#int. scorpion.

[scorpiun]

kuai liang was super cool in mk1 as a character but he wasnt a cool scorpion and thats my take

[domnamewoman]

I was wondering if I could request an angst we’re all of the MK 2023 characters S/O get turned injured severely by Titian Shang Tsung (could have a happy end, could not…up too you!)

Characters: Liu Kang, Raiden, Kung Lao, Johnny Cage, Kenshi Takahashi, Kitana, Mileena, Tanya, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Smoke, Reptile, Baraka, Shang Tsung, Rain

Warnings: Angst 😭, Canon-Typical Violence

Masterlist

Requests Are Open

Liu Kang’s heart stopped as he saw your body lying there, lifeless on the ground. He bent down to cradle you in his arms as tears fell from his eyes. He couldn’t believe it, the love of his life was now gone. He blamed himself for not getting there in time. Why was fate always so cruel, was he really destined to be alone? No, no he wouldn’t accept it. He was the Keeper of Time. He would reverse time and make sure that he is here to prevent such a horrid outcome. He would end Titan Shang Tsung once and for all.

Raiden felt as though he could throw up as he looked at your unconscious body lying in the bed. Titan Shang Tsung had blasted you off a cliff and you hit your head on a rock when you landed. The physician told Raiden that you were in a coma from the head injury. There was no telling when you would wake up or if you ever would. Raiden held your hand and rested his forehead on it as he let his tears fall. All he could do was stay by your side and wait. And he would, even if it was forever.

Kung Lao was angry. At himself for not being there, at the physicians for not being able to save you, but mostly at Titan Shang Tsung. He was the cause of all of this. Kung Lao placed one last kiss on your lips as he promised you to get revenge. He would stop at nothing to see Titan Shang Tsung taken down. He pushed his grief to the side and focused on making a plan to get to Titan Shang Tsung. He would grieve once his promise to you was fulfilled.

Johnny Cage struggled to find meaning in anything anymore. Without you, there just wasn’t any point to life for Johnny. Who cared about the movies, or the awards, or even saving Earthrealm from destruction? He couldn’t bring you back by doing any of it so he deemed it all useless. Johnny stopped trying, losing his arrogance and bravado. How great is “Johnny Cage” if he can’t even save his love? He was nothing but a failure in his eyes now and that’s how he would live.

Kenshi Takahashi felt all the joy in his life slipping away as he felt your blood slip through his fingers where he was applying pressure to your wound. He tried to smile and reassure you that the physician was on their way and you would make it out alive but he knew it was too late. He knelt there, helpless as you exhaled your final breath, going completely limp. Kenshi sat there with you in his arms for hours, pushing away Johnny and Kung Lao as they tried to get him to let you go. He couldn’t, not ever.

Kitana released a scream as she heard your neck snap at the hands of Titan Shang Tsung. Why? Why did it have to be you to charge at him? Why didn’t you listen to her when she told you to wait? Why couldn’t she move fast enough to prevent this from happening? Kitana gripped your shirt and cried into your chest as the fight continued around her. How was she supposed to go on? But she had to, for you. It’s what you would have wanted her to do. She vows to you as she grabs her bladed fans that she will avenge your death.

Mileena spent all of her time trying to find someone to help you. She was the Empress and she would spare no cost of getting the best physicians, the best medicine, whatever was needed to accelerate your healing process. The court could be mad all they wanted, but she didn’t care about her duties. Her only priority right now was seeing you healthy and back on your feet again. The only thing that could distract her from this is any updates on Titan Shang Tsung’s whereabouts. She would make sure that he died by her hands for harming her love.

Tanya watched in unbelief as Titan Shang Tsung stuck his claws deep into your abdomen. You crumpled to the ground, coughing up blood. Tanya rushed over and held you in her arms. She didn’t know how could she let this happen. She was Umgadi for goodness sake. And yet, she could protect her love from danger. She pulled you out of the path of battle, making sure you were as comfortable as you could be as she applied pressure to your wounds. She would make sure that you survived no matter what.

Bi-Han was filled with rage. Titan Shang Tsung dared to take his love away from him. How could Bi-Han call himself Earthrealm’s protector when he couldn’t even protect you? No, he would make Titan Shang Tsung pay for what he did. Bi-Han would gather all of the Lin Kuei and hunt him down. No longer was their purpose protecting Earthrealm. Their only mission was to kill Titan Shang Tsung to avenge the death of his lover. Nothing else mattered or was more important to him.

Kuai Liang couldn’t control the fire rolling off of his body as he saw you there unmoving, at Titan Shang Tsung’s feet. He rushed toward him, swinging out his chained knives aiming for his head. Kuai Liang fought with everything in him, letting his anger fuel his fire. He didn’t worry about his own well-being, what was the point now that you were gone? He ignored all the pain from his injuries and pressed on. He would put an end to Titan Shang Tsung, or he would die trying.

Tomas ran with all his might holding on to your limp body. He had to get you to a physician and quick. He couldn’t, no, he wouldn’t lose another family member. After his family was killed and he joined the Lin Kuei, he thought he would never have to go through heartache like that again. He couldn’t imagine a world without you. He pleaded with you to stay with him as he looked down at you taking shallow breaths. He ignored the burning in his legs and he pushed himself to run faster. He won’t lose you too.

Syzoth didn’t believe what they told him when he arrived at the palace. How could you be dead? It wasn’t possible. While he was out on a mission Titan Shang Tsung attacked? No, no that couldn’t be. He continued to deny it until they brought him to see your body. This couldn’t be happening to him again. Why could he never protect his loved ones? Why did he always have to be left completely alone? He will get his revenge. He will take away everything that Titan Shang Tsung has ever held dear.

Baraka knew that fate could be cruel when he got infected with Tarkat. But he thought he would be allowed some form of happiness in his life. That proved to be wrong when you were killed, leaving him all alone. Baraka could feel his sanity slipping. He was left with nothing yet again. The only one he loved was taken from him. All he could think about was shredding Titan Shang Tsung into pieces. He would turn into the savage beast everyone thought he was. He had nothing more to lose.

Shang Tsung couldn’t believe you were killed. To make matters worse, it was at the hands of his doppelganger. Shang Tsung would question what type of person he was for there to be a version of himself out there that would commit such a heinous act. Shang Tsung would practice all the sorcery in the world to find a way to bring you back. He didn’t care how many souls he had to steal. Starting with the soul of Titan Shang Tsung. He would prove that he was the best version in all timelines.

Zeffeero dropped to his knees in front of your lifeless body. What was it all for? He spent all his time trying to get power and status and for what? Just for the beloved to no longer be a part of his life? Zeffeero looked up, no one seemed to notice you, the most important person to him, lying on the cold ground. No, they didn’t get to go on with their lives like nothing happened. He would ruin their lives just like his now was. He would rain down an endless flood and drown them all.

[utilitycaster]

In honor of that poll, which has apparently been answered by a bunch of loser rogue-fuckers, and was also written by someone who doesn't even have the update that gives you twelve poll options, please have a good ranking of sexiest D&D 5e classes, from me.

This only has the 13 officially published 5e classes so do not ask me about classes that are not that. Also, the existence of a handful of sexy or unsexy characters of that class does not a sexy or unsexy class overall make. I'm sure these two statements will not shut down all annoying people but by god I hope they shut down some.

Paladin. Self-explanatory: if you don't agree, you better explain yourself, unless you think they are outranked by...

Wizard. As Liam O'Brien said, what's sexier than wizards? And I said "paladins, but no one else." I'm also going to fuck up an Octavia Butler quote and say that her journal did not explicitly state that single-minded devotion is sexy but it is, and that's why wizards and paladins are, undisputably, the top two.

Warlock. Would be higher than wizards on the basis of sheer raw charisma but some warlock classes (archfey, hexblade) are extremely sexy and some are...pots in need of very unique lids, shall we say.

Bard. This is for competency and knowledge of mythology and musical instruments. If you're into some kind of memeriffic 20 CHA 7 INT Roll To Seduce bro shit, get the fuck out of here.

Ranger. Their combat abilities are not as great as they could be but this is also without a doubt the class that will invite you over and make a delicious foraged mushroom risotto and have lit candles they made themself. They are good with animals and can identify constellations. Entire package.

Barbarian and Fighter are tied. Do you prefer a flow state and passion or do you prefer dedication and persistence? Axe or sword? Raw power or precision? Equally valid; it's a matter of personal taste.

Cleric. One of the gods thinks they're special; it's hard not to be drawn in by that. Also, healing is the sexiest magical ability. Points off for the possibility of sanctimonious behavior.

Druid. This is just personal taste but I would find it weird if my partner was sometimes a giant scorpion, and I feel rangers are just the far sexier nature-loving option. People for whom druids are #1, I see you, I respect you, I disagree with you, but I do think you're valid.

Monk. Here's the problem. Yes flexible; everything else is kind of a solid "eh" for me. Honestly I think it's because D&D separates out dexterity and strength even though monks technically need both, and so the low-strength monk archetype really doesn't do it for me. It's not unsexy but it never wows me, and honestly in real life martial arts is usually more an aesthetic joy than a sexy one for me.

Sorcerer. Often physically attractive but I do not love a nepo baby, and absolutely the class least able to make you breakfast. Class most likely to attempt to make you breakfast and manage to fuck up scrambled eggs.

Artificer. Love the class but unfortunately I can only think of Belle's father in Beauty and the Beast (1991) when I think of what an artificer looks like. Wizards claimed the hot nerd spot; artificers never had a chance.

Rogue. Anyone can wear black leather. Anyone can twirl a butterfly knife and the ranger is going to be better at using it. You know what rogues are best at? Leaving through the window without waking you up. That's it. Bards have the same skills and then some and they're hotter by design. There are other classes with superior physical skills. Burst damage is already not actually that useful in 5e combat and even less so in the bedroom.

[dany-is-my-queen]

A Question Of Loyalty XIV

Rhaenyra Targaryen x reader, Alicent Hightower x reader

Word count: 3,5k

Summary: When dragons of green and dragons of black dance, you have to choose the color that suits you best.

You took a trembling breath as the brooch slipped from your fingers, its soft clink echoing. The weight of grief, loss, and the burden of choices made.

Although you were tempted to go straight to Dragonstone with Rhaenys' remains, you ended up returning to the capital. There was no hunger for answers, no craving for interactions. All you craved was solitude, for the shock still held you tightly in its grip.

Alicent had dispatched a dozen knights to find you and fetch you safely back. Yet, you eluded their search, deliberately taking the longer path home. Your dragon, wounded by the Scorpion’s quarrels, sought solace in the nearby mountains, nursing its strength back to health.

The Dowager Queen yearned to go to you the moment she discovered your return, but you denied her presence, refusing even the comfort of your beloved Haleana, who sought to console you as well.

You screamed through your casement with intensity, your eyes aflame with a fervor on the brink of eruption. Each muffled shout gradually lost its potency, stifled and quelled until your throat could no longer produce a single vocalization. Your outburst resonated with such force that its echoes reverberated all the way to The Wall, reaching ears that stood at a distance.

Rumors, like wildfire, devoured the truth. They whispered of a shattered mind, accusing you of spilling the blood of the King's men, even the Lord Commander’s. They claimed you failed to shield him from the foe, leaving him grievously wounded. They weaved tales of your supposed treachery, plotting to keep him in that weakened state, with the intent to bring about his demise. They called you a failure.

But those who dared to look beyond the surface, who peered into the depths of your pain, understood. They saw it as a struggle within the bounds of family, an act driven by a daughter's love. To them, your actions were justified, as any child with a compassionate heart would have done the same.

Opinions, divided as they were, held no sway over you. The world's judgment felt insignificant. You berated yourself relentlessly for the inability to intervene as you wished, even though the circumstances were beyond your control. The crushing weight of helplessness enveloped you, intensifying the pain of failing to protect those you held dear. Your efforts always fell short, leaving you to bear the consequences.

With your mother gone, the world lost its balance. Without her, Laena, Laenor.. everything felt askew.

Aegon, weakened and burned, found no strength to cast blame or reproach upon you. Aemond, though visibly perturbed, chose silence over comment. Aegon's throne was now occupied by his brother, the Protector of the Realm, as he languished in his bed, unable to govern. Otto resumed his former position.

—

Days melted into one another. Food lost its flavor, and sleep became a mere facade as you sat, staring blankly through the window.

Alicent faithfully visited you every morning and afternoon, harboring no blame for the choices that led to this. She comprehended the extents of your anguish, understanding the why behind your actions. She refused to see betrayal in the loss of her sworn protector. Instead, she offered genuine concern, striving to uplift your shattered spirit. Yet, you couldn't bear the thought of her wasting her precious time on your sorrow.

"I brought the cake we learned to make together when we first met," Alicent gently shared. Memories danced within her words, evoking the image of your amazed face as you discovered your culinary prowess that surpassed even the most skilled cooks in King's Landing. "You possess a natural talent. It may not be as refined as yours, but I asked them to pour their hearts into it," Alicent concluded, tinged with warmth, hoping to infuse some light into your dim world.

"Thank you, dear," you replied, determined not to let your pain dampen her kindness. She refused to give up.

"Nyke miss ao, issa joraelagon," she stumbled in your second language, her effort endearing to you as you witnessed her struggle.

"Jorrāelagon," you corrected her gently, a flicker of a smile gracing your lips, a rare sight in these times. "You're making progress," you teased, and she returned the smile.

"I need more practice; I cannot disappoint you," she confessed, audaciously leaning against the edge of the bed. The gesture brought you ease rather than discomfort.

Silence enveloped you, and as you turned your gaze, your eyes locked with hers. The delicate intensity in her stare made you feel as fragile as glass.

"I’m sorry, Y/N. And I'm here by your side," she whispered. Your attention lingered on her lips, and instinctively, she closed the gap between you, sealing your connection in a gentle, unintended kiss. Without hesitation, you straddled her, the world around you fading as your lips sought relieve in one another's embrace, drawing breaths that fueled the yearning for each other, not mere oxygen.

As the morning light seeped through the curtains, Alicent continued to cradle you, providing serenity that eased the ache within you.

—

Amidst the gentle morning, bathed in the golden rays of the rising sun, you sat by the gardens. Within this a sanctuary was found in the presence of mother and daughter, their bond deepening over the passing months. Despite Haleana's reservations toward forging connections with others, she let her mother in.

In that very instant, a vow surged. You swore to safeguard them, to offer your very life if need be, for the anguish of losing a mother knows no bounds. There was no sacrifice too great, no price too steep.

Haleana, enveloped in her own musings, excused herself, leaving you alone with Alicent. The stage was set, and you knew the time had come to reveal things. Delayed though it may have been..

Alicent spoke of her brother’s eagerness to delve beyond mere formalities and acquaint himself with you. Succumbing to the game, you matched her jest with lighthearted banter, affirming Gwayne's honorable character and striking handsomeness.

"Handsome?" she exclaimed.

"Indeed, the most handsome Hightower I have ever known," you continued, stoking the fires of mirth within her.

"Shall I summon him to your presence, that you may indulge in a conversation, or perhaps embark on a ride together?" she offered, you feigned to be considering the proposal.

"I find greater excitement in riding dragons than horses," you confessed, your words bearing no hidden innuendo, prompting her laughter to cascade. "What have I said?" An innocent grin adorning your countenance.

"That he is the most handsome Hightower you know," she echoed your earlier words, and you tilted your head ever so slightly, directing your gaze solely upon her.

"And you, my love, are the most beautiful Hightower I have ever beheld," you added. As anticipated, a delicate blush bloomed upon her cheeks. "Though, technically, you are a Targaryen, are you not?"

"The colors of your house adorn me far better, do they not?" she mused. "You have always been black and red.”

"I bear fire and the sea within my veins. Yet, you speak true, for one force will inevitably dominate," you confessed, grappling with the figurative language that danced upon your lips. “Alicent..—“ With a fleeting moment of courage, you closed your eyes briefly, gathering your resolve, and dared to maintain eye contact as you stood on the precipice of baring yourself. Alicent, ever attentive, awaited as you prepared to unveil.

“Your Grace, my Lady," a guard's voice resonated behind you, saluting with reverence. "There are urgent matters that demand your attention. Prince Aemond and Ser Otto await you at the Hand's Tower.”

"Thank you, Ser," Alicent replied, her disappointment hidden beneath a mask of regal composure. Reluctantly, the two of you followed the guard's lead.

Upon entering the Red Keep, Alicent firmly clasped your hand, steadfastly refusing to release it, despite the passing gazes of onlookers. You reciprocated the gesture with an equally firm grip.

Within the confines of the Tower of the Hand, Aemond's scrutinizing gaze met your own, a flicker of concern shadowing his features. Ser Otto, ever disdainful of the bond between you and Alicent, maintained an air of disinterest. The presence of other lords, gathered with intent.

"What unfolds, my son?" Alicent cut through the charged atmosphere.

"The Pretender and her forces have gained an army." Aemond responded.

"An army? Have they sought the aid of sellswords?" your curiosity welled up.

“No, not sellswords, but dragons. One of them being the former companion of your very own," he revealed.

"Vermithor?" He nodded.

"How can such a thing be possible?" Alicent's voice wavered, her confusion mirroring your own.

"According to Lord Strong's spies, your father played a hand in guiding the Princess's actions. Their motivations diverged in the aftermath of Rook's Rest, but time pressed upon them. Weeks were spent in search of riders who could mount the dragons dwelling on Dragonstone. Even Ser Laenor's Seasmoke found a place among their ranks."

"Two dragons then.”

"My sources speak of attempts to tame more, wild dragons. Yet, only one yielded to their will—Sheepstealer."

"The capital would crumble beneath the weight of their dragons. They would descend upon us with six in total," Master Orwyle interjected. The scales tipped in favor of the Blacks, leaving naught but a bleak outlook.

"And how were these dragons tamed?"

"Bastard blood holds an extraordinary power, Your Grace," Larys responded, casting a fleeting glance in your direction. Your anger flared.

"My granddaughter does not ride her dragon. Sunfyre, like the king, languishes in a state of inaction. Only Vhagar and Silverwing stand to defend our city," Otto voiced.

"Silverwing has yet to recover fully. It would be unwise to send her into battle, for her presence may sow more damage than aid," you interjected. In truth, you harbored doubts as to whether you desired involvement in the imminent conflict.

"That is the least you and your dragon could offer after your lackluster performance in the recent incident, my lady," Ser Otto retorted.

Aemond swiftly intervened, commanding and authoritative. "Address Lady Y/N with the respect she deserves, grandfather. We must be prepared for any surprise attacks from the Blacks."

The fate of kingdoms teetered on the edge.

—

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets of King's Landing, you walked alongside Alicent, she extended an invitation, drawing you into the grandeur of the Great Table.

The Hall echoed with silence as only the two of you sat. The remnants of your interrupted conversation from the morning still lingered, beckoning to be resumed.

"Can you fathom the magnitude of the menace we face?" The very thought of combating so many fully-grown dragons sent shivers down Alicent’s spine. In that moment, the allure of escape, of fleeing the city of chaos with Alicent & Helaena, enticed you. To leave everything behind, to shield your loved ones from further bloodshed, danced on the periphery of your thoughts. Yet, that notion, ephemeral and fragile, dissolved as swiftly as it had appeared. For deep within your being, a burning desire stirred. You yearned to see her.

"We may not have the means to defend ourselves," you admitted.

"And shall we surrender, then? Yielding to her without a fight?" It held a desperate tremor, an echo of the resignation that would inevitably come.

"If your father and Aemond can devise superior strategies, if they can unearth a path to victory, then perchance we may yet elude that fate," you replied, burdened by the uncertainties that lay ahead.

"Whose side will you choose when she arrives?" Her voice betrayed the fear that gripped her heart.

A surge of guilt washed over you as you struggled to find an immediate answer, weary from the ceaseless battles waged within. In the end, it mattered not, for no matter the path you chose, you always questioned if it was the right one.

Shifting the weight of the conversation, you took a long sip of wine, the crimson liquid offering respite. And as the intoxicating warmth coursed through, you began to unburden your chest, the words tumbling forth in a hushed, intimate confession.

"My mother, she believed I harbored resentment, even hatred towards her... When she was imprisoned after King Viserys' death, she revealed the truth of my parentage to me," you confessed, your voice laden with an ache that echoed. A momentary pause allowed the weight of those words to settle. With parched lips, you took another sip.

"I accused her of me being born out of wedlock, of not being hers. And it was then, that she confessed the truth to me," you continued. Alicent's gaze remained fixed upon you, her expression unreadable, allowing you the space to share the depths of your secret.

"The anger within me swelled, for she had never intended to reveal it, and yet Corlys had known all along. He had accepted her, married her. He had accepted me and raised me as a Velaryon, never making me feel any less. For that, I am eternally grateful," you spoke, filled with gratitude.

"My true father was but a sailor, who had got her with child when she was promised to Corlys. He wanted to know me, to be a part of my life... until tragedy befell him, a cruel twist of fate. And that was the end of it. He was from Lys, as handsome as the tales of old, she said.”

Minutes passed, and you remained embraced in silence, leaving Alicent to wonder if it was time to offer her own thoughts.

She cherished the raw honesty that flowed from you, even though it was not the first time she had heard this confession. She understood the tremendous blow it had dealt you when you first learned of your true lineage.

"Perhaps my mother departed this world believing that this revelation was the reason I did not choose to follow her," you confessed, tinged with regret, the specter of missed opportunities lingering.

"But in the end, Y/N, you were by her side. You came to her rescue. In her heart, she knew you harbored no hatred, for it was something you could never possess.”

"I apologize for not confiding in you sooner," you murmured, the weight of your words softened by the realization that you had sought to shield her from the anguish that haunted your past.

"Why did you not?" Her inquiry, gentle and understanding, sought not to condemn but to unravel the complexities of your heart. "Did you genuinely believe... that I would turn you away, knowing your true parentage? You know me better than that, Y/N."

"I could not risk losing you," you confessed, the words weighed down by the fear of abandonment that had silently plagued your thoughts.

"Y/N..."

"I thought you harbored reservations..." The words escaped before you could contain them, abruptly halted as you caught yourself, unwilling to give them a voice.

She finished the sentence for you. "I know you believed that because of the princess's children.I would never turn away from you, Y/N. It pains me that you did not trust me enough to confide in me sooner, but I understand your reasons. And it is alright, truly," Alicent assured you, brimming with warmth and acceptance.

"I love you," you whispered, surrendering yourself to the rest of the night.

—

Rhaenyra recognized the urgency to press forward, as she feared being remembered as the queen who failed to rightfully claim her father's throne—a title she found unappealing and detrimental to her reputation. She had always known Alicent's words were a lie, a deceitful ploy to drive you away for good. Initially, Rhaenyra considered abandoning the fight for the sake of her children's safety, but she reconsidered, she refused to be remembered in such a manner.

For her cause, they had secured three valuable dragons: Sheepstealer, Vermithor, & Seamoke. Seamoke, her ex-husband's mount. She believed him to be alive beyond the Narrow Sea with his lover, Ser Carl. Rhaenyra envied their freedom from the burdens of duty and madness that came with their birthright. In her ideal reality, she pictured a life with you, free from all constraints.

Everything was prepared for their advancement, Jaecerys, the Prince of Dragonstone, was eager to proceed until your alliance with the High Council of the Triarchy altered their plans. Warships had arrived at the Stepstones, leading to a change in strategy. The attack was not only focused on capturing strategic locations but also targeted your father’s ancestral seat, High Tide. As those who entered the Gullet south of Dragonstone faced resistance, Prince Jacaerys fought back on Vermax, but the men from the Free Cities refused to give in. More dragons appeared above the Dragonmont, aiming to eliminate their opposition.

Sadly, the dragon ridden by Rhaenyra's eldest son couldn't withstand the assault and crashed into the sea. The heir to the Throne met a tragic end, struck by multiple arrows and swallowed by the ocean. There was no doubt about the bravery of Jace, just as his younger brother Luke had shown. The news of their demise spread quickly, leaving you with a different kind of helplessness than when you learned about Vhagar's attack on Arrax. You knew your eldest nephew wasn't a craven, and you were certain he fought until his last breath.

If you held faith in the afterlife, in.. realms beyond, you believed that Jace and Luke were now reunited.

You knew Rhaenyra’s assault on the capital was imminent, awaiting the opportune moment.

You also discovered that Daeron, earned the title of ‘Ser Daeron the Daring’. He displayed bravery by saving Lord Ormund and joining the rescue mission at the River Honeywine, becoming the hero of that battle. You knew he didn't claim all the credit for himself; he shared it with his companion & she-dragon, Tessarion, with whom you had shared many adventurous afternoons and joyful moments. Time had transformed him into a courageous, audacious, and kind-hearted lad.

Rhaenyra knew of your loss, for she, too, held deep affection Rhaenys. Upon discovering your deeds in Rook’s Rest, she naively believed you would return home to her. Yet, you did not. Finally, she comprehended that you would no longer choose her, rendering her waiting in vain. She wanted to confront you, face to face, regardless of the outcome. Expectations evaporated, leaving only the desire to extricate you from her mind and heart, allowing her to forge ahead.

—

Aemond, undeterred by counsel and brimming with conviction, persisted in advocating for a daring plan that involved riding forthwith to Daemon's doorstep. His aim was to seize his adversary unawares, ending his life within the ancient walls of Harrenhal, where the Prince had long entrenched himself. With each stride taken toward this perilous objective, Rhaenyra's vulnerability would be amplified, bereft of both husband and one fewer dragon.

Yet, despite the fervent dissuasion voiced by yourself and his mother, he scorned the wisdom proffered by those closest to him. Fuelled by his own impetuous resolve, he hastily sought to mount Vhagar's back, with Otto at his side, who embraced his shared vision.

"Tarry a while longer until your brother is fit for battle. It ill behooves you to court such hazard alone," Alicent implored, her pleas ringing forth with maternal concern.

"Mother, place your trust in my capabilities," he reassured. "Vhagar has emerged unscathed from countless fights, fret not for my well-being." Upon hearing Aemond's declaration, an almost uncontrollable surge of wrath surged within you, tempting you to lunge forward and deliver an instinctual blow upon his unwary countenance. Yet, for the sake of it, you restrained yourself, holding firm against the tempestuous emotions that coursed through your veins. "The defense of the City shall not languish," he proclaimed with unwavering confidence.

"It could, Your Grace," you interjected, your words carefully chosen to maintain a semblance of deference.

"Mark my words, I shall return bearing my uncle's head ensconced within a bloodstained sack, a fitting tribute for you, my Lady," he pronounced, with certainty and unabashed arrogance. In response, you narrowed your gaze, choosing to forsake any further attempt to dissuade him.

"Lady Y/N, I submit that you should accompany Prince Aemond, for it is wiser to traverse this treacherous path with a stalwart companion, who also happens to possess a fierce dragon. And since he spurns aid from Storm's End or his younger brother, it behooves us to act prudently," Lord Jasper proffered.

“My lords, do not misconstrue my decision as an act of cowardice. I will not forsake my post, leaving the Queen Dowager and Queen Haleana vulnerable to the machinations of their adversaries," you proclaimed.

"Fear not, for valiant men stand ready to safeguard them against any who would bring them harm. Knights capable of shielding them from all danger," He continued.

At this juncture, Alicent seized the opportunity to voice her own retort. "No knight can lay claim to greater valor or loyalty than our Lady Y/N," she admonished Lord Jasper. The men within the chamber exchanged furtive glances, and Lord Wylde, could not mask his sense of humiliation.

"'Twas naught but a humble suggestion, Your Grace, yet I shall yield to your wisdom," he conceded with an air of acquiescence.

"Come morrow, I’ll depart," Aemond declared.

~~~~~

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[arthistoryanimalia]

Ancient Egyptian hippo & hedgehog squad at the Brooklyn Museum!

Standing Hippo

Middle Kingdom 2nd Int. Per. Dyn.12-17 c1938-1539BCE

Faience

“Egyptian artists decorated statuettes of hippos with images of Nile flora & fauna. Common motifs included lotus buds, flowers, marsh grass, lily pads, frogs, waterfowl, & insects. The legs of most statuettes were broken just before burial to ensure that they posed no threat to the tomb owner. Museum conservators restored the legs of many examples, including this one, to show how the statuettes looked when they were made.”

L: Votive(?) Hippos

Middle Kingdom Dyn.11-13 c2008-1630BCE

Painted pottery

“These coarse figures stand on low bases representing sleds or sledges, possibly alluding to a ritual called The Feast of the White Hippo in which a hippo was dragged on a sledge before the king. Worshippers at the festival probably either left these objects as votive offerings or acquired them as keepsakes.”

R: Two Hippos

Middle Kingdom Dyn.12-17 c1938-1539BCE

“The ancient Egyptians often snapped off the legs of hippopotamus statuettes before placing them in tombs, as these two examples show. The broken stumps of the smaller statuette's legs demonstrate how bright-blue glaze adhered to the white faience. The larger figure's snout, perhaps also broken in antiquity, has been restored.”

L. Hedgehog Rattle

Middle Kingdom Dyn. 12-13 c1938-1630BCE

Faience, 7.6 x 4.4 x 3.5 cm

“The hollow body of this hedgehog figure contains tiny pellets that rattled when it was shaken. The rattles were used to ward off harmful forces such as snakes, scorpions, or malevolent spirits. When attacked, a hedgehog rolls into a ball, presenting a mass of pointed spines to the predator. To the Egyptians, this behavior-_imitated in this figure-made the hedgehog an ideal protective symbol.”

R. Hedgehog Figurine

Middle Kingdom Dyn. 12-13 c1938-1630BCE

Faience, 4.2 x 4.1 x 7.1 cm

“When food is scarce, hedgehogs retreat into underground dens for long periods, to re-emerge only in times of abundance.

The Egyptians associated this behavior with rebirth and thus wore amulets in the form of hedgehogs or left figures such as this one in tombs. Also, according to the Ebers Medical Papyrus of the early Eighteenth Dynasty, hedgehog spines, when ground up and mixed with fat or oil, cured baldness.”

(note: labels are reversed - rattle is on L & figurine on R)

[magic-glintblade]

Starting this sideblog to rant about my Elden Ring run that I'm doing now. Trying to beat the game using only Magic Glintblade. Since it's my favorite sorcery spell. So far, I: -started as an Astrologer for minimum wasted stats -got the spell from dog pope -picked up the staff that boosts it - going to be the one I use until the moon mommy staff has higher scaling -beat Margit without leveling up at all -collected the Int boosting tear and the Magic damage boosting tear

I also beat Loretta because I want the magic scorpion charm, but I haven't decided if I want to pick up the Dungeater Puppet this playthrough. It might be needed to help tank? I'm using the Crystalian right now.

[dragon-communion]

Was working on some weapon design and had an insane thought.

If they put me in charge of designing weapons for the Outer Gods... while I completely understand the intention of Mohg's trident, I really think the Formless Mother deserves some kind of cat-o'-nine whip embedded with bits of broken bones or horns. What's better than a bleed whip? A bleed whip that is many whips. Also I like the idea of introducing religious self-flagellation to the blood cult, I think they'd have a great time.

Because I think I'm hilarious, I believe there should be a slim little silver hammer with innate Eternal Sleep. Slim. Elegant. Perfect for knocking people out. Really drive the point home too by basing the design on that debatably-real hammer they use to check if the Pope's dead.

Too many of the legendary weapons are just bigass swords, where's the love for beautiful can-openers like the war pick? I'm currently designing a sword that looks like someone ripped the wing off of a creature and decided to use the dangling viscera as a gripless bare-tang hilt. Elden Ring has a menacing pizza cutter. Why are all of the legendary weapons SWORDS and like one spear.

Fuck it let me just:

Formless Mother: a multi-tailed whip made of braided veins tangled in bits of shattered horn and bone, whose pommel is a rose carved from red glintstone. It was never the death that mattered, only the blood.

St. Trina: An elegant little silver hammer, easily hidden up a sleeve or down a pant leg. In parody of the Carian sword arts, it summons a fuckoff huge spectral purple warhammer that inflicts sleep. Enforces naptime with extreme prejudice.

St. Trina, v2: A beautiful silver bow designed to look like entwined branches, each arm ending in her signature lilies. The riser is a fragment of divine bone, imbuing any arrows fired with the fresh marrow-blood of a god.

The Scorpion: Literally just make the Scorpion's Stinger a competent weapon. It should NOT be outstripped by the Antspur Rapier when it's the physical relic of a god. Someone should be ashamed of this.

The Twinbird: All of the ghostflame weapons already fuck hard, but if I had to design one myself? Just to be silly? A man-catcher that lets the player do some kind of horrifying flaming grab attack.

Gravity???: A double-ended meteor hammer with literal giant hunks of meteor on the end.

Prince of Death: Call me crazy but wouldn't it be fun if we could find the literal pair of Black Knives that shattered Death. The exact knives that carved up Godwyn and Ranni. What if we could combine those into some kind of double-ended dagger of Fuck You that's int/faith and has dual effects like the Sword of Night and Flame, thus making up for the uselessness of deathblight in PVE by offering an alternative. What if we could actually BUILD the legendary weapon by doing some kind of quest, tripping on bits of Plot Significant Items and then having an NPC suggest putting them together. Would that be cool?

Eiglay: Long, thin spear that looks too beautiful and delicate to be anything other than a torture device. Extremely venomous. Of a size appropriate for impaling oncoming cavalry. And it's named Eggtooth.

Miquella: A spear in the form of a giant needle, forged with the intent of being used in his adult form to finally smite Godwyn's corpse from existence. An absolute tactical nuke of holy damage with an AOE effect that erases status effects. The influences of other gods are not allowed in the presence of the ultimate banhammer. The grip is surprisingly steady, considering it's wrapped in undyed silk.

Also.

I need to ask.

What, precisely, killed Gransax? I'm assuming he was killed before he could impact the Erdtree, so it was a ranged attack, either a spell or perhaps some kind of arrow. And whatever did it, I want it.

Considering dragons are weak to pierce damage, I'd be willing to say it was some sort of bow. Which would give us the PERFECT opportunity for some kind of legendary greatbow that specializes in killing dragons, before I've already killed every dragon in the game. Because like. I'm sorry, but getting the perfect dragon-killing bow in the DLC is too late to matter to me. At least if it's in Leyndell I haven't already gone to Dragon Land and killed the Boss Dragon of all the dragons by the time I find the damn bow.

[paperanddice]

Archdevil: Arbeyach

The archdevils in the Tome of Beasts have a similar issue as the demon lords did. Translating these powerful beings across systems reaches the breaking points of the different rule sets, as the power scales are strange. In Pathfinder, typical archdevils should be on the deity scale and thus beyond anything the system can support, so most of them won't get any creature stat blocks, instead just being statted out as gods. For 13th Age though, the scene is much stranger than the demon lords. All the arch-devils should be above the power of the regular devils, but the 13th Age pit fiend is a huge level 14 foe, the top of the standard power scale for the system. Even a weakening arch-devil like Arbeyach should be stronger than the greatest standard devil, so to stat them out requires going beyond the system's usual cap, which is a huge deal and a lot of effort. And stronger arch-devils would go further beyond it, so I think that even in 13th Age many of the archdevils are too powerful for proper stat blocks. Overall, the arch-devils may get much smaller treatment than the demon lords did.

But Arbeyach, as a weakened archdevil, will get a full creature stat block in both. He's the weakest of the archdevils, but still an exceptionally dangerous threat, and so only pretty high level parties can be expected to face off against the Swarm Prince and survive.

Pathfinder 2e

Arbeyach is the lord of decay, taking the form of insect hives. Locusts and worms are his imagery, but he has a deeply rigid and ordered mind and imposes that onto his followers and the world around him. He is exceptionally inflexible, even among arch-devils, and builds his realm in the model of a great hive, every single creature within it obeying a specific function and built to best follow it.

He is truly ancient, having come into being from a great swarm of vermin created by Baalzebub to devour some of the first mortal souls to reach Hell. These vermin fused to the soul energy, becoming something greater. Arbeyach was a vassal of Baalzebub for eons, before rising up and becoming a proper Duke of Hell through his victories and power. Over the eons however, his ambitions shifted and his views became more rigid and unyielding, unable to respond to changes in the universe around him, and eventually he weakened and was stripped of his title. Now barely stronger than a pit fiend, he must either grow or surely face destruction at the hands of a rival.

Arbeyach Creature 21 Unique, Large, Devil, Fiend, Unholy Perception +38; greater darkvision, true seeing Languages Celestial, Common, Draconic, Infernal, scent communication 120 feet, telepathy 100 feet Skills Athletics +37, Deception +40, Diplomacy +38, Intimidation +38, Nature +38, Religion +36, Society +35, Stealth +36 Str +6, Dex +5, Con +7, Int +4, Wis +5, Cha +7 Scent Communication (olfactory) Arbeyach can communicate through pheromones with spawns of Arbeyach and arthropods (insects, spiders, scorpions, and similar invertebrates) within 120 feet. Mindless arthropods and spawn of Arbeyach cannot attack Arbeyach while within this range unless magically controlled. He can attempt to counteract any effect controlling an arthropod or spawn within this range as an action with the concentration and olfactory traits (counteract rank 10, counteract modifier +36). AC 46; Fort +38, Ref +34, Will +36; +1 status to all saves vs. magic HP 465; Immunities fire, poison; Resistances physical 20 (except silver); Weaknesses holy 20 Aura of Virulence (aura, divine) 120 feet. Creatures in this aura lose all resistance and immunity to poison. Any creature not resistant or immune to poison inside the aura instead gains vulnerable 20 poison and has a -2 status penalty to all saves against poison. Frightful Presence (aura, divine, emotion, fear, mental) 20 feet, DC 44 Speed 35 feet, burrow 20 feet, climb 35 feet, fly 80 feet Melee jaws +37 (magical, poison, unholy), Damage 4d8+16 piercing plus 2d6 poison and Arbeyach Rot Melee claw +37 (agile, magical, poison, unholy), Damage 4d6+16 slashing plus 2d6 poison Divine Innate Spells DC 44, attack +36 ; 10th gate, massacre; 9th dispel magic (at will), divine decree (at will), toxic cloud (at will); 5th translocate (at will); Constant true seeing Divine Rituals DC 44; diabolic pact, wish (1/year) Arbeyach Rot (curse, poison, virulent) Mindless arthropods (insects, spiders, scorpions, and similar invertebrate) are hostile to a creature, and it can't recover from drained until Arbeyach Rot is cured. Saving Throw DC 44 Fortitude, Stage 1 Drained 1 and can't regain hit points except by magic (1 day); Stage 2 Drained 2 and can't regain hit points except by magic (1 day); Stage 3 Drained 3 and can't regain hit points except by magic (1 day); Stage 4 Drained 4 and can't regain hit points except by magic; Stage 5 Dead, and the creature's body transforms into a hellwasp swarm. Vermin Breath [2 actions] (divine, poison, unholy) Arbeyach exhales vermin that deals 17d8 poison damage in a 120-foot line (DC 44 basic Fortitude save). A creature that fails this save is also exposed to Arbeyach Rot. Arbeyach can't use Vermin Breath again for 1d4 rounds.

He still has some power from his time as a proper archdevil however, and is something of a god. While his followers are few and far between, as the Prince of Swarms cares little for mortals and their individual minds, some few can still find the power this former archdevil granted.

Areas of Concern decay, vermin Edicts bring order and structure to existence in every way, eliminate disorder Anathema undermine the hive, promote individuality Divine Attribute Constitution (Arbeyach is inflexible, you do not have a choice)

Devotee Benefits Cleric Spells 1st: ant haul, 3rd: insect form, 5th: subconscious suggestion Divine Font heal Divine Sanctification must choose unholy Divine Skill Society Domains cities, family, toil, tyranny Favored Weapon spiked gauntlet

13th Age

Arbeyach is an exile from wherever the devils originated from. Apparently formerly some great power within the devil's structure, he now builds a great hive on the outer edge of the Dragon Empire, creating himself a new basin of power. He hates the disorder and chaos of the world, rigid and unyielding in his vision, and all he sees must conform to the structure and order of his ideal world. Few devils support him, lending more evidence to his lack of authority within their system, but some number seem to have been exiled with him and find a spot within his hive. His true goal is to turn the whole world into a single hive under his control, removing all individuality and conflict, but without the full structure of the devil hierarchy aiding him he must do it himself. Of course, with how powerful he is still, few could hope to stop him anyway.

Arbeyach Large 15th level spoiler [devil] Initiative: +21 Creature of Legend Arbeyach can take two standard actions on each of his turns. He can’t use the same action twice on the same turn. Curse Bite +20 vs. AC – 75 damage plus 50 ongoing poison damage. Natural Even Hit: The target is also weakened as long as it’s taking the ongoing damage. A creature that dies while weakened this way bursts into an apocalypse swarm (see below). Miss: 50 poison damage. Diseased Claws +20 vs. AC (2 attacks) – 50 damage plus 20 poison damage. Natural 14+: The target also takes 20 ongoing poison damage. Contagion +20 vs. PD – Ongoing 75 poison damage and one of the following effects (determined at random): confused, stunned, vulnerable to all damage, weakened (save ends both). C: Vermin Breath +20 vs. PD (1d4 nearby or far away enemies) – 85 poison damage and the target is hampered (save ends). Natural Even Hit or Miss: An apocalypse swarm forms next to the target (see below). Miss: 40 poison damage. Limited Use: 3/battle, never two turns in a row. C: Cloudkill +20 vs. PD (1d4+1 nearby enemies) – 50 poison damage. Cloud: The cloud persists until the end of Arbeyach’s next turn. Any creature targeted by this attack takes 50 damage if it ends its turn without moving out of the cloud. At the start of each of Arbeyach’s turns, he can roll a normal save; on a success the cloud remains until the end of his next turn. If Arbeyach uses this attack while he has a cloud remaining from a previous casting, the previous cloud disappears. Apocalypse Swarm: An apocalypse swarm spawns where indicated by the power that creates it, obeys Arbeyach’s orders, and enters initiative 10 points after Arbeyach. See apocalypse swarm stat blocks at the end of this entry. Aura of Virulence: All attacks that deal poison damage made against nearby enemies are treated as if their natural attack roll was 5 points higher for the purpose of overcoming poison resistance. If the target doesn’t have poison resistance, the attack instead gains a +2 bonus to hit. Burrower, Flyer, and Wall Crawler. Devil’s Due (Grow Within): When you choose to add the escalation die to an attack against Arbeyach, he makes the following attack against you at the end of your turn as a free action. If you use the escalation die against him multiple times on the same turn, he does get to use this attack that many times. [Special Trigger] They Grow Within +20 vs. PD – 80 damage and an apocalypse swarm bursts out of the target. Miss: 20 damage. Fear Aura: While engaged with Arbeyach, enemies that have 216 hp or fewer are dazed and do not add the escalation die to their attacks. Resist Fire and Poison 18+. AC 30 PD 30 MD 27 HP 1330 Level 14 Apocalypse Swarm Swarm +19 vs. PD (1d3 nearby enemies) – 40 poison damage, and after the attack the swarm engages one of the targets. Natural Even Hit: The target also takes 20 ongoing poison damage. If the target dies while taking this damage, another apocalypse swarm bursts from its corpse. Flyer. AC 30 PD 30 MD 23 HP 130

Inspired by the Tome of Beasts 1. This post came out a week ago on my Patreon. If you want to get access to all my monster conversions early, as well as access to my premade adventures and other material I’m working on, consider backing me there!

[ask-lil-baby-chick]

Okay, after lots of searching, I found the idea snack for you.

*Marcille pours a little bag of giant scorpion bits and a tiny, chick-sized mimic on a plate. She adds a freshly thawed pinkie mouse for the snake half and sets the plate down before the basilisk chick.*

Enjoy!

-- @askmarcille

{The tiny creature's eyes double in size and he toddles forwards to the plate so fast that he trips over himself. He doesn't seem to mind though, as he just gets up and scurries the rest of the way before descending to gobble the bits.} Thanks tree lady! {The chick manages to thank here between bites. The snake finishes his mouse, and tries to steal a mimic from the chick. The chick bites the snake, forgetting they are the same creature for a moment. This results int the two of them pouting at once at the beak mark.}

[gh0stiefac3]

Ghostface Kills - MK Fanfic

Chapter 3 - Something Red

Raiden has been hiding at the Shirai Ryu for the past week. No news on who the Ghostface killer is or what their motive is. Raiden has been trying to remain optimistic, though with the death of his best friends is very hard to even get up out of bed. Scorpion has been very busy scouting the area to make sure the Lin Kuei or this Ghostface killer shows up.

Smoke tends to training the young Hanzo Hasashi, now a teenager. Raiden assists as much as he can. Nights and Days went by, the cold morning wind blew through the gardens. Smoke was on his way to Outworld to help assist the Empress with a task.

“What will you be doing in Outworld?” Raiden asked

“I was summoned by Empress Mileena to help assist in rehabilitation the former mage who gave himself up” Smoke says

“Why you may I ask?” Raiden questioned, unsure of why his presence was needed

“During last year, we encountered each other and I guess I made a good impression on Rain” Smoke answered.

Raiden nodded before letting Smoke leave to Outworld. Hanzo grunts as he punches and kicks the training wooden dummies on the training field. Scorpion watches from aside, taking in the young boy’s kombat form. “Remember to raise your knees higher for a harder impact!” Scorpion states. Hanzo taking his word in immediately and destroying the dummy in one kick.

Raiden walks over to see the destroyed training dummy “good job Hanzo” Scorpion says applauding the boy “you can go rest before we have lunch”

“Scorpion, I feel trapped here” Raiden confesses to Scorpion. Hanzo leaves the two to go to his room. Scorpion looks at Earthrealm’s champion

“I see…do you not feel safe here?” Scorpion asked

“No it’s not that, I do but I just can’t stay here doing nothing…I need to be back in Fenjian and find out who did this…” Raiden says. Scorpion thinks about it for mere moments

“I would suggest you stay safe here but I know that’s not what’s best for you…you can go but do let Liu Kang know” Scorpion crosses his arms.

“Thank you Scorpion, I’ll go talk to him now” Raiden spun around and left to make his way to the Hour Glass.

Scorpion sighed as he wanders around going to look for Harumi.

Meanwhile in Outworld, Smoke arrived in the dungeons. Criminals slept on the hard ground got Rain however had his own cell and a bed for good behaviour. Ever since Rain turned himself in, he was going to accept execution but at the last second Mileena changed her mind and states that Rain must remain in jail until he’s proven he has changed for the better.

Smoke knocks on the cell door to announce his arrival before entering. The Former mage sat up from his bed looking over at the ex Lin Kuei “I didn’t think you would actually show up” Rain says.

“I keep to my words, always” Smoke says closing the spoke behind him. Leaning on the wall he asks “so what do you like from me?”

“I just want to talk…it gets boring being here by myself…” Rain says “the talk we had at the Ice Temple last year when you saw me…I need to talk to you” he confesses

Smoke sits down on the bed next to him “what should we talk about?”

“Anything” Rain says looking at Smoke.

Smoke looked back and says “let’s brainstorm”

Smoke grabbed the back of Rain’s head, together they smashed their lips together in passion. Grabbing at each others body, both fell onto the bed to begin ‘brainstorming’

Back in Japan, outside the outskirts of the Shirai Ryu. Bi-Han hid in the bushes, finding ways to ambush Kuai Liang. “You wanted to betray your grandmaster…betray your clan and you were hiding here this entire time…” Bi-Han whispered to himself “should’ve known you’d be here”.

Kuai Liang has entered almost every room but Harumi was no where to be seen. So Kuai assumes she had went to the garden, Kuai walked for a few minutes before reaching the gardens.

Harumi wasn’t there either. Kuai Liang inspected the area before noticing a slash of blood on few of the flowers. Kuai Liang’s heart dropped as he noticed a trail leading into the woods.

“HARUMI!” He ran into the woods. From afar Bi-Han heard and so he begins travelling that way. Kuai Liang ran for gods know how long before he tripped over a rock. Face planting into mud, he uses his arm to wipe the mud off. Looking up he sees the brutalised corpse of Harumi. Stabbed to death on her abdomen and chest.

Kuai Liang wanted to cry and scream, but an aura so familiar calls out to him. He looked around, feeling the air getting colder. He assumes it was his former grandmaster. “BI-HAN!!” He screamed. Hearing a twig break, he looked up above to see Bi-Han leaping down to tackle him.

Kuai Liang fights Bi-Han off before kicking him back “YOU KILLED MY WIFE!” Kuai Liang screams but Bi-Han tilted his head in confusion “I never touched your wife! Nor even went near her!” Bi-Han says.

“LIAR!” The two brothers fights hand to hand Kombat. Both brothers almost brutalising each other out of anger. Bi-Han soon pushes and pins Kuai Liang against a tree

“I DIDN’T KILL HER! IM ONLY HERE TO KILL YOU!” Bi-Han pushes Kuai Liang down.

Kuai Liang looks up with hatred in his eyes “then who killed….” His face slowly went from hate to a sudden realisation “they’re here…”

Bi-Han still confused asked “and who’s here?”

Suddenly a cellphone beings ringing, where Harumi is. Kuai Liang stands up and walking over to the corpse to see a flip phone wedged in between Harumi’s hand.

“Someone has killed three of earthrealm’s warriors…Raiden was here but he left…Tomas also left” Kuai said met with an immediate groan from Bi-Han from hearing Tomàs.

Kuai Liang picks up the phone which has been ringing non stop. Kuai Liang looks at Bi-Han who snatches the phone and answers

“What?” Bi-Han snapped

“Now that’s not very nice, fighting with your own brother” the Ghostface killer says

Bi-Han raise a brow before being the phone to Kuai Liang so they could both hear

“Did you kill my wife?” Kuai Liang asked, already knowing the answer

“I didn’t mean to, she tripped and fell into my knife 53 times” GhostFace laughs

Kuai Liang clenches his fists. “Where are you now? Afraid to fight us?”

“Do you want to fight in front of your son?” GhostFace asks

Bi-Han and Kuai Liang both looked confused. Kuai Liang says “I don’t have a son”

“Then what am I doing outside of Hanzo’s room? Gonna see some Rex” GhostFace says

Kuai Liang in an instant began springing back to the Shirai Ryu base. Bi-Han soon smashing the phone and chasing after Kuai Liang.

Back in Outworld, Smoke and Rain were fixing themselves up. Rain laid back on the bed “so figured out what we’re gonna talk about?” Rain asked.

Smoke smiled before nodding “there’s been some incidents happening in earthrealmer…you know Johnny…Kenshi…and Kung Lao…they’ve been murdered”

Rain within an instant sat back up “what?!” He looked concerned “do you know who did this?” Rain asked

Smoke shook his head “no, but Raiden is with scorpion at the Shirai Ryu, he’s safe there”

Rain holds Smoke’s hand “please be careful”

Smoke squeezes Rain’s hand gently “I will” he smiled more and nuzzled his face against Rains.

Kuai Liang bursts into Hanzo’s room. He wasn’t there, no sign of any struggle. Bi-Han looks at Kuai “this is your land, what do you want to do?” Sub-Zero asked

Kuai Liang leaves the room with him “find the killer, their name is Ghostface” Kuai looks at Bi-Han “after this, our feud continues but for now I need your help”

Bi-Han huffed but agreed “fine, let’s find the killer”

“You won’t have to look that long!” GhostFace says as he jumped out from the closet, Slashing Kuai Liang’s face. Kicking Bi-Han out the door.

Kuai Liang held his face feeling the blood drip from his face. He looks up and stops the knife from going into his neck. Ghostface and Kuai Liang struggles for the knife.

Bi-Han gets back up and looks at the Ghostface mask “GET OFF HIM!” Bi-Han tackles Ghostface and pushes them out the window. Kuai Liang looked at Bi-Han, giving him a nod as a gesture of thanks.

Both leave and went around the building to see Ghostface unconscious. Bi-Han stayed back as Kuai Liang walks up close to make sure the killer is dead. But he then goes for the mask instead when suddenly in an instant, Ghostface plunges the knife into Kuai Liang’s neck.

“BROTHER!” Bi-Han screamed as he summoned an Ice Dagger and goes to attack Ghostface.

Kuai Liang clings to his neck trying to stop himself from choking on his own blood.

Bi-Han swings Ghostface into the wall, the tree and the ground in anger. Bi-Han soon looked back in time to see his younger brother take his last breath. “NO!” He crawls over to hold his brother. Seeing his brother dead, he’s filled with remorse and regret from being his brother’s enemy.

Ghostface stands up and stumbles over to Bi-Han “now I see something red” he brings the knife to Bi-Han’s throat and slashes deep.

Bi-Han chokes on his own blood, gasping for air but in his last attempts he mutters the words “I’m sorry brother…” he falls over dead next Kuai Liang.

“Fuck he’s strong” GhostFace stumbles away “now where’s that thunder boy…”

[conjoinedpubes]

The Dexterity Cheatsheet

Was inspired by this video. which asked the question; 'what does Dexterity have as a build niche?'. Hence, decided to come up with a easy reference for all the reasons to play a dex-character.

At its most basic, Dex gives the following...

1. Attack Power for weapons with Dex scaling 2. Cast speed 3. Reduces fall damage 4. Harder to fall-off horseback

Bonuses 3+4 are not relevant in most combat scenarios, and should not be taken into account for buildmaking.

Weapon Infusions

Dexterity has 2 infusions; [Keen] and [Lightning].

Keen - the physical infusion. Raises weapon AR scaling with Dex, also scales damage on certain Weapon Skills.

Lightning - The elemental counterpart to Keen. In PvP, lightning is advantaged over other elemental damage - as it tends to be the lowest defense on player characters.

Lightning is also affected by environment. Wet targets (eg. in rain) have reduced lightning mitigation. Hiting water with lightning causes an 'explosion' that deals an burst of AOE damage.

However, elemental infused weapons cannot be buffed by most sources. Lightning Infusion also splits damage between physical and lightning; hence mitigated by both the enemy's physical and lightning defenses.

Cold - Adds magic damage, int scaling and Frostbite status. Also retains more of a weapon's physical scaling than other caster infusions. Hence, on a innately dex-scaling weapon - Cold will scale well from both Int and Dex; hybrids take note.

Weapon Skills/Arts

Damage for Weapon Skills is very complex.

In general - skills that swing the weapon care about the weapon's attack rating (AR). Skills that shoot projectiles care about stats. (A detailed explanation can be found in this video)

Listed here are Weapon Skills of specific Keen/Lightning affinity. There are many excellent 'general use' Weapon Arts, just not innately dex-focused.

Thunderbolt Lightning affinity, bullet art. The infamous spam tool of arena duels; effectively gives ranged magic without needing to build a caster and while using any weapon. Lightning Slash Enhanced hit. Adds a fixed lightning damage buff to your weapon regardless of whether it lands. 'Elemental Slash' type weapon arts are one of the few ways to buff weapons with elemental infusions. Beast Roar Keen affinity, bullet art. Another infamous ranged spam, this time a physical projectile. As with Thunderbolt, effectively gives access to ranged on any weapon.

Cast Speed

"Shortens the animation when casting spells"

This is a complex stat, do note that...

This is based on specific breakpoints unique to each spell, there is no global %cast speed modifier. In general, 70 Dex is the cap for cast speed. Items that add Cast Speed (eg. Radagon's Icon) add 30 virtual dexterity (vdex), treating your cast speed as if you had +30 Dex.

Hence, if you plan to make a dex-caster hybrid - spell choice and your dex-int/fth split affects how much of an impact cast speed will make.

Consumables

"Consumables with scaling in Dexterity"

Throwing Knives (All) - Exceptional dex scaling on Fan Daggers (A) and Kukri (S). Others like Poisonbone Dart have significant scaling in both Dex + Arc.

Throwing Pots (Lightning) - 2 variants, Lightning Pot and Dragonbolt Pot.

Spark Aromatic - Damaging perfume, unusual in having fire damage while being dex scaling.

Noteworthy Weapons

This is not a list of best weapons, but weapons that are noteworthy within each class for dex characters.

Many weapon classes such as Halberds have broadly good movesets and can be scaled in many ways. Similarly, a weapon can be good purely off its moveset, even if the numbers are not the most optimal.

Dagger - Misericorde, Scorpion's Stinger, Celebrant's Sickle, Bloodstained Dagger, Great Knife Dex friendly weapon class in general. Misericorde is a critical-hit tool with high AR on Lightning, it also has the longest reach in class. Though in practice, this means little Scorpion's has innate rot and a dex bias scaling. Celebrant's has sheild pierce and high AR. Bloodstained and Greatknife are both regular weapons with innate bleed, while also scaling well with dex. However, do note that unless you started as a Bandit, these weapons are hard to acquire.

Straight Sword - Warhawk Talon, Noble's Slender Sword Among regular straight swords, these 2 have a bias toward dex scaling. The difference in reach and AR between regular straight swords is quite minor. Broadswords etc. are all very useable.

Greatsword - Flamberge Of the regular weapons, Flamberge is the only one with a distinct dex bias. Most other Greatswords have a Str bias, though many (eg. Claymore, Knight's Greatsword) are very playable on dex.

Colossal Sword UGS - Zweihander, Greatsword, Godslayer Greatsword For regular weapons, Zweihander has the lowest str req and scales best on Keen. Greatsword has higher str req, but has more AR on Lightning. Godslayer has faster standard attacks and is a rare source of dex-scaling fire damage.

Thrusting Sword - Cleanrot's Knight's Sword, Estoc, Antspur Rapier A dex-biased class overall, in general... Cleanrot's has longest reach and most AR at lower dex levels. Estoc has the most AR at dex softcap 80. Antspur has a 'Scarlet Rot' status while being infusable.

Heavy Thrusting Sword - Dragon King's Cragblade Longest weapon in class, innate lightning damage, has very high dex req. (37). HTS in general is a dex-biased weapon class, any of the regular options are also good.

Curved Sword - Bandit's Curved Swords Only weapon in class with a clear dex bias. Shamshir and Scavenger's are also good options.

Curved Greatsword - Bloodhound's Fang Bloodhound Fang scales very well to dex and is obtainable early. Dismounter is longest in class and infusable, but is drop-only.

Katana - Uchigatana, Nagakiba All weapons in this class (except Meteoric Ore Blade) are dex focused. Nagakiba has the longest reach by a significant margin, Uchigatana has the most AR for both Keen and Lightning. In short; Uchi for damage over reach, Naga for reach over damage. The Hand of Malenia is also noticeable longer than other katanas but still falls short of the Nagakiba. It is also not infusable.

Halberd - Guardian's Swordspear Unusual in having mostly sweep and slash moves. Highest AR in class on Keen, the 'big numbers stick'. Its Lightning infusion is noticeably worse than Keen for some reason, also has high str req. (16) for a dex weapon. Remainder of the Halberds (beside Gargoyle and Nightrider) can all be built toward Dex. Here, Banished Knight's Halberd tends to be the jack-of-all trades in AR and moveset.

Spear - Cross Naginata, Bolt of Gransax Of the regular spears, Naginata has innate bleed and dex scaling bias. Unusual in having a slashing attack-chain by defqult. Being a spear, the min-max setup is to dual wield and ignore the 'core-moveset'. But if you already knew that, you dont need to read this post. Bolt of Gransax; unique weapon with exceptional range (2nd highest) and innate lightning damage. Has very high dex req. (40), scales VERY poorly with str despite having 20 str req.

Greatspear - Lance, Treespear Lance is the only regular weapon in class. Treespear scales very well to dex (physical damage only) and has innate holy damage, it also one of the rare buffable weapons with an innate element. Vyke's War Spear scales well to dex, but is mostly a status weapon for pvp, hence its AR is not generally a consideration.

Reaper - Scythe, Grave Scythe The Scythe has longer reach, dex bias on Keen and features a unique double heavy attack. Grave Scythe has more AR in all cases except 80 dex + Keen. However, it has higher str req. and weight. Worth noting; is that Grave Scythe is rare drop. While the Scythe is a guaranteed drop and can be found early.

Hammer - Monk's Flamemace A str biased class in general. Monk's is the only regular hammer with a dex bias, it is drop only. The default Hammer does not have any dex bias, but has great range and moveset. It is likely a better choice than the Monk's even for dex builds.

Greathammer - None A very str-biased class, no standouts for dex.

Axe - Forked Hatchet Only weapon in class with a dex bias. However, it makes a poor weapon due to low range and damage. A dex weapon by technicality not practicality.

Greataxe - Butchering Knife Only weapon in class with a dex bias, highest AR on Keen. However, Lightning infusion narrows the AR gap for many of the regular Greataxes. Worth noting, as the Butchering Knife has very short heavy attacks.

Colossal Weapons - Duelist Greataxe Class with overwhelming str bias. Both the regular Duelist Greataxe and Rotted variant are the only weapons in class with dex bias. However, they suffer from low AR and have a significant str req. Another "dex weapon by technicality".

Whips - Urumi Exceptional dex scaling, has unique charged heavy attack with great precision and reach. All other whips also have a dex bias (except Giant's Braid). Fists - Katar Only fist with piercing damage and a dex bias. Has slightly longer reach than most.

Claws - Raptor's Talons, Venomous Fang This is a status focused class. Raptor's is another case of a weapon that technically has a dex bias, but this does not make it a good weapon. Venomous Fang is the only infusable weapon with innate poison status, it also has very high base AR.

Twinblades - Godskin Peeler Weapon class predominantely used for statuses. Peeler has a dex-bias relative to other twinblades, it also features a distinct moveset.

STARTING CLASS

Vagabond - A favourite shell for PvP characters. While it may not seem like a dex starter, this class saves a ton on stats for defense. This allows one to start with general defensive base and build dex as you see fit. Most weapons also have some str req. so the base str is also rarely wasted.

Samurai - 2nd highest dex, while having a good spread of hp, endurance and str. Wastes no points for 'caster' stats, good option for full martial dex characters.

Prisoner - Exceptional dex and int, very low base faith. Great starter for that specific hybrid stat combination.

Warrior - Highest dex of all starter classes. That said, its often less efficient in the long run (vs. Vagabond/Samurai) due to having an unusual stat distribution (few use cases for having extra Mind + Int + Arc).

Bandit - High Dex + Arc. Similar to Warrior in being less effecient for pure dex due having odd 'spare stats'.

In short, Vagabond/Samurai will be your go-to for generalist dex characters. The remainders are options provided you have a specific dex hybrid in mind. When in doubt, use the Elden Ring build planner here.

Thanks and Credits

Chrightt and his community for providing much of the in-depth math this post is based on. Rorydobson for the Elden Ring build planner.

[divorcetual]

ah sound of the summer 🦂🕳️🌧️

im gonna drown int he scorpion hole

[sillovn]

Adventures of Jolain 1/1: The Gelmir Rant

Short journal - this one is bad. The brief adventures of Jolain the Brimstone aka. Shitty Grandma, the worst build Ive made.

Awhile back, I read a post about how the Carian Family all represented a celestial body. Rennala the Moon, Ranni the Dark Moon, Radhan the Meteors and for Rykard ~ the very world itself.

Inspired, I decided to make a magma sorcery build. Even worse, I commited to a fire damage only gimmick. Yes - fire damage sorcery only. And boy, is this character terrible.

1. Background

Sorcerors tend to have stone related names - Glintstone for the academy's worthy. Bluntstone for the unworthy. Therefore - Brimstone for a magma sorceror.

Faith was the chosen damage stat as it was the only way to scale fire on attack (flame art infusion) and spell damage (Staff of the Guilty).

Gelmir Staff would be better, but its too rare.

Gelmir spells face 2 main problems - poor damage and slow speed. This weakness is not innately a deal breaker - unless the entire build IS gelmir spells. Theres also the problem of how limited our arsenal is - a fire only sorceror has 4 spells and a handful weapon arts.

Ended up benching the character ~RL90. Problem solving with her was simply draining - low power level + limited combat tools is a real fun killer.

2. Summary

1. General combat boiled down to 1 main spell (Roiling Magma), Flaming Strike WA and weapon fundamentals. Essentially, a Flame Art fighter that sometimes throw a landmine. 2. Trying to squeeze out spell damage (physicks, scorpion talisman etc.) did not give any good result (eg. charged Magma Shot has comparable damage to a jumping heavy on small weapons). Simply drawing a weapon and hitting things was the better option in almost all cases. 3. There is 1 interesting combo (PVE only); kite an enemy over the Roiling Magma 'landmine' and Flame Strike as it explodes for burst - but thats it. 4. in many ways the pain here is self-inflicted, by choosing an unusual damage type (fire), in a school with limited spells (gelmir) and with a stat for which staff options are poor (faith). 5. Main takeaway is combat options and a good 'feel' playstyle is important to me. One of the reasons why I dont enjoy 'X weapon only' runs or builds that stack buffs to combo-burst enemies. 6. For future builds, I need to be aware if a build idea is just rotten. Issues started to show ~mid-game; trying to brute force with levels and upgrades didn't change the playstyle being limited.

3. The Rant

While the build was a failure, I need to talk about the Gelmir magic school for abit. This school has a few distinct properties...

Fire damage sorcery

Int/Fth, req. low fth + high int.

Lingering lava pools

Slow cast times

Long range + arcing projectiles

Decent poise damage for spells

The idea here seems to have been 'big casts, explosive impacts' - Wizard artillery essentially. In practice, the game offers much better options for artillery in the form of ballistae and other spells (eg. Cannon of Haima).

Can be argued that fire damage gives options vs magic resistance - but Gelmir spells are not suited to direct spam due to slow speed as well as reasons unique to each spell. You can't just spam enemies from afar as with glintstone school.

This, along with lava pools mean that Gelmir spells care most about raw impact.

Due to how defense works - multiple small hits are less effectice than a single equivalent big hit. Lava pool burn is poor until late-game (~280 staff scaling seems to be the point where its notable)

This then brings up staff choice - At 80 int rennala also has significantly more scaling that Gelmir at 40/40 int/fth. Same is true of academy staff at 70. Gelmir staff is only competitive vs pure int staves at 60 int.

Now for the individual spells...

Magma Shot

Magma Shot dares ask the question - "what if a throwing pot costs 16 fp".

With lockon, the range and accuracy is awful. Manual aim fixes this but runs into a different problem - hitbox and impact explosion is very small. Expect it to fly through enemies harmlessly or explode near their feet with no effect. Damage is also very unimpressive if it hits.

Has a niche of cheap but weak artillery. Problem is that long range bombardments need splash to be good. IMO, a mid-point between explosive impact and precision has limited use.

Roiling Magma

The landmine has great impact on paper, though landing this in active combat is hard. The game is fast, the spell is slow and the explosion is modest. Compared with the other big explosive spells like Haima Cannon - its very mediocre.

Does allow for some intresting PVE - clearing dungeons via. 'stealth bombing'.

The landmine will 'fizzle' on many surfaces - such as breakable objects. This includes things like pillars that only big enemies can smash.

Gelmir's Fury

Has the niche of being the best way to flood a wide area with lava. Strangely, its strongest property is a weird (maybe bugged?) hitbox - very commonly deals burst damage to enemies that don't appear to be hit by the spell.

Rykard's Rancor

Not a commonly used or particularly strong spell, but its fair IMO. Found 3 common uses.

Screen flooding in PvP

Crowd-control, can kite large groups though the flames.

Multi-hitting large foes.

Only complaint is that it doesn't free aim well - Rykard himself uses a variant that travels in a simple big arc.

Final Thoughts

Despite all this, I do like Gelmir spells alot. They are situational tools and not straight replacements to melee combat - which is preferable to *some other* schools we shall not name.

Biggest issue is the small hitbox and poor aim on Magma Shot. That and Roiling Magma 'fizzling out' on a large number of surfaces.

[oingybinkywangobongo]

New part for one of my Mafia scripts I wrote

(TW: mentions of k!lling/possible d3ath/guns)

INT. SAN DIEGO FOXES HQ.

Time: 10am

*Two men from different organizations are talking business*

Moreno Assante: Look, all I'm saying is that maybe, if we merged our groups together, we'd be unstoppable! There wouldn't be any other group within miles who'd mess with us. And what's even better it would help your product ratings. I'm not demanding anything, it's simply a suggestion, Louis.

*Louis ponders for a moment before speaking*

Louis Corelli: I don't know, Moreno. It seems too sudden. However, you are right about our product rates. We've been pretty low on stuff, how about this if you're in agreement with the idea... I'll send a few of my men to your group, and you can send me a few of y-

*Just then there's a knock at the door, it opens and in walks Frankie, and Ray*

Frankie: Excuse us, sir, sorry for the interruption. Uh... We got some news, you're probably not going to like it.

*Louis looks up at the two men*

Louis: Well? What is it?

Frankie: uhhh... Why don't you tell 'im Ray *Frankie says turning to his partner nudging him forward*

Ray: Well sir, uh- Do you perhaps remember that one group from long ago that ended up in that massacre? And then there was one member who survived and served time in the cells? Well... He's back, again. He has a new group this time, they call themselves; The LA Scorpions.

*Louis starts to get irritated*

Louis: Well what of it? Speak!

Ray: We've gotten some threats sent to our headquarters here. They're addressed to you. It seems this guy might have had some beef with you, or someone you used to work with sometime ago.

*Ray pulls out a letter from his pocket and hands it to his boss*

*Frankie pulls out a necklace from his pocket and hands it to Louis as well*

*As Louis takes the letter and the necklace, he opens the letter and begins to read it*

The letter: "Aye Louis, been awhile hasn't it buddy? Listen, I hate to break it to you but I have your daughter, and she's become quite a useful tool to me. If you ever want to see her again, you'll give me what you owed me 20 years ago. Thought I'd forgotten about that huh? I've been in some tough shit that's true, but I haven't forgotten about our deal. So unless you want your precious daughter showing up at your door with a few missing fingers and a black eye. I'd suggest you get your ass busy." ~Johnny

*After reading through the letter, clutching the necklace in his hand tightly, Louis with an expression of anger and outrage looks towards Frankie and Ray*

Louis: Moreno, I'm sorry, we'll have to talk about this another time. Those damn scorpions have my daughter.

Frank, Ray, round up a few guys and gear up. We're going to LA.

[panterrraa]

Eidolon

Chapter 1 : Pact

This will be a long-ish Scorpion x OC fic in honor of the new MK1 trailer. Really it’s just an excuse to use one of my favorite CDrama tropes: woman must disguise herself as a man for one reason or another (usually self-preservation), keeping her identity a secret even from the object of her affections. I have to set a little backstory so it’ll be slow to get going, but stick with it. Quick mention of Scorpion later in this chapter.

~~~~~~~

12 YEARS AGO Tamm was alone in the gathering darkness of the leafy hilltop. Having trudged up it from the opposite side over brambles and sawtoothed rock, she was relieved to see a small inn tucked neatly at its sloping foot. She couldn’t afford to stay over for more than a single night, but still. She made to walk the rest of the way there when a loud crackle sounded behind her. Blade drawn, she turned to face it.

It was a portal, bright and gaping, and out of it stepped a figure straight from the pages of her fathers old history books. He was not so ugly as the illustrations would have her believe. In fact, he had a kind of angular, highborn face.

She felt a measure of fear, but it was dulled around the edges by pure exhaustion. The man was dressed in green and gold, and on his head, a horned and burgundy crown. He took a step toward her.

“Do you know who I am, child?”

His voice was pleasant enough, deep and imposing.

“You’re Lord Shinnok” she said, trying to sound grown-up and self-assured. “The God of Death.”

“Very good,” he said expansively. “And you are the daughter of a traitor.”

It was said so matter-of-factly that Tamm blinked at him in astonishment. Had he come to fetch her to the Netherrealm or…what?

“Oh, don’t look so surprised. It’s the reason you won’t stay in one place for very long, why you roam the countryside disguised as a boy, isn’t it?”

“How-How do you know that?”

“Warriors are scant few these days. I make it my business to keep an eye on the more promising ones. And you, girl, are very promising, indeed.”

Tamm frowned. It was true she had spent the better part of her life either training under the strict thumb of her father or evading the new Kahn.

“What do you want?” She demanded, though inwardly she quailed. “Say it plainly,”

He smiled at her as though she had asked the one question he’d wanted her to all along.

“Fight for me, and I will not reveal your identity. The Kahn need never know.”

“But…that’s blackmail!” she said angrily, forgetting her alarm for a moment.

“Yes, I suppose it is,” he drawled without remorse. He looked thoughtful but unbothered by the accusation. “You have nowhere to go, no home nor kin. I offer you both. Or would you rather spend the rest of your miserable life on the run?”

She thought for a moment. If she refused him, she would be sent to the flesh pits or worse. The future yawned frightfully before her. Could she really spend it with no place to lay her head?

They stood for what seemed like some time in silence. The wind sluiced over them both and across the grass in rippling, cool waves, rolling on and down to the inn. She experienced it all as if it were the last time. The dark was nearly on them when he spoke again.

“Well? What say you?”

Tamm felt like her entire life had shrunk to this solemn point.

“Alright,” she answered, feeling sick.

“Smart girl.”

“So, what now?” It was asked lamely and with growing dread. It was all she could muster.

“You will take this to your grave,” he began simply, through rows of animal teeth. “Reveal neither yourself nor our bargain to anyone, otherwise we’re both done for. Do you understand?”

Tamm could only nod, rendered speechless as he made a final promise.

“The Kahn will never hear of it from my lips, so long as you obey me.”

Shinnok fell silent. He was cast halfway in shadow, bone-white and deliberate. He had made the offer forthrightly, but Tamm saw a savage intent in his eyes. His expression changed suddenly to one of sly interest.

“How old are you, little one?”

“15.” she gulped.

“Ah, still a child. I predict you’ll grow into a raving beauty someday. You have the makings of one, even now.”

Tamm didn’t know why, but she misliked the way he looked at her. It was much too eager. Shinnok abruptly straightened, assuming the stance of a well-bred gentleman. He gave her an assessing look.

“When you are ready, truly ready, I will come.” he said, stepping back into the waiting portal. Tamm couldn’t know that in a few months time, he would do just that.

“In the meantime, I must continue to try and bring a very angry pyromancer into my employ.” Shinnok gave a stately bow as the portal closed over him in a violet haze, and the only words going around and around in her head were: What have I done?

[brainrotcharacters]

Pick

My breath grated as it escaped my throat, feet pounding on the sand as I kept running away. The storm continued to whirl and howl around me that I lifted a hand to the cloth around my head, relieved that it remained in place. The hairs at the back of my neck prickled—they were still behind me, then.

Run. These were the orders I received. Run. Pick a god and pray.

To Ydis, goddess of honor and dignity. Venerable Lady, if my pursuers reach me, may you persuade them to spare me. May you protect them when their high king learns of what had occurred.

A crossbow bolt buried itself into the sand not three feet to my right, causing the grains to burst into the air. I yelped, swering in the other direction, pulling the cloth over my mouth and nose further up.

Uerin, goddess of animals and beasts. Mother of the Pack, if mercy is not an option, please please please summon your beasts from the sand below. Your deadliest scorpions, your fiercest serpents. Save me. Stop my pursuers from reaching me.

The sandstorm knocked me over a crest, and I lost my footing. Careening into the air, there was nothing but grains and the ever growing fear of dying between my fingers until I crashed and rolled further down the dune. Fuck fuck fuck—

I scrambled to my feet. There was a ringing noise in my right ear, and my senses told me they were closing in from that direction. I turned my back, exposed as I was, and broke into a run once more.

To Ruvren, god of destiny. I am an ungrateful, ignorant, undeserving creature, and I beg you now, you son of a bitch. Please save me.

To Saherin, goddess of victory. Goddess Champion, we both agree that bitter defeat makes victory all that sweeter. Grant me this reward. Please help me escape.

To Ritin, goddess of storms. Send all this sand in their path, and I will sacrifice to your altars, extend a helping hand to your acolytes. I will put you first as your fellow gods have eternally failed to do.

"Shit!" the storm had picked up its pace, and the sand had reached up to my knees, leeching at my strength. It seems Ritin didn't believe me. I don't blame her.

I crouched, feverishly pawing and digging at the sand. To Votia, god of sleep. Put them under! I beg you, put them to sleep. You with your games would love to deal sudden fatigue in the middle of a chase like this!

The weight on my feet lessened, and I started to run again. To Atos, god of fire. Send down your flames, burn them just so that they are forever buried in glass! Or your twin sister Amros, goddess of water. Lure them with an oasis! Fill their mouths with the water they need to distract them from me! Whatever you need to do, and I am yours!

My heart pounded. The sand beneath me suddenly shifted, momentum yanking me forward that I fell flat on my face. Ezra. To Ezra, god of...

God of what?

To the god Ezra, I have nothing to offer and arguably nothing to gain from you. I have no time to care anymore. Whether it is freedom or bloodshed for me, I need your help. I need you, Ezra.

Something pulsed through the air, like the pulse of a dead heart in the core of the world.

The sandstorm slowed in front of my eyes that I was able to see the bits of grain. The bends and curves of dunes. I lost all feeling in my hands.

One remembers.

That same pulse hit me square in the chest, and I stumbled back a step. I flexed my fingers, flexed my toes from inside my shoes. I took note of the twin scimitars hanging from either side of me, the daggers sheathed across my back.

You need me, girl?

Ezra. It was Ezra's unmistakable voice. I ignored the part of my mind that wondered how I recognized him, as I turned around to face my enemies, palming the handles of my scimitars. Veins of gold spiderwebbed the span of the steel―

The same gold that burned in my eyes now as the cavalry reached a crest in the dune not ten miles away. I sauntered towards them, brandishing my now blessed weapons, the sand crunching beneath my feet. Then I started jogging. Then I broke into a run. They started to withdraw.

Then have me.

“Pick a god and pray” they said, and you did, praying to every god you knew. And as you did this a name popped into your mind, one you didn’t recognize, yet you prayed to them all the same. In response the air stood still, like even the world had forgotten their name.