#radiance redemption

[magenta-somethings]

have a sadeas lives au brewing in my head... adolin still manages to get his dagger through the eye but not through the brain... sadeas manages to fight him off & knock him unconscious (i'm working into this au my theory that he was being influenced by odium a lil bit)... but then he looks at adolin & goes 'you know what kid. you have Gumption' & becomes convinced he can mould adolin into gavinor 2.0 and have him replace dalinar (maybe the fight somehow managed to snap him out of odium's influence & return to his earlier goals/characterisation)... ensue an oddly cooperate sadeas & an adolin freaking out bc he remembers stabbing sadeas in the eye and sadeas now is wearing eyepatch so it has to have been real but he's claiming the would-be assassin is dead and??? what is he trying to pull??? why hasn't he told anyone adolin tried to kill him??? why is suddenly supporting dalinar??? WHAT IS HE PLANNING????????

[the-moth-from-elsewhere]

So I was bored and decided to challenge myself to make a universe where the Radiance (HK) doesn’t suck/is innocent/is the protagonist.

And yes, I did it. And yes, I’m very attached to this now.

AU!Radiance is a Higher Being with basically no “higher being manners”. She’ll just…show up as a pretty moth, start talking to people, and be VERY OBVIOUSLY A GODDESS while asking how your math test went. Her brother, Grimm (because we are believers of the dream siblings theory in this household) is much better at the whole god thing. Meanwhile she is zero self control and all impulse. So, where do we get the infection from?

She’s being forgotten. If I remember correctly, the moths did that on purpose. Maybe her awkward “powerful but doesn’t really act like it” makes her a shame. Who knows? I should lol because I wrote this mess but I don’t.

Yunno how people do weird stuff when they’re dying? Like, if you starve a human hard enough, they’ll do stuff they didn’t think they could and stoop incredibly low to get food. Same principle here. She’s dying, so she cries out to be remembered.

Thus, the infection, the manifestation of a pure, desperate wish to be remembered, exists now.

Crap.

She’s now at the absolute height of her power and instead of this being a good thing it is VERY VERY BAD because OH CRAP EVERYONE IS DYING AND/OR BEING THROWN INTO HER REALM REGRET REGRET REGRET UNDO UNDO UNDO

At this point the infection is pretty much out of her control, and the subsequent years of dealing with this mess and trying to make it stop and realizing that the pale king is committing atrocities over her “mistake” basically forces her to get some maturity. That’s why she’s a lot more…”I am a higher being” in the game. She also does that probably because she’s trying to paint herself as the villain so someone kills her and ends the infection. Honestly she’s probably hoping that the Pure vessel really is pure, so she doesn’t…DIE, but the infection does.

of course, it’s not pure, and of course, the atrocities get worse…

And thus the main game happens with a jaded radiance trying to get herself unalived and Dangit I wanted to go the wholesome route why did there have to be angst

[candor-creator]

only realized after posting that last drawing that I never showed off my mortal/revived radi design, and then realized that i’ve never actually drawn it in full detail

[sedgewicke]

“It’s not a big deal. Dalinar Kholin is friends with one of the worst murderers I’ve ever met. So? Dalinar is lighteyed. He’s probably friends with a lot of murderers.”

Oh, honey. Let me fix that for you.

Why do I have the feeling that this reveal isn't going to be as big a deal as it absolutely should be? Because I know from the grapevine that at the very least Adolin gives a fuck that Dalinar killed his mom and he had to learn about it from his tell-all book. But I haven't heard anything about Kaladin's reaction, and that worries me.

I think I will bet money that it will come down to

But he's changed/he's trying/he feels bad.

and/or

But I know he's a good man with a good heart.

As that seems to be the version of bs.exe that Dalinar's OS runs. Which is some motherfucking Protagonist Privilege, I'll tell you what. Normal villains trying to do the Redemption Arc Run would kill for cheat codes like that, but they can't, because it would set them back too many points.

And wtf is this Dalinar stan shit Syl is pulling? Is that you, Brandon, or does she have a reason to be like this about Dalinar? Even if she does, I'm still calling it bigtime Character Shilling. I mean, I kinda figured that Dalinar would win Kaladin over way, way, way too easily, to the point where I included it in my WoR drinking '''game''', but I didn't expect to be yelling at Tinkerbell over here for trying to force it.

“Dalinar’s not like Amaram,” Syl said. “You know he’s not.”

Syl zipped out into the air in front of Kaladin, coming down like a storm. Literally like a storm. She stopped in the air right in front of him, a cloud boiling from beneath her feet, flashing with lightning. “You can honestly say,” she demanded, “that you think Dalinar Kholin is only pretending to be honorable?”

“No, Dalinar gave up his Blade for us. He’s a good man. I accept that. Amaram has him fooled. He had me fooled too, so I suppose I can’t blame Kholin too much.”

Actually, you super can! There is no excuse for how gullible Dalinar is (No, I will never get over being dragged though that "Does Sades is trustworthy?" plotline, only for the answer to be "No, just like you immediately guessed.") at his age, with as many people around him who should be able to fill in that glaring blindspot. Also? Dude did the bare minimum for the guys who saved his and his son's lives (and also, you know, thousands of other people), so he's gets instant Good Man status, no questions asked or allowed?

And why do I also have the feeling that, if Kaladin gets pissed at any of the shit that I'm told Dalinar will be pulling on him, he's going to be framed as the bad guy?

[runespoor7]

hm.

[wyndlerunner]

👀👀👀

- chapter 79, Words of Radiance

🤔

[fangsandfracturedhearts]

Fangs and Fractured Hearts

Chapter 7: Rogue Desire

Summary: After embracing eternity as a vampire spawn under Astarion's wing, the Crimson Palace becomes a haunting symbol of the man he once was. As his personality unravels into a dark abyss, you flee. A year of hardship unveils the harsh reality of existence as a vampire spawn.

Just as all hope seems lost, a twist of fate reunites you with Astarion, revealing a glimmer of hope amidst the shadows. As you navigate the complexities of your relationship, you must confront the unsettling truth behind the Rite of Profane Ascension and the devilish secrets it holds.

In a race against time, you embark on a daring quest to save Astarion from his descent into darkness. With each choice you make, the stakes grow higher, testing the limits of your courage and determination.

Will Astarion find redemption, or is he destined to succumb to his own inner turmoil?

Word Count: 6.5k

Pairing: Ascended Astarion x female!Tav Spawn

Warnings: [Will try to continue to add more, but in general expect explicit content for mature audiences]

Possible spoilers. Eventual Explicit Content. Slow Burn. Thoughts of Suicide. Violence. Blood. Injury. Mature Content. Self-Harm. Mentions of in-game content. Completely fabricated camp events.

If you notice a very critical tag missing, please don't hesitate to let me know

Rating: Explicit 18+ - [Meant For Mature Audience]

The library is dim except for the oil lamp casting its snug ochre radiance, illuminating the page you’re reading. The window here is forever shuttered and draped to keep the sun off the assorted books and tomes, making you feel safe. Well, as safe as you can feel while sharing quarters with Astarion. Your fingers rub the harsh, bumpy surface of the book's old cover as your eyes feast on page after page.

“What are you reading?”

You close the book momentarily to let Astarion get a look at the cover.

“Ah,” he smiles, “I lent you that some time ago. Did I not?”

You nod, “I never got to finish it.”

Astarion lays on the lounge beside you, “Well, what do you think of it so far?”

You cock your brow at him, and your nose crinkles, “It doesn’t exactly strike me as the type of book you would read.” 

He laughs, “Why’s that?”

“It’s well written, and there are gory bits, but it seems to boil down to a love story, and I can’t imagine you reading romance.” 

“Do you think me incapable of romance, my dear? I was romancing people before you were alive.”

You smirk at him, “I’m positive you can feign romance exuberantly. I can’t imagine you being truly romantic, though.”

He waves dismissively, “What’s the difference? It’s all a show, isn’t it?”

“I suppose, but one has true feelings behind it, which makes it romantic. It’s not the “show,” as you say.”

He chuckles, “This is starting to sound an awful lot like a challenge, and I do love a good challenge.”

You frown, “I’m sure Elowyn would love a demonstration.” 

He scoffs, “You said there must be true feelings behind it.”

What does that mean?

Does he even feel anything anymore?

Questions you want to ask him but choose not to because you don’t want to know the answers. 

Astarion looks around the room, “Why do you read in here all the time? I thought you would be out in the courtyard, or at least in a room with a window. You used to love the sun,” he muses with a dreamy, faraway guise.

“I liked the sun. No one loves the sun more than you do." 

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” his mouth twitches, “You and I used to watch the sunrise together often.”

“That was before,” you sigh at the memories, “This is now.”

He looks around anxiously while rubbing his hands together, “We could again if you wanted to.”

“I’m frightened that you will get angry with me, and in that rage, you’ll cease protecting me,” you retort bluntly.

His brows furrow with a resigned sigh, “Do you think you will ever trust me again?”

“Do you want me to?”

He sits upright and looks at you intensely, “Indeed, I do.”

Why? Why does it matter to him if I trust him or not?

Trust is a luxury I can’t afford.

“You have your work cut out for you then.”

He chuckles, “It’s a good thing we have an eternity ahead of us.”

Unless you kill me.

Biting your tongue, you swallow that retort. Astarion has been remarkably pleasant for several days and seems more himself than you can recall since he became the Vampire Ascendant. You’re not keen on upsetting him for something so silly and becoming reacquainted with the version of him that lurks in his ire.

“Why did you recommend the book to me?”

He glowers at you playfully, “I have no doubt you will figure it out sooner or later.”

So, there is a reason.

“You could just tell me,” you purr.

“Darling, where is the fun in that?”

Astarion stands and kisses the top of your head. Running his finger along the books, he picks one, “I will be reading in the courtyard, in the sun I love so much according to you, if you would like to join.”

You give him a curt nod, but once he’s left the room, a small smile meanders its way across your lips. Astarion having the ability to walk in the sun safely for the rest of his days after living centuries in the dark was one of the reasons you had helped him with the ritual. You didn’t want to be the one to damn him to an eternity of darkness as a spawn. As far as reasons go, you know it wasn’t a good one compared to the cost, but what’s done is done, and the reasons, good or bad, don’t matter now.

Letting your eyes roam the page of text, you try to distract yourself with the story, but your mind keeps drifting to Astarion, the courtyard, and the sun. Astarion asking if you could ever trust him again confuses you, and admitting he wants you to only mystifies you further.

Why does he want or care about my trust?

Could I ever trust him again?  

You’re surprised by how much you long to trust him again. There had been significant trust between you at one point, but that utter conviction got you to this spot. When Astarion had Cazador kneeling before him, he said he knew what he was doing and asked you to trust him, and you did so blindly. Thus, assisting in turning him into whatever it is he is now.

I should have known better.

Closing your book, you descend the staircase on shaky legs. The mere thought of going and sitting in the sun still strikes terror into you. You’re still adjusting to having windows again. More than once, Astarion has caught you attempting to slink past the window, staying out of the sun as much as possible, or just standing there staring at it apprehensively.

He would giggle at you and make his silly, taunting quips, but he would also comfort you and tell you that you were safe with him, at least when it came to the sun.

As long as he’s not angry.

The door to the courtyard is open, and the bright mid-morning sun washes over the dark wooden flooring. Astarion sits on a bench bathed in the golden light, eyes down, skimming the page of the tome. He looks at ease and happy, and you can’t help but smile to yourself and cherish that view. Glancing at the rays warming the floor, you swallow your growing doubt.

Trust has to start somewhere. He will have no chance if I never give him one.

“You’re safe, sweetheart,” he coos without looking up from the page.

“Promise?”

Astarion stands, puts the book down and comes to the doorway with a tender smile, holding his hand out to you, “I promise. Come.”

Biting your lower lip, you slide your hand into his. Astarion coercers your body to move forward out into the courtyard with gentle force. Paving stones warm your bare feet as they pad along the ground, and the sun’s heat permeates your cold skin.

This is the first time you’ve seen this place in daylight, and it looks substantially less foreboding. At night, the courtyard’s high stone walls cause it to appear small and closed off. In this light, it seems open and pleasant.

A well-groomed tree towers off in one corner, providing some shade. The green leaves flutter in the slight breeze. Another bench sits under the willowy branches.

Astarion gently twists your arm, forcing you to pirouette as if you were dancing an elegant courtly dance, and you giggle at his playfulness.

He rests his forehead against yours, “Thank you for trusting me.”

Gods, he’s so close.

As it often does around him, your ability to be rational and keep yourself grounded slips at his proximity. You can hear his heart beating and smell the bergamot, rosemary, and a hint of aged brandy you’ve come to love.

You’ve felt frozen inside, numb, for so long, but his touch reawakens your purpose and thaws the ice that has solidified your fiery spirit and kept it subdued in the void his absence left.

“I missed you, you know. When you left,” he whispers.

Tears threaten to spring to your eyes at the authentic vulnerability, and your hands grasp Astarion’s arms. Inhaling a long, shuddering breath, you attempt to regain the plummeting authority over your body.

Astarion holds your waist tenderly with the same firm protectiveness you remember. You keep trying to convince yourself the man you loved died that night, that Astarion is gone, but here he is, standing before you.

Is this him, though? I still don’t know.

Astarion uses his index finger to bring your eyes to the vivid scarlet of his, which are staring at you with a searing ardour. You’re paralyzed by that gaze, carried away by the deluge of instinct and longing coalescing.

“Can I kiss you, Astarion?”

He smirks, “Little love, I thought you would never ask.”

His lips meet yours, and your eyes flutter shut. Your body wilts into his as if drawn in by his gravitational pull. You let yourself drown in him. Your senses scatter, and you’re swept up in his undertow.

His tongue persuades your lips to part, and he skillfully traverses your mouth. You purposefully find one of his fangs, and you run it delicately over your tongue, causing a shallow wound that weeps blood. He growls as the taste of you detonates his hungering desire.

“Fuck,” he groans, “I love it when you do that."

You smile against his lips. You know it drives him crazy, and that’s precisely the point. You want to fill him with you; claim him as he has claimed you. You want him to be addicted to you so he can think of no one else.

Astarion bucks his hips into you, and you grind yourself against his hard length greedily. You clench at the delicious friction against your swelling flesh and whimper demandingly. A deep growl in his chest vibrates against you as his hand ravenously roams over the contours of your body.

You let your splayed hand coast from the taut muscles of his abdomen to his chest lazily, savouring his silky, soft skin on your fingertips. His chest heaves under your hand, and you can feel the rapid, excited thumping of his heart.

Astarion grabs your thighs and hauls you up. Reflexively, you wrap your legs around his hips, securing yourself to him.

“Perhaps we should take this indoors, yes?”

You giggle, “Astarion, are you shy? I thought you enjoyed being the centre of attention.”

He kisses your neck, “I plan to make you scream my name until your throat is hoarse. Would you like everyone to hear your wanton incoherent cries?”

Even though you’re more than accustomed to his alluring taunts, you still feel the heat rising to your face. Thankfully, you’re dead, and your skin can’t redden.

“And if I did? Perhaps they would learn something,” you tease flirtatiously.

He chuckles while putting you down once you’re safely hidden in the manor, “Darling, the prudes of the upper city would surely perish on the spot if they saw what I’m about to do to you.”

Gods, yes.

Your walls spasm and clench at the carnal depravity that courses through your thoughts in vivid splendour. You tug his shirt out of his breeches, and he pulls it off, anticipating your request. His fingers undo the ties of your shirt, and he slips it off. Those hooded red eyes brimming with lust consume the sight of you gluttonously.

“You’re perfect,” he purrs deeply.

Your chest swells and falls as you pant purposeless air. For so long, you’ve felt fear, loneliness, hunger or nothing at all, but right now, you’re high on the love and desire overflowing in you, and you refuse to give it up.

You throw yourself at him in desperation to keep this moment alive. His lips meet yours with the same dire need. Your fingers curl into the white curls at the nap of his neck while your other hand undoes the ties that keep his pants secured to his waist.

His thumb traces the lower curve of your breast, and you groan, feeling your nipple already harden in anticipation of his touch. His fingers graze the sensitive peak. Your body quivers, nerves humming as liquid lightning rolls down your spine, and your clit pulses in tempo with his teasing fingers.

“Needy thing, aren’t you? How long has it been since you’ve been touched, tasted?"

You were the last one to touch me.

This isn’t something you would like to admit to him. You don’t want him to know how hopelessly in love and devoted you are to him. Astarion knows love, and he knows how to play with it, and you don’t want to give him more ammunition to play with you like a toy.

Reaching into his pants, your fingers find them wet with pre-cum, and your mouth waters at the thought of tasting him again. You grasp his cock, and his hips jerk with a panting grunt.

“Needy thing, aren’t you,” you taunt mockingly.

His eyes narrow, hypnotizing and brimming with lust, “I know you’re skirting around the question, darling.”

Astarion’s fingers glide past your waistband and trail down in an anguishing slow progression that makes a whine slip from your lips. He parts your wet folds, skillfully avoiding the bundle of nerves that is howling for his touch.

“Hells,” he kisses your cheek, whispering in your ear, “I bet they didn’t make you this wet.”

You sag into him and sigh, “Astarion…”

He teases your swollen flesh, circling the aching border, “Did they make your body shake with need?”

The first direct touch sends a shockwave rocketing through you, and you whimper, knees buckling. You are forced to let go of your grasp on his cock and secure yourself by holding onto his arms. Astarion smirks proudly. The pads of his fingers stoke and massage, and you moan loudly. The coiling tension builds and intensifies as his tempo does.

A knock on the door startles you, and you try to jump away from him, but his arm wraps around your waist, holding you in a steadfast grip.

“Ignore it,” he barks, “we’re busy.”

Another hammering rap on the door makes Astarion growl in frustration. His brow pinches in a dark scowl.

A pleading voice muffled by the door arises, “Master Ancunin! Master Ancunin!”

Pulling away from him, your body mewls in dejected objection at the discontinuation of sensation, “I think it’s for you.”

He groans and grins seductively at you as he sucks your arousal off his fingers, and you choke in a quick breath.

“As sweet as ever, my dear. My memories did not do you justice.”

The banging on the door resounds through the manor again with the same pleading shrieks from outside. Astarion rolls his eyes while he does up the ties of his pants. Not bothering to put his shirt back on, he moves to answer the door. You take quick steps backward to remain out of sight of the visitor.

“What is it?” Astarion sneers.

“Master Ancunin. Please forgive my intrusion, but your presence is urgently required.”

“We are not set to convene until tomorrow night,” Astarion snarls with an intensely domineering inflection.

“I know, saer. I am dreadfully sorry about this violation. I throw myself at your mercy.”

Astarion sighs, “And what exactly is so urgent?”

The man’s voice hushes significantly, and you can only catch small snippets here and there, but not enough to put together what’s happening that seems to require Astarion’s attention immediately.

“WHAT?” Astarion thunders.

Despite the booming shout, the intonation in his voice is dispassionate and unexpressive. You slink further back, knowing that whatever he was told has provoked his rage.

“Go. I will be there momentarily,” he slams the door harshly, cursing under his breath, “Fuck!”

Glancing around the room, you try to find a place to hide from him. You could go back into the courtyard, but if he’s angry and he decides you’re an easy target to take it out on, he might just let you burn. The stairs to your room lay too far away and would mean crossing paths with him.

Astarion turns the corner and jumps as if surprised to see you there. His eyes meet your face, and you’re relieved the crimson pools remain warm with liquid affection.

He must see the terror illustrated on your face because he frowns sadly, “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“You’re angry.”

He nods curtly, “Yes, but I am me, for now - you have nothing to fear.”

You gulp, “For now.”

Astarion runs his fingers through his hair. Whatever that man told him, it agitated him significantly.

He clears his throat, “I must go deal with this.”

He bounds up the stairs quickly to his room and must dress at a breakneck pace because he returns rapidly, fully dressed in his overelaborate coat, looking mouth-wateringly dashing.

Astarion heads for the door and tugs it open but hesitates, pivots and takes long strides toward you. Reflexively, you step back, frightened that the anger won.

Astarion kisses your forehead and the back of your hand, “I will try to be back for your lesson tonight.”

You nod, “It’s okay if you aren’t. Be careful, Astarion.”

He smiles, “As you wish, my love.”

Once Astarion is gone, you quickly run around and close all the heavy curtains, plummeting the manor into darkness. Sitting on the floor with your back against your bed, you close your eyes and reprimand yourself for letting things go so far.

Your role here is to try and figure out what’s ailing him and see if you can help him remedy it, not to continue getting closer to him, falling more in love with him.

If that’s even possible.

You wonder, though, if, by some miracle, you can find a way to conserve whatever remains of the old Astarion. Would you want to be with him then, or has the damage been done, and your relationship is doomed and wrecked beyond repair? Could you ever trust him again?

Gale is out looking for the Wish spell for you, but you ponder if you could use it to save Astarion from whatever evil plagues him. Could it be used to restore him to his previous self completely? Could it be used to turn back Ascension entirely? Would you do that to him even if it could?

Would I give up my one chance to be alive again if it meant restoring him?

You need to gather more information on what’s ailing Astarion. As well as the capabilities and limitations of the Wish spell, but you can’t tell Gale or Shadowheart that your motivations may have changed.

Where is Withers when I need him? He knew everything there was to know about souls.

You have a theory about what happens to Astarion, but it needs to be confirmed. You wonder if the Rite may have stripped away some of his soul, whether unintended or on purpose, and now the soulless part of him wars with the version that still retains the remaining bit of his soul, each contending against the other, vying for control.

You imagine the only way to figure this out is by talking to someone who deals in souls, but who? You’re still trying to work it all out.

With Astarion gone, you can finally let yourself get some much-needed rest. Laying down on your bed, you succumb quickly to your meditative state and slip into the tributary of your trance.

The walls of the Crimson Palace moan as they settle, cooling off after the hot sun beating down on them. You’ve been locked in your room all day, and those solemn whines are the only indicator you have of time.

The door to your bedroom snaps open, but you don’t even bother to look. You’re lying in bed motionless, staring at the ceiling of your pitch-black room as you have been doing since he locked you in here in the first place. Astarion keeps you corralled in here like an animal. You are not to leave without his approval, and if you do, the consequences are dire.

“My consort,” he drawls as he lights a candle.

“What do you want,” you say monotone.

“Get dressed, darling. I have need of you tonight.” 

“No, thank you.”

“This is not a request,” he sneers, “You will come.”

“What are you going to do? Drag me there?”

“Oh, pet, I will do so much worse.”

“I’m not going,” you mutter scornfully.

Astarion grabs you harshly by the arm and drags you down the hall to the kennels, “You do remember this room, yes? Do not make me put you in here, strap you to that device, and teach you why you will obey me.”

He drags you back to your room as you pull and fight him with everything you have, but he merely laughs at your pathetic attempts. He throws you onto your bed.

“Get dressed,” he commands, “Wear the blue one I have laid out for you. We are going to a party, my treasure.”

Your fingers linger over the silky blue material he laid out for you. The dress is glamorous, you suppose, but nothing you would ordinarily adorn. The gown is far too low in the front and back and leaves very little to the imagination.

Whatever he has planned for you tonight, you don’t want to know, but if you disobey, he will put you in the kennels, and you don’t want to visit that place again.

You pull the dress on. The neckline hangs down below your belly button, and the back is just as low. A long slit up one side allows a view of your leg. You cringe at the idea of wearing something like this in public.

Astarion returns promptly, dressed lavishly and looking far too handsome, “You look exquisite. This will do perfectly.”

Astarion escorts you to some overly sumptuous estate in the upper city. The ballroom is packed full of the city’s nobles and high-ranking officials.

“Remember to smile, pet. They need to believe we’re a happy couple."

You scoff at him, “I don’t care what they think.”

Astarion grabs your face harshly, “You WILL smile, or you will be punished. Do I make myself clear?”

You rip your face out of his hand and glower at him, “Fuck you.”

"Maybe if you’re a very good girl tonight, I will permit it.”

He introduces himself around the room, using his practiced manipulations to make connections, but he never introduces you unless someone pays you any attention, which they generally don’t. The only attention they pay is practically undressing you with their ogling eyes, and it makes your skin crawl.

Astarion directs you to a quiet side of the room, “Do you see that man in the maroon jacket?”

“What about him?”

Astarion grins sadistically, “I need you to go over there and distract him by any means necessary.”

You gasp, “Excuse me. What?”

He snickers, “You will distract him by any means necessary. Take him to a bed for all I care, as long as you get him out of the way.”

He wants me to do what?

“I will not!”

You yell it loud enough to gain the attention of some of the partygoers nearby, who give you awkward glances.

Astarion scowls at you, “That was very naughty, pet. Go now, do as I ask, and I will consider letting that little display slide.”

If I refuse, it’s the kennels.

You lean close to him and whisper, “If you try and make me do that, I’m going to make a big scene and embarrass you in front of all your new, very important friends.”

He leers at you threateningly, “Last chance.” 

I choose the kennels over my body offered in exchange for whatever he’s planning.

You scream, loud and resounding, “No!”

The high pitch of your voice echoes through the entire room, thanks in part to the absurdly high ceilings. The once loud laughter and voices cut off into an awkward, hushed silence as all eyes in the room snap to you and Astarion.

Astarion plays it off perfectly with a warm smile, “Of course, my love. If you do not wish to go, we won’t.”

He’s going to have to do damage control later.

Astarion grabs your hand and squeezes it so hard you whimper while he walks you out of that damn party with the excuse that you are not feeling well. He trembles with anger, and you know you’re in for it when he gets you back to the kennels.

Back in the safety of the Crimson Palace, you burn him slightly and try to run to your room, though you know it’s little use. He disperses into gas and appears in front of you before you can make it even halfway there.

He grabs you, screaming in your face, “You dreadful little wretch! Now, I am forced to have to teach you a lesson.”

“Astarion, stop. You don’t have to do anything!”

He laughs like someone deranged, “How else will you learn to obey?”

“I will never obey,” you spit hatefully.

“We will see about that, my unruly, little spawn.”

He drags you through the halls while you scream, cry and beg him to stop. Your sandals skid across the wooden floor, shrieking as your feet try to find purchase.

The kennels smell like fetid blood, and you cringe as the scent assaults your nostrils. Astarion chains you to the wall, so you have no choice but to stand while he strips you bare.

He laughs menacingly, “You will learn to obey me, my consort.”

Astarion’s crazed laughing resonates through the room as he blows out all the candles, submerging you in pure, inky darkness. The door closes, locks and you’re left in silence.

You know you could get yourself out of these chains, out of this room, but the consequences if you do would be far more dire than being left in this miserable place naked and alone.

If you spend days, weeks or months isolated, starving, and stripped in the dark, you have no idea.

The sound of a beating heart starts to pulse on the outskirts of your trance, and the side of your bed depresses, rousing you from the memory. Your pillow is damp from tears shed as you were forced to relive that barbarity.

“It’s just a dream,” Astarion soothes, rubbing your arm.

No, a memory.

Does he even remember doing that or the many other similar atrocities he committed against you? If he does, he’s made no indication of it. One day, you will have to ask him, but you don’t feel like exploring that particular abyss of suffering with him right now.

You nod, “Yeah, just a dream.”

“Would you like to talk about it?” Astarion glances at the wet spot on your pillow, “It seems to have upset you.”

“No, that’s not necessary. Did you deal with whatever you were summoned for, Master Ancunin?"

He smirks at your teasing, “In a manner of speaking, I suppose I did.”

That doesn’t sound good.

“You killed someone, didn’t you?”

He shakes his head and shrugs, “Perhaps multiple people. I cannot be sure."

“You don’t remember?”

He stares at his hands, “No. More often than not, I recall nothing.”

Does that mean he doesn’t recollect the kennels or the other horrid things he did to me?

“You lost yourself again?”

He sighs, running his hand over his face, “I think so.”

Glancing at his clothes, you register that he’s not wearing the same thing he left in, “You changed?”

“I did.”

He must have been drenched in blood if he bathed and changed before coming home.

“Are you okay right now, or should I be throwing myself at you?”

He giggles, but it has a crestfallen ring, “You can always throw yourself at me, love. But I’m fine. I’m not angry anymore.”

You wrap him in an embrace anyway. His demeanour is melancholic and subdued, and you wonder just what in the nine Hells happened when he was out to have him coming home so miserable.

Astarion leans into you, the corner of his mouth quirking in a small smile and sighs, “Thank you. Should we go out and continue your lessons?”

You rest your chin on his shoulder, “I am rather hungry.”

He pats your leg, “Well, we can’t have that, can we? Get dressed and meet me downstairs.”

The forest is tranquil, with nothing but a light wind rustling the canopy of the lanky trees. A crescent moon hangs high in the sky, but not much of its light makes it to the ground, making the colours of the forest appear more subdued than usual.

“Gods,” Astarion clicks his tongue disapprovingly, “your footwork is truly an atrocity.”

You roll your eyes at him, groaning, “I’m trying!”

“If this is you trying, darling, the realm will end before I can even teach you this.”

“Well, maybe if I had a better teacher!”

He inspects his nails absently, “You’re more than welcome to try and find a more adequate educator.”

Ugh.

“Can you just tell me what I’m doing wrong?”

“It would be shorter to list the things you’re doing right,” he quips.

“Astarion!”

He strolls a slow circle around you with his fingers on his chin. His studious gaze is so intense you can virtually feel his eyes stroking your skin. Shadows skirt handsomely, if a little forebodingly, across the angular planes of his face.

You watch him heedfully, eyes tracking his course as he stalks around you. You’re always on alert with him. It’s hard to know what will set him off and what won’t, and you can’t afford to be caught off guard. Even so, a part of you luxuriates in these moments with him, and you admonish yourself for it.

“Where did I say you should keep most of your weight?”

“In my heels.”

“Ah, so you have learned something,” he tuts, “and where is your weight now?”

Your eyes cast heavenward, and you sigh, “I’m guessing not in my heels.”

“Correct. You’re tottering on your toes. Again,” he scolds, “Shift your weight. You’ll have far superior balance.”

You focus on your body and how it’s positioned. Your centre of gravity is displaced, and you’re rocking slightly from your toes to the balls of your feet and back like a blade of grass in a gentle wind. With effort, you manage to transfer your weight into your heels. The stance feels unnatural to you, and you struggle to keep yourself in it.

“Good girl,” he purrs, “Now, lower your hips. You’re still standing too tall. Everything will see you coming a mile away.”

The muscles of your thighs groan as you try to descend further into the crouch. You’ve been at this for hours, and your body is starting to drone fatigue.

“Lower.”

“Hells, Astarion! How much lower?”

Astarion crouches behind you and places his hands on your hips. Applying a gentle force, he pushes you further into the crouch. The muscles in your legs begin to twitch and tremble, and your balance starts to wobble.

He rises and walks around you again before crouching down in front of you with a cocked brow, “You’re very unsteady.”

Astarion reaches out and pushes your shoulder, causing you to overcorrect and fall forward onto him, knocking him over in the process. Something tells you he allowed you to push him flat to his back on the ground. He could have easily moved out of the way and watched your face grind into the earth.

Regardless, you find yourself sprawled out on top of him while you laugh loudly.

“Are all Sorcerers this unlawfully graceless?”

You smirk, “Do all Rogues possess such a smart mouth?”

He lays his head on the grassy ground and rolls his eyes at you with a grin, “Sassy girl.”

You move to push yourself up, but his arm comes around your waist, bracing you to him, and Astarion pushes the hair out of your eyes, “I really did miss you when you were gone, you know.”

Can I believe him? Can I afford to let myself believe him?

You swallow your rising sorrow, “Do you still feel emotions, Astarion?”

His vivid scarlet eyes impale you and imbue you with a profound solace that spreads through your body like a cascading wave of warmth, prickling your skin.

“You make me feel,” Astarion’s sombre, earnest intonation causes a breath to hitch in your throat.

Feel what - Obsession? Possession? Dominance? You want to ask him, but you don’t, unsure if you’re ready to hear the answer.

His thumb traces your lower lip, and that familiar rush of electricity jolts through your body and twists into your stomach. You trace his jaw with your index finger, leaning in and ghosting the velvety smoothness of his lips with your own.

Gods. I’m losing it.

Astarion presses into your invitation, and your lips mould together, charged with impassioned longing. His hand meanders into the back of your shirt, and you bask in the lazy, comforting strokes of his fingers against your skin. Using your tongue, you coax his mouth open, and he groans, giving you the access you crave.

You can feel your walls spasm and flutter eagerly, silently imploring him to fill you. Gyrating your hips into his bulging erection, he hisses as your swollen, aching clit, gorges on the mouthwatering friction. You whimper against him as your body cries for the release you were denied earlier.

Your eyes pop open momentarily and take in the forest that surrounds you. Memories of the forest the first time rush forward, and you push yourself back abruptly.

Astarion sits upright quickly and scans the surroundings, confused with your retreat, “What is it? Is something wrong?”

“Not here,” you pant.

His brows furrow for a second, and he looks around. Comprehension eases his features, “Oh, come now, was I that bad in the forest last time?” he pouts dramatically, “I didn’t hear any complaints at the time.”

“Bad?” You shake your head, “No, Astarion. Those memories are sad.”

His brow cocks, “Sad?”

You run your fingers through your hair, “I should have known what you were up to.”

Once it rolls off your tongue, you wonder if you will regret telling him this. You’ve carried this guilt around since he confessed in the first place. He manipulated you because he felt he had to secure your devotion, thus establishing his safety.

If only you had been less infatuated with him, you might have seen through that guise and been able to stop him from putting himself through that again.

Astarion stands, concern creasing his face, “Love-”

I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.

You cut him off, “Not here, Astarion.”

He nods curtly, and you begin the walk back to the estate. Once you get to the Lower City, Astarion offers you his hand to hold. It comforts you that he will stop you if you try to hurt someone. You’re not sure if he does it for your benefit or his. After all, if you did lose it and kill someone, you could end up exposing him, a risk he is unlikely to take.

The city streets are mostly quiet at this hour. The only sound you hear is your footsteps thwacking on the rigid ground until a random heartbeat starts repeating in your ears. You don’t give it much thought until her voice drifts out of the darkness. You recognize that repulsively sweet, harmonic tone.

“Astarion, darling! It’s been ages!”

Elowyn.

The woman saunters from the outdoor sitting area of a nearby inn. Her mulberry hair is pulled back, revealing her dainty face and ever-so-increasingly tempting neck. She wears a green dress that makes the sapphire of her eyes stand out.

What is she even doing out here at this time? 

You clench your jaw. Something is off about her, but you can’t quite put your finger on what. She has an air about her that makes your skin crawl, but it could be the utter loathing you feel for her playing tricks on you.

Astarion smiles pleasantly, “Elowyn. How lovely to see you.”

Elowyn’s eyes fall to your hand clasping his, and her eyebrows pull down into a slight, barely noticeable scowl. She leans in close, puts her hand on his chest and kisses his cheek, lingering there for far too long.

Your palms warm, and your muscles tense as your jealousy ignites the raging inferno of your temper. Elowyn smiles at you sweetly, but a hint of hostility in her eyes makes you want to relieve her of sight.

“How nice it is to see you again,” she grins brightly, “You appear to be in better shape than when I saw you last.”

Astarion’s brows pull down, “Better shape? My dear, whatever are you talking about?

Elowyn’s cordial laugh fills the air and makes you want to rip her vocal cords out, “Yes, last I saw her, she was quite drunk and heading to see you.”

Astarion thinks for a second and then chuckles, “Yes, she was quite drunk.”

He shoots you a glance and squeezes your hand, telling you to play along. You roll your eyes and scoff contemptuously as if you were going to inform this weasel anything about you or your life.

“She was quite rude to me that night, Astarion dear,” Elowyn sighs dramatically.

Is this bitch seriously trying to get Astarion to hurt me?

Will he?

He smirks dubiously, “Was she? How utterly awful.”

Elowyn pouts, “I do hope you will teach her a lesson. She threatened to kill me after all. She must learn respect.”

Respect? Her? HA! Never.

The notion is so entirely ridiculous that a snide snicker escapes your lips as your face contorts into a threatening grimace.

Astarion stares at her, scowling, “Watch yourself, Elowyn. Do not make me remind you of your place.”

Elowyn’s carefree demeanour falters to concern at the warning intonation of Astarion’s voice. She swallows hard and forces her dainty face to dress in an overjoyed smile, and she’s back to her usual flirtatious facade.

I wonder if she’s gotten him angry yet. If she has, how did she live through it?

Her hand is splayed on his chest, and she presses herself further into him, “I have missed you so. I came by the palace the other night to see if you wouldn’t like some company .”

Company? Ugh. As bad as entertainment.

You scoff at her loudly and try to pull out of Astarion’s grip, but he only holds on tighter.

You frown at him, “Let me go, Astarion. I wish to leave."

“No, you stay.”

“Let. Me. Go,” you growl threateningly.

This is not a request. It’s a command. You may pay dearly for taking this tone with him later, but right now, you don’t care; you would rather endure his wrath a thousand times over than spend another minute in the company of Elowyn.

Watching her put her hands all over him stokes the fire burning in your blood to unfathomable temperatures. As your fury increases, so does the likelihood that you reduce her to a pile of ash.

Why do I care so much?

I left him.

“It seems your pet spawn would like to give us some privacy. Let her go, my sweet Astarion.”

Pet spawn?

Thank you to everyone who reads/likes/comments/reblogs!

Master List of Chapters: Fangs and Fractured Hearts

If you're interested I write another fic with Spawn Astarion x Tav called - Shadows of the Past

AO3 [Crossposted]

PS: I hate Elowyn - excuse me while I go break something to get over writing her.

[redbatchedcumbermayned]

Dopamine Week fic recs - all Rogue Trader gift exchange fics!!!

Because I'm short on time this week, here's a link list to all the fics that have been written in the two Rogue Trader gift exchanges so far to celebrate the awesome people in this fandom and the great work they create!

First RT gift exchange May 25th*:

A smuggler and a thief by nikozaur - Jae x m!Rogue Trader

Some masks are borne of convenience, some of of necessity. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish which of them is the real face.

The last dance and the first by @theevilscribbler - Xavier Calcazar x f!Rogue Trader

After a successful meeting with the Lord Inquisitor during her Magnae Accessio, Cesselie von Valancius is surprised to find that Xavier Calcazar has lingered to enjoy the party a little longer. Will a less formal encounter pave the way to something more?

Part of the trial by Hackinslash - Marazhai x Sister Argenta

Enjoy two characters at their lowest ebb, fighting against the odds to get a taste of redemption and freedom.

Radiance on the bridge by @captastra Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Heinrix van Calox gets lost in thought as he watches Isidora von Valancius on the bridge of her ship.

A leap into the void by myself XD - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Heinrix van Calox and Lethyan von Valancius spend a quiet evening in the observatorium. Things turn spicy fast and Lethyan finds out that even a Biomancer's willpower has its limits.

Second RT gift exchange August 17th:

Systematical; Sacrificial by @vossprime - Pasqal x f!Rogue Trader

The Rogue Trader and Pasqal discuss their blossoming entanglement, life after Commorragh, and Pasqal's mechadendrites. A strange ritual ensues.

Storytime by @holylustration Heinrix x m!Rogue Trader x Jae

Cassia's heard a tale from some midshipmen - and as everything one hears from the crew must be true - she's invited the Lord Captain and some friends to share the story. Not everyone is impressed.

We're tender mammals mostly by @gravelorded Pasqal x f!Rogue Trader

Mercy. Von Valancius knows it, even if she refuses to speak its name. A tech-priest knows to excise it to better understand the Omnissiah’s directive, but for her- for this moment only, he assures- he will try.

Closed Impetus by @vossprime - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Rogue Trader Elena von Valancius and Inquisitor Heinrix van Calox find themselves at a spontaneous ball. Between investigating noble intrigues and fast dances, they have to ponder the status of their relationship since the Magnae Accessio.

A sound strategy by @theevilscribbler - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

As the siege on Eufrates II draws close and their future hangs in the balance, Inquisition Agent Heinrix van Calox is determined to ensure that all their plans are flawless, even at the cost of his own well-being. Fortunately, his beloved Rogue Trader is on hand to assist with his preparations… and even has a few interesting suggestions of her own!

Tender by @vitanithepure - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Sometimes Heinrix van Calox needs a reminder that those that play with fire often get burned.

A Tech-Priest's heart by @captastra Pasqal x f!Rogue Trader

Pasqal slowly starts to learn that the heart, machine or not, still has a way of falling.

Down the line by Hackinslash - Marazhai x m!Rogue Trader

Marazhai Aezyrraesh wishes to taste some of Seth von Valancius's psyker powers, and his little pet doesn't dare refuse.

A rare flower amidst Chaos by myself - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Lord Inquisitor Heinrix van Calox had always loved Lienna von Valancius. Yet duty had kept the lovers apart until now. Heinrix has been summond to Lyxus to attend a picnic, and he has a confession to make.

*if I missed a fic please send me a message and I'll add it promptly.

Now go and spread the love and discover some hidden gems!

[loregoddess]

so I might be having a blast playing Rebirth, but I'm still thinking Octo2 stuff, and just realized bc of the Dolcinaea fight I could see the weaknesses for every character (except Agnea) and since I can turn just about any random detail into a "hmm, does this mean anything" thought exercise, here's some observations (minor story spoilers):

Throne, Osvald, and Partitio have the fewest weaknesses at 3. This makes sense for Throne and Osvald (professional thief/assassin raised to be a thief/assassin, Throne can't have any openings if she hopes to survive; Osvald relied on his keen observation to Shawshank Redemption himself out of prison, so of course he'd have fewer openings bc he's always keeping an eye on things around him). But Partitio surprised me--although it does make some sense, he had to keep his wits about him to become the best merchant in Oresrush, and he's wicked smart (honestly, Ori's the only one who ever seems able to genuinely sneak up on him, and that makes sense given that she's, y'know, Ori).

Hikari has no weaknesses to weapons of any sort, and only has elemental weaknesses as a result. He is not weak to light or dark though (a reference to Shadow's Hold/Light's Radiance or else his bloodlines perhaps?). On the flipside Osvald has no weaknesses to elements and only weaknesses to weapons (all the weapons he's weak to--polearms, daggers, and bows--are "ranged" in some sense, suggesting his magic maybe makes it impossible to get close enough to attack him).

Throne and Temenos continue to act as foils to each other, with Throne having only one elemental weakness to light, and Temenos having only one elemental weakness to dark. Throne's only two weapon weaknesses are axes and bows, which sort of makes sense (either someone has to get close enough to strike her quickly or they have to attack from a very far distance to get the drop on her; there are also interestingly the hunter's base weapon set, so the only way to stop a thief is to hunt them; also there's a ranged bow counter to her close-range sword and a close-range axe counter to her ranged dagger). Temenos's weapon weaknesses include swords, daggers, and axes, which are interestingly all "close range" weapons to some degree (Temenos never lets anyone get too close to him emotionally, so it makes sense the only way to actually harm him would be to "get close" to him; swords and daggers are also the thief's base weapon set, and given how much assassination goes on in his story, it makes sense he too would be vulnerable to Throne's trade weapons).

Partitio's only elemental weakness is ice (makes sense given how arid his hometown is). He has a weakness to swords and staves, both close range weapons to contrast the longer-ranged polearm and bow weapons he uses.

Castti's only weapon weakness are bows (a long-range contrast to her shorter-ranged axe), but her elemental weaknesses are what's really interesting. She has a weakness to fire (this makes sense, given that she has an ice-based skill, and a lot of water symbolism in her story arc), but also wind and dark--the two key elements needed to create and spread the purple rain that nearly killed her.

Ochette's the only character with a balance of two weapon weaknesses and two elemental weaknesses: polearms and staves (a longer-ranged weapon to counter her short-ranged axe, and a close-ranged weapon to counter her long-ranged bow); and fire and wind (wind makes sense given that it's the usual weakness to thunder, which is the only elemental attack she has access to in her base skillset, but her weakness to fire is more interesting--is it because she lives in a forest, which are historically susceptible to fires? or because she lives surrounded by water, and fire is the natural opposite?)

Hikari is the only character weak the thunder, just as Throne and Temenos are the only characters weak to light and dark respectively. The other major elements all have two travelers weak to them: Ochette and Castti to fire, Partitio and Hikari to ice, and Castti and Hikari to wind.

Likewise, every weapon is strong against at least two characters, with the exception of bows which are strong against three characters. Swords: Partitio and Temenos, Polearms: Ochette and Osvald, Daggers: Osvald and Temenos, Axes: Throne and Temenos, Bows: Castti, Throne, and Osvald, Staves: Ochette and Partitio.

I dunno if there's any significance to the pattern of: every weapon is strong against two characters except one is strong against three, and every element is strong against two characters except for three elements that are only strong against one character each. But it is some fancy balancing for as far as numbers go.

Anyhow I wasn't going anywhere with this, these were just some interesting observations I wanted to jot down instead of going to bed like I should have half an hour ago.

[witches-dream]

The way Smoked Cheese says "I'm looking forward to it" right after Burning Spice says "your destruction shall be my greatest pleasure" makes me think they want us to believe that he's gonna be on Spice's side. Option 1: it's correct and Smoked Cheese doesn't get redemption, cuz when he's allying with a beast you know he's too far gone, after such a thing it wouldn't make sense either for us nor Goldie to forgive him. Option 2: it's a red herring, he could be saying this as in "I'm looking forward... To seeing you FAIL" or he pretends to be on Spice's side. There's two reasons for me to believe this. One is the end of chapter 18 where Goldie forgives him and he looks sorry for a moment there. The way that that moment was written makes me think that redemption is a logical next step for his character. Two is Mozzarella, it's that she pretended to be by Smoked Cheese's side, only to betray him last second and reveal she was still loyal to Goldie the entire time. So if Smoked Cheese does this, it would be a great way to have us on edge, wondering if he has really committed to the path of a traitor, or if he's fooling all of us, but also it would show that he has learned from his mistakes and learned from Mozzarella as he would be doing the same thing she did to him. I think the second option is more likely cuz i don't see Smoked Cheese being wholly evil as a character. Cuz i feel like, unlike Affogato, a similar character, he doesn't have traits and motivations that makes him as likeable of a villain; so if he is made wholly evil, he'd just be a mean jerk and nobody likes that. Anyway that's my theory i will pull for him no matter what cuz i love him and i have faith in the writers at devsis to make him and all the new characters awesome as hell either way

Edit: i forgot about this while writing, but i do not think Smoked Cheese would want Burning Spice to destroy Golden Cheese. He wants her kingdom for himself, and he's fucking dead and Goldie is the only one who can revive the kingdom, so if she's dead then he's dead and the kingdom's dead. And even if it can be revived through other means, like if Burning Spice will promise Smoked Cheese to revive the kingdom for him to rule, Smoked Cheese will obviously not believe the Beast of Fucking Destruction saying that, like?? So when Smoked Cheese reveals he was fooling Burning Spice all along, he'll be like "don't think I'm doing this for you, Your Radiance, I'm doing this for MY kingdom" and Goldie will be like :") he's still my sweet greedy child.. (not literally, you get what i mean). So those are my predictions

[maternity-morningstar]

Character Profile: Aurora (aka Venus/Dawn)

Full Name: Aurora Morningstar
Alias: Venus, Dawn
Title: The Divine Consort, Mother of Angels, Queen of Heaven
Species: Primordial Celestial Being (Goddess)
Role: Wife of God, Mother of the Archangels and Seraphim, Goddess of Dawn

Appearance:

* Height: 15 feet tall (does adjust her height when needed)

* Build: Gracefully tall and statuesque, with an aura of ethereal elegance and divine power.

* Hair: Flowing golden locks that cascade like sunlight, often shifting in hue depending on her mood, sometimes appearing like the soft glow of dawn or the fierce blaze of a star.

* Eyes: Luminous and ever-changing, from a warm, nurturing gold to a piercing cosmic blue, reflecting the eternal sky and heavens.

* Clothing: Draped in celestial garments of soft, shimmering light and flowing silks that move with the grace of the cosmos itself. Her attire often resembles the constellations, stars, or sunrise and twilight skies, symbolizing her connection to creation.

Personality:

* Benevolent & Nurturing: Aurora is a loving and protective mother figure, not only to her children but also to all beings created by her husband, God. She exudes warmth and compassion, always concerned with the well-being of her creations.

* Graceful Authority: As the Queen of Heaven, Aurora commands immense respect and carries herself with regal dignity. Her power is unquestionable, but she wields it with kindness, wisdom, and justice.

* Fierce Protector: Though gentle and nurturing, Aurora is fiercely protective of her family, especially her children. She will not hesitate to use her divine power to protect them from harm.

* Eternal Optimist: She sees beauty in all of God’s creation, constantly reminding her children of the importance of balance between light and dark, creation and destruction, love and justice.

* Mourning & Compassionate: Aurora has suffered much sorrow, particularly over Lucifer's fall, but her love for him remains. Despite this, she does not interfere directly with his fate, believing in the balance of free will.

Abilities & Powers:

* Primordial Creation: As a being older than the universe itself, Aurora has the ability to weave and control the fundamental forces of creation, shaping worlds, stars, and life itself.

* Cosmic Light: Aurora can summon light from the furthest reaches of the universe, using it for healing, protection, or destructive power when necessary. Her light has the capacity to purify souls or banish darkness.

* Empathy of the Divine: Aurora can sense the emotions and thoughts of any celestial or mortal being. She uses this gift to guide, heal, and comfort others but also to understand their struggles.

* Temporal Manipulation: She can slow, accelerate, or even momentarily stop the flow of time within a given space, a reflection of her eternal nature.

* Divine Wrath: When provoked or when her children are threatened, Aurora’s wrath can manifest as powerful storms, cosmic disruptions, or the blinding radiance of the stars.

Relationships:

* God (Husband): Aurora is the equal partner of God, sharing in the responsibility of guiding creation. While she may have differing views on how to manage the cosmos, she respects His authority and works in harmony with Him.

* Lucifer (Son): Aurora loves Lucifer dearly and mourns his fall from grace. She often prays for his redemption, even though she understands that his path is his own to walk. Her sorrow over his rebellion has shaped her into a more understanding and compassionate deity.

* Archangels & Seraphim (Children): Aurora is the mother to all angels, and she has a deep connection to each of her children. She raised them with wisdom and love, guiding them to their roles in the celestial hierarchy. Each of her children looks up to her with reverence and love, seeing her as the ultimate source of divine wisdom.

Backstory:

Aurora was born from the same cosmic force that brought God into being, predating the universe itself. As God created the heavens and earth, she stood by his side, nurturing creation and giving life to the first angels. Her role as the divine mother expanded as more angels came into existence, and she became the guiding force behind their development and growth.

When Lucifer rebelled, Aurora’s heart broke, though she did not blame herself or her husband. She recognized Lucifer’s fall as a part of the cosmic balance but still held hope that one day he might return to the light. Her sadness over Lucifer’s descent deepened her compassion for others, leading her to take a more active role in guiding souls and offering solace.

Aurora remains a central figure in the celestial hierarchy, revered and loved by all beings of heaven. While God is seen as the creator and lawgiver, Aurora represents the nurturing and guiding aspect of divinity, a balance to His omnipotent power.

Symbols & Iconography:

* Dove & Star: Aurora is often represented by a dove carrying a glowing star, symbolizing peace, hope, and divine guidance.

* The Morning Star (Venus): Her connection to the planet Venus, the morning star, represents her role as the first light, guiding both angels and mortals.

* Lotus Blossom: A symbol of purity, beauty, and rebirth, reflecting her role in creation and nurturing.

[villainsimpqueen]

Echos in Paradise Lost

Adam x readerx Eve

Reader is intersex

(All my fics are 18+)

Chaoter 6.

Chapter 6:

The judgment came too quickly for the humans, Yet it had been a long ordeal for the truly blessed ones.

an argument back and forth between them as their following assistants watched and only could help aid them with visuals of what had happened, to aid in the debate on what the punishment for the humans were to be as well for the traitors of heaven.

It had taken them a great while to come up with the decision, but once had been made following after the most holy ones lead of what the true father may have wanted.

It had been Michael's judgment to cast out the deceiver and fallen Lucifer out of the realms of heaven and the gardens, banishing him even from the realm of earth to somewhere far below into the unknown where Lucifer light would not shine. The traitor of heaven's wife had joined him, where to stay in that eternal darkness, Where neither will see the light again. He also had no mercy for the other created humans as he believed they too should be banished to such a place as heaven would not allow the damned to taint its unity as well the sacred Gardens of their mother who had become one with the galaxies that extended through the great beyonds above.

It had been Uriel's wisdom that influenced the other holy one's judgment to send the humans who had been tricked into sin to the new realm they had been creating. Earth.

It was her wise proposition to send the humans who had partaken in the fruit of the forbidden tree to be banished from heaven's grace and the safety of the Gardens to earth. Where they would face many trials and temptations in their remaining days and shall they resist them, they may prove that they were always loyal to heaven and at the end of their days they may be allowed to come back to their original blessed home.

As all the holy siblings bickered back and forth it was Raphael who brought up another issue that would have arrived, what to do with you.

"By our command, they were wrought into existence, fashioned to accompany Adam and Eve. As the young seraphims assembly, still pure as holy light, shall we punish them for the deeds of their partners? Do we comprehend the consequence should they be sundered from their counterparts?”

As he did not see reason for you to suffer for actions you did not commit, and what would your divine purpose be once the damned were removed from the gardens. Could a soul like yours even survive without your original purpose? His words only spurred a longer debate as others could only make assumptions, until all faces were turned to one in their union.

Azrael had leaned forward from their balcony in the court staring at the other faces of their siblings as they inhaled before exhaling wispful smoke from their lips.

"Verily, they would languish in torment, for 'tis the love betwixt Eve and Adam that binds them so. Their presence, their unyielding devotion to each other, sustains their corporeal form and tethers their souls. Yet, to cast a pure soul into a realm tainted by sin and darkness would cruelly rend its radiance asunder.” They spoke to the court smoke leaving their lips in small huffs as they placed their hands on balcony counter interlocking them as their silver white eyes glowed from the shadows of their veiled face

“Let us recall our pact: Eve, condemned for eternity for her transgression in partaking of the forbidden fruit, yet carrying within her womb a sorrowful child of heaven. And Adam, still bearing the promise of redemption to tread once more within heaven's gates.” They continued watching the faces of their siblings and even their appointed underlings, their eyes falling to one who scribed away at the meeting's contents to be stored in high security to be records of their final divine judgment. Azrael knew that their siblings, while always respectful, were wary of what they brought forth, what their divine purpose was in their fathers great work.

They brought death.

though death did not need to be cruel.

And Azreal had no ill will towards you, a being that they see to be a victim in all.

“Therefore, we must ponder: Do we dispatch Y/n to endure a protracted agony upon the earth, to wither before their beloved in anguished disarray, risking the erosion of Adam's devotion and steadfast faith? Or do we, in mercy, claim their life ourselves, sparing them the anguish of dissolution after banishing their spouses from the gardens?”

There was silence, besides the scribblings of ancient symbols on holy parchment before that too ceased in sound.

"We abstain from taking life, thus any course must tread delicately, so as not to affront the efforts of the Almighty. Having heard your deliberations, I propose a novel solution." The soft but yet firm voice of their sister metatron Spoke up her voice an echo of many as she commanded her siblings attention, her hand moving the feathered quill against the parchment she so Devotedly scribbled her words down as well of their reactions, her eyes prying key to detail.

“Let us conceal Eden from all eyes, ensconcing it in a realm of tranquil repose where Y/n's soul may find solace, shielded from the anguish of separation from their beloved.” Her words echoed through the courtroom, up the grand pillars that held it high. Her quill hand never ceasing as she took in the court guests' reactions to her words.

“There, let them slumber undisturbed, their souls unscathed by the torment of earthly parting. Permit their consciousness to wander, beholding the memories of their spouses through their eyes, so that their soul may never languish in solitude. Thus, poised betwixt life and death, their essence shall endure, harmoniously entwined, neither fading into oblivion nor sundered from existence.”

Her proposal backed by Uriel and Raphael nearly immediately and after details of how to make such a thing happen Azreal had brought forth a method to keep your soul in a soundless slumber between life and death.

A coma.

The angel of death had named it.

The holy siblings devine decisions of judgment had been made.

And young angels were sent to announce said judgment

The morning light had just started to rise when the air of the clearance of the forbidden tree was suffocated in its sudden combustion.

The noise of splintering wood and the feel of a heat of a million sourcing suns caused your eyes to fly open along with your wife and husbands.

Adam had reacted first, flying up and covering Eve's body underneath him as his golden eyes took in the blaze that consumed the forbidden trees.

The sound of batting wings came soon after

As Adam was pushed away from your and Eves bodies allowing you and your wife to scramble up to take sights of the flame engulfed tree as well the holy bright light swarming around figures concealing their faces from your eyes.

It was only the familiarity of them being the ones that created you was all you had to know what they were.

"You have defied the will of the Almighty and brought sin into this sacred place.” A voice of femininity spoke down to the three created humans, The other Angels following their lead stayed in the air above, witnesses to account the banishment and peaceful slumber was smooth and seamlessly.

The young Seraphim stared at the humans who one looked up with wide wondrously pure e/c eyes, the other two of corrupted gold.

She had taken hand at physically creating all three humans below, but she avoided looking at the one she had solely worked on alone, perhaps making his eyes.Reminding herself that he was not a child of hers, she had only made him, and he had failed heaven.

“"Disobedience hath marred the purity of this paradise. Henceforth, Eve, thou art banished from the Garden of Eden, forever estranged from its splendor and plenty, deemed a threat to the heavens, never to tread its sacred ground anew. Adam, likewise, art banished from these Gardens. May thy soul seek solace or be condemned alongside thy wife. Let the consequences of thy deeds serve as a solemn reminder of the dire ramifications of defying the Creator's decrees.”

Young Sera announced The holy one Divine Judgment that was written down and delivered to her by the Gabriel one of the younger of the holy ones for her to be bestowed the responsibility of announcing the Judgment and punishment towards the humans and to watch over to ensure the Banishment went without much resistance and that your peaceful rest would not be delayed a second after Adam and Eve's souls were casted out of the gardens.

It went as she expected it would go. and she turned her head away from the sight of the other angels forcing Adam and Eve away from you, angels holding you from running towards your spouses.

"RELEASE THY HOLD! PERMIT ME TO DEPART! ALLOW ME TO ACCOMPANY THEM! I BEG THEE, LET ME ABIDE WITH THEM! ADAM! EVE! I BESEECH THEE!” Your shrieks cut through the gardensas the other humans' screams did.

Adam fought back against the angel's much like how Sera would have thought he would, it was his purpose afterall to protect those he was married to, such a strong instinctive drive she made him have.

"Unhand them! Unhand my spouse! Grant us our beloved spouse!” Adam shouted, demanding what would have been his entire right if the holy ones had not come up with their decisions.

Sera had turned her head to sounds of your and Eves screams watching as the other angels finally managed to throw Adam off a cliff falling into a portal that would have him descend into the new realm Earth.

Your screams of pure terror left you as you tried struggling out of the other angels arms.

“ADAM!” your shrieks came with a heart shattering tone, You screamed and bucked in the angels hold as you watched them shove your wife down from the clift another shriek leaving your lips and it was as if Sera was seeing you began to unravel immediately.

“EVE!” Your high pitched scream echoed and you collapsed onto your knees a sob breaking from you quickly as your body began to tremble the hastily smoothed over seams of your flesh started to appear and began to split open making you scream more in agony as you clutched your chest screaming for Adam and Eve, your wife and your husband.

Blood seeped from you as you began to fall apart much like how it was predicted.

The angels moved quickly unveiling a blue powdery substance made by holy Azreal and blew it into your face. You choked on it, tears falling from your face before your eyes rolled back into your head, a deathless sleep coming over you. Sera let out a breath she did not know she held as she moved to you, watching the angels clean your body from the blood and smooth your skin back over your flesh to hood you together again.

They washed you clean before levitating your sleeping form up to take back to the small cave you humans had shared.

Sera had taken pity on you, gathering the fur you had covered yourself with and dusting it off before spreading it out over you like a blanket, she felt something hard in a pocket and pulled the object out seeing a seed.

Perhaps it was the empathy she had for your fate because she did not destroy the seed like they had been ordered to destroy the forbidden tree, instead she had placed it in one of your slumbering hands allowing you to hold it onto your chest.

She had stayed by your side as they moved you to your once shared home, shared caverned and laid you down in the furred bedding that still smelled of your husband and wife.

Once you were placed they all left the gardens of eden, Not one of them turning back as the Gardens vanished, the holy ones blessing to make it where no man, nor angel shall ever find it and disturb your rest taking effect immediately.

She had ignored the tears that streamed down your cheeks from closed eyes.

The first experience humans ever had on earth was a treacherous one. It had been cold, wet and surrounded by an angry storm that they were unequipped and unknowledgeable to be thrown in such conditions so quickly. Frigid cold rain pelted against their delicate skin harshly causing a sting as bitter icy winds burned past them. Adam and Eve had fallen into an area that was experiencing one of earth's firsts and many more to come hurricanes.

The wind was harsh, knocking them over causing them to fall into the mucky nature floors covering them in mud and other unknown substances. Lightning struck down harshly flashing the dark night around with a horrifying display of shadows of the unknown enough to throw them both into heuristics. Eve had kept screaming, she clung onto him tightly and Adam clung back to her Desperately as he tried to guide his wife to any form of safety.

The storm wasn't just the worst part of the night,

It was the feeling of being surrounded by Eyes.

So many eyes focused on them both, watching, judging, fueling their paranoia.

He had never felt so seen in a way that made him want to curl up and hide. A deep shame filled into his lower stomach and a nonstop dreaded feeling filled his chest on top of push aside mourning as he stumbled through the unknown lands with Eve right behind them.

He didn't even feel relief when he managed to find them both a measly shelter, a whittled down old tree with a hollow center. He had guided Eve inside of it first, letting her get into the deepest spot of the tree that managed to stay somewhat between damp and dry but kept her out of the cold unforgiving rains. He had taken the position nearest the opening having his back exposed and continued to be rained on and hit with cold bitter winds. He could only look down at his wife's face who hid into his chest, her arms clinging to his chest as she sobbed, something he wanted to do but wouldn't allow himself to.

He needed to be the strength between them, someone needed to be strong.

He couldn't allow himself to be weak, not in this unknowing yet cruel place.

when they were safe, truly safe, then he would cry.

So he squeezed his burning eyes shut and focused on his breathing, trying to ignore the harshness of the storm pelting on his back, or how his body trembled from the cold, focusing more on how Eve's body trembled against his not just from her sobs Either.

He moved his arms trying to cover her, stroking her back and arms to build heat from.his own freezing body to warm her own.

Every crackling of lightning and thunder making them both jump, small screams leaving his wife's lips as she clung to him more, he only would tighten his grasp around her tightly, each time he felt how his heart seemed to get stuck in his scratchy throat pounding, hoe his chest would heave as the palpitations of his heart grew so did his need to breathe more quickly.

He was thankful the angels had spared you from this cruelty.

Eve clung onto Adam, burying her face into his chest as she cried, he was the only thing of familiarity and comfort she had here. She did not understand how the Angels could be so cruel. As the treacherous night continued they both could hear sounds of animals stalking through the storm, she felt how stiff Her husband grew as wretched calls neared their tree. He had turned from her, his back facing her as he peered out of the hollowed tree, his eyes watching through dense thick rain and dark shadows that would be flashed with bright light by those awful crackling noises. Eve would have never seen Adam so tense, his chest heaving so quickly, between the lightning flashed she saw how his hands gripped at the hollow tree entrance, how his knuckles drained of all color of his tanned skin. Another thought had crossed her mind and her chest was frantic with pain and worry.

You had always helped Adam take part in protecting the three of them, and that the gardens never had true danger except those who loved to deceive.

Adam had known every potentially dangerous animal in the gardens and even then they understood why he needed to hunt them, they never sought out to hunt them back.

But here,

It seemed the animals siblings did indeed want to hunt them back.

Another hellish sound other than the storm echoed and about hundreds more followed after making Adam take in a sharp inhale.

"Coyotes... They search for us…” Her husband wheezed out in realization. He took steps back pushing her deeper into the hollow until her bare back dug into the harshness of the hollow bark and despite this her husband was still more exposed than she.

She shivered against his freezing backside, tears burning her eyes as they fell, she wanted to seek out for more comfort but she knew she would not receive anymore from Adam that night. Her heart burned and ached as she longed to be buried into your arms, hearing your saccharine words of sweet comfort, that your shared husband would keep her safe and that you would as well.

she could no longer have such comfort from you and she blamed the angel's for that.

When morning light came, it should have brought peace, but it didn't, as both of them felt the true need of thirst and the pains of hunger. Their throats ached for clean water, their stomachs felt as if they were tearing through their other organs to satisfy its needs. Their skin felt extremely itchy from the dried muck and mud that were on their skin. Both felt true exhaustion start to take place, heaviness in their eyes from the first night of no sleep. Their bodies were already aching as they left the whittled old tree hollow into the seeming bright day.

The earth's lands had transformed into one of horrors to one of beauty in the sunlight which had been a slap to both humans sleep deprived faces.

Both had not spoken a word to each other, Eve merely following After Adam as he lead through the unknown land, it had not taken him.long to find animal trails that lead them to a river, the sight of clean rushing waters relieved them both as they moved towards it cupping their hands into the water and bringing it to their lips over and over gulping the water greedily. Both had taken the liberties to wash their bodies with the rushing waters clearing the muck from their blemishing skin.

Eve had turned watching Adam as he washed his hair, how dark circles rung around his tired eyes, she had never seen him so worn down, not knowing that this would be a common sight of her husband for her to lay her gaze upon.

Even with having time to allow relaxation to hit them, she watched as he did not allow it to come, he immediately worked on crafting a spear and a blade, to her surprise when he handed her a carved blade of her own. She had taken it and looked up at him with wide honey eyes for the only time she ever needed a blade was when preparing a meal shared between three.

He did not comment on it.

Merely handing her the blade and moved on,The first day Adam did not speak to her much, other than simple commands

“Come, wife.” when he moved forwards into the unknown land

"Stay thou here.” when he was unsure if a certain area was safe for them both to travel together.

She did not dare complain, even when her stomach was gnawing through her, because She knew well that he was too and yet he focused on finding them somewhere safe to stay.

A place he did eventually find hours after the first strokes of morning light as the sun hit noons peak. The cave he found brought familiar comfort as Eve moved inside of it with him, her eyes taking in the bare cave that's flooring was covered in small gravely stones and dead plant matter. She moved to start cleaning away at the cave's floor,quietly as she heard Adams command of her staying here and he turned and left.

To hopefully provide them a meal

She silently prayed as she focused on her task at hand.

He had not.

Instead of rushing to find food Adam had prioritized another concern, as Eve was greeted with him dragging logs back to the cave, as well vines wrapped around from his beholder to hip.

She watched as he began to stack the logs over the caves entrance before moving vines through them, weaving had never been her husbands strongest and she moved from the caves flooring to help him weave them through, she expected some words as he never did like being corrected, she had prepared praise on her tongue for him to soothe him.

But Adam had merely stayed quiet.

Accepting her help without a word, and with all the change they had been thrown in, Eve found herself wanting to hear her husband's typical complaining at not needing her aid.

The woven structure he made closed the caves entrance, she believed it was for added protection.

Which she would have been correct as Adam did not know what may come hunting after them now that their scents were all over the forest and lands. Letting predators know of a potential new prey to hunt and feast upon.

But it was also to hide away from the eyes that plagued him.

watched him, stared at his naked body relentlessly.

Inside the enclosed cave, he finally felt as if the eyes were off of him, allowing him peace and privacy only to bombard him again when he left the cave to gather clay from a nearby creek gathering it on a large rock he could pick up and carry back, quickly as he entered the cave he felt that lingering gaze on his body leave letting him shutter as he moved to the cave floor laying the cave down and started building it upwards until he had to leave for another gathering of clay trip and soon wood. The heat of the day grew and the sun beating down on him caused sweat to form against his hairline as he moved about underneath its gaze. Yet it meant the sun was hot enough to lay wood outside of the cave for it to dry so he could light a fire to keep his wife and himself warm when the harsh heated sun fell down for the moon to dance in the sky.

By sun down, they had a new home, they had a fire pit alive with a crackling fire, He had a spear and they both had blades, a place to gather clean water to drink and wash their bodies from.

And fish.

After a long day of work He still hunted even if he felt as if his body was going to collapse.

Adam after eating the smaller fish out of the two he had caught for Eve and him to eat upon that night he moved, falling onto a bed of leaves Eve had put together.

He felt her join him moments later.

"It is but little, I do apologize.” She softly spoke to him as she laid beside him, not joining on his chest, merely beside him. He did not complain as his body ached too much to have any added weight, his heavy eyelids already fighting to stay open as he turned his head to look at her.

“Thou needest not apologize, this sufficeth.” He gravely spoke, feeling the soreness of his throat now focused on it made him dry cough and move a hand to rub at the lump that stayed there. It had not yet left him, but he hoped it would soon if he drank more water to wash it away from.his throat.

Eve had spared him.a withering smile before looking at the ceiling of the cave, silence taking over them both momentarily.

“Dost thou reckon they art safe?” Eve softly whispered, making his ears slightly rang and his chest throbbed as he was forced to acknowledge your missing presence.

He had inhaled sharply beside her.

"In paradise they dwell, Beyond mere safety they reside.” He spoke, reminding Eve at how peaceful and safe the Gardens had been. He knew you were safe as long as you stayed in those gardens. Eve had gone quiet for a few moments only speaking once his eyelids had dropped, almost allowing him sleep, almost.

"Dost thou believe they shalt replace us, as did thy former wife?” She asked, it had made him freeze his eyes open as he turned to look at her.

She watched as Adam opened his mouth to speak before it fell closed, a new kind of pain moving through his eyes. Yet he did not speak any words.

Had he not thought of such things?

tears brimmed her eyes as she took one of his hands.

"Shall they forget us once a new pair of spouses doth grace their lives?” She weakly asked him, feeling how he squeezed her hand tightly a hitched breath taken in by his lips. She saw how his eyes began to water before he squeezed the shut turning to face the ceiling. She had suddenly felt cruel for asking such as she felt a tremble of his hand form.

He had not answered right away.

"They are our spouse, woven into our very being... They... They vowed to love us until their final breaths... Nay... My echo, our beloved, would not entertain the thought of another wife... nor husband. Our love endures, unyielding.” He spoke, a sting of uncertainty in his tone and yet a whole lot of beloved faith.

It had been his faith in you that made her cry silently as a wave of relief washed over her.

"Shall we ever behold them again?” she gasped out through hitching breaths. Adam had squeezed her hand pulling it up to his lips where he pressed it against them before he turned and looked at her with merely broken golden eyes.

Yet still so faithful

“"Thou canst not fathom the lengths I would traverse to ensure our reunion. I vow to make it so, my dear Eve.” His words broke and rebuilt her heart, and Eve decided if she was ever to have faith in something it was that promise.

Adams promised for you all to be together once again.

She would face whatever was thrown their way if it meant for you all to be in each other's embraces again.

she smiled at him, moving a hand to his cheek watching how his tired eyes fluttered close at her touch.

“"I harbor no doubts thou wouldst falter in such a pursuit.” She whispered. whispered her faith into him, into his promise, into the hope of once day of being with you together again.

It had taken them months to understand the new lands, months to build a simple mockery of the home they once shared, the missing of one's presence started to take its toll on the one who didn't allow themselves to mourn.

And Eve watched the cracking of your shared husband.

He had prayed everyday, still being so hopelessly devoted to the ones that abandoned them here.

He had given offerings to prove that they were still loyal followers.

Every day, every night, every meal, Adam prayed for them both, but it wasn't the same as praying in Eden. Where the sun would grow brighter after a prayer, the stars twinkle and rocket across the sky.

Here, Prayer seemed meaningless to Eve. As each time she saw how her husband would stare up to the heavens hopefully, ever waiting for something.

Something to show that they were being heard.

Yet nothing ever showed.

Frustration came from him as he hunted better offerings, he even aided in binding them clothing from what he hunted to cover them both up entirely, modestly, even offering some of her best workings to the heavens.

Until he became unmoving.

His skin dullen with his hair and nails.

His eyes drained from the scorching light in them, if he even had energy to open them.

an illness taken over him so quickly and no matter what herbs or mixtures Eve crafted to heal Adam, none deemed to work.

At night when perhaps he thought she was not awake she could hear his shuddering breaths, muffled painful weeping that came from him.

She could only hold him tighter pretending that shenwas in deep sleep, How his trembling arm would hold her so tightly as if he feared she too would be taken away like you had to both of them.

it hurt to know that she had once before.

This sickness consumed Adam, and she grew worried for him with each passing day as he went longer and longer from waking up. Her gentle shakes had begun to turn to panicked rushed ounces, her eyes brimming with tears of relief when he would finally make a sound and open his dull ringed eyes up to her honey ounces.

She wished for something that would heal her husband, to make him strong as he once was, to rebuild the dying hope into him.

And for the first time since her banishment with Adam, she had prayed. Sitting outside of their home on her knees as she could hear the soft intakes of shaking breaths that echoed in her ears of Adams' breaths, she leaned forward placing her hands in front of her palms flat onto the ground and prayed.

Prayed to anyone that would listen.

"I beseech thee... do not sever him from my side as well... grant Adam the vigor, the radiance to recover... I implore thee, withhold not him from me... I shall do all in my power... I beg of thee…” She whispered, she repeated over and over hoping to feel something, anything that she was heard, that her pleading words would be granted.

but she felt nothing.

It started with laughs leaving her lips, before she clawed at the ground sitting up and throwing whatever was in her hands around her, she screamed at the starry heavens.

"HAVE WE NOT ENDURED ENOUGH PUNISHMENT!? WHAT DOES HEAVEN REAP FROM OUR AGONY?! WHAT MEANING LIES IN FAITH IF THOU ABANDON US SWIFTLY?! HEAVEN'S LOVE, IT IS SAID, KNOWS NO FALTERING! YET THOU HAST FORSAKEN US AT OUR FIRST ERRORS! WHY ARE WE DENIED REDEMPTION WHEN THOU THYSELF ART CONSTANTLY IN FLUX?!” She screamed, a wail breaking from her lips as she clawed at her eyes.

"Pray, I acknowledge my transgressions, the anguish I have wrought. Even if thou shalt disregard me, if I am deemed unworthy of redemption in thine eyes, do not mete out such cruelty upon him. He is steadfast in his devotion, and thy averted gaze weighs heavily upon him. Thou art draining the life from him…” She pleaded, she cried the entire night, only joining back to Adam's side in the early morning's light where she held him close to her, her trembling fingers moving through his dull and brittle hair gently.

She weeped as she buried her face in his hair, hearing rasped breaths from him.

"Oh y/n, what wouldst thou do to mend our husband? To halt this unraveling?” She muttered as her tears soaked his hair, her eyes growing heavy for sleep at once and she feared when she awoke she would truly be alone.

Yet her dreams brought her peace, she was not in the realm of earth but back in paradise at the beautiful pond which the angels had blessed her and Adam with you.

She could hear laughter and she walked closer hearing splashing of water.

Her sights took in you and Adam in the crystal waters, your delighted shrills as you fumbled around with a fish in your arms, unsure of what to do as Adam clutched his knees laughing at your attempts of fishing.

"I do not joke, aid me! Husband!” you shrieked at him only making Adam laugh at your misfortune more, the sight bringing a wide smile to her lips as she neared the waters watching how Adam finally aided you in moving the fish to the shore banks with a small pile of four.

"Is this not an excessive burden?” she asked as she saw how your precious e/c eyes snapped to her, how they brightened with so much love and affection as you scrambled out of the waters to engulf her in your arms adoringly.

"My beloved wife, it is simply too much! Why dost thou walk in thy condition? It shall exhaust thee so. Permit me to carry thee back.” your tender loving words had shooker her and she pulled from you in confusion.

"Art I truly well?” She questioned hearing your soft giggles, Adam soon by your side his bright eyes burning strongly as he looked at her, concern forming on his face for a moment before a grin forming.

"Speak not so lightly, my beloved wife. Allow them to attend to thee. Our cherished spouse is filled with nothing but the purest joy at the prospect of the little one thou shalt bring unto us.” Adam spoke to her gentle words with a firmness she didn't quite understand.

little one?

Her hands moved against her own self aware thoughts to rest upon her stomach, which was slightly swollen. Shock seemed to burn through her distracting her as your arms moved under her knees around her back before she was picked up and pulled flush against your chest.

"Art thou hungry, my sweet wife? I shall gather thy favorite fruits.” You spoke to her as you walked down the familiar path to their beloved home the three of you shared, their true home.

“I…” Eve could not speak, her eyes falling over your shoulder to see Adam, a look of concern on his face, a look of pleading, to follow, to not question.

She broke their eye contact turning to look at you seeing how concern filled your eyes for a moment, how the world around you both started to seem as if it was fading.

“Yes! “ She spoke in a rush breathing thickly as she watched the world brighten and sharpen it its detail and color, she watched how your face changed to one of happiness*

You had placed her down on a thick fur mat during the fire, your hands moving into a bowl of cherries working on pushing a blade through them to remove the pits. Adam on the other side of the fire roasting the fish you both had caught. You and his chatter echoing over the fire and around the cave.

She watched you both.

Her hands rested on her stomach.

how it seemed to be real.

The fish had been heavenly, and the cherries sweeter than they ever had been on her tongue.

Everything seemed so perfect. blissful.

Your smiles had been bright, your words lovingly and tender as always.

Yet she felt pain, Eve still felt pain in this paradise…because she knew..

it could not be real.

She and Adam were banished.

You had been taken from them and them from you.

and Adan was slowly dying beside her.

Her thoughts had darken but she felt a hand on hers making her look up into bright e/c eyes, a soft sadden smile on your lips as you moved forward kissing her forehead so tenderly and softly.

"Thou must awaken now. Thou must seek sustenance for thyself and the little one.” you spoke so softly to her making her look at you in bewilderment, her eyes flicking over to Adam who seemed busy on doing something at the moment.

she felt your soft fingers against her cheek making her look at you.

"He shall press onward. Our beloved husband is resilient; this illness shall not claim him, my sweet wife. Thou shalt witness it soon, but thou must awaken.”

Your words drifted around her and the world was fading, she had desperately tried grasping onto you.

“Wait…” she gasped, feeling your hands slip from hers once again.

“Awaken.” Your words had echo.

Eve woken sharply sitting up breathing heavily, sweat pooling around her skin as she heaved, her hand moving to touch Adam's arm for comfort only meeting furrs instead. She turned, finding the furrs empty and a spout of worry formed in her soul as she scrambled up from the furrs moving to the cave entrance, shoving the thick logged door away.

“ADAM!?” She screamed in panic , filling her. She nearly screamed for him again until arms wrapped from behind her.

“I am here, beloved wife.” His words brought a tremendous comfort and a wave of relief as she turned to look up into his dull eyes, the rings around them seeming to forever stay there, but he looked at her softly.

She had so many questions and yet when she thought of them, she couldn't remember what she was going to ask. She only knew she had an experience unlike any other, she looked back into his eyes wilder on her own. She only felt his fingers find her chin tipping her face down so his lips pressed against her forehead. A sense of familiarity hit her even if she did not know why but she looked up at Adam as he pulled away a soft smile on his lips.

"All shall be well, my sun.” He assured her confidently, in such a way that was like his old self, that she could not have any other beliefs other than that everything will be well. She smiled at him as he led her back to the cave after she followed him to where he was skinning and cleaning rabbits. She watched as he shooed her away from taking over to cook the meat, watching how he stabbed the rabbit's flesh on sharpened skewers he had made and rested them over the fire pit he had built for them to roast the meat himself.

It was a tender feeling that took her as she watched Adam cook for her, a warmth filling her heart as she watched him lovingly.

Her hand unconsciously fell on her stomach as she focused on him.

His golden eyes finding her, dilling to her hand before looking at her bright honey eyes, he did not know why that sight was suddenly so important to him or why his head was filled with tender loving words of your voice, he just knew that for the first time in so many months he awoken feeling at peace, when he saw Eves tried and worried sleeping face he wanted to wash away her worries, that he felt as if they continue something tragic would happen that would make it feel as if everything is lost. So he had gotten up, washed himself from the creek and drank a fill of water before he hunted feeling light.

Feeling hopeful.

His catch was successful and he watched Eve eat the roasted meat with a sense of pride filling his chest as he ate his own much smaller portion.

And as the months continued with Adam's speedy recovery of such an illness, A new discovery made way to both his and Eve's knowledge, and Eve watched at how Adam took her in with so much pride and hope. Even as he returned from a hunt and fell to his knees in front of her his hands wiped clean on his robes she made from the leather and hide of animals to rest on her swollen stomach. scorching eyes looking at her in utter devotion as he placed his lips against her robed stomach.

His wife was creating new life.

Life that would be of you.

He pulled away a grin on his face as he looked up at Eve lovingly.

"I am so proud of thee, my beloved wife. Thou hast bestowed upon me great blessings.” He so adoringly spoke to her, making her heart warm.

No matter the outcome, love them as if they are mine own, As thine own, and thou shalt always feel my love beside thee.”

your words had echoed in his head.

chp 7

[notme123stuff]

goddess reader x desperate Penitent one (blasphemous) fluff :3

:0...damm somebody actually requested....i was currently working on something else but sure! TW: nahh...yall be fine, english is not my first language, if you want a translation to russian feel free to ask. ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

Tired... and feeling a profound sense of foolishness, he trudged through the bitterly cold snow, his mind clouded with a mix of despair and resignation. His knees trembled, each step a ponderous effort, as he pressed a trembling hand over the wound that steadily leaked life from his body. The futile attempt to stanch the flow was abandoned, his resolve waning, and he let his sword drag along the grueling, rocky ground, its weight a symbol of his burdened soul.

He slung the sword over his shoulder, its heft pressing down on him like the guilt he could never shake. He paused, breath heavy, labored, the cold air slicing through his lungs like shards of glass. It was all too heavy, this existence, this relentless struggle. But he pushed on, driven by some inexplicable force, a stubbornness perhaps, until he reached the place where the olive tree withers.

Under its gnarled, lifeless branches, he sank to the ground, feeling a rare flicker of relief amidst his torment. For a moment, the world seemed to pause, and he allowed himself the brief luxury of closing his eyes under the cold, confining embrace of his helmet. Here, at the edge of his strength, beneath the dying tree, he found a strange, fleeting peace.

As he sat beneath the withered olive tree, the Penitent One felt a presence, ethereal yet comforting. A warm light began to pierce through the somber gloom, bathing him in a gentle glow. He dared not open his eyes, fearing it was a cruel trick of his fatigued mind.

"Rest, weary soul," a soft voice murmured, echoing like a soothing lullaby in the frigid air.

He slowly lifted his gaze, eyes widening beneath his helmet as he beheld a figure of serene beauty standing before him. Her form shimmered with a celestial radiance, her eyes filled with an understanding that seemed to pierce through the very core of his suffering. he trembling with awe and exhaustion.

"I am the Goddess of Compassion," she said, kneeling beside him with a grace that seemed otherworldly. Her hand reached out, a gentle touch that sent a wave of warmth through his body, easing the pain of his wound.

He could scarcely believe it, the touch of divinity so foreign yet so desperately craved. why would she help him? he is nothing but a wretched soul, burdened by sin and sorrow.

Her eyes softened, a tender smile gracing her lips. "Even the most tormented souls deserve solace, Penitent One. Your suffering has not gone unnoticed. Let me ease your burden, if only for a while."

With a delicate wave of her hand, the cold seemed to retreat, replaced by a comforting warmth that enveloped them both. She sat beside him, her presence a balm to his weary spirit.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he allowed himself to lean against another, to feel the kindness and compassion he had long thought lost to him. She held him, her embrace gentle yet firm, and whispered words of solace and hope.

As the night deepened, the Penitent One found himself drifting into a peaceful sleep, cradled in the arms of the goddess. In that moment, beneath the withered olive tree, a spark of hope ignited within him—a promise of redemption and a glimpse of the love and compassion that still existed in the world.

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this is my first request i ever had so i hope you like this!

[spicy-batman]

I know for a fact Estelle (My Tav) would be the last to let go of that hug. She would grip the back of his robe, begging to every God in the pantheons to make sure he made it back alive... Offering only her raw, silent, gentle tears for the hopes one would listen.

Gale means the world to her. From the moment he tumbled out of that portal and the witty comments that tumbled after, she was smitten. His magical prowess was an asset but soon his smile became her only weakness. Breaking through that 17AC effortlessly into her heart.

The world has enough heroes, saving every other day of the week in every corner of the world. But it only has one Gale Dekarios. And Estelle would not let the world forget that it needed him. More than it needed her when all was said and done.

The adventurer with a good natured heart, who wanted to help who she could even at the risk of her own life. And Mystra's chosen, fallen from on high, forsaken by his deity for a single mistake, tasked with redemption even at the cost of his own life.

The road to destruction is paved with good intentions. Maybe that's just how the cycle of love is too.

But if there's one thing known between the two... They would burn for each other. And it took the other to show them it would be in brilliant radiance rather than hells flame.

[walkswithmyfather]

Exodus 34:29-35 (NLT). [29] When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. [30] So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him. [31] But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them. [32] Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. [33] When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil. [34] But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, [35] and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:13 (GW). “We are not like Moses. He kept covering his face with a veil. He didn’t want the people of Israel to see the glory fading away.”

“Do You Know Why Christians Have 'Unveiled Faces'”? By Bible Love Notes:

“In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul explains that the old covenant law had a temporary purpose. When Moses met with God to receive the law, his face glowed, but he veiled his face for two reasons:

The people were frightened by the brightness (Exodus 34:29-35).

Moses didn’t want them to see the light fade (2 Corinthians 3:13).

Why did the light fade? Because it was part of the old covenant law which didn't bring salvation.* The purpose of the old covenant was to prepare us for the new covenant in Christ, showing us that we can never be “good enough” to earn salvation (Galatians 3:24-25; Romans 3:20).

But when we accept Christ's redemption, we're given a permanent glory, and we shine with “unveiled faces” as we “contemplate the Lord’s glory” and allow Him to transform us “into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Think about that. When we genuinely accept Christ, we start “glowing” with the permanent glory of our Lord's salvation. And the more we let God’s Spirit transform our hearts and minds, the brighter His glory becomes in our lives.

So let's ask God to show us specific ways we can “glow” today. In fact, when we wake up each morning, let's ask Him to use our “unveiled faces” to share His glory with others. 🌟🌟🌟

* This does not mean that people in the Old Testament were not saved. It means that keeping the law didn't save them. They were saved the same way we are saved—through faith. Christ had not yet revealed Himself and His salvation, but they were saved by their faith that God would supply a Savior (Romans 4; Hebrews 11).”

[sundove88]

Black Pearl and Abyss Monarch Fans, This One’s For You!!!

Black Pearl’s Light of Redemption

With her Pearl finally returned and her broken heart mended, Black Pearl Cookie now goes by just Pearl Cookie. Now no longer one to sink ships at sea, she swims across the oceans of Earthbread to atone for all the misdeeds she caused by helping others- and to heal further.

Abyss Monarch’s Resurfaced Light

At long last, Abyss Monarch Cookie has finally recovered the light inside themselves and broke through the darkness. Now going by Tidal Sovereign Cookie and wanting to redeem themselves for all of their actions, they swim across the oceans of Earthbread, helping anyone they can.

Both of them are a reference to the original angst filled story of The Little Mermaid, in which she becomes a sky spirit after sparing the Prince- doing good deeds for those in need. But Pearl and Abyss stay in their oceanic forms and do good deeds to atone for their actions.

Not just that, I added angel elements to their costumes- Angel wings for Black Pearl’s new ears and glove accessories and a halo of two fish (Which look like two certain spirits from a certain cartoon), and angel wings on Abyss Monarch’s new crown! And they also have angel wings on the back of their cape as well- and the bottom of their new outfit is supposed to represent sea foam.

I didn’t draw their weapons, but my best guesses for their appearances would have to be a mix of their default appearances and their costumes (Faded Radiance and Sugartearan High Regent).

Lastly, I chose silver as a prominent color for both of them- because silver is the resulting color when you mix black and white- an equal balance of light and dark.

Hope you all like it!