#potential for godly power as lucien

[dent-de-leon]

Keep thinking about...how Molly would've reacted if the Somnovem's Eyes ever awakened for him, if he had the chance to unlock that much power and just embrace it.

And I really do believe he would've never given in to the temptation. Thinking of...how he fought with Lucien and tried to talk him out of succumbing to the Somnovem's influence until the very end, how he desperately tried to understand--bargained, pleaded, defied him until the last moment. Thinking of the city falling apart all around them, Lucien himself tearing to pieces--Molly's horrified cry of, "Who dreams like this?" Thinking of how Mollymauk had every right to despise Lucien for what he did to him, and yet...Molly still cares enough to reach out a hand to him, to offer him the second chance that no one else would.

I think it's a combination of a lot different moving parts that made Mollymauk Tealeaf someone who would never take the Somnovem's bargain. Lucien was abandoned by all his family, abused and thrown away. But even though he awoke so alone and Empty, Molly was still embraced by a loving family, still found so much joy and love in a world he knew was, "harsh and cruel."

When his partner dies, he doesn't give in to despair; he mourns her, always carries her with him. But he also lets himself come to peace with her passing; always holds her close, yet still keeps moving forward and finding happiness--like she always wanted for him.

Whereas Lucien pushed away the Moonweaver's gentle touch at every turn, Molly wholeheartedly embraced her warmth. She reaches out to him again and again, between every painful death, ferrying him from one life to the next and giving him a softer place to land. Reminding him when he opens his eyes again "for the first time in the longest time," that it was love that made him.

And of course, Molly never wanted this. When he accidentally unlocked one of Lucien's powers for the first time, Taliesin describes him having "a mild nervous breakdown." He's terrified of the person Lucien's become, knows in his heart that he was cruel and vicious, the kind of person Molly wanted nothing to do with. He's desperate to keep from falling down the same path, so he runs from everything Lucien ever embraced.

"Whoever it was came to that end, and I want nothing to do with that. Whatever it was, it doesn't feel good when I--when something creeps through, I don't like it. I don't want anything to do with it. I was happy! I liked the circus! The circus was great!" Molly covers up the Eyes. He tells Cree to forget the book. He tries to hide his blood hunter abilities from the circus, and conceals the truth about them to the Nein at every turn.

I think a lot of it is also how Mollymauk always had the Nein to ground him. How, even when it seemed he was completely lost to Lucien's control, they never stopped reaching for him. Never stopped believing in him.

Thinking of how Caleb Widogast started off the campaign declaring, "I want to bend reality to my will," yet by the end, he burns away the one bridge back to his past--destroys it so no one else can ever have that kind of power and abuse it. Caleb, who tried so hard to save Molly from becoming that. "I think towards Molly, I say, 'Mollymauk, I am begging you. Hunger for control is insatiable, it will never be enough. Let it go.'" Who begs of him, "Snap out of it Tealeaf. We need you." Who is there to cradle him in the aftermath and promises him, "Empty no longer, Mr. Tealeaf." How the Mighty Nein all risk everything to try and save this one shattered soul. How they make him feel whole.

Thinking of how differently C2 and C3 deal with similar themes, how what could destroy one character might save another. How easily Molly could've fallen into the same trap as Lucien if the Nein weren't with him, if he wasn't so loved and cherished in a world where he still knew such terrible pain and loneliness--

[flowerflamestars]

Reading Time Loop au again ( I did say I was basically rereading everything, just slowly, between I-decided-to-take-3-programming-language-classes-at-the-same-time homework (going okay) and desperate attempts to unfuck my Sims4 CC folder (going badly)). I was wondering again about Nesta's POV of the "She never actually loves him either" moment of realization (that leads into the Moment of the Diamond Cake Knife (our beloved)). But then my brain swan dived into, what was everyone else at that party thinking when Nesta very dragged Lucien off (I think it was mentioned that Azriel at least noticed) and then then come back like ten minutes later and a chunk of Nesta's dress is torn off. Obviously it wasn't scandalous enough to derail the wedding's Script but there had to have been a least a few raised eyebrows and 'WTF's.

Now spoilery part of the ask: my brain is also kinda laughing at that part where Lucien's just kinda pondering why he's part of the whatever-the-fuck-this-is when he's basically nobody and Nesta's *Nesta* and Nesta's just like "dude, you're also powerful and could potentially inherit, like, half this stupid island" and the reality of what they have in common is that they both have ludicrous ride-or-die siblings that are willing and able to break time and reality to see them safe and happy. (I kinda love it)

(I'd leave some extra reread hearts here but I don't know how to do that on my laptop)

Hi! So much fun here!

To start with, Nesta's puffy ugly dress is honestly so ugly no one notices a layer missing. We're talking gauze on gauze on gauze.

(Nesta hates that fucking dress. She also hates the wedding enough to make throw away comments that might totally fuck the loop)

Azriel actually always looks! In Loop 0/1 (real time pre loop) he looks because Lucien leaves behind his drink. Nesta gets a look for slamming things around. He's just... Keeping an eye out, 90% of his brain occupied by why the hell Elain is watching Autumns party like they're the most interesting people alive.

As for Nesta dragging Lucien away- I think the rumors mostly range through various disputes over Elain?

For Spoiler spoilers- I like to think they actually go through the same thing about each other. So Nesta is like: this punishment. This is salvation. This is all my fault. LUCIEN is a power. Meanwhile Lucien is like: trapped again, all my fault, NESTA is a godly force barely contained.

Nesta is really afraid she might have started it and Lucien has long ago stopped wishing it would end.

Which of course, beckons the end near.

The question only ever was: what path ends with Nesta and Lucien, both happy? Both safe?

[auranova26]

Cryas Darkstalkers Cast Bits 3

I figured for this one, I'd make it a bit shorter to talk about some individuals who have some big influence on aspects of Makai. They aren't in the primary role of characters, but they still are quite important to either world building or to some characters.

Belial Aensland:

Look, the lore makes him out to be this like omnipotent individual. Make no mistake, he is still a powerful individual in Cryas Darkstalkers, but he is more so specialized in certain aspects rather than being omnipotent in everything.

He still is quite the large demon. In a way, he is like a titan golem.

Due to the nature of his towering size and obsidian like body, he is physically strong and durable.

Magic wise, he has the ability to open the Gate with ease.

Belial also has a powerful spell known as Scalephoton. In essence, he concentrates raw energy into a projectile of varying size and intensity and fires it at blinding speed. He has perfected this spell to potentially catastrophic proportions.

The greatest extent of his magical abilities is the ability to bend spacetime in order to create portals to Earth or areas beyond the nexus.

Despite these traits, he is not invincible. While Demitri in the end didn't stand a chance, he still managed some good hits on the titan. Galnan, one who at one point had greater magical potential than Belial, would not challenge Belial's rule despite his dislike of the House of Aensland. While Jedah has a godly healing factor and the potential to overpower Belial if he can absorb enough souls, the amount needed would make it easily noticeable before he could even make 25% of his goal. In essence, with the exception of Demitri, all nobles see challenging Belial as tantamount to suicide.

He still has the general idea from the main lore of viewing Makai as an extension of his own body. He chooses not to be a proactive, iron fist ruler of the realm. Merely, he seeks to let things be, only intervening if things get out of hand with others trying to incite major disruptions.

Till his death, he wears the Ring of Isis. It plays a bigger role in Cryas Darkstalkers.

The reason for him dying is not because of his battle with Demitri or sending that onion head and his castle to Earth. It was because of the third Soul Shard he kept within himself.

Due to the bizarre nature of Morrigan's Soul, the Soul Shard did not sit well with staying in Belial. But he used his powers to keep it contained in him as he believed this one was safest in him while the other was in a special pocket dimension. However, the Soul Shard would fight back, effectively poisoning the Ruler of Makai.

Belial raised Morrigan with the same amount of attention that he had with ruling Makai. He only really intervenes if things get out of hand with her. He merely keeps her around to ensure the House of Aensland would have a new ruler.

The only people he converses with in regard to secret matters are his servants Mudo and Lucien. Those two demons have been loyal to the House of Aensland since sometime shortly before Belial became Ruler of Makai.

While he will punish Mudo and Lucien if they fail a task he ordered, he never threatens them with death or severe pain. Merely a minor punishment that is basically a slap on the wrist.

Zeruru Aensland:

Oh boy, since there is hardly anything about him beyond his name and being the first Ruler of Makai, I got my work cut out. However, there is quite a lot of important aspects about him in Cryas Darkstalkers in regard to the history of Makai.

2 million years ago, current records state that was the general time period when the current systems were set in place for society for generations to come. Under Zeruru's leadership, he and the nobles set up the general structure of society and rule that would be held for eons. However, there is more to this.

Before all of this, Zeruru Aensland was merely the ruler of a large tribe of many races, but primarily succubus and incubus. While the succubus and incubus were the original members of the Aensland Tribe, others were forced in through conquest or some via ensuring loyalty.

Once the discovery of souls and empowerment via the absorption of souls was discovered, Zeruru was the most vigorous among the leaders to hunt down the Sahrijinn as they had the most power.

While the Sahrijinn were able to mostly escape Makai, they couldn't take all their possessions. Chief among them was the Ring of Isis.

The Ring of Isis showed Zeruru visions of the nature of Makai as it did the Sahrijinn. However, this knowledge was ignored as heeding it would not allow for the quick acquisition of power that many sought from consuming souls.

After the foundation of society in Makai was formed, Zeruru would keep the Ring of Isis and repurpose it. It was to show the sign of those who would rule Makai as the Overlord.

Upon his death, his soul was absorbed by the ring. Future Aenslands who donned the ring would be unknowingly influenced by Zeruru's desire to keep the Aenslands in power and to adhere to his desires and will.

The nature and origins of Makai were kept hidden, only possible to be known in the realm of Inkai. However, that realm's nexus point has alluded the nobles for eons.

In time, the Sahrijinn were forgotten by many over the many millennia. All thanks to Zeruru.

Mudo and Lucien:

Loyal servants of the House of Aensland.

They were in the servitude of the father of Belial. Upon the proclamation of Belial's father, they were to serve Belial.

Despite their roles as servants and generally placid natures, these two are quite powerful demons.

They are not related by blood, but the two are inseparable.

They were the ones to proactively raise Morrigan since she was a baby. Despite her rather aloof nature, she genuinely cares for Mudo and Lucien as they are basically father figures to her. Plus, they understand her nature.

They handle the affairs of Castle Aensland. Ensuring all the other servants perform their tasks from guard duty, housekeeping, and meal prep.

During Morrigan's reign as Ruler of Makai, these two would also take to handling the political affairs while Morrigan was away. When she does return to rest, they are able to coerce to perform her duties, which she will do till she is bored and leaves again.

Galnan Voshtal:

Head of the Noble House of Voshtal.

Regarded as not only quite intelligent, but also cruel and callous. Even his own family are safe from his cruelty.

Late in his life, he had somehow stumbled upon the nexus point of Inkai far from the general Makaiin populace. Having access to a wealth of knowledge and souls, Galnan would keep this realm hidden from others.

In discovering Inkai, he also discovered the Inkai Beasts. Among the group of strange creatures was one who called themselves Ozom. He would come to serve under Voshtal for some time, acting as both a guide and interpreter of the Inkai Beasts.

Galnan's power was able to rival that of Belial. While he heavily desired to rule all of Makai, making his disdain of Belial known, he would not lift finger against him. Despite his great power, he was still dwarfed by the golem titan. Not only that, while Galnan knew more spells than Belial, whatever Belial had was enough to fatally wound the head of Voshtal.

While Voshtal at least acknowledged the intellect of Jedah, he found him to be nothing more than a childish whiner.

Voshtal's family despised him due to his blatant abusive behavior.

Even though he was several thousands of years old, his health slowly diminished till he died.

Ozom:

Ozom is originally from the Realm of Inkai. He is an Inkai Beast.

Unlike many of the beast there, Ozom is one of the most evolved Inkai Beasts with far more complex abilities to think.

He has the ability to control the Inkai Beast's nervous systems to make them bend to his will.

While not necessarily powerful, one of his most potent abilities is his ability to plan and manipulate individuals. He has an excellent sense of charisma and is excellent at stringing people along in conversation.

In a sense, Ozom is a full-blown sociopath.

Ozom was the one to orchestrate the death of Galnan. During servitude to Galnan, he found out how the Voshtal family loathed the patriarch.

In collaboration with the family of Voshtal, they would slowly poison Galnan. In return, they would gain control of the House and allow Ozom to consume the soul of Galnan.

In consuming Galnan's soul, his manipulative nature was amplified as was his desire for more power.

He would come to serve Jedah, with the full intent of controlling the House of Dohma. Jedah had no living family.

His charm worked on Jedah, but he wasn't able to fully fool Jedah's other closest confidant, Sierra De Gilman. Still, he took his time to not arouse suspicion.

Once he managed to kill Jedah in Inkai, he would come to control the House of Dohma. While Sierra was suspicious, nothing would be done as she was aware of how Belial worked.

Ozom would relish his time as the Head of Dohma. While he still kept to keeping to affairs regarding the lands and political affairs, he was a detriment to those in the lands of Dohma.

His actions and hunger nearly caused the extinction of the Soul Bees. However, he kept them around still as their honey was a valued export.

Taking in Zabel as his servant on Earth was merely a way for him satiate his hunger for souls as he had to make sure the Soul Bees were kept alive.

While he had plans to also kill Belial and take control of Makai, his ultimate goal, that would never come to be.

Though he was able to kill Jedah, he didn't know that the Shinigami individual was able to resurrect.

Helpless in Makai, he was killed easily by the silent, yet enraged Jedah.

Despite feigning enthusiasm for Jedah's philosophical and political ideology, he did find a genuine love for music.

I likely will try to redesign Ozom in some fashion.

Sierra Del Gilman:

Head of the Noble House of Gilman, her intellect is capable of rivaling that of Galnan.

Since she is only really named and has some description of her in the lore guide, I have full liberty regarding her design.

I will be going for some form of owl demon design to coalesce with her intellect. On top of that, will also look towards influence from Fecto Elfilis.

Magic wise, she knows all sorts of spells.

She is a close friend of Jedah Dohma. The two both agree on how the affairs of Makai are not ideal as it will lead to ruin overtime. Factors like Belial's general passive rule, the stagnant nature of society, and how the lands have slowly over millennia gotten slowly more hostile over time based on records.

She has made an effort to collect any historical records regarding Makai and from whatever can be obtained from Earth.

Due to her collection of knowledge of things from Earth, she caught the attention of the heir of Aensland, Morrigan.

Despite how different both are, Sierra and Morrigan managed to forge a friendship. This friendship would ignite a flame in Morrigan in fueling her desire to visit Earth for thrills and pleasure.

Not only would she bring souvenirs for Sierra, but she would ramble about what she did and found there.

She is well acquainted with Mudo and Lucien. They engage in civil and friendly chats.

Sierra was once called to Belial. He made it clear he is not happy with Morrigan's bouts to Earth and is aware her friendship with Sierra is the start of this. However, he makes doesn't punish Sierra for this but makes it clear that if Morrigan is killed on Earth, Sierra will have to answer to him.

While Ozom was in rule of the House of Dohma, she made efforts to help those in the land of Dohma, especially the Soul Bees when things were getting bad for them.

She is capable of flying of her own accord. However, she also can float and fly via magic.

She chooses to adhere to her power via treaties and discussions with others rather than general warfare. However, she still assures her armies are well trained in magic.

She has the power to open the Gate.

That should do it for now. Hope you enjoy this Makai addition to lore! As always, feel free to ask questions if you are curious. Till next time!😎✌️

[flowerflamestars]

I'm in a very angry-with-the-IC-and-Rhys-in-particular mood, and since I'm just rereading Daylight I was wondering, what is going through Rhysand's mind throughout the events of Daylight? Because it's basically his entire life CRUMBLING around him and I'd love to see the mental gymnastics he does to fit it all into his "I'm the good guy, actually" narrative. Or just his general reaction.

this is a FABULOUS question, thank you!

Daylight! Rhys is, in my opinion, the closest to a canonical (pre-acosf) character representation that I go for. He's so SO fucked up, and sublimating and burying all that trauma has, of course, failed, and it's all manifesting, in all these different directions.

To understand the level on which Rhys is losing his shit, it's important to go back to the very beginning: Rhysand, to Rhysand, is always, always the hero of the story. The down on his luck knight with truth in his heart. The struggling, just man.

He CANNOT seeing beyond himself for even a second. He casts himself in the most important role, as the only person whose personal consequences exist.

His mother, at probable great risk, takes him to Illyria to be trained- the precious, first-born, godly son of Night. To learn to fight- to learn, presumably, her culture- to see what that culture is reduced to, a harshness he will on day have the power to change. Rhys had to be, at some point, a great hope for Not High Fae denizens of the Court.

What does Rhysie learn? Illyria is harsh. Illyria is bad. Backwards and cruel.

He hates his father for...presumably, the crime of being a pretty traditional High Lord? Rhys hates the cruelties! the Court of Nightmares! the broken system!

So what does Rhys do when he has power? he fires everyone. He doesn't like them, he doesn't like whatever they did under his father...so instead of hiring new people, he removes himself entirely from a potential role in changing/mitigating those policies. See also: the Court of Nightmares, cowed occasionally, but not in any way governed by Rhys.

But he's the hero! He's destroyed the oppression! His Court of Just his Bros is made of women and Illyrians!

(Rhys removed the terribleness from his direct experience...because only his experiences matter)

So, Rhys in his head: the struggle, the hero, the man just trying to do it right.

Which brings us to Daylight....and Feyre. I know we can attribute the way the characters stop even remotely being sympathetic between acomaf and...everything else...to poor writing, but I also think there's some (maybe accidental but PERFECT) character work there: in acomaf, pre-acknowledged bond, Feyre is an important possession/ally- she's on the same level as the other members of the Court of Dreams, if the jewel of the collection, a high point in the story Rhys tells himself: HE saved the HERO OF PRYTHIAN

(which...let's not even touch on the fact that the deal he makes in acotar is CREEPY and he can only justify it later. she wasn't someone he wanted to work with in acotar- she was a vulnerable, hot young woman he fully took advantage of)

And then they're mates.

And then, slowly but surely, Feyre's personhood disappears. For two reasons: 1) Feyre is on a pedestal so sky-high it blots out everything. Good, pure, true hero Feyre whose adoration Rhysand needs like air. the happy end of his story, the prize and the salvation, the one who sees him.

and 2) ultimately, to Rhys, Feyre is an extension of him. A symbol: his happiness, his peace, his endless power, what he fought to keep.

She's his whole anchor staying sane, which isn't great, considering...ya know, everything. But the Story is Over. They are Happy.

Except- except- nothing is over. Post fifty straight years of torture, a freefall into war and fuckery, teen marriage and literal death, the consequences for all those things AND THE SHIT RHYS WAS PULLING LONG BEFORE AMARANTHA TURNED HIM INTO A CHEW TOY, are still present.

But now, he has something to protect. His golden future. His puppy Mate.

Because Feyre's safety is the safety of his power and vice versa. Anything he does is justifiable because the loss of Feyre is Not an Option. She is Happy. They Are Happy.

It bleeds into everything- and then it intensifies, because this is the breaking point.

The Az/Lucien thing and Feyre incredibly hurtful blindness? No Rhys isn't going to interfere- Az is so private anyway- if Feyre believes its a romantic bond, Feyre is right, she knows her sister, not that it matters because Elain is totally out of her mind.

Sending Cassian to Illyria? Illyria is a backwards shithole right? They're fierce fighters and that's what Rhys values them for- as the hammer of his power- and nothing else? why would there be anything else? Look at them fighting and hurting each other.

Nesta runs and Cassian is left throwing himself in battles actively trying to die and Rhys? Rhys is totally smug. A problem that hurt Feyre and his brother is GONE.

But it's not gone. Az isn't talking to anyone- and Rhys thinks this probably means Lucien is probably, finally fucking him- but even Feyre understands that Azriel knows where Nesta is. When this is proved (when Elain surfaces and they have the very fun kitchen fight) Rhys isn't happy- but he understands. Azriel has always felt responsible for broken things.

But thats not his job, it's Rhysands job, and Rhys has already made that tough choice for the safety of his own: Nesta has no place here. When she resurfaces inevitably, broke and wanting something, Rhys will stop her before she gets close enough to upset (hurt) Feyre. It's his job.

Cassian goes missing, and Rhysand sets upon what will become his eventual move: Illyria's value is strength. (a martial strength that belongs to RHYS). But they think they can take from him? They can destroy their own best chance? (Rhys recognizes Cassian's value to Illyria even while, you know, ordering him to slaughter Illyrians) They would threaten his power? hurt his family?

Rhys will not allow a world to exist where Feyre can be hurt.

If Illyria can't be controlled, Illyria will be put down, like the rabid creatures they are. (They were always backwards, Rhys thinks. Freeing my mother was the one good thing my father ever did)

But Cassian lives.

Rhys asks Azriel if he's been cursed. Az laughs in his face.

And Cassian is a terrible enemy to have. The strategies the loyalists are using? His, filtered through Rhys. The magical contingencies? Cassian and Az, trying to prevent bloodshed.

Feyre thinks, for a long time, that maybe the rebels have Nesta. What else could compel Cassian to even care? these people keep trying to kill him. they want to kill Rhys. the brothers suffered in the frozen mud at the hands of these monsters, what is Cassian doing?

And then the massacre happens.

And Feyre sick to her stomach, cries when she hears. Rhysand thinks about a little hazel eyed boy who'd never had a bed, a present, who'd been nothing until Rhysand plucked him up- a little boy who'd grown into a dangerous man, who'd just killed every person who ever contributed to his pain. Rhys thinks, knowing he'll have to punish Cassian for this, that it's over.

The camp lords are dead, it has to be over.

(Azriel hears and understands- because he knows damn well Cassian was something before Rhysand, and after despite him. That beneath those repeatedly broken ribs is a heart that was once so big so save him, grown strong enough now to save everyone who was like them: forgotten, abandoned, used.)

It's not over. The mountains are burning. Banners fly on northern wind in a language long dead. They're singing, the spies say, they call him dawn. Loyal-heart-as-dawn.

It's Cassians name. Not that Rhys, who never knew more than a few vile insults in the language of his mother's ancient, proud people, understood it then.

Rhysand, the long-suffering hero of his own story, has been betrayed.

He can risk no more- it's time to end this madness. It's Feyre's idea to use Elain- it's Feyre who is left crying, a betrayal Rhysand will never forget- when Elain, who they've given everything, Elain, perhaps just as broken and wretched as her eldest sister, refuses to help keep Feyre safe.

(Elain refuses to participate in what she sees as genocide, but as we've established, what consequences exist? the ones Rhys feels right in front of his face)

Azriel, Elain, and Lucien run.

Of course, if both Feyre's sisters are capable of betraying her, of course, both of Rhysand's brothers would as well. They are one in the same, aren't they? Marked by destiny, by fate for this hard and terrible work- of course it hurts. Of course- but Rhysand will stop it from hurting Feyre any more.

There's one force in the world that can stand in truth against Illyria. The Darkbringers- their ancestral, ancient conquers.

(Yes, I do think Rhys knows the shitty, shitty history of his court! He just doesn't care! He didn't do it. He's different. He's in Velaris with the common people. He has wings. He's not his father.)

(He is, in fact, far worse)

When he thinks of it, it seems perfect. Illyria will be destroyed- a loss, but a safe one. Keir, will, almost certainly, also be destroyed or at least critically weakened.

Rhysand will stand alone, the man who was willing to do anything for peace. He will rule over an emptied playing field, secure in a world where Feyre is safe.

The Hewn City empties, the armies march- Rhysand holds tight Feyre's hand, says nothing about the fact that nothing, nothing, will stop Keir from killing anyone in front of him when battle starts, and reaches once more for Cassian's mind.

His brother, his friend, his loyal right hand- he begs him to come back. To come home. That they can put down this rebellion and in his love for Cassian everything can go back to how it is meant to be, all of them together.

It does not occur to him to address the hundreds dead. The system he was complicit in and responsible for that ground a culture to dust and ash- what matters is brother against brother should never have turned, and Rhys, in his kindness, will offer Cassian this last chance for honor.

Rhys doesn't want Cassian to die- he wants Cassian by his side- but he will drown the world in blood before he'll lose his crown and hope and Feyre.

And when Cassian dies, falling to the earth in Rhysand's arms, Rhys thinks of penance.

A circle closed.

But of course- Cassian wakes. Death is not done with her right hand anymore than the contract between Lordship and land in immutable. Cassian brought the magic back, brought Illyria back.

Rhys is fighting for something personal- Cassian is fighting for a whole world and future, with everything in himself.

When the new border is drawn, Rhys doesn't despair- sure he's shaking, he's covered in Cassian's blood, his twelve thousand year old walls are smoking and the whole world smells like fucking Nesta Archeron- he's been the victim of curses before.

He won't let it keep him down. He'll be fine. He has Feyre, they're safe. Illyria is going to implode- and maybe, maybe, he'll save some of those that remain when the violence is too much, when they need a real High Lord.

They'll come home. Just like Feyre's sisters will. Rhysand's brothers. They fought for peace and Velaris has it- it is their home.

It's what they fought for, the happy ending, and it's all worth it.

It has to be worth it.