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solarisensun · 4 years ago

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White Lies

Yandere! Diluc x Sister Reader (Modern Au)

- can you tell that I’ve been on a yandere fixtation with all these fics lmao

The love you and Diluc have for each other extends past a simple familial adoration.

Warnings: Mentions of trauma/mental health, incest, NSFW, yandere themes, dub/non con, obsessive/possessive behaviour

For as long as you could remember, it had always been the two of you against the world.

A pair of siblings shrouded in a past of misery after the passing of both parents in an unfortunate car accident that left them with a ridiculous sum of inheritance that most could only dream about- it’s a classic newspaper headline that gets plastered all over the pages.

Naturally, it brought forth a sea of strangers all vying to get a piece of the wealth in their greedy hands. Distant cousins from different countries showing up at your doorstep, young couples with beams a little too wide looking to adopt new kids, men in sharp dark suits and their endless mountains of paperwork about the family company.

It made Diluc grow up too fast and too hard.

The new young head with bold crimson hair and a jaw set in stone to protect the remnants of his family. Even when he was only 18, he’d taken over the seat of your father, holed up in the study until the beginnings of dawn peeked over the gloomy clouds, forged a city of iron and steel around his heart until no one dared to even think of taking a piece of the Ragnvindr name for themselves.

Of course, even with his armour. There was a chink in it that could shatter it into pieces with a single blow.

There were rumours about the younger sister, a frail thing as pretty as a painted porcelain doll and equally fragile. Not many have had the chance to lay eyes on her, confined to the mansion with private tutors and home schooled all the way to college. A polar opposite of her brother, a poor child that never quite managed to get over the passing of their parents and was plagued with endless nightmares of the tragedy. It was whispered that she’d wake up the entire mansion in the middle of the night with screaming fits until she was soothed by her elder brother. There are even more tales of how he’d spend hours in her room, the heavy oak door locked with a sole master key and no one would be allowed to enter the premises even in the utmost emergencies.

From an outside perspective, it must have looked absolutely baffling to see the usually emotionless young man’s face turned grief stricken at a simple phone ring from his sister, even more baffling when he adjourns the meeting that would cost him millions without even batting an eye.

It was easy to see how protective they were of each other. But of course, they only had each other after all. It was only natural for a pair of siblings to be this close when they were the only two in the world that shared the same blood.

----

“You’re marrying her?”

Your voice is tiny and petulant, small figure brimming with rage twice your size when Diluc closes the door shut behind him in a quiet click.

“What are you talking about?” He says flatly, darkened gaze turning to your figure by the window where the silvery moonlight shrouds your face in pale shadows.

Your face morphs into a sneer, fists balled into your silk nightgown and teeth bared. “I’m not as dumb as people think. How long were you going to hide the fact that you and that Gunnhildr girl are set to wed in winter?”

Bare feet cross the wooden floor as you jab your finger into Diluc’s chest fiercely, “You promised you wouldn’t leave me!” He doesn’t flinch when your tone raises an octave, doesn’t even bat an eye when you scream in his face so loud that the words echo and bounce across the high arched ceiling.

But you know your brother better than he knows himself.

“I was going to tell you eventually.” Diluc replies, keeping his stony gaze fixed on yours.

The tension in your stiff shoulders seem to tighten even further, “Don’t lie” You look up, bright eyes already turning glossy with unshed tears and it’s exactly those tears that gets your big brother to break.

His reaction is instantaneous, a heavy sigh escaping his lips when Diluc pulls you into his embrace. The walls around him crumbling into ash and dust the moment your tears begin to track down your cheeks. “I’m sorry. I should have told you earlier.”

You sniffle into his suit, feeling his arms tighten around your waist as your muffled voice speaks up. “Sorry doesn’t cut it.”

“What do you want me to do?”

The moment your fingers creep underneath his suit, watching as his eyes flash with a range of emotions when you push your big brother to the bed where his knees knock against the bed before he lands with a soft thud. The moment he lets out a shaky breath as you plant your thighs on either side of his waist and your fingers work to loosen his tie.

The moment your lips meet his and it’s like falling back into the yawning pit of addiction again. Even when every little action is wrong, it doesn’t exactly stop the both of you from drawing together like two opposite poles of magnets unable to seperate.

A low groan tumbles out of his mouth when his gloved grip tightens around your soft thighs, hiking the loose fabric of your dress until it's high enough to expose your barely clothed cunt as you mewl at the touch.

“Missed you so much.” You murmur, lashes fluttering when he thrusts his hips up so that your core comes into contact with the growing bulge in his slacks. Greedy fingers tangle themselves in his hair, arching your brother’s face towards yours so you can kiss him better.

Diluc inhaled a shaky breath while looking at your tear stained cheeks, something in the proud lines of his face shattering at the alluring sight of your face. “You make it so hard to breathe you know that? Every single time I step out of this room,” He thumbs away a stray tear across your cheek with an air of breathtaking gentleness that no one would think was capable from the stoic man, “All I ever think about is my spoiled little sister.”

He couldn’t blame you- wouldn’t blame you. Wouldn't blame this insatiable greed that brewed in his chest. You were the only thing he’d wanted in this life, even when he knew that he wasn’t worthy of your love. He supposes that it’s partly his fault that you’ve grown up this way, utterly shunned in the mansion without any friends because Diluc had refused to give you permission to attend a public school (or even step foot outside the mansion).

What would Father say if he saw his children now? Tangled in the sheets with Diluc’s fingers slipped down to push your drenched panties aside so he can feel the familiar irresistible warmth of your little cunt when he curls his fingers in you. What would Mother’s face look like when she sees her precious daughter bouncing on her brother’s cock, spurred on by the iron grip Diluc has around your waist? What would their faces look like?

But dead men tell no tales.

You know without a doubt that the marriage contract would be cancelled by the next morning.

-----

Life is upturned the moment Mr Alberich- one of the few trustworthy friends of his late father asks for a favour.

“Your son is back?” Diluc asks, lacing his fingers together under his chin as Mr Alberich sips on his tea thoughtfully.

The older man sets down the teacup delicately. “I’m sure you’ve heard many stories of my son, he’s around your age too. But alas, our relationship…” A slight grimace graces his weathered features, “Is not the best and I fear my wife will not cope well with the tension due to her weak heart.”

“Will it be alright if he stays in your place for a few weeks until I settle things?”

There are a million reasons Diluc could give to say no. But the Ragnvindrs had always owed the Alberichs one. Mr Alberich was one of the rare few that lent out a genuine helping hand to the children of his deceased best friend.

His memory of Kaeya is a fuzzy one safe for the time when he’d teased you for clinging to Diluc’s hand when the three of you were younger. Diluc had developed an instant dislike for Kaeya in that very instant.

Diluc gives him a curt nod, “I will call the butler to arrange suitable lodgings in preparation for the arrival of your son.”

“Speaking of family, how is your sister faring these days? It’s been a long time since I last saw her.” Mr Alberich’s gaze falls onto the tiny framed picture perched on Diluc’s desk- the one where he has his hand on your shoulder. Your wide beam is a stark contrast to the way Diluc’s lips are pressed into a firm line, with only his eyes that betrayed a faint glimmer of amusement as he stares into the camera.

“I hope my son’s arrival will not cause any disturbance to her wellbeing.”

“Don’t worry,” Diluc replies tersely. “Her condition is improving gradually these days, I’ll make sure that she feels comfortable around Kaeya.”

And far far away from him too.

------

“Aren’t you a little too old to be sleeping with your brother?”

You stiffen at Kaeya’s words, setting down your fork to glare icily at the smirking man seated opposite you. It’d been almost a week since Diluc brought Kaeya in despite your countless protests. Why would you want a total stranger in the house?

Kaeya wasn’t exactly unpleasant, in many ways he reminded you of Diluc before your parent’s death. Before your big brother seemed to lose any sense of warmth within himself. Though the similarities ended with an abrupt halt when you took in his tan honeyed skin, the inky blue curls of his hair and the mischievous glint in those eyes that seemed too probing for your liking.

But he was a stranger. Not a Ragvindr.

Trust no one except for me get it? Diluc’s face is twisted in rage, lips pulled back in a snarl as you whimpered from the force of his strength when he pins your body against the wall. It was the first time you’d seen your normally passive brother this angry and the sight alone made your heart clench in fear. There was a crazed gleam in his eyes blown so dark until only a thin ring of crimson is visible as he towered over you like a menacing shadow, each shuddering breath from your brother’s frenzied shoulders wafting across your tear stained cheeks in warm puffs. Everyone out there is out to get you, unless they have Ragvindr as their last name, you’re not allowed to even look at them.

“You should mind your own business.” You shoot back primly, trying to focus on the meal in front of you when he huffs out a throaty laugh.

“Not so brave when your big brother isn’t around aren’t you?” He jabs again and you resist the urge to hurl your plate at him.

“Do you follow every order from him? Like a good little puppet?”

“Shut up,” You seethe, slamming your palm on the table and tearing yourself out of the seat and knocking the chairs backwards in a piercing screech. “I have no interest in being civil if you continue to insult my family like that.”

Something in his eyes gleams wickedly as Kaeya lets out an amused laugh. “Calm down princess, I’m just taking a slight interest in your relationship with your brother.”

“When was the last time you even stepped foot outside the mansion?” He asks with a tilt of his head.

You can’t even remember.

Taking your silence as defeat, Kaeya leans across the table to whisper conspiratorially. “Don’t you want to go outside?” He prompts, tapping his finger on the wooden surface. “I can bring you out if you’d like.”

Against your better judgement there is a rising wave of curiosity that emerges at his invitation.

“How would you get out without the staff noticing?” The question slips out of your mouth before you can stop it.

“Meet me at my room tonight-”

“Kaeya.”

“Ah,” Kaeya leans back into his chair, all traces of earlier mischievousness wiped away like a blank slate of paper and replaced with an air of languid grace. “The master of the house arrives.”

Diluc frowns but remains silent, instead letting his gaze shift towards you. You can already feel the disapproval rolling off his body in waves when Kaeya shoots you a sly wink.

“I’m done with breakfast.” You announce curtly, brushing past Diluc and ignoring Kaeya’s fixed gaze on your retreating back. “The two of you can enjoy breakfast together.”

-----

A large hand slides up your thigh, gliding from your ankles to the hem of your cotton shorts before curling to gently push your legs apart.

“Diluc?” You blink groggily into the darkness, shifting to turn around on the bed to be met by a solid warmth that hits your cheek. “M’ sleepy.” You complain, trying to wriggle out of his arms when he draws you in closer against his broad chest.

“Just once.” He huffs against the side of your ear, even through your hazy daze you can hear the dark yearning in his muffled voice but he doesn’t plead, never pleads.

You could push him away, there’s no denying that Diluc holds a raw power over you the same way you do to him and you find yourself nodding as he slides thick, coarse fingers under your top until they are bunched above your tits.

“No bra?” He asks, pulling at your nipples and you squirm a little at the touch. “I thought I told you to be more careful now that we have a guest sharing the same roof?”

Who’s the one creeping into your bed now? You want to retort but the drowsy sleepiness still clinging to your lashes only allows you for a soft sorry as your pretty panties start to turn uncomfortably wet the longer Diluc worships your breasts.

Growing impatient, you guide his fingers from your chest and underneath the waistband of your shorts. “Please,” You gasp, nuzzling into your big brother’s neck. “Wanna fuck you already.”

He hums in response, bringing two heavy fingers to rub circles against the damp fabric of your panties as you arch forward in a silent desperate plea, feeling his small smile against your cheek when you pull him closer.

“You’re soaked.” Diluc rasps in a low tone that makes your tummy smoulder, his darkened eyes running across your face and finally sliding his fingers into your soaked core. “Have you touched yourself these days?”

“No.” You whimper. No matter how many times he’d touched you, there’s still that electrifying spark of excitement and arousal that ignites within your heated body whenever Diluc lays his hands on you. “Been waiting for you.”

Pressing his fingers into your clit, Diluc starts to stretch your hole as you let out a pathetic mewl, fingers digging into the hard planes of his shoulder. The wet press of something against your thigh forces you to crack your eyes open to see Diluc stroking his cock in tandem to the sinfully loud squelch of his skilled fingers in your cunt and it feels as if your cheeks are threatening to set on fire at how addictingly depraved this scene looks.

“Diluc,” You press your palm over your mouth, trying to stifle the girlish moans in fear of alerting Kaeya who has his room just down the halfway. “Gonna cum soon.” He grunts in displeasure when your tiny voice is barely audible but makes no move to pry away your hand, instead focusing on the way the pads of his fingers are disappearing in your glossy slit. He’s so close that the long locks of his hair are tickling your inner thighs and the heat of his laboured breaths fanning across your pussy making you writhe in embarrassment.

‘Keep your legs open.” The tone of his voice brokers no room for leniency.

Another delicate press against your walls has your legs seizing up as your head falls back against the pillows when you cum, the walls of your pussy pulsing around his fingers. The area between your legs turns into a huge mess of arousal when Diluc slides his fingers out of your cunt and wraps those same wet digits around his cock to give it another few pumps.

“You’re pretty when you cum.” A rare grin tugs his lips upwards as he guides his fat cock to your swollen clit. The weight of his hardened shaft gliding against your slick folds alone has you trembling with anticipation, even more so when he starts to push himself in little by little, making your mouth fall open in a silent ‘o’.

Excruciatingly slow, far too slow for your liking, Diluc finally nestles his cock in you as you mewl impatiently at the delirious burn- so big, so wide that you can feel your muddles brain going haywire. On days like these, it often feels as if he was deep enough to be felt in your throat. There is a brief moment of pause before he slides his cock out of your pulsating cunt until only the tip is left, making sure that every vein and ridge rubs against the sensitive walls of your pussy and the sudden void of emptiness makes you suck in a breath at what’s to come.

“Hngh you’re tight fuck.” A sound tears its way out of Diluc’s throat that you think might be a low growl but you’re too out of it to fully focus anyway. His cock somehow manages to touch the deepest parts of your cunt so effortlessly that it makes your head spin.

Big hands move under you and Diluc lifts both your legs over his shoulder with ease, shifting your hips upwards to his liking so that the new angle lets him hit even deeper until a murky ring of white coats the way his cock is splitting your tiny cunt open.

You can feel yourself getting wetter each time Diluc slams his hips forward as if he was dying to bury himself in your cunt. “Diluc,” You breathe out into the tiny heated space between the two of you, unsure of what you’re even pleading for from your brother. “Diluc.”

He almost falls forward at the sound of your strained voice, every instinct in him arching towards you even when you’re already safe in his arms. He could never get enough of you even if he wanted to. Say it again, he wanted to command, but kept his mouth shut.

It makes his eyes snap to yours instantly, meeting your gaze through years of affectionate familiarity. Makes his grip on your thighs tighten to the point where a dull throb resonates where his fingers are digging into your skin and nearly drawing blood. Makes his cock throb inside your cunt as you whine to pull his rigid body down for a hungry kiss.

The entire bed seems to lurch forward with every hard thrust that makes you come undone underneath him, breaking away from the kiss to leave sloppy trails of saliva over your chest. You’re so full to the point where every twitch of his veiny cock makes the heat coiling in your belly wind tighter. Diluc is quite literally folding you in half at this point, your ankles at his ears as he pounds another ferocious thrust into your soaking mess of a cunt.

“You want me to cum inside?” He hisses, sweat dotting his forehead as your vision swims deliriously. “Want your big brother to fill you up don’t you?” Each pump of his cock making sure to catch that sweet spot inside of you that he just knew never failed to drive you off the edge.

“Yes!” Your high voice is so needy and your greedy cunt sucking on his cock with equal vigour that it makes his pace falter just a tiny bit at the sensation. “Want you to fill me up please!”

“Fuck,” One of his hands drops from your waist to rub wet messy circles on your clit, petting it gently before getting heavier and you shudder hard enough that Diluc groans at the way you tighten around him. “Go on then, be a good girl and come.” Another purposeful rub of his finger on your clit has your back arching upwards as your climax hits you so suddenly that your eyes roll to the back of your head.

It feels like you’re about to shatter. Especially with how Diluc continues to graze across your clit and your entire body is shaking. It nearly makes him cum when your velvety insides squeezes his cock in desperate pulses as you reach your high.

You come apart under him, not bothering to be quiet anymore until Diluc shoves two fingers into your mouth, pressing them to your tongue to stifle your cries. There is a deep groan when he cums after you, keeping your writhing hips still with a savage grip to keep your perfectly still as you clench down around him when a familiar molten rush fills your insides.

“Gonna cum soon.” His voice gets a little raspier, a little darker.

“Want your cum” You bob your head immediately, soft thighs closing weakly around his waist to lock him in. “Please.” As if he hadn’t already planned to cum inside of you anyway. Diluc gives you exactly what you want- like he always does. Jerky thrusts losing its rhythm when your pussy clamps around him as he floods your cunt with load after load of cum until you can feel the fluid trickle down your inner thighs.

“You're made for me,” He hisses between his teeth, still giving your abused cunt a few shallow thrusts through his orgasm to pump his seed further. “Made to take my cum inside you. Mine.”

It’s a mess that stains your inner thighs and expensive sheets when Diluc pulls out, strings of milky white clinging to the tip of his cock connected to your cunt. The image is almost enough to get him hard again, his adorable little sister looking at him with those glazed over eyes and her cunt stuffed full of his cum. A mess that he quickly cleans up by pushing his cum back into your cunt and giving you a stern glare when you try to shut your legs.

“Don’t let it go to waste.” He instructs despite your feeble protests, sliding your panties back up again.

Gently, Diluc yanks your shirt back to place whilst smoothing your hair back. “Go to sleep now.” He says, pulling your pliant body to fit against him sungly like two puzzle pieces attaching back into place. There’s something soft and precious about the way you look at him that makes his chest ache with love. You’re his, it’s a phrase that keeps him grounded and the same phrase that pushes him to his limit to make sure that you’re draped in the best luxuries the world can afford. His restraint reduced to a thin fraying thread when it comes to you.

Hands, so much smoother and softer than his reach up to cup his face and your delicate fingers run through his hair to soothe down the mass of curls. “Love you.” You smile, kissing him on the side of the cheek with a content sigh,

“You’re gonna stay right?” You whisper sleepily, your brain still buzzing in gentle vibrations from yoru post-orgasmic haze, further lulled on by his comforting warmth as your fingers instinctively fist into his shirt and he nods.

“Yeah-”

A sharp ringing snaps through the peaceful bubble. Instantly, the warmth vanishes when Diluc pushes himself upright to grab his phone off the nightstand and you find yourself missing his presence already.

Curiously, you lift your head from the blankets. The bright words flashing across his screen are unmistakable in the dimness - Jean.

Jean...Gunnhildr?

“Helllo,” Your brother answers the phone and there’s a faint response that you can’t catch before he’s leaving your shared bed, striding to the cupboard and discarding his t shirt for a freshly ironed button up.

“I’m heading over right now.” He says curtly, sliding on his silver watch and buttoning the last of his slacks. “I look forward to meeting you.”

The last phrase makes your irritation bloom into something much uglier. “Sorry,” Diluc looks over after he hangs up the call, sliding his hair up with your hair tie to meet another woman. “I have to get to my office right now. An emergency came up.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow, remember to take your medication.” He says, cracking the door open and the light from the hallway casts his long shadow over your bed. “Good night.” With that, the door clicks shut and nothing can quench the angry purples of jealousy that flares in your chest when darkness descends.

The stinging hurt makes the back of your eyes water as you slide out of your bed. It’s not a surprise that the door is locked when you try the knob but living in the same house since birth has taught you a few tricks that you keep secret from your big brother.

It takes a few tries, but the silver hairpin Diluc had gifted you for your 18th birthday does the work as it always does. The mechanics of the lock pried apart when you jiggle the hairpin until the knob gives away underneath metal.

A bitter sense of determination seems to fuel your movements when you stalk down the hallway, he lied to you. What would he be doing with her this late at night? Why was she more important than you? Despite your best attempts, you can’t seem to halt the growing jealousy brewing like an unstoppable storm.

It was childish to be acting this way but what other way was there to get an edge over your mighty brother than taking up Kaeya’s offer?

The tense voices floating out from the guest room makes you soften your stomping gait and you rub the back of your hand across your eyes to quell the tears. Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. The thought of Kaeya seizing this chance to further tease you was something that you’d like to avoid.

It isn’t until you outstretched hand is about to push his room door open when the tense voices bleeds through the slightly cracked open door.

“You have an interesting medical history don’t you.” Peering a little closer, Kaeya’s back is facing the door and you manage to catch the slightest hint of fiery red over his shoulder. Only one person in his house had hair that striking.

“Stop with your wordplay and get straight to the point. I have a meeting to attend” Your brother’s voice is tense and low, a seething anger brimming in the undertone that sends fear creeping down your spine. The force of his words alone is enough to have your heart pounding uncomfortably.

“I received a package from the hospital when I was out in the gardens, Zoloft, Paxil and Effexor? Those words sound familiar to you?”

“They are for my sister, antidepressants that keep her nightmares at bay.”

You aren’t exactly surprised at the names, though there were often times when you doubted their effectiveness. Seeing as to how you were still haunted by constant flashbacks that left you caged to the bed when a particularly bad one decides to strike.

“But you haven’t been giving her the right doses have you?”

You nearly fall backwards. What?

Kaeya’s response has Diluc taking a hard step forward, the floorboards creaking under the weight of his foot.

“The locks around this house are old,” Kaeya doesn’t flinch, instead pressing on with a grim tone. “Guess what I found when I stumbled upon your little cabinet beneath the stairs? Unopened boxes of the same drug from months, even years ago. What exactly have you been giving you precious little sister Diluc Ragvindr?”

Kaeya returns Diluc’s glare with a gaze as frigid enough to rival the Northern winds. “You’ve been feeding her placebos haven’t you? As if keeping her locked in the house wasn’t enough, you decided to take away her drugs, leaving her weak and uncurable even by the best doctors the world has to offer. I saw through your stupid act the moment I heard the news. How much did you pay the staff to keep quiet? Or did you hold their families hostage?”

“Diluc Ragvindr,” He sneers, “A psychopath billionaire that cages his sister. How many times did you force yourself on her?”

A sickly crunch fills the air when Diluc lunges forward, his fist connecting against the side of Kaeya’s face and you finally break.

Your shrill scream fills the air at the sound and your knees give away, as if the weight of the sky was holding you down. The entire house seems to spin on its own axis when the door slams open so hard that it leaves a dent against the wall and you whimper, shying backwards when Diluc approaches you with wide desperate eyes.

“Go away! GO AWAY!” You scream when he tries to scoop you into his embrace, “Don’t touch me!” There’s nothing but sheer panic in your lungs, the relenting chant to escape resounding in your brain until you feel like throwing up. Tears sting your eyes when Diluc tries to reach for you again until he’s yanked backwards by Kaeya.

“Stay away from her you sick fuck,” He snarls, “Stay the fuck away from her, the police are on the way and you’re not gonna get away with this.”

“Let go of me.” Diluc doesn’t even flinch when Kaeya pins him down on the floor so hard that his head slams against the wooden floor with a wet thud. “She needs me. SHE NEEDS ME RIGHT NOW!” He roars, pushing against Kaeya’s restraining arm when your sobs continue to reach his ears. Every muscle in his body straining in a fog of murderous rage when Kaeya continues to keep him down with the weight of his body. He’ll kill Kaeya, kill his fucking father as well, kill anyone that sets a finger on your trembling figure curled up against the floor. You’ll understand after he explains, you’ll welcome him in your embrace again.

With a pained grunt, Diluc manages to break free, already hurtling to you with shaky hands and shallow breaths. “I can explain, look at me, look at me please. I did it for you, to keep you safe in the house.” He pleads softly and your wet gaze drifts up to meet his despite the burning betrayal that feels as if it’s about to consume you whole. Your eyes widen, “You’re bleeding.”

Even after he’d torn your heart in two, there was a part of you that nearly reaches towards him in an urge to wipe away the bleed matted across his forehead and tend to his wounds. You could feel his agony like your own, even if it was ripping your heart to pieces with each passing second.

“You lied.” Your hushed, broken whisper makes him halt as Diluc kneels before your huddled body- the husk of a proud man diminished to a miserable fool at those two words.

“You lied about everything.”

-------

Sometimes, it’s as if you could still feel the weight of his stare between your shoulders when you're crossing the street. Or the warmth of his presence behind your back when your in line to purchase groceries.

“Mummy?”

Breaking out of your daze, your son tugs on your pinkie with a toothy grin. “Can I pet the doggie?” He asks politely, crimson hair floating in the breeze and bright eyes gazing so earnestly that you can’t possibly say no.

“Alright,” You hum, “Be careful okay? Mummy will stay here and make sure to be back by 6.”

He trots off the moment you give him approval with a wide beam and you turn your gaze upwards to the clear sky. When was his release date again? Had it really been 15 years since Diluc’s sentence?

Even miles away and with the stretch of time between the two of you there is still a stiff pang that throbs in your heart whenever the thought of him reaches your mind.

Across the park, your son lets out a delighted squeal and you reach for your book. Blissfully unaware of the silhouette that looms just a few metres away. Maybe those sensations hadn’t entirely belonged to your imagination after all.

#yandere diluc #yandere diluc x reader #yandere genshin imapct #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact smut #diluc x reader #diluc smut

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cheesewelsom · 2 years ago

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I want to make a fanfic with an undeniable and Y/N like beauty Alicent. Where everyone stops and Stares at Alicent like she's the most beautiful marble statue in a museum, like she's the most attractive bed of flowers, i want her to be so ridiculously beautiful that it turns into her own undoing.

I want Alicent to be beautifully tragic, everyone's taken with her because their heart knows she's in pain, it's so easily displayed on her face, like a demolished Temple still filled with untouchable treasure, you always want to look at it, maybe touch it, but you know you cannot keep it. Too dangerous.

Beautifully tragic in a way that it looks Ethereal, unrealistic, like a story character, or a goddess that's walking on dry land. So breath taking and eye catching that you can not look away, Alicent once cried in court and never has everyone seen someone so beautiful cry; Her brown eyes turn in to glass, her face seem so beautiful stricken with tears as it runs down her face, it was so beautiful that it made half of the people in the room swoon with beauty.

I want little kids to think she's pretty, i want girls to think she's Ethereal, i want men to think she's untouchable, i want people who has experienced the cruelty of this world to think she's going to die.

She doesn't know she's pretty, she thinks she's every brow haired girl with brown eyes, the basic, the things half of the kingdom already has, and this obliviousness to ones self turns in to her own biggest weakness.

Rhaenyra looks at Alicent the first timr, she feels like her eyes can not stray from her, forced to watch a girl laugh with her brother, auburn curls flow down her back as a pretty smile sets in place.

Aemma is also a bit taken with Alicent, never has seen someone so lovely that they can make anyone's heart ache.

Like, if you're going to make her a tragic, make her beautiful. Greek tragedy beautiful. Heart wrenching, heart breaking, air taking beautiful. Make her smile and it stuns the room, make her skin so silky smooth Rhaenyra thinks if she burns Alicent, her skin will turn into silk.

That's all, im probably going ti make this an AU.

#Alicent Hightower #Rhaenyra Targaryen #HOTD #house of the dragon

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all-pacas · 4 years ago

Note

i would love to hear more on why song of achilles is a terrible take on the trojan war 💖

listen

buddy

pal

disclaimers first: as far as a story, specifically a tragic romance, goes: it's good! it made me feel emotions! the author made the right choice grounding the narrative in patroclus's pov because he is one of those characters who always looks good and sympathetic no matter the version of the story.

but it also smoothed the hell out of all the heroes and turned everyone else into flat antagonists. (with the exception of patroclus, who is just almost always an unambiguously nice dude).

this got mega long be warned

also uh content warning for discussion of sexual assault in greek mythology i guess

achilles was kind of an asshole sometimes! not in a cute, broody way. like, a lot of the Iliad is about the weird politics and power struggles of the greek camp during the trojan war. the most relevant example is The Affair Of Briseis (who i always want to spell briesis. oops.)

briseis was a beautiful slave and special favorite of achilles, after he won her in battle. she was married to the son of the king of her citystate, so she was a woman of status and authority before achilles sacked her city and killed her husband and family and took her as a warprize (and to be clear: enslavement = sexual assault and rape).

her background is relevant here, because she's not just a pretty girl, she's a high status woman. she is a valuable prize, a trophy. a high status woman, and proof of achilles's victory.

because she was a special favorite of his, agamemnon, the leader and all around douchebag of the greek army, demanded briseis be given to him instead after achilles undermined him in another power spat.

achilles handed briseis over (to be clear: to be assaulted and raped) and was so angry at the slight to his pride the he refused to fight any longer, despite being a mythical hero who the entire army relied on. again, this is because briseis is a valuable trophy and symbol of his victory and strength.

the greeks begin to lose the war badly, and achilles's response to his friends and allies dying is basically "you shouldn't have taken away my toy then." finally desperate, patroclus dresses up as achilles to inspire the troops, and is killed in battle. achilles is grief-stricken, and briseis is returned to him, only after which does he rejoin the war.

about patroclus: he is achilles's best friend/Special Person. most modern reads agree that they were, to quote psych, lovers in the nighttime. regardless of how you want to read it, they were one another's Most Important People. patroclus had grown up with achilles after being banished from his own kingdom for murdering a child (when he himself was also a child), but despite this red flag, everyone loves him and he's just a good dude.

about achilles and briseis: when she is taken from him, achilles begs to get her back, calling her his "wife" whom he loved, and that it is a grave insult to take her from him, comparing it to helen being taken from melanus. to me, that reads as achilles kind of just trying to get his toy back and using manipulation to try and do so.

briseis herself never expresses these feelings: she grieves for patroclus, who apparently protected her, and had promised he would make achilles marry her (significant, because that would take her from "slave who has been raped a lot" to "noble lady who can be part of society.") she sort of disappears from the story when achilles dies, but some versions of the myth have her being given to one of his men as a sort of bequeathment.

this is sketchy, huh? achilles comes off as proud more than anything, short tempered and a bit petty. he doesn't care if his friends die, because he was wronged. he doesn't care about this woman, except as a token of his status. he is redeemed by his grief and the poetic tragedy of "i lost my love because of my own blinding pride", but he does some seriously gross things.

i'm focusing on briseis because it's also my number one sticking point in 'the song of achilles.' the book had to include her, she plays a huge role in achilles's story. but the book also takes pains to smooth out and erase the characters's gray or bad actions.

(for an early example, patroclus losing his temper and murdering another child is changed to patroclus accidentally killing a terrible abusive bully who would have probably killed him. i'm not against this change exactly, but see what i mean about erasing fault?)

so how does 'song' handle briseis?

well, first of all, she's a young unmarried teenager when she is given to achilles. she was likely young in the myth as well, but the story immediately erases the fact that achilles killed her husband/brothers/entire family — if she lost anyone, it's never mentioned and she's never bothered by it.

because achilles and patroclus are now unambiguously good guys, of course briseis is never raped or assaulted, let alone treated as a slave. they treat her as sort of a beloved little sister, and she is welcomed into their lives. she is clever and funny and fits right in.

this is… where i thought it was getting a little weird. i absolutely 100% understand why the novel didn't want to go down the "achilles has a bedslave" route, and i'm not exactly clamoring for books to show that shit. but even if you take out that, briseis is … still a captive. still a slave. she was captured by the greek army, who she would consider the enemy, and made to serve them. she lucked out, landing with two great dudes who would never harm her, but she is still a slave. she still lost everyone she knows. and she's just… cool with it. she knows they're great people.

agamemnon in a fit of pettiness demands briseis. (where patroclus is always presented as just a nice dude, agamemnon is universally agreed to be just the worst. honestly kind of funny.) this is a crisis: what if he does the unthinkable and rapes her? achilles and patroclus frantically try to save her. briseis is very brave. agamemnon is a bad guy.

and then — and this is the moment that Got Me — achilles decides that he is anti-war. that's why he's not going to fight anymore. he's just sick of war and fighting. there's no point. it's so useless. he's just not feeling it. it's not about briseis (who was rescued and is perfectly safe!). it's like… why bother fighting?

achilles. the legendary warrior, whose pride is his driving motivation, who singlehandedly has been leading and winning this war for ten years. who was raised in the same military and honor culture as the other greek heroes, who has fought for glory this whole time, who is so driven by pride that when he loses his slave he sulks for weeks over that minor slight… is anti-war. thinks the deaths of the greeks and trojans is a pointless waste.

like as it happens from a modern perspective he is right. but you just. you can't tell me that achilles would have that modern perspective.

and that was kind of my issue with the whole book, you know? the emotions, the love story, all of that was very good. but it was so… modern. it was a story about greek soldiers who would never harm a woman or keep a slave or buy in to the very engrained misogyny of the time. a story about greek heroes who just didn't want to fight or believe in war. a story where all the conflicts and villains were unambiguously mustache twirling evil — agamemnon might rape briseis, a woman who literally only existed in the myth to be raped by achilles! the shock! the horror! — and where achilles and patroclus have no flaws and make no mistakes (achilles refusing to fight isn't a mistake, it's a principled stand), and where briseis is fleshed out as a character only to be a Spunky Little Sister who is absolutely fine with losing her family and being taken hostage by the enemy, since achilles and patroclus are just the nicest guys.

there's just no conflict.

and like, look. i get it. it's a gay romance written at a time when that wasn't a thing, and it allows the guys to just be in love and in a good relationship and to have no conflict to speak of about their love for one another. it means a lot to a lot of people, and i get it.

and i get the appeal of rewriting things, smoothing out the problematic elements (cough BRISEIS) and different takes. but to me this is just… too smooth. too polished.

madeline miller's second novel, circe, is much better and i highly recommend it, and it manages to take "evil witch who turns men into pigs, as featured in the odyssey" and rewrite it in a way that makes circe an amazing character without removing her flaws and mistakes and conflicts.

also, for a darker, "realistic" take on the same story, pat barker's silence of the girls is centered around briesis. it might be a bit too grim in places, and unusually for an illiad/odyssey story it plays the interference of the gods as ambiguous (apollo's plague might just be dirty camp conditions, etc), but it does an excellent job highlighting the lives of all the people in the greek camp who weren't soldiers or heroes of legend. and has Female Character Solidarity which i love for this dude-heavy genre.

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artemisofthebow · 3 years ago

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The readers are clearly the real winners here

So - here´s a spoiler-free review of Vinnarna. The spolerish one is far longer, and I´m still so in awe of the whole book that I have to think it through. This book is probably one of the most important books I´ve ever read!

"SHE is the bear", might be all about Alicia. Then again, Backman crafted the book to feel like it´s also directed at Mira, Maya, Ramona, Adri, Fatimah, Hannah, Tess and all the other women. The mothers, sisters or daughters flocking about her, taking up their daily struggles to help her, or to help "the next Maya", for that matter.

And about the men who care for them and support them, who have also factored into making Alicia everything she is to become.

I´m just so grateful this book was written by a man. A man who seemes to have understood more about being a woman than most men. Maybe even more than a few women I know.

I love how he respects and really has an eye for people who stand out, who are different in one way or another - be it country of origin, skin-colour, faith, orientation, health or any number of things great or small.

This tale is about amazing feelings of unity a family, a group of friends or being part of a team can bring us, but it´s also about the vulnerability of beeing left out and the destruction that may cause. It´s so spot on concerning what it´s like to be a single individual in a complex society. How each person has their own struggle and their own reasons for making their choices.

The complete stories of Björnstad are both marvellous fairy-tales and hard-hitting tragedies all at once. Every single person is taken seriously. They get to be heroes or villians in the eyes of their people and of society - depending on their life-choices.

I´ve been awaiting this book for a long time, but I didn´t expect it do go even deeper than it´s predecessors. It did, though. Made me laugh so hard I cried and cry helplessly. It stared right back at me from the abyss it created, made me furious and grief-stricken but really hit my heart. Violence begets violence, bullying seems to be hereditary, and even worse - it seems to spread. Men will be brought up in the image of their fathers and society moves forward at a painstakingly low pace - evil seeping in through every crack.

Love is our only weapon, our only consolation - and it´s fearfully fragile and easily shot down. These are uncomfortable truths. Especially if we try to silence them and push away those who speak them. To not be part of it, you need to stand up against misogyny, bullying and hate-speech whereever you see it.

If you don´t get in the way - who will?

This saga started with a poem on Amat´s wall. The one about doing good anyway. After reading Vinnarna, those words feel like the sum of everything Backman is trying to tell us.

There will always be good people - who build (cathedrals) anyway. They won´t always win, but when they do, it will be glorious and it will shine in the most unexpected of places.

The books about Björnstad are a very real example of that. They are all masterpieces, and though we readers suffered some heavy losses along the way, I do consider us the real winners.

#björnstad #beartown #inspiration #thoughts #fredrik backman #books #review

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scotianostra · 3 years ago

Photo

On October 6th 1918 H.M.S. Otranto sank in Machir Bay off north western Islay after a collision in fog with another ship, HMS Kashmir.

I “posted” this earlier, but fro some reason it has gone missing!

During a fierce storm off the west coast, the HMS Otranto, an armed merchant vessel, was involved in a collision with another ship in the same convoy, SS Kashmir.

While the tragedy was an immense loss it could have been a lot worse if it had not been for the incredible rescue of 611 men from extreme danger by a Naval commander named Lt. Frances Craven, with his crew on the destroyer, HMS Mounsey.

I usually write, or rewrite these posts as the years pass, this one is almost taken in it’s entirety from the WW100 website as I don’t believe I could do the tragic event justice. Various pics are taken from contemporary sources the colour ones are of the American Monument on the Oa Peninsula on Islay and a ceremony that placed memorials on the seabed where the boat lies......

Following the collision with the Kashmir, the Otranto was fatally damaged and was sinking. It had lost all power and was drifting helplessly in massive seas when the Mounsey arrived from Belfast on convoy escort duty.

There then followed an episode which ranks among the finest in Naval history.

Craven approached the stricken Otranto and signalled to her captain that he was coming in to help. He signalled, “I am coming alongside to take off the American troops.” The Otranto’s captain, Ernest Davidson, replied, “Steer clear, or you will lose your crew and your ship .”Craven responded, “I am coming alongside, if we go down, we go down together.”

The difficulties facing Craven and his crew were immense. His ship was considerably smaller than the Otranto. There was a grave danger that he could fatally damage the Mounsey by colliding with the Otranto. The waves were massive, some estimates had the height at between 12 and 15 metres.

Craven brought his ship alongside the Otranto. As the waves raised his smaller ship, almost to the level of the deck on the Otranto, the US troops were to jump for their lives. This was easier said than done. Most of the US troops on board the Otranto were from inland Georgia. For many of the men aboard the Otranto, the first time they had seen the sea, was when the Otranto had left New York six days before. They had to time their jump from a heaving deck onto the deck of a ship that was sometimes almost level and at other times was 15 metres below them. Sadly, many men did not make it.

A number fell between the two ships and were drowned with some being crushed. Others succeeded in reaching the deck of the Mounsey only to be immediately washed back into the sea by giant waves. Others were seriously injured as they fell, breaking legs or other bones. One unfortunate mis-timed his jump and fell to his death down one of Mounsey’s funnels. The crew of the Mounsey did what they could in appalling circumstances to get the successful jumpers below decks. The Mounsey was in danger of becoming top-heavy with all these men on the deck. Many of the survivors were in a state of shock and were reluctant to go below. Eventually they were ordered below deck at gunpoint

The Otranto’s British crew were marginally more successful at timing their jumps as were most of the crew of a French trawler who had been rammed by the Otranto a couple of nights earlier. The captain of the trawler had a large faithful dog which had been rescued from the trawler with the crew. The trawler captain fell into the sea between the boats and his dog jumped into the sea with him. Both were killed.

Craven made two successful passes alongside the Otranto. The port side of the destroyer had become crumpled by frequent contact with the Otranto. Water was pouring in and the Mounsey’s crew were seriously worried that their ship would founder. Reluctantly Craven left the Otranto and set sail for Belfast. His seamanship during the rescue had been outstanding. His seamanship to get his badly damaged, overloaded and leaking ship to Belfast in huge angry seas was something else. All the time he was on the bridge, Craven stayed calm and looked as though he was relishing the challenge. He met another destroyer on the way and asked them to warn Belfast that he was on his way with many badly injured men. His own radio mast had been a casualty of the rescue. The rescued men on the Mounsey then endured several hours of unremitting misery as they sat up to their knees in seawater. They were awash with vomit from seasickness. Traumatised, cold and terrified, it was only after the Mounsey finally reached Belfast and they were helped onshore and given food and warm dry clothing that they finally began to feel their ordeal was over. Sadly, twelve men were to die in Belfast from their injuries. The Mounsey needed such massive repairs that it did not go out on active service again.

Those left onboard the Otranto knew they were doomed. Within 30 minutes of the Mounsey’s departure the Otranto grounded on ‘Old Woman’s Reef’ about 400 metres off the entrance to Machir Bay. At once the ship began to break up. The order was given, ‘Every man for himself’.

Watching all this were a few local people onshore. More help was sent for and farmers and fishermen from Portnahaven, Port Wemyss and Kilchiaran arrived on the scene. Unfortunately there was very little they could do. Of the roughly 490 men who had been left behind on the Otranto only 21 survived. Sadly, two were to die later.

The report of the disaster written by Police Sgt MacNeill a month later spelt out the bravery of Islay people who were the first on the scene. At some considerable risk to themselves men waded out into the wild sea and helped survivors ashore. David McTaggart, a farmer from Kilchiaran, was joined by Donald McLachlan, a ploughman from Machrie. Together they managed to rescue three men from the waves. Two brothers, John and Donald McPhee from Kilchoman, dashed into the surf to pull out injured and drowning American soldiers. Two soldiers from Port Charlotte, home on leave, Pte Archibald Torrie and Pte Donald McIndeor, bravely jumped across a gully to save an American who had been washed up onto a rock by a huge wave. The handful who survived the catastrophe were taken into the homes of Kilchoman and Kilchiaran people where they were fed, clothed and revived. All attention was now devoted to recovering the bodies – a very difficult task given the amount of wreckage about on the shore and in the gullies.

The Funerals Begin

By the 11th October, 230 bodies had been gathered. Kilchoman Parish Church and graveyard was used to store them. Coffins were made in batches at Bruichladdich Distillery and sent to Kilchoman. Islay men scoured the coastline going through tons of wreckage looking for bodies. Sgt MacNeill was called upon again to identify the bodies. He also was the point of contact for the many anguished relatives of the victims, desperate for news of the last hours of their loved ones.

The number of dead

Establishing exactly how many died on the Otranto is not straightforward. Spanish flu was reported to have taken some of those on board before the collision. In addition, the exact number of men on board is unclear with different authorities giving different figures. In his excellent book of the sinking, Professor Scott came to a figure of 470 for total loss of life. This included 106 British Crew and 6 French fishermen who had been picked up earlier in the voyage when their ship had sunk. Many bodies were never recovered.

“As other bodies were found, they, too, were brought to the churchyard, examined, and taken to the growing cemetery for burial. Reverend Grant officiated at all of the funerals, sometimes conducting services for six or eight, then three of four, and later for only one at a time, until –– in the end –– 315 American soldiers had found a resting place in the rocky soil of Islay.”https://ww100islay.com/otranto/

#Scotland #scottish #Islay #WWI #maritime history #sainking #tragedy #war time #history

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natthebattygeologist · 4 years ago

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A Brush with a Cursed Lily

Royal Court AU

King’s Advisor!Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader

A/N: So here it is, a second part to A Kiss From a Rose. I’m sorry for the wait however I got very busy with work and my university projects. I do so hope you enjoy this. It’s written slightly differently to part 1 as this is all from the Reader’s POV.

I just want to thank @cockslut-padalecki for allowing me to write part 1 as part of the #notmyninth writing challenge and I hope that this angsty follow up does A Kiss From a Rose proud.

Word Count: 2208

Warnings: Angst, angst, more angst, some light fluff, swearing, implied smut, grief, mentions of loss.

Reader’s POV

I ran around chasing after the little squirt who was currently avoiding his bath-time before tripping up and landing square on my backside in a patch of tall Calla Lilies. They were a stunning shade of deep violet and brought back the memories of 6 summers ago. The day I was married off to my best-friend, Steve Rogers, Lord of Rosebury-upon-Sale. I chuckled to myself as my husband rounded the corner of the orangery with our son, covered in mud head to toe, a huge smile plastered on his face. The last few years had been trying at times, and unbearable in others but somehow, we managed to make it through.

“Frolicking in the flowers are we, my petal?” A deep laugh resonated from Steve’s chest as he took in the sight of me, dishevelled and dirtied from my tumble.

“Yes, it’s a rather delightful hobby I have found. Quite the thrilling end to chasing our little gremlin child. Now if you would be so inclined as to help your pregnant wife out of the flower bed, I would greatly appreciate it.”

“Come now love, you know I love to see you in a fluster, but I suppose it would do the baby no good leaving you there.”

I took the hand he so graciously offered me and took our muddied little boy from his father’s hold.

“Now honestly Charlie, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Prince as muddy and dirty as you are right now, you little rascal. Let’s get you cleaned up and fed, then maybe we can go and visit Uncle James before bedtime.”

----------------- 4 Years Earlier----------------

The King summoned us back to court, and what was meant to be a joyous visit quickly became a permanent stay. Upon our arrival we were greeted by a bleary-eyed Prince and an equally as troubled Princess. The King was dying and had called upon his advisor to help prepare for Bucky’s transition into power. To anyone else nothing would’ve seemed amiss, except it was.

When James’ back was turned, I had witnessed Princess Maia acting rather strangely, gathering bouquets of foxglove and trimmings of deadly nightshade. I was almost certain of her intentions but feared my own safety and so kept it to myself, until one night where I couldn’t bear the burden this knowledge held over me any longer.

“Steve, my love, I have something troubling my mind.” My voice came out a hushed and broken whisper.

“What worries you so my petal? I know it hasn’t been easy for you being back, and having to pretend to like Maia, I assure you that I am always here to listen to you and love you.”

“Well, you see, I think I know why the King is sick. On several occasions I have witnessed the Princess with my own eyes gathering bouquets of foxglove and cuttings from the nightshade bush down by the lily patch. I worry that she is poisoning the King, taking advantage of both his and James’ compromised states to hold a sway over decisions that will likely see our kingdom lost to that of her own father.”

I spoke confidently now, having been an integral part of the court for all my childhood. Steve knew better than to question my knowledge of how things ran. He also knew that I would be one of the first to notice if anything was awry, be that with the account books or even the numbers of armed men stationed at each watchtower. After the death of his wife the King only had James as an heir, and so, he vowed that in case any ill befall him I would also be trained, so that if required, I could become a successful Queen someday.

“Steve, I do believe wholeheartedly that this is all a set-up and that we have been blindly infiltrated by our enemy. Things aren’t adding up. The number of guards stationed at The Keep has been halved in sized since the King has fallen ill. It leaves the West of the kingdom in a precarious position. One where an attack could easily happen and be kept quiet. I don’t like the look of it, any of it, and something needs to be done before we are conquered, you are killed, and me resigned to a life of slavery and servitude at the hands of the despicable Wyvern family.” My voice broke and a sob tore through me at the thought of losing everything I have left to the family that has already taken so much from me, starting with my mother shortly after I was born.

“Hush my petal. Tears will do nothing to fix this. The King is aware of the situation, however in our absence the Prince has changed, and he has become blinded by his love for ‘his lily’, though I daresay snake would be the better term for that venomous bitch.” A scoff escaped Steve’s lips before he continued. “The reason the King summoned us is because he has seen what fate has befallen James. He has made his bed, albeit a rather uncomfortable bed, and now he will have to lie in it. The King wishes for you to become Queen after his passing. He wants to stop the plans of Maia’s family before their tendrils of poison can run further into our kingdom than they already have. You my love can bring all this to an end, and I believe you would be able to unite the Kingdoms in a peaceful treaty that could last.”

I curled up into Steve’s side placing a chaste kiss to his lips. He returned it with a hunger and passion before carding his fingers through my hair and tracing them along my jaw.

“Please my petal, let me chase away your worries, after all, if you are to be Queen, we shall need to work on producing some heirs.”

A smirk befell his lips before he ducked his head, nipping at my neck, knowing full well that I would cave to his carnal desires.

--------------- Present Day -------------

After having cleaned up the mucky Prince, Steve and I walked with him through the gardens as evening began to draw in. Fireflies filled the air as we made the trek to the rose garden. As a child it had been mine and Bucky’s favourite place to hide, and on more than one occasion hugs and kisses had been exchanged.

Today this garden holds a whole new meaning as at its centre, beneath a beautiful weeping willow, lay James’ grave.

------------- 3 Years Earlier ------------

Before the King’s passing, he ordered his kings-guard to imprison and execute the Princess for treason against the throne. She was hung at The Keep as a warning to her family that they were next. Their years of planning and scheming had come to an abrupt and distasteful end.

What the Wyverns deemed as an unlawful murder incited a full war between our Kingdoms, it saw both Steve and Bucky fighting on the front lines with me at the helm, as Queen. Soon I had treaties signed with other Kingdoms aligning us for generations to come, until the only one stood against the alliance was the Kingdom of the Serpents. The battle of Roseknappe in the Western borders was the bloodiest battle of all. By this time, I was no longer part of frontline action as I was holed up in the castle under the watchful protection of my elite Queens-guard. When news got out that I was with child the Wyverns stopped at nothing to try and kill me or at the least cause me harm enough for my body to rid itself of the heir I now lovingly grew inside of me. But they needn’t have worried.

When I was around 5 months along tragedy struck our kingdom. The arrival of my husband looking grey in pallor, with sunken eyes and covered in injuries was the first sign that something was very wrong. When the two had left to fight they rode off, side by side, settling any grievances they had over the arranged marriages and uniting to fight to save the Kingdom and keep me on the throne. Steve’s return signalled the end of an era and feelings in my gut that had been dormant for years surfaced in cry of grief so great that it silenced the birdsong for days. Although James was not King, he was still a beloved Prince. My first love and the person who would forever hold a piece of my heart.

In my grief-stricken state I had fallen and managed to land with the sharp riser of the marble stairs squarely in my abdomen. The shock I was in meant that I hadn’t noticed the blood that began pooling nor do I remember what happened over the next few weeks as the doctors and healers frantically worked to keep me alive.

“Steve? Steve? Where’s James? I…. I want to see him. I…” I was interrupted by Steve coming over and pulling me tight to his chest.

“Praise to the Old Gods, my petal, are you okay? Are you in any pain?” worry had seeped into his tone and what looked to be a pang of guilt crossed his normally stoic face. “My love, how much do you remember of the last three weeks?”

A confused expression befell my features before Steve decided to continue.

“Oh, my sweet love, James... James isn’t coming back. The fight at Roseknappe, he saved my life by taking the arrow that was meant to pierce my heart, he sacrificed himself because he wanted me to be able to return to you, so I could love you the way he was never allowed to. So that I could raise a family and keep our Kingdom strong. He died in my arms after begging me to pass you on this letter that he wrote, almost as if he knew he wouldn’t make it back from this war.”

Fresh tears began to fall as Steve handed me the bloodied paper.

My dearest Rose,

How I wish things had been different, and that it was I that got to hold you in my arms at the end of the aisle. I begged my father to change his mind, but he wouldn’t budge. I will never forgive myself for the horrid things I said to you when father made you queen. I was poisoned by the words of a traitor and knowing now I hurt the one true love of my life is the reason why I will fight so hard to save you.

If you are reading this it means I am gone my sweet girl. I know that you will grieve me but please, for my sake as much as your own, I want you to love Steve as wholly as you once loved me. I beg of you to take care of yourself and to keep me close as you grow through the years. I am sorry I will not be there to see my little nieces and nephews, but I know that you and Steve will be the most wonderful parents.

That day in the rose garden, after your first dance in front of the court, when I kissed you. I wanted to tell you then just how much I loved you, but I couldn’t do it. It’s almost as if in my heart I knew you would never truly be mine.

I love you my Rose and I will see you in the next life,

Your Prince,

Bucky

4 months later after grieving the loss of the Prince, the Kingdom was celebrating, not just a victory of war and a long lasting treaty of peace, but the birth of their future King.

Prince Charlie James Buchanan Rogers, heir to the throne of Rosehall and Duke of Snowblossom Grove.

----------- Present Day ----------

“…… and that is the story of how your brave Uncle James battled the terrifying Wyverns to protect your mummy.”

I could hear Steve talking with Charlie as I sat on the bench staring blankly at the grave, wishing with every ounce of strength that I could, hoping to gain just one more moment with my soulmate.

“Come Charlie, let’s get you into bed, then tomorrow we can go riding and Papa can show you the waterfall where him and Uncle James decided to scare me into thinking that your Papa had drowned. Really, they just wanted mummy to go swimming with them, but they knew I wouldn’t go unless there was an emergency.”

After settling Charlie into bed, I took a stroll around the halls before heading to my shared chambers. Laying on the bed next to Steve he protectively wrapped his arms around me, as if he could shield me from the pain the world would throw at me.

“I love you Steven Grant Rogers. It may have taken me a while but, I have always cared for you, and I vow to you now that I will love you until my dying breath.”

“I know my petal, as I will love you, and Charlie, and this little one that we have yet to meet, until mine.”

Taglist: (My Humble Peeps)

@missyredbean

#steve x reader #steve rogers #steve rogers x reader #royal court #notmyninth

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thelordstears · 3 years ago

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Writing totally isn’t a passion of mine *Wink, wink*

"Fools, always think they're the smartest one in the room, as is the same with saints, it would seem." - Moores Thomas

"The crow must have a very watchful eye; for even his flock is called a murder." - Valkronin Sambridge

"Sometimes what others do to obtain peace leaves you in pieces." - Bentley Harlem

"He is the enemy screams my ragged bone mind; again and again the shouts of my father echo in the night of my darkness, and again and again I let the lie envelop like blood in my chest." - Alastair Sambridge

"This wicked heart doth not beat lovely." - Valkronin Sambridge

"We're pawns in a game that doesn't fucking care; the King and Queen have left the brooks and knights bleeding on the edge of the board. All that's left of us is the way we move across a checkered board, wondering why black, white and red is the only color we can see through these loyalty blinded eyes." - Flitz Haktoll

"We're all lookin' for glory at the end of a faded bullet; grins echoing in the decaying lights of justice and heroism." - Benjamin Scotsfire

"Glory is not found in the pursuit of death. It's often found in the pursuit of something greater." - Henry Onlark

”Lies fall slick from the tongue of the foolish.” - Cross Smykens

"I left the war; but it never left me." - Jay Foster

"Ya know; a man once told me to turn my rage inta power. Let it be the kick of my bloodied rifle, but as I turned that rage to power, as I let that bloodied rifle bruise my shoulder; I learned that power's name was corruption all along." - Maximus Bates

"When everything is ripped decadent from your veins you find a substitute for that abyss in your heart; and I've filled it with cracks of who I'm not." - Terminus Hydra

"People like us don't get third chances. We just get ta live the rest of our lives in this flat circle, we're doomed ta try and run on these hand me down shoes; but we'll just get right back where we started. Standin' stagnant in our cruelty." - Scottenmire Travol

"You haunt many a folk 'round here and you don't even know the names of the graves carved into the stone of your heart; everyone's nameless too ya. But everyone's got a name and a couple thousand stories to tell, what merry little tale do you think I plan on orchestrating tonight?" - Monte Pelamo

"I thought I was raising a rifle to fate; but then I bled as my finger curled around the trigger." - Alastair Sambridge

"Glory and death often go hand in hand; interlocking bloodstained fingers within one another's as to best watch humanity flitter and fade away into dust and ashes. Have you ever noticed how cruel people get when life fucks 'em over? How evil seeps through the good man's heart all because he had a bad fucking day? I'm the seed of evil planted into the good man's ribcage, blossoming like a black rose of thorns and shadow in the heart of kindness." - Diablo Bohnsello

"I already walked that path brother. I already have a coffin fitted for a man that ain't me; it's why I'm so fucking dangerous." - Hectorvallo Bloodwain

"If you can't fucking get something out of doing what's right, than what's the point of being the good guy?" - Trent Aval

"Oi'm just a stumblin' deer, wonderin' where these breadcrumbs will lead me." - McKady Cornwall

"Some men call me a mad man. But I imagine you'll call me a monster, or karma, in some wicked sense. Who I am is usually defined differently for every man I come across. They all have their own little tale. Some weep as they read the poetry scribed like scars in their heart, some rejoice in the wicked man's tale. But you, little one shall die, in some strange and peculiar way. Not in the sense that I'll bury you, but in the sense that I'll wipe your slate clean and scribe little pieces of my darkness onto your blackened pages." - Westell Gramstein

"Crazy and misunderstood is a very thin line many walk." - Westell Gramstein

"I was stuck in a shadow like trance, dancing with the light of my very own moon. It was under the decadent and decaying lights of that pale light cast from the sky that I was stricken by a very sudden madness. A very quiet, madness." - Shackelstan Puppeteer

"Any man can become a shadow wisped secret of himself. How do ya think the darkest of creatures are made, brother? They start off as good people doin' good things. But sumthin' comes along the line and rips them from their shadow, leavin' them defenseless against the dark." - Valterren

"In all madness, my friend, there is what created it. Dare you tread in the black waters of my mind?" - Westell Gramstein

"When it's your life or mine I tend to get a little selfish, a little cowardly. And these days, the bullet is my only saving grace." - Kyro Bellford

"I stand stagnant in a pool of others blood, wishing it was my own." - Alwine Hickory

"I looked for who I am in all the wrong places. Like the way a boys hurt tasted on my heart, or the way a cigarette burnt my tongue. It's as if I never really found me. As if I never will. Because in all honesty, I feel as though I was never someone that could truthfully be called Inazo Lizomann." - Inazo Liomann

"I'm licking fate off of the barrel of temptation's revolver, my heart splintered and weary. Once you get a taste of the things that damn you, like the way cruelty tastes on your tongue, you begin to fall away from yourself. I swore up and down I'd survive. But I didn't. I never had." - Huntsdale Klizollo

"Unity with control is like putting a cat in water. You think it won't resist, you'll think that peace can be found within the feral animal you've dropped into the waters of unified revolution. But eventually, claws start to fly and the once unified civilization becomes nothing but the ashes it once started as." - Hex Sweeney

"I'm cursing you with the thought of life in the midst of the death of those you called friend." - Sevelsworth Hickory

"They always say, oh go ahead, open up. Let those scars bleed so you can reach the light everyone's always preaching about. And then you let your emotions come running from your lip like a river, and they put a dam in your mind and tell ya no one gives a fuck about the kid of trouble and bone. So you pick up a few bad habits, you throw another fist against a kid in your same situation and make due with what ya've fucking got. As if the dam built in your mind keeps all but the rage in." - Flizo Thompson

"I'm old bones buried beneath the rubble of identity. Don't matter how much I struggle, how much I try to survive. Because I'm already dead, and at this point, bein' a walking grave don't sound so appealing. So I burn up my lungs and pray I drift away with the smoke." - Ramo Bonewitz

"No one cares about you Ramo, you're already a ghost. All I have to do is give that little extra push into the unknown." - Quentin Satchel

"You won't make it out of this alive. You'll try. You'll walk mile after mile. But you're just a tombstone with legs." - Quentin Satchel

"My thirst for blood started young. The first day I saw the driblets of crimson drop to the tile floor was when a kid brought a razor blade to school and drew blood against his bully. An act of defense. And gradually my thirst for this kind of behavior grew. It started with rooster fights, watching the little fuckers claw at each other with those sharp nailed talons of theirs. But that gets boring quick. So I moved onto dogs. And that evolved into watching wolves fight in my father's barnyard. But eventually you get sick and tired of fur and fangs, so you settle for something more dangerous. Something more rewarding. My father taught me the game of gladiatorial fighting. Civil. Just. Merciful. And as I watched that man cut his brother down in the blink of an eye, oh I knew I could never go back. And I never would. I became a master of the arena, sitting on my throne of gladiator and gladiatrix's corpses." - Sevelsworth Hickory

"The blood of my father's victims sits on my hands, as if it was me pullin' the trigger. As if all along, I were pullin' the strings. Sometimes, when all ya can do is watch tragedy unravel, you get this funny lil idea that it's all your fault." - Alwine Hickory

"I was raised on the Devil's backbone of sin, standin' like the snarl of a rifle. Don't you come ta wonder what makes monsters like me? Brother, life has always been what makes monsters outta human men." - Cavowit Hickory

"We're all just thieves and bastards lickin' up the pieces 'a fate we got left. So why you gon' go damnin' me for preventin' the crooked bitch from comin' for me sooner? Son, I'm just doin' what it takes ta survive this Devil's country." - Stalkman Hickory

"I got a tattoo runnin' below my eye that tells the truth, as if the grim reaper has put her eternal mark on me." - Henio Bonstook

"You'll become a reflection, of sorts. You won't exactly, look like me. You won't exactly, look like my gunmetal stained past. But it'll be there, lurking in the corners of the mirror. Waitin'. Watchin'. Readyin' itself to pounce on the little gunslinger who thought he could, and that my friend. Is the day you'll die." - Ulfrich Diggory

"It's not about, who you are in the now. It's about who you're gonna be after I start carving little pieces of you off with the edge of my gunslinger malice." - Ulfrich Diggory

"Truthfully, I killed someone for that woman. I carved little pieces from off my heart, begging her to love them, but she was a Devil wrapped in gossamer, silk and roses, telling me that our little secret was nothing more then a flickering streetlight, providing little protection to the darkness of the night. And I suppose, my streetlight flickered out, leaving me with nothing but the sparks of a cigarette and the warmth of a revolver." - Grant Filepen

"Where once faith swung like curtains behind my ribcage, now it feels more like a couple of nooses, whispering my fate into the winds of my feeble, decaying sense of self." - Amaziah Bokenmay

"To the circus you shall go, to lose your mind and find a darker soul." - Moores Thomas

"Truthfully we're all heroes in some capacity. But some cast that away, they tear it screaming from their heart, our heroism often begs when faced with greedy fingers, but the cruel don't care. And to all the heroes who invited the kindness in, I hope it didn't take too many pieces away from you, to let the fact that cruelty exists despite the bravery in you break you." - Kirsten Hezofrein

"The cruel call peace a revolution just so they have an excuse to kill the protestors." - Sebastian Dovens

"The blood ran black from my wrist, dripping down like candle wax damnation." - Joey Alderson

"Skinny and starvin' I died, sittin' on the edge of my frozen over revolver. I shivered, I shook. And mate, I didn't make it ta the end of the tunnel, I was caught by the traffic of beasts, but 'ow peculiar is it, that they stared at me with eyes I recognized? As if pe'raps, friends can become enemies within the span of a god damn blink." - Arv Harknizia

"Darkness has to blot out the sun for light to shine later on." - Gustave X. Van Velk

"Those in power are often the weakest man kind's got to offer." - Garth Yeager

"I saw life flash before my eyes in the banging of a rifle, sins sitting cruel on a masked man's sleeve. It was in that moment of death that I cut humanity from out my heart, becoming something unfamiliar. But these cackles of insanity start to feel beautiful." - Tahasha Moonlight

"Life keeps forcing me down, these shadows start to whisper into my mind that the light is just outta reach. And those damned shadows rip at the threads of the sun's golden rays, ripping into the warmth of Summer forevermore. I'm telling you man, you think Summer memories will always be goofing off under the hot sun, playing videogames with your best friend as your mom brings you cookies and lemonade. But all I can hear now is the gunfire melody of the hunt, sickening cackles ringing in my ears like poppers goin' off to damn early." - Scottie Bloodvallo

"Death is something we can not avoid. It catches all souls who live, it lingers in the cold mountains and in the hot springs, hiding in the shadows and the light. Wherever we go it is hiding, always hiding. But I find it so, innately cruel that sometimes, death catches up to men and women who still have miles to walk. People who from then on out have to walk mile by begrudged mile in death's wicked boots." - Caesar Cagelstan

"Men like me, men of the mountains and cold harsh winds of Antarctica don't really fuckin' live. Sure, we breathe. But as an old friend said there's such an ugly difference in that, cause as I puff another hazed, stale old cigarette, smoke drifting towards the Heavens, I come ta realize these angels wear smoke wings and ember halos, praying that this warmth is enough ta melt the ice in their hearts." - Daryl Fate

"People think that because they've walked comfortable miles, they know what it means, to truly be alive. But breathing and living are a very thin line many cling too, as if it was the lit fuse of a pact of dynamite, praying that it doesn't cover them in shrapnel truths and war bound horrors. I no longer live. I breathe. And there is such an ugly difference in that." - Mankar Hagmallio

"You don't know this city like I do kid. There's sharks swimmin' in the waters of these secrets, boy, and you're starting to smell a helluva lot like blood." - Roman Ustolgio

"I'm a Diablo, friend, and you're here for a handshake." - Abundio Garciel

"They called me a fucking misfit, as if who I am wasn't enough for society. And so as I washed myself in the blood of my innocence, draped in the crimson shawl of my identity, I came to realize no one, and I mean no one at fucking all, can add up to the expectations of a civilization ruled under the boot of the Heavens. And so we call ourselves angels, as if that made us holy in any sense of the fucking word." - Nicolla Bravajin

“ These skyscrapers stand like dead goliaths of faith and virtue, reminding us that New York city is where identities go to die and justice comes to wither and writhe underneath the heat of another darkened day. “ - Bartley Exodus

“ There comes a time when every man must choose who he wishes to be. He can walk the road seldom traveled or walk amongst the villains, slipping a mask of fangs over his face as to hide the bravery flickering in them golden eyes of his.” - Bartley Exodus

“ I pick up my old, rusted revolver and carve a couple dead men's names into the bullets and shove 'em into this chamber. Did I say dead men? Sorry. I've got a tendency to talk future tense." - Bartley Exodus

“ There's a locked room in my head where all the thoughts used to go.” - Bardem Lazolla

“ You know, all my life I've had to be tough, had to be just a bit stronger than the last guy; but I'm tired of the act. This mask is beginning to slip and I fear who I'll be once it falls. I've been someone else for so long that I don't know who I'll be once I'm me. “ - Bardem Lazolla

“ Isn't it strange how some people choose to be stuck in a nightmare while everyone else is living the dream? They can say we're all crazy, nutcases who belong in the looney bin. But in the end I'd rather be crazy than normal. I'd rather be me than someone I never was.” - Axelo Hayware

“ We've gotta be accepting, because humanity is built on love; but some people think power and hate is what gets you a name remembered. Yeah sure, names like Adolf Hitler and Julius Caesar are prevalent in the history books; but who do you look up to? Martin Luther King Jr or the fool who let power get to his head?” - Axelo Hayware

“ Humanity isn't doomed, we're just a little stuck is all." - Axelo Hayware

“ You know how when you're just a kid you dream of one day changing the world? Well look at you! Look! You did it; I promise. We're all changing the world daily with our actions, wondering if we ever meant a damn thing in the end; and I'll admit, I stumbled a few times. This path had a couple of roots along the way that felt like a noose wrapping around my dreams, forcing me to sputter and choke on nightmares.” - Tom Hanson

“ I refuse to let the gunshot melody become my song. “ - Tom Hanson

“ Look, there's a time and place to be a hero. And that's everywhere and all across the clock.” - Spencer Vokeswagon

“ I'm just the civilian who watched in wonder as the sky burned with glory bound promises, smelling the way they broke in the air.” - Spencer Vokeswagon

“ I'm falling inch by inch; wondering why the fall is such a slow descent, it has taken years for me to reach the atmosphere, and I have been burning ever since I first touched a broken star with human fingers that never should've found those old secrets dusted in the corner of a shelf in her son's bedroom.” - Valentine Valks

“ I shall never discover for I fear taking a step forward.” - Valentine Valks

“ Was that taut leather in his eyes or love?” - Valentine Valks

“ He is cruel and unjust, claiming himself an angel as he rips the wings from other's backs if only to stitch them onto his own. Is it such a sin to give life to the devil whom would steal it? I didn't know, I plead to the Heavens. But in my skull I hear the booming voice of God fracturing my pieces, and he tells me, "It matters not. He is your blood; and so you shall bleed in his place." And like a fool I accept my punishment as Jesus once did. I am bleeding on a crucifix of my son's sins, crown of thorns wrapped around my head as all the color bleeds from me. Black and white blend to a warped sense of grey; and all I know becomes fogged and misty. “ - Valentine Valks

“ I was raised a warrior, fighting battles of mind and blade, because in a world where evil lurks in every corner; everyone needs to be a hero or have the capability to be one. “ - Kadlin Paulson

“ The true warrior fights for what she loves and what she knows to be true.” - Kadlin Paulson

“ I'm an old tree trunk covered in the scars of the hatchet; and I know they dare not remember my name. For if the hatchet were to remember the name of every tree it cut its handle would begin to rot. Because to cut and cut and cut; the hatchet must have slain a couple of once sturdy trees. But I will stand sturdy forevermore. “ - Kadlin Paulson

“ I was young when I learned to keep a watchful eye on all that one loves; for everything has a darkness waiting inside of them, prowling in the depths of all saint's bones, waiting to pounce on the weary hearted followers of God. Dare not let this darkness prevent you from stepping into the light; for this is how the shadows in your ribcage win, how the demons start cackling with a strength they didn't once possess. “ - Nial Moorannan

“ My hands are stained with the blood of every man I've ever been.” - Nial Moorannan

“ I have watched the sun set one too many times; aiming the scope of this fox hound's rifle a thousand and three times, always me in my sights. Always me I watch go down in a howling scream of blood lit confessions and regret cackling at the midnight sky ever burning.” - Nial Moorannan

“A serpent followed us into our perfect little garden of Eden and stood watchful at our forbidden trees; eyes beady and forever burning with an emptiness that was never quite human. And he stripped the roses from Heaven; he tore the angels from a once clear sky and cackled as fire erupted through the clouds. And so all the angels of Eden fell; forever fell. On that day I died a death like no other, dreaming of beauty as I fell from Heaven, grasping the burning clouds wondering why death tasted like a memory on its way." - Nial Moorannan

“ There's a black serpent slitherin' in me ribcage; darin' me ta take a step forward in this dance with me shadow, and I dance, and I dance, and I bloody dance. A pirouette in the soddin' dark of me own bloody moon. “ - Arnold Schull

“ First time I died was when I were covered in da blood of boys sent howlin' ta an early grave, dagger drippin' crimson wif' regret. Second time I died was when I shook da hand of a masked devil, anarchy and violence howlin' just behind me. And mate; I've died many more times. “ - Arnold Schull

“ I've neva' seen 'is face. But those eyes dance wif' somethin' sinister. “ - Arnold Schull

“ Sometimes we hit the clouds before we make it to Heaven.” - Armellos Crescendo

“ Feather by feather who you are will be restored. “ - Armellos Crescendo

“ Rejoice, my friend; the sun of humanity has yet to sink. “ - Armellos Crescendo

“ I got fight left in my old bones and people to protect with all I got, so I roll up my sleeves and stick a cigarette between my teeth, letting the smoke be a warning of the fire that roars inside of me. “ - Armellos Crescendo

“ My father once told me that we have a choice when faced with the edge of a bullet; we either run from it or let it dig into our hearts. We're either the shield or the one that's behind it. And my mother once said that the world is a sorrowed plain of darkness; we're just the stars living in the blanket of shadow. And these words echo in my mind as I try to push back against the life I've been living, the sorrow ached life I've been given. “ - Ariel

"There's a storm in me heart. It rumbles and cackles with lightning and thunder; red rain pouring down on me cracked and broken ribcage, and as I try ta rest I feel the storm brew like death in this weary little fool. “ - Annabelle Courtney

“ I didn't pull the trigger, but I din'it stop anyone from lettin' the bullet soar neither. “ - Annabelle Courtney

“ I was a good woman once. But ever since I met that woman underneath the streetlights, I knew that I was a goner; she wore her nails red as blood, leather jacket draped over her shoulders as she snarled at the sky and all who made her the way she is. And as I fell through the ever lit skies of her rage I became something much less than who I am. She once dug sharp nails into my cheeks and snarled at me to paint the walls the color of my namesake, and with mournful regret I watched the white walls become a ruby red. “ - Ruby Vollstale

“ She's just a wild dog that doesn't know how to calm herself down.” - Ruby Vollstale

“ I once told myself that the fall is a long way down; but as I started to trip, the fall felt like only a few begrudged seconds. “ - Ruby Vollstale

“ Before one can fall head first into death he must go through the echo of life.” - Zecheriah Holyton

“ We are dropping like flies swatted by the electric swatter; dying as flashes of light in the nebula abyss of earth.” - Zecheriah Holyton

“ I was born curious, my friend. So I dug into the truths of philosophy and secrets, tearing my measly little claws into the greatest poets man kind ever knew trying to find the purpose of a life so obsolete. And I discovered that in truth; life is what we make it. But it also happens to be heavily influenced by our surroundings. “ - Zecheriah Holyton

“ I look into the stars of Heaven and often wonder if it's angels or graves in the sky or if that perhaps the sun is a culmination of all the burning wings set ablaze to give humanity warmth on event the harshest of winters. “ - Zecheriah Holyton

“ We are dualities of what we've done; wondering if what we didn't do condemns us in the end. “ - Zecheriah Holyton

“ Humanity is a vessel; of what I can never tell. All I know is that we're Babushka dolls." - Zecheriah Holyton

“ It's funny, how people will look at the unwell man with such fucking disgust; they say, "Look at the battered whore of a man! Sipping on the delusion that he is something other then his madness!" But don't they understand I'm trying to stuff myself so full of placebos that this fucked up thing I've become finally passes me by? “ - Arthur Wellburn

“ These emotions whir around my mind like cannons and gunfire, always hitting me down to rock bottom. But then I soar! Oh how I fucking soar. But I'm always falling within a month; laughing at the thought of splatting bloodied against rock bottom once again. “ - Arthur Wellburn

“ They always say you're strong for fighting the mental illness, but if they could see my heart they'd recoil and ask me to be put in a mental ward for all the thoughts that swim like death in this black watered river of my fucked up mind. “ - Arthur Wellburn

“ I'm just a nobody looking at the world through the eyes of Arthur Wellburn, wondering why I can never see a reflection of my mania. I'm stuck in this little corner nowadays, as if I'm just this little monster in a cage of his mind; and I'm always thinking the cure to my disease is a revolver shoved in my mouth and a wildly loud BANG! BANG! BANG! It'd be so much easier to die than to live, you know? So much easier to let the weight of my burdens fall onto my families shoulder like a ghost that lingers on the other side of death. But I never do it, I never do! And I get to wondering, "Why?" Because as life guns me down; I cackle in the red rain." - Arthur Wellburn

“ Look, I was just a kid hiding his truths behind dorky smiles and girls I didn't even have a crush on. But my brother, my sister, they were always gonna accept me as I am; there were never strings attached to our bonds; never scissors waiting to slice. “ - Tony Ikelfur

“ I am nothing more then a messiah of the broken and condemned; come one come all, safety is found in the comforting embrace of the shadow mistress. “ - Antonio Sharp

“ I walk within the light if only to watch it fade; striding beneath the sun if only to watch it sink one last time. “ - Antonio Sharp

“ I was born under the shadows of pinewood trees and howling wolves.” - Antonio Sharp

“ As the world comes to a grueling close who do you think will walk into paradise? The holy; or the heretics of life? Who do you think will be praised by the oh so holy creator of darkness but they who embraced it? We are beasts and bastards in these shadows my brother; so become one with the edging blade of destiny. Let it cut pieces of your identity from off your skin, let it call to you with the silver shadow of a soon to be crimson soaked dagger. We are children of the shadows; messiahs of the night. Dare the hero walk into the night with his rifle and bravery he will be shown as an example as to why the darkness is superior. “ - Antonio Sharp

“ I'm cheap smoke rising from the New York sky.” - Ambrose Walsh

“ Ever since the day I dug a grave I ain't been who I am. The lantern shed a pale yellow light across my face, cigarette stuck between my gritted teeth as I huffed and puffed, shovel working hard as the soil dug up beneath me. The moon was cast sorrowful on this broken man's soul, the reflection of a wolf dancing in the stream right by the old cemetery that knows too many forgotten names. You really don't wanna meet who I became that cold, Sundeh night. Because not even I can face the bastard in the reflection. “ - Ambrose Walsh

“ You can't trust the dogs who kept on a diggin' despite the way the soil reeked of death.” - Ambrose Walsh

“ You know how you try and be who you are after tragedy? You cling to the memory of the smile in your mirror and convince yourself that you're still that person? Because I tried real damn hard to be that person after the fire. But I know that boy is gone; buried underneath the secrets he found in a town he thought knew peace. “ - Alex Devonwood

“ I hate to break it to ya, but angels don't fucking exist. We're all just people living our sorrowful little lives selling ourselves to the dream that it gets better one day. But it doesn't, it really doesn't. I've been trying to find that happily ever after for a long time, but the man that haunts my memory? He sits in the recesses of darkness like a leather draped beast always waiting to drag the hopeful into his devious maw. Truth is life wasn't made to be lived. Life's only purpose is to serve us to death on a silver platter and I don't wanna stand for that. I wanna live but know it's impossible. “ - Alex Devonwood

“ I tried to tell my story; but no one roots for the underdog who never bit back, the dog who never barked his truths to the sky. People prefer tales of perseverance over the tale of the boy who never won. It gives them false hope, that they can be like the boy who won. But the boy who lost eats their dust." - Alex Devonwood

“ I used to be full of this joy that you couldn't really kill; but that man, he tore it from me. Sorrow leeched at the edges of his eyes; a dogs bark snarling somewhere in his throat, and he told me that we all live our lives confined in a locked room. And that the wrong person had found my key. And into my locked room he walked, ripping my heart from out the walls, digging into the wallpaper to discover the secrets I hid like confessions in my chest. And it was on that day that I was left as barebones of who I was. “ - Alec Bonehoff

“ I was just a fucking kid, man, I shouldn't have had to bare the weight of my brother's unguilted conscience. “ - Desmondo Dreadful

“ Sometimes ve chase our dreams. Sometimes zey chase us. “ - Luka Schiefer

“ People are always gonna hate even though it don't get no one anywhere, so when faced with this rage, when faced with this hatred ever seething. Take a few deep breaths and remember emotions often lie; and given the chance they'll shoot ya down with pellets of doubt and fear.” - Gary Heartlock

“ I was just a kid enjoying the company of himself, always told he just weren't a good influence. “ - Gary Heartlock

“ When you let the armor of lies shed from off your skin you start to grow a tougher skin of truth; don't you know that's why Icarus laughed as he fell? “ - Gary Heartlock

“ Be so authentically you that the hateful use you as an example of what's wrong with humanity; be so yourself that you set the bricks for the next man's path. “ - Gary Heartlock

“ You know how it is, right? You try and do the right thing but get caught up in all the bad of this world, wishing you had just stayed the fuck put.” - Dominiqua Claytor

“ Somedays I look back at the bridges I burned; memory of my eyes watering stinging my mind, the idea that I once smelled the smoke killing me from the inside. But I learn my lesson and move on. “ - Dominiqua Claytor

“ My brother and I are just two cold cases no one cares to look into; because who the hell cares about the death of identity? Who cares about the cigarette that never sparked up? “ - Adella Furrow

“ With my tattered boots and old leather jacket I walked into the unknown, and from whence I never returned. “ - Abel Romiro

“ Everyone stared me down, blaming me for the way fate unraveled, and I started to wonder if that town was home or just another house of too many damn walls. “ - Abel Romiro

“ That town was just too filled with devils for a single angel to do a damn thing.” - Abel Romiro

“ I've been both Cain and Abel truthfully; both Judas and the apostles who followed faithfully. But in the end I betrayed my own namesake, blood of a brother staining my once pure hands; and on that day I killed the hero inside of me. On that day the vultures flocked around my heart; pecking at what was soon to be dead. “ - Abel Romiro

“ That man locked me in a cage of the mind and told me to flay these pieces of identity from off my skin layer by layer. I bled for hours on the meat hook. A starving and skinny crow I became; yearning for a day where death didn't seem like a dream. And I found it in the hearts of my shield sisters. “ - Aadab Zivell

“ They say good fortune comes to he who raises a pistol in the name of peace; but often the man who slings bullets and sins ain't the man who finds the stairway to Heaven. “ - Aristead Solace

“ I've spent my life huntin' the cruel, finding them in different states and dead end alleyways. But still that one case sends shivers like death up my spine. Think of a lion; blood covered maw snarling inside of a cage it called the world, now take this lion and put him in a field full of gazelle. What will you get but a slaughter? That's what that man was to the world. Just a lion in a field of waiting gazelle. “ - Aristead Solace

“ Sometimes the heroes, they think their villains because ya gotta break a few commandments to stop the sinnin' man, and we call ourselves regretful devils. But we're just human, huh? And that's what made all the difference." - Aristead Solace

"Humanity. Kind one moment. Cruel the next. “ - Varkens Willowbrook

“ I have come to learn that there is an evil plaguing this world, it's wrapped in barbed wire and gunfire violence, the rage within sitting heavy in the open chest. And it goes by the wicked name of humanity. But simply because humanity is wicked does not mean that all of humanity is wicked. You'll find the kind ones somewhere waiting for you; but you are sure to find the wicked man often in a world that operates on kill or be killed. “ - Varkens Willowbrook

“ I believe that this world is kind despite the bad apples in the barrel; though those few bad apples started to rot the rest of the seeds within; the water roaring with the infection that came with the sin. Unfortunately just one bad apple effects the whole barrel. So one bad man effects the whole population. “ - Varkens Willowbrook

“ Somedays, the wolf; he wins. He trots around my ribcage victorious as can be, but that's when he gets cocky, when he begins to get careless. So the half-winged angels in me swoop down like a reaper's scythe and banishes the wolf to the locked door in my mind; where all the horrors go to starve. “ - Salvatore Graham

“ Ever since my father first laid a fist against my mother's cheek justice breathed through me as if I were a vessel in which it could see. And I told justice that I would dare not go blind. “ - Salvatore Graham

“ I pick up this blade; knowing one day I must turn it on thyself. “ - Salvatore Graham

“ Oh you know me; just a child of the old night sky, singing the blues as sorrow passes me by with a mournful sort of smile, knowing I'll come back around to her place in a day or two. “ - Franco Jonwitz

“ I'm just cigarette smoke chasing trouble.” - Franco Jonwitz

“ I take this old hat from off my head and read the poems that've been scribed in my ribcage, sadness following the words and prose I speak to the empty night sky. I've been a boy of sorrow ever since ma and pa became graves, moving along to an old orphanage with the scent of sadness wafting from off my papa's old, white suit jacket, hands and tears hiding somewhere in the fabric of that coat. I hold pieces of him inside of my heart, pieces of my mother hidden inside of my smile; and I guess there's sumthin' beautiful about that, huh? “ - Franco Jonwitz

“ I must confess, I've named a few of the stars after the ghosts that follow me, praying that they can fly up to the sky and find Heaven. But here they remain in my mind; reminding me that with sorrow comes trouble, and with Franco Jonwitz comes the inevitable idea that death kills before ya die." - Franco Jonwitz

“ War rains heavy over the weary soldiers who didn't make it past the gunfire; the ones who survived selling themselves to this ideology that their sins were for some greater good. But trouble etches its way into the bones of all whom pulled a trigger in the name of glory, sin or their own self gain. “ - Terminus Hydra

“ I lost everything, my friend, so a sin I became. “ - Terminus Hydra

“ Random acts of violence are often the ones that drive a man halfway to insanity, and the acts of violence he chooses to commit are the ones that drive him the full mile. “ - Terminus Hydra

“ I am a bad man. Dare not let my past tell you otherwise. If the people I knew where to speak of who I was they'd say he was a loving man who didn't let his tragedy define him; but speak to my enemies and they'll spit my name like venom on their breath. Two men tell two very different stories. My father would say I am a man of honor, but an old friend would call me the serpent to his corrupted and decaying garden of Eden." - Terminus Hydra

“ These scars on my legs tell the tale of a girl who lost herself too early; and it seems I can't hide my history from peering and bloodshot eyes. “ - Mayell Da Ville

“ My son tells me that one day, when I realize that who I am is beautiful despite the scars I'll find the wings had always been in my mind rather then on my back. But these scars, these horrific scars; they prevent the wings from growing ever again. “ - Mayell Da Ville

“ Here lies Mayell Da Ville; the ghost who found life too late. “ - Mayell Da Ville

“ There's a wolf on my shoulder; snarlin' at the frontlines and tellin' me ta stain my rifle in the blood of the innocent, and with a grin dancin' with moonlight I head inta the shadows and play myself a little game of huntsman and the lion. “ - Dekiah Doorvenstail

“ My father raised me ta be a killer. You should expect nothing but the bang of my rifle. “ - Dekiah Doorvenstail

“ Once you get blood on your hands it begins ta grow like a garden in your chest. But there's sumthin' different about this haunted little flowerbed. You begin ta realize that your ribcage was once Eden, but slowly, as the blood trickled down your fingers, Adam and Eve started fleein', the angel of flamin' blade nothing more then your heart that slowly faded ta black and grey. And as the serpent slithers onta your shoulder, you begin ta realize temptation lives in the hearts of all man kind. And only a special few accept their primal urges ta become nuthin' but a slaughterhouse on a cold Sunday afternoon. “ - Dekiah Doorvenstail

“ We were never wolves, my friend. But fragile people with hearts that can break and minds that can scar easy, but dare not turn to the shadows for comfort. They hold a dagger in one hand; and they hide it in the crevices of their darkness.” - Sabu Thorn

“ I think that if one is to find peace within themselves, they must first find peace within their scars. “ - Sabu Thorn

“ Eons ago I lost my mind.” - God

“ They say that dead men tell no tales; so who will whisper the tale of humanity once I'm done with it? “ - God

“ Everyone's always saying God's not dead. He's with us he's with us! But as I come down from my heavenly throne; the blood of humanity staining my shawl of lies and secrets; you'll pray that I am. But all your prayers have fallen on listening ears friend; and yet they never come to fruition, do they? “ - God

“ In the face of evil; silence is compliance.” - Gustave X. Van Velk

“ They don't tell you that the fall is so easy. They don't tell ya that we're all one crooked grin away from violence; so I take a steady step forward and throw a fist or two towards the evil that sits violent in this town of unwelcome shadows. “ - Gustave X. Van Velk

“ I've always tried to understand the enemy; walk a mile or two in their shoes, but Milos' boots are just too damn heavy and stuck in the muck of his powerful identity. “ - Gustave X. Van Velk

“ My sanity peels away in whispers and shadows.” - Cartniza Harvester

“ The word safe is such a fucking lie; no one ever is. “ - Cartniza Harvester

“ I don't know why this heart beats like a slowly rotting flower.” - Mackton Stoneshire

“ They say this Queen of madness is a revolver's shadow standing above peace; and she is. Because as she walks down these halls my bones shiver with shadows and things you could never dream of. Because she's a nightmare in the head of the weary; grinning deviously before she sins another deadly sin. And as my eyes shift to the checkered floors of this old mental ward; I know she can sense my fear. “ - Mackton Stoneshire

“ I'm still stuck under these shadows that fog my mind; heart roaring empty in the ribcage of a coffin. “ - Rupen Schello

“ I can still remember the night flames erupted inside my home; they now flash like colored lights in my memory, my parents' smiles becoming nothing but a shadow I can no longer follow. “ - Rupen Schello

“ A man with a memory can never be free of his torment.” - Rupen Schello

“ Every choice I ever made led to the death of who I am.” - Mervin Gavinwood

“ I never meant to fall; but I was born with the belief that I had wings, and so I leapt from blinding heights expecting to soar. “ - Mervin Gavinwood

“ The day I killed a man is the day I died. As his skull cracked against the bar stool; groaning and dying in the most grotesque way who I am started bleeding from the corners of my eyes as those two devils beside me laughed and laughed and laughed. “ - Mervin Gavinwood

“ He sits in the edges of my memory like a crow just waiting for his murder to come on along.” - Mervin Gavinwood

“ I've just been trying to cope with this loss of who I am for a long time; clinging to memories of him like a blanket that keeps me warm. But there's holes in this wool blanket; letting the cold settle into my bones. “ - Carol Corin

“ I weep for a life never lived; a death already fated. “ - Hexi Moorenfowl

“ Every detective has got her case, right? The one that drives her halfway to insanity because things just aren't adding up. I tried so hard to find those girls, I tried so hard to find that man's wife. But in the end it was a cold case that never went warm. “ - Maryland Fainrick

“ Mysteries often end in tragedy.” - Maryland Fainrick

“ I woke up in a foreign bed wondering why a stranger looked at me in the mirror; that was when I died an unfamiliar death. Falling from the heights of a Heaven I never deserved. “ - Kiddy Wendellburn

“ I choked on who I am a long time ago. And I don't think I can ever swallow my truths; because they taste so fucking vile. “ - Kiddy Wendellburn

“ "When you realize who you are, it's your job to become that person. “ - Adrella Soderit

“ We're all dreamers trying to find our happily ever after despite the nightmares that find us in the light; but don't you think it's the way we react to this darkness that defines who we are? “ - Adrella Soderit

“ So do me a favor and accept yourself won'tcha? Even when everyone around you condemns who you are. Even if you gotta keep that acceptance a secret in a little jar until one day, you can let those torch bugs fly into the open air." - Adrella Soderit

“ I don't know what one would call him. But he feasts on the sacrilege of identity and flesh, sinking his teeth into innocence as if it were a divine, juicy, blood dripping steak. I'm just the remnants of the girl I used to be, and as I remember his parched tongue against my skin a shive runs cold down my spine and my fighting instincts kick in. As if my mind is a clock forever running backwards. Minutes and hours mixed into a relived past. “ - Marlia Ferotosia

“ I remember his smile. Filled with teeth and unkempt flesh. “ - Marlia Ferotosia

“ I listened to her sorrows. Her troubles. Her secrets and confessions. But she was torn from this world much too early. And that is a sin a man like me can never forgive. “ - Zack Mordell

“ The old soul is supposed to fade before the young one. But fate is a very cruel mistress; dancing with those who don't know the rules to the deadly tango. “ - Zack Mordell

“ I'm a fading symphony wondering when my last notes will play out into the wind, but I keep singing. “ - Zack Mordell

“ Healing will come after the scars stop bleeding, so a little word of advice, don't stab those dagger like thoughts into your skin. “ - Cordemlia Munstwain

“ Some people say they aren't themselves, and I get that; sometimes it's difficult to admit that we're changing. Difficult to admit growth feels uncomfortable in the hurting mind. But eventually you'll grow into this new you. You'll find that it's often like a scab. It only forms to protect ya from the infection a wound leaves. “ - Cordemlia Munstwain

“ Some people say love at first sight don'it exist. And, I don't fink' it were love at first sight. But love at first spoken word. Love developed inside da poetry we spoke underneath da dyin' lights of the street. He's a broken man, but I built 'im new pieces and told 'im ta shimmer and shine like a star in the night sky; and it feels as though when I put a lovin' finger on 'is cheek dat he's started ta feel more human. As if 'e's no longer a whiskey stained ghost. “ - Daubellia O’Snair

“ Fate twists in some awfully strange ways, huh? You could be a normal, everyday girl, fighting hardly noticeable battles and then in the blink of an eye tragedy rips through the air like a bullet in your fucking teeth. “ - Alexia Hathorn

“ Sometimes you gotta make a choice. Live or die. And sometimes you'll do both.” - Alexia Hathorn

“ We're the scar ridden angels of Heaven, soaring on wings stitched with different pieces; like a quilt of many colors. We're not heroes, just people who got caught in the crossfire of a world roaring with evil. “ - Alexia Hathorn

“ Often people in pain's mind is fogged up from the hurt, and so they don't really know what they're doing, ya know? “ - Hispania Hopva

“ Death I've learned, stalks the living. “ - Hannisada Gravewit

“ You can't really cure addiction. It walks beside he or she who used. Like a ghost that doesn't know when or how to move on. Is it really that much to ask for a halfway decent mind? One that doesn't taunt me with the idea of one more fucking high? But I suppose it was my choice to accept that little baggie at a party, right? It was my idea to get addicted, right? That's what they always tell ya. They call the junkies and ghosts monsters of society, but damn it man, we've been victims all along. “ - Hannisada Gravewit

“ I tried to hide my scars under thick coats and heavy blankets, but I bled and soaked through those. So now here I stand. Naked and awfully vulnerable to my demons and ghosts." - Hannisada Gravewit

“ His insanity ripped me from my backbone when I was only a child. I can still remember the violence shattered between his knuckles, the anger on his cigarette snarl. I still remember the screams. The God awful screams. I've been trying to dream for a long time man, but these nightmares always plague the boy who never lived. The boy who never had the chance, to live. “ - Jonathan Enders

“ I just, I don't know how to escape these nightmares, man. Because that man's cruelty echoes in my mind; his smoke whispered anger booming through my thoughts. I was just a kid, man. But he stole that option from me when he put a bloodied finger to my lip and whispered that he was never here. Or when that old, boney skeleton beside him clasped two hands around my shoulder and whispered in a low, harsh voice that they were the boogeymen. And I believe that. Because the boogeyman is what goes bump in the night, right? And if there's anything that could be considered monster, I'd give the definition to them.” - Jonathan Enders

“ I take a fragile breath, hoping it doesn't rip through my throat like a bullet. “ - Jonathan Enders

“ I fought myself for such a long time only to realize the reflection had always been a friend. “ - Baila Von Cascia

“ Ya know how fate works, right? Ya meet one or two people and your whole world unravels. Sure. They're good people. You learn that they've become family somewhere along the road. But the villains you met alongside them just isn't worth it. “ - Joshua Houstella

“ I have fallen down this rabbit hole of oneself, gripping the roots of madness.” - Ingretta Shazowlla

“ I am nothing short of a sin. Nothing short of a monster masquerading as a woman. “ - Ingretta Shazowlla

“ This heart of mine has whispered in sin and death ever since my mother told me all of her secrets, the closet looking like a welcoming home where Narnia and all the lions would protect me. But fantasy has never been as cruel, and unpredictable as reality. For reality hides until the right moment. Waiting. Forever waiting. And one day it snatches you so unaware and drags you through the nightmares. Oh you may kick. You may scream. But you'll most certainly succumb. “ - Ingretta Shazowlla

“ Forever my friend, can last only a second as the white rabbit once said. And forever, has lasted too long for my angel." - Ingretta Shazowlla

“ I speak my truths in barely audible whispers, screaming my lies at glass shattered levels. “ - Molly Chain

“ My lonely little mind is slathered in grey and blue paint, memories glossed over with thick layers of dark color. I've tried to peal away that wallpaper. But there's endless layers in this house, and I just don't know how much strength I've got left. “ - Molly Chain

“ There's blisters on my strength, and I fear I'm about to slip. “ - Molly Chain

“ All my life I've been afraid. Of myself. Of my father. Of the shadows that hid like monsters in my closet. And as I come to the realization that I will never escape my mind, I know that this is who I am. And she's such a broken girl. A wisped shadow of something great. “ - Clarice Sanchez

“ I honestly believe God started typing me up, but he left to work on something greater and left me an unfinished piece of poetry, as if my prose bleed into the way fate unravels and twists. “ - Clarice Sanchez

“ My peace of mind bleeds from the holes in my heart. “ - Clarice Sanchez

“ From what I know cruelty is the last guillotine, and we're just whittlin' down the rope, wonderin' when it'll snap and fall down on humanities head. “ - Leone Kassophic

“ God's voice is echoed through violence.” - Leone Kassophic

“ If my sins were tangible, would I bleed upon contact? “ - Darkin Vagabond

“ Truthfully I am not me. Just a graveyard symphony ringing like the funeral bell, revolver held in one hand, regrets held feebly in the other.” - Darkin Vagabond

“ I look to the star painted sky and wonder what prayers he's been answering, which whispers screamed the loudest. “ - Zelene Clifforde

“ I am a lover at heart, wishing poetry and words spoken could heal the damage of war. And truthfully, that is the only way to stop a war. You speak to the enemy with a certain understanding. You try to discover who they are past the violence shattered between their bruised and bloodstained knuckles." - Zelene Clifforde

“ I am a gentle soul at heart, but alas, I sharpen my claws and go to war like a sinner who doesn't know when to quit, like an old, tattered wolf who wishes to quit all the bloodshed. “ - Yngvir Alvisson

“ Often I wonder if this heart should just quit feeling. Quit letting the blood stain it like a memory that shalt not be forgotten. But I pick up my heart, and I shove it fragile and broken back inside my ribcage. For to become a beast, my friend, is the loneliest achievement of all. “ - Yngvir Alvisson

“ Way I see it. Hate is a revolver. These men and women fill their chamber with all the good pieces of themselves, firing off for a cause that never mattered, something that shouldn't even exist. “ - Jaspello Crosshair

“ In every sense of the word I'm the hero I needed when I was a kid. “ - Jaspello Crosshair

“ Take life one step at a time, second by second, minute by minute. Eventually the storm will pass you by. Sometimes it feels as though you're not gonna make it, but that's the kind of thing tragedy whispers, it tells you lies in an attempt to weaken your resolve. “ - Chris Shaw

“ Debby and I treat life like a workout. We breathe in. We breathe out. We face it head on and don't let the idea of pain stop us. “ - Chris Shaw

“ I was just a farm girl lookin' for a happily ever after, but that wicked and damned man stole the light from me layer by layer. It's as if he carved pieces 'a me off 'a my skin, whisper by whisper, sin by unnatural sin. “ - Ellen Duster

“ There's so many pieces 'a me missin' nowadays. “ - Ellen Duster

“ Redemption is a sunset, and it jus' don' ever rise." - Ellen Duster

“ I tried to build a paper boat and drift away from my prison cell, but the storm started howling in my mind and I fell off the side, clutching the paper rafts and oars, wondering why this is how life drowned me. Some men drown in whiskey. Others drown in sorrow. But all I ever drowned in was the tragedy of being someone I'm not. “ - Isaac Abernathy

“ If a lie fits the powerful man's agenda, he'll do anything he can to make that lie a truth, or at least make it appear as such. “ - Jacob Abernathy

“ I can still remember how that man told me that we'd save the world together, that as the bombs started going off, we'd be the men history looked at and said, "Well done, heroes, you did it." But as I watched the world fall asunder, my heroes heart fading into a broken one, I knew that all the man did was lie to my good nature, and it was on that day, unaware, I bit into the sacrilege of false revolution. “ - Jacob Abernathy

“ I was just a girl without shadows in her mind until I stumbled into a rabbit hole of Godhood and the way blood spills on the arena floor. And as I fell, little pieces of me being carved off by the blade of a malicious God, I knew that I must have more of this undying pleasure. “ - Sonata Vickowinter

“ I'm just a broken bottle angel who forgot his wings on the downward descent.” - Ash Caesar

“ Often I say I'm better off dead, because this man I am is hardly worth a damn, let alone two cents and a nickel, so I glug down another bottle of whiskey and let my little sister down one more fucking time. “ - Ash Caesar

“ I always say I'll change, but everyone else is running a marathon, and here I am, standing stagnant at the starting line. I dare not cross that line in the sand. Because I'm scared of the regret, the shadows, the way my mother's words echo in the ones I scream. “ - Ash Caesar

“ Truth is, I can still remember the way my mother's open palm felt against my cheek, or how her wine glass felt shattered against my noggin. But those glass pieces of her addiction bleed into me. “ - Ash Caesar

“ All I see in the mirror is a man who fell so cruelly away from himself, and as my sister reached for my hand, I let it slip. And all she could do was watch as this regretful Icarus laughed in the flames." - Ash Caesar

“ I have found, that I am the single black rose in the garden, sitting idle like a warning of what will come if you step towards this black petaled beast, this decaying flower of cruelty. “ - Madam Stephanie Rose

“ I am a tired beast. “ - Madam Stephanie Rose

“ I was once in an empty room. Love knocked, oh how she knocked gently, so softly. As if it were a song that whispered into my ear. But hate drove her away. He knocked, he knocked, oh how rage filled his fist boomed against the door. With tears rolling down my cheeks I let him in. He stole the blankets from off the bed and wrapped them around my throat, choking me with the violence inside of my heart. And ever so cruelly, I became a black, withered, and deadly rose." - Madam Stephanie Rose

“ I sink ever familiar into this garden of decay, praying that someone will save me from the blood on my hands I speak of like darkened poetry. But death, was never a story. Only a harsh sin ridden reality I've given to so many others. How strange is it, that death is the end of reality, but also one in of itself? “ - Mike Duster

“ I'm a man of many sins. “ - Mike Duster

“ I slowly flay myself from my own skin, screaming, forever screaming. I carve another layer of me from off my skin. I subject myself to the meat hook and try so desperately to bleed all the darkness from the crevices of me, but alas, to bleed myself from the darkness would be to bleed all of me away. For all that runs through me is dark, twisted and unfamiliar. “ - Mike Duster

“ The truth, does not whisper, my friend. It screams.” - Ava Callenwillow

“ Secrets stick to me, and more often than not they take over my identity, pulling me into the depths of another shadow, another mystery with my name written all over it. I've been running from fate for a long time, finding ways to avoid this noose around my neck for years, but one day the stable ground beneath me will collapse. And I'll be nothing but history. “ - Ava Callenwillow

“ Wherever I go, death tends to follow like a loyal wolf whom sits at my bedside, howling to the blood red moon that is my wicked and decaying heart. “ - Tezilda Vaxweed

#writer #author #characterwriting #dialogue #characterdevelopment

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z-iridest · 4 years ago

Text

The Phoenix Queen:

A Pharaoh Atem x OC short story

Long ago, in the days when the Great Pyramids were still young, there were two children born. One, was a boy, born to the royal family of Egypt, the heir to the throne. The other, was a girl, born to a common family in a small village. Though they had nothing, their kindness and love were well known. The girl's father was a warrior, a royal guard who swore to always protect the Pharaoh. The girl's mother was a woman of great beauty, and her kind heart knew no bounds. Though the girl's parents were not royalty, the child was their own little princess. They named her... Asenath. They raised her to be as kind, and courageous as she was beautiful. But, when the child was merely eight years old, tragedy struck.....

The screams of the villagers filled the air as quickly as a fire began to spread. Bandits rode in on steeds as black as the night, many of the men remaining in the village taking up arms and beginning to fight back, trying to defend their home. Neith, Asenath's mother, ran through the crowds, carrying Asenath in her arms. Since her husband was at the palace, guarding the Pharaoh, he could not come to save them in time, even if she could warn him. The only thing she could think to do was to save their daughter. Neith hid Asenath in the shadows, the child's gold flecked, hazel eyes filled with fear. As Neith turned to face the enemy, she felt her daughter's small hand grasp her own. "Mama, don't leave me." Asenath whimpered. With tears in her eyes, Neith knelt and hugged her daughter one last time. Neith pulled away only slightly to look into her daughter's eyes, the eyes that were identical to her own. She tucked a stray, dark auburn hair behind Asenath's ear.

"My love, I will never leave you... Not truly. As long as you have courage, and be kind, I will be with you always." Neith promised before her hand slipped from Asenath's smaller one. Neith grabbed her sword, running into battle with the men, leading the bandits away from her daughter's hiding place......

By the time the sands had settled, no one was left alive in the village... Except one... As the smoke faded into the air, the fires dying out, little Asenath cried, shaking with the cold winds of the desert's cruel and harsh nights. A dim golden light began to glow, going unnoticed by the child. A sudden warmth spread out onto a small area on her back, a cloth wrapping around the child's shoulders. The warmth lulled Asenath to sleep, a soft voice whispering in her ear.

"You are safe, Asenath. Rest now."

In the years that followed, Asenath learned how to properly wield a sword, and to fight. As she grew, in her heart, she remained courageous and kind, though a power grew within her. You see, along with the time she lived in, were the great but terrible Shadow Games. These "games" involved shadow creatures great and small, sometimes the monsters being used in war.... Other times, the Shadow Games were used as strictly training. Deep within Asenath's heart, a creature grew stronger. Though most shadow creatures were thought to be malicious and led their hosts to commit horrible acts, the one within Asenath's heart was a benevolent force, feeding on the kindness in her heart. While Asenath's father worked at the palace, Asenath practiced her magic by healing those in need. By the time Asenath was fifteen, she had grown into a beautiful young woman, however, there was much more to the young woman.... The training with her father, both in sword and shadow magic, built her into the fiercest warrior in all Egypt... Even if she was a common girl... It was during these years of training that her father remarried to a woman. Pompous and vain, Asenath's stepmother Tiye had two daughters of her own: Maye and Nenet. Tiye, when Asenath's father was away at the Palace, was a cruel woman to Asenath... So much so, that the only place Asenath felt at home was healing the people of Egypt.

The day before her fifteenth birthday, Asenath left her home early in the morning, just as she had many times before. The clothing she wore that day was a scarlet cotton dress along with the necklace her father had given her (A/N: pictured below).

Over the dress was a cloak, the hood over her head to protect her from the scorching heat the Egyptian afternoon would bring. Asenath gave a kind smile to the sick and injured on the side of the road as she approached, cupping her hands together and focusing as she knelt. A scarlet golden glow began to shine in her hands, revealing a scarlet gold phoenix when the light dimmed. The bird itself was small, but it gave a caw and flew to rest on Asenath's shoulder as she began the healing process. The little phoenix, who she had named Bennu, stayed obediently on her shoulder, chirping as Asenath cared for the weak. Many grasped her hands in thanks once she had finished, to which Asenath only replied with a smile.

"Where were you?! You know better to run off while you still have chores to do!" Tiye shrieked the moment Asenath stepped into their home several hours later.

"Stepmother, as I have said several times before, someone must help the sick and injured. If not me, then who?" Asenath asked as she set the down the basket of freshly bought food down, removing her cloak.

"And as I have told you several times, I DO NOT CARE! You are forbidden from interacting with those... Those street rats ever again..."

"Or what, Stepmother? Father would never allow you to throw his own flesh and blood out on the streets, try as you might, and not a single one of them are street rats!" Asenath asked, facing her stepmother. Tiye growled in rage before the younger of her daughters, Nenet, entered the room.

"Mother, please, calm yourself. I think it is wonderful that Asenath's trying to help them with her magic." Nenet defended her stepsister. Tiye scoffed.

"The only magic a woman should be worried about is magic to make herself look younger and more beautiful. Who cares about caring for the weak when you can improve your own appearance. It is best for a lady to prepare to marry into power." Tiye commented, making Asenath roll her eyes.

"Women have every bit of a right to protect the Kingdom as men do, Stepmother, that is what Father says." Asenath replied as she began on the remaining chores she had left to do. Her father was due home any moment, having been away for several days at the Palace. Asenath smiled at the thought of seeing her father again. Her father, Osiris, was a kind man as well as one of the best warriors in all of Egypt. It broke Asenath's heart each time they were forced to be apart, but Asenath always held onto the hope that he would always return. But, she had no way of knowing that this time would be different. A knock sounded at the door just as Asenath finished lighting the oil lamps. The fourteen-year-old answered the door, the sight of her father's best friend at the door bringing a warmth to her heart.

"Amos, it is good to see you." Asenath greeted before her smile fell, noticing the grief stricken look on his face. "What is wrong?"

"It's your father, Asenath. There was an intruder at the palace... He tried attacking the Pharaoh, but your father got in the way and took the hit... He's gone." Amos revealed with Tiye standing behind Asenath. While Tiye covered her mouth in horror, tears gathered in Asenath's eyes as she bowed her head. "He left this for you, miss." Amos finished, holding out a small staff. The moment it was placed into Asenath's touch, the staff extended, revealing itself to be her father's spear. A sharp knife like blade on one side while the other side held a Kopesh blade. She willed it back to the small staff, holding it to her heart.

"Th-thank you for telling us... I-It must have been difficult for you to deliver such news." Asenath thanked him, barely holding her tears as she closed the door once more. As Tiye relayed the information to her daughters, Asenath put her back to the door, her entire body trembling with sorrow until she dissolved into tears and sobbed.

Beginning the day the news of her father's death had reached her, Asenath was treated like a slave by her stepsisters and stepmother, though Nenet was often times the one who advocated for her.... Or at least tried... The only possessions that Asenath had left and were allowed to keep was her mother's old gown, the red dress she had on, her father's spear and the scarab necklace her father had given her. Though the treatment at home had become harsh, Asenath remained kind, continuing to heal and help those in need. She had no way of knowing how things would begin to change....

The day of her sixteenth birthday, Asenath was healing the sick and injured just like everyday. However, this particular day, while Asenath tended to those in need, she was spotted by her Stepmother. Tiye, in a furied rage, grabbed Asenath by her hair, making the girl cry out in pain. "HOW DARE YOU DISOBEY ME!" She shrieked as she dragged Asenath up on her feet and away from those on the streets. Many stepped forward, but a burning glare from Tiye made them shrink back in fear. As soon as the women entered the home, Asenath was thrown painfully to the ground. "HAVE YOU NO SHAME?! DO YOU WANT US TO HAVE SEKHMET CURSE US WITH THE PLAUGES THEY CARRY! FOOLISH CHILD, YOU WILL BE PUNISHED FOR YOUR DISOBEDIENCE!" Tiye grabbed her whip while Maye laughed and began to beat Asenath, Nenet trying to get her sister to stop. Maye switched her focus on her sister long enough to push her to the ground before Tiye struck Asenath, making her scream in pain as she was whipped. When it finally stopped, Asenath had tears of pain cascading down her face and could just barely move because of the pain she was under. Maye and Tiye laughed hysterically as they watched Asenath struggle to stand before the young girl found her footing and ran to the stables to ride her father's horse, Asim. While Nenet yelled at her mother and sister for their actions, Asenath rode out of the kingdom, holding onto the reins as Asim galloped through the desert sands. Asenath hid her face in his mane as she cried, the bruises and whip marks sending shockwaves of pain through her. Asenath wanted a way for the suffering to end. She was a no one, a servant girl in her own father's home....

Asim suddenly reared, making Asenath scream as she clung to Asim's mane to prevent herself from being thrown off. Asim snorted as men surrounded them. Slave traders.... Asenath thought, her eyes spotting an opening, a hole in the men's formation. "Hyah!" Asenath urged Asim toward the opening, the men chasing after her. Asenath soon recognized the old ruins of her home village, but led the men to it. It would be the perfect place to unleash her Ka's battle form without harming anyone else. As soon as Asim set foot into the village, Asenath drew her spear and stuck out her arm, though it hurt her to do so. "Bennu Magician, come forth!" She called, a female spellcaster with a staff in her hand rising behind her. She was clad in scarlet gold armor, her hair a crimson red with gold streaks and amber colored eyes. She spun her staff, pointing it at the men coming toward them as Asenath dismounted from her horse, spinning her spear and standing in the clearing, ready to meet the men who would dare fight them. As soon as they were close enough, Asenath gave the order: "Bennu Magician, attack! Scolding Scepter Blast!" The spellcaster obeyed, a scarlet gold glow coming from the staff before it wiped out a majority of the men chasing Asenath, making them disappear. The three that remained, Asenath glared down as they dismounted, drawing swords. Asenath walked towards them as her Ka transformed into a phoenix. The men charged her, and with a battle cry, Asenath blocked an attack before countering with her own. The clang of metal upon metal rang through the air, young woman and men locked in a dance of a battle. Asenath was able to knock one out of the fight, left to fight the remaining two as the man ran away in cowardice. Asenath used her old village to her advantage, unaware of the reinforcements headed their way. As the three broke away from a lock, a shout was heard. Hearing it, the slave traders tried to run, but were caught by what looked like guards from the Palace... Guards like her father had once been.... Two men other than the guards were with them. One of the men, Asenath easily recognized as one of the priests, brown hair hiding under the headpiece he wore, his eyes a dark shade of purple that looked nearly azure blue in the light of the setting sun.... Eyes that were full of rage as he looked toward the slave traders. The other, however.....

The first thing Asenath noticed was the fact that his amethyst eyes were on her as he dismounted from his horse. He was wearing clothing made of the finest fabrics, fabrics Asenath concluded that only someone in the Palace could afford. His hair, however, was what was the most unique about him. His hair was tri-colored, black at the base, a dark magenta along the edges and gold bangs, three gold streaks were visible in the center of his hair. He wore no jewelry, but the way he carried himself spoke of authority and grace. Out of respect for him coming to her aid, she knelt with her left foot forward. She heard him chuckle before hearing a shift in the sands. "You do not have to bow to me." She felt the warmth of his hand under her chin, bringing her gold flecked, dark hazel eyes to his own.

"Is it not right to show respect to someone who has come to my aid?" Asenath asked.

"Perhaps, but it is not required. Please, rise." His hand left her chin to take her hand, helping her stand. As he did, the young man's eyes fell upon the bruises that lingered along her arms. "Did those men do this?" He asked, anger rising to his eyes.

"No, no, they did not get close enough." Asenath answered. "Please, do not worry yourself, I am nothing but a servant... No one worth worrying over."

"You are to me, I... Look out!" The young man pushed her out of the way as a snake, a venomous cobra struck, biting the young man in the arm.

"No! Bennu, attack the snake!" Asenath cried, the phoenix obeying and clawing the snake within it's talons, burning it to ashes as Asenath rushed to the young man's side. "Are you all right?"

"Do not worry about me." He answered her.

"Do not move." Asenath replied, gently taking his arm and bringing it to her lips, beginning to suck the poison out.

"No, you need not do this!" The young man exclaimed in horror. Asenath turned her head to the side and spat out the venom she had collected thus far.

"You were bitten, and I am going to get the poison out. Please, allow me to do this. You helped me, now it is my turn to help you." Asenath replied before returning to suck the venom out. Once she no longer tasted the venom , she turned her head to the side once more and spat out the remaining venom, wiping her mouth as the priest joined them. She held out her arm without moving her gaze from the snake bite. Now that the poison was out, she could seal the wound. "Bennu, come." The phoenix flew down and perched on her arm as she covered the snake bite with both her hands. "Lend me strength once again, my friend." She murmured to it before breathing out and closing her eyes, focusing her energy. As the priest and the young man watched, a scarlet golden glow emitted from her hands, illuminating the darkness around them for a brief moment. Soon, it dimmed once more, and when Asenath removed her hands, the mark of the snake bite was gone. "Thank you, Bennu." Asenath told the phoenix, the little bird ruffling its feathers before giving a coo toward the young man and disappearing.

"Thank you." The young man told her. Asenath merely smiled in reply.

"As I said, it was the least I could do. You helped me after all, it was only right that I returned the favor." Asenath replied as she rose from the sands and remounted her horse. He remounted his own. The priest took this time to speak.

"We should be heading back to the Palace. Young one, we can escort you back home for your efforts." The priest offered.

"Oh, no, it is..."

"Please, it is the least I can do. You helped me, it is only right that I return the favor." The young man interrupted, with a slight smug smile in his face. A chuckle left Asenath as she shook her head.

"Well then, I suppose I have no choice but to accept." Asenath replied, making the young man chuckle before they rode back home. The young man rode his horse at a gallop beside Asenath, the guards and the priest keeping pace with them.

"My lady, what do they call you?" He asked. Asenath shook her head.

"Never mind what they call me. I must thank you again for your help... What do they call you?" Asenath asked.

"You do not know who I am?" Upon seeing Asenath's confused look, he corrected himself. "That is... They call me Atem, or rather my father does... When he's in a good mood." This earned a chuckle between the two.

"You live in the Palace?" Asenath asked.

"Yes, with my father. My father is currently teaching me his trade, you might say." Atem answered.

"So, you're an apprentice?" Asenath asked.

"Of a sort." Atem responded with a smile.

"That's wonderful... Do they treat you well?" Asenath asked.

"Probably better than I deserve. And you?" Atem asked. Asenath looked away.

"They treat me as well as they're able." She answered.

"I am sorry." Atem apologized. Asenath shook her head.

"It is not your doing." She replied.

"Nor yours either, I am willing to bet." Atem responded, trying to look at her. As they reentered the bazaar, they all slowed to a trot.

"It is not so horrible... Others have it worse, I am sure. We must simply have courage and be kind... Must we not?" Asenath asked.

"Yes... We must..." Atem replied as he gazed at her. "You are quite right, and that is exactly how I feel." The two shared a smile, Asenath and Atem both coming to a stop.

"I am afraid this is where we part." Asenath told him as she dismounted once more, gently patting Asim's side as she took the reigns and looked up at Atem. "Thank you again, for everything."

"It was no trouble." Atem replied before the priest began to speak again.

"Your Hi-"

"It's Atem! Atem, I am Atem!" Atem interrupted the priest. "I am on my way!" Atem's outburst had Asenath covering up a giggle.

"Well, we'd better get a move on... Atem." The priest replied.

"As I said, Mahad, on my way." Atem told him before returning his gaze to Asenath. "I hope to see you again, my lady."

"And I, you, Atem." Asenath replied. A smile graced Atem's face before he rejoined Mahad and the guards, Asenath bringing Asim to the stables.

A few days later, a royal proclamation was made. To celebrate the young prince coming of age, a ball was to be held in his honor, a ball to which all eligible young ladies were required to attend in a couple weeks. Upon hearing the news, Asenath's stepsisters celebrated the chance to make an impression upon the future Pharaoh, at the chance to become his wife... "Just imagine: One of us, a princess!" Maye squealed in excitement.

"The Pharaoh's proclamation also means you can go too, Asenath." Nenet added with a big smile, grasping her step sister's hands.

"I think not." Tiye interjected with a cold sneer.

"Just imagine: her, dancing with the Prince!" Maye scoffed. "I'd be honored, Your Highness... Would you mind holding my broom?" She laughed hysterically as she made fun of Asenath.

"Stupid, stupid, Asenath." Maye snickered.

"Complete all your chores and find something suitable to wear, then we'll talk." Tiye replied. "Now, come girls, we must go to the seamstress." For the next two weeks, Asenath completed every chore in record time, fixing her mother's old dress in order to make it suitable for the ball. On the day of the ball, after Asenath had finished preparing her stepsisters, she placed the finishing touches on her mother's gown. It took a bit to complete the rest of the work on the dress, but she soon completed it. It was a green dress, old fashioned in design, but it was ultimately the perfect choice for Asenath, her mother's old dress fitting her perfectly. As she presented herself to her step family, she found all eyes in the room on her. While Nenet looked happy, Maye and Tiye looked angry. "Asenath..."

"I swear, it cost you nothing, Step Mother. It was my mother's old dress, so I took it up myself once my tasks were complete." Asenath told her.

"Ooh, la. Asenath at the ball." Maye commented.

"What is wrong with that?" Nenet asked her sister.

"No one wants a servant girl for a bride." Maye told her.

"After all I have done for you...." Tiye trailed off angrily.

"I do not want to ruin anything at all! I do not even wish to meet the prince..."

"Oh, you certainly will not... Because there is no question in your going." Tiye replied quite bitterly.

"Mother..." Nenet said softly.

"But, every maiden in the land is to attend, by order of the Pharaoh."

"It is, the Pharaoh I am thinking of. It would be an insult to the royal personage to take you to the palace in these.... Old rags." Tiye commented, gesturing with a finger to the dress Asenath wore. A stunned look crossed Asenath's face.

"Rags? This was my mother's."

"I am sorry to have tell you, my dear, but... Your mother had questionable taste. This... thing is so old fashioned, it's practically falling to pieces." Tiye said as she neared Asenath before pulling part of the dress, ripping it. "The shoulder's frayed." She gasped. Much to Asenath and Nenet's horror, Maye joined Tiye in tearing the dress apart until it was nothing but rags.

"It is a pitiful, old fashioned joke." Maye commented with Tiye chuckling. Asenath looked at her stepmother with tears in her eyes.

"How could you?" Asenath asked.

"How could I otherwise? I will not have anyone associate my daughters with you. It would ruin their prospects to be seen arriving with a ragged servant girl, because that is what you are, and that is what you will always be. Now, mark my words: You shall not go to the ball." Tiye snarled. "Come, girls, we will be late." With that, she left in a huff, Maye right behind her. Nenet looked at Asenath with tears in her eyes.

"I am so sorry, Asenath." Nenet told her.

"It is no fault of yours, Nenet. Please, go enjoy yourself at the ball. You deserve it." Asenath told her.

"So do you." Nenet replied before leaving for the ball. Asenath left the house, going into the back to the gardens her father had planted years prior. She collapsed at the fountain, sobbing. She was tired of being mistreated, tired of being walked on...

"Mother, Father, what do I do now?" Asenath sobbed. She wished she could have one last moment with her parents, one last moment of happiness...

"Excuse me, dear child..." Asenath's head was brought up at the deep voice to see an old man. He was frail, and despite Asenath's own sorrow, she wiped her tears and turned her attention to him.

"How can I help you, good sir?" Asenath asked.

"Water... Please..." The old man begged.

"Of course. Come and rest your weary heart." Asenath invited.

"Oh, thank you, my dear." The old man told her as she came to his side and helped him to one of the stone benches. "Thank you very much indeed." Once he was seated, she picked up one of the bowls, wiping more stray tears away. Despite her best hopes to have hidden it from the old man, he noticed anyway. "Why are you crying, my dear?"

"I-It is nothing, you need not worry." Asenath answered, her back to him as she filled the bowl with fresh cold water.

"Nothing.... What is a bowl of cold water? Nothing...." The old man rattled on as she brought the bowl to him. "But kindness, my dear... Kindess makes it everything." He raised the bowl slightly in a toast before drinking all of it. "Now, Asenath, I am afraid we do not have much time if you are to go to the ball." The old man added as he stood up. Asenath's eyebrows went upward.

"How do you know my name?" Asenath asked. The old man merely chuckled.

"Now, who do you think blessed you with that little Phoenix ka? I've been watching over you since the day you were born, my child. Besides, how would I be the God of Creation if I knew not the names of all of my creations?" The old man spoke before smiling at her with a twinkle in his eye. "Allow me to slip into something more comfortable. Slifer, Obelisk, come!" The old man stood straight up, throwing a diadhank into the air as a golden light swirled around him. Asenath watched as the diadhank extended before a man's arm emerged from the light, the diadhank latching onto it as the light dispersed, revealing a man dressed in gold armor. He looked to be around his early 30s, with gold hair and red eyes, a diadem with a lapis lazuli jewel in the center of his forehead. Blinking, Asenath dropped into a bow, her left foot forward. She heard him chuckle before he felt a familiar warmth on her shoulder. "Now, now, there is no need or time for that. There is work to be done." Ra told her as he helped her rise. "Speaking of which, my brothers should be here as well.... Late as usual... Slifer, Obelisk, come forth at once!"

"Geeze, we heard you the first time, old man!" Asenath jumped as two more men appeared beside Ra. One was dressed in red armor, with red hair and blue eyes, while the other was dressed in blue armor with blue hair and red eyes.

"Do not call me an old man! I am only 30 years old!" Ra shouted.

"Yeah, you are 30 all right... 30 centuries old!" The man in red armor argued back.

"Ra, Slifer, may I remind you that we are here to assist Asenath?" The man in blue armor reminded them, placing a hand on Asenath's shoulder as he effectively cut off the argument all together. Ra cleared his throat.

"My apologies. Slifer, you create a transport for her, I will remake her dress." Ra ordered.

"As you wish... Your Geezerness." Slifer replied. Before Ra could even think about getting back at Slifer for the comment, Slifer had disappeared.

"Surely we are not sending her to the ball alone, are we?" Obelisk asked, his brow furrowed.

"Of course not. That is why you are going to escort her." Ra answered. Obelisk looked in shock.

"Me? Why? Have you something better to do, Your Excellency?" Obelisk asked. "Why can't you or Slifer do it?"

"Listen, Slifer won't keep an eye on her, he would be too busy flirting all night. If I go, my weakness for wine would leave her wide open. You are the most responsible of us all, Obelisk." Ra answered. Obelisk glanced at Asenath before sighing.

"Fine, I'll escort her." Obelisk replied, sounding defeated.

"Wonderful! Now, Asenath, let us change up this ragged dress." Ra told Asenath as he led her to a private spot.

"Can you not mend it?" Asenath asked.

"No, no, I shall turn it into something new." Ra answered.

"No, please. This was my mother's dress, you see... If I wear it to the ball... It would feel like a piece of her is going with me." Asenath pleaded. Ra's eyes softened.

"Of course. Do you think she would mind if I changed it a little?" Ra asked. Asenath smiled softly as she shook her head in response. With a smile, Ra closed his eyes, his hands glowing gold before he willed the magic to swirl around Asenath. Asenath looked down at the golden glow as it transformed her mother's dress into a beautiful gown, made especially for her, though it felt like her mother was still with her (A/N: pictured below).

She felt her hair be braided and pinned back, a bronze crown adorning her head (A/N: hair and crown pictured below)

Ra smiled once the transformation was complete, Obelisk joining them in that moment. "Heavens above...." Obelisk commented. Asenath blushed.

"Does it look all right?" Asenath asked.

"More than all right, you look beautiful!" Obelisk exclaimed, making a smile come to Asenath's face along with a blush. "Not even the prince himself will be able to look away from you." Ra looked proud of himself, but before he could voice his thoughts, Slifer joined them. He grinned and bowed to Asenath.

"A lovely vision, milday. Your chariot awaits." Slifer told her. Asenath bowed to both Ra and Slifer.

"Thank you both." She told them.

"Go on, have fun." Ra encouraged her. Obelisk was surrounded in a blue light, dressed as a nobleman. Asenath noticed, having to hold back tears, that the appearance he had chosen was remarkably similar to her father. He offered his arm.

"Come, my dear." He told her. She placed her arm over his, her hand draping over his own, and they began to walk. Slifer opened the door of the chariot before Obelisk and Ra assisted her inside. As Slifer closed the door, Ra turned to Asenath.

"Remember, child, with the moon's midnight light, the spell will be broken, and everything will be as it was before." Ra warned her.

"Ra... What about my stepmother and the girls?" Asenath asked. Ra smiled.

"Don't worry. The dress I made comes with a spell that prevents them from recognizing you." Ra answered. "Obelisk, protect the child. No harm must come to her."

"How stupid do you think I am? I know what being her escort means." Obelisk retorted, making Asenath giggle. With a last farewell, Obelisk and Asenath were on their way.

The Palace was grander than Asenath could have imagined it. It made her nervous. When the chariot finally came to a stop, Obelisk, or rather, Rashid as he had told her to call him, stepped out before extending a hand to Asenath. Asenath placed her hand in his before he helped her down from the chariot. Noticing Asenath's nervous state, he bent to her ear. "Be calm, child. I will allow no harm to come to you. The only job you have is enjoy this night." His words soothed her, and she gave him a grateful smile before he escorted her in. They were later than the other guests, but Rashid couldn't help but crack a grin at how in awe of the Palace Asenath seemed to be. He chuckled as they entered the ballroom, Rashid entering first and stepping to the side while bowing a bit to her. Asenath cautiously entered the room, finding all eyes on her. She blushed under the attention, not used to it. Whispers arose from the people around them, mainly questions as to who the young girl before them even was before all of the whispers died out, a sound silencing them all.

Footsteps soon echoed through the quiet room, the crowd making way as a young man walked toward Asenath. He was dressed in the finest of clothes, a purple cape at his back, and yet, he bowed low to the ground when he was right in front of her. Asenath returned the bow, recognizing the young man who had escorted her home after she had healed him, though the look on Rashid's face told her that he was more important to the kingdom than a mere apprentice. His hair was tricolored, black at the base, a dark magenta around the edges and gold bangs with 3 gold streaks standing up. When they both looked up, Asenath found her gold flecked hazel eyes locked in the gaze of a familiar pair of amethyst eyes. (A/N: Sorry to interrupt! But the fanart I used for Atem, I do not own! If u know the original artist, pleeeeease dm me!)

As easy smile spread across both faces. "It's you..." Atem trailed off in awe, Asenath merely smiling at him in reply before he continued. "My lady," When he spoke, his voice was deep, reminding Asenath of the power and authority he possessed as the Crown Prince of Egypt, but his tone was kind, just as it had been the day they first met. "If it pleases you, will you join me in this, the first dance of the night?" He asked. Asenath nodded once.

"It would an honor and a pleasure." She answered. Atem before her smiled before offering his hand. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, feeling a familiar surge of power run through her upon the touch of his skin upon her own. Rashid straightened, having felt it as well. What had Ra done? Had his brother known that the man that now held Asenath was her soulmate?

As the two stopped in the middle of the dancefloor, the young man kept one of her hands in his while the other wrapped around her waist. As the ballroom filled with music, the two began to dance, unaware of the audience that was watching them. Included among them was Rashid and the Pharaoh himself, along with his council. Asenath didn't know why, but she felt safe in the young man's arms.... The two never looked away from each other, lost in each other's gaze. Asenath noticed the number of eyes that were on them. "They are all looking at you." Asenath whispered.

"Believe me, my lady, it is you they are gazing upon." Atem whispered back to her. The two danced together with the crowd watching them. As the music faded into a different song, Atem clasped both of Asenath's hands, coming to a stop in the middle of the dancefloor. "Come with me." He whispered to her before letting go of one of her hands to lead her out of the ballroom. Asenath glanced back at Rashid as she followed Atem. Rashid nodded once, silently confirming that it was indeed someone she could trust.

"So, you are the Prince." Asenath commented as she followed him. Atem chuckled, letting go if her hands to shut the doors behind them.

"I am merely a Prince, there are many other princes in the world."

"But... Your name is not really Atem... Is it?" Asenath asked.

"Sadly, it is, and my father still calls me that when he is especially unpeeved at me."

"But, you are no apprentice."

"I am technically... An apprentice monarch, I still am learning my trade, after all." Atem commented, which made Asenath laugh.

"Oh, gosh." Asenath commented as she continued to walk. Atem walked beside her.

"Please, forgive me, I thought you might treat me differently if you knew. I mistook you for a good, honest country girl, and now I see you did not want to... Overawe a plain soldier." Atem commented, walking ahead of her.

"Little chance of that happening." Asenath giggled. Atem stopped in place and turned to her, extending his hand for hers.

"No more surprises?" He asked as if making a deal with her. Asenath smiled and walked toward him, taking his hand.

"No more surprises." She agreed. He smiled and continued to lead her out of the Palace, ending up on a path in the courtyard. "They will miss you at the ball, will they not?" She asked.

"Perhaps, but let us not go back just yet..." Atem told her. Seeing the look on his face, she spoke up.

"What is it?" Asenath asked, her worry for him showing. Atem sighed.

"When I go back, they will try to pair me up with a lady of their choosing. I am expected to marry for advantage." Atem answered.

"Oh... Well, for whose advantage?"

"That, is a very good question." The two chuckled before they stopped, Asenath looking up at him.

"Surely, you have a right to your own heart." She told him.

"And I must weigh that against the Pharaoh's wishes. He is a wise ruler... and a loving father."

"Perhaps, he will change his mind." Asenath replied.

"I fear he does not have much time to do so." Atem answered, Asenath's eyes softening with empathy.

"I am sorry." He shook his head.

"It is all right." He smiled. "Though, I am quite curious as to know how a beautiful princess such as yourself learned to wield magic and a spear with such grace and mastery." A sad smile crossed Asenath's face.

"My own father taught me how to fight, my Prince." Asenath told him, looking away to hide the sadness that had crossed her face in that moment. She felt Atem squeeze her hand in gentle comfort.

"I would say you learned well, and to you, it is just Atem." Asenath blushed, Atem smiling with a chuckle before he led her to a garden of some kind, her hand still in his. She looked around the garden. Palm trees stood high above them, all kinds of flowers in full bloom... Asenath even recognized a moon flower.

"It's beautiful." She breathed.

"My mother used to love it here... But, since she passed, my father could not bring himself to visit the gardens." He responded, and Asenath could hear the sadness in his voice. She looked down.

"My own mother is in the Afterlife as well, along with my father..." She replied, her voice betraying her own sadness before she looked up at him again. "Do you think they know each other?" This brought a small smile to the young man's face, as well as a small chuckle past his lips.

"I believe they might. I certainly do not see why they could not." He answered.

"I would like to think that legends about the Afterlife being open to everyone, rich and poor, are true... Just like the ball was tonight." Asenath replied.

"In truth, the ball was only open to everyone because of you." Atem told her, his words bringing Asenath to a halt, the young man standing before her. "I made sure everyone could come because I had hoped to see you again." He confessed. Asenath smiled up at him.

"And I came to see Atem." Asenath replied.

"Not the prince?" Atem asked, raising an eyebrow at her. Asenath shook her head in reply.

"The prince is far too grand... What could I ever mean to him anyway?" Asenath asked, beginning to continue walking when she felt Atem take her hand, making her stop and face him. This time, however, he interlaced their fingers, a look of seriousness in his eyes.

"A lot more than you could ever know." He murmured, though Asenath heard his words. Atem's free hand came up, gently tucking some stray hairs behind her ear before his hand gently cupped her cheek. Asenath leaned her head into his touch, closing her eyes for a brief moment. When she reopened her eyes, she blushed upon finding Atem gazing at her, a very adoring look in his eyes. He drew slightly closer to her, his thumb caressing her cheek. "May I kiss you?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Asenath blushed darker with his words, but nodded all the same. Atem wrapped his free arm around her as he leaned down, both pairs of eyes closing before Asenath felt the warmth of his lips against her own. Asenath kissed him back, feeling Atem pull her closer to him. In response, she wrapped her arms around his neck, causing him to hold her closer in his embrace. When he finally pulled away, it was slow, as if that first kiss would be the last. He rested his forehead on her own, both pairs of eyes remaining closed. "That was..."

"Wonderful." Asenath finished as they both opened their eyes and exchanged smiles. They pressed their foreheads together, unaware that they were being watched by a friend of Atem's. Atem took her hands again, leading her down another path.

"I have never shown this place to anyone before." Atem told her before opening a wooden door that creaked slightly as out swung open. A gasp of awe left Asenath as Atem led her through the wooden door.

"A secret garden!" She breathed. Bushes of flowers were everywhere, a tall tree standing proudly in a small corner. Atem smiled as he watched her look around the secret garden, in awe of everything she was seeing. Asenath looked back at him. "I love it." She smiled, causing Atem to smile back.

"I'm glad you like it." Atem told her as he walked toward her again, picking a lotus flower and placing it in her hair as she giggled. Asenath closed her eyes as his warm, gentle touch once again came to her face. But, just as their lips went to touch once more, a rush of pain caused Asenath to move back a few steps. The magic is fading.... She thought. Atem's brow furrowed in worry as he stepped toward her, gently taking her arms.

"Are you all right?" Atem asked. Asenath looked up at him.

"I have to go... I am sorry." Asenath slipped from Atem's hold as she hurried to the gate of the secret garden before stopping, turning back around to face Atem. "Thank you, Atem. You have been wonderfully kind to me, and tonight had been fun. I truly loved it... Every second." She thanked him before running back through the Palace, retracing her steps. Despite the feeling of shock he felt at her running off, Atem chased after the girl. He had finally found the woman of his dreams... He'd have to be a fool to let her go that easily...

In no time at all, she reached Rashid, who caught her arms. "What is wrong?" He asked her.

"The magic is fading, I can feel it. We do not have much time left." Asenath answered. Without another word, Rashid wrapped a protecting arm around her and began to escort her out of the palace. "Keep running and don't turn back, I'll get the chariot!" Rashid told her as they were about to reach the main doors, running faster and heading out the doors. Atem followed his true love through the palace and down the palace steps, watching as one of Asenath's slippers slipped off her foot. Asenath turned back around to grab it, but Rashid had arrived with the carriage, his shout preventing her from grabbing it.

"Leave it, there is no time!" Rashid warned Asenath before he helped her into the chariot and held on as the chariot took off. Atem stopped on the steps and knelt to pick up the slipper, watching as the chariot that carried the woman he fell in love with disappeared into the night. The priest, Mahad, and Atem's childhood friend, Mana soon joined him, Mahad ordering some of the guards to search for her. Mana stood beside Atem with her hands on her hips.

"Out of all the girls in that ballroom, and you just had to choose her." Mana stated with an eyebrow raised. Atem smiled as he remembered the kiss he and Asenath had shared.

"Yes, I did." He answered before his eye caught something glittering gold in the moonlight. He bent and picked it up, only to find the scarab necklace the girl had been wearing both when he first met her as well as that night. His thumb smoothed over it. "I will find you again, my love... Even if it will be the last thing I ever do." He swore to himself, looking up at the stars as he prayed to the gods to keep his future bride safe until he could find her.

Meanwhile, just as Asenath neared her home, everything touched by the gods' magic went back to what it was before, including Asenath's gown, and Obelisk reappearing as a man in blue armor. It was then that Asenath realized the scarab necklace was missing. She looked around in a frantic panic before feeling the lotus flower still in her hair. She took it out and held it, praying that Atem was keeping the necklace safe for her. Obelisk dusted himself off before noticing the smile that graced Asenath's face as she held a Lotus flower in her hand. "I take it you had a fun time?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, a smile gracing his features. Asenath nodded, smiling up at him.

"It was so much more than I could have ever hoped for. Thank you... Will you thank Ra and Slifer for me as well?" Asenath asked in response. Obelisk smiled back and nodded.

"I shall." Obelisk promised, watching Asenath retreat inside the house before he disappeared into the night, rejoining his brothers. The next morning, the old Pharaoh passed away with his son beside him. When it was announced throughout the kingdom, Asenath's heart broke for Atem, knowing the pain he was suffering through.

When the time for mourning had passed, it was announced that the new Pharaoh declared his love for the young woman he was with at the ball. It was decreed that the kingdom be searched for her using the slipper she had left behind. If found, she would be brought to the Palace and if she would have him, he would marry her. The news came as a surprise to Asenath, but it was proof to her that he cared for her as much as she cared for him. She hurried back home to prepare, but found her stepmother awaiting her in her room, holding the slipper that had been left to her by the gods. "This must have quite a story behind it... Care to tell me?" Tiye asked her. Asenath remained where she was, her eyes remaining on her stepmother in that moment. "No? Then you will answer my questions. Did you steal it?" Asenath shook her head.

"It was given to me."

"Given to you?" Tiye scoffed. "Nothing is ever given, for everything we must pay and pay..."

"That is not true. Kindness is free, love is free..."

"Love is not free, do not be naive. Now, here is how you will pay me... If you are to have what you desire. No one will believe you, a dirty servant girl without a family, if you lay claim to the Prince's heart. But, with a respectable gentlewoman to put you forward, you will not be ignored. When you are married, you will make me head of the royal household. Maye and Nenet we will pair off with wealthy lords, and I shall manage that... boy." Tiye's last words brought a flare of anger to Asenath.

"He is not a boy." She told her stepmother. Her stepmother glared at her, unaware that Nenet was on the other side of the door, able to hear her mother's every word.

"And who are you? How would you rule a kingdom? Best to leave it to me, that way we all get what we want." Tiye told her before turning to leave the room, believing she had trapped Asenath into agreeing. Asenath's mind raced, tears forming in her eyes before a determined look crossed her face. She couldn't allow her stepmother to even have the chance to control Atem. She loved him too much for that...

"No." Asenath definently answered, making Tiye stop in her tracks. Tiye slowly turned around, her anger rising.

"No?" Tiye asked. Through a shaking breath, Asenath continued.

"I failed to protect my beloved father from you, but I will protect the Prince and the kingdom, from you... No matter what will become of me." Asenath vowed as tears fell down her face.

"Well... That is a mistake!" Tiye shouted before swinging open the door and looking at Asenath. "It is time your defiant tongue is silenced, Asenath!" Leaving the room, Tiye slammed the door shut despite Asenath's best attempts to stop her, and locked it behind her. Tiye ignored the screams and shouts of her stepdaughter, unknowing that her own daughter had witnessed everything. Nenet's own emerald eyes filled with tears, looking at the door of her stepsister's room. She had to do something.... She had to... But, she couldn't free Asenath without the key from her mother...

Over the next couple days, a battalion of guards and three priests searched the kingdom far and wide to find the young woman. But, no matter how many girls they tried the slipper on, the slipper's magic prevented anyone but its true owner from fitting it... No matter how eligible..... Before long, the time came for Tiye's daughters to be tried, being the last girls in the kingdom to try on the slipper. Locked in her room, Asenath didn't know who had come, nor did she care. She closed her eyes as she fondly remembered the ball, and the kiss Atem had given her. She knew that eventually, the moments with Atem at the ball would fade to memory, just as the moments of her parents and her childhood. Nenet was the first to be tried, and the second the slipper was found not to fit, Maye shoved her out of the way to try on the slipper. After several failed attempts, she too, couldn't make the slipper fit. The younger of the priests, a young man with striking blue eyes, turned to Tiye. "Madam, is there no other girl we may try?" He asked.

"No one else, my lord." Tiye answered, lying through her teeth. Nenet noticed this, and it certainly didn't go unnoticed by one of the priests either, something around his neck giving off a golden glow.

"Seto, I sense she is lying." Mahad brought up to the younger priest.

"Nonsense. I sense no ill intent from this woman." The other priest spoke, an adviser to the old Pharaoh. As the men argued, Nenet knew what she had to do. Closing her eyes, Nenet spoke up.

"My mother is indeed lying to you, my lords." Nenet told them, making the argument come to a halt and Tiye to look at her with a piercing look.

"Nenet, I suggest you watch your tongue..."

"Enough, Mother!" Nenet's emerald eyes snapped open, glaring at her own mother. "I am sick and tired of your lies, and it is about time someone in this family stood up for her because she has done everything she could for everyone else. She deserves the chance at a better life, you have done nothing but be cruel to her since you first married Osiris, may the gods allow him eternal peace and rest!" Suprised by her own daughter's outburst, Tiye stood still in shock.

"Who is this other girl you speak of?" Mahad asked. Nenet bowed her head.

"My stepsister, my lord. My mother married her father a few years ago. He died 2 years ago protecting our Pharaoh, and my mother and sister have been cruel to his daughter ever since." Nenet answered.

"Where is she?" Seto asked.

"My mother locked her away in her room." Nenet answered. Tiye glared at her own daughter's betrayal.

"Madam, you will open that door and allow the girl to try on the slipper, or you will be tried for treason." A hooded figure interrupted Tiye. Tiye turned to the hooded figure in rage.

"How dare you give orders to me! Who do you think..." Tiye was cut short when the hooded figure revealed himself to be the young Pharaoh, Atem. With a pale face, Tiye dropped low to the ground with her left foot forward, her daughters following her example. Atem looked at Nenet.

"I can see it took great courage for you to speak up. You will be rewarded for your honesty." Atem told Nenet. "What is your name?"

"My name is Nenet, Your Majesty, and I seek no reward but to see my stepsister happy once again." Nenet answered. Atem smiled at her before turning to Tiye with a stern expression.

"Now, I command that you unlock the room at once." He commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Tiye responded.

"Mahad, will you investigate?" Atem murmured.

"It shall be my pleasure, my Pharaoh." Mahad replied before following Tiye to Asenath's room.

When the door was unlocked and opened, Asenath stood, watching as the priest from when she had first met Atem entered the room behind her stepmother. "There! You see, I told you, it is no one of any importance!" Tiye exclaimed.

"We shall see about that." Mahad told her before bowing his head in respect to Asenath, gaining a respectful bow in return. "Miss, you are requested and required to present yourself to the Prince." Tiye rushed forward.

"I forbid you to do this."

"And I forbid you to forbid her. Who are you to stop a Priest in the Pharaoh's court? Are you an empress? A saint? A deity?" Mahad asked. Tiye looked at Asenath.

"I am her mother." She lied once again.

"You never have been, nor ever will be, my mother." Asenath told her stepmother. Mahad's gaze shifted from Tiye to Asenath.

"Come now, miss." Mahad told her before turning to leave the room, unknowing of Tiye harshly grabbing Asenath by the arm, making her stop for a brief moment.

"Just remember who you are, you wretch." Tiye snarled in her ear before letting Asenath go, the younger woman behind her stepmother as they walked back into the main room. Asenath was uncertain of how Atem would react to seeing her as nothing but a common girl, but the words her father had once told her rang in her mind once more, drowning out her stepmother's words and renewing her courage. She entered the room Mahad had gestured for her to go in, seeing Atem turn around the same moment she entered the room. For the third time, their eyes once again met. A smile spread across Atem's face as he recognized the face of his true love, of his princess.... His smile caused Asenath to smile back as she bowed to him.

"Who are you?" He asked, knowing that this time, he would finally know the name of his true love.

"I am Asenath. My Pharaoh, I am no princess... I have no carriage, no parents, no dowry, I do not even know if that beautiful slipper will fit... But, if it does, will you take me as I am? An honest country girl who loves you?" She asked. Atem smiled.

"Of course, I will... But only if you will take me as I am... An apprentice still learning his trade." Atem answered, the smile never wavering from his face. Asenath smiled back, fighting back the happy tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Atem stepped to her, gently wiping away a tear that had escaped her eye as Mahad and Seto watched. Once she was seated, he knelt in front of her and placed the slipper on her foot... It was a perfect fit. He took both of her hands and helped her stand. Atem smiled down at Asenath before holding up the scarab necklace. Asenath gasped when she saw it.

"You kept it safe for me." She stated as she looked up at him before lifting up her hair as Atem returned it to her neck.

"Of course, my love." Atem replied before holding out his arm for her to take. "Shall we?" She smiled and with a nod, left her childhood home behind.

Within days, due to wedding preparations needing to be complete, Atem and Asenath were married. Together, they accomplished great things until the day they paid the ultamite sacrifice for their country, leaving a brave and powerful princess in their place to carry on their legacy....

But that, my readers, is another story ;)

5000 Years Later....

"All right, class, settle down. We have a new student today." The teacher told the class, having to shout over the students talking. Yugi smiled a bit as he glanced at Joey and Tristan talking excitedly, Tèa rolling her eyes at the two's antics. Next to him in spirit form was the Nameless Pharaoh, the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle who he had named Yami. Yami chuckled as he watched his modern day friends before a sudden hush fell over the room. Yami watched, stunned and frozen in place, as a young girl with gold flecked hazel eyes and dark auburn hair entered the room. As she introduced herself, Yami noticed the spirit beside her... Why did the spirit look so familiar?

In spirit form, Asenath looked around her host's new classroom, trying to calm the girl's nerves through the mind link. 5000 years in locked away in her Millennium Item meant that her memories of her past other than her name were erased, and it was something her sweet hikari, Yuka, was trying to help her uncover. However, she stopped looking around the room when she spotted a pair of amethyst eyes that seemed familiar to her. Why did he look so familiar? The two, however, couldn't deny the strong connection they felt. While they didn't know who they were to each other in the past, they knew one thing.....

They wouldn't have to uncover their past alone anymore....

(A/N: That's it for this one! XD would have been longer, but, I've hit the max limit! Like, reblog and comment down below if you would want a continuation of Atem and Asenath's days as Pharaoh and Queen. A big big thank you to @vivinightingale for helping me edit and write this story ^.^)

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