#and it's about my choice at the end of Links awakening

[nbclover]

hehehe

[optimisticgrey]

✨Hi Darling✨

I am Hanna, so called elder millenial.

Welcome to my cozy corner of the internet.

💡 ao3 ⬩ bsky ⬩ backup ⬩ playlist ⬩ pillowfort

I write and read adult stuff about Baldur's Gate 3, neatly sorted in my

Virtual Library You can find a classical masterlist below👇

and maintain a

K!nk Glossary

on an external page to not upset the tumblr gods (again)

Personal

I hail from the depth of the internet. I have two cats, a library and a weakness for both heavy metal and classical music. Stressprocrastinating a highly useless corporate job by hyperfixating on fictional characters from Baldur's Gate 3 As most hobby writers, I do this for fun and relaxation (and, yes admittedly, escapism) If you like my writing, let me know. If you don't, also let me know but be kind :)

Dividers by @cafekitsune; Videos/Pictures are mine or owners are linked

Masterlist 👇

links: ao3 ⬩ backup

In the wake of your departure ⬩ sneaky god Gale x you ⬩ finished Gale leaves you at the docks of Baldur's Gate and you experience the five stages of grief.

All we have is each other (In another life) ⬩ Gale x you ⬩ ongoing You played BG3 and woke up on the beach in Faerûn. What now?

You could have done anything. Gone with anyone. Yet you chose me. ⬩ Halsin x you ⬩ finished You are a redeemed Dark Urge who frees Halsin from Orin

Echoes of the thread ⬩ All x you (mostly Gale though) ⬩ ongoing You awaken on the beach near the wreckage of the nautiloid, fully conscious of everything that transpired during the last run—a run that, tragically, ended in failure.

Nature has been most kind to let me share in your heart ⬩ Halsin x you ⬩ finished Spin off of Echoes of the Thread - What if Halsin does not fall in love with you?

it has always been you ⬩ Gale x Celeste ⬩ ongoing AU, no power. Celeste meets Gale in an airport and falls in love.

"The Choice That Wasn't Mine To Make" ⬩ Celeste x Halsin ⬩ finished Gale convinces the others that using the orb is their only way of defeating the Netherbrain. Celeste finds out too late.

A Song of Love and Loss ⬩ Gale x Celeste x Halsin ⬩ finished When Celeste goes missing, Gale finds himself reconsidering his approach to love and commitment.

[cosmerelists]

If the "Chicken Dinner" Tradition Existed in the Cosmere...

"Chicken dinner" post requested by anon. :)

If you're not familiar with it, this is the "chicken dinner post." Basically, it's a tradition that Someone on the Internet has created, where you and a friend tear apart and eat an entire rotisserie chicken with your bare hands, fighting over it the whole time. Look, the post I linked explains it better.

Anyway, let's say this tradition (and also rotisserie chickens) existed throughout the Cosmere...

1. Sadeas & Dalinar: Firsthand Observations by Jasnah

--There was but a moment of sizing each other up from the edges of the tarp before both men charged directly at the chicken

--Dalinar kept his feet but Sadeas dove and so got the chicken first. He was able to get a few bites in before Dalinar dove onto him from above.

--There is now intense wrestling over the chicken.

--I observe that while Sadeas appears focused on getting as much chicken into his mouth as possible, Dalinar appears to be more focused on pinning his opponent to the mat--I mean, the tarp

--How did both men lose their shirts?

--Dalinar does now have Sadeas pinned, but the chicken is directly in front of Sadeas' head and he is STILL biting at it. I am not convinced that Dalinar has actually consumed any chicken at all.

--Sadeas has at length grown still. Dalinar has picked up the remains of the chicken carcass and is now holding it in both hands while he consumes it over Sadeas' prone form. However, I do observe that the most choice bits of the chicken do appear to have been consumed already--by Sadeas

--If this is a game with a winner, I do not know how to declare it in this case.

2. Tress & Huck: A Post-Chicken-Dinner Conversation

Tress: A-Again, I'm REALLY sorry. Huck: You don't have anything to be sorry about! Tress: Going in, I thought: well, it's just food, and Huck and I are friends, and I don't see why we can't just share the chicken peacefully. Tress: ... Tress: I don't know WHAT came over me! I ripped that chicken apart! I think I was growling at some point! Huck: Can confirm. Tress: A-And, worst of all... Tress: ... Tress: I can't believe I HELD you in one hand and ate the chicken with my other w-while LAUGHING that you were just a tiny helpless rat! Huck: Yeah, I sure hope that didn't awaken anything in me. Tress: ...what? Huck: A-Anyway, I think it was good for you to let go! Be wild and feral! It's probably healthy! Tress: It was...oddly freeing. Huck: That's the spirit!

3. Steris Rates People's Greatest Strength in Chicken Dinner Combat

--Wax: Airtime. Is able to fling himself and the chicken into the air and eat a great deal of it before they both land again

--Wayne: Hand-to-hand technique, lack of fear. Not afraid to get in close and literally eat chicken out of his opponent's hands

--Marasi: Surprising levels of savagry

--MeLaan: Stuck the entire chicken into her body, through her ribs. May be considered cheating

--Myself: No particular strengths. Did create a Chicken Eating Suit out of the same material as a tarp, and did replace the Central Chicken with a Fake Decoy while hiding the Actual Chicken in a place only I knew, thus securing my victory

4. A Series of Drawings by Shallan, Commemorating the 4 v. 1 Chicken Duel

[Adolin running toward the central chicken, alone, while four figures in Shardplate charge in from the opposite side]

[Abrobadar eating a chicken wing in triumph in front of Renarin, who is kneeling on the tarp]

[Kaladin Stormblessed, gloryspen swirling around him, holding up an entire chicken thigh on the end of his spear]

[Adolin sitting on a shouting Jakamov while he, Kaladin, and Renarin share the last of the chicken]

5. An Apology Letter Penned by Valette, To Elend

Dear Elend,

Sazed says that an apology letter is traditional after "something like yesterday." He is helping me write this.

I am sorry that I strangled your fiancée during our chicken dinner bout yesterday. When Shan Elariel grabbed that chicken thigh, I was overcome by an uncontrollable desire to take it from her by any means possible. And though I did win, strangling her while shouting that I was the Queen of Chicken was impolite.

I am also sorry that I punched your brother so many times. Zane was not even supposed to be there, but when he showed up and tried to take a bit out of the chicken while I was holding it, well, something came over me. But when he collapsed next to your still-unconscious fiancée, I did feel a moment of guilt...but only a moment, as I was soon overcome by the delicious Victory Chicken I was enjoying.

Finally, I am sorry that I also attacked your father. He wasn't even trying to get the chicken. But he was there. And he was looking at it. And I feel like the Zane thing was his fault. But I understand that it was probably disconcerting when a small woman covered in chicken juices launched at him suddenly while screaming.

I hope we can still be friends.

Sincerely,

Valette

6. Hoid & Kelsier: A Pre-Chicken-Dinner Conversation

Kelsier: I thought you couldn't eat meat. Hoid: Not if it's from a dead animal, no. Kelsier: And you can't perform violence. Hoid: Nope. Kelsier: ... Kelsier: So what are we even doing here? Hoid: Did you know that I was once challenged to a duel? Kelsier: Why would I know that? Hoid: Do you know what I did? Kelsier: [Looks to the side where Jasnah stands, wearing a giant apron that says "It's Chicken Eatin' Time", eyes glinting] Kelsier: [grins] I do love a fight I can't win...

[vashtijoy]

what is the link between Akechi and the story of Robin Hood?

*pulls on my green British person hat and grabs a bow*

I'm not a huge expert on Persona links but they do tend to be a bit tenuous; Akechi's Robin Hood is no more like the legendary Robin Hood than Loki is like Loki or Arsene is like Lupin. That said:

Robin Hood is a thief, of course. Chalk that one up in the "Akechi is a Phantom Thief" column;

Robin Hood is a master of disguise, like both Akechi's other personas;

Robin Hood is often depicted as being of noble birth and having been unjustly dispossessed—Akechi's "prince" regalia is often interpreted that way, as a claim on a denied birthright;

Wikipedia defines "a Robin Hood" as "a heroic outlaw or a rebel against tyranny", which, well;

He's most known for having robbed from the rich to give to the poor, and I don't quite get that one. Akechi himself could be "the poor", but "robbed from the rich to give to himself" lacks a certain cachet.

The most notable thing about Robin Hood, to me, is that Superman motif that contrasts with Hereward's Batman motif, with Loki in the middle as the second awakening—hero to villain to antihero. Because, even if he awakened to both Robin and Loki at the same time, it's like Protect and Endure—there must still have been an order.

We see it during his third awakening to Hereward—the historical figure Robin Hood was allegedly based on. Hereward resembles Robin Hood, and Robin is on the left—which makes him the first awakening. Even if it maybe didn't work the same as the others we saw.

But yeah, one argument in favour of Akechi awakening to both Robin Hood and Loki at the same time is that Akechi did not randomly awaken. Like Joker, Akechi was awakened—to serve a purpose, to be Yaldabaoth's agent spreading fear among the masses.

That makes it very hard for me to picture Akechi starting out as a good guy, as the hero he dreamed of being. Akechi was chosen for his role because he was already full of hate—because he was the sort who, given power, would inevitably twist it to a bad end that he was already fixated on. Akechi is already the kid with the perfect outward image who's twisted and broken on the inside; he essentially tells us in the engine room that he lived his whole life that way. I have a feeling he was already becoming like that when his mother was alive.

The thing is, there's no reason that kid can't still believe in justice; of course he does. He believes in it the way people who've been hurt by religion often still believe in God. He believes in it as something that should exist, but doesn't; as an ideal, with the hate that's the flip side of love and belief. There are no heroes. Nobody will save him. Friends and family aren't real; love and trust are lies people tell themselves, tricks used to manipulate you. The system isn't on his side; no matter what he does, the world just finds new ways to hurt him, and what can he do about it?

And that guy he can't stop thinking about, who symbolises all of this injustice, whose shadow Akechi has lived in for so long? As well wish for the moon as hope to get back at him.

Except, one day, he finds the app on his phone. He goes from being bitter and powerless to having power, to having choices, to being able to hurt others like he's been hurt. But that part of him that aspired to justice, to being a hero, never really goes away. He does his utmost to give his life for it.

[twig-tea]

Top 5 Couple Fights

Oooooooh this is fun! Thank you for a relatively easy category because so often the fights in these shows are unearned and it is very frustrating. I'm still limiting myself to 2023!

Wen and Alan, Moonlight Chicken

This fight felt real, it felt lived in, and it felt heartbreaking even though we only saw some of it. These two men love each other, but love isn't enough to keep them together, and that realization is as heartbreaking as the fight itself.

My Personal Weatherman

I am obsessed with the fights in My Personal Weatherman because the characters often don't know they're in one, or are in two different fights at the same time. This is all tied to how much I love how well the miscommunication is done in this show. These fights are legible based on what we know about these characters and what they've seen, even when they're completely unnecessary, and I adore that. Of course the best one is the ending fight and not just because Segasaki ties up Yo's wrists in his shirt.

Jack O'Frost

[Not enough gifs of this actual fight and I need to finish this list so this is what you get]. The fight at the very start of this show escalated so quickly, at first I wasn't sure about it even while I appreciated the performances and the intimate way it was shot. But when we get the backstory and we finally understand how much has been withheld and said vs. not said between them, and where their anxieties were rooted and the source of these big feelings, this fight makes so much more sense. This is a show that really benefits from being watched more than once.

La Pluie

[for some reason tumblr is giving me this link to Shan's blog rather than @liyazaki so tagging you, friend!]

Patts was pushed and pushed and pushed, and he lashed out in his insecurity, and when he asked for reassurance (this lineeee) Saengtai refused to give it to him and instead lashed out out of his own insecurity. This was a painful fight that was fully earned; all of the characters and their choices were legible even as they were infuriating. And it led to a critical awakening of Saengtai who was so caught up in his own sad boy narrative he hadn't realized how much he was hurting everyone around him.

My Beautiful Man S2

Kiyoi and Hira's communication issues continuing past S1 is very believable. I said elsewhere that Hira's work on his self-worth is more like a spiral than a straight line and that's very relatable and realistic. Kiyoi being hurt by Hira not valuing Kiyoi's feelings was such an important lesson for Hira to get more than once. Again, so earned, and resulted in the characters self-reflecting and moving a little closer to whatever a healthy relationship means for these two lol

Laws of Attraction

How much do I Love Tinn seeing right through Charn and Charn being big mad at him for Perceiving him so well? All of their fights are so good because they're about boundaries and mutual respect at their core, and they actually listen to one another and are based on how well they know one another (rather than what so often happens, when the characters seem to forget who the person they're in love with actually is). This barely counts as fight but I love it and it's my list so it stays.

Bonus entry that's only for me (shh stop counting the above):

Mr. Cinderella S2

Nobody but me and like 2 other people watched this show, but I'm actually obsessed with the couple fight in Mr. Cinderella s2 so thank you for the chance to rant about it on main some more. I need to start by saying: this plot is ridiculous and the ending sucks. But within this show, Dung and Khoa have an established relationship that has been tested in S1 and is being tested harder in S2, and to a point, they actually stand together and weather the storm, and it was rewarding to watch. And then slowly everything happening ("everything" here being an ABSURD amount of melodrama) starts to wear on Khoa, who sees himself as the one solely responsible for everything, and he unlearns some of what he learned in s1, he stops relying on Dung as his support, stops telling Dung what's going on because he doesn't want to burden him, and stops trusting Dung's word about what is happening. And so, when the jealousy plot hits, it's actually believable that Dung would be mad at Khoa, not for cheating, but for not respecting Dung as a partner in their relationship. It's well done, I wish so much that it were in a better show so that I could actually recommend anyone watching (I don't). I've seen this trope (assumed cheating) done so badly and so unearned in so many shows, this was so refreshing.

Extra bonus: Best couple fight scene of all time?

Gameboys S2

[I give up on gifs of this scene; have them upset for other reasons instead!]

What I love about the way they fight in this show is that, beyond it being earned etc. etc., the dialogue is so raw. They repeat themselves, they just yell over one another, they get rude, they try saying something to de-escalate and it gets worse instead. This is not a carefully crafted speech, or a single perfectly delivered devastating line; this is raw emotion. I recognize this fight, I've been in this fight, this is what I sound like when I fight lol And we see them really fight at least twice, and the way they fight in ep8 has changed as a result of the earlier fight is also SO good.

[thedarkdisgrace]

Thread analysis from my twitter about soukoku & Dazai specific stuff in this DA art since people were interested in my thoughts on it lol reminder it’s my personal interpretations on it.

This is part 2 essentially of the original post. This focuses just on Dazai and Chuuya.

Alright, so I’ll just start by readdressing a point from my other post just for convenience for people who didn’t see the other post. You can reread this or skip down to my newer points. Red thread typically symbolizes those who are destined to be together.

Dazai has the red thread of fate wrapped around his neck. Chuuya has one end & it's wrapped around his wrist, that seems to symbolize he's holding Dazai's life in his hands. It’s also wrapped around the wrist where Chuuya has his childhood scar, the one proving he’s human.

An obvious link to their shared humanity to me, despite they, themselves, not believing in their own. But it’s no surprise Chuuya holds one side of Dazai’s life, we all know they're inexplicably linked & fated. Chuuya is always there to save Dazai & Asagiri said he's the only one who understands Dazai always.

But it's interesting the other half of Dazai's string is first wrapped around his own wrist before continuing to Aku. This essentially saying Dazai holds his own life in his hands. Which obviously seems super accurate since we know his biggest enemy is often his own mind & the hole inside his chest that he has a hard time filling. It's where his suicidal tendencies come from. But essentially, Dazai's life is held only by Chuuya & then himself and I love that detail.

Moving on. Another thing I found interesting about Dazai in this art (& in DA in general) is that he is wearing an all white suit with a black inner shirt. While Chuuya is in his typical black outer coat & white inner shirt.

I believe this choice serves to emphasize the “yin/yang” of their relationship. The red thread bounds them together while their individual natures complement/complete each other, making them whole. Dazai seems to often see himself/his soul as truly dark by nature even as he lives in the light now, so it seems fitting.

He utilizes his darker nature to *protect* the light now, as he understands the darkness (the villains) that come for those in the light. I touched on that above as well.

Chuuya is the opposite but also similar. Chuuya having a “lighter” soul/heart by nature despite being shrouded in darkness. This is showcased in his fierce protective nature of those he cares for as well as the city he protects. His intense, unyielding belief that, despite all he has been through, people are *worth* suffering for, they’re *worth* protecting.

This in contrast to Dazai when they first met who believed “nothing he could pursue is worth the cost of prolonging this life”.

Chuuya believes people are worth it even while still living in the darkness (which it’s important to note dark doesn’t equal evil, everyone is grey and everyone has a role to play).

But even while living in it, *despite* it, he still holds onto his light. His humanity. Humanity is a consistent theme between Dazai & Chuuya.

They both end up making the other feel human, feel alive. Even their abilities are almost named *for* each other.

Chuuya’s ‘no longer human’ when corruption takes over, until Dazai brings him back to it. (Just to be clear, Chuuya is human. That was confirmed).

Dazai is ‘the tainted sorrow’ that Chuuya is able to awaken from that sorrow with his very nature, his vibrant showcase of humanity. I believe it’s his relationship he was able to form with Chuuya that not only kept him alive (“Chuuya convinced me not to die yet”) but also opened Dazai to the possibility that there *are* people worth it out there. It’s why he was open enough to form his relationships with Oda and Ango.

But despite their struggles, despite their methods even, they both are trying to protect what they can. Both have the capability of acting in the light & dark in equal measure.

Essentially, they’re both made up of different light & darknesses but they end up completing each other.

It’s also interesting they put Chuuya on Dazai’s “good” side. The side Dazai’s see the light with. Kinda shows you how Dazai views Chuuya.

—

Something else about Dazai’s clothes, he seems to be wearing a yellow ribbon on his “darker” side. Which I find very interesting given the yellow wrapped ribbon normally represents suicide *prevention*.

Yellow in Japanese culture also tends to represent courage, which is also fitting, it even used to represent role models.

(This next part I’m definitely reading too much into it but I still found it fun and interesting!)

But moving to the next interesting pieces, Dazai is holding an apple in his hand on his “darker” side. Given Dazai talks about apple suicide (+ being called dead apple) it seems these 2 pieces are at odds with each other.

The apple in this context representing death/suicide while the ribbon represents life/prevention.

But Dazai is holding an apple in his hand on his “darker” side. Given Dazai talks about apple suicide (+ being called dead apple) it seems these 2 pieces are at odds with each other.

The apple in this context representing death/suicide while the ribbon represents life/prevention.

So in this art, is the idea of apple suicide representing a dark irony? Dazai seeing death as good fortune? Or is the apple only representing the more surface level contrast of death with the ribbon being life? I think that’s up to interpretation.

Small side note, Chuuya’s hat being placed over his heart is definitely deliberate. The hat that helps protect his humanity, the hat that helps offer Chuuya some control, sitting atop of & covering his heart makes sense. It’s almost as armor, protecting his “light” as it were.

Now to talk about Dazai being the only one “awake” as it were & the specific eye that’s uncovered.

The fact it's the eye that used to be covered in the PM is an important choice. Especially given the eye that was open with the PM is closed.

Dazai seems to be seeing more of the good now, maybe even is starting to see the true value in light.

However, it's only because of his dark past he's been able to survive & help save the ada multiple times. I believe that's why it's *that* wrist, the wrist helping covering that eye that was open while in the mafia, that is bound by the red thread of fate.

That wrist being wrapped up symbolizing how he partly holds his own life in his hands (along side Chuuya holding the other part). His fate is bound by *both* his sides, the light & dark in equal measure.

Dazai holds one side for his own life because not only is he his own worse enemy but he ironically (sadly) can't live completely without that dark side of him.

It's the part that wants him to end his life but it's also thanks to that side & what he went through that he can survive so well now & help others. It’s allowed him to understand the villains they face. Of course his past is a tragedy, but what we go through makes us who we are. At least he can use it to save people now.

Another point, (this more of a stretch) the overall theme here seems to be fate, since the thread of fate is predominately featured.

Dazai being the only one with his eye open, the only one awake, could also mean he knows something about their fates that no one else does.

Maybe since his “light” eye is open it’s a good thing. But it could possibly even be linked to the book, either that he knows more about the book & what it contains more than everyone else or (& this is a much bigger stretch) that he may even have read/seen briefly a piece of the book

Maybe whatever the reason is part of the real reason he picked up both Atsushi & Akutagawa & formed shin soukoku. Because for all his & Chuuya’s might, they need something *specific* for what’s coming. Something only shin soukoku has & we already know Atsushi is connected to the book.

Plus the thread of fate is linking them *all* together here. Some more connected to each other obviously, soukoku together & then sskk + kyoka. But again, this last part is very much a stretch but it’s just something fun to think about.

I hope all this made sense. Like i said, this is all just my interpretations so take it as you will. Everyone is free to have their own interpretations & opinions. I definitely went a little overboard & went deeper than just the art itself but oh well lol

If you made it this far, I hope you enjoyed my interpretations! Again some are deeper than originally intended & some are much more a stretch but thanks for coming to my ted talk lol

[mayaketu]

Chapter 20 Sarada awakens

Okay this was super interesting to me! This chapter goes so well with my analysis of Sarada & Sumire being foils! (Link) I’m most invested in this, so I will definitely write part 2 once more info is dropped. Probably end of this arc. So proud of Sarada for the growth and hope her character continues this path of self development

Sarada realized Sumire was right about this. This reminds me so much of Eida and how she also seems to be realizing Sumire was right causing her own development.

So let’s analyze WHY Sarada activated her MS now of all times.

A dying Yodo suggests it’s okay for Sarada to reserve her power for only protecting Boruto.

Yet in direct response, Sarada awakens her MS to protect her teammates, not Boruto.

Which is funny bc in the flashback Sarada had in this chapter, this was the next panel and Sumire’s advice to approach things:

This for sure also goes back to Sumire calling her out for not considering her feelings. That was always a bigger point than JUST Sumire. I discussed this in my first Sarada Sumire Foils post, but Sarada was being too impulsive & wasn’t considering others around her. In chapter 1 she reveals she has guilt around this

She almost slipped their cover to Eida not thinking how she’d feel about Sarada showing so much emotion putting herself and Sumire in danger.

The real message is that Sarada had forgotten herself and her other loved ones in pursuit of Boruto. Her decision to save others beyond Boruto is a crucial turning point. Sarada’s goal is to be Hokage, one like Naruto. Naruto also had to make the choice that Sasuke couldn’t be the only person he would protect (especially once Sasuke decided Konoha was his enemy). She cannot reserve her powers for JUST Boruto, in doing so, she is abandoning her own self & her ninja way.

Sumire & Sarada are yin & yang, they are intended to make each other whole.

Sumire teaching sarada to be the stealth, logical, thoughtful side of Ninjas, while Sarada is teaching Sumire to be the brave, confrontational and impulsive side that’s also needed for Ninjas!

[ellipsesandawkwardpauses]

i'm genuinely scared for the Zelda movie. i feel like i'm gonna be hurt and then have to go into a mental breakdown hibernation once i see it. sure, it doesn't come out for another two years, but i'm still terrified.

Link's character scares me the most. He never talked, except for.... very certain circumstances that i will not speak of. if they do a bad casting for Link, the whole movie will be ruined.

however, i think whoever they cast as Zelda would be fine. though i am not saying her character doesn't matter!! the series is literally named after her, of course she matters. but unless they go for a specific game to make a movie about, she would hardly be in the movie. she'd most likely just show up at the end, when Link saves her. unless they wanted to go for a "childhood friends" approach.

now, Ganon/Ganondorf. he, just like Link, needs to have a good casting. he needs to be perfect. he's the main villain!! i think it would also be cool if Demise was referenced or talked about when Ganondorf is introduced, or maybe during a fight with Link? sort of like in Hero's Purpose, if you've seen that series on yt. if not i seriously recommend it, it's really good.

i think a movie based off of Ocarina of Time would be cool, and... maybe the best choice if they're going to make it about a specific game. it's a classic and arguably one of the best games of all time. every Zelda fan has played it! Skyward Sword would also make a great movie, since it's the beginning of the timeline and explains a lot in the series. and this is just my personal opinion, but... Link's Awakening. think about it! it would be a great, emotional movie... the realization of Koholint Island being nothing but a dream... saying goodbye to Marin... oughhhh i'd cry so hard while watching it.

those're just my thoughts. i haven't really kept up with the news on the movie, so. some of this may not make sense but. idc. i'm very passionate about this.

[malleusdraconiasbride]

My Beloved Child

Summary: Lilia awakens from his dream and tries to distract Malleus, but Silver ends up getting cursed by Malleus to fall into a death-like sleep from which he will never awaken, unless he receives "true love's kiss." Can Lilia awaken his son from Malleus' curse?

Word count: 3,999

AO3 Link

“There you are. I’ve finally found you…Lilia,” crooned a new voice behind Lilia as he stood near the site of Malleus’ former cradle. 

The general turned on his heel to see a floating figure with lightning crackling around him. Blot oozed from his left eye and hovered around him as if suspended. A bright green flame emanated from his right eye. Lilia’s stomach lurched. “That voice…Raverne? How are you back…? No, wait. You have Maleanor’s horns…Who are you?!”

The figure put a hand up to his chin and stroked it thoughtfully. “I never knew that you used your own life to nourish my hatching.”

Lilia’s eyebrows drew together in a frown. “Your…? What are you talking about?”

“How dare those doddering old fools in the senate treat you that way,” the figure growled. “And Grandmother! How could she hide the truth from me all this time?!” The thunder and lightning around the figure intensified, and Lilia felt a piercing migraine stabbing his skull as the world around him shifted.

“It wasn’t her choice, Malleus! I asked her to!” Lilia shot back. “If you’d known the truth, you might’ve felt indebted to me—Ah!”

The migraine behind Lilia’s eyes increased in severity, and he clutched at his head with a wince. What was happening? What was this? The world shifted again, like a mirage in a desert. “Malleus…? But Malleus is an infant who can’t even take on a human form… Agh! My head…!”

The smile that the figure—Malleus?— wore was sickly sweet. “Don’t think about anything, Lilia. There’s no need for you to suffer any more pain. What manner of dream do you want? Perhaps one where Mother and Father are alive? Or one where you live quietly with your son?” he asked as he put his hands on his hips.

Lilia ground his teeth together so hard that it sent a wave of pain shooting through his jaw as the world continued to ripple around him. His son—? He didn’t have a son—did he? No, he didn’t. He couldn’t. Not with this much blood on his hands. “Urgh…Stop…I don’t…”

Silver? Was it Silver? Is that why he seemed so familiar? Is that why Lilia threw himself in front of the boy when they had been attacked, though he had never had a child in his life?

Malleus extended a blot covered hand out towards Lilia. “I shall grant any wish you ask of me. Here, Lilia. Take my hand.”

As Lilia tried to make sense of what was happening, a loud shout rang out, disrupting Malleus’ attempt to sway Lilia.

“FATHEEERRR!”

And with that, the shifting of the world stopped, and Lilia and Malleus were both greeted by the sight of a sweaty, panicked silver haired boy, and started in surprise. Lilia gripped his head as he was confronted by another sudden migraine. They were also greeted by the sight of a green haired boy wearing fae armor—Baur?

“The Dawn Knight? What are you doing here?! Rgh…No, you’re…”

Malleus tutted and shook his head. “Silver, Sebek. You again. You truly are poor sleepers. Still you resist?”

Silver shook his head, and clenched his fists, brows furrowed angrily. “We will never give up!” he exclaimed.

Sebek frowned as well, his expression just as hard. “Especially not now that we’ve learned the depths of Lilia’s feelings. You were born from the love of so many, my liege!” Sebek threw an arm out to his side. “It’s not right for you to become an enemy hated by all the world!”

“That’s why we’ll break this, whatever it takes,” Silver replied after Sebek. “Malleus…We’ll crush your blessing!”

“Blessing…?” Lilia murmured to himself, and was nearly brought to his knees by another wave of pain wracking his skull. It was as if someone was driving a chisel into his temple. “Ah…Aah!”

Images flashed through Lilia’s mind in rapid succession—Malleus reciting an incantation, and green flame spreading throughout the Diasomnia dorm, as Lilia started in panic.

After a moment, the general began to laugh. “Heh…Khee hee hee…Hahaha! Ahahahahaha!” He put his hands on his hips and smiled in approval at Silver. “Well spoken. That’s my boy.”

He felt a paternal rush of affection hit him like a wave. Of course Silver would say such a thing.

I’m so proud of you, Silver.

Silver started in surprise, eyes wide as he looked at Lilia. “Huh? Your boy? You mean…”

Lilia’s expression schooled itself into a more serious one, and he dropped his eyes to the ground. “My head’s finally clear. I remember everything now, Silver. Sebek.” With a smile, he looked over at Grim and the Ramshackle prefect. “And…Grim and the prefect.”

Sebek looked shocked, while Silver wore a soft and familiar smile.

“Lilia!”

“Father!”

Lilia smirked. “Sounds like I’ve been having one long nap. You’ve really done it this time, Malleus,” he tsked. It felt odd, to be back in his old armor and have long hair again, but he supposed that was just part of the dream. Malleus appeared to be as shocked as Sebek.

“Tch…So you’ve completely awoken, Lilia. But no matter. I’ll put you right back to sleep soon enough,” he muttered.

Lilia laughed. “Hah! You think you can put ME to sleep? You’ve grown into a cheeky little thing. Try me if you dare!” He turned to face the others beside him. “Everyone, follow my lead! RETREEEAT!”

And with that, he dashed off, as the prefect shouted after him, “Wait up!”

Malleus let out a low, rumbling laugh that sounded almost like thunder. “Heh heh heh…Playing tag now, are we? How many decades has it been since I’ve played such games with you? We have all the time in the world, so let’s enjoy this, Lilia. Heh heh heh…Ahahahahaha!”

Lilia stopped outside Castle Blackscale to catch his breath, as Silver and the others caught up to him. He turned to face Silver and Sebek. “I’ll distract Malleus,” he said. “Silver, you use your signature spell and get out of this dream while I keep him busy!”

Silver’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “What?! No way—I’m not leaving you here! We should go together!”

Lilia placed his hands on his son’s shoulders, which were tense with worry. As much as he hated to be separated from Silver so soon after he had finally come to his senses, this was what had to be done. For his son, and for Sebek, and for the prefect who Malleus loved, he would keep the overblotted prince’s attention on him. “Come, now. I’m an old hand at dealing with Malleus’ temper tantrums.” He laughed a little. “And in this dream, my magic isn’t running dry; quite the opposite. I’m in perfect shape to play with him here.”

“But sir…!” Sebek started to say.

Lilia grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. Malleus would never do any lasting damage to me. He takes after his father in that regard; he’s a kind soul incapable of cruelty.” His expression grew more serious as he said, “Silver, Sebek. Take care of the real world Malleus for me.”

“...Yes, sir!”

Right as the two said that, Malleus appeared in a burst of bright green flame. “There you are, Lilia. Whatever shall I do with you, hmm?” he asked, and then began to laugh.

Lilia sprung into action, summoning a deluge of flora magic, blasting Malleus with it. Silver reacted immediately and held up his magestone, sending out a torrent of red hot flame. 

Malleus and Lilia continued to clash after a good few minutes of Sebek and Silver assisting. Lilia glanced back at his son, Sebek, the prefect, and Grim. “Now! Get going, quick!”

Silver looked at Lilia with a conflicted expression. It was clear he wanted to say something more, but forced himself to just reply instead with, “...I swear I’ll wake you and everyone else from this slumber. I have so much to tell you!”

Lilia smiled softly at Silver. By the Seven, he was so proud of this boy. “I’ll hold you to that promise, Silver,” he said. “See you when I wake!”

He then paused for a moment. “Night’s blessings.”

Lilia could see tears welling up in Silver’s aurora colored eyes. “...Night’s blessings!” he replied. 

“Those I’ve met and will someday…” Silver began, closing his eyes to focus his magic.

As Silver was about to begin the incantation for his signature spell, Malleus tutted again. “Now, now, Silver, you don’t think I would let you get away that easily, did you? Why run away like a scared little boy in the rainy woods, when you could stay happily in a dream with your father forever?”

With a snap of Malleus’ fingers, a series of briar thorns began to wrap around Silver, first starting at his ankles and snaking their way up his body until his arms were pinned at his sides. Some of the thorns even began to crawl up towards his face, covering his mouth, preventing him from finishing his incantation. 

“I can’t have you waking everyone, you know,” Malleus said in a tone almost similar to a parent scolding a young child. It made Lilia’s stomach churn. “You don’t want Lilia to leave us, do you? In the dream, you can have whatever you want. Nothing needs to hurt.” He stepped forward towards Silver.

Everyone else was speechless, and it was then that Lilia realized the briars had wrapped their way around his ankles too, firmly rooting him in place. He struggled against the thorns, but they only dug into his skin further. He couldn’t let Malleus near his son, not when the crown prince was not in his right mind.

I have to protect Silver. Save him. Keep Malleus from touching him—!

Malleus chuckled, and the sound was low and rumbling. “Well, well,” Malleus cooed, briefly caressing the prefect’s face with his blot-covered hand as he passed them at a leisurely pace. His green eyes, however, were slit-pupilled and laser focused on Silver. “What a glittering assemblage, Lilia.” He gestured at the others currently wrapped up in thorns and then himself. “Royalty, nobility, the gentry and… How quaint,” he said with another laugh. “Even the rabble.” He gestured at Grim, who looked ready to bite him.

Malleus’ eyes were filled with a twisted affection as he looked at the prefect. “And then my sweet rose.” He turned his attention back to Silver. “I must say, I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation to your family reunion with your son, Lilia.”

Fear filled Lilia. He knew Malleus wouldn’t do any lasting damage to him, but he wasn’t sure about Sebek or Silver. He might not attack them outright, but with the scale of his magic and the intensity of his emotions, there was no telling what might happen to Silver. “Leave Silver alone, Malleus,” Lilia begged, voice barely above a whisper.

Malleus turned towards Lilia, his expression one of mock sympathy. “Oh dear, what an awkward situation,” he said.

Sebek interjected, clearly wanting to direct Malleus’ attention towards someone other than Silver. Lilia cursed internally. Why were they not letting him keep Malleus’ focus on him? “My liege—!”

Malleus, however, paid no heed to Sebek, and continued to slink around Silver like a deadly panther, his tail dragging on the ground behind him as he walked. He brushed an inky finger over Silver’s cheek. Silver’s eyes darted from Lilia to Malleus, fear obvious in his gaze. “To show I bear no ill will for these transgressions, I shall bestow another gift onto our dear Silver.”

Lilia fought against his restraints. “No! Don’t give him any ‘gift!’” His eyes filled up with hot, stinging tears. 

Not him. Not my son. Please, Malleus. Don’t do something you’ll regret forever.

“Stay away from Silver, my liege!” Sebek begged, also fighting against his restraints. He looked conflicted, his loyalty to his future king and his best friend warring in his expression.

“Yeah, stay away!” Grim added, and the prefect shot him a look.

With one wave of his hand, Sebek, Grim, and the prefect were all silenced by a spell. “Hmm,” Malleus mused, and then stepped forward, back towards Silver.

Lilia reached a hand out towards his son, but it was promptly forced back down to his side by a thorny briar. “Tsk, tsk, Lilia. Let your dear boy receive his gift,” Malleus purred. “Listen well, all of you. Silver shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who meet him.”

“Don't do this, Malleus,” Lilia begged. “Do not do something you will regret.”

Malleus held up a finger to his lips, shushing everyone around him, before he conjured an image of his dorm leader staff, which held a resemblance to the spinning wheel that was often associated with the Thorn Fairy. His voice rose. “Before the sun sets on the day in which he awakens from the dreams I have blessed everyone with, he will prick his finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a sleep like death! A sleep from which he will never awaken!”

The Ramshackle prefect somehow managed to work past Malleus’ silencing spell, or perhaps he had let his focus on the spell dwindle. “Malleus…Hornton…please don't do this, I'm begging you,” they said, fighting against the thorns keeping them in place. The briars dug into their skin, drawing blood against their wrists, ankles, and arms.

Malleus made his way over to them and tipped their chin up so they were looking him in the eye. He chuckled darkly. “I like you begging. Do it again.”

The prefect dropped down to one knee slowly to the degree that they were able to while restrained by briars, and then looked at the others. Sebek simply shook his head in shame. 

Lilia swallowed his pride and dropped to his knees, hands grasping at the dirt. This was the lowest he had bowed in a long while, especially to a Draconia, but this was for his son. And if that was what it took, he would eat the very dirt he was grasping at with his calloused, bloodstained hands.

“I beg you,” Lilia said, voice tinged with desperation. How had things gotten this bad?

Malleus smirked, and held out his arms in a display of power, green flames radiating around his form. It reminded Lilia so much of Maleanor in that moment. “All right. Silver can be woken from his death sleep, but only by...true love's kiss. This curse will last till the end of time! No power on Earth can change it!”

With that, the flames increased in their intensity before subsiding, and the thorns retreated. Malleus extended a hand towards Lilia. “Now, come, and show me what you’re made of, Lilia.”

Lilia ran to Silver and embraced his son, holding him tightly. Those same tears were pricking at the corners of his eyes again. “Go, now. Find others. Leave this dream. I will find you when this is all over, and I promise, I will free you from Malleus’ curse.”

Silver held onto Lilia just as tight, and Lilia felt the top of his head dampen—Silver was also crying. “Father, I—”

“Go, Silver, now,” Lilia ordered, and took Silver’s face in his hands. “We still have much to talk about. I need you to take care of yourself. I will free you from this curse like I said, but for the sake of my own sanity, I need you to take the others and go. This is the only way we can save Malleus from himself.”

Silver looked like he wanted to say something else, but Lilia held up a finger to Silver’s lips. “Shh. Go.” He stood on his tiptoes—when had Silver gotten so tall?—and pressed a kiss to his son’s forehead. “I love you, my boy. Go.”

Silver looked like he wanted to say more, but simply gave a teary nod, before gathering Grim, Sebek, and the prefect to himself. “Those I’ve met and will someday…Meet In a Dream!”

With that, the four vanished, and Lilia was left facing Malleus alone.

“Now, Malleus, where were we?”

Lilia’s eyes shot open and he lurched upright, though he was stopped by pain rippling through his body. He was looking in the direction of the Diasomnia gathering space ceiling. “Where—?”

He forced himself into a sitting position. Grim and the prefect were also sitting upright, and were leaning over Silver. Sebek had two fingers pressed against Silver’s pulse point. “Master Lilia—Idia has arranged for Silver and I to stop Malleus, but Silver won’t wake up!”

From elsewhere in the room, Idia Shroud sat up, holding his head. Ortho helped him stand, a hand against his brother’s shoulder. “STYX has armor for the two of them, and a sword for him made from your old weapon…But he…”

“Malleus Draconia has trapped us inside the dorm with thorns and is currently in the form of a dragon,” Ortho relayed. “Others are out there trying to fight him, but…Only Silver and Sebek will be able to defeat him.”

Lilia noticed tears pouring down Sebek’s cheeks as he shook Silver. “How are we supposed to stop my liege without Silver’s help? I can’t do this alone!”

My son. My darling boy. No.

Lilia immediately forced himself into an upright position and ran over to Silver, practically tripping over his own feet in the process. He pulled Silver to him. Silver’s head rested against his shoulder, just like it had done so many years ago when he was a baby, and Lilia had rocked him to sleep, swaddling him to ease his fussing.

“Silver—Silver!” he cried. He pressed a hand to Silver’s chest, trying to funnel some kind of healing magic into his son, but every time he attempted, it fizzled out.

Silver. Wake up. Wake up. Do not leave me like this.

“Master Lilia, if you keep trying to awaken him with magic, you will overblot!” Sebek shouted.

Lilia ignored Sebek, and held Silver close to him, his body glowing feebly with magic as he desperately tried to heal his son. “Revoke the curse,” he begged, though he knew his magic was no match for Malleus’, especially not now. “Let it be known. I revoke the curse. Let it be known.” Tears were rolling down Lilia’s cheeks now, his body wracked with sobs.

“I revoke the curse!” he screamed. “Let it be no more!” Lilia begged. To what power he was begging now, he had no idea. He just needed to see Silver’s eyes open again, to hear him say “Father” again, to tell him what he meant to him. There was so much they still had to address. He had made a promise to Silver to free him from this. “I revoke the curse, let it be no more!”

By now, his hands were holding onto his son like a vise, as his feeble magic fizzled out. Silver did not stir.

“No—no—Silver—!”

I haven’t told you what you mean to me.

Lilia buried his face in Silver’s hair, which still somehow smelled of the woods and their old home, even after so many years. He rocked Silver in his arms, letting out a pained wail. “Please…whoever is listening…let my son live. Maleanor, Raverne…Hell, even the Dawn Knight…return my boy to me.”

He leaned in and pressed his lips to Silver’s forehead, just as he had done when Silver was still a baby. “I will not ask forgiveness for my past actions as General of the Right because what I have done is unforgivable. I was so lost in hatred and revenge.” Lilia’s shoulder’s shuddered as he wept. “Sweet Silver, you stole what was left of my heart when you came into my life. I was always wrapped around your finger. And now I have lost you forever.” He pushed some of Silver’s hair out of his face, willing him to open those auroral eyes. “I swear, if you wake up, no harm will come to you as long as I live. And not a day shall pass that I don't miss your smile.”

Lilia pressed one more kiss to Silver’s forehead, letting his lips linger. How had it come to this, that Malleus would cast such a curse on Silver?

“Silver, I want you to know that I will always love you. You’ve made your dad so proud,” Lilia whispered, his grip on Silver tightening once again.

Almost instinctively, as he rocked the limp body of his son, he began singing a song he had not sung to the boy in a long while as he brushed Silver’s hair away from his forehead.

Maleanor’s lullaby.

He had not sung it to Silver since he was a baby.

“A warm cradle,

Starlight and joy.

My eyes are watching over you still, let's be together

With no fear, even if we wake from this dream.

Sleep, sleep, my beloved child,

In dreams, I pray you would be guided to walk toward the light.”

The last of his magic fizzled out. There was nothing else he could do.

He let out a long, pained wail, and gently let go of Silver after pressing one last kiss to his forehead. Sebek let out a pained sigh, looking on with an expression of grief.

As Lilia turned to leave, Silver’s eyes fluttered open, and he reached out, braceleting his hand around his father’s wrist. “Hello, Father.”

Lilia turned immediately, tears slipping down his cheeks. He smiled through his tears. “Hello, my boy.”

Silver smiled gently in response and forced himself into a sitting position. Lilia’s arms were immediately around him then, and he began to weep into his son’s shoulder. Silver patted his father on the head, before leaning his head against Lilia’s.

Sebek hastily wiped tears away from his eyes before looking at Grim and the prefect. “He’s okay!”

The prefect looked on the father and son embracing each other through teary hellos and smiled softly. “No truer love,” they murmured. “No truer love than that of a father for his son.”

“Father…?” Silver murmured.

“Give yourself a moment, Silver,” Lilia said tearfully. “You’re in no condition to go fight Malleus immediately.”

Nonetheless, Silver wrapped his arms around his father’s neck, and buried his face in his shoulder. “Thank you for bringing me back, Father. I knew I could trust you. Now I have to help take down Malleus—”

Lilia held onto Silver a little tighter. “Please be careful, son.” After a long moment of holding onto his son, punctuated by a loud roar from Malleus’ dragon form outside of the Diasomnia dorm, he released him. He did, still, however, catch Silver’s face in his hands. “How did you grow up so fast? Yesterday you were still my little baby..."

Silver’s cheeks flushed. “Father…I’ll always be your son. I need to go help bring Malleus back to his senses, though.”

“I want you to know that I'll always be here for you. no matter what,” Lilia said. “Now go, and save Malleus from himself.” He pressed one more kiss to Silver’s forehead, as Idia brought over a set of armor that resembled that of the Dawn Knight. A sense of pride filled Lilia, along with a bittersweet realization that while he thought of Silver as his own son, he still had his own biological parents that just might be looking down on him in this moment as well. Hopefully Silver’s choice to break the bonds of hatred between fae and humans would be well received posthumously by the Dawn Knight.

“Thank you, Father,” Silver replied, and took the offered sword from Idia that had been crafted from Lilia’s own blade. “I won’t let you down. We still have much to discuss.”

I love you, Silver. I am so proud of you and the man you have become.

[cifer-ulqui]

Chapter 1: Heartless Naïf

TW: Minor Violence Word Count: ~2400

Masterlist / Chapter 2: Tithes / Ao3 Link

Ulquiorra Cifer has died hundreds of times. Every mouthful brought new memories, new anguish from his victims, new pieces of his being. He is an amalgamation of all the souls he consumed. After all of his experiences, he thought it was over.

That monster struck the killing blow. He held his palm outstretched to the woman, saying something that would hold meaning in his death. Her outstretched hand, reaching for him; her heart. His life came to its inevitable end. He reached back, hoping to find what she wanted him to see. She never reached him, but his hand is warm.

 That last thought brings about new information. The rest of him is cold, and he’s lying on hard stone.

  He is dead. He must be. His organs were crushed. He disintegrated. It’s impossible for him to be alive. Unless this is Hell. It makes sense. He’s here to atone for all the agony he caused. This is fine. He can simply lay here until something consumes him. His reason for fighting is over. He vaguely wonders what happened after the battle. Did Kurosaki win against Lord Aizen? He thought it was a ridiculous notion, but Kurosaki’s power only increased during their battle.

None of it matters anyway. Nothing does.

He waits for some time, he isn’t sure how long, before he hears whispers. Something is coming to absorb his power. Why would Hell be any different from Hueco Mundo?

“Is he awake yet?” A voice grows louder. Masculine and hearty, a few feet away. “Lucifer, go shake him.”

A sigh replies. “Barbatos said he should awaken naturally, or we could startle him.” This voice is smoother, darker. At least two men. That’s fine. Either he will be able to defend himself, or they will consume him. Should he even bother fighting?

Yes, the only logical explanation is this is Hell.

He flinches.

“Oh, he’s awake!” A more feminine voice is way too close. It’s clear this is the one who touched his cheek.

“Asmodeus.” 

“Eek! I was just curious.”

Ulquiorra opens his eyes, glaring at the one who touched him. He gets a smile back, one with white teeth shown from pink lips. “Hello, darling! My, what a lovely glare you have. Did I wake you?” He’s crouched down next to where Ulquiorra lays. “Of course, waking up to someone as lovely as I--”

It only takes a second.

There’s a clack of teeth and a squeal as Ulquiorra’s palm bashes against the man’s chin, elbow coming back down to smash his nose. Ulquiorra darts to his feet, moving behind him to turn and look at the others as the man who touched him hunches over, grabbing his face.

It takes a moment for him to be able to see in the light. His eyes should be used to the darkness, and adjust easily. What is happening? Has he been drugged? No, he can still think clearly.

There are five men in the room, including the one Ulquiorra injured. Two close, two others sitting at a table further away. If they go down as easy as the first, he should be able to kill them, even without his zanpakuto. He shakes out his wrist, a stinging sensation shooting up the tendon. That’s not right. He shouldn’t be injured so easily. It’s no matter, there is no choice if he wants to survive. The rules of Hell must simply be different.

Except.

None of them move.

A redheaded man, not as tall as Yammy but considerable, laughs in a boisterous voice. He stands in the middle of the room near Ulquiorra. “Ah, Asmodeus, are you alright? That looked painful.”

“Ignore my brother,” the black-haired man beside him sighs, crossing his arms. “It’s his fault for getting so close. Though--,” red eyes fix on Ulquiorra. It makes him want to bare his fangs; those eyes pin him like a moth. “--it seems this one is quite different from Solomon.”

A resonant growl echoes in the chamber, demanding Ulquiorra’s attention, and that’s when Asmodeus’s appearance changes. Horns sprout from strawberry blond hair, wings unfurl, fangs and claws bare themselves. “How dare you hit me! And on my perfect face!”

They’re not hollows. There are no masks or holes. No zanpakuto. This immense pressure he’s letting out is similar to spiritual pressure, but has a different touch on one’s skin. Black and pink energy crackle through the air. This must be his resurreccion. 

“Asmodeus.”

A more frustrated growl answers Lucifer’s warning, before Asmodeus rises. Ulquiorra tenses, tracking each movement, but Asmodeus walks past him up the stairs to the table where two others sit, his face sifting between glaring and ignoring him. His face is red, but not bleeding. Why did the others stop Asmodeus from killing him?

The foremost man is still smiling. His hair is nearly as red as his jacket, and his skin is a tan color. The leader must either be him or the man next to him with red eyes and black hair. “What an eventful beginning already.” He clears his throat. “Welcome to the Devildom! You're Ulquiorra Cifer, right?”

“Why am I here?”

“Right to the point, how refreshing! It’s understandable that you have questions, as you’ve only arrived. As a human, it’ll take some time to get used to things here in the Devildom.”

As a human. Me? What notion is this? He presses his lips together, but remains silent.

“... I suppose I should start with introducing myself.” The silence gives way to a rather long-winded introduction of this demon prince, Lord Diavolo. Devildom? He’s never heard of such a place. Is it akin to Hell? And a prince? From one lord to another. He thought he would be spared from bureaucracy in death. Demons… how are they different from hollows?

 His question remains unanswered.

 The black haired man beside the prince seems to sense Ulquiorra’s disgruntlement and says, “I will explain everything to you in due time.”

 Diavolo introduces the man next. Lucifer. His face is polite but not kind. Avatar of Pride. Ulquiorra glosses over this information, but stores it for later. Lucifer greets him, the words sounding practiced and empty. The cold quality is a familiarity Ulquiorra appreciates.

 He looks expectantly at Ulquiorra for an answer he cannot fathom. “Answer my question.”

 The smile in reply bares no teeth, but is clearly a threat. “You’re rather straightforward.” Lucifer talks about realms and humans and angels. An exchange program. All words, certainly, but Ulquiorra’s limited context leaves some room for interpretation.

 “And you’re our newest exchange student,” Lucifer finishes, with Ulquiorra none the wiser as to what his purpose here is. They intend no threat to him? A mistake. And, referring to him as a human? Ridiculous nonsense. He should kill this trash for the insult.

 And this Lucifer reminds him of Aizen in all the wrong ways. “Why should I participate in any of this?” He’d like to refute being human, but what happens if he reveals their error? He could become expendable. He should bide his time. The physical evidence of him being a hollow must be hidden somehow.

 “It has already been decided, there is no other option for you.” Lucifer rolls his eyes. He begins to talk about his brother, Mammon, who will supposedly watch over Ulquiorra. The thought of Ulquiorra needing protection or guidance is preposterous. The mention of the man furrows Lucifer’s eyebrows, clearly annoyed.

“Here, take this device. It’s called a DDD.” Lucifer hands Ulquiorra something. It’s a small rectangle that fits in his hand, which lights up. “It’s yours to use for the rest of your stay here. Now, go ahead and try calling Mammon with it.” The symbols on the face of the screen are unhelpful to Ulquiorra, and Lucifer points to the buttons, a disappointed look on his face. How would Ulquiorra know what symbols these supposed demons use?

Otherwise, it seems close to any other screen Szayelaporro or the shinigami can create.

An odd incessant noise fills the space, like the buzzing of insect wings, coming from this DDD, before it stops and a masculine voice begins to speak. Mammon, presumably. Lucifer guides the DDD up close to Ulquiorra’s ear.

“Yoooo,” the voice draws out. Ulquiorra doesn’t grace this with a response. A second passes before the voice questions, “Uh, hello?”

“Mammon, I assume.”

“Huh? Who the hell are you? You ain’t Lucifer.”

“I am Ulquiorra Cifer. Lucifer tasked me with calling you.”

“Ul.. what? Whatever, geez! I was getting all chilly thinking it was Lucifer again. You should have told me earlier. Anyway, what business do you have with me?”

“I’m told you’ll be looking after me during my stay here.” As much as he loathes the idea.

“Huh? You must be that human exchange student. No way! There’s nothing in it for me. G’luck with that, and see ya.”

Ulquiorra slides his gaze to Lucifer’s. “You refuse?”

Lucifer takes the DDD, and this smile is undoubtedly cruel. “Mammon. You’ve got ten seconds. Nine. Eight.” He hands it back before the rest of the countdown. The screen is black now, and no sounds come from it. “Seems you two had a nice chat.”

“I would not say that.” When he lowers his arm, he notices something he should have noticed far sooner. He’s not wearing his clothes given to him by Lord Aizen. These are western-style clothes, a white shirt with long sleeves and soft black pants. His other clothes were destroyed, that’s right. Who dressed him? How long was he asleep? Where is his zanpakuto?

A snicker draws his attention to the three other men sitting at the table. The one to laugh is a golden blond. “That’s Mammon for you.”

“Don’t worry too much,” The prince pipes up in Ulquiorra’s unnecessary defense. “Mammon’s not the only one to help you out. Now’s a good time to introduce the rest of your brothers, Lucifer. It’s probably best if you do it, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes… As much as I dread the idea,” Lucifer grumbles. He seems to be perpetually annoyed. Perhaps that makes him more bearable than Aizen’s smug grin.

The other three are introduced. Asmodeus, the one who woke him, is still holding his face. Satan, the one who laughed, is blond and wears a polite but serious expression. Beelzebub, who is upset he cannot eat, sports bright orange hair and is the second tallest besides Diavolo. None of them have surnames, which is strange, but Ulquiorra doesn’t question it.

It’s when Satan is introduced that something familiar piques Ulquiorra’s senses. The pressure in the room increases with Satan’s anger when he scowls at Lucifer. Lime green and black energy crackles in the air around him, stronger than Asmodeus’s but fleeting. The moment dissipates far too quickly for him to gauge the full extent of the power.

Lucifer speaks a little more about his brothers, things Ulquiorra files away as less important, before Diavolo begins again.

“You’ll be staying with Lucifer and his brothers in the House of Lamentation for the duration of your stay, to keep you safe.”

“Keep me safe,” Ulquiorra tilts his head. “From what?”

“Most demons agree with Lord Diavolo, but there are still demons intent on harming humans. It’s our responsibility if anything were to happen to you.” Lucifer goes on to explain the DDD once more, and how all of their contacts are in it. The prince sends a message, which Ulquiorra accesses without much trouble. It’s a small bubble icon, and there's a list of names in kanji and what seems to be their latin spelling, something close enough for him to understand.

Once Mammon arrives, he once again calls him a human. It’s a disturbing notion. It’s growing tiresome.

Does he look human? He can tell there is no mask on his face, but--

There’s no space. He feigns rubbing his chest, over where his hollow hole should be, only to find skin and bone where there should be nothing.

For the time being, he will pretend to be a human. Even if he despises it.

Mammon is still loud. Useless trash. Threatening to eat Ulquiorra. The thought is ridiculous. Lucifer punches him near the diaphragm, akin to when Ulquiorra reprimanded Yammy, but with far less malice. Or blood.

They reiterate much of what they’ve already said, with details about Mammon that don’t seem relevant, putting Ulquiorra’s assimilation into the demon’s hands.

“Good fucking luck,” Asmodeus seethes. “Brute.” Trash.

Mammon complains. Ulquiorra doesn’t listen, until Lucifer begins to threaten Mammon, the pressure in the room rising once more. His reiatsu is a dark blue, but clearly only a threat; it’s crushing, but not fully released. It succinctly defeats Mammon’s objections.

“--Ya better not cause me any trouble, got it?” Mammon is addressing him now.

Ulquiorra fixes him with cold eyes.

“Hah? You listening? Seriously, is there something wrong with this one?”

Lucifer ignores him, and Ulquiorra decides to as well. “On to the next subject: your tasks. Your task is to polish up your soul nicely and to acquire the power to resist demons. You have one semester here, so try to keep up.”

Polish his soul? Resist demons? “What does this mean?” And what’s a semester?

“Demons like humans with nice souls. Let me put it this way. Nice souls shine like jewels. Do you understand now?”

The certainty and smugness Lucifer displays is clear. Ulquiorra doesn’t answer. Him, have a nice soul? “Nice” has never been used to describe him, or anything less than cold and cruel.

“You could say it’s an experiment of who will win-- either humans will be tempted by demons, or demons will lose against the shiny and noble soul of a human and make a run for it.”

Shiny. Noble.

“What happens if I lose?” Will he be consumed? His soul is a collective of all the hollows he consumed, and he has their memories. Death is not something he fears.

“There’s no penalty set. Would you like me to think of one?” His tone grows teasing, but Ulquiorra is no soft human who will cede these sentiments. “There, there, don’t give me that look.” He goes on to explain the tasks.

“Ready?”

This work is the result of a year's time and effort, and it is my first successful long-form work. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible, and to my readers.

Interested in beta reading other chapters? Comment or contact me through Discord, ulquiavnas

Masterlist / Chapter 2: Tithes

Happy birthday, Ulquiorra!!!! 💚

[oceanmusings]

shipuary 4 | emmaline nielson x arthur morgan

Masterlist : link

Summary : the worst thing about sharing a bed with a man who wakes up at the crack ass of dawn.

Warning : super fluffy, my apology for what I wrote for them last time, based around the time at Shady Bell! No spoilers

One thing that everyone knows about Arthur is that he always wakes up with the sun. When the sun rises, no doubt Arthur Morgan would rise too. This becomes unfortunate for Emmaline when he invites her to share his bedroom at Shady Belle. Emmaline was a light sleeper, and has been since she was a little girl. The littlest movement or sound could wake her up. It was worse when she was getting used to sleeping outdoors, but eventually she got used to it. This was not the case when she moved into Arthur’s bedroom.

His cot was already very small and it was cramped to fit the two of them, but they were able to do it with Emmaline basically draped over Arthur. But he didn’t mind the pressure and just would pull her closer to him instead. Emmaline was pretty sure even if they got a bigger cot to fit them both, they would still cuddle up together like this.

Like every morning, she feels Arthur try and move out from under her as stealthy as he could. But the minute he moves her head off his chest is when her consciousness awakens. She opened her eyes groggily, it takes a second for her to register everything around her. She lifts her eyes to where Arthur was sitting on the cot, stretching his arms above his head as he tries to suppress a large yawn. He reaches for his boots but pauses as he feels a hand lazily grasp his wrist.

“Stay.”

Arthur turned his gaze to the half-asleep woman on his bed, a slight pout on her lips that was too adorable. “Darling, I got to get up. Got some jobs from Dutch.”

“Damn Dutch, stay with me.” Emmaline whines, pulling on his hand to join her back in bed. “It’s too early to do anything.”

“Don’t let Miss Grimshaw hear you say that.” The cowboy laughs, letting the woman tug on his arm.

“Don’t care what that old crone says.” Emmaline mumbles sleepily, but both knew that wasn’t true. Miss Grimshaw wasn’t a woman to cross or argue with. “Now c’mon, it’s barely early enough to do anything. Come back to bed.”

Arthur stared down at the woman, a glint in his eyes that Emmaline’s mind couldn’t place. But her eyelids were heavy and it was hard to keep them open long enough to focus on it. He smiled at her gently and toed off his boots again.

“I’d be a fool to deny the woman.”

The sleepy grin on her face brightened the old cowboy’s whole day. Emmaline adjusted herself so Arthur could slide back into bed next to her, facing her this time instead of laying on his bed. Emmaline immediately wrapped her arm around his waist and pressed close to her cowboy, humming in delight at his warmth enveloping around her.

“Good choice.”

Arthur let out a soft laugh and pressed a kiss to her forehead, placing his hand on her hip to pull her closer to him that every inch of their bodies were pressed up against each other. The scratch of his beard against her skin was a nice sting, she realized it was getting a bit long now. Maybe she’ll offer to shave it sometime.

Her thoughts drifted off as she felt him begin to press kisses down her face. From her forehead, eyebrows, under her eyes, and the tip of her nose. Her eyelids fell closed as she felt his breath brush against her lips, waiting for him to kiss her where she wanted it most. Frowning as he pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth instead.

He laughed once more as he felt her frown. “You are too easy.”

“Kiss me, you idiot.”

He didn’t deny her and pressed his lips lazily against her own. The two share a kiss and many more in the privacy in his bedroom without any watching eyes that could interrupt the tranquil moment they have created together, other than the rising sun peeking in through the windows.

Every morning Arthur wakes Emmaline up, but if it always ended up like this, Emmaline doesn’t mind rising with the sun anymore.

[letsplaydcttrpg]

Strangers in Paradise pt 13 - The End (? Again?)

Start this module here!

Previous part here!

Links to all posts for this module in the pinned post!

Lasso Jamal I: "Yes," you say, raising your lasso over your head. "He will tell us all we need to know." Suddenly Maurice Diawara interjects. "Are you going to use some form of persuasion to get him to speak?" he asks. "Yes," Hellene says. "But Jamal is an ambassador, as are we all," Maurice says. "He must be treated with the utmost of respect." "Ridiculous," says Kwa. "If he has nothing to hide, let him submit." "We cannot allow him to spread poison among our sisters," Hellene says. You step forward and put an end to the discussion by gently lowering the rope over Jamal's head. He trembles as the power of Gaea flows through his body. A golden glow bathes his face; the room goes silent. "Why do you want to harm the mission to Themyscira?" you ask. "To prove that women cannot properly rule themselves without men. Such ideas threaten all my beliefs." "Who told you to distribute the amulets?" you ask. "No one," he replies. "You work entirely on your own?" you ask. "I never saw the amulets before that stranger ran through my room tonight and awakened me," Jamal continues. "My plan to ruin this mission was to find the negative side of everything and generally cause tension." You stare at Hellene in horror. "I have made a terrible mistake," you say, slowly taking the rope off Jamal. "This is an outrage!" Jamal bellows, returning to control of his own body. "Making me reveal such things! They are my own private thoughts! I demand to return home at once!" You attempt to reason with Jamal, but he is vehemently insistent. The other ambassadors, appalled at such a manipulative display, have lost most of their desire for staying and much of their respect of Amazon culture. The decision to leave quickly grows into a unanimous one. The return trip is uneventful, as are the ambassadors' respective reports on their experience in Themyscira. THE ADVENTURE HAS ENDED

Whoops! Turns out they did not appreciate the whole lasso thing.

So we reach another point where our decisions have ended the module. That said, I was just earlier today talking about being the kid who stuck a million bookmarks in the choose your own adventure book to try and find all the endings, so I'm gonna throw out the "Reload Previous Save" option again if people want to see what could have happened! Or this is the end and we've made our bed and have to lie in it. As always, it is up to you!

[bluesdesk]

People. 50.6% of 87 votes are exactly 44 votes. And 49.4% is 43 votes. Tears of the Kingdom lost to Alttp for ONE VOTE

Anyway, I decided to yeet both off the poll! Let the 9th round begin! There are 8 games left, and these are really the best. I still have one game I want to vote but then the choice will be harder!

As I've written many things about totk but I don't want to give unwanted spoilers, this time the rankings are here and my opinions on the games are under the cut!

<< Previous round

The CDIs

Triforce Heroes

Zelda 2

Hyrule Warriors / Legends / Definitive

Cadence of Hyrule

Zelda 1

Four Swords Adventures

Four Swords

Oracle of Seasons/Ages

Age of Calamity

Phantom Hourglass

Link's awakening/LANS

Spirit Tracks

Tears of the Kingdom

A link to the Past

Soo! TotK and AlttP. I played AlttP shortly after BotW on nso, when TotK still wasn't out. I liked it a lot at first, but I have to say I didn't complete it. It was technologically advanced for that time for sure, but I don't think it aged well. The dungeons didn't leave me anything valuable to remember, like other games did, the items weren't equipped easily and the story was too simple and banal.

As for TotK. Oh TotK. I got to play botw another bit before returning it (I had borrowed it from a friend), after quitting alttp. And I still liked it! Then I bought TotK and at the beginning I was extremely surprised, it looked so great. I thought Rauru was the same first sage from OoT and he had a "goat disguise" to not be recognized, like his owl form. Of course I was wrong and then I was so disappointed, i left it almost one year ago and don't have any urge to play it again, I probably will though and give it another chance because something was really good like seeing grown up characters or finding those "Zeldas" or building things or finding amiibo costumes. - the story is great for a standalone game, but for zelda? The zonai make no sense to me and contradicted everything we knew. In the past right after sksw the gerudo weren't known, the zora and rito didn't exist, the gorons weren't on death mountain. They should have made another antagonist and not Ganondorf. Zelda's sacrifice was honestly a so great part, but the ending was awful. - the "dungeons" were copies of each other. And short and banal as heck, and the dialogues after each one were always the same. - People didn't remember Link. Only some of the major characters did but the majority of the npcs didn't know him. And Link didn't have the majority of his clothes. I know the outfits weren't mandatory to get in botw (nothing was mandatory tho) but at least the most known could have been left. The gerudo outfit, the climber set, the hylian set, the luminous stone set! They made up a story for the zora tunic and that's a good thing. - The depths were empty and too dark, even after the light roots were lighted. It was too easy to get lost. - the ultrahand and fuse mechanics are amazing as well as the ascend, but they should have made them mandatory at least for some parts of the game, to give them more spotlight. - I would have loved to have way more sksw references, this isn't a flaw of course but a personal preference! Also I would have loved to have Wolf Link as an ally again, instead of the spirits of the sages. - personal experience: the game crashed after I defeated Ganondorf for the last time. I was about to see the final cutscene when the screen went black and it never played (I saw it on youtube). Everything else on the swotch worked perfectly so it was just the game. Of course it doesn't autosave or let people save the game after entering the zone before the first fight with Ganondorf so I'm back there. I hated it.

[onyx-archer]

Open World, Shallow Structure: A Look at Zelda and It's Future

Originally, I was going to make my next post about another Life is Strange game, but I've been in a bit of a Zelda mood thanks to playing around with the Ocarina of TIme/Majora's Mask Combo Randomizer, so I wanted to talk about the Zelda series for a minute. As the title would suggest, I wanted to talk about Zelda's current open world direction, why I'm not a fan, and where I think it could improve.

As this is more about game design and less about story, spoilers will be minimal, but present. Just assume that I'm expecting you to be familiar with most Zelda games and their stories, and that I'll mention things from them when I think it's relevant. I'm going to be citing things from the 3D Zelda titles especially, because 2D Zelda is a different beast, but I'll mention things about them when necessary to illustrate a point. I'll put this under the cut cause it's gonna be long, but I have a lot of thoughts.

I also want to say up front that if you like the modern style of Zelda seen in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, that's great! You saw something in those games that I didn't, and I don't want to take that away from you! I just want to talk shop about Zelda's current struggle with game design as a fan who's been playing these games since they were like, 6.

With that, you know the drill, go under the cut if you wanna keep reading.

When I first played Breath of the Wild, I want to be real with y'all for a minute: I put it down after a few hours. I had basically gotten to the point where I was on my way to Zora's Domain, got side-tracked by some Shrines and other stuff, and got bored. What a lot of people see as an adventure full of wonder just felt like I was being side tracked by things that ultimately didn't matter. I've since beaten the game, and even 100%'d it, which is something I'd never recommend anyone sane do more than once.

Cards on the table: I haven't really touched Tears of the Kingdom in any real capacity yet. I watched some people play it, and asked a friend who is a diehard Zelda fan what he thought, and both things lead to the same conclusion: it's just Breath of the Wild 2.0. Which, I mean, duh, of course it was, that's a game that a lot of people liked, and so Nintendo would have to be pretty freaking dumb to not capitalize on that. Even I was initially positive about the choice, because I had thought that since they were going to be building off of the base of a game as beloved as BotW, that we'd see something like a "Majora's Mask" to BotW's "Ocarina of Time" in a lot of ways. In some ways, we got that, but in most ways where I think it mattered, we didn't.

So how can I judge a game I really haven't played? Well, it's built off of one I have played, so I can look at it through that lens. I can also take what I've heard from friends who have played it into consideration. With those things in mind, I've come up with a few core problems that I have with the current direction of Zelda that I hope are righted when the next game comes out in like, 7 years (cause let's be real, it's gonna be a long while before the next big game hits).

The Dungeons:

A big sticking point for a lot of more classic fans of the Zelda series that has yet to actually be remedied is the dungeons. More specifically, how the two most recent titles (not counting the Link's Awakening remake and the Skyward Sword remaster) don't really have tightly designed dungeons. I believe this is a consequence of the open-ended design, and the fact that the developers have leaned too hard into "solve the puzzles in any number of different ways" to allow for that tight design.

Zelda dungeons in the past, for the most part, are a combination of combat encounters and puzzle rooms, with a sense of exploration as you move through them. While I feel as though the combat aspect has been preserved to a degree, everything else is just lacking.

The combat in Zelda pre-Skyward Sword was pretty basic for the most part (just whacking guys with glorified sticks), and this is something that Breath of the Wild has objectively improved in a lot of ways. Combat just feels better, even if there's objectively a lot of jank when managing the inventory to swap between weapons. The only part of combat that is outright trash is the weapon degradation, which I'll cover later.

However, there is one thing that has been lost in this, and it ties into the puzzle element: boss fights.

Bosses in Zelda's past are basic in certain respects, but have layers that lean into the puzzle solving component of the game design. Usually, the bosses require you to play into the dungeon gimmick, which usually involves the tool you get in said dungeon, or in the lead up to the dungeon, which is the case for something like Bongo Bongo in Ocarina of Time. While sure, a lot of this leads to pretty obvious design quirks that make the bosses less challenging overall for some, and lead to mixed results as the series went on, the bosses did more than test your mettle, they tested you on the tools you have.

For every item that has limited use like the Spinner in Twilight Princess, there are items that have utility in ways beyond their dungeon of acquisition. This is typically for staples like the Bow, the Bombs, the Hookshot, etc, but it can also be for things like the Gust Jar or the Beetle from Skyward Sword. Yeah, they aren't as universally useful, but they are still useful, and can be used to add puzzle variety. Beyond just using the tool to exploit a weakness in the boss, they had other uses, and while some were definitely more limited than others, it was still some use.

Modern Zelda has decided that puzzles should be solvable in ways tied to the tools you get during the tutorial for the most part, and I think this has lead to the degradation of feeling of solving a puzzle. While sure, there are times when open-ended solutions to puzzles feels satisfying, it also leads to situations where the player can just cheese an answer, and while that may satisfy some in a creative sense, it leaves the people who want to solve head scratchers feeling like they wasted their time trying to think how the developers wanted the puzzle to be solved.

The fact that BotW and TotK puzzles can be solved in a number of ways, but also really only expect the player to have the tools they got during the tutorial area makes the puzzles feel... flat, for the lack of a better term.

This, in tern, makes the design of dungeons feel less satisfying to explore, because it has lead to the designers basically making all of the dungeon "find X number of keys to open the door to the boss." Yeah, classic Zelda was that at it's core, but the puzzles, while certainly not super complex because of their target audience, often had variety in ways that the modern ones just don't. That variety masked the blatant "find keys" part of the journey, which I feel is so obvious in the modern games that it sucks the sense of wonder exploring the dungeons used to bring. From what I've seen of TotK, this problem is made worse because the game just tells you that you need to find 5 things to unlock a door up front, and that's just kinda lame.

I'm not going to pretend the puzzles in OoT are complete brain ticklers, but they had some fun solutions. Opening the door to the boss of Dodongo's Cavern involved a simple riddle about dropping bombs into the eyes of a giant Dodongo Skull to open it's mouth. It was a fun concept that was really only used once in that game, and it sticks out in my memory to this day. Most of the puzzles in BotW, by contrast, are less interesting outside of the moment you're doing them because they mix the same assets together so much that it all bleeds into one amorphas blob.

Shrines only further make this a problem, because the Shrines have you do these sorts of puzzles outside of dungeons, making them less creative overall over the course of the game. There's only so many times you can have me use Magnesis or Statis Launches to solve similar set ups before I get bored. I do like the idea of Shrines, but there are too damn many of them!

Also of note is the lack of meaningful rewards for doing the Shrines or the Dungeons. Sure, the Shrines give you a resource that lets you increase your Health and Stamina, but that's really it. The chests are largely worthless because they hold weapons that break (at least in BotW), or other things you can just farm from enemies, or just buy. I don't feel rewarded for using my brain, I feel like I'm going down a checklist for some more health. Heart Pieces often had some kind of puzzle or series of things you needed to do to get them, but they felt so much more rewarding because the feeling of getting 4 of them (or however many you need in other games) gave you a satisfying little jingle that hit you with some dopamine like "Look at you! You got a little stronger by using your skull spaghetti!"

My Proposed Solution:

Simply put, my solution is to cut the Shrine number down by half, and make only half of them doable out of the gate. Then I'd use those resources to make unique, tightly design dungeons that give you a unique tool that you can use to solve puzzles with that won't break, and allow those items to be woven into puzzle solutions.

This way, you get some puzzle elements that are open-ended that you can logic out however you want, and then you get some puzzles that have more specific, guided solutions that test your knowledge of the tools you have. You can walk into a Shrine, see a thing that you can't do, and go "okay, there's a tool I need to be able to do this, but I don't have it yet," and know that you'll be able to come back to it later for a puzzle that tests your knowledge as you acquire more tools.

Dungeons could then have more time dedicated to giving them a unique theme and vibe. Unique assets, and a proper sense of wonder that makes them feel worthwhile. Dungeons, I feel, should be guided experiences that progressively introduce new ideas to test the player, rather than just be open ended boxes that have like 5 puzzles that are solved in similar ways to previous puzzles you've likely solved to open a door. They should have a sense of place and spectacle.

Personally, if we were to use the world of BotW/TotK as the basis, I'd have each dungeon reflect the ancient versions of the races civilizations and cultures. Basically, double down on the whole Ancient Sheikah idea, and apply it to the other races of Hyrule. I'd love to see something like an ancient mine of the Gorons teaming with gems and Dodongos, or the dilapidated sunken remains of an ancient Zora city, just to name a few basic things. Pull from the series past and history to create places oozing with cultural atmosphere that stimulates a sense of wonder, but also filled with dangers that excite those seeking the thrill of adventure.

2. The Story

While I am aware that TotK vastly improved the story being told compared to BotW, I think it can't be denied that the open-ended approach to the story is hurting the pacing of things immensely, and leads to a lot of awkward scenarios. The fact that you can view the memories out of order in both BotW and TotK is insane to me, but that's not the only issue.

While open-ended open worlds are good for gameplay stuff, it has taken a toll on having the story of Zelda feel like it has much substance. Sure, you can sit there and say TotK story is good if you sit down and focus on it, but that's the problem: because you can do things in any order, the story loses a lot of traction. I've seen the cutscenes for completing the dungeons in TotK, and the fact that you basically see slightly different versions of the same thing, but with a different narrator, is what I'm talking about.

I personally think that the story is too loosely strung together in these titles because they feel they have to be for the sake of immersion or something, but that is silly to me. You can have an open-ended game that has structure to a plot that is less open, because other devs have been doing it for years. Older Zeldas have done it, to a degree.

Older Zelda titles often did expect you to follow a path the designers laid out for you, but that's because stories often need that kind of structure to be told in any sort of cohesive way. It's like playing a tight game of D&D, where the DM is allowing the players some flexibility, but is still going to guide the players down a path toward some sort of conclusion. The path to that ending may be slightly different, but there are still plot beats that get to that conclusion that occur in a certain order. It's a lot of work, but often leads to satisfying campaigns. And I'm speaking as someone who doesn't care much for D&D.

I think Zelda needs to have a loose, but still very much guided structure. Part of the reason I get so bored playing BotW when I do play it is that the game gives me so much freedom to do whatever, and no real sense of direction outside of a few map markers for the areas you need to go for the main quest. Yeah, that can feel liberating, but it makes it feel more like I'm wandering around in the dark, and less like I'm on a grand adventure, y'know?

I don't want things to go full blown Skyward Sword, where you're effectively on rails, have have to do basically everything in the order the designers wanted you to, cause that feels bad in Zelda too. I think the story should set itself up in such a way where the player is limited to a small pool of possible events that can be seen in any order, but all need to be completed to access the next pool of things, which could be larger. Much like how both Link to the Past divides the game between the 3 Light World dungeons and 6 Dark World dungeons with a trip to Hyrule Castle, or how Ocarina of Time requires you to get the Three Sacred Stones before you can do the Temples for the Medallions.

Events in the stories, as they are, feel like they expect that any dungeon should be your first, and there are only a small handful of dungeons. This, in theory, would be fine, but because each dungeon has to act as though you've never seen things before, it leads to very stale narrative presentation long term.

There's also another small issue that's eating away at the story of the games: the reliance on Ganon.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Ganon/Ganondorf when he's done well, and he was several times in the past. I understand he's the big bad of the series, and he'll always be around, but he's been something of a stain on the series' ability to tell unique stories for a while. This was highlighted in Twilight Princess first, where he sort of just comes in and kicks Zant, a villain who was super imposing and interesting, to the curb for the sake of a lame twist. This was lame, sure, but I really don't like their reliance on Ganon in these recent games.

I could put up with it in BotW, because the game is ultimately about dealing with the Calamity, which is Ganon's essence of corruption given shape. It was dumb and basic, but BotW was sort of basic on purpose in a lot of ways with it's story, so I didn't mind. But with TotK? I feel like they just brought him back because it was easy, and because there are a lot of thirsty Ganondorf fans out there. I just see his inclusion after dealing with Calamity Ganon as a blight on what could have been a much cooler narrative.

My Proposed Solution:

As I mentioned above, I think the goal should be to apply a degree of limitation to the player in how much they can accomplish as they progress. This means there are only so many scenarios the game has to account for. If we, say, limit the player to the classic 3 "starter" dungeons before letting them go into the next batch, then it makes things easier to write around. Have each dungeon be tied to a thing going on in the area that is connected to the main plot, but serve as a piece of a larger puzzle.

Then, I'd establish a simple check: if the Player is visiting, say, the Goron Mines first, then they'll get a slightly different cutscene than if they did the Goron Mines after the Lost Zora City, to account for the idea that the player has already seen some of the set up already. Basically, have the stuff the player experiences be told in a set order in slightly different ways, depending on when the player experiences it sequentially, and adjust in accordance to the order to avoid unnecessary repetition of ideas being conveyed. That way, when Link gets insight into the broader narrative, it feels like a puzzle being solved, but the stuff surrounding that insight is focused on the area.

As for Ganon, it's a pretty simple thing: just don't use him for a little while. Again, I get he's the big bad of the franchise, but we've seen other villains in the series work. Even having a devout follower of Ganon take over and try to resurrect him for a game would be fine, if a bit cliche at this point. Let's see Vaati come back maybe? Or another interesting original villain like Majora/Skull Kid? I still want to learn more about lands besides Hyrule, and a unique villain from Ganon gives us plenty of opportunity to explore those lands.

Speaking of...

3. Hyrule

I don't think it's at all controversial to suggest that Hyrule's map in TotK makes it less satisfying to explore for a lot of people. Sure, there are new areas to check out in a post-Calamity Ganon world, and the added the Depths and the Sky Islands... but I mean, it still kind of sucks that 90% of the map is just a copy/paste job.

Beyond that, I've developed a bit of a pet peeve with the Zelda series and it's use of Hyrule. While I completely understand that it's the primary setting, and that's not really something I'm looking to change or anything, I just miss when we got other places to explore, y'know?

Majora's Mask has Termina, the Oracle games have their own countries, and even Tri Force Heroes has it's own unique setting, and that's just scratching the surface. I love when a Zelda game takes us outside of Hyrule to see other parts of the world, even if it just has a bunch of things that make it feel like a remixed version of Hyrule at it's core. Termina is like this, but I still want to go back there and explore how things have changed since then, y'know?

I don't really have a solution for this issue, I just really think they need to be willing to go outside of Hyrule more often... especially with the next game, just to have things feel fresh again.

4. Weapon Degradation and UI

I don't know about y'all, but I hate the weapons I'm using breaking, but having no real way to repair them. Sure, I know you can often find duplicates or, in the case of TotK, you can just build a new copy of the thing you like, but I still hate it.

A lot of this is compounded by the fact that a lot of chests just contain weapons that will break after a few uses, and it just makes the act of fighting things feel more tedious. I know some would say it adds a degree of tension, but I and many, many others don't like it. It says a lot about the system that when you disable it via cheats, BotW becomes more fun.

The UI doesn't make this any better. Cycling weapons and shields feels clunky as hell, and selecting which arrows you are shooting from the bow is just... why is it so bad!? And how did TotK make that WORSE!? Crafting in TotK is neat, sure, but when you have to individually combine the item you want to each nocked arrow, and the menu is that bad, you have to ask how that got out of beta. I dunno if it's been fixed since then, and I don't really care.

My Proposed Solution:

Here's the thing, all I want is to have 2 things in the case of the weapons breaking.

Thing 1: A permanent set of things you can upgrade over time that never breaks, and only needs to be sharpened or something, but lacks special attributes that make the breakable stuff worth a damn to use.

Thing 2: The ability to use materials to repair/maintain the weapons you like.

The simple thing to fix the UI is actually just to have a weapon wheel that you save the things you like onto in the positions you want them, and to have a tab button to cycle to less used stuff. Basically, just do what Ratchet and Clank did 20 years ago.

As far as arrows are concerned, just let the player craft them in the inventory, and have the Bow weapon wheel have a way to cycle which type of arrows you want to use. Easy. It'd still be a touch clunky, but you'd not have to deal with scrolling through a list, and that's just objectively better.

The wheel would also apply to Tools/Abilities like Runes. Just hold hold the button, and then use one of the sticks to cycle around the wheel. Simple.

Honestly, this post got a little long, but hopefully people see where I'm coming from. I don't really have much of a point beyond what's stated above, but I'll try to end this off with something to think on.

Zelda's current direction has been a bit contentious with some of the older fans, and while I think BotW and TotK are respectable games, and they offer new life to a series that was admittedly losing a fair bit of it's steam, it's frustrating how there are some things that just feel like simple, elegant fixes to the new formula that'd bring it more inline with what classic fans like myself would like more. I don't think what I'm asking for is that much (especially with the UI stuff). I'm not really out here demanding that they bring back something like the transformation masks (though if there was a game like BotW and TotK, but they replaced Runes with Transformations like those of the masks from Majora's Mask, I'd probably give the game a 20/10 out of pure bias for Majora's Mask), I just want the game to feel more like the Zelda I grew up with, rather than this sort of bland open world with a Zelda skin that it's become.

As it stands, modern Zelda is starting to feel less like a grand adventure, and more like I'm wandering through the woods without a map or a compass while it's super foggy out, and finding table scraps rather than neat treasure. I might make a post about what I'd do with a hypothetical Zelda game in the future. I've got a handful of ideas, but this post is too long as it is... so... yeah, that will be done later. Maybe.

[weidaoduzun3]

Greek Magical Papyri-esque Holy Water.

A little continuation from an earlier post I made about how I frame the Preces Templi E-book to my own praxis. I couldn’t include everything in that one post. Somethings just slip the mind, especially with this this old rusty noggin.

As the title suggests, I’d like to share with you all how I prepare Holy Water from a Greco-Egyptian standpoint that is really straight forward, using incantations as provided by @polyphanes Preces Templi E-book which I will link the E-book and his ko-fi shop at the end of this post.

Step 1) simply prepare a Tupperware or your designated container for holy water with clean, cold filtered water (any water will typically do).

Step 2) add a dash of salt used specifically for religious/spiritual/occult means. For the way I consecrate my salt: simply meditate over a container of your salt of choice (pink Himalayan for me) for 5-10 minutes. Clear the mind with the intention that power and sanctity will be infused into the salt. Then, after gently become aware and present after meditating, recite this incantation from 5.4 from the Preces Templi:

Hail to you, holy and great NN.! By your blessing and by this offering I make to you, be gracious to me, be merciful to me, and be propitious to me! (Repeat this 3 times).

For the NN here, for specifically consecrating salt, I simply add Netjeru and Theoi. So: “Hail to you, holy and great Netjeru and Theoi!”

Simple. This is a general “Dedication of Offerings” prayer and can be used for when presenting specific offerings for a deity. Here, I just use it to consecrate my salt!

Step 3) after you have added a dash of concentrated salt to your soon to be holy water, not it’s time to add a dash of natron. Just a little will do.

Step 4) now that all your ingredients have been mixed into the water, you’re going to want to meditate again for another 5-10 minutes. This is to further clear the mind with the intention of power and sanctity will enter forth via the salt and natron, and thus spread all throughout the water.

Step 5) after gently awakening from the second meditation with your salt and natron added into the water, you’re going to want to repeat this incantation from the Preces Templi 5.1 titled, “Prayer of Water.” Polyphanes bases this off of PGM IV.225ff, PGM IV.2967—3006, and PGM XIII.610ff. It goes as follows:

O sweet water, cool water, cool water that purifies the gods, you are a gift to the world and to me from the gods! The heavenly gods give the rain; the earthly gods give the seas; the beloved kings give the rivers; the beloved dead give the springs. As water from dew, you adorn the Earth and permit things to grow; as water from clouds, you adorn the Sky and permit things to be nourished. O water, for the sake of purity and becoming pure, be purified!You are pure, o water, and being pure, you wash the gods and all the world; you who wash the gods and all the world, so too wash me! You who are a gift to me, purify me, adorn me, and nourish me! (Repeat this 3 times).

Then boom, that’s how I make PGM-esque Holy Water! Enjoy :)

TO CONSECRATE STATUES WITH THIS HOLY WATER:

Simply lay the idols in the Tupperware of holy water, or if your container is too small, simply use your hands to scoop the water and shower it over the idol. Either way, for the way I do it, you’ll want to recite that “Prayer of Water” incantation as your idols are either submerged, or pouring the holy water over the idol till your heart is content. In between reciting the “Prayer of Water” I also recite:

Come to this statue, NN [deity]! Come forth and reside here In this statue I, NN [here I enter a magical pseudonym or you can simply just say your birth/chosen name of choice] , have prepared for you, NN [deity]! Abide in this statue, Abide in my shrine, Abide in my life o beautiful NN [deity]!

That’s pretty much it folks. Enjoy (again) :)

https://ko-fi.com/s/751c99dfa9

https://ko-fi.com/polyphanes/

[emstargazer]

Not sure if these will turn out to be just recurring OCs with a brief backstory or a full-on written fanfic centered around these two or some other format, but either way... Berserker Armor inspired Titan whose Pilot mimics the arsenal Guts uses throughout the manga when paired together with the Titan's loadout and whose relationship with them has an ominous side reminiscent of Guts and the Beast of Darkness.

Does anyone on planet Earth see the vision?

For which audience is this post supposed to cater, you ask?

Me, I am the audience.

Don't worry, I'll be reasonable and put my self-indulgent rambling under a readmore. Beware of some minor spoilers for Berserk.

Considering Vanguard-class Titans are "almost as well armored as a Legion, with the dash capacity of a Ronin" I feel like it fits best class-wise, but it would be a heavily modified Vanguard-based that sacrifices a lot of its defensive capabilities for an incredibly aggressive self-destructive approach to combat. It would also take some design inspiration from Ronin Prime, specifically the concept art (inheriting similar legs and the plates on its sides that remind me of air vents, which I may repurpose to introduce a cooling system) while still preserving the overall structure of a Vanguard. So think of Ronin Prime(Concept) +BT(or FS-1014 or SDV) +The Armor.

They utilize a unique Sword Core that would at first be identical to the regular until it one day develops to have the same, yet way amplified benefits with one additional being the ability to "keep itself together". What I mean by that is while the core's active it's able to keep most of its components functional despite sustaining damage that would otherwise prove to be fatal by using technology similar to the Gravity Star ordnance which upon activation would bend space so that said components can still work in unison, albeit semi-efficiently. It doesn't necessarily repair, but it does let you keep on going for longer even after your Doomed State health bar has completely depleted(yeah, I'm also trying to look at this from a gameplay perspective).

Hmm, sounds familiar.

But the real fun lies in its major drawbacks. First of all, if it does get to a certain point of no return, you won't be able to eject and once the Titan Core ability ends an explosion is imminent. Basically making every instance you use the core into a likely suicide mission. A risky last resort rather than an ultimate ability.

Secondly‚ after every usage the neural link gnaws at your psyche, leaving you with a mental scar, meaning your mind(notably your judgement and self-control) gradually deteriorates over time.

This issue derives from the very nature of the Titan, because its AI is designed to have such a strong link that it inadvertently has access to something which can only be detrimental in the long run and that is the deeper unconscious layer of the Pilot's Mind.

Initially, Titan's AI will have its own set of characteristics, but the better the link becomes, the Titan's control over filtering those unconscious thoughts will falter. Until eventually, the AI splits into 2:

The seemingly original, true self(I know, one may argue that's not the right choice of words, but I disagree considering we've seen how far the Titan's AI can evolve with BT)

An independent personification of the Pilot's Jungian Shadow(I wonder what kind of dynamic will they and the Pilot have, image below definitely unrelated c;)

Now, about the Pilot. Anything relating to their backstory before being assigned with [insert Titan's designated name](been researching military alphabet and code words for ideas, still haven't thought of something that sticks) is currently undetermined.

What is set in stone is they don't have any idea either due to being revived as an advanced simulacrum, until they achieve a complete awakening(like Ash or Revenant) by the unique link they've established as such. The Titan could give insight into the inner workings of their mind that they couldn't fathom as a human, let alone a digital backup of human consciousness with restrictions(ego retention system).

Once awakened, their main objective is to uncover lost memories through the use of said link. The catch is in the drawbacks and the eventual separation of the Titan's AI.

First one is mostly self-explanatory, even in the case that the Pilot's mind component remains intact and gets miraculously brought back into a spare robotic body, it would certainly be a limited resource(same with the Titan) and there would always be a high chance of data corruption.

Second one turns their journey into a ticking time bomb, making every subsequent combat encounter push the Pilot closer to inescapable insanity.

Birth of the second AI inside the datacore causes the Titan's original self to fight for control and question whether the other one is a part of who they are despite originating from someone else, while the Pilot can only bring words of encouragement from inside the chassis.

A story about a Titan and Pilot who both struggle with their identity leading them to form a connection that goes beyond the neural link itself. Exploring how in the journey of self-discovery what one might find to be a part of who they are may in fact be working against them and despite that one should learn to accept it and acknowledge its existence in order to have any control over it. All while affirming interpersonal connection as one of the necessary steps in learning such a lesson.

With hopefully a lot of emotional damage sprinkled along the road.

c:

To the arsenal we go, Titan's loadout would consist of:

an energy-based weapon with a repeating crossbow-like mechanism visually resembling the Ballista from Doom Eternal.

And, you guessed it, The Giant Ass Sword which is preferably going to be unnecessarily longer and thicker than Ronin's canon broadsword to the point where it should theoretically be ineffective, but as a consequence of their unique fighting style and years of accumulated battle experience they'd be able to find unconventional ways to use such attributes to their advantage. Why not use a standard edition broadsword like all the others? Both of them got too attached to their sweet heap of metal^_^. Another significant distinction from it is that instead of using electric charge to produce the Arc Wave, it would harness it to send a shockwave through both the "phase dimension"(one used by Ronin, Simulacra Pilots and others) and our own making it able to damage even those currently occupying the alternate dimension.

Again, one might guess where the general idea comes from.

When it comes to the Pilot's design, I'm keeping it mostly unknown for now. They will be using Pulse Blade since it's the closest thing to Guts' throwing knives and one of their arms will have a use as an Anti-Titan weapon. As ordnance, a large amount of miniature frag grenades.

Ok, I think going into deeper intricacies would be overkill, so I'll put my foot on the brake here.

If you've read this far, I'm beyond grateful you took your time to go through the amalgam of my sporadic unorganized ideas.

Here's a treat!