#ff7 halcyon days

[rand0msmil3z]

Second preview for Chasing Shadows - Chapter 4 🌻 This will be part 1 of 2 for the Nibelheim Flashback scene 🍃 Reminder that Chasing Shadows is the sequel to Halcyon Days. I'd recommend starting there if you're new to the series! Otherwise, none of this will make any sense lol Halcyon Days: 📩 Ao3: Chapter 1 📩 FF.net: Chapter 1 Chasing Shadows 📩 Ao3: Chapter 1 📩 FF.net: Chapter 1

[chronicparagon]

FF7 Headcanons: The Oklahashi

[ I found headcanons of Harmony’s background from my old blog. Since I mentioned them on my FF7 AU post, I’ll provide the headcanons below for clarification for who the Oklahashi are. I also have a few notes below. Because it reflects the history of Indigenous people including my own tribe, there will be triggers which I have included in tags. 

I am open to questions and critique for any improvements on the headcanons and the FF7 verse.

Triggers are racism, bioterrorism, illness, war, and death.

FF7 AU is here: Link, Dash View is here: Link

Notes: My assumption is that tribes living in Cosmo Canyon are based on southwestern tribes like the Navajo and Pueblo. However, the information of this headcanon is based on the southeastern tribes. This is because I’m more familiar with the southeast. This explains the name, which is Choctaw for “Clan of the Sun”, or “People of the Sun.”

Choctaw and Chickasaw are very similar and belong to the same language group. However, the names for sun and moon are the same in the Chickasaw language. To avoid confusion, I’ll refer to this tribe as the “Clan of the Sun.”

Nita is a Chickasaw word that means “bear.”

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Part One: The Oklahashi

Harmony’s ancestry isn’t well known. She never told people, the main reason is no one asked. Her mother came to Midgar from Gongaga for a better life. Her father was born and raised in Midgar but to an unlikely couple. It started many years ago.

A tribe of people called themselves Oklahashi, or the clan of the sun. They once lived in harmony with the Planet. The Canyon was their’s until people from outside came. It started with Shinra assuming control of the land. The Oklahashi people were angry at losing their home to strangers. According to the legend of their origin, Hashi, the sun goddess, promised the land to her children as their home. Outsiders brought plagues, wildlife was killed or scared away by establishing settlements. Some of the settlers killed tribal members because the members refused to leave, or the settlers would catch scouts stealing their chocobos. Even women and children were captured and never heard from again. Many people of the Oklahashi perished. They couldn’t depend on their ancient allies, a tribe of lion-like creatures. They chose to side with the settlers. Desperate to save their people, the Oklahashi turned to the Gi tribe for help. That was when the war began.

This became the demise of the Oklahashi people. In the end, the Gi tribe and Oklahashi lost the war.  Gi Nattak betrayed them with his desertion. The settlers pushed forward. Since that day, the Oklahashi lived in seclusion on the reservation where Shinra soldiers forced them to prevent rebellion against the settlers. The remaining Oklahashi were forced to make a living by selling their crafts to visitors. The lucky worked in jobs at the shops. The history of the war made most of the people in town have little trust in the surviving members of the Oklahashi.

Harmony’s paternal grandparents, Isaac and Hope Nita Halcyon, struggled to make a living. There were little resources and back then, there were fewer Oklahashi members who found work with reluctant settlers as their bosses.  Hope was pregnant with their son, Lucas and she was rather sickly. Isaac and Hope felt they have to leave the reservation for any hope to have better lives. However, that meant they will have to leave their home and families behind.  

With a heavy heart, Hope and Isaac made their choice. In 1962, They left Cosmo Canyon for the long journey to Midgar where the Shinra Company promised jobs, security, and wealth. In fear of segregation, the couple abandoned the Nita surname and took on a new surname, a name meaning peace and security. From then on, they took Halcyon as their surname. The couple settled in the metropolis where they lived in relative poverty, but it was better than living on the reservation. Lucas was born shortly after.

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Part 2: The Blight

Note: This is part of the headcanon of Harmony’s heritage that has darker themes. This includes bioterrorism, discrimination, and plagues based on American history. If the topics bother you, please refrain from reading this part of the headcanon.  

I’m still working on it, but this is the main idea. It is based on what happened to many Native Americans and how the government and even history books had the gall to sweep these crimes under the rug.

Harmony doesn’t remember her grandfather very well. She was only an infant when her family lost him. It started with Shinra Electric Company. They grew tired of one battle after another at court and the protests the Oklahashi people set up against attempts to free more land for settlers and build more mako reactors.  The company pondered how to rid of the tribe. The population at the time was over three thousand, most of them located on the reservation once promised to them.

Shinra didn’t keep promises that would be inconveniences in their future endeavors. Even the settlers who call Cosmo Canyon home demand more land. That was when the company came to a resolution. Their solution to this problem was heinous, born from the minds of pure evil with blackest hearts. Scientists devised a pathogen inspired by ancient texts that described the Calamity. President Shinra thought this will be their answer.

They released the specimen on the reservation through discreet means. Soldiers brought their rations secretly tainted. Blankets to keep children warm once used on test subjects who perished from the disease. No one in the tribe knew that they will fall victim once again. The Oklahashi soon saw what the nightmare brought to them.  Dark patches covered their bodies and vomit black bile. Men, women, and children suffered from the crippling disease, which they called the Blight. The young ones were the first to die, then the adults couldn’t fight off the disease.  The settlers were afraid for their lives, ousting the Natives who came to them for help. They believed the Oklahashi people were sickly people who deserve nothing but death. Served them right for years of stealing their chocobos, raids, and wars.  Yet the Oklahashi lived in fear, believing that they were cursed, forever damned like the Cetra.  Tragedy and heartbreak ravage the reservation and soon word spread far and wide.

Isaac found out that his family fell critically ill on the reservation. Despite his family disowning him for marrying a Midgarian woman, Isaac knew he had to come back and help care for his relatives. He bid his son, daughter-in-law, and new granddaughter goodbye. He promised he would return soon.

That was a promise he couldn’t keep.

Like his family, Isaac fell ill by the Blight. Knowing the severity of the disease, he refused to return to Midgar and endanger his family. He watched every last member of his family die. Rows of graves expand in the west every day. His surviving family in Midgar were all he had left. Isaac Halcyon suffered until his death. He died alone, hurt that he would never see his granddaughter grow up.  

In the year 1986, the Oklahashi population dwindled to less than four hundred. The Blight fizzled out, leaving the Reservation in ruin, a ghost town devoid of life. The Blight claimed the lives of the vast majority with only a few survivors managing to escape and go into hiding across the Planet. The Shinra Company denied responsibility, refusing to send aid to the tribe and warned settlers to steer clear of the reservation. It only infected a group of “nobodies” who were only trouble and came to steal the settlers’ jobs.

No one knew of the outbreak. No one cared until years later, the disease would return. The Blight meant nothing to the world until Shinra’s downfall and the pandemic of this disease spread across the world. But it had a different name. It was no longer the Blight. This disease became known as Geostima.

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Part 3: Koi Luak (Fire Cat)

The Koi Luak, a species of creatures well known to being guardians of Cosmo Canyon and their longevity granted them wisdom beyond the lifespan of humans. The Oklahashi once saw Koi Luaks as protectors and sought their advice. The flames these animals carry are seen as sacred since fire is deemed the gift of the gods.

Unfortunately, the relationship between the inhabitants changed when the settlers took Cosmo Canyon. The Oklahashi people came to the Koi Luak for help but were turned away. The reason is the Koi Luak saw that everyone have the right to live on the land while the Oklahashi believed it was promised to their ancestors by their sun goddess, Hashi. This started the tension which would only worsen. Much of the blame for the friction belongs to the Shinra Company. They influenced the tribes to turn against each other, each one believing the other wants to eliminate them and kill off both tribe members and settlers.  The company pushed for war and the Oklahashi joining the Gi in hopes to win back Cosmo Canyon. The Koi Luak took a stand against them, which led to Seto’s death and  In the end, the Oklahashi had no choice but to surrender in the war after the Gi Tribe’s downfall.

The goal: Drive the indigenous groups to destroy each other leaving behind their home, allowing Shinra to take it for themselves.

 In the end, the Gi has been eradicated, the Luak Koi only had a few surviving members including Nanaki, and the Oklahashi are much smaller and live in poverty plagued by misfortune and despair. Decades of trust destroyed by a powerful entity that longed to own the world, willing to rid the Planet of anyone who dares to stand against them.

[cloti-fics]

Halcyon Days | Chapters 19-24 | Author: Rand0mSmil3z

Summary:

The story of FF7 if Zack lived. Shortly after being ambushed outside of Midgar, Zack and Cloud were separated: Zack remained under Turk care, while Cloud - confused from mako poisoning - went missing somewhere on the streets of Midgar. Now Zack has to find Cloud before Shinra or Hojo can, and Cloud has to keep his promise to Tifa… no matter what it takes.

Angst/Friendship – Rating: T

Pairings: Cloud Strife & Tifa Lockhart, Zack Fair & Aerith Gainsborough

Other Characters: Barret Wallace, Red XIII/Nanaki, Cid Highwind, Yuffie Kisaragi, Sephiroth, Tseng, Rude, Reno, Cissnei

Fandom: Alternate Universe

Read on Ao3 | Read on FF.net  

[autumnslance]

Not anon but I --5.25 SPOILERS-- would be interested to know your thoughts on the revelation about Midas being under Bahamut's control, especially with the context of trauma-altered memory. I've been pondering tinfoil about this reveal as some kind of subconscious & deeply ingrained coping mechanism for Cid to exonerate the memory of his father, even if a little bit... then again that might be my--FF7 SPOILERS--Cloud Strife brain cell talking.

Let me tell you what I wish I’d knownWhen I was young and dreamed of gloryYou have no controlWho lives, who dies, who tells your story-”History Has Its Eyes on You”, from Hamilton

In Stormblood, I connected George Washington’s song a lot to Gosetsu as he mentored Hien and the WoL through the Azim Steppe and Doma’s liberation, and then later in the patch content with the difficult decisions made in those story arcs.

In Shadowbringers, there’s a lot more emphasis on memory and stories, particularly in 5.2. So I’ve been thinking of that short but impactful song a lot more often lately, in regards to who has survived to tell the stories that makes heroes and villains of the characters. What perspective does the Wandering Minstrel--or Minstreling Wanderer--hear?

It starts with how since we arrived on the First, the stories of the Warriors of Light were twisted or lost, leaving the WoL and Cyella (and a few others among the fae and viis who remember) to try to retell them a hundred years later to reclaim the legacy of those five as the heroes they were, not the villains people have heard about. In 5.2, much emphasis is given tothe history of Archmage Tiuna, a hero of Ronka and past Warrior of Light. To the origins of the name for the “Isle of Ken” that hides Bismark’s presence, forgotten and unknown by most people, though the man lived just before the Flood. To the story of Minfilia’s rebirth over and over and what that meant for those girls, and the glimmer of hope they represented. To Gaia’s disjointed memories and lost past, choosing to look now to the future.

Of the Ascians own susceptibility to the vagaries of time and preference and some tempering, but mainly perhaps their own grief and anger as they look back on the halcyon days of Amaurot and show or tell us what their perspective--as the privileged leaders of their people, mind--recalls thousands of years later.

Over and over, the recurring theme of Shadowbringers is the choral line: Who lives who dies, who tells your story?

HOW do they tell your story? If they do, or can, at all?

In “Save the Queen” we learn about the memory crystals and another aspect of the Echo. Mikoto’s version of the Blessing lends credence to the various oracles and prophets Louisoix and Urianger studied. The relic chain also clarifies how the city introduction scenes in 1.0 worked, and the WoL’s interactions with/repair of Cid’s memories in 2.0 on the airship with the goggles. Here again, we go into our engineering pal’s mind, but this time in a controlled manner with guidance afforded by the crystal.

It’s terrifying in its implications and possibilities, as easily abused as it is helpful for dealing with trauma, which it seems is the main intention of the device and one’s Echo. Canonically, most people with the Echo naturally are written as people inclined to help others (even if they aren’t always very good at it, or go about it the right way, as we saw with Ysayle’s flailing efforts). Still, there’s an ambivalence to literally changing someone’s mind, though we try a few times in the duty to alter the memories--such as when soldiers are fighting rebels or cutting down civilians.

I had a friend watching me play for my reactions, and one that made him grin (I could hear it, Patrick) was when I got to the plaza with Dalamud overhead and “Answers” suddenly kicking in as the music track. The first barrier to getting to the end and finding out “the truth.” Cid lost his memory for five years after watching Dalamud fall and Bahamut rampage across the land. Altering the Lunar Transmitter was an emotional plot point in the Omega raids. It makes sense part of his nightmare would involve the satellite and the dragon.

There are a couple ways the reveal about Midas can go.

In Praetorium, Gaius alluded to Midas being tempered. It seems odd to have it “revealed” now, rather than “confirmed.” Except, do we really have it confirmed? We have Cid’s memory of his father acting strangely, disregarding scientific facts, shooting him--

--and maybe Cid needs an explanation for that. Maybe he latched onto Gaius’ insinuations in the Praetorium and his memories, already trying to protect him from the truth, used Gaius’ words to offer one last protection. “Your father shot you because he was tempered” and not because Midas was too far gone in his own obsession and loyalty, while young Cid was already wavering in how much he owed the empire, how much harm his inventions were causing across Ilsabard and Othard.

On the other hand, it’s often repeated the Echo shows the truth--not anyone’s perception or falsehood, but what really happened. Maybe, after summoning our own memories and inspiring our friend, after cutting through Cid’s self-defenses, we do, in fact find the truth in Gaius’ words: Midas nan Garlond was one of Bahamut’s first modern thralls. And that was a memory Cid didn’t want to remember, either, something just as hard to cope with as seeing his father on the other side of that smoking barrel. That no matter what, his father was lost, body and soul. Cid could never have saved him.

Either way is a very traumatizing experience and realization, and it’s no wonder his mind rebels so much we end up facing off against memories of Bahamut and Varis (to make up for never getting to fight him for reals cuz Zenos is a kill stealing lil--*cough*). There’s a lot of fascinating psychology here I am not qualified enough to go into further, but those are the two ways I see this particular story beat going.

History currently remembers one thing, but maybe Cid can still change the story, and his father will be remembered as another tragic victim of the Calamity, instead of one of its instigating villains. Maybe in a new story Midas can be redeemed and history will see things differently in a few years.

After all, one of Cid’s best friends is Jenomis--the playwright retelling the story of the Zodiac Braves and altering even the modern ending of that tale and what happened in Ivalice. Whose son wants to write about the Warrior of Light someday, to tell our story and determine how history will remember us. Meanwhile, young Azami is set to become Yotsuyu’s biographer, and Honoroit has already written about the adventures in the Sea of Clouds--a companion piece to the tale Edmont already told in Heavensward.

And in an alternate future that may or may not exist any longer, that history, that story, that memory, is the only glimmer of hope left.

As a writer and lover of stories, I think about these threads a lot through Stormblood and Shadowbringers.

[mydisenchantedeulogy]

From the Ashes [Chapter One] Goodbye Halcyon Days [Reno - FF7]

A/n: In light of the remake, I decided to move this story from the back burner and proceed with writing on it. Please ask if you’d like to be tagged. Reno isn’t in this chapter, but he will be in the next.

Below is a commission of Amelia and Rosa I requested to @quincy-sue​ a while back. She is a lovely artist; check out her work.

Warning(s): eco-terrorists, mention or implied death.

No Minors Allowed!!

The heavens were roaring. At this rate, it would rain all day – Amelia was sure of it.

Kalm was busy despite the weather. It was a small-town teeming with refugees from Edge; many of them relocated after the unpleasant incident that occurred a year ago in the center of town. Honestly, Amelia cared little for them, but forced to live in Kalm, she had no choice but to be social. But damn did she wish the sun would shine again.

The residents didn’t seem to mind the long and drawn-out rainstorm – she assumed they were used to it; she was used to the bleak weather of the northern continent. Amelia watched them from behind a hazy window pane as they plopped through dark puddles on the roadway, scurrying like drowned rats looking to get into whatever. From inside the boutique, she felt strangely secure; no anxiety and no fear to ruin her peaceful afternoon. If only happy days like this would last; the lull before the storm was about to pass.

Outside the textile and apparel shop was a grunt worker. He stood out like a sore thumb to Amelia, but maybe that was because she knew where to look. To everyone else, he was anonymous, wearing a full-face tactical mask to obscure his features. On his vest was a decorated patch; a bird with pure gold feathers tented red and yellow; rose-colored talons as sharp as knives extended from its feet. It was the mark of Phoenix, a group that surfaced in Kalm after Meteorfall nearly destroyed the Planet.

Their objectives were mostly unknown; they were recognized for restoring Kalm after the unexpected attack the town suffered earlier this year, and catering to the people when the WRO – World Regenesis Organization – failed to. Some people like to think of them as heroes; the kind that the Planet needs. Others say that unless gil is involved, members of Phoenix will not raise a finger.

Ignorance is bliss.

For instance, Amelia knew that the grunt workers were not seen very often on the street – unless work was to be done. Today was a very special occasion because the originator of Phoenix was rumored to be in Kalm. Trained men and women lined the streets, armed with long barrel rifles; Amelia could see four of them just outside the inn – the most likely place to be targeted. No one suspicious was even getting close to that building with them standing guard.

She sighed in displeasure, squeezing the layered coat over her shoulders close together. It wasn’t supposed to rain today; this only made things harder. The gloom set in almost immediately as did the rain. Amelia put her plans on a halt to wait out the terrible weather. It might not let up for a few more hours, unfortunately, considering the strength of the downpour. Her attention was so far on cloud nine that she barely heard her name being called. Hesitantly she took her eyes off the grunts and shot a glance over her shoulder. Sure enough, someone was calling her.

“Ame, I said I’m ready to go.”

Eighteen-year-old Rosa sighed in disbelief.

She was her sister – younger than Amelia by nine years. Rosa was the image of their father; strawberry blonde hair and tall thin legs. At least two inches shorter than her, Amelia sometimes felt like the younger of the two. She shared an almost identical resemblance to their mother in her youth – ash brown hair and a cute heart-shaped face.

“I decided on the material for a shirt,” Rosa mentioned eagerly. “It’s pure cotton and not very expensive. I was hoping that you would sew a baby gold Chocobo onto the sleeve for me.”

Amelia made her surprise quickly known. “You want me to make you a shirt? Rosa … I haven’t sewn in years.”

Not since their mother died.

“Doesn’t mean you forgot. Besides, I’m not asking for it right away; I know you’re busy with work. But I want something special to commemorate our two years here in Kalm.” Rosa pouted her lips.

Had it been that long already? Two years?

“Is that a yes?”

Amelia rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Yeah … sure. Don’t complain if it looks terrible though.”

“No promises,” Rose joked.

She didn’t mind the distraction; there wasn’t much to do around Kalm but work, and Amelia liked to spend the extra gil she earned on Rosa. It made her feel like she was making up for the time she spent away; the time she should be spending with her. Rosa wasn’t close to anyone her age, but she had friends; patrons from the bar where she and Amelia lived. It wasn’t much of a life, but it was the only one either of them could afford. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Amelia took the strange arrangement without delay. She didn’t want her sister to slave her life away like she had to.

Shopping was the only good thing to come from her efforts, but now that the rain had ruined their day, going back to the bar was the only thing either of them could do.

It was a short walk from the square to their current dwelling – down a tunnel beneath the upper level of the town. The deep-seated scent of cigarettes and liquor consumed her as Amelia entered, pacing quickly to the front of the bar. Only a handful of miners were seated along the horseshoe; they were the only patrons to frequent it now that the tunnels had been deemed safe from monsters – no doubt Phoenix had a hand in this too.

Forget it. Put the thought in the back of your mind; it will be nothing more than a bad memory soon enough.

Amelia had plans to leave Kalm; pack up and take Rosa somewhere far away. The western continent was a possibility; lots of work was to be found in the desert. Time never seemed to be in her favor, however. Work consumed most of her life – no time to make plans – but maybe after today, she’d be at last pardoned.  

One more job, she told herself; just one more.

Insisting that Rosa go mess with the jukebox while she spoke to the barkeeper, Amelia handed off the cotton textile to her and hesitantly approached the counter. Liana served the patrons most afternoons; a charming redhead with a mouth that could easily yammer on forever, but this grey evening, she wasn’t there.

Tobie was. No way could this be a good sign.

“Where is Liana? The bar is a little quiet today.”

She frowned and ignored the obvious jab at her lack of social graces. Tobie was canny, but in no way was she a social butterfly like Liana was. “I was beginning to doubt that you’d show up. He’s here already; downstairs in your room with the others.” Lowering her voice, she leaned over the counter to ensure the conversation stay between her and Amelia – the shine from her tented goggles caught Amelia in the eyes, inciting a laugh from her. “I heard that this job might be the last for Yayoi. He’s finally going to retire, Ame. This could be your chance to impress the Boss.”

“That’s … unfortunate.” Yayoi was a good man; clever and loyal. Amelia looked up to him. She was upset to hear about his retirement, but a part of her was also thrilled. She too might have a chance to escape.

With her newfound courage, Amelia smacked her palm against the countertop and smiled. “Let Rosa know I’m on the clock if she asks; the Boss is waiting.”

She gave Tobie a brief eager wave and entered through the employee only door to the left of the bar. A set of narrow stairs lead her further underground, bottoming out into a long faintly lit hallway. A small number of doors lined the white plaster walls; each numbered from one to eight in character form. Some were used primarily for storage, but Amelia also knew that she lived under the same roof as Amiri and Rua; brothers from the western continent; colleagues of hers.

Number four was her room; luckless number four, in her opinion. Amelia took out her keys and hesitantly unlocked the door – at least her employer was nice enough to keep the door locked. She took a deep uneasy breath and walked inside, pausing in the hallway with her back to the door.

Almost immediately the pungent smell of coffee consumed her. Amelia wrinkled her nose and leaned down to untie and discard her dirty leather boots, setting them next to the wall. She could hear voices from her living room, frowning as she recognized the distinct cry of a full-grown Chocobo – the race, hopefully.

Her apartment was designed to be small, but comfortable. The living room connected to the kitchen, so she leaned against the counter and glared at the two men piled up on her small cream-colored sofa, too absorbed in the race to notice her.

“I know several times I have asked you, Rua to keep your boots off my coffee table.”

The said man flinched and pulled his feet back, resting them on the floor. His bright-colored eyes turned to her; his mouth stretched up into a wide charming grin. “Must have forgotten. Hope ya don’t care, but we let ourselves in.”

“Mi casa es su casa,” Amelia stated. She was being sarcastic, of course.

Rua lifted a vibrant ceramic mug in a cheer. “You were out of coffee, so Amiri brought some from our apartment to share; have a cup; the race is on.”

“I appreciate the offer, but no thank you. Sorry for the trouble you went through, Amiri.” Honestly, Amelia hated coffee; tea was her preference, and until today, the coffee pot was used only to brew tea.

Amiri raised his cup but said nothing. He wasn’t much of a talker – unlike his brother – but he was thoughtful, so Amelia felt no amount of irritation towards him for doing it.

“Where is the Boss? He’s the only other person with a key to my apartment,” she mentioned.

Rua gestured with his thumb to the door across the room – the bathroom – and went back to watching the race; Amelia followed suit. She directed her attention over once the Boss emerged. His wrinkled face stretched into a wide grin as he moved to stand next to her at the counter.

“I kept you waiting; my apologies.” Xavier patted his stomach with a laugh. “Nature was calling.”

Amelia shook her head in disagreement. Her stomach was doing flips; this man made her feel uneasy. “I should have been here sooner, and for that, I apologize. Rosa and I we––"

“Rosa! How is the dear? Well, I hope. For the work you provide, I try the best I can to benefit the two of you; to make your lives easier.” His smile faltered a bit. “Have I not done well so far?”

She quickly nodded. There wasn’t much else she could say. Making excuses was a mistake; apologizing was a mistake. Xavier cared little for either. Amelia was scared to think about what would happen to her sister if she asked to leave. He may not have said it, but Rosa’s life was in danger; it depended on the effort she put in.

“I heard there was a job. Do you need me? You know I’ll do it.”

Xavier smiled again. His hand reached out and touched Amelia’s shoulder. This was exactly what he wanted to hear. “I know you will, sweetheart. That’s why I’m here; to send you and the rest of Beta on that job you heard about. Yayoi will contact and brief you when I’m ready.”

This answered her question. How much time she had left? Amelia again shook her head. She understood completely; there was no way she’d be able to leave, even if she tried. Her sister’s life was on the line.

“Phoenix and the Planet thank you for your effort,” Xavier asserted while fixing his tie. His posture screamed businessman; self-absorbed and warped.

Amelia hated what she had become; an eco-terrorist and a murderer.

[rand0msmil3z]

The first preview of Chasing Shadows, the sequel to Halcyon Days 🌸

If you haven't read Halcyon Days yet, you can find it below. Please mind the tags 💐

[rand0msmil3z]

Hi everyone, thank you for being so patient! Chasing Shadows Chapter 3 has just been posted 💛 It's currently only on Ao3 because FF.net seems to be down, but I'll upload it there too as soon as I can access my account.

It's a long chapter this time--twice as long as the last one! 🥰 Enjoy!

Ao3: Chapter 3

[rand0msmil3z]

The second chapter of Chasing Shadows is now available! 🌷 Kalm is one of those FF7 towns that I could picture myself living in, so I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. Enjoy! ➡️ Title: Chasing Shadows ➡️ Rating: T ➡️ Ao3: Chapter 2 ➡️ FF: Chapter 2 ➡️ Halcyon Days: Chapter 1

[chronicparagon]

One Piece AU: Harmony the Wing Less

Warning: This AU has content that may be disturbing to some readers. Triggers include blood, death, child death, child slavery, and torture. 

Art by Rina-Ran

(Note: I know this is art of FF7 Harmony but I felt can be applied for this AU too)

Harmony Halcyon

Tribe: Shandian

Occupation: Mercenary (but also works as a barmaid when jobs are slow), formerly a crew member of the Sea Warriors

Age: 19 years (before time skip) 21 years (after time skip)

Backstory

Harmony’s life began with the Shandia tribe. Though the war existed through most of Harmony’s life, she would be among the people who had no part in the fight, but suffered the consequences. Her name was given by her parents who wished for peace but they did not know that it may never come for them. Things became worse when a stranger called Enel came to the land and proclaimed that he was their god. Enel’s domination aggravated the constant war with the Skypians and it would worsen from there. Many people of Skypiea became slaves shortly after with women chosen as his servants. 

As Harmony was becoming a teenager, her parents feared she would be next. They couldn’t bear the thought and joined those where were brave enough, yet foolish enough to stand against Enel and his soldiers. If only they knew then that choice would end in failure and seal their fate. 

These defectors and their families became prisoners, tortured for the twisted amusement. To make matters worse, Harmony’s parents were forced to watch their own child be used as part of their punishment. Harmony was only thirteen. Thirteen years old when men pinned her down, stripped from the waist up. How they laughed as they wielded torches and knives, standing by until their master gave them the signal. 

 Harmony’s screams fill they air as blood splatter the ground along with her feathers drifting down, turning from white to red. Pain seared into her bones as it tears her wings off her back. Cutting, tearing, ripping, and burning into her back. Harmony tried to fight back, only to earn severe burns on her right arm. Her parents begged them to stop. Her mother wept and her father screamed for their child to be spared. Their pleas fell on deaf ears. They pulled on the shackles, desperately reaching for their daughter. 

“STOP THIS! STOP! DON’T DO THIS TO MY GIRL!” 

“MY BABY! GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY BABY!” 

Blood chilling laughter masked the heartbreak. 

Once all that was said and done, the girl was left shaking, tears streaming down her face as she laid in her own blood and feathers. It was then that Enel decided that her parents have seen enough and ordered their execution on the spot. The last thing Harmony’s parents saw was their own child crawling toward them, wanting to save them. But she could not get to them on time. There was nothing she could do. Such a pitiful sight. 

The young girl begged for their lives as well as the other defectors who knew they were mere moments away from their own demise. 

So, so pitiful. 

A child’s cries mean nothing to a god who lusts for blood and power.

So, so sad...

On this day, the Shandians learned that their own was sentenced to death and their bloody wings posted as a warning, a sign that any rebellion would be met with their last moments filled with terror. A warning to not disobey their new god. 

Many of the Shandians escaped and sought refuge in a village where Enel could not find them shortly after. It was best to find safety and face the new tyranny on top of this bitter war against the Skypians. The defectors were nothing more than traitors. It was best to leave them for dead than risk their own families.

As for what happened to Harmony? She was not the only child who lost her family because they stood against Enel. There were several others. The boys who did not die right away from the torture were killed off. Best to eliminate any possible adversaries. Better to be safe than sorry. Only the girls were spared as they could be useful as they reach adulthood. Yet the treatment they received was not much better. Most of the girls passed away from their injuries. Several more succumb to infection caused by their own wounds. All of them cast aside like the adult defectors, forever forgotten by enemies and their own kin. Harmony was deemed unattractive by her burns. “Damaged goods” as what her captors said, but may have some use as they learned she survived. 

Despite everything, Harmony refused to die. She couldn’t surrender. That is never an option. That’s just how she was raised by Shandian warriors. She beat the odds set upon her, fighting with all her strength, just to survive another day. But she knew she may die if she stayed under Enel’s rule. Her time was running out when he or his minions could demand more from her. The girl can’t bear the thought of what may happen from the horrors she witnessed here. Though it was dangerous, the teen knew she must escape. It is better to risk it for freedom than die as a slave. 

 One night, Harmony decided to act on a plan she concocted. She managed to slip away, hoping to make it out to Angel Island. Sadly, there was a snag that alerted security and there was hell to pay. At that point, all that mattered was her attempt was an offense. She was lucky to be alive and serve, but she threw it away by trying to run away. Death was the only solution to this. Enel’s gift in attacking others with lightning broke her makeshift raft and she soon found herself swept away, clinging to a remnant of the raft as the harsh current shoved her to and fro, just barely escaping the god’s attacks. She was swept away and it was thought that she drowned. 

But fate had other plans. Harmony’s stubborn nature kept her alive as she held on to the large piece of wood that wa sleft of her raft. She climbed on when the current calmed as she drifted further from Skypiea, unsure where she was going and if she will live. Soaked to the bone and shivering, the teen laid there, hoping and praying that she made the right choice as she left her home and entered a world like no other.

She would have passed away if it wasn’t for a pirate ship catching sight of her. A ship belonging to the Sea Warriors, a fierce crew led by Captain Bjørn the Berserker. Though he was a ruthless man known to strike fear into the hearts of men, he had weaknesses to women and children. Though some people may jeer at Bjørn for being kind to women and children, his wrath will have them not dare chuckle at his actions. He was not called the Berserker without reason. Upon seeing Harmony, he had pity on the child and ordered his men to bring her onboard. It was there that he ordered his crew to never harm the child or he will have their heads. Harmony was afraid at first, vaguely remembering the stories of pirates and what they are capable of. But over time,  Bjørn slowly gained Harmony’s trust and she quickly won the hearts of others on the ship for her kind heart.  Bjørn saw her like his own child and treated her as such. He taught her how to fight, use the gun and sword, though she preferred the former. Harmony called him Uncle Bjørn and lived with the pirates. 

Though she is still embarrassed by no longer having her wings, and the scars still made people cringe by how ghastly they appear. There are nights when the phantom pain her wings torment her, just like the nightmares of Enel and how he took her family and her home. How she missed Skypiea and her own tribe. She longed to go home and be with her people again, but she knew it isn’t easy.

Her parents were defectors and though the Shandians strive to remain out of Enel’s reach, they may reject Harmony for what her parents have tried to do. She feared they will reject her for her old burns and the loss of her wings.  feared she would be rejected by her people. 

Her fear was so powerful, she dreaded the thought of returning to Skypeia.  Though they were liberated from Enel’s tyranny and the four hundred year war against the Skypians ended, she cannot bear to return for the memories and heartache are too strong, just like the fear of being deemed an outsider instead of being one of the Shandians.  And so, she remained with the pirates until she became an adult when something that bothered her became more intense. 

But, she feels she must do more than live the sheltered life on this ship. Yes, her needs are met, and she is safe for the most part, but there is something within her. A calling to see the world. She knew it was a harsh and cruel place as she has seen it firsthand. Yet, she did not abandon the kindness she carried since her birth. She wondered what would happen if she went out to see what this place has to offer. Could offering light and kindness in this dark world make a difference? At least a little bit? Perhaps it is wishful thinking from a foolish heart, but the desire to make a difference and put an end to the ugliness of human nature gnawed at her. It became too much to ignore!

 Her wanderlust grew stronger by the time she was nineteen. She came to Captain  Bjørn  requesting to leave the Sea Warriors as she craves for adventure and finding herself. 

Though  Bjørn was reluctant to let her go as he knew the cruelty that existed in thei dangerous world, he agreed. He gave her a small fortune from his treasure and his prized pistol before seeing her leave the Sea Warriors. He made sure to remind her that if she ever changes her mind, search for the Sea Warriors and they will welcome her back.

Harmony gave her guardian one more embrace, tearfully thanking him for everything before she set off from the ship before it left her behind on an island that she chose to start her journey. She recalls some sniffles and a few men hiding in the shadows to weep. The Sea Warriors became a family to her. A rowdy one, but they all cared for her and grew attached to the child they watched grew up to a woman. One who is ready to see the world and find herself.

[cloti-fics]

Halcyon Days | Chapters 1-18 | Author: Rand0mSmil3z

Summary:

The story of FF7 if Zack lived. Shortly after being ambushed outside of Midgar, Zack and Cloud were separated: Zack remained under Turk care, while Cloud - confused from mako poisoning - went missing somewhere on the streets of Midgar. Now Zack has to find Cloud before Shinra or Hojo can, and Cloud has to keep his promise to Tifa... no matter what it takes. 

Angst/Friendship – Rating: T

Pairings: Cloud Strife & Tifa Lockhart, Zack Fair & Aerith Gainsborough

Other Characters: Barret Wallace, Red XIII/Nanaki, Cid Highwind, Yuffie Kisaragi, Sephiroth, Tseng, Rude, Reno, Cissnei

Fandom: Alternate Universe

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