#blades of destruction and clan

[angela-the-fox]

My cosplay as Kratos from God of War.

The fun fact that i drew a cool and badass version of Kratos, in God of War 1 and my own designed chained blades, known as Blades of Destruction and Clan. Including that i made my own therian-like symbol of the God of War logo. Especially the burning flames in the background on the top hills from the place called Hades of Hell.

[leiandroid]

yakuza au

ok fam this au is now separated from my previous inohina yakuza/bratva au. had to fly the girls back to japan and they got a whole new backstory ! big wall of text incoming ↓↓↓

-- uchiha clan

a clan that was once powerful but was slowly eating itself from the inside. rife with internal conflict and distrust, key figures sought to strengthen the clan and each had an idea of how to bring about that change, though no two could come to an agreement on a single method. tensions amongst the ranks began to fracture the uchiha.

taking advantage of the power struggle, madara, with the hopes of seizing total control, ignites a spark that quickly turns into a bloodbath. many low level thugs employed by the uchiha flee the compound as each key figure and their loyal followers battle it out until so few are left standing it could barely be called a clan anymore.

the power vacuum left behind by the dissolution of the uchiha has created an extremely volatile environment in the crime world as different yakuza families seek to claim the uchiha’s previously held operations and territory.

-- hebi

sick of the endless politics and weakening bonds amongst the clan, sasuke left to forge his own path. as punishment for leaving the clan itachi takes his eye.

he had never expected that the power struggles within the uchiha would lead to a massacre. so when he heard about the bloodbath occurring inside the uchiha compound, he rushed home to save his parents from a grim fate. but was too late when he witnessed itachi kill them by his own blade.

sasuke quickly enacted revenge by killing itachi and when the dust settled and madara emerged as victor, sasuke turned his blade on him too and snuffed out the flame of the uchiha forever.

karin is an ex-cop that was the uchiha's informant within the police. she brokers deals and negotiations on behalf of sasuke. she is his mouthpiece, so to speak.

sasuke is also seeking two who were once allies/friends. suigetsu who had always dreamed to join the seven swordsmen's guild, and juugo a talented and brutal fighter who dominates the underground fighting scene.

together he hopes to form a small mercenary group for hire.

-- inoshikacho alliance / inoshikacho rengo

one of the first yakuza family alliances ever made going back generations. inoshin yamanaka, chosuke akimichi and shikanazai nara where the first of each clan to join the families into an alliance that has since become one of the strongest and long-lasting alliances in yakuza history.

at the age of 25 each member of the alliance is to have at least two children to ensure the next generation of the inoshikacho alliance grow up together and are trained to take on the mantle for the sake of the alliance's future. this also ensures that at least 3 generations are alive at any one time (if they don't meet an early grave that is).

the yamanaka run brothels, which act as a communication and information network. every girl is hand picked by ino or by trusted subordinates and trained in the art of seduction and information gathering. the yamanaka have large underground garden operations that cultivate plants for poisons with all kinds of effects and traceability, from the quick and painless to the slow and destructive.

akimichi control entertainment districts, money laundering operations and run the largest underground fighting scene. money flowing in and out of casinos and other avenues are fully controlled by the akimichi.

the nara are drug traffickers that control market price and distribution.

-- hyuuga clan / hyuuga kai

the strongest and most notorious yakuza in all of japan. their efficiency in all that they do make them a fierce clan. when the clanhead was found dead, many other groups thought this was finally the crack in the hyuuga shield and made moves to try and see if they could challenge their authority. but the second daughter stepped into place and ordered everyone in within a certain radius of the hyuuga estate dead.

if they thought hyuuga hiashi was a ruthless leader, hanabi, in one day alone, managed to put herself up as one of the deadliest and horrifying yakuza leaders in recent history.

their efficiency in the business and economics sector, as well as having ties within governmental and political bodies, makes them a very powerful clan with many branching factions reaching far and wide across the country.

someone, somewhere, always answers to a hyuuga.

-- neji hyuuga (tian)

after hizashi failed to protect the hyuuga leader's eldest daughter, he had to pay with his life in front of his only son.

watching his father commit seppuku and then swiftly beheaded by hiashi in front of the elders and close family, stuck with neji his whole life. he made a silent vow to exact revenge on hiashi. the bitterness in his heart made living amongst the hyuuga a slow acting poison. his hate for hiashi became stronger than his love for his father and he could never look upon a picture of hizashi anymore because his face was the face of his enemy.

neji bided his time for years and years until one fateful night he murdered hiashi in cold blood and fled the hyuuga estate. he made his way towards mainland china with some aid from a contact in the chinese triads. he disappeared for many years living amongst a guild of killers and started going by the name tian.

his next order of business was to find the abducted daughter that caused the death of his father and kill her himself.

-- hinata hyuuga (makoto)

the abducted hyuuga heir, taken from the hyuuga clan at a very young age. makoto lives her life as a simple woman, adopted by an elderly couple in the countryside, unaware of who she is or where she comes from.

when a 'chinese' man that bears an uncanny resemblance to her shows up at her cottage one day, calling her a name that does not belong to her, her life is flipped on its head and she finds herself plunged into the underbelly of society.

-- chinese triads / pirates

tenten is a weapons smuggler. though she is affiliated with the chinese triads, she smuggles and trades weapons for anyone that buys them, as her true loyalty is to money.

tenten's operations are done by sea and she has control over a small fleet of boats that answer to her. other than a port owned by the triads, she has claimed a small remote island as her home and base of operations.

she was also neji's contact that helped him sail the seas to mainland china after he murdered hiashi.

-- korean mafia

kiba is an animal trafficker. he acquires exotic animals for their ivory/fur/leather as well as selling them alive to the wealthy for their collections and keeps.

he has sold exotic birds to the yamanaka for their gardens. gathered all manner of cervidae antlers from around the world for the nara's collection. has captured the most venomous snakes known to mankind for several organisations, including certain individuals of the uchiha family. has also sold a number of species of animals for tenten for her island.

he is generally in good graces with all kinds of people/groups due to his connections and ability to acquire the even the most endangered and rare species in the world.

-- suna siblings

kankuro and temari own a small medical clinic. kankuro is a general family doctor. people come to him for check-ups and simple treatments and minor operations. temari handles all the logistics, and appears as the clinic's secretary. they have 3 nurses: matsuri, yukata, mikoshi.

kankuro is also a certified surgeon and operates on all sorts of gang members in the hidden basement operation room. matsuri has been trusted to help kankuro with these operations when needed. their practice offers complete discretion and the clinic has become off-bounds for any gang violence, even if rivalling groups happen to meet each other on the premises. they enter a truce for as long as they are within a certain radius of the clinic.

the brother and sister duo are a respected, unaffiliated group, and they also use their operations to get clues on their brother's whereabouts.

gaara was kidnapped at a young age and was tortured to the point that psychosis was induced. he is held in the same place as juugo and both are used in fights that many come to pay dearly to watch and bet on.

-- police

with his parents killed and taken from his home, naruto was raised by a gang who kidnaps boys to beat and torture, and train them into savage fighters. he dreamed for a life where he could see the sun and the sea, to eat a hot bowl of ramen once again.

when a police investigation finally bore fruit, naruto was rescued from the place. he was taken in by iruka, one of the cops, and eventually followed in his footsteps. he made a promise that he would find and save the redhead that had once clung to him down in those dark cells.

tsunade is chief of police. sai is a detective. lee is a chinese detective commissioned by the chinese police to go to japan to work alongside the tokyo metropolitan police dept to follow the chinese triads operations in japan. (or is it the hosting country that commissions?? anyway) a number of jonin from naruto are also police including: kakashi, yamato, genma, anko, etc etc.

-- sakura

sakura is the head of a large hospital that was once tied up with the uchiha who used her as an in for smuggling medical supplies. she was called upon as their emergency doctor to treat key figures when needed.

upon hearing about their massacre she felt total relief that the family threatening her life were finally gone. she thought she was free from them when a certain uchiha and 2 others showed up at her door demanding treatment.

she can't say she was happy to be back in such a predicament but it seemed that this uchiha didn't have a penchant for threatening her life as his family did. and for selfish reasons, she was okay with this arrangement.

-- the aburame

a family of assassins. their efficiency and untraceable methods make them a highly coveted group of hitmen whose services are sold to the highest bidder. the aburame have close ties with the yamanaka of the inashikacho alliance as they outsource some of their poisons from the yamanaka gardens.

even though the yamanaka, akimichi, and nara families formed an alliance generations ago, this agreement between the yamanaka and aburame remains a secret from the rest of the alliance.

the aburame are a completely neutral party and the yamanaka understands this. to pay for their secrecy and treachery towards their sworn brothers, the yamanaka accept that if a hit were ordered against their own, it wouldn't affect their business with the aburame.

if u read all this many hugs and kisses mwah

[venerawrites]

I saw the post where the anon asked for relationship hdcs for before/after the war this morning and I wanted to ask for something similar but make it sort of a spin-off where they broke off bc of his toxic behavior pre-war and then they meet again after it? I hope the anon don't mind me LOLOL i just loved the idea

author's note: I love the exes-to-lovers trope and I was about to go with that at first, but then I decided it's better if I kind of leave it with more of an open ending x For anyone wondering the post anon is talking about, the headcanons this imagine is based on. Hope you enjoy! <3

Loving him was never meant to be easy.

In fact, you often felt like it is shameful. He was cold and cruel, with heart poisoned by hatred. His desire for revenge has become a scary obsession, one which was pushing him closer and closer toward the edge of his sanity every single day.

People were scared of him, you knew that. "The Demon with the Red Eyes", they called him. His name had become a forbidden curse, one that should never be mentioned out loud or it may summon his presence from the shadows. Parents hugged their children close when he walked down the dirty village roads and merchants lowered their heads, hoping he would pass by without a glance. He had became a legend of fear, a nightmare in the shape of a man.

Once upon a time the village you lived in was a peaceful haven - tucked away in the mountains, it was one of the few places where there were no ninjas. Instead of warriors, the people here were craftsmen - they were born and taught to create, not destruct. Blacksmiths forged fine blades from rare metals, making some of the highest-quality weaponry anyone can own. Weavers produced fabrics, so beautiful, every village and clan leader across the lands wanted their garments made from them to show their status and wealth. Over the years, these talents had secured not only peaceful relationships with other villages and nations, but also provided protection to the locals from the turmoil of the outside world.

Rogue ninjas rarely passed by and even when they did, they were not interested in attacking or stealing. They knew that destructing one of the main providers of materials to all the nations would bring only trouble, one that is not worth the headache if you are already a wanted criminal.

But nothing good can last forever and for your village the end of the peaceful times came in the form of Sasuke Uchiha.

It was a late summer night when you found him heavily bleeding on the forest ground near your house. Thinking back, you should've paid more attention to the small crest on the back of his shirt, before you dragged him back to your house. Because barely an hour passed before you found yourself pressed against the wall, the cold metal of his sword barely scraping the delicate skin of your neck.

"Give me one reason I should spare your life", he said calmly, yet his crimson red eyes narrowed as he stared you down. It was then the realisation of who you actually brought home hit you.

"Because I spared yours...", you breathed out, your voice barely above a whisper. Your answer seemed to amuse him and he let out a loud snort, his head leaning to one side. Not only you didn't beg for your life, but you also seemed to find the confidence to provide cheeky answers.

The boy didn't say anything else and you closed your eyes when you felt his blade pressing slightly harder against your skin, making a small cut. Before it can actually harm you, however it retreated completely. You stood there panting, one of your hands immediately moving toward your neck, wiping the small drop of blood that was slowly running down to your collarbone.

When you opened your eyes again, he was gone.

Months passed, yet the memory of that brief interaction haunted you like a ghost. There was something about him, something you couldn't really place your finger on, that allured you like a moth to a flame. Growing up hearing the rumours of a powerful Leaf Shinobi, who abandoned his home and his friends to seek power so he can kill his brother, you have always imagined him as big, scary, monster-like human. Someone who can justify the horror stories the people told about him.

The boy that you brought to your house, however, was too... perfect. His eyes glowed like rubies, making your breath hitch in awe, rather than fear. His skin, despite being covered with small scars and cuts, looked too soft to be one of a warrior. He was beautiful, no denial about that, but the aura of his presence was what mesmerized you. It was unlike anyone you've ever met before. It was powerful, demanding your whole attention and making you feel almost unsignificant in comparison.

Two seasons passed before you found him laying on your couch after you came back home from work, his white shirt painted red from the flowing blood from his abdomen. He didn't even bother to look at you when he heard you gasp and drop the bag with groceries on the floor, instead acknowledging your presence only with a few simple words:

"I need stiches."

Your mouth opened, intending to argue that you are not a healer, but before any sound could come out, your eyes met his and something inside of you broke. His gaze, as black as night, looked like he was silently pleading with you - something he had no guts to do out loud. Before you could think twice about the potential consequences of saving him a second time, you rushed to grab your medical box and sat on the floor before him, starting to delicately work on his skin. He guided you through the process with low voice, his rough fingers wrapping around yours when he noticed them shaking before scolding you for not keeping steady.

"If I knew you were so incompetent with simple tasks that even a child could do, I wouldn't have wasted my time coming here."

One thing about Sasuke is that he was not the type of man to spare your feelings. In fact, with time you noticed the he was taking extra minute before saying something, almost as if he carefully weighting and choosing the words that would sting the most. He seemed to find a certain dose of pleasure in it, his lips barely twitching upwards when you fire back insults at him, telling him he knows where the door is.

Yet time and time again, he found his way back to you. Of course, it was never accompanied by an apology for the way he treated you. He was not the type to apologize or admit fault. Instead, his visits were always paired with a demand. "Heal me", he would command you, before throwing his sword and shirt to the side; or "Let me stay for a while, I need to rest", before entering through the door uninvited. Your home has become a place of solitude, one where he could forget the pain, the lust for blood and the constant headache of having to deal with his old teammates from Konoha, even if it was for few days.

You were not one to hold back against his sharp tongue, matching his words with equal fire. "Ungrateful prick", you would say loud enough for him to hear after he sought your help once again after he was wounded, "This is the last time I am taking care of your stupid ass. Next time I am letting you bleed out on the front porch! I don't care!"

But you did care and it was never 'the last time', no matter how many times you repeated it. And the cycle continued: sharp words would be followed by mutual frustrations and him disappearing for a few weeks, before he found himself entering through the front door once again. You try to convince yourself you hated him, yet you kept leaving your home unlocked, a silent invitation for him to keep reappearing into your life.

It would've been easier to cut him out forever, if it wasn't for the rare glimpses of softness he showed you. The moments when his guard dropped, even if it was just for a bit, revealing that behind his cold exterior, he was just one broken boy. The way he would subtly press his cheek against the palm of your hand when you clean the wounds of his face, silently seeking your warmth and comfort. They way his eyes would soften while he listens to you ramble on and on about the rainy weather which makes it impossible for you to go and work out in your garden. The way he fixed random stuff in your house, after your complained you couldn't really work well with a hammer or that one of the chairs was wobbling, yet the local handyman was too busy to come and take a look.

These moments, so rare, yet significant to you, made it impossible to break this toxic circle you both found yourselves into. Slowly, he became such a constant in your life that it was impossible to even imagine not having him around. He had his own shelf in the wardrobe, where a few of his shirts were folded neatly, though he never explicitly asked you for a place to keep his things. His cup always sat turned upside down near the sink and he often brought "souvenirs" - random, odd trinkets - from his travels across the villages, carefully placing them on the small wooden rack next to the fireplace.

And in a weird way, you didn't mind. Instead, you found yourself doing small acts of care for him, things he never asked or expected you to do. You planted a small corner of your garden with tomato seeds, just for him, so he can have fresh food whenever he visited. You packed cooked meals for him and his teammates, despite never meeting them. You washed his clothes and folded them, so they were ready to be used next time he came. You adapted to his small habits like waking up at five o'clock every single morning and having jasmine tea for breakfast, so it was always ready by time he finishes his morning training.

The balance you managed to strike between the words of resentment and the gestures of gentleness was as delicate as a thread about to snap. You knew it cannot last forever, not when you were witnessing him falling deeper and deeper into the darkness of his own hatred. The closer he was to finding and killing Itachi, the further he drifted from the Sasuke you knew. But you clung to the hope it is not too late for him, that once he had this final battle he was preparing for so long, he would be free of the rage that consumed him and would see that the peace he so badly wanted, could not be achieved by spilling blood.

But that same battle turned out to be the beginning of the end. For both of the little sanity he had left and of the whatever bond you had between you.

When he came to your house that night, you almost did not recognize him. Not because he was covered in dirt and dried blood, because at this point you were used to seeing him like this, but because you have never seen tears in his eyes before. His battered body collapsed in your arms and for the first time, he opened the gates to his past and told you all about his family. In the past he has mentioned bits and pieces, but never the full story. Between shuddering breaths, he recounted memories from his childhood - the playful afternoons with his mother, the training sessions with his father and brother and memories of that one night that turned his whole life upside down.

"Everything I believed, it all turned to be a lie... I..", the words fell like broken whimpers from his mouth, not forming full sentences, yet you knew better than to answer. You just held him in your arms, letting him pour all his pain, frustration and guilt, hoping that this would ease the weight of the burdens he'd carried for so long.

But what you thought was a light in the end of the tunnel turned out to be flashing red warning of what was to come. The idea of revenge persisted, this time against his former home and its leaders. His words became sharper, his presence colder and there seemed to be a new fire of hatred burning inside of him, one brighter than before. The rare glimpses of care and protectiveness that he has shown to you before, now spiraled into unhealthy paranoia of someone coming after you.

"What exactly are you doing?", you asked one day when you came home only to find him pulling your clothes out of the wardrobe and putting them into a leather bag.

Sasuke didn't even spare you a glance, his jaw tight as he continued packing with swift, urgent moves. His hair was sticking in different directions and he had dark bags under his eyes, indicator of the many nights he spend laying in bed wide awake.

"You are coming with me."

These five words caused a shiver to run down your spine. Without thinking, you lunged forward, gripping his wrist mid-air as he was reaching to pull more of your belongings. His head turned sharply toward you, his eyes narrowing as a warning for you to back off.

"Sasuke, just stop!", you snap, retreating your hand but still standing your ground, "Tell me what is going on!"

The young Uchiha stared at you for a minute, his gaze boring into yours, before he let out a loud scoff and turned his attention back to packing. He was just about to reach for a pile of your shirts, when you slapped his wrist away, annoyed at how he seemed to ignore not only your words, but your whole presence.

"Sasuke, I said stop! I am not going anywhere!"

Your words hung in the air, firm and final. He turned toward you, making a small step in your direction so you were chest to chest. You could feel the heat radiating from him and for a moment the whole room felt too small, almost as if shrunk with the intensity of his inner fury.

"I am not asking you", he hissed through gritted teeth. Before you can reply, his fingers found their way to your jaw, gripping at as he held your gaze with his, "You are coming with me, whether you like it or not. It's not safe for you here."

The pressure of his grip made you wince, while your hands pressed against his chest, trying to push him away. But he was always bigger and stronger than you, and while you have spent countless nights admiring his physique, now you cursed his strength and size.

The darkness of his eyes transformed into glowing red, his silent way of showing that he meant what he was saying.

He was not about to leave you here, not when you belonged to him.

"Sasuke!", you cried out, pressing against his chest with more force, but he remained unmoving, "Stop! You're hurting me."

Your words seemed to fall on deaf ears, his grip on your jaw tightening. His thumb brushed against your bottom lip and you gulped at the feeling, your whole body tensing one he pressed his forehead against yours.

"Don't you understand?", he asked, frustrated at the way you pushed him away. His voice was laced with a mix of desperation and annoyance, the volume of it rising with each word he spoke.

"I'm doing this for you, for US", he stressed on the last word, his head moving just an inch away so he can look into your eyes again, "They will come for you! They will use you as leverage against me and I can't-"

"Freaking hell, who is they? What are you talking about?"

The questions seemed to annoy him and instead of loosing his hold on you, he fingers dug tighter, almost as if he was scared you may slip between them.

"Who is they?", he growled, shaking his head, "It's freaking everyone! All the villages, their leaders, every damn rogue ninja out there who is after the bounty on my head... they will all come after you! I can't let that happen! I WON'T let that happen."

With both hands gripping the front of his shirt, you finally relaxed in his grip and allowed yourself to actually look at him.

And then your heart clenched in fear. It wasn't because you were scared of his dark predictions or the possibility of any of his enemies getting to you. No. What you were scared of was that after seeing the way his body shook and heard how his voice trembled, you had to accept the one truth you tried to run from for a very long time.

That the the man you fell in love with was no longer there . The Demon with the Red Eyes was all that remained.

With one final, stronger push you managed to free yourself from his hold and you didn't waste even a second in putting some distance between you. Your hand moved to your face, rubbing the sore skin while you held your eyes glued to the floor.

Even the sight of him was too much to bear at this moment.

"Stop resisting and just listen to me-", he tried to reason with you, but his attempt did nothing more than make you sick in the stomach.

"Stop, just stop!"

"I am trying to protect you-"

"You can't protect me from yourself!"

The words felt like a slap to the face and he stumbled a step back, his face twisting into a hurt expression. It was a look you've seen only once, almost two months ago when he cried in your arms after killing Itachi, one that you thought you may never see again. It pained you too, seeing him so fragile and knowing you were the reason for his disappointment and distress.

But just as quickly it showed, it was gone and replaced with his usual mask of coldness.

"You think you need protection.. from me?", his tone was even, laced with irritation as he studied you from the opposite corner of the room. His fists clenched, the urge to just grab you and drag you with him getting stronger and stronger. He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear the answer to the question, not when he already knew the answer was a positive one.

"I thought...", you managed to say before closing your mouth again and moving your head to the side. The heaviness of his gaze felt like a unbearable weight on your shoulders, one which could crush you any second now.

"You thought what?", he pressed, his head tilting to the side, "What did you think, huh? That I would stay in this silly cottage in the middle of nowhere and garden vegetables all day long? That I would just forgive and forget the people who put not only me, but also my brother through hell? The people who took everything from me?"

You watched him walk closer, shortening the safe distance you've put between you just a few moments ago. Was this what you thought? Was this what you wanted? To be honest you didn't know... The fragile illusion of your domestic cozy life, accompanied by you falling in love with the idea of someone who you thought you knew, had shattered so quickly, that you didn't know what you thought. Or wanted.

Perhaps it was your fault. You invited a monster into your life and now the consequences of your actions finally caught to you. Was there really anyone to blame but yourself?

After a minute, you managed to gather your thoughts and you looked up at him, forcing your gaze to meet his despite the overwhelming desire to just turn around and run as far as possible from him.

"I thought that there may still be hope for you", you said, your head weakly shaking from side to side, "But I was wrong. You are too far gone... and I can't let you drag me with you."

Sasuke remained silent, his red eyes studying your face, searching for any signs of insecurity, any crack in your resolve. And when he found nothing, he couldn't help but clench his fists by his side. For a moment you thought he may lash out at you, but instead, he simply turned his back to you, walking toward the door with heavy steps.

"You've always been like this", he said flatly, stopping once his hand reached the doorknob, "Naive, stupid little thing... thinking the world is just flowers and goodness. Living in your little pink bubble and having no idea of how the real world works."

His voice sounded like a snake's hiss, low, yet venomous, each word dripping with disdain. He stood there for a few more seconds and you saw the muscles of his back tensing under his shirt. But when you thought he will turn around and say something else, you were met with nothing but his retreating figure, followed by the loud slam of the door.

He was gone. And this time, the cycle was broken.

.

7 years later, after the war...

.

Fate is a funny thing.

Growing up, you thought you would never leave your home village, let alone wander across unknown lands and dipping your toes into unknown cultures. After all, with so much cruelty and bloodshed happening, why would you leave your safe home?

Unlike many others, your village flourished during the war - the fine weapons the locals produced were in a high demand and the orders for them came one after the other. Business boomed, and what had once been a quiet place untouched by the chaos of the outside world, suddenly became a hub of activity. And while the people tried to continue their lives as normal, it was a fact that the village was now a central player on the global chessboard.

The decision to leave such a place during a time of conflict was not an easy one - this was your home, the only security you had. But seeing the people you loved and cherished create weapons, used to further fuel the war happening beyond the village walls, has shifted something inside of you and the way you looked at the world. Maybe all this time, Sasuke was right, and you did indeed lived in your own pink bubble.

The times were unforgiving, the people as well. The Uchiha frequent visits did not go unnoticed by the locals, especially toward the end of your "relationship" when they were happening every few days. As expected, none of them was willing to show any sympathy toward him or you, for that matter. The reputation that preceded Sasuke has always been tainted by his past and soon that reputation threw its shadow onto you as well.

Within a few months after he left forever, you were no longer viewed with the same regard as you once had been. Whispers followed you in the streets, and eyes watched you with suspicion, but always behind your back. The once warm greetings were replaced with cold indifference, and the stall where you continued to sell your vegetables for a while turned from one of the most crowded places on the Sunday market into an abandoned wooden table covered with your fresh produce that nobody wanted.

It hurt. You were once a part of this community and some of the people felt like family. Like the baker Pow, who always made sure to add olive oil and some lemon juice to at least one of his breads, because he knew this was how you liked them. Or the shoemaker Nara, who always made the same model of shoes for your birthday since you were ten and at this point it was some sort of a joke between you two.

But now these people had cut you off, leaving you alone with nothing but memories of what it feels to belong to something. The people you had grown up with, shared meals with, confided in, had now become strangers.

Sasuke Uchiha shattered not only your heart, but your whole life.

And were left with no choice but to leave.

Ironically, that turned out one of the best things that ever happened to you. You met many people during your travels and picked up many different skills. Your knowledge about plants has landed you the opportunity to work under the supervision of well-known botanists, exposing you the real wonders of the world. Under their mentorship you grew as rapidly as a flower - you hungrily soaked knowledge and cultivated it, eager to one day have your name known alongside those experts who you looked up to.

New friendships were formed and new loves were experienced along the way. Life still had ups and downs, but you were more confident now, more resilient, and better equipped to handle whatever came your way. The future was full of surprises, ones that you often embraced with open arms. Every day was different and you were always eager to see what the next one would bring.

What you didn't expect, however, was for fate to meet you with the last Uchiha once again.

It happened when you least anticipated it, in the most ordinary of places. You traveled to a remote village to assist one of your mentors in delivering a lecture about herbs that can be used in medicine at the local academy. This was your life now: sharing your knowledge, working alongside brilliant minds and helping inspire young students to follow the same steps. And while you usually didn't pay attention to the faces in the crowd, too focused on delivering your presentation, the onyx eyes you used to love so much were impossible to miss.

Sasuke stood in the same corner throughout the whole session, not daring to approach you till the end, when it was only you and him left in the room.

"You are hard to find", he stated, the faintest ghost of a smile playing on his lips. He looked different - older, for sure, but also with calmer and more mature aura. He was dressed in all dark and his hair was longer, covering one of his eyes.

"But you still did", you stated blankly, turning your attention back to putting the jars of dried herbs in your bag.

"I've had to do my research."

The words hung between you, as he lingered behind you, silently watching you putting away your stuff. Just like him, you have changed. There was no trace of the fiery, yet insecure young farmer that had saved his life so many times years ago. Instead, now you stood proud and confident before him, a testament to all you’d endured and achieved since those days.

After a few minutes of silence, you finally turned around to face him.

"What are you doing here?"

His gaze held yours, his eyes softening just the tiniest bit as he followed the lines of your face. Gazing at the person he had dreamed about for so many years felt almost too good to be true ... and for a moment he needed to just take it in, make sure you were really there before him.

The man lifted his left arm to reach for his bag and this was the moment you noticed it was the only one he had. You tried not to stare, but your throat involuntarily stiffened at the sight. Sasuke Uchiha, the strongest man you've ever met, the inspiration that has inspired so many legends across the land, had suffered a loss just like many other during the war. Another reminded that he was just a human, like the rest of the world.

He must have noticed your staring, because the moment he pulled one of the books you co-written with another botanist, he adjusted his cloak and hid the front of his body from view.

"I've read your book", he placed the book on the desk between you. His eyes moved a few times between the cover and your face, trying to find the right words to express the storm of feelings that was brewing inside his chest after seeing you for so long. Funny how on the way here he thought about all the things he wanted to say if he actually find you, yet now he was now unable to mutter even a word more.

"Thank you?", you raised a brow, unsure how to respond.

Sasuke has always been a man of action rather than one of words. In the past, you learned how to read the smallest twitches and movements of his body in order to guess what he is thinking. But as you watched him now, all nervous and unable to hold your gaze for more than few seconds, you felt like you were looking at a stranger.

"I am sorry", his suddenly said and you felt your breath hitch. You blinked a few times in surprise, unsure if you had heard correctly.

He lifted his eyes to look at you, before clearing his throat:

"I am sorry I treated you the way I did. I am sorry I was so blinded by my anger and hate to actually listen to you. I am sorry I left", with each word you felt your chest getting tighter and heavier with all the emotions you had thought you buried long ago.

"The thing I am most sorry about is that I couldn't protect you... from me."

The wound you thought has healed a long time ago was wide open again and you had to grab the edge of the desk to keep yourself from collapsing before him. Never have you even hoped to see him again, let alone hear him apologize. It felt almost like a dream, and you had to blink a few times, just to make sure his appearance was not just a sick joke your mind has decided to play on you after a long day.

After waiting a few minutes for a response which never came, Sasuke let out a soft sigh, before making a few steps toward you. His fingers twitched, the need to reach out and touch you almost overwhelming, yet he held back.

"I am proud of you. You came far.."

The man offered you a small smile, one which you could not really return because of the state of shock you were still in. It all felt surreal, like a tsunami of unresolved feelings, memories and unsaid things hitting you all at once.

"You don't have to say anything", he said after noticing the struggle you faced in trying to convey your conflicted feelings into words, "I don't expect you to forgive me or to forget what I did to you. But I just... needed to see you. At least one last time."

He was just about to turn around, when your free hand reached for his arm and you wrapped your fingers around his wrist.

"Wait!"

He paused, turning his head to look at you. For a moment, you felt silly and vulnerable, unsure of why exactly did you stop him or what you should say to him.

"Don't go. Not yet. Just..."

Sasuke's expression shifted slightly and his features softened slightly as he gazed down at you. You could tell this was not the response he expected. Maybe deep down he hoped you were the same fiery person as before and that you would just throw a jar of dirt at his head for putting you through so much. Or that you would scream at him and just kick him out. Maybe that way it would be easier to actually cut the fragile thread of memories that still connected you. But you were not ready to do that yet.

"Would you help me pack the things back?", you nodded your head toward the bag of jars and pile of documents that were still sitting on the desk. As usual, your mentor decided to leave earlier, leaving all of the clearing up part to you.

"Maybe we can go to the local teahouse after. To catch up... for the old times' sake."

Your fingers withdrew from his arm and you took a step back, putting some distance between you. His one visible eye followed your figure and slowly he nodded his head.

Deep down you both knew that this may not be the best thing to do. You were both different people now, yet the memories of your shared time was bound to haunt both of you no matter how hard you tried to pretend it didn't happen. While you both grew and changed, he was not fully healed yet. And neither was you. You still had much to grow, to learn, to see.

Fate was indeed a funny thing. It intervened your paths before and for better or the worse, it was doing it again. And you couldn't really know if you should allow it, but who were you to get in its way? Perhaps this time it would be different. Or perhaps you would just go back in time, ending in the same position you found yourself seven years ago.

But as he stood next to you, silently organizing and packing the last few documents left on the desk, you knew you had to just allow life flow and embrace any change or challenge it threw in your way. Even if its name was Sasuke Uchiha.

cc artwork: Shan Yanan

[kurogxrix]

Ummm….this is my first time doing this but Is there any chance I can please request a ao’nung x dreamwalker shyreader, he’s deeply in love with her despite they’re already together. Like the whole and every clan especially the children adore her. Bonus: The sullys are surprised theirs a dreamwalker at the meytikayna clan, pretty cute that Jake and Neytiri sees themselves in ao’nung and her 💙💙💙

No Cap

Ao’nung x Metkayina!Avatar!reader

The strangers' arrivals in Awa’atlu didn't take much to shake confusion and interest within the Metkayina clan. A crowd of aqua skinned na’vis circled the omaticaya family as they dismounted their Ikrans, Toruk Makto and his family themselves presenting themselves before the people. 

Pushing their way through the crowd, Ao’nung and Rotxo arrived on scene. The duo was like salt and pepper, never one without the other. The fierce looks on their faces didn’t go unnoticed by the two Sully boys that greeted them, before it switched to a teasing one. God, it was bad already that everyone was staring at them like they were a bunch of forest freaks, and now the Olo’eyktan’s son was making fun of them too? 

Everything went quiet in Lo’ak’s head when he caught a glimpse of a certain Metkayina girl emerging from the water. She was beautiful, unlike any girl that he had ever seen before in the forest. Neteyam observed his brother before turning his head towards Tsireya, noticing another girl following close after. Gracefully as ever, Tsireya and you exited the waters that you loved so much to check an eye out on the large crowd of na’vis. Though you couldn’t yet feel the obnoxious stares of the strangers on you and your best friend, Ao’nung surely had. 

His nose bridge creased as the Sully boy’s eyes strayed on you for too long, but he refrained himself from baring his teeth just yet. Neteyam quickly looked away from you, not wanting to get on the boy’s bad side even more than he and his family already were. You yelped once you came close enough to Ao’nung, feeling him pull you by the arm and onto his side. 

Though Rotxo’s and Ao’nung’s name calling season of the two Sully brothers came to end due to Tsireya’s scolding. Their parents soon followed shortly on their respective skimwings. You swatted a hand at Ao’nung when he made fun of the family for flinching when the Olo’eyktan flew his creature above their heads, landing in the waters beside you all. Your boyfriend only playfully bared his teeth at you, chomping down onto nothing as it made a loud resonating sound. 

Your attention had been stolen away from Ao’nung by none other than his mother, the Tsahik Ronal. You winced internally as you knew that this poor family was about to pass through hell and back under the judgement of the Tsahik, because you had been there at first. You remember your arrival at Awa’atlu like no other, mostly due to the fact that Ronal had quite literally held you under the sharp blade of her spear.

It was scary, if not terrifying as the many eyes of the reef na’vi turnt towards you in hatred. Though the Metkayina had never faced the ruthless face of human destruction, stories from around the globe spread faster than ever. It took you long for you to stand where you now stood, but you were proud of yourself for getting through it. 

You heard Tsireya sigh from besides you as she watched her mother forcefully grasp the hand of the eldest daughter, bringing it up to her face for a better look. Though the crowd of reed na’vi didn’t shake until she moved towards the son. 

“These children are not even true na’vi, they have demon blood!” you felt your heart stop as Ronal lifted the youngest son’s hand up for the whole village to see, and their noises of displeasures made you cave into yourself. You looked down at the palms of your hands shamefully, your ears stuck to your skull. 

Though it doesn’t even take a minute for Ao’nung to notice your pity-party. He moved his 4 fingered hand to hold onto your 5 fingered one, his thumb rubbing circles over your back hand. You couldn’t stand to look up at him and into those awaiting eyes, because you knew that he’d just read you more than he already had. Ao’nung knew the ways into your heart way too well, and sometimes you cursed him internally for being such a good people-reader.

It was maybe also because you were too shy to meet his flaming gaze, but that’s a story for another time. A mere look from the boy was enough to stir deep feelings inside of your stomach, and it was the last thing that you needed for now as you watched the poor family with pity. You could only pray that Ronal would spare them her sympathy. 

You knew that the clan loved you, that they accepted you as one of their own. After all, whether they wanted it or not, your boyfriend was the chief’s son. You knew that somewhat, this feeling of insecurity was stupid, because the Metkayina didn’t  treat you as an outcast or as a reject. On the contrary, they trusted you with their children, which was already one big step in acceptance.

The children loved you, begged for you to come play with them everytime that you were spared from training. Yet, as you watched the omaticaya children being shamed for something that you relate to, you couldn’t help the feeling of gnawing pain in your chest. What was so different between you and them? For all you knew, you were closer to those ‘demons’ than they actually were, because at the end of the day, you were still human. 

You still needed to feed and bathe your human body as your avatar slept comfortably at night. You still needed an exopack when you were not in your na’vi body, and for all you knew, these children didn’t. 

You were cut off from your self-deprecating thoughts at the booming sound of Tonowari’s voice. He told the village to treat the Sullies well, to welcome them into their home land asif it were their own. Your heart visibly relaxed at the sound of it, and you knew that the distressed family would have a roof above their heads tonight and a warm meal to feed their stomachs. 

“My son Ao’nung, my daughter Tsireya will show your children what to do.” you felt your boyfriend’s hand being ripped away from yours as he moved before his father, trying to protest his way out of it. Though it was short lived as he was roughly scolded by Tonowari. 

“Their dear friends, Rotxo and Y/N will assist them with making you feel at home.” Everyone turnt to look at the both of you, and you coward under their eyes. It didn’t help that their mother looked all intimidating and irritated. You watched anxiously as Neytiri’s eyes widened subtly, and you could obviously see that she was gazing above your eyes. 

God how stupid were you to believe that they wouldn’t catch up to you in mere seconds. After all, her husband was an ex dreamwalker, and some of her children had inherited his odd traits. How could she not notice the weird hairs upon your brow bones, or the extra finger that you shared in common with her children. You soon curled into yourself as you realised that it was not only Neytiri that was staring rudely, but quite literally the whole strange family. 

Although you could understand where it was coming from, because you were pretty sure that your program had not been informed to all sectors of the main lab. Words must’ve never gotten through Jake Sully’s ears, because they were visibly raised in shock. He must’ve only been aware of omaticaya avatars around, you must have been the first Metkayina dreamwalker to ever be programmed. 

“Quit staring, more moving!” your boyfriend came to the rescue as his words shook the omaticaya family out of their staring trance. Ronal smiled proudly from the sidelines as she watched her son stand up to those Sullies, mostly because of her little hissing altercation with Neytiri earlier. 

You appreciated the attention being short lived as the family thanked the whole of you, missing no time in following Tsireya to their new home. God you could’ve pounced on your boyfriend on the spot for saving you from their prying eyes, but that wouldn’t make a good image of you infront of his mother now would it. 

“Cmon, let’s go help them settle. I’m sure that with arms this thin, they could use your help.” you tried to motivate him, holding softly onto his forearm as you turned him back to look at you. Your voice was low but you watched as his ears raised at your comment, clearly feeding at his ego as you compared him to the omaticaya boys. He smirked as he dragged you by the arm again, making you grin as you watched that smile rise on his face again.

His thick tail swooshed around the place, knocking your lower back as you both laughed it off. You bounced on the stretchy material of the bridge, hopping next to your boyfriend with a few woven bags upon your shoulders. 

-

“You good?” you heard the deep voice of your boyfriend next to you, turning your head around to be met with the beautiful sight of the bonfire kissing his skin. The orange hue enveloped his skin in a beautiful mix of colours, and you felt yourself going shy under his stare. 

Ao’nung looked down at your chest to see a child sleeping comfortably on you. More specifically, the youngest son of Ayka, a close friend of yours. He admired the way the boy fit perfectly into your arms, before swivelling his eyes back to you. Though this time you were not looking at him like you previously was, instead you were staring at the bonfire with that frown that he hated so much sprawled upon your face. 

“Don’t take what my mother has said to heart, y’know she doesn’t mean it.” His hand found yours alongside the back of the sleeping child, his hand visibly bigger than yours. Though you find it hard to believe when she said it with so much resentment. Her tone was practically thick and full of it, and you didn’t know who to listen to anymore. 

“She’s just trying to find ways to not make them stay, she’s just scared yawne,” you smile coyly at the nickname, trying to hide behind your free hand as Ao’nung was still holding the other down. The sound of his deep chuckle made your chest flutter.  “She’s scared for her people, for her family, and you’re part of it.” 

Ao’nung watched as you slowly crept your way out of the hand wall that you had built yourself, your round aqua eyes staring at him so innocently. “She loves you too, like a daughter of her own.” 

“And soon I'll make you her actual daughter-in-law,” he teased and your ears raised comically at his comment. You gasped mockingly at his part-crude comment as he referred to the both of you mating, but you both knew that it was too early for that. Soon the time will come for you both to move up to the next step, but for now you’d enjoy your youth a little more. Plus as much as much as Ao’nung would love to see you as his little wife waking up everyday next to him, he also knew that it was not the time yet. 

“No cap?” you asked, using one of the human slangs that you had learnt and shared with him. Though he hated anything related to the human species, he couldn’t help but love you in every shape and form. He knew that once you were out like a light, your avatar sleeping peacefully in his arms at night, you would have to wake up in your human body to take care of yourself.

Sometimes Ao’nung would even suck it up and visit you at your outpost. Though it wasn’t that hard for him to do, because there weren’t many humans at the Metkayina shack, just enough to help you to keep going. 

“No cap.” he repeats, though he doesn’t sound interested in what he’s saying at all. You craned your neck to look up at him, his free hand raising to rest comfortably on your cheek as the other one kept laying on the child’s back. Ao’nung crept his face closer to yours as his eyes kept on switching between your eyes and mouth. 

For once, you didn’t feel shy at all to make the first step. Inevitably it had shocked Ao’nung as you leaned all the way before he even could, pressing your lips against him in a soaring kiss. The warm hand on your cheek followed along. 

Your ears fluttered back as you melted into the kiss, turning your face to the side to catch more of him. Ao’nung was like a drug, you just couldn’t get him off your mind nor could you get enough of him. He was like a constant thought running wild at the back of your head, being constantly sought out. You can't really tell what you would do of yourself if one day he decided to up and go, but you’d enjoy what you have for now. 

Unbeknownst to the both of you, the child that was resting upon your chest had already risen from his slumber. The high pitched ‘Ew’ made you jump a little from surprise, quickly moving away from each other as the boy wiggled his way out of your arms. 

The previous thoughts that you had of Ao’nung possibly deciding to leave you one day completely vanished as he stared you down with that lovesick gaze. His eyes sparkled like no other when he looked at you, and you found yourself falling under a similar spell everytime that you would look at your boyfriend. 

-

i didn’t really know how to make the reader any shyer i’m so sorry anon😭 hope you liked it either ways!

[virginiaoflykos]

What to read after Light Bringer? (Series similar to Red Rising)

August 2023 update!

Red Rising is my favorite series of all time, and since I first read it, I have sought series and books similar in both spirit and execution. Some of these recs are books I haven’t read personally, but have often come up in discussions with other users!

1. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

Status: ongoing, expected 10 books in total, 4/10 out at the moment

Book 1: The Way of Kings. The Way of Kings takes place on the world of Roshar, where war is constantly being waged on the Shattered Plains, and the Highprinces of Alethkar fight to avenge a king that died many moons ago.

2. The Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone

Status: finished, 6/6 books out.

Book 1 (in publication order): Three Parts Dead. Comprised of 6 standalone books set in the same universe, the Craft Sequence tells the tales of the city of Alt Coulumb. The city came out of the God Wars with one of its gods intact, Kos the Everburning. In return for the worship of his people, Kos provides heat and steam power to the citizens of Alt Coulumb; he is also the hub of a vast network of power relationships with other gods and god-like beings across the planet. Oh, and he has just died. If he isn’t revived in some form by the turn of the new moon, the city will descend into chaos and the finances of the globe will take a severe hit.

3. Hierarchy by James Islington

Status: ongoing, 1/3 planned books out

Book 1: The Will of the many. The Will of the Many tells the story of Vis, a young orphan who is adopted by one of the sociopolitical elites of the Hierarchy. Vis is tasked with entering a prestigious magical academy with one goal – ascend the ranks, figure out what the other major branches of the government are doing, and report back. However, that isn’t quite as easy as Vis or anyone else thought it was going to be…

4. Suneater by Christopher Ruocchio

Status: ongoing, 5/7 books out

Book 1: Empire of Silence. Hadrian is a man doomed to universal infamy after ordering the destruction of a sun to commit an unforgivable act of genocide. Told as a chronicle written by an older Hadrian, Empire of Silence details his earlier adventures and serves as an introduction to the characters and the setting.

5. Dune by Frank Herbert

Status: completed, 6/6 books out

Book 1: Dune. Set in the distant future amidst a feudal interstellar society in which various noble houses control planetary fiefs. It tells the story of young Paul Atreides, whose family accepts the stewardship of the planet Arrakis. While the planet is an inhospitable and sparsely populated desert wasteland, it is the only source of melange, or "spice", a drug that extends life and enhances mental abilities.

6. The Expanse by James S A Corey

Status: completed, 9/9 books out

Book 1: Leviathan wakes. Set hundreds of years in the future, after mankind has colonized the solar system. A hardened detective and a rogue ship's captain come together for what starts as a missing young woman and evolves into a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history.

7. The First Law by Joe Abercrombie

Status: completed. 3 books in the original trilogy + 3 standalone books + 3 books in the newest trilogy

Book 1: The Blade Itself. The story follows the fortunes and misfortunes of bad people who do the right thing, good people who do the wrong thing, stupid people who do the stupid thing and, well, pretty much any combination of the above. Survival is no mean feat, and at the end of the day, dumb luck might be more of an asset than any amount of planning, skill, or noble intention.

8. Cradle by Will Wight

Status: completed, 12/12 books out

Book 1: Unsouled. Lindon is Unsouled, forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan. When faced with a looming fate he cannot ignore, he must rise beyond anything he's ever known...and forge his own Path

9. Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons (one PB’s favorites)

Status: completed, 4/4 books out

Book 1: Hyperion. The story weaves the interlocking tales of a diverse group of travelers sent on a pilgrimage to the Time Tombs on Hyperion. The travelers have been sent by the Church of the Final Atonement, alternately known as the Shrike Church, and the Hegemony (the government of the human star systems) to make a request of the Shrike. As they progress in their journey, each of the pilgrims tells their tale.

[turbobyakuren]

The Yuzuki Team, in their casual outfits and Human forms!

(MagiMonster forms will be drawn soon... I promise...)

From left to right:

Yuzuki Yukimura, Tsukumogami MagiMon, heir of the Yukimura clan, wielder of the contract-bound blade Onino. Quiet at a first glance, she is extremely passionate about Youkai and aims to learn more about them. She is the core heart of the team that cements the five girls together.

Naoko Yamada, Bakeneko MagiMon, the "Calico Combatant". A friendly girl who cares too much about others. She values friendship a lot and claims to dislike competition while enjoying a competitive spirit. Her mother and her two sisters are also MagiMonsters.

Hikaru Katsushika, Chouchin-Obake MagiMon, heir to the Katsushika Industries corporations. She comes from a wealthy family, but she harbors a visceral hatred to everything surrounding her social class. She's the designated leader of operations and treasurer of the Team. She looks constantly angry at all times, but she is a very kind soul so long as you do not anger her... And she has a very short fuse.

Tsubame Fujimaru, Nukekubi MagiMonster. She doesn't like talking and she doesn't want to befriend anyone. So, there's not much known about her. One thing is apparent: she is strongly motivated by her sense of justice and will always be there to save people... To the point of self-destruction. She was reluctant to join the team, but conceded in the end due to feeling like she owes a debt to them.

Yuuka Morishita, Furutsubaki no Rei MagiMonster, "Lady Camellia". She seems dainty and polite, but there is a sadistic and ultraviolent nature underneath that facade. She is obsessed by the urban legend of Masked Hunter and claims he has "saved her life". She accepted to join the team under the condition of toning down her violence as a MagiMonster. She considers owing a lot to Yuzuki after she helped her in battle when she used to go solo.

[sukunaslilgurl]

Blades of betrayal - Epilogue

Hello everyone,

I’m thrilled to introduce my new story to you all— a Sukuna x Irene Story . Irene is my own original character, and this is a samurai story close to my heart. I hope you enjoy it! Please be aware that it contains brutal content. ❤️❤️

The tale of Sukuna and Irene is one whispered in the shadows, a legend soaked in blood and betrayal. Sukuna, the King of Samurai, feared and revered as the embodiment of cruelty and wrath. And Irene, the one they called the “the unyielding demon ,” the strongest samurai warrior to have ever walked the land. Together, they had been more than partners. They had been a force of nature, an unstoppable storm of steel and fury. But in the end, the storm turned upon itself.

Once, they were inseparable. Irene was not just Sukuna’s ally—she was his equal. Where Sukuna commanded with power and terror, Irene executed his vision with precision and unparalleled skill. She had slain over a thousand men, all in his name. She had been the sharpest blade in his arsenal, his most trusted confidante, and the woman who had once held his heart.

But their bond, forged in battle and bloodshed, was not unbreakable.

Sukuna’s thirst for power grew insatiable, and with every conquest, every kingdom reduced to ash, Irene began to see the truth: he was no longer the man she had chosen to follow. The fire in his eyes had turned cold, replaced by an endless void of greed and destruction. What they had built together was no longer a partnership—it was a cage, a relentless march toward a world ruled by fear and despair.

One fateful night, Irene made her decision. She would leave him.

She betrayed the clan, vanishing into the darkness like a phantom, leaving behind the bloodstained empire they had built together. But Sukuna was no fool. He had sensed her wavering long before she made her move, and when she disappeared, his fury was unmatched. His rage swept across the land like a plague, leaving no one untouched.

“I will find you,” he had sworn the night she fled. His voice was as cold and unforgiving as steel. “And when I do, I will kill everyone you hold dear. No one will escape me. You are mine, Irene.”

Irene knew he meant every word. She knew that by leaving, she had doomed herself to a life of constant flight. No mountain, no forest, no hidden village would be beyond Sukuna’s reach. He would hunt her to the ends of the earth, not out of love, but out of the need to reclaim what he believed was his. She would never be free of him, and yet, she had chosen to leave.

Her decision was not without pain. Sukuna had been more than her lover; he had been her shadow, her mirror, the only one who understood the depths of her strength and darkness. But even shadows can suffocate, and Irene refused to be consumed.

Now, she lives in exile, a ghost moving from one forgotten place to the next. The strongest warrior to ever live, unbroken but forever hunted. She cannot stay in one place for long, for the memory of Sukuna is like a specter looming over her shoulder, a reminder that he will come for her.

And Sukuna? He waits. He searches. He revels in the game, knowing that Irene cannot escape him forever. The blood he spills on his path is his message to her—a reminder that her choice has consequences, that his wrath will never be sated until she is brought to her knees.

But what neither of them will admit, not even to themselves, is that beneath the hatred lies something far more complex. Irene was the only one who matched him, who understood him in ways no one else ever could. And for Irene, Sukuna will always be the man she once loved, even as she runs from the monster he has become. And what he did to her….

The story of Sukuna and Irene does not end with victory or redemption. It is a tale of betrayal, obsession, and a love twisted by power and vengeance. As the years pass, their names remain etched in the fabric of history, a warning and a curse. For no matter how far Irene runs, no matter how many years she evades him, the King of Samurai will always find her.

[riptide-pools]

Me after I saw the latest post abt Haiyang ready to murder Mei.

Hrehehe I've got an idea >:]

THROWS YUE IN FRONT OF MEI FOR PROTECTION

Yueying: .... Sup, sis? You look like your about to UNLEASH the underworld upon Mei because she made a new blade to replace the old and ancient one that I may or may not have helped her make 😅

Yueying belongs to my friend, @dragonstone-au25

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

So, why is Haiyang so worked up over the dragon blade's recreation?

As the heir to the Dragon Clan, Haiyang had recorded the honor and the values of each artifacts and treasures among the museum / home of her family.

And the dragon blade was her most coveted item. The promised relic that her parents promised yet destiny didn't allow her to possess.

So when she had learned the destruction of the blade from her sister's heroic deed to save MK (recklessness in Haiyang's eyes), she couldn't accept it. Which led to her seething anger.

For the blade held the powers of their ancestor; the insignia of the blade / intricate carvings of the blade was something Haiyang sought to protect and honor.

And with it destroyed and recreated, it's like a part of her ancestor was replaced.

[rilamelafin]

Offer Me That Deathless Death

Fandom: Dragon Age Inquisition Rating: M Pairing: Cullen x Female Lavellan Tags: Body Worship, Victory Sex, Bathing/Washing

[Read on AO3]

~~~

He all but carried her up the stairs to her bedchambers, exhausted as she was. He carried her staff for her, something he would never have imagined himself doing even three years ago, before he had been recruited to lead the Inquisition’s forces. Neddirra leaned heavily on his shoulder, every step leaden and weighted as the heat of battle ebbed from her body. She had saved them all. Again. Corypheus was finally defeated, the hole in the sky repaired with nothing but a scar to show how close they had all been to destruction. At the top of the steps, Neddirra’s knees buckled, and Cullen scooped her up properly into his arms. He set her staff in its place along the wall, carried her to the tub he’d had drawn when news of her victory had reached Skyhold ahead of her, and carefully set her back on her feet.

His hands were light as they set to the task of removing the Keeper robes she had crafted since the fall of her clan. As each layer was lifted, he could see her body growing lighter. The tension slowly eased from her brow. She tried to help, started to lean down to remove her leg wraps, but he gently pushed her hands away and insisted she let him. He knelt before her, a supplicant at her feet, as his hands unwrapped the leather that protected her. He was careful to put her robes and other pieces of her armor on their proper stands — they’d be cleaned in the morning — and in minutes he had her bare before him. Her body was covered in grime — blood and corruption, and viscera — and already-darkening bruises.

She was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes upon.

She was alive. 

Cullen helped her into the bath and sat on the stool beside it, taking a cup to rinse the warmed water over her auburn hair. Her breath left her in a rush, her shoulders sinking lower as he worked soap into a lather in her hair. Flakes of red and black fell, staining the water in the tub. He wetted a cloth and began the slow, tender process of cleaning the battle off of her skin. He started with her back, careful of the angry red mark that burned a line over her shoulder blades, and moved slowly down each arm. With every inch of her pale skin he cleansed and revealed, a piece of her seemed to come back to herself and she relaxed against the back of the tub. She was so tired, drawn thin and empty from her battle with Corypheus high in the mountains. Cullen had only been able to see flashes of light in the distance, green and crimson and terrifying. When Neddirra had returned, triumphant, he had finally been able to breathe again.

Once her skin was clean, Cullen helped Neddirra to her feet and out of the tub. She leaned heavily against him as he drew a towel over her body, gently caressing as he helped her dry. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, her forehead, the tip of one ear — the last one elicited a soft gasp. She tipped her head back to kiss his mouth, lips slow and languid. Cullen’s arms wrapped around her, drawing her as near as he could manage. Her skin was still warm from the bath through his linen shirt, and her hands glided over his chest to wrap behind his neck. She opened her mouth to him, and a low groan rumbled in his chest as her tongue slid against his. He should let her rest, he knew. But her hands tugged at the back of his shirt, drawing it up as best she could, and all Cullen could do was breathe out a laugh against her lips as he pulled back and lifted the shirt over his head. 

Her lips were on his chest the second it was bared to her, tracing over scars, kissing and sucking gentle bruises into his skin, marking him as hers and hers alone. His hands roamed her naked body, feeling for the aches and bruises from her battle, marveled at the strength of her. One hand cupped her breast, and she gasped, breath hot against his chest. Cullen moved his hands under her thighs and lifted her with ease — she was always so light — and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His lips found hers again as he carried her to the bed and gently laid her down into the plush covers. She stared up at him with desire-blown eyes, and a hand trailed down his side, to the hem of his trousers. Cullen gently grasped her wrist and brought it back up to his face so he could kiss her there.

“Allow me to tend to you, just this once.”

Their lovemaking was a place where they were true equals, usually. Tonight, Cullen wanted for Neddirra to just exist in pleasure. She had done so much for him — for the world — he wanted her to stop giving just for one night. His lips traveled slowly up her arm, dotting her skin with gentle, reverent kisses. As he reached the juncture of her neck and shoulders, one of his hands moved between her legs and cupped her there. The gasp and shaking breath she gave went straight to his cock, but tonight was not about him.  He worked her slowly, drawing gasps and sighs and moans from her lips with every pass over her slick core. Her hips canted in time with his fingers. 

Cullen slowed his movements and pressed a kiss to her lips at her responding whine. A promise of more to come. He kissed his way down her body, all lips and tongue — no teeth because she had been marked enough and he wouldn’t add to it tonight — and her hands buried themselves in his hair. She sighed his name as he continued his worship of her. He had learned the Chant of Light in his Templar training. Had he the time, he would recite it in entirety into her skin. He could spend weeks venerating her, and may the Maker strike him down for his blasphemy.  He kissed her inner thigh once, twice, and then his mouth was on her folds, and her voice echoed off the walls of her chambers. 

He could spend hours here, between her legs, tasting her very essence, tongue tracing every line of her while she whispered her pleasure for only him. He groaned into her, and her ankles crossed behind his back, holding him close. Even as fatigued as he knew she was, she was still so strong. His tongue delved into her heat, and he could feel the muscles of her thighs trembling. She was gasping his name now, all but begging him to bring her to release. And who was he to deny her anything? His lips and tongue worked her, sucking and licking gently in just the ways he had learned she liked. Her voice rose, a song sweeter than any lyrium, as she fell apart and he worked her through her climax until she squirmed under him. His jaw ached, but he kissed her folds once more before rising to meet her eager lips with his. She groaned, low and throaty, as she could taste herself on his mouth.

“I love you,” he breathed.

“Ar lath ‘ma.” Neddirra’s hands traced lazily over the scars on his back, leaving gooseflesh in their wake. They trailed down to his pants again, and this time she tugged insistently at them. “Aman na’mis.” He remembered this one. She often said it when they made love, and the memory made him impossibly harder. “Sathan, vhenan.” Please, she begged. Cullen realized she was so exhausted she had fallen back on the language of her people, but he had learned enough in their time together. His trousers were gone in short order, and he blanketed her with his own body. She begged him again in Elvish, and he slid into her with practiced ease. 

The pace he set was slow and languid. He relished in the feel of her, every inch of her skin that touched him. His lips were on her — kissing her throat, her jaw, her lips — as his hips rolled into her. She threw her head back, eyes closed in bliss, no coherent words passing her lips besides his name and a few words in Elvish that he hadn’t learned yet. He kept his pace even and controlled, bringing her to the brink of her climax again. Her whole body trembled beneath him, fingertips bruising into his skin — yet she still never allowed her nails to graze over him after that first time. She shattered again around his cock, voice high and keening, and he kissed his way up her throat again, swallowing her moans with his own mouth. He started to pull back, to finish over her belly as usual, but she managed to hook her legs behind him, holding him in place inside her. Her green eyes seemed to glow in the night as she met his gaze.

“Please,” she whispered. That was all it took, and Cullen’s release washed over him before he could even think to argue. He groaned her name, burying himself deep inside her. Neddirra held him close, whispering sweetness in both Elvish and the common tongue, and all Cullen could do was kiss her. 

As he finally slipped out of her, she dragged him to lay beside her in the bed and curled into his side. Cullen’s arm wrapped around Neddirra’s shoulders, drawing her close, and he pressed his lips to the crown of her head once more before she drifted off to sleep. 

She was alive. She was in his arms. He could finally breathe, knowing she wasn’t facing death and destruction. Tonight, there was no threat to face. No Inquisition to worry after.

There was only them.

[royonninjago]

Ninjago AU: Shatter Squad

With the insanity that has been the Ninjago Community on Halloween 2024, I personally an most excited to see Jay join the Forbidden Five and the return of Morro. And ever since then, I've had this really cool idea for an AU. I haven't started it since season 3 of Dragons Rising hasn't even been officially revealed yet, but when the time is right I swear I'm gonna make it a reality no matter what BS I have to use to make it work.

After the Forbidden Five have been dealt with, Jay is separated into two separate people. There is Jay Walker, the Blue Ninja and Elemental Master of Lightning who went missing in the Merge, and Ranga, the Former Forbidden Sixth and unknowing Elemental Master of Electricity who first woke up in the Administration after the Merge.

As a result of the Ninja healing Jay's shattered soul, his shattered half and post-merge memories were expelled from Jay and found themselves a new body. That is when Ranga, a Wolf Formling who looks very much like Jay with wolf ears and a tail, was born.

The Element of Electricity is very similar to Lightning, in a way that Heat is similar to Fire. Electricity can't match the power of Lightning and the user cannot generate their own, but its a lot better at controlling the output of electricity and absorbing electricity from other sources. The Master of Electricity can also store computer data and intercept radio signals since they're both forms of communication that rely on electricity, although the Master cannot understand this information without something to output it to.

At the same time, Morro is wandering around aimlessly through the Merged Realms with no Element to wield, no Master to serve, no place to call home, and no purpose in life except to survive (Lore and Details TBD).

Ranga and Morro meet up and become quick friends due to their shared trauma of living in another Ninja's shadow and no longer being the Master of their original Elements. They start traveling through the Merged Realms together.

Ranga, having learned Shatterspin from the Forbidden Five themselves with no need for a Wolf Mask, offers to teach Morro. As a former Elemental Master, he still has the spark of mastery required to learn it and it won't leave him completely defenseless in these dangerous and uncharted Merged Lands.

While Ranga teaches him Shatterspin, Morro points out how unhealthy and self-destructive the ideology is. As a result, Ranga refines both himself and his teachings to become less violent and hateful while Morro is able to better defend himself with Shatterspin.

Ranga's version of Shatterspin becomes less about "Forcing the world to bend to your will" and "Strength is Everything", to "Being the change you wish to see in the world" and "Using your pain to prevent others from feeling it".

Ranga and Morro often train together, Morro practicing his Shatterspin and Ranga practicing fighting in his Wolf Form. Ranga's weapons of choice are Nun-chucks and a Sickle, depending on the situation (Jay's weapon of choice, a Kusarigama, split into two). Morro's weapons of choice are a dual bladed Glaive (like in the leaked set) and a retractable Bo staff (in memory of Wu).

Eventually they come across a village that is being harassed by Wolf Clan Remnants, Wolf Clan Warriors whose masks have fused to their faces, becoming these cursed, half-human half-wolf creatures, like the Lycan King but smaller and less formidable.

Ranga and Morro fight them off and the Wolf Clan Remnants retreat, and the village thanks them and gives them food and shelter. The village leader tells them that the Remnants will be back unless they deal with the Alpha. They promise food, money, and whatever they can spare to help them with their problem. Morro convinces Ranga to help and he reluctantly agrees because they are broke.

When the Remnants next attack, their Alpha comes with them to raid. Morro deals with the Warriors while Ranga faces off against the Alpha. Unlike the others, the Alpha's mask hasn't fully fused to their face, they have Shatterspin armor, and they can use the type of Shatterspin that a Wolf Mask provides. The Alpha's attacks are strong and relentless, but wild and uncoordinated.

During the fight, Ranga reaches his True Potential and discovers he's the Master of Electricity by switching his goal from beating the Alpha to saving him by removing the mask, accepting the part of himself that wants to help people instead of hiding it away out of fear of being left behind again. When he's pinned down by the Alpha, he absorbs the electricity of the village and uses it to subdue the Alpha, knocking them out. Ranga removes the Mask and the Alpha is revealed to be Cinder.

When Cinder awakens a day or two later, he's hostile to Ranga and Morro but explains his situation (Details TBD, but excessive use of the Wolf Masks made him lose control and his memory becomes hazy).

Ranga and Morro talk and decide that if left alone, Cinder will just keep using a Wolf Mask and eventually fully succumb to the Wolf Mask. They decide to train him in their way of Shatterspin in the hopes of leading him down a better path. Cinder jumps at the chance at learning the Five's true techniques, but Ranga warns him that he's teaching him HIS way of Shatterspin and that he must follow everything he says to the letter, much to Cinder's chagrin.

After talking to Ranga about finding his True Potential, Morro decides to follow a feeling he's been having and the trio decides to set out towards an area that has been experiencing bad storms ever since the Merge.

On their way to the storm, Ranga and Morro train Cinder, starting with getting him to calm down and learn patience and control. They give him an incense lantern on the end of a chain (like in his concept art) to learn discipline. At first Cinder thinks its stupid and beneath him, but reluctantly comes around when Ranga explains a storm that happens only once a decade is more destructive than a storm that happens every week because the people affected have less experience on how to deal with it. This Incense chain eventually becomes Cinder's weapon of choice, along with two Scimitars.

Eventually when they reach the edge of the Storm-lands, they explain their mission to a village leader who explains that the eye of the storm is the peak of a nearby mountain and offers them a reward if they can stop the storm that wrecks havoc on them constantly.

At the top of the mountain, the trio finds the Storm Amulet that went missing along with Wojira at the end of Seabound. Morro keeps it and learns that because he is the Former Master of Wind, he can tap into the powers of the Amulet as long as he keeps the Amulet on him (in this AU, the Amulet is only about 4 inches in diameter instead of the size of someone's entire torso).

After the mission is over, the trio decide to keep traveling together and helping the people of the Merged Lands, officially forming the Shatter Squad.

Eventually I wanna add two other members to Shatter Squad to mirror the Forbidden Five, but who those members are is TBD. The only other non-OC character I can think of adding is Jordana as the resident Magic User who can use Shatterspin due to Rox possessing her, but DR seems to already be doing something with her so I'm not confident in adding her just yet.

And that's it! Feel free to tell me what you think or to suggest some ideas of your own!

[khizumet-e]

Outside, the city is dying.

The sulphurous air now the exhaust of a funeral pyre, a grim atmosphere hanging oppressive overhead as panic sets the city alight; frantic fires that lick through the grand windows of the great hall turned darkened tomb. Between them, purpure Ra’athim banners hang the glinting shrouds of their proud family. The stench of smoke and ash is sneaking in through each crevice, a crypt to be painted in blood.  

Darkened ceilings loom overhead, intricate towering arches bearing the firmament of Oblivion, a void threatening to collapse in on the solitary figure in the middle of the hall and swallow her whole. 

Against the backdrop of desolation and doom, Yoriss Ra’athim appears frail and lost, a light pristine robe slung around slim shoulders and wisp-white hair still elaborately put up. Her quartet of guards keep their distance with torches and swords aloft, nervous and quick to balk whenever a scream rises above the panicked thumping outside.  

They won’t do her much good, not against the ceaseless tide of invaders, but they make apt pack guars, and loyal ones. Laden down with the barest handful of heirloom trinkets, and bags upon bags heavy with papers and ledgers, the true treasure of clan Ra’athim. 

All that is left is to hide, to barricade, to pray fervently and to commit the impending grave injustice to bitter memory. When next they sat foot before this throne, the masters upon it would be altogether different. Their lady, so pragmatic in her frivolity, could quite apparently not yet bring herself to face finality. And so they wait, nerves frayed and breath rasping, for her command.  

“My condolences about your son,” the fragile peace is stolen from them, instead. “Such a shame.” 

The shrouded woman’s words echo in the empty vastness like her steps had not, heavy frame appearing silently from the shadows.

Had the Nords come they would know, a breaking tidal wave of destruction clamouring to crush all of civilisation underfoot, and yet the guards flinch and wheel, blades wavering now more now less as they reel to face the stout intruder garbed in the matted furs and sackcloths of their nightmarish enemies. In the flickering glow of the torchbearers’ panic, icy surprise washes over Yoriss’s face before she catches herself, a frail blank thing in the middle of the apocalypse, impeccably poised and polite.

“I hadn’t received word of his demise.”

“An exile is more than dead to us already,” the figure points out, twisting the knife as she keeps drawing near. “Must be something in your blood, I‘d wager, that the boy would get himself exiled as well.” 

“How fortunate you never gave your husband any children then.”

“Your son must really make his uncles proud, to follow where they both tread.”

“Do you have a point, sister dear? Lorthys’s death was a tragedy–”

“That your pet brother benefited from immensely,” Krora Ra’athim waves off the condolences not extended. “Clever, how you planned this slaughter…”

The younger Ra’athim’s smile grows pained, pointedly ignoring the mentions of a brother now hopefully far, far gone. “You’ve never been a politician–”

“How fortunate for you indeed.”

There is a long moment of relative silence as they eye each other up, the ancient halls muffling the chaos outside, the guards panting lightly in the far perimeter. Krora breaks first, looking down to the great patriarch’s vacant throne.

“Strange how it took the Nords to decide Father‘s game. And each and every one of Clan Ra‘athim‘s sons lost.”

“Us daughters could never win that game.”

Krora barks a bloody laugh, turning on her sister with feverish eyes. “And yet here I will win this battle where all our brothers failed.”

A sharp inhale, strangled, and for a moment it seems as if Yoriss intends to faint. “You will doom us all,” she whispers instead, voice pitched near hysterics. 

“You shall raise us back from the rubble then.” It’s as much a command as a taunt. “With the empire you pilfer yourself from Father’s estate.” 

“I am but one lone woman, what could I ever–”

“I too shall bequeath you an empire then. Seek out madam Urtisa when the dust has settled– and should you have a daughter some day, that one might just escape the curse.”

Yoriss remains taunt, but neither of them miss the tremor that runs through her hands clasped tightly over her belly. “I will not shelter the Tong,” defiance wins out over the shadow of grief.

“Right. Little Yoriss who could never be more than a devoted wife.” The laugh is cruel, and more so than before the air tastes of blood. “You‘re still Ra‘athim, you will manage.”

“A curse, these days.”

“And a blessing. I will see you in the Skein, sister. Our mistress has arms enough to welcome all of us in her embrace.”

Krora closes in, clasping Yoriss' shoulder in what in another family might have been a sisterly embrace. Hidden from the scant observers, she presses a small bag into Yoriss’s hand, grinning a bloody smile as she whispers, ‘The Nords might let you bury our brothers but certainly not me. Let them rot in their foolish honour, Yoriss, but I will go glorious.”  

As she withdraws, she leaves a wet dark smear on Yoriss’ cheek. Almost gently, Krora brushes it away, a smile splitting her lips as much as the backhanded scar she earned herself from her late husband at Yoriss’ birth. As ever there is no doubt about her, no fear. 

“The Nords have yet to learn how short their lives truly are.” And with a zealot’s feverish faith the elder Ra’athim fades back into the flickering shadows, sparing no more glance for the absent father who sold them both. “Mephala keep you, little sister.”

Fingers clenched white and tight around the pouch, Yoriss too turns, leading her guards out a side door in the shadow of a funerary procession for all of Ebonheart. 

[coraxes]

remnant // 2k, wwx & jc, [ao3]

(aka: where are all the sentient fierce corpse jc aus??)

Jiang Cheng's quarters at the half-rebuilt Lotus Pier were in the same place they had been before the sacking. This was because Wei Wuxian was a fool. “If you leave the door open for one fierce corpse, how many will the Wens force in?” he had asked, and slept in the woods for a week to prove the point. Wei Wuxian had laughed through clenched teeth at his stubbornness and shown off all his new talismans.

In the end jiejie had convinced him to return. “Won't we sleep more safely with you near us?” she had asked. Jiang Cheng had looked at the bags under her eyes, the ring on her finger, the last living remnant of the Jiang clan, and followed her to what was left of home.

Jiang Cheng was glad of it now. Sitting up, sleepless, he heard Wei Wuxian return from Jinlintai: the air swooping as he descended on his sword, the door opening and shutting to his quarters. Jiang Cheng stood, slowly. Fastened his hair back. During the Sunshot Campaign he had ripped heads from shoulders, punched through sternums, pushed himself up the blades stuck through his belly to deprive Wen cultivators of a little more leverage. But the smallest tasks, routines that had been with him since childhood, felt clumsy under his fingers. Even if he could draw Sandu now, he wouldn’t be able to wield it.

Outside a door slid open again. Wei Wuxian’s steps thumped on the wood of the pier, familiar and distinctive as his voice, the sound of his breathing around a campfire. Jiang Cheng followed.

In some ways the destruction of Lotus Pier had been a boon to him. This wasn't the Lotus Pier of Jiang Cheng's childhood, full of its ghosts; nor was it the Lotus Pier where he had died. The destruction had been too complete for that. He still smelled smoke and blood sometimes over the familiar dark lake water. 

The ancestral hall was in a similar place, though, rebuilt around a private courtyard near the main family's quarters. A short walk for the both of them. Wei Wuxian dawdled at the entrance, twirling his flute in a gesture that looked careless. Yu Ziyuan would have snapped at him for it; Jiang Cheng had half a mind to. Show a little more respect. But he watched instead, quiet, as Wei Wuxian knelt in the hall and lit an offering of joss paper.

Looking at him now, it was hard to tell he’d had such a dramatic change in position. Wei Wuxian dressed as he always had. Practical, maybe; Yunmeng Jiang had greater concerns than its new sect leader’s robes. That was what Wei Wuxian always said. But didn’t the sect need their leader to look like a leader too? Jiang Cheng tried not to yell that at Wei Wuxian in public. What would the new disciples think, the ones they’d plucked from the streets, the ones who had fled from smaller Wen-allied sects and changed their names? But sometimes he couldn’t help it.

He gave Wei Wuxian a few moments to talk to Jiang Cheng’s parents, words too low to make out, before he skulked into the hall. The threshold shimmered with spiritual energy, and that wasn’t the only thing that made Jiang Cheng’s skin crawl. It felt wrong, embarrassing, to stand in front of his parents like this. He half expected his mother’s spirit to slap him. 

Jiang Cheng flexed his shoulders to hitch his collar up higher over the black veins along his neck. Instead of the tablets, the slow curling rise of the joss paper’s smoke, he looked at Wei Wuxian. “Why are you back so early?”

Wei Wuxian looked up at him through windswept hair, sheepish but unrepentant. “Ah, Jiang Cheng, you know how quickly I get sick of these things. No need for all the endless banquets, although at least the food isn’t bad—”

“What did the Jin want?”

“What do they ever want?” Wei Wuxian waved a hand. “Anyway, you’re being so rude! At least kneel, don’t just stand there, greet your parents.”

Jiang Cheng clenched his teeth. He bowed deeply to Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, but stayed standing. “Wei Wuxian. Answer the question.”

Following Wei Wuxian and the delegation of Jiang disciples to Jinlintai would have been foolish. During the Sunshot Campaign, other sects had tolerated Jiang Cheng because they had no other choice. They needed him, they needed Wei Wuxian, they needed what the two of them had been able to pull together of the Jiang remnants. During peacetime…well, things were changing quickly. It was best for Jiang Cheng to stay in Lotus Pier. But it still rankled, being left out of the talks, unable to hear for himself what the other sect leaders were saying. 

He had known that day in the market what he was giving up, and that had been bearable. Less bearable was being able to see it.

“Jin Guangshan wants the peacock to marry shijie,” Wei Wuxian said, rolling his eyes.

“Really? Good.”

“What?” Wei Wuxian squawked like a chicken and stood so quickly he nearly tripped over his hem. “We can’t just send shijie off to them—she can do so much better, look, I was thinking—”

“Better than the Jin?” Jiang Cheng huffed. This wasn’t the argument he’d expected to be having. He and Jiang Yanli had talked about it a little, now that the war was over. It wasn’t the sort of planning Wei Wuxian cared about. Yu cousins, second sons of minor sects, husbands who might not mind if their children became heirs to the Jiang. Neither of them had mentioned Jin Zixuan, not even in a pointed not-mentioning. Their engagement had been broken and the Jiang were gutted; what would he gain?

(The neatest solution when it came to Jiang clan heirs would have been for Jiang Yanli to marry Wei Wuxian, but neither of them mentioned that either. Anyway—they needed alliances, too.)

“What’s so great about the Jin?” Wei Wuxian’s face went dark. “Their money? We don’t need it. We’ve done fine without them so far.”

“What do you mean, fine?” Jiang Cheng scowled. “Do you think Cloud Recesses is still half rubble? Where are we going to get swords, Wei Wuxian, real spiritual weapons for our new disciples—remind me again which sect raided the Wen armories—”

“It’s not all that bad.” Wei Wuxian waved his hand. Careless, again. “It’ll take time before most of them are even ready to wield a real spiritual weapon, and by then we’ll have harvests coming in.”

“Oh, yes, so much better, our disciples are too weak to even need spiritual weapons,” Jiang Cheng seethed. “And that’s not all the Jin want, is it? What else did they say?”

“They’ll always want something.” Wei Wuxian shrugged.

Jiang Cheng waited for him to go on. Silence hung in the air.

Finally he asked, “Did they want me destroyed? Or just turned over to them?”

Jiang Cheng had died here at Lotus Pier. All things considered he would’ve preferred to have been skewered by Wen soldiers in an alley, but when he led them away from Wei Wuxian that day—if he had really let himself think about it, he would have expected them to capture him and bring him back to Yunmeng. It was a consequence he had been prepared to deal with. As much as anyone could be prepared for something like that.

So he had died, not quickly, core burnt out. Like his parents. They wouldn’t be proud of his foolish capture, wouldn’t understand it. But perhaps when he reached the afterlife they would respect that he had died at home.

And then he had woken in a cave in the Burial Mounds that smelled like blood, surrounded by spiritual flags, Wei Wuxian hovering wild-eyed and filthy over him.

“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian had asked, flute halfway to his mouth and a terrible hope on his face. “Jiang Cheng, it’s me, do you remember me?”

“What kind of stupid question is that,” Jiang Cheng meant to ask, but it took a while for him to relearn how to speak. His tongue felt heavy, jaw like a rusted hinge. Something had come through, though; Wei Wuxian had smiled.

Later Jiang Cheng would learn the story of how Wei Wuxian stole Jiang Cheng's body from Lotus Pier, nearly got himself caught and killed. (Jiang Cheng could've wrung his skinny neck at the waste.) He had felt as fast as he could on a stolen sword with Jiang Cheng's body in his arms. Lost the Wens in the Burial Mounds.

There, surrounded by resentful energy, he’d had an idea. And it worked.

Jiang Cheng was an abomination now. A corpse that knew it was a corpse, a ghost that Wei Wuxian refused to let rest. Couldn’t lead a sect, couldn’t summon Zidian or draw Sandu.

Then, he had a job to do. Now—

The war was over. The Wens were finished. Even the creatures Wei Wuxian had summoned onto the battlefield had been put down eventually.

Jiang Cheng studied his parents’ tablets, and then Wei Wuxian’s flushed face, angry and windchapped. “What does it matter?” Wei Wuxian asked, desperate. “They’re not taking you.”

“How do you know that? We’re weak, Jiang-zhangmen,” Jiang Cheng said, low dark satisfaction when Wei Wuxian flinched at the title. He was the only one left who could lead the Jiang, sure, Jiang Cheng had known that. And yet. He shoved at Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. “No swords, no disciples who could draw them even if we had them. The Jin could overwhelm us the way the Wen did if they decide I’m a threat. So just do it. Get rid of me.”

Wei Wuxian just blinked at him dumbly. Jiang Cheng’s stomach roiled. “What? Jiang Cheng…”

Jiang Cheng bared his teeth and shoved him again. “Go on. Get it over with.” Before a-jie wakes up. “Or will you wait until we’re invaded again? Will you bring the whole sect back like me too? Is that how you repay the Jiang clan?”

Wei Wuxian shoved him back. Jiang Cheng rocked with it. “Shut up! Why are you talking like this, do you want to die?”

“I did,” Jiang Cheng snapped.

Wei Wuxian gaped. “I can’t believe you,” he said, “that’s so—you’re the heir, Jiang Cheng, how could you be so selfish—”

It took him a second to realize how Wei Wuxian had understood him. But it wasn’t a mistake worth correcting. Hardly a mistake. Letting himself get caught so a servant’s son would live…the Jiang line would likely end with Jiang Cheng, and if he had stayed dead he wouldn’t even have regretted it. 

“Don’t talk to me about selfish.” Jiang Cheng leaned forward, nose to nose. He grabbed Wei Wuxian’s hand and put it on the hilt of his sword. “Go on, Wei Wuxian. You’ve killed enough fierce corpses for your sect. What’s one more?”

Wei Wuxian stared back at him, mouth set. He exhaled. His whole body felt tense. Jiang Cheng waited for the shift he’d seen a hundred times in practice yards and on the battlefield. “The night hunts of Yunmeng Jiang are no business of the Jin, are they?”

“They’ll make it their business—”

“Am I Jiang-zhangmen or not?” Wei Wuxian asked, and Jiang Cheng realized he was furious, voice icier than he’d ever heard it. “I brought you back. I’m not killing you. Don’t ask me.” 

He shoved the end of his flute into Jiang Cheng’s diaphragm. If Jiang Cheng were alive he would have gagged. As it was he only staggered back. Wei Wuxian swept into a bow to Jiang Fengmian’s tablet. “I’m sorry you saw that,” he said. His jaw worked like he wanted to say something—when did Wei Wuxian ever think of something and not say it, Jiang Cheng would have yelled at him if he could think of the words. He bowed to Jiang Cheng too, just as deep.

[petchic101]

DA Elvish

I separated all of Dragon Age's known Elvish into Nouns, idioms ect

Nouns

Titles/Types of people/Groups

Anaris: – according to an old tale, he was once tricked by Fen'Harel while dueling the Great Hunter Andruil

Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt is the elven Goddess of the Hunt, known also as "blood and force" and the "great hunter."

Arlathvhen: Meeting of the Dalish clans that occurs every ten years. Means "for love of the people."

Asha'bellanar: "The Woman of Many Years." How the Dalish refer to Flemeth.

Da'len: Little child; little one.

Daern'thal: Known Forgotten One

Din: The dead.

Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets, is the twin brother of Falon'Din and is the elven god of secrets and knowledge, and master of the ravens Fear and Deceit. Dirthamen gave to elves the gift of knowledge and taught them loyalty and faith in family.

Elgar: Spirit.

Dirth'ena enasalin: "Knowledge that led to victory"; the Elvish term for the Arcane Warrior or, more recently, Knight Enchanter disciplines.

Durgen’len: Children of the stone; the Ancient Elvish term for the dwarves.

Elgar'nan: God of Vengeance also known as the All-Father, the Eldest of the Sun and He Who Overthrew His Father—represents fatherhood and vengeance, and leads the pantheon with the goddess Mythal.

Elvhen: Elven name for their own race; our people.

Elvhenan: The name of the elven civilization before the arrival of humans in Thedas; the place of our people.

Era'harel: Demon-mage; similar to an arcane horror.

Evanuris: Leader; Translated by Dorian in context as "mage leader"; what the elvhen called their gods.

Falon: Friend.

Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide is the elven God of Death and Fortune and guides the dead to the Beyond. He and his twin brother, Dirthamen, are the eldest children of Elgar'nan the All-Father and Mythal the Protector.

Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf is an enigmatic trickster god of the elves, whose supposed betrayal of both the benevolent Creators and the malefic Forgotten Ones is the only explanation most elves have for the destruction of Arlathan. Dalish clans view him with wariness and seek to protect themselves and their kin from his treachery. It is revealed by Solas in Mythal's temple that this could be a misinterpretation by the Dalish and instead he was the god of rebellion.

Geldauran: Known Forgotten One

Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla is called the Mother of the halla—white deer-like creatures revered by the Dalish and used to pull their aravel, or "landships"—and goddess of navigation.

Ghil-Dirthalen: "One who guides seekers of knowledge true."

Ghilan'him banal'vhen: "The path that leads astray": a derogatory term for Arcane Warriors among those elves who eschewed physical combat.

Hahren'al: A gathering of hahrens during the Arlathvhen.

Hahren: Elder; used as a term of respect by the Dalish as well as by city elves for the leader of an alienage.

Harillen: Opposition.

June: God of the Craft is the elven Master of Crafts. He is variously described either as a brother to Andruil and Sylaise or as Sylaise's husband. He taught the elves to make bows, arrows, and knives to hunt Andruil's gifts.

Lethallin/Lethallan/Lethallen: Casual reference used for someone with whom one is familiar; generally, lethallin is used for males while lethallan is used for females; lethallen has been stated to be the appropriate gender neutral term unless otherwise stated later in canon, though it is likely to remain the same. Note: Though "lethallin" is usually used for males and "lethallan" for females, as stated above

Lethanavir: Another appellation of Falon'Din the elven god of death and fortune who guides the dead to the Beyond.

Mien'harel: Rebellion; depending on the interpretation, a violent call for justice; a concept that when humans push the elven population too far they must remind them that even a "short blade" must be respected; most commonly a term used by city elf.

Mythal: the Great Protector, the Protector and the All-Mother, and goddess of love, is the patron of motherhood and justice and leads the pantheon with her male counterpart, Elgar'nan.

Shemlen: The original name elves use for the human race; continues to see use as a slang term amongst the City Elves ("shems") even though its meaning has largely been lost; literally "quick children".

Somniari: Dreamer.

Sylaise: the Hearthkeeper is the goddess of all the domestic arts and the sister of Andruil the Huntress. Sylaise gave the elves fire, and taught them how to weave rope and thread, and to use herbs and magic for healing purposes.

Vhenallin: Friends of the People.

Nature

Adahl/Adhal: Tree.

Adahlen: Wood.

Alas: Earth, dirt.citation needed

Dahl'amythal: Tree of Mythal from which Dalish Keepers’ staves are cut.

Durgen: Stone.citation needed

Elgara: Sun.

Felandaris: Demon weed.

Vallas: Set, as in the setting of the sun.

Vallasdahlen: Trees planted in remembrance of those who dedicated their lives to the Dalish kingdom that grew into a mighty wood; life-trees.

Vhenadahl: The tree of the people.

Vhen'alas: The land itself, as in "the ground"; literally "our earth".citation needed

Vunin: Day.

Animal

Fen: Wolf.

Hallas: are a type of horned stag; some are herded by the Dalish—who use them to pull their aravels, or landships. Their milk is also made into cheese and butter.[2] The Dalish do not consider them beasts of burden but noble companions. To get them to accompany a clan, the Dalish elves ask rather than force them to.

Hanal'ghilan: Elven name for the mythical golden halla said by the Dalish to appear during times of great need; the pathfinder.

Body/Self

Banal'ras: Shadow.

Renan: Voice.

Taren: Mind.

Vallaslin: Blood writing; The art of tattooing adopted by some elves to more prominently display their worship of the traditional elven pantheon.

Vhenan: Heart; often used as a term of endearment.

Concept

Abelas: Sorrow; to be sorry.

Aravel: A wagon used by the Dalish; also a physical and spiritual path, a journey with purpose. Humans call them "landships."

Atish’an: Peace.

Athim: Humility.

Bellanaris: Eternity.

Din'an: Death; end.

Din'anshiral: A journey of death.

Dirth: A term for knowledge or secrets; tell; speak.citation needed

Enasalin: Victory.

Enansal: Blessing.

Enaste: Favor.

Halani: Help.

Hamin: Rest.

Harellan: Trickster; used by the Dalish to mean "traitor to one's kin".

Melana: Time.

Melanada: All time. 

Melava: Time;

Revas: Freedom.

Shiral: Journey.

Sulahn'nehn: Rejoice; joy.

Sulevin: Purpose.

Vir: Way; we.

Weapons/Equipment

Assan: Arrow.

Bor'assan: Bow.

Felassan: Slow arrow.

Mi: Blade.citation needed

Places

Arlathan: The major city of Elvhenan, original homeland of the elves; from the phrase "ar lath’an" meaning, "This place of love".

Banalhan: A name for the Blight or its place of origin; the place of nothing.

Dirthavaren: The promise; the Elven name for the Exalted Plains.

Halamshiral: The capital of the second elven homeland in the Dales; the end of the journey.

Setheneran: Land of waking dreams; a place where the Veil is thin.

Tarasyl'an Te'las: The place where the sky was held back; Ancient Elven name for Skyhold.

Vhenas: Home.

Vir'abelasan: The place of the way of sorrows; refers to the Well of Sorrows.

Other

Aravel: A wagon used by the Dalish; also a physical and spiritual path, a journey with purpose. Humans call them "landships."

Banalhan: A name for the Blight or its place of origin; the place of nothing.

Elgar'arla: Spirit-trap; a binding circle to hold a spirit or demon.

Eluvian: Mirror; literally "seeing glass."

Mi'durgen: Diamond; literally 'blade stone'.

Adjective

Eth: Safe.citation needed

Mirthadra: Honored.

Sa: One; one more.

Shem: Quick.

Tan: Three.

Then: Awake; alert.citation needed

Verb

Abelas: Sorrow; to be sorry.

Dirth: A term for knowledge or secrets; tell; speak.citation needed

Dirthara: Learn;

Dirthera: To tell tales.

Enfenim: To fear.

Ghilana: To guide.

Ghilas: To go.

Harel: To trick or deceive;

Him: Become.

Las: Grant; give.

Lasa ghilan: Grant/give guidance.

Lath: Love of being; to be in love.

Numin: Cry.

Nuvenin: Say, as in “as you say”.

Samahl: Laugh.

Somniar: To dream.

Sulahn'nehn: Rejoice; joy.

Sulahn: Sing.

Uthenera: The name of the ancient practice of immortal elves who would "sleep" once they tired of life; immortal; waking sleep; literally "eternal waking dream".citation needed

Pronoun

Ar: First person pronoun; I, me.

Mala: Your.

Mir: My.

Var: Our.

Vir: Way; we.

Ect

Banal: Never.

Dar: To be.citation needed

In: In.

Ir: I am.

Iras: Where.

Irassal: Wherever.

La: And.

Na: Is.

Pre/Suffix

-an: Suffix indicating place or location.

Da: Diminutive prefix; small.

Idioms

Andaran atish’an: "Enter this place in peace." A formal elven greeting.

Aneth ara: A sociable or friendly greeting, more commonly used among the Dalish themselves rather than with outsiders.

Ara seranna-ma: A way to excuse oneself, such as after a sneeze or belch.

Banal nadas: Nothing is known for certain./Not necessarily.

Boranehn: Lost joy.

Dareth shiral: farewell; literally "Safe journey."

Enasal: Joy in triumph over loss; a variation of joyful relief.

Falon’Din enasal enaste: A prayer for the dead.

Fen'Harel enansal: The Dread Wolf's blessing.

Fen'Harel ma ghilana: "Dread Wolf guides you." Indicates someone being misled.

Halam'shivanas: The sweet sacrifice of duty.

Hellathen: Noble struggle.

Ir abelas: I am sorry.

Lathbora viran: Roughly translated as "the path to a place of lost love," a longing for a thing one can never really know.

Nadas: Inevitability; something that must be; used as an expression of obligation, i.e. "must".

Ma nuvenin: As you say.

Ma vhenan: My heart; sometimes shortened simply to vhenan, "heart"; a term of endearment.

Ma serannas: My thanks./Thank you.

Mana. Ma halani: Help me. 

Mythal'enaste: Mythal's favor.

Penshra! Ghilas vellathan!: Politely translated as "I prefer that you remain close."

Revasan: The place where freedom dwells.

Sahlin: Now; is come.

Sa'vunin: One more day.

Solas: Pride; to stand tall.

Solasan: A prideful place.

Suledin: The concept of finding strength in enduring loss or pain; endure.

Tel'abelas: I'm not sorry.

Telanadas: Nothing is inevitable.

Var lath vir suledin!: Our love will endure

Vir enasalin!: We will win!

Vir sumeil: We are close.

Commands/Threats/Curses

Bellanaris Din'an Heem: "Make you dead."

Dirthara-ma: "May you learn." Used as a curse.

Fenedhis: Meaning officially undefined as of yet; a common curse.

Fenedhis lasa: Meaning officially undefined as of yet. A common curse.

Fen'Harel ma halam: "Dread Wolf ends you." A threat.

Garas: Come.

Garas quenathra: "Why are you here?/Why have you come?" Spoken by the voices of the Vir'abelasan

Masal din'an: A threat, meaning unknown.

Na abelas: You'll be sorry.

Na din'an sahlin!: Your death is come!

Na melana sahlin: Your time is come.

Specific Sentences

Ar lasa mala revas: "You are free." More literally "I give you your freedom."

Ar lath ma, vhenan: "I love you, heart/my heart"

Ar-melana dirthavaren. Revas vir-anaris: Fen'Harel’s secret greeting. Meaning unknown.

Atish'all Vir Abelasan: "Enter the path of the Well of Sorrows."

Dirth ma banal. Mar solas ena mar din: "You have learned nothing. Your pride will be your death/downfall." A Dalish saying.

Dirth ma, harellan. Ma banal enasalin. Mar solas ena mar din: Roughly means: "Your pride is responsible for everything that has gone wrong; you will die alone."

Ir abelas, ma vhenan: "I am filled with sorrow for your loss, my heart."

Ir tel'him: I'm me again.

Ma banal las halamshir var vhen: You do nothing to further our people. 

Ma harel, da’len: You lie, child.

Ma harel lasa!: You lied to me.

Ma ghilana mir din'an: Guide me into death.

Ma melava halani: You helped me.

Mala suledin nadas: Now you must endure.

Malas amelin ne halam: I hope you find a new name.

Melana en athim las enaste: Now let humility grant favor.

Sulevin ghilana hanin: Roughly translates to "purpose guides to glory". This is an inscription on the back of the Dalish shield called "The Path to Glory".

Sylaise enaste var aravel. Lama, ara las mir lath. Bellanaris.: Dalish marriage vows.

Tel garas solasan: Come not to a prideful place.

[lumireis]

Fairy Queen Titania, wife of King Gloxinia, originator of Tír na nÓg

Loooong character bio/story summary because I struggle with writing long fics!! I wish I could write a whole story about these two and their relationship but know I wouldn't finish it ;;

Her special ability is Wither, any living thing she touches will decay almost instantly — excluding fairies as their bodies don't rot even in death and she isn't able to turn it off. To compound her destructive nature, Titania isn't capable of any of the nature-nourishing magic that is innate to the Fairy Clan. Because her special ability is similar to an aspect of the Fairy Kings' ability, Disaster, but only the aspect of decay, Titania was surrounded by skeptics.

In her young life she was subtly outcast from the community by her fellow fairies. Titania spent decades of her life lonely and despising the fact that she was failing her duty as a fairy until she met the King of Fairies, Gloxinia. Gloxinia was curious about Titania's abilities as he noticed that even though Wither was destructive in the moment in following decades all flora that grew where Wither was used came up healthier and heartier, though Titania and the other fairies had their doubts.

The two spent years together trying to understand how to get control of Wither, though Titania was holding out hope that he would a way to remove her "curse" permanently. Slowly, the attempts to help her shifted into spending time together simply because they enjoyed each other's company. Gloxinia had it as his personal mission to try and make the sad woman smile with tricks or jokes or games, anything he could to try and lift her spirits.

It was through that closeness that they were able to learn that Gloxinia himself was able to neutralize her decay ability, just by being capable of using Disaster. With Gloxinia, Titania was able to feel safe enough to spend more time with the other fairies and finally experience what living as part of the community was like. Though Titania still felt like an outsider or a guest, rather than a complete part of the Fairy Clan.

Using her magic, Titania created an island for herself called Tír na nÓg, the effort she spent nearly ended up killing her. She only survived thanks to Gloxinia finding her and getting the help of the other fairies to heal her. The creation of Tír na nÓg granted Titania an immortal lifespan as her magic is tied to every living thing on the island. As long as a single blade of grass grows, Titania and any mortal being will live.

Tír na nÓg was the first place that Titania truly safe and comfortable, as she could walk around without worrying about upsetting anyone as she withered the flora around her. Only those who are given permission can set foot on or even find the island. One could search for a thousand years for the Land of the Young and never see its shores. It's Titania's own safe haven. She granted permission to her dear friend Gloxinia and it became a place for the two of them to spend an untold amount of time together, relishing in each other's company.

Eventually, their relationship evolved past companionship into love and eventually marriage. As it was the wedding of the first King of the Fairies, it was a gathering full of friends and love. Even the ever-anxious Titania was more rambunctious and lively, keeping the party alive until well into the next day with singing, dancing, and drink. On her wedding day, Titania truly got to experience being herself, wholly and unapologetically.

On the first night they spent together as a married couple, a nearby flower was made to bloom from the joy Titania felt and once she noticed it she was so overwhelmed at being able to create life for the first time, she cried while holding it. Gloxinia blessed it to never die and tucked it into her hair, his first gift as her husband and her most treasured possession.

However, following the ancient Holy War and the disappearance of Gloxinia as he joined the Demon Clan, Titania's joy came to an end. Without Gloxinia there to tether her to the forest, she retreated to Tír na nÓg permanently. No one within the Fairy Clan knew what happened to her and for thousands of years, until the unsealing of the Coffin of Eternal Darkness and Gloxinia's return.

Wanting to know the fate of his wife, Gloxinia asks Gerheade and the other fairies if anyone has heard anything about Titania as no one seems to mention her. Through them, Gloxinia learns about her vanishing but no one can say for sure what became of her. Taking this as a chance, he asks those at the Boar Hat to keep an ear open for rumors. He confesses that no matter how hard he tries he can't find Tír na nÓg and suspects that becoming a demon severed his connection.

Tír na nÓg might have been her personal paradise but he's sure she would have allowed other misfits like her to find refuge in its eternal paradise. Eventually, a lead turns up and brings them to an old woman with a much darker story to tell than Gloxinia is expecting. The old woman spent time on Tír na nÓg herself as one of the immortal Fair Folk. As a young woman, she was mistreated by the people of her village when one night a beautiful young woman appeared and offered her a place in paradise.

She spent years in Tír na nÓg, living in a place of beauty and bounty when she met a man she would soon fall in love with and wanted to return to the mainland to raise a family. The ruler of Tír na nÓg refused to allow them to leave, viewing the rest of the world as an inescapable hell, and warned them of the severe consequences if they should ask again. So the lovers devised a plan to escape the island that was as much a prison as it was a paradise. Under the cover of night for weeks they built a boat to flee on. When the night to escape came, the forest began to shake and shudder and rot as the full power of the ruler of Tír na nÓg approached them.

The man sacrificed his chance to escape and shoved the boat out, promising to distract the tyrant holding them prisoner and promising to find her. And so the old woman has been waiting for decades now, alone in her home. She laments leaving the love of her life behind, knowing that if he's alive she's aged well beyond her beautiful prime and fears for all the other poor souls that the tyrant has preyed upon. Her sweet voice promising the outcasts of society a home and safety only to chain them like dogs in a beautiful, immortal prison.

The woman's story lives Gloxinia reeling. He can't imagine his dear, sad Titania being capable of that level of cruelty but he also knows just what grief can drive someone to do. What it drove him to do. Gloxinia asks the woman if she knows any way to get back to Tír na nÓg which she confirms, giving him some stones from the shore as anything taken from Tír na nÓg can lead someone back. After expressing his gratitude, he takes the stones and returns to Meliodas to decide what to do next.

The group follows Gloxinia as he heads to Tír na nÓg and is unsettled by the eerie atmosphere and fog that hangs over the island. Screamers attack as they make landfall and quickly hide to avoid the sight of a fairy woman patrolling over the forest canopy. Slowly making their way through the forest, they encounter a village filled with terrified humans who beg them to bring them back to the mainland. The commotion is cut off by a man matching the description the old woman gave of her love, a man named Nico, who explains the reason the island is in the state that it's in.

Titania, the tyrant of Tír na nÓg has been using tricks to bring humans to the island against their will, even going so far as taking children and babies from their parents and replacing them with changelings if they weren't loving them enough in her eyes. Following the escape of one human woman, his beloved, an enchanted fog appeared around the shores, choking anyone who attempted to leave. It seems day by day, Titania falls further into madness. The island has been subject to earthquakes for the past few days as the ruler of Tír na nÓg is punishing them but no one knows for what reason. Gloxinia promises that he can fix this and when questioned, he simply smiles and says it's his duty as a husband to soothe his wife.

Their conversation is interrupted when a woman spots them talking to outsiders, flicking between everyone before calling them traitors and sprinting away into the forest to inform Titania. The man urges them to do whatever they're going to do quickly as they might not survive the day when Titania finds out.

Gloxinia hopes that Titania might come to her senses as soon as they reunite but the constant unending attacks from Screamers, the mysterious fairy, and the forest itself make him question his optimism. And sure enough when face to face with Titania, her eyes tinged with mania, those hopes are dashed. She calls them thieves and begins attacking. Gloxinia tries to calm her but for years Titania was tortured by visions of Gloxinia and believes him to be another one.

During the battle, Elizabeth asks why she's tormenting the villagers. Titania says she doesn't want to do any of it, they just need to give back the thing that they stole from her. It's then that Gloxinia notices the flower that he gifted her isn't in her hair but he can sense his magic nearby. He orders the others to hold her off while he finds it but makes it clear that if they hurt her too badly there would be hell to pay. Ban shoos him off saying they'll do whatever they need to do to make sure she doesn't kill anyone. Gloxinia isn't amused.

It takes some time and he's forced to fight the mystery fairy girl — Oberon, loyal attendant of Titania — but eventually Gloxinia finds the flower in the village. And it's utterly torn to shreds. Gloxinia picks up the damaged petals, looking utterly heartbroken when Nico appears behind him. Gloxinia asks if he was the one that destroyed the flower, which Nico confirms. He resents Titania for keeping him trapped here as one of her Fair Folk while the woman he loves will wait for him until she dies. Destroying the only thing she seems to treasure felt like a fitting punishment after she destroyed his happiness.

Gloxinia thanks him for his honesty and promises that Titania won't find out who stole the flower. He doesn't blame Nico for doing what he did but tells him that as her husband he can't stand knowing how sad she would feel if he didn't return it to her, then flies back towards the battle.

As he appears back on the battlefield, Oberon has joined Titania, even though she's injured. The pair of them look exhausted, having to take on the Sins but not too worse for wear. He flies up to Titania, offering the shreds of his first gift to her, and in an instant Titania begins crying - utterly horrified by what's happened to it. She swears she's going to kill everyone on the island but gets cut off by Gloxinia kissing the tip of her nose and chiding her for crying over something so trite.

In an instant, he injects his magic into the flower, healing it and restoring the bloom to full vitality. Titania is stunned, not believing her eyes before slowly reaching out and touching Gloxinia's face to confirm he's really there and not a hallucination. Once she confirms it, she utterly collapses into him, apologizing and begging for forgiveness but once again he chides her for her dramatics. He tucks the flower back into its rightful place in her hair before embracing her properly and finally kissing his wife again after three thousand years apart.

Following Titania's return to her senses, she returns the children to their families and allows everyone to leave Tír na nÓg. To her surprise, some choose to stay. As long as Titania is the same kind, just queen she was when they first arrived they're more than happy to stay. Oberon hands Titania a magic stone they can communicate through and says she'll take care of the Fair Folk while their queen spends time with her husband. If they need anything or she needs them, a message into the stone is all it will take. Nico doesn't hesitate to climb on the boat back to the mainland, ready to finally be with the love of his life again and fulfill his promise.

Gloxinia is just happy to be with Titania again and show her the world, the new fairy forest, whatever she wants as long as they can stay together.

[mortifying-macaroni]

What's got you into the whole Tremere/Tzimisce dynamic? Just curious to know. I like them too

Well, anon, I'm glad you asked (btw you've got excellent taste). I'll try to keep it short and sweet with a few main bullet points *cracks fingers*

It's the perfect foundation for "somewhat acquaintances to enemies to lovers". Their first means of interaction stemmed from curiosity to potential cooperation laced with some form of trust as they partook in exchanging of knowledge and magic acumen, hell even some Tzimisce got embraced while carrying a Tremere name. Moreover, they lived in this brief unity until it all got squandered by the blood wizards' betrayal as we know.

Both clans are pretty much two enigmas wrapped in a mystery that battled on a tight rope throughout the ages. Despite the rocky road they're fiercely tangoing on, the fire from their mutual hatred keeps them on their feet as they're restlessly trying to take the lead in bringing the other party to their downfall. There are certain things that entwine them, things that establish a common ground for them to agree upon. Aside from the bit of blood they share by forceful means from the Tremere's side, both clans foster this penchant for torture in the name of academic pursuits. If melding their minds by combining their methods for causing destruction, then these two bloodlines could've been the most fearsome clan duo of educated executioners throughout kindred history.

I've already quoted this one part somewhere (*ahem* my fic), but they have the potential to work like scissors- the blades function to that of a married couple that carry out their tasks together in perfect synchronicity and unison, with equal toil put into it. They're two hands holding the gun, the hammer and firing pin pushing the bullet out. One example of that is their co-op dependant ability to create Blood Brothers. Think about it, A koldun fleshcrafter and a thaumaturgy sorcerer can mass produce walking weapons of annihilation, sort of like their "children" birthed for war through brutality and blood magic.

The whole kindred world may be cursing at them, deeming them as inhumane monsters and murderers and yet the Tzimisce and Tremere can only slow dance to the beat of chaos and pure pandemonium unfolding around them. Everything may as well be crumbling into ruin, but they'd still see an opportunity to salvage something from the suffering of others. What's more, I imagine if they were in a relationship they'd be partial to mutual inflictions of pain. All the pent up clan tension could provide an outlet to channel that (whether it be caused or sustained) hurt into a sort of gratification that nobody else could provide them.

A Tzimisce is an instrument of pain that a Tremere can learn to, not only appreciate, but study, even without applying force; just how a Tremere's knowledge can serve as a song for a Tzimisce to learn through guidance. Furthermore, if given the chance, either of them would kill or burn the whole world for their partner no questions asked. Even though they bring out the worst in each other, they'd remain where they are because nobody else can handle or keep up with all of their "ugly" aspects.

In other words, if only they weren't so stubborn about their clan beef, they could not only have the kinkiest sex imaginable, but also establish a Gomez/Morticia relationship if they'd just work everything out.

I have only one Tremere/Tzimisce ship, so I'm kinda going based on my own little headcanons regarding their own issues and how they can personally work together through them, in addition to some lore I've dug out on top of that.

Final verdict (in my humble, yet correct opinion): Best ship dynamic in VTM with Nosferatu/Toreador being the runner ups

[yandere-wishes]

⋆  ⋆ ℕ𝕖𝕨 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕥 ⋆  ⋆

Masterlist for newer, more polished stories. You can look up older stories/fics HERE. There’s a wider selection there 

💜Honkai Star Rail

▹▹Blade

ɴᴇᴏɴ ɴɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇꜱ

It's late and you're tired. Trapped within a dreamlike trance trying to figure out if you're sick or just in love. Although to Blade you're just confused and need a little more persuading of how much he loves you.  

▹▹Boothill

Doc-Ringo

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Plot: There's a slick black-clad little gal who's been missing with his bounties recently. Boothill's been dying to rustle her up and take a bite

💜Genshin impact

Little Red Ridding Hood (Yandere! Capitano x reader x Yandere! Ororon)

Capitano recognizes your ancient name before he recognizes you. Ororon thinks it's about time to confess his feelings to his childhood friend. You just wanted to protect your homeland.

Racing Au (Wriothesley, Neuvillette, kamisato Ayato)

Some racing snippets from the tracks w/ our fav genshin men.

▹▹Dottore 

1:00 am 

Dottore isn't the best at words, especially when it's past midnight and you both have an assignment due first thing in the morning. Yet as the clock tics onwards, he grows a bit bolder.

Comedic Tragedy

Dottore is lovesick and desperate. Reader just wants a life away from from the Akademiya. Neither get what they expected. 

▹▹Childe 

2:00 am 

The Tsaritsa sends two of her finest assassins to take out the head of the Kamisato clan. It's funny how repressed emotions and forgotten memories resurface at the worst times.

▹▹Neuvillette

Do Not Weep Hydro Dragon

There's a crack in Neuvillette's heart that bares your name. He sheds a tear for you each day. Yet once you return to Fontaine with your fiance. The cracks and tears begin to grow. 

▹▹Freminet

Sinking into the Depths

Freminet is desperate to take you diving with him. You are rather reluctant. 

▹▹ Baizhu

Yandere Headcanons

Just some headcanons setting up a longer story.~💜

Sweet like morning-glory

There's a melody humming within your bones. A tune Baizhu strums with his needles and drugs. The ballade sings of a love more deadly than any toxin.

▹▹ Rosaria

TBA

▹▹ Lynette

Yandere Headcanons

Yandere Lynette is such a conniving sweetheart!!

▹▹ Wriothesley

WereWolf

Heritage pricks Wriothesley like a valley of thrones, it's unnerving to find someone with the same pains. 

Yadere!Werewolf! Headcanons

Wriothesley has a secret...it's a pleasant surprise to find someone who harbors the same burden.

▹▹ Capitano

Ice on Ice

He's carved you into his perfect weapon.

princess of flame/captain of ice

He's the ice bearer, the monster sent to snuff out the flames of your homeland. But isn't that just love? To kill with such passion. Wouldn't anything else just be a lie?

💜 Transformers

Yandere Transformers One

Yandere Transformers One thoughts featuring D-16 Megatron, Orian Pax Optimus Prime, and the one and only Sentinel Prime

Yandere D-16 vs Yandere Megatron

How can the same person be so different?

Yandere Sentinel Prime's punishments

He's the worst. No, the best. No, the worst. Yeah definitely the worst.

Yandere Orion Pax VS Yandere Optimus Prime

He's always burned too brightly

💜 Obey me 

▹▹ Leviathan

Self-loathing

Levi’s caught in a trance, tempted and bewitched by the devildom’s new resident. Someone who’s self hatred rivals his own. Someone who might just comprehend his pain...

💜 Twisted wonderland 

▹▹ Leona Kingscholar

My Queen My Prey

You and Leona are opposites that keep getting in each other's ways. And yet there isn't a single damn thing Leona wouldn't do for you.

▹▹Idia Shroud

Dr.Frankenstein

Idia wants to prove the world wrong. To show that there is more to life than good and bad, villains and heroes. But somewhere along the way, he falls in love with what he is trying to prove.

Just Like The Gods

Idia falls in love, death and destruction soon follow. He can’t really help it, it’s in his blood.

▹▹General 

How To Be A Villain In Seven easy Steps (Riddle, Leona, Azul)

It’s easy to be the villain when life has already casted you for the role from the day you were born...

💜Record Of Ragnarok 

▹▹ Nikola Tesla 

Sleepless  

Tesla doesn't sleep, can't sleep. He has something he needs to finish, something to fulfill. Maybe for once in his miserable existence, his inventions can be acknowledged for what they truly are. You're trying to prove yourself before the world comes to an end. And if that means absorbing every form of toxicity your childhood crush has to offer then so be it.

💜Jujutsu Kaisen

▹▹Sukuna 

MONSTERS

Monsters aren’t born they’re made, but Sukuna stumbles across the rare exception…

💜Marvel

▹▹General

Love of my life (Yandere x-men 97)

Why is it so hard to say I love you?

Alice in Marvel-land (Yandere! Deadpool x Reader x Yandere Wolverine)

In some worlds, you were Logan's little darling. In others, you were Wade's starry-eyed lover. But here in the void, there is only one of you and two of them.

▹▹ Miles Morales 

Imposter Syndrome

Miles is the villain. You are the hero. You two shouldn't be in love...

The Perfect Girl

Somewhere along the line the villain won and the hero lost. Now your life is nothing more than a cautionary tale.

The Spider's Web

You are a hero, you feel it within your bones. Calamity may strike and villains may rise. But you are still a hero, it's time to start acting like one. 

▹▹ Miguel O’hara

Comic Book Love

You finally realize that you and Miguel are stuck inside a comic book romance.

Spider Love Bite

Miguel loves you, this you know. But neither the story nor the hero ever stops long enough to wonder if you love him too.

▹▹Michael Morbius

Late Night Calls

Sometimes Morbius is lucid enough to remember your name...

💜DC

▹▹General

Do you think we'll be in love forever? (Yandere! DC men x reader) Pt1

When their love turns into obsession.

▹▹Harvey Dent/Two-Face

One for the money, two for the show

Harvey's always been a bit too delusional, always a bit too desperate for the perfect life and the perfect little wife.

▹▹ Roman Sionis/Black Mask

Snow White

It takes a glass coffin for him to realize he loves her.

▹▹ Jason Todd/Red Hood

Red hood and the big bad wolf

He's never been afraid of the big bad wolf.

▹▹ Jason Todd/Arkham Knight

Arkham Knight x Catgirl!Reader

Jason has a crush on Selina's apprentice. It doesn't end well

▹▹ Dr Phosphorus

Pink Pony Club

Don't don't belong on the stage dancing in your heels. You belong with him where he can keep you safe.

▹▹Tim Drake/Red Robin

Tim Drake x Catgirl! Reader

Your ethos haunts him as he pens love letter inked in his own blood

💜Barbie

▹▹Ken

He's Just Ken

You're just Barbie, perfect on the outside, dead on the inside. He's just Ken, neither perfect on the outside nor on the inside. 

💜Moriarty The Patriot

▹▹William James

Anomaly

Reader is an anomaly. A noblewoman of foreign descent. She doesn't belong here. But oh how she wishes to burn the world down just like William.

💜Star Wars

▹▹General 

Our Pretty Little Girl (Yandere!Anakin Skywalker x Reader x Yandere! Darth Maul)

You try to escape from two fearsome Sith Lords. Surprisingly they take it rather well.

Didn't Mean To Say I Love You

Love letters between lyrics

▹▹Darth Maul

Yandere! Darth Maul Headcanons

What's Darth Maul like as a yandere? How does he treat his darling?

Yandere Darth Maul Headcanons (Ft. Darth Talon)

You're Maul's little doll. Trapped between two scary sith lords.

▹▹Anakin Skywalker

TBA

▹▹Qimir

Strawberries

Why does the new apothecary remind you of old starfruits?

Acolyte

Your loneliness is suffocating, engulfing. Qimir is the only one who seems to subdue the pain. But every forbidden fruit has its price.

Cookies

Just a sweet moment between a bloodthirsty sith lord and his precious little acolyte

Dark Vacay

He steals you in summer. Castaway on a planet with no name. But the way his eyes shine under the hot sun has your heart beating out of your chest.

▹▹Master Sol

TBA

💜Dune

▹▹General

I love you, It's ruining my life

When they realize they love

Desert Rose (Yandere! Paul Atreides x reader x Yandere! Feyd Rautha Harkonnen)

You miss the desert. Miss the sun and the sand and the place where they buried your heart. So you run and pray that they won't catch you. 

💜Wuthering Waves

▹▹General

I might just be in love

Wuthering waves men and how they treat their darling

💜Miscellaneous

Superstar AU

He's the hottest new talent and he's only got eyes for you. Based on the movie Priscilla.

▹▹Dracula

A Confession letter

Dear Dracula...

▹▹ Monster High

Yandere! Monster High Ghouls

There's something ancient within you. Lost and forgotten. You're an eldritch creature living amongst monsters. A piece of you lives within each of them. And a piece of each of them lives inside you...

Yandere! Knight x Princess! Reader

Conquer, Conquer, Conquer