#th flame alchemist

[owarinaki]

Fullmetal alchemist 2003 EP37 - "The Flame Alchemist"

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

ALSO TELL US ABOUT THE SYSTEM OF MAGIC LEARNING IN SOUL-BOUND PEASE AND TANK U

WOW OKAY COMING AT ME WITH A KNIFE ARE YOU LMAO

The magic system in Soul-Bound is! Pretty big actually. The best thing I can do is try to narrow it down into smaller chunks or we'll be here all day lmao--

There are many types of magic that can be learned (and instinctual), and we have recoil, the counter-balance to that system and the use of magic in and of itself. Most places of learning for magic are huge campuses that use ley-line transportation to get around them, and are equipped to support each type of magic (the largest category being spell crafting).

They're more or less divided by (in the easiest way for me to write and to digest):

Alchemy

Spellcrafting/casting (and the subsets ⬇)

Inherited/Naturally Attuned Magics

Learned Magics

Intent-based Magics

Then there's the four types of recoil:

Recoil from unlearned magic

Recoil with understanding but a lack of skill

Recoil from magic that a user is incapable of using

Recoil that comes from too much raw magical power used

What is Alchemy?

Alchemy is, while the smallest category, not necessarily the easiest. It is technically a science based magic, and does require a lot of understanding of the world around oneself and how to use it, especially the study of magically charged components that are used when making spells and potions.

While many know of alchemy via the rearranging of existing matter into other things, and that is still a subcategory of it, it's also specifically the form of using physical components to make up, cast, or enact spells. (I'd say that the idea of Witches and cauldrons technically falls into this category).

Existing material is required for alchemical spells. Example: You can't just make fire from thin air, but you can make a potion from a dragon's lung that can allow you to cast fire when drank or used upon other equipment (flaming sword anyone?).

Usually the tactic of employing alchemical knowledge into your arsenal is for preventing the occurrence of recoil when using magic. Since the spell is confined to the potions and materials that are being used themselves, there is no risk of recoil due to not drawing from oneself to use the magic. Example: someone with a water elemental skill could use lightning potions to cast, even if they're not capable of using lightning magic. Someone who doesn't even have natural magical talent can use alchemy, and many alchemists and apothecaries are utilized by the every day citizen for things ranging from using components to warm the house in the winter to healing wounds and getting over certain sicknesses and curses.

What about Spell Crafting/Spell Casting?

Spell Crafting is a far bigger category, a little in part because it covers all magic that isn't component-based. This usually comes from some type of Affinity to magic itself, whether one is naturally gifted in using magic, or they inherited magical traits from their ancestors, or sometimes they honed their skills into being able to use certain spells, or it's an unconscious use of magic in certain situations.

These kinds of magic-use can be learned if one has an affinity for magic naturally; having a strong sixth sense, or the gift of higher sight (the ability to see spirits, fae, among other things) usually is a tell-tale sign of someone that can use magic naturally. Sometimes there is generational magic-- the child of a parent that can use shadow-magic can probably also use shadow-magic, or at least has an easier time using it than other Elements. Equally, it can be a coin toss when both parents have different magics, if their child can use either one-- sometimes they can use neither, or can only use it to a mild degree.

Magics like Necromancy (and its subsets, I'd love to dive into this one more because, well, VESPER, and also cause it's fun), Elemental magics (fire, air, ice, water, earth, plant, lightning, shadow, metal, etc etc), Shapeshifting (natural shapeshifters AND the magic are separate things), Time magics (the ability to stop, slow, reverse, and skip in time), Healing magics (wounds to self, others, and environment), Prediction/Premonition magics (seeing into the future, past, or possibilities of oneself or others), and most other magical skills you can think of would fall into this category.

You'll note that I didn't include 'Holy' magic here, and that's because it doesn't... truly exist. There are many Gods in the Soul-Bound Pantheon, and thus there isn't one true type of 'Holy' magic, though the use of Blessings from these Gods to enact spells is a thing, and also still falls into this category.

Intent-based magics also count here, and are sometimes an unconscious thing; intent-based magics are often emotion based or thought based, and can even lead to the creation of an absence of magic like the Angels in the Soul-Bound universe.

You'll think of intent-based magic as curses, blessings, and wards.

The type of intent-based magic that makes blessings and wards usually require a lot of focus to make, born from repetition. They usually take the form of physical objects like charms and tokens, statues and jewelry, where the blessing/ward is constantly thought of while the item is being made (like making a necklace for someone, and only thinking good thoughts of them or for them).

Sometimes, however, they're made purely on a whim and without much more than extreme feelings or singular powerful thoughts; this kind of magic is dangerous in its unpredictability, usually resulting in a curse. When this magic is made in a large group where the majority lacks natural affinity, it can become an antithesis to itself, and take the form of a being that needs to constantly consume natural magic to keep form: we call these things Angels. They are unnatural, a type of walking curse, and can even absorb Gods into their bottomless forms.

Angels are ultimately a form of recoil that doesn't have a singular individual to redirect to, instead rebounding on the world around them, which leads to...

Recoil.

There's four major kinds of magic recoil that one can suffer from, and that is: recoil from magic that the caster is unfamiliar with, recoil that comes from a caster that is inexperienced in using the magic they're trying to cast, recoil that comes from certain magics an individual is incapable of performing, and recoil can come from an overflow-- a loss of control-- from someone attempting to use magic.

It is always a danger when using natural magics that come from the user/self, and cannot quite be prevented, even for experienced spell casters.

Naturally, trying to cast a spell you've never used or heard of before has a high chance of recoil, a dice roll that can either end up with a successful casting, or a powerful clapback that can scar or injure the user and have dire consequences. Think a more extreme version of playing with fire. At some point you can and will lose control, and you will be burned for it in some shape or form.

Equally, even when casting a spell with an affinity one excels in, if the spell is too advanced (think levels and intensities of the same spell), it can also result in recoil. This comes from spellcasting being a lot like exercising. Lifting a heavier weight than one's stamina is used to can result in pain, or worse.

Sometimes, though, a user can have all the knowledge of a spell, but not the affinity to use it-- like a water mage attempting to use fire, or a Necromancer attempting to heal. The magic they're attempting to use is essentially the opposite of their affinity, and can give them whiplash for attempting it.

Last, and the most rare form of recoil, comes from magical overflow. Certain individuals can have a larger pool of untapped magic, and when casting, can unintentionally pour more energy into a spell than required, causing a painful burst of power. This recoil can be considered the most dangerous, as it is hard for a caster to stop the spell or the energy they're putting into it, and tire them to the point of passing out, and sometimes even afterwards until they die from exhaustion.

[eyesofanapothecarian]

If I'm not mistaken isn't R'hllor the Lord of Light also the Lord of Flame and Shadow?

So beneath the shadow could reference to Daenerys having to wait for the rebirth of another threw R'hllor.

Which makes since sense since Jon just died.

Also The Perfumed Seneschal I very much think is a reference to The "Alchemist' that is "no one" that Pate now is which is CLEARLY JAQAR using his face. Because he is in Oldtown in the Citadal.

Highgarden was the seat of House Tyrell and is the regional capital of the Reach.

Tyrells sigil is a rose.

Perfume is often associated with flowers.

But this could also reference to in the Seneschal the steward of the place.

Pate is the steward of Archmaester Walgrave who I'd the Seneschal Steward currently though unable to preform the duty due to being bedridden.

Something else I saw too.

Archmaester Marwyn believes that the Citadel is behind the deaths of the last Targaryen dragons, because of a conspiracy against magic and prophecy.

The ring, mask, and rod of Archmaester Theobald are also made of lead.

Archmaester Theobald is in charge of being the Seneschal of the Citadal currently.

Lead is one of the metals used by maesters for their chains; the subject it represents is unknown. The chains of Armen the Acolyte, Maester Aemon and Grand Maester Pycelle have links of lead.

Aemon and Pycelle are proven to be good when they die.

Pycelle actually is trying to fix the mistakes of Cersei and all the things that happened because of them and Varys.

Aemon is the one that says Daenerys needs people she can trust to be around her.

Because Armen is close with Alleras the one who told Samwell about Marwyn's glass candle already predicting his coming is possibly not a red herring though were meant to believe he is.

Marwyn is a caution supposedly but I believe that the lead link is a key factor to who has standing with Daenerys and actually being there to help her.

Aemon Theobald Armen and Pycelle are the only ones with this unknown elemental link.

But listen to this Syrio Forel trains Arya Stark using wooden swords filled with lead.

Lead maybe the link one gets for understand the faceless man religion.

The House of Black and White though is not what we watched on GOT.

It has not happened like that.

Considering The Faceless Men are currently in the citadal and Arya is training with them in Braavos and there one true belief is that death is a kindness to all in the end.

Death period.

I just realized that Jaqen isn't the person Arya is with at the House of Black and White she calls him the kindly man. Which does technically tell me Jaqen is the one that has infatuated the Citadel.

Remember this?

During a small council meeting discussing King Robert I Baratheon's demand that Daenerys Targaryen die, Grand Maester Pycelle suggests hiring the Faceless Men to assassinate the exiled princess. The master of coin, Lord Petyr Baelish, says that doing so would be too expensive; the price to hire the Faceless Men to kill a merchant is twice that of hiring an army of sellswords, and the price to kill a princess would be even higher. Varys, the master of whisperers, will instead offer a lordship to a successful assassin.

So Pycelle already had a connection to the Faceless Men.

Wow! This almost like a reality switch too.

The Plague Face of the Faceless man interrogates Arya Stark, who is not afraid of his appearance. He tasks her with assassinating an old man.

An old man is a ship insurer operating in Braavos.

He bites coins with his remaining teeth, which are on the left side of his mouth.

Then this happens basically at the same time.

Pate has met a person who calls himself an alchemist, who has promised Pate a golden dragon coin if he brings him the personal key of Walgrave in three days. The personal key of an archmaester can open any lock in the Citadel. Pate thinks about this offer for two days, as he does not want to be a thief. However, he needs the gold to claim the maidenhood of Rosey, the youngest serving girl of the Quill and Tankard. Pate dreams of running away with Rosey, and serving the smallfolk with the medical knowledge he has learned at the Citadel.

On the third day, Pate is with his friends, Alleras, Mollander, Armen, and Roone, in the Quill and Tankard, celebrating Alleras's newly acquired link. They meet Leo Tyrell, who mocks them and claims he will have Rosey. Shortly afterwards, the other boys go back to the Citadel, leaving Leo and Pate, who is waiting for the alchemist.

Eventually, Pate thinks that the alchemist will not show up, and heads back to the Citadel. Outside the inn, he runs into the alchemist, who has Pate follow him into a narrow alley. The alchemist gives Pate the coin, and Pate bites down on it as he has seen others do with gold coins. Pate asks the alchemist to show his face, which is revealed to be that of a young man. He has a slight scar on his right cheek and a hooked nose, while his hair is thick, black and curly. Pate does not recognize him, and asks who he is, and the alchemist replies, "A stranger. No one. Truly." Pate gives the alchemist the key, thus proving himself to be a thief. When Pate leaves, he falls to the ground, his legs weak and his heart hammering, and dies. His last thoughts are of Rosey.

Arya decides that she will kill the old man with poison, which the waif helps her prepare. The kindly man and the waif use the magic of the Faceless Men to give Arya the face of an ugly girl. Since the insurer always bites coins to test if they are legitimate, Arya eventually slips a poisoned coin into the purse of one of his clients. The old man's heart gives out after biting the unsuspecting shipowner's money and consuming the poison. The kindly man rewards Arya by making her an acolyte.

That's like the same thing too.

What kind of time conspiracy is this shit!

So then as Arya moves up in the world of the Faceless Men which got some weird fucking shit happening.

Like time loops and shit.

An apprenticeship is given to her with the mummers of a play.

Later, Samwell Tarly comes to the Citadel and meets Alleras, Leo, and a boy calling himself Pate, "like the pig boy."

Huh!

Izembaro and his group of mummers portray a new play written by PHARIO FOREL( Syrio???), named The Bloody Hand. Izembaro will play the role of King Robert Baratheon in this play. He loses his crown an hour before the show starts, and after Arya has retrieved it for him from the privy where he had left it, he loses his boar spear.

The Snapper is the wardrobe mistress, she makes all the costumes for the mummers. Izembaro might be the King of the Mummers, but the Snapper is the one that they all fear.

The Snapper being the waif.

Early in 300 AC, Rosey is fifteen years old and freshly flowered. Her mother, Emma, is demanding a gold dragon for her maidenhead. Pate, a novice at the Citadel, is infatuated with her and desires to pay for Emma's price but he does not have enough money. Rosey introduces Pate to the Alchemist.

So perfumed seneschal is Pate and Rosey.

Steward and Perfume.

Very many other things it could be.

The mummers of the Gate put on a performance of The Bloody Hand in honor of an envoy of the Seven Kingdoms, Ser Harys Swyft.

Harys Swyft is the Knight of Cornfield and the head of House Swyft. He is the good-father to Ser Kevan Lannister.

I'm basically looking threw Arya actions where she going to end up killing the Night King.

When Samwell Tarly meets Archmaester Marwyn at the Citadel, a novice with the same features as the late Pate is present in his chambers. He identifies Marwyn's glass candle as obsidian, and listens as Sam tells his story. When Marwyn leaves for Slaver's Bay, he commands Sam to stay and forge a maester's chain and help with the ravens. The novice tells Sam that there is an empty sleeping cell under his own in the west tower of the Ravenry, with steps that lead to Archmaester Walgrave's chambers. Sam thinks there is something about the pale, soft youth that he dislikes, and the novice introduces himself as Pate, "like the pig boy."

Samwell Tarly may be who needs saving from the many faced god.

It's interesting to note that Barbrey Dustin in A Dance of Dragons in a scene over Rickard Stark and Maester Warlys that caught my eyes.

This is what she said.

They tend to us when we are sick and injured, or distraught over the illness of a parent or a child. Whenever we are weakest and most vulnerable, there they are. Sometimes they heal us, and we are duly grateful. When they fail, they console us in our grief, and we are grateful for that as well. Out of gratitude we give them a place beneath our roof and make them privy to all our shames and secrets, a part of every council. And before too long, the ruler has become the ruled. That was how it was with Lord Rickard Stark. Maester Walys was his grey rat's name.

This seems to suggest that all maesters could be the perfumed seneschal.

[akashasananda]

Embracing Your True Spiritual Essence with TwinRay - A Transformational Journey

The Alchemy of Self-Discovery

Navigating the intricate passages of existence, your journey towards self-discovery unfolds, guided by the enlightening wisdom of TwinRay. This spiritual quest is adorned with threads of synchronicity, whose gentle glow invites you to uncover the depths of your divine essence. As a progressive practitioner of spiritualism, you are aware that this expedition is a sacred interaction with the cosmos, aligning you with the timeless truths that orchestrate our existence.

Your spiritual journey begins with the alchemy of self-discovery. Like a master healer tending to the wounds of the soul, you embark on an inward quest, seeking the hidden gems of your true essence. This journey is not about superficial introspection but delving into the very core of your being, unearthing the gems of your divine essence that have long been buried beneath the layers of societal conditioning and egoic illusions.

In the tapestry of your existence, every experience, every challenge, every emotion, and every interaction is a brushstroke in the masterpiece of your life. You are the alchemist, transmuting the base elements of your existence into the spiritual gold of self-realization. Through contemplation and spiritual exploration, you unlock the mysteries of your soul, gradually ascending the ladder of consciousness. Akasha Sananda

The Mystical Activations of Self-Discovery

As you delve into the heart of self-discovery, you encounter mystical activations that guide you on your spiritual path. These profound moments of enlightenment serve as luminary guides, paving your way towards your divine calling. It is within these instances you experience the subtle whispers of the universe, tenderly stimulating your spiritual awareness and proficiency under the guidance of TwinRay.

Mystical activations are not mere chance occurrences but orchestrated moments of divine union between your soul and the cosmos. They can manifest as vivid dreams, encounters with spiritual teachers, or a deep sense of connection with the natural world. These activations ignite the flame of self-realization, propelling you towards an enlightened humanity.

One of the most potent revelations on your spiritual journey is the realization that universal love is the unifying force that connects all beings. This divine love transcends the boundaries of time and space, weaving a tapestry of interconnected souls. It is the essence of the divine that flows through every living thing, including you.

To embrace your true spiritual nature is to recognize the inherent divinity within yourself and others. This recognition fosters compassion, empathy, and a profound sense of oneness with all of creation. In the embrace of universal love, you become a vessel for healing, radiating this love outwards to all beings, contributing to the evolution of consciousness.

In your journey of self-discovery, you stumble upon the ancient path of eternal truths. These timeless wisdoms have been whispered through the ages by spiritual teachers and mystics, guiding seekers like you towards enlightenment. They are the foundation upon which your spiritual journey is built, providing a compass to navigate the labyrinth of existence.

Under the watchful tutelage of TwinRay, you will come to recognize eternal truths that extend beyond the boundaries of religious dogmas or stringent doctrines. These truths are instinctive and resonate within your heart and soul, surpassing the confines of man-made constructs. They emphasize the fleeting nature of materialistic endeavors and accentuate the significance of nurturing inner tranquility, sagacity, and love.

The Evolution of Consciousness

As you embrace these eternal truths and continue your transformative journey, you actively participate in the evolution of consciousness. Your awakening is not isolated but part of a collective shift towards a more enlightened humanity. This evolution is not bound by the confines of time; it is an ongoing process that has been unfolding for eons.

Your spiritual path becomes a thread in the grand tapestry of human consciousness, interwoven with the experiences of countless souls. It is a beautiful tapestry that reflects the mystical interplay of individual and collective evolution. In this cosmic dance, your role as a spiritual explorer is both unique and essential.

On your journey of self-discovery, introspection becomes your trusted companion. This sacred practice involves looking within, diving deep into the recesses of your soul to unearth the truths that lie beneath the surface. It is a process of self-examination, a mirror reflecting the multifaceted nature of your being.

Introspection, under the guidance of TwinRay, is a gentle process of self-inquiry. It's not an avenue for self-condemnation or harsh critique, but rather a loving voyage into your inner world of thoughts, feelings, and convictions. This introspective journey uncovers recurring patterns that may have hindered your progress, enabling you to liberate yourself from them. In this sanctified arena of self-contemplation, you attain clarity, understanding, and the knowledge to skillfully steer your continual spiritual exploration.

The essence of spiritual exploration lies in the awe and wonder of the unknown. As a seeker of truth, you embrace the limitless possibilities that await you beyond the horizon of your current understanding. Each step on your path is an invitation to explore the uncharted territories of your consciousness, to uncover hidden treasures of wisdom and insight.

To embark on a journey of spiritual exploration is to cast aside the limitations of fear and doubt, opening your heart and mind to the infinite. It is an invitation to step into the sacred unknown, to dance with the mysteries of the cosmos, and to be in communion with the divine. With every moment of exploration, you become a pilgrim of the soul, walking the path of your own enlightenment.

The Sacred Dance of Spiritual Growth

In the sacred dance of spiritual growth, you become attuned to the rhythm of your own evolution. This transformative journey is not linear but a continuous spiral, a never-ending ascent towards higher levels of consciousness. It is a dance of expansion, where you shed old layers of conditioning and embrace the radiant truth of your divine essence.

In every stride towards the horizon of enlightened humanity, you increasingly embody the radiant light of spiritual mastery. Heavily influenced by the guidance of TwinRay, your essence becomes a beacon of healing and motivation for others on similar paths. Your existence is a testament to the power of self-understanding and the timeless truths steering us all towards a higher state of consciousness.

[tavvattales]

Hello! Can I ask for a fluffy Albedo x fem!reader? And really really thank you for your lovely writing!!!! I love it all!!!💘

Hellooo~ Yes, of course. I thought to write a fic of Albedo rescuing reader, so I hope you like it 🥰

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

I'll Always be Here~

GENSHIN IMPACT Character x Fem!Reader fluff stories

Characters: Albedo, Timaeus, Sucrose, Barbara

Pairings: Albedo x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Reader accidentally starts a lab fire

Click below for more~

A booming sound echoed through the halls of The Knights of Favonius, stirring about an uproar of confused soldiers as they rushed towards the sound. Behind the door to Albedo's lab, you begin running to put out the small flame you had caused from a failed experiment, "Oh no. .no no no, Timeaus, Sucrose! Quickly help me smother the fire before it spreads!" You call out to your two colleagues who were equally covered in soot and debris as you were.

Timeaus quickly grabs a rag, handing it to you as you attempt to extinguish the flame, yet it is still burning strong, catching the rag on fire in the process, "Shit!" you shout out of frustration, "Albedo is going to get so mad. . Sucrose! Water please, quickly!"

"I'm on it, Y/N!" Sucrose calls out in a panic, fumbling with a water bucket. The smoke starts to disperse in a cloud of suffocating air, and you begin to cough, your lungs burning painfully. Timaeus rushes to Sucrose to help her carry the weighed-down pail of water.

Unfortunately for you, the fire is burning fast and begins to spread, catching nearby paper and books on fire. The soldiers outside the door start pounding on the door when they notice the smoke pouring from underneath the door. One of them attempts to open it, but it wouldn't budge; in the process, the soldier burns his hand on the handle, "S-sir. . I think there's a fire in there!" He calls out to his commanding officer.

"Go find Albedo!" The officer barks, "NOW!" In a scamper, the soldiers disperse to try and find the Chief Alchemist.

Meanwhile, in a sudden splash, the water is dumped onto the growing fire, but it isn't quite enough to put out the roaring flame. At a loss, your quick intuition notices the window, and with a hearty shove, you push Timaeus and Sucrose towards it, "Escape and find Albedo; I'll follow shortly after. I must save his precious research," you say frantically.

"B-but Y/N! That's not what's import-" Timaeus says before you cut him off with a cough.

"GO!" You manage to say, forcefully opening the window, and the smoke pours out of the open window, "I'll be alright, I promise," you reassure the two with a smile, yet at your very core, you are terrified.

As the two exit the window, you swiftly avoid the burning flames, coughing in the process as you try and gather up what you can of value. The roaring flames crackle and pop around you, and the heat makes you sweat as the black smoke engulfs the room about you. You can barely breathe as you continue to gasp for air.

Your eyesight begins to grow fuzzy, your wheezing becoming more shallow, but you are pushing forward haphazardly, yet you strive to get what you can. Finally, after what seemed like minutes turned into hours, you got what you needed. With each shaky step towards the window, you falter and fall, the papers flying blindly into the flames, "N-no. . ." you cry weakly, and ultimately, darkness consumes you.

Bursting through the door in a bright golden hue, Albedo shields his eyes from the flames, "Y/N!" he shouts, the smoke billowing out of the door, causing him to cough, but he pushes forward, desperately trying to find you in these roaring flames.

Upon finding you, mere inches from the window, he abruptly picks you up, draping your limp body across his arms, "You. . .silly woman. ." Albedo says with anxiety, "Don't you know that you mean more to me than this lab. .?" he murmurs, getting you swiftly out of the burning room, "Research can always be redone. You. . .cannot."

As Albedo takes you out of the room, he signals to the hydro vision holders to extinguish the fire, "I'll trust you can handle this. I must take care of her," he says to the vision holders, and they nod. Timeaus and Sucrose were waiting patiently, fawning over your limp body with concern as Albedo waved them off, "She's still alive, do not worry," but his honey-like voice wavered.

Tears were pricking at his soft aquamarine eyes, making his way to the cathedral clinic to deliver you to Barbara. As Albedo arrives, not much is said and Barbara rushes to him, quickly using her vision to heal you, "She'll need rest, but Y/N will be okay," Barbara says softly.

"Thank the Archons. ." he says, grasping your hand in his as you sleep soundly, "Can you give us some time, Barbara?"

"Of course," Barbara says in a hurry, nodding her head and exiting to give the two of you some space.

Pushing a strand of your hair behind your ear Albedo leans down to kiss your forehead. Beginning to stir your eyes open to the warm sensation atop your forehead, "Master Albedo. .?" You call weakly.

"Yes, I'm here. I'm here. ." Albedo says with a soft smile, giving you a reassuring squeeze, "I'll always be here."

[halloweennut]

Once Shattered, Now Whole: Chapter 3

oh heck, new chapter. Skeleton King is a jerk, mysteries are rampant, Chiro gives a gift to Jinmay. Starts with drama, ends with sweet. 

The Skeleton King's excursion to Verron had left him with more questions than answers, and another ring to burn his hand. The two silver and jade bands were perfectly matched, and stacked together they fit perfectly. The Verron Mystic symbolism at its peak. It disgusted him. And yet, he was intrigued- not the symbolic nature, but the little mystery around them with his General and his former self. 

He had, in fact, retained his memories of before. But the less the Skeleton King remembered, the better. He couldn't allow any of that old and dead man he came from to allow passage through. Regardless, there were no memories of receiving the rings, none of his General...but there was a space of time at Verron where things became unclear. Of course, the Mystics were clueless and useless for something so long ago now that the Power Primate was rejecting them and their archives said nothing other than the brief receipt of the Alchemist being the ring's owner, and the disappearance of the other from the vaults. 

As soon as he landed back at the Black Spire, under the cover of night, he was quick to brush away Skelemandarin's prostration and inquiries. The only thing he cared about was his report on the brief breaks in the blockade, but the Skeleton King knew it would happen at some point. Some little flaw- but the blockade had done more than enough damage to make up for it. 

Before anymore could come from him, the Skeleton King dismissed him. "I am not to be disturbed. Understood?" 

"Yes, my King," Skelemandarin bowed his head before disappearing into the castle. The Skeleton King continued on to his personal chambers. He had no need to sleep or rest; he was dead after all and dead twice over. It felt more like a formality to have one, but it did allow him privacy when he wanted it. The rooms were bare, save a few archaic tomes, a table, and the few items taken from the Hero and General's old home. No light permeated the space, but with a practiced wave of his hand, candles were lit, placed all around the room and floor, wax and flames deep black as if to cast shadows instead of light. 

He kneeled onto the ground and took the facsimile of a breath. Old habits really did die hard. With practiced concentration, he slipped into meditation. One moment he was in his chambers...then with another false breath, he was in Purgatory. It was as it had always been. The Alchemist stood in front of him, his living mirror image. 

"Alchemist," the Skeleton King said. The man scowled. 

"Brave of you to come here. It's been a long time since we spoke last," he said sourly. "I felt you looking at my memories." 

"There's no way for you to return," the Skeleton King replied. "Unlike my General, you no longer have a body to return to. Our connection is one way."

"Why are you here? To torment me?" the Alchemist replied. "Is this my punishment for helping Mara?"

"I am curious as to how she managed to escape and return to her body," he said. "I believe she wasn't as dead as my soldiers thought, her will too strong. She didn't receive the same treatment you did."

"And she never will. I destroyed that portal, destroyed the notes and everything," the Alchemist said defiantly. "Even if that is what you were trying to remember, it won't work. You know as well as I do about the immemores incantation from the Verron Mystics."

"Why would I need a portal when I already walk this plane?" the Skeleton King laughed. "But...I am here regarding them."

He held his hand aloft, the two rings floating just above his palm. Even then he felt the warmth in his bones. The Alchemist looked at the rings, confused. Not even out of a reaction that they shouldn't be with the Skeleton King, far from the safety of Verron, but something just below the surface that he couldn't place. The Skeleton King read it clearly on his face and eyes. "So, you do recognize them."

"They're ceremonial rings from Verron, only used in certain rituals," the Alchemist said, trying to sound plain. "They shouldn't be here." 

The Skeleton King ignored that. "You know, one of them belonged to you. The other disappeared when you received it."

"Well, yes but...," the Alchemist trailed off. "Why did they give it to me..."

"And the oddest thing occurred - the missing one reappeared on Shuggazoom in the home of my General. My scouts found it a few weeks ago," he continued, letting that one float closer to the Alchemist. "According to my resources, she's only owned it for 17 years or so. That is the first time it had been seen since it went missing. She knows that it's important, but not why..."

The Alchemist grabbed for the ring, and it flew from his reach and back into the harsh grip of his former body. 

"So tell me, how are you two connected?"

"I...I don't know - I died before she was ever born, Mara and I-," the Alchemist tried to reach for an explanation. "We aren't in each other's memories. We were able to interact because of how close her body and you were."

The Skeleton King scoffed. "Then, by all means, she should have disappeared from you when I sent her away for off-planet tasks."

"But that doesn't make sense," he snapped. "I'm here because I died and my soul was trapped here by you and the Dark Ones. You sent her here to puppeteer her as you've done me...but she wasn't dead...I had to be in her memories, and her in mine..." 

"You said so yourself, you died before she was born," the Skeleton King taunted. "How did you know my General?"

"Her name is Mara and she is no longer yours!" the Alchemist shouted. There was a weak flicker of blue and red magic at his fingertips. "You have no right to her or those rings! They're ours!" 

"Yours?" the Skeleton King said incredulously, staring at the swell of magic in his former soul. He had been there too long. "Well then...I think it's time I left."

"No you don't!" was the last thing he heard before the Skeleton King found himself back in his chambers. He could feel, still, the weak brush of magic against his chest from the Alchemist's attempt to hold him there. He would have to fight the living soul back, probably, in the next few weeks until it was subdued, emboldened by fresh anger and confusion. The two were warranted. The Skeleton King held the rings aloft in his hands again. 

The recognition, the odd lack of clarity in his memories, the random appearance of a valuable artifact in the mother of the Chosen One's hands? It was all too much of a coincidence, and yet the lack of evidence was there. Until something that the Alchemist said rang in his head: the immemores incantation. The one spell from the Verron Mystics passed on from the Power Primate himself that could erase memories or parts of them. Just like he had done to his knowledge of the portal, the Alchemist's memories were gone or altered for part of the time he spent on Verron. Unfortunately, there was no way to access them. The body and soul had to be alive and together to do so, and that was impossible for him. Of course, he was still an alchemist after all. A few spells and potions would more than likely reveal all that was unknown now. Perhaps a mystery could be solved. 

He stood, and grabbed a few tomes from his walls. The time had come to visit another former home - the Alchemist's lab. The pieces needed for a revealing cantrip would be ready at his disposal, and simply the act of using the former home for his misdeeds would be torture enough for the Alchemist. The sun was already rising as he left for the jungle, keeping to the shadows as he sped. The last thing the Skeleton King wanted was to be seen by any scouts. He wanted no intrusions, no delays, not by some half-trained pilot or monkey or hero. He had plans to fulfill, and for this? No one would be able to stop him.

-

In the safety of Shuggazoom's walls, the supplies were being distributed out, and repairs were beginning. For the first time in weeks, there was enough food and the promise of more help helped rekindle a few spirits. Chiro had been up with the sun, helping oversee everything. When he finally took a break, the sun was getting higher in the sky. The travel from yesterday and running from one end of the city to another was hell on the engine. He leaned against the Super Robot, taking advantage of the shade. 

"Chiro?" he looked up to see Jinmay landing in front of him, and he grinned. 

"Jinmay! Sorry I didn't get to see you earlier," he quickly apologized, rushing over to hug her. 

"No, it's fine! You had the supplies to take care of!" Jinmay said. "How did everything go at the Vault?"

Chiro paused at that, pulling away from her but not letting go of her hand. "I learned almost everything about my mom. She's actually willing to tell me more now. I'm still just - she left Sprx and me at her friend's shop to confront someone and almost killed them."

"Oh," Jinmay replied shocked. 

"I just wish she had told me what was going on. I know she couldn't exactly tell me everything as a kid but now?" Chiro continued. "I don't want to be left in the dark again."

"She seems to be getting better about letting you know things. After all, you are her kid."

Chiro sighed out a laugh. "I know. There's still some stuff she won't tell me yet, but she said that she didn't want me to shoulder the burden of it, so it must be bad..."

She rested her forehead on his arm. "It'll be okay. Once everything is over with, we can all talk about everything and anything." 

"Yeah...," Chiro said softly, leaning her head onto hers for a moment before popping back up. "While you're here, I got something for you at the Vault!"

"Chiro, you shouldn't have," Jinmay protested. He pulled a small box from his pocket. "...you really shouldn't-"

"I don't want to be...forward, I guess?" Chiro stumbled for the word. "I know you said that you wished you could grow up too. And the Vault has things from all over the galaxy, including things from tech planets. And I know that if Otto could right now, he'd make this for you but-"

He opened up the box to reveal a bright silver microchip. "There's a planet whose population is androids, and they have a chip just for their kids to grow up. I already had it scanned for issues and everything. Whenever you want, if you want to-" 

"Thank you!" Jinmay squealed, hugging him. "Now I can grow up with you! I can talk to Otto and Gibson about installing it tonight when I run diagnostics- Chiro, you have no idea how much this means to me."

"I'm glad you like it," he replied. "I couldn't come back without something just for you."

Jinmay cradled the box carefully in her hands, cheeks artificially flushed. "Oh Chiro..."

Before he could say anything more, she leaned forward and kissed him. Chiro could only mumble half-cognizant replies in response, face fully red, much to Jinmay's joy. "Yeah- yes- I mean, me too. I mean- love you."

"I love you too," Jinmay smiled. "I'm going to drop this off in my room for safe keeping. I'll see you in a bit?"

Chiro nodded, watching her fly off, following her form as it disappeared into the Robot. His glance went upward, seeing two silver figures up on top of the shoulder. Antauri and Mara had been meditating for a while. Chiro knew about his mother's small connection to the Power Primate, but it wasn't on the forefront of their minds to harness it. His mother was already a fighter and didn't need it, but for Antauri he knew it was a mystery as to why it was there. Chiro couldn't help but wonder if it was because of his own connection to the Power Primate and being the Chosen One, lingering after affects from before he was born. Whatever Antauri had figured out he hadn't divulged yet, more than likely still sorting through it. 

He entered the robot, and soon found himself on the shoulder. Mara's head slightly tilted towards his footsteps, only relaxing once she recognized the sound. "Hey star sweeper. How's the supply distribution?"

"Almost done. People feel more secure now," he replied. "Can I join you two for a little bit?"

"Absolutely, Chiro. Don't think I haven't noticed you've been skipping that part of training," Antauri replied, opening one eye to look at him, his muzzle twitching into a smirk. 

"Hey!" Chiro whined. Mara laughed, patting the space next to her. 

"Come'on you," she replied. "After this, I'm going to go scouting. Want to join or are you going back to distribution?"

"Clayton said he'd take over that," Chiro replied, sitting down. "I'll take the North-side if you take the South."

"Deal," she nodded, closing her eyes again as she rested her wrists on her knees. He smiled. All the drama of the day before slipped off his shoulders, and his eyes fluttered shut. Antauri took a moment to look at the two of them. The two of them were perfectly still, fully in a trance, Chiro's connection immediately burning bright in his mind, while Mara's still only just shined liked a neophyte's in the Order. After everything she had told him the night before, he couldn't help but wonder about some thing she had said. 

"There's a whole year and a half I'm missing from my memory," she had said. "It was like it never happened. I just disappeared, was back a second later, and I had aged. Probably just an isolated wormhole and there's nothing to remember...but I don't know...it just feels like somethings missing."

If was an odd occurance, he thought. Mara had gone on to say something like a rift had been opened on the bridge of her ship and she, foolishly, walked right into it. What made him ponder further was when she mentioned where it had happened - nearby the Corolla Dawn system. She didnt' know that, seeing as it wasn't on any star maps and hidden from all save those tied to the Power Primate and the Verron Mystics. Antauri had long since stopped putting faith in coincidences, and this couldn't just been one of them. Hopefully an answer came soon. For now, the two next to him were deep in their meditation, and he was more than happy to join them in the brief period of respite they had. 

[jaskiersbeloved]

Luck is what we make it, not what is thurst upon us

Summary: There is no such thing as a bad luck, and Albedo was sure of it. To bad that Bennett didn't get the memo.

Author's note: Hello, I am very sleep deprived and maybe I am projecting on Albedo BECAUSE SOMEONE NEEDS TO HUG BENNETT

READ ON AO3

    “Wait, are you serious about this?” Timaeus’ voice ranged through the room, making Sucrose jump. Albedo sighed.

    “Dial your voice down, please” he said. “And I don’t see why I shouldn’t be serious about this. It’s a simple commission, and all three of us are too busy to gather those flowers. Commissioning was the most convenient way to get them on time, no?”

    From his position at the table Albedo couldn’t see Timaeus but he was sure that the alchemist rolled his eyes.

    “I’m not talking about you making the commission. I’m talking about who you commissioned to do this.”

    Now it was Albedo’s turn to roll his eyes.

    “Bennett was the only free person, as Katheryne informed me. Besides, I have overheard Fischl talking about how short on money he recently was, so I would have commissioned him even if there were other adventurers free.”

    “But… Sir, don’t you think that he’s rarely commissioned for a reason?”

    Albedo huffed, annoyed. 

    “You are talking about his bad luck, right?” he said, finally turning around to face Timaeus. The man crossed his arms and nodded. Albedo snickered. “Well, forgive me for being a bit snarky today, but as an alchemist you should know that there’s no such thing as luck.” His lips quirked up smugly, when Timaeus physically took a step back. In the corner of his eye he saw how red Sucrose’s cheeks got. Ah, so the thought of the young adventurer’s bad luck crossed her mind as well.

    It wasn’t his intention to truly scold any of his apprentices but to be honest, he was getting a little bit sick with people in Mondsadt being so superstitious about Bennett. 

Albedo himself didn’t know him that well, and he wasn’t the kind of person who would listen to mindless gossip. But this boy was somewhat Klee’s and Razor’s friend, so he heard a thing or two about him and his apparent “bad luck”. 

Like the time when he got struck by lightning on top of the mountain. Or how he somehow ran into four ruin guards at once. Or how a particularly vicious boar pushed him on his own trap. But that was also what other people have heard as well.

What they did not think about, though, was how often the lightning would strike this particular mountain. They also haven't heard that this particular place, with those guards, was the ruins of an ancient palace. They also haven’t noticed that the boars in the Whispering Woods were at the time more jumpy than usual, and even Razor wasn’t so keen on hunting that day.

People missed the logical explanations, and Albedo sometimes wondered if they did so on purpose. Sure, it was easy to call some inconveniences bad luck, but to do so every time when Bennett was involved, seemed simply cruel. 

And the reputation of a bad luck charm seemed to stick to Bennett so much that the poor boy rarely had any commissions. Not only that but, according to Klee, he also looked lonely. When one day Albedo asked Klee about this, the little girl just said, with a disarming honesty, that even if he hangs around with people like herself, Fischl or Razor he does get such “weird”, as she put it, looks that he quickly would find excuses to go outside of town. Klee even said that he looked very sad when it happened, but when she’d ask about it, Bennett would quickly smile and reassure her.

And that did pull Albedo’s heartstrings. He knew how it felt to be an outcast, and while he didn’t get exacly bothered by that, it was obvious that it bothered Bennett. So he would sometimes commission the boy to gather some herbs or substances that he was running short on. And while he never made this a secret, today was the first time when both of his apprentices noticed. 

“If I were to be honest, Bennett has been our sole provider of resources for a while now. And if I recall correctly, nothing seemed amiss, hm?”

Albedo had to press his lips to hide a smile, when a clearly shocked Timaeus stared at him. “Anyway. We have only so much of the daytime left, and if we chat any longer we won’t get any work done. So, Timaeus, don’t think about that now, and let’s focus” he said, and turned back to his table.

“Well, let us hope that the Deaconess will be back earlier than expected” murmured Timaeus.

    Albedo was right. When they finished, the sun was already settling down, so they started to clean up. Timaeus was first, so he said his goodbyes and left, without even waiting for Albedo's usual nod, but the alchemist didn’t seem to notice it at all.

    What he did notice though, was that Sucrose had already cleaned as well but still lingered. 

    “What is it, Sucrose?” he said, packing his last things to the bag. He could practically hear her blushing.

    “I- I know what you have said about Bennett is true, but…”

    He looked up at her. The girl nervously fixed her glasses. He held the urge to sigh, as he didn’t want her to get even more nervous. Timaeus could handle Albedo’s snarkiness, but Sucrose was more… Delicate.

    “But?” he prompted, standing up.

    “I just… Can’t shake this um… bad feeling…” she stuttered, and aimlessly looked around, when her eyes landed on the clock. She furrowed her brows. “Wait! Mr. Albedo, shouldn’t Klee be already back?”

    Surprised by the change of topic, Albedo looked at the clock as well. Sucrose was right. It was nearing nine o’clock, and Klee should get to his lab around eight.

    “She might have forgotten,” he said, trying to calm Sucrose down but she shook her head.

    “No, she was getting better at grasping the concept of time. It would be the first time in weeks since she’s gotten this late.”

    Albedo scratched his head. He didn’t want to admit it, but he did start to worry.

    “I’ll go where she said she would be” he decided. “Worst case scenario, she simply got lost. It won’t be difficult to find her though.”

    “But… Shouldn't Bennett be back as well? Windrise isn’t that far away and the windwheel asters aren’t difficult to find…” Sucrose noted. As soon as she said that her eyes winded in a sudden realization. “Oh no, do you think something bad happened to the both of them?!”

    “Sucrose, calm down, please. It is rather unlikely. Klee went to the Whispering Woods. She couldn’t get so lost that she got to Windrise. She would have seen the city at least five times before she could do so anyway” he interrupted gently. “But you are right, Bennett should be back as well, and from what I know he rarely ever gets lost…” he shook his head. “I’ll look for both of them.”

    “I can help!” Sucrose perked up. “As you had said, it is unlikely they’ve crossed paths so it’ll take you longer to look for the both of them. Together we’ll cover more ground!”

    Albedo nodded.

    “Truly Sucrose, what would I do without you.” A faint smile appeared on his lips, as  Sucrose blushed. “Okay, where do you want to go?”

    “I’ll look for Klee in the Whispering Woods” she stated. Albedo raised his brow, which made her blush even more. “It’s not like I don’t want to look for Bennet! It's just that I know the Woods better, and I know Klee’s habits so…”

    “I didn’t say anything,” he said pointedly. “Anyway, let’s get going. We'll meet up at my place when we’re finished”

    Sucrose nodded, and with that settled, they left the lab.

    Albedo sighed. 

    He got to the Statue of the Seven quicker than he thought, which was surprising as he  chose the longer way on purpose, hoping that he’ll meet Bennett in Springvale in case he got badly hurt, and decided to stay. But people in the village said that they hadn't seen the boy since morning. And when Albedo got to the Windrise, judging by the lack of windwheel asters, Bennet had been here already. So he must have gotten stuck on his way back. But where was he now?

    Albedo ran a hand through his hair. He only hoped that Sucrose had already found Klee.

    He touched the ground near the place where the petals of windwheel asters laid and closed his eyes, trying to focus. His vision glowed as he tried to find any traces that would tell him where the boy went, when suddenly he also felt two other presences. One familiar, the other more sinister. He furrowed his brows, focusing harder on those feelings and when he finally recognized them, he felt his blood run cold.

    It was Klee. And the other presence were definitely Abyss Mages, two if Albedo felt right. And judging by the traces that they left, they were royally pissed.

    Albedo quickly got up and just as he was about to run he heard an explosion coming from the other side of the river. Oh good Archons, please no, he thought sprinting in that direction.

    Nearby the old column he finally saw them. Two Cryo Abyss Mages, one of them with an already broken shield, no doubt by one of Klee’s bombs. The little girl quickly stepped back, while Bennett charged his sword with flames, presumably to strike the mage down. But then the second mage pointed his staff at Klee.

    “Klee, watch out!” shouted both Albedo and Bennett.

    The girl had time to only turn around when she saw an ice shot coming at her. Albedo forced himself to run faster, but he knew he wouldn't be able to reach her in time.

    “Get out of the way!” he heard Bennett yell and when he looked at him, the boy was already in front of Klee, shielding her. Right after that he fell to his knees, and then face first to the ground. The Mage laughed.

    “Now it’s only you, child” Albedo heard him snicker. At this moment he saw the ground light up in red and the Mage’s shield broke down. That’s his chance.

    Albedo called his sword, and focusing the power in his hand he quickly summoned the Solar Isotoma, sending both of the Mages away from Klee and Bennett. 

    “Feel this ancient power” he said with a vile smile on his lips and let the Geo crystals finish his job. 

    Once he made sure that neither of the Mages would be getting up, he hurried over to the children.

    “Albedo!” Klee yelled, throwing her hands around him. He gave her a quick hug, and kneeled in front of her.

    “Are you okay?” he asked, frantically looking her over. The little girl nodded. She brushed away her tears and said:

    “I am, but Benny…”

    At that, Albedo gently turned the boy around, noticing how cold he was to touch. There was blood on his head, but it looked like it was from a scratch rather than a serious injury. His arm, however, looked worse. 

It wasn’t something that Albedo had seen before. Judging by the hoarfrost surrounding it, it was where the Mage’s shot landed. The alchemist touched it lightly, and Bennett groaned but didn't open his eyes. The man could feel a bruise forming under all of that hoarfrost, but that was all that he could gather. Barbara would be able to tell him more when they get to the… Oh no.

Barbara was away, and the sisters left weren’t that skilled with elemental induced injuries to help Bennett out, and from what Albedo remembered, Jean also was outside of the city, so he couldn’t ask her for help. And that left only him and Sucrose.

He got pulled from his thoughts by Klee’s worried voice:

“Albedo? Is Benny okay?”

“No, Klee” he said, forcing himself to stay calm. He already knew where it was going. “But we will get him to be okay, all right?”

    Just as he suspected, tears appeared in the girl’s eyes. She desperately hugged Dodoco.

    “It’s all my fault” she muttered sadly.

    “You couldn’t have predicted it, Klee” Albedo softly interjected. “Besides, worrying won’t help us. We need to get Bennett to Mondstadt.” he added and furrowed his brows. He noticed how Klee swayed slightly on her feet. The girl must have been exhausted. Albedo smiled sympathetically. “I know that you must be tired, but I can’t carry you, I have to focus on your friend, okay?” Klee nodded, and her face hardened, like she was forcing herself to get her energy back. “Just stay close to me, we only need to find the right teleport”.

    Seeing as Klee obediently stepped closer to him, he gently got Bennet on his back and they started walking.

 

    Fortunately for them, the teleport got them right into the center of the city. Albedo quickly walked to his home, Klee hot on his heels. By the door they saw Sucrose, who at first looked relieved when she saw them, but her demeanor quickly changed when she noticed who Albedo was carrying.

    “Archons! What happened?” she said, opening the door for Albedo. The alchemist was about to explain, but Klee beat him to it.

    “I was playing in the Woods, when the two Ma… Mages saw me and started to flow to me so I ran to the teleport and fell on Benny! And I thought I was safe, but they ran after me and Benny tried to protect me and…” she stopped, hugging the Dodoco closer to herself. Albedo knew she was forcing herself to not cry.

    “It really wasn’t your fault, Klee” he repeated, and then raised his eyes on Sucrose. “He got hit by one of the Mages, but not with something I had seen before.”

    The young woman quickly got into her alchemist mode.

    “Mr. Albedo lay him on a couch. We’ll see what’s wrong”

    Albedo did as she said, and let her try her methods first. He trusted her abilities with healing more than he did with his. He knew that at this moment the roles were reversed, and this was the time where all he could do was to assist her. But right now, judging by her looks, that wasn’t necessary.

    He turned to a still very distressed looking Klee and lightly patted her on the shoulder.

    “Come on now, missy. It’s late, you should go to bed.”

    “B-but…”

    “Sucrose got it, all right? If we stand here and hover, we won’t be helping her, and you need to rest” he said but Klee only furrowed her brows harder. Seeing that she still was not convinced, Albedo kneeled in front of her and lightly patted her on the cheek. “Hey, don’t worry. I know this looked scary, and if I were you, I would be scared as well.”

    “Really?!” Klee whisper-shouted. He smiled reassuringly.

    “Really. But at the same time I know that worrying will do me no good. I know that Sucrose can help Bennett, you do as well. So maybe focus on how can you thank them both later, okay?”

    He felt relief washing over him, as he saw Klee finally smile.

    “Okay! But… Um… Do you think I can leave Dodoco with Benny? He’ll watch over him.”

    Albedo couldn't help but smile.

    “I’m sure it won’t hurt, but ask Sucrose first. And then straight to bed with you, okay?”

    Klee happily nodded and entered the living room. Albedo leaned on the doorframe watching as the little girl tugged at Sucrose carefully, and then whispered something to her ear. The young woman smiled softly and nodded her head, while lightly petting Klee’s hair. He sighed. Now they could only wait.

    Sucrose has left the room past midnight, looking exhausted, but with a proud smile on her face. Albedo looked at her.

    “How is he?”

    “Stable. I’ve managed to extract the essence of the shot from the wound so we could study it later but from what it looked like, its aim was to efficiently knock out the victim by making him freeze on the inside” she sighed, sitting across Albedo. “And you were right. It is something new.”

    “Then the Knights, or at least Kaeya, should be informed about that” Albedo thought out loud. Seeing as Sucrose stood up he quickly added: “Not tonight though. I think it is fair to say that we are all tired. Will Bennett need something else?”

    Hearing his question, Sucrose lost her confidence in a blink of an eye.

    “A-Actually he is awake. I- I was about to tell you that he asked for you but um...”

    Albedo nodded absentmindedly.

    “Okay. You should go to sleep, Sucrose. I have already prepared the guest room for you.”

    The girl blushed.

    “Y- you didn’t have to…” she whispered, looking at the ground.

    “Oh I had to. You really saved the day, and you need to rest as well. Don’t worry, it’s not bothering me in the slightest.”

    She flustered.

    “Okay then… Um… Goodnight, Mr. Albedo.”

    “Goodnight, Sucrose” he said, biting back the comment about calling him mister in his own home. It was a talk for another day.

    He got up and knocked on the doorframe, and when he heard a meek “go in” he entered.

    Bennett laid awake on the couch under at least three blankets, that Albedo had no idea from where they were. He wasn’t all that surprised though. It wouldn’t be the first time when Sucrose proved to know his house better than him.

    He sat on the chair that was beside the couch. Despite his tiredness he mustered up a smile.

    “You wanted to see me, Bennett?”

    The boy nodded vigorously.

    “Yes, Mr. Albedo! I…” he hesitated, clearly trying to gather his thoughts. “I…”

    “Take your time. You’ve taken quite a hit there.”

    “Wouldn’t be the first time,” Bennett said with a cheerful voice. “It comes with being the unlucky adventurer, you know!”

    Albedo sighed. It was way too late to have a talk with the boy about placebo, but he promised himself that they will talk about it some other time.

    “I guess I just wanted to… To thank you, I guess?” Bennett said, scratching the back of his head nervously. Albedo raised his brows.

    “Oh?”

    “Like… Not only you saved my… My life today, I guess, but you are also almost the only person in the town, aside from maybe Ms. Mona, to often commission me! And this really helps me, you know! And… And you let me watch over Klee, despite me being a possible danger to her, and… And um… I know you sometimes pay me extra and just I… I wanted you to… To know that… It means a lot. To me, I mean. And um… Thank you?”

    With every word, Bennett’s talking got quicker and quicker. Albedo smiled. He lightly patted him on the shoulder, stopping the boy’s frantic speech.

    “There is nothing to thank me for, Bennett. Today got dangerous, I admit, but it was my duty as the Knight of Favonius to help you. And you showed that instead of being hm… a danger, as you put it, for Klee, you rather focus on protecting her, which shows to me, how responsible you are. And that is also the reason why I commission you so often. I trust your ability to complete it.”

    Bennett’s lips hung open. The poor boy looked absolutely stunned, and it quickly downed on Albedo, that the young adventurer probably didn’t hear much praise coming from anyone, aside from his dads probably. He felt both anger and sadness washing over him.

    Anger at the people of Mondstadt for treating him so badly, that the poor boy got genianly stunned by hearing praise and sadness that it got to this point. Feeling his big brother instincts taking over him, he ruffled Bennett’s hair, just like he would to Klee when she was upset and added:

    “I also believe that one day you will be the greatest adventurer to walk on Tevyat, luck or no luck. You, Bennett, are one of the most determined, responsible, goal-oriented, coragues and optimistic people that I ever had the pleasure to meet.”

    Bennett’s lips started to quiver.

    “Mr. Albedo…” he whispered in disbelief. Albedo just smiled, and that seemed to give Bennett the corague to meekly ask: “Can I… Can I hug you? Please?”

    “Of course” he answered, already opening his arms. Bennett practically fell into him, trying to get as close to the alchemist as possible. If his arms shook a bit, Albedo decided not to mention it. He simply settled on rubbing the boy’s back, similarly like he did to Klee when she woke up from a nightmare.

    They sat like that for a while, until Bennett decided to pull away. He rubbed a fist under his eyes and smiled hopefully.

    “Mr. Albedo?”

    “Hm?”

    “Would you be willing to join Benny’s Adventure Team?”

    “Oh…” he sighed. He had heard about the misfortunate team and knew how important it was to Bennett, but still… “Unfortunately, I have to decline your generous offer. I rarely leave Mondsadt, so I wouldn’t be much of a valuable member to your team, I’m afraid.”

    “Oh… Y- yeah, you’re right I guess…” Bennett’s smile slightly faltered but just when Albedo opened his mouth to reassure him, he looked at him again with slightly pleading eyes. “What about an Honorary Member? We could go out together when you would need to go into the wild! I know the best ways to some secret spots, you know!”

    At that Albedo couldn’t help but smile earnestly.

    “Well then” he said calmly “In that case, it would be my absolute honor.”

    A few days later a very frantic looking Timaeus all but burst into the lab.

    “Sir, tell me it’s not true,” he said. Albedo, completely unphased by his sudden coming in, started a fire under the vial.

    “What isn’t true?” he asked.

    “That you are an… An Honorary Member of Benny’s Adventure Team!” Timaeus exclaimed frantically. Hearing Albedo’s soft chuckle, he felt his blood run cold. They are doomed.

[flameleadsarc]

" bampás ... ? "

it's late. not late enough for him or mustang to be asleep, but late. luna is getting sicker and sicker - and with that TALK he overheard, there's ... a lot of ways his brain has been chugging.

namely, with the choking. explaining that day with his currently wild moods and lapses in memory - there's no telling if things will go well. he choked his moon. he KNOWS what his - their - father is capable of.

that's exactly why he's borderline terrified as he peeks through the door, ready to finally speak. ... even if some deep part of him expects utterly and completely to be punished.

" w-we ... c-can w' talk ? u-um ... a-about what ... what lun' told y'. i eavesdropped. 'm sorry. ... i-i think yer overdue th' t-truth. "

Edward was asleep at his side. As much as he didn’t want to give him cough medicine, Roy eventually gave in after weighing the pros and cons. The less his son coughed, and the more he rested, the better off he’d be. All he needed to do was keep an eye on his breathing, which meant staying awake for a while longer. It wasn’t a big deal. He had papers to review for work anyway.

God he was so behind. Again.

Sol’s voice caught his attention as soon as he spoke. No one else in the house called him that, after all, and he sounded... was worried the right word? Close. When he peeked in through the doorway, he looked downright terrified---as if he expected the Flame Alchemist to appear at a moment’s notice and bare his teeth. Roy put his paperwork and pen to the side before facing Sol, one hand beckoning him to come in. Even though Edward was asleep, and he’d likely stay that way for a while, his father had no intention of raising his voice.

Even though he wanted to. Even if part of him wanted to bare his teeth because of what his eldest told him the other day. “I was fine fer the most part ‘fore I met Sol. Then we got inta it n’ ‘e choked m’ n’ Humility attacked m’ n’ -” Those words stuck with him, looping in his mind over and over again. The only reason he hadn’t confronted Sol himself was because Edward’s health came first.

That, and Sol was a child as well. A fifteen year old should never have to come face to face with the hellhound he kept locked away. No matter what Sol did, Roy wouldn’t allow that to happen.

“I’m listening.” He folded his arms over his chest as he reminded himself to breathe. His illness was on its way out, but he still needed to be careful. Eyes directly on Sol, he kept his tone even. No need to get mad yet. “Tell me everything, and don’t leave anything out.”

[honeyxmonkey]

First Flight

Part 1 of the What It Feels Like To Soar AU

There was a strong rush of wind that stirred up the leaves that had made a home on the platform as Hugo landed. His large wings dipped low to the polished marble as he folded them tightly against his back.

He heard Nuru spluttering, swiping the leaves away from her face.

He smirked at his friend. "Stay clear of the landing zone, Starmap."

"You're the only one who makes that big of a gust when you land." She crossed her arms, her wings buffing up ever so slightly in the way they did when she was annoyed. "You and your stupidly big wings."

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Hugo raised an eyebrow at her. "Princess?"

Nuru rolled her eyes and took a running dive off the landing platform before her wings snapped open, catching the updraft that lifted her into the air with ease as she spun around and did loops, clearly showing off.

“Show off!” Hugo yelled, the wind carrying his voice. As much as Nuru complained about his wings, there was always one area of flight she’d have him beat in. Seeing as how her wings were smaller and better fit for speed and agility, he couldn’t do all those fancy tricks she could. His wings were much too big and bulky for that. He didn’t really complain with how big his were, when he could carry himself longer in flight. (And other people too, namely Varian.)

He smiled at the thought of his boyfriend and remembered why he’d stopped at the castle in the first place after making sure Yong got home safely. It had been only two weeks since they’d completed the trials and Varian had instantly busied himself with perfecting the wing brace he and Hugo had created to help him fly.

Hugo walked down the stairs and into the castle, the feathery tips of his wings dragging on the ground. He kept them folded tightly to allow the servants in the corridors to pass him with more ease than they would have otherwise.

He made his way down the hall towards Varian’s lab where he knew the younger was still working. He pushed the door open, only now allowing himself to stretch his wings out once to their full span in the wide lab before folding them again, this time alot more loosely.

Hugo watched Varian’s back as he worked, noticing with a twinge of empathy how his one limp wing was being held against his back with a cloth. Normally Varian would allow it to hang completely limp across his back. Hugo guessed Varian had gotten tired of the feeling of dead weight.

“Hey there Sweetcheeks.” Hugo kept his voice steady despite the odd sadness he was feeling. “Did you figure it out?”

Varian smiled at the sound of Hugo’s voice and turned around, the bronze attachment piece of the brace in his hand. “Actually I did!” He had that goofy smile on his face that Hugo loved. “I finally figured out how to get it to move in sync with my left wing.”

Hugo smiled too. “That’s amazing. Show me how it works?”

Varian nodded and turned back towards the table, reassembling the pieces of the brace. He spread it out on the table and Hugo leaned in to get a better look.

“So, these larger rods will go all the way down and across the rim of the dead wing and keep it held up.” He ran his finger along the two-inch thick metal rods that slowly became thinner at the ends. His hand moved back up where the brace would fit over where his wings connected to his back. “And this smaller rod will be attached to the good wing. It’ll basically act as a puppet string, guiding the dead wing to mirror it’s movements.” Varian smiled widely at the blond. “I got the idea watching you tinker with Cheese.”

Hugo smiled wider, grateful he could help his boyfriend. “Does it work?”

“Well… I haven’t actually tested it for flight yet.”

“I wouldn’t want you to without me there.”

Varian smiled softly, the fact that Hugo insisted on being there to catch him in case he fell reminded the young alchemist of just how much he loved the blond. “And I don’t think it’ll be good for much besides gliding or soaring.”

Hugo put a hand on his lower back. “Are you scared?”

“Terrified.” Varian said cheerfully. “Now let’s get this show on the road.”

Hugo helped Varian with the brace, his hands gentle as always as they guided the dead wing into place, the metal rods fitting exactly where they should.

Varian flexed his left wing, his face twisted ever so slightly in pain as the dead wing moved in sync.

“Does it hurt?”

“Not much.” Varian folded his good wing, the right following, perfectly mirroring the left. The brace worked like a charm. “I just haven’t moved it like that in so long.”

Hugo gazed at his boyfriend in concern. “Stretch it again.”

Varian did, the whirring and clicking of the tiny gears music to both alchemist’s ears.

“All the way.” Hugo said gently, helping the wing out a little more. “Perfect.”

Varian looked to be in less pain. “Wow.” He breathed out, seemingly in awe. “I haven’t… I haven’t been able to move it in fifteen years.”

Hugo smiled at him. “Fifteen years is a long time Goggles. Are you sure you want to fly today?”

Varian flexed his wings again and nodded. “I’m sure.”

_____

They stood on the edge of the platform, a strong updraft provided them with the perfect day to test fly. Alot of kids were here for their first flight too.

“Okay guys, now remember, catch the draft with your wings spread out fully and it’ll carry you up.” Rapunzel said cheerfully as both parents and children gathered on the edge. She turned to see Hugo and Varian. “Hey guys! Come to watch the First Flight?”

“Uh… actually no.” Varian was still smiling. “We’re testing the brace.”

Rapunzel’s face lit up. “You’re gonna fly?”

“I hope so.” Varian peeked over the edge again. “And… that’s a long way down.”

Hugo held his hand. “If you fall I’ll catch you.”

Varian smiled at him, love filled in his eyes. “I know you will. You always do.”

Hugo squeezed his hand and smiled. “You’ve got this.”

Varian nodded, taking a deep breath before turning back to the open sky. “I’m ready.” He whispered to the wind before letting go of Hugo’s hand and he stepped off the ledge.

Immediately, as he fell he opened his wings to their full span, letting the wind carry him higher. He soared over the treetops, laughing with joy. He’d almost forgotten what it felt like to fly.

He heard the soft flapping of a large pair of wings behind him and then Hugo’s face appeared below him. The blond was catching the wind currents on his back. It was something Varian had seen him do a million times before but this was different. Because this time he wasn’t a viewer from the ground.

He felt Hugo’s hands lightly being placed on his hips as they flew together.

“Looks like the brace works!” Hugo laughed over the rush of wind and Varian laughed too because for the first time in fifteen years, he was really and truly free.

“Yeah, it does!” Varian grinned at his boyfriend. “I love you!”

Hugo laughed again, bringing their horizontal bodies a little closer. “I love you too, Varian.”

And then without thinking Varian kissed him and suddenly he felt them going up, their wings catching a strong updraft that sent them high into the clouds. The constant and steady wind stayed under them, their wings outstretched to the max and turned down to keep them aloft and hovering in place.

Varian felt giddy, drunk on this new feeling of freedom. The feeling of Hugo’s lips against his in the middle of his adrenaline rush was enough to drive him mad. It was definitely enough to ignore the dull throbbing he felt in his right wing from the extended use.

Their lips stayed slotted together in a sweet but deep kiss as they spun slowly, and lazily, practically dancing on the wind.

The wind ruffled through Varian’ hair and he slowly grew more and more addicted to the feeling of flight.

Hugo broke the kiss and instinctively rested his forehead against Varian’s. “Someone’s happy.” He laughed lightly and Varian could tell he was happy too.

“First time in the air since I was four. Did you expect something different?” His tone was teasing and Hugo hummed with joy.

“No, I didn’t. I’m happy you’re happy, Hairstripe.” Hugo smiled and shifted his wings so they spun a little faster. “And I’m happy I get to share this moment with you.”

Varian looked around and saw for the first time how gorgeous the sky was. The sun was setting, lighting the clouds with red and gold flames that were slowly making way to the purple of twilight.

“Well this is pretty romantic, don’t you think?” Hugo grinned at him, the golden light glinting off his glasses in a mesmerizing way. Varian really wanted to kiss him again.

“Yeah, it is.” Varian smiled softly, slowly leaning in again. Their lips brushed together and Hugo took the invitation to kiss him. Varian moaned ever so softly, feeling Hugo’s hands snaking tighter around his waist. He didn’t know how long they stayed like that, lips locked and moving together, but eventually Varian felt his unexercised wings beginning to tire quickly. Hugo must have noticed the change too because he broke the kiss and started to lead them off the draft and they floated towards the ground, landing gently just outside the forest.

Varian flexed his now sore wings but still smiled. “Thank you.”

Hugo took his hand and they started walking back to the castle, which wasn’t that far.

“What for?”

“For being there for me.”

Hugo smiled. “Of course. Anything for you, Varian.”

______

Only thirty minutes later they were back at the castle and Hugo was helping Varian out of the brace. He didn’t miss the hiss of pain Varian let out at the movement.

“Are you okay?”

Varian nodded and set the brace on the table. “I’m fine, just a little sore is all.”

Hugo took his hand, leading him out of the lab. “I think I can help with that.” He gave him a sly, mischievous smile as he led Varian to his room.

Varian let himself be led to the bed where he was sat down and Hugo immediately started to run his hands over his left wing, helping to soothe the sore muscles. Varian smiled at the gentle touches. He hadn’t actually really used his good wing for much in the last fifteen years and knew there would be discomfort at the sudden hour long flight. Still, he’d kept it in good enough shape for the flight today to be safe.

Hugo moved to his right wing and Varian tensed.

“Does that hurt?”

Varian winced slightly, his mouth forming into a thin, white line but he shook his head. “No.”

Hugo pursed his lips, gently prodding the weakened limb, working past the thick feathers to feel the small and weak muscles underneath the down. “Are you sure? Varian, you need to tell me if this hurts. You’ve been wearing the brace for most of the day, and we need to make sure it didn’t strain your wing. I don’t want you to lie to me.”

Varian was silent as Hugo moved his hand down the limp wing until he brushed against the one area Varian had hoped he wouldn’t touch. A small, pained cry escaped his lips and Hugo jerked his hand back.

“Frick. Goggles, are you okay?”

Varian squeezed his eyes shut, a small whimper escaping his lips. “I’m fine.”

Hugo wasn’t convinced and slowly and carefully let the wing droop back down Varian’s back. His other wing, the strong one that actually worked, bristled at the sudden lack of contact.

Varian turned towards him and Hugo noted how his limp wing dragged across the bed as he moved.

“I’m okay.” Varian gave him a smile. “I’ve gone fifteen years with it being like this.”

Hugo sighed but let Varian win this one. “Okay. As long as you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

Hugo watched him stand and stretch.

Varian smiled at him. “You worry too much.”

“And I think you don’t worry enough.” Hugo stood and pulled Varian closer by the waist, his wings wrapping loosely around his partner. Varian laughed at his antics but wrapped his arms around Hugo’s neck. “I know you’re excited, but you should take this slow. I don’t want you to get hurt.” He gave Varian a light peck to his lips. “At least promise me you’ll be careful with this?”

Varian nodded with a smile. “I promise.” He leaned in, claiming Hugo’s lips in a deep kiss. Arms and wings tightened around his body as Hugo pushed closer to make it deeper. Varian hummed with pleasure as he was held tighter, loving the way this felt.

Hugo’s hand slid up his back, barely brushing against his exposed skin where his vest and shirt dipped low to make room for the wings. Varian shuddered slightly, letting out a quiet moan at the contact. Hugo’s fingers slowly slid up a little further, caressing along his spine. Varian moaned again, burying his hands into the blond’s hair.

They broke the kiss, both breathing heavily at how intense it had gotten. Their foreheads found rest against eachother and Varian’s breath shuddered with how Hugo was still touching him.

“Hugo?”

“Yes?” His voice was low and the sound of it drove Varian crazy.

“I love you.”

A smile formed on his lips. “I love you too.”

_______

A bit of trivia for this au, someone on the discord suggested that Varian would have a limp wing/not be able to fly so he'd have to rely on his alchemy and engineering skills to help him do that. (And also because I love Prometheus and I want him to stay in the au). So, yeah! Alot of the plot is centered around this, tho some of it will be comprised of oneshots scattered around the timeline. The next part will reveal a little more of the world they live in!

[libralita]

Title: Rhythm of War

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Summary: After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage.

Now, as new technological discoveries begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals, and potentially reveal the secrets of the ancient tower that was once the heart of their strength.

At the same time that Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with his changing role within the Knights Radiant, his Windrunners face their own problem: As more and more deadly enemy Fused awaken to wage war, no more honorspren are willing to bond with humans to increase the number of Radiants. Adolin and Shallan must lead the coalition’s envoy to the honorspren stronghold of Lasting Integrity and either convince the spren to join the cause against the evil god Odium, or personally face the storm of failure.

Rating: ★★★★★

Review:

In my Dawnshard review I predicted the back would say mother of machines and it diddddd.

Oh nooooooooooo it’s Taravangian that will have the story oh nooooo

Odium trapes them? Revolt. Let’s gooooo!

NONONONONONONON don’t go to Mraize.

Sja reminds me of vapor from Skyward.

Wait a minute wait a minute Radiant HQ is called the tower and there’s death rattles about the tower. Gotta reread those.

The sibling is the child of Honor and Cultivation.

Noooooooooooooo Jasnah, Dalinar don’t go

Also this reminds me of Sadeas’ betrayal.

SAZEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Ahhhh so Radiant is where Shallan’s brain went. Got it.

THE STUMP IS COMING ALONG

IT’S ONE OF THE THINGS FROM ERA 2!!!!!!!!!

Pattern keep away from Wit

Gallant is gonna talk back someday.

I see Shad’s contribution is paying off.

FELT

I’m sure that the woman who sees Shallan’s agents as tools is totally the woman who wants to end slavery for the lols.

ADOLINNNNNNNNNN

SAZED YOU SPOKE TO OTHER SHARDS?! Wholesome bean.

Some kind of shade?

Brandon Brandon Brandon are you…giving us the shard names/ NOW?

Whimsy. Mercy. Valor.

Kal can you go talk to Taln and maybe Ash?

This…this is what Kaladin should be doing.

I just realized that Elhokar might have been in the unseen court. Now I’m sad.

Formless probably represents her father.

Wait nooooooooooooo SZETH STAY THE FUCK HERE!!! SZETHHHHHHHHHH Kal, it’s up to you to swear the fourth ideal.

GAV NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

SEBARIAL. Finally this book can reach its true potential.

God this makes Misborn Era 2 so much more stressful.

Is it one of the spren Venli has?

Ummmmmmmm ummmmmmmm ummmmmmm are you talking about Wax??????

Did Adolin just figure out Mraize’s plan?

She’s…held a cube?

Poor Honor Spren Tsundere.

Hello Venli. Nice to see you here in your own damn book.

The team must surprise the Honor Spren. Something they have never seen before. Something that will right the wrongs of the past. You know what you must do Adolin.

Kal take your own advice and talk to your parents.

Not all spren…were imagined…by men. Oh…oh god. No no no I am not about to think about these implications.

Okay clearly lift would be a good pick to go on this mission because all she would need is food to become awesome.

TSUNDERE SPRENNNN SAVE HIMMMMMMMM

Pattern….

UGH ADOLIN YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. C’MON!!!

Nooooooooooooooooo Adolinnnnnnnnnnnn just…just…ughhhhhhhhh

Navani don’t go zip.

Brandon I swear to god if you kill someone off screen I’m going to yeet you into a chasm.

Wait a minute is the sibling speaking to Navani? Did I already guess this?

NAVANNNNNNNNIIIII I TOLD YOU NOT TO LET GO OF THE SPHEREEEEEEEEEEEEE

Flame spren at edgy looking.

We’re doing this nowwwww?

Dabbid??

“Storm off with the lectures for once, Father!”—Page 494

Satisfying.

Also Brandon we’re half way through and there’s another climax.

Moash is hereeeeee.

Navani, my love, now is not the time.

…Hire Navani? Excuse me? Navani….

“Regardless, please make yourself known to me when you travel my lands. It is distressting that you think you need to move in the shadows.”—Page 535

Wholesome bean. I love him.

Oh Lirin….

“Poor Kaladin. There was freedom available for his old friend. Two freedoms, in fact. But he doubted Kaladin would ever accept the same freedom as Vyre, so he offered him the other one. The sweet peace of nonexistence.”—Page 551

Ahhh so he is a bastard. Got it.

“He knew it, sure as he knew the sun was hot, and that it circled Roshar forever.”

Um….

You…he…MOASH THAT MOTHER FUCKER. Redemption is a theme.

“PERHAPS. YOU COULD INFLUENCE HIM IN SMALL WAYS ONLY. PERHAPS EACH NIGHT, WHEN HE SLUMBERS…HE THINKS OF YOU STILL, AND THERE IS MORE. A CONNECTION BECAUSE OF YOUR PAST, YOUR SHARED DREAMS. ANY BOND SUCH AS THAT CAN BE MANIPULATED.

WILL THIS BE ENOUGH? IF WE SHOW HIM VISIONS, WILL THAT BREAK HIM?

‘It will be a start. I can bring him to the brink. Get him to step up to the ledge.’

THEN WHAT?

‘Then we find a way to make him jump,’ Moash said softly.”—Page 554

You know I have been told that redemption is a theme in Stormlight Archive.

So I have a theory that the Radiant Spren are some way connected to different main cultures on Roshar. So Althei are Honor Spren. Azish are High Spren and now Shallan’s notes say that Cultivation Spren are merchants so now that slots well Thaylen. Peak spren are…probably Horneaters but who knows.

Ooooooo do I smell romance for Lift?

Wyndle is so cute.

“An old flute that Wyndle said looked strange.”

*Covers face* oh my god she has Wit’s flute. Go give that to Kaladin.

Brandon you’re just going to drop Nightwatcher lore? Now? “Why…if Mother is involved…perhaps this isn’t Stormlight you use at all.” ???? Then what is it???

Hmmmmmmm lets not talk about the Sleepless.

OH NOOOOOOO MRAIZE. OH NO HE WANTS TO HUNT LIFT.

Come on dumb Taravangian.

For some reason, Taravangian reminds me of Dr. Marcoh from Fullmetal Alchemist.

I feel like Navani is going to sass the shit out of Raboniel.

“Awespren burst around her in a ring of blue smoke. Soulcasters didn’t hold spren because they were spren. Manifesting in the Physical Realm like Shardblades. Spren became metal on this side. Somehow the ancient spren had been coaxed into manifesting as Soulcasters instead of blades?”—Page 593

I…you…WHAT?

Ralkalest? Interesting name.

“By showing everyone that our lives will all be improved by working together.”

A) I don’t trust you and B) not if Odium yeets Roshar into the sun.

Noooooooooooo Dalinar it’s worseeeeee.

NALE???

Where’s Taln and Ash in all of this?

So many people wearing a lot of rings. Wait, is that Navani?

“Why hadn’t the Sibling mentioned this immediately?”—Page 622

Navani finally understanding Dalinar’s pain.

I love Navani and Kaladin interacting.

*nervous about Mink*

“‘What is a cow?’

‘Big, juicy, delicious. Wish I could still eat them. You don’t seem to have them around here, which I find amazing, as I’m sure there was one somewhere in Sadeas’s lingage. Paternal grandfather perhaps. Watch the highprinces. There’s almost certainly going to be a show.’”—Page 638

1) RIP you can’t eat meat because you were a Dawnshard 2) True 3) Uh oh.

She did that to pocket another Highprince.

Excuse me, who’s Axindweth?! Wait the rings on her fingers. Is she a feruchemist? Did she do something to Venli’s mother?

Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck

“‘Grampa,’ Litte Gavinor asked. ‘Was my daddy brave when he died?’”—Page 664

Suffering. Endless suffering. Leave me alone.

Okay, this is good information.

Rlain and Venli reunion!!!

Eshonai and Dalinar interaction!

BRANDON I WAS NOT PROMISED YOUNG BLACKTHORN FEELINGS. LEAVE ME ALONEEEEEE.

Wait is the person writing Rhythm of War Navani? But that doesn’t make sense because Michael Kramer is reading it, usually that means it’s a man reading it. Is it Gavilar?

El? I mean the only El I know is…Elend.

Is Kaladin going to say the Fourth Ideal when he realizes that he can’t save Moash?

I’m glad that El is unknown and there are more than one person talking. Perhaps with every new page a different person is talking. I’ll just leave it to the 17th Shard to crack.

A VOIDSPREN IN A CREMLING? Arclo?

Hesina? Why does Rlain want to meet with Hesina?

Mraize and Rabionel are talking. Also I just realized that Mraize reminds me of Vandal Savage.

LIFTTTTTT!!!

Lifelight? Excuse me? I fucking…hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I see that Navani has now adopted Kaladin. Good shit. Also I am living for the Navani/Kaladin interaction.

OW WHY MUST I SUFFER?

“Navani turned toward Raboniel, steeling herself against the memories brought forth by the sight of the sword. She could cry for her child again tonight, as she had done many nights in the past. For now, she would not show these creatures her pain.”—Page 732

Hell yeah.

When did Eshonai become British?

“‘That’s annoying,’ Kaladin said.

Yes, it is mildly inconvenient that we have to wind a crank to experience the wonder of making a human being safely levitate hundreds of feet in the air.

‘Pardon, Brightness, but I can usually do it with far less trouble.’

Which is meaningless right now, isn’t it?

‘I suppose it is.’”—Page 743

Look at these two sass each other.

Ivory’s my new favorite.

So, like how gods have metals, do all gods have lights?

Is Venli the one that Navani thinks is insane? I don’t think so?

Navani, you are going to bond with the Sibling. I know it.

I love Navani and the Sibling’s interaction.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

“You are not merely a storm! Dalinar bellowed, his voice changing to rumbles of thunder. You are capable of choice! You hide from that, and in so doing, you are a COWARD!”—Page 821

God I love Dalinar scolding the Stormfather, it’s so funny.

FINALLY DALINAR KNOWS! Also…that’s some interesting font you got there…

“But I have another task. I need to find a way to speak to the god-priest, then convince him to help me rescue Urithiru.”—Page 825

Good luck, kid.

Szeth-son-Honor. Oh my heart. It almost makes up for the fact that I’m so sad for Navani.

Excuse me, Chiri-Chiri is getting a pov. Brandon, stop writing while drunk.

“Szeth froze as the little boy, Gavinor, stepped up to him. He raised a wooden sword hilt-first toward Szeth. The boy should fear him, yet instead he smiled and waggled the sword.

Szeth took it, hesitant.”—Pages 834-835

MY HEART! OH MY GOD THAT’S SO CUTE I COULD DIE. BRANDONNNNNN.

Rysn! You weren’t supposed to tell him!

Poor Rysn. She doesn’t get a break.

Koravari. Did we just get Cultivation’s name?

The Deadeyes are probably sensing something…else.

“The target called himself ‘Sixteen.’”—Page 864

Yep that’s him. (Nope.)

How is that that Shallan shutting out her two other personalities is worse for her?

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hi Nale.

Oh, Shallan must have bonded a different spren and killed it.

Restares is Kalak. Shooketh. But did Gavilar know that? Because wasn’t he speaking with Kalak with Nale. So…I’m confused.

Restares is the one writing this then.

I think I pointed out how Rlain was named Shen like Pashendi.

Remember everyone, redemption is a theme.

WIT!

“You can’t know any of this, because you live on a giant ball of rock full of slime where everything is wet and cold all the time.”—Page 913

Agreed.

“This is a dog, Kaladin. They’re fluffy and loyal and wonderful.”—Pages 913-915

At least we agree, Hoid.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE’S A DRAGON ON ROSHAR?! AND SHE PREFERS TO HIDE. HOID! BRANDON!

It has been decided that Wit getting a spren was a massively bad idea. (Not that anyone should have been under the delusion that it was a good idea from the start.)

This is very late in my notes but: I don’t know Brandon, why does Azure look Althei while other Nalthians don’t?

Is the dog…Lassie?

I’m going to take notes on Design so I can write a fanfic where Elhokar lived, became a Radiant and then joined the Unseen Court like the nerd he is.

What? Trusting Mraize is stupid? No shit.

So, I was wrong about Shallan pretending to be Ialai…but she might consider being Kalak.

Kalak is more of an asshole than Wit.

I feel like not only the FuckGavilar subreddit will arise out of the this book but also the FuckLirin subreddit. Seriously? Are there any good fathers on Roshar? Dalinar barely just became one.

So the metal is Raysium.

Fuck Dabbid just became my new favorite character. Who the heck would have seen that coming?

LIFT YOU CAN WAKE THEM UP!? Alright plan: either get Lift to Lirin so she can heal a few Radiants for backpack or head straight for that storming pillar and heal the Sibling. LET’S GO GO GO GO! TIME FOR THE THIRD CLIMAX!

Please Tsundere—YOU DID IT!!!

“They could be purchased from a group of strange traveling merchants called the Eyree.”—Page 976

Ire.

So the Rhythm of War is Navani and Rabionel talking?

Did they have sexy time?

Oh no Shallan killed that cryptic

I WAS FUCKING RIGHT! THUDE IS ALIVE. FUCK YEAH!

Radiant killed Ialai

SOBSSSSS FOR SHALLAN

OKAY MAYA SPOKE WAS ALSO CRY WORTHY

I supposed that night scarred Jasnah just as much as Shallan.

Also Witnah confirmed.

No…Teft…no no no no no no no. I sobbed so much. I hate you Brandon so much.

Aww man I feel so fucking bad for Moash that he can’t see. I’m so sorry. I will weep for you endlessly. Bastard. No man or woman has ever been sexier than when Navani Kholin said “Journey before Destination, you bastard.”

Nononononononono

“Final terms are these: A contest of champions to the death. On the tenth day of the month Palah, tenth hour. We each send a willing champion, allowed to meet at the top of Urithiru, otherwise unharmed by either side’s forces. If I win that contest, you will remain bound to the system—but you will return Altehkar and Herdaz to me, with all of their occupants intact. You will vow to cease hostilities and maintain the peace, not working against my allies or our kigndoms in any way.

Agreed. But if I win, I keep everything I’ve won—including your homeland. I still remain bound to this system, and will still cease hostilities as you said above. But I will have your soul. To serve me, immortal. Will you do this? Because I agree to these terms.”—Pages 1178-1179

Fuck.

Cultivation you absolute fool.

“The Lord of Scars, Wit calls him. Well, when you next meet this Lord of Scars, give him a message from me…Tell him we’re done with his meddling. His influence over my people is finished. Also, Wit says to tell him, ‘Deal with your own stupid planet, you idiot. Don’t make me come over there and slap you around again.’”—Page 1197

I was joking before but…no. It’s him.

I guess Kal and Szeth are going to Shinovar. That’ll be some interesting character interaction.

You, sir, do not deserve the name El.

Also we are so fucked. Beyond fucked. Unbelievably fucked. It may be set up that Wit figured out this set up was too perfect however he might. So WE. ARE. SO. FUCKED.

[kathyprior4200]

The end? When Charlie succeeds...

Charlie succeeds with the hotel and she and Vaggie go to Heaven, married. Lucifer and Lilith stay in Hell to rule it, but Charlie is allowed to visit them for half the year. Charlie uses her demon and angel powers to spread cheer to both realms…and someday hopes to extend good influence to Earth and/or other worlds (which would be Vaggie’s job). Charlie becomes a gatekeeper for both worlds, teaching lessons about kindness and not judging others to both realms. Husk, Niffty, Baxter, and the others stay in Hell (doing their own thing but staying friends) for a while and once they redeemed themselves, they go to Heaven in their human forms with new memories.

 Acheron: principal river of Tartarus where Charon ferries souls to Hell.

 Nine Circles of Hell (Dante’s Inferno)

First Circle: Limbo, resided by virtuous non-Christians and unbaptized pagans who are punished with eternity in an inferior form of Heaven. They live in a castle with seven gates which symbolize the seven virtues.

Second Circle: Lust, souls are blown back and forth in a violent storm, preventing them from finding peace and rest.

Third Circle: Gluttony, live and lie in freezing slush produced by icy rain, guarded by Cerebrus.

Fourth Circle: Thieves, Greedy, hoarders versus spenders: forced to push heavy rocks, realm guarded by Hades/Pluto

Fifth Circle: Wrath, bad tempered, fight each other on the River Styx. Sullen gurgle beneath the water.

City of Dis: sixth through ninth circles

Sixth Circle: Criminals, heretics, flaming tombs. Natural resources/nature and human labor/art were seen to be the only two legitimate sources of wealth.

Seventh Circle: Violence, psychopaths, suicide, boiling blood lake:

Outer Ring: houses murderers, tyrants, plunderers, immersed in boiling lake of blood, while centaurs shoot at them.

Middle Ring: those who committed suicide are turned into trees and fed upon by harpies. The wasteful are chased and torn to pieces by dogs.

Inner Ring: houses those against God and Nature and Art, a great plain of burning sand and burning rain

 Eighth Circle: Sorcerers, Fraud, Liars and Thieves, pit of darkness, beaten by demons. Divided by 10 stony ditches.

Bolgia 1: indulgers and seducers, eternally whipped by demons

Bolgia 2: flatterers, steeped in excrement and fight themselves

Bolgia 3: Those who sell church offices/sacred things. They’re placed head downwards in tube holes with their feet burned

Bolgia 4: sorcerers and false prophets. Their heads are twisted backward so they can’t see what’s ahead of them.

Bolgia 5: corrupt politicians, immersed in tar, guarded by demons who tear them with claws and hooks.

Bolgia 6: hypocrites, weighted down in leaden flashy robes along a narrow track.

Bolgia 7: thieves, bitten by snakes and reptiles.

Bolgia 8: evil advisors, fraud counselors in flames.

Bolgia 9: hostile people, sowers of discord and war, hacked and torn apart by a demon wielding a sword

Bolgia 10: falsifiers, alchemists, untruthful ones in court, counterfeits. They suffer from hunger, thirst, disease, etc.

 Central Wall guarded by giants

 Ninth Circle: Treachery: Lake of ice, Satan, residents frozen in an icy lake. Satan having three heads, chewing on traitors.

Round 1: Traitors to family

Round 2: Traitors to country

Round 3: Traitors to guests

Round 4: traitors to lords

   Hazbin Hotel is located in a lost Tenth Circle of Hell, closest to portals to Earth, Heaven, purgatory and paradise. Only imps and Lucifer and powerful demons can travel between worlds and/or Circles. Circle 10 is the realm of Illusion. It’s the only place where sinners can enjoy themselves in their sins of drinking, gambling, sex etc. living lives like they did as humans. However, the demons still suffer from violence, assault and the evils of society behind the pop culture glamor and media (illusions). Those who can redeem themselves can go to Heaven (at least after Charlie helped to dismantle the elitist system of Heaven). Lucifer was sent to this realm instead of the lake of ice due to his previous service to God and the angels, but it was still banishment.

 Nine Circles of Heaven (Dante’s Paradiso)

First Sphere: (The Moon) souls who failed to keep their vows

Second Sphere: (Mercury) souls who were just and righteous but were driven by ambition

Third Sphere: (Venus) lovers who earned their place with their love of God and humanity

Fourth Sphere: (The Sun) crown of wise men

Fifth Sphere: (Mars) holy warriors whose souls form the shape of a cross

Sixth Sphere: (Jupiter) souls of just rulers who form an eagle

Seventh Sphere (Saturn) souls who dedicated themselves to prayer, climbing up and down a golden ladder.

Eight Sphere (Fixed Stars) Biblical saints test Dante (Italian writer) on faith, love and hope.

Ninth Sphere: (Primum Mobile) bright light surrounded by nine circles of angels around God at the center.

Empyrean: beyond space and time

 Just as Hazbin Hotel (goal to redeem sinners) is located in the 10th Circle of Hell, Haven Hotel (goal to encourage moderate sin for self-freedom) is located in a lost Sphere of Heaven, a realm of the Outer Planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) as well as the Sphere of Delusion (parallel to Hazbin’s Circle of Illusion.) Here, everything seems grand and perfect, but the society is filled with deception and hidden truths.

  Robotic versions of 2p characters are created to help out the worlds of Hell. Charlie complains they are not the same as the friends she knows. Angel Dust 2 goes to the Lust Second Circle. Husk 2 goes to the Third Circle of Gluttony. Baxter 2 goes to the Fourth Circle of Wealth. Alastor 2 goes to the Eighth Circle. Vaggie 2 and Cherri Bomb 2 go to the Wrath Fifth Circle. Lucifer 2 and Lilith 2 go to the Ninth Circle. Katie 2 and Sir Pentious 2 goes to the Seventh Circle. Niffty 2 goes to the Third Circle. They represent the sins of their original models. The robotic versions are there to help out until the real characters can arrive in Heaven.

[heartfeltheart]

Alchemy: Magic Vs. Science

Chapters: 14/25 Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist/Harry Potter Rating: T Relationships: Edward/Winry, Lan Fan/Ling, and May/Alphonse. Primary Characters: Edward Elric, Severus Snape Additional Tags: Crossover, Teacher!Edward, BrOtp Edward/Severus. Sassy beyond measure. Series: Part 1 of 9. Summary: Magic and Science, are they the same or are they completely different? It just takes one person to point out all up and downs. Along with breaking the stereotypes that come up with being a wizard, alchemist and most of all being human. Thank you, @amynchan! D/C: I do not own Harry Potter or Fullmetal Alchemist. Discord: La Red(Mesh Mash of… stuff.): https://discord.gg/KYjmVAb Alchemy Series: https://discord.gg/DejEYNJ

“English and Edward’s accented voice.” “Amestrian or another foreign language.” “Written notes.” ‘Thoughts.’ First Name: Informal Last Name: Formal (Or used to annoy others)

"I will give you that, Alchemy does have a mystical force behind it. Alchemy is an art of manipulating and altering matter by using natural energy. This act is known as "Transmutation". There is a sequence that comes along with that, comprehension, deconstruction, and reconstruction."

"I understand that, Mr. Elric. However..." A sixth year, a Ravenclaw by the name of Wallace Cross, said in an opinionated voice, he read out of a familiar looking book. "Alchemy is a branch of magic and an ancient science concerned with the study of four basic elements, as well as the study of the transmutation of substances, thus it is intimately connected with potion-making, transformation magic, and chemistry...."

Edward leaned against his desk, arms crossed over his chest and his expression showed he wanted nothing more than to hear what was being said to him. What was being said to him was nothing new to him, the Golden Blonde had read it in one of the many books back in that bookstore in Diagon Alley. Thinking back, the book the brat has is one of the books that were in the 'hell no' pile. The book was geared towards far too much in the magical sense of Alchemy. He wasn't going deny that Alchemy has some sort of mystical force behind it. However, to fully understand Alchemy, you must understand the science behind it. If you do not understand the smaller details, then everything will blow up in your face. Severally.

How did Wallace get into his class again?

Oh, right, he did well in the chemistry problems, everything else... not so much.

'Do I kick him out? Nah, that will be too easy.' Edward pushed away from his desk, he walked over towards the Ravenclaw who was nose deep into his book and reading aloud from it. The Alchemy Teacher reached over and yanked the book out of the sixth year's hands. "Look... Alchemy with the way I was taught is like this..."

-.-

A first-year Hufflepuff scurried along the main floor of the school to head over to the Great Hall. It was almost lunchtime and he wanted to get there before the rush. He slowed down his pace when he got closer to the Alchemy classroom, the last thing he needed is the Alchemy teacher to chew him out for making too much noise.

The Hufflepuff heard rumors that the Alchemy Teacher will snap at the smallest of things. From people mentioning anything about milk, heights, and will...very random things. Right, when it felt like the first year was home free, the doors of the Alchemy classroom burst open and a sixth year Ravenclaw stormed with a look of complete humiliation and anger.

"Class is not over yet!"

"I do not care! I quit this wretched class!"

"Ah.... did I hurt your ego?"

"Ugh!"

The first year Hufflepuff stood there completely terrified at what was happening in front of him. Terrified went to petrified when he saw Mr. Elric stuck his head out of the classroom. Mr. Elric turned his line of sight towards him and raised an eyebrow at him. "Cedric Diggory, right?"

Cedric nodded slowly, not trusting his voice at that moment.

"Could you do me a favor?"

Another slow nod.

"Could you go look for Professor Flitwick, tell him I need to talk to him."

"Yes, sir..."

-.-

"You want all of them? All of them?"

"Look... I know a lot of people do not understand me due to the accent... I need every book you have here that is even remotely linked to Alchemy. All of it, if the books are checked out then check them back in."

Madam Irma Pince gave the Alchemy Teacher a look of complete befuddlement. Why in the world would he want with all those books? It is understandable if he wanted to borrow one here and there but all of them? It didn't help that the young man that was standing in front of her had explained how there is a huge possibility that the information the books are untrue. Complete blasphemy. And... The mere thought of it just made her blood curl. "I will have all the books ready by the end of the day."

"Good. Good."

-.-

Inside a small London café, sitting in the back of the shop a group of 'college' friends and their loyal canine companion, sat around enjoying a nice of hot cup tea or coffee. To anyone from the outside, it appeared that the group was catching up from a long break from seeing each other. Talking about the weather, their hobbies, family or anything that was relevant to the topic. That was what it appeared on the outside, in the inside...

"So...How are we going to do this?" Jean asked over his cup of hot cup of coffee.

"We could always make a ruckus..." Vato stated as he munched on a muffin. "We don't have Edward's owl to help us or the kid himself."

"How about w-" Alex attempted to say but was shot down when everyone gave him a look to remain quiet. The sparkles around him dulled greatly and even his mustache dropped to match his mood.

"Ideas are needed, but not to put us in jail for disturbing the peace and public nudity." Roy laughed when a group of individuals entered the café. His eyes were deadpan that did not match his laughing smile. If anything, they showed how much he wanted to cringe at what Alex is thinking.

"...That could be the only way..." Riza stated, she took a small bite out of a lemon scone. "Get their attention, however, ensure we keep it at a bare minimum. Allow that bare minimum to whisper and allow them to come to us..."

Alex quickly cried tears of joy at the fact his plan was taken into consideration. Although by the looks of it, the plan is going to be downgraded massively. There goes making a statue...

"What exactly should we do?" Kain gulped down nervously, it was going to be one cold day in hell since...Riza... is going along with Alex idea.

"Well... They do magic, might as well do a magic show..." Vato stated with a shrug, he lifted up his own cup of coffee up towards his lips. His eyes wondered over towards Roy to see a familiar sparkle in his eyes. The same type of sparkle that only happened when he came up with a plan that involved chaos, chaos, and more chaos. "I was kidding..."

"What a glorious idea!"

"I was kidding!"

"I like that idea."

"It could work."

"Let's give it a go."

"Sounds like fun."

"...I was being sarcastic..."

-.-

Alarms went off in a certain area in the Ministry of Magic people scurried around in a panic. People whispered of muggle performers doing actual magic and the rumors flew around the building.

"What...? What IS that?"

"Is this magic? What are they doing?"

"WHATDEPARTMENTDOESTHISGOTO?"

-.-

Laughter filled the area, people of all ages watched on with wonder in their eyes. No one wondered this magic is done. Flames licked their faces as the main performer snapped his fingers and flames erupted from his fingertips. The flickering fire got close to the spectators, but never touched them. All the crowd could feel was the heat. It was entertaining to see and many could only watch in awe. Certain individuals pushed their way into the crowd, completely unaware that they were being watched themselves.

"The man isn't using magic."

"Then explain what he is doing."

"Muggle magic?"

"This isn't Muggle Magic..."

"Then what is it?"

The Flame performer snapped his fingers one last time, causing a loud bang to reverberate throughout the area and a lightning-quick burst of flame to momentarily blind all in attendance. Once everyone regained their eyesight, it was then everyone took note the performer had mysteriously vanished.

An Auror stood, flabbergasted, staring at the spot where the small group had just been.

"He... they... what... WHAT?" he stuttered, confused beyond reason. He looked around to his fellow Aurors. They were all just as confused as he. One of them finally shook himself free of the trance, though a bit late, and muttered a Point Me spell, drawing the rest of the small group back to reality. They were led to a newly built wall.

"Is it working?"

"It's a simple Point Me spell. Of course, it's working!"

"But it says...."

"I KNOW what it SAYS! But they aren't right in front of us, are they? And they're not Magic, so they should be close. You two," he said, pointing to his fastest comrades, "go around to the other side of this wall, see what's there. You two spread out. They've GOT to be close..."

-.-

Behind the newly constructed wall, Alex Louis Armstrong and Roy Mustang grinned silently, listening to the Auror's conversation while they waited for Riza to choose the best route for them from her vantage point. They were, after all, a well-functioning military group, left alone, unsupervised and bored in a new country, only told to "get the official's attention". To hell if Roy wasn't going to enjoy this game.

-.-

"And which of those elements that you listed is a gas?" Edward quizzed a student from his Monday class.

"That would be th-"

The door slammed open, interrupting the student's answer and drawing an irritated sigh from Edward.

"Edward Elric?" A Ministry official asked desperately, staring a hole into Edwards's head. Edward ignored him and signaled to the young Ravenclaw to continue.

"Colonel Elric!"

Edward growled but otherwise continued to ignore him.

"And what are the properties of that element... Rachel?" He called on another student, turning his back to the official.

As Edward attempted to keep his class going for the last ten minutes, the Ministry man continued trying to gain his attention. Finally, Edward snapped.

"COLONEL ELRI-"

"VHAT?! I HAFFE TEN MINUTES LEFT IN ZIS CLASS! TEN MINUDES! TEN MINUDES IN VHICH ZEZE STUTENTS COULD PE FINISHING ZEIR LEZON, LEARNING UZEFUL DINGS INSTEAD OF MY NAME AND RANK! NOV YOU GET TO VAIT VITH ZEM—ZILENTLY!- UNDIL I ZAY DAT CLASS IS FINISHED!"

"But sir!"

"ZIT! DOVN! UNLESS YOU CAN LIST THE BERIODIC TABLE ELEMENTS LIKE MY STUDENTS CAN, SHUT UP!"

The stunned man sat down, speechless, in the back of the classroom for the next ten minutes, trying to ignore the snickering from the students that "Mr. Elric ROCKS."

-.-

Edward silently fumed as he followed the Ministry Official up towards Dumbledore's office. The class had just ended and lunch had just begun for everyone else but himself. He might as well see what the crazy government officials want with him. Seeing as they only brought one guy to bring him in, it would either be a small issue or they assumed that they only need one idiot to force him to do whatever they want him to do.

The former Alchemist inwardly snorted at that last thought, they will be sorely mistaken. Even if he can use alchemy, Edward has other skills to pull through whatever gets thrown his way. Especially dealing with Idiot Number 1, the idiot is maintaining his space away from him and would only occasionally glance back to ensure of his own safety.

The only time the Ministry Official spoke was when he said the password to Dumbledore's office. The Gargoyle moved away to reveal the spiral staircase to them and they both walked through to get into the office. The moment that they both passed through the entrance, it closed behind, tension filled the air and it wasn't coming off Edward this time around.

"Vat is it dat you vant vith me?" Edward asked the Ministry Official, inwardly he grinned at how the man flinched away from him. "Vill?"

"Earlier this day, several individuals arrived in London and uh..." The older man took out a piece of parchment and started to read from it. "A male with unkempt black hair, dark eyes, and is wearing a three-piece muggle suit, performing some sort of fire magic in front of a group of muggles."

"Vat the hell does this supposed to mean to me?" Edward bluntly asked, inwardly when he heard the description of the individual, he couldn't help but be reminded of someone from back home. Someone that should remain there and not be here in this country. His mood soured at the thought of that, it didn't help that once officially entered Dumbledore's office to see the old man pacing sitting behind his desk. Hogwarts' headmaster ran his hand through a red feathered bird's feathers while the creature cooed at the affection. "Old man, do you know vat is happening? This is not part of any deal we had and goes along with them knowing about my rank."

"My apologies, Mr.-pardon me, Colonel Elric-"

"Just Mr. Elric will suffice."

"When we had the complication with helping gather your belongings in Xing, I had to reveal your information to the Ministry of Magic. They rather took it into stride at the fact you are a Military Officer, a high-ranking officer, especially now..." Dumbledore trailed off at a familiar looking contract on his desk. Edward mind went back momentarily before he groaned inwardly. Before officially signing the contracting to work at the school, he had created a resume and he only briefly mentioned his military career. Of course.

"We would like you to help us with this..."

"Is that an order?"

"I have orders to bring you back to Muggle London to help us..."

Edward raised an eyebrow at the man in front of him, any emotion of uneasiness and freight gone. Dare he say, the guy had the gall to act like he had an upper hand when he reached towards his person. To reach for his wand perhaps, not like that's going to help him. The Golden Blonde mentally calculated how fast the wizard could take out his wand and the amount of time he could grab hold of the coat rack that was next to him to use as a weapon. As tempting as it sounds to beat the guy go into a bloody pulp, there is an animal in the room and would not want such a creature to see such a sight.

Dumbledore had a similar train of thought when he quickly stood up and clapped his hands together to dissipate the tension in his office. "Would you help us at our time of need, Mr. Elric? Perhaps this person is doing alchemy?"

Edward snorted, he leaned toward the coat rack just in case he would need it and gave the Ministry official a deadpan expression. "I'll help... Not because you lot are threatening me; I am curious what has all of you on edge...I want to shake hands with the main cause for the disturbance for causing you guys to ask a simple muggle for help."

"Why you little..."

Bang!

Silence...

"...In my defense... He wanted to use dat stick against me..."

"...Is he alive?"

"Let me check..."

Poke. Poke. Poke. Groan.

"Yes."

-.-

"They are running around the area, Sir."

"Are they close to finding us?"

"Not even close."

"Keep me informed of their movements."

"Yes, sir."

Mustang clicked a button on a two-way radio, he grinned at the device in his hand. Fuery had come upon an electronics store before their big plan had begun. One of the main items he got was a couple of two-way radios, something that is far more useful to the radios they have back at Amestris. "Everything is in the clear, those idiots are several blocks away from us. Havoc has them in his sights."

Armstrong response is a pose that was in no doubt passed down the Armstrong Family for several generations. The Alchemist were in a different alleyway and are hiding behind a seemingly wrongly placed stone wall. Nothing in suspicious at all... Unless you are a local and know for fact this wall should not be there at all.

"Should we put on another sho-" Mustang went on to say but was interrupted when Havoc's voice came out of the two-way radio.

"We have a problem."

"What's the problem, Havoc?"

"I just spotted Colonel Elric."

"... Come again?"

"Colonel Elric is with the idiots."

Mustang and Armstrong glanced at each other with blank expressions. For the former, this wasn't part of the game plan, Elric chess piece was not supposed to come into play until much later. Even if the brat could no longer do alchemy, he could recognize Armstrong's work and the game had just barely started.

Mustang pulled out his two-way radio and promptly pressed a button. "Where are they right now? What is their current locat-"

"OI! COLONEL BASTARD!"

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[livayl]

how to relieve magical exhaustion (part 1)

This is with Amaziah & Marya and starts out with stifled sneezes to credit a suggestion given to me (hi there!). Also somehow it turned out to be a sneeze fic with an amount of  h/c and whump? The actual comfort is going to come later though. 

A little heads up because this is more on the plot/world-lore heavier side and not as light-hearted & sneezy as the last one. Also there´s a mention of pain that Amaziah experiences from over-exerting herself with magic. There´s a minor injury mention on a “young human soldier” (hes 20) literally a few seconds before he gets healed completely. And don´t worry about the Wyngar- they are basically constructs born out of Alchemy and Magic and are not really alive beings & can be evoked again.

There´s nothing explicit so I hope you will still enjoy it and please only reblog this to other kink-blogs, thank you. :)

Amaziah hated to admit it but lately it became more and more clear that the constant use of magic, be it passive or aggressively, had started to wear her out inch by inch. Like an once adamant rock washed out to a cave slowly by a constant current. Further and further until the carcass like remains were not able to bear their own weight anymore. In fights the well known rush of adrenaline, a sheer burning blaze of power was able to fill the hollow, aching void for a time but made it even more visible and fragile once it was left empty again. It left her with a constant dull ache that resounded deep into her bones, humming it´s echo throughout her intestines only to be sharply reawakened, vibrated to life with every heartbeat. 

Marya still tried her best to brew more effective medicine but even those positive effects on the Archmages immune system had slowly ceased. The seemingly endless discussions at their little improvised war council did not ease the rhythmic pounding headache that had spread low enough to make piercing bolts of pain tug at her teeth. 

The tent was illuminated eerily by several golden glowing crystals and the flickering gleam of a dwindling fire that did emit more fumes than warmth. Fine clouds of breath made visible by the constant flow of frosty air were swirling and dancing around grey billows of smoke. Delicate fern frost had blossomed to a rich bouquet on rough fabrics. Amaziah hoped it was just the quickly fading rush that threatened to make the world spin once she turned her head too fast. Yet that wish appeared to be futile when her condition started to worsen with proceeding time: The Archmages legs seemed barely receiving her inward bellowed commands to stay and carry her weight steadily while her sight stayed dulled and foggy on the edges. 

".... And eventually we received some real aid! Be assured that it is much appreciated, your grace. Although I cannot help but perceive that my- uh your- supplies have been scattered and thus may be damaged and that the former attack rendered my carriage useless as well as killed my Wyngar for which I understandably demand recompenses from you for coming too-" Amaziahs already sapped patience had been stretched thinner the longer the noble merchants ramblings had lasted- which were nothing more than barely concealed, blustered complaints anyways.

"Those matters will have to wait until we reach a safer outpost." She interrupted him, a little shocked how rough her voice came out. "Everyone injured should have been treated by now. I´ll make sure that they are well enough to move out. Prepare for departure." Ah- finally crisp and clear, Amaziah thought. Still, speaking made her head and throat throb unanimously with stabbing bolts of agony. Without waiting for an answer- or worse, another volley of nagging, she turned, took her gloves and scarf and left without taking the time to fully dress again. Her own flames had been fueled and she feared to sear the self-centered fool not unlike to how the giants had burned that poor Wyngar. 

Right outside the Archmage was greeted by an icy squall accompanied by piercing hail that bit and cut into every bit of exposed skin mercilessly. But instead of cooling her down it managed to aggravate her even more. The grim frost did hurt her lungs and forced the mage to cough harshly. It also chilled her nose to a point were all the cold started to freeze-burn its way up her sinuses. She sniffed against the unpleasant sensation which just worked as an igniter that sparked the smoldering tickle into a sudden, stabbing blaze that could not be extinguished. Amaziah gasped in an abrupt breath and had barely time to bring up her hand, only managed to partially close her flaring nostrils with cold fingers. "Heh-knxdzsch-uh!" She then cringed at the failed stifle that had pushed past her defenses and steamily misted the palm of her hand. But her bodies attempts to get rid of not only the frosty irritants did not grant her much time to dwell in that small discomfort. She had barely opened her eyes again as they threatened to fall shut once more by the incoming sensation. Again a deep, building breath that titled back the mages head, this time followed by a secure and firm nose-pinch. The final release had been so repressed it was borderline inaudible and directly followed by an only slightly louder groan. The force of it was much clearer displayed in the Archmages body language as it made her stumble forward dizzily. She had only a short moment to steady herself until the insisting tingling need rose again and made her head bob down once more. This time with increased force as if to make up for her persistent resistance: "hah-ndxt!-ah" Amaziah blinked tears out of her eyes and had to give her head a clearing shake before she could resume her ways to the hastily built sickbay.

Inside the confined tent it was pleasantly warm but a mixture of several pungent odors thickened the air, assaulted her senses and threatened to cause another fit of vague outcome. Thankfully, all was overlayed by the both evocative and comforting minty scent of healing herbs. Ambrosial and refreshing for all senses as was the sight of its source: In front of her Marya was still busy taking care of the last wounded soldiers and merchants. 

Her wavy, vibrant red hair was pinned-up but a few strands had loosened out of the voluminous bun. They curled around her softly blushed cheeks, caressed the slightly exposed and freckled nape of her neck only to silkily float down further her coat veiled curves. The young Alchemists face was unusual rigid with concentration, her lush lips slightly parted and smooth forehead overshadowed by a delicate frown as she worked. Thankfully the Archmage could not detect the dreaded look of distraught marring her soft features. 

Amaziah noticed with much relief that most remaining injuries seemed to be superficial burns and minor flesh wounds. The four lads were still more or less lucid and not yet beyond capacities of the healing potions they had been given. A little too lucid maybe, the Archmage thought as she noticed the prevalent conversational topic enthusiastically declaimed by an eager and youthful voice:

"... And then the Archmage tore the sky open a second time! It was like exploding blazingly white with a rolling thunder. Spitting out thunderbolts which crashed into the Demons so powerfully that it shook the earth! All of the smaller ones vanished immediately, turned to ash only leaving behind scorch marks and the bitter smell of ozone. The raging Fire Giant crumpled under the spell as if smashed by an enormous  hammer, pinned down helplessly into the dirt, barely fuming... And- oh-OH- your grace!" The young human soldier interrupted himself as he became aware of Amaziahs presence. The left side of his face had been scorched but was already healing quickly- almost too fast to be followed by gaze alone. Despite this token of battle the young lad still seemed to be more a teen than the man their circumstances needed. All gangly limbs brimming with excitement only one so new to all of this could  maintain. "I´m-" Amaziah started but was cut short by a few raspy coughs. "Excuse me. I am relieved to see you all are more or less well." She then continued- voice still strained but lips curved up into a honest smile. "Very much so, your grace. We just reveled in your latest heroic legends." Marya answered, a little amused mischief sparking in her blue eyes. Amaziah hoped that her face was still flushed from the cold and that this was able to hide the blush she felt rising up. 

"Do you think everybody is well enough to depart soon? I don´t want to stay here longer than necessary." She then explained as Marya gently took her aside. Amaziah felt a light shiver creeping up her spine as the younger elf studied her observantly. "Yes, not too much worries there. Lord stuck up can be useful for once and lend us his other cart for those who shouldn't walk." "Huh- so no fast departure then. That man can´t do a thing without an endless discussion." The Archmage answered more peevish than she had intended. Apparently the pure mention of Lord Desjard was enough to push her already much battered buttons. 

And the obtrusive smells started to tease her senses more and more. Right at this thought the lingering irritation spread from playful to demanding again and her sharp nose reacted with a couple of angered twitches. The tingling sensation was aggressive enough to bring back tears to her eyes and made her take a few hitching breaths despite all her efforts to keep them steady. "Are you well? You look worn out. And sneezy." "N-nohh... I´m fine, th-hah-hhh-thank you." Amaziah replied around wavering inhales. She sheepishly rubbed and squeezed the tip of her reddened nose, tried to calm all the flaring and crinkling. When this did not more than hardly stall the announcing release, the mage started pinching her septum hard which only managed to intensify the feeling instead of weakening it. "Haeh-ERRSCHH-hue!" Initiated by a strangled yet powerful inhale the sudden sneeze had burst out unrestrained, was angled down and only partly to the side by a hastily raised hand. "Oh my I´m-hih sorriih- AERRSSCHH-ah! Snnff-HAiih-EERSSCHooh!" Her already staggering apology was harshly interrupted: The second one was equally powerful but with a throat scraping, chest aching quality to it and the third simply loud and echoing enough to drown out the nascent chorus of timid and astounded "bless yous". 

Amaziah was almost thankful that another volley of coughs spared her too much of a polite reaction. "Aw gesundheit my Sweet. Don´t hurt yourself!" "-I´m sorry." The Archmage managed to choke out bitterly. "Guess I´m up to wrecking myself anyhow.... Please make sure that everyone is ready as soon as possible." "No worries I´ll kick some healthy soldier butts to help me organizing. How about you sit down here a little and rest?" Amaziah felt torn between her wish to stay close to her Loves comfort and care and the fear of lapsing again with an audience this big. The openly shown, almost ridiculous hero worship some of the army actively participated in did not make things better. Also, how indomitable could a leader stay while slumping down to the dirt afflicted by whatever nonsense this current weakness was. 

“No thank you. The-uh- herbs are getting to me a bit, I´m afraid. See you at departure in an hour." Amaziah hastily excused herself with a gentle yet swift kiss atop of Maryas head. Then she left, almost fled the place too scared to admit how she longed for Maryas close company. 

[codynaomiswireart]

“Gauze in the Wound” - Part 18

“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”

- Screwtape, The Screwtape Letters

One of the troublesome things with doing anything out of spite is that nine times out of ten you regret it immediately afterwards.

Varian found himself facing this predicament as he watched the solitary pinprick of light fade away to almost nothing above him, and his heart immediately leapt into a panic as he found he could do nothing this time to stop his rapid descent downwards into the all-encompassing darkness.  Though Varian couldn’t honestly say that his bitter feelings towards Rapunzel had changed in that moment, he did find – for his own sake at least – that he keenly regretted letting go of her hand, and he felt a flare of anger at himself for not letting her help him up and out of the hole he now plummeted down into.  Yet even with this degree of regret, Varian was unable to do anything about it as he found he wasn’t able to navigate that space like before.  It had become an emptier sort of space than before, and no matter how Varian flailed his limbs about in an attempt at a swimming motion, he could not slow his fall as the galaxy-filled sky faded away above him; like a star being snuffed out in a moonless, pitch-black sky. 

Varian wanted to scream in terror as he felt the cool air go whooshing past his helpless form as his fall approached terminal velocity, but it was as if both panic and pride had paralyzed his voice in this throat.  The idea of hitting at any moment now a solid surface that he could not see made him freeze in that fear of being badly hurt (or even killed) upon impact, while at the same time the small tinge of pride he had left in him also didn’t want to let out any sort of sound that may have indicated such helplessness.  But he didn’t need Rapunzel, he told himself.  He didn’t need her help, and he wasn’t going to let any sort of pathetic yelping or crying from himself be his own voice’s final argument against the point.  Varian had no idea what would happen to him now, but he knew for sure that whatever it was that the princess-

“Desine.” 

The familiar word echoed in the air around Varian, interrupting his thoughts, and presently, greatly to his surprise, Varian found himself slowing in his rapid descent, and with a small thud, he landed on his back on what appeared to be another flat and solid surface.  For a moment, Varian just lay there, trying to recollect his shaken senses like when he had emerged onto the celestial plain from before.  But unlike the celestial plain, this new surface he was on felt like it was covered with a thick layer of dust or dirt instead of a thin layer of water, and there was no blazing firmament dancing above him, but only an inky blackness to be seen overhead. Varian coughed and spat as he felt some of the dust around him get into his mouth as a slight, stale breeze stirred the topsoil, and Varian rose to his feet gingerly in an effort to get to cleaner air up off the ground. 

“Care for a drink, Puer Lunae?”

Varian didn’t know how much more panic his heart could take, but he felt another sharp jolt of it surge through him from chest to gut as he heard a voice speak again from somewhere in the darkness behind him.  Whirring round, Varian saw the unexpected sight of a small campfire that glowed a deep pink color, and a cloaked figure sitting beside it holding in one hand a long staff with a green light on the end, while in the other it held a flask with some sort of liquid substance in it, which the stranger seemed to be offering in Varian’s direction.

“Well?” the figure spoke again, its voice deep, silky, welcoming, and even almost gentle as it addressed Varian.  “You must be quite thirsty by now I imagine, yes?”

Varian blinked back in response, noticing how dry his throat had indeed become as he swallowed hard, but remained where he stood as he eyed the flask offered to him with suspicion.  “Wh-who are you?” Varian managed to ask in a hoarse, defensive voice, and he strained his vision to try to make out a face from within the shadows of the stranger’s hood.  But the pink light of the fire wasn’t quite bright enough for that, so any expressions on the stranger’s face were an enigma to Varian.  “What do you want?”

“No need to worry boy,” the stranger answered as he set the flask down beside him, and then extended his free hand in a gesture of invitation.  “I am a friend.  Please, sit.”

On instinct, Varian stepped back a few paces.  Despite the apparent lack of hostility in the man’s voice and demeanor, Quirin had taught Varian to know better than to engage with some stranger who randomly offered him food or drink – let alone some stranger in a mysterious place that Varian knew nothing about. 

“Um, n-no, no thanks,” Varian stammered from his place at the edge of the firelight, shifting his weight from one foot to the other nervously as his mind raced for what he ought to say and do now.  “I-I just need to-”

“To find your way out of here,” the stranger said, more of a statement of fact than as a question.  Varian bit his bottom lip, and his eyebrows scrunched together tightly at the man’s finishing his sentence.

“Yes, I know all about that,” the stranger continued, his voice lullying and coaxing as he managed a small huff of quiet amusement.  “In fact, I know a lot about you, Puer Lunae.”

Puer Lunae.  Moon Child.

Varian’s eyes narrowed at the repeated use of this title…though now his piqued curiosity made him shuffle just one step closer into the circle of firelight as he asked, “W-why are you calling me that?  My name is Varian.”

“Yes, I know that too,” the stranger said (just before Varian could begin mentally kicking himself again for divulging personal information about himself to a total stranger like that).  “And your father’s name is Quirin, and you hail from Old Corona village.  You are a first-class alchemist, you are one of the two men who were able to successfully craft Demanitus steel for the first time within the last three hundred years, and you are currently the kingdom of Corona’s most notorious convict.  You also love ham sandwiches, and you’re goals in life are to free your father and make him proud of you.” 

There was a long pause as Varian blinked at the cloaked man in disbelief, and shuffled back another step.  How did he know all this about him?”

…It was creepy, and Varian would’ve surely made a bolt for it (to where exactly in this darkness who could say?), had it not been for what the man said next as he continued.

“What you do not know, however, is that your father hails originally from the Dark Kingdom – from the court of King Edmund to be precise – far to the east of here.  It’s this very place where the princess of Corona and her comrades are currently journeying.  But they do not know what your father knew about it.  He was one of the few left in the world to know about the great secrets that that kingdom holds – one of those secrets being the legendary Moon Drop, and the great power that it was known to wield.”

Here, the cloaked figure appeared to be look directly at Varian, and Varian was now able to just make out the faint glimmer of eyes that peered out at him from under the stranger’s hood.  Varian wasn’t sure if it was the man’s next few words, the look in his eyes, or both that sent shivers down Varian’s spine in that moment as he said, “And some of its great power resides in you…Puer Lunae.”

Shaking his head in disblief, Varian began retreating back again a few steps, and he felt a desperate sense of denial blossom in his chest, as he didn’t want to accept any of this new information just given to him.

“N-no, you’re lying!  You’re lying!” Varian snapped at the man.  “It’s-it’s not true!  None of this is!  You’re making it up!  It’s not real!  It’s not-!”

“Oh?  Isn’t it?” the man interrupted with a small smile in his voice, and leaned casually against the staff he had planted perpendicular in the sandy ground.

“N-no, it’s not!” Varian insisted back.  “It’s-it’s all just in my head, right?  You, this place; it’s all just a bad, vivid dream!  I’ll-I’ll wake up any moment!  You’ll see!  And then all of this will-” 

“All of it?  Are you sure?” the man questioned confidently, with a slight purr in his voice. “Then tell me boy, how else would you explain what happened to you when you fought the Seperatists of Sapora just a few hours ago?  For that was most certainly an event that happened in the waking world, was it not?”

Varian paused, swallowing hard again as the point sank in.  “I…I don’t know about that,” Varian mumbled back pitifully, his confidence clearly shaken.  Yet despite this, he rallied, and still attempting to recover himself he stated quickly,  “B-but there’s a logical, scientific explanation I’m sure!  I’m positive there is!  I mean, th-there’s no way that all that was-!”

“Magic?”

As the man whispered the word, Varian froze as he felt the air around them began to prickle with some sort of energy that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, and a small, purple flame came alight in the man’s free hand a moment later.  The flame hovered just a few centimeters above his open palm with no discernable fuel source for it (which made Varian’s mouth open part way in astonishment), and with a quick flourish, the man sent the tiny flame shooting upwards into the air over their heads.  Varian’s eyes followed it to where it burst quietly in a shower of green sparks, with the effect very much resembling that of a kind of a festival firecracker.  As a few of the hot sparks rained down about them, Varian shielded his face with his arms as he heard them hiss into quietness as they hit the cold, sandy turf, and Varian could see that they left a few ashen marks where they scarred the ground.  That was definitely not a mere illusion of the eyes. 

“Yes, Puer Lunae,” the man said as Varian shakily lowered his arms from his pale, bewildered face.  “It was all indeed magic, and that magic resides in you, whether you like it or not.  But you may grow to like it, for it is indeed a great power that you possess, and one that can help you fulfill your life’s dreams.  If…” here the man pointed at Varian, who shrank a little underneath the gesture.  “If you know how to use it to its full potential that is.  And fortunately for you, I can help you with that.”

For several tense seconds, Varian stood frozen to the spot; quivering with anxiety as what the man was telling him began to seem horribly plausible, and he felt as if he were being swallowed up again by another kind of black hole from which there would be no escape as his brain was becoming overwhelmed by this revelation.  Varian’s pulse quickened even more, and he struggled not to let his breaths crescendo into hyperventilation as he tried to process it all.  Fortunately, Varian’s skepticism saved him from being swallowed into that overwhelming gulf, and he managed to clear his dry throat as he made to speak.

“Heh, y-you make a very bold claim,” Varian said, trying to inject some appearance of self-confidence in his tone, despite being keenly aware of how his voice cracked a little with the effort.  Even so, Varian made an attempt to stand up a little straighter as he continued.  “The Separatists said as much too, in their own way, and look where it got me.  But then you knew that already, apparently.  So wh-what makes you think that I’m gonna listen to you on the basis of a mere fireworks display?  How am I supposed to know that I can trust you?  You still haven’t told me who you are, and I’m not about to trust some faceless stranger.”

“Mm, yes, quite right,” the man replied.  “Those are all very good questions.  You really are quite perspecatious, Puer Lunae.  Though of course, I wouldn’t expect any less from one of my own descendants.”           

There was another deep pause as Varian’s eyes widened upon hearing this.  “Wait…y-you’re what now?” 

“Oh, I know Quirin didn’t want you to know,” the man said with a sigh.  “He was trying so hard to protect you naturally, as any good father would.  He definitely takes after his own father he does, and his father’s father, and his father’s father’s father, ad infinitum.  And of course…”

Here the figure finally pulled back the hood of his cloak.  Upon seeing his face, Varian felt as if he had just received a hard punch in the stomach, his heart felt like it had cracked and begun to bleed, and a sharp yelp of alarm escaped his mouth before he could cover it with both of his gloved hands as horror and whole slew of other emotions began to stir within him as he saw that face in that eerie pink and green light that highlighted those O so familiar features.

For the man’s face bore almost the exact mirror image of his father, Quirin!

“…He took after me – your great-great grandcestor, Lord Demanitus.”

Arianna rubbed her eyes as she finally came to after a good many hours of much needed sleep.  With a bleary glance at the clock on the mantle, Arianna could see that she had slept until just before eleven thirty in the morning.  It had been years since Arianna had slept in so late, but O did it feel so good to so today. 

After putting on the bathrobe and slippers Sabine had supplied for her, Arianna made her way to the kitchen to find herself something for breakfast.  She may have been a queen, but Arianna was by no means opposed to doing her own cooking every now and again when the need arose.  And while Sabine was a gracious hostess, Arianna felt that there was no need to have her go out of her way to make breakfast when Arianna was perfectly capable of doing it herself.  After all, Sabine had other guests that needing tending to, and the last thing Arianna wanted was to get in the way of that.

“Oh, good morning Xavier!” Arianna greeted the blacksmith kindly as he too had woken up by now, and was currently in the process of finishing off some toast with tea and honey as Arianna came in.

“Oh, good morning your majesty,” Xavier greeted in return as he made to stand as a lady entered the room. 

“Please, remain seated Xavier,” Arianna said kindly as she noticed the slight grimace that crossed Xavier’s face as he had tried to stand, and she also noted the wooden cane that leaned against the table at his side.  Arianna knew that Xavier’s feet had been aching him something terrible by the end of last night’s journeyings, and while he really did quite well for someone his age in a lot of respects, she knew that all of what he had been through must’ve still taken its toll on him physically.  He would need time to recover as well from whatever aches and pains he was now experiencing, and Arianna didn’t want him agitating things further just for the sake of courtly manners.  With a grateful nod, Xavier remained in his seat as Arianna went about the kitchen getting her own light breakfast ready. 

“How are you feeling this morning?” Arianna asked him over her shoulder as she poured herself a cup of tea from the kettle that had remained hot over the hearth, and put together a small plate of fruit, yogurt, and toast with marmalade.

“Rather achey, but nothing I can’t handle,” Xavier replied as he gingerly massaged the bandages that had also been applied to the puncture wounds on his neck where the stun darts had been used on him yesterday.  Arianna’s eyebrows scrunched together at this, and she bit her bottom lip hard as she felt anger boil in her blood again at the thought of the Saporian spies knocking Xavier out like that and dragging him away captive.  The kettle over the fire could hardly have been more of a mood for her in that moment.

“How are you doing your majesty?” Xavier asked in return.  “Were you able to send your letter to the king?”

“Yes, yes I was,” Arianna replied as she sat down across from Xavier with her own meal.  “Sabine’s eagle friend was kind enough to deliver it himself last night.  Though since we haven’t been able to make the jump over to Corona just yet, it may be while before he arrives there.  I’m still waiting for a reply.”

Xavier nodded, for he too knew of the mysterious magic of that house that could allow it to warp to other locations.  Of course, Sabine’s Safehouse couldn’t warp to just anywhere.  That really would’ve been silly.  Xavier remembered how years before Sabine had explained to him how the magic of that house worked – being able to go between particular checkpoints created throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and how the house was specifically constructed to be able to do so.  The very wood, stones, and mortal of that house were made from the trees and land pits of the legendary Forest of No Return after all.

And the enchanted astrolabe by which that magic was harnessed and made stable…?  Well, Sabine’s only response to that question had been a bit of a distant look in her remaining good eye, a wrinkled hand hesitantly stroking across the purple strip of cloth that covered the other, and her cryptically saying, “All magic comes with a price…”

“Have you seen Sabine at all this morning?” Arianna now inquired as she ate up a spoonful of yogurt with some blueberries.

“Not yet I’m afraid,” Xavier said with a shake of his head.  “Though under the circumstances, I’d imagine she’s quite busy.” 

“So I take it you haven’t been in to see Varian yet today either?”

Xavier shook his head wordlessly as his answer, and also become very somber at the mentioning of Varian and his condition.  Arianna frowned sympathetically, and a thoughtful silence settled between them again as Arianna continued to much on her meal.

“Um…y-your highness?” Xavier asked with a slight stammer some moments later, to which Arianna looked up puzzled, but listened intently.  “If I may make so free as to ask you a question?”

“Yes of course Xavier,” Arianna replied with an encouraging smile as she took a gentle sip from her teacup.  “What is it?”

Xavier paused again, swallowing hard, then finally forced the words to come out.  “Why did you come to get me with Varian yesterday?”

Arianna’s small smile vanished as she slowly set down her teacup at this question, feeling as if she should begin to brace herself for some reason.  “What do you mean Xavier?”

“O your majesty, please!” Xavier said with a tone both pleading and with an edge of frustration in it.  “You know what I mean!  You should not have done what you did!”

“And why not?” Arianna retorted back, her voice beginning to turn sharp and queenly as she began to feel hurt at Xavier’s unexpected terseness with her, and apparent lack of gratitude for having been rescued.  “We couldn’t just let them take you Xavier!  I know you’d be willing to go to any length to keep Corona safe, noble man that you are, but I too am willing to go to any length to ensure the welfare of my citizens, and that includes you.  We all love you Xavier, and we couldn’t just let anything further happen to you!  And Varian and I were able to do something about that.  What else were we supposed to-?”

“Just because you could do something your majesty, doesn’t mean you should have!”

“And again, why not?  We were successful weren’t we?  We’re all here after all!  We’re safe now!  And-!”

“But you took Varian with you!” Xavier almost shouted at her, with Arianna taken aback at having never seen Xavier so angry with her before.  (Heck, when had she ever seen him angry before?  …Well, perhaps save during the battle last night of course.)  But Arianna restrained her own frustrations as she listened carefully to Xavier’s own.  “Please your highness, explain to me, why?  Why would you risk his safety like that, as well as your own?  If you wanted to get me back, why did you not send someone else?” 

“There was no one else Xavier,” Arianna replied as calmly as she could.  “The entire capital was on lockdown, the guards were spread thin as it was, and I wasn’t about to just sit by in my tower and not do anything to help you.”

“Then why take Varian with you!?  Surely his majesty never would’ve allowed it!  And even if he had, why would you risk Varian’s safety like that!?  Why take him with you!?” 

Arianna knew that perhaps now was not the time to inject any sort of levity into their conversation, but she couldn’t help but have a small smile grace her face as she thought back to how she had found Varian underneath the table in the palace kitchens that evening, as he was gearing up for a rescue attempt on his own, regardless of whether he was going to get any help or not. 

“Actually Xavier,” Arianna said, looking into her friend’s bewildered eyes, “I guess you could say that it wasn’t I who took Varian on this rescue mission.  Not exactly I mean.  If anything, he was the one who took me, in a way.  We only ended up coming together after Friedborg had informed me that he had escaped the guards’ watch, and that he was more than ready to carry out a rescue mission all on his own if need be.  Believe me Xavier, I didn’t want Varian to be in danger any more than you did.  But…” 

Arianna looked down into her teacup as she continued.  “There really was no one else Xavier; no one else who stood a chance like we did anyway.  We were running out of time, as you well know, and we were indeed capable of doing something about it.  And…”  Arianna sighed, sadly.  “I really do believe that Varian needed this, Xavier.  He needed you.  He had to try to save you.  I understand if you’re mad at me for doing what I did.  I won’t argue and say that there wasn’t some foolishness in it.  Indeed, I feel awful at the idea of how we nearly did fail, had it not been for what happened with all that magic.  But I do believe it would’ve been far worse for you and for Varian if I had taken him back to be locked up again – if I had treated him like a criminal again.  He wanted – he needed – to do something to save you.  He needed help, and I was…Well, I was…”

The queen’s voice trailed away at this, and she frowned hard at her reflection in her teacup.  Xavier had every right to be angry with her, and she was sure that Frederic, the Captain, and many others back at home felt no better than he about what she had done.  But Varian had needed her help, and that help couldn’t be found in deterring him from this mission he had set himself on that day.  She needed to show him that he had support in his desire to do the right thing.  He needed someone to not treat him like a criminal, just as Xavier had done.

“…You’ve forgiven him?”

Arianna looked up in surprise as the unexpected question left Xavier’s mouth.  The expression on the blacksmith’s face was hard to read for once, but Arianna thought she could detect something of knowing and anticipation in it.  Arianna opened her mouth to reply to this question…but the answer wouldn’t come.  All at once, everything that Varian had done on the day of the Battle of Old Corona came back to her.  She remembered the muffled, metallic sound of his voice creeping up behind her, and a burst of sparkling green dust before all went black.  She remembered the feeling of the cords that cut into her wrists, and the weight of the shackle around her ankle.  She remembered hearing Rapunzel’s desperate pleas with Varian to spare the lives of her friends and family, and the pain and weariness from her that resulted form Varian forcing her to use her magic for his plans (though the ultimately failed).  Most vividly of all, Arianna remembered the sight of the amber extending hungrily towards her as she was chained helplessly in its path, with their conjuration being of Varian’s own, well-knowing, willing hand, and the feeling of those huge metallic claws closing around her ribcage as if to snap her in two like a brittle twig.

“No,” Arianna wanted to say.  “Of course I can’t forgive someone like that!”

…And yet…

[“So unfortunately, this is my only remaining recourse.”

“WHAT!?  WHY!?”

“I-I DON’T UNDERSTAND, WHY WON’T IT-!?  HER HAIR, I-IT SHOULD’VE CUT THROUGH IT!  WHY DIDN’T IT WORK!?”

“…He was hurting, Frederic.  He was grieving.  He had no one…”

“He had comforted you.”

“DO NOT FINISH THAT SENTENCE!  TELL US WHERE THEY’VE TAKEN HIM RIGHT NOW YOU SCUMBAG OR I’LL-!”

“Shhh, there there big guy. It’s all right. It’s me, remember?...There’s a good boy.  It’s all right.  You’ve got this.  You’ve been so brave Ruddiger!  You did great!  There’s a good boy.  Yeah, you’re a good boy…”

“What the –hair!?”]

“Well, I…” Arianna began, though her mouth had suddenly going rather dry, as she felt some other force begin to squeeze it’s way around her wrestling heart as she struggled with how exactly to answer such a question.

…Had she forgiven him?

“I-” 

But just then, Arianna was suddenly interrupted by footsteps making their way hurriedly down the hall towards them, and both she and Xavier looked up to see Sabine come into the room, her expression urgent.

“Oh, you both are awake, good!” Sabine said a little breathlessly.  “I need you both to come with me right away.  It’s about Varian.”

Both Xavier and Arianna exchanged a worried glance with each other as they quickly got up and followed Sabine back down the hall, with Xavier’s cane making a steady thumping noise as he limped along as quick as he could with his aching limbs. 

“What’s wrong with him?” Arianna asked in earnest as they made their way into Varian’s room, where Arianna could see Varian sweating rather profusely from where he lay on the recovery bed, his face more flushed than before, and also the phenomenon of a slight glow pulsating along the blue streak in his hair.  Ruddiger – nearby as always – looked near terrified as he was treading his paws anxiously into the covers from where he sat at Varian’s side, and Pontus’s head was extended into the room through the open window.  The stag nuzzled his nose into the frightened raccoon’s side to try to comfort him, though was careful to avoid disturbing the dressings still covering the wound there.

“What’s happening to him?” Xavier asked in alarm as he saw Varian’s distressed state. 

“I’m not entirely sure,” Sabine began to explain, “but early this morning Pontus alerted me to the presence of some dark magic within him, which apparently had been the barrier that prevented me from rousing him last night.  Pontus couldn’t tell me the source of it, or even who or what was conducting it, but he said he was certain that whatever it was meant no good, and that we may not have much time before it does something even worse to Varian.  So far, it’s only been keeping Varian unconscious from what I can tell; keeping his mind isolated.  But anything beyong that is unknown to me.”

“What about the fever?” Arianna inquired, feeling her own distress grow more and more at this news. 

“Undoubtedly, that would be Varian’s system trying to fight off this intrusion.  Some of it may be simply due to his body being so exhausted from everything which – dark magic or no – he would still be running a temperature to try to fight.  But as his own powers are now responding a little as well, I get the feeling that there’s more going on within him right now than just a fight to stop a typical infection.”

“What do we do then?” Arianna asked with a slight hitch in her voice.

“We can continue to do all we can to try to bring him back round from our end.  I’ve already spent most of the morning hours trying to do that through whatever magic and remedies I know, and have barely gotten anywhere I’m afraid.  Although…”  Sabine paused for a moment, her eyebrows scrunching together in deep reluctance.  “Pontus had another idea that may be worth a try.  But it could be incredibly risky.”

“What idea is that?” Xavier inquired, his voice surprisingly steady, but his expression indicating both deep worry and steely determination to do whatever was necessary for Varian (and to possibly throttle whatever or whomever was trying to hurt his apprentice). 

At this question, Sabine turned and placed a gentle hand upon Ruddiger’s head.  “Varian may be well out of our reach, but Pontus seems to believe that Ruddiger could possibly get to him, seeing how strong the bond between the two of them is.”

“Right.  So, how would he do that?” Xavier asked. 

Sabine’s expression turned grave as she answered.  “Pontus could loan Ruddiger some of his powers as a familiar – that is, a powerful animal guardian – and he would be able to reach Varian’s psyche that way.  Pontus already made an attempt overnight himself, and nearly had him back to us.  But the attempt ultimately failed, and Varian’s consciousness is even deeper buried now than it was before.  Given his bond with Varian, Ruddiger could possibly be able to reach him that far down, but there’s no guarantee that the two of them teaming up will be able to pull off the operation successfully.  And if the dark presence within Varian is possibly incredibly powerful, Ruddiger especially would be taking an enormous risk in this endeavor.”  Here, Sabine did her best to not look at Ruddiger directly as she made the situation plain.  “It might be he who would not wake up again.” 

Xavier and Arianna exchanged a horrified look between themselves, and Arianna felt her blood run cold at the idea as she looked at the loyal critter who quivered where he sat curled up by his master, with Pontus giving him small gestures of reassurance.

“Oh surely that can’t be it!” Arianna cried.  “There must be something, anything else that can be done!”

“Calm yourself your majesty,” Sabine said reassuringly.  “While the prospects are not assured for Ruddiger’s victory, neither is it guaranteed that he would fail.  Especially if the bond between him and Varian is strong enough, and the source of the dark magic isn’t so powerful, Ruddiger would indeed stand a chance of being able to reach Varian and guide his consciousness back successfully.  But I wanted to seek your counsel on the matter, as Varian himself is not able to give his approval or disapproval of the idea.  You two are the next closest thing to kith or kin that we have for him right now, and Pontus and I need your approval if we are to make the attempt in a timely manner.”

“And what about Ruddiger?” Xavier questioned.

“He’s already agreed to do it if we’re willing to help him.”

Before now, Arianna and Xavier had a hard time imagining that Ruddiger could’ve proven himself to be any more loyal than he already had.  But now, the both of them looked at the creature as if they were seeing a war hero before them.  He was scared nearly stiff, but he was willing to do what it took to save his best friend, even if it meant a risk to his own life, and Ruddiger’s pleading eyes told them, heartbreakingly, all that the two of them needed to know.

Very gently, Arianna kelt down so that she was even with the little creature at the side of the bed, and gently cupped his furry little head in her hands before placing a queenly kiss of blessing atop of it.  “Bring him home, Ruddiger,” was all that she could say as she felt Ruddiger weakly nuzzle her back in return.

It was all happening so fast, and Xavier was of course scared as well.  He hated feeling useless, and he wished there could’ve been another way, but he knew enough about magic to know that Sabine and Pontus were right.  As Arianna gently pulled herself away from Ruddiger, Xavier too gave Ruddiger a gesture of blessing as he placed his hand atop his head. 

“Be careful, brave Ruddiger,” Xavier said to him, and trying hard not to let his voice crack with emotion.  “You can do it.  We’re all here for you.” 

With one last coo of grateful acknowledgment to everyone, Ruddiger then turned to Pontus, who gently placed the tip of his nose to Ruddiger’s forehead.  After a few seconds, Arianna saw a patch of white begin to expand cross Ruddiger’s head from where Pontus touched him, while at the same time, the white of Pontus’s muzzle began to fade into a deep reddish-brown color.  Though both animals’ ears fell back upon their skulls as if in some discomfort, neighter one cried or flinched in pain, to which Arianna felt some relief. 

A minute later, Pontus – with his muzzle now almost completely covered in reddish-brown fur – withdrew from Ruddiger, and everyone present could see the glowing patch of white that now crowned Ruddiger’s head like a tiny full moon.  After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Ruddiger nodded to Sabine that he was ready.  Gently, Sabine took Ruddiger in her arms, and for a second time initiated the spell for a charmed sleep, and the little raccoon’s eyelids slowly slid shut as the sing-song words were completed.

Arianna couldn’t bring herself to watch that though.  She dreaded the idea of never seeing them open again after that. 

Once this was done, Sabine very solemnly laid Ruddiger down at Varian’s shoulder on the mattress, and everyone present knew that they could only now watch and wait to see what would happen, as the glow on Ruddiger’s head gradually began to pulsate in tandem with that of his master’s.

With a sharp gasp, Ruddiger soon found himself coming to in a dark, dusty place, with a stale breeze flowing through the air around him.  For a fleeting moment, Ruddiger thought that perhaps he was back in the laboratory at home – what with all the dust it must’ve surely collected by now, and in the basement it definitely would’ve been dark.  But no, that couldn’t be right, for dust was one thing, but layers of dirt was quite another.  And there was no glow of any kerosene lamps, or goo balls, or other alchemical compounds in jars or flasks on the shelves.  No, there was nothing but this blackness, and the dim howl of a cold wind that blew across the desolate landscape.

Carefully, Ruddiger raised himself up on all fours, and as he did so noted the pneumbra of white that seemed to be surrounding him as he looked down at his forepaws, and then his sides and tail.  It wasn’t a very bright light, but it was still quite apparent to the eyes.  But why would he-?

“Oh!  That’s right!” Ruddiger recalled in a flood of memory.  “I’m here to get Varian!”

Looking about him, Ruddiger tried to make out anything distinct in the inky blankness that pressed up on all sides.  Turning around and around, Ruddiger couldn’t see anything beyond the few inches of turf highlighted by the silver light coming from his pelt.  Being a nocturnal creature by nature, the dark didn’t frighten Ruddiger so easily.  But the feeling of being out in an open, solitary place was rather unnerving, and Ruddiger found it difficult to figure out what to do or where to go from there. 

“Perhaps I should try following my nose?” he thought, and with that, Ruddiger proceeded to sniff at the air around him.  After about a minute or two of this, he almost began to despair of getting any sort of clue, but then-

“Ah!” Ruddiger thought in a thrill of triumph, as he detected a scent distinct from the rest of the air.  “There’s something!” 

As quick as he could, Ruddiger scampered his way along the turf, following the smoky scent that wafted over from somewhere ahead.  A little while later, Ruddiger could finally make out a dim, pink light in the distance, and figured that that must be where the scent was coming from.  Ruddiger bounded towards it, and he felt his heart give a great leap as he got closer and could make out both the sight and scent of Varian as he sat near the light, with his back towards Ruddiger, and his form in silhouette against the pink light. 

Ruddiger very nearly called out to Varian with joy as he approached, but he suddenly stopped as he realized that Varian was not alone.  There was a second figure, bigger than Varian, who also sat with his back towards Ruddiger’s direction.  Varian and the stranger weren’t sitting particularly close together, but Ruddiger could see that the mystery figure seemed to be handing over an item to Varian, which the boy took from it (if a bit hesitantly), and Ruddiger could hear the faint sound of voices talking together.  Ruddiger of course recognized Varian’s voice, but something about it was a bit…off, as if somehow muffled.

No, wait.  Now Ruddiger realized.  Varian’s voice sounded like how one does when one is trying to talk with their mouth filled partway with food, and now Ruddiger could also see Varian tilt his head back a little, and apparently down a few sips of some sort of drink.  But as Varian continued talking afterwards, Ruddiger could also hear something else in Varian’s voice that made him uneasy.

There was bitterness.  And anger.

A second later, the stranger also made to speak, and though Ruddiger wasn’t close enough to make out any words, he was able to recognize the sound of the voice.  It was the one that he had heard during the battle yesterday!  The one that had tried to coax Varian into killing the Saporian spy! 

At this, Ruddiger felt the fur stand on end on his back and along his tail, and now throwing all caution to the wind, Ruddiger let out a screech of alarm as he ran directly at the two figures, the both of whom whirled round to look at him over their shoulders, and each expression could hardly have been more of a polar opposite to the other as they each fixed their gaze on the glowing raccoon that bounded its way towards them. 

On one face, Ruddiger could see breaking through the bitterness and rage the signs of recognition, surprise, and finally joy as a wide smile broke out onto Varian’s face (though there was still something a bit wrong with his eyes, Ruddiger thought) as he saw is loyal companion running towards them.  In the other face, Ruddiger saw something like astonishment, then fear (which almost amused Ruddiger, as only his giant feral form had he ever evoked anything like that emotion from anyone), and then finally…hostility.

The question now became: Which would now win out over the other in Ruddiger’s fate as he drew rapidly closer to the two of them?

You'd think after his own escapades that Varian would know better than to accept food from strangers. *facepalm* Don't do it people!!!

Though that part of this chapter was inspired by the scene in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" where Edmund met the White Witch and ate her food. For some reason, I imagined Zhan Tiri having a similar approach to the White Witch in this kind of scenario, though with his own warlock flair of course. (I also imagine his voice sounding a bit like Keith David for some reason. *shrugs*)

Ruddiger's glowing form in the dreamscape/mindscape was also meant to be reminiscent of a patronus. I was also inspired to do the whole "Ruddiger as a familiar/patronus" thing by the scene in the film "The Secret of Kells" where Aisling sends Pangur Bán into the tower to retrieve the key in a kind of spirit form.

"Aisling's Song" scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32DM5tNeHBA

[themonsterblogofmonsters]

Monsterblog Analyses - Fantastic Beasts 2 ComicCon trailer.

I said I’d analyse it, so I’ve analysed it. I did not however say there would necessarily be much to analyse: this is the monsterblog, and sadly this trailer does not have near as many monsters as the last trailer, nor as much fun symbolism as the screenplay cover.

But regardless: lets see what I can glean from this thing.

1. OOH MURDER KITTYCATS

[source: Pottermore]

Ok, I have no idea what these things could be from canon. Like the weird sheepgoat thing from the first trailer I could guess but I don’t think I’d have much luck. They can’t be Gytrashes or Grims, those are both canine, and I cannot think of a small feline thing in the Potterverse that would fit this: Nundu are too large, Wampus Cats are American and have six legs.

My bet for these is actually something we’ve covered on this blog: Matagot.

Matagot, sometimes called Mandagot, are creatures from the folklore of Southern France. Amongst various forms they can take - all black in colour - are black cats, and they can bring one great fortune if treated well.

I don’t know who the lady they’re walking with, but given that the trailer shows us Flamel later on and we now know he’s confirmed for this film, we can hope that maybe Perenelle will appear too:

[Source: Trailer screencap]

And this woman looks to be around the right age. Given that the location appears to be the French Ministry’s main room, Perenelle, wife of a most famous alchemist and historically well considered in her own right... it’s not unreasonable that she be present there. Whether it is her, we don’t yet know. It could be someone else entirely and given how quickly the shot slides away from showing her face its possible she’s not an important character at all.

2. Water Horse

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

Look, Pottermore can say they think it’s a Kelpie but I STILL DON’T SEE A BRIDLE MY DUDE. However, it does look as though this creature lives in a place where entrance-exit to the water is streamlined:

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

in which case it being one of Newt’s hand-reared creatures, a hybrid (Hippocampus and Kelpie perhaps) or something else entirely (there are a variety of European water horses in myth and folklore!) is not impossible. It’s just one of those things that’s gonna fuck with canon some and make people think its totally an easy peasy thing and not something that shows extreme dedication. 

Don’t make your characters OP by domesticating a Kelpie people. Consider the consequences.

(If they don’t use a bridle THEY WILL BE EATEN)

3. Hey, is that Highgate Cemetery? 

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

That looks a fucklot like Highgate Cemetery:

[Source: I genuinely don’t know, this is a pretty well-known image of Highgate and it’s used a lot]

For a film set in France, there’s a surprising amount of the British Isles on show here.

What’s doubly interesting, though, is how this turns up later. I don’t know who these guys are, but the narration and some stuff later in the trailer suggests these people may be Grindelwald’s. Because later in the trailer we get this:

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

That would be Jacob spooked as fuck by that giant bluewhatever the fuck.

Now, I can think of three things this could be: 

A Will o’ th’ Wisp of some stripe that isn’t the Hinkypunk mentioned in canon. There’s a lot of Will o’ th’ Wisps and some do hang around graveyards.

A weird externally flaming dragon that has never been seen or mentioned in canon up to this point, or my personal favourite:

Blue Fiendfyre. We know from the last film that Fiendfyre can take on animal forms as it travels, and we also see this blue fire in a later scene with Grindelwald. If he cast this fire with the Elder Wand - which grants power and blue flames are hotter than red - its not impossible that it would be noticeably different.

However, this fire, whatever it is, is fended off by Tina &co just a moment later. 

4.PEACOCK-POTOO YOU’RE BACK

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

Yeah I still don’t know what this fucking thing is from the last time we saw it, but my guess for it stays the same. The only thing I can think of it being is an Augurey, though its quite possible that they’re gonna throw a curveball and it’ll be something else entirely.

5. What the HELL are you?

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

Yeah, I have no fucking clue what this beastie is. It looks like it has a mammalian forequarters and feathered back, so like... weirdly formed Griffin or related chimaeric maybe? Or with those tusks... maybe a Hodag? But those are described as being more froglike in canon, I think.

More likely, I think, is that this, like the Swooping Evil, is something completely new and what it is will be detailed in Pottermore (or in a new Fantastic Beasts book we’ll have to shell out cash for) in due time.

6. Credence!

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

Yes, we get more Credence in this one as well and this seems to show his much greater control. Yes he destroys a room when confronted, but here we see him unleashing and recalling his Obscurus, showing that he seems to have a much better grasp of his magic now. Hopefully we’ll see more of this!

7. Assorted Other

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

MOVING STATUE. MOVING STATUE IS SO GODDAMN COOL. Also: vindication of the moving statuary headcanons the fandom has had for a while now.

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

Ooh creepy black cloak. I don’t think it’s a Lethifold at that kind of size and scale so: what the fuck is it? Well, in appearance it kind of resembles the clear fabric we see during that pureblood gathering with the dancer: 

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

See? So maybe it is of the same stuff. Whether it is, I don’t know, and I’m not gonna confidently state it to be something if I’m not sure or don’t have adequate evidence and reason to believe it to be that.

However, given the silvery colouration here and the way everyone is watching this one lone dancer... it may be a very skilled wix, or the dancer might be a Veela or part-Veela.

And three more things left:

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

Yes, the dastardly Niffler makes his return, I’m sure there shall be much squeeing.

[Source: Trailer, Gif’d]

Now that is a fun filing system. I don’t know even slightly how it works, but I like it. It appears to rise in the middle of the main room of the French Ministry of Magic as well, which is intriguing, and for some reason Leta is there. 

I expect answers, film, for all my questions.

And lastly:

[Source: Pottermore]

Flamel! See, this particular appearance of age is part of what makes me think the lady from earlier might be Perenelle. Unlikely, maybe, but not impossible.

[gravefire]

Before the Grave Fire

The grave fire chewed everything and everyone up in flames. It was the end of all we know, and no one knows why or how it happened.

The survivors of the grave fire, though far and few between, were the ones really that were impacted. To survive an event that was supposed to destroy the entire planet was nothing short of a miracle. And it indeed was, because they remembered nothing of the event - only how good and peaceful life was before it, and what it is now - a meaningless existence. But they did have some things in common that perhaps made them survive. As the future events unfold, they will find out more.

The Knight

An exiled ex-general of the army of a distant kingdom, The Knight is a warrior that spent his days before the grave fire in a small cottage by the lake, training alone. Wrongly accused of treason by his own fellow mates, he was exiled from the kingdom and forced to spend his life by himself. But, what does it matter anymore? The kingdom has turned to dust and he is the only remaining survivor.

Even though he survived, his body was reduced to a mere skeleton. His vital organs did not exist, but he was breathing anyway. His sword was still by his side, as if untouched by the fire. Perhaps it was the reason for his survival? He picked it up and he could feel a sudden wave of energy rushing through his body. His eyes turned blue and now he could see something he had never seen before: souls, wandering around, in unrest.

Special Skill: Combo Boost: Every time The Knight repeats his last move, the damage of his move increases by 50%. For instance, if he does 3 attack moves with 4 damage each, they will do 4, 6 and 8 damage instead.

The Necromancer

On the other side of the lake, by the woods, lived a hermit. He used to live in the town nearby working as a medium not so long ago, helping people communicate with the other side to settle their griefs of loss of loved ones. But rumour has it he started practice occultism and dark magic and the town folk believed he would do more harm than good for the people. So, he was banished from the town, sent away to live in an abandoned fort like structure near the woods.

When the grave fire happened, everything burned and the town he once lived in turned to dust. But the fort like structure he stayed in, though now all black because of the fire, stood still as if nothing had happened. The hermit was still alive, surprised at his luck. Like the walls of the structure, his body had turned all black because of the fire.

By his side lay a scythe. He had never seen it before, how did it end up there? He picked it up and he felt energised by it. His eyes gleamed, red in colour. He could now see something he hadn't seen ever before: souls, wandering around, at unrest.

Special Skill: Decoy Summon: At the start of each turn, The Necromancer will summon a decoy that the enrages certain enemies and they will attack the decoy instead. The decoy will take damage and disappear, keeping the necromancer safe until it exists.

The Alchemist

A few years ago a bad disease hit the town. It made a lot of people sick. A doctor had found the cure for the plague: she had developed an antidote that helped cure the disease in a matter of days. She gained popularity in town because of her noble achievement.

But that popularity wouldn’t last long. A rumour spread that the town’s water supply was tampered with, which actually caused the people to fall sick. The doctor was one of the main people behind the plot, so that she could gain money and fame by her supposed noble deed. She was sent to a distant prison south of the lake to be held captive in solitary confinement. 

When the grave fire happened, the prison had burned down and the enclosing steel bars had melted, but the doctor was still alive. She found her lying next to her, but there was something peculiar about it - it emitted a faint green light. She picked it up, and there was a sudden wave of energy that passed through her. Her eyes gleamed, green in colour, and the cane’s head shone bright neon green. She could now see something she hadn’t seen ever before: souls, wandering around, at unrest.

Special Skill: Brew Potion: After the end of every turn, The Alchemist will brew a potion that gets added to the discard pile for use when the next time it is shuffled in the deck. The potions can be used only once and are temporary. They get discarded after the battle.

The Nightblade

There lived a homeless man on the street, shivering due to the recent uptick in the cold weather. A woman appeared from the corner, dressed in all black, with an overcoat and some food in her arms. She put it in front of the homeless man. The man felt grateful, but before he could say anything, the woman had disappeared.

The Nightblade was a servant of the poor, swift on her feet. She snuck around at night, stole from the ones who she thought had more than they deserved, and gave it to the more deserving. She saw herself as the maintainer of the balance.

When the grave fire happened, the town had burned down and there was no balance left to maintain. Fear and anxiety clouded her mind as she knew not what to make of what she saw. Her dagger lay besides her, but it emitted a strange lavender light. She picked it up, and her eyes shone bright. She could now see something she hadn’t seen ever before: souls, wandering around, at unrest.

Special Skill: Double Attack: The first attack that the Nightblade does that costs 1 energy hits twice.

The Corruption

After the grave fire, the lake had disappeared and all that remained was a large crater where the water used to be. The centre of the crater had turned all black. It would seem that they were the ashes of what remained, but they weren’t. It was The Corruption, born from the ashes of the grave fire. It had no body and no face, it was just pure darkness. Its eyes sparkled white, hungering for all the wandering souls around it.

Special Skill: Soul Absorb: At the end of every turn, The Corruption absorbs the soul of the monster it is facing if the monster reaches less than 1/4th of its HP, and brings the monster to its side, making the monster battle for its side.

The Corruption is a special character that only unlocks after completing the story with one of the first three characters.