#is THIS AnnoUNcing new reborn volumes!!!!

[boxanimal]

May 24, 2024 is the 20th anniversary of Reborn!

Shonen Jump covers primarily featuring the series:

June 7, 2004, Issue No. 26 - New serialization

November 8, 2004, Issue No. 48 - 1st volume release

July 4, 2005, Issue No. 29 - 1st anniversary

March 20, 2006, Issue No. 14 - Beginning of the Varia arc

September 11, 2006, Issue No. 39 - TV anime announcement

October 23, 2006, Issue No. 45 - TV anime debut

November 20, 2006, Issue No. 49 - Beginning of Tsuna vs. Xanxus

July 9, 2007, Issue No. 30 - 3rd anniversary

September 10, 2007, Issue No. 39

November 19, 2007, Issue No. 49

February 18, 2008, Issue No. 10 - 18th volume release

July 14, 2008, Issue No. 31 - 4th anniversary

November 3, 2008, Issue No. 47 - 3rd anniversary of TV anime

June 22, 2009, Issue No. 28 - 5th anniversary

October 19, 2009, Issue No. 45 - Reborn Month event

November 2, 2009, Issue No. 47 - Reborn Month event

February 1, 2010, Issue No. 7 - 27th volume release & TV anime 7th season

April 12, 2010, Issue No. 17 - Beginning of the Inheritance arc & REBORN Colore! release

June 14, 2010, Issue No. 26 - 6th anniversary

September 12, 2011, Issue No. 38 - Beginning of the Curse of the Rainbow arc

[seijorhi]

Undertow

A tokrev purge AU, as a treat :))

Kakucho x female reader, Kurokawa Izana x female reader

w.c 6.4k

tw: murder, blood & slight gore, implied non/dub-con, yandere themes

This is not a test, this is your Emergency Broadcast System announcing the commencement of the annual Purge sanctioned by the Japanese Government. Weapons of class four and lower have been authorised for use during the Purge. All other weapons are restricted. Government officials of ranking ten have been granted immunity and shall not be harmed. 

Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for twelve continuous hours. Police, fire, and emergency medical services will be unavailable until tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m, when the Purge concludes. 

Blessed be our new founding fathers and Japan; a nation reborn.

As the polite, female voice falls silent, klaxons ring out, blaring through the night. 

Seven years now. 

Five, since your brother decided to join the would be Purgers and never made it home. It never becomes normal, you never lose that fear. You do, however, learn the rules. 

Stay home. Lock yourself away behind the reinforced shutters and doors, pretend that everything’s fine, that you can’t hear the screaming and gunshots, the violent chaos being gleefully wreaked outside. You put on some movies, music maybe, sit on your couch, swaddled in blankets with the volume too loud and pray that tonight won’t be the night that someone decides to test just how impenetrable the defences around your home truly are.

Arms encircle your waist, pulling you back against a firm chest. A kiss is pressed against your hair. “Babe, don’t look so worried. We’ll be fine. We always are.” 

–Only this time, you’re not waiting out the Purge by yourself. 

You exhale, Natsuya’s hold easing to allow you to turn and face him. He smiles at the pinched expression on your face, “We’re gonna be fine,” he repeats. “Now will you please come have a drink with me? The others are starting to wonder why my beautiful,” his lips meet your forehead, “smart,” the tip of your nose, “incredible girlfriend’s hiding herself away.” 

He kisses your lips last of all, a sweet, gentle thing. Brushes your hair back from your face. 

“No one’s getting through the security system, and even if they did, no one’s gonna hurt you, I’ll make sure of it.”

Yes, you’d caught an eyeful of the shotgun he’d been cleaning when you’d arrived. His friends undoubtedly have their own weapons stashed away, too. After all – there’s no such thing as a pacifist on Purge night. 

It doesn’t ease your worry any, but you smile and nod for him, letting him tug you back to the lounge room where his friends and sister await. 

Because what else does Purge night call for, if not a party?

Miyano – charming and roguish, long dark hair swept up into a bun – the first to greet you, passing you a shot of amber liquor with an easy wink. “Purge classic,” he tells you, referring to the drink, “it’s tradition – and a secret.”

You knock the shot back, wincing at the burn in your throat as it goes down. “Why does it taste like toothpaste?!”

“Disgusting, isn’t it,” Tomori, Natsuya’s sister and the only other girl present, says with a grimace. 

Miyano looks mightily pleased with himself, Ayumu and Suwabe both snickering good naturedly. The two of them couldn’t be more different from each other. Suwabe’s short and stocky, Ayumu willowy-tall, blond and bespectacled, and yet one’s never far from the other. 

Your boyfriend sneaks an arm around your waist, dutifully accepting his own with a rueful sigh.

“So you guys do this every Purge?” 

Suwabe nods, “Yeah, for the past four or five years. It’s a shit night, we figured we might as well make the most of it together instead of stressing out about it alone.”

“And you’ve never been tempted to…?”

The three of them share a look, Suwabe shrugging, “What, to Purge? Ayumu and I went one year. Not to kill anyone or nothing,” he hastens to clarify at your wide eyed expression, “we wanted to rob his boss’s place.”

“The guy was an asshole. Rich as hell, too. We knew he wasn’t gonna be there, it seemed as good a time as any to try our luck,” the blond elaborates. 

“And how’d that go for you?” 

He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck, “Yeah, we didn’t even make it onto the property. And it was fucked out there, not something I want a repeat of anytime soon.”

Your brother’s face flashes to mind, a pang striking deep in your chest. He’d made his choice, though, with intentions far less justifiable, and so you shove those feelings aside, tilting your face to meet Natsuya’s, “And no Purging for you?”

Intended as a joke, his fingers, resting comfortably above your hip, inexplicably twitch. “‘Course not.”

“The whole thing’s messed up. Who wants to go out and hunt people for fun?” Tomori snorts, passing you a glass of wine and pouring one for herself. 

“Kind of a necessary evil, though, right?” 

She meets her brother’s gaze with one raised, unimpressed eyebrow, “Oh c’mon, Nats, you can’t honestly tell me that you believe the Purge is in any way a good thing. Those who can afford it lock themselves away, and the poor pay the price. It’s chaos for the sake of chaos, the only difference between now and before is that alongside all the criminals who would’ve gone out looting and murdering anyway, the government’s convinced stupid, entitled dumbasses like those two,” she jerks her chin towards Ayumu and Suwabe, both suddenly fascinated with their drinks, “that killing and stealing and hurting other people is morally upstanding, and worse; fun.”

And so the conversation goes, as it always does. You nod and hum idly along with the others every now and then, nestled comfortably into Natsuya’s side while they argue back and forth, until– “Look, all I’m saying is that anyone who’s dumb enough to get themselves killed on Purge night probably isn’t a great loss to society anyway.”

The change in the air is palpable. Natsuya stiffens behind you, Tomori’s breath catching, her eyes immediately finding yours.

Figures that Natsuya told her. 

And to Miyano’s credit, he seems to realise he’s misstepped even before your boyfriend’s growled, “Dude, shut the hell up.” 

“Shit, that’s not what I– Fuck, I didn’t–” You raise a placating hand, and his mouth closes with an audible click. 

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it, I’m not gonna bite your head off,” you chuckle awkwardly, pretending that you don’t see Suwabe’s wince.

Still, his expression looks almost stricken, eyes darting between you and a disapproving Nats, and you feel a slight twinge of… something.

Miyano hadn’t said it to be spiteful. 

What happened to your brother happens to hundreds every Purge – they leave the safety of their houses with the belief that because they’ve got a weapon and a free pass for twelve hours, they’re invincible. 

Usually, they’re wrong. 

“It’s fine,” you repeat with a tight smile, pointedly ignoring Natsuya’s scoff. 

“No, I shouldn’t’ve–”

Whatever he’s about to say falls by the wayside as a loud, pounding suddenly reverberates through the house. 

The front door. 

For a long beat, nobody moves. Nobody breathes. Six pairs of eyes shift to the entry-way, towards the unknown figure waiting on the other side of the door. 

Silence settles over the six of you, thick and uncomfortable, and undercurrent of tension pressing down on your body. Every door and window’s locked and reinforced behind steel shutters, they’re not impenetrable, though. Nothing is. 

Abruptly, the banging resumes, so sudden that you jerk, flinching back against Natsuya’s frame.

“Pull up the security feed,” Suwabe suggests.

There’s a panel with a keypad on the wall by the kitchen, a few clicks of the buttons and the screen comes to life. Split across six sections, the cameras show a near 360 degree view of the exterior of the house. Natsuya taps on the upper left, bringing the view from the front of the house – the man battering down the door – full screen, the audio filtering through. 

“–gonna kill me! You have to let me in! I promise I’m not armed, I swear it, just– help me, please!”

Your stomach flips. 

“I–” you swallow, drawing in an unsteady breath.

The shock of black hair, the jagged scar cut like a bolt of lightning across his forehead, his eyes, one red, the other a milky white, wide and frantic now as he risks another look behind him – they’re not features you’re likely to forget any time soon. “I know him.”

You feel more than see the way that Natsuya tenses, pulling back to study you, a note of questioning in his eyes.

“He catches the same train home, we talk sometimes.” There’s more to it than that; a creep that tried to feel you up and Kakucho’s intervention, but you don’t feel like getting into that now.

Not when he’s hoarse and begging on Nats’ doorstep. 

He hammers his fist against the shutters, strong enough that you swear you can feel the vibrations rattling in your chest. “He’s coming– fucking hell, please!”

Nobody says anything, uncomfortable glances shared between all six of you. 

It’s an exercise in futility begging anyone for help on Purge night. He has to know that – everyone knows that.

And yet your heart’s lodged firmly in your throat, because it’s not just anyone at the door. It’s not a stranger begging for mercy, for sanctuary, it’s Kakucho. 

Kakucho, who stood up for you.

Kakucho, who took the seat next to yours for weeks before he so much as said a word to you.

Kakucho, who looks half crazed – terrified – pleading for his life. 

You barely know him, a kind act and a few conversations on your nighttime commute doesn’t make him a saint, doesn’t mean you have any sort of deeper relationship or trust built between you, but…

“Nats,” you breathe, your hand seeking his. His palm’s warm, engulfing yours, and you squeeze it, “I know him.”

It isn’t a plea, not quite. 

“Dude, are you crazy? You can’t let him in!” Suwabe hisses, smacking his shoulder. “It sucks, but that’s what happens–”

Tomori‘s eyes flash. She folds her arms over her chest, shooting daggers his way, “So we throw him to the wolves? Just leave him to die?” 

“Yeah; that’s the fucking Purge, Mori! He’s banging on your door ‘cause no one else’s stupid enough to let him in!”

“And if it was your friend and not some random stranger, you’re telling me you‘d leave him to the wolves rather than risk opening your door?”

Miyano, up until now silent, exhales, “She’s kind of got a point.” 

“He’s not a friend though, she said it herself!” Suwabe snaps back, jabbing his finger in your direction. He turns to Ayumu, watching the argument unfold with a small frown. “Back me up here, dude, you know I’m right.”

The blond shifts on his feet, fingers tapping an uneasy rhythm against his drink as his gaze flickers between you and Natsuya. And all the while, the pounding outside continues, furious and desperate, layered beneath Kakucho’s shouts. You’re half convinced that any second now, that door’s gonna give way, and your stomach churns. You feel sick. 

He’s a mere step above a stranger; an acquaintance at best. Suwabe isn’t wrong, either. This is Purge, this is what happens. Those who don’t have the means to protect themselves either learn to fight back or pay the price. There’s no helping that and it’s naive to think otherwise.

Right now you’re safe. Barring an all out assault, you’ll remain that way for the rest of the night. 

The smart thing to do would be to hunker down and pretend the world outside the front door doesn’t exist for the next however many hours. That was the plan. That’s always the plan for the Purge. 

Even the harmless looking ones pose a threat tonight. Kakucho, with his stature and scowl, the scar and those frighteningly intense eyes, never struck you as all that harmless. 

So you don’t blame Suwabe for his reticence. You can’t. The smart, rational choice here is as cold and brutal as it is simple; you keep the door locked. 

Yet your hand tightens around Natsuya’s, anchoring yourself in the touch as Ayumu’s eyes flit across yours, considering. 

You won’t beg, you won’t, but–

“It’s your house,” he eventually says, more to Natusya than you. A shrugs then, sliding his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “There’s six of us, we’ve got guns if he tries anything.”

Something looses inside of you, a shuddering breath filling your lungs. 

Natsuya doesn’t look particularly thrilled judging from the clenched muscle in his jaw, the crease between his brows. One glance at Tomori, though, her lovely face set is a mask of determination and that resolve of his weakens.

And shatters entirely. 

“Fine. Fucking– fine. Let him in; 4869.” 

He snatches the shotgun off the table as he says it, drawing you back into his side whilst Miyano – the closest to the door – punches in the code. Suwabe, meanwhile, disappears from the room, reappearing a moment later with a gun in hand. 

Sliding himself into position between Tomori and the door, he cocks the slide with a grim expression. He locks eyes with you – only for a heartbeat – and you find yourself wanting to blurt out that the guns aren’t necessary, that Kakucho isn’t a threat. 

You don’t, though, tongue leaden in your mouth, and he nudges her back as his attention shifts to the door. 

In your ear, low enough that the others won’t hear, Natsuya murmurs, “You don’t leave my side, understand?”

You nod. 

With a heavy clank, the shutters begin to lift.

Your fingers dance by your side, your insides in knots. Inch by inch it goes until finally, Miyano unlocks the door, pulls it open and Kakucho barrels in. 

No one breathes. No one moves as he rights himself, bleeding, panting. 

“Shut the fucking door,” he rasps, and like that, whatever spell everyone’s under is broken and both Suwabe and Miyano snap into action to close off the house once more.

And all the while you simply stare, blinking, unsure of what you’re supposed to say or do right now. Kakucho’s eyes shift around the room, slowly considering each of your friends, tasking them in one after the other, Suwabe’s gun, Natsuya’s, until at last, his eyes fall on you.

Recognition glints. Surprise. His head tilts, almost puppy-ish, brows drawing together. He murmurs your name in that deep, gravelly rumble, and Natsuya goes rigid. 

It’s an instinctual response, you think, because a breath later his thumb rubs soothingly at your hip, slow and gentle, a quiet apology for brutish behaviour. Everyone’s on edge tonight. 

And once again, it falls to Tomori to break the tension.

“Are you hurt? You look like hell.”

Kakucho doesn’t answer her immediately, his attention lingering on you for a heartbeat longer than necessary. Long enough that you have to fight the urge to fidget. Eventually, though, he grunts and shakes his head, turning his head to face her. “It’s nothing. I‘m fine.”

“You’re bleeding,” she presses, as gently as she can. 

Dazedly, he lifts his hand to his face, fingers finding the gash on his cheek. They come away wet and shining, glistening with his own blood – he stares at it, almost confused. “It’s… nothing,” he repeats, slower this time.

Tomori rolls her eyes, huffs in a way that’s so similar to Natsuya that under other circumstances you might have laughed. “What is it with men and their bullshit need to act tough all the time?”

None of them, not even Miyano has anything to say to that, and despite the heavy tension still hanging in the air, a wry grin pulls at your lips. 

It only lasts a moment. 

“You guys have a first aid kit, yeah?” Ayumu asks, to which both Tomori and your boyfriend nod.

“In the kitchen, the shelf above the fridge.”

And like that, the boys begin to disperse. Ayumu to fetch the kit, Miyano water and alcohol. Suwabe sticks by Tomori’s side, and when she mentions something about towels for the blood, he follows her out into the hallway. You suspect it’s more to give you a moment with Kakucho – or to escape the thick, awkward atmosphere – but you’re grateful all the same.

With the others gone, Kakucho’s attention turns back to you. Says nothing as you approach, Natsuya trailing right behind you, watching the two of you carefully.

Tomori hadn’t been wrong. Tough act or not, he has to be in pain. Split lip, knuckles grazed and reddened. The gash on his cheek, and blood seeping from a cut on his brow. Mottled bruises darkening his skin. Even his gait is off, his left leg supporting the majority of his weight. You’ve never seen the aftermath of a beating like this before. They hadn’t even let you see your own brother after they’d found him. 

It twists at something inside of you, sends a pang right through your heart. He has to be hurting, yet Kakucho wears the damage like it’s nothing.  

There’s a strange urge – one you steadfastly ignore – to reach out and take his ruined cheek in hand. To see someone in pain, hiding it… you might not be friends exactly, but a lump forms in your throat, your chest tightening. You’ve never felt so uselessly inadequate.

You sigh, eyes searching his, “What happened to you?”

“Let him sit down first, babe,” your boyfriend mutters. 

Kakucho regards him warily. He’s still holding the shotgun, admittedly by his side, his other hand moving to your shoulder. 

A clear message, and you don’t know how you feel about that.

In any case, your cheeks warm, a sheepish laugh – one without much humour – leaving your lips. You’re doing this all wrong. Stupid, stupid. “Of course, it’s probably better if we do this at the table, right?” you ask no one in particular. “Can you walk over or do you need somebody to lean on?”

A faint frown mars his face, “I said I’m fine.” Again, there’s no heat in the statement, the words are dull, robotic almost. 

The others are returning now, Ayumu blowing his blond locks away from his face as he sets the first aid kit down on the table and pops it open. Yet surprisingly it’s Suwabe who pipes up, “Stop being an asshole, she’s just trying to help.”

Well, maybe not that surprising. 

You repress another sigh, shaking off Natsuya’s grip to go and help him, Ayumu clearly having the same thought, when the doorbell rings.

You freeze.

No one dares to breathe, each of you slowly turning to face the door, still locked behind those steel shutters. 

The doorbell rings again, twice in quick succession. 

You hear someone quietly whisper, “Fuck.”

Cold dread sluices through your system, every pound of your heart echoing in your ear as Natsuya chokes on his spit, glances to Miyano. 

And all eyes shift to the security screen. Tomori’s closest this time, Suwabe’s quick to grab her, pull her back as he instead brings the feed to life. Another tap, and the exterior front door once again fills the screen.

Your heart, pounding so violently in your chest that it feels like you’re going to be sick, constricts.

A blond man with striking – deeply unsettling – violet eyes stands at the doorstep, smiling directly into the camera. He’s not much older than you, less than five or so years you’d guess, dressed in an elegant, brocaded red coat. 

“I’m assuming I have your attention,” he begins. His voice is pleasant and smooth, it sends shivers down your spine, the warmth leaching from your blood. 

He waits a beat, still smiling that chilling, awful smile. “Good. Excellent. As I have no intention of wasting my time on this precious Purge night, I’ll make this brief. Nice and simple for you; it’s come to my attention that you’re harbouring something that belongs to me.” You hear Tomori’s breath catch, and hers aren’t the only pair of eyes that shift to Kakucho. “The man – the dog – you’ve inexplicably given sanctuary to tonight is nothing but filth. A defiler. A killer. A menace to our just society, and like all dogs, he must be brought to heel.”

His teeth, straight and white, glint as his grin widens. You can’t breathe, Natsuya’s hand finding yours, tightening wordlessly. You can feel the tension shift in the room, the fear that descends like a blanket at his words. But you know Kakucho, he’s wouldn’t– he’s not–

“By offering him sanctuary, by standing between me and what is rightfully mine, you’ve aligned yourself with those to be Purged. So, again, I’ll make this clear. You may think that behind this security system of yours, you’re safe. That the locks on your doors and steel shutters will keep me out – that is a lie you’ve been sold. I am coming in, it might take five minutes, maybe twenty, but these defences will fall. And if the dog inside hasn’t ripped you all to pieces, rest assured that I will. I suggest you good folks run. Hide. You cannot keep me from what I want.”

Abruptly the screen goes black, and no less than a split second later, the power in the house cuts out, plunging you into an eerie green-lit dimness as the sole emergency light flickers on.  

The sound of your shaking breath feels too loud in the dead stillness. You swallow, and slowly turn to face Kakucho. 

A defiler and a killer, the smiling man had said.

Those things can’t be true, because the Kakucho you know…

He meets your stare. Cold and empty, and that racing, trembling heart of your sinks into the very pit of your stomach. “K-kakucho?”

Two guns lift, Natsuya yanking you back, and in the space of a breath, everything goes to hell. Ayumu’s closest, had gone over to help, and quicker than your eyes can follow, Kakucho lunges forward, a knife appearing in his hand.

One moment, your friend, with that quiet, dry humour and a heart of absolute gold, is standing, the next – Kakucho’s knife is at his throat, and he’s being yanked backwards. “Put the guns down,” he says.

Like his expression, his voice is cold and flat. 

Neither Natsuya nor Suwabe make a move to lower their weapons, Suwabe teeth bared in a silent snarl. 

“Just do what he says, for fuck’s sake!” Miyano hisses, and you’re not imagining the panic lacing his tone. 

The corner of Kakucho’s lips curl, “However fast you think you can shoot, I can guarantee you it won’t be quick enough. Put them down. On the floor.”

“Kakucho, please…”

He doesn’t so much as spare you a glance. Natsuya’s hand tightens, a silent plea for you to keep quiet, and not draw his attention. 

“Do what he says.” It’s Ayumu, his voice a hoarse whisper. Wide eyed, shaking, the knife at his throat pressed so tightly that the movement of his vocal chords causes skin to break, a thin line of blood beading across his neck. “Please.”

“I am not–”

“Do what he fucking says, Suwabe!”

A long silence settles, neither making a move, unwilling to give an inch despite their friend’s desperate plea. And perhaps the terror in the blond’s voice finally breaks through to them, or the cool, detached ruthlessness of Kakucho’s demeanour, but with a heavy reluctance, the two lower their weapons. 

“On the floor,” Kakucho repeats, pressing the blade tighter against Ayumu’s throat. “I’m not asking.”

Suwabe snarls, dropping the pistol. A moment later Natsuya follows suit, the both of them glaring at the larger man. 

Kakucho smirks. Glances at you.

A defiler, the smiling man had called him. A killer.

And too quickly for anyone to stop him, he yanks the knife across Ayumu’s throat and shoves him aside. There’s a ringing in your ears as Tomori screams, Suwabe falling to his knees, scrambling for his discarded gun. Too slow. Kakucho’s sprinting – unhindered by his supposed ‘injured’ foot – disappearing into the darkness of the house, and Ayumu’s bleeding out on the floor.

Gaping and gasping, twitching like a fish out of water. 

You can’t move, can’t hear a thing but the pounding of your pulse in your ears as you stare into his eyes. There’s so much blood, more and more spraying with every dying beat of his heart, pooling beneath his body, splattering the walls, the furniture, everything. And you can’t move.

Ayumu, glasses knocked askew, pretty blond locks falling into his eyes, chokes and gurgles, a trembling, bloody hand stretching out for help – and you can’t do a thing.

No one can.

And just as Miyano jolts out of his stupor and lunges for him, Ayumu’s body falls slack.

The light in his eyes fading away into nothingness. 

Dead.

Suwabe screams, fires two shots blindly down the hallway, howling in rage and agony. Natsuya grips you so tight that it cuts off your circulation, his own eyes wide and horrified, taking in the carnage before him. Tomori lets out a keening sob, and the shutters on the front door screech ominously, as if to remind you all that there are bigger problems at hand. 

There’s no time for grief. There’s a killer in the house, another forcing his way inside. Five of you left, two guns, and another ten or so hours until all of this can be over. 

And suddenly Natsuya’s in front of you, grabbing your face in both hands and forcing you to look at him. You blink dazedly, trying in vain to focus as he speaks to you. 

“–bathroom, lock the fucking door and do not open it until I come back, you understand?”

You blink again, eyes sliding back at Ayumu. His eyes are open, gazing at nothing, empty, empty, empty–

Your fault.

He’d told them it was okay. They had guns so it’d be okay, but you were the one–

“Listen to me!” Natsuya hisses, yanking your attention back to him. “I need you safe, so take Tomori and lock yourself in the bathroom right now. You don’t open that door no matter what, not ‘til I come back and tell you it’s safe, do you understand me?”

You find yourself nodding, a short jerking movement. 

It’s enough for Natsuya, who presses a quick, desperate kiss to the crown of your head and takes you to Tomori. She grips your hand tight and the two of you disappear into the bathroom, one last glance at the three of them, grim faced and vengeful, gathering their weapons under the green glow before the doors shut, and you click the lock into place. 

The two of you sit in the darkness, Tomori’s arm around your shoulders, sniffling into your shoulder as you wait. 

You hold her, a hand running up and down her spine, tears of your own spilling down your cheeks.

Your fault, your fault, your fault. All of this is your fault. 

Tomori flinches with every noise, every muffled thump. There’s a deafening bang somewhere on the floor above you – a gunshot maybe, or something falling, it’s hard to tell. 

Your fault. Your fault. Your fault.

“It’s okay,” you whisper, clutching her closer as she whimpers – the only reassurance you can bring yourself to give her. “It’s okay.”

How could this happen, you think numbly. For months now, you’ve sat next to a murderer, talked with him. Laughed with him.

You thought him a protector. A friend, even.

And you all but begged them to let him inside. 

Ayumu’s blood’s on your hands. You might all die here tonight and it’s entirely your fault.

‘I know him,’ you’d told them. ‘I know him, and it’s okay.’

The look he’d given you, that smirk. Like he knew every thought that was running through your head. Like none of this was accidental, but the pieces of a puzzle falling slowly into place. 

A defiler.

Bile creeps up your throat, and it occurs to you that death might not be the only thing waiting for you and Tomori if Kakucho finds you. 

The tears fall quicker, and you close your eyes and bite down on your quivering bottom lip. 

Locked away in the darkness, time crawls by. Minutes, maybe, or hours – there’s no way of knowing how much time has passed when you hear the tell tale sound of metal groaning, the splintering of wood. Tomori moans in despair, sobbing uncontrollably now as the front door gives way.

“It’s fine,” you soothe, “It’s okay.”

It’s a lie, because while the others – if they’re still alive (they have to be alive, they have to be) – are distracted with Kakucho, all that’s between you and the smiling intruder is a locked door.

Far less indestructible than the one he just broke through. 

And soft as they may be, you hear the footsteps echoing off the wooden floorboards as the intruder leisurely makes his way down the hall. Closer and closer. Desperately, you try to quiet Tomori, but it makes no difference. He comes to a stop on the other side of the door.

Bringing a hand to your mouth, you bite down on the back of your palm in an effort to stifle your breathing. Tomori cringes. 

When the door opens, you’ll attack, you decide. Go for the eyes, or knee him in the crotch – anything to give Mori a chance to run. 

A heavy, pregnant pause, and then–

“I know you’re in there. Hiding away while your friends are getting hacked to pieces.” You can’t see it, but you know he’s smiling, grinning on the other side of the door. You can hear it in his voice. And you hate him, hate him even as paralysing fear claws its way through you, keeping you rooted in place. “That’s fine, I don’t mind. You can stay there for a little while longer, I still have one last thing to take care of, and then we can have some fun, no?”

He laughs then, light and boyish, as if this is nothing more than a game. To him, perhaps it isn’t. 

“I’ll see you soon.”

In any case, his footsteps recede, and you’re left sitting in the darkness alone with your fear once more. 

The thumping upstairs grows louder. There’s a crash and more yelling, a series of gunshots. 

And then the screaming starts. Awful, bloodcurdling howls that have every hair on your body standing on end. Your stomach roils, what little you’d eaten earlier forcing its way back up your throat as you retch into the toilet, shaking and pale. 

“We’re gonna die here, aren’t we?” Tomori whispers, and you can’t find the strength within yourself to try and convince her otherwise. If you survive this, those screams won’t ever leave you. You’ll wake in the middle of the night, gasping for air, unable to shake them. 

“I don’t know.”

Silence, when it falls, feels like a death knell. 

And then come the footsteps. You wait with bated breath, praying that it’s Natsuya. Miyano. Even Suwabe. Any of your friends. 

A knock; the sound ricocheting through you. “Love, are you gonna open the door for me?”

Tomori wails like a banshee, broken and agonised, and you feel that little, tiny spark of hope you’d kept deep within your chest wink out.

“I’m sorry,” you tell her, kissing her hair as you hold her close. “I’m so sorry, Mori.”

And as the door shudders under the force of a kick, you hold her close and pray for a quick end. Another kick, and the wood splinters.

A third, and it breaks open entirely.

That eerie, green light floods the bathroom, the blond man stepping inside. He smiles at you, blood flecked across his face. The blood of your friends. Natsuya’s maybe.

“Ah, I thought there was one missing. She’s in here,” he calls out, glancing over his shoulder.

For a heartbeat, confusion flickers beneath the terror. Did he bring others with him? Maybe that’s how he broke in so quickly, maybe there’s a whole gang of them. 

Your unspoken question, however, is answered when another figure steps into the bathroom behind him.

“She won’t be a problem.”

Your blood turns to ice. 

Kakucho. Tall, broad and looming, he surveys the two of you with interest, his gaze lingering on you. “Are you gonna come quietly or am I gonna have to drag you out?” he asks, a single eyebrow raised.

To your credit, you try to stand. You might not be brave, but you’re not suicidal either. If there’s any chance that compliance gets you or Tomori out of here, even if these monsters killed Natsuya and the others, you’ll do what they ask.

Yet your legs are shaking so bad that you barely make it to your feet before they give out beneath you. Kakucho tuts, sighing heavily – and sweeps in to lift you up into his arms as if you weigh nothing at all, paying no mind to the way that you flinch and shudder.

The blond pads out behind you as Kakucho carries you back into the living room. 

You’re half expecting to be shoved to your knees, the barrel of a gun pressed to the back of your head, but Kakucho sets you down gently on the couch, pats the top of your head twice before retreating back to the bathroom.

The blond stays behind, those violet eyes a sickly colour under the green glow fixated curiously on you. Your hands are shaking in your lap as he draws closer.

“I bought you something,” he says.

You frown, tongue darting out to wet your lips as you mumble, “W-what?”

From the pocket he pulls out a velvet box, pressing into your hands as he settles down beside you. “Open it.”

Swallowing tightly, you fumble with the lid for a moment – until he sighs and takes it back from you, popping it open and handing it right back to you.

And you don’t understand when you take it back, because nestled into the white pillow is a necklace with a pendant, a hanafuda design, matching the earrings dangling from his lobes. 

“Well? Are you going to put it on?” he asks, just as Kakucho returns with a squirming Tomori. Yet rather than setting her down the couch as he had with you, he drops her carelessly onto the floor in a tangle of limbs and retreats again – this time back towards the stairs.

You start to rise with the intention of helping her, only to be stopped by an iron grip around your wrist. “If you get up from this couch, I’ll put a bullet through her brain right here and now, do you understand?”

He says it so mildly, the threat takes a second to register.

When it does, though, you nod shakily and fall back to your seat. He smiles again, a mirthful twinkle in his eyes. “Good girl.” He pats your knee, “Now, put it on for me.”

Casting a quick glance to Tomori, prone and near catatonic on the floor, you do as he bids, lifting the thing chain from the box. It’s long enough for you to slip it over your head without having to fiddle with the clasp – a good thing, seeing as your fine motor skills seem to have abandoned you in your terror. The pendant falls between your breasts, which the blond man takes a good, long moment to admire.

“Suits you,” is all he says as Kakucho returns once more.

And drops another body on the floor.

Your heart seizes in your chest as it moves. Groans and lifts his head, blinking to adjust to the dim light. 

“Nats–” you cry, and forgetting the blond at your side you go to rise once more. This time he snarls, quiet and vicious, seizing your shoulder and forcing you back down.

“Don’t. Be. Rude.”

You draw in a shallow breath, hope and despair warring inside of you as you glance from Natsuya to Kakucho, who manhandles him onto his knees. His face is bruised and bloody, a dark, wet-looking patch you can only assume to be blood seeping from one of his thighs.

He’s alive, though. Put through the wringer but alive.

You almost sob.

Beside him, Tomori’s also being raised to her knees, the dead look in her eyes fading somewhat as she takes in the sight of her brother. 

Your gut clenches. 

Both of them are facing you, Kakucho looming threateningly behind them. Despite the momentary joy, this isn’t a happy reunion. 

The blond at your side hums, leaning in close. With a delicate touch, he sweeps back a lock of hair, tucking it behind your ear. The hand on your knee drifts higher, grazing along the inside of your thigh. 

“You get a choice, think of it as… a going away present,” he says. The warmth of his breath fans across your skin, his hand now slipping beneath your skirt. You shudder, trying to blink back the hot tears that well up in your eyes. You refuse to cry in front of him, you refuse to give him the satisfaction. Amusement and something like glee dances across his face, “One of them dies now; quick and relatively painless. The other…” his fingers brush the seat of your underwear, his tongue darting out to lick at the stray tear that slips from your lashes. His voice dips, “The other gets to watch while the three of us have our fun tonight.”

Natsuya snarls, only for Kakucho to kick him back to the ground and keep him there with a foot on his back. 

“And a-afterwards?” you force the words out.

“Afterwards, Kakucho’s going to beat the other one to death with his bare fucking fists. I wasn’t lying when I told you he was violent,” his lips brush your cheek, featherlight and gentle, “I wasn’t lying about any of it.”

You look to Kakucho then, his eyes bearing down on you with a hunger he doesn’t bother to hide. An obsession.

All those nights, sitting on the train next to him. All the stupid, meaningless conversations you’d had, the night he’d damn near knocked the lights out of that creep. The way he’d begged on the doorstep, and the smirk when his ruse was discovered.

Lies, all of it lies.

You draw in a shaky breath and close your eyes, hands tightening into fists by your lap. 

“So tell me, love,” he continues, fingers once again teasing at your panties. “Which one goes first?”

[what-the-fuck-khr]

oh yeah what if I kicked KHR’s ass. not that it’s KHR’s fault or Amano’s for that matter bc she actually cared enough to include her, but recently we’ve started getting new capsule figures. exciting news! I was meant to post about them and forgot sorry I’ll do that soon. anyways first set was Reborn, HDWM Tsuna, Hayato, Takeshi, Kyoya. standard first set of five, right? second volume was announced to release this month! so you know who the remaining five are, right? right? right? volume two consists of Ryohei, Lambo (a win in any regard as they never get included)c non HDWM Tsuna and Mukuro. they only made. 4. wh… where is she. where is Chrome. she’s a Guardian. Amano makes that very obvious that Chrome and Mukuro share the same position and responsibilities and are both apart of the team. Chrome gets a lot of artwork in the manga. Chrome is an important character. why is volume two only a set of 4 when it’s could’ve been another 5 to match the first set with Chrome included. I think I’m going to commit a crime

[etinceelle]

i would like to know...

what exactly in v9 change your opinion about penny?

*cracks my fingers*

So, basically so far the message that I understood from RWBY was kinda always the same, always coming back in different ways but still : the balance of life and death, like in our world. The thing is that in RWBY it always has been THE rule, especially after The Lost Fable in Volume 6 where we saw the "Gods" ideas about it, it was their main rule. The spirits of the Relics also work according to the same rule, just like Ambrosius who can't bring people back from the dead (I think he could do it, but the rule doesn't allow him to do so).

But even at that moment I was a bit conflicted because the "Gods" didn't seem to be on the same page about this rule. The God of Darkness decided to revive Ozma even if he probably knew about the rule, but he still decided to ignore it because his ego was flattered because Salem went to him. Then the God of Light comes, they fight like child, and they break their own rule multiple times while arguing. They acted like children, made Ozma and Salem suffer and then went like "oh you have to understand the balance of life and death", this seems pretty horrible and completely selfish to me aha, but that's another topic-

So we knew the Gods weren't perfect, but they were still the "Gods". I say "Gods" because in Volume 9 we learn they aren't the real Gods of the RWBY universe, but simply Afterans who had more powers than others, who evolved and decided to experiment and create. But they are still Afterans. They aren't perfect and they aren't allowed to talk about balance when they fought each other from the very beginning after creating the Cat and the Jabberwalker.

In fact, the real RWBY God is a Tree represented in a human form as the Blacksmith, who's a sort of avatar I imagine. But even she/they said that her being the Tree was a simplistic view of what is the Tree and what it does. This avatar is gentle, and most importantly, they're from a world where death doesn't exist.

This still seems pretty wild to me to discover in the RWBY universe a place where people just don't die. They change, they evolve, they are reborn but they don't die. Their soul isn't lost like in Remnant. They go back to the very original place, where everything started, and come back different. It can be understood as some form of death, but it's still a different process than on Remnant.

So, about Penny, I'm not saying she'll definitely have a revival but a lot of things start to make me believe this could be the case, maybe in the near future, OR at the end of the series, because I imagine the Brothers/"Gods" will return to Remnant and the Tree might play its part too.

Knowing all of this BIG part of RWBY's lore now just makes me think that we just discovered such a big thing. The Brothers are so stricts about the life and death rule (that they don't even respect), and I never thought what we learned in V9 would truly be a thing. So RWBY's universe is so much more now, it's not just about it, it's about other worlds and about the Ever After that is this origin, the center of everything. It feels almost like if I had blinkers and suddenly woah, a whole new part of the story we didn't know or expected is here, and now I have like a million questions aha.

For Penny specifically, before Volume 9 I was kinda okay with the fact that she died, and was expecting her death to be announced and to be a big thing for Ruby. But we really got SO MUCH hints and references, almost every chapter except 4, 9 and 10. In a world where death doesn't exist, I think it's kinda odd we have so much references (even if it's mostly for Ruby's pain). Like, when you take a step back and look at the overall arcs and story : Penny' always been in terrible situations that ended by death. Even in V8 her "choice" in the finale doesn't really feel like one to me. Penny's never been near any of her goal and she never had the time or opportunity to do so. She was always too busy to fight for people she cared about, or just fighting to survive, to have her chance, but never truly succeeded. It just feel like her arc isn't done, and again when you watch it with an overall view, we see V7-9 being a big arc for her that only led to tragedies (got framed at the election, got the powers she didn't want, got hacked, and then got stabbed and killed).

After seeing Little being killed and come back as Somewhat, even without their memories but still remembering deep down, I have more faith about the fact that character's death don't undo any suffering or trauma the characters went through, or don't change anything for the viewer. We got some weird parts in V9 (I talked about it more in details in another post) that are a bit unclear, and I think deliberately open to the viewer for interpretation. At least this is how it feels to me. I'm thinking about the Blacksmith saying to Ruby about Penny's sword : "nothing, no one, is ever truly lost". This could mean so much things omg. And knowing how much CRWBY loves details and foreshadowing, maybe it means something for later.

Anyway, there's also the fact that at the end of Volume 9, we see Vacuo and Amity Collosseum is there. Which means that Pietro and Maria probably made it to Vacuo. But Pietro without Penny, it feels weird and so sad to me. I talked about it in other posts as well but he's already the kind of man to sacrifice parts of himself to create Penny, and remake her a second time after losing her. Would he really be able to resist to try to remake her a 3rd time ? Would he really not do that ? Pietro is also important in the series because of his connexion and bond to Penny. And I really don't think he wouldn't at least try to remake her, even if that would mean sacrificing himself...

In general, this is the RWBY lore expension and all the hints that we got that kinda made me change my mind. We had V8 that ended in a tragic way with Penny's death, and we go back with a whole volume about rebirth ? This is kinda odd to me aha

Also, I thought again about some lines from Volume 8, and again knowing how much CRWBY like to foreshadow things and add little details here and there, I'm thinking that Pietro might meet Ambrosius some day at some point. Ambrosius said that he'd love to meet him, so idk maybe, that would be really great-

There's also the fact that Ruby said to Ambrosius "We kinda want to keep her longer than that", and we saw in the finale how much Ambrosius took everything that is said to him literally. Who knows if he didn't do something with Penny to help her to remain resistant ? And this line as well, "we go to Vacuo, all of us", and it's again odd that Penny can't go in the end. Idk maybe I'm biased but I just would love that aha.

Ruby and Penny's journey together are also very important in both of their arc, and as much as I think Nuts and Dolts is endgame, both being together despite everything would be a really beautiful message, a light of hope, and they would both have a really great influence on each other.

I could continue for a long time aha but I'm tired, there are just so much things in V9 that helped me to think this might not be just over yet for her. Hope you enjoyed the reading !

[adversitybloomed]

🌸  ┊ letter received from @caracarnn        𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍'𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓 : ⛓ / FOR AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE STARTER.

          annoyance had flickered through her, as she sat upon the cushion among the crowd throne room that housed the imperial court. a heavy headdress weight down upon her head, adding to the headache that had become her life ever since her father had announced that she would be marrying the dragon reborn. a bitterness still could be tasted upon her tongue, as she had not forgiven her father yet for going back on his word and making her soon marry a stranger.

          it mattered little to her that she had heard countless times since the announcement had first been made, on how it was a good and wise match her marriage would be ━━ that fortune would smile down upon the hua dynasty now that a true dragon would be part of the royal family. instead she could not help but worry if her soon-to-be husband would be good and loyal to her. or if he would turn out to be the man that she had always feared marrying who's only goal was to use her for power.

          sparing a glance in his direction, mulan watched as her father talked to the redheaded male who sat upon the dragon throne, a seat normally sat upon by her father. it was a rare sight, especially since the only other person allowed near him during this time was the empress herself, and yet she sat now to the left of him drinking her tea and chatting with the other ladies who had come to attend the social gathering. as she watched him, she could not deny that he was handsome, but it did little to lesson the blow to her ego. she knew her father was asking him of his journey here and if the dowry that he had received was enough or if he desired more, for not only did he send the traditional gifts, of bedding, new clothing for her as well as the tea set for the ceremony and more, but he had also promised ten thousand men to join with her once the marriage was completed and she left with him so that their alliance would remain strong.

          glancing away, she continued to ignore her meal and the conversations around her, especially after her elder sister came from her seat to whisper in her ear that she was happy for her, for it meant that now she was no longer an obstacle in her path for she would soon be leaving their homeland. yet the sound of her name drew her from her own mind, silence soon befalling the court as her father spoke for her to come forward.

          taking in a breath, she rose from her kneeled position, her steps around the table graceful as she began to make her way towards the middle of the room and closer to the thrones. moving her hands before her, she kneeled to them both bowing her head to the ground as she wished them a lifetime of health and prosperity before raising her head to look up at them.      ❝  forgive my daughter, she has a willful nature. 𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒏 come here and greet 𝑪𝒂𝒓'𝒂'𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒏 more properly.  ❞    her fathers voice did not speak loudly in volume, but the command in his tone could not be missed.

          rising once more, she lifted the hem of her skirt before climbing the steps to join next to rand. waiting she watched as the staff put down a cushion for her to rest upon before she lowered herself to his side. grabbing hold of the serving spoon, she poured him a glass of wine before raising it with two hands to present to him with a smile,      ❝  i hope that our marriage can be long lasting and full of prosperity.  ❞    her eyes met with his own as she only just began to realize how handsome he truly was up close as well as how tall he was.

          she had never seen eyes like his before, the gray-blue color seemingly piercing to the very depths of her soul. suddenly, all of her anger and annoyance was replaced with a nervousness that she could not understand, for her heart raced so suddenly she thought she might faint. for a moments breath, her mind tried to blame the fact that it was because his aura was so powerful ━━ but deep down she knew that was not the reason for the sudden change within her.

        ❝  have we  ━━ ❞    she stopped herself from speaking such a strange thought out loud, for there was no way the two could know each other, despite the fact that her soul seemed to say it was so. instead she forced such a thought away in favor of appearing polite and sane,      ❝  forgive me, what i meant to ask was if you would like more food or if you have had enough and wish for dessert ?   ❞   

[eeriehowl]

EXCuSE mE everoyone bUt whAT iS THIS

[tinypaint]

Hi friends! I'm pleased to announce that I'll be running my next kickstarter on September 15th for Ava's Demon: Reborn, Volume One. Click here for a preview of the book!

It's a bookshelf-friendly and lovingly reformatted version of Ava’s Demon Vol. 1, now with roughly 6-8 panels per page and a few larger panels and splash pages. It's also an 8x9 inch hardcover contains over 300 never-before-printed panels, and will be the new format for all printed books until I finish the story. Also, should we reach our stretch goals, we'll be adding brand new Ava’s Demon short stories made exclusively for this volume by myself and the colorists~!

Stay tuned for another big announcement on September 1st.

Thanks everyone!<3

[beardedmrbean]

The Idaho chapter of The Satanic Temple (TST) withdrew from a Pride Month event for families and children after other sponsors dropped out following local news reports on the temple's intention to offer renunciations of Christian baptisms.

"We are so excited to announce that we will have a booth and be participating Coeur D'Alene's ���Pride in the Park’ event next Saturday, June 11th from 10am-3pm!," Idaho TST wrote in now-deleted Facebook post reported on by NBC affiliate KOBI. "We will have merchandise for sale, be offering support to our community and performing unbaptisms for those interested! Just know, Satan loves you for you! Hail Satan!"

The "family-friendly" celebration, called "Pride in the Park," was hosted by the North Idaho Pride Alliance (NIPA) in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday. Dozens of masked men, suspected of being tied to a White nationalist group, were arrested near the event after they were found packed in the back of a U-Haul truck.

The Satanic Temple Idaho initially joined the ACLU of Idaho, Everytown for Gun Safety, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Ecumenical Catholic Communion Church, Idaho State Police District 1 and a local public library in sponsoring the event.

SATANIC TEMPLE TO SEND ‘HAIL SATAN’ DECALS TO KANSAS TOWN THAT REVERSED BAN ON ‘GOD’ FROM POLICE CARS

A spokesperson for NIPA told Fox News Digital that the Idaho Satanic Temple "dropped out of the event on their own accord and will not be present at Pride in the Park."

NIPA did not immediately respond to a follow-up query asking if their organization received backlash for TST's involvement in their event.

TST spokesperson Lucien Greaves told Fox News that TST's Idaho congregation pulled out of the event after receiving "a high volume of threats and harassing messages regarding their involvement," but said he heard they ultimately decided to withdraw in response to other sponsors pulling out in protest against TST being a part of it.

SATANIC TEMPLE REQUESTS BOSTON CITY HALL FLY FLAG CELEBRATING ‘SATANIC APPRECIATION WEEK’

"Apparently these sponsors are not willing to support the LGBTQ community if The Satanic Temple supports them too," said Greaves. "Having sought to assist with Pride, rather than cause conflict within it, our congregation opted to pull out so as not force organizers to accept that their real dedication to inclusion would deprive them of sponsorship from spineless, opportunistic corporations that seek to purchase an unjustified image of inclusivity, so long as it appears relatively uncontroversial to the mainstream consumer."

TEXAS LEGISLATOR TO INTRODUCE BILL BANNING CHILDREN FROM DRAG SHOWS AFTER ‘DRAG THE KIDS TO PRIDE’ EVENT

One of the events at "Pride in the Park" specifically promoted by TST included an offering of "unbaptisms." According to an explanation from TST of Austin, the ritual of unbaptism aligns with the Third Tenet of The Satanic Temple, which says: "One's body is inviolable, subject to one's own will alone."

Unbaptism is "an opportunity for those in the community who feel they were baptized without their consent to revoke their baptisms," according to TST Austin. "This ritual is intended to provide bodily liberation and catharsis to those who have been subjected to unwanted religious indoctrination."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says baptism "is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments."

Baptism for a Christian symbolizes "burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as ‘a new creature,’" according to the catechism, which says Christians through baptism "are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission."

[recentanimenews]

The Unwanted Undead Adventurer Light Novel to Get Anime Adaptation

  Yu Okano and Jaian's light novel series The Unwanted Undead Adventurer (also known in Japan as The Unwanted Immortal Adventurer or Nozomanu Fushi no Boukensha) has sold more than 1.4 million copies since it made the jump to Overlap Bunko in 2017. Now, it's about to become the latest Shōsetsuka ni Narō website alum to get an anime adaptation!

  The announcement was made during this weekend's Overlap Bunko 9th Anniversary online event, and came with this flashy PV:

    RELATED: Princess Plots in How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom TV Anime PV

  And a celebratory art piece shows skeletal protag Rentt Faina enjoying a meal with fellow main characters Lorraine Vivie and Sheila Ibarss:

    The original light novel and its manga adapation are both currently available via J-Novel Club, who summarize it thus:

  Rentt Faina, a twenty-five-year-old adventurer, has been hacking away at monsters for a decade. However, without much talent for the job, Rentt finds himself stuck hunting Slimes and Goblins for meager amounts of coin every day. Little does he know, all this is about to change when he comes across a seemingly undiscovered path in the Labyrinth of the Moon's Reflection. What awaits him at the end of the path, however, is neither treasure nor riches, but a legendary dragon that wastes no time swallowing him whole! Waking up a short time later, Rentt finds himself not quite dead, but not very alive either— He is nothing more than a pile of bones! Armed with nothing but his trusty sword, tool belt, and ghoulish new looks, Rentt sets off on his quest as a newly reborn Skeleton to achieve Existential Evolution, hoping to one day return to civilization with a more human form. Will Rentt succeed, or will the labyrinth consume him for the rest of his un-death...?

  RELATED: J-Novel Club Announces New Slate of Light Novel and Manga Titles for Spring 2022

  Volume 10 of the light novel is also scheduled to be released in Japan on April 25.

    Keep an eye on the Overlap Bunko Twitter account for future news on the project.

  Source: Dengeki Online

    ------

Kara Dennison is the book reviewer for Sci-Fi Magazine and a regular features writer for Otaku USA Magazine. Follow her on Twitter @RubyCosmos, and read more at KaraDennison.com.

By: Kara Dennison

[theoriginalsapphic]

An Honour

For @flashfictionfridayofficial

Title: An Honour

Word count: 600

Wattpad

A/N: I need to stop writing at 3am.

The wooden plank I’m lying on is rough on my bare skin, tiny splinters piercing the flesh of my thighs. I try to take a peek between the slightly separated threads of my blindfold but it’s a futile attempt— only the men are aware of this path into somewhere in the middle of the woods, and only them are allowed to know. I wonder how much longer it will take; judging by the increasing volume of the monophonic mass of deep voices, not a long way to go.

The low hums of the chants are increasing in intensity and I try to take a deep breath to calm myself down and stop squirming so the rope around my intertwined wrists and my intertwined feet stop biting the tender skin of my wrists and ankles. I struggle to suppress a shiver; whether it is because my body is nude and exposed to the chill wind or because of the uncertainty of what is coming next, I don’t know.

This an honour, I repeat to myself, ironically, like a little personal chant. This is an honour, and yet, no one has ever shown gratitude or delight at the prospect of carrying this ancient ritual.

The low pitch of the chants are loud in my ears now, and I realize they are singing words. Latin, my mind suggests, but I never had the right to learn the language, so I’m unaware of the words being recited.

My breathing comes out in small, wheezing gasps as I feel two pairs of hands untying my knots. They gently lower my body to the ground, and I immediately recoil at the sensation of twigs and past-autumn dried leaves pricking the sole of my feet. For a moment I feel lonely with only the company of the deep chants, but then the two sets of hands are back on me again, grabbing me by the crook of my elbows and guiding me to the meeting place.

The chants continue behind my back, and I feel the sharp edges of the giant boulder doing small punctures on my skin. Tiny droplets of pure blood flow down my body, and I involuntarily tremble. There is not enough blood spilled to cause serious harm to my self— only the right amount to attract the It.

The blindfold is finally removed off my face, and I’m mesmerized by the most beautiful sky night I’ve seen in my life, with enough stars imprinted on the firmament to guide and protect generations through the dangers that await us in the darkness. It’s truly enthralling and I try to concentrate on it, hang on it like a reassurance.

The chants change for the first time since I’ve come here; they raise the pitch and increase the speed of the rhythm of the words being said, to the point that they no longer sound sung, but rather, shouted. With every new acceleration of the tempo and every increase in their intonation, my heart beat hurtful in my chest and throb loud in my ears as an accompanying drum to the voices of the men. I feel it in the clamminess of my skin; I know the end is near.

The chants die down and the world is reborn in a dreadful quietness and stillness.

It’s an honour, I remind myself again, but when the trees composing the forest begin to open wide at the seams and a howling roar announces the entrance of something too malevolent to even mention in casual conversation, I close my eyes, as I cannot bear witness to my wretched destiny.

[satoshi-mochida]

Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon will launch for PlayStation 4 and Switch on August 26 in Japan for 7,700 yen, Type-Moon announced. It is rated CERO Z.

In addition to the standard edition, the following other editions will also be available:

First-Print Limited Edition (8,800 yen)

Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon game

“Tsukihime Material I: Material of Blue Glass Moon” art book (100 pages)

Case with Takashi Takeuchi illustration

Digital Deluxe Edition (8,250 yen) – PlayStation 4-Only

“Tsukihime Material I: Material of Blue Glass Moon” art book digital edition (100 pages)

Here are the specification differences between PlayStation 4 and Switch:

Resolution

-PlayStation 4 – 1920×1080

-Switch

TV Mode – 1920×1080

Table / Handheld Mode – 1280×720

Controllers

-PlayStation 4

Touchpad and mouse supported

Vibration not supported

-Switch

Joy-Con, touchscreen, and Pro Controller (wired and wireless) supported

Vibration not supported

Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon contains the stories of the “Near Side of the Moon,” which consist of the Aruceid route “Moon Princess” and Ciel route “Rainbow of Night.” The story, which was disassembled and reconstructed by Kinoko Nasu, is set in Tokyo in the 2010s, and has been updated and expanded, with the environmental changes said to create a new sense of tension and realism. It promises to be a nostalgic, yet new Type-Moon starting point portrayed by evolved, beautiful, and profound visuals, production, and music.

Volume 13 of the magazine Type-Moon Ace notes that although the outline of Tsukihime‘s story was written according to the original, the text of the original has been completely rewritten and the volume of each route is said to have more than doubled. In that sense, not only the visual aspect of the game has been improved, but also the scenario itself. The biggest change in the scenario is the “Arcueid Route” and “Ciel Route” double heroine system.

As the subtitle “A Piece of Blue Glass Moon” indicates, it will be “Near Side of the Moon” release that contains the stories of Arcueid and Ciel. Although these is less routes than the original, users who have played the original will be able to experience Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon with a nostalgic, yet new and mysterious feel. The routes not featured in Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon will appear another time, in “another Tsukihime” that depicts “the other side of the moon.”

Here are the summaries of Arcueid and Ciel’s routes:

Introduction

Aah—the moon is as beautiful as ever tonight.

When he was young, Shiki Tohno was seriously injured in an accident.

Driven away into the care of a distant relative, he led a calm everyday life until he received news of his father Makihisa Tohno’s death.

Called back to his family home, awaiting him was his younger sister Akiha, who succeeded their father as head of the family, and two maids.

Life as the eldest son of the Tohno family began anew.

A family with age-old traditions.

Life in an estate not suited to who he is.

Fragments of his memories awakened by scenes of the past, Shiki Tohno crosses paths with a person-shaped creature—.

Tsukihime, the romance visual novel created as a doujin game and still talked about today, is reborn!

Arcueid Route: Moon Princess

Shiki Tohno is a high school student left in the care of a distant relative after an accident seven years ago. After his father dies, he is called back to his prestigious family home, and his everyday life begins anew in the large estate. However, there were some unsettling signs. One day, while feeling lightheaded, he passes by a woman. His encounter with the woman, who calls herself Arcueid, gets him involved in a battle beyond human comprehension by inhuman “Vampires.”

Ciel Route: Rainbow of Night

After an unexpected train ride, Shiki quickly becomes close with Ciel, a popular, older student at his high school. With his best friend Arihiko Inui and new teacher Noel, he had a busy, dream-like everyday life. However, that did not last long. The urge to kill suddenly came to boil. And the tragedy he caused drags him to the depths of despair. Offering an umbrella and warm words, it was Ciel who saved Shiki’s soul.

Characters

Shiki Tohno (voiced by Ryousuke Kanemoto) – The protagonist. At first glance, he is a mild-mannered and quiet boy with an inclination for literature. Perhaps because of his past experience, he has a someone unique opinion on life and death compared to other people his age.

Arcueid Brunestud (voiced by Ikumi Hasegawa) – The heroine. A mysterious woman who, in contrast to her faultless, graceful appearance, shows an innocent, child-like attitude.

Ciel (voiced by Kaede Hondo) – An older student who attends Shiki Tohno’s high school. Trademarked by her brisk movements, smiling face, and glasses.

Akiha Tohno (voiced by Shino Shimoji) – Shiki Tohno’s younger sister. The young head of the distinguished Tohno family, who succeeded her father after his death.

Kohaku (voiced by Yuuki Kuwahara) – The younger sister of the twin maids that serve the Tohno family. The sisters seem to have a very close relationship, with Kohaku doing the cooking and Hisui doing the cleaning, and each helping each other where they need it.

Hisui (voiced by Kana Ichinose) – The older sister of the twin maids that serve the Tohno family. Since all of the other servants have been dismissed, the current upkeep of the estate is entirely in the sisters’ hands.

View a new set of screenshots at the gallery. Visit the official website here.

[aion-rsa]

Marvel’s Daredevil: What Could a New Season Look Like?

https://ift.tt/7KYiAqD

This article contains some spoilers for HAWKEYE and SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

So where does the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen go next? At this point, there’s no clear word about the new show being a continuation of the Netflix series or a hard reboot. Likely, Marvel will split the difference. If so, the new Daredevil series could retain the cast and continuity, while eschewing its predecessor’s darker tone.

If that’s the case, then comic books may be the best guide for future Daredevil stories…

“Daredevil: Reborn”

(Daredevil #1 -6, 2011 – 2012)

When the first episode of Daredevil dropped in 2015, it announced itself as something very different than other superhero shows. Daredevil was violent, willing to show the brutal cost of fighting criminals without powers or superweapons. But to be frank, that’s not the tone that made the MCU such a success. How can viewers transition from the bleakness of the Netflix series to a more optimistic MCU series?

Fiege and his team have something of a roadmap with the third volume of Daredevil, launched in 2011 by writer Mark Waid and artist Chris Samnee. “It has been a miserable last few years. And every time I thought I’d finally hit bottom, God somehow found me a bigger shovel,” Matt tells Foggy in issue #1, declaring that he’s done moping and going to have some fun. Waid and Samnee never ignore Murdock’s past traumas. But they do put them in context, giving Matt the choice to be a fun and charming hero, not defined by his lowest moments. This may be the perfect path to take if Marvel wants to acknowledge the previous series while widening the audience for a new season.

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

“The Devil in Cell Block D”

(Daredevil #82-87, 2006 – 2007)

Another interesting way for Marvel to reintroduce Daredevil for readers would be starting with him at near rock bottom, adapting the storyline “The Devil in Cell Block D.” Written by Ed Brubaker and penciled by Michael Lark, this storyline puts Matt Murdock in prison for the murder of none other than his best friend, Foggy Nelson. To make matters worse, the only person willing to defend Matt from the criminals who hold a grudge against him is fellow inmate, Frank Castle aka the Punisher.

As you can probably guess, Foggy (played in the show by Elden Henson) isn’t really dead and Matt’s not a murderer. But the delicious hook would immediately grab viewers curious about the lives of our favorite characters since season 3. Furthermore, the tension between Daredevil and the Punisher, played in the Netflix series by Jon Bernthal, makes for great television. Finally, this story reminds viewers that Daredevil, more than any other Marvel hero, is entrenched in the criminal justice system, a heretofore unexplored part of the MCU.

“Last Rites”

(Daredevil #297-300, 1991)

If Marvel wants to go a little lighter while still retaining some of the tragedy of seasons one through three, they may consider adapting the storyline “Last Rites,” from writer Dan Chichester and penciler Lee Weeks. “Last Rites” revisits Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s legendary “Born Again,” which sees Kingpin buying Daredevil’s secret identity from a drug-addled Karen Page (played in the series by Deborah Ann Woll) and destroying Matt Murdock’s life. In “Last Rites,” Daredevil exacts his revenge, slowly taking Kingpin apart, piece by piece.

That sounds like a recipe for a grim story about the worst aspects of Matt Murdock. And to be sure, Daredevil is a little nasty here, unleashing a mirthless smirk as he insults Fisk and emotionally manipulates Typhoid Mary. But Chichester and Weeks use the plot to examine Murdock’s commitment to heroism. The climax builds to one of the most epic moments in all of superhero comics, in which Daredevil stands over Fisk, finally brought low, and, instead of pummelling him, says, “I forgive you.”

“Blackheart!”

(Daredevil #270, 1989)

While the Netflix series certainly developed a shared universe, putting Daredevil in the orbit of the Punisher and the Defenders, all of these characters stayed low to the ground, allowing only a bit of mysticism involving the Hand ninjas. But in the comics, the character has a long history of dealing with monsters from beyond, including Marvel’s devil himself, Mephisto.

The best of these adventures came from writer Ann Nocenti and artist John Romita Jr, who sent Matt Murdock on a sabbatical away from Hell’s Kitchen. But life didn’t get any less weird for him outside of the big city, especially when he visits the cursed town of Christ’s Crown, New York. There, Daredevil encounters Mephisto and his son Blackheart, the former of whom again tempts the Man Without Fear. These supernatural adventures take full advantage of putting a man of faith like Matt Murdock in a world where gods and devils regularly interact with humanity. And with the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness putting a new emphasis on the otherworldly, Mephisto may be the perfect nemesis for Daredevil.

“Hardcore” and “The King of Hell’s Kitchen”

(Daredevil #46 – 50 and 56 – 60, 2002 – 2003)

If Marvel wanted to give Daredevil a splashy welcome into the MCU, there’s no better way to do it than borrowing a page from Daredevil #50. A comatose Kingpin comes crashing through the skylight of Josie’s Bar. Standing over his broken body is Daredevil, who has some news for the assembled rabble: Fisk is out, and Daredevil is now the Kingpin. Written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Alex Maleev, the arcs “Hardcore” and “The King of Hell’s Kitchen” show Daredevil at his most volatile, trying to do the right thing but going about it the wrong way.

These arcs may be the perfect way to bring Daredevil into the MCU, not just because the movie versions of Marvel characters owe a great debt to their Ultimate Marvel Universe interpretations, many of which were written by Bendis. Plus, the two arcs firmly situation Hell’s Kitchen into Marvel’s larger New York landscape and feature cameos by lots of heroes. Not only do Spider-Man and Black Panther arrive to talk Murdock out of his plan, but he receives regular visits from Luke Cage, Danny Rand, and Jessica Jones – otherwise known in the Marvel Netflix world as the Defenders!

“The Stilt-Man Cometh”

(Daredevil #8, 1965)

If you only know Daredevil from the Netflix series or the 2003 movie starring Ben Affleck, then you’d think he’s a dour and conflicted character, like Batman’s emo younger brother. But that was a fairly late revision to the character when Frank Miller started writing him in the mid-1980s. Just as often, Daredevil has been portrayed as a charming swashbuckler who happily leaps into high-flying adventures.

No antagonist offers more potential for light-hearted stories than Wilbur Day aka Stilt-Man. Debuting in 1965’s Daredevil #8, written by Stan Lee and drawn by Wally Wood, Stilt-Man came to be when scientist Day stole hydraulic equipment from his boss Carl Kaxton and embarked on a life of crime. Worse, Day tried to sue Kaxton for the rights to the technology and hired Nelson and Murdock as his lawyers. Even back in 2016, when Daredevil season one premiered, the larger public wasn’t ready for such a goofy concept. But in a world where people get genuinely excited about Moon Knight and She-Hulk, it’s time for Stilt-Man to bring his towering presence to the MCU.

Where Will Daredevil Show Up Next?

Honestly, we don’t know for sure at this point. The Disney+ series She-Hulk is set to release later this year, featuring Tatiana Maslany in the lead role. In her alter-ego, She-Hulk is Jennifer Walters, a respected attorney who may very well give Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson a run for their money. If Murdock doesn’t show up there, he and D’Onofrio’s Fisk are almost guaranteed to make an appearance in Echo, the currently in-development spin-off of Hawkeye. Not only did Hawkeye make plain Echo’s connection to Fisk, but the character also first appeared in a Daredevil comic. However he turns up, we know that fans are excited for the return of the Man Without Fear.

The post Marvel’s Daredevil: What Could a New Season Look Like? appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Comics – Den of Geek https://ift.tt/AOlM9Rn

[teenwolfsnippets]

Release The Beast

“Mom, get in here, it’s about to start.”

His mom rushes in with a bowl of popcorn and two full glasses of Dr. Pepper.

“Alright. After we listen to the announcement, we should play monopoly,” she says, plopping down onto the couch.

“Again? We played that last year,” he says.

“Don’t whine. You love that game.”

Scott rolls his eyes and turns back to the television. He made the mistake of telling his mom that monopoly was an okay game and they’ve played it during every Purge since. He was six when he told her that. He doesn’t complain, however, when she snuggles closer and grabs his hand. Though Scott has never suffered a bad Purge, he knows his mother and father have. They don’t talk about it and he thinks it might’ve even been before he was born.

“Ready?” she asks, squeezing his hand.

He nods and squeezes back. The screen turns blue, the government sigil faded behind it, and the emergency alarm sounds.

**

Stiles paces back and forth, glancing out the window every few minutes. It was about to start and his father wasn’t home yet. He hasn’t cut it this close since-

The cruiser comes flying down the quiet street and into the driveway. Stiles flings open the front door, fingers twitching when his father doesn’t move fast enough for his liking.

“Come on, come on,” he mutters.

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Stop worrying so much, I had plenty of time,” the man says with a sigh.

Stiles grabs the front of his jacket and pulls him into the house, ignoring his spluttering protests.

“No, you didn’t. If you’d had enough time, you wouldn’t have been breaking every traffic law to get here,” Stiles grumbles.

He firmly shuts the door, snicks the lock on the doorknob, twists the three deadbolts into place, and then slides the chain across.

“Stiles-”

“Just help me lockdown,” he says.

His father sighs, but goes about checking all the windows and doors on the first floor, while Stiles does the same on the second floor. He knows he’s already checked everything, but you can never be too careful. On his way back to the living room, he double checks the front door before scouring the rest of the floor for any faulty areas. Or in case his dad missed something.

“Kid, everything’s locked up tight. Now, will you come sit down? I bought dinner,” he says.

He holds up a box of curly fries enticingly.

“Yeah, okay,” Stiles mutters.

He follows his dad onto the couch and snags the remote. His dad always turns the volume up too high. If it’s too high, they won’t be able to hear if someone’s breaking in.

“Let’s get this over with,” the Sheriff says.

He places his weapon on the side table for easy access before bringing Stiles closer to his side, arm wrapped around him. Stiles tries to relax against him, knowing his father is trying to make him feel safe.

He never feels safe.

“This is not a test.”

No one is safe tonight.

**

“Get in the house, right now.”

Jackson frowns and holds back a heavy eye roll.

“Where the hell have you been?” his father asks.

“You know the rules. Home by 4 o’clock on The Annual Purge. We’re supposed to celebrate as a family.”

“I was with Lydia, calm down. Not like I was downtown or something.”

He tunes out his father as the man starts ranting about The Purge this and The Purge that. Jackson fully supported the holiday, he just didn’t see why he had to stay home and spend the night with his so-called ‘family’. He still couldn’t get over that little fact.

Adopted. Him, Jackson Whittemore, wasn’t actually a Whittemore. It was infuriating. Not to mention confusing. He didn’t know he was anymore.

“Jackson, aren’t you coming to watch with us?” his mother asks as he passes by.

“No,” he snaps.

The woman sighs, but doesn’t pester him further about it. She wasn’t even really his mother.

Jackson flops down onto his bed and turns his radio on, hoping to drown out the obnoxious noises of the dying poor people tonight.

“This is your Emergency Broadcast System announcing the commencement of The Annual Purge, sanctioned by the U.S. Government.”

Scoffing, he turns it back off and puts in his earbuds. He was going to drown out the world even if it killed him.

**

Lydia slams her bedroom door, hoping the noise will signal to her parents that she was fed up with their stupidity. She presses her ear to it and groans when she can still hear them fighting. They were both being ridiculous. It was a holiday. At least Jackson’s parents understood that and wanted to spend some actual time with him.

Sitting down in front of her vanity, she scowls at the dark circles under her eyes. She quickly touches up her make-up and drags a brush through her hair.

In the mirror, she can see the screen of her television has already turned blue, the words scrolling up. She watches it for a moment, a flash of worry zapping through her. Her home is fully protected by state of the art equipment, but she’s heard stories of people using trucks to bring the walls down. It’s not like she was scared though. She had a fully stocked arsenal of chemicals needed to make a decent sized bomb stashed in her closet. Lydia was always prepared.

Downstairs, she can hear the plasma television drowning out her parents' raised voices.

“Weapons of Class 4 and lower have been authorized for use during the Purge. All other weapons are restricted.”

**

“All your windows locked?”

“Always, dad,” Allison mutters, flipping through her magazine.

As usual, her father still strolls into the room and double checks them himself.

“I don’t know why you bother asking.”

“I just like to know you’re safe,” he says.

He then plops himself down on her bed and makes himself comfortable. Allison frowns at him and then also at her mother when she does the same.

“What’s happening?”

“We’re going to watch as a family tonight,” her mother says.

“You’re kidding,” Allison retorts.

At her mother’s harsh glare, the girl sighs, closes her magazine and sits back to endure tonights torture. She hated this stupid holiday.

“I know this holiday doesn’t make sense to you now, but you’ll understand when you’re older,” her mom says.

Allison makes a face at the back of her head and her father huffs beside her, nudging her with an elbow.

“Government officials of ranking 10 have been granted immunity from the Purge and shall not be harmed.”

Allison sighs at the hypocrisy of it all.

**

Blades sharp and sheathed in his belt, Derek takes a moment to look out at the forest. She was out there somewhere, possibly even unarmed. He has no idea what the hell she’d been thinking, taking a trip this close to the Purge. A trip back to this awful town of all places.

With a heavy sigh, he switches on the beat-up radio. He has to fiddle with it to get the right frequency, but eventually the message is playing loud and clear. Derek doesn’t wait to hear the whole thing. The alarm will sound within a few minutes. He needs to be already searching for her by the time it begins. There’s a chance someone else has his sister in their sights and he can’t let her die. Laura is the only thing that keeps him going, keeps him sane.

“Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours.”

His sister’s scream drowns out the rest of the message.

**

“Police, fire, and other emergency services will be unavailable until 7am, when the Purge concludes.”

The citizens of Beacon Hills lock their doors and close their curtains as The Annual Purge begins.

“Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn.”

Those who still stroll the streets are armed and ready to release the beast.

“May God be with you all.”

Shots are fired and screams can be heard as the siren blares. One woman’s scream in particular can be heard echoing through the trees of the preserve.

The citizens of Beacon Hills pretend not to hear her dying cries.

[multiverseforger]

Black Bolt's first appearance established the character as being a member of the Inhuman ruling class.[4][5] The title Thor featured a back-up feature called "Tales of the Inhumans", which recounts the character's origin story. The son of King Agon and Queen Rynda, Black Bolt is exposed to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist while still an embryo, and eventually demonstrates the ability to manipulate electrons. To protect the Inhuman community from his devastating voice, Black Bolt is placed inside a sound-proof chamber and is tutored in the use of his powers. Reentering Inhuman society as a young man—having vowed never to speak—the character is attacked by his younger brother Maximus, who attempts, unsuccessfully, to goad him into speaking.[6]

Black Bolt proved popular, and decides to leave Attilan to explore the outside world.[7] The character reappears in a story focusing on his cousin Medusa,[8] drives off the Hulk after the monster defeats the entire Inhuman Royal Family (Medusa, Gorgon, Karnak, Triton, and Crystal),[9] and with the Fantastic Four, battles his brother Maximus and his own group of rogue Inhumans.[10]

1970sEdit

After being forced to intercede in the budding romance between his cousin Crystal and the Fantastic Four's Johnny Storm,[11] Black Bolt and the Inhumans feature in the title Amazing Adventures, and battle villains such as the Mandarin and Magneto.[12] A story in The Avengers, told in flashback, reveals how Black Bolt came to be ruler of the Inhumans and Maximus was driven mad. Black Bolt discovered his brother had secretly allied himself with the alien Kree—the race whose genetic experiments first created the Inhumans. In trying to stop an escaping Kree vessel, he overextended his sonic powers and caused the vessel to crash. The crash resulted in the deaths of several members of the Council of Genetics, including the brothers' parents, and Maximus was driven insane by his proximity to Black Bolt's use of his voice.[13] Black Bolt assumes the title of King but is haunted by the consequences of his actions.

Black Bolt settles a quarrel between Johnny Storm and the mutant Quicksilver for the affections of Crystal, and frees the slave caste of Inhuman society, the Alpha Primitives.[14] Black Bolt and the Royal Family aid the hero Spider-Man against the time-traveling villain Kang the Conqueror,[15] and is forced to again battle the Hulk,[16] teams with the Fantastic Four and the Avengers against the threat of the robot Ultron,[17] and again allies with the Fantastic Four against the fifth-dimensional villain Xemu.[18]

Black Bolt and the Inhumans feature in a self-titled bi-monthly series[19] battling threats such as the villain Blastaar and the Kree, who regard the Inhumans as abominations. The character encounters the immortal villain the Sphinx—who has defeated the Fantastic Four and the Royal Family blasting him into deep space,[20] aids Kree hero Captain Marvel in preventing a war between the Kree and Skrulls on Earth,[21] joins with Fantastic Four member the Thing to defeat the mutated villain Graviton,[22] and appears briefly during an announcement that Crystal is pregnant with Quicksilver's child.[23]

1980sEdit

Black Bolt revisits his origins when he, members of the Royal Family, and Fantastic Four members Mister Fantastic and the Thing battle the villain Maelstrom. Maelstrom is revealed to be the son of a rival of Black Bolt's father, and—after his minions are defeated—attempts to destroy Attilan with a guided missile. Black Bolt, however, manages to defuse the missile and Maelstrom is defeated.[24]

Black Bolt's search for a new site for the city of Attilan (eventually the Himalayas) is detailed in a back-up feature of the alternate universe title What If.[25] Another back-up feature in What If? details how Black Bolt worked with the Eternals to move the city of Attilan to the Himalayas.[26] Black Bolt also directed the eventual move of Attilan to the moon when the pollution on Earth became too much for the Inhumans.[27]

He is rated with other powerful Marvel characters by Spider-Man in an "out of universe" conversation with the reader.[28] He appears in a graphic novel detailing the eventual death of former ally Mar-Vell due to cancer,[29] He also appears in a one-shot publication featuring humorous parodies of the Marvel Universe - Fantastic Four Roast,[30] and aids superheroine Dazzler against the villain Absorbing Man.[31]

An alien device abandoned on the moon causes Black Bolt, the Royal Family, and the Fantastic Four to experience nightmares until destroyed by Triton.[32] Black Bolt is imprisoned by Maximus (who has also swapped their bodies), but he is freed by the Royal Family and the Avengers.[33] He appears in a one-shot title detailing several of Marvel's continuity mistakes.[34] He marries his cousin Medusa after an interrupting battle between a Kree and Skrull soldier.[35] He appears in another What If? issue[36] and a back-up tale in Marvel Fanfare.[37]

With the Royal Family, Black Bolt encounters Dazzler once again,[38] appears in flashbacks in two issues of The Avengers,[39] attempts to subdue an erratic Quicksilver (distraught over his wife's affair),[40] and aids the mutant team X-Factor in defeating Maximus.[41] The Inhumans then assist the Fantastic Four against the villain Diablo,[42] skirmish with a later version of the team during The Evolutionary War.[43] They also appear in the first issue of What If?'s second volume.[44]

Black Bolt clashes with Attilan's Genetic Council when they forbid the birth of the child he conceived with Medusa. She ends up fleeing to Earth to bear her son (Ahura).[45] Black Bolt destroys the alien symbiote that Spider-Man bonds with in another issue of What If?,[46] and with the Royal Family encounters the hero Daredevil.[47]

1990sEdit

After another appearance in a back-up feature in the title What If?[48] a story told in flashback reveals how Maximus, using a creation called the Trikon, forced Black Bolt from Attilan. Black Bolt, however, eventually defeats the Trikon and regains the throne.[49] After aiding the teen super group the New Warriors[50] the Royal Family joins forces with X-Factor to stop master villain Apocalypse.[51]

Black Bolt makes a series of brief guest appearances in several titles[52] and his child is threatened by rogue Inhumans. He and the Royal family break away from Attilan after rescuing his son from the corrupted Genetics Council.[53] After two more appearances in back-up features in the titles X-Factor[54] and Starblast,[55] Black Bolt appears in several panels in two titles[56] before starring in the one-shot publication Inhumans: The Great Refuge (May 1995), which details the Inhumans' ongoing battle with the Kree.

With the Royal Family, the Fantastic Four, and Doom's heir Kristoff Vernard, Black Bolt thwarts Morgan le Fay and Maximus again, battling Thor and Sub-Mariner in the process.[57][58] He appears with the Fantastic Four during the Onslaught crisis.[59] After appearing in the one-shot title Bug[60] Black Bolt and the Inhumans feature in the Heroes Reborn universe, where they worship the entity Galactus and his Heralds, as gods.[61]

The character encounters the noble savage Ka-Zar[62] and witnesses Quicksilver reunite with Crystal[63] before he and the Royal Family appear in a back-up feature in the Fantastic Four title.[64] Black Bolt and the Inhumans then feature in a self-titled limited series which deals with the "coming of age" of a new group of Inhumans and stopping Maximus, who with both human and Inhuman allies attempts to subvert his brother's rule.[65] After an appearance in the final issue of a Quicksilver limited series[66] Black Bolt and the Inhumans team with Canadian superteam Alpha Flight.[67]

2000sEdit

The character is featured—again with the Royal Family—in a third self-titled limited series that has major developments for the Inhumans. Ronan the Accuser leads the Kree in a surprise attack, capturing Attilan and forcing the Royal Family into service against Kree enemies the Shi'ar. Karnak, Gorgon, and Triton covertly join the Shi'ar Imperial Guard while Black Bolt and Medusa must attempt the assassination of the Shi'ar ruler Lilandra at a ceremony ratifying an alliance between the Shi'ar and the Spartoi. Although the attempt fails and Black Bolt manages to defeat Ronan in personal combat, the Inhuman people choose to leave with the Kree and pursue a new future. This leaves Black Bolt and the Royal Family alone to fend for themselves.[68]

Interdimensional adventurers the Exiles also encounter an alternate universe version of Black Bolt.[69] Black Bolt decides to attempt reintegration with Earth, and several younger Inhumans—recently exposed to the Terrigen Mists—explore Earth with mixed results, including at one stage the intervention of the Fantastic Four. The Inhumans resettle in the Blue Area of the Moon and begin to rebuild.[70] The character also appears briefly in the mutant title X-Statix[71] and a one-shot title, Inhumans 2099, speculates on the future of the Inhumans and their role on Earth.[72]

In the title New Avengers,[73] Black Bolt is revealed to be a member of a superhero council called the Illuminati. Via a retcon of Marvel continuity, the group form during the Kree-Skrull War[74] to deal with threats to Earth. During the "Son of M" storyline, the mutant Quicksilver steals a canister of Terrigen crystals from Attilan, with Black Bolt and the rest of the Royal Family attempting to retrieve it.[75]

Black Bolt also rejects the Superhuman Registration Act and refuses to become involved in the ensuing "Civil War." Courtesy of the hero Sentry, Black Bolt monitors the situation.[76] In the limited series Silent War, the US military attacks the Inhumans to prevent them from retrieving the crystals. Believing the stolen crystals should be returned to Attilan, Black Bolt issues a warning to the United States concerning further acts of aggression, and eventually launches an offensive against the nation. Gorgon and other Inhumans are captured during the attack, which prompts Black Bolt to personally head a team to rescue his subjects and retrieve the crystals. While the mission is successful, Maximus takes advantage of the situation and overthrows and temporarily incarcerates Black Bolt.[77]

The Illuminati also collect the Infinity Gems, and—to prevent the abuse of power by the Titan Thanos and others—split the gems between themselves, vowing that they never be used in unison again. Black Bolt is given the "Reality" gem.[78]

The character apparently suffers a setback when brutally beaten by the Hulk, on a rampage during the "World War Hulk" storyline and seeking revenge on Black Bolt for his role in the Hulk's exile from Earth.[79] During the events of the Secret Invasion limited series it is revealed that this was not in fact Black Bolt, but rather a Skrull, who is killed in battle by members of the Illuminati.[80][81] The true Black Bolt is captured by the Skrulls, who intended to use his voice as a weapon of mass destruction.[82] The character is rescued when the heroes of Earth defeat the Skrull army and discover the location of their captured teammates.[83]

Black Bolt, angered by the repercussions caused by the Skrull invasion, changes tactics and embarks on an aggressive campaign against all former persecutors of the Inhumans in the War of Kings limited series. At his command, the Inhumans attack the Kree and overthrow Ronan the Accuser, with Black Bolt declaring himself supreme ruler of the Kree Empire. This is followed by a preemptive strike from the Shi'ar empire, now controlled by the usurper Vulcan. Black Bolt intended to release the Terrigen Mist across the galaxy and end the war when, courtesy of the subsequent mutations, all are rendered equal, but the plan was interrupted by Vulcan, the two clashing as the bomb charged up. Although Vulcan was nearly killed by Black Bolt's voice, Black Bolt prepared to abandon his plan when Crystal pointed out that the powers produced by the explosion would only inspire more harm rather than good. However, an enraged Vulcan retained enough strength to stop Black Bolt from teleporting away with Crystal and Lockjaw, which resulted in Black Bolt and Vulcan apparently dying in the subsequent explosion of the Terrigen bomb, as Crystal only negated the Terrigen Mists within the bomb without shutting down its ability to explode.[84]

2010sEdit

He in fact survived the explosion. It was revealed that Black Bolt likely represents the anomaly of the Kree Inhuman genetics program that had been predicted hundreds of thousands of years ago. The genetic prophecy was that this anomaly would bring about the end of the Supreme Intelligence. To prevent this outcome, the Kree Supreme Intelligence had ordered the destruction of all the worlds where the genetic experiments took place. Only five colonies escaped, including Earth's: these were the Universal Inhumans. After his return to Attilan, Black Bolt joined the Universal Inhumans and was presented with four new brides, one from each of the other colonies.[85]

They returned to Earth to help defeat the last four Reeds of the Interdimensional Council.[86] They then faced the Kree Armada, who had been ordered by the resurrected Kree Supreme Intelligence to wipe out Earth and the Inhumans.[87][88] After the Kree fled in defeat, the Inhumans followed in pursuit.[89] Guided by Franklin Richards, Black Bolt confronted the Supreme Intelligence, surviving long enough to surrender and trigger protocols forcing terms of a truce. He convinced them that the prophecy has been broken, and that he was no longer a threat. They parted ways, but Black Bolt had to agree to Ronan (Crystal's husband) returning alone to the Kree domain.[90]

During the Infinity storyline, Black Bolt was visited by Thanos' Black Order in order to demand a tribute, the heads of Inhuman younglings between the ages of 16 and 22 or the annihilation of Earth's inhabitants. Using the Terrigen Codex, Black Bolt discovered Thanos used the tribute demand as a cover for his true mission: to kill his secret Inhuman-descendant son whose identity and location were unknown even by his father.[91] After the Inhumans denied the tribute to Corvus Glaive, Thanos personally visited Black Bolt in Attilan. Finding the Inhuman city empty with only Black Bolt left, Black Bolt unleashed a powerful scream which tore down Attilan itself and activated a Terrigen Bomb which spread the Mists across the Earth.[92] Thanos survived the attack and found Black Bolt still alive in the rubble. Thanos demanded to know the location of his son. Black Bolt refused and continued attacking Thanos with his voice until an enraged Thanos knocked him out.[93] Black Bolt was held captive for Thanos to use his power to activate the Illuminati's anti-matter bombs to destroy the Earth.[94] When the Illuminati arrived in the Necropolis, they found Thanos' general Supergiant, with Black Bolt under her control as she uses Black Bolt to defeat them. When Supergiant activated the bombs, Maximus appeared with the trigger. He triggered the bombs, but also used Lockjaw to transport the anti-matter bomb along with Supergiant to a distant uninhabited planet where she died in the explosion. Black Bolt was liberated and left the scene along with Maximus and Lockjaw. In the ancient location of Attilan in the Himalayas, Black Bolt hid the Terrigen Codex and made Maximus understand his survival and that of his brother were to be kept a secret. Maximus also deduced that Black Bolt was always going to activate the Terrigen Bomb irrespective of Thanos' arrival which was to herald a new age of the Inhumans.[95] After being examined by Maximus, Black Bolt discovered with his brother that the Terrigen Bomb had greatly diminished Black Bolt's powers. Black Bolt and Maximus agreed to keep this a secret.[96]

Using exogenetically charged waters, Maximus was able to help Black Bolt recover from the power loss he suffered after the detonation of the Terrigen Bomb.[97]

During the "Secret Wars" storyline, Black Bolt takes part in the incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-1610. He is taken out by the Children of Tomorrow.[98]

In the aftermath of the Secret Wars storyline, Medusa sends Nur and Auran to find Black Bolt who is forced by Maximus to use his voice against them, killing Auran.[99] Black Bolt and Medusa end up separating over his prolonged absence from Attilan.[100] Nonetheless, they team up to battle Kang the Conqueror for their son Ahura (Black Bolt had earlier given Ahura over to Kang for safe-keeping during the incursions). Unwelcome in Attilan, Black Bolt now runs the "Quiet Room," a nightclub that functions as a neutral zone for metahumans.[101] At one point, a resurrected Auran steals his voice, but it is restored with the help of Sterilon.[102]

During the "Death of X" storyline, Black Bolt is framed for the death of Cyclops.[103]

When the truce between the Inhumans and X-Men is broken during the Inhumans vs. X-Men storyline, Black Bolt is subsequently ambushed by Emma Frost and Dazzler in the Quiet Room. A disguised Dazzler is able to absorb the energy from his voice and counterattack him with it.[104] He is held captive by the X-Men in Forge's workshop in the dimension of Limbo until his rescue by Medusa and the Inhumans.[105] He helps Medusa neutralize Emma Frost. In the aftermath, there is hope of reconciliation between the Royal couple as she joins Black Bolt in the Quiet Room.[106]

Black Bolt and a group of Inhumans later tracked down Maximus and captured him for his trial. Black Bolt later spoke to Maximus privately.[107]

Marvel Boy later reveals that there is still hope to restore the Inhuman race on the remains of the Kree Homeworld, so the Royal family and a couple of new Inhumans journey to space to find the secret buried on Hala.[108]

However, they were soon confronted by two surprises: Medusa's affliction with a mysterious illness, and the revelation of Black Bolt as Maximus in disguise. Maximus had used his psychic powers and an image inducer to switch places with his brother before leaving Earth.[109] It was Black Bolt that was imprisoned in a deep space torture prison that was meant for Maximus. Upon defeating his fellow inmate Absorbing Man, Black Bolt confronted the as-yet-unidentified jailer. When his quasi-sonic no longer worked, Black Bolt was killed and revived.[110] Black Bolt later made acquaintances with Absorbing Man, Blinky, Metal Master, and Raava.[111] After discovering that the Jailer is an Inhuman who was incarcerated in the torture prison and has since taken over it, Black Bolt and his fellow inmates fight the Jailer. Absorbing Man sacrifices himself so that Black Bolt can kill the Jailer and enable his fellow inmates to escape.[112]

Black Bolt returns to Earth with Blinky. They inform Titania about her husband Crusher's heroic death.[113] At the funeral, Blinky is kidnapped by Lash.[114] He forces Black Bolt to surrender and injects him with a poison to prepare his blood to be used as part of a new Terrigen-type bomb that will produce new Inhumans. The pain of the process sends Black Bolt's mind towards Medusa's mind. They interact on a psychic plane and update each other. He finds out about Medusa's love for Gorgon and they determine that they cannot go back to their marriage. Instead, they will move forward and Medusa promises to find them as they get separated. Black Bolt breaks free only to succumb to the poison. Blinky tries to protect him, but turns into a monster channeling the Jailer.[115]

After an encounter with the Progenitors, Medusa and Black Bolt meet on the Astral Plane and agreed to continue as partners and not lovers. When Medusa takes the Primagen, it restores her hair and health while also causing a backlash in the attacking Progenitor to destroy the approaching Progenitors causing the Ordinator-Class Progenitors that saw the attack from the World Farm to spare Earth from their invasion.[116]

In the pages of "Death of the Inhumans," Black Bolt calls together the four Queens of the Universal Inhuman tribes to respond to this threat. However, the meeting goes far from as planned, as an Inhuman executioner named Vox, a Super-Inhuman created by the Kree, begins his bloody rampage across the place. When Black Bolt and his Royal Family reached the meeting place, they discover the bodies of Oola Udonta, Aladi Ko Eke, Onomi Whitemane and Goddess Ovoe, with the same three words written in their blood on a banner hanging about their corpses and eventually realized that they fell in to a trap as one of the dead Inhumans was wired with an explosive. While most of Black Bolt's group made it out alive, thanks to Lockjaw, Triton was not so lucky and was killed in the explosion. Black Bolt then sent Lockjaw to New Arctilan to retrieve his brother Maximus.[117] After Vox subdues Karnak, Black Bolt arrives where he walks through the halls of the Kree base speaking every name of the fallen Inhumans, making it a song about death. Eventually, it comes down to just Black Bolt and Vox who's holding Karnak as a shield. Black Bolt signs to Karnak to have Vox take him instead. Vox apparently accepts the change as he teleports himself behind Black Bolt. Before Karnak’s very eyes, Vox slits Black Bolt’s throat.[118] The Kree take Black Bolt prisoner and repair the damage done to his throat without using any sedatives or anesthesia to dull the pain which prompted them to think that Black Bolt's great power is gone when he doesn't scream and therefore the prophecy about the Midnight King is no longer a threat to the Kree. However while being transported, it turns out he still has his voice, but it's faint. After killing several Kree, Black Bolt secures a firearm and finds Ronan the Accuser alive. However, he is a prisoner of Vox and has been experimented on. At Ronan’s request, Black Bolt enables him a mercy killing.[119] The Inhuman Royal Family and Beta Ray Bill rescue Black Bolt from Vox. When Maximus was behind the mask of Vox, Black Bolt and the Inhuman Royal Family discover that Vox is not a Super-Inhuman and is just a Kree programming.[120] While recapping the deaths that Vox has caused, Black Bolt also recalls the prophecy of the Midnight King. Meeting up with the Inhuman Royal Family and Beta Ray Bill, Black Bolt is told by Karnak of Vox being a programming that transported his "victims" to the Kree. As Black Bolt has one more scream left, Karnak tells him to make it count. Using his sign language, Black Bolt addresses the others on how he has made mistakes in the past and apologizes to them. After holding a moment of silence, Black Bolt orders Gorgon to turn around. As Gorgon and Beta Ray Bill engage the Kree soldiers, Black Bolt, Medusa, and Lockjaw arrive at the laboratory where they find Vox-controlled Inhumans like Crystal and Lockjaw. Using a laser, Black Bolt clears the Vox-controlled Crystal and Lockjaw just because they were in his way. Entering one door, Black Bolt signs "I love you. I'm sorry" before whispering for them to run. As Medusa and Karnak fight the Vox-controlled Crystal and Lockjaw, Black Bolt confronts other Vox-controlled Inhumans like Triton. Knowing the truth about the prophecy, Black Bolt brings ruin to the Kree and unleashes his scream on the Vox-controlled Inhumans. This action frees Crystal and Lockjaw from Vox's control. Gorgon and Beta Ray Bill arrive stating that the Kree have fled and see Crystal and Lockjaw still alive. Black Bolt emerges from the room as Medusa orders Lockjaw to take them away from the Kree base. When Crystal asks where they should go, Black Bolt uses his sign language to say "home." Lockjaw then teleports them away.[121]

Black Bolt and other heroes die helping Dr. Strange fight Galactus, but all are resurrected after the battle is won.[122]

[dokkaebiking]

Pass the happy! When you receive this, list 5 things that make you happy and send this to 10 of the most recent people in your notifications!

Considering how 2020 has gone, this shouldn’t be a hard list to make as there’s not a lot that’s made me happy this year. I mean, this has been sitting in my inbox for far too long, simply because The Depresso™ has robbed me of the energy to do much of anything these days. However, Biden won the election, and although that cursed cheese ball shit bag currently in the White House is trying to undermine democracy, at the same time I know he ain’t gonna get away with it, so I feel lighter than I have in months, and I’m finally getting to things I’ve held off for too long. Not gonna tag anyone, but if you want to be tagged then I’m attacking you with psychic powers right now and tagging you spiritually >:D

1. Trash of the Count’s Family! I cannot overstate how much joy this Korean webnovel has brought me this year. I read the manhwa first, by chance, when I was cruising the “Isekai” tag, and after reading so many where a woman got sent into another world/was reborn in another world/took over the body of a side character in their favorite game or book or whatever/or otherwise transmigrated into a place that’s Not Here (and lucky them, amirite)...I was happy to see it happen to a guy. Not only that, but like the first chapter, aside from the prologue, was filled with so much fanservice of just this one guy that I was pleasantly surprised at the tables being turned. Especially since Isekai is very well known for it’s trashy female fanservice and gross harems that make no sense. CUE CALE HENITUSE COMING TO SAVE THE ISEKAI GENRE! 

He not only has no romantic interest whatsoever in the story, which is fantastic (doesn’t stop us fans from shipping left and right, but I love it when this type of protag just does not do romance at all), but he builds a harem that’s purely platonic and god damn it I’ve never seen Found Family done so well I wanna cry just thinking about it. Plus, Cale’s whole philosophy of “gotta create world peace so I can live as a slacker” is hilarious, considering how he just keeps being a Hero™ and hating it, but his dumb ass can’t stop. Also, there’s a baby dragon that he saves, sets free from a terrible torture chamber it began its life in, and rather than running off it decides to follow Cale around and basically Cale becomes a father of three kids, one being the dragon, and the other two being two precious (and very dangerous) cat kids. This story refuses to let the good guys die, which after GoT is refreshing as hell, but isn’t afraid to take bloody revenge on the bad guys, which is also hella refreshing. I’ll go on forever if I don’t stop here, but just look it up if you get the chance and any of this appeals to you—you won’t regret it.

2. KakaIru, easily, has been the stable foundation for me this year. The friends I met through the fandom before this year have only become closer, and more dear to me, and the new friends are just as lovely; these people are the only things keeping me sane, let me tell you. The @kakairuzine “Intertwined” was a big project that I was delighted to help mod for, and participate in as a merch artist, and I’m so thrilled that we reached all of our stretch goals, and then some! The @the-umino-hours server has brought me much joy during the year, as well as the forum @kakairu-rocks, participating in the @kakairu-mini-bang was a blast (and I’m working on the second part to that fic right now tbh), now I’m a mod (and participant) for the @kakairu-big-bang and am so excited for it. KakaIru has been with me since I was a kid, and it’s just so lovely that it’s still a fairly active part of the fandom, and still makes me as happy as it did when I was 14  (*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡

3. Spooky boys, like cryptids and folklore and eldritch horrors, are always a delight, but in a year that’s more horrifying than any of them could ever dream to be, it’s oddly cathartic to indulge in the monsters we imagine while surrounded by real monsters of our own making. Also, ever since I wrote my KakaIru fic Want Me Down to the Marrow I’ve had such a soft spot for the Gashadokuro, and still laugh at “Bone Daddy”. You’ll have to pry that title from my cold, dead hands.

4. “My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!” It was honestly this otome anime that led me down the path that eventually brought me to “Trash of the Count’s Family”. So I owe a lot to this series, and really the series in and of itself is such a delight. I bought the light novels on Bookwalker because I loved it so much~♥ Katarina (aka Bakarina), thank you for your service. Because of you I looked up other series of a similar strain as your story, and found the manhwa “Beware the Villainess!”, which is a fucking delight, and thus kept looking into that genre and eventually found my way to Cale Henituse’s whacky adventures.

5. “The Rising of the Shield Hero” has made me happy from the first time I watched it, but I rewatched it this year, and the announcement for the second season’s release came just like...last month I believe, so that spike of serotonin was highly appreciated. I have the light novels for this series up to volume 17, and let me tell you, the story just gets better and better and I cannot wait for it to be animated. Naofumi, I love you you cinical little shit~♥

[elfrootaddict]

HERALD OF ANDRASTE - Chapter 1/4

DESCRIPTION: El'lana’s entire world is turned upside down when she, a proud Dalish elf, is bestowed the title “Herald of Andraste”. SERIES: Halla & Wolf VOLUME: 3

It was only yesterday that Lana woke up to find herself on a large bed, in a warm cabin - instead of lying outside on the cold stone floor of the temple’s ruins.

Confused by her surroundings, Lana abruptly sits up and frightens an unexpected young elven woman who immediately drops her supply box as she falls to her knees, plants her hands on the floor and exclaims, “I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant.”

Lana’s heart leapt when she saw a fellow elf kneel before her, “Creators lethallan, what are you doing?”

The elf only bowed lower as her forehead almost touched the floor, “You are back in Haven, my lady. They say you saved us. The Breach stopped growing, just like the mark on your hand,” 

Lana looked down at her hand and noticed the magic subduedly illuminating underneath her skin. It felt suppressed and dormant.

“It’s all anyone has talked about for the last three days.”

“Three days?!” shrieked Lana as she looked up from her hand.

To Lana, it felt as if she had merely fainted for a brief moment. However, instead of a minute or two, it had been days. And instead of waking up at the temple, she was back in Haven, in a cabin, and with an elf claiming to be her humble servant. 

To say Lana was wholly confused would have been the understatement of her lifetime.

Lana stared out the window of the cabin, watching the snow slowly trickle down as she tried to make sense of her rapidly evolving situation. While deep into her thoughts, the elven woman rose to her feet and nervously headed for the door, “...she said, ‘At once’.” and left the cabin in a great hurry.

Desperate for answers, Lana decided to get dressed and find Cassandra. Once changed out of the night dress, someone had put her in, and back into her old, filthy human clothes, Lana opened the door of the cabin and found herself standing in front of a horde of humans. One by one, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared with mouths agape.

As she slowly walked through the crowd of gawkers, she heard many whispering, “The Herald of Andraste! That’s her! That’s the Herald!”

Lana felt she needed to do a few double-takes to make sure she had heard them correctly, and to her astonishment it seemed there was no denying what she had heard. 

The Herald of Andraste? Mythal, ar halani lasa ghilan. I fear I may need it now more than ever before.

After awkwardly walking her way through the crowd and into the Chantry, Lana eventually reached the closed internal door within and immediately overheard people shouting on the other side. One voice she recognized to be Cassandra, and the other belonging to the senior Chantry gentlemen on the bridge days before. 

“Have you gone completely mad?” cried the Chancellor. “She should be taken to Val Royeaux immediately and be tried by whomever becomes Divine!”

“I do not believe she is guilty.” Cassandra insisted.

“The elf failed, Seeker. The Breach is still in the sky! For you all know, she intended it this way.”

“I do not believe that.” 

“That is not for you to decide,” demanded the Chancellor. “Your duty is to serve the Chantry.”

“My duty is to serve the principles on which the Chantry was founded, Chancellor. As is yours.”

Deciding that was as good of a time as any, Lana opened the door to find Cassandra, the Chancellor and Liliana standing around a large, wooden table. If they were going to be talking about her, she might as well be part of it. She was not going to allow these humans decide her fate. That’s what Lhoris would have done. 

“Chain her!” cried the Chancellor to the two Templars situated on either side of the door. “I want her prepared for travel to the capital, for trial.”

“Disregard that,” Cassandra ordered. “And leave us.”

And, so they did.

Lana stood awkwardly as Cassandra and Lilliana fought with the Chancellor over who had authority to do what. It was a dual, where their weapons of choice were their words. Each sentence cutting their opponent down precisely where they knew it would cause the most pain.

Suddenly and unexpectedly, a loud bang filled the room and Lana noticed Cassandra pointing to a thick, ancient book on the wooden table between them.

“You know what this is, Chancellor. A writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act,” Cassandra paused as she looked about the room. “As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn,” and walked towards the Chancellor threateningly. “We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval.”

Cassandra, having clearly won their verbal-duel, left the Chancellor with no other option but for him to leave the room defeated. Although she had been victorious, Cassandra did not look happy about it. 

Liliana turned to Lana and explained, “This is the Divine’s directive: rebuild the Inquisition of old. Find those who will stand against the chaos,” and then sighed with a heavy heart. “We aren’t ready. We have no leader, no numbers, and now... no Chantry support.”

As a Dalish elf, Lana's knowledge was understandably focused on elvhen culture, history, and magic. Up until recently, she never had any reason to know about human history. However, considering the situation, this had needed to be rectified. 

Lana was pleasantly surprised to find that, despite her numerous questions, Cassandra and Liliana seemed more than happy to divulge their understanding of the ancient writ and answer all of Lana’s immediate questions as best they could.  

“The Chantry will take time to find a new Divine, and then it will wait for her direction.” advised Liliana.

“But we cannot wait,” insisted Cassandra. “So many grand clerics died at the Conclave,” looking fiercely towards Lana. “No, we are on our own. Perhaps forever.” and then Cassandra turned her glare from Lana’s eyes to the dormant magical mark on her hand.

With her hand extended, like equals, Cassandra regarded Lana as she asked a heavy question with ease, “Help us fix this Mistress Lavellan, before it’s too late.”

The moment had demanded an immediate response, and with no time given to mull-over the decision or to find some way to escape this madness, Lana looked down at the Seeker’s hand and took a deep breath as she stepped forward, and shook Cassandra’s hand in agreement. 

Cassandra and Liliana then excused themselves so that they could inform the others, which meant leaving Lana alone in the room.

Immediately, Lana regretted her decision.

What. The. Fuck. Have. You. Done?!

When Cassandra asked her to help seal the Breach days before, Lana naively assumed her responsibility would end then and there. 

But now, Lana had agreed to become apart of this human ‘Inquisition’. 

You fool! Why are you like this? You should be heading back home so the Keeper can find a way to remove this damn magic from your hand! Not keep helping these shems!

Lana then looked down at her hand as her heart thrashed around inside her chest, and fear roared in her eyes.

As each moment passed with Lana staring into her palm, she slowly realised the full weight of her responsibility and the true reality of the situation. Her responsibility and role in this mess was far too great to ignore, no matter how hard she willed it away. No matter how nauseous her decision made her feel. No matter how harshly she scolded herself for the decision she made just now. 

This Breach threatens not just these shems, but the whole of Thedas… which includes everyone back home. The Keeper. Tamara. Lhoris. Everyone. 

And with this mark…

This mark is the only thing that is able to seal these tears in the Veil. So what choice do I really have? If I run, what does that say about me? Could I honestly leave knowing I’m the only one capable of sealing these tears? What would the Keeper say? 

Lana closed her eyes, took a deep breath to calm her nerves, and walked out the room closing the door behind her. 

She would tell me to stay. She would tell me to take this as an opportunity to mend the bridge between the shems and the elvhen. Show the shems that the Dalish are capable of helping others beyond our kin. 

As Lana slowly walked through the Chantry, she began admiring the peacefulness within. The Chantry sisters praying quietly in front of the dimly lit candles, the hushed ambiance, and the small trickle of sunlight creeping through the windows above its great doors. 

She would tell me that I can do this. That I have the fire of mamae and the caution of papae. That if I’ve made it this far, then I can do what comes next. Helping these shems is the right thing to do.

Once Lana exited the Chantry, she found herself once again in front of a crowd of on-lookers. However, this time Cassandra, Liliana, Josephine Montilyet and Commander Cullen immediately turned and gestured for her to join them in formation as they officially announced the rebirth of the Inquisition. 

Okay, Keeper. Then that is what I’ll do. For you and for the People. I will help fix this mess. For I am a proud, Dalish, elf. Arlathvhen, Mythal ar lasa ghilan.

Elvish to English Translation: 

“Mythal, ar halani lasa ghilan” = Mythal, help me and guide me

“Arlathvhen, Mythal ar lasa ghilan” = For the love of the People, Mythal guide me.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

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Halla & Wolf Series