#an arena where the last person standing while also fighting titans??

[notsocooljess]

impossibly reobssessed with attack on titan while simultaneously thinking nonstop about the hunger games so all my brain can think of is how do i make this a crossover???

[c-m-li]

First of all, you all need to get better at reading the whole question because a lot of you seemed to miss the part where I said no powers.

Second of all, to the person who reblogged this poll with the tag that there's something wrong with you if you only read ya fiction *deep breath* STOP BEING ELITIST and don't disparage people for their preferred genre of entertainment. Karking haran.

Third of all, I will not be taking any hate about my opinions on the ranking below, but feel free to debate the shit out of it.

In my ranking, I mainly focused on training, experience, and their willingness to be ruthless/cheat to win.

That being said, without further adieu:

7. Victor Vale coming in at dead last. He has no kind of training and he relies almost entirely on his powers to win his fights for him. He can definitely be ruthless, but any kind of fighting experience he has is what he picked up in prison.

6. Four/Tobias. I can already hear the screaming. While he is a good fighter, until the end of the first book the only experience he had was fighting his students or other trainers. Most of the fighting scenes we get for him are training scenes. It could be argued that fighting in a rebellion could be like fighting in a war, but I never really got the sense that he was fighting for his life. (I also read these books over a decade ago so there is that)

5. Peeta Mellark. I feel like a lot of people sleep on Peeta because he's a soft male protagonist, especially when he's standing next to Katniss. But he actually survived two different Hunger Games while multiple people were trying to kill him. I also feel that it's forgotten that they didn't just throw the tributes into the arena first thing but actually spent some time training them so that they'd last longer.

4. Prince Po. He's actually an expert combatant who has been trained all his life to fight and he actually fought Katsa to a standstill whose grace was surviving/winning. He gets points docked though since he relies so heavily on his grace of specific empathy/telepathy to give him an edge in any fight.

3. Kaz Brekker. This is where the training part comes into play, because Kaz is an excellent fighter. He wins pretty much every fight he gets into and outsmarts his way out of the others, not to mention his completely ruthless nature and willingness to take a hit. However, Kaz has had exactly zero formal training and he fights like what he is - a canal rat who has had to fight to survive every day. I still would never cross him in a fight though.

2. Percy Jackson. Now, this is where the no powers comes in, because of course Percy wins in a landslide if he can use his powers, he's literally half god. Without his powers, he still has an enormous amount of experience on his side as well as a lot of training. He's fought in two wars against gods and titans, as well as years of guerilla warfare against any monster on his tail. However, he's mainly been trained with other teenagers and while he's led armies they weren't the most organized military systems.

1. Will Treaty. Will wins out with training and experience. He's been trained from a young age on how to fight multiple opponents bigger than him, and he has participated in large scale warfare as well as other military excursions. He's been trained in military strategy on how to defend everything from a small party to an entire kingdom, and I'm of the firm opinion that no one can fight in an actual war without cheating because there is no such thing as cheating in a fight for your life, and the Rangers base their strategies on subterfuge. There's a reason that the King doesn't send more than one Ranger for anything less than a full scale invasion.

(at least 18 people said that they didn't know any of these characters)

[thebigqueer]

Ok, here we go. Dark!Bianca idea. Shortly after the events in the desert, a severely injured Bianca is found by agents of the Titans who were shadowing the quest party off-page. She is brought back to Titan HQ and is convinced to join their crusade against the gods while her friends and family think she's dead. Jump ahead to BotL, instead of Kelli the Empousa, it is a mysterious masked assassin who attacks Percy and Rachel at Goode. The events mostly play out unchanged until Geryon's (1/8)

ranch, where instead of Bianca, it is the ghost of Maria di Angelo who is revealed to be sending Iris messages to Percy about Nico, while also strongly hinting that Bianca's still alive. Jump ahead to Mt St. Helens, Percy fights the assassin again, and during his stint on Ogygia, Percy begins to put two and two together after the assassin demonstrated skills similar to the Hunters. At Antaeus' Arena, the assassin is finally unmasked to reveal a still-alive but scarred Bianca, replacing (2/8)

Ethan Nakamura as the demigod enforcer. Percy is convinced that Bianca is being mind-controlled and goes to Mt Tam to rescue her as well as stop Kronos. However, when he confronts her, Bianca reveals that she's operating of her own free will, feeling vengeful against the gods for robbing her of her life and having pledged her loyalty to her new Titan master. Kronos intends to make Bianca the prophesy kid, promising her the free will she craves so badly as well as promising not to hurt (3/8)

Nico. Going into the Last Olympian, Percy and Nico are both determined to convince Bianca that she's making a mistake, and this time Nico's duplicity is not to simply learn about his mother but to try and summon her spirit to get through to Bianca. At the same time, Kronos gradually starts treating Bianca as less of an ally and more of a tool, and the Titans' actions cause her to have doubts even though she dosen't know what else to do. It all comes to a head in the final battle.(4/8)

Nico returns from the Underworld by himself early, giving Hades an ultimatum to come and fight or hide. Just before the final attack, Kronos sends Bianca to infiltrate Olympus to disable the magic defenses, but Nico arrives to intercept her and make one last bid to save her. They fight, with both begging the other to stand down even as they slug it out. Finally, just as Percy arrives to chase Kronos, the battered siblings' duel ends when Nico gives another ultimatum. He throws down his (5/8)

sword and gives Bianca, now reduced to fear and frustration-induced tears, the choice between perusing her grudge and allowing herself to continue being Kronos’s slave or doing the right thing. Finally able to make a legitimate choice of her own, Bianca chooses to turn her back on the Titans. She still ends up wounded, but unlike Ethan in canon, Nico manages to save his sister while Percy and Kronos have their final battle. After everything ends, Percy petitions for Bianca’s pardon along (6/8)

with the rest of his list, though Bianca turns it down, realizing the harm she almost caused to the person she loved more than anybody else. She is given a reduced sentence in service to her father, and though she does not properly forgive any of the gods that hurt her, she does recognize that the spite and anger she felt would only lead to more death. Nico gets to visit her occasionally, and she starts a road to redemption that Luke never got the chance to take. In HoO, Bianca is (7/8)

more of a background character, but it is she that finds Hazel in Asphodel and alerts Nico to her. Overall, dark!Bianca is an anti-villain who’s affiliation with Kronos is clearly drawn from her pain and grief over the gods’ interference in her life, but her saving grace is her brother. Nico manages to pull her out of the darkness and save her from becoming the same monster Luke became. What do you think? (bear in mind, this is my rough draft) (8/8)

Okay, WOW. Anon, I am actually going to start a petition to make you the new Percy Jackson author because that was such an interesting plot to read.

First of all, I love that you replaced Bianca with Ethan. As interesting as he was in the series, and as much as I loved his character, after reading through your rough draft, I feel like Bianca would have been a much better character to use throughout PJO. Her arc could have been expanded upon and completed thoroughly, and it could have made a lot of sense. Ethan felt more like a representation of "demigods turned to the other side," which I get is the point, but I loved the way you used Bianca because with your plot, her character could have been used so well to properly show how easily the Titan army manipulated kids.

Furthermore, I feel like your plot with Bianca could have been a much better way to use her character throughout the series. From my interpretation, in canon she seemed more like a stand-in tool just to enhance Nico's own character arc and his motives, but your plot for her would have actually given her some kind of foundation and an actual arc for her to go through. You've given her such an interesting character and I think it really provides more justice to what she could have been.

I also love the way that not only did you give her a better arc, but you also enhanced Nico's own arc and the plot, too. Her death in the books seemed more symbolic to him and a turning point in his character, but with her character in your AU, it's both important to Nico and Bianca. You've given her an actual character, and you've set up such an interesting conflict between Nico and Bianca.

Additionally, I love the divide you've created between them. I think that - based on what we know about her in the books - as much as she loves her brother, Bianca also feels very limited with him because of how she's been forced to grow up and be his savior. She understands that he's only a child, though, which I think could also play into her own hatred for the gods - they've not only destroyed her family, but now they're forcing her to take the role of an adult when she's a mere child, too? She was never angry at Nico - she was only ever mad with the gods.

Maybe that's something that Nico also feels bad about, and maybe he tells her about it when they're standing each other down. Maybe she lets him know that she never hated him or felt that he was bringing her down.

Also, I want to add that I adore the way you put them on opposite sides. It sets up such an interesting dynamic to their relationship because here you have two people who love each other so much, but they're on two different sides of a large war. They're both too stubborn to go onto each other's sides, and Nico knows Bianca's only going to get herself into more danger. I just love the potential that has for both of their characters.

I know Percy had a large fear about Nico being another kid to join Kronos' army, so I bet Bianca being on his team would have left Percy incredibly terrified for Nico, too, because he knew how much Nico loved Bianca. Would he have been nervous for Nico's ability to change his mind? Nico knows he'd never join Kronos, but would Percy have known?

And, knowing that Bianca's now on the Kronos side, how would Percy react? Because he felt pretty guilty about her death in TTC, right? Would he feel guilty that she's on the other side now, too? Would he try to reason with her, only to push her further away? I'd love to see how Percy would deal with knowing that Bianca - an important child of the Big Three - would react to her being there. He was already nervous about Nico joining sides, but having Bianca there would have really scared him.

And the part about Bianca finding Hazel instead of Nico? That was mind-blowing. I love everything about that situation because now that introduces Hazel into the narrative of Nico and Bianca's story. My question for you would be how does Hazel's character change now? How does she fit in with Nico and Bianca? Because in Heroes of Olympus she's clearly very insecure about her relationship with Nico and how he views her, but if she actually knew Bianca, how would she feel? Would she feel more left out (knowing that Bianca and Nico have known each other much longer and have a stronger connection with each other)? Would she be distrustful? And how would the three of them adapt to this additional family member? I have high hopes that by the end they would all love each other very much, but I'm just really curious into how Hazel's addition would influence the dynamic of all three.

And, essentially, it all ends into a somewhat win-win situation. Bianca's still living; Nico's got two new sisters; Hazel now has a new family.

I think this is such an interesting concept, and I'd love to read it. If you ever post it anywhere, please do share the link! This was such an intriguing plot to go through and, again, I think this could have been a much better use of Bianca's character.

Thank you so much for sharing it with me.

[pl-panda]

Of Heaven and Hell

Credits: Miraculous Ladybug team for the elements I take from MLB show. DC for their characters, @ozmav for the AU, @maribat-archive for giving me access to so many different stories to have take inspirations from, @ethelphantom for the cover I use at Wattpad and FF.Net and Me for the plot.

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Of Heaven and Hell: Part 1

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Of Heaven and Hell

From Encyclopedia Demonica

[...] and while many people consider angels epitomes of good, they are mistaken. Indeed, this regal beings are more closely connected to order than to goodness. They perceive divine law as imperative and hold little regard to human lives, as long as they serve their goals. And yet, most of the times they chose to not involve themselves in mortal affairs.

Typical angel have two forms. First look very similar to human, but they retain most of their powers. Such form is also much more durable and their physical capabilities exceed everything you could expect from a mortal. Second is close to the first one in appearance, but differs in terms of power and abilities. In this form Angel spreads his wings and feature specific to his sub-species appear. 

Angel’s powers differ on subspecies, but universally include flight, enhanced senses, enhanced agility, strength and durability, large magical potential, access to magic unique to their species and high resistant to other types of magic. Specific subspecies have different additional powers. Each Angel also possess an ability that is unique to him. Usually, it reflects his personality and present itself when it reaches maturity. [...]

--------------------------------

Six years ago

Damian cursed under his breath. The temple was under attack. His mother told him to get inside. And he did. He ran to his room to grab his sword. A beautifully ornate weapon with guard in shape of two intertwined pairs of angel wings pointing toward the blade. Great for complicated maneuvers. The pommel held a teal pearl also protected by a pair of angel wings. It was a gift from his grandfather for his eighth birthday. The weapon was perfectly balanced and suited Damian’s style perfectly. 

With the sword in hand, Damian unfolded his wings. His tunic had a special holed cut in the back to accomodate for them and he didn’t destroy every shirt he wore. A pair of large white feathered wings appeared and he dashed forward to battle. He couldn’t let his mother die. A small orb of white energy appeared in his hand before he launched it at the wall in front of him. The explosion created enough of a hole for him to pass. 

In front of him opened a large yard. Usually, a new acolytes trained here under careful watch of angelic masters. Now it was simply a blood bath. Bodies were lying everywhere. But what shocked him the most was that angels were fighting one another. Some wore League’s armors, but overwhelming force was dressed in black-and-orange suits. He wanted to dash forward and into the battle, but someone grabbed him and pulled him into the shadows. A slender figure of his mother looked at him sternly.

“I told you to go inside.”

“Mother! I came to fight with you. I must fight with you. By your side. Together. It’s my destiny!”

“Your destiny is to live Damian.” She scolded him. “Now quickly. Let’s move. Some battles can’t be won.”

“But… what about the mission?” He asked confused.

“Mission will live in you and me. Now let’s go join your grandfather in the tunnels.” She started leading him away.

--------------------

Damian woke up from the dream. He instantly grabbed his sword and swung it around. Only then he realized that is was just a memory. He looked around his room, assessing any dangers. Once he was sure that nothing lurked in the darkness he got up. It was still night and quick glance at the electronic clock told him that it was 3:30 AM. Long time before others wake up. But Damian did not want to go to sleep anymore. He never did after this kind of nightmares. 

He got down to the holo-training room and activated the highest setting. A series of ninja shimmered into existence. Without as much as a second of hesitation, Damian dashed forward. His silver sword cut through them as he zoomed through the arena. With each move, he took two of the enemies. A slight golden aura around him intensified as he burned through his anger. Finally, he collapsed, panting heavily from exhaustion. The “kill counter” showed that he was halfway to a thousand vanquished enemies. He was weak. He was useless. He ran away. He was no warrior but a mere coward.

But it was not true. He did the right thing. Because he ran away he met his father. He actually started to protect people instead to only try to control them. He was a nephilim, half angel, half human. He had all the powers of his angelic brethren and yet freedom to choose. He didn’t need to follow orders of higher beings. He could make his own decisions. And he chose to be a hero, not a warrior. Now, each day he reinforced this decision. First as Robin, fighting side by side with his father, now as… still Robin, but as a part of Teen Titans. 

“You okay Demon Spawn?” A voice of Dick Grayson, better known as Nightwing, came from behind. Damian instantly spun around and stopped his blade less than an inch from his neck. 

“Don’t do that if you want your head to remain where it is.” he scowled at the sight of his adopted brother’s patronizing gaze. “And don’t look like that.”

“Like what?” Dick asked confused. 

“Like I am a baby in need of your care. I am sixteen-years-old Nephilim. I am more than capable of taking care of myself.”

“So that’s why you are awake at five in the morning? Taking care of yourself?”

“Get lost.” Damian barked and started to practice katas with his sword. He had his back turned to dick when suddenly he spun around just in time to block a projectile that was tossed at him. 

“Come on bro. You and me. One on one. First to score three hits.” Dick taunted. 

“I am stronger, faster and more agile. You stand no chance.” Damian said in emotionless expression. He looked at Dick for a moment before taking off his tank-top. “And I can fly.” He grinned at the surprised Nightwing. A pair of white-feathered wings appeared on his back. 

“And yet I kick your rear every time we fight.” Dick smirked and drew his staff. Both ends started to crackle with electricity. 

Damian boosted himself forward with a single flap of his wings. His silver sword met with the staff, but before he could cut it, Nightwing sidestepped and allowed blade to slide down. He used the Angel’s momentum to his disadvantage. Damian’s blade stumbled upon crackling electricity, sending a powerful shock through his arm. Normal humans would be paralyzed by this, but Damian only growled. It hurt, but he could fight. Damian tried several more times, but Dick always reflected or sidestepped before the blade could do any real damage. Finally, the Angel changed tactic. Flapping his wings, Damian rose into air. His off-hand glowed with golden light which next formed a runic circle around his fist before several projectiles flew at various arcs toward Nightwing. The hero had to dodge it quickly, but got caught by the last one and got sent into the wall. Damian didn’t bother to check on him. Instead, he dashed forward. Before Dick managed to get rid of flying stars around his head a silver blade was less than an inch from his neck. 

“I win.” Damian proclaimed, looking smug.

“Nope.” Dick said, popping the ‘p’. He then used his staff to jab Damian’s stomach, then jump on his fit and separate his weapon into two escrima sticks. He then started to barrage the teenager with series of swift hits. While they would not usually hurt given angelic durability, the crackling electricity made it a bit painful. Damian shielded himself with his wings, but Dick found an opening and landed third and final hit that ended the fight.

“That is cheating! I had you!” The teen argued.

“So? You lost me. But good fight D. Maybe next time.”

“tt. That’s unfair! I want rematch!” 

“Boys!” Kori joined the discussion. “As much as watching you fight is… entertaining, I made breakfast.” She said cheerfully while walking to nightwing. “And something special for you later.” She said seductively.

“Bleh.” Damian faked vomiting. “I will never understand humans.”

“You are part-human.” Dick pointed out

“And so is neandertales. Yet he doesn’t understand humans.” The teen deadpanned. 

“I heard someone say breakfast!” Beast Boy barged into training room.

“I made pancakes.” Kori cheered.

“With maple syrup?” Gar asked 

“And ‘love’.” Damian gave a sarcastic remark.

“So the best ones.” Beast Boy said with dreamy face. “I reserve the first batch!” He said while already dashing to the kitchen. 

“Scarab said he detected pancakes!” Beetle said while zooming past the room in his full armor. Damian, Dick and Kori walked in normal pace, only to find Gar and Jaime staring wide-eyed at Rachel sitting there and calmly eating her breakfast. 

“Took you long enough.” She said with a small smile. The red gem on her forehead pulsed weakly, but it was ignored in favor of consuming inhuman amounts of pancakes. Damian himself didn’t even realize that he finished three plates before Dick pointed it out to him. He turned pink for a moment before jumping away and claiming the remote for the day. 

After the morning of cartoons Titans spent rest of the day on the beach near the island. Half-way through Dick and Kori disappeared and when the sun started to set Rachel and Garfield also went somewhere. Jami, Damian and their newest addition to the team: Cyborg, were completely obvious to this as their discussion came to sport. 

“I’m just saying. Futball is the best game. Soccer is cool, but it’s for kids.” Victor argued.

“You say that, but last I checked Soccer was much more popular around the world.” Jami pointed out proudly. “Besides it requires much more skill and finesse. Futball is about pure muscle mass.”

“As if! Have you got any idea how important tactics, positioning, territorial awareness and condition are in Futball?”

“tt. The best sport is sword-fighting anyway.” Damian grinned at them. Inwardly, he loved this family. Sure, living with his father was great, but here he finally had one thing he missed so much: friends. They weren’t patronizing like Todd. They weren’t constantly trying to prove something to him like Drake and Grayson was even bearable here. That is if he didn’t act all sugar-eyes for Starfire. Is he even aware she is an alien princess and he is a peasant acrobat? 

As the sun was finally down, the titans made a giant bonfire on the beach and roasted marshmallows. As Damian was about to eat his, suddenly a large yellow balloon sailed toward him. He tried to catch it, but his enhanced strength made him accidentally squash it instead. A wave of water assaulted him and made him wet to the very bones. 

“Beast Boy!” He roared in anger. One thing he hated in the Titans were the constant prank wars that lasted for weeks. 

*gulp* “Will it help when I say that I aimed at Jaime?” Garfield asked weakly. 

“No hermano. It will only make it worse.” Blue Beetle looked practically offended, but he had a small smirk on his face. 

Damian took off his t-shirt and tossed it at Beast Boy. His hand then glowed and a runic circle materialized around it. Garfield tried to run, but a golden beam hit him in his rear and suddenly his fur turned completely gold. He looked like some some hardcore sports fan supporting his favorite team.

“That’s not fair! I only tossed a small water balloon. You could cool off a bit bro!” Garfield tried to argue weakly while massaging his rear.

“Suck it up like a man and stop whining like little girl…” Damian said, but then looked at Rachel who sent him a death glare. “Not that I have anything against little girls?” He added quickly.

After that the atmosphere were great. Garfield was still a bit sore on the subject of his new color and decided that he will appreciate his green from now on. Finally, Damian excused himself and went to the tower to go to sleep earlier. As he entered his room, he felt a breeze of air going on. He distinctly remembered that his window was closed and nobody would enter without his permission. A glyph on the doors made sure of that. His sword appeared in his and and a glowing runic circle formed above his head. A less known fact about Angels was that their Halo was in fact a spell that allowed them to sense other Angels in close proximity. It also gave enough light to serve as convenient source of light. Not that they needed it as they saw in anything but perfect darkness. Damian would never admit out loud that he used it when he wanted to draw something in the middle of the night. 

“Hello… Mother.” He said with disdain in his voice. 

“It’s good to see you too Damian.” She responded with sarcasm. 

“Why do you grace me with your presence?” If Talia’s voice was dipped in sarcasm, Damian drowned in it. 

“I need your help.” She said, ignoring the obvious disrespect. “There are several demons in Paris.”

“So?”

“The city is warded against all things celestial. And magic hides it from your precious Justice League. Had any Angel tired to go there, he would not be able to enter the city. Should anyone else hear about the situation, they would forget it as soon as the discussion ended.”

“So? From what you are saying is true, Mother, then I am twice as locked out as anyone else. I will forget about it the moment you leave.”

“That’s why I need you.” She said with almost pleading voice. “You aren’t a full angel, but your mind is protected from the spell. You should be able to enter the city and remember everything.”

Damian pondered it for a moment. It did seem like something serious. If what she said was true, the whole city was at the mercy of those vile monsters and couldn’t even hope for any external help. “Fine. I will go there.”

“Good. I already enrolled you at Collège Françoise Dupont” She said with a wicked grin. With a flap of her two pairs of wings she was gone, leaving only a thin folder on his desk. Damian cursed under his breath. 

“Looks like I’m going to school. tt. I hate teenagers.”

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Taglist: Open

[booksbookssomemoviesandbooks]

Book Recs

Hello! so for my first post, I'll recommend some books, so y'all can have a closer look at some fandoms I'll post about! enjoy!!

1.  

Harry Potter By J.K. Rowling is definitely an interesting, well-written series! there are 7 books however, and the books get bigger as the series progresses. It's sometimes difficult to know the exact order, so I'll list it below:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Although the movies are great, they don't include all the amazing details, as with all movies. A short summary:

Harry Potter, a young boy who’s being constantly abused by his uncle Vernon and aunt Petunia, gets a peculiar letter from the magical school of Hogwarts, where he spends most of his time, becoming his home.

Quotes:

“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." ― Albus Dumbledore

“You’re just as sane as I am" - Luna Lovegood

“Mischief managed" - Fred and George Weasley

It is Important to know that j*r is a huge transphobe, along with other things, and is currently being erased by the fandom itself.

2.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, along with the other series by Rick Riordan, is a definite must-read. With each book, you can really notice the character developments and a lot more! There is loads of representation in this one, with lgbtqia+ characters, black characters, Muslim characters and more. It's very action-packed and addicting, sucking you into the magnificent world of Half-Bloods and Demigods within the first page. The first series consists of 5 books, in the following order:

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters

Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse

Percy Jackson and the Battle of The Labyrinth

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian

THE MOVIES ARE TRASH SO I DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND WATCHING THEM BEFORE READING THE BOOKS!!! There were many changes and the movies aren't nearly as good as the books. A short summary:

Percy Jackson, a 12 year-old who lives with his mother, Sally, and step-father, Gabe, attends the private boarding school Yancy Academy. While on a school trip, his teacher, Mrs. Dodds, turns into a fury and attacks him. This, in turn, triggers a series of other problems and adventures.

Quotes:

“If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.” - Percy Jackson

“With great power, comes great need to nap. Wake me up later." - Nico Di Angelo

“Even strength has to bow down to wisdom sometimes." - Annabeth Chase

3.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is one of my most recommended series! With everything it deals with, from the Capitol to the districts to the champions, the books are amazing! 

Order:

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

Mockingjay

Starring the movies is the amazing Jennifer Lawrence, but with all books, the movies have slight differences, although I definitely recommend watching them when you're done with the books.

A Short Summary:

In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them each to select a boy and a girl, called Tributes, to compete in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games. Every citizen must watch as the youths fight to the death until only one remains. District 12 Tribute Katniss Everdeen has little to rely on, other than her hunting skills and sharp instincts, in an arena where she must weigh survival against love.

(FILM SYNOPSIS)

Quotes:

"May the odds be ever in your favor." - Effie Trinket

"Fire is catching, and if we burn, you burn with us!" - Katniss Everdeen

“Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” - President Snow

4.

Divergent is another book with a huge fandom, and rightfully so. This book is amazing, and you honestly can't live without having read it!

Order:

Divergent

Insurgent

Allegiant 

Surprisingly, I haven't watched the movies yet, but I hear that they aren’t that bad, so you should give them a go!

Summary:

In a world run by fictional classes known as factions, children who reach the age of 16 begin to choose which factions they wish to call home for the rest of their lives. Each faction comes with its own ups and downs, so it's definitely a hard choice, especially for someone as unique as Beatrice.

Quotes:

“Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it“ - Four

“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.” - Dauntless Motto

"We are not the same. But we are, somehow, one." - Tris

5. 

You might have heard of this series, and it's really addictive, trust me! The Mortal Instruments is one of the most astonishing books I've ever read, and it's most definitely my go-to when recommending a book series!

Order:

City of Bones

City of Ashes

City of Glass

City of Fallen Angels

City of Lost Souls

City of Heavenly Fire

Again, (I know this is rather disappointing) I haven't watched the movies, but do check them out!

Summary:

Clary Fray's search for her missing mother leads her into an alternate New York called Downworld, filled with mysterious faeries, hard-partying warlocks, not-what-they-seem vampires, an army of werewolves, and the demons who want to destroy it all.

via: https://shadowhunters.com/shadowhunters-novels/the-mortal-instruments/#:~:text=Clary%20Fray's%20search%20for%20her,want%20to%20destroy%20it%20all.

Quotes:

“Heroes aren't always the ones who win. They're the ones who lose, sometimes. But they keep fighting, they keep coming back. They don't give up. That's what makes them heroes.” - Clary Fairchild

“If I cannot move Heaven, I will raise Hell.” - Sebastion Morgenstern

“The descent into Hell is easy.” - Motto of the Nephilim

6.

Gay. What more needs to be said?

SADLY, there isn't a movie yet, but I think they're working on one, or sure though

Summary:

Set in a world in which a female Democrat from Texas wins the presidency in 2016, Red, White & Royal Blue chronicles the illicit romance between the president's son, Georgetown senior Alex Claremont-Diaz (Dad is a Mexican-American senator), and Prince Henry of Wales, his childhood nemesis.

Via: https://www.wsj.com/articles/red-white-royal-blue-book-summer-beach-read-11565285001#:~:text=Set%20in%20a%20world%20in,of%20Wales%2C%20his%20childhood%20nemesis.

Also, classic enemies-friends-lovers arc and honestly it's amazing

Quotes:

“As your mother, I can appreciate that maybe this isn’t your fault, but as the president, all I want is to have the CIA fake your death and ride the dead-kid sympathy into a second term.” - Ellen Claremont 

" 'that’s because you can’t hear all the menacing gobbling.' 'Yes, famously the most sinister of all animal sounds, the gobble.' " - Harry and Alex

"History, huh? Bet we could make some." - Alex

7.

I’m sure you've heard at least a little bit about this book. While not nearly as famous as ones mentioned above, it's still just as good, of not better. I'd say this book is one of my favorites, to be honest. It speaks about a lot of topics people usually find disturbing, and it makes me so happy that it's there, it's written, it's amazing. PTSD, coming out issues, abusive relationships and more, this book is truly awesome.

TRIGGER WARNING 

Summary:

A young boy named Charlie usually dissociates, and pushes other people away. He’s afraid of beginning high school, until he meets two other students who show him how bizarre and amazing the world is.

Quotes:

“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite” - Charlie

“We accept the love we think we deserve” - Mr. Anderson

“You can't just sit there and put everybody's lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love" - Sam

8. 

This book is honestly pro-feminist and I think that's much more than enough

Summary:

Kaur explores the true impact of sexual abuse and harassment, as well as the difficulties of immigrating, being a female, and depression.

It's also a poem

TRIGGER WARNING

Quotes:

“what is stronger

than the human heart

which shatters over and over

and still lives”

“you do not just wake up and become the butterfly 

- growth is a process”

“on the last day of love

my heart cracked inside my body"

9.

This book isn't very well-known, which really sucks because I really love how it speaks about the consequences of WWII from the German point of view. And about the Germans who did not believe in Hitler's ways. It's also based on a real story, and it's so cool

Summary: 

A nurse working in a nursing home meets a peculiar old lady who decides to tell her her story when she meets the nurse's younger son, Karl, who reminded her of her brother. Lizzie (the old lady) speaks about life in Dresden before the war, and even after it. She also tells them the story about the strange, magnificent elephant in her garden.

Quotes:

“That was the only way of keeping our hopes alive, by looking beyond all we were seeing around us, and the shadow of disaster that hung over us.” - 

“I think I have always had a strong sense of justice, of fair play, of what is right and what is wrong.” - 

“Our home should be an oasis of peace and harmony for us in a troubled world.” - Lizzie (Quoting Papi)

10.

This book is pro-blm and it's ahead of its time (by like 2 years but still). 

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. via: https://socialjusticebooks.org/the-hate-u-give/#:~:text=Sixteen%2Dyear%2Dold%20Starr%20Carter,hands%20of%20a%20police%20officer.

Quotes:

“Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right.” - Lisa

“Daddy once told me there’s a rage passed down to every black man from his ancestors, born the moment they couldn’t stop the slave masters from hurting their families. Daddy also said there’s nothing more dangerous than when that rage is activated.” - Starr

“Everybody wants to talk about how Khalil died,” I say. “But this isn’t about how Khalil died. It’s about the fact that he lived. His life mattered. Khalil lived!” I look at the cops again. “You hear me? Khalil lived!” - Starr

[protosspals]

The ABCs of Starcraft: A is for Alarak and Artanis

((My friend and I have come up with a prompt list for the full alphabet and will be writing one shots for each letter. Today’s prompt is for the letter A and I chose the dearest Highlord Alarak and Hierarch Artanis together.)) 

The night was dark and stormy which was the type of night Alarak preferred. The flashes of lighting through the purple mist of Terrazine that covered his planet at this time was soothing to him. This was where he had been born and where he had fought his way up using wits and claw to claim his right to rule. It was all his now, yet... 

“When is Artanis supposed to arrive Martal? Should he not have been here by now? Perhaps I should devise a punishment for his lateness. It’s not proper to keep your Highlord waiting after all.” He grumbled, his mood as volatile as the storm raging around them. 

“Hierarch Artanis and his fleet have arrived Highlord. They are orbiting the planet now and waiting for the storm to pass so they might have a safer landing.” Martal chirped in his robotic tone as he hovered nearby his leader prepared to do any task demanded of him.  “Of course he would fear the storm, the Khalai are a bunch of cowards. By this point, he might as well just tuck tail and return home to Aiur.” He said returning from where he had been pacing in the middle of his room to look out the window again. 

“Shall I send word to them to leave? Or would you rather I go and retrieve the Hierarch for you personally my Highlord?” Martal asked hs sensor seeming to shine more brightly with the idea of kidnapping the Hierarch from under the watch his guards surely had in him. Alarak had to admit, the thought of Artanis’ look of outrage in such an event and the chaos it would cause was tempting. 

“No. Not this time. Send Ji’nara to... politely escort the Hierarch to our meeting place. Specify to her to let Artanis know that if a bit of thunder is going to keep him away, he might as well leave for there will be nothing here for him any longer. The festival ends with daybreak anyway.” He finally said and with his mind made up, he left the room to make his way to the designated location they had discussed for this event. 

The Festival of the Blood Rose was an annual event for the Tal’darim. Once per Slayn’s solar orbit (a time which took half of what it would be an Earth year) there would be a break in the Chain of Ascension. For that one night, movement up and down the chain was untethered by your current position. It allowed those who were young and strong to gain positions as Ascendants without wanton murder of all those above them. It also was the night of marriages. 

In Tal’darim tradition, they did not ask for marriage, they took the right. In the past that had lead to positions of unhappiness, one Alarak knew well as his own mother had been claimed by a cruel man she did not love due to her beauty. Alarak had changed things. Now the claim could be challenged, by both the one being claimed or one that agreed to fight in their stead. This allowed the tradition to continue in a way his people were used to, but gave those without as much power the opportunity to protect themselves through appointing someone stronger to fight the claim for them. It wasn’t perfect, but he had more plans to implement in the future to further protect those who didn’t want the marriage from being forced into it. 

However, tonight, that was not what was important to him. Tonight, the most important thing was that Artanis was going to be participating in the celebrations. He might have been a bit vague about things, but he knew Artanis would forgive him or it... eventually. Alarak was going to take what he wanted just as he always had. Khalai customs of giving gifts and going on silly dates was just so tedious and boring. 

Of course, if Artanis didn’t even bother to show up in time then Alarak couldn’t claim him since he wasn’t part of the chain. It would ruin everything. So of course he was upset. 

Artanis was nervous the lightning could affect the warp beam, but at the second and third messages, he rolled his eyes and acquiesced.

Landing at the approved location in his full ceremonial armor, he looked around just as Alarak's second approached, his head bow to her answered in kind before she started walking away, an obvious silent request to follow her which he took, his required guards the council had sent with him like he was a child following along obediently. He huffed in mild annoyance at the whole situation, they swiftly migrated through the city to the edge of the arena. His name was submitted to the lists before he emerged, bright and visible in his white and gold among the crowds of black.

Alarak had been sitting sideways in his throne which was placed in a box above the arena where he could watch everything easily but he perked up and sat forward when he finally saw Artanis step onto the field. The Hierarch looked glorious as ever in his polished armor but Alarak knew Artanis wouldn't mind staining the set with a little extra blue from battle. He was excited to watch.

There were many warriors eager to challenge not just a Khalai, but the Hierarch himself and Artanis had countless battles to wade through, the healers endlessly busy thanks to him. When he was finally allowed a break, he sat to clean some of the blood off, his muscles warmed albeit covered in sweat as lightning crashed in both the atmosphere and his eyes when he began again. He would prove his place amongst these people and earn the unity he so desperately wanted with them. Not just due to their Highlord either. 

After Artanis had proven himself enough to the Tal'darim people and earned himself a rank amongst the Ascendants, Alarak finally lost his patience. He waited for the current battle to finish before standing up and demanding the attention of his people.

"You have seen the grace and power of the Hierarch of the Daelaam, many of you now have felt the sting of his blades. He has earned his place as a warrior of our highest rankings. So now, before you all, before any others dare to cast their gaze on what's mine, I claim Hierarch Artanis as my own. Let any who oppose my claim speak their challenge now!" He said, his eyes and voice echoing with power as he stepped from his box into the air, a red cloud of power forming at his feet to carry him carefully to the ground in front of Artanis.

Blue eyes narrowed as Artanis glared at him, blades fizzling out so he could cross his arms. "So... this is why you invited me. I challenge you then, Highlord. For my own hand."

Alarak eyes squinted with joy and approval. "I would expect nothing else Hierarch." He said back as he stepped back into the starting position on his side of the field adrenaline already rushing through his veins. He had longed for this fight since they first met, now he would not lose.

Psionic plate and pauldrons shifting around for a power boost, he took his place and lit one blade, holding it up to his face in a silent challenge to Alarak before they ran at one another, their weapons meeting with a thud of psionics.

It was like watching two copies of one being, one dark and one light, just smashing into one another like titans, Artanis even tossing his opponent a good distance before chasing after him. He couldn't afford to lose or the Daelaam would be seen as weaker, his claws digging into dark armor.

The Arena seemed to be getting damaged more than either opponent, walls getting cracked as they threw each other into them, dirt ground beneath them being torn up by their claws. Their armor suffered as well, one of Alarak's large energy gathering shoulder plates getting broken off.

The battle was long and fierce, both Tal'darim and Khalai cheering for their leaders and watching on the edge of their seats at near misses. But finally, it was Alarak who stumbled. If it had been a fight to the death, he could of won. He had a perfect shot to take Artanis' head from his shoulders and almost acted on it in the heat of the battle. Only to have the thought freeze his muscles and it gave Artanis the opening he needed to take him down and pin him to the ground.

The lightning above illuminated Artanis as he slammed Alarak down so hard the jutting daggers in his armor embedded into the dirt, the wide grey chest heaving within the metallic confines while his knees pinned the black claws, blue power building in one hand. "Yield, Highlord."

Alarak looked into his eyes feeling the crushing blow of defeat weigh heavily in his hearts but knew he had failed. "I yield!" He yelled out so it could be heard clearly and closed his eyes feeling anger roll under his skin before he let it pass knowing he wasn't actually angry as much as disappointed in himself.

The Templar let go of his power just as a bolt struck, banishing it into the earth around them before he stood to pry Alarak from his entrapment.

Helping him stabilize, he kept a hand on the Tal'darim as he yelled for all their people to hear too. "I claim Highlord Alarak as my own! Let any who oppose my claim speak their challenge now!"

Alarak blinked, not having expected that. But the surprise only lasted a moment before it was covered with a cocky and well-worn expression. "Awww you were playing hard to get. I knew there was a reason I chose you." He said flicking Artanis' crest.

"I accept your claim through my defeat. I am yours." He said to finish the claim since he couldn't deny Artanis' right to it after being defeated.

Artanis relaxed as they started to walk off the field together so the festivities could continue. "Stubborn Tal'darim. You could have just asked."

"That is not the Tal'darim way and to do so would be a dishonor to you Artanis. I treated you as I would have any Tal'darim. I could have won but I didn't want to hurt your pride. This way will let my people respect you and the Daelaam more anyway. It was all part of my plan." Alarak said, no longer any doubt or sign of weakness to be seen. In fact, he looked even more cocky than usual. 

Artanis rolled his eyes knowing the truth but letting Alarak say what he wanted. They both had won in the end and that was what mattered. 

[kasumiyoshizawas]

What To Play While You wait For The Next Persona Game

Posted this on r/PERSoNA earlier today. Enjoy!

So it's going to be a while for the next Persona game to drop, and while you could spend all your time replaying Persona 5 or its predecessors and their spinoffs, you could try something else as well. Here are a few games that really help me scratch that Persona itch.

Also reblog with your favorite games to get through the Persona hiatuses.

What Do You Like Most About Persona?

"Everything!"

You Should Play: Blue Reflection

Genre: JRPG

Most Accessible Game: Blue Reflection

Platform: PS4, Steam

Price: $59.99 + Costume DLC ($89.99 Season Pass)

Blue Reflection stars a high school girl, Hinako, who used to do ballet, but was forced to quit after a leg injury. She soon finds herself recruited by two sisters, Yuzu and Lime to travel to another world and fight the manifestations of people's out-of-control emotions.

Sound familiar?

While the tone isn't exactly the same, as BR is more down-to-earth than Persona, the story-telling and flow of the game very much matches Persona's. The combat may not be as in-depth as Persona's, but it's still turn-based JRPG combat. The world itself is also gorgeously rendered and lovingly designed. And who knows? You may fall in love with these girls in the very same way you fell in love with the cast of your favorite Persona game.

"The Combat!"

You Should Play: Atelier

Genre: Crafting JPRG

Most Accessible Game: Atelier Rorona DX

Platform: Switch and PS4

Price: $39.99 OR 3 game bundle with the next two games in the Arland Trilogy for $89.99

The Atelier series is very popular in Japan, and has existed for about as long as Persona. Your main character is an Alchemist, a person who can create items from other items. You spend most of your time going out to harvest ingredients and create items for your lovable group of clients, and usually solve a mystery along the way. Ever wanted to be the shopkeeper who shows up at the end of the super-hard dungeon? Now's your chance.

Like Persona, your party member's abilities are limited. Instead, to be effective in combat, you must create weapons and healing items to use in dungeons against your foes. You can be a super buff healer, or you can rain cannon fire down on the arena, it all depends on what you want to create.

Atelier Rorona is about Rorona, a young girl who is suddenly put in charge of her teacher's alchemy shop just as the kingdom was about to shut it down. It's your job to prove that alchemy is still worth something in an era of technology.

Also, some of the characters may sound familiar to fans of Persona 3 and 4...

"The Characters!"

You Should Play: Fire Emblem

Genre: Tactical JRPG

Most Accessible Game: Fire Emblem Awakening

Platform: 3DS

Price: $39.99 + Map DLC ($6 to $6.50 per pack)

Fire Emblem is a series of tactical JRPGs for Nintendo Systems that started in the mid-nineties. Despite their deep combat mechanics and interesting storytelling, their sales declined until 2012, with the release of Fire Emblem Awakening.

Awakening is a story about family, time, and fate. It has its own twists carried on the backs of its lovable and memorable cast of characters. As the Tactician of the Shepherds, you can get to know everyone, from the crown prince Chrom and his spunky sister Lissa, to studious and hyperfocused Miriel, to the sweet-talking thief Gaius, to the strong Panne, last of her kind...I could go on really. Each of the characters stands out in their own way, and like Persona, romance is on the table.

"The Aesthetics!"

You Should Play: Danganronpa

Genre: Murder Mystery Visual Novel

Most Accessible Game: Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Platform: Steam

Price: $19.99

Danganronpa is a divisive franchise. You either love it or you hate it. However, one thing can be agreed on: the games themselves look crazy cool.

Each character has a memorable design and quirky personality, and the more you hang out with them, the more you learn what's underneath their surface. It almost makes you forget that you're all supposed to kill each other.

You're trapped in this school/island/town until you kill someone else...and get away with it. After a body is discovered, the whole class is put on trial. If you're found out, you're executed, in a brutally ironic way.

Have fun!

Now I know that not everyone is super on board with complete genre or tone swaps, so if you answer this question, I can help you out even more.

What's Your Favorite Spinoff?

"I Hate The Spinoffs!"

You Should Play: Shin Megami Tensei

Genre: RPG

Most Accessible Game: Shin Megami Tensei IV

Platform: 3DS

Price: $39.99 + DLC ($1.00-$2.99)

Persona games themselves are a spinoff of this franchise, one of the original JRPG franchises and the original "Gotta Catch 'Em All!" game. Nowadays, while Persona is more popular, SMT has quietly been improving its mechanics and storytelling, to weave a tale of a bleak world where human survivors must fight back against demons, with demons of their own.

And at the end of the day, will you bring Order to this lawless world? Or will you let it descend into Chaos? The choice is yours.

"Persona 4 Arena!"

You Should Play: BlazBlue

Genre: Fighting

Most Accessible Game: BlazBlue Crosstag Battle

Platform: Switch, Steam

Price: $59.99 + Character DLC (All-In-One Season Pass is $19.99, additional colors packs are $2.99 each)

Story may not be your thing, but quirky characters and fun designs and weapons may be right up your alley. If so, let me introduce you to BlazBlue by Arc System Works, who helped create Persona 4's Arena games.

The writing is laugh-out-loud funny, and all the characters (mostly) hate each other after years and years of lore and generations of feuds. What better dynamic for a 2D fighting game?

And if you're still not on board with the mainline games, try Crosstag Battle, which features characters from BlazBlue, UnderNight In-Birth, Persona, and RWBY, along with the recently joined Arcana Heart! It's easy to pick up, even for fighting game beginners, and you're sure to find someone you like.

"Persona Q!"

You Should Play: Etrian Odyssey

Genre: Dungeon-crawling JPRG

Most Accessible Game: Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan

Platform: 3DS

Price: $59.99

This is unfortunately the only series on my list I have not played. However, I would be remiss to not mention it at all.

If you loved the dungeon-crawling shenanigans of Persona Q, you'll be happy to find that it was created as a spinoff of Etrian Odyssey, which deploys very similar mechanics combat-wise.

"Persona Dancing!"

You Should Play: Project DIVA

Genre: Rhythm

Most Accessible Game: Project DIVA Future Tone Prelude

Platform: PS4

Price: Free (2 song demo) + DLC (Future Tone Bundle gives 220 songs for $39.99, Future Tone Season Pass gives the rest of DLC for $19.99)

Say what you will about the Persona Dancing games, but nothing feels better than getting a Full Combo on a song you've spent hours on.

Project DIVA looks are your P5D King Crazy's and scoffs. It laughs at your supposed "skill". It wants you to put your skills to the true test in its true series.

Make no mistake, it may be a game about Vocaloid...but its beatmaps get CRAZY hard. However, it's also crazy addictive. With hundreds of songs, outfits, and accessories, everything can be changed and feel brand new. And you'll need that change in monotony, because you'll play songs over and over again just to chase that 100%.

"I just want Persona 5 Scramble already!"

You Should Play: Warriors Spinoffs

Genre: Action Combat

Most Accessible Game: Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition

Platform: Switch

Price: $59.99

So you're waiting for Scramble? You want to rip through Shadows like butter?

Then pick up a Warriors game and get swinging!

I'm recommending the spinoffs over the originals because, if you know how their home games (Hyrule and Fire Emblem) play, you'll be able to grasp how integrated the mechanics of their originals and the mechanics of Warriors fully mesh together. Also, Hyrule Definitive comes with all DLC, so definite bonus points there.

[theshimmeringisles]

Astraeus Wohrfaynson-Ifre’vok

Nicknames:  Aster, The Blacksmith, Titan   Age : 206 at time of death (would have been 389 during The Fall) Species : Hybrid (Fire Chroma + Brokt Kuros) Desired Voice Actor:  Dwayne Johnson Family : 

Parents: Titus Burntfeather and Ifreann Cred’vel

Brothers and Sisters: Many, notably Morpheus Starborn

Mate(s): Mated with many dragons, but became life-bonded to Kishi Earthtender-Firestone before death

Children: Many, notably Gaea Firestone

Element:

MAIN: Fire

MINOR: Earth

Abilities: Ignisoculo, or Fire-Scrying, the ability to interpret visions of the future and present in different locations. The Metal Song, the ability to understand the way that precious metals can best be shaped into weapons, armor, and the like. Breathes a type of liquid fire that is thick, and can either catch fire on contact with a surface, or in the air depending on Astraeus’s will.

Profession: The Smith and Mentor of Metal. Astraeus became Wohrfayn’s sole armor and weaponry smith after coming of age, having trained under the mysterious and elusive Metal Dragons that lived under Wohrfayn’s abandoned ruins underground. Through Astraeus’s tutelage, he also trained many other dragons in his art, though it’s thanks to him that the trade was taught to Chroma in the first place.

Personality: Sometimes arrogant, Astraeus is a black sheep in Warfang, but one that made his odd appearance work for him. Eventually. His formative experiences as a child made him guarded, but a good judge of character. If he felt he could trust an individual, he would, and that trust was very hard for them to lose. Being the hybrid of one of the Chroma’s longest standing enemy species of dragons, Astraeus learned to find humor where he could, and offer up kindness anytime it was possible. Astraeus can be very charming, if not a little manipulative, but mostly in order to gain temporary amicability around others long enough to get out of a tricky situation. He’s also very proud of what he does, and wore the title of The Smith with honor and personal responsibility.

History: A very few know how Astraeus came to Wohrfayn, the famous Chroma capitol protected in the Maw of Ksindæl. Since his untimely and unexpected death, that tale has been mostly lost to rumor and over dramatized retellings, painting Astraeus in a much less than favorable light.

The truth of things, however, is this. Astraeus was laid outside the protective walls of Wohrfayn, to a Brokt who had only recently fled the protective Veil surrounding Kurosia. His own sire, on seeing the egg with it’s near-pitch shell, abandoned the Brokt to the elements, returning to Wohrfayn to reclaim his place as one of the senior War Advisors in the Circle. But it was not to be. Titus Burntfeather was removed from the Circle, under suspicions that he had committed atrocious war crimes, and had possibly sided with the Kuros during his capture that resulted in Astraeus’s birth.

Of course, after hatching and for the first few years of his life, Astraeus knew none of this. He knew only the blurry, vague shapes the world around him as his vision developed. Only knew the tase of prechewed rats and sometimes, a rabbit. And the soft, comforting voice of his mother. The songs of the earth she taught him, of her own people, of friendship and battle. And he knew the scent of her tears when she sang about love.

She never sang about her family.

After she named him, in the evening when he breathed his first tongue of flame, much was left to empty blackness. Unlike any he had, or would experience in his short life, this blackness was cold and confusing. Unyielding. It would nag at the back of his memory for many years, though it would not become unbearable until he’d sired children of his own.

During his childhood in Wohrfayn, Astraeus was the target of many to speak to in spiteful and angry tones. Though he could not help the circumstances of his birth, the black scales and his Kuronium bones could not be ignored. They were a symbol of everything the Chroma had fought years ago, symbols of those who had once hoped to wipe them out, symbols of their forced allies through treaties that the Chroma people felt were unfair and restrictive to their freedoms.

To his credit, Astraeus did take these things in stride. It was difficult at first, as his only guardians were those who had to guard him. The Elemental Mentors, those defacto leaders of the Chroma people and the most important part of the Circle. For it was they who were tasked with shepherding the orphans of Wohrfayn. It fell to the Mentors to assign teachers and lessons about languages, writing, reading, religion, and history and all other academic pursuits. And it was they who were tasked ultimately with teaching the orphans and those born under Wohrfayn’s banner how to master their elements.

It wasn’t any of those born naturally into the Chroma who took him under their metaphorical wing, but in fact those who had been adopted into it who guarded him most. The patriach of the Nature dragons, Lai-Chen, and through him, the leader of the Metal dragons. Only Astraeus himself could have told how Lai-Chen introduced them, but it was a secret that Astraeus took with him to the grave, for fear that they would be cast out from the protection of the Chroma.

After Astraeus had born many children with multiple partners during the Chroma’s Open Flights, and seen his first few clutches hatched safely, the darkness from before began to claw at him again. It seemed that seeing and hearing the sounds of his own children hatching and their wavering, mewling cries reminded him of his own for a parent he felt he had never known. More specifically, the cries for his mother.

It was no secret to him by then that he was at least somehow related to Titus Burntfeather, who of course had laid no claim to him. (Despite the fact that Astraeus had made quite the name and reputation for himself, both of which Titus would have been proud of were he not of mixed blood.) Their feathers near identical, and with tempers to match. Though where Titus would lash out at others, Astraeus would turn to his forge. Regardless of minor differences, these glaring similarities he could not ignore, and made sure that Titus could not ignore him. For weeks, he attempted to speak to the retired, and shamed Adviser, only to be snubbed at every turn. Eventually Astraeus, in his anger, insinuated that Titus had to know something about his parents, but was too much of a coward to tell him. Infuriated, Titus spat in Astraeus’s face, and challenged him to a fight for his own honor. The stakes were thus: if Astraeus won, Titus would tell him everything. But if he lost, Titus could petition to have him exiled from Wohrfayn. His military career might’ve been over, but he still held enough sway that Astraeus would be kicked out within the fortnight, forbidden from entering Wohrfayn’s walls ever again.

Astraeus agreed.

The fight itself was long, and bloody. Astraeus fought with honor before the gathered audience, and so too did Titus, at first. But near the end of the fight, as it became clear that Astraeus’s youth and his raw, instinctive ability was far superior, Titus began to cheat. Despite being witnessed, Astraeus refused to let the old man be forced to forfeit, and the fight went on. Finally, Astraeus stood over his soundly defeated opponent. Titus spat again in Astraeus’s face, and told him everything.

When Astraeus had breathed his first flame, Titus had seen that his love and the egg from their accursed union had both survived, and flourished. Titus had left them both to die, but on realizing that Astraeus might buy him his power with the people back, he’d returned to finish his mother off, and return with the boy ‘born of an unexpected, but pure union’ to prove to the Circle he’d committed no cruel crimes against the Kuros during wartime. But it hadn’t worked. Astraeus had thrived in some way, some impossible way, and here Titus was, bloodied and shamed before his entire people by the one he’d thought would secure his honor back in its rightful place. Titus told him that his mother, Ifreann, one of King Burdohk's Arrows, had not fought to save him. That instead she’d fought to kill him, to keep Astraeus from Titus, to refuse him the quality of life Titus had to offer him. Astraeus refused to believe this part, but claimed his prize, leaving the arena to find his mother’s final resting place.

Some tell that as he left, another followed him. That wherever Ifreann’s body was left to rot, Astraeus was met by the one dragon who he loved more than any he’d ever known. That Kishi Earthtender, who had long refused his playful advances, comforted him as the cold and unfeeling darkness left him. The nastier rumors say he seduced her there, while others say their courtship began in earnest on that day, and that their love was true and deep as any.

Astraeus disappeared with Kishi, only to return with his youngest daughter and the last child he would ever sire. It’s said by some that he used the secrets he’d learned, either from blood or from the Metal dragons, and tried to end Gaea’s life before it really even began. But others suspect that while dark magic was involved, and left it’s scar over Gaea’s heart, the dark magic came from another. Regardless of who it came from, Astraeus was executed there for what he’d done.

And Kishi, who had followed Astraeus back to Wohrfayn, was sent back as a prisoner to her birth clan, with Gaea under the protection of the Circle on the grounds that neither parent were currently judged as fit to raise her. She would live out her first ten seasons with her birth clan, where she could be closer to her mother, before being brought back to Wohrfayn, where she could be trained by the Mentors and live as a child of Wohrfayn herself.

And it is in his shadow that Gaea has lived, in all her life, though she cannot hope to understand this yet. But she will....

Trivia:

Astraeus had over two dozen lovers until he fell, hard, for Kishi. In life his mother, Ifreann, had many Mjol and Mjia herself. It seemed the apple didn’t fall far from the tree!

If his physical appearance wasn’t obvious, Astraeus did take a LOT more after his Kuros blood. He takes a lot after his grandparents, with Clìfeid’s eyes and psuedo-throat pouch and Creidmheach’s bulk and stubborn streak. This sort of broke Ifreann’s heart, but she was glad she managed to keep some part of her parents with her even in exile.

Astraeus never met another Kuros (besides Ifreann) in the Kurosia Original-verse, but was fascinated by them. He doesn’t know it, but the Metal Song is something the Metal dragons learned from the Kuros in ancient times when they were tentative allies. It’s actually a bond with Wunjabrot, a blessing that extends past the Veil itself to those who have some darkness in them.

Astraeus wasn’t ashamed of Gaea being born without her forelimb, nor did he intend to kill her. She became the entire center of his universe the moment she hatched, and it made him act rashly. Astraeus was a very devoted father before dying, and would gladly claim those he sired during Open Flights as his own, even when his other partners would not. Gaea was special in many ways, however, and one could argue she was absolutely his favorite.

[fearsome-perfect-beauty-eren]

Ereri - Paintball (Christmas Edition) 🔞

AUTHORS NOTE: Merry Christmas to my great friend and mother-in-law hehe @tsukiy0~ I love you so sooooo much you have no idea!! Thank you for everything you have done for me and just being who you are. As a show of my appreciation I’ve written this fic for you because you know how much we love to make stories and scenarios of our precious Ereri. So I hope you enjoy your Christmas present just as much I did while writing it. Everyone who is also a huge ass fan of Ereri just like us two also please enjoy reading this headcanon and spread the love~

-

Levi had no idea how in the hell he got dragged into all of this but knowing Hange was the influential person behind it, in the end, it wasn't that out of the ordinary. However, that didn't mean that today was going to be an ordinary day, on the contrary. A few days prior, Hange had interrupted one of captain Levi's training with his new squad about what Levi had planned to do for his coming birthday. Such news sparked interest to his cadets about how they could help in celebrating him in one of the most beautiful and special days of the year, Christmas. At the end of the day, the elite squad spent the remaining of the day in the training grounds obsessing over the party plans with squadron leader Hange. Meanwhile, the captain had his back to the circle with a stoic expression about how unnecessary such bashfulness and plans were needed in regards to his birthday.

It was December 24th and Levi was at one of the barns; where supplies for the expeditions outside the walls were kept, in which was completely transformed into a space made for a paintball arena. Right off the bat, he noticed how all his cadets including Hange where waiting for his arrival all dressed up as Christmas inspired characters. As Levi blinked multiple times in surprise, Eren breaks from the group to hand over Levi's costume with a beaming eye smile. Already made into a blushing mess, that only Eren Yeager had such effect on him, he couldn't stand the fact about how freaking adorable Eren looked in his reindeer costume. How those little antlers complimented his dark and messy brown hair. How that jingle bell choker accentuated his defined muscular neck and prominent collar bones underneath his classic green long sleeve. How... "Heichou," Eren interrupts Levi's train of thoughts. "Everything alright? Are you ready to undress?~" Eren asks with a sly smile and deep dark eyes. "Uh? Yes, Yes. Of course, I'm fine." He looks past Eren and sees the group in the back waiting for them both with their costumes on. Armin as a snowman, Mikasa as a candy cane, Hange as a Christmas tree,  Connie as an elf,  Jean as a gingerbread man, and Sasha as a potato with Christmas lights. Levi once again blinks reassuringly and looks back at Eren wearing an innocent smile with a hand lingering onto Levi from when he gave him his costume. "The changing area is on the first door to your left," Eren states and walks back to the group in which leaves Levi to notice the cute little fluffy tail he seemed to wear as he headed back. This causes Levi to become even redder at this point and rushes over straight to the changing station to prevent the others from noticing his blushing mess.

After Levi had changed into his Santa outfit, the entire group gathers around and Jean begins to distribute an equal amount of colorful paintballs needed to play. Along with Connie passing out folded pieces of paper either numbered twenty-four or twenty-five to determine what members will be in which group. Meanwhile, Sasha helped Hange get everything sorted out and everyone else excitedly talked among themselves, Eren made his way next to Levi who sat on a haystack awaiting further instructions with his arms crossed over his chest. Levi hadn't buttoned his Santa coat all the way to the top and exposed a peak of his chiseled chest in which left Eren a bit hot and bothered. "Fuck, please ride me!" Eren commented under his breath as he nudged Levi's side and sat beside him who seemed clearly annoyed. "What did you say brat?" he asked as he looked up to him confused. "Oh nothing~" Eren added looking ahead as if concentrating on the rest of the group. "Hmm..." Levi adds in with a shy smirk with his head slightly held down to the opposite side of Eren, knowing exactly what he had said earlier.

Once everyone had their paintballs ready to be thrown at their opponents and knew their group members, Armin explained the rules to the survey corps first ever paintball game. Basically, each round would last twenty minutes in the dim light barn and the second floor could be used to attack others from above. The basic rules to the game were you get points for hitting your opponent with the homemade paintballs and one can get extra points for attacking the other team's headquarters and destroying it. Such headquarters could be identified by the green haystack castle for team twenty-four and the red haystack castle for team twenty-five. Along with final instructions on how everyone is to behave when in game mode. All the while, Levi's arms had found their way firmly around Eren's waist since he had pulled him to sit on his lap before he had to say goodbye to Eren and become rivals. Or as Levi so puts it: to protect Eren's ass from an accidentally lost needle that might potentially stab him and then have him unintentionally transform into a titan and creating a huge mess.

Armin's instructions had come to an end and everyone rose up from their seats to head to where the game would officially take place. Levi had tried to get up to join his team to talk strategy but his boyfriend had prevented him from doing so. Eren had leaned in to draw closer to Levi and rested his chin on his shoulder. "Let the best team win Levi heichou," Eren whispered in a low voice and kissed the root of his ear, making electric chills run down his spine. Levi felt him leaning in for another kiss until Mikasa called out for him. "Hey, Eren come on over here! We have to come up with a plan of attack!" Eren chuckles into his ear and then gets off of Levi's laps, extending a hand for him to join him. "Okay, okay, okay Mikasa!" Eren retorts back. The pair then walked side by side, away from the common area and head to the entrance of the proclaimed paintball arena where Mikasa is waiting for him. Mikasa then takes Eren by the arm and leads him towards their green headquarters where Hange and Jean await. "Levi heichou, we really need you, where are you?" chimes in Armin calling from where their team's base with Sasha and Connie are at.

The countdown had started and Levi's team had come up with a great plan to destroying the other team's base which rallied up more points than just hitting individual members and how to protect their own. However, the plan to attacking individual opponents was left up to each member of his team, since he trusted that by now everyone was clever to be fast enough to make strategic attacks due to the countless of confrontations everyone has had with titans. Once everyone knew their jobs and their positions they waited for Hange to finish off the countdown. Sasha then left to the upper level, Connie dashed into one direction, Levi headed for the other, and Armin stayed behind to protect their red headquarters. Within a matter of minutes, the barn was full of paint everywhere along with screams and laughter of all the scouts fighting to become the winning team and claim victory. "Yeeeeeeah! Attack!" Sasha yelled in enthusiasm which was followed by Connie's giggles. "Damn you guys! Don't you even think you can beat us!" Eren followed with his cry for freedom, not too far from the green teams' headquarters. Levi assumed he was in charge of protecting their headquarters by the sound of it and begins to make his way. He smirks and quickly shuffles through the obstacles to find cover so he wouldn't be seen by Jean on the second floor.

The twenty minutes given to play the first round had passed by surprisingly fast and paintballs were flying through the air in a zig-zag motion. Levi tried to run towards the rival team's green castle without drawing any kind of attention towards his intention of wrecking it completely during the last few minutes of the game. However, Levi suddenly had to stop in his tracks as someone had smacked their hand right above his head and against the wall, blocking him with their arm and pinned him against the wall from continuing further. He was out of breath from all the running and it took him a few seconds to recognize the familiar face in the dim light barn; Eren Yeager. He was looking as hot as ever. Sweat dripped down his neck and chest as his green sleeve shirt became a bit see through from all the sweat that had clung onto his upper body, exposing his muscular built figure. His boyfriend was panting hard but his gaze was firmly set on Levi's, giving him his ultimate undivided attention. Levi gulps from the sudden thirst and tries to hide his face from becoming flustered at Eren's heavenly sight. A half-smile rose upon his lips and states, "I haven't seen you at all throughout the game. You're so slick, babe!" he chuckles and leans down slightly closer to him. Levi could feel his hot breath hitting against his porcelain-like skin and it causes his body to shiver a bit. "Agh! I so wish we could've been partners in crime but I guess this works out just fine. Now, I just have to make sure you don't destroy our chances of winning," he joked and bit his lower lip seductively as he let his left hand slide down the wall and let it rest on Levi's hip while keeping a firm hand on Levi's right shoulder. Eren slipped his fingers under the hem on Levi's shirt and started drawing hearts on his v-line with the tips of his cold slim fingers, in which were surprisingly soft and not hard with calluses from all the years of training.

The younger male stepped closer to him so that he could press his entire body against him. Levi wrapped his arms loosely around his neck and Eren took that as permission to overpower Levi as he could him. Eren leaned in for a hungry wet kiss and Levi could taste the sweetness of the taste of wine he hadn't seen him drink before the game started as he licked the inside of Eren's mouth slowly. The intensity and passion of each and every kiss made Levi feel as if he was drunk from the lingering taste of the alcohol left on his mouth. His boyfriend played tag with Levi's tongue until Eren got tired and felt his tongue attacked, making himself surrender to Levi's dominance in which Eren loved oh so much. "Ahh heichou, mhmm~" Eren moaned out against Levi's lips in which overwhelmed Levi with an abundance of chills throughout his body and butterflies to infest his stomach. He loved the way Eren called him heichou because no other person could ever make him feel the heat, love, and thirst he had for him. Just at the say of the word 'heichou' by his other cadets didn't compare at all to the way Eren would say it. Every time he heard 'heichou' come out of the mouth's of others made him long for Eren to rather say it instead and have his presence next to him. It got Levi hoping to always have Eren by his side, Eren's kisses got Levi hoping to save him from the vulnerability of humanity in the face of titans, Eren's touch got him hoping to continue to comfort and care for him when no one else in this damned world could. Eren was his hope and the word 'heichou' coming out of his and only his mouth transformed the meaning of the word entirely. Levi loved it and it was little things like that in which didn't take much to turn him on.

After a moment Levi reluctantly pulled away for some air being that he was out of breath, though not from the previous constant running but rather from the heat of their passionate and intense make-out session. Eren let him do so even though he could've gone longer thanks to his excellent breathing skills he had developed from every single brutal training he's ever had to endure from his captain. Levi bit his lower lip harshly trying to control himself from melting into Eren's strong arms. "Ahh? Please don't hide your lips," Eren whispered lowly sounding almost like a growl and planted a gentle and sweet kiss on his boyfriend's lips which made Levi smile. Eren huffed a laugh and started planting sloppy wet kisses all over Levi's face and traveling down his neck. Eren then gets carried away and starts sucking Levi's soft spots, leaving them to hurt a bit and noticeably red in color. "Ahh, fuck babe~" Levi moans while gripping the back of Eren's shirt tightly. Eren apologizes by slowly licking each wound he made and kissing them softly afterward which makes Levi's toes to curl inside his boots like crazy. He then finds the collar of Levi's shirt and pulls it down slightly so he could finish his route of kisses on Levi's strong and prominent collar bones. Once he finishes he looks at Levi with a satisfied sly smile and Levi rolls his eyes and rings Eren's little jingle bell choker. Levi then gently cups Eren's handsome face, feeling his strong defined jawline and smiles warmly at Eren for making him feel all tingly. "What?" Eren smirked, arching his left eyebrow at him in a very teasing way. "I just... I can't take your hotness and cuteness at the same time right now. I mean how the hell can you be so damn cute and hot all in one?" Levi admits. "Are you serious? And you think I'm managing well right now?" Eren huffs in surprise. Levi didn't know how to answer to him and wasn't able to even if he wanted to because Eren gave no second thought to going in and nibbling on Levi's bottom lip and diving in for another deep kiss. The kisses being interchanged started to heat up by the second and Levi's fingers went under Eren's pants along with his underwear and began rubbing up and down his ass, accidentally making his reindeer tail fall off. Gripping them and digging his nicely cut and clean nails into Eren's skin every time a moan came out of their kissing mouths.

Each kiss and touch began to be begging for more and more as both Eren and Levi competed for dominance over the strong hunger they both felt for each other. Suddenly they become started by Hange's scream about the game to have had officially ended. Eren pulls out from the kiss and plants a comforting last kiss on the top of Levi's head. He then cups Levi's cheeks and leans in to lick his mouth across and blows hot air against them as he says "Well then see you back at the common area and then we can finish this afterwards with no interruptions." Eren then picks up his white tail off the floor and as he begins to walk away he turns around and flashes a wink to leave a flushed and puzzled Levi behind. Right afterward the rest of Levi's team found him in a state of not being able to move nor speak. "Agh, no wonder we lost to them. I guess their strategic defense plan worked rather well," Sasha said in a teasing tone. "Why am I not surprised? They indeed had Eren in their team," Connie adds in. "Eren! I can't believe you played us dirty like that!?" Armin said in disbelieve. All the while leaving Levi who can't help but feel embarrassed at the sight of Sasha, Connie, and Armin's faces of having lost the paintball game even after having humanity's strongest on their side.

[driiftcr-blog]

five times scared

five times meme

One fight per day, that was the usual tally at my bar. It wasn’t a good night if someone didn’t walked away with a broken nose. It didn’t bothered me to see guardians or iron lords destroying each other for one reason or the other, as long as no one ruined anything from the bar. Once someone broke a chair or a table, I would step from behind the bar, get in the middle and punch someone’s face left and right. No one breaks my things.That night? That night it was her. Iron Lady, a hunter as small and…not as menacing as the other iron lords, versus a titan who spoke too much thanks to my services. It wasn’t an exaggeration to worry or even feel scared for her well being but…first there was only one standing up. And then another one. And then my west wall broke. In the confusion, a paranoia I haven’t felt previously crawled my back and took a grip on my throat, and I was unable to call anyone. 

But then she pushed her cloak away from her shoulder.

I forgot how many times I read her message. Two, three, maybe a hundred times. Every time I read it, the same sensation made my stomach drop. She wasn’t coming back. She wouldn’t come back. She would fight back, she would give her all, but…would she survive? Whatever this…Siva was, whatever had caused her to say this good bye was…I sat down, that last time I read it. Suddenly everything stopped. There was no noise, no sound. I couldn’t hear my heart beating any longer, yet my chest wanted to burst open at any second. Why? I heard plenty saying that there was something more between us than a simple, deep friendship. And while there had been moments where I could tell that spark between us, well…Now I find myself grabbing my radio. Turning it to her coords. Efrideet, pick up, I say. 

The silence terrifies me.

It was only three of us now. Three, and all of us were pointing our guns towards each other. We were all screaming, raving psychos at that moment. Death was staring right at me from all sides, the biggest stare coming from that damn frozen creature. My mind? Trying to keep itself together. Barely surviving this instant. Me? Far away from that planet, not even concerned about dying. That? Scared me. I would absolutely fail the promise I made her of returning, and all because I needed to be greedy. All because I needed more from the light than what the light had to offer. I had to find a way to free humanity from the chaos the light had brought by using something that would counter it.A scream brought me back to reality. My mind had lost all reasoning. The two gunshots followed.

Don’t ask me how I made it out of that place. I refuse to tell that part. Know I made it out through the teeth in my mouth and my bare hands, with a prize bigger than any other person would ever sink their claws in. Four times I had been followed by ships, all of them now gone from my sight. My signal wouldn’t reach hers. No communication, no reply, nothin’. Was she alive? She was stronger than my fears, I know that. Why wouldn’t she reply? Perhaps on a mission. On a patrol. She couldn’t stay still for long, I know that. Was she being followed? Was someone else aware of what I was doing, and she was being guarded and followed for being connected to me?Fuck. I hate having links like that. Hers was worth it. Keeping her at reach was worth it, for more than I want to admit. I also refuse to admit the silence is destroyin’ every bit of sanity I have regained after traveling this far into the Reef.

Perhaps this cache would reach her. Sending coordinates to the Sun. The Sun knows who it is.

Five matches today, and nothing out of the ordinary. No shadow had reached these parts of my merry kingdom, good. This gives me enough time to study, to analyze the reaction of the pocket dimension I had obtained for myself, and how the guardians will manage to defeat each adversary, all different from their previous efforts.A new team approaches, Cabal on the field! They receive the usual speech, the usual encouragement to be bad guys, to show me their deepest, darkest desires in an arena where no one but me had absolute control. Off the battlefield they go, and I watch them. Oh, one of them will break and show me their heart is stained in black.Waiting is overwhelming sometimes. Some lose their motes, some send ogres to the other side -I like the ambitious kind. It’s amusing to watch the enemy team argue between each other over who will kill the blocker.

Not this team. This team has a hunter who has killed all of the Taken blockers. Only this time, thunder seems to favor her–and her javelin.

Javelin?

It can’t be…

[thepelagoislands]

Pelago Winter Tournament || February 18th - 25th, 2019

Welcome to the official announcement of the Pelago Winter Tournament! Seasonally, the Explorer’s Guild holds a tournament on Bellicose Isle to decide one thing and one thing only: who is the strongest person in the Archipelago? Last November in the Fall tournament, RAGUNA was crowned the strongest! But that might change this season for the Winter iteration!

And for this iteration, WE ARE DOING A CHANGING BATTLEGROUND WITH SINGLE FIGHTERS ONLY. Every match will have a different terrain and arena with boons and nerfs for every combatant!

During the tournament, there will be FREE TRANSPORT TO BELLICOSE ISLE FROM ANYWHERE, A MEDICAL TENT TO CARE FOR ANY INJURIES, and TEMPORARY LODGING ON THE ISLAND FOR EVERYONE STILL IN THE TOURNAMENT.

The tournament takes place along the span of a week in RP, so feel free to have that reflect in your character’s experiences!

A schedule of rounds will be posted at the beginning of Round One of the tournament on February 18th, but please keep in mind that all rounds will take place within the dates listed in the title! But as always, IF EVERYONE TURNS IN THEIR FIGHTS EARLY DURING A ROUND, THE TOURNAMENT WILL IMMEDIATELY PROCEED TO THE NEXT ROUND. So rounds can go fairly quickly!

To review the battle system of the tournament, click here to enter our fancy Tournament page on the main! This is where the rules of the tournament will be listed at all times!

WE WILL ONLY BE USING THE ARMS TOURNAMENT SYSTEM THIS SEASON. PLEASE IGNORE THE ADVANCE TOURNAMENT RULES.

So what are the prizes for this tournament?

The Grand Prize winner of the Arms Tournament will receive 50,000G, ONE FREE VOYAGE, and A SPECIAL WEAPON UPGRADE ITEM! Second place will each receive 25,000G! Third place will each receive 10,000G! Of course, all participants will gain EXP!

CHANGING ARENA BATTLE

For this Arms Tournament, there will be a different arena in place for each fight, thanks to several mage volunteers from Arcadia. When each combatant enters the arena, they will pass through a special dome barrier around the arena floor. Once they are inside this barrier dome, NOTHING CAN LEAVE AND NOTHING ELSE CAN ENTER THE BARRIER UNTIL THE BATTLE IS COMPLETE, ASIDE FROM SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. This is for the safety of the audience, as shit can get pretty cray-cray, son!

This barrier is transparent and the audience can perfectly see inside the entire battle. However…THE COMBATANTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE OR HEAR THE AUDIENCE UNTIL THE FIGHT IS COMPLETE.

There are FIFTEEN DIFFERENT ARENAS that can be selected. ALL ARENAS WILL BE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO EACH BATTLE AT THE START OF THE ROUND.

EACH ARENA MAY HAVE CERTAIN CLASSES OR CHARACTER TYPES LISTED AS HAVING A BONUS OR A NERF. A bonus means that your character will use the next level up Chatzy line (for example, if you use a Level 1-3 line in combat and you get a bonus, you’ll use the Level 4-6 line for that battle). If your character gets a nerf, it means your character uses the next level down Chatzy line (for example, if you use a Level 13+ line and get nerfed, you’ll use the Level 10-12 line for that battle). You cannot go above or below the maximum or minimum line, so if you get a bonus as a Level 13+ character or a nerf as a Level 1-3 character, nothing happens.

Each arena will have a special RANDOM EVENT that can happen at some point during the battle. These random events will be rolled for by the combatants.

HERE ARE THE AVAILABLE SPECIAL ARENAS THAT CAN BE GOTTEN:

1. ANTI-GRAVITY ARENA

DESCRIPTION: After the combatants enter and the bell signaling the fight begins, gravity will cease to function in the arena. The combatants will now be free floating around the dome for the rest of the fight.

BONUS CLASSES: Void Mage

NERFED CLASSES: All Physical and Miscellaneous Classes

RANDOM EVENT - GRAVITY FLICKER: At the beginning of the third round of combat, enter “/choose flicker, none”. If flicker is chosen, then the gravity will return for a split second, sending all combatants falling to the ground and dealing 1HP of damage to both combatants. Then the Anti-Gravity will return again for the rest of the battle. The audience will hear a panicked “sorry” from one of the mage volunteers.

2. ANTI-MAGIC ARENA

DESCRIPTION: After the bell rings to signal the start of the fight, a heavy sensation will fall over both combatants. This sensation renders all magic unable to be cast.

BONUS CLASSES: N/A

NERFED CLASSES: All Magical Classes, Any Deities

RANDOM EVENT - TOO STRONK: At the beginning of the fight, enter “/choose stronk, none, none, none”. If stronk is chosen, the heaviness of the anti-magic field will intensify and start hindering all power within the dome. Every single person will be nerfed for the entire fight.

3. THE BALL PIT

DESCRIPTION: After the bell rings, the arena will suddenly be filled with colorful balls to play in. It looks like a huge ball pit from a playground. The entire audience is jealous.

BONUS CLASSES: All children and people who are children at heart

NERFED CLASSES: Lame Adults

RANDOM EVENT - AN EXTRA HOUR: At the beginning of the fight, enter “/choose dashcon, none”. If dashcon is selected, then something energetic seems to be in these colorful balls. All combatants now start the fight at 8HP each (9HP if you’re a Paladin class). You get an extra hour in the battle arena.

4. WATER TANK

DESCRIPTION: After the bell rings, the entire dome will fill up with water seemingly out of nowhere. There will be a small space at the top of the dome to breathe.

BONUS CLASSES: Water Mages, All Mermaids

NERFED CLASSES: Gunners, Rangers, Pirates, Fire Mages, People Who Can’t Swim

RANDOM EVENT - WHAT? YOU AGAIN!: At the beginning of the fight, enter “/choose bass, none, none, none”. If Bass is selected, the water tank will also fill up with countless amounts of Sea Bass, the Animal Crossing player’s nightmare! The Sea Bass are so common in this water that it’s hard to see your opponent! Everyone is nerfed for the battle!

5. LAVA FIELD

DESCRIPTION: After the bell rings, the floor of the dome will become scalding hot, splitting apart to form long rivers of molten lava. There will be few safe areas to stand on. It’s way too hot. Hot damn.

BONUS CLASSES: Fire Mages

NERFED CLASSES: N/A

RANDOM EVENT - ERUPTION: At the beginning of the third round of combat, roll “/choose erupt, none”. If erupt is chosen, there will be a rumble and a bunch of lava will spew out from the rivers of lava, hitting both combatants for 1HP of damage.

6. DARK FOREST

DESCRIPTION: After the bell rings, countless sprouts will crack through the floor of the arena and sprout up into thick, tall trees. And soon, the entire floor of the arena will turn into thick, dirt terrain with countless plants growing around. In addition, it has become quite dark inside the dome…

BONUS CLASSES: Grass Mages, Earth Mages, Geomancers, Thieves, Rogues

NERFED CLASSES: Anyone Afraid of the Dark

RANDOM EVENT - WEIRD PLANTS: On the fourth round of combat, the characters muse roll “/choose plants, none”. If they get plant, they will stumble into a plant that gives off a weird spore and they must roll an additional “/choose paralysis, poison, sleep”. Paralysis means that they are unable to move for one turn. Poison means they take 1HP of damage during their turn. Sleep means that they will fall asleep and will be unable to do anything on their turns until they are hit by their opponent to be woken up.

7. PIRATE SHIP

DESCRIPTION: After the bell rings, the ground will rise up and take the form of a large pirate ship. Water will immediately rise up beneath this pirate ship and make that ship extremely rocky. Hope you brought your sea legs!

BONUS CLASSES: Pirates, All Characters Who Have Been on 2 or More Completed Voyages

NERFED CLASSES: All Others

RANDOM EVENT - THE TITANIC: At the beginning of the fourth round of combat, roll “/choose titantic, none”. If Titanic is chosen, then for some reason, a large iceberg is conjured near the ship and rams right into the pirate ship. The pirate ship will then begin to have the same fate as the Titanic. Every single character now has been nerfed as you attempt to continue fighting while the ship goes down.

8. SKY ARENA

DESCRIPTION: When the bell rings, the arena floor will abruptly crack apart and start ascending into the air in chunks, a thick current blowing between each chunk in the air.

BONUS CLASSES: Ranger, Gunner, Dragoon, Lancer, Wind Mage

NERFED CLASSES: Everyone who fights close-range who isn’t part of the bonus group

RANDOM EVENT - FREE FALLING: At the start of the third round of combat, both combatants will roll “/choose fall, none”. If they get fall, their platform will begin to fall from the air. They will take 1HP of damage from the fall, and will soon be teleported to another platform by a friendly volunteer mage.

9. THUNDERCLOUD

DESCRIPTION: When the bell rings, the wind will suddenly pick up and the combatants will find themselves in the center of a vicious storm, with high winds, heavy rain, and lightning striking the ground.

BONUS CLASSES: Geomancer

NERFED CLASSES: N/A

RANDOM EVENT - SHOCKING, REALLY: At the start of the battle, all combatants who have a metal object in their possession, be it armor, a sword, the metal tip of an arrow, or something else, must roll “/choose thunderstruck, none”. Thunderstruck will result in the character being struck by lightning and will make them take 1HP of damage.

10. RUNE FIELD

DESCRIPTION: When the bell rings, the combatants will both feel an extreme surge of energy fill up the arena. The arena just feels…so very alive.

BONUS CLASSES: All Combatants Will Use the Level 13+ Fight Line

NERFED CLASSES: N/A

RANDOM EVENT - THE OL’ SWITCHEROO: At the start of the third round of combat, roll “/choose stone, none”. Upon rolling stone, the arena will rapidly turn into the Stone Field for the rest of the battle. Consult the Stone Field section for details.

11. STONE FIELD

DESCRIPTION: When the bell rings, the combatants will both feel extremely drained, like the life is being sucked out of them. The arena floor will start to turn grey, like it’s turning to stone.

BONUS CLASSES: N/A

NERFED CLASSES: All Combatants Will Use the Level 1-3 Fight Line

RANDOM EVENT - THE OL’ SWITCHEROO: At the start of the third round of combat, roll “/choose rune, none”. Upon rolling rune, the arena will rapidly turn into the Rune Field for the rest of the battle. Consult the Rune Field section for details.

12. SPACE ARENA

DESCRIPTION: After the bell rings, the ground below the combatants will suddenly vanish, though they are still standing on solid ground. All around them, the image of them in the middle of space will appear. Stars will be above and below them, meteors will pass by, and they will be on unseen but solid ground.

BONUS CLASSES: Astrologian

NERFED CLASSES: N/A

RANDOM EVENT - METEOR SHOWER: At the beginning of the battle, roll “/choose meteors, none”. Upon rolling Meteors, there will be a meteor shower that descends upon the arena. Each combatant must roll “/choose hit, miss”. Each hit will result in the combatant being struck by a meteor and taking 1HP of damage.

13. FINAL DESTINATION, ALL WEAPONS

DESCRIPTION: The bell rings and instead of the barrier forming around the arena. Nothing happens. And strangely…all of the weapons have been removed from the combatants. And all of their magic has been sealed. And a bunch of random objects have appeared in front of the audience members. Looks like the audience is going to have to throw in weapons for the combatants to use!

BONUS CLASSES: Combatants with donated weapons

NERFED CLASSES: Combatants without donated weapons

RANDOM EVENT - ULTIMA: Whenever an audience member throws in a weapon towards a character, roll “/choose ultima, normal, normal, normal”. Upon rolling Ultima, this weapon, when wielded, will automatically let the character use a Level 13+ line. No matter what it is. That’s right, if someone throws in their day-old grilled cheese sandwich and it becomes the Ultima, then that grilled cheese sandwich will be the most lethal thing in all of existence.

14. YA LIKE JAZZ?

DESCRIPTION: The bell rings and all of a sudden, you hear a strange buzzing in the air. Flowers will sprout up from under your feet, covering the field in countless flowers of multiple colors. And along with these flowers are countless bees, minding their own business while flying from flower to flower. You hear faint jazz in the distance.

BONUS CLASSES: None

NERFED CLASSES: Anyone who hates Bees

RANDOM EVENT - HEALING BEES: Before the fifth round of combat, each combatant will roll t!choose Bees? | Bees? | BEES!. Whoever gets BEES! will be swarmed by Bees. In order to decide whether these are friendly healing bees or mean wasps, roll t!choose +2 | +1 | 0 | -1 | -2. The number you receive will be the amount of HP you either heal or lose, depending on the plus or minus. Good luck!

15. NORMAL ARENA

DESCRIPTION: The bell rings and…nothing happens. I’m serious. Nothing happens.

BONUS CLASSES: N/A

NERFED CLASSES: N/A

RANDOM EVENT - WHOOPS, I FORGOT: At the beginning of the third round, roll a random number generator some some kind between 1 and 15. The number you receive will be your new arena for the rest of the battle, the order determined by the order in this post (getting a 3 will turn the arena into The Ball Pit and getting a 15 will have the arena continue to be the Normal Arena, for example).

ARMS TOURNAMENT SIGN-UPS

Right now, we are only accepting 8 combatants for the Arms Tournament. We will have a waitlist for any additional combatants. THERE IS A WAITLIST OF 8 MORE COMBATANTS. IF IT IS FILLED, WE WILL EXPAND TO A 16 CHARACTER TOURNAMENT.

PLEASE STATE YOUR CHARACTER’S CLASS BOON WHEN YOU SIGN UP. DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS FEBRUARY 17TH AT 10PM EST.

CURRENT COMBATANTS:

Evelyn (Fighter)

Masked Man / Rylan (Elemental Mage)

Calvin (Ranger)

Mikhail (Bard)

Denny (Astrologian)

Aurelia (Monk)

Lloyd (Void Mage)

Lyla (Elemental Mage)

Alex (Fighter)

Lest (Spell Sword)

Danny (Craftsman)

Georgia (Beastmaster)

Max (Gunner)

Forte (Paladin)

Neil (Ranger)

Lanna (Songstress)

WAITLIST:

Tina (Fighter)

Porcoline (Paladin)

Elliot (Berserker)

Phillip (Fencer)

Kathy (Gunner)

Wayne (Astrologian)

.

.

[dngrs-untld-hrshps-unnmbrd]

Striking Twice, Part Two

Shaxx x female Guardian | oc: Alexandra Warren | angst and drama | smutterific | NSFW

This fic is for @illiksis as part of our art trade and stars her beautiful Titan Striker Alexandra and Lord Shaxx! 

Read Part 1 here.

Shaxx, The Tower, Destiny 1 era

Shaxx noticed the green light blinking on the feeds and peered closer. The light meant a new Guardian in his Crucible, and it blinked next to the name Alexandra Warren. He felt a jolt, as in the week since she’d materialised back from the dead he hadn’t seen or heard a whisper of her.

A week, and she was in the Crucible already? She was keen, and probably about to get her ass handed to her. He leaned forward and pressed a button on his mic. ‘All right, Guardians. Show me how it’s done.’

His eyes tracked Alexandra and she and her team jogged in a tight knot along the walls. Good, she was being cautious in the unfamiliar map, not like last time when she’d – but he shook himself and dismissed the thought. He wasn’t going to think of her back then. None of that had happened as far as this Alexandra Warren was concerned.

She stuck with her team, and they orbited her protectively as she made shots. She had four enemies down already and hadn’t been felled once. But he could sense her getting impatient for more, and when she spotted her chance a few minutes later, she took it. The opposing team had picked off two of her teammates and as they were reloading she launched herself into the air toward them, and came down in a slam and a blaze of arc energy.

She's a Striker! Delight blazed in his chest as the lightning rolled out around her in waves, felling opponents. ‘Double down – triple down!’ he shouted. Any Guardian with good technique and a hungry style earned his respect in the Crucible but he nursed a love of his own subclass most of all. Nothing could top the smash and energy of a Striker, and not since the days when Zavala had entered the Crucible had he enjoyed watching a fellow Striker more.

She competed in two more matches, her team winning all of them, and she was never last placed. Impressive for a first attempt.

Half an hour later he spotted her Fireteam coming toward him to hand in bounties. She didn’t have any of her own but she stood to one side, watching. When the others were done she turned to him.

‘How was I, then?’ she asked, smiling coolly, clearly comfortable with her performance. He may have got overexcited calling the matches while he was watching her. This is amazing! I can’t believe what I’m seeing. He couldn’t help it. The Crucible got him that way.

He made a non-committal sound. ‘You did all right for a new Guardian.’

‘Oh? I can fight as well as any seasoned Guardian. Can’t I?’ she said, raising her voice at her friends. They  cheered and raised their fists. She turned back to him with a grin. ‘See?’

He was silent for a moment, watching her. Remembering how she'd done exactly the same thing in the Brew all those cycles ago when he'd told her she couldn't fight like a Guardian. He should ask Zavala if this had ever happened to him, if people he knew came back from the dead and spoke lines like living ghosts.

But for some reason he knew he wouldn’t ask Zavala.

Alexandra took his silence for disapproval and turned away.

‘Wait a second.’

She paused and looked back at him.

‘That rifle you’re using is terrible. It’s all right for picking off Fallen but you need something steadier for the Crucible.’

Her eyes hardened in annoyance. ‘Give me a chance, I might be a good fighter but it takes time to earn better gear.’

Exasperated, he turned and reached behind him for an auto rifle with a blue mark across the heft. It wasn’t the same one, but it was the same make. She’d been good with it, back then.

Hadn’t saved her life, though. 'You did well today. Here.'

She took the rifle from him, lips parted. ‘Wow, thank you. I’ve had my eye on one like this. What’s it called? I hear all Guardian weapons have names.’

‘Up For Anything.’

‘Oh?’ She flashed him a sly look. ‘What a perfect name.’

He watched her saunter off, the Mark fluttering at her hip. Behind his helm Shaxx thought for a moment that he reddened.

Alexandra, The Taken King era

‘Shaxx.’

‘Hivebane.’

A slow smile split Alexandra’s face as she looked up at him. The Blustery Brew was crowded that night and the last of the orange sunlight was slanting through the windows and shining on armour and bare biceps. Shaxx was still in his gear, but he’d taken off his helmet.

‘You like the Hive, huh?’

He snorted. ‘I like them when they’re dead. Pint?’

She watched him as he ordered her a beer and then handed her a tall, frosted glass. He had a strong face. She liked the line of his jaw as he turned his head to speak to the barman; his lips as he spoke. There was an air of no bull-shittery about him, too, and he was solid. Warm.

As he drank he looked at her over the rim of his glass. ‘You’ve let your hair grow out.’

She frowned. ‘You remember that my hair was short? You’ve barely seen me with my helmet off in ages.’

He cleared his throat and looked away. ‘Why haven’t you been in the Crucible lately? You’re not training properly if you’re not regularly in the Crucible. I’m not just going to give you another decent gun for nothing, you earn your weapons from me.’

Not having expected him to do anything of the sort, she gave him a sour look. ‘I have been busy, you know. The Dreadnaught. You heard of it?’

Shaxx nodded slowly. ‘Oh, I heard. I’m in pissing distance of the Vanguard table and I hear all the talk. All the comms. You got yourself into a few messy spots on that ship, didn’t you?’

Alexandra nodded, glad to talk about it with him. The other Guardians didn’t know how close things had come several times. ‘Traveler, it was tense down there. I lost comms with the Vanguard. Hive everywhere. At one point there was just static, and I had visions of what Eris went through happening to me. They thought I’d died when –’

Shaxx drained his glass and put it down on the bar. ‘’Night, Hivebane. I’ve got things to do.’

Perplexed, she watched him walk out of the bar. Sometimes he treated her like and old friend and others he acted like he couldn’t stand to be around her. What was his deal?

The first thing Shaxx saw when he clicked on his feeds the next morning was a Titan waiting to go into an arena dressed in a full Crucible bounty set. As she turned to one side he saw a blue Striker mark on her hip, and grinned. He had a feeling he knew who this was.

As he watched her fight match after match he knew. It was Alexandra. Something about the way she moved was familiar, how she gravitated toward leading her team but never striking out on her own till the right moment. During one Control match she managed to fell all four members of the opposing team with her Fist of Havoc as they tried to capture a zone. Shaxx was yelling so loudly that Arcite seemed to wince.

At the end of the day she was one of the last to return to him to hand in her bounties. He nodded appraisingly at her. ‘Nicely done.’

‘Thank you. Got anything special for me?’

‘My commendation for your fighting spirit. You’re lucky, it’s more than most get.’

Scratching a hand through her sweaty hair, she said, ‘How about a drink? A proper drink this time, without you running off halfway through.’

He looked at her with his arms folded. There was nothing wrong with keeping the truth from her as long as he kept his distance as well. He'd thought about it, and it wasn’t fair on the newer Guardians when they discovered that others knew them in their previous life. It strained things, or changed the power balance, or made them too curious about their past. The past didn’t matter. Now mattered.

Alexandra was looking up at him with expectant eyes and he noted, not for the first time, that she was a very pretty woman. He also wouldn’t mind quizzing her about her Crucible technique, either. But ...?

Oh, Traveler’s fucking Light, it was just a drink. ‘Sure. Meet you done the Brew in half an hour.’

Alexandra had managed to do a surprising amount in half an hour. Her hair looked soft and dry and she’d changed into skin-tight trousers and a tank top. Unthinkingly, his eyes grazed her breasts before he remembered where he was and what was appropriate.

‘Same as last night?’

They sat and talked for over an hour and into a second round, and the conversation flowed easily. Not as if they were old friends, the atmosphere was too charged for that. Too much banter. Too many assessing looks. It was more like sparring than chatting.

He noticed his eyes were starting to stray to her mouth and breasts again and he put down his glass. ‘All right, that’s me. I’ll see you later.’

She put a hand on his arm. ‘Wait. Stay a bit longer, or at least let me walk back with you.’

‘Why?’

She blinked her long, dark eyelashes at him. ‘Because I like talking to you.’

Suspicion curled through him. She didn’t remember what had happened between them, did she? He’d heard about it happening sometimes, that two people … but that was only when they were deeply in love. A face was recalled, maybe a name. A sense of familiarity. She hadn’t said anything and didn’t give him weird looks so … no, she didn't remember.

But he did.

And that made it, what? Wrong? Well, what was so wrong about it? They’d slept together and then she’d died. It was hundreds of cycles ago. She wasn’t even the same person. That Alex had been cocky and impulsive. This one … she stood her ground, quietly. She was an asset and she knew it.

And she had long hair. Barely the same person.

Fuck. I’m talking myself into something very stupid. I should have told Zavala and asked him what he’d do. Actually, no. I’m glad I didn’t because I know exactly what he’d say and I don’t want to hear it.

He smiled at Alex. ‘Sure. Let’s go.’

Three streets from the Brew they stopped to allow a trio of Sparrows shoot by, and when she looked up at him she found his face very close to hers. He kissed her, slowly at first, and then coaxed her mouth open with his. Desire shot through her and she went up on her toes. This hadn’t been her intention when she’d asked him to have a drink with her but the idea had been growing and growing throughout the evening. There was something very sexy about this large, shouty man, and every time he smiled at her she felt a thrill of happiness, and of triumph. He didn’t smile like that at other Guardians.

‘My place?’ she whispered against his mouth.

He seemed to hesitate. To consider her mouth. To think. Then he shook his head. ‘The Titan dorms? I don’t think so. They stink like dirty socks.’

‘Please, I don’t live in the Titan dorms. I won an apartment in a bet three months ago. I live over the bazaar.’

‘Ah, a betting woman. What was the bet?’ he asked between kisses.

‘Which pigeon would take off first.’

‘You bet an apartment over a pigeon?’

‘We were bored. Slow fighting day. And I bet my Sparrow and jumpship.’

‘Good ones?’

‘They were worth risking this apartment over, so yeah, good ones.’

As they talked they wended their way slowly back to the Tower, and she was hyperaware of his presence beside her. She’d had several partners since she’d been resurrected, all nice people, but none made her feel as fluttery low in her belly as Shaxx did. When she glanced at his hands she thought she could imagine just what they’d feel like on her skin. She'd know very soon.

But inside her flat he seemed to pull away from her, taking to much interest in the view from the balcony, the knick-knacks on her shelves. Was he ... shy? Surely not.  

Going over to him as he stood at the window, she asked, ‘Do you, ah, not want to?’

When he met her eyes she saw the dark light of desire in their depths. He did want her. But he seemed distracted. ‘You didn’t join the Firebreak Order,’ he said suddenly.

She frowned, confused, not just by the statement but by why he was saying this now. ‘Why would I join the –’

But she was cut off when his mouth descended on hers, and Titan Orders fled from her brain as she sought the fastenings on his armour. She was easier to undress in her soft civilian clothes and she was naked by the time she'd loosened his chest plate.

'Call yourself a Titan,' he scolded, grinning at her while he quickly made short work of his armour. Then they were both naked, standing in front of the window and wrapped around each other for anyone to see. Probably should move to the bedroom -- but then he went down on his knees before her and his tongue found her sex.

'No messing about, then,' she breathed, clutching a bookcase for support as he lifted one of her legs off the ground and hooked it over his shoulder. His short beard was soft and its gentle rasp and the smoothness of his tongue against her sex made her head fall back and the tension leave her body. Oh, yes, this was good. This was what she needed after too many stressful missions.

The bed was in the corner and he stood up and walked her over to it, and then sat down with her so she was straddling his lap. His cock was stiff between them and she stroked its length. Traveler, he was big.  

He made a noise in the back of his throat, his eyes dark, and then took a fistful of her hair, squeezing tightly. The pull against her scalp was pleasurable even as she gasped. He pulled her further up his lap and with his other hand grasped his cock and slid it against her slick sex.

‘I’ll go slowly,’ he murmured against her mouth, and then with a hand about her waist he compelled her body down and over him, piercing her slowly, tenderly. Whimpering, she arched against him, and with one hand still holding her tightly by the hair and one hand clasped around her he slid her up and down on his length. Gradually his breathing came harder and his hold loosened, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and moved herself, pressed down harder as she rocked against him.

Shaxx groaned and fell back, his hands going to Alex’s hips as she slid up and down the length of his cock, tight and slippery, and looking like she was relishing every inch of him. He looked up at her and admired the way her hair fell about her face. That hadn’t happened the last time –

But he pushed the thought away and concentrated on her expression. Her eyes were closed and her brows pinched together, slanting upwards at the inner corners. He knew that look. And a moment later her nails dug into his chest and he felt her clench around him and her back spasm. He ran a hand up the nape of her neck and buried it in her hair, holding her while she came.

When she opened her eyes and looked down at him, trying to catch her breath, he asked, ‘That good, Hivebane?’

She let out a yelp of laughter, which quickly changed to a moan as he grasped both her hips and began to thrust up into her, hard. She planted her hands on his chest again and held on as he moved inside her.

‘Too much?’ he asked.

Eyes squeezed shut, lip caught between her teeth, she shook her head emphatically. He growled as delight and desire surged through him. He would hold back if he was hurting her but Traveler’s fucking Light it was more fun not to. His climax was building quickly and when she reached behind her to stroke his balls he lost it, coming so hard that he sat up suddenly and buried his face against her breasts.

He sank back down onto the bed, taking her with him. Good decision, Shaxx. Screw Zavala and what he'd think. What anyone would think.

She traced her fingers through his chest hair for a few minutes, thoughtful. ‘You're funny compared to other Titans, you know. When are you going to get your horn fixed? When are you going to start wearing a Mark?’

He heaved a heavy shoulder and let it fall. ‘Fix my horn? This has been my armour set for hundreds of cycles. I don’t see any reason to change it.’

‘Not change it, just fix it.’

He thought about it for a moment. ‘I fought, it broke off. If I ever put on a Mark it won’t be anything special. It doesn’t matter what I look like. You lot are out there fighting for the City and if you want to carry symbols into battle, good. Do it. But I don’t need to pattern myself up. I run the Crucible and I’m not likely to forget it.’

Her voice was drowsy and her eyes were closed. ‘Zavala covers himself with symbols.’

‘That’s his way. Not wrong, just different.’

She smiled against his skin, mumbling sleepily, ‘You’re your own man, Lord Shaxx.’

He fell asleep, but woke in the early hours of the morning to find her ass pressed tightly against his cock, and that he was hard again. He hands roamed over her and, half asleep, her body flexed against him. His fingers found her sex and she was hot and slippery to his touch. A small cry escaped her mouth as he stroked her, and her hand reached behind her to take his length in her grasp. His fingers explored, pressing deeper, and he sunk two fingers up to his knuckles in her tight flesh. She pressed her face into the sheets and moaned his name.

That sound seemed to do something to him and he pushed her flat onto her belly and opened her legs with his knees. With one hand heavy on the small of her back he sheathed himself inside her and thrust, fast and hungry, shallow at first but deepening his strokes as she braced her hands against the headboard and arched her back. He grabbed a fistful of her behind and squeezed. She had a great ass, a proper Titan ass, muscled and meaty.

‘I thought … you’d have – ah – a catchphrase,’ she said between pants.

‘A what?’

She had her head turned to one side, her cheek against the mattress as he pounded her, and she was smiling. ‘You – know. Something you’d say as you – oh god – came.’ One of her hands worked down between her legs and she started touching herself. What a pretty fucking picture that was.

Eyes still closed, she talked softly as her fingers worked on her clit and he watched her, rapt. ‘I like hearing all your encouragement and shouting in the Crucible. You have zone advantage. I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with that.’ Her voice constricted as if she was getting closer to her peak.

He laughed. ‘You want me to call our fucking like I do a Crucible match?’ Leaning down he bit her earlobe, and then rumbled against her ear, ‘I can’t believe what I’m seeing.’

He felt her tighten convulsively around him. She was so close. Either this was going to make her laugh or make her come, and he didn’t much care which. Both were fucking gorgeous. ‘I know total domination when I see it. Is this what victory smells like?’

She reached back, cupping his sweaty neck as she came. He smiled against her ear, laughing softly, because if you couldn’t laugh during sex what was the bloody point.

Alex slumped back against the mattress, but he wasn’t done with her. May as well do this properly. He hooked an arm under her hips and raised her up, moving onto his knees. He gave her ass a smack and then set a swift, hard pace. He felt his own climax rushing up and with it a desire to shout. ‘You want the Crucible? I am the Crucible!’ He pressed deeply as he felt his seed spurt inside her, and his paced slowed and finally stopped. Hot but satisfied, he collapsed back onto the bed and pulled her against him. She laughed weakly into his chest.

‘What?’ he asked with a grin.

‘I think you probably just woke all my neighbours.’

Taking a deep breath he bellowed at the top of his voice, ‘DON’T THEY KNOW? THE CRUCIBLE NEVER SLEEPS.’

There came a banging on the wall, and then a muffled, angry voice called, ‘WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, LORD FUCKING SHAXX?’

Alex clapped a hand over Shaxx’s mouth before he could yell back that yes indeed, he was Lord fucking Shaxx, and what did they think they were going to do about it?

‘Shh, it’s three in the morning. Go back to sleep.’

He curled his body around hers and closed his eyes. ‘Whatever you say, Hivebane.’

There was the sound of a throat being cleared, and Shaxx looked up from what he was doing, which was kissing Alex. It was after midnight in the Tower and he was sure that they’d be alone. It was Zavala, his expression neutral, but Shaxx knew him well enough to see the hint of disapproval in his eyes. Fraternising in the Tower. There's a time and place, Shaxx, his expression seemed to say.

Alex ducked her head, sheepish. ‘I’ll um, see you later,’ she whispered to Shaxx. Then she hurried away.

Zavala impassively told him about some weapon developments that might come in handy, as if he’d seen nothing out of the unusual. Then he turned to go.

‘Wait a sec.’ Zavala was the person to ask about this. The more he got to know Alex the more his conscience seemed to smart. Things she did or said reminded him of her first life, and then he’d get distracted or annoyed with himself, and she’d become confused and he couldn’t tell her why he was being strange. ‘I wanted to know … what you thought.’ he finished lamely. For fuck’s sake. Since when was he such a coward?

Zavala frowned. ‘What I thought? About you and Warren?’

Shaxx made a non-committal sound.

‘I don't think anything.’ Then, sensing that Shaxx wanted more than that, he asked, 'Is it serious?’

Shaxx shrugged. ‘We see each other all the time, just around. In the Tower. Down the Brew.’ When she came in from the dangerous bloody missions Zavala and the other Vanguard kept sending her on. Those missions were the worst because he could hear the comms from where he stood and he was both jealous of and anxious for her.

‘Then take care of each other. That’s all there is to it, old friend.’ But something about Zavala’s face as he turned away made Shaxx feel like he resented the question, and he watched his fellow Titan walk away feeling puzzled.

Shaxx scowled. Take care of Alex? That was vague and unhelpful. How the fuck was he supposed to do that?

Thank you for reading! If Zavala seemed grumpy it's because he's got his own things to deal with, but that's a friend's unwritten story and a bit of an inside joke for us ;) I'll put a bit more into the final part of this story and link hers when she gets to writing it.

[greenslime69]

A Fighter and A God (Pt. 3)

A/N: Not too happy with the length of this part, but I’m happy with the content c:

This fic is also on my AO3

And you can support me here too (if you like)

Summary: You’re a fighter on Sakaar with the power to teleport over short distances (similar to movie!Nightcrawler) and Loki takes an interest in you.

Pairing: Eventual Loki x Reader

Pt. 1 / Pt. 2 / Pt. 3 / Pt. 4 / Pt. 5

Loki’s POV

So he’d been an idiot. Only thinking about himself. As usual. It was very rare that he actually liked a person and even rarer that a person could actually tolerate him, let alone be genuinely nice to him. And he had completely screwed it up; he complained about his life when hers must be so much worse. 

He had decided not to talk to her, thinking she’d be happier without him even trying, but he still watched her intently from the viewing room every time she fought. She had taken to wearing the dress she wore at the bar with him under her armour, even though it was now torn and dirty.

“She still looks stunning,” is a hindering thought his brain provided as he made his way to the viewing room for her next match. His eyebrows noticeably drew together in puzzlement at this.

He walks past the girl with a plastered on smile in a skimpy outfit (who seems to be a permanent fixture in this room) and sits on the stupidly long white couch once again just as the Grandmaster announces Switchblade to the crowd. On the other side of the ring is ‘Titane’, a large woman whose flesh appears to be made of something shiny and completely solid. (Y/N) sizes up her opponent. She then disappears and reappears behind the other fighter, using the large hammer she had chosen as the nights weapon to knock the woman’s legs out from under her. Or at least she tries to. Whatever her opponent was made out of was unaffected by the impact. (Y/N)’s force behind the swing sends the smaller woman stumbling backwards. Titane tries to use this moment to attack her but Switchblade quickly composes herself and flashes back to the other side of the arena floor. The two go round in circles for a while. Neither is able to hurt the other, Titane being too strong and Switchblade being too quick. Loki hears the Grandmaster sigh at the other end of the couch and watches as he displays his boredom by throwing his head back and sinking down into his seat. “Nothing is happening!” He exclaims in frustration, “hey you,” he clicks his fingers at the uninterested guard stood next to him, “get me the…” He flaps his hand around before deciding on the word “thing.” Loki turns his attention back to the fight to see (Y/N) being flung through the air, but she flashes out of existence then reappears safely stood on the ground across from Titane. Switchblade begins to charge at her opponent again but stops in her tracks at the centre of the floor. She screams in pain and shock before dropping her weapon and falling to the floor, shaking. Loki immediately stands up, extreme worry plaguing his features. Titane laughs as she walks towards (Y/N)’s twitching body. He hears a giggle from the couch. “Ah, that’s more like it,” says the Grandmaster with a grin. Loki looks at him in confusion. “She can’t defend herself!” He shouts. He looks back at the arena to see the larger woman kicking (Y/N) across the floor, “she’ll kill her…” He says quietly. The Grandmaster shrugs. “I made it not boring,” he smiles and Loki notices him twirling something small and gold in his hands. His eyes narrow. “W…what do you mean 'you made it…’?” The dark haired man grits his teeth. He takes a couple of strides to stand in front of the Grandmaster and pulls a dagger from somewhere on his person, placing the blade against the other man’s neck. Multiple guns and other weapons point at the paler man but he doesn’t pay them any mind. The Grandmaster lets out a small laugh. “Alright, alright,” he gestured for the others in the room to lower their weapons and held the gold device out for Loki, “I didn’t realise anyone would care for a fighter’s life,” He laughs again. Loki scowls and snatches the device, turning back to the fight. (Y/N) is on the floor, bloody and beaten and still unable to move. Titane is circling her body and the crowd are cheering for the solid woman. She has (Y/N)’s hammer in her hands. Loki hurriedly fumbles with the gold device as Titane prepares to swing the weapon down on the body in front of her. The device makes a noise and a flash from the arena soon follows. The hammer collides with the ground and (Y/N) reappears stumbling towards her door. “Open the door for her.” He demands of no one in particular. Behind him the Grandmaster repeats the demand to one of his guards, bitterness obvious in his voice. Loki watches as (Y/N) falls to her hands and knees before she can reach the door. He watches her cough up blood as the door opens. He watches as there’s another flash and she is gone.

“She needs medical attention,” Loki says, fiercely. The Grandmaster glares at him.

“…fine.” he grunts, He waves a hand at the guards, “go… get her and take her to… whatever.” The extravagant man slumps in his seat, sulking.

Loki follows one of the guards as they grab a few assistants that he assumes have some sort of medical training. The group of them then head down to where the fighters are housed. He sees them pull (Y/N) out. Her injuries look so much worse up close and she seems barely conscious, her eyes half closed and mouth slack.

He wears a blank expression as they carry her back up to what he guesses is some sort of hospital area. He doesn’t follow them in there, instead returning to his own room. As soon as the door is closed he sinks to the floor, breathing heavily.

He didn’t know what it was, but he couldn’t lose her.

Tag list: @first-name-last-name @crofting-through-tombs (shoot me an ask if you want to be tagged in future updates!)

[darling-blurbs]

Why Aren’t You Scared of Me? Chapter 1

rSummary: While everyone prepares for the exam, Esther watches her friends hard-work while doing her own. The day of the exam surprises everyone. Class 1A stuff happens too.

Disclaimer: All warnings and all the info you need to know is on my Masterlist which can be found in my description. Also I write these chapters between 12am-5am so the writing is shit.

Esther was walking with her big brothers when she heard some grunting near the beach. She paused her walking and turned her body to see Izuku cleaning the beach. 

“He is doing well Toshi,” Esther said as All Might walked up from behind her. “You don’t need to worry about his abilties and you know this.” She turned to stare at her best friend. 

“I am not-” Toshinori Yagi sighed. “Fine. You know why I am worried, you don’t need to look into my head to see why I am scared.” 

Esther hummed as she looked back at Izuku. She snapped her fingers as her cloak’s hood dissappeared. She jumped down in front of Izuku, scaring him. “B-Bunny! W-what are you doing here?” He looked everywhere except at her.

“You know, you can make this so much easier on yourself if you want his quirk,” Esther said bluntly. 

Izuku choked at that, “H-how?” He looked behind her to see Yagi shake his head and chuckle. 

“Esther is an old friend. I have known her since she was 4,” Yagi said. By then, Esther’s brothers already have left.

“H-Huh?! Why didn’t you tell me? That explains so much...” Izuku went back to his muttering until he was smacked in the back of the head by his friend. “Bunny...”

“I have to leave as Kacchan needs someone who can actually attack him. I would stay longer but my own quirks need help.” Esther muttered the last part to herself as she walked away after hugging Izuku and waving at the pair.

“W-what just happened?” Izuku muttered as he sweat-dropped.

-

“You are doing it wrong,” Katsuki jumped at the sound behind him.

“HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET INTO MY HOUSE?!” Katsuki screamed. 

“Your mother let me in and can you stop screaming. Izuku already gave me a headache,” Esther mumbled as she tried to rub the headache out of her forehead. 

“You went to see him before me?!” Katsuki growled. 

Esther shrugged. “It was on the way. He was, like, training on the beach or some shit...” Esther yawned and faceplanted onto Katsuki’s bed. “I’m tired.”

“We have like a week until the exams and your tired?! We haven’t even started fighting yet!”

Esther lifted her head to glare at Katsuki and mumbled something before lifting herself up. “Fucking fine then you asshole. Let’s go to my house and use that field.” Katsuki flushed at the though of going to her house with no one there. The only thing Katsuki knew of her family was- nothing really. 

“Nevermind. I think at least half of my brothers are home and they might murder you if they see you.” Katsuki sweat-dropped.

-

All-in-all, Esther didn’t train for shit. She just slept in the entire summer and didn’t train at all. 

“You sure you are ready?” Apollo, the greek god of sun and some other things, asked his younger sister.

“You have your jacket right? I don’t want guys to look at you with what you are wearing,” Kronos, Titan of Time, said bluntly. 

Esther wore a black training bra and black short-shorts. Her jacket was more like a cape that landed at her feet where her knee black boots were. It had a hood on it as well. (It looks like this , It’s also her hero costume as well as her training outfit)

Esther rolled her eyes. “Bye guys.”

-

Esther walked up to the school and say Izuku trip and blush at a girl. It was true that he blushed at talking to any girl, even Esther whom he have known since they were 5.

Katsuki appeared next to her as he glared at everyone which was normal.

Shit. What if I don’t get in? People are gonna be disapointed in me, even that old hag.

Esther grabbed Katsuki’s hand and rubbed his hand, which made him jump and look down at the small girl. “It will be fine. You will be the Number 1 Hero and you will surpass All Might.” Esther looked up at Katsuki with a closed eye smiled which made him look the other way with tinted cheeks. 

“Ya. I know.” 

“Kacchan. You don’t know what my quirk is but the one think is I can tell when you lie. I’ll be more honest with you I promise.” Esther said as they walked into the auditiorm. Esther sat right next to Katsuki as they listen to the test.

Some guy asks a question and then says something and Izuku’s muttering making Esther perk up. 

“Well, Mr. Stick up your ass, maybe if you took your stick out you might see that he is nervous,” Esther mumbles making Katsuki snort and try to clear that up with a cough. 

-

Esther stands at the mock arena. She goes to Izuku, who seems to be in the same one as her but see that boy again. Esther snaps her fingers making her appear in between the two boys. 

“Hello again, Mr. Stick up your ass. I don’t think picking out others flaws is the best hero flaw,” Esther hissed. The dude was shocked. “Maybe you see someone’s actions before nitpicking everything. You fucking remind me of my late mother and that isn’t a good thing.” 

Esther turns her back to the male who seemed speechless. “Are you alright Broccoli?” 

“Oh! Bunny? I didn’t know you were also competing?” Izuku had an obvious blush on his face from his best friend’s outfit. 

A strong START!! Is sounded as Esther waves at Izuku before letting her wings appear.

As the other participants look at awe at the wings, she lifts off and flies into the arena and slams down making the arena have a dark black fog appear that seemed to slow the robots as well as other as she goes into the fog after winking at the participats.

-

The fog cleared after a half hour as Esther wasn’t that mean. She already had the most points. She knew this as Toshi told her to stop before no one had any robots to fight. So instead of fighting robots, she sat on a building with her wings lying behind her. She kept her eyes on her best friend before she saw a girl who she remembered was the gravity girl. Izuku ran at the 0 pointer. 

“Red!” Esther’s eyes flash red as her dragon-like wings erupt from her back. She caught Izuku and laid him down on the ground. The gravity girl looked hurt.

“Hell Raiser!” Fire everywhere made the robots crimple in the fire as Red as well as Esther’s anger burned through the arena. She crept towards the female and sat in front of her and wrapped her arms around her, making her black blood seep into the female’s skin and cure her of her cuts and burns. 

Red left as she finished fixing the female. The female woke up a little to see Esther eyes change from blood red to their normal icy blue before she fell as well as Esther, who cushioned the fall. 

-

Esther walked into UA and slid open the door to class 1A. It wasn’t a surprise that she got a bunch of points as she saved many people as well as destroyed a bunch of robots. She say that Katsuki got second while Izuku also got in, thanks to her as well as the Gravity girl. 

She took notice of the young female as well as that dick who were talking to Izuku. Esther hummed as she walked past them and slumped onto the desk in front of Katsuki and slammed her head onto her desk. 

She could hear the gruff voice of Aiwaza as he said something. Esther lifted her head from her desk when she felt multiple eyes on her. 

She yawned as she got up from her desk and rubbed the fogginess from her eyes. She heard a much of muttering as she got a PE uniform and walked to the female lockers. 

“Hey! You got first didn’t you?” A pink colored alien person looked at Esther as she took off her shirt. “I’m Mina Ashido! I saw that you saved two people at once! What is your quirk? Do you have two?” Mina kept talking as Esther half-listened. 

The girl that Esther deemed Gravity female up until this point tapped Esther on the shoulder as she put on her PE Shirt. “I want to thank you! I already thanked Midoriya but I never had the chance to thank you! Whatever you gave me helped a lot!” 

“It’s called Black Blood...” Esther mumbled as she put on her shoes. 

“H-Huh?!” MIna said. “What kind of name is that?” 

Esther stood up and left the locker room to go to the field. 

-

“Since Esther got first with more points than anyone has ever gotten since forever, she shall show us what to do,” Aizawa said as gave her a ball. “How much did you get in middle school?”

“I have no clue. Maybe like 50 meters I guess?” She said.

“Try now with your quirk,” Esther shrugged as she grabbed it. She turned to look at Aizawa to learn which quirk. “Either one is fine. Just don’t make Red scare everyone.”

The class were confused until Esther looked at the field and closed her eyes. She opened them again for them to be Red. She kissed the ball and then threw it. 

The ball flew up until no one could see it. Esther lifted her hand as the ball came back down. Her eyes were still closed as the ball that was erupting into fire landed into her hand. Aiwaza turned the thing around to show In One thousand meters. Esther opened her eyes to show they were red with a smirk before she blinked and they turned back to blue. 

“That is so cool!” Rookie mistake from a classmate. 

“The person who gets last will get expelled.” Aiwaza said. 

That might be the biggest lie I have ever heard.

Aizawa turned to Esther after she said that. 

-

Test 1: 50 Meter Dash

Esther watched as everyone ran. She yawned as she watched everyone run. People were scared of her, she thought to herself. The actually reason no one was talking to her was that she just was so... her. Like she looked like a hero.

“Eijiro Kirishima vs Esther Osoro” Esther walked over to the line as she looked at the red head. 

“You look like Red Riot. Is that a thing?” Esther said spooking Eijiro. 

“H-how did you know?” Esther shrugged. 

“Your thoughts are too loud.” Esther stated as the start was said. 

Esther winked before her white wings appeared on her back, ripping her school uniform. The class was in awe of the beautiful sight. Esther knew she could just teleport but she also knew that she would get under 1 sec and that would not be very fair. She landed at 2.01 seconds. Faster than the engine asshole. 

Esther felt multiple gazes on her wings as they folded back into her back, letting people see the scars that litter Esther’s body, some new and some old. 

-

Test 2: Grip Strength

Esther didn’t know what the fuck she was doing. She gripped the thing and got a few kilograms. She shrugged before going to the next test.

-

Test 3: Standing Long Jump

You can guess.

-

Test 4: Repeated Side Step

“What the hell? Are you shitting me?” Esther mumbled as she watched a guy in the between of two grapes go back and forth.

Esther stood there glaring at the ground before she just used her main quirk, fear, to create a kangaroo to do the jumping for her while she slept in the pocket of it. 

“How is she already tired?!” She heard them exclaim.

-

Test 5: Ball Throw

Since she and Katsuki already did it (He did it as an example after her), Esther stood next to Katsuki as they watched people throw the ball. 

“If Midoriya continues like this, he will get expelled.” The Mr. Stick up my ass said.

“He is quirkless, he can’t do shit!” Katsuki countered. Esther placed a hand on Katsuki’s shoulder. 

“Kacchan, we both know that isn’t true,” Esther responded as Katsuki calmed down right when she put her hand on his shoulder. 

Aizawa used his quirk and said something. “Shouta, Isn’t that a bit mean to question someone like that?” Esther said when Aizawa put Izuku down. 

Aizawa shurgged as he walked back. “I gave your quirk back.”

Izuku used his quirk as Esther looked over at Yagi at the edge of the building. Esther winked at her best friend as well as parent figure and she turned back around to see everyone talking about Izuku’s quirk. 

-

Katsuki is held back by Aiwaza’s scarf. 

“What the fuck?” Esther said. “Why are you fighting again?” 

“This happens everyday?” The gravity girl says. “How do you know?”

“Well, I have known them since I was 5 so I guess you could say that they are childhood friends,” Esther says, turning to the girl. “What is your name?”

“Oh! I am Ochaco Uraraka!” Ochaco says with a smile. 

“Can I call you Ura? I am not good with names...” Esther mumbled as she dropped her head. 

She heard a bunch of awes. Esther looked like a bunny, note the nickname bunny that Izuku calls her. 

“Ya, you can!” Esther lifted her head and sent a smile her way. First time she smiled and she already has the whole class’ hearts.

-

The results... Esther got first while Izuku got last.

“By the way, the expelling was a lie.”

“Didn’t you guess know that? It was pretty obvious- I remembered that no one else in this class has mind-reading quirks.” Esther says.

-

Esther walks out of school. The sky was a mix of orange and pink, making Esther glow from the light. 

“Hey!” a female voice catches her attention. She turns around to see Ura with Izuku and the guy with the stick up his ass. 

“Hey Ura, Broccoli and guy with a stick up your ass!” Esther says with a smile. “I was about to find Kacchan but I guess I can talk a bit.”

“Kacchan?” “That’s not my name!”

“Kacchan is Katsuki. Izuku gave him that name, it just stuck,” Esther says.

“You call Midoriya by his first name? Isn’t that uncultured?” Mr. Stick up his ass asked. 

“I-I’m fine with it Iida!” Izuku said, waving his hands in front of his face. 

“So your last name is Iida? I know your brother but at this point which Pro-Hero do I not know,” Esther said as she tilted her head and closing her eyes in thought. “Ah! Your name is Tenya! Your brother talks about you a bunch when I see him.” 

Esther’s phone beeps and she sees Katsuki is calling. She picks it up. 

“Ya Kacchan. I’m still at school.” 

“No, I’m not with Broccoli.”

“You can just wait longer you impatient swine.”

“Okie, I’m coming now them before you explode that kid’s head off.”

Esther clicked the end button. “Well, I have to go before Katsuki murders someone.”

Esther waved as she walked away.

“Why didn’t you talk to her Midoriya? Didn’t you want to ask about her quirk?” Iida turned to see Izuku shaking with sweat pouring down.

“Are you alright?” Ura asked with concern.

“S-she is so cool... I wished I had half the confidence Katsuki had,” Izuku said as he fell over.

---

Author:

So I only did like half of episode 6 but it is enough for me! This is Esther’s name for everyone:

Mina

Ura

Broccoli/Izuku

Kacchan/Explody Dork/Katsuki

Mr. Stick up your/his ass

Kiri

She knows like no one else in her class but people are gonna be talking to her so be ready for that!

[enterinit]

F1 2019 and other games coming to Xbox One this week

F1 2019 and other games coming to Xbox One this week. Car Mechanic Simulator (June 25, 2019) Car Mechanic Simulator challenges players to repair, paint, tune and drive cars. Find classic, unique cars in the new Barn Find module and Junkyard module. Build and expand your repair service empire in this incredibly detailed and highly realistic simulation game, where attention to car detail is astonishing. All this with new, photorealistic graphics. Featuring more cars (48), more tools (10+), more options and more parts (1000+) than ever before. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work! Car Mechanic Simulator also includes car auctions where old cars are available for resale or purchased for your collection. Game’s infinite number of randomly generated missions will keep you more than busy (and dirty). Each mission offers its own unique challenge of varying difficulty and time constraints to meet. If additional and extra tools are needed, they available for purchase. You can eventually upgrade your garage to include specific equipment such as lacquer sprayer or a parts warehouse. Features: 48 cars to get your hands dirty withOver 10 tools to help you check out carsMore than 1000 parts waiting for youStart from a small workshop and upgrade it to a full sized 3-lifter gemMix of randomly generated jobs to fulfillBarn Finds, where you search for abandoned cars in barns - make sure to look there for partsJunkyard (scavenge for parts and rusty cars)Advanced Upgrades System (level up and spend your points to upgrades)Path Test to test car suspensionTest Track to test car condition (or just fool around)Race Track to test car performanceCar Auctions where you can compete with other bidders and try to outbid themCar Paint Shop with different paint types and car liveries (or you can just paint one part to save money)Endless gameplayMultilevel car parking in which you can store you cars Samurai Shodown (June 25, 2019) SAMURAI REBOOT! A brand new SAMURAI SHODOWN game takes aim for the world stage! SAMURAI SHODOWN has enjoyed worldwide success as a blade-wielding fighting game series since its first release in 1993. 11 years have passed since the last series installment, and it is now time for SAMURAI SHODOWN to return in a brand-new game featuring high-end visuals and gameplay! Faithfully reproducing the game mechanics and atmosphere that contributed to the success of the series, SAMURAI SHODOWN includes a revolutionary feature that learns players’ game actions and patterns in order to create CPU-controlled “ghost” characters. With its story set one year before the very first installment, warriors and combatants from various backgrounds and with their own goals are about to battle to fulfill their destinies! Carrying on the Legacy The new game aims to bring the same tense and exhilarating battles that the series is known for. Intense and epic battles are back!Evolving the Presentation Using the power of UNREAL® ENGINE 4, the series is able to achieve a level of detail never before seen for a totally new visual experience!A Revolutionary new AI system Using revolutionary Deep Learning AI, the game will learn from player tactics and create Ghost characters which players around the globe can share and fight against. Monster Jam Steel Titans (June 25, 2019) Real Trucks. Real Action. Monster Jam! Monster Jam Steel Titans delivers the complete Monster Jam experience for everybody to enjoy! All the trucks, stunts, stadiums, racing and massive air in one game!Play in various game modes including Stadium and outdoor Racing, various Stunt Challenges and Destruction modes! Drive a MONSTER! Compete with 25 of the most popular trucks including Grave Digger and Max-D!Total destruction including breaking body panels, deforming junker cars as well as demolishing the environment!Perform your favorite stunts! Bicycles, Stoppies, Moonwalks, Walk Its, Cyclones, Pogos, Power Outs and Back-Flips!Hear the roar of huge crowds inside 12 stadiums packed with fans on your road to the Monster Jam World Finals!Explore and smash through the environment in a Massive Outdoor World! - Train just like your favorite Monster Jam pro driver at Monster Jam University! We. The Revolution (June 25, 2019) We. The Revolution is a unique game with a singular art style set in the blood-soaked and paranoid world of the French Revolution, where often you could not tell a friend from an enemy. As a judge of the Revolutionary Tribunal, you will pass sentences and play a dangerous political game. At the end of a day you will also confront your decisions with your family. The power over human life and death is a heavy burden that can affect the fate of the revolution. Keep that in mind each time when passing sentence in the courtroom, while assigning tasks to your agents, and weaving political intrigue. We. The Revolution is addressed chiefly to players who enjoy moral dilemmas, complex personal choices, and want to immerse themselves in the world of sophisticated intrigue. We. The Revolution puts players in morally ambiguous situations in which there are no obvious solutions, and the decisions they make are never clear cut. Features: Experience the oppressive atmosphere of the French Revolution as you’ve come to know it from the classic novels of Alexandre Dumas and Joseph ConradPreside dozen of unique and morally ambiguous court cases.Run your own courtroom – question witnesses, analyze clues and evidence, read reports, and pass sentences.Confront your judgments with your family.Make friends and enemies of different rival factions vying for power. Make them your associates or make them disappear!Engage in a mix of genres, blending case-building with intrigue-crafting and turn-based tactics. Shadow Fencer Theater (June 26, 2019) Shadow Fencer Theatre is the competitive awkward physics sword fighting game set in the world of shadow puppets. Take center stage with a unique cast of characters and make your way to become a Grandmaster of the theatre. Perform solo or battle a friend in a veritable variety show of game modes and skits. Whether you are a one-puppet show or sharing the stage, above all else, show the world you are the best performer on the shadowy screen. Acting 101: Be sure to point the pointy end away from you and towards your opponent. When all else fails, just do a cheeky sword throw. Features: Single player and local two player fencing combat!Story - Find out what it takes to keep a last-of-it’s-kind shadow puppet theatre in business.Marathon - Survive the gauntlet and become a Grandmaster.Improv - Quick play by yourself or with a friend, selecting the cast, stage and direction of the shadowy fight. Direct the Improv fights with a selection of gameplay variations, limits and more.Skits - a proverbial vaudeville of mini-games set to delight and distract.Over 16 selectable characters! Robots, Giraffes, Pirates and more! An eclectic cast so big we needed a larger dressing room!8 Unique Stages! Behold the power of paper cutouts on sticks and string, and their uncanny ability to set the stage and tell a story. The magic of the theatre!Original Soundtrack! A collection of musical notes played specifically for this game! Attack of the Toy Tanks (June 26, 2019) War is coming whether you’re ready for it or not soldier! In Attack of the Toy Tanks, across the game’s 60 levels in the main campaign, players must take control of the provided vehicle of war and battle it out across different arenas and be the last tank standing. Just in case the AI controlled threat doesn’t offer up enough of a challenge, you can always check out the multiplayer mode and go head to head against a friend. Must warn you though, it’s not just the heavy artillery you will need to avoid as there is also a range of devastating obstacles that can KO’ you upon impact. Features: 60 levels with increasing difficultyArena based gameplay2 Player Battle Mode Outbreak: Lost Hope (June 26, 2019) Experience a mother's desperate search for her daughter in the midst of a nation-wide epidemic. Taking place in the Outbreak universe by Dead Drop Studios, this story follows Gwen just after her harrowing escape from an urban center during the outbreak. A terrible accident causes her to get separated from her daughter Hope and she has to fight the undead to survive... and save her daughter. Outbreak: Lost Hope is the next title in the Outbreak series. Built new from the ground up and featuring all-new over the shoulder survival horror gameplay. With greater control, comes greater threats as you fight through monstrous hordes, desperately search for supplies, solve puzzles and ultimately make your way through this nightmare. You, and your daughter, only have one life - can you survive the nightmare and save her? Features: True Survival Horror: Classic gameplay plays homage to the past.OTS: Claustrophobic over-the-shoulder gameplay enhances the fear.Story Mode: Experience Gwen's nightmare as she searches for her daughter.Onslaught Mode: Bonus mode where you scrounge and survive against the undead.Fight or Flee: Engage threats directly or run for your life.Incapacitate: Knock down your foes and escape before they reanimate.Explore: Search areas and read logs to find keys and solve puzzles to survive.Progress: Saving is limited and restricted. Find floppy disks to record your progress.Storage: Manage your limited inventory by finding and storing items in caches.Backpack: Find rucksacks to increase the size of your inventory.Difficult: Play across multiple crippling difficulty modes.Defense: Utilize numerous firearms and melee weapons against the undead. War Tech Fighters (June 27, 2019) Travelling across the galaxy, the rebel colonies of Hebos and Ares join forces to battle against the Zatros empire with the deadliest weapons ever built – War Techs. Taking space combat to a whole new level, War Techs are giant mechs that combine cold precision and state of the art technology in the battlefields of space. War Tech Fighters is a space action game that combines the spectacular action of Japanese Anime with Hollywood Blockbusters. Configure, upgrade and customize your War Tech and dive into battle to fight back the Zatronian forces and save your galaxy! Features: MechsCustomizationUpgradesFinishing MovesFirst Person ShooterThird Person ShooterAction Adventure The Sinking City (June 27, 2019) The Sinking City is an adventure and investigation game set in an open world inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of Horror. The half-submerged city of Oakmont is gripped by supernatural forces. You're a private investigator, and you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the city… and the minds of its inhabitants. Features: An oppressive atmosphere and story inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft. - A vast open world that can be explored on foot, by boat, in a diving suit…High replay value thanks to an open investigation system: each case can be solved in a number of ways, with different possible endings depending on your actions. An arsenal of weapons from the 1920s with which to take on nightmarish creatures. F1 2019 (June 27, 2019) F1® 2019 features all the official teams, drivers and all 21 circuits from the 2019 season. This year sees the inclusion of F2™ with players being able to complete the 2018 season with the likes of George Russell, Lando Norris and Alexander Albon. With greater emphasis on graphical fidelity, the environments have been significantly enhanced, and the tracks come to life like never before. Night races have been completely overhauled creating vastly improved levels of realism and the upgraded F1® broadcast sound and visuals add further realism to all aspects of the race weekend. Features: THE OFFICIAL VIDEOGAME OF THE 2019 FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™RISE UP AGAINST YOUR RIVALSNEW - F2™ career opening – establish your reputation and defeat your rivals before stepping up into the F1® Championship.NEW - Customise your own livery and lead the pack in weekly challenges or in online leagues. Test yourself against the very best in the dedicated F1® Esports area.IMPROVED - Replay and share your finest moments with the new automated race highlights feature, while stunning new night lighting and official F1® branding add even more realism. Furwind (June 27, 2019) A colorful, pixel art style, action-platformer that evokes the challenging classics of the genre. Embark on this epic adventure in which a little fox will fight the ominous darkness that is invading its world. Darhûn, who was caged for eras, has been released from his captivity and is ready to take the dark and madness to the forest. ​Furwind, a young inhabitant of Moontail, is not aware that soon will go to one of the biggest and most dangerous adventures of his life.​ Irony Curtain: From the Matryoshka with Love (June 28, 2019) Take a look behind Irony Curtain in this satirical point-and-click inspired by the best works of LucasArts and Daedalic Entertainment! Experience the totalitarian Matryoshka through the eyes of Evan – a low-ranking, goofy journalist involuntarily pulled right into the middle of an espionage stand-off between two powers. Jump into the wacky spy adventure, uncover secrets of the bizarre communist country (and the powerful capitalist empire!), witness a story full of unpredictable twists and turns, and discover the true agenda of the mysterious Supreme Leader! What business might the loving father of the Matryoshkan nation have with a lowly, capitalistic pen-pusher? Why suddenly lift the Irony Curtain and welcome a stranger into Matryoshka? And why is there an alligator in the middle of the bathroom?! Features: An original setting: fictional Cold War era – alternate reality unbound by historical accuracy.Inspired by classic adventure games – but better. No dream-logic, no pixel hunting. No-nonsense. Pure point and click fun.The Spy Intrigue – sleeper spies, stolen secrets and world-domination plots wrapped up in layers of humor.Quirky characters – Meet the mysterious Leader ruling Matryoshka with an irony fist, the clueless and guilible Evan, the brave and witty Agent Anna and the notorious Minister of Propaganda... Do it your way – some of the puzzles are non-linear and can be solved in two or more different ways. 21 hand-painted locations – that look surprisingly better than their original inspirations. 1,951 cleverly sneaked-in easter eggs – some of them punishable by political imprisonment. Music score as grand as Matryoshka itself - music by the state composer Arkadiusz Reikowski (Layers of Fear, My Brother Rabbit) with Main Theme by Peter McConnell (Monkey Island, Grim Fandango).Full voice-over – 5534 lines of text in English, and subtitles in Polish and German.A 5-year plan – that no one ever hoped to achieve, and neither should you.  Read the full article

[aeon-wolf]

Betrayal - Chapter 7

Now that Lena has joined her father and the Titans against the Gods, her loyalties made clear. Her betrayal of all she once held dear haunts her every day. But she made her choice and as the war between the Gods and Titans draws near, Lena’s allegiances will be put to the test. Does she help bring about the end of the reign of the Gods? Or will her love for Kara Danvers and the friendships she made along the way be enough to stop the daughter of Hyperion.

Or

A PJO inspired Supercorp series. Part Two: Betrayal.

Read it here on AO3

I.

Lena grunted as she was thrown to the floor, back smashing against the stone floor. She felt a heavy boot place itself on her breastplate as she looked up at Krios. She snarled at the older Titan. He just gave her a sneer, pressing his foot harder against her chest. Lena knew if she had been human, she would certainly have been crushed under the force her was using. As it was, she would only be bruised in the morning. Nothing that she hadn’t endured countless times before.

Unfortunately for her uncle, he had neglected to restrain her arms. So she flicked out one of the built-in knives in her suit, stabbing it into a chink in his armor. Krios yelled out in pain, lifting his foot off of her, allowing Lena to scramble off the floor, grabbing the sword she had let go of to stab him. She turned to see Krios’ hard gaze. Her own eyes narrowed as she let her fire course through her body, a familiar heat running down her arms to her hands. The fire essence in her swords coming to life and crackling with a dangerous red fire.

Krios gripped his two-handed sword tighter as Lena approached slowly. And she suddenly attacked with a ferocity to rival her father. Her adrenaline pumping as both her swords clashed with Krios’ blade, sparks flying from the impact. Sweat dripped down Lena’s forehead as she used her formidable strength to push against Krios’ blade. The Titan himself frowned as he fought against her strength.

He was rather easily able to force her back, he was about to advance on her when Hyperion stepped in. “That’s enough.” He said firmly. Krios stopped his movements, stepping away from Lena. Hyperion moved from where he was watching the two fight into the center of the arena. “Leave us.” He said to Krios. He nodded, nodding slightly in approval to Lena before leaving the father and daughter alone.

“I expect you to fight with the same ferocity against those halfbloods you once called friends.” He said dangerously. Lena’s eyes narrowed at his insinuation. The last few weeks Hyperion had been rather overbearing during their training sessions. He was constantly reminding her that Kara and her friends were against the Titans and therefore against her. She always nodded in understanding, but deep down, she refused to believe it. To a degree at least. She knew Kara would certainly not approval of the person she had become, but she fought to hold on to the idea that Kara had forgotten about her entirely as her father suggested. James had told her otherwise. Kara was still hung up on her.

That thought was one of the few things still fueling Lena. A couple of weeks after her promotion to ground commander had been rough on the rest of the halfbloods. She had personally overseen their progression alongside her father. She knew she had at least scared them all into submission. She recalled the exact moment like it was yesterday.

II.

"And why should we follow you? I know who you are. Lena Luthor. You spent what? A couple of months at Demos before claiming your cushy leadership role just because your father is Hyperion?” Lena narrowed her eyes at the rather idiotic halfblood in front of her. It was the first day her promotion had been announced to the troops. Their scores of monsters knew how formidable Lena was. Many had witnessed her power and strength first hand. The halfbloods on the other hand… Only a couple of them had actually fought her. But any of the halfbloods that had been with the Titans for more than a year knew that Lena wasn’t to be messed with. But this one was obviously fresh meat.

She glanced at her father who had a protective, angry look in his eyes, staring down the halfblood but making no comment or move. These were Lena’s future troops. It was up to her to earn their respect. “Don’t presume to know what I’ve been through.” She said icily. She noticed in the corner of her eye, a gleeful look coming from Roulette, watching the exchange. No doubt the daughter of Hermes was hoping to see Lena put the stupid halfblood in his place. “Grab your sword and stand up.” She said dangerously. A look of fear passed quickly over his face before it changed to that of pride and arrogance. Lena internally shook her head. She was looking forward to forcing him into submission.

He grabbed a rather shiny short sword and a mid-sized shield, standing from his seat and moving towards Lena. The dark haired woman fought to roll her eyes but drew her own swords. She noticed a few of the older halfbloods shift uncomfortably in their seats, knowing what was about to come next. She turned her full attention to the halfblood in front of her. “What’s your name?” She asked coldly. He puffed out his chest a little bit.

“Ben.” He said proudly. “Son of Hephaestus.” Lena raised an eyebrow. One of Winn’s brothers. Interesting.

“Well Ben, if you think you don’t owe me your respect, I’ll show you why I’m not to be messed with.” She said cooly. Ben raised his shield in anticipation of her attack. Sloppily leaving his right side exposed she also noted just from a once over. She shook her head. They had a lot of work to do if some of these pathetic halfbloods were going to be ready to fight a war in a couple of weeks.

Lena darted forward, faking towards his left, protected side. He went to block her blade before she immediately switched her position, slamming the flats of her blades into his unprotected side. He grunted in pain as she stepped back quickly and hit him with the hilt of her blade right between his eyes. The halfblood yelled out in pain, clutching his now bleeding nose, his sword clattering to the ground. “Pathetic.” She spat. “Does anyone else want to question me?” She asked dangerously to the group. None of them spoke.

III.

The next couple of weeks had been brutal on many of the halfbloods. Some, like Roulette, had shown their mastery of combat and gotten through the weeks rather easily. Some, like Ben, had struggled greatly and earned some personal time with Hyperion. Lena had caught a glimpse of a few of them who returned from their time with him clutching what looked like bruised ribs and numerous cuts. She did not envy those that had to spend time with her father. She knew first hand of his cruelty and although some of these halfbloods were weaklings, would never wish that on anyone.

By the end of the few weeks, most of the halfbloods had been whipped into passable shape to fight alongside their armies against the Gods. And now she stood, listening to Kronos address their war council at their new underground headquarters in National City, just miles from Demos. “We launch our first attack on Demos tomorrow.” He said, sitting back in his chair. He turned his attention to Lena. “You will be leading a portion of our troops to judge their strength.” He said. “I expect we will retreat from his battle. I want to know the strength of their army. The Gods still hide on Olympus and from our spies, do not send additional aid to the halfbloods.” Lena frowned but nodded.

“Of course.” She said, standing stiffly. “How much of our forces will be deployed?” She questioned.

“A few squads of Dracaena, a quarter of our halfbloods, a pack of hellhounds and a few telekhines," Kronos responded. Lena nodded curtly. She could make do with that. It would be enough to launch the first attack. Especially if they had the element of surprise she expected.

“And their defenses?” She asked.

“Taken care of. Maxwell Lord will lower their defenses on our signal.” Hyperion interjected.

Lena nodded in acknowledgment. “If that is all…” She trailed off, silently asking to be dismissed. Kronos nodded.

“You are dismissed. And Lena. Failure is not an option. Your loyalty is to us. You would do best to remember that.” He said coldly. Lena’s back stiffened slightly but she just bowed slightly, not allowing herself to relax as she left their presence. As the doors shut on the war room behind her, she allowed herself to relax a little bit, heading over to their training areas, wanting to oversee her troops for a while. Over the last few weeks, she had come to believe they were ready, most of them at least. And she trusted them to carry her through her first real combat command.

She stopped to watch two halfblood spar, leaning against one of the stone pillars. “Tomorrow huh?” A voice said beside her. Lena jumped a little bit in surprise as Roulette appeared next to her out of seemingly nowhere.

“Fuck. Stop doing that.” Lena protested. “And yes, how did you know that?” She asked the daughter of Hermes. Roulette just shrugged.

“Rumors spread. But your response just confirmed it.” Lena rolled her eyes. “I’m assuming you’re bringing me at least. You can’t lead your first real command of our troops without your best friend, now can you?” Roulette teased. Lena snorted.

“I suppose I could use you.” She relented. Roulette smirked.

“See, I knew you were warming up to the idea.” She said with a wink. Lena rolled her eyes, playfully shoving the other woman.

“I didn’t mean it like that and you know it.” She chuckled. Roulette pouted.

“Well, as I said, the offer still stands if you ever change your mind.” She teased.

“And I told you I’ll keep it in mind. Though I highly doubt I will.” Lena pushed back. Roulette’s offer was the furthest thing from her mind.

“You’re going to see her tomorrow, aren’t you?” Roulette asked suddenly. Lena turned to face the daughter of Hermes.

“Most likely,” Lena admitted softly. “I don’t know if I’m ready.” Roulette put a gentle hand on Lena’s shoulder.

“You are. You’re nothing if not strong Lena. Two years of what you’ve been through prove that. This is nothing. You can do this.” She reassured her commander. Lena shrugged.

“I suppose we’ll find out tomorrow.”

IV.

Lena had a night of restless sleep. Her thoughts keeping her up into the early hours of the morning before finally getting a few hours of uneasy sleep. She rose just before sunrise as she did every morning. She laid awake in bed for a while, staring at the stone ceiling. Today was the day she would come face to face with everything she had left behind. And face the few people that ever had believed in her. And that she had ultimately betrayed.

It took her another fifteen minutes to finally get out of bed. Ever since she had taken her position as commander she was rarely seen among her troops without her armor on, so she removed her sleepwear. She grabbed her belt from its hook on the wall, wrapping it around her waist and pressing her hand on the sun crest on the buckle. Her armor expanded from the belt, covering her body in golden plates, allowing for a durable, but flexible armor. It could deflect most light hits and some heavier and still allow her to be rather agile. She sat on her bed, pulling on her boots before grabbing her swords from a rack on the wall, strapping them to her back.

Lena approached a box she had set on the table, opening it gingerly. Inside lay the dagger Kara had given her, glinting as it caught the ball of light Lena used to light her room. She grabbed the dagger from the box, running her hand along the blade. “I’ll see you again. For the first time in forever.” Lena said to herself before she slid the dagger into a slot in her boot. It wasn’t a perfect fit, but it worked well enough.

She, then, exited her room and headed to their mess hall to grab some food. Most of the halfbloods rarely woke as early as she did so she wasn’t surprised to see the mess hall mostly empty. Lena grabbed a cup of coffee and a bagel, sitting down at an empty table. She picked at the bagel, ripping pieces off and sticking them in her mouth, occasionally sipping from her cup.

“You look like shit.” A rather familiar voice said as some sat next to her. Lena almost groaned.

“I swear, you follow me everywhere,” Lena said, taking a drink.

“Stop deflecting. Not have a good night?” Roulette asked. Lena rolled her eyes.

“What do you think?” Lena said sharply. Roulette just raised her hands in surrender.

“I’m just saying. I don’t want to have to be saving your ass out there today because you want to take a nap.” She jested. Lena just chuckled.

“You won’t have to worry about that. I promise.” Lena said, relaxing a little bit.

“Good, it probably wouldn’t look good if you had to be saved like some damsel in distress.” She teased.

“Kronos and Hyperion would probably have my head, I’m sure,” Lena said.

“Well then, I guess we’ll have to make sure you come back victorious.” Roulette said with a rather dangerous glint in her eyes. Lena knew that look well. And she hated to be any halfblood that had to tangle with Roulette that day.

It's almost here. Next chapter Lena and Kara will come face to face for the first time in two years! Exciting. And probably rather angsty if you're into that. Again, apologies for not updating in a while. Finals, you know? Writing so many essays kind of makes me not want to write fanfiction. But I'm almost finished, so updates should be more frequent again.

I only once over'd this chapter to fix any glaring mistakes that I could catch, so sorry for any errors. It's 1 am and I probably should be asleep, but I wanted to update. Also, I was listening to Warriors by Imagine Dragons when I was writing this chapter, so the chapter is partially inspired by that song. If only because when I listen to music when writing, I unintentionally tend to capture the essence of the song.

Also can I just say: How can Lena and Rhea have more chemistry in 2x19 than Kara and Mon-El have had all season? Well, don't answer that, I know why, but still. Almost depressing.