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where-i-overanalyze · 1 year

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religious symbolism in Soul Eater (Crona specifically)

okay hello, i am one of those people who experiences tumblr posts through pinterest, so idrk how to use tumblr. this is gonna be a learning curve, but i've got shit ton to say about Soul Eater (specifically the manga) and this can be my inaugural post. i use religious terms in this post loosely, it's just for parallels, i think too much about religious symbolism. spoilers for the Soul Eater manga, it's old but for the majority population who hasn't read the manga, be wary ig

Crona Soul Eater and religious symbolism and trauma! let's begin with the fact that Crona is simply born to be in Medusa's grand plan of world domination. Medusa never truly sees Crona as her own child; she only sees them as an experimental opportunity. she never lets them experience anything outside of their life as her experiment. thinking about religious undertones here, this is how a lot of people are born into religion. people just spawn in religious families when their religious parents have kids and a lot of the time there is very little chance to explore other beliefs.

Crona themself is also literally fused with the experiments Medusa has put them through. there is no separating them from Ragnarok and he constantly bombards them physically and mentally. he serves as a constant nagging in Crona's mind of where they come from, what has happened to them, and what Medusa actually thinks about them. she literally planted those constant thoughts and worries in them that they cannot escape from. Crona has been conditioned to think that this experiment, this "religion," is all about them serving Medusa and her wishes. whether this comparison works better with the experiment or Medusa herself being the "religion" doesn't really matter, it's mainly just the fact that Crona was brought up and trained to not doubt what Medusa told them to do. Crona cannot bring themself to question this truth they've been told their whole life because, up until a certain point, Medusa was never wrong. there is even this sort of "chosen one" language used around and referring to Crona because of this experiment, much like the language christians use when talking about how they are god's children and all that. there's this pride in "bringing up" a child that serves some sort of purpose, the greater order, a "miracle" even.

despite all Medusa's hard work of preventing Crona from seeing any life without her, the arc after her "defeat" (when she slithers away and possesses little girl Rachel) allows Crona to experience the world. for a brief month or so, Crona is able to be "of the world" and realizes that there are people out there that aren't using them for an experiment, that they're allowed to be their own person without Medusa's influence.

they make progress!!! they make friends!!! they actually start liking the academy and experience a life that isn't full of Medusa's demands in the name of the experiment to create a Kishin (or worse)!!!

but, of course, Crona cannot "be of the world" because they are just "Medusa's experiment." after finally experiencing the joys of a normal and non-toxic environment, Medusa returns and provides a horrible reminder that Crona is different from their friends. they can't possibly be more important than what Medusa's bigger plan has in store for them. of course they must choose between the two, of course they must be a spy on shibusen, it's what they were made to do!!! (god i hate Medusa)

though, Crona has already "tasted the fruit" so to speak. Crona knows that this shit for Medusa is wrong to do, but all they can do is fall back into the one thing they've known their whole life: they're Medusa's experiment and they must not fail. they've strayed from the path that was set out for them, so when they start doing things for Medusa again, the internal conflict has set in. they are following the destiny Medusa has laid out for them and she is glad that Crona's listening to her again, so why does it all feel wrong? it feels wrong because they left the path, they stopped living for the "religion" and now everything is falling apart around them when they try to live in both realities. it's just like Medusa told them, they cannot exist in the world because they do not understand the world, so they must continue being Medusa's experiment.

the praise doesn't feel good anymore, these promises of something greater don't seem worth the sacrifice if it means Crona must give up the glimpse of happiness they've finally experienced. and yet, despite all of their conflict and turmoil about betraying everyone, they return to Medusa because it's all they feel that they truly know; she's the only thing that can provide them with any sense of normalcy though they know something about it is wrong and cold. the torture is normal.

after Crona's return to Medusa and the experiments continue, Crona is essentially going through the motions for her grand plan. they're in too deep now, they've devoted their whole life to her because that's all they've ever known. maybe they do want to get out, but who would understand their purpose like Medusa does? even when they're presented with opportunities to be snapped out of it, they can't break free. they've given up every chance to live a regular life, but of course, they're part of a bigger plan, something that will put them above everyone else, and it will all be because of what Medusa has done to prepare them.

all the sacrifice, knowing that they are past the point of return, they're finally ready to finish what Medusa started.

and then Medusa shatters everything Crona's founded themself on. this belief that Medusa treated them this way because it was part of the plan, that Medusa had to be cruel in order for everything to work out, it initiates a crisis when Medusa suddenly dons the appearance of a loving mother. up until then, Medusa only refers to herself as Crona's mother as a way to manipulate them, to spur them to action because she is their mother and she deserves their loyalty. Crona's suffering and success was based on the fact that Medusa was treating them harshly, abusing them, experimenting on them, and the reality comes crashing down that this was never about Crona, it was always about Medusa's sick game to see how much they could get out of Crona. this "religion" has only been torture with the promise of . . . something good at the end. Crona hasn't gotten that "something" yet, so why has the "religion" stopped being cruel?

in her final moments, Medusa no longer resembles the mother Crona knew, and Crona kills her as they (probably) hear her say "I love you, Crona" for the first time. from this point on, Crona makes a desperate attempt to reclaim this purpose, this "religion" they've founded their whole life on. they are ready to meet the Kishin, to become the entirety of evil and madness and fear, and yet they return to the church.

the fact that Maka and Crona meet in a church is too easy of a symbol, that the first and (almost) last time Crona sees Maka is in a place where someone can find salvation, but i love it nonetheless. other than the fact that it is literally a church, there is a Lot to think about with the doors that only open inward. the church lets people in, it's welcoming, they're for the lost and the broken to come inside, but those doors are made for the people coming in, not the people coming out. obviously, doors are still doors, you can still open doors from the inside, but Maka gets stuck on them the first time they meet. it makes it hard for, oh idk, people getting attacked from the inside to escape. if you're trapped in that church for so long, used to getting worn down and used, maybe you give up on trying to open those doors.

like, you've gotta be kidding me. it's their choice to keep going with all of this, it's their choice to continue despite salvation standing right next to them, it's their choice to break down those doors and make this their own path. it's evil, it's horrible, but it's a last ditch effort to reform the broken foundation they were raised to believe.

but then it doesn't work. they obtain that horrible, promised power for a while, but it swallows them whole. it was never something they could handle because they were the test subject, the experiment to see how far someone could devote their life to this cause, only for it to not work out in the end. their religion has been crumbling for a while, but now it's turned to dust. they are no longer needed for its agenda, so it has abandoned them.

a quick return to the "place of salvation" point i made earlier, i think it's insanely interesting that the church is where all of the violence takes place when Maka and Crona interact, but it is actually inside the soul that Crona's redemption happens (i know they're technically like in the Kishin at the end, but still). there could be some stuff said about the corruption of the church, how a physical place that is deemed holy could never truly cause someone to reach any sort of salvation. salvation and peace is someone who extends their hand out to someone who is suffering, not a building or mantras or enduring torture in promise of a greater reward.

Crona's redemption, salvation, it all comes from abandoning what Medusa told them to do. they've technically done it all; they perfected the black blood, they became one with the Kishin, and now they can go on to choose a path that is entirely their own. they actively choose to counteract their past actions, to "atone for their sins" and fix everything for everyone else. they become a sacrificial lamb in the act, or even a christ figure in terms of dying for the safety of everyone else. and i mean, this entire time Crona was obeying their mother, and who was jesus but a man who was obeying his father?

i have to give my gf credit for that last line, she sent me that and i lost my mind. i will also give her credit for pointing out the fact that Crona's theme in the anime is literally a prayer to Saint Mary for forgiveness.

youtube

there is definitely something to be said about the fact that Mary and Marie are very similar names, Marie provides Crona a healthy mother-type figure while they're at the academy, and that Crona betrays her and she's the only other person who Crona somewhat remembers in their madness haze. i'd say that role is stronger in the anime than the manga since the anime gives Crona way more of a redemption arc and they interact with Marie much more. it still totally works, Crona is just riddled with religious symbolism there's no escaping it.

anyways, idk how to end a post. if anyone is reading it and you made it through all of that, good job!!! i've been dying to say this shit somewhere and i will definitely continue to do this because it is cathartic.

#soul eater #crona #crona soul eater #crona gorgon #soul eater manga #religious symbolism #religious trauma #medusa gorgon #medusa soul eater #maka soul eater #idk how to use tags #do i just keep adding tags?#manga #anime #crona x maka #kind of #overanalyzing #english major things #Youtube

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poisonioushearts · 1 year

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The Un-unbirthday Party

Characters: Heartslabyul (some are there more than others but they all speak)

Gender neutral reader

Warnings: Not proof read

Synopsis/tags: I had this idea while lying in bed and contemplating my life choices, fluff, slight angst, no use of y/n, reader is ramshackle prefect, you can guess the ending, takes place after book 1 but book 2 hasn't started yet

Notes: First time posting a fic on here so please like and reblog if you enjoyed reading!, tried to make this aesthetically pleasing to look at lmao

Do not repost, reblog only(if you enjoyed reading do reblog it helps with motivation)

Word count: 800+ (I skimmed to count so I don't know the exact number)

It was a cycle.

Go to school. Keep Grim in line. Get dragged into trouble by your friends. Go back to Ramshackle exhausted because some bird insisted on you doing something to repay him because of he is 'oh so generous'.

Ha.

You realized one day that time was really flying by because as you were rearranging things in the main room and trying to clean stuff up the ghosts popped up.

"Sheehee, hello there prefect."

You jumped, startled. The picture you were adjust on the wall almost slipped from your fingers and you fumbled to catch it.

You sighed, "Hello. There something you need?"

"No." One of them responded.

"But we do have a question." Another added.

"Sure," you put the picture on the floor and faced the ghosts, "What is it?"

"Is it true your birthday is in a week from today?"

You hummed in thought, pulling out the phone that Crowley lent you out of his graciousness (whatever) and you check the date.

Sure enough your birthday was to be in exactly one week from today.

"Seems like it yeah," You answered nonchalantly, "Why do you-" looking up from the bright screen you saw that the ghosts had just vanished. "Okayy?"

Shrugging off the encounter you put your phone back in your pocket and picked the picture up again.

"Henchmen!"

"Gah!" You yelped and the object crashed to the floor, a sure sound of something breaking made you internally groan.

"What now Grim?"

"Why didn't you tell me your birthday is coming up?"

You tilted your head, "I never told you when my birthday was."

"I- ah-" he stuttered over his words, "I overheard you speaking to the ghosts about it! Not because I was curious about why you didn't say when your birthday was but because I was just in the area at the time and I am curious."

You chuckled, "Of course. I wouldn't have thought any differently."

"So..." He trailed off, and knowing Grim he wouldn't let it go until he had an answer.

"Well," you started, walking away from the shattered picture and towards you kitchen for a glass of water. "I guess there's more so two reasons. Reason one: I haven't really thought about it. Being here has kept me running everywhere so I guess I haven't had much time to think. And two..." You trailed off, staring into the cup of water, fingers tightening around the glass, "I suppose I'm trying to avoid it."

"Wah!?" The cat sputtered from his spot on the floor, he quickly crawled to your leg and climbed until he was sprawled across your shoulders. "Why would you avoid your birthday?!"

You sighed, "Because the people I usually spend it with aren't here." Finally you decided to take a sip of the water, it's coolness helping your parched throat only by a little. "My family and friends back home...they...I..." You stopped talking for fear of the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Oh..." He trailed off. The cat was at a loss for words. You? His henchmen- without your family on one of the most important days of the year? No. He wouldn't have it. Not for his henchmen.

---

It's been a week and today was your birthday, although it didn't feel any different from any other days at Night Raven College, you knew that this day is different.

You weren't home. You wouldn't see your family or friends and as the days passed it felt as if Crowley wasn't even trying to get you home.

Like the other days your mind was on autopilot as you went from class to class, the day was beginning to mush and blur together.

There was one part of the day you were excited for however, and that was the Unbirthday party Heartslabyul was hosting in the evening. It was the one thing that seemed to be good in your day as you treked from class to class and tried not to fall asleep in Trein's lessons.

At the moment it was Lunch time and you were silently eating your food while you listened to your friends talk.

"So," Deuce faced you, "You still coming to the ah-Unbirthday Party later?"

You nodded with a smile, "Wouldn't miss the chance for free food." Your friends chuckled in response as you finished up your lunch.

Although you could definitely feel something was off with your Heartslabyul friends you didn't say anything. You didn't know why but you just brushed this moment off and hoped they hadn't gotten into any trouble.

Your hopes were thankfully answered. (You didn't know this though)

"So, prefect. Anything interesting going on today?"

You raised a brow at the sudden question and opened you mouth to speak and faltered when Ace suddenly yelped, as if he had been elbowed in the side.

"What was that for?" Ace hissed as he faced the boy next to him who just wordlessly stared at him.

They say in silence for a few long minutes before you looked at the cafeteria clock.

"Well I don't know what's going on with you to and I swear if you got into some type of trouble." You stood up with your tray, "I will murder you."

"Oh nothing-"

"It's just that-"

"We didn't do anything we swear!"

You gave them an incredulous look as they stood with their trays, "...okay..."

As the day went on they just acted more and more suspicious. They must have done something to be acting like this!

Throughout the classes you had one(or both) of them with, Deuce would shuffle in his seat nervously and stutter over his words and Ace was... semi-normal. He didn't insult you as much as usual though which made you very suspicious because he never once made fun of Grim-who has been awfully quiet for the most of the day as he clung to your shoulders.

'What is going on?'

---

Finally the school day had come to a close, and you were currently attempting to get ready for the un-unbirthday party.

But it seemed like you had nothing.

The outfit that Riddle had given you when you first went was kind of ruined from trying to run away from Trey and Carter, for it had gotten caught on the rose bushes. But it didn't seem like you had much of a choice. At least it wasn't that torn? It was noticable but not terrible.

You just hoped that the dorm leader would let this slide- knowing him before his overblot, you would surly loose your head.

You fiddles with the sleeves nervously as your shoes clacked in the quiet halls of the college. Grim had already left while you were getting ready, insisting that he, the great Grim, could take care of himself.

You gave him the benefit of the doubt and now you were walking in the halls alone.

You didn't think your birthday was terrible so far. Not much homework, Grim was cooperative, and you got the change to go to a party- even if it wasn't yours. You'd say it was a pretty decent day, but at times you couldn't stop thinking about your home.

What could they be doing? Did they miss you? Did they think you went missing or died?

The questions were endless and you attempted to push them out of your mind. You wanted to focus on your friends and the Unbirthday party today. You didn't want to worry anyone with your troubles.

You finally stood in front of the steps to the mirror. Your foot hovered over the steps when someone suddenly stumbled out of the mirror.

"Deuce?" Said boy stumbled down the steps and you moved out of the way so you wouldn't get crushed and you caught him before he could faceplant into the floor.

"Oh-ah- hey there prefect!" He straightened out and your arms fell to your sides.

"What are you doing? Shouldn't you be at the party?" You asked, gesturing to the mirror.

"Well actually I came to get you! Um, Carter and I."

You tilted your head, "Carter's with you?"

"Yep, mhm. So we should probably wait for him."

"But you just said you came to get me, and I am here so..." You took a step towards the mirror but a hand on your wrist stopped you.

"Well we should probably wait because he doesn't know your here yet! He could end up going to you dorm only to realize you're not there so we should totally wait."

You didn't pull away from his grip, "Totally..."

Not to long later after a long awkward silence, Carter appeared.

"Ah prefect! There you are! Glad we found you."

You deadpanned, "I've been standing here for a while."

He ignored your comment, "Come on let's go- wait." He stopped and looked at your outfit before frowning, "It's ripped."

"Yeah I know... But I didn't have anything else."

He waved his hand, "Not a problem let me just..." He took out his pen and with a flick of his wrist, your outfit had been repaired to it's previous state, with just a little more...'pizazz'.

"Oh!" You looked at yourself and one of the previously ripped parts and hummed, "Thanks Carter!"

"Not a problem prefect! Can't have you looking like a mess at your-"

"At the Unbirthday party!" Deuce suddenly shouted, his voice an octave higher than normal.

"Oh yes, Riddle would not have been pleased." Carter agreed.

"Well then I believe he also would not be pleased if we are late yes? Let's go."

"Ahh, not just yet." Carter stepped into your path.

You frowned, "Why not?"

"Well... preparations have not yet finished up and we had a uh... incident. I came to get Deuce for the extra help. I'll text you when we are ready!"

Before you could utterly another word Carter had already grabbed your classmates wrist and disappeared in the mirror.

You blinked.

"Okay then...might as well go to the library and try to do some research..."

---

The gardens were quiet, the roses red glistening with fresh red paint, the only sounds being your shoes against the pavement as you walked into the gardens to get to the main area.

Minutes ago you had gotten the text from Carter saying that they were ready for you.

What did that even mean? It's an Unbirthday party they are meant for well-everyone.

You looked from from the roses, to the trees, and to the cloudless sky.

It was nice, the quiet and the serene nature. You felt almost at peace.

No cat complaining about the school work.

No friends getting themselves into trouble.

Just yourself on this nice and simple day. Your birthday.

And cake.

But that would be later.

You had finally come to the same old space in the garden where the party's were held. Tables were set and silverware shone when hit by the sun's rays.

But where was everyone?

The place was empty not a single soul in sight. You pulled out your phone with a frown, re-reading Carter's message. They should all be here by now...

Something collided with your body and you crashed to the ground with a yelp, your phone slipping from your fingers.

"Ow..." You groaned, attempting to sit up, about to hit your attacker when you paused. "Ace? What the hell what was for?"

He only smirked and helped you to your feet before pulling an item from behind his back and placing it on your head.

"Happy birthday prefect."

What?

At that moment the students came filing out from where they hid, greeting you with a smile and 'happy birthday' before taking seats at the tables.

"What? But- how?"

"Grim and the ghosts." Riddle appeared beside you, "The cat gave Trey quite a fright. Luckily he wasn't holding anything but a tray, unfortunately, that tray will filled with treats which hit the floor. Grim had no problem cleaning them up and he told Trey in muffled words that your birthday was coming up."

"I went to Riddle and he told your friends." Trey smiled as you turned to meet his eyes, "It was Riddle's idea to push the Unbirthday for another day and have this be, in other words, a surprise birthday party. Happy birthday prefect." He handed you a small wrapped box and you could barley stutter out a thank you.

You were shocked and happy.

And on the verge of tears(but they didn't need to know that).

You smiled, straightening the ridiculous and nostalgic hat on your head as Deuce wished you a happy birthday and Carter pulled you close for a picture(after he handed you your phone which was somewhere in the grass after Ace tackled you).

"Then I guess it's an un-unbirthday party." You joked. "Thank you guys."

This is one moment you wouldn't trade for anything. Not even a ticket home.

Because at the moment, this was the now.

This was your home.

Whether temporary or permanent.

No matter how much chaos you get into with those guys- you wouldn't have it any other way.

---

Reblogs and likes are always appreciated, thank you!

#twisted wonderland #birthday #fanfiction #oneshot #twst #heartslabyul #fluff #no y/n #x reader #gender neutral reader #idk how to use tags #ace trappola #duece spade #trey clover #carter diamond #riddle rosehearts

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