#and were reborn together in the final episode

[doortotomorrow]

memori - their royal title

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Must you, Japan? has become Thank You, Japan

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

BL OLYMPICS! Week 3

This is my last week of passing out metals in various sporting events, as part of the weekly updates.

Aug 2024 Week 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Century of Love (Weds Gaga) eps 9-10fin - There were a lot more unnecessary dramatic speeches than there was practical medical aid being administered. Very extra, boys. I wonder how long it took them to get that "birds meet hug" shot? Meanwhile, great grandpa‘s attitude that he knows best in every way is thoroughly annoying, and yet absolutely appropriate to his age. My great gramps (RIP), had he had the body of a 20-year-old, would behave in exactly the same self-righteous know-it-all way. The doctor is great. I would like him to get his own romance please? What happens when you are the villain in someone else's reincarnation story? There's a whole fanfic there. And yes I cried. I am a sap for this kinda thing.

Final thoughts:

This is a great little show about a young man who fell in love with a pretty girl 100 years ago, and when she died in his arms, he was cursed to live until he could meet her reborn self. Only this time around, she’s reborn into the body of a man. I love it when Thailand gets all up in its own historical business and reincarnation and shizz. I like this pair (it’s not DaouOffroad’s fault I didn’t enjoy most of their first series.) Daou’s wushu is pretty snazzy and we got a fun meet cute. (Erm... Remeet cute? Meet cute 2.0?) Plus this is a very PRETTY show. Despite some ham handed comedy moments, this ultimately has more in common with something like I Feel You Linger in the Air meets First Love Again, then (as one might expect) Until We Meet Again or The Director Who Buys Me Dinner. The leads turned in great performances, although Daou outclassed everybody else on that screen. It’s a good story and a great BL. I’m not sure this is going in my rewatch rotation, but I can’t find any major faults with it beyond a certain level of camp that is sadly endemic to lackorns. Also I’m going to give it credit as the kind of BL that one could safely recommend to lovers of melodrama and historical romance, without having to qualify it as “good for a BL.” It was, to put it succinctly, simply a VERY ENJOYABLE show. 

Under those auspices I really can’t give it anything less than a 9/10. 

Bronze in Fencing

My Love Mix-Up Th (Fri YT) ep 10 of 12 - It’s cute. They were cute. I enjoyed it a lot. I talk quite a bit about why they're using nai as a you pronoun here:

This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans (Fri iQIYI) ep 6 of 8 - Honestly the side couple is truly stellar in this show. I wasn’t sure about them at first but now I absolutely love them. Not sure how they are going to resolve such intense dislike (from JJ) by the end of the series. But I’m interested to see them try.

Meanwhile, there isn’t anything else airing right now that makes me laugh as much as the behind-the-scenes from this show. Highly recommended.

Monster Next Door (Thai Thurs Gaga ) eps 1-2 of 12 - Oh it is so much fun. I’m particularly delighted that our musician is a drummer and I don’t have to listen to him sing... I hope. I’ve been waiting for Big to lead a BL forever. I’m disposed to enjoy this. We can all be confident in one thing, the kisses are going to be great. I like the side couple too, very indulgent daddy. While I am disturbed by the tortoise in the tiny tank, I love the extrovert friendship group. They remind me of my own college crew. It is a cute premise, but I will need them to actually be together in the same room, looking longingly at each other a smooching within the next couple of episodes.

YouTube served me both episodes 1 & 2, and I don’t think it was meant to. So this may be next week's review as well.

The Trainee (Sun YouTube) ep 6 of 12 - I wasn’t wild about this ep or where this show is going. But I enjoyed the language play. 

Gold in Linguistic Gymnastics

(my new favorite sport)

Sunset X Vibes (Sat iQIYI) ep 9 of 12 - Wow. Sam admitted it just out loud like that! Right after a betrayal? Balls on that boy. Worked on Yo tho. Too well, actually. I wish Yo had made him suffer and dragged him over the coals for a while. But I guess Yo really really likes him back. Meanwhile, the GL side plot also moved quite rapidly. A lot happened in this episode.

I Saw You in My Dream (Weds Gaga) ep 4 of 12 - Them ALL jumping into the water was totally ridiculous. It’s still a little slow, because it is a pulp, but I’m rather enjoying it.

Knock Knock Boys (Thurs Gaga) ep 12fin - Almond and Latte were cute. The breakfast with the four of them was funny. I did laugh a lot. Almond getting "first time" advice from his two resident gay dads (or at least trying to) was super sweet. Also I got a lot of smiley kisses. Nice final ep.

Ultimately how do I feel about this show?

A story about 4 boys of differing personalities who end up living together and pair up, falling in love. Slow moving and waffling, with some artificially generated family drama makes this a classic Thai pulp except that in general it's a smiley kiss of a show. It had plenty of good qualities like great communication and sexual rep (including toys, first time, safe sex, and sexual identities). The heat levels were on point and well executed, and the performances were good. It’s just that the script and the directing were lackluster, rendering it ultimately forgettable. Still, fine on a rainy afternoon with some camomile tea or whatever. 7/10 

Love Sea (Sun iQIYI) ep 9 of 10 - I’m getting some sort of PTSD from this show, It is making me feel like I’m the problem. Trash watch

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Cosmetic Playlover (Japan Tues Gaga) eps 1-2 of 8 - Anyone surprised by this jump in the standings? Yeah, probubly not. Anygay... this show is GREAT. Warped af but great. Lemme try to explain.

I actually said out loud during ep 1, "Well this is boundary pushing." By which I mean mine and everybody elses. But it’s Japan, *checks watch* it’s about time they turned out something edging into unpalatable and kinky. And because it’s Japan, I’m more forgiving than I would be were this show nested in the clumsy hands of say... Thailand. So actually this being me, and me being of questionable taste, I’m enjoying this show a lot.

You want me to list the ways? Sure.

Younger seme with grabby hands.

The younger one identified the elder gay as his personal property and it’s now: single motivation, on target, against all odds.

Uke cares about his work and not much else.

Seme cares about the uke and not much else.

Uke is gonna make this boy WORK for it.

That one particularly Japanese style of obsession that I actually adore.

Passes the sniff test!

I’m being reminded of that KBL Love Mate. Which I believe I enjoyed but no one else did. For exactly this set of tropes. Only Japan is better suited to handle them. For me this is a case of:

Must you,Japan? = Oh yes? Well, thank you very much, Japan.  

I Hear the Sunspot AKA Hidamari ga Kikoeru (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 8 of 10 - enter the evil girl character. Yawn.

Takara's Treasure AKA Takara No Vidro (Japan Mon Gaga) ep 6 of 10 - It is what it is. 

It's airing but...

Battle of the Writers (Sun YT) ep 2 of 12 - I did not catch ep 2 before they took it down from USA YT. I don’t know why it’s down. Either they got a deal for distribution off YouTube or there’s some sort of scandal. Frankly, I wasn't particularly impressed with ep 1 so I’m not rabid to find wherever it’s gone or why. Still, perhaps someone will let us know the sitch in a comment? It's a me problem. I'm figuring it out.

Sugar Dog Life (Japan Sun ????) 10 eps - OMG a uni student who looks too young and a... COP. GAH. The subversion and kink of it all. Why can't I find it? Do I have to go grey?

4 Minutes (Thai Netflix/Grey) - A rich boy at uni suddenly gains the supernatural power to see four minutes into the future. I have a source, but I've decided to hold off and binge if it ends okay, since it's only 8 eps. I depend upon y'all to tell me if it's safe.

Meet You at the Blossom (China) - it's your funeral (or, more likely, one of the main characters'). You can argue but... statistics. You know my feelings on this matter. MY BLOG, remember?

In case you missed it

The Time of Fever AKA Unintentional Love Story 2 (Korea movie) trailer IS COMING IN SEPTEMBER!!!! (Yeah this is gonna sit here until then)

Next Week Looks Like This:

Ooo, nice spread.

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

Still Coming This Month!

8/12 First Note Of Love (Taiwan Mon Gaga) 12 eps - About a singer with stage fright and his timid fan stars Charles (H4 the puppy one) and Michael Chang (the youngster in My Tooth Your Love), plus side couple featuring a Thai actor Jame (Koh in Gen Y) and Liu Min Ting (of Guardian fame). What a damn tean. I can't wait. With thier powers combined!

8/13 Addicted Heroin (Thai Tues YT) 10 eps - supposedly Jinlo with air this on their YT channel. Stars August (Love Sick) so I'm excited despite Jinlo's poor reputation. From the trailer it looks like it's following the original pretty closely... just Thai style. GIMMEEEEE!!!!

8/16 The Last Time (Thai Fri YT) ? eps - Convoluted story of loss and possible reincarnation or something.

8/22 The On1y One (Taiwan Thurs Gaga) 12 eps - announced in 2023 this one has a high school set stepbrothers trope and is reputed to be high heat. From Taiwan! It's made for me. Based on a novel Mou Mou from the Your Name Engraved Herein folks, so it could go dark. Still, I'm very excited.

8/22 The Paradise of Thorns (Thai movie) theater release - Jeff Satur is back but this does not look like a BL (the gay lover's death is the inciting event). More in Goodbye Mother vein. Looks dark and dramatic. He opposite and extremely well known actor Toey Pongsakorn who has never done gay before.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENT

Linguistic flirting trope! One of my all time favorites. FANTASTIC. (I did keep hearing Gun yelling Papiiiiiii! in my head tho.)

(Last week)

Streaming services are listed by how I (usually) watch, which is with a USA based IP, and often offset by a day because time zones are a pain.

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs

Sigh, Tumblr in its infinite wisdom doesn't like too many tags.

[chheese-mmmhh]

actually i’m not done talking about that mf still so bear with me im gonna go on a quick rant

this is so going to be his “oh shit im in love with my best friend” moment for so many reasons my brain can’t function

Reason #1: that is lover stark’s realization face i SWEAR…it’s like the same face he made before and after he kissed tommy

this face!!!!! it’s the same one!!!!! that’s his smitten, i have a crush face i swear i swear

Reason #2: the lighting in the still is almost giving him a halo (?) with the way its bouncing off of his hair and maybe i’m delusional (i am) but they wouldn’t do that unless they were framing this as some kind of innocent or maybe religious (in the emotionally reborn way) experience (aka my bff is so marriage material)

Reason #3: the way the light is only on and around his head means it’s framed as some kind of lightbulb moment for him…this is something that happens fairly frequently in tv shows and it’s something we KNOW they do for buck because they did it in 7.04 with buck and tommy

this was right after they kissed for the first time and when buck was finally completely aware of his bisexuality so!!! lightbulb moment!!!!! it’s the same basic frame style as the still just like…less cinematic ergo buck is having yet another big realization

Reason #4: it’s in the locker room!!!! (i’m aware this one has less merit but i can’t stop thinking about it shhdbd) this season especially we have seen the locker room as somewhere that the deeper conversations are had… as far as i’m aware (i’d have to rewatch to be certain) we haven’t actually had a real scene in the locker room 7.01 “welcome back to the world of the living” scene (gay) and the 7.02 “three judas’s” thing…SO whatever scene this comes after will be an important conversation since it’s in the locker room (as long as it follows the theme)

Reason #5 (my favorite): it’s a callback to the 7.01 “welcome back to the world of the living” scene!!!!!! right as eddie is leaving after saying that we see a verrry similar shot

similar shot!!!!!! only difference is that in the new still the camera is moved so that buck is actually standing in the light…almost like they’re saying that the scenes are connected but now buck is able to fully realize what he could only partially understand????? maybe????? like at the beginning of the season he wasn’t aware of his bisexuality yet but he WAS aware that he felt safe or alive with eddie (since eddie was literally the one to “welcome” him into this new, moving forward stage) and now in the new still it’s in the same place with a very similar shot but framed as buck having that lightbulb moment i am going insane

ANYWAY this will be buddie confirmation i can feel it in my BONES…we don’t know when this still is from but i’d get my ass that it’ll be the last episode (like starting and ending the season with these scenes) and the next season will be their getting together arc i can FEEL IT I CAN FEEL IT I SWEAR

[pink-onyx-au]

Community Translation Campaign

All who help will be credited in the final results.

So many people have offered to help that I just had to come up with an idea to make it easier on everyone, even to offer ways to work together. So, here is the plan!

The English for the episode is posted here, in order, for you to read. State which language you’re using, and donate as many words as you like to the project! When a language has a complete translation and is double-checked, I can take care of the editing. Thank you to everyone! 🧡💕❤️

Words to clarify intention or clarity in the statement that were not said within the dialog of the comic will be presented (like this) to better help translations. Any questions, just post and I will get back to you as best as I can!

Episode 1 - Antipathy (English Script)

If it matters in your language, Steven is masculine-form grammar. Jasper is feminine-form grammar. The Diamonds (not Steven) are feminine-form grammar.

Steven: No. I’m sorry. Where is- Jasper, I (‘m sorry) I can’t find (her) It has to be here. It is here somewhere. I have been holding (myself) back!

I have to do something about this.

Steven: Jasper. Please. I want to talk

Jasper. What is it, my diamond?

Steven: Please! I just want to talk. As equals. Please…

Jasper: In order to do that, you’ll have to get on the dirt (or ground). Now that you’re down here with the dust, what do you want to talk about?

Steven: I can’t sleep. So much has happened since- my meltdown. Everyone is hovering over me every hour of the day, but, I need to apologize for how I acted that day. You were just trying to help me, and I did the worst possible thing (to you).

Jasper: I told you before, don’t apologize!

Steven: Why?

Jasper: I wanted to see the full extent of your power, and I got my answer. You let yourself go. That’s what I wanted.

Steven; But jasper, I- (shattered you)

Jasper: Shattered me? Why does that bother you?

Steven: Why doesn’t it bother you

Jasper: Soldiers are shattered (killed) all the time, Steven. It’s why we are made. To win, and replace. That’s why the one thing I don’t understand - is why you brought me back (revived me) after you got what you wanted.

Steven: "What I wanted!?" I- I didn’t want to shatter you! It was a mistake!

Jasper: The moment a gem is permitted to act to their fullest is when they show what they really want. It is absolute. From pebble to diamond

You may say you didn’t want to shatter me, but based on the look in your eyes, something did.

Steven: I-I don’t know what that was! I mean, I do now but I-

Jasper: You don’t understand it, so you came here. Just like last time. Why do you keep coming back here to find answers? That the only thing I’m good for to you? Told me yourself you want to high to do with me otherwise.

Steven: No! No. It’s not that. You’re… just the furthest thing from what I know about my world. And you act like that’s normal for you. So when nothing in my world makes sense, it just makes sense to come here.

Jasper: Well, at least we agree on one thing.

Steven: What do you mean?

Jasper: My world doesn’t make any sense to me anymore, either. Nothing my diamond has done makes sense to me anymore. Start a colony just to preserve it? Start a war just to lose it? Die to become(be reborn) as you? I was made to win a gem-war for a diamond with power so destructive that the other diamonds hesitated to give her a colony in the first place. A diamond with so much strength that a word from her could shatter. The closest you ever came to making sense to me is the day you finally cut loose. Then, like everything else, your colony, your court, your status, your form, you tossed me aside and moved onto the next thing. Told me to ‘find something better to do with my life’ when my whole life has been fighting for you, my diamond.

Steven: Jasper I-I’m, I’m sorry

Jasper: Stars ("god";swear form), shut up with that! You did what you wanted every second you’ve been out of the dirt!even this human form! Even being here right now! Until you get that, this conversation is going to be a waste of both of our time!

Steven: I-I just.. I’ve done such a horrible thing, and I can’t sleep because it keeps replaying, and each time I see it, it scares me to death because I hate how good it feels.

Jasper: Come (with me). If you’re going to start this, then we’re doing it out here. I don’t want me den destroyed. Listen carefully, Steven. Is this what you want?

Steven: No.

Jasper: Then focus on what you want.

Steven: I don’t want to hurt you

Jasper: Then calm down!

Steven: Sorry. How are you okay with what I did to you?

Jasper: Honestly, Steven, I don’t know why you aren’t (okay with it). I don’t throw a punch without intent to hit something. Let alone regret it after the fact. You’re just going to have to live with the idea that we will not understand one another.

Steven: I want to though! That- that is what I want.

Jasper: And how do you intend to get that? by coming here and begging for answers I don’t have?

Steven: Maybe there is a way, but, I-I have a way. That we can both get answers. If you want answers. Also.

Jasper: Go on.

Steven: Maybe if we feel what it’s like to be each other

Jasper: What are you implying?

Steven; Ah, I’m implying! That we could fuse, if you wanted to do that. Too. Maybe?

Jasper: That was the most pathetic request to fuse I’ve ever heard. I am not fusing with someone who whimpers like some under-cooked pebble. So, if that’s what you really want, show me you have the guts to take it!

Steven: Fine, jasper. Then, As your Diamond: Fuse with me

Jasper: Much better!

Jasper: Should have known you were full of dirt ("shit";swear)

Steven: I don’t know what happened. I’m usually good at (doing) this.

Jasper: You ran (away)!

Steven: No I, I think something poofed us.

Jasper: Well, it wasn’t me! So, whatever that was and to come from you!

Steven: It’s going to be ok. We do this together next time.

Steven: I have an idea but, I need some time to prepare. I’ll be back tomorrow right at dusk. It will give us the whole night.

Jasper: You’re kidding me. You issued a diamond-order and now you’re leaving me behind again? Seriously?

Steven: I know. I’m sorry. One last time, then I’ll make sure this works. I promise.

[teamfreewill58]

Atem Leaving Was Wrong

Like many other members of the fandom I have a lot of thoughts about Atem going to the afterlife at the end of the series and also a lot of issues with it. I watched it straight through recently and it’s just so clear that it was not the right thing for Atem and also a really shitty way for the story to treat him. Let’s for a moment ignore the weird sudden push of “it’s not right for souls to remain with the living” that Ishizu kept insisting on and then claimed that’s what Yugi was telling Atem through the monster reborn card (which by the way could have been taken another way but I’ll get to that later.) The main reason the story insists on Atem returning to the afterlife is because it’s supposed to signify that Yugi has grown up and grown into himself as a person and no longer needs to rely on Atem the way that he did for a good portion of the series. “If I don’t become stronger, my other self can never leave my soul”. (Yugi Episode 221 8:18)

But the issue with this is that Atem--just like Yugi--is a person and people don’t just peace out of your life because they’ve taught you an important lesson or helped you grow. Yes, Atem and Yugi taught each other and helped each other grow, but that’s not a reason for Atem to leave.

What they learn from each other isn’t going to suddenly get negated because Atem stays--if anything it would create a new growing experience for Atem and Yugi because now they have a different dynamic and relationship that they would have to figure out and try to navigate. 

So, back to Ishizu’s “it’s not right for the dead to stay with the living” and “that’s what Yugi is saying to Atem” by putting Monster Reborn in Gold Sarcophagus during the final duel. First off, this doesn’t apply to Atem because he didn’t die. His spirit was used to seal Zorc and as we’ve seen again and again throughout Yu-gi-oh a character’s spirit no longer being inside their body doesn’t mean they’ve died. Characters have lost their souls multiple times and had it put back in a body. Atem’s body is never mentioned and neither is the notion that his mummy is in his tomb. Second, Ishizu is making a whole lot of assumptions for people she hardly even knows. When Yugi reveals the card, Ishizu thinks, “Yugi is sending Atem a message. The soul of the dead must not remain in the world of the living.” (Episode 224 14:33) But no, Yugi isn’t sending Atem a message. And if he is, it's not the one Ishizu says he’s sending. He’s playing the game. “I knew you were going to do that, my other self. Because if I were you, I’d summon a God too.” (Episode 224 13:29) Showcasing how well Yugi and Atem know each other and have gotten to know each other and that Yugi has developed new skills. If we are to interpret it as Yugi giving Atem a message I’d say it’s Yugi saying what he’s said the whole duel, “I’ve grown and you’ve made me better and we both have been reborn”. But it is NOT Yugi telling Atem he needs to leave because Yugi and Atem have stated and showed again and again and again that they want to stay together whether that’s in separate bodies or the same one. In episode 52, right after the Millennium Puzzle got smashed and Yugi is home from the hospital Atem and Yugi talk:  

Atem: Thank you. You risked your life to assemble the Millennium Puzzle during the fire.

Yugi: It was Jonouchi and Honda who saved us.

Atem: You’re right. We have great friends.

Yugi: Yes.

Atem: What are you thinking about? (7:21-8:01)

Yugi: Who are you really? I want to know. 

Atem: Why?

Yugi: Why? Because….

Atem: I don’t know anything.

Yugi: Huh?

Atem: I knew you would ask me eventually. And I planned to answer honestly. I don’t know my name or where I came from. I don’t have any memories.I don’t know who I am. (13:07-13:39)

Yugi: Sorry. I should’ve never brought it up, so let’s not talk about it again. 

Atem: The one thing I know is that I only exist because you hold the Millennium Puzzle.

Yugi: That’s enough.

Atem: But I-

Yugi: I said enough!

Atem: I want to stay with you forever. I don’t care if I never get my memories back.

Yugi: I also want to be with you forever. I’m willing to give you all my memories. (20:27-21:11)

I do feel like its very important to point out here that Yugi is in a heightened emotional state. He was caught in a fire, the Millennium Puzzle was shattered, shattering his connection to Atem and based off how Yugi is sitting on the bed staring at the puzzle hugging his legs--in addition to the fact that he is thinking about reassembling the puzzle in the fire---he didn’t know that Atem was still inside the puzzle until Atem initiated this particular conversation.

Yugi’s clearly been sitting here also thinking about the fact that Atem isn’t another personality of his or anything along those lines because he says “Who are you really?” He then feels a mix of emotions when Atem admits he planned to answer honestly but doesn’t know anything about himself. He feels guilt because he apologizes and says he should never have brought it up and then tries to completely close the conversation “so let’s not talk about it again”. And then he gets upset when Atem adds “I only exist because you hold the Millenium Puzzle.” Because this drives home that if the puzzle had got destroyed or lost in the fire Atem would have really been lost forever and that scares Yugi. At this point in the story it scares Yugi to realize that Atem can leave or be taken away. I suspect that if Yugi hadn’t cut Atem off he would have said “But I do want to know who I am.” However he doesn’t finish it because Yugi cuts him off and Atem picks up just how distressed Yugi is which is why he doesn’t finish his statement and switches to reassuring Yugi that he wants to stay with him.

Atem wants to stay with Yugi but he also wants to know who he is but now he can’t talk about it with Yugi because he’s seen it upset Yugi and this is part of why he’s depressed in the following episode. Yugi mentions “My other self seems depressed these days. He won’t open up to me.” (Episode 53 2:48) 

Atem also confirms to Anzu:

“We both don’t know where we want to go. Who am I? Where did I come from? And I don’t know where I’m going. But it’s fine. I’m fine as is.” (Episode 53 5:28-5:49)

Atem: My dreams…But I can keep the status quo by not pursuing my dreams. 

Anzu: You’re really fine with that?

Atem: I want to know more about myself. I want to know where I should go. But if I keep the status quo, I can stay in his heart forever. And that’s also what he wants.” (episode 53 10:34-10:56)

Here Atem confirms that he wants to know who he is but that he also meant it when he said he wanted to stay with Yugi, for him it’s not a “I have to choose one or the other it’s I want both of these and plan to do what I can to have both.” He doesn’t say “I want to go where I’m supposed to” he just wants to know what that place is. He further confirms in episode 54 “My partner doesn’t know that I saw the tablet today. Can you keep the tablet and what Ishizu said a secret? Even if I get my memories back I don’t know if I can stay with my partner. I don’t want him to worry for no reason. We always build my deck together. His soul makes up half of this deck. When he truly understands me, this deck will unleash its true power.”  (episode 54 17.20)

Again Atem being mindful of Yugi’s fears and concerns that were brought up the previous night but also reaffirming that he wants to stay with Yugi. Then also adding that without his memories Yugi--and honestly, no one--- can truly understand him and that’s something that he wants. 

When Ishizu gives them the Millennium Necklace they have this conversation shortly after: 

Atem: You can’t sleep? (19:00 Episode 95)

Yugi: The other me.

Atem: What are you thinking about?

Yugi: Well….When we gather all the Millennium Items…I’ll eventually have to go to Egypt and place them in the tablet of memories. That’s my role as the vessel for your soul. When that time comes…Let’s go to sleep! Tomorrow is the finals.

Atem: Yeah. (19:38)

*Yugi then turns on his side so Atem can’t see him and cries.*

Atem: Partner… (19:40 Episode 94)

This scene in particular we can tell from Yugi and Atem’s expressions that they still don’t want to do this, Yugi looks incredibly sad about it and look at the shot of Atem when Yugi is saying “That’s my role as the vessel of your soul.” (12:20 Episode 94) he’s listening attentively but its just so clear in his expression that leaving isn’t what he wants. In their final duel it's mentioned that Atem's pride as a duelist won't let him just lose and Yugi does have some inflections here but unlike Ishizu Yugi does know Atem.

Literally spelled out right here, even on the day of the final duel, his "one chance" to go to the afterlife and Atem and Yugi both don't want him to go. Yugi picks up on this and also admits it in these pages.

The only reason they are doing this is because we have a character who keeps insisting that the dead shouldn't be with the living, that the Millennium Items need to be sealed away, and that if Atem doesn't go he'll be stuck there for eternity.

But the Millennium Items DON'T need to be sealed away anymore. When Atem accepts the Ring from Jonouchi he looks at it and goes, "There's no evil inside the Millennium Ring." (4:19 Ep 220) Zorc is defeated, that means all the Millennium Items are now just gold artifacts. They are EMPTY. Let's not forget the entire process Atem had to use in order to seal Zorc in the Milennium Ring, it isn't as though someone can come by and just infuse it with new darkness. Hell they still could have put them in the tablet, Atem and Yugi have the duel so that they can know Yugi and Atem have grown and are better and the place still collapses after Atem decides he doesn't want to go.

The Atem being stuck there for eternity if he doesn't do it now. Why? What lore says he'll be stuck there? This is an additional arbitrary rule that just got thrown in so that he'd have to leave. When they have the final duel Atem and Yugi split and Atem clearly has a body. His soul is no longer attached to the Puzzle because the Puzzle is in the tablet. Even if he can't have his own body it's clarified that Yugi IS Atem's vessel so why can't Atem and Yugi just share the same body and switch as they have been? It's incredibly unfair to Atem who not only barely had a childhood because he became Pharaoh at 15 AND got sealed but his time with Yugi is very very short, its like a year to little over a year? Yes Atem probably misses his family and friends from Egypt but he also deserved to have an actual life and it's just cruel and fucked up that he gets taken away from the people he loves twice. The first time he had a say and it was his choice but the second and final time he was literally forced by the narrative and it is just such a bullshit way to treat such a good character.

[pandemoniumonwheels]

I have a crazy theory about episode 7 of The Wheel of Time, but I need it to cope. Feel free to cope with me. Feel free to discard that too.

It was all Siuan's quick thinking and her masterplan. And Verin didn't lie.

To start we need to separate all Moiraine - Siuan meetings. There were three.

The first one, the cold one.

Moiraine demands answers and gets none. Siuan is visibly angry, but also worried. She outright calls Moiraine's stilling a violation. She is aware how hard it is, how dangerous, how difficult to survive. And she loves Moiraine, we know she does, she worries about her. She also has to check if Moiraine can continue their mission. At the same time she can't speak too freely, they're in Cairhien, the chances of someone listening to them are higher than chances of people not eavesropping on them. She needs to be careful. What Siuan says is: "The Tower's laws have stood for 3,000 years, it's time we obeyed them." She is quite vague about the laws she refers to. And she doesn't lie, they stood for 3000 years and every time is the time to obey them. According to the law. Moreover, it's a clear parallel to season 1, episode 6 Moiraine's words: "When have we ever followed the rules?" Since when Siuan who took a marriage vow in front of the whole chamber of Aes Sedai gives a damn about Tower's laws? Why would Siuan suddenly care? Well, she doesn't, it's just a phrase only Moiraine would understand, a code in case someone is listening. This scene is also the only one we see them being close, showing affection (Siuan's hand on Moiraine's cheek? I almost hear "pufferfish" in the way Moiraine relaxes). It's another sign to Moiraine, the non-verbal communication of Siuan's real intent. Then it fades to black. We don't really know what happened between them later. Siuan also talks about rowing together. Keep that in mind, because all that she does next contradicts that statement at the first glance.

The second scene - Rand

Siuan talks with Rand, a very weird conversation. Just a few seconds earlier we saw Lan reassuring Rand that Siuan is not a typical Aes Sedai. And what is Siuan doing? Talking about caging him. But also, she doesn't say she is planning to do it to him. Only that Tower laws require it. The idea is to have Rand as a warrior, not general. But Siuan never says it is hers idea. She shows him how powerless he is. Stresses how he needs to learn. How caging him would help with that? And then Moiraine comes in. Why? To be told (in front of Rand) how incompetent she is? Only to lock them later together, because why not suddenly imprison a banished Aes Sedai with the Dragon Reborn. It doesn't make sense. Unless it's a show created to convince Rand to trust Moiraine. Rand is afraid of the Tower, rightly so. He keeps pushing Moiraine away afraid she is trying to manipulate him, make him follow the path created for him by the White Tower, put a leash on him. Moiraine can't guide him if he sees her as an agent of the power he fears. That's why Siuan becomes exactly that - the White Tower Rand doesn't trust, an Aes Sedai carrying more about forcing him to obey rather than reaching his full potential, an image he hates. On the other side is Moiraine, taking his side, arguing with imprisonment. In comparison, she is extremely trustworthy. And it works. Rand finally confides in her, shares his plans, his brilliant idea of bringing Lanfear to the city(/s). That's when Moiraine's and Siuan's plan fails, one of the Forsaken is not something they wanted, but we'll get to it.

Bonus - Verin 007

We all assume that Verin lied because that's what Moiraine suggested. But did she really? Moiraine decided to trust her to some extent. Why wouldn't Siuan? The phrasing of the "order" was very careful, but maybe not because it was a lie, but as an attempt to allow Siuan to deny such order without suspicion. And to keep the pretence in front of Rand. It worked again.

The third meeting - the pain

It all went perfectly. The Dragon trusts Moiraine and takes her with him (finally) instead of running from her. Siuan is ready to proclaim him. She doesn't need him to do so. Him fulfilling the prophecy in Falme will only make her words more believable. Verin helped them escape, no one can trace this ploy back to Siuan. There is, however, one factor they couldn't expect. Lanfear. Maybe her appearing changed Siuan's mind about letting Rand go? More likely she just Aes Selies about some boy and runs after Moiraine. And magically she finds her without any issue in front of the Waygate. How? Only Verin knew where the Waygate was, and where Moiraine would take Rand. You know where I'm going with it, right? So we get to the closing of the Waygate. Because suddenly it wasn't only about convincing Rand. They had to deal with one more, unexpected guest, and they didn't have time to discuss any tactics. Siuan had to make sure Lanfear didn't see Moiraine as a threat. She would never allow Rand to keep close someone who is working for the White Tower. The risk would be too great. Someone cast away, alone, someone who just lost their love, whose grief might be just enough to turn them to the Dark is, however, a very different thing. Siuan had to create a scene which could convince the very mistress of the dream world that Siuan and Moiraine do not work together anymore, and that Moiraine is no threat to Lanfear's plans. There was no time for planning, no time for explaining, for games. Lanfear was getting closer with every second and they wasted some of the precious time on "you lied to me" part. Side note, I do think Siuan actually believed she was lied to, and her shock was real. So was Moiraine's reassurance. But that's when Siuan came up with a way they could fool Lanfear. All she needed was Moiraine looking utterly broken and betrayed. And there was one way she could achieve that easily. By violating Moiraine more than even Ishamael did, by taking control over her in the most violent of ways, by making herself a villain. So she did. She used the only thing Moiraine never suspected could be used against her by Siuan - their love, their devotion, their secret, sweet, forbidden dream. Siuan broke both of their hearts. And when Lanfear came all she saw was shattered pieces of their love. For her that was what made her turn to the Dark, what's more convincing than a lost loved for Lanfear? Before she could think for too long, see through it, or before Moiraine could do anything, ask questions Siuan would not be able to answer, Siuan attacked. Possibly expecting that's the last thing she would do in her life. And it worked again. Lanfear let Moiraine live. Lanfear took Moiraine with her and Rand.

Siuan made herself a villain in front of Rand. And a betrayer in the eyes of Lanfear. She took that burden from Moiraine, so Moiraine could focus on helping Rand. She used every resource she had, she gave up everything she had. Because Moiraine isn't the only one that knows the right thing to do, no matter how hard that is. And her last plea was for forgiveness and nad of hope that Moiraine understands and continues their mission. As Moiraine herself said, guiding, protecting Rand is more important than Lan. It's more important than her. It's more important than any love. It was Siuan's time to give up everything to the cause. Just like Moiraine did at the Eye of the World.

__________

And it was longer than I expected. I think I will be adding more analysis to the certain scenes, words and looks. Because as I said, I do cope hard.

[2stepadmiral]

So every year or two, I go through a period of reconnecting with my high school Trekkie interests, rewatching some Star Trek clips, episodes, and movies, and during this particular period, I have to voice my main criticism of the reboot films: namely, the treatment of the Enterprise.

To be clear, I think the reboot Enterprise had a nice redesign. She looked very clean and futuristic while capturing the original design in broad strokes. The lens glare is certainly annoying, and it doesn’t have the same heart and retro feel as the original, but I feel they generally did a fairly decent job with the design. I’m talking about how she is treated throughout the films, namely, how she’s treated effectively like just another ship.

In the original series, the Enterprise has a certain heart coming across almost like a character in of herself. You get a clear feel from the characters that they consider the enterprise almost to be home, and Kirk and Scotty in particular see her almost like an actual woman, one who they cherish and will protect at all costs. This sentiment is magnified in the first three movies, particularly in the motion picture and in the search for Spock. When Kirk first sees the refit Enterprise, you can see how much he loves the ship, and when the Enterprise is plunging to her final resting place, the mourning on all of their faces, especially Kirk, makes this moment particularly powerful and truly hammer home that the Enterprise was a character in and of herself. The original Enterprise felt like a character fans had grown up with, and her destruction felt almost like the loss of an old friend. And at the end of the voyage home, when the crew has that last-minute surprise reveal of the Enterprise-A, the triumph and homecoming feeling is so clear that even the audience shares the sentiment, almost as if the character has been reborn.

The enterprise in the reboots was never portrayed this way. She was treated like just a ship, one that might’ve been nicer and fancier and more advanced than the others, but not really all that special beyond that. In the first movie, that’s acceptable, as the focus is on bringing together the crew and getting them where they need to be for the start of their journeys. The second one focuses more on the captaincy, and what it means to really earn that seat, so it’s excusable that this one focused more on Kirk and how seriously he took his responsibilities, though they could’ve put more emphasis on the ship as part of that arc. Yes, the ship almost crashing was an emotional scene, but that had everything to do with the characters aboard and nothing to do with the ship beyond it being the place where the characters were and it’s damage being the reason that they were about to die.

And then in the third one, they just blow up the ship in the first 30 minutes and try to portray it with the same sentimental weight as the destruction of the Enterprise in the search for Spock. Which would’ve been fine, if it weren’t for the fact that they spent the last two movies treating the enterprise like just a thing, just another tool in the characters belt. She had no heart, no soul, no feeling that she was a home, or that she was the thing that brought the crew together, and kept them together, the thing that made them a family. She was basically just a big car, there to get them from point A to point B and occasionally shoot at some bad guys, and then, we’re supposed to feel devastated when she goes down for the final time.

The reveal of a reboot version of the Enterprise A was a nice surprise, but it lacked the emotional payoff of the original version, largely because of how ordinary the first Enterprise had been in this timeline. You can’t really celebrate the revival of a lost character when the character was never really there to begin with. They might as well have put the crew on an entirely new ship, like maybe a rebooted version of the Excelsior, and it would’ve had the same basic impact.

My point is that classic trek, as well as the next generation and DS9, did an excellent job of portraying the dynamic between captain and ship to the point where the ship felt almost like a real character. And that worked really well. It made the crash of the Enterprise D in generations a shocking scene, and it made her surprise return in season 3 of Picard a heartfelt and deeply nostalgic scene (Even if I wanted the Enterprise E, sorry but she’s my favorite). It made the loss of the Defiant in season seven of DS9 a powerful and emotional moment. I haven’t watched a lot of Voyager, so I can’t comment on that, but I can say with decent confidence that they couldn’t have done worse than they did in the reboots.

[asherlockstudy]

Wonderhole E2, E3 & E4

I am going to write about these three in the same post because there is significantly less to write about episodes 3 & 4 than about the first and the second episodes and even last year's monthly videos. I am hoping there will be more to discuss in the upcoming Red vs Blue episode. I wonder whether they considered the Flight Simulation and the Time Capsule so "heavy" that they decided to ease it a bit before the finale. I guess we will find out soon.

We Time Traveled to the Year 2224

Certainly, the Rhinkiest of these three episodes and the one which certainly belongs to the One Story saga.

Rhett and Link decide to pursue extended longevity and eternal life. Rhett explains how they just have to survive in a good condition for 20-30 years more and then they will be able to achieve it. At face value this is not exactly Rhett's crap by the way. I was reading a book about the progress in geriatric medicine and this was stated there; whoever makes it to twenty years from now will hopefully have a lot of new age medicine available to delay growing old and the health issues associated with it.

This episode has some of the most lewd jokes Rhett and Link have ever made. However, they are often given so offhandedly that I did not see much seriousness, any significant symbolism in them. For example, yes, they suck anal toys (Link sucks Rhett's heavily used one) but this was just meant to be an adult joke, I'm not gonna derive any meaning for their relationship through this. Another example is Rhett's titanium - tight ass or the "I don't think I can last much longer with you inside me".

"From journeys long and miles worn, within these walls you are reborn. When weary soul sole is stripped away, whether from work or whether play, come to me with offerings and I will show you fresh new strings." Now, that's more interesting. Rhett points out that there is a double meaning in this. This totally reminds me of the concept of the Bahau Moon riddle, although there the allegory was a little different. Here it is nowhere as serious but it remains 100% sexually coded.

There are two mentions of their wives, one is that they are waiting for their wives "to be thawed", the other is that they both look distressed and uncomfortable when the letter from their past selves assumes their families are doing all right. My speculation is that their wives' bodies were cryopreserved until a revival became scientifically possible. So they are waiting for them to be thawed but it has not happened yet. What does this tell us though? It tells us that whatever knowledge or decision they had to make to achieve eternal life, they shared it with each other and not with their family members. Somehow, there was a choice made or there was a consequence that led to Rhett and Link living forever together but the revival of the wives, maybe even the children, was desirable yet secondary, optional. That's... that's something, for sure.

Did you guys notice the name of the shop next to the shoe repair shop? Their commitment is crazy:

We actually do get some pretty interesting themes here. Rhett and Link visit a shoe soul sole repair shop and the owner promises to keep their clue for the time capsule hidden inside a treasure box, protected very well. This just seems to hint at somebody keeping a secret very well and Rhett and Link completely trusting them to keep doing so. Is the time capsule an allegory for... truth? The official premise (or whatever it is) seems to further support this:

Keep it buried... as long as possible.

The next clues lead them to the desert, the same desert where they dug the medium (and the huge) sized holes. They even wear similar outfits; some of the garments are the same and some are changed. This was clear homage to the Hole Digging video. Besides, Rhett and Link have said there is connection between all these videos (although they probably have made it too hard to discern this for their own good).

There they pick up a fight, disagreeing about the direction they should follow. Rhett prefers the one way, the main way, the standard way pointed by the play button, whereas Link argues they should try "all the ways". The argument escalates and Link screams how Rhett's longevity idea has stuck them into an eternal hellscape (the 2224 universe seems to be particularly unfree and restrictive). Link also adds he 'd rather be with Rhett at their pod watching a sequel of Fast & the Furious than in this adventure, hunt and all, which must be 2224's equivalent for domesticity. Link protests that Rhett is not always right but he simply never changes and in his fury he missteps and falls from a cliff to his death.

During Link's last moments, Rhett desperately considers carrying Link to the nearest cloning facility and put his chip to another Link, a loud nod to their Sketchtober 2015 BFFs video. With the very subtle prompt "Put me in you" Link implores Rhett to put his chip in him, in an attempt to rescue his consciousness. Rhett complies, so he tries to save Link. We return to the One Story tropes (not that we ever left them with this one) where Rhett needs to save Link from something and like we will also see here the only outcome is that Rhett gets destroyed as well. Rhett finds the treasure box only to see there was a whole lot of nothing inside it. In a deteriorating condition he returns to the former grounds of Mythical where the semi-android hacker working there gives him two options: a) they yank Link's consciousness chip out and he's gone forever but Rhett lives on or b) they yank out both chips which have merged and become one and save them in a deadlock in a hard drive.

A deadlock is a situation in which two computer programs sharing the same resource are effectively preventing each other from accessing the resource, resulting in both programs ceasing to function.

Rhett opts for the latter. He sacrifices his life and follows Link. Meanwhile, the hacker indeed saves their consciousnesses - which have become one - in this deadlock, "alone" in a hard drive and hides the hard drive in the previously empty box. They place the box in a dusty shelf and there is this implication that nobody will know or care about this ever again. Also, the fact that it is a deadock is important as well: we have two consciousnesses operating like computer programs which are apparently assessing data differently and this leads them to a deadlock that neutralises them both. So, to bring this to reality, the reason there is so much delay or nothing happens at all is because they have completely different mindsets about what's to be done and how it should be approached. This is actually something we have discussed several times before, how they seem to be on a totally different page.

Beyond the interpretations that can be made for this, we see again a conclusion that we have seen before in several scripted videos. In Hazel, they end up trapped in the woods of the middle room for eternity, in the Brown Diamond they remain trapped to the Bahau Moon to their deaths, in the Unhaunted House they are murdered inside this house without any witness. We have this theme of their souls, their consciousnesses, sometimes even their physical bodies being trapped together, as one, forever without anyone knowing.

So, if we attempt to connect all these pieces together, first of all we get the "wherever you go, I go", the timelessness, the forever. This is a promise to each other, they will be together forever. Then we also have the buried time capsule, which Rhett wants to keep buried for as long as possible, which eventually leads to a long, torturous life that frustrates Link deeply. Link tries to distance himself from this situation but he falls to his death (because it's impossible for him to just let go). Rhett has the choice to go on on his own but instead he opts to try and save Link or die along in his efforts, which is what happens. Ultimately what remains of them is their love, their joined souls, consciousnesses and how they poured their truth in their creation and although it endures forever, it is for nobody to see.

Again, this is the classic story arc we see in most of their scripted videos. Whether it is because he loses control (Digging a Medium sized Hole), memory and freedom (Hazel, TLCOBC), his very life (UnHaunted House, Time Capsule), Link needs to be saved by Rhett but Rhett falls in the trap even more deeply and condemns them together.

Regarding the emptiness of the box, an Anon I just received has a great interpretation that finds me very agreeable, I am linking their mail here. What I will write here is basically the same or very close to what they describe, maybe with a slightly darker twist. Throughout the video, we have the concept of time which seems to be eternal but is not (at some point Rhett says about eternity that it feels like "you have too much time yet not enough") and even though current Rhett and Link seem to be amused by the idea of a scavenger hunt for an empty box, the surviving future Rhett found it disappointing. We can only imagine how mad it would make Link, had he not died already, because he was already frustrated and angry for the hunt alone, so he would probably be furious if he saw what the "reward" was. Moreover, Link puts the blame on Rhett for all of this and it's true that Rhett came up with this idea.

It's like an allegory for Rhett who has this drive and ambition for their career, their creativity, a life of adventure in this context and with this obsession he overlooks and delays other things that in truth may be more meaningful. Years will pass and Rhett will be looking for his masterpiece, their peak creation, recognition and eventually they will go, retire, withdraw, die and nothing will remain behind except for their love, the connection of their souls, which was what was truly timeless about them yet it was the one thing that was kept buried in a box in the dust and never brought to light properly. In the end, nobody appreciated it for what it truly was, neither an observer nor they, for they wasted their time delaying it and trying to find meaning elsewhere. By "they", let's be real, I mostly mean Rhett.

To my understanding this is self-reflection, maybe also a critique of Rhett to himself, a warning of what could be coming, something that Link seems to have notified him about multiple times (the e-mail, everybody?) but maybe it's poor timing to say this now, I sense there is a lot of distance to be run still from theory and creativity to actual action. This video alludes to a reality in which the action was not taken.

We Went to Extremes to Drink a Cloud

Episode 3 is not as heavy with meaning and symbolism. It is surely a "retelling" of their childhood dreams and their commitment to bring them to fruition. Young Rhett and Link promised to do something great together when they grew up and drinking a cloud is likely the symbolism of this struggle. They try a lot, in many different ways, but it's never exactly what they are looking for. In the end they are very happy they managed to do it, although the method they employed seemed very underwhelming and fake to me, which might be the point, I don't know. Of course this is a huge part of their relationship; achieving something great together. It's just that I did not find anything to mention beyond this, except of course for the very heavy deepthroating insinuations when they were drinking the fog.

Now to the important stuff, will the Fog Chasers song be released? SOON PLEASE???

We Chopped Down a Tree with a Peanut Butter Axe

To be honest with you I don't want to write about this episode because I don't want to watch it again. Not because it made me emotional but because watching the squirrel family again is equivalent to torture for me. I am sorry but I actually really disliked this episode. Fortunately, there is still not much to say here either. Or maybe I did not notice because I was impatient to be done with it....

The episode is largely a tribute to Ben and it offers this exposition they had also done in a very heartfelt Ear Biscuit episode. In Ben's memory they chose to chop down a tree in their state with a peanut butter axe made by their university; peanut butter because Ben died from testicular cancer and tree chopping because Ben thought it was fun.

The only thing I wonder is whether there is any meaning with what happens with the squirrel family and whether it is a side story not associated to Ben's life. I wonder this because Rhett and Link seem to have thought about it thoroughly; the tree would go down anyway, they will plant 1000 trees in its place, so it's all good. Even though they have thought this through, it turns out there will be victims due to their decision. A flying squirrel family, with a non-winged squirrel stepfather whose home is obviously going to be destroyed. Rhett and Link cause the dissolution of this family and this is what I find interesting. The kids eventually try to see the positive side: they are close to adulthood anyway, so they choose to leave home behind and start their own lives. The stepdad, the non-winged squirrel, literally opts to stay at home and die. The mother squirrel tries to change his mind but it's not like she's losing her mind about it to be honest and soon she goes too and leaves him behind. Who the stepfather squirrel stands for - if he stands for anyone in the first place - I cannot say. But I did find interesting this side theme of Rhett and Link's action basically leading to a family falling apart and everyone taking a separate path in life (or death).

One Story Masterlist here

[imagine-darksiders]

Hi Ellie! First time asker here so kind of nervous but I love your stuff so I’m finally gonna stop lurking! I was wondering, a few months after death resurrects humanity if y/n had like a serious ptsd episode about like being attacked by demons, what would the horsemen do about it if they felt she was a serious danger to herself and humans around her? Maybe she got her hands on a weapon and barricaded herself up somewhere and is shooting at whoever gets near?

Anyways thank you and I love your art and your amazing, talented brain!!

Hi hi! Thanks so much for this interesting ask.

I got a little carried away with this one, admittedly :)

Very self indulgent with lots of overprotective Horsemen, but I want it on record that I don't suffer from this kind of PTSD, and I may not have accurately portrayed the symptoms, which I hear are nearly innumerable and very difficult to define.

CW - flashbacks, triggers, blood, mentions of death, threat to children.

Kind of an idea-dump about how humans are adjusting to life after the Resurrection.

Spoilers, not all of it is good.

----------

Haven is a city full of ghosts.

On every street corner, in every dark alley, in every building from the dingiest apartment to the grandest skyscraper, there exists the haunting echo of death.

One hundred and five years ago, the Biblical Apocalypse had proved itself to be more than just a story, and in a mere matter of weeks, all of Humanity was wiped out, reduced to a single, lonely number.

One.

Just one.

You.

Slung over the shoulder of one of the very Horsemen who was supposed to start the Apocalypse, you’d watched as Haven City – your home – burned alive around you.

Everywhere you looked, you saw the mangled remains of your fellow humans, strewn about like withering, autumn leaves. Innumerable. Lifeless. And always looming over them, the very demons that had come to eradicate your species from the chronicles of History.

Iron and rust slicked the back of your throat with every breath you took. The city screamed, seven million souls rattled the windows and howled through the streets, joining together in the most bloodcurdling, ongoing orchestral note ever to have split the sky asunder.

One hundred and five years ago, everyone died. Not just Haven City – The entire human race.

But the thing is… they didn’t stay dead.

Ironically, it was Death himself who restored the souls and bodies of more than eight billion people in one, fell swoop.

Eight billion were brought back, mended by ancient magic, right to the place they’d died.

But for humans, one hundred years hadn’t passed.

To them, between one blink and the next, they’d died and were subsequently reborn with their bodies and minds intact, with their last and lingering memory being solely that of the monsters who had been bearing down on them.

The world had screamed anew.

That was the worst of it, you suppose. The remembering.

It didn’t take long before everyone realised that humans could recall how they’d died, and as such, the city itself became wrapped up in terrible, haunting memories. And when enough bad memories gather in certain places, the sorrow seeps like rot into the infrastructure, turning every building into a tomb, even without a body to keep it company.

Everyone could point out a different place where they’d been cut down or crushed or burned alive or swallowed whole. Some could still see themselves laying there, glassy eyes pinned wide open, staring up at the fiery sky.

People were haunted by their own ghosts.

Haven is a city full of ghosts.

But on this night, as you meander down a residential street with your nose tipped towards the sky, breathing in the crisp, October air, you can’t help but note that there are far more ghosts flitting about than usual.

Though these, at least, are a little more palatable.

You can scarcely believe that Halloween has rolled around for yet another year.

A small blur of white darts past you down the path, almost tripping over the long, tattered bedsheet that’s been thrown over their head. You’re rather proud that you only flinch at the unexpected movement, you don’t recoil entirely. Bemused, you watch the little, orange bucket swing perilously from the ghost's elbow as they totter through a garden gate and hammer on the front door of a house, belting out a well-practiced ‘trick-or-treat!’ before the residents have even turned the handle.

Somewhere across the road, a different child screams.

Yours isn’t the only head that immediately whips towards the sound.

Naturally, when you and at least fifteen other adults turn to look, you only see a little girl being hoisted up onto her father’s shoulders, whooping and shrieking with gleeful excitement. To his credit, the man’s mouth is pulled into a grimace, and he raises his hand to offer the onlookers an apologetic wave as if to say, ‘It’s all right. She’s safe. Carry on.’

He knows what they’re thinking.

The whole street seems to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Everybody starts to move at a normal pace once more, though it had all happened so quickly, no one really even broke their stride.

When the sky burst open over a century ago and rained hellfire and demons down onto an unsuspecting Earth, nobody had been spared.

But it was the children – weaker, smaller, slower – who had fallen first.

Everyone remembers the sound of a whole city dying.

You know of several parents who still struggle to sleep at night, because when they do, they’re plagued by the cries of their children who they simply couldn’t save. The children, of course, are alive and well today, but there’s no forgetting that there was a time when they hadn’t been, not until Humanity was brought back from the dead by Death himself.

Nightmares are so much worse when they echo the past.

You may not have children, and you may have been spared a miserable end on Earth thanks to the actions of one Horseman of the Apocalypse, but you still have license to say that you too have felt the terrors that haunt Humanity.

In cruel clarity, you remember the day the world ended.

Heaving out a shaky exhale, you watch a jet of white air puff from your parted lips as you carry on down the leaf-strewn road, sidestepping a young boy whose face has been painted to look like a tiger.

You smile approvingly at the choice, all the while trying not to jump at every sudden noise.

Kids were the ones who wanted to bring back Halloween, while the older folks, yourself included, were a little more hesitant about the matter.

There was something… different about the holiday following Humanity’s resurrection.

People used to say that All Hallow’s Eve was a time when the veil between Earth and other hidden realms is at its thinnest, allowing spirits, demons and monsters to pass through an invisible barrier, all to cause havoc for one, glorious night.

Of course, then you’d all discovered that demons are real.

So are monsters.

So are spirits.

And suddenly, Halloween seemed a lot less like a harmless, fun tradition meant for children to enjoy.

You have first-hand proof that the veil isn’t thin. It’s completely passable, all the damn time, apparently.

But children don’t care about that.

For most of them, Halloween is still the fun, if spooky night where they can don their costumes and stuff themselves so full of confectionary that they’re nearly sick.

And so, it was brought back. But not without a few stipulations put into place.

It seemed to be a unanimous, but unspoken decision that sporting any imagery pertaining to demons was a big no-no.

Out went the little, red horns, the plastic pitchforks, and the spade-tipped tails. Even fangs were discarded. Nobody wants to see a visceral reminder of the very things that killed them running through the city streets.

The same rule eventually extended to white, feathery wings and halo headbands, avoided out of general politeness for the angels who’ve started frequenting Earth enough that it’s now a relatively common occurrence to see one soaring over the city skyline or bothering librarians for human literature.

In the case of the demons, however, ditching their imagery had been more for humans’ benefit than out of any mark of respect or an attempt at maintaining social cordialness.

You weren’t even killed by a demon, and you still feel that bubble of apprehension rising in your throat if the Hell-born merchant, Vulgrim, pops up in your path without warning.

You’d seen what his ilk did to yours, even if the glimpses you caught were brief and blurred.

So, for humans who were cut down by a demon, you can only imagine what harrowing thoughts must ricochet through their heads if they ever catch sight of one.

Of course, demonic visits to Earth are very few and far between, and if ever they do occur, their presence is heavily monitored by at least one of Humanity’s ferocious protectors.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, world-enders turned world-savers, and your best and dearest friends.

It occurs to you that they may already be waiting for you at your apartment, no doubt arguing over which of your horror movies they want to watch first.

It’s rare that you manage to get all four of them in a room together nowadays, rarer still if you manage it without anyone suffering a bloody nose, but human holidays, it seems, have become important to them.

Strife says it’s because you’re important to them.

But then, Strife says a lot of things.

A dainty smile wobbles tentatively across your face at the thought of them waiting for you, so, with a slightly lighter heart, you round the corner of the last house and continue on your path towards home, your steps a little surer than before.

Behind you, you can pick up the distant chatter of a group of youngsters following the same path as you, likely heading home after filling their pumpkin buckets to the brim with sweet things.

It’s as you’re strolling past a nondescript, dead-end alley that it happens.

The sound of rustling alerts you to the presence of… something. You’ve spent enough time around Death to be a little more in tune with your surroundings than you used to be.

In a snap, your head whips towards the shadowy entrance to the alley.

At the exact same moment, something tall, sinewy and dark lurches towards you.

“SHIT!” you holler, stumbling backwards, your heart soaring up into your throat as the thing howls shrilly into the night.

You catch the flash of a red face, pointed teeth protruding from black lips, horns that spiral towards the sky.

That’s all you see before a switch in your mind flips, like something inside you has snapped in half, and the world around you goes blank and quiet, only impeded by the ringing in your muffled ears.

-----

War is not overprotective.

He’s simply honouring the duty he set out for himself. Keeping you safe is not unlike a mission, and the youngest Horseman has always adhered to his missions with a dogged and unrelenting tenacity.

That said, if he could somehow find a way to glue you to him, perhaps keep you nestled safely in the depths of his soul, he’d certainly be a lot less agitated every time you’re left on your own for too long.

Tonight, for instance, he was the first Horseman to arrive at your home, squeezing himself through your front door with begrudging care. You’d seemed so distraught the first time he simply bulldozed his way inside, shoulder pauldrons tearing off enormous swathes of your doorframe, and he’d rather avoid a repeat of the scathing looks his siblings had sent him for a week after the fact.

It wasn’t long before he was joined by his brother, Strife, who spent a few moments griping that he wasn’t the first Horseman there before he quickly got over his minor annoyance and began to make himself right at home, kicking his boots up on your coffee table and burying himself into your well-worn sofa.

They were soon joined by Fury, and finally, Death.

But still, there was no sign of you.

They managed to wait together for all of twenty minutes before someone – Strife – had made the tentative suggestion that you might be in trouble.

And after that…. well.

There was no harm in just… checking the surrounding area, was there?

Death stayed outside your apartment building to wait for you, just in case you came back, though he’d sent his crow, Dust, to scour the city for you in his stead.

In the meantime, Fury, Strife and War set out to roam the blocks surrounding your home, summoning their steeds to cover more ground.

The youngest Horseman has to keep his horse’s reins in check.

Ruin - an ebony beast of a stallion with a mane of smoke, and legs like molten rock – can sense his rider’s agitation, keeping his thick neck arched high, nostrils round and wide as he tromps heavily down the road, sending sparks flying from his hooves with every step.

Without warning, Ruin throws his enormous head up, ears shooting forwards to point down the street, and his muscles tighten rigidly beneath the saddle.

“Y/n?” War asks his steed, standing in the stirrups and squinting through the streetlights to try and spy anything recognisable in the darkness.

Tossing his smoking mane, the almighty horse’s body suddenly jolts as he lets out a deep, guttural bellow, more akin to a roar than a whinny. The sound echoes over the rooftops, until it’s swiftly answered by a shriller, metallic neigh from several streets back.

Mayhem, at least, has received the message.

The street goes quiet again, and that’s when War hears it.

The unmistakable sound of crying.

Metal-clad heels have barely tapped Ruin’s flanks before the horse launches forwards into a dead gallop, thundering down the street towards the noise that drifts out from the darkness of a narrow, unlit alley.

War pulls his arm back as they draw close, gauntlet fisted around the heavy chain that serves as his horse’s reins.

With a squeal, Ruin plants his hooves against the tarmac and digs in, sparks flying as the pair come careening to a halt just outside the alley’s entrance.

The dim glow cast by Ruin’s legs isn’t much, but it’s just enough to allow his rider a glimpse into the shadows.

It takes much of War’s self-restraint to keep himself from gasping out your name.

There, in the gloom, you stand before him, hunched shoulders, still as stone, eyes ablaze in Ruin’s molten firelight.

War’s eyes flick rapidly over you from head to toe. His first instinct is to scan for injuries.

But although your nostrils flare and your arms are spread wide out to either side of you, palms tilted backwards, he can’t discern anything glaringly obvious.

Even still, the Horseman isn’t satisfied with just a brief glance.

Shaking his boot from the stirrup, War heaves himself out of the saddle and drops heavily to the ground, shaking the earth as he lands.

And you crack like a whip.

An arm is thrust forwards at the Horseman with a jolt, tiny fist clenched as though you’re holding an invisible weapon. You widen your stance to stabilise yourself and rip your lips back, revealing blunt, unimpressive teeth. As you move however, War hears it again, crying. More specifically, a loud, childish sob.

But the sound hadn’t come from you.

All at once, he stops in his tracks, shifting his eyes down to the shadows behind you.

Three pairs of wet, glistening eyes blink back at him.

War’s brows shoot up into the darkness of his crimson hood, taken aback by the trio of human younglings cowering against a brick wall behind you.

Now, War isn’t the type of Horseman who would ever proclaim to be out of his depth in any situation… But when human younglings are involved, he’s only too willing to let Death, or even Strife take the lead. He has a hard time wrapping his head around how small you are compared to him. Children leave the titan especially perplexed.

As if summoned by the mere thought, the sound of hoofbeats steadily swing around the corner at the end of the street, galloping hell-for-leather towards him.

Ruin’s head twists sideways and he wickers deeply in greeting. An answer follows, the haunting, melancholy whinny of Despair.

War doesn’t tear his eyes off you though, not even when the powerful presences of three, ethereal steeds skid to a halt behind him, nor when their riders immediately launch into a frenzy of questions, each crowing to be heard over one another at the same time.

“War! Is she here?”

“Mayhem just turned and bolted over. The Hell is goin’ on!?”

“We heard Ruin’s call. Y/n. Is she all right?”

Rather than add his own voice to the confusion, War merely jerks his chin towards the alley, guiding the eyes of his siblings inside it.

Death is the first to spot you, and he’s the first to slip silently from Despair’s saddle, taking a slow, testing step towards you.

“Y/n?” he murmurs.

The very fact that you don’t even twitch at the sound of his voice is indication enough that something is very wrong.

“Death-“ Strife’s voice cuts in, armour clanking as he leans forwards in the saddle. “-She’s got kids with her…”

Kids…?

Their eldest lowers his gaze from where it had been studying your blank expression, and… Ah.

Three little ones - the tallest standing no higher than your hip - are squashed together against a wall, only a foot or so behind you, half hidden by your wide, protective stance.

Death would be embarrassed to admit that he’d missed them upon initial glance, especially given their bright, painted faces and unorthodox clothes indicative of tonight’s festivities. He’s supposed to be the observant one, not Strife. But in the moment, all the old Reaper could focus on was you.

“My,” Fury muses from her seat on Rampage’s back, “She really has been busy since we last saw each other…”

Despite her flippant tone, Death and his brothers know their hot-headed sister well enough to catch the strain in her words. She’s trying to pick apart this mystery, just as they all are.

“It’s the Horsemen,” hisses a boy wearing a straw hat best suited for a scarecrow.

Cowering behind your right arm, an older girl stammers, “That… that means, they can help us? Right?”

The Four give a rapid blink, all at the same time. It isn’t often they meet humans who have accepted the fact that the Horsemen are on Earth as protectors, not destroyers.

The girl turns her eyes onto Death, and he has to commend her effort to meet his stare before she drops it again, quivering under his gaze. Green makeup is swiftly washed away as tears stream in rivulets down her face.

“She won’t let us leave,” she hiccoughs at the ground.

There’s no question as to who ‘She’ is.

You don’t react to the voices around you. But the sudden clang of metal… that does garner a reaction.

Strife can never do anything quietly, it seems. He’s too preoccupied with getting to you; his best and only friend. So, when the sharpshooter drops from Mayhem’s saddle and lands with a cacophonous clamour that doesn’t sound a million miles away from a gun’s retort, Death is hardly surprised that you duck your head as if you’ve been shot at, back-peddling towards the children until you end up pinning the smallest between the wall and your leg, arms once again throw out wide to keep the other two restrained against the brickwork.

All three of the younglings let out bleats of alarm, and the smallest pushes half-heartedly at your calf, sniffling and shaking, her eyes glued to the Reaper. She looks as though she can’t decide whether she wants to stay concealed behind you or take her chances with the fabled Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

“Damn it, Strife,” Fury reprimands.

But her brother isn’t looking her way. In fact, he can’t seem to take his eyes off your face, his own expression crumpling slowly underneath his metal visor as you stare through him, face blank and empty. You’ve gone quiet. So quiet. And so still, just as Death had numerously ordered you to do when you travelled with him across this ruined city all those years ago.

But it isn’t your silence and stillness that troubles Strife so.

You’d recoiled from him.

And perhaps it’s testament to how highly he holds you in his regard that your supposed fear of him is so crushing.

He takes a step towards you, hand outstretched and ready to try and rebuild whatever rift has grown between you.

His stomach nearly bottoms out when you stiffen in response, shoulders prickling like a furious stalker.

“Brother, stop.”

War’s immense gauntlet drops heavily onto his shoulder, jerking him to a halt.

If Strife hadn’t once promised you that he’d make an effort to stop antagonising his siblings so much, he’d have thrown his brother’s arm right back into his face, or perhaps he’d have simply wrenched the prosthetic off in frustration. There’s something upsetting his human, and it isn’t something he can shoot, so the pressure is building up inside his chest like a submarine filling with water.

“War?” Death calls lowly, stepping back and flicking a glance across at his youngest brother, “You’ve seen this before?”

“Not in her,” War replies, studying the eerie stillness of your chest. Are you breathing? You must be, if you’re standing upright.

And then Death utters something in the Nephilim language, a sharp, harsh word that rises on the second syllable, rolling from the back to the front of his mouth. Nephilim isn’t an easy language to speak, nor is it really put into practice now that the species has been reduced to four.

But War understands why his brother uses the word here. He doesn’t know of its translation into the Common tongue. If he were pressed to translate it, the closest he might come is something along the lines of ‘battle-trapped.’

“Mm,” he nods, his crimson hood rustling in the Autumn breeze as he repeats the word.

Strife and Fury share a glance upon hearing it, their gazes sharpening in sudden comprehension.

The former turns his helm towards you, raucous and righteous anger churning in his gut. “So, what did this?” he growls unevenly.

“That’s the problem. It could have been anything, or perhaps nothing at all,” Fury returns, no less incensed on your behalf. You’re not afraid of them. Hell, you’re probably not even seeing them right now. You aren’t really looking at her, nor at her siblings. Your gaze is centred past all of them, blind to everything around you except for whatever it is that only you can see.

They have seen this before, War more-so than the others, given his extensive history with large-scale conflicts.

“We have to get her out of this fugue,” Death addresses his fellow Horsemen, “We’ll worry about why this happened when she’s home.”

There’s a silent moment of agreement that passes between the four of them before their eldest returns his attention to you.

“Y/n…” he murmurs, and his siblings know better than to raise their brows at how gentle his voice is, “It’s us. Death, my brothers and sister. We’re all here.”

There are very, very few beings in the Universe that could draw even an ounce of gentleness from the ancient Nephilim. The fact that you’re one of them told his siblings all they needed to know about what you meant to their eldest brother from the moment you were first introduced to them.

“The area is clear,” War jumps in, “Fury and I swept the city. You’re safe.”

“So are the kids.” This time, it’s Strife who speaks up, following his brother’s lead, “You kept ‘em safe until we could get here.” Then, as an afterthought, he lowers his voice and adds gently, “You did good.”

Death’s keen eye immediately picks up on the minutest slouch of your shoulders.

He’s almost surprised. The Horsemen are not naturally a comforting bunch, but apparently, if it’s for you, they’re willing to make changes to their own nature. You’d always told Death not to underestimate what a powerful force friendship can be.

Seems you were right.

“Keep at it,” he tells his siblings, trying not to let on how shocked he is that they actually seem to be saying the right things for once.

Luckily, it doesn’t take much more coaxing before they see a little more life flickering across your face.

“… Wha-…” you breathe sharply, squeezing your eyes shut and prying them open again in a painfully slow blink, “What’s…? Guys?”

At once, Strife’s expression brightens, Fury’s fearsome scowl grows a touch softer, and War dips his head to hide his eyes behind the shadow of his hood, letting them slip shut in a moment of selfish relief.

You, however, immediately shrink in on yourself, drawing your arms up against your chest, breaths coming hard and fast.

“It’s all right, you’re safe,” Death shushes.

It’s all you can do to shake your head rapidly from side to side and blurt, “I… I think I have to go.”

“Hey, slow down,” Strife coaxes, “Take a breath, you don’t need to-“

But the Horseman is interrupted when your head snaps up and in a shrill voice, you shout, “- No, I have to go now! I-I can’t be in this fucking alley!”

It takes enormous effort to peel your feet off the ground, but you start to take a strident step towards the road, your vision tunnelling into an inherent and desperate need to get out of the open and into somewhere familiar and secure. But just as you begin to move, somebody whimpers behind you, and you’re ashamed to say that you whip around with a defensive snarl curling your lips back… only to come face to face with a trio of small, wide-eyed children.

The tips of your fingers turn to ice, but in your chest, there burns a feverish heat that feels as if it’s creeping up your throat to suffocate you.

“I’m… I sorry,” you insist shakily, trying so hard not to wince at the uncertainty plastered across their faces, “l… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-“

You’ve turned away before you can even finish your own sentence. Every molecule is insisting that you get away from this alley. Something bad happened here. Something terrible wanted to hurt you. Your body flushes with sudden, scalding panic that lights a fire beneath your heels and sends you hurrying straight to War’s side.

When Death introduced you to his siblings, War was the last Horseman you approached. There was nothing about him that signalled an interest in getting to know you. Strife had been only too eager to snatch you out from under Death’s wing and bully his way firmly into your day-to-day life. Fury had at least spent time learning about humans and found you worthy of respect, especially after hearing of the trials you were subjected to on her eldest brother’s quest.

But War? War was just… there. Like a mountain looming on your horizon, always in the periphery of your vision, always with that severe glower on his face that would have been terrifying if Strife didn’t tell you that it’s just his default expression, and that War was simply taking his role as your personal guard far too seriously.

That was the first you’d heard of the Red Rider’s apparent undertaking. It wasn’t just Fury who’s respect you’d earned by staying at Death’s side until the very end.

Now, if ever you’re in the mindset to look for safety, War’s side is the first place you head for.

He stands still and unaffected as a statue as you slot yourself carefully next to him, not close enough to touch him, but close enough to feel his powerful presence engulf you as tangibly as the natural warmth his body kicks out. The Horseman knows better than to press you to step closer. With your arms wrapped defensively around your torso, chin tucked almost to your chest and your eyes fixed solidly onto the glow of Ruin’s hooves, you’re all but radiating agitation. If he tries to touch you and you lash out and strike his impermeable armour, it won’t be him getting hurt.

Strife tries to inch his way over to you, but a deep, thrumming growl from his largest brother halts him in his tracks. When War gets a mind to guard your space, he can sound like the engine of something very large and very powerful revving itself, warding off potential intruders.

The sharpshooter clicks his tongue irritably but is at least wise enough to maintain a safe distance, opting to try and catch your eye instead.

“Hey. What happened?” he murmurs.

It is, evidently, the wrong thing to ask.

Your head is suddenly thrown from side to side with a ferocious refusal, the words locked behind your gritted teeth. You don’t want to think about it. You just want to go home and forget it ever happened.

“It was… Leon…”

You’re equal parts relieved to hear someone else speak up in your stead and mortified that a child has to explain for you.

Christ, but you’re tired…

It’s the youngest of the three children who steps forwards, wringing her tiny hands together and swallowing thickly when the Four apocalyptic riders turn to look down at her in curiosity.

Dwarfed by the giants in her path, she points a trembling finger at you and says in a voice as small as she is, “I think he scared her. My daddy gets real scared like that when he sees red wine…”

The other two younglings are gaping down at her as though she’s grown a feline tail to match the badly drawn whiskers flecked across her cheeks.

Death bends to one knee in an effort to appear smaller, less threatening, though with a countenance so grim, the endeavour is in vain. The children still cower from him as though he’ll pounce on them like a hungry panther. If only they knew how seldom the Horseman takes a knee, they might not be so frightened.

“Who is this Leon?” he questions, urging his anger to remain at a safe, unprovoked simmer. It isn’t the fault of these young ones that he’s growing impatient, but he for one would rather like to know the whereabouts of the wretch who scared his human.

Wide eyes peep up at him, squinting curiously at his mask for a moment before she speaks again, a little emboldened by his manner, if not his appearance. “Leon Korby. He’s a bully,” she tells him firmly.

“He’s just some teenager who lives on our street,” the older girl pipes up, sweeping a calculating look at the Horsemen. It occurs to Death that she hadn’t thrown in the word ‘teenager’ by chance.

She probably thinks she’s just saved the boy’s life, believing that his age might deter the Nephilim from tracking him down and putting the fear of an uncaring god into him.

She’s probably right.

… Probably.

“Teenager? The guy turns twenty next month. He’s been bragging about his stupid plan for weeks,” the boy grumbles, deeming the Horsemen safe enough, now that his friends have already engaged with them. “He said he was going to get a demon mask and use it on Halloween to screw with people’s heads.”

Fury’s teeth gnash and she spits out a Nephilim word that you’d likely tell her off for if she said it in Common in front of children. Force of habit has Death grunting reproachfully at his sister, but he has to admit, he concurs with her sentiment. Whoever Leon is, teenager or no, he really does sound like a little shit.

“Dumbass,” Strife hisses poisonously, earning a hard glare from War.

“You walloped him good though!” the littlest human points out, though she only serves to make you bury your face in your hands, mortified.

“I did,” you agree miserably as your memory stirs up a flash of wide, startled eyes gawking at you through the holes of a red, horned mask. And it was a mask, you realise, struck by a wave of vivid mortification that threatens to knock you off your feet.

Just a dumb kid in a cheap, plastic mask who was too young to foresee the consequences of his actions and took a fist to the face for his error in judgement.

You’d punched a kid.

Your stomach twists itself into a knot of coiling, curling guilt that only seems to wind tighter and tighter with no end in sight.

You don't know how long you stand there, drowning under the weight of regret and embarrassment whilst Death picks a few more details out of the children you'd inadvertently tried to 'save.' Everything seems to blur around you as fatigue sets in, an emotional crash that drains the muscles in your legs of any strength.

You only start paying attention again when Death rises to his full height.

“Fury,” he announces, turning to face his sister who still sits astride Rampage. Ever since they were reunited, she and the horse have been inseparable, as if she’s glued herself to the saddle and is simply too embarrassed to admit she can’t dismount.

Pale, white eyes burn through the darkness at Death as he continues, “See these children home.”

“What?” she hisses between her teeth.

“Make sure they get there safely.”

“And why am I the one assigned to be babysitter?” the irate Horseman bristles, “Strife loves humans so much, let him escort them!”

One of Death’s eyelids twitches as he heaves a rough sigh and relents. “Fine” the word leaves his lips like it always does; reluctantly. But he isn’t in any mood to argue with Fury, not while your state of mind remains to be determined. “Strife?”

The Sharpshooter’s head lifts in acknowledgement, and he turns his golden gaze onto the trio of younglings huddled together in the alley’s entrance. Death regards him coolly for a moment, knowing that there’s an internal struggle in his brother’s mind right now, with one side anxious to stick by you, whilst another part of him – the part that’s slowly grown fonder of humans since meeting you – urges him to see a bunch of scared younglings safely to their caretakers.

“We don’t need a chaperone,” the oldest girl states testily, “Our houses are just around the corner.”

It isn’t clear whether her defiance or the promise of a short trip is what ultimately sways Strife’s decision, but in the next second, the Horseman has banished Mayhem to the outer realms and planted his metal gauntlets squarely on his hips. “Yeah? Damn, n’here I was hopin’ to come with you, and maybe catch a couple of houses on the way back. What’d you call it? Track or tricking?”

It’s a shame you don’t have it in you to smile because Strife’s attempts to add levity to a grim situation are usually rather grin-inducing.

At least the children, specifically the little girl, indulges him in a giggle. “It’s Trick or Treating,” she corrects him in that exasperated way only the young do when they’re convinced an adult is being dense.

“Oh yeah,” Strife perks up, cocking his avian helm and gesturing down at himself, adding, “Wonder how much of the sweet stuff folks’ll give to a costume this cool.”

Suddenly, the older two children look a little more interested, and you feel your pulse tentatively start to ease itself back to a normal pace.

Turning briefly to his siblings, Strife mutters, “Get ‘er home safe, got it?”

It’s bold of him to phrase it like an order, not a request, but neither Fury, Death nor War can honestly say they wouldn’t command the same thing of each other if roles were switched.

As it stands, the other three merely offer their brother resolute nods, or in Death’s case, the tiniest upward lift of his chin. Acknowledgement.

They all know how important you are to Strife.

You watch on in idle contemplation as your friend ushers the children from the alleyway, a spring in their steps, each gazing up at the towering, armoured giant with varying levels of curiosity and fascination.

You’re glad it’s no longer with horror.

Vivid, blue light flares across your shadow for a moment as Rampage plods up behind you, tossing his electric mane and stretching his neck out to flex his wide nostrils into your hair inquisitively.

“Would you like to ride with us?” Fury asks when you tilt your head to glance blearily up at her.

Even in the dulled state of exhaustion you find yourself swept up in, you have enough of your wites to recognise that you’re being offered a very rare opportunity. Even as endeared to you as she is, it isn’t often that Fury invites you up onto Rampage’s saddle.

Sucking down a steadying breath, you haul the corners of your mouth into a weary smile and raise an arm towards her, knowing very well that you won’t be allowed to take no for an answer.

----

You get a lot of looks on the ride back home, though most are fleeting, a passing curiosity. Most people around here have grown accustomed to seeing you sitting astride at least one of the almighty steeds.

“I’m sorry to drag out here like this…” you mutter under your breath, stretching your hand forwards to twist cold fingers into Rampage’s erratic mane.

“Don’t be foolish,” Fury is quick to reprimand, her tone sharp like the whip strapped to her saddle. She must have felt you tense against her stomach, because when she next speaks, her voice has a tad less edge to it. “You couldn’t drag us anywhere we didn’t want to be…”

Letting her words sink in, the Horseman falls silent, turning to catch the eye of her youngest and oldest brothers, who’ve both guided their horses into stride at each of Rampage’s flanks.

War, to your left, scans the street ahead of you, blue eyes narrowed to guarded slits, as if any of the kids dressed up as vampires and werewolves might actually pose as much of a threat as the very creatures they’re trying to portray.

To your right, Death and Despair glide along, though you can’t help but notice that the rider is just as vigilant as his brother. At least Death is being subtle about it.

Lowering your head, you say, “I still can’t believe I hit some teenager.”

“From what I gather,” Death huffs, “It was a warranted hit.”

Drawing your brows into a hard scowl, you reply, “That’s no excuse… Shit… What if it happens again…?” You trail off for several seconds, listening to the distant sounds of chatter and laughter intermingling underneath the steady plods of enormous hooves on the tarmac.

“What… if I hurt someone else?” you finally whisper, shrinking backwards into Fury’s torso, “I… didn’t even know what the Hell I was doing. I could have really hurt those kids, just because, for like… a second, I couldn’t tell the difference between a real demon and some dumb teen dressed in a shitty, plastic mask.”

“Sometimes…” War grunts, shifting in Ruin’s saddle to look down at you, “… a second can be the difference between life and death. Surely you learned that travelling with my brother.” He sends Death a pointed look whilst you press your lips together miserably.

“But I’m not travelling with Death now, am I?” you utter, “It’s over. I… I know the Earth is safe, I do. I just-…”

But the words fail to emerge.

A familiar burn starts up just behind your eyelids, and you try to hurriedly swipe a palm across your face, smearing flecks of mascara across your cheeks. You fail to notice the three Horsemen exchanging glances over the top of your head.

“Perhaps,” Death sighs, “This is a conversation you can have after you’ve had some rest.”

You’d protest, insist that you’re not tired, but you know it’s written plain as ink across your downcast face.

It isn’t far to your home, and you’re only a few metres from the front door by the time you hear hoofbeats cantering up the road behind you. As is the norm, you hear Strife before you see him.

“Sorry we’re late,” he announces, pulling Mayhem up short to trot alongside Ruin, “Got distracted scorin’ those kids some candy.”

“I trust you didn’t keep any for yourself?” Death asks.

“C’mon, does that sound like somethin’ I’d do?”

The ringing silence from three of the Four Horsemen is telling enough, and you even find yourself smiling a little easier for the first time in what feels like hours.

Strife mutters something that’s muffled underneath his visor, but he doesn’t press his innocence, for once, instead angling Mayhem towards the door of your building and surging ahead, swinging himself out of the saddle. This time, at least, he makes sure to land with considerably less force.

He’s joined quickly by War, who similarly dismounts and strides over to Rampage, hardly waiting for Fury to draw her steed to a halt before he’s reaching up and taking you by the hips, pulling you gingerly from the saddle.

Hanging back, Death watches you safely onto solid ground once more. Then, when he’s satisfied that your legs aren’t going to collapse from under you, he raises his voice and calls out, “War, Strife. Get her inside… Fury. With me.”

“Wait. Where are you going?” you immediately cotton on, squinting up at the Reaper.

Feigning boredom, he merely twists his mask away from you and nonchalantly replies, “Just performing a standard perimeter check. You know we always do them when we visit.”

“Death? Death!” you snap as Strife takes you by the shoulders and begins to coax you towards the door, “Look, just – Just don’t you do anything stupid, okay?”

“Y/n, you do wound me. When have I ever?” the Nephilim returns breezily, though his response does nothing to soothe the suspicion on your face.

Even though it would be only too easy for Strife to simply drag you inside, you plant a hand on the doorframe and root your feet to the ground, twisting about to glare up at Death around War’s hulking mass. “I mean it,” you reiterate, frowning at him meaningfully, “I’m okay. I promise.”

The Reaper only peers back at you for several, silent seconds before at last, he dips his head in a slow nod, ebony locks falling about his mask. “Get some rest,” he tells you, “We’ll return shortly.”

At once, your face falls slack into quiet resignation, and you allow yourself to be shepherded through the door by an insistent Strife. War follows after you closely, blocking you from view entirely as he fills the doorway with his immense frame, though not before he spares his brother and sister a departing grunt, telling them without words that he’ll take care of you.

And in another moment, he shoulders the door closed with a resounding slam, leaving two of the Four outside in the cool, Autumn night, their steeds puffing plumes of white condensation into the air.

“So,” Fury breaks the silence, giving the reins a tug and turning Rampage around to face the street beyond your apartment, “You have a plan, I take it?”

Death tilts his head in a so-so manner as he too nudges Despair around. “In a manner of speaking.”

Restless, the horses begin to paw at the tarmac, shaking out their manes and whickering impatiently.

Fury’s hum is skeptical as she glances at her brother from the corner of a narrowed eye. “I hope you’ve thought it through, at least,” she grumbles, “Y/n will never forgive us if she finds out we tracked down this Leon Korby…”

“You make it sound as if I mean to hurt the boy,” Death responds coolly.

“Mm. You wouldn’t be the only one…” Cracking her knuckles, Fury sends him a wicked grin and continues, “So, what is the plan then?”

Behind his bone-mask, Death’s countenance remains solid and unaffected, business-like, one might call it. Nudging Despair with his heels, he moves the horse into a steady trot, back up the street they’d escorted you down, his sunburst gaze rigidly focused on the path ahead.

“I think it would be prudent of us to pay the boy a visit,” he remarks, hearing Rampage swiftly fall into a brisk pace at Despair’s side, “So that we may remind him why it may not be the wisest idea to pretend to be a demon. Why, suppose he were to be mistaken by the wrong person? A Horseman, for instance, whose purpose it is to rid the city of any rogue demons that might pop up to threaten the human population.”

He doesn’t need to look to see his sister’s gleaming teeth bare themselves in an eager, primal grin.

[sharkie-stay]

I just watched the latest episode of from and...

1. Smiley has been reborn?!?!

2. Finally someone called out Boyd for being a hypocrite

3. Poor Fatima

4. Elgin was so stupid for all of this, he should have known better

5. I love Jade

6. What do you mean Taby and Jade were here from the beginning and had a daughter?!?! What in the "do you think we're together in every universe"

7. Time travel is a thing now, apparently

8. What was the guy's in a yellow jacket deal? And why did he comment on the song and the hole

9. Ethan is honestly pissing me off, I know he's just a kid, but this season he was reduced to missing Tian-Chen and listening to Julie's very traumatic experiences

10. POOR VICTOR OMG I cried during this scene with his father, just thinking about like 10 year old (or however old) Victor having to bury his mother and his sister or at least what was left of them

11. I am so confused but at the same time I feel like I understand everything

[ecargmura]

Oshi No Ko Episode 15 Review - The Shadow Of His Former Self

The first half of the episode ends the GOA and Abiko conflict happily yet there are still more problems as Aqua getting criticized for his lack of emotional acting. It turns out that his trauma from Ai’s death is repressing his emotions. I have to say that the transition from all the GOA-Abiko stuff to focusing back on Aqua was quite intriguing, but it flowed well.

For the first half of the episode, I do like that the weird game of telephone finally comes to an end as Abiko, GOA, Raida and Abiko’s editor are finally on a video chat with each other. If only they had done this sooner, this whole ordeal would’ve resolved earlier and the actors wouldn’t have to crunch the last two weeks of rehearsal for the revised script. Also, props to Raida for wanting the play to succeed to the point that he’d **** an old geezer’s ****—his words, not mine. I also like that he finally manages to convince Abiko to work together with GOA since he told her that the Ping Pong stage play was written by him.

Well, the resolution of this conflict was thanks to Aqua who now has an issue of his own in the form of emotions acting. Since he’s sixteen and he was around four when Ai died in front of him, it’s been twelve years since then. I do like that trauma just doesn’t go away and that he’s been living with regret and guilt for the past twelve years.

I feel like people say Aqua’s edgy, but he’s not. The trauma didn’t make him edgy; it made him empty. From what I can see, he likes helping people resolve their conflicts, even if he denies it. He says that it’s for his revenge plan, but I see it as a way to assuage his guilt from not being able to help Ai during her death. While sabotaging Ruby’s chances of being an idol was sort of jerkish, he did have good intentions as idol agencies are sketchy. He also helped Kana with the Sweet Today issue. He also helped Akane when she was getting hate comments and even tried to help the other members of the dating show cast make a video to let Akane know that she’s loved. He even invited Mem-cho to become an idol to help achieve her dream of becoming one. For this season, he even resolved the issue with Abiko by giving her a ticket for the stage play, which caused her to change her mind about the script and allowing Raida to get through her for good. While the trauma has caused him to become empty, helping people out were happy moments and it did feel as if recalling them has filled up the void in his soul in a way. It sucks that he only thought about happy memories after Kana accidentally triggered his PTSD.

The moment where the shadow of Goro showed up, preventing him from basking in happiness was really crazy. It was animated well and the color choices were a subversion of the usual bright colors Doga Kobo is usually known for. Like I mentioned in my previous review, how much of Aqua is Aqua and how much of him is Goro is still a mystery because when Goro died, he was reborn as Aqua and because the baby retained all of his memories from his previous life, Aqua never really had a chance to be an actual child. However, at the same time, it makes me wonder if Aqua was behaving how he did as a child because he had retained all of Goro’s memories and that made him develop an ego at an early age.

I’m honestly a sucker for sad boys, which is why I like Aqua the most in this show. I also tend to like sad boy x sad boy comforter ships a lot. I usually never had much opinions for Akane, but I do think she was the strongest presence in this episode with the way she actually figures out Aqua and Ruby’s connection with Ai and why he gets PTSD. Her analytical skills are crazy; she could seriously outclass any professional detective if she tried. However, I still do find it a bit…unsettling that Akane is comforting Aqua because she’s still acting the role of Ai but it’s something he needs right now as Aqua’s inner demons cannot be vanquished.

I wonder if Aqua can conquer this hurdle whether it be during rehearsal or during the actual performance. It’d be nice to see Aqua with emotions later on and not someone so consumed with revenge to the point that it’s the only thing fueling the emptiness inside of him. What were your thoughts on this episode?

[oddeyevibes]

Turns out I had too many questions in hindsight🫠🫠

(Spoiler heavy questions)

I was lowkey hoping that they would all get reborn but through ordinary means and without powers. Like their existence wasn’t really the problem, the marigold in them was and they didn’t choose for their moms to get pregnant, right?

So why wouldn’t it have made more sense for them to still be born under normal human circumstances and have them live normal lives without the trauma of being Umbrellas/Sparrows?

Also, I hate that Sloane was just gone. Like Luther finally finds someone who matches him and she now doesn’t exist anymore and we’re just supposed to be okay with that??????

There’s just so many questions that didn’t get answered. Like how did they find Allison?? Why doesn’t Sloane or any of the other Sparrows exist but Sparrow!Ben does? And for that matter, why does Lila still exist then if this is an Umbrellas only party??

If Lila’s parents are still kicking then are the Umbrella’s moms still alive? Did neither of them want to meet their moms or was it always just Klaus? (I know why Lila’s parents died but if they’re deaths were undone then who else’s death was undone?)

Where did Jennifer even come from? Was she a similar odd birth like the 43? Or did she just spawn in the squid?? Like I feel a longer season would’ve allowed us at least an episode to learn about her more. She lived and died as a plot device more than a character. Like why is she always in the squid???

Why oh why were the Sparrows swept under the rug? Like literally Ben is the only one who ever mentions them and Luther mentions Sloane ONCE.

I wish we got to see more of Abigail because her playing the violin had me longing for her to connect with the Umbrellas and Sparrow!Ben in a way that was completely different from Reginald to the point that it was jarring. Especially since SHE is technically their creator not Reginald. In the same way original Reginald treats Pogo nicer than the Umbrellas because Pogo is HIS creation.

Was there not a Jennifer Incident in the Sparrow timeline? I know everyone was theorizing it happened differently cause he lived but that was mainly because of his scar and the drawing he made of a woman. But did those details matter at all?? And if they did matter then why wouldn’t he remember a girl named Jennifer if she is a such a constant that even her name stays the same?

And if we have this “the world is better off without them” bit at the end. Then why aren’t their mothers shown being happy in that little park thing? You can say it’s because they lived all over the world but I’m supposed to believe that those commission ppl, the Swedish bros, and the Handler weren’t from different timelines, eras and countries but they got to be in that little happy dream?

Was Jennifer the ONLY durango kid? If the Durango is attracted to the Marigold then why did only one piece of Durango make it to Earth when there was more than one Marigold??

It isnt the marigold kids fault they were born when Reginald is the one that released the Marigold onto Earth and Abigail was the one who made it. Why would the Umbrellas dying undo Reginald releasing the Marigold and Abigail making it? Especially when the Reginalds in new timelines never remember the actions of the Reginalds in other timelines and they have to have their other timeline actions explained to them. So why would killing Reginald #3 AFTER THE FACT revert the splitting timelines? Why are we pretending that Umbrellas themselves are the problem??

You mean to tell me after three seasons of hammering it in how smart Five is, all of those Fives put together didn’t think of just letting the Durango consume them? And if they needed the original to do it then why didn’t one of them reach out to him? Because Five never sugarcoated anything before, why would the other Fives sugarcoat the potential solution to the original Five?

If this is a timeline where they don’t have their powers but have their memories of former timelines then how were the Umbrellas born in this timeline? How can they exist in this timeline? Or is it possible for them to still exist because their mothers didn’t die? If that’s the case do any of them know their mothers at all because it was the Hargreeves School of Wayward Boys not Wayward Kids so Allison and Pre!transition Viktor couldn’t have grown up there. So who are they in this timeline?? If they just jumped out of nowhere then why was Five allowed to join a government agency despite having no traceable background?

If Reginald knew that the Umbrellas couldn’t touch Jennifer why risk it by sending them in the first place? Suppose she got out on her own and then touched all of them, then what? And what’s to say that blowing her up would’ve work in the first place??

[lola-andheruniverse]

Fix It Wednesday - Caryl Fanfiction Rec

Dear fellow caryler, I'm over the moon to have Melissa and Carol back! I can't even describe how much I missed them both. My hope for caryl canon is reborn! But..can you imagine if we didn't have to go through any of this? No S11 finale with Daryl leaving, no France, no shipbaiting with French nuns? What if S11A had happened according to the plans outlined in s9 and s10 with caryl getting together by the end of the Reapers/Leah arc? Hum..what if?

I'm talking about Off The Map, written by our dear @my-mt-heart, who decided to reimagine and fix the most polemic caryl story line ever to this date nervous laugh, while 1) giving Carol her deserved spotlight as a main character and 2) juggling all the others story lines we were given by TPTB on those 8 episodes. It's an ambitious story posted on 9Lives, and deserves every little bit of your love.

Summary: Imagine Maggie has no history with the Reapers at all, and it’s actually Carol’s idea to venture out into the D.C. area while Alexandria faces possible extinction. With tensions still running high between her and Daryl, they do their best to lead the mission together, but their search for more food quickly turns into the fight of their lives after a chance encounter on the road forcibly separates them. Now that Carol has a target on her back and Daryl is trapped in a dark past, what lengths will they go to in order to keep each other safe? Rating: M/Mature Chapters: 10 Word count: 55115 Published: April 16, 2022 - COMPLETE

I'm still a busy bee here, so I'll leave you with a little excerpt of this fic to get my point across:

"Open it?” Considering he had sounded so sure of himself before, it’s weird to hear his request come out as a question, like he’s suddenly shy and nervous. After a perplexed glance up at him, she unfolds the map, her eyes instantly pulled to something scribbled off to the side, something she doesn’t remember being there before. Her breath catches in her throat.  I’m supposed to be with you. Never letting go.

Go on, give it a try! You won't regret it. I will never get tired of saying that feedback is love, so don't forget to leave a nice review to our author, okay? Caryl on, dear, caryl on!

[actuallyastingray]

Mummies Reborn - Recall Series

Rewind

This is admittedly an interesting title to start with, but it's what I'm most recently up to date on.

Mummies Alive was released in 1997 by DIC Entertainment (now part of Disney). The show followed the antics of four Egyptian mummies, Ja-Kal the hunter, Rath the Magician, Nefertina the Driver, and Armon the Warrior, all former associates and soldiers of the ancient Pharaoh Amenhotep who are revived in the modern era. The story details how Amenhotep's son, Rapses, was killed by the high priest Scarab in an attempt to gain eternal life. For reasons never explained, Rapses soul is reborn in the modern era as pre-teen Presley Carnovan, whom the mummies are tasked with protecting from Scarab. The show also featured a variety of Egyptian gods and beings as supporting cast, though the main focus was on the continued conflict between the mummies and Scarab, who was typically responsible for summon said deities into the mortal realm. Much like the then popular transformation-based hero shows, the mummies were able to activate golden armor "With the Strength of Ra!" while Scarab possessed his own variant of armor that turned him into a massive scarab beetle. Mummies Alive ran for only a single season with 42 total episodes. A movie was also released, which in essence summarized all 42 episodes throughout its run time.

The show was not renewed for a second season, likely due to low ratings and low toy sales.

Review

I'm sure most people were/are familiar with the "mummy mania" side of 90's pop culture. Truthfully, I have no idea where it came from, other than it preceded the 1999 Stephan Sommers movie by several years. Regardless, Mummies Alive wasn't the only show to come out of this particular genre.

Overall, it wasn't the best show even at the time. The jokes were either overdone or half-baked, the characters, aside from a few scattered instances, had very little development done, and much of the lore behind the show, such as why the Golden Gate Bridge became a gateway to the afterlife after sunset, were never explained. It's further exacerbated by the fact that the majority of the Egyptian aspects of this show were bent hilariously out of shape; as the majority of gods, creatures, and historical aspects involved in the show were often for comic relief rather than plot narrative. One thing I feel the show did poorly was, as already mentioned, total lack of character development. Granted, at the time when Mummies Alive released, most cartoon shows were still running episodic "adventure of the week" style plots rather than develop an overall plot, perhaps explaining why it doesn't resonate as well with 21st century audiences. This meant that the majority of the characters changed very little over the course of the show making each episode seem very predictable. The biggest changes by far were the three-part finale that introduced us to Ja-Kal's evil brother Ahrok and his son Kimas. It would make sense that a finale would need to be dramatic, but the rest of the show started to fall flat after so many episodes felt like villain roulette. Considering the development team was also responsible for releasing Gargoyles, this was a bit of a letdown.

Looking back, it's clear that the dev did very little overall research on Egyptian mythology before putting the show together, like someone who had heard of Ancient Egypt, looked up a bunch of names, and went with that information. Unlike its predecessor in Gargoyles, Mummies Alive clearly was not meant to be story-centric like and was more so intended to compete with the likes of He-Man, Sailor Moon, and Power Rangers in the transforming superhero department. It pretty much is Power Rangers, just with undead mummies instead of space cops.

Mummies Alive is a wacky premise that nevertheless can be highly entertaining to watch and remember pre-21st century cartoons. I wish I could say the show felt like it was gearing up for some story progression in season 2, but as with many episodic shows I couldn't get that feel.

Rewrite

(Fan rewriting Mummies Alive felt quite easy considering the amount of raw material I had to work with. For reference, this section will vary in length in the future based on what I cover. And remember, this is a fan rewrite so things are going to be changed) Enjoy!

First Season

Introduces the main cast; Presley, Ja-Kal, Rath, Nefertina, Armon, Scarab, Heka, and Enchantra. A new secondary villain in Apophis, who is Scarab's benefactor and Heka's master, is also included. Plot elements would include

Presley recently turned 14 as of the day he met the mummies. By the season finale, he's turned 15.

Presley is occasionally "haunted" by Rapses' soul, who is trying to relay past knowledge, such as spells and fighting techniques. This would be how Presley learns Egyp-tsu.

Story overall plays out similar to OG season 1, just with more development

Presley has more time to 1 one 1 with the mummies, as a way of getting to know them better

Presley would start recalling Rapses' memories as the show progresses. As a result, he would remember spells that Rath had previously taught him.

The toy line for Mummies Alive hinted that Presley was going to acquire his own armor during a later season (Not sure what was up with the giant foot claws). Wasn't a fan of the design so not sure if adding it back was a good idea.

I gave the mummies different personalities and backstories. I wasn't a huge fan of Armon and Rath in the OG, so they got some rewrites.

Enchantra takes a more prominent role, though is still secondary to Scarab. She acts more like David Xanatos, plotting from the shadows until she can strike again.

Season finale would be similar to Face in the Mirror, where Apophis uses an eclipse to escape and possess Presley. The mummies would be torn between fulfilling their duty to Ra and Amenhotep and their loyalty to Presley. Ultimately, they would succeed in banishing Apophis back to his void, this time without a means of returning. As a result, Scarab realizes his debt is forgiven, while Presley celebrates his 15th birthday.

Rapses/Presley Carnovan

Prince Rapses was the heir to the throne of Egypt 3500 years prior to the start of the show. From childhood, he suffered from a then unknown illness that left him unable to engage in strenuous activities for prolonged periods. As a result, he was looked down upon by his Father and tutors, with the exception of Rath, believing that he would never properly ascend to the throne. Since he could not keep up physically with his peers, he took to training his mind instead, resulting in lasting friendships with Rath and Armon. At the age of 14, he was abducted by Scarab's minions to be sacrificed alongside his father, but the abduction complicated his condition and caused him to die before the ritual could commence.

Presley Carnovan is the reincarnation of Rapses 3500 years later. He has recently moved to San Fransisco both to help his mother start her new job and as a result of his parents' recent divorce. Much like Rapses before him, Presley suffers from asthma which he keeps under control with modern medicine. After his mother opens a new exhibit in the local history museum dedicated to Rapses, Presley finds himself introduced to his mummy guardians seeking to protect him from Scarab. At first, Presley has to rely on his wits and tricks to avoid Scarab's forces on his own. Despite trying to appear as a cool and confident kid, Presley shares his ancestors love of learning, especially when it comes to history.

Scarab

The former royal advisor and chief magician to Pharaoh Amenhotep, Scarab had a knack for scheming in the court which often earned him the ire of Prince Rapses. Desiring more power to keep his station, Scarab began striking deals with the dark spirit Apophis in exchange for more power. His addiction to Apophis' gifts grew and he desired to make himself immortal and rule over Egypt. In exchange for this request, Apophis demanded the sacrifice of both Amenhotep and Rapses, but due to unforeseen circumstances Scarab was only able to deliver Amenhotep. As punishment for his failure, Scarab was cursed with longevity but trapped in the form of feeble old man, to remain such until he can deliver the spirit of Rapses. As a further insult to his legacy, his true name was wiped from the annals of history entirely, preventing even him from remembering his true name.

Having been alive for over 3500 years, Scarab has had significant time to prepare for Rapses' return. Unlike his enemies, he is skill in both technology and magic, as well as having amassed a significant fortune of wealth and social standing. His magic lets him summon his shabti soldiers from any piece of rock as well as create his signature scarab beetle armor. Scarab's allegiance to Apophis is fragile ever since being cursed, and over the course of the show he would strike deals with just about any entity for power or favors. Nevertheless, he remains dedicated to his task of sacrificing Rapses in order to regain his eternal youth and full power.

Ja-Kal

The former royal guard of Amenhotep, Ja-Kal served faithfully by his Pharoh's side until he was murdered during a coup by Scarab. For his faithful service, he was rewarded with being named Rapses' eternal guardian and being blessed by the high priests of Ra; to rise in the Prince's defense even in death. In the modern era, he is still dedicated to his task of protecting the Prince, even if he is bewildered by his new surroundings. Ja-Kal is often a "no nonsense" leader who sees dedication to Rapses as a respite until he can rejoin his son and wife in the afterlife. Thanks to his patron god Horus, he can summon golden falcon armor and call upon falcon familiars to track enemies.

Ja-Kal maintains his "no nonsense" attitude with Presley; having little tolerance for any accidents or trouble the boy might get into, resulting in continued strife between them early on in the show. Despite his friendship with Amenhotep, Ja-Kal was no stranger to the fact that the Pharaoh looked down on his frail son. Seeing this being a similarly sore subject for Presley, he finds himself acting as a mentor/father figure for Presley when no one else is able to step up. Their relationship would gradually improve over the course of the series.

Rath

3500 years ago, Rath was the head librarian and former chief magician at Amenhotep's court until he was replaced by Scarab. Buring his resentment, he found his love of teaching and studying being mirrored by that of the Pharaoh' son, and the two were close until Rath died during Scarab's coup. Rath has the energy every enthusiastic teacher and researcher dreams of, approaching every situation with flawless logic and finess following even a brief analysis. His patron goddess is Wadjet, who grants him his snake armor along with polearm for combat. He is also the guardians resident mage and is the only one who can usually hold his own against enemy spellcasters.

Rath has adapted rather well to the modern era seeing as he can't wait to catch up on the advances he has missed in 3500 years. His dearest wish is that his former student in Rapses, now Presley, would share the same enthusiasm he once did. Rath's attempts to stimulate Presley's love of learning often go unsuccessful, but he eventually makes progress by tapping into Presley's love for ancient history.

Nefertina

Nefertina was one of the head chariot drivers for both Amenhotep and Rapses during the age of the Pharaoh's. As women were not allowed to hold such positions, she took the disguise of 'Nefer' in order to fool her superiors. For her attempts to spirit Rapses away from Scarab during the fateful coup, she was named one of his eternal guardians and given full honors in death. Nefertina dual wields a khopesh and a nine tails whip as well as her cat armor from her bond with Bastet. From her past efforts of concealing herself as a man, she is also the guardians disguise master and often sneaks into places unnoticed, as well as creating the various disguises the guardians use around the city.

Among all of Presley's guardians, Nefertina enjoys the modern world above all others. Finding herself in a world where she doesn't need to hide beneath her armor or conceal her voice means she is the most outgoing of the guardians. She often acts as an older sister figure to Presley and is the quickest to catch on to the modern era concepts he introduces to the guardians. Aside from Ja-Kal, she is also the most protective of Presley.

Armon

A former soldier in Amenhotep's army, Armon earned recognition when he saved the Pharaoh's life at the cost of his left arm. No longer able to serve, Armon retired to serve as a smith for the Pharaoh's army. He was often visited by the young Rapses who would awe over his creations. During Scarab's coup, he once again distinguished himself by attempting to fight off the advisors forces only to perish in the process. Unlike the other guardians, Armon does not wield a weapon in combat, preferring to rely on freestyle wrestling common in ancient Egypt. His golden ram armor from Khnum grants him super strength and a degree of invulnerability.

Armon is a true gentle giant when not fighting Scarab's forces. Always happy to help out Presley or his fellow guardians, Armon serves as the heart of the group. Despite his size, he is quite meticulous and patient with his work and handles even the smallest details flawlessly; a testament to his time as royal blacksmith. Like Rath he enjoys re-bonding with the prince, especially since his designs, like the Hot Ra, never fail to impress a teenager like Presley.

Apophis

The Beast of Darkness, Shadow Behind the Mirror, Apophis' origins are unknown, only that he predates humanity. His defeat and subsequent banishment to a void beyond Earth by the Egyptian gods marked the foundation of Egypt, and he has since born a deep resentment for the legacy of the Pharaoh's. The nature of his imprisonment makes it nearly impossible for him to return to Earth in his true form, and thus he often tries to use underlings to forge new bodies for him to inhabit. Among these followers was Scarab, who he promised eternal life in exchange for the sacrifice of Amenhotep's bloodline. This sacrifice would have allowed him to rise in human form to twist humanity to his whims, but Scarab's failure to sacrifice Rapses foiled this plot. Now 3500 years later he still awaits the sacrifice he was promised, even if Scarab is no longer as loyal as he once was.

Heka

Heka is a dark spirit sent by Apophis to monitor and oversee Scarab ever since their first meeting. She takes the appearance of Scarab's serpent staff but can change back and forth between this and her form as an Egyptian cobra. Alone she has limited power but is still quite knowledgeable in regard to magic.

Though mostly loyal to Apophis, Heka has enjoyed freedom from the void for the past 3500 years even if it means she has to suffer existence bound to Scarab. As a result of Scarabs failures to capture Presley, she is often forced into the position of middlewoman between Apophis and Scarab. If it were up to Heka, she'd rather be off on her own letting her employers scuffle, but her status prevents her from doing so.

Enchantra

3500 years ago, five guardians were initially selected to act as the Pharaoh's chosen warriors. Enchantra was a mage of great skill and power who was selected for heaving defended Rapses against a would-be assassin. Little did anyone suspect at the time that Enchantra had hired said assassin as a means of distinguishing herself to Amenhotep and furthering her station at court. Despite her position as guardian, she and Rapses did not get along; Rapses considered her a snake in disguise, while Enchantra saw guarding a weak child to be an insult to her abilities. In order to bolster her position, she performed several other deceptions at court until Rapses caught her in the act. The fact that she tried to resolve this scandal by attempting to kill Rapses only sealed her fate. Sentenced to by mummified alive, Enchantra instead escaped death by tearing open a portal to the spirit world and fleeing. She unfortunately miscalculated that this spell would trap her in the spirit world until she could be summoned back by a willing soul. Thus, Enchantra spent 3500 years in a state of limbo.

After being revived in the modern world, Enchantra is quick to try and settle old grudges. Not just against Presley and his guardians for her banishment, but also against Scarab who was the judge at her trial and was responsible for her sentencing. Her time in the spirit world has vastly improved her magical powers and she rivals those of Scarab. However, her ego means she often overlooks the finer details of her spells, especially when she gets angry, and they can easily backfire. When not walking the streets as Enchantra, she masquerades as Ms. Chondra, head of the school board in San Fransisco.

First season rewrite would mostly focus on Scarab trying to claim Presley in order to complete his bargain. This would involve character development between Presley and the guardians, as well as introducing the various threats they would face. A series finale would possibly include a storyline similar Face in the Mirror, where Apophis attempts to escape the void during an eclipse but is banished back to the void without a means of returning. As a result, Scarabs debt is forgiven by proxy and the mummies celebrate Presley's turning 15.

Second Season

After Apophis' defeat, the mummies and Scarab are confronted by Osiris who believes that they have overstayed their welcome on the mortal world. This includes Presley as Osiris wishes to claim Rapses soul as well. Osiris becomes the new big bad and Scarab's new boss. Season 2 themes include:

New villains introduced, other thann Osiris, include Anubis, Apep, Nekhbet, Serket, and Ahrok. Sobek is introduced as a neutral party.

Rapses confronts the realization that if he does not formally become pharaoh by the age of 17, the mummies pact will fail, and they will be dragged to the afterlife for punishment.

The museum the mummies stay in is initially not safe from Scarab and Osiris, until a new exhibit based around "The Guardians of the Sun" (aka, the mummies as they were in life) creates a protective ward. It also allows them to roam the museum during the day as "costumed performers".

Presley starts receiving prophecies from both Sobek and Rapses. Rapses starts to manifest as an independent ghost and confident for Presley to speak to.

Osiris

God of the afterlife, Osiris is charged with maintaining the delicate balance between life and death and enforces it in whatever ways he needs to. After the defeat of Apophis, Osiris decrees the mummies duty to the Pharaoh complete and attempts to recall them to the underworld for judgement. In addition, he attempts to claim the wayward soul of Rapses which is long overdue for judgement as well. However, as the mummies were consecrated by Ra in death, and only Ra can unmake this curse and forcibly recall the mummies to the afterlife. Determined to set things right regardless, Osiris turns to Scarab as a means of subverting this bargain. Though Scarab is also a wayward soul, Osiris sees potential in him at ending the mummies curse, which can be undone by killing Presley. Thus, a new bargain is stuck; in exchange for leniency, Scarab will deliver the mummies and Rapses to Osiris.

Osiris is not outright evil, he is just very overly dedicated to his job and doesn't like taking 'no' for an answer. He also has a slight grudge against Ra as Osiris once held the throne of the gods himself before abdicating. Over the course of the show, the thought of being outwitted by mere mortals infuriates him more and more, pushing him closer to true evil. Osiris himself cannot leave the underworld lest it fall into chaos, but his influence is enough to send other gods and spirits across the veil in order to carry out his bidding.

Anubis

Son of Osiris and God of the dead (yes, in Egyptian mythology, that was considered separate from being 'god of the afterlife'), Anubis was sent by Osiris to oversee Scarab's role in carrying out their bargain. In an ironic twist, he sent the least likely person for this task. Anubis has the personality of a rebellious teenager; finally free of living in with his father, he has little drive to see this mission through just to return to the underworld. In fact, he's happy enough to suffer Scarab's repeated failures if it means staying away from his father's court. The only person he can empathize with is Heka with the two often sitting on the sidelines watching the resulting drama between Scarab and Osiris play out.

As God of the dead, Anubis has command of his own forces to add to Scarab's Shabti, in the form of various ghosts and wraiths he can summon from the underworld. His magic also makes him quite powerful in combat. That said, he is very much a slacker and would rather be out enjoying his newfound freedom than helping Scarab.

Nekhbet

Another goddess of the dead and servant to Osiris, Nekhbet was sent to the mortal world separately from Anubis in order to carry out Osiris' order directly. She usually takes the form of a condor/vulture but can assume the form of an old woman with a cape of feathers. Unlike Anubis, Nekhbet is fiercely loyal to Osiris, but is far more incompetent due to her tendency to monologue and inability to think a plan through. As a result, she often allies with villains other than Scarab, such as Enchantra, in order to make plans work. Her power to entrap souls of the dead makes her enough of a threat to the mummies and Rapses. That and her sonic screech mean she is good at playing muscle for whoever she is plotting with.

Apep

To the mortal world, Pep is everything a teenager could want to be. He's cool, plays in his own rock band, is a hit with women, rides a motorcycle, and generally markets himself as the idea image any young boy should aspire to be. However, his real identity is Apep, a creature of chaos that has plagued humanity since early civilization. Over the years, he has gathered numerous other names, including Loki, Puck, and Anansi, but prefers his identity of Apep due to the Egyptians being the first to name him. Apep lives to cause chaos wherever he goes in the world, and after 3500 years he's got exceptionally good at it. After hearing about the return of the Pharaoh in San Fransisco and the resulting influx of gods, he decides to insert himself into the chaos and fan the flames further.

Apep's only target is Presley, whom he is aware is young and impressionable, but full of potential. Most of his work is devoted to tricking Presley into choosing personal gain, status, wealth, or power over doing the right thing. He is very well versed at keeping out of sight and mind, to the point that the guardians are often unaware of him. As a result, Presley is forced to confront Apep on his own. Over time, he becomes less of an outright threat and more of the devil on Presley's shoulder. While he would love nothing more than to turn the last Pharaoh to the dark side, his attitude of "can't win 'em all" means he rarely holds anything against Presley when thwarted. His father is later revealed to be Apophis. The two do not have the best relationship as Apep enjoys having a world to corrupt little by little instead of destroying it outright.

Sobek

God of water and gatekeeper of the Western Gate, Sobek found his way through to the mortal world due to the high number of spirits and gods crossing the boundaries. Though he has a more humanoid form, Sobek prefers the form of a 30 ft crocodile in order to best patrol the gate. Though his duties bring him into conflict with Scarab more often than not, Sobek is a true neutral party and is just as happy with battling the guardians should they trespass on his domain. His only allegiance is to his post as gatekeeper. That said, the only person he gets along with is Presley, who often visits him in secret after hearing of Osiris' plans to recall the mummies. With his status also being a guardian spirit of the Pharaoh, Sobek is happy to provide any advice he can, though he often speaks cryptically in an effort to challenge the young Pharaoh.

Serket

Goddess of venom and secrecy, Serket once competed alongside Bastet to be named as one of the protectorate deities associated with the Pharaoh. She lost this competition and has help a deep resentment towards Bastet and her followers ever since. In the modern age, she is summoned first by Scarab and then by Osiris in order to track down Presley and the guardians. Since she never received the position she coveted, Serket feels no remorse for her actions.

An agile opponent who uses poisoned blades and her stinger tail to cripple opponents. Serket is playful and seductive in combat but can be spiteful against those who have wronged her in the past, to the point where she ignores orders given to her just to settle old grudges. Out of all the guardians she holds particular distain for Nefertina, who is a follower of her rival Bastet.

Ahrok

Ja-Kal's older brother and former chief guardsman for the pharaoh. Ahrok held his position for several years and would have been glorified in retirement had his greed not gotten the better of him. Ahrok saw no glory in defending a leader during peacetime. He longed to become a general in Amenhotep's army and extend Egypt's borders to the ends of the ancient world. When Amenhotep dismissed these ideas, Ahrok turned to scheming alongside the pharaoh's chief magician Scarab instead. Unfortunately for Ahrok, Scarab saw him as shortsighted and expendable, and thus during an attempted coup against Amenhotep Scarab secretly betrayed Ahrok by siding with the pharaoh. Ironically, Scarab learned much from Ahrok's failures in preparation for his own coup years later.

As punishment for treachery, Ahrok would have faced true death by Ammitt the Devourer's jaw, but Osiris found a more suitable punishment for him. Instead of death, Ahrok would serve as a puppet for the lord of the afterlife, returning from beyond the grave to serve Osiris' commands until his sins were forgiven. Years of enslavement to Osiris has only inflamed Ahrok's resentment towards the pharaoh and the gods. Still ignorant to the reason behind his downfall, Ahrok sees Scarab as an old ally, and his brother who cut him down as an enemy.

Season two finale would be Osiris reaching the end of his patience with his minions and choosing to rise from the underworld himself to claim the mummies, Scarab, and Presley. The mummies would manifest new armor unexpectedly, and Osiris would be banished back to the afterlife by Ra himself. While the day is saved, there are many questions still unanswered, the most pressing being that Presley would somehow need to become pharaoh in one year. Season two would end with Presley turning 16 in a more solemn reflection of season ones finale.

Third Season

After Osiris' attempt to claim Rapses and the mummies, he destabilized the world by leaving the underworld unattended. As a result, Apophis is able to return as the big bad. It is revealed that his arrival cannot be prevented this time and, due to Scarab's original bargain, Apophis will claim Rapses' soul and Presley will become his new host if not prevented.

Season three's enemies consist of the mummy's godly patrons, as well as a few others sent by Ra, to test them for unknown reasons. Ra, Horus, Wadjet, Khnum, and Bastet become side characters/antagonists.

Apep and Sobek take turns testing Presley in their own ways.

The tests are revealed to be a means of determining whether Presley is fit to become pharaoh, and if the mummies are fit to become his guardians

Anubis and Heka remain with Scarab but are aware their boss is doomed if Apophis arrives. Scarab is just trying to claim Presley ahead of schedule in an attempt to stay in Apophis' good graces at this point. Scarab is more unhinged in this season

Enchantra revives Ahrok and convinces him to swear himself to Set, acquiring his own golden armor. She also creates Kimas, who takes on the role of their child.

Sekhmet

Goddess of plague and destruction, Sekhmet has a long history with the lineage of the Pharaoh's. Out of many of the gods involved in the show, she is one of the most outspoken against the usefulness of humans, believing that Apophis would have been destroyed by the gods regardless of the interference of humans. Sekhmet is the first goddess to be sent by Ra as a means of testing the mummies. While forbidden by Ra to outright kill Presley or his protectors, she still finds ways to test them, such as causing accidents in Presley's life that could harm him if he is not careful enough. She is revealed to be on of Ra's council and was the first to suggest testing Presley to see if he could become Pharaoh and thus oversees the majority of the challenges.

Sekhmet is very prideful of her power and status as a goddess and looks down upon anyone she considers beneath her. Often she enjoys the terror and suffering she can inflict on humanity, but is forbidden from doing outright carnage by Ra. One of the most powerful enemies the guardians face, she is only defeated through trickery rather than brute force. Over the course of the season, she begins to have more respect for Presley when he continues to surpass her expectations.

Set

God of chaos and conflict, Set is one of several gods sent by Ra's council to test the young pharaoh. Rather than appear himself, Set uses his new scion in Ahrok to test the mummies. He grants Ahrok a pack of hunting hounds formed from sand, as well as the ability to summon a variety of weapons to use.

Geb

God of earth, Geb is not bound to the spirit world like the other gods. Instead, he is forever active in one way or another in the mortal world. Geb manifests as an earthen construct of whatever he chooses, be it mud, sand, rock, or asphalt. Geb can also inhabit statues and even Scarab's Shabti if he chooses. Geb does not speak directly and instead communicates through vague gestures. He is quite destructive when provoked and due to his body composition is impossible to harm or destroy. Thus, the only way to deal with his is to find out what he wants. Presley is usually the one to figure out what Geb wants and has managed to keep a good relationship with Geb. Ra awakens Geb as a means of testing Presley

Kimas

Desiring a child of her own, as well as a tool to use against the mummies, Enchantra created Kimas using an advanced variation of the spell Scarab uses for his Shabti. Believing Ahrok and Enchantra to be his parents, and that destroying Presley is his soul objective, Kimas fought against the young pharaoh until Presley proved that the history he knew was all fabricated. When Enchantra's actions only proved this to be true, he fled her and Ahrok in shame and fear.

Kimas spends the rest of the series trying to figure out who he really is other than a simple construct. Presley helps him through his identity crisis, and he eventually realizes that, unlike his parents, he is not undead and can grow up. He eventually joins the mummies and becomes a friend for Presley. Kimas has both his parents strengths; Enchantra's magic and Ahrok's combat prowess.

Ra

God of the sun, king of the gods, and patron to all of Egypt's pharaohs. Ra takes notice of the antics going on in the mortal world after Osiris destabilizes the realms attempting to seize the wayward souls of a pharaoh. As a result of Osiris' act, the realms are in chaos and his old nemesis Apophis is threatening to return. At first convinced by Sekhmet to destroy the Earth in order to keep Apophis from returning, he instead decides to challenge the young pharaoh and his guardians to see if they are worthy of saving Earth. In truth, Ra knows Apophis' only means back to Earth is via Rapses' soul and thus aims to see if Presley is good enough to fend off evil. He also aims to test the mummies against their patron gods to see if Osiris was out of line trying to reclaim them.

Amenhotep

Former pharaoh of Egypt and father of Rapses, Amenhotep was the last of his line when he was sacrificed by Scarab. He often looked down on his son for his infirmity and was more preoccupied with conflict against the Nubia than with his son's progress. His soul is claimed by Apophis who desired both father and son but was denied by Rapses premature death. As of the third season, he is resurrected early on by Scarab in order to serve as a temporary vessel for Apophis.

Horus

God of combat and Ja-Kal's patron god.

Bastet

Goddess of cats and Nefertina's patron god

Wadjet

Goddess of medicine and Rath's patron god

Khnum

God of farming and fertility and Armon's patron god

Season three ends with Presley being anointed by Ra as the new pharaoh of Earth. No longer able to claim Rapses' soul, Apophis misses his chance to be reborn back into the mortal world and is destroyed by Presley using Ra's power. Caught in the blast, Scarab and Heka are also destroyed. Unfortunately, by becoming Pharaoh the pact that keeps the mummies alive is complete, and Anubis is called to bring them to the afterlife. Freed from Apophis, Amenhotep and Rapses reunite and reconcile before also crossing. Presley remains on Earth, but due to studying books left behind by Scarab, he summons the mummies back for one night to celebrate his 17th birthday.

[for-dramas-sake]

My Final Thoughts on The Starry Love

Best drama of the year. Calling it right now. I'll even go on a limb and say this is the best fantasy drama ever. There I said it. And yes, I do think it's better than 10 Miles AND Ashes of Love.

(runs away from the vegetables thrown by fans)

Okay, now that the haters are gone, I can speak freely.

The best thing about this drama was its characters. They all were developed well and acted well. What makes a drama go round? It's characters. I can't complain about a single one, well, maybe Qingheng for being too hung up on a plant he watered, but I'll try not to dwell on that. If the character was bad, you hated him or her; if they were good, you loved them.

This drama brought in and showcased some of the best acting talent in the c-drama industry. Yes, I'm referring to Chen Xingxu who proved how amazing he is! He played 2 versions of 1 character and 3 other characters! I'm wowed by him. I should say I'm continued to be wowed by him, because I saw him in Goodbye My Princess and Fall in Love and both times he was fantastic.

Landy Li *chef's kiss* also amazing talent! She gave the troublemaker Yetan such heart and fun quirks you can't help but love her. She had different facets to her character that were slowly developed or revealed over time and Landy Li did amazing with her growth.

Her chemistry with Chen Xingxu is undeniable. They played off each other for quirky comedy scenes and then really came together for the romantic or angsty scenes. Plus, they looked really good together.

He Xuanlin who played Qingkui and Luke Chen who played Chaofeng were new talent that I hadn't noticed before and now my eyes are glued on them. Who else wants the 2 couples to pair up again in the same drama in the future? (raises hand)

All the side characters were either fun when they should have been or nasty as they were. Applause to everyone. AND A shoutout to Cao Bo who played Haichou! He was the most fun side character I had seen in a while. He wasn't just the sidekick to the male lead, but he was fun, rude and sassy!

Moving onto the story: Overall was a 10 out of 10. I was engaged from the beginning and not once was I not interested. There was excellent pacing and when things did slow down, I wasn't bored. How many dramas have we watched something, and we lose focus? Not in this drama! I mostly attribute this to the characters. Like I said before: they were all interesting and that keeps the viewers engaged.

A note on the ending: This kind of open ending has been done too many times for my liking. I haven't read the story, but I intend to. Even if the book had an open ending like this, I interpret the tree as the stage BEFORE the twins are reborn. I'm an optimist!

I can walk away from this drama and be satisfied with it, but still hope that one day we'll see a mini episode of what happened afterwards.

I think Chaofeng and Qingkui deserved better, writing wise. Qingkui became a side character, but there were episodes where she did practically nothing and even Chaofeng at the end was reduced to a mere handful of scenes. We were rooting for them for most of the show until the end and Qingkui became a sentient flower and Chaofeng was left to mourn her. I was disappointed with that, being honest.

The music and sound were also very good. This may not seem like a big deal, but I never once skipped the opening song or ending song. They were both beautifully epic or beautifully sad. And there were some instrumentals that were gorgeous. My top pick: the music in episode 37 when Youqin and Yetan are sparring.

The effects were gorgeous! It was on par with the Love between Fairy and Devil. I'm not an expert on this so I won't say too much. My only complaint was the overuse of the filters/ lense flares. There were some scenes where I was peering around hazy objects or blinded by lights.

In the end, I loved this show despite the nitpicking. I want to rewatch and revisit all of the emotions I felt over the course of watching this show. I loved that I could make fun of the show and have fun. It wasn't too sappy or too stupid and lately cdramas have been falling into those categories. So happy to see this drama rose above it all to be the best fantasy drama.

[chaikathink]

Arifureta Volume 13

The final volume! I really tore through this series and I liked it! I'm on that isekai light novel grind. I can read isekai LN just fine, but I can't stand watching them. Maybe being able to read through the bullshit is easier than having to sit down for 23 minutes an episode and deal with the girls squirming all over a guy or dense MC bullshit. Right before this I finished Mushoku Tensei and I liked it but neither that nor this have dense spineless MC, Rudy knows what he wants, most of the time, and Hajime is very enjoyable. Him and Yue get together volume 1 and there's no bullshit that's the pairing and it's a really strong pairing. That pairing does turn into like a lot more than a pair but oh well. Which leads me to my thoughts:

The harem got way too crazy at the end, I would not mind the main 4 girls (and maybe Shizuku she's cool) but I don't think Aiko-chan-sensei and Liliana were needed.

Ehitruje was like if A Realm Reborn Lahabrea was the final boss and that was it. He was annoying and pretty evil, but I also think our chuuni lover author was playing Shadowbringers while writing the finale.

Hajime is very swag and cool and can do anything! So awesome. It was a lot of asspull but not really, Hajime really worked to do all the bullshit he does, and it is impressive. It feels earned, I liked that, even if he's OP.

I'm glad Endou-kun got some spotlight. Ever since one bonus story described him and Hajime playing ping pong together I wanted them to be friends. It was fun for vampire Hajime to think Endou's blood smelled the most delicious and I think Endou should have joined the harem. Actually, no harem just Hajime x Endou.

I wish Kaori didn't join the harem off screen. We got more discussion of Aiko and Hajime having sex than Kaori and Hajime doing anything romantic. A big shame I like Kaori.

I really liked this series. I think I will watch the OVA with the Liberators and Hajime's gang. I hope the after story gets published I wanted more interactions with the gang in our world, especially meeting Hajime's parents. No breaks I was reading this every day from start to finish. I don't know what I'll read next but it will probably be more junk food. I'll try to pick a finished series. Maybe I'll finish Lazy Dungeon Master.