#wh glaive

[quibbs126]

I decided to do some more sketches of Witch Hunt characters, since that original picture was just a small part of the canvas

So I already mentioned Glaive and Arcana, so I won’t repeat myself (I will put a link here). So let’s get on to the other two here, Inferno and Ruby

So Inferno is the fire witch, as you can probably guess. For her personality, instead of like a raging fire, like I usually see with fire based characters, she’s closer to a warm fireplace, being comforting and someone you feel safe around. However, this was definitely not the case when she was younger, as she was a pure wildfire. This is how she would be in the prequel game. She lives on a very cold and snowy mountain, and her fire’s proven very useful, especially during the cold winters.

I’ve actually drawn Inferno quite a bit before, so I think I could get a handle on her design, and I like what I got

Also, if you notice that she looks sort of out of place in a snowy mountain, with her extremely tanned skin and bright hair, you would be correct, as she’s not native to the place, she’s only been there the past 15 years or so. She’s actually from the desert, and feels far more at home in the scorching sun, she cannot stand the cold. If you’re wondering why she’s living there then, it’s because of her adopted daughter Rime (who happens to be the ice witch), who is native to this place. The problem was when taking her in, since she has no real experience with heat, she’d probably quickly die of heatstroke if they went back to the desert. Inferno figured with her fire powers, it’d be much easier for them to just move there, so that’s what they did

Oh yeah, another random thing about Inferno, she likes to make baked goods, particularly cookies. This part I did add because of Cookie Run, because I thought it was funny. Thankfully Inferno is not bringing her desserts to life, and if they were alive, she wouldn’t eat them

Inferno happens to also be happily married (and a lesbian), to the character right next to her, Ruby

I was originally going to draw one of the other three older witches, particularly Cascade, but I couldn’t get the design to work. This is always what makes me stop drawing these guys, because I can’t figure out the designs for these four. But then I realized “hey, I don’t have to draw the other witches. Why don’t I just draw Inferno’s family instead?” And so yeah. I’ll get to the other three when I feel like it

Now Ruby is part of a group of warriors that go all around the world, helping people where they can. Ruby happens to be a veteran member of the group. Everyone in the group has gem names, and they all wear white/light colored armor with their respective colors. Also, a random weird quirk, but their armor is all scented. Nobody knows why it’s scented, including the members themselves, but they just choose not to question it. Ruby’s armor smells like cherries. Also, for some reason the scent never fades, so Ruby has been smelling of cherries for over 25 years. I think I chose to do that because I remembered having toys when I was younger that had fruit scents (I think it was Strawberry Shortcake?), and it sort of just stuck with me to do that for them. Also in my mind, their armor is almost toy or plastic like, rather than typical metal armor. Or like a color coded gundam team

Unlike Inferno, who I’ve drawn before, I’ve never drawn Ruby before, and to be honest, I’m not entirely satisfied with her design. Given everything about her, all I could think was that she was just like Hollyberry Cookie (despite the fact that I first made Ruby nearly 2 years ago), and I both tried to incorporate some elements of Hollyberry, but also try to make her not like Hollyberry. But I think I also just didn’t get what I wanted. I really wasn’t sure what I was doing with her armor, and I think I need to play around with the armor design before I get something I like. Also, I feel like I didn’t get across her body type. Ruby is supposed to be BULKY, large and muscley. She’s supposed to be nearly 7 feet tall, and it isn’t all just vertical either, she’s got width too. By comparison, Inferno is barely over 5 feet, and she’s relatively skinny. Granted her body type is more lean and she does have muscle, but she looks like a small twig in comparison to her wife. But to be honest, she doesn’t look much different from the other characters. I think that’s a limitation of my style, as it’s hard to show different body types. I think I’m going to have to rework my style more so I can better incorporate that.

Also immediately once I finalized the sketch, I saw the weapon and went “she should have an axe instead”. Unfortunately I just couldn’t be bothered to go and change it, as I had already merged all the sketch layers. But yeah, I’m changing her weapon to an axe

In the prequel, we’d meet them as only a small group of around 5-6, Ruby among them, and they’re all siblings. And Inferno has a massive crush on Ruby. Inferno’s type is “women who can snap me like a twig” (which Ruby can absolutely do by the way. But she wouldn’t do that to her firecracker). But it wasn’t just physical attraction, they actually were able to get along really well, and fought quite well together, and along the way they properly fell in love and eventually got married, later adopting Rime after taking a job about strange happenings in the snowy mountain

In the first game, Glaive would meet Ruby during his quest. Originally she was just supposed to be going about doing her job, but now I realize she should probably instead be trying to help her wife and daughter. But regardless she’s an ally to Glaive, and is probably the introduction for Glaive (and the players) to the warrior group (that I don’t have a name for yet). Also when they first meet, Glaive doesn’t know that she and Inferno are married, but they might make references to it. He’d either find out later when they all meet up, or we’d only find out in the credits, when we see them together

I think that’s about it, I hope you like them!

[athanasius-symposium-of-writings]

A King And His Knight

Gonna blame the idv server for this lol what if the chess pieces kissed haha UNLESS

Rated Mature | Warning: Warfare, Violence, Blood, Ithaqua is unhinged as usual

The White King was once called the Puppet King, who danced to the tune of the Black King’s command.

No longer! The rebellion has begun and the White King has declared his dependence in blood!

Those his allies are limited as he must show he will stand by his convention and be willing to put his own life on the line to be free of this tyranny of the Black Kingdom, he can trust at least his White Knight to stand by his side.

The roar of battle sings to him, the rumble of soldiers marching his beat, his orders the tempo. Here is where the White Knight flourishes! The cries of war around him, blood stains his glaive and armor, his hooves style shoes allowing him to sprint across the field of battle with ease.

But he is arrogant, eager to satiate his hunger for blood, in that state he lost track of his king stupidly! 

The White King will not blame him for this is in his nature to give into his bloodlust but he should have known better than to get ahead of himself! In the middle of the enemy's lines, he became aware his majesty was not close by, no clear orders were being shouted nor was Louis sneaking kills.

The song of war had clouded his mind to the point of endangering the success of the battle! This angered him, an angry Knight is not good. The White Knight cursed himself for his foolishness, he acted quickly and began his retreat while slaughtering more Black Pawns.

The slaughter is easy and mindless, he has killed plenty before meeting King Matthias, or rather, Prince Matthias at the time. 

A boy with his stringless puppet named Louis, who was used it to communicate with others while he was too shy to talk for himself.

Now the puppet is a Rook that he uses to keep danger away from himself and White King Czernin is no longer a mousy boy to be pushed around.

Such growth to witness has changed the Knight's opinion of him and this will be the day he will feel something within his chest, foreign and equally as addicting bloodshed.

Only a few feet away, Ithaqua had almost made it but fell short when he was cornered and separated. They realized the White King was unprotected.

That only added to him being enraged, swinging like a panicked beast the second he saw a Black Knight approach the White King.

“Watch out!” He yelled out fearing for the other, for his King!

The sound of metal clashing through wood echoes followed by the steel cutting through armor and flesh as the White King kills the Black Knight. The first of many battles to come, the White King is christened in blood as he killed a knight who tried to get him through the backline. Matthias struggled but he killed the knight, shaking and covered in blood and Ithaqua never felt so... Heated.

The White King stained his white gloves in crimson, his body trembling as pulls away with the sword in both hands as the body drops to the ground lifelessly.

Sure Matthias looks traumatized by what he just did and Ithaqua is standing around corpses, but the  Knight needs him right there.

It is no Queen that took the King's first kiss.

The first kiss between the White King and the White Knight, surrounded by death Ithaqua found himself craving flesh differently.

It is a White Knight who is bound by oath and blood in service of his king. Ithaqua made sure that the kiss lasted as long as the scent of blood did in Matthias' mind.

The White Knight nearly took the White King in that blood-soaked field of battle, growling and consuming like a beast. The only thing that stopped him was Matthias had started crying. Tears from stress and the stress of the still warm blood on his hands.

It is different as Louis, different as he never felt the sensation. Now he feels it, smells it, he wants to gag but Ithaqua is not letting him.

The trauma of a first kill, not utilizing Louis, but Ithaqua holds him and stays with him when they return to their tents.

The pieces are in high spirits.

Many were lost yes, but the battle won, they have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with against the Black Royal Army! Though there is no live celebration, no drinking and dancing as many are wounded and others preparing for the march home tomorrow, this is enough.

A warm meal, on specialty made for the victory tonight.

The camp is quiet outside of the casual talks among the pieces and the guard watch changes, the White King is alone for a time.

Bathing in silence before his White Knight comes to check on him, he enters when the King is out of the bath and dressed only in a fluffy robe.

Fresh from a bath, Matthias looks distant, fragile as the boy Ithaqua met that one summer when they first met in the royal gardens.

His hands gripping his sides, gazing down then up at his knight. They both are tired. This is only the beginning of a long campaign to obtain their freedom.

“You weren't by my side.”

“No. No, I was not, your majesty.”

Matthias glares at the ground, “I was scared.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.” That he means sincerely.

“You best not or I will kill you myself!” Yelling at him while shaking.

The White Knight steps forward then moves closer, then once more until Matthias can see the other's boots on the ground. “Only you may take my life, Your Majesty.” The mistake today will not be repeated, the very thought of what could have happened makes Ithaqua angry at himself, “Allow me to offer myself to you, Your Majesty.”

A single brown eye gazes up at him as the King lifts his head in shock, “Ithaqua,” The bath had washed the blood away but the bath oils only could do so much to mask the scent. “I..” The White King is aware the other dawns no armor or helm, his hair wet from the wash, the loose-fitting blouse revealing enough of the other’s chest to be scandalous, and the 

Ithaqua is both beautiful and cute, the latter something he hated to be called since childhood, it never left him though it often is replaced easily by dangerous. Beautiful and dangerous, that is often the White Knight these days.

“I can distract you, your majesty.”

Matthias is quiet, his tent quiet save for the fire of the hearth burning to chase the chill of the night.

“Would… Would that be wise?”

“Depends if you can keep your voice down, Matthias.”

All the former puppet king is wearing is his robes and smells of fresh bathing oils, Ithaqua's eyes brazenly wander the other making his intentions known and clear.

There are rare moments, rare enough that the King feels his cheeks burn when the other holds his face still, and Ithaqua says his name. His eyes closed, squeezing shut, as soft lips touched his scared ones. Slow with easy movements then Ithaqua tilts Matthias' head back, tongue seeking and granted access. The White King's hands gripping the back of the White Knight's poet’s shirt as tries to keep up; the kiss is messy and twice felt the others shape fang-like teeth against his bottom lip or tongue.

When Ithaqua pushes him into bed, the predatorial crawls with a grin on his bluish-purple-painted lips, Matthias crawling backward to center himself. Legs forced open and Matthias is very aware of how naked he is under his robes.

“Wait!” Stopping Ithaqua's head from going any closer between his legs, “You don't need to do that, Ithaqua.”

“Do you want me to fuck you dry then?” Blunt, “That would be unpleasant for us both.”

“...” Scowling as he is nervous.

“I promise to go slow, Matthias.”

[lazypanartist]

//Alright here you go!! I think this one is fun, but a little messy. First step back into writing after my little break and whatnot. I hope you enjoy!

- 📝 Nonnie

"Alright. Be careful, there's a camera ahead. Stick to the wall below it."

"Gotcha, hermano!"

Slinking around a corner, the slider slipped past the security cam, creeping further through the halls.

"Tell me again why you aren't doing this?"

"Because I'm making sure the security is constantly in its No Threat state and have the get away ready in case we need to get out quick. Michelangelo and Rafala are keeping the crowd busy but you need to be quick. And quit tripping so many motion detectors! This is ridiculous! I have to go, I need to focus on tricking the alarms into not panicking."

This job had been weeks in the making. Planning everything out in order to grab a mystic weapon before it fell into the greedy claws of someone less deserving. Big Mama already had mentioned wanting it, which was why it had been so necessary to fetch it as soon as they could. Mikey and Raph were in charge of keeping people distracted, either by natural means like charming guests or by more violent means such as knocking the odd guard out.

Leo couldn't mess this up.

"Right. I quit paying attention but good job. Or I'm sorry, whichever works."

Huffing, Leo continued on, creeping closer and closer to his target, a beautiful glaive that glowed with untapped mystic potential on a stand. It had a long pole, a carved jade dragon circling it with a tassel made of silk and a large glittering gem clutched in its jaws. Green, three fingered hands hovered over the pedestal, nervously fidgeting as the mutant thought about what would happen upon grabbing it, what alarms could sound. Your eyes glinted in the low lighting, the dark fur surrounding them making them look sharp as they focused on the mystic magic weapon before flashing up and locking with his own across the target.

Wait.

"AGH!!"

"WH-!!"

You both bolted upright and launched away from one another, instantly on guard.

"Who are you?!" You hissed, ringed tail flicking irritably. "What do you think you're doing??"

"I ammmm Baron Draxum, and…Well, what are you doing?!"

"I don't think that's any of your business," You snapped, "Now if you'll excuse me, 'Baron Draxum', I have something important to snatch." Your delicate hand reached out, but before it could take the weapon, it was in the terrapin's hands.

"Ahaha, no, see, I need this. Kinda the whole reason why I'm here."

"Mh. Cute."

Leo blinked, and suddenly he was holding nothing more than a mop, and you were waltzing away with the polearm. "Hey!!"

He launched at you, grabbing the weapon as he tried to wrench it from you. Hissing, you yanked the staff of the weapon, fighting the other's strength as he also tried to take it. His foot came out and swept your leg, and in turn you bit his arm. Soon, the magic weapon laid between the two of you while you began fighting, scratching and punching and wrestling to subdue the other.

"Lay off! Go find some other place to steal from!"

"Nu-uhn! Get lost, Bandito, I was here first!"

"Oh like HELL you were! We've been casing this place for a while, and I saw it first!"

"Oooh, you saw it first but I grabbed it!"

You heard the sound of something sliding against the floor and froze, clamping a hand over Leo's beak, rounded ears swiveling to follow the noi-

"DID YOU LICK MY HAND?!"

"TAKE THAT!"

"Nardo, something's wrong. I haven't heard from- hey- let go of-"

"HEY!!"

The two of you became statue still, looking up slowly at the very large guard glaring down at you both. You grinned sheepishly and backed up, hands raised. Oh boy.

"Ehehe~ Oh, would you look at that! I took down uh, a thief! Trying to steal your magic weapon!"

"Oh shell no, you were stealing! Listen, officer, Trash Panda here had their grubby mits all OVER this thing and I BRAVELY fought them off! You can thank me now."

You hissed loudly, snapping your sharp teeth at the blue clad ninja as he yanked you down by an ear. However, your spat quickly died off when two things occurred at once. Firstly was when the guard raised his large arm cannon at you both.

The other was Donnie's voice ringing through Leo's earpiece telling him to run.

"....Truce?"

Your hand dug into your hip pouch, pulling out your favourite toy. "For now? Sure. Come on!!"

You grabbed his arm and rolled out of the way of the blast. He popped up, unsheathing his twin katanas for a fight, but quickly wilted when the cannon's second blast shattered the blades when he crossed them to block the hit. You dug your thieves' tool into the base of a nearby door, popping it open before whistling to the ninja to follow.

Leonardo quickly dashed past you, running through the threshold. You yelped and ducked, dodging another two blasts from cannonfire. Sirens began blaring and flashing in the dark as you chased after him, snatching the glaive from his hands.

"Hey!! Give that back, trash panda!"

You skidded some before taking a sharp corner, the terrapin swearing as he slid past before chasing after you. "Quick, this way, while the window is still open!!"

Leo was about to yell some other snark, but gasped and instead tackled you as another laser blast shot just where your head had been. The terrapin rolled, kicking you and launching you back onto your feet, where they quickly dashed over to the window and you jammed the glaive into the window sill just as metal grates began slamming down and covering all the possible exits.

"Keep them off me!!" You called out.

"Easier said than done!" The slider sniped, kicking the back of a dragon guard's knee out and throwing her into another.

You grit your teeth, wedging the weapon more and using your body weight, you began slowly fighting against the security mechanism, winching it open. The metal grate creaked and groaned, trembling as it fought against you and the now slightly bent glaive. You looked outside, desperately looking for a target. The Yokai Liberation Parade was in full swing, with floats and balloons and lanterns and people flooding the streets several stories below, making it hard for you to spot any hard points across the street in the night.

You looked to the left, a large float heading your way that took up most of the street which had scaffolding holding up the large paper mache Kappa.

…Well. Beggars can't be choosers.

"Hey! Turtle! Our ride is here, come on!!"

Leo ran to your side after knocking two guards' heads together. He peered out the window before looking confused. "Where?!"

"Do you trust me?"

"No! Not at all!"

"Good enough."

You grabbed him and pulled his arms around your waist, leaping out of the window and dragging him with you. Your ringed tail looped around the glaive and yanked it out, taking it with you as well as cutting anyone off from following you as you plummeted.

"OH MY GOD WE'RE GONNA DIE, ARE YOU INSANE?!"

"A BIT!" You chirped in response, snickering as he clung to you tightly, legs wrapped around your waist and his arms looping your neck. You wrapped an arm around him before pulling out and firing your grappling gun, the hook catching the scaffolding and allowing you to swing through the air, sailing over to the buildings across the street and landing on their rooftops.

You huffed pridefully as the two of you landed, the slider shakily letting go and getting to his feet.

"You're utterly insane."

"Eh, it's a character trait. Now come on, we gotta get distance." Your delicate fingers smoothed out your clothing. "Come on, up up. You're a ninja, I assume you can do SOME parkour."

Grumbling, Leo snatched the glaive back before running and leaping over to another building, gaining speed and momentum as he ran. You shouted at him before following, close behind and quickly gaining. You were locked onto your prize.

"So. Whatcha after the Heaven's Tear for?"

The turtle turned and looked at you while he kept moving. "Uh, no reason. You?"

"No reason!"

"Right, right…"

You launched ahead, nabbing the weapon once again. "We need to branch off to the right up ahead."

"Hey, giv- Wait, what?! Back through the parade?" The ninja gawked, flailing his arms some as he tried to grab the weapon back while you held it away.

"Yeah! They're heading this way, we need to use the parade as much as possible to impede movement. Think you can keep up?" You threw a smirk over your shoulder at him.

He gave you a charming one in return. "Oh, you think you can out-do me, Bandito?"

"Oh, I know so~"

And so the two of you darted about the city, treating it like your own playground as you flaunted your skills to one another, chasing each other for the weapon. You tip-toed across wires and laundry lines, and he jumped large gaps with little issue. You hopped along the tops of streetlights and narrow window sills, and he would flip through the air or take more daring dives.

You lost count how many times the mystic weapon traded hands.

Eventually, you both were left snickering about some lame pun Leo had shot off, hidden behind a billboard. The large sign cast you both in shadows, hiding you both from prying eyes. You had long since outrun the guards and police.

Leo wiped his eye dramatically, leaning his weight on the glaive you both held. He smiled…genuinely, sweetly at you, and your tail flicked behind you as you smiled back, fluttering your lashes a bit. You didn't expect him to wince in response, though that's what you got.

"Uh, sorry, I-"

"No, no, um, it's my brothers, they're wondering where I am." Leo sighed. "I, uh. I gotta go…"

The two of you stared at your loot.

You sighed. "Look, you're really wanting this, aren't you?"

"Yeah. I uh. I kinda need it. Kinda the whole reason for the heist, y'know?" A three fingered hand scratched the back of his neck. "I'll get in trouble for not having it. I'll never hear the end of it."

You sighed, but nodded. "Alright. Okay, I'll let you leave with it, just. I need the tassel. I have to have SOMETHING, yeah? I gotta make ends meet."

"No, yeah! No problem, here."

The weapon was passed over, and your deft little claws worked the tassel out of the clutches of the polearm before handing it back. The large gem shined in your hands, and the silk was smooth and FELT rich.

"Thanks. See ya around, Ninja~"

Leo opened his mouth to fling some one-liner right back, but instead stiffened when you pressed a kiss to his cheek, his face becoming red everywhere instead of just his stripes. "I, ah, yea! See ya, Bandito."

You practically vanished, Leonardo coming out of his stupor just in time to see your ringed tail disappear around a corner a block away. Stunned, the terrapin sat down, mumbling his location into his earpiece as he waited on the others to come get him. Before long, he took note of the turtle tank rumbling up the street and he hopped down, hurrying to get inside with his prize.

Once in, his brothers all checked on him and asked what happened. As he spun a much more exaggerated story of himself and the raccoon- or a tanuki? who knew! - Leo found out that what had happened was something tipped off the guards to Donnie's hacking and he got counter hacked. He had to shut everything down and get Raphael and Michelangelo to leave, making Leo the unfortunate sitting duck he became. They apparently hadn't been the only team of rogues with eyes on that weapon.

However, they had won out, in the end.

Sniffing pridefully, Leonardo passed the Heaven's Tear to Don and flopped into his seat, checking his nails for dirt while trying hard not to think of the kiss that still made him warm and make him think of pretty eyes-

"Leo."

-and a sharp wit and playful banter and ringed tails and a black mask and-

"Nardo it isn't working."

The blue clad ninja's daydream fizzled out as he bolted over.

"Huh?? What do you mean?"

Donatello looked up, an unimpressed look on his face as he lifted his goggles. "There isn't an ounce of mystic magic. Did you grab the wrong thing, you dum-dum?"

"NO!! No, I swear, I-" He picked it up, looking it over. It was no longer glowing, it was no longer buzzing with untapped power. "No, I know this was it! It was lit up, radiated magic, sure it's a little bent but that shouldn't have-"

Leonardo froze, rewinding everything that happened. You kissed him. Your little fingers worked the tassel from the jaws of the jade dragon. You kissed him. Your nimble hands held that huge gem, which glittered like magic on that silk tassel. You kissed him. You batted your lashes, and looked so sad you would be going home empty handed.

You kissed him.

The weapon hadn't glowed since you left.

Angrily, Leo barreled to the front, slamming his hands on the dashboard as he glared out into the night. You had tricked him. You knew how to play him, and he fell for it.

"BANDITO!!"

--

Elsewhere, you laid on the secondhand couch in your little thief's den, snickering to yourself as you tossed the tassel up in the air and caught it, before activating the magic and turning almost invisible. You felt bad, your little blue rogue friend had been so utterly charming…but this would be so helpful to your future heists. You waved as the rest of your thief friends made their way in, elated that the job had been a success.

Like a thief in the night, you had made off with his pride, his target, and his heart.

UGHHH NONNIE!!! My heart!! 💙💙💙

Gonna need more of this at some point 👀 I'm glad you're back :p

[calling4glaives]

Day 1 Recap

We’ll continue to add works to this list as we find them, so don’t worry about being late. Please support all artists and writers – comment, like, reblog, and leave kudos!

Tumblr is being quirky today and not everything is showing up in tags, so if we missed something, please send us a message and let us know!

Title: Blades! Author: blossom adventures Link: Tumblr Prompt(s): Blades Relationships: Nyx & OC Summary/Excerpt:

“You lost Crownsguard?” A voice called, she turned around to see Nyx, who smiled when he realised who it really was, “oh, Lady Amicitia, if you’re hoping to see Drautos then you’ve just missed him”

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Title: sharpen all the knives you got Author: yuzukimist / MYuzuki Link: Tumblr, Ao3 Prompt(s): Rescue Summary/Excerpt:

"You know, I think all of our lives would be a lot easier if Lucian nobles would stop getting captured by the enemy," Nyx remarks as he drags on his combat gear.

"Yeah, no kidding," Crowe says, rolling her eyes. "But quite a few of them seem to have more money than brains, so here we are getting ready for yet another rescue mission."

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Title: A Prince and a Princeling Author: Niaswish / Shiary Link: Tumblr, Ao3 Prompt(s): Captivity Relationships: Noctis / Nyx Summary/Excerpt:

Prince Nyx Ulric has finished his mission, conquer Insomnia and demand Galahd’s rightful payment for Lucis’ betrayal. Finding himself faced with Lucis’ prince, Nyx finds himself rather intrigued when the kid bluntly asks him if he’s a stripper, while being in chains himself!

Not that Nyx would allow his own amusement to interfere with his duties.

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Title: Scars Unseen Author: WhoStarLocked Link: Tumblr, Ao3 Prompt(s): Danger, Captivity Relationships: Pelna / Nyx Trigger Warnings: Rape/NonCon, Underage Summary/Excerpt:

“Did you like your present, love?” Mama asked, her smile getting wider as she glanced at him.

Nyx nodded enthusiastically, feeling so happy he could burst at just the reminder. He was nine today, and Mama had given him one of Papa’s daggers - now his very first weapon - for the occasion.

It was the best birthday ever!

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Title: Sting of Betrayal Author: whumpwriterforlife Link: Ao3 Prompt(s): Captivity Relationships: Cor / Nyx Summary/Excerpt:

"Wha–" Nyx had no time to finish before his head was wrenched back harshly, the rest of his words turning into a pained gasp. Drautos loomed over him, a dagger in his free hand. His eyes were frighteningly blank.

"I had hoped it wouldn't come to this," Drautos told him, perfectly nonchalant as if he wasn't holding a dagger mere inches away from Nyx's bare neck. "You would've been a great asset to me, you were always a more skilled fighter than the rest of them – but you are way too stubborn, following that scourged King like a blasted puppy."

Something about the words broke through the drugged haze and the memories flooded back. Late night at the Glaive HQ, threats of gate duty unless mission reports were turned in, stepping into Drautos' office and seeing him–

"Glauca," Nyx breathed, his eyes wide at the realization, but it only took a second for anger to ignite inside him. He lunged forward with a snarl. "You traitor!"

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Title: A Rescued Chocochick Author: Firechocobros Link: Ao3 Prompt(s): Blades, Rescue Relationships: Cor / Nyx Summary/Excerpt:

Nyx hoped that his father would approve of what he used the family blades for. In which Cor and Nyx try to not get attached and Prompto is too cute for this world.

Featuring: Cor Leonis not getting attached and Nyx Ulric breaking the attachment land speed record.

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Title: Talk Some Sense to Me Author: Garbria / Loki_chan Link: Tumblr, Ao3 Prompt(s): Captivity, Rescue Relationships: Cor / Nyx Summary/Excerpt:

The door swung open, and Nyx froze. On the other side was a boy about his age with a scowl on his face and a sword in his hand. The bruise on his cheek made Nyx think he wasn’t part of whoever was in charge here.

“Who are you?” he snarled in Lucian.

Nyx grimaced. He really should have paid more attention to those Lucian lessons. His Lucian was passable, but he was better at listening than speaking.

“I’m Nyx. Who are you?” He spoke slowly, hoping the other boy could understand him.

The boy glared at him. “What are you doing here?”

“Fuck if I know!” Nyx moved his hands in exasperation, but stopped as he noticed the other boy move towards his sword. “Where even are we?”

The boy stared at him, gaze sliding over Nyx’s beads to stop at the new tattoo on his cheek. Nyx scowled at the look on the boy’s face. He was Galahdan and proud of it. He wouldn’t pretend otherwise. “Leonis. Cor Leonis.”

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Title: Mnemonics Author: MeissaShush Link: Tumblr, Ao3 Prompt(s): Blades Summary/Excerpt:

The snake yawned, stretching slowly along the large, flat rock. It didn’t seem to care that Nyx was there, crouching like a pathetic little daemon in the shade of the alcove. He fiddled idly with the ribbon wrapped about the hilt of his kukri, threading the loose strands of blue through his fingers as he watched the snake settle.

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

Title: Love and Blood and Choice Author: Awlwren Link: Tumblr, Ao3 Prompt(s): Rescue, Captivity Summary/Excerpt:

Clarus followed closely behind Libertus, hating himself for not being able to evacuate the boy sooner. He just had no backup on this mission, and had barely been able to find a safe place to shelter his niece, so he had no choice but to endanger the boy further. The fact that the boy insisted he wanted to help was cold comfort, at this point. All he could do was stay as close as possible. He was trained for protection, after all.

Though he certainly didn't feel like he was very good at it at the moment.

Uncle Clarus AU! The Clarus POV of Whumpwriterforlife's "The Bonds that Bind Us"

[battleshot]

The hero hums, a quiet sound that almost mimics a coeurl's rumble. He settles his cane against his leg, arms crossing over his chest as he leans in the doorway. " hey there hotshot, you planning on gettin' outta bed today? " it's a gentle tease, his good eye lighting up with fondness. " Lib made breakfast, says he wants to actually see you it this time, he's worried you're nothin' but bones. " -- @sunlilted & nyx

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞, making him blink rapidly as he looks over at the door. Clearly disoriented by the sudden awakening, he asked, "Huh? Wh-What time is it?" His gaze drifts over to the Glaive as he lifts his head from the pillow of the bed they shared when Prompto stayed (which was becoming more frequent - not wanting to leave his side). "I thought the plan was for us both to sleep in this morning." With a chuckle, "Guess not." Rolling over, he adds. "Mm. Gimme a sec." He yawns, back arched and slowly becomes aware of the light infiltrating the bedroom.

Swinging his legs out of bed slowly, he feels the carpet under his feet and scrunches his toes into it before emerging from bed using his hands to raise himself. "Nuh-uh, It's you pushing food around their plate - don't think I haven't noticed, babe. You're not getting off the hook that easy." A little sparkle appeared in his own eyes as he teased. He was relieved to see Nyx back, even if he had been severely damaged and was on the long road to recovery. He was back. 

A pair of bare feet padded across the room to reach Nyx, arms reaching out and gently wrapping around his waist. "Good Morning." He mumbled into his chest. He exhales heavily, and around natural withdrawal, he clings even tighter. He adds adamantly, "Not so fast!". As he settled into a softer sigh, his gaze was drawn to Nyx's face, trying to see beyond the scars to kiss the corner of his lips. "Soooooo.... what's been cookin' good lookin'?" A smile emerged, radiating his fair, freckled features.

[inscryptions]

This strange, unstable space does not necessarily bode well for what I might encounter; it shifts and wavers at the edges, ever so slightly smudged around the corners in the way of dreams. The fact that I appear to be lucid, as do my companions, is intriguing. For a moment I wonder if someone has gotten their hands on Siraj's technology and adjusted it to keep the members of its hivemind in a dream similar to the events of the Sabzeruz Festival, only with each member granted some agency so as to keep them from suspecting the truth. It's a thought worth merit and one I ought not to forget while here. This place, however, also bears resemblance to the domains I've encountered before... I must gather more information. My companions are an eclectic bunch, consisting of a Fontainian-style magician, a pale-haired high-ranking Millelith(?), a Shongunate tengu general, and a sparkling young mistress. The last catches my eye, what with her cranial wings and budding golden halo, unlike any species I have seen or read. I'll need to interview her for research purposes should we get a free moment and she oblige.

Across from us sit a pack of slimes and a couple of hilichurls. Weaker opponents, and depending on the capability of the others, easy enough to take down. As each person makes an introduction and an attack, I take note of the skills and the clear competence displayed: some of these people are evidently experienced in war—ah, that man is not in fact a Millelith. I've never heard of a "Xianzhou Luofu" or Cloud Knights, but the way he swings his glaive, and the sheer power in his attacks... okay, there has to be a logical reason why I'm thinking of adepti all of a sudden. Hmm. Oh, he has a spirit like Cyno, although unlike Cyno the spirit appears separate from this Jing Yuan's body and takes up almost the entire room. Well, then. If this man really does exist in real life, they need to meet. The General Mahamatra's reactions to him should be very enlightening.

Roll Energy: 7. Elemental Skill activates! 1 Chisel-Light Mirror active. 1 Dendro Core active. Damage dealt: 3. Energy used: 2. Hydro Slime A: 4/26 HP Roll Charged Attack: 20. Crit! 2 Chisel-Light Mirrors active. 2 Dendro Cores active. Damage dealt: 4. Energy used: 1. Hydro Slime A: 0/26 HP Hydro Slime A has been defeated! Elemental Burst activates! 2 Chisel-Light Mirrors consumed. 4 Dendro Cores active. Damage dealt: 3. Energy used: 2. Hydro Slime B: 4/26 HP. Large Hydro Slime: 10/32 HP. Hilichurl Berserker A: 11/23 HP. Hilichurl Berserker B: 11/23 HP. Large Cryo Slime: 24/27 HP Aggravate activates twice! Damage dealt: 2. Large Hydro Slime: 8/32 HP. Alhaitham: 8/10 HP Roll Normal Attack: 7. Hit! Damage dealt: 1. Energy used: 1. Hydro Slime B: 3/26 HP Roll counter: 1. Miss! Roll Normal Attack: 15. Hit! Damage dealt: 1. Energy used: 1. Hydro Slime B: 2/26 HP Roll counter: 19. Hit! Damage dealt: 1. Alhaitham: 7/10 HP

"Alhaitham, scribe of the Sumeru Akademiya," I offer before launching into my own offensive. Dendro energy blossoms out of me and into my surroundings as I fight, fruiting into cores and zipping across the battlefield with the assistance of my prismatic mirrors. Although this results in me getting myself zapped thanks to the Electro charging the air, I still feel satisfied at my initiative (and at least one of the slimes is gone now, so. There is that). The magician takes advantage of the numerous Dendro Cores and sets them exploding in the monsters' faces to gratifying effect, with Jing-jiāngjūn mopping up the remaining resistance. Of course, things can't end that swiftly, and while Ms. Robin dispenses with praise, several bulky machines enter the battle chamber. They share few, if any, similarities to the constructs I know, a bit more akin to the images of Gardemeks I've seen before. This battle should prove to be a little more difficult, but I suspect that we have this well in hand based on everyone's previous performance, as the singer maintained.

(I can't tell what element she's using, if any. It's none of the seven I'm familiar with.)

"Let's deal with these constructs first, then we can think about watching each other's performances. I'll need your Electro, Kujou-san, Jing-jiāngjūn, and your Pyro, Monsieur Lyney."

Soon, the pale-haired General is calling for me to finish the battle. I meet Ms. Robin's eyes and nod at her; with her coordinating her attacks to follow on the others', I would be wise to make use of her services. "On it."

Roll Energy: 6. Elemental Skill activates! 1 Chisel-Light Mirror active. Burning activates! Damage dealt: 2. Energy used: 2. Automaton Direwolf: 6.5/30 HP Roll Charged Attack: 6. Hit! 2 Chisel-Light Mirrors active. Damage dealt: 1. Energy used: 1. Automaton Direwolf: 5.5/30 HP Elemental Burst activates! 2 Chisel-Light Mirrors consumed. Damage dealt: 3. Energy used: 2. Automaton Spider: 0/20 HP. Automaton Direwolf: 2.5/30 HP Chains of Destruction activates! Roll Self-Exploding Module: 3. Miss! Automaton Spider has been defeated! Roll Normal Attack: 11. Hit! Damage dealt: 1. Energy used: 1. Automaton Direwolf: 1.5/30 HP Roll counter: 3. Hit! Bleed does not activate! Damage dealt: 1.5. Alhaitham: 8.5/10 HP

Unfamiliar as these are, they still Burn the same way, my Dendro reacting to the heat and sparks M. Lyney's left behind to set them on fire. I wrinkle my nose at the acrid scent of scorched metal and mechanisms—hopefully none of these materials give off toxic fumes when incinerated, or else the five of us will be in a world of hurt. The smaller machine, looking like a hand on wheels, explodes after being struck through with my particular field, though fortunately the shrapnel misses our party. All that's left is the bipedal construct, and I manage to whittle it down to barely-functioning scrap. "If you would, Ms. Robin."

Vox Harmonique, Opus Cosmique is active! Wingflip White Noise activates! Roll Normal Attack: 15. Hit! Damage dealt: 2. Automaton Direwolf: 0/30 HP Automaton Direwolf has been defeated!

The songstress sends the mecha toppling over, sparking and dead. I turn and nod to each of my four companions; we appear to have been well-partnered, and the synergy within our group is clear even if some of us have never met before. "Good work, everyone. We make an effective team."

Banish Air from Air

��ʚ [ team one: spiral abyss | floor 1] ɞ˚

[crysdrawsthings]

I think for drawing him for the first time in 3-4 years I am doing relatively good?

Anyway, WIP of the best space wizard. Friend tag for @fuukonomiko c:

[adeptuspapecraftus]

The results of assembly

[thefirstknife]

minor season of the haunted spoiler (kinda its a weapon flavor text) BUT I AM LOSING MY MIND

.

.

.

WHAT WHAT WHAT?!?!

If Nezarec ends up being an actual character I'm going to lose it!!!!!!!

(especially cause his helm implied he was on the side of the Gardener)

I don't think Nezarec was on the side of the Gardener. His only lore tab is very much not the Gardener vibe. Another problem is that the lore comes from a "pre-Golden Age text." As in, someone (presumably human?) wrote this before the Traveler arrived to Sol (or it's possibly not human in origin: the helmet looks strangely similar to Psion helmets).

An interesting idea I had when the trailer dropped was that Nezarec popped into my mind when the season was describing stuff about how we're embracing the goth lifestyle and becoming reapers and death. I just had this wild association with Nezarec but didn't say anything because it felt so unhinged even to me.

Basically, a few sentences from Nezarec's Sin were just standing out: "He is that which is end." (Eris saying "this is the beginning of the end" in the trailer), "For Nezarec is no demon, but a fiend, arch and vile in ways unknown." (weird death-like symbology).

And then today I saw this weapon with this name. BAFFLED. Nezarec's Whisper lore tab doesn't clarify much however. It's not on Ishtar yet, but here's the thing (under the cut for easier spoiler evasion and length):

?? Very confused. Is the flavour text about Rhulk talking to Nezarec or to Eris? Who is Eris talking to? It says that she "whispers" and the weapon is called Nezarec's Whisper. But the glaive is specifically Rhulk's weapon so it being offered to Eris in the (assumed) Pyramid chamber is strange. Where does Nezarec come into play here?

Was (is?) Nezarec also one of the Disciples? One that Rhulk didn't fail with? Or something completely different?

Another thing that bothers me is the "yawning opening that empties into perpetual nothingness" that Eris sees. The rest of her surroundings look like the regular Pyramid interior (that we know of) but the open abyss?

Drifter might know a thing or two, given that he's allegedly visited the Fourth Tomb of Nezarec, but he is notorious for not wanting to share details. But the mention of a tomb (a fourth one no less) makes me think it's possible that Nezarec is some ancient being similar to Rhulk.

There's one other possible mention of Nezarec, though not spelled the same. It's from D1 when the Awoken are experimenting on Sylok.

Finally. Let’s see what we’ve… wh— what is that? …Blllessssseeddd is the N-Nastareth!!!

There's a thing that connects the two other than the similar name (the difference could be due to Sylok being a Hive and therefore possibly saying it differently): it's the mention of pain. From Nezarec's Sin:

The final god of pain

From Sylok's rambling:

>Give him a jolt. ...Gragggghhhhhhh!!!! >That did the trick. >>Is he ... is he happy? ...Gragghh ...g-ggglorious pain!!!

And:

...The greater than anguish, the greater the reward... ...I know you. See your thoughts. I will use the pain. Reach in... ...Give me the pain. Take away all but agony. Through it, I transcend.

Destiny 2: Become Unhinged.

Ironically, Eris mentions how the veiled statue in the Pyramid is "vaguely feminine" but that she isn't convinced by its "apophenian silhouette." Apophenia is "the tendency to perceive meaningful connections between unrelated things." Like I'm possibly doing now with Nezarec lore.

Yes, I am absolutely obsessed with Nezarec lore and any lore that has like 2 mentions, that is my curse. So I understand you going insane over the name of the glaive because mood. Especially since it was on my mind when the trailer dropped and I thought it was so bizarre that I didn't even mention it. Alas.

Either Bungie is trolling us or there's more about this to come. I will lose my entire shit if we get more Nezarec lore, it's my second most wanted and interesting lore after the Aphelion.

[nothing-but-dreamy]

HC: You telling Nyx you could imagine having a family with him

A/N: This is written gender neutral! It really suits everyone

Words: 1.390

Pairing: FFXV!NYX ULRIC x GENDER NEUTRAL!READER

Warnings: some angst; fluff

- Overall, Nyx would be both scared and happy when you tell him you would like to have a family with him; he just has problems to deal with the information properly

- back in Galahd, after finding the right person, Nyx would have settled down some day, raising a little family, being a loving, caring dad and husband; playing games with his kids and building a strong bond with his partner to challenge life together

- but now, things have changed; Nyx' home is destroyed and with it a bunch of his dreams he had had formerly

- then, you showed up in his life; turning grief into new hope; bringing back the color into some of the dreams that already have turned gray; you alone are a miracle; how it was possible for him to be this lucky; but you give him strength, safeness and love as he needed it the most

- one day, after you two were dating for a while, you admit that you can imagine having a family with him;

- Nyx is speechless; sure, he always was the family-type of guy but ... now? As a Glaive?

- because he doesn't respond, you take it as rejection; you feel disappointed because of his reaction but you disguise it with a smile that shall reassure him while you feel something break inside of you; not much, just a little bit like a tiny crack

- Nyx is the type of guy you always searched for but you never found until now; everything feels right and perfect and pretty early in your relationship, you already can imagine him with a child - your child - no matter how silly this picture was after this short of time, you could feel it was something you would like to have with him

- of course, you have considered his job as a Glaive, that was the reason why it took you so 'long' to bring up this idea, at all, knowing what his arguments would be

- but as Nyx stays silent, just staring at you, you know you did something wrong; you regret it, not just because you feel hurt, rather because you haven't considered the idea that it might be no topic for Nyx anymore after losing his whole family

- Nyx sees your sad expression and how you try to hide it with a smile before you change the topic quickly to brush the idea off as just something randomly

- but he knows it wasn't something random; he saw that you were serious with your idea; the thing was, you have taken him so much by surprise that he had no idea how to react properly because his mind went blank

- for him, as a Glaive, life could end quickly; to have you in his life was already luxury he wasn't sure if he should allow it to himself - but a family? That was a whole different level

- the night of the day you dropped the idea, Nyx can't sleep. At all. He lies next to you, watches you sleeping peacefully, beautiful and cute as always; this time, added to the question why he even deserves you, he also is pondering about your family idea

- of course, he can't get it out of his mind, he already loves the idea but he's still surprised that you would want that with him; he sees himself as far away from being perfect for that with all his nightmares and flashbacks; and still, you seem to see him as worthy

- but the main reason Nyx is still awake is because he can't forget your disappointed expression as he just had stayed silent; even in his own mind, it must have been the cruelest thing he could do to you

- so, even if it is just four in the morning, Nyx has to wake you up; he has to talk to you; to apologize; so, he strokes softly over the skin of your arm, slowly becoming a bit stronger in his moves to wake you up

"Wh-what's the matter?", you whisper sleepily, rubbing your eyes as you see Nyx' face in front of you.

"YN, I... Can we talk?", Nyx whispers softly.

"Talk? Now? It's the middle of the night, Nyx...", you point out before you close your eyes again to drift back to sleep.

Nyx shakes you once again, with more urgency in his voice, "Please, YN."

You yawn before you open your eyes slowly again, "Okay, okay, I'm awake. What is it?", you ask but as you see his insecure glance, your mind becomes quickly clearer.

"It's about earlier. As you... As you said you could imagine having a family with me-"

You cut him off, once again regretting saying it at all. But now, you also fear it might be a deal breaker for your relationship, "Oh, that... Yeah... Listen, Nyx, forget it.", you whisper, avoiding looking at him, fumbling with the blanket, "It was a stupid idea anyway mostly, because I haven't thought about your past. Please, just... Just don't break up with me because of what I have said.", you plead desperately.

Nyx watches you in shock. He had no idea that his silence would have had this kind of effect on you. So, Nyx cups your face with his hands, forcing you to look at him before he kisses you deeply to show you what he always failed to put into words. After that 'said', he leans back to look into your eyes, "I won't leave you. Never. I couldn't. I have no idea what I should do without you, YN."

You feel that tears are building in your eyes and you're too tired to stop them, "But you were mad. And I was thoughtless."

Nyx slides even closer to you, feeling how your hands are searching for him. As you embrace him strongly, he relaxes a little bit, knowing that you still trust him and what he will tell you, "I wasn't mad. I... I- I was scared.", he admits awkwardly.

You frown, searching something in his soft blue eyes but there is just honesty, "Scared? You were scared because of what?", you ask confused because Nyx got barely scared of something.

Nyx chuckles softly, "I'm still asking myself why I even deserve you and then you want a family with me? Considering everything, that would be too much to ask for for me. Even if I already fell in love with the idea. And beside that, what if I fail as a dad? What if I fail you? I mean, are you sure you want that with me? My life isn't steady enough. I'm already scared to lose you...", he breathes, resting his forehead against yours with closed eyes.

Your heart hammers in your chest by his words because he shows so much vulnerability like never before. But you also smile softly because this was him. No matter how good things are, no matter how sure he is that you stay with him he will always fight to keep you by his side. Slowly, you're tickling Nyx' neck to calm him, "You know, you would be a great dad. You already care so much about everyone around you. There's no way you could fail as a dad or me at all. And I... you don't have to be scared. I didn't mean to start a family right now. I just... for some time, I have this picture in my head and I thought it would make you happy to know that.", you explain softly, showing him the sweetest smile you can produce.

Nyx leans you back to crawl on top of you, "You have no idea how happy you make me with this idea. You make me happy and you know what? I'm already addicted to your idea. I would love to start a family with you. I'm sorry for making you sad.", he whispers before he kisses you longingly.

You are melting underneath him and suddenly, sleep is of no interest anymore. In this night, Nyx and you are sharing a different kind of love, a deeper one than ever before. Nyx takes his time to make it up to you for making you sad and you enjoy the affection this perfect man gives you, realizing that you are pretty fine with the fact that you don't have to share him anytime soon.

[smolcinnamonchipmunk]

(A short Z.hongli oneshot because, well, I can. Involves nonsexual, safe, soft, oral healing vore. Tw// for blood and violence, I apparently just really like writing fight scenes. Also, if you ever get shot by an arrow with an arrowhead, don't just pull it out. You need to make an incision large enough to slip a finger in to help get the arrowhead out along with the shaft, so should probably leave the professionals to that.)

I think I was going to resign myself to not fucking leave the goddamn city anytime soon, everytime I leave to either explore or fly around ending in either a close call or some kind of scuffle. Today, it was the latter after a Hilichurl ambushed me when I landed.

I hadn’t seen it because of the thick foliage from the trees in the patch of forest I’d decided to rest in, so the arrow through the shoulder had been a very violent greeting. At this point in the fight, I not only had the arrow in my left shoulder but I also had an arrow through the shallow part of my ribcage that I was trying not to jostle. I had disarmed the crossbow from the Hilichurl, but it was still trying to charge at me using a random tree branch it had picked up from the ground. It was a lot easier to block with my glaive, but I also just wanted to leave to get some medical attention.

Vision holders naturally were able to heal a bit quicker than normal people, but I don't think that extended to pushing whole arrows out.

I flared my wings, bracing myself to take off when I felt the ground vibrate beneath my feet. But, a little too late. Before I could turn around or leap into the air, I was struck in the back, feeling both pain and warmth spread across my back and wings. I rolled to the ground from the force, clumsily getting to my feet, seeing the large smear of blood my tumble left in the dirt and the crimson that dripped from the axe of the Samichurl that had used my distraction to its advantage.

It grunted and roared, my vision already beginning to blur, charging for me again. I used Anemo energy to assist in my dodge, barely missing the axe cleaving through a wing entirely. Something hit my wing, aggravating whatever wound was sustained, and I whirled around to knock the Hilichurl away. It scurried back, darting behind the Samichurl as it turned towards me, roaring and raising its arms with the giant axe. I tensed, trying to keep my focus and vision clear until it's arms were raised all the way. With all my strength and a boost from Anemo energy, I launched my glaive at the Samichurl.

The glaive embedded itself between the ribs right beneath its left arm, presumably piercing its heart from how quick it's arms dropped. The axe fell from its now limp grasp with a thump, the Samichurls body following suit before it started flaking. The Hilichurl, now on its own, panicked and ran off into the forest.

Thank the gods.

I was barely able to continue standing until the Hilichurl ran off, exhaustion and blood loss bringing me to my knees, my glaive dematerializing from the Samichurl corpse. Shakily, I started looking over the wounds I could see, trying to figure out where to start on helping heal myself and thinking that I should probably start bringing regenerative potions out with me.

"It seems I've arrived at an inopportune moment. Or, maybe, just the right one, depending on how you look at it."

The sudden voice caught me off guard, quickly looking up to find the source. A tall man in black and gold stepped out from the trees, the details blurring a bit in my vision. Anxiously, I tried to shuffle away and summon my glaive again, my wings trying and failing to turn back into my now tattered cloak. Having experienced some Fatui encounters and Treasure Hunters, I was more than a little concerned, slurredly asking, "Wh-What are you doing h-here? What do you want?"

"Ah, I didn't mean to startle you, Wing Bearer," the man said, remaining still for a moment before stepping closer and easily covering the distance to reach me. Very much to my discomfort and worry. He kneeled beside me, making me yelp as he immediately reached for the arrow in my arm. Realizing his mistake, he stilled his hand, explaining, "Sorry. I mean to help heal you, and you're losing blood enough that I feel your care should be immediate."

The man looked at me expectantly while I vaguely noticed that his eyes were gold in my slowly devolving state and tried to figure out how to respond in the situation. If he had wanted me dead, he would have done so already in my weak state I guess, nervously replying, "Uuuuuuh, f-fine? Wh-why are you all the way out here though?"

"I was actually following you, Wing Bearer," he said, reaching for the arrow again. I didn't stop him, but I did tense, knowing that he probably had to pull it out. His statement didn't really quell any fears though. He grasped onto the shaft of the arrow as close to my shoulder as he could, holding onto my shoulder with his other hand to probably keep me from either being pulled towards him when he yanked it or prevent me from pulling away. He wrenched the arrow from my arm, causing me to cry out in pain as my vision went white for a second, but it faded far quicker than I expected. His glove from his hand on my shoulder was glowing an amber color as he pressed it against where the wound had been, his eyes glancing at me. "I haven't seen one of your kind in centuries, so when I saw you in Liyue, I became curious. I meant to try and come across you while in the city, but I had only caught a glimpse of you flying away."

I remained quiet as he talked, both out of curiosity and tiredness, keeping an eye on him. Whatever he was doing to my arm, the contact had a warming effect that drove the pain away, and when he pulled his glove away the wound was somewhat healed like a less painful cauterization.

"Without my Gnosis, it's more difficult to travel around, so I didn't think I'd find you again unless you returned to Liyue," he reached for the arrow in my side and I braced myself for the same pain as before. Which immediately bloomed against my side when he pulled the second arrow out, using both hands to cauterize the entry and exit wounds it had created. "I was curious if it'd been an imaginary figure of guilt from the past or if somehow Wing Bearers had survived the genocide."

What the fuck was this guy talking about? What was a Gnosis, and what genocide?

"Ah, but your back wound is too severe for me to try and heal like this," the man had stood up at some point, I suppose to assess the damage. "It stretches between both wings and your back. I'm glad that it didn't cut your spine though, that would be a longer amount of time for healing."

"Th-That sounds bad," I slurred, trying to think past the fog that was still setting. While the two big arrow wounds had stopped bleeding, I could feel my back still oozing from its own.

"Yes. Definitely not the most ideal setting that I would have preferred to greet you, but I suppose the past can't be changed. You'll feel a little nauseous for a second, but other than that, there shouldn't be any other side effects."

"U-Uh, side effe-," I yelped when I felt him place his hand on my head, vision swirling from dizziness and nausea, wondering whether it's from whatever he was doing or whether it was the blood loss. When I blinked again though, it had to have been whatever he did. Blood loss didn't really lead to me being only a few inches tall. "Wh-Wha-?!"

"Without my Gnosis, I can't conduct full healing like before, but I'm still able to heal in an unconventional way," the man said, scooping me up in his gloves. 

He was obviously trying to be careful and not jostle me, but my own panic was making it difficult. The only thing keeping me from actually panicking was the apathy and dizziness brought on by blood loss that made every movement feel exhausting, only becoming more confused at what he was talking about while I struggled to even stay awake. I saw him saying something else, but only heard the last part of it, resulting in, "-cuss more after you're healed."

I opened my mouth to apologize and ask him to repeat, but was caught off guard when he opened his mouth in front of me. I wasn't even able to process the sight before he brought me closer, able to feel his breath on my blood-soaked feathers. Both shocked and exhausted, the most I could do was make a protesting noise and try to flinch away when he brought me even closer, seeing his tongue extend a bit from his mouth. It slid beneath my legs and flicked up, forcing me headfirst into his mouth. A small hiss of pain escaped me as my wings were shifted against me.

Saliva already pooled beneath me, the humidity setting in against my feathers and clothes, but the tongue moving beneath me caught me off guard. I weakly tried to struggle and protest, but any movement made my wings hurt more and left me exhausted. So, there were seconds between each attempt to fight back, which just ended up making me feel more helpless. The tongue lapped at me for a few more moments before it started nudging me towards the back of the mouth. A gulp was all I heard for a moment, being squeezed into his throat and my vision going white for a second as it pinned my wings to myself painfully. It was actually more than a second when I blinked away the white fog and found myself in a more open area, unsure of how long it took to reach what I assumed was his stomach.

Liquid was pooled at the bottom, but I noticed it was rising worriedly, jolting at the sight. A pressure from the wall startled me though, hearing the man's voice above vibrating everything.

"You'll be safe until you're healed, which hopefully shouldn't take more than seven hours. So, rest, Wing Bearer. We can make proper introductions when you're better."

I tensed at the statement, angrily ready to retort back at the man. But only for a split second, the small burst of energy the only amount that I could muster up before a wave of exhaustion forced me to relax against the stomach wall. As the warm fog lowered once more, I absentmindedly thought that we better have a proper fucking introduction.

[quibbs126]

Hello, so our hotel has WiFi, so might as well post what I drew today

I didn’t have much time to draw today, and when I did I felt more tired than wanting to draw. I actually drew the entirety of this while waiting for dinner. I guess that��s what you get when you go out with over 20 people

I know I need to do requests, but I’ll be honest, I’ve been doing this for about a week straight, and I think by now I’m starting to feel burnout. I did work a little on them, but I wanted to draw something else instead, at least for a bit

If you wanna hear about them, so these two are from an old video game project of mine called Witch Hunt, which I made I believe about freshman year of high school (which was around four years now, christ). The plot’s pretty simple; so there’s a bunch of witches, and one amongst them, Arcana, turned against the rest, stealing their power and wanting to conquer the world, and now Glaive (the boy on the left) has to go and help the witches recover their power and stop Arcana.

You’d go around the world and find the other 12 witches (well actually 13, as there’s twins with the same element, but you can count them as one), and help them out with their problems, and go through dungeons to recover their power. In their areas, they’ve basically been shunned because the powers they’re supposed to control have now gotten out of hand. Also they wouldn’t all just be one witch, with some you’d meet multiple in the same place. As for the gameplay, you’d play as Glaive using his sword, though as you go throughout the areas you’d get a way to use at least part of the witches’ power to fight Arcana’s golems, with certain enemies being weak against certain things

I can’t deny that it’s pretty similar to Legend of Zelda. That’s probably because when I made the idea, I was watching someone talk about the old Zelda cartoon, and I think I just wanted to make something with a simple plot and characters with simple designs. I remember jotting down my ideas on a piece of scrap paper, which I still have, just not currently on my person

Now, I also had ideas for other games in the series. The first one was a prequel following the oldest witches (note I forgot to mention, so the practitioners of fire, water, earth and wind are the oldest of the group, being in their 40-50s, while the rest are around 20-30 (with the exception of Arcana, who was the youngest), and these four were basically the leaders of the group) when they were still young, seeing how they became friends and the people they are in the present day, as well as introducing a character called the Sorceress, who I may talk about if I draw her as well

The second idea I had was an alternate timeline story where instead Arcana was the protagonist and Glaive the villain, which is where the girl on the right comes in, as she’s this alternate Arcana. The story would be similar, but it would have its differences due to Arcana having a different personality (same for Glaive), as well as what order Arcana would meet the witches since she’s not starting from the same place as Glaive

There’s also be difference in how each game plays, since in the alternate Witch Hunt, Arcana isn’t a physical fighter, and rather commands her golems to fight, and in the prequel, you now have four witches to play as, with that one probably playing closer to an old school turn based RPG

All right, I think that’s everything I needed to cover with the games, let’s talk about these guys themselves

So if you notice, the two actually look pretty similar, having the same lavender hair. They’re also supposed to have the same skin tone, it’s just that since Glaive is a blacksmith, his skin’s been a bit tanned. They’re also supposed to be the same age, around 15. This isn’t because Arcana is just supposed to look like Glaive in the alternate universe, the two timelines are actually nearly identical. In both timelines, these are what the two are supposed to normally look like (they don’t look like this in the timelines they’re villains), and everything about their backstory, up until when they met the other witches, is pretty much identical in both timelines. I wanted to imply there being a secret connection between the two (that I imagine you can guess), but this wouldn’t be something we find out until some hypothetical fourth game that’s an actual sequel to the original

Also during this fourth game, we’d find out that there was more to Arcana’s corruption than just a lust for power or some resentment of the other witches, and it would eventually be revealed that she was basically corrupted/possessed by this evil entity who falsely promised her something, though I haven’t figured out the details yet. This is also what happened to Glaive in the alternate timeline

I recognize now that this plot line sounds a little similar to Dark Choco, in that it was someone who was fundamentally a good person (even if Arcana isn’t exactly outwardly that) and never meant to betray their companions, only for them to find power that corrupts them and everyone believes they betrayed them of their own will and must defeat them, only for this not to be the case and them suffer the consequences. However, I came up with this years before I saw Cookie Run, so…

But yeah, I think that’s it. I just wanted to talk about Witch Hunt. Every now and then I want to work on it, but the problem always comes from trying to design all the witches; I usually burn out by Inferno and Cobble, aka by about two. I’ve come up with some designs for the others, but never all of them. But maybe someday I’ll get all of them

Hope you like it!

[skekheck]

SkekGra?

First impression

A fun Skeksis ~ ✨

Impression now

Not only does skekGra put an interesting spin on the relationship between Skeksis and Urru, but demonstrates that the other Skeksis have the capacity to change. SkekGra acknowledges the wrongs he's committed and although he knows what he does will not change that, at least he could take action in helping the Gelfling overthrow the Skeksis.

Favorite moment

When he screams "I'M A Wh A T!?"

Idea for a story

I think everyone, including me, wants a prequel comic or story about how skekGra and urGoh reconcile and decided to turn their backs on their respective kind to help the Gelfling. I would also like to know how they got to Mithra to forge the Dual Glaive, how they created the puzzle rooms in the Tomb of Relics and underneath the All-Maudra's throne, and all without getting caught.

Unpopular opinion

You know, really thinking about it, skekGra driving the nail into his head himself (most likely doing so under the influence) makes more sense than the Skeksis doing it. Because they're so afraid of death and not wanting to dispel their illusion of being immortal, it wouldn't make sense if they drove a nail into skekGra's skull as punishment. Like if that was suggested, I think they knew deep down that probably would have killed him.

Favorite relationship

Him and urGoh being a hippie, old married couple who live secluded in the Desert, working on arts and crafts, and consuming a shit ton of drugs is darling. They are both so wholesome and sweet when they interact with each other. I love it so much. They're perfect together.

Favorite headcanon

I love the idea of skekGra using arts and crafts as a way to cope whenever his bad habits from his Conqueror days swell up. UrGoh taught him how to keep his mind and body busy to keep it at bay.

[bastardsunlight]

"Noctis, dear boy, you'd tell me if, say, you were intending on a wedding, private or otherwise, you would tell me, wouldn't you?" All these years later, Regis is still frowning at his vegetables and forcing himself to consume them. He is still of the opinion that they would be greatly improved by a smothering of cheese but that's "bad for his heart" and "raises his cholesterol". Horrible.

Noctis needs to learn not to try taking a drink of literally anything when his father speaks. Regis has the nasty habit of dropping puns like they’re going out of style, or asking pointed questions of his unaware son. The prince nearly chokes on his wine—he is allowed wine because he is the prince, not because he is of age—and descends into a coughing fit. Holding up a hand to indicate he is fine, however, he waves off the serving staff and shakes his head.

He is flabbergasted, blue eyes wide, completely taken aback at the very thought someone would want to marry him! The Six did not imbue their power through the Caelum line all the way down to him to watch him choke on his dinner, however, and he soon recovers as much poise as possible, satisfied that he is not about to asphyxiate.

“Dad, wh—what would make you… how would I… I don’t know anyone, dad! I… You know all the people I know! How would… how…!”

Noctis Lucis Caelum has no idea how events will turn his head and his heart completely in mere days, how a long night out with a certain Glaive and his friends will lead to a long night in, and then questions, impulses, desires, and finally, vows. For now, he is simply baffled at the very idea.

ask my muse personal questions

[akaluan]

Masterpost by Month: May 2020

Dragon Eclipse:

Kaito and his hypocrisy re: ages

Kaito’s coping methods

Tiger Cubs and matchmaking? (answer: no)

On Ichigo getting dual blades later and what people assume because of it

On Kisuke’s bankai training 1

On Kisuke’s bankai training 2

World-hopper Kaito:

Does Kaito ever mention that he’s adopted in his home universe?

WH!Kaito in TBTP arc?

On Kaito and reiatsu similarities

Fox and Griffin:

Part 1 (WordPress)

White Wings:

Part 10 (WordPress)

Soulmate AU:

Part 12 (Tumblr) (WordPress)

Part 13 (Tumblr) (WordPress)

Alexis’ Appearance

Discussion spawned by part 13

Lost Eclipse:

Part 5 (WordPress)

On Kaito meeting an Uryuu that’s gone through the same things

Bare Your Fangs:

Part 10 (WordPress)

Bare Your Fangs is pretty fast and loose re: Vesperia lore

Okami Ideas (canon discussions and AU ideas):

Okami AU fragment

Okami AU: Erich’s life is Suffering the story

Okami AU: Ammy will mess with everyone, I promise

The Being X situation will be interesting to handle

Ammy the Chaos Bringer

Every canine in Okami shares one brain cell

The design of the holy bones

Demon merchants are always hilarious

Ammy is a distractable dork, not a super serious char

Glaives are an absurd weapon

On Ammy’s weapons and Waka

Okamiden and Ammy in SS

On the timeframe between Ammy’s game and Chibiterasu’s game

On Chibiterasu

Messing with the day/night cycle is clearly not worthy of notice

On Ammy posing as an Imp

On how weapons and relics are scattered around

Ammy is the Local Cryptid

Sei-An City is just weird

Sei-An City: Well This Might As Well Just Happen

AU idea: Ammy in Soul Society

AU idea: Ammy bringing Ichigo to Erich

Tumblr Prompts:

Kaito/Hanataro: Soulmate AU + Accidental Eavesdropping (Tumblr) (WordPress)

Kaito/Hanataro: Little mermaid AU (Tumblr) (WordPress)

Kaito/Hanataro: Soulmate AU + Fairy Tale AU (Tumblr) (WordPress)

[annablosssom]

dream a little dream

He's alone.

He'd lost sight of Gorgug and Fabian, and now he's alone.

((a look into what Ragh's experience in the Forest of the Nightmare King might've been))

(((read on AO3)))

"Fabian!" He yells, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Gorgug!"

He waits, listens, but when no reply comes save for the faint rustling of leaves, he calls out again.

He wanders on for a few minutes more, hackles rising the longer he stays in the forest. He starts calling out for the rest of the Bad Kids.

“Adaine! Fig! The Ball!”

Five minutes more, and his voice has turned hoarse with shouting, but he continues nonetheless.

“Sandra Lynn! Tracker! Kristen!”

Five minutes more, and doubt starts to creep into his mind. Doubt that they’ve forgotten him. Doubt that they’ve left him. He isn’t sure which one is worse.

"Ayda! Fabian! Gorgu--"

"Ragh, dude," a familiar voice drones somewhere behind him, “chill out for a sec, man. You’ve been shouting for a while.”

He draws his glaive and turns in one smooth motion, baring his teeth, muscles tense. “Whoever you are, you better be prepared to have your ass kicked!”

“Hey, hey, I said chill, dude. It’s just me.”

From out of the foliage, Dayne Blayde steps out, hands up. He walks towards Ragh, wearing his letterman jacket. He grins in that crooked way Ragh found attractive a lifetime ago, before Jawbone.

Before the Bad Kids.

Before the black eye.

“Stay back,” he warns, brandishing his glaive, “I beat you during prom. I beat you in hell. And I’m gonna beat you here in this forest if you try anything.”

“Ragh, my man,” Dayne scoffs, tilting his head as he leans back against a tree, “ you  didn’t beat me. The  Bad Kids  beat me. There’s a difference.”

Ragh growls, that same doubt coming back twofold, “Shut up!”

“Dude, you’re only mad because you know I’m right. I mean, look at you,” he nods at him. “Sandra Lynn’s a cool ranger, Cathilda’s a badass maid, Tracker’s magic keeps everyone safe at night-- I mean, they even talk to  Gilear more than they talk to you. So, let's face it," he shrugs, "you’re worthless to them, dude.”

His knuckles whiten around his weapon. “If you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m gonna kill you!”

"Dayne laughs, saying, “You’re not a Bad Kid, Ragh. You never were.”

Ragh charges at him, blood pumping as he falls into a rage.

The glaive sinks into nothing tree bark as Dayne flickers out of sight.

“Shouldn’t have done that, man,” he says, reappearing behind him with raised fists.

Raghs growls, yanking on his glaive but then the tendrils of vines wrap around the weapon from where it remains embedded in the tree. Danger sense kicks in, and he lets go just in time to jump back from the thorny vines that whip towards him.

He turns, weaponless, and takes a direct hit to his sternum as Dayne lunges forward and socks his chest. He feels something break. Breath escapes his lungs, and he falls to his knees.

He tries to take a breath, and again, but his throat closes up each time. He reaches up, clawing at his neck.

Dayne kicks him in the ribs, the force sending him to the floor, lying on his side, struggling to breath. Another kick, in his stomach. And another. And another. Another.

The lack of oxygen and pain makes him lightheaded, but he hears Dayne’s voice insulting him crystal clear despite it. Pure vitriol fills his ears, makes shame burn low in his gut. His ears ring. He tastes blood in his mouth.

A hand grabs the front of his jacket, forcefully putting him face to face with Dayne. Still grinning that crooked grin. His mind starts shutting down from the lack of air.

“This is what you get, you fucking fa--”

Ragh flinches at the slur, black spots appearing in his vision.

Dayne raises his fist one last time, and punches him in the face.

 --

 Ragh Barkrock walks home with a bruise around his right eye.

It throbs dully with each step. It distracts him enough that he trips over a tree root jutting out of the sidewalk. He blinks, brow furrowed, because there are no trees in his neighborhood.

His eye throbs, and he looks back and sees a crack on the sidewalk.

Ah,  he thinks. That makes more sense.

So he continues walking down the familiar streets of Elmville leading to the only home he's ever had. He passes by the old park his mother used to bring him to when he was younger, the old swing set rusted, the ground covered with foliage. Forest foliage.

His eye throbs.

He continues walking. He doesn’t know how he got back to Elmville. He doesn’t know what happened in Sylvaire. The details become fuzzy right after Dayne punches him into unconsciousness and right before he started walking. But he does know he has to go home to his mother.

So he continues walking.

 And walking.

 And walking.

 And walking.

 And then he stops.

A familiar burgundy door. His childhood home. Somehow, the paint seems fresh.

He swipes his hand across it and it comes back smeared with red.

He opens the door.

Inside, he hears his mother in the kitchen. He goes there.

"Mom?" he calls out as he steps through the open archway.

Lydia Barkrock is seated in her wheelchair, facing the lowered stove and away from him, humming a little tune to herself.

"Mom," he approaches, but then his black eye flares with a sudden pain, and he gasps, knees hitting the floor as he clutches his eye.

The humming stops.

"What's that on your face, Ragh?" she asks without turning to face him.

He blinks through the searing pain, "Mom, wh--" the pain intensifies, sending him prone on the floor. It feels like a dagger constantly stabbing into his right eye, twisting in the socket as it exits and enters. “It… it hurts, mom--”

"Dayne Blayde gave it to you?" She says, cutting him off, "Why? What for?"

He tries to stand, to ask for help, but he can only scream in agony.

"Oh, you stupid worthless boy," there's mocking affection in her voice, and through the haze of pain, he sees the wheelchair turn. "Did you really think he would love you back?"

"M-mom, please--"

"Did you really think  anyone  would love you back?"

The smell of burning wood and smoke reaches him. Panic makes his guts twist.

The house burns, flames licking at the walls in his periphery. Have to get her out, have to save her--

"Mom, w-we have to go!" He manages to push himself up on his elbows.

"Look me in the face, son."

He urges his body to move despite the pain lancing through his eye, managing to kneel, hands clutching the sides of the wheelchair to keep himself upright.

"Look at me."

He doesn't look, a deep sense of fear telling him not to look. The smell grows stronger, and he feels heat.  Have to get mom out, keep her safe, away from the flames--

"Ragh," her voice softens, a tone of voice he rarely heard from her. "Look at me."

Slowly, he looks.

The vision of his mother's burnt face forever imprints itself in his mind.

"You killed me, Ragh," she whispers, tongue falling to ash as she speaks, her piercing eyes pinning him in place. The smell of cooked meat and singed hair fills his nose as he lets out choked sobs.

"No.  No ." Tears build up in his eyes as he tries to remember, "Principal Aguefort said--"

"He lied," she leans in, voice still whisper-soft. "You told your friends something you shouldn't have, and you killed me."

"I didn't," he whimpers, knuckles white from clutching the wheelchair. He tries to move, to twist his head away from her, but he  can’t . "I didn't kill--"

"You  killed  me!" She screams, the gem in her scorched chest pulsing with light. "You little snitch! You killed me, you killed me you killed me killed me killed me killed me--"

Charcoal hands wrap around his throat, and the paralysis loses its grip on Ragh. Instincts kick in, and he shoves her off him and into the flame.

His mother’s corpse falls to the ground, wheelchair clattering.

Ragh turns, and runs, the glow of his burning home elongating his shadow.

 --

 He runs.

He doesn’t know for how long, but he continues to run.

Exhaustion seeps into his bones, but the memory of his mother’s burnt corpse spurs him on.

So he keeps running.

Eventually, the smell of smoke fades, and he finds himself back approaching Aguefort Academy. He slows to a stop by the gates, legs shaking, feet aching.

He closes his eyes as he leans on his knees, panting with exertion.

A whistle blows, and his eyes snap open.

He’s sitting on a sideline bench. A dozen players stand in the bloodrush field, the stands filled to capacity by a boisterous audience, flood lights turned on as the evening game commences. He sees the Aguefort team playing against an unfamiliar opponent, their team colors unfamiliar to him. He hears a clapping sound beside him, and he turns to see a huge demonic entity wearing a tight white shirt and a tiny blue cap, holding a brown clipboard.

Gorthalax cups a hand around his mouth and yells, “Line, use your hips when you push!”

He turns to the field, He spots Gorgug in the line, pushing against a player much larger than him. The opponent pushes him down, a loud snapping of bones audible across the field as he lands on his arm. The enemy runner rushes past Gorgug and scores. A chorus of gasps and boos.

Ragh watches as Gorgug slowly gets up, fingers digging into the bench, expectantly darting his eyes towards the medical team on standby, but none of them go out into the field.

Horror fills him as he sees Gorgug stand and get into position, his arm twisted. The referee blows their whistle, starting the next play. The audience cheers.

“Coach! He’s hurt!” Ragh shouts, on his feet as soon as he realizes what’s happening, “You gotta get ‘im out of there!”

“‘Fraid I can’t do that, bud,” Gorthalax says, nonchalantly writing down something on his clipboard, before raising a hand to adjust his cap. “He’s our only shot at winning the line.”

“His arm’s fucking broken!” He yells, desperate, before pulling on Gorthalax’s sleeve. “Put me in! I’ll play! I’ll win the line, just get him out!”

He realizes his mistake the moment the coach turns to fully face him for the first time. Not Gorthalax, but a demonic Coach Daybreak. He snarls at Ragh, pushing him down on the ground.

“You’re  gonna win the line?” he snarls, pointing a thick, meaty finger at him. “You can’t even win against a bunch of  fucking freshmen! You’re worthless, Ragh!”

Another wave of cheers erupts from the crowd, and Ragh glances just in time to see Fabian get tackled to the ground. His attacker stands, leaving Fabian lying limp on the ground. Another blow of the referee’s whistle.

Ragh tries to run towards the field, but Daybreak grabs his arm and pulls him back. 

“You can’t do anything, boy,” he growls, “so just sit tight and watch them die.”

Gorgug falls once more with another violent push from the enemy line. He lands next to Fabian, unconscious. Another round of cheers. Another whistle.

Filled to the brim with desperation, Ragh turns and punches Daybreak across the face, shocking him enough to make him lose his grip. A glint of metal catches his eye, and he sees his glaive lying against the bench.

He grabs it and charges into the field and stands in front of his collapsed friends, teeth bared. He feels strength come back to his arms as he goes into an aggressive stance. Opponents start rushing at him, and he tries his best to hold them back. The roar of the audience doubles out here in the field, cheers and taunts and jeers and applause overwhelming his senses.

He gets into the rhythm of the fight-- dodging the hits he can and withstanding those he can’t with rage. He slashes at the approaching attackers, uses his weapon’s reach to keep them at bay.

His entire being feels clear in a way it hasn’t been in a long time. Battle ready and out to kill. Every single hit that lands causes the audience to scream with delight, blood spilling into the grass. The sound exhilarates him.

Keen eyes spy a slight figure clad in that unknown team’s colors crouched next to the unconscious Gorgug, and he roars. He swings his glaive high to come down on them, but they dodge out of the way as it does.

The crowd boos, insults falling from their lips with Dayne and Daybreak’s voices overlapping with theirs.

So he tries again, putting even more force behind the second blow, only to be rebuffed by a spectral shield.

Even more jeering from the audience, slurs and mocking laughter. He thinks he hears his mother screaming.

He moves to attack once more, but then another figure grapples him from behind, forcing him into a headlock.

A voice comes through, shouting above the crowd.

“Ragh, Ragh! This is not you!”

Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpses brown skin and dark hair.

“It’s  not you! ”

He looks up, and the moon gleams, before flooding the sky with its light. The world turns white around him, and the bloodrush field vanishes. A cool and gentle magic floods into his mind, dispelling the possession and the fear.

His knees immediately go weak and he collapses, the weight of exhaustion coming back all at once. He collapses to his hands and knees, gasping and sobbing.

When his sight comes back, he sees Aelwyn kneeling on the forest floor, crouched protectively over Adaine’s body. His guts twist at the hole in her chest, her denim jacket tacky with gore. Bile rises in his throat.

“Hey,” Tracker says, putting a hand on his shoulder. Her eyes are bloodshot but determined, mouth set. “Head in the game.”

He takes another gasping breath, and nods.

He looks up.

He sees Kalina, claws out and razor-sharp. He sees Adaine’s mother, floating as she readies another spell. He sees the real Gorthalax, grappling with the Nightmare King.

He sees his friends, bloody and bruised but not backing down.

Ragh stands, glaive in hand, muscles protesting and body shaking with the effort, but he stands nonetheless.

This nightmare's not over yet.