#finding a power stronger than sacrifice?

[symphonyofsilence]

Let the poor man rest.

[autistichalsin]

Analysis of each character's final words in the new Dark Urge evil ending

If you are romanced to a character, you have the option, when taking the new version of the Sins of the Father ending, to kill your partner in front of the others in your party, killing them with one last kiss. They then give their last words and pass away. I love each and every one and feel they are incredible characterization moments.

So let's break these down!

Lae'zel:

I... I am glad it was you. No other blade would have sufficed.

This is something that hammers home that, Vlaakith or no, Lae'zel deeply believes in all the ideals of a Githyanki. Life is a privilege for the strong, and death is the price of weakness. Further, if romanced, Lae'zel will affectionately call you "the source of my bruises" many times. If she has to die, if she has finally found the one person stronger than herself, then she is "satisfied" that it is you- who she both loved and admired. The only one she would ever consider worthy of besting her.

Karlach:

Fuck you.

Short, simple, and to the point, just the way Karlach does everything else. She's already gone through all her stages of grief with her engine- well, almost all of them. Anger still remains. She burns hot until the end.

Wyll:

I... I forgive you.

This isn't just Wyll being a good guy. This is heartbreak, and guilt. Guilt for not saving you from Bhaal's influence when he was so sure he had. Heartbreak that after he gave his literal soul to save as many people as he could, he couldn't save you- and couldn't save others from you, either. All he sacrificed, negated in an instant by the person he loved and trusted most. Of all the characters here, Wyll (tied with Halsin) sounds the most obviously broken, and it's easy to see why, given that he is self-sacrificing to a fault.

There was a set of scenes datamined from the game, where at the Morphic Pool, the Netherbrain would have taunted the players, causing them to hallucinate things related to their fears and insecurities. Wyll's would have been a vision of himself talking about how he was never a hero, how the Blade of Frontiers was a farce all along. One can't help but think about that scene here, wondering just how much blame, bordering on self-loathing, he might feel here.

Dark Justiciar Shadowheart:

I... I'm coming to you, Lady Shar.

Another short and simple one. By becoming a Dark Justiciar, Shadowheart has fully embraced the nihilism of Shar's teachings. Why be saddened or angry at her own death when this is just what she's embraced with all her sacrifices?

(Sidenote: this does also answer a question I had, namely, what was going to happen to everyone Durge kills. Thankfully it seems they aren't actually going to be sacrificed to him as such, and will indeed end up in the realm of their deities. This makes Bhaal's plan even DUMBER, because deities in DND lore need worshippers to have enough power to exist. Killing everyone at once just guarantees that soon after Durge dies as the last person alive, so too will Bhaal fade from existence.)

Selunite Shadowheart:

I... I thought we were going to save each other...

This Shadowheart rejected everything she knew. She was scared to defy her goddess, but worked up the courage- thanks to you. She thought you would have a new life together. She believed in you. She thought she would get to return the favor, and help you turn the page on Bhaal, too.

She's not just heartbroken for herself; she's heartbroken for you, too. Heartbroken at the life you denied both her and yourself.

Gale:

You made me want to live...

From the moment the orb entered Gale's chest, he knew he was at risk of dying. Then Mystra all but marked him as a dead man walking. But despite that, he finds love with you- and for the first time thinks maybe there is a purpose for him beyond Mystra. That he isn't more useful to the world dead. More than that, he wants to live to be with you, to enjoy your company and companionship. And then you kill him, and do the one thing WORSE than what would have happened if he'd never been pulled from that rock.

It almost would have been kinder to just hack his hand off the first time you met him, though Gale may or may not agree.

Spawn Astarion:

I should have killed you when I had the chance...

The angriest, most bitter response out of all the romanced companions, a step beyond Karlach's "fuck you." This is beyond "fuck you" and even beyond "I hate you." It's "I regret every moment I spent with you." You made him believe he could have better. That he could recover from what Cazador did. You even convinced him to spare the 7,000 spawn and that he could be something better than Cazador.

And now you reveal it was all a lie. Astarion is probably thinking that you talked him out of completing the ritual solely so he'd be easier to kill right here and now. How many regrets are flashing through his mind, how many moments where he wonders if things could have been different if only he'd done this or that, even aside from killing you?

All he wanted was to live as a free person. And then the first time he thinks he has that at last, he loses it as the world ends.

Ascended Astarion:

No... no, this can't be... I can't- you can't- no...

In contrast to spawn Astarion, ascended isn't angry, because he doesn't have the clarity, the ability to process what's happening. Spawn Astarion could tell he'd been betrayed.

But Ascended? Ascended, who went through so much to become one of the most powerful beings in the world, only to STILL lose without fanfare? And by you, his own spawn who he thought he had under his control? It isn't betrayal, because he is bluescreening; he can't comprehend what happened or how or why. How could he have been killed, and by you of all people? Was all he went through killing Cazador really for nothing? How could it be when he was supposed to be the most powerful? Was power actually meaningless all along?

He doesn't say anything of substance because he can't understand what's happening here.

Halsin:

Thaniel... goodbye...

Halsin is the oldest of all the companions. He's experienced the most loss of anyone; his birth family, his fellow Druids, and, for a time, Thaniel. He has had more than enough time to contemplate his own mortality, because he's already lived multiple lifetimes.

So here, two things are happening. One, he isn't expressing anger or betrayal at his murder- because he is more than wise enough, and humble enough, to understand that there are worse things than what has been done to himself. Instead of himself, he is thinking of the world he's leaving behind that is about to fall- and most of all, of his most important person, the one who gave him a purpose, who was there when no one else was, who he failed once and only just got back. The closest thing to a child he'll ever have. In his last moments, instead of himself, Halsin is thinking of those he loves.

And second, it's an almost deliberate snubbing of Durge. He willingly walked into that kiss, knowing full well it would be the last thing he ever did. He gave you his death, he pleaded with his own god to forgive you and him both. He gave you everything he felt he owed you, and no more- no begging or sobbing. Instead, he comes as close as he ever gets to selfishness, and spends his last moments thinking about the thing that makes him the happiest- which could have been you, in another life, if you hadn't done this.

Minthara:

No... we were meant to do this together...

Heartbreak, disbelief, and betrayal. You spent so many nights planning this out. She had been cast aside by her people, her goddess, and she was going to get the last laugh. She was going to crush them personally under her heel and prove she was the best (or second best, behind you) of all of them. She's devastated she won't get to help you torture all those souls and take what she feels was owed to her. But interestingly enough... no anger. Probably because it was overshadowed by the sheer heartbreak, but also a sign that even in those moments, she still admires you for your ruthlessness.

[astrojulia]

Asteroid Sedna (90377): Understanding its Signs, Houses and Aspect

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₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ About the Asteroid: Asteroid Sedna (90377) carries a profound and mythical symbolism rooted in Inuit mythology, where she is a sea goddess associated with themes of survival, sacrifice, and transformation. Its placement speaks to areas of life where an individual is called to reconnect with their inner self, confront feelings of isolation, and embrace deep personal transformation.

Asteroid Sedna by House

✧. ┊1st House: Sedna in the 1st House suggests a deep connection to the ocean, both metaphorically and literally. You might feel drawn to the mysteries of the sea, finding comfort in its vastness, or you may feel a strong aversion, sensing its untamed power. This placement often inspires fascination with the esoteric and hidden realms, reflecting your inner depths and tendency to retreat to process complex emotions. At times, you may struggle with self-presentation, unintentionally adopting a victim mentality or projecting an image of self-pity. It's important to be mindful of how this impacts your relationships. The lesson of Sedna in this house is to develop resilience, embrace your hidden strengths, and cultivate empathy by considering the perspectives of others. As you do, you’ll unlock the profound depth of your individuality.

✧. ┊2nd House: With Sedna in the 2nd House, financial themes are deeply interwoven into your emotional landscape. Whether your experiences have been of abundance or hardship, money holds a powerful emotional charge in your life. You may feel that you’ve been wronged or burdened by financial challenges—perhaps growing up in poverty, taking on financial responsibilities for others, or dealing with unwise investments. This placement urges you to look beyond monetary concerns and ask yourself what you truly value in life. Sitting near the ocean or engaging with its imagery may help you reflect on your relationship with material security and uncover a deeper sense of purpose. Your ultimate lesson is to shift your focus from financial wounds to the pursuit of personal passions and lasting fulfillment.

✧. ┊3rd House: Sedna in the 3rd House imbues you with a sharp intuition and a gift for profound communication. Whether through spoken or written words, you have the ability to delve into the heart of a matter and unearth hidden truths. However, your perceptiveness may unintentionally stir deep emotions in others, exposing feelings they are not prepared to confront. Your challenge is to use this gift with care and patience, offering support rather than stirring chaos. The ocean may act as a soothing presence for you, whether through physical proximity or as a source of symbolic inspiration. When overwhelmed, the rhythmic waves of the sea can help you regain balance and perspective. Seals, as playful and intelligent marine creatures, may hold special meaning for you, symbolizing both joy and emotional depth.

✧. ┊4th House: When Sedna resides in the 4th House, the ocean—or its metaphorical significance—plays a central role in your sense of home and belonging. You may feel a strong pull to live near the sea or may have crossed vast waters to find a place where you truly feel at peace. Family dynamics, both in your childhood and your adult life, are deeply emotional and transformative. You may carry wounds tied to family struggles, whether from a turbulent upbringing or feeling adrift in a sea of emotions within your family unit. This placement calls on you to examine your roots and confront any patterns of victimhood or isolation. By navigating these depths with courage, you can build a stronger foundation for yourself and create a nurturing sense of home that honors both your past and your personal growth.

✧. ┊5th House: Sedna in the 5th House reflects a deep inner yearning for creative expression or artistic pursuit. You may possess a natural talent, yet feel torn between following your passion and adhering to a more conventional or practical path. Suppressing this creative energy can lead to frustration, sadness, or withdrawal. It is vital to honor your gifts and seek opportunities to nurture and share them with the world. This placement also indicates a profound connection to children, whether your own or others. At some point, you may cross a great distance—physically or emotionally—to create a better world for children or to pursue your artistic dreams. The lesson here is to trust your heart’s desire, take risks, and embrace the deep joy that comes from authentic self-expression.

✧. ┊6th House: Sedna in the 6th House presents challenges with navigating the mundane aspects of life. Daily routines, responsibilities, and tasks might feel overwhelming, especially in your early years. Cleaning, organizing, or managing time may seem like insurmountable hurdles, leading to frustration or avoidance. However, this placement holds an important lesson: finding purpose and meaning in small, everyday actions. By viewing routine tasks as sacred rituals—such as meditative cleaning or mindful cooking—you can transform your relationship with them. Practices like meditation, regular exercise, and maintaining a balanced diet can also bring structure and grounding. Additionally, water-related comforts, such as keeping aquatic pets or spending time near the ocean, can provide a sense of calm and clarity. Once you establish harmony in your daily life, you’ll unlock the capacity to approach larger challenges with confidence and grace.

✧. ┊7th House: Sedna in the 7th House highlights the importance of a deep and soulful connection in partnerships. Your ideal partner is likely someone gentle, empathetic, and emotionally mature—qualities that complement Sedna’s profound emotional depth. This placement suggests that your relationships may involve crossing literal or metaphorical boundaries, such as traveling great distances or making personal sacrifices to be with your significant other. While this connection has the potential to bring deep fulfillment, be cautious of partners who embody bitterness or a victim mentality, as these dynamics can hinder growth. The challenge of this placement is to cultivate a balanced, mutually supportive partnership that nurtures your emotional and spiritual evolution.

✧. ┊8th House: Sedna in the 8th House delves into the mysteries of intimacy, transformation, and shared resources. This placement often reveals two potential paths. On one hand, you may resist exploring deeper emotional or spiritual realms, rejecting notions of vulnerability, intimacy, or interconnectedness. This can manifest as repressed sexuality, a reluctance to share finances, or an avoidance of esoteric or spiritual matters. On the other hand, you might fully immerse yourself in the search for meaning, diving into topics like metaphysics, the mysteries of life and death, or the hidden dynamics of power and relationships. This pursuit of knowledge can uncover profound treasures, both within yourself and in your interactions with others. The lesson of Sedna in this house is to embrace transformation while balancing the depths with practicality. Trust that exploring these hidden realms—whether emotional, financial, or spiritual—can lead to profound personal growth and empowerment.

✧. ┊9th House: With Sedna in the 9th House, you are a natural philosopher and seeker of profound truths. You have a deep affinity for exploring expansive subjects, particularly those with spiritual, esoteric, or philosophical significance. Your ability to uncover hidden truths extends to disciplines such as law, science, politics, and religion, making you a dedicated scholar and lifelong student. You may find great fulfillment in academic pursuits, often excelling in environments where you can immerse yourself in knowledge. As you grow, others may turn to you for wisdom, and you could find yourself in roles such as teacher, mentor, or guide. However, this placement also warns of the potential for becoming a "martyr" for your beliefs, especially if your insights challenge the status quo. You might even feel compelled to take a long journey, possibly across water, to escape conflict or victimhood. The lesson here is to stand firm in your truth while balancing it with diplomacy, ensuring that your voice is heard without alienating those who need your guidance.

✧. ┊10th House: Sedna in the 10th House suggests that your mother, or a maternal figure, has profoundly influenced your life. Her role—whether as a source of strength or challenge—has shaped your career choices and public identity. Even if early wounds are present, this placement grants you the resilience to transform pain into purpose, often leading to a career in fields that involve caregiving, advocacy, or leadership. This placement also highlights your integrity and problem-solving abilities, which earn you respect in your professional sphere. You may become a prominent figure in your chosen field, recognized for your innovative ideas and commitment to serving others. Whether you channel this energy into positive parenting, social leadership, or another path, your ability to navigate emotional depths and rise above challenges can inspire those around you.

✧. ┊11th House: Sedna in the 11th House reveals a deep capacity for loyalty and sacrifice in friendships and group dynamics. You may go to great lengths—even the depths of the ocean—for those you care about. While this devotion can foster enduring and meaningful connections, it also carries the risk of overextending yourself. Sacrificing too much for others without reciprocation can lead to feelings of bitterness or disillusionment. Your lesson is to set healthy boundaries, ensuring that your relationships are mutually supportive and enriching. Surround yourself with friends and colleagues who appreciate your efforts and contribute positively to your life. On a brighter note, this placement suggests that you are likely to form a network of steadfast, lifelong friendships. Activities connected to water, such as beach trips or ocean adventures, may also play a significant role in bonding with your social circle.

✧. ┊12th House: Sedna in the 12th House grants you a profound ability to navigate crises and support others in times of need. You possess deep empathy, understanding that everyone carries burdens and stories of both struggle and triumph. Your strength lies in your ability to tap into hidden reserves of resilience, offering stability and care where others falter. However, this placement also warns of the potential to overextend yourself, becoming a victim of others' reliance or falling into martyrdom. It is essential to balance your selflessness with self-care, ensuring that you do not sink into isolation or burnout. Taking time for restorative activities—such as a retreat by the ocean, a spiritual journey, or nature walks—can help you recharge without retreating completely from the world. Your ultimate lesson is to honor your own needs while offering your gifts to others. By learning when to help and when to step back, you can share your profound emotional and spiritual depths in a way that uplifts both yourself and those around you.

Asteroid Sedna by Sign

✧. ┊Aries: In Aries, Sedna highlights a journey of discovering courage through emotional trials. You may feel the need to assert yourself in areas where you've faced vulnerability or victimization. Challenges often arise in the form of conflicts that test your independence and drive. The lesson here is to transform personal struggles into a source of empowerment, channeling your energy into bold, compassionate leadership.

✧. ┊Taurus: Sedna in Taurus connects deeply to themes of self-worth, material stability, and values. You might experience trials involving possessions, finances, or a sense of security. These challenges teach you to find value beyond the material realm, embracing inner richness and spiritual abundance. Healing comes from grounding yourself in nature and nurturing a connection to the Earth’s rhythms.

✧. ┊Gemini: In Gemini, Sedna amplifies themes of communication and intellectual exploration. You may face struggles in expressing yourself or uncovering hidden truths in your relationships and environment. This placement encourages you to use your voice for healing and transformation, bridging the gap between superficial exchanges and deeper understanding. Writing, teaching, or sharing your story can be especially powerful.

✧. ┊Cancer: Sedna in Cancer deeply ties to emotional security and familial bonds. You may face profound experiences involving family, ancestry, or your home life, possibly feeling misunderstood or undervalued in these areas. The path to growth involves nurturing yourself and others while learning to set boundaries. Healing water rituals or exploring your roots can help you tap into Sedna’s transformative energy.

✧. ┊Leo: In Leo, Sedna calls for healing through creative self-expression and reclaiming your confidence. You might face challenges where your talents or individuality are overshadowed or underappreciated. Overcoming these struggles allows you to shine authentically, inspiring others. This placement suggests that your creative or artistic endeavors can serve as a path to personal and collective healing.

✧. ┊Virgo: Sedna in Virgo focuses on themes of service, health, and self-improvement. You may wrestle with feelings of inadequacy or perfectionism, especially in your work or daily routines. These challenges push you to embrace your imperfections as a source of strength and wisdom. Healing often comes through acts of service, mindfulness, and finding beauty in small, intentional actions.

✧. ┊Libra: In Libra, Sedna centers on relationships, fairness, and harmony. You may experience imbalances in partnerships, such as giving too much or feeling taken advantage of. These experiences teach you to seek equality and authenticity in your connections. Artistic pursuits and fostering peaceful environments can help you channel Sedna’s energy into healing and creative expression.

✧. ┊Scorpio: Sedna in Scorpio intensifies themes of transformation, power, and emotional depth. This placement can bring profound lessons through loss, betrayal, or power struggles, particularly in intimate relationships or shared resources. Embracing these trials allows you to tap into incredible resilience and wisdom. Sedna in Scorpio is a phoenix placement, rising from the ashes stronger and more self-aware.

✧. ┊Sagittarius: In Sagittarius, Sedna connects to themes of truth-seeking, philosophy, and freedom. You might face challenges that push you to question belief systems, cultural norms, or your own sense of purpose. These trials encourage you to embrace a deeper spiritual or ethical understanding. Long journeys—physical, intellectual, or spiritual—play a significant role in your transformation.

✧. ┊Capricorn: Sedna in Capricorn focuses on responsibility, authority, and long-term goals. You may encounter struggles with societal expectations, career pressures, or feelings of inadequacy in achieving success. These experiences teach you to redefine success on your own terms, emphasizing integrity and perseverance. Healing comes through grounding your ambitions in compassion and meaningful purpose.

✧. ┊Aquarius: In Aquarius, Sedna highlights themes of individuality, community, and innovation. You might feel like an outsider or experience trials in finding your place within groups. These challenges push you to embrace your uniqueness and contribute to the greater good. This placement often points to a role in progressive causes or technological advancements that benefit humanity.

✧. ┊Pisces: Sedna in Pisces brings a heightened sensitivity to the collective unconscious and spiritual realms. You may face struggles with boundaries, escapism, or feeling overwhelmed by the suffering of others. This placement calls for healing through creative or spiritual practices, such as meditation, art, or acts of compassion. Your gift is the ability to channel deep emotional wisdom into inspiration and hope for others.

Sedna-Sun Aspects

Conjunction: This aspect intensifies Sedna’s themes, blending them with your core identity. It suggests a life path deeply connected to transformation and resilience, often through trials. You may possess profound inner strength and a unique purpose tied to healing and renewal.

Harmonious Aspects (Trine, Sextile): These aspects enhance your ability to integrate Sedna's energy smoothly into your sense of self. You can channel emotional depth into creative or leadership roles. Intuitive wisdom flows easily into your personal expression.

Challenging Aspects (Square, Opposition): These aspects indicate struggles with self-worth, identity, or feeling like a victim in life’s circumstances. Growth comes from recognizing your strength and reclaiming your personal power.

Sedna-Moon Aspects

Conjunction: A powerful link between Sedna and your emotions. You may have a deep sensitivity to collective pain and a need to process emotional wounds from your family or early life. Healing comes through self-compassion and nurturing others.

Harmonious Aspects: These aspects suggest a natural ability to understand and heal emotional wounds, both in yourself and others. You are highly intuitive and find comfort in connecting with water or nature.

Challenging Aspects: Emotional struggles may feel overwhelming, with recurring themes of abandonment or sacrifice. These aspects ask you to find emotional balance and develop healthy boundaries.

Sedna-Mercury Aspects

Conjunction: Your thoughts and communication are deeply influenced by Sedna’s energy. You might have a talent for expressing complex emotions or exploring esoteric or environmental topics.

Harmonious Aspects: You communicate with empathy and insight, often acting as a mediator or voice for the marginalized. Your words have the power to heal and inspire.

Challenging Aspects: There could be a tendency to overthink emotional issues or struggle with expressing your deeper feelings. Developing clarity and trusting your intuition will help.

Sedna-Venus Aspects

Conjunction: Sedna and Venus together highlight themes of love, beauty, and relationships intertwined with emotional depth and sacrifice. There may be a tendency to give too much in relationships, leading to lessons in self-worth.

Harmonious Aspects: These aspects suggest a graceful integration of Sedna’s energy into your relationships and creativity. You may express beauty through art or build soulful connections with others.

Challenging Aspects: Relationships might feel imbalanced or bring emotional challenges. Learning to value yourself and set boundaries is essential for healthy partnerships.

Sedna-Mars Aspects

Conjunction: Sedna here ties your drive and energy to deeper, transformative goals. You may feel driven to advocate for environmental or humanitarian causes, but there could also be challenges in asserting yourself.

Harmonious Aspects: These aspects help you channel passion into meaningful action. Your strength and determination are rooted in compassion and resilience.

Challenging Aspects: You may struggle with anger or frustration, particularly around themes of powerlessness. Growth comes from using your energy constructively and finding healthy outlets for assertiveness.

(CC) AstroJulia Some Rights Reserved

[beaulesbian]

Every once in a while I think again about the end of Thriller Bark and feel completely insane and ill about Zoro's sacrifice, FOR LUFFY, specifically (you know, the character Kuma's threat was directed at). It wasn't even that long into traveling together, a few months maybe, yet Zoro was ready to give up everything in that moment - in the chapter with Kuma appearing being titled The End of the Dream ! - to protect his crew and Luffy, so he could continue in his journey.

Since Luffy and Zoro met, they always understand how words and promises were imporant to them - with Luffy punching Helmeppo in ch. 3 for lying to Zoro. Zoro learnt how serious Luffy was about his dream, and soon he realized he backed up his words with actions as well - untiying Zoro and giving him his swords back - his biggest treasures. It meant that Zoro could be honest and honor-bound in the same way to Luffy, to gain this mutual respect and trust between them since day 1. To wield his swords to protect both Luffy and later their whole crew, and to step in a way between Luffy and danger.

He was being actually more upset that Sanji got up from the previous Kuma's attack and interrupted their fight - Zoro was trying to keep the whole crew safe by this exchange for Luffy's head - if Sanji was offering his life for Luffy half dead and without much strength left to fight for himself (he started the offering of his own life already believing he woudn't survive, with a "you should find a new cook"), then this very specific sacrifice would be meaningless to the crew (- if this arc was taking place post WCI, then it would turn out very differently, with the strength of Sanji believing in Luffy, but it wasn't his moment during this scene) - it would hurt them more than help them, because as much as Zoro was prepared to die as well, he was prepared to keep fighting until the last breath.

Zoro was thinking he might die - Kuma's words were pretty certain he WOULD die - but he still had the willingness and strength to take on the deal for Luffy, for his captain and his crew. ("if i die here, it just means I wasn't worth much to begin with" this line he says times and times again during the overall story, like in Rogue Town throwing Kitetsu and waiting if it would cut off his arm, up until standing against King in Wano "it's my power that was lacking", and all the other times he was questioning his worth - it's something he tempts the fates he doesn't believe in, to actually harm him, to take his strength away if he doesn't deserve to survive. and it's him saying he knows and accepts his own weaknesses - of not being strong enough (in comparison to Sanji in this example), and always fights through them.)

He threw away his swords, including Wado Ichimonji - literally throwing aside his and Kuina's dream, to compell Kuma into a duel (with the anime playing 'The Very Very Very Strongest' when Zoro bowed down and pleaded Kuma, offering him his head instead of Luffy's) so Kuma wouldn't go after the crew and specifically Luffy later - no matter the outcome if Zoro would surive or not.

And then, he was actually strong enough to survive taking his captain's fatigue, agony and pain! Possibly being the only one who could survive taking Luffy's pain.

Zoro could have back out when Kuma offered him the 'taste' of the pain, with the realization of the scale of the hurt with the very possibility of dying from it. But that wouldn't be Zoro now, would it? He accepted and took all of Luffy's pain so his captain wouldn't have to suffer or die, and when they found him afterwards, he still kept standing, tense with the fatigue but alive! (again, with anime adding the music of 'Luffy's Fierce Attack' to underline the importance between these two).

He was training for this since the beginning - to become stronger to shoulder the pain of his crew if necessary. (And not only that - he was preparing for that so another Kuina incident didn't have to happen). He was the first one to fight one of the Warlords before anything really began: his fight with Mihawk at Baratie really set the tone and his own goals to overcome - a glimpse to see on how much different levels the Warlords actually were in comparison to Zoro, Luffy and the others, and if they were supposed to beat them so Luffy could become the Pirate King, that always meant to be ready and to get even stronger than them.

(small spoiler for egghead, ch. 1102: seeing Kuma (a Warlord at that time) remembering this Thriller Bark event later, during Egghead arc, and thinking that even he might have passed out from the pain, makes it all the more meaningful that it was Zoro who took the pain and withstood it - establishing how high was the strength of his willpower, already before timeskip.)

There could be so many other nuances and details from these last few chapters of this arc, and even what this deal meant for the following arcs! Zoro was still in pain on Sabaody, and because of that the crew wasn't as strong as it could have been (not to say they would have a chance anyway, knowing what all was in the motion).

The next is the tragedy and beauty of LUFFY never finding out about this. Half of the crew knew: Sanji, Brook and Robin knew the details, but would never tell Luffy - and that shows their loyalty to both Luffy and Zoro (and Zoro's decision). Luffy woke up and first thing he did was to jump up and down, excited not to be weighted down by his injuries, and only seeing his swordsman being down with injuries so severe he was out more days afterwards, knowing that something else attacked them (him = Zoro), after he was passed out from the fight against Moria, brought down his mood (even if it's not much noticable, but the change into subtle worry is there in the few next chapters).

"I can't explain it either!" - meaning he was thinking about it too, possibly how weird it was for him to move normally after such long fight. We don't really ever hear/see Luffy thinking about something, except when it's mentioned how he came up with a solution or idea, telling us there's more to Luffy than just being straightforward in his goals and speech. With Luffy being sometimes very emotionally intelligent when he wants to be, he could have figured it out from all these other people in the room asking similar questions and deducing. Even Usopp was putting two and two togehter. We might never find out if Luffy actuallly knows or not. Luffy probably wouldn't ask Zoro directly, especially if Zoro wouldn't tell first and didn't want to talk about it

- because for Zoro, nothing happened! Nothing, that would compromise his and Luffy's first promise. For Zoro to become the Strongest he couldn't back down from the duel with Kuma (just like before with his duel with Mihawk at Baratie. When he's faced with something he swore to overcome, he can't back down or evade. Even back then Luffy understood that as he held back Johnny and Yosaku, but Sanji was perplexed how far Zoro (and Luffy) would go to reach their dreams). When Sanji was asking him in front of Kuma "What about your dream?" Zoro was still thinking about his dream- it was just that the context has changed, it changed into a journey. His dream is the most important thing, but it wouldn't mean much, if, when on his way to accomplish that, he would betray his other words and promises.

[doctorsilverhead]

Hey there!

This is my very first req on tumblr cause I'm just too shy to ask anything. So yay!

May I request for a Bayverse Optimus with human fem reader? I don't know, just fluffy things. But honestly, I prefer Optimus being an alien dad bot to the reader. So like- fatherly fluffy things, you know?

Then again, I feel like bayverse Optimus need some more love! I'm basically begging you for our ruthless yet gentle leader!

Make it after TLK event please! (Just pretend he didn't go home to the Cybertron yet lol)

Thank you before that!

More Than Meets the Metal: When Optimus Found a Heartbeat (Bayverse Optimus Prime X Human Reader)

In the aftermath of the harrowing events of The Last Knight, the world found itself in a state of flux, grappling with the revelations of an ancient war that had spilled onto Earth's doorstep. Amidst the chaos, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of Optimus Prime, the noble leader of the Autobots, who had once again proven his unwavering commitment to protecting humanity.

For one young woman, the presence of Optimus Prime took on a deeper, more personal significance. She had been drawn into the whirlwind of events, witnessing firsthand the sacrifices made by these extraordinary beings from another world. In the aftermath, she found herself forging an unexpected bond with the towering Autobot commander, one that transcended the boundaries of species and culture.

Optimus Prime, with his ancient wisdom and compassionate spark, recognized the profound impact the events had left on the young woman's psyche. In a gesture that defied his imposing stature, he extended a gentle, fatherly presence, offering solace and guidance in a world that had been forever altered.

Optimus would regale her with tales of Cybertron's golden age, painting vivid pictures of a world teeming with life and wonder.

In turn,Y/N would share her own stories, her hopes, and her dreams, finding solace in the unwavering patience and understanding of her alien father figure. Optimus would listen intently, offering sage advice and encouragement, his words carrying the weight of eons of experience.

Optimus would take her on excursions, introducing her to the wonders of the natural world. They would venture into pristine forests, where he would explain the ecosystem, or gaze up at the stars, as he recounted the vast expanse of the cosmos and the myriad worlds that lay beyond.

He worried like a father hen, constantly reminding you of potential dangers. "Stay within the perimeter, little one," he'd say, his voice a deep baritone that echoed through the yard. You'd roll your eyes, but a smile would always touch your lips. He meant well, always looking out for you.

Sometimes, you'd read to him while he repaired himself, stories of faraway lands and fantastical creatures. He'd listen intently, his blue optics flickering with amusement at the lighter tales and dimming with concern at the darker ones.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the junkyard in a warm glow, you presented Optimus with a gift – a small, hand-painted firefly encased in resin. "For protection," you said, a little shyly. He carefully took the trinket, his optics softening. "Thank you, little one," he murmured, a hint of wonder in his voice. "It reminds me of you. Small, but with a light that shines bright even in the darkest of times." He attached the firefly to his chest plate, close to his spark chamber. It was a small gesture, but in the desolate landscape, it spoke volumes. It was a symbol of the unexpected family you had found in each other, a testament to the enduring power of hope and love, even in a world determined to extinguish it.

As the world around them continued to heal and rebuild, their bond only grew stronger, a testament to the enduring power of compassion and understanding. Optimus Prime had become more than just a protector of humanity; he had become a father figure, a mentor, and a friend, offering a sense of belonging in a universe that had suddenly become infinitely larger and more wondrous.

[gh0stsp1d3r]

Could you do a Miguel O’Hara x wife!spider reader, when he lost his daughter he lost her too until they meet during the start of spider society, and he’s smitten with her and they have a baby who’s friends with mayday and she calms down Miguel when he starts to get anger at miles and guides miles. Also to see he’s smitten with her and their baby who is Gabriella.

I don’t know if this is what you meant but hopefully it is (:

My Spanish is prolly shitty because I don’t remember junk from Spanish class but I tried 😭 correct me if anything’s wrong cause I only speak fluent English and Hindi

His two sweet girls

He tried to find an answer for years on how you survived but Gabriella didn’t, coming up with nothing. He was happy you were alive, of course he was. But he wished Gabriella was with you both.

“Miggie, I think we should have another child.”

“What..? What if I can’t protect them? What if they die just like Gabriella?” He said, voice shaking slightly.

You flinched at his voice, trying to calm him down.

“It’ll be good for us. I love and miss her too. Every single day. And don’t you remember how she said she always wanted a baby sister or brother? You can protect them, because it’s not your fault she died.”

He stayed silent for a while. After a lot more talking and thinking, he agreed.

And that was last year, your baby now a year old, and your marriage stronger than ever.

Your daughter was also friends with Peter B Parker’s baby, Mayday. She played with her a lot, and had spider like powers. She liked to climb walls and ceilings with mayday, making it a chore to watch them both.

One day, Miguel started yelling and getting pissed off while you were trying to put the baby to sleep.

“Miggie.” You said, everyone turning to you. Miles looked in confusion.

“Ay, Vuelve al apartamento, mi amor.”

(Go back in the apartment, my love.)

“Es ese el niño de 1610?”

(Is that the kid from 1610?)

“Sí, por favor solo entra. Estaré callado.” He grew aggravated.

(Yes, please just go inside. I’ll be quiet.)

You sighed, walking towards him. He cocked an eyebrow.

“What are you doing?”

“Quit being so hard on him. He’s a kid.” You handed him your guy’s daughter and he sighed as your baby climbed up on his shoulder, then climbed down and went over to Hobie. Hobie picked her up and started playing with her, which made you laugh quietly.

“Look, Miles, you don’t get it. You can destroy your world if you do this.” He continued.

“You just expect me to let my dad die?”

“I lost my dad. And my daughter. We’ve all lost something, but it makes us who we are. Time heals all wounds.” You said.

He stayed silent for a moment.

“You might feel guilt, but you have to understand that that’s just the sacrifice of being who we are. We all lose somebody, and that’s okay. And you may never get over it, but if you save him, your whole world collapses. Your dad dies, your mom, your friends, the people you care about. They all die because you decided to save him.” You continued, and Miguel silently listened to the whole thing.

“Just.. stay here for two days, kid. Then we’ll let you go.” Miguel said.

He stared at the baby hobie was currently throwing in the air and talking to with admiration and love. He loved his two girls, his two sweet girls, and he wasn’t going to lose them again.

[redfoxwritesstuff]

Incomplete Summonings (Demon Alastor x Living Reader)

CW: Creampie, temperature play, demon summoning, virginity, light blood, Sex with Alastor's shadow, Sex with Alastor, human Vox cameo Rated: Adult Summary: You summoned a demon to remove your romantic competition from the equation. When your sacrifice was far too little, earning you only the shadow of the demon you had called, you had to find something else to sacrifice to pay the price. Requested by: Not Red, @redvexillum

You were hurt. Bitter rage burned inside you. There was nothing that could soothe your rage. Meditation did nothing. Talking about your feelings was a waste of time. Time did nothing to dull the ache. 

You had given everything to Voxly. He had blurred the lines between professional lives and personal. Again and again, he promised more, that you would matter. The things you did for him. You had been on your knees, worshiping him under his desk just to find out he was seeing yet another new girl the following day. 

You hated him. 

It had been a year, and you hated him just as much as you did the day he told you ‘sure thing,’ when you told him you needed, wanted something more with him, something official. You knew the ‘sure thing’ was just to make you happy for the time and goddamn you, it did. 

Again and again you fell for his sugar-coated lies. 

Maybe, if you had given him your virginity, he would have wanted you.

You were supposed to be exclusive and yet you found out through the gossip of others that he asked someone to marry him. She was tall and elegant and everything you could never be. 

You hated her even more than you hated him. She took what was yours. He should have been yours. 

It was madness, you knew, as you crouched over the dirt in the clearing. Pesky morals wouldn’t do anything to stop you. Your heart ached for the life lost as you poured the dog’s blood into the designs and symbols needed for the spell. 

The more valuable the blood used, the stronger the power. That was what the book had said. Dogs were well loved and a family pet was a child’s first best friend. 

Your mind whispered that human blood would have been more powerful, but that thought was pushed away, banished. You wouldn’t kill a human. You were not a murderer. 

But if you could summon the soul of one to do it for you, that was alright. It kept your hands clean. You could have Voxly back. 

“Vox,” you whispered as you sat back, looking at your work. “For you, Vox. I’m doing this all for you.” 

Power radiated through the shadows, a quick flash of it. Alastor’s ear twitched absently as he looked up from his book.

“What a pathetic attempt,” Alastor murmured to himself as he turned the page.

Shadows moved around you, dancing in a ghoulish display of horrors. Wind threw the fall leaves into the air, sending them high only to land on your hair along with dirt and twigs. 

Instantly, you regretted everything you had done. This wasn’t supposed to work. 

A shadow rose from the center of the circle, humanoid in shape. The silhouette wore what looked to be a skirt or… no; it looked male. Perhaps it was a long coat it wore. Tall tufts of hair stood atop the shape of the head and between them, stretching out from the head, were wide antlers. 

“What are you?” You threw a rock at it only to watch it fly through the black body. 

He cocked his head to the side and pointed to himself. A question mark floated, black as void, atop his head. Red glowing eyes and a mouth that spread in a sharp grin broke the black of his face up. 

He held his hands up, long fingers curving into claws as he mimed being a monster. 

“You’re a demon?” 

The monster’s smile spread wider as he held his thumbs up in confirmation. 

“I- I summoned you?” 

The black void nodded eagerly, the motion large and exaggerated. 

“Right.” You took a deep breath, running your sweaty palms over your lap, wiping them on your skirt. “Right. I summoned you. You have to obey me.” 

The void held his hand out, rocking it back and forth as if to say, ‘kind of’. 

“I summoned you to kill the woman my boyfriend is to marry.” You felt dirty just saying it. 

A big X appeared above the void’s head. 

“Why not?” 

The void held out his hand, showing miniatures. A void man walked, a shadow stretching out at his feet. The void man pointed at the shadow and then at himself. 

“You’re just… the shadow of the demon I wanted to summon?” 

A black checkmark appeared over his head as he held his thumbs up in again. 

“Why?” Tears welled in your eyes. “Can’t you do it, anyway?” 

The shadow shook his head. The voids in the air changed into a series of animals, then people of different age. The shadow pointed to the shape of a dog, to you and then to himself. Then he pointed to the people and pointed to the silhouette of the man with a shadow, still walking in place through the air. 

The shadow then pointed to the circle he stood in, the dog, and then walked his fingers through the air. The fingers walked into his other hand, falling over as an X floated above the finger puppet man. 

“You can’t leave the circle.” 

The X became a check mark. 

“What if I sacrificed more?” you asked. I could get more dogs- I could-” 

The X returned at the mention of more dogs. 

“What could do it then?” Tears gathered in your eyes.

The shadow looked at you, grin spreading freakishly wide as he made a show of looking up and down your body. He made kissy faces toward you, little black hearts floating up from his head as he motioned for you to come closer. 

“A kiss?” Timid legs took you closer and closer to the edge of the circle. 

He made the seesaw motion with his hand again. 

“More?” Your knees were knocking together as the hand shifted into a thumbs up. 

“I’ve… I’ve never…. I’ve never done much more than that.” 

The shadow put up his second thumb. 

“If… If I let you do whatever you need to… to me, you’ll kill her?”

The red eyes closed, and he nodded his head. 

“Are… are you going to hurt me?” You toed the line of salt and blood, terrified of crossing over. 

The shadow man shook his head, signaling a negative answer. 

You didn’t want to do this. It wasn’t safe. It wasn’t smart. But was any of this smart or safe?

One foot slowly crossed over the line, and then you were stepping over. Static tingled over your skin as you moved into the circle where two worlds could exist at once. 

The moment you crossed, cold limbs wrapped around you, shifting and slithering as he pulled you close. The wide red eyes and inhuman smile looked at you, a predator ready to take its prey. 

A shiver ran down your spine as black shadow claws cut through your dress as if it was nothing. He shredded your bra and panties with manic glee. His touch was cold, so cold as it ghosted over you. 

There was a shimmer of shadow for a moment and then the thing appeared, a black body without the trappings. The shadows reached up, wrapping around your limbs as he held you in his arms. They worked together to guide you down to the ground. 

Rocks and sticks bit into your skin. Leaves and dirt gathered in your hair as you trembled. The shadows wrapped around your wrists, pulling them up above your head. More shadows spread your legs. 

The man in control of it all knelt in front of you, eyes running up and down your naked body. You could see a rod protruding from his body. You shivered, the cold ground under you and the night air stealing the warmth from your body. 

Black hands ran up your skin, examining the smoothe expanse of your legs. He caressed higher and higher. You gasped as his fingers ran through your folds, ice cold. He ran his black claws through them again and again, each pass sparking more pleasure. 

A black tongue ran out of his mouth, licking lips you couldn’t see. The passes of his fingers came easier now, smoother. The pleasure was growing. 

Cold pressed into your core as he moved himself between your legs. He held the hand that had been working over your core up, spreading fingers covered with a clear slick. 

“What are you doing?” You asked, hips twitching as the blunt end of his icy cock pressed against your opening. 

He held up his hands, one making a circle with his fingers. He pushed his fingers through the circle in a lewd miming of penetration. Once his message was delivered, icy hands fell to rest on your waist. Gooseflesh ran across your body as he pressed forward slowly. 

Your virginal body resisted the intrusion. The cold of him had your body tightening up. That didn’t stop him from pushing forward. With the steady soft pressure, your body relented, spreading over the bulbus head of his cock. 

Your back arched as a cold fullness dominated your senses. Deeper and deeper he pressed, hands pulling your hips to him. The shadows held your arms steady; the ache settling in the joints as he stretched them. 

You were freezing, cold from the inside out, as he reached deeper and deeper until his hips pressed into you. Your walls ached around his shaft, cramping and quivering as the coldness sank into your cervix. 

Shivers ran down your body, tears running down your face. It wasn’t painful, but it felt wrong. There was no warmth. There was no love. The shadow looked down at you, greedy at the sight of your virginal body spread over his cock. 

Pulling back, he slammed into you again. The harsh thrust jolted your body in the constraints of shadow. Each thrust was harsh, claws digging into fat as he worked in and out of you. 

Cold touches ran up your ribs as the shadow man leaned forward, thrusting harder. Freezing palms enveloped your breasts, cold sinking into you. Your nipples pebbled under his touch painfully. 

His shadows pulled you up as he leaned back. A black heart floated over his head as he wrapped his arms around you. The shadows holding your wrists stretched your arms higher and higher until your knees struggled to touch the ground. The man thrust into you, torso slapping against your sensitive clit. 

“So cold.” You could see your breath as you spoke. 

The shadow ran his tongue over your painful nipple. The saliva froze on your skin, quickly melting as he moved on. It hurt. It felt good. You were going insane. He was driving you insane.

“Fuck,” you whispered as your body tightened around him. Each thrust wound your body tighter around him. “Too much. Too much.” 

The shadow man shook his head, running cold hands over your skin as he continued running his freezing tongue over sensitive skin. 

You came with a scream, cold muscles cramping from the power of the convulsions. The shadow man thrust into your body through it, each thrust bullying walls that wanted nothing more than to hold him in place and milk him. 

Shadows ripped your body from him, sending you spiraling through the air as they pushed and pulled your limbs. Landing hardly on your hands and knees, you tried to scramble away. 

Cold pushed into you again, sensitive body eagerly making way for his freezing cock. A hand made of nothing and everything wrapped in your hair, pulling you on your hands as he fucked into you. Each thrust was silent even as his hips slammed into your ass and knocked the air from your lungs. 

Alastor sat in his chair, book set aside, as he glared at his lap. His cock stood tall and proud from his open pants, painfully throbbing. He had already taken himself in his fist once, working himself to a quick completion, hoping to be rid of the annoying state. 

It didn’t do him any good. He could feel the way his shadow, the keeper of all his troublesome and distracting emotions, did something to his counterpart. 

“What are you up to?” Alastor murmured to himself, struggling to tuck his painfully erect cock into his pants before melting into the shadows. 

As he rose from a pool of shadows, Alastor realized he was in a clearing in the living world. The shadow must have answered the pathetic attempt at a summoning, he decided as his eyes scanned the small area. 

“And what are you doing?” Alastor’s eyes went wide at the sight in front of him. 

His shadow had you on your hands and knees, drool running down your chin and hair wrapped in his hand. Through his connection to his shadow, Alastor could feel the waves of your orgasm running through your body. By Alastor’s count, it would be your third. 

“Leave her.” Alastor ordered, sending his shadow cowering behind him. 

You looked over your shoulder, seeing the colored counterpart of the black void that had taken your virginity. He ran his red claws up the back of your thigh as he knelt behind you. 

“You summoned me?” His voice was smooth, static radiating through his words. “For what?” 

“To kill a woman.” His hand was so warm after feeling nothing but cold. It felt like you had been trapped in the cold of the shadows forever. “Have I… have I given enough? Please, say it’s enough. I’m so cold.” 

“Shh,” Alastor cooed, working his pants open. “Just a little more, doe, and I’ll warm you up during it.” 

The head of his cock felt like it was on fire as he pushed into you. You screamed at the contrast, body trembling as he sank into your sensitive walls. 

“Go,” Alastor said as he bottomed out inside you. The chill of your body had his cock twitching inside you. “See to our task.” 

The shadow man nodded eagerly and melted away. The red man turned his attention back to your trembling form, shifting you to your side. His searing hot hands gripped your leg, spreading your folds around him as he rested your calf against his chest. 

“What a troublesome girl you are,” Alastor cooed, running his hands up and down your cold leg as he thrust slowly into you, his cock burning your chilled core from the inside.

The smile he wore was far more frightening than that of the shadow man. This new man’s smile was a dangerous mask. The shadow wore his emotions on his sleeve, or rather in little designs that floated around his head. There was no part of this demon that you could trust. 

Large red clawed hands ran up your waist, chasing away the lingering cold on your skin. Burning trails of his touch ran along your sides, up your ribs as he thrust lazily into you. 

“Please,” you begged, back arching as his warm hands soothed your breasts, warming your painfully cold nipples. “So cold.” 

“I know,” Alastor cooed as his hand wrapped around your thigh again.

He used it and his hand on your hip as leverage, pinning you in place as his pace quickened. His hips pistoned into you, rough pants biting into your ass with each slap against it. What had been silent with the shadow man was loud and animalistic now.

Your cries filled the circle, joined by his panting. His cock pistoned into you, head slamming into your cervix as the angle allowed him deep access to your core. Your hands, no longer trapped by the cold shadows, scrambled for purchase as one of hell’s demons used your body for his pleasure. 

Nails dug into the ground, ripping dirt and grass up by the roots as you tried to turn onto your side, to crawl away. His grip was unrelenting, grunts of effort joining your moans as he worked his cock into you again and again. 

Each drag of his large cock through your sensitive, abused walls stole the breath from your lungs. Pleasure, fear and pain all mixed as you moaned. His claws punctured through your skin, hot blood running up your thigh and down your side. 

You didn’t know where the pleasure ended, and the pain began. Fear and lust became one. 

“Too much,” you moaned, “Please, I can’t.”

“You can,” the man, his voice sounding like it came from an old radio said, “And you must. It’s your payment to me.” 

His hand ran over your skin, finding your clit between your legs and rubbed over the slick nub. Each pass of his fingers had your hips thrashing as you were pushed closer and closer to your end. 

You were sure if you came again, it would kill you. There was no way you could survive another round. Your body was spent. 

“Please,” you sobbed as the coil tightened inside you. Each thrust into you felt like he was clashing against glass. It was just a matter of time until…

You broke, back arching, and a scream echoing off the trees, sending birds flying through the night sky. The force of your orgasm was blinding as your walls thrashed against the cock still pounding inside you. 

“There you go,” the demon cooed, folding over you. Your knee pressed into your shoulder as he pounded his hips into you. His pants sank lower as he changed position, balls now swinging into you with each thrust. “Good girl,” 

You couldn’t breathe. There wasn’t enough air in the world when he looked at you, face so close and eyes so inhumanly red. Your walls continued their convulsions as your hands moved from the dirt to the man atop you, digging into the fabric of his red suit. 

“What a good little sinner you are,” the demon spoke as he moaned, hip stuttering with a broken rhythm. Hot ropes of his seed shot inside you. He painted your cervix with it with so much force you could feel each pulse of hit. He throbbed inside you as he wedged his cock as deep as it could reach, moans of praise on his lips. 

Only when his cock stilled, no longer twitching inside you, did he slowly pull from your body. He left you limp on the ground as he stood, tucking his softening member into his pants and straightening his clothes. 

You gasped for breath, left on the dirty ground as your leg fell without a thought. Alastor watched as his seed ran in a thick river from your used cunt. Could it take root here, in a living body? Wouldn’t that be a surprise! 

It would serve you right, having disturbed his evening. With one last look, he turned and stepped away, melting into the shadows as he left you. As the last traces of his form left the living world, the surrounding candles winked out of life. 

You lay naked in the clearing for over an hour before you stood and stumbled toward your home. You walked, naked and bleeding through the streets as a demon’s seed ran down your legs, reminding you of the sin that would have you damned to hell. 

Join us at VoxTek for a Vox themed Hazbin Discord where we talk Vox, Hazbin, writing, reading, art and who knows what else. You may even catch some exclusive sneak peeks at upcoming fics from some of your favorite writers including the first page of the next chapter of MisD a day early!!

[slackerlifewhere]

Involving kids in battles

There are a lot of opinions about Cale Henituse, formerly known as Kim Rok Soo. Some readers love him and some readers don't. Some find him funny and some think he's annoying. Some see his selflessness and some judge him as selfish.

He's a very complex character that is just tired of the bullshit the gods did to a lot of people including himself.

But the one thing that some readers do not like about him is how he includes kids in wars and battles against multiple powerful threats.

I've made a post about female characters that slightly mentions this. It can be found during On's part in the post if you're curious.

So here's the thing about the kids in TCF, or rather, the kids in Cale's group. They're strong in different ways.

And most of them, excluding Lily and Basen, are not humans.

To understand why I think their presence in battles are okay, let me first bring up Kim Rok Soo's past to understand the way he thinks.

As we all know, at least the ones who finished the first book, Kim Rok Soo did not have the best life. His parents died from a car accident when he was young and he was left to his abusive uncle. He was mostly alone with no connections to other people (for reasons you need to read about if you haven't yet) until the apocalypse (when he was a young part-timer) happened where he had to survive by himself until he became a member of a team with different abilities. He was a member who had to fight and watch people die when he was young until he's 36 years old.

He doesn't have a normal life and childhood.

'Kim Rok Soo had once had to starve in the past. He did not enjoy seeing children looking so skinny. Although Lock had always looked feeble and his tall height made him skinny from the start, he seemed even thinner now.' - Chapter 234: Something Obvious (3)

So if a person who grew up under these circumstances is suddenly thrusted into another world where anyone can die easily, what would he do?

Basen and Lily

His first reaction to the idea of Basen being sent to the plaza where Cale knows a tragedy might happen, is to agree with Deruth's idea of replacing Basen, knowing full well that his younger brother will not come back completely fine, especially since he's a normal kid. He chose to sacrifice his safety for a brother he barely knows since he recently just got transmigrated in this strange world. Basen is more fit to help in their territory than to fight in battles. And he does not see this as a weakness.

When Lily asks for a sword instead of a normal toy a child of her age would normally want, he easily agrees. This is a kid who wants to learn how to fight. He knows that there will be war coming to Roan Kingdom and their territory will be the first to face this danger. So the idea of her learning how to fight, with the mindset of someone who survived in an apocalypse, made him agree without complaints.

Raon Miru

Fast forward and he gained the trust of three children who are harmed by a tribe and a cruel noble. He pities them but also understands their pain at the same time, especially after everything he went through. He knows coddling them would not make things better since they already know how harsh the world is.

Raon is a baby dragon but he's stronger than all of the people in his group, except Eruhaben. He's a kid who easily talks about destroying the world if Cale doesn't wake up after fainting. He's a kid who wants revenge against Venion and he never let go of that anger even when he was freed by Cale and his group. He knows he's stronger than Cale and does not want to leave this "weak" human despite the strong enemies they face.

But Cale, even with this thought of "putting him to use" at first, told him to hide himself in all battles and when around strangers.

Even though he knows Raon can fight, it's obvious the little dragon will face potential problems if everyone knows there's a dragon in the group. Arm would do everything to get Raon and bring him to DHB, the nobles would probably become greedy, a lot of people will rely on him for things he shouldn't even need to do, and Raon will never be truly free from all the expectations placed on him.

He could leave Raon with Elves and Eruhaben but considering what Arm did to the elves, Eruhaben's lair, and Olienne, there are no safe places to leave him.

Cale gave him the freedom of choice. He can live freely as a dragon without trusting a human. He was fully confident that Raon will not follow him. But he did. So Raon is his responsibility now.

I made a post about liking both Cale and Reigen Arataka and I can honestly see their similarities in this part. They know the kid with them is stronger than them but they also know that fully placing all the responsibilities and expectations on this kid will ruin them.

He, like Reigen, tells his kids that it's okay to run when facing a strong opponent. That it's okay to rely and let the adults handle the hard part of the battle. He respects and relies on them when necessary and pulls them back when they face real danger.

When the White Star first appeared, Cale's first instinct was to hide Raon in his arms and to defend themselves from the man. He was also prepared to fight until Eruhaben appeared. No matter how much Raon wanted to fight, Cale kept hiding him and was genuinely scared for the dragon.

So yes, he cares for the kids in his own way but doesn't treat them in a patronizing manner.

On and Hong

Like I've mentioned in my other post, On and Hong also did not have a great childhood. They were chased from their tribe who wanted to kill them because they're "useless" and mutants.

They did not trust anyone until they met Cale who says one thing and does the opposite. They placed their trust on Cale who may appear indifferent and cold but seems to care for them by giving them bread, medicine, and meat without having expectations from them.

Some readers might find it distasteful but it's obvious that they want to be useful, no matter how small their contribution is to the fight. I think the term "useful" makes it cruel but for them, it's something to be proud of. When he first uses this term, it's when they were saving Raon. But his next instinct was to check if they're okay after infiltrating the cave.

Is it bad to let these kids fight after they escaped death? Yes and no.

They should be safe, away from harm or danger. That's normal to think about children and I agree they need safety like normal children. But once again, these kids aren't human and they are in a different world from us. They grew up in a tribe that expects them to be strong so in every opportunity, they look for ways to be strong.

That's not exactly a normal kid's way of thinking.

And again, Cale's initial indifference to everything around him is the extension of what his former life did to his psyche. He's not a normal person either. None of these characters are normal. Oddly enough, the most normal are Litana and Valentino.

And in all honesty, knowing how he thinks and respects someone's needs and wants, if they want to stay away from danger or stop fighting, there is no doubt he would accept their wishes and let them hide somewhere far away from Arm. But like Raon, they want to fight back against the tribe who wants them dead. In a sense, they also want revenge and to prove everyone that they've become strong.

Lock and the Wolf children

Lock is still a young boy, no matter how much he shoulders after the death of his tribe. I still see him as a kid like Basen.

When Lock was having troubles during the war, Cale did not scold him. Instead, he encouraged him to eat since he noticed how Lock hasn't been eating since he first learned he can't use his berserk form. He told him that he did not need to fight. His only role was to stand and protect Raon. Simple but it made Lock feel relieved and happy that Cale didn't get angry at him for being weak.

I see it as Cale just wanting him to step back and get stronger, to rely on the rest of the adults and to not worry about regressing. I can only imagine what Kim Rok Soo went through to be so wise about this kind of situation.

This part is one of the most memorable to me because of what happens at the end of the battle,

'I am the adult.

I am the guardian of these two children.

I need to take full responsibility since I chose to take them in.

I need the Super Rock's power.'

Cale, despite all his inner complaints and initial reluctance about how he's suddenly involved in a group of children's safety and protection, finally admitted how important it is that he takes full responsibility of those he took in. And the way he does it is by "sacrificing" himself.

When Lock finally overcome his fear and was about to protect Cale, Cale got annoyed and said,

"Children grow up so fast" with a pat on Lock's head.

He sounded like a father or an uncle who was proud of Lock for overcoming his obstacles. This one scene among multitudes of others made me recognize how much he cares for these children. It's happening mid-battle but it doesn't detracts the emotional value but only increases it. It was another reason why I find Cale Henituse so interesting and mesmerizing.

Conclusion

Cale Henituse, for all his self-hatred and low self-esteem, does not bring down a child or person's confidence. He gives them the choice to become strong and protects them when they're weak.

He does not force them to do anything they can't or don't want to do. He knows what he went through as Kim Rok Soo is bad and he doesn't want them to go through the same thing.

Reading between the lines made me see that there's something deeper than what Cale shows.

___

I'm not gonna lie, I sound like Clopeh at some parts whenever I write like this. I felt the same when I was writing about the female characters lmao

I'm sorry if this is so long 😅 I became too passionate about this topic. I understand the people who are worried about the kids but this is still my opinion about it.

[foreficfandom]

POV: You Are Actually MUCH More Powerful Than Alastor (1/2)

(Alastor x Reader, g/n, queerplatonic/sex and romance favorable, fan theories, God!Reader)

Overlords are common sinners that boast many indentured servants to their name. Some also focus on physical territory. Some, like Alastor, don't bother. After all, radio knows little physical limitations.

Every Overlord had their own method of gaining prowess. Know one knows how Alastor became so dangerous. The strongest of the lords. Possibly stronger than some goetia royalty.

You weren't sure, either, but you had an inkling.

Because unbeknownst to anyone, you weren't some common sinner soul.

You were unique. A being originating far from this Christian realm of Heaven and Hell. You were undying, or a reincarnation, or a demigod. But you kept on the down low, 'cause attention would have meant trouble.

You could feel that Alastor's magic was a dark, bloody thing, nestled deep in his chest and hooked tightly like barbed wire. It tasted like sacrifices. It smelled like ultraviolet. And you knew it was borrowed, almost seeing the leash around his neck out of the corner of your eye.

Through a shared interest in the Hazbin Hotel, you and Alastor became acquaintances. Months later, you were proper friends. You could tell that Alastor valued the kind and pure of heart, even if he also believed them pitiful. Because they reminded him of a pleasant, happier life. A hidden part of him wanted to believe in their hope and love.

He thought you were just another sinner soul, and you didn't give him a reason to know any better. You had a job as part of the hotel staff. Their accountant, or security, or maintenance. Or their head concierge, guest service agent, auditor, what have you. Something vital to the business, but nothing glamorous. Labor has always been your most successful mask.

He was growing to love again. His mortal self might have been more recipient of affections and bonds, but decades living in hell has twisted him, and you could see him despair over the lump in his throat. His defeat at the hands of Adam proved his limits. You felt him writhe for weeks afterwards, and you let him reap what he sowed.

Curious, you sneaked away one evening and drew from your well of power to step through the fabric of time, finding yourself on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain to watch a young Alastor drink the blood from a bloody corpse, and spitting it over his shoulder. Some loa watched this bastardized libation from across the crossroads, but what answered was far more malevolent.

Alastor agreed to a very dangerous exchange. He now had hold over magic impressive enough for a mortal, but you knew it to be a relatively bum deal compared to true power. He would hunger constantly for flesh just to feed its energy, which was a cleverly hidden clause to curse him further through devilish consumption. His shadow sprouted antlers and a maw of sharp teeth.

For two decades, Alastor hunted and ate. Always male victims, usually white men, individuals some might damn as monsters themselves - the abusers, the genociders, the murderously entitled. What was once a scared young man grew hollow and fat on the power.

You've seen enough. Stepping through once more, you joined Alastor in cooking an orzo for shrove Tuesday. Sharpening your gaze, you watched his reflection on the shiny metal surface of a pot, and saw the stitches embedded in his face, pulling tight and vicious.

You nonchalantly asked, "How did you become so proficient at the kitchen knife?"

"Well, I was taught that one could eat, or they could eat well," he replied in a sing-song voice. "And practice makes perfect! Hunger is truly the best teacher."

The meat he was pairing was pork, but you knew he's served human flesh for dinner at least once before. You didn't say anything, because they'd grow suspicious at how you could possibly know from just the smell.

Alastor allowed only you to join him in cooking, partly because he favored you so much more, also because you were a right hand at making a meal. You didn't mention that millennia of existence made one a right hand at any skill.

And tonight, he would begin to see it.

Leaving the broth to simmer, you grabbed a small pairing knife and one of the tomatoes. Instead of simply coring and slicing, you inserted 0.013'' of carbon, chromium, and manganese right between where the molecular cells of epidermis ended at the pericarp. In a single momentum of both your knife and the tomato, the skin was perfectly peeled within two rotations.

Alastor wasn't even looking at you. But he froze over the cutting board, rictus smile sharp.

You haven't even used magic yet.

Both the tomato epidermis and its flayed flesh were completely free of any trace of the other, so in one hand, you ignited the skin to transmogrify into a tiny figurine made out of its glycerin wax. In the other, the tomato was sacrificed in a hole of light-bending void for its animal equivalent - the tiny heart of some small animal, possibly a bird or an amphibian, beating calmly as if alive.

Alastor slowly turned his head to watch as a miniature wax replica of himself held the heart in both shaking hands, before doubling over to devour it whole, its relative size and gore very reminiscent of a large, juicy tomato.

A picture perfect snapshot of his fifth or sixth murder while alive. Some world war veteran that still longed for the battlefield and had exercised his frustration upon his mother and younger siblings. The man might have been rotten, but his warrior's blood had burned hot and nourished Alastor's gaping void particularly well.

(NEXT)

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 285

Another Tiamat Prompt, what d’ya know lol. 

Only? That much power, of nine near-godly beings in one body? That’s a lot. And, they can’t exactly… unmeld anymore. But they were prepared for that, they were ready to have to sacrifice it all. So if they have to leave their world as their power gets too strong, then so be it. 

So they wander, from world to world, unable to stay long, never finding a place that feels like home. They wander, stars spilling from wings, asteroids melding with scales and stars bursting into feathers as they do so. 

They wander, and grow both stronger, and bigger than ever before. But they grow tired, weary. Exhausted even. This endless travel, they tire of it, just wanting a moment of rest. They’ve been moving endlessly for so long, getting fitful rest as one of them dozes at a time, and they just want a proper moment of sleep. 

So they land and… when did worlds become so small? When did they become vast enough to wrap around them? When did they grow so large to dwarf the world they had once come from so long ago once in another timeline? 

How long, they wonder, have the nine of them wandered? How far? How many timelines? Dimensions? Planes of reality? 

But they’re tired. So for now? They rest. They sleep away their worries and grief, life and death spilling from their breath, rock and earth building around them as they dream. Water giving way to life, plants to animals, animals to destruction over and over. 

And they rest. They sleep. Scales harder than any ore, feathers more beautiful than the rarest bird, fur softer than the most expensive silks, yet visible to none. For they sleep, resting below the waves, stretching from sea to sea. 

Until…

Until they begin to wake. They do not mean harm, they are not even aware of the life that has grown from their presence, of the panic the great disasters and storms are causing. One snuffs in their sleep, a volcano bursting from the heat. Another head shifts slightly, sighing at the new comfortable position as sinkholes break across the surface like an earthquake. 

How can they be aware, when they’re still dreaming? 

[kseniyagreen]

And no one in the world can see through you...

I think one of the most important and acute themes of the drama is the desire to be seen, to be real for someone. The desire is so greedy and desperate that many heroes are ready to die for it.

Because without this feeling of being seen and understood, they feel like they are in an endless dream. Not so real. And for the opportunity to become real, they are ready to pay with pain and life.

Ying Lei and Bai Jiu both died trying to do something meaningful for their special person. Striving to be the one who changes something - himself, alone. And maybe that's why they were so reckless.

Li Lun sacrificed his immortal existence to become a real man for one day - the man Zhao Yuanzhou will not forget.

The bird goddess understands that this Fei is not real - and understanding this, she kind of see the real Fei in her heart.

And therefore she feels it as if they are finally together.

This is a desperate, beautiful but painful desire to have someone who sees you and whom you see, someone who will illuminate the darkness of your loneliness, especially acute and painful for those who are used to feeling like an "anomaly".

The drama also raises the social aspect - about how anomalies are not accepted by society, are seen distortedly and falsely, and this experience of social invisibility makes the desire to find someone who will see and understand the real you even stronger - sometimes dangerous and even destructive.

All the characters are in some sense are dreamers in a dream and puppets in a play.

And in this play you can go beyond the given role, show a glimmer of your true self only at the moment when your role ends. And every hero here dies looking at the one for whom they wants to become real most of all.

This interestingly reflects the fact that under censorship, a lot can only be shown at the cost of the hero's death. Like queer couples in censored dramas, they usually die in the finale (at least one of them). Antiheroes who reject the laws of this world's also usually assert their right for sympathy with a selfless death.

But in reality, a person asserts themself and finds understanding not through death, but through life. It is not the final sacrifice, but the path traveled that matters.

And this is where I see the meaning of Zhao Yuanzhou's path.

He could have died in the middle of the story - and the villain would not have received his power, and the world might not have needed to be saved.

But then ZYZ would have died unrecognized and misunderstood, lonely.

But thanks to the path traveled, he finds someone who sees him, who understands him, who loves him and makes him real.

And for Zhuo Yichen, this is no less important - for someone who was afraid of his dreams and therefore lived as if in a dream, for someone who was afraid of that unconscious part of himself. And therefore, diligently fulfilling his social role, he did not get close to anyone.

But the more alive and real they become together, the tighter the web of fate becomes. As if resisting their desire to be together.

And yet I would like to think that this desire and their mutual reality turns out to be stronger than the tragic scenario.

Like at the moment when Zhuo Yichen was supposed to die together with the villain, but did not die because the Zhao Yuanzhou's spell "recognized" him.

This desire to stretch the thread of connection through all obstacles, barriers and through death itself is very tangible in the way they're holding hands.

And this courage not to let go even when it seems the universe itself is separating you plays a key role in the finale.

"I recognize only the principles of my heart," says Li Lun.

And I like to think that along with his power, he passed on to Zhuo Yichen a part of his rebellious spirit and gave Yichen the courage to resist fate.

Yichen too manages to save part of Yuanzhou's soul because he knows that soul truly. They manage to pull this theme of mutual recognition into a situation as far away from an act of love as possible.

This "I knew you would do this" "and I knew you would do this, and that's why I do something else" and "you're still so..." - as both recognition of "it's you" and surprise and recognition anew.

They are both tied with ropes to their roles, like puppets of a demon who fulfills wishes. But they see each other beyond these roles. And with his final act, Zhuo Yichen seems to connect their destinies beyond the boundary where their roles end.

Zhao Yuanzhou had to fulfill his role as a sacred sacrifice and leave. Zhuo Yichen had to fulfill his role as an instrument on which Yuanzhou would make his sacrifice. But Yichen, taking on an active role in a situation of impossible choice, goes beyond the role of an instrument - and thanks to this, he can do what does not fit into this role.

Save Zhao Yuanzhou's life and connect their fates beyond the fulfillment of the prophecy.

And now they're both free.

[astrobydalia]

Saturn🪐

by astrobydalia

There’s a lot of emphasis on the ‘delay’ aspect of Saturn. It is true that the house where you have this planet are themes that might be delayed in your life until your Saturn return (your 30s) or until you’re mature enough (age and maturity don’t always go hand in hand). Up until then, you could struggle to find stability in these house’ themes to the point where you might think you’re not cut out to have them like everyone else since nothing here seems to come easily or naturally.

Example:

Saturn in 4th - could face early abandonment from family (emotional and/or physical). May spend a big chunk of their lives feeling like they have no support or quite literally no family. Constantly feeling rejected by the people and places they try to call home and lack a sense of belonging. Eventually they learn what it really means to become a support system for themselves and the people they love, this might have come at the expense of their own comfort, but learned to build this stability within themselves once they mature

However, that is the most forgiving manifestation of Saturn in my opinion because it can actually do the exact opposite. Saturn placement can also show themes that are imposed on you very early on and you have to stick with for a veeeeery long time until you’re ready to mature out of it or until you know better. In other words, a karmic lesson. This is because Saturn also represents burdens

Same example:

Saturn 4th - could actually have a strong bond with their family and have a stable place to call home, but they could be inseparable from family/roots in a way that is detrimental for the native. Could feel the pressure to stick up for family and what they want at the expense of their own needs which results in another form of emotional abandonment. Family is limiting, could feel like you can’t escape from them or their influence. Ultimately the lesson is the same cause it’s the same placement, but instead of learning it through trial and error like the last case, they learn it from being hands on in a less than ideal situation

There’s also a combination of both: having to deal with a certain burden because you it’s like you lack the possibility of anything better in the long run. Following the example: could be the case that your whole family is gone and you only have one relative to relay on but they’re abusive

Saturn isn’t here to make sure your life is crap, it can actually bring blessing if you’re patient and resilient. After all it rules karma, so it eventually delivers what’s fair. That’s why Saturn’s exalted in Libra and also because the concepts of boundaries, respecting the common rules and detaching for the sake of compromise are things both Saturn and Libra understand perfectly. “time ends up placing everything where it should be”

It’s true that Saturn is tricky because it’s all about prioritizing growth over comfort. It’s about the sacrifices that make you tougher, stronger, bigger. So at its worst it actually be very bad. The shadow of Saturn is all about doing whatever it takes for growth and benefit. In the case of Capricorn that relates to climbing the social and economic ladder. For Aquarius, that’s detaching from your humanity in order to be more ‘evolved’. It has a lot to do with detaching from your heart and soul in benefit of the 3D world, that’s why Saturn is debilitated Aries, Cancer and Leo, because these signs are all about checking in with yourself and staying true to yourself and your heart so don’t like accepting Saturn’s limitations in terms of these things. I’d argue that it can even be worse than the other ‘malefic’ planet because it’s associated to all of the things that can be devastating for any human in a permanent basis: loneliness, depression, coldness, abuse of power (saturn=limits, control, authority)

On the flip side, Saturn at its best represents everything a healthy person needs: stability, structure, boundaries, the barriers that keep you protected and responsibility. The growth over comfort motto is actually positive when channeled healthily. As we all know, in order to mature and be a better person, we have to take responsibility and compromise some of our comfort zone, we need to learn to ‘tame’ and take control of ourselves and that’s not always a walk in the park but it’s worth it at the end. This is what helps you build a solid ‘you’ and that’s what Saturn can teach you. Saturn also represents the matrix, the rules and limits of this big game so at its best, it can be the most helpful planet when it comes to teaching you how to navigate this world and to grow from your lessons. It other words it can help you manifest!!!! Saturn gives you clues on what you can do to materialize what you want, how you can translate things into reality

Saturn is actually very rewarding and liberating in the long run if you embrace the process of growth and take responsibility for yourself in the themes it is influencing in your chart. It gets to point in your life were Saturn’s like “yeah it is what it is. It sucks. Too bad. But the ball’s in your court now, what are you gonna do?”

Anyways this was a little spontaneous ramble of my thoughts. As always, don’t hesitate to share yours :)

by astrobydalia

[alexanderwales]

The Index

This is an index of things I've written and posted online, with minimal descriptions because most of them have blurbs if you click the link. This list is not exhaustive, especially because there are a bunch of short stories and dribbles in various places. If something you liked is missing, let me know.

Web Serials

Worth the Candle - Juniper Smith is a teenaged Dungeon Master who ends up in a world filled with all the things he dreamt up for his campaigns, along with signs of his friend who died months earlier. This Used to be About Dungeons - Five teenagers live in a house together, bake bread, tend the garden, and occasionally fight monsters in dungeons. Thresholder - Thresholders travel from world to world, fantasy one minute and scifi the next, always encountering an opponent, growing stronger as they battle. Shadows of the Limelight - Fame gives you superpowers, and Dominic just saved the world's greatest hero from defeat in full view of a large audience. Glimwarden (unfinished) - A small town huddles around lanterns that keep the darklings at bay. Four teenagers must grow in power as the darkness encroaches. The Dark Wizard of Donkerk (unedited) - Two men steal a baby from an orphanage, then find out he's too cute to sacrifice and raise him as their own.

Fanfic

The Metropolitan Man (Superman) - Lex Luthor attempts to unravel the secrets of the alien. A Common Sense Guide to Doing the Most Good (Superman) - Superman gets really into effective altruism. Instruments of Destruction (Star Wars) - A fable of project management aboard the second Death Star, through the eyes of Admiral Tian Jerjerrod. Branches on the Tree of Time (Terminator) - Sarah Connor is working as a software engineer at UCLA when a naked man shows up on her doorstep. A Bluer Shade of White (Frozen) - Elsa can make life, and Olaf is smarter than he looks.

Shorts

Eager Readers in Your Area - Artificial intelligence has left authors scrambling for readers. Charlotte clicks on an ad. Variations - An orc visits an art exhibition where she feels out of place. Contratto - Julia takes a job as a marketer, working for the vampires to keep their secrets safe. The Randi Prize - James Randi offers a prize for anyone who can demonstrate supernatural abilities. Coming Home - After a long time isekaied to a fantasy kingdom, an errant father has coffee with his estranged son.

I also post short stuff to this very tumblr, which can usually be found under the #microfiction tag unless I forget. Usually this is mirrored on AO3, unless I'm lazy.

Web Comics

Millennial Scarlet - Lamont Pearce is a gig economy demon hunter whose mother ran a government agency meant to defend against Hell. Worth the Candle - A webcomic adaptation of the web serial

Non-Fiction

The AI Art Apocalypse - Slightly outdated thoughts from 2022. Why to Write a Sex Scene - Observations on the narrative purpose of carnal pursuits. Game Review: Underhill - This review contains no screenshots, because this game does not exist. Writing: An FAQ - Accumulated wisdom from 4 million words and counting. Creating Interesting Magic - A much-requested post on making interesting magic systems (and characters, and plots, and worlds). How to Write a Web Serial - It's both easier and harder than you think. The Trouble with Writing Nazis - On giving villains too much credit. Interesting Things to do with Time Loops - Exploring the boundaries of the conceit.

[harmoonix]

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

Astrology Notes ☙

By@harmoonix

A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love. Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul

◇☆★☆★☆★☆◆☆★☆★☆★◇★☆

☙ 7th house Moon/Venus/Venus in Libra/Moon in Libra crave a really deep soul connection with their partners, they are ready to sacrifice everything for love and they are scared they will never find their perfect partners or someone to love them. I wanna tell you that at some point someone will come in your life and will love you no matter what❤️🥹 coming from Libra Moon so I'm one of you. 🫂

☙ 8th house placements will go through a lot of karmic healing in their life, they represent the Phoenix who rises up everytime, no matter how hurt they are. These people will become more stronger with every tear that runs down their cheeks 🫂

☙ 9th house placements have a deep love for astrology and spirituality sometimes they combine these 2 things into one and try to create something unique of them ❤️

☙ This can be only my opinion but recently i observed that people with Fire and Earth Moons can get hungry very fast? Like i swear those people can get hungry very fast either you see them eating all day 🍔 (Yes this is your sign to eat that cheeseburger)

☙ Taurus Mercury can have a very deep voice while talking, but they can talk in a very classy way enough to charm you with their words 🫶🏻

☙ Scorpio, Sagittarius and Aries Mercuries can talk very fast and in a very angry way when they are annoyed. These people can say harsh words if they feel attacked by someone

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

☙ Uranus - Neptune aspects can feel very dizzy or have a very powerful energy if you are around them, they give the vibe of "We coming out of a fairly tale"

☙ Taurus/Scorpio Mars have can have 9399449494949 kinks, and they continue because these people can make you feel very horny just with a simple word. Tho these people have a good love sign language 🔥

☙ People with Pisces/Libra/Leo/Cancer placements i just screams for pleasure and love, a very big type of love

☙ Cancer Risings/Risings at a Cancer Degree (4°,16°,28°) are good at hiding their emotions and make you to think they are fine when their heart had been destroyed

☙ Leo Placements scream "Sophisticated"

☙ Virgo/Capricorn in the 6th house might have a very strict diet with a very direct schedule because these people wanna be very organised and to keep their life very healthy, they are getting lazy fast .

☙ 8th house Moons can have big trust issues, is hard for them to trust 🥺🫂 they can feel the feelings very deep and these natives can feel when someone lies to them. Their intuition never miss and is a very strong one

☙ If you have Pluto in the 11th house, be careful what type of friends you have around because often this placement can be backstabbed by their fake friends 🥺❤️

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

☙ Venus in the 5th house is one of the most creative houses for Venus to be in. Here Venus has a lot of talents are writing, painting and music relating. If you have a 5th house Stellium (More than 3 planets in the 5tu house) and Venus is aspecting them you can master a lot of talents trough your life

☙ Jupiter in 11th house can be a very lucky placement, your friends can be your biggest luck. Your social life can also help you a lot, but mostly the friendship here comes as your biggest luck because friends can help you a lot in this life time + if Jupiter is Retrogade in this house you can experience and go through a lot of friendship states

☙ Mars - Jupiter aspects can talk a lot about their sensuality and about their kinks, they can express their sensual side with a very confident energy in their personality

☙ Uranus aspecting the ascendant can give an very "electrified" energy in their aura. These people are like lighting ⚡

☙ Pisces Venus/12th house Venus, Venus at Pisces Degrees (12°,24°) is another placement that needs a very deep soul connection with their partners and they mostly met people who are not compatible emotionally with them and that hurts🫂🥺.

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

☙ Ascendant in Libra Degrees (7°,19°), can make you a lover for vintage things, you might like to collect or to go in shops and watch over vintage architectures, the historical vintage things might be on your likes 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

☙ FIRE Mars 🔥 have a very very sensual walk while EARTH Mars have a very powerful walk. Earth - Fire Combinations with Mars gives a sensual/powerful walk

☙ People with Moon in the 4th house can have a mix of understanding and love with their mother or a sacrifice a lot for their families 🫂🫶🏻💞

☙ People with Neptune in the 9th house might have a very love for astrology and spirituality but in the same time for occult and witchery 🖤

☙ Venus making an aspect with 6th house lord can indicate a good appearance but also can make someone insecure about their body, these people usually tend to a lot of glow ups

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

☙ Having a lot of Gemini/Sagittarius placements can indicate being very funny or having a very good humour

☙Venus in Leo/5th house can be a very flirty placement, they like to flirt a lot 🤗

☙ Can we talk about how Sagittarius Risings are so lucky?? These people are having a Scorpio Rising in the sidereal chart.... Is just too ICONIC

☙ Sagittarius Venuses might be like pop music very much or having a very big love for (ultra bass boosted versions?)

☙ Venus in the 11th house/In Aquarius or at Aquarius Degrees (11°,23°) might live the "Enemies to lovers" thing with their partners 😳

☙ Venus in the 6th house might attract a lot of co-workers or employees on them, these people kinda tend to project on them. People with Venus in the 6th house also can be very charming and can work in very good- aesthetically places 🫂

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

With Love, Harmoonix ❣️

[coreene]

Companions and Astarion on the 7k spawn

Since I am getting close to making this choice in my longfic I decided to compile what Astarion and companions say to the three choices we get on what to do with the 7k spawn once Astarion refuses the ritual and kills Cazador.

They're too dangerous - they need to die.

If I understand the flags correctly, this option also breaks the Paladin of Devotion's oath, it seems.

 Pale Petras: And when they're dead? Will you kill us too? Astarion: We're not like those wretches, brother. We've spent lifetimes controlling our hunger - they're all but feral. I don't relish it any more than you do, but putting them to rest may be the kindest thing we can do.

👆 This is Astarion's reaction if Petras is alive. 👇 This is when he is not.

Astarion: I don't like it, but you're right. Putting them to rest may be the kindest thing we can do.

What I find interesting here is how he flat out says "I don't like it." I didn't get that in game, got the first one but, seeing this gave me a pause.

Now to companion reactions to this choice:

Lae'zel: Snuffed out in an instant, but to whose satisfaction? They will never feed and never be hunted. And never have a chance to hew their own paths. Shadowheart (Shar path) : Wise choice. Now the streets will be safer and you'll be stronger. Shadowheart: All those lives, just snuffed out... I hope it was worth it. Wyll: Hells. They deserved better. They deserved a chance. Gale: All gone, just like that... I hope it was worth it. Karlach: It's done. Just like that. Gods, help us. Halsin: All those lives snuffed out, just to grasp some power. That was craven - unnatural Jaheira: A cold kind of mercy. But mercy still, I think, Astarion. Minsc: To end so many with only rhyming and words... the sword would have been messy, yes. But cleaner too, thinks Boo. Nightwarden Minthara: No different than burning out an infestation of vermin. It was well done.

Here, Halsin's is clearly an oversight because Astarion didn't just killed them to grasp more power.

Wyll's also feels out of place. He's a monster hunter - why is he mad that seven thousand spawn is not released to the Sword Coast?

Minthara has a unique point of view on the subject as well as Shar path Shadowheart - would killing the 7k spawn really make Astarion stronger?

Out of all the companions Jaheira is the only person who offers comfort in her words.

Let's release them. They deserve the same chance you got.

This choice breaks the oath of Paladin of Ancients.

Astarion: You're right. The poor wretches in the cells are innocent. They shouldn't have to suffer just because I lured them here.

And now to the companion reactions:

Lae'zel: A herd of vampire spawn, unleashed on the Sword Coast. What could go wrong? Shadowheart (Shar path): I can't say I'd have done the same, but your choice in the end. Shadowheart: You did the right thing. Some sacrifices just aren't worth it. Wyll: They're victims, Astarion - just like you. They deserve freedom, too. Gale: You chose well. They may not be the safest types to unleash, but their deaths would have weighed heavy on you. Karlach: Seven thousand Astarions, unleashed on the Sword Coast. It'll be a well-dressed flood of mayhem, at least. Halsin: Good - they deserve a chance at life. Nature will handle their fates from here. Jaheira: And what of the living they'll feast on, should they not prove as admirable as Astarion? They deserve a chance, too. Minsc: Boo thinks you are being hasty, friend. He enjoys the hunt as much as any hamster, but... that is a lot of Astarions. Nightwarden Minthara: If you release those ravenous starvelings, the city's poorer quarters will be their feasthall.

I really like a few of the reactions here. Gale makes such a good point. Their deaths would weigh heavily on Astarion but he forgets - what about the people these spawn will kill?

In both reactions, I feel like writers have completely forgotten Wyll was a monster hunter. It's really disappointing and lacks nuance.

Jaheira being, once again, the only person who mentions the consequences of this and Minthara makes a very good point. That is exactly what the spawn will do.

However, I do like Halsin's point in balance as well. Make no mistake, they will wreak havoc the first few weeks that they are released but I think about a 1/3 of the spawn is not gonna make it a month after being released and slowly their numbers will get balanced out.

Why not just leave them? They're not our responsibility.

And leaving them be breaks the oath of Paladin of Vengeance. I really like how one of these always break one of the oaths for paladins. It is interesting that leaving them be breaks the vengeance oath, which I interpret as Astarion leaving taking his revenge unfinished.

Dalyra is upset about this choice the most. And Astarion responds to her.

Astarion: I am done picking up after Cazador. I wash my hands of all of this. This place, this ritual, these people. You can stay if you want, but I have a life and I intend to live it. Come on. Let's go.

This does read as a selfish response to me but I also think, Astarion has a right to say "I'm done." He feels guilty about bringing the people to Cazador but what choice did he have? Can we really blame him for this? His siblings try to fight against Cazador and not bring Astarion back but they cannot, they have to fight. They have no control over their choices, their bodies. It is Cazador's mess and not Astarion's responsibility.

Companions do not react to this choice.

There are no good choices here, honestly. Astarion being have to be the one to clean up Cazador's mess is a cruel irony.

However, and I know all the companions and writers clearly held some kind of romantic view about letting the spawn go but this is seven thousand uncontrolled vampire that will get released into the world, all at once. They will die, of course but before then, they will kill people who had nothing to do with any of this.

Companions are very worried about killing these spawn but none of them, other than Jaheira, thinks about the people they will kill. Like she says, the people the spawn are going to kill deserve a chance to live as well.

It is also not just people they will kill, they will kill animals and disturb ecosystems everywhere they go and strip them barren like a swarm of locusts. Long term consequences of letting the spawn go is grim, even though it looks like a good choice at first glance but it is not.

Killing them all would also weigh heavy on both Astarion and Tav's conscience. It is not something you do and then walk away then never think about it again.

All in all, leaving them in the cells for the Gur to take care of or releasing them in waves seems like the better choices and a good compromise but constraints of the narrative doesn't give us this choice - it is undeniably more satisfying to see everything find a conclusion in that moment.

Tl:dr - There is no good or morally correct choice here. There is only a choice and its consequences.

[save-the-villainous-cat]

Hero saved Villian's life by rescuing them from the prisons and taking them to safety.

They forget to check and delete the cctv footage of them doing so.

It's been months, Villian has fully healed and is stronger than ever, one day they decide to check on hero at the academy. Turns out, they're beat up bloody and abused, and are about to be executed for their crime.

It didn’t have anything to do with pride.

The villain had simply wanted to thank the hero. They understood that they owed them a debt, now that the hero had saved them, and they hated the thought of such an imbalance. The power the hero had over them now was concerning, especially considering their future plans.

They needed to save the hero’s life as soon as possible or, at the very least, do them some kind of favour so they would stop feeling guilty.

Infiltrating the academy was relatively easy. Throughout the years, the villain had developed several tricks and perfected them to come and go as they pleased. However, now that they stood in front of the cell, the villain tasted bile. To ask what had happened seemed unnecessarily evil. They were smart enough to figure it out.

Fresh wounds made the hero’s flesh visible. The villain counted well over a dozen of them. The first thing that came to mind was - surprisingly - not a plan or some thought of action. It was an emotion. It was anger.

The villain took another step forward, almost touching the glass of the prison cell. It seemed a little too illustrative. As if the hero was something on display in a glass box for everyone to see. The academy could be very cruel, the villain was quite aware of that.

“Is it because of me?” the villain asked, their voice not even daring to whisper.

The hero stared at them through tired eyes but they managed to get up and walk towards them. The villain forced themselves to watch as the hero dragged themselves across the floor.

“Do you have a medical report?” the villain asked. It was wishful thinking. They knew prisoners didn’t get any medical reports. They didn’t even get checked. If they made it through the night, they could count themselves lucky.

“A few broken ribs,” the hero admitted. “Nothing new.”

The villain clenched their jaw. They knew the academy could be…unfair but they had never expected them to sacrifice one of their best.

“What’s your sentence?” The hero made a grimace, as if they were trying to grin.

“Ahh, execution. They’re pretty serious about this stuff, you know…”

“What?” The villain’s face heated up. They had never wanted this to happen. “I didn’t ask you to save me.”

The hero shrugged.

“But I wanted to.”

“I didn’t ask you to,” the villain repeated. God, they were angry at the hero. They could feel the blood rush through their ears. Execution.

The hero stared at them, though. Unimpressed.

“I had a choice,” they said. “And I chose justice. I chose to free you.”

“And you will die for it. You were foolish,” the villain argued. They felt the desire to make the entire building crumble. If their hero died…

“I was doing what’s right.”

“You’re gonna die,” the villain said again.

“You’re angry,” the hero observed. The villain couldn’t just stand there, they couldn’t just watch. They would find a solution. Now.

The hero was not going to die here, they were not going to lose them.

“I’m not angry,” the villain lied. They took in a deep breath, trying to focus. “This is insanity.”

“You know, I think we should let it go,” the hero said. Their voice was quiet. They took another step forward to get as close to the glass as possible. Carefully, they put their hand against it, pressing their palm to it. “It’s over. I’m just glad it’s me and not you.”

“What are you talking about?” The hero put their hand against the glass as well. Same place as the hero.

God, they would’ve given anything to touch them. To treat their wounds and reassure them. They knew they could be rough but they wanted to be soft for the hero.

They were about to explode.

“I see a lot of myself in you and yet we’re complete opposites. You have so much potential,” the hero said. “Maybe you just need a little push to become a hero. Maybe my death can be that little push.”

“That’s very sweet.” The villain pulled back their hand. “But I don’t allow you to die here.”

Both knew they were about to break the glass with their bare hands.