#like woah what a versatile weapon

[worstloki]

not enough jokes about Loki's sceptre being able to change size btw

[strang3lov3]

Dear Bug

It has been a minute (you have released three things and wips left and right since I was last here, so that's a minute in my books), but as always, I hope you're okay and that the 71st day of January is treating you well! I genuinely need this month to be obliterated cause it feels like a century has passed since we started the new year. However, if things aren't okay for whatever reason, then romanticize whatever is good. A new personal favorite of mine is just to be happy about how soft carpets can be, and how versatile they are. Like, isn't it neat? So many shapes and sizes and colors, it's almost a bit overwhelming now that I'm writing it out... While scrolling around, I saw the face reveal and you're seriously gorgeous.😌 And the colors of the tattoo are so vibrant and beautiful that I was just overjoyed. My Olivia Wilde nodding GIF of this ask if you will. Also while scrolling... I saw the updated masterlist and read all the things I had to catch up on. And woah, okay... the Joel one specifically had me rereading it over and over again. I actually suspected I was sick somewhere after reading that, which was sort of ironic. Turned out to be a false alarm tho, thank god. Being sick during winter or summer specifically feels like torture! You can get away with it during fall or spring, but summer or winter is honestly just insulting. A bit off track now, but 🍒 anon with the Roman and guns ask, I just wanna say... thank you. Thank you so much. Because I have been on this agenda since I saw him in that one scene in season two where he has the shotgun (I think it was a shotgun...?) while they're hunting or whatever. Like I cannot let it go. The scene wasn't even five minutes long yet it's like one of the scenes of him for me. Speaking of weapons, here is an update on the Pedro journey. In how many projects does his character not carry a gun at some point?? Like hello? It doesn't seem to end. I am not complaining at all, just... wow? I'll watch and just think oh that is a weapon hi! Of course, I am a bit guilty of smiling, but what else is expected when you see something like that? Not to smile? That's unfair. I mean... Frankie Morales?? That alone deserves an Olivia Wilde nodding GIF, that's a bonus one since I used the original one for the face reveal. So many things to nod about today. I worry we are at a standstill again though, I might try and poke around and see if I can find something that I haven't seen yet! I did watch a real pain. And I know it was so sad. But I do need to get this off my chest. One of the many conclusions I drew from watching that movie was that I would not mind sharing a blunt with Benji and making out while high. What can I say? I like men when they're a bit miserable. Just a teensy bit, like a spoonful. But that confession aside, the movie truly deserves all the nominations and wins it has received so far and the fact that it is Oscar-nominated makes me so incredibly proud. Tell Jojo and Gizmo I send my routine hello's and hi's, I hope January dread isn't affecting those sweethearts. I'll make sure it won't take so long for me to return here. 💕💕 Many sweet and kind wishes 🍓 anon

I wanna burst into tears when you come into my inbox. You always have the sweetest things to say 🩷🫂

It’s been a mixed bag this week, so i’m taking time to slow down and like you say, romanticize the good. I feel not so happy today so I’m just snuggling my cats and chatting with friends. It really has been a long fucking month, huh? These last couple weeks in particular. Big sigh.

I love your detail about carpets, btw. I love carpeted floors. I know hardwood is easier to clean up and whatever but I am a slut for some nice carpeting. I love freshly vacuumed carpeting, with the neat little lines. Ohh that’s the good stuff.

Thank you for the sweet compliment, btw. I’m coming together nicely 🩷 My next tattoo will be a coverup/rework of an eyesore tattoo that I’ve got on my arm. It’s not actually that bad, but I hate it in comparison to the rest of the work I have done. But I just gotta put the pedal to the metal with inking myself. I want to be nice and fully sleeved up by the time I get married.

I hope you’re feeling better soon! And thank you for reading. I posted that Jack Delroy fic too, which I know you were eyeing. I’m quite proud of it. Check it out, darling 🩷

And you’re right, love. 🍒 anon cooked with that Roman + guns ask. I cannot wait to write it. All in good time

All of Pedro’s characters stay strapped, it seems. Since you brought it up I’m like , trying to think about any role of his where he doesn’t carry a gun at any point and idk??? I guess the late 90s Xerox commercial he was in LOL

Ohh, baby. A real pain was SO good. And you weren’t the only one thirsting over Benji and the fuckin joint behind his ear, god. He’s so sexy. I wanna lick the bridge of his nose and that sexy line between his eyebrows. God I love Kieran Culkin.

Here’s gizmo and jojo as I answer this ask. They’re keeping my feet warm and my spirits up. They seem pretty unaffected by the January blues, which I’m happy for. I’ll tell them you give your love 🩷🩷

I’ll talk to you when I talk to you, gorgeous. It’s always such a pleasure to hear from you!! You really brighten up my day so much.

[qrowxiii]

Woah, almost everything about this is wrong.

#1

·Cavalry Swords is a very specific term that doesn’t really start aplying until modern era sabers and spadroons get that distinction, two handed swords that people most commonly think of are of the european variety and those are incredibly prominent in the thrust, it’s arguably more important than their cutting capacity and that is how the estoc was born and from that the rapier. A cutlass is a fairly narrow slice of single edged swords oriented to the cut, many one handed single edged blades from the middle east exist that would not fit the word.

·Rapiers were used plenty in battle, like most other swords, as a back up weapon to ranged weapons or spears. Also rapiers are not light, they weigh almost as heavy as an european longsword, but their reach and manner of use makes them quick to strike.

·The mixture of the two would be a cut and thrust one handed sword, as in, the most common type of sword to exist because it’s the cheapest type, it’s versatile, easier to use than most others and can be paired with a shield and doesn’t take too much space.

·Swords are generally just too varied and context specific to be reduced to three grand types, look at what they used in the place of the world that inspires your writing and what armor they are supposed to be fighting because different swords are good against different things.

#2

·If you are fainting you are losing conciousness, don’t do that, you’ll lose the fight.

·Fullers do not serve that function, rarely ever a sword creates a vacuum seal when entering a target, its function is to reduce weight of the blade while mantaining or even improving structural integrity, think an H shaped beam.

·The false edge is the edge that you don’t have pointing forward when gripping the sword, it can be sharpened or not, depending on the type of sword or user preference, but many types of sword use it plenty to fight.

#3

·This is *mostly* true, but there are a few moves that are considered good tricks against untrained opponent

#4

This is also mostly true, but to remedy that exists the previous point, there are some guards and some techniques that give the novice trained swordsman some security when it’s time to confront an untrained oponent. The biggest hurdle is acting precisely and decisively, fear and doubt will let the untrained oponent catch you on the back foot, it is a hard thing to get rid of.

#5

·Distance, distance is one of the most important factors, controlling the distance you are at because it limits the moves you can use effectively, if you are too close you are fucked

·The difference in size with the oponent is oh so important, a taller swordsman has gravity in their favour when trying to displace your sword and a heavier one will easily dominate you in very close quarters, but at the same time there are tricks to mitigate (not really solve) that (halfswording, hilt hooking, circling, etc).

·Don’t trust reaction time, it will only get worse with age, control of the space and precise motions will compensate your lack of speed and reaction time. When attacking sudden changes of tempo are more powerful than just going as fast as you can because the oponent will mistime their defense.

I get that the point of the post is for writing and that fantasy fights don’t *have* to be realistic, but if the post claims to be dispelling myths, it should do so and not give out different, also wrong, myths

The basics of swordfighting for writers

#1. Types of swords

Cavalry swords, two-handed swords, and cutlasses - these swords are used commonly for hacking and slashing - so they are swung in arcs or from side to side, not thrust forward.

Rapiers and small swords are one-handed weapons that are thin and light, but often quite long. They are used for thrusting and slicing, but as you can imagine they aren't much use in actual battle, but commonly used for sparring.

The third type is a mixture of the two - but less commonly found.

#2. Terminology

Fainting/Feinting - A false attack intended to create an opening for the real attack.

Parrying - When a swordsman uses his blade to deflect his opponent’s blade when he is being attacked.

Advance - A short forward movement

Fuller - A groove down the side of the sword to release suction when stabbed into a person's body.

Hilt - The base of the sword near your hands that isn't the blade

Pivot - Turning 180 degrees while keeping a foot planted

False edge - the "back" of the sword that isn't sharp and what you don't usually fight with.

#3. Common myths

A secret move that leads to victory - There is rarely such a "secret" move. Like chess, swordfighting is won through strategy and careful thinking, as well as physical prowess, not sEcRetT mOveS.

The Dramatic PauseTM - Nope, doesn't happen in real life. No one actually glares at each other in the middle of a swordfighting match when their priority should be, yknow, surviving.

#4. The Learning Curve of swordfighting

Unlike an ordinary learning curve where you slowly get better at something, in swordfighting, an untrained novice is much better than someone practising for a few months. This is because their actions are almost always wild and unpredictable. When a student receives training, their skill will actually decline over the next few months, because they will be trying to fight by the rules and are naturally not good at it. It takes at least two years to become a good swordsperson.

#5. The actual swordfighting itself

Footwork - Forward and back, in a line, in a semi-circle, a pivot. The basic goal of footwork is to give you a balanced center from which you can lunge, advance, retreat, attack, and parry. It also helps maintain the appropriate distance from your opponent and percieve.

Timing - How fast/slow is your opponent? How fast is your reaction time?

Every fighter has a different style. Some may naturally be inclined to use a certain move over and over, and have weakpoints in say, their reaction time. It is important that your character has a proper swordfighting style.

Predictability - How good are your characters/opponents at anticipating and learn each others fighting style? That determines the outcome of the fight!

Sources I used: https://kingdompen.org/writing-realistic-sword-fights/ // https://mythicscribes.com/miscellaneous/swordplay-for-fantasy-writers/ // https://lisashea.com/lisabase/writing/medieval/swords/glossary.html

[rk-ocs]

I fell into my hero academia fandom on accident through crossover

Red is now teaching Shoto varied things, to teach him to be more creative with his quirk. 

"With Science and experience, I want you to learn to do things like shatter metal weapons!"

Red is strong nerd, with an inability to shut up, and a fondness for triggering berserk in others.

She does things like teach chemistry, and is always getting him to guess the temperature in the air. She has him change it (using ice or fire, to get him to memorize the feelings of various temperatures) 

Also some cooking. 

Moisture and wind also become a factor. Ice texture. 

"Yes, Icebergs and fire are cool, but also flashy, and you can change the environment in so many small ways to your favor

A day with lots of moisture for instance, can allow you to freeze the floor beneath them. You can change the texture of that with your fire, and refreeze it to make it difficult for everyone else

He has done that, but he could use it more effectively

So along with Science, and how to safely set a building on fire, which had some lessons on architecture.

It's varied. But the general purpose is that "you can do so much more with this then summon ice and fire"

Be versatile

- "God, Shoto getting Red as a teacher would be amazing to read!! How would they meet?"

Well, the first time she met him, he was very used to her, and wanted to get out of an obligation, so he said she must be here to teach him, and she picked up his "get me out of here vibe" and agreed, then takes him on a run, to test his speed, because that is something she tests in most students. 

He noticed that she was younger and told her that she came by occasionally as she had declared she would teach him to use his quirk more creatively. 

The first time he met her, she came in and declared she was going to train him to be creative with his quirk, much to his bafflement. She is used to having him as a student, but he wasn't

Who the heck are you?"

But he went with her, after texting his class, figuring he might as well try to find out what's going on. 

They came to an agreement.

Sometimes she lectures the class. 

Some of the teachers have met future her in the past.

Whatever she did was impressive enough for them to take her seriously. 

She debates what makes someone a hero

- I JUST FOUND THIS GOOD AS HELL WEBTOON RIGHT NOW

https://manganelo.com/chapter/ci922637/chapter_1

Woah when future you impressed someone so good they automatically take your word. Makes me wonder what future me did

Mentor Red is always a treat to see."

[infinite-xerath]

Runeterra Retcons: Ruination Episode (Prologue)

Prologue Part I

You stand before the remnants of the Sentinel base, taking in the sight before you. Looking past the crumbling architecture and growing moss, you can see the echoes of dignity that this place once possessed. Now, however, it stands empty and silent, devoid of life save for the insects, birds and slugs. You call out, but no one responds. Finally, it becomes obvious that any chance of joining the Sentinels of Light here is long gone.

You stare at the ruins for a little while longer before turning to walk away. As you approach your boat on the beach, however, you notice another vessel drawing closer. Two figures step out from the craft and begin making their way up the beach.

“Those outfits… Are you two Sentinels?”

“Halt! This is the headquarters for the Sentinels of light!”

“Um, hello? Mind if I catch a ride?”

Lucian: “Well I’ll be. Looks like we were right to come here.”

Senna: “We need to speak to the one in charge here. Where’s your commanding officer?”

“Gone, along with all the other Sentinels.”

“I’m not sure. This place was abandoned when I got here.”

Senna: “What? Then you’re the only one here?”

“Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“Not for much longer. This place is a dump.”

Lucian: “Great, just great! We come all this way and all we can find is one damn Sentinel?”

Senna: “What’s your rank, Sentinel?”

“Rank? I don’t exactly… Have one.”

“I’m kind of new here, so…”

Lucian: “Oh, great! The kid’s a rookie, too!”

Senna: “Enough, Lucian. Listen close, Rookie: right now, there’s a Harrowing on the way bigger than any we’ve ever seen before. Like it or not, no one’s leaving this island until we drive them back.”

“Woah, hang on! A real Harrowing? I did not sign up for this!”

“Oh, finally! Here I was, worried that I wouldn’t ever get to see some action.”

Lucian response 1: “Suck it up, Rookie! You’re a Sentinel, so this is EXACTLY what you signed up for. Wait, where’s your weapon?”

Lucian response 2: “You’ve got spirit, Rookie, now let’s see if you can back it up. You know how to use that weapon, right?”

“Um…”

“I don’t have one. I thought I’d receive one here, but…”

Lucian: “Oh, for the love of-”

Senna: “No time for talk, here it comes!”

Prologue Part II

The Black Mist rolls up onto the shoreline. From the haze, countless malformed creatures emerge, moving toward you with murderous intent. The sight sends a chill down your spine, but Lucian and Senna respond calmly with a torrent of light from their weapons. Their movements tell of years of experience, each shot carefully aimed to tear through the onslaught.

“Wow…”

“I almost feel sorry for the monsters.”

As you watch, transfixed, a shadow looms over you. You turn and see that hulking undead figure with several faces has raised its claw, preparing to strike you down then and there.

Senna: “Look out!”

Senna fires a blast from her Sentinel gun that seems to go right through you, blasting a hole in the monster’s chest. Rather than harm you, however, the light seems to invigorate you.

“What just happened?”

“I didn’t know Sentinel weapons could do that!”

Senna response 1: “No time, Rookie. If you can’t fight, then get inside the base and take cover!”

Senna response 2: “Most can’t, but there’s no time to explain. Get inside the base and take cover, Rookie!”

You start to do as told, but you quickly see that your path is blocked by howling wraiths. The undead have you completely surrounded.

Lucian: “Senna, a little help over here!”

Senna: “Lucian, hang on!”

Dread begins to wash over you as you realize how hopeless the situation is. Outnumbered and with no way to fight back, the wraiths start to close in on you. Just as they’re about to reach you, though, something cuts through the Black Mist and strikes down the undead before they can reach you.

???: “Are you quite alright? That must have been quite the fright!”

“Thanks! You really saved me there.”

“Uh, not to sound ungrateful, but who are you?”

“Uh, is that… A giant pair of scissors?”

Gwen: “Oh, pardon my manners! My name is Gwen, but we haven’t the time to talk now! Quickly, we must get you inside!”

Before you can think to respond, Gwen grabs your arm and pulls you along, leading you into the remnants of the old Sentinel base.

Prologue Part III

Gwen: “Ah, so this is a Sentinel base? I must say it’s rather drab in here.”

“Uh, thanks again for saving me, Miss Gwen.”

“Wait, we have to go back! The others are still out there!”

“Yeah, it’s kind of a dump.”

Gwen response 1: “Oh, you’re very welcome! Now then, if you’ll excuse me, I believe your friends require some help as well, no?”

Gwen response 2: “Yes, quite right! You just wait here where it’s safe, and I’ll see to them.”

Gwen response 3: “Well, regardless, it seems that the undead do not wish to enter. I should go and find your comrades to bring them in as well.”

With that, Gwen rushes off, charging back into the fray. You watch from the entrance as she slashes apart the undead with her giant scissors and pierces them with floating needles. Around her, a peculiar mist seems to form that repels the Black Mist around her. Eventually, Gwen vanishes from sight, though you can still hear the sounds of battle from the shoreline.

“…Whelp, time to sit back and relax until they sort this out.”

“Damn it… There has to be something I can do to help.”

You looked around the Sentinel base and notice a peculiar table in the center. Inspecting it closer, it looks to be a map of Runeterra, carved out of Relicstone. A peculiar object rests on top of the table, shaped like a key with a small orb at the end. Curiously, the objects begins to glow, almost as though calling out you.

You reach out and clutch the object in your hand, lifting it from the table. You then notice that a portion of the map seems to be glowing in response: the small island where your base is located. Cautiously, you bring your weapon closer to the table. The two seem to thrum in unison together, before both going dim. Then, the building starts to shudder…

Prologue Part IV

The shaking stops abruptly. All around you, ancient markings in the walls start to light up one-by-one. Then, in a flash, you see the entire island outside consumed by golden light. In a massive pulse of magic, the Black Mist is dispelled and the markings return to normal.

“…”

“What… Just happened?”

“Woah… That was awesome!”

You hear footsteps behind you and turn to see Lucian, Senna and Gwen walking into the base.

Lucian: “Rookie, you mind explainin’ what in the many hells you just did?”

“Honestly? Your guess is as good as mine.”

“What makes you think I did anything?”

“Just how many hells do you think there are?”

Senna: “Hang on, Lucian. He’s not the only one we should be questioning”

Senna turns her attention to Gwen.

Senna: “Thanks for helping out back there, but just who are you? You’re not a Sentinel, and those scissors aren’t Relics, but they cut through the undead just the same.”

Gwen: “Ah, I suppose I should reintroduce myself properly this time. I am Gwen, the Hallowed Seamstress, at your service! A pleasure to make your acquaintances!”

“A pleasure to meet you, too!”

“What’s with that weird mist you can summon?”

Gwen response 1: *Giggle* “I’ve heard a great deal about the Sentinels, and how you devote yourself to fighting the Black Mist! I’ve come to offer you all my aid.”

Gwen response 2: “Ah, you mean the Hallowed Mist? Truthfully, I’m not entirely sure myself. I suppose you can say I was born with it.”

Lucian: “Hmph… Well, right now I’d say we could use all the Sentinels we can get. It ain’t exactly standard procedure, but you weren’t half-bad out there, Scissors.”

Gwen seems delight to receive the praise, but before anything else can be said, the map in the middle of the room starts glowing again.

???: “Hello, is anyone there? This is Sentinel Fetu of Buhru! Please, respond!”

Prologue Part V

You and the other Sentinels gather around the table as the image of a strange man flickers above it.

Fetu: “Ah, good, it seems we weren’t mistaken. That’s odd, though… I thought the old headquarters had been abandoned.”

“What’s going on?”

“Is that another ghost? How did it get in?”

Fetu: “Not the brightest relic in the vault, are you? Hard to believe that you would be chosen to use the Wayfinder.”

Lucian: “Wayfinder? You mean the Relic Rookie’s got there?”

Fetu: “Bah, don’t they teach anything at the other outposts these days? Alright, listen closely: that Relic you have there? It is the Wayfinder, a very special and ancient Sentinel tool. It has the power to link itself directly with the Nexus crystal in the heart of Sentinel bases. Nexus crystals, as I’m sure you are aware, are conduits for magical power.”

Senna: “So that explosion of light earlier, that was from Rookie using the Wayfinder to link with the base?”

Fetu: “Aye, but that’s not all it can do. The Wayfinder also has the power to connect to the Nexus crystals of other bases, allowing instant transport between them and communication across vast distances. That is how we are speaking now.”

Gwen: “My, what a versatile little took you have there!”

Lucian: “I’ll say. Definitely not something that should be in the hands of a greenhorn.”

Fetu: “Unfortunately, that is not your call to make. It is said that the Wayfinder chooses its wielder, and can only be used by the one to whom it is bound.”

“So… I’m its chosen wielder?”

“The Wayfinder chose me… What an honor!”

“So it’s less of a weapon, and more of a multitool?”

Lucian: “Ah hells… You mean to tell me that no one but this kid can make use of it?”

Fetu: “Hmph. The Wayfinder is strange with its choices, but perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. No one has been able to wield that Relic in ages; that it awakens now may be our one hope of overturning this nightmare.”

On the map before you, you see much of the land being overtaken by darkness.

Senna: “Damn it… He’s growing stronger.”

“Who’s growing stronger?”

“I… Assume that’s bad?”

Lucian response 1: “The Ruined King. The guy responsible for the Black Mist and the Harrowings. Right now, he’s spreading his damn mist all across Runeterra, and if we don’t stop him, it’ll be the end of life as we know it.”

Lucian response 2: “You don’t know the half of it, Rookie. A Harrowing this big can only be the work of the Ruined King. If he’s not stopped, that darkness is gonna take over the entire world.”

Fetu: “Then it’s as we feared… Listen closely: the Black Mist is at our doorstep, and we cannot hold out for much longer. Soon, this Sentinel outpost will be abandoned, meaning that it is up to you all to stop this calamity. Use the Wayfinder, travel to the other Sentinel outposts and recruit as many of our comrades as you can. If Runeterra is to survive this Harrowing, we must stand united! We must-”

The image vanishes and Fetu’s voice goes silent. You and the others all stand around and stare at the map for a moment before Gwen speaks up.

Gwen: “Oh dear. I hope he’s alright.”

Senna: “If he is, maybe we’ll meet him again one day. Right now, we know what we have to do.”

Senna turns and stares at you.

Senna: “Looks like we have a job to do, Rookie. Fire up that Wayfinder.”

“Yes, ma’am! Where to first?”

“Geez, I wasn’t expecting all of this so suddenly, but I guess I can’t back down now. Where do you guys wanna go?”

Lucian: “Demacia. Looks like the Mist is all going there, which means there’s a good chance the Ruined Creep’s there too. If we take him out, this whole nightmare’ll be over.”

Senna: “It won’t be easy, but with more Sentinels on our side, we might just stand a chance. You ready, Rookie?”

You nod solemnly, clutching the Wayfinder closely. Though not what you expected, it seems the time has come for you to partake in your first proper mission as a Sentinel of Light.

[blueares]

Ruination Rewrite (Prologue)

Prologue Part I

You stand before the remnants of the Sentinel base, taking in the sight before you. Looking past the crumbling architecture and growing moss, you can see the echoes of dignity that this place once possessed. Now, however, it stands empty and silent, devoid of life save for the insects, birds and slugs. You call out, but no one responds. Finally, it becomes obvious that any chance of joining the Sentinels of Light here is long gone.

You stare at the ruins for a little while longer before turning to walk away. As you approach your boat on the beach, however, you notice another vessel drawing closer. Two figures step out from the craft and begin making their way up the beach.

“Those outfits… Are you two Sentinels?”

“Halt! This is the headquarters for the Sentinels of light!”

“Um, hello? Mind if I catch a ride?”

Lucian: “Well I’ll be. Looks like we were right to come here.”

Senna: “We need to speak to the one in charge here. Where’s your commanding officer?”

“Gone, along with all the other Sentinels.”

“I’m not sure. This place was abandoned when I got here.”

Senna: “What? Then you’re the only one here?”

“Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“Not for much longer. This place is a dump.”

Lucian: “Great, just great! We come all this way and all we can find is one damn Sentinel?”

Senna: “What’s your rank, Sentinel?”

“Rank? I don’t exactly… Have one.”

“I’m kind of new here, so…”

Lucian: “Oh, great! The kid’s a rookie, too!”

Senna: “Enough, Lucian. Listen close, Rookie: right now, there’s a Harrowing on the way bigger than any we’ve ever seen before. Like it or not, no one’s leaving this island until we drive them back.”

“Woah, hang on! A real Harrowing? I did not sign up for this!”

“Oh, finally! Here I was, worried that I wouldn’t ever get to see some action.”

Lucian response 1: “Suck it up, Rookie! You’re a Sentinel, so this is EXACTLY what you signed up for. Wait, where’s your weapon?”

Lucian response 2: “You’ve got spirit, Rookie, now let’s see if you can back it up. You know how to use that weapon, right?”

“Um…”

“I don’t have one. I thought I’d receive one here, but…”

Lucian: “Oh, for the love of-”

Senna: “No time for talk, here it comes!”

Prologue Part II

The Black Mist rolls up onto the shoreline. From the haze, countless malformed creatures emerge, moving toward you with murderous intent. The sight sends a chill down your spine, but Lucian and Senna respond calmly with a torrent of light from their weapons. Their movements tell of years of experience, each shot carefully aimed to tear through the onslaught.

“Wow…”

“I almost feel sorry for the monsters.”

As you watch, transfixed, a shadow looms over you. You turn and see that hulking undead figure with several faces has raised its claw, preparing to strike you down then and there.

Senna: “Look out!”

Senna fires a blast from her Sentinel gun that seems to go right through you, blasting a hole in the monster’s chest. Rather than harm you, however, the light seems to invigorate you.

“What just happened?”

“I didn’t know Sentinel weapons could do that!”

Senna response 1: “No time, Rookie. If you can’t fight, then get inside the base and take cover!”

Senna response 2: “Most can’t, but there’s no time to explain. Get inside the base and take cover, Rookie!”

You start to do as told, but you quickly see that your path is blocked by howling wraiths. The undead have you completely surrounded.

Lucian: “Senna, a little help over here!”

Senna: “Lucian, hang on!”

Dread begins to wash over you as you realize how hopeless the situation is. Outnumbered and with no way to fight back, the wraiths start to close in on you. Just as they’re about to reach you, though, something cuts through the Black Mist and strikes down the undead before they can reach you.

???: “Are you quite alright? That must have been quite the fright!”

“Thanks! You really saved me there.”

“Uh, not to sound ungrateful, but who are you?”

“Uh, is that… A giant pair of scissors?”

Gwen: “Oh, pardon my manners! My name is Gwen, but we haven’t the time to talk now! Quickly, we must get you inside!”

Before you can think to respond, Gwen grabs your arm and pulls you along, leading you into the remnants of the old Sentinel base.

Prologue Part III

Gwen: “Ah, so this is a Sentinel base? I must say it’s rather drab in here.”

“Uh, thanks again for saving me, Miss Gwen.”

“Wait, we have to go back! The others are still out there!”

“Yeah, it’s kind of a dump.”

Gwen response 1: “Oh, you’re very welcome! Now then, if you’ll excuse me, I believe your friends require some help as well, no?”

Gwen response 2: “Yes, quite right! You just wait here where it’s safe, and I’ll see to them.”

Gwen response 3: “Well, regardless, it seems that the undead do not wish to enter. I should go and find your comrades to bring them in as well.”

With that, Gwen rushes off, charging back into the fray. You watch from the entrance as she slashes apart the undead with her giant scissors and pierces them with floating needles. Around her, a peculiar mist seems to form that repels the Black Mist around her. Eventually, Gwen vanishes from sight, though you can still hear the sounds of battle from the shoreline.

“…Whelp, time to sit back and relax until they sort this out.”

“Damn it… There has to be something I can do to help.”

You looked around the Sentinel base and notice a peculiar table in the center. Inspecting it closer, it looks to be a map of Runeterra, carved out of Relicstone. A peculiar object rests on top of the table, shaped like a key with a small orb at the end. Curiously, the objects begins to glow, almost as though calling out you.

You reach out and clutch the object in your hand, lifting it from the table. You then notice that a portion of the map seems to be glowing in response: the small island where your base is located. Cautiously, you bring your weapon closer to the table. The two seem to thrum in unison together, before both going dim. Then, the building starts to shudder…

Prologue Part IV

The shaking stops abruptly. All around you, ancient markings in the walls start to light up one-by-one. Then, in a flash, you see the entire island outside consumed by golden light. In a massive pulse of magic, the Black Mist is dispelled and the markings return to normal.

“…”

“What… Just happened?”

“Woah… That was awesome!”

You hear footsteps behind you and turn to see Lucian, Senna and Gwen walking into the base.

Lucian: “Rookie, you mind explainin’ what in the many hells you just did?”

“Honestly? Your guess is as good as mine.”

“What makes you think I did anything?”

“Just how many hells do you think there are?”

Senna: “Hang on, Lucian. He’s not the only one we should be questioning”

Senna turns her attention to Gwen.

Senna: “Thanks for helping out back there, but just who are you? You’re not a Sentinel, and those scissors aren’t Relics, but they cut through the undead just the same.”

Gwen: “Ah, I suppose I should reintroduce myself properly this time. I am Gwen, the Hallowed Seamstress, at your service! A pleasure to make your acquaintances!”

“A pleasure to meet you, too!”

“What’s with that weird mist you can summon?”

Gwen response 1: *Giggle* “I’ve heard a great deal about the Sentinels, and how you devote yourself to fighting the Black Mist! I’ve come to offer you all my aid.”

Gwen response 2: “Ah, you mean the Hallowed Mist? Truthfully, I’m not entirely sure myself. I suppose you can say I was born with it.”

Lucian: “Hmph… Well, right now I’d say we could use all the Sentinels we can get. It ain’t exactly standard procedure, but you weren’t half-bad out there, Scissors.”

Gwen seems delight to receive the praise, but before anything else can be said, the map in the middle of the room starts glowing again.

???: “Hello, is anyone there? This is Sentinel Fetu of Buhru! Please, respond!”

Prologue Part V

You and the other Sentinels gather around the table as the image of a strange man flickers above it.

Fetu: “Ah, good, it seems we weren’t mistaken. That’s odd, though… I thought the old headquarters had been abandoned.”

“What’s going on?”

“Is that another ghost? How did it get in?”

Fetu: “Not the brightest relic in the vault, are you? Hard to believe that you would be chosen to use the Wayfinder.”

Lucian: “Wayfinder? You mean the Relic Rookie’s got there?”

Fetu: “Bah, don’t they teach anything at the other outposts these days? Alright, listen closely: that Relic you have there? It is the Wayfinder, a very special and ancient Sentinel tool. It has the power to link itself directly with the Nexus crystal in the heart of Sentinel bases. Nexus crystals, as I’m sure you are aware, are conduits for magical power.”

Senna: “So that explosion of light earlier, that was from Rookie using the Wayfinder to link with the base?”

Fetu: “Aye, but that’s not all it can do. The Wayfinder also has the power to connect to the Nexus crystals of other bases, allowing instant transport between them and communication across vast distances. That is how we are speaking now.”

Gwen: “My, what a versatile little took you have there!”

Lucian: “I’ll say. Definitely not something that should be in the hands of a greenhorn.”

Fetu: “Unfortunately, that is not your call to make. It is said that the Wayfinder chooses its wielder, and can only be used by the one to whom it is bound.”

“So… I’m its chosen wielder?”

“The Wayfinder chose me… What an honor!”

“So it’s less of a weapon, and more of a multitool?”

Lucian: “Ah hells… You mean to tell me that no one but this kid can make use of it?”

Fetu: “Hmph. The Wayfinder is strange with its choices, but perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. No one has been able to wield that Relic in ages; that it awakens now may be our one hope of overturning this nightmare.”

On the map before you, you see much of the land being overtaken by darkness.

Senna: “Damn it… He’s growing stronger.”

“Who’s growing stronger?”

“I… Assume that’s bad?”

Lucian response 1: “The Ruined King. The guy responsible for the Black Mist and the Harrowings. Right now, he’s spreading his damn mist all across Runeterra, and if we don’t stop him, it’ll be the end of life as we know it.”

Lucian response 2: “You don’t know the half of it, Rookie. A Harrowing this big can only be the work of the Ruined King. If he’s not stopped, that darkness is gonna take over the entire world.”

Fetu: “Then it’s as we feared… Listen closely: the Black Mist is at our doorstep, and we cannot hold out for much longer. Soon, this Sentinel outpost will be abandoned, meaning that it is up to you all to stop this calamity. Use the Wayfinder, travel to the other Sentinel outposts and recruit as many of our comrades as you can. If Runeterra is to survive this Harrowing, we must stand united! We must-”

The image vanishes and Fetu’s voice goes silent. You and the others all stand around and stare at the map for a moment before Gwen speaks up.

Gwen: “Oh dear. I hope he’s alright.”

Senna: “If he is, maybe we’ll meet him again one day. Right now, we know what we have to do.”

Senna turns and stares at you.

Senna: “Looks like we have a job to do, Rookie. Fire up that Wayfinder.”

“Yes, ma’am! Where to first?”

“Geez, I wasn’t expecting all of this so suddenly, but I guess I can’t back down now. Where do you guys wanna go?”

Lucian: “Demacia. Looks like the Mist is all going there, which means there’s a good chance the Ruined Creep’s there too. If we take him out, this whole nightmare’ll be over.”

Senna: “It won’t be easy, but with more Sentinels on our side, we might just stand a chance. You ready, Rookie?”

You nod solemnly, clutching the Wayfinder closely. Though not what you expected, it seems the time has come for you to partake in your first proper mission as a Sentinel of Light.

[demi-angel-novel]

Chapter 3 Temporale

“Ah, that does it for registration. Now before you go, I have. To give you a few things.” He handed me a black keycard with gold outstretched wings with 7 alpha above it printed in silver with two vertical lines on both ends of the card.

“That’s your room key. Please keep up with it. He turned to his left and handed me a piece of paper "here’s your schedule and before I forget,” he leaned down to open up a drawer and pulled out a small black box. Resting inside it was a silver chain necklace with a single silver wing hanging down. “This, was a gift from your father. One day 15 years ago he suddenly stopped by saying, keep this safe, you’ll know when the time is right. Now I see why, he most likely planned on giving it to you.”

I reached towards the box and pulled the cool metal. “Hmph, after 15 years of silence he gives me a piece of jewelry. Well, at least it’s better than nothing at all.” When I touched the wing to examine it better the necklace evaporated into a violent storm cloud with flashing silver lightning arcing everywhere, and a drumbeat of thunder. The cloud extended until it solidified into a cane. A cane?! I thought. The cane had a black wooden shaft with a silver ring around it possessing a wing design inside of it. The tip was made of silver with a rounded tip with lightning designs peppered throughout. The Handel itself was again silver with a pomel in the shape of a rounded octogan, in the middle of the handle was a black grip that seemed separate from the top and bottom. Over the grip was a wing in the shape of a knuckle guard. It looks like a mix between a sword and cane especially with the guard. I heard Ariana gasp behind me with her silver eyes lighting up as if she was just given a million dollars.

“Thomas, do you know how incredible of a weapon is in your hand.”

“Uh no, it’s a cane”. “No its so much more than a cane! Ohhh let me see let me see!” I handed her the cane and she snatched it quickly and began muttering at an extremely fast rate, as she furiously analyzed the tool. I looked back at Achilles. “Uh, should I stop her?” Achilles had a hearty laugh “no this is normal. She gets this way around weapons or technology that interests her, she won’t stop until she uncovers every secret, function, or purpose.” “Secret, why would a weapon hold a secret?” “Trust me my boy, every weapon holds a secret”.

“Here, Thomas!” She handed me it back with the same giddy look still on her face. “First, slide the ring.” “Wha-” “just do it!” She blurred out. “Alright, alright”. I did as I was told (shocking I know) and slid the ring, and from the tip or bottom of the cane shot out a black scythe blade. “What the…”

“That’s not all, twist the grip like you would a motercycle.” When I did I felt the handle disconnect with the guard and from the shaft revealed a black double edged black blade. “Woah!”

“So that’s the weapon you received, a versatile one indeed” Achilles said

“Okay I gotta admit, this is awesome, although why’d it come out of a cloud?”

Achilles was about to say something but he was immediately cut off by Ariana speaking extremely quickly.

“Oh, that’s because it’s a charged weapon. A charged weapon is any weapon that has an element or power built into it, although most are made from metals and-” she kept like this for at least a minute until she had to breathe.

“Okay, okay I get it you can stop now.”

“Oops I rambled again didn’t I. Sorry I just love weapons so much!” She said fangirling with stars in her eyes.

“Yeah…I can see that” I said as i sheathed the blades “now how do I turn it back”

“Oh! Just press down in the tip of the wing”. When I did the can dissipated into a storm cloud again and condensed into the necklace which I tied around my neck.

“So my boy have you came up with a name for your weapon yet?”

“A name?”

“Yes a name no weapon or item worth anything is complete without a name.”

“Hmmmm, how about Temporale.”

“Ah, thunderstorm ha! It certainly fits I must say. Well it appears we are done with the registration process I hope to see you more my boy. Ah, and Ariana if you can would you show Thomas here around the sanctum.”

“Sure! Follow me stormy” she teased

“Whatever you say gearhead”

“First stop is the library.” She led me through the large rotunda to a door way that had strange symbols etched into the stone above with library on a sign below. Infront of us were two wooden doors with books open in the middle with lines of energy exiting off of them. With a quote that spread on to each side in Latin on a banner that read “knowledge is power”. When we both pushed open a door the library was exposed in all its glory.

The area could be a timeline of human technology with the dressers and walls becoming more high tech after the last and from what seems to stretch on for eternity were rows and rows stacked to the brim with anything that could be used to hold information. From scrolls to tablets from stone slabs to papyrus and even holograms.

When I saw it I whispered “I’m in heaven” Ariana snickered

“I never you for the person who loved to read.”

“Of course! Reading is amazing it is one of the best skills I have ever learned! But wow, there has to be millions of books here.”

“Actually there is 100 trillion and 7 billion books and rising” an unknown female voice uttered behind us causing me to jump as I whirled around and met face to face with a girl with long raven black hair with a number of spiked bangs resting on her forehead. She possessed deep tan skin with radiant emerald green eyes behind a pair of rectangular thick framed glasses resting on her nose. She wore what appeares to be a hand made denim trench coat with a black t-shirt with faded blue jeans that rested above her waist or what I call grandma pants, and on her feet were black sharp toed farm boots. In her hands was a stack of books held to her chest.

“Oh hey Allie”

“Greetings Ariana and who might you be?” She asked skeptically with a subtle hint of a threatening tone which she some how put off.

“Uh…my name is Thomas nice to meet you.” I said in a cautious voice and an outstretched hand. After a few minutes of staring at me as if she was analyzing me piece by piece she finally spoke again.

“My full name is Allison McElhenney.” She said short and quickly but with an air of fierceness.

“Um Mc what?” She sighed annoyed clearly seeing this reaction before.

“Just call me Allison” she said as she quickly shook my hand and immediately retreated.

“So, do you come to the library a lot or are you a book nerd like me?”

“Yes I am” she said with pride in her voice.

“Yes there is more of us!” Eventually we both got into a long conversation about books until I became curious about her. “So anyway who is your angelic parent?”

“Azrael”

“Cool! I have no idea who that is.”

“He’s the angel of death” she explained.

“Huh that actually explains a lot.”

“How so?”

“When I’m around you It feels like you have an aura of death radiating around you.”

“Yes quite like how I can feels a calm before the storm from you.”

“Although Allie it’s still surprising to know that your parent is azrael because you fit more as a child of Uriel” Ariana says

“I get that a lot and I still don’t know why! I am deadly”

“Well maybe it’s because you spend most of your time in the library”

“But why wouldn’t you it’s the best place here?!”

“Amen sister!” I agreed.

Ariana snickered “I’m gonna have to cut this short Allie I still have to show this big nerd around the rest of the place”

She nodded"farewell then" she said as she rushed past us with a hint of green on her face.

“Nerd now is it”

“Well you said it yourself after all.”

“Yes and I take pride in it!”

She playfully rolled her eyes with a smirk “alright me pride let’s continue with the tour”

Next of the list was the music room. Which had stacks of music sheets books any instrument you could think of with a majority of string instruments. Apparently as choldren of angels we are naturally atuned to music which explains a lot as when I was back home in New Orleans I was really good at choir and playing a trumpet which is my favorite instrument. Next were the classroom halls, the gym, cafeteria, art rooms, weapon storage, building area which is where Ariana spends most of her time. We went to flight gates where that’s where we go to exit a fly either to the town behind the mountain or anywhere in the world. After multiple different areas and rooms we finally made it to the dorms and stopped infront of my room number.

“Thanks for showing me around Ariana.”

“De nada.”

“Huh, you speak Spanish.”

“Si captain odvious like how you speak Italian.”

“Touché”

“What you speak French now too?"the two of us laughed at this

"Heheheh, anyway buena notte”

“Burns’s noches” she said as she walked off.

I took the card out of my pocket or what was left of my pocket and slid it unlocking the door. When I walked in I saw a room with white walls with gold lining. I looked around and to my left was a door with red and gold colors decorating it with pictures of dragons decorating the door with flames appearing out of the bottom. The floor beyond it was a red carpet. Infront of me I saw a door made of gold decorated with rays of yellow light coming from the bottom of the door into the top of the door. The ground beneath it was made of solid gold. When I stepped only one foot into the room a door formed to the right of me. It was colored black and blue with tendrils of silver lightning arcing across it with the ground below it being made of silver colored tiles.

Woah I whispered as I continued looking and in the middle of the room were two bean bags one orange the other yellow and from them I saw two wings one red and gold fiery wings. And the other had wings made of gold and yellow that reflected creating a peronal light around the person. On the wall beside the gold door was a flat screen tv on the wall with a game system infront of it most likely housing the game the two were playing. As I walked further in and closed the door behind me the boy on the orange beanbag turned around.

“Oh you must be our new roommate. Hey!” He said excitedly as he paused the game and went towards me. Now that I had a better view of him he had short red and orange hair that was styled in a cowlick over his forehead. He had elfish facial features with orange freckles patterned from his cheeks to his nose across his pale skin. I looked into his red eyes and looked down to sw he literally had on all camp from his shirt to his shoes. After looking at his wings they appear to resemble a Phoenixes.

“Sup my names CJ what’s yours” he said as he held out his hand with a large smile.

“Thomas” I said with a smirk as I returned the gesture.

“Blake! You gonna say anything?”

The person who I now knew was Blake raised his hand and waved. With me only being able to see his hair which was colored bright yellow. With him possessing fair skin. After that he unpaused the game and went back to playing.

“Hey Blake don’t unpause it with out me! Uhh, sorry about that Blake is slow to open up to people.”

I shrugged “it’s alright if "goldenlocks” doesn’t want to speak I won’t make him. “

Cj smirked Goldenlocks I’ve gotta use that at some point.” He said laughing a little. Blake turned and his expression read don’t you dare. In his bright platinum eyes showed a look of annoyance.

“Don’t worry I’m not I’m not sure about him though. Oh! Hey Thomas were you the guy that got thrown around like a rage doll by the storm virtue earlier?”

“Yeah he turned me into a human lightning rod. Though if anything he helped me get my wings so I’m fine with it”

“Cool! So do you know your parents I mean your angel one?” He appears to have non stop energy and an unending supply of happiness what ever he has I want some of it.

“Yeah Ramiel”

“Awww! The streak got broken!”

“Huh, streak?”

“Oh sorry me and Blake don’t know our angelic parents so we made a streak of roommates with unknown parents. Well we know what type of angel they were but their names aren’t revealed. My mum was a fire angel while Golde- Blake threw a pen at CJ’s head. Ow! Blake’s was a light angel aren’t you in a bad mood today man geez that hurt.”

“I warned you” Blake said in a monotone voice with a small bit of annoyance peppered with it.

“But still your the son of an archangel so cool!” He said with a thumbs up

I yawned into my hand suddenly feeling tired “well I’m gonna go to sleep a lot of stuff happened today so I’ll see you guys tomorrow ciao!” I said as I walked towards my room and immediately crashed onto my bed and fell asleep.

(Chapter-4 time for class)