#the descent of the demonic master

[biggoldbelt]

THE OVERLOOK FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE LINEUP FOR NINTH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS HORROR !

Festival to Kick Off with Screening of New Christopher Landon Thriller Drop and Opening Night Party Honoring Shudder’s Tenth Anniversary Flying Lotus Named Overlook’s Inaugural Guest Curator, Director Ernest Dickerson to Receive Master of Horror Award,  Author Joe Hill in Conversation to Highlight the Many Special Guests  The Overlook Film Festival, the annual celebration of all things horror,…

[mydearestbeloved]

Chapter 12 [Draft]

Sung Jinwoo/Trial Player!Reader

CW:

Inspired by @circeyoru ‘s “Future Power Couple”

[Masterlist🦋✨️]

Jinwoo stood outside the quaint greenhouse-like shop, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight before him. To anyone else, it appeared like an ordinary, if charming, flower shop nestled quietly in an inconspicuous part of the city. But he knew better. He knew that behind this innocent façade lay the entrance to your domain—one that he could only enter with your permission.

The last time he had brought up wanting to visit you on his own terms, you had told him bluntly: to access your domain, an outsider needed explicit permission each time from its master. For someone like him, who had grown accustomed to breaking into the dens of monsters and overcoming barriers, the thought of requiring an invitation had been oddly humbling. Yet, here he was, his hand reaching out to push open the glass door.

The moment his fingers touched the handle, the world around him seemed to ripple. The shop’s interior wavered like a mirage, Colors blurred together, softening at the edges, until he found himself no longer within the confines of the quaint flower shop but in the secluded tranquility of your garden.

The air was fresher, filled with the scent of flowers and damp earth, the sunlight softer than that of the real world. It really was a realm where time flowed differently.

He looked around, noting the serene clearing he now stood in. This wasn’t the formal entrance hall where he’d arrived before, flanked by towering columns and the majestic temple gate. No, this place was different—peaceful, secluded, as if it had been carefully hidden away within the vast expanse of your domain.

Only the floating fortress high above reminded him that he was indeed in the right place. He talked with you there before, in the gazebo surrounded by colorful structured blooms and ponds. Now that he viewed the grand fortress from below, its imposing structure casted shadows across the garden’s expanse like a protective embrace.

As he scanned the area, Jinwoo’s eyes fell on you a few paces away Butterflies danced around your figure as always, their luminescent wings like sparks against the backdrop of green foliage. You stood with your back to him, holding a bouquet of familiar red blooms— the vibrant scarlet of spider lilies unmistakable even from where he stood.

For a moment, Jinwoo froze, his mind flashing back to the vision he had been trying so hard to bury since before his descent into the Demon Castle. That vivid memory—you had held the exact same bouquet as this one. The warmth he had felt in that dream now surged back into his chest, leaving him almost breathless. But unlike the first time, he managed to suppress it quickly, clamping down on the surge of emotions before they could overwhelm him.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was witnessing something sacred. The air seemed to grow still, the butterflies lowering their flight as if in reverence. You knelt on the ground, your head bowed, the red blooms trembling in your grasp. Even the breeze seemed to hush in respect.

Jinwoo’s instincts screamed at him to remain silent. Whatever you were doing, it was not something he had any right to interrupt. He stood rooted to the spot, listening to the rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds that filled the garden’s serene ambiance, observing as a soft breeze rustled through the garden, lifting strands of your hair as if to underscore the quiet stillness.

Eventually, you rose, whispering something under your breath, the words too soft to carry to him, before turning to face him directly. Meeting his gaze with an unreadable expression, there was no surprise in your eyes, no shock at his sudden presence. The bouquet had vanished.

You walked toward him with the same calm, measured steps that seemed to define you. Jinwoo watched as you approached, your face betraying nothing. Deliberate or not, your form continued to obscure whatever had held your attention moments before. But as you brushed past him, gesturing for him to follow, he couldn't help himself—he turned his head to glance at where you had knelt.

There, nestled amidst the grass, stood a grave. The red flowers swayed in the wind like silent sentinels guarding a memory Jinwoo couldn’t fathom as he fell into steps behind you.

---

Back in the shop, he took a seat at one of the white, ornate garden chairs set up near a small round table, laden with a small assortment of snacks, pastries, and dried fruits. The sunlight streaming through the glass walls bathed the interior in a soft glow, illuminating the various blooms that lined the shelves. He knew it was all carefully cultivated, each element deliberate and intentional.

You were moving around the shop, adjusting the displays, tidying leaves and stems. “Will it be coffee as usual?” You asked, not turning around, though Jinwoo knew you could see him through the butterflies fluttering around the shop. They perched on pots and stems, their attention on him as much as on you. You continued tending to a nearby orchid with a practiced grace.

He gave a slight nod, and without missing a beat, you snapped your fingers. A dainty china set floated in from the back room. A coffee mug settling near him, while a matching teacup came to rest on the opposite side of the table. Hovering between, the teapot tilted on its own, pouring him a rich, dark brew before switching to fill the teacup with a lighter, fragrant blend.

Only once the teapot had finished its task did you finally joined him, your movements smooth and unhurried, sitting across the table with your own cup in hand. The delicate clink of porcelain as you took a sip seemed to signal the start of the conversation.

"I got my rank reevaluated today," Jinwoo began, breaking the silence.

"And?" You raised an eyebrow, your expression as inscrutable as ever.

Jinwoo filled you in on his meeting with Go Gunhee, and the offer the chairman had extended to him—one that he had declined. Jinwoo also mentioned his plans to join the Hunter Guild’s dungeon raid as part of the mining team to maintain his low profile.

Your expression was contemplative as you listened, taking small sips of your tea. As the original story went, Jinwoo wanted to see what an A-rank dungeon was like.

When he finished, he leaned back, studying your reaction.

“So,” he ventured, glancing around the verdant walls of your shop, “what rank would your garden be?”

You tilted your head thoughtfully. “I can’t say for certain. The system only gave me a brief description when I first claimed it, but I suppose it’s at least an S-rank.”

“Why not have your rank reevaluated, then?” he pressed.

There was a subtle shift in your expression.

"You have your reasons," you replied simply, "and I have mine."

And he could sense that this was as much as you would share with him for now.

Jinwoo’s reasons stemmed from a desire to level up, to get stronger through battles and continuous improvement. For you, though, reevaluation would serve no purpose—your goals, your motivations, lay elsewhere.

You kept your rank low not only to remain unremarkable but also to avoid deviating from the original plot. Fame and scrutiny were the last things you wanted, especially with the system’s influence ever present in your life. You would be harder to find, able to move without attracting attention. Plus, you can no longer level up, so as far as you know, your growth rate now was the same as any other normal hunter, so little change that it might as well be stagnant.

The conversation shifted into a more casual rhythm after that, with Jinwoo watching his shadows wander through your shop, their curiosity almost childlike as they inspected the blooms. The sight was oddly endearing—the way they reached out to touch petals with surprising gentleness, as though afraid they might crush the delicate flowers. Your butterflies mingled, guiding them among the plants.

They seemed at ease, and for a moment, so did he in this quiet corner of your world.

---

As the day wore on, the sky outside turned into a brilliant gradient of gold, red, and purple. You escorted Jinwoo to the shop’s entrance. Just as he reached for the handle—

“Wait,” Cupping your hands together, magic swirled between your fingers. In moments, a bouquet materialized—sunflowers, daisies, and lavender, their colors vivid yet easy on the eyes.

“Here,” You extended the flowers to him. “For your mother.”

Jinwoo stared at the bouquet, a mix of emotions flickering across his face. When he didn’t immediately take it, you tightened your grip, determined not to let your nerves show.

“I know you still don’t fully trust me,” you began softly, letting a touch of understanding creep into your voice. “And I know you’re aware that I’ve been keeping an eye on you.” Your butterflies floated into his line of sight, hovering near your shoulder as if in silent affirmation. “But know this—I respect your privacy more than you realize.”

Jinwoo remained silent, eyes flickering with something you didn’t really recognize.

“These flowers are enchanted to absorb harmful mana.” You explained. “I’ll call back the butterfly stationed with Mrs. Sung. As that child of mine has been stabilizing her condition, these flowers will suffice in their place.” When he still didn’t move to take the bouquet, you nudged it toward him again. “I’ll still check on her occasionally, but only as needed.”

For a moment, you thought he might reject the gift altogether, but just as your hands began to falter, he reached out and took the bouquet. You noticed the slight flinch when his fingers briefly brushed against yours, though his expression remained steady.

“I’ll trust you,” Jinwoo said at last, his voice low. “At least on this matter.” He glanced down at the bouquet before letting a faint smirk lift the corner of his mouth. “If you truly meant harm, you wouldn’t have gone out of your way to help us as you did.”

You let out a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding, and though you kept your face neutral, a small, genuine smile slipped through. “Then I’m glad I managed to convey that.”

Jinwoo took one last look around before stepping out.

“Thank you.” The words were spoken quietly, but they lingered in the air even after he disappeared into the evening. The glass door closed behind him with a final chime, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

This upcoming A-rank dungeon would be the first time he would encounter her—the one destined to become the light in his life.

A bittersweet feeling welled up within you, but before you could dwell on it too much, the bells rang again. You looked up to see a familiar head of blond hair peek through. Warm gray eyes lighting up as they found you, a radiant smile bloomed on the young woman’s face.

“(Name)!”

You returned the smile with a small one of your own as you greeted her. For a fleeting moment, your thoughts returned to Jinwoo and the future. But for now, you pushed them aside, focusing instead on the bright presence before you.

---

Jinwoo still wasn’t sure if putting his faith in you was the right decision.

He lay sprawled on his bed, the dim evening light casting long shadows across the walls of his room. He stared blankly at the ceiling, replaying the events of the day over and over in his mind.

The bouquet you had given him for his mother rested in a vase beside her hospital bed, the sunflowers, daisies, and lavender softly illuminated by the fading sunset through the hospital window. Jinwoo had stayed there a while after leaving you, watching his mother’s peaceful, sleeping form while the scent of the flowers filled the room.

The moment Jinwoo stepped into the room, the flowers’ scent seemed to amplify—not enough to cause discomfort, but definitely more pronounced than the previous subtle fragrance—and his mother’s complexion seemed to relax as well.

So, instead of the usual glow, you settled for more natural scent, and for the enchantment to be activated, it needed to be near its intended target—was that how you make it? It was so like you after all, to blend in and to take precaution of every possibility you could think of in that head of yours. To avoid falling into the wrong hands, for example, was just one out of many.

Now, with his body back home but his thoughts far away, he couldn’t shake the sense of disquiet that lingered in the back of his mind.

Trust. It was such a simple word, yet for him, it carried the weight of the world. Could he really trust you?

You were the first to extend trust between the two of you, back in that dungeon—a place where trust could so easily become a knife in the back. And yet, there you were, you had turned to him with those steady eyes, yet there was an openness that unnerved him. You extended not just your hand, but a fatal piece of yourself, to him.

That moment, he couldn’t help but wonder: were you reckless? No, he knew better. You were meticulous, thoughtful. Jinwoo had watched you from the corner of his eye in battle after battle, always noting how you seemed to be five steps ahead, anticipating threats and countering them effortlessly. Then, were you a fool? No, he knew that wasn’t it either. You were calculating, careful in every word and movement.

But then why, despite all that caution, why would you dare to show him your vulnerabilities? To expose your powers’ weakness on a silver platter unasked, practically inviting him to take advantage of it, if he were even the slightest bit more cruel?

Jinwoo was certain he didn’t know you. But you know him, maybe even deeper than he knew himself. Was that why?

He would’ve found it more believable if the system forced you into helping him. But it was made clear to him, multiple times, that it wasn’t like so. In fact, Jinwoo was almost positive that you couldn’t accompany him on certain raids because the system forbade you. And yet, you still found ways to assist him then.

Standing amidst the crumbling remnants of the stone golem, Jinwoo hadn’t known what to say. Back then, he chose the easiest, cowardly response—to stay silent. And it left the most bitter taste in his mouth.

His mind drifted further back, to when he was nothing but a pitiful E-rank Hunter struggling just to keep his head above water. You had been his lifeline, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

At first, he’d been suspicious—who wouldn’t be? Free meals delivered to his doorstep when he came home to Jinah’s worried face, mysterious donations that kept his mother’s hospital bills paid up to date when he was barely scraping by. The mysterious gifts that had arrived just when he needed them—medicines for his wounds, mana crystals and essence stones that he could still sell for decent cash, and the likes.

He had never seen you then, had only felt the faintest hint of a presence, like a shadow slipping away whenever he turned to catch it.

Those days had been hell. Waking up after collapsing in some remote corner of a godforsaken dungeon, healed but drained, with no one around. The bruises and cuts were always just nearly healed, and his exhaustion remained—a reminder that he had survived another day, but only barely. Living another day for his family had always been a relief, but there had always been the haunting possibility that the next close call might not have such a reprieve.

He hated it. Hated how he needed those mysterious interventions just to keep going. Hated the helplessness that came with relying on someone he couldn’t even see, let alone repay.

Yet at the same time… he had clung to that help like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline. those half-healed wounds and last-minute rescues—there must be a catch, there was always a price to pay, nothing in this world came for free—he just hadn’t known when it would come due.

But what choice had he had? He had been desperate. And in that desperation, he’d entertained the belief that perhaps, somewhere in the world, someone truly cared, selflessly, in a way that was almost painfully idealistic, for the hellish reality of the world that had beaten him down for his rank and lack of prospects.

After gaining the system, though, his outlook shifted as quickly as his strength grew. The mysterious aid in his mother’s hospital bills continued to arrive in his absence, and when he was caught up in instant dungeons, Jinah often remarked on the meals that still showed up during his long periods away. The quiet assistance seemed to have no end, no apparent agenda, and while it never fully left his thoughts, it had faded to the background of his life.

When he no longer needed to rely on invisible help to survive, it was at that moment that the heals disappeared. Jinwoo had chalked it up then that it was because he was often in dungeons managed by the system, where no ordinary hunter or person could get in. Could you believe he was foolish enough to believe that? That his mysterious benefactor was normal in any way?

When he’d finally agreed to Jinho’s deal, and as he grew wealthier through his own efforts, the donations, gifts, and meals followed the same pattern, and he was once again left without a single clue to its source.

There had been a strange feeling at the time, one he hadn’t wanted to admit to himself. Abandoned? No, the word felt too raw, too vulnerable. Yet, somewhere beneath his rising success, the newfound self-reliance, there was a sliver of emptiness he couldn’t quite ignore.

Something else had changed. The system itself had started acting strangely. Messages would pop up on his interface, unbidden and unsanctioned by the typical quest or informative-game-like format.

["Don't rely solely on brute force. Sometimes, retreat is necessary for a better strategy."] ["Focus on the core of the mana flow. It's not about quantity but control."]

Words of advice, encouragement, and strange observations—those cryptic phrases were always enclosed in quotation marks. And they were always signed, ‘by Trial Player [][][][].”

The blocked name, abrupt nature of the messages, it felt as if the system was glitching, borrowing someone else’s thoughts and slipping them into his notifications.

And this started happening right after all the mysterious aid ceased?

Jinwoo knew better than to believe in coincidences.

When he had finally met you in person, there was a strange déjà vu he couldn't shake. Tt was like piecing together the final fragments of a puzzle he hadn’t known he was solving, and also opening a new puzzle box altogether. Your presence was familiar, the system’s peculiar greeting had been a dead giveaway. And from that moment, Jinwoo zeroed in on you, observing your every move, waiting for you to slip up and reveal your true intentions.

Yet, if there was a hidden agenda behind your actions, it was buried deep beneath layers of genuine care. Whether it was out of obligation or something else entirely, Jinwoo had the sneaking suspicion that you would stay by his side, just as you had done when he was at his weakest, whether he wanted you to or not.

Now, sitting in the stillness of his room, Jinwoo pulled up his inventory and scrolled to the bottom, where a simple, broken set of daggers lay nestled among his spoils of war. He summoned them into his hands, the cold metal resting heavily against his skin. They were worn, chipped, and the blade edges dulled to uselessness, but they held an unmistakable sense of familiarity.

These daggers had been indispensable to him in his early days, in part because of their quality, durable beyond anything he could afford at the time, but also because the grip had fit so naturally in his hands, as if they had been forged with him in mind. And he now knew they were your creation.

Indeed, they had served him well until they finally gave out during one raid with Jinho—more from overuse than any fault in their craftsmanship. Jinwoo couldn’t bring himself to throw them away

The “Ordinary Daggers” the system had given no special description when he had saved them in his inventory for the first time.

He ran his thumb over the broken hilt, tracing the tiny, delicate butterfly engraving hidden along its base. A small detail he had noticed early on, but not knowing of its meaning until after meeting you. They were a symbol of your aid when he had nothing to offer in return.

But you had never once asked for repayment. Aside from confirming his suspicions the first time you meet, where Jinwoo basically cornered you to answer, you never brought it up after, never tried to use them as leverage against him. It made him wonder if he was the one overthinking things. Maybe, just maybe, your kindness wasn’t some elaborate trap.

The room was dimly lit, the only sound the faint hum of the city outside his window. As he sat there, the weight of the daggers in his hand was oddly comforting.

Jinwoo frowned. Trust was still a murky territory between the two of you, a minefield he wasn’t eager to tread, but one thing was clear: he was no longer the weak E-rank who had to take whatever scraps he could get. He was stronger now, strong enough to protect what was dear to him and pay back his debts, even if the other party didn’t expect it.

What could he possibly do to repay you though? Protecting you during their raids hardly felt like compensation. After all, he had been the one who insisted that you accompany him, and you had proven time and time again that you were more than capable of holding your own. In fact, more often than not, it was you who had subtly safeguarded him, providing support when he least expected it.

The spoils you collected from the raids might have been a form of compensation, but even then, it didn’t feel like enough—not to him. It felt unfair when he knew you only took what he didn’t need. Hell, you even asked for his permission. Every. Single. Damm. Time. The fact that you didn’t gain exp made it even worse.

Buying you something expensive would feel insincere. Jewelry? Clothes? Those options didn’t fit you and you weren’t the type to flaunt such things, even if you always dressed with a quiet elegance. You were far too practical for those trinkets, and besides, your craftsmanship far exceeded anything money could buy.

The thought of giving you flowers briefly crossed his mind, but he dismissed it just as quickly, scoffing. What use would a florist have for more flowers? Especially one who tended to an entire magical garden filled with blooms far beyond what Earth could offer.

But there was one thing he could offer, simple yet, something that might carry more meaning than any gift. The meals you had sent to him and Jinah, the home-cooked dishes that had warmed not just their stomachs but their hearts. You had cooked for him, even when he was a stranger. Maybe now it was his turn.

He had learned to cook well enough, decent, at least. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a good plan.

Jinwoo slipped the broken daggers back into his inventory, as a slow, determined smile spread across his lips, his heart beat just a bit faster at the thought.

A meal prepared with his own hands. Not out of obligation, but as a gesture of gratitude. It would be something small, with a personal touch—something that couldn’t be bought or forced. It would be his way of saying thank you for all the times you had been there, even when he had never asked.

Now all he needed was the right moment to invite you. He couldn’t just casually bring it up during a raid; that would be absurd. No, it had to be… thoughtful.

Yes, that was it. Dinner, at his place.

A quiet evening where he could actually get to know you, the you outside the chaos of battle at least. And maybe, just maybe, over a shared meal, he could start to understand you better. The person who had saved him time and time again, yet expected nothing in return. And who knows? Perhaps, in the warmth of a shared meal, he would finally learn to trust you.

Because as much as he hated to admit it, he wanted to. More than anything.

End Note:

Unfinished Draft of [10/11/2024] -

What do you guys think of Jinwoo's p.o.v. in this chapter?

Does the development feel too rushed? Abrupt? Too OOC, maybe? Or is it just right? Maybe needs some more details in the current, previous, and or future chapters' drafts? Any constructive feedbacks are always appreciated :)

Happy reading, Everyone! <3

[littlefireball]

ʏʜ|[ᴀ][ᴍ]|ᴘʀꜱɪᴏɴ

Fake God series 

God of Revenge Yunho x Goddess Reader

Warning: Long Smut|Angst|Unprotected sex|knife play|Rough Sex|BDSM(?)|Dom & Sub (e.g. master/pet)|Oral|Fingering|Using of pet name|being roped|choking…(still have many?)

Summary: You were not his love, but only a pet for him to vent lust. 

Word count: 4.6K

Recommend to read this first: ATEEZ as Fake Gods

Other members: Seonghwa|Yeosang|Mingi

The worst decision you've ever made is falling for the god you definitely shouldn't have, the God of Revenge, Yunho. Deceptive and malevolent, he was cast into the abyss by the other gods, forever barred from the heavens. Your role was to keep watch over him, but you never anticipated that he would ensnare you in a web of desire, much like a venomous serpent. His honeyed whispers tugged at your heart, his laughter danced in your ears, and his piercing gaze captivated your very soul, leaving you utterly entranced.

You fell for him. Deeply. You allowed him to manipulate you like a mere plaything, never questioning it until he lured you into freeing him from his bonds.

Before you realized your mistakes, everything was too late. 

"Get off me!!" The demons hurled you onto the bed with a brutal force, and you fought against your restraints, but it was futile. Once Yunho was liberated from his chains, he and the abyssal demons launched a fierce rebellion against heaven. A pang of guilt washed over you, but just as you found the strength to resist, the devil caught you. 

"I know what you have done to me, Y/N." Yunho paced around, the sharp glint of the knife in his hand matching the disdainful look in his eyes as he gazed at you.  

"I saved your life, Yunho. You cannot do this to me." Your limbs remain securely bound to the bedposts, rendering you immobile. His grip on power was undeniable, unmatched, and you knew there was no escape from his clutches.

"Save me? Who manipulated my mind? Who imprisoned and tormented me, hmm? Tell me!" His grip tightened around your throat, cutting off your cries for help. The sensation of suffocation and agony overwhelmed you, your face flushing red and your chest constricting.

"Please, let me go." You cracked. "I'd rather die than be your prisoner." He chuckled softly, running the edge of the blade lazily down the side of your face. "You think you have a choice?" His eyes flicked to your neck, pausing on a tender pulse point. "Ah, so that's it, isn't it? Death?" He pressed just hard enough to be painful. 

You gasped as the tip of the blade pricked your skin, a bead of blood forming. Yunho amused, a smirk on his lips. "I could end you right now, you know." He said nonchalantly, tracing the edge of the blade along your collarbone. You couldn't tell if he was bluffing or not. 

"But that would be too easy, don't you think?" He leaned in, his breath hot on your ear. "No, I have something much better in mind." Yunho nipped at your neck, causing your whole body to tighten. 

His hand roved down your body as he climbed over the bed and straddled on you, fingers toying with the torn remnants of your gown. "You look lovely like this," he murmured, his lips trailing across your shoulder. "So vulnerable, so helpless." A shiver ran through you, his touch sending an unwelcome wave of heat to your core. You bit your lip in an effort to compose yourself under his ministrations.

He continued his descent downwards, the sharp edge of the knife leaving a bloody trail upon your skin. "I should've done this from the start." The blade stopped at your navel, and he paused, eyeing you with a look you haven't seen before. 

"Do you know what it feels like to be truly powerless?" Yunho flicked the blade against your chest, slicing your remaining fabric away. Crimson droplets splattered across his face as he gestured, his hand dripping with blood. The amalgamation of agony and frigidity caused tears to well up in your eyes. 

"To be under someone else's mercy?" The cold steel dragged down your stomach, causing you to shiver. 

His gaze burned into you, his tongue darting out to trace his upper lip. "Tell me, why do you think I've put you through all this?" He drew the tip of the knife lightly across your hip bones, then backed up again, leaving behind a trail of gooseflesh. 

"To make me suffer." You answered and he chuckled, the sound low in his throat. "And is it working? Are you suffering?" 

You shut your eyes tightly as he pressed the blade against your neck, focusing on controlling your breath. "Does my suffering matter to you at all?"

 "Oh, my dear. It most certainly does~ If you're not in pain, I'll ensure you experience even more agony." He murmured softly into your ear as his hand moved down to your abdomen. "But if you're hurting, I'll make sure you feel pleasure instead." 

Sat up straight, he untied his pants and sliced through the fabric of your gown from hem to neckline. Yunho pulled away the cut fabric, slowly exposing your bare flesh to his voracious gaze. He ran his fingers over your trembling form, taking in every detail with a smirk. "So beautiful," he whispered, "and all mine to do as I please." 

"What're you doing…?" You managed to stop him, but it was all in vain. "Forget what I said? Just make you feel better." 

Yunho leaned over you, placing the knife on your neck, the edge drawing a line across your skin. With a sharp jerk, the rest of your gown fell from your body, leaving you exposed without any cover.

He let the flat of the blade graze across the underside of your breasts as his mouth came close to your ear. You felt him inhale deeply, his chest heaving with anticipation.  "You smell like fear." His voice was barely above a whisper, his words sending a shiver down your spine. "And I intend to savor every last drop of it." 

Yunho suddenly grabbed your hair, forcing your head back, exposing the vulnerable expanse of your throat. He placed the tip of the knife against your Adam's apple, forcing you to hold still.

"Don't even think about moving," he admonished, his eyes ablaze. "I'm the one in control here, and I won't hesitate to use this knife if you don't obey me." He dragged the flat of the blade along your neck, stopping at the base. "Understand?"

"Yes...yes, I understand," you managed to say, your voice barely above a tremor. His grip on your hair loosened slightly, and he smirked. "Good. Because a disobedient pet deserves to be punished."

He moved abruptly, bringing the knife upward to rest on your right breast, just over your heart. "And you're not a disobedient pet, are you?" He applied just enough pressure to be painful, but not enough to cut into your flesh. 

"No…no, I'm a good pet" you answered quickly, looking up at him while you spoke, trembling with fear. 

"Yes...a 'good pet'." Yunho murmured, his tone low and pleased. He slid the knife down your skin, tracing your stomach all the way to your hips, drawing a soft gasp from your lips.  "But even good pets need to be reminded from time to time that their obedience is expected."

With a quick swipe, he sliced across your left inner thigh. It was a shallow cut, barely a scratch, but it stung. You couldn't help but cry out, your body jerking involuntarily, but he held you still with his hand on the knife. 

"Stay still," he said harshly, his eyes boring into yours. "You have to learn how to take what I give you without fighting back. Understand?" You nodded as best as you could with his hand tangled in your hair, the words coming out as a trembling "yes".

"You're learning already," Yunho said, and you could almost imagine he sounded pleased. He pressed the flat of the blade against your thigh, tracing the line of the cut he'd made. It was a gentle touch, almost tender if it weren't for the fact that he'd caused it in the first place. 

"Do you know why I did this?" Yunho asked, and you felt his voice rumble through your body.

"Because...because you want me to learn obedience." you replied, your voice cracking at the end.

"That's right," he said, his gaze never leaving yours. "I'll do whatever it takes to ensure your obedience, even if that means hurting you." His grip on your hair eased slightly, and he shifted so that he was straddling you, his body pinning you down against the bed.

The knife traced its way across your skin, stopping at the edge of your pelvis. "But I think it's time to make this lesson a bit more...memorable." Yunho's breath was hot against your ear, his voice low and intense.

You trembled harder, your heart racing. "Please...don't. I've learned my lesson, I promise." you tried to plead, but the words sounded weak, the knife too much of a threat to ignore. Yunho tsked, his hand in your hair tightening slightly at your words.

"Oh, have you?" he said, his free hand grabbing your hip and pulling you closer. "Then let's put that to the test." He brought the flat of the blade against your other thigh, higher up this time, the pressure making it hard to breathe. 

"Don't make a sound," he ordered, and you shut your mouth instantly, fighting back the scream that wanted to escape. He kept the knife where it was, the threat of him slicing deeper lingering in the air. 

"Good," he said, his grip on your hair loosening. "Now show me how obedient you can be." He pressed a soft kiss on your neck before sliding down your body. The knife was still in his hand, although he no longer threatened you with it. He stopped when his face was level with your pelvis, his eyes tracing the line of your inner thigh before lifting to meet yours. 

"Don't even think of moving away." He warned, and you nodded meekly, trying to control the fear that was making your heart thump violently in your chest. Yunho's hand moved up your thigh, his touch light but firm. You could feel his hot breath bruising against your core as he ran his tongue up your inner thigh, stopping just short of your core, the wet heat of his mouth leaving you trembling. 

He reached behind him, grabbing a pillow off the bed and shoving it under your lower back. The move pulled you closer to him, making you even more vulnerable than you already were. He let go of your hair, using both hands to spread your legs apart, his grip just tight enough to keep you exactly where he wanted you. "Now...don't squirm." He said, his voice a low growl, as if he were talking to an animal he wanted to pin down.

The knife was gone, but you could still feel it, the threat of what he could do still hanging over you like a cloud. And then, abruptly, Yunho leaned forward, his hot breath washing over your sensitive flesh. His tongue flicked out, just a quick brush against your outer lips, but that was enough to make you cry out. 

"Did I say you could make a sound?" 

"No..." You answered quickly, fighting back the urge to look away from.

"No what?" He said, his tone sharp. "Address me properly." 

"Sorry, master. I shouldn't make a sound." 

"Then prove it." He leaned closer and pressed his open mouth against you, his tongue finding your sensitive skin. His lips were hot, his tongue was slick, and when he moved to your clit, he was all teeth and intensity. You could feel yourself trying to pull away, but the pillow behind your back kept you from moving, leaving you at the mercy of his mouth, as you tried to keep your promises and your voice in check.

"That's my good pet." Yunho whispered against you, the vibrations of his voice sending another wave of trembling coursing through your body. His lips and tongue danced against your skin, coaxing responses out of you that you were desperately trying to suppress. He was relentless, his mouth alternating between gentle kisses and sharp nips. 

He continued to use his mouth on you, his tongue licking and swirling in ways that made your body tense up and shiver. Occasionally, he would pause and look up, his gaze burning into yours as if warning you not to make any sound. Each time he looked up, you had to bite the side of your cheek to stay silent. You were helpless under him, your body trembling with the effort of restraining yourself.

Yunho suddenly pulled back, the loss of his heat leaving you cold and exposed. "You're doing so well, my pet…" He ran a finger along your swollen clit, tracing the outer lips while pressing against the bud with his pad. A soft whimper left your tongue as he pressed his finger on your entrance, swirling in a circle motion to soak it with your juices. 

"You're trying so hard not to give me the satisfaction of your voice." He sneered, an edge of cruelty in his smile. Yunho shifted upward, climbing back over you until his face was directly above yours while his fingers were still teasing your entrance. 

Lowering his mouth to your ear, he murmured with a deep voice. "But I'm going to make you scream…" He then slowly pressed his finger into you, gently yet firmly. The action was so contrasting with his earlier harshness that it made your head spin. His eyes were glued to your face, tracking every expression as he started to move his finger in and out of you in a smooth, lazy rhythm. 

"Do you think I will be gentle?" He whispered in a low, dangerous tone. "The gentle part is long gone, my pet." A second finger was added as he slowed down, stretching you open slowly and firmly but surely filling you. Your eyes grew wide as you watched two broad fingers disappearing inside your body. It was so wrong and humiliating, being at this wicked god's complete mercy, and still you were wet for him. 

"I can feel how much you want this," Yunho chuckled softly, as if he could read your thoughts, his fingers still moving in and out of your cunt in a torturously slow tempo. He moved slightly, shifting his body to give himself a better angle. "But you're going to be good for me, aren't you?"

"Ye…yes…master." 

The pace was picking up, his finger slightly curled up when he pressed against different parts of you, searching for the places that would draw the most intense response from you. 

Leaning down to your clit, his tongue once again worked on your core feverishly, his mouth and teeth adding pressure in all the right places. Your breath hitched at the new stretch as he suddenly pushed in third finger, making your legs tremble and fight the urge to close together. His free hand climbed over your inner thigh, pinning it down on the mattress to keep you wide open. 

Each movement of his fingers in you was precise and calculated, hitting every sensitive spot without any mistake. His long fingers easily reached the depth, rubbing along your tight wall with his pad. Yunho's tongue never stopped its torment on your clit, licking and swirling like it was made for you. Your hands clenched around the bed sheets, your knuckles turning white as you fought the urge to claw at his shoulders, to hold onto something, anything that would ground you. But you knew better than to touch him right now, you knew you were in too deep.

A soft whimper escaped your lips as he withdrew just before you could reach climax. Your body quaked with the sudden absence of his touch, igniting a fierce longing within you. The desire to find release surged through you, but now it felt just out of reach. Yunho grabbed your chin, squeezing your cheeks hard. He did it on purpose. He would bring you to the edge over and over again, but he wouldn't give you a chance to release. "My, my. Seems like we already made a little mistake, my pet. Did I say you could make any sound?" 

"No…no master…"

"Now we need to do something to correct your mistake, don't we?" 

Yunho's words hung in the air like a blade about to drop, giving you no time to brace yourself before he moved. In one smooth motion, he grabbed your hips and flipped you over, face-down on the bed.

He was on top of you in a second, his weight pressing you into the mattress. The air was forced out of your lungs by the impact, and before you could take a new breath, he spoke.

"If you can't keep quiet, I'll just have to make you quiet, darling."

Yunho grabbed a fistful of your hair, pulling hard enough to tilt your head back. You groaned involuntarily, but his fingers tightened in warning.

"That's one," he murmured, his voice carrying a cold edge. "I only give you three strikes."

Then you felt him shifting his body, his hand still gripping your hair. His other hand moved down your back, slipping over your skin and leaving a trail of tingles in its wake. The mattress dipped as he knelt on it, his knees on either side of your thighs. You couldn't see him, but you could sense him moving closer and countless light spots gathered in his hand as if forming something. 

"Remember my words." 

Then, you felt a cold, smooth material run along your back - the flat part of a leather belt. It was just a passing touch, but it was enough to make your entire body tense up.

"That got your attention, didn't it, my pet?" Yunho's voice was a low hum, right next to your ear. "Don't worry, I'm not going to be too harsh this time. I'm just going to make sure you remember to control yourself."

You braced yourself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, the belt was slowly dragged along your skin, moving in a lazy figure eight, up and down, down and up. The leather was cold, but it had a certain weight to it that made you hyper aware of its presence.

"First strike," Yunho's voice broke the tense silence, and a moment later, the belt was gone. There was a pause, then a loud, flat crack as it came down on the back of your thighs. You couldn't help the small cry that left your lips as the pain seared through your flesh, but the second sound never came.

"Tsk tsk... that makes two." Yunho clicked his tongue in a mock-reprimand, but there was a hint of excitement in his tone. He was playing with you, making sure to keep you on edge and uncertain.

"Last chance."    

He leaned down again, right next to your ear. "Don't make any sound, or I'll give you another strike. Harder this time." You swallowed thickly. You didn't know if you could keep from making noise, but you knew you better try. Taking a deep breath, you bit down on your lip to remain quiet.

"That's my good pet."  Yunho let out a soft laugh, and you could almost feel the pride radiating off him. The sound of the belt smacking your skin echoed through the room again, and this time, you managed to stay silent, just barely. 

The pain was enough to make tears prick at the corners of your eyes, but you held them back, refusing to let him see how much it hurt.

"Very good, pet." Yunho's hand came down to softly touch the welt the belt had left behind. The contrast was almost too much to bear, the sharp pain still reverberating through your body, and the gentle touch of his fingers on the sensitive flesh.   

He then shifted again, moving away from behind you. "You took your punishment so well. But I think there is one more thing you need to remember."

Suddenly, you were flipped onto your back, the world spinning for a moment before you realized that you were no longer face down. Yunho was hovering over you, pushing a stray lock of hair away from your face, and then tying the belt on your throat.

"Don't forget to whom you belong, darling…"  The belt was not tight enough to choke you, but the pressure of it against your racing pulse was like a brand, a constant reminder of who was in control.

He waved his finger, the bonds on your ankles immediately tightened and tugged your legs to the side, making you spread open. "Look at you, all spread out for me like a present, ready to be claimed." 

"And.Here.We.Go." He entered you without warning, his size enough to overwhelm you. He was so big, big enough to ruin you. "Never take that big cock before? Poor pussy." he taunted. Yunho withdrew until only the tip of his member remained inside you, then delivered a sharp slap to your ass, hitting your most sensitive spot. "mmph!!" Your toe curved each time his cock rubbed harshly along your tight wall. It was your first time, making you hard to adjust to his roughness. 

Each jolt of pain caused your body to shudder involuntarily, your lips tightening as agonizing moans struggled to escape your throat. Yunho smirked with satisfaction, leaning in closer to you without missing a beat. 

"Don't you say you want to be mine? And now, you can."

His movements were hard and fast, taking you from the start as though he'd been holding back earlier. Each thrust plunged deep, filling you in ways you hadn't experienced before. Your cries echoed through the room, but they only seemed to fuel his desire for more. He was punishing you, both for your trust and for your defiance.

"Do you like this, pet? You like being taken this way?" His words were breathless, but the tone was that of command. "Y-yes…master…" Your words came out in a breathy moan, your body responding to his every move. "I like…being taken by you…" 

"Of course, you do. This is what you wanted, isn't it? To be owned…to be taken in every way possible." He took you fast and hard, making sure his tip hit all the right spots to drive you insane. He sat up, gripping the belt that encircled your neck, and yanked it with force, causing the material to constrict tightly. 

A shiver ran through your entire body, your legs tensed in an unnatural way, and the gasp of shock that tried to escape your lips was stifled, replaced by incoherent sounds. As your face flushed from the lack of air, Yunho revealed in the torment he was inflicting upon you. It felt so good and comfortable when the tightness wrapped around his length, sucking him to a deeper place. 

He loosened his hold, granting you the chance to draw in a breath once more. You inhaled deeply, as if you were yearning for every ounce of air available. Yet, with an evil smile, Yunho tightened his grip again unexpectedly. Your breath hitched, and a wave of suffocation washed over you. He relished the sensation of your body responding, the way your cunt instinctively tightened around him—no, he was captivated by it. The thrill of the moment was intoxicating, leaving him unable to pull away.

"Oh god…fuck…" He rolled his hips against yours faster and faster, his control was losing every second. The sound of skin slapping skin filled the air, mixed with his low throaty moans and your gasps as you both approached the peak together. His head fell at the back, paying all his attention to the feelings of being sucked, being wrapped around…

"You gonna cum for me, pet? You gonna cum while I keep you like this, just on the edge, just...needing to be taken hard and fast." He was close, so close, but he could tell you weren't, not yet. His grip around your neck tightened once more, and your throat felt like it was closing up. Your body was shaking, and you felt as if you were teetering on the edge of oblivion. The world around you was fading away, replaced by a swirling vortex of nothingness.

"I have to admit, I like you like this. You look much prettier when I can make you struggle for oxygen." Your mind was becoming hazy, and you felt like you were floating, the world around you becoming distant and unreal. But then his grip suddenly loosened, you took a ragged, sobbing breath as the oxygen returned to your lungs, the air filling your chest like a lifeline. 

He leaned down, his nose brushing against yours, the tip of his tongue tracing a line across your parted lips. "Yes….yes…..this is what I want…what you're made for…being mine." He captured your lips in a brutal, possessive kiss, his tongue delving deep, taking your breath away all over again. He was greedy, dominating, leaving you no chance to think or breathe, just to surrender to him.

"Fuck…I'm gonna…gonna…" He pulled away, leaving you gasping for air. A thin line of saliva connecting your trembling lips. His face was flushed, and a bead of sweat dripped down his temple. "That's it…take it….take it all in." His own release hit him hard, the climax ripping through him like a tsunami. Every muscle in his body tensed and spasmed. Yunho bit down hard on your shoulder, leaving a deep mark, claiming you as his. All the heat rushed through your body as the climax hit you as well, his hot seed filling your pulsed cunt. 

"Look at you," His hand went around your throat again, his grip firm but not tight enough to cut off your airflow. "Breathless, trembling, in the palm of my hand. Just how I like you." Yunho pulled back, leaving you feeling cold and exposed, your body still trembling with the sensations he had just inflicted upon you. He chuckled softly, his hand leaving your neck and trailing down your body, tracing patterns on your sweat-slicked skin.

He smirked, seemingly enjoying your suffering. "You thought I would love you? You thought our bond was real? It was all a lie, a game I played to get what I wanted." His voice was cold and calculating, as if he were speaking to a stranger, not the woman he had once claimed to cherish.

"Why?" You managed to whisper, through the pain and the tears. "Why did you do this to me?"

Yunho paused, his eyes locking with yours. "Because you were weak, Y/N. You let your emotions cloud your judgment. You trusted me, and that was your mistake." He tightened his grip on your wrists, binding you tighter to the bedposts. "Now, you will learn to suffer, just as I have suffered for so long. You will learn to beg for mercy, just as I begged for yours."

You closed your eyes, tears streaming down your face as Yunho turned and walked away, leaving you alone in the darkness. You lay there for a long time, feeling the coldness of the bedsheets against your skin. Your body was numb, your mind a void.

He has never truly loved you; you are merely a means for him to express his list and frustrations. You mistakenly believed that the way he gazed at you indicated affection, but it was only a facade designed to mislead you. There's no way out, no chance to fight back; you are destined to remain trapped in the prison called him. 

tag list: @angelsaway, @yeosangcutie0615, @monsta-x-jagi, @sunnysidesins, @xidkkk

[ytsame]

MY INNER DEMONS REWRITE/HEADCANON 🤓☝️

- Since humans lived in the same world as Daemos, it wouldn’t be too far off to assume that at one point Daemos and Humans had children with each other. My thoughts spiraled and i thought “hmm why not expand on it” hence this long ahh post

Pure Bloods:

Pure bloods are Daemos without any relations to humans, and because of this their magic is more rich and potent, but not necessarily the most powerful. Most royalty are pure bloods, but few are rumored to be Red Bloods

Red Bloods:

Red bloods are Daemos with human relations. The blood of these types of Daemos tend to be more purple that Pure Bloods, indicating a mix of Red and Indigo blood. This also brings us to the concept of Heritages

Heritages:

Heritage is a concept used by Daemos to indicate that whilst they are Red Bloods, they do not have direct connection or relation anymore to their human relative.

🔥DAEMOS BOYS HEADCANONS🔥

ASCH

Remember what I said about SOME royals being Red Bloods? Yeah Asch is one of them

He was born from an affair between his father, the Daemos King, and a random human who was later killed for her soul. Initially, the Daemos King had planned on killing Asch, but Lady Grandma intervened, spinning a tale that since Asch is of Royal Blood and with Human Blood, it could be possible his magic could grow more powerful as he ages.

This backfires eventually due to the magic crisis, and the king believes killing Asch might provide enough magic to sustain Daemos a while longer. This is part of the reason on why Lady Grandma aided Asch in bringing him to Earth, feeling partially guilty for possibly influencing that decision.

Only the royal family + Rhys is aware of Asch being a Red Blood. Although the rest of his knights might figure it out later on 👀?

RHYS

Amongst all of Asch’s knights, Rhys is one of two who’s actually pure blooded. This is part of the reason on why Rhys can master spells better than the other knights, however this also means his magic exhausts quicker.

Having many brothers who became prestigious knights, Rhys wanted something different in his life and decided to dedicate himself to his studies. This eventually caught Lady Grandma’s attention, who offered him to become her student and master his magic well.

LIEF

To everyone’s shock, Lief is actually also pure blooded, which is almost unheard of amongst assassins. This allows him to master spells faster than others, but he tends to use it in short bursts knowing he exhausts quicker (hence sticking to teleportation and healing magic).

Lief was abandoned by his parents as a baby, so he never really knew who they were or why they didn’t want him. He was eventually found by a veteran assassin, who upon realizing he was pure blood, took him in and raised him to be an assassin. He was often sent on missions involving nobles and high ranking Daemos because his pure blood status helped conceal his identity well.

Being pure blooded was also part of the reason Lief was abandoned by his fellow assassins, being seen as an imposter or threat amongst the rest of them. Asch, understanding the feeling of being considered an imposter, offered him a position as his knight (although he’ll never admit the empathy he felt that moment).

NOI

Noi’s a Red Blood, and one of Japanese descent. Being a Red Blood is partially the reason on why he was given the lowest ranking position, but the knights don’t consider Red Blood as a reason and more-so his gentle nature as the cause.

Unlike Asch, Noi actually got to know his mother before her death, and she raised him to be tough and strong for the world of Daemos, but also gentle and nurturing in hopes of leaving some good for their world. This is also part of the reason why Noi tends to hesitate in killing, but understands it’s necessary for the sake of survival.

After his mother’s death, Noi was taken by the people who killed his mother and forced into a fighting ring, where Red Bloods were forced to kill each other for their souls and small bits of magic in them. Noi eventually managed to escape, and stumbled upon Asch begging for help. Asch had offered him a position as his knight, and Noi accepted knowing he’d have better protection from being brought back to the fighting ring.

Additional but I’d like to think Noi was born during a lightning storm, which was why Noi wanted to harness lightning magic the most despite it being considered a waste.

PIERCE

Pierce has polynesian heritage, but no one really knows he has red blood due to his blood being near Indigo. Because of this, people tend to mistake Pierce for being Pure Blood. Only Asch and the knights are aware of his heritage since Rhal had never asked Pierce about whether he was Red Blood or Pure Blood.

Pierce was one of the few examples of Red Bloods being much more powerful than most pure bloods. Although still unsure how it happened, his supposed mix of human and daemos blood triggered enhanced EVERYTHING for his body to adapt better.

Rather than his magic possibly growing, his body grew instead. This explains his giant-like height and enhanced strength, alongside enhanced senses such as hearing and smell. Because of this, it allowed him to rise the ranks quickly until he became the General of Rhal’s army, and eventually Asch’s knight.

While most believe Pierce was chosen as one of Asch’s knight’s due to his reputation, the real reason of him being promoted was due to the fact his mixed blood had a positive reaction on his physique, something that Lady Grandma, Rhys, and Asch have been looking for in the midst of the magic crisis.

HOLY YAP okay its done I finally got it all out and written down 😭💀. It’s just a general idea though and only for fun so try not to be too heated if my ideas or headcanons contradict canon + your own. Enjoy the food folks 🔥

[red-pearl-white-flower]

I've barely finished writing "Notes on the changing of a narrative" and I'm already 5k words deep into another Bingqiu fic.

This one's set during the five years of Shen Qingqiu's death, except he lingers on as a soul and gets to witness Binghe's descent into despair as he tries to get enough power to be perceived by his disciple.

Here they are, pretending to have a conversation (Luo Binghe is talking to a corpse; Shen Qingqiu answers but cannot be heard):

“Shizun, do you think you might like to visit my Palace in the Demonic realm?” Luo Binghe asked a few days later, unwinding his master’s long ink-black braid so he could wash his hair with a cloth. “I’ve built a little house like the one on Qing Jing Peak for you. The bamboo isn’t taking well, but I’ll try again soon with new seeds…” “This master would love to visit,” Shen Qingqiu replied out loud. “It’s fine if there’s no bamboo.”

[mallomars]

Journey to the West, OC, Her name is Aki

Aki's journey as a demon slayer was marked by fierce dedication and an unyielding sense of purpose. As the chief's daughter, she trained rigorously from a young age in martial arts, swordplay, and demon combat. Her skills and leadership quickly earned her a commanding role in her clan's demon-slayer army, where she became renowned for her fierce protection and efficiency.

Her unbreakable bond with her sister, who fought alongside her, was tragically disrupted when a god kidnapped her. Fueled by love and anger, Aki embarked on a relentless quest to rescue her sister, which led her through a trail of destruction and intense inner turmoil. Her rage threatened to consume her, pushing her towards a demonic transformation.

Intervention came from Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, who, with her compassion, performed a sacred ritual to halt Aki's descent into full demonhood. Although the ritual was not entirely successful, resulting in Aki becoming a half-demon, Guanyin's guidance provided a new direction. She taught Aki to embrace her dual nature, master her emotions, and channel her powers for healing and protection. Guanyin also guided her in understanding karma and using her skills to serve humanity and protect the vulnerable.

With renewed purpose, Aki continued her quest with the strength and wisdom imparted by Guanyin. Her journey was fraught with challenges, but her mastery of combat and divine abilities, coupled with her deepened empathy and balance, enabled her to confront and overcome formidable adversaries. Ultimately, Aki's quest led her to reconcile her inner struggles and emerge as a more powerful and compassionate warrior.

During her journey, Aki reached the desolate peaks of a remote mountain range, where she encountered a fierce battle between a fearsome demon and Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, who was ensnared by dark magic. Driven by a sense of urgency and resolve, Aki intervened, fighting with skill and determination to free the goddess. Despite the demon's immense power, Aki's precise strikes and divine wisdom helped her deliver a decisive blow, vanquishing the demon and breaking its dark enchantment.

Grateful and impressed by Aki's bravery, Xiwangmu presented her with the Fruit of Immortality, a divine gift that grants eternal youth and vitality. This fruit, glowing with eternal light, symbolized Xiwangmu's recognition of Aki's valor and was intended to aid her in her quest.

With renewed strength and purpose, Aki continued her journey, the Fruit of Immortality serving as a beacon of hope. Her relentless pursuit of the god who had kidnapped her sister took her across challenging landscapes and through intense trials, each step bringing her closer to her goal. Meanwhile, the gods observed her progress.

Xuanwu, the god of the North, impressed by Aki’s dedication and growth, approached her with an offer of further training. Recognizing her potential and the depth of her struggle, Xuanwu proposed to mentor her for a few years, aiming to enhance her abilities and prepare her for future challenges.

Initially surprised but honored, Aki accepted Xuanwu's offer for training with a blend of gratitude and eagerness. Under Xuanwu’s rigorous and transformative guidance, her skills and abilities were refined significantly. Xuanwu’s teachings focused on balance, endurance, and precise control, reflecting his divine authority and resilience.

Aki's training included:

Advanced Fighting Skills: Her swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat were honed to exceptional levels through intricate and demanding techniques.

Elemental Control: Xuanwu taught her to control water and wind, enhancing her combat strategies with weather manipulation.

Inner Balance: She learned to manage her demon half through strict discipline and meditation, achieving a balance between her human and demon natures.

Defensive Techniques: She mastered creating spiritual barriers to protect against evil spirits and curses.

Transformation: Aki was trained to shift between human, demon, and mystical forms, including those associated with Xuanwu, like the tortoise and snake.

Natural Energies: Xuanwu instructed her in harnessing natural energies for healing, purification, and creating beneficial elixirs.

Celestial Navigation: She learned to read the stars and predict events, understanding cosmic influences on her journey.

Leadership and Strategy: The training emphasized wisdom in battle and leadership, preparing her to command with insight.

Upon completing her training, Xuanwu gifted Aki the "Blade of the Northern Star," a divine sword symbolizing guidance, power, and protection. This weapon would serve as a beacon in her quest, further equipping her to confront challenges and move closer to rescuing her sister.

The Blade of the Northern Star is an ethereal sword with a celestial appearance:

Blade: Forged from celestial metals, it gleams with a silvery-blue hue, and its edge is impossibly sharp. Daoist symbols or constellation inscriptions faintly glow and shift with the user's intent.

Hilt: Carved with images of a tortoise entwined with a serpent, the grip is wrapped in dark blue and silver threads with jade inlays.

Guard: Resembles the outstretched wings of a phoenix with a small gem that glows faintly.

Powers of the sword include:

Mastery over Water: Control and manipulate water in all forms, from summoning waves to creating barriers.

Storm Calling: Summon northern winds, storms, thunder, and lightning.

Spirit Severance: Cut through physical and spiritual entities, dispel curses, and strike down celestial beings.

Guiding Light: Emit radiant light to illuminate dark places, guide travelers, and reveal hidden truths.

Soul Cleansing: Purify corrupted souls, heal spiritual wounds, and exercise possessions.

Celestial Recall: Return the sword to Xuanwu for divine guidance or assistance.

After two years of intense training under Xuanwu, Aki was granted the sword and prepared to continue her quest. Meanwhile, in his chaotic realm, Heidi, the god of chaos, was troubled by Aki’s growing power. Fearing her as a threat, he commanded Zhong Kui, the god of demons, to lead an army of 80,000 demons to defeat her.

Aki faced this formidable horde with fierce resolve, wielding the Blade of the Northern Star. The battle was intense, with Aki’s elemental powers and celestial sword cutting through the demonic forces. She ultimately confronted Zhong Kui, defeating him and demanding to know who was behind her sister’s kidnapping.

Zhong Kui revealed that Heidi was responsible. Fueled by fury, Aki demanded to be taken to Heidi for justice. With no choice but to comply, Zhong Kui led Aki on a path toward confronting the chaotic god.

Zhong Kui guided Aki through dark portals and treacherous paths to the celestial realm where Heidi resided. The journey was fraught with tension, marked by Aki's barely-contained rage and Zhong Kui’s silent apprehension.

Upon arriving, Aki was overwhelmed by the celestial realm’s beauty—swirling constellations and floating palaces—but her focus remained on Heidi, who lounged on a chaotic throne. Without hesitation, Aki charged at Heidi with the Blade of the Northern Star, but her fury caused the sword to veer off course, ripping a massive gash through the celestial realm and causing chaos.

Heidi, initially stunned, quickly summoned storms and chaotic forces to counter Aki. The battle was intense, with Aki wielding her sword with precision, using elemental powers to batter Heidi. Despite Heidi's attempts to retaliate, he was overpowered by Aki's relentless assault.

As Aki prepared to deliver the final blow, the celestial army, led by a towering figure in radiant armor, intervened. They created a barrier between Aki and Heidi, and the leader decreed that the battle must end, citing the need to uphold celestial laws.

Aki, though furious, was forced to lower her sword. The celestial army's intervention reminded her that her quest for justice was far from over. She was then brought before the Jade Emperor in the grand Hall of Justice. Accused of almost killing a god, Aki faced a dire penalty of execution.

Just as the Jade Emperor was about to pass judgment, the Star of Venus, known for her wisdom and compassion, stepped forward. She requested that Aki's story be heard before any final decisions were made, suggesting that there might be more to the situation than was immediately apparent.

The Jade Emperor, after being urged by the Star of Venus, allowed Aki to present her case. Aki passionately explained that Heidi, the god of chaos, had kidnapped her sister and forced her into marriage. She had acted out of a desperate need for justice, not defiance of celestial laws. To support her claims, Aki produced artifacts including a celestial seal, a letter with Heidi’s chaotic symbols, and a piece of her sister's garment.

The Jade Emperor initially doubted the evidence but was persuaded by the Star of Venus to consider it seriously. He decided to place Heidi under celestial confinement while further investigation was conducted, deferring Aki's punishment.

The celestial court later convened to pass judgment on Heidi. He was found guilty of kidnapping, forced marriage, and dishonoring the celestial order. The Jade Emperor decreed that Heidi would be stripped of his divine status and banished to the mortal realm, where he would live without his divine privileges.

With Heidi’s punishment decided, Aki returned to her village. Her reunion with her sister was filled with joy and relief, and the villagers celebrated their hero’s return. Despite the happiness, Aki’s heart was heavy, reflecting on the trials and battles endured.

After ensuring her sister's safety, Aki felt a deeper calling beyond her warrior past. Seeking a new purpose, she approached Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, to become her disciple. Guanyin recognized Aki's potential and welcomed her into a path of compassion, healing, and spiritual enlightenment.

Aki's training under Guanyin was rigorous but transformative. Her dedication led her to become renowned not just for her combat skills but for her profound wisdom and empathy. She earned the title of Guanyin's best disciple, symbolizing her growth and commitment to her new path.

Guanyin then tasked Aki with joining a sacred pilgrimage to the West, a journey meant to retrieve sacred scriptures and test the pilgrims' spirits. Aki accepted with anticipation, joining a diverse group that included Tripitaka, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Sun Wukong.

Throughout the pilgrimage, Aki's skills and calming presence earned her the respect and friendship of her fellow travelers. Her bond with Sun Wukong, in particular, deepened as they faced challenges and shared profound experiences. Their connection grew beyond friendship, marked by mutual respect and admiration. As they rested by a river one evening, Sun Wukong's contemplative demeanor hinted at the evolving nature of their relationship.

[cavegirlpoems]

No, Saulot is not the progenitor of the Baali.

That's just Tremere propaganda, and the Tremere are motivated to lie both by political expedience and the many infernalists among their ranks. So, the nature of the baali is inherently tied to the nature of the demon-things they worship/serve/placate, the Children, right?

So to understand them, we need to understand the nature of the Children. So what are they?

They dwell outside or below reality, in the darkness, but can be pulled through to the real world. WoD cosmology then. We can ignore sideways (that's werewolf/changeling territory), and up (mage shit), and concentrate on down. On spiritual descent, into the lower realms.

So, if we go spiritually down, we first pass through the underworld (of wraith). Here, we see reality unravel more and more, becoming chaotic and indistinct. Far enough down, the boundry of self/not-self breaks down between inhabitants, resulting in the hive-mind shared by spectres and the dissolution of self that is harrowings in the labyrinth.

Then down further. The well of oblivion, the obliteration of self entirely. Down further. Plumetting through oblivion, the rift in the bottom of reality, and out into... what? the empty void, the dark outside creation. The Abyss.

This is the abyss of the lasombra abyss mystics, and the abyss that demons are consigned to. This is the outer dark where the Children dwell. This is the un-space that the neverborn - the oldest spectres that were never living, never of creation - spawn from. This is where demons writhe in the darkness, where there is no time or space or self or other, only formless endless chaos.

The Children are Demons are the Neverborn are all the same entities.

Creation is existance, definition, distinction - the light seperated from the shadow. To be outside creation is to lose the distinction of self and other. To defy creation is to seek to tear down that boundary, so that all is a single primordial whole, as it was before God seperated the heavens from the abyssal waters.

We see this in the hive-minded aspects of the baali, their affinity for swarming vermin, their propensity for plague and decay. Even their path is called The Road Of The Hive, and encourages them to let go of their ego and immerse themselves in the will of their greater hive.

That's what a Baali Well Of Sacrifice is, a space where reality is so torn that the victims within merge into a single potent psychic force that can be harnessed.

This is why the branch of the baali that successfully contacted one of their masters and harnessed its power - the Nergali - are much more aligned to disease and entropy than their less far-gone rivals in the Molochim.

This is why, unique among vampires, the Baali can re-embrace to assimilate other clans into their own number.

The nature of the primordial infernal abyss is to form hive-minds that propagate, infect, and assimilated into themselves. See the baali. See the spectral hive-mind. See the abyss-things. This is what the lasombra gaze into, and why a branch of their clan, the angelis ater, joined the baali after they saw too much and were assimilated.

You see the shape of things forming, yes?

Now, we turn our attention to the other hive-mind that vampires know of: the Assaku. Part path, part sentient discipline, part hive-mind, part disease. An infected vampire becomes taken over by the Assaku, integrated into it, becoming simply one pinion on the wing of the Assaku, and the Assaku that we see is not the full organism; that is some spiritual thing that originates outside reality. The Assaku is a demonic taint, an unholy hive-mind. The Assaku spreads via a discipline.

Which discipline? We see more clearly, yes?

Which discipline is seen as infectious, to the extent that the clan who wield it have a splinter bloodline who reject it outright for its impurity? The shape grows clearer, yes?

Which clan practice a sorcery that communes very literally with a slumbering earthbound demon? With a branch of that sorcery devoted to those wells-of-sacrifice where reality is torn apart and the hive seeps in? The shape comes into focus, does it not?

Which clan took in the molochim baali and protected them, and which clan sponsored their integration into the true black hand? Which clan practice demonic magic? Which clan discovered how to form the hive-pack of the vaudlerie? Which clan fuse their slaves together into shuddering war-things, a chorus of minds all blurred into one flesh? You see what I also see now, don't you?

Which clan founder - like the nergali - dug up a sleeping buried demon-thing, and formed a pact with it, becoming unclean? Which clan founder seeks to integrate all life into itself? Which clan founder traffics with demons? Which clan founder was, even in life, a sinner so great that many considered it inhuman? Which clan founder's blood taints all its descendents so that it might absorb them into its burgeoning mass as it grows, fungus-like, in the dark beneath the earth?

Which antediluvian created vicissitude, the discipline that is the vanguard of the Assaku-hive?

Which clan are called fiends?

You see it, yes? The Baali were created by the Tzimisce Eldest. There is no other explanation.

[raysrays]

Bust Your Kneecaps Yandere! Kyojuro Rengoku

Yandere! Kyojuro Rengoku X GN! Reader Oneshot

Warnings: Kidnapping, Torture, Stockholm Syndrome, violence.

-this is my first time writing on Tumblr. Hope I didn’t do terrible.

It was never supposed to be this way. You were on your way to moving up, to becoming a Hashira. Everything you have worked for years seemed so close, only for an instant. So how did you get here? How exactly did you end up with your hands and feet bound in the Flame Hashira’s quarters?

You sit there in silence, trying to figure out exactly where this had all gone so wrong, remembering when you first arrived at the Demon Slayer Headquarters, facing the master and all the other Hashira. And then, of course, meeting him: that smiling ball of joy, the sun in its purest form, Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira.

You recall that day just like it was yesterday: his kind smile, the gentle touch of his hand shaking yours. He was everything you could have asked for, so why would you ever say no to being his tsuguko? Being trained by the tall, charming Flame Hashira. You’d be stupid to refuse. He had you fooled, he had you all fooled. Behind that seemingly genuine smile was nothing more than a sick and twisted man, interested only in having complete and utter control of the people in his life.

Unfortunately, now you were on the receiving end of his descent into madness. And here you are, bound on the floor.

“My little flame! I’ve returned from training,” his booming voice immediately catches your attention. You feel your body tense from his presence. Just being around him has made you feel uneasy. As he approaches, you keep your eyes lowered, staring at his feet. After a moment, you feel his hand pull your face up to meet his. His bright eyes staring down at you make your heart race.

“Why do you look so scared, sunflower? It’s only me!” His bright, happy smile feels so disturbing now. You pull your face away from him. “I’m not scared. I just wish you’d let me out of here.” Your voice was harsh. You’ve always been a little defiant but nothing Rengoku thought he couldn’t handle.

Just then, he kneels right in front of you to be eye level with you again. You see his sword peeking out from his Hiaori. It makes the hairs on your back stand. His smile has fallen and his eyes look sad. “You needn’t be so upset, sunflower. I’m simply keeping you here for your own protection. You have no reason to be angry or frightened.” His voice is stern but caring. You roll your eyes at this statement. Protection? You were a skilled swordsman worthy of becoming a tsuguko. Why would you need him to go so far as to lock you away for your protection?

“I don’t need you to protect me. I can take care of myself. Besides, this is overkill. You need to let me go.” You turn to meet his gaze. His face was completely different this time. He looked so serious and somewhat angry. “You aren’t going anywhere. Do you understand?” His voice was stern and cold. His state was enough to make you completely freeze. He looked crazy. He was crazy. There’s no way you could stay here. You wonder how many people have seen this side of him? How many have lived?

Past the fear was anger. You’ve always been used to being ahead of your peers, used to success and right now the one you wanted to lead you to the top was keeping you from becoming everything you were capable of.

“You’re sick, Kyojuro. You need help. Let me out of here.” You tried to remain calm but he was really testing your patience. All it took was one swift second to feel your breath getting knocked out from under you. Laying on your back, coughing, you look up meeting eyes with a pissed-off Rengoku.

“I’m sorry I think you misheard me, my little flame. I said I’m doing this to protect you… Surely you understand it’s your job as my Tsuguko to obey my orders.” His eyes narrowed and he put his face close to yours, whispering in your ear.

“Don’t make this difficult, Y/N. You have an obligation to me and me alone. So why would you ever go against my orders?” His point was irrelevant. You had no obligation to this psychopath. Your frustration finally got the best of you. Once you finally caught your breath back, you tried to shove him away from you even while your legs and hands were bound. It wasn’t as effective as you had hoped but it made him fall back onto the ground with you.

You took this opportunity to try and stand, hoping to at least be able to hop towards the door. Maybe someone would notice you if you screamed for help or made enough noise.

“Someone help me-!” After what felt like five seconds of hope and victory, You felt a sharp pain in your legs. So bad you immediately hit the ground. The pain was excruciating; all you could do was lay on the ground trying to fathom what just happened. Then you noticed a shadow standing over top straddling your body.

“I told you to not make this difficult, sunflower…” he let out a sigh and bent down next to you. He noticed you staring off at the ceiling, trying to process the immense pain you were currently in. He then took his hand and turned your face to look at him. There he was again. That sweet smile and those bright happy eyes.

“There isn’t a line in the world I would not cross for you, Y/N.” He then leaned down to kiss your forehead gently.

“Try and run all you want. I’ll always find you. You’re mine. Mine alone.”

You couldn’t believe what he was saying; he really had completely lost it. So why, in the middle of all this pain, did you feel your face heating up? This man is crazy. He’s insane. So why? Why does a part of you want to see how far he’d chase you?

You stare up at him mustering up what strength you had left. “You’re crazy…” you finally breathe out.

He smirks and caresses your cheek. “Only for you, sunflower.”

[malicious-metal]

Finally whipped up a design for the subject of Theobald's single-minded obsession; Abraxas, Theobald's Feuerengel Quick lore tl;dr cause oh boy - Based on local Swiss folklore of devils, evil spirits and other entities of alpine myth (hey, I gotta do some rep myself) - Ventured down from its mountain lair during Fasnacht (carnival season) in February, leading its own procession of masked figures into nightly revelry. Sometimes whisking away mortals that took part in the festivities, turning them into its entourage of Szlachta servants (pictured in the background) - Entered a covenant with Theobald, professor, occultist and practitioner of hedge magic, the two bonded throughout two decades of its annual visits (he was unknowingly being groomed for a Tzimisce embrace) - Tremere yoink Theobald first, big ol disaster happening when they confront his annual sapio-sexual one-night-stand, messy breakup happens where Abraxas takes half of Theobald's face in the divorce and curses him before disappearing in a burst of flames - Cue 300+ years of these two dramatic bitches not getting over each other, whole Ahab and Moby Dick type shenaniganery, kickstarting Theobald's descent into madness and him becoming the Pyramid's number one Devil Hunter specializing in hunting down Tzimisce and other Fiends (hence the nickname Dragonslayer) - May or may not be in cahoots with a Demon as a master of Koldunic Sorcery but who's to say POV your ex takes half your face in the divorce

[qqueenofhades]

I would love to hear about how you came up with the names for the characters in “Empire of Bones”.

Aha, an EOB question, which is a nice break from the heavy stuff! It may have gotten buried due to the uh, Everything of the last few days, but still. (If you are wondering what this refers to, trot over here and buy my book take a look. Ahem.)

As I think I mentioned in an earlier ask from you, the names and societies in the EOB universe are based on, if not strictly correlated to, their real-world counterparts, and thus we can see how the choices were made in historical and linguistic context. Take the city of Qart-Hadesht (which is just the un-Latinized name for Carthage). Because it's a matriarchal Islamic-equivalent society, the name of a character like Aliyah is based on her matrilineal descent: Aliyah bet Zadia ur-Namasqa. The "bet" particle means "daughter of" as it does in other Semitic languages ("ben" means "son of") and the feminine form of her surname, with an a, is used. Her brother, in this case, would be referred to as Aljafar ben Zadia ur-Namasq, and her father took his wife's last name when they were married. The medieval Arabic way to refer to a family group or dynastic house was as the Banu Family Name, meaning sons of, children of, so I changed that to Batu [Family] to suggest that the family is primarily conceived as matriarchal and thus uses a t (as in bet, daughter of) instead of n (ben, son of). Hence, the Batu Namasqa means "the [matriarchal] Namasqa family or the daughters of Namasqa."

The Meronite characters' names are obviously based on Latin (Lanuvian is a real predecessor language of Latin and is used as the in-universe name for Latin) and imperial Roman naming customs. Ionius is a loose Latinization of the Slavic Ivan; Ion is the Romanian form of John, and thus equivalent to Ivan. Coriolane is an obvious reference to Coriolanus; his second name, Aureus, means "gold." Khasmedeus is a variation of Asmodeus, the demon most famously associated with King Solomon/Tselmun in the kabbalistic tradition and rabbinical literature, and some of Asmodeus's other historical names can be heard when Khasmedeus introduces itself to its various unsuspecting human masters throughout the course of the story. Julian uses two forms of his name; the Ruthynian (Russian) "Julian Janovynich" and the Vashemysh/Yerussalan (Yiddish/Hebrew) "Yulian ben Yanov" to demonstrate how he attempts to navigate his identity and its complexities as an Eastern European Jew (or Ruthynian Vashemite in EOB-verse). Place names such as Qin come from the actual medieval or ancient dynasties; the emperor of China has in the past been known as the "Thearch of Qin," just as they are addressed in the book. "Sardarkhand" is an expy of "Samarkand." And so forth.

(Yes, since you ask. Yes, I had great fun.)

[kowwpow]

My request like usual, would be a KIMETSU NO YAIBA + TEEN!READER {Platonic}

The setting is {Reader}, a rank Hinoto who is around 13-14 years old

Now this Oneshot would be placed around a little after Kamado Tanjiro & his sister Kamado Nezuko, along with his friends join the Demon Slayer Corps

Now {Reader} has been apart of the Corps for a while, could be 2-3 years- and lately Master Kagaya has taken notice of them for their skill

Typically becoming a Hashira would take about 5 years, while gifted swordsmen take only 2- and that was about the same amount it took for {Reader} to climb up the ranks

Now before this there has already been an established relationship with them & the Hashira- somehow {Reader} has been able to build a connection with each one, even if it’s only a small amount

Hashira like Kanroji Mitsuri, Tokito Muichiro & Rengoku were one of the first to take the most liking to {Reader} with a sibling/parental-like relationship with them, of course some others like Iguro Obanai & Shinazugawa Sanemi were the more difficult ones to get along with, especially since {Reader} isn’t a Hashira [Yet] so trying to find time to atleast interact with a few of them was hard enough

Though lately as they’ve climbed up the ranks, they’ve been getting special treatment [If the Hashira don’t actively train Demon Slayers, & only during the Training Arc did that happen] for example we could take Shinazugawa Sanemi, who would drag {Reader} out between 3-4 in the morning to train with them [After forcing them to sleep in his estate, saying he “Didn’t want {Reader} stumbling around the damn place, making noise & waking him up”] & to tell you from {Reader}’s experience he does not go easy on them at any time of the day-

Or maybe for something more nonchalant, Kanroji Misturi & Rengoku Kyōjurō will drag you along with them to go into small towns, visiting local restaurants which know both, especially the Flame Hashira, for yelling “Tasty” all the time & getting weird looks or almost getting kicked out for it-or the Love Hashira for having such a large appetite, where there would be sometimes Kanroji would eat almost all of the restaurants food- [and you would be in the background eating quietly while dishes pile up around you like: 🧍🏽]

For Tokito you would mostly sit with him while he cloud-gazed, most of the time it was quiet since he could barley hold a conversation before forgetting you were even talking, or you two would make origami airplanes together & see which one’s would go the farthest on windy days. Some times he would be very blunt about your skills & even insult you [Though he shows his appreciation for you in his own ways]

And Kochō Shinobu loves to show you how her different poisons work & which are most lethal, as well as how to patch up wounds. Apparently she loves ghost stories and always tells you one-wether it’s a long narrative or not- especially if you are not of Japanese descent & also enjoys hearing of your culture’s tales & myths.

Tomioka Giyuu’s hobby is playing ‘Tsume Shogi’ which is a Japanese game similar to ‘Chess’- he would spend his time with you playing this game- even at sometimes you would get hyped up, a wild grin on your face as you made quick moves- wether that allows you to win against him or not is your decision, though if you look quick enough maybe you’ll see a glimpse of a grin cross his face-

For Iguro Obanai, he would spend his time with you reading poetry, some instances you would write your own while he criticized you harshly- or when he would shyly ask you to proofread a poem he was going to give to Kanroji-other times he would trust you enough for you to hold Kaburamaru

Then for Uzui Tengen would mostly you visiting his estate, while he ‘flashily’ dressed you up with cakey makeup [though you never had the heart to tell him it looked bad] while his three wives cooed over how cute you were & Tengen would be standing next to you saying how ‘flashy’ you looked- sometimes he would compliment your breathing style

And finally- Himejima Gyomei, the extremely religious yet kind Stone Hashira- he loves to spend his time with by playing the Shakuhachi- a type of flute for you, or maybe the both of you would find stray cats & nurse them back to help if needed so, or you would simply pet them as you explained to Gyomei what they looked like

Though all the Hashira spend their time with you in their own ways, they all have one goal in mind- make {Reader} their Tsuguko

While some Hashira already have built familial relationships with others, all would love for you to be apart of that! Each one seems to be pulling you in each direction, subtly or not so subtly suggesting if you’ll become a Hashira & to become their Tsuguko, this even caused issues with passive aggression or making others look bad, and they would try to guess who would become your teacher, especially if you used one of their breathing styles

I’m so sorry that this request is so long! I know you are busy so if this is a request that needs to be put on hold then please do so if needed! There’s no rushing, and most importantly just have fun with writing, so don’t stress over it too much ‘Kay? I tried to shorten it as much as possible😭 Have a good day!

-Straberryparfai🍦🍓

~Hashira Headcanons~

A/N: no it’s okay!! I actually heavily prefer detailed requests (if you couldn’t tell already) so I don’t mind at all! I do apologize for making you wait a week for this :( hopefully it turns out well!

I was hopefully was able to grasp what you were asking for? I wrote what I thought they would do to make you their tsuguko and their reaction to you choosing someone else, I hope that was okay!

TWs: Manipulative behavior. This might be them being borderline platonically yandere? Basically incredibly possessive over [Reader]

Oh, this would get super hectic really fast

If they are all wanting you to be their tsuguko, they are definitely going to be fighting tooth and nail against each other (except Gyomei, Giyuu, Rengoku, and Mitsuri bc they’re sweethearts)

Some people (AHEM- Giyuu, Muichiro, Obanai, Shinobu) will use underhanded tactics to get you to be their tsuguko.

Like, Muichiro would talk absolute smack about the other hashira in an attempt to get you to want to be his tsuguko.

He would also like to drag you away from whatever you’re doing to go cloud or bird watching with him.

His tactic is to spend as much time with you as your jobs would allow.

He would often call you Imōto/Otōto/Chīsana kyōdai in hopes that you’d see him as a big brother and choose him over the other hashira.

When and if you told him you chose someone else, he would pretend he didn’t hear you, or forget what you said immediately after.

”Huh? Imōto/Otōto/Chīsana kyōdai? What was that? Nevermind, let’s go train you to be my tsuguko.”

Giyuu would also talk smack, except he would be a bit more tame and selective about it.

He would specifically tell you about the things Sanemi, Obanai, and Shinobu have done to him.

He would try to convince you that they would do it to you too

Eg. complaining how Shinobu always teases him, or how Sanemi and Obanai would gang up and bully him.

He’d give you puppy dog eyes too- rlly subtle ones

If you were to choose a different hashira as your master, he’d probably be like, “Ah, I understand. Although that is a disappointment.”

Obanai’s underhanded tactics are more upper handed tactics if you wanna think about it literally-

He would wait until you were talking with another hashira (probably Giyuu-) while sitting in his favorite tree.

He would wait for the perfect moment before scooping you up from under your shoulders and bringing you to sit with him.

He may be physically weak, but he would play off his sweating as the sun being too hot.

Obanai would then start boasting about how cool it was up there and would place Kaburamaru on your shoulders so you’d be hesitant to leave.

His reaction would be more him pretending to not care less, when in reality, he’s very upset.

He feels betrayed okay?! 😭

Like, he let you hold his snake-

“Oh? Well, do what you like. I’ll just have to find someone else who is good at proofreading poems.”

The only hashira he wouldn’t dare try to steal you from was Mitsuri, of course.

If she just gave him her best pout and batted her pretty eyelashes, he’d hand you right over. Literally. (with your consent of course.)

Mitsuri would love to carry you around on her shoulders or her back.

She would tell you that you remind her of her little siblings and that she missed them, in hopes of you wanting to stay with her.

She’d be upset if you wanted to be someone else’s tsuguko, but she would support your choice no matter what.

”Hmm? Oh, that’s okay [Name]-Chan! Just promise you’ll come visit so you can try all my new recipes!”

Speaking of food and recipes, Kyojirou would take you out to eat often simply because he like’s your presence!

He (along with Sanemi, Uzui, and Gyomei) would directly ask you to be his tsuguko.

Well, not so much ask—

“Young [Name]! Be my tsuguko! I will train you in the art of flame breathing!”

And in the case that you don’t use flame breathing, he’d train you anyways since two breathing styles is flashy.

See what I did there? 😏 I’m doing well with these transitions 🤩

And speaking of flashy, the flashiest man on the planet would declare that he “needs a flashy student” and that “a flashy slayer such as yourself needs an equally flashy master”.

Random crap basically-

He would not only do your makeup(terribly)

He would also let you practice on him!

AND SO WOULD HIS WIVES

Oh my gosh, his wives love you

that is reason enough for him to make you his tsuguko.

Even if you weren’t “flashy”.

He’d run around with you on his shoulders, tryna convince you that you could be as fast as him.

”What?! You want one of those unflashy people?? Hmph! Fine! Just don’t come begging for me when you realize I’m much flashier.”

Shinobu would sometimes join you guys in speed training, since she is also ridiculously fast, and whenever Uzui was out of earshot, she’d say how you wouldn’t want to end up with someone as loud as him.

She’d just looking out for your poor ears.

She would try to strike a deal with you.

Become her tsuguko, and she’ll teach you whatever you want to know (in extreme detail) about any poison or medicine she has created.

You get your pick on which one too

And if you so happen to choose someone else, they may mysteriously fall just ill enough to where they cannot train you.

”Oh no! ___ is sick? That’s a shame… I could train you instead, y’know?”

And for the man himself, Nemi would probably pick you up from the back of your haori/uniform and drag you along behind him.

Mans wouldn’t give you a choice.

He’d plop you down in his back garden and toss you a sword.

”Get up. You’re going to be my tsuguko.”

A/N: ILL PUT GYOMEI IN P.2 BC I EXCEEDED THE WORD LIMIT SOMEHOW—

[c0rpseductor]

grabs you aggressively. perfume thoughts (these are really just for me to reference when i have money)

i have a bunch of sniffs i wanna get samples of from solstice scents. saved in my wishlist. so i know those. but for YOUR benefit they are lace draped spectre, master bedroom, russian caravan, casting shadows, and attic. i am most stoked about attic and lace draped spectre, both of which seem like they will make me smell like some sort of sexy dead antique. slutty haunted potpourri is ALWAYS the goal with me. attic seems a little more light, like, daytime sexy antique.

midnight pomegranate by bath and body works seems worth a try but i can't tell if it's discontinued or not. i think maybe they only still sell it in canada? Unclear. but it sounds good i hear it has a tobacco note. i hear it's a little skanky.

haus of gloi persephone's descent seems really good. i was gonna complain about the sampler situation bc you can only get samples of the EDP in a big pack but then i realized i can get a little $3 bottle of perfume oil to sample. so im not mad anymore im every fig im so serene ah ah.

black phoenix alchemy lab has a persephone perfume that sounds like. fine. it's pom and rose and NOTHING ELSE, FUCK YOU, so i guess i would layer it if i were. me. ahem. they also have a hair oil (la roue de malheur) which seems really nice, but i don't like that it's just for hair :c. tbh most of it is out of stock (perhaps indefinitely) but they have an extensive list of stuff with pomegranate notes. including shit you're meant to put on your vulva???? what a world. oh the woman clothed with sun and the war in heaven may also be good. perfume oil. fucking mouthful. hey they have a fraggle rock line? Stop me

my fridge is making a scary noise i think a demons is inside of it

[googleitlol]

No, I did not jump to the pregnancy chapter. The title is misleading, and I apologize for that.

Dove Masterlist:

Babies??

The gentle breeze brushes through the air, accompanying the sun westward as it carries on its descent toward the horizon. Golden hour approaches with pheasants flying overhead, returning to their nests. Clouds grazing the mountaintops are soft shades of pink and orange. The mountain itself is littered in dashes of colour from a thousand flowers and a vibrant green from the lush grass coating its earthy base. The world feels as though it is in blossom, though it might help that your group is spending the night at a temple in the Abbey of Five Villages. 

While away for the night, the Abbey is home to a daoist known as the Lord Equal to Earth, Zhenyuan. You’ve never met him, but know enough from the occasional gossip in the Jade Palace that he is a respected figure. Already aware that your companions would be arriving, he had two of his disciples stay behind to host. While the others settled in, you accompanied Sandy in making sure the horse was properly fed. It also gave an excuse for you to gaze out over the beautiful land of the Abbey.

It also helps that you find Sha Wujing the easiest to get along with out of Tripitaka’s disciples. He’s much less boorish, more open to peaceful conversation without jabs or insults. Though, you suppose you were no better at times. “I have to admit, it is nice being off the road, even if it is only for tonight.” The sand demon hums as he guides the horse to his meal.

You nod with a smile, your sight trained on the beauty of land before you. “I agree. If we were not on our journey, it would be nice to stay longer. Looking at this view, I’m reminded of home.”

At this, the buddhist turns to you. “Where is it you come from, little soother?”

The two of you begin to head back inside the temple. “I’ve lived most of my life on the Potalaka Mountain with my master, Guan Yin. There’s a village not far from her home I would visit quite frequently.”

“Is that where you are from?” He questions, and you shake your head.

“No, my first home was burnt down when I was only a child. My master found me in the wreckage of my family’s home and gifted me with a second chance.” You explain, your companion humming in acknowledgement.

“That is a beautiful story.” He smiles, which affirms his friendly nature, despite the sharpened teeth.

You walk through the silent halls together, your steps echoing through empty halls. “Indeed, I owe everything to her.” The talk reminds you of how much you missed her, and everyone from before your trip to the heavens. Guan Yin, Moksa, all of those from the village who have now passed. But there was no point in dwelling on it. What’s past is past, and now you have but one goal. Get the Tang Monk to the west.

A blur of ochre flashes down the hall ahead, quickly returning to reveal itself as Sun Wukong. His face brightens up at the sight of his brother disciple, the stone monkey approaching rapidly once catching sight of Wujing. “Sandy, I’ve been looking for you!”

“Hello, Sun Pilgrim.” The man greets him. Monkey looks as though he’s about to say something, but stops himself when he glances at you. The bright look in his eye is quickly snuffed out and replaced by a rather bored look.

“…What?”

“I need to speak with my fellow disciple. Alone.” Your eyes roll, unsure of what you were actually expecting. “Go ahead. I’ll talk to you later, Wujing.” Not having to be told twice, you say your goodbyes to the sand demon and continue through the halls of the temple on your own. 

“Of course, thank you for your help.” He calls back before you disappear around the corner Monkey came from. Whatever he needed to talk to Wujing about, you can’t find it in yourself to care. As long as they don’t cause a disturbance, it should be fine. Besides, Sandy seems quite reasonable, you doubt he’d go along with anything Sun Wukong suggests.

You soon find yourself in the main hall, Tripitaka sitting at one of the tables ahead of you. He’s massaging his temples, his eyes wide and confused until they notice your presence. “Ah! There you are! You won’t believe what just happened.” He quickly rises from his seat as you approach.

It’s rare to see the monk so highly energetic, it’s as though he’s bursting at the seams. It’d be a lie to say you aren’t curious over what could make him react in such a way. “What is it?”

As you reach the man, his hands clutch onto your arms. “Our hosts tried to feed me infants!”

You pause, the statement taking a moment for you to process. Is this some jest? “Infants? As in, human children?”

“They could not have been more than three days old!” He exclaims as you sit him back down at the table, joining him as he continues to hold onto your arms in disbelief.

Offering a buddhist monk a child to eat? Surely they haven’t mistaken Tripitaka to be some demon like his disciples, even they follow a strictly vegetarian diet. “What did you say?”

“I told them to bring the children back to their parents, what else could I have said in that situation?!” He asks. “‘Mm, how delicious, two babies?’”

Despite the distress in his voice, you can’t help but let a chuckle escape. “Surely they would not expect that of you.”

“They insisted they were grown on trees!” Yes, that does sound odd. However, the description does scratch at a particular itch in your head. You’re certain this sounds like something you’ve heard of before, but the answer escapes you in the moment.

“Perhaps I could ask the two to explain themselves?” You shrug, the monk finally releasing you from his grip.

He releases a drawn-out sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It’s alright, I can ask myself when we gather for the rice. After everything we’ve experienced on the road, I was just looking forward to some normalcy for the night. It only took me by surprise, that is all.”

You place your hand on his shoulder in comfort, offering up a smile. “I’m not sure I would act any different if I were in your shoes.” You let out a soft laugh before looking around the space. A thought strikes you at that moment. “Where’s Bajie? I haven’t seen him since we arrived.”

The monk hums for a moment in thought. “The last I saw him, he was in a hurry to find Wukong.” Oh, really?

A sinking feeling worms its way into your gut. Should you have been more worried about Monkey and Sandy? What does Pigsy need that ape for? Something feels off. “I should go ahead and make sure they’re not getting into any trouble.”

You rise to leave and the monk shakes his head. “I’m sure they’ll be fine. My disciples should know not to cause any disturbances while we’re here.” He reassures you, but it doesn’t help the worry settle in your stomach

“I will feel better once I check for myself.” You quickly nod to Tripitaka before leaving the main hall.

You head towards the area you left Wujing and Wukong at last, mentally preparing yourself for whatever you may find. They can’t have gotten into too much trouble, right? It’s only been a few hours since your group has been here, they can’t have done anything too outlandish. Not yet, at least.

It takes some time before you are able to find them, the three demons huddled together at the end of a hall. They talk to one another in hushed whispers, like children plotting with one another. The sight did little to comfort your concerns.

Monkey is the first to notice your presence, his back straightening before turning to face you. “Hello, Dove.” His tone is casual, contrasting heavily against the wide-eyed faces behind him.

“Wukong.” The two on either side of him straighten up as well, turning to address you like their elder brother. You eye each of them in suspicion, it looks like you were right to be worried after all. “What have you three been up to?”

The stone demon shrugs casually, his posture relaxed despite the sharp look in his eyes. “Not much, we just returned from marvelling at the beautiful gardens they have here. You should go see for yourself.”

How stupid does he think you are? Or maybe he just doesn’t care enough to properly lie. “Oh, I suppose I could later. I just wanted to make sure the three of you weren’t getting into any trouble.” Your eyes shoot to Bajie, then Wujing, neither offering you eye contact.

“Trouble?” Wukong laughs, drawing your attention back to him. “Of what kind?”

Even you had to admit, it was impressive just how smarmy this man can get. Nevertheless, you play along. If he wants to play this game, you’ll play. Stepping closer, you narrow the gap between the two of you, a smirk finding its way on your face. “I wouldn’t know. But someone ought to remind you that your actions here reflect on Tripitaka. So if you mess anything up,” grabbing onto his shirt, you tug him close enough for you to whisper, “you will have a lot more to worry about than that gold around your head.” You almost miss the wide-eyed look of shock on his face before masking it with a grin of his own. “I’m impressed, Dove. Trying to threaten an immortal being, with what? Your pointy little sticks?” He laughs, his voice low.

The assumption makes your smirk drop. “I’m not threatening you with pain.” Your eyes narrow as he does the same. “It’s a warning. This temple belongs to Zhenyuan, and I’ve heard enough about how he carries out justice on those who have done wrong unto him.”

“You think some immortal scares me? Don’t forget, woman, I’ve taken on entire armies single-handed.” A single brow raises as he gloats, and you let out a huff of air at his words.

There truly is nobody as self-absorbed as the Monkey King. “Then you shouldn’t forget what I said. Your actions reflect on Tripitaka. Whether or not you can take punishment won’t matter if the monk is the one in the crossfire.” You warn, and for a moment you see his prideful facade falter.

With the message thoroughly received, you release the demon from your hold. Your graceful smile returns as you look back to Pigsy and Sandy. “Now, I think I will take a look around those gardens you speak so highly of. I’m glad we’ve come to an understanding.” With everything that needed to be said now dealt with you turn to leave.

That is, until Sandy clears his throat.

“Little Soother… say something has already happened.” Your head whips around at that, and you see Wukong has done the same, his hands moving frantically in a motion to stop.

You knew it. “Like what?” “Disciples!”

Tripitaka’s voice carries through the halls, your face dropping as you realise whatever they’ve done has already reached its way to their master– and likely, your hosts.

[mi4011-elrenrikvagbandara]

Animators Research part 1

Lets speed run all of this i had already spoken with trishan n he had told me to choose one main animator or 3 animators well where's the fun in just doing one so here's 3.

Round 01- Begin!

Animator 01- Vivienne Medrano (Vivziepop)

Vivienne Medrano (Vivziepop): The Queen of Hell's Animation Scene

I've spent WAY too many hours recently going down the Vivziepop rabbit hole, and I'm absolutely not sorry about it. If you haven't experienced her chaotic, colorful universe yet, allow me to introduce you to animation's deliciously demonic darling.

Who is Vivziepop and Why Should You Care?

Vivienne Medrano (known online as Vivziepop) is this absolutely BRILLIANT animator, director, and comic artist who's basically revolutionizing adult animation right before our eyes. She was born and raised in Frederick, Maryland and fun fact she is of Salvadoran descent. Vivienne studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and graduated in 2014 and has since created her own animation empire ever since.

Vivziepop first gained significant attention with her animation "Die Young" (a Kesha music video animatic) back in 2013. However, it was her original character Charlie Morningstar—a literal princess of Hell with a heart of gold—that would eventually catapult vivzie into animation stardom.

Her big breakthrough came with "Hazbin Hotel," an adult animated series about Charlie trying to rehabilitate demons in Hell. What started as an independent pilot in 2019 became this massive internet phenomenon that eventually got picked up by A24 and Prime Video in 2024. Alongside "Hazbin Hotel," she also created "Helluva Boss," another adult animated series set in the same universe that she releases independently on YouTube both series being canonically in the same time though being several years apart.

What makes Vivziepop so special is how she's managed to create this distinctly adult animation with complex characters, LGBTQ+ representation, and mature themes while maintaining complete and full creative control over her story. She basically said "I'm going to create the exact animation I want to see in the world" and SHE DID IT, with building an incredibly passionate fanbase along the way over the years as the two series grew.

That Mind-Blowing Art Style Of Hers Is Something Else

Vivziepop's art style is so unique in animation right now that it's INSTANTLY recognizable for being one of a kind of our time.

These sharp, angular character designs with exaggerated proportions that somehow feel both vintage and ultra-modern giving the feel of both old and new art styles

A color palette that SCREAMS with vibrant reds, pinks, and contrasting colors that practically burn themselves into your retinas (in the best way possible)

Incredibly fluid, theatrical animation that draws heavy inspiration from classic cartoons of the 1920s-30s while feeling totally contemporary and towards the newer generation as well

This perfect blend of cute and horrifying—characters can shift from adorable to nightmare fuel in a single frame( Especially Alastor)

Her style is like this perfect cocktail of influences: you can see traces of old-school Disney and Fleischer Studios mixed with anime dynamics, Gothic aesthetics, and underground comic vibes its honestly like a smoothie of different art styles blended into one. But what's incredible is how she's synthesized these inspirations into something that's unmistakably HERS and HERS alone making it one of a kind.

Her animation isn't just visually striking—it's purposeful. The exaggerated expressions and movements serve her storytelling brilliantly, especially when dealing with the emotional extremes her characters experience ( like the story behind stolas and blitzo). And the way she uses color to establish mood and character personality is absolutely masterful and just overall just pleasing to watch that it keeps you on your toes on what comes next.

Why Her Art Style Resonates With Me (and would probably keeps you up at night too)

There's something about Vivziepop's art that hits me just right in the soul, and I've been trying to figure out exactly why I'm so obsessed with her ever since I found her accidentally

First, there's this unapologetic INTENSITY to everything she creates. In a world that often tells us to tone ourselves down, her art screams, laughs, and cries at full volume. It's this visual permission to embrace the messy, complicated parts of ourselves that society often asks us to hide.

The contrast between cute and macabre in her work speaks to that duality we all have—the parts of ourselves that are soft and vulnerable existing alongside our darker, more complex sides. Her demons struggle with redemption, morality, and love in ways that feel shockingly human despite their monstrous appearances n relatable.

There's also something deeply liberating about her willingness to create adult animation that doesn't rely on shock value alone. Yes, there's profanity, violence, vulgar languages and adult themes, but they're in service of genuine character development and social commentary. Her work treats its audience as intelligent enough to handle complexity.

And can we talk about how she portrays LGBTQ+ characters? It is just immaculate the way she adds casual inclusion of diverse sexualities and gender expressions without making them the sole defining trait of characters feels revolutionary, especially in animation. Seeing queer characters exist as full, complex beings in her vibrant world feels like the representation we've been starving for.

Perhaps most importantly, there's an undeniable authenticity in her work. Every frame screams "this is exactly what I wanted to create" rather than something designed by committee. In an era of algorithms and focus groups, art that follows a singular, uncompromising vision feels increasingly rare and precious.

Vivziepop's animation reminds me that there's still room for the weird, the wild, and the wicked in art—that sometimes the most resonant creations are the ones that refuse to file down their sharp edges.

If you haven't fallen down the Vivziepop rabbit hole yet, prepare yourself for sleepless nights of binging "Helluva Boss" episodes and obsessively analyzing "Hazbin Hotel" frame by frame. Her hell is more colorful, honest, and strangely hopeful than most depictions of heaven, and I, for one, am happy to be damned.

[moonbeambb]

Had to create all the homies with the new update.

These are all my DND characters *sobs* in order of playtime I guess?

Nocturna Blackstar:

Drow Twilight Domain Cleric

Curse of Strahd - ongoing

I can't shut up about her LOL

I will be surprised if Strahd does not marry her or murder her or both. Josephine Castillo:

Human Fathomless Warlock/Paladin Oath of Vengeance

The King's Court Homebrew - Finished

Orcus and The Raven Queen still fighting for parental rights

Will appear in the King's Court sequel campaign but as an NPC while I roll a Tabaxi Monk.

Oksha Grimmjow:

Duegar Eldritch Knight Fighter

Winds of Vapul - Finished

Wants to have a hot girl summer but her dad won't let her

Made a cameo appearance in CoS as a vampire spawn.

Also my very first DND character so she has a special place in the hall of fame.

Boethiah Gro-Molag:

Half-Orc Drake Warden Ranger

Avernus Campaign - on going

Is kinda prejudice against dragons? This will come back up in a second.

But also has a cool prosthetic arm.

Is the tank of the party because our actual tank keeps getting downed in each combat encounter.

Pazuzu-La The Great:

Goblin Archfey Warlock

Wild Beyond the Witchlight - ongoing/hiatus

It's like if Stich from Lilo and Stich was given a wizard's hat and let loose in the Feywild.

I'm pretty sure Mr. Witch and Mr. Light lowkey adopted her.

Pippin Tinkertune

Halfling Inquisitive Rogue

Candle Keep Mysteries and Keys from the Golden Vault + Halloween Homebrew Special (mostly used for one-shots)

Imagine if Nick Valentine and Louise Belcher were blended in a meat grinder.

She has shot her own party member in the knee cap to see if they were possessed by a demon or not.

She has an estranged husband, dwarf tinkerer who is trying to get back together with her.

She was a gnome but I retconned her into being a halfing for aesthetics.

Vornalla T'sarran

Drow Barbarian Path of the Berserker

Nocturna's triplet sister (youngest).

She's technically not in a campaign right now BUT there is a 2% chance of her showing up in Curse of Strahd depending on how much Nocturna pisses off Strahd.

She definitely does not win mother of the year award. See below.

Nadrylle T'sarran

Drow Bard College of Eloquence

Nocturna's other triplet sister (middle).

She also is not part of a campaign right now but I just like to add to Nocturna's lore by bringing in as much of her family as possible to suffer at the DM's pleasure.

Noatak "Roach" Blackbeak

Hobgoblin Ranger Beast Master

Not in a campaign currently BUT I will be using him for our Rime of the Frostmaiden campaign once we finish Curse of Strahd.

Living in Icewind Dale with the daughter he had with Vornalla after they had a one-night stand and she showed up 9 months later and dropped the baby off before fucking off.

Girl dad.

I shit you not every person in my DND group wants to romance him already.

Teinaava Shadowscale

Red Dragonborn Draconic Ancestry Sorcerer / Thief Rogue

He's actually an NPC in our Descent into Avernus campaign right now but I would like to play him in another campaign.

He is also Boethiah's ex-fiance which kind of explains a lot.

Yes I love The Elder Scrolls.

Lucien Lachance/Vasili

Human Necromancer Wizard

He's taken the place of Vasili in our Curse of Strahd campaign and has caused Nocturna to have multiple mental breakdowns LOL.

I want to play him as a Reborn in a future campaign cause I don't think he's making it out of CoS alive LOL.

I will die on the Elder Scrolls hill that I built.

[inasbdtblogrealnoscam]

🖤

"What good is a life purpose you can't upkeep anymore? What good is a friendship you'll need to betray for its own good?"

The former guardian of the Master Emerald, stricken twice by tragedy. First losing his tribe, everyone he used to know, then losing what guided his purpose, as well as his own life. Without full knowledge of what happened during the Descent, he currently works for Exetior, swayed by his ideas. Afterall, his friendships are the only thing he has left, why shouldn't he preserve them?

For more information about him, read below the line!

Backstory:

Knuckles was born to an isolated tribe on Angel Island. Raised without much knowledge on the world outside the island, he was very close-knit with his community. Through his impressive strength and agility, he was selected at a young age to be one of the guardians of the Master Emerald. For a majority of his life, the tribe functioned unbothered by outside forces.

That was until one very unfortunate day.

The robotic forces of the vengeful dr. Robotnik invaded the island in search of the Master Emerald, annihilating anything that stood in their way. Knuckles, who had just barely turned eighteen at the time, valiantly fought back as hard as he could, but the situation seemed hopeless. The numbers of defenders kept dwindling, with innocent members of the tribe landing in the crossfire as well. Just as things seemed too dire, though... backup mysteriously started coming onto the island. These people who the echidna did not know, helping him fight off the invading forces... with their and his efforts combined, things were finally looking up. They managed to liberate the island once more - but at that point, there wasn't much to liberate. Almost all of the tribe was wiped out, and Knuckles was the only survivor.

Personality:

It wasn't all horrible, though - the people who mysteriously came to aid with the invasion introduced themselves as the "Freedom Fighters", a group of Mobians fighting back against the unjust opression and tyranny of the invader from another dimension - dr. Ivo Robotnik. Their leader, Sally Nettle, explained her ideas to Knuckles. How they fought to save the innocents and protect the world, offering the aid of the FF should Angel Island and the Master Emerald ever get attacked again. Although typically wary and sceptical of outsiders, Sally's words came at a very opportune time, right after he lost almost everything, and something about her ideals resonated with his. So, he accepted the offer.

The next nine years of his life were almost as uneventful as the first eighteen. With only the occasional back-and-forth of a robot attack and the swift counter of "his" defense unit, it was almost the exact same thing. With the important exception of the fact he was usually all alone.

Things changed during the day of Descent. Somehow, someone managed to sneak to the island unnoticed and set fire to it. Knuckles was quick to react, grabbing the Master Emerald and immediately evacuating from the island. Even though he ran as fast as he could, the flames seemed to spread at an unnaturally fast rate. Even though he pushed onward with determination, the distance seemed to stretch as his legs suffered more and more from the fire. And just as the edge of the island seemed in sight - he felt something sharp tear through his back. With his last breath, he covered the Master Emerald with his body, hoping to protect it from the fire - only to wake up with a demonized Tails staring down at him, and the precious artifact nowhere to be found.

Knuckles is quite stoic and solemn, tending to keep to himself. Usually, he doesn't interact much with others, being more of a reclusive type, with a few exceptions. Because of this, he can come off as blunt and uncaring due to his lack of social skills. Though Knuckles usually remains calm and collected, he's prone to provocation and can get quickly angered should someone set him off. Through the Eye's influence, it can sometimes lead to a fury spiral which is very hard for him to snap out of. He can also be quite vengeful. If someone seriously breaks his trust or does something truly unforgiveable, Knuckles will stop at nothing to get his revenge. Most of the time, though, he either stops himself from going too far or someone else helps him. It can also go the other way around - he's the 2nd best at dealing with the Eye amongst the main cast, so he often ends up being the one to help others (usually Sally (pre-Descent) or Inner (post-Descent)) snap out of their frenzied anger. Knuckles is also quite naive, as his tribe's secluded nature meant he grew up lacking quite a lot of social ingenuity. He's a fierce believer in honesty and straightforwardness, tending to assume the same about the others. This leads him to be easily convinced of certain ideas spread by people, even if their goals don't align with their actions. He's not entirely gullible, he can tell obvious lies, the struggle comes from either manipulation or lack of information (such as the fact LDL!EXE (Exetior) was the one who burnt down Angel Island).

Knuckles is loyal to a fault. If he devotes himself to something, he'll do almost anything for it. There are a couple moral lines he refuses to cross, such as directly killing a child, but it's moreso a sign of his kind-hearted nature deep down rather than hesitation in his loyalty. Self-sacrificial, he's more than ready to throw away his life for the Master Emerald (which, technically, he did) or his friends. If he sees a cause as right and just, he'll do whatever he can to aid in it, even at his own expense. Knuckles is ultimately someone who cares more about what they swore their life to protect than himself, even (VERY reluctantly) agreeing to work alongside the person WHO GENOCIDED HIS WHOLE TRIBE for the sake of the greater good. (He's still planning to permanently kill Eggman for it as soon as Exetior's plans are fulfilled, though. Concern for his friends and the innocents of Mobius are the only things currently stopping him from doing so.)

My personal lore and design thoughts:

It took me more than I'd like to admit to figure out his role in the AU. I knew that, yes, he'd still be guardian of the Master Emerald and the last echidna alive (in this dimension at least), but not much else. I was struggling for ideas until I randomly stumbled onto an old "shower thought" I had - it's a shame that Knuckles, the character who lives on Angel Island, isn't even aware of its burning in most Sonic.EXE AUs. Then it hit me - what if he was the one who got "hide and seek'd", so to speak? So that's what I did.

It was kind of a shame to realize I couldn't make him a fully burned, mangled corpse due to pre-estabilished demonization rules (very sad). At the very least, though, I managed to sneak flame-shaped scars on his legs (from a past event so it doesn't count), as well as slightly char the edges of his cape for a little bit of that "died in a fire" flair!

As for his outfit, the creation process can be best described as "looking up scouts uniforms and different Knuckles designs then yoinking an element from each". For example, his shoes are heavily based off Knuckles.ALT, the belt pouch is based off Renegade Knucks from Sonic Prime, the markings on his quills are borrowed from a piece of Knuckles fanart (for additional irony, one of the marking types resembles a fire), and his beret is based off one I formerly wore while in the scouts. The cape is the only thing that I didn't specifically take from an inspiration source, it's there mostly because capes are cool + it meant I could char something in his design, which I felt was nessesary to fully convey my vision.

Personality-wise, he's much calmer and less prone to physical fights than his Sonic counterpart. This wasn't my original intent, though. He was initially supposed to be unusually bloodlusty and violent (as that's the way he came off as to me as while I first watched playthroughs of EOT). I quickly scrapped that idea because it felt too out-of-character, even for an AU. After that failed, he had the exact personality of normal Knuckles as a placeholder for a long while as I figured out what I want to change in it. A moment of personal epiphany was when I was looking at his NU wiki page. This line in particular stood out to me (this is starting to be a reoccuring pattern):

"He will assist Tails if he ever has any bouts of anger, telling him to calm down; even if he gets insulted in the process."

That's when it suddenly clicked. I liked the idea of swapping Tails's and Knuckles's dynamic depending on whether they're alive or demonized. Alive? Tails is stopping Knuckles from going too far and acting unnessesarily violent. Demonized? Knuckles is the one to do so.

As for his backstory, I didn't have much of an idea. His whole tribe getting wiped out by Eggman was something I initially only kept as a placeholder, but I grew a bit attached to the idea. It made for a pretty good reason as to how he'd know the Freedom Fighters despite being isolated from Mobian civilisation for most of his life, as well as why he'd agree to join them to begin with. (You can probably imagine how awkward being suddenly told to work together with the man who annihilated your whole tribe was for Knuckles...)

If I had to describe him in one word, it would be "Conscientious" (very hard word brain ouchie).

To the person in the comments who asked me about Knuckles - I dedicate this post to you (and will probably dedicate LDB!Knuckles to you as well), thanks for inspiring me to write this! :)