#The Heretic

[weirdlookindog]

William Mortensen - Mark of the Borgia/The Heretic, 1934

[kowai-kabuki-tanuki]

I, uhh, did some storyboard practice using a scene I wrote. Yeah, it’s a prequel to a prequel. I think I sort of figured out how to draw Skeksis characters but Mystics remain impossible to me.

Here’s some frames I think were fun on their own:

I have so many ideas floating around in my head about this so please feel free to comment or DM me!

[snickerdoodlesart]

teensy versions of all my ocs

[bitsofbats]

Robin Rises: Alpha, 2015 Peter Tomasi, Andy Kubert, Jonathan Glapion, and Brad Anderson

[skekgra-smokes-weed]

new pfp heejeghw

[trashmammal69]

Kur-Skan is such an intriguing character with so much potential. To me. If you even care,, Torn to pieces and tortured for years,(?)(we don't really know how much time passes between ror and ror2) reduced to twisted fragments of her being. All for the crime of yearning for freedom, an escape from Providence's zoo. The one thing he himself could not attain.

She is then made whole yet again, though she would never again be the same bird struck down by Providence on the Contact Light. No, she had become a twisted, malformed thing, with sunken eyes and grotesque hooks where once were hands. Not only that, but she shared this form with another, a soul who, from foolishness or some unknown motivation, rebuilt The Heretic.

Then, as if her mutilation wasn't enough, she must discover that the one who prevented her escape, who murdered her, is already dead. She channeled her wrath towards the closest thing to her killer. Using Providence's gifts, they mauled Mithrix, tore his flesh asunder with wretched hook and beak. And... then what? What remained for Kur-Skan? So they left, bitterly avenged and deeply lost.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that she's babygirl.

[chaotic-orphan]

The Heretic (4)

It has a name! Previously june of doom day 9~

Read part one here

Continued from here

*~*~*~*~*

Shaw woke with a groan, his head too heavy for his neck to support it. He wanted to open his eyes, but as soon as he did his eyelids shut and Shaw groaned again. The dim lighting igniting a fire of a headache in his brain. He just wanted to sleep again. The fight with Olen had taken a lot out of him and his mind was miles away.

Wait…

His fight with Olen.

Shaw’s eyes snapped open again as he jerked forward in the chair. The clack of chains pulling taut. Shaw didn’t get very far and he cursed… or he would have if not for the fucking gag between his teeth, locking his tongue to the bottom of his mouth.

Shaw’s eyes went wide, glancing down his nose trying to see what it was but even he couldn’t see past his own nose.

Fuck. He needed to get out of here… wherever here was, probably Olen’s villain lair or something stupid like that. Shaw pulled his hands forward again. Both his wrists were locked in different sets of handcuffs keeping his hands apart. Olen probably didn’t know that Shaw couldn’t activate his runes without his voice which… well, fucking sucked because the bastard had covered all his bases with Shaw.

But if Shaw was here… then… Shaw’s heart sank into his stomach. Hero. Nobody was protecting Hero! Superhero could do whatever he wanted, Olen could have already caused a scene and killed them while Shaw was unconscious.

Shaw didn’t care. He started making as much noise as he could, screaming Olen’s name or something that vaguely resembled Olen’s name into his gag. After a solid minute of causing a fuss, Shaw was panting for breath. The gag not helping his breathing situation, as he sucked in air through his nose with a painful grunt. His ribs hurt.

Everything hurt.

God, Olen really didn’t pull his punches.

“Tch.”

Shaw looked up to see Olen standing at the top of the concrete staircase — directly in front of Shaw’s chair —silhouetted inside the doorframe, cigarette in hand. Olen turned his head to face the hall and said: “hey. The brat’s awake.” Before he descended the steps towards Shaw.

“Olen! You bastard let me go,” Shaw said, or tried to say, the gag muffling his words beyond recognition.

Olen waved his hand, batting Shaw’s mumbling away. “I can’t understand you with that thing in your mouth. Save your breath.”

Shaw had so many things he wanted to say. He wanted to ask. He had to know.

Where’s Hero?

Are they safe?

Did you hurt them yet?

Are they… are they still alive?

All questions died on Shaw’s tongue when he saw the second silhouetted figure in the door frame at the top of the stairs.

Superhero.

Shaw’s eyes shot to Olen in accusation, not pleading, more like hurt and betrayed than anything else. Shaw pulled forward in his restraints, cursing under his gag as Superhero came closer towards him. Shaw couldn’t just sit calm and take it, not with Superhero here— he had to do something. Even if it was only struggling futilely against his restraints.

Superhero stared dispassionately down at Shaw, stopping in front of him. Shaw swallowed, glaring back.

“God, you haven’t changed a bit, have you?” Superhero said reaching down. Shaw jerked his head back out of reach but Superhero caught his jaw all the same, squeezing the pulse points on Shaw’s throat as he tilted his head up. “You’re still useless at fighting.”

As if to prove his point Superhero pressed his finger into Shaw’s cheek until Shaw cried out, cursing Superhero behind the gag.

Superhero’s face didn’t change from the disgusted look he wore when he first saw Shaw, unemotional and inhuman. Superhero let go of Shaw’s jaw and stepped back, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“As much as I love not hearing him talk, we need information from him,” said Superhero casually.

“Are you sure about that?” Olen asked, exhaling smoke into the air.

Superhero’s shark like stare was as dispassionate as ever when he ordered: “remove the gag, Olen.”

Olen obeyed quietly. It felt wrong. Back in their academy days you followed an order from Superhero with yes, sir. Olen moving without the mark of respect was strange. Almost eerie.

Maybe Olen had changed as much as Shaw did.

The moment Olen removed the gag Shaw spit at Superhero. He only had a fraction of a second to enjoy it before his head was whipped to the side, his cheek stinging. Shaw hissed, bringing his head back to face Superhero. He met Superhero’s gaze with hatred fuelled eyes and then his head snapped to the side again, this time Shaw biting back a groan.

His jaw hurt enough from the gag, he didn’t need Superhero’s knuckles aggravating it more.

“You fucking piece of shit,” Shaw said, his voice coming out too high, raspy and croaking. He faced Superhero again, glare a little less fiery, a little more cautious.

“Nice to see you too, Shaw.”

Shaw met Superhero’s eyes, raising an eyebrow at the civility. Superhero inclined his head. “In bruises. Nice to see you covered in bruises.”

Shaw huffed a breath out his nose, then started muttering a spell under his breath. He barely got three words out before Superhero’s hand was on his throat, slamming his head back against the chair. Shaw gasped but no air could enter his lungs with Superhero crushing his windpipe.

His lethal eyes burned with a cold fury down at Shaw. When Superhero spoke his voice was low, dangerous, sending ice down Shaw’s spine. “Try and use your dirty spells again, Shaw, and I’ll knock you out cold. Just so I can wake you and make you watch as I murder Hero in front of you, are we clear?”

Superhero let Shaw’s neck go enough so he could answer. “Yes—” Shaw choked out with a slight wheeze.

Superhero’s eyebrow raised a fraction. It was the only warning Shaw had before Superhero’s hand was on his throat again, face far too close to Shaw’s, eyes far too terrifying and it felt like Shaw was a teenager again under Superhero’s command.

“Come on Shaw,” Superhero chided lightly, his voice like the edge of a dagger. “I know I taught you your manners, or have you forgotten and need a reminder hmm? Tell you what, because I’m generous, I’ll give you one last chance.”

This time, Superhero only removed his hand slightly from Shaw’s throat, leaving his hand there lingering like a promise.

Shaw sucked in a breath, unable to look down or away from Superhero. Shame curled up in his chest like a cat trying to soak up heat— Shaw told himself he’d never bow to Superhero again and yet…

“Yes… sir,” Shaw whispered.

Superhero’s smile was anything but kind. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Olen, did you catch that?”

Shaw didn’t know what Olen did behind him, but he knows he didn’t reply. Maybe a shrug or a gesture or something, but to Shaw it felt like insignificant.

“Me either. Louder, so we can all hear.”

“Yes sir,” Shaw croaked, forcing his voice to be louder, even as his vocal chords screamed at him for pushing them too much after being choked.

Superhero’s lips twitched as he lightly slapped Shaw’s cheek. “Good boy. Look at you, you haven’t forgotten your manners at all. You just needed a little encouragement.”

“What the fuck do you want?” Shaw asked, not caring that his voice was weak as he spoke. Superhero straightened again, allowing Shaw a little extra breathing room that he was grateful for. At least putting some distance between him and the devil himself.

Olen walked around the chair into Shaw’s view, leaning against the wall beside the stairs. His cigarette was gone and he just crossed his arms over his chest, eyes fixed on Shaw. Shaw could see the tension in his shoulders from here, which means Superhero must’ve been pissed when Olen told him he couldn’t kill Hero.

Shaw almost smiled at the thought of pissing Superhero off.

Almost.

“Since when are you a Heretic, Shaw?” Superhero asked, drawing Shaw’s attention back to him. The question kind of stunned him. Superhero tilted his head to the side.

As in… he wanted an answer.

Shaw swallowed before he spoke, licking his dry lips that were chapped from the gag. “I was born a heretic.”

The answer got him a swift slap across the face. Shaw grit his teeth but thankfully it wasn’t hard enough to turn his head, so small victories.

Superhero’s smile was wan. “When did you pick up your practice again? Did Hero know?”

Shaw tried not to give it away. He tried not to react. He didn’t succeed, because the mere mention of Hero’s name and possible threat and danger caused to them by Shaw well… his cuffs clacking against the chair said everything Shaw didn’t want to.

Superhero let out a scoff. “Of course they did. No matter, I’ll make sure they learn the error of their ways.”

“Don’t fucking touch them!” Shaw all but growled. Superhero’s humourless smile stretched into a teasing grin.

“Or what? What will you do, Shaw? Threatening me from your position… I don’t know if it’s brave or stupid.”

“Why do you even want to kill Hero?” Shaw demanded hotly. “They’ve only ever followed your orders. Done as you asked!”

Superhero rolled his eyes. “Is this the part where I reveal all my evil plans to you, Shaw? Do you really think I’m that stupid?”

Shaw’s eyes went from Superhero to Olen’s, then back again, squinting a little. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

“I don’t think it would say a lot coming from you. If we want to talk about stupidity, at least I’m not handcuffed to a chair,” Superhero replied smoothly.

Shaw grit his teeth, pulling slightly on the handcuffs, more to do something than actually trying to escape.

“When did you find your faith again, Shaw?” Superhero asked. Shaw looked down, away from Superhero’s harsh gaze. He could feel the hatred in the room emanating from his captors. Heresy wasn’t something that would win you popularity among normal people.

“Recently enough.”

“How recent?”

Shaw click his tongue against his teeth, shrugging. “I don’t know. The last couple of months?”

“What is the church planning?”

Shaw stared at Superhero, brows knitting together. “I’m not back in the church.”

Superhero blinked, expression unreadable. Shaw looked from Superhero to Olen, eyes a bit desperate. Though, with the look on Olen’s face, Shaw knew he was searching for a friendly face in vain. His glare returned to his eyes as he turned back to Superhero.

“I’m not with the church, Superhero. I told you about what they do, what they did to me. I would never—”

Superhero didn’t say anything. Just stared down impassively. Shaw scoffed, reclining back into his seat with a shrug. “Faith and religion are two different things, Superhero.”

“Fine. Then who helped you find your faith again?”

“What does it matter!” Shaw yelled. Superhero punched him again, his knuckles cracking against Shaw’s cheek and Shaw cursed as pain flamed hot across his face. He didn’t turn his head to face Superhero again. Instead, stupidly, naively, his eyes met Olen’s in a desperate plea.

“It matters because I say so. You had so much potential, now look at you. Wasting it. Squandering all of our hard work with your filthy, blood drunk love of ambivalent gods. Pathetic.”

“Honestly? Their magic is pretty handy. So is their blood, but I guess Olen could tell you all about that. After all, it did stop you in your plan to kill Hero,” said Shaw with a shit eating grin as he turned back to face Superhero. “At least I have something while you godless, carnal fucks just languish here useless.”

Superhero blinked, entirely unimpressed. “You forget your beloved Hero is one of those carnal fucks.”

“No, Hero’s different. They’re good. You know, like what heroes are meant to be.”

“The strong survive, Shaw.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Shaw snapped. Superhero let out a sigh, as he started walking in a slow circle around Shaw’s chair.

“There’s a reason that Hero’s goodness is the exception and not the rule, but you already knew that didn’t you? It’s why you waited there in the alleyway. How can a hero who needs protection survive in a world like this?”

“Hero doesn’t need protection—”

“You seem to think they do. Their naivety of how good the world is and how good people inherently are, well…” Superhero said with a smug smile as he came to stand in front of Shaw again. “Let’s just say, it will kill them before I get the chance to.”

Superhero’s words hung in the air thick and dense. He didn’t elaborate further, and after a minute or so the words took on a life of their own and started crawling under Shaw’s skin.

“As long as I’m alive I won’t let anything happen to them,” Shaw told Superhero. He twisted his wrists in the cuffs, hoping that he could rub his wrist hard enough to draw blood from the metal.

Superhero stared at him for a long, drawn out moment. Then he turned his back on Shaw to face Olen. “He’s not going to tell us anything right now. Gag him and we’ll try again in a few days.”

“Wait!” Shaw cried. Shit shit shit. If they gag him he won’t be able to get out of here but then— he doesn’t even know what they want from him?! He pulled at the cuffs harshly, praying that he’d bleed. Come on! He has to stall them longer. “What? You want to know how I got my faith back? I’m telling the truth, it doesn’t just go away.”

Superhero glanced at Shaw over his shoulder. “It doesn’t just come back either, Shaw. Who encouraged you to practice heresy again?”

Shaw set his jaw, his eyes burning as he stared into Superhero’s dispassionate eyes. “You’re protecting someone,” Superhero told him, his voice light and airy. “Friend, family, preacher? Doesn’t matter. You’re not going to give them up today.”

“Why does the heresy even bother you? You’re Superhero the city loves you!”

“As long as the black church still operates from the shadows and has their secret heretics practicing their magic, they will always be a threat Shaw. You know this. Isn’t that why we worked so hard to beat it out of you in the first place?”

“No you tortured me! There was no hard work on your part,” Shaw hissed.

Superhero’s eyes glinted cruelly. “I mean, you didn’t restrain yourself. There was some work on my part. Or did the whippings leave such a fleeting memory? We can start them again if you need a refresher.”

Shaw glared up at Superhero, lips curling back in hatred. “My people are peaceful, Superhero. Most of us are peaceful. Of course there’s some bad people but you can’t kill us all for a few bad people!”

“Who’s going to stop me, Shaw? You?”

“You can’t just go on a witch hunt and eradicate us all! That’s— that’s,” Shaw’s breath hitched as he felt blood slide down his wrist onto his thumb. Yes! Fuck. “That’s madness, Superhero.”

Superhero shrugged. “I guess I’m a little mad then.” That was the end of the conversation. Superhero turned and nodded at Olen before walking to the staircase. Olen had just pushed off the wall when Shaw clicked his fingers and quickly muttered the spell under his breath.

Superhero turned back, rage and murder in his eyes as Olen lunged for Shaw. Shaw grinned at them both, his skin glowing the strange silver and then he was gone.

He collapsed back into his bedroom in his apartment, stumbling back against the bed before lying down on top of it. He felt nausea climb up his throat but he wrestled it down with a groan. He pulled his hands in front of him, staring at his bloodied wrist. His hands were shaking, his body exhausted, his mind spent. He should really have a shower and clean himself up, but instead he kicked off his shoes and curled into a ball on his bed.

Hero’s alive.

He can rest.

[immnesia]

It's been forever since I've drawn something from DC but here are my personal headcanons between The Heretic, Damian and Respawn!

[thebibliomancer]

The Hunter and Archer together are probably the most dramatic Skeksis/UrRu duo

And beating out the Heretic and the Wanderer is no easy feat. Those two literally planned, rehearsed, and performed a dramatic puppet show

[atinyladybug-art]

God okay yea Recollection AU Lore time.

We're talking about the O5-7 position today >:3c

(Major thanks to @teethsies-chompies and @sleepyflameygoblin for brainrotting with me to get the bearings and things)

The 1st O5-1 was titled "The Architect" and they were one of the original 12 alongside Adam Kravitz and Founder.

The Architect was the one who built the Foundation sites, especially the oldest ones. Site-001 was also Architect's thing.

But I think that The Architect is the kinda guy that sorta lost himself in his work? Like he kept trying to perfect the site, making sure its the safest it can be. He utilised Thaumaturgy, reality bending and a lot of other anomalous things to make Site-001 concealed and safe.

But in doing so he lost bits and bits of himself and eventually he probably became Site-001? Like he became the thing he wanted to built or something.

And then his seat was left empty to which the Heretic came. Heretic is blood related to Architect (either father-son or siblings). He founded the Foundation education system and continues utilising anomalies.

But at this point, the Foundation were stopping their use of anomalies and were starting to detach from the rest of the anomalous community due to the risks and losses of using anomalies.

So this is where it causes Heretic to defect to the Chaos Insurgency.

Then the seat was left empty with the Foundation Civil war, it was so hard to find someone to take the seat so that's where Teeth came in.

Teeth is a deity that Architect worships and worked with closely. They gifted Architect the ability to built the sites he did and seeing Architect's work ruined by the Heretic, decided to show some pity and basically comes and volunteers to hold the place for the time being until a better fit is trained/found.

So that's how we got O5-7 "Teeth", a placeholder eldritch God who just maintained, restored and cleaned up Heretic's mess.

And when they were finally done cleaning up, they passed their seat over to Abirt, "The Eternal". Teeth gave Abirt that title in hopes that no one else will fuck up that seat and they don't have to clean up after anyone anymore. (They're eldritch gods they have better things to do??)

Abirt is the newest O5-7 and will probably be the longest O5-7.

Edit (Additional comment):

God there's just so much symbolism about Architect who worships Teeth and stuff and then the next one is heretic who destroys everything. I think Rec AU O5-7 seat is cursed with divinity.

[greetings-inferiors]

Okay so I know that Kur-skan isn’t in the risk of rain returns trailer so probably won’t be in the game

But, like, what if she was?

What if you could play as the heretic through the stages, with (an unkillable and massively souped up) providence not too far behind, no items, so it’s just a mad dash to the teleporter, beat the boss, then go to the next stage, with like a minute to find the next teleporter before providence arrives, rinse and repeat. Once you get to the final stage, instead of the crashed contact light you’re actually on the contact light, and you make your way to the bridge and have time ends when you get to the console (and then the cutscene where Kur-skan is killed plays out). Kur-skan is a very agile and mobile character, and if positioned correctly could get massive bursts of damage off with ruin. I think a mainly speedrun focused mode like this would be so damn cool.

Once you beat that mode you could unlock (non canon) the heretic as a survivor, other survivors could try out the speedrun mode, etc.

I really like my own idea lmao

If you have any thoughts let me know

[nevereverthem]

imagine this: cat and mouse!bonkai but they're in the real world and not the prison world

TVD Imagine request :

I'm not particularly familiar with the cat and mouse trope. However, it gave me some ideas that I wanted to share.

Words : 2.7k

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. 6x22 Damon abandons Bonnie dying at the wedding. He walks out of the venue, going straight to the hospital where Elena is waiting for him in her magic coma.

_ That's it ? He's just gonna let you die ?

Nothing. The only thing that's heard is Bonnie sobbing on the floor.

Kai walks up to her, crouching beside her dying form.

_ I admire your loyalty. But I'd like you to answer this. Why do you stay like that ? I mean, loyal to them. Clearly, it's not reciprocated.

She avoids his gaze, facing the opposite direction.

Kai cups her chin with one strong hand, turning her head back to him.

_ I asked a question.

Bonnie doesn't answer. She coughs, blood leaving her lips, running down to the newly heretic's hand.

Kai takes his hand to his face, licking the Bennetts' blood that just stained his skin. He closes his eyes at the taste, humming in contentment.

_ Delicious !

He looks back at her, searching her face. She's clenching her jaw, clearly mad, and hurt, fighting the tears threatening to escape her eyes. She doesn't want him to see her cry any more. He's not getting that satisfaction.

His smile drops a second before being replaced by a slight pout of disappointment.

_ Right. You're not in the mood. I get it.

She's dying. It won't be long now. She knows it. She can't even see straight anymore. Her vision's so blurry she doesn't notice Kai biting in his own wrist before presenting it to her mouth.

_ Drink.

At his word, she manages a confused frown, batting her eyes a couple of times. It doesn't help her vision. Although she doesn't need her sight to feel the bloody flesh brushing against her lips.

_ You dying that soon is not part of the plan.

He presses his wrist closer to her mouth.

_ Come on, Bon.

She wants to decline the offer.... but her survival instincts take over. Eyes closed to imagine someone else giving her blood, she grabs his wrist with both her fists, drinking hungrily as though her life depends on it.... which is actually the case. She could swear she hears him sigh in relief. Is it just a near death experience hallucination ? It doesn't matter. She's going to live. A bit longer that is.

When she's had enough of his blood to be completely healed, she lets go of his arm, moving in a sitting position.

_ Better ?

She glances at him, staring daggers through his eyes for a moment. A smile then grows on her face.

_ Feelings are hard, right ?

Kai scoffs, incredulous. Before he can answer, Bonnie mimics his signature wink.

_ Invisique.

She's gone.

Kai stands up from the floor, surprised, and quite impressed. He checks around him. She's nowhere to be found. That filthy little witch has learnt a lot. He grins uncontrollably, staring into space, lost in thoughts....

2. After the wedding massacre, Kai stays around, avoiding most of the fights. The Heretics settle in and take over the town.

One day, Kai receives an invitation to a party hosted by no other than Lily Salvatore. It's supposed to be a 'bury the hatchet' occasion.

The one thought that crosses his mind is the possibility of Bonnie's appearance at that 'peaceful' reunion. It's been a while since their last encounter. He can't wait. He doesn't believe one bit of this agreement bullshit. But he's not denying a little entertainment.

Once at the party, he quickly notices Bonnie in a corner, surely plotting with one of her friends.

_ May I have this dance ?

Hearing this familiar voice makes her shiver out of fear and anger. She turns to face him, repressing the desire to throw him away with magic.

_ I won't bite, I promise. At least not today.

He winks, offering her his right hand.

Bonnie looks back at the person beside her. They both nod, exchanging a knowing silence.

_ One. For peace.

He gives her a smile, repeating ironically.

_ For peace.

He leads them to the middle of the crowd, hands intertwined. He places an arm around her hip. Her hand wrapping around his neck. Bodies pressed against each other for slow dancing. They've never been this close. He's never been allowed anyway....

He's got a restricted amount of time, so he doesn't waste any. He bends his head down to her neck, whispering.

_ I know what you're planning to do. Not the details, but I can imagine. I won't stop you. I don't care what happens to them. They treated me like their personal walking blood bag. They can burn in hell. I came just for you.

They're swaying in synch, as if everything was normal.

_ You're disgusting.

_ Yeah ? You're alive because I decided so.

She huffs in disbelief, biting back.

_ You're the one who had me dying.

_ True. Let's say it's an apology for my mistake.

They keep dancing, moving accordingly to the music's rhythm. He adds.

_ You've never apologised for yours.

She abruptly steps back, frowning in confusion. She doesn't understand.

He presses her back against him. Of course she doesn't recall her mistake. Is she even aware it was one ?

The song's ending. He takes advantage of the remaining seconds.

_ I haven't forgotten how it felt.... I can't wait to taste your blood again.

The moment she finally decides to get him out of her way for good, he's gone. He doesn't reappear for the whole eventful day. He'd told the truth this time....

3. Bonnie is now under the control of the Huntress power. She has to kill vampires. She can't go against her duty. It's literally stronger than her.

The day she becomes that relentless huntress, a certain heretic makes an apparition.

_ Got yourself in trouble yet again ? You can't stop yourself, can you ?

She's almost happy to see his cocky expression staring at her in the dark. The fact that she can't refrain her killing desire might come in handy this time.

_ What are you doing here ?

He smiles at her annoyed tone.

_ I hear there is a new huntress in town. Came to introduce myself !

_ I'm gonna kill you.

_ I figured. You'd rather kill me than your friends, right ? That makes me the perfect bait.

She approaches cautiously, confusion spread on her face.

_ You're willing to die to protect my friends. Have you gone totally insane ?

He chuckles at her insinuation.

_ I'm not protecting their lives. I'm protecting yours.

She frowns, not able to stop her feet.

_ We're both aware that you've got shitty ungrateful friends....

Kai starts stepping back, keeping a safe distance between them.

_ ....still, you wouldn't be able to live with yourself if you ever hurt one of them.

Does he feel some sort of pity ? Is he truly trying to help her ?

_ I'm not completely against the idea of you being desperate and out of your mind....

Here it is.

_ ....but I'd rather be the reason you end up that way.

He gives her his usual psycho smile. That's more like it.

They're now walking in circles, as if slowly chasing one another.

_ You're not much of a talker tonight.

_ I have other plans.

That's when she throws herself at him, weapon in hand. One hit and he's trapped into that hell of a stone.

Luckily he's got some vampire speed to help. He dodges in time. While concentrating to avoid her attacks, he continues speaking.

_ It's funny how it's the second time you try to kill me since I've saved your life. And I'm not talking about the wedding.

The information get to her mind, but she's so caught up in the killing spree, she can't stop her movements.

_ You've never saved me. All you did was threaten me, shoot me, and leave me for dead.

When trying to reach him, Bonnie plants her sword in the nearest tree trunk, earning Kai a bit more time.

_ I was right then. They didn't tell you.

_ Tell me what ?

She takes her sword back, ready to stab him in the right place this time.

_ When you tried to kill yourself in the prison world, I came back for you.

She doesn't answer. Her anger mixes with the huntress power. Kai doesn't stop, dodging every hit.

_ You think that door opened by itself ? Nope ! I almost died doing that spell. Your ex boytoy pushed that switch 'cause I gave my last bit of strength so he could actually do it.

_ You're a liar !

He chuckles bitterly at that word.

_ How come I know your grandma told you to be strong and that's why you tried getting up ?

Bonnie's mind is stunned, but her body's still moving.

Kai's exhausted. The magic he's absorbed right before the encounter is running out. And his vampire abilities are not enough to keep on escaping her blows.

_ You'll have to ask your so-called friends. I did my best.

And just like that, he's gone, again.

Since she didn't mark him he's out of reach for now. She's got another job at hand.... Stefan.

4. Bonnie's finally back to normal. No huntress duty. No monster controlling her friends. She's found a way to get her powers back. More than that, through all the terrible events, she's had a little conversation with Damon. She's definitely not forgiven him for choosing Elena over her that very night.... But since all that happened.... They've come to a truce.

The things Kai had told her while she was under the huntress power.... That always bugged her and she finally asked Damon about it. All of it is true ! More than that, he did risk his own life to save hers. That's the least he should have done after what he put her through.... but it still itches something in her.

Since she got her magic back, as if he's felt it, she's seen the Heretic appear in random places she went to. He's always here, watching her from afar. That teasing's starting to get to her. She needs to take action before he drives her completely mental, or worse.

That's why that day she cuts her palm and casts a spell that indicates Kai's exact whereabouts. The woods, the snow.... As if he's been waiting for that exact moment. A reminder of the day it all went wrong.

_ You're late !

_ We didn't have an appointment. How-

_ Bonnie.

He smiles fondly, like he's reunited with an old friend.

_ I constantly feel your magic. It's got that special taste to it. You know, that aura.

He inhales deeply, as if he could smell it too....

_ You've been following me.

_ Told you I wanted to be the one to make you go insane. How am I doing so far ?

_ Stop that ! You were right.

Kai's stopped in his amusement, but if she wants to get to the heart of the subject, they will.

_ That's what you want me to say. That you were right. What you told me the last time was true.

_ What did I say ?

He knows perfectly what he told her, but he wants to hear the words come out of her mouth.

_ You came back for me. In the prison world. You prevented me from-

_ I did.

She's not sure if he wants to acknowledge that fact once more, or if the mention of attempted suicide is somehow too much now....

_ I did, and you left me.

_ I didn't know-

_ You could have let me back home, to the present. Then you could have just let me go or kill me, whatever. But no, you did the worst thing you could do to me. You left me in that damn prison !

His voice's louder, angrier. He's come closer, a few steps. She can feel the heat of his anger emanating from his body.

_ You're a murderer Kai ! You think I was gonna let you go ? You left me for dead.

_ And I came back ! You didn't.

She stays silent.

_ I changed, and you still left me. You didn't believe me.

_ And you murdered most of a wedding's guests because of a heartbreak ?

_ Yeah, 'cause your friends are so pure as the driven snow. That's why you forgive them every time. But I was never deemed worth it, right ? It all comes back to the same at the end.

He comes even closer, walking up to her with each word.

_ I'm not even the black sheep anymore. I'm the big bad wolf. That's what you think, huh ? Maybe you're right.

He grins wickedly. He's so close she can feel his breath when he speaks.

_ And you know what wolf do ? They bite !

The moment his eyes change colour and his fangs appear, she gets him flying away.

_ Motus !

Kai's back hits a tree and Bonnie begins chanting. Chains appear around him, binding him to the trunk.

Kai groans out of pain but he's soon composed again. He raises his head to her, pulling on the chains.

_ Getting a bit kinky ? I'm not complaining.

A playful grin on his lips, and that's what it takes for her to pull out the stake she has in her back pocket. She places it right on his chest, before his heart.

_ Oh, so that's it ? You've finally decided to kill me. What took you so long ?

He's 'calm', totally unperturbed.... He was expecting it ? And he came all the same ?

_ You want to die ?

She's horrified by her own statement. The man who fought so hard to get to live is willing to die at her hands.

_ I surely thought I'd stay on earth a while longer.... but perish at the hand of my own nemesis. What an end !

She realises something.

_ That's what you wanted last time ? When I became the huntress. You wanted me to kill you ?

_ Oh, no. I wanted to get your friends a little more time, and it worked.

_ Why ?

_ Why what ?

_ Why did you do it ? Why do you keep me alive ? You've shot me, you've stabbed me, you've brought me to the brink of death.... And you've always kept me there.

She pauses a moment. That man saved her from suicide. She's one of the few he kept alive at the wedding, even if it was out of spite and how terrible it sounds. He kept her busy when she was the huntress so her friends had more time to escape and find a way to break the link. It's hard to admit but he does cares for her in his own twisted way....

_ You're a challenge, Bonnie Bennett.

In that instant, she's attracted by his eyes. He wears so much confidence on the outside, but his eyes say otherwise. The more she looks into them, the more she seems to grasp glimpses of the man she's known. The man who said he's changed. The man who looked so scared when she stabbed him that snowy day.... She's so lost in his eyes that she doesn't catch his murmuring.

He's played with her life in that awful special way. She's gonna give him the same treatment. A final fatal encounter.

When she plunges the stake in his flesh, she hears his painful moans. Without thinking twice, she leans to put her lips against his, muffling his cries in a kiss.

She's always had that repressed desire for him. She knows she shouldn't, but it's been here since the beginning. He's reaching the end. She can at least make it slightly bearable.

When she pulls out, his cries have stopped. The stake is planted deep in his chest....

_ I'm not sure what's best. This or your blood. I'd be tempted to say your blood, but this comes close second. I say that again, I'll have another taste one day.

He did not desiccate? Why did he not desiccate ?

Her eyes go wide. She takes a huge step back, appalled. The chains fall from Kai's body.

_ Ahh, Bonnie Bennett. Still that easy to be fooled.

Kai removes the stake from his chest in one swift movement, dropping it to the ground.

_ Plastic.

He stretches his arms then cracks his neck.

_ See you soon my sweet Bonster.

He smiles warmly, gives her a quick wink, then suddenly disappears.

The man came to verbally fight. He let himself get hurt. She kissed him. He obviously siphoned the magic from the chains. And he transformed the stake into plastic with a murmured spell....

He got away. Again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for reading, did you like the short stories ?

I spent all night writing this. It took me basically 6 hours. That's alright.

Thank you for your suggestion 'anonymous'. I took a long time to respond and I'm sorry. I hope it lives up to your expectations. If not, please tell me more about what you expected me to write. I might understand the cat and mouse trope a lot more.

If you find any language mistake please feel free to let me know in DMs.

XO 🩷

[snickerdoodlesart]

what’s the heretic’s deal? :>

catching up on a few asks because i've been neglecting them recently The Heretic is a recent fella so not everything regarding them has been written, but they're based off the fact that the Ancient's belief about karma is just that, belief. The Ancient's karma system is designed to die as history buries them and time goes on. "They will be forgotten, and their old religion has no place in the making of a new, godless world." The Heretic has formed their own belief that contrasts the karma system. Consequently, they don't have normal karma, instead their own unique karma symbol that the slug is permanently tied to. They are so out of tune and totally spiritually wack in comparison to their karma attuned surroundings that karma gates merely break around them, forcibly being converted into their karma and opening, and guardians get stunned trying to comprehend the Heretic's karma before getting mad and flinging them. So they basically just fuck up any of the machinery that depends on karma around them by their presence alone. Their perspective aligns pretty well with the Undergrowth echo too, and they probably see the Void Sea as some pseudo hell trying to consume the world.

They are like evil fucked up reverse Saint, colors and all.

If they were ever ingame, besides breaking karma gates their abilities would probably include making lanterns out of blue fruits Arti-style at the cost of food pips and eating karma flowers would stun them for a bit.

[bitsofbats]

Batman and Robin #38, 2015 Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, and John Kalisz

[ben-the-hyena]

Characters I see as in love and having been married for years by the time of the main plot and my excuse for why it's not canon aka not seen or said is because either they don't appear enough, or we only see scenes in which they are casual, or even simply are not the lovey dovey sorts depending of whom

[classicfilmpunk]

Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)