#also i said human appearance but like it would be her dryad form but you see her as she was in life

[companionsofusall]

[id: tags that read, “orpheus simulator. One player is orpheus and the other is eurydice. They have to solve puzzles where half the info is accessible to Eurydice. Let’s say she has a ghost sense and can read text or [something]. If orpheus sees her she dies. Game over. End id]

Here's a useless thought my head just supplied me with that I absolutely can't use.

Co-op game where if one player sees another, they die.

Both die? Just the one who does the seeing? Just the one who is seen? All players or just one crucial character? Do reflections count?

"Don't turn around. I'm right behind you. I'm going to put the mcguffin down behind you and go around the corner, I'll tell you when it's safe to turn around; let me know when you're looking away again."

[ctwinsduo]

hey hi hey! do you perhaps have cniki/ceret/cwilbur hcs? any of them r fine and if you dont thats okay bye!!!

I don't have much c!niki knowledge I'm afraid however I will give what little hcs I have (also credit to my buddy @cinn-namon for half of these Eret HCs, if you want more feel free to mug him /hj)

Wilbur

- Prone to singing or humming whenever given the chance, when there's an audience he puts So Much Effort into it but he'll do it when he's alone aswell - Her first instinct in most situations is to laugh, she doesn't mean to but it just sorta slips out regardless of the circumstances - By far my wildest Wilbur hc: Wilbur is a nature spirit- my basis for this is mostly Greek mythology. In Greek mythology it's common for the children of gods and immortals to be some sort of nymph or dryad (basically a nature spirit) and the concept of nature spirits is a really vast one that can range from "pretty lady found in Trees" (Dryad) or "Unidentified mystical energy" for my HCs I tend to use more of the ladder. So Wilbur is a physical manifestation of the wilds, basically a shapeshifter but add a connection to the world itself. In theory he has no "true" form but the form he took when he was born was just a straight up fox (later learned how to shift into a more humanoid form as he grew) - More thoughts on nature spirit Wilbur ahead: how she appears and how well she can hold her form is entirely dependent on her current state, because of this she changed a lot between L'manburg and Pogtopia :3 When she first came to the SMP she looked almost entirely human, save for a few "off" traits (strange eyes, fangs, slightly pointed ears, ect.) but when Pogtopia hit she changed rather suddenly, becoming more like Fundy in appearance. Ghostbur was just a straight up spectral fox, and post revival Wilbur always has a few fox-like traits showing that she can't seem to get rid of - All of their mannerisms are slightly off- they don't quite emote "right". When they're fully human they come off as oddly animalistic, when they're more animal-like they're weirdly human. They tried to play themselves off as at least Mostly human for awhile but gave up pretty quickly - Has no fucking clue what his species is because of the samsung smart fridge nonsense- honestly he just assumes that he was Born Weird. When asked he's always weirdly cryptic about it - God awful cook, y'know those posts about people fucking up their food in unbelievable ways? That's Wilbur. Do not let her into the kitchen she will burn water - Disaster bi, seemingly most attracted to people who are either actively against her or have done shitty things to her in the past and she Cannot be normal about it (See: all of the shit said about Schlatt, Eret, Quackity, the list goes on) - Touchy but only when they're in a good mood. L'manburg era they'd always be putting an an arm around someone's shoulder or ruffling people's hair, small acts of physical affection, but any other time they've actively shied away from touch unless it's initiated by them. This is mostly because they're easily overstimulated by touch (despite being incredibly touch starved post revival)

Eret

- Wither hybrid, they can shift to hide some of their wither parts. When they were apart of L'manburg they also played themselves off as human - Loves to bake and stress bakes when especially stressed out- I like to think her and Niki would often bake together - Looking directly into his eyes activates a person's flight or fight response, which is why so many people have gotten Jumpscared by his eyes in the past - Probably has one of the best fashion senses in the entire SMP and yet only really dresses up whenever someone is coming over (90% of the time she just lounges about in comfy clothes, we love a comfy queen) - His memory is absolutely god awful so he's prone to writing things down or- more often- taking photos. A lot of the pictures from early L'manburg were taken by him - The L'manburg uniforms were made with Tommy and Eret's combined efforts (Wilbur supervised and occasionally stabbed himself trying to help <3) - Sews all of their own clothes, they'd love to sew for someone else but they haven't gotten the chance to outside of the uniforms (if they did they'd probably make an entire wardrobe though) - She's the one that taught Tommy to sew :3

Niki

- Catgirl c!niki supremacy - She likes churus (the cat treat) and will eat them like gogurt - Being as close to Wilbur as she was she's absolutely heard way too much about all of Wilbur's awful crushes on their enemies (she can never look at Eret the same way again) - She has autistic girl swagger idk what it is but she just does. Has the most unsettling stare known to man (by complete accident) - Despite being a cat hybrid she enjoys playing around in local bodies of water, big fan of stomping around in rivers

[heyovivi]

Gwyn and Azriel and Prejudice

Hello, back again with some possible theories and this time it's about one of my favorite Valkyries, Miss Gwyneth Berdara and some more controversial subjects such as the prejudice that surrounds her and other characters.

Now I'm sorry I haven't been posting a lot--though I'm sure not people even notice seeing how we have a large community of readers who also come up with some amazing theories! But I needed to slow down on posting my wild theories and imaginations because I felt that some of my readers who read my fan fiction were starting to catch onto the plot of "A Court of Shadows and Scars"--but I've been waiting to post about this one because I think it's important and because I've already addressed it in my story.

Moving on.

Gwyneth Berdara.

Although she was very much a newly-introduced secondary character to Nesta's story she is oh-so important and beloved by our reading community. Gwyn has stolen the hearts of many with her wit, charm, and inquisitive personality--and not just readers but her fellow characters as well.

All except a very few including Merrill and the main antagonist of ACOSF, Queen Briallyn--though there are many others I could mention, such as the Illyrians, but my main focus will revolve around Merrill and Briallyn and their prejudices against Gwyn along with other characters with their own prejudices such as Beron and even our own brooding shadowsinger, Azriel.

Yes, Azriel.

Now we know the story of Gwyn and we also a know a bit of her past as well.

Gwyn's grandmother was once a river nymph who seduced a High Fae male hailing from the Autumn Court and fell pregnant with Gwyn's mother who was sent to be raised at the temple of Sangravah because she couldn't dwell in the rivers of Spring Court and was too wild to be confined in the Forest House of Autumn Court.

"My mother was unwanted by either of their (Gwyn's grandmother and grandfather) people. She could not dwell in the rivers of the Spring Court, but was too untamed to endure the confinement of the forest house of Autumn. So she was give in her childhood to the temple at Sangravah, where she was raised..." (Gwyn Berdara, A Court of Silver Flames, pg. 316)

Now what we know about nymphs is extremely limited in the ACOTAR world. But in Greek mythology--from which they hail from--nymphs were idolized as guardians of nature. They were revered as the spirits of specific natural features and were often identified with parts of nature such as the Oreads (mountain nymphs) and the Hamadryads (tree nymphs).

The name "nymph" comes from the Greek word that means "young woman", and so naturally these beings were considered to be female. Indeed, they were represented as young, beautiful, musical, amorous, and gentle youthful creatures. And while there is some question about whether they were immortal or not - Hamadryads in particular were linked with the lives of their chosen trees - it is believed that they were extremely long lived.

A beautiful, ever-young creature that inhabits the lovliest of all wilderness places including clear lakes, streams, and crystalline caverns. They do not like any form of intrusion but there is a 100% that a nymph will be friendly if approached by another good creature. Nymphs are exceptionally intelligent and are very rarely found.

Gwyn's lineage of nymph, according to Greek mythology, would be categorized as a Naiad, the nymphs of streams, rivers, and lakes. The Naiads, or water nymphs, dwelt beside running water. Like their cousins, the Nereids and Oceanids of the oceans, the Oreads of the hills and the Dryads of the forests and trees, they were usually sweet, benign spirits. Naiads, especially, were helpful and healing, nurturing fruits, flowers and mortals. Yet the youth Hylas who went to draw water from a pool was lured by the nymphs into the water and was never seen again--meaning that despite being creatures of nature they also possessed darker roles in certain legends.

I interpret this as Nymphs being hostile around creatures who were unwelcome in their lands for being ill-intentioned.

Many times in Greek mythology, nymphs were often seen as the symbolism of beauty and love; such as Aphrodite--and because they were always describe to be beautiful and graceful women with soft, sweet appearances they often drew the attention of the Gods creating legends of romantic affairs and infidelity.

Their very beauty caused the Gods to lust after them to a ravenous extent, making the Nymphs sometimes turn to the Goddesses for help. However, not all Goddesses were kind towards the nymphs--such as Aphrodite or Hera who grew jealous of their beauty when their very beauty and natural loveliness challenged the fidelity of their lovers.

In this case, let's assume that role of Gods, of higher beings, were the High Fae in the ACOTAR realm.

In the ACOTAR realm, it's easy to assume the nymphs are somewhat--if not--wholly the same as they are described in classic literature. When Gwyn tells the story of her grandmother she states that her grandmother seduced a High Fae, resulting in the birth of her mother. If this is the case then I think I can understand why characters such as Merrill and Briallyn look down on her lineage so much because again, Nymphs, in the eyes of major Goddesses such as Aphrodite and Hera, were essentially home wreckers (even though many confrontations with Gods and Nymphs were not always consensual).

With the reputation of being male-thirsty seductresses, nymphs are looked down upon as lower-beings, that and their lack of immortality (more often then not Nymphs linked their lifelines to an object in nature: a tree nymphs links their life to a tree, water nymph links their life to a stream (but I suppose that makes them immortal?)).

With this devious reputation placed on her lineage, Gwyn is often the butt of insults with being call half-breed and all by the likes of Briallyn and Merrill.

"But you made it easy for me: you went right to her house in Windhaven. Spared me the trouble of luring you. I let those witless Illyrians take her and the half-breed as an amusing bonus." (Queen Briallyn, A Court of Silver Flames, pg. 721)

"I am descended from Rabath, Lord of the Western Wind...Unlike Gwyneth Berdara, I am not lackey to be dismissed." (Merrill, A Court of Silver Flames, pg. 315)

Merrill glanced between her and Gwyn before saying, "get back to your work, nymph." (Merrill, A Court of Silver Flames, pg. 315)

Okay--so Merrill doesn't specifically call her a half-breed, but dismissing her as a lower race and simply calling her "nymph" is basically comparable to an insult.

Now, that we've got Gwyn out of the way, let's move onto Autumn Court, more specifically Beron.

Beron is an ass--plain and simple. He is the personification of a conservative abuser and is honestly one of the most disgusting characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading. However--I suppose the problems he brings do push certain character formulas forward such as Eris and Lucien. Such as executing Jesminda for simply being involved with Lucien and for being anything but High Fae.

"Lucien fell in love with a faerie whom his father considers to be grossly inappropriate for someone of his bloodline. Lucien said he didn't care that wasn't one of the High Fae, that he was certain the mating bond would snap into place soon and that he was going to marry her and leave his father's court to his scheming brothers...His father had her put down. Executed, in front of Lucien, as his two eldest brothers held him and made him watch." (Tamlin, A Court of Thorns and Roses, pg. 160)

I don't think I need to go ahead and explain Beron and his prejudices against those who are not High Fae--his actions speak enough as is. But what I do want to do is go back to the specific wording Gwyn uses when explaining how her mother ended up in Sangravah, she says: "She could not dwell in the rivers of the Spring Court, but was too untamed to endure the confinement of the forest house of Autumn."

Confinement.

Not dwell. Not live. Not prosper. Confinement.

Now, we haven't navigated Autumn for all it's beauty and culture. We've only seen the Autumn Court through the eyes of Feyre when she is traversing through the courts in ACOWAR.

But I wonder how he approached with dealing with those who are not High Fae? What if the Autumn Court is much like the Summer Court where the court works around a system of class where High Fae are put at the top and anything but is put at the bottom? Therefore assuming that the treatment of such beings is cruel and unjust, creating a defining line between the races in which they can never reach equilibrium.

If that is so that brings me to the idea that many courts outside the jurisdiction of Night Court have assumed systems such as this, making there a limited amount of options for people like Gwyn's mother to prosper peacefully. Because we already know that the main reason why the first war with Hybern happened was because Hybern demanded to keep human and low fae as slaves, placing High Fae at the top. Spring sided with Hybern, because remember Amarantha and the former High Lord of Spring were close friends, Summer Court most likely fought to keep slaves as they still continuously oppress lesser fae, so I imagine it was worse for humans. And let's be honest, Autumn remained "indifferent" but one look at their current High Lord tells me that they weren't that indifferent--not unless Beron wasn't the ruling High Lord at the time.

So with that in mind, Gwyn and her family couldn't flee to Summer, nor Spring or Autumn. Night was probably never an option--as their reputation of being dark and gloomy more than likely frightened the idea away. Winter Court was obvious seeing how it's a winter wonderland of frozen lakes, streams, and rivers. Then there is Day Court which based on their current High Lord and aesthetic, is a desert land of sand and heat--with little to no water supply for any Nymph.

However there is one court that still remains. Dawn Court. From what we know they are a more than neutral court among the courts of Prythian and mostly value innovation. Geographically, Dawn is a lush, eternal countryside rich with the weight of summer upon it. The towns were red-roofed villages with sparkling rivers--a perfect destination for any relocating half-nymph- half-High Fae born child. However we also have to take into account the time period of when Gwyn's mother was born. Remember, prior to ACOTAR, Prythian was under the rule of Amarantha for fifty years--and even if that wasn't the case Summer was under the rule of a High Lord who didn't harbor the same compassion to change the unequal class system like Tarquin did when he assumed his place on the throne. Autumn was being ruled by Beron by that time already who'd probably have her confined. And Spring was under the traditional rule of Tamlin--and despite that Gwyn's mother would've still be considered as unwelcomed by the other nymphs.

If you take the time and current dilemma of Prythian--then there was really no where to go but Sangravah--putting into question the prejudices certain courts have against beings that are of the Low Fae variety.

I predict that despite being beautiful, charming, and compassionate, Gwyn still faces so much prejudice for simply being 1/4th nymph--which to the High Fae is a stain in her lineage to be a descendant from such a deviant being.

Now, let's move onto Azriel.

Azriel, as we all know, has his own conflicts with the Illyrians. Of course, that is to be expected, especially after learning of his backstory with being abused by his family and then later forced into training with the Illyrian army. The only comfort he had ever received was from the likes of his chosen family and so I believe he is projecting his own, personal experience of being an Illyrian into his hatred of Illyria--seeing the Illyrians as no more than a means to end due to their constant reluctance to move on with the times.

Don't get me wrong, I love Azriel. But I think a big part of his character is accepting who he is. He is an Illyrian--and I believe that with the combine power of him, Cassian, and Rhys they can bring the kind of change that Cassian had only ever dreamed of to Illyria. Yet, his own prejudices against his people hold him back and that's probably because he hasn't fully faced his trauma and instead skitters back at the mention or thought of it. I think if Az was healed he wouldn't be so reluctant to visit Illyria or wish for it's demise.

"A rare visit from the shadowsinger. Both myth and terror. Az looked just as displeased to be here, but he'd come when I asked...It was healthy, perhaps. For Az to sometimes remember where he'd come from. He still wore the Illyrian leathers. Had not tried to get the tattoos removed. Some part of him was Illyrian still. Always would be. Even if he wished to forget." (Rhysand, A Court of Frost and Starlight, pg. 222)

"Cassian rolled his eyes. But they both knew Azriel would sooner disband and destroy Illyria than help it. Convincing their brother than the Illyrians were a people worth saving was still a battle amongst the three of them." (Cassian, A Court of Silver Flames, pg. 42)

Now, moving onto the conclusion, finally. If Gwynriel's story was to happen, I think there is a sufficient amount of evidence to claim that Azriel's plot would revolve around the Illyrian conflict.

I'm just going to drop down this link: https://yazthebookish.tumblr.com/post/648449405425516544/the-illyrian-conflict-being-set-up-in-acosf-along

@yazthebookish highlights textual evidence that hints at a possible story arc for an Illyrian plot line because yes, there is still so much to uncover in Illyria and although I believe a large part of that was suppose to be Cassian and Nesta's story I also understand why it could go to Azriel.

Azriel needs to learn to accept his race, and the Illyrians need to learn how to accept change. I think they can learn something from one another and I believe Gwyn will play a role in Azriel's adventure. Do I think she's going to be the face some enlightenment in Azriel's journey--no. That's stupid. And if you twist my words, read it again. I believe because of Gwyn's past with prejudice against her and what she is, she can level with Az and understand him in a way that can potentially help him develop better as a character. Yes, she might be there for guidance or to give Azriel counsel, but in the end I think it's Az's job to tackle down the Illyrian conflict while Gwyn, with the help of Azriel, tackles down her own, whether that be discovering her lineage or where she came from or even healing from her trauma as a SA victim.

Please be respectful and leave your thoughts in the comments.

[raibebe]

Neo CreaTures

Hello and welcome to my first ever collab call to celebrate me hitting a huge follower milestone! This is dedicated to everyone who loves the supernatural – like me – and enjoys writing a little more interesting creatures than just vampires and werewolves – which of course are still lovely. Under the cut you’ll find a list of awesome creatures to turn our favorite boys into – or even the reader if that’s the route you want to go. Our main theme is it to have some fun and post a variety of different spooky or not so spooky fics throughout October to spread our love for the supernatural. To claim a spot, simply dm me @raibebe your member and creature of choice and I’ll add you to this post as long as the spot is still up for claim.

Reblogs are appreciated even if you chose to not enter the collab to reach a wider audience!

rules

As always: First come, first serve

The fic has to be about the chosen member, meaning he is supposed to be the main character, you’re of course allowed to add in as many of the others as you want

You can bend the lore/appearance of your creature of choice how you may seem fit. Just don’t start telling me dwarfs turn into wolves every full moon.

Deadline is October 31st 2021

Minimum word count is 2k. This should be doable, it’s a lot of time until October. If you choose to write it in multiple parts, just send me the part you want to have linked on the masterlist.

No timestamps/drabbles, bullet points, social media AUs or reactions. Fics. That’s it.

Open to all genres, it doesn’t have to be horror or gory but I would love to read some darker pieces that are perfect for the season

If you want to include smut in your work, you have to be of age. No exceptions.

Even though all NCT members are of age, please refrain from writing smut for Jisung, Chenle and Sungchang, since otherwise Jisung will call the police on us.

Tag your work accordingly if you have potentially triggering stuff in it. When in doubt – you should probably tag it. But you can always ask which brings me to the next point:

Joining the discord is not mandatory but I’d encourage you to because it’s a great way to get to know your fellow writers and maybe ask for advice or just to chat about our boys.

That’s also where I’ll post announcements and stuff

Please tell me if you’re changing URLs or want to step out of the collab or can’t meet the deadline, which is both fine and can be negotiated

Please reblog this post after getting accepted so we can reach a wider audience.

For further questions just dm me!

Members

Taeil - @fan-but-no-art  | Angel

Johnny - 

Taeyong – @ncteaxhoe | Fairy

Yuta – @sly-merlin | Naga

Kun - @moonctzeny  | Succubus

Doyoung - @just-come-baek | Mermaid

Ten - @jaesqueso | Werecat

Jaehyun - @127-mile | Ghoul

Winwin - 

Jungwoo - @heejinnien | Elf

Lucas - @justonedaywithmysunshine  | Genie

Mark -  @alreadyblondenow  | Zombie

Xiaojun - @key201303 | Guardian Angel

Hendery - @soliverse | Witch

Renjun - @moondustaeil | Kitsune

Jeno - @sparklysung  | Incubus

Haechan – 

Jaemin - @raibebe | Demon

Yangyang - @yangyanghater | Yokai

Shotaro - @chittapornswife | Nale Ba/Nishi Dak

Sungchan - @sichengscult | Warlock

Chenle - @flowerboykun​ | Merman

Jisung - @armysantiny | Shapeshifter

List of creatures to choose from. 

Some creatures are fairly similar but I wanted to give you as many choices as I could come up with without having to choose absolutely crazy creatures. As said before you’re free to bend the lore of the creatures, this is just a guide – mostly off of Wikipedia – to some of the lesser known creatures. Warning: Some creatures are darker and more gore-y than others. The descriptions are as ungraphic as possible.

Vampire: A living corpse that feeds on the blood of the living to survive

Werewolf: A human with the ability to shapeshift into the form of a wolf

Werecat: A human with the ability to shapeshift into the form of a feline

Angel: A pure, benevolent intermediary between humans and god, protectors and guiders for humans, servants of god

Guardian angel: Godsend protector and guider for humans

Fallen angel: Angel that has become tainted by sin and fell from heaven

Devil: Ruler of the underworld, personification of evil and temptation

Demon: Supernatural creature usually associated with evil and sin

Incubus: Male demon that gains his energy from engaging in sexual activity

Succubus: Female demon that gains her energy from engaging in sexual activity

Yokai: Spirits and monsters in Japanese folklore, ranging from mischievous and malevolent creatures believed to cause misfortune and harm to some that are considered to bring good fortune

Ghost: Soul or spirit of a dead person that can appear to the living

Poltergeist: Type of ghost responsible for physical disturbance, often bound to the places the soul died in

Warlock: Male practitioner of witchcraft

Witch: Female practitioner of witchcraft

Necromancer: Practitioner of magic involving communication with the dead

Genie/Jinn: Neither innately evil or good spirit

Shapeshifter: A human possessing the ability to physically transform their body

Ghoul: Demon-like creature associated with graveyards and consuming human flesh

Zombie: Undead revenant

Siren: Creature half bird and half woman who lures sailors by the sweetness of her song

Mermaid/Merman: Aquatic creature with an upper body in human form and the tail of a fish

Nymph: Minor nature deity, generally regarded as personifications of nature, tied to a specific place or landform

Dryad: Tree nymph

Fairy: Magical creature with human appearance, magical powers and a penchant for trickery

Elf: Beings with magical powers and supernatural beauty, ambivalent to humans, capable of either helping or hindering them

Gnome: Diminutive spirit that typically lives underground

Dwarf: Entity hat dwells in mountains and in the earth, associated with wisdom, smithing, mining and crafting

Satyr: Bawdy male nature spirit with horse/goat like legs, ears and horns

Centaur: Creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse

Naga: Creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a snake

Harpy: Half human, half bird personification of storm winds

Dragon: Large, serpentine creature that breathes fire

Kitsune: In Yōkai folklore, all foxes have the ability to shapeshift into human form they have the ability to trick others but are also portrayed as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives

Phoenix: Long-lived bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again, often through burning his body and being reborn from the ashes

Basilisk: Legendary reptile reputed to be a serpent king, who can cause death with a single glance

Unicorn: Beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead, often portrayed as horse-like

[bloededhoine]

world building cause twn doesn't part 8: nonhumans

this is easily the geekiest part of the series. and it's a Very geeky series. because sapkowski's worldbuilding is waaay more extensive than i have the time, ability, or desire to convey, i'm sticking with races both sentient and important

colour code cause i fucking love colour codes - already happened/introduced, probably s2, important background info, stuff that might be in the prequel, extras

series masterpost

dopplers

dopplers, also known as vexlings, shifters, mimics, doubles, imitators, or pavrats, are a nonhuman race that can take on the appearance of nearly anyone they encounter

before mass migrations of humans, dopplers primarily inhabited the forests and plateaus around the city of novigrad, where they would transform into wolves and pack animals to hunt

their abilities are pretty impressive, dopplers can not only mimic appearance but also voice, personality, skills, behaviours, and knowledge. dopplers can even turn parts of their bodies into pieces of clothing or other objects

however, there are some limitations

dopplers can't transform into someone/thing with dramatically more mass than they have, are burned by silver, and can't drop anything they created (if they did it would kind of turn into a fleshy goop)

we've already met a doppler in twn, this sexy sexy man

BUT

it is important to note that this doppler is a huge deviation from sapkowski's lore. dopplers are pretty much always exceptionally kind and gentle. a lot of times they use their abilities to appear threatening (big teeth, sharp claws etc) because they really don't want to hurt anyone.

when dopplers aren't mimicking another form, they aren't exactly pretty. they're bald, short, have beady yellow eyes, and kinda look like they're made from soft clay

here's the hexer doppler

the most notable doppler is dudu biberveldt, who i mentioned as the halfling dainty biberveldt's fake cousin. dudu's actual name is tellico lunngrevink letorte, but dainty decided to help dudu live in novigrad by adopting him as his fake cousin.

dragons

dragons are fucking awesome. you know it, i know it, and zerrikanians know it. witcher dragons are especially awesome

they are the only being, other than cats, that can naturally harness and absorb the force of chaos

there are multiple subtypes, but most dragons fall into one of four: black dragons, green dragons, red dragons, and white dragons.

black dragons are the largest, and primarily live in swamps and wetlands where they bathe in mud. they have extremely hard scales and don't breathe fire, but an acid that causes burns similar to those from mustard gas.

green dragons (right there) are the most prominent yet smallest species of dragon, mainly living in forested areas and breathe highly flammable chlorine gas.

red dragons mainly live in hills and mountain caves and can breathe fire hot enough to melt metal

white dragons are one of the rarest species and live in the far north, and can breathe frost

however, if you watched the witcher netflix as i assume you did, you may remember golden dragons. these dragons are so rare and exceptional that they are not usually included with other species. they breathe steam and fire and can shapeshift into any living being

all dragons communicate through telepathy, although golden dragons can speak when they are in the form of a species that can speak

humans are pretty divided on the topic of dragons, with zerrikanians worshiping them and nordlings hating them.

because they are incredibly intelligent and emotional, witchers (generally) refuse to hunt them

borkh three jackdaws, also known as villentrenmerth, is the only golden dragon we know. there he is right there.

ASSASSINS OF KINGS SPOILERS NEXT TWO BULLET POINTS

the other dragon from twn was a green dragon named myrgtabrakke, borkh's mate. their daughter is named saesenthessis, also known as saskia the dragonslayer (an alias she took to explain her extensive knowledge of dragons) and the virgin of aedirn

because saskia is part golden dragon, she can shapeshift, although is much more limited than her father. she can basically only be a human looking woman with blonde hair or a huge dragon.

cut because this part is getting REALLY long

godlings

ah godlings. i love them so much. they're adorable and precious. they usually look somewhat like a human child, but with blue skin and large amber or green eyes. they don't wear much clothes, their focus is in accessories like jewelry, flowers, or tattoos

that's johnny, a holding in wild hunt.

godlings are incredibly rare, and are easily confused with young goblins. they primarily live in swamps near drowners, but aren't afraid of them.

they're quite mischievous but kind hearted, many have happy go lucky personalities and love just having fun. i adore godlings. i've said it once and i'll say it again.

higher vampires

definitely the most important group on this list, higher vampires are incredibly powerful and intelligent. they can shapeshift within certain limits, generally either looking like a human or a large terrifying bat. they also have some telepathic abilities - they can basically make you fall asleep and forget stuff

scary wooo

higher vampires do not need to drink blood to survive. some don't drink blood at all. when they do, it's like a human drinking alcohol. on full moons, groups of higher vampires go out partying and get white girl wasted

although all higher vampires have the same basic abilities, each individual has one skill they are exceptional in.

most find humans harmless but annoying, like mosquitos. they don't really like interacting with humans, which works out pretty well as higher vampires can blend in very well, even a witcher's medallion can't detect one

higher vampires also have three distinct cultures, the tdet in the far east, the ammurun across the great sea, and the gharasham in the northern realms

they are really really hard (or impossible, depending on canon) to kill. based on the books, you basically need to disintegrate them. based on the games, only higher vampires can kill other higher vampires, but humans can get close

we only meet one in the books, emiel regis rohellec terzieff-godefroy. he goes by regis for short. regis was an "alcoholic" in his youth, and has since abstained from blood or any other substance. he's incredibly old, by the end of twn season 1 he'd be 425 years old. as for regis' "special ability", he's just kind. he's an incredibly gentle and loving person. that's it. i love him.

merpeople

probably one you're already familiar with! merpeople are intelligent humanoids that inhabit the great sea. mermaids are notably gorgeous, having green hair and tails, and their scales are prized alchemy ingredients

sapkowski's mermaids can breathe above water, but the sun burns their skin so they don't stay at the surface for very long.

merpeople are incredibly powerful, they can summon krakens and the sea-dragon like race of vodyanoy respect their authority

they use their own language that's quite similar to hen llinge, but more lyrical sounding.

nymphs

nymphs are a humanoid race primarily based around nature. they have 5 subspecies, dryads (including hamadryads), leimoniad, naiad, nereid, and oread.

dryads, called eerie wives by humans and aen woedbeanna by elves, are the most prevalent, primarily living in the brokilon forest. some have human skin with olive undertones, but others are green. they usually have dark brown or green hair which is usually worn in dreadlocks (breaking my promise of not being overtly and annoyingly political in this series yet again - the dryads, especially in the netflix adaptation, are classic magical n*gress stereotypes. but more on that later.)

this is a lore-accurate one that i LOVE

dryads have incredibly strong connections with nature and magic, although it is really rare for a dryad to be a source. dryads are able to draw energy from trees, but rarely do because they don't want to hurt the trees. support dryads and take the bus.

all dryads are women. all of them. they make babies by basically luring men into the forest and doing the adult hokey pokey. also why dryads aren't really a fan of witchers, who don't make the baby butter (i am so sorry)

however, dryads can also turn a girl of another race into one of their own through the use of magic. the water of brokilon has some mutating quality that makes young girls forget their human past and physically turn into dryads, although it is less effective as the girls are older. the dryads tried to do this to ciri, but given that she's a source, nothing happened. generally, this process is done to girls who wander into brokilon, but some dryads will abduct peasants from outside the forest if they need more dryads.

here's twn dryads... yikes

this is where i think the whole racism thing becomes a bit too obvious. "uncivilized" women who live in the forest and have dreadlocks and abduct young girls from "civilized" areas?? in twn they leaned even further into this, having one of the two black women they cast be a dryad and replacing the usual bows and arrows with spears, a less sophisticated weapon. again, this series is about the lore, not the political implications of it, but it is important to keep in mind

dryads are excellent at archery, shooting anyone who comes within 80 metres of the forest. through their connection with nature, they have highly advanced medicine and use glowing fungi as a source of light.

hamadryads are a specific type of dryad that is incredibly connected with her tree. because of this connection they have exceptionally strong magical and healing capabilities, but will also go insane and die if their tree dies.

like merpeople, dryads use a more melodic dialect of hen llinge

leimoniads are a type of nymph that lived exclusively in meadows, but are practically extinct due to wars with humans

naiads, also called rusalki, are nymphs that live in lakes and rivers, although a few live with the dryads in brokilon. naiads are very similar to dryads, although they tend to have very light skin with very dark hair, webbed hands, and can dry out on land

naiads rarely speak common, live in small groups, and have highly developed telepathic abilities

nereids are nymphs that inhabit the great sea, often living closely with merpeople. they usually have blueish skin with either blue or white hair and have some telepathic abilities, though not to the extent of naiads.

oreads are nymphs of the mountains, which, like leimoniads, are nearly extinct due to human conquests.

succubi/incubi

succubi (female) and incubi (male) are creatures which look like incredibly attractive humans but with horns and goat legs. they seduce humans, first in dreams and then physically, using their prey's energy to sustain themselves, often to the point of the human's exhaustion or death

our man eskel has a soft spot for them...

sylvans

sylvans, another race we already met, are exceptionally rare. like, practically extinct. they live mainly in the woodlands of the northern realms and have goat-like faces with yellow eyes, horns, cloven hooves, and tails

my man torque is quite possibly one of the last sylvans on the continent

they are distantly related to elves, and the two races tend to coexist quite well

generally quite mischievous and merry, highly enjoying pranks and parties. they can use simple spells and are mainly herbivores

sylvans live around 100 years and are highly sought after by dryads for their... ahem... reproductive capabilities

unicorns

yep, we got unicorns! i fucking love unicorns and still kinda think they're real. camels are real and those lumpy fuckers are way weirder than a horse with a spike on its head.

anyways

unicorns are highly advanced beings, they can travel between worlds and use telepathy. they don't really like the "less advanced" races, mostly staying around to observe them. they have distinct societies led by a council of elders and tend to avoid evil

these unicorns are badasses

unicorns strongly despise the use of the force but encourage the power of destiny. in the context of pavetta's betrothal feast, a unicorn would not be happy with pavetta's little source hurricane thing, but would encourage geralt to follow the law of surprise

in of the witcher, unicorns are very important because of their world-hopping capabilities. the aen elle, unfortunately, realized this and began enslaving unicorns to help them plunder other worlds. this turned into a massive conflict between the unicorns and elves.

[acucenas]

[ LETICIA SALLES & 124 & CISFEMALE & SHE/HER ] aslan’s mane, is that AÇUCENA of NARNIA? i overheard people talking about them; they say that they’re a DRYAD and that they’re an HAWKER AND DELIVERY AND SPY. did you know that they’re ATTENTIVE but when their RELUCTANT side rears its head things can get ugly? people who have run into them say that they remind them of BRIGHT WHITE BLOSSOMS GROWING OVER DARK BUDS & ALWAYS OVERSTRETCHING FOR WARMTH, but i wonder if we’ll see if there’s more to them than previously thought? 

name  : açucena.

meaning  :  white flower, purity. another name for the flower amaryllis.

nickname (s) : açu, çuçu, tica ( from jabuticaba, the fruit her tree grows ).

species : dryad ( jabuticaba tree ).

age  :  124 ( appears to be in her early to mid 20s on her humanoid form ).

occupation  :  hawker & delivery to home hearth. açucena sells both her own fruits and flowers but also goods from home hearth, including vesta’s famous drinks. think of her as a sort of postmates from narnia — if you can’t leave work or is just too lazy to go to town, you may get some of vesta’s best just by calling açucena. she is also one of the many spies of king edmund, focusing on intel from outside the palace’s doors.

THEN

açucena’s tree was only nine years old when the age of winter fell over narnia — she had not yet flowered nor given fruit, and felt horrible for being trapped in winter.

as a young nymph who knew not much, and certainly not evil and deceit, she was enticed by the white witch’s ‘generosity’ to her ‘friends’. and so, she became one of her spies, telling on any suspicious whispers she heard. that caused quite a few arrests, and, soon enough, açucena realized that the guilt that came with those easily trampled over any little gain she did get from the witch ( which was barely nothing but a light warmer breeze, not enough for her tree to even be rid of its snowy soil ).

for over fifty years, then, she was trapped on this role, fearful of what would happen if she said no or stopped giving intelligence to jadis altogether; so she fed her small mindless things, hoping any info would not be enough to hurt anyone else. she was not entirely successful in this, and it is likely that there are a few non - humans who would remember her or fell victim from her intelligence.

once the pevensies came to narnia, she tried to whisper word of them to loyalists, but also remained by her tree, fearful the witch would lash out and cut it out ( thus, killing her ). thankfully, that did not happen, and despite the shame, she attended the coronation, but remained too self - aware to become an attendant on the palace, not wishing to stumble upon those she has wronged.

NOW

instead, she was taken under the wing of vesta. for around five years, she worked with the goddess on home hearth, helping around on the kitchen, serving patrons and tidying up rooms as best as she knew how to. though she no longer works in the tavern, she still stops by daily to pick up food and drink she takes around town to sell for vesta, along with some fruits she picks herself, both from her tree and from a few friends’ who allow her to.

around seven years ago or so, when king edmund first began collecting his spies, she was picked as one of them. she had known of him from the witch all those years ago, but now he was grown, and, much as herself, invested to be nothing of what he had been, in a moment of weakness. they bonded in ways she did not fully understand — ignorant of the human ways around love and relationships — and though that has somewhat faded, as he is a man of duty, she remains in his service, being his ears around town.

it is very likely to find her either around town, usually with a bag or with a bowl of snacks and delicacies by her hip, or by vesta’s home hearth.

PERSONALITY

due to the repercussions of her involvement with the white witch, açucena tries to be more aware and cautious of people’s intentions, though it is fair to say she has not harden as much as she should — still, trying means a lot for her, and, after so many years trapped in the winter age, she refuses to be rooted ( hehe ) and likes to get to know new people and new things ( and there are so many new things when you’re not entirely familiar to the way of humans [ and other not nymphs ] ).. the summer festival can be a bit overwhelming, but she is as ever solicitous and nosy curious, and, with the influx of foreigners, will be on the look out for anything that may be worthy to be told to her sovereign to make sure narnia is safe.

CONNECTIONS

those her time as a spy to the white witch caused harm to

acquaitances, friends, crushes etc

customers both to her door to door business but also regulars to home hearth

someone whose secrets she has discovered ( and has or not told on to king edmund )

[writing-of-a-british-bitch]

The Fairy King - Chapter 10

Fandom: Queen/Borhap

Specified gender: Female

Word Count: 4.1K

Pairing: Queen X reader/ It’s a (obvious) surprise, x reader

TW: violence, swearing, Mercury being Mercury, Bri and Rog are SO JEALOUS OML, 10/10 would die for Deacon

Genre: Fantasy. (Labyrinth AU)

Series: The Fairy King

Requests: CLOSED

Masterlist

A/N: Last chapter before the epilogue :( I’m going to miss this series so much!

Upon reaching the towering walls of, what (Y/N) could only presume was the city, she couldn't help but notice a door appear before trio that definitely hadn't been there before. But given the day she had, she didn't hesitate to guess that it was one of Mercury's tricks. A guard was leant against the wall, propped up on a chair, deep in slumber.

"C'mon, we can get through if we're quiet," Brian whispered to Deacon and (Y/N). Deacon nodded silently, and Brian took (Y/N)'s hand and opened the door, leading her through. Deacon followed behind them, inaudibly pushing the door shut again.

"Something's not right. It shouldn't be this quiet. Is it normally this quiet?" (Y/N) murmured, looking to Deacon, who shook his head solemnly.

"Why am I getting this awful feeling that we've stepped straight into a trap?" Deacon responded, edging closer to her and drawing the sword that was latched to his belt.

"Thank god, you're a knight," Brian joked weakly, taking a few more cautious steps towards the arched entrance to the city.

(Y/N) took a deep breath, eyeing as Brian's free hand began to glow dimly, ready to fight if needs be. A loud clanking was heard as the group ventured further in, and a large metal warrior emerged from the winding streets of the city, looming over them. One of Mercury's knights was sat atop a dip in the warriors head, controlling it from there. The warriors head nearly reached the wall of the city, where it looked as though archers fired from. Deacon and (Y/N) took a step back in pure shock, only to get sharp spikes to the back as sword-like spikes appeared where the door they'd entered had been just moments ago. (Y/N) let out a gasp and Brian tugged her forward and away from the impaling weapons. Brian narrowed his eyes as the warrior drew closer, pointing his hand at it, glowing brighter the closer it got. A bright green blast shot from his hand but simply bounced off the armour, now on course for the trio. Deacon raised his hand and the weeds between the cobbled stones rose to the group's defence, immediately being destroyed by the blast. Brian glanced at his hand. Of course, the king would make this mighty warrior resistant to magic other than his own.

"Thought you didn't use your magic, John?" Brian asked, quickly looking back to the dryad, who had his eyes fixed on the warrior.

"Maybe not the best time to be having this conversation,"(Y/N) intruded, tapping Brian's shoulder. Her eyes widened as she saw a familiar blonde figuring running along the city wall above the warriors head. "It's Roger!"

"Of course it is," Brian muttered, rolling his eyes. (Y/N) let go of his hand and smiled up at Roger, who dropped down onto the knight. The knight was so taken by surprise that she toppled down onto the ground before Brian. She let out a squeak as she sat up and Brian shot a blast next to her as a warning. The knight scuttled off, tripping over her feet. (Y/N) watched Brian carefully, there was an aggression that she hadn't seen before. Frustration, perhaps? Whatever it was, it worried her. Roger let out a huff as he sat down, and began fiddling with the controls.

"How in the hell do you control this thing?" Roger grunted, angrily pressing buttons. The machine began sparking and spluttering, plumes of smoke pouring from the being.

"Roger, get out of there!" (Y/N) exclaimed, rushing closer to the machine. Roger's head swung from side to side jerkily, meeting the panicked eyes of Deacon, Brian and (Y/N). Realising he had few options, let out a small "Fuck it" and jumped down, landing with a solid thump. The machine crashed down and flames rose from the creature. (Y/N) rushed to Roger's side, helping him sit up. Deacon and Brian also followed after her, though the latter had a sour look on his face.

"I'm not asking to be forgiven, and I'm not ashamed of anything I did," Roger began, regretfulness filling his features. Brian raised his eyebrows at the prologue to Roger's apology " Freddie made me give you the fruit. I don't- I don't care what you think of me. I told you I was a coward and I'm not interested in being friends."

The groups' eyes softened at the "confession". Even Brian, who was being stubborn as a mule, could recognise Roger's self-defence mechanism. (Y/N) leant forward and took Roger's hand, squeezing it tightly.

"I forgive you, Roger," She said gently, giving him a small smile. Brian watched the pair with sad eyes and John eyed him, seeing the forlorn look in his eyes. Deacon shook his head sadly before looking back to (Y/N) and Roger. The blonde's head shot up at her words, eyes wide.

"You- You do?" Roger asked, completely flabbergasted. He slowly got to his feet, shuffling nervously.

"And I commend you. Rarely have I seen such courage. You're more valiant a pixie than I give you credit for," Deacon commented, placing a hand on Roger's shoulder and squeezing slightly. Brian sighed and shook his head slightly.

"You get on my nerves at the best of times, and we never see eye to eye, but you are, first and foremost, my best friend. I'll always forgive you," He stated, running a hand through his hair. He meant it, of course, everyone knew that, but Roger and Deacon were also fully aware that he was only saying it for (Y/N) sake. (Y/N)'s eyes suddenly lit up and she shoved her hand in her pocket, retrieving Roger's bag that she'd stolen hours before and handing it to him.

"Here are your things, Roger," She smiled and Roger couldn't help but smile back as he took the bag and attached it to his belt "Thanks for your help"

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get that rat who calls himself Mercury" Roger looked at the group and they all nodded in enthusiastic agreement

"Right! Come on!" Y/N exclaimed, running forward, with Roger quick in tow.

"You really love her don't you?" Deacon looked to Brian sadly, but Brian just shook his haid

"Come on, let's move" He said and followed after the pair.

"Your highness!" A soldier came barreling through the grand double doors, panting, followed by two other soldiers. The first soldier gave an awkward and rushed bow. Mercury had risen to his feet at the commotion and everyone in the ballroom had fallen silent, watching their king and the three soldiers with grave interest. "Your highness! The girl..."

"What?" Mercury asked with a dark smirk, sitting back down on his throne.

"The girl who ate the fruit and forgot everything!" Another one of the soldiers continued, panic in his voice.

"What of her?" The Fairy asked nonchalantly, eyebrows raised.

"She's here with your wizard guardian, your dryad head of security and your pixie jester!" The last one finished, removing his helmet and stepping forward, significantly calmer than the other two. There was a glint in his eye, similar to that of a child on Christmas. "They got past the guard and they're on their way to the tower."

Mercury shot to his feet once more and clicked his fingers. Immediately all but a handful of the people in the ballroom were scrambling out of the door and to the safety of their home. The handful that remained were suddenly shielded by a red glow and their fine suits and tailored dresses had become armour. Their intricate masks and delicate handbags transformed into shining silver.

"Go to the city of the tower! You, take the orb and hide it!" Mercury handed one of his crystal balls, the one which contained the freedom of the human girl, to a soldier, who immediately ran off with it. "She must be stopped! Do something!" Alarm bells started ringing throughout the tower as Mercury rushed down the stairs in front of his throne and walked over to one of his paintings. This painting was old and cracked, oily and greased, depicting a perfect image of the tower with all of its crumbling stones and ivy winding its way around. He quickly stepped inside, his soldiers following behind. Once arrived, the soldiers surged towards the entrance of the city, searching for the group of vigilantes, while Mercury made his way up the tower.

Roger's pointed ears pricked up at the sound of incoming footstep and immediately placed himself in front of  (Y/N). Deacon and Brian, noticing Roger's sudden defensive move, prepared their respective weapons, once again prepared to fight. They continued with cautious steps getting deeper into the city and closer to the tower. Brian glanced back at (Y/N), swearing to himself that he'd protect her no matter what happened next. She caught his eye and gave him a supportive and soothing look, eyes soft and smile tender. They soon reached a wall with what looked like skinny chess pieces, or something of a similar variety, protruding from them

"I think we're going to make it," (Y/N) whispered, her smile forming into a wide grin, which made Brian's cheeks flush and Roger's head spin. Roger's head had been so clouded, in fact, that he didn't realise the gravity of the next words he said.

"Piece of cake." The trios head snapped to him, their hopeful faces falling to ones of fear and alarm. The pixie's eyes widened in realisation, shooting a glare at Deacon, who had smacked the blonde over the back of the head. Abruptly, soldiers rose to the wall, as if they'd been hiding there, all of them holding a different variation of weapon. Mercury watched as soldiers poured in from every side and enclosed the assembly. Safe in his tower. One of the soldiers blew a horn and a canon, that one group of soldiers had rolled with them, fired, making (Y/N) flinch as her ears began to ring. The cannonball flew over their heads and into one of the straw roofs of the buildings behind them. They began to charge and Brian wasted no time in turning around and back the way they came, snatching (Y/N)'s hand along the way and pulling her with him, earning a scowl from Roger.

"Quick this way!" (Y/N) shouted as she ran ahead, this time pulling Brian along and turning sharply. The sound of the cannon reverberated through the air once more, striking the building next to (Y/N), who flinched and released Brian's hand to cover her ears. Roger, seeing his opportunity, grasped her hand, this time interlocking their fingers. Brian glowered but quickly noticed that Deacon had gone missing. When he looked over his shoulder, he could spy Deacon back where they'd just run from, fighting off a group of his own soldiers in an attempt to buy the trio some time. Roger, too focused on ensuring (Y/N)'s safety, had yet to notice and tugged her along as soon as he noticed a clearing through the soldiers, who, by now, were running around like headless chickens. The wizard, torn between helping Deacon or following Roger, froze for a second, contemplating his options before deciding to trail after Roger. Though he couldn't help but feel guilty about leaving John behind. (Y/N), Roger and Brian reached an open town square.

"John! Where's John?" (Y/N) asked turning to Brian, who responded with a sheepish look. However, as he opened his mouth to reply a scream of 

"Fire!" Ricochet through the air and another cannon blast was heard, narrowly missing the group once more. (Y/N) let out a frustrated huff.

"We have to find John!" She announced. Brian and Roger shared a look, knowing it would be safer for her if they continued on their way to the tower. They also knew, however, how deeply she cared for her newfound friends, and how she wouldn't stop until she found Deacon. She ran down one of the alleys, calling directions over her shoulder as the two head over heels creatures attempted to keep up. They came upon an alley where they saw Deacon charging at a group of soldiers, knocking them over like bowling pins. (Y/N) rushed over to him, yanking him into a tight but swift hug before Brian entered one of the houses, the others following behind him and slamming the door. All the soldiers were quick to swarm the house, banging on the door and bashing the walls and windows, like it was some form of apocalypse. 

"Well this wasn't your smartest plan, I must say, Brian," Roger commented snarkily, leaning on the wall, arms crossed over his chest. Brian shot him an icy glare, fire in his eyes, with a twinge of jealousy still present behind them.

"You didn't exactly contribute with a plan either, so I'd appreciate it if you kept your mouth shut," Brian snapped back, narrowing his eyes daringly as Roger opened his mouth to speak. Roger quickly shut it again, turning the face the other direction with a small "hmph". Deacon and (Y/N) exchanged an awkward look, stood back by the doorway. The tension was thick and Deacon swore he could cut the sexual tension with a knife.

 Brian, with a sour look still planted firmly on his face, started his journey up the ladder in the corner that led to the roof. Once he arrived at the top, he opened the latch trapdoor and looked around the house. They were completely boxed in and soldiers called expletives and insults up at the wizard. The wizard thought for a moment when suddenly a plan came to mind. He had magic, why wasn't he using it? He managed to position himself as comfortably as possible before he outstretched his arms, a green glow protruding from them and joining together in the gap between them. Wisps of green spread out far and wide across the land and after a few minutes of nothing, hundreds, if not thousands of stones came rolling through the city, chasing the soldiers around in circles, knocking some over or unconscious or simply scaring the soldiers into the houses to barricade themselves. Brian let out a gasp as the glowing of his hands dimmed, and had to steady himself, feeling very sick and light-headed. Slowly, he began to climb back down the ladder, thinking he felt better but after a few steps down, his body grew weak again from how much energy he'd used summoning the rocks and stones. Roger, (Y/N) and Deacon instantaneously surged forward to catch him as he fell backwards off of the ladder. They carefully placed him on the ground and (Y/N) sat with him, placing his head in her lap. She cupped both of his cheeks and soothingly brushed the hair away from his face. Brian smiled weakly up at her and she gave him a worried, but clearly fake smile. And it was then Roger noticed something that he never had before. Something in her eyes. Something in the way she looked at Brian. A tenderness, but not like the one she had when she looked at Deacon.

"Can you stand?" She whispered, rubbing her thumbs over his cheeks. He didn't say anything but gave her a firm nod, knowing they were running very tight on time, and couldn't afford to wait for him any longer. Deacon and Roger moved to either side of him when he gestured them over and each took a hand to help him up. For a second, he stood but as that second passed, his knees buckled and Roger quickly caught him. With a small sigh, Roger moved Brian's arm over his shoulder and put his own arm around his waist.

"We need to move. C'mon," Deacon reminded them quietly, moving to walk in front of (Y/N) since Brian and Roger were too preoccupied to protect her. The pathway was clear once more and the trio made their way closer and closer to the tower and soon they were stood right before it. Seeing as Brian was in no state to be climbing all the stairs, Deacon looked to all the winding ivy and extended his hand. The ivy wound around each person's feet tightly and worked as a makeshift elevator, lifting them through the open tower window. Brian groaned in pain when they were placed back on solid ground. (Y/N) noticed the clock on the wall and her eyes widened. She had mere minutes to find the king and get her life back. She didn't doubt that he wouldn't put up some form of fight, considering all of his tricks and deceptions. There was only one staircase going upwards from the room they were in and her eyes lingered on it.

"That's the only way he could've gone," She remarked, scratching the back of her neck nervously."Well then, come on," Roger stepped forward, with Brian still clung onto him but (Y/N) put her hands up.

"No, no. I have to face him alone," She said strongly, trying to stop them from arguing with her. Immediately Roger's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, Deacon's back straightened, and Brian gave her an odd look.

"But why?" Deacon questioned, finally putting his sword back in its holster.

"Because that's the way it's done," Was her simple answer, though she truly wished she could bring them with her. She was scared. Terrified even. What if she didn't win. What if she was stuck with the fairy king...forever. 

"Well, if that's the way it is done, then that is the way you must do it," Deacon agreed remorsefully, Roger and Brian immediately shooting him angry glances. "But, should you need us..."

"Yes, should you need us.." Roger echoed, giving her a reassuring look, to which (Y/N) nodded.

"I'll call. Thank you. All of you," And with that, she darted up the stairs, her friends watching her with woeful and worried eyes. She reached a room with staircases in every direction. Up, down, sideways. It was impossible 

She started to navigate her way around it, going down the stairs to her right, and up the ones after that. (Y/N) reached an even space between two of the staircases and looked around for any sign of the Fairy King. She peered over the edge, only to see Mercury stood upside down on the other side, looking right back up at her. She jumped back in shock, and Mercury swung over the edge to come face to face with her.

"How you've turned my world. I have wasted my magic on you and your little friends. You starve and near exhaust me," Mercury stated approaching her, causing her to back up. He turned a corner and as she went to follow him, he reappeared behind her. She whizzed around upon hearing his voice "Everything I've done, I've done for you. I move the stars for no one," This time he walked straight through her, sending unpleasant ripples down her spine as he walked back to the edge and swung over back to the other side. Every time she tried to look at him, he seemed to move and reappear somewhere else. He looked at her and caught her glare, narrowing his eyes back "Your eyes can be so cruel. Just as I can be so cruel. If you want your life back, go and get it," He sneered throwing the orb that had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and throwing it to the opposite side of the room.

(Y/N) went down countless stairs and went through countless door frames as Mercury taunted her, and she would always appear somewhere else, often on the other side of the room to the orb. Mercury was messing with her, and she knew it very well. He would even bring her within inches of the orb and it would appear far away. However, she managed to distract him with his own endless monologing long enough. With a deep breath, she took a leap of faith and ran from one edge to the next, where the orb was located, and jumped off, falling through the air and grasping the orb. (Y/N) let out a laugh of glee before she noticed the room around her separating into chunks of stone and she landed on one of them, isolated in the endless sea of colours and stone. Mercury appeared from the shadowed, walking towards her as a predator would to a prey.

"Give me the orb," (Y/N) demanded, standing tall and proud, as a way of hiding her fear.

"(Y/N), beware. I have been generous up until now, and I can be cruel," Mercury warned, eyes dark and dangerous but (Y/N) could tell the boat was sinking and he was trying desperately to hang on.

"Generous?" She tilted her head, incredulously. "What have you done that's generous?"

"Everything!" He snarled "Everything that you wanted, I have done. You asked to be rid of your life. I rid you of it. You cowered before me. I was frightening. I have reordered time," He pointed to a clock that had appeared. The hands were going haywire, spinning around and around  "I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?" In his rant, Mercury had stepped closer and closer until they were face to face. (Y/N) was silent for a moment.

"Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the tower beyond the King's Labyrinth," She took a step forward, and this time, Mercury backed away, as if he was scared of her words. He hid his fear behind confidence and an intimidating outer appearance, but eyes are always the body's deceivers. "For my will is as strong as yours and my-"

"Stop! Wait. Look (Y/N), look what I'm offering you," A new crystal ball emerged in his hand "Your dreams."

"-And my kingdom as great."

"I ask for so little. Just let me rule you, and you can have everything you want," He attempted.

"Kingdom as great... Damn! I can never remember that line," She mumbled in frustration and a cocky smirk rose on the king's face.

"Just fear me, do as I say, and you can spend the rest of your time here with Roger. I've seen you two, I know you feel for him. That you love him," He pushed. At that, (Y/N) hesitated and Mercury saw it. She paused and stopped racking her brain and looked up at him.

"You have no power over me."

Mercury's orb flew into the sky, and images began to flash before her eyes, clocks, owls, cloth, ivy, soldiers, ballrooms, dryads, pixies, wizards...

Pixies

The orb crashed back down to the ground, and when (Y/N) opened her eyes, she was back in the ballroom, with Brian, Roger and Deacon stood before her. The room was full of people dancing and laughing. No one seemed afraid.

"What-what happened?" (Y/N) pondered, confusion filling her eyes. Deacon's eyes lit up and he scooped her into a bear hug, spinning her around in circles, the two releasing joyous laughter. Eventually, he set her down again and it was then she noticed he was not wearing his soldiers uniform but a rather smart suit, just as Roger and Brian were behind him

"You did it! You're free! We're all free!" He bellowed in glee, but he was soon pushed out the way as Brian and Roger enveloped her in a massive hug as well, practically crushing her between them.

"I don't know the last time I've seen our people so happy," Brian stated when they'd separated, looking over the crowd with a child-like grin on his face.

"And it's all thanks to you, you incredible human!" Roger laughed, not seeming to quite believe that they were actually free "And I finally got out of that awful ruffle after god knows how many millennia."

"It's a shame, it was starting to grow on me," (Y/N) teased. Roger let out a loud laugh and Brian and Deacon watched happily. Roger had been kept under a tight leash by the king for so long, they couldn't remember when they'd last seen him genuinely laugh.

"(Y/N), I think the time has come" A crystal ball emerged from thin air and balanced in Brian's fingers. "You need to go home."

"I wish I could bring you all with me," She said sadly, agreeing that their time together had come to an end. Deacon looked at the others and sighed

"Actually, there's enough magical energy left from Mercury for two people to transport back," He explained, and (Y/N) smiled before realising the decision she now had to make. She looked at her three friends, all of whom were willing to leave their own world to join her. This would be the hardest decision she'd ever had to make "No matter who you choose, we will always be there for you."

TELL ME IF I FORGOT TO TAG ANYONE!”

TAGS: OPEN

Tags (for this series): @loveandbeloved29 @sam-mercurry-sixx@sunflower-borhap-boys @bouncingjoe @lets-go-panic-at-discos@storiesandcelestialbodies @everything-you-dont-wanna-be@sincereleygmg@mirkwoodshewolf@queendeakyy@sprinkle-covered-leeks@ikbenplant @queen-paladin@scarlettequinn@simonedk @royalblueviper @seven-seas-of-bitch

Tags:  @writingfortoomanyfandoms @metaphorical-love-for-a-car@queens-n-roses @freaky-dcaky@yourealegendfred@fierce-bab@dusthas-beenbitten @bensroger@strangeandwonderfulconcepts@babebenhardy@benhardyjones@silvver-rose @psychosupernatural​

[sunonyoreface]

Forest Nymph | Geralt of Rivia pt 1

Hi this is my first fanfic so take it easy on me!

Warnings: slight gore

Going into town was dangerous. If anyone found out who or more importantly what you are, they would kill you. Maybe they’d stake you up to a post and burn you. Or they could tie you to the back of a horse cart then drag you face first around town until your mouth fills with mud and shit and your flesh gets torn off your bones. Maybe they’d simply beat you to death.

Either way it didn’t really matter. If the people of Asenguard found out that you are the dryad, the forest nymph who is destroying their farm land, the first thing they would do is torture and kill you.

So, understandably, going into town is not an often occurrence. A trip once every three or four months does more than suffice. You bring rare herbs and spices to trade for coin. The local healer is especially fond of you. She is a warm soul. One of the few good humans left, with no second motive in her kind eyes. She simply wants to help others.

“Oh Briar!” she exclaims excitedly, having watched you walk down the narrow path to her warmly lit cottage “I’m so glad to see you! I was getting low on juniper berries.” She holds her hand out for the pack with childlike excitement. She’s the only human who knows what you are.

“Come in for some tea.”

“I’d like that.” She’s the closest thing to a friend that you have

The conversation stays light however you can tell there’s something on her mind. She keeps giving you concerning looks. Looks that say something is wrong.

“Is there something going on Thea?” She purses her lips and takes in a deep breath before sighing.

“Things have gotten a lot more tense these past few months. The farmers are… well they’re angry. Really angry. They’re talking about hiring someone to find the thing wrecking their land. A Witcher” Her worried eyes never leave yours. She is serious.

“I’ll be fine Thea. I always have been.”

“I mean it. Something has changed,” She paused for a moment. “The air is different. I can feel it in my bones.”

She’s right. You know it and yet its easier to pretend that nothing is changing.

“Look I’ll be safe, check my back, everything is going to be just fine.” She simply sighs in response, but what else can you do? Leave? That’s not an option. The Asenguard forest is a part of your soul. “I need to go, finish my errands.”

“Of course.”

Thea hands you a bag of coins before you leave. It is heavier than normal. You shoot her a disapproving look.

“Just take it. Keep me in mind.”

“Thank you.”

Downtown is busier than normal. People are bustling about their business. Some shoot each other dirty looks; others eye the crowd suspiciously. People don’t trust their neighbours, let alone the dirty scoundrels on the streets. Theft is rampant throughout the town.

You keep your cloak pulled far over your head. Long leather gloves pulled up to your elbows. If anyone were to see your skin, the first thing they would notice is how eerily pale you are. In the moonlight your skin glows silver and bleeds a deep emerald green. Despite this harsh skin tone, you don’t appear drained, if anything you radiate light. Your hood also hides your ears. Their pointed tips only merely poke out of your hair, but they are still noticeable. The towns folk would immediately know something is off.

The fabric shop you enter is small and crowded. Upper class women go in with their children to buy buttons and fancy ribbons. Items that most towns folk can only dream of owning. You simply need a new needle and some thread. And a couple arms worth of leather. It will come in handy for when the temperature starts to drop in several weeks.

A couple women talk to the shop keeper. They speak in hushed tones, but their excitement is loud and clear.

“Have you seen him?” A lady in a blue dress and matching cloak asks.

“He’s so handsome! The things I would let that man do to me.” Another in a pink dress replies. They laugh in unison as if what she said is the funniest thing in the world. You dread these encounters.

“My husband says he will finally kill that wicked demon in the forest.”

You freeze at her words. They really did hire a Witcher. And he is already here. Here to hunt you down and eviscerate you, leaving your entrails for the wolves. The women are oblivious to your reaction. They continue their petty gossip about the Witcher and his bard, who apparently, will be easier to lure into their promiscuous trap than the Witcher. You cringe at the thought.

You gather your items quickly and pay with the coins Thea generously gave you. The only other stop you need to make is to the silver smith. There are less women in the more industrial part of town. Their tongues may be sharp but at least they pose no physical threat. Men like to hang around the smith’s shop and drink their ale. It has made for some uncomfortable encounters in the past.

“I want to pick up an order for Briar Woods.” The man behind the counter eyes you suspiciously. His expression said women don’t belong here. But you already know that much.

“The dagger?”

“Yes.”

“You got coin?” The alcohol on his breath wafts through the stale air. You place the amount you counted out on the way here onto the counter. He slides it into his pocket before disappearing behind the storage door. The dagger was more expensive than you had expected, but it is worth it. A bow and arrows are good for long distance, but you need something that will help if hand to hand combat is necessary.

The door to the shop opens behind you and someone slips in the same time the smith comes out from the storage room.

“Here.” He drawls, handing you the dagger, “Don’t cut yourself sweetheart.”

Bile rises in your throat. You turn around without thanking him and go to leave the shop.

“Didn’t expect to see you here, Witcher.” He says to the man waiting behind you. “Bout time you showed up.” Suddenly you become aware of the towering mass of muscle and armour behind you. Your heart skips a beat at the realization.

“I Just want my sword sharpened. That’s all.” His deep, gritty voice fills the room.

I need to get out! You think. Your heart starts racing faster than it ever has before and your mouth runs dry. He’s right there. At that moment he turns around to glance at you. Can he hear my heart? Leave! Move your legs and get out!

Once you force yourself out of the shop you run. It doesn’t matter that people shoot you strange looks, you run faster than ever before, all you can hear is your heartbeat rapidly pulsing in your throat; you run until the forest swallows you whole. There’s no way you can hide from a Witcher, let alone beat him in any sort of combat. You are utterly fucked.

“Who was that?” Geralt asks the silver smith.

“No clue. Don’t remember seeing her before.” The smith answers nonchalantly.

“Hmm.”

Geralt has been getting a lot of pressure from the King of Asenguard to at least go and look for what is causing damage to the farmers’ crops. The farmers, apparently, would not leave him alone. Geralt honestly didn’t give a damn about their crops; however, the King offered a persuasive amount of coin just to look into it. After all, coin is coin.

Outside the building a sing song voice rings through the air.

“Toss a coin to your Witcher, oh valley of plenty, of valley of plenty” Geralt groans annoyed at Jaskier, the bard’s entrance.

“Well hello Geralt! Have you gone to the alehouse yet?” He burped, “There must be something special in the water!” He chuckled to himself. Geralt glared at him stone eyed. He was drunk before the sun had even gone down.

“They love us here! They already know all the words to my song.”

“Hmm”

The Asenguard forest stretches hundreds of thousands of miles across the province of Nazair, with endless hiding spots, and yet, you can’t find a single one. Nothing is good enough. Your new friend, the dagger, doesn’t give you any reassurance either. Despite this, you haven’t given up hope. Maybe he won’t even come looking the optimistic side of your brain thinks, however you know that is extremely unlikely.

It’s a full moon tonight. You can at least better your chances by finding somewhere dark. Somewhere where your skin won’t radiate back the bright moonlight. Normally you loved the moon and would spend the nights dancing with her, but not now. Not tonight when her bright embrace might get you killed.

There are several cave systems throughout the forest with only one of them being close enough that you can make it before it gets dark. You prefer to spend your nights up in the trees and don’t know the caves well, however this one likely has two or three entrances. Despite this, the thought of getting lost or trapped crosses your mind, it is always a possibility.

When you finally reach the caves, you are surprised to find a small pond has formed near the entrance that was not here the last time you were in this part of the forest. The sun is just starting to set. Every nerve of your being is on edge. You feel as though you are tingling with electricity. A swim in the pond would be really nice right now, just to take the edge off. After all, it is still light out, you still have time.

You set your cloak near the edge of the pond on top of a large patch of moss. The moss is soft and comforting under your feet. The patches under your feet slowly turn greener and healthier. That is part of being a forest nymph, things grow around you. You let the dark dress slowly drop off your shoulders onto the moss as well. The water is cool and comforting as you wade in. The ecosphere accepts you as one of its own. Dipping your head under water, you reach to the bottom of the shallow pond and let your hands sink themselves into the smooth clay-like mud. A warm energy escapes from your hands, with it a soft green light flows into the dirt. Almost out of no where a shoot comes out of the ground where your hands lay. Then another and another, dozens of Lilypad shoots are conjured out of the ground and reach for the surface of the water where they then blossom in an array of colours. When you break the surface of water, you are surrounded by the sweet and subtle smell of lily flowers. Finally, you are able to relax.

That doesn’t last long when out of no where you hear a horse’s footsteps out in the distance.

Shit! You think, if I can hear them, then they can definitely hear me. You quietly wade out of the water as to not create any disturbance. Your veins fill with adrenaline as you reach for you clothes and pack. Slipping the cloak on with nothing underneath, you quickly make your way to the entrance of the cave, not noticing the dagger which still lay on the moss. Suddenly they don’t seem so familiar. Going in doesn’t feel like the best option anymore, but the sound of hooves coming closer means you don’t really have much of a choice.

It takes your eyes a minute to adjust to the dimly lit cave. Your eyes are fully dilated, but not just because of lack of light. Fear fills your entire body. It pumps through your veins and heightens your senses. Every muscle feels stiff, and yet you are ready to jump at any noise. You need to move further in the cave system. The rocks are damp and covered in moss and lichen. The air is thick and musky, making it hard to breath. Or maybe its your current state of panic that’s making it hard to breath. Neither seem to be helping. You step carefully around lose rocks. If one were to tumble, you’d be done for. Dust and small pebbles start to fall from the ceiling of the cave, suddenly, you can hear hooves right above your head.

You reach for the dagger which had been residing in the pocket of your cloak only to find it missing. No! Oh, please not this, anything but my fucking dagger! The bow and arrow packed away in your bag will have to do.

Geralt has been riding around the forest for the past three hours looking for any signs of what could have happened to the farmers land. There appears to be an invasive species of vines growing around the edges of the crops where the tilled land meets the forests edge. Set there to warn them from coming any closer. Honestly, he doesn’t care much for the farmers. They’re destroying the forest for more fertile land because they don’t care to take care of what they already have. Senseless fucking humans if you ask him. But its an organic economy, he understands that much. That town relies on those farmers to feed them, or they all die, which is cause enough to look into it, and the coin of course.

They don’t stop until Roach needs to drink, and lucky enough, there happens to be a pond nearby. Geralt unmounts from Roach to stretch his legs. When he approaches the waters edge to splash his face, the pendant around his neck starts to faintly vibrate. Magic has been used here. Until this point, he didn’t think anything of the lilies in the water, however there is an unusually large amount of them growing for such a small pond.

His senses become more aware as he scans the area lit under the bright moonlight. Something catches his eye, a slight glint coming from a small metal object in the moss. A dagger. A freshly crafted dagger to be specific. It doesn’t even look used.

Geralt’s mind flashes back to the silver smith’s shop earlier that day. The girl who was leaving just as he arrived was picking up a dagger. One very similar to what he is now holding in his hands. He pockets the dagger and unsheathes his sword off of his back. Something is off.

A dark shadow near a clump of boulders catches his attention. A cave. As he gets closer, his pendant starts to vibrate more prominently. Something is in there, but what? Not many creatures can conjure that specific type of damage onto those crops. The first thing that comes to his mind is a witch.

“Come out. I’m not going to hurt you!” He calls into the entrance of the cave

The Witcher’s voice echoes throughout the walls of the cave. The hairs on the back of your neck are fully raised in fear. He is lying. He has to be. Maybe he doesn’t even know if you are in here. Yet, you find yourself doubting that thought.

“If you don’t come out, I’m coming in.” his voice echoes again. Silently, you raise your bow and aim it at the mouth of the cave about a hundred meters away. Still close enough to have accurate aim, but at the same time, your view is obscured by rocks and the bulging walls of the cave.

After a moment of silence, Geralt steps foot into the cave only to have an arrow whizz past the side of his face. It is so close he can feel the movement it causes in the air around him. Suddenly, he no longer feels obligated to honor his previous offer.

You quickly load another arrow and aim. Your hands are surprisingly still. The Witcher ducks down out of view. He uses the boulders to his advantage and creeps closer to you. This isn’t going to work for much longer, especially when you can’t see him. You break into a sprint going deeper into the tunnels. Sharp rocks nick at your skin, but none of that matters right now. Right now, you need to find the other exit. Wherever that may or may not be. The tunnels branch off into different, narrower tunnels that twist and wind causing any sense of direction you once had to be lost. The air is becoming impossibly thick to breath, and you can hear the Witcher’s footsteps closing the space behind you.

If things couldn’t get any worse, your tunnel starts getting impossibly narrow, your only escape running out. Your last shred of hope crushed. You can’t make it any further, the tunnel runs out. There isn’t even enough space for you to shoot an arrow. You are truly defenseless. At the hands of a bloodthirsty Witcher. Fuck

Unless…One last spark of hope flickers in your mind. You bury your hands in the dirt and push all your energy into the ground. A green light fills the air and shoots come flying out of the ground. You pour all of your remaining energy to making these small vines reach the top of the cave. The vines quickly thicken and form thorns as they grow larger and larger. Finally, they filled the entire space, just as the Witcher reached you.

You collapsed, exhausted, but safe. You were completely drained, trapped, and likely about to be murdered, but for now you are safe.

Geralt stops outside of the thorny wall, impressed with what he just witnessed. She conjured a thorny wall of protection out of nowhere with incredible speed. This is not the work of a witch, but what?

“What are you?” He asks, slightly out of breath. You don’t answer right away, too consumed with your exhaustion.

“Why?” you sigh

“I haven’t seen that type of magic in a long time.” The threatening tone in his voice seems to have disappeared, which only sets you more on edge. Of course, it has, he has you trapped here, exhausted and without any food or water. At this point growing anything more is simply not an option.

“I’m a Dryad,” You finally give in. “and you were sent here to kill me, right? The towns people couldn’t stop talking about you today.” Tears finally found their way down your cheeks.

“Hmm” he mumbled. “Well no, technically I haven’t been sent here to kill you. The king wanted me to find out what was damaging farmers’ crops, but I’m guessing once I tell him he’ll want you dead.”

There it is. You think.

“So that’s what you’re going to do?”

“That depends,” He pauses, “Why’d you wreck the land?”

“Why did I wreck the land?” You laugh, “Those farmers are the ones destroying the land. They don’t take care of it properly, rob it of its nutrients, then fuck off and cut down more of my forest. I’m only trying to save the forest. Otherwise they’ll continue until there is nothing left.” Your voice cracks and tears intensify. All you ever tried to do was the right thing, and now… Well look what it has gotten you. The Witcher hummed in response, offering nothing.

Then you hear him pick up his sword.

“What are you doing?” you ask as the first slash hits your thorny wall of vines. “No! Please No!” You beg, but the slashing continues. Your vines wither at the abuse and you don’t have the energy to fight back. All you can do is curl up in the corner in fear of what comes next. Until finally, it stops.

You look up to see the Witcher has resheathed his sword and holds his hand out to you.

“You’re not going to kill me?”

“No.” He shakes his head. His golden eyes glow slightly in the near dark cave. Your shaky hand meets his, and he helps you up.

“What’s your name?” You ask.

“Geralt of Rivia.”

“I’m Briar of Asenguard.”

---

Pt.2 is out!  Thank you all for the positive feedback!!!

https://sunonyoreface.tumblr.com/post/613171373679034368/forest-nymph-geralt-of-rivia-pt2

Pt.3

https://sunonyoreface.tumblr.com/post/613415372067143680/forest-nymph-geralt-of-rivia-pt3

Pt.4

https://sunonyoreface.tumblr.com/post/613676968381136896/forest-nymph-geralt-of-rivia-pt4

[ericsonclan]

Snow Dusted Fun

Summary: The monsters gather around for some winter fun.

Word Count: 2877

Read on AO3:

Minnie could feel her feathers prickling as a cool winter breeze rushed past her, causing her body to shiver slightly. Even with a coat and hat it still felt chilly to the harpy. A loud sneeze drew her attention over to her twin who let out a twitter while shaking her head.

“It sure is cold out today, huh?” Sophie smiled over at her sister.

“Yeah,” Minnie nodded in agreement. “But it's also really pretty,” The harpy’s icy blue eyes glanced up at the sky where snowflakes started to slowly drift down.

Sophie stuck out her tongue and let a snowflake stick to it. “Wintertime is always so nice.” The twins continued to walk down the street, their talons disappearing into the snow as they made their way to their destination. Minnie nervously checked her watch for a moment. When she glanced up she saw a teasing smile on her sister’s face.

“I just want to make sure we’re on time.” Minnie’s sentence made Sophie let out a small chuckle.

“We’re fine, the berry fields aren't far from here. Besides, it’s not the end of the world if we’re a bit late. It’s not like everyone else is gonna be standing there waiting for us.”

“True,” Minnie’s pace quickened though as she led the way down the sidewalk that led to destination. Sophie jogged to keep up only to skid to a halt when Minnie paused. Following her sister’s gaze, she noticed what had caused her to stop in her tracks.

There, standing a few feet away from them was Renata, her face and hair snow-dusted. Her head tilted this way and that while her ears twitched. The huldra’s focus was completely on the pile of snow in front of her. Without warning she leapt high in the air before landing in the snow mound with a soft thud, her tail falling to the side as the top half of her body had already disappeared under the snow.

The twin harpies watched in silence, waiting for the huldra to emerge from the snow. After a few seconds Renata’s head popped out, completely covered with snow. She looked giddy with joy after that snow jump. It didn’t take long for her eyes to catch sight of the twins, however, and as soon as she did she scampered over their way.

“Min!” Renata ran forward and wrapped her arms around Minnie, nuzzling her still snow-covered head against Minnie’s, causing a shiver to run down the harpy’s spine.

“Hey, Ren.” Minnie smiled down at her girlfriend with a shy blush. “Having fun snow diving?”

“Mmhmm,” Renata smiled, her sharp teeth shining brightly “But it’s gonna be even more fun now that you’re here. We get to enjoy my favorite season together!”

“I thought you said your favorite season was autumn,” Sophie’s voice drew her best friend’s attention.

“Yeah, it was, but now that it's winter time that’s changed!” Renata’s tail curled into the shape of a question mark. “There’s nothing like snow!” Her smile grew at the thought before she held onto Minnie’s hand and started guiding her forward. “Come on, we can’t waste a second now that you two are here! I was getting bored with just Violet for company.”

“Vi’s here?” Sophie looked around the fields to see if she could see her friend when they spotted her. The werewolf was in the midst of digging within the snow. A substantial amount of snow had been dug up and flung behind her. The werewolf’s tail wagged excitedly as she continued to dig the hole. After a second Violet stopped and glanced up, her ears covered with snow, when she felt eyes on her. In an instant the werewolf’s tail went flat, clearly embarrassed that she let her hunting instincts take over. Shaking off the snow, Violet made her way over to Sophie, moving past Renata who had run off holding Minnie’s hand with promises of making the best snow angels.

“Hey, Vi.” Sophie smiled warmly over at her best friend.

“Hey,” Violet mumbled. Her tail was slowly swaying back and forth at the sight of her friend.

“Is it just you and Ren here?” Sophie’s question made the werewolf’s pale green eyes glance up.

Violet gave a short nod.

“Well, since Minnie and Renata are busy,” Sophie looked over and watched as Minnie started to make a snow angel, happy chirps escaping her lips as Renata joined in making her own beside her, “Wanna make a snow fort?”

“Sure,” Violet shrugged; her tail wagged even faster now. Sophie let out an excited twitter and ran over to a spot on the snow that neither the huldra or werewolf had messed with their hunting.

“Okay, so I’m thinking of big walls that go in a circle.” Sophie’s hands mapped out the idea. Violet nodded along. Soon the two friends were working on their snow fort. They talked about how this would give them an advantage when the others showed up for a snowball fight.

Both of them seemed excited at the idea and continued to work when more monsters began to show up. Violet’s ears immediately perked when she saw Prisha making her way towards the field while she spoke with Clementine. The vampire’s eyes soon met the werewolf’s, causing both of their faces to instantly brighten. Wordlessly Violet left the harpy alone to work on the snow fort as she made her way to Prisha.

“Hello, Violet.” Prisha smiled, her fangs sticking out ever so slightly.

“Hey, Prisha.” Violet’s tail energetically wagged at the sight of her girlfriend.The werewolf looked over at Clementine who was busy making sure her hat was securely on her head. “Hey, Clem.”

The human stopped in her task and offered a smile. “Hey, Violet. Seems like you and Soph have already been hard at work.” Clementine gestured over to where the snow fort stood. The harpy gave a determined crow as she placed a huge pile of snow on to the snow fort then a happy chirp only to be stopped when a snowball hit her square in the face.

Renata’s laughter made it clear that she was the culprit as her tail curled into the shape of a question mark once again, a mischievous grin on her face. Sophie shook her head wildly and gave a glare that lasted for only a moment before she formed a snowball and tossed it at the huldra, nearly knocking her over with it.

“Well, it seems like things are already getting crazy,” Prisha stated.

“Oh, are we late?” Louis’ charming voice drew Clementine’s attention. Her eyes brightened in an instant when she noticed her boyfriend who was strolling forward with Marlon. The frankenstein seemed just as happy to see his girlfriend as he jogged ahead and planted a quick kiss on Clementine's cheek. The couple were completely caught up in the moment of the kiss, only snapping out when the dullahan spoke.

“Looks like Sophie needs my help,” Marlon double-checked his scarf that secured his head in place before running forward. “Sophie!” The harpy paused in her attacks on the huldra and looked over at her boyfriend. Her eyes danced with happiness when they looked at him.

“Ready to kick some ass?” Marlon asked, sliding behind the protection of the half-built snow fort.

“Yeah, let’s do it!” Sophie packed together a snowball and tossed it over at Renata. The huldra let out another fox-like laugh when the snowball missed. Sophie was about to send another attack when a snowball hit her face. Shaking her head, she saw that Minnie was the one who threw it, a competitive smile on her face as she looked at her twin.

“Oh, it’s on now!” Sophie gave a war chirp and soon the two couples were in an all-out war, tossing snowballs and trying to get the upper hand in the never-ending snow battle.

“Well they seem locked in a fierce battle. So how about the four of us build snowmen!” Louis suggested, a bright smile on his face as he looked over at the others.

“I’d love that,” Clementine replied, intertwining her fingers with the frankenstein’s.

“Sounds fun,” Prisha added and looked over at her girlfriend. “Right, Violet?”

“Sure,” Violet gave a small smile, her tail still moving back and forth happily. With the others’ confirmation, Louis guided them over to a spot and got down on his knees to begin to build the snowman. As soon as he started to roll the bottom third of the snowman Clementine joined him. The couple pushed the base together, working as a team to make the best snowman. Violet ran off for a moment while Prisha began to build the snowman. The werewolf soon returned carrying sticks for both sets of snowmen. Prisha and Violet talked amongst themselves as they worked to push the base in place before starting on the next part. Ruby and Aasim were the last to appear at the field, slowly walking forward hand in hand. They’d showed up around the time that both couples had nearly finished their second section of the snowman.

“Sorry we’re late,” Ruby flashed an apologetic grin. “My pa needed help with something in preparations for the holidays.”

“Ruby! Aasim!” Louis smiled wildly. “You two made it just in time to help finish making the snowmen!”

The dryad and fire elemental seemed relieved that they hadn’t missed out on all the fun as they strolled over. Both of them began to work on Clementine and Louis‘ snowman. Luckily Aasim had gotten special-made gloves so his hands didn’t melt the snow and in turn the liquidated snow didn’t harm his skin. Ruby and Clementine started talking about holiday traditions as they lifted up the final section of the snowman onto the other balls of snow. Meanwhile Aasim and Louis were debating on what sort of face the snowman should have.

“I don’t see why it can't have buck teeth.” Louis huffed, placing his hands on his hips.

“Because I don’t know how it would be possible with the items we have to do it.” Aasim countered, his flames flickering with annoyance.

“Well, fine. But we’re giving it dreadlocks.”

“I... “ Aasim sighed. “Sure we can just put a lot of sticks on the head.”

“Yes!” Louis pulled victoriously on the sides of his coat. “Violet, I’m gonna need help finding more sticks!”

The werewolf glanced over, annoyed that she was cut off from her conversation with Prisha. “Louis, you can find your own sticks.”

“But you have a secret sixth sense about where they are. A stick sense.”

Violet stared at her best friend, unimpressed by his pun. She was about to respond when a stray snowball hit the werewolf in the face.

Everyone stopped in that moment, their eyes wandering over to the huldra who looked somewhat apologetic although her grin made it unclear how sincere it was. Wordlessly Violet leaned over and gathered snow, patting it into a snowball and chucking it over at Renata. The snowball hit the huldra, breaking into smaller pieces. Some of which slipped into her gloves. Renata danced around from the cold for a minute before dramatically pointing a finger at the werewolf. “You’ve just declared war on the wrong canine.”

“I don’t care about your stupid-”

Before Violet could say anything more another snowball flew towards her. But instead of hitting the original target it ended up hitting Prisha. Violet’s eyes widened before she looked back at the huldra. A small growl escaped her lips as she sprinted forward to join the snowball fight. It was a fierce fight that ended with all members of the snowball fight collapsed on the ground as they caught their breath. After a minute Violet got up and sat under a tree to get some space when she noticed Prisha walking over.

“Mind if I join you?” The vampire asked with a small smile.

“No,” Violet’s tail whacked wildly against the tree as Prisha joined her side. The two silently watched as Louis and Clementine were busy having a snow angel contest against Marlon and Sophie. Slowly Violet reached out her hand and wrapped it around Prisha. The sudden warmth surprised the vampire for a moment but she soon scooted closer to her girlfriend.

Prisha let out a content sigh as she let her head rest on top of Violet’s. Being a vampire meant that she was always cold, the wintertime only making her even chillier than usual. But Violet was always warm. Being a werewolf meant that she had a natural body heat that never faded no matter how cold it was. It was always comforting to Prisha to be near Violet but to have this added warmth during the winter was a pleasant bonus. The two sat in content silence for a few minutes, simply enjoying each others’ presence.

“Ahhh,” Louis’ voice suddenly appeared to the right of Violet. “You really are toasty!”

“Louis,” Violet looked over in surprise, her eyes hardening with annoyance. “Why are you leaning on me?”

The frankenstein looked at her with a pout. “I’m cold and everyone else is already hogging Aasim.” Louis pointed over at the fire elemental who was surrounded by the others. All of them held out their hands around the monster who seemed annoyed by the whole turn of events.

“Well, then wait for your turn or something.” Violet pushed Louis away.

“Come on, Vi.”

“No.” The werewolf said simply.

“But you let Prisha sit next to you.” Louis argued.

“Because she’s my girlfriend,” Violet shot back with a small frown when she saw Louis was unconvinced, still trying to win this conversation.

“And I’m your best friend! Marlon would do it for me.” Louis put his hands on his hips.

“Then go to Marlon.” Violet muttered. The pair of friends continued to bicker as the vampire stared over at the group surrounding Aasim,  curious at what was happening with the fire elemental.

“How much longer do I have to stand here?” Aasim asked, his flames flickering lightly.

“If you could stay still for just another minute, that would be great, “ Clementine smiled apologetically at her friend.

“So warm,” Renata grinned as she held out her hands. Minnie nodded in agreement, a content smile on her face. Aasim let out a tired sigh.

“Aww, Aasim, you can’t blame them for wanting the warmth.” Ruby smiled lovingly at her boyfriend. “Since you’re such a hottie.”

That sentence set the fire elemental’s heart aflame. The flames surrounding his body shot out, causing the other monsters to yelp in fright as they leapt backwards. Sophie landed in a pile of snow with an alarmed chirp. The harpy’s head popped up, her eyes widening when she saw that the fire had gotten to one of her feathers. With frantic breaths Sophie was able to get the flame out and fell back with a sigh, only to be surprised when she saw Marlon’s head was lying on the snow beside her.

“Marlon!” Sophie got up to her feet and carefully cradled her boyfriend’s head.

“Hey, Soph,” Marlon blinked a few times, still shaken by the jump.

“Where did your body end up?” Sophie looked around, her blue eyes searching the snow before they stopped on Marlon’s form. It was struggling to get up by itself and was crawling around aimlessly in search of its head. The translucent misty blue vapors swirled around above his neck, humming lowly as Marlon’s body continued to search.

Sophie ran over and with the help of Clementine got Marlon back on his feet. Carefully the harpy placed the dullahan’s head back in place. Sophie smiled at Marlon then moved her hands to help secure the scarf around his neck. “Gotta make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“Yeah,” Marlon gave a short nod. “But nothing bad happened this time.”

“I am so sorry,” Aasim’s face was hidden behind his hands as he apologized. “I should’ve been able to contain my flames better.”

“Nah, you’re fine,” Marlon gave a reassuring smile over to his friend.

“Yeah, it just made everything extra toasty,” Sophie added with a grin. The other monsters soon gathered around.

“Are you okay, Marlon?” The frankenstein was clearly concerned for his best friend, brushing the excess snow off his coat.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just…” Marlon paused, his nose scrunching up before he let out a loud sneeze, causing his head to shift slightly out of place. Sophie lifted up her hands to help readjust her boyfriend’s head. “Just cold.”

Everyone seemed to be in the same boat as the dullahan. Suddenly the frankenstein let out an excited gasp. “Why don’t we head over to my place and we can have some hot chocolate?”

“Really?” Minnie looked surprised. “Isn’t your dad strict about guests?”

“Yeah, but he’s away for the weekend so it’s totally cool. I just need to make a call and a car will come get us.”

The others talked about it amongst themselves for a few minutes then all agreed to the suggestion. Louis beamed at the news and made the call. Once that was done the monsters all headed towards the main street, the different couples walking hand in hand as they made their way to a warm house and hot holiday drinks.

[alternative-eggs]

Part 1

Female Forest Nymph x Male Reader

The wind whispered into your ears as the sun danced over the forest. Autumn was in it's brightest colours, creating a show just for you.

You snapped yet another picture of the bright forest. Your professor wasn't the easiest to impress and he expected nothing less than perfection from each and every photograph in your portfolio. Yet another chilling breeze ran over your shoulders and caused your nose to freeze up. 

You decided it was time to pack up for the day; it was getting a bit late after all. Every time you visited the forest, you felt the urge to stay there and every time you left, you felt a weight settle deep in your chest.

The path back to your small home ran over a river. The bridge that crossed was worn and looking well past its glory days. Perhaps, once upon a time, it had been some person's pride and joy, swept and taken good care of. Now, whoever had built it was long gone and wasn't looking back. It always creeped you out a bit when it creaked under your shoes, but you had grown quite familiar with the noise and you hesitated less frequently.

This comfort you had formed with the rickety structure, of course, led to your inevitable demise.

You were about halfway over the rushing river when the planks below you snapped. Your arms flailed in the air, desperate to grab onto something, anything. A gasp rushed out of your mouth as you managed to cling to an unbroken section of the bridge and caught a splinter deep in your hand. You attempted to lift yourself up, but your muscles simply weren't having it and were ready to give out on you when she appeared.

Her green hands grasped yours and pulled you up onto the bridge before dragging you off further into the trail to your home. You thoughts were still scrambling to process what had happened when you looked up to thank your saviour.

Your brow wrinkled in confusion.

Looking left and right, up and down, you couldn't see anybody. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. You remembered her face so vividly, there's no way you could have imagined her. The way her scarlet locks framed her gentle face and her daring, but kind eyes were so focused on yours was just too real.

You stood and wiped the dirt from your knees. The camera was luckily strapped around your neck and hung safely against your chest. It would have cost an absolute fortune to replace.

Easily enough, you managed to make your way back home. It was just outside the forest, a convenient location considering you loved everything about nature, at least when it came to looking at nature. You still dreaded mosquitoes and sticky, sweaty summers.

As the sun went down, your thoughts continued to swirl around your head and late into the night, you just couldn't bare it anymore. You had to know who she was and why she disappeared. You slid on your shoes and a coat and headed out into the crisp autumn night.

The leaves crunched under your feet as you approached the bridge. Your heart skipped a beat.

The boards that had been previously destroyed were now fully repaired and the rest of the planks entangled in vines. You had heard stories of dryads living in the forest, among other things, but now you wondered if they were ever just stories at all.

You cautiously crossed the bridge and practically jumped to the other side. The familiar pull of the forest surrounded you and guided you onward. The path ended not far inwards, but you knew you wouldn't be able to rest until you received some sort of answer. She had saved your life after all. It would be rude not to thank her in some way.

Deep into the forest, you knew it would be hard to find your way back out and an angry creature could easily eat you up. You were absolutely defenseless against any of the terrors the forest may have hid. You were also beginning to have second thoughts.

How could you have been so idiotic, so rash? It was beyond words what awful thoughts ran through your mind and, in your self loathing, you managed to trip over a branch.

"Fuck!" You yelled. You'd had enough today: falling through bridges, dryad ladies popping out of nowhere, unable to sleep, lost in the forest, and now you'd managed to eat a little dirt too.

"I'd watch my language if I were you. There are children about," said a small voice.

You turned, startled and met by the same blue eyes as before.

"You!" 

"Me?" She said.

You laughed, out of hysteria or pure joy, you were still unsure.

She held out her hand.

"Nym, it's nice to finally speak with you. Now, what exactly are you doing out here at this ungodly hour? I've already saved your life once today, young sir."

"I, I uhm," you stuttered, "I couldn't sleep and... I wanted to thank you."

"You really are a precious one," she laughed, "Come darling, you won't be returning home tonight. I wouldn't want something ghastly to get ahold of you."

You hummed in response. Her voiced was sweet, like nectar. You had known her mere minutes and already you were drunk off of her words.

Her home was the last thing you were expecting. It was just a cottage, simple and plain. Nothing about it screamed out of the ordinary. Then again, a giant leaf house would draw way too much attention from explorers.

You stepped inside and a rush of heat and sweet aromas filled the air. A cat lounged on the mantle of a nearby window and the walls were dressed floor to ceiling in various plants.

"Tea?" She asked.

"No thanks. I don't mean to be rude, I mean I did come here to thank you and I don't want to impose, but I'm a bit tired."

"Oh, of course you are! Silly me! Humans need so much sleep, sometimes it's hard to keep track. Here, let me lead you to my room. You can stay there tonight and I'll help you home in the morning."

She whisked you away down the small hallway and waved you good night. Her soft smile as she closed the door behind her stayed in your memory until you woke up the next morning.

[kimvvantae]

Umbra; 12

➜  being ruled by an ancient commandment, your sole purpose is to serve. you were born to protect the king with your life, tied by an everlasting oath; you are nothing but a shadow, a silent and insignificant being. he appears to you like the sun, the warmest and brightest star in the sky, and gives you a chance to live. it is then that your entire universe starts to orbit around this sun, and you decide that you are truly willing to die for him.

pairing: King!Taehyung x (f) hybrid!reader

genre: royalty au, fantasy, angst  

warnings: descriptions of violence, blood and death that might be triggering.

word count: 14k

A/N: here is the greatest umbra chapter so far to make up for the looong wait. as always, after finish reading you’re invited to stop by my inbox and let your opinions uwu enjoy!

➜  Chapters: check up masterlist in bio!

I stared at that strange woman in silence, completely shocked.

My mother?

I analyzed her features carefully. She was a dragon hybrid, there was no doubt of it. She was probably the oldest dragon I've ever seen; people from my race usually don't live long, for we either die serving our masters or giving birth. But that woman? Although her appearance did not indicate it clearly, I could feel that she has lived long. Two entire cycles, perhaps?

And her appearance…

Her hair color was slightly darker than mine. We were around the same height. Our skin color was the same…

I could see myself looking at her.

My mother?

Ehmerald stared at me with hopeful eyes.

But if she expected it to be a heartfelt meeting, she was wrong.

I could not forget the fact that she invaded my mind and kidnapped me - nor the fact that she was the apparent leader of a rebellion that just attacked the Capital with evil energy. We had no emotional connection. I never wished to know anything about my parents, and I lived my life very well alone. She couldn't just expect me to cry, hug her and call her mom.

My expression turned into stone.

“The entire truth?” I said, voice as cold as ice. “Then where am I?”

“Inside the Baïkarh forest,” Ehmeral was quick to reply. “This is the base of our organization.”

I looked around again. There were many hybrids, and my sharp ears could hear more voices throughout the forest - thousands of people. They were quite smart. The Baïkarh forest is almost impenetrable, for it is protected by trolls and dryads, spirits of the trees. But how did they manage to convince these spirits to let them settle here? As far as I knew, spirits of the forest are holy and pure, they would never let these murderers in. Perhaps they managed to devoid all these beings as well? Just the thought of it made my blood boil in anger.

However, I couldn't just start a fight right here, although my instincts were begging me to do so. I was in the core of the rebellion and had to use this chance to know everything about them. That was the best opportunity I would ever have.

“Why did you bring me here?” I proceeded to ask, trying to control the anger on my voice.

“Because it was about time to let you know about everything,” Ehmerald said. “Jungkook told me about the things you did.”

I turned my head and glared at the rabbit-boy. He was still as pale as paper.

“He did?” I said, unable to control my aggressiveness.

Jungkook flinched.

“Don't blame him. Jungkook was just following my orders. Therefore, he did no harm to your friend; she is safe at the palace. As Jungkook already explained, he just used the bracelet to call your attention.”

“How long have you been observing me?” It was time to glare at her instead.

Ehmeral sighed. There were many mixed emotions on her eyes, but mostly joy and guilt. “It will be better if we talk with more privacy. All of you, back to work!”

The crowd around us started to dissolve, although with some hesitation.

“More privacy? Why should I go somewhere alone with you? You didn't hesitate to invade my mind, what else could you do?” I immediately stepped back, fists tightened.

“Y/N, I just did that because I needed you to be here. You wouldn't come willingly, would you? Moreover, I was not aggressive nor saw anything on your mind.” When Ehmerald noticed my body was still tense, she sighed. “I am not locking you here. You can go away if you want; none of us would be able to stop you anyway. Or… you can stay and listen to me.”

“And why would I do this?”

“Because I have the answers you want. I have the truth.”

I hesitated.

I have been wanting to know the truth for so long. I remembered about Taehyung's promise - he said he would tell me everything he knew. But… could I trust him?

Could I trust that woman?

The answer was clear in my mind: I could not trust anyone. And because of that, I decided to listen to her. I would listen to her version of the facts and his. Then, maybe I would know in which version to believe in.

Although Taehyung already had more credibility with me. That woman conjured obsidian soldiers and tried to kill him, someone I actually had an emotional connection with and cared about. Her, otherwise?

I exhaled to try to calm my nerves.

“And what truth would it be?” I finally asked.

Ehmerald seemed satisfied. She started to walk slowly away from the clearing, expecting me to follow her, and I had no other choice but do so. Everyone had obeyed her order, so we were considerably alone.

“The truth about our race. About our past. About the History of the world,” she started, voice serious. “The truth that they have been trying to hide for thousands of years.”

She stopped in front of a great rock in the middle of the forest and stared at it. I stared too, slightly confused.

“Tell me, Y/N,” for some reason, I didn't particularly like to hear her saying my name. “What do you know about the so called Dark Years?”

I furrowed. Where this conversation was leading me to? “It was the era when our race ruled. We… we almost annihilated mankind.”

“Well, this is a lie.”

I almost gasped.

“What?”

“Y/N, keep in mind that everything you know is a lie.” Ehmerald was way too serious and, for some reason, I felt my inner temperature decreasing. “That story they told you… about dragons being evil, elves coming to establish the peace and punish us - that is all a lie, a lie so well built that has been carried for millennia.”

She stepped up and passed her hand on the surface of the great rock. When she did it, I finally realized it was not a simple rock; it was actually the ruin of something old. A building, maybe?

The rock had some things written on it, along with drawings, so old that it was impressive that these drawings survived for such a long time. Some of the things written were in long forgotten languages, but after analyzing more carefully, I recognized the dragon language as well, what made me widen my eyes slightly.

“Magic is one of the most important aspects of the Universe,” Ehmerald started. “It keeps the balance and can be molded on our will. Humans and hybrids can learn magic, but us, dragons, are born with it inside of us. Because of this, our race was a part of the Council, millennia ago.”

Ehmerald pointed to the gravures on the surface of the rock. The drawings were old and unrealistic, but I recognized the form of dragon.

“We did not rule by ourselves. Dragons, elves, fairies and mermaids were part of the Council, for we were the only races naturally born with magic inside of us. The Council was formed because humans were always starting battles and wars, and it was necessary to settle peace in the world. The Council was supported and cherished. There were no divisions such as kingdoms, and the lives of millions were not put on the hands of a single man. They used to take decisions wisely. For a long time, the world lived in peace because of them.”

I analyzed the surface of the rock as she spoke. Written around the gravures were actually songs and poems cherishing the Council she was talking about. There were also many names… the names of the dragons which were part of this Council. Hundreds of names. For how long this Council existed?

“Each of the four races had one specific task. The dragons, as the strongest race, had the duty to protect. The elves were the wisest, so they were peacekeepers and would usually speak for the Council. Fairies took care of everything regarding nature. The mermaids which were part of the Council would make accords to keep the peace between the people of the land and the people of the sea.”

I felt goosebumps as she spoke… it was almost as if I could feel the soft breeze of ancient times caressing me. Voices whispering. I could almost hear conversations, people taking decisions. Laughter and cheers of thousands. Times of peace.

Why all of that felt somehow familiar, even though it was the first time I heard about it…?

“The world lived in peace for a long, long time. No wars, no poverty. The Council members were different from the Kings and Queens of our days; they worked for people, they were not saw as better or superior. Only the ones that proved to be  honored and strong enough could bear the responsibility of being a Counselor.” Ehmerald had a faint smile on her lips. Perhaps she could feel the breeze of the past, just like me? “But… things started to change.”

Her smile vanished.

“Not everyone supported the Council… some of them wanted to possess properties. They did not accept to be equal as everyone else; they wanted to rule. They wanted to be better.” Ehmerald's hand dropped to her side, fist tight. “But to be better, they needed to be stronger than the four races… and this is when the dragons have fault.”

I blinked, confused. “What did they do?”

Ehmerald sighed. She pointed to a particular name on the rock - the last name on the list. Opal.

“This was the last dragon of the Council. She is our direct ancestor, our Mother.” Her voice sounded bitter. “One of these people that wanted to end the Council understood that they had to be stronger than us, dragons. And to do so, they needed to know our powers. Our language.” Ehmerald sighed. “This man was called Merlin.”

“What?!” I exclaimed, shocked. “Merlin?! But - he is a hero!”

“And for certain perspective he really is. Their hero, and our murderer.” I could hear the hatred on Ehmerald's voice, the deep crimson of her aura. “Merlin seduced Opal. The Council did not go against it; what problem a marriage between a dragon and a human could represent?” She scoffed. “They had many children. Half human, half dragon.”

“Dragon hybrids,” I whispered. So, that is what happened? I was always told that my race existed because dragons raped human women in the past…

“In those years, Merlin learned a lot about the dragons and our magic… until he mastered our language. Not only that; he was the first person to use magic in wrong ways. He was the first to absorb energy from Helheim. Merlin got so strong that no one could overpower him… not even Opal and other dragons.”

The breeze of the past suddenly got colder… a chilling cold. Instead of laughter, I heard screams of fear and pain.

“Merlin taught other humans and created an army of mages. Their first step was to kill all of the dragons in the Council. They were the strongest, so without the dragons, it was easy to completely destroy the Council. They settled a new government, separating the continent in five parts; the Five Great Kingdoms of our days. But it was not easy. Many wanted to be rulers too, so that is when the First War of the Clans happened. The world was drowned in battles again.” Ehmerald crossed her arms, her eyes still glued on the rock. “After the five clans managed to win the war and take control of the kingdoms, it was time for the second step.”

“And what it was?” It was quite a stupid question, for I already knew the answer.

“Annihilation. Genocide.” The atmosphere felt even colder now. “The first race to disappear was the fairies. They were completely extinct. It would be unwise to try to kill the mermaids, because they are too many, so a war happened between land and sea. In result, the mermaids undid all the accords and decided to isolate themselves deep in the oceans; as long as they didn't intervene on the issues of the land, they would not represent any danger. The elves… they couldn't be killed. So, instead, Merlin and his people found a way to lock them back in Alfheim.”

“They didn't ascend on their free will…?”

“No. They were expelled from Earth. The elves were victims, just like us. And the dragons…” Ehmerald hesitated before continuing. “They were hunted until the last one of them was killed. What lasted was Opal's children… and this is when our curse begins.

“These new Kings and Queens wouldn't be so easily obeyed if the world knew about the genocide they promoted. Loved leaders are more respected than feared ones. They started to spread all the lies we know today, lies that took thousands of years to be made, so well made and believed that many don't even question them. They put the dragons on the role of villains. They made everyone believe that elves were deities, beings similar to gods, when in fact they were just another race that suffered. The good elves ended the Dark Years in which the bad dragons ruled. They got rid of all the evidence of the truth; books, temples and old buildings, the songs and poems people used to sing. In the meanwhile, hybrids were put as unholy beings, inferior to humans. And us, dragon hybrids… we were still too powerful to be killed. We were still useful. We were put in the 'holy role’ of guardians.”

I felt as if the ground was slowly crumbling under my feet.

“Why?” I whispered weakly.

“To have us under their power. To make us submissive. They made us believe that our ancestors were murderers, that we were dirty with innocent blood. They indoctrinated us so deeply that many of us died in the name of Kings, treated like slaves… no, treated like animals.”

Ehmerald looked at me in the eye, and I could see the hatred on her eyes.

“We were the guardians of the world, but they made us believe that we are nothing but shadows.”

Her sentence felt like a blow in the stomach.

For a moment, I felt dizzy. I didn't know what to do with all this information. It meant that… my entire life was a simple lie? I have been used? Not only me; all of my brothers and sisters.

I remembered all of the punishments, all the humiliation. I always believed that my role as a guardian was an honor. I always believed that I deserved all the suffering because my ancestors were monsters and I was a monster myself. I thought that I didn't have rights, that I didn't deserve recognition, that I couldn't let myself have bonds with people and care about them. I believed that a dragon hybrid does not deserve any happiness. God, I was willing to be sacrificed when King Taejun died…

All because of a lie?

A part of me still struggled. Why should I believe this woman anyway? She could be just lying to me. But something deep inside of me felt the pain of her words… something ancient and caged. Something that awakened that day, when Taehyung offered me a chance and I took a decision for the first time in my life.

It was the pain of my ancestors.

These voices I heard in the back of my mind sometimes were not mine. They were of my ancestors, trying to whisper the truth. Trying to make me understand.

She wasn't lying.

“Although the lie was spread, they couldn't hide the truth from everyone. They forgot to destroy things like this,” Ehmerald said, pointing fo the rock in front of us. “There are still some proofs hidden. Documents. Stories going from generation to generation. But they know about it, too, and they try to shut our voices so the truth will keep unsaid. Many have died because of it.”

I suddenly remembered of what Jungkook told me - his entire village was burned down… he said his parents used to tell stories about the dragons. So, they were killed because they knew the truth…

“I… I was not like you,” Ehmerald's voice was quieter now. “I was not trained to be a guardian. My only duty was to procreate. Just like all the rest of us, I thought it was a sacred duty. I did not understand that what they were doing to me was not right… however, it took me a long time to get pregnant. I did not impregnate when I reached my full dragon adulthood. So, during most of my life, instead of getting rid of me, they decided to keep me as a healer in Niflheim.”

“What? But… the probability of dying when you impregnate after the adulthood is too high,” I said, eyeing her suspiciously.

“I thought it was true, too. But I worked as a healer at Niflheim and started to notice something wrong. I helped so many women to give birth… all of them were perfectly healthy, during their entire pregnancy and after they give birth. But when they told me to leave the room…” Ehmerald closed her eyes for a moment, having bad memories. “They would always tell me to leave the room. And when I came back… they would be dead. Always. Not even one of them survived. How could it be right?” She shook her head slightly. “This is just a stupid excuse. Women are naturally stronger than men because we are born to bear the pain of carrying a child. How could these dragons die that way? I just found out the truth when I got pregnant.” She then smiled and looked at me.

“Who… who is my father?” I asked hesitantly.

“His name was Jaejoong. He was Athena's dragon-guardian.”

My blood went cold.

No.

“J-Jaejoong?”

Ehmerald nodded softly. She had a faint smile on her lips - and because of that, slowly, I felt as if a knife was being buried in my heart. “It… it wasn't supposed to happen. I should impregnate from another man. But Jaejoong…” she chuckled softly. “He was far from being sweet, but he cared about me. Jaejoong was the strongest guardian of his generation. It simply happened.”

I knew it. I knew he was the strongest of his generation.

I tried to control my nerves once again.

“That’s when things started to change, Y/N. I should not feel anything towards you; I was just 'accomplishing my duty’. But I already loved you. I was not supposed to love, but I did. And I finally realized how wrong things were the night you were born.” Ehmerald stared at me again. “Do you have any idea of how special you are?” I frowned. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect anymore. “Y/N, you were born during a Red Moon. I am sure you know what this means.”

Yes, I knew.

A Red Moon is a rare astronomical phenomenon. During a Red Moon, magic becomes stronger.

“I was sure everything with me was fine. I had a normal and healthy pregnancy. But, when you were born… I finally found out. All those women were killed after giving birth. It is their way to control our race, to make sure only few of us will live. They make women give birth and they kill us afterwards so we won't make too many children. And they tried to kill me, Y/N, but I managed to escape. But I was too weak… I was severely hurt. Even today, I am not fully healed of the injury. I am not as strong as I should.”

“And you left me behind.” I said, and I couldn't hide the pain in my voice anymore. “Why did you leave me there? Why did you leave me to suffer, to believe I was nothing but a shadow?”

In that moment, Ehmerald's eyes were filled with tears. She approached one step. “And I will always regret this, my child. But… I did not know you were alive. You are a female born during a Red Moon. You are too powerful. All these years, I… I thought they have killed you the day you were born, and all these years I thought it was my fault, because I was not strong enough to save you.”

Ehmerald gulped, dried her tears.

“I… spent days wandering through Baïkarh about to die. But the dryads helped me. They took me to this place, the rebellion, and they took care of me. They told me the truth. Since then, I have been working. I am the leader of the rebellion today, but I was not the one who created it. This rebellion exists for more than one hundred years now, but it has never been so strong because of all of our efforts. We spreaded the truth; we told hybrids that they are not inferior, we gave them hope. We have an army of more than twenty thousand now; some are here, some are in disguise inside cities. After all these years, we can finally free hybrids. We can avenge our ancestors.”

When Ehmerald looked at me with that gleam on her eyes, I knew something bad was about to come.

“And that's when you become important,” she stepped closer to me. “Our people has been mistreated for centuries. The best way to restore peace is to establish the Council again. Only during that time we had peace and justice. And in order to make this-”

“You need to kill the King.” I interrupted her.

Ehmerald just nodded.

“The Kim Dinasty has been the cruelest ever since they took the throne. It is about time to take the power out of them and give it back to the rightful owner.”

“For who? You?” I couldn't help but scoff. “I heard about your plans. You are the chosen one, isn't it?”

“No. You are.”

I was about to say something, but as I heard those words my mind went blank.

“What?!”

“It used to be me, but it was before I knew you were still alive,” I could see that Ehmerald was choosing her words carefully. “We don't want monarchies anymore. Enough of Kings and Queens. Unfortunately, fairies are extinct and the elves are far from our reach, but we still exist. During that time, they would choose the strongest of the dragons to fulfill the role of a Counselor… and it currently is you. You are a well trained female. You were born during a Red Moon. The strongest of our ancestors were also born during Red Moons… Y/N, you are the chosen one.”

I could just stare at her, speechless.

Ehmerald must have saw it as a good sign, because her smile widened.

“I have been waiting for this moment ever since I found out you were still alive. My child, I heard about what you did… Jungkook told me how you stood for the hybrids at the palace. Not only that; we found some hybrid kids some hours ago. They said they were freed because of an angel… it was you, isn't it?” She looked at me with pure pride on her eyes. “You understand our situation. You are able to fight for all those who can't with your power. This entire army - they're all at your disposition. If you  give them any order they will-”

“This is ridiculous.”

Ehmerald was taken aback. “W-What?”

“This is ridiculous,” I repeated, stepping away from her. My expression showed everything I felt: confusion, disbelief and revolt. “You want to put me as the leader of this… this Council? I'm not stupid. This is the same thing as a Queen.”

“But more members will be added as we restore the Council-”

“You don't even know me,” I interrupted her again. “This is the first time we meet. How can you just put me as a leader? You don't even know if I'm trustworthy. This is not how a leader should be chosen.” I scoffed again, unable to control the aggressiveness in my voice. “You just want to use me. Since you're not so powerful, you want to put me where you wanted to be. I'm just a puppet, another piece of your game. You just want to use me the same way I've been used my entire life.”

“Y/N, that's not true-”

“And how hypocrite can you be?!” It was my turn to speak. “You're saying how these humans from the past were cruel, killing the Council members using wicked energy, but then you do the same?! You tried to kill the King using obsidian soldiers… how many people you sacrificed to-”

“We didn't do it.”

I was found speechless again.

“Of course it was. The cursed rock, the shapeshifter and now the obsidian soldiers - it was all you.”

“Shapeshifter? What are you talking about?” Ehmerald frowned.

“The wolf that has been observing us-”

“Jungkook was my spy at Capital. He has been observing the King and you. Y/N, I don't know what you're talking about.”

I stood still there. Ehmerald really seemed confused.

“Stop pretending! You were also the person that attacked my mind that night. Who else could be powerful enough to attack me like that?!”

“Y/N, I understand that all this information is shocking, but I don't know what you're talking about. The only time I ever entered your mind was to knock you down, and I was only able to do it because you were severely weakened. And the obsidian soldiers - it is a mystery to us as much as it is to you. Do you really think I would sacrifice someone to conjure them? Do you think I would use the type of magic that condemned us millennia ago? I'm sure you can feel how my aura is free from any type of evil magic!”

Her question was almost useless, because I couldn't feel anything unnatural coming from her. No reminiscents of Helheim. She was clean.

If the rebellion was not behind the attack with obsidian soldiers… if the shapeshifter was not on their side….

Then who was it?

But I could not think of it at the moment. This rebellion didn't try yet, but they wanted to kill Taehyung - and this I could not forget.

“You are crazy.  You're all crazy.” I said, stepping away from her. “Don't follow me.”

I turned around before she could say anything else, disappearing in the forest.

I don't know how much time it has passed.

The forest was damp and terribly hot, but I couldn't care about the temperature. I could see that it was evening, however I did not know how much time has passed since the attack. I doubted Jungkook would be able to carry me to Baïkahr so fast, so two days, probably?

My medallion has disappeared. Taehyung and everyone at the Capital must've had no clue of my whereabouts. My first instinct was to fly my way back to the Capital...

But, for some odd reason, I didn't.

I distanced myself from the rebellion's camp after walking hours through the forest. It was hard to localize myself inside Baïkarh; the natural magic of the forest is so intense that it makes your senses dizzy. I could even smell the faint scent of something similar to pollen in the air. There is a reason why people said that Baïkahr was the entry to Alfheim.

Many animals crossed my way, but none of them represented danger. Animals can feel what I am. Not only that; the spirits of the forest can feel who has bad intentions and who does not. Because of it, they let me in peace.

And if these spirits let the rebellion settle here… it meant that they also could not feel anything evil from them.

This made me think.

Everything Ehmerald told me was too overwhelming. It meant that the History of the world was a lie. It meant that… my sole existence was a lie. All the things I held onto, all the things I believed and fought for… it was all a lie.

Just lies.

They made me believe in lies. They made me think I was unworthy of respect and mercy, they made me think I should die for a man that never cared about me - because King Taejun never cared about me. The same way King Hugo did not care about Hoseok, and King Satoshi did not care about Yuta…

How many of us died during all these centuries? We died thinking that we deserved it. We lived our sad and painful lives thinking that men that did not care about us were the center of our Universes, the ones we should fight for. They killed innocent women. They punished us for simply existing - and we submissively thought that we deserved it.

And what she told me about my father. Jaejoong...

I've never been so enraged during my entire life.

It was deeper than rage. It was hatred.

As a hybrid, it was impossible to simply say I couldn't understand the rebellion after hearing the truth. The world deserved to know the truth; hybrids had to be freed. But what she said was still madness - the chosen one? I was nobody's leader.

And she still wanted to kill Taehyung.

I couldn't let that happen. Not because it was my duty, but because I had feelings for him. I knew Taehyung in a way that none of them did; he was different from his predecessors. He was fair and good and-

Or perhaps you're just being carried away by your feelings.

What if my perception was distorted because of my feelings for him? Taehyung was the first person that showed me some type of kindness - well, the first person after Yoongi and Chuu. What if he was someone I refused myself to see? Taehyung was always mysterious, always doing things I couldn't understand. But he said he would tell me the truth…

What truth?

What I still didn't know?

What should I do from now on? Go back to the palace… but what would I do then? Demand my answers and…? Keep being his guardian? I couldn't do that - not after everything. I refused to be a guardian anymore. But staying with this rebellion was also out of question. They wanted me as a leader, and this I couldn't be.

I sat in an old trunk and held my head. I felt so confused it made me dizzy. Too much information - it felt like someone threw a brick on my skull.

“What do I do?” I whispered to myself - a strangled cry, almost inaudible.

“Well, sitting here and complaining is not an option.”

I gasped and immediately lifted my head as I heard the voice, my hand instinctively searching for the hilt of the sword on my hip, just to remember I was disarmed.

But when I understood what was in front of me, I calmed down.

A dryad looked at me with crossed arms, leaning casually on her tree. She looked like a young human woman: incredibly beautiful, her long hair the color of soil, comfortable in her own skin even though she was completely naked. Her appearance could not fool me, though; I knew she was much older than it seemed, judging by the size of her tree. Her eyes reflected wisdom and some kind of evil playfulness.

(Dryads are known for fooling people by seducing them just for fun, so I could understand that evil playfulness).

“Why do you look surprised, drákon? I don't see powerful beings like you walking around my forest everyday. Of course I would want to talk a little,” she said, tilting her head to the side and smirking.

I straightened my posture. Drákon. It's been a very long time since I heard someone calling me like this. “What do you want?”

The dryad giggled. “Oh, there is no reason to be so suspicious of me. I don't play with females, even though you are very attractive. And, besides… I can see that your heart is already someone else's.”

Your heart is already someone else's.

My shoulders fell, and I felt my cheeks getting hot. It meant that… my heart was already Taehyung's?

“Gosh, I don't see a face like this in centuries. Are you suffering because of love?” The dryad giggled again, endeared. “It's okay, little one. Unfortunately, we can't choose who we fall for.”

“But I'd rather not fall for someone that might be my worst enemy,” I whispered weakly.

The dryad’s face softened. She sat by my side by the trunk; she smelled of the soil right after it rains and dew.

“We heard you talking to your mother,” she said softly, making me remember that this place was in fact full of dryads and this one was the only brave enough to appear.

“You spread the news very quickly,” I said sarcastically, what made her laugh.

“Of course. It's been some time since something interesting doesn't happen.” The dryad looked at me with seriousness on her eyes despite her faint smile. “You got to know the truth of the world. It is sure shocking.”

Silence fell over us for some seconds. “Do you remember the times of the Council?”

She nodded. “Yes. I was still just a bud, but I remember very well.” Her gaze was distant, eyes that saw ancient memories. “My sisters did not need to hide in Baïkarh back then; we were everywhere. The fairies would always stand up for us and protect us. These were good times.” She smiled softly. “Can you hear them?”

I could. Just like before, I heard distant laughters, female voices singing lightheartedly. I could almost see those female figures running around the trees, playing hide and seek, smiling and talking.

“After the fairies were killed, there was no one to fight for us. We are not strong creatures. Because of it, we were forced to live here in Baïkarh. This is the only place a dryad can live in peace… we have full control of the forest. No one can enter without our permission.”

“You confuse those who enter here to protect yourselves?” I questioned softly. She nodded.

“There are secrets here that no human or hybrid should know.”

“But you let the rebellion get inside. There are thousands of people now.”

“They respect the limits we demanded. Besides… if they want to establish the old way of things again, then there is no reason to be against them.”

“You support this?” I was quite shocked.

The dryad looked at me in the eye. Her serenity was so intense that I could even feel myself calming down slowly.

“I have lived many centuries already, little one. Perhaps when you reach my age you'll be able to understand me. I saw more suffering than happiness during my life, and I know how your race was the most punished. What they are trying to do might not be ideal, but it is the first time in more years than I can count that I saw something that can finally free us.”

“But… they are aiming to kill someone innocent. They are preparing for war. It's going to be a bloodbath either way.”

Of course - I did not know if Taehyung was really innocent, but a part of me held onto that wish tightly.

“Then you have to do something about it. You're the person that can see things from both perspectives. You can stop this war before it even starts.”

I took in her words.

The dryad leaned slightly closer to me.

“Can't you hear them, little one?” She whispered. “Can you hear their voices? These are your ancestors. They are watching you intently.”

Again - I could hear them. Their voices floating in the air around me. I could hear the echoes from millennia ago; somehow, although many centuries made us part, I was still connected to them.

“They are waiting,” she continued. “Because, after so long, someone is able to break the cycle. You can break the cycle. You can make things different. You can finally give some rest to your ancestors that have been suffering endlessly.”

We sat down in silence. I could hear the sounds of the forest - small animals running, birds chirping, insects flying or crawling, the wind touching the branches and leaves above. I could hear the voices. They were unsettled, angry.

They yelled for justice.

I nodded softly.

“I don't know exactly what to do,” I said quietly, “But I'll try to do something.”

The dryad smiled again. That playfulness was back. “Gosh! The last person I talked to was a young woman, too.”

I frowned. A human entering so deep in Baïkarh? “When was it?”

“I don't know,” she shrugged. “I am a tree, so yesterday for me might be ten years. She was in deep pain. Because of it, me and my sisters helped her.” she sighed, frowning her brows. “Sometimes I wonder what happened to her…”

I nodded softly, not really paying attention to what she was saying. It might be small, but talking to her made some things feel clearer inside of me.

“I have to go,” I got up from the trunk.

“You are young however wise, little one. Not only the ancestors, but also the living are counting on you. Me and my sisters give you our blessing.”

I bowed my head respectfully. “Thank you.” I was about to turn around, but stopped midway. “By the way, what's your name?”

She smiled and tilted her head. “It is Rubra, little one. Come back here any time. Although your heart is taken, we could still have some fun…”

Instead of falling to her charms, I turned around and started to walk again. Rubra was right. Complaining like a little kid would not take me anywhere.

It was time to do something.

It took me some more hours to find the rebellion's camp again.

As I approached and people started to notice me, they would immediately stop anything they were doing - forging weapons, cooking, running around with papers that looked like maps - to look at me. It still felt strange; I was not used to be the center of attention. Especially not this kind of attention. They looked at me with such respect…

Now, I could understand why Jungkook had that reaction when he realized I am a dragon. I could understand the things he told me; Jungkook for sure was expecting me to be a rebellious leader like Ehmerald… not a submissive guardian. But, like the angry and rebellious person he is, he couldn't explain things to me clearly, spitting all of his anger instead.

I wasn't angry at him anymore.

But Jungkook still didn't know it, because he literally flinched the moment he saw me approaching.

The young man widened his eyes, avoided my gaze. Everyone around us was suddenly silent, watching what was about to happen in expectation.

I looked around for a moment.

“Your sister,” Jungkook frowned in confusion when he heard me saying quietly but strongly. “Heejin. She is here, right?”

The rabbit-boy seemed surprised that I still remembered what he told me about himself and his sister's name. He nodded.

“Take me to her.”

Jungkook did it without complaints. He guided me through the camp - and, again, the people that crossed my way would stop to watch in silence.

After some more moments, Jungkook showed me a particular giant tree.

And there was a girl sitting, leaned on the trunk, rolled up in covers.

I would have guessed she was Jungkook's sister even if he hadn’t said anything; their resemblance was obvious. Same fair skin, same black hair, same dark-grey rabbit ears and even their eyes and lips had the same shape. Heejin was some years younger, though.

And she was… simply sitting there.

A blank expression, staring into nothing.

Jungkook approached her slowly, as if he was scared that if he moved too brusquely he would break her.

However, he was the one looking fragile.

“This is Heejin,” he said in a weak and quiet tone. The sadness and love on his eyes as he stared at his sister was heartbreaking.

I approached, too, and crouched down in front of her carefully. “How long has she been in this state?”

“Ever since I found her, one year ago,” he said. “She… she doesn't do anything. She doesn't speak, doesn't move, doesn't interact with anyone. We have to clean her and feed her. It's almost like-”

Jungkook choked on his own words, but I knew what his unsaid sentence would be. It's almost as if she's dead.

I sighed. Heejin's eyes were staring directly at me, but she wasn't seeing me. She didn't even blink. Expressionless, motionless.

Trapped inside her own mind.

Carefully, I place my hands on each side of her head.

“What are you doing?” Jungkook asked, confused and worried.

“Don't worry. I won't hurt her,” I reassured him before closing my eyes.

Her mind offered me almost no protection.

Shattered. Destroyed and hurt.

I pushed a little bit further-

A dark place. My steps echoed around me. It was endless - endless darkness. Pitch black.

I heard a sob.

Finally, I recognized the figure of a girl crying. She was hugging her own legs, sobbing uncontrollably. Small and fragile, hidden in the farthest corner of the mind.

Slowly, I crouched down and touched her shoulder.

She turned around, startled, her eyes wide. Tears still trickled down her puffy cheeks.

“W-Who are you?”

“I came to help you.” I tried to keep my voice as serene as possible, afraid to shatter her consciousness even more. “You've been suffering a lot.”

Heejin nodded weakly.

“There are people that can help you out there.”

She shook her head vehemently, grabbing her legs even tighter. “N-No. They will hurt m-me!”

“Nobody will hurt you, Heejin. You are safe. And your brother- he misses you.”

Heejin looked confused for a moment, but then she remembered. “J-Jungkook? Is he out there?”

I nodded encouragingly. “Yes. He is waiting for you… and he won't let anyone hurt you anymore.”

I saw her conflict. But the mention of her brother made a spark of hope glow on her eyes.

She nodded almost imperceptibly. “Okay.”

I smiled and placed my hand at the top of her head.

“Heejin. Wake up.”

I opened my eyes and retracted my arms.

For some moments, Heejin still looked the same.

But, slowly, her eyes focused.

She frowned. Blinked once, twice.

She looked around.

“Jungkook…?” She called quietly, voice hoarse, when their gazes crossed.

He was barely breathing.

I stepped backwards to give them some space. Jungkook's eyes were impossibly wide and glowing with tears. Slowly, a big smile - the biggest I've ever seen him opening - adorned his features until his eyes almost closed and two crystal tears trickled down his cheeks.

“Heejin!”

I felt myself smiling, too, as Jungkook embraced her small body in a tight hug; Heejin still looked confused, but hugged him back with her thin arms. He was really crying now, sobbing uncontrollably. How long this young man has been holding back these tears? How long he has been acting strong, trying to ignore his sadness and loneliness, wondering if he would ever talk to his only remaining family again? How long he has been holding onto bad feelings only?

Jungkook was finally letting it all out now - and this time, it was due happiness. I was seeing a glimpse of the real Jungkook: a kind-hearted man.

It also took me some moments to realize the small crowd gathered around us. They watched in awe, chatting between each other. “How did she do that?” “She awakened Jungkook's sister!”

“My child, how strong are you?”

I immediately stood up again and turned around as I heard Ehmerald - that strange woman that was still too hard for me to see as my mother. She had some hesitation on her gaze, but mostly admiration. I couldn't understand this woman that barely knew me but seemed to care about me so much…

“We've been trying to heal Heejin since Jungkook brought her… and you did it in the blink of an eye,” she said.

“I'm just helping a friend,” was all I said.

Ehmerald watched me in silence for some moments. “I'm surprised that you're back,” she said. I was aware that everyone around us went silent, paying attention to our conversation, and she was aware, too. “Did you think well about what we talked?”

“Yes.”

And that was true.

I did think well about it. About everything.

My entire life, I used to believe that my master - King Taejun - was my purpose in life. He was the reason I would wake up every morning. He was my sun, the center of my particular solar system. After he died, my sun became Taehyung.

But I have changed.

I was not just an insignificant planet wandering through the Universe, always needing a sun to orbit around. I finally understood.

Taehyung wasn't the center of my solar system…

I was.

But I was not the only important thing. In my particular solar system, there was my family - Yoongi and Chuu. There was Jungkook. There were my ancestors, waiting for me to finally free them from their suffering. There were all these people around me, all the hybrids, the ones I have learned to care about, the ones that, just like me, deserved freedom - deserved to know the truth.

There was Taehyung.

And there was still an endless Universe surrounding me, full of planets I didn't know and didn't understand yet. An entire Universe to be discovered.

Some things were still right. Being a guardian was indeed in my blood, just the way my ancestors were the guardians of the world. I wanted to protect and fight for what was right.

But I couldn't stay hidden in the shadows anymore.

I was not just a shadow.

I was my own sun.

“Will you accept our offer?” Ehmerald asked, hopeful. It seems that everyone else held their breaths, waiting for my answer in expectation.

I stared at Ehmerald right into her eyes.

“No.”

Everyone gasped in unison.

“What? But, Y/N- after everything I told you?” Ehmerald stuttered.

“I didn't say I wouldn't help,” I cut her, speaking louder so all of them could hear me. Silence reigned above the crowd again. “Someone once told me that if you have the power to change things yet you chose to do nothing, then the fault is also yours.”

I made sure to send a significant look to Jungkook. His puffy face was surprised as he heard me speak.

“So, yes, I will help. But it will be on my terms.”

Ehmerald seemed uneasy. “And what are your terms?”

“You want me to kill King Taehyung, and this I can't do.” Murmurs of disapproval crossed the air. Again, before Ehmerald could say something or their chatter became too loud, I walked at heavy steps to the center of the clearing where they could see me better. 

“Listen well, all of you,” my voice echoed loud and clear. They immediately went quiet again. “You really think that killing a King will solve all of our problems? It won't. It will just lead us to a war.”

“We are ready to fight,” someone said, being accompanied by murmurs of agreement.

“But this is a war you can't win. Ëlv'en has the greatest army of the entire continent. Not only that; if a war really begins, Ëlv'en will call the allies. It is Vanaheim, Nidavellir, the Islands of the West and many more - and not to mention the Royal Mages. They usually don't get involved directly in conflicts, but if they do, then it's over. Do you really believe that twenty thousand men with no formal training will stand a chance against Ëlv'en and its allies? A war for you means suicide.”

The silence around me was morbid. Thick, almost palpable.

“Killing the King is out of question. Even if you kill the entire Royal Family, the military will take over and this you can't win.” I made sure to look right in the eye of the people around me. “Besides, what you're planning will lead nowhere, because what you want is revenge, not justice. Simply putting the blame in a single man without even knowing if it's really his fault is not fair. I am the only person here that actually knows the King, and I can say he is not the monster you all think he is.”

And I hope I am not defending him for nothing…

“And what do you plan to do?” Ehmerald was the only brave enough to ask.

“I will go back to the Capital. I won't tell anything about the rebellion or your location, and you won't make a move until I say otherwise. I might not be the leader you all expected me to be, but I am the only one that knows what we're dealing with - and I want freedom and justice as much as you do, but I believe that we can achieve it with no deaths. I just hope you can trust me for now.”

They looked at each other in silence.

I knew they had no reason to believe me at all, but I was right back them: they feared me. They respected me. The single fact that I am a dragon seemed to be enough for them.

But no one had no chance to say anything when a young man entered the clearing running, ignoring anyone around, breathless and with hurry covering his features.

“Lady Ehmerald, one of my ravens is seeing something…”

“Calm down, Hyunjin,” Ehmerald said, the boy finally stopping to recover his breathing. “Explain it properly.”

“Something happened in Athena,” he said. “There's a big commotion going on. The King's about to make an announcement.”

A cold shiver ran my spine.

Something told me bad news were coming…

“Show me,” Ehmerald ordered, and they immediately left the clearing at a rapid pace. I followed them, as well as many other hybrids.

We followed Hyunjin and Ehmerald until they stopped in front of something I didn't recognize immediately - a copper basin filled with a thin layer of water. Many people gathered around the basin, quieting down to hear whatever Hyunjin has to show us.

The boy closed his eyes, visibly calming down and relaxing his muscles.

He touched the thin layer of water with his fingertips.

At first, nothing happened - but the water fluttered. It took some moments until the images on the surface of the water became clear: an aerial view of the front square of Athena's Royal Palace. Hyunjin's raven view. We noticed when the bird landed somewhere near the palace.

The front square was crowded and it rained. The entire scenery seemed to be painted in a somber shade of grey. We saw it when the familiar face of King Hugo appeared at the front doors…

A face distorted with pure hatred.

“My subjects, I come in front of you now as my soul bleeds in pain.” King Hugo's deep and powerful voice echoed. It sounded distant to us, however I could imagine the impact his voice caused in all these people there. Just like his face, his voice overflowed anger and deep pain. “The Royal House is mourning. Today, my older daughter Serena, the heiress of Athena's throne, was found dead.”

A collective gasp - both in Athena and around me.

“My daughter was murdered,” he continued, his voice failing and husky. King Hugo indeed looked shattered in a way I've never saw before. “And we already know who are the culprits.”

Before he even spoke again, I already knew that something was extremely wrong.

“Ëlv'en sent a murderer to kill our princess!”

The collective gasp was even louder now.

“What?!” Ehmerald exclaimed.

“This is… this is wrong,” I stuttered. It couldn't be serious. “Ëlv'en has no reason to kill Athena's princess…”

“This was found woven in the murderer's clothes,” Hugo lifted his hand, showing Ëlv'en's military symbol in all directions, so everyone could see. The chatter between the subjects there became louder and angrier. “We accepted their Entourage here months ago. We offered them our hospitality and trust - but this is what they did! But this time, we won't accept their insolence. They have committed the worst of all crimes. This time, Ëlv'en will pay.

“I challenge King Taehyung for a combat.”

I almost couldn't breathe.

The crowd in Athena roared.

“We will be waiting for these cowards at the Colosseum until tomorrow's sunrise. If they don't show up, then it means war. It is time to end their supremacy over the continent; we won't bow down anymore. If we win the combat, then King Taehyung and the entire Kim House will have to die. Ëlv'en has awakened their worst nightmare! They asked for war - and war they will have!”

The crowd roared louder than ever.

Hyunjin almost passed out, exhausted. The image dissipated from the water.

“You did well, Hyunjin.” Ehmerald said, patting the boy's shoulder. “Now, go and rest.”

Everyone around me went silent.

“That's impossible.” I murmured to myself. “Taehyung would never do this. He's not stupid. Why would he want to kill King Hugo's daughter…?”

“I also don't believe it was King Taehyung,” surprisingly, Ehmerald said. She had a somber gaze now. “Someone is trying to throw one kingdom against the other.”

“Who?”

She looked at me seriously.

“The same people that attacked the Capital using obsidian soldiers.”

Another shiver.

Who were these people? Why were they doing this?

King Taehyung and the entire Kim House will have to die.

“I have to go,” I said hurriedly.

“What- why?” Ehmerald questioned.

“Didn't you hear? King Hugo challenged Taehyung for a combat. He needs me.”

“You still want to help him, Y/N?” The woman in front of me seemed almost offended. “You still want to be his slave?”

“I am nobody's slave.” My fists tightened. I noticed how some people decided to step away from us in fear when they heard my tone. “You don't understand. I'm doing this because Taehyung is a good person.”

Ehmerald seemed about to answer, but then she looked at me as if she finally realized something. And I saw… pity in her eyes.

“My child, he seduced you.”

“What-?”

“That's what he wanted, don't you see?” She stepped closer and I stepped behind to keep a distance. “He made you fall for him to keep you loyal.”

“You are wrong.” I wanted to punch her at this point.

“Y/N, King Taehyung is engaged to Princess Sana. Don't you understand? He's going to marry her. He's just using you. What will you be? His secret prostitute? Because Princess Sana is the one he'll marry, not you. Don't let him use you like this!”

I could just stare at her, mouth ajar.

“I am leaving now,” I repeated, my voice low and menacing. “For your own well being, I'll pretend you never said this.”

Everyone around me stepped away and I heard many gasps and exclaims as I started to shift into my dragon nature. The pain of wings growing, the sound of my cotton shirt tearing apart in my shoulder blades, all of my senses becoming sharper, the air around fluttering because of my power.

It was the first time I shifted into my dragon nature in front of others.

I was not ashamed.

“I will try to find out what's going on. Whoever is trying to start this war for sure will be against the rebellion,” I said loud enough for everyone to hear. “Again, I ask you to stay here. I will come back as soon as possible.”

I did not wait for them to say anything; my wings extended and, with a strong gust of wind that made everyone's clothes and hair wave, I flied up until I was above the top of the trees, going higher and higher.

The sun was beginning to disappear in the horizon. King Hugo said he would wait just until sunrise. If I flew fast enough, I would be able to reach the Neutral Zone where the Colosseum was placed…

Taehyung's life depended on this.

Mine depended, too.

Because Kings don't fight battles. When King Hugo challenged him, he wasn't exactly challenging him.

Combats are a way to prevent wars. Instead of millions of soldiers dying in the battlefield, two soldiers are chosen to fight - a mortal fight where one of them will inevitably die. A champion is chosen.

And it is a millennial tradition that the chosen champion is always the King's dragon-guardian.

Nervousness hit me for the first time.

If everything went wrong, I would have to fight against Hoseok…

And only one of us would survive.

“If you lose today, Y/N, we will have a war. And all of it will be your fault.”

My eyes snap wide. I feel sweat forming on my hands due to nervousness.

“Do you want to live knowing millions of people died because of you, Y/N?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“So, what do you have to do?”

I inhale deeply, controlling my nerves. It is no time to be nervous. It is no time to be scared. 

It is no time to fail.

“I must win, Your Majesty.”

I can slightly see my master nodding his head. “Good. Then you know exactly what to do.”

With this, the King leaves me by myself. 

I lift my head and tighten my fists. My master put all of his hopes on me, and I can’t let him down. I won’t. I will prove to him, to Counselor Gilliard and to the whole court that I am the best guardian the King of Ëlv’en could ever have. 

I inhale and close my eyes momentarily. 

When I open my eyes, the heavy doors open echoing a loud sound and I walk forward with determined steps.

When I enter the Colosseum, my opponent is already waiting for me, standing in the center of the arena. He is way older than me, an adult dragon, much more experienced, much taller. I'm not sure if I'll be able to win, but my master's words echoes in my mind. I will fight with all of my forces, all of my power.

My opponent is Athena's dragon-guardian - the strongest in ages.

His name is Jaejoong.

The sun was almost rising when the glass dome appeared ahead.

The Colosseum was built in the Neutral Zone - a small island right in the center of Mitras, the greatest lake of the continent, so great it was mistaken as a sea centuries ago. The Neutral Zone is used in times of war, a place when enemy kingdoms can meet. It is also a disarmed zone. The only ones that can use weapons are the champions. I could already feel the presence of many people inside the grey building, the place so familiar to me. I've been there several times. The situation around the continent has always been worse than what most of the population thought. During the past decade, the danger of wars exploding suddenly was great - all of them prevented by the combats.

From far, I could already feel Hoseok's presence, and I knew he could feel mine.

But the person I was looking for was nowhere at sight-

“Where have you been?!” Was what I heard the moment my feet touched the ground.

Counselor Gilliard radiated anger, hurry and nervousness, his old face even more distorted and ugly than usual. Behind him, soldiers and other counselors stepped closer as well, however some decided to keep distance as they stared at my wings, hesitant.

“Where is Taehyung?” I questioned sternly before Gilliard could say anything, what made his face distort even more.

“Who you think you are to pronounce His Majesty's name out loud?!” The old man exclaimed, outraged.

“Just answer my question. I don't have enough patience to deal with you right now.”

The old man looked more shocked than ever. I always kept my head down around him, although my hate towards that man existed since the day we first met; I would not do it anymore.

Slowly, his expression became darker, the mask of self-control hiding his true feelings. He has always been like this. So well controlled, so well calculated. “His Majesty did not come. He has many issues to deal with at the Capital, including the royal wedding that cannot be delayed anymore.”

For a moment, I went speechless.

The royal wedding?

Of course, I could understand that Taehyung had many problems to deal with, since the Capital has been attacked just a few days ago and now he was under accusations of murder. But…

Something wasn't right.

Challenged kings always are present to witness the combat. It didn't matter that he had a wedding soon, it could be delayed considering the current circumstances.

And…

Taehyung knew it was a mortal battle, right?

He knew I could die fighting, right?

Did he authorize the combat even then…?

“It does not matter. Because of you, we were about to face a war. How dare you disappear like this?! And you even got rid of your medallion!” Gilliard stormed. “If you survive, what you must do, you'll be severely punished. Now come on, the sun's almost rising! The combat must begin!”

Gilliard grabbed me by the arm and dragged me into the Colosseum, being followed by all the others. Finally, I noticed that General Namjoon was one of them - as it was traditional of the current general to be present on this type of event. Our gazes crossed quickly, and what I saw on his eyes was much different from what I was used to; no aggressiveness, no despite. Instead, I saw some type of grief.

Because everyone knew these could be my last moments.

Immediately, the assistants started to put the armor in me - the ceremonial armor, which I only used in “special” occasions. They tightened straps and leashes to the point it became painful until the complete armor was at place, handing me also a shield and a sword.

When they left, I was alone with Counselor Gilliard in the room. The same room I’ve been with King Taejun, the moments before the fight when he would speak some words to me.

Gilliard wasn’t supposed to be the one doing this.

Hoseok was just at the opposite side of the arena; I could feel him close. Nervousness hit me all at once. After the combat with Guardian Jaejoong many years ago, Athena and Ëlv’en never had such a harsh situation again, so no combats were claimed. I never faced Hoseok in a real fight, but I already knew how strong he was - dare I say, even stronger than Yuta. Hoseok had an angry fire burning inside of him all the time, and he used his strong feelings to fuel his powers. Definitely wouldn’t be an easy fight.

However, that’s not what made me hesitate.

I always provoked Hoseok, saying that he could not stand a chance against me in a real fight. We were anything but friends and all of our interactions were aggressive. I always tried to keep him away because I knew what we would have to do sooner or later in our lives. But, in the moment I was about to face him in a real mortal combat, I finally realized: I didn’t hate Hoseok. He was truly annoying, but I had no reason to hate him. I didn’t want to fight a brother of mine. After everything I’ve learned, I wanted nothing more but for him to know the truth, too, to be freed from this curse that haunted all of us.

I didn’t want to fight him and I wouldn’t fight him.

“I won’t do this.”

Counselor Gilliard seemed shocked. “What?”

“I said that I won’t do this.” I turned around and faced him, fists tight. The sole reason I even stepped inside and let them put the armor in me was that I knew I would have to fight to get out of here. “Something’s wrong. Taehyung should be here. I don’t see why he would even accept this challenge when he clearly is not the culprit. What is going on?”

“Do you think you have the right to refuse?” I could almost see his face fuming at this point. “If you simply go away, a war will begin!”

“And who will stop me?” I stepped closer to him menacingly, making Gilliard step back. His face went pale. “You?”

He gulped.

This was the moment of my mistake.

Perhaps discovering the truth made me too arrogant. I thought that no human could defeat me - especially Gilliard. How could that old, thin man fight me? How could he be stronger than me, faster than me, smarter than me?

I turned my back to my opponent.

And, before I could act, I felt a slight sting in my upper arm - a small gap in my armor, too small for a blade to penetrate.

Gilliard was holding something I've never seen before. It looked like a tiny glass tube with a needle attached to its tip.

“What is this?”

An ugly, mischievous smirk appeared on his decrepit face.

With rage taking control of my actions, I pushed the man backwards violently until his back shocked against the wall, my forearm pressing his neck so he could barely breathe. “What is this?!”

Gilliard let a strangled chuckle past his dry lips. “It's a v-very interesting mechanism. It p-permits me to… inject fluids directly on the bloodstream through the needle.”

Confused, I stared at that strange thing on his hand again.

Inside the small glass tube, there was… the reminiscents of a greenish liquid.

No.

An overwhelming dizziness almost made me lose balance.

Gilliard coughed when I let him go and massaged his neck. The room seemed to be twirling, my limbs felt weak.

“You bastard!”

Was all I could groan between gritted teeth before I completely lost balance and fell to the ground.

The potion I already knew so well… the potion to make me as weak as a human.

Gilliard chuckled again as, slowly, he approached. I could only see his feet.

“You were always so obedient, Y/N,” his voice made me shiver in disgust. Low, hoarse, evil. “I have to be honest. Seeing you finally stepping up for yourself is somehow a relief. I always wondered… how such a powerful creature could be so submissive? It was a delight to see you… obeying us like a trained hunting dog.” The familiar pressure seemed to be smashing my skull, bringing tears to my eyes. “But I saw the moment this rebellious little part of you was born. That day in the dungeons. I knew I shouldn't have let Taehyung talk to you.” He sighed. “Now, I have to clean the mess I made.”

Gilliard crouched down in front of me and our gazes finally met - satisfaction on his features as he watched me struggle to breathe, my limbs burning like fire while the potion ran throughout my bloodstream.

“Knowledge is dangerous. Keep the reins tight and the slave will think their entire life that they are blessed. But show them just a little bit of compassion… and this is what happens.” Gilliard shook his head slowly in disapproval. “I always kept your reins very tight, Y/N, but I knew that it wouldn't be enough. I tried to warn Taejun many times. We had so many chances to get rid of you, but he never listened. His stubbornness was what led him to his death after all.”

My heartbeat had increased, sweat flowing on my forehead. Hate was all I could feel. Red hate. “Y-You… you are the responsible behind Princess Serena's death?”

Gilliard's silence was enough of an answer.

My fists tightened.

“You incriminated your own K-King just to make me die in the combat?”

The smirk on his lips widened.

The dots connected as I stared at him.

I chose you that day to protect you, Y/N.

They wanted to get rid of you.

And everything started to make sense.

The cursed rock. The attack. I always thought they wanted to kill Taehyung, but he was not their target.

I was.

They were trying to kill me all along.

“W-Why?” I stuttered. “Y-You are condemning Ëlv'en. If I die here, Athena will win and they will rule the c-continent. You are betraying your own kingdom!”

The old Counselor clicked his tongue as if he was trying to explain something to an oblivious child. “There are more important things to protect than Ëlv'en's supremacy. But I already said enough.” Gilliard stood up again. “Take your sword and shield, Y/N; it is time to fight. I advise you to at least make some effort. It will be realistic if you bring Athena's guardian some struggle before he kills you.”

Gilliard left the room and locked the door.

I crawled, leaned on the wall and got up with struggle, my legs shaking, my breathing irregular and my vision blurry; I could barely move my wings anymore. My strength and powers were draining slowly. This potion is the only thing capable of weakening me. Before punishments, I always had to drink it, and it seems that injecting directly on my bloodstream made the effects spread faster.

How stupid I was?

I didn't stand a chance against Hoseok like this.

Desperately, I tried to reach him through our mental bond. However, this time, he blocked me so well that I couldn't reach his consciousness.

No. I couldn't stand it. I could not die like this after everything.

He had to hear me. If not psychically, then physically.

I took the sword and shield from the ground in time to see the heavy doors opening to the great arena.

And there he was.

Many meters away, at the opposite side, Hoseok entered the field. The red armor matched his hair, as well as his enormous crimson wings. His face was barely visible through the helmet, however his eyes seemed to be tearing me apart - vertical pupils, irises that seemed to be made of lava. Each step of his combat boots echoed. Hoseok's presence filled the Colosseum with raw power which I could feel deep in my bones. His entire form had a red hue, almost as if he was burning in fire.

It was the first time I felt scared of Hoseok in my entire life.

Trying to hide my weakness, I stepped inside the field as well. My grip around the hilt of the sword was not strong enough and I wasn't as confident as he was. The Colosseum was the same as always - incredibly big, a high glass dome above our heads. Despite the many seats around us, only a few people were present to witness the fight - Ëlv'en's and Athena's royal entourages, sitting in opposite sides. King Hugo was present. Taehyung was nowhere at sight.

A deep silence reigned around the place.

We stopped in front of each other at the very center of the field.

“That’s not how I expected our next meeting to be, Y/N,” Hoseok said and, despite the cold voice, like before, I saw something quick on his eyes.

Hesitation.

And something more.

I finally realized. Hoseok didn't hate me. Although our encounters were always anything but friendly, our aggressive banter was probably the only social contact Hoseok had with other people. He didn't want to kill me.

Perhaps I had a chance…?

“Hoseok-”

“The rules are clear,” I was interrupted by the referee's loud voice. “This is a battle in which the only acceptable result is the death of one of you. In case both of you end up deathly injured, the one who dies last will be the winner. All ways of fighting and magic are acceptable. You may start at my signal.” The referee walked back to his safe spot at the grandstand. “May the elves guide your souls to Valhalla… or  Helheim.”

Hoseok was in position to fight.

All of my hopes died when I looked at his eyes.

It didn't matter if Hoseok had any type of strange affection towards me. He was a trained dragon, his brain worked the same way mine used to work. He had a duty, he would accomplish. Winning a combat was the best way to honor our “masters”. Nothing would stop Hoseok.

“Fight!”

He attacked.

I managed to block his attack with my shield. Hoseok twirled around, ready to repeat his attack and our blades shocked against one another for the first time, the impact it produced so strong that a gust of wind flew through the area and made everyone's clothes and hair waver. Hoseok brandished his sword in a series of strong and precise blows, forcing me to step backwards every time. I could still keep up with him for now, but my strength was disappearing by the minute. In my normal state I wouldn't even be sweating, but a few minutes into the battle I already felt tired. One second slower than him.

And Hoseok didn't even had started. He was just warming up.

When we were almost at the corner of the arena, Hoseok kicked my shield away; the iron object flew meters away, leaving my body unprotected. Before I could do anything, Hoseok twirled himself in the air and kicked my stomach with such strength that I could feel my guts being smashed. Just like the shield, he sent me flying backwards violently until my back hit the wall, making the rock structure behind me crack with the impact.

I fell.

My lungs weren't even working properly anymore. A sharp pain spreaded from the place he kicked; my vision was even more blurred. Hoseok approached me at heavy steps and dropped his shield - it was useless anyway.

“Are you just playing around with me, Y/N? When will you start fighting?”

I didn't answer.

A shiver indicated me that Hoseok was about to use his power. I saw the sword he carried take a similar color as the hue around him as he conjured a destructive spell. Not good. With more struggle than the usual, I managed to roll away from the attack the moment his sword hit the wall, metal crossing the rock easily in the exact place my head was one second before.

My entire body screamed in pain when I got up in time to block his next blow with my sword, the blade now shining with the same spell, however weaker than his. The friction of the conjured blades produced something similar to electricity, the sound echoing all around. Now, we were both holding our swords with both hands, we were more free to move around. And it was bad, because Hoseok wasn't even tired yet - and he was one of the fastest people I've ever known.

He was unstoppable. Attack after attack, he overwhelmed me. What should be something I could handle with ease became almost impossible; second after second, I got weaker. Even my wings seemed to be too heavy, my senses becoming as slow as a normal human's.

With another strong kick, he made me fly back, however this time I somehow kept standing. But Hoseok dropped his sword and all of my (slow) senses screamed. He was conjuring a spell between his hands - a ball of fire, his favorite element. If I were one second slower, I would have been incinerated; crouching down, my hands touched the floor and I conjured an earth wall in front of me - the exact moment Hoseok released that intense magic, a strong gust of fire that made the Colosseum shake strongly; my earth wall was ridiculous near his attack.

When it finally stopped, I was about to get up and take my sword again.

My eyes widened.

He was already behind me.

My vision went black when he punched my chin with such strength that, again, I was sent flying up. Hoseok extended his wings and flew towards me, making me shock my body against the dome until I heard the glass crack.

The acrid taste of blood invaded my mouth. His forearm was locked on my neck; I could barely breathe. I felt as if my skull was cracked somewhere.

“If you just defend yourself like this, I will kill you sooner than I expected,” Hoseok groaned, his face too close to mine.

Desperately, I searched for his eyes. I couldn't just let him kill me like this; but how could I say something? All this time, I didn't represent any kind of danger to him. Hoseok could kill me at any moment.

Why didn't he kill me yet, though?

Because he wants me to fight seriously, I realized. To him, the combat haven't even started.

So, if fighting meant I would still have a chance, then I would.

Reuniting all of my strength, I kicked him back so strongly that Hoseok had to leave me. I almost fell directly to the ground, but my wings worked in time and I managed to land, although clumsily. I was out of breath, my lungs weren't working well anymore - and I was sure I had at least two broken ribs. There was still some power inside of me. Not enough to overpower him, but enough to at least keep up fighting for some minutes until I could somehow penetrate his mind.

Our weapons forgotten, the fight proceeded to be hand-to-hand. Since our bodies worked differently, the fact that Hoseok's body was slender by no ways meant he was physically weak; this man could destroy a concrete wall with his bare hands. My force could match his in my normal state, but in that moment, I had to focus not to scream in pain every time he landed a blow. Pain was much more apparent after drinking this potion. I shouldn't even flinch, however Hoseok already made me feel like a punching bag.

“What's wrong with you? Are you trying to provoke me?!” He groaned at some point. He was getting angry. “Fight for real!”

His anger grew and his attacks as well. All the time I was just trying to keep him away from me, making air spells to force him backwards so I could have even one second to recover my breath. Blood trickled down my chin, I was limping, and even the metal of my armor was smashed in some points. I was two minutes away from losing all of my powers definitely. This was leading me nowhere.

The royals above just watched the fight in silence. Judging by my state - bleeding while Hoseok was barely sweating - there was already a winner. A discrete victorious gleam covered Gilliard's eyes.

It just fueled my hatred.

“Hoseok- y-you have to listen to me…” I tried, unable to hide any of my suffering, which Hoseok saw with awkwardness. A guardian should never demonstrate pain, not even on their dying breath…

“It is no time to talk!”

More blows. Hoseok wouldn't stop until he saw me dead. This is exactly what I would have done before I met Taehyung. It did not matter that I was his partner, it did not matter that, by killing me, Hoseok would be decreasing the chances of our race to still exist. If his “master” told him to kill me, then he would with no hesitation.

It also didn't matter that I could see that this situation hurt him.

I could barely defend myself anymore; my arms were too weak, my legs shaking. I have never been so humiliated in a fight; just trying to defend myself stupidly and barely being able to do so. It was nowhere near close to the warrior I am. Hoseok wasn't even trying.

“Get up!” He yelled when I fell again. I could understand that he was confused. He didn't want to kill me so easily like this. “Get up now!”

A kick on my stomach that made me roll. I embraced myself and coughed, spitting blood. Being punished was nowhere close to this. All of my punishers were humans… I have never been beaten up by a dragon. Every punch and kick of his was ten, twelve times stronger than a human's.

Hoseok watched with a scowl on his face as I got up, shaking and stumbling. My nose was broken, my arm, my ankle, some ribs. Many cuts all over my skin. Drops of blood falling to the ground.

I sighed weakly.

“H-Hoseok-”

“Fight with me!” He yelled and attacked again. I could not even lift my arms anymore. “Will you just die like this? You're not even trying! Will you accept your death so easily?! Where is your honor?!”

I sobbed. “H-Hoseok-”

“Fight!”

“I c-can't-”

“Fight!”

I gasped loudly.

Silence.

My entire body was shaking. I… I couldn't move anymore.

Hoseok buried the sword deeper inside of me. I coughed, and my blood hit his armor.

With a grunt, he took the sword out and stepped back. I fell to the ground again, pressing the wound in my stomach with my hand.

“This won't kill you yet,” Hoseok said.

“The opponent can't keep fighting,” the referee said. “We already have a winner. Guardian Hoseok, execute your opponent.”

I coughed more.

Is this it? I would die in such a shameful way?

I couldn't even offer Hoseok a decent fight.

He looked down at me, and my blurry vision caught his hesitance again. He was disappointed because he thought I would've been better. And he was…

Was that sadness?

I would die after everything I went through? After everything I discovered? I would die without seeing Yoongi and Chuu one last time? I wanted to laugh. How stupid I was. In the end, I would be just another dragon dying in battle in the name of my king.

Taehyung…

I wish I would have seen him one last time, too.

I wish we could have the opportunity to sit down and talk as he promised.

I wish I could hold his hand again…

Hoseok started to lift his sword.

It was the first time I saw him showing genuine feelings. He didn't want to kill me, however his duty was beyond his wishes. I also wish I had some time to tell him the truth. What if Hoseok was also freed from this invisible weight that haunted me my whole life? What kind of person would he be if he knew all the things he could do - if he tasted freedom, just like me? Perhaps we could even be friends…

“I didn't want things to end up like this,” Hoseok whispered, so low that only I could listen.

If my brain was working properly, I would have said something meaningful. But everything I did was whisper his name again, nothing but a strangled cry.

Hoseok was about to decapitate me.

I closed my eyes tightly, helpless, and waited for whatever was about to come.

But the blade never touched me.

“I can't feel your power,” he said, confused.

“Guardian Hoseok, execute your opponent so we can finish the combat,” the referee repeated.

“I… I can't feel your power,” Hoseok repeated as he hadn't heard the referee, his brows furrowing in a bewildered expression. “What's wrong?”

Hope sparkled inside of me again. With all of my remaining forces, I tried to speak. “T-The pot-”

“Hoseok, execute it,” King Hugo's voice thundered around the Colosseum.

But Hoseok still seemed to not be listening. He analyzed me and blinked, looking very confused - until I saw when things made sense on his mind.

He widened his eyes slowly.

“You have been weakened.”

“Hoseok, finish this. Execute it,” King Hugo repeated, his patience going short.

“Someone weakened you before so you wouldn't be able to fight against me,” his arm dropped to the side. “That's… that's not fair.”

“Hoseok!” Now, the small crowd all looked at each other, confused. I couldn't see them, but I could hear their chatter.

“This is not a combat. This is an execution,” He concluded as if he couldn't believe his own words.

“Guardian Hoseok, I am telling you to finish the combat!” Hugo's voice was beyond angry.

I saw Hoseok sighing. He tightened his fists and, for a moment, I thought he would follow Hugo's order. But I saw his inner conflict. And, when our gazes met again I saw… resolve.

“No.”

A collective gasp.

“What?!” King Hugo stormed.

“Your Majesty, it was not a fair combat. Guardian Y/N was not in conditions to fight. We should wait until she heals, so we can have another fair combat-”

“Shut up!” With the corner of the eye, I saw Hugo getting up from his seat, furious. “You don't tell me what to do! I told you to execute it!”

“I- I can't do this, master,” Hoseok said. It was being painful for him to stand against his King for the first time. However, he didn't flinch. He just kept his gaze glued on mine.

“Execute it now, Hoseok! I am ordering you!”

“No. Executing someone that can't defend herself is unfair and dishonorable.”

“You just obey me! Execute it!”

For the first time, Hoseok looked up at King Hugo right in the eye - jaw clenched, fists tight, eyes burning.

He dropped the sword. The metallic sound echoed.

“Nothing is above honor.” Hoseok said. “Not even you.”

I almost could not believe my eyes.

“You will pay for your insolence, Hoseok!” King Hugo stormed again. He seemed about to explode. “This is high treason!”

“Execute me too, then,” I really could not believe my eyes. Hoseok took off his helmet and dropped it too. “I prefer to have an honored death than to keep living knowing I killed a sister of mine unreasonably.”

Everyone from both Entourages were talking at the same time by now, with King Hugo being the loudest. I heard steps of many soldiers entering the arena, coming closer to us.

Hoseok… he really went that far?

I looked at his proud, irrefutable figure. This man… he was stronger than I ever imagined…

At first, I thought it was my blurry vision. Or perhaps my brain stopping to work.

There was a huge shadow beyond Hoseok's head.

No… beyond the dome.

It was approaching.

The deafening sound of glass breaking all at once.

I had time to cover my eyes with my weak hands. People screamed, the soldiers looked up, confused, spears in hand.

Hoseok was shocked.

I looked as that gigantic winged creature screeched - a sound so terribly loud and disturbing that everyone had to cover their ears.

A… a white griffin.

The creature landed and looked around, sending a menacing gaze and grunts towards the guards that did no dare to step close.

And, riding the griffin…

“GILLIARD!” Taehyung yelled, his voice so loud and deep and menacing that the entire arena went silent. He got off Alpha at heavy steps, his entire aura glowing with anger. “What did you do?!”

I shivered. I never heard Taehyung talking like that. He was completely possessed by crimson hatred.

“King Taehyung, we thought-” the referee tried, his voice growing scared.

“You thought wrong!” No one was even breathing. “I did not authorize this combat!” Soldiers were slowly recovering their shock and approaching. “Whoever touches her will die!”

They immediately stopped on their tracks.

I wish I could have heard what happened next, but my brain was giving in. Too much pain to bear. I didn't understand what was happening anymore. I… I just wanted a silent place to sleep…

Sleep… 

The last thing I saw before being dragged to the darkness of unconsciousness was Taehyung's figure hovering over me.

[magic-and-myths]

Summer Nights

When I was little, we’d visit my grandma in the hills an hour east of our home. We went every summer and stayed for weeks. Cassie and I would run around that old house, stomping on every creaky stair and whipping around corners plastered with flowery wallpaper, almost knocking over all the priceless family heirlooms. My mother would always send us out before we could do too much damage. 

“Girls! Take your shenanigans outside before the entire house comes crashing down,” she would always say. Then Grandma would shrug her thin old shoulders and give us a wink as we bounded out the door and scampered off into the rose garden. We didn’t appreciate the garden much in those days. Sure, the roses were pretty, but for our purposes they were merely bushes we couldn’t touch. Looking at them now is a very different experience. Grandma was so dedicated to them. Even as her arthritis got worse, she never stopped pruning them. It showed. Each bush was a monument to dedication, a thorny tribute to hours spent in gardening gloves under the hot sun. They reminded me too much of her.

But when we were little we didn’t care about any of that. We just cared about the feeling of the wind in our hair and the grass under our feet. Past the garden was a great big lawn, much too big to ever be mown. Wild flowers burst untamed from the fertile ground, and he grass grew tall enough to tickle my nose, though now it would only come up to my waist. Cassie was too short to see over the grass, so she would charge about blindly until she happened to run into me, or grew tired and collapsed into a pile of giggles. Whenever we came back in from the field, inevitably scratched all over and thoroughly exhausted, Dad would say something about ticks, and how we should be wearing long pants. 

“Oh phooey,” Grandma would say. “I was playing out in that field before you were born, and I’m still here to tell the tale.”

Dad would nod begrudgingly, and Cassie and I would grin from ear to ear. The next day we’d be back out in the field, in our colorful shorts, with the grass nipping at our legs.

Beyond the field were the woods. We weren’t allowed to go into the woods without an adult, much to our young chagrin. Instead, we'd poke our heads out of the grass and stare longingly up at the birches that guarded that forbidden land. And when the longing grew too great, we'd run back inside and beg Grandma to take us on a faerie hike.

Most of the time she'd decline, and give us each a lemon drop for our trouble. But sometimes, on particularly windy days, or days when the clouds rose taller than mountains, or rain dripped gently from the treetops, she’d rise out of her chair and say, “Well alright. Let's see if we can find any today.”

Cassie and I would titter wildly while running circles around her feet. She would grab her walking stick from its place beside the door, and we would set off. 

Grandma walked slowly, especially on uneven ground, and Cassie and I would always be tempted to dash on ahead, but we never did. We had to listen to Grandma’s story. It was always the same; the same cascading syllables, the same dramatic pauses, but no matter how many times we stayed dead silent and strained our ears to hear every last word.

“When I was a little girl, no bigger than you two here, we lived in this very house. My brother, your great-uncle Henry, and I would run around like wild things, just as you do now. But some days we would get bored of the house, and the garden, and the field, and we’d take each others’ hands, and we’d step into the woods. It feels different under the trees. Calmer, older, more magical. Can you feel it?”

We would nod vigorously, and Grandma would smile. She had the type of smile that would reach all the way up into her eyes.

“Good. I can too. That means that the faeries are still here. Long ago, before humans had conquered the forest, there were a great many wild things that lived there. Great dragons slept in their massive nests of pine needles and dirt. Spirits made out of starlight wandered the night, and dryads whispered secrets to each other in the dark. Owls large enough to carry off a cow roosted in pines bigger than you can possibly imagine. Great big stags, taller than most houses, silently roamed beneath trees that scraped the clouds. The only creatures to rise above these trees were the forest giants, who were so tall nobody had ever seen their faces. Fairies lived among these creatures in the nooks and crannies of the wild. In the hollows of rotting logs, the knots of ancient trees, the cracks between lichen covered rocks, the fiddleheads of baby ferns, the shade of colorful mushroom caps, this is where the faeries made their homes. They flitted about in clearings and glades, frolicking in the sun, and drinking nectar from flowers.

“But as humans began to populate the world, they ventured into the forest. Humans are brave creatures, you see, and just as we are now, they were curious as to what lay beneath the dappled sun beams. However, some humans were not as strong of will as the two of you, and they were overcome by greed. They came with their axes and engines and cut down the tallest trees. With each one that came crashing down, the forest grew shorter. And as the forest shrank, the great big creatures who called it home began to disappear. The giants went first, of course. Some say they just sat down and gradually became covered in earth and snow. Others say that they simply walked in the ocean, and kept walking until even their heads were hidden beneath the waves. The dragons went next. Some were hunted for their horns, and the rest hid in fear. They sealed their caves, and vowed only to emerge when the trees regrew and the humans were gone.”

Cassie and I would stare at grandma, eyes wide, scared to even breathe too loud lest we interrupt the story.

“The stags and owls remained, but as the forest grew shorter and shorter, they shrank with it, eventually becoming the size that you know today. As wilderness disappeared, so did the spirits, their starlight outshined by the artificial lights of humans. But the faeries did not disappear. They were the smallest of the wild creatures, and the best at hiding. The forest was still plenty big enough for them, and the humans hardly noticed them. No matter how many roads were paved, flowers still bloomed . As years passed, the faeries became better and better at hiding, but they never disappeared. They’re still here, and you can find them if you know where to look, step quietly, and have a little bit of luck.”

Exactly at this point we’d arrive at our destination. It was a flawless process, no matter how fast we walked or who stopped to tie their shoe; the story always took just as long as the walk. We assumed it was because Grandma was magical. Our destination was a sort of clearing in the center of a grove of poplar trees. In the clearing was a circle mushrooms, small orange ones with cute round caps. My seventh grade science teacher said this perfect circle was because of something called mycelium, which the mushrooms put underground. Grandma said it was because of faeries.

“That’s why it’s called a faerie circle after all,” she’d always say.

Various flowers also grew around the faerie circle, mostly violets and lily of the valley. A rock stood in the center. Cassie always called it the bean bag rock, because it was about the right size and was covered in the softest moss our tiny hands had ever felt. When Grandma’s story finished we would walk to the bean bag rock and sit down. We would sit there for hours, Cassie and I intently watching the clearing’s edge, and Grandma gently stroking our hair. 

Sometimes Grandma would start to sing. We would always shush her, saying “Grandma stop, you’re going to scare away the faeries!” She would laugh and hug us tight, and we would turn back to our vigil. We’d stay until the sun dipped below the horizon and the first splashes of purple appeared in the sky.

At that point Grandma would sigh, get up from the bean bag rock, stretch, and say, “Now come along dears, it’s time to get home. You’re going to want your dinners.”

We would wail that no, we weren’t hungry, and couldn’t we just stay for fifteen more minutes? 

But Grandma was adamant, and she’d say “If the faeries haven’t come out to play yet they aren’t going to. We’ll have to try some other time.” We’d yawn and drag our rumbling stomachs back through the forest, now cast in the soft orange glow of the sunset. Most nights we’d be too tired to eat dinner sitting up, and our parents would bring it up to us tucked into our beds. 

We slept in the room at the apex of the house, where the ceiling sloped away to form a narrow room with a triangle window on the far side. Our beds were short cots on either side of the room, the ceiling gently sloping into the wall above us. The heat from the house rose, and this room would get ridiculously hot. 

Some nights we wouldn’t be able to sleep. On those nights Cassie and I would open the triangular window, and stick our faces to it, desperately trying to catch a whiff of the cool night breeze. We’d stay there all night, listening to the crickets in the grass, the wind in the leaves, and the owls in the trees. It was on these nights, our faces pressed against the screen, the moon shining down, the breeze flickering through the window, that we’d see the faeries.

There was a trellis leaning against the back of the house that came almost up to our window. Morning glories clung to its painted wooden rungs, their tendrils stretching towards the sky. And on summer nights, as the first stars began to wink in the dark blue sky, the morning glories would unfurl their flowers. They were tiny parasols, popping open under starlight rain. And it was to these flowers the faeries came. 

They came from the forest, just as Grandma said, flitting on wings of purple and blue, green and orange. They glowed gently in the dark, and we could see them flapping across the field until they reached the base of the trellis. From there they grew more cautious, and would slowly creep up it, floating from flower to flower. Cassie and I would hold our breath, trying our very very best not to make a sound. After what felt like hours, and maybe was, they’d reach the top.

The faeries were the most delicate creatures we had ever seen. From their backs sprouted glowing wings, midnight blue and sunset purple, forest green and autumn orange, similar to butterfly’s wings, but not quite. They were more pointed, and moved faster, almost like a hummingbird. Their bodies were softer colors than their vibrant wings, light yellow or green, silver or pink. 

The faeries weren’t silent, like you might expect. They made little chirping noises, and tittered amongst themselves. When they flew, their wings buzzed with brilliant energy. They behaved a lot like bees, flying into flowers and crawling around their stems. The glow from their wings would light up the flowers, casting brilliant rainbow lights along the side of the house and turning the trellis of morning glories into a strand of Christmas lights. They would reach their hands, barely the size of the head of a pin, into the flowers, grabbing fistfulls of pollen and stuffing it into their tiny mouths. The faeries weren’t dainty little princesses with table manners, they were hungry creatures, glad to have a meal. And for our part, we were glad they came.

Of course Cassie and I told Grandma that we saw the faeries outside our window; she gave us a big hug and congratulated us, saying that we had been “graced by the wild,” but we were never sure that she actually believed us. We never told our parents. Nevertheless, we knew what we saw. And we knew that we were graced by the wild. We had seen the last traces of the wilderness, looked directly into their tiny black eyes, and they had looked back.

Cassie and I didn’t talk about the faeries much. It never seemed appropriate. It wasn’t something you could talk about over dinner while on break from college, or brought up over the phone. It was something you whispered across a campfire when everyone else had gone to sleep, or mentioned when the last box had been moved out of Mom and Dad’s attic and dust motes filled the air. But even when we didn’t bring it up, it was always there. It was a constant bond between us, in our looks, our laughter, and today it was in our tears. 

It wasn’t always easy to be graced by the wild. It doesn’t fit very well on a high school transcript or a job application, and sometimes it even gets in the way. Once you’ve seen the faeries, it’s hard to see anything the same way again. Every person on the street seems ignorant, like they’re walking through life with their eyes half closed. Every building seems pointless, a monument made to shield us from the sky. Once you’ve seen the faeries, it’s hard to fight the instinct to run off into the woods and never come back. 

So as I grew up, I sometimes forgot about the faeries. Never for too long, just long enough to get on with my life. Later I’d go back into my head, take the faeries out of their box, dust them off, and become the girl who had seen the faeries. It wasn’t too often, but when I went on a hike on a day off, fell asleep to rain pounding against the windows, walked to work in fresh snow, got home from a particularly bad date, or just drove off into the wilderness because I could, that’s who I became: the girl who had seen the faeries.

And today, in Grandma’s house, staring out the window in the too hot room at the peak of the house, with my family crowding around a table downstairs, the world feeling a little bit emptier, that’s who I am. I am the girl who’s seen the faeries.

I feel arms wrap around me from behind. It’s Cassie. Her jet black curls press into my cheek as she squeezes me tight. I start to smile, but before it can break across my face she tightens her grip and I let out a strangled gasp. She laughs at me, but doesn’t let go. At a glare from me she loosens her hug and she goes back to nuzzling my shoulder.

“She’d be proud of us you know.” Tears immediately spring to me eyes.

My response is barely a whisper. “I know.”

We stand like that for a few minutes, with the sun shining through the window, and morning glories waving in the wind, their closed flowers tapping against the glass. Cassie walked over and opened the window, before turning back to me.

“Did you bring a sleeping bag?”

I nodded.

“Want to sleep up here? Just one more night?”

The tears broke free, dripping out of my eyes. I couldn’t manage a sound, but I nodded vigorously. Cassie gave a wistful smile. 

“Alright faerie girl, pull yourself together. You’ve got to make a speech in a few minutes.”

[gallifreyandemigoddess]

Listen, I have a lot of emotions about “The Burning Maze” and everything that unfolded in this particular book. It destroyed my soul in many ways, but it also gave me an immense amount of satisfaction and joy.

But, to start it off in the same way that I’ve started my other two posts about “The Hidden Oracle” and “The Dark Prophecy”, I will start with my favorite sun god, Lester Apollo.

    I’m really happy with how profound his character development has become.

“All of this,” I announced, “is my fault.”

You can imagine how difficult this was for me to say. The words simply had not been in the vocabulary of Apollo.

We have this former Olympian who was used to having everything he could ever desire and who was arrogant and self-centered (though in the first book he admitted that his self-centeredness was a pretense, something to hide how lonely and heartbroken he actually was, more specifically on the twenty-seventh chapter, on page 258) I add the source to show that I’m not making shit up. And through the course of his trials he has, in a way, grown to accept his fate as a human.

He still laments his fate, and he still wishes he could become a god and leave all those problems behind, but he has grown to understand what it means to be a human, and to accept his emotions and to feel.

“In times past, I would have scoffed at any nymph who dared to call me poor thing. Now, Mellie’s show of concern caused a lump to form in my throat. I was tempted to rest my head on her shoulder and sob out my troubles.”  

“Gods wouldn’t normally mourn the loss of a griffin, or a few dryads, or a single ecosystem. The longer I was mortal, the more affected I was by even the smallest loss.”

There are several parts where he is gentle to Meg and to Grover when they seem to be hurting. The Apollo from the first book would have never done that, he would’ve cared only about himself and his own feelings.

The few times he mentioned how much he missed being a god, he wasn’t thinking only about how he could simply pass his duty to the demigods and return to the safety of Olympus, he was also thinking about the lives he could’ve saved had he still been the god of healing.

This part, however, shows great depth because in the past (around the first book maybe), he wouldn’t have given the choice a second thought, he would’ve just left:

I wondered, if my own father, Zeus, appeared to me just then and offered me a way back to Olympus, what price would I be willing to pay? Would I leave Meg to her fate? Would I abandon the demigods and satyrs and dryads who had become my comrades? Would I forget about all the terrible things Zeus had done to me over the centuries and swallow my pride, just so I could regain my place in Olympus, knowing full well I would still be under Zeus’ thumb?

Also, the little fucker tried to sacrifice himself so many times in the story I was about to tear my hair out. I lost it when he actually impaled himself with the Arrow of Dodona, I was very, as the scientists call it, shooketh.

“Let my friends go,” I said. “All of them. Then you can have me.”

The emperor’s eyes gleamed like a strix’s. “And if I don’t?”

I summoned my courage and issued a threat I never could have imagined in my previous four thousand years of life. “Ill kill myself.”

On a familiar note, Apollo is starting to realize that perhaps Zeus had a valid reason for sending him down to Earth as a mortal, which shows more growth, because on the last books he had only seen his punishment as something unfair.

“I began to wonder if maybe, just maybe, Zeus had been right to send me to earth, to correct the wrongs I had allowed to happen.

 Sassy Apollo is the best thing to happen:

“Girl, I see you- I felt like saying- You are not subtle, and we really need to have a talk about crushing on dryads.”

“Full points for vagueness, girl, but I want the dirt.”

Supporting (and charming) Apollo is also an amazing thing:

“Such a gorgeous blade held by the most beautiful woman ever to walk the earth. (No offense to the billions of other women out there who are also quite enchanting; I love you all.)”

Also, this part in which he was literally the Dad Friend?

“Meg!” I chided. “Sit back and buckle up, please. Grover, stop eating your seat belt. Your setting a bad example.”

Just imagine this scene please, “Meg summoned her golden swords. Grover fumbled for his reed pipes. I prepared to run away screaming.” because I pictured little Lester shifting uncomfortably on his spot as his friends prepared to fight like in a scene of The Avengers, and he just, he had nothing.

The time in which Meg was a straight up savage:

“Unbelievable,” I muttered. “After four thousand years, I am still discovering new things.”

“Like how dumb you are,” Meg volunteered.

“No.”

“So you already knew that?”

 Caligula’s character.

Caligula wants to be the new fucking sun god, and his whole plan to extract what is left of Apollo’s divinity? Fucking twisted but at the same time so...I don’t know how to explain it. I hate his character and I would die if anything happened to Apollo (I’d be damned if by the end he doesn’t go back to being a god) but at the same time, that plan shocked me to my very core. Its unnerving and unsettling but it makes sense. He always wanted to be seen as a god.

On the past book, the second emperor revealed turned out to be a former lover of Apollo, but on this book, it is shown that Caligula’s personality startled the god since ancient times. I find it curious how he seems to have history with each emperor.

Finally, Caligula laughed. “Well done!” He patted my shoulder, then snapped his fingers. One of his servants shuffled forwards and handed me a heavy pouch of gold coins.

Caligula whispered in my ear, “I feel safer already.”

After that, I stayed away from Rome for decades. It was a rare man who could make a god nervous, but Caligula unsettled me. This particular part though, I could almost feel the sexual tension, and no one can convince me otherwise that this wasn’t Caligula flirting with the disguised Apollo.

Another thing I found really interesting is the explanation for when Apollo became the new sun god, and his words to Helios nearly at the end of the book:

“But I remember you- your brilliance, your warmth. I remember your friendship with the gods and the mortals of the earth. I can never be as great a sun deity as you were, but every day I try to honor your memory- to remember your best qualities.”  

Now let’s move on, kids.

Let’s talk about Piper, Grover, and Jason for a moment.

I had forgotten how amazing Piper McLean was, specifically, how caring and sweet she is? She comforted Meg a lot of times thorough the book, and she was such a badass too? I love her? She’s the best? How could anyone hate her?

I also like how well she clicked with Apollo. It was cute.

Piper gave me a wry smile. “That’s nice. I like that. You’re sure you’re not the god of wisdom?”

“I applied for the job,” I said, “but they gave it to someone else. Something about inventing olives.” I rolled my eyes.

She burst out laughing, which made me feel as if a good strong wind had finally blown all the wildlife smoke out of California. I grinned in response. When was the last time I’d had such a positive exchange with an equal, a friend, a kindred soul? I could not recall.

I liked this too:

Piper arched her eyebrows. “Are you sensing a disturbance in the Force?”

“Please,” I muttered. “I’m sensing my usual bad luck.” Because RELATABLE.

Grover is still a sweet, dorky child. I like that we had more information about him as the book proceeded, specifically that he is yet to see Percy again (when will we have that reunion? I don’t know, but I need that to happen asap) and that he has never been to Camp Jupiter. All those months he had been in Palm Springs dealing with the natural disasters happening all around and with the disappearing dryads. It warmed my heart how he was so happy to go back to Camp Half-Blood, to his home.

I wasn’t expecting the news of Piper and Jason’s breakup, but I like that at least we got an explanation and that it was rational.

“You’re wondering who you are without all the pressure.”

Piper loves him, but their relationship had a wrong start.

Hera messed with their memories, made them start dating for a reason that did not exist. Her mother, the goddess of love, made her believe that she needed to have a boyfriend to be a proper daughter of Aphrodite. It’s only reasonable that after everything ended and they tried to settle down she’d realize that she doesn’t know where that leaves her. She needs time to decide who she is- not the daughter of Aphrodite, not as one of the Seven of the prophecy- as her own person.

And even when they’re not a couple anymore, they’re still partners.

It struck me how easily they talked together, even about difficult things, and how well they seemed to understand each other.

Jason Grace. This part is certainly harder to write.

Let’s start with nice things:

“I tried to talk sense into Zeus. I told him it was wrong to punish you. He wouldn’t listen.”

I stared at him blankly, whatever remained of my natural eloquence clogged in my throat. Jason Grace had done what?

Zeus had many children, which meant I had many half-brothers and half-sisters. Except for my twin, Artemis, I’d never felt close to any of them. Certainly, I’d never had a brother defend me in front of Father. My Olympian brethren were more likely to deflect Zeus’ fury by yelling Apollo did it!

This young demigod had stood up for me. He’d had no reason to do so. He barely knew me. Yet he’d risked his own life and faced the wrath of Zeus.

My first thought was to scream ARE YOU INSANE?

Then more appropriate words came to me: “Thank you.”

Jason took me by the shoulders- not out of anger, or in a clinging way, but as a brother. “Promise me one thing. Whatever happens, when you get back to Olympus, when you’re a god again, remember. Remember what it’s like to be human.”

A few weeks ago, I would’ve scoffed. Why would I want to remember this?

Now, however, I had some inkling of what Jason meant. I had learned a lot about human frailty and human strength. I felt…different towards mortals, having been one of them.

“I promise,” I told Jason.

I really loved that part. I think it defines exactly the kind of person that Jason Grace was.

All right, let’s move on.

His death. Jason Grace’s death.

I won’t describe the scene, out of respect, but I honestly think that (while he didn’t deserve to die) he died as a hero, and that it is the only thing that matters. He died to protect his friends- his brother and his ex-girlfriend- and he knew what would happen, he was ready for it. He made his choice. It hurts, of course it does, but he had a hero’s death.

Other parts I liked about the story:

How were heroes with accessibility needs supposed to enjoy this death trap?

 Grover summoned the cry of Pan again.

You humans. You’re why we gods can’t have nice things. Are you sure, Apollo? Because I’m pretty sure that Percy Jackson could do a flawless PowerPoint presentation on how wrong you are.

That could be my life motto, I thought. He takes a lot of damage. Same, Apollo, same.

Imagine this scene, please, because it honestly gave me life:

Behind me, Grover wrestled with Coach Hedge, who was desperately trying to claw open a family fun pack of grenades while cursing the tamper-proof package.  Apollo is trying to be diplomatic and remain calm while they’re being threatened to life, and behind him are two satyrs wrestling over opening or not a big pack of grenades.

The Ares-so-lame video that went viral in mount Olympus that Apollo was definitely not responsible for uploading.

I enjoy running people over in a chariot as much as the next deity, but I did not like the idea of being the guy run over. Honey, now you know how demigods feel.

Apparently, Hephaestus throws great pool parties.

 If a goat wears a goatee, is it a man-tee?

 Apollo’s bitterness towards his family: “The Olympians allowed Zeus to strip me of my powers and toss me to earth. They’ve done half Caligula’s job for him. They won’t interfere. As usual, they’ll expect heroes to set things right.” Tune down the salt, Apollo, not a month before that moment you were one of the gods that expected heroes to fix everything.

This quote: “It’s been my observation that you humans are more than the sum of your history. You can choose how much of your ancestry to embrace. You can overcome the expectations of your family and your society. What you cannot, and should never do, is try to be someone other than yourself.” 

Mount Olympus Mega-God lottery.

The oracle’s riddles; the little game they had to solve to get to her. 

 The multiple mentions of Apollo’s love handles.

Imagine this, please: I still have nightmares about Hermes skating through Olympus with his big hair and gym shorts and high striped socks, listening to Donna Summer on his Walkman.  

Carry him away! I prayed, knowing that no god would listen. Please, just let Tempest get him to safety. This part wrecked me. How pained everyone was to Jason’s death, how a former god knows that his kind never listen to those kinds of prayers because they don’t care.

The maze giving Apollo the middle finger.

Apollo’s imminent rage and heartbreak when the maze used Hyacinthus against him.

Apparently Camp Half-Blood has a satyr school for young satyrs that want to be protectors?

Very few people look as good in tights as Spider-Man. 100% agreed.

Who cared about Apollo? I DO, BITCH, I DO.

How Apollo thought of his family when he was under Medea’s spell. Of his parents, of his twin sister.

The heartbreak that came with Crest’s death. How much it affected Apollo. The poor thing was just a child, and he died to protect them.

REYNA AVILA RAMIREZ ARELLANO IS GOING TO APPEAR ON THE NEXT BOOK. YES. MY QUEEN.

How Jason wanted to fulfill the promise he made to the sea goddess he met with Percy all those months before.

Leo’s arrival broke my heart. He couldn’t say goodbye to Jason. I pictured Piper and Leo’s reunion a million times, but I never imagines that.

I found myself crying. It was ridiculous, gods don’t cry. But as I looked at Jason’s diorama in the seat next to me, all I could think about was that he would never get to see his carefully labeled plans finished. As I held my ukulele, I could only picture Crest playing his last chord with broken fingers.

This line: “I would not allow those who had sacrificed themselves to do so for nothing.”

And the ending: But from now on, I would be more than Lester. I would be more than an observer. I would be Apollo. And I would remember.  

Everything that happened on this book has shaped Apollo, has made him more human. I think on the next book his promise of being more than an observer (or remembering) will come true- I think he will be stronger than before, because he wants to honor the memory of those that died for his cause.  

I want to see Reyna interact with Meg and Apollo, but most of all, I’m kind of worried for Thalia Grace. She deserves to know what happened to Jason, but I know that it would break my heart. She could react in so many ways…It’s only going to be painful.

But I’m so ready for it! (NOT)

As a whole, I loved the book. I’m really looking forwards to “The Tyrant’s Tomb.”

[aithne]

(Illume) June 7th, 1583: The Crane's Shadow

From Lady Yukiko's Journal 6/7/1583

I have not decided if the pleasure of landing on shore is greater or lesser than the pleasure of the sea voyage itself. I have to admit that it is quite a fine thing, to come off the rocking ship onto land that does not move under one's feet. Fortunately, I have more sea voyages yet to ponder these two pleasures, and the contrast between them.

I must admit to having my doubts about our shaman. Evidently, while the rest of us were sleeping last night, Reiko went for a walk around the deck of the ship--stark naked, raving in that tongue she claims one of her spirits speaks. Funitsu said that he stopped her from throwing herself off the ship. She was, evidently, walking in her sleep--but who shouts in a language they claim not to understand in their sleep?

Today, she refused to answer gentle questioning about the incident. She was even quite rude to me, looking angry and stalking off when I tried to work my way around to the subject. Childish, very childish. I suspect that she was the pet of the okiya that she was raised in, and thus never quite learned proper manners.

Captain Masumoto has now taken to locking Reiko in her cabin at night, and the griffin has agreed to be her chaperone in case she attempts to harm herself again. And she seems to be somewhat snappish around Funitsu; I have been assured that he conducted himself as an utmost gentleman, in accordance with his station, but the shaman appears to be offended that he touched her at all, even to save her life. That's odd, knowing what I know about her habits. I'd expected her to seduce one of her companions already, or even one of the crew of the ship, but she is keeping strictly to herself.

We landed in the early evening today in Hiroshima, and were met by an honor guard sent by my brother-in-law, Lord Hirohito. We were puzzled as to how he had known we were coming, given that we were traveling incognito, but it as later explained that there had been messengers sent once Hideyoshi had discerned which ship had left and not come back after the confusion during the coup.

Ah, the child is restless tonight. I have tried singing to him, in case he can hear me, but I can feel his attention turned elsewhere. When I have my mind to myself, I sometimes shiver at the thought of what I might be carrying within me. He drums his feet restlessly, and as the days pass I have less and less peace.

I and my company were escorted to Hirohito's palace, very pleasingly built in the Imperial style. I have never been here; Hirohito never encouraged visitors to his home, and the few times I have met him he traveled to see us. We were bathed and dressed in fresh clothing; what a wonder it is to feel clean after so many days of not having any chance to bathe! I have never appreciated a bath quite so much, even on the days when I was practicing with the sword.

Panda, of course, accompanied me, never leaving my side. What a comfort this warrior is to me. Of course I feel affection for Haku, but he is quite excitable (and the shaman often needles him into argument, along with Tadaki). Panda's cool head has carried her far in my Lord's service, and will carry her farther still in mine, should the gods be willing.

After bathing and resting, and having all of our weapons peace-bonded, we joined Hirohito for tea. Afterwards, he invited us out into his gardens, telling us he would speak to us of our current dilemma after he had shown us something.

In the center of his garden was a dead cherry tree; the sort of thing that is promptly removed in any well-tended garden. The Lord put down a small stone and warned us not to stray too far from it, lest our conversation be overheard. He said, "This tree died at the beginning of spring. Ordinarily, it would have been removed, but about that time I learned of some of Hideyoshi's plotting, and ordered it kept. I have named the tree Hideyoshi, and each branch represents a task that must be accomplished to bring him down. This is what I present to you. You would not so much be entering my service as working towards the same goals as I."

We asked many questions, and Hirohito was forthcoming with answers--too forthcoming, I feel. I know he has secrets; the easy way he told us truths makes me suspicious that there is much he is not telling us.

My husband is still alive, for one! There were three spirits that were released with Nobunga's death, all of them seem to be in opposition somehow to the other two. It is thought that in one body, the spirits kept each other in balance, but now that they are residing in Akechi, Hideyoshi, and Arenro, they are no longer in balance and wish to destroy each other.

The spirit that resides in Akechi has split in two, and one half resides within our child. That is why Hideyoshi has not killed my Lord; were he to kill Akechi, the spirit that resides within him would merely join its other half and nothing at all would be accomplished. He must destroy both halves if he is to accomplish his goals.

And this is why Hideyoshi has ordered every person of my husband's family to be killed, down to the last babe. He wishes to take no chances that the spirit could flee to another member of his family.

And, so, we are to stop, or at least slow down, the takeover of Kyoto, and get as many members of my family to safety as we can.

He also knows more about us than he ought, including information that among us only I am privy to. He mentioned that the nonhumans among us should seek out allies among our races, if we can--he named Spirit Folk, hengeyokai, kitsune, and griffons, in particular. I know Panda is spirit folk and Tadaki is hengeyokai (though no others know, and it's harmless enough), and Griffon is obvious. But the news that one among us is a kitsune is, though not exactly startling, interesting news indeed.

Kitsune are the spirit foxes, who take the form of beautiful women. They are very seductive, capricious, and make very good friends and very, very bad enemies. They are both admired and feared. They are fond of physical pleasure, and to be the lover of a kitsune is, supposedly, more intense than many can handle. I believe this is what Reiko is, though she seems to be entirely ignorant of it. It matches her behavior so long as I've known her almost exactly. I am keeping this suspicion to myself, as I do not think she would believe me if I told her. I overheard a conversation between her and Hirohito's shaman that gave me more fuel for my suspicions.

Poor Panda. When honor and loyalty collide, she'll have to make a decision--which action is the most correct one? Funitsu, being a Scorpion, knows the ways and means of gathering information that have been my domains ever since I was very small, learning the art of knowing everything that's going around you at my mother's knee.

Tomorrow, we sail for Kyoto. Tadaki suggested that we travel, when we're on land, as a theater troupe; everyone seemed to think that this would be the least conspicuous way for a group as widely varies as ours to travel. Hirohito will provide us with a fast ship, one that is in the gaijin style, and that is less known than the flying Dragon, Masumoto's ship. He'll also give us equipment and money, which is needed as we fled the palace with not much more than the clothes on our backs. The librarian has borrowed some books on English, in an attempt to learn to speak the tongue of the spirit that seems to be taking Reiko over while she sleeps.

I must think on what I have learned. Surely, somehow, there is a way to get my husband back! Now I know for certain that he is alive, I have stopped grieving him and simply miss him terribly.

Soon, says the child within me. Soon.

6/8/1583

Hirohito showed us how to get in and out of his palace without being seen--a key that gives the holder and whatever she is holding on to the ability to move into another plane for a few minutes, passing through solid walls as if they were not there. The cherry tree that had died was tended by a dryad, and when she died (a peaceful death, it sounds like; simply old age) the key was found on her body, thus explaining how she got in and out of the palace to tend her cherry tree.

He gave us each a pouch containing enough money to keep us a while, and Panda some extra. He told us that the ship he had outfitted for us was waiting in the harbor, and the korobokuru Thomas (outlandish name, so difficult to pronounce properly!) would be waiting for us, as our guide. We decided, amongst ourselves, that on the ship Panda would be the captain and Funitsu the first mate; it seems that we all have much to learn about ships. Including myself--I am determined to do my share of what needs to be done, as I can.

There was a tunnel beneath the cherry tree that led to a secluded section of the harbor, where the ship was waiting. The ship itself looks very odd to my eyes--it is something called a three-masted sloop, called, in English, the Benevolent.

As we met Thomas and he told us this, Reiko was standing with an odd look on her face. The librarian nudged her. She shook her head and said, "Zhane just started laughing and laughing...I'm not sure why."

Thomas showed us downstairs, to a place where an nezumi--a ratfolk--was being kept in a cage. He evidently had looked a lot more human three days before, when they had rescued him from somewhere around Kyoto. On a hunch, we gave him a drink of the water from the source that we still have with us, and he turned back into a human.

Thomas said that there are two wu jen who are working in Kyoto. One is sitting at a mountain pass, and turning dead souls into shadows, spirits who are neither alive nor dead but somewhere in between, mindless and forever hungry. The other is at the north, near the beach, turning people into ratfolk like the poor soul on this ship. Both are minor Crane nobles. If we unblocked the pass, people could flee the city on foot, and if we freed the beach, they could leave in boats.

We chose the pass, as it was a day closer. So to Kyoto we sail, making good headway. We should be there tomorrow.

The korobokuru is proving to be most entertaining. Such stories! I must write some of them down.

6/9/1583

Excitement this morning in the form of being attacked by shadows as we rose from our beds. Reiko affixed them with a stern look and some fled from her, and the rest were relatively quickly dispatched by the warriors among us. We searched the ship but didn't find anything; a look through our spyglass revealed a slight magical glow on the beach behind us.

I believe Panda has discovered that Tadaki is hengeyokai. She went to investigate why he wasn't in his room even though it wasn't locked from the inside, and found that he'd collected magical coins that exploded when darkness covered them from the place where we'd seen the glow and from several more places down the beach. He said that there were pots arranged around the coins that seemed to contain shadows; and when darkness fell, they exploded and the shadows were released. It was a trap meant to delay or slaughter the occupants of all of the boats who came along this way, it seemed.

Griffon swam to the beach and destroyed all the pots and their contents, catching up with us a few miles down the coastline.

When Panda returned to me, she asked me quietly, "Did you know that Tadaki has another form?"

"My husband told me, though I have not seen it myself. They often choose not to reveal themselves, the shapeshifters. When he grows more comfortable with us, perhaps he will not be so secretive."

"It is a tactical advantage, to have a Winged One among us."

"Particularly a spellcaster. Which is why Hirohito wouldn't allow us to leave him behind. We will need him, I think. As we will need the rest."

"Even an archivist?"

"Did you not see how he fights? Think on that, Panda, and think that not all warriors wear armor."

She looked at me with those dark eyes that are thinking, always thinking, but spoke no more.

We landed and began walking. Haku saw something lurking behind a rock--more ratfolk. After a short but fierce battle in which Funitsu was most useful, we had one badly wounded ratfolk and one asleep, which we tied securely. The librarian went off somewhere, and Funitsu attempted to bandage the wounded one's wounds--and only succeeded in making things worse.

Reiko took over, grumbling something about "Useless, you see? Completely useless. Stop bugging me. I said, stop!" She is a strange girl.

We turned the sleeping ratfolk back into a human by using the source water. She had been a local farmer who had been captured and turned into nezumi by the wu jen who lives here. they were told to explore the tunnels inside the mountain. They had found this exit, and were guarding it, reluctant to go back inside.

She told us about the wu jen, who is named Tomika. After describing her daily routine, the former ratling told us about a tunnel that the rats were forbidden to go, as it was on the verge of collapse. In her opinion, however, it looked sturdy enough.

We looked in the tunnel and the librarian strolled out. He'd been off exploring, and told us that the tunnels were relatively clear, this far down.

We elected to go look at the place Tomika had forbidden, as it was there we hoped to learn some of her secrets.

Through the tunnels we went, to a place that did, indeed, appear as if it were falling down. Through there, to a door, which had the symbols for flame, water, iron, and steel on it. Griffon told us that there was only one person who had come through here recently, and it was female. We assumed it was the wu jen.

A bit of puzzlement and the correct symbols were touched--iron, water, steel--and the door did not so much open as rust away. And in we went.

It seemed to be an old korobokuru workshop, abandoned with works half-finished. There were statues of strange gods standing along the walls, and in the back, a door.

Behind that door was a subtle nightmare.

Thousands of the same sorts of pots we'd seen on the beaches were stacked against the walls--as well as a large number of those exploding coins that Tadaki had found. Reiko could spend no more than a few seconds in the room before stumbling out, her hands over her ears, listening to screaming none of the rest of us could hear. We removed the coins from the room and closed and wedged shut the door, as if the wu jen caught us in here, we did not wish her to be able to use the shadows against us.

Thousands of souls, thousands of people turned into shadows. The child within me could feel them, I believe, and I could feel an anger rising in him as he turned somersaults within me.

We lay an ambush for the wu jen, who we knew would return sooner or later. The fight, once she arrived, was brief but decisive. I am pleased with how well my retinue is beginning to work together on the battlefield. They are coming along as a fighting unit.

We rendered Tomiko unconscious, and Reiko exclaimed that she had something magical embedded in her right breast. She unwrapped a small, very sharp knife, opening a small, well-healed scar, as I and some of the others shuddered in disgust. She retrieved from the wound a small glass vial, capped at both ends, with swirling darkness within it. "Shadows."

After Tomiko was revived, the first thing she did was to look at Funitsu and say, "If you kill me, there will be clan war. I am a noble of the Crane house. If I die, my clan will know who did it, and they will hunt down and exterminate every single Scorpion, down to the last."

Funitsu asked, "And how will they know, then?"

"Each one of us is trained from childhood to be able to send small messages with our minds. My family already knows that I have fallen into Scorpion hands. My dying thought will be of you, and then open war shall be declared. Kill me and your family will fall into ruin."

Funitsu stood, thinking about this. Reiko asked her about the vial, and confirmed that it allowed her to control the shadows--but only if it was implanted in her body.

The shaman looked at the bloody vial in her hand, considering. "It would be useful to have one of us be able to control the shadows..."

Funitsu raised an eyebrow. "And who's going to volunteer? You?"

"I will, if nobody else."

"You couldn't stand being in the same room with the shadows. How could you deal with having them inside of you?"

Her yellow eyes narrowed. "I can deal with more than you think--ow, ow, hey ow! Stop!" She batted at something invisible near her head. Then she hung her head as if she were a small child being scolded. "All right, Grandmother. All right. No, I'm not volunteering."

We elected to lay aside the question of both the Crane and the vial for the moment, while we destroyed the shadows in the sunlight. Now we're done with that, and have returned to the ship, Tomika our prisoner in the hold. I don't like the looks that Panda is throwing her. My samurai would never do anything rash, but if she thinks this wu jen is a danger to me, she will not hesitate to kill her and doom most of Funitsu's family to die. We are discussing our next move, but have not yet come to any conclusions.

There is one more wu jen out there. Without their sorcerers, perhaps the army attacking Kyoto will feel the need to withdraw for a bit. We can only hope.

quotes:

"Tadaki is a geek!" "I'm a wu jen. That's what we do!"

"Does your sorcerer need an apprentice? We have one to spare. This one doesn't like adventures." "No. " "Do you have a red shirt you can equip him with?"

[leafdrake-haven]

A Breeze Through the Multiverse

So I thought I’d try my hand at a little mtg fanfic. This stars one of my fanwalkers (a drake named Breeze) meeting one of @connoissuer-of-fine-vines ‘s fanwalkers (a dryad named Sylene) Enjoy! :D (also, do I have to do the mtg is owned by Wizard’s of the Coast, this is not endorsed by them, etc?) 

     Breeze alighted on an outcrop of stones at the edge of a forest. She writhed her torso every which way, stretching her tingling muscles and finally giving her whole body a shake from the nip of her nose to the tip of her muscular tail. She took a deep breathe of fresh air, tasting the new scents on the wind. Flying through the big in-between always left her feeling a little weird. Not unlike being squeezed beneath a giant dragon, she imagines with amusement. Not that Breeze would know what that would feel like. No, she was strong and clever and was a killer of dragons. She who teamed up with her flock-mates and the merfolk man Talrand to defeat the sky-tyrant Kalyntri. Breeze lifted her head proudly and stuck out her chest at the thought. No, she thought, Breeze is faster and smarter than dragons. And Breeze can fly to the places that aren’t Shandalar. 

     With bolstered confidence the drake began to survey her new surroundings. A second deep breath revealed a complete lack of salt in the air. No sea nearby, what a boring part of Not Shandalar, she thought. While Breeze was contemplating whether she should try hunting here or try to go somewhere else, a bit of motion near the edge of the forest caught her attention. A small tree was crying. Breeze shook her head and snorted; the big in-between must have squished her head more than she thought. Trees were not people and could certainly not cry. The Tree was unfortunately downwind so Breeze could not get a proper scent so she flew a short bit to get a better look. On closer inspection the creature appeared to either be a tree that looked very much like a person, or a person that looked very much like a tree. The creature was dressed in clothing like a humanoid, but clearly had twigs and leaves on their head instead of hair. They pulled a small cloth out of their pocket and wiped it on their face. It seemed to help them stop their crying. People are so strange, Breeze thought.

      A crying tree person is not something she saw very often, however, and the great and brave Breeze has seen many things on her travels. More than any other drake and probably even more than any dragon, she mused. So she decided this Tree merited a more thorough look. Breeze flew over to the tree creature and landed right in front of them, meaning to impress them. The Tree started and immediately took a defensive position.

     "Stay back beast of fire,“ she said in an alarmed, but commanding tone. Breeze took a single step back and cocked her head.      "Fire? Breeze is no beast of fire,” Breeze let her distaste for fire bleed into the word. “Breeze is a beast of wind and water!” she shouted with pride, spreading her wings and flaring her face fins for added affect. She knew this made her look very impressive. It certainly made the Tree falter.      "You… can speak?“ the Tree asked hesitantly, her voice a little croaky from crying. She slowly lowered her hands a fraction. How strange that she was surprised. Breeze took a few steps closer to get a better scent now that the Tree seemed less hostile.      "Of course Breeze can speak! Strange question from a talking tree in clothes,” she said, knowing she made her point; clearly the Tree was the more outlandish of the two of them. She looked down at the small Tree. At her full height she was about two feet taller than her.      "First of all, I am not a tree,“ said the Tree. There were still tears in her eyes, but she seemed more annoyed than sad now. Breeze thought she ought to be thankful to her for that. "I am a dryad.”      "A dried tree then. Is that why you fear fire?“ Breeze asked. She put her face closer to the Dried Tree, taking in all her features. How strange, close up her face looked much more human, however her scent was very woody.      "I’m not… no. A dryad is like a spirit of a tree in the form of a person,” she seemed to be fighting hard to keep her tears from coming back at this point. “Yes, my body is part plant material so fire is something I seek to avoid, but I’m not overly afraid of it,” the Tree said defensively. “You sound like you’re not fond of it either,” she countered. Breeze thought she looked smug after that. Perhaps she thought she’d managed to insult her. Silly Tree.       “Fire often comes from dragons, and dragons bring arrogance, and stink, and terror,” Breeze said matter-of-factly and nodded to herself. These were truths the Tree should probably already know, but she felt like helping today. “So the Dried Tree is sad, she was crying. Is it because she is the only one?” Breeze asked her while sticking her snout around the Tree, trying to take in all of her mysterious features. The Tree stiffened at the question.      "Dryad. Not dried tree. Again, not a tree.“ The Tree was becoming increasingly agitated. She even had the nerve to shove Breeze’s face away from her. "Listen, Talking Flying Lizard–” Breeze snorted indignantly and took a step back at that and the Tree look satisfied, “– This has been fascinating, but I’m going through something right now and I don’t really have the energy to deal with… whatever it is we are doing right now.” The Tree crossed her arms in front of her and stared down Breeze with watery eyes.      Breeze cocked her head and asked, “And what is it we are doing right now?” “I’m talking to a drake. A very nosy drake,” the Tree replied flatly.  Breeze cocked her head in the other direction.      "And the Tree does not have enough energy to just talk? It doesn’t take much energy just to talk,“ Breeze countered, but then a thought occurred to her. "Oh! But trees do not normally talk! You are sad because you are the only talking Dried Tree, and out of energy because trees aren’t supposed to talk anyway!” she exclaimed with pride. The Tree just stared at her with blank eyes and her mouth the tiniest bit opened. Finally she found her words again.      "I’m not… You know what? Yes. That’s the problem. I am a sad Dried Tree and if I keep talking I will wilt away so you better stop talking to me unless you want me to wilt.“ With that Tree settled onto the ground and leaned her face on her knees and wrapped her arms around herself. Breeze was torn, she did not want the Tree to wilt away, even if she were a rude Tree, but she didn’t think she should be left alone.      "That’s ok,” Breeze said, as she settled to her haunches and wrapped her tail around her body, “Breeze can just sit here and not talk and be quiet, just like the Tree.”  The Tree did not seem to like this idea for some reason, but didn’t protest.  They sat like this, in silence, for several minutes. Normally Breeze wouldn’t mind sitting comfortably on a nice night, but her new Tree friend still seemed upset and was refusing to admit it. She could hear the Tree begin to breathe harder again, possibly fighting off crying again, but remaining mostly silent. Breeze began to fidget; the silence would possibly drive her mad. Without warning Breeze leaped to her feet, twitched her wings, and proclaimed, “I know exactly what the Tree needs!” The Tree looked startled at this sudden revelation and watched, dumbfounded, as Breeze leaped into the air and left Not Shandalar to travel through the big in-between to another land that was also Not Shandalar, not that the Tree would know the details. 

     Breeze knew exactly where to go and what to do. She flew to a land that had forests of strange trees that grew in the shallow parts of the oceans. She had heard humanoids of this area call one of these trees the Man of Groves. It seemed a strange name to her at the time, but now it all made sense! These strange trees were sometimes people-y shaped; not as much as the Dried Tree, but then again she had seen some pretty strange drakes on other Not Shandalars. They must be similar to the Dried Tree, but just a little sneakier about it. Breeze waded through the salty water looking at all the trees, trying to see if any were watching her back. Unfortunately they all seemed to be regular, if weirdly shaped, trees. With a snort she flew up, spraying water everywhere, and decided to check a little further inland. Here the trees didn’t have constant access to the water and looked drier for it. Eventually she found one that was mostly out of the ground and looking a little dried out. It even had two main parts of its trunk that reached towards the ground, looking almost like legs. Ah-ha! Breeze has finally found another Dried Tree! Breeze marched up the withering tree and spoke to it, “Hello Dried Man of Grove, Breeze would like to take you to her new friend. She is feeling sad and Breeze thinks talking to another Dried Tree would help cheer her up.” Breeze nodded after she said it and inspected the tree while waiting for an answer, but none came. Stomping her feet she continued, “Hello, yes, Breeze thinks it would be good for you to come with her now?” she said, again waiting for an answer. Now she was starting to feel a little foolish, perhaps this was just a regular tree. No, maybe it was just shy. Breeze thought it would be best to take matters into her own talons; she didn’t want the Dried Tree on the other Not Shandalar to think she’d abandoned her. With that thought she took the thickest part of the tree into her jaws and yanked hard. It came out of the ground with surprising ease. It must really want to come after all! She thought, beaming. With that she flew awkwardly in the air with the tree and braved the big in-between with the Man of Grove between her teeth.      Breeze returned to where she left the Dried Tree and with relief saw that she had not moved. In fact she seemed to have stopped crying and was looking rather bewildered. She was going to be so excited when she saw who Breeze brought back with her! She landed with a little extra flourish, which was hard to do with the extra weight in her mouth, and placed the tree gently at the Dried Tree’s feet. Breeze swished her tail from side to side as she spoke, “Dried Tree was sad, so Breeze decided to bring her a friend to talk to. One that would understand her better! Another Dried Tree! This one is called a Man of Grove!” She began bobbing her head up and down with glee, she could barely contain her excitement to see the two Dried Trees talking. For some reason her Dried Tree was looking down though and avoiding eye contact and kicking the dirt with her toe. Had Breeze done something wrong?      "Breeze, right? I mean, that’s your name isn’t it?“ the Dried Tree asked her.         "Obviously,” Breeze snorted, “What a ridiculous question!” The Dried Tree looked taken aback.      "S-sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. It’s just, a lot has happened in the last few days and I… Sylene. My name is Sylene. Not–“ she added a little slyly, ”–Dried Tree. I’m afraid I’ve been a little rude. Nice to meet you Breeze the drake.“ "Sylene,” Breeze repeated, “Syyylennnnne. It is a pretty noise. What does it mean?” she asked the Dried Tr–Sylene. Sylene wrinkled her nose and cocked her head to the side.      "What do you mean? It’s my name. It means… me?“      "Yes yes, that’s what names mean,” Breeze retorted, “But why did you give yourself that one. Breeze named herself Breeze because breezes are good! A good breeze in the air means good flying! Cool when it’s hot! And! Breezes under water help with swimming! A breeze is free and can go wherever it wants to, just like a drake. That’s why Breeze is Breeze!” she concluded with a nod.      "Oh,“ Sylene replied, "That’s very nice. Where I come from your parents name you when you’re a child and usually it sticks. Some people, like the Vedalken, rename themselves when they’re older, but many people just stick with what they have. My parents gave me my name and I like it, so I kept it.” Sylene looked up a little defensively.      "Ah that makes sense! Your name is a gift so you kept it! It is good to keep gifts when you can,“ Breeze said sagely and Sylene’s mouth actually twitched into a small smile. A victory!  "Now about this Man of Grove. Breeze can’t get it to talk, maybe it will talk to you?” Breeze said, nudging the withered tree with her nose. Sylene coughed awkwardly.      "Um, Breeze? I think this is just a regular tree and not a Dryad. It does bring up something I wanted to ask you about though,“ Sylene said and her eyes began to glisten again. She looked really uncertain as she added, "How did you do that? What did you do? You flew away and then you were just… gone. I–” Breeze cut her off.      "Oh that!“ Breeze said, puffing up her chest with pride, "That is something special Breeze can do!” she continued while circling Sylene in excitement, “She is actually from a beautiful land called Shandalar, but she can fly to any land ever! She just has to go through the big in-between first, but most creatures can’t find that. Breeze only learned about it recently, but for some reason you can’t show others.” She began bobbing her head up and down again as she talked. For some reason Sylene looked sad and scared instead of excited; that didn’t make any sense.      "Breeze I…“ Sylene began hesitantly, "I can do that too. Go through the ‘big in-between’ and travel worlds. It just happened the first time a few days ago. I should have died but instead this happened, but I–”      "You can do it too!“ Breeze interjected. She began to hop around Sylene like an overgrown bird, "Breeze thought she was the only one! This is so exciting! Breeze can show Sylene so many different Not Shandalars! And we-”      "No!“ Sylene cut her off. Breeze was taken aback by her sudden severity. She put her head down and took a step back, abashed. Sylene started to cry again but this time she seemed angry instead of sad. "I shouldn’t even be here! I should be on Ravnica, or I should be dead! I was attacked and then suddenly I was cut off from everything!” Sylene gestured angrily as she continued, her voice raw with emotion and her face drenched with tears. “A dryad cut off from Mat'Selesnya? That’s madness! I can never go back even if I knew how. What would I even be to the other dryads? I am an abomination!” Sylene yelled and then choked out a sob. She sunk to her lap and started crying into her hands. Breeze was startled by her sudden outburst and didn’t understand a lot of what she said. She watched Sylene from a distance, not sure what to do or say to her. How could she help when she didn’t fully understand what was wrong? Shouldn’t she be happy that she could explore many places?      Breeze was about to attempt to point out all the obvious benefits of being able to travel to different worlds when the world they were currently on began to move. Sylene looked up and gasped as the earth around her began to convulse. Impulsively Breeze flew up and with a spin in the air to gain momentum she dove towards Sylene. This will probably make her extra cranky she thought with exasperation as she grabbed a shocked Sylene gently between her talons. She flew them both to the outcropping of rocks she had landed on when she first came here. These rocks were minding their own business and not moving around. Sylene looked indignantly at her but did not complain when Breeze put her down. They both looked over to where they were just standing and the whole area was writhing and forming new features. An elemental even spawned from the ground and stumbled towards the forest. The poor Man of Grove was destroyed.      "Ohhh, Breeze has been here before,“ Breeze said thoughtfully. She didn’t want the silence to come back so she kept talking, hoping to keep Sylene from crying, or yelling, again. "She was by the ocean before though, much better than here. This place is strange, the land is awake and sometimes crumbles and rebuilds itself. Or sometimes makes funny weather out of nowhere.” The ground was still twisting and contorting so the two began to watch, mesmerized.      "Oh?“ Sylene murmured, almost shyly. She took a step towards the edge of the rock and held her hands out towards the scene. "I… can feel the mana coming from the land. It doesn’t need someone to be its voice. It speaks for itself.” Sylene was clearly in awe of the moving rocks and for that Breeze was happy. Breeze did have to admit it was a bit hypnotic. “I think I’d like to watch this for awhile. Breeze, do you want to watch with me?” Breeze cocked her head.      "Is Sylene sure she even wants Breeze around?“ Breeze snorted at her. Sylene looked down for a second and then met Breeze’s eyes.      "Yes. I’m sorry I yelled at you, you were only trying to help. I’ve just had a rough couple of days. I almost died and whatever this is I can do saved me and–”      "Spark.“ Breeze interjected.      "What?” Sylene asked. Breeze stepped closer to her.      "The Spark lets Breeze find and travel through the big in-between. You must also have The Spark. Breeze doesn’t know what it is, but she knows she has it. Sylene must have it too.“ Sylene put her hand over her heart and looked down thoughtfully. She then sunk to the ground and sat cross-legged, watching the moving ground below them. They remained quiet for a few moments.      "Thank you for saving me just now. I still want to stay and watch awhile. You don’t have to, but the offer is still there. Do you want to watch with me?” Sylene finally said aloud. Breeze responded by making a noise that sounded between a purr and a deep coo. She circled around Sylene and finally settled next to her with her tail encircling them both. “Thank you Breeze. It’s nice to be with a friend right now.” Breeze purr-cooed again and playfully rubbed her nose on Sylene’s cheek, almost earning a chuckle. “You know, my friends back at home probably won’t accept me anymore. I may have gained this… this spark,” she said the word with distaste, “but I lost a connection to something else.” Sylene sighed, but she was no longer crying. She looked tired.      "If your flock rejects you because you lost something, they are a bad flock,“ Breeze snorted. "Whistle lost half his tail in a fight with a shark once. He is not as good at flying or swimming anymore, but he is still a good look-out and shallows fisher. He is still a good flock-mate. Just make sure Sylene’s flock remembers she is good at other things. Or, find your own, better flock.” Breeze nodded to herself. She was very good at sharing truths today and now that they were officially friends, she knew Sylene would listen. Sylene looked down with her hand over her chest again. Her eyes were glistening, but no tears fell. She looked back at the shifting terrain once more, taking a long shaky breath.      "You are very wise, Breeze,“ she said with a timid smile. Breeze snorted.      "Breeze knows, but thank you.” Sylene actually giggled at that. Another victory! The two then sat there in comfortable silence, watching the landscape dance below them; even seeing the occasional elemental rise from the din. Eventually Sylene drifted to sleep, leaning against Breeze’s side. Breeze didn’t mind watching out for her while she slept. Breeze likes to watch out for her flock-mates, and Breeze is a good watcher.

[downwithwritersblock]

Monsters and Mythological Creatures

So, someone asked about monsters, and since I’ve been hoarding this long list of mythical beings for one of my own stories for the last like, three years, I decided to finally share it! This list is divided into categories for specific types of creatures. Each creature is accompanied by a definition or description, where it’s from, and other useful information.

Here we go:

SPIRITS AND GHOSTS: 

Arae(Greek Mythology): Female spirits of curses, particularly curses that are placed by the dead, on the person responsible for their death.

Banshee(Gaelic Lore): A female spirit who brings death to her victim by screeching or wailing. Often depicted wearing green or red robes, with hair being described as either orange, red or yellow to mimic the flicker of flames. Can appear as a young beautiful women, or an old and frightening ‘hag’

Black Dog/Hell Hounds: Usually depicted as large, ghostly looking black dogs that come from hell. Typically, they roam the streets at night looking for pray to drag back to hell or devour. 

Bogle(Gaelic Lore): A ghost like being whose sole purpose is to frighten and confuse humans and other creatures.

(El) Coco/  Cucuí (Typically Hispanic or Latin american Folklore) : A ghost like monster, much like the american boogeyman, used to strike fear into children. The description changes among different cultures. Sometimes described as ghosts with pumpkin heads, as large rattling skeletons, a female humanoid alligator like creature, or even a dragon like creature. (as a child, I imagined them more like skeleton ghosts) 

 Demons : Malevolent spirits from Hell 

Fox Spirits (Popular among Asian Folklore) : The Fox Spirit or the Nine Tailed Fox is a common spirit among east Asian cultures, usually depicted as a familiar with great magic power. They are often devious or mischievous, with a bad habit of tricking people. Usually, they are also capable of shape shifting into beautiful women. They can be a good, or a bad omen. Known as the  húli jīng (fox spirit) in China, the kitsune (fox) in Japan, and the kumiho (nine-tailed fox) in Korea.

Gashadokuro(Japanese Mythology): Spirits of people who died of starvation or in battle, and did not receive a proper burial. They take the form of massive skeletons, apparently 15 times taller then the average human. They roam the world after midnight, capturing lone travelers, and biting off their heads to drink their blood. They are said to be invisible and invincible. Though they can be warded off with  Shinto charms, and it’s said you can sense their presence if you hear a loud ringing in your ear. 

Ghosts: Spirits of the undead that are trapped in the world of the living. Often resemble what they looked like alive, can be good, bad or neutral. 

Grim Reaper: The Physical embodiment of death, arrives to take your soul to the after life. 

Hulder or Huldra (Scandanvian Folklore) : Beautiful, seductive, female forest spirits that are primarily human with the exception of having a cows tail. Apparently come from beneath the earth, sometimes claimed to be a forgotten child of adam and eve. They are known as coal kindles, they would watch the fires of travelers while they slept, and ensure they would not go out. Males of this species are said to be hideous, with grotesquely long noses. 

Ifrit (Middle Eastern): A death spirit believed to be drawn in by the life force or blood of the murdered. They tend to be fiery in nature(literally), and are said to either take the form of the deceased they were attracted to, or the form of Satan himself. Can be good or evil or neutral, but mainly considered to be malevolent, vengeful, evil, ruthless, or wicked. 

Ittan-momen (Japanese Mythology): Now, this one sounds pretty harmless, but do not be fooled. Ittan-Momen is a sentient roll of cotton that flies through the air at night, and attacks and kills people by smothering them. 

Incubus: No, I do not mean the Rock Band. An Incubus is a male demon that lies upon it’s victim, and supposedly steals their life force by having repeated sex with them. Their female counterpart is called a succubus. 

Jinn (Arabian and Islamic mythology and theology) : Jinn, or more popularly known in western culture; the Genie, is a powerful spirit with free will, and thus can be good, evil, or neutral. Usually depicted with no spiritual form, or as humans with different animal parts, or as shadowy ghosts. Jinn play many different roles in different cultures. They are often seen as living in a parallel world to the human world. 

Keres (Greek Mythology) : Daughters of the goddess Nyx, spirits of violent or unpeaceful death. 

Kobalos (Greek Mythology) : Depicted as small, mischievous creatures that took to messing with people. They often pranked, frightened, or stole from people. In myth, they stole from Heracles while he slept. In one version, he gives them away as a present to the Lydian Queen. In another version, he forgives them, and lets them off the hook simply because he finds them amusing.  Greek myths depict the kobaloi as "impudent, thieving, droll, idle, mischievous, gnome-dwarfs", and as "funny, little triksy elves" of a phallic nature. So they’re essentially annoying yet sort of funny gnome/elf/dwarves that resemble erect penises. Isnt mythology fun. 

La Llorona aka The Weeping Women (Popular in northern and southern american folklore) : Usually the Ghost of either a women who was scorned by a man, and now she hunts for other awful men. Or, the Ghost of a women who cries as she searches for her dead children. The most traditional or typical story tells of a women who drowns her children in the river out of spite when her husband leaves her for a younger women. After realizing her children are dead, and she can not find them, she drowns herself as well. In the after life, she is not permitted to move onto heaven. Her soul will not be able to find peace until she finds her children, and thus she is doomed to wander the earth in search of them. In some stories, she will take lone children that resemble her own, and drown them in the river so they can take her children's place. 

Lamia(Greek Mythology) : A beautiful queen of Lybia. It’s said that she was a mistress of Zues. In one version, Zues’ Jealous wife Hera steals all of Lamias children, and turns her into a demon that hunts and devours others children. Other versions say that Hera killed all of Lamias children, and driven by the grief and suffering of her loss, goes insane, and starts stealing and eating others children out of envy. The repeated horrid act turns her into a monster. There is also a myth that Hera forced her to eat her own children, then cursed her to never be able to close her eyes, so that the image of her children's death will forever haunt her. Zues later grants her the ability to remove her eyes to appease her grief. In some descriptions, she has serpent like features, or the lower half of a snake. In others, her face is distorted. No matter the story however, it’s Hera’s fault. 

Lares (Roman Mythology) : House hold or guardian spirits that each family traditionally has around their grounds. Statues of domestic Lares were typically placed at the table for family meals. Their presence and worship seemed to be very important. 

Mare(Germanic or slavic Folklore) : a Ghost/ Spirirt or Goblin that sits on the chest of sleeping victims, and forces nightmares upon them. Other legends depict them as beautiful women that go into the dreams of men and seduce them before killing them. I personally prefer the sitting goblins. 

Neck or Nokken (Germanic and Scandinavian Folklore) : Water Spirits usually depicted as a a shadowy monster lurking in the water, it’s eyes just above the surface. Other times, it’s described as a beautiful young man playing the fiddle or violin while resting in the water. Their enchanting songs drew women, men and children to them. Sometimes they are said to be peaceful, and will simply play for the humans, or possibly even move into the home of one who has fallen in love with them (though they often do not stay long), and sometimes they are said to lure people to their death with their beautiful song. Don’t know about you, but I would totally take a cute guy playing the violin underneath a water fall over a creepy water submerged shadow, any day. 

Nymph (Greek Mythology) : Minor Nature Gods or spirits that tend to animate nature, and are viewed as beautiful, and free young (typically) women. There are several different types of Nymphs; Celestial Nymphs, Land Nymphs, Wood or Forest Nymphs, Plant/Flower Nymphs, Water Nymphs, and Underworld Nymphs. The most common are Dryads, that are Nymphs of the trees. Naiads, which are fresh Water Nymphs(ponds, fountains, springs, etc), and Auras which are basically air nymphs, or breezes. 

Poltergeist: (German for Noisy Spirit or Noisy Ghost) A Ghost that is capable of physicaly capable of sitrubing the human world. They are known for hitting, biting, pinching, scratching and tripping humans. They are also known for moving or levitating objects, and making loud knocking sounds. 

Sprites: Elemental, fairy like beings that are invisible to humans. Can be good or evil or neutral. Sylphs are sprites dedicate solely to the element of Air. 

Tikoloshe (Zulu Mythology) : A goblin, or dwarf like water spirit that can become invisible by drinking water. It is regarded as mischievous and evil. They can be called upon to cause trouble or to harm others. Best case scenario, they scare kids. Worst case scenario, they can bring you serious illness or even death. It’s usually described as a gremlin like demon with gauged out eyes. 

HALF HUMAN/ HUMANOID CREATURES: 

Aeternae: Creatures who supposedly attacked Alexander the Great, and killed many of his men with their bony, saw like protuberances that came from their head. 

Asanbosam (West African Folklore) : Hairy, ogre like vampiric creatures with iron teeth and iron hooks for feet. They live in the trees, and attack their victims from above. 

Adze (Ewe Folklore) : Another vampire like being in the form of a firefly, but will transform into a human if captured. In human form, they will possess people. People who are possessed are thought to be witches, and the people around the possessed with be affected negatively. As a firefly, they can phase through doors, and will suck the blood of sleeping people. The victims will eventually fall ill and die. 

Bisimbi Bi Masa (African Folklore) : Water Nymphs that reside in the Congo. They’re described as beautiful and seductive spirits that live in natural watery areas. They are known to cause awful skin diseases, which only their own haunting cries can cure. Which is weirdly twisted and cool? 

Brownies(Scottish FolkLore): Small, humanoid like creatures that sneak into peoples houses at night to do chores in exchange for their favorite foods. They will stop tending to a house if the owner misues them, or if their gifts of food are instead called payment. 

Changeling: A fairy infant left in the place of a human infant that was kidnapped by fairies. 

Centaur (Greek Mythology) : Upper half of a man, lower half of a horse. Wild and free creatures, that tend to be good in nature. The most popular is Chiron, who was refered to as the wisest and most just of all centaurs. He trained the some of the most famous greek Heroes, such as; Achilles, Jason, Perseus, Theseus, Ajax, and some stories portray him training Heracles as well. There are several different types of Centaurs;  Ichthyocentaurs, which are centaurs who have the tails of fish, Winged Centaurs, Onocentaur which has the bottom half of a donkey, rather then a horse,  Cyprian Centaurs, which are bull-horned centaurs,  Lamian Centaurs, which had Ox horns. 

Cyclops(Greek Mythology) : Giant One eyed humanoid monsters that typically captured and ate people. Legend says no one was able to escape or hurt them. 

Dwarf: A Short, stocky, scraggly looking humanoids that typically live underground in mining communities. 

Elf: A race of humanoid creatures who typically have pointy ears, and excel in magic. 

Empusa (Greek Mythology) : A demigod or monster that drinks the blood and eating the flesh of sleeping men. They are depicted with flaming hair, and are said to have one bronze leg, and one leg of a donkey. 

Erinyes or Furies (Greek Mythology) : Female deities of vengeance, there are typically three of them;  Alecto or Alekto ("endless"), Megaera ("jealous rage"), and Tisiphone or Tilphousia ("vengeful destruction"). They are depicted in several different ways. Sometime they are said to have snakes for hair, or dogs heads in place of human heads. Sometimes their skin or eyes are said to be as black as coal, and sometimes they are portrayed with bat wings. Their victims die in torture, and they are more ancient then most of the Olympian gods themselves. 

Fairy: Humanoids with great magical abilities. Legends and myths about fairies vary greatly from culture to culture. They are not always good. They have free will, and are often mischievous. Never trust a fairy. 

Futakuchi-onna (Japanese Mythology) : A women with two mouths. One where it normally should be, and a second, fully functioning mouth on the back of her head, beneath her hair. It’s said that the hair parts, and the skull splits open into a mouth, and demands food. If it is not fed, it will shriek, and cause the women awful pain. This myth is apparently derived from ‘how little women eat’. 

Gegenees (Greek Mythology) : Six Armed Giants

Gnome :  A small, humanoid creature who lives and moves beneath the earth. I once had a whole book on gnomes, and this thing was written like they were observing some kind of animal?? Like they talked about Gnomes like they were real creatures and I was entirely shook. Did you know Gnomes only gave birth to twins? Cause I didnt. There was a whole section on the sex lives and birthing system of gnomes. I’ll never unsee that section. I gave the book to my friend, cause I’m 99% sure she’s a gnome. Never piss off a Gnome. 

Goblin : A  grotesque, troublesome little creature with a strong greed for gold and jewels. Very Mischievous. Goblin is probably still one of my favorite words. Say it ten times, really fast, do it. 

Golem(Jewish Folklore) : A humanoid(ish) like creature made from clay, mud, or stone that is magically animated. 

Gorgon (Greek Mythology) : The snake haired (and sometimes snake-bodied) women who could turn people to stone just by looking at them. The most Famous being Medusa. 

Graeae (Greek Mythology) : Three old women who shared one tooth and one eye among them. They took turn using it. In mythology, Perseus held their eye for ransom until they told him the whereabouts of the items he needed to kill Medusa. 

Harpies( Greek Mythology) : Half bird, half human, embodiment of storm winds. They typically swooped down and dragged away (bad) humans, and carried them to their punishment. 

Hecatoncheires (Greek Mythology); Because those guys with the six arms just arent enough, let me introduce you to Hecatoncheires, aka the hundred handed ones. That’s right. One Hundred Hands. They also have fifty heads, and have unimaginable strength. Thankfully, there are only three of these guys. 

Hobgoblin : A type of Brownie who is inherently less helpful and more mischievous, even to the point of causing harm if antagonized.

Imp : Small, mischievous creatures who liked to play pranks on people.

Jorōgumo (Japanese Mythology): A spirit that can shape-shift into a beautiful women. Often Depicted as being half pretty lady, half terrifying spider. She’s sometimes shown controlling small, fire breathing spiders. This is the thing of my nightmares; a hot lady who turns into a partial spider, that controls other, smaller spiders that breath fire. Because pretty girls arent intimidating enough, you gotta go and mix them with spiders, right?

Manticore ( Persian Folklore) : Head of a human, body of a lion, tail of a poisonous porcupine, or a scorpion. 

Mermaids  and Sirens : Sea creatures with the head and torso of a woman and the tail of a fish. Sometimes good, sometimes evil. The evil ones are known for (sometimes singing) and luring sailors to their deaths, and dragging them down to the bottom of the ocean to devour them. 

Minotaur  (Greek Mythology): The creature with the head and legs of a bull and the torso of a man, who guarded the exit to The Labyrinth.

Moirai (Greek Mythology): The Fates. There are three of them, typically seen in white robes, and are the incarnation of Destiny. They control the thread of life for everything. They ensured the birth, life, and death of everything. Every being was at their control. 

Ogre : An ugly, oversized humanoid creature with great physical strength and little intelligence. No shrek jokes, please, None. 

Orc : A large, ugly humanoid similar to Goblins. They tend to be evil, brutish, aggressive and repulsive monsters. Though they are based off many other mythical beings, Orcs stem more from J.R.R Tolkeins books, and rise in fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons and World of Warcraft. 

Penanggalan (South East Asian FolkLore) : a detached female head that fly's about on its own. As it flies, the stomach and entrails dangle below it, which apparently are apparently hit by the night light in such a way that makes them appear like fireflies.. During the day, it appears as a normal, human women. It’s said to usually be caused by witchcraft of pacts with demons. 

Pixie :  A small humanoid creature with pointy ears who likes to cause mischief.

Sasquatch : Large, hairy, man-like beasts that live in the woods. Types of Sasquatch include Bigfoot, and the Yeti. 

Satyr :Half-men, half-goats who were wild, lustful, and all around fun. The god Pan was one of these. Pan was the god of the wild, and apparently liked to scare the crap out of people in the forest, and that’s where the word panic comes from. 

Scorpion Man : They have another name, but it’s way long, and I can’t find it right now. But they’re men who have the head and torso of a human, and the lower half of a scorpion. They are featured in the Babylonian version of The Epic of Gilgamesh. 

Shapeshifters :Humans who can willingly take the form of any animal. Honestly, the idea of shape-shifting has always weirded me out. Because honestly, it sounds painful. Like, if you shape shift into something much smaller and structurally different then you, say, a bird for example, where do your bones go? Like, i figure some of your bones shrink or stretch with you to fit the animal, but some animals don’t have the exact same amount of bones as humans, so like, where do the bones go?? I’ve been asking this since I was like then, I have received no answers. I am concerned. 

Sirens : Man-eating beautiful women whose song compels men to them. Not always mermaid like creatures. Sometimes depicted as fully human, or as partially bird like. 

Sphinx(Greek Mythology) : The half-human, half-lion that forces those it meets to answer its     riddles, or die. In the story of Oedipus, the riddle it gives is “What is the creature that walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon and three in the evening?” the answer to which is Humans. As we crawl on all fours as infants, on two legs for most of our lives, and with a cane in our old age. 

Valkyries (Norse Mythology) : female divinities who choose people who died a heroic death in battle, and then guide them to Valhalla. 

Vampire: Probably one of the most famous of monsters. The undead human like creature that drinks the blood of the living.

 Wendigo/ Windigo ( Algonquian folklore) : A monster or spirit that is associated with Cannibalism, murder, and greed.  They are often seen as either Humans turned into monsters by their sins, or humans that are possessed by evil spirits. Wendigos are associated with winter, wilderness, cold, cannibalism, greed, murder, famine, and starvation. They are often depicted with human, deer, or tree like features to imitate the wilderness. 

WereWolf: Yet another Classic. A human being who transforms into a wolf, or a wolf-human hybrid creature either by night, or by the full moon. 

Wraith(Scottish/ Gaelic folklore): Evil Spirits who can not pass on, and torment the living. Usually depicted as Shadow like figures.  

Zombies: The animated undead, rotting corpses who consume the flesh of the living. 

ANIMAL AND BEAST LIKE MONSTERS: 

Airavata (Hindu Mythology) : The Mythical white elephant that carries the Hindu God Indrua. It is said to be spotless white, have five trunks and ten tusks.

Basilisk : A legendary reptile who could kill a man with its stare, it’s said to be hatched by a chicken from a reptilian egg. 

Bake-kujira (Japanese mythology) : The ghostly skeleton of a dead whale that surfaces the water. It’s said that it’s presence brings a curse to either the area it’s seen, or to anyone who spots it. 

Catoblepas (Greek Mythology/Ethiopia) : A creature from Ethiopia, resembling that of a buffalo or a wilder beast. It’s always looking downward, because it’s head is too heavy. In some descriptions, it’s gaze could kill you, and in others, it only ate poison vegetation, that made it’s breath poisonous as well. 

Cerastes (Greek Mythology) : A serpant so flexible, it had no spine. It’s depicted as either having two large ram horns, or as having four small horns. It’s said to hide in the sand, with only it’s horns peeking through the surface, waiting for unsuspecting Prey to approach it. 

Chupacabra (Latin American Folk Lore) : A monster known for feeding off of livestock, especially goats. It’s name translates to ‘Goat Sucker’. The two most common descriptions of El Chupacabre are that of a strange wild dog that is mainly hairless, with a prominent spinal ridge, sunken in eyes, and large fangs and claws. The other descriptions shows it as a large reptilian creature with leathery or scaly green/gray skin, and sharp porcupine like needles going down it’s spine.  Unlike most predators, El Chupacabre drains it’s pray off their blood, and sometimes their organs, rather then eating the flesh. 

Cerberus(Greek Mythology) :The three-headed dog that guards the entrance to Hades. It’s name is supposedly derived from the greek word for ‘Spotted’ or ‘Spot’. The capturing of Cerberus is claimed to be the final, and most difficult task of Heracles 12 trials. 

Chimera (Greek Mythology): A monstrous hybrid that was Part-lion, part-goat, part-snake. In some descriptions, it has the head of all three, in others, it has the head of the lion and the goat, the lions body with the goat hooves, and a snake for a tail. In another description, it might be the head of one, the body of another, and the tail of the other. It’s really one big game of mix and match. Sometimes they also breath fire or have wings. 

Cockatrice :A flying creature that is part-rooster and part snake that could supposedly kill with it’s stare. It’s said to be hatched by a reptile from a chickens egg. Pretty much the opposite of the Basilisk. 

Dragon : Giant, flying, fire-breathing reptiles that are known for stealing and hording treasure. There are many, many different types of dragons that range from culture to culture. I could probably make a whole different post, just on the different types of dragons. 

Griffin  : A creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Sometimes, it also has the tail of a snake. Griffins are popular among several different cultural mythologies. 

Hippalectryon (Greek Mythology) : An odd hybrid of a horse and a chicken. It’s front half is the horse, its back half is the chicken, including tail and wings. There is no solid idea of why such a myth exists. Some say it’s a creature of Poseidon, and meant to protect ships, others say it’s just a grotesque hybrid to amuse children. Some say it’s a pointless creature with no real purpose other then for decoration. Why else would someone make a rooster horse? 

Hippocampus (Greek Mythology) : A sea creature with the upper body of a horse, and the lower body of  a fish. So, it is yet another odd horse hybrid from greek mythology. 

Hippogriff (Greek Mythology): Because there’s no such thing as too many weird horse hybrids, meet the Hippogriff. Which has the front half and wings on an eagle, and the back half of a horse. 

Huallepen (South American Folklore): A weird creature that lurks in lakes and ponds. It has the body of a (usually hairless) sheep, the head of a calf, and the twisted feet of a seal. It only comes out at night, and it’s said that if a pregnant women sees one, her child will come out with a muzzle and twisted limbs. 

  Hydra (Greek Mythology) : The giant nine-headed serpent who grew two new heads for every one that was cut of. The task of killing this beast was given to Heracles during his twelve trials. The only way to kill it, without it’s head growing back, was to smash the heads, and then catch them on fire. 

Ladon (Greek Mythology)  : The large snake like dragon that wrapped itself around the tree of golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides. Apparently slain by Heracles. 

Isonade (Japanese Mythology) : An enormous, shark like sea monster that hides beneath the waves in the oceans of Japan. It’s massive hook like tail and it’s fins are covered in sharp barbs. 

Nemean Lion (Greek Mythology) : The giant lion with impenetrable hide. This creature is killed by Heracles during his twelve trials, he later wears the skin of the creature as an indestructible cloak. 

Kamaitachi (Japanese Mythology) : Also known as the sickle weasels. These mischievous creatures are thought of as either wind spirits, or spirits that ride in on dust devils. They slash as people with their long, sickle like nails. 

Kappa (Japanese Mythology) : Typically means ‘River Child’, these creatures are demons or imps that reside in the fresh water. They are often described as having a pool of water above their hand, that reflects their habitat and their own life force and their power. They are said to be about the size of a child, and somewhat human like in figure, with reptile like scales, a shell,  a beak, and webbed hands and feet. They are usually either green, yellow or blue. Kappa are used to warn children about the dangerous of wandering near the water alone, as legends say the creatures will lure people to water before dragging them in and drowning them. They’re also said to peak up women's skirts, play pranks on human, attack humans, and even eat human flesh. All around, probably safe to stay away from Kappas. 

Kraken (Norse Mythology) : A famous gigantic sea monster that’s known for attacking and sinking ships. It’s often depicted as a massive octopus or squid, sometimes with terribly sharp teeth. 

Orthros (Greek Mythology) : The lesser known, but probably just as adorable, monster sibling to Cerberus. Orthros is the dog with two heads, instead of three like it’s more famous sibling. It guards the giant Geryon ‘s cattle. 

Odontotyrannos: A beast that supposedly killed or incapacitated many of Alexander the Greats men.  it had a black, horse-like head, with three horns protruding from its forehead, and  it exceeded the size of an elephant. Locals apparently called this beat the ‘Tooth-Tyrant’

Ophiotaurus (Greek Mythology) : The Cow Serpent.  So the Greeks gave horses a rest, and made up this thing, which has the upper body of a black bull, and the tail of a serpent. It’s said that whoever could kill this beast and sacrificially burn it’s entrails would gain the power to destroy Olympus and it’s gods. 

Pegasus: The Winged Horse. 

Phoenix :The golden bird who, at the end of its life, burst into flames only to be reborn again from it’s own ashes.

Thunderbird : The giant bird that creates storms by flapping it’s wings. 

Tikbalang (Philippines Folklore) :  A tall, bony humanoid creature with the head and hooves of a horse and disproportionately long limbs, to the point that its knees reach above its head when it squats. It’s said to lurk in the forests and mountains of the Philippines. They like to scare or play tricks on travelers. They can apparently be avoided by wearing your shirt inside out, verbally asking for passage, or being as quite as possible so as not to disturb them. 

Unicorn: A magical Horse with a single horn protruding from it’s forehead. 

Uchchaihshravas (Hindu Mythology) : A snow white, flying horse with seven heads. It’s said to be the best, or the king of horses. 

Yacumama (South American Folklore) : A massive sea serpent believed to live in the mouth of the Amazon river, and near by lagoons. It would apparently suck up and devour anything with in a hundred passes of it. Local natives would blow a large conch shell before entering the water, believing the sound would force the monster to show itself if it was present.

That’s all I’ve got! I hope you liked it, and I hope people find it useful, because honestly, this thing took wayyyyy more time then I thought It would! 

If anyone would like to add on any creatures I missed, or if you’d like to add something to any of the creatures that are already on the list, feel free too! 

Note: I’ve gone ahead and edited, and added a couple new creatures from African Mythology that someone recommended!