming takes only a second, I can protect myself from this. But I can’t. I froze in place, clinging to my own life, as the last bits of my life flash through my mind.

“I wish to have the power to save the Monsters. To save them from the Barrier and their thousand year prison. That’s what I want. The power of salvation.”

“I see. I don’t know why, but your Karmic Weight is quite heavy on you. Frisk, your wish will most certainly come true, but in order for it to come into fruition, you must go break the Barrier yourself.”

“That’s something I’m willing to do unconditionally. Nothing will stop me.”

‘Nothing’. Yet here I am, praying for someone to come help me. Please, anyone.

…

But… Someone did come.

As I waited for the impact of Flowey’s bullets and thorned vines, I suddenly hear a scorching sound and warmth, followed by Flowey’s screams. I open my eyes to find the unscrupulous flower burning in flames, and the bullets are now cinders slowly dancing and falling to the ground, as the flower retreats to whatever hellish hole it came from. From the other side of the room, a figure approaches.

She’s tall, and covered in white fur. She has small horns on her head and floppy ears at the side of her head. She’s wearing a dressing gown, purple with a crest on her chest – a circle with wings, and three triangles right under it. I can feel Chara’s intense gaze at her as she whispers – “Mom..”

“Oh, what a horrible creature torturing such a poor and innocent youth.” – she spoke to me, her voice calm, motherly, tender. Happy – “My name is Toriel, caretaker of the Ruins. Come my darling, let me guide you through them.”

She quickly grabbed my hand. I can feel her warmth warming me up from the inside out. Her aura, her presence. I enjoy being next to her. I feel like wanting to be with her forever. I can see Chara crying. This must be a hard moment for her. We make haste for the next room, where I can see red rose petals scattered around the floor. I catch a glimpse of a yellow shine, but it quickly disappeared.

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

Hey there! Author here, you may call me Mahou! :)

This is the very first Chapter of MagiTale, a Crossover AU/Fanfic that puts the characters and events of Undertale into the World and Lore of the Madoka Magica series. This is also the very first time I temper with Tumblr, so do offer some tips pls :')

Anyways, this is only a "preview" Chapter, a Demo almost, as the full story is currently in progression. I intend to post the entire thing once it's completed, so please do look forward to it! I'll also keep updating this page with content, related (or not) to MagiTale.

Well, I'll be going now, really hope you enjoyed it! :D

Cya~✨

[an-ambivalent]

Into The World Of Sins [Yandere! BTS] Epilogue

There was warmth, and there was an occasional breeze which swept them slightly once in a while. Unlike the first and last time when [Name] was here, the touch of the breeze did not feel like iron rods covered in lava, which was as cold as icicles, digging into one’s skin. It felt the way a breeze was suppose to feel; cooling, welcoming and refreshing.  

In this universal realm where the virtuous aura of heaven mingled with the dark energy from the underground, everything was in a state of almost perfect ambivalence. As a result of this ambivalence, those who could not be judged to have a concrete ending after life, and committed sins on the same ratio as their good deeds, or those who were going to be given the results of the trials they faced to decide their fate, ended up here, in the limbo.

The universe preferred to believe the best in everyone so initially, when the non-judged or trial-goers entered, their souls were a floating white circle with specks of gold. They radiated pureness which was almost to the level of pureness emitted by heavenly creatures. In juxtaposition, souls belonging to hell, were black floating circles with specks of crimson, and constantly screeched. Depending on  what results the trial-goers ended up with,  they would hopefully either end up with specks of gold, or unfortunately, with specks of crimson.

It was time to evaluate another returning soul in the limbo.

The soul’s retained their consciousness and memories of their life. Initially, when they were ‘non-judged,’   they had no physical existence which could be similar to a living being. Hence, their mobility was limited. They were only able to float around, and respond to the questions they were asked. Once they returned as ‘trial-goers,’ depending on whether they were destined for heaven or hell, decided if they would be allowed to retain all of their memories, and earn back their physical form.

The returning soul of the protagonist, moved to the marked circle, where the otherworldly spoke once more.

“[Name] [Surname],”  It was said. While these words were uttered by a neutral voice which was usually void of any emotions and strains, this time, there was a hint of proudness in it. [Name] recalled her first visit in the limbo clearly, and knew it would be pointless for her to attempt to reply. Besides, more than anything, at the moment she was feeling a rush of different emotions and feelings surge through her. See, the memories from her journey to travel Into The World Of Sins, and recalling moments with her lover(s) from each world, was overwhelming her.

“It is now time for your judgement. Throughout your journey through the worlds, you have done, experienced, and shown many things. In your first life, your good deeds aligned with your bad, but in this journey, you have shown who you are, and what you are truly capable of. In the World Of Gluttony, you displayed selflessness, but not to the point where you risked your own safety. This ended your lover’s gluttony.

“In the World Of Sloth, you were incapable of having the strength or the courage to go on when things were rough. You avoided conflict because it caused you great fear, and by not having the motivation to pull through, you encouraged your imprionser’s sloth.

“In the World Of Pride, you understood the limitations and boundaries that exist between relationships even when that relationship is with someone who only wants the best for you. You knew when to encourage him to use his strengths for his own good, and when to hold him back for your own good. You were successfully able to prevent him from becoming too prideful to act on his own accord which would have caused him to hurt you.

“In the World Of Wrath, you showed kindness and empathy in the right time, even when your own safety was at risk. You were able to reach out and touch the heart of someone who had forgotten love. You minimized his full potential for wrath by teaching him love once again.

“In the World Of Lust, you were too giving and obedient. You failed to realize the dangers of simple submissiveness to others’ awful treatment for you. This manifested his lust to the point where a promising future was sacrificed.

“In the World Of Envy, you knew the importance of pursuing your own happiness, and acted against all odds to achieve it. You respected and accepted yourself. That part of your self-love transferred to your partner. He also came to accept himself for who he was, and did not envy others anymore.

“In the World Of Greed, you admitted to your flaws and improved on them for a better future. You stayed content, and improved for more when you needed to. You set an example, and did not let your lover become corrupted by the greed he could have. Out of seven sins, you ended five -- an exceptionally brilliant result. You have reached the heavens,” The voice spoke, and just when he said that, the environment of the limbo changed instantly; it was the heavens.

Moments later, [Name] shone brightly and blindingly. She became a heavenly spirit from a small floating circle, and retained her human physical creatures. As she had transformed, there were seven poofs of smoke that slowly arose around her, and formed a circle.

Seven past lovers -- each held out his hand to her.

She looked around herself with wide eyes, and all of them -- Vampire! Jin, Emperor! Yoongi, Artificial Intelligence! Hoseok, Dragon-Shifter! Namjoon, Incubus! Jimin, Fallen Angel! Taehyung and Mafia Boss! Jungkook -- they were smiling at her softly, and looking at her with loving eyes.

The otherworldly spoke for the last time.

“Who will you choose as your happy ending?”

Thank you, Trivia & Acknowledgements 

Hello! With the epilogue published, I would like to say that Into The World Of Sins series is officially completed. Thank you so much for reading, and participating in the quizzes of each chapter. I did not expect over 200+ to participate in each quiz, and I am absolutely still baffled by how much support I received. Out of all platforms,  my readers on tumblr were the most supportive. You have no idea how much your messages and compliments meant to me. It motivated to keep writing this story when I did not want to, and with your encouragement and support, I was able to complete it. Thank you, I love you all so much ♥ This story was an experiment because I wanted to make it more reader-interactive and it was so much fun! Watching you guys having a breakdown over what ending it would be was so funny lol. Here are some facts for you:

-For the first chapter, ending one was bad ending and ending two was good ending. In the second chapter, it was swapped so ending one was good ending and ending two was bad ending. And that was the order they were in. With each even number chapter, ending one was good ending. 

-In World Of Greed, Jungkook says  “I did it because I love you [Name], and I’d do anything for you. I’d end the world for you if you wanted me to,mo chuisle mo chroi.” I got the last part from a movie called Millionaire Dollar Baby, and from Gaelic it translates into something along the lines of: “my pulse, my heart.” or “my darling, my love” and I based it on the first translation which I thought was the perfect way to end the chapter. 

-In the World Of Wrath, Namjoon was suppose to be a Kelpie instead of a Dragon-shifter.  A kelpie is a shape-changing aquatic spirit of Scottish legend. But I stuck with dragon-shifter instead since it was easier to implement. Maybe I’ll do a Kelpie au one day? :D

-Originally, Taehyung was going to be the sin of Lust but I decided to give it to Jimin. 

-Jimin was suppose to be a fairy, but it may have ended up being too similar to the fallen angel concept Taehyung was given so I gave him incubus instead. 

-J-Hope was suppose to be a siren or a werewolf, but his bad ending was literally the plot of my story The Little Mermaid so I decided against it, and gave him artificial intelligence. There is more to his story than what meets the eye ;D

-Jungkook was the hardest au to choose for. I was out of ideas, and that’s why I asked for your input to what he should be. Out of all, mafia was my favourite. Thank you to the anon who suggested it! 

Last but not least, I have a few people I’d like to thank. 

@mysticmikalla for listening to my rants about this story when I was filled with uncertainty and helping me decide the au for Jungkook. Thank you for all of your help Mika ♥

@starbabytae for making beautiful aesthetic boards for the series. :D ♥

@chikinika gave me endless support, encouragement, and reassurances when I was literally melting in insecurities for my writing. ty so much cal ♥

and once again, thank you for reading <3 feel free to share your thoughts about the whole series! Like which chapter was your favourite and why? Or what chapter you think could have been done better and why etc. :) 

[littlemisssquiggles]

RWBY Musings #50: Oscar’s Great and Powerful Semblance A Squiggle Meister’s Views on ThatKaitoDan’s RWBY Theory.

megashadowdragon asked “what are your thoughts www(.)youtube(.)com/watch?v=9YElXr5_Mqw”

Squiggles Answers:

Well first off, appreciative shout out to both @che1sea-xiao-long​ and @megashadowdragon​ for sharing this video with me.

I actually really, REALLY like ThatKaitoDan’s theory on Oscar’s possible semblance being sealing---the ability to permanently take away someone’s ability to use their semblance in combat.

I like Dan’s concept because I appreciated how he was able to connect it back to Princess Ozma---the Wizard of Oz character that many RWBY theorists have speculated Oscar to be influenced by. So that titbit I enjoyed the most about his theory commentary. If Oscar’s semblance does have a sealing kind of effect then I can anticipate it being what finally stops Hazel Rainart in his tracks, should he and Oscar have their inevitable rematch.

The last time our heroes faced off against this rampaging juggernaut, none of them were successful to stop him. Neither the combined efforts of everyone teaming up to combat him nor Weiss utilizing her summons amplified by Jaune’s semblance was enough to thwart Hazel. Hazel, with his own semblance that enables him to block out pain, is a nearly unstoppable villain which currently places him as a very unbeatable foe.

The heroes were fortunate enough that the arrival of the Mistral authorities and the announcement of Cinder’s fall was what caused Hazel to retreat with Emerald and Mercury. If the battle had been allowed to continue, I don’t think they would’ve fared well.

Though Oz did make mention of Hazel having a ‘limit’ to his semblance, this still makes him dangerous because if Hazel can take being empowered by two shards of dust crystals into his body, then how much can he take? What exactly is Hazel’s limit?

I’m curious to know just how many dust crystals Hazel can take before he completely overloads himself on power. And even if he does combust from all the energy within the crystals, I don’t think a still rampaging and unstable Hazel Rainart will be any less a threat against our heroes.

Here’s what I think. I think in a rematch, Hazel will use so much dust that he’ll literally risk killing himself in the process. He’ll lose control and put his life at death’s doorstep. I think it’s in a moment like that where Oscar possessing a power that can seal or perhaps nullify another’s semblance would be a powerful asset. It’s what I think could be a very key factor in finally stopping Hazel.

Picture a crazed Hazel transforming himself into a human dust golem, no longer able to control the power being emitting from the embedded dust in his body. It’s in this moment where Oscar gets a crazy idea to climb on top of Hazel’s back.

Removing both of his gloves so that he can have better physical contact, Oscar uses the full extent of his semblance on Hazel; nullifying his abilities. This tactic works as it slows Hazel’s movements. With his pain resistance switched off a la Oscar Pine, Hazel begins to thrash around, now wreathing from the excruciating pain with Oscar holding on for dear life but still managing to keep the giant man neutralized.

This will later allow for the other heroes to quickly remove the dust shards from Hazel, ending his tirade. I figured this would’ve been how they defeated Hazel during the Haven Battle but no, the most we got was Nora Valkyrie going all supercharged on him and whaling him through the front door. This still by the way, didn’t stop Hazel either.

As I said already, the next time the heroes go up against Hazel, I doubt they’ll be able to stop him like last time. Not to mention that I figured a rematch with Hazel would be the best opportunity for Oscar to unlock his semblance in the heat of battle. The events of V4-V5 already set up Hazel being a sort of arch nemesis to both Oscar and Ozpin so if I had to predict a perfect time for our veteran farm boy turned wizard incarnate to awaken his own hidden power, it would be then. But this is just my assumption.

If Oscar can disable Hazel’s semblance then he can finally stop the juggernaut.

In Dan’s theory video, he referenced the scene from V1 C6 where Pyrhha used some of her aura to unlock Jaune’s. Another lovely tie in since I don’t hear folks often talk about that scene.

Speaking of which, there’s something I’d like to point out about that particular moment. As Pyrhha unlocked Jaune’s aura, she recited something:

“…For it in passing that we achieve immortality, through this we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above us, infinite in distance and unbound by death. I release your soul and by my shoulder, protect thee...”

I made note of this in my RWBY Recap of Volume 1. In my notes, I asked myself if it was absolutely necessary for Pyrhha to recite this whenever using her aura to unlock another’s. Almost like a little spell or ritual incantation of some sort. I’m curious about this since it was never mentioned or brought up again. We haven’t even seen another character use this technique after Pyrhha.

I call attention to this quote because its words make me wonder something.

Pyrhha said ‘For it is in passing that we achieve immortality, through this we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above us, infinite in distance and unbound by death…’---why does this line somehow make me feel like Pyrhha is somehow still alive. Not physically but like…perhaps spiritually.

If Remnant is a world where super powered human beings, monsters, immortal beings and magic exist as part of the norm then surely supernatural beings such as ghosts and spirts are plausible things too, right? It shouldn’t be too farfetched if there are spirits who roam Remnant, right? 

I can’t shake this inkling of a feeling that after she died, because of her virtuous nature and her willingness to sacrifice herself for the sake of protecting her school and loved ones, that Pyrhha basically cheated death and returned as this sentinel spirit that now guards Beacon including the Vault of the Fall Maiden.

Ozpin mentioned back in V5 that he made things very difficult to find the Vault of the Fall Maiden. So my idea is that the Vault of the Fall Maiden is probably constructed like some kind of labyrinth with many hidden rooms and equally hidden traps and puzzles. 

I sincerely hope that Fall’s Vault is more fortified because what disappointed me about the Spring Maiden’s Vault was that it wasn’t as reinforced as I expected it to be.Another point is that Oz chose Pyrhha as a candidate to become the next Fall Maiden, right? Imagine how interesting it would be if Pyrhha’s Spirit went on to become some kind of Guardian of the Vault or Beacon Academy. 

I don’t care if her physical body got turned to ash. May Pyrhha’s spirit return as an eternal hero, still continuing to protect her school from beyond the freaking grave, dagnabbit? A squiggle meister can only dream.  

Anyways, back to talking about Oscar. Although I really do like Dan’s idea, I’m still standing by my own theory about Oscar having a mind semblance. While Dan’s theory connected to Oscar’s character influence, I based my idea more so on Oscar’s personality or…at least my interpretation of what little glimpses of it we saw last season.

As you guys know, V5 C5 was my all-time favourite episode of the last season purely for the scene between Oscar and Ruby. I love how Oscar was able to get Ruby to finally open up about how she truly felt regarding everything she’s been through since V3. Oscar has only known Ruby for a couple of weeks during that time and already he was able to do more for her than what any other character has done in just one scene.

Not to mention that he even attempted to do the same with Hazel by trying to reason with him during their fight.

That whole impression of connecting to others---understanding the way they think and feel and ultimately helping them come to their senses and thus assist them from within--- I figured these traits could be adapted into a strong mental semblance where Oscar is able to connect to other’s via their mind---seeing their memories, reading their thoughts and thus understanding them from an empathic point of view that wouldn’t require much physical effort. It’d be a supportive power as Dan mentioned in his video.

I based that purely on his current predicament being connected to Ozpin and forced to share a mind space with him while also considering Oscar’s inclination to want to reach out and understand others; be it ally or foe.

Not as fleshed out as Dan’s but…I really do like the idea of Oscar’s power having something to do with his mind. After all, the mind is a fragile thing and it represents the uncharted inner corridors of one’s very being.

Can you imagine a character having power over that especially if they’re a hero?

I also dig this concept because it also provides the threat of Oscar being able to possible control; manipulate someone’s thoughts and/or possibly destroying their mind. 

I just have this thought of Oscar letting his emotions get the better of him and becoming so furious that he uses his mental semblance to stop someone and the results leaves the person either brain dead, brain damaged or at least mentally unstable. 

For all the Young Justice fans in the FNDM community, remember how in Invasion, Miss Martian turned Aqualad into a vegetable after becoming angry and overdoing it with her telepathy powers on him? That’s how I figured it would be for Oscar.

We rarely talk about the dark implications a powerful semblance can have on a victim.

While Dan sees Oscar being like Eraserhead from My Hero Academia, I was more leaning towards a Professor Xavier from X-Men kind of power for Oscar. 

In a way, I think both can work really well cause they tie into Oscar as a character. As a matter of fact, I’d like to take both Dan’s idea and my own and combine the two together.

Theory Fusion Activate!

Oz mentioned that one’s semblance can grow and evolve, right?

So what if…Oscar’s semblance is Nullification. He unlocks the ability to disable one from using their semblance for a period of time depending on his aura levels. In the beginning, he’s only able to use this power by making physical contact with said person but in time, with more training, his ability evolves to the point where he’s able to nullify another' with his mind. While doing this places a bit of mental strain on Oscar’s part, the mental nullification proves more effective than the physical version.

Not sure how much this makes sense in the context of Ruby but it can work. It takes the best parts of both mine and Dan’s ideas and merge them to form something plausible for Oscar to have.  

My reasoning behind wanting Oscar to possess a mind or mental-based semblance is because at the moment, Emerald Sustrai is the only mental-based semblance user in the cast and she’s with the villains.

I wanted another mental-semblance user on the side of the heroes in order to counter Emerald.

Let’s say, Emerald is fighting Oscar and tries to use her illusions on him. But because Oscar’s power is Nullification, his semblance makes him completely immune to Emerald’s tactics so he’s able to negate her illusions. That’d be awesome.

Or even better, imagine Oscar’s Nullification growing to the point where he’s able to just activate his semblance by merely looking at his opponents. So anyone who dares step within close proximity of his line of vision gets their semblance rendered useless against Oscar. The only limit to that is at first Oscar is only able to nullify one person at a time but again, with more practice and training, he can grow till his range of ability could expand to more than one person depending on his mental strength.

To make sense of how Oscar is able to do that, let’s return to my theory of his semblance being mental or becoming mental-based in time so his Nullification evolves from requiring physical contact to just a stronger mental focus. So Oscar would need to become stronger mentally to help enhance his semblance which fits into his character. This could lend to Ren providing Oscar with some mentorship in meditation and focus.

The final form would be the sealing---permanently stopping a person from using their semblance for good. As Dan already mentioned, the series pointed out that aura can be used to unlock someone’s aura and training one’s aura is what leads to them eventually unlocking their semblance, correct?

So if semblance is awakened by aura and aura can be used to awaken aura. Then what would happen should someone learn to use aura to permanently disable someone’s aura so that they can’t use their semblance?

Aura is a term in RWBY that still eludes me a bit. Aura has been described as the manifestation of the soul. So…if someone were to seal off another’s aura…couldn’t that potentially kill a person if used incorrectly? Just asking. 

If Oscar does gain that kind of power in the end, then I’d imagine that it’d be a tactic Oscar would only resort to as last alternative because of the dangerous consequences of using it; not just on the victim but on Oscar himself.

Dan referred to Oscar’s sealing power being like Energy bending in Avatar the Last Airbender.

Wasn’t one of the drawbacks of energy bending that the user could be corrupted by the essence of the person who’s bending they were taking away? 

I can’t recall where it was said but I think I remember the lion turtle mentioning that to Aang when they first met. I…think? Correct me if I’m wrong here guys. 

But let’s say…Oscar does gain the whole sealing power as part of the final form in his Nullification Semblance. I only like the Sealing aspect of Oscar’s semblance as a last resort because I imagine a power like that could be very unsafe to use freehand.  The dangers of such a power are that one, this technique could run the risk of killing the victim since we are messing with aura---meaning one’s very soul, here. 

Not to mention that it places the user---Oscar at risk as well. Finally two, this technique would require a lot of aura on Oscar’s part or at least I’d imagine so. Like a lot especially to account for the victim resisting against the sealing process. 

After all, Pyrhha used some of her aura to awaken Jaune’s right?  So let’s say each time Oscar uses his semblance to nullify an opponent’s semblance, the effort to maintain this feat requires aura so the longer he maintains the nullification process, the more aura he drains from himself.

Somehow I’m visualizing Oscar’s nullification powers like chains that bind his enemies with an analog timer ticking down to how much longer Oscar can restrain his victim. A little exaggerated but you get the idea. 

So if sealing becomes a power for Oscar to have, it’s something that could help win a fight but can also potentially kill Oscar. I know it takes away the light-hearted ease of use of Dan’s original point but…this squiggle meister thinks a power like that would come with risks. After all, with great power comes great responsibility.  

But that’s just me. The more I think and elaborate on this, the more I’m really digging the concept of it. 

ThatKaitoDan is a genius for coming up with this theory for Oscar’s semblance. 

I doubt he’ll ever read my Tumblr post response to his theory but I would’ve loved to have heard his feedback on my add-ons to his theory. I’d love to hear his thoughts on my thoughts. 

He really is onto to something awesome and his idea for Oscar’s semblance is now one of my favourites apart from my own and the combination of our two theories. 

So if I had to pick which powers I can see Oscar having, it’s either a mental based power (like telepathy) or sealing or nullification---the grand combination of the two as I described in this post. That’s this squiggle meister’s thoughts on that. 

ThatKaitoDan’s Oscar’s Great and Power Semblance: RWBY Theory 

More Squiggles’ RWBY Content

~LittleMissSquiggles (2018) 

[wannawrite]

Plucking Petals

Wanna One’s Lee Daehwi X Reader Word count: 3582 FLUFF WDYM FLOWERS DON’T GO WITH FLUFF • flower boy cafe! Daehwi ( oh god i’d pay to see that 😂 ) • your friends really like this cafe…especially Daehwi ;) • you just don’t get the hype • but Daehwi hyPES YOU UP 110% • ft. bffs Lisa and Somin tbh…. I haD ZERO ZILCH CLUE WHAT A FLOWER BOY CAFE WAS WE DON’T HAVE IT HERE but I now know because of my intellectual friend @woojinstinygf  tysm beb 💓 Daehwi would fit this I hate it he fits everything how dare he anyways, I hope my lack of experience with flower boys ( or boys in general ) doesn’t come off strongly. Thank you for requesting this anon ! :) - admin L fun fact: Daehwi and I have the same uneven eyelids ‘problem’ but he has taught me to recognise them as a cute trait better. guYS THIS IS SUCH AS MESS I’M SORRY __________ “Oh my god, oh my god Y/N please! Please!” Your best friend, Lisa, begged. “Please! Please! I’m begging you right now.” She grabbed your hands in hers and tugged on them gently. For the past half hour, Lisa and Somin had been pleading with you to hang out at the new flower boy cafe that had just opened in your estate. Somehow, your best friends were crazy for the idea of cute guys, cakes and aegyo but the thought of it made you feel a little sick. Of course, it was nice to have cuties attending to your every need but it was all a fabricated fantasy and you didn’t exactly like your feelings to be played with. Your friends had been there without you twice but they had enough of going by themselves and thus, were nearly on their knees for this. “Please! It’s almost my birthday!” Somin pointed out, sticking out her bottom lip. You shot her a flat look. “That shit doesn’t work on me, Somin,” you fired back, referring to her puppy dog face. Y/N, how bad could it be? Isn’t it her birthday soon anyways? Just endure that place for a little while then you can leave. Maybe it isn’t as bad as you think. A voice inside of your head piped up. 

You groaned. “I hate you guys so much.” “Does that mean you are agreeing?” Lisa pestered. “No,” you said, shaking your head. “But now, I will consider it…more than last time. I’ll think about it.” Somin beamed and clapped. “Yes! I know you would cave in!” “Y/N, did you know that Lee Daehwi is working there for the summer?” Lisa blushed, nearly letting out a squeal of delight. Ahh, Lee Daehwi. He was the president of the English Language Drama and Debate Society ( ELDDS ) of another college not far from the one you attended. You had seen him at plays once or twice and even complimented his good looks. Daehwi was incredibly smart and well-mannered but he also emitted this aura of enthusiasm. Flower boy cafes were bound to be his thing, it didn’t come as a shock. He had the brains and beauty, it was no mystery as to why people fawned over him. “I’m sure that cafe would be flooding with people because of him! All the more we must go! Daehwi is a limited time offer!” “Stop objectifying him.” You said flatly. “Sorry…but you know what I mean! Don’t you think you would look cute with him?” Lisa suggested, wiggling her eyebrows. Somin 'oohed’ and high fived Lisa, smirking. You nearly spit out the water you were drinking. You coughed violently, trying to pump out the water from your lungs. Once you had more or less regained your senses, you continued. “What? What! Lisa! Stop it, that’s too much. Don’t be like this, for both our sakes.” Lisa tsked. “Just wait and see, Y/N. No one can withstand the charms of Lee Daehwi.” You pursed your lips together, they were coated with a new shade of red today. “We have to see, Lisa. We shall see.” Lee Daehwi wasn’t going to steal your heart, you were sure of it. No matter how flowery his words may be. … Somin’s birthday quickly approached and it was her wish that she could celebrate it at the flower boy cafe with you and Lisa. At first, you opposed as strongly as you normally would have but softened when you realised how irrational you were being. It was your best friend’s birthday, it was going to be her day. So you sucked it up and agreed to celebrate in the flower boy cafe with your friends. To say they were ecstatic was an understatement. “Guys? What are you doing here?” You asked, wide-eyed and still clad in your pyjamas. You examined every inch of your best friends, they were well dressed, hair curled and probably had much more makeup on than usual. They looked ready for the red carpet. “Oh! Happy birthday Somin!” Somin squealed and hugged you, “Ahh, Lisa, we have one hour to transform this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan!” You didn’t know whether to be insulted or insulted flattered. Against your will, you were thrown into a hot bath with scented rose petals which you didn’t even know existed, so it came as a shock when Lisa plucked it out from the cabinet under the sink. It was like she knew your life more than you did. Once you were all fresh and clean, Somin dried your hair while Lisa began applying makeup to your face. “Yah, I envy your skin so much. So smooth, you should be in an Innisfree commercial,” Lisa said. “Did you guys know that Daehwi was in an Innisfree commercial? I’m pretty sure some shops still screen his photoshoot. It was a blessing,” Somin announced, her eyes clouded over as if she was dreaming. “Lee Daehwi…..” You clapped your hands in her face to signal that your scalp was getting too hot from the hair dryer. “Somin, …please concentrate! My hair is going to catch fire!” You shrieked but ended up laughing and nearly smacking the bb cushion out of Lisa’s hand. For the next hour or so, you let your friends doll you up in preparation for your first and last time ever setting foot in that damned cafe. Somin looked every bit the part of a party princess from her black crop top and red mini skirt, delicate golden crown earrings hung from her ears. No one would be able to take her eyes off her. But her gaze was fixated on you and tears nearly welled up in her eyes. “You…look amazing! Thank you for agreeing to go with us! My birthday would not be the same without you.” You could only hug and reassure her that as long as she was your best friend, you would do almost anything for her. Even going to weird flower boy cafes. … I take that back………..Why did I agree to go to this ridiculous place? Today’s concept appeared to be flowers, flowers and more flowers. Every single waiter had either a flower crown on his head or some sort of flower related ornament as part of his 'uniform’. How is this legal? You tentatively shuffled a step forward into the cafe. “Hello! Woah, someone call God because I think he sent down an angel.” A voice complimented, it’s owner gently placed your hand in his before bending down to kiss it. “I’m Daehwi, at your service.” It took you everything to not recoil and punch some sense into the president of English Language Drama and Debate Society, his pickup lines were awful! (bomb pickup lines created by yours truly™) Instead, you forced a smile on your face and gently removed your hand from his grip. Apparently, that wasn’t the reaction he had been hoping for, he pouted and whined in a small voice. “Am I not cute enough for you?” Daehwi allowed his puppy dog eyes to take centre stage, behind you, your friends were bursting with happiness, you could pretty much feel it radiating off them. You had to admit, this scene surprisingly fit him well, plus, he was naturally adorable so it made his aegyo either ten times more cringy or ten times cuter. For now, you could tolerate it. You sighed, “You are adorable. Could you please show us to our table?” Have Somin and Lisa suddenly become mute? Why am I doing all the talking? Daehwi snatched a couple menus off their place at the cashier and nodded. “Certainly, right this way.” You couldn’t help but admire his legs in those skinny jeans as he walked. ( i nEed to mAkE SURE MY BABIES ARE GETTING FED ) “You must be tired since you have been running through my head,” he proclaimed, shooting you a suave wink as he pulled out a plush velvet chair. You opened your mouth to protest but Somin and Lisa had already settled onto the love seat across and sent you a 'zip up’ gesture. Without an audible reply, you sunk into the armchair and quickly grabbed a menu in hopes of Daehwi taking the signal and leaving you alone. Quite the contrary, he took this opportunity to kneel down to your level and pushed the card down so your eyes met his. It was then that you realised how gorgeous his eyes were, especially his unevenly folded double eye lids, they made him more quirky and unique. “Did you know? I’m sweeter than all these things written on the menu combined?” Daehwi said smoothly, fluttering his long eyelashes. You giggled despite how lame it was, satisfied with finally eliciting a reaction out of you, Daehwi bounced away but hung around his group of tables. The other customers whispered about his obvious attention directed towards you. You tried hard to tune out to those, cheeks already turning red. “Ahhh, and who said they would hate this place forever?” Lisa teased, squealing. You frowned at her, shaking your head but the pinkness of your cheeks was a contrast to what you said. “S-stop it.” You stuttered out. You nearly smacked yourself for being so affected by Daehwi’s actions. He does this to like two hundred other customers three times a day. Why are you so affected? Get a grip, Y/N! Stop feeling so special. It’s literally his job, it’s not like he likes you. “Yah! You’re crushing so bad on Daehwi right now! Look at your face!” Somin giggled, she subtly pointed to the boy with silvery dirty blonde hair who was fixing his peach coloured flower crown and let out a small annoyed huff when it didn’t seem to cooperate with him. It was true, Daehwi was the most charming boy you had laid your eyes on. Major crush material, huge boyfriend material. You smiled smugly, playing with a lock of your perfectly curled hair courtesy of Somin. You weren’t going to fall for the flower boy, you were going to make the flower boy fall for you. … Daehwi set your cup of tea down on the coaster without messing up any of the intricately displayed macaroon towers - Somin had insisted on it -. Skills. You were mildly impressed he hadn’t messed up on anything yet. Before he left, he tapped you on the shoulder and made a heart with his fingers before pressing it to his plush lips and blowing you a kiss. Though you were screaming internally, you kept your unfazed look on and pretended to catch it, only to crush it and let it go. It did hurt when the smile on Daehwi’s face fell but he quickly recovered. “Does Y/N not like Daehwi? Daehwi is hurt!” He wailed, sticking out his bottom lip and crossing his arms over his chest. ( guys kms idk how to describe aegyo and I’m not good at it either ) “Can Daehwi show you more aegyo? Will you love me then?” Oh my god. He should be paid double to act like this. Without any warning, ( someone come collect their mans ) he cupped the sides of his face and squished his cheeks together, furrowing his brows and pouting. “Y/N? Do you like me now?” ( bOii I’M SORRY I DIDN’T MEAN TO DO YOU LIKE thIS ) He’s so extra…… “Daehwi, you’re already prettier than the flowers in your hair,” you complimented sincerely. For the first time, Lee Daehwi, the confident, assured President became flustered. His eyes went as large as tea cup saucers and he opened his mouth multiple times wordlessly. He covered up with his 'bbuing bbuing’ and shuffled back to the counter, pink blush extremely prominent. Another boy with black hair saw what had happened and punched Daehwi’s arm playfully, repeating his actions and mocking him. He seems like a perfect fit for Somin. Doesn’t Lisa know him from somewhere? School? Oh! They were in the same theatre department before he graduated. She hid her face when you glanced at her. Lisa reached over and smacked your shoulder, grinning. She raised her hand. “Seongwoo oppa, it’s Somin’s birthday today. Does she get anything…I don’t know…special?” Lisa tapped a finger on her lip, looking deep in thought. “No-” “Somin! Oh gosh, happy birthday!” Seongwoo wished her, a bright smile on his face as he plucked out a flower crown from his apron pocket and placed it on her head. Seongwoo took her hand in his and kissed hers gently. You struggled to hold in your giggles. Back in the kitchen, Daehwi was plucking petals off a daisy violently. “She loves me, she loves me not….she loves me, she loves me not. She…..” His best friend, Bae Jinyoung, saw the state he was in and sighed. “Yah, Daehwi, just tell Y/N how you feel.” “I can’t! I’ve liked her for so long yet I’m messing up every chance here! Why is my job so hard!” It was his eighteenth time re-tying the flower crown around his head, a sign of his anxiety increasing. Eventually, he gave up and let his bangs flop, it was long enough to conceal both eyes. At least it hides my weird eyelids…..Wait, why tf is Jaehwan hyung mopping the floor now? Daehwi wondered as he exchanged his half bare daisy for the tray Jinyoung had arranged nicely. Suddenly, as if a light bulb ignited, he had an idea. Without a second thought, he gracefully used the lack of friction to his advantage and slid all the way to your table, tray balanced in hand. Daehwi made eye contact with you and delivered his line perfectly. “That’s how I slid into your DMs, babygirl.” ( fckboi alert! ) Your small smile was nowhere near Somin and Lisa’s excited clamours. Disappointed, Daehwi hastily set the tray down and rushed back to the kitchen. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans and Jaehwan’s cleaning skills were terrible. Too!! Much!! Soap!! He let out a tiny yelp as he slipped on the damn patches of marble, landing with a thump. Without thinking, you rushed out of your seat to check if he was all right. “Daehwi! Oh my god! Are you hurt?” Your hands found his, you helped him to his feet, completely unaware of the eyes boring holes into your back. “Oh! Your flower crown!” You retrieved it from the ground and carefully nestled it on Daehwi’s curls. “No prince is complete without his crown,” you blurted out before slapping a hand over your mouth. “I-I…I think I just fell for you,” Daehwi declared, pun-intended. You gaped at him in disbelief and lightly slapped his shoulder, unable to stop the laughter. “You’re awful.” “But you love me.” “No, your aegyo sucks.” He gasped in mock offence, eyebrows creased, arms folded, cute little foot stomp. “Yah! Daehwi’s aegyo is the best! I can do the gwiyomi song for you!” “Don’t you do that for everyone,” you pointed out. “I never come here. Make my first time special.” You trotted back to your seat in triumph, not really sure what you were happy about though. Maybe it was because you challenged a cutie to do something special, personalised just for you. Somin and Lisa’s jaws dropped, however, there was still some sort of smugness and 'I knew it’ that emitted off them. ( you know, 'pretends to be shocked’ ) The rest of the went by joyously, you were glad to catch up with your best friends even though you saw them every single day. Lisa updated you with the latest gossip - “Did you know that Lai Guanlin hasn’t been in school recently? People think he’s travelled back to Taiwan to train as a professional basketball player.” “Everyone thinks that Ha Sungwoon is in love with his sugar daddy, Yoon Jisung. I ship it.” - Somin unwrapped her presents - “Because I want to capture you crying on camera.” - and pulled a fake shocked look many times yet cried in the end. Seongwoo was there to dry her tears. Shameless couple. Daehwi had not returned to your table since then, in fact, he didn’t seem to be in the cafe anymore and that sparked your curiosity. When you asked Ong, he shrugged and apologised. You hoped you would see Daehwi at least once more before leaving but when it was Seongwoo and Park Jihoon who carried out Somin’s birthday cake, you began to lose hope of seeing him ever again. Maybe I’ll just start attending school plays more often….just for Daehwi. I’m so hung up about this I can’t help it. With Lisa at your table, the cake disappeared in record time. It was no surprise, really. You took time to savour the sweetness, creaminess and softness. Also an excuse to spend extra time here waiting for Daehwi to make an appearance. “Y/N has got it so bad for the flower boy! Finally! I thought she’d never like someone,” Somin rejoiced. “You have to thank us if you do end up dating him, Y/N. Two of us made it happen.” “I’ll ask him out only if you kiss Seongwoo…uh, on the cheek of course,” you retorted back, taking a sip of your beverage. Where! Is! Lee! Daehwi! Somin groaned and her eyes narrowed. “Fine, if that’s how you want things to be.” It was an easy task for her. Somin never struggled with dating, regardless of who it was. “Let’s go. We still have about three other cafes to go to before the sun downs,” Lisa beckoned, grabbing her fancy cross body bag. “I can get the bill. You guys can pay me back later.” You marched over to the cashier. “Yo, Seongwoo, are you sure you don’t know where Lee Daehwi is?” you hissed. Seongwoo bit his lip, sighing. “Okay, okay. He just told Jaewhan to cover for him and ran. His break is ending in a couple of minutes though but it doesn’t seem like he’s in the area.” “Oh….” Your face fell, mildly upset. “It’s fine. Thanks. How much?” Seongwoo told you the price and you nearly dropped dead. “I can add a 20% employee discount! You guys are my friends anyway.” He tapped a few buttons and the price decreased. Still, it blew a hole in your wallet, bank account dented. “Thank you, Seongwoo oppa! Please date Somin. Please!” You chirped. He laughed. All of a sudden, the door to the back room burst open and a frantic Lee Daehwi came tumbling out. He looked like he had returned from running a marathon. His apron wasn’t on and his flower crown was lopsided but in his arms was a bouquet of deep red roses, all fresh and lush. “Y/N!” He rushed to your side, somewhat out of breath and flushed. “Daehwi? Are you okay? What happened?” You quizzed worriedly. Why was he so anxious? Did he run? In those ridiculous shoes? “Y/N, you-you called me a prince just now but what prince would be fit without his princess. Here, I-I bought these for you. I hope you enjoyed your time here, no matter how much you hate this place.” Daehwi beamed hopefully at you, placing the flowers in your arms. “Daehwi….you didn’t have to!” You squeaked, lost for words. You covered the left side of your face with your hand, avoiding other customers gazes. “Y/N, I’ve never done this for anyone. You are saved in my heart,” he paused to perform his aegyo.  ( Park Jeojang is shaking! ) “I’ve had a crush on you for forever. Ever since I saw you at one of the debate tournaments supporting Somin. I fumbled so much in my speech because of you. Then, I managed to know more about you through your friends as creepy as it sounds. Now I’m confessing, oh god. How crazy is this?” He babbled, clearly flustered and worried. His face reddened and his eyes could only linger on the floor. His weird shoes scuffed together. “Hey, Y/N!” Somin yelled, once she had your attention, she pressed a quick peck to Seongwoo’s cheek, right on his constellation. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “So, what are you doing later on?” Oh my god. You could feel the heat rising to your cheeks, your grip on the roses grew tighter. “Uh, Daehwi?” He looked up at you, smiling shyly. “Thank you, I’m flattered but-” The crestfallen look that crossed his face as enough to make anyone burst into tears. Your hand enclosed his, squeezing it comfortingly. “But, are you free tomorrow?” “Considering the fact that dyeing my hair alone cost $350, I’m worth a dime. But princesses deserve diamonds.” Daehwi winked cutely despite his heart gradually cracking. “Let’s go on a date. Call me,” you managed to squeak out without messing up before slipping him a napkin with your number scribbled on it. You winked as you let go of his hand and practically skipped out of the shop, leaving a shell-shocked Daehwi in it. He gaped at your disappearing figure for a good thirty seconds and then neatly folded the napkin before stuffing it into his wallet. His blush was comparable to the strawberry cake Jihoon was serving. Once he came back to his senses, he fist pumped and jumped for joy. Seongwoo rolled his eyes at the amount of half bald flowers and flower stems scattered around Daehwi’s locker. “I’m glad he doesn’t have to pluck petals anymore.”

[poutypanic]

Demon Hunter* Chap 4

Chapter Summary: I think it’s a good idea to give a reminder that this is dubious consent. Also, this chapter is pretty plot heavy. Hopefully, you guys will still enjoy it! (/^▽^)/

AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/10702710/chapters/25378629

This is the third time in the past month that you’ve been deathly ill, and this time is by far the worst. The first two times, Hanzo was able to nurse you back to health. Each time was a blur, filled with lost time and nightmares. Your blood feels like it’s boiling in your veins, threatening to melt your skin away and spill your insides. It’s hard to keep your eyes open, let alone see anything.

You’re too afraid to look around anyway. When you are able to see anything, you see monsters. Big hulking shadow beasts that cower in the corners of the room getting ready to pounce and consume you. Sometimes they’re on the ceiling, twisted, with abnormally long limbs. They might just be hallucinations, but in your current situation, you can’t be sure.

Hanzo has you back in the tub, filled with ice, bath salts, baking soda, and ginger. Trying to cool you down, to make your muscles and skin relieve some of the tension they are harboring. He can’t help you by himself this time, and he knows it. So he’s called in someone else. When they arrive and start talking to Hanzo, you can’t tell whether they are a man or a woman. Your ears are so flooded that you’re lucky that you can hear them at all.

“It’s been a long time Hanzo. I thought you had learned your lesson. I guess I need to remind you that transforming your pets always kills them.”

“She is different… stronger, than the others.”

They chuckle, “Tell me how this one’s different. She doesn’t look any different. She looks to be dying to me. Just like the others.”

“She has been through this twice, none of the others survived the first sickness.”

“She’s survived this twice already?”

Hanzo is silent. What you don’t see is him refusing to repeat himself.

“Intriguing.”

They sit on the edge of the tub and grab ahold of your jaw. When you look up at them the only clear feature you can grasp onto are horns. Did Hanzo call in the devil themselves to aid you? They hum as they turn your head from side to side.

Hanzo growls, “I am not paying you to gawk.”

They scoff, “Relax. I’m examining her.”

You must have passed out, because the next thing you know, something is being forced down your throat. And there’s a light so bright that it feels like the Sun is in the room with you. An unfamiliar hand is running down the front of your throat trying to help you swallow whatever is being forced down it. It feels like a rock drops down into your stomach. Whatever it is makes you lucid enough for you see clearly.

A woman sits on the edge of the tub. Hair a light purple, pulled back into a ponytail. Her horns are massive and jet black. Her eyes are a stunning amethyst, and they’re boring holes into you. Her tail swings back and forth over the top of the water. Churning up the ice and making ripples. The longer you stare at her, the more her facial features fade, until all you can see is energy, tightly coiled, with a heartbeat in the center. As quickly as your clarity came, it starts to leave.

As you start to slump back into the water, the woman presses her hand to your chest and sighs, “Such needy creatures. Hanzo?”

Hanzo slips into the water with you. He sits and lifts you up into his lap, wraps your weak limbs around his body, and holds you close to his chest. It’s hard to get much closer, but you try anyway. As you nuzzle your face into his shoulder, fuzzy memories start to become clearer ones. Random flashes of skin, echoes of his voice; you had always felt better when he was as close as possible. The demon is devious. He’s made it impossible for you not to need him.

The first time you had fallen ill, you didn’t understand what was happening to you. In turn, you had told the demon you needed to go to a hospital. And he took that as another feeble attempt to try and get away from him. He cruelly told you that your only chance at living, is him. And if you want to leave, then you are choosing death. You wish you had the strength to hit him. To beat the shit out of him. You’re miserable, and you hadn’t asked for this. But all you can do is let out a pathetic whine and a small sob against his shoulder.

He gently runs his nails through your hair, “I know it hurts; such is change. It will be over soon.”

No matter how angry you are or how much you blame him for your pain, you still weakly gyrate your hips. Because he is also your only source of relief. Of any kind of energy during these times. The demon enters you gently, then leans back with you still laying against his chest. Every thrust in far in between each other, calm and deliberate. He continues to stroke your hair. He runs his free hand along your body, trailing momentary strokes of comfort. You hadn’t realized just how much your skin hurts. How tight and dry it is, until Hanzo started relieving the sensations with his touch. Only for your skin to revert back moments later.

And that just makes you crave it more, need it more. Something that you didn’t even think was possible. Never in your life did you think you’d have to depend on someone this much. Not a single element of your life is in your control anymore, not your thoughts, your health, your needs, or your wants. As he continues to push into you, you grunt softly and wrap your arms tighter around Hanzo’s neck. Your vision starts to clear again, and you can see the woman leisurely sitting with her legs crossed, looking quite bored with the situation.

It’s hard to keep track of time and just how long you’re laying against his chest. How long it is before a pleasant pressure pushes it’s way from your toes to your head. It’s not an explosion, not a push of energy being expelled from your body, but more so a gentle cooling wave of fuzz that contains itself within your skin. Now you feel exceptionally better. Not healthy, but it’s an improvement. Hanzo lays you back into the water and cradles your face in his hands. With a face made of hard lines, he nearly looks like a statue, with his jaw clenched and eyes narrow.

“She is passed the worst of it. Would you agree?”

The woman looms just inside of your vision, “Yes I agree. Though it doesn’t look like the process is done yet, does it? Interesting. So it takes more than three times. I think it’s safe to presume she’ll be falling ill again before the process has finished. I suppose I’ll stay close then.”

Hanzo does not care at all for the woman’s musings, “You can leave now, Mercy.”

She’s curious and wants to figure out exactly what is different about you, “How about we make a deal Hanzo.”

“I don’t make deals with imps.”

Mercy stomps her foot, the heel cracking against the hard surface. The noise makes you grimace, it’s too loud, too sharp.

“You should be nicer to me, demon. The next time your dearest pet needs me I just might be busy.”

Hanzo is up and out of the tub faster than you can see. The next time you see him, he’s in the imps face staring her down with a snarl, “You are lucky I am choosing not to take that as a threat, and that I know you will always be back for the money. Now get out of my home, you always make it stink of sulfur.”

Mercy is offended by that. “Not everybody has a pretty castle, and a pretty stash of riches to match.”

The look Hanzo gives her is a familiar one. It says, if you make me have to repeat myself. The imp finally does what is best and takes her leave.

The demon gets down on his knees next to the tub, sticks his hand into the water, and takes a hold of your ankle. He squeezes and keeps the pressure all the way up onto your thigh, rubs his palm across your stomach, and then up over your chest. Soothing fuzzies are left in the wake of his touch. His hand comes to rest against your cheek. When his thumb grazes across your lips, it’s as if your actions aren’t your own. You don’t remember opening up your mouth, letting his thumb rest against your tongue. The edge of his nail at the back of your throat as you suck on it.

“Good. Good girl. It is going to be a pleasure watching you bloom.”

~

Hanzo has to leave. He needs to replenish his own energy. You’re at the point in your transformation where you’re leaching off of him more than you’re feeding him. Once you’ve become a full-fledged demon like him, you’ll be able to create energy together. Until then, he’ll have to carry the both you.

What that means is he needs to go and fuck some townspeople. Sap their life force and bring it back for you to take from him. He’s been gone for nearly two whole nights now and has left you here to be babysat by two menacing, lion sized dragons. This was unexpected. What you had expected was to be tied up and left that way until he returned.

This, of course, is better, as you’re feeling substantially healthier. At least for right now. Your skin has gone back to having a golden sheen that’s almost like an aura, separate from your actual skin. Your hair is back to being bouncy and soft. Your nails are starting to grow at an alarming pace, and they’re strong. An insistent craving is always lying low in your belly, growing stronger with every passing day that the demon is gone.

It’s been ages since you’ve seen yourself in a mirror, and you’re curious. The sun is starting to rise, causing the castle to be flooded with soft light. So you head out into the place in search of your reflection. The dragons trail behind you. Keeping hostile stances. Shoulders constantly hunched. Teeth bared. Low rumbles and growls emitting from their chests.

You roll your eyes at them, “I’m just perusing.”

Your heart nearly stops when they actually talk back to you. It’s the same voices that had been speaking to you in your head, lulling you into false security, and keeping you out of the darkness when you thought you were dying. Their voices still echo in your brain but now you can see where they’re coming from.

“As long as you are being a good girl.”

“Don’t you dare displease our master.”

You chuckle nervously, “Okay.”

Having the demon be away from you for so long is allowing for some clarity. Even if the dragons had been pulled from his own body, they don’t seem to have any sort of effect on you. It gives you time to think about what’s happening to you. It hasn’t sunk in yet; you’re still numb to the idea. However, it won’t take long for your feelings to come to the surface.

It’s mind boggling that there are no mirrors where you would think they would be. No dirty, old or cracked ones in bathrooms or as old decorations along the halls. You finally find some remnants of one, all shattered across the floor. It makes you wonder if there was ever a time when this place was ransacked, anything breakable falling victim to mindless criminal acts.

Then you find one that is covered by a sheet. At first glance, you notice it’s taller than you by at least a couple of feet. You tug the sheet off and let it fall to the ground. The frame is ornate, traditional, with an antique silver finish. You use the sleeve of your slip to rub away the dust that covers the mirror. The first thing you notice as the dust clears is your eyes.

Nearly all of the color that you used to have is gone, replaced by distressing, dark, and bottomless pupils. Your chest starts to heave as you stare at your reflection. Being able to see all of the differences at once is terrifying. You don’t know who this is. You’ve never seen this…creature before in your life. It’s hard to believe that this is you, that this is your body. As a panic attack starts to spark in your belly, anger also starts to rear its ugly head.

You hug yourself as tears run down your face. I don’t want this.

Hanzo materializes behind you, arms already crossed. Looking at you in a curious manner. What causes you to be even more infuriated is the look of pity, and then he speaks it.

“Do you think you are ugly, pet? I assure you, you are beautiful and will only get even more so.”

You slowly turn to face him, “You’re the most delusional monster I’ve ever met.”

His head cocks slightly to the side, “Please tell me your thoughts.”

You know that’s bait, and you don’t care, “You’re a fucking piece of work, forcing me into a-a-a whole new form, a body I never asked for!”

Hanzo takes a step towards you, and you back yourself up against the mirror.

He says in a low dangerously calm tone, “Quick and sudden changes can often elicit anger and resistance.”

You shake your head, “Fuck you! Do not make it seem like I am the crazy one here!”

He quickly closes the gap between the two of you. And what takes you aback is not the arms on either side of your head, with nails scratching against the mirror. Not the clenched jaw. Or the fevered breath you can feel on your face. It’s the fact that you could see that happen. He advanced faster than human eyes can see, but you saw every movement.

The demon takes a deep breath in through his nose, closes his eyes for a moment, and looks as if he’s recalling something.

“You spend a chunk of your life reinventing the word whore, and you don’t see the benefit of this gift I am giving you? You might as well have already been, this. Just without any of the benefits.”

Angry tears continue to fall down your face, but you have nothing to say. His influence is back in full force, and you can’t help but think that he is right.

“You are going to learn to say thank you.”

You have a sudden bout of physical anger. You shove him with all your might, and he actually falters back a step. Then, as quickly as you pushed him, you deck him across his jaw. His head only turns a fraction of an inch to the side, and now your hand really fucking hurts. As you clutch your hand to your chest, you stare at him wide eyed. It’s impossible to read his facial expression right now. For a moment you think this is it. Forget any punishments. You are dead.

“Get it out, pet.” He snarls, “Hit me again.”

You certainly feel like you could hit him a dozen more times. But you hesitate because you notice that he’s hard. And fuck if that doesn’t elicit fire in your belly. So you do do it again. With your aching hand, you hit him across that beguiling, smug, and dangerous face. Hanzo lets you hit him several more times. You’re sobbing from all your pent up emotion, not paying any mind to the lightning pain that is shooting up your arm and into your chest. Once he’s had enough, he shoves you up against the mirror so hard that you can hear it crack.

You gasp as the wind is knocked from your lungs. The demon moves quickly, wrapping your legs around him, lifting up your slip, freeing himself, and without warning, he’s shoving his cock inside of you. Every last inch in one swift motion. You cry out at the sudden intrusion. Even with your cunt throbbing and slick; that hurt, but God does it feel satisfying. He’s brimming with new energy, and you can feel it. It’s making every inch of your skin hum and vibrate.  

At first, he doesn’t move. Just presses his hips firmly against yours. He’s busy drinking in the expression on your face. Now that you’re in this moment and so chalk-full of adrenaline and passion, you’re feeling especially foolhardy. 

You grab a hold of his face and whisper just above his lips, “Are you gonna make me feel this?”

His eyes shine, “Say that one more time.”

“Are. You. Gonna me feel this.”

In response, Hanzo starts to fuck you relentlessly. Somewhere in between thrusts, you manage to rip his scarf out of his hair and throw it to the side, where the dragons are still poised, watching.

His hand wraps around the underside of your jaw and forces you to look at him. He presses his forehead to your own, his eyes fixed in a gaze with yours. You entangle both of your hands in his hair. You grip and pull as hard as you can. You watch as the upturned skin and the swollen tissue on your knuckles heal before your eyes. You’ve never felt more invigorated.

As Hanzo continues to brutally fuck you, the spider cracks in the mirror only get worse with each thrust. Your cries bounce off of the walls of the room and echo out into the halls. You dig your heels into the defined dimples of his back as you come. He kisses you, taking in all your moans and wails into his mouth. His mouth wide open against yours, his tongue nearly brushing the back of your throat, and those canines scrape against your lips.

Hanzo lets you drop down onto the floor. You’re so disorientated from the lack of fullness and energy, that you don’t get to see him move quickly this time. You yelp as he grabs you, turns you around, and forces the discarded scarf in-between your teeth. It then gets tied too tightly in a knot at the base of your head.

He grasps your throat. Presses his mouth against your ear, “What do you say now that I have given you energy from my own body? Now that I’ve made you come?”

He barely gives you a chance to answer before his grip grows exponentially tighter.

“What do you say.”

A desperate garbled answer against the scarf, “Thank you.”

The demon drags his nails across your breast, ripping fabric and scratching your skin.

“If you want more, you are going to have to beg for it. Or I will leave you starving like the wanton harlot you are.” 

A desperate sob breaks its way out of your chest. You do want more. You want a lot more. You want as much as he can give you. Your body feels light as a cloud, but you’re not nearly satiated yet. And the thought of being left like this feels like it would be torture. So you beg and beg, and then beg some more. Arching your back trying to grind against his cock, but he keeps pulling away from you. Your mouth is salivating all over his scarf as you bite down on it.

You catch a look at your tormented reflection in the broken mirror. Face wet with tears. Teeth bared around the scarf. Hanzo’s cruel expression, all on display for you and for him. Hanzo looks you in the eyes through the mirror as he shoves his hand in between your legs. He teases you by lightly stroking his fingers across your folds, refusing to give you the pressure you so desperately need.  

When he finally does give it to you, the feeling is too much, causing you to slam your ass back against his crotch. This time he doesn’t pull away, allowing you to grind impassioned circles on his dick. You watch yourself as you come with your mouth straining to open against the gag.

Hanzo shoves your torso forward and grabs ahold of your arms just above your elbows, impales you back onto his cock, and resumes bucking into you. The scarf bounces wildly with the momentum. Your slip isn’t quite in tatters yet, so your able to take fists full’s of it in both of your hands. It’s a long, long time before he’s done with you. Though, when you think about it, he’s never really done with you.

It’s an odd feeling, being so tired in mind and soul, and yet being so awake in your body that it feels as if no amount of physical activity could tire you. Hanzo lays on top of you. All of his actions turning into soft and tender motions. He hasn’t removed your gag, and he’s not going to. He’s too engrossed in gazing at you, as he runs his nails along your cheek bone. It’s almost a loving action. A simple touch that just about makes your heart flutter. What a stunning and manipulative devil he is.

[thetygre]

Dark Souls Lore Rambling #3

So this one got kind of out of hand. Get it? Because Manus? Ha, I did this instead of a cover letter.

The Dark, the Dark Soul, and Humanity

So, most of us know the Dark and the Dark Soul from that giant gaping ring of fire that doesn’t actually look as cool when we see it on our characters. The Dark Sign is a hole of nothing ringed by fire, presumably constantly and silently emitting a Johnny Cash song. The Dark Sign is an Undead’s link to the Dark Soul and, by extension, the Dark. It’s notable that the Dark Sign only shows up when a character starts going Hollow; on living humans, it’s nowhere to be seen. (Which really makes you wonder where all the NPCs you meet got their Humanity from, huh?) To a certain degree, this makes sense; Hollows are the default form of humans (and probably Lords and Witches, too). When a human dies, they literally lose their humanity; they make the transition from a living thing into an inanimate corpse. Unless, of course, they’re Undead; then, they’re in a kind of half-state, where the ability to regain and retain humanity is part of the more allegorical human experience.

I think the exact nature of the Dark Sign is, itself, a kind of microcosm for the Dark Soul itself. The way I see it, the crux of the issue comes down to two different narratives about where the Dark Soul came from.

Narrative One, let’s call it the Frampt side, states that the Dark Soul was popped out of the First Flame along with the three other Lord Souls, part of a balanced system where it acts as the necessary opposite of the Light Soul. In this version, the Dark Soul depends on the First Flame as much as the other Lord Souls, and the death of the First Flame is also the death of the Dark Soul. Relating to the Dark Sign, that makes the Sign a direct representation of the Dark Soul being consumed by the First Flame, with the ring of fire constantly burning inward.

This is an odd way to see things, because it implies that the Dark Soul is already in the First Flame in some way. However, it is worth considering that Undead always return to a Bonfire, an extension of the First Flame, on their death; something inside them draws them to that fire. The Homeward spell even describes the homeland of the Undead as the Bonfire itself, implying that they come from the Flame in some way.

The opposing theory, the Kaathe side of things, has the Dark as not just the opposite of the Light Soul, but the entire First Flame itself. The Dark always existed, probably even before the First Flame, and was the original state that everything was born in before the discovery of the Flame. (All of this, of course, underneath the grayness of the Dragons.) It’s that old ‘In the beginning there was darkness, and the darkness never forgot’ bit. So the Dark Soul was created by the Dark so it could have an agent against the Flame, or at the very least some kind of balance.

This also completely shifts the narrative of the Lord Souls when you think about it. The Frampt story has two sets of two Lord Souls; Light and Dark, Life and Death. They’re meant to balance each other out on a four point axis kind of deal. The Kaathe story, however, makes it so that there are three Lord Souls and the one Dark Soul. That arranges the Lord Souls into a trinity, but of what? My gut instinct says cycle of life; Life, Death, and Rebirth (Light). Opposite of that is the big ol’ existentialist void as represented by The Dark.

I guess in this instance that makes the Dark Sign the opposite of its Frampt version; it’s not the Flame consuming the Dark Soul, but the other way around. The Dark is growing out from the Undead, getting bigger and bigger while it hungers for more. Or maybe Undead are even like reverse Bonfires; they are all portals to the Dark, and the ring of fire was placed their by the Lords to contain them, maybe even shackle them to the First Flame.

This also raises an important question about how the Lords and humans first came into contact with each other. If all the Lord Souls were distributed at once, then humans were with Lords at the beginning, establishing an immediate hierarchy. But if the Furtive Pygmy didn’t find the Dark Soul until well after the Lord Souls were given, then that means that humans just kind of started appearing during the Age of Ancients. I guess it doesn’t make much difference; Gwyn perceived humans as a threat one way or another, it’s just a question of sooner or later.

Also, I guess I should talk about the Furtive Pygmy. I’d like to give the guy his own segment, I really would, but there is less than nothing to go on. All we’ve got is his name; Furtive, which means sly, secret, or stealthy with connotations of guilt, and Pygmy, which means small. So, our guy was a little man who was trying to avoid being noticed. That already is being generous with the naming conventions, but one makes do with the sources at hand.

I think the Furtive Pygmy was at the bottom of the primitive Lord hierarchy, before they were even Lords; the literal runt of the litter. Without intelligence, they lived like animals, and the Pygmy would have been easy to dominate because of his deformity. So he kept to the shadows, tried not to step on anything’s toes. He got the Dark Soul as a ‘the last shall be first’ deal from either the Flame or the Dark, if you want to get that poetic. And from there, he presumably boinked some Lord (Lady?) or Witch and fathered more tiny mutant Lords like himself and on and on until there were enough of them to call them their own race.

The way Kaathe tells it, this was all part of the grand master plan. The Pygmy would make humans, then give them fragments of the Dark Soul, knowing that the Dark Soul would eventually regenerate within himself. In a way, it’s kind of what the Witch was trying to do with the Life Soul in Izalith; using the Lord Soul to bring about a new age. But where the Witch came at that problem head on, the Pygmy got closer by going the round about way. Strength in numbers instead of one big bang.

Hell, I think the Pygmy might have done a better job at creating life out of his Lord Soul than the Witch did. Humanity as fragments of the Dark Soul is actively alive. The description for Humanity itself calls it a ‘sprite’; ‘sprite’ is another word for fairy, and is actually the Middle English version of ‘spirit’. Individual Firekeepers’ souls detail how, just underneath the skin, are ‘swarms of Humanity that writhe and squirm’, and a generic Firekeeper’s soul describes Humanity as ‘gnawing’. (Which raises the question of quantitative effects of Humanity. I mean, some of the regular NPCs have half a dozen Humanity. So how much before it starts becoming painful?)

And then of course there’s these guys; Humanity out in the wild, without a human to attach to. Manus goes so crazy that Humanity just starts walking around. The Pursuers spell straight up describes these things as Humanity given willpower. Honestly, these things fascinate me. They’re basically like giant cells or oozes in function. They float around, looking for more Humanity to feed off of. Just look at how they attack; they don’t have any kind of weapons, they just hover up against you and deal raw damage. After they’ve consumed enough, they reach a point of critical mass and reproduce by fission. Hence, big ones and little ones. You could even make the case that the white aura is a kind of membrane made up of pure soul energy. The eyes are probably just an artistic decision to make it clear that the wraithes are living things.

Dark magic in general is pretty strange, but not anymore so than Death Magic or True Pyromancy or any other subset of magic in the game. (I dunno’. I’ll get into Souls’ magic in its own time.) The thing that makes Dark magic's special attribute is that it deals physical damage as well as magic damage. (Keep that Crest shield ready, kids.) I’ve gotta’ wonder if that’s because the Dark magic we find in Oolacile is technically Abyssal magic instead of pure Dark magic. The allegory in Dark Fog says that the physical damage stems from man’s inhumanity to man, but in other spells the descriptions seem to imply that Humanity itself is a corporeal, heavy energy. Humanity, and by extension, the Dark, is physically the densest and most material of the Lord Souls.

That’s certainly supported by the freakshow around Oolacile. Even before that, the Darkmoon Knightess in Anor Londo is starting to get affected by all the Humanity inside her to the point that she has to paper-bag that shit with the Brass Armor. But Humanity definitely affects the physical body after a certain point. Going by the clothing and combat abilities, I think it’s safe to say that most of the bloatheads in Oolacile were just everyday folks. When Manus went ape, it was so overwhelming as to have their inherent Humanity turn them into monsters. ‘Course, there’s also the possibility that by that point, the entirety of Oolacile society was using Dark magic straight from Manus, so they were all susceptible to the Abyss. Whatever the case, they were all biologically mutated by Manus’ own transformation. Their bodily strength and constitution were boosted while they turned feral. Even the bloathead sorcerers are abnormally tall.

Not like Oolacile’s the only place that got screwed up by mucking about with the Dark, though. The Four Kings are another one of those subjects that I wish that I had more to talk about with, but I’m coming up pretty blank. I think it says something positive that Gwyn was willing to entrust half of his soul to four humans. In the long run, perfect opportunity for Kaathe. Corrupt the Kings and you basically have control over Gwyn’s soul. Their knights followed soon after as the most badass looking group of Darkwraiths in Lordran, and the rest is history. Hard to say how long this was after Oolacile, but I think it’s safe to say that the two are definitely inter-connected.

The most interesting feature about the Four Kings’ design is that giant vortex in the middle of their chest. It corresponds almost exactly to the Dark Sign on Undead. Except, y’know, worse. That alone implies that the Undead Curse was already in swing by the time Gwyn want off to the Kiln of the First Flame. Or, then again, maybe that was added on by Kaathe later. When an Undead uses Humanity, it restores their health, it empowers them. Maybe the Dark Sign really is just a mouth that’s constantly hungering for Humanity while the body is Hollowed. It’s the body yearning to return to a state of personhood. The Kings have that kind of ironic deformity built around their gluttony for Humanity, the same way as the Gaping Dragon and its mouth. Hell, maybe the Four Kings are just what happens when the Dark Sign isn’t contained. New Londo fell because of that kind of excess; the Kings and their knights started feeding off of other humans.

We’ve gotta’ talk about the Darkwraiths. Soldiers of the Abyss, or at least travelers. Kaathe gives you some real fancy armor for joining up with him. The skeleton armor is most likely an aesthetic choice, but I was always a little more literal with it. If the bloatheads are cancerous, then the Darkwraiths are anorexic. The same way a Hollow is withered, the New Londo Darkwraiths are starving away from a lack of Humanity. Again, just me being literal with the armor, though. Far, far more likely that it’s the armor of New Londo, or at least after the Four Kings were corrupted. Kaathe gives it to you, but I never noticed any of the other canon Darkwraiths like Kirk or Lautrec using it. The real item for the Darkwraiths is the Dark Hand.

Your garden variety Darkwraiths are phantoms, leftovers from Demon’s Souls. The focus of the entire Darkwraith covenant is gathering Humanity for yourself. Lot of different people with different reasons to want Humanity in Lordran. These Darkwraiths don’t necessarily have to have anything to do with the covenant, it’s just about their motivation and tactics. But how does the Dark play into it? Phantoms usually invade worlds other than their own, but there are canon phantoms like Jeremiah and Mildred who come to attack you and who appear to be more like legitimate ghosts. What that tells me about the relationship between Darkwraiths and the Dark is a kind of clue to the cosmological structure of Dark Souls.

There are other worlds, that’s a given. All the different realities of Dark Souls with all the different Chosen Undead and different possibilities are coterminous; they exist on the same plane of reality, but are still somehow separate from one another. That’s where the Dark comes in; the Dark is the void between worlds, the gap that separates different realities from one another. It might even be that the intrusion of the Dark and growth into the Abyss is responsible for Lordran’s time shenanigans. Because it is the gap between worlds, that means that the Dark is also constantly coterminous with any given world. The souls of those who became Darkwraiths and died or who were consumed by their hunger go into this omnipresent Darkness and re-emerge whenever they want to, which can serve as good an explanation as any for canon Darkwraiths who don’t already have a story. (It’s notable that the Gravelord Servants also use the Dark, but I feel like that’s more of a Nito thing, so I’ll save it for later.)

Furthermore, if the Dark is the most physical of all the aspects in Dark Souls, and it is universally present, then you might even go so far as to say that the Dark is the physical nature of the universe itself. In that case, the Dark might be getting into speculative physics territory, literally Dark Matter. But I don’t know tosh about all that to get specific, so I’ll stick to what I know.

What’s this all add up to, ultimately? Not gonna’ lie, some really complicated shit that I could probably go on for hours about, because when you talk about the Dark, you talk about Humanity, and Humanity is three different things all at once:

The actual object and statistic within the universe, Humanity.

The qualities of each individuals human condition that make them people.

The entirety of the human species.

And you could go for hours combining the contexts of these different terms and how they relate to the Dark. When you’ve purchased all the spells from Big Hat Logan, for example, he no longer has anyone to teach, no one to connect to, or he may even think that you’re smarter than him. Whatever it is, it drives him to become a Hollow. He loses his Humanity along with his humanity. When the Darkwraiths and Four Kings began to feed on their own people for Humanity, they gave themselves over to the Abyss and cursed the whole city of New Londo, a former bastion of humanity, making their own loss of Humanity and humanity a loss for humanity. And so on and so on.

And that’s all completely intentional. It makes you think about what humanity really is, what it’s supposed to be. More importantly, it makes it clear how valuable the traits of humanity really are. Humanity is selflessness and charity, having a purpose, leaving a legacy. All that shit I talked about with Manus. And it starts out from a possessive, objective level and grows all the way out into what losing humanity means for our entire society and world.

But what does that make the Dark? The Dark is ultimately what humanity and Humanity comes from, and what it returns to. It is that sleep which encircles us at birth and into which we inevitably fall into at death; nonexistence, the void, an utter lack of awareness. Humanity, as a species, rose out of the Dark of animalistic non-awareness, and is headed towards the Dark in the desire for control and power; the rise and fall of civilization. On the cosmic level, the Dark is the base, crude matter which makes up our reality. It is the barrier that keeps us from one another. When we submit to the Dark, humanity is cruel to one another, driven to evil and madness.The Dark is the physical world to the Light’s ethereal ideals and philosophy.

When the Dark gets out of control, when it becomes excessive, it becomes the Abyss. And the Abyss is literally Nietzsche’s Abyss; it is all that is cruel and selfish and horrible about humanity, driven only by mindless greed and primal desire to expand by indulging in even more wickedness. It’s kind of telling that the Dark is both non-existence and selfishness, because it means that existence is defined just as much by our relationships and interactions with other people as much as self-awareness. And on an individual level, the Dark is all that in the microcosm of our own selves. Our bodies, our physical needs, our desires to be selfish. But the thing is, that’s not necessarily evil; it’s just a part of being human. The Dark, and it all it brings with it, non-existence, primality, selfishness, physicality, all of it, are part of the human experience. It ends and it begins, and in-between we are ultimately defined by the choices we make about how we live our lives and live with other people.

Fuck, this went on for a long time. I mean really, fuck. And it got way too deep there at the end. I might as well have just thrown up my hands with some freaking glitter and said, “It’s all an allegory! WHEEEE!” I appreciate it if you read this long. Sorry if I didn’t have anything earth-shattering or particularly cool or revealing to give you. To be honest, I actually thought I was going to have a hard time with this subject because I hadn’t thought about it all that much before I started writing. I guess this was kind of the first time I really gave the Dark any hard examination. Anyway, hope you weren’t too bored. Comments? Ideas? Suggestions on what you want to see me ramble about next?