#non-graphic blood

[espyunes]

father fathering

[cassidy-catghost-art]

Look who's back on his bullshit!!!! It's me. finally free from art block. after.... a few months.....

ANYWAY enjoy my least favorite (/j) cringest OC. They don't have a name because the previous one was dumb. so name suggestions are appreciated. (also colors are subject for change too, I just used a color gradient to just get it over with)

close-ups of the stock image redraws

[yearningaces]

Hear me out: What if. Nyx being hunted is how him and his partner met. Eh? Ehhhhh???

You. I like you

~

Labored breaths, racing hearts, adrenaline pushing both creatures on as they raced through the dense forest.

Nyx was certain this was the fastest he'd ever run before, and with his life on the line he wasn't thinking about much else.

The fox hybrid lunged and snapped at the air where Nyx's brown and white furred ears had only just been.

The bunny boy could feel his heart lurching out of his chest as he leaped over a fallen tree, hoping to take a higher ground to deter the fox from following.

But with a harsh sound of the tree being jumped on, and then the cracking of something lunging forward off of the tree, Nyx was running out of ideas.

His ears briefly perked, hearing the sound of wind from how fast he was running, but in the distance, a voice. One that sent a chill through him

Whatever was making noise was a human, and humans are the riskiest predators to tamper with. Some are kind and might take a picture, some try and offer food, some have small contraptions that explode in fire and metal, a quick death but a death none the less.

With the fox gaining on Nyx, he could either be worn down and face an early death, or take that risk and hope whatever human he was running straight towards would be merciful in any capacity.

Nyx sprang towards the treeline- mentally cheering when he caught wind of the foxes sudden hesitation.

Any victory was stalled as the bunny boy landed in the clearing, feeling the sun on his skin as he landed on the ground, hunched slightly for his body to absorb the shock of the landing and he simply froze

Because you were now staring directly at him, tall and proud and human. Looking tense as if preparing for anything.

You stare at each other for a few moments, analyzing.

If Nyx wasn't overwhelmed with seeing a human for the first time and being chased to become a fox hybrids supper, he might notice just how handsome you appear. How strong and capable you are, and how unnervingly focused your gaze is directly on him.

But with a snap of a branch behind the bunny boy, the moment is over and his small form darts towards you- off all things! He easily drifts through the dirt and grass to position himself hunkered low to the ground and directly behind your legs. His ears perked and staring towards the treeline. Tensed like a coiled spring ready to bolt in an instant but taking a breath while it's granted to him.

"What-" Your voice starts to ring out- to question this rabbit hybrid that's just jumped out of nowhere and is hiding behind you, but you don't get a chance. Another hybrid arrives, this one slightly larger and far more noticable than the last.

A fox.

Springing into the open field and skidding to a stop, staring up at you with a haunted expression. But he must be desperate or dumb enough to attempt to get closer with a smooth and charming tone. "Excuse me, traveler. I believe you have something that belongs to me?" The fox points to the bunny boy hiding behind you, brown and white fur, matching hair, and absolutely frozen in place.

You glance down slightly, catching sight of the bunny boy once more. After a moment your gaze rises to the fox. "Doesn't look like he's yours. Matter of fact, it looks like he's mine."

Nyx feels his heart racing as he's hunkered low in the far too open field for his comfort. His ears perk and he feels a shiver creeping up his spine at just how easily you've denied a predator anything. As casually as if you were saying the sky is blue, or the grass is green, the rabbit is yours.

The fox however, hesitates, his charming grin fading slightly.

Nyx can feel the tension from your form, the foxes own muscles tightening as if he's prepared to lunge. Two predators ready to fight for the sake of one rabbit. One wants to eat him, and Nyx isn't quite sure what you're wanting- but he's certainly willing to take the chances.

When the fox lunges, it's too quick for Nyx to think to spring away- and all he can do is watch the moment pass by like a speeding bullet.

The fox lunges, you cross an arm over your chest, something in hand, and when the fox is just close enough your hand swiped towards its head, the motion sending the fox flying sideways into a far too silent and still heep of red fur and skin and bones.

Nyx is frozen, wide eyed as he catches the scent of blood, and peers up to spot what was in your hand. A jagged stone, flecks of blood on it and your fingertips.

The bunny boy tenses even further- wondering if now is the best time to spring away if you were fast enough to strike down such a tricky fox.

He decides against everything when you turn to peer down at him. Nyx can feel a chill seeping into his very bones at how calm you appeared.

Your entire demeanor seemed to drop once the stone dropped from your hand, and you're crouching down in front of him, intentionally lowering yourself to be closer to his height. "Hey, hey, it's over now. Are you alright? He didn't get a hold of you did he?"

Nyx spies your extended hand, palm open to him. His eyes never leave yours as he places his hand in your blood stained one. And his mind is reeling, because you're a human. And you went from the epitomy of an apex predator who'd just killed another predator, to an almost harmless, gentle, and softened demeanor. "He didn't get me. We were just talking, and I thought he was nice, and then he tried to bite me." Poor Nyx can't keep the temple out of his tone.

The predator he thought was safe wanted nothing more than to eat him, and this one that appeared terrifying and sent chills up his spine was choosing to be gentle, choosing to be kind. "I... I thought he was gonna eat me-" it's a pitiful sob the bunny boy lets out and the next thing he knows, this predator kneeling with him has him wrapped up and held close.

Your voice is soft and quiet, trying to ease his nerves as best you can. "Shh, it's all over now. You're safe. I've got you, bunny." Your hand smoothes down the unkempt fur of his floppy ears, and his wild hair. And all Nyx can do is nuzzle his face into your chest, clinging to this unexpected comfort.

Humans are predators. Horrifying, powerful, dangerous predators.

But some humans are also kind and gentle, you are.

And that's everything Nyx could have hoped for, and more.

[nectardaddy]

Pushing Daisies - Kamo Choso

content warning: mdni, death, blood, graphic details/imagery, dark humor (about death and dying), dark comedy, language [check each chapter for tags/warnings , these are just the overall ones]

pairing: kamo choso x reader, gender neutral, non curse au

series synopsis: over and over, again and again you'll kill each other until the end of your days. was there a way to end to end this cycle, or would you be perpetually locked in a state of déjà vu?

notes: soulmates destined to kill each other, request by @hideandgopeep og ask here, I changed up the scenario just a smidge but the idea is still the same, this was too good not to make it into a series

MASTERLIST

PLAYLIST

[eyeonyou]

Erisol Week 5 - Blood

TA: oh ED

TA: you have 2uch a 2iide-2pliittiing 2en2e of humor

@erisolweek :—}

[a-cat-in-toffee]

so basically what the megidos guide au is that rose picks up a cursed/haunted books and a series of events unfolds. <- the vaguest fucking explanation ever

[unproduciblesmackdown]

why did he do this (rhetorical) (profoundly affected)

[ask-ult-johndirk]

please explode

EB: K.O.!!!

[0xy--m0r0n]

woooo im getting back into stranger things teehee

good ol platonic stobin (when they get kidnapped by the russians) for the soul!!!

[aplaceinthedark]

chapter ten: DOWN in HELL AFTER ALL

Summary: Down in the Shenandoah Valley, there lay a court consisting of the Grim, the Drowned, the Witch and the Watcher.

CW: supernatural themes, alcohol consumption, bodily injury, body horror, graphic violence, religious trauma, blood, physical assault, minor character death

Every chapter will have a different cw section. This is Bad Omens rpf, so obviously I don't know all the little nuances of the members or their family members.

A/N: Some things are color-coded. If any of you are colorblind lemme know. 

I breathed in, eyes slowly opening, feeling warm and…. enveloped. It was the only way I could describe the fullness I felt. Wrapped in a sweet, earthy scent, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes fully was a tattoo of an eye, a spiderweb, and a rose on a tan neck. And that’s when I realized I was naked. In my bed. With a man.

No, not just a man; Nick. And I was… happy?

The anxiety and unsureness crept in. Barely two weeks had passed since I met him, and last night just… happened. Were we moving too fast? I mean, I sure as hell had no regrets, but… what if he did?

My eyes fell to his chest, where I finally could get a proper look at the lonely tattoo. It was a simple circle made of thorns with occasional gaps, done in a golden ink that somehow looked like liquid gold. I gently traced my finger around it.

Nick made a noise, stirring at last. I tried to snatch my hand away, but he moved the hand that had been tucked up above his head to take my hand and place it back on his chest.

“G’morning,” he groaned, his low voice raspy with sleep.

“Morning,” I said quietly.

“You doing okay?” he asked. His thumb started running circles on my hand, and I felt his other rub circles on my shoulder. I practically melted into his touch.

“Mmhmm,” I hummed.

“Good, good…” His voice trailed off. I felt him shift under the covers.

My eyes were pulled back to the circlet. “You’ll have to tell me about your tattoos sometime,” I said, my finger tracing the golden thorns again. I could see a trail of goosebumps left in its wake.

“That one… That’s for the Court,” he said. He chuckled quietly. “We used to call ourselves the Bad Omens, y’know?”

“No. Why’d you call yourselves that?”

“Because it’s considered a bad omen to see the others. Y’know, like a black cat crossing your path?” Nick said. “Needless to say, we don’t go by that name anymore.”

“I don’t know, it sounds kind of neat,” I admitted.

“Well you’re the only one.”

I swatted at his chest, and he chuckled again, squeezing my shoulders and kissing my forehead. My anxiety from earlier melted away.

Nick slowly trailed kisses down my face until he reached my lips, where he hovered for a few seconds before lightly pecking once, twice. On the third time, he lingered, licking the seam between like a plea for entrance. I had just opened my mouth when he let out a groan of frustration.

I pulled away. “What? What is it?”

“Noah… is out front,” Nick said, slightly out of breath. His lips crashed back down onto mine before pulling away again.

“If he’s going to keep interrupting, then we might as well see what he wants,” I said.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Nick sighed forcefully. Noah was about to get an earful.

Nick scrambled to pick up his clothes and put them on as I picked through my dresser for some shorts and a tank top. After I was done changing, I turned around, catching him staring. The way he was looking at me, I was certain he was about to make Noah wait a little bit more, but he then tore his gaze away and walked out.

Noah was indeed waiting on the front porch, drinking the now-warm beer I had left for him last night. To my surprise, Folio was with him. Of course, no Jolly.

Before I could ask, Folio sniffed. "You smell like sex."

Nick sighed as Noah choked on a sip. "You must be a delight at parties," I said.

"I wouldn’t know, since I’ve never been to one." He grinned.

Shockingly, Noah has remained quiet, which I thought was odd since he was so insistent that we got up. I couldn’t tell if he was conversing with Nick in his mind. Which was mildly infuriating, to be honest.

But as Nick pulled out a carton of cigarettes from his back pocket, he spoke aloud, “Spit it out. What’s so important that you had to drag us out of bed?”

“Well, I was going to tell you last night, when we were supposed to meet up. But you guys sounded busy,” Noah said, peering over his shoulder at the last word. My face grew hot.

“Well, you’re here now,” Nick said, a slight edge creeping into his voice. Noah’s eyes flashed, but it was only for a fleeting moment as he turned back around.

I glanced over at Folio, who had just glanced over at me, because when our eyes connected, he just made a face and shrugged. Yeah, that made two of us.

“We searched through the valley last night, but found no trace of any cult activity… or anything, for that matter,” Folio said.

“So if they are meeting, it’s not in the forest,” Noah said.

“They might be meeting in town,” Nick said. “They might’ve learned from their predecessors that they can’t exactly do their dirt work out in the woods.”

My gaze wandered up, and my eyes caught on my security camera. “Fuck! I forgot about that!” I exclaimed. I ran back into the house to grab my phone. I mindlessly scrolled through the app’s footage as I headed back to the porch.

“What are you freaking out about now?” Noah asked. I shot him a look and then pointed above my head to the doorway.

“I might’ve gotten a shot of the people who came to my door yesterday,” I said, going back to scrolling through footage. “Nick, you wouldn’t happen to know the person if I showed you, would you?”

“I mean, probably, yeah,” he said, exhaling a puff of smoke.

“Granted, I don’t know how good it’ll be, since there were a few nights when it would go offline and—“

“That was me,” Noah said.

My head shot up. “That was—“

“Well, couldn’t have you spying on me while I snuck onto your front porch now, could I?” Noah stated.

“Hold up.” Nick grabbed my arm, bringing me back to my phone. “Yeah, I know them.”

I scrolled back the footage until two men’s bodies walked up to the door. And one of them—

“He was the guy at the restaurant last Sunday!” I gasped.

“Should’ve realized something was up when he babbled about the Watcher,” Nick muttered. It was then his turn to go indoors. He came back out with his keys.

“You’re not gonna fight him, are you?” I asked incredulously.

Nick gave me a “don’t be ridiculous” look. “No, I’ve got to get back to Granny’s anyways. I forgot to let her know I wouldn’t be back last night,” he said.

“Dude, you’re 30,” Folio said, making Nick roll his eyes.

“Yes, I know that. I’m also a respectful grandson.”

“Hold on, I’m coming too,” I said.

“Relax, I’m not gonna fight the guy. Once I smooth things over with Granny, I’ll be back.” He kissed my forehead. “Don’t let them bully you.”

With that, he hopped off the porch and walked to his car, which the three of us watched drive off. I then turned to the two men.

“Would you like to come in?”

Folio was the first one in, bounding in and immediately lying on the couch. A part of me wanted to scold him for putting his muddy feet on my couch, but I immediately realized that this was probably the first time he’d been on a couch in ten years. So I let it slide.

Noah didn’t linger. His long strides took him immediately toward the back of my house. Confused, I followed.

“Your family lived here?” I asked.

“Just me and my mom,” Noah said, nudging open my bedroom door with the toe of his boot.

“There’s not a bomb in there,” I said.

“No, something else is in here—“ he said, waltzing in. He made a beeline for my dresser.

“Dude, what are—“ I winced as he easily moved my dresser away from the wall, the sound of scraping wood like nails on a chalkboard. He then pressed on the wall, partially lifting up a section of the wood paneling. “What are you doing?”

He inserted long fingers into the gap and pulled the panel free. Like he’s done this before. “Relax, little rabbit, I’m not ruining the property value of our house,” he said.

“I told you, don’t call me that,” I said, holding my arms over my chest. I watched as he shoved his whole arm into the hole; my mouth popped open when he pulled out a small lockbox. “How long ha—“

“I put it here when I had my doubts about Elin,” Noah said. “I didn’t even tell Nick about this.” He flicked the latch open.

Inside were papers: notebook pages, sketchbook pages, pages torn from books. There was also some little trinkets and ephemera, stuff I didn’t get a good look at before he scooped them up and shoved them into his jacket pocket. He set the empty box on the floor.

“Come on, Folio. We’ve got what we needed,” he said.

“What?” Folio and I said at the same time. Noah unfolded himself and drew up to his full height before he strided out of my bedroom. “Where are you going?”

“Nothing that concerns you, little rabbit,” Noah said.

“Yes, it does!” I shouted. “If… That’s technically my property! Everything in this house technically—“

Noah stopped dead, and I ran right into him. It was like running right into a tree; he didn’t seem that broad with all those layers of clothes. In a semi-dazed state, I was barely aware of him turning around and grabbing me by the throat.

“Hey, No—“ Folio started.

Noah growled, spitting out words that sounded similar to those he had used to command Folio earlier. They must’ve been the same, because Folio stalked outside, but not before he shot me an apologetic look.

“Wh-What are—“ I choked out.

“Listen, just because you fucked Nick once doesn’t mean you’re a part of our little club,” Noah spat out. “So do us all a favor, and keep out of our business, because it’s about to get very, very bloo—“

Noah’s words stopped dead, and he let out a choked noise. He let go of me, and I dropped to the ground, gasping for breath.

Just then, Folio rushed back in. “What? What happened?” he demanded.

“Nick. Something happened to Nick.”

It was like a living nightmare at Granny's. The rainy, late morning on the street was wrecked by flashing lights of cop cars, ambulances and whatever else. The only car I had eyes for was Nick's, and it was motionless in the driveway.

The block was cordoned off by tape and the policemen, so there was no way I could get close to see the damage.

ANYTHING YET?

I gritted my teeth together. I had sped as fast as I could in my car, while Noah and Folio ran through the forest. Something about they couldn't get in my car; not that I wanted them to, not after the shit that Noah pulled. And now, despite hurting me, here he was trying to get a vantage point from me.

HEY. ANSWER ME.

I tried to remain focused on the scene before me, though my dark thoughts were a mess in–

ANSWER ME.

A sharp pain pierced behind my eyes at his command. Fuck you, I don't answer to you!

GET OVER YOURSELF. THERE'S MORE AT STAKE HERE.

God, you think I want anything to do with you? First you pretended to be nice to get inside my house, then you tried to kill me, and now you're all buddy-buddy because Nick might be in trouble? Fuck you.

There was a presence behind me, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I peered behind me and nearly jumped. "Jesus!" I hissed.

"A lot of people say that when they see me," Jolly said. He was wearing a shirt now, and sunglasses blocked his translucent eyes.

"I thought you couldn't leave the river," I whispered. We were in the middle of a crowd after all.

"Rain."

"Really? That's how you can leave the river?"

"Well, this is a really good reason to be away, ya?"

I turned back to Granny's house. "They haven't come out of there yet. I can't tell if Nick's in there or not."

OH, YOU'LL TELL JOLLY WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT NOT ME–

Quiet! I snapped at Noah. Out of the three of you, Jolly hasn't tried to kill me!

HILARIOUS, CONSIDERING HIS BODY COUNT.

I brushed aside that comment. "Is there a way to shut him out?" I asked.

Instead of answering me, Jolly lightly gripped my chin and turned my head to face the house. Where they were bringing out a stretcher. And a covered body.

"Nick–" I jolted forward, but Jolly grabbed my arm. His grip was cold and clammy, and it made my mind reel.

"That's not Nick," Jolly said.

"Then–" Oh god.

Granny.

My stomach plummeted. Possibilities ran wild through my head, but I kept my eyes on the door, half-expecting Nick to also walk out. But my eyes were drawn back to the body as the EMTs loaded the stretcher into the ambulance. They then closed the doors and drove off. Surely Nick would've gone with her if he–

NICK'S NOT IN THERE

There was a terrifying edge to Noah's tone. With how he'd treated me, I had forgotten that he could care for someone other than himself. Granny had probably been a family member to him, as much as she was to Nick.

That's when I saw something flash in the corner of my eyes. Little eyes reflecting light under nearby bushes. With all the doors opening, they must've escaped while no one was looking.

“Come on, vännen. Let's go. There's nothing for us here," Jolly said. Which couldn't be true. Granny was the first person in this town to take pity on me. There had to be something I could do–

“Shit. Hold on,” I said practically leaving Jolly in the dust. I managed to sneak past the few policemen, which wow, they sucked, and crouched near the bushes.

“Jerry... Lydia... c’mere!” I said quietly, and making the cat-attraction sound. It took a lot of coaxing, and maybe the recognized me or the slight scent of Nick, but eventually I managed to make my way back to Jolly with an armful of cats.

“Okay, let's go."

With Lydia and Jerry safely tucked away in my room, cuddled on the side of the bed Nick had slept in, I came out of my room to see only Folio in my house.

“Taylor, I'm sorry about–”

“You couldn't help it,” I muttered. “Was that word he used a command you had to follow?” He nodded. “Then forget it. We have more important things to worry about.”

Suddenly Folio shoved his way in between us. “Seriously? Fuckin’ fighting when something bad might've happened to Nick?" he shouted. “His grandma is dead, he's nowhere to be found. We need to find out where he is.”

I trekked outside, where the rain was absolutely pouring, and Noah stood on my front porch.

“How long have you loved him?" I asked.

“I'm not dignifying that–”

“Answer the question, Davis,” I spat out venomously. “Don't fuck with me right now. I've seen how you look at Nick. Just because you're jealous–”

“Jealous?” Noah hissed, towering over me. “Jealous of what, you? You've barely known him for a week! You think you know Nick? I've known him for fifteen years."

“And you think killing me was going to... what? Clear the way? You were the one trying to get me to stay. You were the one who told me he was lonely. So tell me.. what do you want?" I angrily demanded.

“I wanted you to stay, I didn't say fuck his brains out,” Noah hissed.

“Well guess what? He was the one who initiated. And you know what? It was the best sex I've ever–"

“Jolly,” Noah said, tearing his eyes away from mine. Jolly, who had been sitting in front of the porch this whole time, turned his head towards Noah, “see if you can find anything. You're free to search as long as the rain holds.”

Jolly nodded, standing up and taking off into the woods. I was sad to see him go, as he was the one I didn't feel like was going to kill me in the future.

"Why would he be in the woods?” Folio asked.

"This has the cult written all over it,” Noah said.

My stomach churned. “Why would they want Nick? It's way past the Summer Solstice,” I said.

"That's one thing I can't figure out," Noah muttered. “Granny's death was definitely not natural; Grannies can live way past a hundred years old.”

“Wait, Granny wasn't just a nickname?” I asked.

"No, Granny is a title in their practice. She just happened to be Nick's grandmother as well." Noah said.

“Can't you just... see where he is? Through your mind-talking power?” I asked.

Noah sighed. “I tried. I can't get a feel for him. Which is another reason why I don't think he's okay.”

Something in my stomach fluttered. It’s been hours since Nick left. If something happened to him, it could already be too late. For what though, I had no clue. I was absolutely stumped.

Maybe Noah was right. I barely knew Nick. What claim do I really have over him? I was just someone who stumbled into their territory unwillingly. I hadn’t grown up scared of the townspeople possibly coming after me. I was a stranger.

I was lost.

I leaned back against the house and slowly crumbled to the ground, folding in on myself. What could I even do? I didn’t have magic powers or the ability to change into a form more suited for this. I was just a regular human, someone who couldn’t even decide what gender they wanted to be.

“Hey.”

That’s when I felt hands on my shoulders. I looked up, Folio crouched next to me, but it was Noah who was talking. “We’ll find him,” he said.

“Not for me,” I muttered.

“Maybe not," he said, shrugging, “but let's handle this one problem at a time.”

“We can find the guy who was in the footage," Folio said.

“I don't know where he lives,” I said.

“I do,” Noah said. “And he has easy access to the forest."

“You should... probably stay here,” Folio said, patting me on the shoulder.

“Why?" I demanded.

"I told you it was going to get bloody, didn’t I?” Noah said, standing up. And I’m not going to hold back with Nick's life on the line.”

I swallowed. At least he was warning me. “Fine. Do what you do," I said.

“Oh, we fully plan on it," Noah said, grinning. I swore I could hear twigs snapping with the movement.

Tysm for reading! Next chapter coming soon!

[butterfrogmantis]

//Murder, implied blood

"So, was t'is the place?"

"Mm" Skelly stared down at the spot in front of them where his friend had placed a large rock at his request. "A couple millennia and you don't forget the exact spot"

Archie stared around at the surrounding cave. Such a gloomy, empty and cold place and yet hauntingly beautiful in it's solicitude. The cave had stories to tell, he reckoned. And perhaps Skelly's was just one of many.

"Sorry, 'am no good at stonework. Suppose we coulda asked Sculptor but I don't know 'ow we'd bring it 'ere"

"The rocks are fine" The skeleton said matter of factly "I wouldn't have known the name to write anyway. Besides." He crouched down by the sand and laid a single flower on top of the largest rock. "Technically I'm not dead, am I?"

Archie looked down at the makedo headstone. As much as he was dying to tell Skelly how much he knew about his former life, his adventures with Swashbuckler were something the archaeologist had sworn to take his own grave. He had, however, allowed himself to slip the suggestion that his skeletal friend might symbolically honour that mysterious former life if he were to return to his final resting place.

"Maybe not. But he is. Whoever you were, and tha's enough t' pay tribute to. Do you think he's at peace now you've come back 'ere?"

"..Yeah. I think he's at rest at last"

**

Extract from a fanfic I'll never write! I was wondering if Skelly would ever revisit the island he died/stayed on for so long. I mean that's a super significant part of his entire character and whilst it's not exactly for happy fun times I do think he'd sort of eventually feel like he had to, since I imagine he jumped at the chance to go back to the village with Sorcerer and never really … got the closure he needed.

My only two moods rn are “teehee happy cute Arthur” and “Skelly angst” idk why

Archaeologist (c) The Smurfs

Skelly is mine

[avephelis]

@wiiwarechronicles reminded me of the styx doodles i did a while back, so. little guys.

[yearningaces]

I bet you thought this blog was gonna be about asexuality only... Heh

But the only barriers are the ones I've placed for myself and thematic gore falls into the category of 'allowed' and I've been thinking about Eldritch monsters falling in love with a fragile little human and expressing it in a very different way also this is unedited and I haven't read through it so have fun

Do you know how twisted the concept of love is per species? For humans it can be soft and warm and comforting, like a hearth in the home, warming your bones.

For a creature like Acherus, it's different.

Because Acherus doesn't even have a name produced by the human tongue. The creature simply heard themselves referred to as such one day and decided it was good enough.

But when they saw you creeping through their domain? They watched you from every shadow of every tree. Every animals eyes followed you with a glossy haze in their eye as if something was wrong. And it was one of the first signs of many that went unnoticed.

You fascinated the creature, now you must deal with the consequences.

For starters you were allowed to traverse their domain safely. Predators would either never reach you or drop dead the moment you were at risk. Trees and bushes would move out of your way as you went deeper into the heart of this domain. But they would try to block your way on the way out, as if not wanting you to leave.

When you would leave and return home, you brought with you famine. Wherever you went the entire area would die but only what was around you would prosper. The life draining from the land only to regrow wherever you were and only there as if to ensure only you had a steady supply of food.

The food from these events tasted like nothing. You'd take a bite and there wasn't even a texture, it would simply dissolve away in moments and leave you feeling full.

Animals began to avoid you. As if sensing something just a breath behind you at all times, they'd run. Even the trickiest fox and the smartest raven knew it was safer this way.

Except...

Deer.

Deer adored you, they would flock to you as if called for. When they followed you, they could be killed for a meal but the others would continue to stand there, walk past their deceased herd member, and follow you like happy children. Whitetail, fallow, originally just deer. But then you noticed a pattern. If you traveled to where the deer cannot go, or if they perished on the way, a group of elk would arrive when the weather was frozen. Otherwise moose, otherwise caribou. Then deer once more. They followed you without care of what would happen to them as if drawn in by some power and lure.

It only progressed. You could be in the middle of a harsh storm that should sweep you and your endless herd away. But the rain and the wind always avoided you, as if there was a shield that couldn't be seen or felt always right there around you. Not even a stray drop landed on your skin.

You could go to the water, dive into it and you could feel your very body morphing to accommodate. The feeling of your neck being split open multiple times and connecting those slots to your lungs where salt water could pour in was horrific. But you could breathe underwater with a new pair of gills.

The moment you were dry they were gone.

You could go to the coldest mountaintop, watch your fingers and toes rot off one by one in the freezing temperatures, feel the flesh decay and fall off of your bones, and it would simply regrow.

You could throw yourself into fire and feel the flames eating you alive but as quickly as you burned away your parts grew back as if replaced and the continuous cycle of flesh and viscera turning to ash and new growth taking its place endlessly would continue.

By this point the worst began to occur. The fact that sealed the fates of all. Your own kind began to reject you. After seeing these horrifying feats one village after another would cast you out, some trying to kill you in the process but every time their own weapons would horrifically turn against them. The hunter who's arrow was hit by a burst of wind and was turned around to land through his soft eye and into his brain. The group of soldiers moments away from striking you dead who went mad, screaming in fear and tearing each other apart. It never ended well.

And one day, you sat down in an empty field. Sitting with your herd of listless deer and one elk from the last group, and you cried.

It was a justifiable response, of course. You had been through so much unexplained heartache that even if it aided you, horrified your fellow man and led to you being shunned.

But you should have paid attention to what happened as you cried. The deer grew anxious. Pacing back and fourth in a way they've never reacted before.

There is a low hum in the air and mother nature holds her breath as you cry softly and quietly. Quiet enough you can hear a voice call out and look up.

One of the Deer is staring at you. It steps closer. It's mouth moving in an unnatural way, leaving the creatures jaw trembling. "Why do you cry?" It ask in a voice that sounds like what falling mountains sounds like. The deers eyes are milky white.

You stare at the deer for a good time before realizing it's unblinking stare remains and you have to respond. "I feel alone and abandoned by my own kind. I am afraid of these things that have been happening around me, I don't know what to do."

The deer stagnates. Its heart races faster and faster as if taking a great strain and effort while the voice returns from the deers trembling mouth. "You are unhappy with your gifts? You are alone?" The deer stops talking, its head dropping lower as if exhausted but it's eyes remain lifeless and you wonder if it was ever alive at all. It speaks again. "Your kind slander you. They hurt you. I will ensure they never do so again." *With that final word the deer drops to the ground, cold and stiff. You look to the rest of the listless herd wondering if they're the same way. Moments from death if not living corpses at this point.

You try to ignore the horrific sight and find camp for the night. Sleep is fitful and difficult but it does find you eventually.

And your dreams are the dreams of a madman. Trees of pulsating flesh surround you in a forest as the ground beneath you beats like a heart, featherless birds fly with listless and lifeless eyes, humans that pass by pass by on all fours and just look... Exaggerated in limbs. Then the scene speeds up. The creatures around you run away quicker and quicker darkness has arrived it fills your vision as a wall of shadow taller than mountains approaches you should run you should run before it's too late-

But it's been too late for a long time now.

The darkness consumes you and it is silent.

And you wake.

And the sky is red. You look to where the sun is to see it flickering like a candle flame about to be blown out.

You see something next to it in the sky, reveal itself. It looks like the moon. Then it moves. It looks down at you. And blinks.

And the sun goes out.

Darkness consumes everything instantly. Your world is doomed but you can see distant lights of villages making fires to panic and try to do something.

You approach wondering why they're so scared of the dark when we must all grow accustomed to it now. But then you see it.

One person's torch extinguished and they didn't have time to let out a cry for help before the darkness enveloped them, consuming them and leaving nothing but a burnt torch behind.

But then why could you traverse the dark?

You didn't think it safe to try again and you remained with the light of the villages.

This only made things escalate. For your sake, it was every other village first, consumed by madness and darkness until it was your small group left. And someone slipped up. They dropped their lantern onto a dried pile of hay, the fire caught quickly and spread, forcing everyone from the barn into the dark of the outside again. Your deer nowhere to be found but you still felt watched the moment you were outside.

And a bright red like appeared in the sky.

And an impossible amount of hands reached through it to force it open. What came out would be remembered as the devourer of worlds. It's eye the size of the moon, it's taloned hands the size of countries. But it still saw you.

It moved closer, the fang filled muzzle lowering through the clouds of the dark endless night sky and directly over you. It's maw was large enough to bite your entire village as if it were a crumb. But it found you still.

One by one those around you began screaming, foaming at the mouth, running in circles until their hearts gave out, bashing their heads against the ground until their brains splattered against the dirt.

But you were safe?

The bodies absorbed into the ground as if water. And a massive paw reached out, grasping the earth you were standing on. Lifting the entire forest in it's hand with you in the center of a ruined village but it had you now.

You couldn't take in this beings appearance entirely but the antlers were definitive. Everything else seemed to morph endlessly. The being lifted you up through your planets atmosphere and you felt like your lungs were shriveling. The being let out a low sound that made your head hurt but it seemed saddened. You gripped your throat, watching it raise it's other hand and dig it's claws into its form without blinking. You watched the blood of this creature spill as it tore open it's chest, flinging viscera out of the way before gingerly lifting you from its palm and placing you inside. As soon as you were in the creatures form you didn't need to breathe and as such relief was palpable. You could only watch as the creatures body sewed itself back together... Much like how your body did recently.

For now exaustion gripped you and dragged you to lay in the soft sinewy flesh of the creature and to rest. It was warm, it was as safe as you could be as your planet was now dead and you had no where to go.

One of these days you'd find your words and scold this being for all it's worth. But until then you listen to a strange thumping rhythm deciding it must be the beings heart and unwillingly you fall asleep.

For who knows how long.

[kitblueburdart]

Embracing the gothic vampireness of Altrethir even HARDER 🫠

[pfhwrittes]

another one from the prompt list, "how do they deal emotionally after a bad mission".

tw for angst, non-graphic self injury, hurt no comfort (despite kyle's best efforts), and blood mention below the cut.

–

there’s blood under her nails and it won’t come out no matter how much she scrubs. she can still feel it, settling deep into the creases around her knuckles and in the life line on her palm.

a warm palm lands on jonesy’s shoulder and she flinches, wide eyes meet worried brown in the cracked mirror. 

“jonesy, c’mon mate -” jonesy shrugs the hand off and ducks her head and focuses on the bead of blood welling up on her thumb.

“leave it, gaz.” 

pink tinted water slips down the plughole of the basin in the safehouse. 

“he’s fine. barely even a scratch, it’ll take more than a lucky knife to get soap -” 

“i said, leave it.” jonesy’s voice is a whip crack, cutting off pretty soothing words that she knows she doesn’t deserve to hear. a better soldier, a better teammate, a better friend would deserve to hear them. not her. not someone who almost got her friend killed. 

gaz sighs softly and fabric rustles over the sound of running water.

“i’ll be back in a minute, yeah?” he says softly and jonesy ignores him. she scrubs harder at her hands, ignoring the astringent sting of cheap soap against her knuckles. 

the hinges on the bathroom door squeal as gaz retreats. 

there’s blood under her nails and it won’t come out.

[istherewifiinhell]

another one from, becoming my favourite guest artists

[Raphael: Snapper, Pub'd in Turtle Soup Vol2 #2. Writer: Rick McCollum, Inks: Tom Anderson, Colours: Laird]

[Coloured with vibrant brights and true black inks]

[ID: Raph peering into a small glass bowl that holds a snapping turtle. He' smiling and says "OH HO! And who are you?" END]

ID: Multiple panels. The snapper hissing and snapping. Wider, Raph holding it by the tail regarding it as it hisses. "Hey, your sure are a fiesty little guy!" Close of the turtle biting his finger, drawing blood. A "SNAP!" sound effect rendered in red and green. Raph clutching his hand with a "YOW!", the snapper falls to the ground. END

ID: A low angle showing the snapper hissing from the floor, Raph has his bleeding finger in his mouth and says "You're mean, too!" END

ID: Large panel, Raph scared of a large more humanoid apparition of the snapper. It's face pitch black with bright red eyes and mouth. Smoke like substance in pink and green swarms around its figure. Raph is scrambling over the plush seat, sai drawn, as it says "I am a creep all the time. My attitude is in my soul. And I'm nasty for the same reason you can be." END

Two panels, the snapper has grabbed Raph by the face, with a large clawed hand. Red smoke pouring from its mouth. "But you're less than what you could be! Should be!" It pushing Raph farther down as he struggles "You eat this weak fast food! You've forsaken your heritage!" END

One guess for what the snapper thinks turtles ought to eat instead? (blood. its blood)

ID: Cropped panel, Raph the floor, with the regular snapper sitting on his head. The appartment is trashed, April enters, saying "What Happened to my living room." Raph, disoriented says "Huh? Wha-? I'm not dead?" END

April, holding the snapper in her palm, looking fond "I found him in the street and was going to give him to you to set free." The snapper has a thought bubble filled with hearts. Raph rubs his head, confused "It must have been the pepperoni- huh? That little monster?" END

The snapper in its bowl, shadowed face, a devious red smile, it says "Heh" END