#alnst round 8

[bluemoonscape]

Countdown to Wiege

So holy shit! Wiege! In less than a week! On Valentine's Day! Funny enough I predicted that in the server a few months ago because "haha wouldn't it be funny if the hyuluka round was on vday" and lo and behold I had a correct prediction for once

As always, vivimeng are stars at foreshadowing, so the best way to suss out the type of story points we'll be hitting is to look at the more recent posts about Luka, Hyuna, and Wiege as a whole.

Three lyrics teasers (the only ones we've gotten since there were no lyrics in the actual video teaser):

After turning these over in my head for a few weeks, I've realized that I find these images in relation to Luka and Hyuna as really indicative of their characterization and motivations. Luka seems so heartless to the viewers, especially after Round 7, but what we've gotten from the teaser paints him as so emotional, sentimental even. It's clear he's having more than a few flashes to the past in his POV. Hyuna has had flashbacks too, cough Hyunwoo rock cough, but whenever she has them, she quickly panics and pushes them from her mind. She's always running from the past while Luka seems to hold onto it as the only thing he has left to live for - something that's already gone. Hyuna, on the other hand, is literally crawling on her hands and knees with a stump of a leg to escape her past. Everything she had to live for is gone, so she has to find something else to live for. She has to push on.

(The lighting and composition of these is also fun to think about. Luka's is so bright, detached and dreamlike and Hyuna's is dark, personal, nightmarish.)

There's the Hyuna comic. It goes into a lot of detail about her past - not necessarily her childhood, but it fills in the gaps from Alien Stage to where she is now in the rebellion and really highlights Isaac since it's from his perspective, additionally giving him more depth as a character with the existence of Jacob and the development of his relationship with Hyuna. We wouldn't be getting Isaac content if Isaac wasn't about to appear. In the video teaser released today, we also see a human hand holding a gun to Luka's head that matches Isaac's skin tone:

So Isaac and Dewey, crashing the party? It's more likely than you'd think.

We have this ALNST Friday gem:

Interesting that it's titled "Disgust" especially since Luka parades around with such a sense of superiority when he performs. But it's just that. A performance. He's disgusted by these failed versions of himself. He's made to be this "angel" but deep down he's revolted, by himself, by what he's made to be, to do. So much of his fascination and infatuation with Hyuna comes from how different they are from each other. He sees in her something that could never grow in something as inhospitable as him. Hope.

In the childhood reflections of each Anakt group, Luka is the only one of any group whose face is scribbled out.

This could easily be from Hyuna's perspective, but it's equally likely and I think perhaps more probable that it's Luka's. He doesn't want to remember himself. He doesn't want to remember the things he did (hence the extension of the scribbles over Hyunwoo's face, leaving Hyuna's face as the only clear one). Hyuluka's relationship is often described as so different from Mizisua and Ivantill, but it really isn't. In all of these images, one thing is obvious: The perfect memories within are all being desperately, painstakingly preserved, protected and hidden from the world. Even as the darkness closes in around Mizi and Sua, Sua keeps Mizi in their safe bubble for as long as she can, protecting her joy, her innocence. Till creates a fishbowl around himself and Ivan - they're isolated, but they're isolated together, alone together. Till keeps their memories safe inside where even he can't touch them, the pain of doing so too great.

And Luka preserves Hyuna's face and fruitlessly tries to rewrite the past by erasing himself from it.

Hyuna and Luka's relationship hasn't had the chance to be fleshed out yet, but now we're here, and if those screencaps from the teaser of Luka flushing and teary-eyed like a child as he looks at Hyuna are anything to go by, it can't be said anymore that she's just a fascination for him. He loved her. He loves her still even after the pain he's caused her, and she's caused him by abandoning their round, their moment in eternity together.

Every other kid had their special person. Mizi and Sua had each other. Ivan had Till, and Till had Ivan and Mizi. Hyuna and Hyunwoo had each other.

But Luka is inhospitable. He is no one's happy memory. He just haunts, and every failed version of himself haunts him.

Will he make a choice like Ivan and Sua did this round? He could throw his life away to cement his place in Hyuna's life. Or he could let her die to "save" her. Either way, he's preserving his perfect image of her - my savior, beautiful lady. I can't see an ending where they both live, personally, though nothing is impossible.

And finally, the morse code at the end:

A-L-I-V-E.

(breathing into a paper bag) which could mean nothing (it definitely doesn't) but I've been team Mizi's friends come back wrong to haunt her since day 1 let it be known

Till has a lot of green flags for having lived through his round altogether. And Sua, mark my words, is coming back for Mizisua round 2 to bring things full circle.

(Could we please have Ivan back too for the holy trinity vivimeng please I'll owe you my life)

So to sum it up:

Isaac and Dewey come for their girl with firepower.

Luka POV all the way; we're probably finding out how Hyunwoo really died and getting a more sympathetic Luka.

Luka is not giving Hyuna up without something.

Someone or someones is not dead and it will be revealed on Friday.

And on that note, we could be getting a teaser for Sua's probable return at the end based on Mizi's capture and apparent absence from the Hyuluka rematch.

Will be releasing my round bingo card soon!

[qiaolingz]

Because I'm a Villain...

My interpretation of Luka's POV - Villain Song by Stella Jang

[season40]

ROUND 8 | SEBASTIAN vs. YVONNE

SONG:

Sebastian & Yvonne

Please vote for your preferred contestant below.

[aakaneeee]

the cycle of life

psst.. @sotogalmo

[rat-jay]

This teaser broke my heart

Did you see the way he looks at her... I'm crying

[season39]

R O U N D 8

KHOI VS JI WOO

( Please select your preferred contestant . )

SONGS :

KHOI : If You Come Into My Heart

JI WOO : Once More to See You

[xingchens-eyeballs]

STOP THESE TIKTOK ALNST ANALYSISES R GONNA KILL ME ONE DAY THE IVANTILL ONES R ALREADY MAKING ME CRY NOW THEY GOT MIZITILL TOO

ngl tho i lowkey love this idea that till likes of mizi sorta in the way of an idol tho, like he looks up to her innocence and brightness in the same way that sua does but because he doesn't really know her and isnt close to her like sua is his feelings are more distant yk? not that they arent real, but its not like suas or ivans (actually i lowkey think his feelings r more like sua's than ivan's cuz like sua loves mizi in part as a concept of innocence n stuff too) and i think thats why he gets so nervous when she is near i mean obviously cuz he has a crush but also because i think that he thinks she's untouchable in some way like he might corrupt her or something and so he acts to different, and also because the vision of mizi as his god might shatter, and i think he hallucinated her in rd6 cuz he does want her to save him and bring him into her world which is so much brighter and more loving.

AKJSDFHAKJSDHFKJSADHFJKASH ANYWAYS THATS MY RANT FOR THE DAY GONNA GO DIE IN A DITCH NOW BYE

[axeleous]

It's my first time making an animatic so forgive me if it looks inconsistent or stiff TvT

Anyways this song suits them a lot btw

Song: hope by roar

[lumialt]

luka in round 8

[glowstickblood]

[mitsvp]

i finally watched alien stage hooray !! that series is soo full of angst like theres barely any characters who isn't doomed or going to be

[super-aut1sm]

what am I supposed to say to this. He’s perfect. He’s so beautiful i think it’s gonna kill me. Literally if he was real i wouldn’t gaf about his toxicity i’d want him anyway

[sotogalmo]

12:15

Actually. I will write that. But it would moreso be her whole reaction after round 8 is done-

10:39

Fucked up idea; Flor goes to scavenge animals (ei; kill, and eat them live & raw- what she used to do before coming to ANAKT) as a way to cope but then she imagines the contestants faces (winners and losers alike) on the animals due to dissociating and being subconsciously reminded of everything how the stage is REAL, and the result is the END.

But then it goes to show in some metaphorical art piece; Flor with an animal head while others are like manticores (animal body, human face).

[season40]

ALNST SEASON 40 OFFICIAL ROUNDS

Side A

Round 1: Ciaran v. Brandon ( @starry-skiez / @neverforgetyou )

Round 2: Zero v. Can ( @apriciticreveries / @paradisedisconcert )

Round 3: Yumi v. Asahi ( @rockwgooglyeyes / apri )

Round 4: Sirius v. Dante ( @junebluues / rock )

Round 5: Casimir v. Clementine ( star / @chevalperd )

Round 6: Innamorati v. Yael ( @alien-til-i-stage / @lookatmysillies )

Round 7: Toki v. Clove ( @verdantlights )

Round 8: Sebastian v. Yvonne ( @sotogalmo / @aakaneeee )

Round 9: Monica v. Isla ( @nottoonedin )

Round 10: Numa v. Maya ( june / @cloverandstuff )

Round 11: Juliet v. Jiu ( @yunoftheclouds / @severedscales )

Round 12: Eeta v. Ambrosia ( kellie / @rosedeleca )

Side B

Round 13: Mill v. Ava ( @waterydream / @tinypaperstar )

Round 14: Yuna v. Willow ( star / syd )

Round 15: Kioku v. Eri ( para / star )

Round 16: Leto v. Asuka ( sun / rock )

Round 17: Gaia v. Eliana ( @subzeromoron / akane )

Round 18: Aamon v. Xael ( akane / june )

Round 19: Mentha v. Naz ( rose / blue )

Round 20: Wren v. Atlas ( @ivanttakethis / akane )

Additional Information:

Round matchups will no longer be changing.

Round 1 will begin on December 24th. If your character is in this first round, please let me know their song ASAP.

All rounds will begin at 12:00 AM CST and end after 24 hours.

The announcers of S40 (Faisal and Zhuli) will sometimes make comments on the events of a round if it is interesting/important.

The announcers of S40 will have a popularity poll at the end of this season. Whoever loses will die.

If your character has to die/will escape in their round, please tell me! I'll have to know so I can prepare an announcement after their round is over.

If two characters tie, it is either up to the creators to choose the loser OR I will spin a wheel to decide their fate.

Feel free to send in any questions about how rounds operate! I will answer to the best of my ability.

[aakaneeee]

ROUND 8

There is a thought that has been plaguing my mind lately.

"Yvonne, aren't you guilty? For being willing to kill? For the way you would, even?"

It's a stupid thought, I know. Imbecile, so much so I wonder how it even came from my own (quite brilliant, if I should say so myself) mind. A scheming, possibly manipulative, gruesome mind, and yet it bloomed such an incompetent idea. I was always two steps ahead, no? Then how come I'm starting to fall behind my own being?

The words I'm saying are delirious, fever-like. I am not sure myself why I have this sudden urge to praise myself. Maybe insecurity? No. I haven't felt such useless emotions ever since my bussines partner (or owner, as other pets would call them, but it's embarassing and below my status for me, of all people, to degrade myself in such way.) told me how unnecessary it is. Anyhow, I have found an answer.

No. I don't feel guilty, nor will I ever do.

Can anyone blame me for the fact I wouldn't mind killing my own kind? I have been taught it is normal since the start of time. When I first opened my eyes, I saw death. My human lifebringer was considered useless and so, destroyed. Only the perfect little daughter remained.

And, I wouldn't kill just anyone, in any conditions. That redeems some of my sins, no? People's worst sin is that they destroyed and betrayed themselves for nothing. But me? I'm the sweetest venom, no? I'm above everything and everyone, atleast in my mind, and I'm pretty sure in others' too, because I'm "sweet". Or atleast, I look that way. Like a swan, no? Graceful and beautiful, yet would kill her children (the circumstances of them being in pain are irrelevant. Crime is crime.)

I am not here to redeem myself. I am not here to beg on my knees. I am here to be above. Regardless of the result, the only hurt will be the egos of the aliens when they find out I am invincible. They'll see.

But what if it's the other way around?

What if he...

No.

He will live.

It's detrimental.

I mean, what are the chances for him to lose against a pitiful, intoxicated version of me? The sensation of the 'medicine' my business partner feeds me has long been integrated into my being. I am so used to it, it feels natural. "Yvonne, how can you be so calm? You aren't taking those by your own choice." Pfft-

Consent? We, humans, are wishing, and talking about consent? Look around! Asking for consent is stupid, most of us are dying! I would have myself. But my armor consists of more than will and little ideas. Atleast 'medicine' makes it fun!

Anyways. It is unnecessary to continue talking about- no. Talking isn't unnecessary. Talking in my state is. There is a difference. Well, it'll soon be time to put my facade to the test.

By facing my lover, the love of my life. My biggest follower: the only one I've ever wanted. Sebastian... I don't think I will be able to fully compose myself. I'm sorry for the version of me you'll see. (even though you've already perceived my most inhuman actions, I feel like I will act worse.) I'm sorry it will be the last version of me you will remember. One of us will die, or disappear from the public eye momentarily.

We'll see according to the loser.

Soon...

sebastian belongs to @sotogalmo

i am severely underprepared mentally for this round. it will totally ruin me

[kaisturntoshine]

Ranking the Alien Stage songs based on how much agony they have caused me

Obviously, SPOILERS FOR ALIEN STAGE, ROUNDS 1-7.

Unless stated other-wise, this is based mainly on my first listening experience (or my recollection of it, to be more precise).

"Nowhere" will not be included until its official release, but might be added later.

The music videos are taken into account.

This list should not be taken as me ranking the songs based on how much I like them, as rankings would differ to some degree.

8. Sweet dream:

Catchy and melodic, in my opinion "Sweet Dream" served its in-universe purpose just as well in the real world. It got me interested in Alien Stage without showcasing the parts that make the competition "rotten" and "inhumane", whilst still teasing the bigger picture. This song sounds strangely euphoric and Sua's vocals are heavenly, so it's easy to get carried away and forget the tragic context.

(Fun fact: "Sweet Dream" was my top song in all streaming platforms for 2024 and is also my ringtone :> )

7. Unknown (Till The End):

In direct contrast to the songs of R1 and R3, "Unknown Till The End" is quite upbeat and energetic. That, accomplanied by the subject matter being, in my eyes, not as upseting as that of most of the other songs (or at least it being painted in a less tragic light), resulted in me deciding to place this song right after "Sweet Dream". It does get bonus points on this scale, however, for the fact that Till's frustration and urgency is very much contagious.

6. All-In:

With a similar vibe to "Unknown Till The End", "All-in" is a very empowering song. For me, it all boils down to last bridge and the section before it, aka the incident with Hyuna's brother. For such a loud song to have such a quiet section... It really gets to you. I was very shocked by the initial implications and really felt for my girl Hyuna.

5. Ruler of My Heart:

Ah, yes, "Ruler of My Heart". The first instance of Luka working his magic. Being an honest woman, I can admit to the fact that Luka's magestic voice and ethereal looks alone might have been enough to send me to heaven, if not for the fact that he sent Mizi to hell. Her facial expressions, her hallucinations of Sua (and by extension the realization of what Luka is doing), as well as her attacking Luka in the end were truly a punch to the gut; not enough to kill me, but they did their damage.

And now, getting to the tough part...

4. Blink Gone:

I genuienly was expecting for "Blink Gone" to be higher on this list prior to actually making it, since it actually made me a lot more emotional than "Ruler of My Heart". But allas, I could not find it in me to rank it above any of the following songs, for if "Blink Gone" was a knife stabbing me to the chest, they would be a whole guilotine. The emotions expressed in them are so genuine and raw, it makes my heart ache every time without fail.

To actually talk about "Blink Gone", the idea it expresses is one that stems from the heart of Alien Stage as a whole, making it very impactful. Till's grief, confusion and fear of death is so thoroughly expressed in the song's lyrics, but especially so in the AMV. Not to mention the last few seconds of the song; Mizi's appearance giving a false sense of hope both to Till and us, the viewers, that things might actually get resolved; that Till, who's been fighting the system since day one, might win, only to take everything away. The xylophone sequence is genuienly heart breaking, as it finally shows us not Mizi through Till's eyes, but Mizi and Till together.

Honestly, the top 3 should be considered a tie...

3. Black Sorrow:

I could say a million things about Ivan, my favourite ALNST character, and "Black Sorrow"... but I won't. Suffice it to say, Ivan's raw emotions of grief, desire and love, that he himself struggles to distinguish, being so painfully in display were enough to make me drown in a dark sea of my own... The only thing stopping this song from overtaking one of the top 2 is the simple fact that no one important dies in its duration.

(It pains me to admit that black sorrow is the hardest song for me to sing)

2. My Clematis

Almost getting the number one spot but falling short, the song that started it all, "My Clematis". Every time I listen to this song I want to cry my eyes out... The way Sua and Mizi's vocals are so gentle and warm, full of love for one another makes me want to shrivel up and die, knowing how this story ends. Especially so, since when I first listened to the song I didn't know it would end like that, so I was painfully anaware and naive, just like Mizi. If it were anyone else that died in "Cure", then "My Clematis" would probably be on top. Alas, only one thing could beat queen Sua's death...

1. Cure

NOTHING could have prepared me emotionally for "Cure"... or Ivan's death. Logically, I knew it would be him, but I wanted to believe in the small possibility that they would be rescued, as unlikely as it was. Everything about this song, from the vocals to the lyrics to ESPECIALLY the AMV? Black sorrow. Pure, unmistakable sorrow.

That's a wrap!! Feel free to comment which of these alnst songs you've brought up the most in therapy!!