kingofthetaho6960
kingofthetaho6960
Constellation 6960
9 posts
Not an author, I just vomit on a page. I'm also on Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/user/kingoftheunkindled), AO3 (https://archiveofourown.org/users/kingofthetaho69),and AFF (https://www.asianfanfics.com/profile/u/kingofthepancakes)!
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kingofthetaho6960 · 9 months ago
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From left to right: Sowon (Kim Sojeong), Jung Yerin, Eunha (Jung Eunbi), Yuju (Choi Yuna), SinB (Hwang Eunbi), Umji (Kim Yewon)…
BUDDIES/GFRIEND fans!!!
I made the miis of Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB and Umji for the nintendo game “Miitopia” ⚔️🥳🎉!
For people who don’t know, GFRIEND (or “여자친구“ in korean) was a K-pop group that debuted in 2015 and after that they were really popular and well-known for their high synchronization between them in their dances 🙂☺️; sadly this group separated ways in 2021 😞, but after that final chapter every member started their own new chapter in different paths, even 3 of the 6 members started their new chapter together 🙂…
Sowon became an actress, she has appeared in Korean dramas like “My chilling roomate”, Yerin and Yuju became soloists, and Eunha, SinB and Umji re-debuted again now as VIVIZ 🙂☺️…
If a fan or someone wants the members of GFRIEND in your journey of “Miitopia” just watch the description of my profile and write the access key for download the miis 🙂☺️… I hope that I could managed to catch the characteristics of every member and make GFRIEND fans happy with these miis 🙂☺️!
⛔️ Notes:
- the autographs that appears in the image belongs to every member that appears above the autograph 😮, however those digitalized autographs were downloaded from internet (I’m clarifying this in case someone misunderstands that the same members directly autographed this when it’s not 👋🏼)…
- Please do not upload this image to any other platform without crediting the original creator (“melpia”)
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kingofthetaho6960 · 9 months ago
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At My Worst
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TRIGGER WARNING: MENTIONS OF TERMINAL ILLNESS AND SLIGHT IMPLICATIONS OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
I need somebody who can love me at my worst No, I’m not perfect, but I hope you see my worth
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There were many things you weren’t certain of, but if there was a single claim you could make without a shadow of a doubt, it was that Hwang Eunbi was your other half. When the perilous waves of life became too much for you to handle, Eunbi was your moon, regulating the ebb and flow of the tides. 
At your lowest and worst point, Eunbi was there for you, a memory you had engraved deeply into your mind and heart. When your world felt as if it was caving in, Eunbi stuck by your side and assured you that everything would be okay–she became your world. 
You knew you weren’t perfect and Eunbi wasn’t either, but it was because of this understanding that you two were able to fill in the blanks that no one else could. You couldn’t imagine living a life without her, often joking that if you never met you might’ve just ceased to exist.
Hwang Eunbi was your other half and because of her…you were loved. ================================================
One more drink. A part of you knew that drinking out with your friends was a horrible idea, especially since your girlfriend–now ex-girlfriend–had just broken up with you a day prior. You knew drinking on negative feelings was a terrible coping mechanism, but you felt that nothing else could help numb the earth-shattering heartache you were experiencing.
You stumble as you try your best to navigate your way home, sloppily shambling across the dimly lit sidewalks. Suddenly, the world starts spinning as you trip over an empty beer bottle, sending you through the air and nearly faceplanting into a nearby lamppost. 
The ground seems to swallow you whole as shadows begin to creep into your vision, dyeing your world an inky black. Though your body trembles in the cold, you welcome the sensation as it fights away the empty void that had been gnawing at your very core. 
You’re content to just lay here, but a part of you wishes that the ground would really devour you. Or maybe an oncoming car would somehow lose control and veer into you. You let out a deep sigh, the world around you eerily silent save for your labored breathing and the clacking of shoes.
Shoes?
Your ears perk up as you remain face down on the ground. The streets had been completely empty and should still be as it was an ungodly time. You knew you left the club at around 2 AM so it had to be about 3 now. So, who on Earth was still up in your neighborhood? You turn your face to the side and look up as the footsteps come to a stop beside you. 
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You stare blankly at her when all of a sudden your pent-up emotions burst forth. Your eyes quickly well up with tears as you choke with sobs, struggling to get words out.
“She-she really cheated on me, Eunbi…what did I do wrong?” You wail into the ground, turning away to hide your pathetic expression. 
Eunbi kneels down, softly patting your back. “You think rotting away on a sidewalk is going to make you feel any better? Get up now.”
You take a few moments to gather your bearings, clumsily dragging your arms across your face to wipe away the snot and tears. Eunbi gently takes your sadness-soaked arm and rests it across her shoulders, helping you to your feet.
“Th-thanks, Eunbi.” You slur your words, still incredibly tipsy as you attempt to walk with the legs of a newborn deer.
“Mhm.”
You were saved.
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It was a day like any other day, but your heart was beating vigorously against your chest. Adrenaline pumps through your veins as you practically bounce in your seat, waiting for her to show up. Your eyes widen as Eunbi swings the door to the cafe open, your heart skipping a beat. 
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Oh my god.
With every step she takes, your heart thumps louder and louder in your ears. Her long, wavy brown hair that falls just below her shoulders ripple softly with every step. Her bold and vibrant red, pouty lips add a pop of color to her subtle and natural makeup. The flowy, white blouse exposing her shoulders and denim mini skirt do little to assuage your buzzing nerves, only heightening the fluttering anticipation you feel in her confident presence.
With a trembling hand, you take a sip of your latte with extra whipped cream as Eunbi takes the seat across from you. You shakily place the mug back down as she takes a sip of her iced americano, her wide, round eyes focused on you.
“So…what’s up?” She asks nonchalantly, taking another sip of her coffee.
You take a deep breath, the plastic surrounding the bouquet crackling as your arm quivers uncontrollably. 
“Eu-Eunbi, we’ve known each other since middle school. I know we-but-you know-argh!” You grit your teeth as your nerves cause you to fumble your words. 
Your face flushes red with embarrassment, but Eunbi reaches across the table and rests her hand on your shoulder.
“It’s okay, man. I think I know what you’re trying to say.” She says, an assuring smile spreading across her face.
Was I seriously this obvious the entire time? How long has she known?
Countless questions race through your mind in worry. You pause, tilting your head in curiosity, waiting for her to continue. 
“You were going to congratulate me on opening the dance studio, right? I don’t know how you found out but thank you!” She gets up, enthusiastically hugging you over the table.
Your stomach drops at her misunderstanding, wondering if your plans were ruined. You use your free arm and wrap it around her, weakly patting her back. After a brief moment of hesitation, you decide to speak up or you might never get the chance again.
“While I did want to congratulate you, that’s not what I wanted to say. What I was saying-”
“Sh, you have something on your mouth,” She says as she pulls away, only to dart back in, flicking her tongue across your lips. “Whipped cream, hehe. And yes, I’d love to be your girlfriend.”
Your face burns crimson, and your mind is overloaded with even more questions. The butterflies in your stomach have turned into a jolly flock of birds, your heart threatening to burst from your chest as you smile from ear to ear. 
“But how did you know?” You finally manage to choke out, clenching the stems of the bouquet.
“You’re not exactly good at hiding things, dude. Plus, I saw those flowers you’re hiding through the window. You looked pretty funny rehearsing to yourself,” Eunbi explains, giggling at your cluelessness.
You had fallen for her.
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The soothing, blue waves crashed softly against the shore, the gentle breeze a mother’s loving whisper. The setting sun dips lower into the horizon, splashing the sky with hues of amber, pink, and lavender. 
You and Eunbi walk hand-in-hand and side by side across the shoreline, your steps in sync, breaths harmonizing like the world’s most rehearsed orchestra. Your footsteps paint the ghost of a loving couple throughout the glowing beach–your prints embedded into the sand might be ephemeral but the moment would be an eternal flower within the garden of your memories.
Your leisurely stroll comes to an abrupt halt as the two of you stop at the exact same time, turning to face each other as if on cue. Again, you tilt your heads curiously at each other in unison before bursting out into laughter. 
“That was weird,” You smile as the laughter dies down. 
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Eunbi swivels her head back to you, taking a deep breath. 
“Listen, stupid. I’m only doing this because you just can’t seem to take a hint,” she says as she kneels down, her jeans digging into the damp sand.
You gasp as she pulls out an intricate wooden box, eyes widening as she opens it to reveal a simple yet elegant ring. 
“Will you grow old with me?” She asks, nervous anticipation apparent in her eyes as she bites her lip.
Your mouth gapes open in shock before you scramble to reach into your back pocket, revealing your own ring.
“Eunbi, proposing is my job!” You plant your knee firmly into the sand, offering the ring to her. “But yes, I would love to get all wrinkly with you.”
For a moment, you two hold eye contact, in disbelief that you two would decide to propose at the exact same time. Then you burst into laughter, Eunbi basically tackling you into the sand. You two roll around like children, the air filled with specks of sand and your hysterics.
After a bit you two finally calm down, laying flat on your backs as you gaze into the sky. You subtly drag yourself next to her, pulling her in close. 
A signal exchanges through your eye contact and with no need for words, you inch closer to each other, your lips connecting into a tender kiss.
You were in love.
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Your hands roughly beat against your head, ruffling your hair. The world as you know it was crashing down. Your mother who was bedridden in the hospital needed money for her bills, money you were already struggling to scrounge together. But your job had laid you off, saying your department was no longer needed thanks to their new implementation of AI. 
Banging your head against the desk, you curl up into a ball on the floor, wondering how everything could go so wrong. Your tormented cries and howls of despair keep you from noticing Eunbi as she creeps into the room.
She sits cross-legged on the floor next to you, gently pulling your upper body into her lap. You lifelessly allow her to drag you like a ragdoll, your mind preoccupied as you battle the demons threatening to take over.
“Baby, it’ll be alright. I still have the studio. If I take more choreography and modeling gigs, I’m sure we can stay afloat until you find another job,” She says, softly stroking your disheveled hair.
You slowly turn your head to look up at her angelic face, her eyes welling up with tears at your torn state. 
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“That’s not the problem, Eunbi. I should be the one providing for you but look at me! I’m a fucking loser! I can’t even take care of the two most important people in my life–” Your rant is interrupted with a harsh slap across your cheek, the impact burning into your very soul.
“Sure, you’re a loser right now, but do you plan on staying like this forever? The one I know and love would die before he let the world kick him down. And who decided that you would be the sole provider? I’ve always been here for you, you can rely on me! We’re in this together, so do not–not even for a single second–try and shoulder everything on your own!” 
Eunbi’s chest heaves, tears streaming down her face as she admonishes you, You bite your lip, choking back a sob as your own eyes begin to blur, guilt and regret panging in your chest. Desperation drives you to sit up, throwing your arms around her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. 
“I’m so sorry, Eunbi. I’m so sorry,” You both cry into each other’s shoulders, bodies gently swaying back and forth, finding solace in the shared pain.
You were not alone. ================================================
“What the fuck do you mean there’s nothing you can do?” You growl, harshly yanking the doctor towards you by the collar.
“Babe, stop!” Eunbi yells from her spot in the hospital bed.
Your boiling anger instantly cools as your wife’s voice pierces through the haze. You shouldn’t rile her up while she’s in this state. Your wife was staying strong but here you were, losing your mind with every passing second.
You let go of the doctor’s coat, clearing your throat. The doctor sighs, roughly patting down the newly formed creases. 
“The tumor was discovered far too late. At this stage, all we can do is hope and pray for a miracle while we focus on making the time we have left as comfortable as possible,” his crisp words are those of a judge declaring a death sentence.
Your eyes well with tears threatening to pour out. You look up, hastily blinking them away, reaching your hand to squeeze Eunbi’s. She looks up at you, offering a weak smile. “Doc, can you give us a moment, please?” Eunbi asks.
The doctor nods, once again sighing deeply before turning on his heel and leaving the room. You stare blankly at the white blankets–everything in the room was white–you had grown sick of it. White had become a cruel sign of death to you. You had experienced it many times before with both of your parents and now, with the last light in your life flickering before you. 
At this moment, you have grown to hate yourself. Both of your parents passed from cancer, you should have been able to notice the signs in Eunbi far sooner. You had foolishly mistaken her mood swings, nausea, and bodily weakness as symptoms of overwork. You should have gotten her checked up the second she had her first migraine.
Your mind races with all the things you should have but didn’t do, regret eating away at your consciousness. “Hey,” the word goes unnoticed as your misery begins to plague your thoughts.
“Look at me,” Eunbi’s voice slices through the miasma of your thoughts like a blessed saber. “Remember what we used to say? If you walk in on me fighting cancer…”
“Help the cancer,” You finish the absurd statement, your lips curving into a faint smile.
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Eunbi grins from ear to ear, cupping your hand in both of hers.
“You know something like this wouldn’t take me down, so stop those stupid thoughts and get me some yogurt,” She pats your hand, before shooing you away.
You lean forward, placing a soft kiss on her lips before making your way out of the room. You pause outside of the door, taking a moment to let the doctor’s words sink in. Your ears perk up when you hear soft sniffles from the crack of the door, your heart surging as it turns into full-blown sobbing. 
You knew deep in your heart that Eunbi was afraid. She still had many things left to do in this world, but most of all, she was afraid of leaving you. Her confidence was simply a facade to keep your sanity from teetering off the edge–she knew she was your lightning rod, keeping you anchored to the Earth. 
Eunbi had always been the tougher of you two, but now it was your turn. You had to be strong for her. You had to find a way to save your love.
You prayed for hope in this despair. ================================================
The sun shines proudly in the deep blue sky, with no clouds in sight to dampen its radiance. A cool, gentle breeze tickles skin, the trees swaying to an unheard rhythm as the leaves rustle in dance. The forecast had promised thundering storms, yet the weather today was clear evidence that miracles exist.
“Ah, Yewon got a job as a teacher recently, you know? She had always said she loved working with kids, so I’m glad she’s finally chasing her dream,” Eunbi says, sitting cross-legged on the grass.
“Oh, and Jung Eunbi is getting better at dancing, I moved her up to the intermediate class!” Eunbi prattled on, enthusiasm lacing her voice. “Gosh, you should have seen her when she first started. I really admire her determination though, she never skipped a day, and look at where she is now!”
Eunbi smiles, languidly twisting the cap off the bottle of soju. With a practiced motion, she smoothly pours the liquid into two plastic cups, placing them side by side. 
“Man, I never knew why you liked plain soju the most. It tastes like straight battery acid!” She says, clinking her glass against yours. 
She cocks her head back, downing the shot and letting out a satisfied sigh. She sets her cup down, before reaching for yours. She raises it up to the sky as if offering it to the heavens above, before pouring it on the grass that shrouds your grave.
Eunbi smiles faintly, placing the cup back down and screwing the bottle cap on. “I’ll leave you the bottle as always. Expect me to come and annoy you again tomorrow.”
Eunbi rises from her seat of flowers, dusting off her pants. She kisses her fingers, placing them on your tombstone before turning around to leave. She pauses as she’s engulfed in a familiar, warm presence. Stunned, she whips her head around, hoping to see the one she’s been yearning for.
Greeted by nothing but your lifeless tombstone, Eunbi grins from ear to ear, the disappointment that should have been there is completely absent. She wraps her arms around, seemingly hugging the air, swaying to the beat of the trees.
“I love you too.”
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And you were dearly missed.
Image sources: https://www.koreaboo.com/lists/gfriend-sinb-casual-fashion-outfit-airport/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/455848793527318377/ https://pin.it/6NXm7Nd00 https://kpop.asiachan.com/124987 https://pin.it/5TPmVOP9Q 
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kingofthetaho6960 · 9 months ago
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Devour Ch. 3
Your eyes flutter open as the sound of shuffling grates your ears. Muscles tensing, you quickly spin around, only to see Umji stirring in her sleep. With a small sigh of relief, you take one more look at Umji, peacefully asleep, and then step outside. The sun claws at the horizon, its burning rays dying the sky with hues of burnt orange and crimson as if the heavens above were shedding blood. The shadows stretched into jagged, unnatural points like talons grasping the withered remains of the village.
You were an untrained soldier who had barely grasped the basics from observing others and being forced to learn on the fly during battle. Fortunately, besides Pitt–whose experiences marred with sadness, the other two you absorbed were a seasoned mercenary duo. Jett and Jin had been hired to escort a merchant from the Highran capital, peddling goods to various villages. Unfortunately, they just so happened to get caught in the crossfire during your last stand. Pitt’s tortured screams, Jett’s cold, precise prowess, and Jin’s skilled handiwork echo through your mind like ghosts, their fractured souls both a blessing and a curse. 
Through their fragmented memories–a side effect possibly due to them being used to heal Umji’s husking and their state of total husk–you could tell that they were both veterans, Jett, a skilled swordsman, and Jin, an adept hunter and craftsman. You make your way to the center of the village, still close enough to keep an eye on the hut Umji is resting in.
Closing your eyes, you began to digest what remains of Jett’s memories. With every movement, every breath, and every stroke of his sword, you mimic to the best of your ability. You bring your sword up in front of you, imitating the stance and grip Jett frequently used: one hand just below the crossguard and one right above the pommel. You squint your eyes, picturing the opponent Jett had fought in his memories. Exhaling, you swing downwards, the imagined man barely managing to block the blow. You use the rebound from the impact of the two blades, letting the sword rise up before swiftly bringing it back down. A breath of relief escapes you as the mental image of the opponent falls to his knees, your sword lodged in his head. 
Again and again, you mimic Jett’s memories, combing through every fragment to find different fights and scenarios. The village was filled with the sound of your steady breaths, your sword cutting through the air, and the rhythmic steps of your feet. A sheen of sweat collects on your body, reflecting the rising sun’s rays like a mirror. 
With every breath you take, a hollow feeling expands in your chest, an abyss that seems to swallow your hope. Your determination pushes you through the endless drilling, driven by sheer desperation, each motion becomes more mechanical than the last. You were simply a hollow shell–a laughable mockery of the true warriors you were attempting to imitate. No matter how many fragments you absorbed, you believed you would never become as great as them–warriors who fought with a purpose.
Then, the hunger strikes–a ravenous, insatiable void devouring you from the inside out. You hunch over and claw at your stomach, saliva pooling in your mouth and dripping down your chin. Your vision clouds over, and a dark, swirling aura erupts from you, turning the village into a savage field of despair. A cold sweat broke out across your skin as a fiery sensation surged through your insides. The aura, swirling with black and red, continues to erupt from you, blanketing the village in its terrifying presence. As if responding to an unheard command, the souls of the surrounding husks begin to stir, rising from their decaying and withered vessels. 
It was a sight both astonishing and horrifying as your aura eclipsed the sky, drawing the glowing wisps into you as if you had your own gravitational force. The souls weave in the sky leaving trails of white light–their cold, pale light a mockery of hope in the inky, starless village.
You scream in agony, your stomach twisting as if it were devouring itself–a pain far worse than the days you starved as a farmer. Every single vein in your body bulged as your muscles tensed, your skin flushed a deep red as your blood boiled. Your sweat began to evaporate, turning into steam as the souls locked onto you, diving into your body one after another.
Pain wracks your body with each soul devoured, instead of satisfaction a feeling of emptiness grows–the void is demanding even more. Unlike when you had absorbed Pitt, Jett, and Jin, these souls offered no memories. It was as if the void was actively filtering them into blank slates, solely serving to amplify your power with their essence.
Your body trembles, caught between lingering pain and the surge of newfound power. The world begins to fade around you, consumed by the gnawing hunger and the haunting wails of the damned husks when a shout breaks through the haze.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?!” Umji’s voice cuts through your focus as she runs over from the hut.
You whip your head toward her, panic seizing your heart as she frantically steps into your ravenous aura. 
“Umji, get back!” You shout, thrusting out a hand in warning.
But it was too late. Her eyes widen as her body grows limp, crumpling to the ground. You see a light glowing from within her chest as if threatening to come out. You shout as you try to find a way to stop the never-ending void that appeared within you, trying to consume everything in the vicinity.
Gritting your teeth, you poured every ounce of your energy and willpower into controlling the void, feeling its resistance. Suddenly, just as you were about to call out, a shimmering figure began to materialize behind her–a womanly shape bathed in a soft white glow, her body composed of streaks and swirls of blue and red light. Her energy was strangely familiar, but calming and terrifying at the same time. The figure gently descended, wrapping her arms around Umji in a loose, protective embrace.
You collapse to the ground, trembling as your aura fades, the void’s grip loosening just enough to give you control. You watch as the light in Umji’s chest grows dim before finally retreating back into her. Weakly, you reach out to her, guilt gnawing at you. The figure leans down as she whispers into Umji’s ear–words you couldn’t hear. Umji’s eyes widen in surprise, then soften as she nods at whatever the ethereal being says. Slowly, the figure pulled away, dissolving into the air and leaving behind faint trails of light that sparkled in the dawn.
You remained frozen, watching the last flickers fade, your heart heavy with remorse and questions. You were glad that whatever the being was didn’t intend to harm Umji–at least not that you could tell–you had no time to react and weren’t in the proper state of mind. 
“She told me it’s part of your nature,” Umji says softly, taking slow, measured steps toward you. “You can’t control it–not completely, at least.” She stops in front of you, her eyes are a mixture of fear and confusion, but there’s a trace of compassion as well–something you don’t believe you deserve. “But even without her telling me, I know you’d never hurt me on purpose.”
Umji extends her hand to you, a small, comforting smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Come on, get up. You don’t have to feel guilty. I was just shocked.”
Guilt and shame wash over you in waves, choking you in their depth. Hesitating, you bite your lip before taking her hand. She gently pulls you to your feet, her grip surprisingly firm despite her delicate appearance. For an instant, you feel that familiar calming energy that vanishes just as quickly as it appears, but your mind feels clearer. “Even so, I apologize. I genuinely have no clue what came over me.” You murmur. Umji shakes her head, her tender smile unwavering. “You don’t have to explain, I understand. She said she gave me a gift to help prevent it from happening again.” Her voice is soothing as she pats your back with a gentle touch as if trying to comfort you in your shaken state.
You furrow your brows, still reeling from the chaotic experience along with the mystery woman. “A gift? Did she say who she was?”
Umji’s smile fades slightly as she purses her lips, thinking about your question. “Except for the gift, she didn’t give me a name or anything except what I already told you.”
You squint your eyes, trying to deduce if she is lying to you. Your expression softens instantly, telling yourself that Umji wouldn’t do that. You mentally kick yourself in the ass, wondering how you could even think of suspecting her.
“Well, it’s morning now. Should we continue on to Lady Yerin?” You suggest.
“Oh, right. Let’s–” Umji’s stomach suddenly growls, causing her to blush and rest her hands on her stomach.
You look at her as she shyly looks away, a concerned expression on your face. “I don’t suppose there would be any food around here…” “If we just go through the forest along the way, I’m sure we can find something to eat…” Umji trailed off, looking down at the ground. “I’m sorry, Lady Yerin and I haven’t had to deal with hunger since I began husking.”
“It’s nothing to feel sorry for, I was feeling kind of hungry too.” You give her a reassuring smile, beginning to step towards the dense, daunting foliage in the distance. “Let’s go, Milady.”
Umji perked up, grinning as she hurried to your side, syncing her steps with yours. “What should we try to eat? I don’t even remember ever eating anything in my life, to be honest.”
Again, you felt pity for Umji. She had no memories from before this sick cycle of undeath began, was constantly alone, and surrounded by danger save for Lady Yerin. A pang of guilt hits your chest as you realize she has little to no experiences in life and joys to look back on or forward to. While your experiences weren’t much either, for the time you’ll be together, you were determined to make good memories with her.
“Really? Let’s just catch everything we see then!” You exclaim in delight, beginning to sprint towards the tree line.
“Really? Wait, no fair! How are you so fast?!” Umji shouted as she desperately tried to catch up.
You laugh as you glance over your shoulder, Umji is left in the dust as you trail ahead. You finally reach the tree line, taking in the sight of the ginormous oak trees. You looked at them in confusion, the trees were so big it looked like they ate five other trees each. You reach out your hand, touching the rough bark when a surge of energy suddenly flows into you. 
Startled, you retreat, but a transparent blue thread follows you as if connected. You look at it in wonder, the sensation different from when you absorbed souls, but you can still feel it increasing your power. 
The blue thread suddenly enlarges, now it’s as if a blue ghost of the large tree is coming out. You gasp in shock as you feel the familiar void within you open up, drawing in the tree’s mana. The blue avatar of the tree slowly fades as the tree itself begins to wither away. The void targets the tree beside it, pulling its mana into you. You panic, not knowing how to react when you feel a hand on your back.
“Calm down, I’m here.” Umji keeps her hand pressed on your back. Suddenly, the familiar bluish-red and white aura envelops you. You feel a soothing sensation as the void begins to settle down, no longer vying against you for more mana.
Your body begins to wind down as you melt into Umji’s hand. You reach behind you, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before turning around.
“Thank you,” you say, her face flushing at the sudden contact. 
“Uh, anytime,” she coughed, snatching her hand away.
A chuckle escapes your lips as it’s finally your turn to tease her. You reach out your hand playfully, intercepting hers as she attempts to swat yours away. You grab her hand, playfully clasping it between your fingers. Her eyes widen slightly, wavering with a mixture of surprise and bashfulness, but she doesn’t pull away this time.
Now it’s your turn to blush, not expecting her to go along with your shenanigans. “Uh…I caught you.” You stammer.
Umji smiles shyly, squeezing your hand. “You’re so annoying,” she murmurs, but there isn’t an ounce of frustration in her tone. 
You loosen your grip, attempting to free yourself but she clamps her fingers down, trapping you in her grasp. Tension permeates the air as you hold hands, awkwardly making eye contact as neither of you submits to the other. You avert your gaze, stepping into the forest, your fingers still intertwined with hers. Umji syncs her steps with yours, and soon you two resemble a couple going for a stroll.
A bubbly, giddy feeling surges within you, the warmth of her hand contributing to your increasing body temperature. “So…I guess these trees are full of mana?”
“Oh, y-yes,” Umji stammers, clearly just as flustered as you are. “Lady Yerin said the third plane used to barely have any mana, but the war with Greed has been causing ripples in the dimensional walls, allowing mana to seep through. This forest is only one of the very few places that managed to absorb mana, so it’s still pretty rare.”
Absent-mindedly, you begin to rub your thumb in circles along the base of hers as you observe the abnormally overgrown forest around you. Her squirms at your side go unnoticed by you, your attention fully focused on searching for food.
“If the trees and plants got like this after absorbing the mana, I wonder how big the animals would be. Wouldn’t there be lots of meat?” You lick your lips, saliva pooling in your mouth. 
A nostalgic smile tugs at your lips as you recall a fond memory. Umji gently squeezes your hand, snapping you out of your trance. 
“What are you smiling about?” Umji asks, curiosity painted across her features.
Your smile turns bashful as you stare back into her bright, doe-like eyes. “Thinking about the hunt just reminded me of the first and last time I had meat.”
Umji smiled back at you. “Can you tell me about it? What it tastes like? What it felt like?”
“Hm…Meat was a luxury for me, in fact, I only ever had it once, on my friend’s eighteenth birthday. Our village blacksmith had generously saved up enough money to throw a feast for Anri’s graduation from apprenticeship, enough food for the entire village.”
Pausing, you look at her with a teasing smile. “But I won’t tell you about the meat. You can experience it for yourself once we catch something.”
Umji pouts playfully, squeezing your hand in as if she wants to crush it. Thankfully, due to the souls you absorbed, your body's physical strength and resilience had increased. You laugh as you two continue deeper into the forest, carefully scanning for any movement. 
“Hey, I think I see a deer!” Umji excitedly shouted, pointing to a small clearing on her left. 
You swivel your head, spotting a deer abnormal in appearance all around. It was quite a distance away, so it should not have appeared as large as it did. Its fur was tinged blue and the antlers were almost as long as its body, resembling the tree branches of the surrounding forest.
You press a finger to your mouth, gesturing for Umji to keep quiet and receive an enthusiastic nod in return. Reluctantly letting go of her hand, you duck-walk forward at an incredible speed, using the trees and bushes as cover to avoid being spotted. From behind, you hear Umji nearly burst out laughing, presumably at your silly-looking approach.
Doing your best to ignore your burning face, you approach the deer cautiously, peering around a tree. Upon closer inspection, the deer is as large if not larger than the carriage that visited your village for recruitment. Your eyes nearly burst out of your sockets at the sight, not expecting this behemoth of a deer to be your prospective meal. 
Nervously, you grip the hilt of your sword, wondering if you could really take the gargantuan animal down. You find Umji in a neighboring bush, a reassuring smile on her lips as she gives a thumbs up. With newfound assurance, you dart out from your hiding spot, leaping towards the deer with your sword overhead. 
The deer suddenly jumps away, your blade cutting a deep gash in its side. You retreat, holding your sword in front, and circle around as you eye your prey. Bellowing, the deer digs its hooves into the ground. Blue crystals suddenly materialize above the deer forming into sharp points. Your eyes widen as you hurriedly run to cover behind a tree, narrowly dodging the crystals as they dig into the bark, causing it to shake. 
“Umji, the fucking deer can use magic!” You shout, adrenaline pumping through your veins as you look for her. 
Worry dyes your heart as you realize she isn’t in her previous spot. Panicking, your eyes travel all around the forest when the tree suddenly shakes against you, the vibrations rattling your bones. You kick away from it, seeing the deer’s antlers lodged into the dense bark. 
You take a second to observe and once you realize that it's firmly stuck, you charge forward, thrusting upward into its thick neck. The deer twitches in its final moments, its eyes glaring at you in what seems to be hatred as blood leaks from the wound, dripping down your sword. Twisting the blade for good measure, the deer finally stops moving, its lifeless eyes rolled back into its head.
Retrieving your blade, you ignore the deer as it won’t be leaving anytime soon, and continue your search for Umji. 
“Umji! It’s over!” You yell, scanning the forest for movement. 
Your ears perk up to the rustling of leaves above you, looking up to find Umji perched high up on a tree branch. Your jaw drops in disbelief, wondering when and how she managed to get up there. “Catch me!” Umji shouts, haphazardly jumping off the branch with outstretched arms.
“What the fu-” You grunt as Umji lands on your chest, knocking the wind out of your lungs and your knees nearly buckling at the impact. 
Wrapping your arms around her, you gently set her down before releasing your hold. Umji refuses to let you go, pulling you into a warm embrace. You lightly cough into her shoulder, recovering your breath. Gently patting your back, Umji pulls away slightly, looking you in the eyes.
“Are you hurt?” She asks, her voice and features full of concern. 
You playfully scoff, flicking her on the forehead. “I think you did more damage to me than the deer.”
Umji blushes, letting go of you to rub her reddened forehead. “Hey, I can’t fight! I couldn’t just run and leave you either so I hid up there!”
“Did you know that animals here could use magic?” You interject, heading back to the deer.
“I usually avoid the forest, so aside from seeing their abnormal appearances, I was unaware of their magical ability.” She replies, her hurried footsteps producing a soft thud against the grass.
You pause in front of the trapped carcass, examining it. You note that the bark of the tree is thick and rough, providing large enough feet and handholds for climbing and realizing how Umji got up. Chuckling to yourself, you make your way back to the head, grabbing a hold of the antlers. You dig your feet into the grass, your bare toes easily cutting into the dirt. With a sharp tug, the antlers come loose, the carcass lifelessly flopping down onto the blood-stained grass. 
You eye the body, hunger gnawing in your core. You were excited to try meat for the second time, wondering if the mana mutations had affected the flavor as it did every other characteristic of the animal. Umji steps forward, the two of you exchanging a glance in anticipation and excitement as you ready your blade for butchering. 
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kingofthetaho6960 · 9 months ago
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"Welcome home, good Hunter. What is it you desire?"— The Doll by Einzbern
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kingofthetaho6960 · 9 months ago
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210508 GFRIEND (여자친구) - Last Stage before disband (Apple+MAGO+TFTMN)
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kingofthetaho6960 · 10 months ago
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YeSis Birthday One-shot
This is connected to Devour.
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The blades of grass danced in the gentle breeze, dotted with various flowers and herbs. The surrounding trees displayed colors that would greatly shock anyone accustomed to more common varieties such as the oak. There were ash-colored trees with pure white leaves, trees tinged with a scarlet hue with orange leaves that glowed like the sun and much more. 
Though it was the middle of the day, bright stars were scattered in the sky, blanketed by the aurora borealis. The weather was inconsistent and odd. In some areas, it was warm with a gentle breeze, and lively fields of grass, while others were blanketed in snow, with shimmering snowflakes falling. This enchanting place was brimming with nature, but everything about it felt unnatural–at least to those unaccustomed to venturing beyond their homes. 
The squirrels squeaked happily as they enjoyed their harvest, the rabbits hopped back to their burrows to care for their young, and birds nestled in the trees sang a joyful tune throughout the forest. Deer pranced around the clearing, while bear cubs rolled around in the snow, their mother even joining.
A mixture of loud voices and lively music boomed throughout the pocket dimension, making it clear that festivities were underway.
Today was a day of joy for those of the Silvershade clan, residing in the Sanctum of Echoes. Today was a day to celebrate the birth of the one loved by mana, Yerin. Witches of the Silvershade clan were born with immense talent and potential in mana manipulation and control, but Yerin was extraordinary–a genius with a unique gift. Most witches could borrow the mana of the universe, borrowing it to cast spells whether it be for daily chores, combat, healing, or self-reinforcement, but at the end of the day, they were only borrowing mana. 
Every human is born with a vital energy core, a source that can be tuned to harness power. Through this core, one could channel their inner ki to empower their physical abilities. With further training, one could use ki to enhance their speed, strength, and physical resilience, pushing the body past its natural limits.
Alternatively, the core could be tuned to channel mana. Unlike ki, which focuses on internal energy, mana draws on the energy of the world and universe. Those who attune their core to mana are limited by their core’s size–how much mana one can take in and release at a time–and their understanding of spells and how they work. Once mana is taken into a core, the user then infuses the mana with their signature energy, allowing them to use the mana as they wish. 
From illusions to manipulating the elements, to sending a pulse of mana up to call down a meteor, or even something as simple as creating an orb of light to help see, mana could be used for any and everything. While ki-users harness the energy that already belongs to them, mana-users have to form a bond and connect with the vast magical energy around them. 
Yerin was unlike any other witch, even more gifted than the Progenitor of the Clan. Yerin seemed as if she were the embodiment of mana itself. Other witches had to establish connections before drawing in mana to cast a spell. Yerin held a boundless well of mana inside of her, constantly releasing it in waves with every breath and step. 
On the other hand, her younger sister who shared the same birthday, was the opposite. Yewon held a boundless void within her, constantly absorbing mana everywhere she went. Around her, plants would wither, and spells would cancel as the mana was drained away. Although she was a daughter of the Progenitor, she was treated very poorly compared to Yerin, with only a few connections in the clan, most of them in positions that felt forced such as her teachers, the librarian, and her mother.
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Yerin was dressed elegantly, wearing a top composed of delicate, transparent fabric dotted with shimmering stars of white all over. The sleeves were long and slightly puffed up at the shoulders before flowing down loosely around her wrists. Underneath the sheer layer was a black dress, fitted to embrace her curves before flowing out into a silky A-line that swayed gracefully in rippling waves of black with every step. The collar had an intricate pattern of pearls and diamonds, draping around like a necklace. Around her waist was a jet-black cloth belt, subtly accentuating her natural shape. The sheer black cloth of the dress infused with glittering particles made it seem as though it was woven with the night itself.
Atop her head was a simple yet elegant headband, studded with tiny jewels, adding a hint of youthful charm. Yerin stepped quickly across the stone path, directed towards her home–a giant, alabaster-colored tree with leaves of purple and gold. Yerin paused in front of the house, observing that no lights were on. Despite that, she knew her sister was inside.
Yerin thrust her hand out, undoing the mana seal, causing the massive wooden doors to swing open. She briskly walked in, redoing the seal without even looking back or chanting a spell. She was greeted by the pitch-black foyer, with the kitchen to her left, the living room to her right, and straight ahead, the massive winding staircase that led up five floors.
On the fifth floor was Yewon’s room where Yerin was sure she’d be sulking. Yerin stood at the base of the stairs, mana visibly gathering around her as she began to levitate up faster than the eye could track. She slowed as she softly descended in front of Yewon’s door.
Taking in a deep breath, she gently knocked. “Yewon, I’m coming in.” Yerin smiled as she phased through the door, casting a night-vision spell to navigate the pitch-black darkness. She scanned the vast room, noticing how incredibly clean and organized Yewon was. It didn’t take long to find her by the window, staring longingly at the distant lights of the celebration.
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Yewon wore an intricately patterned white lace dress with a deep neckline, exposing her collarbone. Around her neck hung a necklace Yerin had crafted and enchanted for her when they were children, one designed to hold large amounts of mana. Yerin would periodically charge it with mana so Yewon could go outside, but the materials weren’t strong enough to hold more than an hour’s worth against Yewon’s insatiable ability. 
“Hey, are you alright?” Yerin asked, gently placing her hand on Yewon’s shoulder.
Immediately Yerin felt a slight tug on her mana well, but she paid it no mind, as her reserves were virtually infinite. If there was a limit, she had yet to reach it. Yewon slowly turned, her eyes glistening with tears. 
“Why was I born like this, Yerin? I’m not even allowed to leave my room on my own birthday.”
The question, along with her pitiful expression, broke Yerin’s heart. 
“I know you’re tired of me too. Always having to spend time with me by Mother’s orders.”
Yerin’s heart clenched in her chest upon hearing Yewon’s words. She truly loved her sister and spent the most time with her, not just because she was the only one capable of doing so but out of genuine affection. She knelt down in front of her sister, firmly grasping both of her hands.
“You know that’s not true, dummy. I’m here because I want to be, that’s always been the case. You’re my one and only sister, the one I love the most in this entire world.” Yerin said, her voice filled with sincerity as she held Yewon’s gaze, a reassuring smile on her face.
Yewon averted her gaze, blinking away her tears. “But everything around me withers. People can’t even cast spells near me. How am I supposed to live like this in a clan full of witches? You’re the one who’s loved by mana, while I’m cursed to devour everything beautiful–a disgusting void.”
Yerin’s expression softened. She knew just how much Yewon struggled with her condition–her existence. The void within her sister was an anomaly, something even their mother, the Progenitor, could not fully understand or control. But to Yerin, this was no curse, it was simply a part of the sister she cherished.
“What if it isn’t a curse though, Yewon?” Yerin asked, her eyes prying into Yewon’s soul. “There are places all over the world where people abuse the power of mana and others where mana naturally wreaks havoc. You’re one of the few, if not the only person, who could combat that.” “Yerin, I can’t even use magic! If I were to venture anywhere outside, I would simply be killed! There’s no way I could ever do anything grand as you’ve mentioned. I’m destined to be locked away so I don’t ruin everything!” Yewon yanked her hands out of Yerin’s grasp, her chest heaving as she panted heavily.
Yerin gave a sad smile as she dropped her hands to her sides. “You might not be able to do it yet. But listen, you’ve been absorbing mana for the past twenty years. There’s no way that it’s all gone and you can’t use it. I still need further research on that topic, but I have found a way to stop you from consuming all the surrounding mana.”
Yerin stepped closer, placing her warm hands on Yewon’s shoulders. Yewon stared at her in confusion before feeling a strange surge of power flow into her through Yerin. 
Yerin furrowed her eyebrows in concentration, as she urgently searched within Yewon’s void. Although it was very similar to her own mana well, the difference was that Yewon sucked mana in while hers pushed it out. Yerin was using her condensed mana to probe around in order to find her core, struggling against the gravity of the void.
She clenched her teeth when she finally found Yewon’s mana core in the area most densely packed with mana. She sucked in her lip, chewing on it as she began to use her own mana to carve directly onto Yewon’s mana core. Yewon flinched, her face contorted in pain.
 “I’m sorry, Yewon, but you’ll have to bear with it. I need to inscribe these runes for you.”
The room filled with heavy breathing and groans as Yewon obediently endured the pain and Yerin did her best to stay focused on the task at hand. After what felt like hours, a flash of purple, gold, and white light illuminated the room before fading. Yerin finally stepped back, collapsing onto Yewon’s bed, beads of sweating trailing down her face. 
Yewon sighed in relief, leaning against the window sill. Confused, she was about to ask just what the heck Yerin was doing when she noticed something. The force she exuded that constantly pulled mana in had died down so much that it was hardly noticeable. 
Seeing her confused expression, Yerin took a deep breath, wiping the sweat off her face. A tired but satisfied smile rested on her face as she looked up at Yewon.
“It wasn’t easy but I connected our mana cores by inscribing runes directly onto them, allowing them to tune into each other’s frequencies, along with a rune to boost the range immensely. It’s something I’ve been theorizing for months!” 
Yewon’s eyes widened in disbelief, trying to wrap her head around what she just said. The deafening internal roar of hunger that she’d been plagued with her entire life was now more of a distant hum. “You really linked our mana cores?” Yerin nodded, her breathing calmer now. “The runes act like a circuit, adjusting the flow, stabilizing the connection, making sure the transfer remains balanced and constant.”
Yewon was speechless. While runes were nothing new, no one had ever considered inscribing runes directly onto a mana core. This kind of magic would be too dangerous and would most likely be prohibited until much later after extensive research by the Court had been done. Yet, Yerin had done it by herself, acting solely based on theories developed within months. 
“But…how did you even come up with this idea? I’ve never heard of anyone doing something of the sort!” Yewon asked, her voice trembling in awe and admiration.
Yewon smiled, reaching out to take Yewon’s hands again. “As someone “loved” by mana, I’ve studied it all my life–how mana interacts with itself and others, how it flows, how it binds. Then, I realized something while listening to you play the piano: mana cores are like musical instruments. When tuned just right, they can harmonize rather than clash.”
Yewon looked down at their joined hands, tears trickling down her cheeks, but this time they weren’t out of despair. Yewon softly sobbed as she felt Yerin’s warmth through their connection, her soothing flow of mana flowing in.
“So, I’m not a curse anymore?” She choked out.
Yerin tightened her grip, her voice firm and filled with love. “Yewon, you were never a curse. You’re my sister, and I’ve never seen you as anything but. Your power doesn’t have to be a burden. With this gift, you should be able to control it better and one day find your own way to use it for something more beautiful than anyone could ever imagine.”
Yewon sobbed harder as the tears began to stream down her cheeks, leaning forward to embrace Yerin in a tight hug. “Thank you, thank you, Yerin. I love you so much.”
Yerin patted her back softly, one hand gently stroking her hair. “I love you too Yewon…and happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday,” Yewon mumbled into Yerin’s shoulder.
As the two held each other, swaying slowly in the dark, a newfound hope lit up their uncertain future.
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kingofthetaho6960 · 10 months ago
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Devour Ch. 2
*SLIGHT TRIGGER WARNING*
As Umji guided you away from the ruins, she shared some unsettling information. The previously thriving Kingdom of Highran had fallen over three centuries ago. A figure named Loach, a commander of Greed’s forces, had taken over, renaming the kingdom Pleonexus. The battlefield where you had desperately fought for your life and the safety of the village was now designated as the Disposal Grounds.
According to Umji, The Disposal Ground had become a dumping ground for the lifeless and soulless Husks. Over time, the area became a morbid junkyard, where decaying bodies and mindless Husks were scattered around. Some of the Husks thrown in here were still in possession of valuable weapons, armor, and artifacts they had once wielded in life, valuable remnants of what used to be. 
With that, a nagging question gnawed at your mind. The process of Husking didn’t start until a century ago, two hundred years after your death. Your corpse should have become decomposed fertilizer at this point, so how have you returned? Umji had no answers, leaving you both puzzled as you tried to put the pieces together.
As you continued to follow Umji’s lead, you couldn’t help but cast curious glances her way. She mentioned that she had been scavenging this forsaken place for the past twenty years, yet she didn’t appear a day over twenty-five. The contradiction puzzled you, wondering if she had truly been roaming around here as a five-year-old. 
Sensing your confusion, Umji quickly admitted that she was just as perplexed by her agelessness. She believed she was much older than she appeared, but her memories were fractured. In her earliest recollections, she was already beginning to Husk when Lady Yerin found her twenty-three years ago. Although her memories and some physical abilities were lost, her humanity remained intact.
“Maybe people stopped aging once the Husking started?” You suggest, following close behind Umji and scanning the surroundings for danger.
“That’s what I’m thinking too, Lady Yerin also mentioned something similar.” Umji suddenly paused before darting off to the right. “Look! A sword in decent condition!” Umji exclaimed, proudly holding said sword. The blade was chipped but mostly intact - a far cry from the junk you currently held.
She beckons you closer as you hurriedly step to her, carefully avoiding the dormant Husks and debris in your path.
“Kneel,” Umji commands, her tone suddenly turning formal as you arrive in front of her.
You furrowed your brows and tilted your head in confusion, wondering what the hell she was up to.
“Come on, please?” She pouts, still pointing the sword up to the sky.
Sighing, you roll your eyes before kneeling in the blood-soaked dirt, the sensation and smell causing you to cringe. You look up at Umji in nervous anticipation, unsure of what she’d do next.
“I, Umji, hereby present this Holy Blade to Sir…” She paused, looking at you curiously.
“I don’t remember my name.” 
“Oh…well.” She recovered quickly, continuing her speech. “I, Umji, hereby present this Holy Blade to Sir Unvarnished and recognize him as the commander of my royal guard.” She lowered the sword, laying it on your shoulder. 
“I don’t know what to do next, so…here you go.” Umji laid the sword flat across her palms, presenting it to you with a bright grin.
“Did you just knight me against my will?” You jokingly ask, grabbing the sword as you stand up.
You brush the dirt off your knee as Umji giggles.
“You were already my knight in invisible armor the moment you saved me, silly.” She flashes you a dazzling smile, causing your breath to catch in your throat.
In your previous life, you were a simple farmer who lived on the outskirts of your village. Aside from Anri, you had little to no contact with others unless it was for business reasons, especially women. The thought promptly reminded you of how you had exposed yourself to her when you first met as well as your current lack of clothes. You cough into your hand, averting your gaze.
“Where exactly are we going?” You asked in an attempt to change the subject. The area seemed to be the remains of a village with a mixture of abandoned, rotting, and burnt-down huts scattered around. 
“We’re here already,” Umji pointed to one of the few huts left intact. “This is usually where I camp out on my trips here. It’s getting late, so I thought we should stay here for the night and go back home at dawn.”
“What about the Husks?” You gesture around you at the various bodies scattered around the village. 
“Ah, these ones hardly ever move. My guess is they’re either so old or died so many times they don’t have the capacity to get up anymore.”
You look at the surrounding Husks in pity before nodding, gesturing to the hut that Umji designated as her camp.
“I cannot share the same room as you, so I will scan the area for any possible threats and look for another hut.” 
You turn around and briskly walk away before Umji can respond, your grip tightening on the hilt of your new sword. You stop after putting a decent bit of distance between you two and turn around. In the distance you see Umji, piling wood to presumably start a fire.
“Damn, I should have done that for her.” You mutter to yourself, slapping the heel of your palm against your forehead in frustration.
You sigh, too embarrassed to return and offer help. You could only continue to do what you originally set out to do. You vigilantly circle the perimeter of the village. No threats present themselves save for the Husks Umji had deemed harmless. Unfortunately, you failed to find a hut suitable to serve as shelter, every single one was too rundown. 
With a groan, you realized you had no choice but to return to Umji’s hut for the night, the sun had started to set leaving you no time to set up your own. You trudge over with heavy steps, rehearsing excuses in your head as to why you would sleep outside. 
The campfire bathed Umji’s face with an ethereal glow, casting soft shadows that danced across her features in tandem with the flickering flame. Her hazel eyes reflected the firelight, giving them a warm and almost hypnotic glow. As you approached, Umji looked up with a curious smile, her previously focused expression now softened in the dim light. Instantly, you felt your heart at ease, the worries that had been plaguing you melting away.
“Judging by your return, I assume you didn’t find a hut?” Her gentle voice carried a knowing tone.
You shook your head, feeling a bit embarrassed. “They’re all in bad shape,” you admit, awkwardly rubbing the back of your neck.
“The fire is warm and cozy, you aren’t wearing anything but a rag.” Umji patted the empty spot on the ground beside her. “Come, sit with me.”
You hesitate, the words you rehearsed catching in your throat. Umji playfully pouted, pointing the stick she used to stoke the fire at you.
“Sit before I punish you for abandoning your post.” She said in a mock-serious tone.
You sigh, finding no reason to refuse. You awkwardly sit beside her, the fire instantly warming your chilled bones. For a few moments, you sit in awkward silence, watching her stoke the fire. The fire crackled softly, a soothing sound in the quiet night. You steal a few - no - many glances at Umji, her face serene in the firelight. Despite her gentle and playful demeanor, you find a quiet strength present in her expression, evidence of the hardships she had faced.
“You know,” she said, her soft voice breaking the silence,”you’re probably the first friendly face I’ve seen in a while besides Lady Yerin.”
You look at her, waiting for her to continue.
“Almost every other face I’ve seen was a Husk, too far gone to even say hello. The few who still had a semblance of humanity have all tried to kill me…or do other things before Lady Yerin would track me down and save me just in time,” she finished, her voice cracking, becoming a soft whisper. She glanced down at the fire and you noticed a tear trailing down her cheek as it reflected the rippling flame. 
“The ones who had no ill intent would go on with their journey, never to be seen again or returning as a Husk. I come here not just to scavenge but to check if anyone I know is here.” 
You feel a sudden pang of pain twist your chest as you watch her. The loneliness of her voice had permeated the air, resonating with the emptiness you felt not only when you first awakened in this place, but also in your previous life. If Anri was not by your side, you might not have even lived long enough to at least go down fighting for a purpose. You were at a loss for words, unsure of how to comfort her as it wasn’t something you ever really did before.
“I’m sorry,” you finally choke out, emotion saturating your voice. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. Whoever this Yerin person is, they seem like an amazing person.” Umji looked up, as she hurriedly wiped her face. “It’s not your fault. Plus, Lady Yerin was always there to save me before anything really happened.”
She forced a small smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “There’s no need for you to feel sorry. You saved me and now you’re by my side, right?” “I am,” you quickly agreed. “And I’m not going anywhere for the time being.” 
You felt a pang of guilt as Umji’s smile widened, now genuine as if your words had relieved her of some of the weight on her shoulders. 
“Thank you,” she said softly, the two simple words carrying a depth of gratitude that went beyond any of the few thanks you’d received.
The two of you once again lapsed into silence, but a far more comfortable one. The fire crackled and popped, its warm glow projecting over the small clearing. For the first time, in a while, both of you were able to relax in each other’s company. No words, no battles. Just the solace of two freshly met companions in a world full of strife. As the night deepened and the fire burned on, you felt a sense of resolve within you. As long as you were together, you would protect her.
“What kind of royal guard are you, making me keep watch?” 
Umji’s jest snaps you out of your daze as you glance around. The fire had died down, leaving nothing but smoking charcoal and faintly glowing embers. Umji stood, making her way towards the hut. She paused in the doorway, resting her hand on the frame with her back turned to you.
“I’m heading in for the night. Feel free to join me…or don’t.” 
Your face reddens, slightly embarrassed at Umji’s playful jab as it was also true. You hadn’t realized how deeply lost in thought you were until Umji pulled you back to reality. As she vanished from the doorway and into the shadows of the hut, you could sense a hint of vulnerability. Although her voice was teasing, you could tell it carried uncertainty, unsure if you would actually follow. 
Hesitant, you glance at the ashes of the fire. You take a look at the dark, cold remains of the village, finding the idea of sleeping out here with the Husks far less appealing than being with Umji. The resolve from earlier wells up again, causing you to stand and make your way over to the hut.
You pause in the doorway, spotting Umji in the corner, her figure slightly illuminated by the moonlight spilling in from the window. 
“Your loyal knight can’t leave his liege unguarded,” you quip. Umji sits up in her makeshift bed of rags, turning to look at you. 
“I thought you had quit and I’d have to find myself another knight,” she joked back, relief and amusement flooding her eyes. You step into the hut, settling yourself in the corner. “I’ll stay up and keep the monsters away while you sleep.” 
You continue, not letting Umji refuse as you notice the disagreement in her expression. “Don’t worry, I’ll get some rest after I make sure it’s safe. So, go to sleep.”
Umji briefly opens her mouth before shutting it, realizing you won’t be swayed. The tension in her shoulders dissipates as she gratefully smiles, laying back down.
“Promise me that you’ll get some rest. You can’t protect me on the way back if you’re tired,” Umji says, holding her pinky up into the air. 
Although she can’t see it, you hold up your own pinky in response. “I promise.”
Umji slowly lowers her hand, hesitating for a moment before lifting it again. “Promise you won’t leave.” 
You chuckle softly, stepping closer to the foot of her bed. Umji looks up at you, eyebrows furrowed, her withered and leathery pinky pointed at you like a tiny, determined sword. You reach out, gently linking your own pinky around hers.
Umji smiles softly, her pinky tightening around yours with a strength you didn’t think possible in her husked state. For a brief moment, your eyes meet, a surge of unfamiliar emotions welling up inside. The connection lingers far longer than you expected with Umji’s pinky wrapped around yours in a vice grip, anchoring you in that moment. 
You take in the sight of Umji, admiring her beauty. Despite her fair skin that was marred by the husking, you felt an undeniable allure about her. A light so bright, it refused to be extinguished even in her cursed state. A wave of pity washes over you, the whole of her existence weighing heavily in your heart. You wish to help her in any way possible, but then a peculiar sensation tugs at your chest, drawing your attention inward.
Use the souls.
A cold sweat breaks upon your brow as suddenly you feel some of the energy–the power you had absorbed from the three Husks earlier in the day–begin to swell up in your chest. The sensation is strange, like a warm, smooth current flowing through your veins. You glance down, watching as the portion of souls manifest. White wisps of ethereal light thread down from your chest, cascading down your arm and around your linked pinky.
With each passing moment, the energy continues to build up, drifting towards Umji as if recognizing her plight.
“I’m not doing anything,” Umji hurriedly explains, her voice laden with a mixture of surprise and fear as the souls coil around her pinky, her leathery skin glowing dimly in the white light.
You both watch in astonishment as her pinky, still linked with yours, begins to transform back into regular flesh as if time were rewinding. The whisps continue to whirl down her arm, each spot illuminated by their light undergoing the same process. You gasp in unison as the signs of her husking vanish, revealing her pale, smooth, and soft flesh. 
It’s as if the essence of life itself flowed back into her, previously leathery and withered flesh was now replaced by healthy, vibrant skin. 
“Is this…?” you begin, disbelief lacing your words.
“Are you healing me?” Umji finishes, her eyes wide with wonder as the last remnants of husking fade away. You shrug, your jaw dropped, and your heart racing. The last wisps of ethereal light seem to burrow into her chest, the dim moonlight once again being the only source of light.
Umji looks down at her hands in disbelief, flexing her free fingers as if testing their newfound strength. “I feel so…alive! I-” Before she can finish, she pulls you into her by your pinkies, wrapping her arms around you into a tight embrace. “You did this! You healed me!”
You’re momentarily taken aback, the warmth of her body enveloping yours igniting a flurry of emotions you didn’t know existed. Slowly, you wrap your arms around her, drawn into the comforting embrace. You can’t remember the last time you were hugged, or if you had ever experienced this at all. 
For what felt like an eternity, Umji holds you, her gentle swaying and occasional tighter squeezes creating a rhythm that calms your racing heart. The world outside seemingly fades away and all you know is filled with her.
“Thank you, really… I’d forgotten what it felt like to be normal–to be whole.” Umji whispers, her head resting on your shoulder, her voice trembling with emotions. You can feel her heart beating against you, steady and reassuring, as if it’s synchronizing with your own. 
“I don’t really understand,” you stammer, still processing what just happened. “I just…felt sad about your husking when this voice told me to use the souls to heal you.” 
Umji pulls away from you slightly, a radiant expression lights up her face as she smiles and you can’t help but mirror her joy. “Whatever it was, I’m just grateful that it happened. Grateful that I met you.”
Your heart skips a beat, warmth permeating your body, an exciting but foreign feeling. Umji’s warm, brown eyes are locking onto yours, and you feel yourself getting lost in them. You feel as if something is pulling you in, a connection that goes beyond words, almost like you’ve known her far longer than the single day you’ve spent together.
Flustered, you finally squirm your way out, standing by the side of the bed. “Alright, we can talk more tomorrow. Get some rest now.”
Umji pouts, pulling the rags around her tighter as she closes her eyes. “If you’re not here when I wake up, I might husk all over again.”
You remain quiet as you stand over her, hoping your presence is comforting enough. The room falls silent once again, save for Umji’s soft and steady breathing. You press your back against the wall, the rough but cool wood soothing your muscles. Your gaze remains fixed on Umji’s snoozing figure, a protective instinct taking deep root within you. The night stretches on as the dancing shadows lull you to sleep. You fight back against the desperate talons of your exhaustion as you stand up, heading to the doorway. 
You eye the village through the open window and doorway, littered with remnants of the past - possibly your past. In your previous life, despite giving your all, you had failed to protect the village. Presently, you were in the same place and you had found something to protect, someone worth guarding.
You keep your silent vigil, constantly scanning the surroundings. 
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kingofthetaho6960 · 10 months ago
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Masterlist
Devour (Work in progress)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 Chapter 3
One-Shots
YeSis Birthday One-Shot
At My Worst (SinB One-Shot)
G-PIECE (AFF and AO3 ONLY)
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kingofthetaho6960 · 10 months ago
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Chapter 1
Chaos. Complete and utter chaos. 
The battlefield is a blistering clusterfuck, a cacophony of death. The arrows whistling overhead, the chanting of spells, booming explosions, the ear-shattering clashes of swords and shields, and the too-frequent death cries of your fallen enemies and comrades alike. You take in a deep breath as you kneel down amidst the fresh corpses and the ongoing battle. The air is filled with a variety of scents, the most prominent being blood, human excrement, and metal. Your eyes wander aimlessly as your ears ring. You didn’t know why you had to be here on this battlefield, fighting against Greed’s Champion. Nor did you know if you and your pitiful comrades stood a chance against one chosen by a god.
Hatred boils in your chest as you lay your eyes upon the countless banners raised into the sky. A golden crow with a crown in its beak was embroidered into the silver cloth. The symbol of Greed. 
Just a few weeks ago, you were a mere orphaned farmer toiling the fields from dawn till dusk. Not only did you not understand the reasoning behind this battle, but you bore no positive feelings for the kingdom you were fighting for. They took ninety-percent of your harvest, leaving you with barely enough to sell and feed yourself. Many a night you rolled around endlessly, your stomach feeling as if it was eating itself. Your dreams of a better life were constantly crushed, the gnawing hunger in your stomach a constant reminder that you were worth nothing. 
When envoys of the Royal Army of Highran came to your village, you saw a glimmer of hope. A chance to escape the tired fields you spent your life in and to find a higher purpose. Reality had hit you with the force of a warhammer as you were haphazardly thrown into the battlefield with worn leather armor, a rusty blade, and no training. The constant battles with Greed’s forces were failures as your platoon was forced to break off and retreat to the outskirts of the kingdom, bringing the villages in the surrounding area into the battle zone. The unrelenting pursuit of Greed’s force left no time for your platoon to warn the villages, leaving no chance of evacuation.
“Get up, you bastard! Do you intend to go down without a fight?” Anri’s voice jolts you out of your daze as he yanks you up by your collar.
Anri was your best friend, your village’s blacksmith apprentice. The two of you had spent all twenty years of your short life with each other, bonding enough to make the foolish decision to join the war together, hoping for a higher purpose. You stumble to your feet, squeezing the sword in your hands.
“Don’t just stand there, wake up!” Anri parries an overhead blow, driving his sword through the enemy’s chest. 
You resolutely raise up your shield as you realize only you and Anri are left in your unit, the only barrier between Greed’s army and the innocent villagers. You knew there was no chance of you making it alive, but you had finally found a purpose. You let out a war cry as you intercept a blow from Anri’s right, your shield bashing them to the ground followed by your blade to their throat. Adrenaline courses through your body, fueling your back-to-back stand-off with Anri. 
Your mind and body begin to numb, you lose count of how many times you’ve swung your blade, how many wounds you have, and how many lives you’ve taken. Somewhere along the line, the warmth of Anri’s back vanished from yours. You had no time to stop and look, for the onslaught of enemies was seemingly endless.
Your legs begin to give out as you once again are forced to take a knee. You stab your blade into the ground as you notice the sounds of battle around you have stopped. The distant echoes produced by the skirmishes with the rest of your platoon who formed a defensive barrier around the village had now turned eerily silent. You look around for Anri, who is nowhere to be found amongst the countless bodies littering the battlefield.
You furrow your brow in confusion as you realize the enemy troops are no longer attacking. Instead, they have you surrounded, standing at attention.
“What are you fuckers doing? Go on, finish me off!” You bellow angrily, coughing up blood. 
You look down and spot an arrow lodged in your chest. The endless waves of pain previously delayed by adrenaline begin to permeate throughout your body as your brain takes into account all the damage you’ve taken. 
“Curse you, Greed!” You manage to choke out. Your vision begins to blur, darkness creeping in as your body loses its strength. 
Thud. Thud. Thud. 
“Ah, nameless one. You’ve earned your right to die at my hands.”
A towering figure looms into your view, his menacing aura seeps into the air making it hard to breathe. Despite that, you feel an almost familiar energy about him. His intricately gold-embroidered silver armor, encrusted in valuable jewels exudes a sense of gaudiness. He reaches out with a bejeweled golden gauntlet, each gem reflecting different colors of light. His absurdly enormous hand seems to blot out the sky as it wraps around you. 
The icy cold gauntlet firmly clasps your head. You struggle to move as your weakened body is helpless within his grasp. The last sensation you feel is the icy gauntlet digging into your skull, pressing down as your world turns black in an instant.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You gasp as you awaken, the stench of death filling your nose. You try to move but realize you’re trapped. You soon realize you’re buried amidst a pile of corpses. Your heart begins to race as memories flash through your head. You were fighting against Greed’s forces when that strangely familiar and flashy prick showed up and killed you. So how are you alive? 
A scream pierces the eerie silence, pulling you from your dazed state as goosebumps prickle your skin. You begin to struggle against the bodies, finding slight success when you can finally thrust your arm into the open air.
“Please, someone help!” The voice, which you quickly identify as a young woman’s, draws closer. 
You thrash violently against the bodies to get free as you hear her cries followed by multiple sets of footsteps. You finally dislodge the corpses on top of you, rolling down the pile of bodies. Your rotted and tattered leather armor sheds with each tumble, leaving you butt-naked. 
You stumble around and up to your feet, looking for a weapon before spotting the remains of a broken straight sword. You quickly snatch it up, directing your gaze forward in time to see the girl who appears to be your age running towards you. Behind her, you spot three seemingly withered corpses, their dark leathery skin pulled tight against their bones as they relentlessly stalk her.
The girl’s eyes widen as she sees you, making a beeline for you. You dash forward until she’s behind you, pointing the sharp edges of the poor excuse of a sword in front of you. You thrust forward into the first one, noticing a lack of resistance as the sword lodges into its skull. Bad news though as the sword is now stuck. With no time to retrieve it, you let go of the hilt and take a step back, allowing the corpse to fall forward. The remaining two corpses stumble over the body, falling to the ground.
Not one to miss an opportunity, you quickly bound forward, stomping their heads into the dirt until they turn into a paste. You take a series of deep breaths to gather yourself before examining your body. You felt better than ever and looked better than you had at any point in your life. You clench your fist and watch as your muscles ripple along your forearms, jumping a little in surprise when you hear a cough from behind.
“Thank you for saving me… Sir.” The woman shyly calls as you turn around to face her, her voice teeming with a mixture of fear and relief.
“Wait, wait, don’t face my direction please!” Her face is crimson as she sticks her arms out in front of her, waving her hands and turning away. 
You quickly turn around as you realize you’re exposed, not before noticing that both her arms and a portion of her exposed collarbone are in a withered state similar to whatever creatures you took care of. Your heart wells up as you suddenly get the strong urge to help her, along with an unbearable feeling of hunger gnawing at your stomach. A voice in your head tells you to focus your being on the corpses in front of you. 
You stare intently at the corpses, reaching your hand out. An energy that was simultaneously new to you yet felt like it had been a part of you since you were born begins to channel into your hand. You watch as glowing white wisps rise from the corpses. You grab them as they mold into one big orb and hold it in wonder. 
Consume it.
You jump in shock as the orb suddenly begins to seep into your body, shivering as you feel power surge into you. Your body tenses as hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of images rush through your mind. A cold sweat forms on your brow as you realize these are their memories, every waking second of their lives has now become a part of you along with what little power they had amassed. “What is your name?” Your voice comes out harsh and gravelly from years of unuse. 
“Yewon.” She meekly replies. 
You bring your foot to one of the corpses, Pitt, a farmer just like you. 
“And what exactly happened to these people?” You beat a hand against your chest and cough, trying to get used to talking again. 
“Those are Husks. They’re what becomes of a human after they’ve ‘died’ and revived to their limit. What about you mister? Why were you naked and hiding in a pile of corpses, in the middle of the Disposal Grounds? And what did you just do to their souls?” Her voice carried a mixture of awe, wonder, and fear.
“I’m not sure. I was in the middle of a war and suddenly woke up here. I have no idea what just happened…” You trail off, also confused as you ask yourself the same question. “But wait, what do you mean ‘revived’?”
You hear the sound of tearing cloth followed by a tap on your shoulder. You turn your head and see Yewon holding out her withered arm, holding out a long strip of cloth she tore from her dress. 
“Before we talk any further, how about you put this on and we get to somewhere safe?”
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