#all i remembered from when i gave up on it way back when was umbra

[warlordfelwinter]

"I am just the stone... she is the hand."

[imbadatwrighting]

Sneaky Cat

Requested

I was going to write this as a songfic but changed my mind last minute so it took a little longer than expected. Anyways to the person who asked for this I had to smush some things together I hope that’s alright and the smut lowkey ain’t dat great. Also just started watch future man…do what you want with that information

Pairing: Selina Kyle x Male reader

Tags: NSFW 18+ at the end, sex with plot? (Idk I’ve never read a post with that), Wayne!reader, adopted!reader, sweet!reader, fluff, smut, Bruce and reader having tension, no use of Y/n, 2nd pov, soft dom!reader, brother issues, lowkey rushed to the sex half way through, oral (reader giving), unprotected sex, cream pie, missionary , prolly a lot of spelling errors

“Selina! Have you seen my tie?” Your voice boomed across the whole second floor of the house unintentionally.

“This tie?” your girlfriend of two years asked, holding up a gold tie. She leaned against the door frame staring at you with her classic cat eyes.

A smile plastered on your face, walking towards her. “This is why I love you,” you grinned, reaching down to plant a kiss on her lips and grab the tie.

You could feel the smirk she made through the kiss before breaking it off. “No other reasons?” she asked, a devious smile on her face.

You walked back to your mirror, staring at her through it while you put your tie on. “Not any I can remember I’m afraid.”

She swayed closer to you, wrapping her hands around your waist and maneuvering her head to be beside your shoulder. “That’s too bad. Here I was thinking you loved me for my brilliant ideas,” she pouted before hiding her mouth with your shoulder so you couldn’t see her smile.

A small groan left your lips as you ran your hands through your hair. “I wouldn’t say making me go to this gala was a good idea.”

“You own the most stocks and are a co-owner of Wayne Enterprises, I’m afraid you have to go.”

You turned around to face her, slowly wrapping your arms around her waist. Her hands moved up to your chest, smoothing out a wrinkle. “You only want me to go so you can steal valuables from the guests, my dearest.”

Selina huffed before turning away towards the door. Her hips swayed as she walked away. “Let’s not leave Alfred waiting much longer mi amor,” she grinned.

You stood still for a moment, unsure of what you heard was right. You ran towards Selina, observing her eyes for any sense of sarcasm or lying.

“Do not tell me Bruce will be there too,” you spoke slowly, walking down the steps of your mansion with Selina. The sounds of heeled shoes hitting marble, echoed in the area.

“If I remember correctly, your parents gave Wayne Enterprises to both you and Bruce and he still plays apart in it,” she replied hastily, not caring enough to make eye contact.

“When he’s not playing good guy in his bat costume, sure, but all he cares about is fighting crime over and over again, he cares little about what happens to Wayne Enterprises or even me!”

“If I remember correctly you fight crime too.” Selina walked faster, reaching the first floor before you, grabbing a necklace on the marble counter.

She stared at the black diamonds shinning under the light, eventually moving her hand with the necklace towards you, gesturing you to put it on her.

You sighed, grabbing the necklace. “When I was with his all I did was stare at the computers in his little cave.”

“You still do,” Selina hummed.

“That different,” you grumbled. “When I was working with him, no one even knew my name or I was a vigilante at all. You had no idea who Umbra Mortis was after I told you. Or that I was his brother.”

“I do now. People know who Umbra Mortis is now.” Selina turned to face your towering figure after felling the necklace be latched on.

“They still don’t know I’m his brother. He refuses to tell people I’m his brother because I was adopted.”

“That’s not true,” Selina said, following you out the door.

“How’d you know? You ask him?” You smirked.

“Maybe,” Selina replied, before grabbing you arm, only being a couple feet away from the limo containing your brother and his butler. “Listen be nice to him and you might even get a special treat,” she grinned, pulling you down into a kiss.

It felt longer that it was but you savored every second of it. You observed the taste of cherries that presented itself onto your tongue.

You hummed as she broke away from the the kiss slowly. You wished you didn’t have to go to the gala, instead staying home with Selina watching her favorite movie in bed.

You opened the door of the limo, letting Selina get in before you while you held the door. You could hear pleasantries given from where you stood as you desperately wished you would have to get in the limo with you older brother.

You could feel your brothers gaze on you as you entered the limo.

“Greeting Master Wayne,” Alfred nodded, quickly driving off. You smiled at the man, he always had called you by your last name since you could remember. It wasn’t that you weren’t close to him, he just wanted to always show his upmost respect towards you.

“Brother,” Bruce greeted. It didn’t seem like the type of greeting you would give your brother, more like a greeting to a stranger.

A curt nod was given to Bruce as you intertwined your hand with Selina’s soft hands. Your fingers played with her rings that she stole from multiple museums.

“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Bruce brought up, eyes still trained on your figure. Your eyes broke away from Selina’s perfect figure.

“Whose fault was that?” you murmured, rolling your eyes. Selina’s heeled foot quickly hit your leg in annoyance. Your eyes quickly looked over to your girlfriend before moving back to look at Bruce.

Bruce paid no mind to your comment. “I see,” he commented, not saying anything else.

A wave of awkwardness took over the limo as the two brothers or interact with each other, or at least one of them did.

“Talk to him, querido,” Selina whispered in your ear, running her nails down your suit.

You rolled your eyes not looking at your girlfriend. “What are you doing here Bruce?” you say bluntly, being forced to say something.

“I’m going to a gala, brother. It’s good for my image.”

“Alfred making you go?”

“It seems you know me too well brother.”

You hummed. “Well, after having to be around you, most of my life, it seems I have to. If not, I might have become a worse brother than you.”

Selena scoff at you as Bruce squinted his eyes. “I gave you no reason to say I am a bad brother.”

An irked expression fell on your face as you glared lightly at your brother. “You have multiple recent to being a bad brother! You left me on a mountain by myself, at fifteen!”

An annoyed expression fell on Bruce’s face. “How many times do I have to tell you it was an accident, I thought you already left,” he said, fingers massaging his temple.

“How am I supposed to believe that when just an hour before you were screaming at me and wishing I wasn’t in your life,” you glared, feeling Selena’s hands down your back and comfort and also as a warning.

“Boys, enough of this, we’re already at this gala so pretend you like each other,” Selina smirked, an obvious fake smile before elegantly getting out of the limo.

You spared Bruce no mind as you got out after your girlfriend, you hand finding the perfect resting spot on her waist.

“Just talking to me and a couple guests won’t get anything you’re hoping for tonight,” she whispered, slowly pushing your arms off her waist, a smile still on her face. “Talk to Bruce or you’re getting nothing tonight.”

With that same grinning smile she walked off, most likely towards the bar full of drunk old fish man with pockets full of money.

With a sigh you slowed your walking, letting Bruce catch up to you. “My apologies for my inappropriate acts Bruce.”

“Don’t act like that,” he said, talking in a whisper, occasionally nodding his head at a couple men and woman.

“Act like what?” you ask.

“Like we’re not brothers. You haven’t talked to me like a brother since you were fifteen.”

“You throw me in the side Bruce, you always have. I had no reason to treat you like a brother when you were too busy to acknowledge me.”

Bruce looks at you with an unreadable expression on his face before taking a deep breath.

You went to scoff before he spoke up. “I’m sorry,” he said is a hushed voice. It almost made you stop in your tracks. Not once has your brother ever apologized to you. Not when he pushed you down the stairs, or when he played a mean April fools day prank on you.

You stayed silent for a minute smiling when contractors and other business partners walked by.

You didn’t care about them at the moment, your first thought was on your brother. Then of course Selina forty feet away at the bar.

“I’m sorry as well… brother,” you spoke, slowly walking away from Bruce towards Selina.

“I talked to him and even said sorry,” you smile, hand going up to her shoulders.

She turned around staring up into your eyes. “Considering Bruce looks like a kicked puppy I would say you did it like you were supposed to.”

You frowned at her words. “Listen it’s the best you’re going to get out of me tonight, now can we just go home?”

Selina digs a gold watch out of her purse, looking at the time. “We’ve been here for no more than ten minutes so unfortunately not mi amor.”

“You’re just being mean at this point,” you groan walking to wherever Selina sways to.

“At least an hour then we can leave,” she smirks pulling you to the dance floor. “For now, we dance.” She puts one arm around your neck and the other into your hand and she waltz’s to the relaxing music.

Your eyes met her sparkling black ones as waves of emotion overflowed your body. She made you fall in love with her every day.

“I can’t stay here Selina,” you growled in her ear.

She paid no mind to you as she twirled and danced. She was enjoying this and you both knew it.

“Selina,” you growled once again. Your heart was practically beating out of your chest.

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait. I’m not going home because you’re horny.”

Your hand traveled down her waist, lightly grazing her ass. Her subtly eyed you, eyes narrowing down. “Relax my love, no one is watching,” you whispered, softly biting her ear as you leaned down.

You could feel Selina get hotter as you continued to dance on the dance floor. Your thoughts were not on Bruce nor anyone else but Selina. You didn’t care about anything except Selina.

“You’re playing a dirty game baby,” Selina murmured in your ear, hands gripping your body.

“I wouldn’t have to if we left.”

Selina stayed silent once more, like she was contemplating the answer she would choose. “…fine,” she murmured.

A grin fell on your face before you dragged her out of the gala, you opened the door of a rentable limo. You didn’t have to say any words to the man. Almost everyone in Gotham knew where you lived. It was hard to miss it.

Selina sat down close to you, kissing your neck. You exhaled a breath, holding her waist. “If you keep it up, I’m going to get a boner before we get home,” you groan.

She seemed to only hum and that, keeping up with the original pace.

The drive home seemed longer than anything before. It felt like the limo driver was going slower on purpose. Selina didn’t let it stop her as she spread hickeys all over your neck.

The white limo stopped at the entrance to your mansion. Selina and you quickly rushed out, leaving behind cash for the driver. Poor man must have been a little traumatized.

You pushed Selina through the door into your room. Her hot breath could be felt on your face.

You unzipped her black dress before she reach for her necklace. “No,” you breathed out. “Keep it on.”

You could feel her lightly moan against your neck as you removed your tie and shirt.

You hoisted Selina up before gently throwing her on the bed.

“Fuck,” you moaned out. Crawling on the bed to be face to face with your girlfriend. “You’re so hot baby.”

Her hands reached up to your neck, pulling you down into her. The kiss was sloppy; full of lust. Her legs wrapped around your unclothed waist.

You head traveled down kisses her neck towards her tits. She grabbed onto your hair as you left a trail of kisses to her clit.

Your hot breath only made her wetter. You licked her clit slowly before making eye contact with her. She let out a breathy moan as you stared her down. Your mouth latched onto her clit sucking and licking like a mad man.

“Fuck,” she moaned, gripping your hair harder. You let out a quick sound before resuming your task.

“God I love your pussy,” you rasped, sticking two fingers into her drenched hole. Her shaky legs wrapped around your head.

Your fingers thrusted in and out of her as your teeth lightly grazed her clit. She could feel her orgasm already coming. “Baby,” she groaned, quickly tapping your head. You removed your mouth from her wet clit as you looked up at her.

“I need it in me,” she whispered, almost like she was embarrassed. She could hear you undoing your zipper as soon as the words came out of her mouth.

Her legs released you from her grip as she pulled you up to be face to face with her. She could feel your hard cock rubbing against her clit. A soft moan came out of her as her arms wrapped around your neck.

“I’ve wanted you all day, baby,” you groan, lips attacking her own as you slowly entered her wet pussy.

“I know,” she smirked out before moaning loudly as you thrusted in and out of her. “God, I forgot how big you were.”

Your arm traveled down to her waist giving you a better angle to thrust into her. “You’re so tight, honey,” you breath out, hair falling down on your eyes.

Nails grazed down your back as you thrusted harder into your girlfriend. Her girlfriend arched your back letting out a whimper. “I’m close baby,” she whimpered feeling her orgasm about to come.

“Just a little more. You can hold out baby,” you grunted, pounding into her at an inhuman pace. Your cock overwhelming her senses.

Her legs shook as her head turned to the side, giving you a better view of her neck. “I’m close, I’m so fucking close,” she panted.

Your hand gripped her waist tighter, feeling her slowly get tighter. “Let go baby,” you muttered, feeling your release about to come.

A high pitched moan left your girlfriend as her pussy tightened around you and legs vibrated rapidly. You gave a few more quick thrusts before coming inside her.

Your moved you hand to move your girlfriend face towards you. Her fucked out eyes looked at you as she panted hard.

You slowly pulled out of her before kissing the top of her head. “I love you,” you sighed, getting up to clean her up.

“Bath or no bath?” you asked, grabbing a hand towel from the bathroom.

“No bath,” she grinned weakly, pulling you towards her. “Just want you.”

“You got me baby,” you smirked, handing her one of your comfy shirts after cleaning her up the best you could.

She slipped on your shirt, it draped over her figure as she huddled towards your figure getting in bed.

You looked at the shirt, too big for your girlfriend. “God just looking at you turns me on.” You kissed your smiling girlfriend.

“You’re handling that issue yourself.”

You smiled harder at her. You didn’t care about Bruce in the moment or fighting crime, just caring about marrying the girl laying next to you.

[kazoosandfannypacks]

summary: when ezra overhears sabine reciting a mandalorian custom, ezra regrets all the years he's missed out on. word count: 1K a/n: i came up with this fic during my mando'a studies. my goal is to someday write an entire fic in mando'a, complete with a work skin that'll include a mando'an font. that dream is still many years off though, but until then, here's a fic inspired by a little bit of manda-lore i've learned!   taglist:@laughingphoenixleader @accidental-spice @kanerallels @piraterefrigerator @jedi-nurse @dootchster @lucasbridger @redroverrider @light-umbra @commander-tech {if you’d like to be added to or removed from my Sabezra taglist, let me know!}

also on ao3!

Here For You Now

 It took Ezra a moment to figure out why he'd fallen asleep on the floor, less than a foot away from his bed. He would've totally assumed that he'd fallen off the bed in his sleep again (it was less than a foot's drop; he'd slept through it before,) but the pile of blankets underneath him told him this was definitely intentional. He couldn't quite piece together why he would've done something like this though— until he heard a murmured whisper coming from the bed, a voice he almost thought he was just imagining again, until he remembered that yesterday was the day he'd spent over a decade waiting for.

 Sabine had found him.

 And, since his trailer offered little in the way of comfort, he'd let Sabine take the bed and offered to sleep on the floor instead. Good hospitality, he'd called it, something he'd learned well from the Noti, and also a way to say "thank you" for coming all this way just to bring him home. (And in actuality, he'd never make his favorite person in this [and any] galaxy sleep on the floor— and also he knew he'd irreversibly stumble over his words if he suggested they try to share the bed.)

 But despite being on the floor and definitely sore from it, it was one of the best wakeups he'd had in years— certainly the one that ushered in the most hope along with it. 

Though he'd never lost faith in Sabine, hope had been in short supply the past year or so— that is, until yesterday, when the Noti had told him that they found a girl ("your girl," their language put it, and he was too ecstatic to disagree) and she'd come to the camp looking for him. He'd never thought she'd looked more beautiful than she did when she saw him, and gave him a smile that conveyed the same genuine joy and total disbelief he was feeling.

 And now he woke up knowing she was here, and it wasn't another stupid dream about her return: she was on Perida, actually with him, quietly chanting something in Mando'a.

 "Ni su'cuyi gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum."

 Ezra wasn't sure what she was mumbling about, but it felt almost like some kind of meditation, or a prayer. His interest was piqued when he heard the next two words, and he looked up to see her sitting cross legged with her eyes closed.

 "Kanan Jarrus. Ursa Wren. Alrich Wren. Tristan Wren. Ahsoka Tano. Ni su'cuyi gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum."

 Sabine sighed, and there was a moment of silence.

 "What's that?" Ezra asked, once he was sure she'd finished.

 "Ah-wha?" Sabine started, apparently not having known Ezra was even awake "it's nothing. Just an old Mandalorian tradition. I didn't mean to wake you up. Did you sleep alright?"

 "What kind of old Mandalorian tradition?" Ezra asked, completely disregarding her attempts to divert the conversation.

 "Nothing," Sabine shook her head.

 "Didn't seem like nothing to you."

 "Well, it's nothing that matters to you," Sabine said.

 "Everything you…" Ezra stopped mid-sentence, knowing that if he said "everything you say maters to me," she might start to think he had feelings for her— which he did, but he was pretty sure she still didn't feel the same way, and he didn't want to run the risk of scaring off his only ride back home. So, he switched trains of thought.

 "You mentioned Kanan," Ezra shook his head.

 Sabine looked at him, and in her eyes he saw the softness and pain she was trying all too well to hide. He smiled slightly, nodded slightly, raised his eyebrows slightly, tried to remind her with merely a look that her secrets were safe with him.

 Sabine sighed.

 "It's a remembrance," she offered, "'I am alive, but you are dead.'" she shook her head as she choked out the words, "'I remember you, so you are eternal.'"

 Ezra smiled a little at the sentiment, at keeping the memory of someone alive long after they're gone— but then he realized that the names of her family were included in that list.

 "You mentioned your family too," Ezra said, quietly, "Are they…?"

 Sabine nodded, "they're gone."

 "And Ahsoka?"

 "I think so," she said, the words petering out as a single breath.

 Ezra thought he saw a tear trickle down her cheek as she looked away from him. He didn't fight the urge to climb up onto the bed next to her and wrap an arm around her for comfort. He realized after he did so that he'd taken a gamble, and she was likely to be annoyed by his attempt to comfort her, so he was surprised when, instead of twisting away from him, she actually leaned closer, accepting the shoulder he gave her to cry on.

 "I'm so sorry, Sabine," Ezra whispered, with no idea what other words he could even offer.

 "There's nothing you could've done," Sabine said, "there's nothing anyone could've done."

 Ezra remembered thinking the same thing when the empire took his parents, that there was nothing anyone could've done to help him— but that didn't mean he didn't want anyone to.

 "I could've been there for you," Ezra shook his head, "I should've been there for you. Kriff, I've missed out on so much."

 Sabine lifted her head off his shoulder and looked up at him.

 "But I am here for you now," Ezra said, letting go of her and resting his hand on the bed behind her, "if you wanna talk about it at all."

 Sabine shook her head and looked away.

 "I don't wanna talk about it."

 "Alright," Ezra nodded, "is there anything I can do?"

 "Could you just sit here with me?" Sabine asked.

 "Absolutely," Ezra smiled.

 They treasured a moment's silence, before Sabine leaned a little closer, resting her head on his arm again. She glanced up at him as a smile crossed his face, and he rested his head on top of hers.

 Maybe he hadn't been there for her for the last few years. Maybe there were a lot of moments she'd needed him that he missed out on.

 But this moment? It wasn't going to be one of them— he was here for her now, and that's what mattered.

 And he wasn't going to stop being there for her ever again.

[loweya-blog]

The Earl Umbras (A Regency Romance)

“I-I can’t do this.” The amber-eyed Earl whined as you pulled him towards the dance floor, “T-there’s too many people!” 

The elegant golden ballroom was filled with other elegantly dressed couples, all waiting for the orchestra to begin the dance. You practically had to drag the young demon to one of the open spaces and he muttered defiance the entire way. 

“An earl of your stature must dance at least once. It would be an insult to the host otherwise.” You insisted, “We both know his grace will punish you should he find a reason.” 

Leviathan relented, grimacing at the thought of Lucifer tying him upside-down or doing something worse. He took his spot with you and the music began. He gave a bow, like you had taught him, but was frozen in the spot. The earl’s eyes kept nervously looking at all the people who were staring at him. 

“It’s not fair.” He quietly muttered. 

If this went on, not only would Leviathan not dance but he would embarrass the Morningstar household. He had frozen like a deer and seemed unable or wiling to move. Gently reaching towards his chin, you turned his head back to you, staring him in the eyes. 

“Keep your eyes on me. Just like we practiced.” You reminded him. 

The earl finally began to move, though clumsy it was. Despite being the one to lead the dance you had to remind him several times what the next step was. If this went on Lucifer would have your head as well. You had to come up with another tactic. 

“My lord, it’s just you and me in this room.” You spoke after almost stepping on his clumsy feet. 

“But-”

“Shhh.” You hushed him, “Imagine I’m not me but Henry. You are the Lord of Shadows. We aren’t dancing in a ballroom but by ourselves. Remember chapter thirty five in volume forty six?”

“Of course! Henry taught the Shadow Lord their homeland’s dance.” The earl responded, his eyes lighting up with passion. 

“And I am teaching you now. Do you remember the steps, Lord of Shadows?” 

“Of course I do.” 

It was like an entirely different person had taken control. Each action and motion held an air of confidence as they picked up to the speed of the music. Together you spun, swayed, and touched. There wasn’t a ballroom full of people, it was just you and him. 

As the rest of the world melted away, the earl held your arm and guided you, his hand along your back. With each moment you could feel your heartbeat grow louder as stared into his gorgeous eyes. They were so serious, as he always was when it came to TSL. You knew the trick would work but to this level was unexpected. 

Soon the music began to slow to its stopping point. With a final spin, the dance finished with a round of applause from the spectators. You quickly pulled away, trying to hide your own flushed face. The earl’s confidence vanished as he desperately looked away, raising a hand to hide his face from you. Was that blush on his face? 

“Excellent my lord.” You said with a curtsy, “I dare say you’re ready to dance with all the young ladies of the ball.” 

Now that he had a trick to use in his dances your job was done. Just as you were about to turn away, he quickly took your hand, preventing your leave. 

“I only want to dance with you, my henry.” He muttered. 

[specialagentlokitty]

Saul silva x reader - this empty space

Part 13:

You fought relentlessly, fighting king after king.

You were tired, battered, bruised, you wanted to stop, your body was screaming at you to stop but you couldn’t.

Tonight was the final night, and as you looked at the bright comet in the sky, burning over Solaria you slowly stood up, holding your hand to your ribs as you slowly breathed.

The shadows surrounded as you slowly started to walk through them to appear in front of the tomb near the school.

“You can’t do this.” Farah whispered.

She placed a hand on your shoulder, giving it a small squeeze.

Reaching up, you placed your hand on hers and shook your head as you looked at the few fairies and Solarian soldiers that were gathered around.

“It’s too late Farah, I have to. I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

You looked around before turning back to her.

“Look after him, please?”

She nodded her head and you walked away, standing in front of the barrier with the Queen as you took a small breath.

“You’re nearly out of time, and you’re running out of power.”

You looked over at Luna.

“I’m nearly out of my power, I’ve still got years of magic saved up inside of me, but I need something from you.”

You turned to her and she looked at you raising a brow.

“What?”

“When I give a signal, I need you to blind this barrier with all the light you can give.”

She frowned.

“You’ll go blind.”

“I’m done for either way, if you do this it’ll blind them both. That’s my opening to finish this once and for all.”

Luna nodded her head.

“Okay. I can do that for you.”

You nodded your head and held out your hand to her and she looked at it before looking back up at you.

Luna reached out, shaking your hand.

“Thank you.” She said.

You gave a nod of your head and let go of her hand, and you drew a small breath.

“Let him come back Luna, he needs Solaria around him.”

You looked back at the group of fairies and nodded your head, and they nodded back, and then you turned to the soldiers and they stood straight, saluting you.

Luna walked in front of her army and you saluted them back, looking up at the comet.

“(Y/N)!”

You turned your attention to the man running over and you lowered your arm, and he stood in front of you, taking your face in his hands to look you over.

“Saul you shouldn’t be here.”

“I’m part of your nation right? Part of Umbra?”

You nodded your head.

“Then I deserve to be here, with you, fighting by your side.”

You shook your head, moving his hands away so you could take a step back.

You looked him up and down, and you smiled a little as you reached over, adjusting the sword on his hip and you took the one from his back.

He frowned a little as he watched you attach it to your own back, and you smiled softly up at him.

“You suit that uniform.” You said softly.

You looked at his head, and you slowly walked over, reaching up, you ran your fingers through his hair, fixing it.

You smiled, touching his cheek.

“This is it Saul. I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t have to be, please!” He whispered weakly.

You looked up at the sky and you turned your attention back to him.

“It’s only a few hours until they rise Saul.”

He reached down, taking your hand in his as he laced his fingers with yours, and he looked you in the eyes.

“What do you need to do?”

“I need to channel all the magic I can.”

He nodded and he sat you down, and sat down in front of you, his knees touching yours, holding your hands in his.

You nodded and closed your eyes, focusing on drawing in the magic and Saul sat there with you, holding your hands as he looked at you.

He was burning the imagine if you into his mind so he could remember what you looked like.

Everyone stood watching and they could feel the sadness in the air, knowing there was nothing any of them could do that prevent what would happen.

After an hour, you gasped, opening your eyes as you placed a hand over your heart, breathing deeply as you moved.

“Breathe, breathe.”

Saul sat on his knees, holding your hand tightly as he placed his hand over your heart.

Your red eyes burned into his, and he brought his hand from your heart to trace the black veins on your face, following them up to your eyes.

“I don’t want to leave you (Y/N)…”

You pushed yourself from the ground and he did the same thing.

Walking over, you hugged Saul tightly, resting your ear against his chest to listen to his heartbeat.

“I will always, always be with you.”

You pulled away, taking your hands in his.

“I knew someday I might left this world without telling you goodbye. But I need you to know that despite everything that’s happened, all my best memories are with you.”

You gently squeezed his hands.

“Our book is closing Saul, and I wish it had a better ending, I really do, but I know it can’t.”

“But I can come in to fight with you, by your side, giving you a better chance!”

“And you’ll die to!”

“And I’m okay with that!” He yelled.

Saul walked away, running his hand through his hair as he sighed, turning back to face you.

“I’m okay if I die by your side. That’s okay with me! What’s okay is you thinking you have to do this alone, we have this whole army here! Help!”

“They’re here to kill me Saul!”

He froze, and you looked at him.

“I have you that sword, because if they have to, I need you to be the one to kill me.”

“How.. how could I kill you…?”

You sighed, pointing to the sword you gave to him.

“I infused it with my magic, all you have to is run my through.”

“Why would I have to kill you?”

You red eyes looked into his with sadness.

“It.. it calls to me too Saul. Deep inside of me. The curse beckons me, even if I survive killing the kings, there’s nothing that can stop what will happen. The magic will overtake me, and I will turn on Solaria, anyone.”

You walked over, placing his hand over your heart and you held it there.

“I crave the same violence they do, I crave the same thing they want. But right now I’m fighting it.”

“I won’t kill you..”

“You’ll have too. Promise me Saul, promise me you’ll be the one to do it.”

You teary eyes looked up at his.

Saul leaned down, pressing his forehead against yours, leaning forward to lightly kiss you before he pulled away.

“Okay.”

You nodded and pulled away, holding your hand in his, as you turned to the barrier taking a deep breath.

You gave Saul one last look at your fingers slipped from his as you walked forward towards the barrier and all he could do was watch because he knew he couldn’t pass through.

So when you vanished from his sight he took a shaky breath, lifting his eyes to the comet as tears fell down his face.

You looked back at the barrier, you could see them all, but they couldn’t see you and you stood at the entrance to the temple and you heard the creaking of things being opened.

This was it.

Now it was all or nothing.

This is what everything came down to, what everything had been leading up to your whole life.

It was this moment.

This would be the end

[laurie-vexen]

Not-So-Sound Advice

Date: Thursday, October 27th (Morning)

Location: Revvly

Notes: The day after the wedding, Laurie returns to Revvly to buy some blood bags for Miranda, but ends up asking for some advice about dating non-Umbra.

“Alright,” Miranda (who was back to an posh English accent today) said as she threw a duffel bag full of blood bags onto the front desk. To any non-Umbra it would feel too heavy to carry, but she figured Laurie would be fine carrying her load back to the ship. “This should hold you up for a few months, at least. I gave you what you paid for, but also threw in a few more as compensation for my cousin’s shenanigans.”

Laurie had spent most of her pay from Molfaun for this. She had to make sure she was never on the brink again like she had been when they landed here. “Thank you, Miranda. And I’m sorry again for all the trouble.”

Miranda waved the apology off. “The trouble is no one else’s but my cousin’s. He’ll be getting his ruined uniforms later today. That’ll teach him a lesson.”

Laurie chuckled and reached for the bag, but then stopped. A lot happened since she last saw the older Umbra. Particularly in the Stella department. It wasn’t like Laurie had a mother to seek out advice for this particular subject, and Miranda was kind enough to do all this for her. Maybe she would be willing to spare a bit more...

“Um... actually, there’s also something I wanted to ask your advice on.” This was so weird, she’d never asked anyone for dating advice before. “When you were married to... several Erkuss... what was that like?

Miranda perked up with intrigue. “What that was like? Oh marvelous, in their own individual ways, they were incredible lovers, for one -”

Okay, no, not what she meant. “No -” she quickly interjected. “Not... that... I mean, were you always okay with them not knowing about... you?”

Miranda’s eyes narrowed, and a knowing smirk formed on her lips. “Is this your first time with an Erkuss?”

Laurie shouldn’t have been so surprised by the blunt question, but she still became flustered. Rubbing the back of her neck, she stammered. “Ah - well - n-no... not technically...”

The answer seemed to surprise Miranda. “It’s not? You had me fooled. Well, how did that one pan out?”

She’d never spoken about Mira to someone before, so she almost didn’t know what to say. A blush crept up her cheeks before she started explaining. “She... walked in on me feeding once... and freaked out...”

At this point, Miranda’s face lit up like she was hearing the latest town gossip. “No!” She gasped, a hand on her chest for dramatic effect. “And what did you do?”

“... I left the planet and never came back.”

“That’s a reasonable reaction.”

Laurie sighed. But Miranda was laughed. She was having a great time with this.

“Awww. You poor thing,” she reached out to pinch Laurie’s cheek. Laurie did not like that. “You are so young. With so many centuries ahead of you. Those centuries are going to be filled with mistakes, I’m telling you now.” Thankfully, she removed her hand. “With this in particular... well, there isn’t really a good outcome for us any way you go about it. We either scare people away with the truth, or by some miracle they accept us but we out-live them. The Mother Shade did not spare us kindness in that regard.” She woefully sighed. “For me, I enjoyed the company of my spouses. They brought me joy, entertainment, and never made me feel lonely. I loved them very much. But I didn’t fully trust them. Not with this. This Erkuss woman you were once with, were you in love with her?”

Laurie had spent so long trying not to think about Mira that she needed a moment to try and let herself remember what things had been like nearly two years ago. A lot happened in the few weeks, and she was sure if she stayed a little while longer, she could have said she had been in love with Mira. But thinking on it right now, she didn’t think so. 

“No. We weren’t together for very long - uh, ‘together’ might be too strong a word... we never really got to the girlfriend phase.”

Miranda nodded. “And this new one?”

That question made Laurie rather flustered. This was all so new, and she really didn’t want to make the same mistake again falling head first into everything so quickly. “I don’t think I’m there yet. I don’t think she is either - we’re... this is new for the both of us.”

“Ah yes, the honeymoon phase of a new romance,” Miranda emphasized the last word randomly in a French accent. “You should enjoy that, my dear. For people like us, we have to be careful who we let in.”

Laurie was confused by the lesson Miranda was trying to teach here. “Wait, I don’t understand... don’t you have to trust people in order to love them?” Was that not how that worked?

Miranda shook her head. “No. Love doesn’t have an strict criteria with boxes you have to check to make it real. I’ve been in love with my share of people, whom I never fully trusted to know my true identity. In many cases, dear, ignorance is indeed bliss. I was happy when I was happy. They were, too. Sometimes it’s better to not risk that happiness, especially with their short lifespans. But at the end of the day, it is up to you completely what you want to do. I do think if you are ready to share that part of yourself with someone, you’ll know.”

Laurie looked down. There wasn’t exactly anything hopeful about this message. “But what if I do tell her and it all goes away?”

Miranda pouted and tilted her head. “Like I said before, you’re so young. There’s so much life ahead of you, so many more people you’ll meet along the way. Even in the worst case scenario, it won’t be the end of the world. You’ll get through it.”

It wasn’t exactly what Laurie wanted to hear, but then again she didn’t know what she wanted to hear. Was she supposed to just harbor this guilt of hiding what she really was? Or maybe Miranda was saying what she was feeling didn’t have to be permanent? For now, it sounded like Laurie should wait it out and see where her and Stella went before making such a major decision. It wasn’t great, but what else was she supposed to do? They just started... this... and Laurie was too afraid to ruin it when it barely began. Hopefully she could at least be the best she could be everywhere else, to the point where the reveal would be trivial in comparison. Was that a naive thought? She would hate to be naive.

Okay. She knew what to do now.

[keepers-of-lost-light]

A God Without a Name

Within the realm of Inferis, a place of shadows and smoke, tucked away in the furthest reaches out of sight of prying eyes, there was a forest of dark wood maples. Their leaves were as crimson as the fires that burned in the pits of The Wailing Breach, but rumored to be just as beautiful as the Mother of Mercy.

A black marble pavilion stood at the center of The Nightwood, draped in wisteria and morning glories. A figure stepped away, kicking up scatterings of leaves as she raced to the nearest stream. Ever shifting and unsure of her natural form, Noćtis crouched down at the river bank to test her newfound ability to shape change. Golden eyes stared back at her as well as the natural gray pigment to her skin that connected her origins back to Lunis; the living part of their shared cosmic godly essence.

Noćtis shifted into what she remembered Lunis looking like. A gray skinned human with moonlight white hair. Her appearance shifted again to mimic that of a grey skinned umbra elf with Noćtis’ naturally black hair. She tried copying Nemus’ appearance only to end up as a gray furred rabbit folk instead of a deer folk.

Finally, she settled into a gray skinned cambion. Black hair ran like a darkened river down her back between a set of horns that swept back. She felt bouncier on cat like legs, and more balanced with a lion's tail swishing in the grass behind her. She tried to imagine herself with wings like she had seen on Messorem, but they came to her like that of bat wings. She shed them with a shiver and a roll of her shoulders as they disappeared into thin air.

Still, through all the shifting, her eyes remained golden.

‘They connect you to the other half of your soul,’ Messorem had told her when she asked why they never changed. She very much enjoyed them, especially when they became cat-like and luminescent.

Noćtis’ hair stood on edge as static filled the air. She hugged herself as she glanced around, eyes wide.

Off in the distance amongst the red maples, the air shimmered in a vertical line like a mirage trying to take shape. Noćtis stood, and a tearing rang through the woods. She looked back at the train in her dress to check if she had caught on something.

Looking back at the shimmering air, Noćtis noticed the mirage had opened like a tear in a silk tapestry. She approached it, catlike curiosity pulling her closer. One sweep of the grove told her she was still alone.

“Hello?” Noćtis called.

She half expected one of her family members to step out from behind the trees. Nemus walked with her on many occasions, and Lady Sapientia & Lady Eleatheria came to teach her about The World Garden almost every day.

They had never arrived like this before.

Noćtis reached for the tear, and static nipped at her fingers. She shook her hand, backtracking slightly.

“Don’t touch anything suspicious,” Noćtis repeated to herself. A lesson Lady Sapientia had taught her when they spoke about planar travelers. ‘Tears will happen here and there, do not pay them any attention for it might be the occasional traveler taking a peek. If it becomes concerning, come get someone.’

Noćtis backed up, and sat on her heels. Her black sheer ember touched dress pooled around her as she waited. She fiddled with the golden bracelets that held her drapery to her arms before resting her chin on her knees.

The planar tear cast gray light across the leaves pooled on the ground. Noćtis poked at the maples, some crunching while others gave way with a soft huff.

“By the name of the gods,” a voice echoed.

Noćtis perked up, a cat hearing the rustling of critters in the distance. She focused on the planar tear. Standing, she inched closer.

“Please,” the voice called again. “Give me the power to help my mother and father. Spare them from death’s door, and give them peace. I beg of you.”

Noćtis peered into the planar tear, gray light shining across her eyes.

The air was sucked out of her lungs as the static from the tear latched onto her, and tugged. She fell forward, spilling onto the cold marble floor of a small chapel. Noćtis found herself chilled by the new environment. Her bones creaked from the cold as she pushed herself up from the ground.

A candelabra clattered to the floor, and Noćtis startled. She flipped around to see a young woman, an umbra elf, leaning against an altar. The dark tendrils of Death Divinity curled off the altar, reaching out to an obsidian blade dipped in crimson.

Blood dripped to the floor from the woman’s arm.

She let out a breathy laugh, mania dancing in her eyes like sparklers.

“Did it work?”

Noćtis looked about the room. Globules of lights danced across the ceiling, and illuminated a mosaic of ravens across a starry sky. A visage of Morsa was holding her hands out to her escorts of Inferis.

“Ispričavam se, ne znam na što mislite,” Noćtis tried in the language of Inferis. The umbra elf furrowed. Noćtis shook her head. “I am sorry, I do not speak common very well.”

The woman cocked her head, red hair like wine falling over her shoulder. She looked over Noćtis with cold amber eyes. Her gaze landed on the sweeping horns that adorned Noćtis’ head. 

“You’re from Inferis,” the woman spoke in the native language and Noćtis perked up. She did understand me. The woman stepped down off the dais, blood staining the train of her silver evening gown.

“Did Morsa send you to help us?”

Noćtis furrowed. Morsa? Why would mother send me? She looked around the dark marble chapel again. Where am I?

“My apologies,” Noćtis started. “I don’t know what you’re speaking of or why Lady Morsa would send me to whatever this place is.”

The manic light drained from the woman’s face as it twisted in a sneer. She whipped around, taking the second candelabra still standing by the altar, and threw it. The metal clattered against the marble, and the flames petered out.

Noćtis covered her ears as the ringing scraped against the inside of her skull. She squinted up at the woman, who was stringing curses together. She was hovering about the altar, her stature unsure of whether to destroy the ritual she set out or keep it active.

The air grew heavy, the globules dancing across the ceiling dimmed. Noćtis shrunk in on herself. This doesn’t feel like the doing of Inferis. She looked back from where she had fallen in search of the planar tear.

It was gone.

Noćtis scrambled to her feet. “No,” she murmured. “No, no, no, I can’t stay here.”

“What are you?”

Noćtis’ shoulders shot to her ears as her tail wrapped around her leg nervously. She turned slowly back to the woman who was brandishing the obsidian dagger, and descending on her.

Backing up, Noćtis’ back hit the locked doors of the chapel. She held her hands in front of her as if to ward off the rolling anger filled storm clouds coming from the elf.

“I don’t know what you want-”

The woman slashed out at her. The blade bit into Noćtis’ skin.

Noćtis slid to the floor, clutching at her forearm as golden ichor seeped through her fingers. She whimpered as panic crawled up her throat. I can bleed? I can be hurt? How? She tried to force the cut closed, fingers slipping against skin.

“You're a god.”

The woman’s voice was barely a whisper. Noćtis met her eyes, and the manic glint was back. Shadows curled at the woman’s back as she came closer. She crouched in front of Noćtis.

The fledgling goddess pressed herself against the door.

“You’re the one without a name, aren’t you?” The woman asked. “The one that began to appear in the constellations about three hundred years ago.”

(An excerpt from the short story, The Prophet & The Nightingale, written by circa. January 2022)

[jedi-lothwolf]

Whumpril Day 24: Secret/"What Have You Done?"

Fandom: Star Wars The Clone Wars

Warning: Violence

Note: I started this before finishing the Umbara arc. I was like half way though and thought of this. Also a patella is your kneecap.

Summary: Kix has some feelings about Obi-wan after Umbara.

    Obi-wan stood in the hall. He was waiting for Anakin to join him. The two were going to talk about what had happened on Umbra. They needed to know how to better help their men deal with what they had done. He saw Kix and waved friendly.

    Kix walked quickly. He walked up to the general and grabbed him by the neck. "It's your fault." Then he just started hitting him. Obi-wan refused to hit him back. He pulled at the hand around his throat. With his other arm he tried to stop the clone from injuring him further. "How did you not know? Couldn't you sense it?" He yelled.

    Obi-wan tried to talk to Kix. He tried to apologize and to explain how he wished he could have and how he never thought something like that was possible; at least not from a jedi.

    Kix didn't stop. He knew all the spots to hit someone to leave them helpless. He kicked Obi-wan's knee in the right spot with the right amount of pressure and broke his Patella. He yelled and was pushed to the ground.

    Then the clone kicked Kenobi in the head. It started bleeding. He was bleeding and in pain and scared and betrayed but he couldn't find it in himself to be angry. The man was beating him, with what seemed to be no attempt to stop, but at this point there wasn't much he could do to stop him.

    With one more hit, he stopped. Kix took a few steps back and stared at the Jedi. Hate laced the clones eyes still; as if he wanted to continue. The hallway was silent.

    After a few seconds; that felt like minutes, a set of footsteps could be heard. Fives turned the corner then ran to meet the two. For a moment he didn't realize what had happened. Then he saw his brother's hands. "Kix, what have you done?" He half yelled his question.

    "I gave him what he deserved. He was there, he should have known."

    "Kix, your job is to heal people not break them!" Fives sighed, "your just looking for someone to blaim. He couldn't have known and you know that."

    Kix looked down at his work. The anger faded as he realized what he'd done. "Oh god."

    "There it is."

    "We need to get him to the med bay." Kix came to his senses.

    "You know you're done, right? After this you're locked up for quite some time."

    Kix looked at Fives.

    "You should have thought about that before you beat the shit out of the general."

    Obi-wan started trying to get up. Fives kneeled down to him, "general, rest."

  He gave a small nod and laid on the floor. "Fives" Kenobi stuttered.

    "Yeah?"

    "Lie. I understand." Pain filled his voice but a jedi's compassion always prevails.

    "What?" Kix asked.

    "It wasn't you" Obi-wan strained.

    "But who? We can't just frame someone." Fives grabbed the general and picked him up.

    "I don't" he hissed at the pain, "remember."

    "I think I understand what you're saying." Fives said. He explained his plan to Kix on the way.

    Half way there the Jedi went limp in Fives arms. He noticed but there wasn't much he could do. When the two arrived at the medical center they explained their story. "We found him outside. He said he couldn't remember what happened. He had tried to get back to the temple, said it was the closest medical center."

     The two were asked questions and despite the 501st being terrible liars they got by. Fives explained the story to Obi-wan before they asked him for his story and he matched the it perfectly.

    When he was released from the medical ward Kix approached him. "Why?"

    "What?" He asked.

    "Why did you lie? Why didn't you tell them? Why?"

    "Anger" Obi-wan sighed, "clouds your judgment. It takes control. You're not violent and you got pushed over the edge. Don't do anything like this again and we should be fine. It'll be our secret."

    "Yes Sir." Kix saluted him.

    Obi-wan pulled his arm down and gave the soldier a hug, "it's going to be okay Kix."

    Kix returned the hug. It felt nice. Now he just had to hope the secret of what he had happened didn't become too much. Obi-wan was a nice man who didn't deserve what he'd done. He didn't deserve the general's forgiveness. He understood that the jedi would have to suffer on silents.

[poisonousroxstar]

Imagine:

For Platonic Yandere Bayonetta

Plot summary: Bayonetta being a platonic yandere, and how she'd fare should you perish.

This Contains: Overbearing behaviour, angst, character death (receiving). Possibly OOC

Note: you're probably wondering why I haven't posted for a long time! Well, truth be told, I've been... Lazy. But! I've been trying to get back into the swing of things, get back into writing. Here's some headcanons for Bayonetta! To tide youse over until I post again. Tbh, this was going to be shorter but.... I ended up making it longer and sadder then needed. So yeh, enjoy~

She will protect you with her life, that is a given. You mean the world to her, for you are her little one.

Whether you were born from her or simply a child she found later on, Bayonetta would feel no different about loving, caring, and raising you as her own.

Will tease you, I'm sorry. She just likes pushing your buttons a little. But it's nothing severe, and she just adores when you laugh or giggle at her antics.

Never have any doubts about yourself, little one. Mother Bayonetta is your absolute wingwoman. You're perfect, and should never be ashamed of yourself.

Will encourage you to flaunt your natural beauty. After all, you are the child of the famed witch, shake what your mother gave you!

Should you have the spiritual energy required for it, Bayonetta would train you like an Umbran Witch, making you especially efficient in the Bullet Arts. Despite her confidence, she knows she can't always protect you, so it's better you learn how to defend yourself as well.

Should you not, then Bayonetta will be extremely protective of you. Will not want you leaving her side much at all, especially when the threat of angles are always around the corner. She can't afford anything to happen to you. She won't let anything happen you, she swears it.

If you were alive during the Witch Hunts, then Bayonetta (or Cereza) would absolutely refuse to leave you be. Even if you're a capable witch yourself, she won't leave you for even a second. You, Bayo, and Jeanne will be going together to find Rosa. No exceptions.

If you died during that time, Bayonetta would be heartbroken. Her darling, little one, just... Killed. Like some animal. She wouldn't be the same, not after losing her brightest joy in the world, and that added onto her mother's death will push Bayonetta over the edge. She'd simply give up, unable to fight anymore. All her confidence, all that self-reassurance, gone with the winds - just like you.

She can't even say you're in a better place now, as it's extremely likely you're wandering the depths of inferno, forever. And that thought alone will crush her even more. She had failed you.

Even in the future, where all her memories are forgotten, Bayonetta still feels empty inside. There's this subtle sense of sadness in her, something no one, not even herself, can tell why. She can feel the ghost of your memories in her heart and yet, she can't exactly recall who you are.

In this scenario, Bayonetta's assault against the angles are just that much more brutal and ferocious. It's abnormal for her to express her anger in such an overt way, there's barely any teasing or flirtatious remarks. Just pure slaughter.

When she does remember who you are, she will allow that confident walls of hers to crumble down in the dirt. Bayonetta is a woman who keeps her negative emotions in the back of her head and yet, with you, she can't help but let her grief overcome her. It's at that one moment she will feel all the more hopeless. What is the point of this battle, if she won't ever see you again? Her little one is gone forever..

But she can't give up. No, she can't. Your death would be for nothing if she did. She's pushed into a fury powered by your death, Rosa's death, and that of the Umbra clan. She will avenge you, she will. Bayonetta will not fail you again.

Baldur and Jubileus' defeat is especially gruesome.

There will always be a hole in Bayonetta's heart. She could move past the near-eradication of the Umbra clan, she can move past the death of her mother, but she cannot leave your death behind her. That is something that will always haunt her.

Bayonetta will carry you with her always and forevermore. You will always be in her heart, that precious smile and adorable memories permanently engrained. There will be days where having your memory with her will be maddening, causing her raw nature of confidence to falter at the seams. But not once would she trade them away. Always and forever, Bayonetta will keep your memory alive within her.

Her little one, forever in her broken heart.

[ecrivant]

on intimacy pt. 1 | levi ackerman

(levi ackerman x reader)

as the trauma of soldierhood begins to weigh on you, you turn to levi for comfort.  a quiet exploration of damage and the intimacy shared by two.  read pt. 2 here.

a.n. – stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a fanfic where the reader has a tender encounter with levi in his office.  i think i’m on the brink of discovering a writing trope no one has ever used before!  don’t worry, we explore the incertitude and conflation of platonic and romantic intimacy, i swear i’m different, and i swear this is a character study and not just wish fulfilment.  

touch is the reader’s love language.  

word count: 1.9k

Ferric miasma hangs in the air, low to the earth, a gauzy tulle of dawn fog.  Beneath it, terra inked with sanguine dew.  You stand above your parents’ mangled corpses, still.  Blood roars in your ears, your face pulsates, hyperaware. You hear your eyes dart between your mother’s slack jaw, ripped from the cheek, and your father’s deranged expression, one eye hanging from the socket by a tendinous cord. Freckled complexions washed in red.  Lifeless amputees, limbless, silent, barely even there.  

An immense umbra engulfs you; you have no feeling as you’re lifted into the air, ascending towards an obscure ether, pulled away from the statuesque corpses that lie beneath, overlooking a perverted vignette, figures composed in beguiling agony, a foreground washed in vermilion.  A feverish vise clutches your unmoving form, and soured iron permeates your nostrils as teeth crush your skull—you hear the sickening crunch of bone, the pulping of your brain as it seeps between fractures, but you feel nothing at all.  

You woke with a heave in the dark of the barracks, unclenching your teeth and forcing your jaw apart.  You searched in the dark until eyes find the dawn light.  Everything was still; no one had stirred at your outburst.  Why dream of them now? Your index and middle fingers wrapped around your wrist, feeling rapid palpitations, matched with an inbound throbbing behind your eyes.  You focused on a gouge in the wall opposite and listened to the steady breathing of your teammates, slowing your pulse, grounding yourself.  

An ambient hum hung in the air: the world’s low, ceaseless murmur.  In the white noise, you heard remnants of a familiar melody—something quiet your mother used to sing to you, something formless and only heard in that vague void between wakefulness and sleep.  Knowing it wasn’t there yet still listening intently, you grasped onto the wispy tones, and found yourself lost in nothing, and allowed yourself to fall into a dreamless sleep.  Your mind produced no images, yet you sensed an incoming danger that left you restless.  

You came to with Mikasa gently shaking your shoulder.  Her expectant gaze hung above you.  

“Training starts in ten minutes.”  Said with gentle urgency.  

You were inexplicably struck still, as if the thought of getting out of bed was paralyzing.  You sat up but didn’t move further.

“Don’t wait up.”

You felt a hand in yours as Mikasa kneeled, quietly examining you.  Her concerned eyes would be too much; you kept your gaze in your lap. She ran her thumb over your hand, as if to ask if you were okay.  No response, and her hand slipped out of yours.  She drifted towards the door.  

“I’ll tell Captain Levi.”

—

A lifeless automaton, you eventually found yourself on the field just as everyone began warming up, feeling Levi’s eyes on your face as you wordlessly slipped into the drill.  

“I expect punctuality at all times, not just when you feel like it.”  Like a knife.

Steel eyes, annoyed.  Concerned.  You let the reprimand linger as dull shame settled in your chest.

“Yes, sir.”  You apologized with your gaze.  

—

Your tailbone struck the ground hard, birthing a shockwave that emanated through your spine.  You made no moves to get up.  Your respiration had ceased, and you fought against your sternum for breath. Hands gripped at loose soil, desperate for tangibility.  

Eren began to gloat but cut himself off when you didn’t respond to his outreached hand.  

“Hey, what’s with you?”  He kneeled as he spoke, leveling himself with your gaze.  

You swallowed hard, tasting tears.  Panicked. The thought of death lorded over you, taunting, ready to crush you underfoot.  

“I—I don’t know.”

You were vaguely aware of Eren calling for Mikasa, strong hands lifting you, bodies supporting your dead weight.  The infirmary, hazy voices, ‘trauma,’ disembodied grey eyes, nervous observation. Void, melting away, drifting.  

Your sleep was restless, filled with ravaged bodies, flayed flesh.  As you finally awoke, you watched the glistening sinew creep up the walls, branded into your vision.  Wordless, fearful babbling.

A strong hand pressed into your shoulder, pushing you back onto the mattress.  Levi stood above you, expressionless, eyes roaming over your face. His hand remained until your expression calmed.  The croak of your voice, your uncontrolled panic—you were humiliated.  Eyes looking anywhere but him.

“I’m sorry, Captain.”

He scoffed.

“Stop thinking.”  He let go of your shoulder and held out a glass of water, bringing it to your lips to drink.  A worthless invalid.

He stayed with you for hours.  Neither spoke.  At one point he asked if you wanted him to leave—you admitted you didn’t.  

Your hand rested on the edge of the bed, and he grabbed it without thinking.  In spite of yourself, your face flushed at the contact.  His touch was comfort, an unspoken assurance.  When the nurse came to check on you, his grip stayed firm.  

You were released the next day to a group of concerned teammates.  Levi ordered them to stand down, but the words of your superior were no match for their worry.  Despite insisting you were fine, they treaded lightly, on eggshells.  Eren led you to the dining hall, a plate already prepared and sitting at the table with Mikasa and Armin.  

“Please treat me like I’m normal.”  Spoken with a hollow smile, a slapdash attempt at humor, normalcy.  

Flushed, Armin rushed to insist you were normal; Eren denied any special treatment; Mikasa watched you carefully, as if she were afraid a heavy gaze would break you.  You did feel the weight of her gaze, this time meeting her eyes, and you felt your chest swell.  Her concern cut through you, warming your face.  You tried to calm the rest of your friends down, but things began to escalate when Connie and Sasha joined in, mentioning they were glad you weren’t mentally ‘fucked up,’ to which Jean shushed them.  Glares and overlapping, apologetic rambling overwhelmed you.  You were grateful for their concern but only in doses.

Levi eyed your antics from his seat, recognizing your discomfort.  He crossed the room in long strides, silencing the table with his arrival.

“Can I speak to you in my office?”  His words were deadpan, but his eyes held no malice.  You nodded, grateful he read you, and followed him out of the room.

—

“You’re not to train for the rest of the week.”

You couldn’t suppress your shock, which quickly turns to shame.

“Captain, I’m sorry.  I won’t let my emotions interfere—”

Levi rolled his eyes, cutting you short.  You shifted from foot to foot, unsure of what to say.

“It’s not punishment. Believe it or not, I’m actually concerned for your wellbeing.”  Deadpan. You had assumed you would have acclimated to his way of speaking, but it still gave you pause.  You couldn’t help you felt patronized by him.

You stood in front of his desk, looking at his cheeks, his forehead, feigning eye contact.  His gaze bore into you.  

“You’re not a special case. This has happened before.”  Again, that equivocal, Levi-specific dialect. Did he mean to comfort you?  You stayed silent, implicitly encouraging him to explain.  

“It just—it happens when a soldier isn’t,” he paused, breaking eye contact, choosing his words carefully, “hardened.”  

He returned his gaze to you.

“It doesn’t mean you’re weak, brat.  You’re just still sensitive.”

You processed his words.

“How do you become strong?”

His eyebrows raised, fractionally.  He set his jaw, his neutral expression returning.

“I just said this doesn’t mean you’re weak.  You are strong.”

“I mean, how do I avoid more of these episodes?”  You didn’t mean to raise your voice—you despised the desperation that slipped through.

“Just watch more people die.”  He eyed your reaction, taking in your surprise.  

“I don’t mean to be callous: it’s just a matter of exposure.  Each death you see or cause or cannot prevent carves at your insides until you’re… hollow. And you have to let it happen.”

You were silenced, winded by a realization of a reality of unceasing cruelty.  It was something you had always known, but to be faced with it so explicitly? You felt eviscerated.  

“Many die before they reach that point—empathetic and afraid.”  

Your knees threatened to buckle—Levi was quick to rise and support you.  He apologized for going too far.  

“I shouldn’t have said that.”

You insisted it was not his fault.  He only spoke a truth you were simply not ready to face.  Levi led you over to his desk chair and you shakily sat.  He stood before you, unmoving, before walking away, giving you space—moments later, deciding against it, he turned at the heel and returned, kneeling in front of you.  He grabbed your hands, and you felt his breath on your face.  Meeting his gaze, you saw an uncharacteristic softness, iris wavering.  You wondered if he liked speaking to you, holding you.  You wondered what would happen if you placed a chaste kiss on his lips.  Levi’s smell struck you—it was familiar, nostalgic; it reminded you of home.  Of a past, forgotten.  Of the sunshine streaming through your grandmother’s kitchen window, the smell of your father’s tobacco pipe, your mother’s vanilla perfume.  You couldn’t remember the last time you imagined any of them alive, rather than lifeless viscera.  

You leaned forward and pressed your lips to his, retreating as fast as you had advanced.  It was chaste, demure, and you watched Levi remain motionless, wide-eyed.  Red shame crept up your neck into your face, but you instead focused on his shock—what was the last thing that truly surprised your captain?

Your captain—captain.

Reality set in and your eyes widened in horror.  Impulse driven by an entirely constructed, drunken, nostalgic familiarity.  You felt more faint than you had in days.  It wasn’t even an especially passionate moment, more awkward and quiet and, frankly, underwhelming.  Maybe that was what made a first kiss special: the unique mundanity of it.  You wished you could revel in the indistinctness of the moment—but instead, you fearfully eyed Levi, half-embarrassed, half-angry that you would so blatantly and thoughtlessly overstep that boundary.  You retraced your thoughts: had you ever been captivated by Levi, or were you caught up in the moment of comfort he offered you?  The intimacy of familiarity, amity?  Maybe a bit of both.  

You watched as he finally recovered, defaulting to his normal expression.  He didn’t have a tell, except for the deep red that tinged the tips of his ears.  He pulled away, returning to his standing position and cutting you off before you had the chance to speak.  

“Don’t apologize.  You didn’t do anything wrong.”  He spoke firmly, softly.  Idiosyncratically Levi.

Emboldened by some deep irrationality, you spoke, not shying away from his gaze: “It felt nice, sir.”

He was silent again, short-circuited by your boldness.  You hung, suspended, in the tension of the room.  He eventually confirmed your statement, agreeing.  

“It did.”  Bewildering for the both of you.

You insisted you needed to go back to your room and try to get some sleep, a cumbrous mess of meaning and filler words, and Levi didn’t stop you.  There was no declaration of love, nor did he beg you to stay the night with him.  You stood up and left, and as you shut the door, you looked back and caught a smile break through Levi’s look of consternation.

— 

haha!  part 1 of 2!  i know we’re all horny and want levi to just ravage us, but i honestly think he wouldn’t know what to do with intimacy and physical touch and i will die on this hill if i have to!  anyway, feedback and constructive criticism is always appreciated!

[wherelightanddarkmerge]

Chapter Four: They’re Lies, Lies, Lies, Lies, Lies

Virgil was tearing apart his room. Where was his copy of the Divine Comedy? It wasn’t on his shelf or in his bed, or anywhere else it should be. In fact, the last place he remembered seeing it was…

“Shit,” Roman looked up from his phone, watching with a raised brow as Virgil ran a hand through his hair. “I think I left it in the Light Commons.” 

“Oh, that sucks. Do you want me to go with you to get it?” asked Roman.

“Yes, please,” said Virgil.

The two Sides sank out into the Light Sides’ living room, where they saw Patton and Logan sitting on the couch. Virgil immediately knew finding his book was not worth this.

"What are you two doing here?” Patton asked. “Are... are you coming back, and not being Umbra Sides anymore?" 

Roman froze. Virgil did too for a second, and then he said, "Yeah, no. I left my copy of the Divine Comedy here, and once I get it we're getting out of your space again." 

Patton deflated and said "Oh..." really disappointedly.

Virgil checked that Roman was doing okay. He knew how it felt. He knew that it was awful for others to perceive you as bad. To hear the disappointment in their voices, or to see them give up on you. Worse, he knew how it felt for others to feel disgusted by your presence. To be unwanted and hated. Luckily for Roman, Patton just seemed confused and a little sad. So far, at least. And if Virgil had a say in it, Roman would never be hated. Roman would never feel that way.

Thankfully, he only sensed nervousness from his friend, nothing more intense. So he continued, "If you don't mind, I'm fairly sure my book is somewhere around here, so..."

"Yeah, go ahead," Patton said dejectedly.

Virgil and Roman began looking around. After a few minutes, Virgil pulled a beat up book out from under the couch. "Found it."

Patton looked at them sadly, and Virgil fought back the guilt he hadn't felt in a long time. This was good. This was what they deserved. 

Logan watched the so-called "Umbra" Sides leave, frustrated that he was left with more questions than answers. There was only one way to get those; Thomas needed to call a meeting.

"Wait," Patton called out, interrupting Logan's thoughts. The two Sides stopped.

"What?" Roman asked shortly.

"Roman—"

"You may call me Creativity or the General," interrupted Roman.

Patton blinked, confused. "The— the General? Wait, why can't I call you Roman?"

"We're no longer on a first-name basis, Morality."

"I'm confused," said Logan. "You and Virgil—"

"Why would we let you guys use my name when we aren't letting you use the General's?"

"But why?" Patton repeated.

"I gave you my name because I trusted you," said Virgil. "I don't anymore. The General and I are leaving now. Goodbye." 

They sank into their Commons, and Virgil almost instantly collapsed onto the couch, letting out a sigh. “God, that was nerve-wracking.” He ran a hand through his hair, staring at his book. 

“Really?” said Roman. “I mean, it was, but… you didn’t seem worried at all.”

“Oh, good. I wasn’t sure if I was pulling that off.”

Roman blinked. “Pulling it off? Even I didn’t know you were worried, and you’re Paranoia.” 

Virgil considered that for a moment, trying his best to stop thinking about how badly acting unconcerned had gone before. Honestly, he'd always been surprised they didn't pick up on the facade. He'd always thought he was pretty bad keeping one up. At least, he’d often seen better. “I guess I just… didn’t want them to know they startled me.”

“Huh. Well, it worked,” said Roman. “You’re… a little bit concerningly good at that.”

“I used to be worse,” said Virgil. “Jan— um. I used to be worse at it.”

Roman pretended not to notice that Virgil was leaving something unsaid and, though Virgil didn’t mention it, he seemed to be grateful for this. Virgil was entitled to his secrets. Still, being Creativity, Roman had to wonder. What wasn’t Virgil saying? But he decided to put that thought to one side, instead of putting it to the other Side. 

Meanwhile, Logan rose up in the real world, quickly followed by Patton. Not one to mince words, Logan said, “Thomas. Call a meeting immediately.”

“Manners, Logan,” Patton reminded him.

Logan sighed. “Thomas. Call a meeting immediately, please.”

Thomas gave them both a confused look, but did so anyway. Logan, in most cases at least, knew what he was doing. He was a bit startled that Roman rose up the same time Virgil appeared, almost as if they’d planned it. Janus had yet to show, but he’d been there eventually. Which was rather unfortunate in the Umbra Sides’ minds.

Quickly dismissing the surprise, Thomas said, “Hi, Roman! Hi, Virgil!”

“Oh, um— actually, they—” Patton began.

“No, wait,” said Virgil.

“We can make exceptions,” Roman said.

“Exceptions?” asked Thomas, confused. “Exceptions to what?”

Logan adjusted his glasses, wondering how to begin. “I suppose Patton and I are no longer allowed to use their names. I believe it was because, according to them, they no longer trust us.” He was a bit frustrated by that. He couldn’t think of any logical reason they’d be upset.

“But don’t worry, you’re good, Thomas,” said Roman.

Thomas took a moment to process. “Um, okay. So, uh, Logan, why did you want me to call a meeting?”

“This reason precisely, Thomas.” Logan gestured to the two self-claimed “Umbra” sides, noticing for the first time they were standing closer together than usual, “If Creativity and Anxiety-” 

“Wrong,” Virgil interrupted him, sounding apathetic.

Logan looked almost offended. “Wrong? What, precisely, is that supposed to mean?”

Virgil rolled his eyes. “It means you’re wrong. I’m not Anxiety. Not anymore.”

That was when Janus showed up.

At a glance, nothing had changed in the room. Thomas, Patton, Roman, and Virgil were still in their original spots. Except, now that Janus looked a bit longer, Virgil and Roman were closer together, and judging by their outfits, something had definitely changed. Janus would have liked to ask what was happening, but Logan was already talking. “What is the point of lying about that? I don’t understand.”

Janus raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t hear anyone lie.”

Logan, along with Patton and Thomas, blinked in confusion. Janus scanned the faces in the room, realizing in a start where he recognized Virgil’s outfit. He rolled his eyes, “Please, Paranoia, I thought you threw that thing out ages ago.” 

Patton cleared his throat, “You mean Anxiety?”

“Nope,” said Virgil.

“No?” said Janus, a hint of surprise leaking into his voice against his will.

“Wait, wait, wait,” said Thomas.  “You’re going by Paranoia now? I thought you hated being called that.”

Though Virgil spoke to Thomas, he was looking at Janus as he responded, as if daring him to do something— no one could tell what. “I am Paranoia now, Thomas.”

Janus could feel the way the mood in the room had shifted. He knew Virgil expected something from Janus. A fight, perhaps, or even a grin. Both of their faces stayed blank until Janus spoke. 

“Going by Paranoia again? That’s a Dark name. Then again,” Janus grinned, “We both know I’ve always believed Light Sides and Dark Sides could get along.”

Virgil’s expression shifted immediately. Now he was tilting his head with a wide, unsettling grin, and the eyes he locked onto Janus’s were twinkling with an emotion the rest of the Sides were too afraid to identify. “Oh?” he said. “Really, Janus, tell me more about what we both know you’ve always believed.” 

No one was entirely sure what was happening, perhaps not even Janus knew. But Virgil did. It was obvious by the broken smile plastered across his face, the hatred in his gaze, and the way Janus faltered, uncomfortable. 

But, he was nothing if not Deceit. He put up a mask of calm, a casual smile painted on his face. “Oh, come now, Paranoia. Did you ever believe I felt otherwise?”

Virgil’s grin widened. In a terrifying voice, he said, “I did what I did in spite of you, and you are not in control here. Do not try that.”

Thomas looked back and forth between the two Sides. He didn’t know what they were talking about, but he could tell two things. One, they were playing a game of lies and hidden meanings and facades, exactly Janus’s forte. And two, Virgil was right: Janus wasn’t the one in control. Virgil was.

Everyone felt a chill go down their spine as Virgil laughed, mirthless and hysterical. “Then, again! That’s what you do, don’t you? Control everyone!” He stopped for a moment, then shouted. “Watch out!” Thomas and Patton flinched, “I think I broke my leash!” 

Three Sides and a human stared, worried about what might happen next. Not what Janus would do; that was barely a concern, if at all. But how would Virgil react? What on earth was going on with him?

“Calm down, Virgil,” said Janus (sounding ever so slightly… nervous? The Sides had never seen him nervous before), “if you don’t want to—”

“Don’t want to what?” Virgil interrupted, his voice harsh and grating. “Lose control, like you?” He let out another bark of laughter. Then his voice smoothed. “But don’t worry, I’m perfectly calm.” 

Janus’s facade faltered for a moment, Deceit losing at his own game. He managed, though, despite the shock at Virgil’s words, his actions. “Why, Paranoia, I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.”

“You never do,” Virgil said, tilting his head. “You think you do, but you don’t.” There was a moment of silence as they all waited for Virgil to continue. Then Virgil smiled, an almost normal and friendly smile, and said “Why would I give up an advantage like that? You used to understand, back when I didn’t have to fight you. But luckily for me, both of those changed at the same time.”

Thomas hesitantly spoke up. “Sorry, guys, uh… what’s going on? This is… a lot of emotions, and I don’t even know why.” 

Janus finally took his eyes off of Virgil, they all did, and turned to look at Thomas. He tried to explain something he couldn’t. It was a secret too big, and it was one that didn’t belong to him alone. Janus turned back to Virgil, they needed to talk about this, but Virgil had already grabbed Roman’s arm and sunk out. Janus tried his best not to think about the last time Virgil sunk out after an argument with him. 

In the Umbra Sides’ commons, Virgil finally dropped the false expression and broke down into sobs that shook his body. Roman quickly guided him to the floor before he had the chance to just let his knees give out. “Breathe, Virge. Come on, Noia, you don’t have to do anything else, just breathe.”

“It— he— I— and we— he never— Roman!” Virgil gasped out. 

Roman soothed him the best he can, “Hey, hey, I’m here. Listen to me, Virgil. It’s okay, you’re okay. It’s okay.” 

Virgil shook his head, managing to get a sentence out, “H-how could he?”

Roman just held him close, whispering the familiar comforts over and over. It’s okay. Just breathe. I’m here. Roman was there for Virgil, and Virgil was certain that Roman was the only one he could trust anymore. So he stayed in Roman’s arms as he cried and cried and cried. Roman hoped this wouldn’t be as frequent as it’d been so far. But if it was, he’d just do what he could. The Umbra Sides stayed there for a long time. Virgil slowly got quieter, to Roman’s relief. After what felt like at least an hour, Virgil was silent. Roman squeezed his hand gently. Virgil didn’t squeeze back, he just stayed limp. After a few moments, Roman realized: Virgil was asleep.  

Roman smiled slightly, picking up Virgil to set him in a more comfortable spot on the couch. He summoned a weighted blanket, draping it across Virgil. Virgil had promised to always be there, and Roman was going to return the favor. Besides, for all the struggling Roman was feeling from switching sides, he couldn’t imagine what Virgil was going through. 

To switch sides for a second time? To be considered a villain by those you’re trying to protect, and then not being listened to by the ones you love? And to deal with the past being dredged up by that scheming sinister snake. 

So he really couldn’t blame Virgil for breaking down. But he could blame the others for trying to call Paranoia. Why did they expect him to come and talk right after what had just happened? They called for him again. Roman scowled and checked to make sure Virgil hadn’t been disturbed, then sank out. “Leave him alone,” he said.

“Ro— General, we need to talk,” said Patton. “There’s clearly a lot going on right now. We need Paranoia to come.”

“Not now. Leave him alone,” Roman repeated. 

Logan opened his mouth to argue, but Roman was gone. 

Janus sighed, “This… is not good.”

[sleepylixie]

Dagger's Smile

\ 구미호/Gumiho is a Korean folk legend of a nine-tailed fox. It is said to have magical shapeshifting abilities, a knack for mischief and an almost seductive nature in some legends. The Korean gumiho is believed to have similar characteristics to the Chinese huli jing and Japanese kitsune.//

Gumiho-King! Chan X Gumiho! Fem Reader

1.4k words, Fluff/Action, Beware of: inexplicit violence.

Fantasy AU, Supernatural! SKZ, Gumiho! Chan from this fic from the In Umbra Universe! (Can be read individually, of course :D)​

Request? : Yes!!

A/N: Hello my favourite bean! Thank you so much for requesting this fic, it really gave me a lot of perspective and inspiration to expand In Umbra even more!!! I hope you enjoy this lil offering, do let me know what you think!!

Drop me an ask! || Masterlist

People bowed low to Chan wherever he went-too low. He’d tried hard to get them to stop but to no avail. Especially after his decisions that protected them in the Faelight war, Chan had been hailed as a god-king, a hero of heroes, the saviour of Gumiho-kind. But he only did what they had crowned him to do. Why was he being celebrated this way? Except for her. Only her. 

She’d meet his eye, the only person standing upright in a wave of people bowing at the waist. She’d always give him that smirk, the cheeky smirk he’d grown to be amused by, and slightly incline her head. Her hair would always fall into her eyes at the action and the second he blinked, she’d be gone. Despite his visits to the marketplace of Liska, the gumiho capital becoming a rare occurrence, Chan had always kept an eye out amongst his people for a quick sight of her smile. There was something wild about her; warm like a wildfire- only seconds away from sparking mischief and disaster. He wanted to meet her someday, talk to her, find out more behind that intriguing smile. 

//

“You’re a girl, there’s only so much you can do.” A snarl worked its way up to your throat, wild and unrestrained. The twin daggers at your waist were itching to be thrown but you withheld the urge, only levelling a glare at your opponent- an older man, eyes narrowed in disdain. He looked positively fiendish, his skin stretching thinly over his skull, a cheap-looking sword held in a death-grip in one hand. “You’re just scared of getting beaten by a girl.” You sneered, baring your teeth- your elongated canines winked at the man, razor-sharp and lethal. You should rip his guts out of his body for his behaviour. You cocked your head, a provoking smirk dancing across your lips. “I’m right, aren’t I? Coward.”

Predictably, the man responded with a roar of his own, charging towards you. Rolling your eyes infinitesimally, you dodged the first swipe before nimbly getting under his guard, twisting his non-dominant arm behind him. He exclaimed in a blind rage, trying to swipe at you with his blame. Quickly kicking the back of his knee, you clubbed the man’s dominant hand with the handle of one of your daggers, triggering a yell of pain and dropping his sword. Without missing a beat, you kicked him in the back of the head, pushing him onto the dusty ground. “Next time, pick on people your own size,” you growled at him, kicking him once more for good measure. Ignoring the now groaning man, you turned around and marched towards the old woman who was huddled against the tree, gently helping her stand up. “I hope you’re not too hurt, ma’am,” you mumbled softly, smiling politely at the old lady. Her wispy silver hair floated across her face as she stood up straight. She smiled back at you thankfully, unconcerned by your slightly disheveled appearance- despite being dressed in the trappings of a proper young lady, you had an armored belt at your waist and your hair had been reduced to its usual mess. “Thank you, child.” “Why was he bothering you?” You asked, leading her back to the beaten track that led lack to Liska, your home. You’d been out picking wildflowers from amongst the trees on either side of the track so you could make flower crowns for the maids when you’d stumbled into the vile man picking on the poor old lady- your training had instantly kicked in. Growing up as the oldest free-spirited daughter of a well-off gumiho household, you were often faced with the unfortunate sexism that ran rampant in your city. You were a spark of flame, all quicksilver temper and righteous outspoken rage, the crown jewel of your household. Your father, one of the generals in the army, had no qualms in teaching you everything you knew, from basic swordsmanship and archery, even going as far as to gift you your precious obsidian daggers.  Even though all gumiho were born with magic, you loved the thrill of a fight. “He stole my son’s magic.” A spark of rage raced across your system. Stealing a gumiho’s magic could leave the victim dead to the world, their body lost without a soul to anchor. The new king had placed stringent bans on it, pronouncing it a crime below that of lowlife scum. And yet… A choking sound next to you had you reeling back in surprise, a scream ripping from your throat at the sight of the old lady- her hands scrabbling at her neck as she was lifted off the ground, back arching in pain. It took you a split second to turn frantically in the same direction you came and you saw him- the bastardly man from earlier had his arm out, clearly aiming to hurt or kill the poor lady. Your temper swirled inside you, whetted instantly to a deadly edge and your body moved instantly, acting on reflex. Before he could try anything to hurt you, you lunged towards him, your daggers already in your hands-

And his hand was cut clean off his body, an unearthly wail leaving the man as he fell to his knees, clutching his stub of a wrist. An obsidian dagger almost twin to your own was stuck in a nearby tree, still vibrating from the force of the throw. Who’d thrown a dagger with such deadly accuracy that they’d managed to slice through skin and bone? You got your answer when a figure stepped into the soft afternoon light- your eyes widened. You’d recognise that face anywhere- the handsome sharp nose, the clean planes of skin marred by a scar down one eye. The King. // You sat outside the physician’s quarters- the royal physician’s quarters, watching the afternoon light fade into evening. The palace sat on the ledge of one of the hills that overlooked the valley Liska was built on, making for a picturesque sunset. The old lady you (and the King) had saved was not in danger, thankfully; she’d only sustained light bruises to her neck. You let out a sigh, your hands thumbing the daggers at your belt as your thoughts began racing. The King had asked you to accompany him to the palace, so you could stay with the lady until she was treated. Why had he asked for you? Was he unamused by your refusal to bow to him in the marketplace every time he visited? He didn’t seem comfortable with everybody bowing that low around him, it didn’t feel right to bow like that!! Why did you have to send him an impertinent smile every time? What were you thinking?! Your fingers tapped a nervous beat on your dagger’s scabbard. What should you do? Pretend you didn’t know what he was talking about? Maybe you could- “Y/N, yes?” You scrambled to your feet at the sound of the King’s voice, smooth and authoritative but not too loud. Dropping into a curtsy, you tucked a lock of hair behind your ear- curses for forgetting to fix your hair before an meeting the King. “Yes, Your Majesty.” You said quietly, unsure of looking him in the eye. “Why don’t you look me in the eye?” He sounded amused, warm- at odds with his intimidating aura. “You didn’t mind staring me down in the marketplace.” A rare prickling feeling heated up your neck; why wouldn’t the Mother Goddess choose this moment to remove you from this mortal plane? He’d remembered you- what were you to do? Shoring up what was left of the shreds of your bravado, you raised your head, smiling the same smile that you’d tossed at him all those times before. “You sound like you missed my pretty smiles, Your Majesty.” To your utter surprise, the King’s ears turned red instantly, betraying how flustered he was at your response despite the cool mask he had on- oh. The said mask melted into a shy smile, soft lips spreading wide until his dimples showed. “I’d be lying if I disagreed, darling,” Your eyes widened. Did he just- “And please, call me Chan.” // Taglist: @aliceu​ @rebecca-noona​ @decembermoonskz​ @straykidsownmysoul​ @malai-barfi​ @fylithia​ @soya-zz​ @stellarmonsterr​ (DM or drop me an ask to be added to my taglist!)

Network Tags: @inkidz​ @stayracha-net​ @districtninewriters​ @starryktown DO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!- Elliana

[the-melting-world]

The Empress | Side B: “The Fear”

Art by @markmefistov

~ In which a humble gardener opens Strength’s Door…

The Trio Appearances: Kipling | Khleo | Ozy

Arcana LI appearances: Asra | Nadia | Muriel 

Track Origins: “The Fear” by Ben Howard

Not sure if this is the right track? The full album can be found here: The Empress

cw: none

~ 2k words

After Kipling, Ozy, Nadia, and Asra return from the underwater library, Ozy leaves Kipling with the gauntlets, reminding her that he still has to show her how to permanently unlock her third eye.

“Trust me, Kip,” Ozy said with a reassuring smile, “once your third eye is open, you’ll have a much better time navigating the portals.”

With that Ozy let Nadia escort him back inside the Palace. Earlier in the library, he and Kip had agreed to save their lesson in grey magic for the next day. Kipling appreciated Ozy’s patience with her. She could tell he wanted her to be as comfortable as possible before they started unpacking everything from the past.

She was grateful to him for that.

***

(Nadia’s POV)

Nadia walked with Ozy back to his chambers. When they arrived, she waited by the door while he removed his gauntlets and set them aside on the dresser. Nadia wasn’t sure why she hadn’t yet left the grey mage to his business. Her agenda was packed with meetings with foreign dignitaries and not to mention she had a desk full of letters that needed responding to.

And yet, there were other things clouding Nadia’s mind. Like intricate spiraling details across a pearly, artificial surface that stretched so far in every direction. 

“That machine in your library,” Nadia said, starting quietly at first. “The one underwater. Is that where it’s meant to be kept?”

After Ozy took off his gauntlets, he rolled his wrists a few times and walked back towards the Countess.

“The Nautilus? Yes, that’s its primary function – traveling through water. Makes it easier for deep sea exploration.”

This piqued Nadia’s interest even further. “A vessel that never needs to surface?”

Ozy was standing before the Countess now, his expression friendly and eager to keep engaging with her on the topic.

“It does! But not often.”

Nadia hummed. “I see. Like a whale. Or a turtle.”

A soft glimmer flashed behind Ozy’s eyes, as if he were thinking of the same comparisons.

“Yes. Exactly.”

Nadia, who was content to invite Ozy to walk with her, said, “That’s fascinating, Oz. What an incredible find.”

Ozy fell into an easy stride beside the Countess, his hands tucked comfortably in the pockets of his crisp pants. “Hm. Thank you, but I didn’t stumble upon that vessel. You did.”

“What do you mean you…” Nadia slowed to a stop. Ozy mirrored her and turned so that he was facing her, his lip quirking in what she read as a hopeful challenge. That’s when Nadia quickly assembled the pieces of his implications.

“Oz… do you mean to suggest that you built such a thing?”

Ozy looked off to the side rather sheepishly as he shrugged his shoulders.

“Abaco helped.”

Once again, the grey mage had left the Countess at a loss for words. 

As if to put her at ease, Ozy added, “I built a lot of things over the years, Countess. Fixed a lot of things.” His hazel eyes drifted skyward. “Broke a lot of things too now that I think about it.” His hand wandered up to absently scratch at his five o’clock shadow. “Mostly because I ran out of stuff to fix. Not really any other option in that case but to break some things. Otherwise I wouldn’t have…” Ozy’s speech turned into uninterrupted mutterings.

Nadia realized he would have never stopped if she hadn’t said, “Oz, please.” 

That was enough to call back his attention.

“As long as you’re here,” Nadia reached for both of Ozy’s hands, “I want you to call me Nadia.”

Ozy looked down at where she held lightly onto his long fingers, and then back up again. 

“Oh. Like Asra and Kipling do?”

Nadia gave a deliberate nod. “Yes.”

Ozy blinked, the confusion written plainly across his face. “But they’ve known you longer.”

The Countess shook her head. “I know it might seem strange, but that does not matter to me.”

The grey mage was silent for only a moment before he grunted in gentle understanding. He pressed his rather nimble fingers more firmly against Nadia’s.

“You’re ambidextrous,” Ozy noted. “Like me.”

Nadia couldn’t help her face from heating slightly at his observation.

“You’re correct about that.... How did you know?”

Ozy continued to test and trace his fingers around the Countess’. 

“These hands have solved a lot of puzzles. To the point where it’s impossible for them to ignore the details in fact. So… Nadia,” he locked eyes with her, his gilded lip curling into a soft smile, “what’s the story with your hands?”

Nadia grinned, trying to gauge the line where Ozy’s friendliness blurred into flirtation. 

“I’m not sure if there’s a way I can express this without sound like I’m bragging, but my hands do know their way around a workshop.”

Once again, Ozy’s eyes lit up. “A workshop, really? Will you show me?”

Nadia gently guided her hands out of Ozy’s and up around his bicep, linking her arm through his.

“I can take you there, but I won’t be able to join you again until late this afternoon. I have a city to help govern as you might have gathered.”

“Right.” Ozy said with a respectful nod. “You don’t have to worry about me, Nadia. I can always find ways to keep myself busy until you return.”

“Oh, Oz.” 

Nadia thought back to that vessel, immense and pristine, resting at the bottom of a deep pool. 

“I have no doubt about that.”

***

Kipling noticed that Abaco didn’t follow Ozy and Nadia when they left the garden. The bird was content to stay behind and play with Taro and Faust. There was something Kipling found soothing in watching the three familiars interact. So she sat there right in the grass next to a hedge of snowball viburnums. 

Asra, who knew Kip’s behaviors very well by now, was happy to take a seat and curl up right beside her.

“Asra, there’s something I have to tell you.”

The magician breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that it wouldn’t show. He wrapped his arm around Kip’s shoulder and placed his other hand in her lap. “I’m listening.”

In the past, Kip had looked elsewhere, anywhere but directly at Asra, only occasionally flicking her gaze up to meet his. That wasn’t the case this time. Her syrupy brown eyes were fixed on him as she spoke. She seemed determined to give him her full attention.

“When you came by Muriel’s cottage, did he tell you about the reading he gave me?”

Asra swallowed. “Yes. But only a little. He said you drew the Empress.”

“Reversed,” Kip clarified. “I’ll be honest. I’ve been neglecting to tell you the whole truth about Ozy and Khleo… well, Khleo specifically.”

“You don’t talk about them much,” Asra noted. He also didn’t miss how Kip’s eyes would glaze over whenever Ozy mentioned the umbra’s name.

Kip sighed. “I’m ready to talk about them now. Asra, I knew Khleo for a long time before meeting Ozy. They kept my secrets, they were the one I confided in whenever I needed it. When Ozy came around and I didn’t want to have anything to do with him, it was Khleo who taught me about kindness and acceptance. I don’t think I can explain how close we were…”

“You loved them. You still love them.”

Kipling could tell by Asra’s tone that he must have known all this time.

Kip took a moment to work out the tremors in her upper body. Asra squeezed her hand in reassurance.

“We never confessed it aloud, but the day that Khleo was taken by the Door, I was so sure that they were going to say it first.” Kip caught a sob. “There just wasn’t enough time.”

Asra pulled Kip until her face rested against his collarbone. He removed his red scarf and wrapped it around her shoulders. By now the three familiars had gathered onto both of their laps. Taro was determined to soothe Kipling with her head nuzzles and soft chirps.

While Asra rubbed her spine, Kip managed to choke out, “When I portaled to Strength’s gate, I saw Khleo and those feelings were still there, Asra. I don’t know what to do. I know I’m supposed to go see the Empress, but I want… all I can think about is…”

“There was something else Muriel told me,” Asra said. “On the morning you left, the ground all around his cottage was covered in daisies. They could have only come from you. He said there were so many of them, magically conjured to stay in bloom for much longer than normal.”

“Daisies,” Kip sniffed. “They were in Strength’s realm too.”

“Well, they’re all around us right now.”

Kip opened her eyes and sat up. Asra was right. The magical daisies had appeared in the garden. There were thousands of them, packed so tightly it was almost impossible to see the grass.

It wasn’t unnatural for Kip’s green magic to behave in this way. Most of how she managed it was based on her emotions. But she had never seen anything like this.

“Kip,” Asra said, “what if you used the daisies to find your way back to Strength’s realm?”

She tore her eyes away from the flowers and looked at the magician with a mixture of uncertainty and surprise. “You think I should go to Strength’s realm? Without Ozy?”

Asra nodded, his lavender eyes serious. “I’ll go with you.”

“But what if–”

“It was you who said that you can’t bring yourself to meet the Empress right now. What if drawing that card means that you have to face your feelings about Khleo before moving forward?”

Kip’s drew a heavy breath. There were so many what ifs. What if Khleo didn’t remember her? What if Strength tried to bite her head off again? What if…

“Kip.” Asra placed his hands on either side of her face and steered her into a kiss. “I’ll be there with you. We fought the Devil, remember. We can pay Strength a visit. We’ll come to the front door this time instead of dropping out of nowhere. If she doesn’t want to let us in, then she won’t.”

When Asra put it like that, the stakes didn’t seem so high. 

Brrrrr.

Kip looked down to see Taro holding up her new pair of gauntlets. Faust bobbed her head in encouragement and Abaco fluffed his feathers once before using his beak to flick a switch on the gauntlet so that it hummed to life.

Once Kipling had donned them and stood up, she took a deep breath and did her best to rely on what she knew. To her amazement, the gauntlets made it so much easier to detect the control pad that opened the Doors.

Kipling activated the invisible motherboard and gasped when she saw more daisies growing spontaneously in the air. They shot off a few feet to Kip and Asra’s left, circled once and then again in a double ring – the outline of a Door.

“That must be the way to Strength’s gate,” Asra whispered. 

Kip’s gauntlets gave a sharp whine as she felt them tug her towards the highlighted portal. Asra followed behind Kip as she drifted in that direction. Abaco flew ahead, tweeting madly and whizzing to the path of the daisies. 

Kipling reached out until she connected with the lever handle to the Door. She found it easily, as if a magnetic force linked her gauntlet to the portal. 

Then Kip pushed until the lever rotated. The Door squeaked as it opened. That magnetic tug was back, but this time it wanted to get away from Kip. She tentatively released the lever and watched as the door snapped open. Wider, wider, wider – 

“You have to lock it, Kip!”

Kip gasped at the memory of a younger Ozy hollering at her while a storm grew over their heads. This sparked a second memory of a Door that grew too great for any of them to handle. She couldn’t let that happen again. 

Kip glanced over at Asra and remembered. She would never let another Door take off with someone she cared about.

Her gauntlet glowed brighter. Kip listened to the hum…

The gardener caught the lever before it could get away from her and spin completely out of control. She sensed a new type of pull and followed it, anchoring the lever into a small depression that wasn’t visible to the naked eye.

Glittery light sparked all along Kipling’s knuckles. Abaco was absolutely delirious with excitement. The daisies dissolved, but there was water on the other side of the Door, churning smoothly, without turbulence.

Through the tunnel of seawater and shimmering light, Kip felt the call of clear summer skies and rolling hills blanketed in wildflowers.

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

HASO, “Not Yet Ready.”

Hope you guys enjoy the story for today!

Dr Umbra set down the holo pad on the table with a grunt and turned to look at the human sitting across from her at the table. She hadn’t worked with many humans, so the way its eyes hovered over her was enough to make her squirm in her seat nervously. If she could have hazarded a guess, she would have said it looked hungry, ready to crawl across the table and take a bite from her, but she shook off the thought and set the holo-pad down on the table.

Outside, the glassy planet swirled and undulated below them, the ground most obscured by thick wafting vapors of red, blue and green. On occasion large swaths of the ground would be uncovered giving them a distant view of barren landscape dotted with black spires, before being plunged back into the mist again.

This human wasn’t likely to do that.

“And this is your account of what happened, nothing left out.”

“The human memory isn’t exactly reliable, but that is what I remember.” The human said sitting back in his chair. In comparison to her, he was a very large creature, maybe two feet taller than she was with creamy skin and light tawny hair. His eye though, was an unsettling shade of bright green that felt unnatural in this lightning. All around them the other scientists murmured in surprise and consternation, not really sure what to make of the human’s account.

One of the other Tesraki scientists stood, “It might have been telepathic, like the starborn, and used some sort of mental manipulation to make you feel the way you feel. I would not be entirely surprised, though how something could have survived for so long without access to nutrients or other Stimuli, I do not know.”

Their only Vrul scientist, aside from Dr. Krill stood, “There is only one way to sort this out. We analyze his memory directly.” He said pointing to the machine o nthe other side of the room, calmly sitting on a side table and waiting to be utilized.

Dr Umbra turned to look at the human, “Are you willing?”

“Whatever you need.” He glanced at the machine, “However, I must warn you, I don’t think…. What I remember is something that machine will be capable of capturing.”

The Vrul waved a hand, blowing him off slightly as he stood and walked over to the other side of the room.

The group of scientists bunched together, gathering around as Admiral Vir took his seat in the chair, and allowed the Vrul to fix the nodes of the machine to his head. Dr. Krill stood close by both sets of arms crossed over his chest.

Dr. Umbra glanced at him repeatedly unnerved by the strange way in which he stood, arms crossed, leaning on two set of feet more than the others, his head cocked unnaturally to the side for a Vrul. Even the way he moved was unsettling, but she supposed that is what tended to happen to you when you spent too much time with humans. He may have written the book on the humanization phenomenon, but that clearly didn’t make him immune to it.

The projector was set up to face an empty wall, and the science crew gathered around.

The human leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

The picture that was brought up before them was obscured in red. The memory boosting capabilities of the machine projected the image in sharp relief against the wall, in almost cinematic quality. Seeing through a human’s eyes was rather disorienting, such a narrow field of view but with such sharp edges. The fog swirled around him as he explored through the strange monolithic city, until, at some point, he did fall through the wall and into the dark room shining with little red bulbs.

The memories had been sharp up until this point, but as soon as he came into the room where the strange contraption was described… suddenly the memory went hazy. When his eyes were focused on the thing before him, the memory was blurry and confused, constantly moving pieces of the object as if it couldn’t decide where to put them. It was like trying to watch a very old computer render an object that was to complex, until the brain gave them a watered down version of the object that was nothing more than a ball of twisting shapes without any texture or refinement.

All around them the crowd muttered in nervous surprise.

Sitting before them, the human breathed deeply.

On the screen, he reached out a hand…. And his fingers made contact with the strange alien contraption.

The screen before them went blank, and they staired at it for a long moment. 

Dr. Krill rose from his seat, just as the human spasmed. His back arched and his head was thrown back violently. His eyes were open now but were focused on nothing. His hands were clenched into claws, before them the screen erupted into light and dark. At first blinding white light and then a sudden collapse before thousands of stars whirling past in spiral arrays. The image flickered and faded and twisted and blinked.

The human seized again violently tipping himself over and onto the floor.

“STOP the machine!” Someone called 

Smoke erupted from the power source of the contraption as all the circuits started to smoke. The image in front of them had degraded into nothing more than pixels of light and dark swirling around in a confusing mass of chaos.

Then the lights on the entire ship began to shutter and blink.

A lightbulb burst nearby.

Everyone yelled, startled and dove under the nearest table. 

The human was on the ground still locked in a horrible rictus, back arched hands balled into claws feet on the floor knees somewhat bent, pink foam dusted the corners of his mouth.

Dr. Krill raced forward and ripped the nodes from his head in one foul swoop.

They came off with a loud popping noise leaving behind tiny circles of red on the human’s skin, but as soon as it was gone the smoking died away and the human slumped back to the ground.

Then the room went dark.

They could hear it, surprised and startled cries from around the ship as the entire electrical circuit went out. Someone turned on a pocket light, giving Dr. Krill just enough room to examine the human, who now lay unresponsive on the floor in front of them.

The lights blinked back on a few minutes later as the secondary generator pulled power from the fusion core. The lights were slightly dimmer to alert the staff that something had gone wrong with the main power grid.

So it was in that eerie yellow light they watched as the human slowly came back to himself. He looked groggy and confused his single eye distant as he sat up to look at them, and when he did the entire room stepped back in fear. No one could have said exactly why, but when the human opened his mouth it was not his voice that emanated from inside.

You Are Not Ready

The entire room staggered to their knees as the booming voice shook the very ship rattling the glass in the observation deck, and causing spidering cracks to appear on the surfaces of some of the holopads.

Every last human aboard that ship was brought to their knees, hands over their ears,and every last alien went completely prone passed out on the spot.

No one knew how long they laid there, but when the awoke, most of the humans were still crouched on the floor, their hands over their heads. They stood slowly, looking around the room.

Admiral Vir was lying on his back unresponsive, and no amount of prodding or nudging could get him to wake up.

The lights overhead were constantly in a state of flickering.

“What in the hell was that.”  Someone muttered

Off down a long dark corridor, someone would find Conn in a similar state of unresponsiveness as he floated, unmoving in the hallway.

***

Admiral Vir received an MRI, CT and  and EEG from the groggy and somewhat confused medical department before he finally started to come too. He groaned and rolled to his side as a couple of the doctors stepped in to steady him.

He lookd up and around in confusion at the people staring down at him in concern.

“Is everything alright….. What happened.”

“I….. we aren’t entirely sure, how dod ou feel?”

He reached up a hand to rub at his head, “I…. I’,m not sure…. I…. I can’t remember.”

They waited.

“The last thing I remember was the science team arriving and then…. nothing .”

It was hard to describe what he felt, it was like his entire mind and body were soar. It was similar to the feeling he might have gotten after a particularly difficult test during the academy, but magnified tenfold. It was so bad that he could barely string two words together the mental exhaustion was that profound. And that wasn’t counting the physical soreness, in his throat,and his chest, and his lungs and his entire abdominal cavity and all the muscles therein.

He felt as if….. As if…..

well ….

As if someone had worn him like a glove.

That was hardly something he bet that the others would understand, so he didn’t mention it, and lay back on the bed eyes closed. No one distrubed him when he slept for a continuous seventy two hours afterwards. In the end Dr. krill couldn’t decide if he had been in a coma or not.

As for the electrical components of the ship, many of the major circuits had been fried and required replacing, and the entire power box  on the first interface ahd to be replaced. Everyone else aboard the ship, no matter their shift or their history of sleep disorders, slept for just over ten hours solidly and without waking up.

The nonhumans were also affected. Those of them that were capable of sleeping slept almost as long as the humans did, and those that were not, like the Vrul saw a significant drop in their energy and IQ quotients for the remaining ten hours as if their cortical zones were trying to reboot themselves.

Below them, that red planet continued to swirl and undulate, seeming peaceful though somehow dangerou.

Like a predator lying in wait.

The group of them tried to decide if they should even continue their scientific venture. Clearly something was going on that none of them quite understood. Perhaps it was something they were better off leaving alone, but whatever it was….. One thing was for certain.

Something strange was going on.

When one of the scientists tried to pull out a recording of what had happened, the electronics inside his camera was completely fried.

There was no physical evidence that what happened to them had happened, aside from a collective memory muddled and confused that took up about an hour of time for all of them. Once everything was back to normal it was almost impossible to believe that anything happened at all.

The Admiral awoke after his seventy two hours bright and cheerful as if nothing had happened still not remembering anything that had taken place, and below them, the planet continued to swirl with its strange and unusual mist.

***

Admiral Vir supervised the loading of the shuttles, watching as a near ton of scientific equipment was moved into the back of the shuttle. His hands were resting on his hips, though he could hardly feel anything through the gloves of his space suit: white this time and emblazoned with the GA scientific symbol.

One of the other science officers passed by carrying a crate, and paused long enough to set it down on the metal floor rolling his shoulders inside the space suit, “So we are still going along with this?”

“I hardly see that we have any other choice.”

“Whatever that was, it ook our our entire ship with just a memory. This is one of those times I think it might be best not to poke the bear.”

Admiral Vir nodded, “I am inclined to agree with you to some degree, however,” he motioned to the assorted aliens as they supervised the loading of the shuttle, “They plan to go with or without us, and I would rather not leave them unprotected.”

“No chance we can talk them out of it?”

Adam shook his head, “I don’t think that is going to be possible.” He turned to look at the other man, and seeing the dour expression on his face, he smiled and perked up patting the man on the back, “Besides, nothing is going to happen to us,  you want to know why?”

“Why sir.”

“Because we are just too pretty to die.”

“You’re quoting a movie I haven't seen, aren't you?”

“You know me too well.” He turned back to the door crossing his arms over his chest as Dr. krill came to join them.

“I am with our friend here. I think what you are doing is very very stupid.”

Adam raised his hands in mild offense, “You know what to be quite fair, THIS time it isn’t me. I tried to talk them out of it, but they say then need to go down and study it. I take no responsibility for the stupid decisions being made right now, none at all.”

“You could order them to stop.”

“No I can’t I am in charge of the GA’s Military fleet, not their scientists.”

Krill grunted, “You know, despite this being there Idea, I somehow get the impression that you are the one who is going to suffer for it.”

He scratched his head, “Things do seem to happen like that don’t they.”

“Don’t touch anything weird.”

“Well I think I  have proven incapable of keeping that kind of promise. However, I promise I will TRY not to touch anything that I shouldn’t.”

Krill sighed, “I guess that is the most that we can hope for.”

“I am bringing some marines along with us and hopefully that will be enough to keep everyone safe. I am having them briefed quickly on the methods of data collection that the scientists are going to be using, mostly so they don’t get in the way.” hge held up a hand as Krill opened his mouth, “And YES I have been briefed as well, and do not plan on getting in the way of the smart people while they do their work.”

The scientist glanced at hm as he spoke, “Don’t you have a degree in like…. Orbital physics or something.”

Adam rested a hand on the other man’s shoulder, “I actually have what might be the equivalent of a Ph.D in flight mechanics, and that does include orbital physics. However, I will be the first to admit that those facts aren't because I am naturally intelligent, I just worked really hard in the academy, and somehow it paid off. So next time you want someone who can calculate the flight trajectory of a rocket by hand, I am your guy, but when it comes to studying weird rocks…. I have no idea what I am doing.”

He glanced back at his assembled marines, circling the group of aliens as their protection detail, and not for the first time in so many months he wished that Sunny was here.

He would feel a lot better if he knew she was watching his back. 

[eframschweigersskincells]

So, Return to Hell was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and I couldn't have asked for a better ending to the season three dlc missions.

SPOILER WARNING BY THE WAY!

Holy shit was this season a wild ride and with an absolute banger of an ending all I can say is well done rebellion you pulled it out the bag and held it high, I was so happy with everything and just my god its really hard to put down everything I'm so enthralled I can barely think straight.

I remember when the trailer dropped and I was so overcome with both excitement and sadness at seeing what the dlc entailed, I was so happy to see schweiger alive but devastated to see what was happening to him and originally I thought we were going to sacrifice him to help Umbra which terrified me, thank fuck I was wrong I dont think I could handle hurting my boy.

The intro was excellent, it really felt like distressing and that this was truly a moment of despair the way bruno spoke of it was absolutely amazing and I couldn't wait to get stick in. And when it finally gave way to the gameplay the opening area was absolutely stunning!

The way it's so familiar yet so foreign, like I'd seen it before but it had been so twisted that it was unrecognisable, lava around every corner and debris floating as if frozen in time the ground and walls cracked and crumbling and the fiery hues made this a fantastic yet haunting sight I hadn't even begun playing and I already fell in love with it.

When I finally moved on and the Baron began his tirade about the state of hell and how it was shaped and molded to fit the subconscious mind of schweiger I was shocked and saddened, to think that this was schweiger's fractured mind was frightening, all his guilt, fear, anger, confusion, sadness became reality and hell took its horrifying form filled with endless undead. I also found it really cool to see events play out from schweiger's perspective, meat locker, hell base and terror lab all playing out in schweiger's memories allowing us a glimpse in to everything that happened to him. He was betrayed so many times, I don't blame him at all for turning on us in deeper than hell, the amount of cruelty he suffered would drive anyone insane.

Being captured and forced to research the occult without any understanding of why, being tricked in to activating the relic allowing hitler to activate plan Z, working your hardest to try and make the world right then have your team infiltrated by nazi bastards who push you in to a hell tower and forcefully tear you from this plane of existence and left to rot in hell. Just when you think you can finally escape you're confronted with the fact you can not leave, only your closest comrades can leaving you in hell against everyone's will, then a voice manipulates you in to believing you were betrayed by your friends you're lied to and tricked in to believing this voice is your only friend who makes you do horrific rituals.

I remember how horrific I felt hearing this and then when Umbra revealed that he did all of this so he could break schweiger's will so he could steal his body I was filled with rage. Rebellion were amazing at putting emotion in to this one I genuinely went through constant emotional shifts realising that everything we had done up to this point was planned by Umbra and that everything we had done was only to fuel his plans. It was never schweiger's fault it was umbras and that knocked me on my arse.

The gameplay was a lot of fun, one of the best parts was that absolutely everything was randomised! The main sections of the map where always switched around no matter how many times you play it at first I went meat locker, hell base then terror lab then my second time I went hell base, terror lab then meat locker! I was shocked when everything cane out of order but it fits so well with everything! Schweiger's mind is so badly fractured that when hell took form as schweiger's subconscious not even hell itself could keep things in order.

I genuinely adore how the old familiar faces of these maps are destroyed, twisted and corrupted they are what we have seen before but warped till they look like different maps entirely, with so much more to explore in some areas it really gives you a sense of walking through broken memories like piecing together a memory Efram barely has a grip on anymore.

I loved how enemies were randomised too, getting attacked by a screamer around the corner then next time you go there prepared for a screamer you get blown up by suiciders or slaughtered by skeletons or an elite or in my favourite case being attacked by zombie alpha squad members! When zombie me jumped out and attacked I was so confused I didnt have time to respond when zombie jun popped out and killed me it was fucking awesome!

All our favourite enemy variations are here too, vampire creepers, electric suiciders, armored commanders, skeletons etc which really made for a really tough but good fight, never knowing what variation was coming to get you made everything even more fun.

And with the spitters now having a variant that spat magma it made what was usually an annoying inconvenience an actual proper threat and I love that so fucking much, maybe the spitters aren't so horrible after all.

That's a lie I still fucking hate them but oh well!

Once we successfully complete all three areas we now return to the main area with a very pissed off Umbra and schweiger who although conscious is barely alive. As soon as we arrive back to were we began we are immediately attacked and dragged off to an unknown place that we only know as the void as coined by Umbra.

Let me tell you when I say the void is creepy I fucking mean it, the void is of course pitch black you cant see anything not even your flash light does anything to the surrounding darkness, all you see when you spawn is the pitch black and eframs body of a slab surrounded by candles with Umbra looking over us and you really get the the sense of "holy shit, this is it!"

I genuinely adored the design of the void, the fact you only ever see your surroundings when a split second of bright red lighting strikes and even then you only see the faint outline of distant places, walking through the endless river of blood that stops you to a near snail's pace while fending of oncoming dead is genuinely spectacular! Holy fuck did rebellion pull it out the bag this round!

Just when you think you're about to have to do something to the incapacitated schweiger, Edie finally fucking shows up and does something useful for once, breaking schweiger out of his trance and giving him enough power to fend for himself when she realises Umbra has no defences! Thank fuck because now we know how to finally end The Baron and let me tell you I couldn't be happier to get the chance at killing the bastard.

The fights were challenging and had me cornered a few times and I'll admit I died a couple times but it was absolutely worth it, there was so much going on but it wasnt overbearing, with how large the areas you had to fight the hordes in were it made the fucking insane amounts of zombies absolutely balanced, I never felt like it was impossible but never felt it was too easy either just the right balance of insanity. And to make it even better I get to listen to schweiger shit talk the Baron as we help Efram regain strength while weakening Umbra.

Listening to Umbra beg and plead for mercy was great, it really felt like we were overpowering hell itself, no matter what Umbra threw our way it did absolutely nothing and listening to schweiger come to terms with what he's done and immediately work towards redemption by putting down Umbra was heartwarming. We were the winners not Umbra.

Then finally we get to what I've been wanting to do since the beginning of the DLC, after two whole hours I finally got to put an end to the Baron, activating that ending cutscene was so satisfying and I got to put down my controller and watch.

I'll admit I was confused when Umbea sprung back to life and actually attacked, where hitler failed to stop us during hell machine Umbra full pounced, he was going to take us with him and for a second I absolutely believed we were going to die with him, the fuck tries ripping our soul out rendering us absolutely useless. Its schweiger that saves us, pulling us away from Umbra then eviscerating the fuck out of him with ease and with that The Baron himself is dead, finally the tyrant is dead and everything we had worked towards was finally put to rest.

Just before that scene ends, we see schweiger smile! He's actually happy for once, free from Umbras grip, he's faced his fears and insecurities and in the end was the one who saved us and destroyed The Baron. To see him smile was one of the greatest things ever and I'm so glad we finally got to see that.

In last few moments of the ending, we wake up on the side of a cliff with Dr schweiger by our side and as the camera zooms out we see nothing but an endless sea of lava and I'm left thinking.

What the fuck is Projekt Ragnarok?

[sinemoras09]

The train ride to Kyoto was a long one, but Kiyotsugu's brother didn't care about the commute. He rested his head against the window and watched as the rolling landscape streaked through the glass; green grass and a bright blue sky, a few errant farm animals peacefully grazing. The scenery was completely at odds with how he was feeling, and he turned his head, closing his eyes.

It was his sister who invited him after he called. "You sound like shit. What happened?"

"I dunno. I'm just feeling really depressed."

"You should come over," his sister said.

He took the train the next morning.

The clouds darkened. Kiyotsugu's brother glanced back outside, surprised at how quickly the blue sky was suddenly filled with storm clouds. A flash of lightning flickered in the distance, and after a few seconds, he could hear the sound of thunder mixing with the sudden rain.

A loud crash, and the train slammed on the brakes. He pitched forward in his seat, people's belongings tumbling from the overhead compartments. The thunder clapped louder and the passenger car violently rocked sideways, the passengers screaming. There was a squealing sound as the train skidded on the railway. They screamed again as something exploded through the roof like an arrow, lightning slamming into the cabin.

"Why have you not contacted me?" Kiyotsugu's brother whirled around while the voice boomed and echoed through the car. "Do you not realize you can come to my shrine and pray to me?"

"Do you hear that?!" he said to another passenger, but another spike of lightning flashed, splitting the ceiling further.

"HUMAN," the voice said, and he looked up and saw a flash of lightning shaped like a dragon.

"What the fuck?!" he said, and the lightning crackled. The dragon form involuted on itself, revealing the figure of a long-haired man.

"It seems I finally have your attention," the man said, and Kiyotsugu's brother jumped up, pointing at him.

"What the fuck-- what was that?! Are you a fucking lightning dragon?! You look like a fucking priest, what's up with the way you're dressed?! Are you in some kind of freaky cult or something?!"

"What you saw was my true form, which forces beyond my control sought to suppress." The man sniffed and ran a hand through his hair. "I have been looking for you, human, as I have not yet granted you your wish."

"What wish?" he said. "Dude, I don't know who you are, or if you're some sort of freaky shinto priest or something, but I ain't joining any cults, okay, so you can just find another shmuck and fucking move along."

"Does the name Hirano Kiyotarou mean anything to you?" the man asked. He tucked his hands into his sleeves.

"The fuck is that?" Kiyotsugu's brother said. The man sighed and shook his head.

"So the cursed vessel cast another spell on you. It is as expected. Come here, human," the man said, and he motioned for him to follow him.

"Dude, this is fucked up, I'm not leaving here."

The man threw his hand out and blasted open the side of the car, the passengers shrieking and lightning bursting forward and creating a man-sized hole.

"There are many ways to grant a wish. I could just as easily solve your problem and force you to reincarnate by killing you."

"Oh, fuck," he said, and the man yanked him up by the collar.

*****

"I cannot reverse this spell. The best way would be to kill you and make you my shinki."

"WHAT?!" Kiyotsugu's brother said. The man held up his hand.

"It is as I've said," the man said, and lightning crackled at the tips of his fingers. "I shall give you a name and let loose your true name. You have already been touched by a God's Greatest Secret, so I suspect the name I give you will remain intact."

"What the fuck-- wait a minute, you're gonna kill me?! Don't do that!"

"Do not worry," the man said. "If this works, you may continue to live your human life as you see fit, as there are many spells that can alter your appearance. Besides," the man said, the lightning crackling down his arm.

"If unleashing a God's Greatest Secret breaks your name and turns you into a phantom, it is of no consequence to me, I shall simply smite you where you stand."

"Wait wait wait, what the f--"

Lightning. He was killed on the spot.

Takemikazuchi sighed, annoyed, and lifted his fingers into a halberd.

*****

"Dude, that was totally not cool!" Kiyotsugu's brother said. He rubbed the brand on his shoulder while Takemikazuchi snorted.

"I have just gifted you with eternal life," Takemikazuchi said. "At the very least you should be thankful."

"I'm supposed to visit my sister, you can't leave me like this!"

"Then go visit her," Takemikazuchi said. He gestured. "You have all your memories, you know your human names. But know this," Takemikazuchi said, and his eyes narrowed.

"If you let loose a God's Greatest Secret to the other shinki or speak about your death, I shall revoke your name and exorcise you as a corrupted spirit, where you will cease to exist and have no hope of reincarnation."

"What the fuck!" his brother wailed. Takemikazuchi frowned at him.

*****

"Hey, Little Brother, you little bitch! Way to erase my memories ya freakin' nerd!"

"Wha- Nii-san?" Kazuma started. "How did you get your memories back?"

"Uh, maybe it's just 'cuz I'm frickin' awesome," his brother said. "Hey hey hey, don't walk away! We all did some things we both regret--"

"How is what I did to you remotely anything like what you did?!"

"Look man, I didn't mean what I said about Father, okay. I just wanted to piss you off, you know, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It was messed up and I'm really sorry.

"Wait wait wait!" he said, as Kazuma started walking again. "Dude, can't we just talk about it?!"

"I don't have time for this," Kazuma turned. "Forget."

His brother snorted at him. Kazuma frowned.

"Forget. Forget! Nii-san! Forget!"

"Not gonna work," his brother said. He grinned. "That stupid thunder guy killed me and gave me another name."

"What?!"

"And guess what, you can't see it, ya know why?" and he threw out his arm and showed him an ugly tattoo of a purple phoenix. "I got a tattoo artist to freaking cover it! And this guy's good, okay, you can't use your stupid voodoo bullshit. I don't know why all you guys don't do this."

"Nii-san, Takemikazuchi-sama killed you?!"

"Yeah, that's what I was saying."

"And somehow you know a God's Greatest Secret?"

"Well your stupid magic had something to do with it, but yeah, he told me my real name," his brother said. "Look, we're both shinki now, we're both gonna run into each other, let's just bury the hatchet, okay? I'll even let you beat me up, okay, punch me in the face or something, let's do this!"

"Umbra," Kazuma said.

"Wait, are you serious?!" his brother said. "What the fuck..."

*****

This is what happened the next time his brother ran into Kazuma.

"Umbra," Kazuma said, but his brother threw a bucket of paint on him.

*****

They walked to the training fields just before dawn, the sky still dark and Kazuma quickly scanning the area to make sure they weren't being watched.

"Okay Nii-san. I'm going to show you one of the most basic skills a shinki can learn: a simple borderline," Kazuma said. He lifted his hands into a halberd.

"A LINE."

A quick swoop, snapping tightly as he threw it. The borderline shimmered in front of them.

"Whoa," his brother said. "And this is a shinki's only weapon?"

"Well that and casting spells, and I suppose whatever physical training you've had, much like when you were a human." Kazuma looked at his borderline, pleased with himself. "Okay, Nii-san. Just copy the movements I made: put your fingers in a halberd and make a sideways swiping motion. And don't get discouraged if you aren't able to do it at first, it took me years before I mastered it."

"Like this?" His brother held out his arm.

"A LINE!" he said, swiping fast and hard, and the light exploded, the line that he threw easily twice as high and twice as dense as Kazuma's.

Kazuma blinked. "Oh...wow."

"Yeah! That's what I thought, son!" His brother smacked him on the back, making Kazuma pitch forward a bit.

Kazuma pushed up his glasses. "Well that went surprisingly well. We'll do the next step in our lesson."

"Oh?"

"Throwing borderlines like projectile weapons." Kazuma lifted his hand again.

He threw his arm out, back and forth, in successive sweeps, his borderlines zipping out like shuriken. One sliced the top of the training post, the other sliced the top of a tree. The third one split into two and sliced through the both of them. "It's just precision and concentration," Kazuma said.

His brother nodded. "Oh yeah, it's like throwing knives, I totally get it." And he held his arm forward.

Swipe! Swipe! Swipe! Swipe! He threw compact blades of light toward the training post, slicing it in four successive pieces. "Little Brother, watch this!" he said, and he threw a vertical borderline, slicing through the four pieces vertically, cutting them in half. "Okay, cool! What else have you got to show me?"

"Uh." Kazuma blinked again. "That was basically it for a borderline."

"OOOH! Can you make them change shape?" and he threw one vertical and one horizontal borderline, which combined to make a spinning cross, slamming into the tree in front of them. "Oh! Cool! You totally could!"

Kazuma pushed his glasses up again. "I mean, that's flashy and all, but there are instances when you can't use a borderline, you'd have to use a spell."

"What? And memorize shit? Please. I used to guard the emperor, gimme a regular sword and I can totally defend my master."

"I guess it makes sense that you'd still remember your training as a human," Kazuma said. "By the way, Nii-san, what is your vessel form? I heard that you're a bladed weapon."

"Oh, dude, I'm more than that, okay, I'm a frickin' lightning sword! And I can shapeshift into different weapons!"

"Wha- really?" Kazuma said. "My Rekki form is a divine garment and lightning sword, and I can turn into a bow and arrow depending on how Yato holds the scabbard."

"Oh, cool! What other weapons can you turn into?"

"Uh, just the two."

"Seriously?" His brother made a face at him. "I can turn into any weapon Takemikazuchi wants me to. I can even arm his stupid dragon."

"Wait, you can arm Ouki? How?"

"I can turn into friggin' armor and wrap around him, so that people can't go injure him," his brother said. He thumped his chest. "Just the other day I augmented his weapons and made them more accurate! All his weapons were crackling with lightning and it was way easier for him to kill phantoms!"

"You draw borderlines for the other shinki?" Kazuma stared at him. "Nii-san, you didn't even know what borderlines were until this morning, how were you able to do that?"

"I dunno." His brother shrugged. "Instinct, I guess. I mean, let's face it, Little Brother, of the two of us I've always been more physically talented."

Kazuma rubbed his head. "I couldn't even coordinate Veena's shinki until I became an earring," Kazuma said. He rubbed his head again, then looked up at his brother. "Do you think I can watch you in action, when you're patrolling with him?"

"Yeah, sure! I'll tell my master you wanna watch and learn!"

*****

She was sitting at her desk when Kazuma opened the door and flung himself into the chair next to her.

"Veena." He banged his head on the desk. "You should release me."

"What? Why?" Bishamon said. He banged his head on the desk again and covered his head with his hands.

"Because my stupid brother is a stronger weapon than I'll ever be, and I'm already a hafuri."

Bishamon frowned at him. "Don't you think you're being a bit melodramatic?" she said.

His voice was muffled against the desk. "....No." Bishamon stifled a laugh.

"Alright." Bishamon patted him on the head. "You're just a bit rattled. You're still strong, I wouldn't worry too much about it."

"A shinki is only as strong as his confidence, and my brother has always been stronger than me. I can't convince myself otherwise - he was controlling Takemikazuchi's shinki and he's not even a hafuri."

Bishamon patted him on the head again.

****

"Nii-san," Kazuma said. His brother looked up. "Bind."

A flash. His brother froze in place, horror in his eyes.

Kazuma smirked. "It seems I figured out your name, Nii-san."

Another flash and his brother stumbled forward.

"Dammit, Little Brother! How did you know?!"

"Those feathers that make up that phoenix's wings, while well-hidden, all have an outline similar to the character 'Shio,' or 'En', as well as our obvious connection to salt mining and your unfortunate pen name. So your name is Shio, your vessel is Enki, and your human name is Shioun based on the family name used by Takemikazuchi. "

"Fuck!" his brother said. Kazuma sparkled.

("Why didn't he just ask Kiun?" Yukine said. Yato shrugged.

"'Cuz it's Kazuma, I dunno.")

Excerpt from the fic, Layers, where Kazuma runs into the reincarnation of his brother. AU. kazubisha.