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sonicblueartist · 10 months

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Mansion Full Of Foxes

Warnings: MDNI, smut, mention of sex, cursing, etc. Everyone is adult here so don't worry!

This is a preview chapter

Masterlist

𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃: Yes || No

Pairings: All Tailses from every universe is here for us~ Here is a list for who is into who (Of course we gave every each of them a nickname, to not get confuse anyone... I'm still trying to get used to them too so...)

A/n: Does anyone want to be in the tag list?

@ctheathy

Banzai (Secret History Tails)

Kitsu (Miles [WWMH])

Foxie (Miles [Operation Crimson])

Lunar (Tails [Tails’ Dark Diary])

Umber (Anti-Miles)

Hollow (Hologram Tails [The Ankh])

In between:

Sails

Citrus (Tails [There's something about Knuckles])

Knight (Blacksmith)

Ashen (Tails.exe)

Suave (Starved Tails)

Phantom (Inner Tails)

Zaddy/Bubba (Ali Baba)

Hero (Tailsop)

Wolfy (Tails-Zilla)

Kukla/Pop (Tails Doll)

Chaos (Metal Tails)

Maviş (Luther)

Goblin (Tails [Tails Gets Trolled])

Brownie (Tails [AOSTH])

Cub (Zails)

@kaylas-world-0

Tails

Mangey

Nine

Mint (Prime Tails)

Honey (Movie Tails)

Cherry (Boom Tails)

They/them // She/her // He/him // Other

Summery; It's mating season for foxes. Let's see what's going to happen in a house/mansion full of foxes that have issues and conflicts 👀

Word Count: 3055

A/N: This is kind of like a smut fic so... My friend and I made this for fun. We gonna use ocs so beware! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT JUST LEAVE

Have Fun!

"You've got issues that I like"

Kayla reached for two cups. She picks up the milk and pours it in.

"Okay, Mangey. Watch carefully. Because you can't keep dropping the cups and licking them from the table! This is how you need to drink."

She grabs her cup and sits on a chair and carefully shows him how to drink it. Mangey watches her gulp it all down, fully focused and head down on the table.

She gently put the cup on the table, "See? It's easy. Now you try."

She reached the other cub towards him. He grabs it and starts licking it from inside.

She blink, "Eh, That's an improvement at least." She scratches behind his ear and watches him purr happily.

"You did good!" His tails sways happily, he threw himself off of his seat and jumped on her. Licking all over her face.

"Hey! Hey! Stop it! Mangeyy!" She whines.

"Kayla?" She stopped pushing him and glanced towards the door, Nine stood raising an eyebrow. Mangey continued snuggling on her neck.

She grins nervously, "H-hi, Nine. You want something?"

Nine' face was serious, "Did you forget what I told you a few hours ago?"

She perks up, "Oh, right! You guys wanted to talk to us about something! I'm so sorry it completely--"

"It's fine. Just come to Tails' workshop." He turns away and walks off.

She raised an eyebrow at this, "Okay, Mangey let's go." She easily lifts him in her arms and starts to carry him towards the workshop.

She finds everyone in there waiting for her.

Her sister perked up seeing her figure.

"Sorry for being late…." She apologies sheepishly.

Tails smiled gently at her, "That's fine Kayla."

She gently puts Mangey down on his feet and he quickly snuggles on her legs.

"He's been awfully clingy today. I mean he was always clingy but…"

Tails cleared his throat, "Actually that's what we wanted to talk to you two about." Glancing away.

She raises an eyebrow and glances at her sister. She shrugged, signaling she had no idea either.

The two turn to Tails carefully listening.

"Uh, okay. We're all ears." He takes a deep breath, glancing anywhere but the two, "Well, you see… Nature has some laws. The most natural thing is to be born, grow up and eventually die--"

She panicked, "Mangey is dying?!" She gripped him tightly in tears.

Tails stuttered, "What?! No! No one is dying!"

"O-oh…"

Ctheathy could feel certain sky blue eyes staring bullets at their presence. And she had felt slightly nervous under the amount of pressure their surroundings had given them, especially after having been ripped from the other fox’ comforting embrace. She had always enjoyed thinking of hugging the others, it felt as a small yet safe way to connect with each other, and though she'd been pushed away on several occasions. Deep down, she secretly hoped that it could comfort them right the same way. She listened closely to what the others had to say as she kept herself quiet, always having been a teensy tiny bit too shy to speak up for her own. Though she certainly wasn't one to miss out on any responses that seem to have held deep emotion in them, so when Kayla had cried out her words, she immediately got her attention back to her gaze.

She snuck up to her and caressed her shoulder to try and ease her worry. Seeming how she had quite the panic over the idea of the darling fox losing his life. She flinched slightly at this, her eyes meeting her own blue ones, but they quickly softened after realizing what she was trying to do, muttering out a “thank you” as Tails continued with slight worry lingering in his tone.

He awkwardly squirmed in his position, seeming to think about how to continue his speech as he bit his tongue slightly in response to his overwhelm. “Ah, w-well-!” he started, a nervous sweat going down his forehead as both of the humans eyes connected onto his own again. He fiddled slightly with his hands, not being all too positive in his wording as he started letting out a few “um’s”. The room was starting to grow awfully quiet and the air grew a tension, a few mutters and perhaps even muffled cursing could be heard throughout the place.

Ctheathy and Kayla looked at each other in confusion, having no clue what to expect. But their thoughts quickly got interrupted as a “Just tell them already-!!” rang through the room, coming from Lunar as his already thin patience was starting to run out. A huff came from Umber as he crossed his arms, the other foxes standing beside them seeming to run low on patience as well. Whispering was starting to get noticeable around the place and Tails let out a small sigh, seeming to have decided upon his talk. They had to know. He looked us dead in the eye and his own narrowed slightly.

“Kayla, Ctheathy, do you both um … Are you aware of some of nature's essential proceedings considering our species?” He spoke with careful words, almost as if the humans were incredibly delicate and fragile to the topic. They both currently had no clue what the hell was going on, and their expressions had said everything. Kayla just blinked with an expressionless look on her face, and Ctheathy just tilted her head slightly, as they both seemingly had no idea what he was referring to. Yes, nature has it's natural common events, but we just couldn't put the puzzle pieces together with what this had to do with the meetup.

Feeling real dumb right about now, Ctheathy let out a small sigh she didn't know she had been holding, and had decided upon speaking for the first time in a while. She carefully spoke, not wanting to upset him, “I’m afraid we're not sure what you're asking…”

Kayla glances at Tails with a face she is trying to process what he just asked.

Noticing this with Ctheathy pointing out their physical confusion he nodded, sighing.

Tails leaves all his over thinking behind. He needs to let it out for them. They need to be notified about this.

He inhales deeply getting ready for his speech, "Look, nature has it's rules. Birth, growing up, death and such… I wanted to talk about birth here so… You probably know what partners have to do if they want kids, right? N-never mind forget what they have to do! W-what I mean is, we mobians are divided into various types as you know. So… we as foxes like other mobians have a natural clock… but in different time from others of course. And well it's like a clock that when it ticks midnight like in Cinderella, poof, our hormones are--" he stopped himself when he saw the confusion on humans faces as well as the weirded out expressions from the other foxes. He noticed how awkward the tension became.

Fuck, he messed up his speech! He practiced for a few days for this!

He panicked and reddened, "I-I mean--" his voice became small.

Nine groaned loudly, "It's mating season for us damn it!!"

Tails flushed yelled at him, "We talked about this Nine! We're not going to show that fact to their faces like that!!"

Nine rolled his eyes, "I rather die than listen to your awkward speech again. This was less painful and easy to do."

Tails grumbled in vain, "I started pretty good what happened? That's not an excuse to traumatize them like that! You can't just say stuff like that and be okay with it! They needed to warm up on this first! Why are you so cool with this?"

Sails stepped in, "I think ye confuse them enough."

Everyone's eyes turned towards the only humans in this household waiting for a reaction.

After processing the conflict between them Kayla holds her mouth to prevent herself from chuckling, for some reason their fight comes to her funny with the weird topic at hand... But this is a serious matter, she bit her cheek.

"Wait wait…" she gasps, "Are you guys for real? I thought- I thought it wasn't possible." She muttered to herself.

Nine tilted his head, "It is as real as we are. And it's as normal as you two having periods. Nature is full of weird biological shits." He rolled his eyes.

Ctheathy got lost in her thoughts for a little while after that rollercoaster of emotions. She's heard of mating seasons before, but she had little to no knowledge on it's effects other than stronger hormones, much less the changes in behavior or consequences it might have for them. And these thoughts alone already left her worried, the worst possible scenarios going through her head as she kept herself quiet, just staring at the floor underneath their feet. She didn't know what on earth to think about this information, the way it had been described didn't seem pleasant in the slightest, and though she felt interested and wanted to ask further, she was mainly anxious for the foxes’ wellbeing during the described time.

The stares felt as if they were pushing her into the ground, awaiting an answer from the both of them. Her sister had already given her own response to the new said information, quick, even. But Ctheathy had no idea where to even start, so many questions…

She decided to go for a show of concern, wanting to show her worry for the events, “You… You've described the occurrences as if they're incredibly difficult to go through for yourselves and those around you. Could you elaborate…maybe?” She merely whispered at the end, the topic hadn't seemed preferable for any of them to talk about and she had honestly already felt guilty for questioning any further. But she felt as if they had to know just in case it could cause potential danger or any other little traits we'd have to keep in mind. Kayla nodded in response at this, seemingly wanting the knowledge herself too.

Tails merely sighed once again, still seeming to be somewhat stiff from previous events, “Well… What do you expect? Our hormones and senses shall be increased and going through a rampage during that time--” Tails seemed to already shiver at the thought, and Nine stepped in after the realization set in that he wasn't going to continue any further, “And we're gonna be expecting you two to defend yourselves-!” Though it sounded more like a demand more than anything, they knew he had good intentions behind the request. But his worries worsened their paranoia ever so slightly.

“As they restrict self-restraints too” Sails added, looking us in the eye and showing concern for them.

Ctheathy and Kayla weren't sure if they were supposed to freak out by these warnings, they must be rather brutal for it to affect them this deeply, but this certainly wasn't what they expected when they got called in here. And seeing their worrisome expressions, Citrus decided to step in with a more gentle approach.

“Ah… What we are trying to say is that the safety of the both of you means a lot to us. We wanted to put down some strict rules in order to prevent anything from happening” which some of the other’s nodded at.

Ctheathy's racing thoughts calmed a little at this, and she was thankful for them even bothering to ensure their safety, but with this a sudden realization suddenly set into her mind and she stood up, worried. “H-hold on a second there-! But does this imply these events can cause all of you any… potential pain?” sadness was visible in her eyes… She didn't want to see them hurt for an entire month.

Many just looked away slightly, awkward even, which was slowly starting to confirm her fears as she narrowed her eyes in response and looked down. But she flinched as she felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up for her eyes to meet Banzai’s. How didn't she notice him sneaking up to her? Their eyes stayed connected with one another as his soothing voice tried to ease her mind, but it was hard.

“Do not concern your minds over these circumstances, my dears. There's other things that are of prime concern” and the others let out sounds of agreement, seeming to have spoken of this with each other before. Huh, guess communication is possible in this household, after all.

Kayla thought about all the things they said until Banzai stepped in. To say the least she was confused was an understatement...

"Other prime concerns-- Like what?"

She glanced at him when Nine answered, "Like your safeties. It had to be our first and only property."

Kayla shook her head at this, crossing her arms, refusing, "No way! If you guys are hurting! Then it is also important! We are going to help. Like you guys help us go through our periods."

Her sister nodded agreeing with her, "Is there any way we could help you guys with?" She asked gently and as worried as her.

The room went awfully quiet.

The humans stared at them waiting for a response.

"Well?" Kayla urged them to speak. Every one of them seemed at the edge.

Tails cleared his throat, "Well… you see… uh… There is a way…. but uh… it's- no, it's uh…. not what you think…. it's not the same with period cramps… You gotta reveal it… somehow… well…" he tried but failed.

Lunar rolled his eyes with a groan, "It's sex, we need sex."

Tails flushed, "That's not-- Be quiet! it's not exactly--"

Lunar huffed, done with their shit, "Exactly what? We need sex to reveal this! That's it! Just accept this already! We need sex so we can reproduce. This is nature. This is how the world revolves. It's normal. It's an urge! Couples always have sex! Either to have fun or not. There is no need to make sex look abnormal!--"

Foxie groaned, holding the bridge of his nose, "Will you please stop emphasizing it?!"

Kayla and Ctheathy stared at them all as they started arguing over this.

Ctheathy could feel her face starting to burn up after the sudden outburst. She was currently questioning herself how she hadn't figured things out and gotten the hint before that and she could clearly see Kayla’s cheeks having gained a reddish tint as well, but it was nothing in comparison to her entire face.

She bit her lip and shook her head, trying to decrease some of the warmth as she had noticed them creating the start of a fight… Again. She could feel her ears starting to tingle as the noises around them worsened, the arguments starting to become an issue for the both of them as her sibling covered her ears in the exact same irritation.

Things continued for a little while, the place had started to feel suffocating and she knew she had to do something, otherwise there was a massive chance of certain bad outcomes. Her sister noticed her trouble and quickly went for her arm, giving it a small squeeze to try and comfort her in response. Ctheathy looked down from her standing position and gave a gentle smile, being incredibly grateful for her attempts to ease her mind. But she knew this fight had to be put to an end anytime soon.

Everyone freezed for a second with a noise lighting up in the room. They all glanced at the side as Hollow walked in. He freezed seeing everyone in a tight atmosphere. He stared for a second until he slowly backed away and walked out of the room, “You guys can fuck yourselves I am going. I just woke up damn it. This is too early in the morning for this.”

All the foxes quickly continued their heated argument like nothing even disturbed it.

“Everyone, please… Quiet down-! Fighting won't get us anywhere…” Ctheathy’s voice was starting to turn light, nervousness getting to her head once again as they either ignored or hadn't noticed her pleas. “We won't solve anything if we keep yelling at one another…” her quest still hadn't been heard, as the rambling continued alongside the room, it having become even louder over time, the space felt tight… Too tight “guys…!” She started once again, but she forced her eyes shut after realizing her attempts were unsuccessful, the loudness getting to her and her sister had certainly noticed.

“EVERYBODY, SHUT IT-!!” Glaring at the group, she stood up and let out a huff that made very much sure that everybody was currently listening to what she had to say, as the amber coloured foxes’ eyes turned their way in response. It had always surprised Ctheathy how easily she was able to get each and every single one of them in line, she envied it even.

Kayla turned to her with kind intent and gave her a smile “Go ahead, Ctheathy”.

She muttered a small “thank you” and straightened her back to try and seem to have more control over the situation, but it definitely hadn't felt that way. She gulped, all eyes being glued onto her form by now as she felt her anxieties double. “I’m sorry for causing this conflict-! I should have understood the hint, but please do understand that arguing won't help us with anything.” She tried being as gentle as possible with her words, not wanting to set them off. “Besides, ahah… There are still a few questions I'd preferably have answered just in case, you know-- boundaries and all-! I really wouldn't want to worsen the state all of you will be in just because I made the wrong decision…” Her eyes turned to the floor once again, not very used to the attention and she felt her cheeks starting to flush once again. She heard a few sighs going through the room and she swore she could have seen the eye rolls if it wasn't for her eyes being glued onto the ground, but she appreciated how the fighting had at least taken a stop.

Tomorrow will be the first day of Mating season as we were told. Most of them decided to close themself in their room and hunt for food and water for themself from markets beforehand. And some of them decided to stay in the workshop to work and busy their minds. And some of them didn't care at all and were gonna continue their daily activities like nothing changed.

Kayla and Ctheathy decided to sit and drink some tea in the garden while watching the stars revolve around them as everyone was inside minding their business.

Kayla spoke up, "We should talk about what we can do for them. I mean obviously we are not gonna… sleep with any of them so…" she muttered.

Ctheathy agreed, "Yes. We're gonna show extra care for them. Making food, leaving nice notes and such."

Kayla hummed, "Yeah… they would appreciate that…"

They continue observing silently.

"Damn."

"What?" Ctheathy asked curiously.

Kayla sighed, scratching her cheek, "I guess… I'm a little scared for tomorrow. I mean they already started acting really weird. I-I'm afraid I can't handle it without giving in……"

Ctheathy reassured her, patting her hand, “Don’t worry, I’ll be with you every minute of it. I won’t let them do anything to you.”

"This is gonna be a long month…" Kayla whined.

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echantedtoon · 5 months

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What If: Akaza Edition

DISCLAIMER: THIS WORK IS IN ABSOLUTELY NO WAY CANNON TO DEMON BRIDE AND IS NOT AN ENDING. IT IS A WHAT IF IDEA THAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE FUN TO WRITE. PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND GOING FORWARD.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The 'What If' chapters are not cannon. Every other chapter that isn't labeled a 'what if' chapter is. These 'What If' characters are also probably going to be pretty short. Sorry if this is so short. Working on some things while trying to write the next chapter of Monster Bride and irl things. Thanks to everyone for understanding and the patience you've all given me for these Demon Slayer Works.

If you can guess the references of the triplets names you get a cookie.

The sounds of the day's rain went by dripping down the roof and flowing down into the soft earth. Slow footsteps approached the front door of the simple home wet and stained with mud by the outside of the home. Without alerting anyone inside, the figure slunk inside the sliding door making a soft click behind them. There they stood for the longest time before shaking much like a dog the cold droplets expelling from his body and scattering them about the house before the man stood there. Silence creeping in before a hissing breath was sucked in through hissing fangs, his powerful lungs expanding for the task at hand-

"I'M HOME!"

The loud voice bounced off the walls and echoed throughout the home in waves carrying the voice all throughout the home until it faded away. There was silence for a long moment until little squeals and a fast approaching small pair of footsteps rapidly approaching from the left. His blue ear twitched and he turned to the right as a white blue came peeling around the corner. Bright smile on his face and rapid running towards him.

"FATHER, FATHER, FATHER, FATHER!!," the younger form chanted excitedly arms up in the air.

He kneeled down with a gigantic smile, arms out, and easily caught the white haired boy as soon as he was close enough. Standing rapidly he threw him up in the air as proud as a father like him could be. The younger form erupted in laughter at the affection given to him.

"There you are! I was thinking you had forgotten all about me! Oh you've grown so much since I last held you in my arms!" His smile softened the more he stared at the smiling child. "Are you sure you're the real Rui?"

"It's me, Father!," Rui cheered smiling widely enough to Expose his teeny but sharp fangs. "I've been training hard everyday!"

He couldn't help but smile fondly at the child before maneuvering Rui to be held on a hip before walking his way up a hall. "Is your mother in the kitchen?"

Of course he already knew the answer to that. From even before he stepped inside he could smell the faint smells of roasting fish along with strong spices and other vegetables. Judging by the shuffling noises and the tiny trolls and cries, his oldest wasn't the only one who was awake. But of course the boy nodded happily at him.

"Yeah! You're just in time for dinner, Father. Mother's making roasted fish." He then proudly puffed out his chest and pointed at himself. "I caught it myself in the lake this morning! It was this big!" He chuckled as the child stretched his arms out as wide as they could go.

"Oh wow. That big huh? Then we'll be eating good tonight. I'm so proud of you for providing so well for us." His oldest awed as he offered soft praise. He was proud. His boy was growing stronger, and stronger every day. He'll be a good man once he was all grown up. "I can't wait to see the beautiful dinner you caught us."

"I can show you how I caught it!," Rui immediately offered excitedly grabbing his shoulder. "And then we can go hunting and fishing together!"

"Deal! I have the next two weeks free from Mistress Rei, so we'll go hunting everyday if that's what you want-"

"YES!!" He didn't even get to finish his sentence before Rui was happily beaming at him. "Yes! I'd like that a lot! And I can show you how strong I became and how smart I got! And you can read all my new books and-"

"Whoa. Slow down there l, Son." He smiled at the excitement of his oldest approaching the doorway now leading to the small kitchen. "I love you and I'll love spending time with you but I need to spend time with your sisters and brother too. And your mother. Ok?"

The boy pouted but nodded. "Oh alright. But we're going hunting together!"

There was another chuckle as the child was slipped from his hip and safety put on the floor just as they reached the doorway and already a figure had their hands on their hips and looking at them. "But first things fi-"

He was cut off by a small group of squeaky coos and squeals from the left of the kitchen caught his attention. The squeals reacting to the sounds of his voice. He paused looking at the woman who rose a brow at him in a 'really' look and he chuckled as the squeaky voices calmed down upon not hearing him anymore.

"Oh my. I wonder WHO THAT could be?" His smile grew with each excited squeal from the left of the kitchen. Faking a curious hum he tapped his chin and waited for the new coos to die down. "I wonder if it's my babies. Where's the babies?" With a smile he quickly lean forward finally showing himself and smiling. The loudest little excited shrills came out. "*GASP* There you are!"

The warmth the kitchen provided gave the perfect safe feeling to set up the play pen. A few toys were seen stationed within a long with three tiny handmade futons. A perfect little safe haven for a child to rest under the watchful eye of their mother and father. But it wasn't the toys or beds that drew his attention. It was the bobbing motions of three pink haired babbling squealing infants. All three pairs of purple eyes locked onto him as soon as he made his presence known. The first to squeal loudly was the boy followed by his sisters. The trio of tots squealed out and babbled and waved their teeny hands about as their father stepped in ignoring the woman giving him a deadpanned look, he went straight for them with open arms. Sliding to his knees and easily reaching inside to them. His hard calloused hands were soft and gentle as they caressed his little ones.

His little ones. His beautiful children. His family. His boys will grow up being the strongest. His daughters the most beautiful. He could feel it so as they happily filled in the spaces in his empty arms. One by one. Bring held against the warmth of their father's calming body.

"Keizo. Amaryllis... Koyuki." Each squealed babbling about in reaction to their names before he just nuzzled into them. He couldn't help it. They were so precious to him. "We're you good for mommy while I was gone?" Keizo squealed being the closest enough to touch his nose. "Did you get to sleep today?"

"They were asleep until you woke them up with your yelling." A lady's voice behind him made him turn to look at the woman before she sighed. "I JUST got them to sleep, Akaza. It took me HOURS with the thunder and lightning scaring them. And..and ..Why are you wet?"

He chuckled again and stood still holding the three cooing infants and having Rui holding onto his pants leg also seeking attention. He smiled widely at her. "Sweetheart. Honey, Im sorry." He loved how beautiful she looked when pouting like that. It was cute. Although he'd never disrespect her by saying so. "I was so excited to see you all that I forgot it was raining outside."

"You tracked water into my house." She pointed out the water trail at his feet.

"I'll go dry off immediately and clean it up." Little babbles made his attention go back to the four young children. "Well... Maybe not immediately-"

"Oh no you don't." She immediately stepped forward to reach out and grab Amaryllis from his arms. The chubby girl cooing in curiosity as she was picked up and settled in her mother's arms instead. "You're gonna get them wet and you'll give yourself a cold. I don't need to worry about a sick husband and three infants."

He chuckled at her as she plucked them all one by one from him and sat them back down in the play pen much to their babbling protests. He didn't fight it. She was right as usual. He should go dry off. If he got sick, then he'd be no use to anyone. But he did want to do one thing before he left. She paused as he gently grabbed her hand and brought it to press it against his cheek with a soft purr from his throat.

"I missed you so much. Your touch..I forgot how soft and warm you are. And I can't ever forget about how beautiful you are too....Y/n, I'm sorry I took so long on my last trip."

You blinked before sighing and finally smiling. "It's alright. I'm just happy you're home safe and sound. How did it go?"

He groaned."I had to stop so many men from taking unwilling brides. I swear I hate January."

"Well I'm sure all those girls appreciated it." He froze as she leaned forward and a soft kiss was placed on his mouth before she pulled away just as quickly. "Now go clean up. You're probably hungry and I can't wait to spend time with my husband."

A caress to his frozen cheek had him blushing a deep red and sent a shiver down his spine from the effect she had on himself. But he smiled nonetheless. Because this was his family. His happiness. His world. Precious to him. To love and cherish. And he'll ensure everything is safe. And loved.

#demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #akaza x reader #akaza #demon bride #Demon Bride Lost Bits

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askbloatedbellyblog · 8 months

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hewwwwo do u have any burp stuffing hcs from jade recently ? I luvvvv ur content and the fic u made of him(the halloween one) is just *chef kiss*

sorryyy I'm just really happy to find someone who appreciates jade stuffing and I would love to share my hcs with u too !!

Jade Leech is an interesting kind of burper in my opinion as there are several different levels to him that all kind of interplay with each other. I think the biggest ones with Jade are: Manners, Gluttony, and Trolling. Though even then manners is very possibly only a front in service of other things.

For example, on the one hand manners would dictate that he doesn't burp much at all, while gluttony would say he would at every opportunity. Or Jade would toy with others and try to do the unexpected all the time. They all will have an effect on the other depending on the situation.

But I think that first, what should be remembered is that Jade is a troll and likes to toy with others. Many times I think that his manners serves his trolling endeavors. Act proper and unassuming, then have a better opportunity to throw someone off by acting out of character.

However, Gluttony can override both of those other traits, or deepen their expression depending on the situation.

How does this all play into Jade stuffing himself and burping? There are LOTS of ways and I'm sure there are more than I could even list.

I believe Jade frequently tries to uphold his manners despite his appetite and often politely suppresses his belches either swallowing them back down to make his stomach churn some more (feeling even more bloated than before) or he'd burp in his mouth and release the air through his nose, or politely burp into his fist. This however, is usually only reserved for a mild stuffing, probably when he's having more than usual. This would be more of his stuffing at Harveston though this would be on the much higher end (meaning yes it sure was a ton but he didn't seem too bothered by the amount, even when people were staring and commenting. Especially during this or if he ate a similar amount (as has been implied), manners are still intact.

However, when trolling comes into play, Jade belches become a bit of a different beast entirely. I wholeheartedly believe that Jade has quite a bit of control over his belches and stomach, being able to stifle his belches when need be or just letting out monstrous roars of gas when he wants to. When someone comments on his eating a lot or someone complained about burps or others were burping, Jade's trolling senses kick into high gear. That is unless he'd been planning something already which is very likely.

This could mean several different things like Jade sneaking up behind or whispering and then burping gently in someone's ear or it could be that someone let out a random burp and he lets out an absolute monster burp that catches everyone off guard. Or Jade will gently smile like nothing is the matter and let one rip and go back to normal like nothing happened, even going so far as to gaslight and pretend it never happened when it had just moments before.

If he knows you like burps, then you're in for a time. That could mean he will burp on every occasion possible, or it could mean that he doesn't burp at all even when absolutely stuffed just to make the person yearn for it even more. Then again this may change when gluttony really comes in.

I think Jade is a horrible glutton and much of his manners is but a veneer on the surface for his trollish behavior or a cover for his appetites just simmering under the surface. It's a madness that's waiting for him to indulge. This also plays into the idea I haven't seen explored that Jade is more a sociopath and Floyd is more a psychopath.

When Jade let's that first level of gluttonous madness creep through, he's indulging himself, slow savoring all the food he can and loudly. He'll burp, potentially even crassly but still excuse himself for his bad manners, perhaps even while rubbing his belly to savor the moment and fullness. He won't be large but happy and indulged.

No the real beast comes out when he fully lets his inhibitions go and the madness of gluttony comes out. Jade can become a big messy eater or polite and refined but has a lot. His defenses start to fade and big deep wet belches come liberally. As he eats and bloats out, this only eggs on the monster that's desperately begging for him to feed it and pass his limits. He becomes disheveled, messy, shoving food into his maw as fast as he can. He doesn't care of his state, his only care is food. Since you asked for stuffing, I'll leave it at that but this is when Jade truly goes all out and the mask comes off. He's left a round, bloated mess. He'd rub his belly and grip it to try to force out whatever gas he can to make room and just enjoy his state of being overfed as much as possible.

Once he calms down, he may admire his own belly, taking a finger to his roundness and stroke it gingerly with a finger to the the stretched surface tingle with his tickle. The madness recedes and burps become an afterthought where they come naturally and often. If someone was there as a witness and not in his stomach he may even try to burp out louder or as a show. He'd let the mask come back on and his need to troll comes back, letting them touch or rub his belly and pulling them close to burp in their face or to burp and guess what all he had for dinner.

Truly there is a lot for Jade and I still feel like I'm only really scratching the surface or not describing things well but he's a big all around burper.

#burp canon #jade leech #twisted wonderland #burp kink #belly canon #or belly canon related since there's not as much belly as there could be #male stuffing #if you leave him a feast it will be gone #I bet he's one that loves culinary crucible to eat everything and still troll judge

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cold-heart-warm-writings · 2 years

Text

I went to my first con yesterday, so Tokyo Revengers characters going to a con

Chifuyu would go ALL OUT as some obscure manga character, and his outfit would be on *point*, but no one knows who he is.

Baji goes as a half assed Luffy with his shirt undone. Everyone at the con showers him with compliments, much to Chifuyu’s dismay.

Hanma would dress up as the Joker, or the most unhinged character that he could think of, and he would go all out on his cosplay. You would think that he wouldn’t because of his more laid back attitude towards most things, but he would commit to the bit.

Kisaki would not dress up. Jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt, would not dress up.

Emma and Hina somehow managed to convince the twins to go as the twins from Ouran. Smiley would be Hikaru, and Angry would be Kaoru, and yes there’s a big difference.

Koko and Inupi claim that they were forced to wear cat and dog ears. The ears mysteriously disappear within minutes.

Taiju would go as Geto. He would pass out pamphlets to a local youth group.

Pah would go as Tanaka and lowkey judge people.

Peh would wear a Karasuno volleyball outfit and lowkey judge people with Pah.

Shinichiro would be a spot on Kakashi Hatake. Unfortunately, small children decide to troll him and ask what happened to his eye and if he’s a pirate.

The Mizo Middle Five would all wear maid’s outfits. Some were more willing than others, but for once, girls actually pay attention to them, laugh in a “with” you and not “at” you sort of way, and they become more confident, even stooping into a little curtsey every now and then. They honestly rocked the look.

Emma would want to go as some kind of couple outfit with Draken. Draken would without a doubt drag his feet. He seems like the kind of person who would not want to dress up, especially not in a couple outfit. However, Draken being Draken, he loves making his loved ones happy, and often caves and rolls over for those he loves. So that’s how he found himself as Loid and Emma and Yor at the next con. They make a perfect pair. The smiling, bubbly Yor who is a bit flustered, and a more stoic but still sweet Loid.

Takemitchy and Hina also both want to go as a couple pair, but Mikey gets jealous. They would go as Emma, Norman, and Ray from The Promised Neverland. That or Hina as Ochako, Takemitchy as Midoriya, and Mikey as Bakugo (the rage and fights fits). They’d be a little cringey, but the kids at the con absolutely adore them.

Mitsuya was responsible for the creation of all the cosplays, so he just wears regular clothes.

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hrhbella · 1 year

Text

Unhappiest

Pairing: Theodore Nott x Reader

Word Count: 790 words

Summary: Theodore doesn't think he wants to talk anymore.

Warnings: N/A

Author's Note: This has been sitting for quite some time. I can't say I love where it went, but do let me know. -B

Unhappier | Unhappier, Who?

——

It was as if the silence was sucking the air out of his room.

“Who is it, love?” Theodore had begun to feel the alcohol practically leak from his body.

There was a long pause. “Who is who?”

Who is who? Not the most intellectual response. Odd. “Who did your mother invite?” A harsh breath sounds through the fireplace, “In my place?”

“Well, not everything is about you, Nott. One mustn't assume every opportunity is theirs.”

Theodore felt the shift. Ever since their initial explosion, if you will, in the common room, he was beginning to think he was asking the right questions. Frankly, he was in no way settled by this. He leaned back slightly, allowing his weight to shift from his knees to the balls of his feet as he tried to make out his thoughts. The coated bricks in front of him never seemed so intriguing, but he could no-

“Theodore?”

He had not heard his given name from her in what felt like centuries. Not for months. Not since ever, when he thought about it.

“I rightfully deserve it, I do. Might as well push the dagger in deeper.” His eyes almost fall out of his skull trying to watch as the flames slightly flicker, and he almost believes he’ll see her face appear in his own Floo.

“I am not seeing anyone.”

He sighs. As always, there was immense choice in those words.

“And yet, I sense there is still someone.”

There was a faint patter on her end. Was she pacing?

“It’s bloody complicated.”

“Must be. You seem unable to talk me into an unmatchable state of boredom.” Be a prick to her, Nott. That will assist.

“Remind me never to put a ceiling on my capacity to loathe you.”

“Noted.”

“I don’t thi-”

“Does he make you happy,” Theodore could not take it anymore. “Truly, unequivocally elated?”

His ears pick up a poised cough, and his heart drops knowing he caught her by surprise.

“Not-”

“Just- just tell me that much.” Pushing a hand through his hair, he feared the answer he already suspected.

“Yes.”

It was the smallest of whispers. He would not have heard it had he not been listening so intently for it. He found himself wanting to be alone.

“I do believe that is all I require of you this afternoon.”

“Nott.”

“I bid you good day, madam.”

“Nott, I-”

“I say, good day!” Was she suddenly uneducated in polite social exits? Never would she so brazenl-

“It’s Malfoy.”

Any air within his lungs flew out faster than a Snitch. His legs seemed to be moving him without his consent, as he found himself making hast towards the door and far away from the flame-filled fireplace.

“It’s Malfoy.” The green flames that had been swirling in front of her ceased, and promptly were replaced by gentle reds and oranges. What bloody possessed her to tell Nott that one of his best mates had taken his place, even if he was troll shit at filling the duties of that place.

She pushed herself away from the mantel, which had been supporting her weight through that emotionally charged conversation, and noticed. She noticed.

His Quidditch Captain sweater is draped over her desk chair.

There is a fresh bouquet of white carnations on her bedside table, which had been accompanied with a short and personal note as well as an invitation on holiday.

One of her own favorite sweaters was absent from the room.

But most importantly of all, she noticed the one thing that was most different of all. A photograph on the window sill. It showed her at the Palace of Versailles, deep within the gardens, smiling widely at the camera, but soon progressed to her being leaned back into an appropriate yet intimate kiss by a blonde young man. Their laughs as they lean against each other’s foreheads could almost be heard before it fades to her smiling brightly towards the lenses again.

She sighed as she felt the embossed title on the book she had been reading ten minutes prior, which was also something one might notice in her bedroom.

She had spent weeks feeling horribly distraught over what had happened with Nott. She had depleted days being consoled by those closest to her. There had been hours exhausted over what had transpired in France. The minute practically dragged on as she pondered how to approach her new found emotions. But the seconds stopped all together once she heard herself whisper his name. To Nott, of all people.

She knew things would not have ever been the same for the two of them again, not after what he did. But what about after what she had just done?

——

> If you wish to write a formal letter to Her Royal Highness, please do so here.

> If you wish to see Her Royal Highness’ completed list of works, please do so here.

> If you wish to see some of Her Royal Highness’ most frequently asked questions, please do so here.

#harry potter imagine #theo nott x reader #theo nott imagine #theodore nott x you #theodore nott x reader #theodore nott imagine #theodore nott fanfiction

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cutelittleriot · 4 months

Text

Chapter 3.5

For hours Branch has been working on his jigsaw puzzles. He had been meaning to he had just been too busy to actually do so but now he has time.

He is only a quarter of the way done with the 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle when he hears a knock. He has a good idea as to who it might be. Heading up and peeking through he is correct in it being his girlfriend.

"You need something Poppy?" He asks confused as to why she is here right now. Also his lisp has went away thankfully as his fangs are getting close to the same length as his original teeth,the process wasn't pleasant for sure.

"Branch can....we talk? Or is it a bad time?" She asks uncharacteristicly nervous she probably doesn't want to upset him any more than he already has been.

Thinking over his options he decides let her in to talk "Fine we can talk" He says letting her in. The two trolls make their way down and Poppy is being unusually quiet. He looks at her and she seems a bit anxious as by her fidgeting.

The two soon make it to the bottom and both sit down in chairs "So what is-" "I'm so sorry Branch!" Poppy all but yells at him catching him off guard as she usually doesn't raise her voice like this unless she was genuinely upset.

"Sorry? What are you sorry for exactly?" He asks confused. "I'm sorry for well everything that's happening to you Branch. It was because of me your transforming right now and I can tell its hurting you" She says looking like she's seconds away from crying.

'She has been blaming herself for this?' Branch thinks to himself as his ears lower. Well it was sort of her fault but he knows his girlfriend only had good intentions. Sighing he sits beside her and puts a hand on her shoulder "Poppy while yes you were the one who gave me the fruit that caused all this I'm not mad or blaming you at all. I know you only had good intentions. You couldn't have possibly known this would happen. All you knew what that your new friend gave you a gift and you wanted to share it with me" He says.

"But-" Poppy tries to explain but Branch stops her. "Look you made a mistake we all do. I'm not dead that's a good thing I'm just....changing right now. Sure it's painful and annoying and I would rather not be changing but it is what it is. It's what life has given us and our choices lead up to this. All that I ask Poppy is that if by some random one in a million chance this ever happens again you will research the food before eating it?" He asks her to which she nods.

"Thank you so much Branch that has been eating me up inside all day I have felt so bad for you. But I have good news I have something special for you to see tomorrow! I'm sure you will love it!" She says wiping her eyes and her bubbly personality returning.

"Oh really is it a party?" He asks with a smirk

"Nope"she replies back smiling

"A scrapbook?"

"Nope"

"A new song or dance?"

"Nope"

The two go back and forth guessing to which every time Poppy says no. Wow Branch is actually stumped he actually has no idea what his girlfriend has done for him he is very curious to see what she did but like she said he will have to wait until tomorrow.

"So uhm while I'm still here can I possibly.....touch your fur? It looks so soft and fluffy!Please Branch?" She begs giving him the look she knows he can't resist.

"Ok fine go ahead" He says resigning himself to his fate as Poppy squeals and begins to pet him he can feel her hands going through his fur he will admit it felt nice she wasn't too rough so he just let's her do as she pleases. "Its so soft its unbelievable,by the way Branch is everything ok with your teeth they looked a bit odd when you were talking?" She asks as she is petting his arm.

"Yeah it's just I'm getting fangs at the moment they are currently growing in and it isn't exactly pleasant" He says opening his moth and showing her said fangs. "Woah they look crazy sharp imagine what happens when you bite down?" She looks amazed at the fangs.

"I could probably do some damage your dad did say our ancestors did have them to help defend against predators. I just wonder how long they are going to grow?" He wonders.

"I don't know but they look around the same length as your other teeth so they are probably close to being done growing" Poppy says getting a closer look. 'Well that's good news. So that must mean the pain is probably close to going away and he can finally eat. Ever since his teeth fell out he didn't eat a single thing just in case. He has thought about eating something soft as they grew longer but decided against it just to be safe.

For hours the troll couple just enjoy eachothers company while doing a jigsaw puzzle and they got around halfway done before Poppy yawns. "Well that was a productive evening. Well I'm going to head back home take care Branch" She says before giving him a kiss on the cheek. "And again I'm really sorry for all of this" She says her ears drooping a bit "I told you already I forgive you Poppy you don't need to be sad about it anymore" Branch says giving Poppy a hug as he knows that it usually cheers her up and it does as she gives him a tight hug back.

She soon leaves the bunker and heads back to her pod. Meanwhile Branch is getting ready to head to bed thankfully the pain I'm his jaw is starting to go away so he should be able to fall asleep soon.....hopefully. he wonders what comes next after this though and just what is the surprise Poppy has planned for tomorrow?

#trolls #trolls 2 #branch #poppy #broppy #return to origin

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hungry-tum-stuff · 2 years

Text

By My Side (Part 1)

Fandom/Media: The Moomins (1990)

Ship: Snufmin (heavily implied)

Content Advisory: Brief descriptions of hunger, stomach growling, stuffing, tummyaches, tummy rubs, caretaking

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re staying the winter with us, Snufkin!”

“You’ve said that about a dozen times today, Moomin.” Snufkin replied, setting down a book he had picked off the moomintroll’s shelf and had been absently skimming for the past few minutes. It seemed to be about pirates.

“Well what else am I supposed to say? You’ve never stayed the winter, and you hardly sleep over in Moominhouse, but I suppose it makes sense now that the snow’s almost taller than the tree you pitch your tent under… You would have been buried if you’d stayed out there all winter!” Moomin rambled, pulling himself away from the window where he had previously been watching the snow fall from the sky in heaps. Snufkin got up to take Moomin’s place at the window upon hearing that, feeling some small urge to check if that claim was true.

“Well how about that.” His tail swayed back and forth gently as Moomin checked the clock on his wall, as if growing impatient for something. “All these years and I’ve never seen Moominvalley in the snow. It looks like a bowl of sugar.”

His stomach panged hungrily at the word ‘sugar.’ Surely the Hibernation Feast was nearly done by now, right?

“I suppose it does, I hope it’s mostly melted by the first day of spring though, I’d hate to have to trudge through the snow while we’re off on our adventure.” Moomin couldn’t keep a smile off his face as he finished that sentence. ‘Our adventure’ sounded like a dream come true; a dream that Moomin had dreamt countless times after hearing Moominpapa’s tales of his youth.

“You forget that’s what I do every winter, Moomin.”

“Oh… Adventure sounds hard.”

“You getting cold feet already?”

“Not a chance!” Moomin defended quickly, crossing his arms as Snufkin chuckled and turned to face him. Eager to change the subject now, Moomin shuffled over to open his bedroom door. “Let’s go find Little My, I’m sure she needs to be reminded to wash up before the feast, like usual.”

Snufkin’s thoughts were already preoccupied with something else as he stepped out of the bedroom, however; the smell of Moominmama’s cooking had hung heavily around the kitchen since breakfast, but now that the sun was nearly set and dinnertime was fast approaching, that glorious meal could be smelled from every inch of the house. Snufkin’s stomach grumbled impatiently, and Moomin’s ears flicked before the troll stole a glance back at his friend.

“Maybe we should ask Mama for some bread before dinner, too.” Moomin proposed.

“You go ahead, I wouldn’t want to spoil my appetite.”

“You sound like you have enough of an appetite.” Moomin teased as Snufkin rested a hand against his belly and opted to look anywhere but Moomin as he willed his stomach to quiet down for the time being.

The smell of food cooking was even heavier down in the dining room, where Little My was already sitting expectantly at the table.

“Spending the winter in Moominhouse again, Little My?” Snufkin asked as he peeked briefly inside the kitchen, where Moominmama, Moominpapa, and Snorkmaiden were hard at work.

“Obviously, Moominmama’s Feast is the best thing to have before hibernation! I’ve been spending the winter here since before you could travel.” She explained, briefly flaunting her status as the older sibling.

“Oh, that reminds me!” Moomin suddenly exclaimed. “This might be a little late to ask it, but you can hibernate, right Snufkin? Because I know some people can’t hibernate like Moomins can.” Snufkin opened his mouth to answer, but Little My quickly interjected.

“Of course he can! He’s half Mymble, and I hibernate just fine.”

“Well, yes, but I’m also half Mumrik.” He reminded, taking his own seat at the table. Moomin sat dutifully beside him. “And Mumriks don’t hibernate at all. I may be able to for a bit, but not nearly as long as you or Moomin.”

“Oh, what are you going to do during the winter then?” Moomin asked.

“I suppose I’ll try to hibernate, and if I wake up I’ll stretch my legs a bit and then go back to bed. There’s not much use in trying to stay awake if I’m snowed in.” He explained, though the thought of being trapped in one place all winter was particularly daunting.

He was quickly pulled away from those worries as the kitchen door swung open, to reveal Snorkmaiden carrying a large basket of bread.

“Oh good, you’re all here already.” She smiled, ducking back in briefly to grab two more plates heaped with different starting dishes. Little My climbed onto the table and made a grab for some bread, but Snorkmaiden swatted her hand and shook her head. “You have to wait! It’s rude to start eating before everyone’s at the table.” Snorkmaiden scolded, and Little My only slinked back into her chair and crossed her arms with a ‘humph.’

And just as she did, Snufkin’s stomach growled rather fiercely, and as his face flushed, Snorkmaiden just giggled and headed back towards the kitchen. “I’ll tell mama and papa to hurry up though, the food’s nearly done.” She assured, but that didn’t do much to assuage Snufkin’s embarrassment as he pulled his hat down over his face.

She hadn’t lied though, Moominmama and Moominpapa were out in a matter of seconds carting their own plates of food, everything from roasted and seasoned vegetables to hearty pasta and homemade sauce, and of course the main dish: A beautiful roast duck. Snufkin couldn’t help his mouth from filling with saliva just at the sight of the feast; he couldn’t ever recall being in the presence of so much food. He was snapped out of his momentary trance as Moominmama set a pie before Snufkin on the table, and then gave him a little wink.

“I made this special for you, dear.” She said proudly, arranging a few more things on the table as she spoke. “You helped us catch so much fish this season after all, so I tried out a recipe for black bass pie. I do hope you like it.” Snufkin just stared up at her, nearly dumbfounded.

“I can’t wait to try it Moominmama, thank you…” He replied, taking up his knife and fork as everyone sat around the table. Moominpapa grunted in agreement.

“Neither can I, working in that kitchen is torture! I’ve been waiting all day to try a bit of everything…” He grumbled as Moominmama sat beside him and gave him a quick peck. “Then stop complaining and start eating, dear.”

And that they did.

With as much polite restraint as he could continue to muster, Snufkin began piling food onto his plate. He took a little bit of everything, but he made a point to take a heaping slice out of Moominmama’s black bass pie. He couldn’t help his curiosity about the dish, and he ended up taking a bite out of that first.

And my goodness, was it heavenly.

Snufkin could hardly stop eating after that initial bite, everything was just so good; the vegetables were crispy, the fish was savory, the duck was roasted and spiced just right. It didn’t take him long to clear his plate, and when he saw everyone else reaching for seconds, he figured he might as well do the same. There were still things on the table he hadn’t even gotten around to trying.

“Make sure to eat a lot Snufkin.” Moomin advised plainly, passing the duck that the mumrik had motioned for once again. “This meal has got to last you all winter!”

“I know, but that shouldn’t be a problem, Moominmama’s cooked enough to feed the whole of Moominvalley.” His fangs tore into a leg of duck, and he couldn’t help his tail from swaying gently at the taste. He hardly ever got to eat a luxury such as cured meat.

Moomin himself couldn’t keep a grin off his face as he saw the other’s tail swaying. Not much could make him happier than when Snufkin showed those little telltale habits that reminded the world that he was, in fact, a mumrik.

Mumriks weren’t accustomed to Moomin-sized portions, however. Snufkin heeded Moomin’s advice to ‘eat a lot’ regardless, and throughout most of the feast, he was far too preoccupied with eating his fill of each and every dish, and made sure to put a helping of his favorites back on his plate during every serving. It would be rude if he didn’t try a little bit of everything after Moominmama and Moominpapa had worked so hard on such a big feast, after all. But by the time he was halfway through his third helping, Snufkin began slowing down a bit, on account of realizing just how full he was getting. He paused briefly to set a hand on his belly, which had rounded out considerably since he began eating. He’d been so caught up in eating that he had hardly noticed himself getting full, and now he just felt positively stuffed.

But he still had half a plate of food left, so he tried to push away the thought of how full he was getting in favor of clearing his plate.

When he eventually did, the stuffed swell of his belly was near impossible to ignore. At least for him. Thank goodness it was hidden beneath his cloak, but he could feel his overfull stomach straining against his undershirt and gurgling with the effort it took to digest the massive amount of food. Thank goodness the chatter of the table was enough to mask the noises, and that chatter only grew when Moominmama got up and returned with a few more heaping dishes of dessert.

“I hope you all aren’t too full yet, you can’t hibernate without some nice dessert in your belly, after all.” She insisted kindly, though Snufkin found himself groaning inwardly. The food looked absolutely delicious, Moominmama had brought out pies and cakes and cookies, and Snufkin silently envied how everyone else looked ready to dig into the final stretch of the meal while he was already stuffed to the gills. He would eat dessert nonetheless though; he’d rather be too full than wake up starving during hibernation, after all.

So he ate a cookie, and then a cupcake, and then a piece of cake, and then a piece of pie until he’d had at least one of every dessert. But after that he positively had to sit back and put down his fork to place a hand on his overfull stomach; if he didn’t he feared his tummy would burst with how much he’d crammed into it.

Thankfully it didn’t, but it did give a rather displeased rumble at the amount of food it had to deal with now, and like usual, Moomin’s sensitive ears swiveled before the troll glanced down at the swell of Snufkin’s stomach, now round enough to be noticeable even under his cloak. Moomin gasped.

“Snufkin-!” But the mumrik just held a hand up, shook his head and stared back at him with a look he hoped communicated ‘please, not here.’ He stifled a hiccup, and Moomin quickly got the message, finishing off the last of his own dessert before standing up.

“Can we be excused, mama?”

“I suppose, have you two had enough to eat?”

“Oh yes, more than enough mama, thank you.” Moomin insisted as Snufkin hoisted himself out of his seat with an agreeable nod.

“Everything was amazing Moominmama, thank you…” He said, one hand still resting on his rounded tummy as Moomin led him towards the stairwell.

“Alright, you two have a good hibernation then! Sleep well.” She called after the boys. Snufkin just stared up at the stairs and then exhaustedly back at Moomin.

“You’re mad if you think I can climb up to your room in this state…” He murmured abashedly. He’d really overdone it, his stomach was starting to churn and gurgle uncomfortably beneath his palm, not used to such an immense amount of food.

“Oh dear… Well, how about I just carry you up?”

“Carry me?” Snufkin couldn’t keep the blush from spreading across his cheeks.

“Of course, how else are you supposed to get to bed?” Both the boys paused as Snufkin’s stomach churned noisily, and Snufkin glanced down at the floor, placing his other hand on his belly in the hopes that he could hide the busy noises. “Best to get you to a place where I can tend to that tummy too, I don’t want you starting hibernation with a stomachache…” Moomin fussed as he gathered the mumrik up into his arms and started the trek up the three flights of stairs.

“Oh please, there’s no need to tend to me, I’m just full.” Snufkin insisted, but the journey up the stairs proved otherwise. Being jostled around and so close to Moomin that the troll could surely hear every churn and squeeze of his overworked gut was enough to make Snufkin silently give into Moomin’s offer for help. Especially now that an uncomfortable ache was starting to bloom in his belly.

Moomin set Snufkin carefully on his bed, and, with a bit of hesitation, the mumrik began making himself comfortable by wrestling his way out of his cloak and kicking off his boots. Moomin hung both his cloak and his hat on the bedframe before climbing up beside Snufkin, and nearly gasping again at the sight of his tummy.

“Oh, Snufkin… You really overdid it, didn’t you?” The smaller boy’s stomach certainly looked full. Where there would normally be the gentle slope of a soft and well-fed tummy, there was now the distended swell of a stomach that was a little too well-fed. Not to mention rumbling like an avalanche around the food that had been crammed inside of it. Snufkin had overindulged to the point where his belly was rounded like a ball and pressing against his undershirt, and after a moment of stewing in embarrassment at his overindulgence, Snufkin carefully undid the belt of his trousers and heaved a relieved sigh. Moomin chuckled gently and tentatively reached a paw out, and after a silent ‘go ahead’ nod from Snufkin, he placed a hand on the top of his friends belly.

“I bet that feels a little better, huh?” Moomin asked, slowly beginning to rub the gurgling swell of Snufkin’s belly. Snufkin just nodded, leaning into the gentle touch of the other’s paw. “Goodness, your belly’s all firm like a rock! Just how much did you eat?” He exclaimed, pressing in ever so slightly to help relieve a bit of the achiness. Snufkin’s stomach just released a string of distressed grumbles in return.

“Four plates, including dessert… How do you manage this every winter?” He huffed. Now that his hat was off and his ears were visible, Moomin could see that Snufkin’s ears were pressed flat against the side of his head, and his face was still flushed in embarrassment.

“Oh, that’s all? I had six, but I suppose your tummy is smaller than mine.” Moomin nearly teased, patting his own round tummy for emphasis. Snufkin just smiled gently, he couldn’t help but adore Moomin’s warm and round softness, everything about him was just so comfortable. He supposed that’s why Moomins hibernated in the winter, that softness couldn’t be properly appreciated if they blended in with the snowy white landscape. “You’ll be alright though-“ Moomin started again, interrupting Snufkin’s train of thought. “It’s your first Hibernation Feast. Once your tummy settles you won’t want to do anything but sleep.”

“Aren’t you tired then, Moomin?”

“Oh yes, but I need to make sure you get to sleep alright before I do. Like I said, this is your first hibernation, so I’ll make sure you get proper rest.” He insisted.

“Well, I learn by watching, so how about you just show me how?” He asked before wincing as Moomin worked on a particularly painful cramp in his stomach.

“Only after you start feeling better.” Moomin worked that spot a little more with the careful pads of his paws, and he was able to loosen the cramp and release another string of gurgles and growls. Snufkin just sighed in relief at the untied knot in his stomach.

“…Deal.”

So they carried on that way for awhile, with Moomin massaging, Snufkin reclined on the bed, and his stomach rumbling away around a lovely feast. Eventually Moomin was able to ease most of the aches in his stomach, and as soon as he was able to focus more on the weight in his belly as a comfortable fullness rather than an achy mass, he began to feel his eyelids drooping. And without a second thought, he began to purr.

“Snufkin!” Moomin gasped, causing the mumrik to crack an eye open. “Oh, you’re purring!” He said in a more hushed tone upon realizing how tired the other was getting.

“Mhm? I suppose I am…” He murmured, stifling a yawn. Moomin did the same; the action contagious. “Well, your belly rubs do feel rather nice…” He continued to purr, and with wide, admiring eyes, Moomin continued to rub Snufkin’s belly with one paw while he pulled a blanket over them with his other. He lied down facing the mumrik to continue rubbing his belly, as Snufkin simply lied there, finally enjoying his fullness.

“I’m glad… Do you feel better yet?”

“Oh yes, much better… Thank you Moomin.”

“Of course Snufkin…” Moomin could feel his eyes getting a bit droopy as well. But before he could ask Snufkin another question, his purring continued as his breathing evened out. He’d fallen asleep, and Moomin just smiled.

“Goodnight then, Snufkin.”

#this didn’t have to be as long as it is #BUT I like how it turned out #sfw hunger kink #stomach growling #hunger #stuffing #tummy rubs #tummy ache #fanfiction

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sasster · 2 years

Text

Not Quite Dinner Time

Here is the Google Doc if you hate the color pink!

The glow he casts in front of him tells you that Remora has returned, the extremely faint scent of the troll you expected to be in his company and the distinct shuffling of not two but three sets of feet echoing against the caves walls tells you that for the first time in a while, he has failed you. He did not bring you what you asked for.

How disappointing.

He enters the cavern ahead of the others, wearing one of his more relaxed smiles. His tail swayed behind him delicately, indicating to you that he is well aware that he has let you down.

“My light, he was hidden from me before my arrival.” Remora’s words don’t upset you as much as you’d expected they would. Somehow, you are able to keep your expression from shifting to the excitement you feel building up in your hands and feet. A more widespread hunt? Your ears perk a bit at the thought. Remora says nothing, only mirrors your excitement with a broader smile. Ah, how could you stay mad at him? You couldn’t if you tried.

“You brought company.” A bit of an annoyance, but you manage to keep your voice level.

“They demanded a word with you.”

“Yes, well.” You angle your head as though you are making an attempt to look over his shoulder. He steps out of the way, it looks as though they were still steeling their nerves when he does. Lovely, this is going to be one of those conversations. “You have my attention.”

The irritation is becoming hard to keep at bay, but you manage as you fix your gaze onto Theoci’s face. He immediately begins to fidget under your scrutiny. Is the look perhaps harsher than you’d anticipated?

As you wait for him to find his voice, it proves to be more irritating than finding that your prey was not present. Your tongue clicks against the roof of your mouth and he looks to Hirsch instead for help.

So too does your gaze travel to meet his. Just in time to see his expression screw from one of fear into one that is determined.

“Gracious, this has to stop.” His voice is much more steady than you’d ever heard it before. He has found his resolve. You sigh. Commendable.

“Why, Hirsch,” You would pat yourself on the back for the amazing job you’re doing keeping your own voice in check, really. “Is that not what we have been attempting? But what life is Marqez living locked up in your hive every night?”

A flimsier argument than you were hoping for. Are you losing your edge, Redivi? You watch as Hirsch straightens himself out, now fully prepared to stand his ground.

“You can’t think that this is the only solution. That it’s one at all.”

“This is for the best, Hirsch. It is within everyone’s best interest.”

“Is it?!” He is raising his voice now, and the way that it bounces off the cave walls is liable to set you off. Your eye twitches. “Or is it something that is within your interest?”

As he speaks he takes a step towards you. Remora, who has since taken his place beside you, growls in warning. What a sweet, sweet protective man. The gruff rumbling is cut short when you wave a hand in the air. Hirsch is harmless.

Remora settles down.

“You can’t believe that. You’re. If you believe that you are a much more vile man than I thought!”

“Hirsch,” There is a desperateness to your voice that must have crept in there while you waited on your turn to speak. The sound rings in your head and, honestly, makes you sick to your stomach. Losing control are we? “Where is he?”

He flinches at the sound of your voice, Theoci does as well, but the apprehension only lasts for a moment. “It doesn’t matter.”

Aw, he’s steeling himself again. Not that it matters much, when his nerves can be heard in the form of his heart thudding against his chest. Like a bird fluttering against its cage. “You won’t be f… You won’t be hurting him today, Redivi.”

You feel yourself begin to grin, a motion that also bares your fangs.

“Very well, I will find him.”

Momentarily, Hirsch’s face drops and he looks to Theoci who was busy uselessly wringing his hands together. If it were you, and your backup was standing there offering no assistance, the frustration would be unbearable. Instead he just nods his head and swallows, his bravery returning to him. He takes another step forward.

“I’ve had enough of you! Of Remora. The --” His gumption wavers.”The lies you force us to tell and – And living in fear of a heartless monster that can’t keep its wicked teeth and claws to itself!”

Ah, that’s where he drew the absolute gall from. In his mind you are no longer Redivi Duxile, but a monster to be slain. Perhaps he is better suited to that fantasy life of his. That could be arranged. Though, Theoci will be upset if you do not hear more of what he has to say.

You crack your neck, he continues.

“Are you so heartless that you’re okay with hurting him like this? Time after time? While we sit at home, wondering if tonight is the night you lose what little control you have over yourself?!”

The space between the two of you is unbearably close, all you can hear is blood rushing through veins. Not just Hirsch's, though his is the loudest. Theoci and Remora as well. Blood rushing, hearts pounding. The throbbing of your own in your ears makes it hard to keep the handle you were already rapidly losing. Just as he said. This is signified by the growl that bubbles up your throat.

Theoci takes a step back, eyes wide in horror.

To your right, Remora practically vibrates with anticipation. He does not shift, or squirm. He stands there, his tail trailing behind him like a cat ready to pounce on its prey. Adorable, really.

Your eye twitches.

Still, Hirsch stands tall, even so much as puffing his chest out as he regards you.

Admirable. So admirable.

Realization etches its way onto his face, it takes the form of righteous anger.

“Why am I trying to reason with a monster? There is no reason for it. If you had any sort of heart, a bit of morality at all, you would see the impact you have on the people you’re hurting. There is no convincing you.”

You are baring your fangs again, this time with a hiss. Hirsch’s quickened heart rate, coupled with the faint scent of Marqez rolling off of him, and your mounting frustration. All fine on their own, easy to maintain. Combined? It does something to you.

He doesn’t flinch this time, another irritation to add to the growing pile.

“I’m sick and tired of sitting idly by while you trample all over the people I love. Redivi Duxile I am going to kill you myself.”

As he speaks, your attention is drawn to the poorly concealed weapon underneath his cloak. Is that what he would be doing it with?

Your gaze travels back up to meet his. He raised a valid point. Your hunger could not be reasoned with. As much as you hated to admit it. As much as it disgusts you. Briefly, the thought of sending him away crosses your mind. Really, you should have done that upon his arrival. Give him time to collect himself, it would have surely kept him from saying or doing something that he would regret.

However, the thought is quickly overshadowed by something a bit darker. Your need to tear into flesh. If you move another muscle there’s no telling what you are liable to do. You couldn’t possibly feed from both of his partners. Could you?

Though the hunger and rage settling in your chest make it difficult to breathe, forcing you to see red as you search Hirsch’s face for a sign that he plans to back down, you manage a sigh. No, you couldn’t do that.

It would seem that Hirsch’s patience has run out, though, and in an instant you see the glint of metal as he charges you.

A sword?

How archaic.

In another instant, the sound of metal echoes out into the cave.

It doesn’t take much for Remora to restrain him, just a solid grip around his neck. As he raises Hirsch to meet his eye level, you see Theoci bring his hands over his mouth. Can’t he see all of the trouble he caused?

Isn’t this your mess?

The scent of fresh blood washes over you, claws digging into Hirsch’s neck. The young jade is struggling for his breath, he thrashes uselessly in your matesprits grasp. The smell almost sends you into a frenzy.

A small act of manipulation on his part, just before he looks over his shoulder to grin at you. God, your partner has far too many teeth.

There is a small flick of his tail, and though you do not move, the distinct sound of bone crushing fills the air. It all happened so quickly.

What follows is a blood curdling shriek, from your son, as Hirsch’s body is dropped in a heap at Remora’s feet.

Theoci scrambles to the corpse as he yells.

“You killed him! How could you?! You killed him.” Remora says nothing as he returns to your side. Theoci locks eyes with you instead.

“How could you let him do this?” His voice is shaky, he is somewhere between a panic attack and outright passing out. An endless stream of tears cascading along his face. You are so hungry. “Why couldn’t you keep them out of it, Redivi?”

“Me? Is it not you who should keep your loved ones safe? Have you not let your family down?” He seems taken aback by your comment, or perhaps the impassiveness of the voice that carried the sentiment into the air. “Why did you bring him here?”

“You killed him! You killed him!”

“I am sorry, Theoci. He attacked me. Remora simply reacted. I am so sorry--”

“I have seen you send away more people for less! You wanted this to happen. You. You let it happen! Why were you feeding off Marqez in the first place!?”

His voice is a shrill thing, bouncing off the cavern walls, you didn’t think it possible for it to go any higher. And then it does. With each word that leaves his mouth.

It drives you up a wall, it does not mesh well with Hirsch’s blood permeating your senses. You are practically growling when you open your mouth again. “What did you think would happen when you allowed Marqez to manipulate you as he did? How could you let him do that to you?”

With his arms coiled around his late partner, Theoci starts. He shrinks in on himself. It would appear the resolve he came with was not nearly as strong as the dearly departed. “What do you think you’re doing right now?” His voice sounds so small now, so much smaller. It is hard to hear over the pounding of his heart.

You click your tongue. “Giving you the reason you were searching for to hate me, I suppose.” The words leave your mouth before you’ve even fully processed them. That is not what you meant to say.

“I.” His breathing catches. “No, I didn’t want to hate you... I just wanted to be certain about something. ANYTHING for one time in my life!”

You are hungry.

Your fangs are bared again in a sneer, he recoils away.

“Go be with Marqez. Remora will notify you if.” You cast a glance over Hirsch’s corpse. “If he comes back.”

“Remora? I.” Theoci stammers, clearly wrestling with trying to get something out. “Wait -- Wait.. Redivi. ” His voice drops as he stares at you helplessly.

“What do you need, Theoci?”

He swallows. “Nothing.. I.” He sniffs and stands, his eyes wide with. What is that? Uncertainty. “Very well. Go be with Marqez. Remora will keep apprised.”

#coko writes sometimes #long post #redivi things #uhhhhh #tw someone dies

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rikalovesrice · 2 years

Text

The Eternal Day : Tales of Arcadia - Chapter 11

Previous Chapter

Epilogue

Author’s Notes : Blessings and many thanks to all of you who’ve stuck around until now and for all of your encouraging comments and messages. Our journey is coming to an end.

Hope you all enjoy.

Daylight

Fear is but the precursor to valor.

◈

Wintertime sprinkled its winds with snowflakes. It ladened the endless fields white, specks of cold glistening like rain upon paved earth. A crisp chill settled in. Not frigid, but biting enough to want a source of warmth. So winters were. Cold and warm.

Bellroc was odd tonight.

“Are you unwell, Bellroc?” Nari asked. Glowing moths danced between her fingers, enticed by the tall flames waving in the stone firepit.

“No stories tonight?” Skrael said. He sat furthest from the fire on a snowy ledge behind Nari.

Bellroc’s firestorm eyes narrowed. “My apologies. My thoughts are rather…preoccupied.”

“Something troubles you?” Nari asked, frowning.

“...Yes.” Bellroc sat up straight on the large log and looked at Skrael and Nari. “It is the humans. I grow more and more displeased with them every day. Their behavior is so twisted. I believe it is beginning to affect our creatures of Magic.”

“I cannot say I disagree,” Skrael said. “I, too, find them disturbing. Perhaps Father will set them straight soon.”

“He warns all,” Nari said, “yet they do not listen, Mortal or Magic.” She gazed at the moon. “I hope they will begin to listen.”

Bellroc suddenly stood. “How much longer will Father wait?” Their low, distorted voice had Skrael and Nari looking to them in alarm. “How much longer until this world is ruined by Humanity’s foolishness? Until those born of magic become tainted as well and are subjected to Father’s wrath? That would not be very fair, now would it?”

“Careful with your words, Bellroc,” Skrael said slowly. “You must not imply that Father is a fool. The Great Eternity knows all.”

“Ever the pleaser, aren’t you,” Bellroc scoffed.

“Skrael is right,” Nari said. “We must not doubt Father. He is kind and good.” She hopped next to Bellroc and touched their arm. “He will always do what is right.”

Bellroc regarded her. After a moment, they took her hand and bent down. “Surely. But I must admit my patience is wearing thin. I simply fear for Magickind. So Father best be swift with his plans.” They ran their hand over Nari’s hair then stood. “I would like to be alone for the night.”

“Are you upset with us?” Skrael asked.

“Never,” Bellroc said. “I only want to sort my thoughts.” They walked past the firepit and disappeared into the powdered woods.

Skrael frowned. “She has been so quiet as of late. Must be the humans’ wickedness in the air.”

“Do not say such things,” Nari said. “Those who can choose will choose. Father did not make us puppets.” At Skrael’s solemn face, she bounced closer and took his hand. “It will be alright, Skrael. We will see Bellroc again tomorrow. Perhaps we can show him our Crystal Wood.”

Skrael smiled. “Trolls have found their way to our Wood. They enjoy the sunlight there.”

Nari beamed. “Let us find Bellroc at sunrise. Then we will go and enjoy it as well…”

◆

“Together.”

The Forest Titan went down on one knee, leaning on its halberd. The Fire Titan hissed and spat and writhed as molten blood gushed from its crippled wing. Skrael looked between them.

“Skrael what are you doing?!” Bellroc roared. “Take her down!!”

Skrael shook himself from his thoughts. Grinding his teeth, he swung his Titan’s right arm into the Forest Titan’s side. Nari gasped, staggering from the blow. Stinging cold seized her body and she feared her bones were broken. With all the strength she could muster, Nari hauled her Titan back up with her halberd. A screech reached her ears and she looked to the Fire Titan dragging itself towards the Heartstone with one wing. Nari wobbled to stop them but Skrael struck her in the back and she went back down throbbing in pain.

“You need to yield, Nari!” Skrael barked.

Nari registered a note of pleading in his voice. She got back up, crying out at the stabbing aches in her body, and looked over her shoulder at him. From across hundreds of feet, she knew Skrael was glaring at her. Watching, but not attacking.

“No, Skrael,” Nari breathed. “I need to stop you.” Her Titan whipped out its vines. They coiled around the Fire Titan’s talons just as the Ice Titan’s arm smashed into her side again. She collapsed. The Fire Titan shrieked and fought against its restraints. Bellroc craned its head back and retched flames. It was torture. The bitter cold like knives in her flesh. The blistering heat cooking her alive. All the lives lost and being snuffed out still pricking her spirit. But Nari’s vines didn’t let go. She wasn’t going to let go.

Jim got a boost off the head of a flytrap carniflora and sliced a basilisk’s ribs apart. It fell right into the carniflora’s giant maw, lights out with an awful crunch. Staccato grunts rumbled out of it, like it was laughing and thanking Jim for the snack.

“Eh, no problem,” Jim said. “Thanks for the lift.” He spotted Claire next to an injured Toby and rushed over. “Are you guys okay?”

Toby nursed a burned leg, his armor seared through. “I-Is it a little hot or is that just me?”

“Both,” Aaarrrgghh said, brushing a finger over Toby’s head.

“It doesn’t look too bad,” Claire said. Her face was heavy with exhaustion and bruises as she looked across the field. “I don’t know how much longer we can hold out. What’s taking Krel so long?”

Jim followed her gaze over the ruins of Arcadia Oaks strewn with carnage. Monsters weren’t popping out like crazy anymore but they were still coming. Battles raged on.

“I don’t know,” Jim said, trying to keep his panic at bay. “Maybe he’s—”

The ground quaked. Everyone looked to see the Forest Titan on its side, trapped between the Ice Titan’s arm crushing it and the Fire Titan’s spouting flames.

“Nari needs help!” Jim gasped.

“Go, Master Jim!” Blinky said.

“But…B-But Tobes—”

“We’ll look after Toby,” Claire said. She got up and embraced him, then leaned away to meet his eyes. “Go.”

Jim kissed her. “Stay safe.”

He sprinted as fast as his troll legs could carry him. A feathery dragon with four wings soared over him and he flagged it down.

“Hey, can I catch a ride?” Jim shouted.

The dragon looked down and cocked its head. “Little troll can’t roll?”

“Only half troll, sorry. Look, I just need you to take me to the Titans. Those really big scary guys that’ve been duking it out this whole time. My friend—the green one—she really needs help—AHHH!!”

It plucked Jim off the ground and tossed him onto its back murmuring, “I just ask one question. Why does he talk so much?”

“Wow,” Jim gasped. He adjusted where he sat on the dragon’s back, clutching its blue feathers. “This. Is. Awesome. Thank you so muUUUUHHH!!!” Jim held on for his life as the dragon shot off like a bullet train.

“Why does he yell so much?” the dragon grumbled.

Krel slowed his hoverboard to pull Aja up. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Aja said, rubbing her temple. “Kleb…”

“I can get the shot again, don’t worry. We’re going to make this happen.” He flew his hoverboard higher, net gun ready. “This time for sure…Wait. What? What’s happening?”

They both looked down at all the destruction. Enemy monstrosities were abandoning their fights and marching towards the Heartstone. Volcanic behemoths struck it with their fists. Salamanders and hellhounds launched fire at the Heartstone’s base, ice bears and wolves doing the same with blasts of frost. Frospecters launched hailstone missiles. Basilisks crunched and breathed icy flames on the fiery crystal.

Douxie, Zoe, and Archie looked up from Charlemagne’s body.

“No…,” Douxie uttered. “No, no, no…!”

Zoe swore.

Archie stared the brutes down. He turned his head to Nari pinned between the Order, and his veins boiled with fury. A savage growl tore from him as he grew into a large dragon once again, the same size he’d been when they’d fled their apartment that night. A great powerful beast, bigger than even Charlemagne.

“Archie…,” Douxie said.

“Let’s finish this, Hisirdoux,” Archie seethed, locking eyes with his Familiar.

Douxie took a sharp breath at the storming anger in his eyes. Soon enough, his bones and aura were ignited, too, his heart banging down his chest.

He nodded and mounted Archie’s back. He held out his hand for Zoe, but she shook her head.

“You guys go,” she said. She tilted her head towards the Heartstone. “I’m gonna help stave off the goons.”

“Oh…Right. Right, okay. That’s good.”

Zoe took his hand still. “Hey, the whole maybe possibly one day get married thing?”

Douxie’s brain malfunctioned. “Huh—W-Wha...Um…Y-Yeah?”

“I just want you to know I’m totally down.”

The apocalypse blipped away. For a split second, Zoe was Douxie’s world. Her pink hair an absolute mess and browning a bit at the roots. Her beautiful battle-scarred face. Her bright blue eyes, tired but never losing their charge. The warfare crescendoed back into his awareness but she was still his everything.

“Me, too.” Douxie leaned down to kiss her. She cupped his cheek and pressed closer.

“Die and I’ll kill you,” Zoe whispered against his lips. She stroked Archie’s neck. “Both of you.” She pushed off, electricity whirring around her arms. “See you soon.” She hurried off towards the Heartstone.

Archie looked down at Charlemagne’s lifeless face. Buried his nose into his mane one last time. Whimpered at how cold he was.

“Goodbye, Father.” Archie choked back a sob. “Thank you.”

Douxie rubbed Archie’s neck, crying softly. Archie lingered over his father’s body for another moment. Then he tossed his head to the heavens with a feral growl and thundered into the air.

“Tell all of our troops to protect the Hearty Stone!” Aja commanded Zadra through a holographic screen. “No matter what, we can’t let it be destroyed!”

“Understood, my Queen!” Zadra said before the screen faded.

“Defend the Heartstone!” Luma bellowed to her comrades.

“Come on, let’s go!” Zoe hollered to any and everyone she passed.

Surviving battle pods, trolls, wizards, and dragons flocked to combat the assault. The Heartstone slanted and drifted several feet downward, portions of the crystal already starting to gray.

Straggling frospecters continued to attack the hoverboard. Krel couldn’t so much as lift the net gun before icicles and clouds of frost forced them to veer further.

“Out of the way you popsicle snack butts!!” Aja yelled, mowing down as many as she could with her serrator cannon.

Nari couldn’t hold on anymore. The cold shredded her insides. The heat was skinning her. Her vines around the Fire Titan’s legs, black and withered, were losing their grip.

It hurts too much. I cannot…I am sorry. I am so sorry—

The frigid pressure on her back and the unceasing fire lifted. Nari and the Forest Titan both pitched sideways. She landed on the earth, her Titan’s connecting vines still wrapped around her waist. Her vision was fuzzy, the Fire and Ice Titans humongous blurs recoiling back.

Jim slashed Bellroc across their back.

Douxie pummeled Skrael with shooting stars.

“GAAAAHH!” Bellroc screamed, lava blood seeping down their spine. They whirled around and cursed. “Trollhunter!”

Jim raised Excalibur. “I’m in the business of hunting wizards these days.”

Bellroc sneered. “How fitting. Becoming a pitiful beast is the only way you can stand against me.” They stalked closer. “Why not be our pet again? Perhaps then you’ll be worth saving.”

Jim looked straight at those grotesque wooden eyes watching him. The voices came, like they always did. Rasping in his ear, whispering in his skull. Jim’s heart quickened. His throat clenched, his eyes tingled, a spasm ripped through his arms and into his fingers. But even as the terror came, even as he glimpsed his reflection in Excalibur’s steel, Jim Lake Jr. planted his feet because now he understood.

“I’m nobody’s pet or plaything,” Jim growled. “My friends helped me see that I’m not a monster. I’m me. Always have been, always will be.” He glared daggers. “Now I’m here to take down the real monster.”

Staff and sword clashed. Bellroc screamed in Jim’s face, “FILTHY MONGREL!!!”

Skrael retaliated with violent freezing gales, which Archie redirected with flaps of his massive wings. Douxie’s staff changed to a guitar and he strummed, the spell building in his bracelet released through blaring sonic waves traced with magic. Skrael’s face contorted with irritation and he tried to cover his ears. Archie swooped in and clawed him in the face, sending him sprawling. He pounced to pin Skrael down, nostrils smoking and red hot dragonfire coating his fangs. Skrael shrieked in agony as Archie chomped deep into his shoulder with a mangling shake. Dragonfire brewed in his throat and he latched on harder.

“Arch!” Douxie cried. He gave Archie’s side a firm push. “That’s enough, Archie! Don’t kill him!”

Nari’s face glowed in Archie’s mind.

He dragged Skrael up, getting in one more shake before tossing him like a fish. Douxie locked eyes with his Familiar, heart tight with sympathy and gratitude.

“Miserable vermin,” Skrael seethed. He ground his knees as he struggled to stand, unbalanced and crooked with no working left arm to comfort his charred and mutilated right shoulder. His one hand loosely held his staff. “Corrupting Nari. Taking her away from us.”

Douxie glared. “The only reason you’re still alive right now is because of Nari. Because she still cares about you.”

“LIES!” Skrael swung his staff, the wind carrying a barrage of sharp ice. The first round was easily swallowed by Archie’s flames. The next shattered against Douxie’s magic defenses. “If Nari cared for us, if she desired for us to be together, she would fight with us, not against us!” Another gust of ice. “She would want to cleanse and rebuild this world with us! To pass judgment on wretched Humanity and seek justice for Magickind!”

“You’re forgetting something!” Douxie shredded a riff that made all the ice shards explode. “Seems Bellroc left out a few details.”

Skrael froze, eyes narrowing.

Douxie met his gaze evenly. “Maybe you’re the one being deceived, Skrael. Because from what I’ve heard, Bellroc may not care as much as you think.”

“What are you blathering on about?” Skrael spat, raising his staff.

“The only thing Bellroc cares about is himself,” Douxie said. “He wants to rebuild the world, yeah, but in his image. And not just this world, but every world there is. Bellroc wants it all for himself and I didn’t hear your name or Nari’s in the equation.”

“Lies,” Skrael whispered through his teeth.

Douxie kept on. “I saw Nari’s life before all of this. You were both close. But then you fell in line with Bellroc’s anger.”

“Enough.”

“You’ve never stopped loving Nari. It’s why you didn’t want to torture me in her body anymore. It’s why you pull your punches, why you’re always hoping she’ll side with you. It’s why you’re listening to me right now!”

“SILENCE!”

“Part of you knows that I’m right, Skrael! You haven’t gone after the Heartstone once! Why is that? Bellroc tell you not to? Because he wanted the last kill?”

Volcanic behemoths crushed ice bears and ice wolves underfoot and swatted frospecters to oblivion. Basilisks were shedding their cold elements, bodies colored black and scarlet. So it went until the only attacks assailing the Heartstone were of fire and magma.

Zoe electrocuted a line of salamanders. “God, now what?”

“Perhaps the puny cold wizard has lost his power,” Varvatos said as he chopped his way through hellhounds. Five battle pods pelted a behemoth with lasers until it fell over dead. “Glorious!”

Skrael held his staff high, a maelstrom of cold spinning at its tip.

“I’m finished with your nonsense, boy,” Skraels said, his tone quiet and chilling.

Douxie and Archie braced themselves, fingers poised over frets and flames swirling behind teeth. Just as Skrael brought his staff down to unleash the blizzard, a smear of silver and electric blue flew in out of nowhere.

“UGH…!”

The Ice Titan fell to its knees and slouched with its arms crossed. Skrael dropped out of the air and his staff clattered next to him, the icy blue glow of its arrowhead scythe dimming. He thrashed, kicked, yelled. The arcane net compressed, energy pulsing across its intricate webbing. Monochrome wisps trailed from the flashing woven runes, rotating like tightening screws.

“What…What is this?!” Skrael gasped. “M-My magic! What have you done?!”

Douxie looked up to see an incredulous Krel lowering the net gun and a smile broke across his face.

Jim parried a flurry of flames before he and Bellroc paused.

“What has happened?” Bellroc breathed.

Every frospecter and ice beast vaporized. The basilisks’ icy features melted away entirely. Skyrocketing heat and the ongoing downpour made the atmosphere horrendously muggy, near unbreathable.

“Dude, is it possible to sweat while it’s raining?” Steve groused.

The Creepslayerz were helping tend to the injured.

Eli finished cauterizing a wizard’s leg before searching the skies for Aja and Krel.

“Krel, you did it!” Aja exclaimed.

Panic stirred in Skrael’s eyes, cries of distress rising through his anger.

“It’s over, Skrael,” Douxie said. He inched forward, keeping his eyes on the downed Arcane wizard as he bent to pick up the ice staff. Once he had it, Douxie quickly backed away.

“NO!” Skrael gritted out. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?”

Bellroc glowered at the motionless Ice Titan. All four of their eyes scoured the storm, pinpointing the hoverboard. Jim charged. Excalibur’s blade swung right into Bellroc’s staff. They deflected in an abrupt burst of strength, flames leaping from their eyes and mouth, then countered with a blazing explosion that had Jim shielding himself behind his sword. He shrunk down to his human form so as to not burn his face off.

The Fire Titan reared its head and spat a dozen fireballs at the hoverboard.

“Look out!” Aja shouted.

They swerved and looped around the giant flaming projectiles. One met its target, searing the hoverboard’s underside. There was fizzing and crackling and it lost altitude.

“K-KLEB!” Krel cried. Another fireball struck and the net gun was wrenched out of his hands. “NOOO!”

Then they were falling. Fast.

“Arch!” Douxie said, and Archie dove after them.

“Oh no!” Eli didn’t waste a second. He jumped onto his hoverboard, Steve scrambling on after him, and they were off.

With a mighty stroke of his wings, Archie propelled himself far enough to gather Aja and Krel in his paws before they plunged ten more feet to their deaths. He strained to angle himself parallel to the ground, the task of adjusting his wings to the abrupt shift in momentum resulting in a harsh landing. Archie spun onto his side as the ground flew up. He rolled once then skidded the rest of the way until the ruins of a building stopped them. The Creepslayerz arrived shortly after.

“Aja!” Steve cried, leaping off the hoverboard and running to her as she emerged from Archie’s hold. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Aja grunted. “Just…a little dizzy. Thank you, Archie.”

Eli went to Krel. “You alright, DJ Kle—”

“I-I lost it!” Krel gasped. He staggered to his feet and gripped Eli’s shoulders. “The net! We have to find the net gun…! Only Bellroc…is…left…” Krel grimaced, clutching his side.

“You’re hurt,” Archie said.

Eli gulped, eyes intense. He stood straight and nodded. “Leave it to me.” Steve moved to follow him onto his hoverboard. “You stay here, Steve.”

“You’re gonna be a solo Slayer for this one?” Steve balked.

“I gotta be. For just this one.” Eli shrugged, sheepish. “More weight on the hoverboard means less speed.” He started rising. “And speed is super extra mega key right now. Plus I’ll really need to focus.”

“You think I’m distracting?!”

“N-No! Not…all the time! Uh, here, take this!” Eli tossed Steve his serrator. “For extra defense!”

“Won’t you need it?”

“Nah, I’m fast and furious on this thing.”

“But—”

“I just have to get the net around Bellroc.” Eli struck a pose. “Quick as lightning! A bullseye menace! Like the assassin from Future Warrior 2—”

“Okay! Okay, just…!” Steve locked eyes with him. “Just be careful, Pepperjack.

Eli returned his gaze, then smiled. “No worries, Steve. This is the Year of Eli. I can feel it!”

Steve shouted after him as he rose higher. “Now go find that net and Creep!”

“Slay!” Eli hollered back before zooming away.

Consciousness eased back into Nari’s mind. She lifted her aching head off the ground, spotting the Ice Titan rendered dormant. The Forest Titan mirrored her movements as she struggled to stand back up, afflicted with the agonizing burn of its wounds. The vines carried Nari back to her place upon her Titan’s crown and they picked up the halberd.

“Nari!” Douxie called, waving his arms. “Nari, are you alright?”

“I am fine,” Nari said. Her eyes settled on Skrael. He wiggled in his restraint, glaring back at her. “Watch him, Douxie.” Her attention shifted to the fuming Fire Titan.

Jim bolted and leapt, dealing two spinning kicks to Bellroc’s raised staff before scraping Excalibur against the Fire Titan’s skull then swinging up, an arch of bright energy slicing Bellroc’s chest. They stumbled back, grunting and snarling, then conjured a sweltering firestorm. Jim turned human again to take cover behind Excalibur, but when the flames dispersed, Bellroc was right on him, cracking their staff into his side and sending him flying. Jim changed back into a troll in midair. His palm touched the ground and he did a one hand flip back onto his feet. Pain flared in his ribs but he fought to keep his stance, heels grounded and sword raised.

Just then the battlefield jostled as the Fire Titan was rammed into. Nari’s Titan brought its head up to gore deeper with its antlers and the Fire Titan tottered sideways.

Bellroc steadied themselves, heaving as their eyes darted between Nari and Jim.

“You’re done, Bellroc,” Jim said.

“Stop this now,” Nari said. “Skrael’s magic has been bound.”

Bellroc sneered. “What of it? I don’t need him to finish this.” They glanced at the Ice Titan. “I don’t know what strangeness has stripped him of his power, but it matters not. The end of this world is here!”

“Father will punish you, Bellroc!” Nari’s breathing stuttered. “He will punish us for what we have done. You do not know what will happen! You need to stop!”

“You think I’m afraid of that fool?” A crazed smile stretched Bellroc’s face. “It’s the Great Eternity…No, it’s Elyolam who should fear me!”

Nari drew back in horror. “You…How could you say his name like that?”

“Oh Father dearest, do you hear me?” Bellroc yelled to the sky. “With the destruction of this final Heartstone, I will be unstoppable! And I’ll be coming for you, Elyolam! I will destroy you. I will destroy every work of your hands and make it anew. Then it will all be MINE!” They glowered back at Nari. “The time has come for true order and justice for Magic. I shall enact it with my rule, the way I see fit!”

Mobs of fiery monstrosities dropped like flies. Volcanic behemoths were brought down by battle pods and assailants climbing all over them. Zoe zapped hundreds of salamanders to gray puddles. Luma slit a basilisk’s throat with her heartstone dagger. Varvatos and Zadra diced hellhounds to smoking bits. But the damage had been done. The grayness was spreading like an infection, creeping from the outer crystals and making its way to the Heartstone’s center.

Blinky, Aaarrrgghh, and Claire remained at Toby’s side.

Aja, Steve, and Archie watched over Krel.

Eli glided across the warzone, eyes combing over bodies, decimated buildings, pulverized cars.

Tremendous booms of thunder rattled the atmosphere. Dozens of lightning bolts struck all at once, casting eerie silhouettes in the strobing clouds, the only illumination in a world getting darker by the minute with the Heartstone’s fading light.

Douxie looked down at Skrael. As he processed Bellroc’s words, Skrael went rigid and silent, expression disturbed.

“You have truly lost yourself, Bellroc,” Nari said, heart aching. Her Titan brandished its halberd. “I will not let you do this!”

Bellroc curled their lip. “It’s already done.”

The Fire Titan snapped its neck out as the Forest Titan brought its halberd down. Its flaming jaws clamped on the helve and the two Titans grappled, Nari trying to yank the halberd free while Bellroc eluded kicks from her two front legs. What remained of the Forest Titan’s vines obstructed swipes of the Fire Titan’s claws.

Jim sprinted with Excalibur poised to strike, when something like an elephant slammed into his back. He tumbled face-first on the Fire Titan’s solid bare skull hard enough to dislodge a fang.

“Ow…!” Jim groaned, the nerves in his face screaming. He got onto his palms and looked up to see two fiery basilisks descending upon him. Jim rolled onto his back, Excalibur taking the brunt of onrush. Then he struck out, cutting the bottom of a basilisk’s foot. Jim jumped to his feet, dodging droplets of lava before throwing Excalibur like a javelin, the blade lodging into the other basilisk’s ribs. As it shrieked and flailed, Jim leapt high and clung to its side, swinging onto its back before taking hold of Excalibur’s hilt to rip it out. The basilisk’s friend shot towards him and he bellowed, “COME ON, YOU BEAST!”

A flash of vivid electric blue caught Eli’s eye. He made a sudden stop and backed up, scanning the rubble furiously until…

“There!” Eli gasped, diving. It had landed on a chunk of wall. Eli grasped the net gun and glanced around, taking a second to mourn the fallen surrounding him. Petrified trolls. Fragments of life cores. Slain dragons. When he happened to look down, his chest tightened. The net gun had been covering the tarnished visage of a distinct purple mole. Yellow claws. Glasses. A little crown. Stained bits of blue letters.

It was a piece of Arcadia Oaks High.

The noise of scrapping Titans pulled Eli back to the task at hand. He hopped back on his hoverboard and beelined for the Fire Titan.

“I…I don’t understand,” Skrael breathed. His eyes were wide and trembling, staring across the ground. “Bellroc, she…This can’t be. This can’t be!”

“You heard him yourself, Skrael,” Douxie said softly. “Now you know all of this is more than what you bargained for. Or perhaps…part of you always knew.”

“SHUT UP!” Skrael snapped. “You stupid pathetic insignifcant boy…You know nothing! You…You won’t sway me as you did Nari…!” He shook his head. “We will welcome a new world. A world fit for Magickind, for us. Yes. Then all will be as it was…”

Douxie looked at him, pity filling his heart. He was about to respond, but there was the sound of flapping wings behind him.

“Arch, are Aja and Krel alri—” Douxie turned around to see Walter descending, Nomura’s scimitars smoldering in his hands. “Walter? What is it? Is something wrong?”

“Very,” Walter said, not looking at him. “But I’m going to fix it.”

Douxie followed his dark piercing leer to Skrael lying helpless and vulnerable. His stomach dropped and he whirled back, hands lifting to pacify.

“Mate, we talked about this,” Douxie said slowly.

“He needs to pay for what he’s done,” Walter growled, stepping closer.

“He will! But not like this. It’s not what Nari wants—Hey!” Douxie blocked Walter’s path, banging his staff and looking him in the eyes. “Don’t, Walter. I won’t let you.”

Cold fury churned in Walter’s glowing amber glare. He finally tore away from Skrael to burn into Douxie’s gaze, grip tightening on the scimitars’ handles.

It happened in a blink.

Douxie shot out his left hand but Walter grabbed his wrist, twisting his arm out while his other hand flew to Douxie’s throat. Before he could choke a spell, Walter’s knee bashed into his stomach, knocking every incantation out of his lungs and aura. A scimitar sliced through Douxie’s jeans and pain exploded in his thigh. He dropped his staff and doubled over, wheezing and squirming in agony.

“I didn’t want to do that,” Walter muttered, kicking Douxie’s staff away. His hateful gaze found Skrael again and he stalked forward. Skrael looked up at him, wriggling in panic. He screamed when Walter dug a scimitar into his shoulder. “Who’s vermin now? This won’t take long so why not savor it a bit?” Walter twisted the blade deeper and seethed, “This is for Nomura.”

“Walter, don’t…!” Douxie heaved. “WALTER!”

Nari glimpsed it.

Douxie clutching his stomach and unable to stand. Walter seconds away from decapitating Skrael.

“NO!” Nari shouted. The Forest Titan pushed off Bellroc and limped towards Skrael. It sent a vine coiling around Walter’s middle. He thrashed, yelling and gritting out swears, glowering at Skrael, at Nari. She looked down at Skrael. He gazed back, expression softening. The corner of Nari’s mouth twitched.

Then the Forest Titan convulsed, and Nari was seized by a sharp, pained gasp.

Douxie’s heart stopped.

Shock wrecked Jim’s mind and heart as both basilisks pinned him down.

Walter was freed as the vine went slack. He turned around and was struck with devastation.

Skrael’s eyes widened.

All six of the Fire Titan’s claws protruded from the Forest Titan’s chest.

Blackness bled from the punctures, molten cracks spreading within. Nari looked down at her own chest to see her leaf armor burning away. Her veins were on fire, bright yellow fissures upon her melting skin. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t scream. Everything was getting lighter. Pieces of her were floating away. The Fire Titan wrenched its claws out of her Titan’s chest, and singed flecks of rich green light drifted into the storm by the millions, filling the sky, illuminating raindrops, dusting the clouds. A host of dying stars. Nari watched them and cried.

I am sorry. I will miss you.

“NO!” Douxie screamed, voice ragged with anguish. “NARI!!!”

The Forest Titan disappeared, and Douxie’s aura exploded. His magic went off like a bomb, flaring and bursting from his body in a cataclysmic shockwave that pulsed all across the battlefield, ravaging buildings further. The basilisks holding Jim down were vaporized, as were any enemies caught in the blast as far as the Heartstone. Witches and wizards barricaded allies with magic shields. Blinky and Aaarrrgghh huddled around Claire and Toby. Archie gathered Aja, Krel, and Steve into his wings. Eli veered straight up, barely making it. Skrael, Walter, Jim, and Bellroc were all blown backwards.

When the initial wave passed, Zoe found Douxie’s sky blue magic raging in the distance. The Forest Titan was gone. Nari was gone.

“No…,” she whispered, the realization crushing her.

“This happened when Merlin died,” Claire uttered. Tears flooded her eyes. “T-That means…N-No. No, no!”

“Nari…!” Aja cried, hands over her mouth.

“Nari, no…!” Archie wailed through his teeth. A splitting, sorrowful roar tore out of him. His claws scraped the ground, mirroring the grief scratching his heart. Specks of green fluttered down. One landed in Archie’s paw. He shrunk and collapsed into loud, agonized sobs. “Dad…Nari…!”

“I didn’t…” Walter shook his head, the guilt and shame strangling him. “I didn’t mean for…What have I done?”

“N-Nari.” Skrael could only roll onto his back and stare at Nari’s remains floating over him. Heavy breathes wracked his body. His teeth chattered as millenniums of suppressed emotion wrung his insides. “Bellroc…How could she…”

Douxie’s magic beamed from his eyes and lifted him into the air, its ferocity rivaling the winds of the storm. He tore for the Fire Titan and with a swing of his staff, sent magic careening into its jaw like a fist. But he didn’t stop there. Douxie proceeded to brutalize the hellish Titan, strike after strike, blast after blast of raw untamed magic battering the monster without allowing it even a second to recover. Magic plowed into its side, its chest, its back, followed by merciless meteor bullets of energy. Jim could only cling to the base of one of its horns, watching as Bellroc convulsed and writhed with every attack.

“TENEBRIS,” Douxie held his arms out straight as giant sigils manifested around the Titan, “EXCELLIUM!”

Bellroc screeched as huge rays of blinding magic pummeled their Titan on all sides. The spell finished in a nuclear explosion of energy that shook the world, rippling through the air, trembling through the ground, breaking through the clouds. When the haze cleared, the Fire Titan swayed onto its front, its legs giving out. Clumps of feathers had been blown off its body, leaving patches of cooling lava like scabs.

Bellroc dropped to one knee, trying to catch their breath, their body covered in orange and yellow bruises. Before they could so much as twitch, the tip of Excalibur pressed against their throat over their shoulder.

“Don’t move,” Jim said lowly. He looked up as Douxie descended and landed in front of them, magic still whipping angrily around him. Jim swallowed. “Doux?”

Douxie kept his glowing tearstained eyes on Bellroc. They slowly met his gaze.

“Go on then,” they chuckled. “Kill me. It won’t make a difference. My magic will still destroy the Heartstone. I will still bring the end.”

Douxie glowered down, fingers tightening around his staff. Then in an instant, his magic dispersed and his eyes dimmed.

“If I’m honest with you, that’s very tempting,” he whispered, throat raw. Tears leaked down his face. “But I loved Nari more than you ever did. She wanted to spare your life.” Douxie took a ragged breath, gritting out, “Because she still loved you!”

Jim breathed deep, grief swimming in his gaze.

Bellroc’s face fell into contemplation. “If she truly loved me, she would have understood my vision.” They flashed a sick smile. “If something offends you, simply do away with it. Snuff it out. If Elyolam was wise, he would have done just that. But his worthless ‘love’ led to suffering. It made this world unfair. It seems Nari was cursed to make the same mistake…” They trailed off, something drifting into the corner of their eyes.

Eli hovered over them, taking aim at Bellroc.

“That’s enough out of you,” Douxie snapped. “I’m done hearing you prattle on about wanting what’s best for Magickind. You’ve only ever cared about yourself.”

“No wonder you can’t understand what love is,” Jim said. “Because there isn’t any of it in you, Bellroc. Not anymore.” He spotted Eli in the air. “It’s over—”

The Fire Titan’s head snaked off the ground like a snapping viper, a cloud of scorching flames streaming from its maw.

Eli bellowed and pulled the trigger as a tidal wave of fire swept over him.

◆

A pleasant breeze wafted over Nari’s face, coaxing her awake. Her eyes opened, the darkness giving way to a faded blue sky embroidered with curling white wisps. A flock of birds soared over her. Stars winked in scattered clusters. Grass was soft and plush beneath her and the air smelled so clean…

Nari gasped and sat up, heart pounding and hands cupping her face. She patted her chest still intact, no burns to be seen. She shifted onto her hip, bringing her legs under her, and peered over a lushous cliffside at flourishing meadows and grasslands below, lakes and rivers glimmering with soft golden sunlight. Trees blooming with pink flowers and red autumn leaves basked in warm rays shining through the clouds, columns of light drenching the earth.

“How?” Nari whispered as she stood. Tears beaded in the corners of her eyes. It was as though nothing had changed.

“But much has changed.”

So many years, and Nari still knew his voice. Even now as she stood trembling, it warmed her heart and soul.

“Turn to me, Nari.”

So she did. He was as strong and beautiful and radiant as she remembered. His deep colorful eyes gazed upon her, but when she glanced into their depths, she looked down. Tremors racked Nari’s body. Her tears overflowed. She wanted to run but she didn’t want to either, and she knew she couldn’t. His footsteps shuffled the grass and he stood before her, kneeling to brush her cheek with his finger.

“Why are you crying, my dear Nari?” Elyolam asked.

Nari squeezed her eyes shut. His gentle touch, his kind voice, his warm presence. She always wondered when she would feel these things again, if her father would be so loving to her after all she’d done. Now he was here, right in front of her being so tender, and Nari couldn’t look at him.

“Father,” Nari whimpered, face streaked with dense tears. “I am so sorry. I am sorry. I-I have done such horrible things.” Her whines became heavy sobs. “I have caused so much pain and I am so sorry.”

“Will you look at me, Nari?” Elyolam said, gently tilting her head up. “Do you remember what I said to you all those ages ago, upon this very cliffside?”

Nari sniffled, struggling to meet his gaze. “Y-You told me…you told us to never open the Seals again but I…” She hiccuped. “I could not…”

“But did I not also say to you,” Elyolam tucked her hair, “that love is the greatest thing?” Nari finally gazed into his eyes and he smiled. “You lost your way. But I always knew you would find it again, that you would do what was right. That you would always choose the great love within you. Nari, my Life.” He brought her into his arms. “Well done.”

Well done. Nari’s lip quivered at those words. The longer Elyolam held her, the more she came undone until, at last, Nari fell apart and wailed into her father’s embrace that she had yearned for for so long. His wings folded around her and he hugged her tighter, fingers combing through her hair. Nari wished she could remain in this moment a while longer. But her grief was as great as her joy.

“Father, can anything be done now?” she asked, looking at his face.

Elyolam hummed. “Whether you remain with me or return to your friends, Bellroc won’t prevail this day."

“What do you mean?”

Elyolam stood and took Nari’s hand, leading her to the edge of the cliff to admire the golden sun-soaked landscape.

“You can come with me to the Light Realm and leave Bellroc and Skrael’s fates to your friends. Or,” he looked at her, “return to the Earth to finish what you intended.”

Nari met his gaze, the prospect of being with Elyolam again sweeter than honeycombs in her heart. She longed to walk beside him again, to rest in his arms, to fly through the skies on his shoulders, to adventure with him to discover his hidden treasures and wonders throughout the world. There was nothing she desired more.

Or so she thought.

Her friends’ faces shined in her mind. Their smiles and laughter, tears and broken hearts, faults and mistakes, courage and kindness. She saw Douxie and Archie in their city apartment. Jim and Claire sharing a kiss. Aja’s childlike fascination. Krel and Zoe’s blossoming friendship. Claire, Aja, and Zoe enjoying sweets and talking around her. Douxie and Zoe’s love, shared at long last. Toby, Steve, Eli, Aaarrrgghh, Blinky, Varvatos, Barbara, Nomura, Walter. Remarkable humans. Precious souls. Hearts that had welcomed her, loved her. Fondness filled Nari’s spirit to bursting, but alongside it was an ache. A longing for Bellroc and Skrael to experience it, too, what Nari had found. For them to be together again.

“I want to go back, Father,” Nari said.

“Hm. Are you certain, Nari?” Elyolam asked, studying the light bouncing off the land.

She turned to face him, heart full of sweetness and yearning. “Yes, Father. I am sure.”

He stared ahead for a long time. Wind rushed over the cliff, tousling his mane and feathers. The silvery stars that freckled the pastel sky shimmered and the sun brightened, a candescent golden orb skimming the mountaintops, giving its gentle light in a soothing cadence upon rustling trees and undulating waters. Somewhere in the distance, chimes dinged a lilting tune.

When Elyolam finally looked at Nari, it was with a tender smile.

“Very well then,” he chuckled. “I’ll see you in a moment.”

The sunlight grew brighter and brighter, until Elyolam was but an outline. Nari closed her eyes. Pins and needles buzzed through her body, then she was weightless.

◆

Mere seconds away from completely consuming the Heartstone, the graying of the crystals ceased.

Zoe gaped at the blackened Heartstone with its small surviving fiery center, then turned her gaze to the Titans, her comrades doing the same.

“They did it,” she breathed. “They did it…!”

The Fire Titan tucked its wings and settled down, resting its long neck and head on the ground as if to go to sleep.

Bellroc tossed and turned, screaming their head off. The arcane net tightened, fully securing itself around them. All four of Bellroc’s crazed eyes darted around and their nostrils flared.

“Release me, RELEASE ME!” they roared, voice warping so terribly they sounded like multiple wounded animals. “YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME! WORTHLESS SOULS–I’LL RIP YOU ALL TO PIECES, NOTHING WILL BE LEFT!!!”

Douxie and Jim watched as Bellroc continued to thrash and bellow curses. After a while, Jim grabbed them by their plume to drag them off the Fire Titan’s head, ignoring their furious shouting.

“This can’t hold me,” Bellroc snarled. “It’s futile. When this contraption fails, my magic will destr—”

“Shut up!” Jim growled, tossing them over the Fire Titan’s snout before sliding down himself. Bellroc struck the ground with a bone-breaking thud while Jim and Douxie landed easily over them. “I’m getting really sick of you.”

Soon after, Walter flew from the Ice Titan to join them, lugging Skrael with him. He shoved him to the ground next to Bellroc.

“You killed her,” Skrael seethed. “You killed Nari. How could you do that, Bellroc?” When they didn’t acknowledge him, he spat, “Answer me, you dimwitted fool!”

“She interfered. Need I explain myself further?” Bellroc sneered.

Douxie fought the urge to crack Bellroc’s skull with his staff.

“It’s my fault.” Walter approached him, face sunken with remorse. “It’s because I…Nari protected him.” He looked at Skrael. “She protected him from me.”

Skrael said nothing, but his eyes glinted and brows furrowed.

“I’m…I’m so sorry, Douxie,” Walter uttered. “I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m so sorry that I…”

Douxie didn’t look at him. His leg was killing him, but the agony in his heart made him want to disappear.

“I appreciate the apology,” was all he could say.

Their friends and allies made their way across the ruins to meet them, all cut up and bruised and bloodied. Clans, communities, loved ones searched for one another in the rubble. Some found alive for tearful reunions. Others found cold and still, wails of despair sounding from the remnants of what once was a small town. The gravely injured were laid out and attended to by healers and medics. Herds of dragons returned to the skies and hidden existences, roars of mourning and victory echoing in the heavens. But many stayed behind to offer their scales, feathers, hairs, and tears for healing potions and salves.

Jim returned to his human form, he and Claire embracing before going to hug Aja and Krel. The Tarrons then ran straight to Varvatos, Zadra, and the smoking, sparking, but still standing Blanks. Aaarrrgghh carried Toby in his arms and Steve jogged over to check on him. Luma, Blinky, and Walter convened. Zoe threw her arms around Douxie’s neck and he held her close, sobbing into her shoulder. Archie batted Douxie’s leg and he scooped and squeezed him to his chest. The three of them huddled together weeping. Then Zoe caught Krel by the arm and brought him in.

“You okay?” Zoe asked when Krel winced.

“My everything hurts,” he croaked. “But I’ll live.”

“You did it,” she said.

“We did it,” Krel replied. “And if it wasn’t for Eli…” He frowned and pulled back. “Wait, where’s Eli?”

“Pepperjack!” Steve shouted, eyes searching the crowd. “Has anyone seen Pepperjack?” He paused when he spotted Izita carrying Eli in her arms. She set him down gently and Steve dashed over. “Pepperjack!!”

Izita’s face was somber as he ran up. “Steve…”

“Pepperj—” Steve took one look at him and blanched.

Krel and Aja appeared at his side, both immediately speechless and distraught.

Eli was almost unrecognizable, glasses nowhere to be found and his small body blackened and disfigured by the worst burns imaginable. Only the right side of his face retained even a hint of color and mobility, his one eye shuddering and the corner of mouth twitched. Every breath was labored and hoarse, a fight Eli was barely winning.

“No…,” Krel uttered.

“Pepperjack,” Steve whispered, throat catching as he kneeled over him. “Hey buddy. Can you hear me? You’re gonna be okay.”

A faint throaty groan was Eli’s response.

Steve took a deep breath and swallowed hard. “You did it, man. Future Warrior 2 style. A total pro. Bellroc didn’t stand a chance. But uh…some bad stuff happened. Little Veggie Lady’s gone.” A tear landed on Eli’s face. “Help…Someone, p-please help!”

“Medic! We need a medic!” Aja cried.

“We’re on it, Your Majesty,” Izita said.

Medical kits were salvaged from battle pods and passed around. Izita called for and got a hold of one, opening the compact rectangle and activating its body restoration program. Four handles like mini serrators ejected from a compartment. Aja and Izita grabbed two each and arranged them arches up on either side of Eli, beams of energy bridging between them. They let go of the handles as they locked in place, encasing Eli in an electric blue dome. A robotic voice spoke.

[Body Restoration initiated. Evaluating…]

“You’re going to be fine, Eli,” Aja said. “You’re to make it, do you hear me?”

[Severity Levels: Extreme. Begin preliminary treatment. Evaluating…Evaluating…]

Steve balled his hands, nails cutting into his palms. He turned and glowered at the Order, pointed and questioned, “What’re we gonna do with these freaks?” He sniveled, voice shaking. “My best friend and Nari didn’t deserve that, bro.”

“Send them to the Shadow Realm!” someone shouted.

“No, just kill them already!” another yelled.

“Let’s rough them up a bit first!”

“I want to shatter their bones with my teeth!”

“We’re not going to kill them,” Douxie said. “It’s not…” He took a shaking breath. “It’s not what Nari wanted. But we can’t perform the spell without her.” His eyes found Claire. “The Shadow Realm is our only option.”

An uproar started among the survivors.

“They destroyed my town!” a witch cried.

“The universe will be safe if they’re executed!” an Akiridion said.

“Our Heartstones and friends are dead,” a troll grunted. “Everything they’ve done and you still wanna spare them? Give me a break!”

The outrage carried on until Douxie finally shouted, “All of you, please!” When he had their attention back, his eyes swept over their faces.

“I know you’re angry and hurt,” Douxie said. “Bloody hexes, I’m angry. Nari was our friend. In fact, she became like a sister to me. The sister I never had.” Tears spilled down his face. “Bellroc took her from us. And as much as I want to hurt him, I love Nari more.” He looked down at the Order, bound and powerless. “Killing them won’t bring back what we’ve lost. Right now, I only want to honor Nari’s wishes. That’s all.”

Everyone went quiet. Understanding softened some faces, while others remained dissatisfied, and others expressed both.

“Claire. If you would,” Douxie said.

Claire wiped her face and nodded. She held out her palms, straining to form one more portal with what little strength she had left. Aja hauled Skrael onto his feet, Jim doing the same with Bellroc, and they shoved them towards the darkness.

“You think this will stop me?” Bellroc rasped. “The Shadow Realm can’t hold me forever, nor can these binds. I will return to condemn this world!”

“We’ll be ready,” Douxie said. The Order brushed against the black whirring vortex. But then…

“Stop!”

Heads turned, then the crowd parted.

Douxie’s heart welled and he prayed desperately that this wasn’t some trick.

Her body shone like a new spring day, her green tinted skin a nightlight in the dullness. Glittering specks traced her vine markings and dusted her antlers. There wasn’t a scratch on her, no sign of burns or punctures. Her eyes shimmered like golden raindrops. Wisps of her spring green magic circled her like slow-moving clouds, pink petals twinkling and dancing through their currents.

Nari held Douxie’s gaze as she came closer. He fell to his knees and reached out, fingertips brushing her cheek.

“Nari?” Douxie whispered, shaking. “Is it really you?”

She held his hand and tearfully smiled. “Yes, Douxie. I am here.”

Sobs of joy broke out among Douxie’s friends as he wrapped her in his arms. He bawled into Nari’s hair, rocking side to side, holding her tighter. Archie leapt onto his shoulder to lick and nuzzle Nari’s face, his tears streaking her skin.

“Oh Nari,” Douxie wept. “I thought I lost you.”

Nari snuggled into him. “I feared the same.”

“I’m…I-I’m so sorry, Nari,” Walter said. “I let my anger control me. I’m glad you’re alright, that you’re here with us again.” He clutched his chest, eyes shut as he lowered and shook his head. “Please forgive me.”

Nari smiled softly at him. “It is alright, Walter.”

“How is this…We saw Bellroc kill you,” Jim said, kneeling to lay his hand on Nari’s back.

She pulled away to look at the Order.

“Nari…,” Skrael breathed, confusion and relief mingling in his eyes.

“Impossible!” Bellroc snarled. “How can this be?!”

Nari went to stand before them, her gaze calm. “Father brought me back. You will see him again soon.”

The eyes on Bellroc’s shoulders quivered. Every ounce of contempt, pride, and hatred dissolved from their face. It made sense, yet Nari couldn’t quite believe it.

Bellroc was afraid.

“Douxie, Zoe, Claire,” she said without looking away. “It is time.”

“No,” Bellroc pleaded as they formed a circle around them. They kicked and squirmed but the arcane net held fast. A fly trapped in a web. “NOOO!!”

Skrael was mum, blankly staring at the ground.

Nari looked upon her siblings, sorrow coursing through her. But not without hope.

She locked eyes with Douxie, Zoe, and Claire before lifting her gaze and palms to the heavens, her friends doing the same.

In unison they chanted:

“Supplix libellus!”

A huge sigil drew itself beneath them, iridescent lines connecting to depict the Earth and cosmos. Bellroc struggled and roared in absolute hysterics, lava trickling from their ember eyes.

“Auctorita interuptera!”

The sigil flashed, showers of brilliant rainbow light beaming onto everyone’s faces. It strobed again, this time releasing a hurricane of energy. Onlookers stepped back and shielded themselves. Bellroc and Skrael screamed as if burning.

Douxie, Zoe, and Claire tightened their focus, heat igniting their bones as they yelled the final words of the spell with Nari.

“Occido cor meum!”

A deafening crash of thunder quaked the earth. Violent winds tumbled over them as the world washed white in an explosion of light. Several seconds passed before it was safe to look again, and when everyone did, they were awestruck.

“Seklos and Gaylen,” Aja breathed.

“It’s…,” Jim uttered.

Suspended high above in a prismatic pillar, with his great silver wings at full length, exuding and bathed in gold brilliance, was…

“The Great Eternity,” Douxie said.

Nari and her father smiled at one another.

“F-Father…!” Bellroc said, shrinking back.

At that, the crowd managed to tear their eyes away from the Great Eternity. Murmurs rumbled among them.

“Did she just call him ‘Father’?”

“The Arcane Order’s father?”

“So there’s such a person!”

“I-Is he here to hurt us, too?”

“No,” Luma said. She fixated up, face glowing with admiration. “The Great Eternity is no threat to us.”

The Great Eternity lowered until only a clawed toe touched the ground. Luma was the first to kneel, her trolls following suit. Douxie was compelled next, then Archie and Zoe. Dragons craned their necks down. Soon everyone took a knee while the Akiridions formally brought their arms in and bowed at the waist.

A spark went off in Jim’s brain and he looked up. “Elyolam.” The Great Eternity’s gaze rested on him, and Jim felt the most intense rush of deja vu. “Your name is…Elyolam.”

The Great Eternity grinned. “Indeed, Jim Lake Jr..” His voice resonated deep within hearts and souls. He studied each person and creature. “Thank you all. It is customary to show one’s respects to a Master Wizard. As the Trollhunter has said, I am Elyolam, the Great Eternity. Greetings.” Elyolam’s gaze fell upon Bellroc and Skrael, terror darkening their faces. “The ancient Spell of Hosts has been rightfully invoked. It is my duty, then, to rid this world of my servants who have fallen into darkness. But first…” Elyolam turned his attention to the sleeping Fire and Ice Titans. “Away with you. Your purpose is done.”

With a wave of his hand, the colossal beasts disintegrated to ash and powder.

Then he looked towards the Heartstone. “We’ll go ahead and fix that, too.”

Elyolam crossed and parted his hands as if opening a curtain. In an instant, Trollmarket’s Heartstone lit up like a Christmas tree, its crystals once again flushed with that blazing reddish orange and yellow hue. It then crashed to the earth in one piece, completely revitalized. Across the globe, the other six primordial Heartstones revived, piecing themselves back together and reclaiming their lustrous colors. They stayed planted upon the Earth, beacons of life restored and shining brighter than ever. The rainfall ceased at long last and the clouds began to slowly part.

Cheers rose from the Guardians of Arcadia and their allies.

“You’re ever the fool, Elyolam!” Bellroc seethed. Elyolam looked at them. “All we ever did was toil to right your ultimate wrong. Because of you, magic is tainted! Because of you, Humanity will continue to make Magickind suffer! Have you no shame?”

Bellroc sat there and bristled while Elyolam regarded them. Nari shook her head.

“Even now you mask your evil with a false cause,” Elyolam said. “Who do you think I am?” His scathing glare evoked shudders and several steps back. “Magickind has suffered the most at your hands. All your efforts, and both of you only have torment and despair to show for it.”

“N-No, Father!” Skrael cried. “I never really wanted to. It was all Bellroc! All of it was Bellroc!”

“You didn’t want to, but you never stopped,” Elyolam said, eyes softening a tad. He opened his palms, shining white swirling in his right and blackness pulsing in his left. His eyes went to Bellroc, then back to Skrael. “Worry not. Your struggle ends now.”

“ELYOLAM!!” Bellroc spat.

“Nari…Nari, tell him!” Skrael looked to her, his smile pitiful and his breathing ragged. “Tell Father it was all because of Bellroc! All of it was her fault! She made me do what she wanted, like she made you! You know this!”

Nari stared at him, fighting her tears. “Skrael…”

Elyolam clasped his hands, marrying the light and shadows before directing the magic at the Order. The Earth-and-cosmos sigil gleamed and the light around him brightened as he lifted them with white and black cords.

“Bellroc, my Flame. Skrael, my Wind.” Elyolam’s voice resounded. “Servants of Eternity turned herald and slave of darkness, I revoke your power!” Bellroc burned red while Skrael shone icy blue, their screams diminishing to faint echoes. “Walk no more. Speak no more, but listen. Until the stars fall and your eyes can see. Until the earth shatters and you can hear. Until the oceans swallow the skies and your heart can understand. Return to slumber, I command you!”

Bellroc and Skrael’s forms combusted, rendered luminescent blobs of their own magic. In that moment, the sigil flickered and erased itself, turning to sparkling particles floating away. Elyolam flew back down and willed the balls of red and blue to follow him. Once on the ground, the light and shadow magic returned to his hands, Bellroc and Skrael’s magic trailing behind, gradually breaking apart. In their place were two smooth twelve-inch shards like stained glass. One was crimson, cut in the shape of an abstract flame with a thin black feather set within. The other was contoured like a diamond, clear like a piece of ice with a tinge of blue, intricate markings drawn on its surface. Elyolam backed up and allowed the fragments to hover in place.

“Bellroc. Skrael.” Nari laid her hands on both shards and closed her eyes.

Everyone took a moment to process what they were seeing.

“Uh wait,” Zoe said. “Are…Are those pieces of glass them?”

“The spell removed their physical forms,” Aja recited, then it dawned on her. “So these are like—”

“They’re cores,” Krel finished, eyes glued to the shards in pure fascination.

“It’s similar to that, isn’t it,” Elyolam said with a slight grin. He watched Nari. “Bellroc and Skrael aren’t dead, but in this state they can no longer cause any harm. They’ll be sealed away to a place in the Shadow Realm. A place only I will know the way to.” When Nari sadly looked over her shoulder at him, he said, “You won’t see them again for a long time. But I will make it so that they will still see you, Nari.”

“They will see me from the Shadow Realm?”

“Yes. So that perhaps one day, they’ll understand what’s truly good. Your life, your love,” Elyolam glanced around, “your friends and family will show them the way.”

Nari’s heart squeezed. “So Bellroc and Skrael will be as they once were?”

Elyolam gazed at her. “That is an answer I must withhold, my dear. But hope always.”

Nari opened her mouth, but decided to keep her words. He held the answers to every question, yet she knew many things were only for the Great Eternity to know. Things of fate and destiny, things seen and unseen, simple and complex, good and evil. The ley lines of the universe and the depths of the arcane realities abounding. Mysteries and secrets were endless. But despite her sadness, Nari trusted her father all the same, because so were hope and love.

She placed a kiss upon both shards then stepped back. Elyolam lifted his chin and a shadow portal burgeoned. Nari watched her siblings sink into the darkness, heart heavy but glorious days ahead in her sights. Douxie took her hand. Archie brushed her other. The shards vanished and the portal spiraled close.

Nari released the breath she’d been holding, blinking away tears.

“It is done,” Elyolam said. “Now I must return to the Light Realm.”

Nari ran to him and clutched the bottom of his tunic. “Do you have to?”

“Yes, my dear. And you’ve chosen to remain here.”

Nari looked into his eyes. Safe, warm, loving. She thought about Douxie, Archie, Jim, Aja. All of her friends surrounding her now. There was so much more she wanted to do.

“I want to be with my friends,” Nari said. She took Elyolam’s fingers. “Father, there is no one who shines brighter than you. I-I want to be with you, too. So, so much.”

Elyolam knelt, his eyes glowing with affection. “It’s as I said. I will always be with you, just as your family will always be.” He kissed her forehead. “We’ll be together again one day.”

“Do you promise?” Nari sobbed.

“I promise.” Elyolam spread his wings and rose. Nari held on until his fingers slipped from hers. A pillar of light enveloped him once again as he flew higher and higher. Then he stilled, his eyes sweeping over every face. “You have all fought well. The Arcane Order’s campaign of destruction since the Earth and stars were young has come to an end at long last. Each of you have suffered greatly in your fight against their evil. But I assure you, it hasn’t been for naught.” The first rays of suns began to break through the clouds. “This day will be remembered forever as the beginning of true peace, for Man and Magic.” He smiled. “James Lake Jr.. Claire Nunez. Tobias Domzalski. Blinkous Galadrigal. Aarghaumont of the Krubera. Waltolomew Stricklander. Steven Palchuk. Aja Tarron. Krel Tarron. Varvatos Vex. Hisirdoux Casperan. Zoanna Ashildr. Archibald, son of Charlemagne.” Elyolam looked at his daughter last. “Nari of my Eternal Forest. Trollhunters, friends from another world, Master Wizards, protectors of this realm. I declare that a new order will be established with you. The True Order of courage, hope, and love. Guardians of Arcadia. Champions of Daylight. Will you bear this burden?”

They all looked at one another, minds already made up without having to say a word.

“We will,” Douxie said.

Elyolam chuckled. “I suspected as much. It is, after all, the very reason your paths were crossed.”

A detour through the canal.

A crash landing on strange, muddy planet Earth.

A millennium of waiting and safeguarding from the shadows.

None of them would’ve guessed it would lead them to this moment, triumphant over doubts, fears, anguish, and old godlike terrors. Standing together as friends. As a family.

Elyolam and Nari gazed at each other one more time. A perfect circle of golden light opened in the clouds like a heavenly doorway. Elyolam flapped his silver wings and soared upward, glittering specks trailing behind him. The moment he passed through the threshold into the Light Realm, the gate shrunk to a droplet and vanished. Shafts of light shone across the earth until the gray clouds fully receded to uncloak the radiant sun fixed against an azure sky.

“O-Oh no, oh no!!” Alabast cried.

Sunlight struck the trolls, sending them into a panic as they scrambled to take shelter beneath anything they could find, shields, rocks, dragon wings. Wizards and witches jumped to protect them with sunblock spells, but then Jim noticed…

“Wait,” he said. “Blink! Aaarrrgghh!” Jim raced in front of them before they dove under a dragon’s belly.

“M-Master Jim, do you want us to perish after our victory?” Blinky yelped.

“Blink, you’re not—”

“Sun feel warm!” Aaarrrgghh cried. But then he blinked in shock, having realized. “Sun feel…warm?”

“You’re not burning!” Jim grabbed Blinky’s hand and sure enough, the sunlight did nothing to his stone skin. Like Aaarrrgghh said, it was just warm. A wonderful feeling after such a relentless storm.

“What…” Blinky stared at his hand, then down at his body, bathed in sunlight but unharmed. “How can this be?”

Jim turned into a troll. Instead of dealing excruciating burns, the sun’s warmth continued to caress his cheeks. He opened his arms, taking it in with a breathless laugh. Blinky and Aaarrrgghh kept staring at themselves, baffled that they weren’t turning to statues. Soon trolls were sticking their quivering arms out from their hiding places, then slowly stepping into the sunlight with bated breaths. Astonished squeals and gasps soon turned into laughter and shouts of joy. Not a single troll sizzled beneath the sunshine. Instead they jumped and rolled and embraced one another, basking in its soothing heat for the very first time.

“Mordrax’s miracles!” Douxie said.

Nari sprung onto Aaarrrgghh’s back, standing on his shoulders with her face and arms held high. She let out a song of jubilant high-pitched laughter, her spring green skin positively luminescent. Nari closed her eyes to soak up the warmth she’d so terribly missed, crying happy tears. Archie curled around her shoulders and purred loud.

“Eternity be praised!” Luma exclaimed, opening her arms and twirling.

Claire jumped to throw her arms around Jim, kissing his smooth warm lips. He turned back into a human and they fell over laughing.

“I can finally take you to the beach, Wingman!” Toby said.

Aaarrrgghh smiled big. “Get tan.”

Aja, Krel, and Varvatos gazed up in awe, feeling the sunbeams in their palms.

“Lively!”

“Klebtastic!”

“Glorious!”

Douxie intertwined his fingers with Zoe’s. They looked at each other, eyes heavy with exhaustion and adoration, and huffed some laughter. Just another end of the world.

Celebration filled the air. Crying, claps, cheers, even some dancing. Trolls frolicking in the sunlight without fear. Wizards and witches overcome at the Arcane Order’s defeat, having endured their tyranny for centuries. Trollmarket’s Heartstone restored, standing tall and radiant. Talk of bringing Humanity home to a saved Earth. It was finally over. The battle was won, healing and peace and renewal promised for the days to come.

But so came the aftermath of a war waged.

Loud beeps grated against Steve’s ears. He turned back to Eli, a stab in his gut when the body restoration dome began to flicker like a dying lamp. Izita frantically punched buttons and adjusted holographic dials on the medical kit’s interface, but to no avail.

[Evaluation complete. Damaged life core detected. Bodily form beyond repair. Seek advanced treatment immediately.]

“What? No…No, no, come on!!” Steve cried, falling to his knees at Eli’s side. The dome petered out entirely. Steve lifted Eli in his arm. “Pepperjack, hang on. Just hang on, okay? Just…” When Eli didn’t so much as twitch in response, Steve scoured around desperately. “Nari…N-Nari! Help! Please!” She was there in a flash, face falling in distress at Eli’s horrendous condition. “You can make him better, right?”

“I can try. I will try!” Nari cloaked her hands with magic and held them over Eli’s body. Their friends gathered around, all hoping for a miracle. Nari closed her eyes, jaw squared in concentration, magic beating in her hands. But after several minutes, she lowered her arms and looked at Steve, eyes pooling with sorrow. “I cannot. He is too…I am so, so sorry.”

Claire sucked in a harsh breath, covering her mouth.

“Eli?” Toby whimpered.

Aja and Krel knelt beside Steve, their life cores throbbing in anguish.

“Eli…,” Krel breathed, large tears pouring over his cheeks. “No…No…!”

“You’re joking,” Steve said, still looking at Nari. “You’re kidding, right? There’s no way. You can’t be serious.”

She averted her woeful gaze down and said nothing.

“Steve…,” Douxie choked.

“No! There’s gotta be something we can do!” Steve cried, the world blurring with his tears. He held Eli against his aching chest. “This can’t be happening, dude. Pepperjack…Pepperjack, come on—”

“S…t..ve.”

It just barely reached Steve’s ears. Eli’s one eye struggled to stay open while what was left of his lips spasmed.

“Pepperjack…!” Steve gasped.

“D’we…wi..n?” Eli wheezed.

The weak dismal sound was a knife in Steve’s heart. “Yeah. Yeah, we won, dude. Thanks to you. Those Arcane Buttsnacks won’t be back for a while.” Steve heaved a sob. “And it finally stopped raining. You did it, man. I knew you would.”

“You saved us all,” Aja sniveled, gently touching Eli’s head. “You’re a hero.”

Krel folded his hand over Eli’s and wept.

Varvatos, Zadra, Izita, and all of the Akiridion soldiers stood around them. Some hanging their heads, others solemnly looking ahead, many holding their hands over their cores.

Eli tried to smile. His crippled gaze wandered up. Through the fuzziness of poor vision and gathering tears, he could just make out a colorful ribbon of light streaking through the parting clouds. When he couldn’t keep his eye open anymore, he drifted off in the presence of his friends and to the sound of their voices with a sigh.

Nari clutched her heart and sobbed.

“Pepperjack?” Steve uttered. He gave him a small shake. “Pepperjack…Pepperjack!” Steve couldn’t breathe. He curled forward, drenching Eli’s face and neck with his tears. “No, please. Eli…!”

A crisp gale swept over them. The Champions of Daylight looked up, the howling winds drying their faces. Rainbows emblazoned the misty skies.

Then they were gone.

Author’s Notes : i’m so so so sorry

Eli’s death was also decided on for a while, and I foreshadowed it in previous chapters. Even so, halfway through this chapter I was dreading it rip I even considered scrapping the idea. But ultimately, it was important to the story and development I wanted to convey. One thing I never doubted : I wanted Eli to save the day, Neville Longbottom style.

These last two chapters really kicked my tail emotionally and physically x___x But I hope you all enjoyed them anyway.

See you guys in the epilogue <3

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