#They did hit her with the ascension blast though

[ask-the-colony-tree-siblings]

If Bountiful ever makes a single Brodcast confirming their alive I will find a way to move my entire can just so I can trace the message and in-exausthably incapacitate(kill) them

Saint: Bountiful is still alive.

Saint: It was just an Iterator called Sliver of Straw who died.

[inventors-fair]

A Brief History of Surprise

I feel that with this first round of submissions, I’m seeing a lot of “complexity for complexity’s sake,” a lot of “what ifs” that rely on clever appearances taking precedent over elegant design. With that in mind, I thought I’d do a little bit of a personal essay on what I found surprising over Magic’s history. I hope that you will learn a little more about what I’m after and maybe relate to some of it yourselves.

So, what surprised me?

Incremental Rewards

My first block ever was the Alara block, and I’ll always have some nostalgia for it, despite the weirdness. Following that, though, was Zendikar. Zendikar was a fast, aggressive set, and yet there were payoffs that I found amazing once you got there. Sadistic Sacrament was pretty mediocre on its own, but once I ramped up to ten mana, I could selectively mill my opponent and they would know exactly what I had taken out. Hopelessness! Fantastic! And then I saw my first brand-new build-around-me card: Archmage’s Ascension. You could build up over time, over specific cards, with specific strategies, and then control to your heart’s content. Tutoring every turn! What power! And all you had to do was work for it. 

Following this, I will say that the Eldrazi surprised me too. Big creatures with massive rewards, sure, they were...something. But there was something off about them, something that I still find strange. I think that their god-like card value was too much for me to handle. I didn’t focus on playing them — I focused on how to beat them. And that wasn’t fun. I was scared. Keyword soup has its time and place, but ability soup has to be balanced.

That New Recursion

The Return to Ravnica prerelease was the first one I had ever been to. Scavenge, Overload, Unleash, Detain and Populate were all fantastic mechanics, and then came along Gatecrash. The fact is, Extort remains my favorite out of all of them to play, but I keep coming back to Cipher. What a messed-up and amazing flavor, complex and strange, nuanced and difficult. Hitting with a creature and creating spells every turn was hard to pull off, but the design remains one of my favorites, and I don’t know why.

I wish they had brought it back for Modern Horizons, honestly. It’s hard to make flavorfully work in every context, because frankly, it almost sounds like sci-fi. And yet it works! It’s shadowy, powerful, strong-get-stronger vibe. And even though it wasn’t really popular, well, I still loved it. I wanted to give other spells Cipher. I wanted to see more than what was there. I wanted to unlock its secrets.

Just my Type

I groked Bestow. Theros as a whole was the set I played the most socially for a good long time. I didn’t like every aspect, but I think that Bestow was the mechanic I was least expecting. Enchantment creatures made sense, no different than artifact creatures. But now, we had creatures that could become auras, creatures that targeted upon casting, beings that engulfed other beings in light and stars and the power of Nyx!

Bestow was the first mechanic I knew I couldn’t have come up with by any stretch of the imagination, not on my own. I had been making custom cards since high school, and this was early in my college career. I was bowled over, blown away, enthralled — enchanted, if you will. I still enjoy Theros limited. It’s no Innistrad, but it’s fun, a swing between battlecruising, aggressive strategizing, and the occasional God.

Speaking of, the Gods surprised me as well. I loved these things. Their lack of creature-dom, the ability to become real and then swing in with cackling precision, was just what I loved about powerful cards those days. You had to work for them. They didn’t just do things on their own. I liked Magic the most when you had to figure it out. Maybe that’s why I’m liking Party so much in this new set.

Coming Together

You know, looking back on my Magic history and personal journey, I find myself pleasantly surprised by two specific mechanics: Party and Historic. These aren’t mechanics per se like Cipher or Bestow, but the batching made sense in a flavorful way that changed the way I build decks in limited. I searched for specific aspects, played my cards to maximize the benefit of playing other cards, and had to make something cohesive that rewarded me for playing right. That’s really all you want out of a game.

I had a blast playing with ZNR and DOM in the drafts that I was able to do, even if I didn’t do the best compared to other players. Utilizing complex mechanics made me feel good even when I wasn’t the best at them. That’s what surprised me the most, considering my lukewarm reception to the cards at first. I underestimated how much I’d enjoy playing with them because I underestimated myself.

Okay, now I’m going to run down a list of surprising cards to me and why I love them. Most of these cards I was surprised upon seeing them, and many played well as well. Let’s get specific.

Mirror-Sigil Sergeant: I get to play my favorite color AND get hella rhinos out of it? Double double, baby!

Thraximundar: I think this is still one of my favorite legends. I want to know everything about him. That name, that flavor... Oh, and a decent card, I suppose.

Ransack the Lab: This is exactly what black should be doing! Great card, you love to see it and play it.

As Foretold: Holy crap, this card. I love it so much. Combo exploitable, free spell increments, great name, great art. I had to reread it so many times.

Vorapede: I always love my Baneslayers, but I pulled this card blind, and the aggression was more than I was used to.

Elbrus, the Binding Blade: Another blind Dark Ascension card! This was the kind of reward I loved working up to.

Gauntlets of Light: I wanted this card and I got this card. Toughness aggro is a beast to beat.

Klothys, God of Destiny: This card surprised me because I hadn’t expected a multicolored God. But she fit well, she played GREAT, and I love her.

Shaman of the Great Hunt: Repeatable multicolored draw? Jesus, what a beast. I felt my stomach turn when this thing hit the table.

Bestial Menace: Oh, an old favorite. Animal summoning never felt so good. I wanted them all to be friends.

Avacyn, Angel of Hope: So simple, so powerful, and she did exactly what she said on the tin. Feels good every time.

The Adventure mechanic: Never before seen, impossible to conceive, staggeringly surprising, and it played great.

Ugin, the Spirit Dragon: Powerful, yes, but the flavor? Ghostfire, plus removal, and then the inverse of his brother Nicol Bolas. Could not have been better.

Should you play to my favorites? Well, obviously not. Should you push the envelope? Don’t push it off a cliff; it’s not a paper airplane. Should you think about your past and consider how the designers of Magic created your own favorite cards that made you gasp and squeal and swear?

YES. Yes! That’s the whole point of this contest! Delve into yourself! Make something that you love! Do something that’s new and yours but is rooted in the real! You’re not here to show off the possibilities of your custom card maker, you’re here to make something you love! If you don’t love it, start over. If you love it for the wrong reasons, start over. Magic should be for everyone. That’s the thing about all those cards and mechanics and ramblings above there: those are the reasons I love those cards. A thousand other players can love them for a thousand other reasons. Empathize beyond.

We are a community. Never forget that. 

@abelzumi​

[turning-dreams-into-chaos]

Here’s to the Bad Guys

*Not my Gif*

Request: Hi, could you please write a Savitar x Reader where after Killer Frost's speech in 3x20 reader would figure out who Savitar is and when he shows up he would offer her a choice to take his side because he loves her and reader loves Barry who is focusing only on Iris? Reader could have powers and protect KF and Savitar from Cisco and Barry. Hope I explained it well and thank you in advance

Requested By: @kurtbastianlover

Paring: Savitar x Reader

Post Date: 6-27-19

Word Count: 3K (like exactly, what are the odds lol)

A/N: Hi! Sorry this took so long to write... I hope you like it as I have no idea if it's any good or not. Or if its what you wanted at all... Enjoy? 😂 I feel as if this wasn't one of my best pieces, but like, let me know what you all think! I may have done a lot of time skips...

- Ria

~Prompt List~

~Master List~

~Open Requests~

Requests open until July 1st

Unrequited love sucks. To sit there and pine for someone you know could never love you back. Someone who is in love with another. Barry Allen.

The same Barry Allen you've been in love with since you moved to Central City a few years after his mom's death. He was the first person you bonded with and soon you, Barry, and Iris became inseparable. But as Barry and you got closer you realized you were falling for the boy, only to see him falling for Iris. You never said anything, pining from a distance as Barry pined for Iris, hurting every time you saw them together.

But you being unloved will have to wait as right now, getting Cecile back from Killer Frost and protecting Tracy Brand was the goal. You stood behind Barry, as he tries to reason with Killer Frost.

"We're family." Barry says, only for Killer Frost to say the exact same time. Barry turned to you, both sporting an equally confused look before focusing on the girl again. "We protect each other until the end."

Again, Killer Frost joins his words.

"What the hell?" you mumble and take a step forward to be next to Barry. "How are you doing that?" Killer Frost looks at you and Barry, a smug smile on her face and you knew soon you'd be fighting.

"Savitar told me everything you'd say. You two are more alike than you realize." Her smirk somehow turned icy as you glared at her, preparing to try and fight one of your Best Friends. Your eyes turned into its purple color as you felt energy grace your fingertips. The fight didn't last long, starting when Killer Frost knocked Cisco out of the rafters with a bomb. He fell into a bunch of crates and barrels and got knocked out. You wanted to check on him, making sure he's ok, but when Killer Frost shot ice towards Joe's gun right next to you, you knew you didn't have the luxury to. You shot an energy blast at her, her dodging out of the way as it collided with the wall behind you. When she aimed her blasts toward you and Joe you got worried, only for Barry to jump in front, taking her blasts on him. Within a second, he was frozen to the ground and you were the last Meta standing, or so you thought. You aimed your blasts one last time, groaning when it missed and she struck you. But then Cisco hit her, causing her to fall. You got on your feet as Joe got Cecile out and Cisco and Killer Frost started their duel. You immediately joined Cisco, using all your energy to push her back as she flew into the wall, knocking her out. Cisco checked her pulse as he injected her with the serum and you checked on Barry.

"Are you all right?" you asked worriedly, wiping the ice off of him as he chuckles at you. He stops your hands as he smiles down at you. You couldn't help the butterflies in your stomach as his smile widened.

"I'm alright. I'm alright. Are you?" You nodded your head and he patted your arms before heading over to Cisco. You didn't watch as he left, just trying to ignore everything in you and try to check on your friend. But luck wasn't on your side as you barely took a step before Savitar sped into the room.

"My ascension is nearly at hand, Flash. As I rise, you will fall." He spoke, voice low from the tech in his suit. You just watched as his head turned to you and he crouched down to pick up Killer Frost.

One minute you were standing in front of Savitar as he stared at you, too scared to move but trying not to show it, and the next minute you were in the middle of what looked like an abandoned warehouse. Damn these villains who love their warehouses. Your breath was shaky as you turned around, taking in the sight of Killer Frost lying on the ground as your eyes widened. Caitlin. She was still in there and you knew it. You kneel next to her, feeling for a pulse and once you find one you relax a little before tensing as you feel a presence behind you. Cursing under your breath you spin around, looking up at a towering Savitar.

"Y/N..." he whispered as he pulled you up. You pushed against his hold, hoping to find a way out. He quickly notices your movements and one hand stays holding your arm as the other cups your cheek. The touch and the feeling was so... familiar, but you couldn't place it, you didn't know why you know it but it caused you to falter. "Stay with us. Join us."

You scoff as you lean away from his touch, putting as much distance between you and him as possible. "Why the hell should I join you? You're the bad guys." You heard Killer Frost let out a cackle behind you as you face her, completely unsure if you could handle yourself now she was up.

"Are you going to tell her? Or am I?" she joked as you felt Savitar pull your chin to look at him again. Your stomach started to turn as he backed away, stepping out of his suit as you stared wide eyed and mouth opened.

Barry?

Your eyes found the scars across his face as he cowered under your gaze. You never thought you'd see Savitar like this. This scared. He took a few steps closer, not looking you in the eye as your breathing quickened.

"Because you love me. And I love you. And I can't hurt you anymore." he put his hand back on your cheek and you realized why you know the touch. It was his. But it was different. Your Barry, he only gave you these touches on certain occasions, when you needed it. And yet you'd watch from afar as he looked at Iris the way Savitar is looking at you. You felt like you couldn't breath as your eyes met, and you instantly remembered he wasn't the Barry you had loved. Right?

"She doubts you." Killer Frost had sung behind you as amusement laced her voice. Savitar did the last thing you'd ever imagine as he pulled your face up, moving his lips down to yours. Your brain went fuzzy as you closed your eyes, kissing back within seconds. It didn't matter that he wasn't your Barry, It was still Barry. As you pulled apart, you kept your eyes closed, deciding what to do next. Savitar stared down at you as you finally opened your eyes, taking a step back to look up at him.

"Okay. I'm on your side." You whispered as Savitar smiled down at you.

You heard Killer Frost behind you let out a surprised chuckle. You didn't turn around this time, choosing to look at Savitar, or Barry. "Well then. Here's to the bad guys."

That's when you realized something. "You're going to kill Iris. Wait... I don't- I don't want her to die. She's my friend." You insisted, eyes falling between the two. His face dropped as he looked at you.

"You could be a god Y/N. We could be gods, together." His voice was soft as he stepped close to you, grabbing your hand with his.

You squeezed his head but shook your head. "It isn't right. She doesn't deserve to die."

"She has to die, so I can live. Live with you." You could feel Savitar tense before smiling. "I'll be back soon. Someone wants to talk." he kisses your head as you close your eyes, pressing against his touch as he pulled away, getting into his suit before leaving you and Killer Frost alone. She walks in front of you, stopping only to cross her arms. She looks you up and down before smirking. You shy under her gaze before looking in her eyes.

"Caitlin?" you whispered, hoping your friend would come back. Killer Frost just laughed before walking closer.

Her voice chilled you right down to your bones, "Sorry, Not Caitlin. Killer Frost." You didn't look away though, denying that your friend was gone.

"But she's still in there. Somewhere. That's why haven't killed yet. You can still feel her, everything that was good about her. She's still you." You knew you were right when her eyes started to turn blue before she stormed off. You let out a breath before collapsing on the floor, thinking about what you'd just gotten yourself into.

Savitar ran to Barry, finding him screaming for him in the middle of the street. "I know who you are." Barry yells before Savitar tells him it's about time. Barry walks closer, mask off as he shares what he knows. "Everything with you is about time isn't it? The past, the present, the future, you know all of it. And you know everything about me! About Joe! About Wally! Iris and Y/N!" Savitar scoffs at the mention of you, causing Barry to stop talking and watch him.

"I know more about Y/N than you do, flash." He begins as Barry furrows his brows, taking a step back as he thinks about you.

"What did you do to her? Where is she!" he screams, sweat dripping down his face as he runs his hand through his hair. Savitar stays in power, unmoving as Barry stares at him.

"I offered her a future, one you wouldn't, by my side. You couldn't see the love she held for you and you held for her until it was too late. But I see it. She's happy with me." Barry looked crushed at his words, hearing you left the team hurt him. But hearing you loved him and he didn't know hurt more. Ignoring the heartache in his chest he stood his ground, continuing his argue with the 'God' in spite of the conflict inside him. But the conflict deepened as Savitar stepped out of the suit, showing Barry that he lost you, not just to his current enemy, but to himself.

Being with the 'Bad Guys' took its toll on you. Savitar came back and told you that Barry knew, and he knew you betrayed them and you knew you couldn't go back to them. Not now. Savitar kept you close to him, never letting you out of his sight unless Killer Frost was there as well. You hadn't minded the closeness to Barry, but you refused to look at her, only being reminded of Caitlin. She was still in there, she had to be.

You sat on a stool, watching as Savitar fixed his suit. You didn't say anything as Killer Frost approached you both. You ignored them, focusing on the suit in front of you as Savitar tinkers with the metal.

"...Barry and Caitlin at it again." Caitlin says as you start paying attention. Caitlin. She said Caitlin. Your head shot up as you tried to subtly play it off, but Savitar saw through it. He glared at you before focusing on Caitlin.

"You're not Caitlin. And I'm not Barry." He points his tool at Killer Frost and you see the realization hit her face. She slipped and it just proved to you even more your friend was in there. They continued to talk, but once again you stopped listening; only hearing small tidbits as they talked about Iris' death. "What I remember is being created as a disposable life. Something to be thrown away when Barry Allen was done with me. He didn't care about me. Why should I care about his love?"

You couldn't take listening to anything anymore. You stood up and walked around, away from their conversation. Savitar and Killer Frost both watched you before carrying on, but Savitar's eyes never left you.

Days went on and soon you found yourself standing next to Killer Frost in the woods, facing Cisco as a look of betrayal crossed his face. Savitar didn't take you with him. He couldn't let you see Iris die. He knew it would hurt you too much, but you knew the truth, H.R. and Iris switched. You watched them escape when he came to save her, nodding to tell them to go. And when Iris came back you thought you failed, only for her to tell you it wasn't her. They still trusted you, even if you had joined the 'Bad Guys'. You looked between Killer Frost and Cisco, two best friends separated by good and bad and you thought back on yours. She was still Iris, he was still Barry, but were you the same Y/N?

"In order to join him as a god, I have to cure myself of Caitlin. This has to happen." Caitlin begins to take a step forward, Ice forming as you prepare yourself to fight another one of your friends, but this time its the one you had sided with last time.

"I don't want to fight you. Either of you. Y/N, how could you side with them?" Cisco's eyes find yours as you close them, letting your energy flow through you, from the purple mist flowing around your hands up to the purple hue in your eyes.

"I'm sorry Cisco. Its complicated." you apologized, trying to figure a way out of this so no one gets hurt, but it didn't look good.

"I don't want to fight you either." Killer Frost interrupts your thoughts as your purple lit eyes widened. Cisco looked shocked as well before she continued. "I wanna kill you." She immediately shots a dagger of ice at him as he dodges. You stood there, not knowing how to help but not wanting to hurt anyone. When she finally lands a blow on him sending him to the ground she turns to you, smirking as her eyes glowed. "You planning on helping at any point or are you just gonna stand there and look pretty."

You nod your head but don't speak as you had no words. You made a mistake joining them but you couldn't back out now, only making sure no one gets hurt. You hesitated before stepping towards Cisco, his eyes widen as you lock with his. Only for Savitar to arrive behind you.

"Keep him alive." he said as you try to keep from smiling, hoping no one caught on. "I need him to build something for me." You bit your lip when you realize he was done with his battle. Meaning someone died, meaning H.R. died. He didn't know yet, but once he started clutching his head, doubling over as the memories flooded back, you figured out he knew.

"She's not dead."

Yep, he knew.

" H.R. took her place." You heard Cisco let out a gasp as you faced him, giving him an apologetic look as your eyes turned back to its normal E/C color.

"That means the futures changing." Cisco points out. Savitar glares at him before marching over in front of him.

"So is yours."

You found yourself divided from your team once again, time going by faster than you thought possible. Cisco built the gun and Gypsy rescued him, Savitar tried to kill everyone in STAR labs and you felt lost. Siding with Savitar, the man you love, a version but just the same, and you just wanted to be happy, to be with him, but you couldn't. You fought alongside Killer Frost against Gypsy and Cisco, the four of you using your powers to try and hit each other, you tried to stay close, choosing not to aim for your friends. It was going fine until Killer Frost shot her ice to Cisco, not catching Gypsy aiming for her. Without thinking, you jumped in front, getting caught in the cross fire as you flew backwards. You heard Cisco shout your name as you hit the ground, groaning as you met Killer Frost's eyes, she stared at you in shock and you swore, you could see Caitlin. The moment lasted only a few seconds as Gypsy took another hit at her, causing her to fall a few feet away from you. You both sat up, facing them as they made their way over.

Cisco pointed his hands at Killer Frost as she taunts him. "Go ahead Cisco. Go bad."

"Cisco." you whisper, earning his attention before he looks back at Caitlin. "She's still Caitlin. Trust me." he listens to your words, throwing a vial down at her as Savitar comes barreling into him. You feel your heart quicken as you watch Savitar pick up Cisco before Killer Frost shoots him into a tree.

"Barry!" you yell as he gets up. He locks eyes with you as he hits a running Barry. Leaving him on the ground as he towers over him. You hear his threats as you get closer, trying to find a way to get out of this. But soon when Savitar's back was turned, Barry runs straight into his suit, thrusting him out as he hit the ground and Barry now stands over Savitar, suit and all. You knew what you needed to do.

"Stop! You don't have to do this, you don't have to kill him, and you don't have to kill anyone. Don't let darkness dictate your lives. No one wins. No one. We will find a way to get through this. I'm not gonna let you leave me. You're stuck with me." Your hand found Savitar's face, copying the actions he'd done to you. You caught his smile as yours came; finally feeling like this could work. You'd find a way.

Barry destroyed the suit, placing a hand on your shoulder, letting you know that the team would help. You gave him a hug before turning back to Savitar. You didn't have to be a bad guy or a good guy; you could just be with him. Savitar or rather your Barry Allen.

FEEDBACK IS WELCOMED!!

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[ariadneclaire]

Multi-Class Options for Jester at 12th Level

I’m not saying Traveller Con is going to go poorly and she’s not going to be a cleric anymore or whatever. I’m just here for the chaos. 

Barbarian

Requirement: Strength 13 Jester: Strength 16 This one doesn’t make a ton of sense, but it’s doable. Jester raging would maybe be more along the lines of “I would like to rage. :D” than Matt would be entirely prepared for. 

Rating: 6/10 for comedy and Matt Face Palms.

Bard

Requirement: Charisma 13 Jester: Charisma 12

Even though I think Jester would love to be a Bard, she is sadly under qualified. “The Ruby of the Sea is the Best Lay Ever” will likely be her only hit single. Rating: 2/10 since it doesn’t suit the story or the character. (At the moment, of course. Things can change.)

Druid

Requirement: Wisdom 13 Jester: Wisdom 20 Mechanically this is great. Jester’s spell slots wouldn’t be impeded since Druid’s are full casters and both classes use her best stat (WIS) as their spell casting modifier. Wild Shape is fun, and maybe Jester could cast Speak with Animals and get a better handle on taking care of Sprinkle. Story wise most of the Druidic Circles are a bit of a reach, but Circle of Dreams is a bit of a fun one: “Druids who are members of the Circle of Dreams hail from regions that have strong ties to the Feywild and its dreamlike realms. The druids’ guardianship of the natural world makes for a natural alliance between them and good-aligned fey.”

It’s perhaps a bit healing heavy for Jester, who everyone roasts for being a Battle Mercy (even though Cure Wounds is her second most used spell after Sending), but it’s the mood. If Artagan decides he Doesn’t Want to Be a God Anymore after Traveller Con, this would suit them well and would be a lot of fun. My biggest concern would be the ridiculous restraint that Druid’s aren’t allowed to have metal armour or shields, but I could see Matt handwaving that since Artagan has been supporting her with a metal shield this whole time.

Rating: 9.9/10 This would be a full 10 if it wasn’t for that armour restraint.

Fighter

Requirement: Strength 13 or Dexterity 13 Jester: Strength 16 and Dexterity 18

My girl is so swole. Bless her. Regardless of her over qualification, I can’t see this making sense. If she were to switch right now she’d lose spell slots and wouldn’t even be able to pick a martial archetype until level 15. It’s a good dip early on for HP and armour proficiencies, but it’s not great late in the game. The only real benefit would be more weapons, but she hardly uses the ones she has.

Rating: 1/10 Boring and Impractical

Monk

Requirement: Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13 Jester: Dexterity 18 and Wisdom 20

On the one hand Beau teaching Jester cool monk shit is fun. On the other hand, the idea of the Traveller asking Jester to start a monastic tradition in his name is hard to imagine. This one would probably hinge on a shift of faith or a major narrative change in Jester’s personal story. Practically it’s a little bit wonky, running into a lot of the same problems as the fighter. Although, Jester would get to punch things very hard right away, which I think Laura would enjoy.

Rating: 4/10 it’s impractical, but I’m giving it bonus points for the potential training scenes.

Paladin

Requirement: Strength 13 and Charisma 13 Jester: Strength 16 and Charisma 12

Unless she finds a way to raise her CHA (like Fjord in Refjorged) this one is a no. Tragic, because the concept of Trickster Paladin is the funniest thing on Earth and I think Laura would kill me by making me laugh too much. 3/10 for getting my hopes up, but not being possible.

Ranger

Requirement: Dexterity 13 and Wisdom 13 Jester: Dexterity 18 and Wisdom 20

Jester’s stats are actually very well suited to this one. However storywise this is wonky; the Ranger class is arguably the weakest; Jester is a spell heavy character who would be losing access to high level spells; I don’t think Laura would want to play a two games in a row. (Counterpoint: Sprinkle as a Beast Companion.)

Rating: 2/10 It was going to be a 1, but do it for Sprinkle.

Rogue

Requirement: Dexterity 13 Jester: Dexterity 18

If there was any non-spellcasting class I could see Jester taking it would be this one. I know Vex was also a Rogue, and I just said I didn’t think Laura would repeat classes, but a Cleric/Rogue is very Different. It would impeded her spell slots of course, but Rogue does come with all sorts of fun benefits. Tragically sneak attack would only apply to weapons, but Expertise is fun, and the combination of Expertise and Guidance would make Laura Bailey #unstoppable. However, once again we are running into Spell Heavy character builds being interrupted. I could see this one, but only in the even that the Traveler gives up Godhood.

Rating: 6/10 Eh mechanically, but I like it thematically.

Sorcerer

Requirement: Charisma 13 Jester: Charisma 12

Same problem as Paladin and Bard. This one would be super wonky even if the stats could make it work, but maybe a way to explain Jester’s ability to just make a God would be her blood line. However, I’m a big fan of the way ascension works in Matt’s world, so I don’t know if I love this.

Rating: 3/10

Warlock

Requirement: Charisma 13 Jester: Charisma 12

You know the deal with that Bard/Paladin/Sorcerer thing by now. Okay, okay, okay, but it would be so good. If Jester and Artagan just made a pact? I’m living for it. LIVING FOR IT. He’s like “all these other gods? Nah. You’re the only one who can handle me” and they make a pact. She could take The Archfey and easily stay on brand. Spell slots are wonky, but the idea of Jester casting Eldritch Blast is fjucking hilarious.

Rating: 8/10

Wizard

Requirement: Intelligence 13 Jester: Intelligence 12

This one doesn’t really make sense and she doesn’t meet the stat requirements, Maybe if she gives up the Traveller, but wants to keep casting spells. She could always ask Caleb to teach her. (He did say he wanted to be a Professor.) It would be nice to get a scene where she reads the spells, since she said she was hurt when Essek wasn’t “interested in anything [she had] to teach.”

Rating: 5/10

TL;DR if Jester multiclasses I would love to see a Druid or a Warlock.

[arcxnclum]

ok, so. there are a few things that need to be said, and I'll have a little rant about everything and then try to do a little tl;dr. keep in mind, that this is solely my opinion, and I’m going to be talking about my view on Xerath. of course, you’re free to disagree, just don’t come to me trying to prove me wrong.

through his entire life, it seems to me, that Xerath was a very attentive and curious person. he was perceptive, talented, had no trouble learning new things and was constantly pushing himself to do more and more, to know more and more, which eventually led to his downfall, as his ambitions and greed grew as well. one might say that the boy was close to being a prodigy, but, sadly, when you’re that attentive at a young age, you understand many harsh things about life quite soon – especially, if you’re living a life of a slave. it was stated, that he vowed to not be treated like any other slave, and it happened even before his father’s death, when he was still a child, so you can imagine the grasp on his situation that he had at the time. educated and taken to be the architect’s assistant, he now had the access to the Great Library, and if he dared to speak to an emperor’s child – I can safely say he wasn’t only taking some of the scrolls for his master only. imagine being so bold, not even a death threat would change your decision to talk to a prince, even though you’ve had the best intentions. Was this meeting luck or destiny, what would’ve happened if Xerath just walked past, that’s for someone else to imagine. I do believe that Azir would be dead in the desert with his brothers and Xerath would remain a nameless person, only plotting something awful for his master.

But, fortunately, they were acquainted – and yes, I’m saying fortunately, because (and you can pry this from my cold dead hands) they became the most important people to one another, saving each other countless times, and pushing each other to go even further with the things they tried to pursue. Now having access to everything the prince had the access to, plus being his sort-of advisor, before Azir was actually crowned, Xerath did exactly what his name meant – he was sharing everything he knew, everything he learned, and everything he wanted to learn and find. and, as morbid as that sounds, they shared their first kill, after the caravan was attacked near the Oasis. That was the first time Xerath truthfully saved Azir from death, and it was way, way more innocent, that the ones to follow.

naturally, when promised something he was craving his entire life, he grabbed onto those words and held them very close to heart. through years of servitude and secrets, orchestrated plans and intrigues, it was a heavy weight. every single decision he did in favor of Azir then felt pointless after their quarrel, and of course it would be the thing to push Xerath over the edge.

but in that point in his life, promised his freedom, having the access to everything he wants to learn AND knowing he can get away with anything, since he could quite literally silence the bad tongues forever, Xerath was as free as he would truly get. it was that moment that he discovered magic – unlocking sealed libraries, discovering dark arts for the first time, knowing he has to do something to protect his friend. and even though it sounds as if he only did it for himself, not to lose his position next to the only heir to the throne, Xerath truly believed it was for a friend.

and he did horrible things. using his growing magic powers, he killed, and killed, and killed. and managed to keep every single one of those a secret – even after he summoned powerful spirits from the desert and bent their wills to his, destroying the empress’ room with lightnings, killing her and her son, then murdering the emperor and his guards. and it wasn’t even the end, since to hide his guilt, he spread the rumours of mages of an entire region to be responsible for the deaths. Azir would definitely not approve of this, since it was his family after all, even though he probably didn’t like his parents that much, but in reality, that was the only chance for him to survive. And while the future emperor was learning to fight, Xerath, his soon-to-be advisor, continued to master his magic.

there would be no equal to him, except for, maybe, Nasus, in terms of knowledge and solutions of certain strategic objectives. He was cunning, he was smart, he managed to keep his growing desire for freedom a secret from anyone, but Azir. and as his conquest continued, Xerath remained in the capital, doing everything he could to gather more and more power. so when they finally got to the edge – after decades of strong friendship, drifting apart, and Xerath was reminded of who he is, there was no turning back.

admittedly, his greed is to blame when it comes to making Azir say those words at his face. if only there were no secrets kept between them, if only Azir didn’t become proud and arrogant, if only Xerath’s ambitions didn’t take the best of him…

and so the master plan was carefully made. previously working for the emperor secret mage was now turning the cards in his own favor, appealing to the people around him, making sure he would have support after his takeover. he was collecting magic, storing it inside him, to compromise the ritual. he managed to collect so much it was going to kill him, if he didn’t release it, and while hating Azir it seemed so easy to do.

but then he ruined everything.

now, it’s confirmed, that there was a part of Xerath that didn’t want to do what he had done. He was watching his only friend burn alive, blasted away from the circle of Ascension, through genuine tears. He was grieving. If only he knew sooner!

and then he took the power all for himself, not even bothering trying to prevent the city from burning – there would honestly be no way he could manage to control it at that point, and he knew the people would not support him after Azir’s last law. but he kept the priests in place with his dark magic. imagine that – you’re blasted with the energy of the sun, the energy that creates living gods, as it reshapes you, which is most definitely a very painful process, yet his abilities in magic were so strong he held the entire circle of priests in place, not allowing them to interrupt the ritual. and then he allowed them to die with the rest of the capital, as he was morphed into a new being, more powerful, invincible – capable of fighting off both of the strongest Ascended at the same time. he was imprisoned once, in a sarcophagus that contained a spirit of living fire, and he broke out in a second. to then be forced to live centuries in the darkness of the tombs.

now I’m definitely saying, that this prison took a toll on both of them – as Xerath twisted Renekton’s mind in various ways, his own was also subjected to an awful influence. he lived in hatred, he was craving revenge and power, more and more power, and he, was once again, more than anything, desiring freedom.

it’s safe to say that in his current state he’s not human. he’s not above being human, rather his Ascension took him a different route. as he says himself, he can see the forces that hold the universe together, and he continues to store energy in himself, as he is literally a vortex of arcane power. his dark arts were combined with the solar energy, and he must be overflowing with power, which threatens to kill him for good – because no living being can possibly hold all that energy inside for so long. for now, Xerath is capable of using it and controlling it, and he will seek revenge to take the Disk for himself and hopefully use it to contain his powers. but never to limit them.

 TL;DR !  

about: magic/energy.

he found out his talents for magic before Azir’s brothers were killed, but he decided to learn it only after he knew Azir would be in danger. he truly wanted to protect his friend, NOT for his own benefits, thus he convinced Azir that he needed to learn how to fight.

through the decades, he became more and more powerful, using arcane magic, and fire magic, and spiritual magic, and everything he could find in the desert, from manuscripts to artefacts. and eventually he started using energokinesis, storing energy in his own body. to interrupt the Ascension ritual he needed to have a lot, and it was physically painful and hard to contain all of it, so he brought himself to point of no return. there would be no way he could’ve kept it and not blast Azir out of the sunlight. that’s important.

he knew there was no way he could’ve prevented the blast of the sun energy to wipe the capital out as soon as he was hit with it. he might’ve tried, but he didn’t see the point. more about that later.

now, specifically because he held so much energy in himself, the solar energy alloyed with his own, and that was the reason he got… unusual. his transformation amplified everything about his magical abilities, but it also filled him with so much energy, he couldn’t control all of it. he was energy itself, but just sane and sentient. he couldn’t be contained.

after he escaped the tomb, Xerath had to regain most of his powers and arcane energy, so he sought “heart of the desert” – I presume he corrupted desert spirits and took their knowledge of everything that has happened. he continues to store energy in his new form, but, in reality, he’s afraid that he would lose control. no one knows that, obviously. also he can brainwash and somewhat hypnotize people now. good to know.

about: relationships.

now, as much as I can see Xerath missing his mother a lot, the only person he ever truly cared about was Azir. he threw his entire life for his only friend, clinging to his promise, and he would do anything for him back then. that is, of course, until they grew too proud and arrogant. still, if Xerath knew what Azir was planning, there would never be such a conflict. Azir freed him, but in his condition, Xerath had no choice. he was genuinely grieving the death of his friend, albeit it being by his hand. it shouldn’t have come to this, but everything was too late.

but now, after centuries that drove him even more insane, he wants nothing but revenge. why? that’s a good question.

 about: current state.

and I’m not talking about “a glowing stone boy”, no. in Pantheon’s story, Xerath is referred to as an inhumane creature, who wouldn’t even share a word. can you imagine, a person, described as “loving to talk, since he loves to hear the sound of his own voice” being creepily silent? he’s moving further and further away from humanity, and into the realm of beyond, so to say, as he is slowly dissolving into becoming pure energy. he is still sentient, of course, but right now he’s as far from resembling a human, as he ever was, and it will only get worse with time. he greeds for power – as in magic power and ruling over people, and he stops at nothing, just to get what he wants.

about: well, killing. and more relationships.

listen, he was insanely cruel when he was still human. his mind and ability to conspire things proved to be a great cover for everything he did, and now he doesn’t even need to cover up his murders. he is a killer. and he’s not killing for a cause, or to prove a point, he kills because it’s the easiest way to get what he wants. there’s surely little to no negotiating with him. he’s not interested in having someone work with him and he will not allow anyone to get close to him.

 in conclusion! Xerath was once a loyal friend, a smart prodigious student, capable of learning anything insanely fast and pursuing his goals anywhere. he hated his position as a slave, and even though it might seem that he only did everything to benefit himself, he was actually hoping to be equal to his friend. however, his actions are not at all innocent or redeemable. he murdered to save one person, and it was probably over two dozen murders that he managed to do, until Azir became emperor. they drifted apart, but in reality they just needed to TALK. that led everything into a big freaking mess, Xerath did something very stupid, couldn’t control his magic and then became the Ascended – kind of one of a kind (that was fun to write). he was crying for Azir, and if that’s not enough to prove in the end he didn’t want his death, I don’t know what is. but then came the imprisonment, and he was driven insane with power, with his new abilities, and now he is quite literally on the brink of infinity.

[patricksilvrrozartistry]

Current Music Obsessions: November 16 - 30, 2018

Wow. We have a super long list. I'm sorry, I'm not sorry. Starting out with the honorable mentions as always.

Jinjer - Ape Eyes of Eden - When Gods Fall Amaranthe - GG6 Arkdown - Wake Up Bring Me Eternity - Immersed The Anix - Wasteland Blackbriar - Arms of the Ocean Poppy - Play Destroy feat. Grimes K/DA - Pop/Stars Clean Bandit - Baby feat. Marina and Luis Fonsi Dark Sarah - Pirates Allamedah - 4 AM Sirenia - In Styx Embrace The Modern Age Slavery - The Silent Death of Cain feat. Tommaso Riccardi (ex-Fleshgod Apocalypse) In Dreams of Reality - Oni Cellar Darling - Insomnia Levinia - Push and Pull Blackbriar - Cry of a Banshee Mother Feather - Shake Your Magic 8 Ball Sirenia - Desire Sirenia - Queen of Lies Elitania - Templos de Cristal Porselain - Hiraeth Promethee - Witness The Loudest Silence - Wake Up in My Dream Warkings - Sparta feat. The Queen of the Damned (Melissa Bony (Evenmore, Rage of Light) Divine Ascension - Bittersweet Divide Since Ever - Following

I have A LOT of main obsessions, because November ended so close to when I generally find my favorites for the week. So let's just get this over with and look at all those main obsessions.

Kim Petras - Turn Off the Light feat. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

I learned about Kim through a guy I follow on Twitter. He kept going on about her, so I decided to check her out. Her music really isn't my thing, but I really liked this track. I love Elvira's cameo in the bridge and how spooky the choirs are after that cameo. It's just a really cute Halloween song. Can't really go wrong with it.

Haken - A Cell Divides

This is an amazing prog track. I love how djenty and proggy this track gets. The lyrics have a bit of a sci-fi feel to them, but it's more sciencey than sci-fi. The lyrics are cool is what I'm getting at. Definitely a great driving song and a wonderful song to just blast in general.

Exilia - Feel the Fire

This is their newest single and I love it. I've been a fan of these guys for many years now. I discovered them during my angsty edgelord days and have kept up with them and witnessed them evolve into the band they are today. I love the vibe of the track and you get a great feel for just how powerful their front woman's voice is.

Tillian - Black Holes

I found these guys through a Facebook ad one day. This is some really nice prog right here. I'm really digging their sound and am gonna have to check out more from them. They're on the softer side of progressive metal, but it's still some proggy goodness, and you can't turn that down.

Meg Myers - Jealous Sea

After finding and falling in love her song Numb, I had to check out more from her. So I decided to give this song a listen since it was a music video. Best decision ever. I love the play on words with the song title and the song over all. This song alone made me listen to her new album, which is amazing. There's something about this song that I just absolutely love and I just can't get enough of it.

Marcela Bovio - Roardin (No One is Born a Hero)

I'm really liking the direction Marcela's new album is going in. I love how it features both the strings and the piano. I also love how she describes her sound: chamber prog. Anyways, this song is so pretty. It packs a really empowering message that we all need to hear sometimes.

Blackbriar - I'd Rather Burn

I wasn't planning on listening to the We'd Rather Burn EP, but after hearing Cry of a Banshee, I had to. I fell in love with the EP as a whole, but this song was constantly in my head afterwards. The chorus is really catchy and I just love the lyrics so much. A witch being burned at the stake who reminds the people who are burning her that she'll be back to torment them. What isn't there to love?

Poppy - Am I A Girl?

After hearing that she experimented with metal on her new album, I had to check it out. Shockingly enough, I really dig the album. This song though is my favorite. The vibe is so fun and the message behind it (or at least how I interpret it) is a non-binary anthem. It's so much fun and I love the pre-chorus a lot.

Dimlight - Into the Thrice Unknown Darkness

This track really shows off just how beautiful Mora's voice is. She takes the lead here on the softest song on the album. I wouldn't call it a ballad track, so we're calling it a softer track. It's also great to be able hear just how powerful she is. This song gives off this overwhelming vibe of uncertainty and melancholy. I love it.

We, the Bones

Yes, I have two songs from Dimlight that I obsessed over. This song is definitely more on the aggressive side compared to Into the Thrice Unknown Darkness. I love the orchestrations on this track so much. It might be a rather simple track, but those orchestrations really sell it for me.

Piqaia - Parable

If you're into atmospheric progressive metal, check this track out. It's so pretty. I love their singer's voice so much. He's got a really pretty range and you can really tell just how beautiful it is here on this track when those harmonies kick it. This song stood out so much on the Artifact album. The vibe is just so different for some reason and I absolutely love it.

Amaranthe - Dream

This song really stood out to me on Helix. It's such a pretty track and really shows off the pretty side to Nils' voice. Not only that, but it shows off Elize's vocal range. Mariah Carey who? Homegirl can hit some really high whistle notes.

Sick N' Beautiful - New Witch 666 (The Rising)

This music video is absolutely everything. The visuals are so beautiful, but in a very spooky kind of vibe. The colors and the looks their front woman turns out in this video are to die for. The song is so catchy and fun. I'm so glad that their front woman liked a photo of mine on IG a while back, because if she didn't, I wouldn't have discovered this powerhouse of a band. Such a great jam.

Amazonica - Don't Fear the Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult cover)

I found this artist one day a while back when trying to see if the singer featured in Cradle of Filth's cover of Temptation had any other material out there. I completely forgot that Harry was the singer here. This is a pretty decent cover of this song. It's a very different take on it, like a new wave/synthwave kind of vibe. I'm really digging it.

Black Tongue - Second Death

I don't really keep up with these guys, but I might change that soon. This is the second or third track I've ever heard from them and I really dig it. It has a really meaty sound to it. Doomcore is such a strange way to describe your sound, but it really suits them.

Within Temptation - Firelight feat. Jasper Steverlinck

Holy shit. This song is literally a lovechild between Within Temptation and My Indigo (Sharon's solo project). Sharon said that this song was too dark for My Indigo and decided to release it under Within Temptation. This song is so gorgeous. It's so different and really stands out as a Within Temptation track. And Jasper. Dude. His voice is stunning.

Phildel - The Deep

I discovered Phildel many years ago through one of my og beauty gurus, Klaire de Lys. I've always really loved her voice, but back in those days I wasn't really into ambient music as much as I am now. It's like rediscovering her. This song is so gorgeous and pretty. And I adore the video. The animation is so pretty and cute. I'm definitely am gonna go through and listen to her music again and fully rediscover her.

Veil of Mist - The Flute and the Blade (The Archangel of Terror pt.1)

I don't remember subscribing to their YT channel, but I'm glad I did. This track is a powerhouse. If black metal, prog and power metal all had a baby, you'd have the sound and vibe of the instrumentals. The singer has such a strong and interesting voice. I don't know what it is about it here, but I really love her voice. This song has such a dark vibe to it that I absolutely love. I'm definitely am gonna check out more from them.

Soundgarden - 4th of July

I recently picked up a copy of Superunknown and while listening I was instantly drawn into this song. I'm not too familiar with them, so when I heard just how doomy and sludgy they got on this album, and especially on this song, I knew I made a good purchase. I love how doomy and sludgy this song is. Such a great track to chill to. I really need to listen to more grunge music.

Qveen Herby - Beverly Hills

This is my second favorite off EP 4 (Alone is my number 1). I love the trap beat and the overall vibe of the track. It's so chill, but also pops off. Definitely a great track to chill, drive, and jam to. I hope they do some touring soon, because I need to see Amy perform this shit live one day.

Levinia - The Fall

The Liberation EP is absolutely amazing with so many wonderful tracks, but this one really stood out to me. It's so beautiful, but is still really heavy. You get a really good feel for Court's range. My favorite parts are when she sings "and I remember" during the bridge and especially during the exit. It's so pretty and for some reason makes me feel slightly nostalgic of the 90's. Don't ask me why, it just does for some bizarre reason.

And that's it for this month! Hope you guys have fun enjoying all (or at least some) of these tunes.

[fgodestinyawakenings]

Babylonia Section 12~Section 13

Back again with another 9 more chapters to complete this Singularity! And another 10 to 2 weeks+ before the final Singularity... With the amount of apples coming to complete up to the latest, looks like the Final Singularity feels sort of a good place to grind from what they’re implying? Only time will tell when it comes!

Section 12

The game plan to start defeating Quetz begins! Before heading to Ur, some disease affecting people in Uruk... And woah, that’s really nice of Quetz to give the gatekeeper food despite butchering people...

Guess with what the gatekeeper said, maybe there’s a way to come to a mutual understanding? At least without tossing us into the air first OTL

And... Before we could wonder further on Quetz’s motive to help Gorgon... THERE YOU ARE, GRAVE ROBBERY OR GRAVE ROBBER THAT STOLE DEAD BODIES OF URUK’S MEN!

Thankfully some reason or another, Jaguar Warrior doesn’t have that NP buff for this fight. So, blasting her to death shouldn’t be much of a problem! Other than her spamming her 1st skill most of the time >.>

While fighting her, Mama Emiya... You’re responsible for your words last time. Yes, Servants died too when they are killed... Oh okay, so she’s a rogue Servant and not an ally of Quetz huh...

Aaaaaaand done! We bribed our way with Jaguar Warrior by complimenting her. Are every Servant in Babylonia that easy to be bribe except Tiamat-Gorgon’s crew?

At least we got ourselves a good guide to get to Quetz’s temple! Though we have to deal with ex-allies after Jaguar man hit her third ascension before changing back later

3 waves of beating her ex-minions later, we arrived at Ur. Oh thank god! The soldiers were alive?! Woah, she kept you guys alive which is good but huh? Oh they died but they were revived... For her own army...

Damn, this is going to be difficult to convince her... And as we shifted to night, looks like Ishtar dropped by again. Some heart-to-heart conversation on the view of the strong and weak to survive. And Ishtar, you were there with us when we recruited Jaguar Warrior. Why do you sound surprised when we did it?

You know, every time she sneezes, she reminded me of Lunch from Dragon Ball. At least her blond-haired split personality is nicer than nasty black-haired one. By the way blond-haired Ishtar, the most effective way to beat the crap out of Quetz is when you got Servant who don’t even fall under good and evil

Because that’s how DW tortured us! Huh? Fou being a beast of disaster? You’re kidding that a cute companion is one despite him kicking ass at Merlin when the latter deserved it? Blonde-haired Ishtar is just as strange as her usual self

Next day, we arrived at Eridu. Five to four more days left before Gorgon invades Uruk... That’s some “unique” weapon to destroy Quetz’s divinity while the Servants fight with her... Regardless, let’s defeat Quetz and get her to join us! While 9 Wvyren and 1 Sphinx blocking our way to get to the temple!

Arrived at the temple with Marduk’s axe located, we’re greeted by Quetz who’s been waiting for us! And there’s a scary face for someone who keeps prisoner as punching bags for Luchador!

Definitely angry at Jaguar Warrior for her betrayal but... Quetz really have a screwed up view on humans there! 

And with the hooded man’s words... Yeah, for once I really agree for the second option to not come to mutual understanding with her. Humans aren’t your fucking toys to play around when you’re bored!!

With Guda’s given their own view in the meaning of fighting, time to kick some Luchador with her!

I changed again for the setup at least in attempt with a borrowed Herc-chan and his Bond CE and Jeanne to keep him alive... All Taunters unleashed to avoid her NP on both Herc-chan, but her crits are a fucking bitch when it boils down just with her second option!

While the rest are dealing with her story wise, we reached the top and...! The Gudas which I also could understand... Despite her views, she’s still a decent person too.

Now this is interesting, a human Master vs a Goddess in a wrestling fight! XD And they regret their words too, so much for that courage LOL Landed into her boobs.... Seems like she saved us after that happened and even earned her respect to join us now!

Section 13

After calming down from that skydive jump, Quetz has joined the party. Again, everyone excepts Mash and Gudas knows who Ana is, but looks like it’ll still be a while before we find out her True Name.

Ishtar and Quetz gets along well expectedly, also finally about the axe...  Of course Jaguar Warrior behind the background for a while... Was thoroughly ignored LOL Or at least that way, no bloodfest is needed since their lores are eternal rivals

Back to the axe, seems like getting axe is not a issue... Until 3 Spriggan who hates Divine Servant used as a defense system against Gods that wants to misuse the axe!

Now that’s gone, guess we just need to wait 3 days for Quetz to bring the axe to us. We get a leeway to have a tour around Eridu by Quetz herself! In there, looks like more cryptic warnings about our fight to Tiamat was translated with Merlin’s help in the Cylinder seal.

Yo Emiya, looks like the Gudas really learned well from you in getting their harem here! XD You’re having a tough life here, Gudako in particular for her harem with women XD

Night has arrived again, blonde-haired Ishtar decided to drop by visit us again! Other complimenting and scolding us about the goddesses, we still need to be careful of Gorgon-- WOAH WOAH, YOU’RE HAVING A FEVER GUDAS! 

Seems like we get a day off to rest while telling her stories about all the 6 singularities

Glad that she enjoyed it regardless, even glad she likes humans too. Ah too bad we have to end things when sun’s getting up... A pity regardless :/ But 4 days of Gorgon’s arrival isn’t something to enjoy and relax about!

Home at last in Uruk! But... Wait, what’s going on? Gatekeeper isn’t there to greet us like before... 

.................................... WHAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaT?!!?!??!?!?!!?

K-K-KING GILGAMESH... NO... NO WAY.... HE PASSED AWAY?!!!?!?!?!

Both Gudas and Merlin are equally angry at what had happened to him too. With a flashback with King Gilgamesh being himself as always, seems like he overworked in his new project to protect Uruk.... Which eventually, for that 5 minutes of rest....

With heads cooled down, someone did assassinated him. But, along with people in Uruk too... Hold on, Ishtar isn’t part of the alliance!! And now we finally knew the third goddess’s identity, Ereshkigal!

Seems like a bit of backstory of Ishtar and her sister.... And turns out because of Ishtar being summoned, her sister was summoned too.

Once again, it’s time to take a trip back to the underworld and save King Gilgamesh! As usual, 3 days left with one of it to save King Gilgamesh out of that hell!

I’ll end it here since the following chapters are more or less split up in different post to keep this blog alive. Especially Christmas event is coming, I’m going to grind those lottery boxes for my JP Servants!

[scarjarbinks]

The Fool’s Journey: A Star Wars Story (2)

Episode Two A Ballad of Self-Preservation

"Two?" The pilot spat through the comlink that was tightly gripped in Rokkna-1's hand.

"I-I didn't think it'd be a problem."

The transport shuttle increased speed and navigated away from the pick-up zone with a steady hand. Vrina busied himself while the two argued by plucking larger shards of glass from his sand-brown tunic. He winced after extracting a particularly long specimen. The Human, now tilted by the heated debate between him and his pilot, examined both guests while a grimace strained his face.

"Critical mission failure, Kaz. Remember when you said we wouldn't be wasting our time? And now—blast, we have sky skiffs on our trail."

"Easy. Open the hold and keep us steady." The man brandished his brand new DL-44, straightened his wrist, and locked his shoulder.

A long pause preceded the pilot obeying the command. Air escaped Vrina's lungs and he held onto a groove in the wall. The still-unconscious Zabrak was only a short distance away in case he had to reach out to save him from slipping out of the shuttle.

Kaz was greeted with a powerful bolt striking the hull just above his head. He recoiled and recovered within the same movement. The weapon's iron-sights hovered over two slender vehicles that struggled to maintain ascension. Their noses were pointed at the shuttle and fired off another debilitating round. Only one struck the underside of the ship, but the impact was enough to knock the Human to his knees.

He threw himself into what insignificant amount of walled cover there was between the open door and bay. The pilot shouted, "It's not like this thing has shields! It's not military!"

"That's right," Kaz exhaled under his breath and steadied his breathing and brought the comm to his face to respond. "Slow down and descend—hard."

Panicked but attentive, she asked, "Like, cut engines?"

"That works!" Kaz turned to the Mikkian. "Hold onto your pal."

Vrina stretched to grab ahold of Wegil's arm and brought him closer. "Just so we're clear, I wouldn't really call him my 'pal'."

The Human frowned, his posture suddenly tense. "Then why is he here?!"

A lurch from the shuttle drew Kaz back into the plan. He pulled himself up and aligned his heavy blaster onto one of the two sky skiffs. Its pilot had a difficult time readjusting the nimble vehicle's altitude and left its underside open for a volley of well-timed shots.

Two struck the skiff in its tail, flipping the pilot off after an explosion launched the nose upward. The shuttle made a hard bank to the left and Kaz was tossed to the ground. His new weapon tumbled out of the open door.

Vrina was desperate to maintain upright while struggling with the limp weight of Wegil. He shouted to the bearded man and asked if he was injured.

"I'm okay," the man crawled backward and found himself back behind the same feeble amount of cover as before. Into the comlink: "Tam, what happened?"

"They're called buildings, Kaz. Maybe you've heard of them."

He rolled his eyes but could not prevent a smirk from creeping onto his face. To Vrina: "Hey, throw me that blaster I lent you." The Mikkian's eyes widened and he patted his chest and hips before shrugging. "Are you serious?! Then, I don't know, use some kind of Force power and knock this guy out of the sky!"

The skiff had managed to catch up to their shuttle but missed each shot as Tam gently bobbed the ship from side-to-side.

Vrina let go of Wegil long enough to rub either eye with his palms. "I don't know what you're talking about! I don't even know where we're going!"

"Well, buddy, as of right now, we're all on the same page." Kaz's eyes searched the small cargo bay for some kind of answer.

Adjusting himself and the unconscious body, he shouted, "Why did you set off a detonator in Wegil's club?" The Mikkian raised his voice and repeated his question after a moment of silence from the Human who appeared to be lost in thought.

Kaz looked up to Vrina and grinned. "Quick, turn on that grav-lift and shove it my way. Tam," he spoke into the comlink. "Nose up and route everything you've got to engines. Seal the hatch in sixty. Does this thing have a charged hyperdrive?"

"Surprisingly."

As soon as the Mikkian stood, the shuttle began to pivot and he nearly lost his footing. A stray bolt from the skiff struck the interior of the bay and a shower of sparks washed over both Vrina and Wegil—though, the latter of the two did not seem to mind much. Completing his task with only minor difficulty, a waist-high crate rolled toward Kaz after a dainty push. The Human drew another sticky detonator from his belt. "It's too slow!" Another blast hit the underside of the shuttle and an alarm began to blare.

Wegil slid down the bay floor while peacefully snoring. Holding onto a wall panel, Vrina could not extend his arm far enough to fetch him.

"Actually, that's perfect." Kaz set the detonator on a ten-second timer. Just as the Zabrak's body struck the crate, the Human attached the explosive and helped guide the heavy package out with one final exertion. In another movement, he crouched and whipped the body back inside just as the bay door began to seal.

Looking down and through the open cargo bay door, Vrina watched the crate skid off of the ramp and arc into the path of the skiff. The pilot was quick to pull right, but the compact explosion caused a nebulae of glittering debris to strike both him and his vehicle. The door sealed seconds later.

Kaz let go of the Zabrak and turned on his comlink. "How long before we find a route?"

"Routing power to stabilizers in thirty, will be free to jump in three minutes."

"No more friends?"

"Just the ones you brought on board. Hope they're worth it, Kaz. I saw what you did with our credits."

He chuckled and relaxed with his back against the bay door. "They were fake, anyway."

"Yeah," Tam's voice lilted. "But we could have done a lot of damage with thousands of fake credits."

From Kaz's point of view, the Mikkian held onto the panel for dear life. To his right, a groan from Wegil. "Hey," he greeted the disoriented Zabrak with a salute. "How was your nap?"

"M-my… What?" He blinked thrice and frowned. His gravelly voice dragged against their ears. "What's the clown doing up there?"

Vrina cleared his throat, his typically blush-hued skin became red with effort.

Both the Mikkian and Zabrak were ushered to the passenger hold and were instructed to find a seat from either row that lined each wall of the shuttle. The air was polluted with smoke that carried with it a scent of charred plastic.

With crossed arms, Kaz watched the two sit opposite each other. "You two really aren't friends, huh?"

Wegil clicked his tongue. "I barely know this fool, now I'm swept up in some anti-species terrorist attack. Some kind of protest, kidnapping."

"That's not quite what's going on here," the bearded man attempted to calm the Zabrak's nerves. He remained at a distance, choosing to hover in the central corridor that led to the cockpit. Vrina could make out a shorter figure operating the pilot system. Kaz looked to Wegil and offered a weak smile. "I'd like to start by saying, I'm sorry that I, erm, knocked you unconscious."

"Alright. So it was you, then."

"Nobody was supposed to get hurt. Well, maybe one or two specific people. You, uh, the one with the head wrap."

The Mikkian blinked and touched the side of his head. "Vrina Hon."

Kaz nodded once. "Okay, Vrina Hon. I'd like to ask about your involvement with the eff-ess-ess." He watched the Mikkian's expression wilt into confusion. "You hid a lot of truths in your, I guess, comedy set. You knew that Gil's Gab was a meeting ground for several high-ranking members."

"I… Didn't."

"You—wait, what?" The Human's confidence diminished. He turned to the pilot and she shook her head, eyes still on the control panel.

Wegil lifted himself from the seat and approached Kaz with weighted steps. "Hey, now. That's an unfounded claim. Who are you to blow up my club and whisk me away into hyperspace?" The two were face-to-face, though the bearded man had no fear in his eyes as he stared down the irate Zabrak.

"We are agents of the New Republic, commissioned by Senator Hamato Xiono to piece together nuggets of intelligence regarding the networking and goal of the eff-ess-ess."

The Zabrak exhaled through a wide grin. "Your faith in yet another totalitarian regime stuns me." He turned and seated himself, this time much closer. "A flag can mean many things, agent, but it comes down to those who uphold its original intention."

"And we do."

"Republic, Empire. Good, evil. These words are ultimately meaningless."

Kaz furrowed his brow and straightened his posture. "What is the Federation of Six Systems, then?"

"It doesn't have a flag, I'll tell you that much." Wegil maintained a wild grin. "And it's name is subject to change. Our friend here, the joker—he was right on the money."

Vrina blinked. "You mean… About the name?"

"Six systems, sixteen systems. When news spreads, the name will, too."

The Human cautiously approached the Zabrak but kept several feet away. At that moment, he was glad to be unarmed. "You're giving away a lot of information."

"Just what I know."

Tam called back to her companion, her voice straining to compensate for the distance. "Breaking into neutral territory. We're going to need to find a place to hide out while Are-Nine and I change the shuttle's signature."

"Copy that." Kaz crossed his arms and pouted. He scanned Wegil's expression for a long moment before being interrupted by Vrina raising his hand. "Erm, yeah?"

"I know you already said we'd be back in time for breakfast, but I'm going to need confirmation on that." His shoulders shrunk. "I have a tooka to feed."

Wegil shuddered. "Disgusting things."

The Mikkian frowned and leaned forward with both hands on his thighs. "I happen to like mine and don't want it to starve."

A chain of electronic squelches sounded from the pilot's den. Tam removed herself from the cockpit and stood by Kaz with stiff eyebrows. "Who exactly are these guys and why did we waste our entire day and all of our resources to bring them on board?"

Kaz gestured to The Mikkian and introduced him with a bright disposition. "This is Vrina Hon, a comedian and Jedi."

Equally astounded, both Tam and Wegil repeated, "Jedi?" The Zabrak continued, humored. "Since when?"

Vrina wagged his hands and scrunched his shoulders. Through a grimace, "I'm not—sir, I'm going to need you to stop telling people that I'm a…"

"Got it," the bearded man winked. "You're undercover as a stand-up comedian and it's all super secret. Makes sense why your jokes were so bad." Both he and Wegil shared in laughter. Tam made her way to stand in front of the blushing Mikkian.

"I don't think he's lying." She craned her neck to take in his outfit. "No laser sword. Nothing useful utilitywise. Kind of run down shoes." The pilot turned her attention to the Zabrak. "And what about him?"

Wegil stood up from his seat and cleared his throat. "I'll introduce myself. I'm—" His voice trickled away at the sight of Tam's blaster. The line of sight was secured to his chest.

"I didn't ask you."

"Yup, that's fair." The Zabrak seated himself and held both hands next to either ear.

Her eyebrow cocked. "Well, Kaz?"

"Yeah," the bearded man stroked his chin and took in a sharp breath. "He's the owner of the same club that's been welcoming captains of the eff-ess-ess. He seems to know quite a lot about their affairs. All in all, maybe the mission was more of a success than we expected?"

Tam sucked on her teeth and mulled over the stream of potentials. "You seem pretty intelligent," she nodded to Wegil. He shrugged one shoulder. "Why are you wasting your time running a comedy club?"

"You have to be intelligent in order to know how to profit off of others while refusing to be profited off of yourself."

"Solid logic. And you've chosen the side of the Federation because they are a better option than that of the New Republic, or retrospectively, that of the Empire?"

"An individual alone can not choose to join the eff-ess-ess, though one can agree ideologically. The Federation makes an offer to the lower levels of planetary government, specifically federal and local. If the offer is pleasant, they are then hired to install the Federation's circuitry onto the entirety of the planet—not just measly occupations scattered about towns or cities."

"And you've decided to give us this information for free?"

Wegil leaned back in his chair. For the first time since waking up, he appeared to be completely relaxed. "What other ways are there to prepare you for the inevitable paradigm shift of shared galactic ideals? Brute force? Vrina," he swung his gaze to the Mikkian. "How many were killed while I was unconscious?"

He forced a hard swallow and looked to the Human with glossy eyes. The man's face hardened. After a quiet exhale, Vrina responded: "Just one." The lie scalded the inside of his ribcage.

"Just one?" The Zabrak bounced a loose nod. "And do you believe it was justified?"

Immediately, "Yes. Of course."

"Of course the death was justified," Wegil teased. "Of course murder was necessary." He turned his focus to Tam. "Now, I've only known you for a handful of minutes, but I know you wouldn't lie to me. Even with your blaster pointed at my heart, you'd at least grant me the courtesy of honesty. How many died—from the detonation, from your desperate escape?"

Her eyes flashed and her trigger finger shuddered. "One." Then, through her teeth, "It's about to be two."

"You agents truly are an extension of the New Republic. Go on, then. Eviscerate me."

A smirk creaked onto Tam's face, but she was mindful of her tone. "Why would we do that?" The blaster dropped to her side and found its way back into its holster. "We'll be more than happy to drop you off at the nearest waystation. I'm sure there are other shuttles who wouldn't mind making the trip to Coruscant."

Vrina stretched his arm upward once again, but did not wait to be called on. "My tooka," he shook his head. "What about my tooka?"

Kaz frowned. "I thought Jedi were discouraged from having attachments. I guess that doesn't extend to pets—"

The Zabrak scoffed. "Why do you keep insisting this one is a Jedi? The myths of the temple on Coruscant are false. It's no more than a glorified museum."

"Maybe," he crossed his arms. "But why would a museum need cycle-long protection?"

A small voice peeped from the Mikkian's throat: "I just want to go home."

After a click of the tongue, Tam shook her head. "No can do, not for hours. Are-Nine," she called back to the cockpit and craned her head. "Anywhere we can dock?"

Three distanced chirps were ostensibly translated by everyone except Vrina. Tam and Kaz glanced at each other with exhaustion painting their faces while Wegil shook his head. "What?" The comedian who was very much not fluent in droidspeak scanned the room. "What did it say?"

"I'm bringing it in," Tam elbowed Kaz as she passed him. He nodded and resolved to take a seat on the row opposite from the Zabrak. The pilot sustained a playful conversation with the astromech droid hidden somewhere in the pilot's den.

Wegil pressed his gaze on to the Human until he was forced to make eye contact. "I'd rather you just eject me now." Vrina furrowed his brow and shifted in his seat; frustration wound its way up his limbs and into his throat. Recognizing his body language, Kaz ignored the horned man's prod and turned to the comedian.

He proceeded to explain that their shuttle was to dock at a droid-operated refueling station called TIL-03. "A once-asteroid-turned-moon of the planet Kerrond. It's… It's perhaps not the most joyful place to land, but the droids are efficient to say the least."

Vrina straightened his spine and huffed. "I've never heard of any of these places." His peripheral caught a glimpse of the pilot's den. A massive, water-laden planet filled the window. The shuttle twisted its pathing left and carefully locked onto one of many empty landing pads. "Not a lot of business?"

"No need to pay droid employees, right?" Kaz scratched the tip of his nose and relaxed into his seat. "It can be as busy or as quiet as possible. Doesn't make much of a difference."

The Zabrak rolled his eyes and leaned forward with a sniff. "I never had droids in my club. I'm glad to have nourished the economy for organics. What?" He hissed at the two men who stared him down. "I'm not evil or anything. They are slaves, after all."

Vrina stretched either leg and began to massive his knees. The right side of his leg throbbed in a dull ache, a large, hidden bruise spread from his right thigh and past his ribs. "Can I stay on the ship?" With hope in the Mikkian's heart, he looked to Kaz who stolidly shook his head. "Ah. Dosh."

[dontlookdown]

Nick’s Favourite Music of 2020

You hear that?

It’s the sound of “2020 is Fucking Dead”. Good riddance.

Now, we all know that the problems we faced throughout this year aren’t going to suddenly disappear because the number’s rolled over. For instance, I live in the UK, and things have been downhill going for us since the Olympics. But we can take a moment to feel happy, relieved even, that we made it through this Hell Year. Things are still unequivocally fucked, yes, but right now I’m explicitly telling you to give yourself a moment to take a breath. We could all use one!

Let us instead focus on the music of 2020, and how good it was. Like, really good! On the whole, it was good enough that the simple act of re-listening to the songs I’d collected over the past twelve months got me fired up to write about them at length. Considering the opposite thing happened to me last year, I may well be the only person in the world who had a better time in 2020 than they did in 2019 (at least, in this one specific aspect of it).

My self-imposed rules (20 songs, no repeating artists) mean that there’s always a collection of worthy tracks that didn’t quite make the cut. Here are those honourable mentions:

Daði Freyr – “Think About Things”

When this Icelandic banger came to our attention in May, I was so certain (so, so, certain) that it would make the cut for the final list. And it was number one with a bullet for a long time. “Song of the summer,” I would have said, had you asked. Turns out there was a lot of bouncy energetic pop music to be heard in 2020, and “Think About Things” just doesn’t take flight in the same majestic way that other songs did. It is still one of the best songs of the year though (let’s say the 22nd), and absolutely would’ve/should’ve (delete as appropriate) won Eurovision this year.

Dirty Projectors – 5EPs

What an embarrassment of riches. Dirty Projectors released five four-track EPs over the months, each written and fronted by a different member of the band. The collected result was a little scattershot, but one of the most rewarding LPs of the year. Come for the classic DP sound of “Overlord”, “Lose Your Love” and “Searching Spirit”. Stay for the likes of “No Studying”, a perfect tribute to the sound of Stereolab.

Future Islands – As Long As You Are

Future Islands were another personal favourite of mine who were firing on all cylinders this year. “For Sure” and “Thrill” made the shortlist for inclusion. So did 50 other songs. To my dismay, I had to draw the line somewhere.

IDLES – “Reigns”

I can’t explain what happened to my IDLES appetite this year. I was ready for more, after the cannon blast of Joy as an Act of Resistance in 2018, and early single “Mr. Motivator” was instantly added to my running playlist (I know, I know). But, somehow, by the time Ultra Mono came out, I wasn’t feeling it. Maybe they cast their net too wide. Maybe it’s because the protest music of 2020 had to come from a different source (we’ll talk about it later). Maybe it’s because other bands found a way to be less on-the-nose with their socio-political messaging (we’ll talk about that too). Whatever the reason, this album disappointed. But there were still moments that thrilled, like the way singer Joe Talbot turned the word “reigns” into a raging torpedo of a battle cry.

Jay Electronica – A Written Testimony

One of the singles on A Written Testimony was released in 2010. That’s how long we’ve been waiting for a debut album from Jay Electronica. The perception of some is that we’re still waiting: the album features so many contributions by Jay-Z that it may as well be classified as a collaboration in the vein of Watch the Throne. Semantics aside, it’s a hell of an album. One of the freshest-sounding and most fun-to-listen-to rap releases I’ve heard in years.

Laura Marling – “Fortune”

I’ve hinted at this before, and I’ll state it clearly now: Laura Marling is this generation’s Joni Mitchell. She keeps delivering on past potential.

Jessie Ware – “Save a Kiss”

Another unfortunate victim of 2020 having so much great dance-pop music. Jessie Ware’s big disco comeback was everything I wanted from her, and it wasn’t even the year’s best big disco comeback!

Masterpiece Machine – “Rotting Fruit”

My list-making process begins by listening to every track I have in my iTunes from the last year on shuffle. It’s a way of resetting my confirmation bias, I guess. Sometimes songs I had built up in my head as “important” fail to stand out in a crowd. And sometimes monsters like this bulldoze everything in their path. RIP Riley Gale.

Nap Eyes – “Mark Zuckerberg”

A jangly oddity I couldn’t quite figure out in the end. Musically wholesome, with some of the weirdest lyrics of the year.

Nation of Language – Introduction, Presence

The best New Order album of the year.

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – “Cars in Space”

The 21st best song of the year. 2020 also had way too much to offer in the way of great indie rock. The post-chorus bit in this song where the horns hit is an all-timer.

Romy – “Lifetime”

The xx singer/guitarist is making a solo move. I can’t wait to hear more, especially if it’s as good as this.

Sufjan Stevens – The Ascension

I’ve done this dance with Sufjan before, when The Age of Adz dropped. These more electronic albums of his take time to properly settle in my brain. I’ll come around eventually.

Will Butler – “Surrender”

We all needed pick-me-ups during 2020. This was one of my musical ones.

Nobuo Uematsu et al - Final Fantasy VII Remake Soundtrack

I was not expecting to love the FF7 remake (part one of ????) as much as I did. I came to original too late to really appreciate it, and I hadn’t been interested in any of the more recent games in the series. Turns out all they needed to do was make a really good game. Who knew? Nobuo Uematsu’s compositions have always been at the heart of the series. He’s arguably the world’s most famous video game composer specifically due to his Final Fantasy work. As such, I’ve heard his work from VII a lot. Too much, I thought, for it to have any emotional impact on me. Boy, was I wrong. The orchestral arrangements of familiar themes are weaponised nostalgia, yanking at my heartstrings like nothing else. Meanwhile, the revamped boss theme fucking RIPS. Even taken away from the context of the game, the score loses none of its power. Astonishing work.

Neil Cicierega – Mouth Dreams

Neil “Lemon Demon” Cicierega’s ‘Mouth’ mash-up series have been a constant source of joy, even before this year. The latest instalment was no exception. The element of surprise is key to enjoying these albums (“This song with that song? I didn’t see that coming”), so I’ll just point out that they’re all free to download, and you really should experience them for yourself.

Okay! As I mentioned above, the final list has twenty songs, and I’ll be writing about each of them in their own dedicated post, one a day. For those that want to listen ahead to what I’ll be covering in-depth, here’s a Spotify playlist of the final twenty.

If you fancy revisiting my posts from previous years, they can all be found here using the “best of 20xx” tag (just retype the appropriate year). See you tomorrow for the first instalment!

[thetakenpokemon]

Act 1 - The Changing Blade

[PoV: Zen’Ro]

The kill count just continues to grow... No matter how much I try to run, something always ends up finding me...and then I act without control.

I’ve murdered four defenseless townsfolk.

I’ve mercilessly butchered a poor Shinx cub.

I’ve slain the Luxray mother, who was filled with both rage and sorrow that her child was dead.

I’ve killed six Pokemon, although two of them were Ferals...I still took their lives...

And what makes it worse? I can feel their power in me. It’s like faint pools of energy, forcefully taken from them after their untimely demise. When I delivered the killing blow, I could feel part of myself grow.

The power is small...too small to do anything with, but I know it’s there...

...And I feel vile for even feeling it...

With each silent step I feel my body twitching and spasming with no control, every time it does that I get a strange feeling. It feels like it should be pain, but it doesn’t bother me. It’s as if my very body is in extreme agony for simply existing, yet my mind won’t pay it any heed.

It’s like I’m suffering for simply living...

I stop, a very morbid thought crossing my mind.

Should I...kill myself?

...

I look down at my claw, its surface shimmering with an unnatural light.

...

If I just create that blade, could I end my life? It would save me from inflicting anymore harm...and it would grant me peace from this confusing existence.

...

No...perhaps there’s another way to stop this, maybe I can be cured.

Without making a sound I slowly continue down the forest. Despite it being morning, the forest is unnaturally dark. I’ve noticed this, that wherever I go...everything is just...darker. Even though I have no memories of my past, I know that this isn’t normal.

It’s a feeling, that despite feeling out of place...I have a sense of what’s right and wrong.

And this? It’s just wrong.

A loud roar completely shatters my line of thought, without any knowledge of turning around I suddenly find myself facing the source.

Standing several yards away is a Haxorus, a very...angry Haxorus.

I only needed to look at its eyes to know that it’s Feral, it contains no signs of intelligence...only instincts. And it’s angry, angry because I’m trespassing on its territory.

I prepare for the voice to come in full force, urging me to kill it. I know what it’ll say, it’ll tell me about how I must follow the ‘Sword Logic’ and that I must ‘follow the crusade’. But...

As each moment passes in silence, I start to think that the voice won’t actually speak.

Did it go away?

Am I free from its control? Do I no longer have to fear it taking over me?

I feel a strong sense of relief hitting me, the satisfied feeling of a weight lifting off my shoulders.

I am...free!

...

...And then the Haxorus charged.

I watch in shock as the giant rushes me down, unable to move.

As the Pokemon closes the distance frighteningly fast a strange feeling suddenly hits me, the feeling of what I can only describe as ‘disconnection’. The world around me just...loses detail, as if I’m looking at it through foggy glass

However as quickly as it came the world eventually snaps back into focus...and I find myself standing several feet to the side of where I once stood.

The Haxorus charges right through where I was standing not a few seconds ago and ends up slamming into a tree, its head shattering the wooden trunk and showering the area with splinters. It lets out a loud roar of anger and turns its gaze to me, clearly confused on how I changed positions.

Without thinking I open both my claws, causing the two swords of light to appear in a flash. The action happened automatically, it wasn’t like how I lost control over myself...but instead as if I I’m completely in control.

The Dragon lets out another primal roar before charging again, intending to finish what it started.

My body violently twitches just as the beast closes the distance once more, I wait for it to cover the distance...and then react at the last second.

I leap to the side before slashing at the Pokemon, my blade effortlessly cutting through its sides as if it were air. The Axe Jaw Pokemon howls in rage and pain as blood begins gushing from its severe wounds, splattering the grass with crimson.

It turns to face me and opens its maw, a dark red light shines from within its gullet before it unleashes a torrent of raw power in the shape of a deadly laser.

I cross my swords in front of me just before the Dragon Rage collides. When the attack impacted I feel my body lurch back as the raw energy continually slams against my blades, causing them to flicker as time draws on.

I knew immediately that I wouldn’t be able to hold this much longer, seeing how the continued power from the Haxorus will eventually cause my stance to shatter...and I will suffer dearly for what will follow after.

As I prepared to experience the full wrath of this Pokemon’s power...the feeling of disconnection returns.

...

One moment I was standing against the beam of energy, the next...I am now several feet away from it with my blades still crossed.

The Haxorus has yet to notice that I’m now well out of harm’s way, so I act immediately. Uncrossing my blades I dash towards the Dragon, my natural agility as a Scizor making me close the distance in an instant.

Upon seeing that I’m no longer in the blast of the beam the Pokemon quickly tries to turn its head to redirect the attack at me.

...But it was slow...

...Much...too...slow...

The second I came into striking distance I stabbed upward, the sword of light effortlessly piercing through its chin before erupting at the top of its head.

With my weapon easily cutting through its brain, it died a swift death. The Pokemon’s body spasms violently before eventually collapsing on the ground, its eye dull and lifeless.

...

...

...

I...killed it...

...While I had full control over myself.

...But...

...Why don’t I feel...upset?

...

The blades of light fade away as my claws silently snap shut, my gaze focused on the corpse laying before me.

I should be feeling awful, but at the same time...I feel very satisfied.

Was it because that the Pokemon attacked me first without me being the aggressor? Or was it because I was getting used to the killing and it didn’t bother my anymore?

Not knowing the answer disturbs me even more than the fact that I feel no sense of regret to begin with.

But that’s not the only thing, I also feel...stronger...

The well of energy within me has grown twice as large now. Although the power itself is still minuscule, the fact that I can now easily notice it is a very big thing.

If I keep this up, will I actually be able to wield this excess power? To utilize it for my own benefits?

‘You are a worthy wielder of the Changing Blade.’

The voice! I feel myself freeze as I hear its words echo in my mind. What happened to it earlier? Why didn’t it speak before the Haxorus attacked?

And why did it return after I defeated it?

‘By following the Killing Logic and Sword Logic, you have solidified your presence in this world as a conqueror.’ It whispers. ‘Continue to feed your blade, you will only grow with each death.’

There it goes again, talking about things I don’t understand. Killing Logic? Sword Logic? Conqueror? What do those things even mean?!

‘Your path to ascension has only begun, if you reap the world of all the lives around you...then the throne will be yours to claim.’

...Throne?

[aeon-wolf]

Ascension - Chapter 12

Demos Educational Organization was like no other college Lena could have imagined. Instead of reading, math, and science, they were taught Ancient Greek, War Strategy, and Swordsmanship. Lena, shocked to find out her true parentage strikes friendships left and right at her new school. Her most treasured friendship of all, her friendship with one Daughter of Zeus, Kara Danvers. Follow Lena on a journey of self-discovery in an attempt to foil the plot of the Titans, and maybe learn a few things about herself along the way.

Or

A PJO inspired Supercorp series. Part One: Ascension.

Read it here on AO3

I.

The group drove along for most of the day. Mon-El still leading the conversation with combat scenarios that the entire car had gotten in on at some point. Somewhere along the open road, however, the car began to make a concerning puttering sound. “Uh… Alex? Do you think you should pull over?” Kara asked her sister, a little concerned at the noises the car was making.

“I’d really rather not. We’re only a half hour from the outskirts of the city.” Alex said, keeping her eyes on the road. “Stopping here, in the middle of nowhere, is probably not a good idea.” She reasoned. Lena nodded, agreeing with Alex. The sun was beginning to set and being stranded out in the countryside at night was probably not a good choice.

But it seemed that the Fates weren’t on their side as not a few miles later, Alex’s car huffed out its last breath, shutting off and coming to a stop on the side of the road. Alex hit the steering wheel, turning the key in an attempt to start the car again, but it was no use. “Great,” Alex complained. “Mom and Dad are going to kill me.” She moaned. Kara just rolled her eyes.

“Stop being so dramatic. I’m sure they’ll be happy we come home in once piece. Never mind the car.” She said, assuring her sister it would be okay. Alex turned around.

“Winn, do you think you can take a look? Maybe we can fix it. Or at least get it started so we can get to a repair shop in Lincoln.” She asked. Winn shrugged.

“I can take a look. I’ve never tried to repair a car, but maybe I can learn on the fly.” He said brightly. If anyone could fix it, it would be a son of Hephaestus. Alex nodded, popping the trunk so Winn could grab his toolkit. Winn got out of the car, grabbing his bag. “Hey Alex, pop the hood, will you?” Alex nodded, pulling the lever to release the hood of the car. Winn unlatched it, propping it open to check out the insides.

“I suppose now is a good a time as any to stretch our legs,” Alex said, getting out of the car. Lena turned slightly to look at Kara.

“Want to get out?” She asked her friend, who nodded in affirmation. Lena opened the door, sliding off of Kara’s lap, offering her hand to Kara and pulling her out of the car. Mon-El followed the pair out of the car. Lena and Kara walked over to the side of the road, watching the sun start to set.

“Watching the sun rise and set together huh?” Kara teased. Lena just smiled.

“Yeah. It’s nice, isn’t it?” She asked. Kara’s face changed from playful to serious, nodding in agreement.

“Yeah, it is. I’m glad it’s you I get to experience it with.” She said softly. Lena nodded slowly, tearing her eyes away from Kara’s intense gaze. She looked back towards the setting sun, feeling Kara’s hand in hers. She chanced a glance over to the blonde, who was smiling though still looking straight ahead at the setting sun.

The two stood in silence for a minute. “Hey, Lena! Will you come over here and check this out? Maybe you can see something I’m missing.” Winn called over, the peace between the two broken. Lena gave Kara a sympathetic look. But Kara just chuckled, nodding her head in Winn’s direction. Lena let go of Kara’s hand, heading over to Winn. Alex and Maggie passed Lena as she walked over to Winn, starting a conversation with Kara.

Lena approached the car, heading over to the front where Winn stood, looking down at the innards of the vehicle. “I can’t for the life of me figure out what’s wrong.” He said a frown on his face. Lena nodded, deciding to take a look. She wasn’t the most proficient with cars, but she knew the basics.

“Yeah, move over for a second.” He complied, stepping the side. Lena went to go inspect the car, putting her hands on the front, peering over the machinery. She must have been pouring over the inner working of the car for at least a few minutes. Her back turned and the gears in her brain spinning to find the problem, she completely missed the sound of Kara’s voice yelling at her. It wasn’t until a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her away from the car that she looked up. Her eyes widened at the sight. A monster approaching in the distance, spitting fire at the group.

“Lena, we’ve gotta take cover!” Kara said in a panicked voice. Lena nodded frantically, following Kara’s lead. The two girls dove behind a nearby rock as a ball of fire rocketed overhead. Kara grabbed her pendant out of her pocket, pressing down on it, her broadsword growing from the small trinket. Kara looked over at a nearby rock outcropping, seeing Alex and Winn ducking for cover. Maggie and Mon-El running towards them.

Mon-El took cover with Lena and Kara, Maggie with Alex and Winn. “My sword is in the trunk,” Lena said. The rest of the group had managed to get their weapons out of the car while she had been distracted by trying to fix it. Kara and Mon-El nodded.

“We’ll give you a distraction,” Mon-El said with a mischievous and confidence grin. “Right Kara?” He elbowed his friend. Kara frowned but curtly nodded.

“Yeah, we’ll draw its attention. You grab your sword from the car. Quickly.” She said, gripping her own sword as Mon-El strapped his shield on his arm, drawing his sword with the other. “C’mon you. Remember, footwork. Not charging in head first.” Mon-El just rolled his eyes.

“Yes, mother.” He said as the two sprinted out from behind the rock, towards the Chimera. Alex and Maggie looked at one another before following suit. Winn looked to be messing with something on his toolbelt. Lena peeked out from behind the rock, seeing that Kara had drawn the attention of the Chimera. So Lena made a break for the car, which was a few yards away.

The Chimera, unfortunately, seemed to decide it wanted to take out the unarmed member of their party before tackling the others, so it abruptly changed directions and sprinted towards Lena, a roar issuing from the lion’s mouth. It leapt through the air, cutting Lena off from the rest of the group, cornering her against the car. A jolt of fear ran through Lena’s spine at the sight in front of her. She pressed her back against the metal of the car, sweat dripping down her forehead. A look of pure fear in her eyes

“Lena!” Kara screamed, sprinting towards her friend. Lena’s eyes flicked towards Kara before she looked back up at the Chimera. It had what was probably akin to smile on its face, the snake headed tail rearing up, preparing to strike. Time seemed to slow down for her again as the snake-headed tail lunged for her. Lena felt a tingling sensation on her wrist. She glanced down at it to see the sun mark on her right wrist flash golden before the sword that had been left on her dorm wall magically appeared in her hand in a sparkling of light.

Lena blinked for a second. Not having time to process where the sword came from, she raised it in front of her, deflecting the snake’s attack, then diving out of the way as Kara reached her. Lena had landed on the ground, on her side to avoid another attack. Kara stood in front of Lena, her sword raised to defend her friend. The Chimera narrowed its eyes, looking at the two girls. Lena quickly got to her feet, standing next to Kara, her sword outstretched in front of her. Kara glanced at the weapon.

“Where did you get that?” She asked.

“Is now really the time to be asking me that?” Lena exclaimed, a little snippy. Kara blinked before turning her attention back to the Chimera. It seemed to have made up its mind and opened it’s mouth to breathe flames at the two women again. Without thinking, Kara used her powers of air manipulation to jump out of the path of the flames. Though on reflex and she forgot that she had left Lena completely exposed. She was about to scream out for Lena to dodge the attack then the freshmen raised her free hand, a shield of light pouring from it, deflecting the flames.

Lena looked quite surprised that she was able to call on her powers, but she wasn’t going to complain. Finally, the rest of the group were able to shake off their own shock and charged towards Kara and Lena. Alex and Maggie, who had been training and fighting together for a few years split off from the group, running for the tail, Alex had attached a spearhead to the staff she carried, Maggie’s dual daggers drawn.

Kara landed down next to Lena as the Chimera recovered from the shock of Lena’s powers, rare as they were. It gave Mon-El and Winn enough time to reach their friends. Winn had a small round shield attached to his arm with spikes protruding from the edges, a small hammer in his other hand. Kara noticed Lena was breathing heavily, looking a little worse for wear. She pushed her friend behind her. “Stay behind me. I’ve got you.” She said to Lena reassuringly and a little protectively. The woman nodded as Mon-El, Winn, and Kara charged towards the Chimera.

The Chimera was fighting on both fronts; Alex and Maggie circling around the tail, looking for an opening to strike. Winn, Kara, and Mon-El approaching the lion’s head, the lion spitting fire at them. Mon-El and Winn blocked the incoming blasts with their shields as Kara approached behind them. Lena, still recovering from the shock of what had just happened, stood back a little further from the group, gathering her strength.

Mon-El made the first move towards the head, lunging forward with his sword. The Chimera just batted the strike away, clawing at the halfblood. Mon-El jumped back to avoid the sharp claws, raising his shield just in case, retreating back slightly. The three halfbloods tried to find an opening with no avail. And Alex and Maggie were having no such luck with the tail either. The intelligent creature kept its defenses tight. Lena frowned. Her friends were never going to be able to land a hit at this rate. She looked at her right wrist, where her mark lay hidden. She swallowed hard, straightening her back, putting on her cold Luthor expression, and approaching her friends. She pushed past Winn and Mon-El, to their protest and approached the monster.

It narrowed its eyes at her, clearly understanding of her power. “Kara, get ready,” Lena yelled. Kara frowned, but gripped her sword tighter, approaching Lena and the Chimera slowly, as to not evoke a sudden movement. Lena, her sword still gripped in her right hand, looked at her left palm, before calling deep down inside herself. A warm, familiar heat pooled in her stomach as she watched her hand glow. She thrust it towards the Chimera, willing her power to burst forth from the glow.

All of the sudden, there was a blinding flash of light. The halfbloods looked away out of reflex, but the Chimera wasn’t so lucky. It roared, rearing back, disoriented from the flash. Alex and Maggie took their opened, charging in towards the tail. It tried to strike at Maggie, who rolled to the side to avoid the attack. The strike left it vulnerable, so Maggie thrust one of her daggers in a downward cutting motion, cutting the head from the Chimera’s tail. The Chimera roared again in pain.

Kara knew this was her chance. She tightened her grip on her broadsword, using her powers to jump up and propel her towards the Chimera. She managed to land on top of its bloodsoaked mane. The Chimera roared in anger, trying to paw at Kara and knock her from its head, rearing back to buck her off. Kara grabbed hold of the mane, steadying herself. She gripped her broadsword with one hand, like only she could with her strength and thrust it down into the lion’s head.

Blood spurted from the wound, the Chimera roaring in even more pain as it stopped bucking and clawing at Kara, falling to the ground, slumping into the sand. Kara hopped off the Chimera as the monster that lie dead on the ground behind to dissolve into dust until there was nothing left. The six halfbloods sighed in relief, staring at the place where the monster had been. They gathered back together. Lena was sat in the sand, her breaths heavy, her strength depleted from using her powers.

“That was awesome!” Mon-E said excitedly. The entire group gave him a sharp look before he just rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “I mean… It was. C’mon. I’ve never seen Lena use her powers like that before. It was so cool.” He perked up, looking down at his friend on the ground. Kara frowned, crouching down to examine Lena. She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Are you okay?” She asked, concerned. Lena just nodded, not trusting her voice. Kara looked down to the sword in her hand. “And again, where did you get this?” She asked, looking at the golden sword in Lena’s hand. “It doesn’t look like celestial bronze.”

Lena shrugged. “It was left in my room before we left Demos.” She said. Not exactly a lie. But not entirely the whole truth either.

“That sounds awfully suspicious Lena. You sure you don’t know where it came from?” Alex asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. Lena looked defiantly up at the senior.

“I have no idea where it came from.” She snapped. “But it saved my life, so I’m not complaining.” She said defensively. Maggie gave Alex a critical look and the senior sighed.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” She relented, Maggie, grabbing her girlfriend’s hand. Winn looked over at the car, which was now a smoking piece of metal.

“I guess the next order of business is to find some way to travel now. Since it looks like the Chimera really did a number on your car Alex.” The senior groaned.

“Great. Well, what do you propose?” She asked the group at large.

“Lena could pray to her dad. Maybe he’d help us.” Mon-El suggested. The group looked at Lena.

“He did answer your prayer once before,” Maggie said. “Maybe he would again. This is an important quest.” She said. Lena struggled to stand, Kara, grabbing Lena’s hand and pulling her to her feet.

“Thanks, Kara,” Lena said. The blonde just smiled and nodded. “I don’t know. Maybe. I guess it can’t hurt to try.” She said. The sun was beginning to dip over the horizon. It was a little bit of a stretch that Apollo would come to their aid. But they didn’t have any other options at the moment. She left the group, walking a little ways towards the horizon. When she was out of earshot of her friends, she spoke aloud.

“Father. I need your help. We need your help.” She prayed. She felt her wrist tingle again. She looked down and saw her sword disappear in a flash of light again, much like the first time. She frowned but thought nothing of it. She had other things to worry about. She looked to the orange sky. “Please. I need you.” She said.

Dun Dun Dun. Lena's first big fight. But I guarantee you, it's not her last. Not by a long shot.

Those of you not familiar with Greek Mythos, the Chimera is a monster with the head of a lion, body of a goat, tail of a snake. At least, in PJO. It's slightly different in the actual Mythos, but since this is a PJO inspired story, we're going with the PJO form of the monsters. Because in actual mythology it also has the head of a goat too. In addition to the head of a lion. Just a little Greek Mythology tid bit for those of you interested.

So yup. Lena played with her powers a little bit. And that sword made another appearance. I'm not the best at writing action sequences and fight scenes really, so you'll have to forgive me. I'm much better at fluff. And emotions. And stuff like that. Action is fun, don't get me wrong, but I'm not the greatest at writing it. I also wrote this at midnight after I had to write a 6 page essay. So forgive me for any grammatical or spelling errors. I'll probably go back and fix it at a later date.

So, will Apollo answer Lena's prayer? We'll find out.

[thegmsighs]

long live the king part lll (final)

Ciri and Edeith walked side by side a few feet behind the tiefling in silence, there was nothing that needed to be said and this wasn’t the time to lecture morality. Even inside the great walls they were far from safety and as they approached the palace they couldn’t help feeling they were walking into the belly of the beast, the two heavy doors that once stood between the common people and the mad king now lay on the ground, wrenched away by the disastrous event crushing a couple of the houses. Ciri and Edeith slowed their pace, Ignis had stopped dead, reloading his gun and muttering under his breath in a sharp bitter language. It was then the others heard it, a clunking sound, and the shearing squeak of metal on metal, two figures were crossing the courtyard, huge humanoid creatures covered head to toe in heavy armour. They could only guess what was behind the scratched and dented masks but from the thick smoke seeping from the joints they had a pretty good idea. Deciding to forget the dragonne for now, Ciri and Edeith drew weapons and joined their comrade in battle.

Ignis moved first as he fired into the hulking suits, bullets pinging off the heavy steel, those that made it through didn’t seem to phase them as they continued their advance, readying long halberds.

Edeith moved in towards the nearest of the suits trying to pierce between the plates to break the bones within, but this was not his forte and he was having little effect. Steel new and old clashed again and again as they fought, Edeith taking advantage of the creature’s slow speed but he lost his footing on a loose flagstone and tumbled he looked up in horror as the battered hulk raised his halberd to strike. Another crack of thunder shattered the moment as Ignis’ final bullet found it’s mark sending the creatures helmet skidding and rolling across the courtyard, the rest of the armour soon followed as it returned to inanimate metal.

Edeith took a sigh of relief as the tiefling stepped into view, pulling the thief to his feet. The silence between the two was short but heavy and both men we’re too proud to speak first, fortunately for them the silence was broken as the second suit of armour was pummelled and torn apart by Ciri’s magic, it was the same blue shards she used to kill the Redback queen but much more powerful, as the armour fell with a crash Ciri turned to the men blowing a strand of hair from her face. Ignis gulped, now he was the one intimidated by another’s power. Ciri stormed over to the two her hands still shining from the spell

“as usual, you two are more of a hindrance than a help, I feel like i’m the one doing everything”

She snapped as she stormed off towards the palace, Ignis opened his mouth to object pointing to the armour that lay at his side but Edeith stopped him

“not a fight you can win my friend, you never know, she might scare the king off”

The three adventurers strained as they pushed open the heavy doors to the palace what they found inside was a sight to behold.

In the life of the mad king the main hall of the palace must have been glorious to see, elegant marble floors, pillars covered in gold leaf, walls covered in silk curtains and masterpieces of art leading up to a domed roof all surrounding a magnificent golden throne. Now though, the domed ceiling was had a dozen holes in it causing criss-crossing beams of light, the pillars and walls were cracked and faded, a great crater lay in front of the throne.

“what the hell happened here!?”

Ignis exclaimed as they took in their surroundings

“let’s find out”

Ciri said confidently as she took out the brass disc, turning the dial to the eye as the others took hold, golden light restored the room to it’s original glory, two figures appeared, one the mad king Ericlës, the second was the warrior they met at the gate now wielding an elegant silver longsword it’s guard in the form of a dragon in flight sheathed in silvery energy, the same glow as Ciri’s magic.

“It’s over Ericlës! I’ll die before I let you go through with this”

Shouted the warrior readying to strike the king on the throne

“you will not die Wrenson! You will live on forever within me! This is the moment of my ascension! IMORTALITY AWAITS!”

Screamed the king as dark clouds surrounded the throne, the warrior known as Wrenson charged the mad king the silver blade piercing through the black magic and into the kings heart, the two men screamed in anguish as the blade began to crack and the clouds spun faster ending in a great crescendo as the ritual completed a great explosion swallowed up all in it’s path. When the darkness faded the three stood back in the present, trying to understand the spectacle they just witnessed.

“huh”

Ignis managed, the cogs in his mind whirring,

“so, Ericlës is dead?”

“not dead gone to bed” A voice echoed around the hall, it was high pitched almost childlike and playful.

“well that’s unsettling”  Said Edeith taking a step towards the door, his hand reaching for his blade.

A figure materialised on the throne, another ghost, this one was dressed in strange patchwork clothing topped with a multi pointed hat with bells on that jangled with every movement, the vestments of a jester. The three stood in silence as the ghost spoke again

“not dead gone to bed crown is down frowns all round sand falls in empty halls”

“just what we need” said Ignis with in frustration “poetry from the jester of a mad king, look jangles” he snapped as he drew his gun “where’s the crown or shall we see if there’s a death beyond death”

The jester stood up with the grin of a child and giggling like a madman he jumped and skipped around the throne before pushing on a hidden switch on it’s side, the ancient mechanism sprang into life as the throne sank into the ground all the while the jester repeated that same rhyme trailing at the end like he’s forgotten the finish. The three gingerly edged over to the hole and peered down they could see a tunnel leading to dangers unknown, Ignis sighed

“after all that we’ve been through today, I’m not even surprised” he said as he jumped into the hole.

The dark passage was bathed in a white light as Ciri conjured four luminous orbs to light the way, the tunnel stretched away under the palace to a small stone chamber, at it’s centre was a skeleton, the robes it wore were tattered and torn and the crown on it’s was as black as coal, as black as the bones it covered, the body of the mad king Ericlës. All around the corpse were books and scrolls on dark magic, jars of preserved anatomy and alchemy equipment, it was clearly a home of great evil.

Ciri called the others over to the alter pointing out a glinting metal shard jutting from the sternum of the skeleton, the three shared a look of wonder and confusion. Ignis reached out to the shard and in one sudden movement the skeletal hand grabbed his arm.

“who dares disturb my reign?” the voice emanating from the skeleton was ancient and grating, the skull turned to face the intruders as it sat up, an orange light growing in it’s eye sockets “you shall pay the ultimate price for this insult, the king released Ignis’ hand and raised into the air passing through the ceiling like the very ghosts he ruled over.

“this better be worth the trouble” muttered Edeith as the three readied themselves for battle and headed back towards the throne. Ciri found the hidden switch and the throne once again rose into the hall, Ericlës hovered high above them muttering something incoherent. Ignis steadied his pistol and took his shot, the bullet ricocheted off the king’s skull knocking the black crown off his head barely scratching the surface of the bone

“troublesome pests” screamed the lich as he dived towards the heroes, Ciri was quick to respond with a spell, a blast of arcane energy sent the king falling out of the air like stone but it was not enough, the skeleton rose to it’s feet

“the light of Wrenson! But how can this be?” the lich screamed as he conjured a blade of pure shadow and darkness he was still screaming as he glided across the broken marble towards the elf. The dark blade was met with another as Edeith stepped in parrying the blow and engaging the lich in deadly swordplay. Ciri and Ignis could only watch as the two fought with incredible finesse and speed unable to take a shot out of fear of hitting Edeith. Suddenly the thief’s rapier was torn from his grip and spun across the room

“ENOUGH OF THIS!” screamed the lich as he sent the human flying across the room in a single gesture, Edeith slammed into a pillar with a crack and  fell to the ground a painful groan telling he was still alive.

Ignis cursed tuning on the lich with his dragon pistol, a secret weapon of Chanese design he saved for special occasions, with the pull of the trigger the pistols barrel spat a torrent of flame that would rival even Ciri’s spells, the lich stood unfazed as the was engulfed in fire, stepping from the blaze with a manic laugh, only his robes were harmed by the attack. Ignis cursed again as the scrambled to reload, Ciri was next to step in charging her hands with crackling electricity she lunged at the Ericlës. The mad king reached out in turn his arm shrouded in black smoke, the two powers met but they were clearly unequal, Ciri seemed unable to move, visibly pained as she fought the dark force in front of her, she collapsed in exhaustion the lich once again raised the dark blade to finish her. Suddenly the lich emitted an unnatural scream as Ignis did the only thing he could think of, he tore the silver shard from the lich’s chest strange sparks and light poured from the wound. The lich grasped the tiefling’s throat with surprising speed and strength, Ignis could feel his feet leave the ground and intense heat from the kings bones as the shifted from black to orange to almost white like heated metal

“and now hellwalker you will burn!” rasped the skeleton as his bones grew ever hotter. In that same moment Ignis’ execution was halted by a swirling portal of red and purple flames swelled behind the lich, dark chains flew from the abyss and entangled the ancient bones

“no NO! This is not my end! I am Ericlës! The immortal king! The one who beat death itself!” the lich screamed dropping Ignis as the chains grew taught dragging him into the unknown realm, in a final feat of strength the lich took hold of Ignis’ arm drawing blood as bone dug into flesh.

Ignis gritted his teeth as he was drawn helplessly towards the portal, burning pain filled his mind as his arm disappeared following the lich. Suddenly he stopped, above the pain the felt something else pulling him, pulling him away from oblivion. Edeith had grabbed his torso and was trying to find Purchase in the polished floor, but it was enough, the portal snapped shut and the two men fell backward exhausted from the ordeal but neither could relax, Edeith scrambled to dress Ingis’ wound, his entire arm had been cut off just below the shoulder.

 The city glowed in the evening sun as the three heroes sat on the palace steps to rest, enjoying the gentle warmth of the sun on their faces, Edeith examining the twisted crown and enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done. Ignis sighed

“all things considered” he said clutching the bandaged stump “That could have gone a lot worse”

The others looked at the tiefling looking almost offended by his statement, there was a moment of silence before Edeith broke into warm laughter

“ we did alright didn’t we, and don’t worry Ignis, once we smooth things over in Crowden we can get a boat to Rotar, I’ve ‘eard there are dwarves there who can replace arms legs anything with a bit of tinkering” Edeith said almost cheerfully

“hey what was with that thing in his chest?” queried the thief

“oh yeah” said Ignis pulling the shard from his pocket “looks like the tip of a sword, what do you make of it” asked Ignis handing the piece over to Ciri. The moment he fingers touched the metal the world seemed to spin and melt away, suddenly she was witnessing something, through the eyes of another, an aged hand resting on snow and blood, screaming and cracking fore filled the air, crawling over to a body, and old man in priests vestments, the face strangely familiar to Ciri, the vision faded and she returned to reality

“you alright?” Edeith said almost seeming concerned

“oh, yes, um, I’m not sure, I’ll hold onto it though might be lucky” replied Ciri, tucking the shard into her satchel.

“all right then” said Edeith getting onto his feet and stretching “Rotar!”

[silvcrbow]

the somewhat comprehensive history of niya reynaud silverbow

          I keep meaning to actually write out Niya’s book-by-book bio, but I haven’t gotten around to it until now. Canon characters are a part of this, but of course, if we write you’re totally not obligated to follow these plots, this is just Niya’s default & might come up in backstory w/ other muses!

pre-tmi --

          Niya Reynaud grew up in the Shadow World as a mundane with the Sight. There was always speculation around who her father was, but if her mother knew, she wasn’t telling. As long as Niya could remember, she’d lived with her mother, Talia, in a tiny apartment above Madame Bones’ House of Voodoo. As soon as she was old enough to walk she was helping out in the shop with customers of both the mundane and Downworlder varieties. High Warlock of New Orleans, Madame Bones (or “Auntie” as those closest prefer to call her), was an ancient warlock so old her name has been lost to history, and some say even herself. The night of a full moon, Talia was making a last minute delivery in the French Quarter, when she was attacked by a werewolf. Madame Bones brought her home and helped her through her first change. After that, nothing in Niya’s life would ever be the same. Though she’d skimmed the surface of the Shadow World her whole life, having a werewolf parent meant she was thrown headfirst into the chaos. Over five years, she found herself befriending members of the New Orleans pack and the New Orleans vampire clan, warlocks young and old, and occasionally she bumped into Shadowhunters from the local Institute, but they tended to keep to themselves.          Several years later, a werewolf, baring a suspicious similarity to the wolf who’d turned Talia, appears in NYC, attacking and killing several mundanes. The Lightwoods track him across the country to New Orleans, where the werewolf is determined to finish what he started: Opening the Gates of Guinee, and releasing the forces of hell on the mundane world. With the help of the Lightwoods, Niya manages to summon a Loa, protector of Guinee, Maman Brigitte, and convince her to lock the gates. Brigitte agrees, but leaves Niya with a cryptic riddle regarding her own heritage, and a warning: “The gates will open, sooner than you may think. They were always meant to. The boy who wields their power will be a greater threat to this world than anything you’ve ever known. You say you want to protect this world? When the time comes, and you will know, you must answer the call.”

tmi --

           In the year leading up to the Mortal War, Niya keeps in touch with her new Shadowhunter friends. Her family, particularly Auntie Bones, is against the idea of her fraternizing with nephilim. But luckily, a certain warlock in Brooklyn loves his exotic purchases, and Niya is constantly being portaled to the city in order to deliver them. No one could fault her if she stayed a bit longer than necessary. Niya becomes close with the Lightwoods, Mayrse even goes so far as to say that she’d be a good candidate for Ascension, supposing the Mortal Cup ever resurfaced. Though only a mundane, Niya didn’t have to work hard to fit in, she knew way more than average about the Downworld thanks to Madame Bones’ extensive library on the subject, and she wasn’t half bad in a fight. But, more than that, she was good at parties and ever better at charming overbearing parents. Anything to bring a little fun into the stuffy Shadowhunter world.           That all changed when the Mortal War began and Madame Bones banned Niya from leaving New Orleans. Though far removed from the action, the city still felt the repercussions. Tensions were high as locals worried that they would be next. They were the unofficial capital of the Downworld, what if the Circle’s poison spread? The head of the New Orleans Institute, Mariah Rosewain, did her best to dispel these notions. Her family had always been in support of more integration between the Shadowhunters and the Downworld, but her out spoken opinion only drew more attention to the city, and when Sebastian Morganstern began his own crusade, the New Orleans Institute was among the first to be attacked. Niya spent most of this time relegated to working the back room of the voodoo shop, and for a long time she would resent that her family hadn’t let her do more to help. When the Dark War ended, and the Clave sent word that they were looking for new recruits, Niya realized this was what Maman Brigitte had prepared her for, and she decided to join the new class at the Academy.

tfsa --

          The Academy was both everything and nothing like Niya expected. The Shadowhunter-born students were just like every other nephilim she’d met: arrogant, annoying, and occasionally ignorant. But what she hadn’t planned for, was how much she actually liked being there. For once she could fight without someone constantly standing over her shoulder, worrying about her, and she was damn good at it. The first year went by in a blur of bland meals and grueling training sessions. But before the semester came to a close, Talia Reynaud sent a cryptic postcard to the New York Institute baring only a photo of New Orleans’ St. Louis Cathedral and the message, “It’s time she knows the truth.” So Niya was greeted with a Lightwood and a warlock in her dorm room, pulling her through a portal to the city, with hardly a word of explanation. The local Shadowhunters kept a cache of weapons in the loft of the cathedral, but they weren’t the only things hiding there. Niya discovered a letter, that when opened blasted her into a memory of the past.           Lady Mirah of the Seelie Court was known for throwing the most extravagant Mardi Gras balls in New Orleans, and Talia Reynaud had gone to her fair share when she was younger. It was at one of these parties she met a handsome stranger, who wore a masquerade mask that covered one of his eyes. It was love at first sight. Only, Talia had a firm rule against falling in love with Shadowhunters, and the faint scars covering his body proved that he was one. Though he tried to explain, he hadn’t been a Shadowhunter in a very long time, Talia refused to listen. She was so upset she didn’t even noticed his mis-matched eyes, one bright blue and one black. It was for the best, Thomas knew he would have to return to the Wild Hunt in the morning. Months later, he returned to New Orleans, hoping to find Talia. And he did, but he also found a baby girl. Knowing it was too dangerous for him to stay, Thomas left New Orleans forever, but he left behind a letter and his favorite adamas carved bow.            When Niya was finally released from the memory and the faerie magic that put her there, she found the signature at the bottom of the letter, “Your father, Thomas Lightwood.” According to the family tree, he was a descendant of Eugenia, and part of a branch that had been lost to history. It wasn’t hard to see why, Shadowhunters had never been very accommodating to their own who chose to intermingle with Downworlders. So Niya returned to the Academy and floated through the rest of the semester, unsure what to do with this information. It made sense now, her aptitude for weapons and her innate ability to fight. But she couldn’t tell anyone, not with the Cold Peace. She’d heard rumors about how that played out for the Blackthorns. So she pretended she was a mundane, that she was normal. Until summer break came, and a group of vampires decided to stage a coup against Carmen’s reign. Niya found herself tangled in the middle, and it didn’t end well for her. Her only options were to use an amisso rune (with the stele she’d stolen from Jon Cartwright), or be turned. She went for the former, resigning herself to a brutal Louisiana summer wearing long sleeves.           Niya was determined to keep her secret. Though of course her mother and Auntie Bones already knew, so did Carmen and Michelle who’d been there when she used her rune, not to mention the Lightwoods of course, and Magnus. The only people Niya found she was any good at lying to, were her friends at the Academy. Then the day came when Helen Blackthorn was put on display, and Niya realized just what the stakes were for her. If the Clave was willing to do this to someone who’d been raised one of their own, what would they do to a half-breed who’d been raised by Downworlders? So she told her closest friends at the Academy, some of which didn’t take the lies very well. A few days later, on a routine mission, Simon fell through a portal into Faerie, and without thinking twice, Niya dived in after him. She was hit with a feeling she hadn’t felt since her father’s magic had trapped her in his memory. The power that could only be felt by being close to someone who shared your blood. A certain Unseelie Prince, younger brother to Thomas’ father. And someone who wasn’t necessarily thrilled to discover he had another Shadowhunter relative. But Kieran helped her find her way back to the mundane world, where she did her best to repair things with the friends she’d alienated with months of lies. Including George, who she’d always hoped would be her parabatai once they Ascended, but of course, for one of them, that day would never come.           Niya drank from the Mortal Cup, playing the part of a mundane Ascending, and when asked if she would choose a new name, she briefly considered her father’s, but that would raise too many questions. So instead she looked to the adamas bow that she’d taken as her own weapon, and decided, “Silverbow.” 

tda --

          After graduation, Niya was assigned to the San Fransisco Institute, where she was given a roommate: the insufferable Annalissa Youngblood, youngest child of the Youngblood family that ran the institute. To say Niya was unamused with being handed a babysitter at least six years her junior would be an understatement. But she suffered through it, and she did her part, even though she felt like she was missing something. She’d forgotten how to fight without someone by her side. Even though she’d never really had a parabatai, she still felt the loss as if she had. She distanced herself from the Youngbloods, venturing further out, taking missions in partner with the Seattle Institute and occasionally the Los Angles Institute. It was on a mission to the latter, she crossed paths with Kieran again. There would be no cheerful family reunion here, instead just another warning: “The Unseelie King knows you exist, and he won’t let half-breeds taint his bloodline.” The King was the reason Thomas had been taken from his Shadowhunter family and given to the Hunt, and Niya was not eager to find out what he did with his female descendants. So she stuck with the Blackthorns, they needed her help more than the Youngbloods did anyway.           That path eventually led her to the Scholomance, where she intended to craft a plot to kill the King before he could kill her. But there, training with Centurions and Kieran, she gained back the confidence she’d once had in her own abilities, and realized that she wanted more than just survival, Niya Silverbow wanted to be a Centurion. Even if it meant telling the Clave she had faerie blood, even if it meant that she might lose everything, she had to try. Talia Reynaud didn’t raise a quitter.

[exiles-and-empires]

💛- A memory that makes them feel angry

This one in particular could be considered a good memory, as well as a bad one. It’s the point in life that sparked Jarf’s determination to push through any hardships and survive, but it comes with a quiet fury and indignation.

Virza’s heavily lidded eyes had not risen from her datachron for moons knew how long. Now and then she’d mutter under her breath, whiskers twitching as she tapped away at the glowing screen. When she finally looked up at him, there was a frown on her wrinkled face. “Nothing?”

The kit blinked once. Blinked twice. Slowly, his deep-set brown eyes rose to peer at her, facial features lax as ever. Another few minutes passed before Virza repeated, a little sharper, “Nothing? Ninety-nine?”

His gaze returned to the datachron in Virza’s hand, then up to her again. His head swayed to the side as he concentrated… then shook his head.

The elderly chua inhaled, shooting a glare at the wiring clinging to the kit’s head, then shot an even more seething one at the younger chua directly. Heaving a sigh that was a borderline snarl, she planted the datachron on the table behind her, disregarding the slight crack in the screen the impact left.

The kit didn’t flinch from the noise until a few heartbeats after. “That last solution Virza had,” she spat, one hand lifting into the air dramatically before dropping to her side. “Best equipment on Bezgelor, and still nothing! Big waste of time!” As a seeming last resort, or perhaps simply a break in her composure, Virza skidded over to the kit and smacked both hands firmly on his head repeatedly, the apparatus’ wires spurting softly with each strike. “Why!Not!Work!?Why!Not!Work!?Why!Not!Work!?”

Ninety-nine blinked several times as Virza began to hit his head, and then shrank back inch by inch away from her knobby little paws with a keen grunt. Finally, Virza recoiled, fingers curling and uncurling into fists close to her chest. “Eighty-nine and Ninety so promising! Thought Ninety-nine had chance!” Turning, she swiped up the cracked datachron and jabbed her thumbs against the screen. Her breathing came with a low, ragged growl, spitting out barely cohesive curses in Bezgelorian.

Pulling himself as far back onto the cushion as he could, Ninety-nine’s ears tipped outwards and his eyes flitted towards the ceiling. When Virza hissed, “That it then,” his gaze lowered to her once more.

“RNJF-2941099 is failure,” breathed Virza, turning–not towards Nintey-nine–but the doorway. “Starting fresh. Can re-gather needed resources… Can do this.” She met the kit’s gaze for a short, somber moment, before she stalked out of the exam room.

He watched her leave, the room falling silent save for the still-sparking wires weaved over his cranium. Tilting his head slowly, Ninety-nine’s brows furrowed just a tinge. He didn’t look away from the now empty doorway as he mulled over what Virza had said, trying to understand what she could possibly mean… His stomach burned as realization hit.

Virza was going to put him down.

He turned his head to stare up at the ceiling again with eyes slightly widened, his chest twisting. The panel covering the air vent above looked large enough… If the opening behind it was just as big, maybe…

Ninety-nine skittered off the cushion, ignoring the crutch resting against it and instead using both his hands and one good leg to reach the table across the room quicker. A surgical kit was tucked under several other cases of equipment, all of which were shoved aside. Pulling the kit to the table’s edge, Ninety-nine snapped the top open and wildly clawed at the utensils inside; a sharp sting across the underside of his fingers dragged an eventual pained hiss from him as he grabbed a scalpel by the wrong end.

He pulled the red plasticine chair to the side, and pushed the kit and the other now haphazardly piled cases out of the way and pulled himself up onto the table, grasping the scalpel’s handle. Droplets of blood trickled between his fingers and onto the table and floor below. With precarious balance, Ninety-nine stretched up as far as he could in the hopes of reaching the vent panel staring down at him tauntingly. But it was just too high up.

A raspy whimper escaped the kit, ears pinning back. Hunching down, he gripped the back of the chair and hoisted it up. Only by a few inches, though; one hand wasn’t going to cut it. His teeth pinched down on the insides of both his cheeks. Curling only his pinky around the scalpel, he reached for the chair with both hands now. And that did the trick, successfully lifting it up onto the table. It wasn’t time to celebrate yet, now more than ever Ninety-nine needed to think fast. A feat he’d never been apparently capable of. He clambered up onto the chair, which wobbled under his hasty movements. But victory was quite literally at his fingertips. He could now easily reach the vent panel, and went straight to work at twisting out the screws one by one with the scalpel’s tip.

Clink, clink, clink, clink–the panel came down onto Ninety-nine’s head, but he was at least able to respond in time to keep it from landing on the floor–and bringing attention to what he was doing. Carefully lowering it down onto the table, Ninety-nine clamped the scalpel between his teeth and stretched a hand into the vent’s openway, patting at each side. The vent didn’t go straight up, but rather horizontally. He finally let out breath he didn’t even know he was holding in, then sucked in another one before gripping tightly to the vent’s edge with both hands and heaved himself up. His good leg kicked frantically, and his tail’s wild thrashing sent the chair clattering to the floor.

But if Virza had heard the racket, it would take longer for her to reach the exam room than it would take Ninety-nine to pull himself all the way into the air vent. Much longer, it seemed, as Ninety-nine vanished into the opening in the ceiling, the tip of his tail zipping out of sight.

What space there wasn’t enough of was made up for with complete and utter darkness. Albeit he had enough elbow room to crawl somewhat comfortably, it wasn’t the same story for his head, which he had to keep angled far to one side to keep from dragging against the corridor’s roof. And he could already feel that the inner walls were jagged and sharp. But he was already bleeding anyhow, and more cuts was much more ideal than being euthanized.

So the grand escape began. He hadn’t taken the potential difficulty into consideration, but now it was too late to turn back (or rather, to wiggle and scoot his way backwards, there wasn’t room for turning either). Despite his efforts, his near each and every movement brought a loud, jarring clang that reverberated throughout his head and left his ears ringing. And even just the moment he started the crawl, Ninety-nine could feel sharp edges dragging through his arms, torso, leg, and tail–and while it was numb, there was no doubt his right leg wasn’t getting any better treatment. It was a task of feeling out the ventilation’s path, straining to hear with his ears pressed low to himself which directions lead to fans and which ones continued onward.

He didn’t have to strain at all to hear Virza’s enraged shrieking in the room just beneath him. That in itself was incentive for him to wriggle his way faster through the duct. Eventually, the ceiling, that was so low it threatened to cut away at the side of his face and ear, gave way to an opening upwards. By then the older chua’s loud cursing had faded away, to he took the chance to roll his head to the other side, his neck giving a much needed pop. And then he trudged forward, no more delays–

Light poured into the airduct and metal was torn with ear-piercing shrieks as a pinpoint of energy blasted through the ceiling and vent, just a hair in front of Ninety-nine.

He was frozen in place. Only until another shot grazed his shoulder did he scoot backwards with a burning desperation. Back, to the openway that lead straight up. Pushing himself upright into the smaller, vertical pathway, the kit pressed his arms to the walls and heaved, his tail pushing him the rest of the way into the vent against its floor. The more closed-in walls were a blessing, making it easier for him to pull his way through its length–or rather, push his way, with his back pressed to one side and his forearms and foot against the opposite. Like the front, the back of his shirt was almost immediately ribboned, and no single inch of him was left without red-hot stinging pain.

Ninety-nine’s teeth clenched harder over the handle of the scalpel as he made his way ever up. And never did he stop his ascension, until the top of his head banged against another ventilation panel. Glancing up, he could just make out the slits in the panel. Keeping himself in place by the tail, leg, and one hand, he took the scalpel from his mouth and started to feel for the screws.Without light, it was a significantly more gruelling endeavor. A dislodged screw fell into the dark, its presence only remembered by a soft tink. And then a second followed, a third, and finally the fourth and last screw was twisted loose. Ninety-nine practically punched the freed vent panel away.

The sharp pollution of the planet’s air invaded his lungs almost instantly, but it was no matter. One more push upwards, and his upper half poked out of the lab’s rooftop. Squeezing his entirety out of the vent, Ninety-nine rolled onto his side, eyes wandering across his new surroundings.

The night sky was veiled from view by a dense blanket of smog, and beyond jagged hills dotted with blackened tree stumps, the lights of civilization could just barely be made out. Taking in breaths of air was almost as painful as his numerous cuts. But there were no walls, no syringe needles, no operation tables, no–“St-stupid wires, stupid Virz-Virza, stupid proj-ject,” sputtered the kit, as he reached up and yanked the wired apparatus off his head then chucked it aside. No more stupid wires in his brain, either.

He was free.

[volatileuniverse-blog]

STAR BRIGHT - THE FIRST SON OF LIGHT EPISODE 2: STAR VS YO MAMA

            “Oh shet! Oh shet!” Star Bright panics. “Okay, okay, okay, okay!“ Star Bright hyperventilates, plummeting towards the Earth. Sounds of the flowing winds continue to blow as Star Bright, franticly, looks all over his suit. He looks at his hand and notices a small device on it as he nears the ground. He grabs the device and grunts as he yanks it off his suit. Very shortly after, the lights within and outside his suit flicker before lighting up. “YES! YES!” He chants as the boosters activate, slowing his descent. Slowing near the ground he shoots back up into the air, his visor covering his entire face. “Max! Can you hear me?” Star Bright

            ~I can hear you.~ Max answers. ~May I ask what happened?~

             “Did I tell you the joke about Your Mom and the Dumbass Bloke?” Star Bright questions, annoyed.

            ~I do not recall such joke.~ Max responds.

             “Can’t wait to tell you when if I make it back!” Star Bright tells with sarcasm. Seeing a figure fly away from T.E.S.T. Labs, Star Bright abandons his ascension before he starts flying after the figure. “What the hell are you going, mate?” Star Bright asks aloud. Catching sight of the figure, it becomes clear to Star Bright that it’s the jumper, zooming through the air with a jetpack strapped to his back. Star Bright grits his teeth as he begins to increase his speed. The Jumper notices Star Bright then starts to fly lower to the ground, boosting past the residents of Charisma.

             “Bollocks! Max, could you would you look for a weakness on this bastard in front of me?” Star Bright requests. “I don’t want to hit the wrong thing on that jet pack and have him explode. People, including this asshole, will be in danger.”

            ~Affirmative. Searching…~ Max tells as one of Star Bright hands transforms into an arm cannon that glows a bright yellow within it.

             “Max?” Star Bright says with ill-confidence.

            ~I am still searching~ Max responds as The Jumper turns a tight corner.

             “Max, I don’t mean to rush!” Star Bright tells, zooming around after The Jumper, following the trail of smoke.

            ~Still searching…~ Max replies as The Jumper shoots a cascade of bullets at Star Bright. Star Bright gasps as he covers his face with his arms, bullets hitting the suit, causing sparks to fly off.

             “MAX!” Star Bright screams.

            ~I just found a section on his jetpack to exploit. Marking it onto your HUD.~ Max informs.

             “Thanks, bruv.” Star Bright appreciates before lifting his glowing hands in front of him. “Time to eat, little bastard.” He taunts as he shoots a beam of energy at The Jumper. The beam shoots from Star Bright’s arm cannon then scrapes against the left portion of The Jumper’s jetpack. The Jumper loses control for a bit but continues to fly. Star Bright charges up his cannon again then shoots a larger beam hitting the left side of The Jumper’s jetpack.

             “Bullseye! HAHA! Got him!” Star Bright cheers as The Jumper starts falling towards to the ground, about to hit the concrete. Star Bright flies to catch the perp but is shocked when he sees The Jumper’s backpack grow two long, thin, sharp, metal, sword-like legs, stopping The Jumper’s fall while skidding him to a stop. Star Bright slows down as The Jumper’s metal legs ease him to the ground. The Jumper looks over his shoulder to Star Bright with a smile.

             “What the fuck was that shet?!” Star Bright complains. The Jumper uses his sword-like legs to turn all the way around. Using the mechanical legs, The Jumper starts stepping towards him. “Alright, but you made one mistake.” Star Bright states as he extends his cannon. Star Bright’s cannon transforms back into his normal arm before he shoots a blast from his palm into The Jumper’s chest. The Jumper grunts as he flies backwards and tumbles across the ground, rolling to a stop, unconscious. Star Bright’s visor rises just above his mouth, showing his grin. “You’re not wearing any armor.” Star Bright levitates and hovers over to The Jumper then shoots a low energy blast into The Jumper’s back. “Double tap.” Star Bright says to the unconscious charlatan.

            ~Good job, Star Bright.~ Max says through the comm as Star Bright pulls off The Jumper’s backpack. ~Do not forget to question the perpetrator to understand his motives for staging a suicide.~ Max adds while Star Bright examines the backpack.

             “Thanks, Max, let me just take this mom aficionado to the nearest precinct and I’ll question him later.”

            ~There is such a facility but it’s not near your locat-.~ Hunter’s helmet gives a musical jingle as “Natina is Calling” Shows up in his visor’s HUD.

             “Max, call and direct the C.C.P.D. to that bloke’s location.” Star Bright orders.

            ~They are almost to your location.~ Max complies.

             “Great.” Star Bright celebrates. “Hello, Natina? How’s it hanging?” Star Bright answers.

            ~Hunter!? Oh my god! I kept trying to call you but I kept calling the wrong number!~ Natina starts, frazzled. “There was a man trying to commit suicide at T.E.S.T. Labs!~

             “Whaa?” Hunter responds.

            ~Then Star Bright showed up, then he exploded and just ugh! Where are you, are you inside?~ Natina exclaims as police officers show up to the location.

             “No… uhh… the police aren’t letting me in just yet.” Star Bright tells with a little unease in his voice. He gives a wave to the officers before taking off to the skies, his visor covering his entire face.

            ~They let me through, though.~ She tells as Star Bright zips through the skies.

             “They let you through? Noo, that doesn’t sound right.” Star Bright asks a little overdramatic. “Anyway, is my mom there?” He asks.

            ~Yeah and she’s looking for you.~ Natina informs, a little worried.

             “FU-ntastic!” He bursts. “Ok, tell her that I’m going to the bathroom as soon as I get in there.” He requests, zooming towards T.E.S.T. Labs.

            ~Are you sure you just ca-~

             “Natina, I gotta take a dump!” He exclaims before his tone shifts to a softer one. “Thank you, love you!” He finishes as the phone hangs up.

            ~The authorities have detained the suspect and are currently transporting him to the nearest precinct.~ Max informs.

             “Thanks, Max.” Star Bright appreciates, in his British Accent. “Hopefully I have the same luck to detain my job!” Hunter tells as he zooms through the streets.

SEE PREVIOUS EPISODES AND CONTENT FROM OUR STUDIO HERE: https://volatileuniverse.tumblr.com/