#darquesse

[senhor-do-escuro]

Valkyrie and Skulduggery Pleasant. No discussion.

[nicstylus]

From Stephanie to Cain

Based off this post by @nell0-0 (originally done by @mizaruwu, then also done by @theegh0st @zarvasace @lele5429 @feed-your-dragons @cabbagewizard, @snail-studios @@sage-sometimes-draws and @harmonysixx, all yalls art is sick, but I hopped off the loz train, sorry) which was originally based off this

WIPs:

[greykolla-art]

Comic scene from DEATH BRINGER under the cut✌️

Better start reading the books so you can look at my cool art!

Darquesse casually poking into the magic that holds Skulduggery together. My girl is such a menace 💕

[facelessxchurch]

The next three reprint covers by Matt Taylor dropped! Out on June 5th!

[whimsylueur]

"If she was trapped in somewhere like this," Valkyrie said, "that'd be it, though, wouldn't it? There'd be no chance of talking to her, of getting her to control herself or anything like that?"

"That would be impossible. The only reason Argeddion hasn't escaped is because he's been kept in an artificially induced coma. We can't allow him to wake up - ever. With Darquesse, it would be even more important to keep her sedated. If you give someone like that a moment of consciousness, she'd kill you and everyone else."

"Well," Valkyrie said, frowning, "that sucks."

Lament looked surprised. "You'd prefer the alternative?"

"No," she said quickly. "No, I was just thinking, from her perspective that sucks, not from our... Never mind. Could we have a copy of the plans?"

"I don't see why not," said Lament. "But do you have enough people to monitor her? Do you have anyone who'd be willing to give up the rest of their life to spend with her?"

"I would," Skulduggery said.

Imagining an instance where they actually brought this plan to life is so depressing, it does amazing things to my brain chemistry.

Anyway peep my mad man poetry in the tags x

[beaniebopp]

the holy trinity

[dravencroft]

Stephanie, Valkyrie, Darquesse.

"And who are you? Nothing but a collection of spare parts."

[just-trying-to-figure-it-out]

The first half of The Dying Of The Light is just Darquesse playing musical chairs with Valkyrie and Stephanie and their two bodies

[dykemcqueen]

normal. normal. feeling normal about them

[detective-inspector-her]

Heart Full of Hatred Part 1

Chapters 1 - 24

Inspired by Ghost, don't read if you haven't read the book it's weird spoilers for the entire story.

Chapter 1

Valkyrie's having a holiday! With Militsa! Oh for crying out loud can she have rest?! Yeah guys, she's not god. Oh. Hey Glee, thought you died.

Chapter 2

Stupid guy jumping off a building. Militsa! I love this woman, fight me. Ha, Valkyrie is cheating! Fletcher! Ha she has her own bed 'Her ex-boyfriend', Val that is your brother/cousin in all but blood at this point. Stop. I was right about the Crystal! Hell yeah! Valkyrie in awe of Fletcher.

Chapter 3

This guy's a sicko and I hate him already. Potato and Soup! Valkyrie reading stuff because Skulduggery makes her feel uneducated. Woman you didn't go to school as a teenager. Not Sorcerers having Lawyers because of Romeo Gideon.

Chapter 4

Stupid racists going after Mia of all people. Oh damn, Winter? Girl? Maybe reel it in, your parents are in that pile. Mia's funny, I like her. Ha, Winter set her car on fire

Chapter 5

Skulduggery is miffed. Skulduggery babbles Iota, I appreciate you feeling bad or at least, letting your muscles slack over someone's death.

Chapter 6

Mel! I like Sable. Who do you have eyes for Mel? SABLE NO!

Chapter 7

Cadaver is in charge now? Manipulative bastard. Skulduggery and Cadaver are having imaginary conversations again. Valkyrie and Temper are having the same issue. I low key thought Temper was the new warden at first but of course not, it's this bitch. Valkyrie complimenting Cadaver. Skulduggery mocking Cadaver. I hate that he makes sense but also, no one could arrest the billions of Mortals who did what they did. Justice can't be served, it's impossible. It's tragic. But blaming the Sanctuary is inefficent when the man running it wasn't alive at the time.

Chapter 8

'Saint Valkyrie' Fletcher would die. 'My sister isn't a Saint' she ain't a demon to resent either Winter. Okay, Winter, Honey, I need you to tone down the hate towards Mortals, it's getting a bit much. Again, your parents are in that population, your cousin, your aunt and uncle. Relax. Is it bad that I miss Malice?

Chapter 9

Lol Ghastly swinging at Skulduggery immediately. Ghastly she learnt it from Skulduggery, stop it. AWKWARD EDGLEY FAMILY REUNION THING PART 2!!!!!!!!!!!!! *sigh* I love it when Valkyrie uses her brain. Skulduggery never lets her. Not the Masked Sisters, that's painful Val, those worshipers would freak me out as well, you're fine. I'm pretty sure that Valkyrie isn't attending the dinner because of the Masked Sister, not because it's boring.

Chapter 10

Tanith's bike?! Oh good, I'd hate for her to be formal in her clothing, Dexter would have flashbacks. I don't think the sword thing is the same as leaving it behind. Poor Valkyrie at this point, she's apologising for her soul existing. Remnant Tanith is coming out with the 'Darquesse was a hoot'. And in front of Val seems disrespectful honestly. Serpine set off the Cleaver shortage, Mevolent would be so proud. Valkyrie proving that she's traumatised by having a vivid recollection of her 12 year old memories. 9 year old? Sorcerers are fucked up? If Fergus and Gordon had been into magic at that age, they'd have probably been pressured. Fuck the other Sanctuaries, agree with Valkyrie, Tanith. I love Val using her brain, manipulative little shit.

Chapter 11

I forgot Fletcher chopped Salt's hand off. Valkyrie is going to be suffering from what happened in AmFoM for a while, I can tell. Valkyrie would hate playing FNAF, she'd be worse than Markiplier when it comes to jumpscares. So, judging by Mel's chapter and this chapter, the new guy can nullify magic, which is interesting and inconvenient. Could he kill Skulduggery by nullifying the magic keeping him together? Stupid crystal stealing her powers, that's also really interesting actually. I'm glad I foreshadowed that in my PwF fic because it's a major plotpoint in my time travel fic. I don't like how it keeps bringing up her jacket.

Chapter 12

I think this new trilogy's theme is how Valkyrie is so used to Skulduggery being there and so used to having good protection that now she's slowly powering down and now she's not as attached at the hip as she was as a teen and during her depression arc she's struggling to beat these new bad guys.

Skulduggery needs to give her five minutes, and she seems to have a pissed off aura around her during the beginning of that conversation. Valkyrie you grew a hand, you grew a PERSON, but reattaching a hand is too much for you? Aw, he cares and he's only letting Fletcher see it so that he can hide the evidence. Aw, Fletcher. Why is Fletcher in these books suddenly? Why is he a focus point? I'm going to throw up they're so cute. Skulduggery, he's had more success than you in healthy relationships, shut up. OH MY GOD FLETCHER. I mean, fair enough, Skulduggery started it but bring up Abyssinia and China, bring up him thinking Nefarian is attractive, that's the bit you don't pick on. Did that seriously get his approval. Your standards are fucked.

Chapter 13

Ha, Valkyrie's good at 'accidentally' hurting people. Honestly, wouldn't be surprised if Darquesse went to hell, tricked a god into helping her, and stabbed him in the back while calling it revenge for all the shit she was born into. A bit embarrassing to be beaten by what is essentially a baby god right? Fletcher is being extra helpful. Aw, they're cute. Valkyrie I love and adore you, you support your closest normal friend! Ha, she forgot she set Fletcher up.

Chapter 14

Oh good, you do love your parent. I was starting to wonder. Nevermind, dumb ignorant mortals are back. I hate to say it but Winter went from my top ten favs to top ten most hated. We've seen what her family does, Veers, they support each other. I can't say that Winter inherited that trait. Veers shouldn't remind you of your mother. I swear, Valkyrie had it bad but at least she kept her good morals and changed those around her for the better. Winter is awful in mind.

Chapter 15

Valkyrie casually reliving her trauma in this book. 'He was dead now', damn girl be blunt. Valkyrie's wearing heels to an event that last time was held she got chased down for. That seems safe. OMG IT'S THE GUY WHO WAS BEING WEIRD LAST TIME. OMG HIS NAME IS COLIN. Colin is an ally. Crystal is totally 29 and not older than Valkyrie by 4 years. CRYSTAL HAS TWINS Gordon's book is becoming a movie, that's cool. That's cool. Ha, Desmond has been cornered by cousins. Winter for gods sake, I know Valkyrie didn't want to go but at least she tried. DOG LADY! I'm getting deja vu and I don't like it. Xena, nooo Don't say you're in love, Valkyrie. Something will go wrong.

Chapter 16

Skulduggery's being a baby about lanyards. Valkyrie is parenting him. Proper is having fun. People are having fun rattling Skulduggery. That man will know his fury, he's so fucking dramatic. Skulduggery we get it, you don't like the lanyard. There was a rest to work for the Sanctuary? Valkyrie you got off easy. haha, valkyrierockz as a password is funny. Valkyrie please tell me you're taking advantage of those therapy sessions. Skulduggery is plotting revenge on Proper. Skulduggery is being used for crosswords.

Chapter 17

The mayors upset about the lanyards, I'm sure Skulduggery feels vindicated. MEL! Why would he string her in the trees? That's so sick. Can I see Solomon? Please. Skulduggery is annoyed Solomon is back. Amusing. Proper shall know Skulduggery's wrath.

Chapter 18

It's almost like Alter isn't trustworthy, who knew? No, WINTER, not Cadaver. Anyone but that. Oh, hey. A people-eater. I really don't like this. NOW MALICE, WINTER ISTG I don't appreciate the Valkyrie slander. It was fine in AmFoM because I kind of got it. But you've been awful this entire book so I no longer wish to allow it. WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'NO REAL PEOPLE THEN'?! YOUR PARENTS ARE FUCKING MORTAL. Oh now you go after Melissa, Valkyrie shouldn't of repaired your soul you little shit.

Chapter 19

Valkyrie is teasing drunk Militsa and I love it. He can nullify phones as well, interesting. Again, I don't like the parallels in this book to Phase 1, it's bothering me. XENA IS IN LINE OF FIRE BUT VALKYRIE HAS AN AXE AND WILL GO JOHN WICK ON THIS HOE IF SHE DIES Go Xena, go Xena XENA NO, NONOONONONO XENA HE WAS ABOUT TO BEHEAD XENA IN FRONT OF HER OMG

Chapter 20

Ok so I don't think I'm going to be okay, I had to go on a walk for that. Um, here we go again I suppose. This is going to take years off my teenage life Derek.

I like Tier and I like Mia. I heavily dislike Winter and the other guy is annoying. Ghastly is Valkyrie's uncle confirmed. He didn't deny the crush allegations and, honestly, man? You could do better, Winter isn't nice.

Chapter 21

Valkyrie's thinking about age. Notice how she doesn't slander Mortals? Oh it's because China came to visit her. Remember in Dark Days? Remember how she said she'd never go to Val's bedside. Oh, it isn't China. Valkyrie asking about Xena XENA LIVES Oh it's the lady from the prologue. Gordon wore yellow socks and that made the gremlin laugh I KNEW IT! THE DARKLYS ARE ANCIENTS Wait did Malice kill the Darkly twins? I've kind of headcanoned that Cadaver killed Omen so please don't take that from me. Oh wait, never mind. Oh great, so neither side is any good and they're all doomed in 18 months. In theory. Okay, Valkyrie. Go watch Epic: The Musical. Ruthlessness is mercy. The blood on your hands is something you can't loose, all you choose is whos. That cut song 'This can not be the way' suits her. The Witch Mother is interesting, and she isn't wrong. But I can understand Valkyrie's reluctance. XENA LIVES

Chapter 22

Just because you've been through trauma doesn't mean that it's easier to ignore, Valkyrie. You nearly died alone and afraid. Your dog nearly died saving you. I'm glad she's having these realisations; she needs them. But I have a feeling she's going to be in a world of hurt that tears all of that down.

Chapter 23

Valkyrie is unbalanced and she doesn't want Skulduggery to know. I don't know what Skulduggery would do if he did know. Valkyrie's priority is her family and her dog and her girlfriend and I'm glad that's the case. What photos does she have, I'm interested. By schooldays she better be talking about her teenage years in general and prove me right. Okay they're meeting China, that's what she meant. Disappointing. They're doing visits? China is making a genuine effort and getting mad that Skul isn't? I love this. Not as precious as you my dear. I love them and China I love you supporting your daughter and not-daughter. Oh so the battle has been a thing for a while. Val, sorry but you're stuck with this. Maybe the battle is Skulduggery's old partner and his present partner. That'd be cool with their matching powers. China = Fletcher 'Molding young minds' She's so pissed about not being in charge. She's becoming more of a mum I'm noticing. It's cute but China, Val is in her 30s, stop mothering her for one second.

Okay so now I'm halfway through the book, it's good so far. I'm enjoying it. Winter, annoying me but at the same time I kind of get it. It's a slippery moral slope. Part two probably on Tuesday, doing the rest of the book

[n14-4cko]

Darquesse and Val during phase one

[nicstylus]

Next Part

Remember when Darquesse restarted the universe and everyone respawned where they'd been killed or erased? Yeah I've decided (from the perspective of someone who has not read any of phase 3) that the same is true of Ghastly Bespoke: That he woke up on the floor where he bled out, in the depths of the high sanctuary, lost and confused and only just now realizing the betrayal of Ravel, unaware that he's been dead for near a decade, and completely convinced that he's hallucinating because *where is everyone, and why is everything different than it was ten minutes ago?*

Part 1? Can we read my handwriting okay?

Next Part

[greykolla-art]

Come back after you’ve at least finished Death Bringer.✌️

Look at these COOL VILLAINS! 💗

[beigetiger]

I’m a bit obsessed with Stephanie, Valkyrie, and Darquesse being the three faces of the same person, each represented by a name.

Stephanie is her given name, her connection to the mortal world, her desire to protect her family. Valkyrie is her taken name, her connection to the sorcerer world, and her desire to protect her friends. And Darquesse is her true name, her lust for power, knowledge, and recognition. The events that happen to them represent Valkyrie’s experiences growing up under Skulduggery.

And the worst part is that they’re not even supposed to BE three separate people. The only reason they’re separate is because the trauma that Skulduggery (and by extension, the entire sorcerer world) caused them to split.

Stephanie was explicitly born because Skulduggery summoned her in a context where he wasn’t supposed to and then shot her. Valkyrie then experienced that trauma afterward when she gained the memories. And she can see the gaps in her memories starting to appear, but she doesn’t have the emotional introspection to ever question why that is or try to figure out the root source of that problem. And that problem just…gets worse and worse without her knowledge until Stephanie tries to literally murder her.

And it also sucks because Valkyrie was one of the only people to stand up for Stephanie before she realized Steph was a different entity from her. Take KotW, for example, when she was the only person who cared and wanted to get Stephanie back from Mevolent. Skulduggery straight up didn’t think Steph was worth going back for. But the moment that she realizes that Stephanie is now her own separate person, she’s upset. Steph isn’t supposed to be a person, the reason she is is…because of what Skulduggery did.

And this happens with Darquesse too! It’s Valkyrie’s fear of Skulduggery murdering her and her stress about hurting her friends and family that cause Darquesse to develop into a different person, now obsessed with Skulduggery because of what he did to try and suppress her (AND I AM WRITING ANALYSIS ON THEM RIGHT NOW. BY THE WAY). Valkyrie has three faces and he is responsible for their creation, but the only one he loves is the one named Valkyrie.

And the thing about DotL is that that’s when he kind of realizes that the reason this girl is so fucked up is because of him. Even if he doesn’t love Stephanie and Darquesse, they are in no small measure his fault and he needs to take some responsibility with them. He tries to give Stephanie a space where she can exist and he interacts with Darquesse in a slightly more meaningful way than before because it’s his attention that she wants.

And in the end, only Valkyrie is left standing. She is…ALL kinds of fucked up, but there are no longer three versions of her walking around (and also she kind of only has one name now). Anyways. They’re the three personalities of the same person who was then made three different people, I wish that the three of them got to interact more.

[glueandmorphemes]

skulduggery when valkyrie first tells him about darquese:

[whimsylueur]

This is how I imagine Valkyrie’s Aura-vision, just Skug surrounded by his beautiful crimson red magic/soul.

I drew it also because I was inspired by Seasons of War, Chapter 22.

Literally read this whole chapter guys, it highlights everything I love about Skulduggery and Valkyrie’s dynamic. Just effortlessly authentic, yet deep and critical. Sneak a few jabs and banter and, well, that’s just true love I reckon.

“I don’t know if there is such a thing as destiny. The rational side of me is keen to dismiss the notion - but we work with magic. We work with concepts that routinely defy explanation until a new explanation is found. And then we encounter another concept that defies explanation all over again. So I don’t know if fate is secretly driving us behind an illusion of free will, but I would like to think that I’m responsible for myself, and I find no comfort in the idea that I’m being guided by an unseen hand.”

They slowed to a stop at the bedroom she’d chosen.

“What about you?” Skulduggery asked. “Do you believe in fate, or do you believe in yourself?”

Valkyrie frowned. “I’m not sure I believe in either.”

“Then you’re experiencing an existential crisis.”

“Will it be better by the morning?”

“Most likely.”

“Good,” she said, and kissed his cheekbone. “Goodnight, Skulduggery.”

“Goodnight, Valkyrie.”

She went into her room, and listened to his footsteps, slowly getting fainter.

Just a dead warrior and his Valkyrie.

Source for the first image: