#sand duo are vampires

[comfymoth]

Wait… if Phil’s a harpy that would mean Wilbur would have had to have become a vampire another way… ie getting bit mayhaps

oooohh maybe! either that or honestly i’ve been thinking maybe it was just a stellaluna situation, little bat falls into a bird’s nest and the bird just goes ‘welp. okay. close enough, mine now.’ i guess it depends on how much angst i want here, hmmm

[crystaljellie]

I’m doing it I’m yapping.

Okay so my life series fantasy AU

Basically Joel and Jimmy were isekai’d into this fantasy world. Everyone else is already part of the world. Jimmy basically wake up with Grian standing over him (Grian is a parrot Avian in this as per usual) and Jimmy totally freaks out.

And all I know from there is that Jimmy and Grian overthrow Ren and Joel heads to the feywilds and meets Lizzie. Oh and flower husbands meet and kiss by a lake, I’m sure there will be angst I’m getting there

So now actually about the guys

Bdubs

Moss spirit

He lives in the forest and loves to cause chaos

But also he helps people get in an out of his forest because it’s dangerous at night

Being a moss spirit Bdubs body is basically just made up of moss

Bdubs and Grian have issues, and when I say issues Grian causes problems and Bdubs has to deal with the aftermath

BigB

BigB is a fae who lives outside of the fae wilds

He has a bakery in the main city of the kingdom Ren and Martyn rule

He frequently speaks to the royal order something something maybe suspicious things

He’s best friends with Tango who he met through Skizz

Etho

He’s an Arctic fox

He lives in the ice realms which are relatively near the southern realms which is where the kingdom is

Jimmy breaks into his house by accident at some point and Etho just is like

‘This guy is my kid now’

Jimmy has no idea how to escape forcibly assigned son

Scar

A desert elf (desert duo ref)

Scar used to live in the kingdom before moving to the desert realms with Grian (they’re boyfriends)

Scar is a falcon tamer, usually he just tames regular falcons but was called into the city square to deal with a particularly pesky boy which is how he meet Grian

He also still has a wheelchair but it has like magic powers, Scar used his desert elf powers to make it so his wheelchair can drive across sand.

Grian

A Parrot Avian

HE CAUSES PROBLEMS ON PURPOSE

He has little bird legs and he likes to fly onto Scars falcon brace

And he takes shiny things from shops in the kingdom

He’s the one who recommended Scar go back to the desert

Impulse

A Sun Imp

There are lots of different types of Imp’s

Depends which realm they were born it

Impulse was born in the sun realm

Martyn

He’s a wood elf

And he and Ren have issues

Ren and Martyn learn to stop tyrannic ruling

I’m gonna get the watchers involved somehow

He’s being given instructions and visions

He tries to follow them but it only leads to dead ends

Or death

Lizzie

She’s a Fae

And the High Queen of the fae

So she lives in the feywilds

Do her people lowkey kidnap Joel?

Yes but that’s a separate issue

Mumbo

He’s a vampire :3

But instead of drinking your blood he’s more like

Sunburns…

And can’t enter a building without permission

Sometimes you’ll just see Mumbo walking around with an umbrella

Everyone knows he’s a vampire

Sometimes they offer him blood he always says no though he thinks it’s rude of him

Skizz

Skizz is an angel

But he’s also the most unlucky person in the world

He was the first person to buy from Tangos shop and they became good friends because of that

Skizz is aware of the watchers due to his angel origins

Scott

Scott is actually a star born

But he disguises himself as a Sea elf

He lives in solitude behind a waterfall in a flower meadow

He has long elf ears and coral in his hair that looks like it’s arranged slightly like a flower crown

Starborns have the ability to take the magical abilities of their surroundings or their friends, so Scott has magical powers relating to water and flowers, but this can change based on his surroundings in which he can gain additional powers (Water and Flower related powers will not change because he’s lived in the meadow for so long)

Something with him and Acho (his brother) having an argument, causing them to split from each other and adorn disguises heading down to the over realm

Scott has spoken to the royal counsel before but they do not like each other which is why he did not choose to live in the city, He is courteous with them but only really visits the city to speak with Impulse who he made friends with while living in the city.

Starborns being a rarer and more hunted but also very powerful species and kept track of by the royal order so he was mainly there to fill out paperwork

Tango

Tango is a fireborn

Fireborn do not have parents they spawn from fire and are only found in the Nether realms (Not to be confused for the Nether World) At the age of 16 Fireborn creatures will leave the Nether realms to find a home for themselves. The only fireborn who reside pass the age of sixteen are those who are unable to leave or caretakers of fireborn young.

So when Tango was 16 he left to the southern arms to set up a mechanics shop

When Tango gets angry his fire hair goes blue

Tango also had a mechanical arm :3

Pearl

Pearl is a lunar moth

She and Grian are siblings

They cause problems together I love them

I sadly don’t have much for anyone else right now :(

I’m working on it, but they’re my sillies and I can’t wait to make this a fic it’ll be so fun

[trashy-0possum]

Servamp beach day!

Pov: its a hot summer day (without the vampire war ofc and they can go out in the sun- and not transform into their animal forms)

Kuro will literally burry himself in the sand so he doesnt die of sunburn- (he gets a sunburn in seconds)

Mahiru and the wrath pair will probably be in charge of the food while izuna starts to use her new inventions

The greed pair and team melancholy prob play volleyball but how we know licht will literally smack that ball into someone's face

Tsurugi would sit at the side and build little sandcastles with takuto and junichiro 🥺

Niccolo will probably try to go into the water but its to cold for him 😩

Ildio will throw him into the water and jump in too.

...tsurugi and lawless with water guns? Bad combination.

They will be the worst duo and splash everyone like little kids water guns waterbombs everything

Misono wont set a foot into the water he will just stay on his towel

Lily and freya will prob just do each others hair braid it put flowers in it all that stuff

Tetsu would just swim around while hugh lays on his back and brags about stuff his subclasses told him

Lawless and ildio will just do dumb brother stuff like watching girls and stuff-

Mahiru is the mother like always and has to calm them down...he prob has just a little block of cheese in his pocket just to give lawless as a treat if he did good 😭

Lawless will gladly take the cheese- (ildio wants some to he gets jealous if he doesn't get cheese)

Kuro just casually play on his Nintendo while sitting in a swimming ring- (he probably fell asleep the first 10 minutes and gets a sunburn after-

Mikuni will just start to piss of everyone especially misono while jeje just sits around and tries not to heat up-

Jeje and niccolo will probably just faint at one point because of the heat-

Niccolo will read a book or start to draw the others while sitting under the beach umbrella and he just takes care that none of the stuff gets stollen

Tsurugi and takuto brought little duckies to play with at the beach😭

Tsurugi would prob start to play a hohle story and give the one ducky a tragic death-

Izuna and freya would go and buy ice for everyone!

After a long day at the beach they just sit at the sand and talk while eating ice cream and ofc melon for licht

Servamp really needs a beach episode. We do have a episode on the drama cd but not with all charakters so i made some hcs how it would be 😼👏

[yet-another-heathen]

Active Series Masterpost

---

The Jackal of An-Nadr - [X]

Set in 1,200 BCE. The Jackal of An-Nadr follows the capture of Nadeem, a date-farmer turned thief who was abandoned in the wastes of the desert when he tried to steal from the wrong ship.

Stranded and alone, he is found and enslaved by a crew of ifrit—towering demons that roam An-Nadr in ships that can sail the sand. Will he become a plaything of the creatures from his nightmares? Or is there something more for him waiting in the hands of his would-be captors?

Content | epic worldbuilding, defiant whumpee, environmental whump, monsterfucking, slavery, desert pirates, pre-historic fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction. Adult themes, with occasional NSFW content [including dub-con and non-con]

Cast | Nadeem, Yeezumon, Ifyaa, Adrsiae, Hidhialial

---

Liliholm and Page - [X]

This series follows Wesley Page, a daring vigilante best known by his alias, Deimos. When he steals and exposes a massive library of blackmail owned by one of the city's worst villains, their entire criminal world goes on a manhunt to track him down. Captured and alone, Deimos is subjected to the revenge and torture of not just the man he stole from, but every villain whose crimes he exposed.

Does he have it in him to withstand their torture long enough to escape? And if so, will he still have the strength afterward to heal?

Content | sci-fi, cyberpunk setting, superpower whump, kidnapping, very brutal torture, gore, repeated noncon // PTSD, an old friend (who just happens to be the city's most powerful villain and a renowned psych professor) turned caretaker. LGBTQ+ fiction. Frequent NSFW content, almost exclusively noncon.

Luca and Garcia

An offshoot of Liliholm and Page. A dynamic duo of bastards that you absolutely hate to love.

Content | EXTREME GORE, VIOLENCE, whumper POV, all hurt no comfort, character death, incredibly brutal whump, painful healing, immortal whumper-turned-whumpee, agender protagonist, villains that are so human you want to strangle them yourself. Aro/Ace friendly!

Cast | Wesley Page, Henry Liliholm, Yalom, Luca, Garcia

---

Writing Prompts

All my writing prompts are free to use and can be found under the tag #words of a heathen.

----------------------------

The Hare Trap Chronicles - [X]

This story is not one of mine, but one submitted to me in series by my beloved 🐇 Anon. Follow the story of Ignacy, a hedonistic young aristocrat-turned-vampire, and his many lifetimes of misadventure as he lives out his centuries as the 'black sheep' of his family's estate.

[asterssunzephyr]

Empires/Hermitcraft Headcanons pt. 1 (what I have so far.)

s2 Jimmy Headcanons

dusty blonde/sand coloured wings

Blue to Green eyes (rare tbh)

Canary Feather Earring(Green)

Wooden Joints & Carved Scales - Only Gem has seen them.

Faint Facial Lines like a toy/drawing

Southern Charm

Actually a Toy - Doesn't want to believe it

Joel made him, Jimmy turns into a person

Gem knows all this, yet disagrees with Joel’s method(bullying, gaslighting, etc)

“Dyed” Green edges on wings

Listener Symbol on Chest(Gem knows)

Canary wings

Freckles, Missing Tooth, Does Not get sunburned(Mostly to the doll features)

Gem s2/s9 Headcanons

Also doesnt sunburn

Knows?? basically everything?? about Jimmy??

Has the Listener symbol on her shoulder(Jimmy knows!!)

Best friends with Jimmy<33

Rather than everyone assuming shes a deity, the empires members think shes a vampire

She will burn in the sun. Like literally.

Sunburn? No. Sun burns her.

Freckles ftw though

While she doesnt have southern charm, its Gem.

Everyone loves her for no reason

Its just bc its Gem tbh

Empires wise, everyone thinks she cant defend herself

Hermits know better. They Know.

Etho is terrified of Gem’s fighting after their sparring.

Joel finds out she was apart of the Hermitcraft King Rebellion and laughs bc this is supposed to be the Gemini Tay that needed help with a warden? No way.

Gem shows him what she can do. Without killing him, so theres no proof that she fought him other than the bruises he has

He has bruises for weeks from the wooden swords she made him use

& from her fist

Buff Gem Real

SUN DUO FTW. FIGHT ME.

Scott s2 HCs

Sunburns BADLY

Enjoys collecting things but will return to the rightful owner

Trickster

Has “stolen” from Pix & Gem(In his defense, they weren't paying attention and it was in the open!)

Asexual/Demiromantic/Homoromantic?

Finds everyone aesthetically pleasing but also not wanting a relationship(he's figuring it out.)

Jokes with Sausage !!

Wood Duo.(Sausage & Scott)

Sausage s2 hcs

Wood daddy /j

Fear of being an emperor, refutes the title

Wood Duo w/ Scott !!

Aro/Homo !!

Best dad to Hermés, real🥳

Basically always in the shade of the trees, even when building, so doesn't know what a sunburn is.(Or Santa Perla blessed him.)

[angstyboodle]

Brain rotting a bedrock bros au where Tommy works late nights at a near by fast food place and Techno works throughout the day so he can be there when Tommy gets home or able to pick him up. They lived like this for years, ever since their parents up and left.

You what they say, it’s a choice to be a parent. Guess theirs decided to only be a parent until their eldest can legally take care of the baby of the family, that doesn’t matter. Techno can be a parent and an older brother, that’s his choice. It will always be his choice.

He also hates that Tommy works so late, hates it even more when he has to walk home from work. His kid brother would always brush off his concerns, saying he’s fine. Joke that if he were to be kidnapped they’d bring him back. Techno would roll his eyes, never finding the joke funny.

That’s the thing isn’t it, it was supposed to be a joke. Tommy was supposed to be home an hour ago. loudly telling Techno about his day, eating the dinner techno made and reheated for him. A plate of his own in front of him, as he nodded along to his little Brother’s chatting. That’s how things always went ever since Tommy started working, that’s how things are meant to stay until Tommy can provide for himself, graduate secondary school, went off to college or decided to move in with a few of his friends only to show up on Techno’s doorstep after a few months with some awful lie about why he has to move back. Because he’s to proud to admit they couldn’t afford rent or whatever.

…okay maybe that last one was his brain running a bit off it’s hinges, but you get the point.

Tommy isn’t home, he’s not by Techno at their cramped dinner table in their small apartment. It’s taken everything in himself not to go John Wick in an attempt to find its brother. He’s taken a less gory route for now, this would be his second loop to and from his home to Tommy’s work. He interrogated his coworkers, all of them confirming that Tommy left his place of work exactly at 10 pm with his usually cup of hot chocolate he takes home with him after every shift.

Techno can feel his world start to crumble as he desperately explains this to the dispatch officer. Not caring how the world will see him, as he all but screams out into the night begging for his little brother to come home.

-

Tommy is scared, comfortable and warm, but still scared. He’s not locked in a basement, chains to walls or half beaten to death. Sure he was knocked out and now he has a nasty headache because of it. Maybe not being held in some dingy, gross place would make him feel better, but it doesn’t. It only scares him more as he glares at the bedroom door. It’s locked, and his shoulder hurts from when he tried to ram his body into it. His face feels tight from the tears he definitely didn’t cry as begged anyone to hear him, to save him. Begging Techno to come and help, wanting nothing more then to see his big brother.

He ignores the heaviness that settles into his chest. Kicking himself for being so stupid, he should have called his brother, hell even call Skeppy and ask for a ride. If Techno wasn’t home, Skeppy has never said no to him, and probably never will. Sure he may tease and make fun, but when Techno and him needed anything Skeppy and his family would always be there to give a helping hand.

A fresh wave of tears well in his eyes as he wishes he could go back in time. It’s not fair, why him? Why couldn’t he have just been able to go home to his brother. The door handle to the room clicks and Tommy freezes. Head shooting up in time to see a two people stand in the doorway. He can feel their eyes on him, it makes his skin crawl.

“See dad, a new son!” One says, there’s not enough light to see which one.

He pales. Nothing is said but a hum, but that doesn’t matter as tears stream down his face.

Son? He doesn’t have a dad, not anymore. He has an older brother who would do anything for him, he doesn’t need a dad.

“Wilbur, we talked about this.” The time is scolding, slightly amused. Like he’s taking about being surprised with a stray dog and not a kidnapped child.

“I know, but I can see how an empty nest has been affecting you. So, look at it this way, you get a new son, and I get a brother!” He assumes Wilbur says.

Tommy is scared shitless, but he can feel his anger bubble under his skin. Staring at the two with a mix of horror and fury. Upset that they think they can just take him away from his home, and talk about him like he’s some fucking pet.

“What the fuck are you talking about!?” Tommy shouts, curling tightly in on himself. “I have a brother! I don’t need a stupid fucking dad! Let me go home!”

The air suddenly felt tense, the silence deafening. But he glares at the two, refuses to back down. He wishes he was at home, one hug from Techno and everything will be alright.

“He’s a brave, I’ll give him that.” Not Wilbur says, in a tone he can’t quite describe.

Tommy wants to scream, he wants to sob and cry, he wants to be held tightly in Techno’s arms. And strangely he wishes for his parents, wanting to hear his mom whisper her reassurances. Wanting to feel his dad’s steady presence, he cries more.

“When my brother finds me, you’ll pay. He will make sure you pay.” He sobs into his knees.

He can hear a set of footsteps, suddenly feeling like a deer about to be ambushed.

“Look at me mate.” It’s not asking.

He looks up, not wanting to find out what would happen if he didn’t.

He’s met with red, crimson, like freshly spilled blood. He feels his heart stop for a moment, suddenly unable to get in a proper breath. His fear leaving him paralyzed at he looks into the eyes of a creature that is supposed to be a myth.

He hears it laugh, before speaking again. “I would like to see him try, after all these centuries, maybe someone can finally get close to killing me.”

And all Tommy can do is stare off into space, realizing he might never get to see his big brother again.

[sharkybean]

Twist Fic Ideas

Vampire Fic:

So back in the late 1800s Azul and Ruggie were in love

Ruggie was very sick at the time and spent most of his time in bed, Azul constantly visited him and was at his beside

Rook comes in and basically kills Ruggie. 

Skip to the 2000s Ruggie is born but is trapped under Rook

Azul now owns a restaurant chain, with a secert vamp bar his saddened by Ruggies death.

One night Ruggie was trying to escape Rook on a skate bored and runs into Azul. Azul is shocked to see Ruggie again only for him to be snatched and taken away by Rook 

This is were our story begins

It's angsty 

Rook likes to collect things he finds interesting, he wanted Ruggie back then but failed to get him

Yes it has been 2 centuries Azul was asleep for at least a century before getting woken up

Okay back to the au

Heartslaybul and idnihyde are vampire hunters so are RSA

When someone is turned they get a symbol of the person who turned them (Cater and Silver have a bat cause Lilia turned them)

There are other ships but they'll be a surprise unless you want to know

The twins were turned by Rook, Vil was also turned by him

Robot fic:

People becoming robots was quite rare ans in those chases it's usely through death, if your rich enough or have the money 

Usely after this the robots intact their memories of once being human 

Jamil seen this frist hand when the Asim heir disappeared one day and never came back for weeks, hearing whispers around what's happening until Kalim return the heirs skin no longer warm and soft now a cold metal feeling 

The 2nd time his seen this was at NRC his grade had another robot, this one picked of the streets to become one, now task to serve the 2nd prince of his land

Heartslaybul had two, a picture taking 3rd year and a blue haired 1st year

Another person Jamil meets was Vil a famous actor in the year above him, then of course was shrouds younger brother

Kalim hated being a robot, he hated being stuck in a macinical body 

He felt trapped and he was, his human body gone replaced with wires, why? His parents wanted a hier to ristaned anything

Evil Kalim:

Kalim never gose to NRC, he is home-schooled he dosnt have any friends except for Jamil, who in return hates Kalim.

For winter break Jamil stays behind, kalim saddened by this decides to go visit his friend.

Jamil still OB because of Kalim

Kalim deeply saddened by this returns home early feeling sad and lonely.

Time passes and Jamil brings some friends to the scolding sands for Al'ab Nariya

Kalim deeply wants to hang out with Jamil but is scared too, he just wants to make friends with people so he dosnt feel alone

Kalim pretends to be sick so he dosnt have to go to the festival he just watches from his windowsill 

He has a snake named Mimi which he named after Jamil

Kalim heart aches, so he dose the unthinkable and causes a huge rain storm cause Jamil and his friends to stay in Kalim home

Let's just say mirror travel was broken off if Kalim can't make friends the easy way he'll do it the hard way

Jamil brings the basketball team and silver who's plus one's are 

Ace brings Cater 

Floyd brings his brother

Silver didn't bring anyone 

So Kalim sneaks off to hang out with them, Jamil is not pleased at all and try's to distract Kalim with other activities,Silver being the sweetheart he is decides to hang with Kalim 

Which usely dosnt last long until Kalim current attendiee comes and takes Kalim away

Kalim snake is venoms of course no one but Kalim knows that, Jade picks up on the breed of the snake and starts to become suspicious

Let's say Kalim knows how to play dirty he picked it up from Jamil and of course those people who kidnapped him in the past

Demon au:

Heartslaybul and pomefiore are exorcists 

Demon Octavinelle and Savanaclaw 

"Normal humans" Scarabia and idnihyde 

Diasomnia is idk

Floyd loves to tease Riddle always messing with him, Riddle is sick and tired of this demon trying to strike a deal with him

Jack has been task to deal with the ADeuce duo, why not start by getting the two kicked from the church

Yes these going to be Floyd x Riddle and Jack x ADeuce 

Kalim  can control the weather while Othro can heal people, Idia can control elements and Jamil can manipulate people these four have been blessed but others call them witches

Azul is the king of hell he rules over it all

Baby demon Cheka 

Ruggie is unhinged, but calm when his with his boyfriend.Heartslaybul and pomefiore are exorcists 

Demon Octavinelle and Savanaclaw 

"Normal humans" Scarabia and idnihyde 

Diasomnia is idk

Floyd loves to tease Riddle always messing with him, Riddle is sick and tired of this demon trying to strike a deal with him

Jack has been task to deal with the ADeuce duo, why not start by getting the two kicked from the church

Yes these going to be Floyd x Riddle and Jack x ADeuce 

Kalim  can control the weather while Othro can heal people, Idia can control elements and Jamil can manipulate people these four have been blessed but others call them witches

Azul is the king of hell he rules over it all

Baby demon Cheka 

Ruggie is unhinged, but calm when his with his boyfriend.

I hope you enjoy these Ideas, feel free to use these ideas for yourself

[corvidcrybaby]

aaawww thanks sm for the tag! I'm low on brain juice today so I'm just gonna tag @ofwraithsandwords

3.

  The two men entered an arching overpass, their feet clacking in muffled tones on the dark, smooth brick road beneath their feet. The sign overhead read “Josefov.” The old Jewish quarter of Prague.

 Or the Jewish ghetto, in less flattering terms.

Those coiling, tight passages weaving behind decrepit old buildings, many seeming as deserted as they were architecturally haphazard. Every cobblestone, down to the last errant pebble, strained to accommodate twice as much city as anywhere else the duo had ventured thus far. The wind murmured ominous dissonance through the arteries of alleyways clogged with fog, hanging heavy around the peaks of each and every leaning structure. Mansion or hovel, all choked with tightening wreaths of mist. Streetlights distorted to engorged, radiant spheres of light blazing from their centers, as the sun might behind a dense sheet of storm clouds. As though the city itself scowled at them.

(Lesions Of A Different Kind (Ch. 9), OC/Canon, Zemira/Alucard, this is a flashback sequence)

2.

Rabbi Loew meticulously studied the scene for a few quiet moments, taking in the empty silence and uncomfortable stillness thereof. The spotlight of his squeaking oil lantern cast itself about like stage lights. Then he nodded, sighed, and made for his bed, not sparing the window so much as a glance as he did.

“You’re behind the curtain,” Rabbi Loew said matter-of-factly. 

With a disappointed groan and the sibilating music of flying sand, Judah melded forth through the fabric, his greaves clanking down onto the floor as their owner crossed his muscular arms. Judah scowled at the elderly fellow with an expression equal parts dejected and exasperated. “How the hell do you keep doing that, old man?”

Rabbi Loew turned to him over his shoulder with an innocent smile that reached all the way up to the joy-worn crow’s feet at the edge of his eyes. Judah’s grousing seemed irrelevant to his ever-sunny temperament. He adjusted his spectacles in that idiosyncratic manner of his - middle finger and thumb, with the other fingers held up high, delicately. “It’s funny. You keep calling me that - despite the fact that you are, quite literally, four times my age.” 

Judah was tempted to chuckle, but not for long, as Rabbi Loew’s expression hardened in an instant. The vampire froze with his mouth still agape as the old man rounded on him.

“Moreover,” Rabbi Loew snapped, stomping over to Judah, waving a judgmental hand with an extended pointer right in his face. “What in G-d’s name is wrong with you?!”

Judah cocked an eyebrow, the side of his lip curling. With a spout of ghastly muttering, he turned away from Rabbi Loew and began to traipse about the bedchambers, busying himself by examining the operating table. A site of golemancy - many a maintenance session for Guard and certain other projects had taken place here. Judah, ever the cynic, pondered on how often the elderly Rabbi considered throwing him down onto that thing himself. The old man would no doubt deny it outright, but Judah wasn’t about to cast his chips on it. “Come on, rebbe. Selling me awful short here, don’t you think? The kid just got her world torn down around her - encouraging her to be soft won’t help her for jack shit.”

“Yehuda,” Rabbi Loew hissed, following him around the table, trying to catch the vampire’s gaze. A large hand came down on the Hammer’s armored shoulder with a clink of iron scales. “You know how I feel about these games you play with your descendants. It’s not your place to meddle with their destinies.”

“You say that, but you never stop me,” Judah growled, sliding his eyes over to Rabbi Loew’s own. Their golden glint matched his own crimson gaze. “You chide. You chastise. You swat me upside the head like I'm some delinquent child from time to time. But actually putting a damn foot down and stopping me yourself? Crickets.”

Rabbi Loew heaved a great sigh, removing his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, the other resting at his hip. The silver lion medallion jingled and swayed as its owner shifted. “I cannot be everywhere at once. You, on the other hand? You get around.”

“Getting déjà vu here,” Judah groused, stretching one arm and then the other, the action straining his voice - an impressive feat, given the scorched, scratchy tone of Judah’s boisterous baritone. “How many G-dforsaken times are you and I gonna have this chat?”

The old man did not answer for a solid few seconds, busying himself with adjusting valves and articulation points on his lantern. Then, with yet another exhausted sigh, he set it down with a hollow clank. He braced both of his large, wrinkled hands onto his workstation. A faded ink stain on his right hand matched the artisans’ mess before him. A hundred emotions ran through his features, his old skin with all its valleys shifting through just as many forms - all of them tinged with melancholy.

“I am far more tired of it than even you,” Rabbi Loew breathed.

(Lesions Of A Different Kind (Ch. 19), OC/Canon, Zemira/Alucard, this scene in particular an argument between two OC's)

Then Zemira bit off a cheeky smile, before it spread in all its lopsided glory beneath a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “I don’t care how hooked on fucking me you are, you can't Corpse Bride my sorry ass, got it?”

Alucard made a choked sound, gawked at her, and then doubled over with a great eruption of thunderous laughter. With a large hand he caught himself and braced against her bed’s armrest. “My dear, please,” he chortled, finding his voice and looking her dead in the eye. “You would make a terrible vampire.”

Zemira crossed her hands over her chest and gasped, with adulation that was only partially feigned. “Aww, Vlad! You mean it?” 

“I can think of no other being I would want as a fledgling less than you.”

“...Not even Integra?”

There was a beat.

Alucard blinked. “I can think of but one other being I would want as a fledgling less than you.”

Zemira bobbed her head in emphatic assent, as that same past strain of unease began to creep up her spine in earnest. She wriggled her hands as though shaking off something sticky and cloying. “Yeah, feeling’s mutual. Cause then I’d have to call you the ‘M’ word.”

Alucard froze, eyeing her. “‘Master?’”

“Yeah, that’s the one. Ech,” Zemira made a crass gagging sound with her tongue stuck out. She shuddered, though it didn’t stop a cavernous yawn from pushing her eyes shut and distorting her speech. “Could never be me, not even once.”

The moment Zemira cracked her eyes open again, Alucard was looming right in front of her. Great palms planted on either side of her thighs, hair wisping down to tickle her nose as it wafted in a nonexistent breeze. His coat draped about them both as though a pair of fiendish wings swaddled her, as his mad menagerie of arcane eyes peeled open in droves. The insidious sneer he wore was so intense, so poisonous, and so beguiling that her blood turned to ash in her veins, stopping her heart and reducing her bones to gelatin.

The carnivore’s teeth parted, and liquid sin poured out. “You could always give it a try.”

Then Alucard choked on a cold length of metal that jabbed the back of his throat in a frantic flash. Zemira clutched her Browning handgun in a shaking fist, itchy finger resting atop the trigger. A nameless dread flashed inside her eyes, blown wide with uncharacteristic panic. Her pulse thundered in her head, as spiders danced along her scalp.

“N. O.,” she spelled out, spitting each word with corrosive bile. “Not in your wildest fucking dreams, Drac.”

Alucard’s gaze did not flinch or falter from hers for an instant. Instead, with a foreboding crinkle to the edges of his eyes belying inbound devilry, he wrapped his lips around the barrel of the intruding pistol, hollowed his cheeks, and sucked on it. 

Zemira’s face contorted into a confused flinch in an instant, and she released a thoroughly scandalized noise. One with all the enthusiasm of a prudish housewife coming across an oversized slug in her garden. Her mortification was only exacerbated when he fucking moaned at her, and she wrenched her weapon back with a hoarse shout. It did not conceal the furious flush on her face.

sitting here to myself reading old works and drafts only to get obliterated by what I thought was a super well written scene and now I wanna spread that joy in a tag game.

there are no requirements for the number of folks that can tag, but if you are tagged: know that the person who tagged you wants you to share three of your favorite lines/descriptions/scenes that you're written.

wanna give it a try? @rotten-hearts-sharp-teeth @hellogreyeyedathena @neet0 @corvidcrybaby @zestyaahbutler

3.

The minute parting of her lips and ruby red dust on her cheeks burn her expression into his memory and he knows that he’ll savor it over and over again. A big bad wolf and his sweet little bunny, living in their cottage in the woods with a floor of wildflowers. Better yet, it’ll be the same little spot that Briar teaches their kids the magic to weaving branches with flowers and Barrett will get to sit and watch over them, alert for threats to keep them safe. That’s almost as strong an urge as the hunt, now, and he wonders how he could ever deny it. He’d lay his life down for this woman without a second thought.

(May Day Celebration, Briar/Barrett, OCxOC, thanks Rotten)

2.

He follows not long after, trailing just far enough behind he can enjoy the way her skin seems to glow in the humid air before she takes a couple long strides and flings herself off the end of the dock. Contrary to his training and previously rigid life, he just dumps his clothes in a pile beside hers and follows her lead: taking wide strides until he reaches the end of the dock and vaults himself into the air, landing with a splash that swamps over her just as she surfaces.

Even then she laughs and they chase each other throughout the lake, strokes and splashes kicking up ripples that disturb the view of heaven overhead. He feels young again with her, cool water caressing his skin and giving him the illusion that, for one night, it was just them in their prime and all the privacy in the world in all the ways he’d craved before the violence of his life dragged him in.

(Midnight Dip, Claire/Hans, OCxCanon)

“No!” Briar squeezes his hand in hers, taking him seriously. “I’m knitting so we can curl up in it together. It's warmer that way.”

1.

His eyebrows push together and he wrinkles his nose at her, seriously questioning her judgement, before he gives up and decides it’s at least in his favor for now. “Are you knitting that blanket so that you can stay warm without me?” He cracks a dry smirk at his own joke.

“If you insist,” he says, smile falling back into neutrality.

"You're not going to make me leave soon, are you?" Briar’s hand in her knitting tightens.

It’s Barrett’s turn to squeeze the hand he holds. "No, you'll always have a spot in my den, bunny."

In Briar’s ears, the sound of the television drowns out and her heartbeat picks up. Her sweater and the half-made blanket in her lap are stiflingly hot and yet not warm enough. It leaves her fingers twitching and her gaze searching Barrett’s calm face. "Don't say that or I may never leave."

"All the more reason for me to say it over and over again."

(Dreams, Briar/Barrett, OCxOC, thanks again Rotten!)

[evelynendar]

Hydrus contact names

Inspired by @loreoflemons hope ya don’t mind me jumping in!

———

Raiden: Mr.Electric ⚡️

Fujin: Airhead /lh 🌬

Liu Kang: The Chosen One 🙄

Kung Lao: Bwananananananana Hat Man!

Bo Rai Cho: Uncle Bo 🍻

———

Hanzo: 360 no Scope-ion 🔥

Razor: Baby bro ⚡️🔥

———

Kuai: Grandmaster Blueberry Ice 🧊

Bi-Han: Edge Lord 💔 ⛓🖤☠️

Smoke: Tomas the tank engine 💨

Sektor: 🖕

Cyrax: Nothin but Net

Hydro: Hydro homie

———

Sonya: General Blade

Johnny: Hollywood 😎

Jax: Stronk 💪

Kenshi: Mr. Takahashi

Stryker: Call if arrested

———

Kano: Kanoroo 🇦🇺

Kabal: He’s a runner he’s a track star 🏃‍♂️

Kira: Kiki

Kobra: Simp

No Face: Scary Arson Man

Tremor: Rock n Roll

———

Kotal: KK IN A WEELCHAIR

D’vorah: Bug Babe 🐛

Ermac: Big Mac

Reptile: Sy 👑

Erron: Salsa Man 🤠

Ferra/Torr: Chaos Duo

———

Cassie: Commander Cool

Jacqui: Qween 💕

Kung Jin: ugh This Bitch /lh

Takeda: a- 💕

Spike: Pokémon

Karma: Mini Mac

Perice: snek boi 🐍

Eris: Nagin 🐍

Frost: Elsa ❄️

———

Kitana: One True Kahn 💙

Jade: Sassy pole lady 💚

Mileena: Nom💗

Skarlet: scary blood lady🩸

Nitara: Vampire lady 🩸

Rain: Umbrella hater ☔️

Baraka: TEKATAN

Sheeva: Grapple me mommy /p

Shang Tsung: yOuR sOuL iS mInE🐍

———

Nightwolf: Kiba’s Dad 🐺

Teimu: Dad 🕰

Jaz: Mum 🖕

Certion: Aunty 🌱

Shinnok: Uncle edge lord 👹

Quan Chi: Shinnok‘s Bitch

Geras: sand gramps 🏖⏳

Kronika: new era oooooh⏳

——————————————————————

Milo: Flower power 🌸🌻 - @loreoflemons

Ombra: Death Metal 🤟 - @theelderhazelnut

Lady Xuna: Galactic Mommy /p - @bisexualjohnnycage

Emma: One eye buddy 👁 - @ever-moonlit

[elijahrichardwrites]

ice, clouds, sand and grass for the elementals ask game!!!!!!

Wow, hello!!! I hope you're doing well!!

This is a little long so my answers are under the cut (;

Ice: What do you always get stuck on when writing?

Oh man, there's actually two things I tend to get stuck on. One, writing the beginning of my stories. Even if I have a general idea of how it starts I just seem to not know how to write it. I don't know what it is, because it's just an in general thing for me but I just can't start anything haha. The second thing is timelines. I don't know how many times with a WIP I've had to sit there and figure out the timelines of things because they simply did not match up. A good example of that would be with Nite & Daye and the timeline of when the two main characters came into existence. They're supposed to be twins in a somewhat literal way as well as metaphorical, with them basically sharing a birthday but with the way I had things, it's didn't match up at all. Luckily after a long time, I've finally figured it out haha

Clouds: How clearly do you picture a scene before you start writing it down?

Very! I pretty much see every scene as a movie in my head. The only issue is transferring that on to paper haha

Sand: What's the softest scene you've ever written?

I mentioned this earlier but I'm not a big fluff guy. Not so much that I don't like it, I do like a little fluff but I tend to not write it a lot. I'm more of an angst person so I don't have a lot of time for fluff :/

But I think the softest scene I've ever written would probably be one of two duos in my fantasy story. I'd lean more towards the one where the pretty much two main characters (it's a lot to explain) just have their moments along their journey where they are teaching each other about how basically life and death. There's so much more that goes into it but I promise it's much softer than it sounds (':

Grass: What's the biggest change you've made in your WIP since you've started it?

Listen, I laughed out loud when I saw this question. Not in a bad way I promise! The reason I'm laughing is because the biggest changes to this WIP is changing the entire story. And not even once! Several times, actually. I've thought about talking about the evolution of this WIP if anyone was interested but I will say, the first version of this WIP started with Aleah as the main character and every single character you've learned about so far and will eventually learn about, didn't exist. At all. In fact the very first version of this WIP consisted of Aleah being a human/vampire hybrid with brown hair and heterochromia eyes. She had two lovers simultaneously (which actually hasn't really changed) and when her favorite lover dies (yeah, I know how that sounds) by the vampire elders because OF COURSE they hate her, she goes after them to destroy them and the vampire world. As you can see, vastly different from what it currently is.

Thank you so much for the ask! Apologies for it being a bit long haha

[bittermelodies-main]

LIST OF THE WORKS I'VE READ DURING THE PANDEMIC AND ONWARDS

BOOKS:

Captive Prince (Trilogy) by C.S. Pacat

All For The Game (Trilogy) by Nora Sakavic

Green Creek (Series) by TJ Klune

Wake Me After The Apocalypse by Jordan Rivet

The Ghost of Ellwood by Jaclyn Osborn

Life as a Teenage Vampire by Amanda Meuweissen

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Dark Rise by C. S. Pacat

Iron Breakers (Trilogy) by Zaya Feli

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

Villains (Duology) by V.E. Schwab

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A Boy Worth Knowing by Jennifer Cosgrove

More Than This by Patrick Ness

Shadow and Bone (Trilogy) by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows (Duology) by Leigh Bardugo

King of Scars (Duology) by Leigh Bardugo

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

De Profundis and Other Prison Writings by Oscar Wilde

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

Here Lies Daniel Tate by Cristin Terrill

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

McGlue by Ottessa Moshfegh

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei

1984 by George Orwell

The Friend Scheme by Cale Dietrich

My Dearest Darkest by Kayla Cottingham

Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky

DANMEI NOVELS:

The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Mo Dao Zu Shi / MDZS) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Heaven Official's Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu / TGCF) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Scum Villain's Self-Saving System (Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong / SVSS) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Faraway Wanderers (Tian Ya Ke / TYK) by Priest

The Dumb Husky and His White Cat Shizun (Er Ha He Ta De Bai Mao Shi Zun / Erha / 2HA)

Silent Reading (Mo Du) by Priest

Cold Sands (Mo Shang Han Sha) by Mu Yun Lan Qing

Global University Entrance Examination (Quan Qiu Gai Kao / QQGK) by Mu Su Li

Fake Slackers (Wei Zhuang Xue Zha) by Mu Gua Huang

The Blind Concubine (Xia Niangniang) by Xi Ni

Seizing Dreams (Duo Meng) by Fei Tian Ye Xiang

Remnants of Filth (Yu Wu) by Meatbun Doesn't Eat Meat

[soyforramen]

I can have an AU of my underground witch  and vampire AU, as a treat.  (Or, @sullypants told me to.)

Betty hissed and turned her head away. It didn’t feel like what she’d heard; it was supposed to be a soothing wave of calm and giddiness. Instead, this felt like two very large, very angry mosquitoes were jockeying for the best position to her veins.

“Fidgeting just makes the pain worse,” Jughead mumbled.  His lips ghosted across her skin, sending a flight of gooseflesh up her arm that made the urge to squirm worse.

Instead of thinking about the vampire currently attached to her, Betty bit the inside of her lip and resolutely stared at the peeling paint and rusted tools around her.  It was better than noticing just how very unsexy her first time was.  

Veronica had swooned when she described the first time she’d allowed herself to be bitten by a red haired vamp.  And Betty didn’t really want to remember all the gory details Reggie had relayed to her about his tryst with a vampire moonlighting as a boxer.

This hurt.

At least it took away from the boredom of trailing Honey and Weatherbee.  For the last three weeks they’d found nothing out of the ordinary.  The routine of diners, bars, and bowling alleys was nothing out of the norm for two consummate bachelors who may or may not be selling organs on the black magic market.

Of course, if they weren’t trailing the pair of allegedly upstanding citizens around town, Jughead would never have been foolish enough to have forgotten to eat for three days.  

A small part of her wondered whether he’d really forgotten, or if perhaps he was drawing another line in the sand between them.  The strange dance they’d been playing at for almost a year was still at a standstill.  Despite Betty’s hints and practically outright flirtation, Jughead maintained his aloof, Victorian sensibilities.  

(Damn him for propriety, and damn her for going for the Byronic, colicky types.)

It itched too.  Whatever it was about him, this was ten times worse than a mosquito bite.  She wondered if it would be impolite to ask whether he was done, but then again there were those overtones of the spector-like relationship between them.  

(Perhaps she should ask Cheryl what was in those drinks at the Vixen club.  That came far too close to love potions, though, and Betty was certainly not desperate enough to turn to those.  Those she’d leave to her sister.)

A wet, warm thing drew across her arm, and Betty realized with a start that Jughead had just licked her.  He apologized quickly and wiped his coast sleeve across her arm.

“It helps the skin mend better,” he mumbled looking as apologetic as a dog that had just been stepped on.  

“Oh.”

She hesitated.  What did one say after being used like a blood filled Capri Sun?

“Well, you didn’t miss much,” Betty murmured.  She shifted in her seat and drew her arm towards her face.  In the dim neon light she could see that the skin was indeed healing; only two light pink points were visible on her arm. 

 “Honey-Bee still hasn’t gotten past the entree.  At least you finished quicker than I expected.”

Jughead flushed and turned away from her.  Betty realized too late just what she’d said and couldn’t help the undelicate snort that echoed in the space around them.  As weary as she was growing of this canyon of space between them, moments like these, where the Victorian propriety proved to be as anachronistic as a rotary phone, were amusing enough for Betty to keep him around.

“Thank you,” he said when his pallor returned to it’s normal bleached bone color.  “I’m sorry if it hurt.  I was as gentle as I could be.”

Betty shrugged and leaned her arms against the windowsill.  “I’d say it was just uncomfortable.  Though I did miss the fireworks.”

He quirked an eyebrow.   

“Veronica said the first time she’d been bitten it was the best high of her life.”

“Well she can’t be right all the time,” he said darkly.  

Betty hummed and they went back to their stake out.  

“Do you think they’ll get pumpkin pie this time, or split cherry again?”

“Cherry.  Definitely,” Betty said.  “They had pumpkin last time.”

Thus went one more night in the life of a private investigating duo.

xxxx

Toni’s body shook with laughter hard enough that she almost fell out of her seat.  Cheryl steadied her, a board grin on her face. 

“You mean our resident Burton-esque Lothario didn’t charm you first?”  Cheryl asked.  

Betty shook her head, wary of her tone.  Cheryl leaned back in her seat and chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Betty asked.

Toni gasped in a breath of air and brushed tears from under her eyes.  “I knew he liked you, but I didn’t realize he was in this deep.”

Betty’s brow wrinkled and she leaned forward, carefully avoiding the large coffee in front of her.  “Liked me?  Lately he can’t stand to be in the same room with me.”

“Please,” Toni snorted, “if he didn’t want to be near you he’d have bitten and charmed you long ago.  It’s like the greatest -” she paused and glanced at Cheryl.

“Trust.  Or rather, intimacy.  Both things he’s the absolute worst about,” Cheryl said.

Toni nodded.  “When you bite someone, you normally send them into a trance state to keep them from realizing what’s actually happening.  It’s an evolutionary advantage to make sure prey don’t try and fight you off.  Like a drug to keep prey busy while nature takes its course, only the drug keeps them coming back for another.   But when two people share blood and both are aware that it’s happening -”

“Oh.”  

Oh.  

“Who knew our grungy Mr. Cullen could be so vulnerable?  Especially around a witch?”  Cheryl asked in a sing-song voice.  

Her thrill of the revelation was radiating off her in waves and Betty watched as two strangers shifted closer to each other and struck up a conversation while their eyes made promises of later.  Even Toni, mostly immune to Cheryl’s pheromones, shifted closer to her and laced their hands together as she raised her hand in answer.

“But why doesn’t he do something about it?” Betty asked.  Frustration wouldn’t even begin to cover this one, though desperate exasperation might.

“Because he’s old-fashioned,” Toni said.  “Things were much different back then.  One didn’t go about things that would dishonor a woman’s virtue.  Not if you were trying to keep her social standing intact.”

Betty huffed and crossed her arms.  “That’s just stupid,” she muttered.  

Toni snorted.  “Look, if you want to wait for him, we’ll all be dead from the heat death of the universe.  He’s not going to make a move until he knows for certain you love him, and even then it will be more chaste than a co-ed math-letes convention.”

“It’s the new millennium, baby cousin,” Cheryl said with a pointed look.

“Which means I’m -”

“- going to have to take charge,” Cheryl and Toni said in eerie unison.  

xxxx

Another night spent on stake-out.  Only this time, Betty couldn’t keep from sending glances Jughead’s way as she tried to figure out the best way to approach this.  

Eventually, his own curiosity got the better of him.  “Is there something on my face?”

No, but there should be.  

“Did you feed already?”

His eyes narrowed, the cogs in his brain working overtime to decipher a simple question.  

“Yes.  Why do you ask?”

“Good.”

With more convinction than she felt, Betty leaned over and kissed him as hard as she could manage from her perch on the plastic vegetable crate.  Jughead kissed her, a ravenous hunger she hadn’t felt in almost a year.  

“Betty …”

He spoke her word like a glorious sin, and it was all she could do to keep from crawling into his lap. 

“I don’t want -”

Betty pulled back, icy chills washing over her.  She chewed her lip as she searched his face, but found nothing more than restrained longing.

“I know it’s a different century, but I don’t want you to think I’m overstepping any boundaries.”

Leap over them, you idiot, was what she wanted to say, but instead she leaned back and took a breath. 

“Look, Juggie.  I appreciate that, I really do.  But is that the only reason?”

He nodded.  A lock of his hair fell into his eyes, and Betty brushed it back behind his ear.  She left her hand on his check and he moved his head to kiss her palm.  

“Do you love me?”  

Jughead’s lips curved into a soft smile.  “Most ardently.”  

This time, the kiss was slow and sweet, a final revelation in the light of neon lights.

[nextwarden]

Webtoons are good for the soul PART II - ECLECTIC BOOGALOO

A continuation of this.

Sea Salt and Sand by neggut [ongoing]

In the autumn holidays 3 months ago, Brynn and Bailey shared a kiss. When Bailey left, Brynn tried to forget all about her and continue living an unremarkable life, only for Bailey to suddenly transfer to her school! What follows is a coming of age story full of pining, misunderstandings and confusion as Brynn and Bailey question the true nature of their relationship. 

It’s cute and a bit angsty but not too much. The art style often feels incomplete or rushed but in a good way, its flaws give character to the characters and the story. One of my all time favourites.

Apathy meets labrador/10

Dragonbourne by Gummy Shark [ongoing]

After a troubled past, Sir Ross Edmund Avery is somewhat content to lead a mundane existence, alone in his house. However, when he stumbles upon a child in the woods on Solstice Night who is anything but mundane, his simple life will be turned upside down.

A scar(r)ed man adopts a feral child, hijinks ensue. Once again, the art style is endearing, full of curves and long lines. Haven’t checked on that one in a while but the first twenty chapters were very promising.

Found family/10

The Last Human by Zack Jordan [ongoing]

She's the galaxy's worst nightmare: a Human. Fortunately, she's the last one. Now her adoptive (alien) mother is realizing that raising a young Human is no easy task.

Basically the badass and child duo trope but the truth may surprise you. Fun, cute, very wholesome, and surprisingly emotionnaly philosophical at times. Spidermom is best mom.

Recommend/10

Vampire Husband by Scragony [ongoing]

The life of Charles the Vampire an Cheryl the human after years of marriage.

What if tragic romance between human and vampire but they had their “happy-ever-after��? This is after. It’s funny and cute.

Relationship goals/10

Blood Stain by sigeel [ongoing]

A story about courage, growing up and finding friendships in most unlikely places... spiced with some MAD SCIENCE! 

Haven’t quite wrapped my head around this one yet, but it’s fun and drawn by sigeel (a.k.a. Linda Sejic) so of course it’s beautiful. Enjoyed it a lot, will have to keep reading.

Bloody merry/10

Punderworld by sigeel [ongoing - on hiatus]

Hades' and Persephone's love-struck misadventures.

Another take on Hades and Persephone’s love story. Once again, sigeel, so of course I love the art.

Bumbling idiots/10

The Queen and the Woodborn by Shiniez [ongoing]

Far away behind seven hills and seven forests, seven fields and seven rivers, there lived a Queen... welcome to the queen and the woodborn. a fairy tale romance for the mature readers about the unseen Queen and the Goddess in the woods. a tale of the two forgotten by the world around them who will make the world remember their names. expect gods and monsters and a romance for the ages.

Not many chapters yet but very long ones to compensate. This one is by Shiniez (a.k.a. Stjepan Sejic) so, once again, love the art. The story, the character designs and concepts, and the pace are all amazing.

Very wow/10

P.E.T.S. by Gyxks [ongoing]

Just when Tasha was about to start a new life, she was abducted by aliens. Fortunately, she and other humans were rescued by an interstellar general named Tourmaline. She soon discovered that her body was unfit to return home without endangering life on earth. Join her on her journey traversing this new world and these new feelings for an alien general. 

POV: You’re living your best life as a young adult, at the shopping mall at 2am in your pyjamas, when suddenly death aliens rain pain all around and you’re abducted only to be saved by tall buff alien commander lady. Romance ensues. Maybe, it’s slow burn but quite enjoyable to read.

Blush/10

Scoob and Shag by Misterie Krew [ongoing]

Scoob and his best pal Shag are up to their usual hi-jinks, but everything is not as it seems in their latest adventure. 

No relations to any character whatsoever. None. None at all. Also no relations to any kind of sense at all either. Can’t quite explain that one except that it’s genius. Just read it.

Is that a gun?/10

Bewitched by peachyytown [ongoing]

The witch who keeps "kidnapping" the princess is actually her girlfriend and they're just going on dates.

Short but cute alternative take on all that witch/monster/princess shenanigans. In the same vein as Our days in Lumain. Also the art is very nice.

Meetcute/10

When the Pink Trees Bear Fruit by neggut [completed]

A sweet love blooms between two women on an orchard in 1973.

A short story, five chapters only, but play devastatingly well with one’s heart. In the same vein as It Stems From Love by Soya S. Holm. neggut ist sehr gut.

Tears/10

Rooftops & Roommates by Zaanart [ongoing]

Jeb is an architecture major at university, rooming with his best friend Todd. There's just one problem... Jeb’s secretly a gargoyle! Between studying, partying, and a bad ghost problem, will Jeb be able to keep his true identity a secret?

Jeb is sweet, Jeb is fresh, but Jeb is decidedly not very good at keeping a secret. It’s funny, slice-of-life, roommate college shenanigans at its finest. With a magical twist.

Ship/10

Everything is Fine by Mike Birchall [ongoing]

Sam and Maggie are a normal couple, in a normal house, in a normal neighborhood. There is nothing strange about their heads, their neighbors or their sweet little dog. Everything is Fine.

I haven’t actually started this one yet, but the premise is very very very interesting. Perhaps not for thos who are faint of heart? Deceptively cute. Or is it?

It’s fine/10

Castle Swimmer by Wendy Lian Martin [ongoing]

What happens when your entire life is ruled by a prophecy – your future foretold by people you’ve never met, who died long before you were born.  Such is the story of two young sea creatures.  One believed to be a guiding light for his people, a Beacon who will lead them to a bright, prosperous future.  The other is a teenage prince for who’s destiny is to KILL the Beacon so that HIS own people might thrive.  When both reject the course set for them, it leads to a raucous adventure as big and unpredictable as the ocean itself – and a romance that nobody could have predicted.

It’s fish. It’s gay. It’s under da sea and ya gotta kiss the boy. I haven’t read it all yet but enough to vouch for it and to have some vested interest in the universe and its lore.

Enemies to lovers/10

Demon Highschool by Kiiyoko [ongoing]

After a compromise it was agreed that criminals would attend a "demons highschool" where they would work as slaves for demons And while it was all in good favor, things take a very dark and twisted turn at said, highschool.

There’s something, some kind of twist, about the MC which I haven’t gotten to yet, and which I am very interested to discover. I’m not quite sure how I feel about this one as of now, mostly curious I’d say.

Pet/10

Hooky by Miriam Bonastre Tur [completed]

Dani and Dorian have missed the bus of the school of magic. Now, they must find someone who teach them how to be a great and good witches... Or maybe not.​ 

This one is a strange one about witchery and family. Surprisingly deep and serious at times, very enjoyable. Unfinished on Webtoon but a good start to get into the story.

Siblings/10

Loving Reaper by Jenny Jinya [ongoing]

Animals struggle. Pets and Wildlife alike. The reaper cares for their stories and helps them with the crossover. Short stories about the "Loving Reaper" to raise awareness and collect funds. Breaking hearts for a good cause.

Beautiful bittersweet stories about animals, pets, life and death and love.

Tissues/10

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures by StarBite, CRC Payne, Kielamel Siba, Lan Ma, C.M. Cameron, and Camille Cruz [ongoing]

Batman needs a break. But with new vigilante Duke Thomas moving into Wayne Manor and an endless supply of adopted, fostered, and biological superhero children to manage, Bruce Wayne is going to have his hands full. Being a father can't be harder than being Batman, right? 

What if Bat-family but happy? Official comic, barely started, very fun.

Wholesome/10

The First Night With the Duke by MSG, Taeva, from an original work by Hwang DoTol [ongoing]

A handsome, selfish noble falls for a beautiful, kind commoner -- at least, that’s how the story’s supposed to go. When an average college student wakes up as Ripley, an extra in her favorite romance novel, she resolves to enjoy the luxuries of her character’s status while watching the novel's plot unfold from the sidelines. However, her plans are soon derailed when she finds herself in bed with no other than Duke Zeronis, the novel’s hero! Dodging the villainess’ schemes, the Duke’s advances, and her own feelings, can Ripley keep the story on track and survive beyond the first night? 

Haven’t read that one but a very dear (and respectable) friend (*cough*  @berigolote​  *cough*) of mine keeps pestering me to give it a try. So here it is, try it.

Do it before me and you get a cookie/10

HEART Anthology by Marvin.W, caw-chan and many other artists. [ongoing]

Featuring stories from the 2020 Short Story Contest!  From wholesome stories to tearjerkers, are you ready to catch these feelings?

A collection of beautiful stories on the shorter side, all about the many kinds of love in life, the many beauties of it, and the pains that make it worth living.

Tears that warm the heart/10

In My Heart by Redfield42 [ongong]

Sasaki Mari is a typical delinquent troublemaker whose only goal is to get a boyfriend, but due to her reputation as bully and low grades, all the boys reject her. Then she decides to change her style, and asks for help from the student with the best grades in the class.

It starts off light and fund and progressively seems to delve a little bit more into the seriousness of life. Not a tragedy, however, and very much worth a read still.

I think I have a trope I like/10

My awkward princess by LazyArts [ongoing]

This love story is about a girl named Luna charlotte, and the student council president Alice Evelyn. Luna is a delinquent whom often gets in trouble, as Luna reaches the end of the line she almost gets expelled, now luna has to become a model student with the help of Alice. Will Luna be expelled or will she succeed, read to find out.

Along the lines of Not So Shoujo Love Story, In My Heart, and Susuhara is a Demon. Delinquent/Good Student meetcute, romantinc hijincks ensue.

Seduction/10

RAINBOW! by Rue & Sunny Gloom [ongoing]

This is the story of a girl named Boo. She has pink hair and a vivid imagination and she is about to discover a side of herself that she never considered before. 

Okay, so yes, this one is also also a delinquent meets cute nice girl, but - BUT! - there’s an element of story telling that I love about it: the way we see Boo’s anxiety incorporated visually into the story. Just for that it is one of my favourite recent discoveries!

Protecc/10

-----------------------

Okay, that’s all for part II. Hope you enjoy those as much as I do. Thanks for your attention, sorry for the length and, please, do keep on reading, they all deserve it! As do you.

PART I

[emmetthastiktokforsure]

we truly were robbed of Esme and reneshrek interacting or like all of the family?

Like they didn’t show enough time of everyone with her, I would hands down make the whole movie just them living a chilly vampire life like,,,that was bellas goal not some war and a big ass traumatic childhood for reneesme (I know she wasn’t planned and I have an alternative post for a chill life of Bella and Edward without this happening but I was really soft and worked on this but I can post it too)

Imagine tho like

Esme teaching toddler Reneesme how to embroider, or cook or do artsy stuff and being messy with her laughing while their clothes are stained with paints and they make decorations for the house or they cook things for,,,grandpa Charlie 🥺🥺 or Jacob

Carlisle playing doctor with Reneesme pretending to be the patient and being dramatic (obviously not letting her hold the bisturí or pointy stuff) and laying on the “surgery table” that’s just the couch or her bed or being a sweet ass and watching toddler movies with her or teaching her history from back in his day (this is a big plus when she’s in high school and stuff she be getting A+ on history stuff)

Alice playing dress up with her and playing like they were models or “fancy store” like she’s the client and Alice runs the store or reverse and Reneesme picks clothes for her (Alice is glad she has a sense of fashion ESPECIALLY if it’s childish and sparkly)

Rosalie letting her chill while she fixes cars and teaching her as well but also being the most cutest aunt always kissing her cheeks and buying her stuff even when Bella said they didn’t wanna spoil too much and also playing games with her or dolls and would glare at little boys when she dropped her off at kids house or school (if she got to elementary)

Emmett taking her on his Jeep, lending her his bro hats that are too big for her head and she’s giggly while he’s being a dumbass with Jasper or being silly romantic with Rosalie

Jasper he teaches her how to play baseball since she’s a toddler and how to do the awesome bat trick (hell yeah) he sits with her to play dolls but is also quite artsy too so he hangs out with Esme and her or participates in the games with Alice (and when she’s sad he tries to change her mood to make her smile but also tries to be there for her and listen).

OK IM SOFT

Bella definitely ditches the ferraris and fancy stuff and takes her on rides on her truck, in the back sometimes and watches over the mirror to make sure she’s safe (though most of the time Jacob or Emmett travel in the back too). When she’s not busy studying for college (let’s face it she’d study actually not do the stay at home life) she reads her books and teaches her to read (that’s where the trio bonds cause she and Edward are bookworms) and buys her tons.

Edward: as before mentioned they share books so they read together, or he reads her bedtime stories or they all three chill together with a good classic book (or toddler book cause you wouldn’t read Hamlet to a 4year old) he teaches her piano but is open to other instruments and learning them with her and plays a lot with her. He’s as guilty as Rosalie of spoiling her sometimes. They share a secret language cause of their similar abilities so they are giggly and give each other looks a lot and are a sweet duo

Charlie takes her since she’s little fishing, I guess he kinda takes all the opportunities he missed out with Bella, taking her fishing or giving her rides in the cop car, he takes her to the parks and shopping with him (there’s more to expand)

Jacob so, NONE IF THAT WEIRD ROMANCE HERE he plays with her too, not so much around the cullens sometimes but they play tag, or takes her to La Push to play in the sand and build castles or stuff, he tells her a lot of his ancestors stories and Quiletes (sorry if I’m writing it wrong) or goes swimming with her NO, DEFINITELY NOT JUMPING OFF THE CLIFFS and they cuddle a lot in his wolf form but they are two dumbasses together (Seth joins in a lot)

OKAY THATS ALL I COULD THINK OF IM SUPER SOFT ABOUT THIS YALL. You can definitely expand on this or tell me more people!!!!

(I’m not leaving out Leah I just don’t really know how she feels about Reneesme?? )

[zeta-in-de-walls]

My mcc predictions

Yo guys, I thought I’d give a very quick MCC 12 thoughts and predictions just based on first impressions from seeing the teams. :)

Red Rabbits: Team I’ll be watching and team I’d most love to win. I don’t know that it’s that likely - I’d say they’re slightly weaker than Violet. That said! I was very impressed with how Tommy lead his team last time which means that even though it is Wisp’s first MCC - he might well have a really good performance as he’s a very competent minecrafter who is friends with Tommy and Tubbo already. I don’t mind if they don’t overperform though - as long as they are the most entertaining team! Will they be able to exceed Violet Vampires on entertainment? It’s going to be tough without Wilbur but I believe they have it in them. 

Orange Ocelots: I hear HBomb was stressed last time and is probably going to take it easier. Fundy’s great of course. Eret and Karl are both weaker players though very nice teammates. Eh, I think they’ll do alright but I don’t expect them to dominate. I know I shouldn’t discount HBomb as he’s so good at team games but I kinda want to - I think he’d like to take this one more chill and not try too hard and this team would be good for that. 

Yellow Yaks: It’s Quig. Quig holds the record for most times placing 1st overall and he never disappoints in MCC. The rest of his team I don’t know so well, SB is theoretically insane at minecraft but didn’t do too great last time he was in MCC. Maybe this time? Gizzy and Ryguy have had a range of placements. Will probably do very well.

Lime Llamas: Ah, yeah almost similar to Yellow in that you’ve got S-tier player Fruitberries who’s been in 4 MCCs and won 2 of them and three other players who have a range of placements. Will also probably do very well. 

Green Guardians: the team I would also love to watch because I love Wilbur. Uhhh this team could very well dominate. Philza’s had some low-scoring MCCs lately but if he has a better MCC then I see this team doing very well. It doesn’t have a weak player. (Though TapL’s rather ill currently, I hope he’s well in two weeks.)

Cyan Creepers: Pete’s team. He’s both an incredible player and a good leader. I know Lauren isn’t the strongest though she’s played a couple MCCs before so they should be a really good team. 

Aqua Axolotls: Ah, this team is going to have some fun! I don’t think any of the team have placed in the top 10 before (?) and the competition in this MCC is fierce so I can’t rank them too highly overall, but they could still be quite the force. Obviously, I’m just hoping that Grian kills Dream in SG again. It would make my day. 

Blue Bats: Uhhh... for some irrational reason I don’t want this team to do that well but they probably will be very threatening. Illumina is the best speedrunner there is, having been beating records for years - and he’s no slouch at PvP either. Punz is very competitive and skilled and has also watched and analysed loads of MCC even though it’s his first time playing. Kara and Cara had their lowest performance last MCC but they’re both good too and are both very experienced regulars in the event. This team could destroy if Illumina and Punz are as good as they appear - in spite of being new. 

Purple Pandas: I actually have no idea what to really make of this team. Scott and Shubble are a duo - a very solid duo though they do have quite the range in placements. Sapnap is very strong - I don’t feel like he’d do as well without some close friends with him though. Dantdm has only been in one MCC and did fairly average though will likely improve. Uhh so overall this team is just middle of the road for me. It could absolutely surprise me though. 

Pink Parrots: huh Dream on pink again? Dream dominated last time and has the ability to do so again. I don’t actually think he will though! It’s still extremely solid either way. I guess I’m seeing it narrowly missing the win though - it is CaptainSparklez after all.

This is a very balanced MCC so any team has the ability to win here. I think these exact teams could play the tournament a dozen times and you’d get a dozen different results. It’ll depend on games chosen, good luck, good performances, and absolutely anything could happen! 

Here’s my placement order from first to tenth. Is Red a little too high? Yeah but I don’t care. See me be wildly wrong in a couple weeks time. Green, Red, Pink, Blue, Yellow, Lime, Cyan, Purple, Orange, Aqua. 

Games I hope to see played: Tggtos, Survival Games, Ace Race, Battle Box, Build Mart, Sands of Time, Skybattle/blockle (I suspect skyblockle will be back as its an anniversary one), hole in the wall. 

[fantasyoverreality98]

Fight the Darkness Pt. 8

Masterlist

Pairing: Gaius x MC

Summary: Together, Amy and Gaius set out for Mydiea, and the two have a conversation about what’s led to this moment.

Word Count: 2,808

-----

“I think we need to talk.”

Amy frowned, studying the clothes Gaius was wearing as she set her bag down. “Why did you change back into your old outfit?”

“Amy. Focus.” He sighed, looking nervous. “You have not been honest with me.” It wasn’t a question. “I need you to tell me what’s been going on.”

She glared at him, feeling the power stir within. “I thought you trusted me. Since when do I need to tell you everything?”

“I’m trying to help.” Gaius took a step toward her, and Amy moved back.

“You can’t help me! Okay? You don’t understand. You’ll never understand.”

The world around her blurred, flashes of all the death she had caused in the past day streaming through her mind. He would never see the potential. He wanted to control her, to stop her from reaching her full potential. Just like her friends. All of them wanted to keep her weak, to force her to ignore the power that called to her.

Amy turned to flee, but paused when a hand reached for hers.

“Tell me,” Gaius whispered when she glanced back at him, the silent plea in his eyes quieting the rage she felt over him touching her. “I do understand. This isn’t you.”

She shook her head sadly, trying to pull away from his grip. “You don’t understand. You can’t understand.”

Before he could pull her to him, Amy ripped her hand free from his and left the room. She still had a couple hours before the sun began to set. It was just enough time to try and find out what had become of Mydiea. Going back to an island that had been destroyed a quarter of a century ago seemed pointless. She wanted to see if there was anything waiting there for her.

Part of her hoped Gaius wouldn’t go with her. He’d been distant lately, and she didn’t want to be with someone who stayed with her out of some sense of obligation. Either he was with her, or he was against her.

It had been a mistake to seek him out. Amy could see that now. Not only had his presence somehow made the darkness worse, but he didn’t understand like she’d thought he would.

The realization that she was completely and utterly alone seemed to snap the hold the darkness had on her, if only for a moment.

Amy stopped in the middle of the street, ignoring the stares as she shut her eyes. People walked around her, hurrying away when they sensed the otherworldliness entrapped deep inside her body.

This was what you wanted, isn’t it? To find Gaius. To finally rid yourself of this power. To destroy the one thing that understands you. You’re just as pathetic as the rest of them.

The voice was back. Amy took a deep breath and continued walking until she reached the sea again. Water soaked through her shoes, but she didn’t care as she stood at the edge, watching the waves lap against her feet. She felt a pull once more as she stared out to the open water. Somewhere, not far away, was an island. The home of her ancestors. Of Rheya. Of her powers.

Gaius had once said that, in another life, things could have been different between them. She believed the same to be true for Rheya.

“It’s too bad you aren’t here,” Amy said out loud, imagining that Jax was beside her. “You would’ve kicked my ass and told me I was strong enough to overcome this.” She laughed bitterly, casting her eyes to the sky. “Fuck, I miss you so much.”

The only answer she got was the warm breeze over the sea.

Children played a short distance away, shrieking with laughter as they ran through the waves and splashed each other with water. One of them noticed her watching and raised her hand, waving. Amy hesitated before ultimately waving back. Their happiness only made her feel worse.

A monster. That’s what she was. Someone who truly was strong enough to fight the darkness, and was instead making the choice to give in. She liked it. There was no point in denying that when there was no one else around.

“I’m scared.” Her voice blended in with the sounds of the waves and the soft wind.

You should be.

Amy tried to push back against the darkness, but this time it did nothing. It remained. She thought she could sense a gentle caress, a loving touch as it wrapped itself tighter around both her heart and mind. They were becoming one and the same, her and the darkness. There was no escaping it.

Hours later, she still stood by the sea, listening to the waves as they washed over the shore and back. The sun set behind the horizon and blanketed the world in shadow. Amy closed her eyes, smiling as she tried to remember a life without this struggle. She and Lily would’ve remained best friends, and neither of them would have to worry about fighting evil.

She would have found love. Had children. Grown old. Died and stayed dead.

Footsteps swished through the sand, and a tentative hand landed on her shoulder. She already knew who it was, her muscles relaxing under the touch.

“Amy?” Gaius’ voice filled her with sadness, and she broke down when she turned around to face him. Surprise flashed across his face, and he kept his distance, looking uncertain of what to do.

“It’s me,” she said, wiping the tears as they fell. “It’s me.”

He hesitated before moving closer. “We should get going now.”

Amy shook her head, wiping more tears before she stood tall and looked at him. “No. I need to go alone. If something happens, if going to the island only makes me more powerful, you can’t be there. I’ll kill you. Or worse.”

They both knew what would be worse than death, it wasn’t necessary to say it.

“I will not let you go alone. I told you, we’re in this together.”

She hated the way she couldn’t stop crying. The battle within had stopped, but the war was not over. This feeling of control would not last. “Please, Gaius. You need to let me do this alone.”

“No.” He stood across from her, looking exactly as he had twenty-five years earlier when they went to defeat Rheya. There would be no talking him out of it.

“Then you have to kill me.” She reached out and grabbed him when he bristled, the intention of an argument clear on his face. “I mean it. If you see no other way, you need to kill me. Destroy my body so that I can’t come back.”

He sighed, closing his eyes before he nodded. “Alright. How will I do that?”

“I don’t know.” Truth be told, she hadn’t thought anything through.

How could anyone stop her? They didn’t have a way to make her Feral, like they had with Rheya.

Idiot.

“We’ll just have to hope it doesn’t come to that,” Amy said, raising her eyes to meet his. “I’m sorry that our time together was so short.”

Gaius shook his head again, brushing some hair behind her ear. “Do not speak as though our fate has already been decided.”

But they both knew the chances of this ending well were slim. The darkness was supposed to have been destroyed once before, and it still lived on. Why would this time be any different?

“Come on. We know how hard it was to defeat Rheya. I had to stop her. Who’s going to stop me?”

He didn’t answer her question. Amy chewed on her bottom lip as Gaius grabbed her hand and walked her toward a dock farther down the shore. There was a speedboat tied to one of the posts, waiting for them. They stepped onto it and untied the rope, pushing it out to open water. The familiar pull of Mydiea returned as they sailed away from the dock.

“Well, this brings back memories, doesn’t it?” Amy grinned, and was relieved when Gaius’ lips twitched into the hint of a smile while he rolled his eyes.

The moment didn’t last. “So, are you ready to tell me what’s happened?”

“Are you sure you’ll be able to look at me the same after I do?”

Gaius shrugged, looking out at the water. “I doubt I have any right to judge you for what you’ve done. In case you forget, I have done far worse.”

“I killed people in that town. I killed people as we were leaving the airport. I killed an entire club full of vampires and humans.” She took a deep breath, the weight of all she’d done in less than twenty-four hours pressing down on her. “I killed a man who yelled at me for setting a garbage bin on fire.”

“And it felt good, didn’t it?” Gaius was watching her, his expression devoid of judgement. “It’s okay. You can tell me the truth.”

Yes.

“No. It didn’t.”

He raised an eyebrow, and she sighed, noticing a small blood stain on her pants.

“Fine. Yes, it felt good.” Amy picked at the dried blood, the screams of the dying ringing in her head. “Does that make me a monster?”

Gaius didn’t answer. When she looked up, he appeared to be lost in his own thoughts. God, did they ever make for a fucked-up duo. One had spent nearly three millennia as the worst version of himself, and the other had killed more in the past twenty-four hours than she had in the past twenty-four years.

“Well, on the bright side of things, you have another chance to be the hero. I’m sure defeating the second coming of The First will give you plenty of redemption points.”

“Do you honestly think that’s why I’m here?” He looked at her in a way she had never seen before. It surprised her. “This was never about being the hero, Amy.”

She had to turn away when he continued to look at her. “You know, I actually thought you might still betray us when we went to the opera house. Even after everything that happened to us before.” Their eyes met, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. “Even after our night together. A small part of me still thought you would change your mind.”

If he knew she was purposely changing the subject, he didn’t call her out. “I don’t blame you. I would have expected the same thing, had I been in your position.”

“Why didn’t you?” She received a glare in response. “Sorry. Bad question. What I meant is, why did you stay true to your word? I’m sure Rheya would have accepted you back. The odds were against us, and yet you still went against her.”

“I made my decision when you freed me from her control.” The wind swept his hair back, and Amy admired him as he looked out to the sea, his lips turned down in a frown. “Goodness is not inherent. Every single day is a struggle to try and do what’s right.” Gaius glanced at her, and she remembered that night on the boat so long ago, when they’d had a conversation similar to this.

She moved closer, biting her lip as she took his hands in hers. Amy waited for him to continue, knowing that there was more to be said.

“There are times,” he mumbled, looking guilty for what he was about to say, “I have considered going back to my old ways. Spending so long a certain way begins to change you. It would be a lie if I said a part of me didn’t enjoy it. And I still made those choices, even if I was under Rheya’s influence. I still have to take responsibility for my actions.”

Amy felt warmth spread across her face, the shame of her recent behavior making the guilt grow. “Do you think evil is inherent?”

“I think that everyone makes a choice. Good and evil, wrong and right…Those concepts change with time. Everyone has a different idea of what those things are. The world I grew up in is nothing like the world you were born into. But still, goodness is a choice. And I cannot blame you for choosing to answer your desires for evil. I have done the same thing. It’s human nature. Do not think otherwise.”

“Surprisingly, your honesty is refreshing.” She smiled when he looked at her, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Has anyone told you that you’re actually pretty insightful?”

Gaius rolled his eyes, letting go of her hand to wrap his arm around her. “I’ve been alive for thousands of years. After a while, you stop believing that mankind is good at heart. Some of the things I have seen, and that I’ve done, make it impossible for me to believe anything else. If you want someone to lie to you and tell you fairy tales, you chose the wrong companion. Seth would be better for that.”

“I knew you were jealous!” Amy laughed, delighting in the happiness she felt. If only it could last longer than a few hours. Her smile faltered. “Do you think he’s okay? I still can’t believe I almost killed him.”

“He will be fine.” The island called out to her once more, and she tried to hide the urge to answer, but he saw it on her face. “We’re close. This has to end tonight.”

This was it. Either she would rid herself of the darkness forever, or the world would be lost to her power. She realized she’d never found out what Mydiea was like now. Breaking away from the control the darkness had over her had made her completely forget. For all she knew, the island was nothing but a pile of rubble.

“If this is the end, I just need you to know that I lo—”

“Wait until after. I want you to be certain.” Gaius traced her lips with his thumb, his expression conveying all that he did not say.

It unsettled her how sure he seemed that this wouldn’t end very badly. Someone who knew the extent of this power should be more afraid. Adrian had just barely stopped her the first time.

“How can you be certain that things won’t go wrong?” Amy wished she could freeze this moment and live in it forever. She’d begun to see that the idea to go to Mydiea had not been her own. Something had called her there, and it was not good.

The darkness was returning, and she could feel life on the island. Soon, they would arrive on shore. She already knew this had been a mistake. Coming here, returning to the birthplace of the The First; she had just sealed her fate.

“I’m not.” Gaius held her, and she knew that he could sense her powering growing, too. “But I want you to say it because you mean it. Not because you think this is the end.”

A single tear glided down her cheek, and he wiped it away.

They could see the island from the boat now.

Amy felt the pull, the strength of it so powerful she gasped. Her eyes met Gaius’, and they reached for each other at the same time. He buried his hands in her hair, pulling her into his lap as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Words could no longer express all that was left to say.

They hadn’t had enough time. No matter what, no matter how twisted her thoughts were becoming, she knew that. A hundred years still wouldn’t have been enough. There was still so much she wanted to see. So much of the world had been left unexplored.

The kisses lasted until the boat washed upon the shore. Tears fell from her eyes, and Amy cradled Gaius’ face in her hands, trying to use him as an anchor to her true self, but it didn’t work. She felt herself fading away, consumed by the evil that had existed inside her for so long. This was it.

Once they were on the island, she could feel all control slip away. Her thoughts changed and the earth became little more than a planet full of humans for her to feed on. She would become a goddess. The world would be hers.

Seconds after they arrived, screams echoed off the hills as she reached for the life pulsing around her and started to pull it in.

All the power, the potential, it was intoxicating. Each life was hers for the taking. Never again would she feel insignificant, or foolish for grieving for so long. She had the power to change everything. And she was finally ready to embrace it.

She was home.