#and he brings a halberd

[featherhasaface]

Crossing The Stars AU

Since Gala showed up with Meta (as the two of them were never sepreated), he was around to have met Tiff before Tuff even spawned. That being said, he loves babies. He'd never say it out loud but he automatically becomes the fun uncle to every baby he meets.

Of course this leads to her being around Meta Knight a lot, and he ends up becoming her dad anyway.

[swordmaid]

I just finished astarion’s quest …. It was pretty good!! and I like the pacing of his character + their relationship it fits with shri’iia’s story and development so astarion’s her LI now I guess. but omg that fight I had to cheese it 😭 I’m so happy shri’iia is a paladin bc one blinding smite was enough to half health cazador before the fight begun so she just spent the whole time hunting him down and smiting

[itsumikorokotoyomonoko]

both the Dueling Roadrage No as well as a resounding Once everyone learns you Do Not Cut Off His Car he's actually like. an amazing driver like this mans signed up for carpooling and he immediately got 6 stars out of 5.

you think meta knight can drive a car

[ledgends-of-the-stars]

One final thing: the Meta-Knights! We know of Axe and Mace’s personalities, but we don’t have much on Trident and Javelin. So, here’s some head-canons for them!

Javelin is a state of the art Android Model Meta Knight, Sword, and Blade found while venturing around Popstar to locate the perfect base of operations for the (soon to be built) Battleship Halberd.

He started off with being pretty standard as a robot, but over time. He spent time with the other Meta Knights, he has grown exponentially as a person. I feel Javelin, despite not being able to speak standard language is actually quite expressive about how he feels. He is certainly loyal to Sir Meta Knight and follows his command to a T! Javelin can be pretty innocent like a child, finding organic life fascinating! I think he’d have a thing for snails or small creatures and would occasionally bring some crawling all over his armor until Mace shoo them away!

Trident is a Cyborg, still organic in some way, but behaves in a more stoic nearly robotic manner. Despite this, he does have a personality, being dedicated to his job as a fellow Meta-Knight! He’s usually quiet and is very strict to follow orders given and doesn’t like to stray even slightly from them. Usually the one who watches the other Knights to be sure they remain focused. Even though he is very good at his job, he can be quite clumsy and has a tendency to leap ahead before thinking sometimes! He’ll play it off as though he meant to do that. Also he certainly can not swim and will short-circuit if he goes near water!

I’m thinking of how Martian met him and recruited him, but that may come at a later date. I based the clumsiness off of when I played Milkyway Wishes and was approaching the gate to find the Sword Ability, Trident would always leap in to attack Kirby only to end up drowning himself! Lol

[echantedtoon]

Demonstober Day 13 Elf

A supernatural creature of folk tales, typically represented as a small, elusive figure in human form with pointed ears, magical powers, and a capricious nature.

Tagging: @lavenderdropp @six-eyed-samurai @trancylovecraft @shadyd3ar @cherrysuzaku

@nousija @mspurpl3

Remember if you want to be added to the spooktober taglist lemme know

If someone had told him a couple months ago that he would fall in love with the MOST unusual girl that had ever graced his workshop..He'd have told you to never speak such nonsense to him again, probably would have scoffed, told them they were insane, and dismissed it from memory bank forever. Him, a proud master blacksmith of the arts, with a girl like her?? HA! What nonsense...

Or was it?

Not to him right now it wasn't as she kissed him and held his hands and he found himself not fighting against it. What was wrong with him!?

Oh right. ..It started with her walking into his shop.

The sounds of metal clashing against metal rang out loud and clear in the air. The inside of the shop was hot enough to even send a dragon out to drink cold water. Sweat dripped down his body and his lungs heaved from the excessive force of the hammer that he brought up only to bring it back down repeatedly. Hammering the burning orange iron into submission. To be molded and crafted into a perfect halberd for a dwarf client of his. He would've continued to mind his own business if it hadn't been for the beautiful woman who walked in with a smile on her face.

He stopped mid swing hammer in the air as she walked through the opening of his shop and looked at you. Your eyes wondered around the shop and all his tools set up everywhere before looking at him and smiling.

"Good evening. I'm looking for an elvan man by the name of Hatoro Haganezuka?"

"You're looking at him." He grunted lowering his hammer and eyeing you. Noticing the small cloth you carried in your hands. "What do you want?"

"I heard you fixed blades?"

"Yes. What of it?"

"I was hoping you could fix something for me." 

You should have been as beautiful as you were when you smiled and unraveled the cloth in your hands. Revealing a rather puny dagger that was not only rusted but broken in half. Obviously not cared for at all. He felt disgusted at the mistreatment of his and his disgusted face reflected that. Eyeing it before the beautiful maiden who held it up to him.

"What a disgrace. What do you intend for me to do about it?"

"It used to belong to my grandfather but he passed away. This is the only thing I have left of him. Could you please fix this for me?"

He still stared at her beautiful face before scoffing. "I craft actual important things. Weapons for warriors. Beautiful objects that are supposed to be used to defend, hunt, help survive life. Why should I waste my time on a simple dagger?!"

"Please. I'm willing to pay whatever price you want."

Dam her cute face. In the end he reluctantly accepted her request and she gratefully hugged him despite the sweat rolling down his body before leaving him with it.

He felt like he was going crazy wasting his time fixing the puny little thing.

It felt like a two part problem in his mind. On one hand it was as if he was betraying his loyalty to his duty and everything that it stood for by accepting such a measly thing to fix..for falling for such a girl. While on the other hand it was a betrayal of his own emotions for denying his affection for her in the first place. He grew weaker by the day, losing sleep over his inner turmoil. It wasn't long before people started to notice, dark circles appearing under his eyes and his usual scowl deepening as his mood worsened. No one dared to actually ask him what was the matter, but he could feel their concerned stares and worried glances. Even so, he held out, pushing thoughts of her away as he tried to go on with his life. Just ignore her, he told himself. He would feel better once he forgot about her. Just get this job done and you'll get over her!

 But no matter what she wouldn't leave his mind or him alone. Oh WHY did he have to be plagued his existence? Even AFTER you had returned after a month or two with various check ups to see the progress and then FINALLY getting it done with him shoving it into your awaiting hands.

You STILL plauged his mind.

How beautiful you smiled. How soft you were when you hugged him. How tight his chest was when you kissed his cheek in thanks. 

HE COULDN'T WORK IN THESE CONDITIONS!!

He once told her to leave him alone because she didn't need to be anywhere near him....It ended up with him breaking down in the middle of the day crying and all those sleepless nights catching up to him finally. His work performance was slipping, he was acting like a baby, and it was ALL her fault. She wouldn't listen and go away like some stalker. After that he had passed out from his yelling fit and woken up insidd due to exhaustion.....And to her crying and holding his hand. Ironic wasn't it.

And he made a noble effort to forget about that incident, but it was all for naught.

He reached his tipping point about a month into his rejection to the monster. He was exhausted, eyes sore and bloodshot, and his performance still wavering concerning all their neighbors. Lost in his thoughts while working. he heard a single word. His name. That made him stop in his tracks. His head snapping up in recognition, eyes widening. No! Not her! Not now! The last thing he wanted was the she demon to back him against the wall and talk her pretty little head off. He felt like he was suffocating. He barely slept for days. He couldn't take it- The voices were becoming so much his head was going to explode-

"Haganezuka? You don't look so good."

That was the last thing he heard before he passed out for a second time that month. She had carried him. CARRIED HIM!! HIM!! All the way back inside filled with worry. Don't ask him why she didn't  just leave him there. If the resident blacksmith was just found passed out against the ground it would've been less humiliating than a girl to carry him all the way to his bed where he remained when he woke up and numbly laid there as she went off chattering again. He didn't know what he was thinking when he suddenly exploded at her letting everything out. Maybe it was his frustration? The stress and strain he was feeling from her relentless presence? Maybe the days of little to no sleep? His mind zoned out as he mindlessly yelled at her but he certainly wasn't expecting it to end up with her kissing him and him being compliant to her affections. Leaning into her warmth and all around easing the stress he was always. Good grief what did he say? At one point she pulled away and he attempted to kiss her again which ended embarrassingly thanks to his lesser height which ended up with himself missing her lips and pecking her jawline which sent her beautiful face into giggles and the soft hands cupping his already crying and red face rubbed away at the stressful tears.

"You shouldn't beat yourself over like a little crush. I would've been happy to know either way. Oh. Please don't cry."

He wasn't sure why he felt so assured or comforted right now, but for now he leaned into those soft hands holding him up with the pretty angelic face of his relief

[lilyway]

Icarus {Alastor x Reader} Part 3

Warnings: Blood, Gore, Death and canon-typical violence. Please be aware of these warnings going forward.

This is the last part. I'd love to hear your thoughts. This is 9k words. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Part 3: My Dearly Beloved

The annual extermination proved to be more brutal than ever, a relentless onslaught against the denizens of Hell that left the air thick with the stench of blood and despair. With each swing of her halberd, she condemned countless souls to their fate. The only unexpected thing that happened was Adam's unexpected act of pouring sinner's blood over her head. 

A few rare moments away from Lute’s watchful eye, (Name) searched for any signs of Alastor amidst the chaos of the extermination. As she scanned the blood-stained skies. searching for a glimpse of her beloved husband, she couldn't shake the pang of disappointment that rang true in the depths of her soul. Alastor remained true to his word and didn’t come back to meet her this year. He may have remained elusive this time, but there was the next year and the year after that. 

The triumphant cheers of her fellow exorcists reverberated through Heaven as they returned. (Name) watched the exorcists raise their bloody weapons high in the sky as they cheered. Her eyes turned to her halberd which didn’t look much better. Her halberd, a weapon now adorned with the remnants of the sinners that she had killed. (Name)'s gaze lingered on the crimson stains and bits of flesh clinging to the weapon's edges. Her face recoiled at the sight as bile threatened to leave her stomach. 

(Name) didn’t look much better than her weapon. Her once lustrous chocolate brown hair now bore the blackish crimson hue of dried blood, its strands matted and tangled with the residue of the dead. With each strand of hair clinging to her face, she wore the marks of the battlefield like a somber crown. As she ran her bloody fingers through her hair. (Name)'s fingers hesitated as they combed through the tangled mess of something brushed against her fingertips. Her mind raced with unsettling possibilities, each more gruesome than the last. Was it a fragment of flesh, torn from one of the sinners she had dispatched?

Shaking the thought out of her mind, (Name) grabbed the hem of her skirt and wrung the blood out of that side of her dress. She just wanted to cleanse herself of their blood. Being an exorcist was messy work, but coming back looking like she bathed in their blood wasn’t something she signed up for. 

"Good work, everyone!" Adam's voice boomed with a mixture of excitement and determination, echoing through the room as the exorcists rejoiced in the aftermath of their battle.

Amidst the celebration, (Name)'s sigh punctuated the air, exhaustion clinging to her as she started to make her way back to her dorm. While (Name) was leaving, she faltered as Lute's stern gaze beckoned her to follow. Lute led her back into the building into a quiet nook. 

"Need something?" (Name)'s voice, tinged with weariness, cut through the silence. Her fingers absentmindedly wiped the blood from her cheek, only serving to smear it further across her skin.

"Adam needs you to head back down to the embassy,"  That was a surprise. They were just here! Who in their right mind would have a meeting right after the extermination? "Bring whoever shows up to the office."

(Name)'s raised brow at the request. “We were just there," she countered, her tone laced with a hint of frustration at the sudden demand.

"Maven," Lute's sharp retort brooked no argument, her glare piercing through any resistance. "The meeting is in forty-five minutes. You better get moving."

“At least let me shower,” Lute’s only response was to point a finger behind her and narrow her eyes 

"Just go," Lute's command was firm, her gesture directing (Name) down the hallway. 

Fortunately, the exorcist building boasted an elevator in its basement, offering (Name) a fleeting opportunity to rid herself of the grime that clung to her like a second skin. With deft fingers, she attempted to dislodge the stubborn remnants of battle from her hair, a futile effort to restore some semblance of dignity to her disheveled appearance. She resisted the urge to dispose of the detritus of their confrontation in the corridors, mindful of the disapproval it would undoubtedly invite from her comrades.

Alone in the confines of the elevator, (Name) found herself afforded a rare moment of solitude, a brief respite from the ever-watchful eyes of Adam and Lute. As the glass panels encasing the elevator reflected her disheveled form back to her, she couldn't help but notice the amount of blood on her person. Her once pristine wings bore the stains of countless skirmishes, each crimson blotch made her want to throw up. Even the halo above her head, once a beacon of celestial purity, now bore a subtle crimson hue.

In the short ride down, time seemed to stretch for an eternity. Her thoughts returned to Alastor and what he could’ve been doing. Was he safe? Was he there, waiting for her? What she would give to know the answers to her questions. 

💟

As (Name) stepped out of the elevator, she found herself enveloped in the eerie stillness of the lobby. The dimly lit space stretched out before her, its pristine surfaces untouched by time. It was clear that the building never saw much use. Rows of empty seats lined the walls, their silent presence a stark contrast to the bustling energy outside.

Running her fingers across the smooth surface of a nearby sofa, (Name) revealed a thin layer of dust. The sight stirred a sense of unease within her, a reminder of the solitude that permeated the empty expanse of the lobby. As she continued to explore the desolate space, (Name)'s footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors.

Her gaze swept across the rows of empty seats, lingering on the faint traces of dust that clung to their surfaces.  A  part of her wondered if anyone would be coming. Would they even find this place? It was clear as day that no one ever stepped foot in here. 

Alone in the empty lobby, (Name)'s senses were heightened, her awareness attuned to the distant echoes of chaos that reverberated from the streets beyond. The faint sounds of commotion reached her ears,  she wanted to try and take a look outside for a moment. 

Despite the curiosity that tugged at her, urging her to venture outside and uncover the source of the disturbance, (Name) hesitated. The thought of confronting the unknown dangers that lurked beyond the safety of heaven. She was in hell and they would tear her apart as soon as she stepped through the door. 

It was a risk she wasn’t willing to take, not without proper preparation and support. The streets of hell were unforgiving, where danger lurked around every corner. But, she didn’t want to become demon food. 

With a determined focus, (Name) pulled the trash can closer, its metal surface clattering softly against the floor as she settled into one of the vacant seats. Determined to restore a semblance of order to her disheveled appearance, she set about the arduous task of removing the grisly remnants that clung stubbornly to her hair.

The process was far from glamorous, each stroke of the comb bringing forth a tangled web of gore and viscera. Yet, despite the repulsive nature of her task, (Name) persevered, her hands steady as she picked the gore out. 

As her fingers glided through the tangled strands, the thought of shearing off her long locks and returning them to a more manageable length flickered through (Name)'s mind. The idea of cutting it back to a more practical length seemed tempting, almost liberating in its simplicity. She imagined the sensation of sharp blades slicing through the tangled mess. 

Yet, even as the notion took root in her mind, (Name) hesitated. She remembered her mother telling her that hair is a girl’s crown. That hair holds memories even the smallest insignificant ones.  (Name) couldn’t cut it and only did when it got past her knees. Having long hair was probably the main reason she was in this mess. 

Her thoughts wandered back to Alastor as she ran her fingers through her bloodstained hair. What was Alastor doing right now? Did he manage to survive this year's extermination? Her every question had no answer and she was left alone in the empty lobby. 

Did he still love her even now? After all these years? Was their love strong enough to survive almost a century? He kissed her, sure, but that was more of a goodbye kiss. 

(Name)'s blood-stained hands hung in front of her, and her hands dropped back down to her lap. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so out of control, so utterly lost amidst the chaos of her own emotions. In the wake of that brief encounter, she found herself grappling with doubts and uncertainties that threatened to consume her.

She had always prided herself on her composure, always having the appearance of someone who was well put together. But now, as she sat alone in the empty lobby, the weight of her emotions bore down upon her like a suffocating blanket, leaving her feeling raw and exposed.

How could one meeting leave her so shaken, so fragile that she could break at any moment. 

She couldn’t understand what Alastor did to her.

As her eyes lingered on the door, debating her options and what she actually could do. On one hand, the allure of venturing outside, of braving the chaotic streets in search of Alastor, tugged at her heartstrings with an almost irresistible force. The prospect of catching even a fleeting glimpse of him would be enough for her. 

But, she would probably be ripped apart. 

The safest option was staying here and falling deeper into her potential madness. It sure felt like it. 

As (Name) sank back into the cushioned seat, she allowed her thoughts to drift far and back to safety that would be Alastor’s embrace. He was her comfort, her love, and her everything. She loved him more than life itself. But, did he love her the way she did?

Closing her eyes and leaned back into the soft cushions as she tried to think of better days to wash away her doubt. 

“Do you know I fell in love with you,” (Name) whispered, her voice quivering slightly. 

Amidst the haze of cigarette smoke and the lingering scent of alcohol, (Name) found herself back in a familiar dimly lit bar. The soft melody of the piano drifted through the air, casting a spell of melancholy over the patrons,  but there was something buried deep in the notes. Something bright and hopeful. 

“I can’t remember, how long has it been?” 

Seated alone, (Name)'s gaze wandered, tracing the patterns of the swirling smoke as it curled upwards toward the ceiling. The muted chatter of the bar faded into the background as she lost herself in the haunting strains of the music and the man playing them. 

The soft glow of the bar's dim lighting seemed to cast a halo around Alastor as he sat at the piano, his fingers dancing gracefully across the keys. (Name) couldn’t help but tear her gaze from her drink as she shifted to view the performance. The emotion he put into every note was his head bobbing up and down as he immersed himself in his performance. 

Lost in the melody, (Name)'s smile danced upon her lips as she hummed along to the gentle strains of Alastor's tune. Pulling her cool drink to her lap as time seemed to be a concept that no longer mattered. 

"All I know," She sang softly, her voice a mere whisper against the backdrop of the piano playing in her mind. "Is this love within my heart, waiting for you."

Her gaze drifted back to Alastor, who played with a quiet intensity, his fingers caressing the keys with practiced skill. There was a distant look in his eyes as if lost in a world of his own creation, yet his music spoke volumes, reaching out to touch the hearts of those who listened.

As his song ended his eyes traveled across the audience and lingered on her as a brief smile appeared on his lips. That was all it took for her eyes to quickly drop back down to her drink. “Can’t you see, what you mean to me?”

In a foolish attempt to control her nerves, she took a big gulp of her cocktail. It didn’t do much to hide her flushed cheeks as her heart raced in her ears. “How I wish you could read my mind,”

That was their first meeting, something as mundane as anything else. Someone who was here for a good time and someone who was trying to drink her problems. It might have been brief, just eye contact from across the room with an occasional smile. 

Soon turned to her singing directly at him and stumbled when he flashed her smile. He made her a mess and she loved every butterfly that fluttered in her stomach. “All these feelings, I could never find.” 

The first time he tried to speak to her was when she was leaving, (Name)'s heart raced as she found herself face-to-face with Alastor. His presence, so close and unexpected, left her speechless, her mind reeling with anxiety. She stood on unsteady legs as the world around her seemed to blur. 

“The right words to explain…” (Name) couldn’t escape her memory as she watched her younger self make a fool of herself. 

Alastor was trying to say something, but she couldn’t hear it. There was too much alcohol in her system and it was making her woozy. With a shake of her head, without a word, she turned and bolted from the bar, her heels pounding against the pavement. 

“Like the snow, all my love,” She followed them out into her memory palace as she stayed an outsider in her memories. 

(Name) would feel her aching feet in the morning as she practically sprinted down the street. Alastor ran after her after his surprise wore off. She didn’t even realize that she was going to leave without her jacket and that it was in his hands. 

“Falling down from above,” 

He tried to call out to her but that only pushed her to run faster. She was almost back to her parent’s house when Alastor caught up to her and grabbed her wrist. Her head snapped back as his chest rose and fell with uneven breaths. Alastor looked so disheveled with his glasses falling off his nose with the mess of curls his hair became. 

“In time,” (Name) could feel her lips curling into a wistful smile as she remembered how young they were back then. They had to be in their early twenties with the whole world in front of them.  

 (Name) was grateful for the alcohol casting a pink flush across her cheeks. She couldn’t help herself and muttered ‘You’re beautiful’ in her drunken haze. In that moment, with his disheveled appearance and the intensity of his gaze, Alastor looked more beautiful to her than ever before. 

(Name)'s gaze drifted down to her wrist, where Alastor's touch lingered, firm yet gentle. His fingertips pressed against her skin with a softness that made her heart flutter. It was too considerate, he was trying to get her to slow down and stop hurting her feet. If he didn’t stop her here, she probably would’ve run all the way home. 

“It piles high, as if to touch the sky.”

Alastor held into her hand for what felt like an eternity, as the starry sky framed his body. He wasn’t doing anything to help the deep blush growing on her face. His disheveled appearance was doing something horrible to her heart. It was racing as it pounded in her ears. How she observed his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He was truly something else. 

As they strolled down the streets, Alastor walked by her side, her wrist free from his grasp. There was enough space between them where no one would have any misunderstandings. He was being a gentleman and just walking her back to her parent’s house. The air was filled with a sense of calm, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of nocturnal creatures.

She tried to bridge the silence with small talk and it was a futile attempt to make time go by. The only topic she thought of was the stars hanging above them. The tapestry of twinkling little lights that shined down on them made him seem like a prince. Her eyes kept falling back to him as he glanced up at the sky. 

Alastor, his eyes narrowing with a subtle intensity, as he looked for the star she was pointing at. Alastor, his eyes narrowing as he focused his gaze made her heart skip a beat. The faintest adjustment of his glasses added an air of mystery. How his eyes glittered as the stars reflected in them. I

In her unaware state, (Name)'s steps faltered, and she stumbled over her own feet. The ground approached swiftly, before she hit the ground Alastor's swift reflexes intervened. He caught her by the waist, his grip firm yet gentle, and she was speechless. 

“Hold me tight,” 

Alastor's proximity seemed to tiptoe the line between comfort and unease. His cologne was casting a spell that was leaving (Name)'s senses reeling. (Name)'s thoughts raced, she found herself ensnared by the intensity of Alastor's brown eyes. His gaze, like a whirlpool pulling her deeper into its depths, seemed to swallow any words of thanks that dared to escape her lips. (Name) felt her defenses crumble, her honey-colored eyes meeting him in a silent exchange that spoke volumes. 

“This can’t be right.” 

With a gentle yet firm grip, Alastor helped (Name) back to her feet. A faint chuckle escaped his lips, this was awkward but it didn’t matter to her. (Name) couldn't help but feel grateful that he didn't mention her goofy expression. 

As he extended his arm, a silent invitation for her to lean on him, and she gladly accepted. Despite his seemingly unassuming demeanor, Alastor's build proved to be surprisingly strong and supportive. As he walked her back home, it was a short and sweet little walk. 

“This can’t be how it’s meant to feel,” (Name) remembered the butterflies that flew wildly in her stomach too well. How she could barely get a sentence in without making herself look a fool. 

Alastor, with a casual ease, left (Name) at her doorstep, his steps carrying him back toward the bar. (Name) couldn't let him slip away so easily. With a determined yell, she shouted for him to stop and give her his name. 

Turning around, Alastor met her gaze with a soft smile,  turning her legs into jelly. He told her to ask again when she would remember it and not drunk. That would be the only time he’d tell her. 

“But I can’t turn back time now cause,”

The front door slammed shut with a resounding echo. (Name)'s hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway, waking her parents who jumped to their feet. Throwing open the door of her childhood room and collapsing into her mattress. Her hands found purchase in her pillows and dragged it to her chest. 

“I love you,” 

With each ragged breath, (Name)'s heart threatened to break free from the confines of her chest. Her hands clenched the soft fabric of her pillows, and the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Her father, his face etched with worry, burst into the room, his protective instinct driving him to her side. 

With tear-streaked cheeks and trembling lips, (Name) found herself facing the weight of her father's gaze. She found herself blurting out the words that lingered on the tip of her tongue. 

‘Papa, I think I love him.’ That’s what (Name) said to her father without a second thought. Her father’s eyes widened as his jaw hung open. Without a word, he swiftly departed from her room, his hurried footsteps echoing down the corridor. Fortunately, Alastor was already around the corner and out of her father’s view. As he returned, he told her to get some sleep and left a kiss on her forehead. 

“I only wish it wasn’t true,” If she didn’t love him she wouldn’t be in this position. Perhaps, a loveless marriage would’ve been better. 

What (Name) would give to return back the clock and return to the days when she was able to meet him. Do things over with the knowledge she already has. Make some terrible decisions and fall into hell with him. 

“I wish I could forget - Wish that we’d never met.” 

It hurts, everything hurts. Looking back at a past that didn’t matter. How the start of everything seemed so perfect. The small interactions at the bar and the drunken walks back home always coming back without his name. If only she knew that everything would end up like this, maybe she’d rethink her choices. 

“Inside my heart, I know - Eternal Snow.” How she wanted to see him as opened her eyes and glanced up at the ceiling. 

She was unfortunately still back in the empty lobby without their guest anywhere to be seen. It was probably for the best, she wasn’t in the best headspace to interact with anyone. 

“Do you know, you’re still in my dreams?” He really was, her every thought was consumed by him as he became her strength to survive in heaven. 

As (Name) pulled herself up, her movements felt heavy, burdened by the weight of her emotions. Her feet dragged across the floor, reluctant to carry her forward. She watched the sinners walk by as she hid herself in the dark nook. “How much longer till you let me sleep?” (Name) searched for Alastor in every person who walked by and he never did. 

“One day, I pray that it might.” (Name) tore herself from the window and returned to her seat. She was being stupid and this whole thing was idiotic. “Just take one candle’s flame.” 

(Name)'s voice faltered as the door creaked open, a shaft of light piercing the darkness of her solitude. With a sudden sense of unease, she fell silent, her song dissipating into the quiet of the room like wisps of smoke. A blonde girl peaked her head and quickly looked around the dark room. 

She hesitantly walked in she looked around like she just entered a haunted house as she muttered something under her breath. There was a certain warmth in the girl’s demeanor as she cautiously approached the front desk. 

(Name)'s voice, though gentle, seemed to startle the girl as she jumped slightly. ”You look lost, honey.” As Charlie's head snapped in her direction, (Name) couldn't help but notice the flicker of nervousness across her expression. 

The girl explained with a lightness in her voice that carried a hint of nervousness. “My dad asked me to come to this meeting for him.” She had a voice that was filled with sugar and everything nice and that was (Name)’s signal that this wasn’t going to go well.

(Name) couldn't help but feel a tinge of surprise. "Oh," She responded, there was a moment before she continued. “You're the Morningstar's daughter?" (Name) tried to dig for any mentions of the girl’s name during her time in heaven. 

The blonde girl, with an upbeat attitude that bordered on naivety, confirmed her identity with a bright affirmation. "Right. I’m Charlie!" she exclaimed, as if her name carried a contagious enthusiasm that lit up the room.

“(Name).” Her introduction carried a tone of measured formality, a stark contrast to Charlie's effervescent enthusiasm. “I’ll be taking care of you during your meeting with heaven.” 

As she extended her hand in greeting, (Name)'s gaze lingered briefly on the dried blood that marred her skin—from all the sinners killed an hour earlier. (Name) felt a pang of unease, a discomfort born from the knowledge that she stood before a princess. Not that Charlie carried an air of royalty, but she didn’t want to be rude to the girl. It just didn't feel right to shake Charlie's hand with blood-stained fingers

"I apologize for my appearance," (Name) apologized as she tried to wipe her hands on her dress. "I didn't have time to clean off the blood."

“Oh! Righttt, that’s okay. Don’t be so formal.” Charlie seemed like a really sweet girl and she couldn’t worry that Adam would be a complete mockery of her. 

“Understood.” (Name) couldn’t follow that request. “As you’re here early, is there anything you want to run by me?”

“Oh! There’s a proposal I’ve been working on!” Charlie whipped out a thick stack of papers full of drawings. They were colorful and all drawn with crayons. 

(Name) could feel a nervous sweat go down her face. Charlie was going to be laughed out of the room for sure. “Let’s hear it.” 

“I know Hell's population is out of control. It's a bad situation, it's taking a toll. If we rehab these sinners,” Charlie spoke quickly and in one breath. She took another deep breath and continued. “Extermination, I know you guys fly down just to kill once a year.” (Name)’s shoulders dropped and her hope for a good meeting going well went out the window. 

“Charlie.” (Name) tried to stop her, she was too pure for this. Adam was going to spit and laugh at her efforts. 

Charlie didn’t stop, she was too focused on explaining her proposal. “And it must be annoying to schlep all the way here. If they join you in Heaven, that trip disappears!” 

“Charlie, you're going to be laughed out of that meeting," (Name)'s voice, tinged with a hint of concern. (Name) wanted to think her pure intentions would work. 

"They'll listen to what I have to say," Charlie's response, though laced with unwavering determination, did little to assuage (Name)'s fears. 

"You don't understand. You're having a meeting with Adam, and he will chew and spit all over your proposal," 

"That's alright! You're not the only one who's told me that," Charlie's response, broke her heart. Charlie was just a kid, this shouldn’t have been something people should’ve told her.  

"It's a lovely idea,"

"Thanks. Do you think it could work?" Charlie's question made her think if could work in practice. There was little she understood about souls or if souls could be redeemed. 

"I don't know. I have no idea what the criteria would be. It's a nice thought," (Name)'s response, though tinged with uncertainty. 

“I think it’s possible.” Charlie wasn’t going to drop her dream so easily as she signed her name into a floating scroll. 

(Name) walked over to the elevator and motioned her inside. “Don’t be too upset.” 

As the elevator ascended towards the awaiting offices where Adam and Lute awaited them, the weight of anticipation hung heavy in the air. (Name)'s parting words to Charlie echoed in the confines of the elevator, a gentle reminder that Charlie didn’t take. 

(Name) opened the door for them and quickly stepped back outside the office as the doors slid open. “Maven! Get your ass back in here.” However, before she could retreat further, Adam's commanding voice called her back into the room. 

“As you wish.” With a resigned sigh, (Name) acquiesced, her movements fluid as she leaned against the doorframe. 

💟

Charlie’s meeting went poorly as (Name) warned her it would. The poor girl looked defeated as she received terrible news and one that would probably bring the death of thousands.

For (Name), the extermination coming early left a bittersweet taste in her mouth. On one hand, it meant she would have the opportunity to see Alastor again, a thought that brought her both comfort and dread. 

Her heart went out to Charlie as she saw the expression on her face. It hurt to look at. How she hated that people like Charlie were her weakness. (Name) was an exorcist, there shouldn’t be any room for empathy. There should only be hatred for Charlie and her people. She should be laughing her out of the room and taunting her. That’s what Adam and Lute would be wanting her to do. 

(Name) was silent until they reached the lobby and started walking her out. There was something that wanted to make Charlie at least leave with a smile on her face. She reminded her too much of her younger sister and her foolishly large dreams. 

With a hint of nervousness, (Name) bit the inside of her cheek to cast them aside. “I believe that the words that he told you are not your grave.” Her voice was soft, slightly above a whisper. 

"He didn't even listen to me," Charlie responded with frustration laced in her every word. “There’s nothing I can do if Heaven doesn’t listen.”  

(Name) stopped walking and patted one of the seats nearby. “And I believe that you can make them listen.” As hopeless as Charlie’s situation was, there was something that could still be taken out of this. “Darkness reminds us where light can be.”

Charlie, though wearied, managed a smile as she took a seat, the weight of disappointment evident in her posture. "I couldn't protect them."

"I have been where you are before," (Name) was in her shoes back when she first started as an exorcist. She knew how it felt, feeling like you couldn’t save anyone. When you had absolutely no power to change another's fate. 

Despite the stains on her hands, she took Charlie's hand into her own. "Do you believe they can be redeemed?"

"Of course! More than anything, they're good people deep, deep down, "

“Then, even all the cruelest sinners can start again.” 

"Thanks for believing in me," Charlie expressed her gratitude with a tight squeeze, a gesture that resonated with an unexpected warmth.

(Name), frozen in surprise, couldn't pinpoint the source of the sudden change in her demeanor. She waved her out of the building and collapsed back into the seat.

“Charlie. I hope your idea works.” She muttered to herself. 

💟

Upon her return to heaven, (Name) was faced with the imposing presence of Adam and Lute. The sight of them waiting for her sent a ripple of dread down her spine. As Adam flung an arm around her shoulder, pulling her uncomfortably close, (Name)'s senses bristled with discomfort. The proximity of his touch, coupled with the weight of his presence, felt suffocating.

"We have a gift for you, Maven," Adam announced with a grin with Lute by his side. 

 “What sort of gift?” The uncertainty of what awaited her fueled the knot of anxiety that coiled in her stomach. It made her want to throw up. 

"Since the extermination is coming early," Adam seemed awfully proud of himself as he spoke, his words dripping with ominous intent, "It's time for a little upgrade."

Forcing herself out of his grip and retreated back several steps. “I haven’t done anything to deserve any gifts.” 

"Yeah? I saw you getting awfully cozy with Lucifer's brat," Adam spat in disgust, his disdain evident. "You don't think her lame-ass idea will actually work."

“It could. We have no proof against it.” 

"Maven, you're speaking like a little traitor," Lute interjected, her anger simmering beneath the surface like a dormant volcano on the verge of eruption.

"Think about it, Maven. If you get sent down there and her little idea works," Adam's voice cut through the tension like a blade, his words laden with a veiled threat that sent a shiver down her spine.

"What are you trying to say, Adam?" The implications were clear as day and she didn’t want them to be spoken into reality. 

"What if your man gets redeemed," Adam's words pierced her heart, the man was picking at low-hanging fruit. (Name)'s expression hardened, as her hands twitched to beat his sorry ass into next week. "Using your logic, there's no proof that fallen bitches can too." 

The venom in his words ignited a firestorm of emotion within her, and (Name) couldn't help but snap back. “Are you being fucking serious?"

“Watch your tone.” 

"Time you make your choice, bitch," Adam's ultimatum hung in the air as his hand was stretched out for her to grasp. 

(Name) glared at his outstretched hand, her frustration boiling beneath the surface as she reluctantly accepted it. "Fuck you, Adam," She spat. What she would give to bury him in a thick layer of dirt. 

Adam's grin widened as his grip tightened around her hand, his condescending tone cutting through the air. "Good girl," His words dripped with patronizing satisfaction.

The soft shade of golden light enveloped her body as the blessing coursed through her veins, igniting her vocal cords with a fiery sensation. Though the blessings were never physically painful, the internal panic they stirred was undeniable. It was her first blessing since her encounter with Alastor, and his influence on her loyalty was becoming increasingly evident.

Adam's eyes widened with a twisted pleasure as (Name) fell to her knees, grasping at her chest in agony. “Hurt’s doesn’t, Maven?” He cooed. 

"What did you do?" she spat out through painful gasps of air, her voice straining with every word she spoke. 

"Can't you see a blessing when you see one?" Lute asked coldly as she delivered a kick that sent (Name) sprawling. "If heaven’s light is hurting you, what do you think is happening?"

(Name) pushed herself off the floor, sending Lute a glare that matched the intensity of her pain. “Am I being rejected by heaven?”

“Ding ding, we have a winner!” Adam mocked with his signature finger guns pointed her way.

(Name) rushed to the closest mirror and examined her halo. There, amidst the ring of pure ivory, was the faintest red glow. “No, no, no.” Her fingers clenched around her halo as she desperately prayed away the blight. 

“Remember what side you’re on, Maven.” 

“What side are you on?” Lute's question pierced through the chaos, dragging (Name) away from the mirror and forcing her back.

(Name) remained silent for a long while, her mind swirling with her options. If Alastor sought redemption and achieved it. He would return to heaven, and their reunion would be glorious. However, if she succumbed to becoming a fallen angel and Alastor found redemption, they would be back at square one, torn apart once again. There seemed to be no clear option, no path forward that guaranteed their happiness — But, one. 

“Heaven’s. Now and forever.” 

(Name) couldn't escape the weight of her own self-doubt. She berated herself for her tendency to bend to every hint of a problem, for her inability to stand firm in her convictions. The conversation with Charlie echoed in her mind, her words of encouragement now haunting her as evidence of her own hypocrisy. Despite urging Charlie to believe in the possibility of redeeming sinners, (Name) couldn't help but feel like a fraud, unable to practice what she preached.

“What sort of blessing did you give me?” (Name) asked from the pits of her self-hatred. 

Adam glanced back with a scoff. "Wouldn’t you like to know," His words dripped with disdain and a hint of sadistic pleasure.

With that, they both left and left her there. As they faded from her sight (Name) returned back to her room. (Name)'s room became a chamber of her turmoil. With a surge of pent-up emotions, she hurled her vase across the room, the sound of shattering pottery echoing back in her ears. Collapsing against the door, she sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face as she surrendered to the weight of her despair, her cries muffled by the fabric of her knees.

💟

Months passed as word reached (Name)’s ears about Charlie’s visit to Heaven. Even as Lute and Adam’s shadow, she did her best to avoid her. Mostly because she didn’t want to be forced into bullying her. She was here for important business, not Adam and Lute’s antics. 

Unfortunately for Charlie, the extermination wasn’t called off. But, she did reveal the truth to Heaven’s Court. Which was enough of a win as they were all arrogant to the truth. Of course, (Name) was there during that meeting. She was back by the door leaning on the wall and prayed that she could go back to her room. 

(Name) was in the worst of moods up until the extermination. She had spent most of her time in confessional or praying her sins away. Trying to rid herself of her blight and unfortunately for her — the red slowly spread. The crimson hue reminded her of the blood on her hands and she wanted to vomit. 

The hype around this extermination was grand as Adam made a declaration to Charlie that their extermination would go after her hotel first. While she had been tasked with haunting children before, it had always been under orders, and she had never known them personally. However, meeting Charlie changed things; she recognized more goodness in Charlie than in Adam and Lute combined. Having to strike her down made her sick to her stomach. 

Her hotel had its merits too. If sinners could find redemption there, families wouldn't have to endure the agony of separation. People would have the opportunity for second chances, the chance to make better choices. Better choices weren't something she could have. She had made her choice and had to lay with them now. 

Breaking down Charlie's hotel meant shattering not just the physical structure but also the dream that accompanied it. The work wouldn’t be something that wouldn’t linger in her consciousness.  It had personal stakes for her too. Extinguishing Charlie’s hope came at the cost of her own hope. With Charlie and her hotel gone, Alastor wouldn’t ever come to heaven. 

It absolutely broke her. However, Alastor wouldn’t willingly work with someone like Charlie. Heavens, she didn’t know if they even knew each other. Which was the only hope she had left as she prayed for him to survive. 

“Are you ready yet?” Lute asked from the other side of the changing room door. 

(Name) took one last look at her clothing and exuded an air of mourning. The long black dress, with its multiple layers of fabric, draped fluidly, creating an ethereal silhouette. Her hands were adorned with delicate black lace gloves. They matched the veil that she threw over her face. 

The absence of armor, even chainmail, spoke volumes about her intent. This was a slaughter, not something that should be celebrated. If she was lucky and Charlie did put up a fight. She’d do her a favor and put her out of her misery. 

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” (Name) tone was one of defeat as she grabbed her ivory halberd. 

“That’s a good look on you, Maven.” Lute’s compliment seemed more like a taunt than anything genuine. 

"I don't want to hear your compliments, Lute," (Name) retorted, her voice devoid of any emotion as she brushed past her and returned to Adam's side.

They arrived just in time to catch the last of his fiery speech. "Let’s fucking kill that brat!" His voice thundered, resonating with aggression and malice as the familiar portal ripped open.

💟

On Adam’s signal, everyone dove into Hell’s skies, they found themselves in front of Charlie’s grand hotel. Her eyes looked over the soon-to-be battlefield, catching sight of a very familiar face grinning up at them from the roof of the hotel. It was Alastor, standing tall and proud, with a devilish smile playing on his lips. Her heart dropped, Alastor was working with Charlie. 

She would have to cut him down. 

(Name)'s weapon fell loose in her grip as she flew next to Adam. “Alastor?” she mumbled, her voice barely audible over the rushing wind. Adam grabbed her arm and shoved her forward.

“Fucking sing, I don’t care who has your panties in a twist. You better fucking sing like your life depends on it,” Adam barked. 

(Name) looked back at Adam, then down at Alastor, shaking her head furiously. She looked like she was going to cry and she wanted to. 

“No…I can’t. I can’t bring myself to hurt him,” (Name) tried to protest as Adam flew over to her. But her small act of defiance was met with brutality as Adam yanked her up by her hair, her fingers tightening around her halberd.

Alastor’s eyes narrowed as static filled the air. It was a warning of sorts, even if he was smiling he was about to beat Adam to a bloody pulp. 

"What was that?" Adam's grip tightened on (Name)'s arm as she let out a small cry of pain.

(Name)'s voice was firm. “I said no, Adam.” Her eyes returned to Alastor who gave her a look asking if she wanted him to step in. 

Adam's eyes narrowed as they followed her gaze, landing on Alastor who stood defiantly below them. "Oh, I'll just kill him first," Adam's words cut through the air like a blade, causing (Name)'s heart to plummet.

"Adam, please. Don't hurt him," (Name)'s plea was tinged with desperation, her voice quivering with fear at the thought of Alastor's demise.

“Then fucking sing," Adam's commanded.

(Name) had no choice but to listen. Her wings sliced through the air as she ascended higher into the sky. Her halberd remained held horizontally in her hands, she looked down at Alastor with an apologetic expression. In that fleeting moment, she saw his eyes narrow and his brows rise. 

“A cowardly façade weaves into my voice.”   Her words trembled with emotion as her body began to glow with a soft, golden hue. A shimmering shield materialized around her, encircling her form like a protective barrier.

At the same time, Adam shot her a piercing glare, a silent demand for her to sing with conviction, a signal for the attack to start.

Her body began to glow brighter as she continued. “As I call for war, blinded by this far-fetched noble cause.” (Name) could only watch as her fellow exorcists charge towards the hotel as an eldritch shield appears to surround the hotel to cage the unlucky few who found themselves stuck inside. 

She noticed how the exorcist’s bodies matched the same glow as hers, and her heart shattered. That was the power Adam gave her, as the occasional wound appeared on her body, as the exorcists obtained them as well. The wounds didn’t last long, but this was a double-edged sword.

“Although I had a choice, I believed the lies.” 

Whatever that shield was that Alastor cast was horrific. Tentacles sprouted forth and waved them without rhyme or reason. Some even held angelic weapons as they swung wildly, their range was insane as they cleaved through the sky. 

“But it's all a dream, ending when I open up my eyes.” 

She really wanted to know what this blessing was as her blood poured from a large gash down her arm. This was a little extreme even for Adam. Even if she wasn’t the one experiencing the injury, she could feel it and had to sing through her pain. 

Her voice flattered as she watched her blood drip into the ground below. “I tried to survive by putting all my faith in instinct,” Adam was going to have her killed here. 

The tentacles lashed out with surprising strength, catching (Name) off guard and knocking her out of the air. She struggled against the grip, wielding her halberd to slice through the tentacle and break free. Alastor's shield proved formidable, repelling other angels who attempted to breach its defenses. She felt a hint of pride seeing her husband flaunting his power. 

“I stand gazing down at death as they say...war.” She had to keep her distance from the shield as she ducked and weaved out of the tentacle's grip. It seemed like they were targeting her specifically and trying to get her out of the sky. 

(Name) caught a glimpse of Alastor’s gaze following her as she dodged his attempts to grab her. “They say fight for peace... but what is that?” 

“Raise a shield to the bullets, Hold my ground, all I got now.” She was getting dangerously close to the shield now as she saw the crowd of sinners protecting the hotel. Charlie was amongst them too. 

They were fighting desperately to stay alive and fight off the angels. Much to her surprise, they were killing them too. “But I'm defenseless, all but helpless if it gives beneath my feet,” 

Her song started to sound like a desperate scream for help. To end her suffering and finally put her to rest. (Name) couldn’t do this anymore as she tried to find Adam amongst the crowd of angels. She put her trust in him to keep his word, the chances of him keeping it were low. But, he just had to keep his word. Alastor’s life was on the line if he didn’t. 

The searing pain in her abdomen drew (Name)'s attention downward, her fingers tracing the dark stain on her dress. With a trembling hand, she pressed against the wound, feeling the warmth of her own blood seep through her fingers. It was a rather crippling blow as she knew if she took another or tried to fight anyone in melee combat she’d die. 

She just prayed she didn’t have to as she retreated to Adam’s side. 

Lute was nowhere to be found. She was leading the initial charge before the shield went up and was probably trapped inside. 

As Adam's rage echoed through the air, (Name) didn’t have the time to react. She watched helplessly as he hurled himself toward the eldritch shield with reckless abandon. 

“I’m fucking over this!” 

A banshee scream left her lips. “No!” As she watched the shield start to crack from the impact site and shatter into a million pieces before disappearing completely. 

She flew after Adam ignoring the wound that dripped blood down on anyone below them. (Name)'s hand reached out with urgency, grasping Adam's wrist in a desperate attempt to halt his reckless advance towards Alastor. Despite the searing pain from her own wounds, she refused to let him hurt her  husband. 

“Adam , please .” (Name)'s voice quivered with desperation on the verge of being swallowed by betrayal. “You promised.” 

“I didn’t promise jack shit .” Adam didn’t turn around; he kept flying down to the rooftop and left her there. 

"You gave me your word!" She screamed, her halo pulsating with a deep crimson hue.

He wanted me to sing. I’ll give him a performance, he’ll never forget. 

“I will rise in resistance,” As she clenched her hands down on her halberd the previous glow flickered from around the exorcists. “Sing the oath of rebellion. ” She flew high as she watched every shield and blessing she cast on the exorcists flicker and fade. 

Adam's voice thundered across the battlefield, “Maven! What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He roared as he felt her protection disappear. 

All she responded with was a dark glare that said ‘fuck you, Adam. I hope you die’. 

As Adam turned his back on Alastor and turned his anger towards her. A crimson barrier appeared around Charlie and her friends. “Wipe away the weakness,” 

“You’re going to fall! Do you no longer give a shit about that?” Adam screamed as he shot beams of light at her. 

(Name) dodged his attacks as she pointed her halberd at him. “Better than supporting a liar.” 

“I’m going to fucking kill you!” 

"You can try.” 

(Name) knew it was only a matter of time until he caught up with her and followed through with his threat. All she could do now was support them the best she could until the light finally left her eyes. 

“Will you let those scars define you?” Oh, how she knew this was a death wish. She could barely dodge out of the way from the beams coming at her in rapid succession. 

Adam was right on her heels as she brought him skyward and away from Alastor. “I say, liar. I say rise in hell.” As the last note escaped her lips Adam grabbed her ankle and threw her down against the hotel roof. 

A scream left her lips as her blood escaped her lips and was welcomed by Adam standing over her with his guitar ax raised high in the air. (Name)'s scream pierced the air as Adam's guitar ax loomed menacingly over her. Her gaze shifted to Alastor, who approached with growing antlers, a harbinger of impending danger. But before he could intervene, Adam's blade descended, slicing across her chest. The wound wasn't immediately fatal, but without treatment, she would bleed out with enough time. 

“Just lay there and watch, bitch.” 

Adam returned to the air as he stared at the demon before him as Alastor’s eyebrows furrowed with anger even with a smile plastered on his face. 

“Adam, first man, next to die.” Alastor seemed angry and yet confident. 

“Who the fuck are you?” Adam asked with a shit-eating grin on his face. He was getting cocky and (Name) hoped he could use it to his advantage. 

The small bow he did was an unneeded flourish, but it did warm her heart slightly. “Alastor, a pleasure to be meeting you. Quite a pleasure. ” His grin increased as his gaze flickered back to her as she struggled to get up. 

(Name) forced him a smile as blood poured out, by some sort of miracle her organs weren’t falling out. 

“I’m about to end your fucking life.” 

With electric currents of demonic magic, Alastor created tentacles from the ground. He looked absolutely terrifying, he didn’t look like her husband anymore with that look in his eye. 

As she struggled to get off the ground their voices seemed to grow more distant. Adam seemed to have taken Alastor’s bait and was now charging into his attacks blindly. When Adam landed a missed blow that placed his feet on the rooftop and she knew Alastor could have a chance of winning. 

Finally managing to pull herself off the floor enough to sit up though, it was probably pretty foolish as every cell in her body screamed in pain. It was like someone set fire to her nerves. She needed to get up and help him or he could actually die. Her husband was a smart man, but Adam had the strength advantage. 

As the men danced around the rooftop as Alastor dodged and weaved from his attacks. Getting a hit in here or two using his shadows and familiars to annoy Adam to give him openings. 

She wished she could actually see the fight and see Alastor wipe the floor with Adam in battle. But her vision was blurring as the world spun. She was getting closer to her death.

(Name) tried to grasp onto her halberd and use it to pull herself up. Just so she could do something to help. 

“One day you will realize,” She could at least do this much, her voice didn’t project anything higher than a whisper. Nothing happened. She didn’t have enough strength to sing. 

She had to keep trying, she needed to help him. (Name) needed to save Alastor. As her world blurred and crashed into one another. Her thoughts remained with him. She would give anything in the world to see him see another day. 

My belle, my beautiful bride. Thank you for always staying with me. (Name) smiled at the memory of Alastor’s personal little vows to her. How she wished to spend more time with him. 

There was a flash of light and Alastor was in front of her with his broken mic stand in his hands. He glanced down before Adam threw him next to her. (Name) pulled herself to his side and placed the weakest touch against his cheek. 

“ I love you, my dearly beloved. ” Her smile was faint as she saw Adam’s shadow over them. 

Give me strength. I don’t care if I die. Take the dying embers of my life if it means I can save him. I’ll give you everything I have. My soul, my memory, whatever you want. God, please. Help me. (Name) begged to whatever higher power to hear her. She wasn’t asking for much, just enough power or strength to save him. 

“My Dearly Beloved,” Her voice rang out through the hotel as she pulled Alastor into her embrace. “Be strong, I shall be there.” Her voice was louder than she expected as she felt her soul burn from within her chest. 

“You’re still not dead, bitch!” Adam groaned as (Name) gently leaned Alastor against the railing and forced her shaky legs up. He was clutching his chest, his wound was deep. But, it wouldn’t be fatal if he left now. 

(Name) blocked Adam from reaching her dear husband. “Always here beside you,” Adam had his weapon raised and she didn’t back down. “So, keep your head held high.” (Name) glanced back at him with pleading eyes for him to flee. 

The ax came down knocking her off her feet as her golden blood splashed all over Alastor’s face. She fell over top of him and tried to pull herself back to her knees. He wasn’t gone yet, she wouldn’t stay down until Alastor escaped. 

She could barely speak as she smiled at the faintest crimson glow surrounding him into a warm embrace. 

Adam’s ax found its target as it went through her stomach. “Will try to steal you away into their arms,” This was it, she was probably going to die. “But you belong in mine…” 

As her words fizzled out so did her protection and she collapsed into his chest. The world was fading to black as Alastor held her close to him as she felt herself sinking into the depths. 

Her last thoughts before she faded completely were the following. 

I love you, Alastor. 

I’m sorry, I couldn't get back to you sooner. 

Don’t worry, my beloved. We’ll meet again. 

That’s a promise. 

Take care of yourself, 

I’ll always be there with you in spirit. 

Always next to your side, 

You won’t ever be truly alone. 

Keep smiling for me. 

Thank you for reading this disaster. I might make it into a series, I've have been seriously thinking about it. Which is why it has an open ending. She could have died or she didn't. Who knows.

The songs are: Eternal Snow from Full Moon wo Sagashite ALIEz from Aldnoah Zero My Dearly beloved from Kingdom Hearts

[acutemushroom]

Some Sokkla family headcannons because this ship has been stuck in my head for a good week

They live in the Southern Water Tribes (STW) and Sokka has eventually succeeded his father as chief.

They have two children: A son named Haku (Spirited away reference? I don't know what you're talking about...) and a daughter named Lykka.

Haku is a waterbender and Lykka a firebender.

Haku looks very similar to his father. Though, his eyes and facial expressions are all Azula'.

Lykka's skin is darker than Azula's but still a bit lighter than her father's. Her hair is black but wavy (same hair texture than Katara). Her eyes shape is round like Sokka but the colour is gold.

Azula's favorite cloth from the STW is the Amauti. I just know that she is the kind of mother who would carry her children everywhere with her until they can walk, so she would absolutely adore these.

Ironically for a man who loves his sleep, Sokka insisted to be the one who wake up when the kids were babies. He would only bring them to Azula if it was because they wanted to eat. Because of his responsabillities, especially at the beginning of his chiefhood, it was his moment to be able to solely focus on bonding with and taking care of his children. Plus, Azula wakes up very early in the morning, so it let her rest and sleep.

To no one's surprise, considering who their parents are, the siblings favorite pass time is to prank their uncle Zuzu when they see him. They are sillies in general.

Sokka insisted they learn, at least the basics of, weilding weapons. In case something happens and they can't rely on their bending. Haku can be frequently seen fighting or hunting with an ice-coated halberd. Lykka, on the other hand, preferred dual broadswords. Thing is, in good uncle fashion, Zuko taught her some fun tricks combining the swords and firebending. She once almost burned her hair and the house while juggling fire with the swords. Oops....

Sokka taught them a lot of manual skills in general. I just know it in my bones that, in a Modern AU, he would be the kind of dad to put a mechanical drill in his toddler's hands.

At each of the kid's first full moon, Sokka took them outside to present them to Yue. They're the only kids in the world that can brag about having the Moon Spirit as their godmother.

[ladydaybreaker]

Am convinced that Nori was the one that named Uzi. BUT! Khan had a naming quirk thing too. Instead of naming after firearms though...

Khan had a love for sharp pointy objects.

Sooooo...

Khori kid (Uzi's lil brother): Halberd "Hal" Doorman (Yes, slight 2001 reference, bite me.)

Like how Uzi is Nori's mini-me, Hal is definitely Khan's mini-me. White eyes, dark hair...is a massive goober/dork with a heart of gold. And is stubborn as hell. (Had to get something from his mother!)

AS user? Unknown! If he is, he definitely is the same strain as his mother and sister...soooo depending on how young he was when Nori died, potentially ends up McFreaking Losing it at Cabin Fever like his big sis...resulting in two hungry baby bats running around and killing/eating people. Uzi is so proud of him bringing down his first kill! (They're both absolutely horrified and traumatized when they snap out of it).

Uzi probably is very protective of her little brother...but still keeps the angsty street cred everywhere else. Poooossible unwilling golden child Hal? (Uzi looks and acts too much like Nori and Khan's grief over losing her makes him kinda shy away while embracing Hal...Hal is also still young.) "Uzi can't do anything right, Hal can do nothing wrong" thing....cept Hal's very big on the "But...sissy did it right and did it first??" (he's a good boi).

Both of them bonding over building things...though Hal miiiight actually be more inclined to how the body works! (Opposite of his sister...who likes to see how inanimate objects work).

Both of them have the Doorman cackle. There is NO way around that.

Hal had a horrific teething phase...poor Khan found so many teethmarks on the door projects he was working on...

And finally...Hal has the typical "Doorman falls for someone that can ABSOLUTELY EFFING KILL THEM IN TWO SECONDS." that his father and sister have. Whether this leads him to Doll, V or J is yet to be seen. But the absolute starry-heart eyes seeing them rip a guy in half. And thinking "Oh my god that's hot..." has me in giggle fits.

[yaeggravate]

Unraveling Princess Fischl

So I recently finished studying Princess Fischl in a lab and the results I got were kinda crazy.

As a disclaimer, I do this just for fun. I like connecting dots and solving puzzles. But I'd rather you draw your own conclusions. In this post I will try to dissect the mysteries surrounding the Prinzessin. And you really can't talk about Fischl without including Kaeya. I've even got a surprise guest star for you.

WARNING: this post is VERY long, click on that Read More at your own risk, otherwise you'll be stuck scrolling forever.

For simplicity's sake Princess Fischl will be referred to as Fischl while playable Fischl will be demoted to F.

PART 1: MIDSUMMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Most of this will use the books Legend of the Shattered Halberd and Flowers for Princess Fischl as a source. These books are authored by someone named Mr. Nine. The books are published by Yae Publishing House. So keep in mind there's a non-zero percent chance Mr. Nine is actually just a certain Nine-Tailed Fox.

F's alternate outfit is called Immernachtstraum. This is a reference to Shakespeare's play Midsummer Night's Dream. In German the play is called Ein Sommernachtstraum. So you can see the similarities (Immernachtstraum means Eternal Night's Dream.)

Kaeya is in part based on the Indian changeling prince from the same play. The character Oberon, the Fairy King, is the french derivative of Alberich. The play itself is basically about people getting into Shenanigans so absurd it might as well be a dream. Oberon and his wife Titania are actually key players in quite a bit of different media… But as much as I want to delve into that, this isn't a Kaeya post.

Just remember for now that Titania is the Fairy Queen.

In the book Flowers for Princess Fischl, there is a mention of a Sommernachtgarten. It is described as a Domain possessed by someone highly skilled in the magical arts. Sommernachtgarten seems to have existed in Teyvat. The domain Midsummer Courtyard, which has the Thundering Fury set, tells us the Sommernachtgarten was buried underground.

The domain is located in Starfell Valley. It's nearby Starfell Lake and Starsnatch Cliff. Starfell Lake is said to have been formed by a fallen star.

Fischl is also equated to a star that fell down. Notably, in F's birthday letters, and in Legend of the Shattered Halberd.

Birthday Letter: Day of Destiny… On the day of a sacred star's descent from the depths of the night sky into this realm, I, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, have asked Oz to cross the ocean and bring, me exotic treasure.

LotSH Vol. 1 The story was that an iron meteorite had fallen from the sky five or six years ago, and convention dictated that as nature's treasure it belonged to the imperial family.

Starsnatch Cliff is the only place where Cecilia flowers grow. These flowers have a triquetra shape, which is similar to Kaeya's passive talent Glacial Heart. Kaeya has been featured with these flowers in his birthday arts, and even invites the Traveler to go see the flowers with him.

Alice: With enough bombs placed in proper positions, even huge cliffs like Starsnatch would crumble into dust in a second. With flatter terrain, Mondstadt would surely look much nicer. But that unctuous Cavalry Captain rejected my proposal instantly. He even asked me to stay away from Starsnatch Cliff.

Furthermore, when Alice proposed to blow Starsnatch Cliff up, Kaeya denied her request and warned her to never go near there again… Starsnatch Cliff also overlooks the Nameless Island which is shrouded in mist and invisible on the map.

菲谢尔 = Fischer = Fischl

Fischl's name might be a reference to the Fisher King from Arthurian legends. One name of the Fisher King is Amfortas. In the game Anfortas is the name of the Knight Marshal of the Schwanenritter; he's thee Alberich who stepped up as Regent King when Irmin was indisposed.

Perhaps Fischl was the original "Fisher King" and the kings who came after her, like Irmin and Anfortas, fulfilled her role. …But this would imply Fischl was once the ruler of Khaenri'ah. That would be crazy, right? Right, guys?

PART 2: THE PRINCESS OF JUDGEMENT

When I was analyzing the 8-pointed star, I discovered these 8 points could actually correspond to the Guardians of the Eight Directions in Hinduism.

For some reason, ascension gem stones are named after Hindu gods (with the exception of Electro). This isn't the case in the original Chinese naming however.

Still, I tried to mix and match the gemstones to a direction.

North: Kubera, The God of Fortune -> GEO

South: Yama, The God of Justice and Death -> ???

East: Indra, The Lord of Heaven and God of the Weather, Sky, Rain, and Storms -> ELECTRO

West: Varuna, God of the Seas, Oceans, and Rain -> HYDRO

Northeast: Ishana, God of Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Time -> DENDRO

Southeast: Agni, God of Fire -> PYRO

Northwest: Vayu, God of the Winds and Air -> ANEMO

Southwest: Nirṛta, God of Death, Sorrow, and Decay -> CRYO

Hydro (Varunada), Pyro (Agnidus) and Anemo (Vayuda) gems already have the same names as the Hindu gods so that was easy. The Electro gemstone Vajrada is named after a sword but it belongs to Indra, God of Weather, Rain and Storms.

That just left me with Cryo (Shivada), Geo (Prithiva) and Dendro (Nagadus). Ishana is the God of Birth, so I'll assign him Dendro. Kubera is the God of Fortune which is Geo because Mora.

Now Cryo is a bit puzzling, because it's named after Shiva, who in Java and Bali Hinduism is actually the direction in the center. Some crazy implications here for our buddy the Tsaritsa because Shiva is the God of Destruction within the Trimurti, a trinity of deities. The other two are Brahma, God of Creation and Vishnu, God of Preservation.

In Java Hinduism, Brahma and Vishnu would correspond to the directions Zenith (South) and Nadir (North). Whether this is hinting at something about the nature of the Tsaritsa is unclear. When you see Three Deities you think Moon Sisters, right? However, we can't rule out the possibility that Genshin decided to mix these deities up. Let's just spare ourselves the headache for now and forget about this. This is a Fischl analysis after all.

So instead, let's have a look at the Cryo gemstone's original name in Chinese. The stone is simply called Grieving Ice.

哀叙冰玉: Grieving Ice

Since Nirriti is the God of Sorrow, I decided to assign them Cryo. Now we are left with one deity, Yama: The God of Justice and Death. Well, it can't be Hydro, because we already assigned them to a God. So it has to be someone else.

Fischl's title is the Prinzessin der Verurteilung. Which translates into Princess of Judgement. According to Legend of the Shattered Halberd and F's voicelines, Fischl's role was to act as a judge.

More About Fischl: I To condemn the guilty, to sanctify the just, and to draw all castaway dreams into the embrace of the infinite Immernachtreich. This is the birthright of the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, and her burden. None may gainsay it.

What's interesting is that Fischl uses magical arrows to shoot down the "enemies of fate".

About Us: Shooting Down the World Beast Should this world, like a beast prowling in the night, covet your dreams, then I, Prinzessin der Verurteilung, shall fell it with my ensorcelled arrows of judgment!

Feelings About Ascension: Intro My magic arrow cries out my holy name as it streaks through the night, praying that the violet lightning of retribution shall strike the enemies of fate down from the skies!

On the 8-pointed star, there's an arrow pointing upwards. Kaeya, Clothar and Halfdan's stars on their outfits and even F herself have the arrow pointing downwards.

The achievement you get when you find this door is called "Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here". Which is a reference to the entrance to Hell in Dante's Inferno.

The Immernachtreich is described as a place where all things will eventually flow into. Immernachtreich literally translates into Eternal Night Realm…

Flowers for Princess Fischl: Phantasmagoria Every good, bright and noble thing must eventually fall to inexorable entropic destruction, and the final destination of the universe is the realm-in-waiting of the Prinzessin, Immernachtreich. This is the fate of all worlds, of the universe, and all who live in it.

In the Immernachtreich Apokalypse, Leon calls Fischl the Soteria.

Soteria means salvation, preservation. It's used as an epithet for Persephone and Hecate. Persephone was forcibly made Queen of the Underworld, and Hecate is also known as the Goddess of the Underworld and Witchcraft…

Look, I don't want to claim Fischl was the secret 8th Archon or anything, because lest we forget Khaenri'ah was a godless nation who would've been Fischl's enemies. But why then would Khaenri'ah have this giant star referencing the 8 deities as their emblem in the first place? Seems a bit counterintuitive. I don't have the answers for now, and perhaps the 8th "archon" was simply Irmin. Or maybe it's not even representing a god but an element or a direction.

Regarding Oz, he is a not so subtle reference to Odin/Irmin but is also a reference to the Wizard of Oz. In the first book, it was revealed this wizard was literally just some guy pretending to be powerful. Eventually Oz starts working as an advisor for the true ruler of Oz, Princess Ozma, who is the inspiration behind Fischl. We'll get back to that later.

This Oz's full name is Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs. OZ is actually short for Oscar Zoroaster. Zoroaster is referenced in Flowers for Princess Fischl.

In a distant causality, if the philosopher Zarathustra was not chosen, then the opera writer would have gained victory in the contest over the will of the world.

This does make you wonder if Irmin really was the true ruler of Khaenri'ah and if he even existed the way we believe he did. Perhaps Fischl got Irminsnapped and now everyone believes Irmin was always the One-Eyed King.

Of course this is all my personal speculation and I could be way off here.

Wait, before we move on to next section, I want to point out something that always gets ignored:

Kaeya and Mona, when they cast their bursts, summon the same 8-pointed star. This is unique to them alone. Could there be a connection between Khaenri'ah and witchcraft? Or is either Kaeya or Mona an outlier?

PART 3: HEXENZIRKEL

In the trailer Mage's Teaparty, there are eight witches shown. However, we only know the names of six witches, and there is a chair missing at the table.

There is a slideshow where the figures of the eight witches are shown, minus Andersdottir who is represented by the book The Boar Princess.

Observe the witch on the broom and the little witch. The design of the little witch is similar to the design of a famous fictional character who got pulled into another world: Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz books.

Dorothy is illustrated as having twin tails and wearing a farm girl dress. Dorothy's character was influenced by the character Alice, from the Wonderland books.

Originally I assumed Alice Genshin might be based on book Alice. However, it's the Narzissenkreuz quest that's based on the Wonderland books and Mary-Ann who takes the role of Alice.

With that in mind, could Alice Genshin actually be more of a Dorothy inspired character instead?

Now, Dorothy had a very good friend, called Princess Ozma. Ozma seems to be the inspiration behind Fischl.

So who is Ozma? I only have the Wiki to go on because I'm not about to read 40 books, but by the sound of it, Ozma is the current ruler of the realm of Oz. She is the daughter of a human king and a Fairy Queen. Her mother Lurline was the one who created Oz and turned it into a Fairy country.

Ozma took it one step further and separated Oz entirely from the outer realms making it invisible to outsiders. Everyone who enters Oz never ages.

If you're an F main I'm sure you know by now Fischl created another universe and founded paradise.

Now I want you to take a look at the witches portrayed in these circles. There are two witches holding a sphere. In F's cutscene from the Summertime Odyssey event, she is also holding a sphere which contains the Immernachtreich which you can see in the header image of this post and below.

You might think a glowing sphere represents a crystal ball to scry in, but that poses a problem since known prophet Barbeloth is probably represented by the witch holding a waterdrop, which is Hydromancy. So the glowing sphere might not necessarily mean a prophetess.

As for the identity of the other witch with the globe, I believe this could be Alice, since she was the one who created the domain/dreamscape of the Veluriyam Mirage. It could also be Rhinedottir who is creating something in a flask.

So Orb = Domain/Realm/Creation

Furthermore F's specialty food is Die Heilige Sinfonie, which has a Magic Hexagram painted on top… (Die Heilige Sinfonie translates into The Holy Symphony.) As mentioned before, the Sommernachtgarten could only be created by someone with great magical powers…

Magic Circles is Ceremonial or Arcane Magic, and according to a note left by Master Ruggiero in Bravais' study, Arcane Arts originated from a pre-Remurian civilization.

So someone must have taught humans magic. Might sound obvious, but it begs the question of WHO?

PART 4: FREYJA

To answer this question we need to dip our toes into Norse mythology. As you know, Odin is Irmin.

There was a war between two groups of gods: the Aesir and the Vanir.

Eventually they had enough and decided to exchange hostages as a peace offering. The goddess Freyja, originally part of the Vanir, joined the Aesir which would be Odin's group. As a sacrificial priestess, she was the one who taught the Aesir dark magic, which included seeing into the future. The implication here then is that Odin was taught black magic by Freyja.

This magic is known as seiðr. Seiðr is derived from *soi-to- which means rope/string. The distaff, a tool used for spinning wool, is associated with dark magic. There are images of women riding distaffs as a broom, similar to a witch riding a broomstick. To quote the Wiki: "In any case, the string relates to the "threads of fate", that the Nornir spin, measure, and cut. " Wait, that sounds familiar:

F, joining the party voice line: The threads of your fate lie in my hands!

Scholars suspect Freyja is the same person as Gullveig who was involved in the Aesir-Vanir war. Gullveig was attacked by the Aesir with spears; she died and was reborn three times. When Fischl tried to visit the Kingdom of Eternal Twilight she was also attacked by its people and "shed her blood on the sacred emblem" whatever that means. It was Oz who saved her, pledging his loyalty to her.

Freyja sometimes is conflated with another goddess named Frigg. There has been much debate whether or not these two goddesses stem from the same deity. Frigg is part of the Aesir and usually Odin's wife.

I mention this because in the book Hex and Hound, one of the characters is named after Frigg: Nottfrigga. This book is about two twin witches sharing the same body. In the book we find out that they were the daughters of a powerful witch, but witches are unable to keep more than one offspring of the same generation. This led to Nottfrigga's twin sister Magdalene eventually dying, and her using magic to sustain her sister inside a magic bracelet.

In Norse mythology, Nott is the personification of night. Nott's father is named Narfi. This really got my attention, because Fischl's full name is Fischl von Luftschloss Narfidort. (Fischl of the Castle in the Sky Narfidort.)

In the Hexenzirkel teaser, every witch is represented by a teacup (or in the case of Andersdottir, an inkbottle) but the saucer next to Nicole's teacup is empty. Since this saucer belongs to the same teaset this could mean one of the missing witches is Nicole's twin sister or a relative.

So what could Fischl's role be in all this? Perhaps she's one of the twin sisters, or their mother. Perhaps she's even an ancestor. ...Or completely unrelated to them and I'm full of shit.

PART 5: THE HARBINGERS

F's theme shares a leitmotief with the Fatui Harbingers theme.

F's theme: Sieh an, mein Sommernachtgarten! Signora's theme: Saltatio Favillae

Obviously this means Fischl is Capitano.

Composers don't do these things by accident. This is hinting at something. Either Fischl is connected to the Harbingers, was/is one of the Harbingers, or she is indeed the Tsaritsa.

Which is not as crazy as it sounds.

In Legend of the Shattered Halberd, Fischl possessed someone else's body. And if she is Freyja's equivalent, who died three times, then it's possible she could've been reborn as someone else. In the book, it was Mir who summoned Fischl into Weiyang's body and sacrificed his eye to appease her. Pierro is working for the Tsaritsa and has his right eye covered for reasons unknown. Having been a royal mage who would have had access to Khaenri'ah's restricted library, perhaps it was Pierro who summoned Fischl into the Tsaritsa's body.

The Tsaritsa is collecting the seven Gnoses, Fischl had to collect seven of the nine Ominous Swords to repair the Divine Halberd, which would be herself. She already had two of them in her possession… Could also be that the Tsaritsa is trying to revive her. This would imply Fischl is the Third Descender. Since she came from another world, this is not impossible.

The Fisher King, Fischl's possible namesake, was struck with a wound that could only be healed by a "pure fool" who would ask him the right question. ...Fatui is Latin for fools. If the Tsaritsa really is/is possessed by Fischl, then creating an organization of fools starts to make sense: the fools are her saviors.

This could also connect to the empty 10th seat within the Harbingers. The vacant spot could be a reference to the Siege Perilous, which was an empty seat reserved for the one successful in obtaining the Holy Grail by way of saving the Fisher King.

Usually this is accomplished by Percival, who later finds out his mother is the sister of the Fisher King. In the story, Percival keeps failing to return to the kingdom of the Holy Grail since it is an otherworldly place. Does that not remind you of Kaeya trying to find Khaenri'ah but failing halfway through?

Going back to Princess Ozma, an evil witch cast a spell on her that turned her into a little boy named Tippetarius. This was done to prevent Ozma from ascending to the throne. Tip was unaware of his true identity until he was transformed back into Ozma.

tippet /tĭp′ĭt/ noun A covering for the shoulders, as of fur, with long ends that hang in front.

As noted in The Marvelous Land of Oz, Chapter 23, Tip has brown colored skin.

…Kaeya, blink twice if you need help.

As a staunch hater of things that don't make sense, I highly doubt this means Kaeya is Fischl; the game would never go there. Perhaps being "Fischl" is simply hinting towards the fact that he will become one of the Fisher Kings.

That would certainly explain this random hangout ending.

Now, here's where things get really crazy.

Remember Anfortas? The Knight Marshal of the Schwanenritter who took over as regent after Irmin became indisposed? At the time of writing, Anfortas's fate remains unknown.

As said before, Anfortas is the name of the Fisher King in Arthurian legends. Fischl's name might've been a nod to that.

But it gets weirder.

T.S. Eliot's poem The Waste Land combines Arthurian legends with the legend of the Fisher King. In it, he associates the Fisher King with the tarot card Three of Staves.

The Man with Three Staves (an authentic member of the Tarot pack) I associate, quite arbitrarily, with the Fisher King himself.

…We have seen this symbol somewhere before. On the constellation wheel of the Fatui Harbingers. By process of elimination this constellation belongs to Il Capitano.

👏🏽👏🏽CONGRATULATIONS CAPITANO YOU ARE KAEYA'S NEXT TOP GRANDPA 🎉

Kidding of course, but I doubt this is a coincidence. This doesn't necessarily mean they are the same person, maybe Capitano simply mindmelded with Anfortas. It's a fantasy game, everything is possible at this point.

Wait a minute… three nails, three deaths… Uhhh maybe Fischl really did turn into Capitano.

👏🏽👏🏽CONGRATULATIONS CAPITANO YOU ARE PRINCESS DIANA'S NEXT REINCARNATION 👸🏼

PART 6: THE THIEF AND THE MAGE

Alright, for this section I want us to keep in mind the following things:

Fischl is a fallen star

Fischl may have been a mage

Fischl could be connected to Irmin and thus Khaenri'ah

The play of the Veluriyam Mirage is written by Zosimos. This play stars Kaeya as a Thief, Klee as a Mage and Idyia as a last minute heroine added to the story.

You see, Zosimos originally wanted to write a story based on rumors he'd heard about a thief and a mage. This means the play might not be entirely fictional. The problem is that Zosimos combined Idyia's backstory with the story of the Thief and the Mage, making it hard to tell which bits belong to Thief's story.

We know at least that Alice was the mage who helped Idyia. But what about the Mage who helped the Thief? Who was she? Could it have been Alice or someone else?

For that we need to consider the character Kaeya was playing. It's unknown who he is, but if Klee was playing her mom then it stands to reason Kaeya must've been playing someone connected to him. Before you get excited, this does not necessarily mean someone related to him by blood. Could also just be someone from Khaenri'ah. Heck, we don't even know the gender of the mage, for all we know they could've been a man.

Now, the soundtrack that plays during Kaeya's part is called Towers of Afrasiab. This name has come up before. In the play of Kaeya's hangout, the character he plays opposite of is called Frasiyav. The location of the Khaenri'ahn door is called Hangeh Afrasiyab.

I personally suspect Afrasiyab is either Irmin or the founder of Khaenri'ah.

Afrasiyab is a character from the Persian epic, the Shahnameh. Afrasiyab lived in an underground iron palace held up by hundreds of columns. (If you look at the architecture in Hangeh Afrasiyab, you'll see little reliefs of men holding up a ceiling above them.) Afrasiyab lacked the divine royal glory known as Khvarena and was obsessed with obtaining it. In the play they say Frasiyav lost because he lacked the blessing of god…

I mean it can't get any more obvious than that. So this could mean the dude from Kaeya's hangout was Irmin. Which does raise a bunch of questions, such as who is the identity of the Prince in this play? And why were they at war?

Should be noted in the hangout's play, Frasiyav offered hostages as a peace offering. Kind of reminds me of the war between the Aesir and Vanir… Also, Kaeya's character Prince Qubad is based on Siyavash who eventually married into Afrasiyab's family…

Towers of Afrasiyab then could refer to Khaenri'ah. In the Veluriyam play, the Thief is also from a dark realm. I hesitate making the assumption that this guy is Irmin or Kaeya's pirate grandpa so I will refer to him as simply the Thief.

In the play, the Thief witnesses a shooting star falling from the sky and follows it. However, what he finds is not a star but a young woman. Well, we know Fischl was also a star that fell down. And we know Fischl visited the Kingdom of Eternal Twilight and got bodied for her efforts. Oz took her under his wings and saved her life.

If the Thief encountered the Mage this way it would explain why the Mage helped him as a way to repay him. Perhaps the Mage taught him Arcane arts or helped him protect the "Dark Realm", who knows?

If this Mage really was Fischl and the Thief someone connected or related to Kaeya it would explain why Fischl and Kaeya seem to be connected.

About Kaeya F: His nature is obscure, his fate a mystery, and his speech a vexing tapestry woven of both fact and fiction… Perhaps he and I share the burden of mystical sight…

About Fischl  Kaeya: Hmm? You think Fischl having one eye covered is very fitting given her title of Prinzessin der Verurteilung. Hahaha, if that's the case, that must also make me a descendant of some kind of former royal lineage, no?

Furthermore, in Legend of the Shattered Halberd, Fischl's partner in crime, the man who summoned her, is named Mir. This is a reference to Mimir, the severed head from Norse mythology who acted as an advisor to Odin.

Mr. Nine states Fischl was attracted to Mir… and that Oz was more of a familiar of Fischl.

In Wagner's opera Der Ring des Nibelungen, Mimir is known as Mime, the brother of Alberich.

....😮‍💨

Well, I have to say, even after all of that, I am completely stumped. If anyone knows what's going on, let me know, because I for one would love to know WHAT'S GOING ON FOR ONCE. GIVE IT UP FOR KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON

[drabblesandimagines]

400 request! Could you do some thing like enemies to lovers with Cid, maybe an argument that leads to an angry kiss. With some spice at the end?

Thankyou!

Thanks for the 400 request, anon! Sorry it took me an absolute age to get round to it - I'm still working my way through a few. I didn't quite get enemies to lovers but there's some argumentative banter and a tiiiiny bit of spice towards the end - please let me know what you think in an anon ask xxx Sparks Cidolfus Telemon x female reader Fluffy, little sprinkling of spice towards the end

You start to look up at the sound of the bell tinkling over the door, announcing a customer, but the heavy boots on the wooden floorboards tell you all you need to know and you sigh, casting your eyes immediately back down when you see who it is darkening your doorstep.

“No.”

“Love, that’s not a nice greeting. Want to try again?”

“Cidolfus-” “Oh, I am in trouble.” He smirks. “Now, this is a nice one.” You hear him heave a pot up in his hands, “how much?"

You look up then – he’s admiring the ceramic with a fake interest. “Not for sale.” You pinch the bridge of your nose to try and relieve the tension as he places the pot down.  “I have a headache that could down a behemoth and I cannot deal with that and you today.”

“Then,” the approaching footsteps show he has not heeded your plea, “you should let me help you.”

“Help?” You scoff. “You always bring more trouble to my door. If the Imperials or Dragoons get word of you being here…”

“They’ll what – poke and prod me with their little halberds?” He pretends to pout. “I don’t fear them and, if someone would finally accept my very gracious offer, neither would you.”

“Leave.” You seethe. “You’re nothing but a hinderance these days.”

“Surely it’s the thought that counts.” He chuckles, laying both palms down on the desk to show he had no plans to leave. “Besides, if you would concede, Tarja could whip you off something for that headache too, quick as you like.”

“By the Mothers. I swear-“

“This isn’t a very viable way to run a business, love – chasing your customers away at the door.”

“You’re not a real customer.”

He shrugs, before lifting a hand off the counter and grabbing a gil pouch off his belt. He drops it in show, the bag giving a satisfying thunk as it hit the counter to show off its contents.

“I’ll take however much this will get me.”

“You won’t. I hold the right to refuse you service.” You stress, shoving the pouch back across to him.

“You’re such a funny shopkeeper, someone might get ideas you’re up to something else here.”

You sigh, meeting his eyes at last. He’s a handsome man and he knows it – part of what makes him so cocky. “What will it take for you to leave me be?”

He throws his arms wide. “Come join my group of outlaws.”

“I’m doing fine work here.” You grumble. Your paths had crossed a few years back. He’d heard word of someone shipping ailing Bearers out to the Kingdom of Waloed – something he could not stand, given his history. His investigations had led straight to you – ushering them onto a boat in a way that wasn’t befitting on a slave master. After a tense exchange, it had been established that the two of you were of the same opinion – that Bearers didn’t deserve the hand they had been dealt and were trying to help where you can in different ways. You’d buy up Bearers where you could and, under the guise of selling them to Waloed, you’d find them havens throughout Valisthea, allowing them to live their final days in peace, for whatever it was worth.

He was smug, cocky, thought he was the Mother’s gift to all around him, and it drove you up the wall – like he expected you to swoon over him and his swagger, go along with whatever he wanted. But no, you’d stayed firm, held your resolve – Cidolfus Telemon will not get his way with you.

“What if I say I’m worried?”

“About yourself? You should be. I heard a certain rumour about an unwanted visitor to Drake’s Head.”

He quirks an eyebrow, looks surprised for a moment before his face falls back into its self-assured grin. “I just wanted a closer look, love.”

The bell above the door rings again and a real customer walks in – a nobleman, by the looks of it, with real gil to burn.

You look at Cid and nod your head towards the door. Thankfully, he relents, giving you a wink and a wave and finally heads out the door.

--

Later that evening, you’re about to lock up when a hand squeezes your shoulder. You turn, alarmed, and find yourself facing a trio of Imperial soldiers – all sporting the same haircut under military standards, the same hardened stares.

“I’m awfully sorry, but I’m closed for the day, sirs. Mayhaps you can return in the morning.” You keep your tone light, almost ditsy to try and diffuse what is clearly not a group of soldiers out shopping for pots.

“I’m afraid this matter really cannot wait, my lady.” The soldier reaches past you and opens the door into the shop before pushing you back within. “After you.”

You make it five steps in when you hear a sword being unsheathed and an almighty clatter as it collides with a group of pots on display.

“Oops.” The soldier says, dryly.

“Accidents happen.” This isn’t good – whatever this is.

“They do.”  We wouldn’t want any more happening, would we?”

“No, sir.”

“Like, it must have been an accident when Cidolfus Telemon was here this afternoon and you did not bring it to our attention.”

“Who?” You tilt your head, trying to mimic confusion. The soldier, the commander of this merry trio, you reckon, grabs you by your jaw, squeezing your cheeks.

“Don’t play dumb, my lady. You’ll only make this worse for yourself. What business did you conduct with him?”

“None.” He lets go of your jaw and shoves you backwards, sending you crashing into another display of pots. Jagged bits of ceramic poke at your back and thighs, but that pain is nothing to the fear you feel when he draws his sword.

“Ladies should not lie.”

“And that is no way to treat a lady, lads.” Cid’s smooth voice comes from the doorway. The soldiers spin on their heels, holding their swords aloft. He steps in, casually, rolling up his sleeves.

“Surrender, Telemon.”

Sparks of lightning begin to crackle along his arm and into his palm. “Not my style.” And before the soldiers can make another move, he punches his fist into the ground, sending three strikes of lightning in each of their directions, sending the trio flying up for a moment before crashing down into more of your pots - dead.

You stare in disbelief of what’s just occurred, your heart pounding as Cid strides over to you, pulling you up to your feet.

“Are you all right?”

“You.” You growl, grabbing hold of either side of his collar with both hands and yanking him forward. “I told you that you’re nothing but trouble.”

He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “Love, I’m sorry, that wasn’t meant to happen-“ You cut him off with a bruising kiss and for a moment he doesn’t reciprocate, stunned, before he drops his hands and slides his tongue in between your lips, fighting for dominance. His hands find your waist and he pulls you closer, one hand dropping down to squeeze your backside. You can feel him smirk into the kiss, but that won’t do. You let go of his collar, trailing your fingers down his chest and then lower, ghosting his crotch, causing him to moan into your mouth…

“We gotta go, Cid – more Imperials heading this way!” A voice comes from the door – one you recognize as another part of his crew.

He pulls away, frowning. “We’ll have to continue this back at my place, love. Come on.” And with no hesitation, his hands are back at your waist and the smug bastard throws you over your shoulder, patting your backside as he adjusts his grip.

“Cidolfus!” --

Comments, likes and reblogs make my whole day x

Masterlist . Requests welcome . Ko-fi

[daydreaming-ace]

All I know is it was... (I'm Wonderstruck!)

Sat at one of the many foldable tables set up within the Halberd, Taranza sighed.

It had been weeks since they saved the universe from Void Termina and its worshippers, finding new allies along the way. With the safety of everything ensured, Kirby had decided that a party should be held. King Dedede had agreed, leading to the Halberd being used as a replacement for Castle Dedede’s great hall… Even with the vast amount of decorations used, it was still obvious that this was a cold, steel warship not meant for extravagant parties.

Glancing towards the intermingling crowd, Taranza had begun to realize something much harsher about this event: he knew no one.

Of course there were people he recognized, due to adventuring with them for so long, but he didn't truly know them. He may have been able to recognize a voice or two, but he couldn’t attach a name or appearance to them. Yet, they seemed to get along just fine. Like this journey meant something to them.

This journey was meant to bring Her back… Yet it didn’t. She was still gone and he was still alone, now pushed further away than ever. All because he thought he could still bring Her back—

He was snapped out of his thoughts by a nearby chair squeaking. Turning his head, he found someone pulling the chair across from him. Upon seeing their witness, they paused.

“Sorry, should've asked.” They nervously chuckled, one of their ears twitching, “Was someone sitting here?”

“You're fine,” he immediately replied, “No one was sitting there.”

They proceeded to stare at him for several minutes, expression hidden yet unchanging. The upper portion of their face was hidden by a bright blue hood, while the bottom was hidden by a white scarf making it so only a fraction of their eyes were visible. Taranza had heard in the past that the eyes were supposed to be the windows to the soul, yet this person’s eyes conveyed no such truth. 

It seemed that the stranger had gathered more information on Taranza than he could on them.

Sitting down in one fluid motion, they scooted the chair towards the table and leaned in. If that didn't surprise the arachnid enough, they reached a hand across the table.

“The name’s Magolor! What’s yours?”

Looking down at the offered hand, he found that there were no visible tricks attached to it. No hand buzzers, whoopee cushions, or other pranking devices. Glancing back up at the now-named stranger, he found that their expression was still unreadable.

“Taranza,” He replied, extending his hand to meet the cloaked figure's, “It is lovely to make your acquaintance!”

“No need to be so formal,” Magolor waved their unused hand, “We’re all friends here!”

He very much doubted this, though he chose to not say anything. His silence did not shield him, as they seemed to pick up on this. “Well, if you don’t believe me… I guess I’ll have to be your first friend here!”

Whatever Taranza was expecting, it was not that. Any semblance of a coherent response left him, leaving him to squeak out a small, “Eh?”

“We are friends now!” They happily chirped, before their voice dropped, “And there is nothing you can do about it.”

A shiver ran through him. 

That was definitely meant to be a threat, but how was friendship threatening? Before he could question it further, they giggled and clapped their hands together. When did they remove their hand? Why did he miss it?

“Anyway!” Their eyes now dazzled, though he couldn’t tell what emotion they were meant to be conveying, “How about you tell me a bit about yourself?”

“Where should I start?”

“Anywhere, really!” Magolor stretched their arms outwards, like they were highlighting how much he could talk about, “But, since you asked so nicely, how about…”

Lifting one of their hands, they curiously looked the wizard up and down. He didn’t move, one set of eyes studying their face while the other stared at their hand. Now that he truly focused on it, the dazzle in their eyes had faded, though they didn’t look sad. They were full of an emotion he could not describe, one that had never been levied onto him before.

Was their unreadability purposeful, or were their emotions simply beyond his scope of understanding?

Blinking away his thoughts, Taranza let out a deep breath. 

Looking at Magolor once more, he smiled. 

“Welcome back, Ranzy! Thought I lost you for a sec,” They chuckled, before sitting up and stretching their hands. Floating to Taranza’s side of the table, they offered a hand, “I’m gonna grab something to eat, before Kirby and Dedede devour it all. Wanna join me on my heist?”

Taking their hand, he grinned, “I would love to.”

—–___—–

This will be posted to AO3 after Magoranza Week 2025 is over!

If you're wondering: Taranza does not know Magolor's pronouns, so he's just defaulting to they/them. It is a bit irrelevant to the story, but I headcanon Magolor as genderfluid! :D

I'm hoping to fix this up a bit once the Week is over (through the AO3 posting).

[saibugslegacy]

Demigod AU Original Characters

(Featuring two new characters)

Demigod AU Masterlist

Everett Varyn

BASIC INFO

Name: Everett Varyn

Godly Parent: Hestia (adopted)

Age: 13

Years at Camp: 2

Weapon: Crossbow

Status: Full time

LI: Cassian Malfoy

Powers:

Pyrokinesis

Limited healing

BACKSTORY

The day before his fifteenth birthday Ambrose has a dream of Everett getting attacked by a monster

The next morning a satyr named Fig appears on their doorstep, one sent by Zeus himself to escort Ambrose to Camp. Ambrose drags Everett along with them to protect him

Along the way to Camp the trio encounter a chimera den. They're losing the fight until Fig sacrifices himself to give Ambrose time to grab a halberd from the monster's spoils and kill the chimera. He brings the halberd with him just in case

He prays to the gods for any of them to protect his brother. To his surprise one answers. Not just any god, not even his father. Instead it's Hestia

Hestia vows to protect Everett and give him her blessing, and in exchange Ambrose swears himself to her

They make it to camp but it's with a manticore on their tail

Other campers arrive to help but Ambrose summons a lightning bolt to kill it

NOTES

Theon Ridley

BASIC INFO

Name: Theon Ridley

Age: 19

Years at Camp: 6

Godly Parent: Hermes

Weapon: Spear and shield

Status: Summers

LI: Ambrose Varyn

Powers

Near superhuman speed

Flawless navigation

BACKSTORY

Mother, Astrid, was a Navy pilot who met Hermes and ended up pregnant with Theon

Ends up leaving him in the care of a friend on base while she finishes deployment

However towards the end of her deployment she ends up having a second child with Oceanus, who pretends to be a normal sailor

She gets back to base and ends up marrying the man taking care of Theon, Joseph

They know Theon is a demigod, but don't know about Cassian until he gets in a fight with Theon and Theon gets hit in the face with a wave from the pool

Astrid and Joseph finally tell them everything when Theon is thirteen and let them choose if they want to go to Camp

Theon says yes, going for the first time that summer

Does not say a single word to his parents about the Titan War until it's over

NOTES

Fought in Battle of Manhattan

Has an eyebrow slit because he thinks it makes him look cool

Cassian Malfoy

BASIC INFO

Name: Cassian Malfoy

Godly Parent: Oceanus

Age: 16

Years at Camp: 3

Weapon: Sword

Status: Summers

LI: Everett Varyn

Powers:

Control water

Can solidify, boil, and freeze water

Becomes stronger in water, especially ocean water

Can breathe underwater

Can talk to marine life

BACKSTORY

Mother, Astrid, was a Navy pilot who met Hermes and ended up pregnant with Theon

Ends up leaving him in the care of a friend on base while she finishes deployment

However towards the end of her deployment she ends up having a second child with Oceanus, who pretends to be a normal sailor

She gets back to base and ends up marrying the man taking care of Theon, Joseph

They know Theon is a demigod, but don't know about Cassian until he gets in a fight with Theon and Theon gets hit in the face with a wave from the pool

Astrid and Joseph finally tell them everything when Cassian is ten and let them choose if they want to go to Camp

Cassian says yes, going for the first time that three summers later when he turns thirteen

NOTES

Everyone assumes his godly parent is Poseidon because of his powers, but he doesnt get claimed for three years

Kylin Athantis

BASIC INFO

Name: Kylin Athantis

Epithet: Stormbringer

Arrival Age: 25

Age: Old

Godly Parent: Poseidon

Weapon: Bow

Status: Resurrected

LI: TBA

Powers:

Controlling and creating water based dangers including storms (especially hurricanes and tropical storms), tidal waves, rip currents, floods, and tsunamis

Best sailor in history

Controlling water

Can breathe underwater

Can communicate with marine life

BACKSTORY

Born in Ithaca, over four hundred years ago

Mother died when he was so young that he doesn't remember her and spent basically his whole life in an orphanage

At fifteen decided to stowaway onto Odysseus's ship en route for Troy

The night before, he got a visit from Poseidon that told him Posedion is his father and to not embarass him during the war

Fought in the Trojan War and came out of it one of the most powerful and skilled demigods in history

Sailed around with Odysseus trying to get home, up until Zeus destroyed their ship

Kylin only survived the lightning because he hit the lightning before he died and it healed him

Was on the run from Zeus for seven years, during which he forgave and built up a semblance of a relationship with his father, until he found out about Odysseus being on Ogygia

Stormed Olympus and demanded the gods saved Odysseus

Ended up getting an agreement but for his absolute audacity and for demanding help for a man who has pissed off like, half the gods, Zeus made him choose. If Odysseus was saved, Kylin would be thrown into Tartarus

Kylin agreed and is thrown into the pit, supposedly ending his story

NOTES

Got scar from Zeus's lightning

Poseidon takes on the epithet "Stormbringer" in honor of Kylin

Backstory based on EPIC: The Musical because it's my favorite version of the Odyssey

Karter Reese

BASIC INFO

Name: Karter Reese

Age: 26

Years at Camp: 0

Godly Parent: Hades

Weapon: Sword and dagger

Status: Graduated

LI: TBA

BACKSTORY

Parents were killed by monsters when he was 8

Him and his sister ended up adopted by a single father who also had a boy and a girl

The night before his sixteenth birthday, Hecate appeared to him and gave him the Kronos spiel. At exactly midnight, he refused to join the mythological world altogether, paving the way for how the Great Prophecy concluded

At nineteen he finds a ten year old on his doorstep at his dorm, finds out this kid is his brother, and helps him out

Then more kids show up that summer and tell him they need help and Karter can't exactly say no, so he goes with them, finds his brother, and ends up getting dragged into the Battle of the Labyrinth

He ends up training on his own with his siblings

Next year, because of course, his brother shows up again but this time its with his Hades. He gets a stygian iron sword put in his hands then next thing he knows he's showing up halfway into the Battle of Manhattan

Spends the next five years travelling around with siblings, helping out wayward demigods, whether it's on quests or escorting them to Camp

NOTES

Fought in the Battle of Manhattan and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Has friends at Camp but never attended themself

Has scar from harpy

[puckness]

muy beast headcanons ummm (and elder faerie)

Burning Spice Cookie - she/he - butch lesbian

Burning Spice Cookie thinks of herself as the strongest of the beasts, being charismatic yet unpredictable. Wielding her large halberd, he may seem uncoordinated and not focused in battle due to her lust for destruction and power. Sometimes, she often wants to destroy anything in sight, but also wants to refuse that, since it would be hinting to her past role as the Virtue of Change. She’s at a constant internal conflict with herself, driving her in a loop of irritation and agitation.

Silent Salt Cookie - they/them - non binary bisexual (female preference)

Silent Salt Cookie isn’t exactly one to voice out their opinions, and usually keeps everything about themself hidden. Changed from solidarity to silence, they distance themself from their group the best they can, staying forcefully mute to not grow attached once more; even though they can’t even get emotional anymore anyways. They still follow and stick with the beasts, but choose to stay quiet and far as to not allude to anything. They feel lonely sometimes, but they’ve gotten used to the feeling to where it seems normal.

Eternal Sugar Cookie - she/it - demigirl lesbian

Eternal Sugar Cookie spends her time relaxing in her mind, seemingly without a care in the world. She experiences and feels extremely strong emotions, such as bloodlust or depression on some days, but she usually sleeps them off and forgets about them. Despite this, she still retains some teasing and cruel nature, often projecting those onto stray cookies, sometimes even her teammates.

Mystic Flour Cookie - she/they - femme lesbian

Mystic Flour Cookie often finds herself disgusted with her fellow teammates, but it’s really a 50/50 between disgust and ignorance. She usually pays them, and everything else no mind, only wreaking havoc when she just wants something to occupy her. Though, she grows bored quite easily, and ends up going back to staring at a wall or what not.

Shadow Milk Cookie - he/she - bigender bisexual (female preference)

Shadow Milk Cookie thinks of himself as the leader of the beasts, “commanding” and “leading them into battle”. Most of the beasts think of his leader act to be irritating and annoying, but she knows they secretly care, even just the slightest bit. Most of the time, he lies to them and surprisingly convinces them to do something, which just ends up in them stuck in one of his ruthless pranks. This brings him extreme joy, and usually doesn’t even help them after. Although, he never thinks these pranks out, and the solution to escaping them is usually very simple.

Elder Faerie - she/her - butch lesbian

Elder Faerie is steadfast and strong willed, going against the beasts without faltering. With all of her years alive, accompanied by her enemies which are the beasts, she’s grown accustomed to putting on a stoic front and remaining true to her own word. Someday, she wishes to return the beasts to their original state, as heroes; though, it seems hopeless.

[mylordshesacactus]

Suncrest Campaign Character Epilogues

Audie (Human Wizard)

About a month after the final battle, as repairs are underway, the party gets a random Sending message from Max's friend Ihava the punk-rock tabaxi, namely, “Hey, did you do something with time travel? Because some dead heroes just showed up in the city and they’re very confused.” As an archivist, and also as the member of the party who's done the most reading and research into the Bastion of Life's specific adventuring party from 50 years ago, Audie is far and away the one that they want to talk to most--especially Rochelle Willowfeather, the tiefling monk who led that doomed final stand. Audie, once she stops stammering, is able to help her find records of the aarakocra settlement where her wife had lived--but sadly in the fifty years since Rochelle was frozen, her wife has passed away. She takes it hard, though her friends help her through it. Seeing as how she just helped to save the world, and how she has glowing letters of recommendation from the incredibly famous, miraculously resurrected heroes upon whose legacy was founded the entire Spellbound Dominion, Audie finally gets a full-ride scholarship to wizard college. Unlike her sister Summer, she completes her degree and starts only the occasional fight with administration. She applies for a work-study position. Her apprentice at her old archive is VERY confused but also very supportive.

Andromeda (Aarakocra Paladin)

Andromeda joins the City Guard. Deeply affected by Olassa's sacrifice, and having seen in the Violet Guard what a city guard can look like without honest people keeping its power in check, she wants to honor her mentor's memory. She enlists as a recruit, starting from the bottom. As an experienced and honest mid-level paladin, however, she climbs the ranks quickly and joins the officer track. While she, UNDERSTANDABLY, keeps her god-touched flail Morningstar (a legendary weapon) as her primary weapon, when she becomes an officer she commissions (possibly from Farrah!) a halberd as well. It's mostly a ceremonial weapon, but she trains with it and learns to wield it regardless. (Throughout the campaign, while she also wore a longsword for emergencies--Olassa's signature weapon was always the halberd.) Eventually, within a few decades, Andromeda is named Guard-Captain of the city of Suncrest.

Farrah (Tiefling Fighter)

Farrah, very excited to meet The Legendary And Miraculously Resurrected Heroes Upon Whose Legacy Was Founded The Entire Spellbound Dominion, happily invites them home to meet her mom! They all immediately start fangirling and asking for Brenda's autograph. This is the BEST running gag in the campaign. Farrah, after speaking with her blacksmithing master, transfers her apprenticeship. Instead of learning to make weapons she trains under a silver-and-goldsmith and learns to make tiny, beautiful things that require a lot of patience. Once she's satisfied she has basic skills in this area, she takes the armor of the fae commander who led the occupation of Suncrest, melts it down, and reforges it into a statue--an excellent likeness, in solid silver, of the Wolves of the Wild Court of Winter. This ninth-level casting of "Fuck You" is casually gifted to V, to display in the Sigil Rampant. In fact, the party periodically drops by with souvenirs from their travels to hang up there, now that V owns the place. Farrah also returns to the smithing guilds in Requiem for a while, learning how to forge enchantments into items, before ultimately returning to Suncrest as a mage-smith.

Max (Human Bard/Rogue)

Max never uses that last Wish. Consideration was given to using it for a resurrection--bringing back Olassa, or even the village of Little Ivywood. Ultimately however, Max's caution won out. He remains attuned to the scepter, but puts it in a chest and buries the chest in an unmarked, undisclosed location, sharing its coordinates with only Audie and Ihava in case of catastrophe--Ihava because she can be trusted to use it wisely, and Audie because she can be trusted to overthink any potential Wish so badly that if she ever goes mad with power the next generation of adventurers will have plenty of time to storm her evil fortress and take it from her before she can do anything diabolical with it. Also because he trusts his friend or whatever. In the meantime, he finds that bardic wanderlust again. He splits his time on the road between Suncrest and Requiem, spending--reluctantly--some time with his family. His route isn't regimented, but it's predictable, so that his friends can always find him if necessary. Eventually, about five years after the final battle, the two fae warlocks--Max and Farrah--wake in the middle of the night with a sharp pain in their serpent marks. Peering into the 'eye' of the peacock feather, they see the image of a plain, battered, half-rotten leather diary...which slowly pans out to show its location in the false bottom of a chest...being rolled and tossed....into a rickety cart......in a cave....in the Underdark. They understand, inherently, that this is their first mission as eyes of the Feathered Serpent. And the adventure continues. But first...

Nimbus (Human Ranger)

Nim also remains in Suncrest--or around it, rather. He doesn't join the Guard outright, but he's on their payroll regardless as a woodland scout and makes regular reports. He often talked about wanting to be able to send his sister to wizard school--Paisley Salvia is incredibly smart and "wizard" is the smartest thing Nim knows. They start by bringing her to study in an academic apprenticeship at one of the government programs in Suncrest to, essentially, get her gen-ed requirements in. When given the opportunity, however, Paise actually ends up not wanting to learn magic--she's much more interested in the mechanical and the mundane, using the real world around her to do great things. She wants to become an artificer...and unlike wizardry, which can only be really learned in Dumplinmere, there's no better place to do that then the rugged and resource-rich city of Suncrest. Nim is, of course, delighted. Paise is also extremely happy to be pursuing her dreams close to home, and of course that's mostly due to proximity to her family...but there is, of course, another consideration. Thesh Nightshadow, the young bugbear girl that she kinda sorta got outed as being in a relationship with when they were [checks notes] kidnapped by werewolves while meeting each other in the woods and had to be rescued by her older brother. (Thesh, when they found her, was barely conscious and half-delirious from fever. When the were-cult, mistakenly believing that torturing a maiden would force Albion the unicorn into their killzone, grabbed Paisley, Thesh tried to fight them. They broke her jaw. It had been left untreated for, at that point, nearly a week--she could very easily have died without Andromeda's intervention. Nim didn't even have the heart to tease them very much.) Anyway. Thesh is the daughter of the chieftain of the Talonholde clan and is training to follow in his footsteps. That means learning politics, logistics, military tactics, conflict resolution, and woodsmanship. For some of those, Nim gets her into the academy in Suncrest--but for the latter, even her village's best hunters unilaterally agree that Nimbus, who has class levels to their "Bugbear Commoner" stat sheets, is the best possible teacher. She ends up training under him a lot, and they get very close as a result. And about five years after the world nearly ended, the party attends their wedding--but the bugbear wedding ceremony I wrote for myself will be its own post ;)

[deathmetalunicorn1]

Hihi!! Hope you're doing well! Please take rest and drink as much as water as you can (⁠｡⁠•̀⁠ᴗ⁠-⁠)⁠✧

Do you write platonic relationships? If yes, may I request headcanons of Lu Bu and reader being best friends :D

It all starts with reader approaching Lu Bu because she thinks he would like a friend to talk to. Now, they're from completely different timelines and somehow very close. It's a cute friendship because she's small and very friendly to everyone and Lu Bu scares people with just one look.

I hope this wasn't too much to ask. If you can't do it, it's alright!! Have a wonderful day and sending lots of love >:D

btw I love your works sm this is my first time requesting 😭😭😭

-The sudden pressure on his back did nothing to break his concentration as he continued to swing his halberd, working on his technique, as he wanted to fight Thor again!

-Ever since being returned to life, Lu Bu has been working hard, training even harder, wanting to have an even better match against his soul mate, the opponent he had always wanted.

-Your arms wrapped around his neck, giving him a small hug, “Hi~ Lu Bu!” he cracked the smallest of grins before swinging hard, splitting the ground in front of him, but also breaking his fourth halberd of the day. He wasn’t bothered, he had plenty more.

-You hopped down before he turned, ruffling your hair lightly which made you grin before he spoke, “You need something or you just hanging out today?”

-The pout on your face was cute as your hands came to your hips, “What I can’t just come and see my most favorite Lu Bu in the world?!”

-His grin widened, and to anyone else who didn’t know him, it would have been terrifying, but to people like you and Chen Gong, you weren’t bothered, he was just smiling!

-Seeing him smile, you grinned, “I came to get you, Chen Gong asked me to bring you to lunch! He found a hot pot place!” while wanting to continue training, hearing what lunch was, he agreed, plus he couldn’t say no to you.

-If anyone saw the two of you together, they would think he was threatening you, because you were an adorable cinnamon roll while he was… not.

-Your friendship was an oddball one, but many thought it was cute, big scary Lu Bu with tiny cupcake Y/N, but you got along great with each other!

-You were the only one that could sneak up on him and hug him without breaking his concentration and you didn’t care if he spent hours training, you didn’t bother him, and if he wanted you out of the way, he would tell you, but since you’re so small, usually he doesn’t care.

-Chen Gong was overwhelmed with tears when you first met him as he hugged you, sobbing comically that his lord had made a friend!! Lu Bu had been a bit embarrassed, which was rather amusing to see but only you and Chen Gong had seen it.

-Even Red Hair liked you! And Red Hair didn’t like anyone but Lu Bu; but you didn’t ride him, as he wasn’t your horse, but you could at least approach him without fear and he would let you hand feed him and brush him.

-Chen Gong greeted you both as you led Lu Bu into the hot pot restaurant, waving you over to the table he had gotten, beaming, “I ordered plenty of meat for us!”

-Lu Bu gave him a grin, and being the only other person that didn’t mind Lu Bu’s smile, he wasn’t afraid, seeing it more as praise and happiness.

-Anyone looking at your table couldn’t understand the mismatched trio seated there, you and Chen Gong were chatty and bright, while Lu Bu was silent and scary looking, but seeing him with the two of you, he didn’t seem so scary, he almost seemed like a stoic father.

-Lu Bu cracked a grin when you put some vegetables into his bowl, “Eat some veggies too!” only you and maybe Chen Gong could get away with that.

-But then again, that’s why Lu Bu liked you, you weren’t afraid of him, you just treated him like a normal person, because to you, that’s all that he was.

[the-witchs-cafe]

Hi there- I hope it's not too much to ask, but, if that's alright, do you have any advice on designing witches in general? Or if there's a certain philosophy you follow in regards to it?

It isn't at all, dearie! Thank you so, very much for asking in the first place!! I cannot emphasize how much this has warmed my heart ^^ /v v pos

My most important advice above all else...if you ask me, I say it's best to take all the time that you need- even if it took weeks, months, or even a year or two, it's best to allow your brain to cook at its leisure. In the meanwhile, I also recommend setting up a way you could archive any and all inspirations/ideas that come your way- whether we're talking about an inspiration board or even a discord server that only exists to compile information, just find a method that best suits yourself and stick with it.

Don't be afraid of going off the walls when designing the witch themselves, either; so long as a theme has been established and everything is sticking to it, you won't have a thing to worry about.

I mean, come on! Ophelia is dubbed as the Witch of Wudan, with a European name serving as a reference to Hamlet, possesses a candle for a head, and has powers over illusions. Candeloro, meanwhile, is a headless little toy known as the "witch of dress-up", whose labyrinth possesses a river of blood contrasting with the idyllic scenery of her labyrinth, and had taken all the measures she's managed to come up with in order to keep her familiars from leaving her alone.

To bring my own creations into the spotlight of shame, and ironically so when considering who he was, Sayf al-Muharib is the Gladiator Warlock who resembles a sheep-wolf hybrid with design elements invoking both the Golden Calf and a "wolf in sheep's clothing" (full credit goes to @gummybonebanes for the wolf part esp), is constantly burning/melting so that he could further imitate his hero, has an Arabic name that means "the warrior's sword" in spite of Gladiators being a mainly Roman thing and his weapon being a HALBERD, and the center of his labyrinth even looks like a soccer arena once you take a good look at it.

All these aspects may look like they make little to no sense for them to be put together, but, once you look at them a little closely and inspect the people they once were, it all begins to fall into place. Like working with individual cogs of a machine, just try to find the piece that keeps the design operational and working in the manner that befits what you had in mind. I also recommend looking at other media that possess story elements that happen to be similar to PMMM's witches for further inspiration as well, such as the Baal bosses from the Bravely series, or the abyss enemies and the concept of the samsara from Genshin Impact.

Finally, and I know this sounds corny as hell, but...don't stress about the design and the labyrinth too much, and try not to push yourself to write even when you're nervous or are dealing with other unrelated strifes. The reason why I regret how Bianchi and Liang-Hui turned out they way they did is because I was, for lack of better terms, not at all in the chillest of moods to write, and, boy, do I regret that now. Find the right mindset and mood you want the labyrinth to embody, try to capture that very emotion and sensation, and just go from there!

For example, the reason why Kealamauloa Kinimaka's labyrinth is the way it is and why I am so proud of it is because not only does every little detail symbolize an aspect of Hau's life, but it invokes a certain emotion; comfort and disconnection from the struggles around you, and, by letting go, you could even float high up to the skies. Sayf al-Muharib's, meanwhile, invokes the emotion of being watched at all angles; denied of freedom by the people surrounding you as you struggle to strive forwards through these suffocating hallways, with the withered statues of his older brother looking down on him- casting a reflection of the beast and failure he has become.

Remember, a labyrinth is the "mental headspace of a magi prior to witchification", as stated by the creators themselves; it can be interpreted as their own worldview and how they saw themselves in the story they're in, the magnitude of their life struggles in their eyes, or are just places that exist to keep the witch's wounds wide open at all costs- a cage forged from their own curses, locking them in this eternal hellish state. Don't be afraid to exaggerate aspects of their lives when it comes to labyrinths; make us plunge into the eyes of the magical people they once were and how they saw their problems! It is all about perspective here.

Best of luck and wishes, anon- and godspeed!