#zelda: seven bitter souls

[the-ultimate-wish]

Teasing with Height Difference with Finnick and Zelda if you don't mind?

°Fluff drawing prompts°

Finnick: "There. Now we can see eye to eye."

[pocketseizure]

An Incarnation of My Hatred

While looking at the Japanese text of Skyward Sword, I noticed a few interesting things about the Buddhist terminology used by Demise. Specifically, what Demise delivers is not a curse; it’s a warning. Demise cautions Link and Zelda that their hatred contributes just as much to a bloody cycle of destruction as his own, and that the “light” of Hyrule is just as responsible for evil as its “darkness.”

In Japanese, the effect of lingering malice within the karmic cycle of death and rebirth is called on’nen, a word that the English-language publication of Hyrule Encyclopedia translates as Demise’s “curse” and the English script of Skyward Sword renders as “hatred.” Demise’s on’nen is targeted at the goddess Hylia, who sealed him within the earth during an ancient war and later sacrificed her divinity in order to set into motion a series of events to ensure that he would be dealt with once the seal containing him eventually broke.

Although Hylia is no longer a goddess by the time Skyward Sword begins, her soul is reincarnated as the first Zelda, who returns to the surface at the end of the game and presumably establishes the kingdom of Hyrule. Zelda uses the magic of the Triforce, which can be used to alter reality, to utterly eradicate Demise from the face of the earth. Nevertheless, at the end of the final battle, Demise tells Link that his on’nen will remain, claiming, “An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!” In other words, as long as Zelda’s bloodline remains in Hyrule, her kingdom will suffer from Demise’s lingering resentment.

Although Demise’s curse appears to be a standard villainous taunt in English, the grammatical structure of the line in Japanese implies that it is not “your kind” (kisamara) who will suffer. Rather, the “incarnation” (gonge) of Demise’s on’nen will “walk the earth alongside” (tomo ni urotsuku) the princesses and heroes of future generations. What Demise is saying is that the violent actions of Link and Zelda will give rise to circumstances that bring about resentment against them in the future. The original Japanese line therefore reads less like a curse and more like a warning concerning the effect of such strongly and mutually held malice (on’nen) within the cycle of transmigration.

The word Demise uses to refer to the “incarnation” of this karma, gonge, is also a term associated with Japanese Buddhism, specifically the Shugendō sect of esoteric Buddhism. Shugendō is highly syncretic in its incorporation of elements from multiple religious traditions throughout Asia, including native Japanese Shintō animism. Within Shugendō, local deities are believed to be gonge, or temporary manifestations that a buddha or bodhisattva takes in order to save living beings. Judging by his use of this Buddhist terminology, Demise seems to be aware of the apocalyptic cycle of destruction that will be created not merely by his own fury but also by the violence enacted by Hylia, Link, and Zelda, all of which contributes to karmic on’nen.

The origin of Demise’s “curse” is not merely his own hatred, but the hatred of the goddess Hylia as well. Within the “blood-soaked sea of darkness” of the future that Demise envisions resulting from Hylia’s actions, the avatar of his malice is a gonge, a manifestation of higher powers tasked with performing actions necessary to end human suffering. Demise’s understanding of himself as a force that transcends simplistic concepts of good and evil therefore complicates his role as a villain. Whereas Hylia seeks to bring an Apollonian order to the world at any cost, Demise might be understood as a Dionysian chaotic drive that restores balance to the world by disrupting a rigid and unchanging stasis.

Just as Hylia was reincarnated as Zelda, the karma generated by Demise was not extinguished, and it was eventually inherited by Ganondorf. When he first appears in Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf murders the king of Hyrule and uses the Triforce of Power, which augments his already considerable magical abilities, to conquer Hyrule for himself. He is defeated by Link, whom Zelda then sends back seven years into the past to prevent Ganondorf from rising to power in the first place.

In this second timeline, Ganondorf is successfully banished to the Twilight Realm, but he returns to Hyrule once again in Twilight Princess. By this point he seems to have become aware of the cycle perpetuated by malice; and, at the end of the game, he says to Link and Zelda, “Do not think this ends here… The history of light and shadow will be written in blood!” This warning echoes the final words of Demise, who similarly cautioned Link regarding the manner in which violence can only beget violence.

In Twilight Princess, Ganondorf blames the perpetuation of this cycle of bloodshed on the “light” of Hyrule. He uses this word with bitter irony, as he has learned that the Twilight Realm was created to prevent the rise of Ganon, which was believed to have been associated with the advanced magic and technology of a group of people who were exiled from Hyrule into the shadowy otherworld.

It is therefore not just the actions of ostensibly villainous forces but also the countermeasures used against them that have resulted in the cycle of destruction that has reduced Hyrule to a preindustrial state. If Ganondorf truly wished to free himself from the cycle, he would need to give up his attachment to his dream of reshaping Hyrule’s history with his own hands. Nevertheless, he refuses to do so, an attitude resulting in the “obsession” (or mōnen, another Buddhist term used in relation to Calamity Ganon) that ultimately transforms Ganondorf the man into Ganon the monster. In the distant future of Hyrule that serves as the setting of Breath of the Wild, historical memories of Ganondorf have been lost to time, and only the “malice” (on’nen) of Ganon remains to ensure that the order and light of Zelda’s monarchy are balanced by the chaos and darkness of the natural world.

[dinfeanoriel]

Warrior

So not procrastinating on schoolwork :) Anywho, yet another Linked Universe fanfic I wanted to write. This AU belongs to Linked Universe and Jojo56830!  I should probably add that while I do own the game, I have never finished Hyrule Warriors, so I don’t quite know what the background for it is and whatnot.  I own nothing but my own writing. 

~~~~~~~

If there was any other name Warrior loathed more than Ganon’s, it was his own. When he’d met the other Links and Wind explained their need for nicknames, he was automatically given ‘Warrior,’ and Warrior hated it. At first, Four had suggested ‘Captain,’ but Warrior flatly refused it. That name brought to mind memories he had no wish of acknowledging.

Now, he was stuck with ‘Warrior,’ and he found himself struggling with it more and more. It was a name he’d never imagined he would take upon himself. A name that was accompanied by nothing but grief, betrayal, and pain... 

But it was also a name that brought hope, reassurance, and light. 

A name so full of precious memories Warrior wanted to keep close to his heart and cherish, but also full of remembered sorrow and loss.

Call it nostalgia or reminiscence, he didn’t care. To the Links, it was nothing more than a name, but to Warrior, it was everything but a name. 

Wind looked up to him, others relied on him for strategy and orders...Not to mention the group saw him as a pompous, arrogant, your-typical-everyday soldier. They didn’t know. They had no clue who he really was. They only recognized and saw him by this façade he’d put in place to keep them from noticing the truth. 

And he’d done darn well. An excellent job, if he did say so himself. 

Warrior could see them, however. 

Legend, for all his snarkiness, sarcasm, and wit was a strong but broken soul trudging through life. Someone who had seen and done more than they could ever imagine. 

Wind was their beacon of light. Always so bright, cheerful, and upbeat. He could bring a smile to everyone’s faces with his happiness. It was contagious. He was always so optimistic, but when the time called for it, Wind would become serious and ready for a fight to protect, honor, and defend. He was so young, and he had already seen so much. 

“I’m fourteen!” Warrior remembered Wind happily declaring when he’d been asked his age. He’d worn a toothy smile, eyes sparkling, and Warrior felt a pang in his heart. How could he be so bright and happy? 

He’d been twelve when he’d set out to rescue his sister and defeat Ganondorf. 

A child! 

Sky was the most skilled swordsman of their group. He was a kind and gentle, quiet, person. Soft spoken and understanding. He was the person that if anyone were to even look at him, they would instantly know they liked him.

If Warrior was envious of anything, it was Sky’s ability to fall asleep wherever and whenever he wanted. How did he manage that? 

Four was an enigma to Warrior. He was small, but he was not to be underestimated. There were times Warrior would look to the Hero and find him smiling or scowling for some unknown reason and sometimes, Warrior could swear his eyes would change color. At night, when Warrior would take watch, Four would mutter and argue in his sleep. 

With himself. 

It was a mystery he had yet to solve. 

Hyrule was directionally challenged. This, the Links caught onto almost immediately. The Hero could not go anywhere without getting lost. He was also someone who was unaccustomed to company. Warrior could tell with the hesitant and almost shy way in which he would interact with them and try to integrate with the group. It had taken him time to grow accustomed to camping and sleeping around eight other Heroes. 

Warrior gave a small smile. The Links could care less about how a person was. They accepted everyone. Welcomed them. If they kept Legend around, then Hyrule had no need to fear about his place with them. 

Warrior would have snickered. 

Twilight was a man of few words. He spoke only when he needed to or felt like it. He spoke little of his adventure, only sharing snippets here and there. He was scarily protective of Wild, and that protection extended to Wind and Four seeing as they were the youngest of the group. Warrior often heard Wild claim Twilight acted more of a big dog than he would ever realize, and Warrior had to agree. 

He even growled. 

Wild’s name fit the Hero perfectly. He was an adventurer. A wanderer. Someone adept to surviving in the wilderness. He rarely spoke and the Heroes never pressed him to. There was no doubt in Warrior’s mind that Wild had once been a Knight. He held himself like one more than he realized and fought like one. He was skilled in using multiple weapons and quick to observe. If there was anything Warrior couldn’t deny, it was Wild’s ability to whip up a meal out of whatever resources were available. 

Legend was...well, Legend. Snarky, sarcastic, and outspoken. He rarely kept his thoughts to himself, and was honest- sometimes brutally so. He was wary of others and slow to trust. He kept a close eye on his belongings and possessions, as if he were afraid they would disappear if he didn’t. Money was a big deal to him, and Legend was greatly unwilling to part with his rupees. He only did so if he had an absolute need to. 

Warrior knew he hadn’t always been this way.

“I’m sorry, Warrior.” 

Warrior flinched. How he hated that phrase. Those two little, meaningless, words. 

~~~~~~

“We’re sorry, Link,” The soldier said to him, his professional and calm demeanor telling Link he wasn’t. Not truly, anyway. They were desensitized to this kind of thing. They were used to this. Casualties and bloodshed were a part of war after all...But this...

Anything but this. 

“But there was nothing we could do.” 

Link clenched his fists tightly together, eyes burning, “So you left him there to die?!” He demanded, and the soldiers flinched. “You were his reinforcements! The lot of you are nothing more than pathetic cowards! You are unworthy of your names!” 

~~~~~~

“Don’t be,” Warrior found himself saying, plastering a fake smile on his lips and shrugging nonchalantly, “What else could you have done?” And with that, he turned away and left, leaving Legend to stare after him weirdly. 

Hours had passed since then. Warrior lost track of time. 

~~~~~~

“He died a Hero.” A quiet, mellifluous, voice said. 

“What does it matter?” Link muttered, knees drawn to his chest and arms wrapped tightly around them. “He shouldn’t have died in the first place.” Bitter sorrow and anger laced his words. 

The woman flinched. She knew they hadn’t been directed towards her, but she felt responsible all the same. She moved with the grace and elegance befitting of a Queen, crouching down beside him and brushing her fingers against his shoulder, 

“He was a warrior, Link. The Captain of the Guard,” She softly murmured, “He did what he knew to be right.” 

“And he died for it,” Link whispered hoarsely, tears springing to his eyes. “He died because they left him! They were his men! He trusted them with his life and they betrayed him!” 

~~~~~~

Ah, betrayal. 

Warrior loathed traitors. For those were exactly who those worthless knights had been. Wild had seen first hand how Warrior dealt with traitors. 

The Yiga stood no chance against him. 

~~~~~~

“How long will you grieve, Link?” His dearest friend had asked him one day. She’d found Link sitting in front of the tomb the kings of old were laid to rest. His friend knew who he was visiting that particular day. She had heard Link had not once moved from it, and it was far past sunset. “It has been seven years. He wouldn’t want this.” 

Link’s face was hidden by the shadows, his hair creating a curtain that hid his face from her view. 

Zelda did not think he would answer, but then, Link raised himself to his feet, straightening his back and shoulders. When she met his eyes, she recognized the sheer determination and willpower blazing within them. The Knight-in-training lifted his clenched fist and solemnly declared, 

“I will become the next Captain of the Guard- a warrior, like my Father before me!” 

And Zelda knew it to be true. Whether it was the fire in his eyes or the passionate declaration, she knew not. 

“I will win this war in his stead and bring honor to his name.” He turned and pressed his hand gently against the cold stone door of the tomb, resting his forehead against it. He whispered something so softly the Princess was unable to pick up the words. Once he was finished, Link left to make preparations for their next attack.

She watched him go before moving to pay her own respects to the Hero who lay within. 

The Hero of War Our beloved Captain of the Guard Who will be dearly missed, 

Link 

~~~~~~~

For Warrior, his name wasn’t simply a name. 

It was something more personal to him. 

It was his Father’s name. 

And he both hated and loved it. 

[fairydust-stuff]

The Queen of the Feast of Feasts:  a Prudence Character Study

The Queen of the Feast of Feasts  a Prudence Character Study 

Prudence Blackwood is first introduced to us along with her fellow witch sisters Dorcus and Agatha confronting Sabrina in the woods and warning her a half breed like her is not welcomed at the Academy of unseeing arts, since Sabrina is half mortal. Then all three of them put a curse on her.  Later we learn all three sisters were adopted by Father Blackwood. They are known as the Weird Sisters and seem like their going to operate much like every other bully clique who hates the protagonist for being different. 

This gets subverted when Sabrina herself summons them to help get revenge for her friend Susie by messing with moral boys who hit her. They strike a bargain that Sabrina won’t join the Academy if they help her get revenge. Sabrina agrees to this but crosses her fingers behind her back (our heroine ladies and gentlemen). 

The three of them execute a plan that involves tricking the guys into hooking up with each other and blackmailing them. Then Prudence and her sisters scare them off and are also revealed to have done a spell to control the boys um anatomy. (Honestly the whole thing makes me uncomfortable especially when certain facts about the football players come to light later on, but that’s not what this essay is about) 

Prudence tells Sabrina “ You may be more suited to the academy then we first thought” showing she’s changed her mind. Prudence also reveals she knows Sabrina had no intention of keeping her promise but agreed to help anyway, because she enjoys tormenting moral boys. This reveals a lot about Prudence’s character she is crafty, cruel and bigoted but she can bend a bit when faced with what she sees as potential. 

We also learn that Prudence is very wise, since she points out that signing the book of the beast and making a contract with the devil is about giving up your freedom in exchange for power. Prudence  laughs in Sabrina’s face when the half witch suggests they shouldn’t have to give up anything for power and should have it all. This highlights her self awareness and hints that Prudence is far older than her appearance suggests. Which actress Tati Gabriella has confirmed stating that Prudence is really 75 years old.     

For the first season Prudence kind of fades into the background other than viciously hazing Sabrina with her sisters which links back to her cruelty.  Until episode seven titled the  Feast of Feasts. The Witches of the coven have a tradition where a witch is selected as a sacrifice to be killed and have her flesh consumed by the other members of the coven after they fast. Prudence is chosen and sees it as a great honor “ Prepare me a bath of buttermilk and bring me a plate of macaroons” she orders. 

Prudence goes about sweetening herself to be the best feast she possibly can. 

Sabrina who is chosen by the coven as her handmaiden tries to persuade her it's all nonsense as she baths her. “ You don’t really believe all that” Sabrina insists.  Prudence reveals she does, she wants to die to be honored by the Coven and to “reside in the Dark Lord's heart until the trumpets of the apocalypse sound” This shows us Prudence is a true believer who is truly devoted to the Church of Night. 

Sabrina bring Prudence to her school and she finds out Harvey is descended from witch Hunters then someone kills a familiar and Prudence thinking its Harvey has to be persuaded out of full retribution mode by Sabrina who informs her “ Harvey didn’t kill that  farmiar” to which Prudence gives the best line of the season  “ How is your faith in the mortal boy any different than my faith in the Dark Lord? Why is your faith more valid than mine?” this line once again highlights the fact that Prudence is an old soul who challenges Sabrina to actually think. 

Its revealed near the end of the episode Prudence is Blackwood’s biological daughter and was only chosen as feast queen so Blackwood’s wife could get her out of the way to protect the inheritance of her own children. This sets up Prudence’s character arch but for now it just spares her from being eaten though she still sits on the throne because she is Prudence and wants to feel special for one night. 

She has a slight role in the mines episode where she lets Sabrina kill and resurrect one of her sisters because both Agatha and Dorcus went behind her back and collapsed the mine to kill the Kinkle family. This suggests that Prudence does have a bit of a code despite her anti human stance, she feels there at least has to be justification for killing a mortal.  

In Season 2 Prudence  is openly acknowledged by Father Blackwood as his daughter. She’s also assigned as her baby brothers wet nurse and in chided in the first episode for letting him cry. However despite  her newfound responsibilities Prudence’s Father and her do not see eye to eye. When Prudence offers to run against Sabrina as head boy, Father Blackwood won’t allow it because he cannot conceive of a witch with a position of authority. Furthermore he will not allow Prudence to have his last name.  

This results in Prudence and the other weird sisters telepathically wireing the answers to Sabrina. While i’d rather have Prudence obtain the position for herself because Sabrina shouldn’t get everything she wants. It is at least the first act of defiance toward her Father from Prudence. 

During the play Prudence gives Sabrina advice “ lust is not a sin Sabrina” she informs her. Though the moment is more about Sabrina it does highlight Prudence’s views on sex which does make up her character. Prudence being raised within the Church of Night has always been very comfortable with her sexuality in Feasts of Feasts as queen she requested an orgy and teasingly invites Sabrina to join in. Prudence does not view lust as something to have hang ups about physical desire is something to be acted upon. Within the same episode she pursues Ambrose Sabrina’s cousin flirting with him. Her advances are returned and two of them enter a poly relationship. 

The valentines episode isn’t really a highlight except it reveals the fact Prudence and her sisters have the same dream and share a vision about how the Spellman’s will be the undoing of the Blackwood’s which Father Blackwood dismisses. I’m guessing this a macbeth reference but it does show that Father Blackwood dismisses Prudence’s concern for his safety. 

Later Prudence goes to Zelda blackmailing her into getting the anti pope to declare Prudence a Blackwood. Now whether or not Prudence wants the power that comes with the name or desires to be part of a family is unclear and i honestly think there’s evidence for both. On one hand Prudence does attempt to murder Father Blackwell later in the same episode and only relents when he declares her “ Prudence Blackwood” but on the other hand she does save her fathers life from Ambrose and when Father Black wood changes Prudence with protecting the acdemy and their family name while their off on his honey moon. 

Prudence takes this vow very seriously replying he can rely on her. 

The next episode we see Prudence honoring this promise she sets about breaking Ambrose who she see’s as a tradior to get him to confess to the murder of the anti pope, refuses to let Sabrina into the acedmy while calling her out for useing her and her sisters all year and saveing her life only for selfish reasons during the Feast of feasts. 

These acts reveals a repressed bitterness from Prudence and hint she sees both Sabrina and Ambrose of using her just to destroy her father which is why she’s so vindictive towards them. Much like trying to kill her Father, Prudences acts of violence seem to come from a place of great betrayal and a sense of her not being important to those she cares for.  Prudence is also high on the fact she appears to have finally gained the approval and affection of the only parent she’s ever known and intends to keep it that way. It's a response for some children who grow up in emotionally abusive household and Prudence has done so for at least 75 years. 

Then a life changing event happens to Prudence making her question evaluate her values. Witch hunters show up at the academy and despite the best efforts of her and her sisters fail to protect the other students. The Witch hunters due to their angel powers (just go with it) overpower the sisters and start killing other witch students as Prudence and her sisters watch in horror while awaiting their fiery pire. Then Sabrina the half breed swoops in last minute and demolishes the angel witch hunters (Gosh it is hard to say that with a straight face) and brings the dead students back to life after respecting herself displaying power beyond that of a regular witch and as aggravating as it is, it does further Prudence’s arch as she starts to question whether half witches and by extent morals are inferior.  

Prudence goes as far as to question Ambrose about Sabrina’s miracles. She also admits seeing Sabrina come back from the dead made her happy. When Ambrose admits he’s scared to die Prudence in a rare moment of tenderness resources Ambrose  there’s no need to be frightened since he’s an honorable man. “ Satan keep you” she tells him sincerely showing us Ambrose has been forgiven and that Prudence is finally being honest about the fact she likes Sabrina (For some reason). Here Prudence is clearly starting to question what she’s been taught.  

In the last two episodes of season two Prudence’s dynamic with her Father reaches its conclusion. When Father Blackwood decides to form his own denomination the Church of Judas. He creates a new set of rules and restrictions Prudence after looking them over states “ These new rules only apply to the witches and not the warlocks” Father Blackwood replies that “Witches should focus on more femmine magics of herbalism and fertility” Prudence asks if the rules also apply to her. Blackwood says as long as she gets the other witches to cooperate she’ll be exempt from the same rules. Offering Prudence special privileges along with the unspoken promise of his affections with a chaste kiss. 

While Prudence does take the bait she also helps Zelda convince Father Blackwood to spare a witch for trying to leave the Church of Judas persuading him i’ll only create a martyr and cause more rebellions in the future. This is usual  for Prudence who was previously fine with the torture and exacution of Ambrose showing a shift in her thinkng. Prudence watching her classmates killed in front of her while refusing to denounce their Dark Lord seems to  have caused her to develop more of an appreciation for the lives of the other coven members beyond those who she considered family. 

  Later  Prudence catches Zelda admitting she does not support the Church of Judas and the other witch warns Prudence her blood won’t protect her from Father Blackwood. Prudence not only dismisses this but retrieves her half baby sister and tells her Father about Zelda’s deception. Zelda takes Prudence hostage and demands that baby Letica be given back to her. Blackwood dismisses her claiming that since he has his full blooded daughter he doesn’t care if Zelda kills Prudence. Which supports Zelda’s claim that Prudences blood won’t protect her. After Zelda is locked up Prudence asks Blackwood “ Father, what are your plans for baby Letica?” as she now feels doubt about his intentions. Blackwood replies he intends to marry her daughter to her own brother Judas. 

Prudence is horrified and frees Zelda from her cell telling her to take her half sister and run. Zelda offers her the chance to join them but Prudence declares she can't leave her sisters or abandon the rest of the coven. Further conveying her found loyalty that of just the family unit.  

Prudence finds Agatha and Dorcus and convinces them to do a spell to end Father Blackwood. They are interrupted by Blackwood who demands Prudence attend him during an audience with the Dark lord. She silently observes as Blackwood expresses disgust at having to bow to Sabrina as queen of hell. Later he tells Prudence to pack. She inquires as to why they should run from the Dark Lord. Blackwood angrily snaps he “ Will never bow down to a spelman whore!”  When Prudence asks him what about the rest of the Coven. Blackwood reveals he poisoned them a communion. Prudence runs out ignoring Blackwoods warning she’ll never see the baby twins again. 

After a vow to kill Father Blackwood she runs to the church teleporting Dorcus and Agatha to the spellman house and telling the Spellman family “ Blackwood poisoned the entire coven!” Pudences sisters and some of the coven members are saved. The last shot of her shows Prudence beheading Father Blackwood which is not only a  literary representation of what she wants to do to him but also a symbolic rejection of him as a leader and Father. 

So what can we take from this? 

 Prudence’s core character trait is her Faith. It's shown that Prudence has faith in Blackwood despite how many times, he’s let her down, she has faith in her adopted sisters shown by how many times she relies on them, she even starts to have faith in Sabrina. 

My reading of Prudences arch is not one of rejecting Faith. Prudences questions are still rooted in religious doctrine even in her last scene with Blackwell “ why are you running from the Dark Lord?” to Prudence, there is no reason to run from the very figure she devoted her life to even if it means bowing to Sabrina this is the ultimate act of religious piety that makes sense for the girl who bathed in buttermilk to make herself a feast. For Prudence no sacrifice is too great.  

Prudence’s arch seems to one of learning to question the leaders of one’s Faith community and whether they have the best interests of those they claim to want to lead. 

The irony is Prudence is heavily implied to be taught the values of faith, family and community by Blackwood, values which he does not share. As show cased by how he uses both his family members and the coven witches and warlocks for his own personal gain and discarding them when it's convenient.  

It's not his rejection and endangerment of her that causes Prudence to move against him but the reveal of his plans of an incestus union between his own children. Even then there are hints she may of gone with him had he not poisoned the coven. Acting in the same vein as the witch hunters Prudence was told to protect the other students from. 

 It's worth noting Prudence is done with him after he proves a danger to the very coven he’s leading because she does value everything, Blackwood doesn’t and as a person of faith Prudence realizes everything about him is a shame.  So she rejects him. That is why Prudence with her morally ambiguous cunning, faith, self sacrifice, intelligence and value of family  is the true Queen of the Feast of  Feasts. 

[sharktoraptor]

Linkeduniverse Daemon AU

So uhh I posted it on the Discord and thought I may as well share here too. I put a lot of work into this one, beware that there’s a LOT of text beneath the cut!

If you’re unfamiliar with daemon AUs (referring to daemons from the His Dark Materials series), the basic concept is that your soul lives outside your body in the form of an animal that represents your personality. There’s a whole lot of character exploration involved in making a daemon AU!

If you’re unfamiliar with Linkeduniverse, it’s a Legend of Zelda AU where all the different incarnations of the hero meet and are on a quest. This daemon AU should be understandable with just a basic working knowledge of what the Legend of Zelda franchise is, this is all character/daemon stuff and no plot!

Again, a whole lot of text incoming. You might want to get comfortable. Enjoy!

Time: Wolf (white/gold)- Faekuri [fay-KYU-ree] (Kuri)

From Farore, fairy, Deku, and Kokiri.

Hyrule: Wolf (brown)- Fernwai [FURHN-why] (Fern, or just Fernwai)

From ‘fernweh’ (German for wanderlust) and fairy.

Twilight: Wolf (dark grey)- Aiyvona [eye-VOE-nuh] (Vona)

From ‘ayna’ (Turkish for mirror), Navi, Fai (Fi), and Ordona.

Warriors: Wolf (light grey)- Audelfi [awe-DEHL-fee]

From ‘audax’ (Latin for bold/reckless), ‘bellum’ (Latin for war), and Fi.

Wild: Field Mouse- Firielore [FEE-ree-uh-lore] (Firi)

From Farore, Fi, and Ciela.

Four: Field Mouse- Emper [EHM-purr] (no nickname, sometimes Em)

From temper, as in to temper a sword.

Sky: Blessed Butterfly- Lydivia [lih-DIH-vee-uh] (Lydi)

From Hylia and ‘divum’ (Latin for heaven/sky/open air).

Legend: Hare- Faistina [FY-stih-nuh] (Fais, rhyms with ‘vice’)

From Farore, ‘aisling’ (Irish for dream), and ‘obstino’ (Latin for persist).

Wind: Seagull- Marumi [mah-ROO-mee] (no nickname, sometimes Umi or Rumi)

From ‘mar/mare’ (Latin for sea), Ruto, and ‘umi’ (Japanese for sea).

The heroes traditionally settle when they first are draw/touch the Master Sword. This is true for Time, Legend, Wild, Warriors, Wind, and Sky (when the sword was completed). It doesn’t matter how old they are when they get the sword- Wild and Wind were both quite young, and Time technically settled when he was 9 years old, just before going into his seven year sleep. The exceptions are:

Twilight- Was already settled when his adventure began, he and his daemon merged upon entering the Twilight realm to create their wolf form.

Hyrule- Settled upon receiving the Triforce of Courage. Of the Links, Hyrule settled the latest in his journey.

Four- Officially settled upon restoring the Four Sword; however his daemon was already close to settling and was a mouse for the vast majority of his first adventure.

~Form Explanations~

A lot of the forms here aren’t necessarily exemplative of the Link’s personalities like a real daemon is, rather more of a symbolic representation of the character.

...Or something I thought would be cute because my city now.

The Wolf Pack (Time, Twilight, Hyrule, and Warriors)

All of these together, because the forms are the same. Because “Link” is the spirit/soul of the hero reborn again and again, it makes sense that there would be some overlap with forms. Each Link is their own person, but having legends of the hero with the wolf daemon as one of the most common depictions of the hero sounds cool and makes sense lore-wise. Right off the bat we have Time as the Heros Shade as the Golden Wolf, and Twilight following him with Wolf Link, the divine beast of the Twili.

Analysis/personality-wise, the form doesn’t fit all four of them as well as I’d like it to, but aspects of it do and like I said, we’re going more Pullman form/lore/symbolic here (not Pullman’s ‘wolves = evil’ though, that sucks). Wolves are hierarchical (Warriors), cooperative (all), social (Twilight, Warriors, the others to lesser extents), hard working and loyal (all), etc. All traits that would fit most of the Links well enough, but I like it for these four especially.

Important note, though: though all of their daemons share the same form, they’re still incredibly different. The differences in color is the first thing they all noticed, but their personalities are their own- not just the “soul of the hero.” That goes for all of them, of course, but it’s especially important for these four.

Mouse Friends (Four and Wild)

My reasons for picking mice for Wild and Four are so, so superficial. The analytic form actually fits both of them somewhat (again in different ways)- some of the core traits are things like independent, adaptable, observant/aware, defensive (physically and emotionally), but here are the real reasons.

Picture this okay. Four shrinks down to the size of a Minish, but his daemon doesn’t (or maybe she does but just a little bit). Now they’re like the same size. He can ride on his daemon and it’s adorable what’s not to like?

I made a big post about my botw daemon AU already here (disregard stuff about the other Links, I made this post before I’d really gotten into LU or any of the other games). Part of it that I don’t think I mentioned is logistics of the way Wild gets around, climbing and paragliding and swimming and stuff. He needs a daemon that is small enough to cling to him and stay safe when he’s doing stunts and shit.

Pink Bunny (Legend)

The Dark World in ALttP picked Legend’s daemon for me… I can’t give him a literal pink bunny though, so I took liberties. He’s much more of a hare personality than a rabbit, with hares being bigger and wilder, more independent, and having coats that change in the winter (get it? Oracle of Seasons, get it?). Not much else to say here, again more so picking a form to match the existing lore rather than doing an in-depth character study for it.

Butterfly in the Sky (Sky)

Alrighty, Sky was kind of hard because of his setting. What I chose eventually for him is the (fictional) Blessed Butterfly from SS, for a few reasons. It makes sense to me that daemons of people in Skyloft have to fit a couple of criteria: 1) small or fast enough at flying to ride a loftwing and 2) only take forms native to the sky, because it’s all they know about. Blessed Butterflies are one of the only animals in the game (according to the wiki- I’ve never played it myself) that are found on the ground and in the sky, so it works symbolically for his character.

I used the Monarch butterfly analysis as reference to make sure it wasn't totally off base, and it works for Sky surprisingly well from what I know about him. They're adaptable and adventurous (as a migrating species), and value group cohesion and teamwork (again because of the migration swarms). Lots of liberties being taken here, but the Blessed Butterflies in game apparently appear mostly in groups, so I'm willing to roll with it.

*Inhale* (Wind)

Wind has a seagull daemon because look. Have you seen Wind. Have you seen a seagull. Yes.

In all seriousness, there are some obvious reasons. Most of Wind’s adventure(s) take place on the ocean, so he needs a form that’s either adapted for that or small enough to fit on a boat, or both. You can literally take control of a seagull in WW.  Plus she can nest on his head like the doves do in Spirit Tracks!

Personality-wise, I’m going to just copy from the ring-billed gull analysis because this one probably fits the best of all the Link’s, analytically. The form is listed as chaotic neutral (I’d say Wind is probably chaotic good but it’s the chaotic here that counts). Seagull souls value social interaction, cooperation, courage, confidence, and duty, and are stressed by lack of control, boredom, lack of purpose, and dishonesty.

~Individual Links and their Daes~

Time and Faekuri

Faekuri settled when Time drew the master sword as a child. He settled the youngest of all the heroes at 9 years old, and she was still settled even when they traveled back in time. Time is bitter about that; another aspect of the childhood he never had, stolen from him.

Before settling, Kuri mostly took forms traditional of the Kokiri ( small woodland creatures and fairies, though fairies are still separate entities). When they set out on their first adventure her repertoire expanded and she took bigger forms, but never left her forest shapes for long. Settling as a wolf was unexpected and jarring for both of them, especially the experience of waking up in an unfamiliar, war torn world in shapes that neither of them knew how to deal with. Going back in time to be a child again didn’t help- Kuri never changed again, and Time had to live with that.

Kuri isn’t quiet, exactly, but she’s not generally conversational. She’s fairly blunt with scolding or encouragement if it’s needed, but if something is important enough for her to talk about, the others listen. However, she’s the most physically affectionate of all the wolf daemons, often nosing at, walking alongside, or even playing/rubbing up against the other wolves. She and Time are usually touching during downtime, but not as openly cuddly with one another as some of the others. With age comes a deep understanding of one another, and that’s enough for them.

Hyrule and Fernwai

Hyrule, by contrast, has one of the oldest settling ages of the Links at around 16. Fernwai’s settled form (which she took when they received the Triforce of Courage) was somewhat of a surprise to them both, but not as shockingly out of left field as it was for Time. It was a form they had taken before, just infrequently. They settled towards the end of their adventures as the Hero, and because they didn’t have to navigate their journey in unfamiliar skin, it feels wholly right and natural to them now. Before she settled, Fernwai preferred bird forms over landbound ones. They knew that the Hero of Time had a wolf form, so they’d tried it before, just in case, but the Hero of Legend didn’t, so maybe it was a one time thing…

Fernwai is a little more pragmatic and cautious than Hyrule, but aside from that, they’re basically the same. She doesn’t often initiate conversation with the others, but is very chatty to Hyrule.  She’s less touchy with the other wolf daemons, though she’s become the most popular perch for the smaller ones while traveling, but she and Hyrule are the most openly affectionate with one another. It’s common to see them sleeping on top of each other, not just next to or touching like most of the others do. Their tight bond comes in part from the lucky timing of their settling; they had time to work through it without much distraction after, while most of the others weren’t so lucky.

Twilight and Aiyvona

Twilight was the only Hero to be settled at the start of his adventure, which he’s sometimes hyperaware of. Aiyvona settled when he turned 15, about a year and a half before meeting Midna. People in Ordon village joked about his being the ‘lone wolf’ of the village, but he was a member of a pack then (the village and the children), and he’s a member of a pack now. It’s always suited them, and it had the bonus of being a good, mobile form for herding.

The Twili don’t have daemons, and the spirit people in the twilight realm don’t either, which is horrifying from Twilight’s perspective. But that’s why when they were taken into the twilight realm, Twilight and Vona’s forms merged into Wolf Link, a combination of both of them. Both of their minds are in Wolf Link and they can both control the form, but they’ve only ever fought for control once, when Vona tried to stop Zelda from sacrificing herself for Midna and Twilight won out, holding her back.

Despite the obvious similarities between Vona and “Wolfie,” the Links that don’t know about their secret haven’t figure it out. It’s a pretty big leap of logic- besides, Wolfie has all those strange markings, and a shackle around their paw. Wolfie doesn’t mind if the others touch them, even if Vona is in there too- it’s a magical form unique to them both, and it’s neither of theirs completely. Vona is as mature as Kuri is, but more talkative with the others, less touchy, and far more willing to tease and rile the younger daemons up. She doesn’t actually talk to Kuri much- the two wolves recognized each other as soon as they met, and they have an unspoken understanding. She talks to Twilight the regular amount, but they don’t need physical contact as much as the others do- they can share a body whenever they want, and nothing feels as close anymore.

Warriors and Audelfi

Audelfi settled when Warriors drew the Master Sword, but she’d been taking a wolf form on and off for some time before that. It was a noble form to take and common among the unsettled soldiers; the legendary form of the Hero. They were both quite happy with the form, though settling in the middle of a conflict is never easy.

Despite her name, Delfi is absolutely Warriors’ voice of reason and caution. It’s not a mostly even split like it is with Hyrule and Fernwai, she got just about all of it and he got almost none. She’s the one to talk him down from his most reckless decisions, or to sit by exasperatedly when she can’t. It’s sometimes caused noticeable friction between them; every rare once in a while it gets so bad that they flat out won’t speak to one another, and Delfi has actually pulled at their bond to try and drag him away from a dangerous situation before. They (obviously) always apologize and make up, but it’s a cycle that keeps repeating.

Delfi sees herself partly as her Hylian’s protector (she’s not entirely wrong), so it took her a while to relax around the other daemons and interact with them instead of Warriors, who was the exact opposite and warmed up to the other Links very quickly. She’s the only daemon that will talk to the other Hylians uninvited, which they don’t mind, exactly, but find a little bit… forward. Her ego is definitely smaller than Warriors, but Delfi was the Greek center of the world, after all.

Wild and Firielore

Wild settled young,  drawing the Master Sword when he was 13. Firi settled as a field mouse, which was a cause for concern at first. Scholars quickly reassured the King that everything was fine; the Hero’s daemon was most often a wolf, yes, but there was at least one other in the ancient texts that took the shape of a mouse.

Wild and Firi have the longest bond distance of all of the Links, because of the painful pulling that they frequently put themselves through as a knight and as Zelda’s guard. Every once in a while she’ll climb a rock or something and Wild will go carefully still, automatically pretending not to be fazed- old habits die hard. Everyone has noticed, but no one brings it up. It’s none of their business, even when any one of them would be doubled over with the pain of the distance while Wild stands outwardly unaffected. Twilight tried talking to him about it once, and Wild didn’t respond but ignored him for the rest of the day, Firi like a statue of a mouse on his shoulder.

Firi is and always has been a quiet daemon, but she got even quieter as the weight of her and Wild’s responsibilities settled over them Pre-Calamity. She never speaks except to Wild, and even then, only softly and occasionally. She’s opened up considerably since their awakening in the Shrine of Resurrection in that she’ll leave Wild’s shoulder and interact with the other daemons for longer and longer periods of time, often riding with Emper on Fernwai’s back during long days of uneventful travel. The others have only heard her voice once or twice, and she always pretends that they haven’t in case they make it a big deal.

(More on Firi pre-LU here)

Four and Emper

Emper settled when Four drew the completed Four Sword during his first journey, but she was taking the mouse form long before that. It was just always who she had been, and it was really a relief to settle, because they’d been wondering why they hadn’t already. Four loves her form for a multitude of reasons- he’s small, and she’s small. She can’t really help in the forge, but she can fit into lots of places that he can’t (when he’s big). She can ride on his shoulder, and when he’s the size of a Minish, he can ride on her back. They’re perfect for one another!

Emper doesn’t shrink when Four does, but she does change when he splits. It’s kind of complicated. There’s not four Empers the same way there’s four Fours, but they each have an aspect of her the same way they do of him. What form that takes I’m unsure of- there aren’t four mouse daemons, though.

Emper is one of the calmer social daemons, just like her Hylian. She's very friendly with all the other daemons, and she was a big part of helping Firi to feel at home in the group (meeting Four and having their form validated was actually very important for her and Wild). It's hard to be super cuddly with a mouse, but she and Four manage. They prefer to communicate silently rather than openly, but they have a healthy combination of both.

Sky and Lydivia

Sky and Lydivia settled later in their journey as well, when Hylia’s blessing completed the transformation of the Master Sword. The people of Skyloft didn’t have as much form variance as they would as the people of Hyrule, because of how deeply ingrained the loftwings were to their culture. Daemons only took shapes that were small enough to ride on a loftwing, be carried, or fly quickly enough to keep up with one; though only the the Goddesses themselves (and by extension all Zeldas) could settle as one of the sacred birds. Lydi always favored the butterfly form, and it was fitting that she settled as something found both in the Sky and on the land beneath the clouds.

Lydi is quiet, because even though her wingspan makes her larger than Firi and Emper, it’s hard for a butterfly to be loud. She does speak sometimes, just very softly, and mostly lets Sky voice her thoughts if she needs him to. It’s not uncommon to see her settled on one of the other’s daemons, either listening to them talk or just being near them for comfort or camaraderie. She’s content to just be, listening to the other Hylians and daemons (who learn what the different movements of her wings mean and include her in conversations when they can) and talking silently to Sky.

Legend and Faistina

Faistina settled when Legend drew the Master Sword, like most of the others, but they already sort of knew. The Dark World reveals your true self, and they had been a rabbit- he feels unspeakably lucky they didn’t settle that way, though he’d never admit it out loud. A hare is a better form, faster, bigger, and more capable. He is not a defenseless rabbit.

When they’re forced into the rabbit form in the Dark World, it’s sort of the same experience that Twilight and Vona have when becoming Wolf Link, except that it’s a weakening and incomplete merging and not an advantage. It’s more like Fais- all of Fais, not just the parts that they always share- is forced into Legend’s mind all at once, and he takes on her base physical traits, but softened; the ears, the fur, the face… it sucks for both of them. He’s so glad they didn’t settle as a rabbit.

Like Hyrule and Fernwai, Legend and Fais have similar base personalities- they just don’t get along as well as they maybe should. It’s not like Warriors, where he and his daemon have spats and then reconcile, more like they have some unresolved things they probably should have talked about long ago but most likely never will. Her form still makes him uncomfortable and self doubtful, and she knows it, though she’s long accepted it herself. Fais interacts with the other daemons in the same way that Legend interacts with the other Links; a little bit needling at times, kind of aloof, but able to see when she’s needed to be serious or kind. Despite their differences she and Legend do love each other, of course they do, but they don’t show their affection as outwardly, instead verbally sparring with one another or sharing exasperated looks at someone else’s expense.

Wind and Marumi

Wind settled when he drew the Master Sword at age 12, young even for a Hero. He’s never had any issue with Marumi’s form; seagull daemons are pretty common on the Great Sea, and he’s happy to represent that. It’s a good form for a sailor and a pirate, as long as she’s perched when the King of Red Lions goes fast, and she can even glide from traincar to traincar to check on passengers and cargo if they’re careful about it. They aren’t upset at how early they were forced to settle, either, except maybe for the fact that Marumi didn’t get to play with forms as much as most kids. Time is bitter about it on Wind’s behalf.

Wind and Marumi are young and have an innocent, open daemon-Hylian bond despite their mature experiences. They’re used to silent communication, because she’s in the air whenever possible and it’s hard for her voice to carry over the roar of the sea and the wind. Marumi helps to serve as the group’s navigator if they’re lost and she and Wind can get up high enough to not stretch their bond too badly (they have a larger than average bond distance, which is helpful for avian forms, but it’s natural and not forced like Wild’s is). She has a good sense of direction and the flight power that Lydi lacks to get a good view of their surroundings.

Marumi loves to talk to the other daemons, and she and Wind have reacclimated fairly well to talking to each other verbally. Sometimes Wind will still yell out non sequiturs to her, though, because they’re used to the one way communicating. She’s not flying that high, and he does not need to yell so loud and startle all eight of his fully armed travel companions, thank you very much. Marumi stays in the air most of the time during the day, but nests in Wind’s lap or hair at night.

~Other Stuff~

- All of the daemons call their Link ‘Link,’ and all the other Links by their title. It’s not as confusing as one would think. Everyone learns the other daemons’ voices very quickly, so that if one shouts out in the heat of battle they can identify who needs help.

- Listening to the daemons talk about their Hylians can be confusing. Not for the daemons themselves, though.

- Most of them know on some level that Legend is unhappy with Fais’ form, they just don’t know why. Sky, Wind, Four, and Wild have tried pep talking him about not having a wolf form, thinking maybe that’s the problem. It’s not.

- They all worry about the extremes to which Wild and Firi push their bond, and how often they do it.

- If they need to split up, the wolf daemons communicate long distance with an agreed upon system of howls. Most of the group is impressed with how quickly Wolfie picks it up too.

[mrneighbourlove]

Negotiations in a Fiery Alliance: Ch 6. Bitter History

"Malik, I promise, this will be good for us to just relax and have a bit of time to ourselves." Asakonigei held her husband's hand as the pair walked through the capital. It was a glorious city full of history. "Besides, I would really like to visit the library. Zarazu asked me to check to see if there's anything on Lorleidian history here that we can request a copy of."

Malik knew his wife was right. Getting some air after that first meeting was exactly what he needed. He couldn't go into the next day's negotiations with a storm raging in his head. "I know you are correct. Just hard to relax. I feel so... exposed."

"Still getting used to the human body?" Asakonigei leaned her head against his arm. "If you're not comfortable yet, we don't have to do this. I was just thinking of showing off my handsome man."

"No. I shouldn't be worried. I have to be able to protect myself, and you, no matter where we are. And if you want to visit the library, or anywhere else, than those sights belong to you."

"I do want to visit the library, but my husband's comfort comes first." Asakonigei squeezed his hand. "You sure you'll be okay?"

"I will be. As a human being now, everything seems so much bigger. As a husband, I have another life I have to protect besides my own." He gave her hand a light kiss. "This city is beautiful. Makes me envious."

"Hrm, I know you'll protect me, but that also means I'll try to protect you." Asakonigei smiled at Malik and tugged him in the direction of market first. "Let me spoil my husband a little. Zarazu told me there is a little stand here in Danjur called 'Sweet Tooth' with the best cinnamon rolls. Let me get you one."

"I've never had a cinnamon roll before."

"Well, it's time to remedy that, don't you think?" Asakonigei pulled him along until she spotted the particular stall with the correct name. After ordering two cinnamon rolls, the vendor presented the treats to couple. The Kovina took a bite of hers and gave a low moan of appreciation. "These are so good."

Malik slowly examined the treat. The white top was sticky to hold. At his wife's encouragement, he took a bite into it. His eyes gave some small wonder as he chewed. "It's very sweet."

"And the white resembles... something." Asakonigei let the insinuation hang in the air as she licked her lips with a giggle.

Malik raised his brow at her, knowing full well what she meant. Shrugging her immaturity away, he continued to eat his treat down to the last crumb. "It was very pleasant."

"Good, see anything else you want to try?" Asakonigei gestured to the various food vendors. "Or want to look at? There are fine clothes, some pretty trinkets... maybe we can find some old pieces of history? I wonder if they have pieces of Lorleidian or Gerudo culture here?"

"I just want to walk with you. Perhaps the library holds something."

"Be the envy of other men? I see how it is." Asakonigei finished her sticky treat and after getting lost at a couple of turns, the couple arrived at the massive library. It spanned seven stories tall and had thousands of books. After showing the librarian the seal from the kingdom of Hyrule, the old lady assisted Asakonigei in finding all the novels on Gerudo culture and Lorleidi for the king and queen. There were a number of books on the Gerudo, do to Ganondorf's infamous battles over the thousands of years and his spars with Link and Zelda. However, Asakonigei was pleasantly surprised when the librarian presented almost the same number of books or more on Lorleidi. Flipping through the pages, Asakonigei was ecstatic. "Malik, look! This is one of my ancestors from when Yolandyi was alive." She pointed to a family tree in the book. "See? There's my parents, my uncles, my cousins, grandparents, and my great-grandparents! Ulboli Talbita!"

"That's... that's good Asa..." She found Malik was still, looming over the books of Ganondorf's history. The books held nothing but darkness. Ganondorf made sure that books regarding him as a villain and the more bloodier sides of him weren't published in Hyrule, in fact having accidently burned many of them in a previous life. And as Klinge he never bothered looking into if Covarog had them republished, and never had the time to read them. To see them here, uncensored, was taking the air out of him. Malik flipped to pages of himself. A general in black armour that horrifically slaughtered the King of Hyrule. And most recently, taking part in the death of Yolandyi. He thought about all the innocents he killed. Now that he was human, it hit him as hard as a dagger digging into his heart.

"Oh! It even has the records of the very first ruler! Lorleidi herself!" Asakonigei was none the wiser to Malik's internal turmoil at the moment. She was so delighted to find a piece of her people's history. So much of it was lost, but this was like a treasure worth more than all the jewels in the world. "There's descriptions of our abilities, the first leaders of the tribes, how to communicate with the spirits, some festivals, a few rituals, and..." She looked up to her husband and saw that his face had paled a little. "...? Malik? What's wrong?"

"'The Black Knight known as the Blade of the Gerudo, was first seen in the Era of Foundation. During that time he was personally responsible for beheading the King of Hyrule. Historians were unable to recover his name as his identity was scrapped from all than current history. As a servant of the Demon King, Ganondorf, he was seen through out centuries, leaving bodies in his wake. It is believed that in order to survive for so long, he is not entirely human, but was indeed a Gerudo male. His last greatest crimes of war were his responsibility in the destruction of Lorleidi. Eye witnesses reported the Black Knight had brought his master Ganondorf to the island to raid, and helped slay Queen Yolandyi. He is a legend in and out himself, although little is known about him. A monster through and through.'" Malik finished reading the section dedicated to his atrocities.

"I... I didn't know..." Asakonigei swallowed thickly at the passage her husband read to her. The Kovina had no idea that Klinge played part in the destruction of Lorleidi, more so the death of Yolandyi. She wondered if Zarazu knew? "Does... does the queen know?"

"No... no she doesn't..." Malik pressed his hand on the book, his mind weighing. "I...I've never taken into account the lives I've taken... the innocents... this book is right. Worse, it doesn't know the full details."

Asakonigei felt a terrible tightness in her chest. If Zarazu found out, if her people found out what Malik did, what would happen? Ganondorf was the one who invaded Lorleidi, and caused the island's destruction, yet the Lorleidians had moved past that for the sake of an alliance. There were still those who could not forgive Ganondorf, but kept their distance due for the chance of peace. Everything was not necessarily perfect, but better than Asakonigei could have ever imagined. If these old wounds were to resurface...

"You're not that person, you're not a blade, not Klinge, anymore."

"I enjoyed killing those people. Enjoyed, or did not care. There was no inbetween. Bringing pain to ease my own was my own reward. I am him.... but now I get to feel all those deaths on my soul. Your island would still be whole had I not pushed Ganondorf to invade."

"It might be or you could be wrong, Malik." Asakonigei almost felt a shiver go down her spine at his words. "Vul'kar was imprisoned beneath the ruins of the palace. It was not a matter of if he was going to break free, but when. Magic fades with time, and he had been locked away for over 700 years. Destruction from Ganondorf happened but Vul'kar would have done the same thing... did do the same thing." The Kovina thought of the battle against the Abyssian. "But... at least you tried to right the wrong. You fought with Zarazu against Vul'kar, you took down one of his generals, and helped us succeed in fighting back the darkness."

"Views of 'good' are what serves Hyrule. I was 'good' when I fought the Kikai Empire. I was 'good' when I fought the Abyssians. I killed because I enjoyed killing. I took the same satisfaction from slaying Yolandyi's dragon and watching her die as I did defeating Vul'kar's general. I remember every life I've taken. There were more innocents. Women. Children. Mothers and Fathers. Every death, be it Lorleidian or Abyssian was the same to me as Klinge."

"... I'm sorry." Asakonigei set the book on the table, a sad frown on her face. "This... it was never my intention. I only wanted to come to learn, to find what was lost."

"And you have learned. Knowledge brings wisdom and power. The question is now, do you have the courage to keep it?" Malik walked to the Librarian. "I wish to purchase all these books on Lorliedian culture."

"P-Purchase?" The old lady stammered out a reply. "But sir, these are precious parts of history. We keep detailed records here, I'm not s-sure if I can sell the originals to you. I'd be h-happy to make you some copies if you're willing to wait."

"Malik," Asakonigei caught him by the arm, feeling a slight twinge of fear. She pulled him to the side for a moment. "I... don't take them back." She tried to keep her emotions under control, but it was too much. "I don't want to lose you if this... this doesn't go well."

Malik ignored his wife, focused on the old lady. "This woman needs these books to recover the knowledge lost to her people. You will comply. Your country has been lucky to never suffered a traumatic destruction. I should know, both as a victim and a destroyer." Taking a breath, he narrowed his eyes, grabbing the edges of her desk and cracking them. "If you give me copies, they better be perfect. Or I'll know the difference."

"Y-Yes!!!" The librarian jumped back when Malik crushed her desk, causing Asakonigei to react. "I-I'll have them ready shortly."

"Malik!" Asakonigei was not going to be ignored and forcefully tugged him to the side, using her magic to pull his metal arm as well. "Look at me!" The Kovina was glaring at him. "You cannot threaten people anymore. You are a lord now. Not only that, but think of what you're doing." She took a breath and then said. "Don't you think you should talk to our queen about this before just... plopping these in her lap?" She knew there was no changing his mind. Her husband was stubborn. "At least... think about this. I don't want to lose you. More importantly, I don't want you to lose yourself."

"I'm not bringing a shred of my own blood stained history. Just yours." Malik stared hard at his wife. His arm stung like hellfire at her pull, but he ignored it. "You won't lose me."

Malik turned to the lady and shook his head, dropping a large sum of rupees on her desk. "Apologies for the damage. Have those books for me by tomorrow."

"Malik, we haven't even finished looking through all the books on Lorleidi!" Asakonigei insisted. "What if there is something in there on you too?!"

"...Than so be it..."

"You're... you're...! Damn it, why are you so stubborn!!?!" Asakonigei groaned aloud, running her hand back through her hair. "I want to protect you!"

"Protect me from what exactly?"

"What if someone tries to hurt you because they finally figure out what you did, what was done in the past?" Asakonigei was thinking of every worst case possible scenario. "Not only the Lorleidians, but the Hylians, anyone who might have a grudge. If all this is thrust into the spotlight... I just... I don't want you hurt. Not again. Not ever."

"What if someone tries to hurt you because they finally figure out what you did, what was done in the past?" Asakonigei was thinking of every worst case possible scenario. "Not only the Lorleidians, but the Hylians, anyone who might have a grudge. If all this is thrust into the spotlight... I just... I don't want you hurt. Not again. Not ever."

"Than I'd kill them first if it came to that."

"I... I don't want you to have to fight anymore." Asakonigei finally admitted. "You have fought for so long, protecting others, keeping everyone safe..."

"I'm a fighter Asa... that's who I'll always be. I don't need to be a killer, but fighting is in my veins. If backlash comes from the history recovered to your people, than so be it. I need you to be strong now."

"I'll be fine, it's you I'm worried about!" Asakonigei protested, not knowing why she felt so emotional. What was wrong with her? She was never this way. Even small tears were threatening to fall. "I finally have you at my side, you're alive, you're happy, you're with me, and I don't want that to change!"

Malik grabbed her by the arms, firmly holding her still. "Nothing can take me away from you. Nothing. Your worries will only weigh on my mind, and make me lose focus if danger is near. If you believe that we are eternal together, that I will not die so as long as you are alive, than I will be invincible, even without an undying body. For you."

"... I'm sorry, it's..." Asakonigei wiped away the stray tears, trying to reign in her emotions. "I don't know what got into me. Just the thought of losing you, it terrifies me." The Kovina pulled her husband closer for a tight hug. "I always want to be with you."

"And I'll always be with you." Malik held her close, not letting go until she felt safe.

Asakonigei closed her eyes and tried to will away any bad thoughts. Everything would be all right. Malik was not going anywhere. Even if the worst happened, somehow, the two of them would get through it... together. She held onto her husband, giving a small sigh.

"I apologize, love... I think it got to me a little more than I thought."

"How'd you like to go to the factories? See the inner mechanic workings?"

"That, my handsome man, sounds like a date."

[odogaronfang]

Ember, elegant, and danger.

[[i’ll do these as separates, just cuz, but i guess i’ll keep em along the same span of timeline in the botw au]]

ember;

Going on adventures alone is difficult and, though she’d be loath to admit it, really not so enjoyable. They’d agreed about a week ago to split up, to get some information on the behaviors of the divine beasts, and she’d been tasked with traveling to Gerudo Town- they only let women in, after all, and Zelda would be busy in Hebra, so she was the immediate choice. She’d agreed, because the climate of the desert was more like her hometown than Hebra’s, or the Eldin region’s, and she’d been vetoed for the zoras’ domain because Green had “called it”. At least it wouldn’t be cold, she’d said, and in the vast emptiness of the desert she laughs, then.

“Yeah, at least it isn’t cold.” She snorts, gives two middle fingers to the cool, implacable moon and pulls the thin blanket tighter around her. As soon as dusk had fallen she’d begun to notice the temperature drop, and now, halfway through the night, it’s near-freezing and miserable.

She has no wood, why would anyone bring firewood into a desert after all, so she’d gathered as much nearby foliage as she could and settled with her back to a boulder, knocked a rock against the head of her spear until a spark had caught, and she’d managed to kindle a little fire. It had lasted, for a little while, and she savored every second of its warmth.

But it’s out, now, little more than embers, blown to tiny fluttering red-orange bits by the vicious winds, and she’s near-freezing and growing desperate for something hot. She resolves to beat Green into the ground for not warning her once she gets back, if she survives this night.

(She does, and she’s welcomed, shivering and angry, into Gerudo Town just before dawn, by a group of laughing eight-foot tall women; she isn’t sure whether to feel dwarfed and insignificant or grateful and, perhaps, smug.)

elegant;

The zoras’ domain is one of the most beautiful places Green has ever seen in his life. He’d been astounded even at the simple grace of the towers posted just along their borders, and the bridges that spanned the paths across rivers were no less stunning, but neither fully prepared him for the heart of the domain. It’s breathtaking, awe-inspiring, gorgeous- he’s seen a wonderful handcrafted rendering of Hyrule Castle in its heyday, and it can’t hold a candle to the wrought silver and sapphires of the soul of the zoras’ homeland, small though it is.

His zora guide seems amused and proud at his expression.

“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” Tula, as she’d introduced herself as, says, and pats him on the shoulder. “It’s the pride of our people, right here.”

“It’s incredible,” He agrees, and tries not to stop to admire every little arch of the bridge as they walk by. Vio is the one with words, not him, but… “It’s… elegant, if I had to put it in a word.”

“It’s elegant and more- there isn’t any single word that can really capture it. Which is why calming Vah Ruta is so important to us. Or one of the reasons, anyway. If Ruta floods the domain… centuries of work of our skilled artisans, gone just like that. King Dorephan has worked himself into a terrible worry over it.”

Green can’t help but cast a nervous glance at the waterspout looming behind them, a beacon to the raging beast. “Especially if it killed Champion Mipha…”

“Rest her soul, we don’t think that’s what happened, exactly,” Tula says, hastily, “Princess Mipha’s control over Ruta was absolute, and their bond was unshakable. Nothing could have changed that save interference by another being. Of course, we have to prove that theory- which is why we need Hylians, like you, to get in there and find out.”

“It’s a lucky coincidence, I guess. A few friends and I have been looking for information on them, the divine beasts I mean, trying to see if we can do anything about them.”

That seems to excite her, and her pace quickens (though it isn’t difficult to adjust, their legs are so short). “Friends, you say? Hylians as well, these?”

“Well, some. One’s a sheikah, and another half sheikah, and I’m half gerudo actually so I don’t know if I count, really.”

“That’s wonderful news!” She tugs insistently at his wrist, past the smooth silver of the memorial of Champion Mipha and to the stairs that lead to the king’s chamber. “To think- sheikah, and one of gerudo blood, this will be even better than just hylian. Tell me, are any of you skilled with a bow?”

“Uh, the half sheikah is, his name’s Vio-”

“Come, come, save the details for the king, he’ll be just ecstatic to hear this, this is better news than we could have hoped for!”

He’s rushed with all haste into Dorephan’s audience chamber, and is met with a king the size of a house, and a prince hardly up to his waist (both of whom he bows to, unsure of how to handle himself in presence of another’s royalty). He introduces himself and, at Tula’s prodding, offers details on himself and his friends, and that goes into strategy discussion and something that sounds suspiciously like an agreement of some sort, and he leaves to his special luxury guest suite in the domain wondering what he’s just gotten himself into.

danger;

Vio is very aware of the dangers of Hebra, mundane and otherwise. Zelda makes sure to remind him- mind thin ice, check for solid footholds, hollow a space in the snow in the event of an avalanche, check your hands and feet every hour or so for frostbite, if you hear a howl get somewhere inaccessible to quadrupeds.

She’s known Hebra half a lifetime, and she’s wary, so he’s wary; it’s all in good sense, of course.

“Do monsters run as rampant here as they do in the warmer regions?”

“Yes, but in a different way, I guess. The camps aren’t as frequent, but they come in bigger groups.”

As they discover hardly an hour later.

It surprises Zelda- “I’d never seen an encampment here before”- and it puts him off a little. Bigger groups is no exaggeration: it’s a dozen of them, at least, but probably more, bokoblins and moblins and pale blue lizals clumped around a fire comically small for their group.

“We will find another way,” Vio murmurs, takes her arm and pulls gently, and she goes to turn, and her foot cracks a crust of ice and all eyes are on them.

It’s chaos from there, too many against too few, a seven to one ratio at the least, and Vio is ill-suited to the terrain and Zelda’s too outnumbered to be effective with her small quick weapons. Quickly she takes the role as diversion, gives Vio time to pick them off, it’s the safest option, or it is in theory.

“Get back,” He calls to her, when no more than half have fallen, dead or otherwise incapacitated, “Far back, go down the slope if you must!”

She’s not sure why he says it but she does it anyway, favoring the probability of surviving a slide downhill over melee against six monsters twice her size. She takes one with her as she goes, knocks it off balance and sends it careening down, locks her feet in the straps of her shield and follows it. Just as she reaches the bottom she hears a crackle, and then a loud noise that sounds almost like a parachute catching the wind, and a burst of heat sears her face even at that distance.

A fire arrow, she thinks, clever, at least against the lizals, and drives her knife into the moblin’s head when it tries to rise. It’s a little while before she chances to move, because it’s too quiet for her liking, not a word from Vio since he’d let the arrow fly. She picks her way up the hill- it’s easier now, with some of the snow melted to reveal footholds.

“Vio?”

“I am alive.”

It takes a moment of looking around, but she finds him, sitting against a log the moblins had been resting on, checking his bow for burns. She’s wary, as she crosses the snow, but no ice chus burst from the drifts, so she sits beside him, sighs and slumps against the damp wood.

“Hell of a fight,” She says, and scrubs at a spatter of bokoblin blood on her leg with a handful of snow.

“Hell of a fight,” He agrees. Satisfied with his bow’s condition, he frees it of its string and stores it for the time being, takes out the first aid kit he keeps tucked in his pack. “Need anything?”

She agrees to a bandage; she’d missed a good dodge by a fraction of a second, and the little slice on her stomach stings against her undershirt. It’s only when she’s handing back the roll when she notices Vio’s got one hand shoved into the snow, the surrounding sleeve alarmingly blackened, and when he pulls it out the ice is stained pale red.

“Vio, what happened?”

“I was careless with the fire arrow is all. Not enough time to take proper precaution.”

“That’s a bad burn.”

“It looks worse than it is, fortunately.”

She’s skeptical, watches as he smears some bitter-smelling salve on it and wraps it in bandages and eases his glove over it. “That didn’t burn?”

“I suspected this might happen. I took it off before I got the arrow.”

“We need to get that checked out by a healer. There’s a stable not too far from here we can go to.”

“Tomorrow, maybe. We ought to get our rest while we can. The danger is past, for now.”

[spicynbachili1]

Review: Darksiders III

Dated however nonetheless delightfully darkish

Darksiders has all the time felt prefer it belonged on the perimeter. The entire “edgy Zelda” masks it wears so fondly was a significant turnoff for some, however I purchased proper into it. Possibly it was Mark Hamill’s devilish flip as The Watcher that actually drew me into this world, but it surely was artist Joe Madureira’s hellish magnificence that stored me coming again.

Positive there’s padding points and different nitpicks, however the sturdy locales and the greater than serviceable motion assist cement this collection as an precise motion contender. After six years in limbo it is returning to reply the decision of followers: however the actual query is whether or not or not it is going to maintain up underneath scrutiny in 2018.

Darksiders III (PC, PS4 [reviewed], Xbox One) Developer: Gunfire Video games Writer: THQ Nordic Launch: November 27, 2018 MSRP: $59.99

It does. And scene: finish of overview. No, I am going to make clear that assertion lest I really feel the flame of hell itself: it completely holds up in case you’re prepared to place up with a number of the identical vices which have plagued 3D motion video games since their inception.

So there’s just a few main adjustments that every one search to kind of carry the sport again right down to Earth after the (some would say pointless) push for complexity within the second entry. Loot is gone, as a result of, based on the builders, “Fury’s skills are saved inside her hilt.” Okay, that is a cute hand-wavy lore motive for the elimination of difficult ideas, however the tradeoff is one large world and plenty of holdover mechanics from current video games. So…Fury drinks replenishable flasks now to revive her well being. And shatters souls for forex (used to improve stats or weapons). And…can get her souls again after demise by returning to the scene of the crime. Get the drift?

All of it’s an effort by Gunfire Video games to modernize the collection and most of their work pays off. I do not miss the granular loot. Having to math out which merchandise was higher in Darksiders II was usually a chore, even when it did bolster the concept of a number of builds in increased issue settings. Fury’s story has a unique really feel to it and I recognize that every sport is exclusive in its personal approach. A part of that imaginative and prescient is realized in Fury’s “varieties,” which give entry to all types of latest weaponry in addition to skills like a vertical triple-jump and a hover. Once more, Fury is probably the most streamlined Horseman but, however nonetheless maintains a way of identification by way of her whip.

As an alternative of a deprecating demonic drive following your round your new Watcher companion is principally your individual private cheerleader. She by no means hits that bitter spot the place she’s too annoying; it is extra like cleverly penned devilish flattery that enables it to work. Darksiders III ups the ante with the fan-favorite “battle the seven lethal sins” gimmick. It is one thing that is been accomplished in practically each media realm and it hasn’t gotten previous but. Name me a sucker for occult/demonic iconography, however there’s one thing particular about discovering new interpretations for age-old myths.

Gunfire Video games is ready to sidestep the disconnect between the video games (hiatus? What hiatus?) by asserting that Fury’s quest takes place similtaneously the primary Darksiders, which, because it seems, is occurring in tandem with the sequel. For a collection that largely hones in on motion and absurdity it does work, even when the “we are able to do dwelling retcons every time we would like” premise is sporting skinny.

Darksiders has all the time scored factors in my e book for its interactions between its over-the-top Mephistophelian forged, not essentially due to the “who’s betraying whom” narrative.  For individuals who are questioning: this entry does transfer the overarching story alongside, however solely a tad and largely within the finale.

Naturally for these Darksiders titan-level encounters you want a superb fight base. Gunfire Video games is not totally inexperienced within the enviornment of motion as they’re comprised of many builders of the unique collection and extra lately labored on the [good] Darksiders II remaster. Nonetheless, I nervous fairly a bit within the buildup for Darksiders III that they might each do proper by the collection and provides Fury a distinctly totally different really feel from the remainder of her comrades: simply as Dying did when juxtaposed to Conflict.

Fury is extra like Dying in that her mobility is her greatest energy but in addition sports activities the restrained actions of Conflict. Dodging and double-jumping are what you are going to be doing most frequently, and swapping between varieties actually jogs my memory of a sure Capcom hero in one of the best methods. Although she finally has entry to extra toys, her whip is an effective catch-all area-of-effect whirlwind that works nicely out of the gate. Despite the fact that I had entry to secondary weapons all through I all the time felt comfy utilizing the whip.

All of it sounds good to this point proper? Nicely, whereas Darksiders III does profit from the scaled-down mechanics it takes successful in different methods. My primary problem with traversal is that it feels restricted. It is the identical sin Prince of Persia 2008 commits; it offers you just a few instruments to maneuver about however solely helps you to use them in sure areas. The non-organic whip swing is an ideal instance: it appears like it is best to be capable of use it far more than you really can. All of it makes for a much less related world than Gunfire promised, maybe finest highlighted by the truth that I regularly forgot to return to the hub forge to improve my weapons.

That each one funnels into the notion that the whole development system lacks panache. A variety of emphasis is placed on leveling as much as outpace the more and more highly effective threats the sport throws at you, however the act of leveling and even upgrading weapons with socketed runes is regularly uninteresting, virtually just like the workforce pulled again an excessive amount of from the million-item Darksiders II system. There’s a middle-ground, they simply have not discovered it but. 

Whereas the character design and the paintings is spot-on, the environments appear to be they have been grafted out of a sport a number of generations in the past. Now for me, that is high-quality! I can recurrently return to PS2-era motion video games and heartily get pleasure from them with out ever pondering the deserves of display screen tearing or anti-aliasing. However there are just a few areas that transcended notions of “feeling dated,” as they have been too barren for their very own good. The truth that it’s kind of shorter than the primary two entries (it took me round 10 hours to see the credit and 5 extra to largely clear issues up) is likely to be a plus for you. On my second go-around, skipping cutscenes, its speedrun potential actually shined by way of.

Most of my complaints are associated to the RPG bits which aren’t the principle focus of Darksiders III. It stays an action-fueled challenge and that is an angle it does nicely, reigning in a number of the out-of-hand concepts from its predecessor. With all the efforts to resurrect this as soon as useless and buried collection I hope there’s an opportunity to wrap all of it up with Strife: I need to see this story by way of till the top, blemishes and all.

[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]

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      Darksiders III reviewed by Chris Carter

eight

GREAT

Spectacular effort with just a few noticeable issues holding it again. Will not astound everybody, however is value your time and money. How we rating:  The destructoid evaluations information

        from SpicyNBAChili.com http://spicymoviechili.spicynbachili.com/review-darksiders-iii/

[abbzworld]

Fic Rec Day

Here are my favorite fanfic’s found online. :)

Codename: Kids Next Door

Broken

This story about Father finding out he has a biological daughter is SO sweet! Sasha is a well rounded OC and Father isn’t OOC.

Finding Happiness

This 3/4 fic is everything you could ask for in a story! It has angst, romance, humor and really cool moments! DEFINITELY give it a read if you like the 3/4 pairing!

Doctor Who

Against All We Know

Kate Stewart/Rani is a very strange pairing, but the author really makes it work! There’s some angst and sexual references mixed in so be warned.

Alone

A story told from the 1st person POV of a Dalek? That’s ridiculous! Yes it is, but it works. It really, really works! This is a novelization of the Series 1 episode “Dalek” and it’s really awesome and sad!

Bitter Dancer

Smutty and hot. ;)

The Chronicles of Impossibility series

I really enjoy this series, despite the cursing, sexual references and mature themes. The angst is quite heartbreaking, but very well written. Definitely give it a read if you like Whouffaldi, Twelve/River and Clara/River as the three of them are in a relationship together!

Guardians of the Universe series

This seven story epic that is far from finished is one of the most intricate, detailed, coherent and entertaining series I’ve EVER read! It features Rose as the protagonist and she’s a relationship with Nine, Ten, Eleven and Twelve. Some people might not like that, though. So be warned.

In Another Life

Misffle AU’s. ‘nuff said.

My Clara

Hasn’t been updated in a while, but the three chapters that are there really make the Misffle relationship work and it’s very realistic.

Mystery Girl - One Moment - She’s Back

These stories are REALLY good! I love the villains, the tension, the mystery (see what I did there) and the OC’s!

Small Bump

Absolutely heartbreaking. You will cry.

The One Who Returns

Very bittersweet and a good explanation for Twelve’s and Missy’s last scene in “The Witch’s Familiar”.

This is Yesterday

This is SUCH a good story! It wraps up some unanswered questions from the show (i.e. Rassilon and the Hybrid), brings up good plot lines and conflicts and the characters are REALLY well handled!

Travels in the TARDIS series

I really enjoyed this Osgood and Missy series with some Clara, Danny and Twelve mixed in. There’s romance (with a sex scene in “Blue Christmas”, so be warned), angst, humor and tension. Very good read.

When We Travel Book 1 and Book 2

This story isn’t perfect, with formatting and pacing issues that somewhat runs out of ideas sometimes. That being said, Whouffaldi fans should still love it! Though it hasn’t been updated in a while.

Where’s Poppet?

Very sad. Also contains spoilers for “Face the Raven”.

Harvest Moon

Dove’s Nocturne

Hasn’t been updated in a while, but it’s very tense and kind of scary... for Harvest Moon anyways.

Dying by the dream

Sad story revolving around Celia’s unrequited love for Jack.

Frostbitten Flower

Lovely, angsty and bittersweet story revolving around Marlin and Celia, as well as her relationship with the deceased Jack.

Hidden Greed, Hidden Grief

Lovely story about selfishness. That sounds weird, but just read it and you’ll understand.

Instant Message

Very cute story involving Chelsea and Vaughn.

Love and Hate - Honesty and Deceit

I LOVE the way the author makes the romance, angst, tension and humor work in the first story and as for it’s sequel, Chelsea and Vaughn have to deal with murderer that’s set her eyes on them!

Loveless: Jack’s and Celia’s story

Kind of fast paced, but still very sweet and has a good plot.

Maybe Mummy Misses You

Very sad.

Necessary

Love this Marlin/Celia oneshot.

Perfect

Crazy oneshot and it makes you think.

Under a Moonlit Sky

Hasn’t been updated in a while, but it’s an AWESOME story!

Legend of Zelda

30 Tales of Fate

Very cute.

A Glass of Port

A “what if” scenario involving WW Link and Ganondorf at the beginning of the game. Shame it was never continued.

A Love Story

One of the best ZeLink stories out there.

Cry for Hyrule

Very good Wind Waker story that deviates from the game’s plot in a good way and is very enjoyable.

Forgotten Memories - Twilight Sunrise

Love these Ilia/Link stories. Twilight Sunrise hasn’t been updated for a while though.

Fortitude

Another “one of the best” ZeLink stories out there.

Kasuto’s Redemption

Still reading it, but I’m very much enjoying myself! Set in the TP verse.

Matchmakers

Cute story.

More than it Seems

Tense, romantic and sad. Trigger warnings for abuse.

Remember Me As A Time Of Day

LGBT represented in ST Zelda and Tetra. And it’s good!

Running to You

Haven’t properly read this one yet, but what I have read is good!

The Crimson Loftwing

Hasn’t been updated in a while, but this story is SO good! It’s fluffy, sad, angsty and just all around awesome!

The Infinite Wisdom of Wives

Awesome and sweet ZeLink story.

Til the Sun Grows Cold and the Stars Grow Old

Another ZeLink story that’s canon compliant with TP and the rest of the Zelda verse.

To Take Chances

Another good ZeLink story.

Transcendence - Little Princess

Another good ZeLink story. Some mature scenes, references and trigger warnings for stillborn birth.

Zelda: Winds of a New Beginning - Zelda: Winds of a New Darkness

These stories are SOOOO good! They’re incredibly well though out, have a little bit of everything and are just all around AWESOME!

Mario

A Twilight Tale

Very bittersweet and ties into the game nicely.

Better Off Alone - Better Off Alone II: Hope and Faith

I LOVE these stories! Koops/Vivian seems like a strange pairing, but the author REALLY makes it work! Trigger warnings for abuse.

Change of Heart

I’m not really sure if I ship Bowser/Peach, but this story REALLY made me want to!

Paper Mario: The Temple of the Sun

This story perfectly plays out like an actual Paper Mario game, with the vibrant settings, awesome characters, the twists and turns and the ending was so beautiful and satisfying.

Paper Mario X - Paper Mario X 2 - Paper Luigi X - Super Paper Mario X

This crossover series with Paper Mario, Metroid, Legend of Zelda, Sonic, Kirby and some others is incredibly well done and still keeps true to the games.

Naruto

Chipped Mask

Some people might not like this self-insert with an OC that “fixes” everything, but I still enjoyed it.

In The Blood

This over 100 chapter epic is freaking awesome! The OC’s and characters have amazing depth, there’s plot twists like you wouldn’t believe and everything’s kept quite true to canon! Trigger warning for abuse.

Little Mouse

Hasn’t been updated for a while but this NaruHina & Gaara/Hinata story is really well written; especially Gaara who isn’t a good guy here.

The Mating Frenzy

Hilarious. Though the humor’s inappropriate.

New Blood - Old Souls

Love these stories. Everything’s SO well written; the characters, the plot and everything else.

Yet again - Take Two Round Two

These stories ROCK! You might not like the “over powered” OC’s involved but it’s really well done here!

Transformers

Fallout - Fallout: Apocalypse

The angst, humor, fluff, romance and OC’s are really well balanced in these stories.

Xenosaga

Agas One X: Redefined

Hasn’t been updated in a while but this is a great High School AU and the humor is great.

Other

A Very Muppets Mystery

LOVED this story! If you like mystery and the Muppets, definitely check it out,

Freddy’s Girl

The pacing and formatting is terrible, but it’s incredibly entertaining!

Authors

Aiselne Phoenix Nocturnus

Their Xenosaga stories are very emotional and beautiful.

Bonus Parts

I really enjoy how this author ships Sally Sparrow and Larry Nightingale and writes them very well!

firefly

His Naruto stories rule!

Hollow Shadow Wolf

Wolfie here writes amazingly well and their Misffle stories are very good as well!

Kiara32

Her three Lion King stories are REALLY well written! The OC’s, the plots, the conflicts, the angst, the humor, the tension and the romance just work together so well!

Negaduck

Love this author’s take on the Muppet Show and the Fraggles.

Ninja Sheik

Big Anko/Orochimaru fan that writes really well! Warnings for some smut.

optimus prime 007

She writes SO well! I especially enjoy her Kaceystar stories.

The Saddleman

He’s a big Whouffaldi shipper and I find his writing so entertaining, whether it’s angsty, humorous or sweet.

There you go! I’ll probably update this later, but that’s basically the gist of it. Enjoy. :)

[the-ultimate-wish]

Cozy sunset with Zennick? :3 aka the deadest of rps right now XD

°Rip that's on me xD

°From one of the moments they got to rest ^^

°Aesthetic palette meme here!

[the-ultimate-wish]

°What's this? An incoming message? Guess we should listen.

Orabella: "Hiii guys!-"

Finnick: "Heya crew-"

O: "What a day!-"

F: "Wish you guys came!"

O: "So many new and old faces!"

F: "And you won't believe the greatest person I meet."

—

Both: "I feel as though I should already know them?"

[the-ultimate-wish]

Cue snickering and the click of a phone camera as a certain red head laughs at Finnick.

Finnick: *Aww c'mon now. At least make sure you get my good side.