#redfeather-blades

[another-rpg-sideblog]

Red Eagle Tower by Dyson Logos

Perched on the rugged cliffs on the east face of Longboat Mountain, Red Eagle Tower overlooks the lands below and in turn is overlooked by the goblins in the caves above. Constructed from the deep red rock quarried from the mountain proper, the tower’s hue provides a striking contrast to the trees and moss-covered weathered rock that surrounds it. Built by the Order of the Aerie Sentinels ages past, the tower was constructed under the guidance of the mage-architect Thalorien Redfeather as a strategic defence point over the lands while also securing one of the ways into the Silver Stair that climbs the heart of Longboat Mountain (the secret door on the main level walls that leads into the mountain – which remains unknown to the current residents). Today Red Eagle Tower is “ruled” by “Lord” Galru the Sly. Once a lowly bandit on the run from the trading community of Hillen’s Mills, Garrick’s cunning and ruthlessness saw them collect enough other outlaws and thieves in their entourage to become a lord among bandits. Not a large human, Galru is still imposing due to their sharp eyes and the air of confidence they cloak themselves in. Galru’s attire is a mix of finery stolen from nobles and practical gear suited for battle. A red cloak, a nod to the tower’s name, drapes over their leather armour and they are rarely seen without their signature blade – a long knife with a pommel shaped like an eagle’s head. Under Lord Galru’s rule, the Red Eagle Tower has become a bandit stronghold. The fort at the base of the tower has been repurposed as a training ground and to store ill-gotten gains (although no training is done in the courtyard at night, as the goblins above are known to throw stones, garbage, and even weapons down the hillside to attempt to hit any bandits). While a base bandit, Galru thinks of themself as a lord by right of conquest, and plans to expand well beyond the tower and mountain and make claim to the towns that once chased them out. There is no postern gate into the small fort at the base of the tower (the secret passage to the Silver Stair served as such for the Order of the Aerie Sentinels). The ground level of the tower is not accessible from here, and instead one must enter it via the upper level of the fort and climb back down from there. The walls on the main level are always patrolled by a few bandits (although they stick to the east side at night to avoid goblin surprises from above). Spiral stairs along the centre of the tower climb from the base to the parapets above. Another curved staircase leads to the tower basement and dungeons.

[briar-ffxiv]

Character Associations: Briar Redfeather

Fill out 3 or more symbolic associations for each category!

(Lovely art by @calico-heart )

✧EMOTIONS/FEELINGS✧

hopeful - The world can be a better place. He knows it can. curious - There's so much to see and learn. lonely - He doesn't have to be alone forever, does he? determined - to survive, to thrive, to grow brave - fear won't stop him

✧COLORS✧

green - growth, spring coming, hope, home blue - cool water, healing magic, rain white - kiss of winter, the bright moon, the touch of frost brown - the giving earth, the ancient trees, the steady feel of his bow red - boldness, a fox, survival, blood on the ground

✧SCENTS✧

wood - beloved bow, steady staff, the safety of home iron - blade, blood, a blacksmith's hammer, rebuilding leather - the creak of armour, the feel of a saddle under him wool - his sheep, home, the comfort of warmth around him patchouli - the forest, the rain, the comfort of a familiar person

✧OBJECTS✧

bow - a steady, comforting weight in his hand, a connection to the father he never knew cloak - his mother's. A reminder that he was once loved and that she's with him still stave - he is both a shepherd and a wanderer. He'll keep those with him as safe as he can. satchel - it has what he needs. It is security no matter what happens. journal - memories kept safe, special moments preserved

✧BODY LANGUAGE✧

restless hands - nervous, but hopeful, afraid to mess things up tilted head - a lack of understanding, but a craving to know bitten lip - so many things to say but unsure of the words furrowed brow - he's trying very hard to figure this out gentle touch - he's there and he wants to help if he can

✧AESTHETICS✧

forest - beautiful, but dangerous, full of green growing things but also predators unicorn - delicate and beautiful, pure and fierce, unlikely defender briar rose - a wild flower, beautiful but there are thorns, tougher than first appearances bare feet - humble, giving, connected with the earth red hair -hidden fire, strong spirit, willful and a bit of temper lamb - innocence, sacrifice, gentleness, forgiveness

Tagged by: @calico-heart - thank you! <3

Tagging: @shadesofblades @midnightmagicks @aidoneus-forgeron @starsworn @vythanis @soulshards-ffxiv @prettygayway @naejlas-axe @scholarlostintime @cantspelldragoonwithoutgoon @miqomischief @thefrostflower @ythealleycat @spotofmummery @ainyan @actualanxiousswampwitch @fluffyscholar and anyone else that wants to do it! <3

[cryptidhero]

The hawk wasn't expecting to be 'caught' so soon. At least, not like this. Though, his mind had wandered away from him the moment that he heard the man call him a 'pretty birdie'. That in and of itself was not something that he thought would happen. His face flushed slightly, his wings fluttered a little bit.

"Mm," His words, for the moment, were lost to him. "And what do you plan on doing with me now that you've caught me?"

golden eyes narrow faintly at the sound of his wings fluttering. aha, so that's what they do when hes happy. very well, considered it committed to his memory -- he's gunna want to see more of that to be honest. from the flush on his face to the way he tries to hide his face in his jacket. he gives another lazy blink, grinning like a cat who got the canary (hawk) before keigo asks what hes going to do now. he could make good on his promise, he's the right height for it, but he reaches up, slowly as if he was scared of startling the hero.

     blackened fingertips raise to gently trace over the hero's wrist, up his arm before tugging him down lightly. he didn't give much force but he pushes the gloves off of his hand before long fingers tangle with his own before raising his head, stretching his body up before his head tips to the side, sealing his mouth over the hawks in a brief kiss. he holds it for just a heartbeat or two before breaking, a small gap between them before he exhales and grins.

  " devour you."

[axgmented]

Hawks carefully stalked his way towards the white haired woman. At a glance, he had mistaken her for someone else. A certain rabbit eared hero to whom owed him lunch. Placing his hands over her eyes, he leaned in with a tantalizing smirk gracing his features. "Guess who."

the coffee had lost its appeal to her. at this point, it was nothing but sugary ice water. her nose wrinkles in distaste before letting her grip on the plastic cup release, a satisfying thunk as it hits home in the black metal trash can. she's bobbing her head to the music filtering through wireless earphones, the beat vibrating her brain. sunglasses hide crimson eyes from the glaring sun but they're quickly shoved up when a pair of hands come up beneath them.

rem freezes, for a moment considering it's a collegue before the silken timbre of a stranger masks out the dying end of a song. it doesn't take her long to take a half step back, positioning a leg between the blonde's and reaching up with deceptively delicate hands to twist at the wrist. she whirls on a heel, sunglasses leaving her face and clattering against the sidewalk before she's pressing his arms upwards at the shoulders, a snarl on her face.

" who tha' fuck!?"

[whirlybirdwhat]

All Skyjacks know that freedom is not something to be granted by some petty lord, with writ in blood and pockets lined with laborer’s gold. It’s owned by each soul born under the sky and breathin’ it’s air. Flight is claiming that freedom and all the fortune and hardship it bestows. A corsair doesn’t sail by Redfeather law or privateer’s writ. They sail with the strength of their back, keen of their mind, and love of their fellows. And they’ll defend that by blade of cutlass or fire of cannon. Take flight is saying you have the will to face the Cuttin’ Stone, and you control your own destiny. That you’d pour sweat and spill blood for your own right and any ‘jack who’d sail at your side. If that be  the sort of folk you are, I’d raise this pint to thee. There are no kings… take flight.

Skyjacks: Epispde 107, end scene. 

[thewickling]

Chapters: 7/7 Fandom: S.C.I.谜案集 | S.C.I. Mystery (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Bai Yutong/Zhan Yao Characters: Bai Yutong, Zhan Yao Additional Tags: Slice of Life, Curtain Fic, Romance, Domestic, Living Together, Canon Compliant, Food Porn, Chinese Food Series: Part 1 of Ordinary Days Summary:

After Bai Yutong is insinuated into his home, from an inconspicuous thing, Zhan Yao discovered the depth of their relationship. When it had gained those depths, he could not say. All he knew was that he could pinpoint his epiphany to an ordinary glass.

Excerpt:

Yutong pierced the crown, quickly bisecting the head. The lobster’s legs continued to twitch after death. Spinning it, he adjusted his blade to cleanly halve the lobster. A few more decisive cuts and he divided the beast into parts. Picking up his cutting board, he slid it into a bowl.

He grabbed the next lobster and found where the plates fused. Lining up his knife just above the cross, he jabbed and divided the head in two.

“Do you have to do it where I can see?” Zhan Yao remarked from his perch on the other side of the kitchen island.

Arranging the writhing limbs, Yutong rolled his eyes. “Would you rather I toss them in a pot so you can listen to their clatter?”

@sarah-yyy @earthpodd @silvercrystal1 @weilongfu @fkyb @lazygeisha @mypheralside @redfeathered

[cryptidhero]

@redfeather-blades

my favourite trope is when both people understand that they like each other but it’s still unsaid between them and they’re not quite 100% sure the other likes them back so they keep having awkward-flirty moments/interactions and don’t know what to do after it happens so they just ,,, look at each other for a moment before changing the subject…and then it happens again

[raayllum]

Redfeather nodded. “I like you, but you’re still trying to be the person they’ll welcome back home. You’re a Ghost. You can’t be that elf ever again. You have to decide who you are going to be instead. So—who are you?” Rayla balked at her. It was an awful question. She wasn’t an assassin, she wasn’t an elf of the Silvergrove, she wasn’t anything at all, she was just—“Rayla.” That voice again. Rayla pushed away, trying to focus on Redfeather. “I’m—” “—selfless, strong, and caring—” He persisted, as he always did, and his voice took her far, far away. She could still see it: the stars of the desert gleaming above her and in his eyes. “—that’s what makes her a hero. That’s what makes her—” “Rayla,” she said, meeting Redfeather’s gaze. “My name is Rayla. And I’m going home.”

—Chasing Shadows, part 3

However, Rayla kills Viren in the most Rayla-y of ways, as she does so without her assassin blades, while acting as the Last Dragonguard, and in a way that means killing Viren is not just an act of protection or revenge, but also something that meant sacrificing (killing) herself. This is important regarding her and Callum in regards to the possession plot line. As long as Callum is Callum (not possessed, or she has reason to believe he’s still in there), Rayla likely won’t be able to bring herself to kill him. This is from an emotional / characterization standpoint, of course, but from a thematic standpoint, we can see where it stems from Callum and Rayla continually being each other’s main connection to their sense of identity. As long as Callum is Callum (“you’re the destiny is a book you write yourself guy”), he’s worth saving. As long as Callum is Callum, she can be Rayla (“Rayla’s brave. She saves people” / “Rayla. My name is Rayla, and I’m going home”). As long as she’s Rayla, he can be Callum. Because if Callum isn’t Callum, then he’s dead, and if he’s dead, she can kill him. And if Rayla kills him, if Callum is dead, then she won’t be Rayla anymore. Because to literally kill Callum would be to simultaneously symbolically/emotionally kill herself. And in saving him as Callum, she preserves herself as Rayla, too.

—Rayla, Claudia, and Killing Yourself through the Other

[raayllum]

Key to His Heart Theory: Shot Through the Heart, and You're (S5) to Blame

Intro

So a little over a year ago (since usually I think about things meta wise for at least a good month before writing them down), I wrote a meta about why I thought the Key of Aaravos might hold a quasar diamond, specifically Aaravos' missing chest piece. His heart, if you will.

At the time, I thought it was a very strong contender for what the cube might be, even if it didn't necessarily give us a clear depiction on what it might be used for, and was again operating under the assumption the cube itself is something Aaravos even wants back or needs (which is assumption still, at this point).

It made sense loosely with some of the new information we'd gleaned about the cube from S4 (mostly the Callum pawn intro with its bright flashing light, the emphasis on hearts in the narrative with Ezran's speech, the 4x04 flashbacks) and was likewise built upon a previous meta regarding the series' use of Egyptian mythology (Thoth and Ibis being present somewhat in Callum's arc, the main trio's parallels to another Egyptian myth trio, Aaravos' mirror and mirrors as objects of divination, and potential matching symbolism with the ankh).

The Key to His Heart theory was also built on previous seasons — largely the Magma Titan plot line, and Avizandum being stabbed in the heart — in addition to Aaravos' chest piece, seemingly, being notably absent, which seemed indicative of certain lines from the short stories, particularly Rayla (S4's Dear Callum), but we'll talk more about these later:

Please don’t let this hurt too much. But, if it does—if you feel that soft aching—know that that piece of your heart isn’t missing. It’s not missing at all, Callum: I’m carrying it with me! Always.

If you're interested in this theory and want to know about it, I recommend reading the two metas I've linked above, as the rest of this won't really be delving too much into what I've already written about, and talking about how season five has given more potential evidence.

With that out of the way, let's get into it in rough order of "most to least" likely:

Season Five

TDP Reflections

Whereas hearts weren't mentioned too much in the short stories leading up to S4, they became a reoccurring motif every TDP reflection story going into S5.

Fools. They might as well have held their own hearts, beating and bloody, in the palms of their hands. Kim’dael knew that if she showed them her heart—or something convincingly like it—the Sunfire elves would do exactly what she wanted them to do.

“Rayla,” she said, meeting Redfeather’s gaze. “My name is Rayla. And I’m going home.” Redfeather sighed. “Oh, you bleeding heart.”

“They balk at shadows, then.” Aditi pulled a slip of white-hot metal from the forge and turned to place it upon a gilded anvil. “I see your heart—and I am not afraid.”

It stared up at him. Ezran felt a coldness twist its way around his heart. It took his lungs, too, and for a long moment he could not breathe, could not feel anything but an unfamiliar anger so potent it seized the whole of him, inside and out.

Viren staggers backwards, his last breath shuddering through the blade. His white robes turn red at his heart. Something in Soren’s own chest shatters along old cracks, but he cannot look away. 

“You are stronger than this. All storms end!” Rex rumbled a snort through flared nostrils. “What lies at its heart?” 

 He wept for his city, his people, and the darkness struck deep into their hearts.

While one may say it ends with a sunrise, another will insist it ends at nightfall. Yet at the heart of the story is a single, simple truth…A star fell from the sky.

From where Kim’dael stood, she could only see the brilliant aura of its magic. For a moment, it was as though the queen’s heart overflowed with light.

Now, some of this is undeniably because a heart is a short hand for emotion and one of our most useful metaphors for communicating a variety of emotion. However, I did think it was particularly interesting / eye catching that these lines tended to overlap with the series' growing light and darkness motif and emphasis on wounds/scars (to the point we have a 5x02 episode titled "Old Wounds" that refers to both Viren's past and Callum and Rayla's healing relationship).

But by far the one that struck me the most, and seemed the most reminiscent of how Aaravos's (literal?) wound manifests is this paragraph from Claudia's short story:

Lissa had left her years ago, but the space she had owned in Claudia’s heart remained. It was a dark place now, hard and hateful, its edges raw as a wound that had forgotten to heal.

Mountains had crumbled and left in their wake a vast new sea. It was as though the land had been dealt a great wound and bled a hundred years. Terror washed across the remnants of humanity like a wave: What power could fell mountains? Turn all the world dark, and bleed a sea from stones?

—Ripples (pre-S5)

As well as Aaravos' clear desire to have revenge over the Startouch elves for something that seems to go beyond the resentment over just being banished:

I have not seen the stars in centuries. But when I see them again—when the stars are forced to look upon me, their dark brother—they will know how I have waited. And when everything they have built lies shattered, I will savor their fall from the sky. For I have been patient.

—Patience (pre-S4)

We don't know yet if we are going to get more TDP reflections going into S6 or S7, but given the way the previous stories emphasize the heart as both a symbolic idea (a darkened, hollowed out heart) and a literal entity you can hold in your hands... It's clear there's something going on symbolism else, otherwise why be so consistent? But enough of the reflections, for now.

Time to talk about S5 itself.

Laurelion

Previously, I thought the cube in the intro (a literal glow toy, as Rayla identified back in 1x05) already had similar properties to the star-glow effect in the title intro back at S4.

At the time, this was more of a guess. Most of the Star magic we'd seen at that point we weren't able to fully identify as such, it seemed a bit more magenta in colour, and while there was a parallel in the bright flash of light upon releasing Sir Sparklepuff, there's also a bright flash when the prison is actually made. It's just a good short hand for a crescendo of magical power, you know? We didn't know if quasar diamonds were even going to be white, besides the one presumably in Aaravos' chest concept art wise.

And yet — it still felt like something to me. Then S5 with Laurelion came along.

The Death of the Immortal

K: "And though undying, took last breath, immortal Laurelion was no more." C: That's good, right? I mean when someone "was no more," that's — that's dead, yeah? K: It's a bit confusing, but that is the clearest implication. Though it is somewhat odd they call them undying and immortal. C: Well, that doesn't sound so immortal? Laurelion "was no more". K: Right. C: But how? How did they...? K: Right here. "White as the star's heart it pierced, ivory draconic brought death's bite known ever forth as Novablade." C: It's a sword.

There's a few noteworthy things about this whole exchange:

The poem has to be relevant eventually, otherwise why include it at all when you easily could've just had Kazi and Callum stumble across the sword period?

It confirms that the heart of a star is something that can be pierced, presumably removed, and white, which I think is the biggest "hell yeah" to the 4x04 intro

There is no reason to point out the contradictions in the poem itself unless A) the sword doesn't work the way we think it does and/or B) we are going to find out why the "undying and immortal" thing matters — and they make sure to emphasize the contradictions quite a bit as well, so they definitely want us to notice

If Laurelion died, and Aaravos took his place, that would explain how Laurelion — identity wise — could die while the same person under a new name could also remain alive / immortal

We learn in Rayla's pre-S5 short story that Ghosts don't often keep their real names, and take a new one as the final severance of their bond with their old community. For all extents and purposes, Aaravos was Ghosted (banished) from his community as well. Taking a new name would make sense

"That must've been when [Harrow] fell." "Fell? Fell! He didn't fall, Rayla, he didn't trip and fall on the ground — he got killed!" (2x08)

There's more speculation here regarding the actual sword and draconic ivory, but that is another post for another day that other smart people have made if you are interested. For now let's just focus on the heart.

We know Laurelion had a heart; we know it got stabbed with the Novablade, leaving Laurelion both no more (i.e. dead) and yet immortal / undying. We know that Arc 2 in particular has had an emphasis on losing your sense of self and identity ("I was his puppet" / "We can't save everyone, Soren" / "But I'm not evil. It's me" / all of Viren's dream visions). We know that a Star's heart is white. We know that Aaravos seemingly used to have one, and now it's either missing or impermanent, only visible sometimes.

(Putting a pin in the second image cause we'll roll back around to it in the counter evidence section.)

We know his chest centrepiece glowed when he was imprisoned, and we know it was seemingly gone when he got banished. We know something about the Key of Aaravos was able to reveal his treachery.

I'm not saying any of this is for sure connected, but it does make you think, at least a little?

That, and it'd play into another bit of potential interesting foreshadowing / symbolism we got in s5 with

Viren Heart Theory

This is another theory I've discussed in more detail elsewhere, so I'm going to link to it here, but it wouldn't feel right to not talk about it at least a little here. Basically the theory is that Viren used his own blood / a piece of his heart, or possibly the whole thing, and the relic staff in order to save Soren when he was a young child.

This is largely due to Viren's spotlight turning red after he begs to be able to save Soren, and cinched by Kpp'Ar pointing specifically at Viren's heart only for Viren to deflect and start talking about Soren's case specifically. Whatever he did seemed to make him more 'powerful,' but at a great personal cost ("In the name of love you may perform acts that are so unforgivable, you will never forgive yourself") and something he finds the need to justify ("I had to do something! I had to save him! I had no choice!").

If Viren did this, it also adds another layer to Viren's sentiment of "Harrow's death breaks my heart" being well, half-hearted, in addition to Soren literally stabbing illusion Viren in the heart in 3x09. Viren mutilated his heart for his son's life, stopped being able to properly express love to said son, and then Soren stabbed his father right in the place that presumably saved him as a child. Ouch.

It seems likely that one of the reasons Aaravos was able to prey so aptly on Viren's desire for importance and attention — to Matter — was because Aaravos might've tried and failed earlier on to get the Startouch elves to listen to him pre-banishment. Being ignored, exiled, and disempowered is something he can relate to, and something he doesn't mind taking advantage of when it suits him.

However, if this combination could save someone Viren loved, it makes me wonder if Aaravos did something similar to likewise try (and fail?) to save someone he loved, too. It's either that or the Startouch elves just completely ripped it out, so... I guess we'll have to see?

But yeah — if Viren did it, then I'm expecting it's more likely that Aaravos did it, too. That is all.

The Pawn Intros

But Dragons, you say, didn't we already talk about the Callum pawn intro?

And to that I say yes, but — thanks to a promo S6 picture of Aaravos crying, we know something else very important about said intros that we didn't know before: they take place at the Sea of the Cast Out.

The sky, the mountains... the fact we know, thanks to the statues in 5x09, that this is likely where Aaravos' grief — his wound, if you will — began to bleed and take root, leading to his thousands of years of seeking vengeance and using just about anything or anyone he could. This is, presumably, where his chess game started... and where it is, symbolically at least, going to end.

Okay, so it's the Sea of the Cast Out — why does that matter?

Well, we know the Sea of the Cast Out is a site of literal trauma for Aaravos. We know, thanks to the statues of Aaravos and the Merciful One, that it plays into the same reaching motif we see Viren participate in quite a few times, both in his intro and in other places/relationships (most notably Sarai, Harrow, and Terry).

The Sea of the Cast Out is also, perhaps more importantly for this theory's purposes, near Elarion. What little we do know about the city beyond it being an important place for humans and dark magic ties it repeatedly to nature through The Midnight Star poem:

Elarion, trembling seed, lay down to earth in icy night, and in the cold her roots took hold defying winter’s deathly bite. Elarion, fading bloom, afraid to wilt and dim and die, [...] Elarion, dying husk, did wilt and whimper in the dark [...] Elarion, black-eyed child, her twisted roots spread deep and far,

as well as a tale about the Flowers of Elarion, precious blooms that could soothe the senses and turned to dust come morning—flowers that were left as "a fair exchange of beloved for beloved" (Tales of Xadia). Put a pin that Exchange idea because I swear we're gonna come back to it but not in the usual way you might be expecting, or at least not entirely.

And we have good reason to believe this nature motif is tied to Aaravos' current imprisonment as well, given how present flower imagery is for his mirror.

So the Sea of the Cast Out and Elarion seem to be the two places we know of thus far that are not only the most important to Aaravos, but the most instrumental to his banishment. It would not surprise me if either Aaravos got involved in what would become Elarion either because he was banished, or it was what he was banished over, or if discovering the truth of what happened there is likewise why the Archdragons were partially like "Yeah, we gotta lock this guy up" (now that they knew he posed a serious threat). The fact that Elarion is referred to as a child (everything with "blood of a child,"), black-eyed (which denotes dark magic), and winter's "deathly bite" ("White as the star's heart it pierced, / ivory draconic brought death's bite") just all ties together nicely in being related even if we're not totally sure how.

But Aaravos having his chest piece removed by force / as punishment in addition to being cast out by the Startouch elves, or him taking it out himself and giving it to someone who was lost... There's a lot of roads to get here as to why this stuff all seems connected if the Key is indeed his chest piece, which offers up both a power up, a sad tragic backstory, some baller symbolism, and some nice double meanings as to what it is key wise.

As the Key works in the moment, it doesn't seem like it's something that would be very useful to a primal mage, as other than pretty easily identifiable gemstones they wouldn't be using much the key identifies. However, the function of the Key being able to categorize and sort magical creatures and plants from each other is something that is very useful if you're a dark mage and need to shore up your ingredients list.

If the Key has Aaravos' chest piece in it, there are two main prongs this offers:

It may have been instrumental in helping humans discover dark magic, hence the "Elarion, searing white" and could also be the Gift the poem speaks of. Aaravos removed it himself (love makes you weak?), gave it to his chosen human, chosen human died, and he was locked out of Startouch realm as a combined result. This offers the clearest connection between why Aaravos' mirror has the nature motif and why Aaravos is crying in the beginning of 6x01.

It was removed by the Startouch elves and lost/hidden, forcing Aaravos to be away from his old home until he could find it again. This is the clearest explanation as to why the Key might be relevant on a plot level. It could give him the power up he needs to get out of his prison and barring that, it's what he needs to wreck havoc and gain access to the Startouch elves to get revenge on them

It also allows what we learn of the cube in 2x06 to have multiple meanings:

The Key is revealed in an episode called The Heart of a Titan. We're led to assume that this is just the Magma Titan, and you could perhaps make an argument the dual meaning (just like how Breaking the Seal refers to the letter and the titan's chest) refers to Harrow or Callum's capacity to love. But, given that one of Aaravos' most prominent mythic comparisons is to Prometheus, a literal Titan, well...

"It unlocks something of great power in Xadia" would work equally well if it's a Key literally made from Aaravos, not just to Aaravos. And the past 2 seasons in particular have emphasized over and over again just how powerful and dangerous he is

The salvation and destruction motif that is inherent in the key, ("I just have a feeling this key thing can help me" / "It's the key of Aaravos, no good will come of it") as keys are linked to chains and freedom with the ability to lock and unlock, is rampant in 2x06, as Viren states that Xadia and the Magma Titan "held both the promise of our salvation and threat of our destruction." This goes double for Sarai sacrificing her life to save Viren

And to round back to Viren and his intro, I don't think it's a coincidence that

is one of the first things Aaravos ever says to Viren, particularly when trying to earn Viren's trust. (Nor that Aaravos considers that Zubeia and co. "betrayed" him when "he would lower his guard," just before the imprisonment.) And while Aaravos gains Viren's trust as a political ally here first, it's also clear that he's actually primarily preying upon Viren's deepest emotional desires here as well: to be listened to. To matter.

Viren wasn't listened to by the monarchs around him (Harrow). He wanted to be important (to them). He wanted to matter.

"It is everything to me, to know that I matter. It's all I ever wanted."

Aaravos: Search your heart. There is something you want very badly. (2x09) Zubeia: He was able to give them something they wanted very badly. (4x04)

And that's what Aaravos offered him, with power and knowledge just being the bait. (If you're interested in more detailed thoughts on this aspect of Viren / their dynamic, check out this meta here.)

More to the point, I do lean towards the Key's plot purposes being 1) a power-up that may be needed for him to get out of his mirror and 2) something that likewise allows him to see the other Startouch elves again. After all, the Silvergrove gave each elf a similar kind of key:

But y'know what, let's talk about Rayla now, because

The Missing Piece of Your Heart

As stated earlier, Rayla's letter has a consistent metaphor when it comes to family and loss:

I remember how I felt when my parents left me to join the Dragonguard, like PART OF MY HEART WAS MISSING and I would never feel right again. I thought I hated them when they did that to me. In the beginning, it felt so big and terrible—like raging despair—but, overtime, it became a soft, sweet ache—a reminder of that missing part of my heart. [...] Please don’t let this hurt too much. But, if it does—if you feel that soft aching—know that that piece of your heart isn’t missing. It’s not missing at all, Callum: I’m carrying it with me! Always.

This struck me as interesting when the letter first came out, as it was a departure from most of Rayla's previous heart motif ("My heart for Xadia") and even the one attributed to her one half of her parents ("My heart goes out with this one"). Why have the motif suddenly switch up when it would've worked just as well, or been doubly romantic + a Ruthari parallel, to just have it be the whole heart?

Then season four came out, and I understood, because, well...

Upon her return, Rayla brings back that "missing piece" of "Callum's heart". It's a painful restoration and doesn't run entirely smooth, but in season five in particular we see him be much more like his older, happier self once he's let himself love her again, and how steadfast he is in said love ("To love is simply know this...").

But, in a moment that could've been exclusively about Rayla, nor did it need for Stella's connection to the Star arcanum to be this prominent in the same moment, they choose to likewise highlight Rayla 'bringing home' the missing piece of Aaravos' heart, too.

This symbolism is also consistent with how the key is introduced in the first place, i.e. first thought of because Rayla's drawing in Callum's sketchbook (another gift from Harrow) reminds Callum of it, and her ultimately being the one to retrieve it even once things at the Banther Lodge take a turn towards the south.

Furthermore, we do have reason to believe that Rayla is indeed the 'Key to Callum' in a sense, particularly after 5x08. Just like how a key can both lock and unlock — give freedom or entrapment — Rayla symbolizes a great deal of duality in Callum's life, including but not limited to:

Leading him to primal magic (1x03, 5x08) and dark magic (2x07, 5x08)

Light ("No one can control you or make your choices for you" / Ray of light) and dark ("But the second you see that elf girl in pain, you completely lost yourself" / "Stay safe, and stay in the light. Don't look for me")

Being routinely emphasized in Callum's arc with Aaravos, especially in S4

"Now you're back. That's kind of good, and it's kind of bad" / "You have to hold pain and love in your heart at the same time" / "And when she came back, I was so happy, and so mad at the same time"

Salvation ("Rayla saves people [...] that's what makes her a hero") and destruction (being willing to die / do dark magic for her)

The Ocean arcanum realization being both positive and negative, just as the poem itself takes on a different shape across the season in regards to how Callum views her and how he views himself while being motivated by his love for her / Ezran

“Wow. So [the berries] look identical, but they might kill you or they might save you,” Callum said. “Exactly. Just like me…” Rayla smiled.

—Book One: Sky novelization

If you're interested in a more specific meta on this dichotomy, I recommend this meta written pre-s4 and this more recent one about 5x08 specifically.

I've written before about Rayla have a weird consistency with the cube as well, particularly in her being the primary carrier of its foreshadowing for most of arc 1, with Callum only really doing so in 1x04 and having Rayla pick up the slack the rest of the time:

"It's a toy, a piece from a children's game" (1x04) as well as "It's a glow toy" (1x05) are now literally true as the cube is 1) involved in Aaravos' game and 2) literally glows a bright flashing light circa the 4x04 intro.

"Are you practicing magic or are you losing to Bait at a game of rolly-cubes?" (2x07 right after Callum calls it a key) came to pass, somewhat if not outright, it seems, in 5x08. Callum practices two different magics, Rayla is literal bait in exchange for the glow-toad, and the episode ends with Callum being worried he's potentially losing Aaravos' 'game' so to speak — that he's made himself more vulnerable to the Startouch elf's control.

Two lines of hers regarding the cube that have not yet come to pass are "This doesn't end well for you" (1x05) and "I hope it was worth it to you, putting everyone's lives in danger" (1x04) but I expect that we'll get them soon enough.

Rayla's 'tether' to a the cube does, of course, loop back into the Flowers of Elarion tale, in which there was a fair exchange of beloved for beloved. If the Key does indeed hold Aaravos' heart (and that is still a very big If), whether it would include an actual exchange is still debatable, but it seems inevitable that she would at least play a part. (If you're interested in more thoughts on Rayla + the cube, check out this meta pre-s4.)

Where the game motif gets the most interesting, I think, is where it intersects with the idea Aaravos mentions in 2x09 regarding, "Those who fail tests of love are simple animals," and one of the TDP short stories in particular having one very interesting tidbit:

“My behavior is—?” “—unusual,” Corvus repeated, nodding. “Very unusual. Ever since you started challenging me to all these little games.” Soren squirmed. His pauldrons clanked as his shoulders slumped. “They aren’t games. They’re tests. Ugh…I’m really messing this up.”

Since Rayla is going to have her "My heart for Xadia" undeniably tested, it would make sense if Callum and Aaravos' hearts came into play too, don't you think?

Other Misc Symbolism / Oddities

Last but not least, we have our odds and ends that didn't fit in the other sections, but I thought may be worthwhile to mention anyway.

For starters, we have screencaps (most notably in 3x06) where you can see a visible dip in Aaravos' tiddies chest that indicates something was removed, and it's not just an artificial darkness.

We have Aaravos touching a fist to his heart twice before he bows and indicates that Callum is going to "play" into his hands (remember that game motif?).

We have this shot, which is the exact kind of thing that "crew makes sure the Ocean and Moon runes are most prominently on display in Callum's dark magic dreams to foreshadow him doing dark magic in S5 Ocean for his Moonshadow gf 3 seasons later" would absolutely do and think they're So Funny about. "No gem for star magic" except the one you're unknowingly holding in your hand, am I right?

Finally, we have precedent that dark magic can 'darken' your heart both in show when Amaya passes the light trial ("A human that is pure of heart") and in the graphic novels with Claudia ("Your heart is not yet darkened") which allows her to see the map to a unicorn (The Puzzle House).

@self-spaghettification also noted that the bright white flash of the star in the 'o' of Aaravos' name in the Arc 2 intro momentarily looks like and makes the shape of the Nova Blade, which is also very cool.

Honourable mention to Rayla going "it's a piece from a children's game" and Ezran going "you said each of the archdragons had a piece of the puzzle" and the Orphan Queen and Jailer presumably working together to trap Aaravos. I think about that shit every day.

Evidence to the Contrary / Alternatives

But like I said at the start, there are plenty of alternatives or feasible pitfalls to consider. This theory resides on a few assumptions after all, that may not be true, such as Aaravos not actually needing the key for anything other than as a lure for Callum, it could purely have something to do with the Nova Blade and nothing to do with the prison, or even have something to do with the nature of magic itself, capable of great good as well as great evil.

His chest piece could've always been more immaterial and dark magic has just darkened it rather than it being removed. Aaravos may have stabbed Laurelion in order to use that heart diamond to partially make the Relic Staff he passed onto Ziard, or Aaravos' chest piece could be in the staff itself, and the cube is something else entirely.

Conclusion

In the end, as we go forward into S6 all the above is more less my personal bet as to where I think we really could go in terms of answering a lot of these questions we've had for a few seasons now. I hope you enjoyed reading the theory and considering (and possibly subscribing to) it, as well as getting your own thoughts stimulated. If any of the above happens I will cry for days and no matter what, I am deeply intrigued to see where S6 takes Aaravos' backstory and, of course, his cube. Luckily:

[raayllum]

When the elf’s dagger whipped so close to Rayla’s neck that she had to backflip away, she found herself in a blink beneath the trees of the Silvergrove, where she’d faced the assassin Andromeda’s merciless speed.

But Andromeda’s pride had always been her downfall.

Rayla let the tip of the Tidebound elf’s dagger catch her shoulder and she feigned into the wound, crying out and wincing hard. Her opponent took the bait, lunging in to win—and Rayla turned her feint into a low, quick dodge, spinning past and stepping into her shadow.

X

A human stepped into the pit.

His armor, a weather-beaten but familiar silver-grey with a red collar, told a grim tale: an exile from Katolis. He’d likely fled deeper into Xadia after the battle at the Storm Spire. He was barely taller than Rayla herself, and couldn’t have been older than—

—what would he look like now, she wondered? Nearly two years older, a few inches taller—

The human’s sword flashed towards her. Rayla sprang away, and the crowd bellowed.

X

She backed away, close to the pit’s edge. The crowd shouted and screamed at her ears, their spittle landing on her neck. It rattled her. The human kicked dirt at her, and Rayla scraped at her eyes, angry—infuriated, even. Humans were frustrating. Humans were clever. Humans could do anything, they could be anything, they could take their own fates and change them—

X

And in the crowd behind him, a flash of red.

A scarf.

For a moment Rayla was somewhere else, far away and safe and warm, following that red scarf instead of turning her back on it—

—and then the human’s fist struck her jaw.

She shouted in pain. One blade rose instinctively to block another blow, but the human grabbed her wrist and twisted so hard she dropped it. Then he swept a leg under her, catching her by the heels, and before she could breathe again Rayla was on her back in the dirt, staring up at the wooden bones of the ceiling.

“Rayla! Wake up, come on! We’re gonna be okay—!”

The human stood over her and tapped his blade to her chest.

X

She’d lost sight of the scarf, but it didn’t matter.

It wasn’t him.

X

Back in Redfeather’s little hovel, Rayla sat in the hammock, arms tight across her chest. Stella, who had been told to stay behind for her own safety, snuggled against her neck and cooed.

X

“What happened? Why didn’t you keep fighting?”

Rayla took a deep breath. Her ribs ached. “I got distracted.”

Redfeather gave a disbelieving laugh. “Don’t they teach you to avoid that kind of thing when you become an assassin?”

“That’s different,” she protested, even though her heart knew it wasn’t. It was the same problem every time. Hesitation, sympathy, distraction… all just weakness in a different mask. Rayla presented the wooden token to Redfeather on the flat of her palm. “I’m sorry. You can have this—whatever this is.”

[cryptidhero]

"Heh. Between your jaws and breaking, huh?" Boots echoed quietly as they brought him closer and closer to his 'prey'. "That implies I let you catch me."

a grin, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards before waiting. he counts the steps and when they finally stop, he leans back to rest against the other hero's legs. he was right; hawks was too fast for his own good sometimes. Diigo figures that sometimes him getting caught is a good way to keep that wing-hero humble. keep him knowing that he isn't untouchable despite him being the number two. he's so young and diigo frowns at the thought of him being a puppet for the association.

" trust me, pretty birdie; i rarely miss anything in these jaws."

he chuckles, the gravelling noise a soft rumble between them before he flicks the spent cigarette off of the side of the building. the smoke filters away, the spiced scent heavy on his clothes and breath before he leans his head back to glance up; lazily blinking before he wraps an arm around his back, hooking it around the back of keigo's ankles.

"caught you. "

[cryptidhero]

"Fuck with you harder, huh?" Came the semi taunting voice from behind the creature. "And just how would you like me to do that, hm?"

  " fuck !"

   he hisses quietly, nearly dropping the lit cigarette on his lap. he huffs, eyes narrowing and there's a small exhale of a growl at being snuck up on. fuking bird brain. he scoffs lightly, shifting the cigarette in his hold before letting his elbows rest on his thighs. he's decided to escape to the rooftop tonight, to watch the city come alive with lights and people. it was a nice vantage point as well; not that he was on patrol, but you can take the hero off of patrol but never the patrol out of the hero. a blackened hand raises, lips parted to accept the filter before exhaling out of his nose like a dragon.

  " tch, you better watch it birdie... pretty thing like you might end up between my jaws and breaking."

[cryptidhero]

🩹- how do my muses take care of themselves when they are sick or injured? (Yeah, I know you eat meat. I just wanted to fuck with you)

he doesn’t. anytime that the wendigo is sick, he will lock himself away from the HA and the public until it passes or until someone sends recovery girl to his doorstep. he’s incredibly stubborn and naive on how to care about himself, but will do the bare necessities for someone else (soup, sleep, hydrate, medicine). if its not to the point where he can’t move, he will push himself to his limits before the HA puts his ass on house arrest to get better. Diigo refuses to take medicine, only taking it when his headache is too much (i.e where his vision blurs when his heart beats). 

when hes injured he typically just ignores it until the medical professionals arrive and tend to him, but only after everyone else has been fixed up. he knows how to apply a band aid and that’s about the extend of his medical knowledge. 

his quirk typically leaves him exhausted and run down, so the only thing he really knows to do is sleep in his many nests around the house. 

[cryptidhero]

🐷- does my muse eat meat? If no, then why not?

Yes; always. he typically he will chose chicken over beef or pork but he will always has some type of protein in his meals. 

[cryptidhero]

“Take. This. Off. ” Venom and malice dripped from every word. The muzzle kept him from trying to tear their flesh apart with his teeth. The restraints kept him from rending their muscles from bones. "Take. This. Off. Right. Now."

"hes a person."

" well currently hes in custody."

"that doesnt strip him of rights."

"of course it does. villains dont have rights."

"he isnt a goddamn villain."

 diigo can feel his teeth ache; they want to grow, just like his talons but he tries to hold himself back. he really does. this was their number two-- had they forgotten? hawks was their pride and joy but suddenly they muzzle and clip his wings? golden eyes narrow before he all but shoves the police officer out of the way. they could have tried to intervene, in fact he's almost certain he saw one go for his taser but the growl that vibrated the two-way mirror made him stop. good choice. they never saw a hero pushed past their limits, obviously.

the room is too cold for his liking-- and that's saying something considering he runs hot. he kicks the door shut, the resounding slam echoing in the small interrogation room and the cryptid is on hawks in two-leg strides. diigo crouches behind him, talons shredding through the small metal chains of the cuffs before he raises them to slice through the thick strap that held those beautiful crimson wings back. the next to leave is the muzzle: he abhors those things.

"kei--"

he reaches out, snatching the blonde's wrists to keep him stationed in the chair. he knows he's tired, he knows he is at his wit's end-- being a poster boy isn't all it's cracked up to be. he shushes him softly, kneeling in front of him before those blackened hands come up to cradle his face gently. he's making the hawk look at him, frowning softly at the feral look thats in the birds eyes.

" its okay-- its okay. its me. deep breath... ive got you."

[cryptidhero]

“ Don’t worry. These drugs won’t kill you. They just keep you from dying anytime soon. “

"k-keigo..."

his voice is a deeper growl than normal, dry and aching as it leaves his throat. his tongue feels thick, the blackened muscle twitching in his mouth before running over a split bottom lip. it stings, his head giving a faint jerk backwards against the table. he can hear him, wings rustling in the darkened room; boots against the concrete and the shift of his jacket. golden eyes try to zero in on his figure, tries to find those beautiful red wings but he can't.

" ah--!"

there's a hiss of pain, arm flexing against the worn lether cuff around his bicep, his wrist, just above his elbow. veins press against his pale flesh, writhing and burning as the drug is administered through the iv; it burns, like molten lava and diigo arches his back and attempts to jerk his arm away from the sensation but it just follows him. tears prick at his eyes, blurring the dusty ceiling above before rapid blinking and breathing fill his senses. he's pushing the drug faster through his system, a pathetic way to get the ache to stop.

"hawks what are you doing..."

he begs quietly, words slurring before he tries to find the number two hero-- can he even call him that anymore?-- in the room. this couldn't be happening. this was just a bad dream, a horrible nightmare that in any minute he'd wake up in his flat, wallowed beneath the copious amounts of blankets and pillows. except, he knows it isnt. this was reality and he has no idea what transpired in the hours before. he hurts, he knows that much. every muscle in his hurts; chest aches when he tries to breathe and lip gives a sting every time he tries to talk.

footsteps come closer, heavy boots against the concrete floor and he knows its hawks coming close; he's using that predatory walk he does when he approaches villains out on the street. diigo can imagine those wings giving a faint ruffle, shimmering crimson before they hike up slightly-- he is a bird of prey after all. the cryptid gives a wheezing cough,  lungs crying out as if he couldn't get enough oxygen. sweat dampens the roots of his hair, forehead slick with the thin sheen before he forces his eyes open to glare at the blonde. he's having a hard time keeping his eyes open; what the fuck did he give him?

"please..."

he whispers softly, head lolling to the side before he feels those gloves against his cheek. a scarred lip curls over his lip, a growl getting cut off by another bone wracking cough. ears pick up on the taunting shushes of the hawk to his side, a dark chuckle falling from those lips. diigo tries to pull against the restraints, teeth grinding together in the effort before he collapses back against the table. those gloved knuckles are stroking against his cheek and he gives a weak snap towards them that has keigo pulling his hand back sharply before he can taste copper inside his mouth where the blonde strikes him.

he swallows it down, panting as the pain seems to be intensified. why... why can't he break free? why can't he feel the anger and the hunger? where was his instincts? by now, he's usually snarling and vibrating with anger, teeth aching and jaw unhinging. but there's nothing-- the creature within him is dormant... no-- it's not even there. golden eyes widen in sudden realisation before gazing with sick horror at the winged hero.

"keigo... w-what did you do to me..."

 his voice is trembling with absolute fear.  the blonde chuckles, holding up an empty vial between his thumb and middle finger, wagging it back and forth. compliments of the silver-haired male leading these villains on their grand escapade. the hawk's shoulders give a small tremble as he laughs a little. diigo's lips curl over normal canines, lunging uselessly towards the winged male.

" -- no...!"