#She chose Tiny Alliance

[the-alliance-maker]

Have a sad Four who I refuse to give context about

(This is my sister's art, not mine. She doesn't have an account, so she let me post it.)

[carmesi-butterfly]

from me to you

vampire yang jungwon + human female reader. word count 2,3k. vampire au/fantasy au. warnings hurt/comfort, abandonment. &team's appearance. not proofread.

«From me to you. A letter for Yang Jungwon.

I miss you, Won. I don't know where you are, I don't know why you left me, and I don't know if I honestly want to hold that knowledge in my soul until my ends arrive.

Because unlike you, I'm just a mortal spirit. I desire to spend the rest of my life with you but I understand that you don't yearn for the same as me, and even if it hurts my heart, I accept it, by cause of my respect for you and your freedom, since I had the chance to meet you I noticed how you are an untied person and that's what attracted me of you, and that's why I always knew how this would end, I tried to ignore it but… such a free nature being tied to someone? The end was evident.

I'm sorry, at this point I'm just rambling about everything I can, I have sent so many letters this year and no one got a response which makes me feel a bit unmotivated, because of that I chose to start using a diary and set all my thoughts in there! I don't want to wait anymore for an answer that will never come, for a lover that will never come. A diary is for me, I feel it can help me to heal and cure my inner self.

It's my time to go, this will be my last letter meaning that is a definitive farewell for me, forgetting is not an option and even if it was I would never choose it, because ¿why would I forget you? The only man I loved, you opened my eyes to a new world full of beautiful things and a different perspective, and I will always be grateful for that. I love you Jungwon, goodbye.»

The body of a man lay on the ground of a big lounge, surrounded by an immense amount of envelopes and letters, all opened, his friends standing near him encircling the space.

"She sent fifty-five letters, those are at least one letter a week" announced Jake, impressed by the situation.

"I feel bad… maybe we shouldn't have left" followed Sunoo with a hand on his chest, slightly caressing it.

"Maybe? She was heartbroken, and this letter was from a month ago so who knows how she is now" answered Sunghoon trying to be honest, but slightly being a bit rude at the end.

All the voices resounded in Yang's ears but he didn't seem to notice.

"Guys, this is not helpful for any of us" The conversation was interrupted by Heeseung, who seemed worried about his friend's state and how the others managed the situation.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think I could cause more problems than planned" apologized the leader of the pack of wolves.

"Don't apologize, K" a soft voice echoed over the rest, comforting his friend who seemed a bit conflicted. Jungwon left the cloud forming on his mind, bringing his feet back on the earth. "It was my fault, I managed the situation poorly" his hand reached his head, messing his hair with frustration that tried to hide behind a tiny smile.

"I think it's our time to leave," offered the second oldest of the opposite group, holding his comrade's shoulder.

"Are you okay with that, Jungwon?" kei asked.

The relationship between both groups was clearly out of the ordinary, vampires and werewolves forming an alliance, it could even be considered against nature, two categories who faced each other since the start of their lineage collaborating in search of a common good: peace, not only for vampires and werewolves but for the humans too, because ignoring the amount of suffering humans caused to their people, there were a few ones with a golden heart willing to help any creature just in behalf of the mere wish of assist the fellows, precisely like you.

"Yes" affirmed, accompanied by a nod, "I think it's time to rest, especially for all of you," said referring to the predators, "we don't need sleep hours, but you do. Especially after this long trip, the best is to go rest right away"

They assented, and the head of the wolves talked again. "We owe you a favor, search for us when you need it"

By the time all the werewolves crossed the entrance their presence became undetectable, fusing with the big trees that make up the forest and blending into the darkness. With that, the vampires dispersed in the house choosing to mind their own business, leaving their friend alone to have his time for himself.

"Are you going to be okay, Jungwon?" Jay asked, preoccupied with his confidant.

"Yes, don't worry, I have to fix the mess I created" sighed, his tone became serious showing his friend everything he needed to know: determination.

Between vampires and other magical species that knew him, Jungwon had a reputation of the solve problems in his group, one that tends to be a magnet for problems as pure vampires with a high range tend to get into problems easier than other vampires with a lower status, adding to the mix the uncommon union with a few werewolves, it gives the perfect recipe of a disaster. Because of this, a case where Jungwon committed a mistake was unusual, and now in a position where he had to resolve his own problems the logic that characterizes him is pushed into the background and his heart takes the lead.

«Since I had the chance to meet you I noticed how you are an untied person and that's what attracted me of you, and that's why I always knew how this would end, I tried to ignore it but… such a free nature being tied to someone? The end was evident.» The words materialize in his mind, recalling the letter he read just a few minutes ago. "She thought I abandoned her," thought, feeling his heart break like a crystal shattering on his chest.

He has to search for you, no matter the late hours or the poor lighting because of the recent night arrival, he had a mission before and achieved it sacrificing your union in the process, his mission now was to rectify his mistake, even if that doesn't bring you back to his arms like you were before, knowing that you're aware of the events that lead him to fade away and giving the most sincere apology was enough for his soul.

As if someone dropped a spell over him his body began moving by itself, heading to a small cabin near a lake that was pretty well-known to him. It was your house, probably one of the places where he keeps most happy memories, and where a lot of new emotions blossomed on his inside.

Since the start of his long-lived life, Jungwon had the opportunity to experience what love is, the love for his brothers, for his life, for his home, for his hobbies, and the nature around him amongst a lot of other things, but the feelings unfolding in his chest caused by you were a new experience, a ton of butterflies hovering on his stomach directing to his heart, a heart that hasn't beat in a long time but now felt warm and alive.

His journey ended with your portico in front of him, a lamppost lit up the entrance that was decorated with bindweed hanging over the top of it, flower pots beside the door; red carnations, crimson roses, and few aloes. Like a final touch, baby's breath surrounded the area. All of those plants were new, there was no way you could keep a plant alive, because as you said to him once: «I always forget to water my flowers! This is the third time I have killed a cactus, why do I have to be so reckless?».

Without noticing, tears started to fall from his eyes, on a familiar place that felt distant, with flora that didn't have to be there and memories from a faraway moment that now felt overwhelming, the young Jungwon got off the deep end, crying intensely while all sorts of emotions impact him, the remorse and fear, he should have told you, even if it was an emergency, how long would it have taken to inform you about the recent urgency? He just needed to tell you, but he didn't, and now he probably lost you forever, and that's such a long time for a vampire. Despite his recent thoughts about not needing your love again and only wanting to deliver his apologies in search of your wellness, his body quivered just thinking about it, the suffocating feeling of knowing that he could lose the person who showed him what is love, was eating what he had left of a soul.

But the situation had to be confronted, he was the one who chose to appear, if he had to talk to you with his face full of tears, reddish eyes, and his nose dripping then he would.

Three knocks on the door were enough to wake you up, and distrust invaded you while thinking "Who is knocking on my door at this time?" it was suspicious not to say the least, at first you decided to not open it, perhaps whoever was knocking your door in the middle of the night would choose to just go and come back in the morning, but when the second banging started it worried you, what if someone is in danger? There were sightings of wolves near your area, it could be someone at risk of being attacked and searching for help in the desolate house close to the forest. As a precaution you approached the front door with a sword in hand, maybe it was a bit exaggerated for the situation, but the elegant weapon had sentimental value being a gift from an old lover who yearned for your safety.

"Who's there?" you asked, raising your voice as a try to make your voice clearer for the person on the other side.

"I-I am Jungwon…" mumbled, his weak voice exposing the crying session he had just a few minutes before.

The answer petrified you, it was him, it was his voice, after a year of waiting patiently, after months of feeling heartbroken, and after a few weeks of giving up on ever seeing your significant other again, it happened, Jungwon came back. Without a doubt, you opened the door desperately searching for your once-lover, dropping the sword in the process.

When the entrance opened, both maintained an ecstatic stand, you wanted to jump into his arms, searching for the warmth and comfort only Yang can give you.

Taking the initiative the boy said "Hi, y/n…" while collecting the courage needed for the words he was planning to say. "I know that maybe it's not the best moment to come and that it's egoistic on my own to show up like this… but I couldn't wait anymore, not after all this time".

The words unfolded through your ears like soft petals falling out of a tree, it was enough for your tears to start sliding over your cheeks until they reached the end of your jaw, and a gasp came out of your mouth "Did you receive my letters?".

"I wasn't here to read them, but I've received all of them. I never knew you could write so good" A tiny smile showed up on his face, emphasizing his soft cheeks and shrinking his sharp eyes.

"I thought I was never going to see you again" cried with a weak voice, "Where were you?... Why did you disappear just like that?" the efforts of the boy in attempting to make a more agreeable space for the conversation worked, in spite of your questions each one more intense than the other one, your body language demonstrated comfort, especially for the way your eyes searched his and your distance reduced discreetly with a few steps made by you.

"I can explain everything, that doesn't mean you have to forgive me" Delicately his hands cupped your face, brushing your cheeks softly.

"Why wouldn't I forgive you?" you asked, a smile showing up on your face while your hands took his and caressed them, also maintaining the embrace on your cheeks.

The question confused Jungwon, who didn't manage to formulate a question before you talked again.

"Even if you truly leave, I forgive you, because that's what you decided although my heart may not take it well," said with a giggle "I already forgave you, there's no bone in my whole body that can be mad at you" the happiness you tried to demonstrate was overshadowed by crystalline years balling through your eyes. "I love you Won, and love hurts sometimes, I'm willing to experience that pain for you" Your testimony shocked the vampire, who felt touched by your words.

"I don't desire to hurt you, not anymore" And with that, helping himself with the grab he had on your face, Jungwon placed a kiss on your lips, after a long time of missing this kind of connection. A few seconds passed and the kiss got intense, the result of more than a year of dreaming with any dose of contact now unleashing, but sadly, you need to breathe. When the kiss broke, with irregular breathing spoke "Maybe we should talk inside… so I can explain everything, and you can talk to me about your new hobbies" referring to the new plants that formed part of the environment, "I'm interested in reading your diary entries if you let me"

All the pages you had the opportunity to fill talked about him, from top to bottom without wasting any minimal space, and because of that the petition made you feel a bit embarrassed, but you agreed intending to show more from you to him.

[gwenllian-in-the-abbey]

"You told me it was our duty to hold the realm united against a common foe. By naming me heir, you divided the realm. I thought I wanted it. But the burden is a heavy one. It’s too heavy. If you wish for me to bear it, then defend me. And my children." 

Episodes 8

What is your opinion on this speech?

Rhaenyra is absolutely correct that Viserys divided the realm when he named her heir, despite telling her it was her duty to hold the realm united, and that he placed a heavy burden on her shoulders and didn't do a whole lot for her in terms of practical support. I think it's interesting that the show chose to highlight how neither Rhaenyra nor Aegon particularly want to rule. I think for show!Rhaenyra, it makes a good deal of sense. I always got the sense that if Viserys had disinherited her, show!Rhaenyra's pride would be wounded, but she would probably be at least a tiny bit relieved. It's that same pride that won't let her just admit that it might not be worth it, that maybe she'd rather just step back (and there's a cut dialogue with Daemon in which she voices these doubts to him and he immediately shuts her down saying she's weak like Viserys... hm!). In light of this, it isn't particularly out of character for show!Rhaenyra to be considering the peace offer Otto delivers (book!Rhaenyra is another story, she has no doubts and does not give a fuck about keeping the realm united, she wants to win, period). She has a good life on Dragonstone, her kids are out of the public eye and aren't facing accusations of bastardy, and Daemon has his dragon hobby to keep him occupied. She doesn't need the throne, and if it's not actually that important to Viserys, then he should just say so. If he really wants her to be queen and has a good reason for it, then do something. She has a point.

That said, if Rhaenyra doesn't want the burden, she can give it up at any time, and if she actually does want to be heir, she's not doing herself any favors either. She is the one who stayed away, who went to Dragonstone and was absent from court while the green council built up their power base. And while yes, Dragonstone is the official holding of the heir to the throne, most heirs split their time between King's Landing and Dragonstone because it's important for the heir to learn the workings of the realm and to make connections and alliances. Dragonstone is only a few hours away on from King's Landing on dragonback, and it's a relatively small holding with only a few villages, so it's not as if it requires its prince or princess to be in residence at all times. Aside from that, Rhaenyra also had three bastard children and put them in the line of succession, which she knew was going to cause problems (and in this, Viserys did offer her a ton of support, including allowing his own son's maiming to go unpunished and Vaemond to be killed to maintain that lie). So it kind of goes both ways. Rhaenyra acts like she doesn't really care all that much about being heir beyond the validation it gives her, that she is the favorite child, the one he chose, and Viserys stubbornly keeps her as heir but does nothing to shore up her claim or mitigate the threats against her, and it's divided the realm despite Viserys insisting the realm must remain united, so what are we actually doing here? I liked this scene, I think it reveals a good deal about show!Rhaenyra's mindset.

I think if done well, the show can have Rhaenyra really spiraling due to grief and rage, going from feeling like she should preserve the peace and that maybe it isn't worth it, to feeling like she has to win out of spite (and I think this can apply to both sides. You have Otto and Rhaenys giving Alicent and Rhaenyra similar speeches in the trailer) and a desire for vengeance. I don't... hate this? But the show has to stop giving Rhaenyra the chosen one rightful heir halo and admit that she doesn't go to war for the good of the realm, but for her own very personal reasons.

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

"Queen Elizabeth didn't like POTUS Trump..." says a nobody trying to be somebody during a USA election year. 🙄

As we approach the anniversary of the dearly beloved Queen Elizabeth's death, a nobody is determined to speak for QE about POTUS Trump.

This gossip is beneath the dignity of the most admired woman in the world, but it confirms how terrified these globalists are to have DJT back in the White House.

This old chestnut: "Queen Elizabeth was displeased with Donald Trump because of his behavior while inspecting the Guards..." (sigh)

Trump is a BIG guy and QE was a little woman.

To inspect the guards, POTUS was to walk quickly AHEAD of QE11, but he wanted to stroll along & chat. He's so much taller than her that he stopped as if to say, "where'd she go?"

I'm sure he was told to walk quickly for the inspection, but he stood looking around for the little, tiny Queen who then motioned (again) for him to KEEP GOING.

Melania did something similar to her husband w/her "keep going" hand motion in Israel, but people chose to make a mountain out of that molehill bc unfortunately, Melania accidentally swatted her husband's hand.

Recently at Barron's graduation, Melania laughed outloud as she coaxed her husband with both hands to sit down. I thought it was a cute moment because POTUS was beaming. It was reminiscent of Charlotte ordering Louis to "sit down" in his chair at the Platinum Jubilee celebration.

President Trump has a genuine affection for the BRF. Donald Trump's mother was born and raised in Scotland with her parents and siblings. After she emigrated to the United States, she traveled home to Scotland at least once per year with Donald's sister.

Ivana, Donald's first wife and mother of his 3 eldest children was fond of the BRF and had a friendship with Princess Diana. Ivana was born in Czechoslovakia, but also possessed citizenships in Austria and Canada where she skied and learned English before emigrating to the United States.

Of course Donald's current wife Melania is also European. Melania emigrated to the United States as a model from Slovenia.

The Trump family has always possessed a sincere admiration for Great Britain and for Queen Elizabeth. It was obvious to me that POTUS Trump looked upon Queen Elizabeth as a mother figure and would never do anything to disrespect her as a person or her professional role.

Over the years, Neal Sean, Lady C and all the other leftist royal vloggers have been giddy to share anything negative about POTUS Trump.

It makes me sad that Charles and William have pledged allegiance to the WEF and to that Great Reset. They are woefully ignorant of the repercussions of such alliances. There are dark days ahead for the UK. They better pray DJT is re-elected.

Perhaps writers should focus on what is rotten in the UK instead of QE-DJT gossip. Why not write and discuss the reasons QE felt she had to hold on (despite such intense pain) for such a very long time. She knew..., and yet she trusted God. 🥺

[dramioneasks]

HP FESTS: Dramione Month (Part 1)

Dramione Month 2023:

Forced Alliances by writes_and_wrongs - E, WIP - “You no longer belong to a house,” Lupin said. “You belong to your quad. You and your three counterparts will become reliant and dependent on each other. Your success is their success. But your failures will also mean their failures.” Hermione tensed as Ginny squeezed her hand. “You will earn points for your quad. Quad points eventually result in special privileges. This will mean balls, Hogsmeade, trips to Diagon Alley, and trips home on long weekends and holidays,” Snape said. “Without points, you don’t leave.” Hermione’s eyes widened. They’d keep them from going home on breaks? Could they do that? “You can earn points just like you used to,” Lupin said. “Academic achievement, cooperation, and selflessness. You cannot lose points, though.” Hermione watched as the tense room seemed to exhale. “Points earned cannot be removed,” Lupin continued. “It will be your quad’s responsibility to devise a punishment fitting of the crime,” Snape announced.

The Serpent's Den by ourswordsmeandeath - M, one-shot - Harry’s body drops in a heap on the shattered cobblestone. There is a distinct crack as his head collides with a large slab. Hermione doesn’t so much as flinch at the sound. She leans against the ruins of the castle wall, numb. Laughter bubbles from the Death Eaters that loiter about. Some cheer. ... Escape is futile.

Hold Onto Me by JessicaLovejoyAO3 - E, 6 chapters - Hermione Granger, an intelligence analyst working in the Muggle Australian Department of Defence, is tapped to help the Department of Magical Law Enforcement capture serial killer and Dark Wizard, Antonin Dolohov who is torturing and killing Muggleborns, After years away from the UK Magical society, she comes face-to-face with a War that she thought she left behind and Auror Draco Malfoy, who seems to know more about her secret designation than she does.

I Would've Walked Through Hell by Midnight_shooting_Star - E, WIP - She had put her hair back up in a bun and placed a metal clip to keep it in place. She wore a light grey pullover sweater and blue jeans. When she turned into the kitchen carrying her books she stopped dead in her tracks, her books slipping from her grasp. Malfoy turned to face her as he stood near the kitchen window drinking coffee from a white teacup. He wore dark black slacks and a white button-down shirt with a green tie. "I think you dropped something Granger." He smirked as he walked towards the sink to wash out his cup. She leaned down and gathered her books back into her arms. How could they place him with her? If Ron and Harry knew they would freak. She watched him closely, a little unsure. "You chose to come back?" "Hmm?" Malfoy focused on the cup he was washing. "Yes, just like you did, I have classes I want to finish so I can get a certain position in the Ministry." She lifted her left brow. Would they seriously let him work for the Ministry? After everything he had done during the war. What his family did during the war. She pulled on her sleeve that held the scar his left had burned into her flesh. "I guess everyone deserves another chance." She spoke softly.

Dramione Month Ficlets by belladeexx - T, 8 chapters - A short collection of other prompts I fulfilled for Dramione Month 2023. Prompts included: Head Boy/Girl, Class Partners, Professors, Prefects Bath, Firsts, Birthday, Beauxbatons/Durmstrang AU, College/Uni AU Each chapter is titled based on the prompt for the day it coincides with. Tags will be stated at the start of each chapter.

Share My Throne by belladeexx - M, one-shot - "Share my throne." She thinks he's joking. He must be. He's gone mad. He swallows, and Hermione's eyes drop to follow the ripple down his throat. She watches as a tiny droplet of blood moves with him. His hips tilt upward, bringing her eyes back to his. "Is that a proposal?" "Is that a yes?" A wisp of a smirk makes its way back to his face.

Draco Malfoy and the Timeline-Turner by anxiousm3ss - T, one-shot - "He was going to fix the Time-Turner, he decided. He was going to fix everything. It was his only chance." Or the one where Draco is so eager to change the past that he rips apart the fabric of reality.

Crookshanks, Pawns, and the Perfect Snog by violently_verbose - E, WIP - Advertising himself as the purveyor of the perfect snog, Malfoy lures in the anxious and inexperienced with the promise of teaching them his technique—but only for a price. An outrageously exorbitant fee that Hermione has decided to pay.

Assumptions and Misconceptions by art_emissss - T, one-shot - Malfoy, undeterred by her icy disposition, took a couple of steps closer. "Can't I inquire about the well-being of my former classmate? It has been a long time since we last saw each other." "As if you missed me." "And what if I did?" Or: the one where they are Headmasters of competing schools.

The Idiots Guide to Traveling Time by Biirdiee_Rose - E, one-shot - “Alright, you win. Cast the containment charm so we can put it under the glass.” Draco says, quickly relenting from his previous petty argument, no longer feeling playful in the slightest. Granger just stands blinking, quiet in a way she never is that starts to set off alarm bells in his head. “Granger?” He asks. “Malfoy…we’re not in the department anymore.” - Curse-breakers Draco and Hermione accidently set off their time-turner assignment and get hurdled into the not so distant future. Imagine their surprise to find that they're married with children. It's only twenty four hours...surely nothing too crazy will happen. Right?

An Exchange of Pretty Faces by MarinaJune - T, one-shot - What would happen if Hermione had a magical ancestor who enrolled her in Durmstrang, alongside Viktor Krum? How might her first meeting with Beauxbatons' exchange student, Draco Malfoy, go differently this time around?

[thelostrainbowthenovel]

Winx Club AU: Feor Info

Now that I finally finished up the friendship posts for the main characters, I can get back into this AU~! :D Before I get into the design posts for the rest of the magi users of this AU, I wanted to make general kingdom info posts for each of the four main kingdoms! These will include some world-building for each kingdom in how they would be in the Winx Club setting, as well as tiny descriptions for how each character fits into the AU. Starting first with Feor~

I hope you enjoy! :3

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Feor is one of five kingdoms on the planet of Elementis, and part of the "Elementals Alliance" along with Arian, Mareas, and Erdennia. Feor itself is settled in a hot, ashy, volcano-y area with a few caves around. There are dark, black clouds and smoke everywhere, but none that are harmful to the inhabitants or environment. There is plenty of fire and lava around, but the citizens have it all pretty much contained. A nomadic warrior group for the longest time, it took them a while to settle into a monarchy. Having origins as a warrior group, they have the strongest and biggest military of all the kingdoms, with the most non-magical warriors of them too. That is not to say they don't have magic users, as some of their most notable and important warriors have been fairies, wizards, and witches who used their powers for good rather than evil.

- The Characters

* The Royal Family

. Vulcan: The ruling king of Feor, and a former non-powered warrior. The second-born, his older sister who is a retired fairy was the former heir, but gave up her position in their early adolescence as she never cared to take over the throne herself. He had been in several battles in his youth but the most important one was a villain attack on his kingdom sixteen years ago. He was on the frontline fighting alongside his wife and all the other top warriors in their kingdom, and although their side won and it was the last major battle their kingdom had faced, it took a heavy toll on everyone with the aftermath.

. Soleil: The queen consort of Feor, the former Witch of Firestorms, and current non-powered warrior. A once very powerful and strong witch, she was close to achieving her highest witch form before a devastating villain attack was made against her kingdom. She was on the frontlines fighting against them and though she fought hard enough that her side won, it was at the unfortunate cost of her magic depleting and her gaining a giant burn scar. After she eventually recovered physically and mentally(having gained ptsd and mild depression), she took to wielding daggers and swords instead, taking to a more physical and weapon-based style of fighting.

. Ignatius: The first-born and crowned heir of Feor, and the Wizard of Flames. Grew up learning regular physical combat training and is very strong, though as he is very exceptional in his magic, he tends to rely on that the most in battles and chose the path of becoming a wizard when it was time. A bit reckless and impulsive, he has several tiny scars all over his body from going head-first into battle sometimes but he is also a very capable leader, as he has been tasked as being a captain in Feor's army by his father and always lead the way for his fellow wizards back when he was in school. Aside from his royal duties he has been enjoying going on dates across the Magical Dimension with his fiancé, before the both had unfortunately been kidnapped by the villain as they hold potential to aid him in his plans of world domination.

. Hestia: The second-born and only princess of Feor, and the Fairy of Embers. Hestia originally started out as a valkyrie, as it took her a long time to discover that she does have magic and is a fairy. While she has been busy training up and practicing her fairy magic, Tia still takes a lot more to regular physical combat and sword-wielding, with her combining her work with swords into her magic attacks as a fairy. She has kept herself pretty busy, between her physical combat, sword-fighting, and fairy training, but when her older brother and his fiancé goes missing she joins a group of four other fairy princesses to not only find them, but help out anyone else who has fell victim to these evil forces.

. Flint: The third-born of Feor, and currently in junior training to become a non-powered warrior. The only sibling with seemingly no magic, he is instead focused on becoming a non-powered warrior in the next few years. Knowing he would most likely never gain magic, Flint has always been enamored with the non-powered warriors of the Magical Dimension and how they can get as much battling done even without magic. He wanted to become one himself as soon as possible, and although he started a little late to focus on his studies more, he is looking forward to the day where he can make a name for himself. In-between his regular studies and training, he also has dreams of traveling across the entire Magical Dimension someday.

. Ashton: The fourth-born of Feor. As he is currently a toddler, he is far too young yet to become either a non-powered or magical warrior, but many say he has a promising future with the strong displays of magic he already has. Some expect him to surpass his whole family someday in terms of magical ability and become very powerful, should he decide to utilize his powers. Whether he will or not though, is yet to be determined as he doesn't understand what any of that means yet as he has more important things on his toddler mind like cuddling and playing with his family.

* The Other Characters

. Kenneth: A non-powered warrior, and Nate's best friend. He and Nate first met when they were children, during a get-together party their respective parents were attending and they grew close after teaming up together in a mini rough-housing session some of the bigger kids were participating in. They became friends and then later on best friends after that day, though there was a period of many years where they didn't get to see each other much as they went to different schools. Since reuniting as adults, they have been busy catching up from what they missed from each other's lives during their schooling years, occasionally joining battles together until Nate goes missing one day.

. Emberleigh: A former valkyrie, and currently preparing to become the next head of her household and her upcoming wedding with Kenneth. She was and still is very skilled in combat, but she quit being a warrior due to all the stress that was getting to her between that and her other duties. During her time as a valkyrie she was like a mentor figure for Tia with her high skill and knowledge in combat, though after a while they became friends as Tia started to see her more as an older sister figure. Even though Emberleigh has retired as a warrior, and Tia herself has moved on to training as a fairy, they still have a close bond and like occasionally sparring together to keep her activity up. Though Emberleigh was a valkyrie, she does have some magic that she mainly uses for practical, everyday things rather than to fight with.

. Tyson: A non-powered warrior, son of Feor's top general. He has only recently become a warrior, as his father made him become one to help straighten him out from his rebellious behavior. This has not worked out much though, as he is still a playful trouble-maker that has no problem expressing his true thoughts and doing things for his own amusement. He has recently begun to know and spend more time with Tia, and although she is always scolding him for not taking things seriously all the time, he has developed a huge soft spot for her and she secretly has for him too, even if she won't admit it quite yet.

. Damini: A valkyrie, and Nate's other closest friend. Originally and secretly a native of Melor, she moved to Feor with her mother when she was only 2 after her mother had no support or means to continue raising her in Melor. When she was 6 her mother married the youngest lord of the Koeler family, and the lord had grown to see Mini like his own daughter and even adopted her after his marriage to her mother. She first met Nate when she was officially welcomed into the Feorian nobility during her preteen years, and although she was initially nervous it was him coming to personally welcome her in and talk to her that made her feel more ease, with their friendship starting that night. When she came of age, it did not seem like she had any magic but she did not care much about that fact, as she grew up learning regular combat and defense from her step-father. Instead, she became a valkyrie, being considered one of the more 'soft' ones on her team but she can still kick anyone's ass if prompted.

. Apollo: A former non-powered warrior, and current traveling musician. Although he does have some magic, he became a regular warrior when he was young, both as he was following in the footsteps of the other men in his family and to help out with earning more money for his family as they were quite poor. His time as a warrior was short-lived however, as he was only one for a couple of years before he gained a serious injury that gave him a large and rather nasty scar on his back, as well as an early retirement. While it took him sometime to recover physically and mentally from his injury, he was not that sad about retiring from the army as he always had dreams of becoming a traveling musician and finally had a chance to pursue that dream. He has performed across the Magical Dimension, and has become famous enough to both live comfortably and have many fans.

[hmmm-shesucks]

I’m doing my bi-annual reread of the AFTG series, and I’ve been going through the Nathan Wesninski tag looking to see if anyone has even talked about this, but there’s one thing I just don’t understand (well more than one thing, this series is a dumpster on fire) if Neil was never able to inherit his dad’s business because the Moriyama’s hand pick their people. Why did Nathan marry Mary and have Neil in the first place? Surely he always knew he’d have to kill him or sell him? Do you have any thoughts on this? It’s driving me crazy that no one has seemed to care about this 😭

I'm fixing to do a reread, too.

Okay, so the first answer that comes to mind is that Neil was born before the Moriyamas chose Nathan. I have a post about Nathan marrying Mary when she was incredibly young here. I believe that Mary and Stuart’s father sold Mary under the impression there would be an alliance of sorts. As soon as Mary became Nathan’s “property” due to the marriage, he dipped with her and never spoke to them again while also forbidding Mary to do so as well. Nathan is a predator with an age preference, though, so as Mary grows up, her appeal disappears, and Nathan plans to kill her. But then she gets pregnant, and Nathan sees the opportunity for a protégé. As soon as Neil can walk, Nathan’s grooming him into a tiny killer. Neil is 5 or 6, maybe when the Moriyamas approach Nathan. That is when they make the deal that once Neil is old enough, he will become Raven property. Nathan doesn’t tell Mary, though, because he knows she’ll cause trouble, so he looks the other way when Mary sneaks Neil away to play Exy. His teaching Neil turns to torture, though, because he knows that if Neil isn’t up to standard when he plays with Riko and Kevin, he will have to kill Neil anyway because the Moriyamas said so.

How’d I do? Honestly, I've never put much thought into it until now, but you do have me thinking hard about it.

[burningstarfishqueen]

In Le Choix des Kwamis, Monarque loses because of the choices the kwamis make. It comes back around on itself.

Gabriel wouldn’t have found out Ladybug and Chat Noir’s identities.

Adrien feels violated by the Alliance rings. His image, all around him, using his voice to say words he never spoke. He didn’t want them. He didn’t even know what Gabriel had done until the public release.

He’s too scared to push back against Gabriel. It’s easy to manipulate him into putting the ring on, but as soon as he’s not being watched he takes it off. He hates those rings.

Marinette won’t wear the Alliance because of her(in this case justified)paranoia. She doesn’t know Monarque is behind them hunting her, but she knows they track and record their location. She borrowed Soqueline’s ring for twenty minutes and it nearly blew her secret identity. Unfortunately, Marinette thinks this is an issue for her scatterbrained self and fails to realize Gabriel spies on every movement.

Ladybug and Chat Noir’s identities were safe. If Plagg and Tikki had never made that choice, nothing would have gone wrong.

Alya and Zoé both wear Alliance rings. Marinette could’ve warned Alya, but she didn’t know to. Marinette likely assumes Chat wears one, and he’s fine.

Scarabella and Black Minette’s first battle exposes them to the worst possible person. With fifteen Miraculous, Monarque can release an akuma and turn himself into a tiny army of invisible men with paralytic venom. With whatever morals he has, Monarque has no issue lying in wait inside a stall in the women's bathroom to attack a teenage girl.

Monarque almost won. He had the victory he’d been fighting for, but the kwamis stopped him. Tikki, the spirit of luck, cast her lucky charm to the wind to fall in Marinette’s lap. Plagg turned his cataclysme on his own Miraculous, destroying his connection to the human plane.

Why did that happen? Tikki has clear morals. She doesn’t want the wish made, and she’ll fight villains on principle. Plagg does not. Déflagration makes sure to reiterate that Plagg wiped out the dinosaurs. He goes to kill Chloé in this very episode. Kwamis do not have to be good.

Plagg and Tikki fight back, giving Marinette and Adrien the chance to reclaim their Miraculous, because of who Gabriel, Marinette and Adrien are. It’s their loyalty.

Tikki loves Marinette. It’s no coincidence that she goes to the one person who knows Ladybug’s identity. Scarabella is competent, but Tikki all but begs her to take the Miraculous. This way, she can still see Marinette.

Adrien means so much to Plagg. The Order and Fù kept Plagg on a tight leash. He offers Adrien escape as Chat Noir, and Adrien sets him free.

Plagg and Tikki trust Adrien and Marinette. When they ask for their Miraculous back, Adrien and Marinette might hesitate, but they are Plagg and Tikki’s friends, not their masters. They let go, even though they weren’t given a chance to say goodbye.

Marinette and Adrien respect the kwamis. Gabriel has abused Nooroo from the beginning of season one. The more power he gets, the crueler he is to his captives, his servants, even his son.

That’s why he lost. He made them his slaves, and they fought back.

In the end, the kwamis chose Marinette and Adrien.

[maytheoddshq]

Abel Evans (he/him). District 9 Tribute. 25. Harry Styles.

Born into a tiny house in the ninth district of Panem, Abel’s entrance to the world was unexpected, but celebrated by his parents all the same. Their dreams for a better life for their children were ultimately crushed when they perished in a fire while Abel was still learning to talk. He spent the rest of his childhood under his grieving aunts care along with his sister and his cousins.

Raised in the shadow of loss, Abel found out a little too young that survival often meant going without. He learned to fend for himself in some ways, maybe not the most ethical, but stealing food to fill small bellies could hardly be called a crime, could it?

Selected as tribute at the tender age of fourteen, Abel faced the daunting challenge with mostly fear, but a small bit of hope as well. Against all odds, he was crowned victor, thanks to his strong alliances and unexpected skills. His victory came at quite a heavy cost, so young with so little support, Abel lost himself in the land of luxury while his scars never had a chance to fully heal.

Apart from his sister, who he didn’t get to see very often, he became estranged from the rest of his family, his aunt blaming herself for his reaping, his cousins too young to make contact. Abel sought solace in the numbness that alcohol brought, and soon it would become apparent that this was as essential as the oxygen he needed to breathe.

Despite his inner demons, he put his all into mentoring. Each tribute he worked with he treated as if the first, dedicating all of his hours to training, strategising with other mentors, dancing the thin line with sponsors who never knew when enough was enough. All that tireless work never amounted to anything for him though, tribute after tribute lost to the games, and all he was left with was the ink on his skin, a reminder of the lives he felt he failed, time and time again.

As he grew and somewhat matured, his feelings on the games only intensified. He’d heard mutters from his aunt about his parents and their rebellious beliefs, and he shared those same views now, decades on. He wanted to join the cause, but the drinking and the drugs, the partying and distractions, they always seemed to get in the way, to steer him away from the fight he should be fighting, but maybe protecting him all the same. Instead, he chose the lazy way, threw money at the members, joined a fight or two when it was convenient, all the while having to drown himself in whiskey to escape the reality of it all.

After losing the latest of nine’s tributes; Oxford, the brother of his own district partner, who saved his life only for her own to be sacrificed, and Farina, a force to be reckoned with, a girl who had a real chance in there, Abel spiralled. It was like his sister had known, when she forced him home for a few days, under the pretence that she was ill, when in reality it was nothing more than a sniffle.

A dinner with his aunt only worsened his anxieties, when she told him all about her bad feelings, her nightmares, how she’d read his cards and saw a dance with death clear as day. He left nine feeling worse even though Liz had filled him up with food and let him sleep for days. He spent every night until reaping filled with whiskey and the rest, and it showed as he stood on that stage with dark shadows under his eyes, his jeans slipping down his thinning waist.

“Abel Evans” they announced, and he collapsed right there on the stage.

District Token: His sister’s leather bracelet.

Strengths: Social, Good with Knives, Resilient.

Weaknesses: Unfit, Impulsive, Addictive

PENNED BY ELLE

[spookyvalentine]

mass effect au: sports coach

During the nightmare on Akuze, N7 Mercy Shepard hears of a name--Cerberus. In the aftermath, Shepard joins Alliance Intelligence to lead the hunt for the terrorist group. Lately, children have been going missing from certain schools across the Citadel. Their next mission? Placed undercover at Presidium Academy as the new middle school coach

Nihlus, the high school coach, has never seen such a consistent turnout of parents to not just the games, but the practices too

ART BY ‼️🔥 @naarisz 🔥‼️

canon, crime lord, white collar

fic under the cut!

When James makes it to the park to meet his commander, someone has beaten him.

“I hope to see you around more, coach,” says a quarian that he is nearly very certain is Admiral Shala’Raan. He’d never forget that throaty voice.

“Please,” Mercy says, dimpling. “The kids call me coach. I’m just Mercy to you.” 

“Mercy,” she purrs, it’s insane, really. She gives James lingering once-over as well. “I see someone wants your attention.”

It feels nice, how much they perk up when they notice him.

“James!” They greet, and sling an arm around his shoulders. It takes a lot to make him feel short, and Mercy does it easily and comfortably. “This is James. He’s the coach at Citadel Institute.”

Shala’Raan nods at him, and turns back to Shepard. “I look forward to Tali’s next game.”

“See you then, Admiral,” they reply with a smile.

“Bro, are you serious,” James hisses, uncertain if he’s about to shake his commander like a ramen seasoning packet, or continue gaping after the outrageous set of hips on the quarian aunty swaying off the sports field.

“You should come to one of my practices sometime,” Mercy laughs. “I think there are more parents than kids.”

James believes it, oh boy does he believe it, as Mercy stands in front of him gleaming like a shiny trophy under the floodlights. Being out in the artificial sun has darkened their skin and the freckles have multiplied. They’ve been growing their hair out for this role—brightening into a surfer blonde, and waving thickly to their shoulders.

He’s not even going to comment on their silky little shorts.

“I’ve got my own practices, remember?” James says. “But let’s switch schools, hey? You’ve got the one with all the hot parents.”

Mercy opens their mouth to respond, when James notices Dr. Solus and Dr. Chakwas escorting Jack.

They dart from his side, and runs for her. 

With a holler, they slide to their knees in time for Jack to fling her arms around their neck for a hug.

The two clutch at each other, and Jack looks incredibly tiny in Mercy’s big hands. 

Abruptly Mercy stands, bringing Jack with them. They hold her out by the armpits, with their long arms fully extended to beam up at her, like some Lion King shit—and then swings her around. 

Jack shrieks with delight. 

Some pebbles and bugs rise from the grass in little blue bubbles. 

Mercy guides her into some simple stretches as Jack babbles about her week with the doctors. They correct her form easily, and well, it’s a lot to see such a big body be so flexible. 

He watches as Mercy leads Jack into running a lap together, admiring his commander’s easy loping athleticism. Jack laughs, giggling and tripping a little when they hoot out with joy and starts running circles around her with the ball.

Every time Jack laughs, it’s like a sip of good, cold beer with a fat slice of lime after a hard workout. The first time they finally got that kid to warm up and crack a smile, was also the first time James saw his commander cry.

The pair passes the ball between each other, Jack copying Mercy’s increasingly elaborate tricks sometimes so seriously she locks up rather than be loose—but she’s improved a lot since that last time James saw the kid. 

“Shepard would do well in this career,” Dr. Solus says, as they watch Mercy divebomb Jack with a shout and scoop her up. “If chose to retire from intelligence. Is very good with children.”

And his commander does look right, as they jog up to James and the doctors with Jack sitting on their shoulders. Their hands wrap around the kid’s chubby shins entirely. 

“Time for nachos, yes?” Dr. Solus says, and briskly taps his fingers together 

“Nachos, nachos!” Jack chants, Mercy quickly joining in and bouncing.  

“That can’t be the only thing for dinner,” Dr. Chakwas says, smiling too much to pull off stern. “What else?”

“Mangonadas!” Jack hollers, grabbing fistfuls of Mercy’s hair, which they gamely accept with a wince. 

“Tamales!” She leans down and shouts into their ear. 

His commander has turned down their hearing aid in time, judging by their serene expression. 

“Which ones, mija,” James asks. Is this paternal pride? He would lay the world down at this kid’s feet. “¿Cuáles quieres?”

“De rajas,” Jack says with relish, nailing the accent. “Con queso.”

“I like the ones with raisins,” Mercy hums.

“We’ll get those too,” Jack reassures them, patting their cheeks with her little hands.

[watrwords]

I don’t really write, and like I have only seen the movie once, and idk characterization, but @chimerathewriter ‘s reply on my post had me excited and I thought I would try and write a tiny little snippet, so here it is

The meetings were necessary for their alliance, an alliance that remained tentative at best still. The rage and pain felt by the Wakandan’s had begun to be soothed away. It was a process though, and the tension with the Talocan’s remained high.

M'Baku met the meetings, like he did everything else, with a sense of disagreement with everything and everyone. His snark was met with a patience he was not used to and he found himself not liking it at all. He felt like he was being indulged as if he was not worth the other’s reactions. Okoye liked to point out to him that he should probably not antagonize the other king.

He leaned back on his chair and took a deep breath. His sternum ached, and he knew there was nothing wrong, but the phantom feeling haunted him during these meetings. Namor’s punch could have easily caused him a major injury.  

The sound of water splashing broke him out of his thoughts, and he straightened himself, the guards behind him tensed up. The council had not been happy with the choice to have a designated meeting place by the water. It would make M'Baku an easy target, but he knew that for this alliance to work, they needed to provide a show of trust.

Namor walked out of the water, “ǹdeèwo!” he called out, startling M'Baku .

“Excuse me?” M'Baku blurted out and for the first time since their meetings started, M'Baku watched Namor falter in his step. Hesitation flashed across Namor’s face, eyebrows furrowing, “is that not hello?” even the question was tinted in hesitation and M'Baku was completely baffled by it. He was baffled by this whole interaction.

“Your accent is terrible,” was the first thing that spilled out of M’Baku’s mouth, and to his surprise, Namor’s face seem to blank out to the non-expressive look of their previous meetings, “but I will fix that. You will be fluent in Igbo in no time,” M'Baku decided to add, without meaning to. Namor’s expressionless face faded away and corner of his mouth twitched up into what was almost a smile. M'Baku felt another pang in his chest.

M'Baku did not tell Namor that ǹdeèwo was a casual greeting, more for people who had a fond relationship, which was definitely not them. Okoye was going to have a field day when she finds out. 

-

I used https://nkowaokwu.com/search?word=hello&page=0 to find the translation for hello, chose ndeewo because it said it is casually used to show appreciation? which Namor and M’baku are not there yet since this is like their idk third meeting, so i thought it be more startling for the lack of formality 

[ficbrish]

Tiny Scene Tuesday

[22Aug2023]

Today's three little words: Theft, Lump, Youth

[Create a short piece (art or fic) that encompasses those 3 words]

Thank you @mallaidhsomo for the prompt!

Any stray Shenkos out there, come join the Big Place Shenko Discord for weekly art/fic prompts! ✨

"Her Father Was Not a Good Man"

[[tw/cw: Implied domestic violence, childhood PTSD, beheading]]

Ever since she learned about the duct rats, they broke her heart. Youths living in the bowels of buildings and space stations. Spilled out from the womb and into filth, surviving on crime and the hope that nothing bad happens when they’re inevitably caught; breadcrumb to breadcrumb.

She also envied their freedom.

Or maybe it was just a different fear that adorned their shoulders. A different kind of monster in the cave.

No, don’t think of him.

His eyes contained a poison that rotted just under her skin since birth. Powerful eyes. Gnashing eyes. They looked so weak falling to the floor, filled with shock and her mother’s scream.

His body took a moment to collapse. His head still had his face on it, his expression.

“One terrible, horrible, disgustingly unhealthy, waste of my life’s work, wake up potion for you, and a nice, normal, healthy water for me.”

Shepard swallowed the lump sitting on the back of her tongue, “It’s coffee, Miranda.”

“I don’t think you can still call it coffee. There’s enough caffeine to give a Krogan a heart attack. In both hearts!”

She took a sip despite Miranda’s glare.

“See? I’m okay. Don’t feel anything different.”

“It doesn’t work that fast!”

“Can you figure out how to make it work that fast?”

“No!” Miranda sat down next to Shepard in a huff.

“You brought me back from the dead.”

“It’s not a question of whether I can. I refuse!”

Shepard wiped away a tear.

“Oh no! No, you don’t. Those big, baby blues aren’t gonna work on me.”

She shook her head and sunk back into the plush couch in Miranda’s room. It made her body remember the hard, Alliance-standard chairs in the SR-1, and her heart took a moment to ache for it.

“If you could change things, would you ever choose to grow up like Mouse?”

It took Miranda a moment, “Wait. Thane’s duct rat?”

Shepard cringed, “Don’t… Don’t say it like that.”

“What?”

“It just…” she started to laugh, “It sounds really bad coming out of your mouth. Thane’s duct rat?!”

Miranda laughed too, “I did not say it like that!”

“You did! You so did!” When the laughter stopped, she asked, “So would you?”

“Why are you asking this?”

Shepard shrugged her shoulders, looking into her cup of “coffee”.

“I mean… That’s basically what I chose in the end, right? Getting away from my father. Giving up everything.”

“Yeah, but…”

“But what?”

“I mean… come on. You traded one for the other,” she gestured vaguely about the room, “You never actually pulled away.”

“I’m sorry,” Miranda said with unabashed snark, “I guess I didn’t get the memo that we were being a bitch today.”

“I’m not judging. I’m just saying.”

She rolled her eyes, “It’s both, Shepard.”

“No, you’re right. I’m sorry.”

Miranda took a sip and threw Shepard’s question back to her as a peace offering, “So… What would you do?”

A chuckle that was more like a huff left her lips, then she answered, “My father or no home at all?”

“Yeah.”

She sighed, “I don’t know.”

Miranda wasn’t sure whether a hug was warranted, so she took a big gulp of her water instead.

Shepard spoke again, “Imagine who we’d be without all that.”

“I really think we’d be too powerful,” she quipped.

“Oh! For sure! I mean us without our shitty fathers?”

“Jacob might’ve been my only ex.”

That broke them into a fit of laughter.

“We were sabotaged by fate, or the goddess, or whatever.”

“Theft, that’s what it is,” Miranda joked darkly.

[Read more snippets on AO3 🥰]

[femalebookworm]

Typical reading time is about 8h42min, book 1/6 in The Alchemi Online Chronicles. This was a freebie I got long ago, I read the summary, thought it wasn’t for me, but I’m game to trying one genre/type of story at least once before saying “hate it”. Also, summary tells me that “if you love Dungeons and Dragons…”, I’ll be honest, I don’t know what that is, but I’ll try. And yes, I am psyching myself here, cause I never played the games listed on the summary. Started reading late Tuesday, almost Wednesday (Jan31), ended on February 3, 2:21pm.

A sweeping virus was cleaning the whole world of health making it a cemetery of large buildings and whatnot. The savior of mankind for the remaining human kind is nothing but AI based. A game where people consciousness was uploaded to the cloud for the intent to help save human kind from the virus while working on a cure, but also keeping the bodies alive while in this super real game, death-betrayal-secrets were about to come to light by the right person: Hector.

Hector upon waking in the game for the first time, chose his fate - his avatar, his skills and aimed high in the breathing fire sky: dragons. This first volume is his adventure, his pooped cherry, secrets and backstabbing and the final moment: dragon. But he offers a twist: he has no alliance to any kingdom, and his mission is secret even for himself. Be ready to put the puzzle together and encounter the equivalent of, “to be continued” last words of a paragraph that leaves our main character, his Dino-like horse, and his newest member of the family, a dragon queen.

Reading a dragon baby hatching was far better than playing tamagotchi, I tell you that. I cried.

And yes, I was surprised to have enjoyed this book so much to shed a tear when it was over. The next book? Trial by Fire is on my to-read-list. When? No idea when, I just hope it don’t take long enough for me to forget the pickle Hector is truly in, and how he’s gonna bring a baby dragon to safety while wanted by the whole place/game. Be ready to hate on some characters pretty badly, be weary of others and certainly cheer yourself trusting in one or another. I secretly want to see Kira back — she seemed human to me.

Oh yeah, there are other players around who knows it is a game, who’d kill a fellow human in said game; it will turn you philosophical for a while — what is truly acceptable in this scenario? And many other questions, but more importantly, are there any developers alive or the real world is long gone, and Hector is bound to live this AI reality (his body is gone, nuked, no way to return). Nah, can’t think straight to keep going. Forget the game stats, enjoy the outloud rant when appropriate and enjoy the plot. That’s what I did, cause the “game” itself was not it for me.

Adieu.

(and yeah, this was pre-pandemic, there was a tiny trauma by reading it a bit. Fiction can be worse than reality, but it sure can exist).

[magnumversum]

Wolves Season 1 Episode 5: A Message Of Hope

RATED PG-13

THE FOREST WAS CALM AND TRANQUIL UNTIL THE HUNTERS CAME AROUND. BEETLES AND ELEPHANTS AND PLANTS WERE CHASED AWAY. THIS WAS UNTIL ALL SEVEN FACTIONS OF THE WOLF CLAN DMARANI, LED BY QUEEN SALELA, LED A HEROIC RALLY WITH ALL OF THE OTHER CREATURES OF THE FOREST TO CHASE THE HUNTERS AWAY. THIS RALLY, A MAJOR VICTORY WHICH SET PRECEDENT AND UNITED THE FORCES OF THE FOREST, WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE BIGGEST CATASTROPHE TO FOLLOW.

BECAUSE, SOON AFTER THE RALLY, THE FOREST WAS RAVAGED BY WILD BEASTS, SET FORTH BY THE HUNTERS, WITH THREE TONGUES, ELEVEN TENTACLES, FORTY FIVE EYES AND A WILD, SLIMY SMILE. THE NESTS OF RAVENOUS CROWS AND CROWING HENS WERE DESTROYED, AND THE CHIRPING CRICKETS’ LEAVES WERE TORN TO SHREDS, AND THE HOWLING WOLVES’ DENS AND THE BARKING LIONS’ TREES WERE RIPPED AWAY. THIS DIVIDED THE FOREST ONCE MORE. THE AFTERMATH OF THESE VICIOUS ATTACKS IS WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE.

“I’d like to introduce the esteemed rulers in our presence today.” Queen Salela said. “Queen Vennan of the Beetles, Queen Ivis of the Lion Lords, King Pariza of the Zebras, and King Zann of the Ravens. With that proper, I’ve summoned you all here to reform the alliance and take back the forest from the beasts that seek to destroy it.”

Queen Vennan chirped in, “Us beetles see no reason to ally ourselves with you when we can do perfectly fine on our own. The last time we unionized, there was disaster.”

“I assure you that any further conflicts can be prevented by mediating with the hunters that sent these beasts.” Queen Salela looked at Queen Vennan, a tiny insect perched atop a leaf on the ground. “One of my professional mediators is meeting with the Crestwood Poachers to negotiate a peace treaty.”

Queen Ivis roared a thunderstorm. Several lions marched behind him in single file. “I’ve just received word that one of the bays under my jurisdiction was attacked by the monstrous beasts. Those hunters are never going to surrender, nor will they accept the treaty.

“I demand war against these beasts and their keepers. No longer should we be bullied by humans hiding behind their puny homes.”

“There’s no need to resort to violence.” Queen Salela jumped in front of her, not allowing Queen Ivis to leave the room of straw buried in the forest. “We can settle these differences via peaceful negotiation.”

“They chose violence themselves when they attacked my people at the bay. Their acts of death can’t go unpunished.”

“We will try them in the common court of the forest, and it will be there where we decide their fate.”

“You feel pity for the hunters because you’ve seen the show men put on. You don’t see the true face behind the mask. That makes you far from impartial.”

“And you refuse to see the good in humans,” Queen Salela strolled across the room, and looked Queen Ivis, hiding her face behind her mane. “I respect you, for you are a powerful lion. However, that power biases you.”

“The power I and the lions of this forest have is fair and just. We do not submit to bias, nor subject ourselves to clear logical fallacies, such as the one you posed.” The lioness walked around Queen Salela, harshly stating, “There are very few men roaming the earth with you’ve allied yourself with the humans, you’ve allied yourself against the inhabitants of the forest.”

QUEEN SALELA, CONFRONTED BY THE ACCUSATIONS OF HER BEING PARTIAL TO HUMANKIND, RETURNS TO HER PALACE IN DRANN, TO CONTEMPLATE ON THIS. THE QUEEN IS OFTEN CHALLENGED, BUT NEVER BEFORE HAS SHE FACED OPPOSITION IN THIS MAGNITUDE. THE WOLVES RIOTING OUTSIDE ARE NOT ASSUAGED AFTER A BRAVE SPEECH. THE QUEEN IS FACED WITH AN IMPORTANT CHOICE: REUNITE THE FOREST, OR LET ALL OF HUMANITY PAY THE PRICE FOR THE ACTIONS OF FEW?

Queen Salela said, “Greetings, citizens of the seven factions of Dmarani. I understand that you are all afraid. Whilst this fear is reasonable, we must stop before we come to hasty generalizations and make unreasonable decisions. We, the powerful wolves of the forest, kings of the woods, will conquer. It is our destiny when faced with troubles to rise, to overcome, and to succeed.

“Harken back to our roots, when we were one dynasty ruled under King Dmarani, and he led us into terrifying battles. Remember that we were all afraid, yet horrific war after horrific war, where do we stand today, but in the amazing light of victory? Remember, citizens of Dmarani, that you are all protected by our humble dogs with the finest training regimen. We will overcome, because that is who we are.”

FINALLY, WITH THE PEOPLE’S FAITH RESTORED IN HER IDEALS, QUEEN SALELA WALKS AWAY EVEN MORE CONFIDENT, AND CONTINUES THE FIGHT AGAINST THESE MYSTERIOUS BEASTS, UNTIL SHE MAKES A DISCOVERY THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Queen Salela ran out of breath. Her heart pounded. She was losing blood fast. There were hunters right behind her.

She was starting to feel drowsy. She dropped to the floor. The hunters surrounded her. It was like the woods were closing in around her.

The hunters were getting closer. She tried to run further. She couldn’t run further. She stopped.

She got to her four feet again. The hunters shot at her with their guns. Queen Salela took them all down. Her energy was draining.

She got further away. They kept getting closer. She kept running. They were closing in.

Queen Salela dropped to the ground. She was tired. The hunters shot at her some more.

One hunter leaned in real close. “She looks dead, alright. That’s a dead wolf for the boys, but it isn’t ours. Let her go.”

Another hunter muttered, “They’re real clueless. But then again, Silencer isn’t a big man around these parts.”

“That’s a mission, boys. Let’s head home.”

“But this isn’t the wolf we’re looking for.”

“It doesn’t matter, Harold.” The other hunter looked down at the first. “Silencer won’t tell the difference.”

“Silencer won’t tell if we do some reorganization of body parts.” The other hunter looked proudly at his catch. “We’re all good, boys.”

THEN QUEEN SALELA, WHO IN HER LAST AND SHORTEST BURST OF LIFE REMAINING, OVERHEARD THEIR MALICIOUS WHISPERS, OVERHEARD NAMES FLOODING THE ROOM. AS SHE FELT THE PULL OF HEAVEN, AND THE GRACIOUS LORD JESUS WELCOMING HER INTO HIS ARMS, SHE FELT AT PEACE. AS HER HEART STOPPED BEATING, THE LORD DELIVERED HER WORDS, SENDING HER REVELATIONS AND HER PLEAS TO THE WOLVES. AND HER PLEAS WERE HEARD BY ALL OF DMARANI, WHO RALLIED TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER FACTIONS OF THE WOODS, TO RUN THE BEASTS AWAY FROM THE FOREST INTO THE DARKEST CAVE, WHERE THEY REMAIN LOCKED AWAY TO THIS DAY.

THIS VICTORY PULLED TOGETHER ALMOST ALL FOREST LIFE, RALLYING THEM TOGETHER FOR A COMMON CAUSE. THEIR COMBINED WORK, BOLSTERED BY QUEEN DMARANI’S SACRIFICE, WHILE A BRUTAL EFFORT THAT GAINED THE WOLVES’ RESPECT BY MOST COMMON MEN, OTHERS SAW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CAPITALIZE ON. SOME TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS, USING IT TO GAIN POWER. THIS GREED, AND THE CORRUPTION THAT FOLLOWED SUIT, LED TO MASS KILLINGS AND THE EXTINCTION OF SIX OF DMARANI’S SEVEN FACTIONS. KARUZ, A LOWLY WOLF FROM THE ONLY FACTION STANDING, CROWNED HIMSELF THE DAIMYO AFTER EMBARKING ON A GRUELING JOURNEY TO EARN THE TITLE.

THE NOW EMBATTLED DAIMYO KARUZ NOW MUST FACE NEW WARS AGAINST FAMILIAR THREATS. THE KING OF THE FEW IN DMARANI, HIS NEEDY CITIZENS RELY ON HIM NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. THIS IS HIS STORY.

AND THIS IS HISTORY, ALWAYS CHANGING, ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD. NO MATTER WHAT IS THROWN AT THE WOLVES OF DMARANI, THEY PERSEVERE, AND THEY PERSIST. STRENGTH COMES NOT ALWAYS IN NUMBERS, BUT IN THE ENDURING SPIRITS OF THOSE WHO FORGE ONWARD, AND THEIR GUARDIAN ANGELS, GUARDING THEM FROM AFAR, SWOOPING DOWN TO HELP THEM IN THEIR TIME OF NEED. SO REMEMBER THAT EVEN WHEN THINGS FEEL HOPELESS, THERE IS THE WILLPOWER TO BECOME A HERO, SLOWLY BLOSSOMING INSIDE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US, AND EVEN IF THAT WILLPOWER IS BUT A FRACTION OF WHAT IT CAN BE, KNOW THAT THE GREATEST TREES TOWERING HIGH OVER THE WOLVES’ HEADS, UNMOVING AGAINST EVEN THE MIGHTIEST OF STORMS, WERE ONCE FRAGILE SEEDS.