#like we all were with the rise glaive reveal

[krispykiev]

i love you insect glaive forever and ever

[thejokig23]

Ah shit I'm excited for Wilds

I started off hating it: the slinger and scoutflies were back, all the new monsters looked like shit, the Seikret seemed gimmicky, and I was worried it would end up ruined by being open world.

The first thing to start turning my opinion around was the insect glaive presentation

Then more weapons were shown and they looked Fun. I hated focus mode at first, but opened up as I saw its implementation with weapons other than greatsword. The bow gameplay actually made me reconsider my stance on bow in World and Rise

Then, they showed off Lala Barina, a monster seemingly made for me specifically. A spider that visually does justice to the idea of a spider monster

Now with the Gamescon demo we learn about the removal of genderlocked armour designs? Along with minor things, like mounting being a sped up version of World's woth more agency during the mount, a tenderizing system that doesn't clash with gameplay, the large dung pod

Honestly most of my issues at this point ate visual ones

- I still hate Scoutflies

- I still don't like how slingers look, though seemingly always having the option to use a streamlined design is appreciated

- Weakpoints are distractingly orange, though I prefer this to the cumstain look of Iceborne

- The three earlier revealed monsters are still ugly to me

- The UI is distractingly overdesigned, mainly just the health and stamina bars though

- I am worried the game won't run well, for my own sake and especially for people playing on a Steam Deck. Monster Hunter being portable is incredibly important to the series. I'll be fine as long as there's adequate options to turn settings down

[thefirstknife]

Where did the Rhulk-Nezarec connection come from, in lore? I know they have the same aesthetic, but you've cited Rhulk having trained him, and was wondering where that came from

From Nezarec's Whisper glaive! From Season of the Haunted. That was our first real glimpse into Nezarec as a character. The flavour text before the lore tab itself is:

"Rise, Disciple, and bear this gift with pride." —Rhulk, Disciple of the Witness

Since the glaive is called Nezarec's Whisper and the text is about Eris exploring the Lunar Pyramid and she finds the glaive in there, we were able to quickly connect that: Nezarec was a disciple, he was in charge of the Lunar Pyramid and he got gifted a glaive by Rhulk.

Since Rhulk said "rise, disciple" and then gave him the glaive, it has the vibe of Nezarec having been officially annointed as a disciple. Most likely by Rhulk, since Rhulk was the first.

Before this, Nezarec was mentioned a grand total of 2 times in 5 years. Bringing that name back and tying him to a title of a disciple was a really big reveal. I had my doubts about the scope of how much about Nezarec they'll bring back, but it was always clear that we'll learn something more. I figured it might just be in lore, but they went the whole way!

I don't have a really good screenshot right now, but there's Nezarec's statues in the raid itself and his scythe looks like he added stuff to his glaive:

I always felt like the scythe from Haunted looked super similar to the glaive and was essentially just a glaive but with added or modified parts. Actually, all Haunted weapons have the same base design, including the scythe, but glaive and scythe are obviously most closely related:

I think his scythe from the statues is the same one we had in Haunted and that he made it himself from the glaive Rhulk gave him.

He also looks slightly different in the statues than in his final form, but that is probably because his original body was scavenged and only the head remained. He was essentially being rebuilt by the Witness and helped by the Traveler's terraform beam accidentally. That also modified his scythe further.

[thebibliomancer]

Tides of the Dark Crystal liveblog pt 3

Tides of the Dark Crystal by J.M. Lee because I want the answer to Amri’s question. Don’t you?

Last time on book: The dream team of Naia, Spider-Tavra, Kylan, and Amri have gone to Tavra’s friend(?) Onica to get the lay of the land after Kylan shotgunned exposition petals all over Ha’rar. Onica used her Far-Dreaming to let the team see the Vapran and All-Maudra’s reaction to all of those petals. Then on Amri’s turn, he asked the entire planet Thra how they can beat the Skeksis.

Chapter 3

Weirdness on either side, Chamberlain in the middle

The answer to Amri’s question was a wall.

Well. Thanks for that, Thra.

It’s a bit of a weird vision. Amri actually feels like he’s himself, not as a petal or peeping through another Gelfling. Just an Amri standing alone in an infinite dark void, with a stone wall in the middle of it.

Amri sighed. Of course this would happen. The first thing he shouted out to Thra was to ask it how to defeat the Skeksis. If Thra cared about the Gelfling, and knew what to do, then wouldn’t it have told them already?

In fairness, Amri. Maybe your question broke the planet? Maybe you logic bombed the entire world.

Or to be less mean, the planet is sick with the Darkening. So maybe it can’t give a straight answer. Aside of a wall in a void.

Then the wall catches on fire.

The fire had engulfed the wall, but where it had been reavenous and red, it was now blue as the midnight sky. The wall itself had crumbled in places from the teeth of the fire, and where the rock had fallen away, Amri saw shining light. Crystal veins, white as starlight, bared as the wall crumbled, bit by bit. And revealed in the light of the crystal were words. Images. Figures...

Then he was back on the boat, his hands clammy against Onica’s and Naia’s.

I hope Onica has a book about interpreting dreams.

Although, blue fire. Wasn’t that the fire skype that the Dual Glaive did in the show?

The flower petals already kinda took their role as the thing that communicates to all Gelfling so, yeah, this is an abstract dream.

Onica, explain!

She doesn’t though. She just tells Naia to go ahead and ask her question.

Half not surprisingly and half not, her question is “Please, tell us where we can find Rian.”

It makes sense but also, its weird that she doesn’t ask instead about Gurjin.

It sure is more handy for the plot that she asked about Rian because they get a village of a Skeksis carriage drawn by rolling armalig slug racing through the snow. Whether its inhabitants are laughing all the way ho ho ho ho is not shared.

Amri realizes that they’re seeing a vision of now and somewhere pretty close by actually! They passed through that snowy area on their way to Onica’s Exposition Hut.

Hm. Always interesting what commonalities there are between the show and the YA books despite the very different courses they take. They’re both going to have a Rian Chamberlain carriage rescue scene although the location and presumably the context is gonna be different.

Naia rushes out ahead because rushing out ahead is what Naia is best at. Amri, Kylan, and Tavra soon follow, but Tavra asks Onica to wait here in case they need a place to hide.

Just gals being pals, doing crimes, hiding fugitives.

While poor Kylan has to take the long path, Amri just starts climbing up the sheer rock wall, even with the sandals slowing him down.

Amri actually manages to catch up to Naia although they wind up on different ridges on different sides of the trail.

Naia being Naia, she just jumps off the ridge, onto the carriage, and goes through the canopy.

A Skeksis scream curdled the air, high-pitched and nasal. A moment later, Naia and another Gelfling crashed through one of the carriage windows. The carriage tipped, the armalgis squealing in distress at the disturbance.

Oh my god.

Imagine being Chamberlain. Probably sitting in a carriage and psychologically breaking Rian because his sensitive soldier brain is no match for your words words words. When an angry Naia drops in and starts waving a dagger around.

No wonder he screm. And now wonder he crashes the carriage into the ravine wall.

Amri wishes again that he had wings making me think hmm but slides down a fallen tree that Tavra points out to him.

“I hope Kylan tells a nice song at my funeral!”

Oh, Amri. I don’t think Kylan knows much more about you than Onica did.

Amri lands in a pile of snow and finds Naia and Rian with his blue streak of hair pulling themselves out of a snow bank.

Rian runs back toward the carriage because he says Chamberlain has the vial. The important plot driving vial. Containing Rian’s liquidated girlfriend.

Out of the carriage, coughing and swearing and spitting, came a Skeksis. He emerged, reptilian snout first, like a black bird from an egg, almost too big for the door. His feather-lined cloak squeezed out, then billowed as he stepped into the snow, rising to his full height. His eyes smoldered beneath his prominent purple brow, black pupils tiny and livid as he cast his gaze upon them.

This is another scene I wish I could have seen in live action puppets. Chamberlain pulling himself out of the crashed carriage.

Rian demands Chamberlain give him the vial, his confidence impressing Amri who wants to curl into a perfect orb and roll under a table when faced with a Skeksis.

The Chamberlain glared, then reached back to fluff the black collar around his neck so it framed his face.

“The vial? The vial? After ruining our carriage -- MY carriage? Stupid Gelfling. Stupid Rian. After all we’ve done for you, you stand there and defy us. Defy me.”

Effrontery! Offense! How dare?!

Naia threatens that they’ll take the vial by force if Chamberlain won’t hand it over, which is pretty gutsy. Even given that she has a sweet metal dagger and Amri has Tavra’s sweet sword that he has no idea how to use.

Chamberlain takes out the vial and threatens to pour our Rian’s girlfriend if they make a move on him.

“You think you can command me?” the Chamberlain asked, a low growl growing in the back of his throat. “You, puny Gelfling? Giving me orders? A Skeksis? One of Twice-Nine? You dare to command me?”

“The Skeksis won’t rule the Gelfling much longer, not once we prove to them what you’ve done,” Naia said, brandishing her dagger. “To the Crystal, and to our people.”

“So hand over the vial before we make an example of you,” Rian said.

And Chamberlain, well, he took exception to that.

Because he is a petty lizarddragonvulture man when he’s in a good mood and he was just in a carriage crash and these Gelflings keep saying words at him.

So he wonders aloud what Vapra tastes like and then chugs Mira goo.

“OH YES. SWEET AND BRIGHT AS SPRING SYRUP! Mmm-MMMM!”

Leave some scenery for the rest of the characters, SkekSil.

So to contextualize the situation, now Chamberlain doesn’t have the thing they wanted from Chamberlain. And he’s all roided up on soul juice. This is not a situation that they want to be in anymore!

“Now,” he said. He threw back his cloak and drew a short, sharp blade, smiling at them with a mouth of razor teeth. “What were you saying about making an example of me?”

Tavra tells Amri to raise his sword and tries to give him really quick sword pointers. But Amri makes a quick decision and hucks the pouch of fire dust that Onica gave him, the spicy coral shavings getting all in SkekSil’s eyes and nose.

Wow, that fire dust Chekov’s gun fired way sooner than I thought it would.

While the Chamberlain drops to his knees and tries to soothe the burn by shoving snow into his eyes and nose, Amri yells to Naia and Rian to run.

Luckily, Rian does, since previously he was paralyzed by unfathomable rage.

The three run and run and run over the hills and through the woods until they can no longer hear Chamberlain.

And then things get weird.

The vertigo returned, and Amri stumbled, then leaned against a tree as the world spun. In every swirl of snow, every spot of shadow, he saw Skeksis faces. Phantoms, rising out of his worst fears. His throat felt tight, locking air out of his lungs.

“I don’t feel great,” he tried to say.

“What’s wrong? What’s --”

Tavra’s voice fell away, and all Amri could hear was... humming. An intense droning, a chant, coming from deep in the earth and high in the heavens at the same time.

Are there Mystics about?

The drone vibration sharpened, and Amri heard words. Coming from the earth. From the stars. From the suns and the moons. It drowned out the cold and the bright light. It chanted in time with Amri’s heart, in time with the pulse of the world. Of Thra.

Oh, hey, is the entire planet returning Amri’s call? Was that wall vision like.... an answering machine?

I have no idea! This has been some odd bookends around an exciting Skeksis encounter.

Just as Amri thinks he recognizes the voice, the world vanishes.

You keep cliffhangering me, chapters in Tides of the Dark Crystal!

[zaph1337]

Monster Hunter Rating 29: Kirin, the Phantom Beast

Next up on the docket is a prime example of the fact that Elder Dragons don’t need to look like dragons. Here’s a Phantom Beast monster that, unlike the ones in Yu-Gi-Oh!, is actually threatening in battle (if you like that archetype please don’t kill me)! Also, I apologize for the first render I’m using; I tried to give it a black background, but its mane is pure white, so using the fill tool on the background would fill that in, too, and I didn’t want to mess around in Paint to prevent that from happening. Now that that’s out of the way, make way for Kirin!

(How it appears in Monster Hunter 1 [possibly; the image on the wiki didn’t say what game or gen this render is from])

(How it appears in Monster Hunter 4)

(How it appears in Monster Hunter World)

Appearance: Kirin is an interesting approach to unicorns in several ways. First off, it doesn’t have a lot of fur; the majority of its body is covered in scales. I believe that this was to help justify calling it an Elder Dragon, because even with the lore reason behind that classification, kids might question that status anyways. The second interesting thing about Kirin is the head; while the body is unmistakably equine, the head is more like that of a lion. Honestly, though, that’s only apparent to me on the MHW render, ‘cause apart from the forward-facing eyes, the head on the other renders still looks horse-like to me. The final aspect of Kirin’s design I want to call attention to is the fact that it’s freaking huge. According to the wiki, the biggest Kirin are 32.5 ft tall (at least I’m assuming they’re talking about height, not length), while the smallest are 12.2 ft, which are still taller than any living horse on record. Now, that being said, I’ve looked at images of Kirin on the wiki, and none of them look that big, even this one labelled “Giant Kirin”:

That’s still a really big horse, though, and I can’t expect the games to make every monster exactly the size they say it is. The final thing of note here is that Kirin are frequently crackling with electricity, giving them an aura of power that accentuates their other design elements. Overall, this is probably my second favorite monster design that I’ve seen and talked about, so it gets a 9/10.

Behavior: Kirin are capable of surviving in a variety of environments, from snowy mountains to swamps to an area in Monster Hunter World called the Coral Highlands (https://monsterhunter.fandom.com/wiki/Coral_Highlands), which is literally like a coral reef on the ocean floor but above-water, which is something I didn’t know I needed until now that isn’t in Rise and now I’m sad. The Coral Highlands are also the only place where they were observed feeding, which revealed that despite their lion-like heads, they eat plants.

Kirin are known to be very unpredictable by monster standards, which is fitting, considering that they seem to embody thunderstorms. Sometimes they’re calm like a cloudy or clear sky, other times they’ll use their powers to wipe out an entire village. That last part’s just a legend, as far as we know, but it says something that people could find it believable. Unfortunately, Kirin are so rare that barely anything is known about them, which gives them an air of mystery while also making it very hard to rate this section. The fact that their behavior can’t reliably be anticipated, much like the way lightning strikes can’t be (unless you’re really tall, made of metal, or both), helps sell the idea that they are lightning incarnate, and the fact that they maintain an equine diet despite having a feline head is almost as weird as Diablos being herbivorous dragons, so combined with their mystique, I think I can give them a 6/10.

Abilities: As you’d expect, Kirin are really fast, bounding around the battlefield at a speed which makes it impossible to catch up with; the only way you’ll be able to hit one is if it comes to you, which it’ll likely only do to try to gore you on its horn. However, Kirin prefer to use their electrical abilities over physical attacks, so they’ll still try to keep some distance from you. The electricity they generate or build up on their fur strengthens their hide and makes them more resilient. But they don’t just generate lightning, they call it from the sky, and can even make it strike the spot you’re standing in, in which case your only option is to move the moment you see a white light around your feet. They can also make lightning strike several times in a small area around them to repel attackers, or call in down in a progressive line in front of them.

There are plenty of monsters in Monster Hunter that use electricity, but Kirin stand apart thanks to their ability to summon natural lightning bolts from above, even if there are no storm clouds in the sky for them to come from. This supernatural and effortless defiance of nature is why Kirin are Elder Dragons, and combined with their breakneck speed, it looks like it makes one heck of a fight. 8/10.

Equipment: Whoever made the Kirin weapons seemed to know exactly what I like, ‘cause I love so many of these design-wise, and it hurts that I can’t talk about all of them. Let’s start off with the Sword and Shield called the Kirin Bolt:

Okay, so this isn’t one of the weapons that I really like, but it’s still cool, so I’m showing it anyway. The “sword” might look like it’s more for stabbing than it is for slashing, but it’s meant to be more of a large dagger anyways. Seriously, its final upgrade is called “Thor’s Dagger.” Didn’t think Thor was a thing in the MH world, but there you go. I like how the dagger looks like it’s made out of Kirin horns (even though the colors don’t match), and the shield’s also cool ‘cause it uses Kirin scales. Don’t know where the spikes are from but whatever. Now, on to the weapons which are, in my opinion, the best-looking weapons from this series that I’ve seen yet, here’s a Switch Axe called Peal:

Unfortunately, this is the largest render on the wiki, and enlarging it makes it too blurry, but hopefully you can still see why I love this thing. The way the blue blade has a purple gradient, the blue spikes which seem to get progressively darker, the fact that they all work really nicely with the white body of the axe--everything here just works in the best possible way. I’m not planning on learning how to use the Switch Axe if I get Rise, but if Kirin was in that game, and I could make Peal? I’d probably try to learn SwAxe just so I could use it. But the weapon I am maining? Yeah, the Kirin version of it is awesome, too. Say hello to the Insect Glaive called Indigo Flash:

Don’t know why that render’s big when Peal’s isn’t, ‘cause I didn’t do this, but who cares!? Sure, there’s less blue on this than Peal had, but it still looks really cool! I really hope that the updates for Rise that they’re working on add Kirin to the game, ‘cause I need this in my life. As for the armor, it’s, well, weird. Even in MH games where there’s separate armor sets for Blademaster and Gunner, the Kirin armor is the same for both of those classes. Well, that’s less work for me, so let’s see the Kirin armor:

Zelda II: Adventure of Link called. It wants Horsehead back. Seriously, what is with this series and making helmets that are/look like they are made from the monster’s head, skull and all? Okay, the only real examples of that I can remember are this set and the Kelbi helmet, but it’s still gross. Also, aside from the pendants and the female set’s horn, there’s no blue here, which is disappointing. This armor doesn’t look bad, it’s just not great. But that just means that the Kirin’s equipment doesn’t get a perfect 10; it’s still getting a 9/10.

Final Thoughts and Tally: Kirin may not be as big and powerful as Lao-Shan Lung, but dang, if it isn’t the cooler Elder Dragon. The mystery, the speed, the lightning, and especially the looks and weapons all sell the idea that this is something more than a monster. I’m sad that it isn’t in Rise yet, but who knows? They just might bring it back one day. 8/10.

[saberdeity]

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞 ⇾ 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞

pairings ⇾ bucky barnes x genderneutral reader

summary ⇾ takes place during infinity war, reader has powers but doesn't understand the full extent, they stay in Wakanda with Bucky where a relationship blossoms 

 warnings ⇾ mentions of violence, battles, SPOILERS FOR INFINITY WAR.

a/n ⇾ this is the first part of a 2 part series! Thank you for requesting the idea anon and I really hope you don’t mind that I’ve written this in two parts! I really hope you like it 💗

*not my gif, full credit goes to the owner*

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Thanos, the name everyone dreaded to hear after the pain and sadness he caused when wiping out half the universe. He craved destruction, he thought genocide was a small price to pay for civilisation. He thought he was the world’s saviour, the titan who could restore peace and harmony to the universe but in reality he was doing the exact opposite. Instead he caused pain and suffering, making things worse than they already were.

Being a part of the Avengers wasn’t so easy, especially when they decided to have one of the biggest fights where you were forced to choose between your two best friends.

You fought with Steve, no matter what happened you knew Bucky didn’t do what the media were saying he did, Steve was sure of it. You fought with him, becoming a fugitive and using every power you could to help him. That’s how you met Bucky.

After the events of the Sokovia Accords and the fight between Tony and Steve, you were a fugitive, you couldn’t return home nor could you stay anywhere else so you went with Steve and Bucky to Wakanda.

Wakanda was beautiful. The city was beaming with sound and colour, the people happy and friendly around you. King Tchala was more than welcoming, he quickly became a friend even though he fought against you. He knew he needed to make up for the mistake he made, blaming Bucky for his father’s death and he offered him every ounce of help he could which all of you were grateful for.

Soon, Steve left and it was just you and Bucky, well just you for a while. Bucky went back into Cryofreeze, he couldn’t trust his own mind, he thought it would be safer for him and everyone else until Shuri found a way to either calm the triggers of Hydra or take them away completely. It was pretty lonely for a while but you became pretty close with Shuri, helping her in any way possible to figure out how to get the trigger words out of Bucky’s tormented mind.

When Bucky came out of Cryo things were still pretty hard for him but you were there every step of the way to help him through it. You were there for every nightmare, every bad day, every good day and to keep him company. You’d always had a connection with Bucky, you’d always gotten on like a house on fire and throughout this time it only strengthened the connection between the two of you. When he first asked you out you were shocked but you struggled to hide the excitement you felt when he did. He took you on a few dates, Tchala helped him to organise little dinners and long walks around the most beautiful parts of Wakanda: things were amazing. Bucky asked you to be his girlfriend and there was no way on any universe you were going to say no, you were falling head over heels for him and there was nothing that could stop you.

Bucky was doing good, he spent most days with you in the little mud hut in a little place not fair from the main city within Wakanda and it was beautiful. You spent every day helping him with memories and chores around the place, making sure the goats were fed and things were tidy. It was peaceful and calm, the perfect place to be.

You and Bucky both knew something bad was coming when Tchala came down to the hut himself with a shiny, new, powerful arm for Bucky. You both got ready for the battle ahead, Tchala explained the situation, how Thanos wanted to destroy half the universe after he could his hands on all six infinity stones. Your job was to not let that happen.

You hoped to Steve again in better circumstances so Bucky could tell him how far he’s come and the progress that he’s fought so hard to make but there wasn’t anytime. Thanos’ armies were on their way and approaching fast. The lead up to battle was always the worst, Shuri was sure she could take the stone out of vision without killing him but she was going to need a lot of time and we didn’t know how much time we could give her.

When you stood next to Bucky looking out at the unsettling amount of battleships and armies ready to plague the lands of Wakanda with blood and death; you couldn’t help but let the anxiety rise within you. Your heart began to race and your palms began to sweat at the thought of death. You weren’t afraid to die personally but all your friends, the love of your life and the people you trust the most were going into this battle which created the fear of experiencing loss and grief. You turned to Bucky, studying his features for a little while, the way his hair fell just above his shoulders, how his eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked straight ahead and the way his eyes sparkled a bright blue against the gazing sun. You took everything in and did your best to burn it into your memory so that you wouldn’t ever forget him if either you died or if the worse happened to him.

“Be careful” He whispered to you, only just about loud enough for you to hear as you turned your head to smile at him.

“You too baby” You smile in return, quickly both of your focusses shifting back onto the fight ahead.

Everyone prepared for battle, our faces coldy staring at the killing machines being held back by the bright blue ray shield surrounding the whole country whilst we assumed our positions ready to face the armies of Thanos. When Tchala gave the instruction to open the shield on his command you pushed any anxieties or bad thoughts to the back of your mind, summoning your powers as everyone began running towards where the opening of the shield will be.

You ran as fast as your legs would take you easily sprinting past the warriors of wakanda as Tchala instructed the commanders to open the section 17 of the ray shield. The monsters came flooding in, Steve and Tchala jumping quite literally into battle as you landed the first blow to your target, pulling the animal apart with your powers before moving onto the next. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see you were largely outnumbered, the animals bred for a single purpose outnumbering you by the thousands. The monsters came flying at you multiple at a time as you did your best to fight them off using a mixture of your powers and hand to hand combat Bucky and Steve had taught you.

The monsters numbers only kept increasing, it seemed like you took one down another three followed, You did everything you could but it was starting to become a little overwhelming, not only just for you but for everyone else on the battlefield also. There were simply too many enemies replacing the ones already taken down.

“We can’t hold them much longer” You said over COMS before being taken down by a group of them. You kicked, punched, slashed and used your powers to push them off you but more joined and it was no use. Until, an axe came flying through the air, lightning currents following in pursuit of it as the enemies were killed and no longer surrounded you. You pushed yourself up onto your elbows, letting out a stiffened groan as you looked to the rainbow bifrost burning a hole into the surface soon revealing a new, handsome looking Thor with what looked like a raccoon on his back and a tree stood just beside him. You smiled widely, reinforcements had arrived and things were looking up.

“You guys are so screwed now!” Banner shouted excitedly from the hulk buster suit. You chuckled to yourself briefly distracted from the fight but a cry from one of the monsters hurtling towards you brought you back into reality.

You returned to fighting doing everything you could to take down as many as the blood hungry animals that came to you. It was exhausting, battle always was. You occasionally looked over Bucky’s way making sure he was okay, little did you know he was doing the same thing for you.

You scanned the battle field looking for anyone who could potentially need your help whilst continuing to fight off the ones you could. You spotted Nat and Okeye entering the path of a Thresher. You panicked beginning to run in their direction to stop the Thresher from shredding them when Wanda flew down from the tower, landing directly in front of them, eyes glowing a bright red as the red strings of power flow from her hands to stop the machine dead in its tracks; destroying it in the process.

“Why was she up there all this time?” Okoye asks as you chuckle softly almost instantly being attacked again.

You moved on, now fighting side by side with Bucky and taking down all the enemies that threatened to get near him. Vision was now unguarded and shuri was exposed meaning  that there was no line of defence left for the stone.

“Guys we’ve got a vision situation here” Sam says throw COMS doing his best to get to vision but the enemies were still flowing through the hole in the protective shield.

“Somebody get to vision!” Steve shouts tirelessly through COMS.

You sprint through the battlefield, punching, kicking and taking everything down in your way preventing you from getting to vision and to the stone. Bruce had already gotten there in the hopes to stop the enemy and you only could run as fast as your legs would take you.

Bruce had been side tracked meaning Vision was still alone with Corvus Glaive, vision was weak from the interfacing Shuri had been attempting leaving him even more vulnerable. You arrived with Vision, tackling Corvus to the ground and throwing him away from the both of you as you stood back up.

“Get outta here” You say waving your hand for him to go before Corvus begins to attack you. You blocked his staff with your arms, using all the strength you had to push back, you land a few good blows, earning him a large cut to his cheek. Steve joins as you both begin to fight him, using the gaps in one anothers fight patterns to defend yourselves. You were thrown against a tree, groaning in pain when the hard, rough exterior of the tree scraped down your back, winding you as Steve struggled also. He did all he could but it wasn’t going to be enough, you tried our best to push yourself up in time but Vision had beaten you to the saviour role, pushing his own blade through Corvus’ chest killing him instantly. You let out a sigh of relief, finally managing to push yourself up as you walked over to the two of them.

“I thought she told you to go” Steve says, his chest heaving up and down as he tried to catch his breath.

“We don’t trade lives Captain” Vision replies looking between the two of you as you nodded slightly.

Shortly after the others joined you. Bucky instantly made his way over to you to check you over, making sure you were okay. You reassured him you were fine, smiling softly to him.

“He’s here” Vision announces as your heart drops and anxiety increases.

“Everyone on my position, we have incoming.” Steve states through COMS.

A dust like cloud filled with blue, black and purple colours appears just above the ground before Thanos steps through.

“Cap that’s him” Bruce confirms

“Eyes up, stay sharp.” Steve says, getting ready with his shield to fight even with the little odds stacked against us.

Bruce reached Thanos first, jumping at him but Thanos uses the space stone to his advantage forcing Bruce to be submerged in the stone wall of the cliff behind him. Before Steve can even reach Thanos he is thrown aside with ease. Tchala is next, he leaps into the air high with his claws extended ready to land a blow but Thanos catches him by his throat, punching him into the ground violently. Sam also tries but once again Thanos uses another stone to stop him from coming anywhere near him to injure him, sending him pummeling to the ground.

Vision and Wanda needed time to destroy the stone, you were planning on doing everything you could to buy them some time. You lunged at Thanos, landing a few blows to chest and face as you slipped through his legs, attacking his back at the point with knives that did very little but it was giving Wanda enough time to destroy the stone. You went to jump at him again, unfortunately you were caught within range of a stone meaning you were flung away from him and to the ground.

Rhodey began open firing at Thanos but it was of no use, the iron suit crushed around as he hit the ground with a harsh thud. Bucky then tries his luck, firing his gun at every possible spot but was flung away but yet another stone. Okoye and Nat try also but both were sent flying away from him. Vines of bark wrap around his purple limbs holding him down for a few seconds before the vines from Groot are crushed and Thanos is once again free.

Wanda had almost finished destroying the stone, the hurt in her cries evident as she continues to destroy the one she loves. Thanos was dangerously close to her, she used every ounce of power to hold him back and continue to destroy the stone. The yellow stone in Vision's mind begins to crack. Visions face overcome with an expression of peace as the yellow crystal fragments completely. A pulse of yellow energy explodes from him, shuddering the trees around you for many meters.

“I understand my child, better than anyone” Thanos speaks to Wanda

“You could never” Wanda snarls.

“Today I lost more than you can know. But now is no time to mourn. Now is not time at all” Thanos says reaching forward, he clenches the gauntlet, using the emerald green time stone. The yellow energy starts to appear in reverse, time reversing as an alive Vision comes back.

“No!” Wanda shouts as she lunges for Vision but is thrown away with no effort at all.

Thanos lifts Vision by his throat, no remorse or guilt plastered on his face and he digs the fingers of his right hand around the stone, digging the stone from his head. The stone is released from Visions mind, his body goes limp and colourless. Thanos tosses him aside like he was a piece of litter. He raises his gauntlet placing the stone in the last empty spot. The surge of energy is extremely powerful, his torso is wreathed with iridescent static as a cry leaves his throat trying to contain the power he was given.

Thanos drops to one knee trying to maintain control of the power of the infinity stones when Thor lands in front of him burying his ake deep into his chest.

“I told you, You’d die for that” Thor snarls, nothing but anger and hate laced through his voice.

Thor takes hold of Thanos’ head, burying stormbreaker even further into his chest, staring angrily into his eyes as Thanos lets out a cry of pain.

“You should have.. You…. You should have gone for the head” Thanos says, suddenly regaining strength as he raises the gauntlet once, this time snapping his fingers.

“NO!” Thor shouts in despair.

“What’d you do? WHAT”D YOU DO?” Thor says angrily to Thanos. He merely takes no notice of him, as he uses the Space Stone, teleporting away, leaving the stormbreaker behind on the dusty wakandan ground.

“Where’d he go? Thor… where’d he go” Stve says, trembling slightly as he clings to his left side.

“Y/n? Steve?” Your head snaps towards Bucky, his voice full of confusion and panic as he stumbles over, dropping his gun. He turns to dust, his body no longer there leaving nothing but a pile of ash on the floor. You run over, collapsing onto the floor taking a pile of the ash into your hand as it begins to evaporate disbelievingly.

“No, this cannot be happening, he can’t be gone.. Please no come back Bucky please” You whisper searching through the ash for something, hope maybe but there was none to be found. He was gone.

Many others around you begin to fall to dust, disappearing into the abyss as you all watch in disbelief. Steve, Thor, Rhodey, Nat, Bruce, Rocket and you were the only ones left standing. Steve moves to Visions, lifeless body collapsing next to him. You stayed where Bucky once was, your heart aching in your chest as tears rolled down your cheeks. You couldn’t believe nor did you want to believe he was gone.

“What is this? What the hell is happening?” Rhodey asks just as confused as everyone else.

“Oh god!” Was all Steve managed to say as he breathlessly sat with his hand on Vision's corpse.

𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮!

Taglist: 

@devilsbaby-doll​

@katexrichardson​

@babymango-writes​

[bgn846]

I Got It Covered, Trust Me - FFXV FIC

 Summary:            

Gladio decides Iris' new boyfriend has to go, he's an idiot. Iris doesn't agree. Gladio takes matters into his own hands and invites them both over for dinner, and a little chat. What could possibly go wrong?

Notes:    

I had a great time doing a little collab with Blackchocomuffin for this piece. Please, go check out their awesome art of Gladio being a good overprotective brother.    ART,

TW: For animal blood on an apron.

Work Text:          

The one thing Gladio didn’t take into account was Prompto freaking out. He was covered in blood, so he shouldn’t have been too surprised by the reaction. However, what Gladio didn’t foresee was having to explain everything to Ignis, since he couldn’t see what Prompto was going on about.

“What do you mean he’s bleeding?” Ignis exclaimed rushing forward to try and touch him.

“I’m fine Iggy, babe trust me it’s not even my blood.”

Prompto decided now would be a good time to tell Ignis, in great detail, what he looked like. This did not go well. Namely, because Gladio had decided that Iris’ latest boyfriend needed to go, and his bloodied appearance was directly linked to that.

“First off he’s wearing an apron?” Prompto questioned as he announced it to Ignis like that would instantly explain things. “And it’s covered in blood and what is with the knife big guy? It looks like you murdered someone!” Prompto asked with concern.

“Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on? Do I need to fetch a medic?” Ignis asked, his voice rising higher and higher by the second.

Gladio wanted to pull his partner into a hug, but being covered in blood prevented that action. Guess he’d have to fess up. Gladio was doing so well on his little mini-mission and then Prompto had to swing by unexpectedly.

“Listen, the both of you, just let me explain. I’m uninjured; this is leftover blood from the recent kill at the hunter’s guild.” Gladio paused for a moment when Ignis’ handsome face adopted a very bizarre expression. When the man didn’t say anything Gladio continued. “I’m going to, to, um,” and this is when the sheer stupidness of his idea hit Gladio. He was trying to scare his little sister’s boyfriend so he’d go away. Gods, he was an asshole.  “Er, uh, shit, you’re both gonna say I’m a total jerk, but this is to scare off Todd.”

“Oh,” was all Prompto uttered.

“Todd, as in Iris’ new boyfriend, Todd?” Ignis clarified.

“Yep, that’s the one.”

“Why may I ask, have you decided that Todd must go?” Ignis queried.

“Okay, in Gladio’s defense Todd is an idiot.” Prompto chimed in with a thoughtful look. “He thinks corn and flour tortillas are the same thing. That’s weird.”

Surprised to hear Prompto throw Todd under the bus, Gladio had renewed hope in his plan. “Iggy, all I wanna do is have Todd see me like this so he’ll get freaked and leave Iris alone.”

“What if your plan doesn’t work? What then? I’m not sure Todd seeing you,” Ignis paused and waved his hand around nondescriptly. “As Prompto described you will do anything.”  

“Yeah, well, I’ll just have to tie him up and put him in my trunk for a night. He’ll get lost after that for sure.”

“Prompto I can’t tell, is he joking? I fear he’s being serious,” Ignis sighed trying to remain calm.

“Why the apron?” Prompto asked instead.

“Oh! Well, Iris wanted me to officially meet Todd so I told her to bring him over for dinner tonight. The thing is Iggy wasn’t going to know what I looked like, so he could remain innocent when Iris yells at me later.”

“Oh damn, did I screw things up by swinging by?” Prompto queried.

“Aside from destroying Iggy’s alibi, it’s not a big deal Prom.”

“Wait, I’m still lost over here, you are wearing an apron that has been covered in blood? Correct?”

“Yeah, and I’ve got some on my face too to match.”

“Six save me, that’s why you didn’t give me a kiss when you got back earlier. You were trying to spare me from getting dirty.”

“Right, so are we all on board for scaring the shit outta Todd?”

“I can’t imagine this young man is so bad. Though, I’ve never personally met him.”

“He’s not the brightest bulb in the box Iggy,” Prompto admitted. “Did I mention that his brother is a flat eoser? I mean come on that’s terrible enough.”

“Excuse me, he’s a what?”

“No, not him, his brother. You know a flat esoer, someone who thinks the eos is flat.”

Ignis licked his lips and opened his mouth to speak but gave up after a moment.

“So yeah I’ve got maybe twenty more minutes to get real dinner started so I’m a believable cook when they get here,” Gladio supplied quickly.

“Are you not going to explain anything when they arrive?” Prompto asked with a small smile. “How do you see this going?”

“I’m hoping Todd will give me a look that says he’s scared for his life and then I’ll probably make some sorta comment about Iris’ last boyfriend being a troublemaker, and that I took care of em’.”

“And you both claim Todd is an idiot,” Ignis grumbled as he shuffled away to find the couch and sit down.

“Seriously he is! That is why I’m doing this.”

“Do be careful Gladio, she may try and date his brother in retaliation.”

“Nah, Iris wouldn’t do that, she’s too smart for that.”

“At least one of the Amicitia siblings has their parent’s wits.”

Prompto barked out a laugh before Gladio could respond. “Guess I should head out so you can get prepared.  I want to hear all the little details. Ignis, let me know how hard Iris hits Gladio. I know you’ll be able to tell based on the sound.”

Ignis gave Prompto a nod signaling he’d heard and went back to using his phone, listening to the daily reports from the marshal. As quickly as Prompto had arrived he was gone, off to find some of the glaive to relax for the night. They’d all had a busy day and it was time to unwind. Unless as in Gladio’s case, he was attempting to not alienate his litter sister or upset his own boyfriend. It was a fine line he was treading.

--

Time flew after Prompto left, and Gladio soon found that he was not only covered in blood but cooking stains as well. At least they’d have a good dinner, or Ignis would if Iris killed him before they ate. The tall tale sound of footsteps approaching meant the moment of truth had arrived. Grabbing his large carving knife complete with dried blood covering every inch, he waited to hear a knock before he answered.

However, when he shuffled out of their tiny kitchen towards the door Ignis was already standing and waving him back. “Allow me, your reveal will be better from the kitchen,” he whispered while waiting near the door.

Unable to keep the grin from his face Gladio leaned forward and gave Ignis a quick kiss on the lips. “Thanks, babe, you’re the best!” he offered in a hushed tone before retreating back to his spot by the stove.

Ignis merely shook his head and put on his best ‘I know nothing’ face when someone knocked. Iris’ voice rang out a second later announcing their arrival, his little sister was always mindful of Ignis not being able to use the peephole in the door. Forced to turn away from the door Gladio took a deep breath and waited.

“Lovely to hear you again Iris,” Ignis offered easily to which the younger Amicitia laughed brightly. “Ah yes, this must be who we are here to meet, Todd correct?”

A low voice answered, but not loud enough for Gladio to hear well.

“Do come in and make yourself at home, Gladio’s been busy in the kitchen all evening,” Ignis supplied before closing the door.

Thinking of how his dad might have reacted to meeting one of Iris’ boyfriends, Gladio put on his best impression of their late father and spun around to meet Iris and Todd. “So this is the young man you’ve been so enamored with, huh?” Gladio stated before frowning. “I do hope you treat my sister well, she’s a very special lady.”

  Nothing but silence filled the room when he finished talking. Iris was looking at him like she wanted to throttle him and Todd; well Todd was just not paying attention. The little shit. The moment he fully turned around to see the rest of the apartment behind him Iris stepped forward and punched Gladio in the arm, hard. Training with Cor was paying off; Iris had a mean right hook.

“Uh, do you need help with anything?” Todd asked with a blank look when he focused again. “I didn’t realize you got so into cooking, you’re like covered, in, um, lots of stuff.”

“Blood, Todd, I’m covered in blood,” Gladio deadpanned in a moment of anger.

“Are we having meat? Oh, I thought Iris told you, I’m a vegan.”  

“What?” Gladio asked in confusion. How the hell had this kid not noticed that this was an overly excessive amount of blood to be covered in. Even for cooking.

“You know like someone who doesn’t eat meat or dairy products. Plant-based only.”

“How?” This was bad, this was very bad. Gladio was so thrown off he couldn’t even speak full sentences anymore.

“Oh, uh, I grow a lot of my own food but it’s like really hard and sometimes I don’t eat enough. I mean it’s so dark out all the time, and it’s hard to gro--.”

Gladio had already tuned Todd out, this little brat didn’t even know what it was like to eat meat, let alone butcher it. That, he hadn’t taken into account. This didn’t mean Todd was dumb though, just massively out of the loop. Still, he thought he’d managed to at least look like a horror movie villain. Maybe Todd didn’t watch scary movies either?

“—like that’s how I usually do it, but it’s hard to find tofu sometimes, but I can make fake chicken with flour and that’s not bad. Uh, when are we eating, I have to stick to a strict schedule otherwise my body gets out of whack,” Todd finished with an expectant look.

Sweet shiva, Gladio was starting to seriously consider his options for actually doing away with Todd. Fine, he doesn’t eat meat, but he could at least not be an asshole about it! “Dinner should be ready soon, why don’t you go help Ignis with the wine.”

“I only drink wines that haven’t been aged in wood; do you have anything like that?”

Gladio couldn’t even form words; this guy was a piece of work. Thankfully, Ignis was ready to field that request. His partner guided Todd away towards their modest wine rack to select something. Gladio already knew they didn’t have what Todd wanted. They had nothing Todd wanted. His garula steak pasta sauce paired with egg pasta wasn’t vegan. The bread rolls with cheese baked in most definitely weren’t. Though, why did he care, the little shit could starve, he wasn’t here to make Todd happy! He was trying to make him go away.

The second Todd stepped away with Ignis, Iris got close and promptly kicked him in the shin. Biting back a yell Gladio limped back into the kitchen space. “He’s an idiot!” Gladio hissed under his breath.

“He’s my idiot!” Iris whisper shouted back.

“Can’t you select a different one? He’s sorta rude.”

“I can’t believe you, trying to scare him like this.”

“Well, it didn’t work! See, he’s an idiot!” Gladio huffed excitedly.

“No, he’s not,” Iris growled lowly.

“I look like I mur—Did you two find a good wine?” Gladio asked cheerily when Todd came back over holding a bottle.

“Not sure, the label on this one is too faded for me to tell if it’s been aged in wood barrels or not. I won’t drink it because it’s like cruelty against trees and all. Ignis said there might be a magnifying glass over here for me to try and read the label better?”

“Excuse me? What about trees?” Gladio was well out of his element with this kid, he wasn’t an idiot he was just plain weird. “I don’t think they fe--.”

“I know where there is one!” Iris interjected, “One sec baby let me grab it for you.”

Baby!? Dear lord his little sister was calling this tool bag baby. The world had officially ended. Gladio nearly threw up in his mouth when Todd repeated the name back to Iris. He almost didn’t catch the barely concealed snort from Ignis across the room. Damn him, at least he was having fun.

--

Dinner was a disaster. The more Gladio worked to fluster Todd, the more Iris would fawn over him. Figures, she’d act that way, she was doing this out of spite, he was sure of it. Ignis on the other hand was having the time of his life. When Todd started talking about conspiracy theories, Ignis, who knew every little thing there is to know, easily debunked each and every one.

As the night crawled on, Gladio realized Todd was getting drunk. The kid had only been able to eat the small salad they’d made. He’d declined the dressing since that wasn’t the right way to eat greens. Something about being respectful to their natural state and covering them in oil and vinegar was a huge mistake. This of course made Gladio smother his salad in dressing, just to see if he could elicit a reaction out of the tool bag.

It didn’t work.

Nothing was working, Todd was terrible, but Iris wasn’t going to dump him, he’d failed his mission. However, right when Gladio thought all hope was lost, Todd opened his mouth and proceeded to stick his foot in it. Guess getting drunk had made him a little loose-lipped.

“Gladio,” Todd announced seriously, “You should tell Iris to be careful when she fights. I keep telling her that she won’t look good with battle scars.”

“Sometimes you have no choice but to take up arms buddy, it’s the way things are nowadays,” Gladio answered meaningfully. “We’ve sworn an oath to protect the people and that may come at a cost.”

“Yeah, yeah, but like for Iris specifically, she shouldn’t fight, it’s not right.”

“What?” Gladio and Iris asked in unison.

“Baby, hear me out, I like you and all but like you can’t keep fighting, what if you get scars like your brother? You won’t be pretty anymore.”

The deathly silence that followed Todd’s proclamation was the best thing Gladio had heard all night. Maybe things were turning around after all. Todd wasn’t an idiot. He was a duche bag. Even better!

--

Iris had cried a few times since Ignis had asked Todd to leave after his comment. Something about having an angry blind man remove his visor, and pointedly stare at you left little room for argument. Ignis’ bold move had done more than Gladio’s bloodied apron had even come close to achieving. Todd’s utter look of fear at being singled out was a thing of pure joy to behold. Gladio didn’t like that it came at the expense of his sister's feelings, but Todd needed to go.

“Is he blind?! Sorry Ignis but I’m still in shock,” Iris lamented. “I mean you both clearly have visible scars, why would he say something so, so rude.”

“He’s a douche bag, that’s why!” Gladio cut in.

“It’s alright, that wine he drank had been aged in an oak barrel for at least fifteen years. He had to go on my word that it hadn’t been,” Ignis added calmly.

“You lied to him?” Gladio asked with a smile.

“I may have fibbed; I can’t be expected to keep all my wine bottles straight. I’m unable to read any of the labels personally so I can’t really be blamed.”

“Who doesn’t use dressing on salad, that’s stupid,” Iris mumbled a second later.

“I knew you’d come around! Come on let us find you a nice normal boy to date. Iggy and I will invite them over for a nice din--.”

“NO! No, no, no I’m fine. Gladio you stay outta my business,” Iris cut in, though she was smiling a little.

Laughing loudly Gladio pulled Iris over, nearly toppling her chair, for a proper hug. “Okay truce, I won’t go actively hunting for a boyfriend for you, but can you at least trust us when we tell you they might be an idiot?”

“Maybe, just don’t do the bloodied apron knife thing again, that was awful.”

“What did he look like? I’ve had Prompto describe his look but I’d like to hear it from you, if I may.”

Iris happily obliged and described all of Gladio’s elaborate planning, down to the black trash bags on the counter with a sticky label on them that read ‘Todd’. Prompto hadn’t noticed those.

By the time she’d finished and they’d cleaned up everything Gladio decided he could break out dessert. No reason to waste his efforts. Iris merely rolled her eyes when he took out a plate of simple sugar cookies that he’d decorated with little radioactive symbols. “What?! It was a backup plan in case Todd hadn’t figured out things.”

“Ignis, he’s made cookies with the hazardous symbol all over them. Do you think we are safe to eat them?”

“Oh that’s what you were doing,” Ignis exclaimed with a smile. “Yes, they should be palatable. I helped with those. I didn’t realize what Gladio intended to use them for. He added the decoration afterward, I believe.”

“You are such a dork Gladio. Thanks for looking out for me though.”

“Anytime Iris, Iggy, and I are here for ya no matter what.”

Iris leaned over and gave him another hug. “Sounds good, but there is one thing I gotta know,” pausing she pulled away. “Where the hell did you get all that blood?!”

[sweetiepie08]

All I Ask of You (Chap 4)

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance fic

Deet x Rian

She walked into his life when all seemed lost. He accepted her when the other surface dwellers didn’t. She was gentle. He was brave. Their first impressions dwelt in their minds and their feelings grew as their journey wore on. They supported each other, comforted each other, and gave each other strength. Together, they were a light in the darkness.

Chapter 1. Chapter 2.  Chapter 3. Chapter 4. Chapter 5. 

[-] 

Standing hand in hand at Stone-in-the-Wood, they watched the Crucible until the last blue flame died out. Rian’s question lingered in their minds. “Will they come?” She knew his faith in their fellow gelfling was tested time after time on their journey. Would they believe him? Would they help him? Would they see the truth? He'd been let down so many times, it was no wonder there was still doubt.

“I think so,” she assured him, placing her other hand on his. “Brea and Gurjin and the rest will, at least. And they may bring others.” She offered him a smile, a genuine one. It was a relief to see Brea safe and the rest of their friends away from harm.

He returned her smile, but it faded into his exhausted expression. “We'd better get ready, then.”

His hand slipped out of hers as he began walking off toward one of the buildings. It left an impression, just like his touch always did, as if her skin wanted to savor the sensation. Even now, she could feel him in her memory. His weight in her arms as she carried him through the breath of Thra, the hand he laid on her back after their crash to make sure she was alright, her arms wrapped around him as he carried her out of the cave's mouth… He had a way of making her feel protected and safe with only the touch of his hands, and the feeling always lingered.

His acts of gallantry didn't end there. She watched him slip back into the soldier as they journeyed through the caves of Grot. He led her, sword in hand, ready to face any danger they may encounter. He insisted on entering her house first, just in case there were any arathim inside. When a darkened nurloc attacked, he drew the creature to himself so she could escape.

She understood the impulse to protect well. After all, she’d done the same for him. When the Hunter infiltrated the Circle of the Suns, she instinctively jumped in front of Rian, not thinking of her own safety or how to defend herself. Her only thought was that she didn't want to see him harmed again.

She followed him to a large stone building behind them Maudra’s home. They found the door padlocked. Rian disappeared into the Maudra’s home for a brief moment and returned with the key.

“What is this?” Deet asked.

“The Armory,” Rian answered, unlocking the door. “The Stonewood have a saying. ‘The hand that wields the blade cannot help the fall into their feet, but there are times when the blade is necessary.’ So, we're always prepared.” He swung the doors open, revealing the stores of Stonewood weapons. Armor hung on the walls. Spears, axes, and swords rested in their stands. “Traditionally, when a Stonewood warrior's battle is over, they melt their blade down in the Crucible. The metal is then forged into new blades when they are needed again.”

“Excuse me but…” She glanced towards the courtyard, “those blades didn’t look melted to me.”

“Yes, the Crucible stopped working after the Arathim Wars. I imagine the glaive had something to do with that. Perhaps Thra knew we would need them again before long.”

They stepped in and looked around. The empty space on the shelves and walls gave some clue as to what exactly happened to the Stonewood Warriors.

“It seems your clan got your message, after all,” Deet said, noting an empty axe-shaped space on the wall surrounded by a layer of dust.

“Yes,” he murmured, gently leaning the glaive against a wall. “If I hadn't seen more Maudra Fara in the flames, I'd be fearing the worst.”

Together, they spent the rest of the afternoon taking inventory and counting supplies. Once that was finished, Rian took up the duel glaive again. He held it up to the light and ran his fingers carefully along the edge. He didn’t seem satisfied with what he found.

“For a legendary sword, this thing could stand to be a lot sharper,” he quipped, taking a fresh whetstone off the shelf. “I think we've done about all we can here, at least until we see who shows up.”  He took the keys and started out. “Come on. I think I've got a surprise.”

“What's that?”

He cast her smirk over his shoulder “How would you like to sleep with a roof over your head for a change?”

They walked away from the armory and he led her to a house not far from the village square. It was a charming home carved into the trunk of a tree. There was a little path lined with rocks leading up to it. Colored glass bobbles and a bird feeder hung from the lower branches. It looked dark, especially in the twilight of the setting suns, but she could so easily imagine it lit up with candles and a warm fire.

“I this your house?” she asked as Rian reached into a knot on the side of the tree and pulled out a spare key.

“It is now, I guess,” he said. “This was my grandmother's house. I spent my summers here as a childling. She passed away a few unumn before all this chaos started. It passed to my father and now…” He unlocked the door without another word and they went inside.

It was dark and very still. She could see the fireplace, some soft chairs, a sofa and a rug on the floor. It looked cozy and lived in. It looked like a home and it made her heart ache for her own. “It's lovely.”

“Thank you. This is probably my favorite place in Thra, to be honest.” He looked around with a gentle fondness in his eyes. “Some of my happiest memories are here.”

“Those summers you talked about? When your father would visit? Camping and fizzgig hunting?”

A smile spread on his lips. “Yes exactly. It'll be nice to spend at least one more night here. Whatever happens tomorrow…” The warmth in his face quickly faded to dread. That happened to him so easily and it made her heart hurt every time.

She put her hand on his shoulder as if she could transfer some of her warmth to him. “Let's try to make it fun, then.”

“Fun?” he said as if he didn't know the meaning of the word.

“Yes, let's pretend we're just two gelfling spending a quiet night together. Tomorrow is just an ordinary day.”

He looked amused for a moment but that, too, faded quickly. “As tempting as that is, I've had enough comforting lies for one lifetime.”

“It's not a lie. It's a game,” she said, putting some playfulness into her voice.

“The way a childling plays house?”

“Yes, that's it. We'll pretend we live a peaceful life here and we're just enjoying our evening the way we usually would.”

“Alright.” A genuine grin broke like daylight on his face. “But if we're going to play, we'll need characters.”

“She beamed at him. Now he was catching on. “Good idea. I'll be Miss Hollerbat and I'm an herbalist.”

“I'm Mr. Nebrie, the cobbler.

“Alright,” she laughed. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Nebrie.”

“Enchanted, Miss Hollerbat.” He stepped forward and kissed her hand.

She felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “You have a lovely home, Mr. Nebrie.”

“Thank you Miss Hollerbat. I'm so glad you could visit.” His eyes drifted to the kitchen. “Let's just hope there's food in it.”

“I'll start a fire while you look.”

“Sounds good.” He flashed her a smile as he headed toward the kitchen. “Please make yourself at home.”

“For that, we might need to move this place quite far underground,” she quipped, looking for flint stones.

“Whatever makes you comfortable,” he said, laughter in his voice.

The sound made her heart swell. “And of course we'll need a few dozen nurloc.”

“Nurloc might be hard to come by,” he retorted, keeping up his playful tone, “but you can trip over a few hundred fizzgig at any given moment.”

Rian managed to scrape together enough food for a stew, although he did have to check other people’s gardens and hope a few vegetables wouldn't be missed. He also found a bottle of Spriton berry wine for them to share. Once supper was ready, they sat together by the fire to eat. When they finished, they sipped their wine as the fire crackled and they continue to their game.

“So how was your day, Mr. Nebrie,” Deet asked, taking a sip from her glass.

“Well, let’s see,” Rian mused. “I woke up, had breakfast, tripped over about a hundred fizzgig…”

“You said that about the fizzgig, already,” she pointed out, giggling.

“You don't understand they're usually everywhere. Just a truly ridiculous amount of fizzgig wherever you look.” He put down his glass so he could gesture more freely. Deet laughed as he became more animated. “A lot of people keep them as pets, but my father always said ‘why bother when there are going to be at least three barking at your door any moment?’”

“Didn't you say you hunted fizzgig as a childling?”

“Yes but we never kept them,” he explained smiling at the memory. “We just gave them some belly rubs and some berries for their troubles and let them go.”

“Oh, that's sweet.” She could so easily imagine tiny Rian playing gently with the fuzzy creatures.

“Actually, when I was a childling, we had this neighbor. Orla was her name. She was the sweetest little old lady and she kept about five fizzgig at a time. They were the gentlest, most docile creatures you ever saw.                They left every living thing in Thra alone except my father.” A nostalgic twinkle came to his eye as he spoke. “My mother and I could always tell when he was almost home because all five would start yapping at once. I don't know what he did to earn their ire, but they never let it go. Those fizzgig and Maudra Fara were the only creatures in Thra who could irritate my father on purpose and get away with it.”

“Maudra Fara?”

He chuckled. “Yes, I'm fairly certain teasing my father to his face was a favorite hobby of hers.” A shadow passed over his face. “I imagine she’ll miss that.”

“Perhaps she can tease you instead,” Deet suggested, hoping to lighten his mood.

He shook his head. “I don't think it will have the same appeal. A lot of my friends tease me all the time, but no one messed with my father.” His smile faded as he looked away from her. He went quiet for a moment. His eyes fogged over as he lost himself in thought.

Deet reached out to him. “Rian?”

He looked up and flashed her a forced smile. “I'm fine.” He let out a deep breath and continued their game. “So Miss Hollerbat, how are you enjoying Stone-in-the-Wood so far?” he asked, taking another sip from his wine glass.

“Oh, it's been wonderful,” she answered, feeling the warmth in her chest. “There's so many beautiful plants and animals that I've never seen before. And I've met the sweetest gelfling… maybe not here, exactly, but near here. He is a Stonewood, though. He’s great friend. He really helped me feel welcome on the surface, like I'm not so strange after all.”

“I'm sorry Miss Hollerbat, but that's impossible,” he interjected firmly.

“Excuse me?”

“I happen to know the sweetest gelfling in Thra is a Grotton named Deet.” The way he looked at her made her heart beat wildly. “She's the kindest soul I've ever met. She's really been a great friend, too. I don't know if I'd have made it this far without her. I just hope that, with everything that lies ahead, I can keep her safe.”

She reached out and put her hand on his, her heart racing all the while. “I know my friend Rian is very brave. I've seen him put himself between his friends in danger many times before. And he does it because he has so much love in his heart. Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll know he fought his hardest to protect everyone. It's too big a job for one gelfling to take on alone, but he tries anyway. I just hope he knows he's not alone and he'll always be my kind, brave friend.”

“Deet always knows the best things to say,” he choked out. She could hear tears behind his voice. He took her other hand, looking at her with glistening eyes. “What should he and say to her to tell her how much she's helped him?”

“He doesn't have to say anything. It's what friends do.”

“What do you think Deet would like Rian to say to her?” He asked, leaning closer.

“Well,” she paused to collect her thoughts and attempt to stop her head from spinning. “I imagine it made her feel really good whenever he told her he didn't think she was weird. After so many gelfling made her feel like she didn't belong, it was nice to hear out loud that someone accepted her.”

He flashed a mischievous grin. “I’ll bet Rian would like to know the names of these gelflings so he can have a little talk with them about how wonderful deed is and tell them they are idiots for not seeing it.”

“Deet would probably say it's alright because he's already made her feel safe and accepted and…” She searched her mind for something to add, but she’d lost herself in the sparkling blue of his eyes. “…and he gives great hugs.”

“I'll have to tell her she should try hugging Gurjin sometime to compare,” he laughed. “And I should tell her that just being around her has made everything that happened more bearable.”

“I'll have to tell him that just being around him makes her happy.”

“And I'll tell her she makes the world seem more beautiful even when times are hard.”

“And I'll tell him he makes the surface feel more like home.”

“And I’ll-” He stopped himself short and seem to deflate. “No…” he muttered to himself. “That's too much to ask.”

“What?”

He let go of her hand and stood up, leaving the ghost of his touch behind. “It's just… I've lost so many gelfling I love on this journey…” He leaned on the mantle watched the fireplace as the logs burned and crackled. He went quiet for a long time, seeming to struggle with something in his mind. Finally he whispered her name. “Deet, I would accept one more comforting lie if only you say it.”

“What is it?”

“Could… could you say you love me?” He looked at her and his eyes broke her heart. “You don't have to meet it. It can just be part of our game. But just hearing the words…”

“I can't,” she whispered.

He nodded and turned back to the fire. “I understand.”

She stood up, her heart pounding, and put her hand on his shoulder. “I can't because that is not a lie.”

“Deet..” He turned to her and gently laid his hands on her face, looking at her like he was seeing her for the first time. “It's not a lie from me either.”

He kissed her and she stumbled backward a few steps. Her heart felt like it could burst. She could hardly believe what was happening. She threw her arms around him and kissed him back.

“Deet,” he whispered, drawing back for a breath. “Promise me we're not pretending anymore. Promise me that all you say is true.”

“It's true,” she said breathlessly. “I promise. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

They stumbled backward together onto the sofa. She held onto him tight, like he was a dream that would disappear in the morning. He said he loved her and she felt it in her heart that this was true, but she also knew the wine and the pressure of the night could have played with their minds. If not for that, would she have taken her first bold step? Would he have answered her confession with one of his own? Is there any point in wondering now that they were together?

At some point, they lost their balance and came crashing to the floor, bringing the cushions down with them. She was so light with joy, she could do nothing but laugh. When she looked over, she saw him laughing too. She loved everything about his laugh, from the sound, to the sparkle in his eye, to the wrinkle in his nose. She could see why Mira would be cross with him if he stopped forever.

But then his laughter died and she followed his eyes to something glimmering on the floor.

It was a bracelet made from iridescent blue beads. Carefully, he picked it up and ran his fingers gently along the stones, staring at it with a haunted look in his eye.

“What is that?” Deet asked.

“This is Mira’s” he answered, his voice barely above a whisper. “She was looking for this. She thought it’d fallen off on the landstrider ride back to the castle.”

Deet reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. Mira would always be a shadow over Rian’s life. She knew that he never fully be over her. She didn't expect him to, not after losing her so horribly.

Rian let out a breath and his haunted eyes turned to her. “I- I'm sorry… this doesn't… I still meant everything I said.”

“You miss her,” she said, matter-of-fact. It was the truth. It was how he felt. There was no need to deny it.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered.

“What for?”

“I love you, I do, but…”

“But you're still grieving her,” she finished for him. “You lost someone you loved. You're allowed to miss her.”

He shook his head like he didn’t deserve her words. “You're too kind. I mean it. You're too understanding. You deserve someone who can give you all their heart.”

His words struck her like a bolt and she could feel her heart begin to sink. “Oh…” Maybe we were still just pretending after all.

He saw the sadness on her face and jumped up in a panic. “Not that I don't. I mean… I just… it's complicated.”

“I know…”

He gently took her by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. “I love you,” he promised, his sincerity clear in his voice. “I want you to know that wasn't a lie. I don't want to waste what this night could be.”

“Do you truly want to go on?” she asked, keeping her hands in her lap. “Is that what you really feel in your heart?”

He looked away and she watched him struggle in his heart. After a moment, he shut his eyes and shook his head. “I'm just not ready,” he said, letting his hands slide from her shoulders, “not yet.”

“You don't have to be ready.”

His eyes fell on the bracelet once again. “What if we don't get another chance?”

She slipped her hand into his. “What if we do?”

A shy smile broke through. He pushed back her hair and kissed her temple. “One day,” he promised in her ear.

They spent the rest of the evening curled up next to each other, watching the fire crackle and finishing the bottle of wine. It was comfortable and cozy. She felt at home here, not necessarily in Stone-in-the-Wood, but in his arms. He held her close and she nestled into him. Occasionally they stole a light kiss on the hand or cheek.

There was an understanding between them. They loved each other, that much was true, but Rian needed more time. After everything he'd been through, that was to be expected. But he promised her one day, and he was not sort of gelfling to make empty promises. One day his grief will fade into remembrance, the turmoil will pass, and they will be together in every way to gefling in love can.

When sleep began to hover over them, they cleaned up and went to bed. Rian invited her to share his. Neither of them wanted to be alone. This night was particularly treacherous and their bodies provided the warmth and comfort they both craved. They didn't make love that night, but now Deet longed for the day they would. She was confident that promised day would come. With him, she was sure it would be wonderful. And to think, not long ago, the idea of kissing him it seemed impossible.

Deet woke in the night to see Rian sleeping soundly next to her. She smiled. She liked seeing him like this, calm and peaceful. One day, she promised in her heart, you won't have to live your life on the run. You'll be safe and free of fear. And you'll be happy.

She reached out to brush his bangs off with his face, but she saw thin, purple line glow in the dark. She drew back her hand and the glow moved with it. It was her. The glow was inside her veins.

Before she could think on this further, Rian shifted. His eyes fluttered open. “Deet,” he said, his voice heavy with sleep. “What time is it?”

“Go back to sleep,” she whispered. “The suns haven't risen yet.”

“You need to sleep too,” he muttered. “We'll need all our strength tomorrow.”

“Of course, I was just about to.”

A lazy smile spread on his lips. He left her kiss on her nose and drifted back off.

She rolled over and settled back down into her pillow, keeping her hands tucked close to her body. Sleep took her as she hid her worry away in the back of her mind.

The next morning, she woke to the sunlight pouring in from the window. She could feel his arm around her waist, holding her, protecting her. She looked down at her own hands. She didn't see a purple glow from the night before, but she could still feel something stirring deep inside her.

“Are you awake?” he asked.

She rolled over to face him. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.” He smiled at her, brighter than all three suns. But his face took on the look of a soldier as he remembered what this morning meant. “We should get going. There's a lot to do.”

What if we don't? She thought. What if we stayed here and time stopped? And this moment could last forever?

She nodded. His arm slipped from her waist and he got out of bed, taking the warmth of his body with him.

But throughout the day, just like always, everything about him, the touch of his hands, the warmth of his smile, the sweetness of his kiss… lingered.  

[secret-engima]

In Nox verse (Any of the Nox verses. ...Particularly Fem!nox verse.) How do the Glaive react to what happens when Nox/Ardyn are near the Crystal, if they find out about it?

Ohhhhhh

Much Distress. Much Distress all around in all the AUs.

I won’t rehash what happens when the duo are near the Crystal here in detail but for those who don’t remember, basically the closer they get to it the more their scars glow, particularly their death scars, and Nox begins to have ghostly weapons form out of his body, showing where they pierced him during his final sacrifice.

Glaives are, in general, something of a superstitious lot and hearing/seeing this is ... distressing on way to many levels. So many healing and safeguarding charms are made for them, and a plan is made to Keep Them Away from the Crystal. They aren’t sure if the Crystal is prophesying something coming or is revealing things already passed (they hope neither, but of the two ... at least they survived somehow if it was the past) but the Glaive Are Ready to Defend their Second Prince and their Captain’s King.

Those who put together the glow with the scars that are rarely glimpsed but remembered for their number look at each other in wide-eyed horror. Because ... how did Nox and Ardyn survive all that? WHO DARED try to kill them like that? The Glaive will kill them.

This feeling of Murder triples in the Little!Nox AU because Nox is a CHILD. Nox is a child and in that moment he was pierced through with the memories of weapons that were BIGGER THAN HIM and the scars are already so OLD.

Someone tried to murder a child. A TINY CHILD and the Glaives are not having that. At All. Nox probably cries a little from getting too close to the Crystal and Regis scoops him up and dashes out and then stands in the hallway clutching his son close and promising to never take him there again. He has no idea what just happened, but he has lost one son to Prophecy already, even if Noctis still breathes for now, he isn’t losing the second.

...

Now in Fem!Nox verse, things go .... a bit differently. Nyx is there for one thing, because he is her Guide, and for another, the closer Nox gets to the Crystal, the more she glows and the weapons form, the more Nyx feels his world buckle. He can FEEL her emotions in this, feel distress and exhaustion and agonizing pain burning through his nerves. He can feel-

He can SEE.

There is the Throne Room, ruined and dark and desolate (what happened when is this he doesn’t understand-), only the throne left unharmed. There are slender, calloused fingers on the armrest, the shuddering sigh as she sits and breathes in ashen air.

“Kings of Lucis,” spill words from his-not-his mouth, tired and accepting,

“Come to me.”

And the world fractures as the blades pierce and strike and everything hurts and everything is blood-pain-exhaustion-determination-keep-going-keep-holding-on-

“Dad.”

“Trust me.”

The sword slides home-

Nyx wrenches himself free, or is perhaps thrown free by force, and he lunges, drags his trance-like Sentinel away from the Crystal, throws out his strongest shield around Nox’s mind, slamming up against the reaching fingers of energy from the Crystal that are greedily pluck-pluck-plucking at Nox’s mind, dragging things up that Nyx has worked so hard to help her bury and he WON’T HAVE IT.

His vision still blurs as he drags her away, there is ash on his tongue and he can’t see it or hear it, but everyone else cries out in horror as his arm and the side of his face pale like ash and crack open so that magic spills out like faint wisps of fire. He’s running for the door, but he can’t actually fully see the door, mind claws open by the Crystal as he gives all his shields to Nox, leaving him open to-

Blue fire and pain, pain everywhere, he is dying and he knows it but there is one last thing- one last thing he wants to do if only they will let him. Not for himself. For Lib, for Princess, for the memory of his sister. One last thing that is everything.

“Hm. You do not fear, even if that future is doomed.”

“If that sentiment is not false perhaps you ARE worthy.”

“We will grant you our light. But know it will set when the sun rises.”

“And the price for it will be YOUR life.”

A bitter laugh he swallows alongside copper, a grin that is genuine because he has nothing left to lose (what is a life to a walking dead man anyway?).

“You guys drive a hard bargain,” he tastes on his tongue.

“Where do I sign?”

Nyx breaks free of the Crystal chamber with Nox in his arms, collapses in the hallway, as far away as he can get before his legs gave out on him. He feels sick and dizzy, overwhelmed by emotions and memories that didn’t belong to him, things no Guide should have seen, would not have seen were it not for the Crystal plucking and warping and supercharging his abilities so it could show him things.

There are others around him and he feels shields overlapping his own, ironclad and unshaken where his are fracturing under the pressure of defending Nox’s mind at the cost of his own. He comes back to himself huddled on his knees in the hallway, Nox sheltered in his arms, his body bent over her shivering frame like he could defend her physically. All the glowing is gone, the ghostly weapons in her body, the ash and fire on his own skin. The memories are fading too, out of reach now that the Crystal is far enough away, slipping out of his mind without care for the rampant emotions left behind.

The other Glaives (everyone really) are FRANTIC over what just happened, what Nyx and Nox just experienced even more than Ardyn’s glowing scars and as Nyx tries to put himself back together (surprisingly with the help of Nox, who is not in a Zone-Out, but rather watching him with sad, knowing eyes as she touches the side of his face with a cool hand), he swears mentally to never, EVER go near the Crystal again. Lib is on board with this plan. Everyone is. All the healing and safeguarding charms are made but are not given to Nyx as well as Nox and Ardyn.

[wintersweetbou]

Glaiveweek 2020 Day 7- Shoe Stealer

Sorry I’m late with this one! It is pure shenanigans. @glaiveweek

Prompt: Free Choice

Summary: Pelna gets darted while on a scouting mission. Leaving a drugged glaive alone in the largest hospital in Insomnia is not a good idea. Nyx, Crowe, and Luche have to catch him before he gets into more trouble. 

Warnings: Non con drugging. 

Axis hardly dared to breathe- they couldn’t lose stealth, they were so close to freedom...his eyes went wide at the sight of Pelna’s posture. The hooded form leaned back casually, stretching out on the rocks. Axis signaled for him to get his shit together, only to be waved off like a bothersome kid. Axis had enough, dragging Pelna forward along the rocky shelf, they were so fucking close...two more clicks bounced off the rocks, far too close for Axis to enjoy any aspect of the situation. Pelna was a good soldier, why the fuck was he tripping over himself, fighting the mission? They scouted the enemy position, and now had to get the fuck back to safety. His movements got clumsier, and his speech started to slur. Axis worried harder, dragging the stumbling man forward. Almost in warping distance. 

The sniper mechanically reloaded. If the targets managed to be subdued before they got back to camp, the better. If not, well. It was a waiting game. More scouts would provide more opportunities. The sniper took his shot. 

Axis hissed, feeling a scritch of pain as a dart sliced past his bicep, not sinking in deep enough to be painless. He warped, dragging Pelna into nothingness, making the trek back to safety in several leaps. Provided, they were shitty leaps, and the pair ended up in a messy clump at the edge of their squad’s watch. Pelna moaned, struggling to right himself. Axis tried to get up, and a wave of dizziness clouded his senses, forcing the soldier back down. 

The others swarmed over them, checking for injuries. No obvious wounds, but Axis was losing his balance far too much, and Pelna splayed out in the dirt, not caring about any sense of decorum. 

“Darts. Wanted prisoners.” Axis bit out, unbuttoning his coat, searching for the thin wound that burned like a paper cut. Pelna giggled drunkenly as Luche propped him into a sitting position, limbs floppy. 

“Right. We need to get you to the med van further back. Can you walk?” Luche murmured, checking Pelna’s pulse, making the dark-haired glaive giggle when fingers brushed his throat. 

“But you're so comfy, Luche? Moving is hard.” Pelna sighed, leaning back into the stiffening glaive. Luche snorted, hauling the lanky shit to his feet, wrapping an arm around him for stability. Pelna leaned into it, trying to find his footing. He struggled, muscles loose and unresponsive. Pelna whimpered, and stumbled to the ground, squeaking as the dart embedded in his coat poked his ass. He flopped over, squeaking, and Luche plucked the offending cartridge out of his friend. 

“Hmph, we got the casing, need to analyze this. Such a small thing. And it just scratched you, Axis?” Axis nodded, and Luche looked troubled. Axis’s muscles still obeyed him, but the balance just wasn’t there. Sighing, Luche called the squad to gather and retreat. He didn’t want to stick around if the empire wanted them alive. 

Libertus helped Axis along, and arm around his waist. It would take a bit to get back to the fleet vehicles at this pace, but Axis couldn’t go any faster. Luche and Tredd had Pelna between them, the poor thing trying hard, but was growing weaker by the minute. It did not affect his mood through- whatever was in the dart was more than just an anesthetic. Pelna was in a world of his own at this point, eyes tracking things nobody else could see, talking to voices they couldn't hear. He answered questions if you asked directly, but seemed to be quite out of it. The hallucinations did not seem to bother him either, he smiled and chatted happily, relaxing into his friends. 

Tredd thought the whole thing hilarious, even nodding along seriously to the strange conversation Pelna was having with nothing, something to do with which versions of hide and seek were best for training purposes. Luche looked down, hiding his smile at the silliness. Aside from one game that won’t be mentioned, the glaive kept to more standard training methods during work hours. After hours were a secret not to mentioned. 

Back at the mass of fleet vehicles, Tredd jogged off to get a stretcher and some help while Luche held Pelna, who was rapidly losing the fight to stay conscious. Axis was still dizzy, but completely with it. Libertus kept urging him along, he could still walk. Pelna crumpled slowly to the ground as Luche lowered him as gently as he could. It was nearly twenty minutes since he had been darted, and was only starting to pass out now? Luche worried, this was not some simple knock out drug. Those worked in seconds. This thing had layers to it. It made him nervous- checking and rechecking Pelna’s breathing and heart rate. Dark eyes started up at him, hazy and fighting the weight of his lids. 

“Stay with me, Pels. Fight it.” 

“Why?” Pelna groaned, trying to snuggle into Luche’s side. Luche resisted, waiting for the medics. 

“You were drugged, you have to stay with me until you get checked out.” Luche grumbled, shaking the younger glaive, who was trying to squirm his way into his lap. 

“So? It didn’t hurt, and I’m safe...it's comfy…” Pelna sighed sleepily. 

“Please, Pels? For me?” Different approach. 

“Only if I get cuddles all the way home.” Eyes flickered back open, locking gazes. 

“Might need to switch, but I bet I can get you cuddles.” Luche shook his head- everyone knew Khara was the biggest serial cuddler in the Glaive, but this was ridiculous. Whatever. As long as it kept him quiet and happy. 

Pelna actually squeaked and vibrated happily. Luche sat there, eyebrows up, with a fully grown man snuggling into his side, laying his head on his shoulder. He ran a hand back down his slicked hair, ignoring the head rising on his neck.

Nyx and Crowe paused mid stride, helping the others load up. They had seen that Khara had gotten clumsy near the end- live feeds were a glorious thing- but they did not know the extent of his condition. They had ended the stream after the first warp to offer support with them so close. This was bad- he couldn't hold his head up, and was losing the fight to keep his eyes open. 

Tredd brought medics and a stretcher. They gave him a quick physical- Insomnia General would be far more prepared to help, but any info they could radio ahead would help. Blood sample taken, heart rate a little slow- but normal for someone relaxed, oxygen good. The glaive could track a finger with his eyes, once Luche promised more snuggles. Dilation a little sluggish, but there. They deemed him high, and took the used vial for further testing. He would have to wait until they got back for further treatment. 

“What about my snuggles?” Came a piteous whine from the stretcher. Luche rolled his eyes, and the medics laughed. 

“As long as someone makes sure you keep breathing, it's fine by us.” 

Loading the fleet was almost complete, and glaives slipped into the vans, finding spots to sleep on the trip back home. It was now that Pelna conked out, snoring softly on the stretcher. Nyx and Crowe sidled up, eyeing the limp Pelna and the tired Luche. 

“Need some help?” Nyx asked, kneeling by the sleeping glaive.

“Definitely. Especially if you could do me a favor.” Luche groaned, rubbing his temples.

“Depends on the favor.”  Nyx grinned, eyeing his second in command. 

“I promised he could snuggle up with someone on the way home if he behaved.” 

“That's actually really cute, from the both of you. But no.” Nyx snickered, ruffling Luche’s hair. Luche snarled, smoothing it back into place. Nyx’s stance softened as the glaive in question shifted, groaning. The Ulric gestured to the closest van, and he and Crowe loaded Pelna in the main aisle. Tredd raised an eyebrow from his perch at the front, but didn’t protest. Luche, Nyx, and Crowe slid in, positioning themselves comfortably for a long ride. Crowe gestured to the unconscious glaive, and Luche shook his head. Nyx snickered, looking away. 

“A promise is a promise. Besides, a stretcher is a better spot to be on these rocks.” The mage stated, calmly settling in next to Pelna. The man twitched before rolling on his side, offering his back to Crowe. She smirked, wrapping an arm around him, eyes closing. 

Over the next several hours, naps were had by all with Pelna in his stretcher. It was a better ride, and didn’t leave kinks in the neck like the hard bench seats. Every time a switch happened, Pelna would pout sleepily, until a new body was there to hold close, or be held by. Even Tredd gave in, settling down with a sigh, the dark haired man happily sliding into the redhead’s side. Pictures may or may not have been taken. 

Back in Insomnia, Nyx and Luche carried the sleeping Pelna into the hospital, where he was again examined. Nothing was wrong with him, just working whatever drug that was through his system. For safety’s sake, he was admitted for the night for observation. That night was calm, he slept right through. 

The morning was not so. And the drug revealed what it could really do. Pelna stretched, coming to in a bed he did not remember, with an IV attached to one wrist, and a heart monitor/ oxygen sensor slipped over a finger on his other hand. Hospital? The room was empty of others, but the glaive could hear voices down the hall, and various beeping of medical equipment. He had no gear, only in his pants and undershirt. Not even socks. Or boots. Well. This wouldn’t do. 

His memories blurred as he struggled to remember how he got here. Axis and him were scouting in enemy territory, and something happened? Did something happen? There was a blank spot there that refused to help the situation. Pelna huffed, and struggled further. They made it back to the others, and Luche was there. Axis fell on his face. It was funny. Pelna smiled, then shook himself. They were sitting there...and Luche! Luche was warm and nice! Very important to note. Warm sounded good right now. The room spun lazily, not as bad as when Luche held him, but a bubbly film had taken up residence over Pelna’s mind. He felt floaty, and light. There was no fear, or anger, or discomfort, or embarrassment. Only a cheerful bubbly feeling- it was hard to define. But that didn’t matter. Hospitals were for sick people, Pelna felt great! Plus, what kind of doctor stole shoes? 

The dark haired glaive giggled aloud at his musings, sitting up and unclipping the o2 sensor, causing the machine to beep. He cocked his head at the sound, and gently undid the tape on his IV, before pulling it slowly out. Blood welled briefly before he applied pressure and rose uncertainly. He did that when he got hurt before- removing and IV hurt, and that barely registered as a sensation at all. Pelna shrugged, maybe he was just that good. That was it. 

The young man registered footsteps approaching as he searched the room for his boots. A nurse stepped in, seeming shocked at him standing upright and unhooked from the IV. 

“Good morning, has anyone come to see you yet?” She glanced at him, he seemed fine, but there was something off about his eyes. 

“Morning! Where did you put my stuff?” Pelna smiled sunnily. 

“Your belongings are on the table over-” She started, but was cut off.

“Not a good hiding spot.” Pelna chuckled, standing on one leg at a time, getting socks and combat boots on and cinched. The nurse watched warily. His balance and reflexes were there, but something was wrong. This was a grown man- a glaive!- and he didn’t seem to care that he was drugged, dragged in by his comrades, and woke up like…Her earpiece chattered- Drautos was here for his glaive, with several squad members to visit a friend. She brushed a lock of blond hair back to the side of her face, appearing to look calm.

“I’ll be right back. Guests have come by to speak with you. Can you stay here for me?” Pelna nodded, happy smile still in place. She nodded, and turned briskly out. 

“Send Reinforcements.” 

Pelna uncrossed the fingers behind his back as she strode out. Not like he was going to obey a dirty shoe stealer. They didn’t even fit her! Pelna huffed. Sillies. 

That's when it all went downhill. A thought floated across his mind. He could show them silly. He was the best stealth hunter the glaive had. They couldn't steal his boots if they couldn't catch him. Settling his coat over himself, he buttoned himself in, adjusting his gear, preparing for war. Pelna pulled his blades forth with a fizzle of magic, and silently opened the window. A courtyard below, one hundred feet down. Ledges appeared every twenty or so feet, under the windows of patient rooms. Too easy to see him, in an open courtyard. He would have to get creative. Pelna laughed to himself, voices getting closer, quickly. He leapt, and with a purple flash, he was gone. 

Drautos was not amused. Neither were Luche, Nyx, and Crowe. Or the poor nurse. A glaive high on an unknown enemy substance? Loose in the biggest hospital in Insomnia? Security was called immediately to search the grounds, though the glaives knew they wouldn’t be much help. Not in catching this sneaky little shit. Back home he was the only one able to creep up on Galahdian wildlife. Without fail. They fanned out, hoping to catch him before he got out into the surrounding city, gods forbid. 

With a few jumps, a quick roll, and a killer landing, Pelna gained access to the roof. Much better view. He could sneak off into the city proper, but where was the fun in that? He grinned, starting off towards a courtyard on the far side with bright colors and small balconies by the rooms. Perfect place to jump off for a chain warp, and slip into the building if he needed. 

The glaives searched frantically, Drautos calling in reinforcements to watch the perimeter of the Hospital, and to be as nondescript as possible. Nyx warped the exterior, Luche on the roof- just popping up as Pelna dove, and Crowe checking courtyards on the ground. Their only hope was to get Nyx in close. Pelna would listen to him, no matter what state he was in, and Nyx was the fastest warper they had. It was their only hope of bagging him without making a scene. 

Pelna landed softly on one of the balconies. Quickly scanning the building’s edge and courtyard, he noted no pursuers. But there were small amounts of movement in the room, and he couldn’t help peeking in. A small child, perhaps five, sat in a wheelchair, face puffy and bruised, legs in casts, drawing with a plush dragon tucked into his side. An elderly woman sat next to him, looking with wide eyes. Pelna gave his most regal bow, and the motion caught thy boy’s eye. He gasped, and pointed excitedly, tugging on the woman’s arm. She glared at Pelna suspiciously, until he dropped to his knees, and offered a friendly wave to the child. The kid tugged harder, wheeling himself forward until his casts bumped the glass of the balcony door. Pelna cocked his head, watching, as the kid showed a rather colorful scribble, and pointed to the dragon. Pelna grinned, applauding. The boy laughed delightedly, saying something- the glass was too thick to hear properly through- and the woman rose, waddling over. She opened the door slightly. 

“What brings you here, kingsglaive?” She said, holding the excitable boy back. 

“I am on a secret mission.” Pelna started, glancing at the dragon plush.

“Oh?” The woman started, following his gaze. 

“There is a vicious dragon about. I was sent to hunt the beast down.” Pelna puffed his chest out, looking serious. The boy beamed, not noticing the elder grabbing the plush, cocking back to throw. 

“A dragon you say? I know of only one such creature...” She stated, eyes dancing. With a flick of her wrist, the dragon flew at Pelna, who fell back with a shout. The glaive pantomimed a fierce battle with the dragon, adding little gouts of flame for effect. The boy shrieked with glee, yanking on the woman’s sleeve. She oohed and ahhed, cheering for Pelna’s victory, finally opening the door, allowing the boy to snatch his dragon back. Pelna huffed dramatically with relief- sinking back to his knees. The kid squealed in delight, glowing up at the woman.

“That dragon is too strong for me. If you can keep it under control- I will consider my mission complete.” Pelna said, rising to his feet. The boy nodded frantically, clutching the dragon close. With a salute to the woman, and a wink to the boy, Pelna stepped back off the balcony, disappearing below. 

The search continued with security roving the corridors systematically, slowly ruling out hiding places. The glaives continued to rove the area, watching carefully. Any slip and Khara would be through. 

Pelna was having the time of his life. He loved kids, and seeing their faces as he juggled fire and lightning? As he tossed a coin to the other side of a balcony and suddenly appeared there? Absolutely perfect. If they didn’t have the energy to stand or walk over he told stories from his homeland- ones that the Lucian children had not heard. They listened with rapt attention, parents smiling at their kids. It seemed they all needed a moment’s reprieve- parents with bags under their eyes, kids with o2 tubes and monitors strapped to them. Pelna would make them smile, and give them something good to remember from a time of fear and pain. 

It continued until he came to alight on the balcony of a tiny stick of a girl. She played with a doll, sitting propped up on her bed, dollar store tiara on her brow. She was far too pale, dark bags under her eyes, and no hair under her crown. An exhausted mother watched listlessly from her spot on the couch. Pelna drew himself up to his full height, and bowed low. The girl pointed as energetically as she could, and the woman slid open the door slowly. 

“What can we do for you, Sir?” 

“It is my duty to see to all the princesses in the land. Is there a princess here?” The girl beamed, raising her hand. Pelna looked to the mother, who nodded minutely, and stepped to allow him in, perching next to her daughter on the bed. He grinned, and sunk to one knee with a flourish. 

“Your majesty, it is my honor to be in your service. Is there anything you would ask of me?” The girl deliberated, and whispered into the woman’s ear. She thought for a second, frowning, and then nodded. With a shy, cracked voice, the girl asked for a dance with her knight, one worthy of the king’s ballroom. 

“A waltz then, your majesty.” Pelna held out his hand, and she shakily stood, knees wobbling. The mother steadied her, setting her on the floor. She stared shyly down, until Pelna held her hands, and lifted, so she stood on his feet. The girl looked to her mom, glowing, asking for music. She pulled out her phone, and played a classic- Once Upon a Dream. 

They twirled softly, Pelna dancing gracefully, being a perfect knight. The girl giggled, clutching at his hands, begging for more. The mother seemed to regain energy as her daughter appeared happier, playing more songs until her daughter tired. The girl swayed, still clutching his hands tight. Pelna gently lifted her, where she wrapped her arms around his neck. He looked to her mom, swaying lightly to an imaginary beat. She rose, gesturing to the bed. Pelna strode forward, laying her down softly, but she refused to release his neck. Clutching him tight, she whispered in his ear. 

“I won’t forget you, brave knight. What is your name?” 

“Pelna Khara, dear princess.” 

“Will you forget me, Sir Khara?”

“Never. You are braver than all the knights in the land, princess. And stronger, too.” She seemed satisfied with his answer, and gave in to the sleep tugging at her exhausted limbs. He squeezed her hand as it slipped free of his neck, and he heard the click of a picture being taken. 

Pelna glanced up, meeting the watery eyes of a mother going through hell and back for her daughter. The woman took a step forward, hugging him, thanking him for bringing some happiness. 

“I haven’t seen her that happy in weeks. Thank you, Pelna Khara. So much.” 

“With that grip? She's tougher than my entire squad. She will beat this. Hail, Queen.” Pelna hugged back, whispering. The woman sniffled, and released him with a final squeeze.

“Hail, Glaive.” Pelna bowed, and took a running leap off the balcony, landing in a crouch in the courtyard below. 

Crowe jogged around a corner into the courtyard to see Pelna sink gracefully to the ground. She froze, thinking he saw her, and relaxed as he walked over to a row of swings, considering. He looked fine- his reflexes certainly were!- but his actions made no sense. Running from nurses? Warping around a hospital? They had to bet him looked at.

“I got eyes on. Pediatric Courtyard, by the swings. Should I engage?” 

“Not yet, get Nyx and Luche above, then try to talk him out of it. I don’t want a scene- you got me?” Drautos growled, Nyx and Luche chirping in affirmative. Crowe waited until she saw sparks of magic above, at the edge of the walls. Luche and Nyx were in position. Unfortunately, their quarry saw as well. Pelna drew his blades to warp, now watching his surroundings carefully. Crowe thought frantically- what should she say? She had to move now, he was bracing to warp. 

“Pelna! Thank the six you're here!” Crowe burst out, striding forward. He paused, cocking his head, before grinning and rushing forward to meet her. He sheathed his blades and caught her in a giant hug. 

“Crowe! What are you doing here?” He grinned, squeezing. 

“I was about to ask the same. How are you feeling?” She hugged back, not quite sure how to handle him. 

“I’ve got a story for you about that, but I feel...good. Great, actually.” He smiled, putting his chin on top of her head, humming happily. 

“I see. Any details?” Crowe was relieved, she could manage him like this. Just had to keep him here, and happy, until the others closed in. She rubbed his back, making him relax further. 

“Its quite a story. I woke up alone, hooked up to tubes….” Pelna began. Crowe nodded along, watching the other glaives hop down balconies as quietly as they could. 

“And they thought they could steal my boots! How rude is that? So I took off…” Nyx was just shy of warping range, another level and he would be there! 

“So I met all these kids, and just a little bit of juggling fire made them and their folks smile- it was adorable! There was this one boy with a dragon…” 

Nyx and Luche were in position. How were they going to do this? Pelna was no threat, but keeping him as calm as possible was key here. 

“And I danced with a princess! She called me her knight, it was the most fun I’ve had in years…” Pelna spoke so wistfully Crowe couldn’t hold back a chuckle, squeezing his waist. 

“They looked so sad. I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.” He sighed, hiding his face in her hair. Crowe allowed it- this was far more affectionate than normal for even him- was he really ok? His breathing felt normal, and he was responsive to touch...

“And then I ran into you! How lucky! Want to get some food before heading out?” Pelna finally released her, looking expectantly, actually batting his eyes at her. Crowe laughed, taking his hand. He grinned, holding hers tight. She had to make a call, how to get the others closer without alarming him. Nyx could get a handle on everything as long as Pelna did not bolt. 

“I could go for food. Would you mind if some other glaives came along too?” She asked, batting her eyelashes right back. He grinned impossibly brighter. 

“Sure. I haven’t sat down with the guys in forever! Totes craving a good shake, though. You?” 

Crowe nodded absently, motioning with her free hand for Nyx and Luche to make their move. They warped down, much to Pelna’s surprise. Things moved quickly from there. Nyx gripped Pelna tight, making the younger man promise not to run from doctors, and to stay in his room. The glaive agreed, eerily cheery, with the condition that he wouldn't be left alone with the med staff, and they bring him take out. That was fair. Being alone when not in your right mind? Scary. Nyx agreed and split shifts with the other glaives present to chill with their drugged brother. 

Drautos relaxed only when his glaives were back in Pelna’s hospital room, the glaive in question settling back into his bed with a bad of cheap take out, slurping on a shake. It was truly calm from then on out. Pelna was released two days later, only causing trouble when not being cuddled by another glaive. A story came out on the Hospital’s website on the stories of hope page- a cancer recovery in grim circumstances, with the picture of a little girl in a tiara dancing with a kingsglaive in full battle dress. The amazing PR that came out of the story erased any trouble Pelna would have gotten into. It became a not uncommon thing to see bored glaives warping around Hospital grounds, waving to those within. The good press gave Drautos an easier time in squeezing funds out of the council, easing stress on everyone in the glaive. It became an inside joke afterwards, for groups of glaives to meet for a stay-in night with food and movies when they got stressed, citing that “the world was stealing their boots.”

[dahlrenn]

Making Connections

The familiar, unpleasant sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The world around you contracting then expanding all in a single moment. Dahl’renn avoided travelling by portal whenever, but every now and then he would make an exception. In this case, there wasn’t much of a choice. The elven sailor stepped away from the exit portal, nodding at the acolyte of the Ebon Blade which was maintaining it, and gave himself a quick once-over. No fingers or toes missing. Everything in its place. 

Good, he thought to himself. Despite the fact that portals have been proven to be incredibly safe, you do hear tales every now and then of some poor traveler leaving a left foot behind when  stepping through one.

Having collected himself, Dahl adjusted his feathered cap and looked up at a true sight to behold: Oribos, the Eternal, Undying City. A shiver ran up the elf’s spine. He had seen many impressive, wondrous things in his travels, but this was something else. Dalaran was a city that floated above the ground. This city just existed in space; a realm that seemed to expand forever, interrupted only by trailing lines of anima leading into stone conduits. Under normal circumstances, Dahl would have taken the time to walk around the entire outer perimeter, but he had an appointment to keep.

As Dahl walked towards the entrance of the city, he couldn’t help but take in the sheer size of the ancient stone structure. To think that every soul that had lived and died had passed through this place to be sent to their deserved afterlives… Perhaps... No. Now was not a time for such thoughts. He was here for a specific purpose, and if the tales were true, he did not want to keep his contact waiting. Dahl approached a giant armoured humanoid, standing guard with glaive in hand, removing his hat and putting on his friendliest smile. “Ah, excuse me? Do you think you could point me in the direction of the Hall of Curiosities?” Dahl asked. The Attendant looked down at the elf, a voice emanating from its helmet. “Yes, mortal. Here to see what the Brokers have brought to our city?” “Something like that,” Dahl replied.

The Attendant let out a low rumble, which could only be interpreted as a tired sigh. “Pass through this archway to the Ring of Fates,” it boomed. “Make your way clockwise around the central ring until you come to another archway with a scale carved at the top. That is where the Hall of Curiosities is located.” Dahl looked towards his destination, then back at the Attendant, nodding in appreciation. “Thank you very much!” The elf placed his cap back on his head and walked briskly towards the Ring of Fates, the blue light from the sconces on the hallway walls illuminating the way. If the outside of Oribos was impressive, then the inside was beyond belief. The city was hustling and bustling with folks from all walks of life. Besides the easily-recognizable races from Azeroth, there were blue-skinned human-looking people, a wide variety of Undead (and not the usually Forsaken kind), grey-skinned ... San’layn? They almost seemed to glide along the ground as they made their way. Robed and hooded figures that actually -were- floating. Winged sprites. Tiny ... owls with legs? Dahl could barely process what he was seeing. Still, not to be deterred from his goal, he continued with purpose towards the archway with the glowing scales above it. Making his way inside he was greeted with the sight of yet another race of ... people? They struck him more as constructs than living, yet they moved about quite naturally. Their heads were not heads at all, but flickering flames behind gilded masks. Still, voices could be heard emanating from these figures. Had he not known better, Dahl would have thought these must be some sort of Ethereals. No, these were definitely them. The Brokers. “Well, no use dawdling around,” he whispered to himself, walking forward.

The Hall itself certainly lived up to its name. Filling up every nook and cranny were all manner of containers and carts, most housing wares from who knows where. A couple of items looked familiar. Some rare creatures from Azeroth, a couple of gizmos that seemed to be of Gnomish design. Others, he could only guess their origin. In truth, the whole place reminded him of the bustling markets of Boralus only more otherworldly. Dahl’renn made his way towards the closest Broker in a nearby bunch. The Brokers were gathered around a cart, and (from what Dahl could make out) gazing upon some newly-gotten wares, talking through proposed prices and supply. “Excuse me! Ah... Apologies. I’m meant to meet someone here in the Hall? I have an appointment with a...” He pulls out a scrap of paper with a name written upon it. “Ta’zela. Are they available?” 

One of the Brokers spoke up. “I am Ta’zela. A pleasure to meet you, Dahl’renn? Did I pronounce that right? You mortals have such curious names.” The figure addressing him looked near identical to the rest, save for a few embellishments around the belt and sleeves of her outfit.

“Aye, you did,” Dahl replied. “Seems you’ve acquired a knack for such names in the short time that our realms have been connected.

“Oh, you misunderstand,” Ta’zela corrected. “We are not of the Shadowlands. Merely passing through to provide service to others, such as yourself. Come, let us find a place to sit down and discuss matters. In private.”

Dahl nodded as Ta’zela led him through the hall, where more and more goods were revealed to him. “It seems you and yours have been quite busy,” Dahl chirped. “Has Azeroth proven to be of significant interest to the Brokers?”

“Oh, indeed! We find your world to be most interesting. Cartel Ta has been ever so pleased at such an opportunity, and we look forward to continuing this relationship.”

A few moments later they arrived in a small, relatively empty area, dotted with tables, chairs; clearly some sort of meeting space. Ta’zela pulled out a chair for Dahl and then herself, taking a seat and leaning in. 

“Now that we are away from curious ears, I hear that you have some business with Cartel Ta that you wish to pursue. Yes?” If Brokers had faces, Ta’zela would be smiling with glee. Her words had a venomous charm to them. Dahl let out a measured breath. He had come this far, after all. “Aye, you heard right. I think I may have something for you that will prove to be mutually beneficial. A rising tide lifts all boats, after all.” Oh how he had missed this. The game had begun, and the players were at the ready.

“Oh, wonderful. Wonderful!” Ta’zela clapped her hands together. “Please, Dahl’renn, do continue...”

[oliverwxod]

Sweet but Psycho (Steve Rogers)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader (nomad Steve) 

Warnings: swearing, fighting, smutttt

Summary: Reader has always been the sweet and innocent Avenger, as long as they had known her she never stepped a foot out of the perfect image they held of her. Until team Cap went on the run after the civil war. While they were away she learn’t a lot, when fighting Thanos’ children, Steve can’t help but be proud of how far she had come, loving how ruthless she was, yet still carrying a sense of innocence.

A/N: LINK TO MY MAIN MASTERLIST IN MY BIO PLS GIVE IT A READ XXX

Steve couldn't help but stare at her. The way she moved so effortlessly, throwing her knife left, right and centre, slashing the air with precise measures and a violent glint in her eyes as she plunged the knife into the arm of Proxima Midnight. 

The woman screeched out loud, reeling back from Y/n with a horrified look on her face. Steve watched from the dark corner of the subway station, his own lips puling into a smirk as did Y/n’s. 

It was taunting and so unlike the Y/n everyone knew before everything turned to shit. She wanted this fight, she wanted Proxima to come at her with more hatred and force. 

She didn’t disappoint. Proxima let out a wild shriek, clenching her fist around her spear and driving it forwards with brute strength, it went sailing in Y/n’s direction, Steve only let himself momentarily worry, he knew Y/n could cover herself now, he had been training her consistently and brutally the past few years. 

He let out the breath he was holding as he saw Y/n dodge the spear, rolling to the side and standing up to come face to face with the taller woman. 

Steve decided he would let Y/n have her fun before he stepped in.

He smirked once again when Y/n caught Proxima’s spear, turning it on the woman herself and throwing it back with just as much force. But Proxima caught it back, instead of sending it back towards Y/n she sent it reeling in the direction of Natasha. 

Natasha of course threw herself out of harms way, looking up to see if Y/n needed any help. Instead she just flashed an innocent looking, cheeky smile that almost made Steve want to laugh out loud. But this certainly wasn’t the place. 

Wanda was busy trying to get vision to safety, flashes of red everywhere, in a hurried un-thoughtful process, but it was working. Steve watched everyone, not revealing himself to anyone as of yet. He knew he would step in when he was really needed. To finish the job. 

His head whipped around at the frightful sound of Y/n’s whimper. 

Corvus Glaive stood over her, foot pressing down harshly against her chest to keep her still on the ground. Y/n was squirming, struggling to get up or even breathe. Steve cursed himself for not realising Sam had briefly disappeared. 

This was where he stepped in, anger glinting in his eyes at himself for taking his gaze off of Y/n and also at her for being so reckless, knowing she would have been provoking him and taking it too far.

He sprinted towards them, weapons at the ready, knocking straight into him and shoving him to the ground. Y/n rolled over onto her side, gasping for air and trying to regulate her breathing before re-joining the fight. 

“Captain, Captain” He spoke, his voice chilling. “Wondered when you were going to make an appearance, there’s so much your... help can’t do” he said, his eyes flickering over to where Y/n sat on the floor still gasping. 

Steve punched him straight in the face for that comment, relishing in the satisfying crack. 

“You laid a hand on her” Steve growled, pulling him in by the collar towards his face so he could stare him in the eyes. “she isn’t your’s to touch” he glared “so, you’re going to pay for that, and for hurting my friends” 

Steve was unfazed as Corvus tried to escape his tight grip, Steve’s hand wrapping around his neck, squeezing tighter and tighter, lifting his feet off of the ground and slamming him down onto the concrete, rubble rising up from the impact and knocking the monster out.

Steve smirked, yet he wasn’t fully satisfied. Reaching behind himself to bring out the weapon stashed behind him, pulling it over his shoulder and driving the sharp head into Corvus’ unconscious body. 

The loud cry of Proxima was heard as she dashed towards Steve, murder flashing in her eyes that she was too focused on the Captain to notice the others closing in on her. 

A small stretch of the leg from Natasha sent Proxima tripping, flying across the concrete floor wounded. Y/n chucked her the previous weapon of Corvus, wanting Natasha to finish the woman off, but before they could she had disappeared into the night air, leaving them all dumbfounded and confused. 

“So that just happened” Y/n spoke, cutting through the silence. 

They all turned to her, grinning slightly, all except Steve whose jaw was clenched tightly. 

“This is what we’re up against” Natasha spoke, shaking her head. An unbelievable smile on her face. The world was becoming some kind of joke to them all that it was hard to believe. A horrid kind of dream that they all so badly wanted to wake up from. But it was reality. 

“We need to get vision someone safe” Steve spoke, his voice husky as he stared darkly at Y/n. 

He wasn’t too impressed with her and Y/n could tell, flashing him her innocent and very Y/n like smile, it made his blood boil, he knew what she was playing at here. 

The journey to the old Avengers tower was silent. All except the radio overhead that cackled, they all listened in on the news of Tony Stark’s disappearance and they all knew this meant war. 

Sure they hadn’t seen him for years, but he was still Tony. They all still cared a lot about him no matter how badly things had ended that day at the airport. 

It was weird to be back, the face of Rhodes greeting them with a relieved smile, Bruce standing there with an awkward grin on his face as he tried to catch Nat’s eyes. 

“You guys look like shit” Rhodes spoke, laughing at their appearances.

“Yeah, well we haven’t exactly been living it up in 5 star hotels” Sam joked, meeting Y/n’s eyes with a laugh. She smiled softly at him, always counting on him to make light of a horrible situation. 

“More like 1 star, grotty hotels that have paper thin walls” Natasha spoke, Y/n blushed as she briefly glance at Steve, knowing Natasha’s little comment was a dig at the two of them. Steve didn’t bother to even flinch at it, used to it by now. It wasn’t exactly a secret between team Cap. 

Natasha was always making digs at him for turning the sweet innocent little Y/n into a firecracker. 

“You guys should get a decent nights rest.” Rhodey spoke. “I’ll wake you all up if it’s an emergency, but for now I gotta check what we can do about finding Tony” 

“No, we can stay up, it would be better if we all worked on finding him” Y/n spoke up. 

“We’ll take it in shifts” Natasha spoke. “I’ll stay here with sam first, you and Cap go get some rest then take over from us in a couple hours” she spoke, telling Y/n instead of asking if that was okay. 

Everyone agreed it would work better this way, more efficient if people were working having had at least a couple hours sleep instead of running off of coffee alone. 

“Fine” she spoke, knowing there was no point in arguing back, as Steve had already left the room. Y/n followed after him as quickly as possible, trying to catch up with his long strides. 

“Steve” she spoke softly, knowing he was angry at her, he had barely said a word to her let alone glance in her direction since the fight. He ignored her completely until they got to the door of Steve’s old room. 

He stared at it momentarily, remembering how things used to be so much easier back then. 

“In” he spoke bluntly, glaring ahead as he opened the door and let her move in front of him into the room. 

It was earily cold inside, yet there were still small pieces of Steve around. Small objects and books on the shelves that Tony had obviously left untouched since Steve had been gone. 

It made Y/n wonder if her room was still the same, if everything she left behind was still there. It made her feel sad at the fact Tony had held onto the rooms, not letting them be touched and now there was a possibility she would never see him again or be able to thank him for every thing he had done for her. 

“Steve-” she spoke again, seeing the anger inside him welling up into destruction. 

“don’t- don’t even go there Y/n” he warned, his tone threatening as he stared at her with disappointment. 

“What did I do?” she asked quietly, making him scoff. 

“oh don’t act like you don’t know” he said shaking his head “ because we both know exactly what you did wrong” 

“I-” 

“You know, I thought you had it under control, you were doing great, and then you pushed it too far and you know you did. Which is what I can’t get my head around.” he spoke.

“It wasn’t on purpose,  I really thought I had it under control” she spoke quietly, trying to defend herself but not wanting to cause a huge argument. She was tired of that always happening. She didn’t want to walk on egg shells around him anymore, he was never happy with her. 

She was always doing something wrong. 

“Well you didn’t, you knew not to provoke that monster, yet you did so anyway.” he shouted, he was trying to control his breathing, just looking at her right now made him ever so angry. 

“I’m tired of you always shouting at me” she spoke back, her voice rising, no longer trying to keep the peace.

“I would’t have to if you didn’t always get so ahead of yourself” he shouted.

“what do you want from me? huh?” she spoke frowning at him “whatever I do you always have something bad to say! and it makes me feel like shit Steve, it really does” 

He sighed, running a hand over his face before meeting her eyes and breathing out.

“I just want you to be safe.” He said, his stare trying to convey how he was really feeling. 

Y/n laughed bitterly, that was rich coming from him. 

“Why do you even care?” she shot back. 

Steve glared once again, the anger coming back as he laughed spitefully. 

“after everything” he spoke “after everything we have been through together and you have the audacity to ask me a question like that!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands up, laughing to himself while shaking his head. 

“you’ve never cared before so why start now!” she glared right back at him. 

He took two steps forwards towards her, standing tall and strong, intimidating as he carried on walking forwards, causing herself to walk back until she hit the wall, becoming trapped between him and it.

He shoved her shoulders gently with both hands, pinning her against the wall as he leaned down to speak face to face. 

“I have always cared.” he spoke dangerously “and I’m not having you tell me whether I have or haven’t.” 

“you’ve never given me a reason to believe it” she said, leaning forwards slightly so she didn’t look like she was backing down to him when he was holding this much power over her. 

“What have the past few years been about then Y/n?” He asked, demanding an answer. “If it hasn’t been me caring about you then what has it been?” he asked. She knew what he was trying to do. He was prying, trying to get her to say the words. But she wasn’t going to. 

“Just sex” she spoke putting on her most emotionless facial expression that she could muster up in the moment. She didn’t understand how he couldn’t see through her act. Steve’s eyebrows raised in surprise before he nodded, giving a short humourless laugh. 

“Just sex” he repeated, the words sounding foreign, but if she was stating that was true he would live up to it. He would show her what ‘Just sex’ was.

Steve had never given her a reason to believe otherwise. No matter how close she came to saying those three words to him. She wouldn’t let herself, not willing to give him up yet.

“yeah” she whispered. Watching him intently for his next move. 

He went to walk away before changing his mind, shoving her further against the wall, his hand finding its way to the back of her neck and pulling her head forwards to met his lips a hurried kiss, a clash of teeth in the battle for power. 

He shoved her against the wall again, mouth never leaving hers as his hand moved to the front of her neck, squeezing softly at first before squeezing more tighter. Y/n knew he would let go soon, just as the feeling of dizziness started to kick in. She was right, he was predictable and no matter what he would never truly hurt her. He stopped squeezing, his large hand just resting there as his lips worked magic against hers. The scratch of his beard made her squirm in his grip, a moan falling from her mouth as his other hand squeezed her waist before traveling up her t-shirt to make its own pathway. 

His hands exploring her skin, the familiar touch comforting to her as she let him have his way with her. She always would.

“No one’s ever treated you as well as I have” he rasped out. She nodded against him, moaning quietly and breathlessly as his hand traveled lower and towards the button of her jeans.

“god I hate you sometimes” she cried out in frustration as he worked the button of her jeans, undoing it and pushing them down her legs hurriedly. 

“you could never hate me” he spoke, assisting her with pulling her top over her head, throwing it some place in the room. His lips immediately attached themselves to the skin on her shoulder, wet kisses being placed along her collar bone as he hitched up one of her legs before lifting her so she could wrap both around his waist. 

“Jesus Christ” He whispered “I can feel how much you need me” he spoke, his thumb pressing against her clothed centre and pulling a small whimper from her. 

“Please Steve” she spoke, eyes closed as her head rested against the wall. 

“say you’re sorry” he spoke, the sound of his hands fumbling at his belt and jeans could be heard, pushing his trousers down half way before doing the same with his boxers. 

“m’sorry” she panted out “m’sorry I made you mad-” 

He moved her underwear to the side before pushing into her, moaning loudly at the feeling. 

“what else?” he spoke, slowly rocking into her, his thrusts starting shallow as he teased, wanting to hear her apology before he gave her what she needed.

“m’sorry I said I hated you” she spoke, her head falling onto his shoulder, she still wasn’t apologising for the real issue here, angering him more. 

He thrust harshly, her back hitting the wall with force as her hands grabbed onto his back, trying to pull him closer to herself, his chest pressed closely against her, skin to skin. 

“sorry” she spoke crying out “I'm - I'm sorry” 

“for what?” he said again, anger disappearing slightly at how he had brought her into a babbling incoherent mess. 

“m’sorry” she spoke, her nails digging into his skin as he hitched her legs up higher as she began to fall, the steady rhythm of Steve’s thrusts bringing a high like no other. 

“so you’re- you’re not sorry for telling me- fuck” he spoke momentarily giving into the pleasure before composing himself again, trying not to show any weaknesses. “for telling me that I didn’t care” he finished. 

Y/n’s head lifted off his shoulder, forehead resting on his as she had a pained expression on her face. 

“I’m sorry” she said, eyes closing again as she held on impossibly tight to him, clinging onto him as if he would disappear. 

“are you? are you really sorry?” he asked, his eyes briefly closing at the feeling of her around him, invading every single sense. 

“yes” she spoke “oh- fuck...yes” 

“yeah?”

“yeah” she spoke watching him watch her now. The look in his eyes was possessive, dominating and she couldn’t hold back any longer, crying out loudly. 

Steve wasn’t far behind, following quickly, hips stuttering before he stilled. 

He dropped her legs to the floor, watching as she leaned against the wall to catch her breath back, before he moved to pick his clothes up; making his way into the shower room and closing the door behind him. 

Y/n stared after him in sadness, deciding to give him time to himself and not crowd him. She didn’t want to start another fight. 

She pulled her underwear on and one of Steve’s t-shirts form his draws before sitting on the end of the bed watching the door and waiting for him to come out. 

When he eventually emerged from the bathroom he was met with the image of Y/N sitting at the end of the bed, chewing nervously on her thumb nail. Eyes skating around the room anxiously. 

“You should be sleeping” he spoke, not looking at her. The words she had said earlier were all he could think about in the shower.

Just sex.

“Steve” she spoke quietly. 

“Go to bed Y/n” he spoke tiredly, dismissing her. Moving towards his normal side of the bed pulling the sheets up to crawl under. 

Y/n followed suit, not knowing if she could stay with him, but doing it anyway; crawling into the side over from him and turning to face him. 

He stared back at her, watching her curiously as she moved closer to him. 

“I care about you Steve” she spoke softly. Her hand resting on his cheek, to make sure he couldn’t avoid eye contact, he stared back with a small frown on his face, listening closely to her words. “I care about you a lot okay, more than  I've ever wanted to admit. It has always been more than just sex to me” 

“It has?” he asked, a small dopey smile gracing his features.

“Right from the beginning” she whispered, moving her body closer to his under the sheets and tangling her legs with his. 

“It’s been the same for me too doll, right from the start” he spoke, his hand resting on the back of her head and playing with her hair before pulling her closer to him, kissing her on the forehead and tucking her head to rest on his chest as thy fell into a dreamless sleep.

Forever tags:

@dreambigbeawesome @hellosafie @linheliano @extreme-supernatural-lover @thisismysecrethappyplace @mannls @1elboomdemsechevarria @what-the-hell-is–a-hufflepuff @myrabbitholetoneverland @jbarnes87 @permanent-lines @alyssaj23 @piensa-bonito @maresmiley @soldierplum @jjsoccer11 @les-bio-lie @dewy-biitch @despelllestrange @kingdomcage @unlikelygalaxygiver @hiddles-rose @httpmcrvel @breezy1415 @artisticlales @imthegirlyourparentswarnedyouof @maladaptive-ninja-returns @xinyourdreamsx

[fallintosanity]

i’m mean to my favs

i’m sorry prompto i love u

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11

Noctis floated high above his city, its nighttime lights glittering below and sending bright flashes through the crystalline glaives that surrounded him. The look of awe on his younger self’s face when Noct had called on the power of his ancestors and leaped off the balcony had almost been worth the knowledge that this was the same power which would kill him as soon as he returned to the present. At least he’d get some use out of it beforehand.

The city looked different enough from up here that it took him a minute to figure out which direction Prompto’s house was. Prompto had lived in a comfortably middle-class neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, several miles from the Citadel. The route by car took some twenty minutes or more depending on traffic, but flying up here, able to bypass the complex street grid, Noctis made it in under ten. He dropped to the street in front of the little house and stared in dismay. Prompto’s front door had been smashed open, and golden light spilled out onto his tiny front patio. The acrid scent of daemon miasma hung in the air.

Dismissing the Armiger, Noctis ran inside. He knew in his gut that he was too late, but he searched the house anyway, nearly tripping over the smashed remnants of the kitchen table. A curtain rod had been yanked down and shattered, the handrail of the stairs to the second floor broken off partway up. As he raced to Prompto's bedroom, a cheerful tune started playing - Prompto’s ringtone.

The bedroom was an even bigger mess than the rest of the house: the desk and chair in splinters, the window broken, schoolbooks tumbled everywhere. Noctis could imagine all too clearly what had happened. Prompto would have gone for his usual run after getting home from his part-time job, showered, and changed into pajamas, then sprawled out on his bed to do homework. Whatever had broken into his house had done it fast, leaving him no time to call for help before barging in and grabbing him.

The phone was still ringing; Noct found it buried under a tangled mess of torn bedsheets that had been dragged from the bed most of the way to the door. The name on the screen was Prince of Naptime and he choked down a laugh that was more hysterical than he could afford right now. That had been an in-joke between him and Prompto for most of the second half of senior year; he’d all but forgotten about it in the years since.

He hit the answer button, and his younger self’s voice immediately said, “Prompto? Are you okay? Where have you—”

“Not Prompto,” Noctis interrupted. “Give the phone to Ignis.”

“But—”

“Now,” Noctis said, putting a bit of his father into it, and was relieved to hear shuffling and rustling noises.

“Noct?” Ignis asked.

“Looks like Ardyn got him,” Noctis said without preamble. “Or… Ardyn’s daemons, probably. Everything’s torn up.”

Ignis huffed out a sigh. “We’re down to ground level at the Citadel, but everything’s still in disarray. It will be some time yet before we’re able to reach the garage and a vehicle.”

“Okay,” Noctis said. “I’m going to see if I can figure out where they went.”

“Keep this phone on you,” Ignis said. “We don’t have access to tracking resources, but we can at least get in touch with you.”

“Got it,” Noctis said. “I’ll call you back when I have an idea where I’m going.” He hung up, dropped the phone into a pocket, and hurried back through the house to the street. Worry churned in his gut as he went, along with a swirl of guilt. Even though he knew there was no way they could have done anything to stop this - Ardyn had probably made his move the moment the sun went down, so Noctis would have been too late even if he’d left when Young Noctis had first said something was wrong - he couldn’t help but feel it was his fault Young Prompto had been taken. Noctis should have pushed his dad harder, should have insisted on getting out there and looking for Ardyn.

King Do-Nothing, Gladio had said, bitterly. Regis had sat on his hands and waited, and it had put Prompto in danger. Noctis couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

He burst out onto the street, then skidded to a stop in confusion when he saw an elderly woman peeking around the curve of the fence. She held a cell phone in one hand; Noctis could just make out the emergency numbers already dialed on the screen, waiting for her to push the call button. She eyed him up and down, then asked, “You’re Crownsguard, aren’t you?”

Close enough. Noctis nodded. “Did you see what happened?”

“Daemons,” the woman proclaimed. She pointed to a house a little ways up the road, whose windows had a clear view of the street in front of Prompto’s house. “It was about half an hour ago. I was eating dinner when I saw ‘em running up the street. They broke into the Argentums’ house and dragged that poor boy out.”

“Where’d they go?”

She pointed in the opposite direction. “Out toward the factories.”

Noctis took off running. “Thanks!” he called over his shoulder.

As he ran, he pulled out Young Prompto’s phone and shot off a quick text to let Ignis and the others know which direction he was going. The phone buzzed with replies almost instantly, but he ignored them in favor of pouring on more speed. Half an hour was a hell of a head start, even on foot, and he briefly considered calling the Armiger again and flying - but the factory district was full of tall buildings and deep shadows. If he was in the air, it would be too easy to miss daemons clinging to the darkest spaces. On the other hand, nothing said the daemons had to stick to the direction they’d started out in. If they’d turned down a side street once out of sight of the old woman…

He shoved that thought down. Daemons, even ones under Ardyn’s control, generally weren’t that bright. They would take the shortest path between them and wherever their destination was, which meant their destination was something in this direction. He had to believe that - Insomnia was too big a city, too easy to get lost in, for any other option.

Despite his fears, he couldn’t keep up the sprint for long, and had to settle into the ground-eating jog he’d used with his friends in the wilds of Duscae and Cleigne. Slower, but sustainable. The occasional nauseating whiffs of daemon miasma in the air reassured him that he was moving in the right direction, and he could only hope that he was gaining ground.

He was deep in the factory district, jogging along an uneven sidewalk on the edge of a worn-down road, when he spotted bright red blood drops on the sidewalk. Fresh, still gleaming. His stomach knotted at the thought that Young Prompto was injured and bleeding - but at the same time, hope surged through him. He had to be close. Despite the burning ache in his legs and lungs, he picked up speed again, dress shoes slapping the pavement in a steady rhythm.

Then shadowy figures passed beneath a flickering streetlamp half a mile up the road. Noctis squinted, struggling to make out the shapes - but he’d fought too many bussemand not to recognize their distinctive cavorting gait. Calling a sword to hand, Noctis flung it as far as he could, warped, and did it again, this time landing on the wall of one of the massive factories only a few hundred feet behind the daemons. This close, he could see the squirming, struggling figure one of them held tucked beneath its arm.

Prompto.

Noctis flung the sword again, warping in and taking out the rearmost bussemand in a single hit. He took down the second with a spear through the chest before it realized what was going on, and beheaded a third even as it squealed an alarm. Two more leaped at him, but Noctis phased through their attack and zeroed in on the one holding Young Prompto. He warped close, calling daggers to his hands and slashing at the bussemand’s chest and shoulder, forcing it to drop Young Prompto in a heap on the ground in order to defend itself.

It wasn’t enough. Noctis ran the bussemand through, then pounced on the remaining daemons, weapons flashing as he ripped them apart. They were almost hilariously weak, probably struggling just to hold their forms within the protective bounds of the Crystal, and dispatching them took maybe ten seconds. When they were gone, their bodies dissolving into miasma wisps, Noctis turned back to Young Prompto - and froze.

Ardyn Izunia stood there, one hand wrapped around Young Prompto’s throat, the other holding the boy’s right arm stretched out to the side. Young Prompto looked terrified, blue eyes huge, thin chest heaving with stifled sobs. He wore nothing but a pair of King’s Knight pajama pants and his old green-and-white wristband, his bare feet bloody, bruises swelling around his ribs where the bussemand had held him. Ardyn was clearly putting painful pressure on his throat and arm; he was trembling and tear tracks marked his cheeks.

“Ah, Noct,” Ardyn purred, as though they were meeting casually at some diplomatic function. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“Get away from him,” Noctis snarled. He called the Armiger, the crystalline weapons flashing grimly in the dim streetlamps, but Ardyn held Prompto in front of him like a shield and Noctis didn’t dare attack.

Ardyn looked down at the boy trembling in his grasp. “Really, now,” he said. “All this effort, and for what?” A knife appeared in his hand in a shimmer of red, and Ardyn continued, “Such an empty little thing.” The knife flashed, Prompto yelped, and the familiar wristband fell to the ground, sliced clean through, revealing the barcode tattoo stamped on his wrist. Ardyn met Noctis’s eyes over Young Prompto’s head. “I’m surprised you care. There are so many more where it came from, after all.”

Noctis bit his tongue. He couldn’t rise to the bait, not when Ardyn had his hand around the boy’s throat. Instead, he demanded, “What are you after, anyway? First the attack on the Citadel, now this?” He was about to say more - but stopped as he realized the expression that had crossed Ardyn’s face at his words was surprise.

Still, Ardyn recovered quickly. “You know what I want, Noct.”

“Then let’s do this,” Noctis challenged him. “Let Prompto go and we’ll fight. You and me.”

Ardyn laughed. “Where’s the fun in that?”

As he spoke, Young Prompto moved, his free hand coming up in front of his stomach. His hand was trembling, but he caught Noctis’s eye and folded down two fingers. It took all Noctis had to keep his gaze on Ardyn, to say, “So you don’t want to fight after all? Coward.”

Young Prompto folded down one more finger, then another. Noctis braced himself.

“I want to spread the Starscourge—” Ardyn began, just as Young Prompto folded down the last finger. Noctis flung every glaive in the Armiger at Ardyn’s head even as Young Prompto went boneless, all his weight on Ardyn’s grip on his throat. Unprepared, Ardyn let go of him, then flung up his arms to block Noct’s attack. Red light shone around him, Ardyn’s Armiger flashing into existence, and Noctis called his own glaives back—

Gunshots rang through the night, followed a moment later by the rumble of an engine and the squeal of tires. Ardyn jerked, miasma-tainted blood spraying from a hole in his forehead, his shoulder, his side. Gladio’s voice yelled, “Noct!” and Noctis lunged forward, grabbing Young Prompto by the arm and shoving him behind himself, toward the sound of the approaching vehicle.

Ardyn straightened, his face a nightmare of yellow eyes and oozing miasma, his mouth a rictus grin. “A party,” he murmured. “I’m afraid I’m not dressed for one. I’ll see you soon, Noct.”

Noctis flung the entire Armiger at him once more, but Ardyn was already gone, his body dissolving into daemonic wisps and vanishing into the shadows.

[charlottedabookworm]

So, this is that regisson au where absolutely nothing changes until Nyx puts the ring on that y’all convinced me to write. Hope you like it and tell me what you think

“Show yourselves, Kings of Lucis.”

The darkness lit up as, one by one, spectral kings appeared around him. He forced himself as upright as he could manage with a bullet in his chest and gods knew how many broken bones – refusing to have this conversation while flat on the ground.

This wasn’t exactly how he’d wanted to meet his ancestors, but he’d make do.

(Though, to be fair, Nyx would have preferred to have never have had to meet them at all. From what Nyx knew, the majority of his ancestors on both sides of the family were complete dicks)

He looked around curiously as the Lucii spoke, telling himself that he wasn’t looking for Regis – for the man who had been his king, who he had been forced to watch die, who had been his—

No, Nyx wasn’t looking for Regis.

“How long,” he gasped out. “How long will you do nothing whilst Insomnia burns?” Nyx tried to force himself to his feet – the Lucii might be spectral giants but Nyx had always felt better about arguing with powerful beings who could easily kill him when he could stand – but ended up doubled over in pain instead. Fucking bullet. Fucking Luche. Fucking traitors. “Old or new, or whatever it is. Summon your wall!” Because what sort of kings were they, that they refused to even defend their city as it was being destroyed, that they would prefer to watch their people die rather than help.

Nyx hated his ancestors.

“You do not command us. Yours is not royal blood.”

And, at that, Nyx blinked. Really. Really? Did they seriously still not know?

So much for being all-fucking-knowing. This entire situation was almost enough to make Nyx laugh, if he wasn’t in so much pain. He hated broken ribs.

“It does not fall to us to guard your city.” Another of the Lucii said and Nyx turned with a look that he hoped portrayed the depths of his scepticism.

Seriously?

“Man is a fool creature, clinging to his past and cowering from his future. Wasting his strength on bygone days.” Yet another of them said, and really what was with all of the leapfrogging? Couldn’t they see that he was dying here? It hurt to have to keep turning to look at whoever decided to speak.

Wow, he thought, staring up at the king with raised eyebrows, bitter much?

“And what future are you wards of?” Nyx forced an elbow beneath him to prop himself up, his voice echoing around him as he questioned these so-called kings who preferred to stand back and do nothing.

Nyx decided that he really fucking hated his ancestors.

“So short-sighted. And cursed to never rise above it.” That was the Mystic, he was sure of it, and it made him want to snarl.

Nyx didn’t need to listen to that from him of all people.

“Wait.” A new figure called out and Nyx froze at a voice that he knew well, the voice of a man that he’d watched die mere hours ago (was it hours, it had seemed like it but now Nyx wasn’t sure). “I have seen what this brave soul is prepared to do.” King Regis, Nyx’s—The King said. “He, too, seeks to safeguard the future.”

“Your Majesty,” he whispered, holding back everything else that he wanted to say by sheer force of will.

Here and now, having watched the man in front of him be murdered by someone who Nyx had trusted, Nyx regretted. He’d never spoken to the King because he didn’t know how, because he’d feared being rejected, because he’d tried to convince himself that he didn’t need or want a… He’d never spoken up because he’d thought he had more time.

Nyx laughed silently at himself. He always thought that he had more time than he actually did, and he never managed to say what he needed to to those that he cared for before it was too late. He was just cursed that way, he guessed.

“Very well, young king. We will weigh your warrior’s worth. But our boon does not come cheap. The cost is a life. His or hers.”

The world itself was still faded away, but Libs and the Princess both sharpened into focus – frozen in the same moment that Nyx had last seen them – and he refused.

“No.” He wanted to scream, but he was so tired. Nyx took a moment just to breathe, drawing on his reserves and pushing the pain from his mind – he was dying anyway, it wouldn’t matter in the long run. “To hell with your power!” He yelled. “I’m not here for it.” Nyx didn’t want the Lucii’s accursed power, wanted nothing to do with the abilities that had been granted to them by Bahamut.

Nyx would reveal himself to be what he was before he did that.

“I only came to tell you,” he said, starting to laugh, his eyes bright with mirth. “You are no kings.” And he laughed, and he laughed, and he laughed.

Nyx couldn’t breathe, and his ribs were killing him – or maybe that was the bullet – but he still couldn’t stop.

He didn’t even know what it was that he found so funny, just that right now it was either laugh or cry and he refused to cry in front of these kings.

“Your worth has been weighed and found wanting.” The Mystic thundered, but still, Nyx couldn’t stop.

Just, the sheer irony.

The irony of this man, who usurped his throne and murdered his own brother at another’s behest, calling him unworthy. Nyx couldn’t even be offended, the mere idea of it was hilarious.

“Now, burn.” Somnus Lucis Caelum ordered, and pain flooded through him like a tidal wave, yet still, he continued to laugh.

Rolling onto his back, Nyx tipped his head back and laughed even as his hand burned. “Unworthy, am I?” He asked between gasps for breath. “Not of royal blood, am I?”

Nyx shook his head, tilting his body so that he could look directly up at the supposed Founder King of Lucis. “Are you really so unable to recognise one of your own line, Great-Grandfather?”

Silence.

His hand stopped burning, the flames gone, and Nyx continued laughing.

“What?”

“I asked you, o’ false king, if you were really so senile so as to not notice one of your own blood.” He gasped out between laughs.

“You mean to barter for your life.”

“No,” he shook his head again, his laughter finally silencing. “No, old man, my life is my own. If and how I die matters not, at this point. I merely wish to speak with the man who sired me.”

And, with that, Nyx let his magic – already boiling under his skin, begging to be used – rise to the surface and stain his eyes green, proclaiming his heritage to all who could sense it.

“Sir Ulric. Nyx…”

He turned his head to look at the figure who spoke, propping himself up once more with what little energy he had left. “King Regis.”

Father, Nyx didn’t say, because his use of that title depended fully on the other man’s decision. Nyx had known of Regis his entire life, had always known of his heritage – even if he’d sworn off of it entirely for a short period of time while young, after learning the truth of the Mystic, and even if he had done his best to keep it hidden from the Lucians – but Regis had just had a second child dumped on him, shortly after his own death, and one that he might not even want in any case.

This, any of it, all of it, was up to Regis.

“Why did you not say anything?” Regis seemed almost sad, or maybe Nyx was just imagining things that he wanted to see.

Nyx shrugged. “It wasn’t my place, your majesty.” He said with a small, sad smile, trying to meet his sires’ eyes behind the new helm. “Besides, I’m just a bastard-”

“You are my son.” The king interjected vehemently. “The circumstances of your birth change nothing.”

He paused, stunned, and blinked slowly. That- that was actually a far better reaction then he had ever dared hope, and even if it was only due to the fact that the man had died, Nyx still couldn’t help but wish…

Shaking his head to dislodge thoughts of could-have-beens, Nyx smiled again, brighter this time but still sad. “I think, your majesty, that I would have liked you as a father.” He dropped his eyes. “I’m sorry…” He trailed off, not quite certain what he was apologising for.

Not trusting the man enough to tell him years ago, maybe. Or not giving them the opportunity to have a relationship as father and son, instead of a King and his glaive.

Or even letting him die, doing nothing but watching as Glauca killed him.

Or maybe it was all of that and more. Maybe it was everything – every missed opportunity, every never-had conversation, every lost chance.

Yeah. Yeah, everything – that seemed about right.

Nyx was just. He was sorry.

Wasn’t all that different from his ancestors in the end, after all, was he?

Regis shook his head, attracting his attention and drawing him out of his thoughts. “No, Nyx, it is I who is sorry. I am sorry that you never felt as though you could tell me.” Nyx went to interrupt, only to fall silent at the look that the King gave him. “Know that I love you and that I am proud of you, Nyx. And tell Noctis that the same is true of him, when you see him once more.”

“Good luck and Godspeed, my son.”

And then, before Nyx could say anything in response, the world flared back into focus and Nyx reacted – tossing Drau-Glauca aside with lightning that came as much from his own magic as it did from that of the ring.

He glanced down at the ring that twinkled on his finger and pulled it off, rolling it in the palm of his hand. “Thank you, father.” He said quietly, clenching his fist around the ring momentarily.

“Nyx?” A familiar voice asked, and Nyx turned to look at his oldest friend and brother.

“Hey, hero, have I got a story for you…”

[sassycassie-s-writing]

Glaive, Crownsguard, Lucis Caelum

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): Final Fantasy XV/Ignis Scientia

Rating: PG/K+

Original Idea: Nothing in particular!

Notes: (Masterlist)(By Character)(About Me) This was just so much fun! Probably one of the more epic speeches I’ve ever written.

^^^^^

“Princess!” Ignis called, chasing me through the darkness, weaving through the underbrush with expert ease despite the fact that he couldn’t see anything.

“Stop calling me that, Scientia!” I snapped, jumping over a boulder instead of going around it like a normal person. “I'm not a princess! I'm a daughter of the Crownsguard turned Glaive.”

“With respect, lieutenant,” Ignis said, catching up and grabbing my wrist. He whirled me around to face him. I could see my reflection in his visor, despite the darkness. “You are the only blood relative Noctis has now. With his absence, the line of succession falls to you. You are the natural successor to lead the people through this eternal night.”

“I don’t want the throne. I'm not a leader,” I said, pulling my hand out of his grip. “I'm a Glaive. You’re a Scientia, though. Everyone knows that name as the royal advisors. Claim regency or stewardship or something. You’re a natural leader, Ignis. Not me.”

“I can’t lead what’s left of Lucis and hunt daemons at the same time. And I am much more inclined to hunt. But I promise you, princess, that I will guide you and advise you to the best of my ability. The people of Lucis will look to you for leadership. For comfort and guidance. You do belong to the bloodline of Lucis Caelum—”

“My mother was an illegitimate child,” I said. “Making me an illegitimate heir. And either way there’s no way anyone would believe me. No one except you knows who my mother and I really are and who we come from. There’s no way to even prove it with the Ring of the Lucii gone with Noctis.”

“There is,” Ignis said. “Your magic still works. You are tied to the Crystal. When King Regis died, every other Glaive lost their magic. Except you. Because you are of the line of Lucis.” He sighed and set his hand on my shoulder. “Please, princess—lieutenant. Your people need you.”

“No. They need someone like you.”

“Leading the people of Lucis is not my duty. My royal duty is to advise the True King—and, in his absence, you. You have a duty to your bloodline to serve your people. A duty to your king—your cousin. And it won’t be forever. Upon Noctis’ return, you can relinquish the throne and give it back to him.”

I sighed and closed my eyes. “I’ll think about it. You’ll have your answer when I return from this hunt.”

“That’s all I ask right now.”

“If I say yes—what will I have to do?”

“A public address in front of Lestallum’s city hall, claiming your right to rule and proving your bloodline by revealing your magic. From there, I’ll teach you and guide you. Hopefully you won’t have to be much more than a figurehead. The mayor of Lestallum will still run the city, but our people will look to you for reassurance and comfort. You may have to organize things and give speeches, but we’ll take those as they come. And I promise to aid you where I can.”

“Alright. I’ll think about it. No guarantees,” I said. He smiled and let go of me. I ran into the darkness.

^^^^^

Stepping up to the podium, I looked down at Ignis’ speech cards. He’d had Prompto write the speech so the lines would be even.

Ignis’ speech was beautiful. Eloquent. Full of compelling language and exquisite words.

But they weren’t my words.

I shoved the cards in my pocket. Near the front of the assembly and off to the side, I saw Prompto whisper to Ignis—presumably describing my actions.

“Uh… hello,” I greeted. A quiet murmuring shivered through the crowd. “Some of you know who I am. Most of you do not.” I cleared my throat. “I am a lieutenant of the Kingsglaive and a daughter of the Crownsguard. My name is Estelle Constellatio. Or… that’s how people know me. No one here barring three are aware that I have another name. One in the middle. My true name is Estelle… Lucis… Constellatio.”

Louder whispers rippled through everyone standing in front of the hall.

“I'm guessing a lot of you don’t believe me. Think I'm just some power-hungry twenty-something looking to take advantage of the power vacuum in my cousin’s absence,” I continued. “And yes, I said cousin. The late King Regis is my uncle. My mother is the illegitimate daughter of King Regis’ father—a grandfather I never knew. I joined the Kingsglaive rather than the Crownsguard in order to hide my connection to the Crystal. Those of you who know anything about the members of the Kingsglaive know that their power died the night His Majesty did, as their magic was bound to him.” I clenched my hands into fists at my sides. “To prove to you that I am who I say I am, I’d like to say: if I were just a normal Glaive, I’d no longer be able to do this.”

I raised my hand. Lightning came down and struck it.

People openly talked, a quiet roar rising over their heads, rather than whispering.

I lowered my hand. Everyone went silent. “I stand before you today to claim my birthright as the only blood heir to the line of Lucis Caelum and step up as acting regent of the Lucian throne. And I swear to you that I will do my best to lead you through these hard times.”

I took a deep breath and sighed, peeking a glance at Prompto and Ignis. Prompto nudged Ignis—who nodded at me with an encouraging smile.

I looked out at everyone else again. “I’ll be honest: I don’t want this job. I actively fought Ignis Scientia—one of the royal advisors—against taking up this role. I'm not doing this because I want to. I'm doing it because I have to. I will lead you because it’s my duty.

“As a Glaive, I do this for hearth and home.

“As a daughter of the Crownsguard, I’ll do this for my king.

“And as a granddaughter of the Lucis Caelum House, I do this for my country. And my people.” I put my fist over my heart and bowed to the crowd. “I am humbled, and honored, to work for and with you. And when His Majesty, King Noctis returns, I will happily and readily relinquish the throne to him.” I licked my dry lips. “Thank you for your time, and your support. May the Six bless us to get through this together.”

I stepped away from the podium and bowed.

There was a long silence.

Someone started clapping.

It was Ignis.

Prompto joined him. Then Gladio.

Then everyone started clapping. Someone cheered. Someone else whistled. I put my fist over my heart again and bowed once more before turning and going into the city hall to collapse on the nearest bench and pant from anxiety.

No one liked public speaking much—least of all the girl who’d run away from the spotlight her entire life. That girl being me. The amount of energy and effort it took to seem smooth and confident while facing down what was left of Lucis made me feel like I’d run three miles without stopping.

Someone dropped onto the bench next to me. A gloved hand found mine where it was resting on my knee with surprising accuracy. “Impressive speech,” Ignis said. “Better than mine. Did you make it up off the top of your head?”

“Sorta. I thought about it a little while I was out hunting,” I said. “For hearth and home. For my king, country, and people. Some of that. And you’re right. This is my duty. I didn’t ask to be connected to the Crystal—to be the daughter of an illegitimate daughter of a long-passed king. But I am. And sometimes we have to suck up what we want to do in order to do what we have to do.”

“That’s very wise of you, princess—I mean, my queen.”

“Oh no, Ignis. Please don’t. Don’t with the titles. I’ll play the part of the acting queen but I don’t want to actually be a real queen.”

“Just as it’s your duty to serve the people, it’s my duty to serve you—as the acting queen. All you have to do is ask.”

“Oh trust me, you’re gonna get sick of me because I'm gonna ask so many questions. I don’t know how to be a leader—royal or otherwise. I'm trained to fight and to follow orders. To use my magic to vanquish MTs and daemons. Queenly stuff isn’t me. You’re gonna have to teach me a lot.”

Ignis chuckled. “I understand that,” he said. “I pray you are a better pupil than Noct.” He sounded amused.

“I’ll try to be. Out of necessity.”

“In that case, I look forward to working with you, m’lady.” Ignis stuck his hand out.

I shook it. “Me too. But please, if you can call my cousin Noct, you can call me Stell. Everyone does.”

“Alright. Stell it is,” he said with a smile. “Shall we start? I did have a few notes on your delivery.”

“From my speech?”

“Quite.”

“Play nice, Ignis. I’ve never done public speaking much before.”

“Playing nice has nothing to do with it,” Ignis said. “Your voice was confident, but some of your pauses and throat clearings came across as scared. If you must pause, try not to clear your throat so much. And try not to lead with ‘Uh.’”

“I’ll bear that in mind.”

“Splendid. Now, I must say, you do have a gift for words. For making that speech up on the spot, it sounded like something a real queen would say. I have the utmost confidence that the foreseeable future with you as acting regent will go well.”

“Thanks. That makes one of us.”

“We’ll get through this, Stell. Together. It’s going to be hard on everyone.” He set his hand on my knee. “But we can do this. Don’t be afraid to let Gladio, Prompto, and myself help you.”

“I won’t. Promise.”

“Good. Now, go get some rest. We have a lot to cover, but we can make a real queen of you yet.”

“Thank you, Ignis.”

“Of course.” He patted my knee. “I’ll see you in a few hours.” He paused. “Well. Technically I won’t see you—but I’ll meet with you again in a few hours.”

I chuckled. “Right. You get some rest too,” I said. “You’re gonna need all your strength to turn this Glaive into a queen.”

He kissed my hand. “I have faith in you.”

“I'm honored. See ya later.”

“Until then,” he agreed.

[theimperialists]

Imperialist Mission: Tor’watha

[21:09:23] [S] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: [Thalassian] All here, excellent. I'll begin your briefing.

[21:09:37] Morzanmius Sunharvest slav squatted, listening to the brief.

[21:09:38] Morzanmius Sunharvest kneels down.

[21:10:11] Alarthan Sunbreaker simply adjusted the large staff on his shoulder

[Sanarissa Firewing:] “The information we have gathered about the Amani has led us to find a hidden entrance to what was thought to be the lost city of Tor’watha. With the Cataclysm, the entrance was hidden by the city remained. My spies have been tracking the locations since last night, and have found not only that these Amani hold the pylons, but that they seem to be mustering an army. We’ll travel over the mountains to find the entrance to the city, purge these savages and make sure they don't come back this time, and recover the pylons to bring Eldin’arcus back from his sundered form. We must be cautious. My spies have gathered some information, but much of the city has not been explored yet. I’m sure our Illidari friends have something to say for being prepared. Gather your things and we will make for the pass if there is nothing you all wish to ask.”

[21:12:14] Morzanmius Sunharvest held his hands palm's open, an orb of felfire forming.  "Trolls don't regenerate if you burn them well enough.  Vol'jin learned that one first hand.  Who's ready for a hunt?"

[21:13:33] Alarthan Sunbreaker gave a simple grunt as he looked around.

[21:13:35] Serathyel Bloodweaver gave a respectful nod as objects levitated towards her in preparation.

[21:13:52] Celthris speaks up with question present within his tone. "You say that your informants have gathered some form of information... What did they have for us?"

[21:14:37] [S] [110:Celthris]: [Thalassian] Any bit of knowledge is better than none, after all.

[21:14:58] [S] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: [Thalassian] They seem to be gathering forces. For what, we cannot yet tell. But I expect heavy resistance in our path to find the four pylons.

[21:15:37] [S] [110:Celthris]: [Thalassian] Hmm... Nothing we cannot handle, I am certain.

[21:16:12] [S] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: [Thalassian] Our path takes us through the mountains. Is everyone ready?

[21:17:04] [S] [110:Celthris]: [Thalassian] You will hear no hesitation from me.

[21:17:15] Morzanmius Sunharvest stood up, rolling his shoulders this time.  "I've been preparing since last night."

[21:17:15] [S] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver]: [Thalassian] What are the pylons for, might I ask?

[21:18:35] [S] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: [Thalassian] Mm, of course. You were unfortunately not present last night. We managed to receive a message from the heir, Eldin'arcus Sunstrider. The magisters of the city broke his essence between many planes and bound them to four elemental pylons. If we wish to

[21:18:35] [S] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: [Thalassian] restore him and bring about our success, we will need to gather them.

[21:19:24] Serathyel Bloodweaver shifted as she took in the information. She finally gave an affirmative nod.

[21:19:48] [S] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: [Thalassian] Then we make for the mountains, and for Tor'watha.

The trek through the mountains would have been simple enough for a Farstrider, or for anyone with an experience in trekking or wars. Even at its steepest paths, they could have found ways through the rocks and foliage. The entrance looked nearly overgrown, and once the party pushed through a large wooden door would be revealed before them.

[21:26:34] Morzanmius Sunharvest sneered looking at the Troll city.  "I don't see why this place hasn't been burned to cinder yet.  Almost as bad as demons, Trolls are..."

[21:27:41] Alarthan Sunbreaker simply grunted, as he started to walk forward.

[21:27:42] Morzanmius Sunharvest's Felfire eyes scanned the area for magical wards, traps, and the like.

[21:27:49] Serathyel Bloodweaver sneered as Morzanmius' words echoed in her head. "We should have not held back our assault. They are like fleas... never will they go until wiped clean."

[21:30:10] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris stalked forward alongside the others, his hands at his sides. His head shifted around, evidently becoming aware that Sanarissa wasn't overstating the Amani presence.

[21:30:42] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel waved her hand in front of her face, as she attempted to dispell any weak illusionary magic that may hide an object. "Who am I kidding... The trolls wouldn't have a clue on how to manifest the arcane..." she murmured to

[21:30:42] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: herself

[21:31:40] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: 's Felfire eyes scanned the area for magical wards, traps, and the like.  While he didn't think the Trolls were smart enough to protect a place like he would...  he wasn't going to put it past them to have smart allies.

[21:33:03] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: There seemed to be no traps. At least not thus far. The path seemed clear down the steps as well.

[21:33:42] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: "I'm not seeing anything," he called out softly, still wary as he made his way down the stairs.  Or, over the stairs, really, as wings sprung from his back and carrried him over them soundlessly.

[21:34:25] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: was already down the steps, simply waiting now.

[21:35:29] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: With the door open, they would be able to see the city sprawling out before them. It hardly seemed as if the Amani were recovering. If anything, they seemed to be thriving. While there were none to behold immediately, the sounds of the city would tell the

[21:35:29] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: party that they were not alone. And as they moved past the gates, a horn sounded, loud and strong. Drums beat, and the sounds of trolls barking orders in the distance rolled to their ears. Coming from the east. With the cries of war and battle came five

[21:35:29] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Amani skirmishers, charging down the hill with spears raised, poised to attack the intruding elves.

[21:35:55] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: First battle, 5 Amani Skirmishers! Each has ONE fate point! Roll initiative!

[21:37:32] Morzanmius Sunharvest dropped into a battle stance, grinning wildly.

[21:43:12] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: continued to walk forward, even dispite the five charging Amani. He slowly lifted the staff from his shoulder, and extended it out to the right. He rolled directly for the group now, as soom as he came from his roll, he'd leap into the air, and raise his

[21:43:12] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: staff into an overhead swing, going to slam down the Large Stone end into the ground. One of the seals on it would dissapear, and attempt to make a rather large explosion.

[21:45:10] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: One of the skirmishers is caught in the explosion from Alarthan. The other four move into place, facing each of the party members. The one in front of Celthris would lift its spear, attempting to bring it down into him.

[21:54:21] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris... does not move. At least until the very last milisecond. The spear of the blade grazes his flesh, a sacrifice he (totally purposefully) made in an effort to draw the troll in before dashing alongside the length of the spear to drive one of »

[21:54:21] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: » his daggers into the troll's chin. Wait, when did he unsheath his dagger? Oh yeah, when you blinked.

[21:55:46] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: The dagger hits home and the troll crumbles! The skirmisher attacking Morz raises one hand, smashing it towards his head.

[21:57:45] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: Morz, cocky sumbitch that he was, singled out the largest of the charging trolls- his gaze focusing as his grin grew wider. Seeing Celthris' TOTALLY PURRPOSEFUL taking of the incoming attack, HE TOO let the attack land.  THUD.  The grrin grew wider as »

[21:57:45] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: » a trail of blackish-green blood trailed down his face from beneath his mask.  Letting go of his glaives, the weapons floated in the air as he attempted to grab the Trolls arm, rip it off, and then beat him to death with his own arm.  So Brutal.

[21:58:34] Morzanmius Sunharvest let out wild laughter as he bashed the Troll's face in.  "Stop hitting yourself!  Stop hitting yourself!"

[22:00:39] Celthris tilted his wrist to allow the troll on his dagger to slide backwards off of his blade, before drawing it up without a moment's hesitation to clean it off, almost suggestively, with his tongue. He notes Morz'... methods, and cannot help but comment. »

[22:00:39] Celthris » "An interesting technique."

[22:00:49] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: The troll's arm is TORN OFF and his skull is caved in by the brute force of it all! Oh, the humanity! The two remaining Skirmishers hardly seem to notice the fates of their bretheren. One reaches out to grab at Serathyel's neck, drawing the other hand

[22:00:49] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: back to beat at her if he succeeded.

[22:01:24] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel stepped back briefly, a rune of blood magic summoning upon the floor beneath her. A chasm of dark magic would rise about the sorceress in order to shield herself. Serathyel gritted her teeth. The trolls were not skilled

[22:01:24] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: with the arcane, anyone would know that. Yet, she began to fear that blood magic was a different matter.

[22:04:24] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: The troll is hit by the volatile essence, and it writhes around horribly for a moment before going still. The last Skirmisher looks amongst the corpses of the others, before giving a roar and spearing at Alarthan.

[22:06:21] Morzanmius Sunharvest is still cackling, as he makes liquid Troll.

[22:06:28] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: simply side stepped the spear attack from the last Troll, and had facial expression of don't fuck with me, before he slide to the trolls side, and slides his mace of a staff across the trolls legs. If it hit, and the troll fall, he'd weave the stone end

[22:06:28] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: of his staff up, only to slam it hard, and completely mash the trolls skull into the stone.

[22:07:45] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: The fall of the skirmishers was simple enough, for the hand-picked team that had been sent out. Nothing came after they had fallen. There was a moment of tension, the air hanging with the sound of distant rituals. But no one seemed to come forward for

[22:07:45] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: now, leaving the path that led down into the city center empty. The thunder, which had begun rumbling during their ascent up the mountains, grew louder and lightning spiked across the sky. A storm was rolling in.

[22:08:04] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: pulls his staff out of the gore, and drags it across the ground now, bits of sparks coming from it. He hissed and continued to walk down the path.

[22:09:51] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: continued on, the loud scrapeing sounds and thumps from his staff across the stone. A pretty intimidating sound.

[22:09:56] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris sheaths his crotch-dagger once more, before continuing onward. A small smirk begins to grow on his features as he replies to Serathyel. "You might find we are closer to that reality than you'd think."

The rain had started. Sprinkling at first and then pelting down around them. The ground was growing slick, and it seemed to only grow worse as they neared the staircase to a small platform.

A voice rang out, a troll speaking in what could have only been curses in his Native language. He raised a hand towards the storm-torn sky, the rain seeming to come down harder around them.

“Ya not be allowed to leave, ya damn knife ears. Ya be the first our ya kind to fall to the Amani once more!”

[22:12:49] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris notes, off-handedly. "A connection to the elements, this one retains."

[22:14:20] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: Morz glanced to the sky, and then Cel.  "Think we can corrupt the area enough to disrupt the Elements here?"

[22:15:37] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: "It would be wise for me to clear my thoughts from the gutter if you are capable of reading them, brother." He could not help the sly grin that creeped its way across his features at his own jest.

[22:19:29] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would send a pillar of fire towards the attackers.

[22:21:46] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam laughs as Valeorya sends a pillar of flame towards him. He raises a hand, using the pool around him to splash water at the flame. He changes his focus, channeling a lightning bolt at Celthris.

[22:28:27] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris displays a nimble agility, gracefully leaping over the bolt of lightning and landing on one of the wooden posts of the bridge. Balancing on the thin post, he quickly draws a set of small throwing daggers from the top of one of his wrist »

[22:28:27] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: » gauntlets, before spinning in place with a flamboyant twirl. The blades flew from his hand in a whirlwind flurry of knives, each of them aiming for the large pool of water around them, and each of them corrupted with insidious fel magic, perhaps to »

[22:28:27] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: » try to cut off the troll's connection to the element of water.

[22:29:57] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: shakes his head. "Yes...let the Trolls become one with the Fel next." he muttered under his breath.

[22:30:38] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: The hunter's actions, while strange, seemed to work. The swirling of water slowed and then stopped. Ikzam barked out an insult to him before smashing a hand down the floor. The ground underneath Morz would rumble, quaking beneath him.

[22:33:50] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: As the ground beneath him Quacked, Morz let out wild laughter.  "Let's see how you handle this," he shouted, waiting for a chunk of earth to jut up.  Using it as a spring board, he soared high into the air- his body twisting and contorting as he let »

[22:33:50] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: » out a scream as he underwent a metamorphosis.  Hilking line backer that he was in the air, his ascent gained spead as fel radiated from him.  With a road, he started to spin in a sonic-ball fashion, before plummetting down.  Objective 1- to slam »

[22:33:50] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: » into that Troll bastard with all the force of an infernal.  Objective 2- release a fallout cloud of Fel energy to rise into the sky, attempting to chase the elements away.  Fel, and all.

[22:35:56] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam summons a torrent of air, using the shear as a sort of shield against Morz's attacks. He lept aside, summoning a bolt of lightning down on top of Alarthan.

[22:38:12] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: grunts as he lifts his free hand up, Index and middle fingers raised in front of his face as he fills himself with the speed of a tiger. He pushes off the ground, avoiding the lightning to appear right in front of Ikzam, using the momentum with the speed,

[22:38:12] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: and conjuring forth a bit of Chi, does he swing his massive mace-like staff towards the Trolls ribs.

[22:40:33] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam rolls out of the way, channeling up a totem. It would spit a strike of fire out at Serathyel!

[22:41:31] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would attempt to take control of the fire and bend it to her will. If she would miss, the strike would be devastating upon her.

[22:42:55] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: The fire would fizzle out sadly in Serathyel's hands. Not attacking for her.

[22:43:35] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam LEAPS forward, smashing one electrical imbued first towards Celthris.

[22:45:27] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris doesn't expect the electric PUNCH and is PUNCHED backward off of his perch. He lands flat on his back with a grunt, the electricity still surging through his muscles. He draws another throwing dagger and attempts to throw it from his downed »

[22:45:27] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: » position at the troll

[22:46:50] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam dodges. Clearly content with having tazed the hunter, her turns on Morz and leaps at him with the same attack. Illidari, brothers in failure, right?

[22:49:27] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: Morz, hulking giant demon that he was at the moment, caught the punch in his hand.  The electricity that was discharging around them was captured in flows of the Hunter's power- and redirected upward.  The desired effect?  All that lightning corrupted »

[22:49:27] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: » into Fel Lightning, lancing back into the Troll and shooting up at the sky.  The elements wouldn't take kindly to a Shaman attacking them like that, would they?!

[22:52:15] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam lets out a roar, cursing at Morz in his own language, knocking back from the Illidari and insteading focusing on the monk once more. With a channeling, the ground beneath the monk was lava!

[22:55:49] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: slammed his staff down into the ground, and lept into the air to stand on it. He balanced on one foot and took a deep breath. He cupped his hands at his stomach, pushing up with a slow hulking force as his chi gathered. He leaned back again before

[22:55:49] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: breathing out a torrent of fire from his mouth, to burn the Trolls face.

[22:57:22] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam is knocked back by the torrent of fire blown into his face. Maybe also the breath??? Who knows. He blindly smashes a fist in Serathyel's direction.

[22:58:40] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel blinks, and with a slow reaction time, she jumped out of the way. It was not imperialistic of her to jump into dirt in such a manner, yet she would do anything to stay away from the punch.

[23:00:35] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would then shoot fireballs towards the attackers, quite ungracefully from the ground. She grunted, shooting madly for anything to land a blow.

[23:02:48] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam manages to dodge the flame from the mage. It would seem that in his state of pain, he isn't going after Celthris. He smashes a fist into the ground, trying to summon up an earthquake but it seems to be taking longer than before?

[23:05:57] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: While the others were busy fighting the troll, Celthris had managed to recover just enough to get his bearings again. Looking up toward them, he took off with a running start and propelled himself off of the nearby post to try and sink a dagger into »

[23:05:57] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: » the amani's back from above

[23:07:49] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam's earthquake raises around him in a stone shield, making the stab useless. He then explodes the shield, the rocks shooting in Morz's direction.

[23:09:56] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: Giant Demon Smash.  Morrz was too focused on his target to care about dodging the hail of rocks.  As his body was pelted, he raised his arms high and let out a bellow that shook the area.  The Floor is lava?  Okay.  Two can play that game!  He slammed »

[23:09:56] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: » his fists onto the ground and pumped fel enerrgy into the ground.  From the Demon, a wave of fel-lava shot towards the Troll, trying to swallow him up.

[23:12:33] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam dodges the clearly inferior Floor Is Lava 2.0. He pulls a mace from his side, smashing it down towards Alarthan, flames whipping around the mace.

[23:14:30] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: took out a flask of Ironskin Brew, and took a sip of it. The mace slammed down, and he raised an arm to deflect it. The effects of the brew allowing him to continue, and only feel such effects after the fact. With this, does he leap up from his staff, and

[23:14:30] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: try to plant his freaking foot into the Trolls mouth, using the leverage and momentum to slam him back, and crush his head.

[23:15:56] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Ikzam rested one fist against the dirt, the other had pressed to his wounds. “Ya not win again, ya dirty fucking pink-skins.” And with what seemed to be the last bit of his energy, he roared out, alerting the city around them.“KILL DA INTRUDERS!

[23:15:56] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: STOP DEM BEFORE DEY MAKE IT TO DEZ’JIN!” With the crush of Alarthan’s foot, the troll’s fell, still and unmoving. A long, slow drumbeat began in the distance along with the war cries of the Amani trolls still left in the city. They had been

[23:15:56] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: discovered

[23:17:28] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: grunts, as he wipes his boot off, and now begins to feel the pain in his arm from the hit. He picks up his staff, wretching it from the stone.

[23:19:09] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: Morz remained in his hulking metamorphosis form, breathing heavily.  He clenched his hands painfully, runes skittering up and down his body with pulsing angry red energy.  As a Vengeance Demon Hunter, he used his pain as fuel!  Until he missed his »

[23:19:09] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: » next defense roll, at least

[23:20:33] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris reaches up and palms the blood dribbling from the small incision on his chest. He rubs it between his fingers, as if examining the texture of his own ichor. "Hmm... That spear was poisoned... Neurotoxin." He makes this statement casually, as »

[23:20:33] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: » if it didn't alarm him as much as it should have. He was no doubt dangerously close to being put down by the poison and the electricity of that superman punch.

[23:21:30] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: "I hate to say it," he said, his voice gravel.  "But I don't think we brought enough.  We...  weren't prepared."

[23:21:32] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: still hadn't said a word

[23:22:51] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: The path slopped down and while the rain had slowed without the shaman’s manipulation, it had not stopped. A misstep would surely send one of the elves sliding down to the base of a crumbled, barely held together staircase. The drumbeat had stopped, and

[23:22:51] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: there was a stillness in the air that was unnerving. Until it was shattered by a roar that bellowed through the city. Leaping from the top of the crumbled staircase came a berserker, roaring at the party in Zandali as it threw its arms up to prepare for

[23:22:51] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: attack

[23:31:27] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris realizes his current predicament and decides to get out of the way for the moment. He jumps atop a nearby stone pillar, and throws a single dagger at the ground beside the berserker. He attempts to manipulate the shadows around the berserker »

[23:31:27] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: » in order to pin his shadow, and himself by extention, to the ground for the others to strike.

[23:32:56] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa swats the dagger away like it's no big deal. He stomps forward, bringing two huge fists down at Alar's tiny baby skull.

[23:36:30] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: rolls off to the side, and cupps his free hand now. He raises it into the air and lurches it forward as his Chi festered and launched forward. He was pissed, actually pissed now, and it showed. The would be green and white lightning that erupted from his

[23:36:30] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: finger tips now morphed and turned black and red as he tries to zap all sith like the Beserker.

[23:38:22] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa shakes off the zap. What was that, a bug bite? He throws one hand at Sera in a punch!

[23:42:10] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would wait for the bombardment to reach her as she whispered an incantation which would fade her existence from reality. The blood mage would teleport towards closer to the fray, in order to avoid the oncoming

[23:42:10] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: assault

[23:43:46] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel's illusionary magic clearly did not aid her, as she was too late to fade. She grunted as she took the blow. Out of irritation and anger, she blew fireballs towards the enemy.

[23:44:45] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa dodges, roaring out at the group in a garble of Zandaali. His eyes were drawn to a demonic circle opening behind the party, charging forward to smash a fist down on the emerging Firewing!

[23:47:42] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Sanarissa stepped from the demonic circle, about to open her mouth and say something inspiring when she's knocked back by the berserker. She falls back a few feet, sliding down the mud-slicked hill. When she sat up, she'd cast a pillar of fel flame at the

[23:47:42] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: berserker. "I was trying to speak, beast."

[23:50:16] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaaza is hit by the pillar of fel flame and roars in frustration. He swings a first in the direction of Morz.

[23:54:02] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: Morf roared.  His Pain guage was full, and he didn't have a chance to dump it in a Soul Cleave.  So when the fist came, he felt it.  Hard.  BAM.  POW.  RIGHT IN THE KISSER.  The hulking demon was lifted off his feet as he was struck in the jaw, and »

[23:54:02] [R] [110:Morzanmius Sunharvest:1]: » thrown down the cliffside, crumpling into pile that slowly de-meta'd and returned to his now unconscious elven form.  He might not recover after his poor perrformance that evening!

[23:55:55] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa was clearly quite bleesed with itself for knocking one of the pointy eared pink skins unconcious. He turns on Celthris next,  wildly stomping at him.

[23:57:33] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: Celthris is knocked off of his perch, just as the poison from the first nobody goon troll takes effect in his system. As he lands on the ground, he doesn't bother to get up. "I think I am going to take a little nap..." He says casually, to no one in »

[23:57:33] [R] [110:Celthris:1]: » particular. He then passes out in the safety of the bushes.

[23:58:46] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa only seems to be spurred on by taking out yet another of the intruders. He goes after Alarthan this time, roaring and slamming both fists in his direction to try and sweep him off his feet.

[00:01:20] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: pulled out another brew from his armor, and chugged it right as the fist slams hit. It turned his skin into something of stone, and kept him upright as he squinted and had a very dangerous look on his face. He drug his staff behind him, until he broke out

[00:01:20] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: into a sprint, jumping at the last second, to slam his mace-like staff onto the Beserkers head, activating another seal to unleash another rather large explosion.

[00:03:56] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa lets out a dulled roar as the staff smashes into his head. He stumbles, falling to the side for a minute, bleeding quite heavily from the skull. However, he rises again, growling and snapping his teeth at Sera as he swipes at her.

[00:05:28] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would use an arcane shield to deflect the attack, bitterly. If this was it, she was done for.

[00:07:23] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would counter with a fireball.

[00:09:07] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa gives a confused noise as his fist is deflected by the arcane shield. He dodges the fireball, turning his gaze to Firewing and attempting to smash her puney skull.

[00:10:04] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Sanarissa leapt out of the way in time, already working up a cast. A chaos bolt sparked from her hands, soaring forward and smashing into Gaazaa.

[00:11:50] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa ducks his head just in time to miss the bolt, smashing his palm down flat towards Alarthan.

[00:13:43] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: screamed now, clearly frustrated as he leaps into the air again, and goes for another smash along the Beserkers head, activating his last remaining seal to blow this bitch to bits.

[00:15:25] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa barely has time to react before the seal blows the side of his skull clean off. But even as he stumbles and sways, he tries to bring a hand smacking down onto Sera.

[R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would run out of the way.

[00:20:02] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would rush to hurl an arcane torrent towards the enemies.

[00:21:45] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Gaazaa is struck by the arcane torrent, coughing up blood as the giant beast's wounds finally overtake it. He slumps to the ground, leaving their way open to proceed further.

[00:22:55] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: sucked in air as he slummped a bit. Clearly feeling the effects of battle now. He finally lifts up his staff, and shoulders it before looking up towards the temple.

[00:23:11] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Firewing looks back at the demon hunters, then pushes forward. "We'll come back for them. We have to get the pylons." She takes off, clearly not wanting to waste anymore time.

[00:29:19] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Once they had emerged through the canopy of Tol'watha, the three remaining party members were left with the sight of a troll leader. He turned, regarding the three wounded Sin'dorei with a laugh. "It too late, ya damn pink skins. Even if you could fight

[00:29:19] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: me, in ya weak states, ya city will fall. I've sent my war party, they gon' attack your city and raze it to THE GROUND!" Dez'jin roars with laughter, drawing two axes and leaping forward to engage them.

[00:34:42] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin catches the monk's fist, using the stall to dodge out of the way. He takes one of the axes, hurling it at the felcaster nearby.

[00:35:47] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Sana is struck by the axe, slicing across her chest to leave a deep gouge. She stumbles for a moment, before raising a hand to the blood on her chest. She smears it across the ground, using it to propel and fuel her powers, a bolt of fel flame flinging

[00:35:47] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: from where she had marked

[00:36:36] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin dodges as easily as before, keeping his remaining axe in hand and charging Sera, swinging at her with the axe.

[00:37:29] [R] [110:Serathyel Bloodweaver:1]: Serathyel would intercept the attack with a volley of fire shooting from the ground towards the sky.

[00:39:53] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin spits in the direction of where Serathyel lands. "Weak pink skins. Ya never be good enough to defeat me." He turns back with the axe he had just struck Sera with, moving back to swing at Alarthan.

[00:42:09] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: screamed, and channeled everything he possibly could now. The blood, sweat, and grim that dripped from him hovered for a moment, and he cupped his hands at his waist. He sucked in air, and rises his hands to his heart now, where he pressed two fingers

[00:42:09] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: together before he leans back and screams at the top of his lungs, unleashing a torrent of black lightning from his mouth and hands.

[00:44:00] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: The troll leader was struck by the lightning, roaring in pain until it subsided. He charged Sanarissa, swinging the axe at her and using the opportunity to grab his second axe back from where it had landed nearby.

[00:45:06] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Firewing dodged the swing by inches, reaching a hand onto to try and grab onto the troll's face, fire exploding in her hand.

[00:48:10] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin roared in pain as he face was burned by the warlocks hand. He stumbled back, laughing even through his pain. "Ya nothing, knife ears. NOTHING!" He raises a hand, and the vestiges of the storm still around them crash down, lightening gathering

[00:48:10] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: around the troll. When it cleared, standing in the place of where had been a troll was a lightning ascendant. One electrified fist swung towards Alarthan.

[00:50:04] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: somehow screamed louder, as his body vibrated and began to seperate into three different intities. He burst out two other astral figures, and paused for only a moment before all three dash at the Troll, and go to unleash a powerful Serpent Kick towards

[00:50:04] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: his ribs

[00:53:57] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin <Lightning Ascendant> is kicked in the ribs by the monk and the other two astral figures. He roars, his voice crackling like raw energy. The wind shears around them, whipping about and he raises one crackling arm to cast a bolt at Sanarissa/

[00:55:22] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Sana rolls out of the way, giving a low and frustrated growl. "Shut up." Is all she says, before pulling her hands apart. A void portal opens underneath Dez'jin, tentacles shooting up to try and grab onto the ascendant, trying to keep him rooted.

[00:56:40] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin is rooted. He tugs at the void tendrils, trying to rip right out of them. His eyes turn to Alarthan, opening his mouth to roar at him, spitting raw crackling energy to try and hit him.

[00:57:48] [R] [110:Alarthan Sunbreaker:1]: flies backwards, skidding across the ground and sizzles from the lightning. Smoke rising up from his body.

[00:59:27] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin looks to the lone remaining Sin'dorei and laughs. That voice of all the energies of the storm crackles out at her. "Ya better to lay down ya warped magics now, little bitch. No hope for ya now!" Even while bound by the void, he calls down a bolt

[00:59:27] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: near the warlock

[01:01:17] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Firewing is knocked down by the lightning bolt and we fucking wipe.

When the rescue party arrived to Tol’watha, they would have stumbled upon a grotesque scene. The five who had been sent in to retrieve the pylons were strewn across a ritual altar in various positions. Sanarissa, Serathyel, and Alarthan were unconcious but seemed to be unharmed except for signs of what seemed to be battle. Morzanmius and Celthris - it seemed they had not been so lucky. What was left of both of them were strewn about around the altar and a lightning ascendant was nearby, radiating with what seemed to be fel energy. His voice was angry and crackling, calling out to the approaching Sin’dorei. “Look, more knife-ears. Ya friends failed and ya will do the same. My war party will strike at ya city and take it down. All of ya be wiped out. But I be glad to take care of ya first.”

[01:34:25] "Pride" remained silent.

[01:35:26] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: Lan of course arrived in timely fashion, accompanies by a rather large and bulky Felguard. He had his hands folded behind his back, as the eyeball makes it's way across the scene. "Well, it seems this needs a more...personal touch."

[01:36:07] Vyntael Flamescar immediately calls in his (most of the time) trusty imps, after noticing the Felguard. "Outside of the city, we have no limits! Destroy him with all you have!

[01:40:47] Firioniel Bloodsworn The horror before him strikes a cord, and he stands tall, as he assumes a fighting stance. and hits the creature with everything he has, using Wake of Ashes with both hands, slashing him. Since it was quite effective on demons and Undead, he had hope »

[01:40:47] Firioniel Bloodsworn » that whatever this thing was, it would go down.

[01:42:46] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin laughs that ugly, crackling laugh of his. He seems to shift away with much more ease than even before. He casts a volley of lightning bolts at Vyntael!

[01:44:55] [R] [80:Vyntael Flamescar:2]: stands firm, his eyes narrowing as the lightning comes right at him. With a swiping motion he raises his staff upwards, conjuring two Dreadstalkers that leap right to the lightning! Immediately they take the blast, falling down to the ground, nice and »

[01:44:55] [R] [80:Vyntael Flamescar:2]: » fried. With another motion he holds his staff aloft. "Taelryn thinks he's the only one who can drain magic into his staff? He needs to think again!" Vyntael attempts to siphon the fel right out of the troll!

[01:47:22] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin <Lighning Ascendant> calls a shear of wind around him, blocking Vyntael's siphoning attack. The once-troll reached one storm-imbued fist out to try and grab at Phorgides, clearly thinking about devouring him for greater power like his Illidari

[01:47:22] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: bretheren had been

[01:50:56] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: Phorgides gaze narrowed as the creature tried to grab him. Rushing to the side as small spines poked out of the leather armor on his back. Drawing his swords, he moves to try to go around the thing. Moving to swing his blades at the troll-thing's »

[01:50:56] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: » calf. "You will not grab me mongrel!"

[01:52:19] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin scoffs at being called a mongrel but he clearly finds more interesting things that Phorgides at the moment. He smashes one supercharged fist down at Lanleran!

[01:54:25] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: Lan simply stands in place, hands held behind his back. As the fist is about to strike, the demonic axe of his companion flashes in the way, blocking the blow. Lan seems...rather uninfected. "You strike at me, savage. You dare to do so? Minion. Do »

[01:54:25] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: » away with him." The Felguard gives a small nod, forcing the troll back a step by pushing against it's axe, before bringing it around for a savage blow.

[01:55:38] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin's Earth Shield is summoned around him, the rocks swirling about to block the Felguard's attacks. And then, they struck out, flying at Pride.

[01:56:22] "Pride" blinks out of the way of the attack, then sends a razor sharp shard of ice at the hideous beast's jugular.

[01:59:45] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin shifts out of the way, opening his mouth to let out a roar at Firioniel. And what came out looked to be fel-imbued lightning? Well, better not let him eat any more fel kids!

[02:05:40] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin is just taking these hits like the fucking god troll he is. He spits some lightning at Vyntael because Brea needs to look up some more enhancement shaman attacks.

[02:07:40] [R] [80:Vyntael Flamescar:2]: takes the lightning right in the chest! "Zorjub, Kiptak! Don't hold back! This one is no better than all the rest, burn him down!" The imps chatter with glee, and Zorjub fires a volley of fel right towards the troll! Meanwhile, Kiptak seems to be »

[02:07:40] [R] [80:Vyntael Flamescar:2]: » producing nothing but sparks. As usual.

[02:10:20] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin just cackles at Vyntael because of the pathetic attempt at magic from his imps. He conjures an axe made out of sparking lightning, smashing it down towards Phorgides.

[02:13:09] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: Phorgides angles his blades above him to send the axe sliding away. Sending it in a harmless path down towards the roughly cut stone below. His ears flick back as he turns his blades to the troll like creature. Charging it as he tries to skewer the »

[02:13:09] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: » things thigh with both blades

[02:15:08] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin growls out a crackling, storm-like sound as he is stabbed. He swings, lightning bolts striking out in his flailing, some arcing towards Lanleran.

[02:17:02] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: Lan simply stands where he is, the minion once more getting in the way. He lets out a rather amused sound, as the creature is an even darker shade of black. "Hm. Good work creature. For that, you get a reward later. Now, do you job. And do not miss »

[02:17:02] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: » again." The minion grumbles, swining around in a whirlwing in hopes to catch the troll in it's arcs.

[02:17:56] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: The Felguard doesn't do its job and misses again. Dez'jin charges at Pride, swinging both axes down towards him.

[02:18:45] [R] [110:"Pride"]: sidesteps the attack, but is put off-balance as he launches a fireball into the troll's face.

[02:19:54] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin is struck by the fireball, roaring in frustration and swinging a hand out wildly as it recovers. It sends one axe flying, thrown directly towards Firion.

[02:21:57] [R] [110:Firioniel Bloodsworn]: Firion takes the axe directly to his chest, and blood sprays from his wound. He falls to one knee, and shakes as he holds his swords, after seeing his party members get more or less destroyed over and over, but he steels himself, and strikes the Troll »

[02:21:57] [R] [110:Firioniel Bloodsworn]: » in the head with his blade, utilizing Templar's Verdict as best he can from his position.

[02:25:14] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin summons the earth shield, blocking the attack. He then smashes a hand down, an earthquake explosion going right towards Vyntael. Boom baby.

[02:27:10] [R] [80:Vyntael Flamescar:2]: conjures a demonic gateway right before him, then sends himself straight to the other side of the area! Once he emerges from his other gateway, he simply sends a bolt of fel fire right to the troll! "Hey, don't forget about us!" Right before the quake »

[02:27:10] [R] [80:Vyntael Flamescar:2]: » reaches the imps, they follow suit with their own escape and fire!

[02:29:10] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin is struck by the bolts! He tries to move out of the way, swinging down at Phorgides, the next closest target.

[02:32:51] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: Phor once again merely steps out of the path of the blade. His gaze fixed on the troll as he remains close. Bristling a bit, his ears lower. His gaze not moving to the others despite hearing cries of pain. Stepping near the troll creatures wounded »

[02:32:51] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: » leg, he moves to stab at it's lower stomach.

[02:34:48] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez leaps out of the way of the attack, imbuing his axes with fire before swinging one at Lan's chest.

[02:35:46] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: Lan let out a hum, as the axes strike against a quickly formed barrier of Fel. He doesn't seem to miss a beat, as his minion continued to swing, looking to cut a leg off the troll.

[02:37:35] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Naw. No leg cutting. He swung his left axe out, hurling it at Pride.

[02:38:44] [R] [110:"Pride"]: ducks, the axe taking a large chunk of stone out of the pillar behind him. He hurls another fireball at the shaman's chest.

[02:40:15] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez'jin dodges and is clearly getting fucking annoyed with these pink skins dodging him. He reaches one hand out to Firion, trying to grab him in one electrically charged hand.

[02:41:25] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: With Firion out of the way, he hurls the paladin's unconcious form at Vyntael.

[02:43:35] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez swats at the fireballs. Annoying. He punches Phorgides. Bye.

[02:42:50] [R] [80:Vyntael Flamescar:2]: is knocked right down on his ass. But nevertheless, he raises one hand upwards, blazing with fel. "NOW!" With the portals still up, he calls in a squad of imps! Each fires a volley of fire in turn, before Zorjub sends one massive bol of fire!

[02:47:27] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: Phor stumbles to the side as the creatures slams it's fist down on his shoulder. Clenching his jaw, he strangles the cry of pain his own throat. His left arm now hangs with a slight limp but he did not drop his second blade. Watching the thing pick up »

[02:47:27] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: » and fling Firioniel earlier, his gaze shifts. Swinging his blade down to try to sever the troll's wrist from it's arm.

[02:49:30] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez loses his hand! He roars in fury, clearly realizing his time is close to done. He focuses on the weaker, roaring a pillar of fel-imbued lightening at Lanleran.

[02:50:57] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: Lan is struck, rather directly, in the chest. Though, of course, he is a Warlock. The orange that steamed from his mask would instead change to a more greenish color. "That...was a mistake." The Fel guard uses the distraction to attack, looking to » [02:50:57] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: » cleave the creature nearly in half.

[02:52:00] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez is not cleaved in half. Cucked. He turns and roars at Pride, smashing his axe down towards him.

[02:52:35] [R] [110:"Pride"]: fuckin blinks out of existence.

[02:52:38] [R] [110:"Pride"]: Later gators

[02:54:12] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez is spurred by his conquests and turns on Vyntael, sparking and crackling and maniacal. He prowls closer, trying to grab the warlock and taze him basically.

[02:55:18] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez throws Vyn at Phorgides. He likes doing that.

[02:59:46] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: Phor frowns as he sees the thing pick up another one of the group. Right, still one more hand on it. He lifts his blade but then lowers it quickly as Vyntael is thrown at him. Not wanting to impale the unconscious elf. Still he is unable to get out of »

[02:59:46] [R] [110:Phorgides Emberlight]: » the way, landing right on his back on the stone below. Grunting, he moves to shove Vyntael off him. Bolting again at the troll with a snarl. He aims to run it through with his sword.

[03:00:57] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez throws his other axe at Lan

[03:01:22] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: Lan gets hit with an axe.

[03:01:27] [R] [110:Lanleran Shadesworn:2]: And is dead and done with rolls

[03:03:40] [RL] [110:Sanarissa Firewing:1]: Dez laughs, having wiped out another advance of pathetic elves. He decides it's time to finish off this stabb-y one. He punches at him with a lightning imbued fist.