#i think mages and magic is and should be WEIRDER. you should look at a mage and just Know they're perceiving another layer to the universe

[v-arbellanaris]

do you have any nice headcanons to share? feeling under the weather and I really enjoy your posts. :) (you don't have to share if you don't want to, of course.)

i'm so sorry to hear you're not doing great :( i hope you feel better soon. and ty for asking - im really flattered that my posts are so enjoyable for you!!! idk if you wanted something specific, so feel free to let me know if you wanted something different!

but one nice (like opposite of sad as opposed to complimenting myself eogkgjdfkgj) headcanon i have is that all senior enchanters have a repertoire of entirely useless spells. things like, for example, the ability to create entirely harmless little creatures made of light, that glitter and sparkle -- butterflies and puppies and dragons and birds and kittens. it's useful, they argue, because it helps calm down the younger apprentices and entertain them. it's not, though, because there's other ways to do that, which means this magic has no use.

and we never really see magic that isn't for use. and i assume this is partly because of things like the in-game mechanisms (and ive been feeling out a whole host of ideas to make thedas feel more... magicky) but i also think it's a product of magic primarily being used for war and battle. (magic, after all, exists to serve man - a universal truth in thedas that seems to persist across cultures and races.) i think a lot of things that aren't useful have been carved out of regular magic practice because the idea of magic existing - without purpose, without use, but just existing, as natural as air and water - makes people extremely uncomfortable (i haven't quite decided if this is applicable to all cultures but i do think it's something to think about because i HAVEN'T seen the kind of casual magic use i'm imagining).

and so it brings me fierce joy to think about useless magic. not just in apostates who have never had to be in the circle but specifically for circle mages, who are incarcerated and told daily that the only good thing about their magic is that it's useful. and they know all these useless bits of magic - magic that doesn't cause harm or hurt, magic that isn't for healing or making someone stronger, magic that has no use for battle or war.

it's just... magic. magic cast for the sake of magic.

[talenlee]

Cox: Wander

This is an explanatory writeup of one of my Original Characters (OCs). Nothing here is necessarily related to a meaningful fiction you should recognise and is shared because I think my OCs are cool and it’s cool to talk about OCs you make.

Lean, whiplike and tattered, the hero you see has a ‘costume’ that looks like he made it in a thrift store. A mask made from an early pandemic rig, a scarf to hold it in place, his clothes are second hand, his shoes are battered. Hair’s immaculate though.

The boy is maybe in his early twenties but speaks of times almost a century ago. He has an obvious mystical air about him any mage can notice but no ability to describe even fundamentals of magic.

But don’t worry. He’ll show up when he’s needed.

Wander is a martial artist, first and foremost. You can observe his form, his patterns of behaviour, and the way his kicks and punches demonstrate a practiced, repeated pattern. It’s not a recognisable one but it’s also not alien to most. He does seem to be the kind of martial artist who has no plan for getting grappled, but that seems reasonable when you are as quick as he is — Wander’s hands and feet are so quick that sometimes he seems to teleport on the battlefield. When he wants to be unseen he disappears from sight, and he doesn’t think overmuch about conversations where people think the point is ‘ranking fighting styles.’

What truly sets Wander apart, though, beyond his basic skillset as an athletic, physically fit, shockingly quick-handed melee combatant, is his ability to go anywhere. It is shocking. It’s an escalating power, too; the first time you might bump into him in an out of the way place, it might be seeing the violence hobo showing up at a University event that he doesn’t attend, or at a fancy soiree. Then it starts getting weirder, where he shows up in a secured facility, or a military base. By the time he’s appearing walking around inside satellites and lunar bases, it gets obvious this is something weird and he’s not sure how he does it.

“You’re in space?” “Seems it.” “How are you breathing?” “Oh I did all my breathing earlier.”

Some people who study magic have made it clear that whatever Wander is doing it somehow relates to chronomancy, the category of magic that relates to time, but he taps and uses it not with memorisation of words, but positions of energy in his body (as indicated by poses in his martial arts). That is why he is so fast in combat and why he can travel to seemingly impossible locations, though it does introduce the question, where did he learn time martial arts from?

Wander, when asked about it, can attest to some kind of backstory where he had a mentor, who trained him on the streets of Paragon for a long time. It did involve a little bit of thievery and some chicanery around who does or doesn’t own fast food, but the thrust of what he remembers is about living unhoused while learning how to do ‘kung fu shit,’ as he phrases it.

Mechanics

Um, so here’s the odd thing. I don’t think I have a build for Wander any more. I had the costume files laying around for his base costume, which I could then tighten up a little, but the normal detritus I use to rebuild an old character is seemingly lost to me. Which makes sense — I made this character back when City of Villains launched in February 2006, and he was around in 2012 when the game shut down, and still hadn’t hit level 50 at that point.

If I was going to try and do his concept again, I think he’d stay a melee character. If he had friends who wanted him to head up a group, I’d go for Super Reflexes/Martial Arts Tanker, if he was duoing with a defender he’d be a Street Justice/Super Reflexes Brute, but really what I’d want is to make him with a group where he could afford to be the damage of a group, where he’d be a Street Justice/Super Reflexes Stalker to represent being able to pop out of nowhere in a strange way, with the vibes of a powerful martial artist.

History

Wander is probably my first Hero character. I have hazy memories of making a Dark/Dark Brute and maybe getting to level 6 and then abandoning the server that character was on forever, heading to hang out with my friends on Freedom, the most populous server, before I abandoned them for Virtue, the most well populated roleplaying server.

I don’t remember much of his early history, well. It was before I was keeping regular diaries. Before I had a blog. I may have notebooks from around the time with drawings and references to the character in there, but hell if I can remember them and don’t even want to look at them for fear of confronting my own agonising mediocrity. All I have is what I can remember of my mind from when I was maybe 24 years old.

I remember being sour about not knowing the game well.

I remember being bitter.

I remember being an awful player to play alongside.

There are people I can reach out to right now and say ‘hey, remember this?’ and apologise to. I don’t know if I would, because I don’t know if they want to remember me being a shit when I was in my twenties now I’m in my forties. That feels almost like a joke of what people do when they grow older.

But more than all of this, I remember being deeply offended that there was this game and I wasn’t at the end of it and I wasn’t good at it and other people were more established at it. There was a part of me that imagined being good at games as important to my identity, and I didn’t like feeling like I wasn’t good at this very easy game designed for people to have fun in. Mostly, I think I was overwhelmed and sensitive and made that other people’s problems, which is okay if you’re six and kinda rotten as an adult.

Wander was also part of how I handled being overwhelmed, and it was a trick you might see done in a different, less hostile way: Wander was, essentially, the same thing as an Amnesiac Hero, someone who has no memory of how they got there and where they were going. This is a great trick for a new player in a new setting who doesn’t know what’s going on but wants to be there as part of the experience for their friends, and therefore, they don’t ever have to answer questions about ‘where are you from?’ or ‘what do you think of this new experience presented to you?’

Wander went the other direction.

Wander was homeless. I didn’t need to be able to tell you anything about the city he lived in, because he didn’t live anywhere in particular, didn’t need to know street names or districts or neighbourhoods or even important details about them. He could act bored and dismissive of almost all the problems around him, because he had a bigger problem. He could address immediate problems like gangs and head with other heroes to deal with things without really belonging to the world. This was an obvious problem because any superhero character with some degree of infrastructure, like a superhero base or whatever, would immediately offer him lodging and then his homelessness was ‘solved’ or he was a jerk to another player.

From there, I just kinda rolled with making his powers, his martial arts, mysterious. He had a magic origin, a thing I may have had an idea for originally, but whatever it was I forgot it eventually. He was even part of a love triangle from the period in my life when I didn’t realise it’s actually 100% okay for characters to be bisexual and polyamrous since that just makes everything infinitely more convenient and also scares off weirdoes.

(I didn’t handle that well either, I don’t think)

But… he stayed around. I never deleted him. He languished on Freedom, along with a host of other characters that sat around there for nothing and no purpose. And when the server shut down, I still saved his costumes, and I still hung onto the memories of him. When I filled in the big spreadsheet, I wound up including him and writing up as much as possible as I could.

I like Wander. I like the concept I have now, of time-based martial artistry, which is at war with your own ability to perceive the passage of time. I like what he became, and I like what he can do. I like the way that he fits into the space of ‘superpowered martial artist’ without just copying tropes and language I don’t quite understand. There’s definitely an element of Anime Nonse to him, but he’s not just ‘a guy who can do martial arts good,’ and that unlocks something impossible.

Still.

Wild.

This character is approaching twenty years old.

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

[needleandstory]

"Algeria?" Rowan raises an eyebrow as they look Kalmar up and down, his ghost pale skin and equally ice pale eyes. One step in the Algerian sun should, in theory, burn him to a crisp. Maybe it was underground. Maybe that was why they called them dark mages, evil fucked up magic aside.

Wandering freely down their own reverie, the question catches them off-guard, and they laugh. "Nat? I thought that was embarrassingly obvious. We're exes. We've known each other since we were kids, stayed together for ages. Then... fucked off, five years ago." As the memories crowd in, the amusement drains from their voice. "Never thought I'd see them again; last I heard, they skipped town. Then they, fuckin, show up back here. Same as ever." They squint up at the ceiling, as if it has an answer.

"Been weird as fuck since then." They flash Kal an insufferable smile. "We'll make it weirder. Keep you on your toes." They stretch their arms over their head, content, but as they ponder their next question, a layer of quiet solemnity settles back over them

"Is there anyone you still think about? From your before."

Ah, legal shit. Not wildly interesting, but believable.

"Oh, this is" -- he tugs on the torc stuck semi-permanently around his neck -- "fairly typical for dark mages, I'd say. Among themselves, at least. I never did get the hang of blending in."

"I went to Academia Solis Atri in Algeria. Never won an apprenticeship. Took a hike off the outer wall. Been in a number of places since then, but I finally managed to freeload my way to the beautiful Americas --" he rolls his eyes. "Believe I took a bus to this city in particular to get away from a couple overzealous debt collectors."

"Okay." A snap of the fingers. "...What the hell's going on between you and Nat?"

[other-cullen-ficrecs]

MLM!Cullen Fic Rec List

Inspired by this post. Here is my fic rec list of some of my favorite fics with queer Cullen. Happy Pride :)  🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍🌈

Cullen/Dorian

Only True in Fairy Tales by Dragonflies_and_Katydids

Summary:  In which Dorian is a special forces operative, Bull is his partner, and Cullen is the guy they're sent to rescue. Hijinks ensue. // Words: 110150

Modern AU. Dragonflies_and_Katydids makes me read the weirdest stuff. But their work is always captivating. The more ridiculous set up the better outcome, I promise. This one is both ridiculous and absolutely perfect. And somehow one of the very few modern au fics in which Cullen's lyrium addiction is well transfered without making it literal.

Fashionably Late by tsurai

For the tumblr prompt: Cullen/Dorian Soulmates AU? <3 "Maker’s breath, this is absolutely the worst timing, he thinks distantly." // Words: 1038

This is but a tiny thing but I'm a sucker for a soulmate AU. Would I love it more if it was 150,000 words? Yes. But I'm just greedy.

COLD HANDS, WARM HEART by spicyshimmy, stonelions

Summary: Cullen and Dorian's friendship deepens. Cullen is a romantic. Dorian is literally cold. Cullen is no longer certain what he would consider surprising. Mages and Templars working in perfect cooperation, perhaps. Evil and corruption disappearing into the ground along with the blight, blood magic falling so far out of favor it ceased to be. A united Thedas: that would be a surprise. // Words: 25369

I think this is most recced Cullrian fic and for a good reason. Slow burn, drama, all the delights. 

Light In This Darken'd Time Breaks by RamonaDecember

Summary: Cullen wouldn't say he hates mages, not anymore, but he can't see himself ever trusting one again. Dorian is no exception. The mage is off-color, self-important, and all together too much for Cullen to deal with. So why is it that every time Cullen is at his lowest, Dorian seems to be the only person by his side? // Words: 121289

Slow burn with 121289 words, what more do you want?

Cullen/Bull

Jump In by Dragonflies_and_Katydids

Summary: In which Cullen is almost terminally awkward, Bull and Dorian are literally brothers (because why not?), and Bull tries really hard to be good. Or: In which Dorian tries to set up his brother and his roommate, if he can avoid killing them for being so clueless. (You might get cavities from reading it. Don't say I didn't warn you.) // Words: 33700

What did I say about Dragonflies_and_Katydids and ridiculous premises? But if you're as delighted with awkward Cullen as am I - enjoy.

Dragons from Stars in an Empty Sky by Midna_Ronoa

Summary: The one in which Bull takes Cullen dragon-hunting. // Words: 10423

Fluff and smut and dragons!

Stuck on the Puzzle by thespectaclesofthor

Summary: Once, back in Kirkwall, Cullen had an arrangement with a member of the city guard that satisfied his needs. But time changed all things, and he despaired of ever finding a similar arrangement again - that was, until he met The Iron Bull. Problem being that Bull seemed to care far more about sorting out the nitty-gritty of such an arrangement than Cullen ever has. // Words: 235586

No fic rec lists that can involve Bullen canot do without Stuck on the Puzzle. If you haven't read it - please give it a try. As far as I'm concerned - the best fic in the fandom. And definately one of the best fics in general. <3

Cullen/Dorian/Bull

Exit Light by Dragonflies_and_Katydids

Summary: In which Cullen is suicidally depressed, Dorian is a high-functioning alcoholic, and Bull just wants them both to be happy, except when he wants to crack their heads together for being emotionally stunted idiots. // Words: 77427

This premise is actually very close to canon, compared to some other stories by the same author recced here. The angst? Delightful. The smut? Delicious. The exploration of issues? Delectable! Cheff kisses all around.

to burn cool and collected by toomanyhometowns

Summary: Dorian hums. "Here is the function of the spell: Upon invocationne, ye caster's spyryt shal sterte to ye form of whomsoever mofte recently achieved releafe by hys hande." He taps the page in punctuation and looks back up. "And then there's a lot of text about the vast joys we may experience together, et cetera, et cetera." // Words: 16121

Ok, this list shows more than anything that my main delight is issues and angst wrapped in with porn. Anyway - cracky premise (body swap!), and angsty, sexy outcome.

Hold by queeniegalore

Summary: Everyone knows Cullen doesn't trust magic. But he trusts Dorian and Bull, so maybe they can make this work. // Words: 6654

Issues? Trauma? Kink? I'm a one trick pony when it comes to recs.

Cullen/Cole

Okay now that we’ve gotten the obvious out, let’s enjoy the trully unexpected enjoyment.

Into The Light (Cole/Cullen Ficlets) by Sinister_Kid

Summary: A series of what I hope are tasteful Cole/Cullen fics that don't exploit or overly sexualize Cole's developing character. Based on a prompt I filled out of boredom in which I imagined the spirit actually hearing someone's pain like a physical noise in his ears that caused discomfort. Explores the option of making Cole more human, with my own original take on how that affects him as a character, and depicts Cole developing romantic feelings for the Commander as he discovers what it means to be human. // Words: 20454

I admit I don't often read Cole shippy fics but this one stays true to the info in the summary and it is careful and tasteful. Also Cullen learning to speak with Cole properly - <333

Cullen/Varric

Verse & Volley Triptych by boycoffin

Summary: POSSIBLE TITLES: This Shit Was Even Weirder: A Surprisingly Not-Doomed Romance In The Shadow of the Apocalypse The Commander and the Rogue already taken, Antivan maritime smut with an elf girl in it How The Hell I Ended Up With That Guy: A Tale for The People Who Keep Asking Me About It In Bars The Short and Curlies that's just terrible Love Among the tropey garbage A Tale of Two Names pretentious and unclear The Penman's Paramour Memoirs of a Moron (That He's Going to Regret Publishing and Will Never Hear The End Of for As Long As He Lives) // Words: 133354

One of the very few fics in which I can not only accept but love 1st person POV. Crack. Slow-burn. Pennames. Lovable OCs. DELICIOUS. Also a fic that made me start this blog, so love all around.

Cullen/Krem

Last but not least, my delightful fave (maybe, possibly, probably) and involving a shameless self-plug because it’s the month of pride.

Swordplay by orphan_account

Summary: The Bull's Chargers are undisciplined, untested, and unprofessional; but Cullen can't stop thinking about their lieutenant. // Words: 3910

I have a soft spot for whoever Krem being shipped with not knowing he's trans at first. But also oblivious, pining Cullen <3

If you have been starving, a creature of bone by missivesfromghosts

Summary: Cullen is content with where he is. He has a life and a purpose. He’s doing the Maker’s work and he’s cut the Chantry’s leash on him. He barely thinks about the fact that he’s trans anymore. The last person who knew he was born anything different, barring his sister Mia, died during the Blight. This works for him. That is, until he starts falling for Krem. // Words: 769

A tiny thing but I have a soft spot for the idea. Also what's better than a ship with trans character? A ship with two trans characters. Keep that in mind for further recs actually.

Sweet, Merciful Andraste by Tainaron

Summary: PWP. Honestly, Cullen should invest in walls and a ceiling that don't have holes if he's going to keep having such loud sex. Pure, unapologetic smut between trans men who love each other. // Words: 4187

¯\_(ツ)_/¯  What more do you want from me? Sometimes porn is just porn. Enjoy.

Champions of the Just by Tainaron

Summary: En route to Griffin Wing Keep before the battle of Adamant, Cullen falls prey to an injury that reveals a shameful secret about his trauma with magic. As Cullen struggles with his past, his duty to the Inquisition, and his love life, he becomes increasingly uncertain if he’s the target of an assassination attempt or just his own personal demons. // Words: 67885

Well, I also have some plottier and angstier fics in my rec disposal. This one actually explores the problems Krem and Cullen could encounter in their relationship and all within the canon plot line. Plus bonus points of Cullen actually interacting with other Chargers.

cabbage: a love story by psikeval

Summary: Krem’s grin fades into a quiet smirk, his eyes warm and amused, and Cullen does not forget how to move his legs because he is a grown man, a leader of soldiers, commander of the Inquisition’s army. He breaks the silence by coughing loudly, because he is also an imbecile. // Words: 18932

Creme de la creme of Krem/Cullen fics <3 Fluff, crack, porn <3 This delightful series has it all! 

[ethelindawrites]

October 5

Fictober, Prompt 5 - "I'm not saying I told you so..."

Original fiction. Turned out to be a continuation of Day 1.

Warnings: nothing in particular, passing mention of past blood sacrifices.

“I’m not saying I told you so…”

“But you told me so,” I groused, sighing as Vivi stepped carefully into what remained of the lab. “It would never have worked if I’d had anyone else with me, especially not another mage.”

“I know,” she said, then whistled as she took in the state of the room. “Hard fight?”

“Yeah,” I admitted, frowning. I’d won, but I’d had to kill her in the end, and still had several bandages on even three days later. It was even stranger because I still didn’t have any idea what her real name was. She had given me an obviously false one when we first met, but every system here was strangely devoid of anything that identified her personally. “The rest of this would have been easier if I’d been able to capture her. I still have no idea what she was trying to do here, or what’s so special about this planet. Several unidentifiable ships have come sniffing around, and given how much monitoring equipment she has set up for tracking exactly that kind of thing, I don’t think it’s new.”

Vivi patted my shoulder and then peered over it at the one screen that had remained intact. “Weird. What did she say she was doing?”

“Planetary rehabilitation, or terraforming, or something like that,” I told her. “Is the surface as uninhabitable as I think it is?”

“Certainly looked that way to me.”

“That’s what I saw on the way down, but then I wasn’t sure if I could trust it. All the instrumentation here indicated the same thing, but I’m still not quite sure what parts of this system I can trust either.”

“We’ll sort it out,” Vivi promised. It was such a relief to have her here. “Where should I get started?”

“See if you can get any of the other interfaces in this room working again? The magical signatures indicate that they didn’t all do the same thing, and I’d like to see if this data makes more sense once I can look at more parts of the system.”

“Sure,” she agreed. “Any urgent life-support things?”

“Fortunately, that equipment was all in another room.”

“Cool. I’ll go grab my tools and be right back.”

I nodded, distracted by the data scrolling by on the screen. All technical, no spells or hints of magic, not at this console. Just a constant stream of geological, climatological and seismic data from what seemed to be all over the planet. The problem was that there was no way Lin (I’d have to use the false name until I could dig up her real one) had enough technical equipment in enough places to be generating this much data. So either it was all false (or at least heavily extrapolated from a smaller number of locations)…or it was being sourced through spells that I couldn’t detect.

Even if it was spell-sourced, it was still an incredible amount of data.

I was no closer to an answer by the time Vivi came back, so I turned that data stream off and went back to digging through the few technical specs for this facility that I could find through this console.

Something weird was going on here, weirder even than a rogue technomage kidnapping random spacers for blood sacrifices. Somehow, I had to figure out what it was.

And soon. I could not explain the weird twisting feeling in my gut that told me that but…we had to figure it out soon.

[clintbartonswife]

lips that sing

Pairings: Geralt of Rivia x Jaskier, Cirilla Summary: Now that Geralt knows it’s Jaskier, he’s scared he’ll be rejected again. Geralt just wants his damn bard back. Notes: part two of eyes that plead masterlist

Geralt would later deny the wounded noise that escaped his lips as he stared down at Jaskier, his hands hesitatingly hovering over his body.

“What - how?”

The wolf seemed to sigh, his head lolling back on to the dirt ground defeatedly. The expression on it’s face one he had seen many times before, mostly accompanied with the phrase ‘destiny’s a bitch’.

Deciding to put aside questioning until he could receive what he was sure would be extremely lengthy answers, Geralt returned to kneeling at Jaskier’s side, placing his sword in the sheath on his back before carefully picking him up in his arms.

Jaskier let out a half hearted growl, body tensing in his arms.

Geralt frowned at this, confused. Jaskier knew who he was - knew that he wouldn't hurt him - so why was he acting defensively? He checked his hold on the wolf, making sure he wasn't hurting him, before standing up and heading back to the clearing, mind racing.

Now that he was this close, he could smell it was Jaskier - the familiar scent of honey and wildflowers dulled behind that of wet dog , but still there all the same. Another scent, less pleasant than those Jaskier usually smelt of, one which had his nose scrunching up in distate was that of sour rotting lemons, one which he had never scented on the bard before.

Fear.

The sense of unease from earlier only grew in Geralt’s chest as he lay Jaskier down on his bedroll, eyes quickly darting to Ciri to make sure she was alright.

Jaskier had never smelt of fear around him before, he was sure of it. Not even -

He stopped mid-thought, remembering the previous night, and Jaskier’s growl when the mountains were mentioned. The repressed memory brought with it the knowledge that he had smelt it on his bard before: the exact day he ruined everything.

Jaskier was afraid of him.

As soon as Jaskier was back in human form, he had decided the first thing he would like to do is smack a tree. Or destiny, if possible. Or both. Because fuck destiny.

He had been so close to freedom when that tree - probably prompted by destiny, damn that bitch to hell - decided it was a good time to shed a branch, right on to his head, no less. As he lie there, cursing at the skies above, who else would show up but Geralt, the very man he did not want to see.

Fear washed over him as the realisation filtered through the Witcher’s eyes, his name escaping his lips in a shocked gasp, stilted questions following.

‘Fuck’ he thought, head lolling back in defeat, ‘if he wasn't going to kill me before, he’s definitely going to now. Why couldn't I have just left as soon as we found him’

He withheld his shock as Geralt leant over to pick him up, almost cradling him in his arms, tensing in shock.

‘Is he going to throw me?’ Jaskier thought wildly, mind racing as they began to move back through the forest, ‘Chuck me in a lake? Feed me to wolves? - Wait’

Jaskier’s thoughts were cut off as he noticed the clearing, Ciri’s sleeping form entering his sight. His body sighed in relief, slightly relaxing as he was placed gently on the bedroll.

Jaskier, feeling slightly less like he was going to die at any point, resigned himself to watching Geralt. The Witcher seemed to be lost in thought, eyes absent but body moving on autopilot to prepare for when Ciri woke up, stoking the embers back into a roaring fire and beginning to place stray objects back into Roach’s saddle bags.

He was halfway through picking up Ciri’s cloak when he seemed to snap back to the present, focus returning to Jaskier with newfound urgency.

“You’re hurt” he mumbled to himself, kneeling back down by Jaskier’s side, “I need to check for any damage”

Through his anger at the man, Jaskier couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for him as he watched his urgent motions, Geralt looking the most discombobulated that Jaskier had ever seen him.

He tried to stay still as Geralt’s fingers ran across his body, checking for any breaks or cuts hidden under the fur.

“I’m sorry Jask” he whispered, voice sounding frail - something Jaskier had never heard from him before.

He felt his eyes widen slightly, looking at him in disbelief. Before he could react, the moment was broke as Ciri stirred behind them.

“Geralt?”

“I’m here”

The princess grunted her assent - ‘already learning bad habits from Geralt’ Jaskier noted - and sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Where's Dandelion?”

Jaskier let out a yip from where he was half-hidden behind Geralt.

“He’s a bit injured” Geralt explained, “We're going to have to find someone to help”

“Oh no -is he okay?”

“He’s fine, we just need to get him properly checked” Geralt assured her, dodging the whole ‘I’ve been magicked into another animal’ bit that would probably freak her out.

“A Mage? Like Yennefer?” Ciri asked excitedly, “I saw her in my dreams too, remember? Are we going to meet her?”

Jaskier’s stomach dropped at the mention of her name, dread returning to his person as he watched Geralt nod, seemingly reluctantly.

‘I don't see why’ Jaskier thought bitterly, ‘It’ll be a lovely family reunion. All three back together again, and me flung out on my ass again’

“Excellent!” Ciri squealed, scrambling out of her covers, “Let's get going”

“How much further do you think?” Ciri asked from upon Roach, her eyes shining.

“Not long” 

Jaskier could feel the rumble of his words from where he was pressed against his chest, the sensation surprisingly comforting. To his shock, he had to grit his teeth to restrain what could have been a purr escaping from his throat.

‘This just keeps getting weirder’ the bard thought to himself, discreetly looking at the Witcher above him, ‘I wonder what will happen once I’m back in human form’

“She’s close” Geralt said suddenly, head snapping to his left, spotting a small path diverting off from the main road, “Down there”

Ciri just looked at him in awe as Roach followed the direction, “How do you do that? Know where she is, I mean”

“We’re … connected in a way” he sighed, eyes darting around uncomfortably, “I can feel when she’s near. It’s like somethings tugging me towards her”

“Like soulmates?” Ciri asked innocently.

Jaskier barely restrained a growl, though it looked as though Geralt caught it, the sides of his mouth tilting up almost unnoticeably. 

‘I’m glad my pain amuses you’ Jaskier huffed in his mind, glowering at the Witcher.

“No, not like soulmates” Geralt corrected eventually, the humour gone from his face, “I made a mistake - a long time ago - that bound us together. It wasn't fair on anyone”

As he finished his sentence, Jaskier could swear Geralt looked at him, eyes swimming with hidden meaning.

‘Stop being ridiculous Julian. You’re reading too far into it again’

“Oh”

The rest of the walk was quiet, Ciri and Geralt both brewing on the earlier conversation, until a small cottage appeared in front of them on the path. When they were a few feet away, the door swung open, unimpressed violet eyes surveying them.

“What do you want Geralt”

“Just one favour, please. Then I’ll get out of your hair”

Yennefer’s frown didn't waver, staring at the witcher with something akin to disgust in her eyes.

“Please?”

Her expression melted as she took in the sight of Ciri, finally nodding and gesturing towards the cottage with a sigh.

“One favour”

“Fine”

“So the wolf’s new” Yen eventually said, frown intensifying as she stared at him, “And magical - did you know that Geralt?”

“Of course I knew that, why do you think I’m here”

Yen shot him a glare, though stepped closer to Jaskier, hands moving through the air as if clearing cobwebs.

“This was an enchantment done out of spite, and quite a strong one at that. Where did you find him?”

“I didn't. Ciri did, said he protected her until they found me” 

Yennefer just hummed, “It’s the bard isn't it?”

“How did you know?”

“Why else would you come to me? Come on now Geralt don't take me for a fool. What did he do this time?”

Jaskier huffed, getting quite annoyed at being talked about as if he wasn't there, and let out a growl, narrowing his eyes at the witch.

“Still a drama queen it looks like” 

Geralt just sighed, crossing his arms, “Can you help him?”

“I’ll need to try and figure out what kind of curse was used, and from that I should be able to figure out the counter-curse, or at least what needs to be done to break it” Yen said, moving a stool next to the table where Jaskier was lain, now turning her attention to him, “I need to know who did this to you. Can I search your mind?”

‘Certainly not’ Jaskier thought, appalled, rearing his head back as he tried to shuffle away.

“I don't know why I asked” she sighed, rolling her eyes, “Just stay still, this may hurt”

He just huffed, ‘As if she cared about that’

An intense tingling sensation started to crawl over his head, reminiscent of pins and needles, intensifying to the point of incomprehensible pain, making Jaskier whine as his body seemed to convulse slightly.

Ciri, hearing the noise of distress, entered the room, eyes widening at the sight before her, “You’re hurting him!” she cried, “Stop it!”

The pain stopped almost immediately, leaving his struggling for breath. Ciri ran to his side, stroking a hand over his head soothingly. Yen just stared down at him for a few moments, a new understanding clouding her eyes, mixed with something suspiciously close to pity.

‘Shit’

“It’s a curse - though it wasn't meant for him specifically” Yen explained, slightly breathless herself, “It’s made as a punishment for somebody else”

‘Yeah, Geralt’ Jaskier wanted to shout, still annoyed that they thought he had done something dumb.

“Can you break it?” Geralt sounded almost desperate, eyes flicking between him and Yennifer.

‘Desperate to get rid of me’

Yennefer just glared at him, ignoring the question and turning back to Jaskier, her hand moving a few inches above his body, as if scanning him.

“The curse is strong, but I have no doubt I can break it. I’ll need a few days, but yes” She turned back to Geralt, “You’ll have your bard back soon enough”

“Bard?” 

All eyes turned to Ciri, still stood in the corner of the room.

“You haven't told her?”

“I was going to -”

“When? When he was a fully grown man again?”

“...No”

Yennefer sighed, throwing her hands up in the air, “You’re unbelievable. Explain to her for gods sake”

The next day, Jaskier having being moved to a pile of pillows on the floor for the night, Yennefer was confident that she could break the enchantment.

Geralt was stood in the next room, Ciri crowded in his arms as they waited for the counter-curse to be enacted, the whimpers of the wolf slowly turning into more human-like screams of pain.

At one particularly strangled cry, Ciri broke, pressing her forehead against Geralt’s chest as hard as she possibly could. Not knowing exactly how to help, Geralt simply placed one of his hands on the back of her head, murmuring low promises of it being over soon.

The sudden halt to all noise was not as reassuring as Geralt thought it would be, his body tensing as all the worst scenarios ran through his mind. 

“He’s back” Yen said, walking out of the room, wiping sweat from her brow with a proud look on her face. Ciri rushed to give her a hug, knocking her back slightly with the force of collision, “thanks”

“Thank you” Geralt said, sincerity clear in his words.

She nodded once, with a depth of understanding that unsettled the Witcher.

“You should check on him” she nodded towards the door, eyes drawn to the girl held within her arms, “I’ll send her in in a few minutes”

Geralt did as she instructed, opening the door softly, eyes immediately latching on to the familiar figure of Jaskier curled up on the bed.

“You’re ok”

The bard’s head whipped up at the sound of his voice, wincing slightly at the sudden movement.

“Yes, it appears I am” he replied, giving a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, “if it’s alright with you I’ll be here for a few more hours before I get out of your hair - changing forms like that is quite painful”

Geralt frowned as the scent of fear assaulted his nose once more, this time not dulled by that of wet dog. In his confusion it took him a few seconds to register Jaskier’s words.

“Leave? Why would you leave?”

The bitter laugh that escaped the bard cut Geralt to the core, a pain starting to bloom in his chest.

“I’m only doing as you wished, my dear. I believe it was your life’s blessing to be rid of me. Alas, I didn't mean to come across you again so soon, though I suppose that cant really be blamed on me considering the mage wanted to target you”

Geralt blinked. Jaskier kept talking.

“I mean, really, the one time I didn't actually do anything wrong was the one time I got myself in a mess I couldn't get out of - awfully ironic don't you think? Then I found Ciri and I knew I couldn't just leave her, surely you understand that” 

He had started using hand gestures now, apparently feeling better by the second, “and I did try to leave when I found you, I really did, but then Ciri kept calling for me and I’m weak when it comes to that girl - you know she reminds me of my niece, always getting what she wants”

“Jaskier-”

“I did try again yesterday but then the tree dropped its branch on me because destiny is a bitch so that didn't work either. Anyway now I’m back to normal I suppose you’ll want me out of here - I promise I will after a nap”

“Jaskier” geralt growled, stepping closer to the bed.

The fear scent spiked, “Or - or not. It’s fine, I didnt really need a nap anyway. I’ll just get going then, yeah?”

Geralt stopped at the edge of the bed, placing his hand over the younger man’s mouth, “Shut up Jaskier”

A squeak came from behind his hand, so he removed it, taking a deep breath as he prepared to speak.

“I am sorry for what I said on the mountains. It was wrong of me to take out my anger on you. None of those things were your fault, you were just there when I made the decisions”

Jaskier watched in awe as Geralt spoke, eyes widening as the scent of fear started to lessen. 

“I missed you, afterwards. I didn't think you’d want to see me so I didn't look for you - I should have and for that I’m sorry Jaskier”

The bard just sat there, stunned. 

“I don't think I’ve ever heard you speak so much in one go” he eventually said, hesitantly teasing. Geralt could see it for what is was - testing the waters.

“Perhaps I would’ve said more if you had let me get a word in edge wise” he retaliated, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Seemingly all the reassurance he needed, Jaskier sagged in relief, leaning forwards until his forehead rested on Geralt’s lower stomach.

“I missed you too, my dear Witcher”

They were quiet for a few moments, just enjoying their closeness.

“So you don't wish me to leave?”

Things finally clicked in the Witcher’s mind - the fear was not of him, but of being rejected by him again. With that sudden realisation, Geralt placed a hand in Jaskier’s hair, running it through his locks soothingly.

“Never again, bard”

The moment was interrupted by the door opening, Ciri launching herself at Jaskier with a delighted squeal.

“You were my wolf?” she asked incredulously, “I know you! You came to see me every year”

Jaskier’s grin was back in full beam on his face, “I’m honoured that you remember that princess”

Ciri giggled as Jaskier bowed his head theatrically from his where he was sat on the bed. Geralt stood back and watched the two interact, both full of smiles and laughter, a new lightness in his chest.

Yennefer leant against the doorframe, watching him with a surveying expression.

“Be careful with them” she said, eyes straying over to the pair, “Especially the bard”

Geralt raised his eyebrow questioningly.

“I’ve seen into his mind” she explained, “And that man would do anything for you”

Geralt looked back over to Jaskier, amber eyes meeting cornflower blue, “Hmm”

It took them another two months before they realised they were meant to be, the realisation occurring after a particularly rowdy bar fight in which Jaskier ‘defended Geralt’s honour’ by launching at two men who were speaking ill of him. (Geralt had dragged him into the alley - Ciri was in their room - and kissed him heavily against the wall. He insisted it was mostly to shut him up about his win)

And if Jaskier sometimes still purred when he was happy, or bared his teeth when seeing his ‘pack’ threatened, then who was Geralt to judge? He certainly wasn't complaining about the marking in bed either.

[theloverofdragons]

She’d said from the start that this was a bad idea.

It was bad enough that Yix and Pachelbel’s first attempts at firing her out of the cannon in an effort to get her into the Flying Fortress had overshot, causing her to land in one of Doomwood’s swamps, but hearing they would have to shoot her out of the cannon three more times to get it right?!

The good news was that the second attempt actually did send her into the Flying Fortress.

The bad news was that she’d landed a bit lower than anticipated, so rather than ending up in the flying eyeballs’ roost, she instead found herself on one of the tower balconies, having landed flat on her face, and staring at the boots of an irate DoomKnight.

“…Would you believe me if I said this was an accident?”

“No,” said Sepulchure flatly.

“Oh,” Luna embedded the tip of one of her daggers in the ground and used it to pull herself up enough that she could actually see Sepulchure, rather than just his feet. “Well that doesn’t make things easier for me.”

“Shame.”

“Yeah, you should be! And I’ll be right with you, but first I’m gonna…” The dizziness from her literal crash landing finally caught up with her and she unceremoniously slumped back onto the floor, unconscious.

Sepulchure tutted as he looked down at the passed out hero, Drakath sidling up from where he had been lurking behind him. “My lord? What should we do with her?”

“She’s no threat to us in this condition…but she can be useful. Remove her weapons, lock her in one of the cells, and alert me when she regains consciousness.”

“Yes my lord,” Drakath bowed, motioning two skeleton minions forwards to grab Luna’s arms and drag her off in the direction of the cells before grabbing her daggers off the floor and following suit. Sepulchure watched the ex-Prince and minions disappear with their new prisoner before striding forwards to stare down at Popsprocket.

Somewhere down there was the Energy Orb, prime for the taking, and his job had just been made much easier with capturing Luna. While he was not permitted to personally extinguish the candle of hope she represented (and there were few of those left; such as the hero, the Blue Mage, the paladin in Doomwood, and then there was the matter of something…new that had recently cropped up in Sunbreeze Grove), he could at least contain her.

He would bring war to Popsprocket and once he claimed all the Orbs, nowhere on Lore would be able to stand against the Darkness.

****

Luna didn’t know exactly how long she was unconscious for, but what she did know was that when she eventually came to, the first thing in her line of sight was bars. “What…? Awwww.” Hauling her aching body up so she was sat on her heels, she examined the shackles clasped around her wrists and ankles with a scowl. “Note to self: do not bring any baked goods to Popsprocket in the near future as revenge. Now how am I going to get out of here? And I still need to attach the Magic Eye to a flying eyeball so we can find out what Sepulchure’s plans are…”

Glaring at the bars of the cell as if that would magically make them disappear (hey, weirder things had happened in Lore, usually when Cysero was involved), she eventually sighed and called out on the off-chance someone would hear her. “Hello? Can you come and set me free and give me my weapons back? I promise I won’t tell Artix where you are if you do!” Despite her very persuasive argument, nobody came to release her and so Luna huffed another sigh and went back to examining the shackles. “I could get free of these, but I really need my weapons to do so. Damn you Sepulchure, why did you have to be so thorough…?”

From outside there was a sudden clatter followed by muffled curses. “Oh for… Who just leaves weapons lying around?!”

How fortuitous (ooh, big words Luna very nice). “Hello? I think those may be mine!”

The door creaked open and a woman who looked to be in her early twenties with short black hair poked her head round. “Well why did you…oh god, I don’t get paid enough to deal with this.”

“Yeah, I was trying to get into the flying eye roosts,” Luna admitted sheepishly. “But Yix and Pachelbel mustn’t have gotten the angle quite right on the cannon because Sepulchure caught me.”

“You got shot out of a cannon?” the woman raised her eyebrow incredulously.

“I did say it was a bad idea!” Luna protested. “But while you’re here, any chance you could help me get out?”

The woman pulled a face. “That’s not really my style…but then again, it would really piss off Doomy McDoomface which is my style… So let’s compromise.” Tossing one of Luna’s daggers in her hand, she angled it and threw it towards the hero. The weapon slid through the bars and came to rest by her feet.

“Thanks!” Luna picked it up, adjusted her grip on it and began using the blade to pick the locks on the shackles. “Good thing I’ve had a lot of experience picking locks! Now I need to get out of this cell and find my way to the flying eye roosts.” The shackles eventually fell away from her wrists and ankles and she began working on the lock on the cell door. “So I know we’ve only just met, but you know what they say; the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Any chance you know how to get to the roosts at the top of the castle without being spotted? It’ll really annoy Sepulchure.”

“Well when you put it like that…” the woman smirked. “Sure, why not. I know my way around this place.”

“Thanks again!” Luna grinned as the lock gave a click and pushed the door open. “I have a serious bone to pick – no pun intended – with Sepulchure, but fighting him is not really a viable option…”

“So rob him.”

“Pardon?!”

“Doesn’t have to be anything big,” the woman shrugged as she led Luna out of the dungeon. “The guy’s got loads of rugs and banners and stuff that he won’t even notice are gone, but it gives you the feeling of satisfaction.”

“I…” Luna bit her lip, bending down to collect her weapons that had very kindly been left just outside the door. “Usually my morals would be against it, but this is Sepulchure we’re talking about… Is that why you’re here? To rob him, I mean.”

“Nah,” the woman waved her hand dismissively. “I came here to grab something that I accidentally left behind when I bailed from this place.”

“So you haven’t robbed him?”

“I will neither confirm nor deny that,” the woman bared her slightly pointed teeth in a grin. “Got all your weapons? Ready for some sneaking?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be for sneaking around my arch enemy’s lair,” Luna grinned, slotting the last of her knives into place. “So obviously we want to avoid Sepulchure at all costs, and preferably his undead minions, although a lot of them will be down in Popsprocket. Drakath I can take in a fight. Also we need to be careful that the dracolich, Fluffy, doesn’t spot us.”

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

“Why not?” Luna frowned as the two of them set off, the woman leading her through the corridors. “A dracolich has the same senses as a dragon, even though they’re undead, and Fluffy is kinda evil so…”

“Uh, rude,” the woman scowled. “Kinda evil? I’m helping you get out of here, aren’t I?”

“Wait…” Luna stopped in her tracks and stared at the other woman. “You’re Fluffy?”

“I would say ‘in the flesh’,” Fluffy smirked. “But I’m a dracolich so that doesn’t really work.”

Luna’s jaw hung open for several moments and she blinked several times before she could finally produce words again. “You’re Fluffy! The dragon prophesied to save the world! Shadow’s twin!”

“Hang on,” Fluffy’s eyebrow rose. “So that would make you his Bonded human, aka the Hero of Falconreach.” Her smirk widened. “This is really gonna piss off His Lordship.” She gave a cackle as the two of them set off again. “Speaking of my twin brother though, do you know what time he hatched?”

“Uh no, not exactly. Why?”

“Damn, I was hoping for confirmation that I was the older twin. That’s what I’ve been telling the others at least, even though Shadow and I have only properly met once.”

“Yeah…back on Sho’Nuff,” Luna scowled and pointed at Fluffy. “You beat us in a fight!”

“What can I say; I’m awesome,” the dracolich grinned. “But apparently the World Saviour and World Destroyer have to be kept apart. At least that’s the tradition.”

“That’s…sad,” Luna frowned. “It can’t have been fun growing up in a place like this.”

“Oh it wasn’t,” Fluffy replied cheerfully. “It was ridiculously boring. That’s why I left.”

Luna opened her mouth to reply when Fluffy grabbed her and pulled her into a nearby alcove as a trio of undead walked past.

“Are they on patrol?” Luna whispered.

“Possibly, or they’re going to check on what they think is their prisoner,” Fluffy replied quietly. “We’ll need to move quicker.”

Luna nodded and once the undead had passed completely out of sight, the two of them darted out of the alcove and up several more corridors, every so often having to hide when undead soldiers looked to be heading their way (although as Luna suspected, it seemed the majority of them were awaiting deployment to Popsprocket; even more reason why they needed to find out what Sepulchure was planning), until Fluffy brought them to a sudden halt.

“Everything alright?” Luna asked anxiously, readying her daggers.

“Remember what I said about the rugs?” Fluffy answered, indicating the floor. There were no less than six rugs, all displaying the helm of the DoomKnights, with numerous banners with the same insignia along the walls.

“He has so many!” Luna rolled her eyes. “You know what? You were right.”

“I often am.”

“This is revenge for locking me up!” Luna declared, grabbing the nearest rug and rolling it up so she could put it in her backpack (hey, if it could fit all her weapons in it, it could definitely fit a rug). “Take that Sepulchure! You may not notice it’s gone, but I’m putting this is my house as a reminder! This feels good!”

“Told ya,” Fluffy smirked. “And we’re not too far from the flying eye roosts.”

“Thanks Fluffy,” Luna replied as the two set off again. “This may have been unexpected, but I am grateful that you helped me.”

“I’m nice like that. Plus the roosts give a good vantage point for me to take off without being spotted.”

“Same here. Yix and Pachelbel gave me a parachute so I could get out safely. Where will you go after this?”

“Back to our lair. The other nine are waiting for me.”

“That’s nice that you have company.”

“We dragons can be surprisingly social,” Fluffy replied, pushing open a door as a ripple of wind ruffled Luna’s curls, indicating that it lead to the outside roosts. “Although usually only with our kind or their Bonded humans.”

“That’s good to hear,” Luna grinned as they made their way out of the corridor. “I do love spending time with Shadow after all, even if he does try and eat the things I’m baking…ah.” She gave a wry grin at the sight of the flying eyeballs hovering in front of them. “Guess I have to fight my way through. It was always going to be too good to be true.”

“Least it’s where you wanted to be, rather than in there.”

“That’s true,” Luna conceded before charging forwards, her natural speed giving her the advantage of quickly dispatching the flying eyeballs with her daggers, with Fluffy following behind her, before skidding to a halt as a truly massive one flapped into view, accompanied by two smaller ones. “Holy mother of eyeballs!”

“What the hell have they been feeding these things?!” Fluffy’s eyebrow shot up.

“Well whatever their diet, it won’t be enough to stop me!” Luna declared, charging forwards and sure enough, the three flying eyeballs were soon lying motionless on the floor. Luna grinned at Fluffy, who responded with her trademark smirk, and rounded the corner where rows of flying eyeballs rested in nests.

“Looks like we lucked out, none of the others woke up,” Luna removed her backpack and quietly rummaged around in it until she came across the contraption Yix had given her. “Now all I have to do is slip this onto one of these guys…and…voila!”

“Uh…” Fluffy blinked several times at the huge ovular camera type device that Luna had attached to one of the sleeping eyes.

“This?” the hero protested. “This is the greatly reduced in size ‘MICRO-magic eye’?” Groaning, she massaged her temples. “Well, too late to complain now. I'm sure that no one will notice.”

“One can only hope,” Fluffy replied dryly.

“Yeah…we’d both better get out of here before we get spotted or one of these eyes wake up.” Luna rubbed the back of her neck as she made her way to the railing and looked down over it.

“Agreed,” Fluffy stretched. “It was an interesting scenario to meet you in, Hero of Falconreach. Tell ‘Nelda I say hi.”

“Oh, uh, sure thing,” Luna lifted her hand in farewell before taking a deep breath. “Well, time to see if gnomish parachutes work better than their cannons do.”

“You let me know how it goes,” Fluffy smirked, leaping off the railing as two skeletal wings shimmered into being behind her and gave a powerful beat, sending her soaring through the air.

Below the Flying Fortress came an answering wail. “THEY DON’T WORK ANY BETTER!”

****

“We had her, Drakath!” Sepulchure snarled as he stalked down the corridors, Drakath scurrying behind him. “We had her locked up and she still managed to escape!”

“I’m so sorry, my lord!” Drakath grovelled. “The minions must have forgotten to lock the door, or the hero had a hidden weapon on her, or she was helped, or –!”

“That last suggestion is impossible,” Sepulchure snapped. “But it matters not. While keeping Luna here would have ensured our plans could be carried out without her interference, and she would have made a valuable hostage if needed, things can still proceed as intended. The hero was not a major concern before we captured her, and she’s not a major concern now she’s escaped.”

“No, my lord.”

“Have the fortress searched regardless, to see that she didn’t leave anything behind.”

“Yes my lord,” Drakath bowed and scuttled away.

Sepulchure watched him go and heaved an irritated sigh. Drakath was an annoyance, even more so than Luna, but he had his uses, such as his ranking among the Darkwolf Bandits that could be used to persuade them to attack Oaklore Keep, keeping the Knights busy and depriving Popsprocket of allies. Besides, the ex-Prince was far too terrified of Sepulchure to even consider betraying him. While Drakath was conducting his search, he could retire to his throne room or one of the balconies and plot his next move but while he was here…

Sepulchure highly doubted that Luna would have left anything in the treasury – she didn’t know where it was and there should have been no way for her to get in, but who knew what kind of tech the gnomes had equipped her with – so there was no harm in checking. A concentrated blast of Darkness sent the stone door, disguised as part of the wall, shuddering open and Sepulchure stepped through only to stop dead in his tracks at a horrifically familiar sight. Luna had not left anything in the treasury.

In fact, there was nothing in there at all.

The resulting howl of rage could be heard all over Greenguard.

[lo-55]

Shattered Chains of Fate Ch. 12

Exit the Execution

Ichigo has to take a break somewhere in the eighth hour of fighting with the two other parts of him. It was good exercise and it kept him on his toes, but in the end they were all him. Fighting himself would make him twice as tired. Fighting two of himselves? Three times as tired. Ichigo was a man known for unreasonable stamina and stubbornness, but even he had his limits.

Ichigo sits at the roof of one of the buildings with Zangetsu standing just behind him and Neive sprawled out across the windows to his left.

It feels natural now, with the two of them. Like the empty feeling in his left hand is gone, so long as the three of them are together. Ichigo doesn’t know what to think of all of this. There’s still a lot he doesn’t know, and the fact that Zangetsu has assured him that time passes different within and without this place is only a small comfort. He was in the middle of a difficult battle, one to save Rukia, and now where is he? Unconscious somewhere, that much he knew.

Ichigo let out a breath.

“I think,” he begins, “It’s about time for me to wake up now.”

“Leaving so soon?” Neive rolls onto his stomach to turn yellow eyes on Ichigo. He should be more unnerved than he is. He wants to be. But he trusts Neive. Inexplicably and truly.

“Sorry,” he says. He can feel Zangetsu frowning behind him. “This is my second time here though. So I can probably come back?”

“You may return whenever you wish, Ichigo,” Zangetsu intoned. His voice was low and flat. Ichigo couldn’t quite tell what he was thinking. What was going on behind those sunglasses?

“You better!” Neive pointed at Ichigo, scowling. Was that what Ichigo looked like whenever he was being petulant?

“I promise,” Ichigo rolled his eyes. “Hopefully next time it won’t be because I've been stabbed by a walking reality marble. I wonder…”

“You wonder?” Zangetsu sounded weary. So he did know Ichigo.  Neive, contrarily, grinned. They were both him. His reasoning and logic and his reckless willingness to take chances that might end in disaster.

“Do you think if I let out a strong enough burst of reiryoku I could break out of it? Like Excalibur or Clarant cutting out of one.”

“...I don’t think we have power enough for that. Not yet.”

“Not yet.” Ichigo repeats the words. Yet. These two… they believe in him. They believe he will one day be strong enough to shatter reality itself. Ichigo can’t help grinning.

“It’s time to wake up now.”

*  

Orihime narrowed her eyes at the horrible, awful man in front of her.

Uryu was shooting at him, over and over to try to keep him from getting to her. They all knew she was the real target, he’d said as much at the start of this fight. When he’d tried to lure her close, and then nearly killed his own men to do it.

Now they lay around her, tired but not dead and no longer bleeding. And Uryu. Urya was scraped up, and poisoned, but he was still moving himself through sheer will and some kind of puppet strings he made with his soul?

Orihime’s life had never really been normal (normal people were raised by parents, not by a brother and then by a distant aunt who she’d barely even spoken to. Normal people didn’t have bright orange hair. Normally people didn’t know when ghosts were around) but it kept getting weirder and weirder.

Orihime’s knees hurt from kneeling on the cement. Her hands ached from holding them in place for so long and her soul aches from using so much power consecutively. She had only just figured out how to hold up a shield and heal people at the same time.

All the same. She can’t be finished yet.

Uryu is fighting so hard for her. He’s putting everything he had into this, into defending her.

Orhihime can feel the phantom imprint of teeth in her shoulder. The hot, sticky blood sliding down her chest and back. The scars are still there. She can feel Sora in her arms, a monster of horror and grief. She can feel Tatsuki, limb and cold and not herself. Blood on her skin. Blood on her hands. She had sworn-

  “Can you actually hurt someone?”  

  She freezes. Her heart beats harder in her ribs and she looks at Kurosaki. The question stabs at her chest and threatens to burst the way the hollows attack had against Tatsuki’s skin. She had won that time, and blood had rained before it fluttered away in phantom light and sand. She opens her mouth.  

  “I-”  

“If it comes down to you or them. If it comes down to them or  me  . Orihime, could you hurt someone? Could you attack with the intent of making sure they don’t get back up?”  

  She clasps her hands in her lap. “I-I can-”  

  “If you can’t,” he cuts in swiftly. “Say it now. When we fight we need to know you have our backs. Do you understand, Orihime? “  

  “Y-yes,” she bows her head. She understands his words. Tatsuki had taught her for years how to throw a punch, grapple and pin and fight. But whenever it came down to actually hitting someone else she always flinched. It was no wonder Kurosaki thought she was incapable of fighting. Maybe she really was.

  But she came to save Rukia. If that means she needs to focus on healing and guarding she can do that. She can be content with that role.  

Only now that role was getting in the way.

How could she stand by and watch Uryu fight and bleed for her sake? How could she do nothing while that cruel man talked about the horrible things he’d done to Uryu’s grandfather? Or to his own daughter? The solemn girl that broke her very body on his command.

She doesn’t understand. Rukia was so kind. So sweet and nice. How could she and him belong to the same group of people?

It makes her sick. Her hands start shaking again.

Aramaki, a man who had tried to take her and run, takes a step away from the captain. The force of his spirit, the gravity of his power, is crushing them both.

It’s  nothing compared to Ichigo’s.

Orihime hadn’t been entirely sure when they first arrived, but now she’s certain of it. Ichigo is stronger than almost any of these shinigami. She hadn’t run into a single one who feels stronger than he did when he first made a miraculously bright canon ball that morning they went to Kukaku’s home.

A horrible creature crawls its way out of the captain's sword. Baby faced and cherubic, it frightens Orihime even more than the bone mask that had once hidden her brother's face from her.

Ishida glows like a one winged angel, to try to defend her.

Orihime closes her eyes.

No.

  “-can you actually hurt someone?”  

   No.    

  “If it comes down to you or them. If it comes down to them or me. Orihime, could you hurt someone? Could you attack with the intent of making sure they don’t get back up?”  

No.

  “When we fight we need to know you have our backs. Do you understand, Orihime?“

Yes.

She will not be defended anymore.

“Tsubaki,” his name comes from her lips. Acid that she will bear, he flutters in front of her. She will only have one strike. She can’t hesitate. Not again. She will not let someone else fight her battles for her.

“Koten Zanshun!”

Tsubaki flickered into the golden glow of her powers and shoots like a dart. Straight through the horrible monster and it’s master.

The hole she makes is nothing. Just a couple inches across on both, but the glow still connects her to Tsubaki through them. An acid wire of destruction.

“Was that supposed to hurt, little girl-”

“ I REJECT!”  

The wall erupts and matter splits. Two halves of a man fall in opposite directions. A grotesque caterpillar follows suit, spewing violet gasses as it goes. Orihime isn’t afraid. She calls on the others to undo the damage that the poisons cause.

When she reaches Uryu he’s leaning heavily against a wall with the girl that was once their enemy. Orihime would rather she be their friend, now that her father is gone.

She offers them both a hand in standing up.

* *

Ichigo opens his eyes to blood.

It’s not his, but a womans. She sits away from him, struggling to reach difficult gauges cut out of her back. Four scores that go from shoulder blade to the opposite ribs.

Ichigo sits with some difficulty. His whole body aches, and his chest throbs. It is familiar, but then again most pain is to him at this point in his life.

Ichigo reaches out with his senses. She feels familiar. Liquid shadow and silk fur, night-dark humor and wicked steel.

“Yoruichi.”

She doesn’t startle. He’d never had the silence of a Hassan at his side. Speaking of...

She looks a bit like Personas in her preferred form. Violet hair, dark skin, and built to fight and  win . Neither one of them has the delicate build of Serenity, the poison mistress, but that didn’t stop Personas and it doesn’t stop Yoruichi from being lovely as sin.

“You’re awake. Good, I was starting to get worried,” she tossed him a smile over her shoulder.

“You’re the one bleeding,” Ichigo retorts. He rolls onto his knees and stretches his arms above and back until there’s about a hundred pops of his bones. His back feels warm, then cold before he straightens out to face her. “Let me help.”

“Do you know healing magic, oh magician?” Yoruichi’s smile was more fit for a cat than a human. Ichigo rolled his eyes.

“None that I can use right now. But I know how to use a needle and thread. Do you have my bag? What happened?”

Yoruichi frowns at him, but motions to his bag in the corner nonetheless. Ichigo rises on legs that feel like they’re more smoke than bone. Weak and hollow. His ribs aren’t much better and the dark mark of Scathach feels fresh again.

Ichigo does his best not to rub at it when he brings the bag back over and pulled his first aid kit out of it. Yoruichi stays still while he carefully disinfects the injury. The bleeding is sluggish and its covered in a thick paste that keeps it at bay until Ichigo carefully draws it away and starts to stitch the skin closed.

He knows these gauges. Sharp sword strikes, and less deep ones litter his own body, save his shoulder. He can see it in the clean split of skin.

“If I wasn’t a mage, I’d try to figure out how to use that healing crap Tessai has,” he said idly while he pulled out his silk threads and curved needles.

“If you’re a shinigami, you can use kido,” Yoruichi said with certainty. Ichigo frowns.

“Mages aren’t supposed to be able to use spiritual energy. They use life energy. Almost no one born after the separations of the worlds can do both.”

“You already do.”

Ichigo didn’t respond. He carefully closed her cuts and spread a cream across it to make sure it didn’t get infected later on.

“How’s that?”

“I had no idea your father taught you so much,” Yoruichi looked over her shoulder at his work as best as she could. She wouldn’t be as flexible as she was before for a week or so. Ichigo rumaged through his bag.

“He didn’t teach me a damn thing. There’s burns on your arm, let me see those two. Yoruichi, what happened?”

Yoruichi gave him her arm without a fight. She was smarter than a lot of warriors he knew. She didn’t fight a medic, even one as half trained as Ichigo was. He spread burn cream across it and wrapped it with firm, but gentle hands. Maybe when they got back he would ask Tessai about the healing, but considering how shit he was at regular spellwork he didn’t have high hopes for that. When he was done he sat back on his heels.

“Better?”

“Mhmm, much,” Yoruichi looked her arm over. She grinned mischievously at Ichigo and yanked him into a sudden hug, smashing his face into her bare chest.

“How good of you to take care of a poor stray cat, Ichigo!”

Ichigo’s face heated and he shoved her, but she was stronger than she looked.

“Don’t pull your damn stitches! I’m not redoing them got it?!”

“Aaaw, don’t be so grumpy,” she huffed at him, but he could still hear the near sadistic smirk on her face.

“Shut up. Put some clothes on before you freeze to death already.”

“Oh? Don’t tell me you’re a blushing virgin. Ichigo!” she sang.

Ichigo finally pried himself away from her with a grunt. “Shut up,” he said again. “That’s none of your business.”

Honestly.

Ichigo  wasn’t a ‘blushing virgin’ or whatever the fuck. He was used to women who barely wore any damn thing. That didn’t make it any less weird when he was nearly suffocated in someone's tits!

Yoruichi laughed at him and finally fetched a shirt. Ichigo rubbed his shoulder, his fingers brushing against the new scar tissue. It was edged ever so lightly in white.

He wondered at it, but figured it was Zangetsu’s work.

“I’m surprised,” Yoruichi said when she returned in an orange shirt and black body suit. “I would have thought you would be hopping mad when you woke up. I did leave Rukia behind.”

“That wouldn’t be fair to you,” Ichigo shook his head at her. “Those two, Ukitake and Kyoraku, are way too strong for one person to take on alone. And don’t think I’ve forgotten that you didn’t tell me what happened.  Yoruichi .”

She had the decency to look contrite.

“I’m out of practice,” she said at long last. “When I grabbed you and ran I didn’t realize that a trap had been laid by the omniskido, the stealth force. On top of that, there was lieutenant out for vengeance. She was convinced that one of us had killed her captain, and came after us for revenge. She was the one who managed to burn my arm. She wasn’t even that strong.”

Ichigo winced. That would have stung Yoruichi’s pride as much as singed her flesh.

“Fury makes for powerful adversaries, but anger runs cold eventually…”

“When did you get so wise?” Yoruichi teased, poking his cheek.

  Sometime between Fuyuki and Babylonia?  

“Don’t make me sound like I’m taking a journey to the west or something,” he brushed her hand aside. “We still have to get Rukia. I’m not sure how now. I couldn’t beat Kyoraku as I am, and you’re all banged up. Maybe…” If he tied a ribbon around Yoruichi’s wrist, could he push his power into her? How strong was she, anyhow? And the others, where were they? No one had died, he hadn’t felt anyone disappear. Were their disguises working?

“I should have brought walkies,” Ichigo cursed his own lack of forethought.

“Calm down, Ichigo. The way we rescue Rukia is simple.”

Ichigo glanced at her. “Oh?”

Her grin belonged on a cheshire cat, even if she wasn’t wearing purple stripes. “We make you stronger.”

“... oh. Is that all?”

* * *

Ukitake would admit it.

He had no idea what to think of these intruders.

Even though normally they would be confined to squad 6’s prisons he had managed to arrange for the ryoka to be brought to his own, under the grounds that since Rukia was his underling and they were here for her, they were his responsibility.

Yamamoto was more concerned with the return of the flash queen, Yoruichi, than a few humans she had managed to wrangle together and approved it with only a stern warning to keep an eye on them.

He had asked each and every one, from the ones he and Shunsui apprehended at the tower, to the pair that had nearly killed Mayuri, why they were there for a girl they barely knew.

The answer was the same.

Because Ichigo wanted to save her.

Ichigo. The one on the bridge that had looked so much like Kien. From the furrow in his brow to the proud tilt of his chin. Even his sword play was similar. Fast and powerful, he adapted to Shunsui’s games the way very few ever had.

And what he did to Rukia…

Ukitake had never seen anything like it before. In that form, he was sure Rukia could have frozen his own shikai if she’d had the mind to. It was terrifying.

Or it would have been.

If it weren’t for the fact that there was no malice in the boys eyes.

Anger, yes, but they didn’t bubble with hatred. He had no will to cut down any of them. And he hadn’t, no the lieutenants or the captains that stood in his way. He left them all living even it would have been safer and probably smarter to make sure they couldn’t come after him again.

Just what was he thinking? Was he really here just to save Rukia? And why was Yoruichi with him? Had one of the Ryoka really killed Aizen?

All of this circled back to the peculiar circumstances behind Rukia’s sentencing.

Execution was harsh. Moving the date up even harsher. And, why wasn’t he allowed to petition for a retrial? He was a captain, and a noble, as was Shunsui. They had both been barred at the gate despite these privileges.

It was about time that he got some answers to these questions. Ukitake was a patient man.

He was still no more a saint than Shunsui, who was equally eager to find something solid to sink his teeth into.

They would go to the Central 46 chambers and find answers, if it wasn’t so late that Rukia might truly die without someone to defend her.

The boy, Ichigo, was strong certainly, but not stronger than the terrible spear levelled at his young protege.

So, quietly, and under the cover of darkness, Ukitake went to Toshiro and spun a thread of suspicion for him. He agreed, as well as his lieutenant, to investigate the Central 46 chamber while he and Shunsui did something more reckless than they had in centuries. Yamamoto would rage at them when he found out what they were doing, but in his mind and in Shunsui’s it was necessary.

He never could have predicted what would actually happen.

* * * *

Ichigo had had some close calls before, but this was seriously cutting it down to the wire.

Fire licks along his wrists but doesn’t make its way past him. He holds the great firebird back with the edge of Zangetsu’s sword.

The spear screams at him, howling defiance. It is a tool of justice and death, the ultimate punishment, to burn away the sins of those who stand before it.

Ichigo cocks his head.

It’s more than that. He knows the heat, though this is lesser considerably, only yellow not blue. He knows the crushing force of duty and responsibility behind it, and the spear that birthed this one. The beak is only a shard of a lance he is very familiar with.

“Well,” he says slowly, blinking at the fiery eyes that hold on him. “Hello there.”

Rukia is a light weight under his arm, and he barely feels it when she elbows him in the ribs.

“I told you-”

“I know. I won’t ask you to forgive me, and I don’t expect you to thank me. I just expect you to survive, Rukia.”

The bird flaps back, and circles them slowly. If the lance he knew could destroy 1000 souls, this one can only destroy one. What’s more, it seems to recognize Ichigo.

“Ichi-!”

“It’s fine.”

The bird presses its burning beak into Ichigo’s knuckles and dips an avian bow low before it leaves them be. It lands again on the ground and with a scream to the heavens claps its wings above its head.

The flames disperse and a spear stands in its place.

Ichigo drops to the ground as well. People are looking at him again. That same look that says he’d just done the impossible. He was getting used to it.

“That works,” he says with a nod to himself.

“That doesn’t- how did- Ichigo what the  fuck ?!”

“Dunno. Guess he just likes me,” Ichigo shrugs casually and hoists Rukia over his shoulder. “Ready?”

“Ready for wha- AAAAH!” Rukia screams bloody murder when Ichigo yeets he towards the ground as hard as he can, where Renji of all people is waiting. He’d shown up yesterday to tell them that execution had been rescheduled for a day closer, and that Kenpachi Zaraki had apparently gone AWOL and stolen a couple of Ichigo’s friends and was busting down Seireitei looking for a rematch.

He still wasn’t sure how much he believed when Renji told him that Orihime cut a captain in half.

Ichigo waves cheerfully from his perch atop the execution platform.

“Take care of Rukia, alright?”

He still doesn’t have a plan for when they’ve finally gotten away. Hide in the living world, he supposes. Take them to the clock tower maybe. Waver would be helpful, and he still has his gift from Marie.

Whatever.

He’ll take it one step at a time. No use fussing about the far future when he still has the present to fixate on. On top of that, something is happening below him. A separation in the ranks of the shinigami. Kyoraku and Ukitake seem to be standing off from the others, between the retreating Renji and Rukia. Ukitake has a shield of some kind, and Kyoraku has drawn his blade.

Ichigo jumps forwards, sailing downwards. Where is Kyo in all this mess? And that strange man, Gin? There’s barely a handful of heavy hitters down here.

Ichigo lands a few feet away from Ukitake. Zangetsu hangs in one hand, his bandages wrapped around Ichigo’s wrist. He keeps himself sideways, to defend from either side if he must, but he has a good feeling about this.

“Sorry to interrupt whatever’s happening down here,” he says casually, “But does this mean you’re helping to rescue Rukia?”

Ukitake’s smile is a phantom thing, equal parts guilt and honesty. “We’ve been trying since she was first brought back, in less… flashy, ways than you’ve chosen. She is, after all, one of my subordinates.”

“Honestly?” Ichigo tosses a grin at Kyoraku. “I’m glad I’m not playing with you this time, old man.”

“Old man! How cruel,” Kyoraku actually pouts at him. It’s a little disturbing. “Ah~ I prefer drinking to fighting anyhow.”

“Sucks that I’m underage then,” says the boy who spent years in time periods where wine was a safer alternative to contaminated water.

Ichigo has only a second to brace himself when a wave of heat slams into him from his right.

All around him, people drop like flies.

Ichigo scowls over his shoulder at the old man. Heat rises off of him like cement on a summer day, casting a shimmering crown above his bald head.

“Well that’s pretty damn rude,” Ichigo snaps at him. “You’re hurting your own subordinates more your enemies. What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“You dare speak in such a manner? After the mockery you’ve made of our justice?”

“What justice?” Ichigo bristles, danger flaring through him. He presses his free hand onto the shoulders of the two people who had flanked Ukitake, and now fallen on their knees. His strength flows into them until their breathing eases. “You’ll execute someone who was only doing her best to help me? To protect my sisters?! Where is the justice in that?! No harm was actually done, until you decided she needed to die!”

He repeats his gifts with the girl with the glasses. All eyes are on him again. The pressure and the heat increases.

“It is the will of the Central 46. We will follow their orders, and you shall not interfere! That girl asked that you be spared your death, it was her dying will, but you have thrown that request into her face.”

Ichigo narrows his eyes at this man.

“You know something? Some of the worst things in history are done by people who follow their orders blindly.”

The Argonauts. The men who kept Astrious in prisoned in the labyrinth. Medb’s soldiers. The Knights of the Round Table. How many horrible things had been done to him and his friends by people who refused to think for themselves? Who saw what was being asked of them and never once said ‘no’?

“Do not presume to lecture me, boy!” The pressure bears down on him, a mountain of heat and anger. Ichigo doesn’t falter. “I have lived a thousand of your human lives. The impertinence of youth is-”

“You’re about two thousand years old, right?” Ichigo cuts in. “Or, more like twenty two hundred, give or take fifty years.”

“I am-”

“So you were alive before the end of the Age of Gods, right?”

He knows he’s stalling. He knows he should get out of here. Or get this fight underway. Or something. He can’t take this man in a fight, even if he can stand his power. He is, after all, just a man. He isn’t Ishtar, or Gilgamesh, or Orion. He isn’t a god or half divine. His heat is nothing compared to Karna’s. A convection over instead of a volcano.

Nevertheless, he has to ask this question.

The old man’s eyes crease open. There’s anger in them, and curiosity too. “I was.”

“Great. Then where the  fuck is Ereshkigal?”

Silence descends. The old man is so surprised the pressure actually lets up a moment before doubling.

“There is a name I haven’t heard in millenia. The queen of Kur, the goddess of the dead. I didn’t think humans still knew of her,” he regards Ichigo with a new kind of wariness. Warranted, for certain. “All that is left of her is the Sogyoku, a creation from her own lance, holding the flames of the soul of a sungod.”

Ichigo doesn’t tell him that that’s not quite right.

“The heat of that spear should have incinerated you. I can’t say what magic you used to put a stop to it, but I intend to end this altercation before you do something like that again.”

The old man lifted his cane.

Ukitake and Kyoraku  moved . Faster than Ichigo can keep up, they launch themselves at him. There’s a glance of steel and the sound of metal on metal. Someone shouts, a light flashes, and the three disappear.

Ichigo barely side steps a tiny flicker of energy.

A girl, no taller than Rukia with a captains coat, does her very best to cut his head off before Ichigo slams Zangetsu into her chest and unleashes a harsh Getsuga Tenshou. The problem with assassins, most of them are bad at taking hard hits.

He tears through the rest of the assembled crowd like they’re made of paper, before he stops at the woman with the braid. She reminds of him Nightengale, in the most frightening of ways. Her head tilts minutely at him. Something in her eyes sends a shiver down his spine.  

“Aren’t you going to fight me, ryoka?”

“Ichigo,” he corrects mildly. His brows furrow. “Don’t take this the wrong way, miss, but I do my best to avoid fighting healers. If it’s not too much trouble, would you let me go on my way?”

She looks down at the people on the ground. Lieutenants, captains, and special guards all fallen at his blade. None of them have stopped breathing.

“I suppose I can honor that request. There is something else I must do regardless. Please stand back then, Ichigo.”

He takes a few steps back, until he standing next the three subordinates Ukitake and Kyoraku had left behind. She draws her sword and with a soft murmur it warps, twists, and expands like putty until a giant manta ray is standing on clawed feet.

Ichigo watches in horrified fascination as it eats the injured and flies off.

“...You all saw that too, right?” He asks the other three. He’s the only one who’s even remotely surprised.

Because that’s normal here, of course.

“Okay,” Ichigo dusts himself off. “I need to go find my friends. Are you guys coming with?”

“Captain left us here with you for a reason,” the eldest girl, the one with the glasses says primly. “So we will follow you for now, and make sure you don’t run into any more trouble.”

“Hey, what did you do when the Head Captain was crushing us?” The blonde girl asks, falling into place at Ichigo’s side. The man flanks her, looking just as intently at Ichigo. It feels natural to lead them down the hill, never mind that they’ve only known each other for a total of twenty minutes max.

“That? I just pushed enough of my reiryoku into you that you wouldn’t get squashed or burnt up. It’s not big deal,” he shrugged one shoulder.

“No- No big deal!? You can’t just transfer spirit energy like that!” The man argued, stumbling over his own shoes. “No one can do that! Even the fourth division has to use special kido for that kind of thing!”

Ichigo eyes him sideways. “I do impossible things all the time. You’ll get used to it.”

They made it all the way to the bottom of the hill, where his friends were waiting with Yachiru of all people, before something new slammed into his senses from the way they had come.

Kyo.

* * * * *  

Gin pities Hinamori.

He really, really does. She’s been jerked around on a string so many times in the last few days as a part of Aizen’s mechanisms. First she had to deal with her grief. He was sure it was Hitsugaya that planted the idea that Gin was the killer in her head.

Sweet Kira had kept her from so much as singeing his shihakusho.

After Gin someone in the Onmitsukido had gotten her on the trial of the ryoka, who were really the perfect distractions in this case. She had attacked the ginger boy and Shihoin without hesitation and with enough vicious animosity and single minded determination that she actually got a few shots in. If she was more blood thirsty maybe she could have a decent subordinate to Aizen truly, instead of this puppet he was leading around.

A single letter from him and she turned on her childhood best friend.

A single word and her faith was restored before it was shattered completely with a hand through the chest.

Yes, Gin pitied the poor, foolish little girl for trusting Aizen so readily.

It’s okay,  he wanted to tell he,  I’ll make sure he pays for everything. One way or another.  

He couldn’t, of course. He wouldn’t risk the position he’d spent well over a century cultivating. He would get his vengeance soon, and take back what was stolen from Rangiku. He just had to keep biding his time, like every other snake in the grass.

Unbidden, his mind turned to Ichigo Kurosaki again. Just how would the boy fair against Aizen? How much of a struggle could a single not-quite-a-human put up?

* * * * * *

[xmanicpanicx]

INTERVIEW: EMILY A. DUNCAN, AUTHOR OF WICKED SAINTS AND RUTHLESS GODS

These are dark times we’re living in, and dark times can call for even darker books. New York Times bestselling author Emily A. Duncan’s 2019 series opener Wicked Saints is pretty dark, filled as it is with holy wars, paganesque gods, blood magic, bleak settings, and mysterious cults. Can anyone be trusted? Probably not. I had a chat with Emily (@glitzandshadows​) about the second installment of the series, Ruthless Gods, which, incidentally, comes out today.

MM: Without getting too spoilery, what can we expect from Ruthless Gods? How will it be different from Wicked Saints? EAD: I like to say that Ruthless Gods is the last 90 pages of Wicked Saints, but this time for 500+ pages. It’s weirder, darker, and also a lot slower (I grew up on fantasy doorstoppers and I immediately went back to my roots with this book haha). There’s a bewildering amount of blood, eyes where no eyes should be (and also teeth? at one point? it’s fine), a lot of intense conversations, and a lot of kissing. It’s different because Wicked Saints leaned into a lot of YA tropes that we all know and love, albeit turning them slightly. Ruthless Gods does not do that at all. Rather I ignore most YA conventions because I wanted to do something else! I love Ruthless Gods a lot, it’s a bizarre book that was extremely hard to write but very satisfying to have written. MM: One concept that especially fascinated me from Wicked Saints was the possibility of “ascending into godhood,” that so-called divine beings could have originally been something else and could have acquired so much power, they came to be regarded as gods. That concept can have some parallels to our own world. Did you do that on purpose, or was this just an ultra-cool idea exclusively for the world of the trilogy? EAD: It wasn’t really a concept I got out of any kind of research, rather it made sense for the structure of the world and for what was driving the characters (well, two characters in particular) forward. I find it an interesting theological discussion in a fantasy context! And I find it interesting as a motivator for characters. I’ve always loved stories of mages reaching for too much power (Dragonlance! The Legends trilogy about the Majere twins in particular) and what better way to get too much power than to ascend to godhood? MM: If this trilogy were to be turned into a TV series, who would be your dream cast? EAD: I’m going to turn this one on its head because actually I would want it to be animated. I think it would work so well animated. Like “Castlevania” but with an Eastern European flair to the art style. Also I have no facecasts. I have a lot of Eastern European models that I think at certain angles with the right lighting look like the characters though. And Anya Taylor-Joy does look like Nadya, I will grant that. MM: What was it like to write a sequel? Furthermore, what was it like to write an entire novel and have to do edits on a deadline? How did that compare to the experience of writing Wicked Saints? EAD: Extremely difficult! Incredibly hard! I had 18 months to write this book and I took every single second of that! Wicked Saints was actually written very quickly. I wrote it in a few months and had it revised and ready to query before a year had passed. Ruthless Gods was just a different beast altogether. It wasn’t even necessarily the pressure, more just that I knew that what I wanted to do would require me to level up as a writer and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to manage it. I think I did though? Absolutely would not have been able to do it without my editor and her willingness to suffer drafts that were just complete messes. MM: In an interview last year, you stated that one of the main takeaways of Wicked Saints was that it is okay to question things. Is there a new takeaway for Ruthless Gods, or does it build on the theme that is okay (and even good) to challenge power structures? EAD: I would say it builds on that theme. A lot of Ruthless Gods is breaking down what we thought we knew as truth in Wicked Saints, and realizing that maybe everyone is a little bit wrong and a little bit right on both sides of the war because maybe there’s more to everything that none of them are seeing. Does that make any sense at all? Rather, to use a more succinct example, in Wicked Saints I give you two very defined magic systems. Ruthless Gods is about shattering that notion completely.

*combusts with excitement* Well, there you have it, folks! Wishing Emily and everyone else all the best in the midst of this pandemic. 🙂

[fantastic-bby]

A Flame in The Dark - 2

Pairing: (F)Reader x San

Word count: 6.2k

Genre: Angst | Friends to strangers | Strangers to enemies | Mage!San | Demi-demon!Reader

Summary: San's life has been pretty suffocating. His childhood friend disappeared and his parents had forced him into a magic academy against his will. Although he's made new friends, the walls of the academy tend to feel like a prison to him.

With how he's already constantly sneaking out at night to get out of the academy, he thinks he's found a way to not feel so trapped. But San's habit of sneaking out just makes his life a whole lot more difficult...

Warnings: Violence | Gore | Fighting | Use of dark magic | A lot of people get hurt

Main masterlist || Previous || FITD Masterlist || Next

“War?” San’s eyes were practically bulging out of his skull as he stared at the three elders. They nodded somberly. He turned to Wooyoung and Yeosang, the two mages sharing the same incredulous expression as they stared at the elders. 

“I’m afraid that the darkin that you fought the other day has decided she wants to take you and the whole academy down,” Elder Jinx sighed out. “Elder Naya had a vision of the darkin speaking with her elders.”

“We’ll return your powers,” Elder Saron stated. “We don’t know when the dark mages will attack, but all we can do is make sure the academy is ready,” he muttered as he flicked his wrist towards San, Wooyoung and Yeosang. A glow surrounded the three and soon they could feel the magic filling their veins once again. 

“We’re glad you found the darkin, but please, don’t sneak out after curfew again,” Elder Naya advised before letting the three leave. The walk out of the office was silent. All three of them had the same worry in their mind; what if they weren’t ready when the dark mages came? 

“San.” The familiar voice made San look up to see one of his mentors approaching them. “I need to see you. Wooyoung, Jaebeom hyung’s looking for you. Yeosang, Momo’s looking for you,” Jinyoung stated. Wooyoung and Yeosang hesitated, startled from the sudden appearance of the fire mentor before nodding and disappearing to find their own mentors.

“What’s wrong?” San questioned the older mage. The mentors rarely spent time with the younger students outside of class which left San wondering why they were looking for their students. 

“I’m going to assume the elders already told you about the war since you’re the one who fought with the darkin,” Jinyoung spoke as he gestured for San to walk with him. “I won’t scold you for sneaking out after curfew since I used to do that, too.”

“What?” He looked at Jinyoung with utter disbelief. Jinyoung was one of the more quiet and disciplined mages. Hearing that the mentor used to go against the rules of the academy was a shock and a fun fact for him. 

“Only because Jackson would drag me out,” Jinyoung added. “I wanted to talk to you about the fight you had with the darkin.” San glanced over at his mentor. “Momo told me that her magic left a nasty wound on your shoulder,” Jinyoung mentioned. 

“Oh, that.” San’s hand instinctively moved to his shoulder. Despite the wound closing, it still left a scar that no magic would heal. “Darkin magic seems to affect my body weirder than normal magic. It turned my blood black, hyung,” he sighed. 

“I didn’t think that would actually happen. You’d think that as mages, we’d have seen everything,” Jinyoung joked as they stopped outside one of the study rooms. “You barely made it out of that fight alive, San,” he reminded him as he opened the door, being greeted by a group of fire mages already waiting for their mentor. “I know you’re strong San, but we still don’t know much about darkins. We don’t even know if she was holding back or not.” 

“She definitely was not. She wanted to kill me,” San huffed out as he remembered how you looked at him. Your eyes held determination and you were most certainly not holding back. Had he missed that one chance to disorient you, he probably would’ve died. 

“All we can do now is train you until you can grow stronger than her. You know the spells. You just need to make them stronger. Focus your energy on learning spells you’re still not confident in,” Jinyoung advised. “If you need any help, you can always come to me.” He flashed San an assuring smile. San nodded in response. 

San’s mind was drifting throughout the day. His fingers fiddled with the ring on his right hand. He wondered where his friend was and whether she was okay. It had been a week since you had gone against each other and he couldn’t help but feel as though you were somehow connected to his ring. But, you couldn’t be. San had never seen her with a red eye and he didn’t remember her having any magical ability. 

“San?” Momo waved her hand in front of San’s face. He snapped out of his thoughts and looked up to the mentor. “Are you okay? You seem a bit distracted today,” she questioned 

“O-Oh,” he stuttered as he realised the whole group of mages was watching him. “It’s nothing, noona,” he reassured the nature mage. Momo wasn’t convinced, but she resisted the urge to want to pry him further. She gave him a slight nod before returning to the front of the room to continue with the healing spell. 

San could only keep his focus on his mentor for a moment before turning back out of the window and looking to the sky. His mind wandered. He was more scared of what was to come. If San wasn’t prepared on time, he would fail to protect the academy. 

“I’ve never seen you around before,” San pointed out when he saw you sitting at the swings on your own. You looked up from the ground when he spoke before turning back to the ground. You were a shy kid and your father had just brought you to the human realm from the Underworld. His magic was doing enough to hide your demonic appearances even if you were to accidentally show them. 

“I just moved here,” you softly replied. San sat himself on the swing beside you and stared at you. 

“I’m San.” He smiled. You glanced at him, but you didn’t say anything. “I’m 7 years old.” The boy continued anyway. San continued to talk to you despite your unresponsive and shy state. It was mostly him talking and you nodding every once in a while. “My parents want to get a cat. I don’t know when, but they promised me and my sister a cat,” he rambled on. You perked up at the mention of a cat, the childish fascination in animals lighting up your mood. 

“I have a cat,” you mentioned and San’s face lit up when you did. 

“I bet it’s cute,” he hummed. You nodded.

“He’s still a kitten. My dad brought him home two days ago. I named him Mochi,” you told him. “He’s really fluffy,” you added. 

“What’s your name?” San asked.

“(Y/n),” you replied, your shyness starting to wear off bit by bit. 

“Can we be friends, (Y/n)?” he questioned, his voice laced with the excitement of gaining a new friend. You nodded frantically. San would be your first human friend. 

“Okay.”

You clipped the necklace around your neck, eyeing the ring that hung from the chain for a moment. You held it in between your fingers as you tried to think of why you felt so attached to the ring. 

“Maybe it holds something you don’t remember.” You turned around to see Luna leaning against the door frame of your bedroom. 

“You’re pretty sneaky, aren’t you?” you chuckled as you turned back to the mirror. You felt her presence appear beside you and you turned to the lunar mage. 

“Well, I’m used to the silence of the night,” she hummed as she watched the way you fiddled with the ring. “Where’s Eunha eunnie?” Luna asked.

“She’s training with Aisha,” you told her, not tearing your attention away from the metal band.

“I can’t see far back into your thoughts, but I can tell that ring connects you with someone,” she stated as she reached out to hold the ring. You let her examine it as you tried to reach back into the farthest part of your mind to figure out where the ring came from. 

“I think I got it when I was still a kid, but I can’t remember how I got it and who this ring is attached to,” you muttered. You watched as the pupils of Luna’s eyes turned white, a small sense of magic radiating off of her; she was trying to find the memories hidden within the ring. After a moment, she let out a sigh and took a step back from you. 

“I can’t find anything other than the sense of childlike innocence,” she muttered out as her eyes slowly blended into their usual brown colour. You sighed as you turned to the mirror once again. 

“I’ve never held onto something as much as this ring,” you stated, “it means so much to me, I don’t think I would ever let it go.” 

“Do you remember where you were when you got it?” Luna questioned as she sat herself on your bed. You let out a long hum as you thought about it. 

“I think I was in the human realm, but it’s really hazy in my mind,” you mumbled. 

“You’ll figure it out soon, I’m sure you will.” She gave you a reassuring smile. “Some memories lie deep within us, but we never truly forget them,” she hummed. You turned to her and couldn’t stop the small smile that was pulling on your lips. 

“Thanks Luna,” you thanked softly as you pulled your denim jacket on. “We should go. We have to prepare,” you said as you turned to leave the room, the younger mage following after you. 

You appreciated Luna’s presence. She spent most of her time by herself sleeping through the day only to practice her magic when the moon was at its highest point in the sky. It was difficult for lunar mages to use their magic during the day, which was why she barely made friends with any of the other mages. They would be sleeping while she and the only other lunar mage would be awake. 

You had only met her since sleep wasn’t a necessity to you as a darkin. You usually slept to either help your body regenerate itself or if you were bored. You would usually train with the two lunar mages whenever you were too bored to sleep. Usually, you’d be able to hear the thoughts of humans, but it seemed that lunar mages had a way of guarding theirs. You weren’t able to hear what the lunar mages were thinking, but they could hear yours since you never really guarded your thoughts when you were in the den. 

“Ah, we can begin,” Elder Omi announced when she saw you stepping into the meeting hall, all mages of the dark den gathered to begin the first attack. 

“We could never continue without the presence of our strongest student.” Elder Kae chuckled before the three elders began laying down the plan. It was a simple plan and the goal was to take out San first, then move on to the rest of the academy. You needed to turn into your full form for this to work and you were already strong enough to transform faster with less recovery time. 

You were going to kill him if it was the last thing you’d do.

“Elder Jinx!” The voice surprised the elder, but what surprised her more was that it was coming from Yeosang as he barged into the office at such a late hour. 

“What is the meaning of this?” Elder Naya furrowed her brows as she saw the panicked state of the clairvoyant mage. His eyes were yellow; a sign that he had just seen a vision. 

“The dark mages are coming,” he claimed, despair lacing his words. The elders exchanged looks of fear. 

“This is too soon. The mages aren’t ready.” Elder Saron shot up from his seat.

“What more can we do? It’s only been a week since we found out they were planning a war,” Elder Jinx retaliated. 

“We must evacuate the academy,” Elder Naya calmly said as she turned back to Yeosang. “Tell the mages to prepare for an evacuation. We simply can’t afford to fight back.” He nodded as he left the office as quickly as he could, sprinting towards the dorms. He pulled on the candlestick at the beginning of the corridor, an alarm blaring throughout the academy before he made a beeline to his room. 

San and Wooyoung were already waiting for him. They were the first to know of his vision. The two turned around when they heard the alarm go off and saw Yeosang leaning against the doorframe for support, struggling to catch his breath. 

“E-Elder Naya calls for-for an evacuation,” he panted out. Wooyoung rushed to help Yeosang stand. 

“We packed your stuff for you.” He lifted the backpack which Yeosang took from him. “We need to leave,” he stated, turning around to see San hesitating to leave. 

“You guys head on first. I’ll make sure everyone heads to the meeting hall as quickly as possible.” The two shared a glance. 

“If you do that, we’ll help you,” Yeosang nodded. San was about to urge them to leave, but he knew from the look they were giving him, they would rather die with him than without him. Together, they ran throughout the dorms, checking each room to make sure the other mages were already leaving. Well, except for the mentors.

“We’re staying.” Jihyo’s statement made Wooyoung’s eyes widen. 

“W-Why? Noona, we need to leave!” he argued. 

“We have to fight back to save the mages. The dark mages are already nearby, we can’t just let them break in and kill the younger mages,” Momo explained softly. 

“Leave with San and Yeosang. The dark mages want to take out San first,” Jihyo added. Wooyoung stared at his mentors with wide eyes, unable to believe that they were ready to lay their lives on the line to try and get as many of the light mages out of the academy safely. 

“B-But,”

“Leave, Wooyoung,” she interjected. He struggled to carry himself out of the room, but he managed to do it before moving on to get the others out as fast as possible. Meanwhile, San had taken over the rooms with the male mages.

“Take only essentials,” he reminded the two as he watched them stumble around their room. 

“H-Hyung, we’ll be fine, right?” Jisung questioned as he turned to look at San. The older mage struggled to answer. If he guaranteed their safety, he would be lying to them. The dark mages were on their way, and no one knew how close they already were. 

“I… I don’t know, Jisung,” San confessed softly. Jaemin froze in the middle of shoving clothes into his duffle bag, slowly turning to face San; pure fear painting his features. “All we can do now is leave the academy as soon as possible,” he quickly said. The two younger mages nodded shakily, quickly getting back to packing. 

San left their room to check the other rooms, turning back to see the pair of ice mages already leaving their room. He ran past the rooms but stopped in his tracks when he saw Jackson and Jinyoung sitting in their room, calmly staring at each other. 

“What are you guys doing?” he questioned. The two turned to face him. The calm expressions on their faces was a contrast to the panic that filled the academy. 

“The dark mages are too close for us to leave safely,” Jackson stated solemnly, “Jinyoung and I are staying behind to hold back the other mages.” He stood up and took a deep breath as he turned to Jinyoung. 

“We can’t ensure that we’ll be able to get everyone out of here safely, but the mentors have agreed to stay behind to buy as much time as we can,” Jinyoung explained. 

“Momo and Jihyo are already preparing themselves in their room. Jaebeom hyung already dropped by to tell us that he’s told Tzuyu as well,” Jackson added. San stared at the two. It was his fault that they were in this mess. Had he finished his fight with the darkin, the academy wouldn’t be in this mess. He didn’t kill you off like he should’ve. 

“If that’s the case then I’m staying as well,” he stated. 

“San, it’s oka-” Jinyoung started but San cut him off. 

“If I killed the darkin that night, we wouldn’t have to be in this much panic. It’s my fault for not wanting to kill a member of the dark mage den. I’m one of the strongest mages this academy has and I’m not going to let my mentors die without trying to help.” He put his foot down, watching as the two older mages turned to share a hesitant look. “I’m not leaving the academy without fighting,” San stated. A pair of running footsteps approached the room, Yeosang coming into the views of the mentors. 

“San, the mentors aren’t leaving. We have to leave now,” he urged but San shook his head. 

“I’m staying to fight with the mentors,” he told him. Yeosang’s eyes grew wide. 

“Are you fucking crazy? The darkin wants to kill you,” the clairvoyant reminded him with a scoff but San shook his head. 

“I’m not letting Jinyoung hyung and Jackson hyung die here trying to keep us safe. If I help them, you guys have more time to leave.” He turned his body to Yeosang. “Take Wooyoung and leave me. That’s an order,” he ordered. Yeosang looked at San incredulously. 

“You know that if you stay, Woo and I will stay and fight with you,” Yeosang retaliated. 

“You guys have a better chance at leaving than I do. If I follow the academy, the darkin will keep chasing me down,” he argued, shaking his head. 

“We’re not leaving without you. We leave together or we die together.” His words made San’s lips part as he stared at him. San knew better than to waste their time arguing when they could be helping the other mages and he decided to let his friends stay with him. 

“Okay, Yeosang,” he nodded. “But, we’re running out of time. We need to check on the other mages.” Yeosang nodded before leaving the room. San turned to the mentors who were watching the entire affair. 

“Reminds me of you when we were younger.” Jinyoung turned to Jackson with a chuckle. 

“I can’t count the amount of times I almost died because I refused to leave Jinyoung alone,” Jackson laughed as the two stood up. 

“Let’s head to the meeting hall, shall we?” He smiled as the mentors left their room. San watched as they did, a warm feeling in his heart at Jinyoung’s words. But, his moment was quickly ruined when the sound of the protective barrier of the academy being attacked. 

They’re here

He looked out of the window and up into the sky to see you punching the barrier, your fists black from your claws. He felt the world halt around him. Fighting you would be either the biggest victory of his life or the last fight of his life. San’s life was being laid down in front of him and he let out a shaky chuckle to himself in the empty hallway. 

I’ll win this fight. For Wooyoung and Yeosang. He thought to himself before sprinting his way to the meeting hall where the entire academy was. 

“We need to leave underground,” Elder Saron announced as he opened the hatch to the basement. “As calmly as possible, please,” he spoke as he guided the mages down. San regrouped with Yeosang and Wooyoung, the both of them nodding at him. 

“We can do this, San,” Wooyoung reassured him. 

“We just need to take the darkin out first. She would be the strongest out of all of the dark mages,” Jaebeom pointed out. 

“I’ll handle the darkin,” San piped in, causing the mentors to look at him with shocked expressions. “I’ve fought her before and I’ve been training ever since then. My strength should be on par with hers.” 

“Going alone against a darkin would be a death wish,” Tzuyu scoffed. 

“If you can distract the other dark mages, it would be one-on-one. I can take her,” he reassured them just as the sound of the barrier being broken hit their ears. 

“We must hurry, mages!” Elder Naya cried as she ushered the younger magers to move faster. 

“Are you sure you don’t want us to stay behind?” Elder Jinx questioned the group. 

“We will hold them off as long as possible, Elder Jinx. The academy needs its elders,” Jinyoung reassured her. She hesitated before nodding, chasing the last of the mages down the hatch. 

“Good luck, my students,” she wished before closing the hatch. 

“We have to hurry, they’ve broken th-” Wooyoung was quickly cut off when a blast of ice hit him in the shoulder, throwing him across the room. The group turned out the window to see Eunha chuckling as she leaned into the window. 

“Knock knock,” she giggled as the wall smashed open to reveal you and your den. 

“Time for a party.” You smirked as you made eye contact with San. In such a short span of time, so much happened - so much chaos. 

The mentors’ goal was to protect San to give him time to fight you. Yeosang was quick to try and get Wooyoung up before hiding himself to transfer his conscience to San to help him predict the movements of your mages. 

“The smartest thing to do is take out the other mages before moving to the darkin,” Yeosang’s voice muttered in San’s mind. He followed Yeosang’s words, quickly able to take out almost half of your mages with the help of his mentors and his friends. 

He knew his mentors were strong. San caught a glimpse of just how powerful they were. The sight of Jaebeom freezing his surroundings to slow down the dark mages, his eyes glowing a bright icy blue made San realise just how hard they were fighting. He couldn’t afford to lose to you. 

“San!” San turned around just in time to dodge a large icicle coming his way. Wooyoung was quick to place a spell on Eunha, binding her to the ground. 

“I lost sight of the darkin!” Jinyoung yelled just as he got hit by a beam of light. 

“I can’t find the darkin anywhere,” Yeosang spoke, trying his best to track you down. 

“It’s okay. Other mages first,” San reassured him. The walls of the academy were breaking down, rubble and debris being used by both sides of the mages as weapons. Fires broke out throughout what was left of the academy, smoke starting to fill the air and making it difficult for most of them to see anything. 

“Jihyo’s down!” Tzuyu’s voice made San look around in panic. That’s one mentor down and a darkin nowhere to be seen.

San was listening to the sounds of the mages fighting, trying to pinpoint where you were. The cries and yells coming from falling mages added to San’s rapid heartbeat. The sound of wings flapping among the smoke made San fire in the direction of the sound, a thud soon following. 

“It was a diversion.” Yeosang’s realisation was too late - you were already coming at San at full force. The force of contact of your bodies threw San to the ground with a grunt. 

“We meet again, fire mage,” you hummed as you watched him pick himself back up. 

“And you, too, darkin,” he grunted, his entire body moving into a defensive stance. You eyed his stance - it was the same stance he used the last time you fought. He was bracing himself for the force of your magic. 

Fool. You snorted to yourself. “Do you think you can win against me?” you chuckled. 

“I got away the last time,” San laughed. You felt your body freeze before you clenched your fists. “I can do anything if it means I’ll stop you from killing my friends,” he growled and lunged towards you. His body moved past yours and you hovered your hand over his back, using your magic to slam him onto the ground. 

“Quite reckless, aren’t you?” you teased as you rounded him. You weren’t prepared when he immediately turned over on his back and blasted you with fire. Your teeth gritted as you jumped back as fast as you could - it didn’t save your neck from being burnt. You grimaced at the feeling of your flesh burning, your hand instinctively coming up to hover over the flesh. 

“So are you.” He chuckled as he stood up. You glared at him, bearing your claws as you let your skin transform completely - with the amount of training you had put yourself through, it was quick and painless. The look on San’s face was enough to spur you on. His strong demeanor faltered completely when he watched you change and pure fear washed over his eyes. Your form disappeared before him and he looked around frantically. 

“That… was not the most pleasant sight,” Yeosang joked. 

“That was fucking terrifying,” San muttered out loud as he looked around at the smoke. The sounds of the other mages fighting was a blur to San. He was focused on finding you and you only. His hand waved around him, drawing a circle of fire to try and blind you.

“She’s behind you. She’s going to try and get your head,” he muttered out. San turned around just in time to see you flying through the fire and towards him at full speed, your hands grabbing the collar of his shirt and flying him into the wall. His back slammed against the wall, the pain striking him throughout the entirety of his body as he slumped to the ground. 

You rolled him over, straddling him and scratching at his neck with your claws. San did his best to block your attacks, but it wasn’t enough to stop your claws from tearing at his shirt and his skin; blood seeping out of his wounds as he wrestled with you. His hand raised to your shoulder, blasting your body with as much magic as his exhausted state would let him. 

You flew back, grimacing at the feeling of your ruined flesh. The fire was growing around the two of you as San got back up, his breathing heavy and his blood dripping onto the ground. 

“Yeosang, go help everyone else,” San thought as he glared at you. 

“Are you sure?” Yeosang questioned. He nodded and Yeosang was gone, transferring his conscience to another mage. 

“Your thoughts left you alone?” you chuckled. 

“This fight is between you and me. I don’t need anyone else,” San growled.  

"You're quite confident you'll win," you muttered.

"I've pretty much blown off your shoulder, how could I not be?" he retaliated with a smirk. His words hit a nerve within you. Even with how fast you were trying to regenerate, it wasn't working as fast as you would hope. You rolled your wounded shoulder, feeling the pain of moving the burning muscles and flesh. 

You pounced towards San, tackling him to the ground. He was quick to flip you over and hover his hand over your shoulder, bursting it with more magic and deeming your right arm useless as you let out a cry of pain. The burst almost forced your body further into the ground but the recoil caused your head to hit the ground. Your teeth gritted in pain and San raised his fist up, the skin of his hand glowing bright orange from the magic he was channeling. 

Just as he was about to slam his fist down, a large piece of debris knocked into him and sent his body flying across the room. You sat up quickly to see where the debris came from only to see Luna watching you from the side. 

“Run, (Y/n)! If you die, all the dark mages will die!” she cried out. You turned back to where San was and saw him struggling to sit up. You looked around to see most of the dark mages already scattering the ground; lifeless. Luna was right. If you didn’t leave now, more of the dark mages would die. 

You pulled yourself off of the ground, your left hand gripping your burning arm as you turned back to Luna. 

“Get our mages out of here. We can’t win this fight,” you told her and she nodded. You turned around only to see San flying towards you at full speed. You teleported right before he could hit you and appeared behind the time mage. “Hwanwoong oppa, we need to leave. Can you stop time?” you asked him. Hwanwoong glanced behind at you and bit his lip. 

“I can’t stop time, but I can slow it down,” he told you. 

“Can you slow it down long enough to get the dark mages out?” You questioned. 

“If we move fast, I think we can.” You checked your surroundings before covering him with your wings to protect him. He took the signal and held his arms out, his eyes shutting to slow everything down as much as he could. You moved quickly, getting whatever mage that was still standing to help carry out the fallen mages. 

You looked around at the slow moving light mages, spotting Aisha’s limp body lying in front of Wooyoung. You ran towards her only to realise she was still under a binding spell. 

“This goddamn voodoo mage,” you cursed as you used whatever magic you had left to unbind the spell. Aisha let out a deep breath as she started to move. “We need to leave,” you ordered as you helped her stand up. She quickly nodded, leaving the area with Eunha. You did one last check and once you were certain there were no more dark mages, you ran towards Hwanwoong’s struggling form. 

The poor time mage wasn’t used to putting such a big spell for such a long time, so the moment you grabbed onto him, you flew straight into the skies with the rest of your mages. Hwanwoong almost fainted in your arms when he let go of the spell. 

“Did-Did we get everyone?” he questioned breathlessly. 

“We did. You did a great job, oppa,” you praised softly. 

Back at the academy, the light mages could only watch as you flew away. San let out curses. He couldn’t believe he was foolish enough to forget about his surroundings. There was nothing else they could do, but they were lucky that you left when you did. 

“Jihyo noona’s not doing well,” Yeosang muttered out when San approached the group. 

“Neither is Jinyoung,” Jackson softly said as he watched Momo work a healing spell on the mentors. Jaebeom crouched down beside Jihyo and waved a hand in front of her face to make sure she was still conscious. 

“Stay awake, Jihyo,” he muttered softly before doing the same with Jinyoung. “As long as they’re still conscious, they should be able to recover quickly.” He grunted as he pulled Jinyoung’s arm over his shoulder and stood up. “We should leave now. We can’t heal them in the open like this.” The group agreed and began their path down the hatch with Jaebeom supporting Jinyoung and Jihyo leaning on Momo. San lit up the dark corridor for them as they ventured through it. 

Honestly, none of them knew exactly where they were going. They just knew that if anything were to happen, they should follow down the stone tunnel until they reach the hatch at the other end. Jaebeom knew better than to leave the hatch open, deciding to use his ice to freeze the hatch shut and to create a wall at the entrance. Jinyoung collapsed the beginning of the tunnel right after the ice wall to keep whatever dark mages left off of their trail. 

“How long does this corridor go on for?” Yeosang questioned as they walked through the dark, and narrow corridor, his voice echoing off of the stone walls. 

“We don’t know either,” Jackson replied as he looked around in curiosity as well. “All the elders told us about this tunnel was to follow it.” They continued along the corridor for another hour and a half; stopping after half an hour to give Jinyoung and Jihyo time to rest from walking. Even with the support of their friends, they couldn’t walk for too long without collapsing. 

They opened the hatch to the other side to see Elder Jinx holding her hand up towards the hatch just in case it was a dark mage. She let out a relieved sigh when she realised the head that popped out first was Tzuyu and not a dark mage. 

“Is everyone okay?” she questioned, but when her eyes landed on the two mentors that were almost unconscious, she immediately called over the other healing mages. The healers were quick to work with the exhausted group, one of them almost bursting into tears when she saw San’s torn chest. Elder Naya took over San’s wounds, knowing demon magic was harder to work with. 

“What are we going to do now?” San questioned as he watched the elder crouched down beside him and examined his wounds.

“We keep the mages as safe and prepared as we can. From the looks of it, you barely made it out alive.” She muttered out, “their retreat was not a cowardly move, San. It was a strategic move. I assume the darkin knew that if they stayed any longer, they would lose.” 

“I didn’t think it was a cowardly move. I was annoyed they managed to get out. I almost had the darkin,” he grumbled, watching his wounds close. Much like the one on his shoulder, they left a scar that Elder Naya couldn’t heal completely. 

“Demon magic is tricky. You should rest for a few days,” she advised as she stood up and moved on to help the rest of the group. San looked down at his torn shirt and let out a frustrated sigh. He almost had you. You were right there - vulnerable and in his grasp. If he was just a few seconds quicker, he would’ve been able to save the academy. 

You were bound to return. San had to make sure he was swift enough to finally take you down. 

“You need to train harder, (Y/n),” your mother grumbled when she saw your lifeless limb. You sat on her throne and let her heal you as you tried to figure out exactly when it went south for you. 

“I was so sure I had him,” you scoffed softly. You thought back to it and it seemed that your claws weren’t quick enough. “I think I need to work on my hands.” You looked down to your left hand, clenching it into a fist. 

“I saw the fight from your eyes. You were reckless with your claws, my dear.” She pointed out. “If you’re going to use your claws, don’t blindly scratch at his chest. It made you miss his hand that actually hit your shoulder.” Your mother’s hand rolled your shoulder back and you winced when she did. “Sorry, dear,” she apologised softly before she continued to heal it with her magic. 

“Was I stupid to retreat?” you questioned. Your mother shook her head, her attention still on your shoulder.

“You were staying safe. That mage almost had you and you had lost quite a few of your own mages in that fight. It was a good call,” she reassured you before rolling your shoulder once again. You felt no pain this time and it was a relief to you that she was a much stronger darkin than you were. 

“That should be good.” She let out a satisfied hum as she moved away from you. You sat up straighter and rolled your shoulders yourself before raising your right arm. 

“Thank you, mother.” You gave her a small smile, the defeat still tugging at your heart. 

“It’s not a defeat if none of you have truly won,” your mother reassured you, your thoughts going straight to her. 

“It just makes me feel weak, mother. I had to retreat from a human.” You sat back into the throne, sulking at the thought. 

“He seems just as strong as you are. You just get reckless when you let yourself turn into a darkin. You should ask your father for advice. He was always good at fighting.” The mention of your father made you think back to the vision she had shown you the last time you visited her. There was a small glimpse of your father fighting. For your mother’s hand in marriage, he had killed three darkins that were trying as well. 

“He did seem really powerful in the vision you showed me,” you simpered. Your mother nodded at that, 

“He is very powerful, (Y/n). Maybe you could learn something from him.” She raised her hand towards the door on the right of the room, the door opening when she did. “You know where his study is.” She placed her hand on your back and encouraged you to head on to his study. The door closed when you reached the large stone corridor and you walked straight to your father’s study. 

[doginshoe]

I’m Gonna Put a Spell on You

@thewritingstar Part two of your @kuroshironekoserver secret Santa exchange piece!! 

summary: Witch Academy AU. Juvia is frustrated that her relationship with Gray hasn’t gone anywhere since they had started dating and plans to fix it with the help of Lucy as the holiday season sweeps over the school. However, these two young witches have no idea of the consequences that come with love spells. Fluff & comedy & hurt/comfort pairings: Gruvia, Nalu, BROtp Luvia (julu) part 2 of 7: Incantation Accident:

Lucy finds out just how finicky magic can really be as the situation gets progressively more... bright when Natsu is around :)

When Lucy had finally returned to her chambers that night, she had fallen asleep almost instantly. Though, the blonde barely felt like she had a wink of sleep. Part of her knew that it was because her and Juvia had stayed up too late - the two girls not coming into their dormitory until the sun was just about to peek its head over the horizon - but there was something different about this exhaustion. Her eyes stung as the light filtered into the room, her shoulders sagging as a weight rested on her shoulders and her magic could barely even offer up a spark.

The witch was absolutely drained.

Reluctantly, Lucy pulled herself out of bed to the dining hall, quickly clipping on her familiars vessel to the loophole of her belt. Most mages could form the entity of the soul of their familiar before them or had their familiar come to them in a physical form. Every skill level of witch and wizards was different as well as their familiars.

Lucy frowned as she felt Plue through her magic. The blonde could still only bring her life-long companion to her if she used an inanimate object. She was stuck at the basic level of familiar magic and the thought of it always irked her.

Natsu never missed a beat when he saw that look take over her features, telling her that it wasn’t her fault - She hasn’t been exposed to magic like the other students. Yet, Lucy always felt her mood deflate when the subject was brought up. Even if her father had forbidden magic from her when she was younger, she should still be able to conjure up Plue’s spiritual form.

The young witch shook her head as she saw her friends gathered at the end of the furthest table, not wanting Natsu to offer her another one of his ‘talks’. The dining hall was practically empty, but they still kept their own spot that they had sat ever since they had started at Fairy Tail Academy. Though, there were a few more spaces filled around them now, it still felt like that first day when Lucy had gravy splattered all over her robes and in her hair by Natsu and Gray.

Erza had apologised immediately and then the two boys had followed suit - with a fierce glare sent by their fiery friend to help them get on with it. The rest was history.

The blonde waved to the girls, a wide grin spreading on her lips as she took her seat beside Juvia, quietly whispering to her partner in crime. “So, did you make it yet?”

Her friend barely even looked at her, her blue eyes trained on Gray and the glass beside his breakfast. The raven haired teen was resting his head on the wooden table. He always took the longest to finally wake up.

“Yes,” Juvia murmured, her hand shooting out to grasp Lucy’s as soon as the young witch sat down. “ Juvia couldn’t sleep so she went straight to the gardens. I.. I poured it into his drink when he wasn’t looking.”

Lucy’s brown eyes widened. “Has he drank-”

“Yes,” Juvia cut in, “As soon as he sat down, but h-he just put his head on the table.. Does… Does Lucy think its failed?”

She frowned, her eyes slipping to the boy across from them who had still yet to greet her. “I’m sure-” Lucy started but she was cut off as two arms encircled her, the scent of ash and cinnamon filling her nose. She sucked in a short breath.

“Hey Lucy.” A familiar voice breathed from beside her ear and goosebumps began to rise on the back of her neck. “Nice of ya to finally get up and join us.”

“N-Natsu,” she stuttered, heat flushing her cheeks a light pink. The arms tightened around her chest as he gave her a light squeeze causing the blonde to squirm in his hold. “How many times have I told you about personal space,” she cried and his soft chuckle filled her ears before her best friend finally pulled away.

Natsu ruffled her blonde hair. “Yeah, yeah. Respect the bubble and all that. I got it.”

“Then,” Lucy growled, “Why do you insist on breaking that bubble?” She turned in her seat, her brows narrowed as she scowled at the boy who had his arms crossed behind his head. He was already grinning down at her, his uniform disheveled much like the rest of his appearance. His shirt was crinkled and had ridden up his stomach to reveal tan skin and his robe had been loosely thrown over his shoulders.

However, that wasn’t what made the young witch's jaw go slack.

“Come on, Lucy. Lighten up would ya,” he teased, but she had no response.

She blinked. Then again. She even rubbed at her eyes, but she still couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Natsu’s smile faded. “Uh, Lucy-”

“W-Wha… What,” she sputtered. Her brown eyes still couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It was impossible. “What happened to you?”

“Luce, are you ok?”

Lucy ignored him, his voice faint as she still struggled to believe what she was seeing before her. “You’re.. You’re glowing!” She nearly yelled as she pointed at him.

The rest of the group turned to face her, except for Gray who kept his head down on the table. Usually they were used to this morning routine of flirting, as they all called it though Lucy refused it was anything of the sort, yet the blondes outburst had all heads turning to face the duo.

Natsu raised his hands in the air, a pink eyebrow rising as his face twisted into confusion. “Whoa,” he called out, “Are you sure you woke up on the right side of the bed this morning? You’re acting weirder than usual.” The mage laughed nervously, his green eyes looking to his friends for help as Lucy shook her head.

“No. You are definitely glowing, Natsu.” The blonde looked at her friends. “Tell him guys.”

The table all stared at Natsu, then to Lucy and finally offered each other a nervous look. They were hesitant as she waited on their response and the blondes face slowly became more desperate the longer they all stayed silent.

“Bunny girl has finally lost it,” Gajeel laughed and then yelped, his hand coming up to rub his arm as he glared at Levy beside him who kept her eyes trained on the blonde before them.

Lucy felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned to Lisanna who sat on her other side. “Lucy… are you sure you’re okay?” Her blue eyes were full of concern as she looked at her friend and Lucy narrowed her brows.

“Yeah, Lu,” Levy piped up, “Maybe you should go see Porlyusica.”

The young witch shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut. “I’m fine.” She looked back up to Natsu, to the illuminating glow that surrounded his entire body. It reminded her of an angel in movies where an ethereal light would surround them. Except, this was real. She could see it plain as day.

“Is Lucy sure she got enough sleep last night?” Juvia whispered from beside her as their friends all looked at her as if she was crazy.

“I.. I’m not- He.. He is.” Lucy fell over her words as she tried to comprehend what was happening in this moment. It was true that she was tired, but Natsu… She couldn’t be seeing things. Lucy had stayed up countless of times and last night was no different apart from her drain in magic after the-

The witch froze in place.

“Love a sleeping violet lay.”

Her heart skipped a beat and her palms started to sweat, the dread making her stomach feel like a void.

“Eyes still covered and wander.”

Her brown eyes widened and she shook her head. She refused to believe it. Those words weren’t meant for her.

“Show thy love to thee. Shine the star and open thine heart.”

Lucy looked up at Natsu and the shine that was definitely coming from the boy. Her lips parted as she fisted her robes to stop her hands from shaking. It couldn’t be.

“To illuminate the one tis meant for me.”

Her mind flashed to when Juvia had spoken the incantation that she had found. To the magic that had hung thick in the air and how she felt the spark shoot up her spine. The signs were all there and yet, she refused to admit it. Her brown eyes turned glassy and she bit the inside of her cheek to try and keep her emotions in check, but her cheeks were already turning a harsh red.

“This… This can’t be happening,” Lucy whispered. She tried to concentrate on her breathing, her chest felt so tight that she couldn’t take in enough air. The only thing ringing in her mind was the last line of the spell. She knew exactly what it meant, but it couldn’t be. Not him. He couldn’t be… her soulmate.

“Lucy.”

She blinked and the tears that had built up in her vision cleared before slowly sliding down her cheeks. He was knelt right there in front of her, his hand cradled her cheek and his eyes swam with… fear?

“Just tell me what’s happening. I can fix this.”

She stared at her best friend. His green eyes never left her, his lips pulled into a frown as his thumb wiped away one of her tears, and the glow around him seemed to shine even brighter.

Lucy pulled away from him, shaking her head as his words turned into white noise. “I-I can’t...” she whimpered, standing up from her seat. Natsu reached out for her, but she was already running out of the dining hall.

“Lucy!” Natsu shouted, ready to go after her. Though, Juvia quickly placed a hand on his chest.

“Leave her, Natsu-san.” Her blue eyes were cold and the mage visibly shrunk back as he remembered just how scary Juvia had been when she had arrived from Phantom Lord. Though, he still pushed, refusing to let her stop him from going after her. Even if the witch did freak him out.

“She needs me!”

“No,” She cut in and there was an audible gasp from the table of their friends. Juvia eyed them, watching as Gajeel placed a hand over his mouth in shock. “It is Juvia that will help her now. Just… wait for her when she’s ready.”

The witch offered him an apologetic look and Natsu opened his mouth to counter her, but she had already begun to walk away - leaving the table of friends in an uncomfortable silence.

“I should go after them,” Levy murmured.

“I’m coming too.” Lisanna nodded at the petite girl, the two quickly scurrying after their friends.

The rest of the table sat, pushing food around with their forks as they didn’t know what to do. No one could offer up anything to say. They had all seen their fair share of problems as the years had gone by, but never something this.. Strange.

Natsu continued to stare after where his best friend had retreated in tears.

Gajeel looked at his friends in thought, red eyes piercing each of them before he crossed his arms. “Don’t worry. Juvia has got ya sorted.” He nodded to himself, seeming to verify his own statement.

Though, no one paid any mind to the teen, their eyes turning to Gray.

“Ju…” He groaned from where he was face down on the table, “Juvvii…”

The friends looked at him surprised, seemingly forgetting he was there after what they had witnessed with Lucy and Natsu.

“Ju… Juvii… Juvia..” His voice was strained, muffled as he spoke into the wood.

Natsu turned to the raven haired mage, his eye twitching as Gray seemed only to be finally waking up. If he couldn’t go after Lucy then he would find a way to vent his frustration and that was on his rival-friend-enemy-guy-thing.

“Oi, Fuck-wit,” he called, “Ya girlfriends not here so shut up before I shut you up with my fist.”

Though, Natsu nearly fell on his butt when Gray shot up unexpectedly, his dark eyes were wide as he desperately looked around. Natsu’s eyebrow raised and both he and Gajeel stared at their male friend in pure, utter bewilderment.

Gray’s eyes watered as he finally stopped searching and his fingers bit down into his palm as he shook. “Where is she,” he cried, looking directly at Natsu, “Where is Juvia-sama?”

[emu-lumberjack]

Merlin visits

Merlin finally felt his power resurface and decides to track it down. Arriving at a highschool and running into an old friend.

-----------------------------------

Hi yes I should be working on my other fics, butttttttttttttt I wanted to write this.

--------------------

“Merlin.” The shadowy figure said from the corner of the room.

“Mordred. It’s been a long time.” The wizard’s hair was grey with a matching beard to boot.

“Yes. seems like it took a toll on you. How long has it been a few centuries?” the shadowy figure sat forward revealing a man with cropped brown hair in a three-piece suit. The classroom was just opening back up from break so no students had come in yet.

“At least I don’t look like a prat.” the old wizard never lost the laughter in his eyes.

Mordred was growing impatient with his former savior. “What are you doing in my classroom Merlin.”

“Well, it should be obvious. I’m here to teach!”

Mordred let out a laugh, “Looking like that! Anyway, remember when you tried to teach Gwaine maths. teaching a room of high school kids is even worse.”

“Trying to scare me off eh. Well too bad it won’t work. And To your first point who says I’ll be looking like this.” He smirked and pulled a magical girl pose, in a flash of light his grey hair darkened and his beard rescinded. His skin smoothed and cheeks became more flush. There stood the young twenty-some Merlin Mordred first met all those years ago. “Meet your new student teacher Percy Pendragon.”

“Percival too on the nose for you?”

“Slightly.” the bell rang. “Looks like the students are going to come in, shall we begin.”

“Right this way Mr. Pendragon.”

-------------------------------

Allie’s first day was going interestingly. First running (ha) into Will again, then finding out he had a girlfriend. Now she was walking into a class where she has to studies her parent’s textbook. Oh yeah, life’s going great.  

“Now students other than just having a new student this semester we’re also going to have a new student teacher. This is Mr. Pendragon.” He gestured to a black-haired man wearing a sports jacket, white shirt, and jeans. He surveyed the room, pausing when he saw a familiar mop of blonde hair, only to dismiss it seeing the mop was attached to a young girl.

“Good to met you all.” He said, leaning into his British accent, “I know very ironic my last name being Pendragon and we’re studying the Pra-- King Arthur first coincidences. But I think you’ll find I’m very knowledgeable in the field.” Allie was too busy focusing on her day to notice his little slip-up, her day just got weirder when out of a knights helmet she chose “The Order of The Bear” something her parents had never mentioned.

Merlin on the other hand was focused on trying to find Arthur, there were too many people in the room, but Merlin was positive that Arthur's reincarnation was in here. He could cross off a few names on his list, mainly girls because although it could happen Arthur reincarnating into a girl was highly unlikely. Then he could also cross off the boy Lance, clearly Lancelot. Finally, he crossed off the boy Miles, Merlin could feel his own power coming from the boy. Since the old mage never died he instead passed down a portion of his power so that whoever would inherit it would be able to protect the king. Plus he now he could always find the boy who was supposed to be his reincarnation. There was one candidate, Will. after all he appeared to be best friends with Lance and was dating Jen who had to be the reincarnation of Guenivere. He let out a small smile thinking about her who was also a friend to him and a good queen to her people.

He was so lost in thought he nearly missed catching Miles after the bell rung. Running after him quickly Merlin put a hand on his shoulder to stop the young boy.

“Miles right? Could I uh... Have a word.” Merlin was out of breath he wasn’t exactly a runner in his older age.

“Sorry, Mr. Pendragon but I have to get to class.” Miles looked nervous not wanting to be late to his next class.

“Don’t worry about that I can write you a note. Plus there’s a little something magical We should talk about.” Miles poked his head up eyes alert.

“How do you know about that I haven’t told anyone.” his voice was faster the topic freaking the poor boy out. Merlin noticed this and with the empty hallway, he figured a small demonstration couldn’t hurt. Slowly as to not scare the boy he put his hand out and muttered a few words. Soon after small gold dust flew up from his hand landing in the shape of a flower before settling back down into his hand.

“I know about your powers Miles because I gave them to you.” Merlin thought that was a pretty cool way to respond. Miles on the other hand was freaking out.

“I.. what… how…. Not possible… no way.” he devolved into just sputtering out random syllables whilst Merlin was contemplating whether he should have waited to show the boy his power. “I think I need to go to the nurse because I’ve got to be seeing things.”

There was his opening, “Like how you saw Ms. Pennington’s shoelace untied, at track tryouts.”

“How did you?” Miles began.

“I saw it too. I didn’t think much of it but I figured you would’ve gotten the same one. Now I can either excuse you entirely from class now and we can chat or I can have office hours with you later today and write you a note to class. Your choice.”

“There is no way I’m gonna be able to focus in phys-ed after this.”

“Excused it is. Whose your pe teacher, I’ll give them a ring to let them know you won’t be in class and I have you instead.”

“Yeah though I have about 200 questions.” Miles was baffled, who wouldn’t be after finding out your teacher is a wizard.

“Okay. you can start asking on the way back to my office.” Merlin forgot how nice it was to have someone interested in magic rather than trying to kill it.

“Well to start which Wizard are you? Because there are tons throughout history and the only name you gave was Percy Pendr---- Oh you have got to be joking.” it finally dawned on Miles. Pendragon, Arthur.

“Figured it out all on your own. You are clever, good.” Merlin’s smile widened.

“Wait that means you knew Arthur. I think my question count just went up to about 500.”

“I figured it would.”

“OK next question what was Arthur like. Because none of his mythos that I’ve read and learned about has ever had a consistent character for him.” the duo had gotten to Merlins office, which was a converted broom closet. No other teachers wanted it so the student teachers were able to snag it.

Merlin thought back to his long distant past and laughed at old in jokes he had with the young king. “He was a Prat, but a good one.” with that he opened the door to his office, and to his past.

[radiantresplendence]

The Case for Blue Mage Naminé

So, I was talking with @acclerated-railgun​ the other day and the topic of Naminé as a playable character or party member in Kingdom Hearts games post-KH3 came up, specifically in the context of what role she would fill. A classic Black or White Mage, as well as a Red Mage role were quickly put out as possibilities, but I landed in a much more interesting place after some thought: The Blue Mage. 

Consider a typical Blue Mage (using the official art from FFXIV for reference)...

Nobodies in Kingdom Hearts are based off of Final Fantasy character classes; it would stand to reason that Naminé would be no different. However, I think that the role a Blue Mage could fill would fit her character as well as a role that the characters thus far in the series are missing. In other words, it would ensure that Naminé maintains her motif of of quirks that set her apart from the rest of the cast without alienating herself as well as providing unique boons useful to the player or players. 

At its simplest, a Blue Mage is a wizard who specializes in replicating the otherwise exclusive arts that bosses or monsters can use. Most often, it’s called the Blue Mage, but occasionally the Final Fantasy series calls it something different like the Gun Mage or the Bravely games’ Vampire or Catmancer jobs. Either way, even if less prevalent than its red cousin, it’s still a classically-recurring class in the series. 

This fits Naminé due to her status as a “Special Nobody” and a “witch with power over Sora's memories and those around him.” Essentially, she’s all but guaranteed to have potent spellcasting abilities and she’s a unique specimen of the monsters of nothingness that make up a significant portion of the series’ enemies and bosses. Naminé having the ability to utilize the moves of some of her Nobody kin as well as possibly those of some of the other monsters in the setting shouldn’t be out of the question, as fundamentally she is one of those monsters, and an exceptional specimen among exceptional specimens of those creatures at that. After all, she is the Nobody of a Princess of Heart, something which shouldn’t normally be possible on top of being limited in the number of original selves who can even fit that criteria, not to mention the fact that she is a greater Nobody, able to keep a human form while most of her kind just turn into monsters subservient to their greater kin. 

Keeping in line with her unique memory witchcraft, a Blue Mage Naminé would have normally unique spells like White Wind for healing instead of a more typical Cure and Flamethrower instead of Fire. She could also use the Blue Mage’s Learn ability to replicate special (but not ultimate or desperation) moves from bosses or some of the other characters in the game. For example, she could learn Meteorain from Cloud, but not Omnislash or Riku’s multi-Dark Firaga move that he uses in KH2 and KH3. A more standard enemy attack that she could possibly make frequent use of would be Xemnas’s thorns of nothingness that he fires as projectiles. Think of them operating as a ranged basic attack, kind of like a slower-rate, piercing variant of arrowguns with a combo finisher that spawns multiple lines of thorns around whatever she’s targeting which collapse onto the target in an attempt to juggle it into the air or something. Or you could give her a keyblade, but I personally find that a little less appealing. Protect smile, keep best witch unique. (Maybe instead of a weapon have her equip different art sets that changes her mood and thus the manifestation of her powers. It’s a good idea, if a bit of an afterthought that I had while writing this.)

From a more general gameplay perspective, give her spells that inflict some of the weirder status effects that the series uses inconsistently, like blind, sleep, stunned, burned, poisoned, etc. Damage over time effects could scale based on percent of a full health bar and her level instead of base stats to keep her competitive casually, and the damage over time would function well in level 1 higher difficulty runs. (For example, a flamethrower spell would deal fire damage based on her magic stat and then burn for 1+[her level divided by 10] percent of a health bar rounded up per tick for so many seconds. Obviously this could be further refined, but a level 99 Naminé’s damage over time from a spell could chunk pretty considerably while a level 1 Naminé would be incentivized to keep her effect up at all times, because each instance would be like a quarter of a health bar or more in exchange for 1 spell.) 

To make her healing distinct as well, maybe give her a spell that provides slow healing over time like cura did in 358 Days/2 that could also provide temporary immunity to status conditions, with a possible downside being that she lacks something like a curaga that can revive downed allies and restore everyone to full HP in one spell. Or limit her healing to a more standard White Wind for multi target healing and status condition removal and Angel Whisper that gives moderate single target healing plus a temporary protection against dying like a Kupo Coin or raises a downed target with half health. White Wind could require a channel to cast and Angel Whisper could require being very close to the target for balancing as well as appropriate flavor. 

Now for the important bit, the redesign. 

Naminé has had the same design since her introduction: largely plain white dress, patterned trim at the hem and sandals. I think, to a point, her look is iconic, but does need an update. To emphasize her status as Blue Mage and connection to water, I would give her dress some baby blue trim, possibly with a gradient from white to blue. I’ve noticed that there aren’t many girls in the series wearing stockings, despite being a clearly anime-inspired game, so I’d consider a pair that is light grey or off-white to show that she originated as a creature of nothingness rather than light or dark. I’d give her grey boots to coincide with most of the other girls in the series having boots or moving from shoes to boots as the series progresses. 

I would also give her a blue jacket with black lining that she wears open, giving her more going on in the torso of her design to balance out the additions that I made to the lower part of her outfit. The goal would be to have the contrast between the black lining of the coat and the white of her dress catch the attention of the player. The general gradient of the outfit would go from bold and dynamic contrast up top to a more subtle color transition at the bottom. Generally speaking I’d aim to transition her image color from “white” to “white and blue” while making her design pop a little more.

For design changes of her head, I’d give her slightly longer hair and a bit more mature facial structure. Its been a year between the end of KH3 and Limitcut Episode, and she’s a teenager growing up in a RPG, so she’s grown out her hair with the intention of distancing her look from that reminiscent of Kairi. She is a different person from her original self after all and her look should assert that. Where Kairi’s KH3 look is over-the-top cute with a hint of a tomboyish aftertaste, I’d like Naminé‘s to be more distinctly feminine and cool with a conventionally Square Enix flavor. If more Kingdom Hearts characters wore hats, I’d even top it off with a navy blue witch’s hat. I go back and forth on that though, so maybe just in certain worlds conducive to headwear like Pirates of the Caribbean and Halloween Town. The series designs since KH1 have always had a bit of an overdesigned flavor, so I hope I mostly channeled that. 

Anyways... Naminé should really be a Blue Mage. I think it’d work really well and I really think that after how much of an afterthought she was in KH3 that she gets a little more respect in future games. Also I’d really like her to be a party member. It’d be really nice to see her actually be a member of the group with her friends in more than just the game’s ending cutscene. 

[starswordartblog]

Two hours late but given how college is going I’m surprised I wrote it at all. For @oc-growth-and-development​‘s OCtober prompts, day 30: Flight.

This was not meant as a sequel to day 13 and happens years after day 13′s piece, but it kinda works as a sequel to that.

"U.F.O.?" Moira asked, looking at the newspaper Uni had come to show her.

"Yeah, isn't it funny?" he said, "They say here it stands for 'Unidentified Flying Object', because that city has this big observatory to take pictures of the sky, and they got a pic of me and Nathan flying over!"

Moira looked down at the picture he pointed on the page. It was nothing but a blur of red and blue across the sky. Moira didn't know how Picture Magic worked, but she knew how fast Uni had become from training his magic for years. It wasn't surprising that the image didn't get them well, but why even report such a thing then?

"I guess that city doesn't see mages very often," she mused.

"Yeah, there were a lot of weirdos there too," Nathan joined in the conversation, "we stopped by and a bunch were running to the woods to chase the mystery or something. Uni was floating right there! I tried to explain it was him!"

"Well, I was out of power so I couldn't prove I can be that fast," Uni said, lightly tapping his brother's shoulder to calm him down. Because Uni had barely grown since childhood, he had to float a bit higher to do that. "I don't get why they were convinced it had to be a big ship though. How would a ship fly in the sky?"

Moira raised an eyebrow at him. "You are a fish and fly in the sky, don't you?"

"Exactly, and that's just me!" He made a pretentious pose in the air with a hand on his puffed out chest. "I'm a Unique Fish Object."

Her eyebrow twitched. "You're okay being an object then?"

"I'll allow it," he waved his other hand, nose still upwards in the goofiest image of pride. Then he broke the pose to float closer to her with an excited smile. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about! You name your spells, right?"

"Oh? Yeah, everyone does it, right?" Her sister had encouraged her to do it to make it easier to learn and remember them, and also to keep her knowledge organized. But never the studious one, Moira cared most about finding fun or pretty names.

"Yeah, but a lot of people pick names from their tutor, or family, or whoever they studied it from. Nathan got most of his from his dad, but they don't really work for me."

"Hey, I already said they do," Nathan interrupted, "Ultimate Fire Magic has a U and a F, we just gotta find an O to put on it!"

"Yeah, but a lot of your spells have 'Elemental' or something like that on them, I can't do that, mine can't have an E!"

"Fine," Nathan crossed his arms. "You think Olemental is a name?"

"You can't just shove O's into any word..." Uni frowned.

"Of course I can, we need them, don't we?"

"See, that's why I knew we would need Moira's help."

"Wait, wait, waiiiiit," Moira finally jumped in the conversation again, shaking her arms to get the boys' attention. "I, I got totally lost on this! I can help you think names for your spells, but why do you need O's and E's and all this letter stuff? I didn't get it."

"The U.F.O. thing," Nathan explained. "We thought it was funny so we want all his spells to have these letters too. It's gonna be like, U.F.O Magic."

"It can be Unique Fish Object, Ultimate Flying Object, and a bunch of other things!" Uni added, "Isn't it nice to have a name that means a lot?"

"In all of those you're still an object," Moira sighed, but with a smile. "But you're right, it's a great name for you. It's gonna be hard to find words for all spells though, shouldn't you guys ask someone smarter?"

"No way, it has to be you!" said Nathan, holding her tight by the shoulders, "You're our best friend, and you're smart, you taught Uni to talk more than me, right?"

"I..." She couldn't help but blush at his sudden touch and how intensely he stared her right in the eye. Normally that's where she would tease him about being "totally into her", but she was the one flustered this time so it wouldn't be fair to make fun of him for that, right? "A, alright, I'll do my best then!"

"That's the spirit!" he grinned and squeezed her harder before letting go. It hurt in the way a bone breaking hug does.

"Uh, by the way, how many spells do you even have, Uni?" Moira asked as they sat in the park, after borrowing the biggest dictionary Nathan could find in the library. "You usually just fly, or make Nathan fly."

"Oh, there's a new one but we should save it for the end," he said, and Nathan's face lightened up immediately, but he didn't say anything. "Everyone also says swimming is a different thing, but to me they're the same."

"Yeah, I think that's just how your magic is," Nathan added, "that's the fun of the Flying-Fish F. But it isn't a spell I think, you don't cast anything on yourself. It's like how my magic makes me immune to fire without me having to do anything. It just counts as a spell if you decide to manipulate your magical power in some way." He lit his hand on fire. "Like this, or this," he continued on, lightning a tiny fireball and then other and others and making them dance around in the air.

"You always know a lot about this," Moira praised. "So Uni flies naturally and breathes in water naturally... well, he's part fish, maybe it would be weirder if he didn't. I guess I never thought about it because I don't have anything like that."

"Is that so? Usually there's always something, that's why it's dangerous for a mage to lose their magic," Nathan said. "Never mind that, though! Uni still has spells," he hastily changed subjects as he always did after talking about dangerous things, "giving other people flight is a spell for you, right?"

Uni nodded, "Yeah, that takes way more effort than flying, and I can't do it if the person doesn't want to," he started pointing at random strangers, and Moira could feel a weak flow of magic from him, "it's a pain, I really wanted to prank people."

Nathan ruffled his hair. "Don't worry man, I'm sure one day we'll do it."

"No, please don't," Moira said, "the townspeople here are used to magic but that doesn't mean they'll be okay with getting hit by one. Let's save that for our fellow mages I guess, that would be funny."

"That's exactly what Nathan wanted, yeah," Uni said, and his brother's grin did confirm it.

"Okay, we'll be here all day if we keep getting distracted,” she said. “We need to name your spell. The F part is easy, you have ideas for the rest?"

They stood in silence for a moment. Uni then flicked a finger in Nathan's direction and he began to fly around.

"Got something?" Uni asked him.

"Not yet, but I knew you were gonna do that before you did. Your magic really connects people, huh."

"Connect has a C, Nathan, we can't have that."

"I'm trying okay, there has to be a similar word! Connection, link, bond... Union! There, see, I found one!"

"Oh, you really did it!" Uni celebrated throwing his arms up in the air. Union Flying Object... that still doesn't make sense though."

"The, the spells are objects too...?" Moira questioned. "But, United by Flight sounds nice, doesn't it? We'd just need an O now."

"Oh, nice one, Moira!" Nathan said. "Couldn't we do something with 'over'? Since we go over stuff when flying. And there's a bunch of words that start with over, overflow, overwhelm, over..."

"Overdid it, it's what you say when I make you go too fast."

"Yeah, let's not talk abou- AAAAAAAAaaaaaaa...!" with a flick of Uni's fingers he was sent upwards at great speed.

"You're so mean," Moira said, but she was smiling.

"Oh, he'll live." Uni shrugged. "My magic lets me raise speed the more someone trusts me. Only Nathan can go that fast, so he's okay with it. He'll just have to get back at me later."

"Ah, brothers..." She wouldn't say it out loud, but she did relate to wanting to have some fun with your overpowered, prideful older sibling.

The overpowered, prideful older sibling landed back hot with fury, a phrase more literal than usual with Nathan. "I'll kill you," he growled.

"None of those start with O's, Nathan, let's stay focused," Moira joked, hoping they wouldn't indeed waste too much time fighting. And Nathan did calm down, if the air temperature going back to normal was any indication.

"Alright. United in Flight Operation, how about that? Operation is like acting out a plan, right? We make a lot of plans when we work together."

"Oh. That doesn't sound bad, actually," Uni said.

"It's kinda tough sounding, I guess it suits you two when you get serious," Moira added. "Also I really don't have any ideas."

"I guess the air up there really cleared your head, should I do it again?" Uni grinned, raising a finger at Nathan's direction.

"Shut up, I'll fry you for dinner, you jerk!"

"Boys!" Moira warned, putting up a finger in each of their faces. "Focus! Otherwise none of us will even be home for dinner!"

"Alright, alright!" Nathan backed down. "So, I was thinking the U could be for Underwater when you let me breathe underwater instead, but United in Fish Operation works just fine, right? Like, I bet fishes do all their plans underwater."

"Yeah, that makes sense to me," Uni nodded.

"What do fish even plan about?"

"We don't have time to think about that, Moira, we have to focus," Nathan warned, face hidden in the dictionary.

"Oh." she said, staring at him, hands in her hips wondering if he'd get the sarcasm. He slowly turned back to her, meeting her serious gaze head on for a few seconds before breaking in laughter.

"You deserved it, you're always complaining," he pointed at her. "Also, we have only one spell left to name and we haven't shown it to you yet."

"Really? That didn't take so long then," she commented, pretending to not see Nathan's smug smile at that. "Let me see then! I'm curious that you learned something new." Uni's magic was very straightforward. He could always fly, and had learned the extra spell they just named more than three years ago. Since then he had only improved on control and speed. What could have happened for him to work on something new all of a sudden?

"Alright, let's do it then!" Nathan jumped in excitement, and reached a hand to Uni. "You sure you can do it?"

"Yeah, I got enough magic left, and we're syncing just fine I think," Uni answered, grabbing his brother's hand.

As he did, he began to... fade? Moira wasn't sure of what she was seeing, he seemed to be getting transparent enough that she could see through him, but there was also a circular pattern shimmering within him, like bubbles wavering and shining slowly. He then went through Nathan, and the pattern spread through the other kid, the bubbles getting faster and more numerous until they obscured the boys' forms completely

When the effect ended Uni was gone, but the person floating there wasn't quite just Nathan. Of course, the first thing off she noticed was Uni's green horn in his forehead. His hair was long as Uni's too, and a mix of their colors, blond like Nathan up to the size of his short cut and then blue in the lower part. The eyes were also a mix, one green and one blue. His skin was full of brown spots, and his feet had been replaced by bright blue fins. Moira could also feel the spell coursing through his whole body.

"It's... No way, that’s, both of you?" she gasped.

"Yeah, awesome, right?" They said, two voices in unison. They grinned, circling around her. "Like I said, Uni's magic connects him with other people, the more we flew together, the more we could feel each other's thoughts, kind of. It made it easier to coordinate together, since Uni has to control the speed even when Nathan is the one flying. Last time we just synced so much that this happened somehow!" They finished, spreading their arms wide and summoning a lot of flames to circle around them. Looking closely, Moira noticed their were slightly fish-shaped. "Ultimate Fire-Fish Onslaught! Oh, that's good! Onslaught really is a Nathan word!"

They kept grinning but their eyes twitched for a moment and with a loud popping noise the fused shape burst and faded, the original boys falling to the ground where it stood. Nathan jolted up, pointing to his brother with an angry face.

"I heard that thought!"

Uni quickly got up too, scowling at Nathan with his hands balled into fists. "And I was right! You really are too hotheaded to keep up with out of battle!"

"You liked the name! I felt that you liked the name, you couldn't stay five seconds without making fun of it?"

"We joke about everything, you make fun of everyone else too! You want me to just sing praises inside your brain? Geez, that's another level of self-obsession, your ego is so high I bet even I can't reach it!"

"Fine, see if I ever use this dumb spell with you ever again!"

"Like I care, you're the one always asking for support."

They turned away from each other, suddenly quiet enough to hear Moira's snickering.

"Oh goodness, boys, wait, wait," she walked up to them, "it was funny but you're actually mad at each other. C'mon, it was a great day, guys, let's not end like this."

"It wasn't me," they protested in unison, sounding a lot like when fused.

"See? Still in sync," she giggled, then pulled both of them by the hand until she could pass an arm behind each of their necks in a wide hug. "You are literally such perfect partners you made a whole new spell that way. Of course you don't think the same way all the time, that's why you complete each other. Maybe it’s not a spell to use all the time. And Uni is right, you two are always joking around so you have to know how to make up when you go too far."

"It's worse when it's in your brain," Nathan mumbled, "I spent the last two days working on this name stuff."

Moira felt Uni shake at that, and then once more as he sniffled. "Sorry. I liked it. I was having fun."

"Yeah it was fun," Nathan said, reaching a hand out to pull the smaller kid closer, "sorry I blew up on you."

Moira let go of them, and Uni wiped a few tears, Nathan's arm still over him, though the older kid still averted his eyes.

"Anyway, you're happy with the names, right?" he asked loudly once Uni stopped sniffling. "I'm definitely never coming up with this stuff again, we should write them down somewhere."

"It's okay, I'm not gonna forget them," Uni said, but Nathan had already left him and was marching towards the bench he left the dictionary in.

"Nope, no way, I'm not risking, we're writing it down right now!" he said, opening the book and lighting up a spark on his finger. Moira rushed and grabbed him.

"What are you doing that's a library book!" She shook him until he dropped it. Hopefully that hard cover was enough protection. "Geez, be careful with people's stuff. I'll just lend you a page from my grimoire, but no fire, what were you even planning with that?"

"Wait, seriously? But that's like, your most precious thing or something!"

"You guys are too," she said, carefully taking out a blank page of the mentioned book, "and these are some great memories to record. I do want something in return, though."

"Alright, I'll do anything!" he replied immediately. It stunned her a bit, was he that grateful? He took the page from her with unusual gentleness, she didn't realize he cared about her grimoire so much. Or, more likely, cared about how important it was to her.

"Anything, huh?" she leaned forward, eyeing him like a playful cat, a finger under his chin. Normally this was where she'd tease him about kissing her or something, but the whole day had been a lesson on joking too much with people's feelings. Nathan was an awkward mess of a teen and she loved him exactly like that. The kind of love was up for debate, which is why she waited for him to make a move or not, so maybe it wasn't fair to joke around when she was actually counting on him.

The moment really wasn't about her disastrous love sense, she should get back on track.

She straightened her posture again and held her finger up in a lecturing way. "It's been way too long since we had a fun adventure together. You guys work too much, and train too much too. Let's go on a flight this weekend, just explore stuff and have fun! I have a flying spell too after all!"

"Yay!" Uni flung himself into a hug with her. "It's really been so long since we flew together, we used to train all the time!"

"Yeah, you did, that's how you learned to fly really well," Nathan added, looking away, "and I, I kinda used to be jealous of you two." He turned to stare his brother down with a warm smile. "Good thing you're strong enough to carry me around this time, huh?"

"Yup!" And as usual, they had identical smiles.

[rainbhrts94writes]

Tephra 01

Okay, so I’ve been thinking way too much this quarantine and BTS has just been giving us ALL THE CONTENT. My mind may have wandered a little too far. Here’s to hoping you enjoy this new brain child of mine!

POV: Kim Namjoon Warnings: None this chapter, mostly intro stuff Word Count: 3.5K Rating: PG

Master Post

Enjoy honeybees!

I mean, honestly, how had Namjoon thought this was going to be a good idea? It was one thing to travel outside of town with some non-magic users from class, but he knew better than to go out with his younger brother and try to keep up with Taehyung and his group of friends. Especially in the rain, why had he thought hiking in the deep woods would be a good idea in the rain?  

"You alright back there?" One of the guys called back to him.

"Yea, I'm fine. Totally fine." He struggled as his brother, Taehyung, offered him a hand.

"You sure? We can slow down if you need us to, Namjoon." 

"No, no, totally fine." He found himself reassuring Tae, trying to keep his breathing under control as he pulled himself up and over a fallen tree. 

He was required to serve in the army upon his return from the Academy, and the last thing he needed was to be deemed useless by his younger brother and a group of soon to be cadets who would eventually serve under the Kim’s. Nothing like disgracing your family’s name. With the shake of his head, Namjoon shelved the thoughts and soldered onward. Granted, he should be happy; the adventures he went on with Taehyung were always better than those he had gone on with his older brother Seokjin. 

Jin was expected to take the crown from their father someday; thus, their exploring always went one of two ways. It was either boring and heavily supervised, or they were lost in a cave fighting off some sort of unidentified bat creature before they ran for their lives. At least with Taehyung, it was somewhere in the middle. Not too dull, but the trouble they tended to find was mild enough to keep his tactical skills sharp. 

That was his goal, after all. The past three years at the Academy, Namjoon had dedicated all of his studies to become a top-notch tactician. It was the least he could do since he was the only one in his family line that couldn't use magic. He refused to be the royal family's biggest disappointment. 

"Hey, Joon!" Taehyung called from up ahead. "We've got trouble."

Trouble? Cautiously, Namjoon hurried forward only to meet with the group running back towards him.

"What's going on?" Namjoon asked as he was dragged back down the path they had just traveled by Tae.

"Landslide!" One of the other group members, Lucas, yelled from up ahead. 

"Not that I don't trust you but are you sure? I don't hear or see anything indicative of a landslide?" Namjoon wondered as he let Taehyung pull him forward. 

 "Mark can feel it," Taehyung responded matter of factly. "I need you to use that big brain of yours to figure out how to keep it from reaching the town."

A plan, he could come up with a plan; that's what he was good at after all. Finally, for the first time all afternoon, he felt like he had a chance to shine!

"I need to know the full scope of the slide. Mark, how big it is, how fast is it moving, what direction is it coming from?" Namjoon shot off way too many questions, but he needed those answers. 

"Coming from the west, moving fast, I don't know how to describe the size aside from saying it's big." Mark rescinded, panic evident in his eyes. 

This was not how he had expected to end his hike, but it was better than that time Jin opened a sinkhole in the middle of campus trying to help Najoon impress a girl his freshman year. Anything was wildly better than that. As they made their way back to town, Joon worked on a plan. 

"Lucas and I are going to separate once we get into town; we need to evacuate everyone on the outskirts just in case this doesn't work." 

"Got it!" Lucas affirmed as he took off from the group using his earth magic to propel him quickly towards the town. 

"Everyone else needs to start working on a trench, dig it out a mile or two into the forest so we can try and catch a good portion of the slide before it gets out of hand!" Namjoon shouted out his orders before running off in the opposite direction Lucas had gone. 

Finally, Namjoon made it into town only to find everything already abandoned. Had Lucas already passed by here? "This is so weird." Namjoon worried aloud as he made his way to yet another empty shop. 

Concerned he had gone the wrong way, Namjoon continued to the east until he saw a small group of five dressed in Academy uniforms running right to where Taehyung and his friends were building their trench. 

"Wait! Don't go that way!" Namjoon called after them, "There's a landslide."

"We know!" The girl who appeared to be leading the group responded as she looked him over. Recognition flashing in her eyes when she noticed his uniform. "Are you gonna come help us or not?"

Namjoon was shocked at first, frozen in place, and a little unsure of how to answer. How did they know about the landslide? Had they somehow run into Lucas? If that was the case, he needed to keep moving further east.

"Well? We don't have all day, you know?" She sighed as the rest of her group continued ahead without her. 

"Helping, I'm helping!" Namjoon stuttered as she got closer to him. "I'm a non-magic student though, so the most I can do is warn people."

"Selling yourself a little short, there aren't you?" She smirked, and when she tilted her head, she revealed earrings made in the Adyian Empire. What was a group of students from the Tiger's class going to be able to do to help stop a landslide? 

"Maybe? How would you suggest I help then?" He asked, curious to see what her answer would be.

"Ever heard of a shovel?" 

Namjoon blinked, surely she couldn't be serious?

"Judging by the look on your face, they don't teach you about those sorts of things, do they your princeliness?" The girl teased as she walked over and grabbed a shovel that was conveniently lying around. "This is a shovel. You use it to dig."

"I know what a shovel is!" Namjoon bit back as he swiped the ; what the hell was this girl's problem? "That'll take forever, though, I didn't think you were serious."

"I'm always serious." She laughed. "Let's get going, then yea? Or are you not helping after all? I already cleared out this part of town."

Without arguing any further, he followed her through the thankfully empty streets of town back towards where the rest of his group was supposed to be. 

"YN!" One of the unidentified girls in his new companion's group called out as they approached the newly forming trench. "Get your ass over here and help."

"So, you do have a name?" Namjoon teased as YN started walking towards her friends. 

"Did you think I didn't?" YN asked, and he felt himself getting flustered again. 

"No, it would be ridiculous for you not to have a name." He could have wacked himself for that, what kind of comeback was that supposed to be? "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't ask your Princeliness." That snide smirk on YN's face was infuriating but oddly charming.

"Stop calling me that, my name is Namjoon." He corrected her. 

"I know." There was that smirk again. 

Before he could comment on any of their conversation, including how she had known his name, she ran off and surprised him once again. She blew a hole in the ground and began extending the trench to the east with the young woman who had called out to her when they arrived. 

Earth magic? From someone from Adyia? This day just kept getting weirder and weirder.

---

He felt the landslide before he saw it. What started as a slow, low rumble quickly morphed into a mixture of cracking trees, crumbling rock, and the flood of soot and soil towards them. Namjoon could only sit and hope that the trench was far enough away from the village and that the mages that had gathered were enough to contain it. 

As the landslide roared down the hill, everyone took their proper stances, preparing to intercept the mixture as best they could. Namjoon looked at everyone in front of him; it was an odd mix. Lined along the trench were children of some of the most affluent earth mages Atlas had to offer standing next to people either directly affiliated with the Academy's guard or were unsorted students.

School technically didn't start until tomorrow; if they were incoming first years, it wasn't unreasonable for them not to be sorted and wearing their class badges. If they made it out of this unscathed, he'd have to ask YN about it later. 

Namjoon's spinning thoughts were cut short by a shout and a midsized boulder being smashed to smithereens just before it had the chance to take him out. 

"Pay attention, Space Case!" YN shouted before turning her attention to the rapidly filling trenches. "I've got way too much to worry about already."

"Sorry," Namjoon replied sheepishly. Honestly, he wasn't sure why he hadn't left to seek better cover as Taehyung and Mark had suggested earlier. It's not like he could help redirect any of the landslides; he was just in the way. Always in the way. Something in his gut told him to stick it out, though, that something important was going to happen. 

It wasn't until the trenches began to overrun, and the mages on all sides were increasingly overwhelmed that Namjoon realized why he felt he had needed to stay. As if out of nowhere, YN and the young woman who Namjoon had come to understand was named Tessa blew open the trenches across their entire length, deepening them and giving them nearly two more meters of space. 

While YN and Tessa worked to deepen the trenches, the other three people from YN's party jumped into action. From the looks of it, the young man, Koren, was an air mage. Even stranger, the girl who introduced herself as his twin sister, could control and shape fire.  Which also brought into question the rest of YN's friends. It hadn't been explicitly stated, but Tessa and Nik looked nearly identical; the only actual physical difference was their height and the length of their hair. Still, Tessa commanded earth with as much confidence as some of the top mages from his father's court. In contrast, Nik seemed to be working with her by pulling the water out of the sludgy mix to stop the landslide's rapid flow.

Who were these people?

Right as the chaos slowed to a stop, and Namjoon felt confident enough to find an answer, his group was approached by recently arrived guards from the Academy. Easily identifiable by the silver insignia they wore over their hearts, insignia's that YN's and her friends did not appear to have.

"Your highness. Thank goodness you are unharmed." A guard bowed deeply to him as others swarmed his brother's group.

"Is anyone injured?" Joon heard someone ask.

"I don't think so? I haven't checked yet though." He responded, not having stopped to think if he or any of his companions had made it out unscathed. He was by far the most removed from the situation, which didn't sit well with him. Was everyone else okay? 

Quickly, Taehyung, Namjoon, and the rest of their group found themselves being ushered back towards the Academy grounds. Though there was a swarm of guards surrounding the boys, it didn't stop him from turning around to catch another glimpse of the mystery group of mages. Just as he hopped into the carriage, Namjoon looked back in time to see YN with a carefree smile on her face speaking with Professor Imogen while Tessa and Nik began separating more water from the newly fallen earth.  

---

Namjoon couldn't sleep for days after that. His mind was turning, wondering who they were and where they had come from. He was technically indebted to YN for that near-miss with the bolder, and while he was sure she wasn't keeping a tab, it was the only excuse he could come up with to try and speak with her again. 

A week of classes came and went, and YN never surfaced, he had figured that a talented earth mage would at the very least show up in some of his brother's classes, but Taehyung only ever reported the same thing. 

"Sorry, Hyung, no sign of her." 

At this point, Taehyung appeared just as confused as he did. It was clear she was a mage, so why wasn't she in the classes designated for the earth mages? Was he mistaken? Was YN part of the Academy guard? Had he missed her insignia somewhere in the heat of it all? No, he was much more observant than that; he would have noticed something like that, Namjoon was sure of it. 

After nearly a month of failed searches, Namjoon turned to the library. If he couldn't find her in any of his or his brother's classes, maybe he'd see her studying, or at the very least, find some information about earth mages in the Adyian empire. Too bad, there was no material of the sort. The Adyian Empire had a deep history of fire mages. The family lines were so pure it was safe to assume that anyone who could control the element could almost entirely trace their family back to powerful mages in the Empire's upper and middle classes. 

The more research he did, the more confused he was. Even the librarians were beginning to feel bad for him, always with the same sad expression and shake of the head when they saw him walk in. It's not like he blamed them, though. Something more was going on here, and people weren't supposed to know about it. The Academy’s collection of books made sure of that. 

"Any specific reason you're sighing like that all the time? Or do we need to call in a nurse for that breathing problem of yours?" Namjoon heard from across his table. 

"Ah, Min Yoongi." He bowed for posterity. "I apologize for interrupting your studies."

"Not studying, napping, much worse an offense if you ask me." Yoongi shrugged as he began to make himself comfortable again. 

"Is there a problem with your room?" Namjoon asked the heir to the Adyian Empire, wondering why he would ever want to sleep in between the stacks over his own room.

"Not the room, the roommate." Yoongi rolled his eyes. "What about you? We're only a month and a half into class, and you've already stumped the poor librarians."

"I met someone-"

"I'm going to stop you right there. The library is the last place you should be looking for advice on girls." Yoongi appeared exasperated and looked Namjoon over. 

"No, no, not like that. She showed up to help with the landslide that happened before the start of classes. Her name was YN, and she was an earth mage, but I haven't been able to find her in any classes at the Academy." Namjoon explained. "She also doesn't appear to be sorted into any of the four houses."

"Five." Yoongi corrected him.

"Five? There aren't five houses. Since you're not taking this conversation seriously, I'll be getting back to my studies." Namjoon turned his nose into his book. "I apologize for disturbing you."

There was the creaking of wood followed by a subtle shuffle; before Namjoon could wonder what it was, Yoongi appeared in the chair across from him. 

"The House of Tigers, associated with the Adyian Empire. Exclusively for those hailing from my territory." He held up one finger.

"The House of Elephants, your house. For those students from Atlas and any of its many territories." Yoongi put up a second finger.

"The House of Wrens. An odd house for anyone who’s decided to travel here from the Airabellain Alliance." A third finger now popped up, keeping count.

"The House of Dolphins. For those who made it here from the Kingdom of Cordellia." Yoongi continued to count, now his fourth finger up.

"See four. That's four." Namjoon pointed out, not curious enough anymore to play Yoongi's game. "If you're done messing with me, I'll happily take my leave."

"The House of the Serpent. The fifth house. A house for any soul unfortunate enough to not call any of the other territories home." Yoongi wiggles his open hand as if to prove a point, smugly waving in Namjoon's direction, since he had already started towards the door.

"My best guess is that you're looking in the right places for this girl. Just not at the right times." Yoongi shrugged as if he hadn't just unloaded a significant piece of intel.

"How do you even know about this house? I didn't think the refugees were supposed to be able to attend the Academy?" Namjoon asked, wondering if all of this was true, and if it was, what it could mean. 

"What are you offering me for this information?" Yoongi quirked an eyebrow, knowing he had Namjoon right where he wanted him. 

"Secrecy." Namjoon offered, standing his ground.

"And?" Yoongi asked him.

"And what? I don't know what else I could possibly offer you." Namjoon admitted, exasperated. "At least I don't know what to offer that you don't already have."

"Hmmm, I'll take secrecy," Yoongi paused, rubbing at his chin feigning thought. "I'll also take your alliance. Always good to have a friend in high places."

"My alliance? What does that even mean?" Namjoon puzzled aloud.

"You know what it means." Yoongi didn't blink, continuing to hold eye contact until Namjoon broke his gaze. He had almost forgotten about the conflict.

"Fine." He stuck out his hand abruptly. "Secrecy and my alliance are all yours. Now can you help me or not?"

"Impatient. I thought the people from my country were supposed to be the impulsive ones."

"I'm not a mage, I'll act as I please." Namjoon bit back, his tone souring.

"But you were raised like one, weren't you?" Yoongi asked.

"I thought I was the one getting answers here?" Namjoon actively attempted to change the subject and get the conversation back on course. 

"Fine. See, my Grandpa was a bit of a hardass. All 'the family lines must be pure' and what-not." Yoongi shrugged as if he couldn't be bothered to tell the story. "Mom told me her sister didn't like that very much since she was seeing someone from the Airablellian Alliance at school."

"Oh? How did that play out for your aunt? I'm sure she's happily married now, though, and happy for your grandfather's rules?" Namjoon wondered aloud.

"Ha, hot-headed and impulsive, remember? She relinquished her title the moment she graduated and ran off with the air mage." Yoongi chuckled aloud. "Once my grandfather passed, and my mom took the throne, she asked my aunt if she and her husband wanted to come back to Adyia. Offered to reinstate all her titles and make my uncle part of the court and everything."

"Ah, so you know because your family had previous experience with it." Namjoon nodded his head in sudden realization.

"No, my family has current experience with it. My aunt declined, said she was happy here in Spiros. I've got two cousins who I see often." Yoongi leaned in and whispered the next bit of his confession. "Here."

"Wait!" Namjoon shouted, disturbing everyone in the hallway. 

"You need to learn to be quieter." Yoongi sighed, his gaze harsher than his tone.

"I apologize. I must know, though, is one a fire mage and the other an air?" Namjoon couldn't help himself, the group of five mages he couldn’t get out of his thoughts, danced around the curiosity in his head.

"I want to ask how you know that, but if you're looking for who I think you are, I already know the answer," Yoongi stated as he began to walk a little faster. 

"I'll tell you how to find them." Yoongi gave Namjoon a harsh stare.

"But? I'm sensing a but-" Namjoon asked cautiously.

"If I find out you told anyone you shouldn't have, I'll light you and anyone else who tries to hurt them on fire." Yoongi turned swiftly and headed out of the main building towards the training grounds.

"I did just swear secrecy, though, it seems you've already forgotten." Namjoon balked

"You swore secrecy for information about the fifth house, not where to find them." Yoongi gave Namjoon one final look before turning back towards the hallway. "Follow me."

"I was going to do that anyway," Namjoon admitted.

"I am serious, though, if I find out anything bad has happened to them and it was your fault, I will light you on fire." Yoongi threatened again.

"Is that a promise?" Namjoon's smile was coy as he responded. 

Yoongi, in return, responded with a middle finger as the bell’s signaling the evening curfew was about to start rang through the open air. 

[daitranscripts]

In Hushed Whispers Pt. 1

Negotiations

In Hushed Whispers Masterpost Previous Quest: The Threat Remains

The party approaches the gates of Redcliffe. A rift is visible in front of the gates.

A soldier runs past the party.

Soldier: I want a constant watch on the damned thing! Sound the alarm at the first sight of demons!

Soldier: Watch out, traveler! The Veil’s ripped open, and Maker-knows-what could come out!

Soldier: Turn back! We can’t open the gates until the threat has passed!

The party fights the demons that come out of the rift. There are some areas where time moves faster or slower.

PC closes the rift.

PC: What… was that?

Party comments:

Solas: That rift altered the flow of time around itself. That is… unexpected.

Vivienne: None of my reports indicated temporal distortions near these rifts. Interesting.

Cassandra: We don’t know what these rifts can do. That one appeared to alter the time around it. 

Varric: I think we could have skipped these things getting weirder, don’t you?

Sera: Demons and rubbish are bad enough. This, I don’t even want to know!

Blackwall: I don’t know. Was that a new kind of rift? How many of them are there?

Iron Bull: That fade rift messed up time. See, this is why my people get pissy about magic!

Dialogue options:

General: Maybe Fiona will know PC: There are many mages in Redcliffe. Maybe Fiona will know what’s going on.

General: We’ll have to look into this. PC: We need to find out what caused… whatever this is.

General: Something’s wrong here. PC: Something’s not right — stay on your guard.

Soldier: Maker have mercy! It’s over? Open the gates!

The gates open and the group walks through the gates. They are greeted by an Inquisition scout.

Scout: We’ve spread word that the Inquisition was coming, but you should know no one here was expecting us.

PC: No one? Not even Grand Enchanter Fiona?

Scout: If she was, she hasn’t told anyone. We’ve arranged use of the tavern for the negotiations.

An elf approaches.

Lysas: Agents of the Inquisition, my apologies! Magister Alexius is in charge now, but hasn’t yet arrived. He’s expected shortly. You can speak with the former grand enchanter in the meantime.

Lysas leaves.

Party comments:

Sera: Why is this place so weird?

Solas: The Veil is weaker here than in Haven. And not merely weak but altered in a way I have not seen.

Vivienne: We must speak with Fiona at once.

Cassandra: We should talk to the grand enchanter.

They enter Redcliffe proper. There is a whole lot of ambient chatter about mages, tenplars, and the Inquisition’s actions based on side quests completed. [Depending on your DA Keep world-state, you can find Connor here as well—I have never encountered him myself due to my world-state.]

The party enters the Gull & Lantern. Fiona is there to greet them as they enter.

Fiona: Welcome, agents of the Inquisition.

Fiona (if Vivienne is in the party): First Enchanter Vivienne.

Vivienne: My dear Fiona. It’s been so long since we last spoke. You look dreadful! Are you sleeping well?

Fiona: What has brought you to Redcliffe?

Dialogue options:

General: You invited me here. PC: We’re here because of your invitation back in Val Royeaux.

General: Is that a trick question? PC: Is this some kind of test? We’re here because you invited us in Val Royeaux.

General: Drop the act. PC: Skip the pleasantries. You know why we’re here. You came all the way to Val Royeaux to invite us.

Fiona: You must be mistaken. I haven’t been to Val Royeaux since before the Conclave.

Dialogue options:

General: Then who did I meet? [1]

General: Something weird is happening. [2]

General: I’m certain it was you. [3]

1 - General: Then who did I meet? PC: If it wasn’t you who invited me here, who was it? Fiona: I… I don’t know. Now that you say it, I feel strange… [4]

2 - General: Something weird is happening. PC: Well, that’s very strange, because someone who looked exactly like you spoke to me in Val Royeaux. Fiona: Exactly like me? I suppose it could be magic at work, but why would anyone… [4]

3 - General: I’m certain it was you. PC: There is no mistake. While the templars were leaving, you came to Val Royeaux and asked me here. Fiona: The templars left Val Royeaux? Where did they go? That sounds… Why does that sound so strange? [4]

4 - Scene continues. Fiona: Whoever… or whatever brought you here, the situation has changed. The free mages have already… pledged themselves to the service of the Tevinter Imperium.

Party comments:

Vivienne: Fiona dear, your dementia is showing.

Varric: Andraste’s ass… I’m trying to think of a single worse thing you could have done. And I’ve got nothing.

Solas: I understand that you are afraid, but you deserve better than slavery to Tevinter.

Iron Bull: This right here is why you can’t trust mages.

Cassandra: An alliance with Tevinter? Do you not fear all of Thedas turning against you?

Fiona: As one indentured to a magister, I no longer have the authority to negotiate with you.

Dialogue options:

General: That was fast. [5]

General: You’re ignoring the Breach? [6]

General: You’ve made a huge mistake. [7] + Vivienne approves

General: Then tell me who does. [8]

5 - General: That was fast. PC: The Divine’s corpse is barely cold, and you’ve already joined the Imperium? Fiona: Most of Thedas blames us for the Divine’s death. The templar attacks grew worse, and we mages had no allies. Either my people made a last stand here in Redcliffe, or we took the only offer of help extended to us. I had to save them. I had no other choice. [9]

6 - General: You’re ignoring the Breach? PC: What about the giant hole in the Veil that’s spewing demons everywhere? You’re just going to pretend it isn’t there? Fiona: I am not forgetting the Breach, but we can only fight one war at a time. The templar threat was immediate. If we live, we can worry about the torn Veil.[9]

7 - General: You’ve made a huge mistake. PC: An alliance with Tevinter is a terrible mistake. Fiona: All hope of peace died with Justinia. This… bargain with Tevinter would not have been my first choice, but we had no choice. We are losing this war. I needed to save as many of my people as I could. [9]

8 - General: Then tell me who does. PC: very well. Who’s in charge now? [9]

9 - Scene continues.

Two figures dressed in Tevinter garb approach from behind them,

Alexius: Welcome, my friends! I apologize for not greeting you earlier.

Fiona: Agents of the Inquisition, allow me to introduce Magister Gereon Alexius.

Alexius: The southern mages are under my command. And you are the survivor, yes? The one from the fade? Interesting.

10 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Tell me about this alliance. [11]

Investigate: Where’s the arl? [15]

General: Let’s negotiate. [16]

General: This is a long way from home. [17]

General: I need mages for the Breach. [18]

11 - Investigate: Tell me about this alliance. PC: I’d like to know more about this alliance between the rebel mages and the Imperium. Alexius: Certainly. What specifically do you wish to know?

Dialogue options:

Investigate: Fiona said she’s “indentured.” [12]

Investigate: When did this happen? [13]

Investigate: What does Tevinter gain? [14]

[Back to 10]

12 - Investigate: Fiona said she’s “indentured.” PC: The grand enchanter told me she was “indentured to a magister.” Alexius: Out southern brethren have no legal status in the Imperium. As they were not born citizens of Tevinter, they must work for a period of ten years before gaining full rights. As their protector, I shall oversee their work for the Imperium. [Back to 11]

13 - Investigate: When did this happen? PC: I’m not clear on when, exactly, you negotiated the arrangement with Fiona. Alexius: When the conclave was destroyed, these poor souls faces the brutality of the templars, who rushed to attack them. It could only be through divine providence that I arrived when I did. Fiona: It was certainly… very timely. [Back to 11]

14 - Investigate: What does Tevinter gain? PC: What does the Imperium gain from taking rebel mages under its wing? Alexius: For the moment, the southern mages are a considerable expense. After they are properly trained, they will join our legion. Fiona: You said not all my people would be military! There are children, those not suited— Alexius: And one day, I’m sure they will all be productive citizens of the Imperium. When their debts are paid. [Back to 11]

15 - Investigate: Where’s the arl? PC: I haven’t seen any sign of Redcliffe’s arl or his men. Alexius: The arl of Redcliffe left the village.

Party comments:

Varric: “Left.” That’s a polite way of saying “thrown out on his ass.”

Cassandra: Arl Teagan did not abandon his lands during the Blight, even when they were under siege.

Blackwall: Left? An arl would never voluntarily leave his seat.

Alexius: There were… tensions growing. I did not want an incident. [Back to 11]

16 - General: Let’s negotiate. PC: If you’re leading the mages now, then let’s talk. I’m sure we can come to an arrangement. Alexius: It is always a pleasure to meet a reasonable man. [19]

17 - General: This is a long way from home. PC: You’re quite a long way from Tevinter, Alexius. Alexius: Indeed I am, though I have heard you are no Ferelden either. It seems we are both strangers here. [19]

18 - General: I need mages for the Breach. PC: I’m here to get mages to close the Breach. Alexius: Right to business! I understand, of course. [19]

19 - Scene continues.

Alexius gestures the PC to follow and takes a seat at a table, where the PC joins him. Fiona looks distressed.

Alexius: Felix, would you send for a scribe, please? Pardon my manners. My son Felix, friends.

Felix bows and leaves.

Alexius: I am not surprised you’re here. Containing the Breach is not a feat that many could even attempt. There is no telling how many mages would be needed for such an endeavor. Ambitious, indeed.

Dialogue options:

General: Then you’ll help us? PC: Does that mean you’ll lend your mages to our cause?

General: We don’t think small here. PC: Well, when you’re fighting a massive tear in the sky, you can hardly afford to think small.

General: I’ll take whoever you’ve got. PC: I’ll take every mage you can give me.

Alexius: There will have to be—

Felix returns to the table, but appears unsteady. The PC and Alexius rise, and Felix stumbles into the PC.

Alexius: Felix!

Felix: My [Lord/Lady], I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.

Alexius: Are you all right?

Felix: I’m fine, father.

Alexius: Come, I’ll get your powders. Please excuse me, friends. We will have to continue this another time. Fiona, I require your assistance back at the castle.

Felix: I don’t mean to trouble everyone.

Alexius: I will send word to the Inquisition. We will conclude this business at a later date.

Alexius, Felix, and Fiona leave. The PC looks down at a note that Felix gave him when he stumbled.

PC: “Come to the Chantry. You are in danger.”

Party comments:

Varric: Oh, very interesting.

Sera: Well, aren’t we secret-y.

Cassandra: Did the magister’s son give you that? Why would he help you?

Vivienne: The magister’s son dropped that? Be cautious, Inquisitor. Family name is everything in Tevinter. [lol Viv, we’re not the Inquisitor yet.]

Blackwall: That from the magister’s son? You really think he wants to help you?

Solas: The note is unsigned. The boy feared his father might retrieve it.

Dialogue options:

General: It’s worth investigating. PC: We’ll be careful, but we need to figure out what’s going on here.

General: It could be a trap. PC: There’s no telling who or what will be waiting for us in that Chantry.

Party comments:

Cassandra: We’ll be on guard.

Sera: Come on, let’s do something.

Varric: Only one way to find out.

Vivienne: We have found more questions than answers so far, my dear.

Solas: Elaborate bait for a trap. Why would he not just openly invite us there?

Blackwall: I suppose we won’t find out unless we go.

Next: Mr. Mustache