#I’ll totally remember to draw the other harbingers

[thebitchbehindtheslaughter]

I adore this little drawing so I don’t care if no one sees this one. Posting just ‘cuz I feel like it.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, otherwise and in between, put your hands together for the one, the only…

CHIBI WAITERTORE

[stargazer-balladeer]

S/o’s birthday but locks themselves in their rooms because they don’t feel special [Genshin Impact]

Characters Included: Aether, Childe, Diluc, Kaeya & Venti.

Notes: Ayeeee! Since it’s my birthday today, why not make this? :))) I actually got carried away 🥲 this is around 3.5k words in total. Hope ya’ll like this!

Reader’s Gender: Neutral (tho i think there’s a slight implied female hehe…)

Warning: probably some swear words here and there knowing me- and mild suggestive themes in kaeya’s part 

[albedo, scaramouche, xiao]

Aether remembers your birthday more than he knows his- like srsly, he’s the kind that remembers his s/o’s bday more than his. He’s also the kind that celebrates it privately unless you want to celebrate it with others, which he doesn’t mind. He might have a hard time deciding what kind of gift you want, but sooner or later, he already has one (or multiples bc he can’t decide-). 

Imagine his confusion when your day finally arrives but he can’t find you anywhere, even Paimon, who was excited to celebrate your bday (“oohh~ I can’t wait to eat the cake!” - Paimon), seems confused. Probably the culprit in planting worry in the travellers head as she jumps to conclusion that you might’ve been kidnapped. 

Luckily, he checked your house before he could report it to the knights of Favonius or the Qixing (like any normal person should do really-). When he received no reply, he takes out the spare key you gave him and entered your house, an invasion of privacy he knows but it's an emergency- 

Knowing that you’re in your room when he can’t find you downstairs, he knocks on your bedroom door softly while calling your name. Imagine his (and Paimon’s) relief when the door cracked open. Immediately engulfing you into a hug, he lets out a sigh of relief. He then proceeds to ask you what you were doing inside your room when it’s your birthday. His heart literally broke when you stated your reason. Tightening his hold around your figure, he smiles bitterly, knowing that feeling all too well..

“That’s not true. None of that stuff is true. Everyone deserves to feel special on their birthday, most especially you. We’ve brought some food, and cake of course. Also some gifts from other people. If you want, do you want to celebrate it with just the two, or rather three, of us?”

You, who was a literal angel in his eyes deserve the world. He honestly wants to find whoever put that idea in your head but that was reserved for another moment. For now, his main priority is your happiness. Guiding you downstairs where Paimon was (she left when aether hugged you, knowing you two needed privacy. also the cAKE-), he watches as your eyes sparkle at the sight of the cake. 

Grinning softly he made sure you had fun with your birthday. Even though it would be more fun with more people, it feels more special if it’s celebrated with just the two of you. Staring you with pure adoration as you laughed merrily at the sight of Paimon stuffing herself with food. He couldn’t help himself but lean forward to place a kiss on your forehead and then on your lips, leaning back with a smile on his face. 

“Happy birthday, my love. May many more to come. Maybe next time, we can invite other people. Though I don’t mind if we’ll celebrate it with just the two of us only-” And Paimon! Don’t forget about Paimon!” “Yes yes. And Paimon.”

Similar to Aether, he would most definitely remember your birthday. After all, it holds a special place in his heart, alongside his family. And since this boi is rich af, he would most definitely try to spoil you on your birthday. Piles of expensive (or just cheap yet meaningful) gifts, reservation to a high-class restaurant in Liyue Harbor, and all that glamour. 

Actually, he didn’t find it odd that he didn’t see you immediately, thinking that you overslept or just relaxing in your house. But he soon finds it weird when it’s already around 3 in the afternoon and no sign of your face in the crowd, something he raised a brow at but shrugged it off. It isn’t until it’s almost the time of the reservation he made when he finally realized what’s going on. 

When he arrived at your house, dressed in a suit similar to Zhongli except it’s entirely black and white, waiting for you to come out. After a couple of minutes, he soon got concerned and decided to enter your bedroom through the window (pls do not do this at home). Startled at the sudden appearance of your handsome yet cheeky boyfriend, he stares at you with eyes asking the questions he didn’t dare to tell. 

Knowing he will get his answer one way or another, you decided to tell him about your dilemma. After you finished explaining yourself, silence surrounds you, which is quite worrisome since your boyfriend is known for his rather talkative behavior. Blinking in surprise at the sudden embrace of the 11th Harbinger, his hug was rather tight but not too tight that it cuts your oxygen. Speaking in a low, faint voice, a surprising feat for him, you can make out what he said as clear as day. 

“I’m sorry. I should’ve noticed it sooner. I was trying to be a perfect boyfriend for you but I guess I failed in that aspect. You know, if you feel like you aren’t special enough to celebrate your birthday, then what about me? Me who stained his hands with the red blood of his enemies, always engaging in a fight, clashing with other blades. Insecurity is really an asshole huh? Let me make it up to you now. Let’s not anymore go to that stupid high-class restaurant, c’mon, up you go. You better dressed comfortably when I come back or else…”

Leaving you quickly before coming back immediately, this time in more comfortable clothing rather than the stiff suit he wore earlier. This time as well, he entered your house normally through the door. In his arms, he was holding a bunch of stuff and proceeded to dump it on the living room table. It was different kinds of movies in different genres, you spotted some of your favorite movies in them (makes you also wonder where he got these from since you don’t remember seeing these in the room he stays-).

He would suggest making a pillow fort, and while making the pillow fort, he proceeded to smack you with one. Which ensued a pillow fight between you two. It successfully made the both of you a laughing mess by the end, filled with feathers. Childe then carries you bridal style to the incomplete pillow fort and starts the movie you chose. Placing you in his lap and placing his head either on your shoulder or head depending on your height, cuddling you from behind tightly with a contented smile on his face. 

“You know what? This might not be how I envisioned how your birthday would go, but I’m not complaining. Happy birthday, comrade. My most adorable and most cutest and only love. I love you so much that you’ll be the very reason why I die so suddenly. So stop being so cute okay?” 

(You two are living together in this one.)

Diluc has the probability of forgetting your birthday due to his busy schedule, especially if it’s starting to rise when your birthday draws near. He might neglect you for a couple of days, too engrossed in his work. When the day finally arrives, it completely leaves his mind. Like he’ll think of it as a completely ordinary working day. It isn’t until one of your friends told him to send you their birthday greetings that he remembered. And oh boy does he feel guilty, like srsly, he literally froze when he realizes what day it is today. And you know what that means? ✨Panicc✨

Honestly, I can see him buying the whole store XD. In the state of panic, his common sense just leaves him completely that he ends us buying practically the whole store. It would be sent to the Dawn Winery immediately as he buys some flowers from Flora, who also sent you her birthday greetings, which made him more guilty-

When Diluc steps foot inside the manor, he tries to search for you outside the gardens where he usually finds you but when he doesn't, he gets worried. Asking the head maid immediately about your whereabouts, and his concern and worry (and guilt) grew even more when he finds out that you haven’t gone out of your room. He quickly went to your shared room, with the flowers still in his hands, and knocked on your door. Calling your name softly and asking for permission to enter, when granted he entered the room as quickly as possible. But seeing the sight of you bundled up in your blanket made his heart crack.

Placing the flowers at the bedside table, he quickly made his way in front of you and kneeled down to meet your eye level. You can tell he was very worried about you with how frantic his eyes seem and the concern underlying it. With the way he was staring at you, you can’t help but spill your insecurity to him. The reason why you were hiding in his room rather than go out to celebrate your day of birth. Every word you spill made his heart break even more. Seeing tears started to leak from your eyes, he placed his two hands on your face wiping away the tears with his thumbs. Smiling at you gently and placing a kiss on your eyelids and on your nose.

“I completely understand, my love. Even I sometimes feel that way. Also to the point where I don’t want to celebrate my birthday even, but that won’t do my love. You are so special, you deserve your special day to be well special. If you want to simply lay here and sleep, then so be it. If you want to go out and do something, then I’ll happily oblige. Let’s obliterate those awful thoughts, and if those keep persisting, I’ll slice them up for you. I’ll keep picking you up when you fall. So, what is your command, my love?” (i'm so tempted for him to say master-)

Whatever your answer may be, one thing for sure, Diluc is seen smiling adoringly at you. Even the maids noted how soft the master is around you, particularly today. Whether curled up together in the bed, with him embracing you tightly to his chest and placing a kiss on top of your head. And if you listen carefully, you can hear him quietly humming a tune that his father (or mother) sang to him. Or you two outside in the garden, simply admiring the view with his hand around your waist. 

Either way, at the end of the day, he would wake you up or make you go inside for dinner. You haven’t eaten breakfast or lunch yet so you’re probably hungry by now. If you don’t want to leave your room or want to return to your room, he would understand and make the maids bring the food to you. When the maid(s) finally arrives with the food, you notice the cake on the tray. Looking at him as he chuckles, taking the trays from the maids. Humming a light tune, he scoops a spoonful of cake and holds it to your mouth, with a slight smirk on his face, eyes twinkling with mischief. 

“Stop staring at me like that, did you really think I would let the day go by for you to not celebrate your birthday properly? From what I know, birthdays have cakes in them, whether a huge cake or a cupcake. Say ‘ahh’~... Happy birthday my love. May next year be more enjoyable than now.”

Kaeya remembers your birthday like the back of his hand, I think he’s even more excited than you really. Eagerly awaiting your birthday as he counts down the days, dropping hints and stuff to you birthday-related, and probably plans a birthday party for you. The knights immediately agreed on it, including a certain bard, traveler, and wine master (albeit more hesitantly). He made sure that this party would be successful, constantly checking on the plans and such. To the point that everyone was practically fed up with his constant questions. But they understand that he wants this to be a successful and enjoyable party for you. It got to the point where Diluc kicked him out of his Tavern after asking for the umpteenth time. 

When your day finally arrives, he was practically beaming with joy and excitement. To the point where he can’t hide it behind the cool and suave facade he wears. He quickly made his way to you, going along with the plan of distracting you as they started to prepare for the party. In his total excitement, he didn’t notice the rather gloomy atmosphere around the house. But when he arrived at your door, that is when he noticed how quiet your house is.

Now albeit worried, his excited smile slipping from his face and now replaced with a worried frown, he knocked on your door, calling you in his usual teasing voice. When he didn’t hear your response, the bubble of anxiety appeared in his body. Twisting the knob and finding it unlocked, he quietly and carefully opened the door. Seeing your back immediately, seeing your side rise and fall making him sigh in relief that you were still alive. Closing the door gently but made a noise to alert you of his presence. Taking a seat behind you, he ran his cold fingers on your back, watching you arching at the sudden coldness of his fingers. Smiling slightly, he asked what’s wrong. 

Turning around to face him, you buried your face on his chest, inhaling his strong masculine scent. Instinctively wrapping his arms around you, he played with your hair with one of his hands. Tapping on your head slightly, beckoning for you to answer his question. With no way out, you decided to come clean. You explain how you feel like you don’t feel like you deserve to be treated as special on your birthday and all that sort. His face was void of emotion as he stared at the ceiling with his unique pair of blue eyes. Outside he might seem emotionless. But inside, he was on the brink of insanity. Who dares to put such an idea on his s/o’s mind? Why would you think of that? Was this insecurity of yours also his fault?

“That must be the most stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You’re not special? Please. Don’t try to make me laugh with that joke ‘cause it’s not funny. You are a jewel, a star, a constellation. As rare as the gems, or rather visions. You can even rival the very sun with your smile. I know those demons in your head keep saying those words to you, the temptation is so tempting, right? Just succumbing to them to make them quiet. But that’s why I’m here, my dearest snowflake. I’m here for you. You’re so special to everyone, most especially to me. You mean the world to me. Anyway, enough of this tear-jerking stuff, we have a party to celebrate. And we can’t celebrate it without the birthday gal/guy now can we?”

Despite your protests, he lifted you effortlessly and carried you outside and into the dawn winery where the party was held. Placing you on the ground and pushing you forward where people from Mondstadt came and greeted you with happy birthdays. Smiling at the sight of you being overwhelmed at the warm greetings, and then chuckling at how bright your face became. Diluc nudges him to you, beckoning him to help you before returning to what he was previously doing (most likely trying to force a bard to not finish all the wines in the vicinity).

After a while in the party, Kaeya brings you to a secluded place with no people for air. Being in a party filled with people could be suffocating at times, especially if you’re not used to it. He intertwined his hands with yours and bends down to meet your eye level (or leans down if you have the same height as him-). He gives you a cheeky smile and proceeds to place a peck on your lips. Chuckling when you pouted and glared at him, wanting more kisses.

“My my, what a greedy vixen~ But it is indeed your birthday so I guess I have no choice but to oblige to whatever my birthday vixen wants me to do. Would you like me to strip as well? Haha. Kidding kidding. Happy birthday, princess/prince. May many more to come. Oh! I forgot. I heard from a certain birdie that you ordered for a personal performance from me~ would you like to get it now?” 

Since we all know that Venti practically doesn’t do anything like every day, I would safely say that he would remember your birthday. Probably save some mora to buy you a gift for your birthday, even though it’s not as fancy as the people in Liyue (they all rich kids-), it’s still meaningful. He probably made a bracelet all by himself with the beads he either bought or also made by himself. Nevertheless, he was as excited as Kaeya for your birthday. Already prepared songs to sing for you when that day comes. 

Venti immediately searches for you when the day finally arrives, but his excited and bright smile vanishes when he can’t find you in the crowd of people. Raising a brow at your sudden disappearance, he searched for you everywhere, the tavern, the church, the headquarters, everywhere but your house. So when he finally arrives at your house, he was filled with worry and concern. Entering your room through the window like usual, he sees your figure sitting on the floor while reading a book.

He pouted at the sight as he made his presence known by asking you why you were here and reading a book on your birthday. He watches as you jump from where you are and turns to look at him, sighing at the sight of him. He slowly made his way to you and sat next to you, his legs sprawled across the floor. He takes note of the food around you, which was non-birthday festive, it was just ordinary food. Not understanding why you’re sulking in your room, he asked you what’s wrong. 

Venti’s eyes widened at your explanation, feeling the sadness leaking at the words you said. They weave themselves around his heart, squeezing it, making him have a hard time breathing. He shares your pain. He was your soulmate after all. He immediately engulfed you in a hug, stuffing his face on the crook of your neck. You were so vulnerable in his eyes. You were so fragile. He desperately wants to protect you from the pain. But looks like he can’t protect you from your own demons. 

“Even though I promised myself to not say or do anything that’ll make you sad, I just need to get it off my chest. I’m sorry you had to suffer through that, those demons that a simple bard that weaves stories into songs can’t erase. Alright, no more feeling sorry for yourself. It’s time to get out and spend the rest of the day enjoyable, perfect for my precious Cecilia.” 

Without any warnings, he picked you up and jumped out of your window. Shrieking at the sudden fast pace, you instinctively wrapped your hands around him as he landed on the ground. Giving you a smug smile while saying “didn’t think i’d let you fall now?” Please slap him. Anyway, he laughed at your aggression and continued to run. Even if you ask where you’re going, he just says it's a secret. So might as well enjoy being in his arms as he continues to run (you swear you can feel the wind adding to his speed but that was just maybe your imagination-).

After a while, he placed you down and you realized where you are. It was Starsnatch Cliff, surrounding you were Cecilia flowers. Venti jumped on you, making you fall to the ground as he giggles. His hat flown back from the force of his sudden attack, he still has that stupid big smile on his face. Since his laughter is contagious, you couldn’t help but laugh alongside him. His eyes glistened with delight at the sight of your smile finally. Grabbing your hand and placing the bracelet he made, he pressed a kiss on your knuckle.

“This bracelet shall be a promise from me to you, a fellow bard to the fairest queen/king. I shall love you for eternity, this heart will only beat for you, and this body belongs to you. If you’re in dire need of assistance, don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll be there, forever and always. Happy birthday, my sweet flower.”

[x] Main Page || [x] Mondstadt Page || [x] Fatui Harbingers Page 

[kyogre-blue]

Chapter 3 prologue

I’ll just go ahead and say it. It was BAD. 

For me, the absolute worst was the endless shilling of the Traveler. It was already kinda questionable when Beidou said Ningguang claimed we have great insight, because we have 100% never shown anything of the sort. But it just kept getting worse. 

The brainless fanboying of every person we meet is incredibly off putting. But it’s actually getting to the point where they’re actively retconning stuff. We DEFEATED Osial?? WHEN! HOW! We never fought Osial at all! We fought some Fatui mooks while the Adepti fired the Ballistas at him and then Ningguang dropped the Jade Chamber on him. Attributing defeating Osial to us is outright insane. And we don’t just accept this silently, we outright agree and brag! 

This stuff is annoying alone, but it’s especially bad because it really warps the rest of the story too. 

For example, the way the tournament lineup is handled. It’s made very clear that all the more skilled fighters came after they heard about our “””fame””” so the only ones Beidou could draw in were a bunch of jokes. Like, total amateurs. But keep in mind, Beidou has been insistently painted as the greatest human badass in Liyue. She’s the hottest shit. People should lining up all twice around the island to show their skills in front of her. Making her able to draw in only useless joke characters without the MC’s fame makes HER into a joke too. My opinion of her actually dropped somewhat after this. 

And while this wasn’t quite as outrageous as the Osial thing, claiming we defeated Childe is also... My impression was that we basically held him off until he cooled his head and remembered that fighting us didn’t benefit his mission. If you say we outright beat him, the strongest combat Harbinger, when he pulled a three stage boss fight and showed two different trump cards... How are they going to make the other Harbingers even slightly credible as threats? Childe is seriously outright the best in fighting and even says that the two of us could take them all. 

Other stuff: 

I think it’s a bit funny that Liyue has the Qixing and the Eight Trades, Inazuma has this Tri-Commission, but Mond is like... well, the Knights handle everything, and half of are gone somewhere anyway, so...

Going to Atsuko is fine for me, but she’s introduced during Lantern Rite, so I wonder how this will feel for anyone who didn’t have the chance to play that. Genshin has a lot of “oh, you remember, this person you never met” cases. It’s not good, tbh. 

Beidou knows about the Fatui being involved with Osial, but I’m still not clear if this is like... publicly known. 

Here’s Beidou clearly wearing just a leotard or else just her panties, you pick: 

Beidou basically flat out says that people with Visions are too powerful for people without Visions to take on (it would be too “one-sided”). This is a bit weird because didn’t she only receive her own Vision AFTER taking on the Haishan? She was confident taking on a monster without a Vision, but thinks the gap is too much to bridge in PVP...? The semi-finals guy even outright says that he’s beaten allogenes. I don’t understand why they didn’t just say it’s a requirement because the prize is a dead Vision. 

For that matter, why is the Vision being used as the prize? You could easily end up with someone winning the tournament but NOT lighting the Vision, and then Kazuha will have given away his friend’s Vision for nothing. Like, it’s just being treated as the first place prize, there is no requirement to activate the thing. 

Kazuha is like Zhongli. He always uses at minimum ten works when you could two. I skip his dialogue very aggressively because having it all spoken out takes waaaaay too long. I like how Beidou ouright says, “sometimes he opens his mouth and flowers come out instead of words.” 

Kazuha also thinks that Archons directly grant Visions, but I still have doubts. 

Raiden Shogun surrounding her island with a storm sounds like a Decarabian ripoff. Decarabian did it better. 

I also have general complaints about the gameplay, but those are secondary for me, lol

[antiquery]

yuletide letter

hi! first of all, i want to thank you! i’ve been writing fic for years and watching yuletide from the sidelines (often being v impressed), and this is both my first yuletide and my first exchange, period. i’m really excited! 

general likes & dislikes

i’ll read just about anything if it’s well-written. some things i like, in general terms: power imbalances (healthy and not), complicated and ambiguous family (found or otherwise) dynamics, anything classically or literarily inspired, anything with religious overtones of any kind, unconventional governing metaphors (i once wrote 8k of lovecraft fic guided by the premise of thomas hobbes’ leviathan, ok), worldbuilding, negotiations of personhood, unexpected humanism, sharp interrogations of the world of the source material where necessary or interesting. things i dislike, in general: aus, unless very specific and near & dear to your heart, modern aus in particular, and almost nothing else? sex is fine, if it makes sense in the context of the story, just nothing too out there (though i have nothing against emotional and/or physical awfulness). rating isn’t an issue.

really i don’t have many hard & fast rules! i encourage you to be as out-of-the-box weird and creative as you like.

lovecraft mythos

characters requested: randolph carter, nyarlathotep

it is unfortunate but true that when i was 13 i saw the phantom of the opera in nyc, and it was profoundly formative, and ever since then the daemon lover has been one of my absolute favorite tropes. what can i say, i’m a sucker for the gothic. and this is a...very gothic ship, in the sense that it’s mostly about being pursued by the strange and terrifying, but also being drawn to that, against your better judgement and sometimes against your will. what i would love to see is a resolution of the problem the end of dream-quest poses in the context of the mythos: namely, why doesn’t carter end up dead? it’s kind of silly to propose that it’s really the thought of home that saves him, when you look at the fates of lovecraft’s other protagonists who run up against gods; ruthanna emrys argues in her article on the story that the end is nyarlathotep testing him, deliberately playing with him just for the fun of it. in that case, what is it about carter that draws nyarlathotep to him? why is this human in particular interesting enough to let live? and is that interest genuine curiosity, or bored cruelty, or something in between? for carter’s part, how does he feel about being pretty much completely at the mercy of something that thinks of him (from what he can tell) as a toy, and how does he reconcile the fact that he’s drawn to nyarlathotep in the sense that he’s been drawn to the otherworldly all his life with the very real possibility that he might meet a horrible fate at his hands? established relationship fic could be fun too, with both of them trying to deal with a. the massive power imbalance and b. the moral disparity, in that one party has morals and the other very much does not.

also, worldbuilding, if you like! the dreamlands are such a rich setting, at once very standard Portal-Fantasy-Land and incredibly not, strange and alien and wonderful in the way that only a place crafted out of dreams could be. how does that work, by the way— are certain regions representative of the dreams of certain people? what are the lives of the inhabitants like, the people who exist in a world created by the dreams of other people? how do they feel about gods, or dreamers, or both? how does magic work? government? society? technology? religion?

jonathan strange & mr norrell

characters requested: john childermass, john uskglass/the raven king, john segundus

this is less of a universe that i feel needs interrogating and expansion in the way that the dream cycle does, because clarke is so thorough, and there’s already such a developed world. instead, remember what i said about the gothic? yeah. jsamn has in common with the dream cycle that element and also a sense of profound individual insignificance— the scene at the end, with strange & norrell experiencing the effects of stephen’s and the king’s magic, sent chills down my spine. i’d love an exploration of who/what the raven king actually is, how he came to be as this strange embodiment of the fundamentally alien and wild element of both the northern english landscape and national character, and how childermass & segundus respectively relate to him. i could for sure go for a weird love triangle and/or triad— segundus and his wide-eyed fascination with magic, uncompromisingly wondering, that draws him to the king; childermass, who has to reconcile his almost feudal devotion to uskglass as king with the bone-deep terror that comes from being his harbinger. also, if you give me childermass/uskglass or segundus/uskglass or both at once as a kind of cathy/heathcliff type thing, with each in love with the other as a representation of the landscape, i will cry with joy.

the magnus archives

characters requested: jonathan sims, elias bouchard, “michael”

one of my absolute favorite things about this past season has been jon slowly becoming less and less human and more and more an avatar of the beholding, this terrified and unwilling vessel for something he doesn’t understand. i’d love to see a dissection of that fear in the context of his relationship with elias, or michael (yes i know he’s “dead” shut up), or both. how does jon feel about elias now— elias who got him into this in the first place, elias who represents the thing that’s slowly leaching away jon’s personhood and filling the space with something totally alien? how does elias feel about what’s happening to jon— how does elias feel about jon, more generally? and michael— does jon ever consider running to him, giving himself to the spiral instead of the beholding? (i’d love a fic where this actually happens, especially if it includes elias’s reaction.) how does michael think of jon, jon the human instead of jon the avatar? (see the lovecraft section above, actually.) what about him merits interest? and jon, how much of his being drawn to michael is a function of curiosity, how much a function of michael’s manipulation, how much the beholding pushing him to learn & experience & experiment? mostly, i just adore the complications of humanity that develop when a person is thrown to the eldritch wolves like jon’s been, and how the pushes & pulls of elias’s influence and michael’s influence act on him. 

(also, i’m not saying i’d love a terrified jon at the center of a weird incomprehensible eldritch love triangle, but i’m not saying i would not want that.)

that’s about it, i think! please feel free to drop by my inbox (on anon ofc, just tell me you’re my writer in the message) and ask if you need any clarification on anything. thank you again! i’m really excited to see what you write! 

[lordrethandus]

Mourn Not the Penitent Pt 1

Ijiro rubbed a soft handkerchief between his course fingers. He pressed it against his scarred cheek, closed his remaining eye, and deeply inhaled; the scent of her skin was now faint, but still enough to remind him of home. The Hunter looked up at Azeroth looming low in the sky, but most of the Eastern Kingdoms was covered in swirling clouds; a pity, he wanted to pinpoint the Amber Glade all the way from here. Sometimes he wondered if Syrahn was doing the same on the other side.

Abrupt shouting caught Ijiro’s attention. He turned to see Gonthar in a fit of rage, practically tossing elves aside while he made his way through the gathering crowd. It wasn't until he saw the murderous intent in his beady eyes did the seriousness of the situation hit home.

“Get out of my way!” The tauren was beside himself, pointing at something laying in the dirt and dust. “I'll kill you for this! Traitor!” Ijiro pushed to the front of the crowd to see Zolaar trembling in Gonthar’s shadow.

“Hey hey!” He didn't hesitate jumping in between the two. “Think about what you're doing, Gonth. You trying to get executed?”

The hulking Sunwalker snorted with contempt. “I swore an oath to never raise a hand against my fellow brothers and sisters here. But this warlock… this schemer. He is not one of us! He is not Oathguard!” His meaty hand shot up before Ijiro had time to protest, snatching him by the shoulder and angrily tossing the Hunter aside. He ripped Zolaar off the ground and held him aloft, ignoring the growing whispers and ready to twist him apart with his bare hands.

“Put him down.” The familiar icy echo in that command caused the crowd to split in half almost instantly. Commander Rethandus was free to approach them with Istrys shadowing closely behind him. Gonthar turned to blink at the Death Knight, but otherwise Zolaar was no closer to the ground.

“Commander, this traitor was speaking in the language of the Old Gods!” The Sunwalker snarled, turning to glare back at the shivering elf. “He was summoning something… no doubt conversing with his true masters! He deserves nothing but a quick and merciful death!”

Rethandus narrowed his brow at Gonthar’s apparent hard of hearing. “I'm well aware of his true master. But we need his talents for now.”

“But he's been meddling with dark magic…!”

“We can't defeat the Legion with just the Holy Light.” The Harbinger retorted with an edge to his tone. “Out here, we can't afford to pick favorites. Any magic against our enemies, no matter how foul and unnatural, is a weapon I'm willing to work with.” He nodded to Zolaar but kept his scowl on Gonthar. “His meddling bought you and Lord Alucieus enough time for reinforcements to save you from total destruction in Highmountain. Have you forgotten?”

The Sunwalker fell silent. There was nothing he could say that he hasn't said already. Ijiro slowly rose to his feet and brushed the dust off his shoulders, while the entirety of the Oathguard seemingly froze in place like time had slowed to a halt.

“Stand down, soldier.” Rethandus commanded, clutching the hilt of his runesword. “That's an order.” Hesitantly he finally obeyed, dropping Zolaar like a bad habit; the Harvester collapsed onto the ground and crawled over to his savior’s feet. “Everyone get back to work! Operation: Haymaker begins in ten!” Without looking he reached down and pulled Zolaar up into his feet. “Stand tall, warlock. Groveling is beneath even you.”

“That show will put a wedge between our boys.” Istrys chimed in, while the Oathguard underlings shuffled away with murmurs under their breath. “Do you think they'll perform as they should with such distrust between the officers?”

“I agree.” Ijiro stepped forward. “Whatever problems we have amongst ourselves needs to end, yeah? Right here, right now.”

“How do we do that?” Gonthar asked with another angry huff. “How can I fight the Burning Legion before me with an Old God slave plotting behind my back?”

“Zolaar, this master of yours…” Eristel pushed off against a stack of supply crates and approached the other officers. “What does it want?”

The Harvester glanced over at Rethandus, who nodded at him in response. “U-uh… souls, Mr. Tidebloom. It has an insatiable appetite… and it warps its most loyal servants into Soul Eaters.” Gonthar grimaced with disgust as the Harvester peeled back his sleeve to reveal his bare arm; the stench of his festering blisters nearly brought the tauren to his knees. “It's what's happening to me. But slowly as… as punishment for my failures. It has promised to restore me if I serve faithfully from now on.”

Eristel and Ijiro exchanged weary glances. “And you trust the word of a Void Lord?”

“No… no of course not.” Zolaar pulled his sleeve back down, much to Gonthar’s relief. “But I've spent every copper I had inviting talented people from every corner of Azeroth to undo this curse; righteous clerics, powerful arch druids, venerable shamans and even the most tranquil monks of Pandaria. They all failed… so what choice do I have…? I want to hold my wife again. I've missed my daughter's first three birthdays. I can't come to them like this… it would destroy them. And me…”

Rethandus stepped forward and gently put an icy gauntlet on Zolaar’s malformed shoulder. “We've all done things we aren't proud of. We've all been a part of something, willing or not, that we wish we hadn't.  We're all here from different walks of life… and we're all after the same thing; the complete destruction of the Burning Legion. Keep that in mind when we leave Felfathom Keep.”

“Bring it in. Everyone.” Ijiro moved to the center of the uneven officer circle and extended his hand out, palm facing down. “Ijiro Del’daro. Sunfury. I dropped a mana bomb on a draenei settlement called Vira’dar Village. Three hundred innocent women, unarmed men and children gone in a flash of light. That's what I carry with me every day.”

The rest of the officers fell silent and didn't move an inch, until Eristel stepped forward and placed his hand over the Hunter’s. “Eristel Tidebloom. Didn't join anything questionable, but when the Scourge invaded, I hid behind the Amber Glade’s walls while my parents gave their lives for our kingdom. Never again will I sit on my hands while good people died in my place.”

“Rethandus Andu’al.” The Harbinger huffed, hovering his icy gauntlet over their hands, lest he risk freezing them. “Scourge. I was part of the army that sacked our capital.”

Since Rethandus stepped up, Istrys naturally stepped forward soon after. “Istrys Autumnstone. Cult of the Damned. I helped spread the plagued grain in Stratholme.” All that remained of the officer corps was Zolaar and Gonthar, who eyed each other with distrust. Eventually the Harvester sheepishly approached, and gently spread his fingers over Istrys’ hand.

“Z-Zolaar Duskwright.” He started, wearily lowering his head. “T-twilight’s Hammer. I helped corrupt dragon eggs to make Twilight Drakes. And… the Triptych Hand. I was with them until their collapse.” Rethandus and Ijiro exchanged glances, but remained silent. Now only Gonthar remained, and the others weren't making it any easier for him with their uncomfortable stares.

“Gonthar Sunsheath.” The Sunwalker sighed, before stepping closer; instead of placing his giant hand stop the pile, he reached down and pressed it up against the bottom. He refused to touch the warlock, unless he was tearing him apart. “Formerly Grimtotem. I helped plot the assassination of Cairne Bloodhoof.” He didn't come right out and say it, but the shame and regret in his voice was palpable.

“Today we leave our baggage behind.” Ijiro swept his gaze across their faces. “We're no longer Sunfury, or Scourge, or Grimtotem, or cultists, or cowards. We're family. From here on out, yeah?”

“Family…” Rethandus repeated, moments before removing his hand. “Everyone has their assignments. Let's get going.” Gonthar shot Zolaar a peculiar look before turning his back. One by one they stepped away from each other to carry out their duties. Gonthar shot a peculiar look in Zolaar’s direction while he turned his back on the other officers, but Rethandus ignored it. One of these days they would have to sort out their differences; but it would have to wait.

“So,” Istrys started, keeping pace with the Harbinger. “What's our attack plan?”

He waited until he was at his icebound horse's side before saying, “Our plan? You really weren't paying attention during yesterday's meeting.”

Istrys grew quiet. She didn't want to admit how many times she's zoned out during his so-called “important” meetings. Half of them? Most of them? All of them? Over their extended stay on this desolate rock he's had at least twenty of those things, but she couldn't remember a single detail; she was always too busy studying the Harbinger’s face.

“You're staying here in Felfathom Keep with Zolaar and Eristel.” Rethandus explained, again, to the Necromancer; and just like that her shrewd smirk had vanished.

“What?! I'm your greatest asset out here! Haven't I proven that time and time again?!” Her shouting was beginning to draw unwanted attention, but Rethandus didn't seem to mind; perhaps he was used to her antics by now, or maybe he was too distracted to care. “Why would I stay put?!”

“Because I said so.” Rethandus pulled himself onto his horse and looked down at the angry woman with apathetic eyes. “Someone needs to make sure no one slits Zolaar’s throat in his sleep. If he sleeps at all, that is.”

“A babysitter.” Istrys sneered at him, causing his scowl to harden into a grimace; he was running out of patience. “And why do you thi-"

“Because I said so!” Rethandus shouted at the top of his dry and frozen lungs. “I won't risk Vesk falling right back into the enemy's hands! Dealing with the Legion is bad enough, but fighting demons and a second Scourge would be a problem we can't afford! Do I make myself clear?!”

“Your loss.” Istrys mumbled, defeated. “I hope you have a good grasp on those runes I made you if my talents don't matter to you.” Rethandus sat up straight in his saddle as the undead horse perked at the rug of the reins.

“Your survival is all that matters to me.” The moment Istrys glanced back up at the Harbinger, his thick wolf cloak was flung from his shoulders and landed against her face with a thwack. “You're in charge until I return. If all goes well I'll be back within the day.”

The heavy portcullis groaned loudly as it was raised, letting the Oathguard spill out onto the desolate hellscape of the Antoran Wastes before they split off to go their separate ways. Istrys clutched the cloak in her grasp and stared at their fading silhouettes until the portcullis slowly closed shut.

“He's right.” Vesk assured her. “If I was captured again they would use me to raise another undead army.”

“My place is at his side.” Istrys tossed the cloak over her shoulder and turned her back to the gate, beginning her ascent back up to the officer tower. “I should be killing demons along with him… not this housekeeping nonsense.”

“If the Legion discovers Felfathom, you'll get your wish.” The idea of defending this place with the token dozen left here was not a thrilling prospect, especially knowing she would be the one doing all the heavy lifting. Still, the need to cause suffering was ever present, and she could feel that desire in the form of an approaching headache; she would need to relieve herself sooner than later.

“If.” The Necromancer repeated.

[frlughnanto]

These Rune Spell Kits are absolutely wonderful! Each kit includes spells & exercises that correspond to the rune they’re tied to.  When you order a Rune Spell Kit, you’ll receive the rune stone, the spells, rituals and even exercises you can do that connects to that rune stone.  With each kit, you’ll receive the candles, the herbs and if a spell, ritual calls for it, a sachet bag I hand sew.  You’ll have all you need to perform the rituals and spells (I don’t provide bowls or knives) I invite you to look through each of these Rune Spell Kits so you can decide which you’d like to buy. Each Rune Spell Kit is only $14 including shipping in the Continental USA; this is an absolute STEAL for all you’ll receive!  With each kit, I also throw in, absolutely FREE, my guidance if you need it.  So when you purchase any of these Rune Spell Kits, if you are confused about any of the steps, you are welcome to private message me on facebook messenger and I’ll gladly help you out!    Below you’ll find each Rune, what they connect with and what you’ll receive in your kit. Remember, each kit will include the candles, the herbs and more. All you have to supply, when it’s needed, is a bowl, cup, a knife and such and of course the most important ingredient of all- Your Willpower!   Pm me with your order or with any questions you may have before you order.   Ansuz Rune: Increases spiritual consciousness & wisdom, increases and strengthens the psychic abilities. This wonderful kit includes  the rune,  mugwort for meditation, mojo bag for confidence & inspiration, 2 creative inspiration spell- one for writing & one for art type creativity Berkana Rune: promoter of new beginnings, brings ideas & projects to a bright conclusion.  As a birth rune, use it to heal feminine health problems and to protect mother/child. This kit includes the rune, Knot spell & materials, & a protective charm spell & materials. Dagaz rune is a harbinger of total light & enlightenment. It brings the dawn of a new day & opens doors on all planes to complete realization. Induces cosmic consciousness, invokes perfection, helps situations & matters to flower. Dagaz rune is a potent protector of portal gateways. Renders a person or thing invisible(not literally of course). Banishes negativity and can be used for financial increase, to assist in launching a new project and is a good luck charm. This rune comforts those who are grieving, lessens the pain and cures sickness. In this kit include the rune, protection spell. Money & Abundance spell, a Grieving Ritual, Ehwaz rune:  is a rune of partnership, marriage & pact. It binds a pair together toward a mutual end & facilitates movement over obstacles. A bringer of swift change, progress & motion. This rune is a general good luck charm to pull toward you the protection and safe bonds of friendship. In this kit, you will find the rune as well as a relationship ritual you can do with your beloved. This ritual will NOT make you stay together or force either of you into anything you don’t want as I don’t believe in giving such spells or rituals to anyone.  This ritual will help open the communication pathway as well as bring light to your relationship so that you mutually continue to work on your relationship for as long as you’re together, to create a happy, healthy relationship.  Another ritual will help you to use this rune for a good luck charm.

Eihwaz is a rune of endurance for hardening one's self & achieving true aims. A hunter rune for stalking & attaining an objective & facilitates the ability to survive. This is a potent magickal protector. A guard against self-destructive behaviour & with that, it's excellent when dealing with alcoholism or drug abuse. Use this to find lost objects, complete a challenging task or finding a new job or home because it gives you strength. In this kit, you’ll receive the Eihwaz rune, spell for focus & completing a task or a ritual to break a drug addiction, alcohol abuse or any other addiction.

Elhaz is the guardian rune of activated higher consciousness, protection & confident warding away or destruction of harmful forces. An active ward & defender, it increases the field of one's magickal workings. In this kit, you’ll receive the rune as well as a Protection spell/warding spell. & a protection charm spell

The Fehu rune attracts wealth, initiates prosperous enterprises, brings motivation & activity, circulates abundance & life-force & invokes the fire of the heavenly bodies. Repeated use of Fehu will give you a larger capacity to send & receive energy. Use this to advance projects & goals to the next stage, to protect property & valuables, to give your career an added boost & to increase wealth. This kit will include the rune, a spell for prosperity & a charm spell for motivation.

Gebo rune is an energy of balance, promotes generosity & exchange, brings gifts & mutual benefits. This is a powerful enhancer of marriages, partnerships, bonding & relationships in general. It establishes mutual giving, brings good luck & abundance as well as bridging the human & divine realms. In this kit, you’ll receive the rune as well as a ritual to help enhance your current relationship with someone you love(this ritual will require u both to perform) and also a ritual to help connect with Deity.

Hagalaz is the rune of protective  which turns away storms & evil spells. It crystalizes the life-pattern & facilitates shamanic passage between the worlds. It's useful for overcoming obstacles, banishing bad habits & aiding in decision making. It's a blessing rune in marriage & partnerships if used in its protective energies. In this kit, you’ll receive the rune as well as a ritual for protection, a ritual for your relationship & also a ritual for breaking addiction.

Inguz rune brings focus & centering, invokes inner energy expansion, promotes fertile opportunities. Calms domestic difficulties & brings safety to home & work environments. Helps to bring about a successful conclusion to any matter and allows one to release energy quickly. With this kit, you’ll receive the rune, a fertile opportunity ritual, a motivational spell & a knot ritual for Concluding a Matter/Task

Isa is a blocking rune which hinders, slows & stops events. It freezes & obliterates unwanted activity & can be a bringer of stillness & total stasis. It provides clarity, inward focus, concentration, strength in solitude & a turning to one's center of gravity. It helps to ferret out your enemies and is a binding rune. It can be used to cancel unwanted aggressiveness or to stop someone who is harassing you. With this kit, you’ll receive the rune along with a freezer spell, a focus ritual as well.

Jera is a bringer of gentle revolution & improvement. Use this when material results are expected, especially if you've spent your time, money or effort. It promotes changes for the better. Jera rune establishes peaceful prosperity & brings productive results. It's very helpful in legal matters as well as magickal workings involving fertility magick. It can turn any dream into reality & is considered a good luck rune. Excellent rune for herbalists, gardeners, farmers & landscapers. With this kit, you’ll receive the Jera rune, an abundance spell, Luck & money powder, freezer spell for legal matters & a fertilize opportunities ritual

Kaunaz rune is the rune of openings. It awakens executive ability, unleashes skills & prolific creative impulses, reveals secrets, finds hidden knowledge, works well in love magick, kindles the flame of knowledge & the cunning of one's own mind. It increases artistic crafts and creative levels. This kit’ll include the rune, a creativity spell and a studying/research sachet

The Laguz rune holds both constructive & destructive power of the lunar tides. It increases intuition, psychic seership, clairvoyance. It gives access to the dream realm and is good for drawing down moon energy. Use this to help put someone gently to sleep, bringing them pleasant dreams. This kit comes with the rune, small ritual for intuition strengthening, a ritual to help with sleep and spell for drawing down the moon’s energy with this rune.  

Mannaz is the thought rune for increasing intelligence & intellectual power. It brings success in study & mental effort, aids in social integration & career potential & is a bringer of psychic harmony. With this kit, you’ll receive the rune as well as a ritual for study/professional success & a charm spell to help with social integration.

Naudhiz is a banishing rune. Helps turn frustration & stress to one's advantage. It liberates from constrictions, loosens the bonds of ill Wyrd(karmic destiny). It enables one to turn a bad situation into a good one and is used to bind in curses. This will come with this rune, a binding spell & a spell to turn “lead to gold”

Othila enhances peace, security & prosperity of home & hearth. Draws fortunate influences into a dwelling, aids in putting down roots, protects & screens the house enclosure & safeguards monetary investments. It also invokes the earth & ancestral tradition. This kit includes the rune, 4 corners home blessing, family harmony jar spell, Home Protection Ritual

Perthro is for understanding the hidden roots of past incarnations & for unlocking ancestral memories. Use in divination, meditation, self-hypnosis & hypnosis therapy. It provides answers to mysteries. This rune's shaped like a cup so when it's opening to the right, it equates to birth, when opening to the left, it equates to death- not necessarily literal. This is also a great rune to use for success & prosperity workings. In this kit, you’ll receive the rune, a prosperity ritual, an abundance mojo bag, meditation

Raidho is the rune of ritual & it helps to  establish rightful order, obtains justice & assists in finding the right way of your life's true purpose. It brings progress & good counsel & helps to right unsteady & wayward situations. It moves or removes energies & directs them to specific destinations. Inscribe on your vehicle to carry you to safety in travels. Excellent for divination, astral travel, meditation & hypnosis. This kit includes the rune, Good counsel spell, justice spell

The Sowilo rune helps with self-orientation & guidance toward the light. Use to strengthen the witch's magickal will. It invokes solar power of victory & success. It promotes spiritual will power and draws the female energy of the sun into the personal sphere. In the runic system, the sun is feminine & the moon's masculine. This kit will include the rune, a focus ritual, meditation exercise, an abundance jar spell

Thurisaz brings breakthroughs & catalyzes change & regeneration, beginnings, luck and protection. It can break barrenness & stimulate fruitfulness. In this kit, you’ll receive the rune as well as a Breakthrough ritual, a Luck Spell and a protection ritual for your home

Tiwaz rune is for victory in contests, trials & legal judgments. An upholder of faith, steadfastness & honor. It strengthens confidence during ordeals & competitions; invokes justice and maintains order. Tiwaz sustains promises & oaths. It speeds healing. This kit will include the rune, a mental & physical health spell, a self-healing incantation & a legal help spell

Uruz enhances strength, removes weakness & self-doubt and draws earth & oak-strength into the personal sphere. Use this to draw new situations to you, to initiate new processes or to divert difficulties through sudden change. This kit includes the rune, a mental & physical health spell, a self-doubt ritual & a fertile opportunities ritual

Wunjo is the wish rune. Induces success & harmony with others, heals disagreements between people & groups. It brings contact with like-minded people, establishes empathy, fellowship & friendly interactions. It promotes peace, fruitfulness & sensuality. This kit includes the rune, a wish spell, family harmony & co-workers harmony ritual

Again, each kit is only $14 including shipping in the continental US. I will be happy to ship overseas but the shipping cost will have to be calculated after the kit is put together and weighed.  For anyone who orders 3 or more kits at one time, you’ll receive a 10% discount on your total order! PM me with your order or any questions, thank you for looking.