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chaninfused · 3 months ago

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Roseborn: Part Two | Hwang Hyunjin

◤“For at that moment, on the chalky sand, under the gracious sun, and hidden from the unforgiving world, this became a secret that the two of you shared. A heavy tapestry woven with bitter understanding and a strange form of trust that draped over the both of you.” With his newly awakened magic at hand, the heir to House Amaranthine faces his greatest challenge yet — befriending another. ◤Disclaimers: This is the backstory of Hyunjin’s character in my ‘Gilded Kingdom’ wip. Can be read as a standalone. Female reader insert. An enemies to lovers, forbidden love, fantasy debacle. Slow burn. Angst and fluff. Abusive mother. Descriptions of heavy violence, fighting, killing, blood, and injury. ◤Word count: 10.4K ◤Note: This idea is a 100% mine and any case of similarity with someone else’s is purely coincidental. Events are pure fiction. Please do not take my content without my consent. masterlist.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

“Good day, Sōrsānt.”

Hyunjin could only stand there, watching you leave as his feet stayed rooted to the ground stubbornly. Though he didn’t acknowledge your words, there was a raging conflict in him to say something, stop you before he lost his chance.

There was new magic coursing through his body, and his fingers were itching to touch the ground and break the sand with blossoms. It was an achievement that made his frigid heart giddy with excitement, pride, and joy—emotions he had believed to be lost in the past. Emotions he couldn’t contain to himself alone, didn’t know how to.

He needed to show someone. He wanted to share the feat he’d only dared to dream of.

Of the two people who knew about his Tilt, you were the more sensible choice to share his little accomplishment with. You would continue to keep the secret if you cherished your life. Hyunjin knew that, and selfishly so, he found that he was willing to take advantage of that fact.

He only wanted to share the overflowing elation that suffocated his heart yet freed his soul, and see it reflected in someone else’s face. He wanted to see that wonder fill your eyes again, drink in the sight to forget the silent guilt creeping over him.

So, he blurted, “Wait!”

You froze, and Hyunjin noticed the momentary clench of your fists before you turned around. “Is there something I can help you with, Sōrsānt?”

Your formality was funny, especially when Hyunjin recalled the way you recklessly accused him of being a liar while restraining him against the ground and aiming his Kizāri at his neck. It was as though the fight brought out a different side of you, one you concealed perfectly outside the square of sand.

You were a fool, but perhaps Hyunjin was the greater fool for letting you be.

“I want to show you something,” the words felt like coarse dirt in his mouth, but he managed to utter them, nonetheless. One timid step forward.

You hadn’t expected his response, mumbling a faint ‘Oh’ as your eyebrows lifted in surprise before you could think better of it.

Hyunjin, however, didn’t anticipate a proper answer from you. He knelt and pressed a palm against the sand with the hopes of you stepping closer without him explaining too much.

He practiced this throughout the night until he found himself slouched asleep against his desk, in a miniature bed of flowers. Luckily, no one had spotted him in that state, and he quickly discarded his flimsy creations.

Now, Hyunjin mimicked his previous efforts. He reached for his magic and pulled at it, stiff from years of disuse yet there, nevertheless. The action was so mentally taxing it felt like he was running for his life despite not moving, but he dragged himself through, willing the magic to gather at his fingertips and manifest into a flower in the sand.

Cold washed over him, prickling and addicting, followed by the tickle of petals against his palm. He was getting better at cultivation.

Hyunjin suppressed a smile when he pulled his hand away and a single plain-looking flower smiled back up at him. Standing on a weak stem with thin, pale petals and a center that was duller than it should be, the result wasn’t nearly as perfect as his mishaps, but it was something.

Something that Hyunjin was proud of.

Muted footsteps caught his attention, and he glanced up to see you walking toward him carefully. You set your Kizāri on the ground to crouch in front of the frail blossom, and he couldn’t help but follow the tides of your expression with the utmost attentiveness. As if he’d find a crack in your aloof guise.

Seconds stretched like hours until you finally spoke, “It’s beautiful.”

Hyunjin loosened an anxious breath. He was suddenly so exhilarated he wanted to laugh. He wanted to throw himself back on the sand and drown in the sun’s warm embrace. Thoughts that materialized into words spilled past his lips in a rushed whisper instead, earnest, “I can control some of it now.”

Your gaze flicked up to meet his, and there it was.

Wonder.

Not pity. Not scorn. But breathtaking wonder that struck him with such an earth-shattering force he didn’t realize he’d been seeking it so fervently all this time.

You didn’t say anything, and Hyunjin supposed he should’ve been ashamed. After getting so irritated with you for handing him the book and threatening you into silence about his magic, he went ahead and did the opposite of everything rational. He attempted to learn using his magic, succeeded, and even showed you.

But all Hyunjin felt was kind relief, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. For at that moment, on the chalky sand, under the gracious sun, and hidden from the unforgiving world, this became a secret that the two of you shared. A heavy tapestry woven with bitter understanding and a strange form of trust that draped over the both of you.

Eventually, you hummed in acknowledgment, looking down at the flower and then asking, “Is this all?”

You were doing the right thing by ending the interaction, but Hyunjin still felt a twinge of hurt at your quickly returned indifference. The truth was that there was no place for his excitement in the world you lived in, and his few moments of happiness ended with that abrupt reminder.

He cleared his throat. On the rack of Azāri equipment was the leather-bound book that he wanted to return, but it was long forgotten. “Yes. You’re free to go now.”

You waited, as though weighing his answer, before unfolding from your crouch and picking up your Kizāri. With one last glimpse at the flower, you turned on your heel and resumed your leave like nothing had happened.

For a minute or two, Hyunjin stayed there, staring stupidly at the door you left through. He didn’t know what to make of your exchange, and he didn’t dwell on it further. All that mattered was the memory of the awe in your eyes, sincere, real enough to touch, and he cradled that image in this mind as he carried on with his slow day.

•❃•

Chapter Two: Understanding Flowering.

After the user has achieved basic cultivation, the following step is to refine and advance their creation abilities. It is imperative for Flowering Tilts to delve into the field of Botany, specifically in regard to flowers and flowering plants. Understanding the structure and functionality of the end product helps the wielder achieve the desired result. In this chapter and the following chapters, we will study the following aspects of interest to a Flowering Tilt: roots, stem and leaves, petals, and disk and reproductive systems—

A yawn interrupted Hyunjin’s reading. It seemed that he had reached his limit of staying up.

He shut the book, carrying it with him over to his bed where he stuffed it in its hiding place underneath his mattress and then fell on the silken covers. His long nights felt shorter when he had something to do, and sleep always approached him before he’d had enough reading.

Now that Hyunjin knew how to find and use his Heart of Magic, he wanted to learn more. His flowers were dull and sickly, nothing like the exquisite creations that slipped through his fingers in fear or in rage. It was greed hazing his thoughts, a vast and intoxicating desire. The wishes of a frightened six-year-old finally gaining a voice.

Yet another promise to himself broken.

A promise to yourself or to your mother?

Hyunjin didn’t want to answer that thought. He’d felt happier than he could ever recall when he succeeded in summoning his magic, even though it was something that would’ve angered his mother. So who was he addressing when he promised to return the book after a brief read?

If that book’s knowledge brought light into his bleak world, why should he want to rid of it?

There was an answer to that somewhere, locked away deep within his soul and guarded by messy, bittersweet memories that Hyunjin wasn’t yet prepared to untangle.

•❃•

Iron screeched against iron as your Kizāri clashed with Hyunjin’s. The two of you were the only viciously active beings at such an early hour of the day. You were sure that if you squinted at the sky enough, you would notice the sun’s frown for having been awakened by your sparring.

You spun, directing your Kizāri away and around to aim at Hyunjin’s legs instead. He foresaw your actions and leaped backward, arcing his weapon down to meet yours. If he succeeded, then he may be able to trap you.

You weren’t willing to give him the chance.

Flicking your wrist upward, you swung your Kizāri at his with increased force. It won’t disarm him, but it would divert his aim and switch your position in that second from defense to offense. And it was always better to be the one on the offense.

Clang! and Hyunjin’s weapon was sent arcing away, his attack foiled. Any average Azārāhi would’ve lost their grip on their Kizāri after such an assault, but the Sōrsānt was anything but average.

The sheer strength of your training partner was evident in the way he maintained his hold and redirected his Kizāri’s path to pierce the ground. He halted its hurtling all while righting his footing with immaculate grace. It was impressive, you’d hand that to him.

The sand in the air had barely settled before you unleashed another attack and Hyunjin reciprocated. You took turns parrying and ducking and jumping around the square, destroying the circular indentations on its surface and creating newer ones with the movements of your weapons. Like the masterful strokes of a painter’s brush.

It was easy to let yourself get dragged by your Kizāri. The heaviness of the weapon’s head, paired with the way it was wielded, resulted in a tremendous force that was enough to knock its user off their feet. As such, Azārāhis were trained to become the unmovable center and source of the torque. Taught to control the force and understand its nature in order to utilize it at its highest output. It was ingrained into your muscles and mind like a primal instinct.

When you swung your Kizāri wide, you expected Hyunjin to counter with a similarly large move. Instead, he chose to tread closer and direct his Kizāri up in a pointed attack, turning this into a close-quarters spar and safely leaving the range of your Kizāri. In less than a second, he had put you in the worst situation imaginable.

It felt like time had slowed down. Your weapon was out of range, leaving you defenseless and open for attack. You couldn’t move or dodge, not without abandoning your Kizāri. Abandoning your Kizāri meant disarming yourself, and once the weapon hit the ground, you would lose.

An embarrassing loss.

You weren’t such a coward to disgrace yourself like that, but you weren’t willing to let Hyunjin best you so easily either.

A wild idea crossed your mind at that desperate moment. You were the center of the torque. Your Kizāri swiveled around you. If so, then—

You let the handle of your Kizāri slip out of your grip and swept low to evade the silvered blur coming for your neck. With a pivot in a direction you loosely guessed, you stretched your arm out, barely touching the smooth handle of your flying Kizāri before you clasped it fully.

You reclaimed the upper hand.

If so, then you could vaguely trace the path the weapon would take if you let go.

Your Kizāri swung at Hyunjin again and he blocked your attack with ease.

“That was good,” his remark cut through the tension of the fight, and you scowled. What the hell?

You decided to remain quiet, but it seemed to urge him on. “Letting go of your weapon is a risk. People don’t use their Kizāris like that often.”

The Sōrsānt seemed to make a hobby out of confusing you each passing day. He was hostile sometimes and once threatened you into keeping his secret. Then came mornings like this, where he pretended to indulge you like one would a proper training partner.

The two of you would never have that kind of relationship, yet he rambled on, “I knew one person who used the Kizāri as more than a blade. He would propel himself into the air with it, much like a catapult. Though I suppose his Tilt might’ve aided him.”

He tilted his head at you, as though expecting you to add to his one-sided conversation. Curious, calculative eyes, but there was a strange expression of mourning ghosting his features. As if his words grazed a wound he didn’t realize wasn’t fully healed yet.

Your scowl deepened.

When your last practice session had ended, he'd said he wanted to show you something and you hadn’t turn him down. Realistically, you couldn’t, but part of you argued that you did it for the vulnerability cowering behind his tone. Not typical command, but like that of a hesitant, excited child.

Then he made a flower bloom in the sand, frail and pale, and you couldn’t help but compliment it. It only felt right to do so. Though that was all you’d said.

Did he think that exchange made you friends?

You lessened the force holding your Kizāri against his and narrowed your eyes. “If you think that—”

A dangerous grin split his features and he pushed against your weakened Kizāri before swinging at you with full force, barely giving you time to process his actions. “We haven’t drawn new half-moons yet. Don’t you dare let your guard down!”

Damn bastard. You gritted your teeth as you brought your Kizāri up to deflect his blow, narrowly avoiding a serious injury.

What’s with him today?

You put some distance between the two of you, and he seemed to be amused. Twirling his Kizāri in his hand, Hyunjin shrugged. “See? I have dirty tricks of my own too.”

A dumbfounded blink.

Was all that talking just a trick? Infuriating shame prickled over you before bursting into a fierce inferno. You would play his game if he wanted.

“Talkative today, huh, Sōrsānt?” you brandished your Kizāri, prepared to counter any sudden attacks. The timid breeze chose to kiss his cheeks then, meddling with the dark wisps of hair framing his face. Unkempt, yet eerily perfect.

That curiosity glinted in his eyes again, and he regarded you as if he were weighing an idea in his mind. Perhaps deciding to spare you a witty response, he trailed a new half-circle in the sand around him instead. An invite to another round.

You relented, drawing out your Kizāri for a start-over.

As your Kizāris flashed in the sun’s disgruntled glare, you ignored the murmuring voice in your head. Hate him all you wanted, sparring with Hyunjin was its own twisted form of fun.

And you were beginning to enjoy it.

•❃•

Hyunjin set his quill down, turning his attention to the sickly flower whose roots he had severed to examine.

Studying wasn’t something he shied from. Growing up, his time was split between Azāri practice and long lectures covering subjects that ranged from mathematics to politics. All to shape him into the perfect heir for House Amaranthine.

He became adept at dissecting the text and annotating pages upon pages of information on his own. If he were to have a tutor alongside him, it would only be a waste of that scholar’s time. Hyunjin never thought that he would be thankful for such a skill, yet there he was, tirelessly trudging through the night with his worn-out quill in hand.

Hybrid Types were more technical than the Old Disciplines. In order to wield his magic in a way that mattered, Hyunjin had to study flowering plants thoroughly. As he learned from the book, his Tilt worked by mimicking the ideal environmental conditions for the desired product; manipulating earth, water, and sunlight. To do that, he had to pick and choose the traits he wanted for his creations and determine the correct conditions for said traits to grow. That was why he needed an arsenal of knowledge to refer to.

With enough practice, the process would boil down to simply imagining the flower he wanted and manifesting it. Everything else would become second nature, much like speaking and breathing.

Hyunjin peered at the tangle of thin roots he held between his fingers, checking for the signs mentioned on the page in front of him. The light of the lone candle he had lit swayed with the calm breeze that came through his open window.

“Too dry…” he muttered as a conclusion, putting the roots back and returning to the leather-bound book. They weren’t dead, he could determine that much, but the roots weren’t nearly as succulent as they had to be.

Hyunjin’s palm settled over the small mound of sand on his desk, now surrounded by imperfect blossoms, and tried again. Healthy roots this time, he willed the thought into his magic as he directed it out of his fingers. Just give them a little bit more water.

The flower that sprung in the sand was identical to the tens before it, but what mattered to Hyunjin was the state of its roots.

He pulled them out, running his thumb across the web that provided the plant with life. To any other eye, they would’ve appeared to be the same as before, but Hyunjin saw the minuscule difference. He felt it.

These roots were healthier, albeit slightly.

He dropped the flower beside its sisters and picked his quill back up, dipping it in ink before scribbling his observations at the foot of the page. Hyunjin knew that he was still far from perfecting his creations, but he was slowly getting better at his magic, and that was enough to stoke his newly kindled fire.

•❃•

Hyunjin made his way out of the cellar with an armful of firewood for his burner. He was sorely out of place, it was obvious in the wary glances that passing palace staff threw his way, but he couldn’t risk ordering a servant to run the errand for him instead. He was yet to dispose of all his blooming creations.

All the palace’s overground grandeur was a product of the work being done in the underground chambers. Food and resources were stored underground, alongside rooms for laundry, tailoring, and tapestrying. It was also where low-ranking staff found their sleeping quarters.

Though, beneath the bustle of workers, the underground chambers served darker purposes.

Hyunjin’s steps faltered by a door wide open in a secluded area of the tunnels. No staff were in sight. He must’ve wandered there accidentally while trying to avoid drawing attention to himself.

The room was scarcely lit and barely a quarter the size of his bedchamber. Inside, three guards dragged a bound, blindfolded, and bruised man across a square of dark stone where an Azārāhi stood waiting, Kizāri gleaming in the lamplight. A human girl, Hyunjin noted before his gaze strayed to the side and his eyes widened in surprise.

The Ērmār was watching them, draped in shadow beside a figure he couldn’t identify in the darkness.

The guards kicked the man to his knees, and he succumbed to gravity like a rag doll. A whimper left his bloodied lips, dying in the grim walls of the room. Unease trickled into Hyunjin’s heart at the sight. He should leave, he knew, but his feet were frozen in place, his eyes fixed on the scene before him.

The guards had barely loosened their hold on the man when the Azārāhi unsheathed her Kizāri, a familiar swiftness to the motion, and raised it high. Before Hyunjin could realize what was happening, she brought it down in one great swoop, slicing through the man’s exposed neck unhesitatingly.

Any sound he would’ve made was suffocated by the scream of wind.

Blood smattered the ground, a crimson crescent around the Azārāhi.

The man’s head rolled on the stone.

Too late did Hyunjin realize the room he’d stumbled upon. His hand flew to his mouth, physically suppressing a gasp as his gaze snapped to the ground underneath him. That was an executioner’s square. He had just witnessed an execution.

Breath stilled in his lungs like invisible pebbles that obstructed his airways. Death’s grisly fingers ran across his spine, crooked nails leaving their unwanted marks on his skin. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t blink. His horror was a bottomless pit that suddenly revealed itself under him, and he was falling, hurtling, with nothing to stop him.

The sound of muted steps cut through the haze of his panic, followed by the Ērmār’s taut voice. “Sapphirine are becoming foolish.”

Hyunjin’s ears perked at her statement, both intrigued and chilled. What had conspired between the two houses that he didn’t know of?

“To even think of assassinating a head of one of our branch houses… They call for a war they cannot win,” she spat, then, after a beat of tense silence, she said, “Leave us.”

Hyunjin dared to raise his gaze then, just in time to see the Azārāhi sheath her bloodied weapon and turn around.

Your gaze slammed into him like a boulder.

No… The thought wriggled in his mind uncomfortably, bitter and broken with disbelief. What is she doing here? Why—

Your expression was blank, as if you weren’t in that dim room but some foreign entity had inhibited your body instead. Even though you were looking at him, it felt as though you were staring at something far ahead of you. Something that wasn’t quite there.

The firewood in Hyunjin’s arm felt heavy and weightless all at once. He wanted to crumble and disappear. He wanted to run and outrun the sight that burned itself into his memory.

You killed a man — he saw you do it — and you seemed to care not.

•❃•

It was the dead of the night. He shouldn’t have been there. Yet, by all the forces of fate, you saw the Sōrsānt standing outside that wretched room, blanching with naive shock.

It angered you to an unfathomable degree. How could he dare to wear such an expression of disappointment? He had no right to be betrayed by what unfolded in that room, so why did he stare at you like he was?

You halted at the double doors of his training court, taking a deep breath to steady your emotions before pushing the lacquered wood open. Whatever you had to do and whatever you saw the previous night didn’t matter now. “Good morning, Sōrsānt.”

Hyunjin was standing in the middle of the square, his back given to you as you walked in. As usual, your greeting went unanswered.

Though, what made you furrow your brows was his complete indifference to your arrival. Were you supposed to ask him to turn around and take his position?

“I didn’t know you were an executioner.”

You paused, one step into the square of sand, and snapped your head up in surprise. What?

The Sōrsānt whirled around. That was when you noticed the fists he made at his sides. His eyes seemed haunted when he croaked out, “Why?”

“Oh, no, no, no,” you scowled, your earlier attempt at pacifying your anger going in vain. “You can’t pretend to be hurt by what you saw last night, Sōrsānt.”

“Pretend? You—” his expression fell, and he gazed at you as if he were searching for an answer in your countenance. “You killed him…”

“So?” you pressed, not bothering to hide your annoyance. He really was a fool. And like a fool, he had no response to give you.

“Unlike you,” you jabbed a finger his way, “I don’t have the freedom to deny orders.”

At that, his expression shattered further. “You were…ordered to kill him?”

“Nilfyn don’t dirty their hands with such grim deeds.” you nearly laughed. Was he acting oblivious for the fun of it?

“But I thought—”

“What did you think, Sōrsānt?” you reached for your Kizāri instinctively, the challenge clear in your tone. Hyunjin didn’t miss the action. His towering figure stiffened as his eyes followed your hand warily.

Again, he gave you no response, and the coiled fury in your heart snapped. Sand rose with the movement as you wrenched out your Kizāri and swung it at him, a pale uproar.

The Sōrsānt parried your blow, his Kizāri drawn impossibly fast. You bit back a snarl as you arced your weapon back then at him repeatedly, blood running hot with anger and grief and so many muddled emotions you couldn’t place. How did you always find yourself in this situation? Was fighting the only way either of you knew how to deal with frustration?

You leaped out of Hyunjin’s reach, pointing your Kizāri downwards to catch your breath and clear the fuzz in your mind. You couldn’t fight that way unless you wanted to do something you’d regret later.

Hyunjin didn’t make a move to attack, simply choosing to watch you from his side of the sand square, poised for defense if need be.

“Do you think I wanted to kill him?” you asked through gasps of breath, not anticipating an answer. “I don’t have a choice, Sōrsānt. This is what I have to do to remain the so-called best human Azārāhi.”

You pointed your Kizāri at him. “Surely you know that it is a way to test my loyalty. Having me execute other humans—it’s a warning. What would become of me were I to betray the House.”

Your Kizāris clashed again when you ran up to him, not giving him the time to answer. You wanted to shout all the thoughts that had kept you up at night. The truth was that you were afraid of so much. Every day felt like a battle in a never-ending war. You strove to win, even though you knew that you would be defeated in the end regardless of your efforts. Such was the kind of life you led.

“Do you think it doesn’t hurt me?” the words escaped before you could stop them. Half a sob, half a shout, as though Hyunjin would understand the anguish that tore at your conscience.

For some reason, you knew he would.

You aimed your Kizāri at Hyunjin’s with all the might in your muscles, and the weapon tumbled out of his grasp, landing on the sand with a disgraced thump.

There, you thought in delirious triumph. You won.

Your Kizāri was cutting through the air again, fueled by the rage still pumping in your veins, but it never made contact with your target. At least, not in the way you unwisely intended.

Hyunjin was gripping part of the Kizāri’s long handle, impeding its fierce arc of motion. The deadly edges of your weapon were mere inches away from his face, but he seemed nonchalant about it, much to your annoyance.

You didn’t bother trying to wrest your Kizāri from his hand.

“I hate you.”

Hyunjin blinked, both taken aback and amused by your abrupt declaration of distaste.

You didn’t allow his demeanor to faze you, soldiering on with a sentiment that, by all logic, you shouldn’t share with him. “You know why? You have power and respect and a voice you choose not to use. You pretend to be weak when you’re not.

“But no matter how much I try, I will always be considered weak and disposable. No matter how much I train, how many necks I have to cut through, I’ll never be more than an inadequate human.

“That’s why I hate you, Sōrsānt. You anger me more than words can express,” you finished with gritted teeth. Your weapon may have been immobilized, but you hurled every word at him like a spear. You hoped it hurt.

When he maintained his silence, you sighed. You had done too much to be considered appropriate. “Why haven’t you thrown me in the dungeons yet?”

You were speaking anything that came to your mind at that moment. You were being careless, and it was almost liberating. “For all the disrespect I’ve shown you, I’m still standing. Why do you keep me here? What is it that you and the Ērmār want from me?”

“I didn’t choose this arrangement. I told you that before,” he finally spoke, and it struck a match in your turbulent temper.

“I remember,” you remarked drily, then tugged at your Kizāri. “Let go.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

The weapon stood between the two of you uselessly. The Sōrsānt’s eyes were studying you again. “Do you want to be thrown into the dungeons?”

A huff. “Of course not.”

“Then why do you ask?”

“Because it’s what other Nilfyn would have done in your place. I just— I don’t understand.”

You thought you saw Hyunjin’s gaze soften before he averted it almost shamefully. “I’m not sure you will understand even if I did explain it.”

“See for yourself then,” you pressed. “Tell me why.”

Hyunjin shook his head, though it wasn’t a sign of refusal. “Remember our first spar? I should’ve killed you then, you knew it too. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.”

It wasn’t the fondest of your memories, and it was clear that it wasn’t Hyunjin’s either. He shrugged, continuing, “I thought that we could…understand each other because of that. You didn’t scorn my magic either so I thought—” the words caught in his throat, as though he suddenly realized that they shouldn’t be uttered.

“You thought…?” you prompted. The Sōrsānt spoke as though he had a lot to say but never knew the right words. As though he were testing the flavor speech, unsure of whether he liked it or not.

He exhaled, looking up at the young morning sky before bringing his gaze back to the ground, almost glumly.

It was the barest whisper.

“I thought we could be friends.”

And for the second time that day, you found yourself exclaiming inwardly, what?!

“Friends?” you asked incredulously, not knowing whether to be angered or not. “You want us to be friends?”

“I only thought…” he mumbled. Only later did you realize that he was embarrassed by his statement.

Your hold on your Kizāri loosened, and Hyunjin took that opportunity to ease it from your fingers and drop it. You let him. There was no fight left in you, anyway. Everything around you was unfair, and you were so tired of it all; the Ērmār, the palace, the training. It was so easy for Hyunjin to think of such a preposterous idea.

You steeled your shoulders. “We can’t. We can’t be friends.”

“I know,” he admitted. It was the most vulnerable you’d ever seen him. Downcast eyes and shoulders that sagged and lost their prideful edge. There was mute protest in the slight part of his lips, helplessness in the clench of his fists.

This was unlike the discussion of his magic and his status. This was a breach of age-old customs and a defiance of the Ērmār’s rules.

“You accused me of pretending to be weak but in all honesty, I don’t want to be the strongest,” he looked at you, not searching but finding this time. The silver of understanding that began to shine through the mess of your thoughts.

“What do you want then, if not that?”

“I don’t know. But I don’t want to hurt anybody, human or Nilfyn. I thought you were like me in that prospect. That’s why…” Hyunjin’s words weren’t unkind, but you still felt a twinge of bitterness.

“I am nothing like you.”

“Yes, I know that now,” he acknowledged dejectedly. “I apologize.”

You raised a brow. “For what?”

“For angering you with my disposition,” he said, oblivious to how ridiculous he sounded, then tilted his head at the sky. He squinted at the sun before dragging his gaze back to you curiously. “You’re trembling.”

“What? No—” but his remark wasn’t false. Somehow, you hadn’t noticed the slight shaking of your hands.

It wasn’t a product of the weather, for the sun was beaming down on you generously, but an amalgamation of the dissonant emotions running rampant in your heart. The fear that always lined your thoughts. The sadness that followed your executions. The anger that never left you. And finally, unfamiliar relief, as if your earlier outburst was something you’d needed for long but never realized it.

“Listen,” you sighed, electing to ignore your trembling, “we can’t be friends.”

Hyunjin’s mouth flattened into a grim line, and he was about to say something when you interrupted him. “But,” you crouched, picking up the Kizāri you neglected off the ground. Perhaps you would regret your words in the future, but it felt right when you drew a half-moon in the sand, “we can be civil.”

The Sōrsānt’s lips curled in what you assumed was a novice imitation of a smile. “I’d be glad, then.”

•❃•

The reflection on the water stared back at Hyunjin, still and lost somewhere in thought. The words you had uttered yesterday repeated in his mind endlessly. We can be civil.

Truthfully, Hyunjin didn’t know what being friends entirely entailed, let alone what you meant by being civil. It had been thirteen years since the last friends he’d had. It felt foolish to be happy about something he barely understood.

And yet, a small part of him found unabashed joy in the matter.

What could he do to become your friend? What duties must he fulfill to become what you dubbed as ‘civil’?

He stared at the silver goblet of water in his hand, then glanced at the waterskin you chugged water from ungracefully. Surely that leather pouch could not keep the liquid cool under the blazing sun. Should he offer you a drink from the palace’s cooling water channels? Would that be the civil form of kindness you expected of him?

Hyunjin’s free hand found its way to his ear and he subconsciously fiddled with his piercings.

“Sōrsānt?”

He let go as though his ear had scalded him.

It was a bad habit he’d developed after his father’s passing, fidgeting with his many hooped earrings whenever he found himself confused or nervous. His mother would lash his hand with a stick whenever she noticed him do it. He’d long since buried the habit, but it would still appear unexpectedly at times he was unguarded.

Somehow, he’d been so lost in thought that he mistook your voice for that of the Ērmār reprimanding him.

Hyunjin turned his head to acknowledge your call. Sitting cross-legged on the outer edge of the sand square, you appeared somewhat hesitant when you asked, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes.”

“I noticed that you have more piercings than other Nilfyn Azārāhis… Why is that?”

Hyunjin felt his ears burn. You must’ve noticed his earrings when he childishly fiddled with them. He fathomed no reason for his current embarrassment by your attention, for you were always poking your nose into subjects that did not concern you.

He took a sip from his goblet. Perhaps this was what you meant by being civil. “The number of Channeling Cores indicates one’s societal ranking.

“First is the royal family. They are marked by the eight diamond Cores.” he ran a finger across the edge of the cup. “Then, seven Cores for those of inner circle aristocratic birth and six for those of outer circle aristocratic birth.

“The commonfolk are given one violet Core upon birth. Low-rank soldiers are given an additional black Core. Then, depending on one’s merits and achievements in society, they may advance to five Cores.”

Nilfyn society was deeply hierarchal. Each newborn Nilfyn was granted a number of piercings according to their rank at birth through the Royal Channeling Core Bureau.

“By that logic, I outrank the Ērmār. Not that it has ever mattered,” Hyunjin scoffed, but before he could let you dwell on his statement long, he added, “Those Azārāhis you mentioned are likely of rank two. Three, if they are squad commanders, but not higher.”

You stayed quiet, and for a moment, he was worried you’d realized what a mistake it was to speak to him. By society’s rules, Hyunjin was only second to the royal family, while you, a mere human who shouldn’t even be in his presence.

That thought made him uncomfortable in a way he’d never experienced before.

“Does the number of Cores affect your magic’s strength?”

Hyunjin relaxed. It appeared you were only processing the new information, not regretting your choice to ‘be civil’. “No. It does not.”

You hummed in acknowledgment then stood, brushed the sand off your trousers, and bowed. “It seems that I have been impertinent with my actions, Sōrsānt.”

Hyunjin stilled, but when you rose, he caught the ghost of a smile on your lips.

Oh.

He emptied his goblet and set it down. Of course, you wouldn’t now be fazed by his status, not when you’d been so brazen as to insult him before. “You have. How do you plan to make amends for it?”

You trailed your Kizāri on the sand, glancing back at him. “A good, honest fight.”

With a small grin, Hyunjin picked up his Kizāri and followed you.

A good, honest fight.

Perhaps being civil was much easier than he expected.

•❃•

A strange sense of awkwardness filled you whenever you thought about the Sōrsānt and the way he expressed wanting to befriend you.

What you were doing was forbidden by the Ērmār’s rules and yet, you found yourself helpless before Hyunjin’s own helplessness. You had decided you could at least grant him half of his wish. After all, you weren’t completely void of empathy, as much as you liked to feign it.

“Could I…show you something after this round?”

There it was again, that sleuthing awkwardness. It had been nearly a week of such tentative conversation. The many days you spent training together seemed to matter none when the idea of becoming friends loomed over your every interaction.

Hyunjin was making some progress though, you thought, bringing your Kizāri to clink with his on the sand. “Of course, Sōrsānt.”

Your agreement seemed to fuel him, for he won that round in a few measly beats. You bit back a curse at the soft touch of his Kizāri on your skin. Talented bastard.

You were crouched on the sand beside Hyunjin shortly, watching as he channeled his magic through the ground. When he removed his hand to unveil the flower, his fingers trembled with exertion.

Delicate snowy petals and lush green leaves adorned the little blossom which stood proudly on a strong stem.

“I have improved,” the Sōrsānt breathed. He reminded you of a pup seeking praise from its doting owner, eager to flaunt even the smallest of achievements.

“I see that.” you smiled, reaching out to brush your fingers over the soft petals. There were no flowers in Amaranthine palace. You allowed yourself to admire the rare view. “It’s very beautiful.”

It was not as perfect as the first, accidental creation of his that you had seen, but this flower was wonderful too. You could tell that the Sōrsānt had spent plenty of time improving his skills, and this blossom was proof. Much like how the previous flower was beautiful, in its weakness and imperfection, for it symbolized a new beginning.

Hyunjin beamed but said nothing in response to the compliment.

You stood a moment later and picked up your Kizāri to continue your training. Following you, Hyunjin pulled his flower from the sand and stuffed it inside his coat. His movements were quick, as though someone might walk in and catch him with this incriminating plant in his grasp.

You frowned, suddenly realizing something. “Do you get rid of all of them?”

He was surprised. “Yes.”

“Oh.”

It made sense that he would. It also made your heart twist with nonsensical loss.

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“It does,” he admitted, turning his Kizāri over in his hand. He appeared upset and suddenly, you found yourself missing his hesitant smile. “But I don’t know of a way to hide my endeavors other than this.”

You nodded solemnly, silently hoping for a future where he doesn’t need to hide his magic anymore.

But you didn’t say that, instead, “I hope it doesn’t weigh you down. I don’t plan on losing to you again today, Sōrsānt.”

To your unreasonable relief, the corner of Hyunjin’s mouth lifted into a challenging grin, and you were taking your positions in the square. “Oh? I wouldn’t worry about that too much.”

As your Kizāris swung, you dared to wonder if your awkwardness was born from your fear of the Ērmār, or of the revelation that you didn’t truly mind the Sōrsānt as a friend.

•❃•

Hyunjin was bored.

So bored that he found the point of his boot against the marble more interesting than the conversation happening around him.

It was neither riveting nor important, and Hyunjin knew that he should at least pretend to be invested in what his mother and the heads of House Carmine were saying, but their voices only droned in the background of his thoughts.

It was the second day of the annual tour of the branch houses, a ten-day-long affair that was meant to strengthen ties between them and the main house.

House Amaranthine had six branch houses located throughout the major cities of the kingdom. They provided a network of informants and allies, ensuring the spread of Amaranthine’s influence across Greria. They also supplied soldiers, consorts, and heirs should the main house lack. Hyunjin knew, for his own mother hailed from House Vervain, the branch based in the far north.

Normally, he would find respite from the dreary palace walls in these visits, but he only felt restless now. As though he would rather be doing something else.

And he would.

It had just begun, but Hyunjin was counting down the days until he could return to his room and study his magic further. Being around the Ērmār and under the scrutiny of members of the branch houses all day meant that he didn’t have the privacy to experiment with his magic.

He was beginning to miss the tingle of it at his fingertips. And he missed something else, a small voice in his head tempted, though he was too shy to admit it.

Despite not paying his fullest attention to the discussion around him, Hyunjin still noticed the hush that befell the room. He fished his mind out of a sea of wandering thoughts and glanced around, finding four pairs of eyes fixed on him, bemused, expectant, and one bothered.

“It appears that we have lost the Sōrsānt in our dull chatter,” the Ērmārvi of House Carmine smiled, dark eyes gleaming with a patronizing kindness. Next to her, the Sōrmārvi laughed, contorting the old scar that ran across his cheek. “Surely not!”

Hyunjin avoided his mother’s reprimanding gaze, hoping a polite bow of his head would hide his embarrassment. “My apologies. I was lost in thought.”

The Ērmārvi turned to her eldest child. “Yeji, why don’t you walk with the Sōrsānt in the garden?”

“Yes, mother.” the Ērsānvi obliged, standing up with a swish of light beige skirts. She drew a pleasant smile on her lips as she addressed Hyunjin. “My Sōrsānt, would you care for a stroll?”

Hwang Yeji, despite sharing a surname, was no relative of Hyunjin’s. Only another rival more skilled and competent in the Ērmār’s eyes. She had her mother’s delicate features and gentle demeanor, and her father’s talent for Pyro magic—the ideal for a lady of the outer circle, and someone he had to be wary of.

The Sōrsānt responded with a courteous smile of his own, accepting her offer as he rose from his seat. He wouldn’t deny her after being caught unceremoniously spacing out in the hospitality of her family. “I would.”

Yeji led him out of the receiving room, into a glass-domed lobby, and out again to a lovely expanse of greenery. The Carmine residence was an extravagant display of architectural mastery. With tall windows, sweeping arcs, and malevolent pillars, the mansion was the image of elegance and wealth.

The garden Hyunjin was ambling through was maintained with visible care. Birds hopped across lush blades of grass and sang between the branches of plum trees, which had borne sweet fruit and sagged with their weight. Pristinely trimmed bushes lined their stone pathway, peonies embracing sunlight with soft pink petals. A lake shimmered at the end of the path, and Hyunjin could see a flutter of swans on its surface.

It was a place that seemed to coax all the restlessness out of his system and discard it somewhere with the playful breeze.

Hyunjin stopped to admire a bed of peach-colored dahlias when he heard the Ērsānvi speak up behind him, “Sōrsānt?”

He straightened and turned around, curious. He had offered a few lines of small talk on their way, but other than that, the girl had been silent. “Yes?”

Yeji averted her gaze, turning her head away in the slightest, and the cuff on her ear caught the light. Ruby-red, with six spiked points to indicate each piercing. Hyunjin had often thought it resembled a flame.

“House Carmine will be holding my gracing ball in two months’ time,” she said, the words as soft and tentative as the wind tousling her long hair. “It would be a great honor to have you among the attendees.”

She directed her eyes to look at him then, expectant, and Hyunjin felt his throat dry up. This must have been the Ērmārvi’s plan from the start. A simple suggestion between aristocrats couldn’t be one without ulterior motives.

A gracing ball was a tradition amongst the aristocracy who were seeking partners for their daughters. It was a party with the sole purpose of gathering favors from bachelor prospects. In this case, it was also a veiled attempt at the future position of Ērmār of House Amaranthine.

Hyunjin wasn’t surprised. If anything, he guessed he would only be receiving more such invitations in the upcoming days. He was nearly of age, after all, and each of the branch houses was aware of that fact.

He maintained a refined smile when he answered, “It would be my pleasure.”

•❃•

It was a whim that led to Hyunjin sending a summons to your room.

He and the Ērmār had returned to Amaranthine Palace in the depths of the night and were immediately ushered to rest by fussing attendants. When he awakened the next day, the sun was still slumbering, but he was eager to start. Eager to feel the weight of his Kizāri in his hands, the force of it clashing with another’s.

You burst through the doors of his training court, and Hyunjin’s attention was on you before he could help it. You had been in a rush. Your overcoat was yet to be buttoned, your hair loosely styled, and a strange emotion unfurled in his heart at the sight of you.

“Welcome back, Sōrsānt,” you said, sounding breathless as you offered him a formal bow. He had heard those words from staff, guards, and advisors alike since his return, but they resonated differently coming from you. Even though he knew that you were only saying them for the sake of formality.

The smallest of smiles tugged at Hyunjin’s lips. “Good morning.”

You fixed the leather braces around your wrist, sparing the sky a furtive glance before regarding him dubiously. “It is still dark outside.”

“And yet, you are awake,” he quipped, the words rolling easily off his tongue. It had been a while since he’d had an honest exchange with anyone, unwary of hidden motives and masked insults.

Your hands went to the buttons of your coat, working the strings around with ease. A shrug. “I was doing my drills.”

A thought flickered in Hyunjin’s mind, too quick for him to ponder.

“Drill with me, then,” he was saying before he could stop himself, and your hands halted their movement in surprise.

Perhaps, he was feeling rather bold this day, he surmised when no apologies or excuses took shape in his head. He held your gaze, surprisingly at ease when yours was shocked.

You composed yourself, asking with an intrigued tilt of your head, “Is this the reason you summoned me so early?”

He hesitated for a beat. There was no cause he understood for his wish to see you, but he couldn’t admit that aloud. “Yes.”

“All right,” you sighed, visibly relaxing before unsheathing the Kizāri at your back. Under the light of the lanterns, your weapons swiveled and gleamed, light steps in tandem as the two of you performed the basics. Precise jabs and steep swings, quick spins and swift retreat.

Hyunjin could hear you count the moves under your breath, a steady ‘one, two, three’ that soon made him falter to observe your movements. You were deeply focused, controlling your Kizāri with so much strength despite the early hour. You were not one to take Azāri lightly, were you?

He was suddenly filled with a desire for mischief. “I fear for the air from your wrath.”

“I’m imagining it’s you,” you deadpanned, not looking his way, though the joke was obvious in the quirk of your lips.

“Oh?” Hyunjin stabbed the sand with his Kizāri and leaned on it. “I didn’t know I was on your mind so often.”

It seemed that many days away from the palace truly had emboldened him.

The points of a Kizāri flashed before his face, the deadly blades a whisper away from his skin. Your voice sounded behind the weapon, laden with teasing. “You wish.”

That unfamiliar feeling erupted in Hyunjin’s heart once more, and he understood it this time—he had missed you.

•❃•

“Here.”

You looked up from the mouth of your worn waterskin to be faced with the gleam of a silver goblet. The Sōrsānt towered over your sitting form, growing embarrassed when you continued to stare at him blankly.

“It’s refreshing,” he quickly explained.

Water from the palace’s channels? You hesitated to take his offer. Cold water was a luxury you could only enjoy in wintertime, when the bitter bite of frost steeped itself into the air and shards of ice floated in the wells. It would be nice, you thought, to drink from the cooling channels on a summer day such as this. The water would certainly be cooler than that which was maintained by your trusty waterskin.

Though, you never expected Hyunjin, in all his foolish, aristocratic arrogance, to share his water with you. Your mute surprise had begun to infect him, and he retracted his hand slightly, mumbling, “Actually I—”

You reached out and grasped the goblet, sparing him the awkward excuse. When the tips of your fingers brushed his, he pulled his hand back as though the contact had stung and stepped away.

You could tell that he had been pondering this gesture for a while, for his snarky confidence was nowhere to be found. Instead, Hyunjin watched you with tentative anticipation, as if he had expected his plan to go awry from the beginning and had no expectations for its outcome.

You fought back a grin. To make such a fuss over a goblet of water was something only the Sōrsānt was allowed to do. And, mortified, you realized that you wouldn’t have cared if it were anybody else.

Expressions of gratitude were not your greatest strength nor your favored exchange, but you supposed this matter was an exception. So, you turned your gaze toward him, smiling politely. “Thank you.”

You didn’t wait for a response and decided to take a sip from the silver cup in your hand. Cold water raced down your throat, an antidote to the sunbeams glaring at you. You were not short on water, yet it felt that way as you drank more and more. When the goblet emptied, you were almost remorseful.

You noticed Hyunjin still standing there, beaming as though he had achieved a significant feat. It was endearing, as you were once again mortified to find.

Influenced by the kind atmosphere, you dared to ask, “How has your magic training been?”

“Oh,” he blinked, taken aback by your inquiry. “It has been well. I’ve been training to manifest my magic without using sand.”

There was a beat of silence before he added, “Would you like to see?”

You nodded eagerly, and he clasped his hands before him. Though the way Hyunjin performed his magic wasn’t grand, it left you awestruck in the few times you’d witnessed it. Deliberate and careful, it was evidence of the care he poured into his flowering creations.

After a short while of anticipatory silence, Hyunjin visibly relaxed and opened his hands. You pushed yourself to your feet to get a better look at what lay between his palms.

It was a small flower, with petals the color of the sky at sunrise, and it was the loveliest you’d seen of his recent making. You resisted the urge to reach out and pick it up, instead choosing to murmur a compliment. “It’s beautiful, as always.”

“Can you materialize a flower from thin air?” you wondered, to which he shrugged. “I could try.”

Clutching the pink blossom, Hyunjin turned to the side and raised his free hand before him. Why he was humoring your curiosity, you couldn’t tell, but you didn’t ponder over it further.

Long, futile moments later, Hyunjin frowned, shoulders slumping in defeat as he brushed his fingers through his hair. “I don’t think I—”

Your eyes widened, and so did his.

In the wake of Hyunjin’s fingers, between the dark strands of his hair, little flowers unfurled like a smattering of stars. Smiling, innocent, as though this were their destined home.

You were captivated by the sight.

And when Hyunjin’s hands moved to hastily remove the flowers from his hair, your lips were moving before you could realize what was happening. “Stop!”

The Sōrsānt did, bewildered by your outburst. His brows were raised, and you wished for the ground to split open and swallow you at that moment.

Why did you say that?

“Flowers look good on you.”

And another careless thought.

You were sure that if your embarrassment didn’t suffocate you, Hyunjin’s quietness would have. You had crossed the line, you determined when he swiftly gave you his back.

What a senseless thing to say, you chided yourself, starting to apologize when he said nothing. “My apologies, Sōrsānt—”

“You think so?”

Hyunjin’s voice seemed distant, but the hopefulness in it was so palpable it silenced you. Suddenly, apologizing felt like such a stupid idea.

“Yes.”

“Then…I’ll keep them,” he declared softly, turning to face you.

You let a genuine smile adorn your lips. “You should.”

•❃•

Dinner with the Ērmār was Hyunjin’s least favorite part of the day.

The dismal quiet, the stifling tension—it felt as though every breath he took was incomplete. Ever on edge. Endlessly wary.

On this evening, however, the Sōrsānt had something to distract himself with. A new, untainted memory.

Flowers look good on you.

He had recalled those words over and over in his mind, watched that scene repeat endlessly throughout his lessons and meetings. Five simple words that seemed to unveil a part of his heart that he had thought long lost. A statement that filled him with so much warmth, he didn’t know what to do with it.

He had found himself at once embarrassed and overjoyed. What had possessed you to say such a thing?

What was he to do for you to say it again?

The Ērmār placed her silverware over her plate with a soft clink, indicating the end of the dinner and bringing Hyunjin back to the realm of reality. He stood after his mother did, wordlessly pinning his gaze to his half-empty plate as she passed by him.

He anticipated the distancing clatter of her shoes, but instead, it stopped beside him.

“What is that in your hair?”

Hyunjin’s shoulders went rigid at her icy question. He made sure to remove the flowers from his hair before leaving his training court. Had he missed one?

“An accident,” he said, raising a hand to his hair. “You need not worry. I discarded it and made sure no one saw it.”

He couldn’t turn around to face the Ērmār, and he was glad he didn’t have to meet her gaze. She would pierce through him and his blatant lie with cruel ease. He could at least feign some confidence this way.

The Ērmār scoffed after a beat of dubious silence, resuming her exit from the dining hall. “Go wash up. I do not want a repeat of this incident.”

Right, Hyunjin sighed inwardly. The time he shared with you every day was a strange fantasy, and nothing more. Outside his training court, he was but a magicless, useless heir. If he were wiser, he would forget your kindness and seal its memory where he couldn’t retrieve it. Perhaps even discard his magical studies.

But, the Sōrsānt found that he wasn’t the wisest of men.

•❃•

Heading House Amaranthine was the Ērmār’s rightful destiny.

From the moment she had taken her first steps, her parents had ensured she excelled at every field fit for an aristocratic lady. Her skills in magic, the arts, science, and politics had earned the fervent praise of many masters across Greria. Whispers of her beauty and grace chased her anywhere she went.

In her prime, she was the most fitting of the noble ladies to be at the young Sōrmār’s side. She was the only logical choice.

That man was her better in every aspect. The Sōrmār of House Amaranthine was stronger than she was. Kinder, wittier, braver. More graceful and knowledgeable and beautiful than she had ever known a person to be. In a life where she had been alone at the very top of the world, he was a new height to conquer. A challenge, a breath of fresh air, a consolation.

She had loved him at some point in time, as he had loved her too. They were happy, untouchable in their palace, away from everyone else.

Then, he was gone.

Without warning, she was once again alone. So far from the rest of the world, with no companion, no aide. All he had left her was a title, a palace, and a son whom he had cherished with his entire heart.

Hyunjin was the only living part of his father that had remained. And he was nothing like the late Sōrmār.

So, she had to make him be. To give life to the memory of the man she had loved, Hyunjin had to be better in every way. Better than any before him and any who may come. So that he may reside at the utmost heights of the world, never to be reached by another. Just like his father.

Yet, no matter what she did, she found her son to be lacking. His Tilt was a disgrace, his Azāri was imperfect. No matter what, she never saw the late Sōrmār in him. Her vision was only dying in him, and she couldn’t let it be. She refused to lose him twice.

The Ērmār was determined to see the man she had loved again, regardless of the sacrifices she had to make.

Her son stood before her now, tense, with squared shoulders and a raised chin. There was a brazen air to him these days, she didn’t fail to notice.

“The Carmine ball is a month and a half from now, is it not?” she asked as she opened a ledger lying on her desk.

“Yes, mother.”

His responses were always void of confidence, sounding like admittances of defeat. She thought it was evidence of his inherently weak character.

“I want you to express favor toward the Ērsānvi during the event,” the Ērmār said. Yeji was the most promising of the branch Houses’ eligible ladies. It would be foolish not to grasp the opportunity.

“What?”

She looked up from the ledger to find her son clearly displeased. He appeared almost offended at her order.

“Is there a problem?” she narrowed her eyes at him. She couldn’t begin to guess what silly thoughts rampaged in that mind of his.

Hyunjin clenched his jaw, his frustration evident in the lowness of his tone. “Is that truly necessary, mother?”

“Yes,” she responded simply. “This has nothing to do with your personal feelings. Yeji is an excellent young lady and the perfect candidate for the position of Ērmār. It would do you good to start thinking about the House’s future.”

He said nothing, choosing to glare at the floor as if that could change anything. There was a protest in the hunch of his shoulders, and he seemed to be fighting it.

The Ērmār predicted that this would happen. She didn’t trust Hyunjin to make a beneficial decision for himself, let alone for the future of House Amaranthine. She would have to instruct him, as she had always done.

She repeated, louder, having grown tired of this exchange, “Is there a problem with what I said, Hyunjin?”

He stiffened then gave in, finally biting out, “No, mother.”

The Ērmār returned her attention to the open ledger while Hyunjin stalked out of the study without further comments.

She scoffed inwardly. She assumed he was heading to his training court, where he seemed to enjoy spending his time. From sunrise until the sun centered the sky, he was dutifully training. With that foul human.

That girl was still alive, and it had been months since the Ērmār assigned her to be Hyunjin’s training partner. It had been a test. She wanted him to kill the human, but he failed miserably. And as though the humiliation wasn’t enough, he even continued to train with her.

That human’s survival was unacceptable. It was a shame more grave than imaginable. A definitive sign of weakness, and knowing Hyunjin’s pitiful nature, the matter may have escalated beyond remedy.

The Ērmār needed to rid of the Azārāhi soon, and she had a suspicion that a valid justification would reveal itself once she investigated the two of them.

There should be no acceptable reason for her son to be so attached to a human girl, after all.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

Mini Glossary:

Azārāhi: a skilled practitioner of Azāri.

Azāri: a fighting art developed by the magical Nilfyn.

Ērmār: high master (feminine).

Ērmārvi: minor high master (feminine).

Ērsānt: lower master (feminine).

Ērsānvi: minor lower master (feminine).

Kizāri: the long-handled weapon with an trident-like head used in Azāri.

Sōrmār: high master (masculine).

Sōrmārvi: minor high master (masculine).

Sōrsānt: lower master (masculine).

Sōrsānvi: minor lower master (masculine).

Hello! Thank you for reading this far! I hope you enjoyed the second instalment. Unfortunately, this series will be taking a break due to the start of the academic year. I'll see you in January 2025 for the finale! Thank you for your patience, and I hope you have a lovely rest of your day! ♡

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imfoive · 5 months ago

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Crystal Bird - Chapter 2

Crown Prince! Chan x Princess (fem.) Genre: Royal au! Angst, Romance, Historical, hidden identity, slow-burn Warnings: mentions of blood, war, death, cursing, somewhat proofread WC: 6.1k A/N: Still childhood chapter (will be over soon I promise.) Based on a dream. Feedback is always welcome, enjoy! ── MASTERLIST

Synopsis: The Crown Prince is saved by the Princess of a rival kingdom, and he swears his second life to his savior. A forbidden friendship no one knew of, grows deeper with every secret meeting. As the two are kept apart, memories of their sunset playdates by the serene river, begin blossoming into something beautiful. Cheeks blushed, stomach butterflies fluttered at the thought of each other. Years of yearning and imagining had only made them crave a sweeter reunion. And finally meeting at a Royal banquet, he could only stare at the now grown Princess, taken by her beauty, while she only watches as he gives his heart to the wrong princess.

Missed a chapter? - Prologue / Chapter 1

CHAPTER 2 ─────────────────── This was something entirely new for Y/N.

For the first time, The second princess wasn’t slipping away out of curiosity about a spider spinning its web or to sample a trendy new snack she heard about at some tea party. This time, she had someone to meet, a scheduled time to exchange words with another person. She was beyond elated, carefully navigating the corridors of her residence, hoping her mother was engrossed in entertaining her circle of friends or, even better, ventured out to purchase new gowns.

They arrived earlier than agreed upon, both flustered at the sight of each other, but any awkwardness quickly dissolved as they began to converse. True to his word, Chan proudly presented his favorite dessert, something exotic and unfamiliar to Y/N, even though she was accustomed to the luxuries of palace life.

The dessert, native to Nightshade, was a revelation to her palate, and she ate every bite with genuine delight. As Chan watched her savor the sweet treat, he suddenly wondered if the children of Elysium were also warned to keep away from anything associated with Nightshade. Like he had been taught to be wary of Elysium.

“What do you think of the Bahng Clan, Princess?” Chan asked with both anxiousness and curiosity.

Y/N looks up in wonder, wiping her fingers with her handkerchief.

“You mean the beastly people?” She asks.

The term has Chan’s heart drop, momentarily lowering his gaze, wondering how she would react if he revealed his true identity.

“My teacher said that they love violence and bloodshed. But I’ve read in a book that the realm is sandwiched between forest and the snowy mountains? Wouldn't they be practicing intense self defense tactics?” Y/N continued, surprising Chan with her mature perspective.

The young princess, always curious but lacking someone to share her thoughts with, felt a warmth spread through her as Chan listened so intently. He stared at her in amazement, realizing that despite her young age, and her title as princess, Y/N possessed a wisdom and compassion unlike other kids her age.

“I’m sure they have their own way of life. It’s just different from ours.” She concluded with a gentle smile.

Y/N had no idea how much relief her words brought to Chan, the Nightshade Prince. He was silently grateful that it was she who had rescued him from the river.

And so, one meeting turned into another, and another, until they began to lose count of how many times they had met. The two young royals giggled and devoured each other’s favorite snacks with gusto, forgetting all about the constraints of etiquette in their budding friendship. Each rendezvous brought them closer, sharing secrets, dreams, and aspirations. Like true friends.

While Han kicked rocks a short distance away, he couldn't help but marvel at the unusual sight before him. It was rare to see his Prince enjoying the company of another child, especially one from outside their usual social circle. Normally, Chris would scowl at the children of his father’s court and council. Children who dared to approach him with forced smiles and honey-dripping words. While the young girls of their nation were too intimidated to even make eye contact with him. Han couldn’t understand why—after all, Chris wasn’t even that scary looking.

The aspiring personal guard studied the rocky passageway they had climbed countless times now. It was a narrow path, hidden among overgrown bushes and vines, creating a natural canopy that almost concealed its existence entirely, like a cave almost. One could easily miss it if they were simply passing by. Yet here they were, sneaking past this narrow passage almost daily. Han couldn’t deny that everything about this risky routine scared him senseless. But despite his fears, he always succumbed to the Prince’s pleading gaze, dutifully preparing provisions like bread and snacks for their "walks of fresh air."

Was this what they called loyalty? As they parted ways that evening, arranging to meet again, Chris felt a sense of contentment he hadn’t known before. Whistling a happy tune, he and Han made their way back up the rocky path, the younger boy taking the now-empty sack from him.

“The princess is much more down-to-earth than I thought.” Han came to a conclusion after observing, they squeezed past narrow boulders and returned to their side of the forest.

“She’s also funny.” Chris laughed, recalling the amusing stories Y/N had shared.

Han raised a brow at his master. “When do you plan on returning the necklace?”

Chris stopped in his tracks, groaning. He had completely forgotten about it in the excitement of their meeting today. They hadn’t seen each other since the day after he had presented her with the promised cake for her birthday—four days ago.

“I’m going to replace the chain. The silver is all mangled from being in your filthy pocket.” Chris shook his head.

“You’re the one who had it clutched in your fist for dear life!” Han retorted with a scoff, to which Chris rolled his eyes.

“I’ll return it as soon as I get it to look brand new. He hummed, walking ahead with a bounce in his step.

“Now let’s hurry back before dinner.” Meanwhile, in the silence of the dining room of the West Palace in Elysium, the cold tone of Lady Katherine’s voice pierced the tense air.

“You’ve been missing too many lessons. Let's not make it a habit.” She remarked as she meticulously cut the meat on her plate.

Y/N’s eyes froze at her dinner, her mind racing with worry. Had her mother caught her sneaking under the back wall?

“Princess Sienna will be traveling to the Melgarde Estate this Autumn to begin prepping for her role as First Princess. I have managed to convince your father to allow you to accompany her this time.”

Y/N’s eyes shot towards her mother, her fists balling up her dress.

“Must I go mother?” She hesitantly asked, glancing up at Katherine, who paused her knife and fork against the steak to stop working.

“Such ridiculous questions don’t befit you, the Second Princess of this nation." Her mother replied sharply, throwing a stern glance her way.

“I have worked very hard to get your father to look at us favorably. Do not ruin it.” The mother continued working her cutlery against her dinner.

“Besides, you’ve known that one day or another you’d be sent to Melgarde. You too must learn of your royal duties. You are a princess after all...”

Silence hung heavily between them once again, but Y/N’s appetite had vanished. Just a few weeks ago, she hadn’t cared where she stayed or which estate she roamed, but now, with a friend who didn’t see her as just the Second Princess of Elysium, leaving seemed unbearable. The thought of being separated from Chan, the one who had seen her for who she truly was, weighed heavily on her heart. He had celebrated her birthday with a cake and wishes meant only for her, a gesture that touched her deeply. Her eyes welled tears tears.

Autumn wasn’t even that far off. ─────────────────────── The following meeting of the secret friends had been plenty of joy like the many before. They lounged comfortably, exchanging funny anecdotes and catching up on the gossip they had been eagerly saving up during their brief separation (of just two days). Yet amidst the laughter and stories, Chan couldn’t help but notice a heaviness in Y/N’s demeanor. Her smiles didn’t quite reach her eyes, and it was clear to the observant prince that something was amiss.

“Are the stories not amusing today, or perhaps the pastries don't suit your taste?” Chan inquired gently, watching as Y/N quickly sat up to deny both concerns.

“Neither! The pastries are delightful, and the tale of your cousin Felix putting his father in line was genuinely amusing, Chan!” She exclaimed, her attempt to brush off her subdued mood evident.

Chris smiles at the call of the name. Chan. It was a name he hadn’t heard in a long time. A name his mother had given him, a remnant of a time when life felt simpler and less burdened by secrecy and expectation. When the princess used that name, it made him feel oddly liberated—like the mischievous child he once was, running through the hall of the castle, free from the weight of royal responsibilities.

“There just seems to be something bothering you." Chan remarked, leaning in attentively. He wanted nothing more than to lend an ear and offer comfort.

For a moment, Y/N was silent, her teeth gnawing at her lower lip as she studied Chan with eyes filled with care.

“My mother is sending me to Melgarde by the end of this summer. I don’t want to go so far away...especially now that I have…you.” She confessed quietly, her voice tinged with melancholy as she dropped her gaze.

Chan blinks a few times, unsure of what or where Melgarde was. Watching her wrestle with her emotions, her fingers fidgeting with the grass, he felt a pang of guilt for hiding his true identity from her—especially since she considered him a close friend.

“Why do you think your mother is sending you to Melgarde?” He asks, his eyes wandered to look at the now pink and orange sky.

“I’m to learn about my royal duties. But she refuses to listen to what I feel.” Y/N groaned softly.

Chan had a familiarity with those feelings she was holding back. Duties, responsibilities. Things a Crown Prince must do.

“Maybe your mother is just looking out for you. A princess like yourself must have many responsibilities in the near future. It's only right for her to do so.” Chan replied, his words betraying his own maturity beyond his years.

She was the Princess’ mother. Of course she cared for her. Just like his own mother had, always striving for what was best. But Chan didn’t know Lady Katherine, yet he did his best to uplift Y/N’s spirits.

“Your going away to Melgarde or wherever will not change the fact that we are friends. Will it?" He asked with a soft smile.

Inside, Chan felt a pang of sadness at the idea of Y/N leaving. His efforts to console her masked his own unease about their impending separation.

“No. We will always be friends.” She grumbled, her fingers idly playing with her dress. “But I’m worried you’re going to forget me."

Chan chuckled softly at such a notion, partly because of Y/N's playful pout, which he couldn't resist teasing by poking her cheek with his finger. She blinked up at him, surprised by his sudden playfulness. He quickly withdrew his hand, sheepishly looking down.

Y/N couldn't help but giggle at the sight of Chan's ears turning red. He reminded her of a puppy. But despite the light moment, Chan's conscience weighed heavily on him, evident in the serious expression that replaced his smile.

“I must confess something.” Chan's expression was tinged with worry.

Y/N tilted her head, sensing a shift in the atmosphere that left her uneasy.

“What do you think about the Kingdom of Nightshade? Are you not afraid of its people?” His voice was low, a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

Y/N was taken aback by his sudden questions. Chan seemed unusually interested in the Bahng Clan and the Kingdom of Nightshade—this being the second time he had brought them up.

“I’ve never met anyone from there. Have you?” She asked, genuinely curious.

Chan nodded slowly, meeting her gaze with a hint of hesitation.

“How? We’re not allowed to cross over. Did you find a way to—” Y/N's words stopped abruptly as realization dawned on her.

Chan could almost see the pieces clicking into place in her mind. He watched as her expression shifted, brows furrowing in concentration.

“Are you from Nightshade?” Her voice is tinged with surprise.

Chan wanted to disappear at that moment, regretting having brought up the topic at all. He could have continued the charade. The shock in her eyes was something he hadn’t anticipated.

“I am.” He whispered finally.

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Chan’s heart raced in his chest, uncertain of what her reaction would be. Would she run away, tell him to stay away? To go back and never return?

“Are you afraid of me?” He asked tentatively, his vulnerability laid bare before her.

Y/N rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

“So that’s why that dessert was so unfamiliar.” She mumbled to herself, trying to recall if there were any other dropped hints that she had missed.

“Hmmm,” she continued, her mind racing. “And that cape! Is it also something worn only in Nightshade?! Thank goodness I haven’t worn it out yet” She sighed, starting to ramble.

Chan blinked, slightly taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm. He hadn’t realized just how curious the Second Princess could be.

“So…I don’t scare you?” He ventured cautiously.

Furrowing her brows, Y/N looked at him as if he were being ridiculous.

“You were moments away from being swept away by the river, and trembling like a leaf the first time we met, Chan. It was far from scary.”

A small snicker came from the bushes where Han was hiding. His voice, though loud in the otherwise quiet exchange, broke the tension.

“See, even Han agrees.” Y/N teased lightly.

Chan shot a glare towards Han’s designated hiding bush, the younger boy immediately falling silent and attempting to sneak further away.

“I once thought you were just some very sickly noble child not allowed to attend gatherings, only sneaking out with his servant boy for solace. But it makes sense that you’re from a whole different kingdom. Now that I think about it, some of the stories you’ve told…” Y/N trailed off, lost in thought.

“You’re taking this very well. I was afraid for no reason.” Chan interjected, cutting off her train of thought before she could delve deeper.

He couldn't begin to express how relieved he felt.

Y/N laughed, sitting up and playfully tugging at the sleeve of his shirt.

“Aren’t we friends?” She asked with a warm smile.

Her words made Chan smile, his ears flushing red once more. Taking a deep breath, he looked out over the expanse of the Grand Forest, the sun beginning its descent.

“The closest of friends." He whispered watching her sweet smile.

The older boy takes in a deep breath of the spring breeze, eyes taking in the beautiful scenery of this Grand Forest.

“Watch, there will come a day when we can meet freely. No sneaking over borders, or jumping in rivers.” His smile was hopeful, but Y/N seemed hesitant.

“I wish it came before summer ended…” Y/N said sadly, but then shook it off, determination replacing the sorrow on her lips.

“Let’s meet again after my return from Melgarde. It may take some time, and I’m not sure how much will change. But I promise I will not forget.”

A bittersweet feeling settled in Chan’s heart as he gently cupped her hands with his own, giving them a squeeze.

“I won’t be able to send you letters, but let’s spend every day until you leave, together. I too promise to think of you every day until our reunion, my one and only lady friend.” He grinned, his dimples showing.

A comfortable silence fell between them as they prepared to say their farewells. Y/N then handed him a small wrapped stack of cookies

“Let’s meet again in three days. My mother has been keeping a close eye on me lately, so I’ll have to hold back on slipping out.” She said, pushing the cookies into his arms.

“And this is for Han. I feel sorry that he’s been playing with sticks and stones back there all this time.”

Chan begrudgingly accepted the cookies, promising to pass them along to his friend. Though their playdate had run longer than usual, the prince felt elated. The burden of secrecy was no longer weighing him down now that the truth was out there.

The sun dipped lower, casting elongated shadows across the palace grounds as Han and Chris dashed through the fading light. Han's laughter echoed in the quietening air, mingling with the rustling of leaves as they finally made their way back.

Han’s voice, light and carefree, carried the teasing remark about Chris not revealing his princely status to the princess. It was meant in jest, but Chris's reaction was anything but amused.

“I would have but what if that’s the reason she pushes me away?” Chris's voice held a hint of uncertainty, his steps faltering as he glanced back at Han.

Han chuckled, his amusement not subsiding. “I doubt it would be, Prince Shivering Leaf.”

Chris sighed, the corners of his lips twitching as he realized Han was right—his apprehensions were likely just his overthinking. Yet before the conversation could settle, his mind tracks back to the “shivering leaf” comment, and he looks at an nonchalant Han now walking ahead. He smiled and muttered a playful command.

“You better start running.”

The command caught Han off guard, and with a surprised yelp, he hastily stuffed the remaining cookies into his vest pocket and bolted. Chris pursued him with determination, their laughter carrying through the grounds, unaware of how quickly dusk was settling around them.

Han glanced over his shoulder, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. But in that split-second distraction, he collided headlong into what felt like a pole, causing him to crumple to the ground with a sharp “oof”. Chris, caught off guard by Han's sudden fall, skidded to a halt a few steps behind, concerned.

Once he realized that it was not a pole, the younger boy scrambled to his feet, head bowed in an instinctual bow.

“T-teacher.” He greeted tentatively, his lips tightening in an attempt to hide his shock.

Captain Elliot approached, eyes glanced towards the unexpected direction the boys emerged from before his stern gaze assessed the situation in front.

“I’ve been searching for the two of you.” He stated, his voice holding a note of reproach.

Chris hurriedly stepped forward, attempting to explain their escapades.

“We-we’re just here and there, practicing and rough-housing, Uncl-teacher.” He stammered, trying to downplay their mischief.

Sir Elliot observed them both, his gaze flickering between Chris and Han. Though aware that they had been up to something, he found solace in the fact that seemed to be getting along, and neither appeared injured or worse for wear.

His tone softened slightly as he remarked, “As long as you’re not doing anything wrong.”

The relief was palpable as both boys straightened, the tension easing from their shoulders. Perhaps Sir Elliot had his suspicions, but for now, they were spared further scrutiny. With a paternal caution, he added,

“Don’t wander off too far. It’s beginning to get darker much quicker these days.”

With a nod of dismissal, Sir Elliot turned to continue on his way, leaving the boys to exhale in unison in relief. Chris reached out, gently tugging at Han's arm to rouse him from his momentarily frozen stance.

As they resumed their path towards the palace, the captain paused, his eyes catching sight of something out of place on the ground—a stray…cookie? Picking it up, he narrowed his gaze, then turned to glance back at the retreating figures of the two boys, now engaged in animated conversation as they walked away. The burly king tapped at the wood of his desk, the page of the letter he had received splayed over countless other stacks of paper. His brow furrowed as he absorbed the implications of its contents, his thoughts racing through the strategic decisions ahead.

A knock at the door broke his concentration, followed by the creak of the aged hinges as Elliot entered the room. The captain’s presence brought a sense of grounded reassurance amidst the king’s tumultuous thoughts.

“You called for me, brother?” Sir Elliot’s gaze was steady, assessing the king’s grim expression as he approached the desk.

Without a word, the king picked up the creased letter and handed it to his younger brother. As Elliot’s eyes scanned the hastily written words, a deep sigh escaped the king’s lips, betraying the weight of his concerns.

A letter from the North.

“The next warband for the Midnight Order has commenced their training and are ready to swear allegiance to their Master.” The king explained wearily, his voice laced with unease.

Sir Elliot absorbed the information with a furrowed brow, understanding the gravity of Commander Seo’s expectations through his letter. The Seo family’s longstanding stewardship of the kingdom’s military affairs meant that any delay in Prince Christopher’s training was not merely a matter of protocol but a strategic imperative for the nation’s defense.

The Midnight Order of Nightshade was legendary—an elite, secretive cadre of warriors renowned for their unswerving loyalty and unmatched fighting skills. Trained rigorously under the harshest conditions, they swore allegiance solely to the kings of Nightshade. Operating covertly, as the king’s shadow, they remained unseen and silent, protectors in the dark. Their missions and actions were shrouded in secrecy, acting as the king’s eyes where his presence couldn’t extend. The moment had arrived for Chris to meet his order—his people, the next generation of warriors destined to protect the future king.

“We have delayed sending Prince Christopher to the North for far too long.” Elliot’s voice broke the silence between the two men, resonating with the weight of responsibility.

“Commander Seo has shown patience due to the Prince's mourning period, but we cannot afford further delays. You know how crucial this matter is to him.”

The captain’s words were nothing but honest. He could tell that his brother, the wise and dignified king, who would never falter when it came to the best of his nation, was a weak father. Much like himself. Except Felix is not the Crown Prince. He will not take the throne and rule over as a successful king. Christopher had great responsibilities, and he needed to fulfill them. Sir Elliot understood the delicate balance between honoring the late Queen’s wishes and preparing the Prince for his future role. And The King’s decision carried implications that extended beyond familial concerns to the very stability of the kingdom.

“The late Queen’s wishes allowed the Prince considerable freedom, against all advice.” Sir Elliot remarked gently, meeting his brother's gaze with understanding.

“But a year and some time of mourning has passed, and Prince Christopher must move forward. The longer we delay, the more vulnerable he becomes as Crown Prince.”

The king fell silent, his eyes fixed on the letter in Sir Elliot’s hands. He was painfully aware of what the obvious decision should be, but thinking about his only son, tugged at his heart

“Let us delay a little further.” The King finally conceded with a sigh. “I fear pressing him now may embitter him.”

“Knowing the Prince, he will not go quietly.” Sir Elliot agreed with a defeated laugh.

“But, he has shown unexpected cooperation as of late. My only concern is his frequent ventures outside of the palace gates.” Elliot recalled the encounter earlier outside.

“Indeed, quite worrisome.” King Bahng mused, his thoughts drifting to the unpredictable nature of his son’s recent behavior.

“And what of his training partner?” King Bahng inquired.

“The Prince wishes to assign him as his personal guard.” Elliot explained, a faint smile touching his lips.

The king chuckled softly at the revelation.

“A very princely gesture indeed. But he has a long journey ahead to truly find and understand his people.”

The mention of the training partner stirred memories within the king.

“When I saw him that day, carrying the Prince back, soaked through and on the verge of tears, I knew then that he would pledge his loyalty to the Crown Prince.” the king reminisced, a glimmer of pride in his eyes.

Sir Elliot nodded knowingly, both men contemplated the future that lay ahead for the Crown Prince and the challenges that awaited him on his path to kingship. Yet even amidst the weighty discussions of state, the recent antics of the two young boys had not escaped the King’s notice. ─────────────────────── The changing seasons brought with them a shift in the air, heralding the arrival of cooler winds from the north that swept through the shared region of the two realms. With these winds came more frequent rain showers, disrupting the almost daily reunions of the two royal friends.

“Do you think the rain will stop tomorrow?” Chris queried, his hand extended to feel the drops falling outside the library window.

He was supposed to be concentrating on memorizing a book assigned to him, but the young prince was brimming with anticipation. He had finally repaired the necklace’s chain, and the crystal bird now hung more polished than ever. He couldn’t wait to see the expression on the princess’ face when he gave it to her.

Han sighed, observing his prince repeatedly pulling the small box out of his pocket, as if it had transformed in the ten minutes he hadn’t been staring at it.

“I’m not sure about the rain, but you promised to meet her no matter the weather.” Han reminded him.

Chris emitted a thoughtful “hmm”, his gaze still fixed on the jewelry. The playmate slipped into the seat beside him, also inspecting the delicate piece.

“It really is quite beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Han remarked.

“Who does it belong to?” A third voice suddenly interjected with wonder.

“The Princess, you already know—” Chris started to explain before catching himself, halting mid-sentence as he and Han turned to see Felix leaning in to get a closer look at the necklace.

The boys share a look, surprised by Felix’s unexpected presence. Felix glanced between the two older boys curiously.

“Who’s the Princess?”

“F-Felix. What are you doing here?” Chris stammered, while Han did what he does best in these situations.

He froze.

“It’s raining, so I came to hideout here from lessons.” Felix replied matter-of-factly, then pointed at the crystal bird.

“Is the Princess the person who you’ve been sneaking out to see?”

Han’s head snapped up, eyes wide as he anxiously awaited Chris’s response. But the Crown Prince’s mind goes blank, unable to come up with an excuse.

“Please don’t tell anyone…” Chris pleaded instead, quickly closing the box containing the necklace.

The smaller prince shrugged nonchalantly, taking a seat on one of the benches behind them.

“It’s been quite some time since I figured it out. You’re not very good at keeping secrets.” He remarked, displaying a sharpness that his father had always taken pride in.

“Is she really a princess, or do you just call her that?” Felix inquired, genuinely curious.

The young boy had never met a princess before, their kingdom seemed to lack them.

Chris smiled fondly, recalling his dear friend. “She is.”

Felix's eyes lit up with excitement at the confirmation.

“Really! What's her name?" He asked eagerly, hungering for tales of foreign royalty.

Chris blinked, a realization dawning on him—he didn’t know her name.

“You never asked!?” Han exclaimed, astonished at his friend’s oversight.

Felix sat there, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, as he observed the exchange between a mortified Chris and a shocked Han.

The young prince had always been enthusiastic about meeting his “Princess,” but now it dawned on him that he had never actually asked her name. He felt a pang of guilt and self-reproach—how!? How could he have overlooked something so basic? The princess had asked for his name, so why hadn't he reciprocated?

Han, who had lost count of how many exasperated sighs he had let out that morning because of Chris, sighed once more.

“When you meet her again, please ask her name.” Han implored, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and concern.

He knew how important she was to Chris and his mistake was probably going to weigh on his mind.

Chris nodded earnestly, feeling frustrated by his foolishness.

“I will. I promise.” He replied earnestly.

And as the three boys left the library, the rain continued to patter softly against the now closed windows, a reminder of the barriers they would have to overcome to see each other again. But Chris was determined, more than ever, to learn his princess’ name and to show her the respect and friendship she deserved before she departed to Melgarde.

But as fate would have it, not everything would go according to his plan.

Chris grunted at the sight of the dark clouds gathering overhead, the sound of raindrops drumming steadily against the windowpane. He had awoken that morning with a sense of excitement, eager for his secret meeting with the princess. However, after enduring his lessons and searching the training grounds in vain for Han, who seemed to have disappeared, Chris's mood began to sour. It had been hours since he last saw his loyal friend. He had never realized just how much he relied on Han until now. Han orchestrated their excuses, ensuring their timely exits from the castle grounds, and always kept an eye out even in the forest. Without Han, Chris felt vulnerable and exposed, a sensation he hadn't experienced in their many adventures together. Han was more than just a friend at this point. He was a trusted confidant, and a guardian of their shared secrets.

Upon questioning another young trainer, Chris learned that Han was running an errand for Captain Elliot. The news added to Chris's frustration, on top of the relentless rain that threatened to ruin his plans.

Despite his best efforts to remain optimistic, Chris couldn't shake the growing anxiety as the time for his meeting with his princess approached. With a heavy sigh, Chris retrieved the box containing the polished crystal bird necklace from his bedside table. His loyal playmate had not returned from his task, and Chris was sure the princess was already waiting for him. She had always been one to arrive early.

Today, Chris decided, would be the day he ventured out alone.

A mistake on the young prince’s part.

As he approached the secret passage through the forest, his footsteps squelching on the rain-soaked ground, his heart sank at the sight before him. The entrance to the passage was completely obstructed, large boulders strategically placed to seal it shut. There was no way for him to squeeze through or move the rocks at all. Panic gripped his chest as he realized the gravity of the situation.

“Prince Christopher.” King Bahng's voice rang out, firm and disapproving even in the downpour.

Chris froze, dread knotting in his stomach as he turned to face his father, standing with Captain Elliot and his Solar guards, the castle's elite protectors.

Wet and shivering, Chris knew he was finally exposed, unmistakably caught. The steady drip of rain against the wooden floor of the king's study filled the chamber with a somber rhythm, punctuating the tense silence between father and son. Chris stood before his father, head bowed in shame, fully aware of the gravity of his actions. His duties as Crown Prince had been clear, yet he had failed in his responsibility to disclose the discovery of a hidden passage that posed a potential threat to Nightshade's security.

His father's loyalty to honoring peace agreements was unwavering, but could he say the same about the fickle Elysium King? Should they have discovered the crack between the two realms first…

“You have broken my trust.” King Bahng's voice cut through the silence, cold and unforgiving, causing Chris, wet and shivering, to flinch.

Chris struggled to find words, his mouth dry with regret. He usually excelled at making excuses, but his mind raced with regret and the realization of the consequences of his actions. He had risked the stability of their kingdom.

“Not only have you disregarded your duties as Crown Prince, but you have endangered Nightshade with your reckless adventures beyond our borders.” The king continued, exhaling deeply and closing his eyes in disappointment.

“There will be consequences. Firstly, your companion, your accomplice in this reckless act, will be sent away”

Chris' head snapped up at his father's words, panic and sorrow flooding his expression. He thought of Han, his friend, his loyal training partner, who had always dreamed of becoming a warrior and proving himself. And now, because of Chris, Han’s dreams were going to shatter “Please, Father...” Chris pleaded, his voice trembling with emotion.

“I will accept any punishment you deem fit. But Han... He was only following my lead. Punish me, but spare him.” He implored, falling to his knees, overwhelmed by guilt and desperation

King Bahng turned away, his gaze fixed on the rain-streaked window where the setting sun cast a melancholy glow. The sight of his son on his knees was a painful one, both as a father and as a king. But after a moment of silence, King Bahng turns slowly, seeing the sight he did not enjoy. Yet the urgency in the boy’s blood-red eyes spoke volumes. He was almost impressed at what lengths the Prince was willing to go for his people.

The silence in the room was heavy, broken only by the distant rumble of thunder.

“You will be sent to the White Mountains of the North, kept under the strict supervision of Commander Seo.” He declared, his voice leaving no room for argument.

“There will be no special treatment because you are a prince. You will undergo rigorous training and learn the responsibilities that come with your position. It is time you understand the gravity of your role.”

His father's gaze softened slightly.

“Your companion Han, will accompany you. You have started this together, so you will receive your punishment together.” King Bahng added, acknowledging his son's plea.

King Bahng turned to the rain-streaked window once again. The cold silence returned.

“You will leave tomorrow.” He stated firmly, his eyes fixed on the horizon .

“Yes your Majesty.” Chris whispered, bowing his head. ─────────────────────── As summer drew to an end, the looming departure of the first princess to Melgarde Estate became inevitable, the departure date set, weighing heavily on Y/N's heart. The news had imposed a sudden deadline on her time with Chan, leaving her in tears several times as she grappled with the uncertainty of their future. She wondered if Chan would share the same sadness, if he would shed tears like she did. His comforting presence, his reassuring hand squeezes, had always been a source of solace for her. They hadn't seen each other in days, and with each passing day, her yearning for her friend intensified.

Standing at their usual meeting spot amidst the Grand Forest, Y/N tried to hold onto hope despite the relentless downpour and the roar of the river nearby. Perhaps the rain had delayed Chan? They had made a promise, and he was determined to keep it.

But as the first hour slipped by without any sign of Chan, worry crept in. Should she go look for him? Fear gripped her, imagining the dangers of venturing out alone in the eerie forest towards a direction she was not familiar with.

Another hour passed, the forest now slowly cloaking in darkness as the sky dimmed. Panic set in as realization dawned—Chan was not coming. Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes once more, mixing with the raindrops on her cheeks. The weight of their separation and the uncertainty of when, or if, they would see each other again bore down on her, casting a shadow over their unfulfilled promise.

Alone in the fading light of day, Y/N's heart ached with longing for Chan, wishing desperately for his comforting presence amid the looming departure that threatened to tear them apart. But Chan had not come as he promised.

And just like that summer came to an end. The Grand Forest underwent a noticeable transformation. Once a vibrant destination for picnics and joyful gatherings, its charm had faded following the tragic incident involving the first princess. The forest, once alive with the laughter and footsteps of visitors, now settled into a solemn quietude.

After Y/N and Chan's last secret meeting, their shared laughter and excitement seemed to disappear along with the warm breeze of the summer. The forest paths they once frequented became untouched and overgrown, as if nature itself respected the absence of their presence.

The end of that summer marked more than just a change in weather, it symbolized a shift in the forest's ambiance. A transition from bustling activity to a serene stillness tinged with melancholy.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ to be continued. ── ask to be tagged! - @stayceebs97, @palindrome969, @tsunderelino, @solandiszale, @fixation-dump,

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vibinsane · 6 months ago

Text

a love so cruel, it's a sin.

rafayel x mc (they/them | GN reader)

god of the tides, forbidden sea timeline

word count: ~1.5k

tw: angst, blood, murder, stabbing, major character death

summary: love will be the downfall of lemuria. rafayel has heard this one too many times and thought of it as a bunch of rubbish words, not that he would ever fall for someone, right? how can someone fall when all they have been taught is to protect and rule over an entire civilization. he would have a horrible wake up call that forces him to choose... his people, or them.

writer's note: this is the first time i'm using they/them, so if you see any mistakes or me using feminine pronouns, please excuse it. i'll look through this again at a later time. anyways, i hope you all enjoy this because phew... it's been a while since i posted something like this and oof. just stashing it.

to kiss a lemurian is to grant the human the ability to breathe underwater.

they remembered something in the myths they read through the duration before the day they were to be sacrificed to satisfy the sea god and keep the lands safe from the god’s rage. so they had already accepted their faith; however, of course that acceptance washes away like the waves crashing against the ship that held the offerings and them.

rafayel, annoyed by the humans, could only scoff as he overheard the men speaking about what the sacrifice and offerings will do for the sea god. all rubbish.

and he thinks they’re no better than the rubbish he was brought up to believe in or rather place his duties upon.

to protect and rule over the entire civilization of lemuria.

love would be the downfall of lemuria.

suppose the seas are lucky that rafayel had no inkling when it came to love. it was hard to even form some understanding with the concept when it was never introduced. his devout follower shouldn’t have anything to do with him possibly falling in love with them. they were just a tool for the elders (such as himself) to ensure the survivability of lemuria.

the elders never truly cared for anything else other than their sea god and lemuria.

and rafayel had no inkling as to why he would save the human, perhaps it was to get back at the humans for the misconceptions about sacrifices and to appease the angry god or perhaps he was so desperate to find a devout follower just to get elder amund off his back about the prophecy. regardless, he now had the human with him, but he didn’t know how much they were going to mean to him.

the elders saw it immediately the moment rafayel brought the human into one of the rooms rather than in some cellar below the palace. they see the way rafayel looks at his newfound devout follower and what was once something innocent and nothing derived from feelings within they had made sure rafayel would never experience to make the ceremony run as smooth as possible.

the past transgressions of the prior sea god were beginning to show in rafayel and the elders have then since begun panicking. somewhere in the cracks of the prophecy on the slate spells the tragedy of a god falling in love with a human and the downfall of lemuria would commence.

it was hidden underneath the gold paint that was near impossible to wash off, so no one, but the elders knew of the mistakes that were made and what had to be done in order to ensure the fall of lemuria will never come true.

that is why rafayel’s teachings had nothing to do with falling in love. if anything, they would deter him from even looking into the subject.

“what exactly is love, elder amund?”

“something that will bring down the entirety of the civilization we have lived with for many years.”

“is it truly that horrible?”

“love blinds you from your duties. it pulls you into the depths of nothingness—a facade of something beautiful that evidently makes you forget your people. you... forget who you are.”

rafayel thinks thinks it’s a bunch of bullshit, but then again, the concept of love never crosses his mind. if he were to pursue such a thing, it would be to spite the elders. and so he thought that was exactly what he would be doing.

until it wasn’t just out of spite, but out of feelings that they managed to pull from him. it is shared between glances towards one another, the subtle brush of rafayel’s fingers against theirs, and the fleeting kisses the god would steal from them.

it is only a tragedy when the god loves a human back.

rafayel figured out what the elders were planning to do. the day he brought the human back to the surface under the guise of having them show him what the sunrise looks like, he meant to keep them there and not to return to lemuria, but little did rafayel know that the elders had already spoken to them about the truth of the ceremony.

how rafayel needs their heart otherwise he and the rest of lemuria would be turned to seafoam and all its glory would crumble to ruins. they agreed to continue the ceremony unbeknownst to the god himself. that is until something his devout follower stated made him aware that they were willing to give their heart just for him to continue his duties.

his duties he never wanted to begin with.

and it is then that he utterly despises, not only the elders, but his existence in general.

the night comes to where all hell is let loose.

rafayel had made it clear to the elders that he would not abide to prophecy and surely there is some other way to maintain the entirety of lemuria without having to cut the heart of a human out of their chest.

“it is rubbish.”

“it is the prophecy, rafayel!”

“then i refuse to do so... i—”

“do not speak it, those words should not be carried through the currents.”

rafayel pauses with a smirk on his face. “i love them. i will not take their heart even if they are willing to do so.”

“rafayel!”

but rafayel was already gone and meeting with his now lover, holding them close and cupping their face. they share a kiss and then more, limbs tangled between the sheets as they proclaim their love to one another. neither of the two lovers knew of the horrors that would come after their first and last time intertwined both in body and soul.

that would be their final night together. spoken secrets between the two, the pinnacle of lemuria’s impending downfall.

it comes too quickly and rafayel is enraged by his foolishness. he is too late when he meets with them again. he already felt something off. the way they smiled at him wasn’t the way he remembered them doing so. it felt distant, as if something else was controlling them. they weren’t the person he had allowed himself to fall for.

“rafayel, my love... come closer. i’ve missed you. i need you.” they whisper with a knife behind their back. “let us leave this place and live together happily. would you not like that, my lord?”

“you—” he shakes his head, but his feet move. his body yearned for theirs, there’s a scent he catches from them, oddly enough through the currents of the water that pushes against them, their clothes flowing by it and he couldn’t help but continue the steps towards, almost as if hypnotized as he gets closer to to them before stops before them. “this is not you.”

“or perhaps... you never know who i truly was. did you not wish to take my heart for the sake of all of lemuria? how foolish, rafayel. you are utterly fool—”

they stop the moment rafayel grabbed their face and pressed his lips hard against theirs as if somewhere in the back of his head, that kiss would break whatever spell the elders had placed upon her. “come back to me.” he whispers, desperately as he clings onto them. “come back to me, and we will escape this place. just me and you—”

but his efforts are proven futile; his lack of ascension to godhood did not match the ancient powers of the elders who have lived much longer than he has. their magic is far more potent than anything he was able to conjure. and he knows this the moment he feels a dagger—his dagger—stabbed through his chest. the blade twists and pulls, repeatedly. he lost count after the first few stabs and yet he holds onto them tighter.

“i will not... i cannot kill you like they wish for me to do... my love, my devout follower... my... my beloved pearl.” he speaks weakly, between harsh breaths.

but he watches as his lover’s face twists into something foreign to him. the look in their eyes lost to the spell and he watches as their resolve slips.

they’re laughing.

they’re taunting.

“oh, rafayel, help me! help me! save me from this wretched curse placed upon me!” they giggle with a mocking tone that pierces through rafayel's chest until he finds himself collapsed on the floor.

he couldn’t understand if this was their true nature or the nature of the spell, but he feels the pain intensifying even more as his lover’s face contorts to something of sheer insanity. they flee the palace and the wake of their rampage, shrills coming from within the palace walls carry through his ears. and his final moments punctuated by the elders filing into the room.

“we tried to help you, sea god.”

“those who go against what is written in the prophecy must be punished.”

“this is what lemuria becomes because of your betrayal.”

“this is your fault.”

“you chose them over your people; you chose love... and love will be the downfall of lemuria.”

the words ring in his mind as visions of lemurians being slaughtered fills his head and the last of it was the beginning and ending to the lemurian civilization and whalefall city brought to ruins with the rest of lemuria soon to follow suit.

all because he had chosen love. and tragedy spares no one, not even the gods.

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dd122004dd · 1 year ago

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Broken & Betrothed

So, this is in response to a post I had made asking if ya'll would read a past life Ardeth Bay fic, well, it's finally here, part 1 of it. Hope ya'll enjoy it and so sorry for the wait. Summary: She is the sister of Nefertari and in love with her private guard but its forbidden and so they have to hide their relationship but her father, the pharaoh has betrothed her to another, so with a heavy heart she has to tell her lover that her father has betrothed her to someone else

Warnings: Angst, Heart break, Part 2 (THE HORROR!!!)

Part 2

The young Medjai strode across the alabaster stone floors. His footsteps were precise and silent. A pair of daggers attached to his hip glistened in the moonlight as he traced his way through the palace. Hidden by the shadows he moved swiftly, a destination in his mind as he entered her chamber.

She stood at her balcony, her hair shimmering in the dark as she gazed at the night sky.

‘The moon is a gift from Khonsu’, she told him once, ‘it guides travelers across Kek’s darkness.’ Silently he had motioned her to continue as he kissed her shoulder gently, ‘I wish I was a traveler; I wish I could see all the beautiful places I hear about. I want to see where the luxurious clothes I wear come from, I want to know how their strings are woven together, to see color bleed into their very strands. I want to know where the jewels I’m adorned with come from, where the spices on my tongue are grown, but most of all I want to see your hometown, the place where you grew up, the place you recall with such fondness in your eyes.’ That night he held her as she told him of her dreams, knowing that her duty, her royal blood bound her to her gilded cage.

Gazing at her his heart ached as she hummed a soft tune, it was a familiar tune, one he’d heard multiple times when the priestesses of Hathor worshipped her. Lost in her voice, he continued gazing at her, his limbs softly swaying with her voice, the jangle of his daggers accompanying her voice to form a symphony unheard of before.

Slowly the song dwindled into a comforting silence, the pair basking in it as if afraid to break this moment of comfort. “Will you simply stand there, Ardeth?” she finally asked, breaking the silence. “What would you command of me, Princess? I am but your servant.”

“Princess? You haven’t called me that in a long time.” She said sadly as she turned to look at him.

“I’m afraid it is time I start addressing you by your title, Princess. I have been remiss in my duties and have allowed myself to become too familiar with the one I was destined to serve.” He said formally, trying to distance himself, trying to hold himself back from comforting his lover.

“You’ve heard.” She stated simply, realizing why he was so distant that night.

“You are betrothed,” he stated monotonously as the very words he mumbled ripped his heart apart yet he held out hope that she’d reject his allegation, that she’d take him in her arms and strip away his doubts.

“Yes,” she shakily said as tears welled in her eyes. Stepping forward she reached out to him, silently begging for comfort. Despite his own bleeding heart, he enveloped her within his arms as she shook from the force of her sobs. He hugged her closer as though he wanted to merge her into himself, as though if he held her close enough, she wouldn’t be ripped apart from him, as though his arms could protect her from the hands of the Pharoah, from her father, from her fate.

Tears dripped down his face as the pair sank to the floor, clutching onto each other as if, if they’d let go for even a moment the strong currents of the Nile would part them. In that moment he cursed the gods, wondering why they’d let such pain befall an innocent such as her, wondering why they’d make him pay for his countless sins by putting her through so much pain. For many nights they had laid together, falling deeper into each other till their very souls melded into one, till even the blood within their veins was shared, their bodies and minds now one. They had prayed to Hathor, the goddess of love, to never separate them, yet the coy goddess refused their prayers. Rather, she made them love each other only to have it ripped apart before their very eyes.

Perhaps the most painful thing about this was that both of them were alive, for what was more torturous than seeing your beloved in the arms of another when all they crave is your arms around them?

“I-I don’t want t-to marry-y him, A-Ardeth,” she said, hiccupping. “I can’t.”

“It is your duty and your Pharaoh’s decree,” he said, hating the words coming from his mouth with a burning passion.

“You’d rather me marry someone else? Someone who’s not you?” She asked, feeling hurt at his complacency as she rose to her feet, anger and hurt radiating from her body. Staring at him through reddened eyes she cradled herself in an attempt to comfort herself.

Feeling her rip herself apart from him, the dam holding back his emotions burst as he desperately crawled towards her and wrapped his arms around her hips. Burying his face against her soft stomach he wept bitterly. He pulled her closer as she wrapped her arm around his head, slowly soothing him as she brushed her fingers through his onyx locks.

He looked up at her with red-rimmed eyes as desperation filled his gaze, “I’d rather you lived in the arms of another man than be buried alive within my embrace.”

“I’d rather enter the afterlife bound to you than separated from you.”

“Do you not see you are my very reason to breathe?” he asked desperately.

“Do you not see, without you, I cannot live? You are my reason to live. To survive. To fight,” she stated with conviction.

“I cannot and will not sacrifice your safety, My Princess. In this life or the after-life.” He stated, rising to his feet as his eyes tried to convey his emotions.

“So, you’d rather see me in the arms of another man? Some pompous King from a distant land?”

“I’d rather see you alive and unhappy than dead,” he stated with finality as he walked away from the love of his life. His chest felt void with every step he took away from her, refusing to look back for if he did, he knew his resolve would crumble and he’d try to run away with her, consequences be damned. Yet, deep down even he knew that she did not deserve a life of hardship and that was the only life he could promise her.

“Don’t you see? I’d rather spend my afterlife in your arms than be bound to a marriage I detest, in this life and the next.” She whispered to an empty room, her knees tucked under her chin as she wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to shield herself from the growing emptiness in her chest.

Weddings were an exciting affair. They were supposed to be a happy affair, commencing with a feast at the bride’s home before she departed with the wedding gifts to live with her husband as his wife. It was a period of excitement where families came together to celebrate, it was supposed to be a time of happiness yet she couldn’t seem to muster a spark of joy within her soul.

In public she played the role of the perfect princess, the beautiful blushing bride yet with every smile, with every chuckle, with every compliment she got she felt like crying, like ripping her jewels off and baring her soul for everyone to see. She desired to bare her heart to the world, to show everyone who’s name was truly carved into her heart, yet she could not. He left her, refused to fight for her, for them.

He had been avoiding her. He had traded shifts with another guard till one day she awoke to a new personal guard. On inquiring about the change, the new guard, Naten, told her that Ardeth had requested the change. Whenever she saw him lurking in the corridors he simply walked away, pretending she didn’t exist. Perhaps that’s what hurt more than being apart from him. His refusal to acknowledge her.

During the day she was a blushing bride, but at night she grieved the living lover she lost. Her mournful cries merged with the wails of widows along the streets of the city. Unheard and unseen she shed her tears till finally one day someone saw. It was her sister, Nefertiri, who found her nestled on her windowsill with her knees tucked against her chest. She gazed at the moon once again, but this time she sung a mournful tune. Trails of kohl long-dried on her face as she sniffled.

“Sister?”

“Nefertiri?” she asked, startled by her appearance.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m not crying.”

“Don’t take me for a fool. Tell me. What has caused you so much pain?”

“Nothing, Nefertiri. Just leave it alone.”

“I cannot, you are my sister and it’s my duty to protect you,” she said, staring into her sister’s eyes with sincerity. She snorted at that word again, duty, the very thing that doomed her.

Looking into Nefertiri’s eyes, tears welled in her own as she cuddled into her sister’s nostalgic embrace, a reminiscent of when she used to comfort her when they were children. Her sister gently hushed her, slowly rocking her back and forth as she cried.

Hours passed by as the night slowly dwindled into day and Ra’s boat, Mandjet, came forth from the underworld. It was then she finally confessed, unburdening herself of the burden she carried. She poured her heart out to her sister about the lover she was tragically torn apart from.

Her sister could only look at her in sympathy, knowing that their father’s word was law and that she would not be able to help her. All she could do was offer her comfort. For the first time the powerful princess, Nefertiri, Lily of the Nile and wielder of the spear of Shapneh was helpless, she couldn’t do anything to interfere in her sister’s fate so she simply offered her comfort.

A new face had appeared in court, a beautiful woman by the name Anck-Su-Namun, the daughter of a noble at court. She was as graceful as she was deadly, trained in combat she was a skilled woman, impressing the court with her prowess. Quickly she caught the eye of the Pharaoh. Her alluring appearance and saccharine words appealed to the older widower. She consumed his thoughts till she became his most favored concubine. Soon, she was to be the Queen, bound to bear a male heir to the throne. Men lusted after her and Pharaoh’s harem envied her, yet all the wealth of Egypt was not enough for her, she desired more, something different, someone different.

Anck-Su-Namun was Princess Nefertiri’s combat instructor before she caught the Pharaoh’s eye so as a part of her wedding celebrations, a martial display between Anck-Su-Namun and Nefertiri was organized by the Pharaoh.

It was that very night that Pharaoh had been slain by his favorite lover and his trusted High Priest. The Medjai rushed to save him but they were too late. The Pharaoh bled out on the stone floors.

Nefertiri bore witness to the event, her eyes burning with rage at the death of her father. Leading the Medjai in pursuit of the priest who sought to perform a perversion against the very gods themselves, raising someone from the dead and ripping them away from the judgement of Anubis, she finally caught the priest, ordering the Homdai, the most terrifying of curses, a cursed death, a half-life, an eternity of torment.

The entirety of Egypt was in mourning, with the Pharaoh gone, who would lead them? In this moment of turmoil, Nefertiri rose to the challenge, becoming the Pharaoh herself. Like any new ruler she had to establish herself as capable, yet she did it with an unfaltering grace soon becoming beloved by her people.

Her first act as Pharaoh was breaking her sister’s betrothal. Her betrothed was not pleased and demanded compensation for the betrothal which was granted to the man in the form of a different bride, a far more willing cousin of the Pharoah who had yet to be wed.

With the betrothal ended she could breathe a sigh of relief, now she remained untethered, yet the man of her desires still refused to look at her.

Perhaps he was consumed with shame or guilt or even self-loathing. Perhaps his pride kept him from her. Perhaps he believed himself unworthy. Whatever the reason was, his avoidance was getting infuriating, so with a sense of new-found determination she decided to find him, or like her sister said, “Grab him by his ear and make him listen.”

Part 2

#ardeth bay #ardeth bay x reader #ardeth bey #ardeth x reader #the mummy #the mummy returns reader insert #the mummy reader insert #the mummy returns fanfiction #the mummy fanfiction #past lives #angst

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memoiresofaneternaldreamer · 10 months ago

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Omertà

Assassin! Park Seonghwa x Mafia Heiress! Reader.

Word Count: 1.9K

Playlist: 'See You Bleed' - Ramsey | 'Two Shots' - Cross My Heart Hope to Die | 'In The Blood' - Red Rosamond | 'Scorpio' - Pour Vous

Part of the 'ATEEZ as Dark Tropes' series.

This story is intended for an adult audience only. Minors do not interact.

"I wonder which will get you killed faster -- Your loyalty or your stubbornness?" Seonghwa whispers. His hot breath cascades over your neck while his lips lightly graze the shell of your ear. He has firmly planted himself into your personal space, with his chest flush against your back and his left hand gripping your jaw.

Any regular person would have seen his words for what they were, a threat, and used them as fuel to run for their life. Or perhaps they would drop down to their knees and beg him, or any Deity they believed in, for mercy.

But you weren’t any regular person.

His words, nor presence instilled any of its' intended fear into you. That is not what you were trained for. That is not the reaction your body had to him.

“Why don’t we find out?” You retaliate, the ghost of a smirk taking over your features. The challenge in your voice so prominent he cannot help but release a humourless chuckle.

“Oh Carissima, when I am done with you, you know they will want to kill us both.” He answers. You snort at that, he wasn’t wrong.

As tragic as the tale of Romeo and Juliet had been, the tale of the Angelinis and Barbieris was much worse.

Two brothers, not by blood but by bond, were once as thick as thieves. They ruled the Underworld side by side and were revered by many. Until one backstabbing and one double-crossing made them sworn enemies. As a result, the Angelinis vowed that no Barbieri would ever rule the Underworld again. And the Barbieris, in turn, vowed to take out each and every living Angelini.

It was a feud that lasted for many years and led to many tragic casualties on both sides. A mutual hatred which should have manifested into the only living heirs of both men.

While your father, Gabriele Angelini, had trained you to become the perfect heiress to the throne, Davide Barbieri, Seonghwa’s mentor turned adoptive father, had trained him to become the perfect killing machine.

Both offspring destined to fulfil the vows their fathers had made, and both offspring as lethal as the other.

But faith had other plans.

Before you can formulate a clever retort, he spins you around and shoves you backwards. The sudden movement catches you off guard, the breath you did not know you were holding bursting from your lips as your back bounces on the mattress. His gaze zeroes in on yours, and you recognize the dark look hidden behind them. Lust. Pure, unadulterated, dirty, forbidden lust. But also something else. Another emotion, much more terrifying.

Because as your fathers before you, you should hate each other. He should want to kill you, and you should want to ruin him. But you don't. You can't. Not when he is the air you breathe, and you are the light that guides him. And it is with that thought that you understand what it is. Love.

No words are spoken as you both hurriedly undress, the building tension between you stifling in the air. You both know there is no time for slow kisses or soft touches. Not now. Not when Davide had just formally declared the hit on your life, and every assassin - including Seonghwa - was ordered to hunt you down and eliminate you.

As you open up the buttons of your blouse and unzip your skirt, he drops the leather jacket off his shoulders and unbuckles his belt. Every layer he sheds reveals more of his flawless skin, sculpted muscles and delicious hardness, and you cannot help but bite your lower lip at the sight. Somewhere in the depths of your mind, you wonder if this will be the last time you see him like this. As you slide your already soaked-through panties over your legs, the minimal light coming in from the window catches onto your glistening folds.

Seonghwa's eyes capture the sight, and his hand - that had just removed his underwear - grips his uncovered hardness. "Fuck, Cara, you're already soaking wet for me." He groans. "I am." You agree. "What are you going to do about it?" You taunt, while you open your legs to give him an unobstructed view of your cunt.

He is on you in an instant, his hand grabbing onto your ankle and pulling you closer towards him. Wordlessly he drops to his knees on the bed and lifts your other foot, allowing your legs to frame his hips. From this kneeling position, he can see your arousal in its' entirety. He swipes two fingers over your folds as a reply, before he plunges them deep into your hole.

The sudden but welcome intrusion of his digits within your walls makes you gasp. "Fuck, Hwa. Amore, please." You mutter, as you feel them curling up into your sensitive spot. "What is it, Cara? Hmm?" He cannot help but taunt back. His eyes take in your beautiful face and he thinks to himself that he would give you anything you asked for in this moment. Hell, he'd give you the world even. And even though he loved Davide like a son loves his father, he loved you so much more. And he'd gladly see the Barbieri empire burn before he hurt a hair on your head.

"More, I need more." You relent, grabbing onto his wrist as he pulls his digits from your cunt. "I want to feel you inside me. I want you." You continue, the desperation to be devoured by him and the danger you know that faces you once you leave his safety slowly consuming you.

Seonghwa understands this though, as he too feels much too overcome already. He's not ready to lose you. He doesn't think he ever will be. So he tells you just that. "You have me Carissima, all of me. Now and forever after." He chokes out, as he enters you in one swift thrust.

The simultaneous moans you let out fill the otherwise quiet room. Seonghwa drops his weight forward, one hand on either side of your head, while you spread your legs to accommodate the width of his body. The pace he sets is unforgiving, the quick snaps of his hips into you making you quiver. Your tits jiggle with the movement and Seonghwa leans down to envelop one of your nipples in his mouth, sucking and nibbling on the stiff nub.

"Oh fuck..." You curse, your hand reaches the back of his neck to grip at the roots. The sensation of his lips on your skin coupled with his sharp thrusts is almost too much to handle. And yet, it's somehow not enough still. You rotate your hips, desperate for more friction but too out of it to utter the words. But Seonghwa understands. He always does. Latching his mouth onto your other nipple, he glides his hand towards your clit.

The first roll of his thumb over your sensitive nub is almost enough to make you cry. "Oh Dio.... Yes, just like that." you whimper, every nerve ending being lit on fire by his ministrations. Seonghwa releases your - now swollen - nipple from his mouth in favour of taking in your blissed-out expression, all the while never letting up his movements. Your hooded eyes, glistening lips and the little drop of drool rolling over your cheek make him groan.

The desire to plant his lips on yours and lick the drool from your mouth overwhelms him. Even though, when you two had started this "arrangement" years ago, there were two rules he promised you he'd never break.

No kissing. Kissing makes it too personal.

Never say the words "I love you." Saying them turns this into a weakness. And a weakness can be used to kill you.

But suddenly, Seonghwa couldn't care less about these rules. He loves you, more than he has loved anything else before. And Davide has set out to kill you anyway, even without any knowledge of your relationship. If you are going to die - and he in turn as well - he wants to etch your taste into his mind before you both release your final breath.

"Cara, please. Please let me kiss you." He pleads, his face mere inches from yours while his hand grabs ahold of your jaw. The despair in his tone pulls at your heartstrings, and you know. You know what he wants to say, but doesn't. So you silently nod your head. Tightening his hold on you, he cranes your neck backwards and uses it to finally fuse his lips to yours.

The kiss is all-consuming; warm, demanding, passionate, ferocious, but at the same time full of love, devotion and tenderness. You feel it everywhere. In the way he grips your jaw, in the fierceness of his hips slamming between your thighs, he's claiming you as his. And you let it happen. Because for someone who's craved control all her life, giving it to him so easily has never felt more right.

So in that moment, you decide to break the second rule and tear your mouth from his.

"Te amo, Vita Mia." You whisper. Once the words register in his ears, Seonghwa stills his movements. Thankfully, you don't have to wait too long for his reply. "Mio Tesoro, I love you so much." He replies, full of conviction.

Your words seem to open some invisible floodgate because he is on you again. Tilting his head as he deepens the kiss, it's a flurry of teeth clicking, tongues tangling, and lips smacking. His hips continue their assault on your insides, increasing the brutal force of his thrusts while his thumb stays pressed against your sensitive clit. When Seonghwa suddenly lifts one of your legs until it is resting on his shoulder, you feel him even deeper than before. And it's all too much.

Fisting the sheets beside your head you cannot stop the scorching heat from coursing through your veins. Your body is on fire, so close to combustion you can almost taste your release. Seonghwa is not far behind. The pulsing of his cock within your walls becomes more prominent with each push. "Come with me Amore, give it to me. Fill me up." You manage to choke out before you tumble over that invisible ledge.

"Fuck. Yes, Yes, yes. Just like that." He encourages, as he feels your pleasure overflowing within you. He's following right behind you with his own release. One, two, three thrusts and he's spilling inside you, your name rolling off his lips like a mantra, his seed filling you up.

Seonghwa collapses on top of you, utterly spent, and he chuckles as you wrap your arms and legs around his body like a vice, trapping him to you. No other words need to be said, the softness of your touches and the look in his eyes convey everything you need to know. You stay like this for what feels like an eternity. Wrapped up in each other's warmth, lost in your own little universe. You think you can actually fall asleep like this, with his weight on you and his softening member still inside you. As Seonghwa lays his head on your chest you figure he's coming to the same conclusion. So you close your eyes and let the comfort slowly pull you under.

And then a shot rings out.

A/N: Little brain rot of mine because I've had this moodboard I created just sitting in my drafts forever, and I finally decided to do something with it. (It may also be because of all the concert content floating around). Definitely not proofread. Hope you all enjoy!

Send me your hard/soft thoughts - feedback/fangirling is always welcome. Want to be added to my taglist? Let me know!

[For the Moodboard: credits to the owners of these pictures, I do not own any of them. All pictures are exclusively found on Pinterest. Please do not use without giving credit and do not delete the caption. Do not copy and repost to other sites.]

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juuls · 9 months ago

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Multi-Fandom Fic Recs

The @fanfic-reading-challenge gives me the opportunity to explore tons of fandoms I normally wouldn't, and I wanted to share some of my favourite so far this year!

Game of Thrones

and in the night, you'll hear me calling by shawsdavid | T | 10k | Jon/Sansa/Margaery: When you met your soulmate, touched them for the first time, you would see everything in all its colorful glory.

A Knight's Watch by DolorousEdditor | M | 670k | Jonsa: Jon Snow is forbidden to take the black by his father. Instead he sent to squire for a famous knight, beginning a long arduous journey that causes him to cross paths with characters he never would have. Along the way he learns truths long hidden and discovers love in the most unlikely of places. All of this in the shadow of the War of Five Kings and the coming of the Others.

Potterverse

Dancing with Draco by diamonddaydream | T | 19k | Dramione: Retelling of the Yule Ball segment of Goblet of Fire as a Dramione story. Hermione Granger needs a dance tutor before she embarrasses her partner, Viktor Krum, and herself at the Yule Ball. Draco Malfoy needs a good deed to make amends for hexing her teeth. Both of them need to keep everyone else for finding out what's going on between them. Fluffy romance with just a touch of angst. NOTE: story continues in "Draco Takes a Mark."

All I Have Never Known by LittleSixx | M | 32k | Dramione: The Ministry of Magic requires all magical people to marry someone of opposite blood status by 25. The Malfoys host a ball to help Draco meet a non-pureblood witch, and the one he falls for isn't who she claims to be.

Divination for Skeptics by olivieblake | M | 98k | Dramione: The latest in magical advancements is an enchantment that reveals the bearer’s romantic compatibility with another person. Effectively eliminating uncertainty from dating, the charm can tell you whether or not you’ve found The One with a precise, Hermione Granger-approved calculation of traits and preferences. It’s a foolproof method of predicting relationship happiness. It’s also, for Hermione, positively dreadful news. Dramione, post-war, soulmate AU.

The Black Rose by DarkCloud190, Rijaya83 | E | 166k | Dreomione: After years of a rocky relationship, Hermione Granger is single again, and for the life of her she cannot stop staring at her two friends. Draco Malfoy and Theo Nott both work with her at the DMLE and she is analyzing everything they say, do, or breathe. Surely, she is just imagining it. They have been dating each other for a year now and couldn't possibly be interested in her. Hermione's troubled love life aside, there is a killer targeting a specific group of people, putting both Hermione and Theo at risk.

Hermione Granger, Demonologist by BrilliantLady | T | 47k | Hermione & Theo: Hermione was eight when she summoned her first demon. She was lonely. He asked what she wanted, and she said a friend to have tea parties with. It confused him a lot. But that wasn’t going to stop him from striking a promising deal with the young witch.

The Accidental Courtship by Lomonaaeren | T | 14k | NottPott: Harry gets a soul-mark during his eighth year at Hogwarts, and is hopeful that he can finally be sure he’ll have someone who loves him for himself. When Theodore Nott rejects him, Harry steps back and goes to live his own life. Theo, who doesn’t want to be trapped in the limelight at Potter’s side, finds himself falling in love anyway.

A Star and Her Dragon by Lizzie_carlile | E | 256k | Theomione, Drarry, Hermione & the Malfoys: “The order took everything from me,” Lucius spoke again. “Now I’ll become the monster they always feared I would be.” The Death of the Malfoy Daughter was the catalyst for Lucius Malfoy becoming the man that everyone feared he would. With a second war brewing and secrets finally coming to light, one girl holds the key to turning the tides of the war.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Odd Little Family by chimneystacks | T | 1.7k | Xedgin: "Kira found it practical to believe that her father would someday remarry, and even more so to believe that it would be to the woman who was already a trusted, guiding figure to his child. Therefore, it was much to her surprise when a tall, handsome man interrupted her lute practice to ask her blessing in his proposal to her father."

House of the Dragon

The Falcon Becomes a Dragon by MichelleGz | T | 28k | Daemyra & Aemma: What if Rhaenyra and Daemon “woke up” during the tourney that was hosted for Baelon’s impending birth, both remembering their future life. What if Aemma’s labors were not so far along. What if there was time to save her? Will Aemma believe that her beloved husband was going to kill her for the child in her womb?

you and i are made of fire by aur_el_ias | M | 8.6k | Daemyra: Soulmarks are no trivial thing. Indeed, the words inscribed on the wrist are far from frivolous—they are the most important words heard in one's life, spoken by another. Unfortunately, save for a few exceptions, most highborn marriages are not soul-bound marriages. This is the story of one of those exceptions. OR In 105 AC, Daemon Targaryen finds his soulmate.

Viable Alternatives series by madina | T | 375k | Laenor/Rhaenyra, Daemyra, her children, and Viserys' children: So much could have been solved and so many could have been spared if a universe with dragons, magic, wargs and White Walkers had artificial insemination—and if the characters tried to be anything else but a dysfunctional family.

lodestar by aramblingjay | M | 43k | Daemyra: A Targaryen destined for a soulmate is a strange, broken creature, alone in a way that lives in their very bones, waiting for the half that will make them whole. Daemon waits sixteen years for her, and then a whole lot longer. A soulmates share scars au.

From Ashes to Embers by ladyalianora (AmbitiousWitch) | M | 185k | Cregan Stark/Rhaenyra, Daemyra: After burning by Sunfyre's flames, Rhaenyra Targaryen wakes up in her maiden bed, five and ten once more. With her mind broken and a determination to not relive the life she left behind, in a court that still presents a danger and with a father that keeps tripping her path. Can she change the future? Can she give up enough to take her crown? Or will she once again lose to her father's mistakes, her enemies' schemes and her own errors? (Juulna: One of my all-time favourites.)

A Woman Scorned by Shadow_Monarch_14 | E | 96k | WIP | Daemyra, Aemma/OC: After Prince Baelon Targaryen was a miscarriage, Queen Aemma Arryn tells King Viserys I Targaryen that she will have no more children. She has given him a daughter (a heiress) and that should be good enough. Viserys, pressured by his Small Council and his dream of a male heir as well as manipulated by Otto, makes the decision to set Aemma aside and marry Alicent. Aemma, betrayed by the love of her life, agrees… after taking her daughter, Dragonstone and the Islands of the Narrow Sea and the dragons from Viserys and his Small Council. If Otto Hightower wants a dragon King with his blood on the Iron Throne, he'll have to another thing coming.

Ancient Fire by AnaWayne | NR | 198k | WIP | Rhea/Daemon, Jonsa: Bran Stark knew that it wasn’t enough. So he decided to use his sister’s dormant yet growing magic to change the history of the House of Dragons before its fall.

put down that gravestone by darkgods | E | 249k | WIP | Daemyra: they have his mother's eyes, these would-be velaryon boys. not those of their own mother, but his. the king stretches limbs and smiles wide, heedless of his brother's fury mingled with agony, his daughter's frozen gaze. fire and blood has reunited. all must be well. the king thinks nothing of the prince's lack of mourning blacks, for the whole kingdom knew the wife daemon targaryen sought was never found in the vale. ten years after the godsforsaken night in the brothel, daemon targaryen makes his return to court to find it infested with vipers that threaten to coil lethal bodies around his niece. his niece and the nephews that bear his features yet claim the name velaryon. the rogue prince has returned, and a reckoning is set to begin.

Marvel

Some Things Shouldn't Be a Chore by scifigrl47 | T | 22k | Stony, Phlint: Steve takes things like personal responsibility and respect seriously. Tony's got people he pays to take care of that kind of thing, and anyway, he's pretty sure that he's going to die of some exotic disease in his workshop, because Dummy's still a little spotty about what is 'clean' enough to put on an open wound. The rest of the Avengers are in this for personal gain, except for Clint, he just enjoys being a dick. And some things shouldn't be a chore.

Basic Rules by StrivingArtist | T | 7.9k | Tony & Avengers: It said something about Toni’s life that she had an established system in case of kidnapping and torture, and while there had been tweaks, it was still basically the same as from when she was a kid.

Let them underestimate you.

Don’t fight back until you have an exit.

Lie from the start.

Protect what matters.

Assume no one is coming to help.

Tony and the Falcon by ArcticVulpix | T | 10k | IronFalcon: Steve introduced Sam Wilson to Tony Stark after the Fall of SHIELD. He grows to regret that. He grows to regret that very much.

Ramblings by TheSovereigntyofReality | G | 34k | Pepperony, Tony & Peggy: The problem with Alzheimer's is that sufferers sometimes ramble…often with no idea who is sitting with them. Peggy says something that sends Tony Stark on a legal manhunt.

Five Things Darcy Loves About Working for SHIELD by teand | M | 49k | ShieldShock, Phlint: The Bronx was up, the Battery was down and thank freaking Thor that SHIELD provided housing or Darcy suspected she wouldn't have been able to afford to live closer than Vermont.

I (created from fantasies) exist solely for you by Mizzy | T | 62k | Stony: Six years ago, without the Avengers Initiative there to save the day, scientist Dr. Eric Selvig sacrificed himself to save the world, the almighty demi-god Thor was lost to a terrible storm, and vigilante Iron Man – spotted with a nuclear weapon trying to take advantage of the situation – was forever labelled an enemy of SHIELD. This is a comic book office AU, where Steve is defrosted a year too late, Thor has forgotten who he is, and no one knows Tony is Iron Man. Also includes: office pranks, inappropriate post-it notes, and superheroes who like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.

The Mechanic, The Soldier, and The Captain by AvocadoLove | M | 6.4k | Stuckony: HYDRA need a replacement for Zola’s genius, and they have years worth of experience breaking and brainwashing a good man into something they can control.

The Evidence by StrivingArtist | T | 16k | WinterIron: Didn’t notice. Right. Sure. Two brilliant minds, two super spies, and a god didn’t notice when the chattiest man they knew stopped making sound. They just seemed happier than before. Brighter and more cheerful than before. They just seemed like they were more comfortable with him around when he was stone silent. Fuck it. He knew they noticed. And he knew they liked him better this way.

In Which The Winter Soldier Might Just Be Wooing Darcy by Out_Of_Custody | T | 28k | WinterShock: Exactly what it says on the tin. (Prompt-Fic) (Juulna: I adore this fic!)

Blood Stained by QueenVee1 | NR | 313k | WinterShieldShock: With a war on the horizon, the Avengers mend bridges that had been burned, relationships are rebuilt, and new friends forged. After a chance encounter with Steve Rogers, Darcy Lewis figures she's had her fill of Avenger-related activities. Turns out she's more entrenched than she ever thought possible. When she forms an unlikely friendship with James "Bucky" Barnes, she thinks her life can't get any weirder. Spoiler alert: IT CAN! A (double!?!?) meet!cute and secret!sibling story! They said it couldn't be done. B**** YOU THOUGHT!

Shadow & Bone/Six of Crows

Quiet Miracles by goatsandgangsters | G | 10k | Darklina, Zoya & Nikolai & Alina & Aleksander: Alina knew miracles. She was no Saint and no savior, she knew this. But she knew the light in someone’s eyes when they smiled. She knew the warmth of an arm slung around her shoulder, the squeeze of a hand, the elbow in her side, the tight squeeze of an embrace. She knew the moment the room held its breath and then broke into the brilliant cascade of laughter. She knew the glimmer of tears wiped from her cheeks by careful fingers. Alina knew miracles. Ravka had never been so full of them. Or: sometimes a government is the beloved sun saint of the people, a young king determined to fix what has long been broken, the eminently practical head of the newly formed Grisha council, and the heretic who’s no longer going it alone.

Without a Mouth I Can Swear Your Name by tothewillofthepeople | T | 32k | Wesper, Kinej | Helnik: Kaz looked at Matthias coldly. “What do you want?” “I want to know where Wylan Van Eck is,” Matthias said. (A Six of Crows Hogwarts AU)

Star Trek Discovery

Respite series by Alethia | E | 22k | Michael/Pike: The Terran Pike comes to visit the newly-resurrected Captain Burnham on the Shenzhou and things get…heated.

Stargate Atlantis

Desert Rose by mific | E | 18k | McShep | John, a downed Hurricane pilot in WWII, is rescued by Rodney who's tracking strange energy readings in the Sahara. And in another life, their story makes another John and Rodney unwilling Atlantis celebrities.

Ted Lasso

At the Right Time by Annaelle | E | 25k | RoyJamie: Roy doesn't like to think he's taking advantage of Jamie. He's making him better, stronger, faster, a better player, and now that he's got the fucking muppet actually behaving for him, he'll be damned if he lets him go. For the PepPerVerse Bottom!Roy Challenge.

The Hunger Games

The Victors of District Twelve by DustyAttic | G | 49k | Everlark & Lucy Gray Baird & Haymitch: night What if Lucy Gray survived that night in the woods with Snow? What if she made it up north, found those people rumored to be surviving without the Capitol, and realized District Thirteen wasn't quite as obliterated as she'd been taught? And what if, sixty-five years later and after watching a certain Mockingjay end Snow's reign, she came back to District Twelve? This is the story of Katniss and Peeta meeting Lucy Gray Baird, and learning her story-- the story that Snow so desperately tried to erase.

The Locked Tomb

Your Necro Questions Answered by Magichorse | T | 8.8k | Griddlehark: Syndicated columnist "Nav the Cav" offers a sympathetic ear to cavaliers across the galaxy and dispenses practical, no-nonsense, real talk advice on how to properly manage and care for your necromancer.

Cake by the Ocean by zoicite | T | 15k | Griddlehark: Okay, so the thing was, Gideon had always been shit at plans. She knew that. Everyone knew that, but this--she really didn’t think it would be this hard! Gideon’s voice was like the least memorable thing about her. Bargaining her voice for a well-shaped set of human legs--that really should have worked in her favor.

who ya gonna call? by igneousbitch | E | 24k | Griddlehark: (Casual sex and paranormal investigation. Not necessarily in that order.) (Or: the Buzzfeed Unsolved AU in which Gideon is ready to fight a ghost, and Harrow just wants to be haunted.)

Behind the Locked Door by UnseelieWench | T | 98k | Griddlehark: It figures that the only college with the badass Cavalier program is also the college that Harrow Nonagesimus wants to attend. Oh well. Campus is big, right? She'll probably never see that pointed little face again.

The Mummy

Best Laid Plans by kyaticlikestea | T | 6.6k | Ardeth Bay/Jonathan Carnahan: After 20 years of being subjected to more yearning than any sister should ever have to witness, Evy decides that enough's enough.

Wednesday

A Torment of the Mind by cherrybirch | M | 58k | Wenvier: In which Wednesday and Xavier sign up for Hermione’s course in Legilimency. Two overdramatic darkness-loving teens with crushes on each other, trying to master their psychic powers by learning to read each other's minds… what could go wrong? NOTE: Canon non-compliance has been tagged for three things: Hermione’s presence at Nevermore, Larissa acting as principal (as if nothing happened), and the complete removal of the stalker subplot. (I find stalkers terrifying and don’t want to write about one.)

#harry potter #game of thrones #house of the dragon #The Locked Tomb #Wednesday #The Mummy #The Hunger Games #dnd: honor among thieves #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #ted lasso #stargate atlantis #star trek discovery #six of crows #shadow and bone #marvel #mcu #juulna recs #rec list

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xnymphadora16 · 2 months ago

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Darkness!

Tom Riddle x Fem Reader

Slight angst! Happy ending with a twist

Author speaks: This is my first time writing here on Tumblr, I hope you enjoy and please feel free to give me some feedback <3

ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

Tom Riddle stood in the dim light room of his old orphanage, the dusty air thick with memories of his childhood trauma. The shadow of his past surrounded him, suffocating him but his mind wasn’t on his past no he was thinking about his future. A future where he would transcend into mortality.

He had spent years crafting his dark plan, amassing power and knowledge, splitting his soul to create Horcruxes. With six already hidden across the world, only one remains, his final task to complete Immortality.

As he paced the floor of the abandoned room, he felt a familiar warmth in his chest an echo of feeling he thought long buried. Her name was y/n, the only person who had ever stirred something in him beyond ambition.

He had met her during his studies at Hogwarts, drawn to her intelligence and kindness like a moth to a flame. She was beautiful, her laughter like music, and her passion for knowledge rivaled his own. Tom had never imagined he would find someone he could love yet y/n had become his anchor in the storm of his darkening soul.

But love was a weakness and Tom Riddle had no room for weakness. The thought of losing you haunted him. Still, he knew what needed to be done.

He had sought out the final horcruxe requirements in ancient tomes and dark corners of the wizarding world. A piece of his soul could only be forged through the ultimate sacrifice. The murder of someone he loved.

Standing before the mirror, he no longer recognised the man staring back at him. The hands-on face was marred by the determination that had twisted his heart. Tom knew he must become Voldemort, and to do that he had to kill y/n. That very idea made his insides twist. Yet the aching desire to become immortal was too potent to resist. He had spent so long building his power, embracing the darkness. To falter now was unthinkable.

As the sun dipped below the horizon Tom found himself in the Forbidden forest, the place where shadow whispered secrets. Y/n was there, her presence illuminating the darkness that surrounded them. They spoke for hours, sharing dreams and fears, their connection palpable in the crisp night air. Tom felt the warmth of her hand in his, her laughter a balm for his troubled soul. For a moment he was torn, caught between the man he had been and the man he was becoming.

“Tom?” Y/n voice broke through his reverie, concern etched on her face. “You seem so distant whats troubling you?”

He felt a pang in his heart, but he couldn't reveal the truth.

“Its nothing,” he lied, forcing a smile. “Just thinking about the future.”

“Promise me youll always be honest with me,” she said her gaze penetrating.

“I promise,” he said the words tasting bitter against his tongue.

As the night wore on, Toms resolve hardened. The ritual required careful planning, a specific incantation. As dawn approached, he realised it was not jus the spell that would bind him to Immortality but the blood on his hands.

The moment came, an unbearable weight settled in his chest as he stood before her, wand in hand, heart racing. The darkness called to him, promising power beyond his wildest dreams. He looked into her eyes, searching for the love that had once ignited a spark in him, and all he saw was trust. She was unaware of the turmoil within him.

“Y/n,” he called out to her, his voice trembling. “You need to know…”

“Tom what is it?” she asked, stepping closer, concern etched onto her features.

The moment stretched out like an eternity, and all at once Tom felt the rift inside of him widen. This was it. With a single, devastating incantation, he could seal his fate. Yet he hesitated. He could feel the warmth of her love surrounding him, a stark contrast to the coldness in his heart.

“I cant,” he whispered, dropping his wand. “I can't do it”

Y/n eyes widened, a mixture of fear and confusion flickering across her face. “What are you talking about?”

“I can't hurt you. I won't.” The word tumbled out, filled with desperate resolve that surprised even him.

In that moment of vulnerability, Tom realised that the darkness he had embraced would never fill the void created by the love he was so willing to sacrifice. The fight within him raged. Should he turn around and abandon his quest for immortality? or would he plunge deeper in the shadows to fulfill his destiny.

With heavy heart, he turned away, allowing the sunlight to wash over him, illuminating the path he hand once thought impossible. “I choose life, Y/n, his voice steady now “Not just for me, but for us.”

Unknown to him, the very choice that could save his humanity would lead him to becoming the dark lord he has so desperately aspired to be. Because in rejecting the darkness, he had already begun to set into motion the events that would shape his destiny. A fate intertwined with love, betrayal and the relentless pursuit of power.

#fanfic #oneshot #x reader #harry potter #tom riddle #slytherin #female writers #female reader #she/her #gryfindor #ravenclaw #draco malfoy

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bhaal-battle-beer-bard · 3 months ago

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I see you're designing perfumes, but how about a fetching cologne?

You know Thomas by now. ^^

Race: Human. Class: Warlock Favorite color: Red Likes: Order, Training, Power Dislikes: Useless people, crying, time wasters Love these by the way <3

With the greatest pleasure, my dear agent of torture and angst 😉😈 Ooooh...the things I can do with this man...

Ehm...that came out the wrong way😯I ment in case of scents, to be clear!

😈🩸💀🩸😈🩸💀🩸😈🩸💀🩸😈

Thomas' cologne is characterized by ebony, as black as his soul and the look in his eyes.

Oh you may think he reeks of bloody steel from sharp blades seeking for revenge; but far from it, it is much more complex.

A smokey, woody scent with a slight, subtle touch of fruits which remembers of his once noble origin; sublime, feudal, distinguished.

The woods bring an hint of aromatic, spicy sweetness.

Despite the rich, heavy aroma, there is deep down also something cold hidden, like a shard of ice.

Compelling, engaging, capturing

And this what it feels like to sense Thomas' cologne:

A rich woody, smokey, fragrance; almost commanding.

The sudden captivating scent of enticing fruits lures and seduces you, like the forbidden, poisonous fruits of the Garden of Eden.

And when it's too late, there strikes suddenly a sharp splitter of ice; an ice cold glance, cold like his eyes with the darkness deep down behind it, deep in his soul and heart.

But after that, the rich weighty fragrance of the wood holds you tight, captive. Keeps you forever.

It is like hearing a whispered “Join me in death” - irresistible, captivating - makes you walking willingly towards your own death.

😈🩸💀🩸😈🩸💀🩸😈🩸💀🩸😈

Head notes: cedar nut, sandalwood, black pepper, dried tobacco Heart notes: ebony, dark cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, cedarwood, fragments of glacier ice Base notes: teakwood, amber, cherrywood, oud, musk, smoked honey, swiss stone pine, smoked oak

😈🩸💀🩸😈🩸💀🩸😈🩸💀🩸😈

What would you like to name it? Let me know! 😃

🌲🪵🍎🍒🩸🍒🍎🪵🌲

May I suggest:

Black Ebony Crimson Ballad Dark Academia Bloodlust Heart Of The Darkness Sinister Urge Treacherous Soul Blood Vengeance Hunger For Power Apple of Eden

Or let me hear your name ideas 😃

🌲🪵🍎🍒🩸🍒🍎🪵🌲

I really hope Thomas likes it, or I have a serious problem 😬😰🙈

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astrae4 · 5 months ago

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nothing changes (except i’m being fr) | k. younghoon

pairings — kim younghoon x reader

genre — full angst, hurt no comfort

warnings — all pain, miscommunication (more like none lmao), idk just trauma dump…

note — Hi everyone, I’m back. I apologize for my long hiatus and coming back in not the best condition too on top of that… but I do hope you enjoyed reading my entry for @deoboyznet’s love letter event. Thank you for waiting for me, I really appreciate it.

more works — navigation | tbz!masterlist

I sat on the frigid cobblestone floor. My satin dress was deemed unimportant as it sweeped the dirt and dust on the floor, its owner without a care in the world about it.

Beside me sat an uninvited, young man, dashing and suited to the nines. He was a stranger, that was for sure.

It was funny—one could even say ironic—however, for once in a memory long locked in my head, ( heaven forbid it resurfaces so long to not disturb my appetite ) I knew everything about this man.

I knew of the way he liked his tea sweet. How he’d pout when annoyed, make a fuss when embarrassed—yet silent when upset. I knew of the way he liked the smell of vanilla because it reminded him of his grandmother’s kitchen, and how he’d never tuck his shirt in because he liked the feeling of the breeze reaching his stomach on warmer days.

I had long kept the memory hidden in my head, detained it to the bottom of my mind as if it were forbidden knowledge so long as to not feel what I had back then.

All for naught, it seems, as the man beside me always had a knack to make himself known to mankind. It was as if he was flaunting how easily he’d moved on—how little he truly cared for me.

I parted my lips to emit my thoughts, yet nothing came out. My mouth opened like a fish in air, only to close it once more like an idiot once I had realized that my thorax failed me.

My pride screamed at me to speak. It seems as if it could not leave me looking like a heartbroken teen, so I reopened it to attempt once more.

Unfortunately, he beat me to it.

”Are you okay?” He asks.

An innocent question, one asked of normal formalities. Yet, it brought me all the way back then. When innocence and naivety ran through, when a question would not have hidden implications.

Back to when I was young, and in love.

Back then, I would have responded with a “yep!” to not worry him, but then spill all my worries not a minute later. Before, I would have had courage because he was my Younghoon.

Now, he has changed. No longer the boy that was mine. No longer my Younghoon, but theirs.

”Why?” I asked.

To onlookers, it seemed like a common reply, especially in the perspective that they are strangers.

But I knew what I was talking about, and he does too.

Why act like you care anymore after you chose opportunities over me? Why rub the wound you know is still bleeding? Why not me?

A pregnant pause befalls before he took a sharp inhale, and muttered, “I’ll excuse myself.”

He walks away, and I let go of the breath I hold.

Strange, I felt relieved.

Perhaps I was mistaken. He did not change much mentally, he was still the Younghoon I knew.

Perhaps I was mistaken. I too did not change much mentally, I was still the me I knew.

Perhaps I was mistaken. We were still us. It was proven so as question met silence.

As bitterness was once more ignored, pushed deeply and squeezed tightly until we could not breath.

It is because we are still us, that communication ceased as it did all those years ago.

It is because we are still us, that we continue to bear this torture, though we know it did not do us good. Though it can be fixed.

We know, we understand. But we are us. By blood and flesh we are us, so we let the torture pain us once more.

It is not favorable, but it is what we prefer. Perhaps, because the truth is too jarring? It would mean that all this bitterness was for nothing. All the tears and curses and pain becomes irrelevant if we accept the truth. It seems that this was not something we could accept yet.

For now, this would be enough.

taglist — @kyusqult @ja4hyvn @flwoie @sulkygyu @xiaoderrrr @ineedaherosavemeenow @lonewolfjinji @teddywonss @taerae-verse

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imnotjaesblog · 1 year ago

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Like a Storm, You're My Favorite

Starring: Yuta Nakamoto, Kim Doyoung, and Jung Jaehyun.

Genre: Supernatural, Lovers to Enemies, Angst,

Warning: Blood, Violence, Death, and Cursing.

Words: 20K

This is a long one.

MINORS DO NOT READ!

Enjoy The Final Part :)

Wendy alongside Yeri searched for you in the large manor. They traveled up the stairs to the West Wing opening every door, even the hidden ones but could not find you. Frustrated they were seconds from giving up until they stumbled upon Irene. The girls approached her quickly. "Have you seen them?" she asked. Irene shook her head turning as she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Joy appeared from the darkness running up to the girls.

"They went to the garden by the blood fountain," she said turning so the girls could follow her. They reached the courtyard walking past the blood fountain surrounded by the silence of the night. The moon shined over the big space full of wet grass and dying flowers. Time was running out Wendy thought to herself as she touched the dying rose watching as its leaf fell to the ground. You were waking up.

"There," Yeri pointed seeing you and Seulgi sitting on a black bench just by the fountain. They approached you both catching your attention. Seulgi hadn't told you anything serious yet wanting to wait for the rest of the girls to show. "I know a place we can go where they won't find us," Seulgi said standing up. You stood nodding up holding the ends of your dress following her.

She led you all into the library closing the door behind her and locking it. "After some time they'll realize you're gone so we don't have much time," she said sitting beside you. You sat in front of the fireplace watching as the girl settled in the area sitting with you. You swallowed suddenly becoming nervous. Your eyes traveled to the door feeling a pit of nerves form. At any minute that knob could turn, then jiggle one of them trying to come in before you could even ask a question.

You looked away letting out a shaky breath. You fixed your posture hoping it help you to feel less shaken and more confident about what you needed to know. "For starters," you began. "The blood ritual what is it exactly?" you asked.

Seulgi sighed crossing one leg over the other. "Unfourntaley we can not tell you. You see we are forbidden from saying certain words, including their names" she said. You raised a brow. "You can speak now. They are not here," you said sending them all a half smile. They didn't have to be afraid to tell you the truth or of them when they are with you. She shook her head. "It's not that simple. We were put under a curse by one of them," she said ushering the girls to come forward. "We will try our best to tell you, we'll give you hints," she said. The girls nodded sitting closer.

"The one who travels through realms and time. He had cursed us banning us from this place," Yeri said watching your face closely. You widened your eyes. "Jaehyun? he has cursed you?" you asked the room. The girls nodded Joy stepped forward holding Irene's shoulders. "Irene was the first one of us to be brought here. One by one they led us in with gifts and confessions of love. They danced with our hearts as well as they played with our minds," she said a shakiness in her breath. "Yeri is the youngest among us. One day one of the brothers yelled at her for a mistake. Irene stepped up defending her like she always had," Joy said pausing unable to finish the story.

"He didn't like it when she spoke," Yeri picked up where Joy left off sitting next to you. "So he cut out her tongue," she said. Irene picked her head up opening her mouth to you and showing you her missing tongue. You jerked back eyes wide. Your hand came to your mouth a mix of emotions running wild through your body. The fire in front of you couldn't stop the cold chill that ran down your spot from the very idea of one of them removing her tongue. "And so she wouldn't find it, he ate it," Yeri said. You looked away from Irene standing up. Eyes shut freaked out by the room after only one tragic story.

"At first I am going to be honest I did not believe you, but I took a chance in hearing your truths," you said hand rubbing your forward. Sweat began to run down your back, small hairs rising on your arms. You shook your head in disbelief. "I know you can not tell me but who did it?" you asked sitting back down. "Give me a hint," You said. Wendy cleared her throat. "The time traveler," she said. Eyes wide again handing over your mouth. Jaehyun had done this to her? There was no way he would harm anyone. But the proof was there. Her tongue was gone and these girls had no reason to lie to you, what would they gain?

"The blood ritual. Tell me of that," you said sternly. "Do your best to explain. You are all very close to them, I know you know something," you said. The girls looked at one another. Irene nodded letting them know it was okay. Seulgi spoke up. "The ritual of blood like every ritual is a sacrifice. That night you went through time to collect a "Letter" was his excuse to get the book he needed. There is a special book that he stores only in that room in the tower. He leaves it there where no one can find it, his brothers don't even know of his existence," she said.

"It holds evil spells that he stole from a witch many moons ago. Do you remember the man that chased you under the mask the night of the ball? And in the morning when you ran into the eldest chamber,?" Seulgi asked. You nodded remembering how scared you were that day. It was the same day you traveled with Jaehyun through the rift gate. "That man is imprisoned here. He was trying to escape and take you with him. Not to harm you but to help you. However, like us he can not leave," she said head falling.

"Who not?" you asked. "He is their source of energy. He was the first person they captured to perform the ritual, but it didn't work so now they fed off him in the cellar. Those cups of blood we give them are his," she said. You felt so light head like you could faint. All this new information about the men you thought you knew. You always knew they were odd but not to this extreme.

"But Y/n," she standing taking your hands in hers. She smiled a hopeful smile tears brimming at the corner of her brown eyes. She held your hands tightly. "You are the only shot we have of escaping this horrid place," she said scouting closer to you. "The evil that surrounds this manor can be lifted by you. The power you contain in your blood is thicker than I've ever seen," she said starting to make you feel uncomfortable. "I am not a savor," You said letting her warm hands go. You shook your head turning away. "I can't even save myself," You shrugged disappointed in yourself for not seeing the signs. You knew they were monsters but you trusted them anyway. Wanting to give them a chance, not judging them and assuming the worse you became their friend and then their lover.

"Do not fret Y/n," Joy said coming beside you. She knelt in front of your hands covering your hands in hers. The warmth she released relaxed your tense body. "Your blood can not kill them," she said lifting your chin. "The only reason they want you here is to kill you before you kill them," she said. You lifted your head looking into her glossy brown eyes. "What? What do you mean? They promised they wouldn't hurt me," you said still in shock from the whole situation. You trusted them and they betrayed you the whole time. Did they even love you? Did they ever care for you? You wanted to cry. No, you wanted to scream. You wanted to scream and yell at the sky above you, yell at the moon for keeping these secrets hidden from you. Joy and the rest of the girls felt only pity for you.

"How do I kill them?" you asked. Their heads perked up at the smell of rebellion. "The sword," Wendy said hope in her voice. After all these years of waiting and waiting for justice to be served, it was finally happening. "The sword in the Hall of Knights," she said rather excitedly. "Your touch will awaken its power. The same purple magic that Yeri saw on the rift gate, that I saw on the sword is your magic. The blood inside you is full of it. You stepped back raising a brow feeling the rebellion slowly fade away. "Magic? I am not magical," you said a scoff leaving your lips. You just assumed a stake to the heart or would kill them or garlic. Not purple magic that was apparently inside you.

"You are more special than you believe," Yeri said, Irene nodded her head. You shook your head, you wanted to help them but this started to feel weird. What were they leaning towards? Were you secretly a vampire? your intrusive thoughts sparked around your head like little alarms flashing. "I promise I am not magic-"

"Irene smelled your scent," Yeri said coming towards you with a bright smile. Joy nodded her head hands still over yours. "What are you?" you asked her pulling your hand away. "We may be magical too," she said. "How so?" you asked. Yeri sighed, "Can't say," she said. "But trust us dear Y/n you are special," she said. "So let me backtrack. The boys want to kill me because hold power?" you asked. They nodded, "Pretty much," said Wendy. "And Jaehyun has cursed you into being their slaves?" You asked. They nodded again as you put the pieces together. You sat back on the couch letting all the new information sink in. Now the sadness you felt was forming into something greater. Quickly becoming filled with anger. The audacity of them to lie to you. Make you desire them, trust them and be unafraid of them-

You slowly sat up. That was it. The reality had hit you like a ton of bricks. This was their entire plan the whole time. The girls remained silent as your realization was bursting through your mind. You scoffed feeling the hurt that formed into the pit of your stomach. Your heart raced slowly breaking where you sat. Liars is the only word you could use to describe him. They expected your trust in them yet they lied straight to your face.

"It seems they have dragged out your death," Seulgi said putting pieces together of her own. She turned to you tongue poking the inside of her mouth. "May I check your body for a birthmark or marking of any sort?" she asked waiting for your response. "Birthmark? I never seen one on me before," you said but turned around anyway. "But you can check my back," You said feeling as Seulgi's fingers touched the zipper on your dress. She unzipped it the girls came to stand behind you.

"There," she touched your skin finger on the side of your back. "The symbol of protection," Seulgi said. Wendy smiled holding back her excitement. "I knew it," she said. "Knew what?" you asked feeling Seulgi zip your dress back up. "There is a sun symbol on your back. It's the same symbol as the one on the rift gate," she said. "A symbol> I never knew I had that, no one ever told me," you said watching as she came around you. "It's too small to see at first glance, but you don't have to worry. It's an ancient rule of protection, it's probably why they can't touch you for too long," she said. Your eyes widened "Is that why they leave for so long after spending the night?" you asked.

"They can't handle your power, not the other way around. They need to recharge after spending the night with you," Wendy said chuckling to herself. The girls looked at her and she stopped laughing. "Sorry," she said clearing her throat. "Is murder the only way to flee this place?" you asked Seulgi. She nodded, "To break the curse you have to kill him. He could do it himself but he would never. It would hurt his pride to know he lost, especially to a woman," she said. "So is it only Jaehyun?" you asked suppressing your anger for the given moment. They all shook their head. "One is truthful. He has never hurt us, never lied to us or you. He doesn't know of the blood ritual. He only knows the lies they told them," Joy said. "Who?" you asked forgetting for a moment they couldn't speak. Your head slightly fell. "We are sorry, we can not tell you who," Joy said head falling in self-disappointment. You nodded, "One final question," you said. They all perked their heads up waiting for you to speak. "Yes, Y/n?" Seulgi asked.

"What am I?" you asked looking away from your hands and at the girls. "How do I hold any power?" you asked. Seulgi sighed taking your hands. "You are half-demon," she said. "Born into chaos and order. Born and sent to the mortal world at infant's age," she said a smile on her face. "You are the one we follow," she said. You pulled your hands back. "Follow?" you asked. She nodded we are a part of a coven. You are someone we have been waiting for," she said motioning to the rest of the girls. "You are all witches?" you asked and they nodded. "We can not tell you what were are. The brothers forbade us from speaking to you in threats of losing our tongues, but now with you here we are no longer afraid," she said hope sparking in her eyes and heart.

"Save us and yourself Y/n," she said. "You are our only hope," she pleaded.

At this moment you didn't question them. You were down asking questions and waiting for responses. You had to handle this on your own now and do what was right. Even if it meant you had to murder the vampires you loved. They would go on to kill many more than you if you spared their lives. "Take me to the sword," you said. The girls smiled, it was finally happening. You all went over a plan before you all left the room.

You all secretly fled the library, running past the courtyard and into the back of the manor. Wendy checked to make sure the guards were no longer near. On her signal, you all walked in trying your absolute best to remain quiet. "The guards are extremely loyal to the boys. It will be hard to get past them," Seulgi said seeing the guards that were posted in front of the Hall of Knights. The room on the second floor is just above the entrance to the ballroom. A rift gate off to the side near an exit from the entrance of the ballroom. You could hear the orchestra that played from the ballroom. You watched the door as Wendy came up with a plan to distract the guards. "Okay, I'll go ahead saying Y/n needs to collect something from one of the brother's chambers," she said holding her hand out to you. You took her hand standing from your crouch to walk down the carpeted hall only to fall back down at the sound of the ballroom door opening. Jaehyun walked through the ballroom door looking around. He walked up to one of the female guards.

"Have you seen Y/n? It's been an hour and she's still not returned," he asked the guard. She shook her head and he huffed annoyed. "The moon is full tonight. The ritual will not work if the moon is not full. Find her and bring her to me, I'll be waiting in the building beyond the blood maze," he said walking away through the side exit to reach the maze.

"Shit," Seulgi cursed as you all watched the guards flee their post to find you. "We need a new plan," Yeri said quickly pressing the head of a statute to get out of the way of the guards who ran up the stairs. You had entered a large stairway looking down from the marble stairs at the place you hadn't yet been to. "We can take this path. It will be longer but safer," Joy said. The girls nodded as you removed your heels to quickly make your way down the stairs. "Wait," You said once you reached the bottom. "Yes?" Wendy asked. "I can not do anything in this dress. I can barely breathe," you said throwing the fabric in the air. Wendy chewed on her lip tapping her chin. You were right, it would be hard to travel any faster if you could barely move.

"There are spare clothes in the lab," she said taking your hand and opening a wooden door. "Lab?" you asked as the door opened. "This is the source real place of study," she said as you walked further inside past blueprints for a large machine. You touched the books and papers on the wooden table letting your fingers graze over the large chest on different sides of the very large room. Books are all over the walls. "Here," Wendy said handing you a pair of pants and a shirt as well as a much-needed bra. The girls had to help you remove the torture dress you wore all night. You quickly dressed feeling much better than you did before. "Let's go quick-" Joy said words cut off by the door opening and closing.

"There you are Y/n," Doyoung said coming towards you. "We have been searching everywhere for you," He said standing next to you stretching his arm out to hold you. You moved away standing closer to Yeri. He cocked a brow but did not push. "Your clothes? What happened to your dress?" he asked. "I had a hard time breathing," you said head held high as you spoke to him. The last thing he needed to sense was your weakness. He'd use it against you in a heartbeat. "Oh well if that's what will make you feel at up most comfortable then you may wear your jeans," he said sending you a cheeky smile. "Joy? Irene? What are you all still doing here, please return to the ball at once. Are guests are waiting," He said, the girls unable to fight back walked away, except for Wendy. "Wendy?" he asked.

"I am helping her search for her phone," she said head held low. "In Jaehyun's lab?" he asked stepping towards her. She nodded backing away slightly. You stepped in between them blocking his view of her. You cleared your throat. "There is something I have to tell you," You said looking into his eyes. "Yes," he said turning his attention to you.

"I will perform the ritual tonight," you said watching as his eyes glowed a small smirk formed on his lips but he quickly drew it away. He smiled shaking his head. "We shall share the news to my brothers," he said holding his arm out for you to take. You moved away from Wendy and took his arm. You looked back at her letting her know it was alright. She nodded putting all her faith in you. You walked away from her arm and arm with Doyoung, out the lab door. He walked you to the top of the stairs. "Please forgive me, my dear," he said turning to you. You looked at him to speak but were put right to sleep.

When you woke you tried to get up. However, you couldn't, arms and legs restrained from moving anywhere. You pulled and jerked against the restraints but to no avail, you could not move. You didn’t stop trying to break free, even at the sound of footsteps approaching.

You glanced just to see who was coming your way, out of the shadows like a hungry jaguar. There from the darkness appeared Jaehyun a smirk on his face. He pushed his glasses up higher now changed from his ballroom clothes, a suit traded for a black cloak. He, like his brothers, still had no clue you knew of their malignant plan to kill you and steal your energy.

You had to play it off now, the best way you can. You couldn’t let them know you know, it was your biggest card to play and now you can no choice but to play your cards not right, but perfectly. “I am more than happy that you agreed to help us. I must warn you of something’s tough,” he said approaching the large machine you were strapped to. He switched the light on next to it. The room you were in was large and bright. You noticed the hard floor below you was the same form the rest of the cellar. Although being that it was much dapper, you assumed you were below the cellar. You looked to your right to see a dark hallway, stone on the outline of the walls. On the other side was an old wooden staircase.

Jaehyun stepped onto a stool becoming eye level with you. He held a needle attached to a wire in his hands. He held it up to your skin looking into your eyes. “This will only pinch a little,” he said and before you could reject he pulled your forearms flat and he pushed the needed into your vein. You screamed in pain. It was no pinch, the needle bigger than the average one you’d see at the doctors. Jaehyun shushed you wiping the tears from your eyes. You could help but let them fall, the needle at cause such a reaction.

Jaehyun moved to the other side sticking in another needle. He walked over to the machine putting on a pair of goggles. You let out a breath praying to yourself the plan would still work. The original plan, while it wasn’t a great one, didn’t involve you down here strapped to an unknown device. You were just going to ambush them during the party and then run, instead, you let your curiosity distract you again and missed the bigger picture.

Now after a badass attempt at being the hero, here you are strapped to, what you could only assume a blood-sucking machine waiting to be rescued.

“Jaehyun what's gonna happen?” You asked teeth gritting. You could feel the restraints becoming tighter against you. He didn’t look at you just turned on different machines next to yours. “It will take some blood. Then I’ll perform the ritual and drink it, easy,” he said looking up at you for a moment. You smiled and nodded your head complying with his direction. Deep down you wanted to break through and kill him. Kill him for lying to you and then trying to kill you. What made everything worse now was he lying to your face again, so easily. I wasn’t going to lie it hurt you. “So that’s it? Then what why am I on this machine? Can’t I just cut my finger? Doyoung said that was okay-“

“Doyoung does not know what he is talking about,” he said sternly finally looking at you. He sighed the book in his hand coming to his side. He adjusted his glasses from slipping, and the warmth in the room began to pick up. “The machine is not something to fear, okay? It just makes things easier,” he said. “Easier? It’s painful,” you said trying to squeeze out but, if not before, it was even harder to escape with the tubes in your arms. Jaehyun just sighed again walking to the step below you. “It will all be over soon,” he said placing a kiss on your forehead.

If you didn’t know their plan that wouldn’t have been as menacing. It wouldn’t have made your skin crawl and your heart race. Jaehyun watched from the monitor, your pulse, everything. “Try to relax okay? This may not work if you are scared,” he said jotting something down in his notebook. You scoffed turning your head to him. “Relax? There are tubes in my arms and you want me to relax?” You asked sarcastically. You were starting to despise him even more than you did before.

During the moments you laid the strap to the machine you tried to remember key facts to calm you down.

Fact one: You are alive. Fact two: Jaehyun and his brothers are insane. Fact three: One of the brothers is not insane. Fact Four: You need to try and live.

You ran over the facts in your head. Another fact was Doyoung was the one who brought you here, or at least to Jaehyun. By the way, he was acting, you got the impression he tied you down to the machine. Another fact was Doyoung probably knew where you were, so Yuta might too.

But one also doesn’t know, so who’s lying? Jaehyun walked away for a moment. When he returned the book still in his hand and with a smile on his face he placed the book down on a small table. He clasped his hands together excitedly. “It’s a full moon tonight. The ritual may now begin,” he said. He walked off to the stairs looking over at you quickly. “I’ll be right back,” he said running up the steps. You let your head fall back in frustration. They were going to kill you and there was nothing you could do to prevent it. You couldn’t tell them you knew because then they’d just kill your faster. You tried to run through didn’t plans and scenarios in your head but nothing seemed like it could be executed.

“I’m back,” Jaehyun said both brothers behind him. Doyoung stepped towards you standing on the stool. “Forgive me, dear Y/n. I had no choice,” he said moving his hand to touch your forehead. Out of instinct, you turned away, no longer want him to touch you. You couldn’t even meet his eyes. He frowned and stepped down from the stool standing next to his brothers. “This will be simple. We will not take too much blood from you Y/n. You might feel tired or a bit uneven after but we have some water and crackers here for you to enjoy once you are finished,” he said a smile on his face.

The sick bastard probably getting turned on by his. Seeing you tied down basically to your deathbed. You knew you had to kill him first, clearly the brains of this operation. Jaehyun walked up the stool eye level to your face for the final time. “Oh Y/n,” he whispered so his brothers would hear. These words were only meant for you.

“See you in hell,” he said walking down to turn on the machine. Once he pulled the long lever electricity sparked all over the place. You felt the tubes become tighter in your veins. Your head fell as you felt the pulling and pumping of your blood leave your body. From what you could see, eyes barely opened, and blood flowed through the tubes and into the golden chalice.

This was it. This was how you would die. Strapped to a machine in a dark and scary cellar of three vampires' homes drained of every ounce of blood you had inside you.

After some time you felt your head swing from the side, it falling. Your vision started to become blurry, barely able to see your feet below you. Your arms and legs no longer kicked. You didn’t scream and holler anymore your voice slowly fading. Screams mimicking the sounds you make when you wake up and can’t move. You tried to scream but no sound escapes your lips. Just a dried sound that not even a mouse could hear. Everything was gone at this point. You would be gone. From your family, your friends and Lucy. Your mind began to wander into the happy moments you shared with everyone including Jeno. Who truly waited for you at your old spot for an entire day.

Just in your moment of lost hope. You heard the door bust open from above. Barley able to move your head you watched as two girls came running down the stairs. They ran up to Jaehyun screaming and shouting at him. All you heard were blurred sounds. You could barely make out what they were saying.

“You're going to kill her…”

“Stop…” we’re the only things you could understand. You watched as one of the girls go thrown, their body blurred in your eyes but you knew it was a girl from the long dark hair that fell back with her. You felt something on your arm. You looked down to see hands ripping out the vein in your left arm. “Ow!” You yelped seeing the small hole in your arm. The girl shook her head running to the other side to remove the needle. “I’m sorry Y/n. I’m sorry,” she said tears evident in her tone. Your vision slowly came back you still couldn’t properly see anyone.

However, you saw the girl's body get thrown away from you. You jerked forward to help her but there wasn’t much you could do. All you figured you could do was pull the needle out yourself. Your hand inched forward to your skin. Moving at a snail's pace you felt tears brim in your eyes. Your body only felt weaker and weaker but you couldn’t stop. You had to try. Your hand came so close to your arm fingers reaching for the tube. You felt your eyes begin to flutter close. This was going to be it.

No, it can’t be.

Your eyes were shut and your arm felt lip. The arguing and fighting stopped and everyone looked at you. Jaehyun pushed off Wendy his body. “It worked.” He said walking to the machine to get a better look at you. “I can’t believe it worked,” he said going to touch your limp, ashen body. He smiled turning to his brothers. One pushed off to run towards the machine and came to his side. He looked at your face and then back at Jaehyun a horrid look in his gaze. His fingers reached to touch your skin, how cold you felt. He felt his heart breaking.

“Brother, how could you do this?” He asked for the first time in a while feeling the true heartbreak and betrayal from his only family. “How could you kill her? How selfish can you possibly be?!” He yelled at Jaehyun catching his attention. Heartbreak turned into something ugly quickly, he would never forgive his brother for this. “I won’t drink the blood,” he said. “I deserve this punishment for being a part of this,” he said walking away his other brother coming forward.

“It worked! I knew you could do it Jaehyun. When you showed me this machine before I couldn’t believe it but now here she is. The hybrid is dead and we will no longer have to fear the stories of her bringing us to our downfall,” he said clasping his hands together. “And to make things even better,” he said as Jaehyun shut off the machine. The chalice filled to the brim. “She has marked all three, desire, trust, and confidence,” he said walking over to be the first to drink. He brought the cup to his lips tasting your sweet blood. He hummed at the taste.

“Truly divine,” he said. Jaehyun smiled taking the chalice from his hand but didn’t drink from it. The other brother cringed at the sight before him. He couldn’t believe what they were doing. All this time they’ve lied to murder you. He thought they loved you just as much as he did. His feelings for you are true and pure. Everything he ever said to you was honest to the truth. Now you were gone. He had no reason to be here anymore. He would have to leave. Leave to another place and never return, he’ll face death on his own someday. The other brother danced around the room happiness in his eyes and a freedom feeling in his heart. “Finally we are free,” he sang as he spun around the room. As he danced on and on distracted with your blood. Jaehyun chuckled seeing his brother dance around like a fool. “Let’s go celebrate him?” He said to both of his brothers. One nodded the other remained silent.

“Oh dear brother,” Jaehyun said placing a hand on his shoulder. His head was low, he didn’t look up to meet his eyes. “Do not be sad,” he said shaking his head. “We have what’s ours now. Enjoy it,” he said. The brother couldn’t help but look up at your limp body. He shook his head walking ahead of his brothers up the stairs and away from them. “I can’t,” he said disappearing.

Jaehyun sighed a shrug leaving his body. “Girls feel free to do whatever you want with the body. Burn it, dig a hole for it I don’t care. Your little plan to save yourselves seems to have failed so,” he walked over to the machine smacking the metal. “Your punishment will be to bury your friend,” he said an evil smirk on his face as he and his brother walked away.

Wendy stood up running to your side. She and Seulgi ripped off the restraints. Seulgi saw your hand holding the needle from your right arm. You had successfully pulled it out but it was the only strength and energy you had left in your body. The girls felt tears form in their eyes. They were too late. Their hearts broke at the thought of more decades they’d spend here with them. They knew now you and them could not be free from this hell. They cried at your lifeless body, holding your hands. Wendy out of rage continued to rip apart every restrain. Your body fell forward but Seulgi caught you.

The rest of the girls appeared running to your side. They cried, shakey hands covering Irene’s lips as tears couldn’t help but spill from Joy's eyes. Yeri fell to the ground in despair. It was over. Everything was over and gone. They stood by your body doing whatever they could to bring you back. They tried to give you some of your blood that was left behind in another cup. They poured it down your throat but it didn’t work. They tried to repeat spells but because of the curse, they were deemed useless.

A stranger appeared from the dark hallway. Covered in a potato shack that was turned into clothing. Stomps could be heard coming from him as he came closer. The girls backed away and Wendy pulled your body with hers so the stranger could not touch you or them. Then Seulgi stopped them. “Wait it’s the boy,” she said running towards him. “You. I know you can help us,” she said. The boy nodded but was silent. He turned to the side where his bag lay. He pulled out the silver sword that was once placed in the Hall of Knights. He handed it to Seulgi bowing to her.

“How did you?” She caused words to die on her tongue as she held the sword in her hands.

“I heard you all in the library,” he began looking down at your body. “I stole the sword the minute I saw one of those evil brothers steal her away,” he said kneeling to your side. “I tried to save her before but she was scared. I don’t blame here I would have been too. I just didn’t know how else to approach her,” he said shaking his head. He walked over to your body. He touched your arm feeling your pulse. “She is still alive but very weak,” he said. The girls felt the hope that had faded slowly make its return.

“She’s alive?” Yeri asked surprised. He nodded letting your arm gently fall on your stomach. “She needs energy. She can’t fight if she’s too weak,” he said. “Well, how will she kill them? She only has tonight before they all drink the blood,” Seulgi said.

“Why before they drink the blood?” Wendy asked.

“If they drink it they’ll get her power,” Joy said to Wendy. “They’ll become unstoppable,” she said the tension in the room rising. They all looked down at you, at the sound of coughing. You were slowly waking up eyes adjusting to the bright light in the room. “Quick move her from here,” the strange man said as footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. They lifted you and ran down the dark hallway.

“What is this place?” Yeri asked standing next to Irene. She held her arm tightly. Irene held her as well as they walked through the went tunnel. The boy leading you all spoke. “You all know the surface,” he said chuckling using a stick to help him walk. “I know the foundation of this place like the back of my hand,” he said. “Because they locked you here?” Seulgi asked helping Wendy to hold her body up. He nodded. “You can see that. I also built the place,” he said continuing his journey of guiding you all down the dark tunnel.

“You built it? How long ago was that?” Yeri asked. He chuckled remembering the bright day. “I was young at the time. Only twenty-two when I built this place for them. The year was 1903 and they wanted their home to be remodeled after a French home they visited searching for her,” he said. “Of course, they failed, she didn’t exist yet but I assumed they smelled my blood and mistaken me for a shapeshifter. They told me they did not believe me when I saw I was not the demon girl,” he said head falling.

“They didn’t believe me until now. But I am bonded to this place like you all. And since she is out ticket out of here, I’m going to help you,” he said. “What is your name?” Joy asked.

“My name?” He said in the form of a question. “I don’t believe in allowed to say,” he said as you all reached the end of the tunnel. “The quickest way to heal her is in Master Jaehyun’s room of poisons and potions. In there is an energy potion she can drink, the boys use it after they’d touch her,” he said opening the large door. The inside was dark but colorful. Each potion and poison glowed in the dark. The man looked around as Wendy and Seulgi placed you on a chair.

“This is where they come for some time to regain strength,” he said looking around for the potion. “I’ve seen them drink out of a vile…” his words stretched as he reached for a green potion in the back. Joy came to his side and grabbed it handing it to him with a smile on her face. He thanked her and turned back to you. “Slip this past her lips and she should regain her strength,” he said handing the vile to Wendy. She did as she was told letting the green liquid slip past her chapped lips. “Do not give her too much,” he said halting Wendy from going any further. She nodded placing the vile on the table, with half the bottle missing. They all watched for your reaction. To see if the potion would work. After what felt like minutes they started to lose hope.

Until you jerked up eyes wide and sucked in air like a mad woman. “Y/n!” They said in unison as they woke up. You stood up from your seat feeling your body on a thousand. You felt unstoppable and full of energy. Most importantly you felt alive. “How did you?” You turned to look at the strange man who chased you. You backed away from him ready to run but Irene stopped you shaking her head with a smile on her lips. “I am not going to hurt you,” he said voice soft. “I want to help you,” he said coming towards you. He extends his dirty hand out to you for you to shake. You hesitantly took his hand in yours shaking it.

Once the handshake was over you wiped your hands on your pants. “So what now? They already have my blood don’t they?” You asked looking at Seulgi. She nodded walking over to hold the sword that Joy held. “Yes but you still have time to hunt and kill them,” she said handing you the sword. “Oh! One more thing,” the man said turning back to his shack. “I can’t believe I forgot,” he said searching in his shack. You all confused waited for him to finish.

Once he found it he pulled it out showing it to you. “A whip?” You asked taking the leather wipe from his hands. He nodded an excited smile on his face. “The sword and the whip go together,” he said. Yeri gawked at the whip. “I thought it was forgotten. Dung deep into the other side of the world,” she said eyeing it. The man shook his head. “No Master Jaehyun for all his faults is great at finding things. He made sure this would be in the Hall of Knights heavily guarded away,” he said.

You held the whip in your hands looking and feeling the whip. You swung it around a little and smack it into the table. The table snapped in half causing you to jump. “Try and be careful it is not a toy,” he said. You nodded putting it back on your side. “Sorry,” you said taking a glance at him and holding your head down embarrassed.

“All we need now is to activate your powers,” Wendy said to you. “How do we do that?” You asked her. “It’s a quick ritual we must perform. However we can not perform it because of our lack of power, so you will have to,” Joy said. You widened your eyes shaking your head. “I can’t perform a ritual,” she shook her head. “Yes, you can. We will help you,” she said as Wendy and Irene moved the half table to the other side of the room. Yeri grabbed the nearby chalk Jaehyun would use for his chalkboard and started drawing symbols on the ground.

Once she finished Seulgi held the book out to you. “Repeat after me,” she said looking into your eyes ready. You nodded sending her the confirmation she needed.

She spoke the incantation spells to you. You said them back to her watching as the symbols began to glow, green, blue, red, and then purple. “We need to awaken the demon in you,” Wendy said. She had noticed the face you made at the sight of the potions and poisons beginning to lift. You became nervous in the room afraid the ritual wouldn’t work. Wendy calmed down reassuring you that you would be fine. The man who watched from the door ran back to you. “Move quickly there are guards down here,” he said motioning to the female guards who drew closer. He shut the door blocking their view and their entry.

Seulgi kept saying the words and you repeated them. “More confidence Y/n we need this to work!” Yeri said to you. You nodded letting your eyes close as you focused on the spell. Seulgi in Latin continued to speak to you and with more confidence you repeated the words. You kept repeating the words until you felt your body hit the ground. A burning feeling ran through your entire body. Bones cracked as your demon aspect took over your body. The burning flame in you grew brighter, you were unable to stay still tossing and turning. Eyes shut and teeth gritting as you felt something prying at your skin from the inside. Wendy watched as a hand print formed from the inside of your stomach.

“It hurts!” You yelled eyes shut. You felt tears form as the demon in you crawled under your skin. “It will be over soon! It’s waking up now!” Seulgi said book still in her hands. She smiled a wide smile closing the book in her hands. She placed it on a shelf. Purple magic glowed through the symbol in front of you. The sun symbol on your waist glowed purple as well. You looked down at your arms seeing burn marks forming on the surface of your skin.

“Uh Seulgi I think we should stop!” Wendy shouted hair flying back from the strong winds that circulated the room. The water that dripped on the floor formed into bigger droplets forming a puddle. The rain fell outside water slipping through the pipes. The cellar would be flooded soon. “Just wait she’s almost there!” Seulgi shouted back. She knelt to your level kneeling just outside the circle. “You have to remember Y/n that you are only half demon. You are in full control of both sides of yourself. Do let the demon take full control, tame it and remember you are in control!” She shouted to you helping and coaxing you through the eventful transition. You groaned in pain. You tried to take her advice not letting the demon control you, but you did it. You tried to relax your breathing and clear up your mind. Once you replaced the images it showed you of itself with memories of your own you felt the pain slowly start to fade away. You didn’t let the demon have any control over you. Taming it and making it your bitch.

You let out one final belt lifting your head from the ground and exposing your glowing purple eyes to the room before you. Your growls and roars are louder than the banging on the door. The guards of course heard you and saw the purple hue from underneath the door. Some went to alarm the vampires and others stood behind to catch you. Not yet bracing themselves for what you will become or have you have just become.

The hue faded as quickly as it appeared. The vials and bottles no longer rattled and everyone’s hair fell back into place. Wendy ran over to you, Irene stopped her from stepping into the circle. The energy inside that circle was enough to kill an entire country. Your nails gaze against the ground. Everyone stepped back seeing the rips in your clothes. Your skin had changed to a greyish color, as an older vampire would look. Your face had formed with the face of a demon. If you looked close you could see the different parts of your face that were still yours. Your lips and face shape stayed the same as well as your nose. But your eyes pierced with purple growing in the irises. You slowly stood up feeling the power inside you travel throughout your body. Everyone watched you in awe as the lightning outside crashed with thunder making a loud boom. The muscles on your arms and legs became more defined with added strength. Irene tripped back in pure awe of you. You were finally in your true form, and you looked just as beautiful and powerful as you did when you appeared fully human.

“Y/n you have awoken the demon in you,” Seulgi began. “Now you must do what is right,” she said watching as you stepped out of the circle. The man held the door shut along with Joy’s help. They tried to keep the guards away from running in and killing them and sneaking away with you. But Irene stopped them shaking her head. Seulgi stood beside her facing Joy and the boy. “Let her pass. Y/n can handle this,” she said turning to you. You bent down picking up the sword in your right hand and the whip in your left. You tightened your grip on your mouth. The purple hue appears again, the sun symbol growing bigger on your waist. Now appearing like a tattoo. “You may turn back into your human form whenever you’d like,” Seulgi said standing next to you. “You can change between two. Just remember it can be draining so make sure you drain the captain's energy,” she warned and you nodded.

The boy came up to you. “The brothers know. They know you are awake. They are in the ballroom,” he said fear in his tone. He was the only one that still doubted the plan for freedom. “I can hear them,” he said to you. “How?” You asked your voice mixing with the demons. “I am one of them. They turned me into a vampire after they deemed me useless,” he said. “Forced me to be their slave in the catacombs of their chateau. For decades I have been lost down here wandering the grounds, helping victims escape through the holes of the old walls. Placed the hidden doors throughout the place for people like you to flee. But now you tell me you will kill them,” he said nodded I guess head throwing his walking stick on the ground.

“You tell me you can free them. And now I see you in your glory. And I have no choice but to trust you,” he said opening the door unavailing the guards behind it. The guard's faces were covered with a knight's helmet back as you stepped out. The boy turned to the five girls in the room who watched. “Ladies follow me. We will wait here for Y/n,” he said guiding the girls through a secret door that led to a hidden stairway.

You lifted your sword smacking your whip on the floor. The guards let up their swords running toward you. You ran to them using your whip to smack against the ground. You drew your sword to theirs the two clinking together. In a swift move, you easily stabbed one through the chest. Pulling out your blood-covered sword you stabbed another through the lower abdomen watching as the guard fell to her knees. The human in you was slightly worried about the murders you were committing. The demon in you sniffed out that the women were also vampires and it eased your mind.

You watched as more flowed through the tunnel. Light from the lightning blinked through the cracks of the walls and high ceilings. Flashing as the guards drew near. You lifted your sword raising it to end them.

You ran and sped towards them swinging your swords at theirs the two clashing together creating a spark. The purple-glowing sword easily held off the guards in front of you as you whipped the ones behind you to their death. The guards in front of you were no match for your added strength. You wrapped a whip around one’s neck squeezing tightly throwing it to the other side of the room. You used the sword to slash the other's knees watching as she fell. You swung the sword to decapitate her head. You watched as it slipped off her neck falling to the ground.

The guards slowly back away creating a path for the larger woman guard to appear. The captain of the vampire's guards sent by Jaehyun himself to kill you. He was confident you stood no chance against her. She would kill you and as a souvenir would bring you his head. Her eyes pierced through the metal helmet. “You have my sword,” she said darkly step by step slowly approaching you. She dragged her silver sword to the ground. The blade scratches the stone ground. “That sword was gifted to me by Jaehyun and the boy stole it to give it to you,” she said stopping at the end of the line. You held the sword tightly in your hands. She was much bigger than you with visibly bigger muscles. She towered over your chest heaving up and down in anger mixed with the disease of jealousy.

“Give it back and I’ll let you live. If not I’ll kill your and take it from your dead hands,” she said slowly lifting her sword. “You will not take this sword and at the end of the night I will have your head and the vampires on a stake in front of the chateau where everyone can see,” you said in a demotic tone, underlines of your voice still evident. Your human form is not fully gone. The vampire captains growled an animal-like growl. Coming towards you with gritted teeth and a tight fist. She leaped into the air stabbing the sword into the ground. You were quickly able to move away. And remembered what Wendy told you in the library earlier that night. “The vampire's guard, she holds a power similar to yours. If you can successfully kill her you can steal her energy and mix it with the demon aspect of you. Then you’ll get the powers of a vampire,” she told you.

You enticed her by smacking your whip on the ground. You dragged it on the floor beckoning your fingers forward. She came towards you with her sword messily drawing it at you. Swinging it side to side as you dodged each swing. The captain’s swings began to weaken and you took the chance to hit your sword with her, sending it flying. It clinked on the floor, she let it slide away pulling a dagger from her sleeve.

You fought her with your sword and her dagger. Your sword drew closer creating a thin cut on her stomach. She groaned but it didn’t stop her from continuing to fight. “You can not kill me,” she said through laughter. She mocked you picking her sword up from the ground. You remained silent focusing on her foot placement on the ground. Then the way her hands moved. You paid attention to the sword in her right hand. You came forward wrapping her left hand with the whip that held her dagger. Preventing her from stabbing you while your sword cut off her right hand.

Her hand fell to the ground and she screamed in pure pain. That was the first time anything cut her and it hurt. Her eyes widened as she held her arm close to her. The white slid off her wrist. Her left hand cradled her right wrist watching as blood spurred out of her furiously. She stepped back now afraid of you. She had met her match. You threw your whip wrapping it around her neck and squeezing tightly. You drew her forward not bothering to work. With a sling, your sword high in the air came down slicing her head clean off her body. It plopped onto the ground and you picked it up. You looked around at all the other guards. Eyes glowing bright purple as you absorbed her power. Now the demon aspect well fed you felt even more alive.

“Take me to the vampires,” you said the whip around your waist and captains head in your bloody hand. The vampire guards didn’t move instead rose their swords to take their turn in killing you. “Fine,” you said licking the side of your lip and tasting the metal taste of blood. You placed the head of the captain to the side. Removing your whip from the tight hold on your waist. “I will take care of you all. Anyone who wishes to leave take the chance now. If not then be prepared to never leave this tunnel,” you said drawing your sword.

You slaughtered every single guard in sight. None took their chance to run. You gave it to them for being so brave. You cut their throats, sliced off their heads, and stabbed their hearts. Bodies lay all over the tunnel that slowly filled with water. Once you were done your chest heaved up and down. Looking around at the destruction you transformed back into your human form.

“I need new clothes,” you said to yourself looking down at your ripped pants and shirt. You search around deciding to put on the knight's armor. You picked up one of the dead vampires taking her armor off. Luckily she was dressed underneath. You took off her armor putting it on your body. You slipped into her boots and then lastly put her helmet over your head. You picked up a nearby shack that lay on a bunch of other shacks. You put the whip inside of it as well as the captain's head. You held the silver sword in your hand. You headed through the tunnel. You saw the stairs and ran to them when you reached the top you saw more guards run down. They ran right past you swords in their hands. Probably on their way to kill you.

You quickly walked past them reaching the top of the stairs. You instantly recognize the scene before you. This is where you threw that flashlight at Yuta’s head the first night you were here. You remembered that was the first time they told you they were vampires. You were so scared you ran around the manor looking for an exit. You sighed shaking the memory from your head and turned to the other flight of stairs. Knowing this would lead to the second floor just above the ballroom.

You left through another door down the dark hallway. Guards running around back n forth preparing for what you only assumed was your arrival to the ballroom. As you walked past many of the guards you saw Doyoung walking beside two guards. Your heart froze but you hid your emotions transitioning into your demon half so he wouldn’t smell you.

As he walked past you he stopped. He turned around, “Stop,” he said to you. You stopped in your steps cursing to yourself. “Come here,” he beckoned. You walked over to him cautiously. He eyes you and your body. As you got closer he looked you in your eyes. “You,” he said. “I haven’t seen you before. Your scent is different,” he said. You scoffed, “Didn’t perfume,” you said. It was the first thing you could think to say. He smirked nodding his head.

“Okay,” he said nonchalantly. He patted your amor-covered shoulder. “Just keep searching for Y/n,” he said lowly to you. You pulled away nodding your head. You bowed and continued your journey. When you made your way down another dark hallway you slowed down your pace. More guards running past you sharp swords in their hands. How many guards were in this place? You thought as you walked past them all. Once you heard the patter of their feet travel further and further away you picked up your pace deciding to run down the hallway. You stopped once you entered the finials hallway way. Jaehyun’s chambers were near meaning the second floor that overlooked the ballroom was near. If you could find the second floor, you could find the door that led to the entrance.

But then you paused. If the boys were waiting for you they would not be in the ballroom. You walked towards the door above the ballroom opening the door exposed you to the now empty room. “The blood maze,” you said turning around only to be met with Yuta.

“Have you seen her?” He asked you with pleading eyes. You didn’t respond just looked back into his eyes. After some time you just shook your head. He nodded and patted your shoulder sending you off to the garden. “See if she ends up there. Tell her I’m looking for her,” he said as he walked away from you. You nodded and headed towards the opposite door. This door leads to another flight of stairs. Leading to the opposite end of the garden where the blood maze was placed. You ran down the stairs and past an empty dining hall. You ran through the courtyard passing the library and the blood fountain. You felt the wet grass below your feet as you ran through to reach the maze. Once you reached the maze you remembered what Wendy told you before in the library.

“If they are in the ballroom to celebrate a victory like they always do then they are probably past the blood maze. You may have seen the small building on the other side. No one is allowed in there, Seulgi has been in once, and from what we’ve heard it is an absolute nightmare. She also said there was a lever you can pull to get a path through the maze. Astone walkway would appear and you could easily get inside. The brothers could be in there. Probably performing the ritual,” she warned.

You tighten the waistband and hold the bag on your waist. As you made your way to the blood maze. Once you stepped in front of it your transformed into your demon half to help prevent any sounds or confusion the maze episode throws at you. The maze is designed to be a trap to catch prey, to catch humans. You walked further into the maze seeing the golden earth slowly fade into the background covered by large red hedges.

“Once you reach a golden moon your close. If you see the sliver statue of a woman you have gone too far,”

You remembered Wendy’s words as you walked deeper into the maze. You could start to hear the cries for help. You shook the cries from your head ignoring the screams and painful belts that could be heard throughout the maze. You turned a right corner hearing a drop of water touch your armor. You turned left seeing leaves fall onto the ground. You made another right and then went straight at the sound of the wind whistling. The screaming and crying had begun to fade into the background.

Then when you turned the left corner and saw the silver statue of a woman. The sounds changed around you. Screams of pain and torture could be hard digging into your ears. What made it more menacing was you could hear them scream your name.

“Help us Y/n,”

“Please help we do not want to die,”

Your hands went to your pounding head. The yells only got louder the more you tried to suppress them. You remove your helmet letting it smack onto the ground. Hands covering your ears and knees buckling falling beside your helmet. You scream rocking yourself back n forth trying to silence the loud yells for help. The things that yelled your name in agony. You heard a rustle in the bushes next to you. Jerking back you couldn’t help the tears that fell from your eyes as the screams change yet again.

“Y/n you will never be loved,” you heard a voice say.

“You will never be able to forget,”

“A monster and a freak you are! You are just like them,”

“Turn back,”

“Give up you're just gonna die,”

You transitioned back into your human form. You shook your head not cradling yourself. More drops of heavy rain fell from the sky. Falling and hitting the top of your head. The rest of the water slid down your silver armor and onto the stone floor forming a puddle. You looked back up at the statue standing up and coming to her side. A bench was placed in front of her and you sat down in it head low. “I can’t do this. I’m a failure. I’ll just get everyone killed,” you doubtfully said to yourself. You watched as your tears fell alongside the rain hitting the ground below your feet. The sadness you felt became stronger inside you and unleashed itself exposing your weakness to the world. You cried hands covering your face. Hair sticking to your now soaked from the rainwater.

“What even am I?” You questioned yourself looking down at your hands. You never knew you were a half-demon hybrid. How could you? Your parents never told you. Maybe they didn’t know what you thought. Besides you couldn’t blame them for the situation you were in now. You sighed sat back and looked up at the sky. “Why?” You asked the heavens.

“What curse me and lead me here and then tell me I am half demon? My new friends are witches,” you asked the skies. “Why have I done to deserve this?” You asked. Just as your vision started to become blurry with fresh tears you saw a purple light glow from above. The sliver statue’s finger glows purple. You looked at the woman’s finger and the direction it was pointing in. You stood up quickly gathered your stuff and wiped your tears. It was right under your nose the entire time. The pathway is guided by the sliver woman. You tried to comfort yourself with happy thoughts as you walked over your helmet. But nothing seemed to ease your mind.

After all, you are now a murderer and a monster.

Just as you went to walk away to the opposite of the maze where the lever was located you heard a rustle in the bushes again. You looked over backing away just in case. Then your car appeared from the bushes. You felt your heart become warm at the sight of your friend. “Lucy,” you said running to her and scooping her in your arms. She purred against your skin rubbing her head on your stomach. “How did you know I was where?” You asked petting her fur. She just blinked before she jumped off your lap and took off in front of you. You chased after her through the maze making it past the golden moon.

Reaching the lever you pulled it back Lucy standing by to watch. Once you pulled it back you saw a path form that led you to the small building. You immediately ran off Lucy following beside you as you approached the front entrance to the old building. A black broken gate in front of the place. Before you stepped to open it you turned to Lucy. “Maybe you should stay behind. It can be dangerous in there,” you said warning the cat to stay behind. She just looked at you and turned away disappearing into the bushes. You sighed turning back around. You moved your hands to undo the lock on the gate. It opened slowly creating a creaking sound. You gulped before stepping inside the dark walkway.

The wall to the building was short. There was no front to it. The minute you walked through the short walkway you were already inside. You tried to look around in the dim light room. Feeling around with your hands to make sure you didn’t bang into anything. You maneuvered your hands around feeling rusty metal bars. You got closer to one of the bars you held. You squinted your eyes in the darkest trying to see. You felt warmth on the side of your face turning to see a torch on the wall. You picked it up holding it in your hand using it as your flashlight. You looked back at the bars shining the flame closer to it. When the light illuminated the small part of the room you instantly jumped back. A skeleton was chained with metal cuffs to the stone fall.

You looked around to see there were more and more cells inside the tunnel. This had to be some sort of dungeon. Many skeletons were chained to the walls. Some sitting on the ground covered in dust and worms. Others were chained with metal cuffs to the walls hanging by their hands on the stone. You swallowed hard moving the torch away from the bones. These were not the men you knew. Did you believe they killed humans? Yes. Did you believe the humans they killed were murderers or rapists? Yes. Which is why you never asked questions about their food. But now you start to realize that maybe you should have.

When you reached the end of the short tunnel of cells you saw there was nothing underneath you accept a flight of stairs. When you moved the torch to shine the rest of the way it was nothing but darkness. You kicked a pebble that lay on the ground. You watched it fall onto nothing only hearing it when it hit the ground. You moved from the edge to the stairs walking down cautiously since there were no handlebars. When you reached the bottom you should see an opened door with light coming through. You slowly crept to the door peeking through and seeing Jaehyun inside the room.

He had his sleeves rolled up and a pair of frames on his face. He held opened viles pouring the chálese of what could only be your blood into two viles. You assumed either Doyoung or Yuta would not be taking part in this. You crept a little closer mindful of your steps. You watched as Jaehyun poured the vile mixing it with a purple potion. He poured them in together mixing the two. He read the words of an incantation preparing the ritual with your blood. He was going to gain your power for himself and give the rest to his brother. He would be the one top.

You remembered Jaehyun’s past stories of his life. He always seemed to follow orders and do what he was told. Never had his voice to speak. Whether it was his lover, the king, or his brothers they always told him what to do and how to do it. This would be his chance to take over. To finally be on top and have everyone bow underneath his reign. He wasn’t going to become human he was going to become stronger, making him unstoppable. Not even you would be able to kill him.

But you had to be smart. Just jumping in and fighting him now would only make him drink from the vile and kill you. You knew he wouldn’t drink his share here. He would have to take it to the ballroom eventually. You decided that’s where you would meet him and his brother in the ballroom. But until then you had to play your part. You removed your armor and dressed in the clothes you wore before. You hid your items off to the side and stepped into the room where Jaehyun mixed and poured his potions.

“Jaehyun…” you called stepping inside. His eyes widened but didn’t react in fear or shock. Instead, he came to your side and hugged you kissing you on your head. “Oh Y/n I was afraid you’d never wake up,” he said against your hair. You sighed sobbing into his chest. You needed to let him see you weak for the first time. You needed him to see you sad and sobbing in his chest like he was home to you. You needed to play him as he played you.

“I was so scared,” you hugged his chest tears seeping into his shirt. “You don’t understand I thought I was never going to wake up,” you sobbed. “Y/n I love you so much. I was so worried,” he lied. You felt your heart freeze for a moment. Lying to your face again. It made your blood boil. Your lips formed a tight line but you held it in. You had to. Not only did you have your life to lose but you had people depending on your to survive. You pushed off of him wiping your eyes and tears. Jaehyun leaned over grabbed a tissue and handed it to you. You wiped your eyes with it placing the tissue in the trash.

“Where are Yuta and Doyoung?” You asked following him around the table. He shrugged moving his potions and book to the side. “They are preparing for the ritual,” he said putting away certain bottles and tools. “The blood ritual right? Should I be there? You know to see you transform back into humans?” You asked light on your toes as you walked to him. You batted your eyelashes with your fingers crossed behind your back. He smiled looking down at you. He nodded cleaning out his space. “Yes. You should,” he said. “I’m sure they would love to have you present,” he said. You poked the inside of your mouth your tongue nodding your head.

“Okay. Let me head to Doyoung’s room so I can change,” you said walking away. “Y/n!” He shouted as you headed towards the door. You rolled your eyes letting out a short breath. You turned to him with a smile. “Yes?” You asked.

“How did you find this place? The maze is impossible to go through without a map or any sense of direction of the place,” he asked crossing his arms over his chest. “I just kept walking until I got here. I figured Yuta would be in here since you told me only he was allowed in. But now you are here and I’m confused as to why. You have your study in the manor,” you pointed to the exit with your finger. “So why did you come here?” You asked tutoring your head and crossing your arms over your chest.

He widened his eyes for a moment but quickly covered it up. He smirked chuckling as he walked over to you. He grabbed you by your forearm squeezing tightly. He leaned down to your pulling you close. “I don’t know what you have planned but you better watch yourself. Remember you are just a human girl, I could easily rip you apart,” he threatened. Your frown turned into a smile as you looked into his eyes getting even closer.

“But I thought you loved me? Would you hurt someone you loved?” You asked taunting him. He chuckled looking down and then back up at your eyes, small pieces of hair falling on his forehead. “Your right I could never hurt you unless you were lying to me. You know how I hate dishonesty,” he said with a smile on his face. You nodded, “Of course, I would never lie to you,” you said rising to your toes and placing a chaste kiss on his plumped lips. He kissed you back pulling you closer to him. He kissed down your lips and to your neck. You felt when his teeth graze your skin and you pushed him off.

“Don’t you want me to get changed?” You asked finger pinching your lip from the kiss. “It can wait, baby. I’ve missed you,” he said leaning in to kiss you again. You placed your hand on his chest lightly pushing him away. You came close to his lips hand still blocking him from moving. You looked up into his brown eyes. “I’ll see you later. I have a surprise,” you said. He raised his hands moving to your waist. “I can’t wait,” he said pecking your lips. You pulled away first and he let you leave. You stepped outside the exit not before looking back and winking at him. He smiled at your gesture and returned to his work.

When you exited you rolled your eyes and quickly locked up your things.

When you made it to Doyoung’s chambers you instantly got changed. Take off your ripped clothes and discarded them. You dug around the top drawer searching for a pair of pants. All you found were skirts and leggings. You had a feeling the skirt or the leggings would protect you during any fighting you might do, easily ripping or tearing. You continued to search around huffing in frustration when all you found were your emergency blue bell-bottom jeans. You lifted them in your air and sighed to yourself. It was probably the safest thing to wear.

You threw them on as well as a fitted t-shirt that sat right at the top of the jeans. You fixed yourself up cleaning off any blood that was now exposed on your arms. You added some makeup and light perfume becoming as convincing as you possibly could. Once you were done you walked over to the black boots placed next to your heels. You put them on hearing the heel clink on the floor once you stepped out onto the glass hallway.

You held the sword in your hand as well as the whip in your waist. The captain's head is still in a shack.

You headed down the hall to the spot you knew led to the entrance of the ballroom. When you reached the flight of stairs you noticed two guards standing off to the side. You quickly transformed becoming your demon half. The sword began to glue purple in your hands and the whip purple around your waist. This place would now be infested with guards after the massacre in the catacombs. You approached the guard with her back turned. Pulling her ponytail back she flung it into your chest. You covered your arm around her lifting your sword to slice her neck.

Your eyes began to glow as you felt yourself absorb her energy. The more you killed, the more chaos you caused the more you felt your energy spike. The next guard ran to you but you easily stabbed her through the stomach. She fell as you pulled your sword out, directly on her face. You didn’t bother cleaning the blood off the sword, it would just get bloody eventually as more guards got in your way. When you reached another hallway you saw each guard standing in front of a window holding their post. Only upon your arrival did they move. Making their way to kill you.

You undid your whip using it to squeeze around guards next watching as she choked and fell to the ground dead. The other that came from your left you smacked the whip it slicing her in half. The next couple of girls that came forward you used your sword to slice up one’s chest, the other to slice her legs stabbing her in the back as she fell, and the other your whip wrapped around her head squeezing tightly, so tight an eyeball flung out onto the ground.

The rest of the guards stepped back swallowing hard as you silently approached them. They had heard of stories. They heard about the legendary monster killer. The demon was sent from another realm to slaughter the monsters that walked amongst the Earth. The monsters were not supposed to be here but their disease and poisons slipped into our world creating the werewolves and the vampires. The trolls and goblins lived under bridges or in the deepest parts of the enchanted forest. The monsters haunted and killed innocent people. A touch of chaos was put into a child so that one day she would rise above them and wipe the earth clean of their evil. You were that baby they feared. Now grown and powers awaken. You were the one they were taught to fear. But they had never heard the other half of the story, only what their master Jaehyun had told them.

And they would follow that man to the end of the Earth. They charged at you and you ran towards them shack hanging from your belt. Whip in your left hand and sword in your right. You ran into the crowd stabbing and whipping the guards that weld their swords at you. You wasted no time and had zero remorse for any of them. Easily cutting their throats and creating whipping scars on their skin. Once you made it to the other side you looked around to see the bodies all over the ground. The grey, gloomy hallway was now dark and covered with blood. Your chest heaved up and down. You placed your sword away and absorbed their energy. Until you felt a hand on your shoulder.

You turned to see Doyoung standing before you. You gasped, he wasn’t supposed to see you. None of them were. Now your plan won’t work. You weren’t even sure if he was the evil brother or Yuta and you didn’t want to risk it. If only you used a hidden door you could have avoided the battle about now it was too late- “I am so glad you are alive,” he said looking deeply into your eyes. His chest raised up and down quickly as he let his shoulder fall from your arm. “Forgive me but I had no clue,” he shook his head in disgust. “I had no idea of my brother's plans to hurt you. If I knew that, that is what they had in store I would have killed them myself,” he said tears brimming in the corner of his eyes. He wiped them away with his thumb shaking his head a smile on his face. “How foolish? I am crying. I haven’t cried in a long time,” he said looking into your eyes that now filled with tears. Some had even threatened to fall.

“You didn’t know?” You asked.

He nodded sucking in a breath. Just the very idea of anyone or anything causing him harm broke his heart. You could feel that in the strong energy he gave off. “I love you Y/n. I would have never let this happen to you,” he said pulling you into his arms. You let herself go completely. Falling easily into his embrace and holding on to him tightly so he would let go.

“Why did you make me sleep?” You asked as you pulled away arms placed on his chest. He sighed arms still wrapped around you. “Jaehyun said it would be easier. I guess not,” he said. You nodded and returned to his hug.

The two of you walked beside each other to the ballroom. Doyoung agreed to help you with your plan to get rid of his brothers and help you instead. “So you had a clue?” You asked walking beside him. He shook his head holding your hand in his. Swinging your hands front to back. “No idea. They kept me away from secret meetings. They only told me what they told you,” he said. “But I did know you were a half-demon. That must be nice,” he joked.

“You knew?” You asked a little surprised. He nodded as you walked past a window with sunlight shining through. “After our first night together I realized you were more to handle for me than I to you. Jaehyun explained to me that you absorbed a lot of my energy during the time we spent. Which is why I was gone for a while or avoided you. I needed to regain my strengths,” he said honestly. You nodded thinking of the other question you had.

“Yuta knew then I assume. He knew of Jaehyun’s plan,” you pointed. He nodded chewing his lip. “They only spoke with each other. I knew of the blood machine. But I assumed it would only take a little….” He stopped to you, your hand in his. His head shook then fell. “I was so scared you weren’t going to wake up. Wendy tried to break you free from the restraints but failed,” he said. You nodded wiping away one of his tears. You continued walking his hand in yours. You didn’t want to talk about it any longer, you just wanted this to end.

You two had made it to the front entrance. Doyoung hand in yours told the guards to move aside. They did stepping away and opening the doors for the two of you. Thereby the stage, Jaehyun had two chalices in front of him. He smiled as you both entered walking hand in hand. Your boots echoed across the ballroom floor. You looked around the room seeing Wendy on the floor just above. The stands overlooked the dance floor. She smiled at you sending you a thumbs up. You smiled back returning to Jaehyun’s gaze.

“Welcome back brother,” he said greeting Doyoung. He walked over to you placing a kiss on your cheek. “Y/n,” he said flatly. “I see you’ve awakened the demon half of you. Well done, it suits you,” he commented. You held back your words bring your tongue. Just a few more minutes and you would be ready. You need all of them to be here. You looked around noticing there was no sight of Yuta. Then it dawned on you. You turned to Doyoung his and his brother's conversation fading into the back.

“Why didn’t you help me?” You asked. They both looked at you. Doyoung raised a brow face turning. “I’m sorry?” He asked. Your hand slipped away from his. “Why didn’t you help me out the restrains if you saw I was dying?” You asked again slowly backing from him. He scoffed voice becoming much higher pitched. “Y/n I was frozen I couldn’t help you-“

“Bullshit. Why didn’t you help me,” you asked hand holding onto your sword. You didn’t pull it out but your fingers tighten on it ready to sling it out at any given moment. Doyoung looked over at Jaehyun who shook his head. He already knew that you knew the whole time. Jaehyun was far from stupid he knew you knew of their plan. He also knew you didn’t know which brother was evil. But he knew you trusted Doyoung the most. Which is why he sent him your way.

“You knew.” You said a shudder in your voice. “You knew the whole time and you lied,” you said. Two guards came from behind you holding your arms behind your back. You tried to break free but couldn’t. Doyoung stepped forward sighing. He had finally given up his act.

“Y/n my dear I am impressed you figured it out so fast,” he chuckled pulling a dagger out of his jacket pocket. It danced around in his fingers. He licked his lips looking away from the sliver blade and back at you. “It is an utter shame we have to kill you. I did like you but this,” he pointed to the room around him. The statues and the art. The expensive jewels and clothes. “This is a life I deserve. You can not take that away from me,” he said coming closer to you and raising the dagger to your chin.

“But your son. What will happen?” You asked still putting every singe piece together. He shook his head hair dangling above his forehead. He wore a sinister grin on his lips. “I lied my darling. My son died years ago. There is nothing left for me but me,” he said pushing the dragger closer to your skin beginning to draw blood. He frowned mockingly.

“It will be hard killing you, I know that. But it will be an utmost riveting task. Your death will go down in our history books. The monster slayer who died before she could get her first kill,” he chuckled mocking you. “And the guards don’t count my dearest. Maybe the captain but she is…” his words died as you pushed off the guards opening your bag and sliding the captain's head his way. The head landed in front of his feet and choked on air almost falling to the ground.

“She is our- she’s been here longer than all of us there’s no possible way,” he stuttered looking over at Jaehyun who was just as surprised. You stepped towards him drawing your sword. “You will be surprised by just how well I can do,” you said holding your sword in front of you and standing your ground. He looked back at you dagger still in his hand pointed in your direction. “Still once we drink your blood we will gain your power. Will be unstoppable. I will not give up this life for you!” He yelled as he ran to the chálese taking a swig.

He drank every single drop. He threw the chalice on the ground a few drops of blood slipping out. He smiled arms up wearing a cheeky grin. He self-celebrated for a brief moment until he leeched forward. He began to cough holding onto his throat. You chuckled walking before you holding your sword in your hand as it dragged across the ballroom floor. Creating a terrible screeching sound. “The spell only works if I Desire, Trust, and Do Not Fear you,” you said bringing your sword into the air.

“I no longer love or trust you,” you said.

“What…about fear?” He asked through coughs. His face began to turn even more pale and wrinkly. He began to turn into an extremely old man. “I was never afraid of you,” you said yielding your sword into the air. You watched as he ate decades going by. He was transforming back into a human. He didn’t gain any of your powers and lost his. “From a selfish prince,” you said. “To a dead man,” you brought the sword down stabbing in right through the head. He laid limp on your sword eyes opened. You pulled the sword out watching as his body fell to the side blood pouring into the marble white and golden ground.

You turned to the guards behind you who ran away. All you did was smirk, turning back to Jaehyun. He had a smile on his face as he walked to you. “You have helped me yet again,” he said. “I’ve wanted to eliminate my brother for decades. Now that he is gone I only have to worry about you,” he walked to the guard's head placing his foot on top of it. “And being that you killed my best guard,” he kicked the head away watching it roll into the distance.

“I will have to try extra hard to kill you. Too bad Yuta isn’t here to see it,” he commented sighing as he turned to the golden cup. He beckoned one of the guards to come forward. She quickly went to him. He removed her sword from her sling taking it in his hands. “Why because he wants me dead too?” You asked as he sent the guard away.

Jaehyun shook his head removing a hand from his pocket. “Nope. Because he’s in love with you and I would have loved to see his face when you died,” he said eyes turning black. He ran towards you sword in his hand. You dropped the shack removing the whip from around your waist as you ran towards him.

This was it. The final battle between you and Jaehyun. Your swords banged together creating a slinging sound. Black eyes looked into your purple iris. “Do you think you can kill me?” He mocked a smile on his face. He didn’t even break a sweat. Starring into your eyes he held the sword pushing it and angling it closer to your face. His blade now inches away from you slowly cutting the surface of your skin. You gritted your teeth finding the strength to slowly push him back. You held your ground boots scraping against the marble ground. You forcefully moved your body lunging yourself at him causing his sword to swing out of his hand.

“I know I can kill you. I could kill right now if I wanted to,” you said walking towards him as he backed away where his sword lay. He swiftly picked it up from the ground holding it in front of him. “I just need you to feel every ounce of pain that my sword will cause,” you said darting your sword at him.

Swords clash together as you whip his body. He groaned in pain repeatedly as your whip burned his skin. “I hid the whip perfectly there's no way you could have found it!” He said sword meeting yours. You didn’t reply just kept on fighting. The next time your whip flew Jaehyun grabbed it. He yelled in pain as the whip burned his skin. The whip is made by the power of light from the sun. It burned his hands melting the skin. He threw the whip away leaving your left hand empty. You brushed it off. You wouldn’t need it.

Swinging your sword again your blade sliced a fine line across his stomach. It wasn’t enough to kill him but it did slow him down. His hand touched the blood that spilled from his body. He looked down seeing the red stain on his shirt and hand. He knew you were able to kill him. Your powers had only just woken still fresh and new. He couldn’t even drink your blood. He knew the minute you showed up at his study beyond the maze. There was no possible way you could have found him as a human. Even if you had help the maze would have absorbed you.

He knew he stood no chance even as a vampire. Still with the powers of a vampire, he could quickly move out of your way. He made his way around the room in the blink of an eye. He would have to use his other abilities if he wanted to survive. You were stronger than he ever imagined. Your eyes followed being able to track him down as he quickly moved from around the room. Once the movement stopped you looked around unable to see him.

Your body was slammed to the ground strong arms wrapping around your neck. Jaehyun had thrown himself from the second floor to you slamming you harshly causing the back of your head to bleed. You quickly healed your head as quickly as you wrapped your hands around his neck lifting him off the ground. His eyes widened, you underneath him soon spinning around so that you were on top. He put his hands over yours trying to pry them away. You looked for your sword seeing it on the ground where you lay. In your short moment of weakness Jaehyun feeling the grip loosen took this as the opportunity to throw you off.

He threw you to the ground and you landed right threw your sword. Impaled you had fallen on your sword. You choke coughing up blood. It spilled down your shirt and onto your skin. Jaehyun chuckled feeling true justice was made tonight. He was victorious walking close to you to get a better look. Just as he went to speak the door opened and closed. Yuta came running in after hearing of the death of his brother. He felt his heart drop at the sight before him. Running over to see Jaehyun standing above you as you barely touched the ground sword through your body. He looked down seeing the whip he almost tripped on.

“Brother, what have you done?” He asked Jaehyun who just turned around wiping his hands and mouth of any blood. “She is poisonous. She tried to kill me and she killed your brother,” he said pointing to Doyoung on the ground. Yuta went towards Doyoung who was now an old dead man sliced in half. His remains are still on the ground pooling in blood. Yuta bent down fingertips touching his blood. “I don’t understand. I thought she wants meant to heal us not hurt us?” He said tears forming in his eyes. Jaehyun sighed coming behind his brother and touching his shoulder. He rose his hand behind Yuta not knowing what was to come.

Jaehyun brought his hand down but stopped at your grunt. You had woken up, back from the dead. You looked around the room seeing Yuta by the deceased Doyoung. You looked behind him to see Jaehyun holding a dagger to his side. Yuta turned at the very sound of your voice. He came to your side moving any blood or hair on your face. “Did you kill him?” He asked searching your face for any sort of any signs you weren’t okay. You nodded hand touching his. “Did he try to kill you?” He asked lip quivering. You nodded feeling your tears form. Yuta took a good look at your face. Your face morphed with the demons yet he could still make out the parts that were you.

Your eyes, lips, nose, and body. He knew even if your face was mixed with the demon that lived inside you that you were in there. He hated his brothers for the damage they’ve caused you. If he could he’d take your pain and live it himself. He’d endure everything just to make sure you’d never have to go through any of this.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized not knowing what else to say. The words slipped from his tongue. He shook his head tears falling as he cursed at himself. “I am so so sorry for what I have done. I should have known of their lies. I should have seen the truth. If I knew I would have protected you. Kept you away and forbade them from ever finding you. I wouldn’t have invited you to the ball. I wouldn’t have fallen in love with you and I most definitely wouldn’t have watched you through your window,” he confessed hand over yours. “It’s alright,” you began looking into his eyes.

His head lifted shameful eyes meeting yours. You watched from behind as Jaehyun crept closer dagger in his hand. “Yuta,” you called. “Yes,” He replied. “Leave,” you said. He raised a brow. “What? No,” he said shaking his head. You’d tatted to pull yourself up from your sword. “I’m not asking I’m…” you groaned loud as you pulled yourself up from your sword. You felt a sharp pain shoot through your body. Your spine felt like it was breaking like the rest of your bones. Putting all your force you pushed your feet from the ground pulling your body upwards. Hands holding onto the sword become blood from the sharpness.

“I’m telling,” you said sternly. Yuta stuttered not turning his head. You pulled yourself off the sword stumbling forward. You took not a moment to rest. Seeing Jaehyun come fast with the dagger you pushed Yuta out of the way sending him flying across the ballroom. One of your hands held over the stomach and the other holding Jaehyun’s dagger. He looked down at you with wide eyes. You pushed him back sending him to the ground farther from where you stood. A crack formed underneath him from how hard you shoved him. As you walked you healed yourself regaining your strength. You picked your sword up off the ground throwing his dagger elsewhere. You can wound him with his weapon or kill him with yours. You knew exactly what you had to do.

As you walked to him you saw from the large windows behind the stage the skies change. The clouds came together blocking the blue skies and the early morning sun. Replacing the blue with a grey. Heavy rain began to fall patting onto the window. Lightening struck and thunder crashed mixing to create loud banging sounds enough to scare a child. Jaehyun coughed from where he lay. Reaching up to hold his head. When he removed his hand he looked down at the blood on his fingertips.

Your sword made the sling sound. He looked up at you becoming eye level with your blade. The ballroom became darker the power going out. The only source of light came from the large windows. When the lightning struck you gripped your sword tighter in front of Jaehyun eyes glowing purple. When lightning struck again he was gone. You turned looking for him trying to sniff him out. You easily found him near Yuta’s body. Making your way over his back turned to you, you pulled him by the back of his shirt dragging him across the floor. You threw him to the other side watching as he smacked into a pillar. He got up dusting himself off. “You will not be the reason I die,” he said as the two of your circled each other. “I have waited so long for this moment!” He shouted over the rain. “Decades and decades of waiting for you to arrive so that I could kill you and take was is rightfully mine. You do not deserve the power you hold, I do! My whole life people told me how to live. Controlled my every move,” he eyed Yuta’s limp body. He looked back at you. You tightly held your sword in front of you circling him. He held out his dagger. “My whole life will not be wasted by you,” he said lips forming a tight line.

“Seems like you’ve already wasted it waiting for me,” you said drawing your whip. Jaehyun’s feet lifted off the ground red power forming in his hands. He may have been a vampire but at the end of the day he was a sorcerer and that came with its one plus. His eyes were black and his hands waved around the red magic in his hands. “I have wasted nothing,” he said indignantly. “This ends today,” he said taking the power from both hands and forming them into one ball. He threw the magic ball at you but you quickly dodged it. Rolling on your side you swiftly brought yourself back up. He threw more balls at you but dodged them all. Yuta’s eyes slowly opened seeing the battle that took place in front of him. He lay slumped on the wall watching you destroy his brother.

“This only ends when one of us is dead!” You shouted back mover-nerving past his magic. There was no way you were gonna be able to get him. Even if you could lift yourself into the air you could only float, not fly like he could. The magic he threw at you would be too much to dodge in the air as well. You tried to think of a plan as you dodged more of his magic.

You grabbed your whip. You ran building up enough speed to leap high in the air. Throwing your whip tightly wrapped around his ankles throwing him into the ground. You landed back down on your feet took your sword and ran to him. Jaehyun picked up the sword next to Thin standing up to fight you. Your swords clinked together. Thunder and lightning continued to mix adding to the scene.

You didn’t even break a sweat. You could feel the weak he was becoming. You were draining his energy dry. You continued fighting with all your might. He fought back as hard as he could but you couldn’t stop. Not only was he trying to kill you but you couldn’t shake the feeling of how cruel he had been. He lied to you. You’d much rather the first night he met you tried to kill you at least then his intentions would have been honest. But instead, he and his brother played you for a fool. You recalled all the moments you shared. All of the memories are a bunch of lies. The first time you met. The first time he told you he loved you.

The times they stepped watching you were to study you. To make sure the timing would be perfect for their plan. That’s probably why you would only see one or two at a time. Yuta was completely oblivious to his brother's plans to execute you. All your added emotions mixed into one great one. You didn’t hold back anymore. Everything erupts out of you like a volcano. You couldn’t stop your hands from swinging for sword around. You couldn’t stop the screams that left your mouth, frustrated cries leaving your lips. You couldn’t feel any remorse for Doyoung or Jaehyun. All you could picture in your head was leaving this place knowing he could no longer hurt a soul.

Jaehyun had slightly lost his footing as he became more and more tired. He took this as the opportunity to wrap the purple whip around his foot tying him to the ground. He yelled feeling the burn around his ankle. He dropped his sword falling to his knees. His hands tried to attend to his ankle but failed. He couldn’t lift your whip even if he tried. The weapon holding him down like an Iron Maiden in an ocean. You walked towards him sword dragging on the floor. You picked it up running to him lifting the sword above his head. He looked up at you a smirk on his face.

“So this is it?” He asked. “I’m finally gonna die,” he commented. Your sword slowly fell. “You want to die?” You asked with a demonic tone. He closed his eyes chuckling listening to the sound of the rain. He nodded his head. “If I can’t live in control then I’d rather die,” he confessed. This might have been the only truthful thing he’s ever told you.

His face was all beat up. Your right eye is swollen from your punches and your nose is busted. His lip bleeds and cuts down the middle. Ruff patches and blood all over his clothes and face. His arms and fingers were bruised while you remained perfect. Instantly healing any chance he laid a hand or blade on you. You wish your heart could heal as fast as your body.

You couldn’t kill him. It’s what he wanted. You couldn’t give him what he wanted after everything he has taken from you. It’s like setting a prisoner free. Jaehyun opened his eyes seeing your sword no longer in the air. You yanked him by his dollar lifting his upper body from the ground. Your brother your face close to yours, his arms dangling on the side.

“I will not kill you. But I will make sure you rot for the rest of your days. I will make sure you will never see the moon again. You will die but not by my sword, my sword would do no Justice. My sword will have wasted itself on you. Instead, you will live in pain and torture for the rest of your miserable life,” you said stepping away from his face. Your whip that was tied around his ankle dragged him across the ballroom floor. As you made your exit a bunch of guards came running in, in his defense.

But when they saw you were in control they stopped. Jaehyun looked at them motioning to kill you.

“I order you to kill her!” He shouted groaning out in pain again at the burning feeling he felt. The whip melted his pale skin. The guards unsure didn’t move. Looking between you and him. You cleared your throat. “You now do as I say,” You said as you walked over to them handing one the whip. She hadn’t felt anything since she wore strong metal gloves. She looked down at the whip then you. “I know he’s mistreated all of you,” you said nodding your head understanding them. They nodded as well, all of them looking at you.

“So many you should have your fun with him,” you said smirking. The girls looked at one another and then back at you. They nodded their head bowing to you thanking you for your freedom. You removed the whip from Jaehyun’s leg. He tried to crawl away aiming for a nearby rift gate. The guards caught him. He screamed and hollowed as they dragged him away into the darkness of the long hallway, all the way to the cellar and past the catacombs soon reaching beyond the Blood Maze.

You turned to see some guards near Yuta. You walked over to them ushering them all away. They bowed running off elsewhere. You reached down to Yuta. He slowly opened his eyes squinting as the rain ended and the clouds moved to expose the sun. You moved him from the large window bringing him outside the ballroom. “Are you okay?” He asked you. You chuckled feeling a tear form. “Me? Are you? I threw you pretty hard,” you said chuckling. Yuta coughed sitting up on the wall. He shrugged dusting himself off and groaning as you helped him up.

“I deserved it,” he said standing in front of you. You nodded, “Yes you did,” you both looked into each other's eyes.

“Y/n!” You heard Wendy's short walk through the door on the right. The girls and the guy followed behind her with wide smiles. “You killed Doyoung and technically Jaehyun spilled blood so you did it!” Wendy said embracing you in a hug. You released from the hug. “So I didn’t have to kill him?” You asked. Seulgi shook her head walking forward. “Not necessarily. If they bleed it shows their weakness. But killing then stops them from hunting you down or killing anyone else,” she said with a light shrug. She couldn’t help but hug you, none of the girls could.

“That only leaves you,” Joy said to Yuta. Yuta looked up. He had kind of moved away unsure of how to act in front of everyone. Just hours ago they were following his orders. You motioned your hand for him to come forward. He slowly did walking to stand beside you. He cleared his throat scratching the back of his head. He bowed before all of them. “I’m sorry. If I knew of my brother's malignant plan I would have never stood by their sides,” he said sincerely. “I’m curious. How much about us do you know?” Wendy asked crossing her arms over her chest. Yeri stood forward. “Yeah, how much did they tell you?” She asked. He lightly shrugged.

jumped back a little but wrapped your arms around her. “Thank you so much,” she thanked sweeping you tightly. You patted her back soon relaxing into her embrace. “You're welcome,” you replied.

Eventually, it was time for the girls to leave back to their coven. You offered to buy the manor from Yuta since he was selling it. His time there was done and he was ready for a new life. A life worth living he told you. The girls refused but thank you. They just didn’t want to spend another more time in that house. You completely understood them and didn’t push them any further.

However, Mark offered to buy the manor from Yuta. He would fix it up and change it. He had big plans for his new life. He offered to let you and Yuta stay but you said no. Your life now was just beginning. You walked down the manor steps alongside Yuta. As you walked down you notice the gate opened and saw Jeno running through. Out of breath and patting his hands fell on his knees. He squinted seeing you. Eyes widened he ran towards you, Yuta defense stood in front of you. You smiled but gently pushed him to the side letting him know you were okay.

“Y/n!” He said patting. He fanned his head from the heat. “I here to warn you about….about…” he looked over at Yuta eyes widened again. “Him!” He shouted pointing at Yuta. You both chuckled and Jeno’s face changed from scared to confused. “Jeno I am perfectly fine but thank you for your concerns,” you said walking past him Yuta following. Jeno followed behind walking towards you.

“But…but he’s a-“

“I don’t care. He hasn’t tried to hurt me alright? Where did you even hear that?” You asked genuinely curious. “I saw one of them attack someone outside the bar the other night. I needed to know you were safe,” he said eye meeting yours. You smiled nodding your head. You pulled him into a hug. He was surprised didn’t hug you back until he looked away from Yuta. “Thank you Jeno for trying to save me,” you said into his neck. He nodded smiling feeling like a hero. “I needed to know you were okay,” he confessed. He sighed into your neck. "And I'm sorry,"

You pulled away breaking the hug. "It's alright," you said. You patted his shoulder and walked away from him. You walked to Yuta’s car watching guards fill it with his stuff. “What now?” Yuta asked you pushing his sunglasses up and holding his umbrella over his head. You put a pair of sunglasses on too walking to his car. The guards closed his truck as you sat in the passenger seat, and Yuta sat in the driver.

“Well, I heard a lot is going on in New York. A lot of monsters have infested the area. Should we check it out?” You asked putting on your seatbelt. Yuta nodded starting the car. “I think it’s for the best,” he said leaning forward capturing your lips with his. The kiss was sweet and gentle. You smiled against his lips pulling him closer. He pulled away lips hovering over yours. “Maybe we should stop by your house real quick. Your bed is fixed right?” He asked. You nodded kissing him again.

Yuta started the car again after some time passed. You both loaded your things inside his car including Lucy who jumped into the back seat relaxing on the chair. You smiled turning back and seeing your feline friend curl up into the car. You took one last look at the chateau as well.

Yuta began to drive off. That part of your life was over and it was time to start a new life with your new powers. Yuta would be there to help you of course, especially with controlling the added vampire powers.

Before he continued his journey he reached across and kissed you. You kissed back smiling into the kiss. “I love you,” he said against your lips. You kissed him back hands touching his face. “I love you,” you said back. You sat back in your seat adjusting your seatbelt. Yuta lit up his cigarette. You plucked the thing from his lips throwing it outside. He gawked as you he watched you throw it out the window. You higher the window back up. Yuta huffed, “I told you before I can’t die from smoking,” he said. You shook your head. “I know it just makes your breath smell weird,” you commented and he promise to never smoke again so that he could kiss you. "Your my favorite, you know that?" Yuta said against your lips. You nodded biting your bottom lip. You released it from your teeth facing the road before you. “Now let’s go kill some fucking monsters,”

Fin.

I hope you enjoyed the final part of my favorites series. It was honestly so much fun making this series. Truly I enjoyed writing into the night about Vampires and magic lol. It’s a story I always thought about writing but never did because I thought it was to long or that no one would read it but you guys proved me wrong! Lol.

Thank you so much for reading it truly means a lot. Please don’t be shy to check out some of my other work while your here. I’m always posting new stories whether their long or short. And yea it’s 2:24am and I just finished this final chapter.

Thanks again for reading and I’ll see you in the next story! Bye!

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stellamancer · 2 years ago

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don’t, if you value your life (one-sided nier x reader)

notes: i have had the idea of this fic in my head ever since i finished replicant like a year ago. of all the things i expected to write on my days off, this was absolutely not one of them, but at midnight a demon possessed my body and puked out the fic. though i think of it more of a writing exercise since anyone knows me knows that my typical genre of fic is completely on the other side of the spectrum of this.

contains: angst (no happy ending), canon-typical violence, mentions of blood, suicide ideation, very minor stalking, character death, largely un-beta read, language (Kainé is present after all).

wc: 3.9k words

if you read this and think i need to add a tag, please tell me.

Don't go into that village.

Don't go near it.

Don't, if you value your life.

The words of your elders are etched into your brain— your mind. It's a mantra, a hymn, a warning. The village in question is a quiet place, nestled in verdant hills, built upon the ruins of the old world. They say it's peaceful there, pretty even, but the village houses a great and terrible monster. One that will kill on sight— without hesitation, without mercy.

When you were younger, the curiosity, morbid and insatiable clawed at your heart. Maybe the elders were over exaggerating, maybe they were mistaken, maybe there was no monster at all. You thought about it sometimes, thought about tempting fate and visiting the forbidden village. Someone said that there's a library there and you'd love to see one, even just once. However, everyone who ignored the words of elders— who set off to see that village never, ever returned.

That, in of itself, was enough to prove the monster was real.

And so, you stayed away.

You didn't need to see a library, the view of the ocean near your home was beautiful enough to fill your heart and mind, leaving no room for thoughts of merciless, bloodthirsty monsters. For the most part, your existence has been quiet and peaceful.

At least it was, until the monster left its village.

Until the monster came to the seaside town you called your home.

Truth be told, it's not the first time the monster has appeared in your hometown, but its visits were well communicated— the sentries stationed outside the town quick to inform everyone to hide for the monster was on the way. Those visits were spent in the shadows hiding with bated breath— hoping and praying the monster would never notice. Your mother had hidden you well away, afraid that even laying eyes on the monster would condemn you to a fate far too sad. So you didn't know, you didn't know—

The screaming through the town is sudden and shrill, the sound running chills down your body. It is a siren biding you to run if you value your life. You and those around you act on instinct, running, scampering across the streets. Some run further into town, some toward the harbor, you run toward the lighthouse, abandoned since its caretaker died some years ago. You think it will be safest. The monster is said to be indiscriminate with its slaughtering, but also intelligent— surely, it won't come looking for murder in a place where no one is supposed to be. And if it does… you can choose to end it yourself rather than at the monster's bloody hands.

You ascend the lighthouse, two steps at a time. The cacophony of carnage is muffled here— distant, but still ominous in the background. You quickly reach the top of the tower and the town is so saturated in the stench of death that not even the salty sea breeze that's filling your lungs can displace it. From here you can see it all, your peers running in all directions, scattering like petals in the wind.

It is here, for the very first time, you see the monster.

If not for the large, bloodied greatsword in his hands, you would think him more a man than a monster. You cannot make much of his features from atop the lighthouse, save for his hair, shimmering like a beautiful white pearl in the sunlight. A strange, morbid frustration tears at your stomach as you strain your eyes in efforts to get a better look at this monster. He rushes at a group, too slow, too unfortunate and looks to effortlessly cleave them, slicing their bodies into ribbons.

You should be horrified. Disgusted. Afraid.

Instead, you are transfixed.

Your body is stock still as you bear witness to the monster's massacre. He is every bit as cruel as the elders said— there is no hesitation, no mercy in the swing of his sword as he fells your neighbors and friends one by one. You are lucky that you ran to such a secluded area, just as you figured, the monster of a man doesn't bother to come your way. You wonder if he thinks there is no carnage to be found in such an abandoned place.

Do monsters even think?

You remain there, rooted to the spot until you see the monster, a bloodstained pearl, wander toward the town's entrance. Once he's gone, your legs finally give out from beneath you, the weight of it all hitting you like a tidal wave. Eventually, you crawl your way down the steps of the lighthouse and into the town proper to find any survivors.

After a few hours, everyone is rounded up. Only just a fourth of your small community remains. No one is without loss— friends, family, lovers are all victims to the monster's rampage. Your heart seizes in your chest when you realize your mother is among the lost. She had been home when the disaster came to pass, waiting for you to return from an errand she had sent you out for. Had she come looking for you when all hell broke loose? Was she searching for you when she drew her last breath? Was your unconfirmed safety what cost her her life?

Despaired and disgusted, you retch.

You should have run home instead of to the lighthouse. Because you didn't, your mother is dead. Or maybe, if you had gone back, you would have perished together, you holding your mother in a shielding embrace as the monster brings the sword down. Or, more morbidly, the monster taking your life before your mother's eyes before claiming her life as well. You don't know. You throw up again.

The remaining shuffle to the beach, erecting crude graves of shells and stones there. One of the older members of the community recites a prayer, something reminiscent of the olden days before the ebbing tide washes the graves away.

In the days after the slaughter, the community is especially quiet, mourning. You don't know what to do in the absence of your mother, most of your friends were among the deceased as well: you have no one left. Some of the few remaining turn to anger in their grief: marching off to the forbidden village to claim what all know to be suicide disguised as declarations of revenge. You think it's because they don't know what to do either.

There is almost no one left in your small seaside town and the decision is made to find another community. You follow wordlessly, carrying nothing but your memories of your quiet and peaceful life because they are all that you have left.

Fortunately, there is another community close to your seaside town, sequestered in a building large enough to home at least a dozen families. From the outside the building looks like a fancy mansion, but the interior creeps you out– it's too quiet, too eerie. To make matters worse, the community lives beneath the mansion, in what seems to be a mad scientist's lab. You almost feel like at any moment you're going to become an experiment. Some of the members of this new community seem like they already are one.

The only good thing about your new home is that there is a library. Shelves and shelves of books line the wall. It is the only place in the mansion that has character, but there are rules that restrict visiting the library. You don't care. The rules don't matter much any more.

Nothing really matters much any more.

It is in the library where you see the monster a second time.

While perusing what appears to be some kind of fairy tale you hear footsteps in the hall and you instinctively scamper off into a hiding spot. You're not in the mood to be caught and lectured by the guards for breaking the rules tonight. The doors swing open and it's not the guards who walk in but the monster himself, accompanied by two— three others?

You watch from the shadows as the monster and his comrades move about the library. As he chats with them, you can't help but think of him as more of a man than a monster. He banters with… a floating book? How strange. How interesting. You'd love to see the contents of a talking book one day.

It is much easier to make out the man's features in such close quarters. You think that he can't be much older than you. He's handsome, much more handsome than a monster has any right being. There's some odd urge to get a better look at his face pooling in your stomach. Your instinct is to act on it, to just get closer and look and look and—

Don't go near it.

Don't, if you value your life.

The old mantra holds you still like a spell, the warning coursing through your veins, keeping you taut. But still you keep watching the man, the monster. He laughs with what you have come to realize are his friends and you think he almost seems human. Is this really the same monster that wreaked havoc on your little town a few months ago?

The man and his friends soon leave the library, the talking book bickering with the man's lady friend about her choice in dress. When you are sure that they are gone and not coming back you emerge from your hiding place and settle yourself in with the fairy tale book you had been reading. Hours pass before you've read your fill and you make your way back to the cold, metal depths your community calls home.

What you find upon arrival is not the low, but comforting chatter of your new friends and new neighbors, but dozens upon dozens of bloodstains— fresh and sticky. The stench of death is thick in the air, a sickening and stifling miasma. Before you can think, your feet are racing through the halls, screams reverberating against the walls as you search and search and search.

But you find no one.

You are the only survivor.

No one is left and you don't know what to do with yourself. There is a distant thought bidding you to return to the library, to drown yourself in books, in stories of another land, another time, another place where things matter and happy endings exist.

There is another thought, closer, louder and it is of the man. The handsome man. The terrible monster. Something in you desires to seek him out. Not for revenge, because you know that would be pointless, but merely because you want to get a better look at his face before you meet your inevitable end.

You make it your goal— your reason to live. At this point, you're not even sure if you can call what you're doing living. You leave the mansion with this goal; it's all you have left.

The journey to the forbidden village is not that long, it only takes a day on foot. But when you get to the edge you hesitate, unsure.

What if the monster of a man isn't here?

You shake your head. Nonsense. This is his home. No other monsters have come to destroy it for he is surely the strongest one in all the land. He will definitely be here.

Shuffling past what looks to be an abandoned camp, you make your way toward the village gates. Naturally, there are guards, but you manage to hop the fence, avoiding their attention.

The village, despite being forbidden, is fairly peaceful. Quiet. It reminds you of your seaside home. You keep to the shadows as you steal past a row of merchants, watching as a few children play tag around a cobblestone fountain.

Now that you're here, you realize you have no clue where to find the monster of a man. But there is one building, sitting atop a grassy hill above all the rest. You think it's a good idea to start there.

You slink your way up the hill and you spot a few more children playing in the grass. To your surprise, a couple notice you. Surprising you further, they wave. Shyly, you wave back before bolting toward the tall building, not wanting to remain in the same spot lest the children go running to their parents. When you reach the top of the hill, you look back. The children are still playing and you breathe a sigh of relief before entering the building.

It turns out that this is the famed library of the forbidden village. The feeling of joy, strange yet familiar, bubbles pleasantly in your stomach. You’re here to find the monster, but surely it’s fine if you take a detour. This library is much bigger than the one at the mansion— there are more books to bury yourself in, more stories to fill the void in your heart that’s been growing ever since you left your seaside town. You peruse the titles on the shelves and when you find one you don’t recognize you pull at it, freeing it from the shelf and watching as it falls to the ground, the smack echoing throughout the otherwise silent library. You freeze, fearful that someone will come running to find the source of the noise. When no one does, you scoop up the book and scamper off to a quiet, dark corner of the library to read.

Part way through the story, the main doors of the library slam open, demanding your attention and you look up from the top of your book only to find the monster of a man. But it doesn’t look like he’s here to read, instead he briskly walks the length of the lobby. Your eyes remain glued to his form as he runs up the stairs and disappears onto the library’s second floor. The thought to follow him crosses your mind, but you remain still. He will have to come back down the stairs when he leaves— you will follow him then. You turn your attention back to the story, a little saddened that your attention is divided: it was just starting to get good. Maybe you’ll get a chance later to reread it, give it your full attention.

Some time later, you hear footsteps again and quietly close your book. The man appears, descending the staircase, his handsome face marred by a scowl. Idly, you wonder what happened to make him upset like that, but ultimately, it doesn’t matter. You stare from your dark little corner, waiting for him to leave before you follow after him, sure to keep yourself out of sight, sure to keep yourself at a safe distance.

Don't go near it.

Don't, if you value your life.

The monster heads toward a house, fenced in and half-dilapidated. Despite that, there’s something about the home that is warm, cozy. A stark difference from the terribly violent image of the monster that the elders painted for you. You watch, hidden in the shadow of a nearby building, as the monster tends to a flower bed next to his home, watering and weeding them before he heads inside. Through the window you see the glimmer of light, and once you’re sure he won’t suddenly come out and kill you where you stand, you draw closer to the house.

Curious, you examine the flowers. You are not an expert on plants, but they look well cared for. It’s strange. Why would a monster so lovingly tend to plants? A monster by nature, by definition, is a creature of destruction, so why? You don’t understand.

But you want to, against all instinct, against all odds, you want to.

You start to follow after the monster as he goes about his business, or more accurately, the business of others, running errands for them: delivering packages and messages, fishing, committing atrocities against your people. You’re always sure to stay a safe distance away— close enough to observe, yet far enough to not get wrapped up in the carnage. But sometimes, a reckless rush runs through your veins and you steal closer, listening in on his conversations with his comrades, his friends. You learn their names, their personalities and while they become more human in your eyes, their images are still blurry in your mind’s eye; you are not yet foolish enough to get close enough to get a good look at their faces. You are not yet foolish enough to delude yourself into thinking of them as friends.

One evening, at the camp you hear the scantily clad woman— Kainé, very, very loudly announce that she is going ‘to go take a piss.’ The talking book— Weiss, complains loudly about her crudeness, disgusted, as he always is, with her choice of language. She scoffs, dismissing him with a wave before walking away.

Walking toward you.

You scamper away, running toward a large, nearby bush and hiding within. She shouldn’t see you, or at least you hope she won’t. She approaches another bush and you look away, respecting her privacy as much as you can.

“Come out, I know you’re there.”

Her voice is a low growl, and you think she can’t possibly be talking to you. While your observations have led you to believe that there is a soft core to her brash outer exterior, there is little doubt in your mind that, much like the monster of a man, Kainé would slaughter you on sight.

“Hurry up, I don’t have all fuckin’ night.” She stomps over to your bush, and you’re sure she can’t see you, but still she leans in and whispers, her voice both seductive and violent, “Or if you want, I can just end your miserable existence right damn here.”

Instinct takes over and you run out of the bush, away from her.

“There you are, you little fucker,” she snorts. You back away slowly, as she straightens herself out. Kainé eyes you like a bug, one that she is about to crush beneath the heel of her shoe. You swallow thickly, unsure if you should try to run or not. The only thing you are sure of is that if you do run, you’re dead.

“So, why’ve you been following us, huh?” Kainé demands, arms crossed over her chest, frowning. She must know that she could kill you in an instant, must know that you couldn’t lay a finger on her if you tried to attack her. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed a fucking shade like you lurking around us for weeks.”

Shade. That’s what they call you and your people. Shades— condemned to the shadows, unable to live peacefully with the humans, or, as the elders called them, the replicants… whatever that meant. You eye Kainé warily, wondering why she is asking you a question when it is known that humans can’t communicate with shades, can’t converse with them— if they could, then maybe the monster of a man would just be a man, his beautiful hands devoid of the blood of your friends, your neighbors… your mother.

“Hey!” Kainé shouts. “I’m talking to you, the least you can do is answer.”

She’s right. Even if she can’t understand, she probably can hear the words from your Shade mouth. You take a deep breath and speak for what feels like the first time in an eternity. “...it’s because of… him.”

Your voice sounds so strange in your ears, a sound more foreign than silence itself. Kainé stares at you, scowling like she knows, like she can understand the Shade tongue with which you speak. It’s hard to tell, and you take one, two, three steps closer to look in her eyes, risking your life more and more with each forward step that you take. You’ve read that the eyes are the window to the soul, so maybe if you can see them clearly, you’ll be able to tell, to know, if she really, really understands.

Fortunately for you, Kainé doesn’t move, nor does she speak, but still you hear a voice— not hers, erupt in a manic fit of laughter from her body. Her scowl deepens, clearly annoyed, but it seems that it’s not directed at you.

“How cute, the little shade has a crush!” the voice howls, mocking you.

Your face scrunches in bewilderment. The source of the voice… is Kainé herself, but she is clearly not speaking… You shake your head. No, that’s not right. This isn’t a crush, this isn’t infatuation, it’s merely curiosity. “No… that’s not… that’s right. I’m just… I just…”

The laughter grows louder, more derisive, “Oh don’t fucking delude yourself. You’ve been stalking after us for how long? It’s frankly kinda gross if you ask me!”

Kainé mutters something under her breath that you can’t hear, presumably at the mysterious voice making a mockery of you.

Your stomach churns violently, a grotesque concoction of fear and unease. He’s not wrong though. It is kind of gross how you’ve been following this group around like a pathetic puppy. Watching them at a distance, wanting to get closer, to satiate your curiosity, yet staying far away because that’s the only way you can coexist with the monster and his friends.

You think of the monster, terrible and cruel in his extermination of your people, the Shades. You think of the man, gentle and kind as he tends to the flowers by his house. The images in your mind overlap. Terrible and gentle. Kind and cruel. The images blur.

You can only see the smile he’s offered to his friends.

It’s all you have left now, and you don’t know what to do with yourself.

You are not one of his friends, the image of his smile is something you’ve stolen, held in the shadows, kept like a treasure— a secret that should have never been yours.

In fact, it never was.

“Hey Kainé?” A third voice enters the fray and you feel as if you have been drenched in ice water, thrust into the icy depths of the ocean, your entire body freezing over. “You’ve been taking a while, Emil and I were—”

He stops short. You know it’s because he sees you.

Don't go near it.

Don't, if you value your life.

Everything happens so fast, before you can run, before you can even blink. The spear that was affixed to his back is now in his hands, its tip embedded deep into your abdomen. The pain is mind shattering as it spreads throughout your body, like a wildfire in a forest.

The monster is close, closer than he has ever been, than he ever will be, the view of his face clear, and unmarred by distance. He is devoid of expression as he draws even closer, plunging the spear impossibly deeper into your fracturing body. Rather than the pain, you focus what attention you have left on his face.

It’s what you wanted, to get a better look at his face before meeting your inevitable end.

But now that you’re here, you realize, regretfully, that you maybe want a little bit more.

You want to live in another land, another time, another place, where you’re not just a Shade and you can have a happy ending.

With what sense you have left, you focus on his eyes. They’re clear, and blue as the sky on a cloudless day. As your consciousness ebbs away, fading rapidly from existence, you distantly think that at least the last thing you get to see is breathtakingly beautiful. It would have been nice, if you had had longer to enjoy it.

You have nothing left.

You are nothing but a bloodstain on the monster’s spear.

#nier x reader #nier x you #brother nier x reader #brother nier x you #uh #not sure what else to tag this #i honestly feel like i just barfed words onto a doc #so i don't know if it will have the emotional impact i'd like to have #this is so out of my element lmao #well i hope the three readers who read it like it anyway lmao

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