#the pythoness brews

[sorinacdwellers]

Introduction post, with the Pythoness and Scire. (hehy

Hello. A recent customer notified me of this app and suggested the creation of a blog, so here I am.

I, the Pythoness, am a witch that lives around the edge of a small town. I mostly do fortune-telling, particularly the more morbid subjects others are too afraid to say.

uhm cn you do my introlol thaks Scire is a shapeshifter. I don’t really know what they do.

i forgot i can just get rid of my claws i cant lie. kudzu and fern are also on this blog but python doesn’t really like them i think. ill type for them probably (dragons, non-retractable claws)

Signoffs are as follows:

The Pythoness: ☄️ (she/her)

scire: 🍂 (they/them)

kudzu: 🌳 (she/her)

fern: 🌿 (she/it + neos)

We’re looking to have fun and post whatever comes to mind. Asks are always open.

[mzargentum]

The Lion’s Heart

Warnings: None. | OC’s: Muerlinian Zephyr | Word Count: 1,396

A/N: Part two of holiday fic.

A/N: Super late, but sleep was of the essence.

Darkness.

Like he was outside.

But with white.

That’s right…the snow.

But…he could barely feel it.

It was like...it wasn’t even really there.

Hard to believe this sleeveless gent was suddenly used to the freezing temperatures.

His mind raced in his slumber.

He remembered the freezing cold.

The ice bombs attacking his friends.

His men…

…Talcott…

…that blinding flash of light…

“…Muerlin…”, the man mumbled in his sleep.

“Yes?”

Prompto choked himself awake with a sharp gasp, leaning forward into a sitting position. Panting heavily.

“Woah, woah there, jumpy”, that familiar silky accent floated through Prompto’s itching ears. Those charcoal black hands gently holding his body steady.

His indigo iris’ lifting to view those teal lagoons he longed for these past 2 years.

It wasn’t a dream.

“Muerlin, you...”.

Prompto longingly reached toward her face, running his fingers through her silver locks.

It was longer than before...everything about her seemed brighter.

“Doc said you shouldn’t move so much”, she explained with a smile.

Rising from her seat next to the bewildered plebe, she made her way toward a pot of tea that was still steaming. “You all were ‘bout an inch away from frostbite”.

“Us...all?”, Prompto raised a confused eyebrow.

“Yeah. All your men are safe”. She began pouring the hot liquid. “The ones that are awake won’t pipe down about you so at least I’ll have some satisfying news for them now”, she chuckled.

But Prompto’s conscious wasn’t clear yet.

“What about Talcott?”

“Little Talcott? He’s fine. I took care of that ice bomb before it could do any damage”.

Prompto’s eyes nearly popped from his skull.

“Wait…”.

That blast…it wasn’t an explosion.

“That was YOU?!”

Muerlin grinned at the shocked man and giggled.

“Well, of course it was. What, you think I’ve just been wanderin’ around Eos healing folks?”

She returned beside the bed and to her seat, handing him his cup. 

“I’ve got a few new tricks up my sleeve”, she sighed as she took a sip. Prompto following suit. “Kind of didn’t really have a choice anyway”.

“What do you mean?”

The wizard lowered the cup to her lap, staring at the steamy contents inside.

“After…Gralea”, her hand gently placed upon her lower abdomen. Prompto’s heart sank as memories of that fateful day flooded through his mind. He never wanted to ask her exactly what happened to her in that horrible place…all he knows is that that bastard hurt her…and somehow used him to do it…just like with Noct.

He remembered her blood squishing in between his fingers as he carried her to safety…the wound was deep…to this day, he wishes she would just come out and tell him what happened, but in all honesty, that would probably make him a hypocrite.

…because the whole while he was panicking and scrambling to save her life, all Muerlin could see was the cuts and bruises that coated his body…the grief that burdened her eyes when they found each other again was far too much for Prompto to bare.

She begged him to tell her what had happened after he fell off that train, but even now, he wasn’t sure how she would take it.

The last thing the world needed was a reason to fear her...again...

“...because of it...”, the wizard spoke once more. “I swore to never fail so tremendously again”.

Prompto began to shake his head. “Muerlin-“.

“You know what they call me, right?”, the wizard cut the man’s words. “The ‘New Oracle’”.

Prompto’s eyes fixed on those deep lagoon pools.

“Tch...the real Oracle is the one that should be here, not me”.

“Hey...”, the ocean eyed plebe spoke up at his love’s negative words.

Muerlin’s gaze now lowered to her charcoal arms.

“It probably would’ve turned out better if I was the one rotting at the bottom of the sea”.

“Hey!”, Prompto lightly shouted toward her, pulling her vision upward toward his own.

Their pupils locked.

“You fought hard just like the rest of us...and like us, you have the scars to prove it”.

Despite their battling emotions, Prompto couldn’t believe he was finally able to hold her once again.

He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and reaffirm his undying love.

However, she seemed preoccupied with something else...her eyes locked onto his bare chest.

Her heart sank upon viewing the many scars he had accumulated over her absence, delicately feeling their gravity against his freckled flesh.

“A scar for every man that calls you ‘Captain’ I suppose....”, she nearly whispered. “...and then some”.

“...I have to protect them”, Prompto firmly declared, feeling the weight of Muerlin’s sadness. “Like I promised to protect you”.

“I’m the one that’s supposed to be protecting you...”, Muerlin shamefully sighed, placing her hand upon Prompto’s as it rested against her cheek. “...and everyone else”.

Prompto could feel the somberness within her usually bright spirit.

“I failed Luna, Nyx...Ravus, Noct, you...I can’t keep failing like this”.

“You haven’t failed anybody”, Prompto interjected.

“Everyone I loved”, Muerlin retorted, her tearful eyes staring directly into Prompto’s, “...and love”.

“That’s not up to you”.

With Prompto’s callused palms pressed against her temples, Muerlin couldn’t help, but feel a peace brew under the chaos that warped her mind.

“There’s a reason why they call you the ‘New Oracle’”.

“I’m not Luna...”.

“No, you’re not and you don’t have to be”. His tone softened with a light smile.

“You’re the Pythoness. Raised by the Oracle, watched over by the Oracle, sister of the Oracle, but still the Pythoness...still Muerlin...”.

The lagoons twinkled in the warming embrace of the oceans tide.

“...still you”.

Prompto brushed a few strands of silver from her freckle dusted cheeks.

“And it’s you that Eos needs right now...that’s out there roaming from place to place in this Hell to bring hope and strength to the entire world. That’s opened Willownoire’s gates for the first time in centuries to treat the sick and the helpless. That’s bustin’ daemon heads left and right with literal friggin’ LIGHTNING like a total BADASS”.

Finally forcing a giggle out of the woman.

“And you’re the one that I love...”, his gaze so heavily sweetened, “so so so much...that seeing you again has literally been a dream I’ve had for so many months. I can’t get you out of my head!”

Muerlin melted into his grasp.

Prompto just staring in awe at the beauty he had longed for all this time.

“Well...”, Muerlin smiled toward him, “...consider it payback for keepin’ me up all night”.

Prompto chuckled lightly as his eyes began to dart between her eyes and her grey glossed lips.

Muerlin’s cheeks flushed at the pleasant anxiety roaming through her.

2 years of anticipation and yearning.

These few seconds feeling like an eternity compared to that.

The familiar warm of their breath ghosting each other’s lips before impact.

An explosion of ecstasy the two had pinned for for so long was enough to nearly bring them to tears.

It was too good to cease.

Roaming her silky locks, caressing his blonde stubble, intertwined with growing passion.

Trailing fingers down her back that was mostly bare, admiring the strength in his neck and his chest.

Their tongues in synchronized dance.

Prompto could feel the heat of her flushed bosom as he inched closer and closer to Muerlin’s body.

His thumb passing over her nipple inviting a sharp gasp into her throat just barely pulling their lips apart long enough for their eyes to reconnect.

Panting against their swollen lips, a loving smile painted upon Muerlin’s face followed by a light chuckle.

“New Oracle or not”, Muerlin started as she finally stood from her seat. “I should follow some sort of ethics and not sleep with one of my patients”.

That familiar laugh widened the woman’s smile.

“Fair enough”, the plebe captain complied. “Buuuuuuuuut...”, he added, gently pulling her closer, lightly trailing his fingers against her waist toward her rear.

“...afterward, Doc, I gonna have a bone to pick with you”. His exaggerated rusty country accent making it nearly impossible to keep a straight face. “A BIG one”, he added waggling his eyebrows.

Muerlin threw her head back in a light giggle fit before wrapping her arms around her beloved chocobo.

2 years and he hadn’t changed a bit.

“Fair enough”.

Just how she had dreamed.

                                              ____________________

Tagging: @digitalkanvas​ @completelyinappropriate​ @aquathemermaidstripper​ @glacian-apocalypse​ @a-new-recipehhh​

[nastyboots]

TY @boy-wonder-oncologist-fan! Direction towards the positive much appreciated, today in particular. 1) Rain 2) Birdsong 3) Michael Chabon and Anne Lamott and Kurt Vonnegut books (so I'm cheating and counting this as one, sue me) 4) Freshly brewed French roast coffee 5) Peoplewatching with no requirement for interaction And passing the torch to: @fuckthisshitimafangirl @pythoness-at-delphi @nielsen1984 @gayjameswilson @forgetyourtroubleshappyday

Pass the happy! 🧡 When you get this, reply with 5 things that make you happy and send this to the last 10 people in your notifications!

Sending a lot of hugs and flowers to you!! ✨💚🖤💋☕🧡✨🎆💙💚💗🌼🌷⚘💐🌺🌺🌺🥀🌻🌻💐💐💐💐⚘🌱🌾🌿🍀🍀🍀🍀

Thank you for this @fumblelace :D

1) Studying and learning

2) The sunset

3) Bitter chocolate

4) Progressive rock

5) A good book

[sorinacdwellers]

Whoever put Scire as the profile picture, count your days. I don’t know how to change it.

-☄️

[mzargentum]

The Stormsender’s Daughter | Chapter X | Crimson Jade

Chapter IX | Chapter X | Chapter XI

Word Count: 2,031

Warnings: Violence, gore, death

“Very good?”, Lunafreya grimaced at her elder brother in disbelief. 

“Very good?! Those troopers are out there hunting our sister for that fiend Chancellor Izunia and you’re congratulating them?!”

The grief stricken 18 year old stormed toward the Niflheim commander enraged by his seemingly nonchalant attitude toward the situation.

“Of course not”, Ravus replied in irritation, “but what am I to tell them?!”

“Call off the serach!! If they find her then-”.

“I know”, the 22 year old cut off his hysterical sister. “But calling them off will only bring suspicion toward us”.

“The Pythoness would not remain blind to this”, Gentiana softly chimed in. “Any harm that would come to the Oracle would warrant her to return”.

Luna sighed in frustration knowing the messenger in black was right. Muerlin would surely come back if she knew any of them were in danger.

“We must have hope...and trust the Pythoness will find her way home”.

“There’s no sign of her, Captain!!”, a trooper shouted toward his superior as they slowly trudged through the wilderness in search for their silver haired target whom was silently perched in a nearby tree behind many branches.

Unfortunately, that jump took a lot out of her as well as spraining her ankle. She was in no position to take any of them on so her only option would be to wait it out.

After some time, the silver haired fugitive had fallen asleep only to be startled by a sudden cracking sound. A small shriek escaped her throat as she plummeted from the tree, tumbling onto the ground below unknowing alerting a wandering cyborg.

“Shit”, the frustrated teen swore under her breath as she noticed a slight pain from a large cut upon her leg.

As she tore a piece of fabric from her leggings off to treat her wound, a brief disturbance in the wind caught her attention.

There was silence until...

*whirrrrr*

A sharp gasp escaped her throat as she ducked just before an axe blade sliced the side of the tree she was sitting against.

The pain from her leg disabled her ability to stand and she couldn’t concentrate enough to use her powers, leaving her seemingly helpless to the cyborg’s advances.

As the magetik axeman rose his weapon to deliver his final blow against the wounded girl, Muerlin shut her eyes before shielding her face unable to watch her impending doom.

But...

Nothing happened.

Upon hesitantly peeling her eyes open, Muerlin discovered the malfunctioning cyborg staring at a blade perturbing through its abdomen before releasing a piercing screech before disappearing into a cloud of pitch smoke revealing its attacker.

“P...Prae?”

Muerlin stuttered in disbelief as her friend dropped the stolen imperial sword on the ground, before darting toward the young fugitive.

“Are you okay?”, the seemingly exhausted Prae asked examining her wound. “Does it hurt?”

“N-no, but...”.

“Here”, Prae continued pulling out a potion holding it over Muerlin’s wound until it shattered and disappeared along with the cut.

“Thanks...”, Muerlin mumbled.

“Can you walk?”, Prae asked as she began to help her friend up off the ground.

“Uh...yeah”, the silver haired girl replied as she dusted her clothes off.

“Let’s go”, the jade eyed girl turned behind them frantically looked around to see if they were being followed. “They’ll be here soon”.

“R-right...”, Muerlin nodded as they took off deeper into the Tenebraen wilderness.

That night...

Ravus, Lunafreya and Gentiana sat in the drawing room in silence. The only light was the glow of the fireplace and the moonlit sky from their open window.

“Commander. There is no sign of the girl. What are your instructions?”, a trooper asked Ravus over the radio.

Luna shot her brother a pained glare knowing that he wouldn’t call of the hunt for their sister rather than merely delaying them, although she knew it was all he could do.

“Set up your posts. No use in wandering aimlessly”.

“But...sir...wouldn’t we have a better chance of finding her while she’s most likely dormant?”

“To give her a better chance of finding you in the dark and picking off your men one by one? Or have you forgotten what she did at the academy?”

“I...well, uh...”, the trooper stammered.

“But if you’re so certain of your safety, then be my guest. Every member of your troop that’s lost is on your head”.

“Uh...y-yes, sir. We’ll set up, sir”, the trooper finally complied.

“And what would be his punishment for finding her?”, Lunafreya sarcastically asked her elder brother. “A medal?”

“Lunafreya...”, Ravus glared toward his angry sister, absolutely fed up with her implications.

“Who are you saving with this mere delay?”, Lunafreya continued, “your men or our sister?”

“Just what’re you implying”, Ravus rose his voice.

“That our sister is some sort of killer”.

“Is her beheading a man in a locker room not the reason why we are here now?”, the commander harshly replied.

“She was defending her friend!!!”

“SHE LOST CONTROL!!!”, the commander stood abruptly, his chair toppling over to the floor.

“You don’t care what happens to her, do you?”, Lunafreya, still firmly planted in her seat, calmly asked.

“I do. I love her just as much as you. Do not forget she is my sister too”, Ravus defended, “but the world sees the Pythoness as a threat and will not take murder in such ferocity with a slap on the wrist”.

“...the world fears what it does not understand and will turn it into a threat to keep from being wrong”, Luna replied firmly.

“Muerlin is no more a threat than you or I...and one day she will prove it to the world”.

Lunafreya’s calm demeanor ultimately settled the Niflheim commander, though the tension and worry was still evident.

“O, King of the Forests”, Gentiana prayed as she turned toward the night sky, “guide the Pythoness through the storm”.

In a small cave deep miles away from the palace...

Prae silently sat in across from Muerlin as the young wizard summoned small bolts of lightning to illuminate their camp.

She hadn’t said much of anything the entire day. She barely made any eye contact.

Muerlin figured that it wouldn’t have been the best time to discuss the situation given that most of the day was spent running from imperial troops, but the chaos had seemed to die down for the time being so now her only obstacle was to figure out how to start this...

“Prae-”.

“What am I doing here”, the jade eyed girl cut her off, clearly already knowing what she was going to say.

“Um...yeah...”.

“I’ve honestly been thinking about that all day”, she replied in her regular cheery voice, much to Muerlin’s surprise. “I mean...you’re the Pythoness and all so you wouldn’t really need me anymore, buuuut then I thought ‘Prae, this girl can’t even pass math without you let alone take on a whole army and even if-’”.

The rambling girl suddenly stopped once she saw the utterly confused look on Muerlin’s face.

“...well, anyway...I couldn’t just abandon you...after what you did for me”, Prae admitted. “I mean...you risked everything to save my skin...and if I would’ve listened to you when you told me not to go, this probably never would’ve happened...I feel like I owe you that much...besides...”, she turned toward the silver haired girl with a sweet smile, her jade eyes twinkling against the flame...

“You’re my best friend”.

Prae could clearly see the tears brewing in Muerlin’s teal eyes. After all the constant lies she told, the burden she put on Tenebrae, everything she lost...she still had Prae.

This overwhelming love sent Muerlin into hysterical sobbing, to which Prae comforted with her warm embrace as the Pythoness got some well deserved rest...finally.

The next morning, the Muerlin was shaken awoke by the frantic Prae.

“Muerlin!”, she panted, “Muerlin, wake up!”

Eyes shooting open, the silver haired girl forced the sleepiness from her vision to witness a bloody scratch upon Prae’s cheek.

“What happened?”, Muerlin worriedly asked her friend.

“A bullet grazed me. The imperials are coming. I was able to throw them off for a while, but it won’t hold them for long. We need to move”, she stammered lifting her groggy friend to her feet before leaving the cave behind.

“Where to?”, Muerlin asked as they dashed through the wilds.

“There’s a small village down the river. Everyday they have farmers sending trucks all throughout Eos to sell produce”, Prae explained in pants. “We can hitch a ride”.

“How do we get there?”

“I know a shortcut. There’s a bridge nearby that’ll take us over the river. It’ll cut our time in half”.

“Alright”, Muerlin agreed, “piece of ca-GAAHK!!!”

Prae suddenly slid to a halt as she heard Muerlin collapse to the ground.

“MUERLIN!!”, the jade eyed girl cried upon seeing the two bullet wounds on her shoulder and abdomen and the hoard of imperials suddenly in view in the distance.

“Oh, no...no, no, no”, Prae panted as she lifted her friend to her feet, hurriedly trudging along with Muerlin’s arm over her shoulder.

Prae could feel her friend weakening as the harsh strain Muerlin was putting on her body to run caused her to bleed out quicker, but they were so close to the bridge.

They just had to get across to find a place to hide. “Come on, Muerlin”, Prae pleaded as she felt her friend consciousness start to fade. “Don’t give up on me now. We can make it. We can-AAGH!!”

Prae shrieked as the gunshots became louder and louder, the imperials footsteps against the dirt becoming more and more prominent.

“WE CAN MAKE IT!!!”, Prae desperately tried to hide the fear in her voice as she began to sob. “I WON’T LET YOU DIE HERE, DO YOU HEAR ME?!?!  I WON’T LET YOU!!!”

“AH-AGH!!!”, the panicked jade eyed girl screamed as a sudden gunshot pierced her eardrums causing her to body to jolt just enough for the barely conscious Muerlin to slip from her grip and tumble off the edge of the rickety bridge.

“NO!”, Prae shouted as she immediately clutched onto Muerlin’s wrist. “GOTCHA!!”, she panted as she began to try to steadily hoist her friend back up. “I gotcha”.

“HALT THERE!!!”, a boisterous voice echoed, catching the jade eyed girl’s attention from the end of the bridge.

“WE HAVE YOU CORNERED!!!”, the imperial trooper shouted at the startled Prae. “SURRENDER OR WE WILL OPEN FIRE!!!”

Hot tears began to build in Prae’s jade eyes as she stared down the barrels of several guns pointed directly at her.

“THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!! GIVE US THE PYTHONESS ON THE COUNT OF 5 OR WE WILL SHOOT!!!”

Prae’s mind raced vigorously. The fear embedded into her heart as she stared the reaper in his face. Her life could end here...on this bridge...in mere seconds. Her family, her friends, her hopes and dreams, gone just like that...but...

“Prae...”, a weakened whisper averted the 15 year old’s attention to her dear friend that dangled underneath her, thousands of feet above the roaring waters at the waterfall’s base.

“Pull me up...”.

“5!!!”

The tears Prae held back finally began to slide down her cheeks as she graced her dearest and more cherished friend with a smile.

“No...”.

“What?”, Muerlin weakly exclaimed as her vision still blurred from her blood loss.

“4!!!”

“You gave up your life here to save me...I owe you for that...remember?”

“No...”, Muerlin frantically shook her head as Prae’s tears fell upon her face.

“3!!!” The troopers all cocked their weapons in unison.

“NO, NO WAIT!!!”, Muerlin screamed toward them.

“Don’t worry”, Prae tried to reassure her friend, “the Pythoness was said to have natural healing abilities so you’ll be alright”.

“THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEAN!!!”

“2!!!!”

“NO, PLEASE, DON’T!!!”, Muerlin desperately pleaded to the soldiers.

“Muerlin...”.

The Pythoness averted her gaze back to her friend whom still wore the sweetest smile. Like she was happy.

“...get home”.

“WAIT!!”, Muerlin begged as she slipped from her friend’s grasp and began to plummet to the waters below.

*bang*

“PRAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!”

Tagging: @digitalkanvas @insomniasix @aquathemermaidstripper @glacian-apocalypse @a-new-recipehhh @dizzymoogle @prettyprompto

[mzargentum]

The Stormsender's Daughter| Prologue

Prologue| Chapter I

@ravagekamisama @aquathemermaidstripper @digitalkanvas @prettyprompto @insomniasix

The sun set awakened my slumber for the night holds the key. The key to quiet. We never realize the beauty of nature until it’s all that surrounds us, or until its gone. Willownoire. The forest of old. Beckoned the moonlight as it shown over the trees illuminating the veins in its bark, the roots at its base, the soil pulsating under my feet at every step. The flower petals glistened like a blue fire within. The subtle breeze blowing its crystal like pollen past your nose. Your eyes could follow the crystal shards into the sky and you would stop at the coeurl curled up on top of a large branch cleaning its paw. Beautiful creatures. So delicate and poised, yet electrifyingly dangerous. Still peaceful in the right setting. As were the other creatures that roamed freely and peacefully among the forest, among the people who reside within these trees. Hidden from the metallic civilizations that lie beyond the dirt and grass. Everyone….everything had a soul here. Peace. Love. Tranquility. We do not fret to misfortune and we do not fear the storm…for I am it’s sender and this was my kingdom. Welcome the downpour as it blessed my beloved and I with a humble gift, a child of royalty, beauty, and power. Asteria Zephyr; the Pythoness. She grew alongside the behemoths, brash and strong, yet elegant and beautiful. Her silver hair danced through the wind. Summoner of storms, telepathically bound to the elements. Seeing and hearing all. Adapted to all aspects of life. Knowing peace. The Astrals, as I, were not always the Gods among the elements, but the keepers of the peace. The deliverance from evil. A brotherhood of none other. Titan, Shiva, Leviathan, Bahamut, beside me to marvel at her glory in our conquest for peace. Perfection. Beloved by all. As well as those who could end her with a mere flame of a kiss. A man, so unruly yet charming, witnessed the beauty from afar. Unraveled by her angelic form, the rage of the storm surging through her veins, the burning passion brewing in his chest. In his eyes. I could sense it. He would bring destruction of everything I loved. He wooed the innocent fawn with his treacherous gaze to which I ceased without a strap of hesitation. The glare he returned to me chilled my bones to the core, but I firmly stood. Do not fret, they all said, she is a goddess among us. They judged my worry and my fear and advised I ceased for I am the storm. I am not to know fear. But I knew what remained of my heart would soon cease to exist. The man, so cunning with his ways, slowly convinced Asteria of my foolishness. That they were destined to love for eternity. That their souls were to be forever bound and to blossom. With this, the man took my beloved Asteria under the stars, illuminated by the moon. I sought to end this, but my dear Asteria would not see harm come to her beloved. She beseeched I end my worrisome ways and allow her to be free to love and know peace with the man. Alas, I sided against it much to her dismay. My beloved ashamed of my decision to break our daughter’s heart. I knew no good was to come of this man, but the thought of losing Asteria was more than my old bones could bare. I ceased my ambitions on the sole condition that he would never be given my blessing to marry my beloved child. Although her glee cooled my nerves, I felt the devil’s flame brewing beneath my feet. The man was furious, burning in anger. He loved the Pythoness and wanted nothing more in this world than to make her his own. It was his mission. His goal and he was to achieve it by any means he saw fit. The man approached my throne asking once more for Asteria’s hand in marriage, only for me to refuse. He asked once and only once before he swiftly exited and began to lay waist to my forest, to the people residing within it, with ravaging flames. The crystals were replaced with embers and floated through the blackened wind. He asked once more for Asteria’s hand. I refused. Before my eyes, my beloved was slain by a swift slice to her throat. She fell dead into my arms as I knelt cradling her corpse. The man approached and asked once more. I refused yet again. The man lunged toward my body to strike his final blow before as I hurled a bolt of lightning toward him. I was prepared to die as long as my beloved daughter would never have to live under his scourge. Just as he closed in, my dearest Asteria intercepted the blade of her beloved. No longer allowing him to lay waist to her home. Betrayed and heartbroken, the man hurled his sword into Asteria’s heart. Her blood seeped into the dirt below mixed with her salted tears as the pain seared through her fragile body. Placing her hands upon the blade, the raging flames scorched her pure essence. Her hands quivered and turned to black as the man’s vengeful daemonic essence seeped through her veins up her arms. Her legs were limp as her body chilled welcoming her death. Her weak state allowed his essence to engulf her legs. Accepting her fate, she raised her head to the man before her body began to illuminate a radiant blue from the moonlight’s gentle touch. He stared on in anger and impaled her once more. She was dying, but she still breathed, still had power. “I will not stop you…but you shall never claim me as your prize”. At her final words, the man withdrew his sword from his lover’s body, all evidence of life escaped her as her body fell to the dirt in a pile of ash. The man looked upon me, such fury emitting from his eyes. She was dead, but not gone. Asteria’s final wish, her final spell, to grant her spirit back to my being to one day deem worthy a new prodigy. A new Pythoness. The man reverted himself to a calmed tone. Grazed his blade against his palm sweating to me, an oath in blood. “Ramuh, King of Willownoire….I pledge, whenever you deem a putrid soul a worthy vessel…I will be there…somehow…someway..I will be there…and when the power of the Pythoness is in my hands….you will remember this name”. Ifrit. It was a name that was scarred into my mind. Branded in my memory for eternity, but I knew no fear. For I…am the storm.

Centuries passed. Willownoire prospered. Kings, queens. The forests grew. I ascended as well as my brethren. Ifrit was a mere memory. Erased from the prophecy. Peace was at its peak…or so I thought. War erupted between the kingdom of Niflheim and Lucis. The weakened forces of Willownoire were soon taken by the imperial army. Willownoire became an outcasted nation. Hidden within the mist and trees. Marooned. Forbidden. Forgotten. Then finally, light shown upon a bright December morning. The kingdom welcomed the tiny screams of a newborn baby. A girl. A princess. Fingertips and toes pitch black and silver hair. Merely days after her birth, word of the mysterious princess flooded throughout Eos. There was finally hope of Willownoire emerging from the shadows yet again. Alas, that hope was lost as word of the princess welcomes a maroon haired man to the forest gates. His grin appeared as bloodthirsty fangs in search for its next meal. His amber eyes displayed a forbidden flame. A man of no consequence. He peered to the newborn babe who had just awoken from her slumber to see his mischievous grin. “why…I almost did not believe it. The Pythoness…as she lives and breathes….a pleasure to meet you at last, your highness”. He bowed at her presence removing his hat in a seemingly heartfelt gesture. Though the man was gentlemanly, he was sure to reaffirm his grip on the king’s throat by demanding, as gratitude for allowing their once prosperous kingdom to live in peace, they allow him to escort the princess to Niflheim to keep as his betrothed until she was old enough to marry reassuring them they would see her again. Not willing to sacrifice the kingdom for the love of their child, they reluctantly comply. The man whisked the princess away from her family falsely leaving the sense of hope in their hearts. Hope that the storm would pass. Little did they know, the storm took the only true hope they had away and that there would only be death and destruction in its wake.

[mzargentum]

The Stormsender’s Daughter | Chapter II | Fit For A King

Chapter I |Chapter II | Chapter III

@ravagekamisama @aquathemermaidstripper @digitalkanvas @prettyprompto @insomniasix

“GAH! THAT WRETCHED BRAT!”, a heavily injured Chief Besithia raged at the sight of his destroyed laboratory as well as a decent portion of the facility. Muerlin certainly did a number on this place. Literally a third of it was flat against the snow burying many of its residents let alone billions of gil worth of equipment. “She will pay for this....I will bring that girl to her knees”, he continued envisioning tearing Muerlin’s tiny throat out with his large fist. The chancellor, as calm and collective as eve, examined the damage. “Now now, just a slight delay...nothing we cannot fix”. The ruined facility wasn’t much of a concern to him. He just witnessed the magnificence of his future bride and her divine power. All he was concerned over was retrieving her. The Chief knew this and it annoyed him slightly. “Tck...his radiance will not be pleased by this ‘slight delay’”, Besithia added expressing his irritation. He had every right to be. The Emperor would probably have his head. Iedolas Aldercapt didn’t really participate in much of anything, but he pretty much had a leash on every commanding officer in Niflheim short of Ardyn, and when he received word that not only did one of Besithia’s experiments temporarily put one of his facilities out of commission, but she also escaped...he was going to be anything, but pleased. “I’m sure I can assuage his excellency one way or another”, Ardyn affirmed with confidence. “Even so”, Besithia still impatient to capturing Muerlin, “the Pythoness must be intercepted and we can’t risk a worldwide investigation. It could spark...unwanted attention”. The chancellor smiled toward his concerned friend, “not to worry, dear friend, she will return to us in due time...on her own shortcomings. The Stormsender’s Daughter can’t hide in the shadows forever”, his eyes widened slightly with evil intent, “...but that doesn’t mean we can’t give her a little push”. Besithia smirked at his friend’s logic. He was right. The Pythoness was going to pay.

  Meanwhile in Willownoire...

The sun peered into the windows of the homes throughout the sleeping kingdom. Mother’s and father’s snuggled their children close after soothing their nightmares from the previous night. The stray coeurl pups nuzzled against their mother’s firm bodies still pleasantly dreaming. Even the great behemoths spent their mornings prowling for their next meal, disturbing the fish within the clear lagoon. So gentle, so peaceful. “Your Majesty”, a light voice interrupted the tranquil daydream of Willownoire’s king. King Silvanus Zephyr CXIII turned his head slightly in indication of his attention to his servant, Leira. “My apologizes...you asked me to inform you upon King Regis’ arrival”, the elderly woman softly stated to the troubled king. “Yes...thank you, Leira”, the king kindly replied to the woman. She graced him with a smile and a light bow before exiting the room. Regis Lucis Caelum, King of Lucis, was a dear friend of the Zephyr’s. He rarely got to travel to Willownoire due to imperial watch. Though there were times he could sneak past the empire’s defenses. Thankfully, this was one of those times. Silvanus reached out to his friend recently as a personal favor. Usually most forget that even a king needs a friendly ear every now and again. Silvanus exited his quarters to meet his old friend by the hidden garden behind the kingdom. It was only accessible to a Zephyr. After all, it was Asteria’s favorite place to play. “Blessed be the Stars”, Silvanus shouted pleasants toward the Lucian king,“King Regis...as I live and breathe”. Regis chuckled at his friend’s dramatic greeting. They have sent many letters back and forth over the years. He was also aware that he was coming that day. “Spare me, you old fool”, the Lucian joked as he embraced his friend with a hug. “Have you been in good health?”, Silvanus patted his friend’s shoulder. “Quite so”. Regis nodded. “I can tell. You have a glow”, Silvanus gestured toward the Lucian king’s pale cheeks, illuminated by the morning sun, as he walked past him toward the garden. Regis shook his head with a chuckle at his friend as he followed his lead. He seemed in high spirits despite his seemingly desperate plea for his aid though he could tell there was something off. As they entered the garden, Silvanus’ smile dissipated. Protected by the cerulean hedges and their crystallized roses, he proceeded to divulge his emotions to his trusted friend. Luckily, Regis was already aware of what ailed him. “I can feel the weight of your guilt”, Regis softly yet firmed stated to his friend. A slight chuckle escaped Silvanus’ throat, “is it that obvious?”, the Willownoirian sighed in defeat. “You forget, I am also a father...”. There was not much else needed to be said that hadn’t been said or thought already. How could he do it? How could he give away his little girl? HIS DAUGHTER. The Astrals would be ashamed of him. WERE ashamed of him. Any father would be ashamed of him. Silvanus perched onto a marble bench lightly throwing his head back toward the sunlit sky. Hot tears forming in his violet eyes. Exhaling slowly, he opened his eyes letting his tears fall down the side of his face. “I betrayed her...”, the king spoke, his words shaky with grief and heartbreak. His friend joining him on the bench looking to the large pond in front of them. Watching the koi frolic under the surface. “Willownoire has survived under the shadow of the empire for decades...my father before me, his father...his father”. Regis shifted his gaze to his freind with a forwarded brow, curious as to where he was going with this. “...all strong willed men...all made their share of sacrifices”. “But not at their children’s expense”, Regis barked. Silvanus gritted his teeth at his friend’s comment. It was a low blow, but he knew he was right. He allowed his family to be divided out of his fear for his kingdom. He allowed his own flesh and blood to be taken from his grasp knowing full well he would possibly never get to hold her again. “Even the Fulgerian himself never would’ve done such a deed. We all know the legends”, Regis continued in a firm tone. “A King is bestowed his duty upon the day of his birth. It is his destiny. A father’s duty is bestowed upon the birth of his child. It is his privilege...and his legacy”. Silvanus taking in his friend’s words lowered his gaze to the pond. “How is the young prince?” “Noctis is well...”, the Lucian looked toward his ring of the old kings with a heavy anguish. Silvanus placed friendly a hand onto his friend’s shoulder. “The Chosen King will find his way”, Silvanus smiled to the Lucian. He did not have to explain. The young prince, Noctis Lucis Caelum, was destined to be the Chosen King prophesied to sacrifice himself to save Eos in the distant future. His son....destined to die. A burden his the Lucian king was not fully prepared to face.  Regis nodded in gratitude at his the Willownoirian King’s gesture. Of course he understood. After all, his daughter was the Pythoness. Harboring half white and black magic. Half daemon. Destined to be despised by most. Destined to be alone. “...and the Pythoness will find peace”, Regis reassured his dear friend. Silvanus patted the Lucian’s shoulder. He shifted his gaze toward the sky, a gleam in his eye. For the first time in 5 years, Silvanus Zephyr was at true peace.

As the afternoon sun settled into the sky, King Regis had departed Willownoire to return to Insomnia. King Silvanus retreated toward his palace, his gaze hung low in deep thought. “Silvy...”, snapped back to reality by the soft, yet stern voice, he smiled sweetly to his beloved Ceres, his Queen. “Don’t you get tired of always brooding about? The citizens are starting to think we’re no fun”, she joked with a smirk. Hands placed firmly upon her hips. The king chuckled, “we cannot have that can we?” “No, we most certainly cannot. Not while my reputation hands in the balance”. Silvanus playfully rolled his eyes. Suddenly this was about her. “Imagine if the whole kingdom found out I was married to such a stiff? I’d be ruined!” “Well, I apologize for inconveniencing you, your Majesty”, the King dramatically joked with a bow. “As you should. No way will I let this kingdom think the Zephyr’s aren’t fun, for I, sir, am VERY fun”. “That you are, my love”. Satisfied, Ceres smiled and proceeded to head back into the palace. Her king following beside her. “So, how was the mighty King of Lucis?”, Ceres asked in a cheerful tone. She missed Regis’ company greatly, but was far too busy to take the time out of her daily commute. “Very well. He sends his regards”. She lightly giggled. “...and young Noctis?” She looked toward her king with slightly worried eyes. “I’m sure he is alright...he has Regis as a father after all”, he reassured his queen with a large smile. Ceres chuckled at her husband’s playfulness though she still seemed bothered. “They ought to be the same age...”, she whispered. The king’s heart cracked at his wife’s sorrowful tone. Ceres was the radiant star that lit up the darkness that brewed in his since he lost Muerlin, but he sometimes forget that while he wallowed for his sins as her father, Ceres was her mother. Silvanus wasn’t the only one who lost something those 5 years ago. “Yes...which means once this is all over, they can rule together against the empire. Hand in hand”. Ceres raised a confused eyebrow at her husband whom had an unfamiliar look of determination on his face. Against...the empire? Was he thinking....no..that’s ridiculous. ....isn’t it?  Silvanus felt his queen’s stare and despite her general sprightly nature, she worried for his well-being. He was very stubborn and prideful, and still, after all these years, refused to deliberately give into his sorrows to his wife. Or “display weakness” as he called it. “Hey...”, Ceres softly addressed her husband placing a firm hand upon his chest stopping him in his tracks. She stepped in front of him leaning against her king’s heart, meeting his gaze with undying love and devotion. The man melted into her glittery blue eyes. “I know you’re not going to tell me everything and you don’t have to...”, the woman delicately spoke, “but...just remember...we’re a team...and whatever path you take, I will be right by your side...always”. Dearest Ceres, she always knew exactly what to say to mend her husband’s broken heart. He smiled at his beloved wife, gently placing his large hands upon her angelic face, caressing her cheek with his thumb. She reached up gently clutching onto her husband’s wrist, a light smile upon her lips. “Ceres...”, he whispered to his love. “Yes?” Their faces mere inches from one another. “...you think I’m fun, right?” The queen scoffed playfully slapping her husband’s hand away before hastily retreating to the palace. “Idiot”. Silvanus chuckled chasing after his love. “Ceres, c’mon! Don’t you think I’m fun?” “No, but your son does. Why don’t you go bug him for a while?”, she gingerly waved her husband away. Silvanus stopped in the foyer, his wife continued on. “I love you!”, he shouted after her, the servants smiling at their banter. “You better!”, she replied with a chuckle, turning slightly and winking at her husband with a grin. With that, the king made his way to the right hallway. Who says the king of Willownoire was no fun?

“Wow...that’s really good”, Lord Ein, the eldest of the Zephyr children, chuckled at his younger brother, Taron’s, tower of building blocks. “Thanks”, the 4 year old said as he grabbed a green block from aside his brother. “What’s it supposed to be?”, the elder brother asked shifting to the side slightly so the boy could reach his remaining blocks. “A castle”, he answered gleefully, grabbing two more. “A castle? Who lives there?” He grabbed a few of his action figures to sit in front. “You...me...daddy...mommy...Gaea...Heira”, he listed as his grabbed one more sitting it in the middle. “Who’s that?”, Ein gestured to the mysterious figurine. “That’s Muerlin”, the boy answered looking at his brother with a duh expression. Ein looked at the four year old in slight shock, but refrained from questioning him further. “Right. Of course, it is....Muerlin”. Taron was born a year after Muerlin was taken, but it couldn’t be anymore normal to the naive boy. Ein on the other head had a more difficult time just accepting it. After all, he was there. He remembers it like it was yesterday. 10 years old, sweating bullets as he heard his mother’s blood curdling shrieks from outside her bedroom. A young maid being escorted out and vomiting on the stain glass floors. 4 hours of continuous panic until he heard his infant sister’s subtle cries. Leira finally granting them and Gaea access to view the small bubblefaced baby with short silver hair...only to watch her be taken away 14 hours later. Completely helpless. If only he could’ve stopped them....if only.... An abrupt knock on the prince’s door brought him out of his thoughts. “It’s open”, he replied granting his father’s entry. “Well, well would you look at this?!”, Silvanus enthusiastically exclaimed toward his sons. “Hi, dad”, Ein greeted his father with a chuckle. “Now what have we here- WAIT! Don’t tell me....ummmmm”, the king joked with his youngest son who giggled at his gesture. “It’s a castle!” “A castle! Of course! And is your brother helping you?” “No!”, Taron turns toward Ein with a smirk, “he’s just sitting there watching like a dope”. “Hey...you said you didn’t want me to help”, Ein protested. “I don’t because it’s mine”. The 4 year old satisfied with his logic continued with his masterpiece as Ein rolled his eyes and stood up approaching his father who was chuckling at his youngest son’s retort. “Funny...you were just like him back in the day”, he teased the collective young man. “Tch..yeah, right”. Ein crossed his arms watching the boy play. “I saw King Regis here earlier...by the garden”. The king shifted his gaze to his inquisitive son. Ein was quite sharp...sometimes too much for his own good. “Yes...he and I had a little chat earlier”, Silvanus said in a lightened tone hoping to ease his son’s mind. “Don’t you think that’s a little risky? With the empire breathing down our necks and all...?”, Ein turned toward his father, a stern look in his eye. Ein had the means to be king someday, but was never very keen on the idea. “The empire should be the last of your worries”. “Because you’re the only one whose neck is on the line?”, Ein retorted sharply at his father. Silvanus couldn’t argue. He wasn’t wrong. “Taron’s never even met Muerlin...yet his mind is on her constantly. He thinks this is normal. That she’s just...on vacation or something. And who knows what Heira thinks?”, he stepped closer to his father, “what’re you going to tell them when she doesn’t come back?” Despite how much he wanted to deny it, his son had a point. To be honest, Silvanus was certain none of them would ever see Muerlin again...but negativity would get them nowhere. “That is not of true importance right now. What is is how deal with the empire”. Silvanus firm and poised watching his son frolic in naivety. “I will not serve them, dad...I don’t care of the consequences-”, Silvanus cut him off, in a relaxed tone, “you will not have to”. The prince turned toward his father, perplexed, “...what?” “You will not have to...”, the king met his son’s eye. “Willownoire will no longer live in the shadow of Niflheim. I cannot promise much...other than the fact that our people will prevail. Only with your help,” the king placed his hand upon the young prince’s shoulder, “...my son. Help me pave the way for your sister to follow and I promise you...Willownoire will prosper”. Ein was young, but he was sharp. Looking toward little Taron, he knew what his father was trying to tell him...and though it hurt, he knew it was his duty to aid the Pythoness. To aid his sister. He returned his gaze to his father and nodded, accepting his fate. Yes. Willownoire will prevail.

Meanwhile, on the southern side of the castle...

“Ow.......OW! Mom!” Ceres, startled by the sudden outburst looked down to see a frustrated Gaea, the second eldest of the Zephyr children, underneath rubbing the back of her head. “Oh, I’m sorry, dear”. “You need’a break?”, the 12 year old sighed, “I’m sure Heira would like a turn at the torture session”, the angsty pre-teen joked gesturing to the small girl playing on the sofa across from them. Heira was the youngest of the Zephyr children, only 2 years of age. “Now, now”, Ceres chuckled at the girl, “let your sister play. Besides, her hair is still fine since the last time I brushed it unlike someone’s”, the queen teased. “That’s because she doesn’t go anywhere”. “Or she just gets into less trouble”. Gaea huffed at her mother’s teasing and watched the child play. “I remember when you were that cute”, Ceres sighed jokingly antagonizing the fussy pre-teen. “I remember when there were only two of us”, she attempted to mumble under her breath only to receive a light smack to her cheek. “Simmer down, Squirrel Girl”, referring to Gaea’s chubby cheeks. “MOOOM! Ughhh!” Gara covers her cheeks with her hands. Ceres laughs at her daughter’s annoyance and gives one of her squirrel cheeks a loving kiss. Mmmmmwah. Little Heira, hearing the funny noise, giggled at her mother and sister revealing her nearly toothless smile. She places her tiny hands upon her cheeks squishing them imitating her big sister, but also crosses her eyes and sticking her tongue out making fart sounds. Ceres chuckles at her daughter’s humorous cuteness. Gaea on the other hand, rolls her eyes and shifts her gaze out the window. Silence invades the room for a moment. “What was King Regis doing here earlier?”, Gaea asks her mother, voice monotone. Ceres raises an eyebrow. She never expected her to be so observant. “Your father asked him here for a personal favor”. “Like what? Thinking of getting rid of Taron next?” The queen winced at her daughter’s question. Gaea protested Silvanus giving Muerlin away to the Nifs. She was only 7 years old when Muerlin was born. She was such a lively and eccentric child and was so excited about her little sister, but since that fateful day, her relationship with her father had strained. Taron was born only a year later. She wasn’t Ein, but she at least knew that her mom must have gotten pregnant right after Muerlin’s abduction. ...Then Heira only 2 years later. She loved her siblings, but couldn’t help but feel like her father was trying to replace the one he gave away to distract everyone from the fact that the empire had complete control over them. Most of Willownoire didn’t even know about Muerlin. Hell, pretty much all of Eos didn’t....but nobody cared because there was Taron and Heira. Like a Hydra. Cut off one head, two more grow in its place. “Your father wouldn’t do that...”, Ceres finally replied to her angry daughter. “Tch...he did it once”. “Gaea...”. “What makes you think he wouldn’t do it again?” “Gaea”. “Then you can have two more babies”. “GAEA!” Ceres shouted startling little Heira. The baby girl dropped her toys onto the floor and started to cry. Ceres rose from her chair, “oh dear...”, she whispered as she made her way to the crying 2 year old, cuddling her close to soothe her. “Shhh...mommy’s sorry, pumpkin. She didn’t mean to scare you”. Gaea stood from her seat and huffed as she exited the room not saying another word. Ceres was angry...but could she be really? She knew how losing Muerlin effected Gaea...and frankly, she understood. She never really expressed it, but she despised the empire and the destruction it brought to her family. Frankly, she was sick of it. Enough was enough.

That night...

A dim azure flame flickers in the fireplace of the king and queen’s chambers where Silvanus is standing at his desk by the window. He stares intensely at a metal box with a crystal teardrop over the lock keeping it sealed. The only sound emitted in the room was the sparks of the fire. The king’s breathes were seemingly nonexistent. You would’ve believed his heart had stopped. Soon after Ceres entered the room, as lighthearted and cheery as ever, returning the king to the land of the living. She stretched. “Well, Heira and Taron are FINALLY asleep after 2 hours of storytime”, her cracking joints echoed through the otherwise quiet room. “Y���know, those two should read to me once in a while. It’ll be good practice for when I turn senile”. The king laughed at her joke. “...and Gaea?”, he asked meeting her gaze. “Oh, she’ll probably be home soon”, Ceres waved away at the question like it was nothing. Although her husband knew her better. He could hear the shakiness in his wife’s throat. He heard from one of the servants of the incident with Gaea earlier, but she clearly did not want to discuss it so he left it alone. Silvanus retreated from his desk and put out the fire letting the moon illuminate the room. He turned toward his bed to see Ceres sitting on the edge of her side staring toward the moon with her hands delicately placed in her lap. Silvanus approached the window, hands behind his back, to admire this glorious night. He released a sigh of satisfaction. “The moon is gorgeous tonight...the stars are chased silver”. A beautiful sight, indeed. The king was in pure bliss at the view. “Silver...”, his wife whispered, voice choked in her throat. He turned toward her noticing the tears flowing down her cheek glistening in the moonlight. “...like her hair”. Silvanus approached his wife, kneeling in front of her, and took her dainty hands into his own planting kisses onto them. He knew his wife went through hell to keep her composure these past five years. If anyone deserved a moment to cry, it was her. “I never got to hear her call me “mother”....never got to soothe her from her nightmares....tell her that there was no such thing as the boogie man....that last one would’ve been a lie because we let him take her away”. Her voice grew angry. Silvanus looked up to see her blue eyes begin to twitch. “We let him take her....”, he felt a low roar in the room. “Ceres”. “We let him....”, the roar grew louder, items in the room began to shake. “...take her”. The shaking worsened, glass was knocked off of shelves, the chairs and tables began to levitate. “Ceres”. “We let him take her”, Ceres began to shout as various itens were thrown about the room. The bed was elevated slightly. “Ceres!” “NOOOO!”, she screamed cracking the window before her husband grabbed her face with both hands forcing her to meet his gaze. The abrupt disturbance put her panic at rest before everything in the room was settled and silences was emitted once again. The woman relaxing into the man’s arms as he whispered sweet sentiments to her cooling her off. “...this needs to stop”, the queen finally speaks in a pant. Silvanus shot his wife a surprised face. “The empire...our family can’t bare this any longer....we need her....I need my little girl”, the queen sobbed. Silvanus clutching her trembling body against his chest, “she will come...the empire cannot fight the storm forever...we will pave the road for her to take...”. “No matter the consequence...”, the queen added. “No matter where she may go...the Pythoness will come home...and we will be waiting”.