#scarlet fate ii

[erthshaker]

tag drop

[jules-writes-stories]

Into the Night

A Retelling of Hades & Persephone | Azriel x Eris | Azris Week | Day 7| Equinox

Cast of Characters |

Eris | Persephone Azriel | Hades Lady of Autumn | Demeter Helion | Helios Lucien | Hermes Rhys | Zeus The Archeron Sisters | The Fates Cassian as himself

The first two parts are below. Read the whole story on AO3.

I

Scarlet hair blew across a pale face, like blood on freshly fallen snow. Golden eyes were lights upon dark water, a windy smile. He wanted this fae of Forest and Flame, like nothing he’d ever wanted before. Ours, the shadows whispered.

Each day was the same. Azriel spied on the beautiful male gliding through Autumn’s citrine-ruby forests, watched him slip between stalks of grain and orchards, the scent of stone fruit and loam cloying in the setting sun. 

Somehow the shadows had found their way into this court of hearth and harvest, once in thrall to a wicked Fire Lord, whose wife rose up and took the throne. Now, she ruled as Autumn’s High Lady with her seven sons. And it was the eldest that Azriel desired for his own.

He’d told his brothers, Rhysand, High Lord of Night, and Cassian, Lord of Bloodshed, just how much he needed the prince of Autumn. “Not until the Equinox,” Rhys had insisted. And Azriel was a patient male, a spymaster and a shadowsinger. He could wait for what was his.

Even as the golden cord that bound him to his mate, woven by the Mother herself, dragged at the unruly beast that was his heart. 

II

Today was the Equinox, most High Holy Day in Autumn, and all of Prythian. When Day and Night aligned in perfect balance. It was the one night each year, when the magical boundaries and borders dropped between Prythian’s courts. All fae, High and lesser, Solar and Seasonal, united as one, beneath the Mother’s loving gaze. 

Eris Vanserra, heir of Autumn, prepared for this night of revelry, like any other. He wore green velvet and diaphanous silk that whispered of trysts in moonlit forests. Gold lined his pointed ears, a single hoop in one nostril. 

Warrior, prince, fae of fire—this was his kingdom. And tonight, he would find his pleasure and replenish the land, to give back to its plenty. The prince left for the Forest, his brothers close behind. Fae danced around pyres, in time with distant drumming, already buzzing on wine, the scent of sex, sweet and smoky, in the night. 

Eris felt alive and aroused, in need of something he could not place. Soon. The drumming paused as voices hushed. Crackling bonfires and the breeze in ancient treetops were the only sounds. 

Now.

His magic was rising. It snapped beneath his tongue, itched his palms. Tingled at his fingertips, and down his spine. Until there were full sparks, flames along skin, at the tips of his hair, wreathing his hands. It was life and death and sex, to forget one’s before and after—not to become or have been, but to be.

Now. 

As his magic settled, finally, pulsing through his veins, Eris looked up in awe, ready to receive the Mother’s love. And this was why the fireling was taken so completely off guard. For it was at this very moment, while all of Prythian’s eyes were on the heavens, that Hel’s shadows and darkness came.

 *          *          *

Now. It had to be this very moment. When the wards between their courts were unguarded. Azriel commanded the shadows to bank the bonfires with darkness. Fae cried out as the earth quaked, seeming to cleave open, as the Night Court male landed silently in the darkened Forest. 

The shadowsinger reached out and with strong, scarred hands, pulled the fireling, by his narrow waist, to his chest. Mine. 

The golden thread thrummed with pleasure at the contact, at the scent of embers and rain, of the male in his arms. Amber eyes took in hazel.

 “Who are you?” a voice, breathless, but unafraid, asked in the darkness. 

“I am the singer of shadows. I am yours,” Azriel whispered back, his breath against the skin of the male’s white cheek. And then, before the Autumn fae could panic or react, they were passing through folds of space and time. 

 *          *          *

Eris was lost in the darkness, his only anchor a pair of strong arms, a solid chest, the scent of mist and moonlight on cedar.  He was holding his breath, eyes squeezed shut. 

“Open your eyes,” a low voice rumbled, laced with amusement. The Autumn prince did, and what he saw, left him speechless. He clung to the leathers of a male, built like a warrior, with enormous, bat-like wings, spread against the night sky. And this male’s beauty was heartbreaking. His raven curls were perfectly tousled, as if the wind herself had run long fingers through them. Golden brown skin, high cheekbones, and hazel eyes lined with thick lashes. 

Eris pulled away with a jolt, baring his slightly elongated canines. Flames coiled along his hands. “Take me back to my home.” He growled, with all the authority of an Autumn prince.

But the winged male simply smirked and stared. His eyes moved slowly, starting at Eris’s red hair, the flushed tips of his pointed ears, then shifted with lazy dominance, downwards, lingering at molten eyes, a perfect nose, kissed with faint freckles, to the male’s pink, pouting mouth.

Heat coiled low in the fireling’s belly, at the base of his spine, arousal licking through his veins, even as he grew angry. Who was this male, to look at the heir of Autumn, with such possession? The fae prince bared his teeth again, flames growing hotter.

Hazel eyes, unphased, unhurried, continued to move down the prince’s lithe frame. They took in the long column of a pale neck. Broad, graceful shoulders and a narrow waist. Hips that would feel perfect in his hands. 

And then, the winged male, shrouded in shadows, said, “Eris, you are home.” 

I tagged anyone who asked/expressed interest, but please lmk if you ever want on/off my 🏷️

@c-starstuff-man0, @natashachelsea @chunkypossum, @fieldofdaisiies @jir67 @futurehunt @the-darkestminds @hellolordling @honeysuckle-daydreams13 @brekkershadowsinger @disney-acotar-hp @moonpatroclus @azrisweek @unanswered-stars @theartofmischief @lilah-asteria

[ruiniel]

SUMMARY

Set after the events of Castlevania (Netflix, 2017-2021) Season III. After the betrayal of his young apprentices, Alucard feels barely alive in his lonesome castle. Days wear on, chipping away at his mind and sanity. And what is the son of Dracula to do with this unwanted visitor, suddenly come at his doorstep?

ALSO ON AO3 | RATING: 🔞| COUNT: 55.8K | TAGS: Original Female Character, Alternate Universe-Canon Divergence, POV Alternating, Hurt/Comfort, Violence, Guilt, Illness, Injury, Paranoia, Heavy Angst, Monsters, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Hematophagy, Gore, Mental Anguish, Emotional, Strangers to Lovers

CHAPTER LIST

I. REFUGE

II. BRING YOUR TAINT

III. MY CHAINS TO RATTLE

IV. OF ALL THINGS

V. ONCE WAS ENOUGH

VI. BOTH HALVES OF YOU

VII. ALL THE LUCKIER

VIII. THEY ROAM

IX. SO LITTLE

X. THE GREATER GOOD

XI. A TWIST OF FORTUNE

XII. STRANGE FATES

XIII. DEEPEST DESIRES

XIV. THE ONLY WAY

XV. YOUR SCARLET GIFT

XVI. CHANGES

XVII. HIDDEN KNOWLEDGE

XVIII. SCHEMES

XIX. RUE THE DAY

XX. NEW FACES, OLD GRUDGES

XXI. THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

XXII. CHOICE, SURRENDER

XXIII. KINDLED

XXIV. BEGINNINGS

Image credit: The Death of Albine by John Collier, 1895

[myemuisemo]

It's time to learn from Letters from Watson "What John Rance Had to Tell."

But first, Holmes explains some of his deductions. He does not explain what the long fingernails on the right hand mean.

And he comes out with what is for me, as a modern reader, a doozy:

The A [in RACHE], if you noticed, was printed somewhat after the German fashion. Now, a real German invariably prints in the Latin character, so that we may safely say that this was not written by one, but by a clumsy imitator who overdid his part. It was simply a ruse to divert inquiry into a wrong channel.

What? A German fashion of writing?

OKAY. It turns out that, prior to World War II, German was written in different scripts than other European languages, which the University of Wisconsin has documented for us because German immigrants continued to use them.

Here are a snipper of UW's examples of Kurrent and Sütterlin, as well as capital letters from Wikimedia's Fraktur.

The Fraktur A looks so much like a U that I can't believe Lestrade wouldn't have read the word as "ruche" and decided the victim was a dressmaker.

Calligrascapes gives examples of Spencerian (U.S.) and Copperplate (UK) handwriting of the late Victorian period here. Lower-case A looks almost the same as in Kurrent. I feel like our wall-scrawler must have used Sütterlin.

That our killer is familiar with a German A implies he either reads German comfortably or corresponds regularly with people of German ancestry. Since Holmes says "a real German" would use Latin letters (so he corresponds with Germans or visits Germany), killer is presumably familiar with a German-American community, which is certainly plausible if he's from Ohio (or Pennsylvania, or much of the Upper Midwest).

Whew.

Holmes' passing mention of going "to Halle's concert to see Norman Neruda" is about seeing Czech violinist Wilma Norman-Neruda perform at an occasion organized by Anglo-German pianist and conductor Sir Charles Hallé (also Norman-Neruda's future second husband).

Finally, we arrive at the home of Constable Rance. Last episode, it was given as Audley Court, Kennington Toll Gate. The latter part is a real place, the site of a toll gate that was demolished about 15 years before the time of the story. Here's an old photo shared by The Underground Map.

Today the site of the toll gate is a plaza with public art.

The "long succession of dingy streets and dreary by-ways" suggests the cab ride was to somewhere near the old toll gate site (possibly just west of St. Mark's Church, which is the tower in the background), rather than directly to the triangle of land where it sat. There's not a lot of space right there, due to Kennington Park, which has a long history as a public common and site of hangings.

I suspect any police constable trying to live in London today would sympathize with Rance's living in a "sordid dwelling." Rance also takes bribes.

Rance is, of course, astonished by Holmes' powers of deduction. But what was the "drunk" man singing? I was sure in my heart that "Columbine" was "Columbia" (an old-fangled term for the United States) and searching for that made it possible to cheat when I Heard of Sherlock's discussion of this matter came up in my search results. It's "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean." Here's an audio file.

“Had he a whip in his hand?”

Where on earth did a whip come from? We've no such wounds on the victim, and the killer came with him in a cab.

I might not have gone but for you, and so have missed the finest study I ever came across: a study in scarlet, eh? Why shouldn’t we use a little art jargon. There’s the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it.

And... title drop! If this is the fates weaving the tapestry of life, surely it says something about Holmes that all the other threads are colorless besides murder.

[runawaychar]

Her Secret Sorrow

The Ghostly Ferryman was far more than he appeared. The spirit of Erasmus, Tethra's storyteller, had been bound to the task of patrolling Kazareth's shores. The centuries have not been kind to him - he has no memory of the past. Still, it appears we've gained a new ghostly companion.

We arrived in the decaying city of Kazareth to find it alive and unchanged, populated by the pale, emaciated shadows of the Spring Court, forbidden from the relief of death by divine decree. After fighting past skeletal soldiers animated by thorns, we found the third tome in the clutches of the red priest in the High Cathedral. He was a bloodsucking insect in the guise of a holy man, fattened from his flock of supplicants. Where is the lady of the high tower? Where is the Queen-Under Thorn?

Archive:

Book I: Queen-Under-Thorn

Book II: Blight and Salvation

--Book III: Her Secret Sorrow--

Erasmus's Dialogues, Part III

We followed the Queen-Under-Thorn Through scarlet streets of Kazareth. We headed down Cathedral Road: There was to be a funeral. She spoke to me unbidden words, Her voice was cracked and wavering. "I ask you now to understand, A time without a church to Me. In order to provide our souls, As sustenance to those below, We stole the task from silent gods, and took their roles reluctantly. I am an ever-flowing font, But only if there's faith in Me. I've lost so many precious things, Reshaping our society." I spoke, protesting, - "Lady fair, You cannot blame yourself for this." She stared me down with hardened eyes. "All I've done may be a crime - I never claimed to be divine. I rose an army from our dead To guard us from the Kephra threat. My Ironguard will stand eternal, the ghosts of all I could not save. I built a Clergy, built a Throne, I've watched My people die for naught. I twisted fate to save the court, I wish "blame" still applied to Me." Ahead we saw smoke from the pyre, where ash from Tethra's children burn. The beautiful ascended few, the Flowers of sweet Kazareth: They're taken when they're very young, Adopted by our Queen and loved. Through them Her love flows down to us, Sustaining Tethra's paradise. They never live for very long, They burn brightly, and then they're gone. Tethra turned to our companion, One doomed to fall in this same way. First of Four, Queen-Under-Thorn, Knelt down before Her own daughter. She smiled at sweet Euriphone, While hiding sadness none could see. She loves Her child - She loves us all, But none can save Her autumn rose. She paid a price that I can't bear - She gave up peace to save the Spring. -E

My mind is reeling - is this how Vibrancy's children survived the calamity? A paradise sustained by sacrifice, kings and queens elevated to godhood in the silence that followed? For once the cleric does not attempt to destroy the words of the Spring Court - the name of Euriphone, Savior of Autumn stays her hand.

How much can we trust these books, written by the pet storyteller of the Beautiful Ones? The ghost of the writer has no recollection, and the lady of Kazareth is absent, her servants turned into monsters - our answers lie with Her.

We descend into the palace tonight.

[chaifootsteps]

Hey, don’t know if you’re still talking about it, but I was thinking about Grimmel (HTTYD) and Scarlet Witch (Multiverse of Madness). The main reason I bring up both these characters is that they are supposed to be intimidating but really aren’t. I think the reason for this is that the writers try way to hard to make them cool and menacing. To give an anime example of how to do this well is the fight between Enkidu and Chaldea in Fate Babylonia. The fact that they are able to land a few hits but lose in the end make him come across as even more menacing, cause it shows not just power but durability as well.

Yeah, Grimmel was never going to be anywhere near as intimidating as Drago, who left a trail of blinded and mangled dragons in his wake and who killed the Bewilderbeast and also Hiccup's dad. It could have been done, but not with Dreamworks firmly convinced that HTTYD II would have made more money if Dean hadn't gone dark and Stoick hadn't died.

Because we don't see flashbacks of Grimmel killing Night Furies or Night Fury skulls on his hovermobile, all we're left with is Discount Snow Miser being wrong about things for an hour and 44 minutes.

[hernakedmuse]

Poppies in October

Part II

Disclaimer: SELF HARM, Scenes of a sexual nature. NOT PROOFREAD!

Pairings: Regulily, Jegulus, Xenodora kind of the beginning...

__________________________________________

(Regulus POV)

I can't stand the uncertain, the unpredictable, I'm a practical wizard and always have been. So why did I spend the next morning charming the head of my house into replacing my arithmancy elective with bloody Divination? Why was I waiting to have a partner assigned to do my chart?

Lily Evans might have something to do with that.

I sat at the round, celestial cloth table behind her.  The back of her neck was deliciously visible due to her prettily bobbed, deep scarlet waves. They looked full and fluffy and daring, I always preferred short hair when I was into girls. Not that she wasn't very pretty when it was long, but she became coquettishly sexy when she showed up on that train with it chopped off and falling in her sweet face. McKinnon is a fucking idiot, letting the most desired witch in school go, for fucking Meadowes? Has she seen Lily's ass? Doesn't she notice the redhead doesn't understand that bras exist? Merlin…don't get me started on those eyes, in a permanent seductive lidding, and not just green but bloody jade, like jade and teal had together created a new color. It was peacock without the blue, lined with thick dark lashes and hovered by thin, dark, perfectly arched eyebrows.

And just remembering– "I must be dreaming, what in Circe's name are you doing here Rab?" Pandora Llewellyn plopped down next to me.

She's a good friend of mine, a Slytherin a year above me. We have always just been friends, I'd never go there with her, not that she isn't funny and intelligent and her whimsical, out there nature that reminded me of Lily was rather refreshing…but Pandora is…oblivious to feelings, sometimes you don't know if she's got your back she is very matter of fact and not very warm. You can't cry on her shoulder, she'll try and read your fate and say it's what the fates decide. But she's fun and unlike a lot of our fellow snake pit, isn't blood obsessed. She's very stunning, like a human star. Willows, leggy, moonlight skin and silvery eyes she always had kohl rimmed, silver blonde hair pin straight past her svelte hips that had you convinced she's part veela but she just has a Yugoslavian mother. Hm, physically she wasn't my type either. 

My eyes slid back over to Lily, my eyes narrowed into slits as I watched her delicate little hand old Xenophilius Lovegood's up to read his palm. Her nails weren't too long or too short, and painted midnight blue, cutesy chipped, fingers adorn with mood rings and Celtic rings. Her wrist wrapped in centuries old bangles and crystal bracelets. I discreetly lifted my wand under the table and shot a stinging jinx at Lovegood. I never had anything against the always high as a dragon, bohemian Ravenclaw, he irritates me but usually he's out of my way. But I don't like that she's touching him with the same hands that touched my face as she looked at me and healed me in my moment of suffering. I don't want his filthy skin to ever feel her touch again. I felt cruel pleasure seeing him wince and hearing him whine like a pathetic child. If a stinging jinx made him react so weakly, he has bigger problems.

"What did you do that for?" Pandora demanded, usually she has a lackadaisical voice, never had she ever shown this much emotion, this much hostility. 

"Panda-" I attempted her nickname I had for, my voice falling soft. I didn't know what I did wrong or why she cared what I did to Lovegood. She gathered her things, slipping out of the classroom after Xenophilius. 

I looked back to see Lily looking up at me, her hooded jade eyes looking up at me, her pouty lips painted with red lip stain. 

I could smell her, I could smell her scent…it was strange how exact down to the detail I could smell her but I did. It was rosewater, lilacs, watermint, and strawberries.  I wanted to bite her. I wanted to taste her again. 

"Let me do your chart." Her voice is soft, like everything else about her. Soft, slightly raspy, and a musical a mix of Northern Welsh accenting Midlands English, not quite Brummie but close. Her voice had a lovely rocking back and forth sound to it.

I don't remember when I said yes, but I must have. She was sitting before me now, she looked at me well not at me but through me. Like she was getting a vision, and she took a quill and scribbled on the parchment without looking down, I watched her swirling writing. It was my birthday, time of birth, and location.  I was amazed. January 18, 1971, blue monday in London at 3 a.m. She drew a map a celestial map and wrote down sun positioned in Capricorn, moon in Libra, rising in Scorpio, mercury in Capricorn, venus in Sagittarius, Mars in Scorpio, jupiter in Sagittarius, saturn in taurus, uranus in Libra, neptune in Sagittarius, pluto in Virgo, North node in Aquarius, and Chiron in Aries. 

She drew so many symbols  ♃, ♄, ♇, ♀, ♂, ♅, ☿, ♆. 

Her jade eyes blinked and she looked up at me. "You're born on blue monday at the witching hour…there's a prophecy…" She trailed off with a faraway look.

I felt confused, so lost, all of this was balderdash. Utter bullshit, why did she look  worried for me and what prophecy? No, it's all just magician's crap. "I think I'm supposed to do your chart. But I can't do that creepy phasing out thing you did, hand me the kit."

She still looked at me strangely as she handed me the kit to create the chart, it consisted of a sundial, machina mundi,Mundial, rectangulus, an astrolabe, augrym stones and a navicula. A whole lot to find out nothing. 

I looked at her, and I remembered everything...not just the carnal pleasure but the pain, she saw me when I was most vulnerable, saw me past the mask I worked so hard to craft and present. Something more than sex and tears happened. She looked up at me, remembering too and then spoke. "You're holding your navicula wrong."

I looked down at it. "Oh."

I needed her again. This time I wanted all of her inside of her–

"Let me show you." She was beside me in an instant. Her sweet scent made my mouth water as she was beside me so close. I needed to kiss her neck, I shouldn't but I need to. Very discreetly I brushed my nose against her hair, my eyes rolled back. Beneath the lavender scented shampoo was the smell of the strawberries. I had to have her show me how to use the instruments again, and again, and again.

Class ended and it was no use. "Why did you switch to fifth year Divinations?" She asked me suddenly.

"Why because I'm a fourth year?"

She waved her wand to help Professor Firenze clean up. "No, most of your classes are advanced for your age." She tucked her wand that I knew she didn't need, away. She smiled up at me, I just noticed she was wearing eyeliner, it was subtle but it was there. "You don't strike me as the type to rely on the science of intuition. "

"I like to have a diverse time table, for career opportunities. "It was the excuse I agreed to, to myself.

She stared for a long moment before nodding. "I'll see you around, if you want." 

It was a strange way of saying goodbye, she was gone so quickly and I cursed myself for saying nothing about it. I clenched my fists and left the awful patchouli smelling classroom.

I had to get her out of my mind, with my life she didn't fit. She wasn't allowed to, lovely beautiful things didn't survive in my world. I raked my hand through my curls almost violently, the strongest urge to reopen the healed scars on my arms strangled with such hunger. It was an addiction that's for sure, gave me the high of a lifetime, I felt like I was flying before falling into nothingness.

I headed to the boys' lavatory, hoping no one was in there. Just one little slice maybe? That's all I need, then no more for a few days. I'll be okay. 

Once in there, with the flick of my wrist I closed and locked the door. I tossed my satchel and books to the floor carelessly, my mind on one thing and one thing only, sweating in sweet anticipation. I almost moaned as I rolled up the sleeves of my shirt and jumper to reveal the pale scars on my arm, scars she healed. "Forget her!" I growled. 

"Forget who, exactly?" A lazy sounding, good natured voice interrupted my privacy.

I whipped around so fast, only to come face to face with James Potter. My brother's number one best friend, the one who stole my brother away.

I hated him for it.

He's so fucking charming, has to just seduce everyone into adoring him. Never had to worry about one bloody thing, parents adored him, loads of money with no strings or obligations attached. He's not just brilliant and so smart without ever picking up a damn book once and studying, no it's all so easy for him. Everyone wants to be his friend, everyone wants to be him, he's athletic, boys and girls want to possess him. And why wouldn't they? He looks like a model, so tall and pretty at a towering height of 5'11 at 15. All very lean muscle, a runner built, perfect for a chaser. Olive skin from his Persian heritage on his mother's side, full, big, rosy lips that are attractively too big for his slim jawline with high cheekbones. He has a perfect noble nose, don't let you forget he's from noble blood on both sides, a descendant of desert princes no doubt. His eyes are as problematic as Lily's, bedroom set, with the thickest and longest, blackest lashes you'll ever see that naturally made it look like he wore kohl. His gold rimmed glasses didn't hide or take away from the amber eyes he possessed, that were like cognac, honey, and Hazel green all swirled in one. They're unsettling pretty. His ebony ringlets were messy and long in a shag and real ruby studded his nose. Why a quidditch player would wear nose jewelry is beyond me, but he loved showing off his expensive jewelry.

He's a spoiled pretty boy, a little shit who hasn't tasted the cruelty of life. Was that lip gloss? Was he trying to make his lips look more whorish? I scowled at his smirk. I felt myself blush and my skin heated up. I looked down at his long slender fingers, cherry red. polish painted his nails. "Can I help you, Reggie?"

I turned back around sharply. "What are you doing here?" I snapped. 

"Um it's a bathroom, what do you think?" He had a twinkling laugh accenting his response.

I froze as he made his way to the sink next time, I clenched mine until my knuckles turned white as he over lathered his gentle hands that never knew suffering, they're pretty. And I smelled him, did I turn into a dog overnight? First Lily, now James? It could be a cologne, a cologne that smells like cherries and fire like cherries jubilee, the fresh morning just when the sun rises, and roses. It was an explosive combination right in your face, provocative to be honest. 

After drying his delicate hands he looked at me. How could someone be so pretty and the quidditch Star of Hogwarts? "Hey…'' his usual cocky smirk dropped from his lips as he eyed me. He almost looked concerned, but he couldn't be. He could care less about me, probably just thinks I'm a pathetic loner.

"That nose ring looks utterly ridiculous!" I snapped before storming out rushing straight to the commons. Lucius tried to call my attention. I heard someone follow me..

Once in my dorm, I noticed it was Barty. He didn't have James' juicy lips and little hips, or his black curls. But he will do, I took my frustration out on him balls deep. Every thrust making me forget how I lusted after someone who thinks I'm a loser, how Lily would be in danger if she was in my life and that I was probably just rebound for her after Marlene, and how even though I'm away from home until December, my parents have eyes and ears in the castle. There's more pressure on me now that I was their last hope.

James just had to get in the way, I needed that release so badly I needed to feel that relief when my skin breaks and rips and the blood bubbles and spills.

This wasn't doing it for me. Barty knows me, knows my sordid ideas of pleasure. "Bite me hard," I grabbed his jaw cruelly. "You know how!" 

With my command as his ring of muscled choked my cock, he bit my neck so hard I did bleed, and I sped up so hard hitting deeper than his spot and spilling in him as my blood spilled down my chest staining my pristine, white shirt.

@sufferingstarlight @meetmyothersouls

[the-annotated-antichrist]

Act II, Track 14 - Astral Sophia

Song links: Spotify - YT Music - Apple - Tidal

In this track, we hear from Sophia Orsini, the mother of Johanna and Helena, again for the first time since "Through Dust, Through Rain". Her body may be dead, but her soul is alive and entering "an astral dimension, characterized by distinctive combinations of light and colours."

Sophia is being awaited by someone she knows:

[Satan:] Colored shadows taste Astral Sophia Scarlet juices hear Astral Sophia

These lines imply an overwhelming synaesthetic experience. Clearly, in a place like this, the senses melt together. There is an effect on Satan's voice that, fittingly, feels quite disorienting to me. I imagine Satan appearing first here, then there, all around Sophia. However, she is neither afraid nor confused. As the experienced occultist she is, she has probably visited the astral realm before. She responds respectfully, but calmly:

[Sophia:] Have you been here long Floating in the dark Like a shining stream? Have you, Majesty?

Satan speaks with the same disorienting effect again:

[Satan:] Many are my names Moving above me Ominous my touch Searching beneath thee

He then launches into a monologue:

Locked beyond the gate of stars I've been sent to travel far Broken seals from long ago Wells below await to flow Burning, grieving Ruling this lonely world Glorious entity, dear child of mine Hear him, hear me Hear all and every word Knowing, believing A new form of light [Sophia:] I see in you... A new form of light

Satan speaks about Seth, calling him his "dear child" and acknowledging the emotional extremes he goes through on his journey. Both speak of "a new form of light" that Satan brings, which is, interestingly, exactly what Seth has also seen in Satan - he uses the very same expression in "Anthem", his victory speech after being made president/emperor. Satan also states that "seals" have been broken and things are now in motion. This might be a reference to the Book with Seven Seals from Revelation. Something has changed on a cosmic level which is allowing the plot that is taking place in the material world to happen.

Since Satan has mentioned his son, Sophia mentions her daughters:

[Sophia:] My Helena brings peace to thy son And my Johanna his fate [Satan:] They're mesmerized by their false disguise Cradle set alight leads us into night again

Satan seems to know something that the human characters do not. He can see what the future will hold, but he does not spell it out. Sophia sees the impact of her daughters on Seth's story quite clearly.

[Satan:] Walls of sleep shall fade away Rid them of their human waste Spirits of their misery Shall embrace the enemy [Sophia:] Our children seek the way They will not be afraid No seed may be condemned When revelation ends [Satan & Sophia:] Viewing horizons of future serene Born on the night sky to all of our dreams

What does Satan hope to accomplish? The music here - one of the many tracks written by Christofer - is truly epic, but the lyrics only hint at an answer. Satan's hints make more sense if you return to them after the end of the story though. It is like a prophecy that you only understand when it's too late. There is some foreshadowing in what the characters say, though the poetic language half-hides it.

[demifiendrsa]

FINAL FANTASY XVI - REVENGE Trailer

Japanese version

Final Fantasy XVI will launch for PlayStation 5 on June 22, 2023.

Game editions

Physical Standard Edition

Full Game – Base game package, including reversible cover art.

Physical Deluxe Edition

Full Game – Base game package, including reversible cover art

Special Clive Rosfield Steelbook Case – A SteelBook case featuring artwork of Clive Rosfield, the protagonist.

Cloth Map of Valisthea – A cloth map of Valisthea where the story unfolds.

Collector’s Edition (Square Enix Store-exclusive, pre-orders open December 12, 2022)

Full Game – Base game package, including reversible cover art.

Collector’s Box – A beautiful metallic-sheen box featuring impressive artwork by legendary Final Fantasy series illustrator, Yoshitaka Amano.

Premium Statue: Phoenix vs. Ifrit – A premium statue depicting a battle between two eikons, Phoenix and Ifrit.

Metal Eikon Pin Collection – A premium metal pin collection featuring eight Eikons.

Special Clive Rosfield Steelbook Case – A SteelBook case featuring artwork of Clive Rosfield, the protagonist.

Cloth Map of Valisthea – A cloth map of Valisthea where the story unfolds.

In-Game Weapon “Blood Sword” – The fabled scarlet steel of Firion, hero of Final Fantasy II.

Digital Mini Art Book

Digital Mini Soundtrack

Digital Standard Edition

Full Game

Digital Deluxe Edition

Full Game

Digital Mini Art Book

Digital Mini Soundtrack

Pre-Order bonuses include:

Weapon “Braveheart”

Accessory “Cait Sith Charm” – Increases the amount of gill you can get when equipped

Accessory “Scholar’s Spectacles” (not included with physical Standard or Deluxe editions) – Increases the amount of experience points you can gain when equipped.

Additionally, the following bonuses will also be available at the listed retailers:

Square Enix Store – The Realms of Valisthea Wall Banners (six-inches height printed cloth banners)

GameStop – The Realms of Valisthea Patches (2.5-inches height printed cloth patches)

Best Buy – Final Fantasy XVI Pre-Order SteelBook

Cast

Clive Rosfield (child) (voiced by Benn Starr in English, Yuma Uchida in Japanese)

Clive Rosfield (young adult) (voiced by Benn Starr in English, Yuuya Uchida in Japanese)

Joshua Rosfield (voiced by Logan Hannan in English, Natsumi Fujiwara in Japanese)

Jill Warrick (child) (voiced by Charlotte McBurney in English, Megumi Han in Japanese)

Jill Warrick (young adult) (voiced by Susannah Fielding in English, Megumi Han in Japanese)

Torgal

Cidolfus Telamon (voiced by Ralph Ineson in English, Hiroshi Shirokuma in Japanese)

Benedikta Harman (voiced by Nina Yndis in English, Akari Higuchi in Japanese)

Hugo Kupka (voiced by Alex Lanipekun in English, Yasuhiro Mamiya in Japanese)

Dion Lesage (voiced by Stewart Clarke in English, Yuichi Nakamura in Japanese)

Barnabas Tharmr (voiced by David Menkin in English, Gotaro Tsunashima in Japanese)

Key visual

Screenshots

Overview

Final Fantasy XVI introduces gamers to an all-new standalone story in the Final Fantasy universe, an epic dark fantasy world that takes place in the realm of Valisthea—a land blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals, and where peace falters as the spread of the Blight threatens to destroy their dominions. The fate of the land is decided by the Eikons, powerful and deadly creatures, and their Dominants, men and women who have been blessed with the ability to call upon and wield them. This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.

Latest details via The PlayStation Blog

Final Fantasy XVI is an epic dark fantasy world that takes place in the realm of Valisthea—a land blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals, and where peace falters as the spread of the Blight threatens to destroy their dominions. The fate of the land is decided by the Eikons, mighty summoned beasts, and their Dominants, men and women who have been blessed with the ability to call upon and wield them.

This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.

Jump into Action-Packed Battles with Impressive Eikonic Powers

As the first full-fledged action RPG in the Final Fantasy series, designed for the PlayStation 5, Final Fantasy XVI features unique battle systems where you can fight, not only utilizing Eikonic powers woven into your swordplay, but also controlling Eikons yourself! Switch between Clive’s Eikon skills one after another in speedy real-time action battles and participate in dynamic battles taking on the role of an Eikon as they clash against each other. You’ll spot some of the new systems we’re introducing in the game in the trailer above. You can learn more about them below and discover how they’ll help you fight fire with fire (among other elements)!

Titanic Clashes

When rival Dominants come head to head, epic battles between their Eikons ensue!

Eikonic Action

Clive utilizes the powers of multiple Eikons in breakneck battle!

Play Your Way

Myriad accessibility options allow anyone to experience Clive’s adventure—from seasoned action gamers to those who just want to enjoy the story.

We’re introducing a Story-focused mode, recommended for those players who are less comfortable with action games and wish to focus more on the game’s story elements. In this mode, Clive will automatically evade some attacks, and epic Eikonic combos can be triggered with simple button presses. Action-focused mode, where Clive’s every action is controlled by the player, is available for those who are confident in their skill—or want to test it!

A Hero’s Best Friend

Trusty Torgal takes to the field.

Another outcast from the Northern Territories taken in by House Rosfield, Torgal was found alone in a snowfield during one of Archduke Elwin’s expeditions to the freezing north, and gifted to his sons upon his return. After somehow surviving the disaster that nearly ended the Rosfield line, he was reunited with Clive over a decade later, and now serves his master with the same fierce loyalty he did when he was but a pup.

In battle, Clive’s faithful hound Torgal is never far from his side—and when enemies approach, he does not quail. Not only can Torgal attack enemies, but he can also mend Clive’s wounds—and if Clive times his orders right, the two can prove a devastating duo.

The Nore the Merrier

Because sometimes, fighting fate is more than a one-man job.

At certain points in his adventure, Clive will be joined by certain stalwart allies who will fight alongside him—the composition of his party changing as the story develops. Unlike Torgal, these party members do not take orders directly from the player, but fight as they see fit.

One of these party members, Cidolfus Telamon, known to his friends as “Cid,” is a soldier turned outlaw that strives to build a place where persecuted magick casters—Bearers, and exploited Dominants can die on their own terms. A man of science, he also conducts research into how one might live in the deadlands—as he and his band of fellow heretics must. Cid is also a Dominant—the power of the Eikon Ramuh having awoken within him shortly after he landed on Valisthean shores. No doubt it was this power that saw him rise through the ranks of the Royal Waloeder Army—where it would seem he crossed paths with a certain Benedikta Harman…

[the-mukami-library]

Yuuma's Route and Drama CD Translations

MUOKKAA LINKIT

Translations by @dialovers-translations marked with 🍓 Translations by @otomehonyaku marked with 🫐 Translations by @kyouxa marked with 🍒 Translations by @pinkcasedialover marked with 🍇 Translations by @tournesolia 🍈

GAMES

More, Blood - 🍓

Prologue

Vandead Carnival - 🍓

Prologue

Dark Fate - 🍓

General Prologue || Mukami Prologue

Lunatic Parade - 🍓

General Prologue || Mukami Prologue

Lost Eden - 🍓

General Prologue || Mukami Prologue

Chaos Lineage - 🍈

General Prologue - 🍒 || Scarlet Family Prologue - 🍇

DRAMA CDS

Bloody Bouquet Vol. 8 - 🍓

Daylight Vol. 9 - 🍓

Do-S Kyuuketsu Versus II Vol. 6: Yuuma vs. Azusa - 🍓

Do-S Kyuuketsu Versus III Vol. 5: Shuu vs. Yuuma - 🍓

Do-S Kyuuketsu Versus IV Vol. 6: Laito vs. Yuuma - 🍓

Eternal Blood Vol. 2 - 🍓

More, Blood Vol. 5 - 🍓

More Character Songs Vol. 3: Sweet Loyalty -🍓

More, More Blood Vol. 5 - 🍓

Para-Selene Vol. 10 - 🍓

Para-Selene Vol. 10 Animate Tokuten - 🍓

Versus Song: Bloody Night Vol. V - Yuuma vs. Kou - 🍓

Zero Vol. 6 - 🍓

Dollymoon's Mukami Yuuma masterlist on Livejournal

[archelaos-redright]

Blood Will Follow Blood — II

Content warning: domestic abuse, self-harm, suicide, gore.

Eight years and nine months ago —

There were worse places to die than a pink bathroom. The thought swam around Archelaos' mind as he relaxed into the hot, sudsy water of the tub. A soft sizzle sound bubbled from the bath bomb near his foot, and the room smelled like roses. The late-afternoon sun speared through the window and into the floral clouds, draping Archelaos in the sunlight that he loved so much. He'd never been one to spoil himself, but he was coming around on the fancy soaps. Shame he'd only ever use them once.

Archelaos had cut himself a slice of cotton-candy heaven for his last moments. The pink walls, floors, and tub gave the room an alluring ambiance. In the corner of the room, a record player cracked a gentle, wordless beat. He heard indistinct conversations from the window as the residents of Old Town went about their day.

Beside the tub, sitting on a stool, lay a sliced cucumber and a sharpened knife. Archelaos slipped a sliver of cucumber between his teeth and bit down with an audible crunch. The coolness of the juice invigorated him, and the thus-far-uninterrupted plan left him feeling happier than he had in years. For the first time since the fall of Lordaeron, everything felt right.

So few men had control over their last moments; the Scarlet Crusade had taught Archelaos that. Even he couldn't fully control his own fate. Maugrim's early return or Levant's interference in his father's affairs could disrupt his wonderful, rose-tinted scheme. Either would thwart him; not to spare his life, but to control when it ended. Archelaos would never let himself be controlled again.

When all but one slice of the cucumber had been eaten, he lifted his hand from the pink water to grasp the knife. It still carried the faint, crisp scent of the fruit it had sliced before he ran the bath.

"Light," his voice, hoarse from screaming, prayed: "Bless this merciful blade and the sinner who wields it. May it be a tool of righteousness, delivering those who should have passed on to a peaceful afterlife. May its victims never be revived or corrupted by necromancy. So let it be." A golden hue shimmered along the edge of the blade as divinity seeped into the steel.

Archelaos slid the last cucumber wheel into his mouth, savoring the last taste of life he'd ever have. He then leaned his arm against the blush-toned porcelain of the tub and lined the tip of the knife up against a puffy horizontal scar, one born of similar methods and different intentions. He flinched as he put pressure onto the blade, cutting deeper into his wrist than he had before. Blood pooled at the base of the blade and wept down his wrist towards his elbow and into the pink water.

A deep breath later, a quick flick of his wrist tore the blade through veins and arteries, scraping past bone until the blade fell out of his hands and into the murky rose tint of the water. He could feel his lifeblood pumping out of his wrist, leaving thick crimson streams up the rim of the bathtub. His eyes squeezed shut as he tried to relax. This is what he wanted. Everything would be fine. He crushed the last slice of cucumber between his molars, focusing on the refreshing flavor. Then the deep sensation of calm. The warm, cozy drowsiness that filled him as his blood gushed out of his body. It wasn't long before the pain was a distant, dull sensation, leaving him at peace for the first time in his life.

He had done it. He was free.

[hardcore-lonewolf]

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

00. CATGIRL I/SPELLCASTER (ORIGINAL FEMALE CHARACTER) - SIDEKICK OF CATWOMAN I & BLACK CANARY II.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

01. ROBIN I/NIGHTWING (RICHARD JOHN GRAYSON) - SIDEKICK OF BATMAN I & TALON I.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

02. AQUALAD II/AQUAMAN II (KALDUR'AHM/JACKSON DAVID HYDE) - SIDEKICK OF AQUAMAN I & BLACK MANTA I.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

03. KID FLASH I/FLASH III (WALLACE RUDOLPH WEST) - SIDEKICK OF THE FLASH II & PROFESSOR ZOOM I.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

04. SUPERBOY I/STEEL SCION (KON-EL/CONNER JONATHAN KENT) - SIDEKICK OF SUPERMAN I & LEX LUTHOR.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

05. MISS MARTIAN/CERISE I (M'GANN M'ORZZ/MEGAN MARIE MORSE) - SIDEKICK OF MARTIAN MANHUNTER I & ORCHID.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

06. WONDER GIRL I/WONDER WOMAN II (ORIGINAL FEMALE CHARACTER) - SIDEKICK OF WONDER WOMAN I & KATANA.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

07. ARTEMIS I/TIGRESS (LINDA PARK/ARTEMIS LIAN CROCK) - SIDEKICK OF GREEN ARROW & HUNTRESS I.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

08. ZATANNA/BLACK MAGICIAN II (ZATANNA ZORINA ZATARA) - SIDEKICK OF DOCTOR FATE I & ZATARA.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

09. ROCKET I/ICON II (RAQUEL SANDRA ERVIN) - SIDEKICK OF ICON I & MADAME LIGHT.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

10. UNION II/LUMUS (ORIGINAL MALE CHARACTER) - SIDEKICK OF GREEN LANTERN & CAPTAIN ATOM.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

11. STATIC SHOCK I/BREACH (ORIGINAL MALE CHARACTER) - SIDEKICK OF BLACK LIGHTNING & METAMORPHO.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

12. CYBORG I/HARDWARE II (CYBERION TECHNIS/VICTOR ANTHONY STONE) - SIDEKICK OF HARDWARE & RED TORNADO.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

13. BEAST BOY/CHANGELING (CRAIG/GARFIELD MARK LOGAN) - SIDEKICK OF VIXEN & ANIMAL MAN.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

14. RAVEN/WHITE SORCERESS II (PRIDE/RACHEL ARELLA ROTH) - SIDEKICK OF HELLBLAZER & ARELLA.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

15. STARFIRE/RED NOVA (KORIAND'R/KORY SCARLET ANDERS) - SIDEKICK OF FIRE GODDESS & FIRESTORM.

⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷⊶☾⊷❍⊶☽⊷❍⊶☾⊷

This is for my "Gods Among Us" story on Wattpad, I'll be pasting the link on the part today.

[xenons-auxiliary-depths]

Phantasm Alignment Chart

There are twelve alignments which phantasms can follow when they are first born in the spirit world. Whilst those with no alignment are more common, those with an alignment are usually significantly stronger than average.

ORSoM's ICMI have investigated this phenomenon and found various commonalities of phantasms with certain alignments, which amounts to the following:

I. Juno - usually, phantasms of this alignment take on a light motif, surrounding themselves with bright stars or white, ethereal flames. They are what amounts to a usually "angelic" sort of phantasm.

II. Libra - phantasms of this alignment tend to use more physical attacks than most. Appearance varies widely.

III. Metis - interestingly, these sorts of phantasm have evolved over time to reflect how information is kept in storage, with physical appearance reflecting how often said methods are used.

IV. Haumea - these phantasms are usually feminine in appearance, and often lure the easily tempted to their demise.

V. Iris - phantasms of this alignment are often brightly colored, iridescent, and aesthetically pleasing in appearance. These sorts of phantasm have appeared in art pieces the most often out of the 12 alignments.

VI. Ceres - these phantasms often appear as plants or plant-like beings, with flowers being a common motif.

XII. Hades - this alignment is most often shadowy in appearance, with burning, seething black flames also being common.

XI. Nemesis - in contrast to those of the Hades alignment, Nemesis-aligned phantasms are usually scarlet in coloration, with flames being ubiquitous among them. Colloquially named "the angry."

X. Eris - described as "uncanny abominations," Eris-aligned phantasms are surreal-looking monsters, often wailing in pain and having multiple or conjoined body parts of all sorts. Chaotic and dangerous.

IX. Saturn - these phantasms are often emaciated or almost skeletal in appearance. Slowly shambling or hovering along, they often have a high amount of endurance despite their decrepit look.

VIII. Ploutos - often gilded in gold and other precious metals, taking on the shape of sculptures. The precious metals lining their bodies invariably disappear after their defeat.

VII. Atropos - appear most often as withered plant-like beings, or wheels of fortune, slot machines, and other devices used for gambling. Phantasms of the latter type lure the vulnerable with the promise of free money, food, or water, and those lured are invariably attacked.

I. Juno, the Ruler. Embodiment of the foundation, and of fresh beginnings.

"In the beginning, Man sought guidance to build themselves up to new heights. They sought to lead themselves to a great future of their own design."

II. Libra, Balance. Embodiment of fairness, and of calm mind.

"Man tempered itself to balance its existence, whether that be of their virtues and vices, or of their natural upbringing and their forging of the future."

III. Metis, Knowledge. Embodiment of learning, truth, and scholars.

"As it grew, Man sought knowledge of all aspects of Creation, so that they could better follow the path to their future."

IV. Haumea, Creation. Embodiment of fertility.

"Man proliferated across the surface of the Earth, growing ever more as they journeyed through time."

V. Iris, Beauty. Embodiment of the arts, and of aesthetic beauty.

"They created things of their own image, and of the world around them, appreciating its beauty."

VI. Ceres, the Harvest. Embodiment of bountifulness, and of plenty.

"And they also made sure to feed themselves so that they all enjoyed the lives they forged forevermore."

VII. Atropos, Fate. Embodiment of destiny, and of the uncaringness of nature.

"And yet, it was the nature of Man to begin to wither away at its foundations, so that life grew more perilous."

VIII. Ploutos, Greed. Embodiment of excessiveness, and of opulence.

"The beauty that they made became perverted enough so that it only showed the hollow vanity of those prominent among them."

IX. Saturn, the Passage of Time. Embodiment of old age.

"And as time wore on, the greatest among them began to fall away from the mortal plane."

X. Eris, Discord. Embodiment of ignorance, and of the loss of the truth.

"The wayward paths that some created for themselves began to intersect and clash with each other, and it seemed that the future they once forged themselves toward became lost in the dust."

XI. Nemesis, Judgment. Embodiment of retribution, and of revenge and anger.

"They began to use their emotions as guiding lanterns, and this led to yet more strife amongst their kind."

XII. Hades, the Dying Flame. Embodiment of death, and of the ashes from which spring new beginnings.

"In the beginning, Man sought guidance to build themselves up to new heights. They sought to lead themselves to a great future of their own design. And yet, at the end always awaits the looming spectre of Death, of the end of their path.

With my guiding flame, I shall guide them through a new path; a new future where my eternal guidance shall guide them to salvation."

[daydreamerdrew]

I wasn’t originally interested in reading Captain America and the Falcon (2004) in its entirety, but I flipped through issue #5 for Bucky’s ‘appearance’ and decided I wanted to read the preceding issues for the full context.

The villain of the first arc is dubbed “Anti-Cap.” His backstory is that he was motivated by the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11, was rejected from the Navy for failing a psych evaluation (as opposed to being declared physically unfit, like Steve), then was recruited for the Navy’s ‘super-sailor’ program. He went on missions in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq before going rogue. In issue #4 he tells Steve he believes in “Security first, Captain. Stridently and preemptively- seek the enemy. Engage the enemy. Kill the enemy,” and that, “This war requires will. In this war, whoever is the most committed wins.” He also tells Steve, “You are a product of America’s hope. I am the sum of America’s fear.”

Early on in issue #5 Steve dwells on a photograph of Bucky:

Then later Steve sees Anti-Cap maskless for the first time and briefly projects Bucky’s face onto him:

It’s later revealed that Steve’s mental issues in this series were because of whatever was going on with the Scarlet Witch at this time. Wanda was making Steve hallucinate, and also made his hallucinations physically manifest around him.

In issue #6 Steve is suddenly frozen in ice and while frozen he relives Bucky’s death:

Then when Steve sees Anti-Cap again, he remembers Bucky and his death again:

And in issue #7 Steve dreams about Bucky’s death and falling in the ocean, which makes water manifest in his apartment.

In issue #5 Steve said that “we’ve all made hard choices when it comes to protecting America. I am a product of that very secrecy- the very choices we all make. So is this boy- this ‘super-sailor.’ Like it or not, that boy’s fate is now in my hands.”

In issue #6 Steve said, of Bucky’s death, “I killed a child. A very long time ago. Maybe this ‘super-sailor’… reminds me of that failure.” Then in issue #7 he refers to Bucky as “The teenage boy I allowed to partner with me in World War II. Got him killed…”

And the end of issue #8 Anti-Cap’s death is faked. It’s supposedly because the substitute Steve had made for him of his version of the super-soldier serum didn’t fully work and so he had extreme withdrawal symptoms. I don’t think Anti-Cap fully understood what was really happening to him, and his ‘final’ words were, “I have… always… admired you.” And Steve’s response is, “He’s dead… and I killed him.”

Obviously Steve’s feelings about Anti-Cap are very similar to his feelings about Bucky, and I think it’s a really interesting concept to have this representation of ‘the new war,’ of post-9/11 America, be so connected to Bucky in Steve’s mind. There’s of course a generational element- Bucky being Steve’s junior partner and potential successor, and Anti-Cap being created by a process inspired by Steve and, as he tells Steve, “I’m fighting the new war, while you’re just a relic of the old ones.”

I also think there’s something there in how it’s noted in this series that Steve knew Bucky was too young to legally enlist but allowed Bucky to be his partner anyway, which led to Bucky’s death, and the idea of Steve being overwhelmed by modern America’s “too many wars” and disturbed by a passionate young soldier of modern military-industrial complex and the war on terror.

[strawchocoberry]

ᯓ౨ৎ about me .ᐟ.ᐟ

౨ৎ candy . she/her . twenties

◟ pisces sun, aries moon, cancer rising, march baby, entj, 8w7, chaotic evil

✦ blog birthday: july 10th, 2023

❤�� | LOVES. sex, writing, reading, dark romance, being spoiled / princess treatment, shopping, makeup, skincare, lip gloss, scarlet red, tattoos, jewellery, hanging out with my friends, sleepovers, travelling, daydreaming, rain, plushies, cherries, cooking, making new friends

◟ games: genshin impact, honkai star rail, final fantasy

◟ anime/manga: blue lock, bleach, fate (especially grand order absolute demonic front: babylonia, apocrypha, strange fake: whispers of dawn, lord el-melloi ii case files), code geass, kaiju no.8, wind breaker, sakamoto days, fairy tail, tougen anki, gokurakugai

◟ music: chase atlantic, the weeknd, chris grey, arctic monkeys, lana del rey, the neighbourhood, halsey, isabel larosa, daniel di angelo, darci

❤︎ | HATES. politically and morally correct people, conservatives, bullying, religion, politics, lying, traitors, ignorance, stupid people

❤︎ | FAVOURITES. blue lock: michael kaiser, shidou ryusei, chigiri hyoma, kunigami rensuke, itoshi sae, karasu tabito, itoshi rin ; bleach: kuchiki byakuya, ulquiorra cifer, grimmjow jaegerjaquez, kurosaki ichigo, abarai renji, inoue orihime, urahara kisuke, shihoin yoruichi, zaraki kenpachi, unohana retsu ; fate: gilgamesh, enkidu, cu chulainn, amakusa shirou tokisada, semiramis, achilles, karna, waver velvet/lord el-melloi ii, frankenstein ; code geass: lelouch vi britannia, shin hyuga shaing, c.c., kururugi suzaku, hyuga akito, gino weinberg, kozuki kallen, cornelia li britannia, shirley fennete, leila malcal, rakshata, lloyd asplund ; kaiju no.8: hoshina soshiro, narumi gen ; wind breaker: kaji ren, umemiya hajime, hiragi toma, endo yamato, suo hayato, sakura haruka ; sakamoto days: nagumo yoichi, sakamoto taro, akao rion, shishiba, osaragi, seba natsuki ; fairy tail: natsu dragneel, sting eucliffe, gray fullbuster, lucy heartfillia, juvia lockser, gazeel redfox ; tougen anki: momoka tsukuyomi, mudano naito

❤︎ | KINS. inoue orihime & ayasegawa yumichika (bleach), lelouch vi britannia, c.c. & shirley fenette (code geass), sakura haruka (wind breaker), gilgamesh & tohsaka rin (fate), maomao (the apothecary diaries), lucy heartfilia & juvia lockser (fairy tail), honda tohru, sohma kyo, sohma isuzu/rin & kuragi machi (fruits basket), ayuzawa misaki (maid sama), hori kyoko (horimiya), ciel phantomhive (black butler), sugasano allen & yeon hajun (paradox live), osaki nana (nana), nakiri erina (food wars)

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

ROGUE METAHUMANS -- SUPERMAN'S JUSTICE LEAGUE -- THE SILENT CAVALRY: FACES & FIGURES OF EARTH-22.

PIC INFO: Resolution at 1777x2752 -- Spotlight on a "Kingdom Come" art print by Warner Brothers, c. early 2000s, collecting the wraparound covers from the first three issues of the legendary 1996 mini-series and assembling them into a single impressive image. Artwork by Alex Ross.

Now, for this massive-as-fuck character roll call, and THE largest one I've ever posted on Tumblr to date:

ROGUE METAHUMANS (issue #1): Blue Devil II, Shiva the Destroyer, Judomaster II, Buddha, Von Bach, Nuculoid, Mr. Terrific II, Nightstar, Tusk, Demon Damsel, Pinwheel, Cathedral, Stars, Manotaur, Black Mongul, Kabuki Kommando, Huntress III, N-I-L-8, Trix (after Matrix) Captain Atom, Magog, Spectre, Tokyo Rose, Stripes, Joker's Daughter II/Harley Quinn, 666, Phoebus, Lightning, Thunder, Swastika, Germ-Man, Stealth II, & Catwoman II.

SUPERMAN'S JUSTICE LEAGUE: Original Red Tornado, Hawkman, Lady Marvel, King Marvel, Aleea Strange, Human Bomb, Midnight, the Whiz, Captain Comet. Bulletman II, Brainiac's Daughter, Bulletgirl II, Robotman III, Sharman VIII, Golden Guardian III, Powerman, Hourman III, Sandman IV, Red Tornado III, Living Doll, Tornado, Avia, Atlas, Atom-Smasher, Donna Troy, the Ray II, Wonder Woman, Red Robin, Norman McCay, Red Arrow, Superman, Aquaman II, Power Woman, the Flash, & the Green Lantern.

BATMAN'S SILENT CAVALRY: A Bat-Knight, Steel, Menagerie, Deadman, Huntress III, Cossak, Ace II, Batwoman II, John Jones, Mysteryman, Zatara II, Samurai, Dragon, Creeper, Nuculoid, Wildcat III, Lightning, Condor, Nightstar, Obsidian, Mr. Scarlet, Ralph Dibny, Spy Smasher, Phantom Lady II, Tula, Blue Beetle, Red Hood, Darkstar, Flash IV, Fate V, Green Lantern VI/Jade, Batman, Captain Marvel, Oliver Queen, Black Canary III, & Dinah Queen.

Source: https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/comic-related/alex-ross-kingdom-come-cover-print-warner-brothers-c-2000s-/a/121715-12639.s.