#I love the empyrean

[justallihere]

I feel like, after posting some critical things about the new Xaden POV bonus chapter, I should be positive for a second and say that I did like it. The romance was fun, I love Xaden being a total obsessed lover boy, and anything with Liam gets 5 gold stars!

But I don’t think we should accept half-assed work that feels sloppy just because. We as fans spend lots of money, time, and energy supporting the author and creating the community we have. We do it because we love it, yes, but we are allowed to expect that the author and publisher respect us and our support by giving us quality work—especially when they’re making money from it.

I also think that criticism and discussion surrounding any sort of art is valid and necessary, so long as it’s done respectfully. I’ve jokingly said before that really I’m just a hater, but the time I spend engaging in discussion with other fans and thinking critically about a work (about this work, specifically) is what fuels me to create and be part of this fandom. My fanfic literally would not exist if I wasn’t critical of the Empyrean. It also wouldn’t exist if I didn’t love it. I promise both of those things are true all the time 🫶🏻

[intothestars23]

One thing I don’t think the Fourth Wing fandom seems to acknowledge or appreciate enough is just how quickly Sawyer is willing to kill anyone who slights Violet

Jack comes back? “We should kill him again”

Cat’s still being rude? “We could bury her and nobody would find her”

Rhiannon & Ridoc will shut their ass down verbally & physically, but Sawyer will jump straight to murder lmao and I love that for him

[chaoticneutraltor]

[somewhere-in-the-rain]

People think of Xaden as a ruthless shadow-wielder and the leader of a revolution, but the new bonus chapter proved that deep down he’s just a guy in his twenties who wanted to sit next to his crush in class and missed her when she was away. Who also loves chocolate cake.

[violetriorsons]

xaden's dramatic lying ass telling mira about sgaeyl breaking through his shields and pouring her emotions into him and then dragging him all the way to monserrat when it was actually the other way around entirely

and sgaeyl taking pity on him by giving him an excuse to go and then letting xaden lie on her name, cause she's nothing if not loyal to her dumbass son

[mysterylilycheeta]

Tairn: Look, I don't want Violet to die. You don't want Violet to die. Let's work together to make sure Violet doesn't die. Xaden: Fantastic plan, my lord, but have you ever fucking met Violet?

[crisalidaseason]

Imogen: I admit, Violet. I tolerate and respect you.

Sloane: same, I don't hate you anymore.

Violet: well, that's nice of you, thank you!

*Catriona challenges Violet*

Imogen and Sloane to Violet: bestie, beat her fucking ass!!!!

[silentlyscreamingatyou]

As someone very new to reading fanfiction, I cannot get over how talented people are. Y’all are out here writing literal novels, novels better than the canon material, and NOT GETTING PAID FOR IT?!

I’d throw a million kudos at each one of you if I could.

[once-i-was-hopeful]

Violet letting go of Xaden's hand in front of the council and Xaden just letting out a big sigh and grabbing it back. Perfection.

[all-lee24]

Radahn designs + Headcanons

Lands between's biggest horse girl

[itsbeenmyhonor]

give me domestic riorgail like this or ELSE

[stupidlybookish]

General Sorrengail: I didn’t raise you to be a traitor!

Violet: Funny, I didn’t realise you raised me at all.

[she-whatshername]

Reading Chapter 27 POV has confirmed that, in an alternate universe When Dain kissed Violet, Xaden left the flight field, drew the blinds closed, sat in his room and listened to “Good Luck, Babe” by Chappell Roan for two days until Garrick dragged him out into the sunlight to prove that Violet really wasn’t that into Dain.

Yes, the song isn’t about a hetero relationship but I feel it in my bones this emotional monster of a man would be screaming “I told you so” under his blankets between tears that the rest of the dorms thinks it’s the ghosts of the former parapet cadets lolol

[somewhere-in-the-rain]

My favourite thing about the Xaden bonus chapters is that after Threshing he’s trying to act all tough and distant and like he doesn’t care about Violet, but the second Dain so much as touches her he completely loses his shit and almost self-implodes because of his repressed emotions.

“Yeah, she’s cute I guess, but not handsome enough to tempt— TAKE YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HER”

Xaden, I love you, but you aren’t fooling anyone. Sgaeyl could tell, Garrick could tell, literally everyone else in Basgiath could fucking tell. The sexual tension between you two contributed to global warming.

[dragons-library]

Xaden telling violet to yell at him or hit him, to do whatever she needs to get out her emotions after killing (“killing”) jack f Barlowe. It’s so soft and pure in my heart.

He was there ready to be anything and everything she needed, he was there to give her absolutely anything she wanted and needed no matter what, because he knew and understood who she was, well enough, to know just how much it would affect her.

I love Xaden.

[leonrose]

Ahhh! My first two commissions done by the incredibly talented; but also amazing artist that I respect and platonically love @cupcakeslushie

Tadahh! First commission is of her beautiful murder child EW Leo relaxing near a Japanese styled garden during his recovery arc with the family. I gave her full creative freedom for the design and being able to see Leon ( Kappa ) fully relax was just *chefs kiss*

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Second commission! This time of her favorite murder child EW Leon meeting EW Future Leon with the theme BONDING :D

I wanted a bit more of an elaborate design this time so I had her go all out this time. I gave her full creative freedom and I wanted the three images done in a 3 Koma style comic from Japan.

The three images I wanted from them was:

1. First meeting each other - which she did with a twist by having Present Leon going to the Doomed timeline ~ I loved it when I got the sketch and I couldn't be more happier with the result.

2. The two of them sparring - I full on cackled when I saw the image because the fact that Present Leon got the drop on Future Leon ahhhhh! Love it! And it was also ingenious because it was a literally "Foot to the face"

- I'll shut up now on that zing

3. And lastly; I wanted them to bond with either simple tea drinking or anything to show a soft side to each other.

Boy did I get the bonding hahaha! Nice little show of ageism with Future Leon teasing Present about his huge crush on Usagi. The look on Kappa's face was just priceless - I loved it all so much!!!

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Thank you once again @cupcakeslushie !!!! I love you platonically so much and I eagerly await for more EW and Feral content!