#magic at a cost

[kyanako5972]

Whumptober Day 7

Magic at a cost

A satisfactory explanation will be spoilers, so the inference has been left as an exercise for the viewers.

[loosethreadsofyoursoul]

the degree to which magic in bbc merlin is an allegory for queerness is insane. what do you mean people with magic hide in fear for their lives because it’s illegal. what do you mean merlin’s mother sent him away to the big city bc she was afraid of what would happen if their small town found out he had magic. what do you mean merlin is taken in by an unmarried old man who used to practice magic but can’t anymore. what do you mean morgana was morally on uther’s side until she realized who she was and that he was wrong for wanting people like her dead. what do you mean anti-magical propaganda spreads misinformation that all magic is evil and everyone who practices it is also evil and should be killed. what do you mean there’s a recurring underlying theme of magical being solidarity

[maybe-im-dark]

One day Logan comes into the kitchen, wearing THE undershirt.

Wade stares at him. "Where did you get that undershirt?"

Logan frowns. "It was in the drawer. Must be yours."

Wade shakes his head. "No, no. I don't wear white low cut undershirts.

"Yeah sure. As if it just magically appeared there, or what?"

Wades eyes grow wide. Then he laughs jumping up and down.

"Yes, yes it DID magically appear! Because it is magic! It is the magic Wolverine undershirt that always finds you on its own! Oh my god, of course! You never had to buy it, it was always just there, wasn't it?"

Logan shakes his head, rolling his eyes. But in his mind he is beginning to wonder. All the times in the past he has worn such an undershirt, he can actually not remember ever buying it beforehand

[goayda]

Once again, From did the most horrible scene in the simplest way:

There. Some random place on a hill with a stone painted by a child in cheerful colors. That's not that bad, right?

Wrong.

The implications, the heartbreak. Knowing that Victor, as a little child, had to carry his mother's maimed body there (and his sister's) to bury her. He had to dig the grave and bury her and then he decided to paint a rainbow and some flowers on a stone to mark the place.

'I tried to make it pretty. The way she would have liked it.'

And this?

Even worse.

'Is that Eloise?'

'I think so. All I found were pieces. She was so small. There wasn't much left.'

😭😭😭💔💔💔

(Henry wasn't the only one whimpering in that scene, I scared my cat.)

[failsquirrel]

magical cat design

[quinn-of-aebradore]

Once again thinking about the fact that, per the Caleb Origins comic, Wulf is the reason Caleb spent 11 years in Vergesson. Just. What do you think haunts him more; killing his parents or the fact that in the span of a few seconds he damned one of his partners, someone who was engineered to be one of his closest bonds, to spend gods-know-how-long in one of the bleakest places in the Empire?

[bittertoxicity]

She’s having the time of her life :-3

[redbeantofu]

ya boi got klapollo nails

[cametotheshowinsd]

long live that look on your face

and bring on all the pretenders

[pirateprincessjess]

I bought clean copy of Super Smash Bros 64 that had broken pins and didn’t work.

I also bought a really dirty copy of Smash Bros that worked perfectly!

Five minutes of unscrewing and decreeing some screws, and I now have a really clean working copy of smash!

[nocasdatsgay]

The Binding

Pairing: none | Rating: M | Word Count: 1696

Summary: Eris is now High Lord and the House visits him in his sleep to make a deal.

Content Warnings: Suspense, creepy House, mentions of nudity, magic comes with a price, internalized homophobia, angst

This is for @thehouseofvanserra mini collab. It’s the last day! This was a fun little ride and I hope people enjoyed it.

Master List | Read on AO3

Tagging: @hieragalbatorixdottir @ninthcircleofprythian @mybestfriendmademe @thisblogisaboutabook @secret-third-thing @daycourtofficial @pit-and-the-pen

Eris’s body ached. He’d been awake for two days, running on adrenaline and his new found power as High Lord. He felt it around noon, the beginning of energy decline. He barely had enough motivation to eat something and bathe. When he finally slipped under the covers, his whole body melted into the bed. He closed his eyes and felt himself slip under. 

“Hello, Eris.” 

Eris startled, instantly reaching for the knife under his pillow. It wasn’t there. He turned back and in his room was a male. One he knew well. 

“Azriel?” The male didn’t move. 

He slipped out of bed cautiously. It looked like Azriel, with his broad shoulders and large wings. The leathers had the night blue stones that glowed in the dark. His face was the same, dark hair cut short. But something was off- those hazel eyes looked different, the smirk on his face didn’t fit. Eris realized he didn’t awake from the wards being tripped nor did he smell the cedar that accompanied the male. The fae lights were also on. He had turned them off. 

He was dreaming. But the thing in front of him wasn’t a part of the dream. 

“What are you?” Eris finally spoke. 

“You ask the right question.” Azriel grinned. “You should know me, Eris. I watched you come into this world in the room on the second floor. I watched you grow. I watched you murder your father in the throne room. I am The Forest House.” 

Somehow in this dream it made sense. The house was filled with magic. Over the centuries he’d witnessed things he could not explain. Corridors that didn’t exist on the maps. Rooms that would not be there the next day. Items he needed appeared near him. He’d read about the history of the house as a youngling and knew it was enchanted. What did not make sense was why his home appeared to him in the form of a lesser fae. A male lesser fae he despised.

“Then why do you look like that?” Eris scowled. 

“This?” The House gestured to itself. “I appear as what you prefer. Though, I’ve never appeared as a male before.” Eris felt his face heat. The House as Azriel laughed. “You cannot hide who you are from me, Eris Vanserra. I hold no judgement.”

“What do you want then?” Eris wanted to wake up but couldn’t seem to do it. 

Azriel’s smile grew almost sinister. The massive wings expanded behind him like a devil. “If you wish to live inside these walls, we must come to an agreement. You bind yourself to me, to the land.”

Eris physically recoiled. “As if I am a fool to fall for such trickery.”

“It’s not a trick. I came to your father centuries ago in his dreams. As I did with his father, and the father before. Are you familiar with Spring’s rite?” It tilted its head. “Your ancestor exchanged the yearly rite with this. The Binding.”

Eris frowned. He’d heard that word before. He had read about it in the history of The House. There was never a full detail of what it was. Simply that the High Lord and the land were one, bound by ceremony. Eris assumed it was tied to being High Lord. Something that happened immediately with the transition of power. He thought hard and remembered vaguely a statement of exchange but nothing of what that exchange was. 

“And what exactly is this binding?” He pinched the inside of his arm when he crossed them. Nothing happened. 

“You give me something,” Not-Azriel’s eyes raked over Eris slowly, with the heat of a lover. “And I give you my loyalty.” 

“I don’t have patience for your riddles,” he hissed. It was not lost to him that the vague statement was on purpose.“Speak plainly.” 

“I take a part of your soul.” Its grin didn’t fade. “Your father gave me his heart. Despite what he told himself, killing his entire family didn’t sit well with him. I only took some of it from his soul, despite him offering it all.” 

Eris’s stomach churned. The House as Azriel laughed wickedly.

It added, “You chose what to give me.” 

“A part of my soul is still a part of my soul.” 

There was heavy silence between them. Eris did not want to be here. He didn’t want to do this. He didn’t sign up to sell his soul to a being that lived in the house.

“I don’t live in the house, I am the house.” Eris felt the color drain from his face, fear running down his spine. The house laughed again. “You think too loud, new High Lord.” 

“So what exactly am I supposed to give you?” He snapped in defense. “My heart as well?” 

“I could take your shame,” it said quickly, those surreal hazel eyes widened. It was too quick and eager for Eris’s liking. “The hunger for this Illyrian that sits deep in your bones. It’s not like you want it anyways.”

“And what am I to gain in return, just your promise that I’ll be bound to the land I rule? I can find another way to bind myself to the land.” 

“Magic always has a price, Eris Vanserra. You can look for another way. But you can’t control what it takes from you. I’m offering you a choice. It’s a fair exchange I think. Prosperity of the land, the magic of the house- my magic, in exchange for your silly infatuation for a,” The house paused. “Lesser fae.” 

It felt strange to watch Azriel talk about himself like that. 

“Exactly how do you plan to take it?” 

“Most prefer carnal measures.” With a snap of its fingers, clothes were gone. 

Eris never saw the shadowsinger naked but his imagination seemed to have a solid idea of what he might look like. Heat pooled in his belly as his eyes raked over the naked male before him. His eyes stopped at the cock hanging between Azriel’s legs. It made his mouth water. 

“You like it?” Az whispered. Not Azriel. This was not Azriel, Eris had to remind himself. “I showed you mine, you show me yours.”

Eris shook his head. Something wasn’t right. “You plan to bed me.” 

“You can bed me if you like.” Eris blinked and in horror realized the cock on the fake Azriel was gone. The female’s sex was in its place. He squinted at Eris. “I’m more accustomed to this. But you don’t like it, do you?” 

“No,” Shame rolled through him and he averted his gaze. “Is there not another way to do this?” 

The house sighed and when Eris glanced back over, Azriel’s clothes were on. Azriel started walking towards him and Eris stepped back until the back of his legs hit the bed. Azriel was close to him. No, not Azriel. The House. Eris could feel his hair stand on end. Up close there was something off about the being before him. His jawline wasn’t right. The eyes were too murky. 

And yet he couldn’t move. 

“You aren’t like the other High Lords,” A scarred hand reached up and grabbed his jaw. Azriel’s voice shot lightning through Eris’s body, like the touch entranced him. “I look forward to serving you, Eris.” 

Eris grew weak in the knees, a moan escaping his lips at the sound of his name. Azriel’s sharp teeth flashed at him while the hands holding his chin grew claws. Eris knew he should be afraid, but instead he was filled with want. He wanted this creature. He wanted whatever it would give him. He wanted Azriel. Eris tried to focus but his gaze was blurry. 

Azriel cooed like a lover, “exchange a kiss with me. Give me your want for this fae and I will give you the true power you seek.” 

A whisper in his mind said no, he shouldn’t. 

“Please, Eris?” That sounded just like Azriel. Eris’s eyes were closed. Or were they open and seeing nothing? “If you won’t bed me, let me kiss you. I’ll make it good for you.” 

He felt a hand leave his chin and reach back into his hair. Another ran down his chest. Eris groaned, pleasure shooting down his spine. His eyes opened. There was Azriel, watching him. 

“Just once,” Eris said breathing heavily. 

He could have sworn he saw red eyes gleaming at him instead of hazel. 

Lips pressed against his own, and he pulled Azriel in close. It felt so good- he wanted more. A brush of something- a hand, down his chest. Scarred hands touching his warm skin. That was all he needed. Everything he wanted. He moaned into the mouth kissing him and focused only on the hard pulsing of pleasure he’d never felt before flooding his senses. He didn’t see Azriel pull back and shift into something else, something his mind couldn’t comprehend. Darkness covered his eyes and he felt pressure in his chest, like a hand reaching in. Something inside him snapped loudly. 

Eris woke, panting and looking around in the dark. He felt the cool wetness on his stomach and sleep pants- disgust and shame rolled through him the second he realized what it was. He stared at the ceiling, trying to remember what happened. He had made a deal. A deal with The House. He pondered further, focusing on his body. He felt no different. If anything he felt more rested than he had in years. It was possible it was just a dream and nothing more. He got out of bed and cleaned himself, shoving the dream away from his mind. 

In the Night Court, another male woke up with a start, his scarred hand flying to his chest. He stared at the ceiling, heart pounding. His shadows were deathly silent. He tried to figure out what was wrong and why he awoke. Though his memory was foggy, it felt like something in his chest was now slack. Like a taunt ribbon now cut. After a moment he shrugged it off, and got out of bed. He might as well get ready for his day since he was up. 

[kidcosky]

Idk... I just want to hug him really tight...

[skyward-floored]

Whumptober Day 7: Only for emergencies, magic with a cost

Legend again! Legend angst lovers rejoice! And also Time because I love him and Legend as a duo and I’ve barely hurt him so far this year.

Warnings: violence, blood, magic exhaustion.

Ao3 link

——————————————————————————

They always took a lot out of him. Legend’s medallions.

He never said it outright, but Time could tell after the rare occasions that he used them he was always a little more worn out, a little faster to sit down, hands shaking around his sword. The pure magic they used drained him nearly dry, and you didn’t have to be able to sense magic to see the obvious drain on Legend’s energy.

It was a lot like when Hyrule went too far with his own magic. Exhaustion, dizziness, a green potion or two, and a need for a good night’s sleep all obvious markers. Time was glad that Legend rarely resorted to using the medallions, but when he did he trusted the veteran to know his limits.

He shouldn’t have. So far Legend had used all three of them in this fight.

Time slammed his blade into a moblin, and watched in concern as Legend stumbled against a wall, using it for leverage as he stabbed a bokoblin. His face was as pale as the skin of the beasts they were fighting, and Time could see his legs shaking from here.

Trapped in a cave system by a portal spewing endless monsters, they were both exhausted. Magic whispered to Time from inside of his bag, but he ignored it for now, separating a stalfos’s head from its shoulders.

Not yet.

Only if things got really bad.

Time continued to work his way towards Legend, cutting past monsters with both normal blood and black. The majority weren’t infected, but enough of them were that it made the fight a lot harder. A clatter rang through the cave, and Time saw Legend’s sword go flying, torn from his hand by a swing from a poe’s lantern.

Legend stumbled, barely throwing his shield up in time to dodge a slice that would have taken his head off, and Time fought his way towards him even faster. He grit his teeth as he spun through a small cloud of keese, stabbed through a poe of some kind, and then ran forward just in time to block a slice that Legend wouldn’t have been able to dodge.

“Thanks,” Legend gasped, and Time nodded, quickly scanning the veteran before going back to the fray.

Legend was paler than ever, and his hands shook as he grabbed another weapon from his pouch. Time’s eye itched, but he ignored it as he viciously defended the veteran, refusing to think about it. Not unless there’s no other choice.

A roar shook the cave, and Time and Legend both faltered as two lynels ran into view, nostrils flaring. They weren’t Wild’s version of the beasts thankfully, but lynels were tough no matter the breed.

Legend’s eyebrows narrowed, and Time cursed under his breath at the look in his eyes.

“Don’t even think about it,” he said sternly, stabbing two blins at once.

Legend stumbled back against the wall again, and didn’t look at him as he began patting at his tunic.

“No, gotta... use it again,” Legend panted, hands fumbling as he tried to grab the cord around his neck. “Gotta...”

“Legend you can’t,” Time said sternly, throwing up his shield to block a swing. “There’s no way you have enough magic left to use that.” I’d rather use the mask—

“Too many,” Legend shot back, finally pulling the medallion from under his tunic. “Keep coming, gotta clear... clear p-path. Those lynels...”

Time had to look away to slash at some monster he didn’t recognize. “Legend we’ll figure out another way, do not—”

A wolfos lunged for Time’s face and he cried out as it threw him to the ground, fangs snapping at his nose. It bit down on his arm and he yelled, kicking up at it until he knocked it off. Time snatched his sword and stabbed it, breathing hard as the beast fell dead.

Magic prickled in the air, and Time whirled around. His eye caught on the medallion clenched in Legend’s hand, his teeth gritted and eyes screwed closed.

“Legend!”

Lightning crashed into the cave, monsters shrieking as electricity coursed through them. Most of them fell dead to the ground, but Time’s attention wasn’t focused on them.

He was too busy catching Legend as he collapsed.

The veteran crashed into his arms, completely limp, and Time scrambled to pick him up while the monsters that were still standing were stunned.

Blood trickled from Legend’s nose, his arms shaking where he still clutched at his necklace. Time had no idea if he was conscious or not, but he didn’t have time to check right now.

“Legend you fool,” he muttered worriedly, holding Legend tight to his chest, then bolted, leaping past stunned monsters. Legend’s actions had given them a window, and he wasn’t going to waste it.

The strongest monsters were already shaking off the hit, howling in anger as they realized their prey was escaping. One of the lynels had gone down, but the other was already getting to its feet, eyes blazing as they zeroed in on Time.

It bolted, and Time pushed himself to run even faster, stretching past his exhaustion, ignoring the stinging lines on his cheek begging him to give in. He was nearly past the portal, he just had to get outside the cave and find the others, come back with backup—

A different sort of roar came from behind him, and Time whirled, grabbing his shield and deflecting the fireball that burst out of the lynel’s mouth.

He didn’t stick around to see what it hit, but another roar rang through the cave as he bolted away. Legend was still motionless in his arms, and Time held him tight as he leapt sideways from a blade, twisting around another one.

Nearly all the monsters that had survived were chasing him now, and Time dodged and sliced, stabbed and lurched out of the way, all while Legend lay halfway slung over his shoulder.

Then something slammed into him, Time lost his grip, and before he knew what was happening he was on the ground, Legend gone from his arms.

“Vet!” he shouted the moment he realized, and scrambled to his feet, frantically casting his gaze around. And felt his heart stop as he saw Legend.

The veteran was lying motionless on the ground, the lynel’s hoof on his chest.

Time ran, ignoring his aching body, yelling as he sliced past endless monsters. They seemed to swarm to block him, and fear hit Time like a bolt of lightning as the lynel held out a blade, raising it above its head.

It was about to plunge it through Legend’s neck, Time was too far away, there were too many beasts, too fast too thick too many—

His pouch sang with urgency as Time’s eye burned and he didn’t even think as he pulled the mask out and slammed it onto his face.

His world narrowed, power rushed through his limbs. Someone screamed, a monster roared, a blade swung outward.

A spray of black.

Another scream.

Pain.

Then nothing.

(...)

Link floated.

He had a vague sense of moving, of muscles being used, his sword swinging in wide arcs. Muffled sounds reached him, but nothing distinct. Nothing clear penetrated the strange whiteness he was swaddled in, and so Link drifted, exhaustion keeping him under.

“...an...”

He stirred.

The whiteness pulled at him, cottony and safe, but Link pulled away a bit, listening.

“...ol...m...”

That sounded familiar.

The deep white pulled more insistently as he tried to listen more, sticking to his limbs, crooning and urging him to just sit back, let go, rest for a bit longer. But Link was waking up more by the second, and he began to struggle, pulling against the magic he could feel clinging to him now.

“...ime...”

Link had a vague awareness of his limbs now that he didn’t have before, one gripping something tight, his eyes staring at something. There was a greyish figure, too indistinct too make out, but the shape looked familiar.

The sight of it made something in Link’s chest pound, and he felt suddenly aware of the mask on his face, pressed tightly to his skin, meshing seamlessly with the markings on his cheek.

“Link...com...ack...”

Link raised a hand, the cottony magic turning sharp, wailing at him, begging him to stay down, stay safe, sink back into the protection he could offer, but Link fought past it.

“Almos...ere”

He raised his hand higher, ignoring the siren song of the magic coursing through him, vision still indistinct and washed out, then caught his fingers on his chin.

Then Time fell to the floor, the world snapping back in a wash of color, the clatter of a mask hitting the ground like thunder in his ears.

Time could only lie there for a moment, breathing harshly as his vision wavered. He felt exhausted and drained like he always did after giving in, and looked over at the mask, grimacing as pain streaked across the scar on his face.

Every time it was harder to let go.

“T...Time?”

Time turned his head the other direction, and saw Legend lying a few feet away, eyes half-lidded and full of worry. It was then Time realized that the cave was eerily quiet, and he slowly blinked, trying to get his vision to focus.

“They’re... gone?” Time croaked, and Legend nodded, dried blood coating his upper lip.

“All gone,” Legend breathed, his eyes sliding closed.

He coughed weakly, and Time dragged himself across the floor with shaking limbs, his eye burning. It took him a long time, but he finally managed to lean himself against the wall, and pull Legend’s head onto his lap, the veteran nearly limp as he moved him.

His vision was swimming enough that he couldn’t get a good look at Legend, but he was alive, and not suffering from any grievous wounds as far as he could tell.

It had been worth it.

Time closed his eyes, trembling with exhaustion as his breath wheezed. There was a sharp feeling in his ribs, his leg— he could smell blood, both monster and not, and he was sure he was coated in it. But he was alive. Legend was alive.

They’d made it.

“Hyp... hypocrite,” Legend whispered, and Time cracked an eye open, looking at him.

“Hm?”

“Hypocrite,” Legend repeated, giving him an exhausted glare. “You... chewing me out for... magic, then... using that m-mask.”

Time breathed out a laugh, and let his eye slide closed again, resting a hand on Legend’s head.

“You’re right,” he admitted, voice fading. “But... I don’t regret it.”

“Me neither,” Legend murmured.

Time ran a trembling hand through Legend’s hair, and the veteran didn’t resist, further relaxing into his lap with a sigh.

It wasn’t long after that that the both of them passed out, Time’s one hand in Legend’s hair, the other still holding tight to his sword.

[belovedwhump]

Beloved Whump Prompt #11

Using their magic came with a price. That was the rule of magic. Using this much magic at once would have grave consequences. Whumpee could feel them coming, building up inside them - but to protect Caretaker, they kept going anyway.

[sleepylink]

I saw people not liking how the Hero of Hyrule has a Blood Curse-

But like, there are literally 2 main plot points in Zelda 2! 1) To awaken the sleeping Princess Zelda, Link needs to obtain the Triforce of Courage.

And 2) Ganons minions are hunting Link for his blood, so they can revive Ganon.

For those who haven't played Zelda 2, In NORMAL RPG's when there are random encounters, you can just stand in one place, and you'll be fine. BUT IN ZELDA 2, They will STILL Appear and Attack you! There is a built in pause EVERYTHING button (Not a menu button, it literally freezes the game until you press it again, even the music) because the enemies NEVER Stop hunting you throughout the game.

ITS THE REASON THE GAME IS SO HARD.

Another little thing about Zelda 2 is the fact theres no money system. The Villagers give Link whatever he needs, because they know him (From helping them previously (It's in the game plot, he's been rebuilding the Kingdom with Zelda)) THEY LOVE HIM!

[fakesorbet]

smth smth whitney talks about evan All the time but his friends still don’t know who evan is . whitney doesn’t tell them abt the magic school , how hes seen evan hurt people through the magic they’re fascinated by , how exhausted he is by magic , how much sacrifice it takes to have it , and how it’s ruined the lives of people he cares abt . Smth smth