#oc ethie

[yeehawbvby]

Dropping in out of nowhere here to ask YOU! yes you dear blogger, about your ocs. Please tell me about em :3

OH BOY I have so many uhhh. I'll just give a quick rundown + lore posts for the OCs who have one, since you didn’t ask anything specific :D May or may not put this in my pinned as a general OC masterlist too while I'm at it

Pokemon -> Max - Lore post + Visual reference - 25-30 years old, lives in Galar. She works as a gym trainer, first at the Dark gym and then in Circhester's Ice gym. She prefers Ghost types above all else but she's pretty well-rounded! She’s sweet and timid but also a little gremlin and I love her dearly

TLoZ -> Ethie - Lore post - Something about soulmates through time or whatever with Link (platonic or romantic, depending on the timeline). Descendent of Malon, although I might change her canon so that she just was Malon lol. She's also Beedle's sister! Most of the lore I've established is of BotW/TotK times, where she's a traveling blacksmith with a home-base in Hateno.

Spiderverse -> Apple Spider - Lore post + Visual Reference - A little shit who accidentally ruined her canon and destroyed her earth. Now she lives permanently in Nueva York/in the Spider Society building. She's a master in the art of being annoying but lovable, and takes on kinda the wine aunt/bestie cousin role for a bunch of the younger Spiders.

Sun Haven -> Autumn - Visual reference - Half-moth amari (amari are anthros, basically), and half-elf! She's gentle and kind. Loves just hanging out with her animals and helping people around each city, rather than actually doing much farming. Winds up making permanent residence in Nel'Vari, a hidden elven village west of Sun Haven.

Sun Haven -> Marlowe

- An aquatic amari of the shark variety! Kind of a piece of shit unless you’re important to them. They’re messy and loud and blunt but they’d literally do anything for those they care about (in the end, though, the person they care for most is themself). Moved to Sun Haven to be closer to water and become a monster hunter and adventurer. They were previously a tattoo artist in The Big City

Baldur's Gate 3 -> Lilith - Visual reference - A resistance Durge! Was besties with Orin and on the verge of marriage with Gortash before being lobotomized and tadpoled. Now she just wants to right her wrongs, or whatever -- she's absolutely horrified by her Urge.

Baldur's Gate 3 -> Aether - Another Durge! Same past as Lilith, except during the events of the game, she begins sorta morally grey and evolves into a frickin monster. She's one of those "I'll hurt everyone except the people I love types," and genuinely wanted to rule Baldur's Gate alongside Gortash. After The Brain(tm) offed him though she kinda just went apeshit and embraced Bhaal.

Pikmin 4 -> Ed - Visual reference - I don't have much lore for her lol.. she mostly does night expeditions because she prefers to be nocturnal and likes hanging out with the glow pikmin. She's super sweet but bad at expressing her feelings, so nobody really knows it unless they give her a chance to open up! Her affection can come off as aggression but she just doesn’t really know how to portray herself

FFXV -> Mari Vitrum

- “One of the guys,” but not in an annoying pick-me kind of way and more so the constantly-being-a-little-shit kind of way. She was a close friend of Gladio’s from childhood, which is how she met Noctis and eventually became part of his crew. She’s not a fan of Ignis (except for his cooking) so they kinda just tolerate each other lol, she and Noct bicker like siblings, and she’s besties with Gladio and Prompto. She prefers to fight with daggers, taking more of an assassin approach and fights SUPER recklessly. Will easily have to use several phoenix downs during tougher battles, partially bc she gets dagger-happy and partially because if anyone’s gonna die, she’d rather it be her than her friends.

Stardew Valley -> Elise

- Partial visual, since I haven’t drawn her fully yet

- A lot like Sebastian in that she’s spent most of her life staying indoors nerding out, looks almost sickly pale, and wears black hoodies a lot. She only moved to Pelican Town to escape Joja and Zuzu’s high rent, really. She’s more focused on having a ton of animals (mostly to hang out with) and only keeps a few small patches of crops. Has her nose pierced and 3 ear piercings on her right side, but only 1 ear piercing on her left, in short because she got lazy. She has a vampire bite tattoo on the left side of her neck and constantly gets roasted for it (she goes along with it like a champ), as well as a sloppy self-made stick and poke tattoo over some self harm scars that says “I lived, bitch.” Still unsure of where I’m gonna plop that down on her

Fields of Mistria -> Kimi and December

-> a link to their intro post <-

[stars-mischief]

STARRY MI AMIGO MY BUDDY MY GUY!! What's up!? Lookin' fresh today, brother!

hehe~~

heya, lexamillion!

not much happening on my end, im afraid!

i hope you're doin' good, though!

[harmonyvarnes]

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐀 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 | Song Of Crimson Nile ( One -Shot )

Harmony reaches for the crown and places it on her head. Soft murmurs were heard throughout the audience. She knew what they were thinking. She? A lost person was wearing a crown. It was almost a slap to the face.

But did she care? No, she did not. The man in front of her bowed, and so did the rest of the room.

A few of her friends clapped, while some look shocked. It was still new to them, that she was a lost princess.

Well more so of a runaway, she didn't not believe in politics and all that other witchcraft.

“ May I present, Queen Ana Adel, Queen of Memphis and ruler of all” The priest said.

The room stood up and clapped, Harmony could tell they were fake, no one wanted her there.

Only her friend's claps were real.

That almost made her cry. She walked to her throne and sat down, her father and mother were no longer ruling over the castle.

Why?.

Because she had killed them, and that was how she liked it.

She would be the only one in power, and it would stay like that for a very long time.

Looking around the room, Harmony felt at home. A smile slowly lifts on her face, she was truly at home.

No more dangerous mission, just peace and home.....

All hail the queen....

😈😈😈

[sumnantics]

[ethien]

My head is full of her ♥

still need to work out some history things for her - but I already wrote one shots with her lol

[taboo-night-xxxx]

learning gias stick lore and just looking pathetically at my sticks like. what the fuck are yuo things

[etheries1015]

Here's a little thing I drew of my TwstSona Ethie and a chart of what I think of each character and how I think each character would think of me that nobody asked for Hehe

To be clear, it's kinda hard to tell the difference between the reds, but there is NO romantic love on here. Since I'm always hopping between characters... I preferred the crush headcannons versus returned love heuheu.

and to be clear, I'm still learning how to draw (especially digitally) so please be nice <3

Here is the blank I used <3 Feel free to show off yours, too!! I love OC's and TwstSonas hehe. And tell me if you have any questions!! Let's have a convo!!

[yeehawbvby]

TIME FOR THE ETHIE (my tloz oc) INFO THAT NONE OF YOU ASKED FOR because my adoration for botw/totk is so fucking strong rn!!!!

Putting it under a cut bc longpost go brrr

General lore:

- In every life she has, she’s Beedle’s sister, and they’re almost always besties!! While they often have different lifestyles they still make time to hang out

- Ethie and Link have some kinda soulmate thing going on, whether it’s just as friends or as something more romantic. In every timeline though, Ethie crushes on him hard

- Sometimes she’s more stereotypically domestic like in the Windwaker or Skyward Sword timelines, but oftentimes she winds up being devoted to a craft of some sort!

- She’s tiny, like, even shorter than Link. Gets mistaken for a child a lot bc of this (just like me fr)

- Super strong!! Always!

- Loves nature, loves bugs, doesn’t always love fighting but is very good at it anyway. More into light swords than anything, but is very good with a bow and arrow too

- Her horse of choice (if she has one) is usually named after a food, not keeping a consistent name like Epona

- Autistic because obviously

BotW:

- Ethie is a blacksmith! She lives in one of the Bolson homes in Hateno (although the layout is a little different in my HC)

- She travels often, making deliveries all over Hyrule rather than having her customers need to come to her. She enjoys it, especially loving being able to explore for ores/materials and stay at the cozy stables

- She has a horse named Parsnip, because her color scheme matches one (She tames Zelda's old horse, thinking it's just another random wild horse lmao)

- Her parents are farmers that also live in Hateno, and she meets Link while they’re ogling over the Hero of Hyrule coming to their little village (her dad instantly recognized him, but her mom was skeptical and had to warm up to the idea of it really being him a bit)

- They hit it off as buddies and travel together, since Ethie usually has deliveries to make wherever Link is going anyway

- She’s small and angry and easy to tease, like a chihuahua, but like she has to be if she wants to get by looking like an easy prey for monsters and creeps!!

- Because of this, when she starts having feelings for Link, she gets tsundere about it. Because of course she does!! She feels scared and vulnerable and she’s never rly been the romantic type

- Speaking of which, in BotW times, Link and Ethie never “get together” (they don’t do anything beyond hugging and holding hands sometimes), but they’re both crazy about each other. They’re just fucking idiots and can’t see that the other reciprocates

- When Link goes to fight Ganon, she goes with him. After, Zelda offers for Ethie to be her personal knight as well, given how good of a fighter Ethie is (and also just wanting some female companionship rather than being stuck with Link all the time again lmao)

- Ethie declines, but agrees to go on more important/dangerous trips with Zelda and Link when need be

_____

TotK:

- Ethie goes with Link and Zelda the day they “disappear.” Didn’t fall in the hole with Zelda, watched awestruck as Rauru just suddenly appeared to save Link

- She waits on the Sky Island for Link to wake up/Zelda to hopefully come back. At this point she and Zelda are close friends, so she’s just as worried about her, but is mostly focused on making sure Link doesn’t literally die

- Rauru obviously helps Ethie learn how to live (without a cool hand or magic or whatever) on the islands, and even helps her find or make her own cool Zonai clothes to wear

- They become close friends!! Rauru actually enjoys her company a lot more than Ethie realizes (he’s mostly excited to have a friend that isn’t dead or a robot though fkdkvemdkw)

- When Link finally wakes up, she helps Rauru teach Link how to get by. When they’re back on mainland, she accompanies him the whole journey to find Zelda, putting her smithing duties (aside from experimenting with ancient weapons she learned about in the sky) on hold until further notice

[voidedjuice]

I should draw this later, but tge Ethel/Kathy thing has 4 distinct phases

1) their first meeting + Ethy university days with her paranormal research club, and her strange new friend (whom she calls her assistant in a chuunibyou way)

2) Ethel's private paranormal investigations office with her trusty assistant!

3) Ethy gets hired by an organization aiming to research the paranormal/anomalies, and lessen harm caused by them, along with her bodyguard

4) Running away from the org + !?!?!? (with her lover :))

[tearsofsorrow]

ehh hei bc tiktok is getting decimated i decided it was finally time to return to my roots

sooo wee lil intro post time!

ㆍromeo / ethan ! !﹐ ☆

🦢 ㆍhe / they﹐inxp﹐queer

likes : my gf, nature, music, roleplaying, skam norway, house md, dead poets society, twd, rdr2, hamilton, turn, history, art, my ocs, my ships, my gf again, my si's

ㆍ🪦 ㆍdni if : basic dni, ai art users/defenders, ppl who are mean, trump supporter.

boundaries : special nicknames such as ronnie or ethie or riri or anything else made up are for friends only, so don't call me that unless we're close. /nm nicknames like ro and roro are ok :3

extra : im nd and sometimes struggle with things like tone do please be patient. im also half german and am currently learning norwegian cus im just cool like that! :3

socials : spotify, pinterest, letterboxd, serialized, youtube, discord : cherrysbf_, twtr probs coming soon i just need to figure out how to log back in

and uhhhhh

ya :3 thats me cus im just a lil guy

[astroboots]

Re reading EYEM because that’s what I do and I just love reading it again and finding little details I missed before. Like when did Miguel realizes OC was his wife in this universe? I could just see him going rigid after hearing her voice and asking himself if he really just hear what he thought he heard. Then staring at her in shock, maybe thinking that’s why she felt so familiar in his arms when he caught her, and finally reaching down grabbing her shoulders and being like “wtf this is my girl?! Did I just save my wife in this universe??” And just going thru the motions??? Chef’s kiss. Meanwhile homegirl is like “am I supposed to tip this guy? Why is he just standing there staring at me??” Gets me every time.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF reading this made me giddy and had me rereading my own chapter one lol!!! but yes that is exactly his reaction!

thinking that’s why she felt so familiar in his arms when he caught her,

!!! THE WAY THIS MADE ME YEARN!!! ooooof... and also the aaaaaccuracy!!! but i love and was laughing my ass off at your ask because just imagin ethis poor guy having an existential crisis because the love of his life, his wife that he has missed and thought of every night is in front of him and he doesn't know how to handle this and meanwhile reader is just like: ooh this is a bit awkward lol.

thank you so much for sharing this ask with me! i loved it

[shuruzy]

Do you have heights for your EO ocs? I'm most curious about Zandiel's but feel free to add any you like!

Yeah! Zandiel is 5'8", but I also have heights for nearly all of my EO OCs in the OtL series! From shortest to tallest:

Kor: 2’8”

Ruto: 3’0”

Siegril: 5′4″

Yun: 5′6″

Prielle: 5′6″

Kaida: 5′7″

Uriel: 5′8″

Zandiel: 5′8″

Biscotti: 5′8″

Gaile: 5’9” (6’1” if ears are up)

Ylva: 5′9″

Ethis: 5′10″

Sheria: 5′10″

Ruki: 5′10” (6′5″ if ears are up)

Tyr: 5’11”

Jaune: 6’0” (6’6” if ears are up)

Flynn: 6’0”

Francesca: 6’1”

Luxes: 6’1”

Leonidas: 6’2”

Tenmaar: 6′6″ (6′9″ if ears are up)

Adhara: 6’6”

Alverion: 6′10″

[sumnantics]

[ethien]

Sayori, my fox goddess ♥

A very old OC of mine, I think I made her in...2017? Idk, have to find the old drawing.

At first, her outfit was supposed to be more traditional. But when I tried giving her the digital showtime she deserves, I hated her outfit. So, she got a complettly redesign. But I used the original colors from her first outfit.

But yeah, say hi to my old Baby.

[kaitontenchu]

In terms of ffxiv, I became a Heavens' and Perfect legend <3 Just for my catboy's lore purposes, DSR has been a dream raid of mine to clear, so it really made me happy that my hard work paid off quq And I mostly wanted to clear TEA for the GNB wep <3

As for socially, I finally had Kai married to his husbro/my personal friend , Ethy! And truly grateful for my FC (and server) being such great friends to me. In addition to them, my current raid static, the HoA discord peeps, some mutuals on here and on X , very grateful to all those that stuck by me and made 2024 what it was.

I also revisited X after a long hiatus for my own mental health and I'm enjoying being an artist! Once again grateful to those that support and enjoy my artworks qq. I'm hoping to do more art for 2025 and the plan now is to slowly transition Kai (and Aymeric) into OCs of mine for a fully original story/webtoon I'd love to bring to life!

Once again, 2024's been a great year for me in ffxiv and here's the another great year!

hey honest question, did anybody have GOOD stuff happen to them in 2024? cause it was really bad for me and for most people i know, so it would be nice to hear about anything that's been going WELL for any of you. even if it's small stuff. just to know there's light out there.

[oddinarydellequent]

(Ch. 3) Of Thieves and Plunder (pt. 2)

Black Clover OCs x Canon/AU FanFic

"Attention!"

Three people scramble out of their beds and attempt a salute. Captain Charlotte Roselei walks in and nods at the three standing, but glares at the one still sitting on her bed.

"When the Captain stands, nobody sits, Heidi."

Geniva sluggishly stands up. The captain lets the lack of a salute pass for now.

"Good to see you all recovered quickly. You have some catching up to do.

Members of the Sion family has requested the Blue Rose to deal with a new dungeon that emerged yesterday.

Though our sources from the Magic Investigation Department have noted that there have not been a surge in mana in the location recently, the family insists as it has blocked one of their main trade routes.

You'll be guided by one of our Intermediate Magic Knights, Serene Urania."

A lithe young woman in her early 20s comes up by the captain's side, dark blue hair cropped short in a bob framing an angular face and steely brown eyes.

With a deep voice, she says, "I want you dressed and ready in 30 minutes. Meet me at the courtyard and I will brief you on the mission on the way to the location."

"Move. Now."

They thankfully managed a salute before the girls dashed outside the infirmary.

Ethelrid can barely remember where her room was supposed to be after having only spent one night in there.

With a bit of luck, she finds it and pulls off her clothes and just as quickly puts her uniform on, taking great care to adjust her robe, making sure to pin the rose button in place.

She faces her back to the mirror to see the Blue Rose insignia.

It could be a trick of the light, but the symbol shimmers under the sun rays from the open curtains, and Ethelrid can't help but beam with pride.

Either because of excitement or anxiety, Ethelrid's heart races nevertheless.

Running down the halls has her stomach jostling the newly eaten breakfast the kind nurse gave them, but Ethelrid was not about to be late to her first mission.

Ethelrid spots her senior and throws a proper salute.

"Ah, no need for that. With me, at least. Reserve that for the captain," she says with a warm smile.

Ethelrid could barely reply with her mind buffering. Her senior's temperament at the moment was a far cry from when they were in the infirmary.

"Aw dammit! You beat me to it Ethy!" Amore whines as she jogs with a bag of hashbrowns. Nina jogs along with her.

Amore wordlessly offers Ethelrid some of her hashbrowns and Ethelrid took three, much to Amore's annoyance.

"Where's your other friend?" Serene asks.

"Oh I think she'll take a while. Been moody since she woke up." Amore says between munches of her crispy hashbrowns.

"I'll go get her," Ethelrid wastes no time briskly walking to Geniva's room.

Ethelrid knocks and is met with a "Go away!"

"C'mon Geniva, we're already running late!"

"Didn't you hear me? I said go away!"

Ethelrid would have gone with some gentle parenting - if she knew how.

Instead, she casts her Stygian Form and she disintegrates into dark sand, weaving her way under the door and goes back to her original form to a screaming Geniva.

"Ew! Get out! What if I was changing?"

Ethelrid flushes. She clearly didn't think about that, but after a quick look Geniva was thankfully decent. In fact, she hasn't changed at all.

"You're coming with, whether you like it or not."

"I'm not."

"Then why the hell did you become a Magic Knight for?"

"None of your damn business. I'm not going."

Ethelrid's vein on her forehead is becoming more prominent. What is she going to do with this petulant child?

"You know, Geniva," Ethelrid starts. "That's exactly what a bitch would say."

Ethelrid could barely turn into her stygian form before she was attacked with a strong gust of wind that hit her body against the door, busting it open.

"I should have expected that…" Ethelrid sighs as she lays on the ground. She sits up to see Geniva preparing a spear of wind primed for throwing.

"What? Are you just going to sit there and take it?" Geniva laughs. "Who's the bitch now?"

"I don't want to fight you."

"I do."

"Please just join us in the courtyard. You're making a scene." Ethelrid looks to the onlookers loitering to see the drama, but a glare from Ethelrid seems to shoo the others away.

"Sounds like what a bitch would say."

"That actually doesn't work on me as it does on you."

Geniva ignores formulating a clever reply in lieu of jamming her spear up Ethelrid's a-

Geniva and Ethelrid's vision contorts and they suddenly hold their breath as they are enveloped in a prison of water. Geniva still swims to go choke the air out of Ethelrid and bubbles do leave Ethelrid's mouth in protest.

"Are you two about done being children?" Serene disappointingly looks to the two currently wrestling in the water.

Ethelrid frantically nods, but Geniva could not give a damn.

The water prison splits the two in separate spheres and Serene releases Ethelrid immediately. Ethelrid flops to the ground, coughs out water and gasps for air.

Ironically, Geniva is struggling for oxygen from moving too much. She stubbornly fights against the water confines until she casts a desperate look at Serene.

Serene releases her immediately, leaving Geniva sopping and coughing.

"I know you're still children, but much is expected of you now that you're Magic Knights.

After all that combat in the examination and you think fighting is all there is to being a Magic Knight?

We are responsible for the well-being of the Clover Kingdom's citizens, not only through protecting them from threats but also through lending our services for upholding their quality of life.

You think you'd do any good berating and choking your teammate? Do you have no shame in front of your fellow squad members and seniors?

And you both came so highly recommended. I'm disappointed."

Serene's grimoire leaves her holster and its pages turn and glows as she casts:

Water Magic: Verdict of Libra

A sigil circle of a scale appears on Geniva's and Ethelrid's form and suddenly pain and heaviness blooms in their chest along with shortness of breath.

"Use any magic, and it will only get worse. Fluid will build up in your heart if you do. You don't want that, do you?"

There is a calm darkness around Serene, holding such unsuspecting power that dares one to underestimate her. Ethelrid dares not try to even tap a single mana in her body. She knows that Serene is not exaggerating.

"You will obey my every command. I will only lift the spell when necessary. Until then, I expect exemplary behavior. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," the two replies. Ethelrid looks to Geniva to see fear in her eyes. Ethelrid imagines her own eyes are sporting the same emotion.

They both wordlessly follow Serene to the others. Amore teasingly says, "Ooooh" before Nina slaps her on the back.

They all ride on their brooms, Amore even raising a leg to plant one of her feet on the handle casually.

Thankfully, it seems that using mana to ride on their brooms doesn't worsen the heaviness on Ethelrid's and Geniva's chest.

Ethelrid looks down at the growing distance between her and the ground and she swallows audibly but with difficulty as her chest aches.

A glyph surfaces in front of Serene and water collects around the symbol as she casts:

Compass of Sagittarius

A compass of water emerges and Serene directs the team West.

"The mission is fairly straightforward. The Sion family is requesting to investigate a newly immerged dungeon that has blocked their vital trade route to the Heart Kingdom.

Often a concentration of mana forms the dungeon and said concentration of mana often come in the form of a magical artifact.

So we go in, take the artifact and the dungeon will no longer obstruct the trade route."

"I beg your pardon, Miss Urania, but don't new dungeons often spike in mana?" Nina pipes up.

"Captain Charlotte said that there were no spikes of mana detected according to the Magic Investigation Department. Are we really dealing with a dungeon here?"

"We shall see for ourselves," Serene replies.

Nina's troubled expression does not leave her face and Serene noticed.

"Is there something wrong, Nina?"

"I just… don't feel comfortable taking a magical artifact from a dungeon. It feels like stealing! I believe artifacts must be kept untouched.

Imagine the discoveries that would be made after careful study that wouldn't be possible if the artifact was just sold for a heavy price."

"Don't worry," Serene reassures. "All artifacts are collected and stored by the Magical Studies Department. All artifacts end up in their good hands."

"There's a Magical Studies Department?" Nina's expression seems to brighten.

"Oh yes. They even have exhibits, if you like to visit sometime."

Nina eyes widen and turn to the others.

"Of course we'll go with you, Nina." Ethelrid says.

"Who could say no to that face?" Amore goes to squish Nina's cheeks.

"Boring." Geniva rolls her eyes.

"I'd say with your enthusiasm you would certainly be welcomed by the Magical Studies Department, Nina," Serene says.

"Oh… oh I don't think I'll be accepted, but thank you," Nina says, dejected.

"I'll vouch for you. If you truly want to go in," Serene encourages.

Amore has been pouting the whole time before she pipes up, "You're not leaving m- us for the MSD, are you?"

"Oh no, no dear! I think I'm happy being where I am right now. I barely even started becoming a Magic Knight. It'd be a waste to back out now," Nina reassures, "Plus-" she pauses.

"Who else would be stealing hashbrowns for you for breakfast?"

"Damn right!"

"Alright, settle down, we're here," Serene goes to descend to what seems like an opening of a cave, and from a distance flashes of purple stand out among the greenery.

"The Purple Orcas?" Three of them, Ethelrid observed. Not anyone she knows, though she barely even knows the rest of the Blue Rose.

They seem to be too distracted talking among themselves to notice the team descending until Serene called out, "Hello!"

They startle, surprised at their presence.

"Ah, the Blue Rose," a woman of tall and lanky stature replies. Her purple robe feels almost too small for her size.

"We were not expecting… company."

"Neither did we. Perhaps this can work to our advantage. Strength in numbers and all that," Serene replies.

"Oh, there's no need," a short and stout man replies this time. "We've done a preliminary survey, it doesn't seem all that dangerous.

Still, we would not like to risk civilians entering the dungeon attempting to take the treasure themselves."

"This looks like a dungeon to you?" Geniva says mockingly. "I bet I can go in and out of there alone."

"I would advise against it, young one," the man replies. "Perhaps leave the dirty work to us experienced Knights."

"What would you have us do then?" Ethelrid impatiently asks.

Seriously? Can't even enter a dungeon on our first day?

"You can help us wrangle the troublemaking locals from impeding our work. Yes, that'll do."

"I insist we go with you. Like Miss Urania said, there is strength in numbers," Ethelrid firmly states.

"Oh, dear," The woman steps into Ethelrid's personal space to look down on her with a wide, eery smile. "You would not last even a single minute down there."

"Now be a good girl and stay here," She goes to pat Ethelrid on the head. Ethelrid can only glare.

"Off we go, then," The man chimes in, "With any luck, this dungeon will be gone by tonight."

They enter the cave and disappear into the darkness, their third companion silently following behind them, but not without a long, cold look at the team through his scarred face.

Geniva goes to pat Ethelrid on the head, "Good girl." She says, exaggerating with a high-pitched voice.

Ethelrid slaps Geniva's hand away.

"Well this sucks," Amore moans. "I was really looking forward to dungeon crawling."

"I'm sorry to disappoint, kids. But we are obligated to protect the locals from entering the dungeon. Like I said, fighting is not all we do as Magic Knights."

She summons her compass again, and this time the needle turns incessantly, Serene closing her eyes until the needle stops and points southeast.

"This way," she leads the team through the wilderness.

"Excuse me, Miss Urania," Ethelrid starts.

"Yes, Ethelrid?"

"Captain Charlotte told us that we were supposed to investigate the dungeon. Even with the Purple Orcas around I believe we are still meant to join them in their survey."

Serene sighs. "I get it. You're antsy. You were anticipating to experience what going through a dungeon is like.

Don't get me wrong, I think you all are incredible fighters. But I believe a Magic Knight's first priority must always be the people. And that's what your first mission is going to be - protecting the people."

Geniva huffs, "Didn't think I would be a servant when I went to join the Magic Knights."

"Get used to it, Geniva," Serene says. "You'll be doing that a lot from now on."

Sounds of civilization reaches the team's ears, a vendor yelling out his produce here, groans of working animals there. But among the ruckus, a fight between two men just by the trees stand out to them.

"I don't give a damn! I'm going in, they have no right-"

"And you'll be fighting against all three of them!"

"I can take them."

"No, you absolutely cannot."

"Are you just going to let that slide? Let them take what they think is theirs?"

"We can ask help from other Magic Knights-"

"What makes you think the rest of them are any different?"

The older man then notices the forms of blue behind them, and their conversation dies down.

"Is there something wrong, gentleman?" Serene asks.

"Nothing that concerns you, miss," The old man replies.

"Any Magic Knights business is our business, sir."

The younger man spats, "How about minding your own damn bus-"

"Nothing that you should worry about, miss." Though his tone was not unkindly, his expression remains firm, suspicious even.

"If you're thinking of going in the dungeon, then I suggest you don't. It's dangerous, so leave it to us."

"Of course, miss."

"Let us know if you need anything else." Serene tries for a smile, but neither of them smile back.

She sighs and leads the team to the town square, market stalls lining the streets, a cacophony of bartering and music by the bards performing by the crown jewel of the square, an ornate fountain with three tiers of statues of maidens pouring glistening water on the basin.

Amore sees people taking a sip from the fountain itself and curious, goes to scoop up water with her hands bring it to her mouth to drink.

The sweetness hits and it startles her, and she laughs as she takes another scoop but a small hand smacks her hands away.

"Hey! Magic Knights not allowed!" A kid points an accusing finger.

"Why not?" Amore replies, indignant.

"You suck!" The kid sticks her tongue out and runs off.

Eyes begin to turn at the direction of the pops of blue, eyeing the team's robes and its insignia with suspicion and by some, even resentment.

"I don't think we're welcome here." Ethelrid states.

"You think?" Geniva throws a glare back at some of them.

"Hey." A young woman approaches them, apron dusted in flour and runny raw eggs.

"If you got any business here, I suggest you take it up with the mayor. Otherwise, leave."

"We're not here to cause trouble. We just wanted to protect you all from going into the dungeon," Serene tries for a calm aura, but this only infuriates the young woman.

"We have every damn right to go to what you call 'dungeon' because its ours!" She storms off without saying another word.

"Tch," The breeze picks up as Geniva reaches for her grimoire but Ethelrid grabs her arm and pushes her grimoire back to its holster.

Ethelrid pauses on that statement. Normally, locals would not lay claim to a dungeon, not that they do especially of one that supposedly just popped out of existence between yesterday and today.

She would go approach the young woman who stormed off, but the countless glares discourage her.

"Miss Urania," Ethelrid turns to her senior. "I think it's time we leave for the mayor's office."

"Agreed."

Off to the mayor's office they go, but Serene spots a head of blue hair out of the crowd, and goes to approach them.

"Lord Sion!" Serene calls out.

The man startles and genuine surprise was his expression especially when his eyes found their blue robes.

"O-oh! The Blue Rose! What a surprise!" He stutters.

"Surprised? You asked us to come here."

"Did I? Oh, my apologies, must've slipped my mind."

His eyes shift uneasily, seeming to gather his words before he says, "Well, off to your duties now! I have a business meeting to attend to!"

He briskly walks away.

The girls turn to their senior in their confusion and Serene looks back just as confused.

"Let's head to the mayor's office for now. He'll know what we have to do."

The mayor's office is not far from the town square and as they enter the cool breeze from outside still greets them through the large open windows of the office.

Sitting in the middle of the office is the mayor himself, Oscar Sinow, as written on the plaque by his desk.

He does not seem pleased to see them but he stands out of politeness to greet them.

"Welcome to Ampora village. We have not been graced by the presence of the Blue Rose Knights before."

"We hope you will find your first time with the Blue Rose helpful, sir." Serene tries for a smile.

"I doubt that." Suddenly the mood became tense.

"What is it this time, oh Magic Knights? A survey? A perimeter? More punishments for trespassing on our own grounds?"

"Pardon?"

"Oh, going for the innocent strategy this time, are you?"

"I'm sorry, sir," Nina interjects. "But we don't know what you're talking about."

Oscar pauses and seems to be studying each one of the team.

"You're all quite young. Still so idealistic.

Hmph. You truly don't know what's going on, do you?"

"No, we don't, sir," Ethelrid replies.

He sighs heavily, and motions them to sit on the seats by the table.

"For years, the outsiders, the Sion family, took control of this village along with many others.

With their monopoly on selling goods with prices so low other merchants can't possibly keep up, they are forced to sell what little land and property they have left to the family themselves.

And the family turns those properties into mansions and most importantly - trading routes.

But of course, it wasn't enough for them, to the point that they began to covet our cultural heritage - a shrine dedicated to the first spring of this land. The spring that blessed us with clean, sweet water.

With only the treasure in our shrine in mind, they desecrate our sacred halls as if it's a simple market.

We could never sell those treasures even if we were starving, and here comes the Sion family taking them all as they please."

Nina's face was contorted in disgust and no small amount of rage. Ethelrid goes to place a hand on her shoulder.

"We of course protested against the Sion family, until they started hiring those purple bedecked excuses of a Magic Knight.

They hinder us from entering in our own shrine, saying its under the Magic Knights jurisdiction along with the artifact in it, and I said, 'Sir! There is no artifact, we all know too well, because it is our shrine! You have no jurisdiction here!'

And yet they still won't let us in. They even had the nerve to say they will be forced to use violence if we persist.

Persisted we did. And met with violence we were.

Even our strongest magic users were no match to the Magic Knights. So here we are, twiddling our thumbs helplessly as the fate of our own shrine is in the hands of outsiders."

Ethelrid suddenly stands up, recalling what the man said before they disappeared into the cave.

With any luck, this dungeon will be gone by tonight.

"We need to go before they destroy the shrine," Ethelrid urges.

-end of pt. 2-

pt. 1 / pt. 3

Ch. 1 / Ch. 2