#Umbra the Shepherd

[the-sky-queen]

Here's a ton bc your oc's are cool lmao hope you don't mind :

Nexus : 12, 22, and 23

Aurora : 25 and 30

Shade : 14 and 15

Umbra : 11

Melody : 16 and 17

Aela : 6 and 9

Blake : 9 and 10

:)

I don't mind at all! I very nearly cackled out loud on the bus when I got this. Thank you, Total! You make me happy. Alright, here we go!

Nexus the Unlimited

12. Are they good with Chao, Wisps, or any other sort of creature?

Not really. Nexus thinks that critters are cute, but he isn't really specifically good with them. He has a soft spot for Flickies though. :)

22. How are they with technology?

Nexus is decent at technology, but it's not really his strong suit. If he needs to gather information, he'd much rather talk to people or go through the library manually.

23. What is their preferred method of combat?

Nexus relies heavily on his vast library of Chaos Powers. It's his go-to for fighting. He usually channels his powers through his fists and legs in standard physical combat, but he has also been known to use a sword on occasion.

Aurora Hope

25. What’s the strangest thing about them?

Aurora's powers are pretty strange. But I won't go into them here since that's another question option. :P

30. What is their main goal/motive?

Right now, Aurora's focusing on fixing the future she came from, overthrowing all the gangs and reorganizing society. Not an easy task, but she has faith that she'll be able to do it. After that, she hopes to build her relationship with Shade.

Shade the Shadow Android

14. What makes them the happiest?

Being with his friends. :) A close second is just exploring and learning as much as he can. (Aurora also makes him very happy. He is so in love with her!)

15. What makes them feel angry/upset?

People messing with his friends. Specifically Aurora. Aela attacked Shade and Aurora once and Shade went absolutely crazy.

Umbra the Shepherd

11. Do they have any rivals?

For the longest time, the answer to this question was Nexus. But ever since Nexus got his memory back, he and Umbra have reconciled and are now actually good friends. So Umbra doesn't really have a specific rival right now.

Melody the Hawk/Aela the Shepherd

Gonna clear something up real quick since you listed questions for Melody and Aela. The 'two' are actually just one person. She just has two names. She went by Melody when she was a kid and changed her name to Aela when she became a Shepherd. (Backstory shenanigans! >:D) She responds to both names though and you can call her whichever you want.

16. Biggest strengths?

Melody's biggest strength is her unwavering resolve. She doesn't give up easily.

17. Biggest weaknesses/flaws?

She's a bit too loyal. She always carries out orders, even if she doesn't agree with her superior. It's a flaw Melody has recognized in herself and hates. It's one reason why Melody's so open to people proving her wrong. She knows that what she's been told to do isn't quite right, but she can't bring herself to disagree. So she likes it when other people prove that it was wrong and she gets to smirk to herself that her gut feeling was right.

6. Favorite Food?

Hmm. I'll have to say hot chocolate! Not exactly a food, but she used to make it with her mom all the time.

9. Who are they closest with?

Melody has a really close bond with her pet Cosmic Flicky, Jim! He's a sassy little bird and I love him so much.

Blake the Pyromaniac Porcupine

9. Who are they closest with?

Blake doesn't really have any friends. The members of the cult that raised him took care of him as a collective and he wasn't allowed to make friends outside of the group. All that was important was his destiny.

10. Is there someone they hate/dislike?

Oh, definitely! Blake is always picking fights with the Sonic of his timeline. They have a similar habit of bantering during battles, and Blake despises that. He doesn't like to think about how similar he and Sonic could be if he actually spent the time to look. Blake has a destiny to fulfil! He doesn't need to think about what-ifs! No. There's no way he ever could've been like Sonic. Bleh. Gross.

[ackerfics]

to the girls who are failed by the narrative: masterlist | jjk

enclosed here are stories of tragedy; of loving someone too much that his loss becomes your ruination, of waves of blue and black that threatens to wash your cheeks with the colors of summer, of curses trapping you in prophecies not even a red string can break, of unlikely saviours and damsels who fell harder for each other.

note: all of these are connected. every character has their own 'reader' (except for yuta). once we move on to the next character, the previous reader will be given a nickname. i am actually excited about this <5 consider this as my official comeback (?) here on this site.

my love is mine all mine — zen'in toji (later fushiguro) x reader

: 'the glorified womb', 'the heir bearer', 'the blessed flower of the jujutsu society' — they are just some of the titles given to the women of your mother's clan, and all of them eventually fell to you, the prodigal firstborn who has the misfortune of birthing someone who will be stronger than their predecessors. with the fate of someone's clan on your shoulders, there are only a handful of things told to you while growing up; be as demure as you can be, never open your mouth and squash your thoughts, sit with a posture befitting that of a lady wearing an invisible yet heavy diadem. but the one that rings the most goes like this: your only purpose in this world is to be a silent wife to a man who will give you the opportunity to carry the next generation of powerful sorcerers. you remember all of these as you walk toward zen'in ogi in your uchikake, the constricting material around your waist akin to the gripping hold of your cursed technique.

and in fate's funny little ways of fabricating legacies and stories, you forget them when you are spirited away by the man who always welcomes the coming of the seasons with you without fail.

chapters:

i: their redness talks to my wounds

ii: in our circle of green

iii: the answer will be an echo: why did you do this?

iv: coming soon !!

v: coming soon !!

to love and be loved is to rest  — gojo satoru (w. geto suguru) x reader

: you knew you will never love gojo satoru, the godling that will make kingdom come if he so wished it, the moment he pushed you into a puddle of muddy water the day your older sister was announced to be engaged to the possible heir of the zen'in clan. with your new kimono drenched in brown splatters and your hair in disarray, the little white rat had the gall to cackle in front of majority of the jujutsu society. that was the day you vowed to always harbour hate for him. yet for some weird reason, gojo becomes a constant in your life — the only one to ever see you at your weakest when your sister abandoned you to become the next bride and the only one who promised to return your youth to you by being your semblance of normalcy among the decaying beliefs and elders of the jujutsu society.

you thought you will never know love until you met geto suguru and all his gentle smiles, warm demeanour, and weird fringe. and before you know it, your little world with gojo expanded to include geto, ieiri, and the colours of summer throughout the year. but summer will always fade away to autumn, a season that chills you to the bone and sets glaciers in your blood, its fingers promising change like no other.

because it was fall of 2007 that you wish you never knew what love is at all.

chapters: coming soon !!

except for your eyes, no blade can control me  — fushiguro megumi x reader

: coming soon !!

[bonus] hearts be burned asunder with love — okkotsu yuta x oc

: it's a new generation of sorcerers and the flower of the jujutsu society truly lived up to her fate of carrying new heirs for a dying clan. from her union with the nefarious sorcerer killer comes a blessing and a festival; a shepherd of umbras in the shape of animal curses and the other an amalgamation of opposing energies.

the moment fushiguro matsuri first sung her pleas to the world, the shadows danced and the flowers tried reaching for a speck of light. and it is when she was finally swallowed by the mass of shadows that her twin brother first saw how cruel their part of the world can be.

it's november 2017 and a cursed womb has been spotted hanging like an ominous raindrop of cynicism above a remote forest near a clan compound. all sorcerers near the area are dispatched to the scene but fushiguro megumi has one request to his mentor (begrudging uncle), bring the first-year jujutsu high student he met a few months ago to where the cursed womb is. after all, okkotsu yuta is the only sorcerer megumi openly respects to save his sister and matsuri is the only person everyone expects to neutralize the queen of curses if the time comes for the sword to reap its harvest.

: coming soon !!

send an ask or reply if you want to be added to the taglist <3

[atma909]

My 6th Lucina Crossover entry. Lucina as a Umbra Witch and Lumen Sage from Bayonetta. They are drawn in the style of the series concept artist, Mari Shimazaki. 

My backstory is that Lucina was once the daughter of a shepherd in olden times, but after an attack from the demon Grima left her an orphan, she was taken in by the Lumen Sages. She was then used in experiments to try and create an artificial Left Eye, resulting in memory loss.

She would eventually be saved and recruited by the Umbra Witches. With her newfound power, she would stop the demon Grima and have a friend of a friend seal it into the weapon Serpent Blade: Grima.

[banerpg]

STORM SAINT / NAME UTP

WIZARD ( MAGE ).  IDENTITY UTP.  ( 30+ / 530+ ).  Faceclaim Utp.

There at the end of the world, you witnessed the land and your mage kin enveloped by Asgrim’s great and terrible umbra. There, at the end of the world, amidst the screams of destriers and dying men, the bulk of the realms retreating, you chose to remain with the elven host — to die with them, as your kind should. And then, exsanguinating upon the scorched earth, you recalled a brilliant light as the blood slowed and the cold spread from limb to limb. You died with the honour that the mages had forsaken. Or so you thought. You awoke in Miras, recovered by the elves and healed by their ancient magic. Met by the elven prince, you were seen to the border of Elendim and left as a friend of the elves, bestowed with the gift of long life for your sacrifice. Five centuries have since surpassed you, in the time of which you have outlived the common mage and played advisor to the royal line of Nansir, keeping peace when able, wishing for change when you do not have the position to shepherd it in. At most, you bear the knowledge of the past and can discern the darkness as it rises — though that did not save the emperor, did it ? But you recognise this same desire to cultivate a new order within GOD BURNER. And if you can keep them alive on the journey, perhaps you can mend the age-old wounds betwixt the realms with them upon the throne. However it will not be easy, as they are a storm that rivals even the wild of your lightning.

STORM SAINT IS OPEN AND THEIR SPECIAL STAT IS INTELLIGENCE.

[zzkt]

recent listening AUG 2023

Farmers Manual - Explorers_We

Fawn Limbs - Sleeper Vessels

Dharma - Treasury Of The True Dharma Eye正法眼藏

Fawn Limbs - Oleum

farmersmanual - 11.84.0.-1.0-1.1-1

Drew McDowall - Lamina

Divide and Dissolve - Systemic

Almyrkvi - Umbra

:zoviet*france: & Fossil Aerosol Mining Project - Patina Pooling

Fennesz - Hotel Paral.lel (2022 Remaster)

Senyawa - Alkisah

Flagitious Idiosyncrasy in the Dilapidation - Flagitious Idiosyncrasy in the Dilapidation

Freida Abtan - subtle movements

Heretic Plague - Context Is a Stumbling Corpse

Kode9 - Escapology

Yui Onodera - Synergetics / Entropy

Blut aus Nord - Odinist - The Destruction of Reason By Illumination

Konvent - Call Down The Sun

33EMYBW - Golem

Blut aus Nord - 777 - The Desanctification

Worm Shepherd - In The Wake Ov Sòl

กาฬพราย - โพธสนธยา (Bodhisandhyā)

Decoherence - More Is Different

Divide and Dissolve - Gas Lit (Expanded)

General Magic - Softbop

loscil // lawrence english - Colours Of Air

Rắn Cạp Đuôi Collective - Ngủ Ngày Ngay Ngày Tận Thế

Alessandro Cortini - SCURO CHIARO

Blut aus Nord - Disharmonium - Undreamable Abysses

Blut aus Nord - The Work Which Transforms God

Dewa Alit & Gamelan Salukat - Chasing the Phantom

farmersmanual - sorted

Goat (JP) - Rhythm & Sound

Sunn O))) - Pyroclasts

Alessandro Cortini - Volume Massimo

Chris Abrahams - Follower

Jasmine Guffond - Degradation Loops

Scorn - Cafe Mor

a0n0 - Underground Sea

Antony Coppens - Antony Coppens

Colin Stetson - Chimæra I

Dharma - BHAISAJYAGURU

Flagitious Idiosyncrasy in the Dilapidation - 覚醒

Foam - “From that historically brief quite opaque moment, came the chaos of our material history, an anarchy of chronology, of mismatched remnants…”

MC Yallah - Yallah Beibe

Nik Colk Void - Bucked Up Space

Tomoroh Hidari - Oblivion Engine

Autechre - Envane

Ben Frost - Broken Spectre

Blut aus Nord - MoRT

Deathprod - Compositions

FRKTL - Azimuth

General Magic - Frantz

Goat (JP) - NEW GAMES

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!

Keiji Haino - My lord Music...

Philip Jeck - 7

Powell + LCO - 26 Lives

rilla - Yukou / 遊光 EP

Simon Scott - Long Drove

upsammy - Zoom

Akira Rabelais - Eisoptrophobia

Akira Rabelais - Spellewauerynsherde

Aphex Twin - Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a room7 F760

Blut aus Nord - 777 - Cosmosophy

Christina Vantzou - Multi Natural

Colin Stetson - New History Warfare Vol.1

Colin Stetson - New History Warfare Vol.2: Judges

DATA PAGAN - DATA PAGAN

Deathprod - Occulting Disk

Diamanda Galás - The Divine Punishment (2022 Remaster)

Fennesz - Seven Stars

Jana Winderen - The Blue Beyond

L7 - Smell the Magic

Paleowolf - Primordial

Plaid - Black Dog Productions - Bytes

Roland Kayn - Scanning (Kybernetische Musik IV)

Suum Cuique - Ascetic Ideals

Tony Buck - Environmental Studies

Blut aus Nord - Deus Salutis Meae

Blut aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta I: Fathers of the Icy Age

Caterina Barbieri - Ecstatic Computation

Ceephax - Cro Magnox

Dewa Alit & Gamelan Salukat - Genetic

Ecko Bazz - Mmaso

Electric Sewer Age - Moon's Milk In Final Phase

Éliane Radigue - Trilogie de la Mort

Eomac - Cracks

Gullibloon - Wahnsinn

Heruka - བརྟུལ་ཞུགས་སྤྱོད་པ་ (Tulzhug Chöpa)

Humanoid - sT8818r Humanoid

Ital Tek - Seraph

JK Flesh - Sewer Bait

Kiwanoid - enter the untitled

Klara Lewis & Nik Colk Void - Full-On

Konx-om-Pax - Cabin Fever EP

Lee Gamble - Diversions 1994-1996

Mira Calix - a̶b̶s̶e̶n̶t̶ origin

NGLO - CAC CAC CAC

Paleowolf - Archetypal

[whitexdove]

official guide to umbra and pryna -- umbra cropped weird because tumblr hates images but here they are ! speculative biology under the cut

theyre capable of parthenogenesis, which is like reproducing without a male. kinda like what happened in jurassic park with them all being girls but having that frog dna. it's been seen in all sorts of animals and i'd have to scramble for like, the exact animal i went with for them (though they probably had different animals) yes this has led to a silly little hypothetical of umbra straight up spawning a cub. suprrise fuckers. i am committing to it though because like. science is fucking weird. so they're basically mammals. but they also have just some... interesting dna the goal was intelligence and good guard/weapons. so i'm thinking there's even like, gray parrot/dolphin/raccoon/crow like. high intelligence. these two are capable of speech so the bird dna could have contributed (i also was like... well what if dna was scraped from remains of a species in the same taxonomal family as nanaki) umbra as the king cheetah as the base, and german shepherd. HOWEVER. she also has other breeds and animals that mellow out the anxiety of a cheetah and the aggression/protectiveness of a GSD. she's not going to like, tear someone apart if rufus is having a meltdown pryna is a siberian tiger base with tibetan mastiff. she is BUFF and FLUFFY. her coat is very soft and very long. she's an aggressive guard animal, but not reactive. like she's dialed back and more alert

[2:21 AM]oh i'm goad that sent

[2:22 AM]ah yeah the parthenogenesis either come from the fish thing or the bird thing i think

[risingsh0t]

🖊🖊🖊🖊 for rune!!

🖊️ rune's window cat resembles a siamese cat. she names him umbra!

🖊️ she's always wanted purple hair with multiple shades, but never had the means or funds to do so. when she joins the shepherds it's one of the first things she does, although it's a novice dye job since she's new to it. eventually lavinet hires professionals to fix it up the way rune has always pictured.

🖊️ a picky eater except when it comes to desserts. honey pudding is a must when going to the tavern with one of the other shepherds and it's no surprise that she also loves lavender dumplings from capra. also, she really hates beer.

🖊️ something of comfort for her is writing letters to people she misses (or has lost) and never sending them. so she has several addressed to red that i imagine he would eventually find lmao 🥲

[dionysus-complex]

Hic tamen hanc mecum poteras requiescere noctem fronde super viridi: sunt nobis mitia poma, castaneae molles et pressi copia lactis; et iam summa procul villarum culmina fumant maioresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrae. (Vergil, Ecl. 1.79-83)

Nevertheless you were able to rest here with me for this night on the green foliage: there are gentle fruits for us, soft chestnuts and an abundance of cheese. And now, in the distance, the highest roofs of the country-houses are smoking, and greater shadows fall from the high mountains.

undique convenere, animis opibusque parati, in quascumque velim pelago deducere terras. iamque iugis summae surgebat Lucifer Idae ducebatque diem, Danaique obsessa tenebant limina portarum, nec spes opis ulla dabatur. cessi et sublato montis genitore petivi. (Vergil, Aeneid 2.799-804) They came together from all directions, prepared in their hearts and in their means for whatever lands I should wish to lead them to across the sea. And now, the morning star was rising over the highest ridge of Ida and leading on the day, and the Danaans were holding the blockaded threshold of the gates, nor was any hope of aid given. I withdrew and, with my father carried aloft, I sought the mountains.

...

anyways I’m just thinking about how the end of Eclogue 1 and the end of Aeneid 2 can be read as mirror images of one another -- the ominous shadows of violence and civil war descending over the high mountains in Ecl. 1 versus the morning star and its glimmer of hope drawing Aeneas and his companions into the mountains, the suggestion of the imminent ruin of the pastoral world versus Aeneas’s (temporary) escape from that desolation and ruin into a pastoral space

and add to this that of course the similes in Aeneid 2 are all drawn from the pastoral world (Troy is a great tree falling on a high mountaintop; Aeneas is the unknowing shepherd who watches his fields burn), and so the move that Aeneas and companions make at the end of Aeneid 2 is effectively to flee into the vehicle of their similes, into the Aeneid’s own metatext, into another moment in Vergil’s own poetic career and the place where you might say it all began

[ivyprism]

Pets... Because I have more characters

Skeleton and Half-Skeleton Characters -

Papyrus owns a Saint Bernard named Puzzle! (Plus the annoying Dog.) Sans has a pet rock named, expertly, "Rocky".

Cardinal has a pitbull named Spike. Plus a pet mouse that he saved from the jaws of death from Goose (he named this mouse Pikachu). And a cat named Pepper. Captain has a cat named Goose.

Stretch decided to adopt a German Pinscher named Reaper. Blue has no pet at this current point in time.

Airen owns a ball python named Noodle and a cat named Tom. Dolce, ironically, owns a mouse named Jerry.

Caramel has a spider named "Drake". His brother has no pets.

Hound has a possum (he caught in the garbage) and named her "Trash".

Chai is gonna own lots of chickens and his brother, Ceylon, is probably gonna adopt an Australian Cattle dog named Adalaide.

Cinnamon owns a siamese cat named Norris. Clove has no pets currently.

Cassia's Doomfanger (Goose), unfortunately, passed away during the famine. But he does have all of his Goose's litter. He named them Akira, Diva, Everest, Max, and Skadi. Chive decided to adopt a husky named Diesel.

Roscoe has a German Shepherd named Winona. Commander adopted a rescue Ragdoll cat named Peggy.

Griffin owns a messenger hawk named Tweety. Sentinel owns a Belgian Malinois named Magnus.

Conroy owned a goldfish named Goldy. Rain also has a Belgian Malinois named Fudge.

Bliss has a wolf named "Kylo". Comet and Umbra both have Siamese Cats named Milo and Charlie. Dusk has a wolf named Scout.

Sienna has a wolf named Mishka while her sister has a wolf named Katniss.

Citron owns a wolf named Frostine. Vapor has a pet swan named Fenella.

Galactica has a cute little tuxedo cat named "Queen". Her sisters don't have any known pets.

Poison has two dogs one named Bessie and the other named Achilles.

Pike has a mouse named Nugget. Elixir used to have a bloodhound named Otis.

Various Other Characters -

Prism has a cat named Leon. Piper has a mixed husky named Midnight. Ivy has two cats, one named Autumn, the other named Izzy. Ivy also has a dog named Aspen.

Yuki owns a cat named "Snowball". Lucy has a goat named Buttons. Mavis has a rooster named Cloud and Markus has a hen named Sunny. Leo has a lion named Alex. Sakura and Kaede have twin cats one named Cherry, the other named Blossom.

Sparrow has a hawk named Hunk.

Ayla has a fox named Sun. Cyra has a wolf named Moon.

Hydrangea has two cats and a Great Dane. Her cats are named Oreo and Coco. Her Great Dane is named Stella.

Hydra has a cat named Boots.

Harper has a cat named Angel.

Honor owns a cat named Bella.

Terra has three cats named Ares, Athena, and Nemesis. Terra also has a Corgi named Dionysus. Savanna has a Maine Coon named Merlin.

Hala has a hawk!

Nurse owns a white persian cat named Jewel.

Birdie has a sparrow named Angelbird.

Leanna and Louella own twin German shepherds named Ghost and Zoe.

Lotus owns a beautiful white bird named Weiss.

Lilium owns a Rottweiler named Moose.

Pele owns a raven named Robyn and a Bombay cat named Sabrina. Iyla also owns a raven named Tori and a white American Shorthair cat named Bianca. Isaac owns a tuxedo cat named Sylvester. (Faye is always with Sabrina as her mother offered her to her as a gift.)

Bourne owns two flat-coated retrievers named Rusty and Flora. He also owns at least three horses named Sunny, Lady, and Tucker.

Camila owns a dragon named Brenna.

Ariella owns a Burmese cat named Teddy.

-------

@kiokooo/ @kiokodoodles @the1920sisntaphasemom @ratsoh-writes @underfell-crystal @913cell

Undertale by Toby Foxx

Underfell by Underfell Fan (adopted by Fandom)

Underswap by Popcorn Pr1nce

Fellswap Red by… Unknown???

Horrortale by Sour-Apple-Studios

Horrorswap and Horrorfell were made by unknown people.

Mafiafell is owned by Staringback and the comic was made by Cutthroat-Jutsu on Deviantart and by Melikas on Twitter. (However. This is a different AU since this doesn’t take place in the 1920s)

Underlust made by NSFWShamecave (Again. Minors. Stay far away from this AU.)

Dreamtale by Joku blog

Fellswap Amaranth by me!

Angels Fall AU by me!

My Old AU by me!

[7-wonders]

Circling the Drain

Summary: It's a race against time...wait, why do people say that? It's not a race against some outside force, it's a race against a crazed back-from-the-dead mafioso with a vengeance.

Word Count: 3454

A/N: I tried something a little different for this chapter in terms of formatting, mainly because there was so much I wanted to fit in different POVS. Uhhhhh let me know your thoughts and like, comments and reblogs make my world go round. ALSO that second gif is exactly how I imagine a certain scene (you'll know it when you read it).

Warnings: Very torture heavy chapter. Blood, torture methods, guns, knives, kidnappings, talk of death. You should probably go pet some puppies or kittens after you read this.

Previous chapters of Memento Mori: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11

Duncan

It’s difficult to know how much time has passed since Duncan was last outside of this small concrete room. There’s no windows to let light in, no clocks to denote the hour, and no sort of schedule that he can catch on to. Although, even if there were a schedule, he would be too delirious from sleep deprivation to realize that there was one. The only thing that Duncan can count on is the unending torture at the hands of his uncle.

All of the crisis training in the world wouldn’t have prepared him for the physical and mental torture that he’s been put through. Though he doesn’t know it, it’s been almost seventy-two hours of this absolute hell, of Bill beating him black and blue, taunting him, slowly ripping out fingernails one by one (somehow, he still has six, though one of the six is just barely hanging on), refusing to let him sleep, and tasing him back to consciousness whenever he tries to close his eyes. This most recent time, the throbbing of his head had begged him enough to where he finally closed his eyes, only to be jolted up with a rush of electricity running through his body and seizing his muscles.

“You still think you’re getting out of it that easy, huh? That you can fall asleep and bide your time until you’re ‘rescued?’” Bill chuckles. “No, it’s not that easy.”

“Just kill me already, if that’s what you’re planning on,” Duncan says through clenched teeth, glaring up at Bill through the one eye that’s not completely swollen shut.

“Is that what you want? You want me to kill you?” His obviously-fake concern would enough to make bile rise in Duncan’s throat, if he had actually had anything left in his stomach.

“You want me to beg for it, don’t you?”

“I guess I underestimated you. Turns out you do have some sort of critical thinking skills.”

Duncan defiantly turns his head, refusing to give Bill what he wants. Realizing this, Bill begins to walk towards the door. As he does, going to flick off the single light bulb in this place, Duncan’s chest tightens in anticipation of the claustrophobia he’ll surely begin to feel (most likely a side-effect of what he’s gone through, considering he’s never been scared of dark spaces before) and he scrambles to stall him. “So why are you keeping me alive?”

Bill stops for a moment before slowly turning around. “I already told you.”

“No, I know that you want revenge. But what’s your plan? Why waste your time? Surely you’ll at least give me the honor of knowing what I’m dying for?”

His jaw clenches, not pleased with that last question, but he doesn’t hit Duncan. Yet. “I’m taking back what’s mine, and then some.”

“And you think Mom’s going to be okay with that?”

“Your poor mother is going to be more than okay with that when she finds out that the Coven killed her only child.”

Slowly, it dawns on Duncan. “You’re the one that’s been killing people in the Coven’s style and leaving them in our territory?”

“Of course I am!” Bill holds his arms out as if to say ‘tah-dah!’ “Cordelia Goode would never be so bold as to do that! But after I kill you, drain you of your blood, cut your tongue out, dump you in the Potomac, and reappear into society, people won’t care about that little fact. Especially after I reveal that it was the Coven that prompted me to fake my own death and go into hiding for years.”

“How long were you planning this?”

“About a year before you stabbed me, when I realized that you were far too…” he grits his teeth, “charismatic to not end up with the family business eventually. That’s why I always made sure that the police and paramedics were well-paid, just in case the day ever came that I needed them to lie on my behalf.”

“You have it all planned then, so why not just do it and kill me now?”

“Well, there are a couple of minor issues I still need to work out.” Bill glances at Duncan slyly. “Such as what to do with that girlfriend of yours.”

In a flash, Duncan sees red. He lunges, forgetting the fact that he’s chained to the radiator and can only go so far until his ankle is jerked violently and he falls back to the ground. “You leave her alone, she’s done nothing wrong!”

“You’re right, she hasn’t, but (Y/N) knows too much.”

Duncan’s heart skips a beat when he realizes that Bill (predictably) knows more than he should.

“I’m thinking a suicide? It’s very believable, what with the grieving girlfriend and all.” Bill steps forward and, ever so slowly, places his foot on one of Duncan’s hands. “Maybe she slits her wrists in the bath? It’s very easy to overpower someone when they’re vulnerable. Or perhaps she overdoses? That’s not my preferred method, though, far too much room for someone to survive an overdose. Tell me, Duncan, how would you prefer that she die?” With each possible method, Bill continues to lay more pressure on Duncan’s hand until Duncan is moaning in pain.

“Don’t...hurt her,” Duncan pants.

Bill finally removes his foot, giving Duncan a moment to breathe before he stomps on his hand, digging the toe of his shoe in until Duncan is screaming and Bill is sure his hand is broken. “I think she’ll jump into the Potomac with a weight tied around her ankle. The poeticism--her drowning in the same river that your body will be found in--is something that’s just too good to pass up.”

“I’ll kill you. I swear to God, I’ll kill you again and make sure that it sticks this time.” Tears are streaming down Duncan’s face, though whether that’s from the physical or emotional agony he’s in, he can’t be sure.

“We’ll see about that, won’t we?” Bill smiles, walking to the light switch and flicking it off. “I’ll be back in a bit, and then our final act can finally begin.”

This time, Duncan doesn’t stop him before he leaves, barely letting the door close before his willpower crumbles and he begins to sob. Cradling his injured hand, he has to force himself to look at the now-mangled fingers. He gasps, attempting to straighten them out, but they refuse to even twitch in response. It’s now that Duncan realizes that the true torture is waiting. His mind and body shattered, he now has to be at the mercy of Bill Shepherd before he can finally die. He’s never wished for death before, but now, he feels a pang in his heart for every one of his victims that have had to wait, broken and bruised, for Duncan to kill them.

You

“Does this location have any significance to you?” Cordelia asks Annette, pointing to an address hastily written down on a scrap of paper. The address corresponds to a building, fairly nondescript, but obviously holding some sort of significance.

“No, it doesn’t.” Annette shakes her head.

“That’s because this is the location of the first school that I opened here in D.C. Bastard’s really going all in on trying to frame me for everything he’s done.”

(Y/N), who had previously been dozing off on Langdon’s lap (Langdon had already made her swear not to tell anybody or else he would kill her in her dreams like Freddy Kreuger), sits straight up at this moment. “What makes you think he’s there?” she asks.

“This car.” Cordelia pulls another paper out from the folder she had brought with her, this one a picture of a Mercedes E-Class. “It’s been back and forth from Umbra to the old school numerous times in the past two days. License plates are registered back to Umbra.”

“So it’s definitely Bill, then.”

“I’m not typically a betting woman, but I would put money on this. Surveillance indicates that this car has been parked in front of the Goode Academy for six straight hours now.”

(Y/N) doesn’t know much about hostage situations, but she has to assume that Bill being where Duncan is held captive for an extended amount of time means nothing good.

“We need to move now, then,” Annette says. There’s no question behind her voice; she’s going to get her son.

“Yes. Your team?”

“Myself, Langdon, and (Y/N).”

Cordelia glances warily at (Y/N). “Do you have combat experience?”

“Duncan trained me to fight, and also did some weapons training with me,” (Y/N) says.

“That’s good enough.” (Y/N) tries not to be offended. “I have myself, Madison, Misty, and Mallory.”

“We’re going?” Mallory, a brunette wearing a gold headband, says.

“I need my best girls, and you three have proven yourselves.”

“Alright then, let’s go.” Annette grabs a key from around her neck and unlocks what you thought to be a closet door, opening it to reveal a weapons cache large enough to rival a small government’s. “Stock up.”

“Which gun are you most comfortable with?” Langdon asks (Y/N), the two standing side-by-side after everybody else has had their turn.

“Uh, I don’t really know the names. It’s a handgun, and it’s black.”

“Probably a Springfield, then.” Langdon hands (Y/N) a gun that looks similar to ones that she’s handled before. “It’s already loaded.”

“Thanks.” She glances at Langdon after holstering her own weapon, watching as he selects numerous guns of different sizes. “What if we’re too late?”

“We won’t be.”

“But you heard what Cordelia said. Bill’s been there for six straight hours now. He could have--”

“You’re right, he could have,” Langdon interrupts. “But we can’t go in there assuming that the worst outcome has come true. We have to have hope. If nothing else, there’s always hope.”

“I have hope.”

“Good, because I do, too.” Langdon grabs a knife from the weapons closet, twirling the tip of the blade on his index finger. “Now let’s go get Duncan back.”

Duncan

Bill stands before Duncan, twirling the tip of a knife on his index finger. “I’ve held onto this for six years now. Do you recognize it?”

Of course Duncan recognizes the knife that he stabbed his uncle with. In his dreams, he can still feel the cool leather handle gripped tightly in his palm.

“It’s something of a treasure to me, although it certainly didn’t seem like it at first. I’ve come to recognize the significance of holding the thing that almost killed me, and I like to keep it as a reminder.” Bill holds the knife out to Duncan, knowing he’s too weak to fight him for it. “See that on the blade? Why don’t you read it for me?”

Cursive lettering is engraved on the blade, though it was not there when the knife had been in Duncan’s possession. “Memento mori,” Duncan mutters, trying to remember his Latin lessons from high school.

“It was an extremely popular phrase during the medieval period, specifically when it came to funerals. ‘Remember you must die.’ It’s a warning, a reminder. That’s what this knife has become to me, a reminder of the inevitability of death. It also reminds me that I’ve survived death before, and I’ll surely survive it again.”

“Quite the sense of humor,” Duncan remarks dryly.

Bill shrugs, bending down to Duncan’s level. “A little gauche, perhaps, but I enjoy the significance of the phrase.”

Duncan’s about to ask him what the point of this is when Bill shows him by shoving the knife into his abdomen. Duncan grunts in pain, gritting his teeth and glaring at him. “Of course you’re going to stab me just like I stabbed you.”

“Do you know how I managed to survive?” Bill asks.

“I’ve tried not to think about it much.”

“I survived,” Bill continues, “because you were too stupid to realize that you needed to pull the knife out. What do all of the medical professionals say when training civilians on dealing with stabbings? ‘Don’t remove the weapon.’ That’s the only thing keeping them from bleeding out, and it’s what kept me from bleeding out.”

“I had assumed I severed your abdominal aorta, what with all the blood.”

“Exactly, ‘assumed.’” Bill digs the knife around to watch the way that Duncan tries not to scream before pulling it out and watching as blood begins to pour out of the wound. For every beat of Duncan’s frantic heart, trying to pump blood to the source of the injury in an attempt to clot it, more blood pulses out. “Never assume things, my boy.”

Though his head is starting to spin, Duncan finds just enough rage to spit at Bill. “Go to hell.”

“From the looks of it, you’ll be there long before me,” he says almost gleefully before pulling out a gun and shooting him in the thigh. This time, Duncan openly screams. “Just wanted to make sure you actually die, if the stabbing wasn’t enough.” Bill’s extremely nonchalant, as if he’s discussing the nuances of the Nationals rather than talking about murder.

Bill grabs a key and unlocks the chain from around Duncan’s leg, knowing that he won’t have the strength to escape. “I’ll be back in half an hour to check on you.”

“Fuck you,” Duncan responds, but Bill’s already gone.

Duncan moans in pain as he stares at his wounds, feeling the stickiness of blood beginning to pool under him. Lifting a shaky hand, he presses it to his abdomen to try and slow the bleeding. As he swallows deeply, realizing that he very likely is going to die shortly, he thinks about a number of things, mainly regrets.

He wishes that he had realized earlier that his mom was just as much Bill’s victim as he was.

He wishes that he appreciated Michael more for the brother he had been to him.

He wishes that he had told (Y/N) that he loved her more often.

But most especially, Duncan wishes that he had just put a bullet in Bill’s head that night instead of stabbing him. Then, he wouldn’t be feeling this intense cold begin to settle in his bones as he’s forced to slowly die on the concrete floor of a basement. Facing the Grim Reaper head-on is not nearly as dramatic as he thought it would be.

You

Watching the Coven, Langdon, and Annette taking out the defectors is not nearly as dramatic as (Y/N) thought it would be. Wisely, they had requested that she stay behind until the perimeter was secured. It’s much quieter, and a lot less bloody; as it turns out, members of organized crime do have consciences, and chose to subdue those not directly a threat. After Langdon finishes tying those who had remained loyal to Bill together, Cordelia motions for (Y/N) to follow the group into the old school.

The proud sign that once declared this building the Goode Academy now lies in the dirt of the overgrown lawn. The doors are open, solely because the rusted hinges make it impossible for them to remain closed against a gentle breeze. The further that they make it inside, the more frantic (Y/N) is. She knows that they’re close to Duncan, she just doesn’t know what state they’ll find Duncan in. Before they can make it too far with Cordelia as their guide, Bill appears. Instead of holding a machine gun, which is kind of what (Y/N) had expected, he has a concerned look on his face.

“Annette, thank god you’re here! I know this must be confusing to you, but when I heard that Duncan was missing, I knew that I needed to save him from the bitches that had sent me into hiding years ago.”

Confusion blankets (Y/N)’s mind as she tries to figure out what’s going on, but Annette doesn’t feel the same. “Cut the shit, Bill. I know what you’ve been doing.”

Bill laughs. “You’re going to let Cordelia Goode manipulate you into believing her, after she tried to kill me?”

“You’re an idiot. You think I don’t smell the blood in the air?” Annette laughs viciously, a verbal slap in the face. “Where’s my son?”

Like a switch was flipped, the worry on Bill’s face falls into contempt. “You’ve always been too emotional for your own good, Annette.”

“‘Family over everything,’” Annette quotes. “Remember that? What happened to that?”

“That died the day that that--that mistake came back from boarding school and decided that our business, the empire we built from the ground up, was his birthright.”

“You never were good at sharing, were you?”

The siblings stare at each other for a moment before Bill sighs. “You could have just been complicit, but no. Guess I’ll have to think on the fly, then.” He pulls out a gun and cocks the hammer back.

Before he can fire, Madison and Mallory appear from behind him, having snuck into the back. Madison knocks the gun out of his hand, the weapon firing into the ceiling, as Mallory socks him in the face and drives him to his knees. Both women force his hands behind him, holding him still as Cordelia walks up to him.

“The door to the basement is in the kitchen, hidden behind the left wall of the pantry,” Cordelia says to the group.

(Y/N)’s off, moving as fast as she can while maneuvering through the unfamiliar house. “Wait, you can’t do this. Annette, you aren’t really going to let the Coven, of all people, do this to me?” Bill pleads.

“I can actually, and I will. After all,” Annette turns to Cordelia, “we have a deal.”

In the kitchen, (Y/N) throws open the pantry door, pushing and shoving and pulling at the left wall before it finally opens to reveal a set of stairs.

“Girls?” Annette calls just before she reaches the door. “Make it painful.”

(Y/N) runs down the stairs, hands scrambling along the wall until she comes across a light switch. Flicking it on, her eyes look around the room until she sees a lifeless figure on the floor that’s surrounded by a pool of blood. A cry is ripped from her chest as she falls to her knees beside Duncan, hands hovering above him as she tries to figure out what to do first.

He’s pale, scarily so, and he’s breathing so shallowly that she can’t tell he’s breathing at first. Somehow, with all the blood, he’s still breathing. All (Y/N) can focus on is the fact that he’s still alive (later, she’ll wonder how she didn’t even flinch at all of the injuries and the blood, oh, the blood) as she rips her shirt off and presses it firmly against the wound on his stomach, calling his name over and over again in increasing levels of desperation.

From behind her, she can hear Annette scream and yell for Langdon to call an ambulance. She can feel the presence of somebody next to her as they catalogue where Duncan’s hurt, but she can’t bring herself to look away from Duncan’s face. His perfect face, that she’s kissed over and over a thousand times and has taken immense pleasure in watching a blush rise to the surface. His perfect face that she’s now slapping to try and get him to at least show some sort of response.

“You don’t get to die like this,” she tells him, hoping that he’ll somehow manage to hear her. “You said that you didn’t want to be the reason I suffered, but look at you now, making me suffer. Don’t keep me suffering like this!”

Slowly, and just barely, his eyes crack open just enough that (Y/N) can see a hint of blue. His lips move, saying something without audible sound, and she brings her head down to his to try and catch what he’s saying.

“An angel.” She finally makes out what his reverent whisper is over the wail of the incoming ambulances, and laughs brokenly as her head falls onto his chest in relief.

//

@sammythankyou @girlycakepops @ultragibbycentralworld @ajokeformur-ray @nana15774 @queencocoakimmie @lichellaw @grim-adventures58 @dandycandy75 @trimbooohgodplsnoooo @everything-is-awesomesauce @michaellangdon @jimmlangdon @omgsuperstarg @queenie435 @sloppy-little-witch-bitch26 @kahhlo @storminmytwistedmind @1-800-bitchcraft @langdonslove @born-on-stgeorges-day @xavierplympton @michaelsapostle @venusxxlangdon @wroteclassicaly @idespac @tcc-gizmachine @dyns33 @hexqueensupreme @hecatemacbeth7 @youngandfleeting @lambofcairo @myluciferiscody @anacerta @ladyren33 @ladyrindt @dark-mei-rose @sojournmichael @blakewaterxx @9layerdevilfoodcake @angelicmichael @takingback-thecrown @etherealsxnder

[ffxvficrec]

LUNOCT BIG BANG ROUND UP 2

You can also check out the collection here:

https://archiveofourown.org/collections/LuNoctBigMiniBang2021/works

We’ve listed the archive warnings and ratings, but please remember to mind the tags!

Pulling from Different Poles by battle_goats

No Archive Warnings Apply

Teen Rating

Noct can’t sit around wishing he could do something to help Luna. He needs to do it proactively, but he can’t get other people, namely adults, involved. If anything went wrong, he knew he would be taking the fall. He’s all of ten years old, but he doesn’t want anything else to happen to anyone because of him. But he wants to save Luna, he will save Luna. It’s just going to take years of planning to pull it off.

Only With You by Crazyloststar

Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Major Character Death

Teen Rating

Tenebrae falls when Noctis is young; he loses not only a friend, but his betrothed.

When Noctis comes of age years later, he is expected to select a new partner — but everything changes when he finds out Luna is still alive.

And he will do everything he can to save her.

it's been a long year by nuricurry

No Archive Warnings Apply

Teen Rating

They live on borrowed time. That much has always been clear to them. Luna survives the summoning of Leviathan, the subsequent chaos allowing her and Noctis to abscond from Altissia. Rumor spreads that they both perished at the altar; only a select few know the truth. They are now on the run, struggling to finish awakening the Six and gather enough power to hopefully cleanse Eos of the scourge, before it is too late.

The Moon Is The Only Light We See by TheDarkestDandelion

No Archive Warnings Apply

Teen Rating

The Houses of Caelum and Fleuret are to be joined through the wedding of Prince Noctis and Princess Lunafreya.

Regis and Aulea are delighted with this match for their son and readily welcome Lunafreya - along with her parents, Ardyn and Aera - to Lucis to celebrate. However, it is not all smooth sailing, as it seems that both Noctis and Luna are opposed to the match; as Noct wants to marry for love and Luna doesn’t think that they will get on.

Although is one glimpse of the lovely princess is enough to make Noctis change his mind? And will a chance meeting in a corridor the night before their engagement party make Luna change her opinion on the prince too? And what will happen when Noctis comes between Luna and her overprotective father? Will their whirlwind romance ever end in a successful marriage?

As long as we know by Radiklement

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Mature Rating

To evade a life under the empire's rule, Noctis and Luna fled together and went into hiding in a fishing village. They need to acclimate to a very normal life after being raised as royals, relying on each other for moral support through the highs and lows. Starting with their escape and them stepping into a new life, the story would be mostly fluff and slice of life. They're just taking a step back, some borrowed time to build a life together away from the controlling empire that would dictate Luna's life.

The Star’s Healer and the Guardian King by viiixel

No Archive Warnings Apply

Teen Rating

There were many stories that Regis would tell Noctis before he was to sleep. Stories about giant monsters being struck down by brave men, about people finding ways to live in a world of magic, and even stories about Regis' own adventures. Yet, there was one story that stayed with Noctis longer than any of the others. It was the story about a young woman whose duty to the Astrals led her to her one true love, but not without hefty prices from the fickle beings dictating the two lovers.

in a perfect world by shepherd

No Archive Warnings Apply

Teen Rating

“Noctis,” she breathed, stunned still as Umbra began to dance and cry at the sight of him, and pure relief dawned over his face.

His shoulders were tight with tension, his hands tangling with one another fretfully. “Luna,” he responded, sheer amazement colouring his voice. His pitch was even lower than she anticipated nothing like the way he had used to sound. Luna could remember it so clearly. Like bells, charming and all consuming.

Luna savoured her name from his lips as Noctis stopped just short of her. He dithered awkwardly, unsure of where to start, and Luna understood perfectly.

Blood [Orange] Tea with Chiffon Cake by PumpkinSoldier

Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Teen Rating

Above the smell of warm cinnamon tea and freshly-baked blueberry muffins was the intoxicating smell that had caught her attention.

It was spearmint, fresh and sharp like a crisp winter morning. It was lavender, earthy and inviting and familiar, like her gardens back home. It was the calm before the storm, bubbling and brewing like the dewdrops gathered on grass.

It was Ulwaat Berries, the rich, sweet smell reminding her of her human life.

It was intoxicating, and she loved it.

Lunafreya opened her eyes, trying to pinpoint where the smell had come from.

He stood behind the counter, his soft, fluffy-looking dark hair pulled back into a small ponytail, and dark bangs covering his eyes. The top corner of his apron was covered in tiny fish pins.

"Him."

Ravus pulled down his mask, and took a whiff of the air. "He smells disgusting."

[the-sky-queen]

I'm actually curious

29 for ALL YOUR OCS >:)

(Except Blake bc I already asked that lol)

AW YEAH >:)

29. How would you describe their personality?

Nexus: Before his amnesia, he was cold and calculating. He hardly let any emotion slip past his impenetrable mask except for fiery anger. After Amy broke his heart, Nexus couldn't hold in any of his emotions anymore, leading to them escaping his body and leaving him empty and a bit insane. When he could hold onto his rage, it was intense. Nowadays, he has a much better handle on his temper and his emotions. He's pretty chill and up beat for the most part, but he's hiding a lot. He knows he can still lose his grasp on his emotions, so he keeps the negative ones buried deep inside of him.

Aurora: She's very much the leader of the Sanctuary Trio. She's organized and gets stuff done. She's pretty no nonsense and tends to jump to conclusions. She can get worked up on occasion, but her temper isn't anywhere near as bad as Nexus. She's got a real soft spot for her friends, so she can be sentimental. She always wants to help people and she will put her all into protecting her friends.

Shade: He so sweet! He's my sweet little cinnamon roll boy. :) He's a book and theater nerd and is in constant awe of the world around him. He loves animals and gardening. Shade is very easy to talk to, so his friends often come to him for advice. He's secretly very protective of people he cares about. He'll always step in to help out. When his combat programs are active, Shade's emotions shoot through the roof and there's no telling what he might do. He tries to avoid using those programs whenever possible.

Umbra: He keeps to himself mostly. He gets jobs done quickly and efficiently, but when he gets an idea in his head, there's no stopping him. He holds quite a grudge, but he's also really empathetic and forgives easily once hearing the other side of the story. He's mostly just a chill dude.

Aela/Melody: Loyal to a fault. She always follows the orders of her superiors, even if she doesn't agree with them. At the end of the day, she just wants to be useful. When she's not working, Aela is pretty playful and fun to be around.

[chysgoda]

Alright so I’m taking FFXIV Write casually this year because August was a thing that happened and I wish it hadn’t. So I’m just going to take this super chill and work on writing every day but not over stress about hitting every thing. I’ve also been struggling with words so there’s going to be some lack luster entries before I can coax my brain back on board. 

 At any rate! Here have a prompt fill short enough it doesn’t get a title.

08 Clamor

Last Dragoon

8th Umbra Era year 02 early spring

Bel pulled on the upturned collar of her coat to get it to settle more securely against her neck. Despite the gloves she wore the wind froze her fingers down to the marrow as she worked to tie down anything that wasn’t already secured. She glanced towards the ancient ruined buildings where they had taken the ewes that were lambing. No matter how she wished otherwise lambing would not wait for winter’s bitter encore to pass. The stout stone that still stood had survived many winters and the shepherds had determined it would be the best shelter to be had while they worked. As soon as she was done in the town (an optimistic title for what was little better than a refugee camp) she would head up there to lend what aid was needed.

She twisted her ears to press them against her skull before she twisted her face into the wind. She could smell ice on the wind but not the oily sweet smell that was the first warning of Black Rose. Bel wondered if she would ever stop a cautious watch for the misasma. Unlikely, she thought to herself. The best she could do was to keep pushing on and drive the fear from her mind. She prepared herself for the clamor of voices, distressed ewes, and crying lambs and began to walk.

[gameboyheroes]

@militibus-ex-umbra​  Alex & Dante 

“And I thought that the walking fucking nightmares that rule Silent Hill were bad...” he sighed, checking his shotgun while they had a minute to relax. “Never really thought the apocalypse would spread past Shepherd’s Glen, to be honest.”

He offered a hand to the fair-haired male in the form of a handshake.

“Name’s Alex, by the way. Alex Shepherd.” he introduced himself, brushing a bit of zombie brain from his nameless partner’s sleeve as he did so. “Nice to meet you.”

[safeforwark]

The Sun Chases the Moon [SFW]

A romance fanfiction set in Final Fantasy XIV. When I saw these two interact in post-Stormblood I knew I had to write about them becoming a couple!

Magnai has long searched for his true love, his Nhaama. An encounter with Y'shtola Rhul leaves him certain (again) that the Sun has found his Moon. After a swift rejection however, he is left to think about what could have been, or perhaps what could be...

Contains spoilers for a post-Stormblood scene. I hope you enjoy kupo!

“Nhaama’s power is yours to wield!”  Sadu, Khatun of the Dotharl, spoke in euphoric glee after extended battle with the Warrior of Light.  “What does the Sun say to that?”

“Hmph. The Sun is not driven by base motives such as yours.”  Magnai’s breath was labored, having just crossed blades with Lord Hien and Y’shtola.

“But aye, they have been judged…and found worthy.”  Magnai stood and expressed his recognition of their strength.  “The Sun shall answer you call.”

As soon as the affirmations of alliance were clear, Magnai wasted no time in turning the gaze of his brilliant yellow eyes to Y’shtola. Her face was new amongst the people not of the Steppe. Her skill was astounding, and her grace unlike anything he had ever seen. Her platinum hair framed a sharp, learned gaze from eyes of pale silver. He had not imagined such profound power from so scholarly and beautiful.

“You. By what are you called?”

Y’shtola hesitated to answer.  “Y’shtola. Why?”

“Are you…” Magnai mumbled to himself. Unable to break his gaze from the cultured conjurer. His mind swirled with revelation. He wondered if it were not possible that his destined meeting, the introduction to his Nhaama, could it not be here and now?

“You shine with the full moon’s light, your healing touch as gentle as Nhaama’s love…”  Magnai’s voice grew louder in excitement at his proclamation.

“Beholding you, I am all but certain! My Nhaama is no woman of the Steppe!”  Magnai stepped forward, his intention clear to all at this point. He stepped close to gaze into Y’shtola’s eyes.

“Now, look into my eyes. Could it be…? Could you be...?”  Magnai smiled, his stalwart confidence allowing him to be overjoyed in the moment of his union.

Y’sthola smiled sweetly at the Au Ra man.  “I am…” Her lips became straight and serious as before, her words plain and direct.  “…not interested little sun. Try again when you have become a man.”

Magnai was slow to react, his mouth falling open in shock. He had suffered countless insults from Sadu’s sharp tongue, and had admittedly been rebuffed by those who had turned out not to be his Nhaama many times. Yet somehow Y’shtola’s rejection cut him unfathomably deep.

“Little…?”

A burst of laughter followed from Sadu, who began to chide him relentlessly. Suffering such grievous insult after being rejected set Magnai’s blood to boiling, and he drew his axe without hesitation. Scarcely had the battle begun that Y’shtola elected to depart, scoffing at the asinine nature of the Xaela ‘diplomacy’, or lack thereof.

After extended battle, which did little to provide succor to his wounded pride, Magnai returned to the Dusk Throne and retired to his chambers. He wished to channel his anger into breaking something, to splitting a rock in two or crushing Dzo bones into dust. Yet something strange happened when he lifted his axe or clenched his fist. He felt blocked. The Miqo’te woman’s words rang as clear in his ears as when she spoke them.

He sat down on the edge of his bed, frustrated and defeated. Her smile was so beauteous, she had shown it to him just long enough for him to remember, yet it was gone just as swiftly, and replaced with her stern face as she rebuked him. As angry as it made him, the Oronir recognized the strong, and strength she had. How could he dismiss the admonishment of one such as her then? She had shown her wisdom to be beyond her years, there were no flaws with which to tarnish her image. And her image was indeed burned into his mind…

---

The sun was setting on another day in Mor Dhona, and the Rising Stones had grown quieter as the hustle and bustle of scions and adventurers died down. Save for Tataru’s work station…

“I’m not sure I understand…” Tataru looked wide eyed at the towering Au Ra before her.

Magnai shook his head, annoyed.  “What is not to understand. I am here to join the order, this is the fold that calls themselves the Scions of the Seventh Dawn is it not?”

“Well yes, but, you’re…” Tataru stammered, she had dealt with questionable applicants before, but dismissal based on a lack of experience or credential would probably only serve to stoke this one’s anger more.

Magnai clenched his hands into fists.  “I have journeyed far little one, do you mean to play games with the Sun?!”

“Eep!”  Tataru jumped out of her seat and shuffled towards the door to the back room.  “I-I must consult a senior member you see, er, we will get back to you, terribly sorry!”

As the Lalafell vanished into the back Magnai sat down with his arms folded. The pure ridiculousness of the lengths he must go to. For her though… it would all be worth it to win his Nhaama…

After several minutes Alphinaud emerged from the back with Tataru in tow.

Alphinaud approached and extended his hand in greeting.  “Magnai was it? It is an honor to speak with the khatun of the Oronir. I am given to understand you are quite the magnanimous leader on the steppe.”

Tataru eyed Magnai sideways, leaning shyly toward Alphinaud as she tried to whisper to him. “Alphinaud that’s not what I—"

“It is the duty of the Sun to shepherd his people.”  Magnai hesitated, but then grasped Alphinaud’s hand.  “This land is far from the steppe however, and I am come to learn of its ways, of you Eorzeans.”

Alphinaud tilted his head a little, but still wore a diplomatic smile.  “Full glad are we to have your interest, let alone your presence. Pray tell though, why do you wish to become a Scion? Certainly there are other ways to learn of this land and its people.”

Magnai’s stern face clearly became focused on something altogether in his mind. He tilted his head back and folded his arms.  “Because the moon herself is of your fold, and of your people.”

Alphinaud and Tataru stood with slightly confused expressions, unsure of how to respond.

Magnai returned his gaze downward to the extant world.  “If this is the way of fate, than it is the responsibility of the Sun to shine for all his people. I must act not for the people of my blood alone, but hers as well. I would honor the moon in this way.”

Tataru tugged on Alphinaud’s sleeve, attempting again to deliver her words in a hushed tone. “This seems rather suspicious, I don’t think—"

“Very well!” Alphinaud smile as he boldly raised his voice.  “I would normally think to cross examine you more, but your passion as a defender of the people is plain. Your willingness to incorporate a larger body of people not your own is truly altruistic, and will serve you well.”

Tataru’s jaw slowly dropped open, she looked at Magnai, and then back at Alphinaud, and back at Magnai.

Alphinaud continued, “You see I am also not of Eorzea, in fact a great deal of the senior scions hail from the shores of Sharlayan, including the likes of myself, Urianger, and Y’shtola.”

Magnai’s expression changed upon hearing Y’shtola’s name. The change was ever so slight, but Tataru raised an eyebrow, noticing his widened eyes and retraction of his scowl.

Magnai nodded, slightly more enthusiastic for dealing with him.  “I am… grateful… for your acceptance. I would be happy to stand beside these… senior members.”

Alphinaud put a hand to his chin.  “Well, I certainly needn’t question your strength. I received a first hand account of your prowess during the Naadam from the Warrior of Light themselves. If you are truly willing to put yourself into potential danger for us, mayhap you could greatly aid some of our senior members…”

Tataru folder her arms and narrowed her eyes as she sat down, watching as Alphinaud chattered away with Magnai.

“It sounds as though stealth does not suit your skillset, and Urangier would not have much use for your axe… One of the members I mentioned, she is a healer. She is powerful in her own right, but having a warrior such as yourself would ward her from danger, and her skills would no doubt bolster your own battle capability.”

As they begin to walk away, Tataru silently shook her head. This could not possibly end well…

---

The sun was shining brilliantly over Vyllbrand.

“My… companion and I require passage across.”  Y’shtola passed a purse of gil to the ferrymen. She glanced back at Magnai. He was staring at her again, a small smile on his face. Rather he was almost always staring at her, which incidentally seemed to be the only time he saw reason to smile about anything. In her opinion the entire situation was as unwelcome as it was unnecessary. She sighed as the pair stepped into the small dingy.

Alphinaud had foisted it upon her without much choice. She remembered the conversation between them, how Alphinaud had seen ‘great potential for an ally’ and ‘a chance to diversify the scion’s staff’. While the order had decided on a loose structure, he was being awfully presumptuous to make such a decision without consulting anyone. Then he had brought him all the way to her with no warning! Y’shtola furrowed her brow. She had nowhere else to send him, he hadn’t the first clue about Eorzea, and Alphinaud had quickly managed to wash his hands of all responsibility.

“What troubles you, my… ah… Y’shtola.”  Magnai caught himself, she had put a swift end to being called the endearing title of Nhaama.

Y’shtola swept a hand through her hair.  “Nothing of consequence…”

She gestured to the approaching isle of Umbra, and the grand lighthouse skewered with corrupted crystal. “The Pharos Sirius, it was once the grandest single structure on Vyllbrand.”  Y’shtola had already quickly adopted the habit of explaining visible points of interest as if a common tour guide. This was often the only thing that would break his gaze away from her for a time.

Magnai took in the structure, thinking that from the very top it must be much taller than even the Dawn Throne.  “It is impressive to reach to the heavens so. Yet now it is…”

“Derelict, aye…” Y’shtola stared at the enormous shard that pierced the tower, clearly seeing it’s outline because of the corrupted aether within.  “This but one of many things destroyed in the calamity, and it is not the worst of it.”

Y’shtola looked toward the mainland coastline.  “For one who knew the lay of this land, it is a constant reminder. Where you now see barren bramble once stood verdant grains. Where you now see cliffs and peaks once lay fields and streams. Where you see rubble stood homes, and the families that built them…”

As Y’shtola’s voice faded from a hush to silence, the boat rocked gently with the waves, its small splashes in the water the only noise to break the silence. Magnai crossed his arms and looked at all he could see around him, noting every uneven break in the terrain, every set of decayed foliage, and finally the giant crystal shard that pierced the pharos.

“…To have the very heavens fall around you. The people of this land have suffered greatly.” Magnai’s tone was heavy.

The distinctly emotional response surprised Y’shtola. He seemed to truly take the gravity of her explanation to heart. She found herself staring at him for a change, watching his stern expression as he seemed to reflect upon the perspective she had presented him. They had only been traveling together a few days, mayhap she needn’t be so quick to judgement, her lack of patience with people these days was reminding her too much of her old mentor…

Magnai stood as the dingy approached the shores of Umbra, rocking the small boat with his size. His grip tightened on his axe.  “This place is abandoned then? Will there be aught to fight?”

Y’shtola gripped the sides of the rocking boat and flattened her ears, thinking that on the other hand she shouldn’t forget all she had witnessed on the steppe.

As the boat moored itself against the sand beneath it Y’shtola hopped over the side with Magnai following close behind. The waves lapped at her boots as she walked ashore. As they approached Y’shtola’s senses could make out the worn stairway leading up the Pharos. The scene was quiet, which would be conducive to her work, had she not a curious and love-struck follower ilms away from her at all times.

“Alright, I need to examine the crystals. It is dangerous to linger about them for too long, so keep your distance for awhi—”

Both heard the soft skittering in the sand approaching. Magnai raised his axe as several mantises appeared from the rocky terrain.

“Seems my quiet was not meant to be…”  Y’shtola sighed.

---

Though their pairing was farcical to Y’shtola, she did not dismiss Magnai, assuming he would tire of his duties or of her before long and return to Othard of his own volition. Days turned to weeks however, and as their time together stretched into months Y’shtola started forgetting to wonder when he would leave. It started to become all too second nature to plan accordingly for having him travel with her.

Much of her time was devoted to research, trying to understand the changes in the aether around the world. Magnai was a useful protector if naught else during such times, clearing hostile beasts and saving Y’shtola the trouble. Any other time he was simply observing her or asking questions about the world around them. Familiarity made his gaze less and less bothersome, and she began to enjoy teaching him about Eorzea, wondering if the self-satisfaction of enlightening such a wild and uncouth individual was how Matoya had felt teaching her.

On a typical overcast day, Y’shtola and Magnai set out for Oakwood. She had been asked by Limsan officials to look into the local fauna behaving strangely, with no naturalist able to discern why. They walked in quiet along a gentle stream as Y’shtola tried to spot any unusual patterns in the aether. Suddenly the sound of splashing water and screams broke the silence.

“Please!! Help!!”  A child’s voice, panicked and sobbing.

They both spied the young girl immediately, running across the shallow stream ahead of them. A group of three coeurl’s darted about on her sides, making ready to pounce on the child. Both Y’shtola and Magnai sprinted forward without hesitation.

Y’shtola shouted, “Magnai, the right!”

As Y’shtola jumped directly in front of the child Magnai flew passed them, bringing his axe down as quick as lightning on one of the coeurls, cleaving it against the ground before it could react. The other coeurl leapt at him with fangs bared, but was met with the flat side of Magnai’s weapon as he absorbed the force of its leap, and then threw the beast to the side. By the time it pounced back onto its legs, Magnai was bearing down on it, one slash of his axe leaving it bereft of life.

The third coeurl sprinted directly at Y’shtola and the child. Y’shtola conjured a flurry of biting wind that assailed it from the front, causing the beast to flinch and redirect its course. Before it could make another attempt Y’shtola focused on her staff, and a strong line of white light sliced through the air. The beast took only a single step before falling to the ground, thereafter motionless.

With the threat removed they turned their attention to the whimpering girl.

Y’shtola kneeled down in front of her.  “You’re alright now little one. What were you doing out here?”

The girl sniffled as she spoke.  “I… I jus’ wanted t’ fish… My da’ never lets me…”

Y’shtola nodded. “Mayhap for good reason, this place is not safe for a child on her own.”

The child whimpered, “E’ says… the wolves tha’ take our livestock would get me… but I ‘ate stayin’ inside the fence all day…”

Y’shtola shook her head. “It is for your own safety little one...”

“Nonsense.”  Magnai stepped forward toward them. Y’shtola looked at him in surprise, confused as to why he would interject.

The intimidating Au Ra stood dauntingly high over the young hyur girl. The shaken child looked at him anxiously, fearful of his intimidating presence. Magnai pulled a hatchet from his robe, presenting it to the little girl.

“Take it in your hand.”

The girl nervously reached for and put her hand on the handle. As Magnai let go the heavy hatchet fell to the ground with her fingers still around it. The girl put her strength into lifting it back up, the tool clearly being unwieldly in her hands.

Magnai addressed her sternly.  “Do not dishonor your family by becoming food for the beasts. You must find the strength to protect your land and your people. Thus do we earn the right to take of its bounty. Do not venture forth again until you can split a stone as big as you with your swing.”

The girl stared at him wide eyed and nodded. After it became clear Magnai had nothing else to say to her, she pointed down the path.  “My ‘ome is there…”

Magnai crossed his arms. “You set out on this journey by your own will, you must be able to complete that which you begin. Go forth, we shall follow.”

The girl nodded nervously. She turned around and began walking down the path, stopping and turning her head to look back at them every few steps. Magnai’s piercing gaze would drive her to take another few steps forward before having to look back again to ensure they were still there. As she forged on Y’shtola stood up and walked with Magnai as they trailed behind her.

She had not expected someone who had shown such disregard for simple diplomacy to have such a way with children. She felt remiss in calling him uncultured, even if she had found the Xaela practices oafish and savage. Now as she looked at Magnai she saw the aura of his aether differently, in a way she somehow never noticed before. His aura always looked so fiery and intense, she thought his ill-tempered and capricious nature to be the cause. Though as intense as it could be, she now observed how gently it glowed, so bright yet… a warm, welcoming incandescence.

“I am surprised at how well you handled the child. A bit blunt, but you gave her direction while warning her of the danger.”  Y’shtola’s tone belied her curiosity.

Magnai kept his gaze fixed on the young girl walking ahead of them.  “Children are not beasts to be tamed. They should be guided to reach their own heights, with their own actions, that is how we Oronir teach the value of strength.”

Magnai smiled to himself. “I can tell you were not brought up on so different of lessons, your will is like that of the steppe. I imagine they who raised you knew well the value of strength.”

Y’shtola’s ears perked up, her lips parting without sound as Matoya flashed through her mind. To think that he of all people could have such insight. She chuckled quietly to herself and smiled.

“Perhaps…”

---

The sun was already sinking below the horizon as Y’shtola and Magnai stepped onto the docks in Kugane.

Magnai looked around at the Hingan city.  “It has been a long time since I set out from this land to find you.”

Y’shtola scoffed at him. “Perhaps had you thought to investigate my identity rather than blindly asking everyone my name you would have found me much sooner.”

Magnai furled his brow. “Hmph.”

“Come.”  Y’shtola began walking along the pier.  “The Ruby Sea will be easier to cross by day, we’ll resume our journey to Othard tomorrow.”

As they crossed the city Magnai looked to the sky. The paper lanterns were hardly needed this evening, their soft glow outcompeted by the brilliant light of the full moon. He took a deep breath, gazing at its luster.

“Are you coming? Or do you intend to take in the night life?”  Y’shtola’s voice called out to him.

He looked back down from the heavens to see her standing in front of the inn. A sweet smile on her face. The same smile he had seen so long ago, on the day he first met her. He smiled himself, and then followed her inside.

---

“It has been too long since we were able to bathe and have a proper night’s rest.”  Y’shtola mused as she closed the door, returning from the baths. Y’shtola had donned a pure white yukata, beautifully complimenting her fair skin, much of which could be seen as the garment barely draped around her thighs. Magnai’s red skin conveniently masked the flushing of his face.

Y’shtola sat on the edge of the cot, looking over at Magnai, who sat at the window looking out over the inn’s moonlit garden. Tataru’s frugality was beginning to become extreme, one of her demands being that those afield together share lodgings. By now Y’shtola had become far too used to the company to complain.

“How does it look?”

Magnai turned to look back at her.  “It is lovely. The moon shines in great splendor tonight. It is… a shame you cannot behold it.”

Y’shtola shook her head. “I am still blessed to see a great deal. In ways I might never have imagined.”

Magnai stood and faced her, dramatically holding out his hands.  “Just as well, the sight still pales in comparison to your own radiance.”

Y’shtola tilted her head, letting her smile show as she did.  “Now on that I will simply have to take your word.”

Magnai walked over and kneeled down in front of Y’shtola.  “Tell me, long have I feared asking one who truly sees all as it is. What do you see, when you look at me?”

“I see…”  the strange mixture of emotion in his voice struck a chord with Y’shtola. She reached out to put a hand on his shoulder.  “A brilliant glow, it is bright and passionate enough to stand out among many, almost overbearingly so. Yet it shines softly, with purpose on all it touches. It is warm and welcoming, like the daybreak after a long night.”

Magnai nodded slowly, then reached to take up one of Y’shtola’s hands.  “Your words are succor to my heart. Though all my time with you has been a blessing. To be the Sun, yet see so little beyond thine own radiance is folly. You have been as my moon, showing me that the Sun’s brilliance is naught without aught to shine on.”

Y’shtola was taken aback by Magnai’s uncharacteristically eloquent speech. Squeezing the hand that held hers.  “I am moved that you would credit me with such. The… Sun, should be proud of his own accomplishments. Though I cannot help but wonder If he’s been listening to Thancred spin words for passing beauties.”

Magnai shook his head. “The Sun shines for all, but chases only after his moon.”

His free hand gingerly touched Y’shtola’s cheek as he leaned in toward her. Y’shtola looked at him softly, without speaking a word in response. As his face neared hers, he pulled her in until their lips met. His gentle demeanor didn’t surprise Y’shtola so much anymore. As their lips held together, she wondered if she just hadn’t been able to see it at first, or if their time together had brought out a different side of him.

The side of her yukata slipped down over her right shoulder as they kissed once more, and again, and again…

Outside their window in the garden it was quiet, with only the glowing moon as witness until it sank from the sky to give way to the dawn.

---

Y’shtola woke first, her unconscious stretching waking Magnai as she moved in his arms. They wearily opened their eyes and met each other’s gaze. They smiled at each other as thoughts of the many months leading to previous night drifted through their mind. Unusual for him, Magnai felt himself at a loss for words. Holding Y’shtola in his arms, feeling affection and warmth from her embrace, he finally felt… content.

Y’shtola sighed softly, speaking in a hushed tone, her normally strong words hinting at embarrassment. “I suppose this makes me… your Nhaama...”

They hugged each other a little tighter…

---

Magnai walked down the trail ahead of Y’shtola, his axe sitting on his shoulder as he took long, energetic steps. He reached the crest of a hill overlooking the valley path towards the Azim Steppe.

“Ah, we are so close to the Steppe! I can smell it’s familiar air on the breeze!”

Y’shtola chuckled as she walked up beside him.  “I’ve not seen you so giddy since we found that Wind-up Sun in the markets.”

Magnai nodded.  “It is momentous for the Sun to finally return to the Steppe, and when I tell them I now have my Moo—OOMPH.”

A stiff arm to the stomach cut Magnai short, as Y’shtola stared sternly.

“and I told you not to call me such til we are behind closed doors.”  Y’shtola gave him a coy smile.  “My dearest Sun.”

[postrock-instrumental]

Post-rock & Post-metal: The 50 Best Releases of 2018 [THE LARGER SHORTLIST OF ALMOST 300]

This coming Monday, 17th of December, we’ll publish our selection of the 50 best post-rock and post-metal releases to come out of 2018. There were over 700 releases on our original list, which was later narrowed down to a shortlist of nearly 300. The upcoming “50 Best” list was culled from this shortlist of nearly 300 releases, which you can see below if you want to use it for some purpose. If you don’t want to miss the upcoming “50 Best” list, you can follow the links below: facebook.com/postrock.instrumental twitter.com/postrock_music facebook.com/arcticdrones twitter.com/arcticdrones --- FULL LIST 1099 – Blindpassasjer 42DE – Fall Of The Moon A Film In Color – They March In Endless Circles A Storm Of Light – Anthroscene A World In Grayscale – The Process Of Passing Time Aesthesys – Achromata Aikira – Light Cut All You’ve Seen –  Synopsis XVI Anatomy Of The Bear – Alysu Antarte – Isole Antorchas – Aphelion April Rain – To Whom It May Concern Arcadian Waves – Above The Mountains Archelon – Tribe Of Suns Ares One – Optimist Arhios – Arhios Around The World In 80 Days – Dissonance Astodan – Ameratat Astronauta Marinho – Perspecta A-Sun Amissa – Ceremony In The Stillness Augure – Omina Aurora Borealis – Goodbye Autumn Creatures – Funeral Garden   Autumn Moonlight – Passangers Babel Fish – Follow Me When I Leave Baikonur – Nihil Per Saltum Bear The Mammoth – Years Under Glass Below A Silent Sky – A View From Afar Beyond The Event Horizon – Far Blanket – How To Let Go Bound – No Beyond BRUIT – Monolith Built-In Obsolescence – Instar Cataya – Firn Cats Never Die – Stay At Home Cavern – Eater Celestial Wolves – Call Of The Void CEVEO – Jordsand Charus – Mundus Cereris Ciempies – Intérprete Del Espacio Circadian Eyes – A Future Nostalgic City Of The Lost – Master Martin Rescue Cloud Anthems – Areté Coastlands – The Further Still Cold, Cold Heart – Arch Craters – Laurentian Abyss Crippled Black Phoenix – Great Escape Crno Dete – Neponovljivo Crows In The Rain — Ashes Of The Past Culak – Oblivion Dan Caine – Nocturne   Darius – Clôture Dark Matter – The Sovereign Night Darker Shapes – Kavik Dawnlit – True North DDENT – Toro Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love   Degree Of Arc – Raptures Dep – We Are The Lights That Will Not Go Out Des Astres – Des Plans Sur La Comète Dios Trio – II Distant Dream – Your Own Story Doomina – Orenda Doppälgängär – Melencholia Dûrga – De Lira Ire Earthholder – There Will Be A Future Edelveiss – Skull   Efrim Manuel Menuck – Pissing Stars Eigengrau – Radiant El Ten Eleven – Banker’s Hill El Tubo Elástico – Impala Elephant Gym – Underwater Elhombreanormal – La Unión De Distintos Vientos Elizabeth The Last – Elizabeth The Last   Empathy Forever Empty – All Monsters Are Human Encircling Sea – Hearken Epic45 – Through Broken Summer Feed Me To The Waves –  Before This Wilderness Consumes Us FERE – Montedor Feroces – Josephine First Came The Shadow – Premonition Flares –  Allegorhythms Floating In Space – Dreamland Follows – Nyctophile For Dummies – For Dummies Forest Mountain – Prisma Foxhole – Well Kept Thing   From Oceans To Autumn – Leave Me Here Future Usses – The Existential Haunting Gespenst – Oblivion Gift Of Blindness – Wasteland Giraffes? Giraffes! – Memory Lame Girih – Eigengrau   Glasir – New Dark Age God Is An Astronaut – Epitaph Grand Tétras – Abiogenèse Grito – Endless Grottos – Тетис / Tethys H A : Z E – Passage Hæster – All Anchors No Sails Halocraft – Chains For The Sea Hammock – Far Cry 5 Presents: We Will Rise Again (OST) Hammock – Universalis Hauste – Leavings Have The Moskovik – Papier Vinyle Heklaa – 1491 Hesperian Death Horse – Živ Hold Down The Ocean – The Symmetry Of Odd Numbers Holy Fawn – Death Spells Hope The Flowers/Pleiades – Gates To Universe HUEY – MA Human Factor – Let Nature Take Its Course Hundred Year Old Man – Breaching Hyedra – Hyedra I Am No Hero – Cyberpunk   I Am Wolves – ABCD IAH – II   If Only The Trees – Drop The Air Il Giardino Degli Specchi – Oltremare Illus Teller – The Backup Imploding Stars – Riverine Indignu – Umbra Infinite Third – Listen(Ing) Ingrina – Etter Lys Inspirative – Inertia Pt.1 Isles – Remnants Isola – Isola ISON – Andromeda Skyline Jean Jean – Froidepierre Jeffk – Inadequate Shelter Jet Plane – Falls Feather John Malkovitch! – The Irresistible New Cult Of Selenium JYOCHO – A Parallel Universe EP JYOCHO – The Beautiful Cycle Of Terminal Kalte Sonne – Ekumen Kaschalot – Whale Songs KHARA – Heaven Can Wait Khöbalt – The Sky Is Dead Kiova – An End In Motion Lake Of Licks – Blue Lang –  There Is No Reply But Sweet Wind Blew Lasitud – Lasitud Last Of Us – Swarm Le Temps Du Loup – Cardinal Le_Mol – Heads Heads Heads Leech – For Better Or For Worse Legendary Skies – Navigation Leonov – Wake Lights & Motion – Bloom Lobo Estepario – Los Que Bailan En Las Sombras Locktender – Friedrich Locomotora – Vuodet, Vuoret Long Distance Calling – Boundless Longlake – Beyond The Sun Loud Exit – Loud Exit Lowercase Noises – The Ironic Distance Macondø – Macondø Magdalena Gornik – Dream Sequence Collapse Man Mountain – Infinity Mirror Mass Culture – Primal | Ephemeral Massa – Walls Medussa –  LA PALABRA HA MUERTO Mesozoic – Earth Alone Message In A Cloud – Anassa Milanku – Monument Du Non-Être & Mouvement Du Non-Vivant Minsk / Zatokrev – BIGOD Modsdive – Four Wet Hands Moe’s – Smiles & Scars Mogwai – Kin Montaña – Coordenadas Morrow – The Weight Of These Feathers Mountaineer – Passages Movement Of Static – Naegleria Murmure – Nos Idées Fantômes Musatov Brothers – Existential Crisis Nautilus – The Oceanwalker Ninth Moon Black – Amaranthine Noorvik – Noorvik Northerner – Northerner Ocean Districts – Doomtowns   Of Two Minds – Of Two Minds Ohgod – The Great Silence Ok Seas – Ok Seas Old Faith – Old Faith Old Seas Young Mountains – Seasons Once Upon A Winter – .Existence Orellana – 52 Orphans Of Doom – Strange Worlds/Fierce Gods Osorezan – Osorezan OTHRS – Broken Dialogue Paraphon Tree – Aura Pershagen – Tarfala Pijn – Loss Planisphere – Into The Known Prune Deer – Chemistry 化學 Raedsel – A Simple Act Of Redirection Rammen – The Echo & The System Raum Kingdom – Everything & Nothing Reaching 62 F – Chronicles Of A Dying Sun Red Apollo – The Laurels Of Serenity Reformat – The Singularity Respire – Dénouement Riah – Autumnalia Rilf – Three Stories For Numbers RLYR – Actual Existence Rocket Miner – The Long Goodbye Roots And Ruins – Die Right Rostres – Les Corps Flottants Sagor Som Leder Mot Slutet – II Sairen – Neige Nuit Sejd – Ben & Hjärta Set And Setting – Tabula Rasa Seul Ocean – Je Fais Revivre Shadow Universe – Speaking For Clouds Ships Fly Up – Dream Maker Sinistro – Sangue Cassia Six Months Of Sun – Below The Eternal Sky Sky Flying By – (Re)Routed Sleep Dealer – Memories So Far As I Know –  Fragments: Disclosure Sojus3000 – Wanderers Soldat Hans – Es Taut SOM – The Fall Sonance – To Possess You Entirely Sondrous – Something Like Serenity Sons Of Alpha Centauri – Continuum Spurv – Myra Standish Hall – Standish Hall   Startle The Heavens – Canyons Straya – Sobereyed Subnoir – A Long Way From Home Summer Effect – Reverie Sunstare – Eroded   Taller Than The Trees – Hubris EP Talons – We All Know Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving – No Tether The American Dollar – You're Listening The Clouds Will Clear – Recollection Of What Never Was The Fog Ensemble – Throbs The Man Within – The Man Within   The Ocean – Phanerozoic I: Palaeozoic The Sun Burns Bright – Through Dusk, Came The Light There’s A Light – A Long Lost Silence This Will Destroy You – New Others Part One This Will Destroy You – New Others Part Two This World Has Bees – Nearer Those Who Dream By Day – Glad To Be... Tide/Edit – All My Friends Tides Of Man – Every Nothing To Those Who Exist – BAIAME Toe – Our Latest Number Tomorrow We Sail – The Shadows Toundra – Vortex Trees Die Standing – Trees Die Standing Triple Deer – Urban Shepherd Trna – Earthcult Tsima – Koniec Twin Speak – Soulss Umber –  This Earth To Another URO – CABBA! Us, Today – Computant Velns Viņu Zin – Posts Versa – Versa Violet Cold – Sommermorgen Trilogy Vorcha – Liberosis Vy Pole – Like You Say Wang Wen – Invisible City WANHEDA – The Cenozoic Implosion Warm Shelter – Reflections Way Station –  The Way Of Minstrel We Made God – Beyond The Pale We Were Heading North – Lightness Weary Eyes – True North Wess Meets West – A Light Within The Fracture Whale Fall – Sondersongs White Lion Parade – Cloudlines   Widek – Dream Reflection Winter Dust – Sense By Erosion Winterlight – The Longest Sleep Through The Darkest Days World’s End Girlfriend – Meguri Wrekmeister Harmonies – The Alone Rush YNICORNS – Intervals Zommm – Reality Is An Illusion 昴宿 Pleiades – 致未來 For The Future