#phoenix is new but it’s still the same blue as the primal phoenix

[laidlays]

MAGICAL RANGED DPS

Magic is fucking cool, man

The Magic DPS in FFXIV are all fairly varied in their own right, but I personally find that they range from deceptively hard to outright brainless, and it's no surprise who's in my last place if you've been paying attention.

Pictomancer

As of 7.05, Pictomancer remains the most overtuned, powerful caster in the game. It's a huge surprise that it hasn't been nerfed yet, but I cannot complain. Pictomancer's kit had a surprising free-flow style to it where most of what you're doing, as long as you understand why you're doing it, will contribute to the party. By its design it has one of the most committed cast times of all the Magic DPS and thus to make up for all the time NOT spent DPSing, your canvas magic makes up for in HUGE DPS. It's no surprise to see them top-DPSing on third-party tools. But like I said, it's a deceptively hard class. Between mechanics, juggling your canvases and building up Aetherhues to gain negative palette, you're constantly working up towards your burst until 2 minute hits and you release EVERYTHING you've saved up. And it feels fantastic. And its pseudo-leylines skill is extremely unique and rewards good playing and knowledge of the raid. Definitely the most well-thought out class overall.

2. Black Mage

The Great Sword of FFXIV made into a class. It boasts (what's supposed to be) high DPS with the tradeoff being long cast times and stationary playing. It's a class that rewards knowing the fight and understanding your kit well to be extremely effective in-combat and I hope they never change it. But it's one of those classes that you NEED to have community knowledge and guides on if you wish to be effective, otherwise you're dead weight. I think more classes should be this difficult and punishing if not played right, but that's just me. In Dawntrail, it's had a very rocky start and was recently changed to play like it did in Endwalker, which I am thankful for. But right now, its damage is pitiful for what's supposed to be THE premiere selfish DPS class. Still better than the other two on the list, but no where near where it should be for how much work you put in unlike Pictomancer.

3. Red Mage

Red Mage didn't exactly change much between Endwalker and Dawntrail. All of its new skills, just added onto the finishers and it still kept its utility as a pseudo-healer and situational resser (thank god). Ironically enough, of all the caster classes I feel that Red Mage is the class that has the least mobility. There's very few movement options that Red Mage has and outside of its finishers, you move very little unless you learn to slidecast. Probably my least played class not because it's bad, but because it has more fun alternatives for me.

4. Summoner

If Dancer didn't exist, this would be the most boring class to me, so we'll settle for second. Its Shadowbringers counterpart was full of an old and outdated design that also dealt with the infamous pet actions that didn't work most of the time. And yet, it was extremely engaging what with micro-managing your Summoned pet and taking in the power of Primals to do devastating damage. It was the first class in FFXIV that forced me to actually study how it worked, and I felt satisfied figuring it out. In Endwalker they had drastically changed it to better encompass the Summoner identity and at the same time reducing its kit to what's basically baby's first color identifier. I had held out hope that Dawntrail would have added more complexity because as it stood, it was a super bare bones class, but unfortunately it seems that they felt they didn't need to do any more to it than just add another phase and swap around Bahamut and Phoenix. To aptly describe the change would be the saddest fall from grace.

Bonus Stage:

Blue Mage

BLUE MAGE #1 STILL THE BEST FOREVER

In all seriousness, I like the role it's been put in by the community. Because none of the spells you learn are locked behind levels, its potential damage output is insanely high at any level, making it the perfect choice to farm Fates or old content with. It's the key reason why I'm even able to farm as many Aetheryte tickets as possible, making me save a LOT of gil, especially as a crafter and gatherer.

[happinessisbeyondmylevel]

HA: Ch. 8 Aaraghost

Chapter summary: Heather begins her training with Aaravos, gaining new arcana quickly. To aid her training, Aaravos offers her a lens with which to see him.

Prologue, Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3 , Pt. 4, Pt. 5, Pt. 6 , Pt. 7

“So, how does a Sunfire elf get the name ‘Heather’?” Aaravos asked.

Heather held one eye closed, sitting by a stream under the moonlight. “My father’s name is a pun, and so’s mine. I was found in a heather bush. My full name is Heather Bush Scorchmarkadopteddaughter.”

She expected him to laugh, but he didn’t.

“I see, so how does your father get his name?”

Heather smiled. “When he’d have temper-tantrums as a baby, he’d leave scorch-marks on the wall.” She really wanted to open her eye; it cramped her muscles to keep holding this permanent wink.

“That sounds amusing.” The caterpillar looked up at the moon. “It is ready.”

She lay down on the ground and the caterpillar peeled off the silvery gum from between her eyelids. It crawled back on to her ear and she opened her eye, sitting against a tree trunk.

In front of Heather sat a pale, glowing, midnight-blue male Startouch elf with long hair and the prettiest horns she had ever seen. Her eyes focused on his ensemble of robes and split in his top. Set in the centre of his chest was a darkened star; the symbol of the Fallen Star.

“That’s what you look like?” Heather asked, furrowing her brow.

He smiled. “Surprised?”

She shrugged. “How do I know you actually look like this?”

Aaravos laughed. “I would not lie to you, Heather, nor would I change my beauty.”

She sighed. “I guess I walked right into that.” She looked aside. “I feel even more insane now that I can see you. Not like talking to a caterpillar was enough.”

He chuckled. “I thought you wanted my guidance?”

Heather frowned. “I know. It’s just strange, I guess, talking to a bug.”

“I can imagine.” He smirked. “If it helps, consider it a familiar, something that will aid you for the time being, until I can physically be at your side.”

She nodded and leaned her head back. They were just a few days from Katolis and she was eager to meet Aaravos in the flesh. There was something about him she pitied. Perhaps it was the isolation he was in, or knowing that he went through the same transformation she was going through—but with a teacher who made him regret his love of magic.

Heather looked at the stars between the cluster of leaves above. She wondered what it was like to understand the star arcanum yet still be grounded.

“What are you thinking about?”

“The stars.” She eyed three stars in perfect alignment. “What’s the star arcanum?” she asked, looking back at the translucent figure in front of her.

“To understand something so vast is hard, and so every being who earns their stars has a different perception of the arcanum,” Aaravos said. “And even so, it takes years to figure it out.”

Heather sighed. “Okay.” She looked down at the ground, where Phil glowed among the dark grass and shadowy undergrowth. He pecked the ground, trying to find a bug to eat, but to no avail.

“What is your understanding of the Earth arcanum?”

She thought for a second. “I think... Earth magic comes from the land itself and takes form through minerals and plants and animals—even those that are connected to different primal sources. Earth is strong and balanced and can endure almost anything the sky, ocean and other primal sources can throw at it.”

Something sparked inside her as she said the words, like what she felt when Khonsu struck her with Moon magic.

Aaravos smiled. “You felt something, didn’t you?”

Heather nodded. “I feel... different again.”

“You know the Earth arcanum. You’re a fast learner, Heather.”

She looked down at her hands. “Will I look different?” she asked Aaravos

“There is only one way to find out,” he said, looking at the moonstone necklace around Heather’s neck.

Heather held the stone and stood up, walking over to the stream. She looked at her reflection as Aaravos walked into view in the corner of her eye.

“Are you scared?”

“I think so,” she said. “I don’t like change. Especially when I have no control over it.” She looked to him. “What if Papa changes his mind again? I don’t want to be all alone again.”

“Heather, he’s your father. He has a duty to care for you. He made his choice a long time ago, and he has accepted that so far, so let him deal with the consequences of it.”

“I’m a consequence, huh? Thanks,” Heather replied grimly.

“What I meant is that if your father won’t take care of you, he is evil and isn’t worth worrying over.”

Heather scowled at him and ground her teeth. How dare he say such things without even knowing Papa.

“And I’ll deal with him if he abandons his little Heather Bush again,” he continued, ignoring her glare.

She looked down. “Will he do that again?”

Aaravos paused. “Not from what I can see. He is truly remorseful for what he said and he has missed you greatly.”

Heather inclined her head, looking at her rippling reflection. “Thank you,” she breathed. She wasn’t sure why she was thanking him, but she felt she had to.

She carefully removed her necklace and held it in her hand. Strands of blue magic snaked from her skin into the stone, revealing her violet skin and patchy white and brunette hair. She looked down at her hands; they were peach, and her arms darkened to pink, purple and then violet at her shoulders.

Aaravos looked her over. “It suits you. And I’m sure it’ll look even better when your hair and horns changes. and not to mention your stars,” he complimented

Heather shrugged. “I guess.” she slid on her necklace again and looked over her shoulder, to the small glowing campfire beyond the trees. “We should get back,” she mused, looking at his apparition.

Raising her hand to her eye, she removed the frosted, circular lens from it and placed it in a circular coin-sized container filled with water. She closed the lid and turned around, retreating towards the campfire. She scooped up Phil. “What do you call that form?” she asked the caterpillar, placing Phil on her shoulder.

“Why? Are you going to give it a name like the caterpillar?” ”But Wormavos suits it,” she insisted. “I was thinking Aaraghost.”

Aaravos sighed. “Very well. If you think so.”

*-*-*-*

Heather looked up at the high walls outside of Katolis’ castle. Its walls were as tall as Spireville’s and it was well defended with human guards dotted every few metres on top.

“How are you feeling, Sparkles?” she murmured.

“Fine,” replied Aaravos.

“The days haven’t been too long for you?”

“They’ve felt longer than usual, and I’m sure they’ll feel even longer when you arrive at the castle and won’t know how to free me.” He sighed, and the caterpillar shifted its legs on Heather’s ear.

“I’m sure the Master Mages will figure the spell out,” Heather assured, raising her hand to stroke the caterpillar. She reached for her belt, pulling out the round metal container that held her lens.

“Not that I can see,” he said grimly, and Heather placed the lens on her eye.

She blinked twice and looked to her side, where a gloomy Aaravos sat upon his primal stead. “I’m sure it’s because Kalani hasn’t arrived and so they don’t know yet how to release you,” Heather said, trying to be comforting.

Aaravos looked from her to the ground. “At least I’ll be able to train you better while we wait. Especially with the Ocean arcanum you learned yesterday.”

Heather wished she were as good with people as she was with archery. She wished she knew how to comfort people.

“Besides a few whatever’s is nothing compared the last three centuries. And now that I have you to focus on, I’ll have company.”

She looked down. “I’ll try to be entertaining.”

Phil chirped for Heather’s attention. She looked down at him and he blinked up at her with big red eyes.

Heather picked up Phil and placed him on her shoulder-guard. “Phil says he’ll try and keep you company as well.” the phoenix hatchling settled down on her shoulder, tucking his wings in close to himself. “But until then,”—she looked up as they walked through the portcullis—”we have a castle to explore and a mirror to find.”

[secret-engima]

Hello again. I have another question regarding Nox-verse. I was scrolling through the tag (again) and I came across the adopted/adapted hc about death/near death scars noticeably glowing when near the crystal. And I was wondering, how does everyone react the first time Nox and Ardyn are close enough to the crystal for scars(and conspicuous non-scars) to be affected? Does anyone know what that means beforehand, or do the people who know about Ardyns scar figure it out based on context clues?

Ohhhhhhhhhh tricky question. Imma probably ramble buckle up:

-Setting aside the fact that Ardyn and Nox were NOT enthused with the idea of getting within four hundred feet of the Crystal, let alone close enough for the glow, the first sign of it is from Ardyn, because he has the most scars and his brand is more than happy to go off like a lightshow near the Crystal. They see the brand glowing the closer Ardyn reluctantly inches toward the Crystal and Regis’s stomach drops a little. He doesn’t make Ardyn go closer, and Ardyn is relieved to stop just on the edge of the effect, where it ... lights more than just the brand. The Brand is the only one that has a noticeable blue tint even in normal lighting, but this close older things, things the scourge mostly sealed up and ate away the glow of, start to shine too. This was the man who was tortured by LCs after all, a lot of his wounds were inflicted by LC hands if not magic-imbued weapons.

-It makes Regis feel ill, to see so many places where Ardyn glows through his layers and it makes Titus’s mouth thin in suppressed fury. They’ve seen his non-glowing scars, they “know” what Mors did to him (or so they think) but to see it outlined in magic like this is ... it makes it worse somehow.

-Then they notice that Nox hasn’t stopped. He’s getting closer and closer dragged on as if in a daze toward the Crystal, and with each step his magic unspools like heavy fog.

-Every step closer and the place on his back and chest, right over his heart and lungs and vitals, but especially where his skin is conspicuously NOT scarred, begins to glow like a beacon. Far brighter than Ardyn’s, because his was not just one strike to the heart, it was the Royal Arms, each charged with the magic of an entire lifetime.

-Ardyn is the one who bolts forward to catch Nox before he can actually get in touching distance of the Crystal, primally afraid of what might happen if Nox does, but by that point he’s so close Regis can see- can see-

-Blades. Ghostly outlines of blades. Like an armiger but WRONG because these do not spin about his son in Protection-Strength-Memory, these shimmer from his skin and out of his back and chest like some kind of macabre, horrific painting. Every breathe Nox takes makes the chest not-a-wound glow and dim and dim and glow like a faltering heartbeat, every shiver of his son’s lungs make the ghostly impressions of blades and shuriken and axes and maces shift, like they are still stuck in his skin, magic slowly dripping down from where they seem to enter his skin, like blood made of blue crystals, shimmering in rivers down his back and front in streams that are blue instead of scarlet but no less terrible to behold.

-Regis is horrified. Everyone is horrified. The silence as Ardyn gently pulls Nox back to a safe distance is thick with it. With the shock and regret and outrage (who would do this? WHO WOULD DO THIS TO REGIS’S SON?)

-The ornate sword (that looks both familiar and unfamiliar, its outline too hazy for Regis to quite make it out) stabbed straight through the center of Nox’s heart and out the other side takes the longest to fade and all Regis can think of is how Phoenix Downs work and how, if applied soon enough, they will heal the wound in its entirety, leave skin unmarred and good as new.

-Unmarred and good as new.

-Even if the skin was originally covered in older scars.

-Just like Nox and his conspicuous patch of untouched skin where smaller scars stopped short and the shape was a little too perfectly blade shaped to be natural.

-Regis feels like he’s going to be sick, and Clarus and Cor are not any better off. Axis all but vibrates at Nox’s side, spitting furious and holding it back only because Nox has that Look in his eyes, like he’s about to fall into a Quiet Week rather than just a Quiet Day and Axis doesn’t want to tip him over the edge.

-Nox sags quietly against his Uncle as the last ghostly blade slowly fades away, looks so very tired as Cor, ever the one to ask the questions no one else dares to, quietly demands to know what that was about. What that meant (because only the scars inflicted by an LC’s hand glowed on Ardyn, so what does it MEAN that Nox is even WORSE???)

-”There’s a price,” Nox whispers into Ardyn’s shoulder, carefully not looking at anyone in the room, “to magic. The deeper you go, the higher the cost. They ... they wanted me to go deeper. Always deeper. As deep as I could go. But when you go too far ... the price is more than anyone alive can pay.”

-Anyone alive. The implication is so clear Regis wants to break something. Wants to go out and wage war, level mountains, because too many things are clicking into place about his son, about how he always seems to understand his Uncle even though Mors died the same year Nox was born and couldn’t have laid a hand on Regis’s son.

-He knows how cruel the Ring of the Lucii can be. How the memories within can reach out and touch-burn-destroy the living if they so desire, has read the stories of prices too steep and crowns too heavy. And that is with the Ring acting as a limiter, a focal point for them that also serves to keep them in check so that only someone wearing the ring will be within their reach. How much worse for someone who is forced to dive so deep into magic without that buffer, without the ring that was forged after the Founder King rather than before, that they stumble across the place where those memories lurk? Without the Ring to prove their bloodline and keep the worst of the magical memories tempers in check?

-”Who are they?” Axis growls through teeth locked tight together fury. Because Nox would not have dived so deep alone. Even if he had not already admitted as such, there was no way a child could know or want to go that deep into magic. Someone had to have forced him. Driven him and pushed him and tormented him until he reached for every scrap of power his connection to the Crystal could offer and ended up grabbing too much and attracting the wrong attentions.

-Ardyn’s gaze flashes gold before he buries his face in Nox’s hair and Nox still won’t look at anyone as he whispers the answer Regis wanted to hear the least.

-”My family. All of them but Uncle.”

-And oh Regis has to lean against Clarus, has to grip his Shield’s arm with white knuckles to keep from either collapsing or screaming under the weight of his fury. Ardyn glances up for the briefest of moments, eyes an eerie, hateful gold and Regis can see Horrible Truth in the other man’s eyes.

-Nox was had been an orphan before Regis found him for a reason.

-Ardyn was that reason.

-Somehow Regis can’t bring himself to feel regret at the thought of it. Not with this evidence, not with the sudden meaning behind Nox’s not-scar.

-”Don’t make me go near the Crystal again. Please, Dad?” It’s the first time Nox has called him “dad” instead of “father” and in any other circumstance, Regis would celebrate. But right now all he can do is tentatively approach and gingerly wrap his arms around his son and his half-brother both, trying to convey without words that they would never go through anything like that again. Not while he still breathed.

-”Of course, Nox. Neither of you have to go near it if you don’t want to.” And he means it. Blast tradition into the ether Regis is never wants to see ghostly blades in Nox’s body or crystalline magic blood drip-drip-dripping down his shirt ever again.

[frogtownhobbies]

Frogtown Hobbies in Rossford, Ohio hosted a Starcity Games Invitational Qualifier on December 14. The format: Pioneer, the number of players: 39, the unbanned cards: still Oko and Nexus of Fate, unfortunately. Let’s dive into the results and see what can be gleaned from a bit of analysis.

As a reminder, Pioneer is Magic’s newest non-formatting competitive format and includes all cards from Return to Ravnica (October, 2012) forward. An interesting dynamic is at play between today’s hyper-fast exchange of information on the internet and the constant upheaval of near-weekly banlist changes as the format grows. Accordingly, two months in to Pioneer I don’t think anyone is sure exactly how “solved” the format is. Let’s delve into this quagmire of uncertainty and see if we can find any beacons of truth.

Tentative truth #1: Simic in general and Oko, Thief of Crowns and Nexus of Fate specifically were too strong for the format. 

Two days after this tournament Wizards of the Coast saw fit to ban these two Simic cards. For Oko, WotC cited the “nearly 60% non-mirror win rate” and high number of 5-0 league finishes of the Simic Food Ramp deck as well as the presence of Oko in “several of the other strongest decks” as their banning rationale. For Nexus of Fate the high number of league finishes was also cited as well as their assertion that “Simic Food Ramp was one of the Simic Nexus deck's only unfavorable matchups among top decks”.

    Well our tournament saw five players sleeve up some number of these banned cards and their results do give credence to WotC’s arguments. The total win rate for these 5 decks against the rest of the field was a hair under 70% (16-7) and two of the five made top-8 with two more in 9th and 14th place. Leading the pack and splitting in the finals was Raymond Perez on Simic Nexus.

Perez did not lose a match on the day, going 4-0 into double ID and splitting in the finals. Along the way he beat GB midrange, UG Food, UW Control, Izzet Phoenix, UW Control again (quarterfinals) and Izzet Phoenix again (semifinals). 

    The other top-8 player on future-banned cards was Santiago Lizcano on Simic Stompy who lost in the other half of the semifinals.

Here we see Oko augmenting a large creature plan and ensuring that whatever your opponent plays its going to be a smaller creature (as a 3/3 Elk) than your creatures. Lizcano went with the slightly beefier version of this deck, opting for 2 Ghalta, Primal Hunter and 2 Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig in the maindeck. He also gambled a bit that his first turn mana dorks would live, running only 20 lands to go along with 11 such creatures. I also want to point out that Lizcano successfully came back from 0-1-1 to make top-8, which is definitely doing it on hard mode. He lost to UW Control in round 1 before drawing with Jeskai Fires in round 2. He then rattled off victories over Mono Black Aggro, UW Control, Abzan Aristocrats (!), Simic Ramp and Red Deck Wins (quarterfinals) before losing to UW Spirits (I’ll get to that).

The other two players on Oko decks to make the top-8 were Justin Krieg (9th place piloting my version of Bant Walkers that I loaned him) and Dominic Mayhew (14th place with Simic Food Ramp). Was Oko too strong for the format? Almost certainly yes. Was Nexus of Fate too strong for the format? Possibly, but it’s also super un-fun to play against and to watch on coverage so its leash was shorter. I bid both of these cards adieu.

Tentative Truth #2: UW Control and Red Deck Wins are both good choices going forward and their matchup may provide the backbone of the format going forward.

    I’m lumping these decks together because they were the two most played decks on Saturday (8 UW Control and 6 RDW), both faired poorly against the Simic decks, neither one loses anything in the bans and because nobody seems to agree on the right way to build either of them. On the other hand, despite each taking one player to the top-8 they did not have the same level of results across the board.

    UW control ended up with a 47% non-mirror match win percentage (17-19) when you include Keith Duncan’s Esper Control list in with them (he finished 2-2 in non-“mirrors”). While that’s obviously not great is does include a 2-6 record against decks with Oko or Nexus which will no longer be around to prey upon slow control decks. One might think that presence of a large number of mono-red decks also contributed to the losing record but in fact RDW and UW control split their 8 matches against each other 4-4. Here’s Dustin Klopping’s top 8 List, but like I said earlier, there is a lot of variability between the 8 UW Control lists played on Saturday:

The one big thing that sets Klopping’s list apart are the full set of 4 maindeck Detention Speres. Along the way to the top-8 he beat Mono-Black Vampires, UW Control, Esper Control, RDW and lost to Simic Food Ramp before drawing into the top-8 and losing to Simic Nexus.

    Mono-red decks had much better results than UW Control, winning nearly 56% of their non-mirror matches. Like the control deck they did not do well against the Simic decks (but in only 4 matches [1-3]). The builds of mono-red were even more variable then the UW Control lists. Here’s Ben Vasko’s top-8 list that was designed by Cory Brannon:

We’ll have to wait and see how mono-red decks settle into the new post-Oko world. Does Hazoret make the cut? Earthshaker Kenra? Cavalcade of Calamity, Legion Warboss and Chandra, Acolyte of Flame (All used by Matthew Stinehart to take 10th place)? I don’t know but I feel safe in assuming that I will have to play against some number of mono-red decks at my next Pioneer tournament.

Tentative Truth #3: You want some spice? You can play some spice!

Behold, the other deck that split in the finals, Jonathan Jackman’s UW Spirits:

Jackman went 2-0 against banned card decks, lost once to mono-red (Top-9 player Ben Vasko in round 3) and beat Abzan Midrange, Gruul Aggro and Jeskai Fires. If you like blue tempo decks, this is probably the way to go.

Maybe paying for your spicy spells isn’t really your thing. How about Jyrik Fields’ Jeskai Fires:

Like Santiago Lizcano, Jyrik Fields also made top-8 on hard mode, starting out with a loss against RDW (Ben Vasko again) and that unintentional draw against Simic Stompy. He then beat RDW, Boros Aggro, Esper Control and Izzet Tempo before bowing out in the quarterfinals against Jackman’s Spirits deck.

Brennan McAlear proved that getting 3-power hasty flyers into play just by casting your spells is still a real way to win in Pioneer, making top-8 with Izzet Phoenix:

Brennan only lost twice on the day, both times to the now-banned Nexus deck. Don’t count this deck out in the new format.

Last but not least, we have this piece de resistance by John Mezinko, 5c Niv to Light:

Do you want to use Teferi, Time Raveler to cast Bring to Light at the end of your opponent’s turn and put a Niv-Mizzet Reborn into play, netting 4 cards including another Bring to Light? How about on the next turn casting another Bring to Light during the attack step to play a Time Wipe, kill all your opponent’s stuff and get your Niv Mizzet back in hand to cast again the next turn? This deck does stuff like that, it’s glorious. Like Brennan McAlear, Mezinko only lost to one player on Saturday. In fact, it was actually McAlear who beat him, once in rd 3 and another time in the quarterfinals. He beat Mono-Red twice and UW Control once so this is another deck to keep an eye on. Its obviously very customizable as well so adapting to a new metagame is probably reasonable but it may need a settled field to really optimize the list.

Thank you for reading, hopefully we’ll see you all at Frogtown’s next Pioneer SCG IQ on January 25th. Keep brewing.

       -Stephen K Timmons

[randomyetnot]

Goblin Me: Make More Floran, for Starbound and Wargroove Sane me: but.... what about everything else? Like, everything else you have going? Goblin Me: plantssssss

*new plants are below*

WARGROOVE:

Mountain Floran:

These Floran live up on the Cold snow-capped mountains. They wear furs to keep warm when not sunbathing, many have high stamina and high attention spans. Due to the way they hunt becoming more trap based. They aren't fond of humans and will attack them if they try anything, despite that, they do trade with some. Often having one or two Floran being the main ones to do the trading. Their most fearsome warriors preform that role.

Commanders:   Needle - Spiky foliage along her head and spine and arms. She doesn't wear furs cause they pull at her foliage more then others. Deep brown skin with dark green foliage. Groove -Pinched, long-medium charge time-  causes her to attack (in a tackling fashion) a targeted unit twice unless it dies in the first attack, with that, her groove stays charged but her turn ends. Causes slight damage to herself. (about 5-10%)

  Cedar - Brightbright green leaves. Foliage is similar to that of a western redcedar. She Is just a bouncy bappy. Rough, pale brown/grey skin and bright green foliage. Wears loose furs in the shape of a cloak and pants.  Groove -Sssnap!, -long-medium charge time- She enters a berserk mode that lets her move/attack up to three times in the same turn (i.e. move twice attack once. Attack twice and move. Attack three times). Activated in one turn then used in the next one.

  Hemlock - deep colors and mossy. He's probably the most scary both as a hunter and as one that deals with humans. Dark brown/grey with slightly mottled moss-like foliage on his head, down his spine, on his arms/legs. Wears enough clothes (fur shirt/pants/cloak and boots) to pass as human sometimes.  Groove -Snare, short-medium charge time- Summons a snare based traps (groove crits in forests and mountains placing down three snares instead of one) It hold an enemy still and makes them unable to retaliate damage/move during their turn. Once the effected unit takes damage, the snare it broken.

Greenfinger:   Tsuga - Is actually more based on mountain mosses. So Her foliage is cool. The Greenfinger has some intense skills in order to deal with the harsh land she lives on. Rough grey/blue-ish skin and soft, pale grey/green foliage along her head and arms/legs. Wears a simple fur skirt and cloak, sometimes a more decorative sash, and of course, a Greenfingers’ headdress.  Groove -Earth Shaker, long charge time- Shakes a large area around her, damaging all buildings except bases (like the treefort)

Wet-Land Floran:

These Floran live in the wet-lands. Maturing and forming a very (surprisingly) calm community. Their leader died before being able to train the new Greenfinger, so that task was passed onto the most calm and collected and skilled warriors. This Tribe has weaponized fishing tools.

Commanders:   Typha - Based on cattails. She Gets super fluffy sometimes, she also has whiskers. She can attack with one movement space between her and the targeted enemy (like the Amphibian units), cause she fights with a fishing pole like weapon. Is one of the two helping raise the new Greenfinger. Soft browns make up her colors scheme, wears fishnets over her shoulder and a skirt of leaves.  Groove -Reel, medium charge time- casts out her hook and drags an enemy closer to her. (there is a range)

  Tallow -This one is a powerful runner and swimmer, (i forget which flower I based him on...) His movement speed is naturally just a bit faster (he can go an extra square), and swim (keeps his own movement speeds though). Is one of the two helping raise the new Greenfinger. Wears a simple net tunic.  Groove -Kelpie, medium charge time, usable only in water/on shores- drags an enemy (must be a land unit) unit under the water to kill them.

Greenfinger (in training):   Cy -They are the Greenfinger of the village. Or at least, will be. They are being kept away from battles as of right now, because they do not know enough about combat or their own Groove. Pale brown skin with bright orange foliage or soft needles. Wears a skirt of fishnets.

Desert Floran:

These Floran seem a bit more animalistic in their appearance and actions, and are oddly tall despite the harsh place they live in. They are primal and act like it. Hunting and eating and fighting. Greenfingers might have power and be calmer, but that calm is trained right out of them. These Floran don’t really wear clothes at all, only doing so if they get cold or will be traveling for long periods of time.

Commander:   Sting -(honest, he's more based on a scorpion then a plant). Sting is a fearsome being. He hunts down anything that moves. Cleverly using the browns and greys of his foliage and skin to blend into the desert. He would eat other Floran, and maybe has. Hates humans. And hates Sedge. His scorpion-like tail contains a toxin that is actually worse for fellow Floran then for his usual prey. Wears a loose poncho when cold or traveling. Short for a desert Floran.  Groove -Poison, short-medium charge time- Uses his tail during attack and poisons the enemy unit. Their health will go down a certain percentage (varies from unit to unit) on their next turn. (example: Sting attacks a Soldier Unit. Soldiers' health goes down a normal amount, but then on the enemies turn, it goes down another 5%)

Greenfinger:   Tumble -She's wildly skilled with her whips and teeth. Hates humans and likes to shove the blame of things she and her tribe have done onto Sedge. Convenient that he showed up and took all the credit for raids. She’s a bit smaller then some of the other warriors (even smaller then Sting). Wears a loose cloak thing when cold or traveling.  Groove -Tangled Up, short charge time- Immobilizes selected enemy unit, maybe only be a land unit. 

STARBOUND:

The Phoenix Floran:   Cinnamon/Myrrh/Nardin -A Floran who smells strongly of the oils mentioned as their names (varies from name to name, with a slight hint of the other two) A floran who sets themself on FIRE to return from death. Their appearance varies from time to time (more often to fit the name they claim) And it's not like they even remember their past life.They just... know their name every time.

The Mountain Floran:   Nameless or Redwood -A Floran has lasted far to long. Grown far to long. They are a giant at this point. Scaring most around them. They live quietly, lasting only on water and sunshine at this point.

The Phantom Floran:   Gilia -A Floran assassin. He works any job given to him and has been caught before. He escapes and leaves no witnesses to how it was done. Soft, milky white skin, with pale brown scars; Foliage along his arms/legs and his head is a faint mint green-ish and his flower is pale pink-ish/purple. Eyes are black, but seem to have more colors depending on the light. He easily bruises.

[nadziejastar]

Lea and Isa’s Love Story Foretold By Luxord’s Tarot Cards

In many ways, Shamanism is the same as Alchemy. The latter concerns itself with the "transmutation of base metals into gold" as a metaphor for the process of spiritual enlightenment. And the Kingdom Hearts series draws heavily from Shamanism, especially in Dream Drop Distance.

I believe the creators included this secret message in 358/2 Days just for fun, as a hidden Easter Egg. Using the Alchemical Tarot deck as the foundation, this is my interpretation of the Fool’s Journey depicted by Luxord’s cards. It follows Lea and Isa’s entire journey over the course of the series, and it also foretells their intended love story so perfectly.

The Fool

The Fool – the alchemist beginning the Work – his blindfold equals ignorance – he is a naïve beginner and the rabbit is his guide

Gear: No Gear.  

Ashes: The ashes represent the Phoenix’s state after its self-immolation, but before it gains its new life.

New Moon: The New Moon, completely shrouded in darkness, is the end of the old lunar cycle and the beginning of a new one. Shaped like the alchemical symbol for antimony. The metal antimony symbolizes the animal nature or wild spirit of man and nature, and it was often symbolized by the wolf. Royal blue aura: clairvoyant; highly spiritual nature; generous; on the right path; new opportunities are coming. 

Major Arcana: The Fool is unnumbered because is a wild card of no value. In alchemy, the Fool is the soul who takes on the challenge of the Magnum Opus, the alchemical journey represented by the other cards of the Tarot. Thus, the number of his card is zero, which is both beginning and end. He is blindfolded to signify his ignorance of the basic principles of alchemy. He does not yet comprehend the Materia Prima, the first substance needed for the Work. 

In Alchemy, the “Materia Prima” or primal material is that which is left over after we have reduced matter into its purest essence. This is a powerful psychological symbol because it describes the internal process of arriving at a “core realization,” or in other words, becoming aware of the root cause of a belief or trauma within us. It exists everywhere, but the Fool does not recognize it or realize its value. As a result, he risks stumbling about in darkness.

Axel: “Well, I think you can be inseparable even if you're apart. It’s like, if you feel really close to each other. Like best friends.”

In different cultures from around the world, a white rabbit is associated with the Moon because it progresses through phases each month. The rabbit is also associated with transformation. It is timid, but can help us turn our weakness into strength. It symbolizes facing fears and then dealing with them. In many cultures it is considered a shamanistic guide. The alchemists use the rabbit as a symbol of Mercurius, the alchemical essence and the god of alchemy. The rabbit guides the novice alchemist into the interior of the earth to begin the initial dark stage of the Magnum Opus, the Great Work. 

These depths of darkness and unconsciousness must be charted for the Fool to lose his ignorance, and reemerge into the light. The white rabbit is the attendant of the shaman, the healer, and the one who holds the torch. I like that Saïx's Mystery Gear weapon is based on a white rabbit. It’s as if Isa takes this shamanistic journey together with Lea from the Realm of Sleep, acting as his spirit guide. And the colored aura only appears on Saïx’s weapons in his Berserk state, which is where I think his captured heart resides. It represents Isa’s true feelings, even while he is being used as a vessel for Xehanort.

Spiritual Meaning: The Fool shows us that everything we need to begin our spiritual journey, to initiate change, is within our grasp. We come into our beginning with the raw material of transmutation ready before us. If we place our trust in a higher order, we will be guided through the dangers and the darkness, into the light. We need only open our eyes and go forward with both awe and courage. 

Lea: “I want everybody I meet to remember me. Inside people's memories, I can live forever.”

Minor Arcana: The Ace of Swords shows a hand emerging from the clouds wielding a double-edged sword. This double edged sword carries a golden crown while being encircled by a wreath. The wreath has for a long time been associated with victory, success and great achievement. This card is all about new beginnings and possibly new ventures. You are open to embracing new ideas, craving stimulation, and you’ll jump at the next opportunity to learn something new. When the Ace of Swords appears in a Tarot reading, it tells you that now is an excellent time to start a new project. 

As an Ace, you are at the beginning of the journey, but you can sense the energy building up and can’t wait to get started. If you channel this energy into the right moves, then you will succeed in your endeavors. Just remember that the road ahead may be bumpy and you can expect challenges along the way. Maintain a success mindset, and you will navigate these hurdles with ease. I think this Arcana represents Lea and Isa at the very beginning of their journey---when they were still just innocent frisbee-playing boys simply wanting to sneak inside of a castle.

Color: Wherever the color grey appears in the Tarot deck, it is an indication of inner-knowing, higher knowledge and wisdom. 

The Magician

I. The Magician – Hermes, the god of alchemy and the Matter of the Work, containing all four elements – a messenger, gesturing, “as above so below,” indicating the way of Heaven on Earth

Skill Gear: Represents the Magician Arcana.

Doldrums: A dull, listless, or depressed mood. Or a state of inactivity or stagnation. Or the belt around the Earth near the equator where sailing ships sometimes get stuck on windless waters, caused by intense solar heating.  

Werewolf: A person who changes for periods of time into a wolf, typically when there is a Full Moon. Shaped like the alchemical symbol for antimony. The metal antimony symbolizes the animal nature or wild spirit of man and nature, and it was often symbolized by the wolf. Bright lemon-yellow aura: You're in a battle to hang on to power and control. Lemon-yellow signifies all types of fears related to personal power. 

Major Arcana: As master of the four elements, The Magician represents the Materia Prima, or the raw material that will be transmuted into the Philosopher’s Stone through the Opus. All four elements are contained in the Materia Prima, held in balance by the fifth element, Spirit, which is hidden inside. Through the Opus, the alchemist will bring what is hidden to the outside. The Materia Prima is often symbolized in alchemy by the classical god of alchemy and magic, Hermes. 

The Magician also represents skill, both physical and verbal. The Magician plies with confidence and ease. Verbal skills are the gifts of eloquence and entertainment; however, these skills also are the dark gifts of the Trickster, who fools and lies with words. The Magician also points to our inner self. In this context, positive qualities, self-worth and self-confidence, are emphasized. Other people are attracted to the engaging, entertaining Magician within you; they admire your skills. 

Spiritual Meaning: The Magician's place in the Major Arcana as Number One is the position of beginnings. Hermes takes you to the threshold of change, but does not lead you across it. That is the next phase of the journey. The Magician is a reminder that whatever we see in the manifest world contains a hidden divine essence; therefore, we are not to be taken in by shallow appearances, but must strive for deeper perception. For with The Magician, we have advanced from the naïveté of The Fool to the awareness of the initiate.

Roxas: “What's it like having a best friend, Axel?”

Axel: “Couldn’t tell you. I haven’t got one.”

Minor Arcana: There is no sugar coating the 10 of Swords. It is one of the saddest cards you can pull in the Tarot. The symbolism is very clear: on the card lies a man on the ground face down, and he has 10 swords in his back that have inflicted fatal pain. This is the Tarot card of ultimate betrayal, pain, deception, or heartbreak. It could also be the pain that comes with an actual death or loss in your life. The sky is dark; there is seemingly no hope to be found from this situation. This is the bitter end of something. What has been pierced with the sword cannot be brought back to life. 

There is a small break in the darkness of the clouds, suggesting that all hope is not lost. The message the 10 of Swords brings is that it's okay to go through this pain and feel your way through it---but don't get stuck there. The Sun breaking the black sky suggests there will be more Sun, once some time to heal from this grief has passed. The worst is over. Things can only get better. I think this Arcana represents the state Lea and Isa were in after they got experimented on and became Organization XIII members.

Color: Black is considered to represent unresolved, thwarted ambitions that have resulted in profound forgetfulness, as in cases where people lose sight of their purpose in life. When purple is seen on a Tarot card, it implies that guidance and assistance from the highest realm will be available. It also sometimes intimates a karmic situation and/or vital life lesson. Purple points to our spiritual selves.

The Star

XVII. The Star – Purification – the Siren of the Philosophers giving blood (suffering) and milk (nurturing) with the ladder of the planets above – the peace beyond blood red fear and milk white hope, calm, understanding, ascent

Tech Gear: Called Technical Gear in the localization.

Delayed Action: An aerial bomb designed to explode some time after impact, with the bomb's fuzes set to delay the explosion for times ranging from very brief to several weeks.

Artemis: The Olympian goddess of the hunt, the Moon, and chastity; in time, she also became associated with childbirth and nature. 

Major Arcana: The Star is the alchemical process of baptism, which is a purification in the waters of the unconscious. Purification is a discipline that enables us to alchemically transform our vehicles---our bodies---so as to provide our Soul with the ability to express and manifest itself on Earth. The Star shows that the spirit has been led through the depths of the unconscious, up to the gate to Heaven. The dove to the right of Sophia symbolizes the spirit that is released after its descent into the underworld. 

Spiritual Meaning: The Star represents a secure guide to a higher level of consciousness. It is the Higher Self emerging from the unconscious. The Star indicates a sense of balance and of well-being. It is the peace after a storm, the forgiveness after an argument. It represents the nurturing of the Great Mother: of ourselves, and of others.

Axel: “The three of us, we’re inseparable. You’re my best friends.”

Minor Arcana: In general, the 3 of Cups symbolizes fun. It is a very positive card. Maybe you will find yourself socializing just for the sake of it. The 3 of Cups wants you to let your hair down. When this card appears in a Tarot reading, causes for celebration are foretold in your future. There are exciting things to look forward to! It is a card of abundant trust and harmony. This card is also symbolic of healing, and it can indicate that any past problems are about to be resolved.

Friendship is the central theme here. Your friends are here to support you and lift you up. Celebrate with them and enjoy their camaraderie. When the 3 of Cups appears in a Tarot reading, you are encouraged to gather with your closest friends and have a good time together, talking, laughing, and sharing. Together, you give and receive the love, support and compassion each of you needs from one another. I definitely think this Arcana represents Roxas, Xion, and Axel’s friendship and the renewal of hope it provided Axel.

Color: Lavender is a calming color that is approachable and puts others at ease. When seen on the Tarot cards, lavender suggests inner-strength and wisdom to draw from. 

The Moon

XVIII. The Moon – Diana with her hounds representing the White Stone – rest retreat, anticipation, preparation, dreams

Dual Gear: Consisting of two parts, elements, or aspects. This is one of only two weapon types that can be upgraded to ++ status. I believe this is because the Moon Arcana is connected to the Sun Arcana later on.

Dive Bomb: “A weapon that boosts your Magic to give it incredible power”. (Fire Finish, Magic Finale, Magical Strike). To dive bomb is to attack something by swooping down on it. 

Luminary: “A weapon that possesses extreme Strength. Devastates tough enemies.” (Striker, Vitality Barrier, Guts). A natural light-giving body, especially the Sun or Moon. Shaped like Reiki, a method of healing using your aura.

Major Arcana: The card depicts Diana, who is always accompanied by her hounds. Cancer the crab, the Moon's native sign, rides in the sky. The dogs represent the passive and active principles: one is dark and sitting, one is light and standing. Diana holds the Waxing Moon while the Waning Moon is in the sky, for she rules over all the lunar phases. Her torch relates her to Diana Luciferus, whom the ancient Romans saw as the beacon of the night. She stands at the edge of the waters of the unconscious.

The Moon represents no alchemical process, but symbolizes The Moon, or the White Stone, which is a result of the purification of the baptism. The White Stone is the culmination of the Albedo, or whitening stage. It is not the Philosopher's Stone, but is the mother of the Stone. What is missing is the masculine seed. The Moon is waiting for her lover brother, the Sun, to join her in the final conjunction that will make the Stone. 

Spiritual Meaning: The Moon represents the night before the dawn. It is a time of patience, rest and reflection, in which the soft energies of the Moon compel us to enter the waters of the unconscious, the heart of mystery. As the embodiment of the White Stone, the Moon represents a level of mastery in which we are in control of our actions, because we are conscious of psychological influences that remain unconscious to others. We have been purified, and now enjoy freedom of choice in our activities, and patient acceptance of the activities of others. However at this level there can be a coldness or flattening of the emotions, because we still need to fully integrate our libido---our lower animal nature. And so we wait for dawn.

Saïx: “We have to set things right. There is simply too much on the line...Lea.”

Minor Arcana: In the 4 of Pentacles we see a man sitting down and holding onto 4 pentacles as if they are his last source of abundance. In a way, they are. This is a man that is fearful of loss. This could be a fear over losing a relationship, fear over losing status, fear over losing a job, or fear over losing money. When this card appears, you are clinging onto security for dear life. You may be unwilling to throw things away which no longer serve you any benefit. You will go through a period of clinging to what you have and not wanting to let go. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes we need to keep things close to our chest for security reasons. 

In a general context, the 4 of Pentacles can indicate that you are holding on to people, possessions, situations or past issues. It can be an indication that there are deep seated issues affecting you that you need to process and let go of. This card can indicate that you may be trying very hard to cling onto the people or possessions that give you a sense of security. You may be holding onto things in an unhealthy, possessive, controlling or toxic way or someone may be holding onto you in such a manner. It can indicate that you need to establish your boundaries or respect the boundaries of other people. I think this Arcana represents the conflict between Axel’s friendship with Roxas and Xion, and the feelings of attachment he still had for Isa. He didn’t want to let ANY of them go.

Color: Lavender is a calming color that is approachable and puts others at ease. When seen on the Tarot cards, Lavender suggests inner-strength and wisdom to draw from.

Justice

VIII. Justice – Disposition (in which the part are weighed) – the furnace connected to Heaven with the glyph for vitriol (the secret fire) on the sword handle – the process of weighing, truth, balance, justice, the law

Armed Gear: Equipped with or carrying a weapon or weapons.

Burning: Enters the black color scheme of the Nigredo stage. This stage represents death and decomposition.

Selene: An archaic lunar deity. Her equivalent in ancient Roman religion and myth is Luna, Latin for "Moon". Her symbol was a torch.

Major Arcana: Alchemically, Justice weighs fire and water; she balances the masculine and feminine principles. Her alchemical process is called disposition, in which the correct proportion of these elements are determined by weight before they are sealed in the retort. The hilt of her sword bears the alchemical symbol for vitriol, or "oil of glass," which is the secret fire. 

Spiritual Meaning: Justice solemnly reminds us that right action should be based on sound judgement, and truth. We must balance objectivity, her scale, with subjectivity, her sword. This balancing also is demonstrated in the composition of the card. Justice is structured (logic, objectivity), but she stands at the edge of water (intuition, subjectivity). In a higher spiritual sense, Justice is the weigher of souls. She assesses our progress along our the path of our work, and judges our actions. The divine fire in her crown, the eye of God, and the rising smoke tell us that in justice there are subtleties that are beyond our grasp. Sometimes, in the end, we must simply give her our trust. 

Xion: “It's for the good of everyone.”

Axel: “But how do you know that? Everybody thinks they're right...”

Minor Arcana: The Ace of Swords is a symbol of possibility in the area of intelligence, reason, justice, truth, clarity and fortitude. In readings, it shows that a seed of clear understanding has been planted in your life although you may not yet recognize it. When the seed sprouts, it could take almost any form. It might be a compelling idea, desire for the truth, call to justice, or a need to be honest. On the outside, it could be an offer, gift, opportunity, encounter or synchronistic event. Sometimes this Ace stands for a challenge that will test you in some way. Life never goes smoothly for long. Sooner or later a hurdle shows up, and the Ace of Swords can tell you when one is coming. 

This card is also a reminder to you to face your challenge, whatever it is, with courage, honesty and a firm resolve. In every challenge, there is opportunity. When you see the Ace of Swords, think about your problem objectively. Look for situations that are unjust or confusing and resolve to set them right. Above all else, commit to being honest and ethical. This card tells you that you do have the inner resources to overcome all obstacles and find the truth of your situation. That is the promise of the Ace of Swords. I think this Arcana represents Axel’s resolve to turn on the Organization and find Roxas.

Color: When green is seen within the Tarot deck, it is an indication that growth is taking place on many levels, and that through this growth, abundant harvests will be reaped.

The Hierophant

V. The Hierophant – he is the element Fire and exoteric spiritually – he is Hermes Trismegistus holding the Emerald Tablet, with feminine symbols on the left and masculine symbols on the right – he is what can be spoken, fought, or published, balance, and morality 

Chrono Gear: Relating to time.

Moulin Rouge: A cabaret in Paris that had a red windmill with a Sun and Moon design. Burned down in 1915. 

Moonrise: The rising of the Moon above the horizon, coinciding with the setting of the Sun. Shaped like astrological symbol for Vesta, a Roman Goddess known as the “Keeper of the Sacred Flame”. Brownish-yellow aura: feeling fatigued or stressed.

Major Arcana: The Hierophant plays counterpoint to the High Priestess. Hers is hidden knowledge; his is open. The Hierophant’s body and crown form a red triangle, the symbol of Fire, which is the final element separated from the others in the dissolution. The small figures at the sides of the Hierophant represent the Red and White Queen, who are being joined in sacred marriage. They are the earthly representatives of the celestial masculine and feminine principle symbolized by the Sun and Moon seen in the archways. Mediating between them is a candle flame, representing the Hierophant’s element, Fire. The red candle symbolizes the masculine spirituality--the Sol aspect of the soul. The white symbolizes the feminine, or Luna aspect of the soul.

Spiritual Meaning: The Hierophant tells us we have obtained wisdom in our quest of the Great Work. We are grasping the marriage of the principles of heaven and earth, spirit and matter, masculine and feminine---a union necessary for the synthesis of the Philosopher's Stone. We are in touch with both of those energies, and are capable of keeping them in balance. However, we have much yet to learn. The Hierophant's book is open, but it is long and deep. We cannot rest on our laurels. We must integrate the knowledge we've acquired, and continue our quest, for we stand at the threshold of the next major phase of the alchemical process. The Hierophant marks the end of the solutio, the dissolution of the Materia Prima into its four elements. 

Axel: “... He made me feel...like I had a heart. It's kind of...funny... You make me feel...the same....”

Minor Arcana: In Tarot, swords represent thoughts and mind. The 2 of Swords indicates that you are facing a challenging decision, but you are unclear about which option to take. Both possibilities may seem equally good – or equally bad – and you are stumped about which will lead you to the best outcome. You must be able to weigh up the pros and cons of each choice and then make a conscious judgment. Use both your head (your mind and the intellect) and your heart (your feelings and intuition) to choose the path that is most in alignment with your Higher Self. 

When someone gets this card in a Tarot reading, the message is clear: stop listening to your confused mind. Your thoughts are in conflict with one another, and this is not helping you. It's time to move on from what is making you suffer. Your heart knows what you should do. If you can trust your heart, you will move on to a much better, and healthier situation right away. I think this Arcana represents Axel’s moral dilemma about bringing Roxas back. Ultimately, he chooses to help Sora and Kairi at the cost of his life, and fades away.

Color: When green is seen within the Tarot deck, it is an indication that growth is taking place on many levels, and that through this growth, abundant harvests will be reaped. 

The World

XXI. The World – The goal of the Opus, the Phliosopher’s Stone, the Red Elixir of healing – the woman is the Quinta Essentia (fifth element) and the Anima Mundi (soul of the world)  – the good, the inner guide, the attainment of our goals 

Phantom Gear: A ghost of figment of the imagination. This is the other weapon category that can be upgraded to ++ status. It is the same Arcana as the Emperor at the very end.

Blaze of Glory: The Nigredo (decomposition) stage of the Phoenix. 

Astrologia: Latin for “the study of the stars”. Shaped like the astrological symbols for Cancer and Venus. Brownish-yellow aura: feeling fatigued or stressed.

Major Arcana: The World brings us to the culmination of the Great Work. Alchemically, the world is the final red stage, the Rubedo, in which the red Philosopher’s Stone is formed. The stone, symbolized by the heart, is composed of pure spiritual essence, the heart or soul of the world (Anima Mundi), which is personified as the nude woman in the center. 

The Anima Mundi has been with us guiding us all along; we could not be alive unless this was so. She was with us when we were the Fool in the beginning. We are still that same fool now; the only difference is that we have dropped our blindfold and have become conscious of her for the first time. Now we are aware of the infinite creative potential that was here all along. 

Spiritual Meaning: Because it has been placed as the final point and in the position of fulfillment, The World indicates a major realization. On the other hand, if the card appears at the beginning of a reading, it is not in its rightful place and becomes an imprisonment. It will represent a difficult beginning.

Saix: "He won nothing, and IS nothing. He couldn't stand the emptiness of being without a heart. And THAT led to his demise. He was foolish and weak."

Minor Arcana: The 3 of Pentacles reveals a successful beginning towards achieving your goals. It is a sign of encouragement that you should press on with the same effort without giving up. You may struggle to accomplish your goals as an individual, but the 3 of Pentacles also teaches people not ignore the talents of the others that surround you. You need the collaboration of others, with diverse viewpoints, experiences and expertise to accomplish something more than you could have ever dreamed of. The 3 of Pentacles is one of the cards in the Tarot that focuses on the group. You don’t have to do it all by yourself. 

This Arcana represents the final moments of Axel’s life as a Nobody. The Phoenix has reached the Nigredo stage, which represents the dark night of the soul, where all hope seems lost and the individual confronts the shadow within. Nigredo is that moment of maximum despair, that is a prerequisite to personal development. Eventually the Nigredo gives way to the Albedo. The ever deepening descent into the darkness suddenly becomes illumination from above.

Color: When green is seen within the Tarot deck, it is an indication that growth is taking place on many levels, and that through this growth, abundant harvests will be reaped.

The Joker  

The Joker: Perhaps due to the Joker’s early association with the Tarot Fool, or perhaps based on the archetypal symbolism of the Jester/Joker/Fool, the interpretation of the Joker bears close resemblance to that of the Tarot Fool.

Pandora Gear: Pandora opened a jar left in her care containing sickness, death and many other unspecified evils which were then released into the world. Though she hastened to close the container, only one thing was left behind---hope.

Prominence: "A formidable weapon with exceptional capabilities." (Fire Finish, Critical Boost, Alive ‘n’ Kicking). A large, bright red, gaseous feature extending outward from the Sun's surface, often in a loop shape. Shaped like a swastika, symbolizing the Sun and the harmonious interplay of opposites, beyond the limits of space and time.

Crocea Mors: "A formidable weapon with exceptional capabilities." (Chain Time, Heart Bonus, Vitality Surge). Latin for "Yellow Death". Was the name given to Julius Caesar's sword. Yellow aura: The color of awakening, inspiration, intelligence and action shared.

Major Arcana: The Joker can represent surprises and unexpected events outside of the seeker’s control. The Joker can represent foolish behavior or immaturity. The Joker can indicate secrets, hidden agendas, or that not everything is as it appears to be in the area where it falls. Like The Fool, the Joker can denote folly, eccentricity, and poorly considered actions. He can represent originality, or the beginning of an adventure or quest. He is an independent spirit, complete within himself. He is guided by the forces of nature, and the wisdom of The Universe. 

Lea: “You know what? I'll bring 'em back myself.”

Ienzo: “Huh? How, exactly?”

Lea: “Why do I always get stuck with the icky jobs?”

Minor Arcana: The 10 of Wands is the card of hard work. When this card makes an appearance in a Tarot reading, you can be assured that there is much work to be done. The 10 of Wands usually pops up in outcome or future positions. It means that, in the future, you’re going to have to put a lot of effort into whatever you’re reading doing, more than you are currently. Down the line, you’ll have to make the decision if you’re going to knuckle down and complete the challenge or throw in the towel when it gets too much. The 10 of Wands isn’t telling you what you’ll do; it only serves as a warning that things are about to get very difficult. Your life is going to be tougher than usual for a time. 

You will have to fight uphill for every little gain. Each step will feel like a struggle. When you see this card, be kind to yourself. Lighten the load wherever you can, and let others help you. You don’t have to handle everything yourself. Whether your burdens are chosen by you or have come upon you, the message of this card is to keep on keeping on. The end of the road is near, and the Sun is waiting to shine on you when you reach it. This card represents Lea’s situation after he is re-completed. He still has a challenging road ahead of him to regain everything he lost.

Color: When the color red is seen within the Tarot cards, it indicates that action will be required. When yellow is seen on the Tarot cards, it indicates that intuition and intelligence will come to the fore in order to find a solution to a problem or issue. It also indicates positive outcomes.

Temperance

XIV. Temperance – Distillation – capturing the process of evaporation and precipitation and nurturing the rose of perfection – health, beauty, balance, art, timing

Climb Gear: To ascend. Represents distillation.

Prometheus: In Greek mythology, a Titan, culture hero, and trickster figure who is credited with the creation of man from clay, and who defied the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humanity, an act that enabled progress and civilization.

Crater: A large cavity on the surface of a planet or the Moon, typically one caused by an explosion or the impact of a meteorite or other celestial body. Shaped like the symbol of Mercurius, god of alchemy. Magenta aura: Strong, bright and vibrant and carries with it a sense of vivacity. Represents ‘Universal Harmony’.

Major Arcana: After Death, we enjoy the nurturing of new life, symbolized by Temperance, who is the sustainer of all life. She allows us to integrate the lessons of the Nigredo stage. She is the mother aspect of the Great Goddess, and underlies the Anima Mundi, the masculine aspects of which are the mundane world. The alchemical process of Temperance is distillation: a liquid is poured from one vessel to another as a kind of a welcome relief. It is the extraction of material from its solution by forced evaporation. It is the oldest and most fundamental stage of alchemy---the whole process is continual distillation.  

Spiritual Meaning: Temperance represents the continual life process. The key meaning of the card is renewal, a balancing of dual forces, and an achievement of harmony that lies beyond conscious control but simply is. Temperence is mistress of nature and its rhythms, and perfection is her goal. She is calm and centered, and maintains her steady rhythm in the face of storms and upheavals. Temperance reminds us that there is a higher order, a higher functioning, to all that occurs on the mundane plane. We can tune into this higher consciousness, and thus see a bigger picture, and become buffered from the upsets on lower levels. Temperence is also related to the word "temper," which means to make strong. Temperence can help our fortitude.

Xigbar: “You’re not supposed to be here!”

Lea: “Promises to keep. I'll always be there to get my friends back.”

Minor Arcana: The 7 of Swords in general, is said to be about betrayal and deception. It is sometimes called the 'Thief' card. In a general context, it represents deception, lies, trickery, cheating and lack of conscience. This card also signifies mental manipulation, tactics, scheming, cunning, enemies who masquerade as friends and spies in your camp. It represents escaping detection and getting away with something. It is a card of dangerous or risky behaviour, daring, courage and staying ahead of the game. 

On a more positive note, the 7 of Swords points out that you need to be strategic in what you do. It can also represent flexibility, adaptability, sharp wit, and resourcefulness. You know you cannot do everything at once – nor should you. Instead, you must prioritize what’s important to you and direct your focus and attention on the few tasks that will move you closer to your goals. At any rate, as disappointing as this card can be to see in a reading, the deception is usually short lived. Nobody is able to carry away 7 swords and get away with it. So although the party may feel smug about it at the time, it's about to blow up in their face.

Color: When yellow is seen on the Tarot cards it indicates that intuition and intelligence will come to the fore in order to find a solution to a problem or issue. It also indicates positive outcomes. When violet is seen on the Tarot cards, it implies a deep spiritual understanding and the wisdom and knowledge of an old soul. White is a combination of all the colors within the light spectrum. It is considered to be a color of purity, truth, knowledge and illumination. 

Often, when the color white is seen on the Tarot cards it implies new beginnings and new ideas and opportunities coming from a higher place and plane. This is the also the very first card that does not feature any black on it. I think it’s because this is the moment that Lea realizes that Saïx was never really Isa---he’s been duped. Isa was being used as a vessel for Xehanort the whole time.

The High Priestess

II. The High Priestess – begins the separation of the elements – she is Water, esoteric spiritually, intuition, a secret, or something that cannot be spoken – her book has the triangle of Water but it is the color of Fire.

Elegant Gear: Pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.

Ifrit:  A class of infernal djinn, also held to be a death spirit drawn to the life-force (or blood) of a murdered victim seeking revenge on the murderer.

Lunar Phase: Shaped like the star of Shamash (god of the Sun) and Ishtar (goddess of love). Magenta aura: Strong, bright and vibrant and carries with it a sense of vivacity. Represents ‘Universal Harmony’.

Major Arcana: The High Priestess represents Water, which is an archetypal symbol of the unconscious. She acts as the messenger that surfaces from the unseen depths, bringing our inner wisdom to our conscious awareness. She expresses what cannot be expressed in words, our intuition. Thus, her book os closed ans she is silent. The symbol for Water is on the cover of her book, but it is the color of Fire. Her Moon, which waxes an wanes -- the rhythm of life -- symbolizes the highest expression of female spirituality; it is the origin of all mystery traditions. She is Luna, the feminine aspect of our hermaphroditic soul.

As her part in the Opus, she initiates the process called dissolution in which the Materia Prima is broken down into its four separate elements. Two elements are masculine, two are feminine, and they are grouped to form two pairs of lovers. The High Priestess and the Hierophant are Water and Fire, the spiritual couple often symbolized by the Moon and the Sun. The Empress and Emperor are the physical couple, Earth and Air. They are symbolized by the White Queen and the Red King.

Spiritual Meaning: Two is the number of openings, because two halves create a space between themselves -- the image of a doorway. The High Priestess opens the door for us to probe the mysteries that lie beneath our experiences. She encourages us to look for what is hidden -- to read between the lines, to find subtleties and nuances. This is the card of intuition, dreams, and esoteric knowledge.

Lea: “And if the darkness gets ya, I promise I'll bail you out. "Dark Rescue" is my middle name.”

Minor Arcana: The Ten of Pentacles deals with permanence and satisfaction. The card shows that everything you have put your efforts into for a long time will pay off in the future. It suggests that everything will work out well in the end - for you have always kept the long term picture in view, choosing to take no shortcuts. Your legacy is sure to stand for quite a long time to come. This is a relief, for the path to get here has been filled with setbacks and challenges, making this point of the journey even sweeter. 

It is an exciting card to see no matter what you're asking the Tarot about. It is most definitely a YES card when it arrives. You are about to get exactly what you asked for in the way of success when this card appears. You are going to have all of your dreams fulfilled. This Arcana represents Lea summoning his Keyblade, the Flame Liberator. I think Lea awakened the power to use it after finally learning that Isa was just a vessel the whole time. He wants to liberate his friend and get revenge on Xehanort.

Color: When yellow is seen on the Tarot cards it indicates that intuition and intelligence will come to the fore in order to find a solution to a problem or issue. It also indicates positive outcomes. When violet is seen on the Tarot cards, it implies a deep spiritual understanding and the wisdom and knowledge of an old soul. 

The Tower

XVI. The Tower – Greater Separation of the red and the white – the beginning of the Albedo (second white stage of the Opus) – breaking, separation, sudden change, expulsion, divine intervention, sudden insight

Wild Gear: Lacking discipline or restraint.

Magma Ocean: Existed during periods of Earth's or any planet's formation when the planet is completely or partly molten. Also occurred on the Moon during and following its formation. Shaped like a yin-yang.

Crescent: Shaped like Black Moon Lilith, the dark side of the female psyche. Soft blue aura: Peacefulness, clarity and communication; Truthful and intuitive.

Major Arcana: The Tower represents the oven of alchemy in which the elixir is prepared. The Tower card represents a breakthrough from the darkness of the Nigredo. Spiritual illumination in the form of lightning--divine intervention--strikes the oven, cracking it and threatening to destroy it; simultaneously, the black sky of the Nigredo is cut in two by the white light of the second stage, the Albedo. 

This is a moment of shattering intensity, at once exhilarating, but also threatening. If the oven cannot withstand the illumination, all may be lost. The intensity of the strike separates the solution within the tower into the masculine red and the feminine white. The white liquid will form the White Stone to make silver; the red liquid will form the Red Stone to make gold. This second separation is called the greater dissolution.

Spiritual Meaning: The Tower signifies a breakthrough, a sudden inspiration, a flash of creativity, or an opportunity that must be seized. It may also signify an upheaval in life, such as the loss of a job, a change in relationship, or an unexpected move. However, The Tower shows strength; though the furnace is cracked, it does not break. Thus, if the card points to disruption, we can be secure in the knowledge that we have the security in life and relationships with other people, that will enable us to weather it successfully.

Ansem the Wise: “Sora has a heart like that--uncorrupted, willing to see the good before the bad. When he sees the heart in something, it then becomes real. When a connection seems broken, he may have the power to mend it.”

Minor Arcana: The 2 of the Pentacles is the card of indecision, internal debate, and doubt. When this card shows up in a reading, it always indicates that something in the situation is "up in the air." It can also indicate that you are trying to find or maintain balance between various areas of your life. This card represents the ups and downs of life, and indicates that you are resourceful, adaptable and flexible enough to get through them. The 2 of Pentacles also relates to your physical life and it can suggest that you are finding it all a bit of a struggle at present.

This card counsels patience, so do not allow yourself to be rushed. The figure-eight image is a symbol of immortality and eternity. Its message is "No need to hurry. You have all the time you need to work this out, no matter how things appear right now." Implied within this scenario is the idea that changes are in the works, but you will do better to stay calm until you have more information. Everything is in flux at a time like this. I think this Arcana represents Lea confronting the apprentices and finally learning the whole truth about Isa and the experiments. Then Lea begins his training as a Keyblade wielder with Kairi.

Color: When blue is seen within a Tarot card, it most often denotes a time of reflection, using the mind productively and healing the soul. It is a positive expression. White is considered to be a color of purity, truth, knowledge and illumination. Often, when the color white is seen on the Tarot cards it implies new beginnings and new ideas and opportunities coming from a higher place and plane.

The Hanged Man

XII. The Hanged Man – Calcination (in which gold is sacrificed) – the serpent is Mercury – willing sacrifice, suffering, loss of money or position, discomfort, illness

Ominous Gear: Giving the impression that something unpleasant or threatening is going to happen.

Volcanics: Shaped like a swastika, symbolizing the Sun and the harmonious interplay of opposites, beyond the limits of space and time.

Gibbous: The phase just before the Full Moon. The home-stretch. Soft blue aura: Peacefulness, clarity and communication, truthful, intuitive.  

Major Arcana: The alchemical process of the Hanged Man is calcination. Calcination is represented by a man hanged from the gallows. In hanging upside down, the Hanged Man is losing his gold, which represents the loss of worldly possessions, self-esteem, or our sense of the role we play in the world. The patiently suffering man is suspended over fire or another corrosive agent, symbolizing matter being to reduced to white ash. The crucified serpent is Mercury, which must be sacrificed to complete the Work.

Spiritual Meaning: The Hanged Man represents a fall in terms of ego or self-image. It may also represent the loss of material things. Do not despair, for such is necessary in order to transform the lower nature into the Higher Self. Self-esteem can be repaired, and material things can be replaced. Inevitably, we must go down before we can go up, and while we hang in limbo we can contemplate our errors and determine how to transcend them. The alchemical literature states that the alchemist must sacrifice some gold to make the Philosopher's Stone. And so it is with us on the mundane plane. The question is, how long will you remain suspended? The choice is yours.

Axel: “I told myself to grow up and stop wishing for the impossible. Well, I’m done with that. That’s not the answer I want.”

Minor Arcana: The 7 of Cups says that you are indulging in wishful thinking, fantasies or living in a dream world. The card shows a person with their back turned towards us, contemplating 7 images that are creeping out of the cups, all of which are floating in the clouds. This card appears in Tarot readings when what you desire has no relationship to your ability to actually get it. It refers to works of the imagination, the use of dream and vision to invent a future different than the life one is currently living. The seeker might find it difficult to see clearly what is the best option forward. It might feel better to daydream than to live in reality. 

This card is a reminder that although it is good to have dreams and wishes, it is even better to take action to attain those dreams. At some point, you will need to stop fantasizing and face the reality of life. It may show that your actions are guided by illusions that you feed yourself. You will need to separate what is real and what is not so that you can make better choices. This card asks you to examine your tangled feelings. Where are you caught up in mesmerizing fantasies? Where are you tricking yourself into thinking you’re progressing when you’re really just going in circles? There may be a need to sort out what is just smoke and mirrors and what is productive.  

Color: When blue is seen within a Tarot card, it most often denotes a time of reflection, using the mind productively and healing the soul. It is a positive expression. White is considered to be a color of purity, truth, knowledge and illumination. Often, when the color white is seen on the Tarot cards it implies new beginnings and new ideas and opportunities coming from a higher place and plane.

Death

XIII. Death – Putrefaction – the dark vessel of the Nigredo – the end of anything, decay

Brave Gear: Ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

Blaze: "A weapon that possesses high Strength. Useful against tough enemies." (Defender). Refers to putrefaction.

Berserk: "A weapon that enables your attacks to reach a wide area." (Defender). Wild or frenzied. Shaped like the alchemical symbol for antimony. The metal antimony symbolizes the animal nature or wild spirit of man and nature, and it was often symbolized by the wolf. The color of Phosphorus, indicating spiritual illumination.

Major Arcana: After we have finished our suspension as the Hanged Man, we are ready for a new beginning. That brings us to mortification: Death, in which the physical Lovers die so that they can be reborn. The alchemical process of Death is putrefaction, in which the composite material is dissolved (putrefied) in heated moisture. One method to accomplish this is to grind up the matter, moisten it and place it in a humid oven. The celestial essence will then separate from its elementary composition. Literally, the matter rots and stinks. Spiritual Meaning: Death is necessary in order to have a new beginning. We must allow the old to pass away so that we can usher in the new. Initiation into mysteries involve the death of one's old self. We see this necessary death also in the myth of Moon deity, who dies every lunar cycle in the New Moon and is reborn again. This death and rebirth is the essential theme of the alchemical process. We go through many deaths in life, every time a phase or cycle comes to an end. Spiritual growth always involves endings and beginnings. The trick of keeping steady on the path is knowing when it is time to let go, and allowing Death to claim it. Mourn and give what is passing its due, but don't linger in the grief. Something new and better is rising on the horizon.

Axel: “As long as we remember each other, we'll never be apart. Got it memorized?”

Minor Arcana: When the Ace of Swords appears, we have the arrival of a new and powerful beginning in your life. There is a breakthrough of sorts, such as an “Ah Hah!” moment in the situation when you see this card. This card also brings with it the message of truth. So when you see this card, know that along with it comes a message of truth and clarity. Finally you see the light on a key matter, or a key matter has finally restored its balance. You have a surge of power with this card and are ready to wield your sword to yield benefits and blessings in your life.

The Ace of Swords is all about clarity of mind and clear cut thought. It is a card about new beginnings. This card also predicts quick and forceful action. If you put in the effort and devote yourself 100% to the task at hand, there will be a swift outcome. Great determination is usually predicted with the Ace of Swords, so you’ll have the extra stamina you need to get the job done. You will eventually triumph and get results quicker than anticipated. This Arcana represents Isa’s heart within Berserk Saïx coming to an important realization, and refusing to kill his best friend. 

Color: When the color orange is seen on within the Tarot cards, it often indicates a time or situation that will require action, intuition and courage.

The Hermit

IX. The Hermit – Exaltation (an enhancement) – the alchemist following the footsteps of the Anima Mundi, with the ouroboros (serpent of time) and the raven of the Nigredo (the first black stage of the Opus) – meditation, solitude, inner guidance, the desire to be alone

Fearless Gear: Bold and courageous.

Raging Edge: "A weapon that possesses very high Strength. Effective against tough enemies." (Defender, Striker). Showing violent uncontrollable anger. Shaped like a mandala of the Third Eye chakra.

Twilight: "A weapon that enables your attacks to reach a wide area and deal heavy damage." (Defender, Offensive Block). A period of obscurity; the time period between the light of day and the darkness of night. The color of Phosphorus, indicating spiritual illumination.

Major Arcana: In alchemy, Saturn represents lead, and rules the Nigredo, the dark phase that he journeys through in the trumps. This is signified on the card by his black companion, the raven. His alchemical process is exultation, in which the Materia Prima, now recombined and balanced, is dissolved into a purified or higher degree of itself. This process is another aspect of the Ouroboros symbol. It is also an analogy for meditation, The Hermit's practice, which can be described as a turning inward to raise consciousness. 

Spiritual Meaning: The search for truth can be a long and solitary journey. When the path is not clear, we may wander a bit, but we have divine light to guide us. We've come a long way on our path, and are at the end of a segment of the journey. Now it is time for solitude, meditation, and introspection. We must turn inward to examine where we have been and gain perspective. We must integrate the wisdom we have acquired during our journey.

Xemnas: “Ah, ever the rogue pawn. Knocked from the board early in the game. Utterly useless and forgotten. Now it ends. I will purge that light in you…with darkness!”

Minor Arcana: In the 4 of Cups card we see a man on a grassy knoll type of setting. He has three cups in front of him and behind him there is a cup being offered with the outstretch of a hand. But he does not see this. His arms are crossed and he is focused only on the 3 cups before him. The symbolism in this card then is, he can have more, if he just opens his mind to the possibilities around him. He is so busy focused on the 3 in front, that he loses opportunities that are around him, without him even realizing this.

The 4 of Cups involves boundaries of a mental or emotional nature. It concerns self-examination of how and why we feel the way we do, and exactly what we hope to achieve. It can indicate feelings of claustrophobia, and uncertainty. Perhaps the real issue is not clear yet. This card might suggest taking time to identify and resolve conflicting emotions about an issue before trying to resolve it. This is the time for contemplation, introspection, searching for understanding, self-awareness, and solitude. After Saïx refuses to fight, Xemnas shows up and attacks Lea. Saïx would have to look within his heart in order to take action.

Color: When the color orange is seen on within the Tarot cards, it often indicates a time or situation that will require action, intuition and courage.

Strength

XI. Strength – Fermentation – the female virtue controls the Green Lion (the destructive aspect of Mercury) – control through love, self control, discipline

Glory Gear: High renown or honor won by notable achievements.

Crowning: "A weapon that possesses extreme Strength. Devastates tough enemies." (Defender, Striker, Grand Slam). Shaped like a mandala of the Crown chakra. Refers to the crowning sphere of conjunction: the final spiritual stage of alchemy.

Queen of the Night: "A weapon that enables your attacks to reach a wide area and deal immense damage." (Defender, Offensive Block). Refers to a white flower that blooms under the Full Moon. A reference to the White Queen. The color of Phosphorus, indicating spiritual illumination.  

Major Arcana: The virtue Strength is equated to fermentation, a process exemplified by the Hermit, by which the alchemists believed a spirit entered the body of the matter, bringing it to a higher form. Strength is also the virgin aspect of the threefold Great Goddess. The virgin is the only one who can tame the unicorn, which is interchangeable with the lion in alchemy. The lion represents our untamed animal nature, our libido. The virgin represents our Higher Selves. The Higher Self tames the lower animal nature through love. Thus, Strength holds a flaming heart, the symbol of love. 

The Sun and Moon are the higher aspects of the Lovers. They pour the masculine and feminine alchemical fluids into a heart vessel. The green lion refers to antimony. The alchemist Valentine noted that antimony has the ability to free gold from impurities, and he concluded that it had the innate power to have a similar effect on humankind. Valentine also noted that antimony is poison, but can be transmuted into pure medicine. Antimony also is the best source of mercury, but it is young and imperfect. Thus, green is the color of beginnings. 

Spiritual Meaning: This is a card of inner strength. Our animal nature, our libido, is the source of our strength and vitality, but similar to the lion it can be dangerous, and demands respect. Like the woman in the picture, we can tame the lion, and make its strength our own. It then becomes our mount as we give it direction. But the word "tame" is misleading; the woman does not overpower the lion -- he has more physical strength than her --her power, as is ours, is love. She loves the lion, and the lion loves her back, therefore he does her bidding. Power comes when we love ourselves, and to totally love ourselves, we must love our animal selves.

Isa: “I know I won't forget you. Believe me, I try all the time.”

Lea: “See, I'm immortal!”

Minor Arcana: The 2 of Cups symbolizes the beauty and power of sexual attraction between two people. This is the card couples want to be dealt. It represents the union of any two entities. The 2 of Cups represents a happy and blissful pair, strengthened by the union of unconditional love. Each individual is bringing love to the table with pure intentions and a pure heart. In the 2 of Cups, we see two lovers joining forces, each bringing a cup of love to the table. Many Tarot readers consider this to be a Twin Flame card, so if you see this card appear, expect that your Twin Flame will make an appearance in some way. 

When this card is present, so is committed and unconditional love that flows blissfully between the pair. When Xemnas is about to finish Lea off, Berserk Saïx (NOT Xion) would finally have to take action and defend him from Xemnas’ attack. In this Arcana, Saïx’s weapon is named “Queen of the Night”! This weapon’s only abilities are “Defender” and “Offensive Block”! Because of his heart’s unwillingness to obey orders any longer, he’d be deemed useless. At last, he’d be free of Xehanort’s heart and control.

Color: When the color orange is seen on within the Tarot cards, it often indicates a time or situation that will require action, intuition and courage.

The Lovers

VI. The Lovers – the action of love – the elements recombined in the Minor Conjunction ---sex, attraction, coming together, partnership

Crisis Gear: A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.

Ferris Wheels: Most likely named after a Ferris Wheel at Disney California Adventure named the Sun Wheel. 

Balsamic: Soothing or restorative. The phase of the Moon on Isa’s jacket. Shaped like the symbol of Mercurius, god of alchemy. Purple aura: The most sensitive and wisest of colors. This is the intuitive color in the aura, and reveals psychic power of attunement with self. Black aura: Usually a sign the person is holding on to powerful negative emotions, such as long-term grief.

Major Arcana: The Lovers are the Red and White Queen depicted in a sexual embrace. This card represents the sexual union of the couples. At this point in the Opus, the dissolution of the Materia Prima is complete, and the elements need to be recombined. The Lovers marks the first step towards this reunification, called the first or lesser conjunction of the masculine and feminine principles. The greater conjunction occurs during the last stages of the alchemical Opus. 

This lesser conjunction takes place in a sandbath and the Queen’s and the King’s spiritual essences, depicted as Sol and Luna, observe from the sky. It was also called the “Alchemical Wedding”, and it was depicted in the texts as a wedding ceremony, or more often as a consummation of marriage. By the end of this stage, the Lovers are killed so that they can be resurrected in an exalted, spiritualized form and transformed into the Philosopher’s Stone.

Spiritual Meaning: The Lovers signifies joy, the fulfillment of our desires, sensual pleasure, and ideally balance between the male and female aspects of our personalities. The Lovers are in harmony with each other, and therefore with the entire physical world. But until more depth is gained, their harmony can be disrupted by the natural tendencies of desire. 

Axel: “No matter how many times you leave, I’ll bring you back. Every time. For my sake and for yours.”

Minor Arcana: The message of the 4 of Cups is a reminder that things aren't always as they seem, and we are to look around us for the obvious opportunities that are there. These opportunities may not be directly in front of us where we are most inclined to look, but that certainly does not negate their possibility or presence. Sometimes we go through our lives expecting things to be a certain way or turn out a certain way, like the man is staring at the three cups before him stubbornly. Sometimes our aspirations are realized in the form of a fourth cup, offered in a place where we can not immediately see it. 

That is the message of this card. Focusing too much on our expectations, rather than our reality, will close us off to opportunities that could yield abundance. If this card appears, the message is to uncross your arms, and open your mind to other possibilities in the situation at hand. Chances are, the answer is around you, but you will only be able to seize the day if you open your eyes to the full picture, and not just what is in front of you. I think this Arcana is when Lea would have to figure out some way to use the power of waking on Isa.

Color: Pink is most often associated with happy memories and brings us in touch with good times from long ago. It indicates the elements of love, forgiveness and our emotional endeavors. When pink can be seen within the Tarot cards, matters of the heart often prevail. 

The Chariot

VII. The Chariot – Sublimation – the wheel with the internal sun is his goal, the three glyphs in the wheel are, left to right, Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury (the three alchemical essences and the three parts of the chariot) – speed, impatience, travel

Omega Gear: The twenty-fourth, and last, letter of the Greek alphabet. Also the last of a series; the final development. 

Burning Out: The Albedo (purification) phase of the Phoenix.

Orbit: Purple aura: The wisest and most sensitive of colors. This is the intuitive color in the aura, and reveals psychic power of attunement with self. Black aura: Usually a sign the person is holding on to powerful negative emotions, such as long-term grief.

Major Arcana: In the Chariot, we find the progeny of the Lovers---their son---setting off on his alchemical journey; a hero's journey. The Chariot is turned away from the viewer as if inviting them to step onboard. This trump is designed to represent the alchemical process known as sublimation. In sublimation, a substance goes directly into a gaseous state when heated, bypassing liquefaction. It ascends to the top of the alchemical vessel, where it condenses. Sublimation is often equated with impatience. It is an improvement in quality, but the alchemist must not be hasty about the process.

Spiritual Meaning: The Chariot shows us what can happen when we become impatient. Alchemical heating is a patient process--the alchemist should not add too much heat too fast. As we draw closer to the Stone, we glimpse it, and want to get to it as quickly as possible. It has always been hidden from view---now it is in plain sight. But getting there, to spiritual wholeness, is not a fast process. We must check our impulse to charge off, and proceed more slowly and carefully. We must stay centered. The Chariot offers us exuberance, energy, ambition, and willingness to take on a challenge. These are good traits that can serve us well, as long as they are properly managed and tempered. The long distance traveler knows how to pace himself, so as not to burn out before reaching his destination. 

Axel: “Love is what happens when there’s something really special between two people.” 

Minor Arcana: To understand the 2 of Cups, all you have to do is look at its image. A man and a woman are gazing at each other, ready to share their cups--their emotions. Here is the very picture of romantic and sexual attraction. The energy between these two is almost palpable. The 2 of Cups shows the beauty and power that is created when two come together. This is the card that lovers want to see, and, in fact, the 2 of Cups is the Minor Arcana equivalent of the Lovers in many ways. It is a card about the recognition of love. 

It is about gazing into someone's eyes and realizing that you have made a deep and lasting connection, or even found your soul mate. This card is about an affinity with someone on all levels and the union of two people who are very much in love. When the 2 of Cups appears in a Tarot reading, you need to look for the one-on-one connections in your life. This is the time to join forces, not the time to separate or stay apart. It is the time to join with another and work as a partnership. If you are in conflict, look for truce and the chance to forgive and be forgiven. 

Color: Pink is most often associated with happy memories and brings us in touch with good times from long ago. It indicates the elements of love, forgiveness and our emotional endeavors. When pink can be seen within the Tarot cards, matters of the heart often prevail.

The Sun  

XIX. The Sun – the Greater Conjunction – the Citrinitas (the third yellow stage of the Opus) – spiritual love, soul mates, marriage, enlightenment

Hazard Gear: A danger or risk. 

Omega Trinity: "A weapon that lets you string together longer aerial combos with wider reach." Refers to the Tria Prima: Sulfur, Mercury, and Salt.

Light Year: "A weapon that offers high Strength and combo reach." The distance that light travels in one year. Refers to a very long distance. The color of Phosphorus, indicating spiritual illumination.

Major Arcana: The yellow Citrinitas stage begins with The Sun. This is the most important part of the Opus. The mystical transformation happens as the spiritual Sun rises to join his lover, the Moon. The Sun and Moon are the souls of the Emperor and Empress, and are here joined in the second or greater conjunction, or sacred marriage. After this, the physical couple are resurrected to join them. All four elements can now take their place around the Anima Mundi on the last card, the World. This occurs as we reach the final stage, the Rubedo, or reddening. Here, at last, the red Philosopher’s Stone is born. The circle with a dot in the middle is the alchemical symbol for gold, and is also the hieroglyph for Ra, the Egyptian Sun god, whose names means "Sun" or "day." Indeed, a new day is dawning. 

As Sol and Luna, they are joined under one crown, the symbol of domination and mastery. They have reached the goal of the Great Work. The alchemical process represented by the Sun is multiplication, or the production of the Philosopher's Stone. The alchemist reaps what he has sown. The operation is performed by the Stone itself, not by the alchemist, who allows it to happen. Essentially, the substance has been killed and burned in the earth, and now is reborn and multiplies like grain. The power of projection is multiplied to infinity, beyond time. In the mystery of Osiris, the Egyptian god of the underworld (death and rebirth), grains of barley were placed on a coffin. When the grains sprouted, Osiris was said to have arisen. 

Spiritual Meaning: When all four aspects of our personalities--anima, animus, persona, and shadow--are integrated, we can experience the Higher Self, which is both our center and our collective whole. In this state we are motivated and inspired by our desires, but have the maturity to see the yearnings of our soul that are at their root. We have gained the patience to remain unattached to the outcome of our quest -- to manipulate no one, and the strength to simply do what is called for in the present.  

The dawn, or the aurora, is a state of radiant health and well-being. We are cleansed of the past as we bask in the healing rays of the new Sun. This Sun is the internal illumination, that previously we were too blind to see. It dawns when we bring our masculine and feminine sides, our animus and anima, into unity and balance. It is also the ripening of the White Stone as it is reddened by the fire of our animal nature, the Devil.

Roxas: “What is it that you're so afraid of?”

Riku: “...Losing something that's important.”

Minor Arcana: The Sun has the same Minor Arcana as The Moon from earlier. The 4 of Pentacles is the card of possessions. If you get this card, you are trying to hold onto what you have. You’re trying to grasp it with all your might and not let go. This interpretation can apply to not just physical things, but also emotional things like relationships. You know you want your lover and you are unwilling to let them go. The message from the 4 of Pentacles is that you are hanging onto something out of fear. There's nothing wrong with that. We all hang onto things for fear of losing them.

This is not an action card, but a card of you pulling everything close to your chest in an effort to maintain control and stability. It often takes great discipline to do so, and so the theme of discipline is also present when you see this card. When this card appears, the message is to have a look at your environment. Ask yourself what it is that you are so afraid of losing. It may not be a bad idea to relax your way about life, as this card brings the message that you have nothing to worry about at all. 

Color: Pink is most often associated with happy memories and brings us in touch with good times from long ago. It indicates the elements of love, forgiveness and our emotional endeavors. When pink can be seen within the Tarot cards, matters of the heart often prevail. When yellow is seen on the Tarot cards it indicates that intuition and intelligence will come to the fore in order to find a solution to a problem or issue. Yellow is also associated with The Sun Tarot card which encompasses its love of life.

The Devil

XV. The Devil – Coagulation – the red dragon is the Devil, the hermaphrodite of the King and Queen is his captive – the bad, vice, enslavement, Hell, bad habits

Raging Gear: Causing great pain or distress.

Outbreak:  “A weapon that lets you string together longer ground and aerial combos." (Combo Boost, Chain Power, Chain Time). The sudden or violent start of something unwelcome. The Citrinitas (awakening) stage of the Phoenix.

King of the Night: "A weapon that lets you string together longer aerial combos with wider reach." (Chain Power, Chain Time, Heart Bonus). A reference to the Red King. Soft blue aura: Peacefulness, clarity and communication. 

Major Arcana: Finally, the Devil represents coagulation, in which the gross qualities of the substance are made obvious so that they can be washed away. Matter is reduced to a solid state in a homogeneous body. That body is comprised of the Lovers, who have united the masculine and feminine principles into the single form of the hermaphrodite. They must now coagulate in darkness while awaiting rebirth.

Spiritual Meaning: Gnostic philosophers maintained that matter entrapped spirit, and equated it with evil. The Devil represents this imprisonment---enslavement to our baser instincts, the negative side of our libido, what Jung termed the shadow. This can manifest as a state of anger, jealousy, or fear. It can trap us in an addiction. Or, at its worst, it can lead to destruction and violence. However, our libido is also the source of our vitality and strength; it governs our very survival. Our shadow is only that part of ourselves that we have not integrated. It is only evil when it remains unconscious. 

When we are unaware of this part of ourselves we can project these negative traits on others. Then, thinking that we are good, and the others are evil, we can do our worst, as in war. Each side, thinking that goodness and God is with them, unleashes death and destruction on the other. When we make our desires conscious, we can choose our behavior ourselves. We can probe superficial desires and discover that at the root of our desire, is the longing for the unity that we call love. When we find this greater source of satisfaction, our issues drop away, as well as the illusion of separation.

Axel: “I didn’t forget you.”

Saïx: “Yes...I know. You wouldn’t do that.”

Minor Arcana: The 10 of Pentacles is always a welcome card in any reading, as it represents a cycle coming to an end in your life that will be very fulfilling. This is a long-term stability card. It is an omen for success, no matter what your current lot in life is. Your spiritual journey has led you to this point, where you have manifested that which makes you truly happy and fulfilled in your life. 

I think this is when Lea would have to fight Shadow Isa as a boss fight, similar to Shadow Aqua. This would have been the perfect time to incorporate the idea of jealousy. Personally, I never got the impression that Saïx himself was jealous of Axel’s other friendships. He was genuinely cold and indifferent to Axel. But Shadow Isa would be a totally different story. His heart was captured, but it was still always there, subconsciously affecting Saïx’s mood and his reactions to events. His heart would be aware that Lea has other friends. Isa is all alone, though. Even as a human, he didn’t open up to anyone except Lea. 

Saïx: “I sacrificed everything for you. You’re the one who went off and made other friends. Left me in the dust. I lost...all sense of purpose.”

I tweaked his dialogue a tiny bit, but I can definitely see Isa’s shadow self saying these things.

Saïx: "Do you know what happens to those who lose their true purpose? Inevitably, they destroy themselves."

If Lea is to heal Isa’s pain, he would have to confront and accept his dark side, and assure him that he never forgot about him. Which is true. He didn’t. He thought Isa forgot about him. Axel felt like the Isa he knew was long gone. But he told Roxas that he couldn’t bear to lose his memories of the past---his memories of Isa. In his memories, the Isa he knew would live forever, and they would never be apart. Lea had a lot of pain, too. I think once Lea told Isa this, it would finally allow him to “face his fears”.

Color: When yellow is seen on the Tarot cards, it indicates that intuition and intelligence will come to the fore in order to find a solution to a problem or issue. It also indicates positive outcomes. Unlike typical black, deep velvety black can actually bring about an intense sense of healing that cannot be penetrated by the other colors. 

The Empress

III. The Empress – she is the White Queen and the element Earth – sensation, attraction, fertility, and the feminine principle

Valiant Gear: Possessing courage or determination.

Double Edge: "A weapon that provides versatility by boosting both Strength and Magic." (Fire Finish, Magic Bracer, Guts). Having two cutting edges. Shaped like a mandala of the Third Eye chakra.

Moonset: "A weapon that offers high Strength and ground combo speed." (Combo-Jump, Striker, Vitality Surge). The setting of the Moon below the horizon, coinciding with the break of dawn. Pink aura: Loving, tender, sensitive, sensual, artistic, affection, purity, compassion; new or revived romantic relationship.

Major Arcana: Alchemically, the Empress represents the alchemical vessel, which nurtures the creation of the Philosopher's Stone. She continues the process of dissolution of the Materia Prima, begun by the High Priestess. In mythology, Mother Goddesses are portrayed as having three aspects: virgin, mother and crone; birth, life, death. The Mother Goddess creates life, nurtures it, and destroys it, ensuring the unending cycle of all things. Thus, the threefold Mother Goddess is the mother of the physical world. Spiritual Meaning: The Empress signifies the potential to bring forth great abundance, the bounties of life, a spiritual flowering. She is grounded in the earth, and therefore in the material world, which helps us keep our center as we probe the spiritual planes. However, we cannot take this abundance for granted. The alchemical womb must be watched and tended, lest it abort, and we be forced to start anew.

Axel: “Oh yeah...”

Roxas: “Got it memorized?”

Axel: “The promise of two best friends.”

Minor Arcana: The 2 of Swords often appears when you are not willing to accept some truth about yourself or the situation. What are you really feeling? Are you resisting tender feelings because you might be hurt? What are you refusing to look at? The most common barrier is a closed heart. When we cut ourselves off emotionally, we sever the connection that allows our love to flow outward. Sometimes this action is necessary, but it always comes at a great price. It is a double-edged sword.

Every time we close off our heart, we find it more difficult to open again. Another barrier between people is a deadlocked situation. When two parties are set in their positions---cut off from each other---there is a stalemate. To break it, the “opponents” must come out from behind their swords and listen to each other. The lesson of the 2 of Swords is that barriers are not the answer. We must stay open if we are to find peace and wholeness. This Arcana represents the choice Isa will have to make. Will he face his fears and return to reality with Lea---a reality where he could potentially experience more pain? Or will he go back to the unconsciousness of sleep, which is free from pain, but cuts him off from experiencing love?

Color: When the color orange is seen on within the Tarot cards, it often indicates a time or situation that will require action, intuition and courage.

The Emperor

IV. The Emperor – he is the Red King and the element Air –  thinking, intelligence, authority, and the masculine principle

Ultimate Gear: The best achievable or imaginable of its kind.

Rapid Spinner: "A weapon that provides versatility by greatly boosting both Strength and Magic." (Fire Finish, Magic Finale, Grand Slam) Shaped like a mandala of the Crown chakra. The word “chakra” literally means “wheel” or a ”circle”, at the same time emphasizing on the function. One can say that a chakra is a ”whirlpool.” Refers to the crowning sphere of conjunction: the final spiritual stage of alchemy.

Horoscope: "A weapon that boasts superior Strength and ground combo speed." (Grand Slam, Critical Boost, Damage Control) Shaped like the astrological symbols for Venus and Cancer. Pink aura: Loving, tender, sensitive, sensual, artistic, affection, purity, compassion; new or revived romantic relationship. The gold in the middle signifies the completion of Magnum Opus.

Major Arcana: The Emperor is a classical nude wearing a gold and ruby crown and holding an eagle. He is the Red King, the mate of the White Queen. The White Queen is the symbol of feminine physical energy and the Red King is the expression on masculine physical energy, which correlates to the element Air in the dissolution. Whereas the Empress is the expression of feminine energy grounded in the physical, the Emperor is the expression of the masculine physical. In addition, he represents the element of Air, which in turn symbolizes intellect. Thus, the Empress is the body and the Emperor is the mind. 

Spiritual Meaning: The Emperor grounds us and stabilizes us. He establishes his firm domain over the physical realm, ruling with a keen intellect and confidence in his powers. Yet, he is linked to the otherworldly dimensions that must be traversed not in body, but in spirit. He keeps us anchored while we penetrate those uncertain frontiers, giving us a lifeline before we feel ready to let loose our earthly bonds and fly.

Xion: “Riku. What do you wish?”

Riku: “More questions... All right... I wish...to recover something important that I lost.”

Minor Arcana: The 3 of Pentacles is a card of growth and development. It is symbolic of hard work that is finally beginning to pay off. It suggests that any planning is starting to bear fruit and ideas are coming to fruition. This card is also indicative of recognition for hard work. You may find that all your previous efforts will finally be rewarded with the recognition that they deserve. The Three of Pentacles is an encouragement that you are on the right track. 

As you implement your plans, you will realize that you have the skills, capabilities and resources you need to accomplish your objectives. You are competent at what you do, and you are making progress. Keep going! The people around you appreciate you and your efforts, and notice the quality of what you do. You don’t need to scrap something and start again. Continue what you’re doing. This is a positive card to have in your spread, particularly if you have been working hard lately. This Arcana represents true success. After using the power of waking, Lea would return with Isa to the Realm of Light.

Color: When the color orange is seen on within the Tarot cards, it often indicates a time or situation that will require action, intuition and courage.

[plxgue]

The Seamster and The Shade

Every deity could tell you about the horrors of the shade. They could- whether or not they would be willing to is different.

But one thing still stands; The shade is violent. It is seething, uncontrollable , vicious evil and anger. It sees no dragon as different from the other- it only sees them as prey.

But, some dragons have a charm to them, and maybe it was just the part of the shade that fell. Maybe one part managed to escape the anger of the rest of it, and fall from the shadows and onto Sornieth.

It fell far, and it fell heavily. It crashed into the earthly shadows with a rumble, and out of fear, took the shape of an egg, gathering rocks to cover itself.

He was born in the earth clan- an egg taken from the parents nest, an egg placed. He hatched under their care- and they didnt see him as different. Most of their other hatchlings had the same darkness to their scales and wings.

He grew up there- more parasitic then a normal hatchling. He fed off of what he could, an unnaturally strong hatchling. His parents paid still no mind though, giving thanks to the earthshaker for blessing them with this child, and giving thanks to the plaguebringer for a physically strong hatchling.

Though, it wasnt long before they found out.

It was a late evening, a while after the flameforgers festival had ended. He...couldnt remember what happened exactly, but before he could defend himself, he was being forced out of his clan. His parents didnt stop- possibly the angriest that something they had raised, had put love into, was nothing more than an embodiment of evil.

He wandered the shattered plains for days, his claws worn and eroded at the tips. His teeth stayed sharp though, and he reverted back to a more primal form of shade.

He started to eat whatever he found- from plants, meat, seafood- even dragons themselves. He became violent, brutal, seething hunger, just like what he had fallen from.

Until he found Porodica.

He found himself chasing the tundra that was leading him through the desert for nearly a day, its white fur sticking out against the red sands. Its was faster than him- longer legs, and more lithe from years in the scarred wasteland.

He chased it all the way to the clan grounds- which stretched a good distance. There, he was stopped and detained by the guards and warriors, whatever it took to stop him.

Of course- he didnt go down without a fight. He gave even the strongest warriors a few nasty scars, but it was eventually Movie who brought him to his knees, using his magic.

The tundra watched as this happened, eyes troubled as if he couldnt quite figure out something. His wings flared slightly, a bit spooked from being chased, even if he should be used to it.

The piece of shade was taken to the darker parts of the caves, where only dragons with nightvision and lights, and Prophet could see. He, had none of those, and instead spent his time there curled into a corner.

Meanwhile, above the ground, a new dragon was welcomed. He was built as all guardians from the southern ice field were- stocky and made to keep warm. He was decorated in both lace and cowboy-like outfits, a seamster.

This dragon was welcomed with open arms- hadnt chased any other dragon or attacked any. He was also easy to make friends with- and had soon become friends with Lupo, the starguide(and Tundra who had been chased, but the Seamster didnt know that), and another dragon know as Hoka.

He had an ache for more friends, and it wasnt long before Cri trusted him enough to venture into the darker caves- which he gladly did.

With Phoenix guiding him by the light of his tail, and the burning fires, and Bird following close behind, he stepped into the caves.

His icey blue eyes stuck out slightly in the shadows, but it wasnt long before they came across Prophet.

The seamster? He saw this as a perfect place for a workshop. He begged and begged Prophet, and was finally allowed to carve a tunnel, and at the end of that, a room for his workshop.

He soon built a small fire, Phoenix often running errands and gathering what he could. His many materials were stored on shelves made of pretty stones, and flowers were planted in planters. They never lasted long- but he enjoyed them while they were there.

Soon enough though, he came across the skulking shade.

With no food, with no water, with no matter, it had become weak. Its ribs showed through the black dragon skin it harbored, and its brown eyes had gone dull. Its wings were scrawny.

He took pity on the creature, and for some reason, the creature seemed to take pity on him aswell. It was enough pity to not kill the dragon for food- as the Seamster brought him back to the workshop.

It took shelter in the warmth of the fire, as the Seamster convinced Phornix to bring the poor thing food.

It took a while, but Phoenix finally did, bringing down quite a bit of food to feed the shaded creature.

The seamster was thankful- and it wasnt long before the shade was well fed.

The seamster was glad- and he countinued on with his work, not minding the large creature that would hang around in the edge of his vision, or in the darkened edges of the room.

The shade though? It felt the tear in its heart patching, like the Seamster would patch up outfits and such. Where the hole came from his whole clan betraying him, after he thought he was living as a part of them, a new part blossomed, one with a sense of companionship for the Seamster.

It began to bring flowers when he was allowed above- bringing down roses of all colors and sizes. The Seamster ended up using some of the darker roses to make it an outfit, of white lace and black roses, much like his own.

The shade was thankful, and soon, it's new home became the den of the Seamster. It became the Seamsters loyal protector, and the Seanster felt the feeling of protecting your charge, just as it had been described to him as a hatchling.

[arrogance-is-my-middlename]

Walking the Old Paths (And Charting the New)

Ideas on the new subclasses, how each class reacts to it, what they mean, all that jazz.

 “The Light, you shape it, you tool it, that’s what a Hunter does y’know? Everything is about efficiency and necessity when you’re out in the wilds, and nobody knows that better than a Hunter.”

There was a time before the Dancers. Before Arc was remade to become a blade so sharp it hurt to touch, it was crutch to lean on. They say the Arc Light is Life, you know? Every living thing has a spark or two of Arc in it, even the Planets. And yes, the Planet lives you idiot, don’t question it. You’re still wet around the ears, stop asking questions and just listen, ok? Look, back in the old days, when we were all Risen and the Iron Lords were the only thing keeping people from slitting each other’s throats, we weren’t assassins. Traveler knows we had enough killers roaming wide, and subtlety wasn’t an art anyone but the Nightstalkers had any idea of. Naw see, back in the day we used to pull up these great big staffs, cross the field in a second and show the Fallen and their gimpy little spears what close quarters really meant. We would get refugees to towns with just the Arc light alone, just our staffs and that tingly pretty blue Light keeping the darkness at bay. And when the City was starting to come together? Take a hot guess who it was who brought in all them people. Cus it sure as shit wasn’t the Titans, they couldn’t move fast enough to get to the poor sops who were so far out into the Dead Zones they hadn’t seen anything but hostiles in generations. Warlocks were too busy trying to build every Golden Age defensive precaution back into action so we weren’t all killed before the Walls were built. So it came down to the Hunters. The Nightstalkers, especially Takanome and her Rangers, they would scout miles ahead and mark the safe paths with these flowers and tether anything that looked at ‘em funny. Gunslingers would walk in, talk the talk, get as many willing people on board as possible. When it was time to dust off and leave, the Arcstriders would pick up their staffs and lead the way. I remember one guy, he took one swing with his Arcstaff and sent 10 Fallen flying. Kid he saved held onto his cloak the entire way home. Imagine that huh? A kid clinging to an Arc Hunter. Yeah, those were some days, Greenhorn. After that though, wasn’t much need for the wandering protectors. There weren’t any crazy mass exoduses like that for centuries until… well, you know. Bladedancers came about right around then. Gunslingers and Nightstalkers have always walked the same path, probably always will. But Arcstriders were protectors of the travelers too weak and too tired to protect themselves. No more travelers, no more Arcstriders. The Dancers came in, and Arc Hunters get the big ol’ scary assassin title slapped on ‘em. Slip into the shadows, reappear halfway across the room with a knife full of arc and boom everyone’s dead and Zavala is calling it a wrap. Those were the Dancers. They knew all the dirty tricks that came with wet work. They could Blink better than half the Warlocks in the Tower, hide as well as any Nightstalker, and their knives made Strikers think twice in the Crucible. Different style for a different time, you know? But now the Red Legion is here making a fuss and you know…. I haven’t seen a Dancer since Ghaul reared his ugly mug. All them Arcstriders came right back, like they never left. Changing times, kid. Just remember, whatever you pull out of the light when you finally do figure it out, you’re a Hunter. Whether you fill a crowd with Solar bullets or tie em down with Void, or hell, if you’re full of Arc and pull our staff, just remember: it isn’t the stupid glowing ball in the sky you’re fighting for. You’re protecting all those people behind the Wall, and that is why we’re here. Don’t let the wilds make you forget that, Greenhorn.

 “Complacency is every strategist’s worst nightmare. You get lazy, you get stupid, and soon your impeccable strategy is crumbling to bits and the rug has been pulled out right underneath you.”

You understand why we have the Shield now, right? A lot of it has to do with the Firebreak Order. They had a single rule, the Firebreak Calculus. It asked, how much good would I do if I find the right place to fight and die? I’m sure you can see where this is going. It optimizes the efficiency of a Guardian, of a Titan, up until their dying breath. They were fearsome for it, moreso than any of the rest of us could ever hope to be. Even the Pilgrim Guard, with all their fire and fury for those outside the walls could not hold a candle to the Firebreak Order. It was why we failed so spectacularly when the Red Legion swept through our City, and it is why we carry a Shield now and forever. We thought ourselves safe in the City, on top of our walls with all our guns and a host of battle-tested Guardians who had held off so many invasions for centuries. If six of us could slay the Taken King in his own throne room, what could an army bring? Hubris. There is no other name for it. We fell to our own arrogance. Zavala himself sought to stand his ground and he faltered. Ask yourself this: why? Very few times have the Defenders ever let their dome of Light, the ever-present Ward of Dawn, fall. So how could it now? The very symbol and definition of a Guardian’s protection simply fell to pieces on that bloody day, and now we carry shields. The Defender Titans failed, we failed because we stood our ground instead of taking a step forward. We thought ourselves brave for standing upright against the Darkness, but we never once dared for a foothold beyond where we stood. Every single Titan Order failed and died that day because none of them did what the Firebreak Order truly dared to do: step forward and fight for what was ours. We had grown comfortable in our small corner of Earth. The Ward of Dawn, the Defender, never thought to step forward. The Sentinel does. We raise our shields and we step forward and we fight Guardian, we will fight till our dying ragged breath and then we will come back and fight some more. Sol is our home, and never again shall we make the mistake of simply watching our invaders step all over it. The only path to victory is to continue onward and refuse complacency at every turn. Learn this lesson well, Guardian. We all took the hard fall for failing to do so, and I pray you never see it repeat.

 “We told ourselves the Light wasn’t a tool, it wasn’t a weapon, it was a force unlike any other. Pure, unadulterated energy in its rawest and most primal form. We sought to be a conduit.”

There is no Guardian prouder than we Warlocks, and not without reason. Within our number hold some of the strongest Guardians to ever brave the Second Death, and of all the orders, only Warlocks thought to use Light as light and not as a tool. Hunters make bows and pistols and blades, they craft Light. Fitting, for a Hunter scavenges what he can get from the Wilds and never wastes what he finds. Titans create a point, a focus for their Light. They form a fist, a Shield, a Hammer, all with their indomitable will. A Titan makes her light a weapon and stands stronger for it, for she is never unarmed and never unprepared. Hunters are the blades that carve Light into a shape of their choosing, and Titans are the spear-tip that makes Light a weapon to defend any and all. Fearsome and cunning warriors both make, but they fundamentally fail to know the Light like we Warlocks do. We do not force or shape the Light, we become one with the Light. We are the conduits through which the Light flows, and from our fingertips we wield power like no other. Stormcallers were forces of nature, the epicenter of a storm without end. Voidwalkers saw beyond the veil, they walked with death and shadows and called both friend. And once, Sunsingers, did what no other could: they defied the Second Death. Even without a Ghost, a true Sunsinger could use the Solar light to form themselves from nothing and burn like the phoenix of old. We thought ourselves mages and scholars without equal, we fancied ourselves as dragons, especially after we faced true dragons that whispered deals and whose bones gave us strength. Knowledge and understanding was our gain, our true purpose, and Osiris and Toland both would agree wholeheartedly. We drank of strength and Light till we forgot who we were, and when Ghaul came we crashed back to earth and broke ourselves on the ground we thought ourselves too mighty to touch. And would you like to know how we recovered, young Guardian? We ­changed. Our songs of the sun turned to screams of vengeance, and we lit our blood on fire just to rise again. No Sunsinger will ever rise again, not in this life or the next. The Dawnblade has replaced that particular fantasy, and with good reason. A conduit cannot tear burning vengeance into he who stripped us of our home and friends. We thank him, for reminding us of our humanity. Our gift back to Ghaul was a blade of sun-fire buried deep in his chest, and a vow to never lose ourselves in the stars again. Our folly was pride, our lesson was loss, and our strength is bound in a blade of Light we would have once scorned. We learned the lesson that Titans and Hunters had already so long ago figured out: that Light is ours to use and wield to protect that which we love. The how matters very little when all the chips are down, only that you succeed. Of course, it helps that Hunters are jealous we can fly and don’t have to pull our sword from the hands of a dead Captain, but you didn’t hear that from me.

[lady-therion]

Homecoming: Part 2 [Nessian]

Summary: Cassian really misses his feisty mate.

(Post-bonding. Post-ACOWAR. NSFW.)

A/N: In which Nesta’s back and Cassian gets super clingy! Not that Nesta minds her big bad bae wanting all of her attention even if he’s being zero chill about it. 

***

   Cassian couldn’t stop kissing her, couldn’t stop touching her, couldn’t stop breathing in his mate’s intoxicating scent like it was some kind of ambrosia.  

   “Mongrel,” said Nesta.

   “Your mongrel,” he purred into her neck. “You love it when I’m all over you like this. I can tell…”

    A red flush bloomed across her cheeks, making him greatly aware of where else he could make it appear on her body. Cauldron, he was half-hard already from her squirming in his lap—no matter that they were in their High Lord’s tent and thus in plain view of anyone who happened to walk by.

   Apparently, there was no shortage of busybodies eager for a glimpse of his fearsome mate.

   “Stop that,” she hissed, swatting the hand roaming along her inner thigh, its destination clear. “Everyone can see...”

    “I want them to see,” he crooned. “I want them to know that you’re mine, Nesta Archeron. More importantly, I want them to know that I’m yours.”

   He nipped at that sensitive spot below her ear, his teeth and tongue coaxing out a lovely whimper that went straight to his cock.

   “Mother’s tits, how I’ve missed that sound,” he said, worrying at the same spot over and over until she was shivering—whether from desire or frustration, he didn’t know, but it was delicious all the same. “I’m going to devour every inch of you, sweetheart...”

   “More like...mmm...the other way around,” she said, so breathlessly he was tempted to just throw her onto the floor and mount her right there. “Idiot.”

   Funny how Nesta’s insults had begun to sound like terms of endearment. And funny how they only whet his ravenous appetite for her, instead of incensing him as they once did. Fucking hell. What has she done to him? At this rate, he’d probably have to stride out of there, cock aching, and his wicked little minx knew it.

   “You wanted me to remind you of what you’ve been missing,” he said. “By tomorrow morning, you’ll be wearing all my reminders on your skin.”

   “Oh?”

   She turned to face him, something simmering in those steel blue eyes of hers. Something fierce and greedy and so utterly possessive that it both thrilled and terrified him in unending measure. All he felt for her. All she felt for him. That feverish and raging intensity that could only be described as a chain forged in flames between their two warring souls.

   Nesta...my Nesta...

   Cassian...

   It was the obnoxiously loud noise of someone clearing their throat that broke their thrall.

   “If you were two are done being absolutely disgusting,” said Rhys, appearing at the tent’s threshold. “I’d like a word with my emissary.”

***

   Nesta almost started as Cassian’s arms wrapped around her like a vice. No doubt some primal instinct overriding what little shred of good sense he had. From the way her mate was snarling at the High Lord, hackles raised, one would think he was about to snatch her away.

  Now now, my love, she murmured through the bond, each word a cool and soothing caress. Behave...

   Rhysand, wisely, stayed where he was. Though his expression was practically gleaming with wry amusement.

   “You’re one to talk,” she said, primly. “The way you carry on with my sister. But please, do provoke him. I’ve been in dire need of entertainment since my extended leave of absence.”

   A small tug at the corner of Rhysand’s lips. “Well, I’m sure my brother will provide all the entertainment you need.” He winked. “And then some.”

   The low and guttural noise that erupted from her mate’s chest was like nothing Nesta ever heard. Though she had seen firsthand how...territorial fae males could be. It frightened her sometimes. How deep her mate’s feelings for her could run—as deep as the root of her own soul.

   She reached for him, cupping his face between her hands, thumbs smoothing over that dreadful scowl until it melted away under her touch. “Dearest,” she murmured. “You’ll have to let me go if I’m to parry with the High Lord.”

   Cassian did no such thing.  

   She pursed her lips, then leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Beloved…”

   Her mate stilled, a small tremor running through the great folds of his wings—just as it did the first time she called him so.

   Nesta had many names for her mate. “Idiot” and “fool” when she was cross. “My dear” when she was absolutely livid. She called him her “dearest” when she wished to be listened to and “my love” when she wished to calm that ferocious predator lurking beneath his skin. But she knew her mate loved it best when she called him her “beloved” because it meant that he belonged solely to her. Not to his armies. Not to his friends. But to her, and her alone.

   The first time she said it, she could feel...such unfathomable joy. His, as well as hers. Their happiness entwining like two creatures curling into one another. Nesta didn’t realize how much it would mean to him. How whole it made him feel to have someone claim him as their own, after a lifetime upon lifetime of being cast out and unwanted...

   “Beloved,” she whispered again. “The sooner I speak to your brother, the sooner we can leave.” She bit his earlobe—hard, the way he liked. “And the sooner we can play together…”

   That seemed to capture his attention, his soft rumble of approval saying more than words ever could. She rewarded him when he loosened his hold, grazing his cheek with the tip of her nose, taking in that familiar scent of earth and sky and woodsmoke.

   She didn’t go far (it was just across the room for Mother’s sake), but she could practically feel the sharpened end of her mate’s glare as it narrowed in on their High Lord.

   “You spoil him too much,” said Rhysand.

   She arched a haughty brow. “I hardly see how that’s any of your business, seeing how much you spoil Feyre in turn.”

    He grinned. “Fair enough, dear sister.”

    She scoffed. They walked through different hells, the two of them. Rhysand sacrificing his life. Nesta sacrificing her humanity. Yet despite everything they had been through, despite the mutual love they shared for their Commander (and High Lady), it would take Nesta a long time to get used to calling this self-satisfied and arrogant male her family.

    He earned her respect, however. Begrudgingly so, but he earned it. And they both supposed that was a start.

    She reached into a small leather satchel below her belt, handing him a finely wrought scroll box bearing the seal of a rising phoenix—the house crest of Queen Vassa. Rhysand took it with a curious glance, a glance that turned even more curious when he rattled it about.

   “Sounds like you included more than just a written report.”

    Nesta shrugged. “I may have taken the finger bones of an errant queen or two.”

   Rhys’ eyes widened. “If only the Carver were still here...I imagine you have quite the story to tell.”

   “Not quite as interesting as coming back from the dead,” she quipped. “But interesting enough to keep you preoccupied for the evening. I assume you already gleaned what you needed to from Morrigan?” A curt nod. “Then you’ll know that Lucien has chosen to stay behind to tie up loose ends.”

   “I’m sure Elain and Azriel will be heartbroken to hear the news,” said Rhysand.

   A knowing smirk passed between them.

   “Do you think the Lord of Foxes will elect to stay there permanently?”  

   Nesta shook her head. “I don’t know that he’ll go so far as to declare allegiance to Vassa’s court. But he fits in rather well on the continent and has become a very passionate advocate of her reign. She inspires something in him, I think.”

   “Not entirely surprising,” said Rhysand. “I hear like calls to like.”

   She snorted.

   “And how was the rest of your journey?” said Rhys. “Aside from the bloodshed and all the courtly trappings of political intrigue?”

   She paused, considering. “Long, tiring. The world is so much bigger than I thought. There’s so much to see, so much life that's worth protecting. Still, I'm glad to be here. Glad to be...home.”

   With him, she said, mind-to-mind. Him, most of all.

   Rhys tilted his head, those starlit violet eyes quiet and observing.

   “I may have underestimated you, Nesta Archeron,” he said finally. “You are...not at all what any of us has expected.”  

   “Let Feyre know that I’d like to have that as an engraving.” She turned back to face her mate, who had been watching the entire exchange with a look that could have charred raw meat. If Illyrians had been born with tails as well as wings, she knew Cassian would have been swiping his back and forth in irritation. “Now, if you’re done wasting my time, I have a mate to spoil.”

   Nesta strode towards him, her long and delicate fingers reaching out to grasp his rough and callused ones.

   Strange, how it reminded her of that first time...in the foyer of the town house, shortly after his return from the Battle of Adriata. She had been so worried for him then, so confused by her own emotions that she had been unable to tell him so. And he had not thought to come speak to her at all, because he didn’t know if she cared whether he lived or died.

    Everything was so different now.

   They were different now.

   She knelt before him, using her other hand to stroke those dark locks from that beautiful face—the face she conjured in her dreams all those lonely and uncertain nights without him.

   “To bed?”

    He wasted no time scooping her up into his arms, his body thrumming with longing and anticipation. They swept past a very smug looking Rhys, launching into the night sky without a backward glance.

   The boom of wings that followed could have been heard across the mountains.

***

   Cassian’s tent was stationed far above the main pavilions, surrounded by a rocky outcropping that shielded it from the high winds.

   “Why so far away from the camps?” she asked, when he set her on her feet. During the war, he kept his quarters with the rest of the legions. It seemed strange that he would now choose to lodge somewhere more...remote.

   “Not sure,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Old habits, I guess.”

    A sharp pang rippled throughout the chambers of her heart, a pain so cutting she wondered if Cassian could feel it. Of course, she thought. As a bastard, he had been driven out and shunned for merely existing. With Hybern, his proximity to his soldiers had been a practical necessity. But out here on the Steppes, among his people and their cruel ways…

   He had been forced to live on his own, to struggle and steal and survive any way he could. Alone. Not even a headstrong younger sister to...to turn to for...

   “Hey now,” he whispered, tipping her chin up. “There’s no need for that.”  

   Nesta loosed a breath she didn’t even know she was holding, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. What did Cassian see? she wondered, looking into his hazel eyes. That maelstrom of feeling brewing inside her? The guilt? The anger? The sorrow for all the wrongs and hurts of the past?  

   “Sweetheart,” he said, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. “The only thing I see is a woman who drives me mad with wanting.”

   The kiss he gave her was a chaste one, yet the intimacy—the shelter—it promised made her burn for him all the same. So she returned it with enough fire and fervor to make him pulse with pleasure, his Siphons flickering.

   “Let’s take this inside?” he asked, his expression positively feral. “Unless you’d rather have a go out here.”

   She rolled her eyes before ducking into his tent.

   It was just as large as Rhysand’s, though sparsely decorated. There were no exotic cushions or carpets or frivolous setees to be had. Just a bed of furs, a rack of steel, and a dummy that wore a set of armor hewn from dark red scales—scales that could supposedly repel weapons tipped with faebane. A gift, he told her, from the clever tinkers of the Dawn Court. Should Cassian deem it worthy, they would begin outfitting the rest of the legions.

   There was also a war table, dimly lit from a lantern of faelight swinging overhead. It was overflowing with all manner of maps and scouting reports. But what caught Nesta’s attention was a small stack of letters bound with a dark blue ribbon.

   Her letters. Her ribbon.

   “You kept them?”

   “Of course I did,” he said, embracing her from behind, chin resting against her shoulder. “I wouldn’t have been able to stay sane otherwise.”

   Again, that naked sincerity. Her mate could be so...impossible sometimes. Impossible for her to understand. His heart was bared for all to see, his intentions pure and and clear and unmuddied. How she wished she could be as open as he was, as free.  

   But for now, she was content to lay aside her walls for him and him only. And as for sharing her true self with others...perhaps that would come with time. Time they both now had.

   “I’ve been wondering where this ribbon went,” she said. “I thought Feyre or Elain might have borrowed it. And here they say I’m a thief.”  

   He chuckled, the dark and warm sound sending a flutter through her belly. “You can have it back if you want. I have others.”

   “Others?”

   He nodded towards the swords he kept on the nearby rack, each one of them of varying length but just as deadly as the next. But upon closer inspection...

   “Cassian! Are those…?”

    All of them. All of his swords had her ribbons—black and gray and ivory and emerald—wrapped around their crossguards in haphazard knots.

    “What did you do? Plunder my whole vanity?”

    He shrugged, like it was all perfectly natural. “More or less. I don’t see what the fuss is about. I can get you new ones if you want.”

   “But why…?”

   “Why?” He yanked her against him. “Why?”

    And here his voice grew hot and honeyed and oh so very, very dangerous.

    “Because Nesta, there wasn’t a single moment that passed when I didn’t think of you.” He kissed the back of her neck. “Didn’t think of holding you...” His skimmed the curves of her body. “Didn’t think of touching you…” He cupped her breasts. “Didn’t think of fucking you senseless.” His cock pressed into her backside, hard and throbbing. “I needed something, anything, to carry with me, to remind me of you. How you smelled. How you tasted. How you look at me when you…”

   “Stop talking,” she said, breathlessly. “Just...stop talking.”

***

    They went for each other, the heat between them exploding like wildfire. Grasping turned into clawing. Kissing turned into biting, just a hair’s breadth away from vicious—but Cassian wouldn’t have it any other way. With Nesta, he could go as rough as he wanted because she understood all jagged edges as much he understood hers.

    Cassian...Beloved…

   He surged for her, the both of them colliding into the table so hard that it scraped a few inches across the floor. Frantically, she began to undo her leathers, her clever fingers fussing over the intricate hooks and ties. But Cassian had never been good at waiting and he had been so, so patient.

    “Nesta,” he groaned. “I need...I need to have you.”

    Here. Now.

    So he released a small wave of his power—a warm red light washing over them both. Until all their clothes shredded and melted away, belts and daggers and Siphons clanging noisily onto the floor.

   They stood before one another, caught in the tempest of their own lust. It stunned him. How beautiful his mate was when she was like this—bared to him in the most carnal of ways. And Mother above, she was practically soaking between her legs, his cock twitching at the devastatingly erotic sight, blood pounding madly in his ears.

   Then she sank to her knees, pressing kisses to the trail of coarse, dark hair beneath his stomach, and it was a wonder that Cassian didn’t simply die right there from bliss.

    She lapped at the tip of him, almost purple now with strain, before opening that wicked mouth of hers to take in his entire hot length, deep enough to hit the back of her throat. She had been so nervous the first time she tried this, wary and unsure and a little more than self-conscious. It had been pure curiosity that drove her to perfect her pleasuring of him, and Cassian could only marvel at her eagerness to love him this way, to put aside her own desires to stoke his own.

    Then all thought drained from his mind like water in a sieve when she began to swirl her tongue under the ridge of his flesh. And when she clasped him with her fingers and began to stroke him in earnest, back and forth…. back and forth...her head bobbing... It had taken nearly half a millennia of training to keep his legs from buckling underneath him like some unblooded novice warrior.

    And if she continued her passionate onslaught this way...

   “S-stop,” he choked, hands tangling in her hair. “Sweetheart...no...I can’t...no....”

    She suckled and stroked him a few more times, slow and steady and agonizing, her lips making an obscene, wet sound when she pulled away.

   “But I wanted to spoil you,” she said, pouting in that mocking way that only worsened his frenzied arousal.

   Without preamble, he hauled her over his shoulder like a sack of grain and carried her to his bed. There was a lot of vulgar cursing that followed. “Stop squeaking,” he said, reaching up to spank her (and damn him if she didn’t just moan aloud as he did so). “You say you want to spoil me?” He threw her down, pinning her beneath him, wings flaring to their full span on either side. “Then come ride me, girl.”

   His mate’s nostrils flared when he rolled them over, his rough hands seizing her hips until that sweet, glorious cunt was poised above his length just so. And although he was panting through his nose like an agitated bull, he stilled...and waited. Waited until those blazing eyes of hers softened. Waited until she reached up to undo those braids, those golden-brown tresses falling over those gorgeously full breasts of hers.  

   Then she slid something around his wrist, and he turned to see her tie a new ribbon around him—bright and scarlet as freshly spilled blood.

   The color of his Siphons.

   “I thought of you too,” she whispered, her emotions swirling to the surface once more. “I thought of you often...I missed you so much…”

   Shock. Awe. To think that Nesta Archeron would confess to something so raw and intimate—to him, of all people. It was though she had stolen away his very soul...and maybe she had.

   “How much did you miss me?” he asked, thumb circling over a rosy nipple. “Tell me, Nesta. Tell me how it felt.”

   Again, that strange and preternatural simmering behind her eyes, like tendrils of smoke under shards of glass.

   Then slowly, sweetly, she took him inside her—singeing every nerve inside his body until he was nothing but liquid fire.

    So full, she crooned to him. So right...

    “Fuck!” he roared, head thrown back as the sheer ecstasy of being joined threatened to shatter him. All traces of coherency deserted his senses, his words slurring into grunts and growls as his beautiful mate rode him….and rode him hard. Up and down in a steady and unrelenting rhythm. Her cries rang out from their tent—and possibly into the camps below. If anyone didn’t know his name before tonight, they would by tomorrow morning.

   Good, he thought. Let them hear. Let them know she laid claim on him.

   “Being without you…felt like….felt like starving,” she gasped, her inner muscles clenching him so hard that he had to grit his teeth. “N-nothing could sate me...not even my own hand.”

   He whined at her. Actually whined. “More...tell me more.”

   “I touched myself anyway...thinking of you...of what we have….” She bit her lip, eyes screwed shut against the mounting pressure between them. Any moment now, she would break apart in his arms. He eased the way, guiding her hips to roll at a faster pace. “I thought about what you do to me...the fire you make feel...even when we aren’t...ah...like, like this…and, oh...oh Cassian...”  

    It was the blooming of her own climax that sent him hurtling over the edge. He sat up, taking her shuddering body into his arms as he came, spending himself inside her as he chanted, “Nesta, Nesta, Nesta,” like a prayer against the crook of her neck. It could have been minutes, it could have been eternity—but by the old gods, he was still coming even as Nesta collapsed against him in boneless relief.

    By the time he was done, he felt barely alive and there was nothing but silence and softness between them. Their desires sated...for the moment.

   Then…

   I love you...I love you, Cassian.

   His eyes burned at the wetness against his shoulder. A wetness that had nothing to do with the sweat between their bodies.

   “I know,” he said. “I...I love you always.”

    There had been a time where Cassian had been terrified to say those words aloud, of what they would unleash, of what they would set in motion. But there were no regrets as he held her close to him, nose buried in her long and lovely hair. Gods, this woman, this female. So strong and so very, very precious to him. Would Nesta ever really know how much he treasured her? If not, he would spend the rest of his life proving it, starting with tonight as he had her again.

    And again and again and again.

   And by the time the sun rose on the distant horizon, his mate indeed wore all his reminders on her skin.

   Just as he wore hers.

***

Also, huge thanks to everyone who enjoyed Part 1! You guys are so filthy and wonderful—ilysm :) Also tagging @aelin-and-feyre because she asked so nicely (*tosses trash bag of steaming hot cuddle-smut through her window*).

Other chapters be found in the Masterlist in my Bio / I am Lady_Therion on AO3

[ghost--fox]

What are some of your fave line(s) from your works? You can choose from all your works or if that's too much, just whichever you like best!

Ok so,,,, this forced me to go back and actually read the things I’ve written and suffer, but I did it for you because I love you, so here ya go:

1) (Throwback to early Scattered Light) And now they’re there, still in the sky, occupying the same space but never quite touching; spending their eternity beaming down on us, showing the people that there is beauty in pain, and stardust in our veins, but sometimes we have to burn before we can shine.

2) (From the upcoming chapter of Under the Surface) Her words hit me like a fist, but the bruises left behind are the pattern of my own knuckles since I’ve asked myself the exact same thing so many times.

3) (Another from the new Uts chapter) Yet I continue on, plunging my entire self further into the void of cold emptiness and stories that don’t want to be told, knowing that all the while the jaws around me are just waiting to finally snap shut.

4) (A  much too long part from Phoenix) Within seconds I lead him down the hallway, ignoring the piles of clothes and paper on the floor as my primal mind takes over, drinking in the way he feels and tastes, needing to commit it all to memory but failing to capture any moment separate from the whole. What I do absorb is the color. Black, like a void as my hands get lost in his hair; pulling, tugging, caressing. Yellow, the little bursts of light behind my eyes while his mouth finds every undiscovered corner of my skin. Red when his teeth make contact with thin flesh covered bone. Blue, the hesitation in his touch, the care he takes before every move, the permission he repeatedly asks for with his eyes before every change. Orange and pink mixed in a swirling vortex of feeling and light, showing me what the inside of a flame looks like until the embers cool and it turns to purple, like the sky moments after the sun sets. A palette made by the collision of two hearts on the canvas of life, paint bleeding and mixing like love where it touches.

5) (something from Wishbringer) The walls are dark and matte black, seeming to swallow the light and appearing endless unlike the reflective white of the hallways outside. The void Cree walks toward seems so much more inviting, with the wish in her hands flickering as if together they are a star floating comfortably through space at their own lonely speed.

There ya go! Thanks for the ask, love ^-^

I need to cool it with the void/space metaphors and actually finish that chp of UtS but there’s just so much botw to play >.>

[shanie-the-toyaddict]

The “Three Sisters/One Posse” Trilogy

Stories based on a three part dream from earlier this month (August 2020)

NOTE: Tina and Nikki are named after two real people I knew in the PW2 Chatroom back in the 1990s. The characterizations have nothing to do with them but the three of us in an online Posse was real. (I was Billie BTW.)

In 1998, three friends meet up in a chatroom. Nikki, Tina, and Billie. They all are wild Shane Stans (although that term didn’t exist yet) and love him dearly. They form their own clique called “The Posse” after the Mean Street Posse. They spend weeks raving about Shane, discussing their lives, and generally being sisters.

One day in late 2001, Shane disappears from an arena in Phoenix. A search is launched but no trace is ever found.

These are the stories of the three “sisters” after that.

Story 1: Tina.

Tina is a 23-year-old MMA fighter in California when Shane vanishes. She throws herself into her fighting as a result and begins to gain notice as a skilled competitor.

One day, she is abducted by aliens from the future to compete as a slave in a brutal, illegal underground fighting syndicate. There are very few humans around besides her and she finds out that Humans never made it past the 22nd century. She is truly alone.

She fights her way through the syndicate, both killing and maiming fellow slaves from across the galaxy, including some humans. Along the way, her victories earn her privileges and opportunities and she is rewarded with (albeit propaganda based) knowledge of her new surroundings and era. She learns the language and history of Gorosia (the dominant civilization in that sector) and starts to find a place in her new world.

She continues to fight for three more years and eventually enters a prestigious tournament and becomes grand champion. This gains her an audience with the 2nd in command promoter of the bloodfest.

Surprise, Surprise, it’s Shane McMahon. A very surprised Shane who had arrived seven years before Tina and is now in his 40s. He’s thrilled. Tina addresses him by the title of “High-Master” but he’s having none of it. He’s so thrilled to have someone like himself in the future. Someone who knows who he was. Someone who remembers him from Earth. SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HIS NAME.

The sparks are instantaneous and confuse the fuck out of them both. But in their situation, they’ve become horrible people. Tina maims and murders people daily and Shane is the one responsible for her doing so. They’ve both sent countless people to the netherworld and, while it was as a measure of self-preservation, They hate themselves and everyone around them. Everyone except each other as, due to their odd chemistry, they feel human again when together.

Time passes. Shane takes Tina on as an official consort, providing her with a better life while not fully winning her freedom. She still is considered property but has gained a level or two in status. She no longer has to fight directly (why risk murdering your grand champion when you can use her for publicity) and is given reign over lesser slaves.

All the while, Shane and Tina are secretly plotting a revolt with the assistance of the government.

They succeed and they, along with the other slaves, are all freed.

Shane and Tina move into a house in the civilized part of the sector, becoming citizens and earning jobs. They’re well off, for their status as Temporally Displaced Persons. (Who are generally seen as Second-Class Citizens in the eyes of the locals.) They earn their spot and continue living together. All seems well.

One day, out of the blue, Shane proposes an official union. He explains that he has no idea why he is so primally drawn to Tina, but he has been since the moment they met. Tina confesses the same and they realize they may be cosmically linked and destined to be united for eternity.  

Tina questions this, as Shane was already happily married, but he points out that was in the 21st century, and this is the 26th and he’s never getting home, he doesn’t want his wife to see what he’s turned into anyway, and he’s pretty sure at this point he’s considered a widower.

Tina and Shane undergo a governmental, cosmic test to check for compatibility. They pass with 93.6%. (Failing is anything under 85%). They are then spiritually linked forever and decide that the next step is kids.

At this point, Tina suddenly remembers the friends she left behind. She has been granted one minor use of time travel and uses it to send a communicator back in time to Billie, who had been discussing suicide at the time that Tina was taken.

They head off into the horizon, hand in hand, souls combined, and live happily ever after.

THE END OF TINA’S STORY.

Story 2 – Billie

Billie never had many friends IRL. She was disowned by her parents when she came out as bisexual and had to make her own way in life. She was diagnosed as disabled due to mental illness, which gave her some small amount of income. Between that and her government subsidies, she got by. But she was alone.

When she found her friends online, along with her love of Shane, she was rejuvenated. She finally had someone to talk to and something to talk about.

It didn’t last.

When Shane vanished, she got depressed. Tina also vanished soon after, leaving Billie suicidal. Then Nikki left the group and Billie had had enough. She tried to kill herself but failed several times.

Billie, determined to find oblivion, put her life savings in her track pants pocket, threw on her Shane O Mac jersey, and drove off for the horizon.

Somewhere along the way, as far as she knows, she died.

She’s now a ghost, invisible and doomed to wander.

One day, she wanders into a building where she finds Beetlejuice (of all people)

They can see each other. Hurrah.

She decides to help him (knowing fully who he is and what he wants) and together they go haunting.

Eventually, through some creative graffiti, she gets his name said three times. Beetlejuice promptly leaves Billie behind to go be real and tells her to go to the Netherworld.

She does. And there finds Shane McMahon and Tina.

Their souls exist there in 2002 just as they exist in the distant future upon their death. The netherworld, as it turns out, is infinitely compressed so that all times exist at once. They died in the 26th century, but they’re also there in the netherworld in the 21st.

They explain to Billie that she isn’t dead, she just has a mystical case of Cotard Syndrome. Billie’s so convinced she’s dead that she’s willed herself into oblivion and invisibility. But, with an uncertain future for Planet Earth, she needs to get back on the horse of life and go LIVE.  

Tina explains that they had sent a communicator to her house through time travel, but they never heard from her. So, they sent a “spectral agent” through time to take pictures and found out her fate. After they died, they were determined to find her in the netherworld. They did, and they convince her to live life once more.

Billie leaves the netherworld and returns to reality, now knowing she is alive again. She puts her hand in her pocket and finds the cash she’d stashed there before. She decides to take the cash and buy a room and some new clothes and head home.  

There, she finds the communicator sitting on her kitchen table waiting. She knows that, waiting on the other side, are Tina and Shane, living happily, and wanting her to be happy.

As she drifts off to sleep, alive and in her own bed, she thinks about how excited she is for tomorrow.

THE END OF BILLIE’S STORY

Story 3 – Nikki

I’m not going to lie. I don’t remember many details from this part of the dream, just bits and pieces. That’s why it’s the unwritten part and will likely remain unwritten.  

I remember that Nikki had some sort of family issues and was also the youngest of the three, being only 17 when Shane vanished.  

She left the internet after her parents put a password on the computer because they felt she was spending too much time on there.  

She ends up in a deep depression with none of her family supporting her and the posse not there to support her either.  

She’s usually bullied at school, and while she does have a few friends, she’s afraid to spend time with them in fear of upsetting her parents.  

She eventually finds a communicator, much like the one Billie was granted. However, when she activates hers, it’s text only, without sound. (Tina had it configured that way). It had also been programmed with an Isomorphic Cloaking mechanism that meant that only Nikki could see or interact with it. (instructions on how to set it up were included. Nikki was always quite good with technology for her age and quickly learns the 26th century technology).

There’s no real resolution to the conflict this one. Nikki never reconciles with her family. Instead, she works her ass off at school and gets a full ride to University of Texas. She moves away from home and with the confidence instilled in her by Tina and Shane (and Billie who joins in on the calls sometimes) she becomes her own woman and strikes out for the future – whatever it might bring.

THE END OF NIKKI’S STORY

I have written the first two parts of this but have no intent to publish. Just know that these three dreams all happened in one night. Although, in the actual dream, Nikki was part 1, Tina was 2, and Billie was 3. And Billie’s dream was a musical with, at the end, all three girls coming together to sing a closing number.

[themusicenthusiast]

Single Review: “Native Tongue” by Switchfoot

Overall, Switchfoot seems to be criminally underrated. They’ve definitely become a force to be reckoned with during their two decade plus long career, earning some notable awards and nominations; amassing a following of loyal listeners and supporters; and proving themselves to be an exceptional live band that is primed for festival performances. Nevertheless, the quintet doesn’t seem to get the same amount of recognition as other bands topping the charts do, and Switchfoot is more than deserving of it. Their level of artistry is impressive to say the least, each record they’ve released dialing into something different and having its own distinct sound; the evolution from record to record being noticeable. And that’s something you don’t hear too often these days when it’s easier to simply stick with what works best; Switchfoot having produced plenty of gritty rock numbers as well as ballads or captivating tracks with more of a pop style about them. Their newest single suggests that trend will continue with their forthcoming eleventh studio album, the group not necessarily reinventing themselves, but progressing all the same.

“Native Tongue” -- the title track of the forthcoming album that is due out on January 18th, 2019 via Fantasy Records -- combines everything that Switchfoot has been over the years and splices it with some modern elements. It still possesses that raw rock ‘n’ roll vibe, though it boasts some interesting components of current pop music, subtle electronic/synth elements woven in along with a mesmerizing drum beat. Said percussion is rather mechanical at times, though it’s fleshed out by a more passionate series of beats during the choruses. That leads to an ideal balance, one seldom found in the majority of such songs these days, allowing it to be catchy while still packing a punch. Indeed, “Native Tongue” is as anthemic as one could imagine upon hitting the chorus. Still somewhat minimalistic, there’s an undeniable force to it as the guitars and bass grow more prominent, leading it to be somewhat primal while retaining that infectious quality. Less of a refrain and more of a rallying cry, it speaks to the listener, energizing them as it encourages every individual to be the best possible version of themselves, aspiring to get people to reevaluate their perspectives so that their actions will be nothing less than thoughtful and pure. And that is arguably the most striking quality about “Native Tongue”: Jon Foreman’s delivery of it all. The lead singer and multi-instrumentalist puts every fiber of his being into singing it; and there’s an interesting duality to it all. The verses are more restrained in every respect, the vocalist even doing his singing in somewhat of a spoken manner, reflective of the way in which it assesses the state that things are currently in. On the other hand, the chorus is searing and impassioned as he asks questions such as “…My friend, where did we go wrong?”, reckoning with where people deviated from the path that had been laid out before them. Foreman is absolutely on fire as he belts out the occasional line here and there, his conviction being unwavering and a crucial aspect to the single being so compelling. While it may be possible to construe some of Switchfoot’s material in various ways, this track seems rather cut and dry, the religious connotation being difficult to ignore. Its message tends to focus on how society as a whole has experienced a fall from grace of sorts, people fostering hostility by giving in the darker side of themselves as issues become more divisive. At times “Native Tongue” attempts to grapple with how that even happened, and at other points it tries to remind people what it was all about in the first place as the line “…Love's the language, love's your native tongue…” so beautifully depicts. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, the heartfelt piano-based outro just further hammers that home. “I want the world to sing in her native tongue; to sing it like when we were young, back before the pendulum had swung to the shadows. I want the world to sing in her native tongue; maybe we could learn to sing along, to find a way to use our lungs for love and not the shadows.” Further fostering the notion that we are all one it provides a stunning end to an enthralling track, the somber desperate cry (even a plea) begging for unity amongst all humankind, Foreman sounding broken by what he has seen transpire, wishing that idyllic dream would become a reality. If someone wanted to equate this song to another band, one could say that it’s a style that is similar to, say, Imagine Dragons. However, to say something like that would also severely undercut what Switchfoot is doing; and really, “Native Tongue” is still something distinct to them. Jon and his brother Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, Jerome Fontamillas and Drew Shirley are covering the spectrum with this one, unleashing their rocker personas while also being adept at creating and playing what modern rock has transitioned into, with a healthy alternative flare and the hooks required from pop/rock hits. The five of them seem invigorated by the fresh approach they’re taking, which should bode well for Native Tongue; and while it’s sure to feature other tracks in a similar vein, expect it to be another record that encompasses a variety of genres. Pre-order Native Tongue on: iTunes | Google Play | Amazon MP3 Visit Switchfoot’s websites: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube Current Shows: 2018 November 3--Meghalaya, India--NH7 Weekender Festival 4--Kolkata, India--NH7 Weekender Festival 2019 February 14--Asheville, NC--The Orange Peel 15--Knoxville, TN--The Mill & Mine 16--Atlanta, GA—Tabernacle 17--Nashville, TN--Ryman Auditorium 19--Silver Spring, MD--The Fillmore 20--Philadelphia, PA--The Fillmore 22--Montclair, NJ--Wellmont Theater 23--Huntington, NY--The Paramount 24--Boston, MA--House of Blues 28--Toronto, Canada--Danforth Music Hall March 1--Cleveland, OH--House of Blues 2--Grand Rapids, MI--20 Monroe Live 3--Detroit, MI--The Fillmore 5--Saint Louis, MO--The Pageant 6--Indianapolis, IN--Egyptian Room at Old National Centre 8--Chicago, IL--Park West 10--Madison, WI--The Sylvee 13--Memphis, TN--New Daisy Theatre 14--Tulsa, OK--Brady Theater 15--Dallas, TX--House of Blues 16--Houston, TX--House of Blues 18--Austin, TX--Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater 22--Tampa, FL--The RITZ Ybor 23--Lake Buena Vista, FL--House of Blues 24--Fort Lauderdale, FL—Revolution 27--Minneapolis, MN--State Theatre 28--Omaha, NE--Sokol Auditorium 29--Kansas City, MO--Uptown Theater 30--Denver, CO--Fillmore Auditorium 31--Salt Lake City, UT--The Depot April 3--Tuscon, AZ--Rialto Theatre 4--Phoenix, AZ--The Van Buren 5--Los Angeles, CA--The Wiltern 6--Santa Barbara, CA--Arlington Theatre 7--San Francisco, CA--Warfield Theater 9--Eugene, OR--McDonald Theatre 10--Portland, OR--Crystal Ballroom 11--Seattle, WA--Neptune Theatre 12--Seattle, WA--Neptune Theatre 13--Vancouver, Canada--Queen Elizabeth Theatre