#crying commences

[damnamour]

ICI TOUT COMMENCE ― E1070

[4th-make-quail]

the beginning is the end is the beginning casts it back the shadow of Occurian design! // history begins anew // together we go. come.

[laikinz]

they should invent a loneliness that isn’t so lonely and BLEAK

[ladyinthebluebox]

Tav in the wine cellar of Rosymorn Monastery: all this spilled wine will catch fire easily.

Karlach: [already swinging her fire axe at a kobold]

wine cellar:

[polarisbibliotheque]

Nemesis (Vergil x Reader) - Chapter 2

Nemesis

Pairing: Vergil x Reader

Summary: The Abyss opening is a rare occurrence. In his youth, Vergil wanted to harness its power, but never thought he would meet his greatest adversary along the way. Years later, the Abyss is once again open and that might call for some rather unlikely alliances.

Chapter 1 (Prologue) | Chapter 2 (you are here!)

Age restriction: 18+ - there’s a lot of blood, violence, cursing and all those things people want to forbid younger audiences of seeing. Also, cosmic horror is a thing here. Procceed with caution.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Nothing too bad. The reader recovers, but has that empty existential thing that they've nowhere to go now.

Author's notes: Building your character! The reader has to be as badass as Vergil he wouldn't bow to a human weaker than him. Also, I've been playing with the idea of the Codex Daemonica for a while - Sparda and Eva needed to teach Dante and Vergil how Hell worked somehow.

Truth be told, I wanna write it and illustrate it. Might do it someday xD

Chapter 2

You thought you would wake up in Heaven.

The golden light of the afternoon painted the room in a warm embrace. You had no idea where you were – it looked like a small city hospital, seeming more like a cozy hotel than a home for doctors and diseased. While your eyes carefully scanned your surroundings, you found a young, kind looking woman – wearing a long, light green dress and white apron. She organized a few things around, finally looking at you after a while.

When she met your eyes, she opened a smile as warm as the sun outside.

“Oh, you are finally awake! Everyone is going to be so happy to hear that!”

“Where…” Your voice was raspy. You coughed a little bit, trying to clear your throat. It seemed like you didn’t use your voice in years. “Where am I?”

“Don’t worry about that. Your city… I’m really sorry about it. Everyone fled and searched for solace in here – we’re the nearest village around you. We were so scared to hear about what happened, but…” She glanced at you, questioning if she should keep talking. Your eyes had no feelings – it didn’t seem like the loss of your city affected that much. Perhaps you had already accepted that as you did your last stand. “We heard… Hmmm… Rumors. Of a last human who fought all the demons, ‘til the very last one. And because of that human, the demons didn’t spread to nearby cities.”

You shook your head while processing all those words. The nurse kept looking at you, clearly believing you were that human she was talking about. You matched all the descriptions, and you were left in the hospital’s porch quite injured – you, in the other hand, didn’t believe it was all thanks to you. A lot of good people died trying to protect the city, many of your colleagues. Good warriors, who didn’t go down without a good fight. They deserved the recognition too.

“How long have I been here…?”

“It’s been 5 days since you arrived.” The nurse giggled as you widened your eyes. You had been out for 5 days?! That was new… And it was impressive you even survived. “We were starting to worry… Your odds weren’t the best, if you allow me to say so. We hoped you’d be alright, but… You weren’t waking up. We thought you… Wouldn’t. I’m so happy you did, though.”

Once again you shook your head, processing all the information. It was a lot to absorb in only a few moments – and now, there was only one mystery left…

“How did I get here?”

“Hmmm. No one really knows.” The nurse sighed, eyes carrying honesty. “You just… Appeared. Someone carried you all the way here and left you on the door. The Head Nurse saw a dark figure through the window and saw you on the floor – as soon as she called us to help, the figure left. She doesn’t know who it was, but they ringed the doorbell and made sure someone would care for you.”

You furrowed your brows. There was no one left in the city, only you. The very few humans left were escaping on their own or left to die. You only had memories of fighting until your body gave out and you closed your eyes – finally waking up in the hospital. You had no knowledge of how you escaped the demons, fled the city and ended up there – and, apparently, no one else did either.

“Oh, they also wrapped you cozily around a big shawl so you wouldn’t be too cold. It was pouring that night.” You finally woke up from your thoughts as the woman handed you a midnight blue shawl; soft to the touch, enough to keep any wind or cold away from whoever wore it. “It seems like you have a very caring guardian angel.”

You smiled back to the nurse before she left the room. You kept running your hands through the soft scarf as you thought about everything that happened through the last days.

A guardian angel. You never thought they would be real – but if demons existed, angels should be real as well. It seemed fitting that your angel would be a dark yet caring figure.

You smiled alone, wrapping yourself around the shawl. After having lost everything, it was nice to believe you had a guardian angel watching over you.

**

“Can I help…?”

You had spent one week in the hospital and, by now, you already knew everyone. Your recovery, slow but certain, made every nurse, doctor and staff smile with hope – you were a case of certain death, but there you were: doing your best and fighting to stay alive.

It was the first time you walked out of your bed though.

“Y/n! You shouldn’t be wondering about!” Margaret, or Margie as everyone would call her, almost jumped out of her own wrinkled skin upon laying eyes on you. The very same Head Nurse who promptly helped you that night, she made sure you were resting and recovering. “Now, now! Back to your room!”

“You look like you need some help, Margie.” Your answer was calm, with a fun smile on your lips. She carried a pile of bedspreads and seemed to have a hard time keeping it all in her arms while trying to open the closet to organize them in. “C’mon, let me help you. I’m never recovering if I just stay tossed in bed crying over my bruised body.”

Margie’s judging eyes rested like glittering emeralds on yours. She was smaller than you, but that didn’t make her less commanding: Margaret could order around even the doctors – everyone respected her age and her experience.

Also, you thought everyone was a little bit afraid of her. She was a wonderful person indeed.

“Fine. But don’t you go jumping around like a gazelle. You need to recover.” Her words, even if harsh, made you smile.

“I’ll look after myself, don’t worry.” Your voice was calm and reassuring. It was the best way to deal with her. “You, in the other hand, look like you need help. What can I do?”

“Nothing. You can sit there and watch me.” Margaret pointed at a nearby chair – but you were as headstrong as she was. Pretending not to hear the woman, you took all the bedspreads from her, between her protests, and stood right by her side.

“Here. Now you can open the door and organize things while I hand you the bedspreads. A lot easier, isn’t it?”

“Oh, you are such a piece of work!” She shook her head in disapproval while doing exactly what you said. You just smiled back, watching carefully as you helped her fulfill her job. “I don’t know why you don’t go out to take a stroll in the garden. It’s much better than standing here like a broomstick by my side.”

“Hmmm. I like doing something.” You hummed back, taking a look at the sun outside through a nearby window. “Apparently, I’ll have enough time to stay around, so I can take strolls in the garden whenever I want to. I, hmmm… I guess I don’t want to think too much right now.”

“Oh, why is that? Thinking is always good, dear.”

“I know, but… I don’t know much what to do now.” You shrugged, trying to contain a sigh. “I don’t have a place to go after here. I guess… I’m trying to avoid thinking what I’m going to do after I fully recover.”

“Don’t you know any of the other survivors…?”

“I do, I just…” Now you couldn’t help but sighing. “I was left behind. I went back to save the children who didn’t make out of the city’s orphanage, but then my… Hmmm… Friends left without me.” You turned silent for a while, not even noticing Margaret staring at you with those beautiful emerald eyes. “I’d like to see the children, to know they’re ok. But I don’t feel like meeting everyone else… As far as they know, I’m as good as dead. If they even remember I exist. So… Yeah. I don’t really know what to do after recovering. I’m trying not to think of it so I won’t worry too much.”

You didn’t look at her as you were speaking neither after finishing your answer. The only thing that ran through your mind was a half anxiety attack questioning why you were opening your heart to another human being even after all that happened.

You concluded it was because you saw no threat in an old lady like Margaret. She could be threatening like a grandma, but she wasn’t a threat to your fragile heart.

Now kept safe behind layers and layers of stone walls you built around it.

“Well, well…” Margie finally spoke again, returning to her task. As you did before, she decided not to annoy you with a scrutinizing stare – it seemed like you would feel more comfortable if she kept the conversation as casual as you did. “You should help me this week, then. If you do a good job, you can stay around.”

You looked back at Margaret, noticing a small smile hidden on her dry lips. Your own smile reflected the golden bloom in your heart, as you continued silently helping her with the bedspreads.

Even if you didn’t end up doing a good job that week, Margaret had already decided. The hospital would take you in, for as long as you decided to stay.

*

Turns out, having you around the hospital was a very good thing.

As you slowly recovered, the staff realized how strong you were. Being a warrior, using your skills to protect your city until it fell, the hospital chores were easy and mundane – nothing like a day of tireless training to perfect your grip technique or your footwork on several situations with all kinds of enemies. Fixing lightbulbs or carrying groceries was quite peaceful compared to that.

As you started running errands for the staff, people around the town got to know you – and who you were. Always wearing a beautiful deep blue shawl, you were the one who posed the last stand and didn’t allow the demons to swarm the other cities. There was quite a sense of reverence – and even fear – you were never used to feeling before.

“Oh, if it’s not my favorite customer visiting me today! Hello, y/n!”

“How are you, Pepe?” You smiled peacefully as you heard the loud greeting of the bakery owner as soon as you stepped inside. “Business going well as usual?”

“Better than usual! You see, with the recent increase of people, there’s an increase in birthdays too. I have a huge order for a birthday party today!” His smile was contagious under the carefully sculptured moustache.

“That’s great to hear. I hope you can take my order too, though.” You leaned on the counter while his wife was busy helping a customer nearby.

“I can always take your orders, y/n. Everything for the one who helped save the city.” He had kindness in his eyes as you brushed the compliments away. You never knew what to do with yourself when people spoke to you like that – you were used to being bashed or, at least, invisible. “And everything for the hospital too, of course. What do you need?”

“Hmmm, Margie gave me a list, should be here somewhere…” You searched your pockets until you found a quite generous piece of paper. Pepe just stared at you, as you stared him back. “You know Margie…”

“Don’t sweat it, kid. I got your back.” He winked while taking the list and examining it with quick eyes. “It’s going to take just a while, the bread is in the oven. You’ll go back to the hospital with fresh, warm bread! How does that sound?”

“It sounds more than great, Pepe. You’re a lifesaver.” You smiled back, making him light up as bright as the day outside.

“Oh, that makes us even then! Have a sit, make yourself at home! I’ll bring you some tea!”

You didn’t even have time to answer: Pepe had already left in search for tea and something for you to snack while waiting for your order to be done.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt…” The other client, though, caught your attention before you could sit. “But I heard you both talking… You’re the one who defended the city? Before the demons and the Abyss destroyed it?”

“Oh. Yes.” Honestly, who wouldn’t have heard Pepe? You couldn’t even blame that random person. “Not just me. But I was one of the people who fought that day.”

“Well… I don’t mean to be rude or anything… But are you open to side jobs?” As the man asked, you furrowed your brows. You had never thought of that as a job. “I mean, as a hunter. My family is having problems with demons in a city nearby, they need a hunter’s help. We don’t know anyone… We can pay you well for your trouble!”

A demon hunter. You had never thought of working as one before – sure, you heard of them, but your city had a strong line of defense against human and non-human threats. Sure, it wasn’t enough to save everyone, but it did manage to save a few people. Given that, you never needed to hire a devil hunter and that was something quite rare to see where you came from.

It was a good opportunity to put your skills to use, to help you keep refining your skills. If you met that blue coated demon again, you’d need to be at your very best – no, you would need to be better. Being a hunter would help definitely help you as well as give you an opportunity to help financially at the hospital.

“Yeah… Yeah, I’m open to that.” You snapped out of your thoughts in a matter of seconds. Maybe it would be the best way to find the blue coated demon and kick his ass for good. He deserved it – and you would never relax until you met him again and had your rematch. “I can work as a devil hunter. How can I contact your family?”

That marked the beginning of your career as a ruthless demon hunter. No one around had your skills and people would go to the hospital to treat their injuries as well as to hire you for eventual jobs.

It became something so common, Margaret instructed the reception to ask if the people coming in needed health care or were searching for the services of the in-house devil hunter.

You never turned out a job, though. As difficult as it sounded, as far as it was – you always put your midnight blue shawl and prayed in a murmur for your guardian angel to bring you home safely. You also prayed for your angel to protect you during the hunt and, if the blue coated demon appeared, to give you the strength and aid to defeat him. After the Abyss incident, that blue demon became your greatest enemy – the only you weren’t able to easily beat; the only whose skills, and pride, matched yours.

And you absolutely hated that.

**

The amount of knowledge surrounding the Abyss was perfectly… Unsatisfying. That’s what you thought, at least, during your arcane researches in the hospital’s library.

Whenever you weren’t helping around, running errands or hunting, you took your time to gather as much knowledge as you could regarding the Abyss. In your town, you only learnt it was a place out of the human world, carrying the “greatest horrors of mankind”. And that was it.

As one of the city’s warriors, you were in charge of defending it and its people – you knew of the Abyss, you knew it could manifest and open at any time, even if it wasn’t a common occurrence, but… That’s how far your knowledge went back then.

And you would argue that was how much everyone else in the city, even the elder researches, knew about it.

The Abyss had destroyed your city and had almost claimed your life. It made you encounter the blue coated devil for the first time – and burn inside for a rematch. Every time you thought of him, you wanted to punch that arrogant attitude out of his face. He was looking for the Abyss, and he probably knew something about it that you didn’t – you could bet wherever another fissure to the Abyss opened, he would be there.

Whatever that demon wanted with the Abyss – and whatever that darkness harbored – it couldn’t be good. You would stop anyone from entering or exiting the Abyss, even if that costed your life – and whatever the blue demon wanted with it, you would always be there to stop him.

Aside from that, you also searched for a way to close it for good. When it came to Hell, there was the legend of Sparda: the demon who rebelled against its own kind to lock the gates of Hell behind itself, finally settling down on your side with a human. If Sparda closed the gates of Hell forever, you could close the openings to the Abyss as well.

You just had to find a way to do that.

With an audible sigh, you leaned your head on your hand, surrounded by old, decaying tomes while sitting at the grand oak table of the library. The entries regarding the Abyss were always minimal, one page with big letters at most – and none of them gave you much information regarding its details: what the hell it was, what was in there, how far it went, its landscapes, what kinds of creatures inhabited its shadows, its hierarchies…

There could be a Codex Abyssae just like there was the Codex Daemonica. Since you had started working as a hunter, you practically knew the Codex by heart – knowing most demon species, their hierarchies in Hell, how powerful they were, the circles from Hell, their strengths and weaknesses… But even the Codex Daemonica had just a little note regarding the Abyss.

Your researches would prove to be very tiring indeed. You needed to speak to a creature who actually knew more about it – maybe you could even write your own Codex on the Abyss after gathering the information you needed.

If there wasn’t a book about it, you would have to write your own.

“Y/n! It’s time to stop reading and go to work.” Margie snapped you out of your thoughts as soon as you decided it was time to go deeper on your research.

“Another client?” You stretched your back – even if you sat with a good posture whenever you were reading, with time, you always ended up melting on your chair and looking like a piece of ice cream that was kept away from the freezer for far too long. “Demons?”

“No, it’s worse!” The man in charge of hiring you ran forward, nervously holding a little hat in his bony hands. “It’s… We don’t know. We think… It might be the same thing that happened to your city. You must help us! Please!”

“The Abyss…?” You immediately got up from your chair, already searching for your great silver sword and wrapping yourself on your deep blue guardian angel's shawl. With time, you found a use for dual guns and shotguns, as well as a combat knife for emergencies. You had read about summoning swords with arcane energy, but you weren’t yet strong enough in your arcane magic to be able to do that. You still had a long way to go – enter the use of guns. They were very practical when it came to fighting a swarm of demons. “Lead the way. Depending on how things look like, we’ll have to evacuate your city.”

“We’re already doing that, but we heard about you and… You can help us do it safely! You can stop the demons… Can’t you?” The man’s eyes were filled with horror while yours didn’t flinch for even a second.

“Every demon around will try to access the Abyss, just like it happened to my city.” Your answer was certain as a stone, while you finished gearing up. “Yeah. I can stop them. Every single one of them.”

Even the ones who wore blue.

“Be careful, dear… You have to come back and help me with the laundry on the weekend.” Margaret held your arm before you left the library.

“Don’t worry. You’re not gonna get rid of me this easy, Margie.” You winked at her; the confidence in your eyes reassuring and making her relax a little.

You were certain he would be there – and it would be the perfect opportunity for you to start the research for your own Codex Abyssae.

**

To be continued...

[cameoutstruggling93]

A few of the DSC students graduated today and one told me that she was so grateful for my support over the past couple years, including cheering her on at commencement. Another told me that I had such a positive impact on her.

These past few weeks have been ROUGH but these little moments....so worth it ❤️

[creative-shine]

waiting for this story to make me cry again it's been a while. please I want to be miserable, give me angst

[pepprs]

guys i got to be part of the faculty and staff processional at convocation and finally walk in the arena wearing my cap and gown and make up for not getting to graduate in person 😭😭😭😭💗💗💗💗 it was so meaningful to me lol i cried 3 times i was so so happy to be there

[gardenerian]

opinions on lip gallagher?

he's a fool. he's pathetic. he's a smartass. he's so strong and i love him so much.

[damnamour]

ICI TOUT COMMENCE ― E940

[lovefail]

❛ You have conquered me, I am yours. ❜

@richardxoliverxmayhew BOOK STARTERS VOL.11     ANNA KARENINA

Richard could not know that he had conquered Maurice in kind; that he had utterly and completely took possession of him—heart, mind, body and soul. For Maurice's clumsy tongue did not bear the words with which to express such a profound and joyous sentiment. Yet he held Richard in his arms, as a man would hold onto a rock amidst a hurricane, and kissed his lips again and again.

❝—And now, I shall never let you go. We will make our own life, and to hell with others. All we ever needed was the two of us.❞

[quirefeast]

i literally would be no where without my friends and family and i have everything to thank them for

[thebeigewallflower7]

Happy Star Wars Wednesday!

Are we ready?

[ancient-cats-unite]

@fraxiommusic you're pain and too many thots, maybe a bit of crying

hey i made this fanfic writer meme. drop in my ask which one u think i am!!!!

(okay to rb!)

[queenbirbs]

I have one final scene (literally the last one) to stitch together and another to clean up, then a read through, an edit, and a final read through and then this fic will be done

[sentofight]