#Another member of the void rulers

[lung-worm2023]

We love young gems au shit :3

And that is why I am proud to show you all…

The void princess!

Art of them coming soon.

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

Why 'Black Sails' Is Still Worth a Watch

These pirates' lives made for some great television.

(Spoiler alert for people haven't watch!)

The Big Picture

Black Sails is an underrated pirate series that serves as a prelude to the novel Treasure Island.

The show explores the origins of Captain Flint and John Silver, and their journey from noblemen to pirates.

The series features an ensemble of real-life pirates, has a prolific cast, and delves into darker and more introspective themes than other pirate shows.

Pirates make for great entertainment. From the swashbuckling thrills of the Pirates of the Caribbean films to the animated antics of One Piece, and recent hit shows like Our Flag Means Death, buccaneers and their battles on the high seas have provided a wealth of stories for screens large and small. One of the most underrated pirate stories happens to be the Starz series Black Sails. Over the course of four seasons, a gripping narrative of blood and betrayal was woven.

Created by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine, Black Sails was crafted to fill the void left by Starz's previous heavy hitter Spartacus. And much like the Rome-set series, Black Sails features an ensemble cast and drew inspiration from another creative work. In this case, the show serves as a prelude to the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, and focuses on two characters from the novel: Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and new crew member John Silver (Luke Arnold). While other prequels to famous works feel the need to explain every little detail that surrounds the preceding source material, Black Sails takes a different path and explores how its pirates came to be the men they are.

Captain Flint and John Silver Are at the Center of This Swashbuckling Story

In the second season, Flint is revealed to have turned from a nobleman's life to that of a pirate following the imprisonment and death of his lover Thomas Hamilton. Adding salt in the wound is the death of Thomas' wife Miranda, which pushes Flint over the edge. Throughout the series, he attempts to gather his fellow pirates into a force that will rival the British fleets; he also tracks down and kills those who wronged him. By the series finale, Flint has finally won his war and becomes the ruler of the pirate nation Nassau. Stephens portrays Flint with a quiet intensity that often boils over into bloodlust and/or rage given who he interacts with.

During his quest, Flint must deal with Silver, who often schemes against him and ultimately winds up betraying him in order to gain a greater share of the gold hidden in the Spanish ship known as Urca de Lima, which drives the plot of the first two seasons. However, over the course of the series, Silver grows to be a loyal ally to Flint and the crew of the Walrus, and uses his schemes to help them survive. True to the book, Silver suffers extreme torture in Season 2 that forces him to have his leg amputated — but even though he has a peg leg, it doesn't make him any less dangerous.

'Black Sails' Explored the Lives of Real-Life Pirates and Deeper Themes

Black Sails was also notorious for introducing several real-life pirates into its narrative. Chief among them was Blackbeard (Ray Stevenson), who goes by his real name of Edward Teach. Teach enters into a partnership with Flint and the other pirates when they seek to retake Nassau from Captain Woodes Rogers (Luke Roberts), who Teach wants revenge against for reasons initially unknown. Stevenson is utterly terrifying as Teach; he towers over everyone and even defeats Flint in a sword fight — when Flint is the one who challenged him! Other real-life pirates include Zach McGowan as Charles Vane, Toby Schmitz as Jack Rackham (otherwise known as "Calico Jack"), and Clara Paget as Anne Bonny.

Black Sails contains what may be one of the most prolific ensemble casts for a cable series; each member went on to star in more genre fare. Tom Hopper, who portrayed Billy Bones, is a major part of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix. Jessica Parker Kennedy, who plays Max, made an appearance on The Flash as Barry Allen's daughter Nora. Stephens has appeared in the James Bond film Die Another Day, as well as Netflix's Lost in Space. Stevenson has been in all sorts of genre fare including Ahsoka (in his final performance), Punisher: War Zone, Thor, and G.I. Joe: Retaliation. This is another thing it shares in common with Spartacus, as that show has seen many of its alums go on to alternate genre fare (none likely more famous than Lucy Lawless, who defined early genre TV when she played a certain warrior princess).

Black Sails stood out from other pirate series by going into darker places, especially where its characters were concerned. Though Flint was the protagonist, he'd commit cold-blooded murder, especially if anyone crossed him. Betrayals were second nature; one minute two of the pirates could be allies and the next they'd be at each other's throats. And for all the blood, sex, and swearing, the series was rather introspective; it explored the mental cost Flint's past took on him, and was willing to question whether or not he could truly find peace. Black Sails was definitely a series ahead of its time, not just in pirate media but in genre storytelling on the whole, and the map it laid out would lead to many similar elements playing out in shows that would soon follow, like Game of Thrones and The Witcher.

Black Sails is available to stream on Starz.

Note from admin: Black Sails coming to Netflix US on 1st January, stay tuned!

Source: Collider

[apathmakerstale]

I NEED a romcom fic about each of the nations leaders battling for the WoL post-Endwalker, either romantically, familiarly, and politically when they start to think about finally settling down.

Think about it.

A.U with Zenos making Garlemald make peace for the sole reason of the WoL, as him literally killing his father for them and deposing the government is a pretty big indication he would like them there to always be able to fu-fight regardless of what his countryman think.

Hien claiming that since they won him his country back, then they can be rightfully rule alongside him, as well as being vied for by many leaders of the Azim Steppes since whatever tribe they are apart of auto-wins the Naadam each year. Sadu, Magni, Cirina etc.

Lyse and Raubahn putting them up as a potential new leader of Ala Mhigo and what better to rule alongside as than the women who helped also free it and popular figurehead- this one works more personally since my WoL is a Highlander.

Ishgard with Aymeric saying who better to help lead than the person who ended their millennia long war, as well as being personally patronized by the Father of Dragons, and adopted by House Fortemps.

Gridania and the Seedseer council claiming that since they’re a White Mage, that means they’re a honorary Padjal and should settle there along- another personal aside since my WoL grew up there, that it’s their home.

Limsa can claim that where better than the place where they’re the leader of a company of prestigious heroes, fought side-by-side with their admiral and offered a premium place in Costa Del Sol or help with furnishing their personal Island Sanctuary.

Ul’Dah has a pincer attack, with them being a close personal friend of the Sultana, and with two members of the Syndicate, and having one in their 'debt' (meaning they don't want to piss them off more). With Raubahn also wanting to support his queen, and also being a personal friend of the Mandervilles.

You can say Sharlayan has a bit of stake in that the WoL is the only one to ever visit the edge of the universe and has a trove of knowledge only know to them like the First, as well as being a friend of a highly respected house, and access to a lot of lost magicks.

Maybe even with Radz-a-Han there could be a push for them being the new Satrap, despite it being a defunct ceremonial position now as a confidant of many other dragons and the savior of their loved rulers sister.

Hingashi and by that I mean Kugane I struggle with since they're really isolationist, but WoL do have the possibility of being a coveted artisan who has a lot of pull with traders and connections with half the world’s leaders, who may also be attempting to court them if the end of Endwalker means anything. Plus the Four Lords being nearby who would be glad to have Tenzen’s inheritor nearby.

Go even further and have The First and all the nations there asking for them since they’re the savior of their world, and the Crystarium basically sees them as a Legend anyway with how often G'raha spoke of them so lovely and fondly and being the one who freed Eulemore. Add that with G'raha's adoration of you and spin it how you both could effectively explore the remainder of the world together in retirement.

GO FURTHER with even the Void with Zero and Golbez for pure humor.

Even toss in Ultima Thule to round out the absurdity.

And a dash of the Ancients watching it all and being jealous.

And all of these are backlit by the various Job/Class guilds who would love to have them in their respective nations, the allied tribes that would also love to have them, Bozja and the various other countries they've helped save- the possibilities are endless.

For maximum humor make it all during some world conference or peace talks or something so you have a ton of the rivals sniping at each other, bad flirting, and blatant attempts at bribery.

Annoyance, embarrassment or pure obliviousness could be the reaction of the WoL.

God I need to finish my backlog, I need this.

[fandoms-are-my-friends-1321]

An Ineffable Meeting

This is my first time writing for Dream of the Endless, but I thought it turned out okay. This takes place after season one’s events, and is a crossover between The Sandman and Good Omens. As always characters are not mine, and I hope you all enjoy it!

Description: Morpheus and Y/N, who happens to be Anthony J. Crowley’s sibling, have been dating for a while. Morpheus thinks it’s time for him to meet Crowley, but Y/N is all too aware of how their brother can be

Warnings: suggestive at the end, otherwise none (but if you catch something that I missed please let me know!)

Morpheus had witnessed countless beings and entities in both the Dreaming and the mortal realm. Some divine and others horrific, the many faces that the Lord of Dreams viewed seemed to blur after a century or two. However, he never expected that a demon would stand out the most to him.

After being ushered out of the Dreaming by Lucienne, Morpheus found himself seated on a park bench feeding the pigeons. Lucienne claimed that he had become overly stressed the past week, but Morpheus did not see the need for relaxation. A century of imprisonment created a void of pressing matters that could not possibly be ignored. Still, he found some enjoyment from the soot colored avians pecking away at his feet.

“You do know that pigeons prefer sourdough over a baguette, right?”

Morpheus looked to his left, annoyance etched on his face from being disturbed. His displeasure was replaced by curiosity as he took in the person before him. They appeared to be human, at least in the physical sense, but Morpheus was not naive. He could pick out a demon without a second glance, but for once in the several eons of his existence he did not feel the normal disgust that came with meeting members of Hell.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I know these creatures on a very personal level, and they are incredibly picky about their bread.” The demon smiled at Morpheus as they pushed their aviator sunglasses up, the dark lenses preventing him from seeing their eyes. “The name’s Y/N, by the way.”

Morpheus observed the snake tattoo under Y/N’s right ear, the symbol oddly familiar to him, before rolling his eyes and focusing his attention on the birds once more. “It appears that they like this bread well enough.”

“You are rotten at introductions, Mr. Dark and Brooding.”

Morpheus was taken aback by the unexpected nickname. Did this demon who called themselves Y/N truly not comprehend that they were standing before one of the Endless? Y/N tilted their head as they smirked. “Do I know you from someplace? Where exactly have I seen you before?” They tapped their chin in contemplation before snapping their fingers triumphantly. “Twilight! That has to be it!”

“Perhaps you will recall my visit to Hell. Your sovereign, Lucifer Morningstar, called upon every demon to stand before me so I could find my stolen helm. You would have been among those numbers,” Morpheus stated coolly. “I am Morpheus, King of Dreams and ruler of the Nightmare Realm”

“Funny story that,” Y/N admitted with a nervous chuckle as they rubbed the back of their neck, “I may have skipped that call to go to a book signing. Hastur was pissed at me for weeks, but that uptight asshole got over it eventually. On the bright side, guess I can ditch these now, huh?” Y/N removed their sunglasses, and their serpentine eyes met the lighter ones of the dream lord. The realization hit Morpheus as he straightened his back against the bench. “You're a Crawley? The same to have infiltrated the Garden of Eden and tempt humanity. ”

“That was my brother, Anthony J. Crawley, but we go by Crowley now. We found it to be a better fit for us both.”

The chimes from the nearby clock tower located at the center of the park made Y/N jump. “Oh shit, I’m late! We will have to finish this conversation another time, Dream Lord.” The demon rushed off before Morpheus could even offer to take them where they wished to go.

***

That encounter had taken place half a year ago, and since then Morpheus and Y/N Crowley had formed a close bond. It had taken some time, for Morpheus was hesitant when it came to relationships. He was not new to partnerships, far from it in fact, but this relationship was not one that he wanted to lose. This was the reason that Morpheus had summoned Y/N to his throne room.

“Did you really miss me that much, darling,” Y/N quipped as they strutted across the marble floor that stretched in front of Morpheus’ throne. “You are lucky that I finished my demonic business this morning.”

Morpheus rose from his throne to meet the demon halfway, his coat floating gently with his movements. The corner of his lip raised slightly as he stood before Y/N. “Do you find gluing a penny to the sidewalk to be demonic work?”

“It’s the oldest trick in the book, and it has fooled many humans! There are countless times that-”

Morpheus silenced Y/N’s rant as he placed his lips against theirs. Y/N smiled through the kiss as they raised their hand to feel the soft ends of Morpheus’ dark hair. The two parted as Morpheus moved his hand to cradle Y/N’s cheek, his thumb caressing the skin there. His eyes glittered with adoration for his lover, but Y/N had learned every slight detail of his facial expressions. There was more to this look.

“Why are you acting so lovey dovey? I can tell by that look in your eyes that there has to be another reason for calling me here, Dream King.” Y/N’s eyebrows furrowed as they tried to deduce what Morpheus could possibly be up to, and the demon caught on to his plan. Y/N shook their head in disagreement as their slitted eyes averted to the floor. “No, no! Absolutely not! We can’t do this now, Morpheus.”

Y/N only ever used Morpheus’ name when they were serious, but he pursued the idea nonetheless. “If not now, then when? We cannot delay this any longer, my love. By now Crowley is more than aware of our relationship, and he will be expecting to meet the one who is with his sibling.”

Y/N could not meet the icy blue eyes that pleaded with them to give in. The demon always crumbled if they looked into his eyes. “I-I just don’t know how he will react. You are one of the Endless, the greatest beings on this or any plane of existence, and to bring someone so powerful around my brother…he may feel threatened.”

“Then I will reassure him that I am capable of loving you despite my reputation and my position. Please, Y/N, arrange a meeting with Crowley.”

Morpheus rested his forehead against Y/N’s, and he felt their shoulders relax. “Fine, but only if you are on your best behavior.”

Morpheus smiled, a rare occurrence that seemed to happen more frequently when he was with Y/N, and he placed a quick but sweet kiss on the end of the demon’s nose. “Only the best for you, my little serpent.”

***

Morpheus and Y/N walked arm in arm down the London street, which was surprisingly empty despite the warm rays of the sun shining down upon them. Y/N was wearing their classic aviators just in case a human happened to pass by, but even the dark lenses did not stop them from taking in Morpheus. How was it possible that this gorgeous being was with a low level demon like them? With that spiky hair that was soft to the touch and eyes that reflected the afternoon light, even the small wrinkles that formed around his eyes as a gentle grin rested on his face. He could be with anyone in existence. Yet, here he was, fully devoted to them and only them. Y/N squeezed Morpheus’ arm as they pressed closer to him, their own smile forming despite the nerves bubbling in their stomach. “We are almost there. Are you sure that you want to do this? We can turn back if you want.” Y/N tried to plant their feet in the ground and move back the way they came, but Morpheus held them close.

“Yes, I want to do this. There is nothing to fear, and everything will be well.” Morpheus intertwined his fingers with Y/N’s as they strolled the final length to their destination. The sign above the corner shop read, A.Z. Fell and Co., and the door was answered by a curly haired blonde before the couple even had the chance to knock.

“Oh Y/N, it is such a pleasure to see you again! It is also a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Morpheus, or Lord Morpheus if you would prefer? Of course I can use any term that you would like…” The man who opened the door continued to ramble as he fiddled with his tie.

“Please,” Morpheus stated, “Morpheus will suffice, I assure you.”

“Brilliant! Oh, I do apologize for not introducing myself. My name is Aziraphale, and I own this little shop. Please, do come inside. Your brother is waiting in the parlor.” Aziraphale stepped aside to let the couple in before rushing off to the kitchen. Y/N escorted Morpheus through the thin path that weaved between stacks and shelves of books, many of which were covered in dust. The two entered the parlor, and Y/N braced themselves for what was to come next.

“Hello, brother dear! Hope you and Aziraphale left plenty of dessert for us. Your sweet tooth has stolen many delicious treats from me,” Y/N spoke as they hugged Crowley.

“Angel is the one with the sweet tooth, little Sis, not me. I did manage to save you some this time, though.” Crowley wrapped his arms around Y/N briefly before turning towards Morpheus. Crowley reluctantly offered his hand, a glare evident despite the sunglasses he wore. “Morpheus, I presume?”

Morpheus clasped the hand that was presented to him. “You are correct, Mr. Crowley.”

“Don’t call me, “Mr. Crowley”, it sounds like that bloody Ozzy Osbourne song. Crowley is fine.”

“As you wish, Crowley.”

Crowley moved back to his previous spot while Y/N and Morpheus sat on the couch opposite of the one he was on. Y/N removed their sunglasses and placed them on the table. “You can take yours off too, brother. I promise you that Morpheus is not one to judge.” Crowley took off his sunglasses with an audible groan, clearly wishing to keep them on. “That’s surprising considering he is one of the Endless.”

“Hold your tongue,” Morpheus growled. If looks could kill, Crowley would have been disincorporated instantly. Y/N began to fiddle with their hands, a clear sign that they were uncomfortable with the conflict, and upon noticing their movements, Morpheus moved his hand to encompass their own. “What I meant to say was that my siblings and myself have been portrayed as heartless beings who do not care for others. This is nothing but a rumor, and I have been looking forward to meeting you, Crowley.”

Y/N was put at ease by the new reply, but Crowley was still very tense. “I’ll go see where Azi is with those desserts,” Y/N mumbled quickly as they clamored into the kitchen. Surely, Aziraphale would be able to help their brother relax. In the meantime, this left Morpheus and Crowley alone in the parlor.

“Your sibling means a great deal to me. My life remained stagnant before they arrived, and now I could not see my future without them. The Dreaming prospers more than ever, and I believe it is due to them being by my side.” Morpheus meant every word he said, but Crowley wasn’t buying it.

“I’ve heard all this before. “ ‘Y/N is my world’ this, and ‘I would never hurt Y/N’ that. Well, they did hurt her. You will be the same.” Crowley sat with his arms crossed as Morpheus began to feel agitated.

“Why do you assume that I would dare to hurt Y/N? They have told me about the past and the lovers who have harmed them, and I am showing them the love they deserve and should have received long ago.”

“I assume these things because you are one of the Endless!” Crowley was standing now, his face matching the fiery color of his hair. “Beings like you take what they please and then throw it out just as quick! That will not happen to Y/N. Not on my watch.”

Morpheus pushed himself up and stepped towards Crowley. Even though the Dream Lord towered over Crowley, the demon did not budge. Y/N and Aziraphale entered with the desserts. “Look! Aziraphale ordered those mini pies that I adore,” Y/N said giddily. The chipper sound of their voice caused both Crowley and Morpheus to snap their heads towards them.

“Oh, I told Angel that you would enjoy having some of those,” Crowley replied with a shrug as he backed away from Morpheus. Aziraphale escorted Crowley to sit, his soft expression counter to the grimace that Crowley still wore. Morpheus was still standing as Y/N passed him a mini pie. “You must try this, my darling. These are absolutely to die for!”

Morpheus felt a wave of calm at the melodic sound of his lover’s voice, and he took the pastry with a smile. “Thank you, but I have no doubt that this human dessert does not compare to the sweetness you show me every waking hour.”

Y/N blushed as they scurried over to sit on the sofa again. Aziraphale could not contain his joy as he looked between Morpheus and Y/N. Crowley on the other hand was making no attempts to hide the rage he felt towards Morpheus, the unspoken actions of their broken up disagreement on the verge of exploding from him. Morpheus sent back a displeased glare of his own.

“Did I miss something?” Y/N asked.

“Other than Morpheus proving my point, no,” Crowley sneered as he reached for his own mini pie. Aziraphale swatted his hand, causing him to gape at his normally peaceful boyfriend. “What was that for?!”

“You know what it was for, Crowley,” Aziraphale commented sternly. “Morpheus is our guest, and it is obvious that Y/N is smitten with him, so please behave yourself, dear.”

The sip of champagne that Y/N had attempted to take almost ended up all over their brother sitting across from them. “Azi, you are too kind.”

Y/N shot a look at Crowley, catching him and Morpheus competing for dominance in a staring contest. That was the last straw. “Would you two knock it off! This is precisely why I didn’t want to bring Morpheus here in the first place!”

“How do you know you can trust him? I will not let you be hurt again, especially by an eternal being with a stick up his ass!”

“Morpheus, we are leaving.” Y/N angrily put on their sunglasses, hiding the tears of frustration that threatened to fall from their golden eyes. Crowley knew that he upset his sibling, and that familiar twinge of guilt took over. “Y/N, please, I didn’t mean it-,”

“Crowley, if I may,” Morpheus interjected. “I understand your apprehension about me. In the past I was unkind to many beings and closed myself off from the world, but I swear to you that is no longer who I am.” Morpheus grabbed Y/N’s hand, his eyes soft and welcoming. Y/N accepted and leaned into their lover. “My life is no longer filled with sorrow now that Y/N is with me. I do not wish to cause them more pain, but I will be the one to heal their broken soul.”

Y/N gave a short laugh. “I don’t have a soul, Morpheus, but I appreciate the kind words, love.” Morpheus feigned offense, but the way the corner of his lip curved upwards revealed how he truly felt. Crowley, after listening to the words of the Dream Lord, understood why their sibling fell for him in the first place. The red head let out a defeated sigh. “Fine, I may have jumped the gun a little here,” Crowley admitted. Aziraphale nudged Crowley in the ribs, urging the demon to keep up his apology. “And I am glad that you will be there for my sibling, Morpheus.”

Y/N smiled now that the tension evaporated, and both Crowley and Morpheus were equally happy to see them so pleased. The rest of the afternoon was filled with laughter and Crowley telling as many embarrassing stories about Y/N as he could. After the sun disappeared and the onyx sky spread over the earth, Y/N and Morpheus stepped out of the bookshop.

Aziraphale waved excitedly from the entryway, Crowley’s arm resting securely around his waist. “Please do visit again, you too! Next time I will cook a proper meal!”

“We will be back soon, Aziraphale! Love you, big brother!” Y/N called back as sand swooped around them and Morpheus.

“Love you too, Y/N, and don’t be too flirty with my sister, Morpheus, or I will come to the Dreaming and deal with you myself!” Crowley threatened with a smirk. The sand already engulfed the two beings before Morpheus could throw his own witty quip, but that did not stop him from telling it to Y/N as they stood before his throne. “Your brother is quite the character. He reminds me of Desire, but he is much more tolerable than them.”

“That tiff you had with Crowley says otherwise, and I am not sure if I have forgiven you entirely.” Y/N crossed their arms and turned their back to Morpheus, a playful smile unrevealed to Dream. Y/N was caught off guard when Morpheus scooped up the demon and moved to his throne. He sat down and placed Y/N onto his lap before layering a row of kisses up their neck. Morpheus stopped when he reached Y/N’s ear.

“Do not forget who rules this realm. Still, I do not wish for you to leave here upset.” Morpheus pulled back, his eyes darker and full of yearning. “Allow me to show you how genuinely sorry I am, my beautiful serpent.”

Tags: @pinksirensong , @literaturememesfordummies , @bryandechartisasmolbean , @unaviodabledirewolf , @igotanidea , @iloveangstposts , @chevvsgotanumbrellatattoo , @onyxblackwinchester , @malevolent73

[suethesocks]

Max 10, kiddos post!

and a spicy bonus

and last, but not least!!

and thats not all. heres also my version of Vilgax’s origin and lore!

The Null Void Frontier is a planet in The Shadow Realm thats closest to the dimensional rift to what we call the Null Void. The Chimera Sui Generis are the human-equivalent species of that planet; theyre ultra powerful and self serving creatures that prioritize their own benefit above all else. Chimera society has evolved however to live harmoniously, as thats the most prosperous way to live and technically its in everyones best interest to live in a prosperous society (especially bc they live for so long). Their whole thing is that theyre selfish, but logical enough to realize that in order to achieve their selfish goals its most effective to live in a well built society. Chimeras' lives are all about serving society and bettering their planet, and then moving on to achieve their goals and utmost ambitions (which usually are not very good, they love wreaking havock upon the rest of the galaxy)

Another important thing about the Chimera in my version is that they discovered the Null Void, and theyre the ones who studied it the most and developed the technology necessary to navigate it, scan and analyze it, and ofc enter it, and theyre the only species that can do those things

Now onto vilgax, his origin is tied to another thing about chimerans society. Because Chimeran society is all about maintaining order, there is no middle or upper class, or rulers or government. There are 2 classes, the upper class which is standard society and the majority of Chimerans, and the lower class. Chimerans that are chaotic and disturb the order of society, banished to the worst spots on the planet and disgraced from society. Vilgax was born to a member of the lower class and ever since his birth has been looked down upon both for being a member of the lower class and for being physically weaker than your average Chimera child

This didnt stop him however from having ambitions and determination, and so he tried regardless to climb up the societal ladder to gain more power. Eventually he screws up bigtime while hired for a mission, and gets exhiled to Xenon, a fate worse than death to them because it is less honorable than execution. Despite it all, Vilgax being filled with determination and unquenchable ambition, begins his powerhungry quest and manages to make it out, eventually pushing his body to the limits to become the infamous warlord with a reputation we all know

[tomorrowusa]

The biggest benefactor to Hamas in the US is not the radical chic fringe but Republican former President George W. Bush.

Because of recency bias, many people have forgotten what an awful president George "Dubya" Bush was. But in addition to two recessions (including the Great Recession), two rounds of tax breaks for the filthy rich, neglecting national security which led to 9/11, and starting an unnecessary and destabilizing war in Iraq, Bush helped to bring the terrorist group Hamas to power in Gaza.

Gaza has not had an election since 2006 – one which was instigated by George W. Bush. That election turned out to be a disaster.

It was in January 2006 that the Palestinian territories held what turned out to be their last parliamentary elections. Hamas won a bare plurality of votes (44 percent to the more moderate Fatah party’s 41 percent) but, given the electoral system, a strong majority of seats (74 to 45). Neither party was keen on sharing power. Fighting broke out between the two. When a unity government was finally formed in June 2007, Hamas broke the deal, started murdering Fatah members, and, in the end, took total control of the Gaza Strip. Those who weren’t killed fled to the West Bank, and the territories have remained split ever since. In other words, Hamas’ absolute rule of Gaza is not what the Palestinians voted for back in 2006. In fact, since the median age of Gazans is 18, half of Hamas’ subjects weren’t even born when the election took place. Since they have known no alternative, have absorbed little information but Hamas propaganda, and have witnessed periodic outbursts of violent conflict with Israel throughout their lives, it is impossible to know what they really think about their rulers. But we need to ask another question: Why did the 2006 elections take place? The explanation lies in the political ideals—or, more correctly, the naïveté—of President George W. Bush. (Much of this comes from the reporting for my 2008 book, Daydream Believers: How a Few Grand Ideas Wrecked American Power.) Bush entered his second term, in January 2005, convinced that his mission was to spread democracy around the world. He assumed that democracy was the natural state of humanity: Once a dictator was toppled and the people could vote for leaders in elections, freedom and liberty would bloom forth. For a moment, it looked like he might be right: The world was witnessing the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, the first parliamentary elections in post-Saddam Iraq. More pertinent, the Palestinian National Authority held its first election, and Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party—which had recognized Israel’s right to exist and supported negotiations for a two-state solution—won handily. Around this time, Israel was withdrawing from the Gaza Strip—not just pulling out troops, but evicting some 8,000 Jewish settlers (most of whom were paid to resettle in the West Bank). Suddenly there was a vacuum of local authority. Bush thought democracy would fill a vacuum, so he urged the Palestinian Authority to hold parliamentary elections.

Create a power vacuum and the most determined group, not the most appropriate group, will rush in to fill the void. That happened to be Hamas.

One problem, though: Radical parties—notably Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which had boycotted the 2005 presidential election—decided to compete in the 2006 parliamentary contests. Six weeks before these elections, Dennis Ross was on one of his frequent trips to the Middle East. As the Middle East envoy for Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, Ross had more experience negotiating with Israelis and Palestinians than any American. He was no longer in the U.S. government, but he knew all the relevant players. Ross was leery about holding elections. He thought that if there were elections, militias such as Hamas should be banned from participating; they should have to choose between joining the system and waging violence against it—they shouldn’t be allowed to have it both ways. Members of Fatah, fearful that Hamas might win, approached Ross and asked if he could quietly urge the Israelis to block the election. An odd alignment was taking shape. “What’s wrong with this picture?” Ross asked himself. Fatah and Israel were against holding the elections; Hamas and President Bush were in favor. Ross communicated all this to Robert Zoellick, a former colleague from Bush Sr.’s days who was now deputy secretary of state. Like Ross, Zoellick worried the election could be disastrous. He urged his boss, Bush Jr.’s secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, to urge Israelis to do some things to improve Fatah’s prospects—for instance, to ease up on border crossings in the Palestinian territories and let Abbas take credit for the gesture. Rice refused, saying that the U.S. shouldn’t put its thumb on the scales. A former hardheaded adherent of realpolitik, Rice had recently adopted Bush’s view of the world: She thought, or at least acted as if, elections were a magic potion for curing political ills and that the U.S., having delivered or blessed them, should sit back and let the historical forces flow naturally. To her (and most American observers’) surprise, Hamas won. It proved to be only the first yank in the unraveling of the Bush-Rice dogma. Civil war broke out between Hamas and Fatah, leading eventually to Fatah’s expulsion from Gaza, Hamas’ total dictatorship there, and a resumption of rocket fire from the enclave into Israel—prompting the Israeli blockade on Gaza’s northern border (which Egypt, whose leaders hated and feared Hamas as well, reinforced with a blockade on the southern border).

The bottom line...

[T]he election that put Hamas in power was not inevitable; it was premature. Israel and the leaders of the neighboring Sunni Arab nations, who inveighed lavish rhetorical support for the Palestinians but did very little to back it up, could have done more to help build the elements of a civil society and negotiate a peace. But ultimately, they didn’t want to. Elections only tightened the bonds of conflict and lent it a veneer of legitimacy. Hamas’ murderous assault on Oct. 7, the subsequent escalation of violence, and the possibility of a widening war—these are the latest and most bitter fruits of the elections’ legacy.

At best, Bush and Condoleezza Rice were foolish and naïve. They felt that elections in countries with little in the way of democratic institutions would solve all their problems.

Bush, Rice, and Vice President Dick Cheney also repeatedly fawned all over what they called the first election in Afghanistan in 5,000 years. Afghanistan, like Gaza, had no background in democracy and we know what good those elections did Afghanistan in the long run.

Fred Kaplan, the author of the Slate article which is excerpted above, recently spoke with Brian Lehrer at WNYC. You can hear their conversation here...

The U.S. Role in the Israel-Hamas War

[dokidokitsuna]

Hey, I'm new here, and I really like your comics and animated series. But, I was reading through some of your posts, and it seems like you got a lot of AU's and I was wondering if you could give brief explanation on them.

Thank you! ^^ I've really been looking forward to answering this ask, because I just love making lists of stuff I've done~

(RWBY) NeverFell: An alternate universe where the Battle of Beacon ended in victory instead of defeat, and the story remains as the action-dramedy everyone knew and loved~. The Midnight mini-series is under the umbrella of this AU.

(RWBY) Familyverse: An alternate universe where the RWBY girls' parents have a larger influence on their lives, and their appearances are changed accordingly. This AU comprises the backstories I created for my first set of RWBY redesign videos ('Family Resemblance'), which can be found here. I only add it to this list because I did mention it on Tumblr once or twice.

(RWBY) Maiden Hunters: An alternate universe where the members of Team WTCH are all young women who can gain the Maiden powers featured in the later volumes of the series. This is another AU mostly covered in videos, although I did answer a few asks about it here.

(Kirby) Dream Alliance: A gijinka alternate universe covering the story of Kirby Star Allies, where Kirby has been killed by Void Termina, leaving his friends and the rest of the world to figure out how to defeat a god without him. The story follows a version of Magolor who was raised by Hyness in the Jambastion cult, and is now working to become a mech pilot in the Dream Alliance fleet.

(Kirby) Wish Library: A gijinka alternate universe where Marx and Galacta Knight spend their days trying to protect the Galactic Nova they live in from being captured by 'Star Hunters'.

(Kirby) Super Star Sentai: A gijinka alternate universe where Kirby is the main antagonist, whose ideas of 'having fun' result in apocalyptic consequences. Meta Knight, Dark Meta Knight, Galacta Knight, Morpho Knight, and Susie form a team of heroes to help protect what remains of humanity from total annihilation.

(Kirby) Knights Errant: A gijinka alternate universe where a valiant knight (Meta Knight) and a demon of destruction (Dark Matter Swordsman) gradually learn the reasons why the Dream Lands have fallen into darkness, and how their king (Dedede) plans to restore the light.

(Kirby) Mapop Magical: A gijinka alternate universe where Francisca, Flamberge, and Zan Partizanne are magical girls in a reversal of the story of Kirby Star Allies. Together they protect their town from the fairy monsters brought to their world by the evil Princess Kirby.

(Kirby) GONE: A gijinka alternate universe where the Master Crown succeeded in taking over Magolor's body and destroying Pop Star. Eons later, as it enters a brutal losing conflict with other dimension-scale rulers, it begins to wonder if its former host is truly 'gone'.

(Kirby) Magical Friends: I don't really talk about this like it's an AU, but technically it is, and I think I take it for granted that everyone knows what it is, so I wanted to correct that here. ^^; Anyway, Magical Friends is an alternate universe animation series chronicling Gryll's tumultuous developing friendship with Magolor, Marx and Adeleine. The companion 'comic dub' series operates under the assumption that they're already friends, allowing for even more lighthearted cartoon hijinks.

[feathers-feathers]

Has anyone else made this connection?

Long post alert. Most of it under the cut tho.

So, I was exploring some NPC pages in the wiki - and when I had a gander at Bardoon's page, I was surprised to see it refer to him as a caterpillar - the credit for the assertion going to the Wanderer's journal. Unfortunately I do not have that myself, so I couldn't see where. Either way, it struck me as obvious after seeing that. Just looking at his whole body plan… yeah, of course he's a caterpillar.

Knowing that some of the bugs in this game were based off of real life insects, I decided to make a cursory inspection of known real life caterpillars that fit the bill. Which would be, uh… stark white, I guess.

Wouldn't you know it, the very first one I see was the caterpillar stage for the Bombyx Mori - AKA the Silk Moth. AKA the Moth that a lot of people have connected to the Radiance due to being a very fluffy and very pale moth.

A comparison, for your viewing pleasure - CW I suppose for two images of real life insects - under the cut.

Right: Silk Moth / Radiance, Left: Silk Moth Caterpillar / Bardoon

It's not an exact fit for either obviously - but even then, known examples of bugs based off their real life counterpart don't often fully conform exactly either. Bardoon of course is very familiar with all this godly business. He can quite easily resist the infection, and quite easily resist even the awakened dream nail. He is possibly ancient - and knows things that are pretty much only known by other gods. Of course, this is more head-canon than theory. But it is such an interesting idea, is it not?

Let's take this idea and run with it: The Radiance and Bardoon are the same species.

This would add another interesting layer to the Radiance herself… she really wouldn't be all that different to the Pale King in this case. In fact, they would have almost identical backstories of arriving to Hallownest as worm-like creatures, transforming into their current form, possibly eradicating the previous rulers (the ancient caste and their void shenanigans in the Radiance's case), while starting up their own nation as replacement.

And if the Radiance isn't simply a one off thing, and is actually a member of a species of moths gods - then, of course, there would be others likely outside the kingdom. Unless, like the Wyrms, they too are going the way of the dodo.

And then, of course, there's Bardoon himself. If he eventually pupates into another Moth god… that would… probably be the best case scenario for a good future outcome, wouldn't it? I honestly can't see Bardoon causing any problems. Dude's just so chill.

I've always seen this world as being very high entropy - needing the supernatural power of gods to impose enough order for life to truly thrive. With most endings in the game, Unn is the only god left and she's not likely to last much longer. There's also the White Lady, but I really don't get the feeling that she's up for the task. So unless the life-sapping Void could somehow… not do what it's very nature does, post-Embrace The Void… I never really thought there was much hope for Hallownest to return to prominence. But with this whole concept, then there definitely is a chance.

Another cool idea: Take the normal ending. Post-Hollow Knight. The protagonist is containing the Radiance. Let's say the protagonist isn't a pure vessel, and the Radiance escapes again eventually. She begins spreading the infection once again. Except by now Bardoon has fully matured, and has very similar power. Bardoon has already spread his own much more benign form of the infection without all that mind control shenanigans. So the Radiance simply cannot find purchase in anyone's minds, as Bardoon's benign infection… basically acts as a vaccine, inoculating the minds of Hallownest's bugs.

I really did not expect to be thinking about Bardoon of all people like this, considering how out of the way he is. But here we are. I think this is a very interesting idea. Lots of room for speculation here of course! I want to see some more takes on this, if some of y'all are willing?

[limnsaber]

Mandalorian Gen Fic Rec List - Volume III: Adventures & Encounters, Tatooine Friends, Side Characters, and Others

Hello all and welcome back to the third edition of the Mandalorian Gen Fic Rec List! See Volume I (Din) and Volume II (Clan of Two) here. For reference for this list, 🔐 means a restricted work and 💜 means an personal favorite, but as always, they are all must reads. Please let me know if you like them, and please give love to the authors we owe so much to!! -Yours, Lim <3 <3 <3

Adventures & Encounters

💜 it's called a flush by deniigiq (Din Djarin, Ensemble Cast, Found Family, one of my absolute favorites, Queer Families, Humor, Mand'alor Din Djarin, Gen, 130k)

“Word is that you’ve shacked up with Boba Fett, Mando.” That tone sent shivers unrelated to the water down Din’s spine. The urge to lash out filled his lungs, but he pushed back on it. “You two have history,” he said as evenly as he could. He turned and found the Jedi’s face completely void of emotion. His eyelashes were darker, though. Din could see them clearly even from across the river. “Do not bring him here,” the Jedi said. (Din tries to make a family. Now if only the new members didn't hate each other.)

Ways and means. by @outpastthemoat (Din Djarin, Luke Skywalker, The Mandalorian Darksaber, Jedi Philosophy, Gen, 4k)

Din sighs. “I’m here because I need you to teach me how to use…” He gestures at the darksaber hanging from his belt. “Well. This.”

Mando'ad Draar Digu (A Mandalorian Never Forgets) by the unacknowledged (Din Djarin, Grogu, Ensemble Cast, Hurt/Comfort, Father-Son Relationship, New Republic Politics, Gen, 163k)

A run-in on an Imperial ship between Mandalorians and New Republic pilots ends in violence and a stalemate. Tensions are now heightened as several New Republic senators extend negotiations to the mysterious ruler of Mandalore, a reformed planet isolated from the galaxy. Mand’alor Din Djarin and Duchess Bo-Katan Kryze begin defensive discussions with the Galactic Senate, opposed to becoming involved in any outside government after so recently reclaiming their home planet. As they aim to keep Din’s identity confidential, the Mandalorians hunt the rest of the Empire in the Outer Rim and attempt to avoid the New Republic’s domineering presence. But Senator Leia Organa isn’t taking no for an answer with peace on the line. (Oh, and of course, the clan of two reunites.)

Scatterplot Solution by Now_With_Conviction (Din Djarin, Ensemble Cast, Star Wars Rebels, Rescue Missions, Gen, 10k)

“Anyone gonna fill us in?” Fennec asks. Without looking at Fennec, Bo-Katan wonders, “do you really wanna know this...this,” she searches for the phrase, “galaxy-brained story? Because Ahsoka will jump at the chance to tell it.” Din wants to tell Ahsoka she doesn’t have to, but once something piques his interest, he prefers to know in case the withheld information becomes important later. He’s been in plenty of dark corners and unfortunate dealings to hone such an instinct. “I’ll bite,” Din says neutrally.

Faith in Darkness by icarus_chained (Din Djarin, Grogu, Luke Skywalker, The Force, The Jedi Order, Gen, 11k)

Hindsight was perfect. And all nightmares came back, eventually. All nightmares came again. In an echo of another temple on another world, thirty years before, the Empire comes for Luke's school. The Empire, and a dark force long thought lost. The Force doesn't warn them, not in time. But someone will come for them. Someone will save them. All Luke and Grogu have to do, Anakin and Obi-wan, Ben and the children under Luke's care, is hold on until they reach them.

Where My People Are by Hypercamera3 (Din Djarin, Sabine Wren, Canon-Typical Violence, Teen, 7k)

Din Djarin goes to a the headquarters of a minor crimelord operating under the Gray Syndicate, intent on collecting a bounty. However, another Mandalorian, Sabine Wren, is already there, pulling the wool over the crimelord's eyes. This can only get worse.

🔐 Suddenly, I'm Respectable by nik_knows_nothing (Din Djarin, Leia Organa, Reva Sevander, Kenobi Show, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Pre-Canon, Gen, 52k)

Din really only gets the bounty because no one else is foolish enough to take it. After all, he's one of the youngest bounty hunters in the guild, and a hunter in his position can't exactly be picky with the jobs he does or doesn't take. Even if it's very obviously a trap. (AU in which Bail and Breha Organa have a backup plan in place for Leia's rescue, and that backup plan involves a very high-paying bounty and a very tired Mandalorian with no ship, no real reputation, and a worn-out set of durasteel armor.)

Tatooine Friends

💜 The Gang Goes Viral by stopcryingyoullrust (Tatooine Cast, POV Outsider, Crack Treated Seriously, Gen, 4k)

Bounty hunter turned small business owner, Boba Fett, tries his best to promote his retreat. But when a commercial he filmed with his friends goes viral on the holonet for all the wrong reasons, the galaxy starts brimming with speculations about Fett's supposed resurrection. One intrepid podcast intern makes it their mission to interview the elusive legend and find out if there really is a spa in the middle of the Dune Sea.

All Help Us Survive by miztes, @temporoyales (Din Djarin, Tatooine Cast, Mandalorian Culture, Book of Boba Fett Big Bang 2021, Gen, 1k)

Boba Fett is settling in as the leader of a syndicate on Tatooine, crushing his enemies, freeing their slaves, and generally trying to build a new reputation for himself. He'd like to see more of that Mando he helped. Djarin was useful around the Palace and good company. The kind (ever so rare) you could trust to watch your back. But Kryze got her claws into Djarin and they're off reclaiming Mandalore and Boba doesn't expect to see Djarin any time soon. Boba really doesn't expect to see Djarin in his throne room with a group of kids. And that first visit is only the beginning.

Gar sa aliit, ori'wadaas'la by seashell_heart (Tatooine Cast, The Book of Boba Fett, Mature, 51k)

The Pykes have declared war on the new daimyo of Tatooine, and Boba Fett and Fennec Shand have called in the help of the Mandalorian, Din Djarin. As the storm builds, the Fett gotra unites to face its enemies. This is a completely self-indulgent rewrite of The Book of Boba Fett episode 5-7, mostly by scooping out the Mandalorian Season 3 setup and replacing it with events that actually feature Boba Fett, Fennec Shand and the Mods. No major changes from what happens on Tatooine in canon, just much more time spent in Mos Espa with my new favourite found family: the Fett gotra. Because sometimes, a family can be an infamous bounty hunter, an equally infamous assassin, a Mandalorian dad missing his adoptive green son, a Wookie mercenary, and a group of youngsters with cybernetic limbs and authority issues.

The Strangers by @ro-moray (Cobb Vanth, Tatooine Cast, Gen, 2k)

Power changes hands on Tatooine practically overnight. Rumors of the coup make their way across the ever-shifting sands of the Northern Dune Sea, all the way to the isolated town of Mos Pelgo and its Marshal. Much sooner than he expected to, Cobb Vanth sees his old armor again—and gets a peek into various galactic dramas that fortunately have nothing to do with him.

Stronger for the Breaking by @seascribbling (Din Djarin, Boba Fett, Head Injury, Gen, 23k)

“Hey, little guy. Look at this. Do you think any of these people can help us?” He pulls up a projection of the log and holds the child up to see it. “Any ideas?” The child looks at him and then back at the contacts, screwing up his face in an expression of concentration. He takes his time, and the man tries to be patient. Finally, the child stretches out a tiny hand and points to a log entry. “Boba Fett,” the man reads. He pauses, to see if the name sounds familiar. It doesn’t. “Tatooine.” Or, Din Djarin crashes his starship and only knows two things when he wakes up: One, that he never removes his helmet and two, that he would die to protect the child.

The People v. Din Djarin by @mandaloria314 (Din Djarin, Ensemble Cast, Legal Drama, Humor, Gen, 1k)

Transcript of the Third Judicial Division of Mos Eisley of the Planet Tatooine plea hearing on the case of the People of the New Republic v. Din Djarin, Division Chair presiding

Side Character Focused

💜 Get Back Up by angiebodies (Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Grogu, Din Djarin, one of my fav!!, The Book of Boba Fett, Gen, 1k)

In the wake of Grogu's departure, Luke receives some much-needed guidance from an old friend.

🔐 Te Nuhun by @quillandink-tmblr (Boba Fett, Jango Fett, Ensemble Cast, Humor, 2k)

The Fetts are only funny to a select few people, to Boba's utter chagrin. OR Five people who don't really get the joke, and one person who finally does. Podfic in end notes.

Quid Pro Quo by @bobafett (Fennec Shand, Boba Fett, Developing Friendships, POV Alternating, 13k)

In the Syndicates, you’re either good or you’re dead, and Fennec Shand is very, very good. Or, at least, she used to be. Maybe she’s lost her edge, or maybe the galaxy has just changed around her. Now the Empire is gone, and her Syndicate contacts aren’t taking her comms. Even the karking credits are different. Maybe it shouldn’t have been a surprise when a bounty hunter half her age with a contract for her live capture shoved a blaster into her stomach and pulled the trigger. But it’s just a setback, and Fennec can handle setbacks. She can even handle a new set of cybernetic implants and a Boba Fett imposter. She’s remade herself a dozen times, what’s one more?

this is a low, but it won't hurt you by @mantelpieces (Boba Fett, Din Djarin, Jango Fett, Character Study, 2.5k)

Djarin pulls a little metal ball out from his pocket, and rolls it between his palms. “Do you remember your father? Really, properly?” Boba's father exists in a strange in-between now. Sometimes he is clear-voiced and vibrant, as if he’s only in the next room. Other days, Boba can just about conjure the image of his hand on a blaster, can just about remember the weight of that same hand on his shoulder. “Not as much as I’d like,” he says. (or: Boba is raised with love. years later, he sees another man trying to do the same.)

Weft and Warp by beanenchilada (Fennec Shand, Boba Fett, Canon Compliant, Platonic Soulmates, 1k)

The first time he sees her pick up her rifle is the first time he sees her relax. He didn’t realize she was so tightly wound until, suddenly, she wasn’t. The first time she sees him in the armor, she looks at him for a long time before saying, not bad.

First meetings, in noir by sithness (Boba Fett, Fennec Shand, Fanart, 3k)

Run-ins between two rising stars in the galactic mercenary scene, bathed in moody neo-noir lighting. I: In an upscale Nal Hutta establishment, Boba Fett makes a business proposal. II: A derailed hunt, and a collegial gesture. III: Fennec Shand contemplates the disturbing news of another elite mercenary's demise. An artwork series, with snippets.

Between the Rain by Art3mys, FortinbrasFTW, @asiminthering (Boba Fett, Fennec Shand, Din Djarin, Crime Fiction, Book of Boba Fett Big Bang 2021, 24k)

As Boba Fett seeks to establish the foundation for a crime empire that can meet this newly shaped galaxy, he finds the desert will always hold secrets. Enemies hanging in dust and shadows, a ruined empire of loose ends, and a child who can’t seem to understand he isn’t interested in keeping strays, all circling whispers of rain. One way or another, he’ll have to find a way to build a shattered past into a present that doesn’t slip through his fingers.

💜 Descent by Buckhunter (Boba Fett, Fennec Shand, Bib Fortuna, 100w)

Bib Fortuna is nothing in comparison to Jabba, and he knows it. But so does the green-clad ghost that storms the palace.

Others

💜 Our Souls Our Own by icarus_chained ((Listen I know this is tagged as slash but if you're this far into these lists you're going to have to trust me on this one. it's one of my favorites. ever., and the slash is not explicit dnw it is mainly about din and its beautiful beautiful beautiful,) Din Djarin, Grogu, Boba Fett, Cobb Vanth, Planet Tatooine, Honor, Mandalorian Culture, Slavery, King Boba Fett, Mand'alor Din Djarin, Family, Hope, Crisis of Faith, hajsbdjhds, 13k)

On faith, armour, debts, friendship, and the crucible of slaves, heroes and kings that is Tatooine. In the aftermath of breaking his creed, Din takes a long walk into the desert, and Boba Fett and Cobb Vanth set out to bring him back.

Knight in Shining Armor by musicmillenia (Crossover, The Last of Us, Din Djarin, Joel (The Last of Us), Ellie (The Last of Us), Mand'alor Din Djarin, Grogu, 2k)

Ellie, born as Nori from Coruscant, is rescued by a knight who knows her name. Her actual name.

[savyir-genesizz-the-wizard]

Some short descriptions from Destinypedia:

Lavinia (Garcia Umr Tawil) was a Cryptarch affiliated with The Last City, until her exile for unauthorized attempts to study the Nine. Lavinia continued her studies despite her exile, venturing into the Reef for answers before being arrested for violating Awoken law. Eventually escaping, Lavinia managed to enter the realm of the Nine and learn the truth about them before being captured by Savathûn, the Witch-Queen.

Taox was a Krill who once tutored the Osmium King's three daughters, Xi Ro, Sathona, and Aurash.

The Emperor Raven was a notable ruler of the Taishibethi sun raven species, and lived in the Raven Bridge. She ruled the Tai until she was Taken by Oryx during the Golden Amputation. She apparently has some paracausal abilities as she is mentioned to be able to "tickle" gods with her feathers, cut open a Hive war moon apart with her talons, and was capable of shadowing Taishibeth with her wings when Taken.

Peach is a cynical unpartnered Ghost who lives in The Last City. Peach was invited to speak at the Peregrine Institute of Higher Learning alongside another unpartnered Ghost, Balthazar, about the nature of the Traveler, Light, and themselves.

Marin Mansanas is a Guardian who became known as the Tangled Outrider on the Tangled Shore and wielded the infamous bow Trinity Ghoul. She was partnered with the Ghost Pom.

Satomi is a Guardian Warlock who experimented in thanatonautics in order to understand the Void energy generated by death and used their findings to create the Mask of the Quiet One.

Esila was a Awoken historian and poet. The daughter of Sila, she was amongst the Awoken who chose to leave the Distributary under the leadership of Mara Sov and return to the Sol System to aid Humanity. After the establishment of the Awoken in the Reef, Esila spent much time in the Gardens of Esila before being murdered by the Ahamkara Azirim.

Yevik is a former House of Wolves member that worked for the House of Dusk. He evidently did not leave the Reef when his Wolf-Born cousins fled to the Meridian Bay to serve Orbiks Prime, but only when Mara Sov was finally presumed dead.

Pinar Venj was an Awoken Coven Leader of the Techeun Witches of Amethyst and sister of Petra Venj. She was killed when Drevis, Wolf Baroness and her Silent Fang attacked the station.

Tallulah Fairwind was a Hunter who was appointed by the Speaker as the first Hunter Vanguard. She was eventually murdered by an Ahamkara and replaced as Hunter Vanguard by Caliban-8.

Cast your vote! These we mostly sent by @flowers-of-io

[ode-of-odr-archive]

@dalishflame

// I mentioned this starter forever ago, but here it is! This song cover is what inspired me

The problem with godhood? Over the long drawn out decades emotions start to dull and apathy takes hold. Raserei often wondered if that was why the cosmos just spat new gods out every so often. Sends them hurling into existence with no clue where they were to fit in in the grand scheme, while the ever present primordial pillars watch on.  

However, on the flip side of this younger gods had all this power and their emotions had yet to calm or be dulled by boredom. Making them just as much a problem. 

He looked out over the river of souls; his eyes black like voids, nothing reflecting, no sign that something was housed inside him. He warned Demeter. Though the situation surrounding how Atreion had come into his life was unfortunate. It was clear the two found a bond in the trickery. And if she was truly upset, she would take her anger out on Venus. But his words fell on deaf ears. And the might of earth can crush many things, like the curse from a spited goddess of love. 

Raserei did all he could to settle this; telling her to listen to her nephew. But she had lost her daughter to a ruler of the dead, so she was was not to lose another family member to those who rule under the world. Children of Nyx and Death. Atreion’s cries and protests thundered still in his ears. How long had his lover been removed from his halls? He wasn’t counting because he was plotting. 

He warned; he was not her brother Hades, or shared in the calm demeanor many gods of death held. The world below was not just calm, quiet and cold. There was fire and molten rock. How close death and life walk hand and hand. So he said if Atreion did not return, should he want to, and was denied he would raze her fields, rot her forests. Death would rock the mortal realm so hard she would learn, that at the end of all things; he would be there. He was certainty. Death was a promise.

“Raserei, for centuries mortals have suffered because of celestial egos. Do not do this. We can find another way to get him back.” Nyx stood next to him. Her form barely keeping shape but when it did it was like looking at the night sky, only a robe made of starlight gave away her form. 

“Maybe. Maybe they need to be reminded. We are the powerful ones. Death may sit below, but we come for all things. All can be touched by us. Zeus when the Greek gods were coming into power, would not have had his victory if Hades not used his helm and snuck into enemy ranks before hand. They always rely on our calmness. Our want for balance. Well...”  The death god grinned wickedly and snapped his fingers, “Now this glorified grave keeper has had enough. No more balance. They want to be greedy? Than so shall I!” 

Furies swarmed around them, shrieking as they flew to the mortal realm. Disease seeped into crops and animals started to die. He had unleashed famine. 

“If she does not give him back I will release them all until it is time I ride. The Cosmos should have never slotted me here. But it really doesn’t care does it? Mindless thing that it is,” 

[local-starry-catboi]

Kid Pirates hcs #5

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  More Kid Pirates hcs 1 | 2 | 3 | 4.1 - 4.2 | 5 | 6 | 7

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  Kid Pirates OC bios — Light | Blaze | Calista | Kira | Eun | Grunge

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  Manda — @silvernyxchariot ; Solace — @ramdeviltart ; Osiris — @/idonthaveacluewhatsgoingonhere

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  Medieval AU edition ✨️ Inspiration came when I attended the medieval fair in Kaltenberg back in late July '22 (didn't have the chance to go last year), and the first group of knights passed by a while before the parade, and the need for HCs like this just deepened once the knight tournament had something heavy playing as OST during the show.

Hcs under the cut for length ✨️

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  The main base of the House of Eustass, his group also known the Dark Knights (as they call themselves) or the Barbarians (as they are called amongst commoners and nobility alike), is a sturdy stronghold built atop a mountain with sharp jagged rocks and steep crags. Black colours with purple and red accents hoisted on the highest poles of the old castle they've conquered keep most other factions far away beyond the foot of the mountain it sits upon - their reputation and the 'highly inviting' decoration along the road leading up to the keep entirely aside. Most people cower in fear if Kid and his group do make their way downhill to restock their supplies. Some days, they just raid and rob unknowing merchants travelling too close to their turf, on other days, they actually purchase the goods they require.

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  Their House's signature colours being red, purple, and red, they do have a couple of members who do not necessarily wear all of those colours and/or not all the time. Among them would be one of the women, the doctor, who tends to wear lighter and preferably pink tones. Their coat of arms is a set of golden gears on blood red and vibrant purple.

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  They do tend to play loud music, regardless if it's only a casual feast at a banquet, a tournament, or when they're going to war. There's bagpipes, drums, strings, and other instruments. What's more, when they're out on the sea to raid some far-away countries and villages, they tend to bust out in chants. They enjoy emerging from the foggy void of darkness of pitch-black nights, merely with two or three lit torches at most, their voices joined in a chorus of low and bone-chilling songs, relatively akin to how Vikings may have done it. It's one of the reasons why they have such a horrible reputation and are rather feared (one of the examples for this "Valhalla Calling" group). On other occasions, where they're out on an open field or the vast seas late at night, ready for their attack, they also might ask the 'maidens' to go siren mode before the rest of the group will join with the bass line; similar to this.

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  Next to the doctor already mentioned above, we'd have - among others - the "mage with no chill" (to quote Nyxy, when I asked them), responsible for spell-based sniper attacks, who's beloved by the Dark Knights' large black hounds and a flamingo-loving Lord of the Southlands alike. Then there's the artificer and craftsman who suffers from a curse cast upon them before their birth (having turned into a maritime human). The group also has a tailor who was taken hostage during a war against another country, but their rulers never even tried to retrieve them. Their chef used to be a slave, but was freed somewhere along the way and was supposed to be executed if they had not intervened. Mosh, their blacksmith, crafting all the armours and weapons alongside Eun's help. Wire is their silent (van)guard captain, albeit not very talkative - alas, his tactical signs have served the Dark Knights well on every occasion. The group's vice leader, Kid's advisor and right-hand, is a master assassin highly skilled with scythes. Surprisingly, their best torturer is a young maiden who'd been recruited from another lord after their defeat.

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  Their shacks are filled with mostly black or dark brown horses, as well as some mixed ones. They're all rather massive and sturdy, perfect for long travels and on the battlefield. Unlike other riders' companions, these animals don't scare away from the noises of combat and have been through lots of things with their respective keepers. Funnily enough, barely any of them are "normally" bred ones: they were caught wild and got tamed and trained by the Dark Knights.

🌹ꦽꦼ̷  They all have their respective "domains" in the castle. Some are warded with a special spell or password, such as Manda's lab and observatory, Solace' herb gardens, Kid's workshop, Osiris' torture dungeon, or Light's kitchen. They did 'set' some people who were allowed to enter their own little realms, but most of the others have to stay out due to multiple past incidents.

[lcngliive]

Was that [NATASHA LIU BORDIZZO]? Oh no no, that was just [SABINE WREN], a [CANON CHARACTER] from [STAR WARS]. They are [TWENTY FIVE] years old, use [SHE/THEY], and [ARE] aware that they are not actually from Washington DC. Too bad they can’t stray from this city for long.

how long has your character been here

they've been here for a week.

what is your character's job

nothing yet, will probs go into some sort of private security or maybe even pursue their art career.

where has your character been pulled from in their fandom

from the end of rebels - I will eventually update her once the ahsoka show is out and with the content from that after the grace period has passed, but for now - she's from rebels s4 :)

has any magic affected your character

nope!

and any other information you might find useful for us and the other members to know!!

oop i'm back at it again with another rebels chara - but with the new ahsoka show the lil gremlin part of my brain told me to bring sabine back so :)) here they are!!

okay, so for those who don't know - this is sabine wren she was a part of the rebellion during the war, but they are a mandalorian warrior, explosives expert, and graffiti artist as well.

sabine was born on mandalore to clan wren - her father alrich is an artist, while her mother ursa, was a part of death watch along with bo katan kryze. but she later became the head of clan wren. they also have a younger brother as well, tristian.

as a youth, she believed in the Empire and, even as it put her through some shit, they still followed its orders blindly. 

sabine was young and nieve and the empire took advantage of her need to prove themselves and had her build a weapon that would later be used against their own people.

once they figured all of this out - sabine spoke out against the empire, which led to her father becoming a political prisoner and her mother and brother having to swear loyalty to gar saxon.

after this, sabine fled mandalore - where she eventually wound up on lothal, where they met kanan, hera, zeb and chopper - who would later become like a family to her, filling the void of where her birth family wasn't.

it wasn't long after that when they found ezra - a lothal street rat and force sensitive kid. he stole the crates of weapons that they had been stealing from the empire, but after a successful mission - he joined them and started to train as a jedi with kanan.

sabine has always, always been hot-headed, it's probs the Mandalorian blood tbh. but that def is their fatal flaw, their temper. because sometimes it can get them into trouble and make them do stupid things.

things started to change for sabine when the darksaber came into play - they found it on dathomir in darth maul's little lair and obvs whoever wins the darksaber blah blah blah man'alore, ruler - all of the shit sabine doesn't care abt lmao.

kanan and ezra help sabine wield the blade, teaching them how to do all of the proper jedi forms - but sabine gets frustrated with herself and has a lil bit of a meltdown before things get better and she starts learning how to properly do it - how to not let her emotions get the best of her.

after everything with the training is done, she does use it to go back to her family home - reuniting with her mother and brother. eventually, she fights with viceroy saxon, whom she decides to spare - but as their back is turned, he moves to attack them - but her mother is faster, killing him.

after that, sabine stays behind with her family, hoping to repair things with them.

after a few rotations, they go back to mandalore - hoping to rescue her father, but it was all a trap, the empire had rebuilt the weapon she had created and used it against them - sabine thought they had lost both their mother and brother, but the message they sent to them gave them just enough time to get away.

with the help of bo katan, they successfully rescue her father from the empire and bring him back to the safety of home.

after sabine destroys the weapon she created with the darksaber - they give it back to bo katan once more, letting her be the ruler of mandalore and in her rightful place.

sabine continued to do missions with the ghost crew right up until the end of the war.

sabine stayed on lothal, keeping their promise to ezra to stay and make sure things were peaceful and they did - but something always bugged them about the message, and so they went to set off with ahsoka to find ezra and bring him home.

here in dc

sabine is p confused abt all of this place - they are eager to find a way back home, she had just been preparing to go off with ahsoka to look for ezra and thrawn. and now she's stuck here??

but her need for exploration is going haywire right now - they want to know everything about this place and to see everything.

potential plots

a relationship - this will probs be slow burn?? sabine doesn't trust easily, and also the fact that they've never had a relationship before lmao. sabine is a lesbian - this can kinda stem from anything, maybe they didn't like each other to start with? maybe they were friends? idk lets plot it out :)

friends - like above with the relationship, she doesn't trust easily, so some people who can get past her walls and actually be friends would be rlly good for sabine??? people to take her around the city and to explore with them.

enemies - give them some people to fight with pls.

frenemies - like above? some people who she doesn't totally hate, but doesn't like either?????

artist friends - sabine is an avid artist, always has been - they get it from their father. so some other friends who are interested in art and can show her the different artists and shit here would be great. also people to paint with, bc sabine will most likely be a graffiti artist mostly ????? so catch them getting arrested lmaooo.

[koopaspiderofdarkness]

Another ref from the backlog! This time of my appearaclops (< cyclops but with an infinite amount of eyes) character, Gael!

Here's his lore for those interested:

Gael hatched on the planet Thortria on a late night after his parents foolishly dropped his egg in the void of planet Doatanre. Though it was only in the void for a moment, the corruption of the void had an impact on Gael when he hatched, leading to him developing a third eye.

Gael was not popular among the imps, from a young age it was made clear that the others perceived him as strange, and it didn't help that he lacked the powers all other members of Thortria possessed. Gael would eventually go on to join "The Angels of Death," a group of imp assassins tasked with eliminating the female population of Thortria. He was not looked upon with respect and most members of the group expected him to be one of the first to go. Much to their surprise, however, Gael would be the last of the soldiers to die, defeated in a battle against Snatcher, Muhammad, and Yili at the entrance to the castle where the princess, the last of the group's targets, resided.

When Gael awoke on Doatanre, he was reborn from the Mother Eye as the most powerful undead being to exist. The lack of powers he had as an imp proved to be just the opposite, he always had powers, extremely potent ones at that, but in order to use them he had to be reborn.

As the stray eyes from many failed cyclops gathered together, Gael was reborn as Doatanres first and only appearaclops, a being made purely of the discarded eyes of the Mother Eye, able to grow to terrifying heights, or dispatch some of his color-changing eyes to Doatanre and Thortria to spy on its citizens, and able to completely destroy living beings by assimilating them into more eyes of Gael.

Using his newfound limitless power, Gael quickly took Doatanre by storm, killing its two old leaders and enacting himself as the one true ruler of the dead.

Gael would later become enemies with Núria, due to her mission to reunite the worlds of the living and the dead, which would put Gael out of power.

Gael would eventually die again in a battle with Núria and her friends, though he would take his loyal minion, Masozi, down with him, Gael ending up in the spirit world, and Masozi ending up as a cyclops on Doatanre.

Personality wise, Gael was a cocky and overconfident ruler who was very angry and vengeful towards the imps that put him down when he was alive. He often appeared to others in a smaller form than his true form, as his true form was mostly only seen by Núria or used as an intimidation tactic. He used his eyes of Gael to spy on Núria and her friends throughout their journey as well as to make sure Masozi stayed obedient.

[interact-if]

December is People With Disabilities Month here on interact-if! 

This month is all about celebrating authors with disabilities. We want to highlight the experiences and hard work done by these authors in creating for the IF community.

Here are our month's featured authors, please check out their works and join us in supporting them.

Alex, author of Forgotten Names 

You’re one of the five Northern Gates Council members. Your territory is strange to say the least, with eerie, sentient woods and something beyond your border that no one speaks of. You’ve assumed the position as one of the rulers recently, so you’re still trying to figure it out.

That would be hard enough by itself, but one night you receive word from the Silent Throne that you’re being summoned to the court, because something happened. So you must depart immediately.

An uncanny forest, magic, a lost legacy, royal problems and conflict between regions. Welcome to Eblur Kingdom. And be careful not to forget your name

Read more about Forgotten Names [here]

Forgotten Names Demo | Author’s Ko-fi 

Tags: Fantasy

Adrian, author of The Twilight Order & The Mystic Pawn

You are a Seer: a respected member of the Twilight Order. Seers are bound to a Nightmare, making them the only mortals capable of Void magic and, thus, the only ones capable of neutralizing the Nightmare threat. Seers are honored for their sacrifice, as their power, while necessary, is a death sentence. Most die violent deaths from the corruption or simply go insane in only a few short years.

Not you, though. You are special. You didn’t choose the position, train vigorously for years, or undergo the binding ritual that would forcibly meld a Nightmare to your psyche. Your Nightmare has always been there, seemingly because they want to be.

You were brought to the Order as a child when your abilities became known. After many years of study, tests, and training, you have made a name for yourself as one of the most potent Seers in history.

Now the Order is sending you to investigate Void activity reports out of Alli vi Piugio, capital of the merchant kingdom of Chepria. While there, it has become quickly apparent there is more going on than meets the eye.

Figures that being ’special’ would mean you have to literally save the world.

Read more about The Twilight Order [here] & The Mystic Pawn [here]

Demo TBA | Discord | Art Blog

Tags: Psychological Horror, Thriller, Fantasy, 18+

Carr, author of Wolfwater & What Comes After: Never Fall

You play as a shapeshifter who has been thrown into this world in your early 20s after you learn that your parents didn’t tell you the whole truth about yourself… Work with a team of inhuman and human allies and your older sibling to save the town, or turn against them and help another shapeshifter tear down life as you know it. Game includes a fully customizable player, 12 romance options, 3 possible hookups, and a lot of crying.

Read more about Wolfwater [here] & What Comes After: Never Fall [here]

Wolfwater Demo | Discord | Author’s Ko-fi | Patreon

Tags: Psychological Thriller, Horror, 18+ 

Casper, author of Heart Fragment

Can you collect all of the fragments, solve the mysteries, and find your way to a happy ending?

In this mysterious otome game, play as a protagonist (name customizable but "Xani" by default) struggling to cope with the hand life has dealt you. Your mother's death was a tragedy that left you cynical and numb to the world. Now, though, greater challenges are piling up fast - and it all begins when you find out you are not entirely human.

The disappearance of a friend. A sudden attack that leaves you wounded. Mysterious characters entering and leaving your life. Growing bonds. Coming to terms with what exactly "humanity" is...

Please. Find a happy ending. Don't let tragedy be the only option.

Read more about Heart Fragment [here]

Demo & Full Game |

Tags: Otome, Mystery 

Elena, author of Apocalyptic Dream

Apocalyptic Dream is a dual-MC, horror-themed otome game that takes place during a zombie outbreak in the 21st century. Follow Mikuru and Toshiro Aikyo, twins who had the misfortune of knowing what was coming.

Navigate friendships, relationships, and learn who to trust...all while trying to survive.

Can you make it through alive?

Read more about Apocalyptic Dream [here]

Author’s Carrd | Author’s Ko-fi | Preorder | 

Tags: Apocalypse, 18+, Otome

Elliot, author of Greenwarden & The King’s Physician

Immerse yourself in the world of Greenwarden as a reluctant monster hunter, assigned to a mysterious case of a missing child deep in the Appalachians. Surrounded by enemies on all sides, you must play a cat and mouse game with something beyond your understanding. Just try not to lose yourself in the process.

Read more about Greenwarden [here], The King’s Physician [here] & Untitled Werewolf Game [here]

Greenwarden Demo | Author’s Ko-fi | Discord | 

Tags: Horror, Mystery, Romance

Hollis, author of The Starless Throne

You play as an inquisitor, a member of the de facto law enforcement in Blasse, the largest city on the continent. You transferred into this division of the guild 2 months ago, and funnily enough, you also joined the guild 2 months ago, when you took an inquisitor out behind a tavern in the dark, murdered him, and took his job and identity. You know, for work.

Truth is, you’re a private contractor of sorts, and the job you’re on now has brought you to this wing of the guild. Everything is going great, until on what’s supposed to be the last day of the job, things take a turn for the worse. An old partner in crime has popped back up out of nowhere, and things are getting complicated (more than they already are that is) fast.

Read more about The Starless Throne [here]

Demo TBA

Tags: High Fantasy, Subterfuge

Jess, author of Fields of Asphodel and co-author of Diaspora 

Fields of Asphodel is a game in which the player takes on the role of the Greek pantheon’s deity of spring, on the eve of their (decidedly political) marriage to Hades, Lord of the Dead. After the constantly-simmering feud between Zeus and Demeter results in the rather unfortunate circumstance of a marriage neither party really consents to, the PC is whisked away to the Underworld, an unfamiliar realm that is all but the antithesis of fair Olympus.

There, they have the chance to make what they will of the lot they have drawn. The residents of the Underworld are an unusual, and unusually-accepting bunch, and there are friends or possible romantic connections to be made as well as a rather odd supporting cast to get to know, from the ever-bickering Moirae sisters to Hades’s young adopted daughter Makaria to Kerberos, the gigantic, fire-breathing, three-headed dog.

But for all its charms—if indeed the PC should find any—the Underworld is not without its problems, and when a mysterious wasting disease afflicts Lethe, the river goddess of oblivion, the entire balance of life and death may be in jeopardy. It will take the PC, as well as the rest of the cast, to not only cure the affliction, but solve the mystery of what’s causing it, and deal with the ever-spiraling fallout of the dead beginning to remember.

Of course, I shouldn’t be misleading—the game is mostly about the relationships between its characters, and found family.

Read more about Fields of Asphodel [here] and Diaspora [here]

Fields of Asphodel Demo | Diaspora Demo | Discord | Author’s Ko-fi | Patreon | Kraken Studios Ko-fi | Kraken Studios Patreon | 

Tags: Romance, Mythology

Tori, co-author of Witches of Ferngrove

The game focuses on you, the eldest of a family of witches from the small, idyllic town of Ferngrove where nothing ever happens. Your family are witches in a town of humans, and as a result you grew up sheltered and unaware of the magical world, besides the little your parents deemed safe enough for you to know. Other than weak charms and potions of luck, you don’t really know anything about the supernatural world. You left Ferngrove when you graduated from high school and never looked back, becoming a successful journalist at the Echo Gazette in a big city like you always dreamed. Depending on your choices, you have Skyped with your family and they might have taken trips out to see you in the city, but you have not stepped foot back in your hometown.

That is, until you get a call that changes your life forever. Your mother is dead. Aleia Craft. The woman you thought invincible. You must travel home for the funeral and contend with a darker conspiracy. As you begin to unravel the mystery of your mother’s death and the secrets she left behind, you begin to realise she is a woman you didn’t know at all. Soon, you see that there are things at play here bigger than you could have ever imagined. Dark forces conspire against you. It will be up to you whether you can withstand the storm brewing on the horizon. Make allies and enemies, fall in love, hone your magic, and discover your legacy. Be careful who you trust, even those closest to you are not what they seem.

Read more about Witches of Ferngrove [here]

Demo TBA | Author’s Ko-fi

Tags: Urban Dark Fantasy, Romance, 18+

[americxn]

hi can i please request a kai x female reader imagine where the reader dies in his arms and its just pure angst with him screaming and crying and clutching her dead body? and him telling her he loved her.

kinda like your other imagine (his darkness) but instead she dies.

okay thanks <3

Too Late (Kai Anderson x GN!Reader)

a/n: this is basically just an alternative ending to an older fic: 

https://americxn.tumblr.com/post/648019215903784960/his-darkness-kai-x-reader

and I hadn’t realised how much my writing had changed until I changed the original fic but damn, my old writing was so messy (it still is but you get my point).

wordcount: 2k warnings: angst, death (idk what that’s like so this is definitely not accurate), grief, bullet wound, blood 

The gun shot echoed through the large warehouse, Kai’s shout falling on deaf ears as time seemed to warp and slow. You paused, blinking stupidly, your brain seeming to fall utterly silent as Kai sprinted for you, his face a contorted mix of fury and terror as the bullet cut through the air, right at you.  The pain didn’t register at first, just the sickening impact as flesh and tissue was shredded, the small piece of metal burrowing itself into you, ripping through sinew and slamming into bone. Your breath rushed from you as you looked down, your hands seeming to move in slow motion as they raised to cradle your stomach, your legs giving out beneath you. Finally, with another blink, the world became coherent again, time righting itself once more as the concrete of the floor rose up, up, your body cold as it slammed into the hard ground. Another series of gunshots notified that you your assailant had been shot down, too, Kai abandoning his troupe of cult members as he hurtled for you, lunging just in time to shove his hand between your head and the hard floor as you fell. “Holy shit, y/n?” He cried frantically, moving to support your head in his lap, his own hands batting yours out of the way to press over the perforation in the lower quadrant of your stomach.

He yelled something over his shoulder, the words inaudible to you as you blinked up at Kai, your own breaths too loud in your ears as your hands fell limply to your sides, the slipperiness of your own hot blood coating your fingers making your head spin and your chest constrict. “Y/n?” Kai spoke down to you a shade quieter, his face just as gaunt as yours as he yelled another order to his followers across the large space of the warehouse before glancing down at you once more, his eyes wide and teary in panic.  “Hold on, y/n, you’re okay. Just give me a minute.” He half instructed, half pleaded as he removed his hands from your wound momentarily to tear off his shirt. Suddenly, another somewhat familiar face appeared before yours, but you kept your eyes on Kai, feeling sickeningly helpless as he pressed his shirt to your stomach in an attempt to staunch the blood flow. “Kai,” you whispered, panic creeping into your tone as the pain finally began to register, a splitting, burning sensation beginning to work its way from the site of the bullet outwards. His wide eyes found yours, one of his hands leaving your stomach to rest on your cheek, his own palm clammy against the thin sheen of sweat coating the skin there, some of your hot blood being smeared onto the side of your face. “I’m fine.” You gritted out on a sharply exhaled breath, trying to convince yourself as prickling alarm began to work its way into your consciousness at the pain unfurling within you, hot and searing.  “I know. You’re absolutely fine.” Kai said, glancing to his frantic squad of cult members to ensure that they did as they were instructed. You nodded shallowly, the back of your head rubbing against his thighs. Gasping, your forced yourself to relax, clenching and unclenching your fingers as Kai continued to bark orders above you. “But it hurts.” You whimpered, beginning to shiver. A tear fell onto Kai’s cheek and he turned his head to wipe it away hastily on the shoulder of his shirt, praying that you wouldn’t notice the single salty droplet. “I know. It’s okay for it to hurt.” He reassured, his voice softer than you had ever heard it before. In the midst of your pain your heart warmed as his hand began to rub your cheek. After all the shit you and Kai had done and said to one another, it sometimes amazed you how much he still cared for you. Blinking slowly, you opened yourself up to him, allowing him to behold your gratitude and the care that you had for him, too, your eyes gleaming with wordless emotion. A stabbing pain radiated from your core as your shivering began to get more aggressive and you yelped quietly, you head titling back as you forced yourself to breathe through the pain. “Y/n? Please, just give me a minute, help is coming.” You groaned lowly in response, nausea unfurling in your stomach. Kai’s voice seemed to get quieter, as if he were getting further away and your eyelids began to feel heavy. How long had you been lying here? How long did it take for life to evade you if the bullet had torn through something vital? “Y/n, keep your eyes open.” Kai instructed, his tone still so painfully gentle but firm, his hand patting your cheek softly as your eyes drifted closed. Opening them again, you met his gaze, your fingers going utterly cold. “I’m tired.” You muttered. Kai nodded, a single tear falling as he blinked harshly, his voice breaking as he reassured you that feeling tired was also okay but “you have to stay awake until help gets here.” When your eyes closed again, a wrenching gasping breath sounded from above your head, Kai bending over to rest his forehead on yours. Hot tears fell onto your forehead as Kai sobbed over your body, the hand on your cheek patting your face again as he composed himself, lifting his face slightly from yours. “Please.” He begged. Your eyes opened in answer, fighting against the devastatingly strong urge to give into the black void calling your name, begging you to let go and give yourself to the darkness. Your teeth gritted as you focused with all your might on Kai’s hand on your cheek, allowing his touch to ground you. Kai whispered soft words of encouragement as you forced yourself to gasp one breath after another.  “I’m not ready for you to leave me yet.” Kai admitted in a whisper above you, his tears hot as they continued to roll off his chin, landing on your clammy forehead. Words evaded you but your eyes locked with his, blinking slowly up at Kai, a surge of icy panic washing through you as you felt your grip on consciousness beginning to slip, dangling over the yawning void that opened up beneath you and whispered quietly, beckoning you to let go of the man cradling you and fall into it’s endless depths.  Your chest rattled as you sucked down another hitching breath, your heart pulsing firmly within your chest, it’s rhythm faltering, struggling to sluggishly continue pumping your life source through you.  The void whispered to you again, calling your name, louder this time. Your body was falling numb. Kai’s name was poised on your dry tongue, struggling to fall from your lips as the pit of nothingness opened wider beneath you, it’s tendrils of darkness reaching for you, weaving through your fingertips and licking softly at your face with cool flames. You had so much to say to him. To the man leant over your body, his eyes bright with tears as they desperately scanned your own, watching in terror as the light slowly dissipated from your gaze, irises glassing over. But you couldn’t push any of the words from your tongue, a hot tear of your own leaking down the side of your face and disappearing into the hair at your ear as the ribbons of velvety blackness crept further over your body, whispering sweetly to you as they snaked over your limp frame. A weak grunt was all you could muster, your hand too heavy to place over the one he used to stroke your cheek, your heart splintering as all energy evaded you.  You couldn’t even say goodbye. You had left it too late, his desperately spoken words having convinced you that you could remain with him, filling you with cruelly false hope. What little grip you clung onto him with faltered, sending you toppling into the void that sang with warm delight, welcoming you as you fell. Kai’s lips moved as you watched your body sag completely in his hold, his face crumpling with raw, undiluted panic as you chest fell, never to rise again. Time seemed to slow, allowing you to drink in the sight of his face one final time, his scream of agonising anguish quiet to your ears as you fell and fell and fell before being swallowed entirely by the cocooning darkness.

His face contorted into a broken cry, dread like he had never known taking him in it’s grip as he shook the body draped limply across his lap. He couldn’t bare the sight of the blood crusted hands, once so lissom and soft, falling away from the body, their backs colliding with the blood smattered concrete floor of the warehouse, utterly lifeless, all colour draining from the face that he had grown completely smitten for, the eyes cold and staring unseeingly back at him. It felt as if his chest had been cleaved in two, shredding and ripping a chasm cutting through his being, taking away his ability to do so much as take a full breath as he folded over the vacant body, his forehead hot as it rested against the one which was rapidly cooling. The small group of cult members had fallen quiet, going utterly still as they watched their leader collapse over the body, his rasping screams chilling them to the bone; they had been too late. Help hadn’t arrived in time. And now it was all that they could do but watch as their divine ruler was ripped apart by anguish, the trembling of his fingertips that clutched onto the body evident even from across the large, cold space as he gathered the corpse to him, rocking pitifully back and forth and sobbing hoarsely into the limp strands of hair.  His tears were hot as the dripped onto the absent face, frozen in wide eyed unease, a declaration of love still poised on the cooling lips, parted slightly from the final breath that had been pulled from the stony air in a futile attempt to cling to the life that had been torn from the ailing fingertips. He, too, struggled to heave down hitching breaths of air, a mumbled string of words tumbling from his quivering lips as he continued to shake the body beneath him, clinging to the little warm still staining the dull skin, barely audible over the hoarse cries breaking out of him. A terrible nausea settled over his tremoring body, so full of overbearing emotion in comparison to the husk clasped into his warmth. He willed the body to hear, to listen to his voice and take one more gasping breath, if only so that he could offer the faded life the parting words that he hadn’t had courage to say when the body glowed with feeling. “I love you.” He moaned into the body, his chest igniting in agony as he struggled to push the words out past the sobs racking through his body. “I love you.” He repeated, groaning in despair, choking on his own anguish as he murmured those three words over and over, each repetition growing increasingly abhorrent on his tongue; if only he had been struck by that bullet. If only he could take the place of the body clutched in his grasp. If only he hadn’t been such a coward and had told the body the same words that now poured from his cracked lips when it was still occupied by life. They had to pry the body away from him, his fingers grappling with the clothes hanging limply around it in an effort to take it with him, to find a way to breathe the life back into it and tell it what he hadn’t been daring enough to tell it before. That he loved them.

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